TOM JINDRA, Guy Tillotson's Grand Slam Group LLC

Guest Review: The GTS Drop Shot Rods From TFO

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Fri, 25 May 2012 01:12:00 +0000

By G. WAYNE BYRD

First Impressions/Technical Specifics: As my previous reviews of Temple Fork Outfitters' GTS rod series said, I was very excited when I pulled these rods out of the shipping tubes. I was intrigued

from the start, and my first thoughts were: lightweight, balanced, clean and precision made with attention to detail. The blanks are pristine in appearance, with well appointed winding checks, wraps, logos and components. The rods are finished with a thin layer of matte clear coat over polished graphite, which produces an immaculate rod that is both durable and striking. The newly designed TFO logo is found on the left side and the classic Temple Fork logo script is on the right side with rod length, weight ratings, model number and power rating.

Guest columnist G. Wayne Byrd

The GTS rods are loaded with features. From the natural high-grade hand-contoured cork grips that are comfortable for any size hands and more sensitive than the rubber or foam style grips used by many manufactures, to a two-piece split reel seat design for greater sensitivity and weight reduction, you will find the GTS series very accommodating. On the rear of the rods you will find a split grip with TFO’s trademark Color ID System for quick and accurate rod power selection.

The GTS series has no fore grip, which reduces weight and improves balance but also makes it possible to place your forefinger directly on the blank for added sensitivity. The new proprietary Tactical Series Guides are ultra-high performance and engineered to handle the most demanding fishing situations. The super hard-chrome anodized stainless steel inserts are pressed into a machined, hard-anodized chromium-impregnated stainless steel frame, making these new guides extremely durable.

What does all this technical talk mean to you the angler? Simply put, the consumer gets a set of guides that are super slick, super hard, tough and one-third lighter than standard SiC guides.

TFO GTS DSC733-1 & DSS733-1 Drop Shot Rods: Due to several requests and emails, I will focus on these two models. Both rods are technique specific, designed for drop shot finesse applications. DSC is the acronym for Drop Shot Casting and DSS is the acronym for Drop Shot Spinning. The 733-1 denotes a length of 7 feet, 3 inches with medium light power and a one-piece rod construction. The rods are color-coded, with silver between the rear split grips and in front of the reel seat, denoting the medium light power. Both rods are rated for a lure weight of 1/8th ounce up to 1/2 ounce, with a line weight rating of 4 to 10 pounds.

I paired the DSC rod with a Tica Tactica KJ baitcast reel spooled with 6-pound fluorocarbon line, which was on the lighter side of the line-weight rating, but I was up against some extremely temperamental and finicky smallmouth, which wanted a nice light presentation. I gave them what they wanted, and they rewarded me exceedingly well. The rod and reel balanced like they were made for each other.

On the DSS model, I used a Tica DynaSpin SH reel in the 2000 size, and the balance point of the rod was right on the money. The DynaSpin was spooled with 6-pound fluorocarbon as well. I not only used both rods for the specific drop shot technique, but for split shot finesse technique and even threw a few tiny jerkbaits of 1/16th and 1/8th ounces .

Both rods felt very light in the hand, which made for many pleasurable fishing excursions, especially when putting in two 10-hour back-to-back tournament practice days. The first thing I noticed when a 3-pound bass hit my small 4-inch drop shot worm was the way in which the rod loaded up. The rod loaded very smoothly, and it loaded farther up the blank than many drop shot rods I have experienced, which I feel is due to the faster taper. The benefit of fishing a faster taper rod in a 7-foot-3 length is very apparent when you catch a larger fish and get into the rod’s powerful backbone. Never once did I feel like the rod was overstressed or overloaded, no matter how big a fight I had on my hands. The TFO GTS rods did not have that “noodle” feel that many longer finesse rods seem to have; instead, the pair maintained a steady platform with a finely tuned feel that was a delight to fish.

One characteristic that really stood out was the rod’s accuracy. This was a very strong and evident benefit, especially when I needed to toss the bait under low hanging branches. The branches were hanging about 8 to 12 feet over the water in a depth of 6 to 10 feet. The bank was deeply undercut, and the fish were lined up waiting for the perfect finesse presentation. Had the lures not been presented right on target, a mess of tangled line, hooks, weights and plastic worms would have been wrapped in the trees. The 7-foot-3 spinning rod took a little practice to get dialed in, as I was accustom to tossing a drop shot rig with a shorter rod. But once proper adjustments were made, the accuracy was right on target. I felt like the accuracy was due largely to the fast action and taper of the rod.

The handle of the DSS rod is shorter than on many spinning rods, which worked out extraordinarily well. It refused to get hung up or snagged on my clothing or arm like many spinning rods are inclined to do. And the rod still balances perfectly. Being that I throw baitcasters about 85 percent of the time, the GTS DSC casting model was accurate right out of the gate and required no adjustment period. It was very nice to be able to throw a 1/8th-ounce finesse rig with a casting rod, as many anglers draw the line using casting equipment in the 1/8th-ounce weight category.

For sensitivity, I give the GTS Drop Shot rods get five stars. When fishing light-line finesse techniques, sensitivity is imperative. I was able to feel every rock and piece of structure, and every little tick ... tick ... tick from the fish was detected, with the majority turned into nice hookups. If you feel the 7-foot-3 length might be too long for you, TFO has an alternative 6-foot-9 medium light power drop shot rod in both casting and spinning models. These are the GTS DSC693-1 for the casting model and GTS DSS693-1 for the spinning. If you need an even lighter rod, TFO also produces several light power drop shot rods in the GTS spinning series. These are available as the 6-foot-3 GTS DSS632-1, the 6-foot-9 GTS DSS692-1 and the 7-foot-3 DSS732-1.

