Gabes Review: Sage ONE 7 weight

Sage ONE 7 weight
I pieced this rod together not really knowing what to expect. The first thing I noticed about this
rod was how light it is. It seemed to be lighter than my four year old 5 weight. I paired it with a
Lamson Velocity reel loaded with a Rio Gold WF7F line. I used it while fishing big streamers for
Trout.

Sage One

My previous experiences with cast large flies on a single hand rod, was swinging for Steelhead,
before I was introduced to Spey casting. That was too tiring and lots of lead eyes to the
shoulder with a single hand rod. But this rod was so light and has a very nice feeling taper and
plenty of backbone so I never had the issue of sore arm and bruised shoulder.
The only problem I ran into multiple times was running out of room behind me to fully use the
power in the rod to extend my cast even further.

I would highly recommend this rod, whether you’re fishing for Steelhead or stripping for Trout,
this is a great rod.

Gabe

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

What's up with Gabe

ANNOUNCEMENT: G. Loomis Factory Tour

G. Loomis Tour in the works:
Next week Travis, Greg, Lyndsey and Mike will be visiting the G. Loomis Factory in Woodland, Washington, basically in our backyard. It's only an hour and a half drive from the shop but the factory has forgone a overhaul since the last time we visited. This time we will be sure to film plenty and test out a few rods. Steve Rajeff and the G. Loomis team will be on hand to give us a full factory tour and explain all the nitty gritty.

Check back soon for a full report and videos to come.

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Deschutes Summer Run Insights

Sunset Chrome

It all started early this year. Everyone said there weren't enough fish over the Bonneville Dam. It was going to be a horrible year for Steelhead.

But when you have been swinging heavy tips and big flies all winter, all you really want to do is tie on a little fly and cast that floating line. I doesn't matter what the dam counts are. And when the line lays out and swings sexily without the slightest mend, you know the fish are there! They have to be. And then the pull! The jolt! The grab!

Sometimes I am glad to be kind of new at this, every season gets better with newly acquired knowledge and experience.  There is no substitute for being on the river.  So go! Go every time you can. Go everytime you think you should, and even when you think you should sleep in. There is always at least one fish in the river, and the two of you could make a connection on the next swing. That's what it is all about.

Ignore the counts and fish. It's been working for me since June.

Dan Moved into Hood Area about the same time I did. He’s been hooked on fishing ever since that first Redside on the Deschutes took him for a ride. Now the challenge of Chrome Steelhead is what drives Dan to be up at 3am and on the hour long drive to the rivers that test his patience and skill. I can attest the humbling experience that comes with the days spent without so much as a tug and the rejuvenating revelation when Steel finally comes to hand. Thanks for sharing a piece of wisdom Dan. It’ll go a long ways on the days one must be humble!

Greg Darling - The Tormented Angler

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Hail to the King, Baby - Alaskan King!

Alaskan King

British royalty. I’m dumbfounded by the obsession of the American public to any news of the monarchy. The name of the new prince took center stage on all the major networks. The only U.S. coverage I enjoyed was the Saturday Night LIve skit discussion the appropriate names for the royal birth canal. The only royalty that I swear fealty swim in the rivers of the Pacific Northwest, the Chinook or King salmon. Trying to get the anadromous royalty to come to a swung fly is a challenge especially in the lower 48 where run numbers are a fraction of their former glory. However, Alaska bears a number of rivers that support large healthy runs of salmon.

Most anglers when talking King salmon.. continue reading

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Kid’s Rod Shootout

Travis and Austin

Introduction

What rod did you learn to fly fish with? Chances are if you had one of todays young angler rods it would have made fishing much easier to learn. Todays young anglers rods are real fly rods with actions that are easy to learn with.

We took our top 3 most popular selling kids rods and decided to put them to the test. The Echo Gecko, The Ross Journey and the Redington Minnow. The only plan was to grade these rods from the package to the lawn but also to find out what do kids want. Now our motive was something different. Let’s go have some fun with some kids rods and talk about how cool it would have been to have one of these rods when we were kids.

World Class Trout Fishing – Kiwi Edition

Fly Fishing from Cedar Lodge

New Zealand’s reputation for the best sight fishing for big trout is well deserved. Fishing waters here vary from mountain streams, spring creeks, meadows and prolific lakes. While fishing with a dry fly, I caught a huge rainbow that later was mistakenly identified as a nice winter steelhead. As an angler one doesn’t have to be world class—just opportunistic. By the way I have yet to catch a winter fish on a parachute Adams. Following are brief descriptions of two of the first class lodges in New Zealand.

