The Weekly Five - 45
Farewell Kurt Danielsson
EXPLORATION ANGLING — TWF:45
Happy New Year! The Weekly Five, Issue 45 features Venezuela, Northern Patagonia, and New Zealand, plus we tip our hat to Kurt Danielsson, inventor of the large arbor fly reel.
As access to Los Roques improves and conditions continue to stabilize, it’s worth placing this stunning, ‘zero-pressure’ Venezuelan destination back on your fly fishing travel wish list. We’re happy to advise on three trusted operators, along with flight and accommodation logistics.
After releasing their latest GT series, Scott Fly Rod’s Jim Bartschi has hired Shawn Combs (ex-Orvis head of product design) as vice-president at Scott Fly Rods. Despite the chatter that this indicates Jim will transition into retirement, it’s not going to happen in our view. More likely, Scott will modernize their production facilities utilizing Shawn’s expertise.
Unfortunately, little has been said about the passing in late December of Kurt Danielsson, a great innovator and master craftsman. Best known as the founder of Danielsson Fly Reels – a company now carried on by his son, Tomas, Kurt was also the inventor of the large-arbor fly reel.
With nearly every Northern Patagonia rental car booked from Neuquen (pronounced neh-oo-KEN) down to Esquel (es-KEL), January is the busiest time for Argentine waterways. We recommend leaving the warming rivers of the Neuquen Province behind and heading south to Chubut where glacial-fed streams offer cooler conditions and less pressure.
Image Credit: Success on the Río Pico with Patagonia Trout Outfitters
New Zealand experienced a wet late December, but the sun is now shining. Many river systems will be filling with camping families, but anglers who went remote early this season and chased clearing water will be well rewarded. The early angler catches the brown.
Missed our last issue?
The Weekly Five - 44
Get into EXPLORATION ANGLING — TWF:44 where we talk Puerto Rico Tarpon, Cox Outdoors, St. Croix Fly Rods, and Northern Patagonia by pack raft.
Plan your mid-year Mexican Grand Slam!
Xcalak
If you’re looking to catch the trio of Permit, Tarpon and Bonefish, consider Xcalak south of the Mexican ‘Riviera Maya’ for a reasonably priced destination.
Welcome, Tail Inn
A new fishing lodge has announced its arrival on the plentiful flats of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Destination anglers seeking a Super Slam will be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food and lodgings here.