Warranty/Pricing: Temple Fork Outfitters offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty on their conventional rods. The warranty covers the original registered owner for the life of the rod. If your rod fails due to defects in materials or workmanship, TFO will repair or replace the rod at no cost. Dealers are not allowed to replace rods under this warranty, so all you need to do is send the rod and a check for $40 to TFO. The turnaround time to receive your repaired or replaced rod is usually about one week. If it’s determined that the rod was defective, your $40 will be returned along with your repaired or replaced rod. If it is determined that your rod damage was NOT due to defects in material or workmanship, TFO will keep your $40 when it returns your repaired or replaced rod.

GTS bass rods are priced at a very moderate $149.95. I don’t know of another rod out there that incorporates TFO’s excellence, workmanship, selection, warranty and exactitude for anything close to this price point, and believe me, I have fished about every rod available in all price ranges. Do yourself a favor to complement and improve your fishing experience by picking up a few of Gary’s Tactical Series bass rods today, and join the rapidly growing TFO family.

Until next time ... Here’s to Bent Rods & Screamin’ Drags!

G. Wayne Byrd is a professional angler/outdoor writer and seminar speaker sponsored by the following manufacturers: BassWax, Buckeye Shad, Cablz, Gamakatsu, Keen Footwear, Rat-L-Trap, Reel Grip, Rudy Project Sunglasses, Shark Tooth, SmartShield Sunscreens, TackleTech, Temple Fork Outfitters/TFO Rods, Tica & Tuf-Line. Questions/commentary/bookings? Contact G. Wayne at bassmasters65@yahoo.com

For more information on TFO rods and other Temple Fork products, go to www.tforods.com

110-Yard Tippet Spools Of Maxima Fluorocarbon

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:49:00 +0000

Let's be honest: Many fly-fishermen are reluctant to try fluorocarbon.

Never mind the fact that "fluoro" tippets and leaders offer many advantages. Fluorocarbon, for example, is more stealthy because it's essentially invisible in water. Fluoro is also more dense than standard monofilaments and, therefore, sinks more quickly. That makes it superior when using nymphs and streamers. And fluoro is more durable than nylon mono, because it's a harder material (for a more detailed discussion, see "Fluorocarbon Fishing Line: I'm Sold").

But despite fluoro's obvious benefits, the cost scares a lot of people away. I understand, having seen 110-yard tippet spools retailing for as much as $40. At those kinds of prices, an angler can do serious damage to his retirement fund in the course of a season. I'd be reluctant as well.

So why doesn't somebody offer a less expensive alternative? As it turns out, Maxima does.

Earlier this year, at the urging of its dealers, Maxima decided to experiment with a large-capacity offering of its own. Tippet spools were wound with 110 yards of pure fluorocarbon in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 pound test. And costs were kept low enough for dealers to retail these special spools for as little as $18. That's less than half the price of those $40 spools.

And the response has been enthusiastic, meaning these 110-yard spools are no longer an experiment.

That's great news for those of us who weren't born with a trust fund. So next time you're in the market for tippet material, ask your dealer about fluorocarbon's advantages. Then insist on Maxima quality at that amazing Maxima price.

New Half-Weight Rod From TFO

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:06:00 +0000

Bigger isn't always better. For those anglers who think smaller is sweeter, Temple Fork Outfitters today introduced its new Finesse Series half-weight rod and 0-size BVK reel.

The new half-weight rod is engineered with the same materials and taper that make the TFO Finesse Series known for accurate and delicate presentations. At only 5 feet in length, this featherweight rod comes in at 1.2 ounces and packs down to 22 inches.

The cigar-style grips are made of flor grade cork, handsomely finished with a burled cork butt and two adjustable sliding rings. This new rod is light on your wallet as well, with an MSRP of only $159.95, yet it is still covered by TFO's industry leading lifetime warranty.

The rod matches up nicely with the new BVK "0" click pawl reel, which retails for $149.95.

What about a line?

Temple Fork's Jim Shulin says the half-weight Finesse fishes well with a 1-weight line at distances as short as five feet, yet it is perfectly capable of throwing a 2-weight line up to 30 feet. That makes the new Finesse perfect for delicate presentations regardless of tight spaces or heavy cover.

Both rod and reel are available now at your nearest TFO dealer.

Guest Review: Tactical Series Rods From TFO

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:35:00 +0000

Temple Fork's Tactical Series

By G. WAYNE BYRD

Intro: Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) of Dallas, Texas, has recently released a new series of rods they call the “GTS Series.” With ardent rod builder Gary Loomis at the helm, this new series is sure to rival any high-end rod on the market. In the bass series, there are 19 technique specific GTS models to choose from. From the 6’3” Light power drop shot spinning rod to the 7’11” Mag Heavy power swimbait casting rod, you are sure to find the perfect rod for any fishing application!

GTS stands for “Gary’s Tactical Series” and the rods are a step up from Gary’s well-received Signature Series, introduced a few years back. In addition to the bass series, there are 20 additional rods in the Tactical Series to cover applications from back-bouncing and salmon/steelhead to Alaska casting/spinning rods and surf rods. I was extremely excited to fish this new series, and after fishing 10 different models extensively and exclusively, I would like to share my excitement and findings with you.

