http://www.azflyfishingjournal.com From Desert Sportsman Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:38:53 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Desert Sportsman is pleased to announce the arrival of the much anticipated Sage Xi3, 99, and Vantage series rods! The "Xi3" replaces the Xi2 series and is constructed from Sage's new "Salt H2O Technology" graphite. We recently fished some Xi3 prototype rods in Belize and the performance was nothing ... http://www.azflyfishingjournal.com/2009/08/brand-new-sage-xi3-99-and-vantage-rods-in-stock/ 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 ... http://www.azflyfishingjournal.com/2009/06/desert-sportsman-introduces-field-editor-sean-hahn/ 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 ... http://www.azflyfishingjournal.com/2009/06/simms-vibram-boot-review-by-sean-hahn/ 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 ... http://www.azflyfishingjournal.com/2009/06/spring-browns-2009-by-matt-baker/ 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 ... http://www.azflyfishingjournal.com/2009/06/abel-super-78-qc-reel-review-by-mike-oconnor/ Here are the results of the 2009 SPRING EXPO RAFFLE Premium Raffle: (Orange Tickets) SAGE 691-4 TCX rod, Abel Super 6 Brown Trout reel, Scientific Anglers Sharkskin WF-6-F Magnum line, Filson reel case & fly wallet # 683086 General Raffle: (Blue Tickets) SAGE 590-4 VT2 rod # 9832367 SAGE 4550 Flyreel # 9832430 RIO Flyline Package WF-4-F Selective ... http://www.azflyfishingjournal.com/2009/05/2009-spring-expo-raffle-results/ Every year from the beginning of February until the middle of April, several lakes around Arizona have what some natives call a "Crappie Bonanza." For the last two years my dad, Dick O'Connor, and myself have set our sights on these speckled slabs. This year, as soon as quail season ... http://www.azflyfishingjournal.com/2009/03/early-spring-crappie-by-mike-oconnor/ On Sunday, March 1st, Desert Sportsman Sales Manager Mike O'Connor won the Phoenix ISE "Best of the West" casting competition. His winning cast of 105' was enough to edge out 13 other qualifiers. In order to qualify for the event each caster had to make a 90' cast ... http://www.azflyfishingjournal.com/2009/03/mike-oconnor-wins-phoenix-ise-best-of-the-west-casting-contest/ Last week, Katie and I travelled to New York in search of browns and steelhead. We were greeted at the airport by Jason Czora, a native of the area and a great local guide. After getting our rods strung up and throwing our waders on, we were ready to ... http://www.azflyfishingjournal.com/2008/11/new-york-browns-and-steelhead-by-matt-baker/ A few months back, Mike O'Connor and I had the opportunity to fish the Sage TCX on the California Delta. After the first few casts Mike and I were completely amazed by the high line speed this rod is able to generate. Crafted from Generation 5 Graphite, this rod ... http://www.azflyfishingjournal.com/2008/10/sage-tcx-review-by-matt-baker/