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By Sean Fenner, March 7, 2010 6:15 pm

I finally got a chance to test out my new Okuma Integrity 8/9 Weight Fly Reel. I bought it for my 8 weight Surf fishing set up to be my all around Saltwater reel. As always with Okuma I am extremely satisfied with all aspects of the reel. This large disk drag reel was extremely smooth and carried a ton of line, which is a lifesaver in the surf. The reel feels a little heavier in your hand than some of it’s competitors, but the solid design and superior drag system beat out the competition any day.  This reel is low maintenance as it does not require cork oiling and after a few times of  being dipped into sand infested water not even a grain made it into the internals of the reel.  For this kind of set up I would recommend buying  at least one backup spool as you will want one set up with a floating line and one with a sink tip or full sinking line. The solid design of this reel alot\ng with the affordable price make it great for Urban Fly Fishermen, as we are notorious for giving our fly equipment a beating. The reel come in 5/6, 7/8, 8/9. and 10/11 weight designs. Get yours today and get a fair priced reel that in my opinion blows the competition away!

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By Dan Zambrano, June 27, 2009 2:30 am

Came home from the usual run of errand stops on Monday and my wife had strategically placed the cardboard shipping tube and USPS boxes where I would see them as soon as I walked in the door — after all these years, she knows me pretty well and besides, I think she secretly delights in watching me well-up and squeal like a little girl now and then.

I think it is some kind of subliminal test she conducts (perhaps without even fully realizing she is doing it) to affirm my manhood and fitness as a mate — “yup, he broke down over new fishing gear. He’s obviously a hunter/gatherer, interested in providing food for the table and he can be sensitive as well — baby daddy material — and he’s all mine!”

Anyway, my new Pflueger 9-ft, 8-wt fly rod and Okuma large arbor reel along with some Cortland 8 wt sinking tip line had finally arrived from Troutlet.com.

I say “finally” but it is in the same way as one would shout “Finally!” after winning a huge, undeserved jack pot or something. In actuality. my new rig arrived in about a week from the time I ordered it online. Quick, efficient, and right to the door — not that I mind rooting around the local fly shop for hours at a time, but a week’s wait is a good trade off to jacking up the credit card bill to just under the national debt of Chile.

Needless to say, I spent a very pleasant evening setting up my new rig and getting it ready for it’s maiden voyage. After some careful negotiating with the missus it was determined that we would go to El Dorado Park in Long Beach where she could ride her bicycle and I could hit the small lakes that dot the park.

Next morning I christened the tip of my new rod in coffee (since I don’t drink anymore) and off we went.

The new rig performed admirably and I was able to reach areas that i could not get a fly to before. The cool part was the way it handled the big bass flies with ease, tossing them out past the algae and weeds. The weather had taken a turn toward hot and windless and and the fish had all seemed to hunker down for the day. No one was catching anything anywhere.

Nevertheless, I was quite pleased with how this new rod, reel and line looked, felt and cast. Since it is bigger and stiffer than the rig I normally use, at nine feet, it took a little practice for me to get used to it. I spent a little under an hour casting at the ducks and stuff until I was comfortable with it.

So far, I think I got a great deal and I can’t wait to take it out to the beach, which is what I purchased it for in the first place.

Who says you can’t have Christmas in June!

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By Sean Fenner, May 22, 2009 6:18 pm

The Okuma Tempest Fly Fishing Combo has become my everyday 5 weight fly fishing set up. I use the combo for everything warm water related.  For Bass at Park Lakes, Carp on the LA River, and for Trout in the larger mountain streams. It’s not that I don’t own other fly rods and reels, it’s just that I can’t put this on down. The quality that you are getting at an affordable price is amazing. The Adjustable one way roller bearing drag system is amazingly reliable and I have not experienced slippage one time. The rod casts just as good as any $300 rod that I have tried and the backbone really holds up. The largest fish that I landed with this setup was a 12 pound Carp on the LA River and the rod didn’t feel stressed at all. This combo comes in a 5 & 8 weight setup and I would buy both if I were you at Okuma!

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By Sean Fenner, March 6, 2009 4:44 am

One of the best tips that I ever got from another Fly Fisherman, was to tie on a Double Taper fly line when fishing in the San Gabriel Mountains. I have to say that this one tip has made the most difference for me as far as casting ability, and getting to the spots where I could catch more fish. My Fly Casting has alot to be desired, and I was having some real trouble Roll Casting with my Weight Forward line out on the streams. As most Southern California Fly Fishermen know, there is not always alot of room to back cast out on the San Gabriel Waters. The First time that I put on a Double Taper fly line my roll casting was dramatically improved. So if you want to get in those tight spots to catch more fish, but your having trouble with your roll cast get a Double Taper line and help your learning curve. I recommend Scientific Anglers Air Cell DT Fly Line. It’s inexpensive, but still works great check it out at Bass Pro Shop.

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By Sean Fenner, January 3, 2009 12:02 am

The newest addition to my Fly Fishing arsenal is a Hobbs Creek Large Arbor Fly Reel that I got as a Christmas gift. This is a great all metal large arbor disk drag fly reel at the cheapest price that I have ever seen one for. You can pick one up at http://www.basspro.com/. The reel is only $39.99 plus shipping and handling, and come in three selections; Line weight 3-4, Line weight 5-6, or Line weight 7-8. You can also buy spare spools of 22.99 plus shipping and handling.