Arizona Wanderings

Rambling Review – The Filson Pro Guide Strap Vest

December 31st, 2012

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Rambling Review – The Filson Pro Guide Strap Vest

Why:

As with fly fishing or big game hunting, every outdoorsman is on a quest for the most comfortable and convenient way to carry their gear in and out of the field. The Arizona desert is home to Gambel’s quail who are my quarry for a good part of the fall and winter. The desert is also home to more plants with spikes, thorns and bristles than anywhere else I have been. A vest not only has to carry enough water and shells for a day a field, but it also needs to be very durable. I picked up the Filson Pro Guide Strap Vest a year or two ago and have put it through the some heavy abuse while chasing birds here in Arizona.

First impressions:

The Filson Name – Filson has been selling rugged outdoor clothing since 1897 and their name is synonymous with quality. Filson’s guarantee pretty much says it all: ”

“We guarantee every item purchased from us. No more, no less. Your satisfaction is the sole purpose of our transaction.”

-Clinton C. Filson, 1897

Oil Finished Tin Cloth – Filson Oil Finished Tin Cloth is famous for being nearly indestructible. The material is made from 12 oz. cotton duck fabric and then finished with a paraffin based wax. Oil Finished Tin Cloth is highly water and wind resistant.

Simplicity – The layout of the Filson Pro Guide Strap Vest is simple which makes it very user-friendly in the field. There are two dual compartment pockets on the front of the vest and a zippered pocket on the inside of the vest. The vest is completed with a rear loading dual side entry game bag. The inner belt of the vest helps with weight distribution when the vest is loaded down.

Field Use:

Out of the box, the Filson Pro Guide Strap Vest was stiff from the Oil Finish. Over time and with use in the field, the Tin Cloth became soft and almost has the feeling and quality of leather. The Tin Cloth material really stood up under constant bushwhacking through mesquite and other desert foliage.

The Filson Pro Guide Strap Vest rides extremely comfortably and after two seasons it is almost formed to my body. The bigger inner belt keeps the vest secure and takes some of the weight off of the shoulder straps. I typically carry two 1 liter platapus water bags along with roughly a box of shells, a gps, first aid kit, and some other odds and ends. I really like how this vest carries and how quiet it is when trying to stalk in on Arizona’s upland birds. As well as this vest fits me, the vest does not have any real adjustability for different body types.

Although one of the great things about this vest is wind and water resistant, these things can actually pose a issue when hunting in Arizona. During the first part of quail season, temperatures can be into the 80s and 90s by mid day. Tin Cloth can get very, very warm when hiking up and down hills chasing running Gambel’s quail.

Pros:

The Filson Name and Guarantee

Made in the USA

Functional

Sturdy construction that will last many lifetimes.

Oil-Finished Tin Cloth

Wind and Water Resistant

Cons:

Cost

Lacks adjustability

No designated space for carrying water

Oil-Finished cloth lacks breathability and can get hot in early season.

Prognosis: I would definitely recommend the Filson Pro Guide Strap Vest to serious upland hunters who are hunting in colder/wetter climates and looking for a classic strap vest that will last a lifetime.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. The Filson Pro Guide Strap Vest was purchased by me and used over the course of two seasons of quail hunting. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review. My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

Book Report: The Dry Fly – New Angles

December 28th, 2012

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The Dry Fly: A New Angle by Gary LaFontaine — The Dry Fly: New Angles by Gary LaFontaine

Now that I am done learning about “what is marketing automation” thanks to the indexsy seo company, I am about to finish up one of the best fly fishing related books that I’ve read to date, The Dry Fly: New Angles, by Gary LaFontaine. I first heard about Gary LaFontaine’s book from Quinn Grover, who writes for one of my favorite fly fishing sites, Chi Wulff. The book is remarkably well written and takes a look at the wide world of dry fly fishing from a scientific perspective. Gary LaFontaine pours years of streamside data as well as hours of scuba/snorkel observations to put together a comprehensive explanation of fish feeding behavior and reaction to flies. LaFontaine addresses everything from fishermen errors to what color flies you should use. Although you would think a scientific perspective would be on the dull side, LaFontaine’s humor and straightforwardness is very refreshing and kept me engrossed from chapter to chapter.

