Fly Fishing Reviews Blog

Aleka Sports Wednesday, 25 April 2012 13:08 Written by Philip Light

I normally wouldn't promote a company for free and without fully testing their gear, but I'm making an exception with Aleka Sports as their US base is in the great Keystone State just like flyfishreviews.com!  The other reason I'm writing this entry is because of their amazing launch deal.  Since Aleka is new in the US, they have a %50 off deal running right now!  I just ordered a 9'-0" 4wt (2 piece) A4 rod and A4 (4wt) reel to test out and will write an in depth review once it's in my hands and I can get it on the water.  This setup cost me $200, which for a rod and reel of this quality is quite a bargin!  They also have a 100% guarantee and a 28 day no hassle return policy which means picking up this setup was a "no brainer".

From the Aleka site http://www.alekasports.com/product/368/aleka-a4-fly-rod-2-piece , the A4 rod features the following:

• Golden brown premium-quality high-modulus blanks with Arc4™ Technology creating an amazing fast action
• Incredibly lightweight, smooth casting, powerful and precise
• Built for precision casting and recovers quickly
• 'AAA' Premium-grade Portuguese cork handle and hook keeper
• 2-piece and 4-piece design – ideal for travelling
• Reel seat is machined from lightweight, marine grade aluminum which is then anodized in a champagne color to prevent corrosion
• Aluminum-oxide stripper guides, hard chrome snake guides
• Single leg intermediate guides which are extremely lightweight
• Golden brown tyings to match the blank with subtle gold tippings
• High quality cloth bag/sock plus durable hard case tube with strap and carry handle included
• Half wells (abbreviated) and full wells handle with fighting butt
• Backed by the ALEKA Product Warranty and replacement service
• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Ultra sensitive and fast action blanks make the ALEKA A4 Fly Rod a dream to cast. A smooth, progressive fast action, delivering high line speeds, extreme distance and superior sensitivity for accuracy and natural presentation of the fly when the time counts.

You can read the rest on their site at the link above.  I'll also mention that Aleka has a rewards program where for every $100 that you or someone you refer to Aleka spends, you get $10 off future Aleka gear purchases.  Flyfishreviews.com's referral code is: DCDY57PL  So, if you are going to give Aleka a try and want to help flyfishreviews.com out on future purchases of Aleka gear, use that code during checkout.

I'm not sure how long their promo deal is going to last, so you might want to jump on this.

Be sure to post your findings in the forum! http://www.flyfishreviews.com/forum

Phil

Latest updates to Flyfishreviews.com Saturday, 07 April 2012 15:20 Written by Philip Light

I thought I'd write a quick post about a few updates to the site.  First, we've upgraded the site's network and infrastructure to use a new cutting edge DNS technology.  Translation: The site should be a lot faster to use and we should have 99.99% uptime from here out.  The change just went into effect this morning (4-7-2012).  Next, we've added a new "product suggestion" box so that people can suggest products that aren't in our database already.  The new form is here: http://www.flyfishreviews.com/contact-us/suggest-product

I just posted a new in depth review for the Wright & McGill WME 954 rod in the in depth reviews section: http://www.flyfishreviews.com/fly-fishing-product-reviews/in-depth-reviews

We also added a "latest products" section so you can quickly find new products on the market.  http://www.flyfishreviews.com/fly-fishing-product-reviews/latest-products-and-reviews

We're in the process of updating the database with all the latest products on the market, so check back often!

Be sure to check us out on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/flyfishreviewscom/182297556669

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Fishing Flies Encyclopedia iPhone App Review Sunday, 04 September 2011 14:46 Written by Philip Light

Here's a different kind of review for the technology era of fly fishing.  We reviewed the Fishing Flies Encyclopedia iPhone app by Collins & Trellisys.net http://www.fishingfliesencyclopedia.com/.  The app is available from the itunes store here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id447037826?mt=8 and is on sale right now for $2.99.  Right up front, I'm going to say that if you're reading this now, you should take advantage of the $2.99 deal because the app is definitely worth it!

To be honest, I was a little unsure how a fly fishing flies encyclopedia would be beneficial when I first saw the app, but after playing around with it for a while, I think it makes an excellent tool while you're at the bench or even bored at a restaurant while waiting for food.  The app is very well designed and has a great look and feel.  You can tell a lot of time went into the UI design and the graphics used in the application.  The app comes with a ton of useful information and photos but the interesting thing is that with the iPhone platform, the developer could push updates to add more patterns/photos and information.  Unlike buying a book with similar content, the Fishing Flies Encyclopedia app can expand for the same price you pay up front.  I don't have an iPad to test the app with, but I would imagine it would be even better on a larger screen.  The great thing about the app is that it caters to both novice and advanced fly fishermen/women.  

