Beach Primer 2015

Tackle Selection To Ensure Success On The Water

  By George Cook Pacific Northwest Rep for RIO/Sage & Redington   GAME TIME 2015, its already here as the el primo Sea Run Cuttie game is on as we speak !  And so begins another beach season that will feature among the “Usual Suspects” the en mass Pink Salmon swarm. These critters along with the steady trail of favorites will make 2015 one to remember as the beach trotting angler will feast clear to November. In preparing for this unique fishery that blesses the greater Puget Sound region several factors will come into play that will go a very long way in determining just how much success one can expect during beach party season. In this, an examination of both rod and line selection is straight up critical.   Rod Selection: While the 9’ five weight fly rod is the Omni-Present Trout tool throughout the west it is in reality not ideal here, it will work but once you try a 9’1/2”-10’ stick you’ll be on a fast track to the shop as there is no comparison as to the power and reach of these longer rods. Just like the lake game these longer rods provide a host of advantages…Higher-“Clearing” back cast that slide over your low tide back slope, greater “Line Carry” resulting in notably LONGER Cast. In addition to these beach specific attributes these type rods will have a place in your lake fishing quiver and quite possibly a dedicated river nymph or streamer weapon. In any event it will not be a “One Beach Wonder” as you’ll use it aplenty here in the PNW.   Ideal Rods:  Sage ONE 6101-4 / 697-4 Sage ONE/Sage METHOD 7100-4/ 697-4 Sage Response/Sage 7100-4 Response   Line Selection:  Here is where we get the “Right Bullet” with-for the gun at hand !  To be sure, the RIO OUTBOUND Family of lines really, truly haul the mail in the PNW Beach Game, they are without a doubt true “Game Changers”. It is very important to get a handle on the different types of OUTBOUND lines in order to maximize YOUR GAME this summer and the summer’s beyond 2015.   RIO “Coldwater” Outbound ( 37.5 Taper) This the ORIGINAL RIO Outbound line is the go getter in that @ 37.5 Taper provides true buzz bomb type cast with a fly rod. Most popular in the Intermediate head this line provides the beach enthusiast with the ability to reach the “Unreachable” with double haul assisted cast in the 80’ to 100’+ range. Even the novice caster can consistently hit 60’-75’. The OUTBOUND short sporting a 30’ head affords the “Newbie” beach angler a “ready To Go” line that will enable him or her to get off a quick false cast or two and easily reach 45’ to 60” ranges with cast to 80’ there for the taking.   Reels;  Well, lots of choices here sportsfans…The Sage 4260 plays awefully well here as does the New Domain series from Sage.   Leaders: 6’-9’ leaders will lead the way here and to be super effective run Florocarbon Tippet sections to ensure stealth, my favorites here are in the second generation FloroFlex+ family from RIO in 1x/2x and 3x.   Sunglasses:  Boy oh boy, don’t overlook this important aspect as it is both a “Tactical” tool and a major safety consideration for all fly anglers anywhere, anytime. SMITH Optics has some tremendous fishing lens available including one simply ideal for us here in the PNW…the LOW LIGHT IGNITOR or “Amber Light” as I call it is fantastic for these cloudy-low light days we get so many of in these parts. The New ChromaPoP series in Polar Brown is a great all round choice.   Fly Selection: Well folks Captain Bill has got them, lots of them, MEGA in fact, go see him and have a great beach party this summer and fall !