Outlook:

Brrrrrrr. I'm not sure if I put enough "r's" in there, but its been a cold week for Vancouverites while I hear the transplants from TO are still referring to this "cold front" as warm and balmy and wondering if they will ever need a coat. Hmmm, could this be why they move from TO to the West Coast?

Should you be wondering about the forecast for the weekend, allow me to sum it up four short yet definitive words "wind chill minus 17". I, for one will be looking to avoid that wind and chill combination! I have never been fond of chipping ice off my guides in between casts.

If its too cold to be on the water then its perfect to be inside and working on your XMAS shopping!

STAFF's PICK of the WEEK - Andre Stepanian

Rio Versitip Line (pictured above)
My P.O.W is the Rio Versitip lines. Although this idea came out over a decade ago and it has been a hit in the fishing industry since the beginning and it's still going strong as many great inventions and ideas sometimes don't last or become a short lived trend. I find this line the perfect sale when shown and explained to a beginner fly fisherman.

The main line which consists of a running line and the head of the fly line has a smooth welded loop at the end. This part of the line is put on a reel like any other line to backing. The tip part of the fly line comes with 4 options which include a floating, intermediate ink tip (1.5 I.P.S), type 3 (3 I.P.S), type 6(6 I.P.S) sink tips which are 15 ft with welded loops as well. The tips come in a nice wallet. The idea behind this system is that when river or fishing applications change you can choose the tip to put on when at the river.

The other reason that is easy on your wallet is that it is economical. If you were to buy a reel and four different lines it will cost you A LOT more than $159.99 price tag on the Versitip line.

Let's do the math. Spools are half the cost of the reel while good quality professional tactical lines are $75.00 so if your reel is $200.00 the spools are $100.00 each. The total with lines and spools will be $525.00 and keep in mind the bulk of the spools that you won't be carrying on you. This for me has actually been the selling point of the product than the idea itself. As you build your arsenal to many rods and reels then you can purchase specific lines for certain fisheries but for your first rod and reel until you become obsessed and dedicated to the sport this in my opinion is the way to go.

Happy Fishing,
Andre