FlyShop 1864

New Orvis Hydros 3D flyline review

Daniel — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:25:16 +0000

We’ve just received our first shipment of the new range of Hydros flylines from Orvis, and after three days on Brumbys Creek, the Meander and The Lower Macquarie, i’d have to say that the new Hydros 3D is the best textured line i’ve ever used.
Textured lines started to make an appearance a few years ago when Scientific Anglers released the Sharkskin, and Airflo released the Ridgeline. The theory is simple: by using a textured coating on the outside coating of the flyline, friction is reduced when running through the rod guides, which in turn increases the ‘shootability’ of the flyline. More cast for less effort in a nutshell.
Unfortunately the textured lines had drawbacks that descreased their appeal. The SA Sharksin shot line phenomonally, but cut your fingers, wore rod guides down, and whizzed like a zipper-sound through the guides. All of this for a retail price of $160 in some flyshops! Second cab of the rank was the Airflo Ridgelines, of which I own many. They are great – they shoot better than standard lines, and the ridges keep the line cleaner. They have a major drawback however: rollcasting. Both my Tactical Trout and my Explorer Tapers roll cast, and half-roll cast terribly, with the ridges clinging to the surface film, and anchoring the loop down. Add to this comparatively low flotation, and the Ridgelines still didn’t quite fit the bill. Enter the new Hydros 3D line.
The new Orvis Hydros 3D boasts the standard claims, and have met them with flying colours: high floatation, decreased friction from the textured coating, and slicker lubricants impregnated into the line. I’ve cast them at mayfly sippers, and used them for hopper fishing the lower Mac, and for me they’ve shot further than any other standard line i’ve had, float as well as any other line I’ve used, and roll cast well (though not quite as good as my favourite small stream line, the Rio Windcutter). Just as important is the WF Taper. The 3D features a reasonably aggressive weight forward taper, and is perfect for my new Orvis Helios rods, or any of my old fast-action Sage rods. The loop has great stability, far better than the Rio Gold’s I’ve been running, with what feels like a longer front taper and a lot less hinging when you hit the running line.
All in all this is a seriously awesome line, that i’d highly recommend whether your casting a Helios, a One, or any other medium to fast action rod. If your in Launceston feel free to drop in, and you can even borrow one of our demo lines and see for yourself. RRP $104.95, standard non-textured Hydros Power Taper & Trout Tapers $89.95
Daniel Hackett

Tonic Polaroid glasses – in stock now

Daniel — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:20:33 +0000

Announced in the latest FlyLife Magazine (Summer 2011/2012), Tonic Eyewear has just been launched by former Spotters founder, Doug Phillips. With De-centred grounded lenses, and lighter-weight full glass photocromatic lenses, Tonic has lifted the bar when it comes to high quality. After using Maui Jim, Costa and Spotters over the year, and relying on polaroids to earn our living whilst sight-fishing and guiding, we’re excited to be one of the first in Australia to use and stock Doug’s new Tonic range. Keep an eye out on this blog for a full tester’s review next week.
Tonic Eyewear is available here at FlyShop 1864, and retails for $259.95 (full glass, photcromatic lense). This includes a headache-free, new for old 12 month warranty.

Orvis Fly Tying Desk – coming soon

Daniel — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:08:24 +0000

We are excited to be receiving a small shipment of Orvis Fly Tying Desks in the new year. These crafted desks keep your fly tying materials organised and ready to use.
Lots of storage drawers offer organisation for materials, and there is heaps of room for a bench or pedestal vice. When it’s now in use, the desk-top folds over.
Made of birch and cherry veneer with cast-bronze hardware, a specialised tying desk such as this has never been available in Australia.
Assembly required. Fly tying desk measures 33½”H x 38½”L x 19½”D.
Anticipated cost $995.00, pre-order now by Email or phone.

Saddle Hackle packs in stock

Daniel — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:44:52 +0000

They are as rare as hen’s teeth, but we’ve been able to offer a few saddle hackle packs for sale. These are only available by phone (03) 6334 8386, Email or in-store on a first-in basis.

