Politically Incorrect Mondays

Of Fly Reels and Superheroes

The Great Chubby Challenge

In the spirit of Rod Shootouts, Reel Shootouts, we present the 2016 Chubby Challenge, a review and grading of the different types and colors of Chubbys.

We hope this will help you in choosing from all of the different Chubbys available.

Please note that this review is completely unbiased and based on fishing experiences. We have not received any free Chubbys, are not on any Chubby teams, pro staff, and not affiliated in any way with anything Chubby!

Chubby ratings will be separated into the following categories:
1) Color- general munchiness and fish reaction
2) Lightness in the hand/feel (or something like that)
3) General fit/finish (must have category in every shootout)
4) General overview of Chubby. Size recommendations.

Orange Chubby

1) One of the earlier Chubby colors available. Even though it's bright and colorful it catches fish like crazy. A 4 out of 5 munch rating on this one.
2) The orange feels very good in the hand. A light, crisp feel makes the angler feel tingly all over.
3) The finish and general appearance of the orange Chubby is quite pleasing. 3.5 out of 5.
4) For the best munch factor, use this one in a #10.

Purple Chubby

1) The purple leads out the "what the crap do they eat that for" category. Having said that, they eat it time and again.

2) Although the purple Chubby tracks well, likely due to it's Generation 5 technology, the feel in the hand always comes around to "am I really tying this on?".

3) The unique blend of purple, black, and white certainly make this a welcome addition to any fly patch, hat brim, or vehicle headliner.

4) If we didn't fish this one, we'd say it would likely be a 2 on the munchmeter. However, field use dictates a strong 3.2. As for size, #10 seems to be the ticket.

Red Chubby

1) This one takes the level of WTF? found in the purple to a whole new level. Anyone that says fish are smart is out of their mind and possesses the same size of brain as said fish. Some people swear by them, but we only give it a 2.5 out of 5.

2) Anything this goofy has to feel weird to fish. This level of "ickyness" results in a 2 on the performance/feel category.

3) Overall appearance of the red Chubby does make it appropriate for decoration on Xmas stocking stuffers.

4) It does catch fish, so we'll give it a 2.1 out of 5, but there's no love involved. For sizing, who cares, if a fish is stupid enough to eat this it may as well be a size 2 as a 20. But we stock it in a #10.

Goldenstone/White Wing Chubby

1) The body color on this one, combined with the leg material and color, gives us a warm, fuzzy feeeling all over. This one gets a 4.5 out of 5. Even works after 475 anglers who headed out at 4 AM and dragged, popped, and splatted flies for 4 hours with their Skid Bitches and City Workers.

2) This one just feels good. Everything about it is good. Color is good. Legs are good. It's just so darn good. Did we mention it was good.

3) Whoever came up with the color scheme on this one should get a Nobel. What else can we say.

4) This one needs to be a size 8. Mainly because it's so sexy we want more to look at. 4.9 overall rating on this one.

Gold or Tan Chubby

1) We rated these two together because they're so close they can be reviewed as one. In fact, we're not sure why we stock both. That was stupid. Both colors catch fish pretty darn good though and the dark legs seem to stir the loins of many a trout. 4.2 out of 5 on these ones.

2) We always feel a deep sense of redundancy when we fish these. Maybe because they are quite similar to at least 3 other Chubby variations out there. Once again, why do we stock them?

3) Even though they are eerily deja vu like, they work. So we can break down and give them a 3.

4) We would recommend size 10 in these. Only because that's the size we have.

Black/Tan Chubby

1) Number two in the sexy department, the black/tan is the true essence of Chubbyness. A fish catching machine in every way. We give this one a 4.7 on color. Even higher than the G.S./White Wing. And the grizzly leggs top things off nicely.

2) The combination on these is perfect. Not only does this bug look good, it makes you feel good!

3) see line #2. 

4) the general overview of this Chubby is that it rocks! It's a fish catching, day making, hero producing, slab sticking, ass kicking stick of yumminess. Oh, and fish a size 6 early in the emergence and a size 10 later.

Yellowstoner Chubby-Peach

1) The peach color on this bug is downright sexy. And the furry foam they use on the body has a great look. The fish seem to be quite fond of it as well. A 4.6 out of 5 on the color.

