Fly fishing western Montana, for cutthroats

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Greg Thomas

Couldn’t help myself yesterday. Had to get out on a water that I grew fond of last year, to see what was shaking. That half the state’s rivers are blown out didn’t set me back. I packed gear, said no to dinner and drink offers, and headed out with a box of dries and a five-weight.

When I reached the creek it was clear but ripping. Where were the fish I wondered? Not in the usual spots. They were probably at the bottom of the deepest pools letting the current fly by overhead. Long story short, I didn’t find many fish. I caught a brown, which surprised me, and missed two nice cutthroats, one that would have stretched Continue reading →

Posted in Montana, Northern Rockies | Leave a comment

De Havilland Beaver, The Classic Alaska Aircraft

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Greg Thomas

Thought all of you who haven’t been to Alaska and flown in the classic Beaver might enjoy this simulation of a flight. It’s pretty spot-on, all the way down to the trees turing color in the fall. Take a quick ride. You’re going to like what you see. Then get online and book a trip to the north country for this summer or fall. Alaska is called The Great Land for a reason. Life is short, get out there and live it.

Posted in Alaska, Culture | Leave a comment

Jeb Corliss: Successful Flight

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Greg Thomas

Couldn’t help myself, you guys. I’ve been watching hway too many of these videos. I can’t take my eyes of these flights. And I wanted to share one of Cobliss’ successful flights. It’s crazy cool.  Corbliss called this one, Grinding the Crack. Let me know what you think. And tell me this, with the proper training and such, could you do this? Could you take that step and jump off that cliff? I couldn’t, I don’t think. But what a rush it would be. In the meantime, I’ll just keep checking out Corbliss’ recovery in hopes that we’ll see him jump and fly again.

 

Posted in Culture | Tagged | 2 Comments

Spey-Roders Rejoice: Sage’s New One, in Spey Models

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Greg Thomas

I thought this press release was timely, given that I just offered a review of the Sage One single handed rods on Tonic. Now a line of two-handers is ready to roll and rip up the Northwest and beyond. I’ve been waiting for this development and I am eager to throw one of Sage’s ONE Spey Rods. Maybe I’ll call Sage and see if I can get one overnighted for my Alaska trip, which begins Monday. We’ll see. If I can’t get my hands on one, the Deathstar will still serve me nicely. If the single-hand sticks are so strong, which I have said, these two-handers must just be absolute rocket launchers. Going for distance, going for speed (props to Cake), you better get your hands on one of these and launch some hucks across the Clearwater. Here’s the official release.

(Bainbridge Island, Wash.) – Sage Manufacturing, fly-fishing industry leader, is proud to announce the release of the two-handed ONE fly rod collection. This new wide range of rods is ideal for numerous steelhead and salmon fishing scenarios with both spey and switch options.

After the single-handed ONE rod collection won major awards in 2011-2012, including the EFTTEX Best Fly Rod, IFTD Best Freshwater and Saltwater Fly Rod, Field & Stream’s Best of the Best, and Men’s Journal Gear of the Year and, Continue reading →

Posted in Gear | Tagged | 1 Comment

I Was Made to Fly: Jeb Corliss’ Table Mountain Crash

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Greg Thomas

There’s not much to say here, other than take the time to get through the opening ad. This wingsuit shit really intrigues me. I’m too much of a wimp to do it, and I wouldn’t do it because I’m here to raise my girls, but man—you can fly! Unless you miscalculate and hit a rock! This is a visual treat, even though it’s a down moment for Jeff Corliss, as he crashes into Table Mountain. Check it. And we think we’re bad because we wear trucker hats, sleep in the dirt, drink PBR and smoke Backwoods. Let me know what you think.

Posted in Culture | Tagged | 4 Comments

Anglers Tonic Heads to Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Greg Thomas

Thought I would let all of you know that the girls and I are off to Alaska next week, heading for the Kenai Peninsula for whatever The Great Land throws our way. I really haven’t fished the Peninsula in June, only during fall, so I’m not so sure what my opportunities will be. I know there will be kings on the Kasiloff and the Kenai, and I’ll be taking the Deathstar to throw at them, but I’m hoping to find some dollies and reds, too. Would love to get the girls into some reds and after last summer, while fishing with Kent Sullivan, on the Alaska Peninsula, I know how to get those fish to truly Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Northwest, Travel | Tagged | 2 Comments

Image of The Week: Where

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Greg Thomas

Thought I’d give all of you another shot at an Angler’s Tonic T-shirt and some stickers. I don’t think this shot makes it too hard for a lot of you. West. River I fish. Many, many stories to be told from my trips to this spot. I guess I should leave it at that since I think this is a pretty identifiable shot in the first place. Take your shot and let me know where you think it is.

Posted in Photography | 8 Comments

Rod Review: Sage’s new ONE fly rod

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Greg Thomas

I penned this gear review for Fly Rod & Reel’s winter issue and thought it was worth sharing here. These are top-end rods and might outclass most of us financially, but they sure are worth visiting your local fly shop to throw. Maybe you’ll like this stick so much you’ll just have to have one and can do a layaway or something. I’d love to own one of these, that’s for sure.

Sage’s One: I have a friend who once believed that every fish could be taken on a five-weight rod, much to the dismay of friends, guides and, mostly, those fish he tortured through elongated battles. Then a migratory Key’s tarpon just flat-out wrecked his Continue reading →

Posted in Gear | Tagged | 3 Comments

For Sale: Gear

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Greg Thomas

I’ve got some gear that needs to move and I’m selling it in the old fashioned way—by e-mail and shipping. If you are interested in any of these items I can give you the details and provide images if needed. I’m offering these to Tonic patrons first before sending the word via ebay or whatever else. Hope all of you have some interest and want to take advantage of good deals. Let me know. I can give you history of use and what these items are best used for.

Books? Got a ton of them, literally, and I have to make room for the girls’ bikes, soccer goals, basketball hoops, hoola-hoops, etc. Questions: e-mail at greg@anglerstonic.com

 

 

Posted in Gear | 2 Comments

Broke Down in Their Driveway

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Greg Thomas

So, she wasn’t willing to drive me to the Bozeman airport. Didn’t want to get the girls up early, she said, even though it’s June and the girls don’t have school or anything else pressing. So I acquiesced, said I’d drive the ’89 Chevy, which was making weird sounds, instead of the new GMC. And that’s when I broke down, between Norris and Four Corners, at the top of a hill where I actually was able to push the truck off the road and into a long dirt ranch driveway. I managed it a little to one side, got out a pen and wrote a note. Then I called and Continue reading →

Posted in British Columbia | Tagged | Leave a comment