How To Set Up Your Reel

Sometimes we often forget there are a lot of new fly anglers out there who have never set up a fly reel. Great tutorial here from Orvis.

The 2016 Fly-FIsherman's Christmas List- Unicoi Outfitters

 With Christmas just around the bend, We here at Unicoi Outfitters decided to piece together a list of some of our favorite pieces of gear for the seasons ahead.  We tried to exclude the obvious- like fly rods and reels, and waders and boots, and instead focus on some of those pieces of gear you may not have thought of, heard of, or seen before. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!                                 

     To See the Pages better, just click on "em!

Orvis Silver Sonic Waders Have Arrived!

We've really been looking forward to getting these in the shop, and now, they're here!  The technology and design are awesome, as you can tell from the video above - what you can't tell is how comfortable they are (which is very!), and what a great value they are:  at $259, they're the best value in waders on the market today.

We've just received a shipment in Helen in an assortment of sizes, so come up and try them on - just in time for the fall fishing season.  And if we don't have your size in stock, or if you can't make it by the shop, we'll happily have a pair shipped to your door, and we'll pay the shipping!

Come check 'em out!

Fly Fishing 101

Here's a quick notice that we're having our first Orvis Fly Fishing 101 session of the year tomorrow beginning at 10am at both Helen and Blue Ridge stores.  FF101 covers Knots, Rigging and Outfits and Casting Tips and is free.  Participants receive a coupon valued $25 off Orvis purchases.

For more info or to register, call the Helen store at 706-878-3083 or our shop in Blue Ridge at 706-632-1880.

Stay tuned for info on future FF101 classes, as well as Fly Fishing 201!

Orvis Fly Fishing Tip

Difficulty tying your fly to the tippet? Try this!

As you get older and the light gets dimmer, it becomes increasingly difficult when fishing to thread the fly, let alone knot it onto the tippet. An obvious answer to this problem is to carry some sort of magnifying optics with you to facilitate the process. Often in low light conditions even that is not enough. If you pull out a flashlight, you can sometimes see well enough to tie on the fly, but then you've just lost your night vision at the time when you needed it the most. And, of course, the trout become very active right around dusk. Why is this happening?

The ability for the human eye to discern small details and pick them out of a background typically decreases with age. Part of the problem is the change in the physical shape of the eye as we get older which usually causes us to lose the ability to focus on items up close. Another part of the equation has to do with chromatic aberration in the human eye. Different colors have different wavelengths and the human eye focuses differently for each of them. When you get too many different colors all in the same area, it becomes difficult to pick the detail out of any of it. Without getting too far into specifics, suffice it to say that it is easier to pick out detail against a solid mono-colored background than a mottled or multi-colored one.

So, next time you're on the water with the light failing, the fish rising, and having trouble tying on the fly, try holding the fly up against a single-colored background - preferably a light, single-colored background. A good candidate for this is the sky overhead. It is one of the last things to go dark if it is not a terribly cloudy day. Even if it is cloudy, you can usually find a cloud big enough to use as a solid color. Sometimes the solid glare from the low light on the water does the trick. Look around. It might be that the large elephant-eared leaf of a wild rhubarb does the trick. Using any of these backgrounds makes it much easier than trying to see and tie on a fly against the multi-colored, multi-edged background of streamside vegetation. This is not a cure-all, but it helps and it sure beats not fly fishing!

-Dan Gracia

Orvis

Fly Fishing 101

If you or someone you know has expressed an interest in learning how to fly fish, Unicoi Outfitters is teaming up with Orvis and Trout Unlimited to offer free introductory lessons every Saturday in July from 9 AM until 12 noon.  We'll have casting lessons as well as sessions on how to properly rig your fly rod all morning long with qualified teachers from the Unicoi professional staff as well as local Trout Unlimited members.  Participants will not only get an introduction to fly fishing but will also receive a $15.00 gift certificate good toward the purchase of any Orvis products plus they'll receive a one year trial membership (new members only) in Trout Unlimited, the country's foremost cold water conservation organization.  We encourage you to please call ahead and sign up for these sessions if possible.  The number in Helen is 706-878-3083 and the number in Blue Ridge is 706-632-1880.  We look forward to having you join us.

Super Orvis Deal!

What better way to get ready for summer fishing than buying a new Helios or Hydros rod and getting one of our best-selling reels free.  Buy any Helios, Hydros, or TLS and get a FREE Battenkill Large Arbor, Mid Arbor or Bar Stock Reel - any model, any size.

Limited time only - offer ends May 31, 2010.

Free Orvis Reel!

Through May 15, 2009, buy any Orvis Helios, T3, TLS, or Superfine rod and pick the Battenkill Bar Stock, Battenkill Mid Arbor, or Battenkill Large Arbor reel of your choice for FREE, a savings of up to $259!

This offer is available at both our Helen and Blue Ridge stores.
(Offer valid while supplies last. Participant must purchase a Helios, T3, Superfine or TLS rod at full price to receive choice of any Battenkill Bar Stock, Mid Arbor or Large Arbor reel. This offer not valid with any other discounts or offers.)