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Lateral view of a Female Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Dun from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Hex Mayflies
Hexagenia limbata

The famous nocturnal Hex hatch of the Midwest (and a few other lucky locations) stirs to the surface mythically large brown trout that only touch streamers for the rest of the year.

Dorsal view of a Pycnopsyche guttifera (Limnephilidae) (Great Autumn Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This specimen appears to be of the same species as this one collected in the same spot two months earlier. The identification of both is tentative. This one suffered some physical damage before being photographed, too, so the colors aren't totally natural. I was mostly photographing it to test out some new camera setting idea, which worked really well for a couple of closeups.
27" brown trout, my largest ever. It was the sub-dominant fish in its pool. After this, I hooked the bigger one, but I couldn't land it.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Catskilljon
Upstate NY

Posts: 160
Catskilljon on Feb 26, 2014February 26th, 2014, 4:22 pm EST
Just picked up some new stuff lately, and figured I would see if anyone here has anything from these manufacturers.

The reel is an Allan TroutII, large arbor and smooth as glass. I bought it at the Somerset NJ show and after talking to Justin who owns the company, he stated that they were almost sold out of all the stock they brought with them. It was the first I have heard of Allan but I was impressed with the machining and light weight of all their models. Haven't had it on the water yet, but wondered if anyone has one and how they like it.

The rod is from Vision, a 10ft 3/4 in a 4pc. I fished one of these last summer on an outing with a friend who sells them, and I liked it a lot. I typically wrap my own blanks and this is the first "made" rod I own. The difference with these rods from others is they use spigot ferrules rather than tip over butt types on most rods. This makes for a thinner blank overall.

Looking forward to getting these on the stream, I will report back on them in April. CJ
Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on Feb 26, 2014February 26th, 2014, 8:26 pm EST
John,

I'm going to venture to say this reel, and at least one other I'm aware of (Clark reels) are being made in China. I'm going to Andros in April and wanted a good, but economical, #9 reel for permit and/or 'cuda. I was looking on Ebay and found these reels being sold by a guy by the name of John Clark. I got my 8/9 LA reel for $98 and free shipping. It is a lovely reel with a very nice glossy black anodize and a red drag hub like the US made Nautilus reels.

Here is a link to a Clark 3/5 reel and if you look at the porting on the housing and the configuration of the spool and the overall design elements it looks much like your Allen reel. It's easy for an enterprising guy to buy a few good reels, locate a good Chinese manufacturer who can reverse engineer the reel and make them for so little money that they can be sold here for $100 and the guy is still making money.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CLARK-VIS-3-5-SUPER-LARGE-ARBOR-BAR-STOCK-WATERPROOF-FLY-REEL-/151241066539?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2336ab882b
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Catskilljon
Upstate NY

Posts: 160
Catskilljon on Feb 27, 2014February 27th, 2014, 2:35 am EST
Matt,

I am sure your right sir. That Clarks reel looks pretty sharp too! Mine came with a soft nylon padded bag, and I could not believe how something this nice can sell for under a hundred bucks.

Have fun on your Permit/Cuda trip! CJ
Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on Feb 27, 2014February 27th, 2014, 7:35 am EST
Hi John,

It's actually a bonefish trip but my buddy told me that every year he has had shots at 'cuda while throwing the #8 for bonefish. He and his partner take four rods in the boat, two with bonefish flies, one with a permit fly, and the 4th with a cuda fly. Then if the guide sees a permit or cuda the guy on the bow just passes the bonefish rod down to the guy in the well and that guy hands the other guy the appropriate rod. Here is where we are going;

http://www.twoboysinn.com/
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

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