The TL Johnson 9ft 5wt 4pc was the second rod I tried at the International Sportman’s Show in January 2010. Again, the rod was light in the hand. I went through the same warmup exercises with about 20 feet of line off the tip. This warmup with a short line and doing false casts while you watch the loops is a good way to learn loop control. The casting strokes must be short and easy on power to do this exercise. The 5wt SLP again performed this exercise nicely.

At 40 feet, the 5wt still cast easily and would perform an adequate roll cast. However at 70 feet, the rod seemed to have a soft spot during the forward stroke. Jim one of Terry’s assistants at the show cast the rod. Later we were looking at the line we had been using and decided that it was a 4 wt line and not a 5 wt line. Jim restrung the rod with a 5 wt line and I headed back to the casting pond.

What a difference the 5 wt line made on this rod. With the 5 wt line there was no more weird feeling in the middle of the power stroke. The rod had easy power to lay out 70 plus foot casts while maintaining a light easy balanced feel in the hand.  Often rods are designed to be uplined or downlined one line wt. With this rod, I would suggest sticking to the recommended 5 wt.

Compared to my Orvis Clearwater II 9ft 5wt 7.5 mid-flex rod, this TL Johnson SLP 9ft 5wt was much easier to cast on long distances than my Orvis rod. However the only true test is on stream.

The SLP series are manufactured in Colorado using a propriatary high modulus graphite resin system combined with a carbon helix wrapping system for strength and light weight. This technique produces superior hoop strenght to reduce blank deformation under load and keep the tip traveling in a straight plane resulting in more accurate casts. The exclusive ferruling system reduces section to section flat spots, swing weight and improves energy load transfer of the blank. The medium fast action fits a variety of casting styles and is good for nymphing to dry fly presentation. All SLP Fly Rods carry a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner. 

If you are looking for a solid performing 9 ft 5t fly rod suitable for medium to larger streams with a nice touch for nymphing, the TL Johnson 9ft 5wt SLP is an excellent choice.

For more Information on the SLP Fly Rod Series.

We offer free shipping on orders over $150.

Shipping: Is by USPS Priority Domestic or International Mail, insured and signature or delivery confirmation unless another choice is chosen.

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Marshall, Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com
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One of my favorite pieces of fly fishing luggage is the Stone Creek 6 Fly Reel Suitcase. This small suitcase keeps my favorite reels organized and makes gearing up for a day on the stream much easier. I can keep my reels in the neoprene cases for extra protection or just leave them in the padded reel suitcase.  This handy little piece of fly fishing luggage also has two extra pouches in the lid for storage of leaders, tippet spools, strike indicators or other small items.

The case is constructed of high grade denier cordura material with a quality zipper to offer years of trouble free use. The inside dividers are velcroed for adjustment or to arrange the interior to your liking. The case ships flat with the dividers in a  separate plastic bag.  You must insert the dividers into the open case and engage the velcro strips in the case. (This was took me a couple of tries to get it where I wanted the dividers and is the only con to the product.) After the dividers were in place, I have not had to touch them in over a year of using the suitcase.

Like all Stone Creek Products this Fly Reel Suitcase is affordable priced at MSRP of $25.00. Compare to Orvis or Fish Pond reel suitcases at more than twice the price.

At 10.5 in long x 7.5 in wide x 5.5 in high, this reel suitcase will fit easily into other fly fishing luggage such as the Stone Creek Wader Bag or Gear Bags.

For more information on the Stone Creek 6 Fly Reel Suitcase.  This is a nice reel suitcase offering years of organization and use for only $25.

Shipping: Normal shipping is 3 – 5 business days after your payment clears. Via Domestic or International USPS Priority mail unless another option is chosen, signature or delivery confirmation.

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Marshall, Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com
Everything you need for fly fishing
www.110flyfishingtips.com
www.troutadventures.com
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After using a Stone Creek Wader Bag for two years, I can say this bag is an excellent buy for the money. There is enough storage for all your fishing gear and clothes for a 4 day trip in one bag. (Editor Note: I used this bag for a 4 day fly fishing trip to the Rio Grand in Colorado in 2009.)

This wader bag is constructed of heavy denier cordura material with quality stitching and quality zippers. There is an enormous main compartment for storage of rain gear, clothes, street shoes, fishing vest or chest pack, reel suitcase and more.  There are two zippered end pockets and to in the front.

Wading shoes and waders are stored underneath the bag in a coated compartment to keep water away from the main bag. The wader compartment is vented to allow waders and shoes to dry. There is a roll out mat to stand on to keep your feet dry and clean while changing.

The bag comes with a carry handle and a large shoulder carry strap. Best of all, this bag sells at MSRP of $70 which is about 1/2 the price of the Fishpond Yellowstone Wader Duffel.

 For more information on the Stone Creek Wader Duffel.

Shipping Information: We ship within 3 – 5 business days after your payment is cleared. Normal shipping is via USPS domestic or international priority mail, insured and signature or delivery confirmation.