2) These are like a Chubby that vibrates. The fuzzy look and feel on the underside of these bugs result in chubbies all over the place.

3) As with so many other MFC bugs, these are tied flawlessly. A true work of art.

4)  leave it to MFC to take something already wonderful and add a cool factor. Bueno to the guys at MFC! Juicy, juicy, juicy, juicy! Oh, and fish it in an 8.

Chubby Norman

1) A true golden stone imitation. Love the body/leg colors on the Norman. 4.6 out of 5.

2) If people see you with this bug, the first thing they'll think is "this person's dialed in".

3) A truly perfect bug. Reeks of Stoneflyishness.

4) The "sleeper" Chubby. Kind of the "challenged cousin in the attic" of Chubbys in that nobody talks much about it. But it's a diamond in the rough of Chubbys. Should you go out on a limb and put a few of the size 8s in your box (and use them, that's important) you can go to work on Monday knowing your the smartest fly fisher in your office. Now, you're the only fly fisher in your office but does it really matter.

Further Evidence Of Our Thoughts On Tenkara

Tenkara No!!!!

Top 10 Reasons Why We're Not Cutting Edge

Top reasons why we aren't "cutting edge":

Please note that our opinions may sometimes differ from yours and we ask that there be no internet crucifixion or any type of cyber terrorism.

#1 - Three quarters of the staff have never owned a fiberglass fly rod. Those of us who have, haven't used one since we were in junior high. All of us are completely in agreement that we have no desire to ever fish cane or fiberglass again before we die. Look at them, yes, fish them, no! If you want retro, we can likely find a Model A for you drive to Vancouver in January. That should fill you up on retro for a while.

#2 -  None of us have beards. Most of us (including some that are almost 50) can't even grow one.

#3 - Our hats look like this:

       Not this:

#4 - We prefer stickers with fish spots, not fish skeletons.

#5 - We still prefer indicators to be dry flies.

#6 - We're still confused by what the differences are between Czech, French, and Polish Nymphing.

#7 - At no time will any of us ever make this sign for a fish photograph.

#8 - All of our personal fishing tippet is the same color (greenish), and no one here has ever fished 6X with nymphs. I think I might own 6X but I'm not sure where it is.

#9 -  The last time we used a swivel while fishing we were 12, and there was a Five of Diamonds on the end.

#10 -  To this day, even though forced to participate, we're completely freaked out and a little afraid of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Political Incorrectness

The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the management.......but likely are.

Notes From The Maid

What's the world coming to when you get a letter like this during Steelhead season. Next time try the Fireweed!

Dam Control Finally Understood

On a fairly constant basis since mid-June of this year (and in previous years) we keep getting asked "Who controls the dams releases at Bearspaw, Ghost, etc.?"  What are they thinking? Who do we complain to? Why does the river come up 15-20% at night? We could go on and on....you get the idea.

Well, after exhaustive research, we have finally found the Transalta employee who has total control and domination over our sport and industry on the lower Bow River..........

It all makes sense now!

Guide Profile-Jason Eggleton

Steely-Eyed Western Trout Guide and his first mate!

Any Given Day At McKinnon's

New Gift Items At Country Pleasures

For thiose who grow tired of fish coasters, Bonefish lamps, Dorado mats,

Fishing Bear ornaments, half dressed chick in hip waders....

The latest line of truly exceptional "fish tack".

Fishing "Lines"

Sent to me by a a customer. If only it worked this way.....

Suffix 832 - The Line That Changes The Game (Saltwater) from Tristin Rupp on Vimeo.

Suffix 832 - The Line That Changes The Game (Freshwater) from Tristin Rupp on Vimeo.

Executive Float Trips

For those of you who are torn between screwing off to go fishing, and keeping up with work......


Available by special order at Calgary's SECOND friendliest fly shop!

Brilliant!

Eeeek!

Orvis is Homey!

In an effort to expand their demographics and targeted market, Orvis has decided to get rid of the "Chip and Buffy" models of the past. The first of the new catalog models is shown above.

Rumours abound as to who the other new models might be but some names being thrown around are China (from WWF fame), Dennis Rodman, and Paris Hilton.

Kudos to Orvis for this break from their long held style of advertising.

You thought jetboats were a pain!

FLY Fishing

A Little Different!

Evolution!