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| Current Newsletter |
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April 2008 |
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With apologies to George and Ira Gershwin:
Springy-time an' the air's more than breezy. Fish ain't jumpin', But the Baetis are nigh. You useta be rich, and kinda good lookin'. Then you took up fishin', an' tyin' them flies. Yes, it's springtime; no, it's not almost summer. As recent days have shown us, there's still plenty of rain and snow to be had before summer kicks in. For now, we have to be satisfied with lots of nymphing punctuated by the occasional dry fly interlude. Part of the fun and challenge of fly fishing is learning how to cope with changing weather and water conditions, picky fish, crowds, slick roads, and all the other stuff we are willing to put up with in pursuit of those beautiful fish. Remember, every day on the water is another learning experience that sharpens our skills and adds to our enjoyment. We've been getting out more often ourselves. Be sure to check the FishLog to see our reports. We'll continue to tell you about our expeditions, including what our guides observe as they are out with clients in the coming months. If you have a trip you'd like to tell us about, send the info (and any pictures you'd like to share), to us at laughinggrizzly@comcast.net. Speaking of guides and guiding, we offer guide services locally and on destination waters like the Grey Reef and San Juan. We'd be happy to take you out. We can tailor a trip to your needs, whether you're a beginner or more experienced fly fisher. Check the Trips page on the website for information and rates, and book your trip soon. Mothers Day, Fathers Day and Graduation are coming up soon. A guided trip makes a great gift. Our Kids Class participants did an informal bug survey on the St Vrain through Meadow Park in Lyons on Saturday, March 29. Check out the pix. You might be surprised at what they found:
Trout Unlimited The Longmont Trout Unlimited Chapter's annual auction fundraiser is coming up on Friday, May 2 at 6:00 pm at the Longmont VFW. You'll find great values on gear, flies, books, art, fine dining and lots of other goodies including free food. In addition, you can purchase $30 raffle tickets (limited to 60 tickets) for a fantastic private water trip in Steamboat Springs (contact Lynn Goin at 720-394-3749), or $25 tickets (limited to 50 tickets) for a fabulous Winston 8' 4wt Tom Morgan Special rod here at the shop. Both raffle tickets will also be available at the next SVATU meeting on April 17 at the VFW. What's New in the Shop Waders and Boots Simms's new waders and boots are in stock. You'll want to see and try on the new Rivershed boots- very cool. We currently have a great selection of sizes and colors, so if you are looking for new waders and boots, come in soon. We have closeout specials on last year's models as well, but there are only a few in select sizes available. We now carry Redington waders and boots as well as Simms, in both men's and women's styles and sizes. This is high quality gear at a great price. Don't forget that we can get kid's sizes from Simms and Dan Bailey, too. Rods and Reels We have received an order of Sage rods so we have a great selection right now. We are especially imnpressed with the new ZXL. Come in and cast one- you'll love it! We have new Winston rods on the way as well. Our Ross Reel pre season order is due any day now, so be on the lookout. Ross continues to lead the pack with beautifully machined reels in exciting finishes. We'll have a full selection of models, sizes and colors. If you'd like to build your own rod, we can help. We can order a Winston, Sage or St Croix blank and all the fittings for you, and show you how to build yor own custom rod. Whether it's rods, reels or other gear, if we don't have it in stock, we'll be glad to order it for you. Bamboo Rods Looking for a classic bamboo rod? Talk to Frank Drummond. Frank is quickly becoming one of the better known and respected rod builders in our area and is creating some exquisitely beautiful rods that cast and fish very nicely. If Frank isn't in the shop when you call or come in, you can reach him at 303-810-4538. We sometimes have one of his rods on the rack, but they never last long; most of them never even make the rack because they are sold before they are finished. One of Frank's recent customers, Barbara Luneau, said "Just want to let you know how much I admire and appreciate your craftsmanship. I was so excited to get out and try your bamboo rod this weekend" Frank has two rods currently under construction: a 7'-2" , 2 pc, single tip 4/5 wt and a 7' 9", 3 pc, 2-tip 5 wt. Both rods have a flamed finish and will be ready in about two weeks. Contact Frank if you'd like to learn more about these rods. Clothing We now have a full assortment of Redington clothing in addition to the fine Simms line. We have Redington shirts, converible pants and fleece shirts, wading pants and jackets in stock. Gear We received our Fishpond preseason order last week. They make some truly wonderful gear bags, rolling duffles, reel cases and even fly boxes. Their vests are versatile haulers that will hold every fly box and gadget you own. Many have capacious pockets for your jacket, lunch, water bladder, and probably an extra pair of shoes or two. Don't forget the more traditional Simms line that many of us favor- it wears like iron. Eyewear Functional eyewear is important not only for seeing fish, but for protecting your precious eyesight from harmful UV radiation and other damage. We have a full line of Smith Optics, Suncloud and a new line- Fisherman Eyewear. One of things every good fly shop should provide is useful information and advice. We take pride in our knowledge of local waters and the flies and gear you'll need to catch fish. We maintain comprehensive fishing reports on our website, and we are always happy to take the time to answer your questions in person or by e-mail. Just ask. Thanks for the support you have given us in our first year of business. It has been a pleasure helping you and getting to know you. That's it for this month. See you in the shop or on the water. The Laughing Grizzly Staff |
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