Working with Snowbee UK over the past several years has made it possible to somewhat understand the dynamics necessary to be educated within the Fly Tackle Industry. I know this sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo; however, the facts are the Fly Fishing Tackle industry is changeing at a pace never before seen.
There is a certain value to Historical Significance and then there is a greater significance to real Value! Practical, Functional, Diverse,Simple, Innovative are all words I use to describe the possibilities that lay ahead and are at hand. This picture captures the amazing lineage that Snowbee has created, you see here a Fly rod from the archives being used with a 2007 version of the XSD Cassett Reel ;and of course a very nice Coho !
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During a Spey Casting Week in Southern Ontario I received a package of Demo rods just released for production of the new for 2008 Snowbee Prestige 4 pc Fly Rod and 6 pc Travel Rods. The first rod we unwrapped was the 9' 5 wt. 4 pc rod... a Burgandy colour blank with very nice components. We loaded it with a 5wt. Snowbee Two Colour Floating line and cast the entire line after several false casts...not bad for being strange to the rod! What stood out was the light feel and balance of the rod. The power doesn't come from the butt, it transfers along the entire shaft, leaving you with a feeling of "this rod can take much more!" The next rod were willing to play with was the 9'6" 7wt. version of the Prestige series. An absolute powerhorse, in my mind a great boat rod for Tarpon and Bone Fish; not a trout rod and certainly a contender for Salmon ; big Salmon! "The 9' 8wt. 6 pc. Travel Rod is stunning in action and feel!" My first reaction was to say, "why can't all rods have this feel?" I cast it against a classic Sage rod the RPL1007 2 pc rod, and then a Z Axis. Tighter loops, greater sensitivity and distance was easily accomplished ,although the more expensive Z Axis was physically as light and developed loops about the same...very nice for sure!
Now, finally ,we have a half decent floatation Life /Fly vest from Snowbee ...2008 is proving to provide some very long awaited products to the fly fishing world. The new Snowbee Floatation Fly Vest is on the pricey side but then again what costs do we apply to our safety! The range includes an over the shoulder Collar vest and the Moss Green fly vest type. Both are able to be inflated manually or automatic inflate.