Livingston Glass 8' 6wt "Part Deux"

 

Livingston Glass "Part Deux"

After the initial time on the water, which was brief, I was able to get back on the water for a full afternoon with the new rod. The water was running a bit high from recent rains, but clear.  Crossing below the pool was a bit sketchy, but with a staff I was able to cross and get back dry.  

With the flow being up a bit heavier rig was needed to get down to the bottom, so the day would be even better to evaluate the rod.

The fish were hungry and willing to cooperate for the sake of the rod tests, which helped greatly towards my efforts.

The rod begs for distance, but loads quickly.  It handled the #14 Heavy bead-head, AB shot and 1/2" Corq indicator like it wasn't even there.

The day offered up 6-7 fish, with one nice 18" Bow, and a 20+ Brown that "released itself" in my attempt to net it. 

What I found was that my initial impressions were spot-on.  This rod will easily move to the top of my rods.  Casting very similar to my Far-and-Fine which is a personal favorite, yet it handles heavy nymph rigs better when needed.  It roll-casts like a dream and will throw a hopper just about as far as you want to.  All while protecting tippets and playing fish like only glass can.

Livingston Glass 8' 6wt REVIEW

Livingston Glass 8' 6wt Review 

With a couple months past since receipt of this rod, I was anxious to get it on the  water.  The result?....I was not let down.

 The water was mid-flow and allowed a perfect chance to test things on longer casts with nymph rigs. The reason I had targeted the rod all along. 

When I spoke with Dusty at Livingston Rods I was appreciative to speak with a friendly voice willing to talk fly rods.  Specifically glass fly rods.  We tweaked the standard build 8' 6wt, adding a slim full wells grip to support fishing heavy winter rigs and larger fish.  I also stayed with the natural glass blank and chestnut wraps since that was the look I was originally attracted to when deciding on Livingston.

 I spooled a Cortland Retro II reel with an SA Frequency Boost WF5F line, thinking the additional 1/2 weight in the taper would suit the 6wt.  On the terminal end I went with a furled Furl Girl 5/6wt 5' mono leader with micro swivel, and 48" of 5X FlouroFlex tippet.  Fly was a #16 beadhead REC Caddis Emerger with necessary split-shot and cork indicator. 

What I found was an enjoyable rod in hand.  It shoots line like a cannon, yet loads quickly for short casts.  It roll casts a nymph rig with ease, quite possibly being the best roll casting rig I have owned to date. There is barely noticeable tip-weight when held, so common with 6wt and up glass rods, making it feel very balanced in hand.  Casting stroke is smooth with no bounce whatsoever, and unexpected power.

 I was able to bring a few fish to hand prior to a humidity storm that  pushed me off the water.  What I found was a rod that played the first 12" rainbow enjoyably, as well as handling a couple 18" browns with ease.

The rod build is impeccable.  Dusty does some beautiful work that surpasses many higher-end glass rods available in my opinion.  This rod is exactly what I was looking for.  A glass rod that will cover heavier trout work without being too big, but would also be a great smallmouth and light warm water rig. 

  

Ponds, Tubes And Lilies

 

With limited time this summer to get the tube on the water, it felt right to set the hook on a Colored-up Bull.

Bluegills and poppers seem to re-set everything just a little.

A little top water action with the Wog.

A little color can't go unnoticed.

    Stalking summer ponds

Hope you all have been spending time on the water.

 

May Trout Water

First trip to Camp in May.  Gobblers didn't pan out in the morning, but trout cooperated in the afternoon.

Nicest rainbow on the day

Fished a single nymph rig with the C2C nymph all day.

C2C Nymph

18" Brown took the prettiest fish of the day award.

Hope all are enjoying the season.  

See you on the water!

 

Brooks And Browns

This past weekend brought a little of two things.  A 7 week old Blue Heeler Puppy named Brook,  and a few Brown Trout as icing.

Odd day, with 4 fish hooked, but only one landed. 

 And all hooked were Browns.  Never will complain about that for sure.

See you on the water!

OPENING DAY 2021

 

OPENING DAY 2021

Home Waters

The Pennsylvania trout opener finally arrived and it brought mild weather along with it.  We were graced with clear water throughout the weekend, and aside from early Saturday morning it was nice fishing while being able to feel my fingers.

The Cup says it all

Bacon and eggs keeps you warm in waders

A clear, sunny 41 degrees was the morning greeting.  Started out with a classic Steak-and-Eggs rig, a Coyote Ugly and Apricot McFly Foam egg. The first cast brought a hookup on the egg.

She took the egg, and was the only fish to take an egg the rest of the weekend.

The Coyote Ugly

Apricot Egg

As the day warmed up, so did the fishing.  With a number of fat bow's coming to the net.

The fly for most of the weekend was the Squirrels Nest Drake, until I lost the last of the four I had. 

Squirrels Nest Drake

The largest fish of opening day was a 26" hen.  A great battle that was the last fish of the day as well.  Sadly, try as I may I could not revive her.  So she was both an addition to my dinner and several meals in the freezer.  

 

Add a little splash of color with a bright male for the full Easter weekend affect.

A few fish came to a #14 C2C Nymph

While others came to a BWO Nymph

All-in-all a great opening weekend.

See you on the water!
 

Isolated Behind Glass

 

Isolated Behind Glass

"The year of the CGR"

This past season has been an interesting one for sure.  With isolation beginning early last year just about this time, I was able to get up to trout waters only once before NJ shut everything down.  And then once more in November to wrap things up.  Three or four trout for the season was all I had a chance to bring to hand.  

That being said, it became the year of the CGR.  Particularly the 7/8wt rod which has been with me for its 7th season now, and firmly holds the number one slot in my warm-water quiver.

The original setup with a Martin and a well-worn Orvis Warmwater line.              (The Martin is still pulling duty on the CGR 5/6)

After 6 seasons the CGR was upgraded  to pair with an Orvis Clearwater reel and a new Hydros WF7F Bass line.   Try as I may each year I research bass rigs to replace it, yet in the end its what I find in my hand.  It has become a good friend from the float tube as well as while stalking local ponds, becoming an extension of my hand. 

First fish of last year with the CGR.  The spring brought quite a few Hammer-Handles to the tube. Little did I know at the time I would fish the same rod throughout the rest of the year.

The spawn was good to us this year.  Thankfully so, since it was all we had offered close to home.  But the Bulls cooperated with us and willingly chewed up quite a few bugs.

Summer Bugs were what kept me busy at the bench

Bass kept looking up late into the summer as well.  As if they knew we all needed them.

But the year as a whole belonged the the CGR 7/8.  I can't find fault in the rod after all these years.  Aside from not being a wind-busting rig, or not up to throwing huge  bunny flies or near saltwater sized streamers for bucket-mouths it truly does lack in very little. Not a loose wrap or cracked piece of cork to be found after 7yrs of hard service.

I did nearly buy a shiny new replacement last week for $69.  But I  felt disloyal to a good friend and couldn't do it.  I would surely miss the floatant-stained cork of a good friend.

The Cabelas CGR 7/8

  

 

Winter Bow

A sketch from a fish 2 winters past

See you on the water!

2021 Winter

Sketching Through Winter Doldrums

See you on the water