As I sit here this morning once again watching a video of Flip Pallot fly fishing for Dolphin (the fish), White Marlin, and Sailfish, I get more and more excited about plans in progress for some of the same kind of fishing in our coastal waters this month and in September.  This past Sunday, Jose, (Spanish Fly) was fly fishing on ESPN for Black Fin Tuna, and Bonito on what appeared to be 9/10 weight fly rods.  I am currently making arrangements through a very good friend for two – two day offshore charters that will accommodate 4 fishermen comfortably at an incredible cost of $135 per person per day.  This price includes passage on a 27’ boat powered by twin 250 H.P. outboards out to the ‘East Breaks’ about 65 miles offshore.  The boat will provide trolling and teasing equipment, I will provide offshore flies and leaders.  This is not your usual bottom fishing trip or Kingfish trip; this hopefully, will be for big game with opportunities to catch fish that will test the endurance of your equipment be it fly, casting, or spinning and the chances of catching a Billfish, Yellowfin Tuna, or Wahoo on the outriggers with heavy duty trolling equipment is significant.   We would investigate any flotsam or drifting debris for Dolphin, Triple Tail, and Ling with, I feel, a high degree of probability.  These trips will be exciting and will leave out of Aransas Pass.  I plan on making it along on the first trip to gain experience for the later trips.  At this time I am trying to secure dates and I will submit the deposits required.  Obviously at this price, I expect the spaces to fill quickly so call me with your deposit info or come by the shop and please, adults only.  I would appreciate it if each person would use only one day thereby giving others a chance to come aboard.  There is a possibility I can book other trips at or near this price this fall.  Call or come by for dates and additional info.

 

Our coastal pastures continue to be productive for Red’s and Trout and the general consensus is this is one of the most productive years in the last 10 – 14 years.  Todd Flemming caught a beautiful 30” redfish while fishing with Lefty Chapa (www.leftyray.com) out of a kayak and told me how much easier it was for him to cast his 7 weight RPLXi with a Wulff Bermuda Triangle Taper 8 weight line.  Many of these powerful rods cast much smoother when ‘overlined’.  If ‘underlined’ these rods require an extra false cast or two to get the line speed required for a cast and are difficult to be accurate, and when speed and accuracy are as important as they are for sight casting, we average casters appreciate the ease and smoothness of a heavier weighted, shorter head, fly line.

 

Mike Munoz (seems as though he is in my newsletters a lot lately) caught a beautiful 35” and a 31” red at the South Jetty in Port Aransas casting a popper on his 8 weight and a ‘bunny’ fly on his 11 weight.  He was casting to Tarpon with his 11 when he spotted the 35” Red cruising by on top of the water – said the bruiser took him well into his backing, even with his Tibor Gulfstream reel!  Check out the picture on my Web site (www.rod-makers.com).

 

The other day I received an email photo of a giant billboard ad of a Moose alongside a highway in Saskatoon, Canada that says “There’s plenty of room for all God’s Creature’s -  right next to the Mashed Potato’s!  Well folks let me tell you, I found room next to my mashed potato’s for some of the most wonderful meat I have ever eaten complements of the Shonto Ranch this side of Kerrville (www.shontoranch.com).  C. D. McGehee, the Shonto Biologist, provided my son Ryan and I with two Axis doe.  Axis is, in my opinion, the finest of all the venison’s.  I had Bumgarden’s in Kerrville butcher and wrap the chops (with back strap intact), cut the hinds into sirloin steaks, a shoulder roast out of the front quarters and the trimmings ground with a beef brisket into hamburger.  Fabulous!  The Shonto is presently booking trips for Axis hunts and also has great Bass and Panfish fishing throughout the year.  If you want a fun day, and wonderful groceries, call them at 830-257-5982.

 

I now carry in my Royal Wulff Flylines, a new line they just came out with – it is their fabulous Bermuda Triangle Tapered Saltwater Floating Line with the first 12 feet an intermediate sink tip (called ‘lost tip’).  Casts like a saltwater line with a short shooting head.  Perfect for Jetties, light offshore, and surf applications.

 

During the first two weeks of July, I am offering flies at 35% off retail prices if a dozen or more are purchased.  I have a great selection for trout, panfish, bass, inshore and offshore.  Offer expires on July 15^th!

 

I presently have in stock a good selection of casting, spinning and fly rods for all occasions built by me in the shop at very good prices.  All they lack is an inscription which I will provide at no charge.

 

Another of our ‘regulars’, Chip Evans of Adkins, Texas (email: hairbug66@hotmail.com) is providing guided trips on our local Texas Hill Country Rivers and Streams and says he is available for private fly tying lessons.  His specialty is the Deer Hair Poppers – beautiful flies.

I hope you all have a happy and safe 4^th of July.  I will be closed on the 4^th but will be open on the 5^th.

Dennis O. Freeman

RODMAKERS

13457 Blanco Road

San Antonio, TX. 78216

210-479=3477

210-479-3488 (fax)

www.rod-makkers.com

email:  rodmaker@rod-makers.com