Currently in stock, hackle packs with enough hackle for ~100 flies. $24.95 ea:

Black #16-20
Grizzly dyed brown #16-20
Dark Brown Variant #16-20 and #12-14
Light Brown #16-20
Furnace #12-16
Brown #16-18
Brown (mixed) #10-14

Very limited stocks.

Recycled Waders Bum Bag back in stock

Daniel — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:35:33 +0000

Our favourite bum bag from Recycled Waders is now back in stock . Support up-cycling and help add to the 580lbs of waders already recycled by this innovative business.

Free fly tying and casting classes

Daniel — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 07:24:31 +0000

The dates for our first fly tying, and fly fishing classes are as follows:

Fly Casting morning sessions – Let us brush up your casting in these 20 minute one-on-one sessions. We’ll also have the top-of-the range Orvis Helios on hand to test cast.

Where: Seaport Boardwalk Pontoons, near Tamar Cruises.
When: Thursday 27 October, 7.30am start
Cost: FREE. Just send us an email so we can book you in to a time slot.

Free Fly Tying Lessons

Where: FlyShop 1864, 45 Cameron Street
When:19 October 6.30pm-8.30pm
Who: BEGINNERS
Cost: FREE. Bring your own vice and tools, or hire ours for $15. Send us an Email to book in to the course.

Where: FlyShop 1864, 45 Cameron Street
When:17 Novemberr 6.30pm-8.30pm
Who: INTERMEDIATE
Cost: FREE. Bring your own vice and tools, or hire ours for $15. Send us an Email to book in to the course.

Fly Tying in stock now

Daniel — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 02:47:25 +0000

Our first fly tying shipment has arrived! Over the next few days we’ll work behind the scenes at adding these to the online shop, which should be loaded and live by mid-next week. Highlights include Hare’s Masks from $7.95, Bucktail from $9.95, tungsten bead 20 packs from $9.95 and Metz #2 capes for $89.95. Also in stock, we have some great lever-action vices for $79.95, capable of holding hooks from #1/0 to #20.

Selected Loon and Dr Slick products are now in stock, as well as the ubiquitous Gink Floatant – only $8.50 at FlyShop 1864.

Thanks.

We’re open & live Online!

Daniel — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 05:15:53 +0000

We’ve just added our first couple of shipments to the online store. We’re the first ever Orvis dealer in Tasmania, and only the second in Australia, so look out for plenty of their cool gear and equipment. This includes the Orvis Helios fly rod, the world’s lightest, and the most awarded fly rod in history.

We’d also like to highlight a new product for Australia, Recyceld Waders. RW manufacture (by hand, in the USA) great chestpacks, bum bags and other packs. The process is called up-cycling; turning old and unwanted goods into great new products. They’re smart, and we are keen to support them.

Over the next fortnight we’ll be uploading our new fly tying material range, so keep a look out.

Thanks, Daniel and Simone Hackett.

Trout Waters of Tasmania – Available Now

Daniel — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:34:05 +0000

Arthurs Lake - Trout Waters of Tasmania

The new Trout Waters of Tasmania by Greg French has arrived, and is available now for purchase. Major changes include excellent new maps showing lake levels and best fishing areas, river maps, and optimum river levels for fishing. Also included are dozens of newly listed waters, and new full colour photos. Trout Waters of Tasmania weighs in at a hefty 1.4kg, and 368 pages of knowledge.

Trout Waters of Tasmania by Greg French

Daniel — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 03:03:57 +0000

After more than eight years, Greg French has revised his bible of Tasmanian trout fishing waters. Inclduing full lists of optimum river levels, lake levels, access maps, fishing maps, and of course an A-Z listing of every Tasmanian Trout Water, this is a must have guidebook. Available now from FlyShop 1864, for delivery from the first week of August.

Tasmanian Trout Waters by Greg French