Jerry Swanson

Fish Head Expeditions, LLC

What's up with Gabe: 2013 Catch Up

So what’s Gabe been up to you ask?

Well Gabe is getting a little older now and suddenly girls may have topped the list of most important species to pursue so he GAVE UP FISHING! Hold on! While there may be some truth to the girl part rest assured that fishing is not going to take a back seat to any other interest. Girls if you want to hook this young man you may want to start with taking up the sport of fishing. Yep, Gabe is still hard on the quest to catch fish with every available minute possible.

The Story behind an Angel (Steelhead Angel Fly)

One dozen Angel flies please...

Celilo: Caring for the Mind, Body and Spirit

My wife, Angelique Garrett and her Mama, Rosalie Stavaas were featured in a cancer survivor add for Celio Treatment center, my wife was gearing up to join me in my guide service business before cancer struck. We had bought a second drift boat and she was excited about joining me. Then chemo, radiation and several surgeries wouldn't allow her to do the job...she's an amazing woman who loves life and her family - she is a survivor!

I created a fly to help promote "Casting for Recovery" through The Gorge Fly Shop. CFR is a breast cancer support group which uses fly fishing RETREATS to help heal sufferers both mentally and physically.

"Angel Girl" Steelhead flies (named after my wife Angelique, who is a breast cancer survivor) and specifically designed to represent CFR. - JG




Gorge Fly Shop: Casting for Recovery Photo Contest
John has agreed to ty up a batch of these limited special edition Agnel Girl Steelhead flies. One batch will be one of the prizes offered in our very own Casting for Recovery Photo Contest, be sure to submit your photos to the Gorge Fly Shop Webmaster and another is being donated to Casting for Recovery's online Fall Auction.

Casting for Recovery Online Auction
Every year Casting for Recovery has at least two online auctions to raise money for CFR. This year you will find a box of 12 Angel Girl Steelhead flies tucked away in a Gorge Fly Shop box up for grabs. We hope it does well but we wish a Gorge Fly Shop fan takes home the prize. If you don't get a chance at the Angel Girl Flies there will be lots of other items to choose from, not all of it is fly fishing gear.

Auction Dates will be announced late September

Go Pink!

"Fly Fish the World with Us"
Win Cool Prizes, Submit your photos.
Gorge Fly Shop: Casting for Recovery Photo Contest

Casting for Recovery: Photo Contest

THE RESULTS ARE IN: Thank you everyone for submitting your photos we truly do appreciate all the submissions. Look for some special mentions later this week for some of our other favorites.

GFS Photo Competition

First Place Winner: Joann and Mark Ouellette - "The Intruder"  - Why we chose this photo...

Second Place Winner: Jessica Rice for one of her submissions.

Third Place Winner: Dennis DeWitt.

Fourth Place Winner: Carly Shears for one of her submissions.

2013 Contest Winners

Casting for Recovery Photo Contest. In support of CFR the GFS team has created a very first for GFS and have commissioned the help from some of our friends, G. Loomis, Nautilus Reels, Hatch Outdoors as well as fellow fly fisherman and fly tyer, John Garrett (GFS Employee). We have some pretty cool prizes to give away to four lucky winners.

Gorge Fly Shop: Casting for Recovery Photo Contest Prizes

Contest Opened
August 9th, 2013

Contest Closed
October 30th, 2013

PRIZES

G. Loomis Pro4x 9' 5 Weight Fly Rod
They are as beautiful to look at as they are to cast. A rod any flyfisher would be proud to own!!
Read our G. Loomis Pro4x Rod Review

Nautilus FWX 5/6 Silver Fly Reel dressed in Pink
Trout to Bonefish. Fresh Water Light, Salt Water Safe!

Set of 12 "Angel Girl Steelhead Flies" in a GFS Fly Box
A Gorge Fly Shop Very Limited - Special Edition Fly designed and made by John Garrett. Read the full story about this product here.

Hatch Trucker Hat with a Hatch (logo) Original, White Buff
The perfect swagger for any hardcore Hatch fan.


Starting August 9th, 2013 submit your fly fishing photos to our Webmaster, all photos must belong to you and you must have the permission of the person or persons in the photo or photos you submit. By submitting your photos you are giving the Gorge Fly Shop permission to promote each photo in support of Casting for Recovery and the good of the competition, this could be on our Facebook Page, Home Page, Blog or other GFS media outlets. You have until October 30th (2013) at 12PM Pacific Time to submit your submission(s) to win a chance at one of these cool prizes.

