Ed Mitchell Outdoors

Cabela’s CGR 7’6″, 7/8-weight, Fly Rod

Posted on March 21, 2015 by Ed Mitchell

Part Two In the last post we looked at the makeup and appearance of Cabela’s CGR, 7′ 6″, 7/8-weight fly rod. Now its time to put a reel and line on it. In Part Three, I add a fly and take the rod to the water. We’re bound to learn more.

I tried several reels to see how well they fit the reel seat. Those reels included a Hardy Princess, a Ross Canyon, a Pate Bonefish, and a Tibor Riptide. All were secure. However I noticed something right off. Even though this rod is 4.75 ounces, its short length makes it very light in the hand. But heavy reels such as the Pate and the Tibor quickly made it feel unbalanced. If you need a large diameter reel look for a light one. ( Medalist 1498?)

All my casting was done with a leader and a piece of yarn. I had a 10 knot crosswind tailing from the rear. Nothing too serious. Full-flex rods will usually accommodate a fairly wide range of line weights. So I began with a WF 5F. The action was medium-fast and the rod felt underlined, but would work if I pushed a little. Next came a WF6F. The rod was easier to work, but still cast off the tip-section.

With a WF 7F the rod slowed, working into the midsection, and felt very much at home. With a single backcast, it easily launched 70′ of line, plus leader. Nice. A WF8F forced the rod to flex into the butt a bit. If you’re looking for a traditional glass rod feel, this might be your baby. (A fly will slow things further). Lastly I tried a WF9F. Slower yet, the rod nevertheless cast surprisingly well, especially in close.

Short rods are very accurate, and this one is no exception. Its capable of pinpoint deliveries. And at 7’6″ you can make those deliveries low to the water. As a result, from a boat this rod will be a good choice when working the wooded shoreline of a lake. You’ll be able to drop flies under tree limbs all day long.

Posted in Fiberglass Fly Rods, Fly Rods, Gear | Leave a comment

Cabela’s CGR 7’6″, 7/8-weight, Fly Rod

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Ed Mitchell

Part One A few years back Cabela released their line of 50th Anniversary glass fly rods (CGR). At 99 buckeroos the prices were reasonable, so I got one, a 5’9″, 3 piece, 3-weight. It turned out to be a fine little rod and well worth the money. In April of 2011, I reviewed it on this site.

Recently Cabela introduced a new line of fiberglass rods, that resemble the original Anniversary models. That got my attention. Making matters more interesting, Cabela had placed these rods on the market, for a limited time, at 79 bucks each. Remarkable, and irresistible. I had to pick one up.

Cabela’s CGR 7/8 Weight Glass Fly Rod

Last time, I chose the smallest rod they offered; this time I took the biggest. It is Cabela’s CGR 7’6″, 7/8 -weight, glass fly rod. So let’s do a review. In this post we’ll look at the basic construction and appearance of the rod. Next time we’ll chuck some line with it.

Like the Anniversary models, the 3-piece blank (E Glass) is green and made in China. It weights in at 4.75 ounces, not bad. I don’t have a direct comparison, but this might give you some idea. A typical 9′, 4-piece, graphite, 8-weight would tip in around 4.60 ounces.

The CGR 7/8-Wt weighs 4.75 ounces

The rod has a single up-locking aluminum reel seat, with an attractive bead-blast finish. It also has a permanent 3/4″ butt extension. The grip is a 7″ full wells. It is properly shaped and the cork seems pretty darn good. There is only one stripping guide, followed by 6 snakes guides and a tip-top. All wraps are black, a few of which are tipped in silver. The rod tube is a grey nylon, and measures 34 1/2″. Which means you’ll likely be able to carry it on most airlines. Sorry, no rod sock, but the tube has an interior divider.

Overall, the rod looks fairly nice, and is light in the hand. And the spigot ferrules (no alignment dots ) fit snugly. So far I’m impressed, especially given the sweet price.

More Part Two Part Three

Posted in Fiberglass Fly Rods, Fly Rods, Gear | 2 Comments

Back on the Florida Flats

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Ed Mitchell

This morning I got back on the Florida flats. It was a beautiful day, with a low tide around 9AM. Wind from the southeast. I wasn’t able to catch many fish, but I saw quite a few. That’s a great sign for the days ahead.