First impressions/technical specifics: When I unpacked the new rods, I was intrigued from the very start. My very first thoughts were … lightweight, balanced, clean and precision made with attention to details. The blanks were clean and pristine in appearance with well-appointed winding checks, wraps, logos and components. The rods are finished with a thin layer of matte clear coat over polished graphite, which produces a nice looking clean rod that’s tough and durable. The new TFO logo is found on the left side, and the classic Temple Fork Outfitters logo script is on the right side with rod length, weight ratings, model number and power rating included.

The handles are made from natural high-grade hand-contoured cork for maximum sensitivity and a split-grip design with TFO’s trademark Color ID system for quick and accurate rod power selection. The front grip and butt section grips are nice and long to accommodate about any size hand and guarantee a nice feel and fit for all-day casting and comfort. There is no fore grip, which reduces weight and improves balance but also makes it possible to place your forefinger right on the blank for added sensitivity. The reel seat is a split two-piece design for greater sensitivity and weight reduction on all spinning models. The casting models use a two-piece split reel seat on all models up to 7’3”, and a full reel seat is present on the 7’9” and 7’11” models. The split seats are a very comfortable design and allow for maximum rod contact.

The guides are appropriately labeled “Tactical Series Guides” and are actually a new proprietary guide that are ultrahigh in performance and engineered to handle the most demanding fishing situations. Super-hard-chrome-anodized stainless steel inserts pressed into a machined, hard-anodized, chromium-impregnated stainless steel frame make these new guides extremely durable. What does all this technical talk mean to you the angler? Simply put, you get guides that are super slick, super hard, one-third lighter than standard SiC guides, and you never have to worry about losing an insert whether you are fishing fresh or saltwater with monofilament, fluorocarbon or braided lines!

When it comes to graphite and various blank materials, I strongly prefer to not get caught up on all of the various ratings and myths surrounding the labeling and branding of the graphite used in fishing rod manufacturing, as most of these rating systems mean absolutely nothing to most people and only confuse anglers. The important thing is that Gary has designed this series of rods utilizing T-800 high modulus carbon fiber blank material for the GTS rods. What does this all mean to YOU the angler? To put it into simple terms so we are all on the same playing field, T-800 is the highest modulus available for rod building, which goes right along with TFO’s commitment to using the finest materials and components in all of their products.

In the field: I have had the privilege of fishing the GTS bass rods for approximately eight months, with my primary focus on targeting smallmouth and largemouth bass. My angling adventures have taken me to destinations including lakes, reservoirs, flats, streams, canals, ponds and rivers where species such as perch, bluegill, crappie, trout, carp, pike, peacock bass, baby tarpon, snook and walleye have been targeted and caught. Rod powers from medium light to extra heavy, spinning rods to casting rods and fluorocarbon to braided lines were used and tested in an attempt to cover nearly every angling situation imaginable.

TFO GTS C735-1: In this review, I will focus on one rod model in particular, the GTS C735-1. This is a casting rod, 7’3” with medium-heavy power and fast action. The reason I selected this rod is because it’s one of the most popular and commonly used sticks in most bass fishermen’s arsenals, with respect to the power rating. If you are looking to purchase a new bass rod or two, chances are this would be one of the most important sticks you would obtain due to its versatility. This rod is rated for a lure weight of 3/8 ounce up to 1 ounce. I threw everything from ¼-ounce Rat-L-Traps to ½-ounce spinnerbaits and Traps to 1-ounce weighted soft plastics. The better part of an entire weekend was spent burning a ¼-ounce Rat-L-Trap over weed beds and even with the underrated weight of the ¼-ounce Rat-L-Trap combined with the fact that the C735 is not a cranking rod, but a casting rod, it still became my favorite Rat-L-Trap rod! The modulus count on a cranking rod is typically different than that of a casting rod because they are made to do different tasks. Cranking rods are a great rod to have, but I felt this rod performed multiple tasks and each task was performed well.

Gary’s Tactical Series bass rods loaded up smoothly and quickly and, with combination of a powerful backbone, the rod possessed awesome lifting power. I probably lift and swing fish in the boat that should be netted, but due to the aforementioned benefits these rods, I just kept on swingin’. With many high-end rods on the market today, I have actually felt and heard popping and cracking noises when I put the rod under a lot of stress, with the worst case being rod breakage. I did not worry about these issues with any of the GTS rods, and during the past eight months, I have yet to break a rod. As you know, any rod is breakable, but this is truly a well-built, lightweight, tough rod! The C735 had awesome stability for jolting hook-sets but also did amazingly well when I was jigging in a finesse style with a 1/8-ounce jig.

While the C735 is incredibly crisp and responsive, the 7’3” length might be a little long for some anglers who are use to a much shorter medium-heavy rod. I have had multiple inquires asking for a medium-heavy power casting rod in the 6’8” to 7’ length and have notified Temple Fork Outfitters of this common request. If you feel 7’3” is too much rod for you, for now, I would strongly suggest you look at the Signature Series rods in either a 6’6” medium-heavy (TFG FWC 665-1) or the 7’ medium-heavy (TFG FWC 705-1).

The line weight range listed on this rod was 8 to 17 pounds. I tied on 6-pound fluorocarbon line when I was tossing 1/8-ounce finesse jigs, 8- to 10-pound fluoro for Rat-L-Traps, 8- to 12-pound fluoro for my spinnerbaits and 40-pound braid with a 20-pound fluoro leader when I was pitching 5- and 6-inch stickworms into brush. With all of the above scenarios, I had no issues whatsoever and experienced problem-free days of fishing with the C735. With the balance of the C735 combined with the way in which the rod loads a slight bit further down the blank, the rod delivered long accurate cast. Long cast and accuracy were still present even when I was throwing lighter weight lures than the rod recommendations suggest.

