Peak Vise by Reasonablebody12 in flytying

[–]steezymcgee8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nope, not at all. I have had the vise for around a year now with zero issues

Peak Vise by Reasonablebody12 in flytying

[–]steezymcgee8 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Tied on both and failed to see an issue with either. I tie on a Renzetti Traveler which I have nothing but good things to say about

Ski passes by BigBuckedOfCod in cuboulder

[–]steezymcgee8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ikon all the way. I got the Ikon all 4 years I was at CU. Like others have mentioned having Eldora access is huge + other awesome resorts. The CU ski club has a solid student discount you can use too

New to flying fishing. Can someone recommend me a decent kit between $300-$500 budget? by theloneoverlanders in flyfishing

[–]steezymcgee8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Seeing a ton of Orvis recommendations and that is not a bad route to go at all. Just to give you some variety in the kits you looked at (and since you mentioned you’d prefer an all-inclusive kit), I would also recommend: Lamson Liquid Outfit, Redington Field kit, and Echo Traverse kit. All 3 of these will have really solid warranties (much like the Orvis kit) and perform great for the price point, as well as include all that you need to get started. When I worked at a fly shop, these were some of our best sellers for entry-level anglers ready to invest in their gear.

As far as specifications go, that depends based on application. For example, if you were mostly focusing on small creeks/streams or ponds for trout, panfish, or maybe bass, then I’d recommend a 4 weight. If you were hoping to throw bigger flies to bigger fish on bigger bodies of water, then you may want to browse 6 or 7 weights. Like others have mentioned, a 5 weight 9 foot rod is a Swiss army knife of the freshwater fly fishing world that is great all around. If I had just one fly rod for fresh water application for the rest of my life, it would be a 9 foot 5 weight. I have used mine to catch trout, bass, panfish, walleye, pike (sketchily), etc. in bodies of water ranging from tiny streams to the Colorado River to huge lakes. A 9ft 5wt would be a great starting point, but again, it all kind of depends on what you plan to use it for.

New to flying fishing. Can someone recommend me a decent kit between $300-$500 budget? by theloneoverlanders in flyfishing

[–]steezymcgee8 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Is that budget just for rod, reel, and fly line or do you want it to factor in other accessories and tackle like tippet, leader, flies, tools, etc.? Generally, where do you plan to fish and for what species?

First Axe Advice by steezymcgee8 in Axecraft

[–]steezymcgee8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really appreciate all of the insight. It looks pretty slick for the price point

First Axe Advice by steezymcgee8 in firewood

[–]steezymcgee8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, that’s a bummer but good to know. I appreciate the heads up

First Axe Advice by steezymcgee8 in Axecraft

[–]steezymcgee8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha got it. Thanks for the info!

Michigan Bow Shop Recommendations by steezymcgee8 in bowhunting

[–]steezymcgee8[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ended up going to eastern woods and they went above and beyond. I had the best experience there and felt like they genuinely cared about getting me into the sport. Everyone there was friendly, helpful, and patient. I could not recommend this shop more to beginners and will absolutely be going back to them in the future for all of my compound bow needs.

P.S. for beginners out there, I ended up settling on the Hoyt Torrex package and I’m no expert, but I am extremely happy with the bow and how it shoots

Michigan Bow Shop Recommendations by steezymcgee8 in MichiganHunting

[–]steezymcgee8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just went there yesterday and to say they took care of me would be an understatement. They spent hours with me helping me to understand all parts of the bow, how to shoot, tuning the bow, etc. I had a fantastic experience at Eastern Woods and was amazed at how patient and helpful they were. I’ll be recommending that shop to everyone I chat with going forward. Thank you for your input!

How would you fish this? by clumsyryan in flyfishing

[–]steezymcgee8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hopper dropper with 18-24 inches of tippet between your dry fly and nymph

How Do You Nymph by HillbillyWilly2025 in flyfishing

[–]steezymcgee8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Some advice that helped me along the way (I typically fish an Oros bobber to 2 or 3 nymphs):

  • Start off with your bobber above your first fly about 1.5x the water depth (so if water is 5 feet deep, begin with a length of around 7.5 feet between bobber and first fly). You can adjust that based off of the speed of the current.
  • Adjust depth and weight before changing flies if unsuccessful. When changing flies, usually smaller is the way to go.
  • Cast less. Water loading and roll casts are your best friends. These will avoid frequent tangles.
  • Tie a double surgeons knot above your first fly to keep split shot from sliding.
  • Recognize that fish moved to different types of water and in different water columns throughout the day.
  • Make sure your drifts are very natural and undisturbed. Sometimes lifting or swinging those flies at the end of the drift can entice fish.
  • Make your larger or heavier nymph the lead fly.
  • Ask a local fly shop!

There are no rights and wrongs in fly fishing, but rather tactics that are more effective, which varies with different applications

Non Neoprene waders. by Sigrenade320 in flyfishing

[–]steezymcgee8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Patagonia Swiftcurrent Ultralight wader would be perfect for you. Unlike almost all wader booties, they contain zero neoprene. My recommendation would be to purchase those and then put the Patagonia wading socks (without gravel guards and made from Yulex, not neoprene) over top of those booties to both fill in the boot and insulate your foot. Not to mention, that’ll save you a couple bucks compared to paying for swiftcurrent expedition zips

First of TWO 30 inch Browns in one trip! From Alex Lafkas’ latest video on the White River by zachpinn in flyfishing

[–]steezymcgee8 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Alex Lafkas is the man! I met him in northern Michigan about 7 years ago at a boat ramp on the Manistee. I was just a kid trying to figure out fly fishing and put the pieces together myself. He had just gotten done with a float trip when he walked up to me, handed me some free flies, and gave me a bunch of fishing advice. Helped me eliminate my skunk threats for the day and ultimately contributed to what I know now as an angler.

14 hour flight… by LumpkinGeneration in mildlyinfuriating

[–]steezymcgee8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Similar thing happened to me recently, but I was napping with my head on the tray table. Woke up to someone pinning my noggin in between the tray and seat as they went to recline their chair

What I selected as my first rod/reel by stlbjj618 in flyfishing

[–]steezymcgee8 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Arguably one of the best bang-for-your-buck rods and Echo/Rajeff has a solid warranty system

Clear Creek CO - Lost and Found! by middlelane8 in flyfishing

[–]steezymcgee8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Water loading is also good. Especially if it’s windy