Sage Rod & Reel Closeout Sale

Sage Rod and Reel Closeout Sale

There comes a time when the old must step aside and make room for the new. This is a good time for the Sage fly rod enthusiast. In some regards Sage’s old product are better than most manufacturers’ new fly rods and now is your chance to own one of the greats with a considerable savings to you! This year’s closeout list includes the TCX fly rods. These rods are a cannon and in the right hands they can create blazing lines speeds. The 99 series are also on the chopping block. This series of fly rods was developed for the Nymph Angler designed to cast open loops to help keep the hardware separated. Also on the out are the 1800 and 2000 series reels. These quality reels have always been a reliable quality product and a great value. 

Add CLOSEOUT SAVINGS on top of that and you have an excellent deal. Hurry while the BITE is on!

• Sage Closeout Deals
• Sage One Rod Series
• Sage Grace Rod Series
• Sage Circa Rod Series

Fly Fishing Report: 6.11.13

Raft waiting at the launch for a sweet float down the Klickitat River....

FULL REPORT: 6.11.13

Stay tuned for upcoming reports... if you call the shop wondering if its worth the trip to head out to the river or lake, I'll tell you ahead of time... "YES!"... I'll ask you if it's time for you to get out of the office away from your desk, I'll ask you if you love fishing, I'll ask you is there anything better to do with your time off...get out there...it's ALWAYS worth it! There is so much to do outside in the Columbia River Gorge it not even funny... I've lived here most of my 50 years and folks come into the shop and ask me if I've ever fished here or ever fished there and there have been a few times I've had to honestly say "No" and they look at me like..."What?"...and I just have to tell them that there is so much opportunity, I haven't got to that spot YET...

John Garrett

Gorge Fly Shop

Fishing Reports

Fly Fishing for kids: A short buyer's guide

Let's go fishing

I know father’s day is coming up, so why an article about kids gear. This is an easy answer, what better way to enjoy father’s day than getting the kids into fly fishing. Their first fish will be more exciting and memorable than any fish you could catch!

Skagit Master 4 - Cracking the Code w/ Tom Larimer

Featuring Tom Larimer: Larimer Outfitters

Join NW Steelhead Legend and Guide Tom Larimer as he returns to his home waters of the Midwest on a quest of Cracking the Code!

Skagit Master 4 - Cracking the Code $49.99

I recently had the opportunity to film Skagit Master 4, a two disk DVD on Spey fishing for Great Lakes steelhead. The film follows me on a steelhead road trip included the rivers of Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Being from Wisconsin originally, I guided many of these rivers when I was younger. (A lot younger!) In many ways, my journey felt like a homecoming.

The film dives into how two‐handed fishing has evolved in the Great Lakes since I moved to Oregon in 2001. When I left, there were only a few of us teaching two‐ handed casting and fishing in the region. ‐Things have changed a lot since then.

Ironically, dead drift techniques are the “tradition” in the Midwest. Although anglers have been swinging flies there forever, two‐handed fishing has really caught on in recent years. Through this metamorphous, a new attitude of quality verses quantity has evolved. It was great to see more anglers swinging spey rods than anything else. Along the way, I get to absorb the wisdom of Dave Pinczkowski, Jay Niederstadt, Jeff Hubbard and Greg Senyo. ‐All dedicated anglers and true masters of swinging flies for Great Lakes steelhead. They figured out how to consistently find fish swinging flies on their rivers. I can honestly say that without them, this would have been a film about a guy lost in the woods.

Of course, no steelhead film would be complete without a little hardship and challenge. After a long dry summer and fall in the Midwest, we’re faced with extremely low, clear water for most of the trip. In fact, the rivers hadn’t been that low since the 1940’s. To add to our challenge, the weather did us no favors. The day before I fish with Jeff Hubbard the high temperature was 69 degrees. The next morning the thermometer read 22 and it never did get past 32 that day. But that’s reality for steelheaders in the Midwest. –You just need to adjust your fishing to match the conditions.

My goal for the film was to take the audience fishing with a few of the guys that have helped mold the Great Lakes Spey culture. Although I was there for the very beginning of Spey fishing in the Midwest, they’re the ones that “Cracked the Code”. They showed me how to fish their home waters with new techniques and new fly designs in some pretty tough conditions. Regardless of where you fish, I think you will prosper from their wisdom as well. Plus, some pretty funny stuff happens when you get old fishing buddies together. I hope you enjoy the film!

‐Tom Larimer

May we also suggest...

1. Skagit Master - Featuring Ed Ward $39.99
2. Skagit Master 2 - Feature Scot Howell $39.99
3. Skagit Master 3 - Steelhead Flies Beyond the Books $39.99

Leave the Nymph's at home

Leave these at home

Word came that the Deschutes river Salmon fly hatch was going off pretty good and I happen to have a day I could delete from the calendar and make the voyage. Shamefully I must admit that I have lived within 2 hours of this trout mecca for 6 years and could not even find the time to experience this hatch I have heard so much about. I was excited to get there even though I have been running on low hours of sleep and would need to take time off work to make the trek but the adventure was right in front of me and couldn’t let the opportunity pass. I met up with some friends on a chilly desert canyon morning with my last cup of coffee in hand after sipping down two others on the 2 hour drive there. My friends had camped overnight and were just getting going when I pulled up.” What’s the hurry” Dave says jokingly, “Fish won’t start rising until 10:30am”, or so someone had informed him the day before. I find it funny that we humans can place God’s creatures on a time schedule.

NRX vs ONE...Who rules the flats!

Margaritaville

Recap Trip

2013’s Mexico trip came to an end on May 3rd. The gang packed it up and headed out of the little town of Punta Allen on our way to catch a flight in Cancun. The long bumpy gravel road from the lodge to Tulum seems twice as long on the way out. We had a great time at the Palometa Club. Good food, good drink and lots of good company swapping stories back and forth. The Permit were elusive to us this week but we had some good times with the Bonefish, watched Tarpon tail dance while spitting flies and the occasional Barracuda rip towards our fly at lightning speeds. A warm thank you goes out to Dick and Kaye, Host of the Palometa Club, for providing plenty of entertainment and Margaritas. Watch out for the third Margarita!

Sports Injury Part 2

I tried to finish up this epic tale months ago, but fishing got in the way.
Read the first episode: I'm Calling it a Sports Injury.

Sunset view from camp

My New Quest

Black was the color of the sky as we pushed our way back towards Hood River. An extremely long day capped off with a lengthy four hour drive through the night had turned into a challenge just to keep the eyes open. Our neck of the woods was still ninety minutes away when we were both forced to pull over our rigs for a power nap, caution won out over the thoughts of sleeping in our own bed.

Getting home at four AM, was it worth it I wondered as Mike’s rig turned off towards his street and I finished the drive back to my house. A cooler with a seven pounder and two five plus pounders, battled on a fly rod, sitting on a bed of crushed ice was the answer to that question.   I counted the days; no make it the hours until I could point my truck south to be out on the waters of Davis Lake again. It was my new quest...

Skeena Meadows, British Columbia

Skeena Meadows

Combining the appeal of sleeping in the outdoors with the creature comforts of a fine hotel stay, the lodging at Skeena Meadows re-defines the notion of “camping”. Each of the four 864 sq.ft. “tents” are insulated, smoke-free, and feature hardwood floors, leather furniture, three bedrooms, fine linens, propane heaters, remote start generators, showers and full kitchen facilities. Situated in secluded and private settings, each spacious tent also features two outdoor decks and a wood-fired hot tub.