Warranty/pricing: Temple Fork Outfitters offers a limited lifetime warranty on their conventional series of rods. The warranty covers the original registered owner for the life of the rod. If your rod fails due to defects in materials or workmanship, TFO will repair or replace your rod at no cost! Dealers are not allowed to replace rods under this warranty, so all you need to do is send the rod and a check for $40 to TFO, and the turnaround time to receive your repaired or replaced rod is usually about one week. If it’s determined that your rod was defective, your $40 will be returned along with your repaired or replaced rod. If it is determined that your rod damage was NOT due to material or workmanship defects, TFO will keep your $40 and send your repaired or replaced rod out to you.

GTS bass rods are priced at a very moderate $149.95. I don’t know of another rod out there that incorporates TFO’s quality, workmanship, selection, warranty and precision for anything close to this price point, and believe me, I have fished about every rod available in all price ranges. Do yourself a favor to complement and improve your fishing experience by picking up a few of Gary’s Tactical Series bass rods today and join the fast growing TFO family. Until next time … Here’s to Bent Rods & Screamin’ Drags!

G. Wayne Byrd is a professional angler, outdoors writer and seminar speaker sponsored by the following manufactures: BassWax, Gamakatsu, Keen Footwear, Rat-L-Trap, Reel Grip, Rising, Rudy Project Sunglasses, Shark Tooth, Simms Fishing, SmartShield Sunscreens, TackleTech, Temple Fork Outfitters/TFO Rods, Tica Reels and Tuf-Line. Questions/Comments/Bookings?

Contact G. Wayne at gforcefishing@yahoo.com or bassmasters65@yahoo.com.

For more information on TFO's Tactical Series and other Temple Fork products, go to: www.tforods.com

Saltyshores Checks Out Aquaz Wading Jacket

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:31:00 +0000

Sam Root of Saltyshores decid wading jacket from Aquaz. Sam really knows his fishing gear, so I'll let his video speak for itself.

The Redfish Were Cooperative

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:06:00 +0000

Tom Jindra with a 16-pound redfish that he caught near Port Sulphur, La

I've spent a lot of time on the road this fall, so I was happy to finally hit the water Friday with Capt. Peck Hayne. We launched the boat at Port Sulphur, La., and headed into the marsh, the rising sun behind us.

A crab pattern fooled this 8-pounder

Despite an 8-pounder that took my crab pattern shortly after we started, the early action was pretty slow. It wasn't until mid-morning that we began hitting targets on a regular basis and, shortly after lunch, Peck pointed out a cruiser about 50 feet out at 3 o'clock. My first couple casts fell behind the fish, but I finally placed the fly properly. I allowed the crab a moment to sink, gave it a strip, then waited for the redfish to pick it up.

Despite a swirl that indicated a strike, I felt nothing after I set the hook with my rod. I was stripping in line, thinking I'd blown the fish, when I realized that the red was charging the boat instead of running away. I took up slack as quickly as I could, then let the fish run after it passed the boat. Moments later, the handle of my reel was spinning, and I watched the line peel off the spool.

I finally brought the 16-pound red to the net, slipped the hook, posed for a couple photos, then returned it to the water. If you'd like to meet that fish for yourself, give Peck a call (cell phone: 504-583-4777). He should remember where we left it.

MY TACKLE
Rod: 8-weight BVK from Temple Fork Outfitters
Reel: Galvan T-8 Torque
Line: Bruce Chard taper from Jim Teeny
Leader: Nine-foot hand-tied leader, Maxima Ultragreen, 15-pound tippet
Fly: Size 2 crab

Fluorocarbon Fishing Line: I'm Sold

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:50:00 +0000

When it comes to fluorocarbon fishing line, I'm a believer.

Though it has been used by anglers since 1971, "fluoro" made its first big splash in the U.S. market in the early 1990s. That splash was pretty serious, but short-lived. Though the idea of a truly invisible line was appealing, prices were exorbitant. The material, meanwhile, was so stiff that it was difficult to use. Given the handicaps, anglers largely lost interest.

Despite the failures, manufacturers still believed in fluorocarbon's potential, so they went back to the drawing boards. Today, we have a new generation of fishing lines from companies such as Maxima that have earned anglers' respect.

Anglers have also come to understand that fluoro is more than a one-dimensional line. Yes, it is essentially invisible, but fluorocarbon has other attributes as well. Let's break it down, both the good and the bad:

Cost: Fluorocarbon is still expensive. Compared to standard nylon monofilament, fluoro is quite pricey, in part because it is difficult to make. The molten material used to extrude the line is highly corrosive to metal, and that requires specialized machinery. The raw material is also considerably more expensive than nylon, and more material is needed to make the same amount of line. Given those factors, the higher price tag is hardly a surprise.

Visibility: Fluorocarbon will always be associated with low visibility, because it has a refractive index that closely matches water. You can see this for yourself by dropping a length of Maxima fluorocarbon into an aquarium. The fluoro really disappears, making it essential for finesse presentations in clear waters.

Toughness: Fluoro is harder and more abrasion-resistant than nylon. That makes fluorocarbon especially desirable for leaders, even when visibility is not a concern.

Density: Unlike nylon and braided lines, fluoro is more dense than water, meaning it sinks. Jigs will sink faster, and crank baits will run deeper with fluoro. And because it sinks, fluoro is less likely to "belly" like nylons and braids as it goes down, so you get less slack between you and your lures. That means fluoro is better for detecting strikes and setting hooks. The fact that it sinks, of course, makes fluoro a poor choice for surface lures such as topwater baits and dry flies.

