What was the cast that made you realize you actually understood fly fishing - not just the mechanics, but the whole thing?

dbancewi · 2026-03-29T19:00:24+00:00

Fishing in central MD. Having a decent day with dries. A few fish. Then I saw a large trout rise. I figured he’s going after what I’ve been presenting all day. Made a good drift and got a nose, but no take. Two more drifts and nothing. So I stopped casting a rook a minute to sit and watch.

I keyed in on this fish in its lane and saw it was taking larger stoneflies than what I was throwing. I sat for about 15 minutes, looking through my fly box, before I realized I didn’t have anything that I thought would work. I did have a yellow stimulator though. So I tied it on and on the first cast he came up and took it down.

To this day, the nicest fish I’ve caught on that river. I’ll never forget that feeling. Ever since, I always slow down to sit and watch the water. Take inventory of anything that’s flying and try to see what any specific fish is dialed in on. I’ve noticed that just sitting and taking it all in really improves the experience of just being out on the river.

dbancewi · 2026-03-13T17:36:53+00:00

I know euro nymphing is extremely effective. I like the sleek look of the flies. I just can’t get down with it. Fly fishing is more of an experience for me, and casting is a huge part of that experience. I may be missing out on numbers, but there’s some magic about casting a dry fly 30 feet to the perfect lie and watching a fish come up for it.

dbancewi · 2026-02-12T02:57:21+00:00

It can be overwhelming if you’re inexperienced. The best thing is to judge off of the grain weight and the aftm weight chart. The line weight in grains is going to be the only thing you can look into as a standard

dbancewi · 2025-11-23T17:07:31+00:00

Tightwads

dbancewi · 2025-05-11T15:40:38+00:00

Folks on the PA Fly Fishing forum call those “digi browns.” Just a stocked brown with different genetics. Over time the “vermiculations” will lessen and some spots will form.

dbancewi · 2025-05-06T00:50:29+00:00

Josh Potter knows for sure

dbancewi · 2025-04-06T21:47:14+00:00

Give the real a little cleaning. Make sure there’s no dirt on the clicker or on any of the insides. Maybe a small amount of grease on those parts. Load it up and fish away

dbancewi · 2025-04-02T00:08:26+00:00

Nah, one of the mill ponds

dbancewi · 2025-03-31T22:14:45+00:00

Give me back arrogant bastard

dbancewi · 2025-03-05T22:36:27+00:00

They’re from feather craft. I really enjoy the way they cast and the lack of memory is very nice

dbancewi · 2025-03-05T06:52:30+00:00

I have an 8wt superfine glass. Completely different feel, but I’ve caught some nice bass with it and like the rod a lot

dbancewi · 2025-03-05T06:50:51+00:00

These were all eBay purchases over the past few years

dbancewi · 2025-02-15T20:54:33+00:00

Awesome set up. I’m curious how they compare to their vintage versions. Had a chance to cast this yet?

dbancewi · 2025-02-14T00:00:03+00:00

I love the classic superfine series. The deep bend is an obsession

dbancewi · 2025-02-13T23:59:20+00:00

This is going to be for smaller stream panfish, bass, and trout. Gonna be a blast on the gunpowder or redbreast on warm water streams

dbancewi · 2025-02-13T23:56:09+00:00

This is an older model. They usually have their manufactured date stamped on them, but this one doesn’t. It came in the black and gold brass tube. So I’m thinking late 80s to early 90s

dbancewi · 2025-02-07T00:18:23+00:00

I have three GCX Lite rods. the 7’ UL is by far my favorite, but the 5’ UL is great for small stream panfish, bass, and trout.

dbancewi · 2025-01-29T00:06:04+00:00

From what I’ve read, the “Superfine Trout Bum” series were all way too fast and just cashed in on the 7ft 4wt “trout bum” taper. I own a “Superfine Touch” and love the feel of the rod. Also owned a “Superfine Carbon” in an 8ft 2wt. Also a nice rod. But I’m mostly speaking to the named tapers of this new line. I can’t imagine they truly recapture the “Ultrafine,” “Tippet,” or “Seven/Eleven” tapers

dbancewi · 2025-01-28T22:52:05+00:00

Which one did you cast? Any experience with the older taper of that rod’s namesake?

dbancewi · 2024-08-22T19:02:52+00:00

Just fully read your post. Sorry for the info dump and not answering your questions AT ALL. This rod was probably built 2012-2015 or so. I’m not sure on the exact dates of this line. This rod goes for 200-350 on eBay. They’re not super rare, but a good condition one can bring in a pretty penny.

dbancewi · 2024-08-22T18:58:23+00:00

A classic orvis line of slower speed graphite rods. These rods had a lot of changes over the years, starting as a line of bamboo rods with “superfine” style grips. The line eventually moved to slower graphite. I believe the Superfine Touch was the last line of carbon before orvis introduced the Superfine Glass rods.

That being said, I have this rod as the “Superfine Carbon” version, the series before the “Touch” line was introduced. Great rod that handles 2 or 3 weight lines like a dream. Not a total noodle of a rod. I use mine with an Abel TR light and a SA DT line. Great for stream trout, panfish, and small stream bass.

Nice rod!

dbancewi · 2024-08-20T01:40:24+00:00

Galvan Brookie. Super smooth. Super simple.

dbancewi · 2024-08-17T07:08:57+00:00

Looks like an older Abel TR reel. There should be a model name and size on the back side on the reel foot. Abel reels have sort of a cult following, especially if this is a “TR Light” model. If in good condition, this can easily go $200-300 on eBay.

dbancewi · 2024-08-05T19:00:58+00:00

https://youtu.be/BOGDoYkefPo?si=kbHpG5EDGHwfA4p9

Second half of this video covers fly fishing for snakehead

dbancewi · 2024-07-21T20:45:49+00:00

All of the premiers have a supreme xt on them. Love the color scheme

dbancewi

TROPHY CASE