The Holiday version of online fly fishing magazine A Tight Loop is here. This issue is largely dedicated to gift ideas. Whether you’re looking for something to put under the tree or in the stocking, this issue will give you plenty of ideas. Enjoy!
This Is Fly, No. 32
The latest This Is Fly is here. According to the editor, “Winter is upon us with this 32nd issue of This is Fly. Why not warm up in the Bahamas as our editor Paris Fleezanis takes us aboard the Sea Hunter in pursuit of monster bonefish. If you would rather stay cool, head to Mongolia with Matt Harris for some Taimen fishing. Bring it back home as we visit with San Francisco based artist Ferris Plock and look through the Holga lens of Brian Schiele. We love music here at TIF and what is better than Jazz and Fly Fishing? Nothing according to Havard Stubo. Still dreaming of warmer weather? Let’s meet up with Rasmus Ovesen in Belize for some trophy fish. We know everyone loves a Blitz – Pete McDonald gives us the lowdown on his new book in our one on one interview. As always our gear section is jammed packed and we have released 3 new t-shirt designs of our own.”
Ferris Plock’s artwork is particularly interesting. Can’t wait to see his children’s book.
This issue also contains the latest mixtape. I liked Mr Lif’s The Sun and One Minute to Midnight by Justice. Enjoy!
Great Customer Service
Last week I decided to build a 9 ft. 4-piece 4 wt. graphite fly rod for use in some of the smaller trout streams. Instead of ordering the components individually, I checked around and decided on a rod kit from J Stockard. They’re having a sale on their rod building kits, and the entire order cost $90 including shipping.
I ordered it on Saturday and they let me know on Monday that it went out. They also provided a UPS tracking number. By Tuesday afternoon I had the kit in hand.
There was one problem. Instead of a 4-piece blank, they had shipped a 2-piece blank. I call them around 3:30 in the afternoon and they said that they would ship the correct 4-piece rod blank.
I expected it to take a couple of days, but the next day (Wednesday) the new blank arrived, along with a prepaid shipping label to return the 2-piece blank. It will go in the mail on Friday.
On Tuesday I also received an email from J Stockard announcing 10% off on orders placed this week. I responded to the email and asked the customer service rep if my order would receive the 10%, since technically I had placed it on Saturday. She responded with a nice email and credited my account with the 10%.
I can’t tell you how amazed and pleased I am with the customer service received from J Stockard. I told 3 of my rod building friends, and I will definitely purchase from them again.
In contrast, over a week ago I wrote emails to Bass Pro, Cabelas, Orvis and Gander Mountain asking if they had any special events for the blogging community. To date I’ve had absolutely no response from any of them. Crickets.
A post on my rod building project is forthcoming. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
November Rainbow
The thermometer reached 60 degrees today, providing us with one of the last mild and sunny days for the foreseeable future.
After addressing a few chores at home, I decided to spend a couple hours on the Muconetcong River. Started out with streamers and egg patterns, but neither proved effective, so I switched to a weighted prince nymph, which had worked on my last outing.
This chunky 14″ rainbow below with a tail like a paintbrush eagerly took the nymph and also put up a nice fight on its way to the net.
While the fishing has slowed considerably, the girth of the fish caught has increased. There are some real footballs out there. Enjoy!
Southern Culture On The Fly #1
The first issue of online fly fishing magazine Southern Culture On The Fly has finally hatched. SCOF is dedicated to providing some great writing on warm and coldwater fly fishing opportunities in the southeast.
This issue contains stories on southern appalachian brook trout, fall smallmouth on the Holston and other great local content. Enjoy!