The Photo
All photos must be in the spirit of fly fishing, do not restrict yourself to photos of fish head shots. We encourage everyone to get creative. Photos could be of product (example: Sage Grace Rod), scenery, your kids or grandkids fly fishing. Extra points may be rewarded for those who capture our main project goal. "To support Casting for Recovery and to promote Women fly casters as well as the Sport of Fly Fishing for younger generations." Brownie points will may be given for the most creative. You may see us use the phrase: Go Pink! Don't be afraid to get creative...

Brownie Points!

Judgement Day
All photos will be judged by the Gorge Fly Shop team, we will accept input on our Facebook Page given in comment form or by sharing the photos you support. The more comments and the more shares a photo gets may help us in our decision making process. We will be watching...
Results will be announced October 31st. Halloween!

Contest Rules

• All photos must be in the spirit of fly fishing.
• Photos of Kids or Female Casters may be given extra points.
• The use of PINK clothing or gear may also receive extra points.
• Men (boys) using or wearing PINK will receive brownie points.
• Photos must belong to you.
• You must have permission of the person(s) in the photo.
• Please include a photo caption or we will provide one for you.
• All photos must be submitted by October 30th, 2013 no later than 12PM Pacific Time.
• All photos must be submitted to our webmaster: webmaster@gorgeflyshop.com

Thank You for Submitting your photos!

The Gorge Fly Shop gives special thanks to G. Loomis, Nautilus Reels, Hatch Outdoors and John Garrett for giving their time and donating product(s) to the Gorge Fly Shop's first ever - Casting for Recovery Photo Contest. 

- Thank You the GFS Team



Some more of our Favorites:

Gorge Fly Shop
Webmaster | Mike Prine
webmaster@gorgeflyshop.com

Support Casting for Recovery: Go Pink

"Fly Fish the World with Us"
Pro4x Rod Review
Story behind a Angel

G. Loomis Pro4x Review

Las Vegas I-Cast / IFTD Show with Steve Rajeff

Pro4x: The Sleeper! This is what comes to mind when I think of the G.Loomis Pro4x series rods. The Pro4x series appeared quietly on the market shortly after the launch of the revolutionary NRX. NO flashy colors or hardware on these rods, just clean, streamlined and ready to fish.

G. Loomis Pro4x

It wasn’t long after the Pro4x hit the market that anglers started to take note of it. Maybe it’s the attractive price point which is exceptional for an all American built Fly Rod. Maybe it has to do with the use of NRX tapers as the design layout for the backbone of this “sleeper”. Whatever it is the word is spreading around and anglers all across the world are adding Pro4x’s to their arsenals.

As a writer for the fishing industry I feel responsible for informing anglers of what is new, great and must have. We are passionate for our sport and with that comes a great deal of appreciation for the craftsmanship and quality of our gear. Just as a much as you count on anglers like myself to evaluate the latest greatest industry offering it is also my responsibility to listen to what anglers are saying. I confess that I didn’t pay much attention to what anglers were saying about the Pro4x. I saw the sales and was impressed. I heard the feedback and it was all good so why did it take so long to pick up a Pro4x. It’s easy in my position to only look at top shelf contenders and dismiss mid-price offerings as inferior products. Even budget minded rods get more evaluation for the purpose of finding the greatest value for our customers. When I fish an NRX or similar price point rod it’s hard to imagine that a rod near half the price might ruffle my interest at all. At this moment while feeling shame for ignoring the middle ground I must apologize to my fellow anglers.

So after spending some time swinging the Pro4x one word resonates over and over in my head...Intuitive! The Pro4x exhibits an intuitive feeling as soon as you throw it in a backcast. That feeling follows right through the forward cast and transmits to your fly. Automatically intuitive so much that there is no learning curve to find tune in this rod. I’m not saying it’s slow or soft! This is a powerful and capable rod. The intuitive feeling comes in the loading of the rod. I can feel this rod absorb the energy on a backcast. This is important because it’s the act of using the stored energy that is available to you in proper timing that can bring forth positive results on the forward cast. While distance is an important factor many rods that can cast great distances often leave out the intuitive feeling needed to successfully fish.

I have cast many rods over many years and in recent time I have really worked on becoming a better caster. I am working toward intuitive casting. I’m confident I can cast any rod presented to me but intuitive rods instantly become a natural fit. Many rods cast just as well when you finally learn the taper of that individual rod but they can leave you with a feeling of “I must conform to the needs of the rod” and intuitive fishing is out the window! Connect with your rod and you will connect with the fish.