Stability: Fluorocarbon is a very stable material and is highly resistant to ultraviolet radiation. In other words, it doesn't break down like nylon when exposed to sunlight, so you don't have to change your line as often. The downside is that fluoro doesn't degrade well in the environment, so be careful when disposing of old line.

Knots: Fluorocarbon is notorious for poor knotting qualities. Though I favor the uni-knot, I've seen a lot of debate and disagreement here. In the end, you'll have to decide the matter for yourself, but this much is clear: Take great care that your knots are perfectly tied, and don't hesitate to retie often.

Another big debate is whether to lubricate fluorocarbon when tying knots, with some anglers insisting that lubrication is a mistake. To settle the debate, I posed the question to the best knot expert I know, Bernard "Lefty" Kreh. Lefty's advice: Lubricate, but don't spit on your knots. Saliva, Lefty said, contains certain proteins that cause fluorocarbon to slip. Use water, or even lip balm, instead.

Fluorocarbon has one big advantage over nylon when it comes to knots. Nylon absorbs water, and that weakens the line and knots. Fluoro has the same breaking strength regardless of whether it is wet or dry, because it doesn't absorb water.

If you still don't trust your knots, fish with a heavier line. Fluorocarbon, after all, disappears in water.

Lack of stretch: Fluorocarbon has less stretch than nylon. This is both good and bad. It is good in that fluoro telegraphs strikes better than nylon and gives a more solid hook set. It is bad in that fluoro lacks nylon's impact strength. The solution is to use a heavier line; it's invisible, after all.

Is fluorocarbon right for you?

I still hear arguments on both sides of the debate, but the fluoro advocates are rapidly increasing in numbers. My answer: I'm not ready to throw away my nylon, but fluoro has too many advantages to be ignored. The angler who never uses fluorocarbon will find he has missed the boat.

Gary Loomis Tactical Series At TFO Warehouse

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:27:00 +0000

The new Gary Loomis Tactical Series rods have reached the TFO warehouse. Next stop is your favorite tackle shop.

The previous Signature Series has already proved popular, offering superb value for those wanting a spinning or casting rod under $100. But Gary wasn't ready to rest on his laurels, determined to utilize his expertise in materials to produce a rod that was even better. The key, he said, was in the weight.

"Good rods can be made out of anything, from bamboo to modern carbon fiber," Gary said. "But a good rod must have the right length, power and action to do a specific job. To make a good rod better is to make it lighter and more sensitive without sacrificing durability."

Gary Loomis: "To make a good
rod better is to make
it lighter. ..."

That philosophy inspired Gary to seek out the best materials for his new rod series. He found the solution in a new proprietary scrim and graphite with the highest possible modulus. The result was a dramatic savings in weight and increased sensitivity without sacrificing strength.

To make Gary's Tactical Series even lighter, Temple Fork developed an exclusive guide that is 30 percent lighter than standard SiC guides. TFO's new guides feature machined stainless steel inserts that are super-hard anodized with chrome, then swaged into a chrome-impregnated stainless frame. Not only are these guides super hard, super slick and saltwater safe, the design even eliminates the danger of lost inserts, and that means less time spent repairing busted guides.

Gary's Tactical Series rods are tastefully finished with a thin layer of matte clear coat that enhances the natural luster of the carbon fibers. The split grips have a two-piece reel seat and natural cork rings, highlighted by TFO's trademark color identification system.

The series includes 19 spinning and casting models ranging from a light 6-foot-3 rod suitable for drop shot tactics to a 7-foot-11 Magnum casting rod, all affordably priced at $149.95. There are even two surf casting rods for $189.95 and $199.95.

For details, see your favorite TFO dealer, or go to www.tforods.com.

Gary Loomis On Rod Weight

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 17:58:00 +0000

Temple Fork rod designer Gary Loomis explains the importance of minimizing rod weight.

Gary Loomis On Principles Of Rod Design

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:00:00 +0000

TFO rod designer Gary Loomis discusses the principles of rod design.

Gary Loomis On The Meaning Of Modulus

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:36:00 +0000

Temple Fork rod designer Gary Loomis discusses modulus and the graphite used to build TFO's new Tactical Series spinning and casting rods.

Gary Loomis On His Introduction To Graphite

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:47:00 +0000

Graphite has become such an important part of angling that we tend to take it for granted. But as TFO rod designer Gary Loomis told Temple Fork's 2011 sales meeting, the introduction of graphite took time and effort.

Gary spins a fascinating story, and I'm glad I was able to capture it on video.

Federation Of Fly Fishers Honors Tom Jindra

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:10:00 +0000

Tom Jindra

Tom Jindra has received the Federation of Fly Fishers' highest honor, the Order of the Lapis Lazuli.

"This is a big moment for me, and I can't begin to express my appreciation," Jindra said after receiving the award this week at FFF's annual conclave in West Yellowstone, Mont. "When you look at the list of past recipients, you will see some of the giants of fly-fishing, people such as Lee Wulff, Joan Wulff, Lefty Kreh and Mel Krieger. To find myself included in that circle is humbling."

With members throughout the world, FFF was established in 1965 to promote conservation and the sport of fly-fishing, and the Lapis is the organization's "ultimate award. Thus, the consideration for individual achievement must be extremely strict," according to the FFF criteria. "Services and contributions to the Federation must be prominent and extraordinary, and, above all, they must be long term. They must be significantly above the criteria that would merit consideration for any other award."

An FFF member since 1983, Jindra has served the Federation in multiple capacities, including three years as president. Most recently, he served on the Board of Governors for the FFF Casting Instructor Certification Program and chaired that program from 2004 to 2007.

