Deep in the Sierra Ancha mountains, Sean’s dad introduced him to flyfishing at the age of ten. He was hooked and his dad eagerly handed down an Al Ellis 4 weight glass rod rigged with a Pflueger 1492. Much of his childhood was spent in the in the mountains wading the streams casting Western Coachmans and Royal Wulffs to hungry wild rainbows.
About the same time he picked up a fly rod, Sean also began quail hunting over a German Shorthair and pursuing big game. His father would take him out of school for extended trips to the mountains and his supportive teachers would always say “You will teach him more about life than we ever will”.
Now married to his high school sweetheart with three children and a busy real estate career, Sean’s time away is spent in the remote backcountry of the southwest following his bird dogs after Mearns and Scaled quail, chasing large trout and trophy big game.
Desert Sportsman is pleased to have Sean join our team as a field editor. Sean will review the latest and greatest products from our top brands and provide fishing and hunting reports from across the west.
My first few steps into a stream last week were met with a great deal of excitement and anticipation! I couldn’t wait to get my new Simms Rivershed boots in the water considering I’ve spent the last 25 years wading and slipping in felt sole boots. The hike into this stretch of creek completely blew me away. I’ve naturally become accustom to sliding and skiing my way into most canyons with the precarious combination of felt soles and pine needles. The new Vibram StreamTread soles, however, seem to bite the ground and offer the same stability you expect out of a great hunting boot.
The slight film of algae that appears on the rocks this time of year always causes me to exercise extreme caution. When I stepped into the water and began wading, I had an immediate feeling of security and solid stance despite the otherwise slick as ice nature of the bottom. The more I waded upstream the more I was in shock over the stability I had and my confidence began to grow. I found myself not paying as much attention to the stream bottom and was able to look for fish as I waded.
Another pleasant advantage I enjoyed was the weight difference these light weight boots offered. I can’t even begin to tell you how relieved I was not slogging the dead weight of the water soaked felt soles around the stream banks and eventually, up and out of the canyon. To say the least, these boots changed the way I wade and greatly decreased my fatigue level at the end of the day. I fished the new boots for two solid days and put several miles on my feet without feeling the usual day after aches and pains I’ve experienced in the past.
Do yourself, your feet, and your wading confidence a favor … Stop by Desert Sportsman and grab a pair of Simms Vibram StreamTread boots!
It’s a calling that stirs us from the last point of quail season all the way through spring crappie season. We gear up with the latest tackle in hopes of an opportunity at a brown trout of a lifetime. All of us are ready to go but nature holds the cards and we wait until conditions are perfect for a trophy hunt.
Arizona is blessed with some of the most scenic and unique trout habitat found anywhere. From deep canyon streams to secluded stillwaters, Arizona rivals many other destinations in its ability to produce quality brown trout.
This spring, the Desert Sportsman team had many trips to destinations throughout our state. Some trips were close to home while others ventured into waters that rarely see any angling pressure. The hunt for trophy browns continues to provide a challenge that can test the wit and will of even the most seasoned angler.
Caught on a varied selection of flies, the big browns seem to key in on presentation rather than specific patterns. Throughout the spring season fish were caught on a variety of flies from midges to heavy streamers and just about everything in between.
The spring season also offers up unique opportunities on Arizona’s high country lakes. Sight fishing the lakes can be an incredible experience as fish can be seen cruising the banks looking for an easy meal. Simple steamer patterns are very effective during the early season as the fish display their predatory traits.
In addition to targeting a few stillwaters, all of us spent considerable time plying the smaller streams in search of trophies. Most of the streams are no bigger than five or ten feet across yet they continue to offer up fish of memorable proportions. Some of the waters have recognized names while others enjoy relative obscurity.
While browns of this quality can be caught across our nation and in many other countries, there’s something special about catching them in Arizona.
Arizona’s big predatory browns are so solitary in nature that they seldom offer themselves to anglers. It seems as though every season a few are willing to expose their weaknesses and take a fly. The best way to reward a trophy brown is to take a quick photo and release the fish as fast as possible to ensure a vibrant existence for the remainder of its life.
Most of us prefer to fish with others who enjoy the trophy hunt. We share shots at different pieces of water and enjoy watching one another fish. Net skills are important, no one wants to lose a fish from a failed net job. Even when we’re separated the yell of the word “NET” signifies a quick call to action to swiftly find your buddy and give your best effort to bring the trophy to hand.
The smallest water often yields the largest fish. The fish in the photo below was caught in a well known rim country stream. Once a fish grows large enough to eat stocked rainbow trout their growth potential becomes exponential. This fish was hooked in a riffle no more that 12 inches deep.
The memories created on these excursions will not be soon forgotten. Sessions around the campfire often include the top plays of the day and a discussion or two about the next day’s gameplan. As the oak burns down and the stories grow thin everyone has the same thought: When can we get out here again?
After years of refinement and testing, the highly anticipated Abel QC series has just been released. Built around Abel’s legendary cork drag system and a new “Quick Change” spool design, this reel is sure to set the standard by which all other high quality reels will be judged.
The simplicity of the quick change mechanism allows users to change spools effortlessly while fishing. Simply back off the drag, rotate the knob on the spindle, and the spool is free. This attribute is especially useful in areas where fish are found at varying depths requiring the use of different lines for specific presentations.
While the innovative design and and overall appearance of the new QC series is a departure from Abel reels of the past, the build quality and reliability is Abel quality through and through. The reel has a unique out-going click and retrieve click that is different from any other Abel reel offered in the past. The QC has the same great low start-up inertia cork drag and wide range of drag settings that make Abel reels so desirable.
The new Super 7/8 QC weighs 8.8 ounces with a spool diameter of 3.750″ and spool width of .950″. The reel holds 200 yards of 20# backing with a WF-7-F line and 175 yards of 20# backing with a WF-8-F line. Retailing for $760 in standard black, the new QC is available in any finish currently offered by Abel. Stop by to check out our selection of QC’s and take a look at the new standard in high performance fly reel design.