I connected with the Pro4x in just one cast...Now that’s Intuitive!

Greg Darling
The Tormented Angler

Gorge Fly Shop

G. Loomis Pro4x

"Fly Fish the World with Us"
Win a G. Loomis Pro4x - Casting for Recovery Photo Contest

House on Metolius (Oregon)

House of Metolius

House on Metolius, located in Camp Sherman, in the heart of Central Oregon, has served as a private estate and retreat for over a hundred years. This beautiful two-hundred acre estate sits astride the Metolius River, with its magnificent view of Mt. Jefferson and Three Finger Jack.

Read More

Book your trip today.

Fishhead Expeditions

Gorge  Fly Shop Travel Page

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Lamson Velocity - Sale

Lamson Velocity - Closeouts

Lamson Velocity

Velocity: Bigger, Faster, Lighter and Stronger and now at a lower price! WaterWorks Lamson company is all about technology and moving forward. Velocity has been a part of that process for many years. The day has come to retire the Velocity but rest assure the roots of this machine live on in other WaterWorks Lamson designs. The Velocity is a Large Arbor, Lightweight reel with excellent Drag performance! We have inventory in the Nickel and Hard Alox Finishes on Sale! See the selection of Velocity Reels.

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

www.gorgeflyshop.com

Casting for Recovery (Round Two)

Project: Casting for Recovery

August marks Round Two in our efforts to continue support for Casting for Recovery. CFR as it's known is a non-profit organization that takes groups of Women who have breast cancer on weekend fly fishing trips to help in the recovery process. This allows them time on the water in a relaxing, educational and fun atmosphere with other Women who have experienced some of the same hardships, both physically and mentally. The Gorge Fly Shop supports CFR's efforts and not only endorses it but wishes to promote the sport of fly fishing for All Women and young patrons to join the sport, by doing so we hope to highlight our great love for fishing during the month of August. During this time expect to see more Facebook posts with more female fly fishing photos, a video or two and the occasional contest. This year we have already given away a Pink Rogue 2 Bauer Reel and a set of 12 Pink Angel Girl Flies. We hope to bring back the Angel Girl Fly in some fashion, stay tuned for details. In addition once we reach 2,000 Facebook Likes we will giveaway a pair of Simms Waders to a lucky Gorge Fly Shop Facebook Fan.

Help us reach 2,000 Facebook Page likes and a lucky fan will win a pair of Simms Headwater Women's Waders. Like us on Facebook

Casting for Recovery Donation
GFS has also provided an option for you to also add to our donation. (please understand that while your own donation is charitble we cannot provide you with documents to make a claim Toward your taxes)

Sage Grace Rod

Sage is donating $50.00 for every rod sold to Casting for Recovery

In addition Gorge Fly Shop is donating an additional $25.00 per rod sold to Casting for Recovery

GFS has also provided an option for you to also add to our donation. (please understand that while your own donation is charitable we cannot provide you with documents to make a claim toward your taxes)

Abel Reel

The Abel Super Series 5N Large Arbor fly reel will feature the following:

• Custom CFR purple with matching CFR pink handle, drag knob, and foot.
• "To Fish is to Hope" custom engraved drag knob.
• CFR logo and pink ribbon fish on the spool.

The reel with custom options would normally retail for $875, however the Casting for Recovery version is $700 of which $100 is tax deductible.  

 The CFR edition Abel reel is built on an as per order basis. We do not stock the reel and Abel does not build them until an order is in place for one. It should be safe to assume that a finished reel could be in your hands in approximately 30 days from time of order. International orders would take longer of course due to the extra shipping time and customs declarations.

Simms Women's Headwater Waders
Designeded and cut for women that offers GORE-TEX® technology. And the patented front/back leg seam design and hourglass stockingfoot offer the most comfortable fit.

Join us on Facebook, when we reach 2,00 Gorge Fly Shop Facebook Fans will pick one random Winner to be awarded a pair of Simms Women's Headwater Waders, size of their choosing.


How can you help? Join us on Facebook, Share our CFR posts. Send us your fly fishing photos, don't have any? Go fish and take some, we love to see our fans on the water! Still too much trouble? Take a photo of yourself wearing pink! That's right, Go Pink - If your a gal send those photos in, if your a dude? Man up and support our campaign - Go Pink! You may even get double props, just be sure to tell us it's for the CFR Project so we don't think your some weirdo...

Join, Share, Promote!
Please submit your photos to: webmaster@gorgeflyshop.com

"Fly Fish the World with Us"