Monday, December 12, 2011

Product Review, and Some Stuff


I don't often do product reviews, the reason being most of the stuff I use in my pursuit of small stream trout is old school and most everyone has used it for many years.
This item I picked up several weeks ago and had a chance to use it for the first time last week. In an attempt to get a fly down into the current I pinched a small, I mean small amount on my leader, and right after hitting the water that fly was in the zone. Loon putty is soft and workable and hardens like steel when it meets the cold water. It's removable and does no harm to your leader, it's non-toxic and reusable.



Loon Deep Soft Weight



I have received many requests for information on the thread for tying the Ausable Wulff and several other Fran Betters fly's. At the time I spoke to Fran about it he told me he used Gudebrod orange. I had purchased several spools of it from his shop. Several years later in an attempt to purchase more I was told that Gudebrod no longer makes fly tying threads. Many questions on a suitable substitute, I have come up with these. Uni Thread, and Orvis. I think Orvis is the closest to Gudebrod.



For many years the Pennsylvania F&B Commission has issued these wonderful patches.
They issue them yearly and they are well done. These are only a few of the patches I have, and I keep them in a box. I used to sew them on my vest, but no longer wear one. I'll just hang on to them, perhaps someday one might have the value of a Ted Williams rookie card.




14 comments:

  1. Love the patches. Wish TN did something like that. Of course I am a pack rat and love collecting things like that.

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  2. Fire orange uni-thread is one of my go to threads for tying also. I love the patches I wish they had something like that here in NY. I have collected many similar patches for hiking mountains in the Adirondacks but I think those brookie ones are cool.

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  3. Those patches are real cool!

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  4. tnfishdaddy,
    Thanks.
    Yes I wish CT did it also. I can relate to the Pack Rat issue.

    Kiwi,
    Thanks.
    That fire orange thread also makes a great body, all by itself.

    G Lech,
    Thanks.
    They really do a nice job on them.

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  5. Hey Alan....those patches are really nice.

    When I am at the fly-tying class at the MA Fish & Wildlife HQs I am going to mention these to them.

    I am sure that there are people who would buy them.

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  6. I am a big fan of the loon deep soft weight. Its great stuff for getting you down quick in heavy swift currents.

    I wish gudebrod still made threads. They had great colors and there small thread was unbeatable. I use the fire orange and it does a fine job. Have you givin the danville oranges ago? I really like the fluro orange. It produces well for me.

    The patches are really nice. Why are they not on your vest???

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  7. Alan, You mentioned that most of the stuff you use is "old School" and that people already know it. I think you would fair well doing reviews on the stuff. Not everyone has been around long time, and fly tiers are always looking for good info, especially from a tier of your skill level.

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  8. Ed,
    Thanks.
    I think it would make a great suggestion. I'd buy them.

    Johnny Utah,
    Thanks.
    Your comments are very kind, and much appreciated.

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  9. Was it regular orange or the #0F77 flourescent orange that Fran used? You can still get the regular orange from the U.K. but not the #0F77.

    Thanks

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  10. Brk Trt,
    First off I love your blog, especially being from central Mass....You inspire me...I am a long-time follower, "first time commenter!"
    Not sure if that Loon weight is EXACTLY what im accustomed to but im guessing it is...I have experience with "Tung-Fu" and "Mojo Mudd" which I think are about the same. Fell in love with it 2 years ago and would never go back to split shot. Takes abit of getting used to but once you dial it in you can "customize" your weight scheme 1000 different ways and it is effortless to take off. I especially like it for tiny midges on the Swift here in mass. Can form tight cylinders 18 inches above the fly which puts it right where I want the offering every single time depending on where the fish are active! Cheers

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  11. Anonymous,
    Thanks.
    First off let me welcome you. I'm glad you have chose to finally comment. Your comments are very helpful not only to me, but to the other followers of the blog.
    Comment often.

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  12. I've got to learn more about fly/line dressings..Jeeze there's an awful lot of stuff to fly fishing, sometimes it can be intimidating! But I think the simpler anyone can keep it the better. You break it down to my 3 rules: Fish, Fun and Food!

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  13. Will have to give the putty a try, looks like a great option for weight.

    ...got a kick out of those patches, really cool

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  14. penbayman,
    Thanks.
    I love simple. Complex is for those who really know how to fly fish.

    Sanders,
    Thanks.
    That stuff is good. A product that actually does what it claims.

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