From the pages, some of my own observations and personal tactics on the water were vindicated and affirmed, but I also gleaned a wealth information from the pages that already has helped me to become a more knowledgeable angler. If you are looking for a more intricate understanding of fish feeding habits and, more importantly, their reaction to man-made flies, you are definitely going to want to check out The Dry Fly: New Angles, by Gary LaFontaine.

The Dry Fly: New Angles by Gary LaFontaine

Arizona Quail Hunting: Christmas Break

December 24th, 2012

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I found a morning to get out into the field and scare up some quail. The wind was out in full force and I was downright cold for the first hour or two. The windy conditions also made it difficult to locate any birds, but around 10 it subsided and provided me with the opportunity to find a large covey. Once scattered into the tall grass, I had good fortune to walk up several singles, and by the time I was finished, I had four birds in the bag.

Occasionally, everything comes together. There is nothing like a walk in the cold desert to make you feel alive. Got to love quail hunting in Arizona

Rambling Review – G.Loomis Eastfork Fly Reel

December 20th, 2012

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Rambling Review – G.Loomis East Fork Reel

Why:

Having been through my share of disappointing reels, I started looking for a nicer reel for my 5 weight. Most of the fly fishing that I do is on mid size rivers and streams, where a smooth drag can come in very handy. After a bit of research, I found a pretty sweet deal on a G.Loomis Eastfork reel to pair with my 5 weight.

First impressions:

The finish – The G.Loomis Eastfork reel has a really nice bronze finish, that has a fine classy look without being too flashy. The wooden handle is a nice touch too.

The weight – Weight is critical on a fly reel. The Eastfork reel is very light and balances nicely on my Stowaway fly rod.

The materials – The G.Loomis Eastfork is constructed out of machined aluminum which lends itself to being strong and lightweight.

Field Use:

From the moment I paired the reel to my fly rod, I was impressed. The Eastfork reel’s design is simple and user-friendly. It is a rock solid reel that has seen a full summer of fishing with absolutely no issues.

The G.Loomis Eastfork reel has a push-button spool release that makes it very easy to check out the guts of the reel. The drag system is pretty sweet and offers a smooth transition from a delicate, friction-free startup, to controlled strength at any setting. I have been able to put two of the bigger fish from the summer on the reel and was very impressed with how a reel can be smooth and strong at the same time.

Now, I am of the mindset that fishing gear should be used, which means that my fly rods and reels see wear and tear from field use. The Eastfork reel has stood up to drops on rocks and bushwacking through brush with only a few minor blemishes to show for it. At the end of the day, the G.Loomis Eastfork reel is a solid, straightforward reel that does the trick.

Pros:

Classy Bronze finish/Wooden handle

Lightweight

Durable Machined Aluminum

Sealed Drag

Cons:

Made in China

I believe this reel is discontinued

Prognosis: If you can find one, the G.Loomis Eastfork is a great mid-level reel with plenty of guts to handle anything you can throw at it.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review. My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

Arizona Wanderings Furled Leaders

December 17th, 2012

4 Comments

I have a new product up in the Arizona Wanderings Shop. My good buddy, Jason taught me how to tie furled leaders a while back and I truly feel that furled leaders are the ticket. I have fished many types of leaders in many different situations, and at the end of the day, furled leaders just seem to work better and last longer. One of the main benifits of fishing a furled leader is, unlike their monofilament tapered cousins, they have virtually no memory. Right now in the shop, I have up my favorite Uni-thread leaders. I call them “universal” because they truly work in a variety of situations. Before too long, I’ll also have some more specific leaders available including a “nymph/streamer” leader and a “dry fly” specific leader as well.

