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!
Gear
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!
Happy Birthday Outdoor Blogger Network!
Congratulations to our friends Rebecca and Joe. They are celebrating the first birthday of their blog, Outdoor Blogger Network. They are giving away many great prizes, so go see for yourself and sign up today. Enjoy!
Fall Lake Fly Fishing
I’m lucky enough to live in an area that has a number of fishable lakes and ponds. Some do not allow gas powered motors, and as a result, get little fishing pressure.
So when the rivers become blown out from all the rain we’ve had recently, I load up the kayak, bass rod and warm water fly box and head out for the day.
Fall is a great time to fly fish for warm water species. Poppers are very effective, especially smaller ones with rubber legs.
The fish seem to adopt the color palette of autumn and are eager to take a fly. Here are some pics from the local lakes. Enjoy!