Jindra is currently associated with Grand Slam Sales, which represents multiple fishing tackle companies such as Temple Fork Outfitters, Gamakatsu, Galvan Fly Reels, Aquaz USA, Islander Fly Reels, Maxima North America, Rainy's Flies, Typhoon and Gone Fishing Sunglasses, Jim Teeny Inc., Tri-Shear and Royal Wulff Products.

More On Gary's TFO Tactical Series Rods

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:02:00 +0000

You might recall that my earlier post about Temple Fork's new Tactical Series rods dodged the question about graphite modulus. I explained then that TFO President Rick Pope was reluctant to discuss the details of graphite, because he wants anglers to judge TFO on a rod's actual performance, not some label.

Tom Jindra, left, with TFO rod designer Gary Loomis

It turns out that designer Gary Loomis is not all that shy. Yes, he share's Pope's belief about emphasizing performance over labels. But he also knows that some folks just love the technical talk and tells me the new rods use T-800 graphite, the highest-modulus graphite that's available for rod construction.

Here's another interesting item:

Temple Fork spent a lot of time trying to find the best possible guides for Gary's new rods and kept coming up short. The solution was to design a TFO exclusive. The Tactical Series rods will use a super-hard chrome anodized insert in a chrome-anodized housing of stainless steel. Because the insert edges overlap the housing, there is no danger of the inserts ever popping out. Gary says these are the best guides ever, and they are available only from TFO.

Temple Fork's BVK Family Grows

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 20:00:00 +0000

Temple Fork's BVK fly rods have been so successful, the company decided that more must be better.

Introduced just last year, the initial BVK series consisted of nine models ranging from an 8-foot 4-weight to a 9-foot 10-weight, but it wasn't long before consumers started asking for greater variety. The company has answered those requests with an expanded selection of 17 rods, which were introduced today at the opening of the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show in New Orleans. If you include the two-piece kit (TF-03-10-5B, MSRP $99.95) for converting the 8-foot 3-weight into a 10-foot rod, the BVK family has grown to a whopping 18 models.

8-foot 3-weight four-piece (TF-03-80-4B) ....... MSRP $224.95
8-foot-6 4-weight four-piece (TF-04-86-4B) .... MSRP $224.95
10-foot 4-weight four-piece (TF-04-90-4B) ..... MSRP $249.95
8-foot-6 5-weight four-piece (TF-05-86-4B) .... MSRP $224.95
9-foot 5-weight four-piece (TF-05-90-4B) ....... MSRP $224.95
9-foot 5-weight five-piece (TF-05-90-5B) ....... MSRP $274.95
10-foot 5-weight four-piece (TF-05-10-4B) ..... MSRP $249.95
9-foot 6-weight four-piece (TF-06-90-4B) ....... MSRP $249.95
9-foot 6-weight five-piece (TF-06-90-5B) ........ MSRP $274.95
9-foot 6-weight four-piece (TF-06-91-4B) ....... MSRP $249.95
with fighting butt

9-foot-6 6-weight four-piece (TF-06-96-4B) .... MSRP $249.95
9-foot 7-weight four-piece (TF-07-90-4B) ....... MSRP $249.95
9-foot-6 7-weight four-piece (TF-07-96-4B) .... MSRP $249.95
9-foot 8-weight four-piece (TF-08-90-4B) ....... MSRP $249.95
9-foot 8-weight five-piece (TF-08-90-5B) ........ MSRP $299.95
9-foot 9-weight four-piece (TF-09-90-4B) ........ MSRP $249.95
9-foot 10-weight four-piece (TF-10-90-4B) ...... MSRP $249.95

The new models are expected to arrive in stores in November.

Even The Fish Prefer SmartShield

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:42:00 +0000

SmartShield decided to prove that its sunscreen products are "marine safe," and you can watch the test here.

Bruce Chard Fly Lines From Jim Teeny

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 04:25:00 +0000

It's mid-August and, big surprise, the heat is miserable in south Louisiana. But that's no reason to quit fishing. The redfish still have to eat, and the only thing worse that the weather is staying home. Besides, I've had some great fishing in August over the years. You just have to take a few precautions, i.e. wear lightly colored clothing that's really loose so you get plenty of air circulating, use a good sunscreen that's going to stay on as you sweat and drink plenty of fluids (plain water for me).

And get a fly line that can handle the heat. It's hard to beat the Bruce Chard Professional Series from Jim Teeny.

The problem with standard fly lines is that they melt in the heat of summer. Don't worry, the plastic coatings aren't actually going to drip off the cores, but they get so soft that you can feel the line bogging down in the rod guides. They don't shoot well, and double-hauling becomes difficult. And that was a serious handicap when fly-fishing the saltwater flats in years past.

Some anglers tried to keep their lines from wilting by dropping blocks of ice into plastic trash cans which then served as shooting baskets. That always struck me as an awkward solution but, more than once, I have put my reels on ice when moving from one flat to another.

The problem was eventually solved by the introduction of "tropic" lines such as the Bruce Chard tapers, which incorporate monofilament cores and harder coatings to resist the heat. You might not want to use one of these lines in the cold, because that stiff mono core takes on a lot of memory in winter. But my Bruce Chard lines come out when the jacket comes off, and they're indispensable any time the mercury spikes.

The compound taper is performs beautifully. Far from using a standard weight-forward design, Bruce gave his 100-foot line a front taper of only 4.5 feet to produce a strong turnover that can straighten even long leaders when using big flies. The relatively short belly of 19 feet allows for a quick presentation with minimal false-casting. The 15-foot rear taper, meanwhile, gives you the necessary support for those long casts we sometimes need in the salt, as well as the ability to pick up a long line and cast quickly when a good fish suddenly comes out of nowhere.