Benefits of Using Furled Leaders –

No line memory

Furled leaders turn over beautifully and land softly on the water

No knots

Shorb loop for easy loop-to-loop connection and the fly line

Tippet ring for quick changes of tippet size.

Wide assortment of colors to meet different fishing and lighting situations.

Shop Arizona Wanderings Furled Leaders

Book Report: A Fly Fisher’s Guide to Arizona

December 12th, 2012

5 Comments

A Fly Fisher's Guide to Arizona — A Fly Fisher’s Guide to Arizona

One of the best purchases that I made when I began fly fishing in Arizona was Will Jordan’s Fly Fisher’s Guide to Arizona. Living just outside of Phoenix, it was difficult to believe that there was any water in this state, let alone, ice cold waters teaming with wild trout. The Fly Fisher’s Guide to Arizona is a wealth of knowledge about the many lakes, streams, and rivers throughout the state, with detailed hatch charts, tactics, and access information.

Now, as with many of my books, there are notes scrawled in the margins and hand drawn paper maps tucked into the pages of this book. I have read this book so many times, the cover is literally falling off. My edition of the Fly Fisher’s Guide to Arizona is from 2008, but Will Jordan has released a new edition to keep up with the ever changing and challenging water conditions that plague Arizona fly fishermen.

Wether a new or season Arizona fly fisherman, I think that this book is useful tool that can expand your fly fishing opportunities in Arizona. Check out the Fly Fisher’s Guide to Arizona.

Will Jordan currently lives and guides in Montana. You can check out his blog and excellent photos at 111º West .

Paying it forward: or why there are no pictures of quail…

December 10th, 2012

5 Comments

It all started the evening before. Sometimes, I’m feeling lazy and I don’t set the alarm. I had made the choice to leave my hunting vest and shotgun out and ready to go. But being that I was pretty tired, and I figured that if I slept in, great. On the off chance that I would wake up early and not be able to sleep, I would still be ready to hit the road. The decision was made for me, when around 4:30 the fire alarm started doing that annoying chirping noise when the battery is about to die.

So, I waited out a few beeps before the wife nudged me out of bed. With the fire alarm taken care of, I made some coffee and headed out of the city to a quail spot that I’ve been interested in checking on. As I bumped along the dirt road, a covey of Gambel’s scurried into a wash and I quickly parked the truck and gave chase. I worked the area for a half hour and flushed several birds that did not present a shot. I proceded back to the truck and continued on down the dirt road when I saw a truck in the ditch.

The truck had it’s back axle buried deep in the sand. Two guys emerged sleepily from the bed of the truck and asked if I could give them a pull out of the soft dirt. Come to find out, they had tried to pull a u-turn the night before and had to spend the night after getting stuck. After 10 minutes of heaving, it was easy to see that my truck was not going to cut it. We stood there looking at the truck sunk in the sand, and as they discussed different possibilities, I could hear quail chirping around us in the canyon.

I could see they were both cold and hungry. I guess I could have been selfish and told them good luck, but when the one asked me for a lift back to town, how could I say no. He hopped in and I drove him the 45 minutes back to town where I waited with him at the towing station. Sure that he had the help he required, I nosed my truck back out of town. By now the sun was high in the sky and the thought of driving back into the desert to try and find some birds just didn’t hold the same appeal.

I know I did the right thing and I know that I should be satisfied with that. Call it what you will, the golden rule, karma, paying it forward, or just being a good person, I’m selfishly hoping that my actions this morning are going to pay dividends with some upcoming days in the field.

On a related note: I’m really digging the new Q5 Hunting Vest. I should have a more comprehensive overview in a couple of weeks, but if you are interested, check it out over at AZ Quail Today.

KC Badger Brown Trout Original Pre-Sale

December 6th, 2012

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If you’ve been living under a rock and have not been following along here or on facebook, the KC Badger Brown Trout Original T-shirt is on pre-sale right now. I even added a little incentive to the mix. So now, if you purchase one of the Brown Trout Shirts, I’ll throw in one of the AZWanderings 6′ furled leaders (that will be debuting shortly) for free.