For More Stone Creek Affordable Fly Fishing Luggage and additional pictures of the Stone Creek Wader Bag 

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Marshall, Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com
Everything you need for fly fishing
www.110flyfishingtips.com
www.troutadventures.com
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When I was at the International Sportsmens Exposition Denver 2010, I spent 4 hours casting TL Johnson fly rods on the casting pond.  Terry had me try the Synergy Light Performance or SLP rods first. The SLP series are all a medium-fast action which is one I prefer.

I started with a 9 ft 6wt 4pc to compare to my Sage Z-Axis 9ft 6wt. The first thing I noticed was how light in the hand the SLP was. My guesstimate is it was about 1/2 oz lighter than the Z-Axis which put the SLP 6 wt in the Orvis Helios weight class.

At the pond, I shook out about 20 feet of line and did some warm up casting exercises of short back and forths for loop control. The SLP performed easily with only 20 feet of line off the tip. Working line out, I started 40 to 50 foot casts to get a feel for how the rod would perform at normal Colorado casting distances. Again the SLP felt smooth and flawless on the backcast and the forward cast. Almost effortless in the hand. 

Stripping out line, I started double hauls for some 70 foot casts. I had an on day this day which made going for distance easier. The TL Johnson SLP was again a joy to cast. On the back casts, the rod loaded easily and a good forward haul put out 70 feet of line easily. Consistently hitting the end of the 70 feet hard, I decided to try for an 80 foot cast. Again, the 6wt SLP powered the cast right out to the 80 foot mark.

The SLP series are manufactured in Colorado using a propriatary high modulus graphite resin system combined with a carbon helix wrapping system for strength and light weight. This technique produces superior hoop strenght to reduce blank deformation under load and keep the tip traveling in a straight plane resulting in more accurate casts. The exclusive ferruling system reduces section to section flat spots, swing weight and improves energy load transfer of the blank. The medium fast action fits a variety of casting styles and is good for nymphing to dry fly presentation. All SLP Fly Rods carry a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner. 

If you are looking for a solid performing 9 ft 6 wt fly rod suitable for larger trout, tossing bushy flies into the wind or large weighted nymph rigs, the TL Johnson 9ft 6wt SLP is an excellent choice.

For more Information on the SLP Fly Rod Series.

We offer free shipping on orders over $150.

Shipping: Is by USPS Priority Domestic or International Mail, insured and signature or delivery confirmation unless another choice is chosen.

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Marshall, Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com
Everything you need for fly fishing
www.110flyfishingtips.com
www.troutadventures.com
Alaska Trout Fishing Information

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Halcyon Fly Rod Review

Halcyon Fly Rods by Stone Creek offer a quality fly rod built on proven IM6 blanks for an affordable price. The stripper guide is teflon lined to reduce line friction. The 8 hard chromed snake guides plus the chromed tip top put the Halcyon rods into the quality rod class according to an old test for judging fly rods.

The cork grips are a reverse wells with cutout are designed to fit the hand. Rod Blanks are finished in a nice moss green and fitted with a similar color woven graphite reel seat insert. The reel seat is an anodized aluminum window model.

The medium fast action offers a forgiving feel for casters of all levels. ( Editor Note:  This medium fast action is one I prefer for nymphing. Yet it allows a delicate presentation of a dry fly too. I have grass cast the Halcyon 5wt and 6wt fly rods. They both offer a solid feel when the line loads the rod on the backcast and the forward cast. I could lay out 70 + foot casts without any trouble. The Halcyon rod is a good second rod. Or an affordably priced rod for a beginning fly fisher. )

Halcyon Fly Rods Feature:

• Blanks manufactured from proven and durable high modulus IM6 Graphite Technology.
• Moderate Fast action favored by all levels of fly fishers for a forgiving casting feel. 
       This action is the one I prefer for nymph fishing for its softer touch aids in hooking fish.
• Blank is an attractive Moss Green color with finish.
• Stripper guide is teflon lined to reduce line friction and improve shooting line.
• Eight hard chromed snake guides + the tip top put this rod in the quality rod class according to an old standard for judging rods.
• Cork grip is a reverse wells with cutout. Designed to fit the hand, these grips make fishing and casting a pleasure.
• Reel Seat Insert is glossy green woven graphite.
• Reel seat is an anodized aluminum window model.
• Double uplocking reel seat to keep your reel securely attached to the rod.
• Each Rod comes with a Cordura™ covered rod tube with foam insert in the top.
• Limited Lifetime Warranty – $30 shipping and handling charge.
• Affordably priced at MSRP $160 

We offer free domestic USA shipping on any order over $150.

Shipping is normally within 3-4 business days after payment is confirmed. Shipping is by domestic or international priority mail, insured and signature confirmation on domestic orders or delivery confirmation on international orders.

 For more information or to order your Halcyon Fly Rod ==> See our information sheet for any any specials or special pricing.

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Marshall, Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com
Everything you need for fly fishing
www.110flyfishingtips.com
www.troutadventures.com
Alaska Trout Fishing Information

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