Bruce's lines are available in 8- through 12-weight and come in blue, aqua and light yellow, depending on the weight.

Hot tip: Though originally meant for permit, the Bruce Chard lines have the same qualities I look for in a bass taper. That strong turnover is perfect for handling big bugs. But whatever species you target, you're going to love the Bruce Chard performance when the fishing gets hot.

Fly Tackle Dealer Show Comes To New Orleans

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:09:00 +0000

New Orleans will become the center of the fly-fishing universe in three weeks when the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show hits town. As the name suggests, IFTD is not a consumer show, which is a bit of a bummer for some. But if you are involved in the industry, IFTD is an important event as manufacturers show off their latest products to retailers.

Why New Orleans?

IFTD is normally held in Denver, but why not New Orleans? It's a great town, and I know attendees will go home well fed and well watered. But the focus will be on doing business, and New Orleans is an opportunity to reach out to dealers for whom Denver is just too far.

For consumers, sorry, you're not invited. But you should still pay attention. If there is news to be made in the fly-fishing world, it will be coming out of New Orleans Aug. 18-20.

Temple Fork's BVK Fly Rod Gets A "Wow"

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 19:12:00 +0000

Buzz Bryson reviewed Temple Fork's BVK rod in the Summer 2011 issue of Fly Rod & Reel magazine (available at your newsstand now). His assessment?

"Wow!"

Gary's Tactical Series Rods From TFO

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:13:00 +0000

The lineup of Gary Loomis rods from Temple Fork Outfitters just got more impressive, with TFO's introduction of the new Gary's Tactical

TFO President Rick Pope, left, discusses

the new Tactical Series rods with

Temple Fork sales rep Kent Edmonds

Series.

The rods were introduced last week at ICAST, or the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, and should start showing up in retail stores sometime in November.

The rods look great, with a matt finish on the shafts and more refined reel seats that minimize the weight. More important is the higher modulus of the graphite being used. The actual modulus is a bit of a mystery, because TFO President Rick Pope doesn't want to relive the old modulus wars of the 1980s and 1990s, when modulus became a buzz word that let some companies forget that modulus was meaningless if you didn't have a good designer.

In fact, Gary's Tactical Series incorporates a dual-modulus layup, meaning differing grades of graphite are utilized to maximize each rod's performance. So rather than worrying about labels that tell you almost nothing, you want to actually pick up a rod and let your own hand be the judge.

Meanwhile, Temple Fork has focused on reducing weight, which is why the company opted for more elegant reel seats that have the added bonus of looking truly cool. The company also devoted a lot of attention to the guides, trying to come up with the perfect combination of durability and performance. The solution was a super-hard chrome anodized insert in a chrome anodized housing of stainless steel. And because the insert edges overlap the housing's edge, there is no danger of the inserts ever popping out. And before you ask, yes, these guides handle braided lines just fine.

Gary's Tactical Series features 19 bass models. These one-piece rods will retail for $149.95, and these rods are saltwater safe, so don't be surprised when they start showing up on the coast as well:

Casting Length Power Line Wt. Lure Wt. Action

6'9" ...... Med ...... 6-12 ......... 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast

7'3" ...... Med ...... 6-12 ......... 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast

7'3" .... Med Hvy ... 8-17 ......... 3/8 - 1 ....... Fast

7'3" ...... Hvy ...... 10-25 ........ 1/2 - 1 1/2 .. Fast

Spinning Length Power Line Wt. Lure Wt. Action

6'9" ....... Med ...... 6-12 ....... 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast

7'3" ....... Med ...... 6-12 ....... 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast

7'3" ....... Med ...... 8-17 ....... 3/8 - 1 ........ Fast

Pitch & Length Power Line Wt. Lure Wt. Action

Crank Bait 7' ......... Med ...... 6-12 ........ 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast

(casting) 7'9" ....... Med ...... 6-12 ........ 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast

7'9" ...... X-Hvy .... 12-30 ........ 1/2 - 2 ....... Fast

Drop shot Length Power Line Wt. Lure Wt. Action

(casting) 6'9" ..... Med Light .... 4-10 ..... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast

7'3" ...... Med Light .... 4-10 ..... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast

Drop shot Length Power Line Wt. Lure Wt. Action

(spinning) 6'3" ....... Light ....... 4-8 ...... 1/16 - 1/4 ..... Fast

6'9" ....... Light ....... 4-8 ...... 1/16 - 1/4 ..... Fast

6'9" ....... Med Light .. 4-10 ..... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast

7'3" ....... Light ....... 4-8 ...... 1/16 - 1/4 ..... Fast

7'3" ....... Med Light .. 4-10 ..... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast

Shaky head Length Power Line Wt. Lure Wt. Action

(spinning) 6'10" .... Med Light .. 4-10 ...... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast

Swim bait Length Power Line Wt. Lure Wt. Action

(casting) 7'11" ....... Hvy ...... 12-25 ........ 1 - 4 ..... Med fast

Maxima Treazure Goes Green

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 20:45:00 +0000

One of the best new fishing lines introduced to the market these past few years has been Maxima Treazure. Well, good as Treazure was, it just got better.

Ever since the introduction of nylon monofilament, anglers have been confronted with a fundamental choice when buying fishing line. You could go with a durable mono capable of withstanding heavy abrasion, but that meant a line with miserable memory. In other words, you got a "hard" nylon that came off the reel in tight coils, and those coils caused tangles and sacrificed sensitivity. It was akin to fishing with a Slinky.

