Orvis Helios Fly Fishing Rod a Sucess

While at the recent Orvis Warehouse Sale in Charlotte, NC, I had a good close up opportunity to review the new line of fly fishing rods. It's the Helios line, the lightest, strongest and most flexible fly-fishing rod Orvis has ever produced.

These rods offer the latest technology in resins, to reduce the weight. That technology coupled with a new lighter reel seat, makes them the world's lightest fishing rods . The Orvis team spent over two years to develop and perfect the new line, but it has paid off in sales, which are going thru the roof!

As I looked over those beautiful rods, I could not help but wonder what roll in the development of the rod, was played by my friend Tom Rosenbauer, Marketing Director for Orvis Rod and Tackle.

New Jersey Trout Fishing-Better Than Ever!

A fisherman contacted our web site http://www.troutu.com/ requesting information about trout fishing in New Jersey and pennsylvania. I have some friends who have fished the Pennsylvania waters and just one friend who had fished the New Jersey waters near the Deleware Water Gap. Of course, I have emailed them for more individual information and I am waiting for a reply. In the meantime, I have discovered that a lot of factors have combined to make New Jersey a great trout fishing success story. Many of the streams that course down and through the steep, wooded terrain of the Ridge and Valley and Highlands regions, as well as the rolling plains of the Piedmont, provide the cold water habitat that trout need. New Jersey has over 500 miles of streams with water quality capable of supporting trout reproduction and/or adequate for the year-round survival of trout. A 20 lb. brown trout of your dreams wasn't caught until 1995 in Round Valley Reservoir...... and I thought that the only trout in NJ were in an aquarium!

For complete information please go to the Trout University Blog.

Orvis Warehouse Sale in Charlotte.

Today, I went to the Orvis sale at the Metrolina Fair Grounds in Good ol' Charlotte. I was the first one in the warehouse as soon as they opened the doors at 9:00 AM. I scurried to the waders and picked up two pairs of Tailwaters XT waders for $39 each. They are $329 each when purchased from Orvis and not on sale. Wow, I saved about $600!

Trout Fishing Ethics.

It is our responsibility to leave the resources and the pristine outdoors no worse off for our being there, and to respect the rights of others as well. Here are a few rules to follow.

First, the Law:

Always purchase a valid trout fishing license as these fees help to maintain the trout population.
Take time to understand and adhere to the regulations as they are there to enhance the fishery.

If you keep the fish, pay close attention to catch limits.

Next, the Fish:

Practice catch & release with single barbless hooks.

Do not play the fish longer than necessary as it may exhaust the fish beyond recovery.

Wet your hands prior to holding the fish, the slime on the fish is needed by the fish to survive.

As you release the fish, slide the fish back and forth in the water to pass water thru his gills.

Next, about property:

Pack it in -pack it out: Do not leave trash behind, especially plastics, cans or dirty diapers.
Do not trespass on private land; always ask permission and obey the answer.
Respect the owner's property and do not break any fences or leave any gates open.

If in a public park, obey the rules and respect the rights of other.

Picturea are the courtesy of

Troutu web site.

Cold Weather Trout Fishing in NC

With the snow on the ground here in Charlotte NC as well as most areas of the South, We bundle up, gear up, and head out to fish! Fishing in the cold months is a great time to fish for larger, warier, brown trout. (As long as you're dressed for the weather.) Besides, it's a great way to beat the crowds. Check out the snow!

Giant Trout Caught by103 Year Old Man

One day while on the internet, I found a story about a 103 year old man who immigrated from England to New Zealand , where he caught the 4 pound trout. I am certain that I will not live to be 103, but if I do, I would most probably be curled up in a fetal position. Erik-King-Turner said this about trout fishing "I like the scenery and thinking about how to persuade the fish to take a fly." He also said "I eat everything you are not supposed to have." Imagine, living to 103, eating everything you are not supposed to have, and catching trout that weigh in at 4 pounds.

Trout Fishing Requires Stealth

I recently attended the Fly Fishing Show at Charlotte NC and heard some tips from the master fishermen. Here are some of the best tips:

1. Stay low and close to the water level. -remember a low profile is alwasy best.
2. Take advantage of big boulders, fallen trees, etc. to conceal your location.
3. If you are on the bank, blend in with the trees and rhodendrons as much as possible.
4. Be patient and move slowly.
5. Make your first cast your best cast.
NOTE: If you have a favorite tip that you would like to share, email me at jmaslar@troutu.com

Grandpa Joe was as full of tricks as a pet ‘coon.

As regular readers of this newsletter know, my paternal grandfather was in many senses a boy trapped inside an old man’s body. He only had two or three short years (six months or so each year) of formal schooling, and although literate, he barely merited the description.
Yet Grandpa Joe was as full of tricks as a pet ‘coon, so fiercely independent he would never work for another man (or listen to much advice from anyone), and an abiding source of intriguing information which an adoring grandson absorbed in sponge-like fashion.
Although I don’t know for certain, I doubt if Grandpa ever ventured as far as 200 miles from the place he was born. I do know for a fact that he figured the high country of the Smokies was about as close to an earthly heaven as anyone could imagine. On that score I happen to think he was exactly right.
Grandpa didn’t particularly care for February. He always maintained that it was the shortest month of the year because it invariably featured nasty, depressing weather. Also, it was a time of the year when Grandpa Joe was likely to be seized by what he described as “the miseries.” This was a catch-all term to describe his suffering from arthritis, general aches and pains associated with old age, and the sort of depression normally characterized as cabin fever. Mind you, Grandpa was too much of an optimist to let some pain leave him down in the dumps for long. Read more about Grandpa at Troutu.com.