From a novice standpoint, there is a wealth of easy to navigate information on everything from the history of fly tying to techniques for tying different patterns.  The gallery is sure to be a huge educational tool for someone who is just getting into fly fishing.  Since it's available on your phone, you can leaf through flies whenever you have time regardless of where you are to get familiar with the flies and their useage.  Again, the fact that the information is available at your fingertips on a device you likely have in your pocket all the time is a very attractive feature for someone who wants to learn about fly fishing.

From an advanced fly fisherman's point of view, the great thing about the app is you can have it beside you at your tying bench for reference and inspiration.  I spend a lot of time crafting flies that are slight  modifications on existing patterns based on techniques I'm into at that particular time.  For example, I've found that larvae lace can be used in a number of patterns for abdomen representation and I will go on a spree of modifying existing patterns to include the larvae lace design.  So for me, It's very convenient to be able to pick up my phone and browse the gallery on the app to find a pattern I want to modify.  It's also always fun to go through the basics again to remind you of things or to re-learn something you might have overlooked back when you started.  Beyond the useful information and beautiful pictures, it's just plain fun to look through the app.

I highly recommend the Fishing Flies Encyclopedia app.  The price is right, the features are great, the look and feel are awesome and the convenience factor is something that makes picking up the app a no brain-er.  My only request is that they develop the app for the Android market.  I've switched over to the Android platform and have no intention on going back to iPhone.  I keep my old iPhone around for my kids to play games on and I still download apps and use it like an ipod for fun but my phone is now an Android.  I would buy the Fishing Flies Encyclopedia for android in a heartbeat if it were available.

Great Job guys!

Site Updates and free Fly Fishing gear giveaway Thursday, 01 September 2011 09:32 Written by Philip Light

We've got some exciting new changes in the works for flyfishreviews.com!  Soon, we'll have a product submit feature that will allow users to add products to the site on their own.  This will work in much the same way that the review system works now in that when you submit a certain number of fly fishing products for review, you will get a free gift.  Of course, these products need to be accurately described and must be an item that isn't already in our database.  Each product submitted will be reviewed prior to being published to ensure we don't have duplicate products and that the images, descriptions etc. are accurate.

We're also working on a fly rod comparison and fly reel comparison tool that will allow you to select a few rods from the database and compare them with each other.  This will be a big change and will take place over a long period of time.  Each product will receive extended information like weight, number of pieces, warranty info, construction type, country of origin and possibly MSRP.  You can then compare several products based on their specifications and the number of reviews posted here on flyfishreviews.com.

We want to create tools and systems that actually help you find the perfect fly rod, reel, line, waders or accessories.  In order to do that, we need participation from our visitors.  It's become apparent that the Orvis Medium fly box isn't an adequate gift.  We want to offer a new product as a freebie in exchange for our users filling out product reviews but we want your help in deciding what that gift is.  I'm asking for input from site visitors as to what product you would like as a gift for writing reviews.  This has to be within reason of course, but is not limited to cheap items.  One idea is to create different tiers for contribution and give away different gifts for each tier.  I don't have these tiers figured out yet and I need an idea of what the general public wants as a gift before I launch a tier based give away system.  It would be something like: 20 reviews = Free flybox, hat etc.  40 reviews = Free medium quality fly fishing vest.  60 reviews = Free ? and at some point actually give away quality fly rods and reels for top contributors.  I'm willing to invest heavily in give aways to help build this site but I need to know what you want!

For now, I've started a thread in the forum to ask for feedback.  Please submit your give away product suggestions here: Free Fly Fishing Gear Give Away Forum Post

New Leland Scott SC Bamboo Video Tuesday, 14 December 2010 14:59 Written by Philip Light

I've always loved bamboo fly rods.  When I was a kid, my dad, who always stopped at estate sales and yard sales, bought me a vintage Cortland bamboo rod.  It was in immaculate condition, and I remember thinking at the time; "should I put this up on a shelf or fish with it?".  I decided to fish it, and I'm glad I did.  There's something about casting a bamboo rod that can't be equalled by their modern counterparts.  Maybe it's the fact that it puts you in a different mindset and transports you to a different time in our history.  You feel like you're in a movie about 2 brother's who grew up fly fishing in Montana in the early 1900's and had a preacher as a father (they should make a movie like that).  Fishing a bamboo rod also reminds you that even with all the modern technology, fly fishing, at it's core is about a simple premise.  To put a fly in front of a feeding trout and hope he takes it.

I'd love to get my hands on a modern bamboo rod like the Scott SC, but my accountant tells me I have more important duties as a father and husband.  I still pull that old Cortland bamboo out every once in a while and  use it on some familiar waters to remind me of my youth.  As a testament to Bamboo's endurance, that old rod is still as good as it was the day I got it, and probably better now than it was when it was built.  While I scratch off some lottery tickets, I'll watch this video again to remind me of what could be.  For those fortunate enough to have hit the numbers and can actually go out and buy one of these things, check out Scott's SC rods in the video below, and consider buying your rod through the banner to help support flyfishreviews.com and Leland fly fishing outfitters.