Category Archives: Product Review

January 24, 2020 · 9:12 am

Loon Outdoors Ergo All Purpose Bobbin

I’ve tried many bobbins out there for many years and some would be ok, some were downright awful, and some I would use for awhile. For the last couple of years I’ve used mainly the Loon Ergo Bobbin. Which was another bobbin I was just ok with. It was too long, the feet were not very adjustable, which meant thread control was not very good. The one thing I did like about it was the feel. I could place my thumb in the groove and wrap my pointer finger around the rest of the bobbin. I don’t work well with the small thin bobbins. The Ergo Bobbin to me was comfortable in hand and not just some frail little thing. But as I mentioned, it had other problems. This year they improved the Ergo Bobbin, but it has been overshadowed already in my opinion. See below.

This year, Loon released their Ergo All Purpose Bobbin. Just by the look of it, I could tell it just may be what I was looking for, so I ordered one. When it came in the mail, my eyes lit up as I tore open the package like it was Christmas day! It was like a Red Rider BB Gun…ok, not really, just kidding, let’s get back to the review. Anyway, I brought it into the tying room and began to spool it up. This new bobbin was 4.25″ long, which is much shorter than the old Ergo Bobbin, which was good. However, it does have a little more length than standard bobbins. With the extra length, you might notice you need a longer bobbin threader, well, the Loon Ergo Bobbin Threader works perfectly. The arms on this new bobbin were much better quality and easily adjustable and they have brass feet. As I began tying, I knew right away that Loon had hit it out of the park. This new bobbin has such a great feel, plus good thread control, and was not long and awkward.

The tube is made of double radius polished tungsten and works well. I tie a lot of streamers, but also tie some smaller carp bugs and bluegill flies. I have used 140 denier and 70 denier thread and the bobbin works well for both. Loon mentions that this is an all purpose bobbin and I can see where that is true. You can use it for large and small flies. I have been using it for well over a month now and have already bought three more. So if you are looking for a new bobbin, check this one out and see if you are as happy with it as I am. I highly recommend it!

Comments Off on Loon Outdoors Ergo All Purpose Bobbin

Filed under New Product, Product Review, Tools

December 29, 2019 · 9:41 pm

Tacky Fly Boxes Overhaul

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that Tacky was recently acquired by Fishpond. Because of this, there has been an overhaul on an already wonderful product, The Tacky Fly Box.

Mad River Outfitters have a great informative video to tell you all about the new fly boxes and their features. So check it out!

Comments Off on Tacky Fly Boxes Overhaul

Filed under New Product, Product Review

August 17, 2017 · 9:08 am

Hank Patterson’s Nipper Product Review

The best review ever of the Orvis made-in-USA Nippers. That Hank Patterson–what a guy!

8 Comments

Filed under Product Review

August 1, 2017 · 7:46 am

The Beard Chronicles – Gear Review – Douglas Sky 490-4

I enjoyed watching Marc Crapo and The Beard Chronicles this morning, so I thought you guys would too. Check it out!
-Paul-FrankenFly

From Marc Crapo:
“You only need enough information to decide whether or not you want to cast this rod. It’s a “fast” action stick with tons of backbone and heaps of soul. For more info visit: http://douglasoutdoors.com/

If you have a suggestion or a question or you want to throat punch me don’t hesitate to leave a comment or hunt me down on FB or Instagram @vonbeardly (don’t worry, sometimes I want to throat punch myself. So you’re in good company) ;-)”

Comments Off on The Beard Chronicles – Gear Review – Douglas Sky 490-4

Filed under Fly Fishing, Product Review

April 26, 2017 · 10:06 am

TFO Impact Fly Rod Review

I recently had a chance to get my hands on the new Impact fly rod from Temple Fork Outfitters. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. From what I read, part of this rod’s origin consisted of test rods being sent out to many casting and fishing experts, like Bob Clouser, Lefty Kreh, Flip Pallot, and Larry Dahlberg, to give you some examples. TFO then made adjustments to the rods according to the feedback they received. Granted, a fly rod is a personal preference and even the experts have their own preferences. However, it seems they were after something really special with this fly rod. So I was definitely excited to try one.

When I first took the butt section out of the sleeve, I noticed how light the rod felt, even if I was only holding one section. Then what attracted my attention was the modern looking reel seat and the emerald highlights around the thread wraps near the guides. It’s a very nice looking rod. NOTE: With a little research I noticed the larger sized rods have the modern looking reel seats and the smaller sized rods have rosewood inserts.

