Gorge Fly Shop Blog: Tim Rajeff

Showing posts with label Tim Rajeff. Show all posts

Jun 17, 2019

Tim Rajeff - Why is this so hard and What rod should I use

Join us June 22nd at the Grand Opening of Gorge Fly Shop's new location

Presenting for us on this Saturday at 11:00 am at our new casting area is Tim Rajeff.

Tim will review the fundamentals of casting and take you through the rod design process he uses at ECHO.

Keeping it fun he will go over the material and design of a rod and help everyone know better which rod action and power will help them be more productive (have more fun) the next time they hit the water.

Water balloons optional.

Dec 23, 2015

Airflo Compact Skagit Generation G2

Skagit Compact Generation 2

I recently had the chance to talk with Tom Larimer about the New Airflo Skagit Compact G2 Spey Head. He designed this brand-spanking new line, as well as the original Skagit Compact and is the premier steelhead spey line designer in the Northwest.

The original Skagit Compact was just about perfect, so any changes would have to be very meticulously planned and tested, and there is no better man for a meticulous job than Tom. The changes he made are all definite improvements. The major difference between the new G2 and the old Skagit Compact is that the G2 is shortened up to better match today’s rods. Spey rods have shortened up over the past couple of years. Ten years ago, it was rare to see rods under 13’0”, with 14’ rods being about average in length, whereas today’s rods average between 12’6” and 13’6”. The new G2 heads better match the average rods for each grain window.

Another change that Tom made is lengthening the back taper. This helps create longer loops by increasing the length of time/distance it takes to turn over the whole line once it is in the air. It should be easier to keep a cast looking pretty in the air, but it really means longer casts with less energy expended.

Speaking of the back taper… the new two-tone color scheme is pleasing to fish with. It changes at the back taper so you never have to think about which end connects to the running line again, it’s blue.

The important change in the back taper is that it slightly increased in diameter without increasing the relative grains per foot. This is called specific gravity. How much does it float vs. how much does it weigh? By increasing the floatation in the very back end of the line, it will be easier to get the initial break in water tension. This means less initial energy to start the cast, easier mending and better line control.

Tom also had Airflo add their new Super-Dri coating, upgrading from the Polyfuse coating of the past models. Super-Dri is longer lasting with less color fading, better water repulsion, and better floatation, although the specific gravity in the entirety of the line did not change, as in the middle and front part of the line does not float any better than the original Skagit Compact. This is important because if a Skagit Head were to float too high, it would more easily glide through the water and anglers would blow their anchors more often. We need our spey lines to stick to the water just a little bit and this did not change form the previous model.

Besides all of the changes, you probably are wondering how it casts. The 540 grain is the best line that I have cast on my 13’4” 7wt Burkheimer and the Echo Glass 7129-4. I haven’t tried any other sizes yet, but I don’t see it being a problem with any modern spey rod as long as the grain weights are right. It turns over T-14 and big, heavy flies with ease, casts as far and as pretty as I could hope, and it looks good too. Rio, Scientific Anglers and Airflo all make very good Skagit heads that are all wonderful to cast, but I truly think that the Airflo G2 is as good as a Skagit line can be.

We have a few of the Airflo Compact Skagit Generation 1's on SALE!...They're going quick!

The Gorge Fly Shop Team

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Apr 30, 2015

Airflo Switch Streamer - In Stock!

The wait is over!

Let the games begin! The wait is over for the New Airflo Switch Streamer. Airflo recognized a need and delivered! And now we're off to the races as we watch others scramble to come up with a worthy contender. That is the emotion I feel at this moment in time of writing this.

Trout Spey is a growing market in the two hand fly fishing segment of this sport. More and more anglers are learning the benefits of the spey cast whether you choose to use a single hand rod, switch rod or an all out spey two hander. And why not! Why would an angler not want to swing streamers that entice reaction bites on sink tips that get the fly to where the fish are and do it without needing shoulder surgery at the end of a day of single hand rod double hauling? Two hand trout angling is an effective delivery system of streamers on sinking tips that is easier on your physical body parts and most of all it's fun!

Spey casting does have some learning curves but much of it can be alleviated with lines that are designed for the technique, match the rod they are intended for and provide deep loading that ultimately helps you learn to feel your way to great casting.

Steelhead junkies Tim Rajeff and Tom Larimer also trout fish. Together they went out trout fishing and talked to others who are trout fishing with two hand rods and gathered the ingredients needed to cook up a line that would meet the demands of today's trout anglers. Various fragments of lines were chopped and welded into functioning prototypes that were secretly being deployed on backcountry trout waters across the nation by a select few trout junkies that had been sworn to secrecy.

Winston BIIITH-MS - Microspey

Behind another set of closed doors a carbon fiber and boron marriage was taking place with one goal in its purpose, Two Hand Trout! Not a switch rod! Not a downsized steelhead spey! But a true trout action two hander specific for the purpose. And guess who had his hand in this making? Yep, Tom Larimer.

Sure there are a lot of great trout size two hands rods on the market today and plenty of trout size two hand lines to load on them, but when have you heard of a line made for a specific rod or a rod made for a specific line? The marriage of the Winston Microspey and Airflo Streamer Switch line is no accident!

Now I know that many of you out there will resist what I tell you. You'll be out to prove me wrong. You have your own ideas different than mine. After all freedom of choice and freedom to explore your curiosity is what makes angling an attractive sport! The desire of angling freedom we all seek and if you're a lucky few to persevere you occasionally find it in some unsuspecting river or stream.

My point is you don't need a Winston Microspey rod to enjoy the benefits of the Airflo Streamer Switch line. While the two could be the perfect union the beauty of this line is it works great on all trout size spey rods. Breath new life into any switch rod sitting around collecting dust or strip off that nymph line and get your streamer game in gear. Spring is here and the streamer bite is on!

Specs -

Tungsten Sink Tip

Current offerings are 300gr to 420gr in 30gr increments. Head length ranges from 18' to 20'. Skagit by design but tapered to be just friendly enough with polyleaders for dry lines or intermediate sink tip work. Airflo pulled out all the technology including PowerCore for increased sensitivity and positive hook sets, SuperDri that repels water, dirt and scum better than any material in the history of fly lines and like all Airflo lines 100% PVC Free.

The Airflo Streamer Switch features an integrated running line so no more loop to loop hassles when an overhead cast is appropriate and no loop to rod guide interference when a turbo charged brown trout is in hot pursuit of your "hand tied, the night before, new favorite" streamer pattern.

My line matches for the Winston Microspey are 330gr for the 4110 and 390gr for the 5116. The 330gr is also a great match on the Sage ONE 4116

So loop on some Airflo T-7 or T-10 Tungsten sink tip, tie on your best pattern and let the games begin!