The alternative was a "soft" nylon. Soft nylon allows the line to come off the reel straight, but it abrades easily, meaning you risk getting cut off if you fish near structure. And even when structure is absent, the fish can cause their own abrasion as the line rubs against their jaws or scales.

To avoid the problems of those extremes, most manufacturers decided over the years to use a nylon that falls somewhere in between. But the compromise has always been less than perfect, because it didn't actually solve anything. It just moderated the drawbacks of choosing between hard and soft.

Another approach was the introduction of copolymer lines, which use a soft core with a hard surface coating. But even that approach came up short: If you damage the coating, you've lost your protection against abrasion, effectively leaving you with just another "soft" line.

Maxima's scientists liked the copolymer concept; they just figured it needed to go a step further. The better approach, Maxima realized, was to incorporate its high grade copolyamides into the line itself, meaning there is no surface coating to be damaged. The result of this unique and exclusive process is a line with unmatched abrasion resistance, superb strength and essentially no memory. And because Treazure stretches less than standard monofilaments and copolymers, the sensitivity is simply amazing.

Treazure's one shortcoming was that it came only in clear, because the copolyamides refused to accept dye.

That is, until now.

At last week's ICAST trade show, Maxima introduced a green Treazure, available in 6- through 40-pound test. Delivery to retail stores is expected in October. And that means no more compromising. Now, you can have a seriously rugged fishing line with minimal memory, great strength and excellent sensitivity. And if clear Treazure doesn't suit your needs, just go green.

'Best of Show' At ICAST

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 18:31:00 +0000

The folks from Temple Fork Outfitters were feeling quite proud of themselves at this week's ICAST, having won a "Best of Show" award for the new BVK fly reel.

ICAST, or the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, is the world's largest fishing tackle trade show, featuring all the premier tackle companies. It's an impressive lineup, and the big names tend to dominate every awards ceremony. When one of the smaller independent companies finds its way into the winners' circle, that's good reason to take notice. Which is exactly what happened with Temple Fork and its BVK reel.

Designed to be the perfect companion with the highly acclaimed BVK rod series, the anodized BVK reels are precision machined from bar stock aluminum and feature a silky smooth drag of stacked Delrin and stainless steel discs. Equally at home in both fresh and salt water, the super large arbor design provides faster line pick-up and helps the maintenance-free drag provide a more constant pressure.

Conversion from a left- to right-hand retrieve is quick and easy. The BVK is currently available in a clear silver, with plans to offer the reel soon in green and champagne.

But what makes the BVK reel truly impressive is its weight. The BVK I, which holds 75 yards of 20-pound backing with a WF-4-F line, comes in at a modest 4.6 ounces; the BVK II weighs a measly 4.9 ounces despite its ability to hold 200 yard of 20-pound backing and a WF-6-F line. The BVK III holds 205 yards of 20-pound backing with a WF-8-F line, yet it weighs just 5.2 ounces.

That's quite an accomplishment with an MSRP of only $224.95-$249.95.

So get on down to your nearest TFO dealer. Say you want to see the reel that caused all that commotion at ICAST.

Big Tackle Industry Show Coming Up

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 21:35:00 +0000

You might not think of Las Vegas as a fishing Mecca, but it becomes the center of the tackle universe in just under two weeks. The
International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, is the world's largest sportfishing trade show, and it opens its doors for three days on July 13.

Why do you, as a consumer, care?

All the top tackle companies will use ICAST to showcase their latest products, so keep your eyes open for the announcements. Never mind that this will be taking place in the middle of the desert. There's going to be news coming out of Las Vegas, and I'll be there.

Temple Fork Expands BVK Lineup

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 17:23:00 +0000

Temple Fork Outfitters has given us two more reasons to love the BVK rod series.

Though the 9-foot 6-weight BVK was already pretty sweet, the reversed half-Wells grip was a bit limiting for anyone who wanted a light saltwater or streamer stick. That's now been corrected by giving you the option of the same rod with a fighting butt and full-Wells cork grip. At an MSRP of $249.95, the new 6-weight is going to prove really popular this summer for redfish and speckled trout. The TF 06 91 4B should be just as big a hit for largemouth and smallmouth bass, or any other application that calls for a beefier 6-weight.

TFO also recognized the need for a 10-foot trout rod, so it has introduced a two-piece conversion kit for the 8-foot 3-weight BVK. To convert your TF 03 80 4B, just replace the standard handle section with the TF 03 80 5B* kit, which retails for only $99.95. Now, get out there and start learning the Czech nymphing technique that's proven so effective on trout streams around the world.

TFO's Professional Series Has The Right Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Email: tomjindra@cox.net) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 02:53:00 +0000

David Sheffield and friend, caught on a Professional Series 8-weight rod

I've long said that Temple Fork's Professional Series fly rod is one helluva stick. Never mind that most models retail for just $149.95 to $159.95. I love these smooth-casting rods and would have no qualms fishing them anywhere in the world. And tonight, I got a supporting opinion from Reed Guice of Biloxi, Miss., who was fishing with David Sheffield at Ship Island off the Mississippi coast. Here's Reed's email:

"I bought the TFO Lefty Kreh Professional Series rods in 8wt and 9wt as ‘boat rods’ and back-up rods for an upcoming trip to Ascension Bay. Here is a picture of the first fish caught on the 8wt. A bull red as long as your leg! After casting those sweet rods and seeing the hurt they can put on a big fish, they are now my primary rods for my trip to Mexico. The $700 rods will come with me as back-ups."

All I can say, Reed, is that I'm jealous. That's a beautiful fish.