Newsletter 08/29/08 - Cutthroat Anglers

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Cutthroat Newsletter - 08/29/08

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Greetings!

I hope you're all gearing up for a big holiday weekend and hopefully we see all of you before you get home to read this. As a matter of fact, if you are reading this and it's not Tuesday yet, go fishing already! Only guides and fly shop employees should be working holiday weekends!

Guide for Men

Getting skunked out there? Maybe you need to smell more like a guide.
Choose from one of our new designer Guide fragrances including:

Pabst Blue Ribbon & Hot Wings
Coppertone & Whitefish
Speed Stick & Axle Grease
Pepto Bismol & Head Cement

Fishing remains solid thanks to last winter's snowpack. I've heard very few people singing the Blue River Blues this year and water temps have remained cool on the big rivers. September is right around the corner and the best fishing of the year may be yet to come!

In 50 Years...

I want to think that in 50 years when I'm sitting in my rocking chair staring at my retired drift boat that I'll say to myself, "I wish I would have fished more." Who wouldn't, right? I also hope, however, to never again dwell on the thought, "I wish I would have caught more fish."

I'm reasonably confident that I'll never forget the intensity of the autumn leaves on the South Fork, laughing too hard to cast on the Kvichak, taking booze cruises on the Colorado, driving on fumes and bad coffee in Wyoming, balmy spring retreats to the Arkansas, and yuckin' it up late at night in the fly shop.

It's doubtful though, that I'll be able to recall who caught the biggest fish or how many I caught on a given trip, nor will I remember who made the longest cast or how many got away. And, to be completely honest, I could care less.

In my mind fly fishing really has little to do with tricking a fish into eating a hook with feathers on it, and has everything to do with taking time to unwind, explore, and spend time with good friends. If we're lucky, we get an occasional bonus to admire and release, which is pretty cool too.

Slackers

know you heard it over and over during your first 3 day Orvis fishing school and have since read it in countless books and magazines- Slack is Evil!!!

Well, here at Cutthroat Anglers we're all a bunch of slackers, and we beg to differ.

Fishing with controlled slack in the line allows for better drifts, and we all know that better drifts equal more fish in the net. Controlled slack can best be defined as additional line introduced to your drift either during or immediately after your cast. When fishing a tight line, broken currents or powerful mends are likely to ruin your drift or sink your dry fly. Introducing controlled slack into the drift creates a buffer that aids in achieving proper mends and drag free drifts.

There are several ways to introduce controlled slack into your drift:

1. Shoot some extra line during your mend the same way you would if you were trying to gain extra distance in your cast.
2. Make a bad cast. (Remember those casting clinics on the lawn and your line piled up like a little ball of hate? Dig into the archives and pull out some of those bad habits as they may be more useful than you had thought).
3. Overshoot your target and then pull back with your rod to the desired position.

The key word here is control. Remember to manage your line and be ready to make a big hookset. Using slack is like learning to dance salsa: take little steps at first, then gradually step it up.

So, next time you're out fishing, give it a try-- 'cause it's okay to be a slacker from time to time.

Exciting Destination trip coming for Cutthroat Anglers

There are very few unspoiled fishing destinations left in this ever- decreasing global community. However, there is one in particular that is close to the United States that is rarely visited by Americans. Let's just say that it is not illegal for Americans to go there, it is just illegal to engage in commerce.

The "land of cigars" offers some of the most pristine and unpressured angling to be found anywhere. This special destination offers roughly 150 miles of keys with the only inhabitants being local lobster fisherman. There are no other anglers in the entire system. Imagine the Florida Keys over 200 years ago and that about sums it up.

The main target species are bonefish, tarpon, permit, jacks and barracuda. The accommodations are very unique, we stay aboard a floating "hotel" anchored in a lagoon. The good is outstanding. The operation uses Dolphin skiffs that are perfect for fly fishing these magnificent flats. Have a look at some pics here.

If you are seriously interested in something new, exciting and unique then contact Trapper at trapper@fishcolorado.com.

The dates for this trip will be January 9th to the 17th. Call for further details and the shop boys will put you in touch with me. Space is limited.

Trapper John Rudd

Sincerely,
Chris Hall
Cutthroat Anglers