Gorge Fly Shop Blog: Asquith Spey

Showing posts with label Asquith Spey. Show all posts

Jul 27, 2017

Steve Rajeff - Asquith Spey

Steve Rajeff - G.Loomis (Asquith Spey)

Steve Rajeff Director of Engineering for G.loomis gives his insight on the new G.loomis/Shimano Asquith Spey utilizing the new Spiral X.

May 16, 2017

G.Loomis Asquith Rod Review (Part II of II)
You can read part one here.

Asquith Spey Part II:
Summer, 2016 I was lucky enough to demo some brand spanking new G.Loomis Asquith rods for a day. I was impressed so I wrote a positive review and then promptly figured out how to get a couple in my boat for 2017. My new rods showed up in early January just in time some one-swing fishing for winter steelhead. I chose a 7130 and 6129, 7 weight 13” and 6 weight 12’9”, respectively. My initial review of these rods was positive but my exposure was pretty limited. These rods really needed some time dragging tips in the middle of winter.

G.Loomis Asquith

I decided to fish the 7 weight which is a natural choice for winter or summer fish in Oregon, then wait until spring or summer to fish the 6 weight. I paired the 7130 with a Hatch 7-plus that balanced the rod perfectly. I’ve also paired it with a Galvan R-10 which is also a good fit. As far as fly lines go, I tested a fair amount of lines on this rod and never found anything it didn’t like. The line that is still on the 7130 is the Airflo Skagit FIST in 510 grains. The Skagit FIST replaced the intermediate Skagit in the Airflow line up but the general idea is to slow the fly down, fish it deeper, longer. We had a lot of high fast current this year and I found this the appropriate line for at least one rod in the boat at all times. I cast as much as 13’ feet of T14 and a weighted bunny leech on this rig and had zero complaints. If you could only have one line to pair this rod with, a 525 Rio Skagit Max or Airflow Compact Skagit 510, the Rio is a foot shorter which I find more user friendly but both are excellent lines. I spent some time with the 20’ Skagit Switch from Airflow but really didn’t think it was necessary; this rod casts easy. I had no problem delivering long heavy sink tips and weighted flies with this rod. I have never fished a rod so light in hand that could pick up such heavy loads without a roll cast. As far as distance and line speed go, the only limiting factor is how much running line you can manage. How does it fish? It has awesome pick up and delivery. Gloomis got it right when they built this rod, all the weight is in the right places so you almost don’t notice you’re holding it. We got several nice two salt fish on this rod…it’s not overpowering but it’s not a noodle either. This is an AAA+ do it all 30-06 rod.

I couldn’t wait on this stick, so the first time the river got to a lower flow level, I broke it out. When I set up the 6129 I also paired it with a Hatch 7-plus. Initially I was surprised the reel wasn’t too heavy since it was perfect on the 7130, nope, not a bit of difference in balance. Can I say again these guys at Loomis put these things together perfectly balanced. I only put one line on this rod and it was the Airflo Skagit Switch 450 grains. This was a guess and a good one. With 10’ of T10 sink tips, weighted or un-weighted fly this rod quickly became my new favorite rod to fish. In good conditions this thing bombs just as far as the big stick.

The Bearded Pescador

The 6129 made its debut on the Sandy River with my pal Ryan going back-to-back on a couple hot ones. I was a little worried about this rod and its stopping power based the 390 grain scandi we had on it last summer but it was fine. Like I said this is the one I fish with now unless I have to go GIANT, which is very rare for me.

Coming soon: A side-by-side comparison on the Deschutes in July and out of the jet boat. G.loomis 6129 vs Winston BIIITH 6126. We’ll see who gets the best in class pound-for-pound!

Fish P*rn:

G.Loomis Asquith Review (Part 1)

Sam Sickles
Steelhead Outfitters
Deschutes River Guide
www.steelheadoutfitters.com
541.400.0855

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Mar 26, 2017

Columbia Gorge Fishing Report (3/26/17)

We have some water that's for sure!

The rivers are full, but if you know where some cleaner water is, there are some steelhead willing to eat!

My cold streak is broken!

I had the pleasure of spending the day floating the Sandy River with Sam Sickles of Steelhead Outfitters. The water was high, and rising all day, but we had some great action. We hooked two fish in the first run and had another good grab later in the day. Sam definitely knows the river, and the first two fish were in strange spots that most people would float on by. If you are looking for a last good stab at a winter beauty like the one above, give Sam a call and book a day ASAP! (541) 400-0855

I also had the opportunity to finally give the 6129-4 and 7130-4 G Loomis Asquith spey rods a real workout. I have to say, these rods are astounding! Incredibly light and balanced, but with enormous power. I remarked more than once to Sam, that these rods are cannons! If you have tried it all, or are looking for a next level stick, these rods should definitely be in your purvue. I will seriously have to fight the urge to buy one myself...

Trout fishing is pretty much a no go on the Deschutes right now. With flows still at over 12000cfs the river is really unfishable unless you are above the White River where it is fishable, but you are literally fishing in the trees. The flow is projected to come down into next weekend, and as it does expect fishing to pick up, especially as things settle out and we have some steady weather. I would be armed with stonefly nymphs and rubberlegs. I have seen March browns on many of the rivers I have been on, and Sam reported an epic hatch on the Sandy last week. I would have some pheasant tails and parachute March browns ready to rock just in case.

The Columbia is a high muddy mess right now. Spring chinook fishing is just around the corner, but with poor returns expected and tough river conditions, it could make for a rough season. The bass fishing will pick up over the next month, but right now the cold muddy water makes finding the hungry fish difficult. Get your crayfish and baitfish flies ready for April and May though!

Carp fishing can be excellent in high water. If we get a warm/sunny day expect carp to be in the shallowest mud flats and feeding at the bank. It can be great time to catch carp and they are less wary in the muddy water and they are hungry!

Flows: The USGS sites give us real-time flows, while the NOAA site shows us predictions based on weather patterns. Both are invaluable tools.

Hood River:

USGS

NOAA

Klickitat
USGS
NOAA

Clackamas:

USGS

NOAA

Deschutes near Madras:

USGS

Deschutes at the mouth:

USGS

NOAA

Columbia River

Bonneville Dam Water Temps
Columbia @ Hood River (The mouth of the Hood backs up at 75 feet)

As always, we are happy to talk fishing anytime. Give us a call if you have any specific questions on local rivers, gear, and tactics, or if you just want some encouragement to get out of the office. 541.386.6977

Ryan Van Duzor
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977

Read More from the "Bearded Pescador"

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Nov 30, 2016

G.Loomis Asquith Fly & Spey Rods - Video

Asquith

Update 11/30/2016...

We had our first shipment of the All New G.Loomis Asquith Fly and Asquith Spey Rods Arrive Today!

After filling Pre-Orders we have remaining in-stock ready to ship Asquith.

A Free Fly Line up to $79.95 is included with the purchase of a G.Loomis Asquith Fly or Spey Rod

Asquith Single Hand Fly Rods
AsquithSinglehand from PMD Productions on Vimeo.

Meet a New Generation of fly rods built in the combined efforts of G.Loomis and Shimano designed to revolutionize the fly fishing industry. The single hand modesl are very light and exhibit a very light swing weight.

Asquith Spey Rods
AsquithSpey-new from PMD Productions on Vimeo.

Spey models cast accurate by maintaining torsional stability through Shimano's Proprietary Spiral-X Technology.