New Gear for 2010

I stopped by Tailwaters this past weekend to check in and see what's new in the realm of flats fly fishing equipment for the season. Here are some interesting tidbits:

1) The new Simms Flats Boot - these are amazing and the greatest advancement in warm water wading since Patagonia first came up with the concept years ago. I've always been a fan of the Marlwalker and have burned through a few pairs in the past decade (no flats boot will stand up the abrasive effects of sand and water for very long when worn almost daily). But, when you put the latest version of the Marlwalker side-by-side with the Simms, there's no comparison. A pair of the Flats Boots came home with me.

2) Awesome new flies - I have to say that Tailwaters is becoming quite the Carp Headquarters. Their selection of carp flies is continuously growing and when you add Hexes, crayfish, and other "cross-over" trout patterns, you could fill several boxes from their racks. Pictured above is one that really drew my attention - Whitlock's Improved Rubber-legged Red Fox Squirrel nymph (I think that's the correct name). It's from Rainy's and has all the great features a carp fly should have - even a weed guard. In the commotion of taking a 7 year old and a 2 year old into a fly shop (thank God for Honey Girl!) I somehow forgot to grab a couple for trials when the carp come up for their pre-spawn feed. Good reason for a return trip!

3) New rods - Along with carrying my favorite carp rod (the TFO TiCr"X" 7'6" 6 wt), there are some other interesting sticks coming to the rod rack at Tailwaters. Scott is releasing an 8 foot rod in 6 and 8 wt. (A3 series) as competitors in the recent "warmwater/bass rod" craze. Bart said he was able to give the 8wt. a work-out and it cast like a rod costing twice as much. The six weight should be VERY INTERESTING. I'm trying to lay my hands on one for a casting session. We'll let you know. Combine these with the Sage Bluegill and you have some great, value-point choices for a combo carp/bass/Texas coast rod.

4) Hip packs (does anyone call them "fannies" anymore?) - William Joseph, FishPond, Simms, Patagonia, etc. - there are packs out there APLENTY. No matter if you want waterproof, breathable mesh hip belts, adjustable water bottle pockets, load suspension adjusters, etc.; there is a hip pack out there for you. Check out the new MAGseries from WJ - VERY cool (hey Bart - order me one!).

Review - TFO Clouser Rods

TFO Clouser rod at Tailwaters in Dallas

(photo by Shannon Drawe)

The latest addition to the Temple Fork Outfitters stable of rods is the Clouser - designed with input from the man himself, Bob Clouser. The word on these rods is that they were designed to effortlessly load deep into the blank to more efficiently throw large flies and/or sinking lines. They will do that and a WHOLE lot more; in my opinion, this "specialty" rod is the best all-around rod in the TFO line (for 6 wt. and above "applications" - for the little stuff, you can't beat a Finesse)!

While technically part of the very popular TiCrX product line, these rods are really a breed apart. Different lay ups and mandrels produce a rod that is just a little slower than a comparable weight "X" with a thinner butt diameter.

I had the opportunity to cast a six and eight wt. Clouser (both 8'9") and was blown away by the ease of casting at all ranges. This rod has the range of the rest of the "X" family but REALLY shines in close. While putting through it's paces with a standard 9 foot leader, I decided to tack on about 6 feet of tippet and see what would happen. The Clouser straightened the leader perfectly with 3 false casts and laid a practice fly on a nerf football (the target at the time) 32 feet away. And, I love the length! Who ever said fly rods had to be exactly nine feet long?

Speaking of length - there's a little 8 foot 5 wt. in the line-up as well. How cool would that be as a ultralight flats rod or sand bass/canoe bass rod ?!?!?!?

The 6wt. is a carp fishing MACHINE. I was able to fish one for a few hours on the Ray Roberts flats in August and it performed wonderfully. A few quick, LONG shots at bass, some close-in work on carp and buffs, and a nice battle with a 5 pound carp all gave a VERY favorable impression as to what this rod is capable of. If you're looking for an excellent light redfish rod for the Texas coast, look no further than a 6 wt. Clouser.

After casting both I have to say that I think flats fishing Nirvana will lie in between - I've got my sights on a 7wt. (and I'm thinking here of my South Carolina redfishing as much as a heavy carp rod and/or popper chunker!).

Cosmetics are nice with the "X" blue blank and a few composite cork rings in the handle and the fighting butt to add longevity and looks.

Tales of Tailwaters

Fishing Report - 6/18

I had an opportunity for a "guide's day off" and went fishing Sunday with David, Bart, and Travis from the Tailwaters Fly Shop in Dallas. Great guys, good times, and FISH! The meadow we cross to get to the south side of the flats is currently ablaze with color (Coreopsis and Brown-Eyed Susans - I think) - it's amazing to watch it change from the bluebonnet and paintbrush colors of April to the brillant yellow of mid-June.

As for the fishing, the east flats are beginning to show signs of stress/pattern change as we saw about half the number of fish I've seen in the past few weeks. By the end of June, it will be time to hit the westside areas as hydrilla will make most of the currently fishable flats almost impossible. Presentations and retrieves have to be spot on . . . they are not giving any "freebies."