SCHULTZ OUTFITTERS - Smallmouth Season Prep - Leader Build

You asked (over and over) and Schultzy delivers with his step-by-step on how he builds leaders for spring smallmouth fly fishing.  Take notes...



Check out the Schultz Outfitters website and see more of their videos on their YouTube channel.

RODMAKER 24/7 - Fast S2 Glass Blanks Sale

You know what makes me happy?  When my winter to spring Instagram feed transitions from trout and steelhead to smallmouth and carp (bluegill, too!) images.  Do you need a new fly rod and not afraid to build your own?  Rodmaker 24/7 has a deal going right now with 30% off their Fast S2 Glass Blanks.

The sale is good until all the blanks are gone.  I wouldn't sleep on this too long though...

Visit the Rodmaker 24/7 website to check out the sale and follow along with the latest shop news on Facebook and Instagram.

COSTA - A Legend Remastered

Here's a fun promo Costa film with Flip and Oliver built around their new Grand Catalina frames.  There is something wonderfully retro looking with the matte black frames and gold mirror lenses.  Along with the shortie film, there's more to the story on the "A Legend Remastered" landing page.

Am I cool enough to pull these frames off?  My kids would maybe say no...



Visit the Costa website to check out the Grand Catalina frames and others.  I'm especially excited about the King Tide 8's with green mirror and sunrise silver mirror lenses.  They might be the perfect set to cover all light conditions on the water.  I've retro fit (removed some of the foam) one of the cases so that both pairs can be zipped up together in the included protective square case.

"OLD MAN HACK" - Always Travel with Slippers

Many of you likely know of Mike Sepelak, at least online and on social media.  He and I have traveled together for years on fly fishing trips and to shows.  He's what I lovingly call my "Old Man Friend" since there's twenty years that separate us and with age comes experience. 

One of the things I've picked up from Mike is that he always travels with slippers.  On weather days on Beaver Island, when it's cold and rainy outside, Mike's laid up on the couch with his slippers on, nose deep in a book.  Hanging out at the house down in the Louisiana marsh?  Mike's in his slippers.  It never fails.  Honestly, it's absolutely a pro travel move.    

 

What used to seem unnecessary is now essential and for the past year or so, I've also brought along a pair of slippers and experienced Mike's genius move.  If I've got room and weight to spare in my duffel suitcase, they'll go along with me from here on out.   

Need a suggestion on a great travel slipper?  I like the XTRATUF Homer II Slip On.  They have plush lining and maybe the best feature is an outsole that gives you some tread for inside and outside wear. 

What are your "Old Man Hacks"?  I'm almost 50 (SMH...) and need to know these things.

FISHBEERBBQ - Are There Anything Better Than Ribs?

I have a real soft spot for anything that Matt Dunn of FishBeerBBQ does and the weekends are made for smoking ribs.  I'm partial to beef ribs that go hours and hours until the muscle reaches this magic point of total relaxation.  There are few things better.



This short, admittedly silly, video is a good reminder of a past "Good Eats" post on T.F.M. a few years ago.  It still holds up.  The hardest part is finding full racks of those center cut beef ribs.  Sometimes the butchers like to cut them up into singles.

Deep dive into all things FishBeerBBQ on Substack, Instagram, and YouTube.  Catch the podcast on Amazon Music and iTunes.

MEADOWS ON ROCK CREEK - Tom Morgan Bamboo Building Class

If you're looking for a top tier experience this fall, The Meadows on Rock Creek in Montana will be hosting a Custom Bamboo Fly Rod Building Class with Tom Morgan Rodsmiths that will run September 26th through October 1st.  Along with building a bamboo fly rod, attendees will enjoy luxury accommodations, guided fly fishing on Rock Creek and nearby stream, meals, drinks, and more.

 

 Learn more on the Meadows on Rock Creek website. Availability is limited for this special event.

SCHULTZ OUTFITTERS - Smallmouth Season Prep - Sticks & Stones

I shared the first episode in this series the other day and even though Schultzy is diving into the graphite (we're more into glass around here...) fly rods that are in his boat this time of year, there is a lot of other great intel to gather with flies, leaders, and fly lines, too.



If I was going to handpick a couple of 7-weight and 8-weights in fiberglass fly rods, these four would top out my list...

• ECHO BAD ASS GLASS - 7-WEIGHT
• MOONLIT FLY FISHING NIRVANA PHOENIX GLASS - 7-WEIGHT
• EPIC FLY RODS - REFERENCE 888- 8-WEIGHT
• ORVIS SUPERFINE GLASS - 8'8" - 8-WEIGHT

Looking for a dual line weight fly rod, the STEFFEN BROTHERS 8' 7/8-WEIGHT is the ticket.

Check out the Schultz Outfitters website and see more of their videos on their YouTube channel.