So I went out to test cast this new rod using a 250 grain sinking line with a single hook streamer tied on the end. Now, with the full rod in my hand, I could more closely feel how light weight this rod is. It felt great in my hand. With that first casting stroke, it felt effortless to cast. Having just fished with my 6wt Clouser rod, the softness of the Impact showed instantly. Of course, the Clouser is a stiff action rod after all.

I then tied on an articulated streamer with lead dumbbell eyes to see how it would throw something with some more weight. I have to say, more than any rod I’ve casted, even with the flexibility of the Impact, it had enough power to shoot the streamer extremely well. Usually when a rod has that kind of flexibility, I have to use the sling shot and flick of the wrist technique to wing the streamer out there. I didn’t have to do that with the Impact.

I spoke to Captain Austin Auducci and asked him to give me his opinion of the TFO Impact. Austin is the owner and head guide of Grab Your Fly Charters located in the Chicago area.

“I’ve used it as a streamer rod and also to throw top water flies like the BoogleBug. It performs well at both applications. It has the power to throw streamers and it provides a more delicate presentation when throwing top water flies. I do not hesitate to give them to my clients to use.”

What I plan to do in the future is grab a smaller weight Impact for a dedicated dry fly rod. I believe the Impact would make a terrific trout rod. Actually, Austin mentioned the same thing to me.

I’m starting to get the feeling the Impact would be good at many applications. I even read a post from a saltwater fisher stating how much he uses Impacts for salt.

The price point is a little higher than the other TFO rods, but not by much. One of the most attractive features that I love about TFO rods in general is that you get a quality rod at a good price. Even at this price, the Impact is still a bargain in my book.

I was completely happy using my Clouser and my BVK. To be honest, I wasn’t looking for another rod. But after casting the Impact, I plan to use this rod much more. I think it has the ability to become my go-to rod.

-Paul J. Beel

Comments Off on TFO Impact Fly Rod Review

Filed under Fly Rods, Product Review

December 13, 2016 · 9:22 am

My new fly tying table from Hartman Woodworking!

The Sugar Creek

While I was on Instagram about a month ago, I came across some awesome photos of fly tying tables made by Hartman Woodworking. Scrolling down their Instagram account had me drooling at the beautiful tables and accessories created by these guys. I wasted no time and messaged them right away about something for myself. After some questions were answered and other photos and options were explained to me, we were off and running. A fly tying table with the options I needed would be entering the build process.

The table is now completed, named The Sugar Creek. It is the table in the photo at the top. Hartman usually names your table after one of your favorite streams.

These guys were great to work with. They are very pleasant and will answer all of your questions. Many of the tables they had designed and created before had different options, but one of the main options I wanted, was the wood section coming straight out so I can attach my vise using a C clamp. I just explained what I wanted and these guys had no problem with it. They asked me what type of wood I wanted for the table and sent me design specs and asked where I wanted my trays and shelves and even the diameter and size of the trays.
One of the options I had seen in their other tables that I thought looked amazing was the rotating tool tray. I selected mine to be a 3/4 circle tray made of black walnut. The table itself is made from hickory. I even told them exactly what size I wanted the table to be, so it would fit correctly on my desk. Three of my trays have a rare earth magnet under them to use for hooks or whatever I wanted. The trays with the magnets just look like normal wooden tray spaces, but are magnetic. The icing on the cake was the LED lamp they mounted on the table.

I just received my table yesterday and I am elated on how well it turned out! It’s beautiful! The pedestal tool tray houses all of my tools, I have a lot of space for my thread, glue, and other tools and accessories. I also have a lot more tying space than I had before. The wooden section that was needed for my vise is perfect. Everything is made just like I wanted and I couldn’t be happier!

-Paul

Read below to find out more about Hartman Woodworking and how you can get in touch with them to purchase a table of your own.

Steve

Hartman Woodworking is a Father-Son owned and operated business that designs and handcrafts heirloom quality custom woodworking products. We specialize in custom Fly Tying Tables, Benches, Desks and other Fly Tying furniture and accessories. We use the finest hardwoods, long lasting hardware, superior tools, precision cuts, biscuit joints and hand finishing that provides our signature heirloom quality products that will last more than a lifetime. Josh the son, is an avid seasoned fly fisherman and fly tyer who frequently wets his line in the trout streams of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Colorado and always has his eye on the new innovative products for the sport. Steve the father, is a seasoned woodworker that uses his engineering background to design and craft the finest products that are made to be functional, beautiful and made to last for the next generation. Each product is handcrafted in our shop located in Millersville, Maryland where they get individually handcrafted, hand finished, serialized and signed by handcrafters Josh and Steve.

