The Blitz – Fly Fishing Blogs

So if you ask me, the holy grail of fly reel design is an extremely powerful drag that’s also incredibly smooth.  That’s what the Spray has…lock down strength and virtually no startup inertia, ideal for targeting big fish.  The drag is also fully sealed with our Gasket Drag System, so it’s protected from the elements and maintenance free.  It has a massive arbor for top-end line retrieval rates, it’s extremely light weight and strong, and it holds a ton of line capacity.  Top it off with some new smart solutions like a rounded reel foot so you can wrap your line around your reel without kinks, a pass-through hole in the reel foot to serve as a hook keeper, and a flattened out counter-balance to reduce tangling and you’ve got one hell of a fly reel. 

Why I Fish Cheeky: I fish Cheeky because I believe in every aspect of their business. They make fly fishing more accessible and inclusive- where you don't have to spend your life savings to get into fishing. They support many conservation and non-profit projects, like Science on the Fly, as they know that we need to protect our resources so that we can continue to fly fish for years to come. Cheeky really walks the walks in all categories and I believe we need more of Cheeky in the industry!

Welcome to the dog days of summer. With constant high temperatures and air so thick you can’t tell when you’ve actually left the river, it’s no wonder why anglers and non-anglers alike begin to look forward to the cooler months ahead to spend their time outdoors. 

On the bright side, this often undesirable stretch of the summer months doesn’t mean you have to hang up your gear until the mercury drops. It really gives us anglers the opportunity to diversify our skill sets by targeting different species that do well in these conditions....

Lionel: Cheeky is a fantastic company that not only promotes the sport of fly fishing but also exemplifies the values that I hold dear. Through their bold and unwavering commitment to inclusivity and diversity, Cheeky exhibits the same morals that I stand for. They fearlessly showcase the joys of fly fishing to both men and women of all colors, ages, and backgrounds, making the sport accessible and enjoyable for all.

The Albie Project exists to learn more about an underappreciated species and accumulate a strong base of scientific data and understanding that can drive future management conversations. ASGA has termed the project as “the intersection of passionate anglers, cutting-edge science and precautionary fisheries management”. Albies are a data-poor species. Data drives decision making for our fisheries. State agencies are already stretched thin on bandwidth and budgeting for research. ASGA recognized that our membership loves these fish and values them for their businesses and recreation, so we stepped onto the frontlines of Albie research with much-appreciated support from our community partners, our members and sponsor brands - like Cheeky.

Smallmouth bass on the fly is not a new concept, but more and more freshwater anglers are turning to the species during the warmer months for more productive fishing than their usual salmonid targets. Although they often occupy similar water types to trout, smallies are not just a substitute. They’re in a league of their own in tactics, size, and fight, and are definitely worth developing the skills to effectively find and catch.

Eric: We've got a few film projects. We have both a film version and a video series version of The Chesapeake Tales, which chronicles a 7 day journey across Chesapeake watershed, getting into a number of different species. These species include some that aren’t always targeted on the fly, but should be checked out and appreciated. The film in a part of IF4, and you can see the full series on YouTube. 

I always use this metaphor with my clients:  Imagine running a marathon then having your head stuck in a bucket of water - that's what taking the fish out of the water is experiencing. 

 Typically, stripers ranging from schoolie size to 30 pounds will stage in warm back bays for a month and a half before continuing on their journey. The aggression and brute force of these fish make them a spectacular battle on fly gear. If you're looking to get into some migrating backwater stripers, here are a few tips to help you along the way!

Aside from the incredible humanitarian work we have been able to do through the group, a deeper purpose of the Fishin’ Physicians has also been to demonstrate that fly fishing is for everyone. It can be an intimidating and seemingly expensive sport to get into, but we have encouraged women, in particular, to give it a try and continue to make affordable gear recommendations.

Let’s face it- if a big brown or rainbow trout is what you’re after, there are plenty of places in the Northern Hemisphere with fish of comparable size that require way less travel. What makes New Zealand so special is the densities in which these fish occur, the pulse-quickening sight fishing opportunities, and the sheer amount of water in this country where that’s all possible. It’s a chance to put your skills up against huge, smart fish in small streams that run through some of the most beautiful natural settings on our planet, and come back a better angler. 

Cheeky: We're stoked to have you on the Cheeky Ambassador team, so we have to ask - why do you fish Cheeky Reels? 

Eeland: I fish Cheeky reels cause it's what all the cool kids are doing-aren't we all just trying to cling and relive our youth. Plus it's important that they are quality. I like the color combinations and how much I've beat up the reels with 40 pound snook, 10 pound bones and 25 pound carp, and the reels are still rocking.