Articles

Cicadas: Fish them fast

by Chad Shmukler - Tuesday, Jun 18th, 2013

A pretty brookie, belly full of cicadas, that took a cicada fished through a small riffle as darkness closed in.

As mentioned in an article last week, In Search of Cicadas, this year's periodical cicada emergence has turned out to be a highly localized affair. Still, fishermen that have sought out these big bugs have sometimes been rewarded with epic days of top water fishing. Although cicada fishing is winding down in some parts of the east coast, time to enjoy this rare opportunity still exists for many easterners, especially those in the northern range of the Brood II emergence. Should you venture out in search of cicadas, and we highly recommend that you do, make the most of it by fishing your cicadas fast.

While out for a couple days of cicada fishing this past week, both on the same stream that is characterized by long stretches of flat or slack water punctuated by relatively short riffle sections, I was struck by how literally every single one of the dozen or so other fly casters I enountered were fishing cicadas through the slack water areas. Me, on the other hand? I barely touched those areas, sticking solely to fishing foam lines and seams in the riffles and runs and only casting into slow moving water when it overlaid a deep hole that looked too good to pass up.

More Gear from Sage: Three New Reels

by Colin K. Breck - Sunday, Jun 16th, 2013

The new Sage EVOKE in bronze/platinum.

In addition to its two new rod series, the METHOD and MOTIVE series, Sage has also introduced three new reels to its lineup. The first, the EVOKE, is an all new reel design Sages says "push[es] the boundaries of innovative reel designs." The other two, the new 4200 and 3200 reels, leverages designs from Sage's existing reel series in an effort to offer more afforable, budget-friendly options for prospective customers.

The new Sage EVOKE in bronze/platinum.

The EVOKE is an all new, big-game reels series from Sage that features a modified full frame design. The upper part of the frame is closed while the lower half of the frame exposes both sides of the spool to allow anglers to palm the reel. The EVOKE reels use the same sealed carbon system drag design as Sage’s popular 6000 series reels, offering 39 distinct drag settings.

As the EVOKE is intended for larger species, it will be available solely in 8 through 10 weights. The 8-weight reel retail price is $575, the 10-weight retails for $595 and the spools retail for $275 and $295, respectively. Both reels will be available in August 2013.

Sage Intros New, Wallet-friendly MOTIVE Saltwater Fly Rods

by Ben Kryzinski - Friday, Jun 14th, 2013

Sage's new budget-friendly MOTIVE series of saltwater rods.

Yesterday, Sage announced two new series of fly rods. The first was the new ultra-fast METHOD series. The second was an entirely new series of saltwater fly rods designed, according to Sage, to make salt-specific fly gear more accessible to the growing ranks of fly fishermen looking to chase saltwater fish.

Sage's new budget-friendly MOTIVE series of saltwater rods.

The MOTIVE series features an all new taper designed to deliver fast line speeds and, perhaps more importantly, load quickly -- often a must when sight fishing for saltwater species where expending precious time picking up line and false casting is a no-no.

Faster, Pussycat: Sage Intros New METHOD Fly Rod Series

by Ben Kryzinski - Thursday, Jun 13th, 2013

The new Sage METHOD series.

If you've recently found yourself out on the water casting one of the fast action fly rods in Sage's ONE series, musing to yourself about how you wish it were even faster, muse no more. Sage announced today its new METHOD fly rod series, which it describes as a blend of "ultra-fast action" and technology.

The new METHOD series, like the ONE series and other rods throughout Sage's lineup, is built on Sage's Konnetic technology. According to Sage, the new METHOD series produces "high line speeds and tight loops for extreme distance and wind-cutting casts all while maintaining critical accuracy and feel."

Florida Bonefish, Tarpon to Become Catch and Release Only

by Colin K. Breck - Thursday, Jun 13th, 2013

Bonefish like this one bring millions of tourist and recreation dollars to the Flordia economy each year.

Over the past week, individuals and organizations across the US have been asking bonefish and tarpon advocates to make their voices heard to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) Commission which was scheduled to meet yesterday to consider new regulations that would place tarpon and bonefish under strict catch and release only protections. The efforts of those who took the time to contact the commission to advocate for those protections have paid dividends, as FWC officials approved yesterday new rules preventing the harvesting of tarpon and bonefish.

The new regulations also introduce new protections regarding the handling of both tarpon and bonefish. The rules now require that tarpon over 40" not be removed from the water at any time. Weighing, measurement, scientific sampling and photography of these large tarpon must be completed with the fish still in the water. Tarpon under 40" may be temporarily possessed out of the water for these activities, but must subsequently be returned to the water unharmed. Bonefish will see increased protection from the removal of a tournament exception that previously allowed bonefish to be possessed by tournament anglers for transport to a tournament scale.