Josh

We offer some standards products that were originally designed for one of our many customers that have then been sold to other customers that wanted the same products. We specialize in developing unique wood products for the occasional tyer and the professional tyer. Our customers are included in the design process, wood selection, layout and final finishing, by sharing photos of work in process, so that you can even make some changes as things come together.

We maintain a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/hartmanwoodworkingLLC/) where we put lots of on-going photos of what is happening in the shop and some of where owner, Josh, may be wetting his line. There are a lot of pictures on Instagram (http://instagram.com/hartmanwoodworking) so that you can follow all of the current work, products, shop changes or just how some finished products look. We also maintain a fully functional e-commerce website (http://hartman-woodworking-llc1.mybigcommerce.com/?ctk=X3S10OS775Q4VT4QTHWP8PSA) where you can browse and order most of our standard products or request a quote for a custom project.

We also feature some of our products at local fly shops and currently have some inventory at all four TCO Fly Shops in Pennsylvania (www.tcoflyshops.com) and The Beaver Creek Fly Shop near Hagerstown, MD (www.beavercreekflyshop.com). Stop in at one of these five fly shops to see some of our products. Make a purchase or get more information about custom orders! Contact us about any products, questions or just to find out more information:

Via email:

[email protected]
[email protected]

Comments Off on My new fly tying table from Hartman Woodworking!

Filed under Product Review, Tools

August 18, 2016 · 12:01 am

A Look Into: Partridge of Redditch hooks

I figured it was time to write about the hooks I use in the bulk of my fly tying, Partridge of Redditch.

I get asked a lot about my hook choice, especially at fly fishing shows. Here is my usual answer. For streamers, I want a hook that is strong, has a wide hook gap, and is sharp. Guess what, Partridge of Redditch has hooks with all of those qualities.

The three primary styles I use for streamers are the Attitude Streamer, Universal Predator, and Universal Predator X.

ACS – Attitude Streamer

The Attitude Streamer is a strong hook that has a great hook gap, is sharp and comes in just the right sizes. I use this hook in various sizes for the majority of my smallmouth and largemouth flies. This is an awesome bass hook and I absolutely think this is the best hook out there for these two species.

Universal Predator – CS86

The Universal Predator is what I use on trout style streamers. It is a light wire hook that is very strong. I’ve heard some other tiers say they wouldn’t use the Universal Predator for bass because it is a lighter, thinner hook. I can see where they are coming from because you could easily just use a Universal Predator X instead. But what makes me disagree with that statement is that I have used Universal Predators while fishing for bass and they worked great! Just this spring I caught a largemouth that was easily over 6 pounds and the fly I was using was my Bearded Wonder which is tied with two 1/0 Universal Predators. I had no problem horsing that baby in. The hooks held strongly and I still have that same fly in my fly box to use for another day. So don’t knock it until you try it.

Besides the light strength of the Universal Predator, it also has a long shank with the best hook gap in the business in my opinion. It’s such a beautifully designed hook, if I was to marry a hook, this would be the one!

Not only do I use the Universal Predator on trout streamers, I also use it on all of my poppers. The light wire and the strength and length makes for a terrific popper hook. For example, the Zudbubblers I tie are tied on a 2/0 Universal Predator and have worked perfectly for both smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Universal Predator X – cs86x

Ok, so say you love the style of the Universal Predator but you don’t need it to have the thinner wire. Well, that’s where the Universal Predator X comes in! It has the exact same, beautiful design, but is made with heavier gage wire. It can be used on a multitude of species and would be an excellent hook for pike or muskie. Basically a strong hook that can be used for catching big bad fish.

Dry Fly Supreme – L5A

The other hooks in the Partridge family that I use frequently are their dry fly hooks. The standard dry fly hook from Partridge is the Dry Fly Supreme. It’s the right size and sharp. I haven’t had any problems with hook-ups using this hook. I use it on all of the dries I tie except when the pattern calls for a longer shank hook. Then I use the Nymph Long H1A. Even though this hook is named as a nymph hook, it uses the same wire as the Dry Fly Supreme, it’s just longer. So it works great as a long dry fly hook.

Nymph Long – H1A

I hope this gives you a little insight into Partridge of Redditch hooks. I can only report on what styles I have fished and tied with most often, so that’s what I’ve tried to summarize here. I would highly recommend hooks made by Partridge of Redditch. Now quit sitting there staring at the computer screen, go get some!

-Paul J. Beel

Comments Off on A Look Into: Partridge of Redditch hooks

Filed under Product Review

December 31, 2015 · 8:39 am