Patagonia Alpine Houdini Jacket

   Although we really like and use the Patagonia Torrentshell Raincoat all the time, we still get many requests for a lighter weight waterproof coat. We think this might be the answer.

Featherweight, emergency storm protection for the neighborhood or a Bahamas flats boat. Stuff this jacket in your fishing pack, backpack, car for any pop-up storms or rain. A great summer jacket for Cincinnati summers.

Delamere & Hopkins
Hyde Park Square
2708 Erie Avenue
Cincinnati, OH  45208
513-871-FISH

Mon-Thurs  10-8
Fri-Sat  10-6
Sun  11-5

Thomas & Thomas is Back...

  

     You may have noticed in the last few blog posts the new T&T rods we've been trying out. Well, we liked what we saw and decided to bring a few of these rods into the shop. These are truly a new generation of Thomas & Thomas rods.

D&H just received our first shipment of this great product...

Hybrid Party Specials

     Since, we have everyone excited about the fishing season and have shown off some new lines, here is a great incentive to buy a new line.  We will be running the above program during our Hybrid Party.  This is a great chance to save some money and prepare for the spring and summer.  We will also offer 10% off tying tools, material, and flies.
     Please join us April 7, from 6-8 P.M. for one of our favorite nights of the year.  Please don't forget to RSVP to shop@bestgear.com, 871-3474, or via Facebook: Hybrid Party on Facebook 

Thanks.

Delamere & Hopkins
Hyde Park Square
2708 Erie Avenue
Cincinnati, OH  45208
513-871-FISH

Mon-Thurs  10-8
Fri-Sat  10-6
Sun  11-5

Fly Reel Materials: why it matters!

When anglers come in the shop to look for a new fly reel, we spend time discussing many features of a fly reel.  One of the most important topics is what material is used in the construction of the reel.  I point out that if you are going to fish a farm pond or a stream in a meadow, the material does not matter that much since if you drop the reel it will probably hit grass or dirt and not get damaged.
Once you start thinking about crawling around mountain streams, such as in the Smoky Mountains, then you have a much greater chance of your fly reel coming into contact with rocks and boulders.  For most seasoned anglers, the value of a bar stock aluminum reel will be realized many times in their career.

While working the shop floor today I had the opportunity to see the most damaged fly reel I have ever witnessed in my life!

Our customer was getting his gear together for a saltwater trip that he is setting out on tomorrow and his wife drove over his fly reel with the family car.  The cast aluminum reel did not have a chance!

Click on "MORE" to see all of the gory details!

Warm water flies and materials

        D&H is always getting new flies and materials to keep things interesting. With the high water its a great time to start tying some new flies and trying out new materials. We just unpacked a couple shipments with a couple new things and some things we have been out of.

 - Click    Move>>> below to see some more local fish and some of my go to flies and materials for local warm water species.

Just in Time for Father's Day... Stanley Products and Others

   We have been looking forward to this shipment for a while. Most of the guys in the shop have been using various Stanley Thermos's and mugs for some time. They are easy to use and clean and a great product. We brought in five models to start out. Click "Read More" to see what came in!

Fly Fishing Gear on Sale

   This time of year we always have a few items that have been discontinued over the winter. Look below for details on these items:

Simms Freestone Waders, Size 2XL
Were $249.00  Now $174

   Simms' classic wader. We have carried these for years. A great summer weight wader for the experienced fisherman or first pair for a new fisherman.

(Boots not included)


Thomas & Thomas Horizon II  #10
 Was $800   Now $560

    Get this rod for most of your heavy inshore fishing duties, musky adventures, or to chase King Salmon. The Horizon is a fast action rod that is comfortable to throw. This series has been a shop favorite for many years. 

Hardy Fortuna X2 
Was $745     Now $521

     The Hardy Fortuna would be a perfect match for the T&T #10. I have fished this reel on several saltwater trips. It is a extremely strong reel that is very user friendly. The drag is fully sealed and set at maximum boasts and impressive 30 lbs. of resistance.

Patagonia Wading Boots (select sizes)

Rockgrip: Were $179  Now $125

 

 
 Stay upright in these sticky rubber boots that also accept studs. These exhibit the same quality and craftsmanship Patagonia has always been know for.









Aluma Bar Boots: Were $239  Now $167

   When the Bar boots came out a few years ago we were all a bit unsure. After wearing these boots for several years, we know they are a great alternative to felt. The aluminum bars is soft enough to develop micro-abrasion which cuts through algae to the hard rock below. These boots stick like glue!








Simms Rivershed Boots   
Were $179   Now $125

 The Rivershed boot is a dependable, hard working boot. The soles do a great job by themselves but add some aluma bite or carbide studs and you will be unstoppable. Check out Alex's' review from a  year or two ago:
Rivershed Boot Review

new fly just arrived: Umpqua Bushwacker

    I was going through the Umpqua catalog and saw a fly that I thought looked like one of the best small baitfish patterns I had seen in a while. Sometimes flies are glorified in catalogs, but this one was exactly what I had hoped. We have it in Chartreuse/White and Tan/White and might be getting this fly in a few more colors with our next order, get 'em while they last!

There are a couple reasons I really like this fly. The first reason is the hook shape, the hook is a worm hook used by conventional fisherman. This hook has the ability the hook fish easily and remain weedless at the same time. The second reason I really like this fly is the shape.  As you can imagine, I'm pretty picky about my flies and the profile on this fly is great.

new flies in the bins: Intruders

We have started stocking some great intruders tied by Solitude for great lakes Steelhead!  Come in and get em!