Spotted Sea trout

While poling the Adios north, I spooked two schools of reds. Nice sized fish too. Both schools were in the same general vicinity, laid up in skinny water along the sandbar, awaiting the flooding tide. Never even got a chance to cast to either school. That’s fishing.

Later I caught and released a nice spotted sea trout. There were plenty of sheephead around all morning, and I saw a big school of pompano too. Hopefully good days are coming.

Posted in Diablo Adios & Chupacabra, Fly Fishing in Salt Water | Leave a comment

Long Island Bonefishing Lodge

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Ed Mitchell

Part 6, Island Sights

During our stay at the Long Island Bonefishing Lodge, we lost one entire day of fishing to 30 knot winds, courtesy of a wicked cold front that enveloped the southeast Atlantic seaboard, spilled down into Bahamas.

Thankfully the guide commandeered the lodge’s car and took us for a tour of the island. Our first stop was the Long Island Museum in Deadman’s, where the history and culture of the island is on display. It is a small museum, but well-worth seeing.

Dean’s Blue Hole

On the Atlantic side, south of the settlement of Scrub Hill and north of Clarence Town, we next visited a natural phenomenon know around the world as Dean’s Blue Hole. Dean’s is the world’s deepest blue hole, descending some 663 feet straight down. Like a liquid eye, it gazes up out of the surrounding sand with an intense cobalt stare. It is an amazing sight.

Twice a year the world championship freedivers converge here to test their skill. Long Island legend William Trubridge is one of the very best, having descended to 282 feet without the use of fins. An incredible feat.

In Clarence Town, the island’s capital, we saw the twin churches of St. Paul’s

St.Peter’s & St. Paul’s Church

Anglican Church, and Peter’s & Paul’s Catholic Church both designed a hundred years ago by Father Jerome Hawes, who was also a trained architect. Later he moved to nearby Cat Island, where he built a Hermitage on Bahama’s highest point, Mount Alvernia. There he spent his finally 17 years.

On the ride back, we stopped at Max’s Conch Bar and Grill, one of the most famous bars in the Bahamas. Run by Gary Ritchie (Max) and his wife Liz, this fun zone sits aside the road under a thatched roof with plenty of cold Bahamian beer on hand.

Max’s Conch Bar and Grill

Not interested in a cold Kalik? No problem. Max is adept at mixing up some killer concoctions. One or two of these mysterious libations will have you forgetting your troubles’mon. Along with powerful potions, Max’s is also well-known for serving up good food – ranging from a wide selection of conch dishes, to fish, chicken and jerk pork.

Max at Work

Posted in Bonefishing, Looking Downward, On the Road | 4 Comments

Long Island Bonefishing Lodge

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Ed Mitchell

Part 5, Rods, Lines & Leaders

The Long Island Bonefishing Lodge recommends rods from 7 to 9-weight. I found a

A Deadman’s Cay Bonefish

7-weight fly rod to be a great tool, and frankly next time I’ll bring a 6-weight.

Why light fly rods? As long as the wind isn’t howling, a saltwater 6 or 7-weight fly rod has no problem accurately delivering a size 6 or 8 fly. Second, these lighter fly lines make a much gentler presentation. A major plus. And third, given the size of the average bonefish on Deadman’s, these lighter rods are a hoot.

I used Rio Floating Bonefish lines; at no time did I feel the need for an intermediate fly line. My leaders were 12 footers made from Rio Saltwater Hard Mono (a royal pain to knot). They straightened out nicely, even in the wind, which helped with accuracy. My tippet was 32 inches of 1x Seaguar Grand Max Fluorocarbon (awful expensive). At a thin .012″ it tests out at a whopping 18.5 lbs, and worked well. Was that pricy stuff totally necessary? No, 10 or 12 pound mono will likely suffice.

Another Deadman’s Cay Bone

Bonefish are called the “ghost” of the flats for a good reason, but here at Deadman’s Cay they are not that hard to spot, because of the light bottoms and transparent shallow water. Check out the released bone in the next picture. I caught it in water barely covering its back. In following picture you see the difference over a darker bottom.