Delamere & Hopkins
Hyde Park Square
2708 Erie Avenue
Cincinnati, OH  45208
(513) 871-FISH
shop@bestgear.com
Mon-Thurs 10-8
Fri-Sat  10-6
Sun 11-5

New Fishing Accessories from Fishpond

   

Photo from Fishpond

         It's no secret, D&H is a big fan of the Fishpond line of products.  Over the years we have used and abused Fishpond luggage, packs, and accessories.  We have yet to be disappointed.  We just got a big order in with a few very anticipated goodies.

Bahamas Trip Report

      I returned from the Bahamas Saturday night and can't say enough about the fishing, the lodge and the guides!  We flew into Nassau last Sunday and were at the lodge by 4pm after taking a small prop plane from Nassau to Fresh Creek, Andros.  The rooms were great and I couldn't wait to be on the flats the next day.  We fished for bones and got shots at tarpon, barracuda and sharks as well.  One my first day I had the privilege to hook into two tarpon over 100 lbs, but unfortunately the battles didn't last long before my hooks straightened out.  D&H will be running trips down to the Andros Island Bonefish club every March and are even talking about starting a November trip as well!

Barracuda are all over the flats

Click >>> More to see more pictures

- Louis

Delamere & Hopkins now carries Korkers Wading boots!

  We were really excited to get our first Korkers shipment in today.  We now carry the Devils Canyon boots.  These come standard with the BOA lacing system as well as two interchangeable soles, a felt and a rubber, which allow you to adapt to any situation that you get in to.  You no longer have to make the tough decision of whether you want rubber or felt, especially with all of this talk of banning felt soles in some states.  It is almost like getting two boots for the price of one!
Click "MORE" below for my short review.
thanks for looking,
    Chip

New Reel in the Shop!

Lamson Remix

    D&H is excited to have new reel from Lamson/Waterworks just in time for the coming fishing season.  Here is what Lamson has to say about the new reel:
          A fusion between the free-form structures of a cast spool and the mechanical integrity of a CNC-machined case, Remix is a hybrid. The case, CNC-machined here in the U.S. from 6061 bar-stock aluminum, delivers maximum structural rigidity and durability all wrapped in a harder, brighter finish.  The spool, pressure cast with radiused compound curves, near zero-radius inside corners and a precise fit and finish, delivers both value and sex appeal. Remix brings together the best of CNC machining and pressure-cast technologies to deliver an unprecedented level of quality for a bit more than $150.  In addition to the US-made case, all critical drag components are CNC-machined here in the U.S. Remix reels are assembled in Boise by our skilled and experienced team.  The result of this Remix?  High performance, reliability, quality assurance and physical appeal.

Delamere & Hopkins
Hyde Park Square
2708 Erie Avenue
Cincinnati, OH  45208
(513) 871-FISH
shop@bestgear.com
Mon-Thurs 10-8
Fri-Sat  10-6
Sun 11-5

New Rod on the wall!

   

Pete using my 11 footer in Montana

   We just brought in a Sage One 10' 5-weight. This is why:
   
       While I was in Montana, my group did a lot of nymph fishing which gave us the opportunity to fish many different rods. The guides and I all came equipped with specialty nymphing rods. These rods are generally 9'6" or longer. 10' and 11' are standard for this type of fishing. Most of my group had never used these longer rods before, but by the end of trip they were true believers.
 
      

Hatch 11 Plus

One of our good customers had us bring in and spool up this Finatic 11 mid-arbor from Hatch. We filled this reel with 400 yards of 30# Dacron backing. He is taking this up to Montauk, NY for some serious striper and false albacore fishing.

NEW! Scott Tidal 8wt

We just received in our first Scott Tidal in an 8wt. 

          To start off, this is Scott's newest saltwater fly rod. Our initial impression was how clean and pretty of a rod it is. The royal blue and green thread wraps on the gray blank adds great visual appeal to the rod. It has the same natural finish as the Scott S4s as well. It's action is a bit slower than the S4s, but still has plenty of backbone to carry and shoot a ton of line. This rod won't break the bank either at only $475! Plus this rod is manufactured 100% in the USA.

Stop in Delamere & Hopkins on Hyde Park Square in Cincinnati
2708 Erie Avenue  45208
513-871-FISH
Mon-Thurs  10-8
Fri-Sat  10-6
Sun 11-5

New Product !! Hatch Reels

 We just received our first shipment of Hatch reels. This is pretty exciting news for us.This is a California reel company that is turning out some extremely durable and practical reels for both freshwater and saltwater. These reels are manufactured totally within the U.S.  Please stop in our Hyde Park Square shop in Cincinnati and let us show you the new addition to our reel case.

First Pike on the fly

    I just got back from our annual family trip to Michigan's' Les Chenaux Islands.  2014 marks 100 years of my mom's family visiting this area.  The traditions, family, and friends, really make this place special.  As my mom said one day the "scenes stay the same, the players just change".

      Our house is located on the far western edge of the islands chain, in Mismer Bay.  We have a mainland house, but many of the folks in the area spend their summers on one of the many islands.  I love the opportunity to dig out my Nano Puff and soft shell since the weather is always a bit cooler. (On this trip I lived in my Patagonia Guidewater pants. They are so comfortable and they did a great job keeping the bugs off)
    As you can imagine, fishing and boating are a huge part of the local culture.  Perch, Pike, and Smallmouth bass are some of the most popular species to chase but folks also fish for Salmon, Lake trout, Musky, Rockbass, and a few other species.
  

Brookville Report 6/17

         I took advantage of my day off today to do a little bit of fishing to prepare for a guide trip on Saturday.  I headed over to Brookville this morning about 6am to fish with a good friend.  The gauges have been reading the neighborhood of 2.66 gauge height the last few days.  A bit lower than I like, but great conditions for spotting and watching fish.  We spent a bit of time just watching trout midging on the flats.