Maxxon Outfitters

Recently, I ran across some ads on my social media feeds about Maxxon Outfitters.  You might have experienced something similar.  For one reason or another, you just seem to start seeing a particular set of ads about something that is obscure enough that you are unfamiliar with it but pertinent to what you are interested in.  Maybe it is a brand of car that you have never owned before but you see it because you are interested in cars.  Well that's what happened with me.  I'm obviously interested in fly fishing but I was unfamiliar with the Maxxon brand.

Since I was unfamiliar with Maxxon, I started browsing the website.  If I have learned anything about fly fishing equipment, I have learned that value can be found if you're willing to look for it.  Yes, $1,000 fly rods tend to perform really well but what I'm looking for is similar performance with a lower price tag.  For example, I have a Maxcatch 3 weight fly rod that I bought for $40 and have loved that rod for years!  I also own an Orvis Helios and not only love the rod because of how it casts, but received it as a wedding gift from my wife so it carries sentimental value to it as well.  Obviously, I'm not a person that is loyal to a brand.  All I want is equipment that suits my needs and is fun to use.  Since I tend to be tough on my gear, it also helps to have a good warranty program.

I'm going to break fly rods.  It happens every year.  Sometimes it's just wear and tear.  Sometimes it is due to my dog sitting on a rod.  Regardless, it is going to happen.  I have used warranty programs with Echo and Orvis, specifically, and have been happy with the results.  Due to my experiences, I WILL NOT buy a fly rod that lacks a warranty.  Even after looking at Maxxon's products and researching Maxxon's warranty program, I decided I still needed to dig a little deeper prior to making any sort of purchase.

I am not one to simply take something for face value.  I want to hear from actual people and get their actual thoughts.  I understand that the experiences that people have with a brand can vary greatly from one another so I always take opinions into account but never take a single opinion as the end-all, be-all gospel.  I decided to set out and look at some message boards and noticed that they all had positive things to say about the company.  I decided to go a step further and post a question on my Facebook page.  One individual posted their experience and it fit the theme of what I was reading in other places but seemed to have more...passion.

"My name is Randy Benzon, ive got this page and 2 other social media pages, on Instagram @Hooks.an.beads.  This is my fly tying an fishing page.  @Trad_man is my everyday personal page.. lol."

"I purchased the Maxxon NX-3 10'6 3 weight euro nymphing rod about 3 years ago. At the time I was just getting into the Euro fishing.  I like researching stuff and get enough information about a item/ product.  As I was looking for an euro rod I came across Maxxonoutfitters. After doing a long search, I liked what I read on the Maxxon NX-3 10'6 rod.  And to think these guys should know about fishing gear being up in Washington, and I was right. it was also budget friendly.. so i purchased the outfit, both rod and real. Maxxon Outfitters was a great help in deciding on what reel would work well with the rod I purchased.  After the rod & reel were purchased along with the gear, I hit the river I've been fly fishing for well over 33 years.  At this point, I kinda had an idea of how and what to do as far as nymphing. So off I go."

"It was the second cast when I actually felt the sensitivity of the rod knowing that feeling the next cast was money.  After experiencing the feel of the hookset and the action of the rod, I knew that I made a great choice and a great buy. Side note: I've had $1000 fly rods and still have a Thomas & Thomas. I can't get the sensitivity feeling from the $1000 T&T as I can with the Maxxon NX-3 10'6 rod."

"The 3rd time I took the rod out was a learning experience.  I felt completely comfortable using this rod and catching a ton of fish that day.  Towards the end of the day I decided to hit one final spot.  As my nymphs hit the water the fight was on (that fast).  I fought this fish for a good 25 minutes.  I had a friend there to help net this fish, but the brown had other plans as he darted down stream stripping the line off the reel.  I made a bad mistake of changing my rod position from left to right and as I had the pole up an centered he took off on a run and SNAP!"

"The line, the tip of my fly rod, and my pride were all over in one motion.  My heart was shattered.  I did get to see the fish, as well as my friend that tried to net it. It was a Big fish. 28 to 30" big (estimated guess)."

"As you know, the day came to and end at that point the ride home was heartbreaking.  Just thinking of what I could have done differently.  As I arrived home, I still had time to make a few phone calls and the costumer service at Maxxon Outfitters was outstanding.  I told them what happened and within minutes, they had me taken care of. 3 days later I had a replacement in the mail."

"I've hit the river several times since then and still have the rod to this day.  I've had no issues with the rod.  I love it and can't say enough about the rod or the company in whole. Thanks to great costumer service, I'm still fishing with the rod."

So yeah, I might be picking up a Maxxon rod soon!  Stay tuned for more information and a possible rod review.

I Tried to Tie a Juvenile Sucker, but...

...I might have ended up with a big bird fly...or I might have ended up with a decent little game changer.  This fly is proof that the way a fly looks dry and the way a fly behaves when it is wet are two different things.  When I tied this fly, I was actually a little embarrassed by how it looked.  After I put the fly in the tester tank, I was pretty happy with how it behaved.  I think this has the potential to be a good smallmouth bass fly due to the fact that smallmouth prey juvenile suckers and carp.

Excellent Brown Trout Article

Link: https://www.fieldandstream.com/stories/fishing/freshwater-fishing/brown-trout-fishing-guide

Brown trout, in my opinion, are the most beautiful freshwater fish in the world.  Sure, peacock bass and brook trout give them a run for their money, but nothing beats a colored up brownie.  Part of the allure for me is that they are the less common of the two trout species primarily found in Missouri with rainbows being the second.  Something beautiful and rare yet attainable is what makes brown trout so special to me.  

If you would like to learn more about brown trout, where to find them, and how to catch them, this is a fantastic article.  I especially like how it covers tactics that can be utilized on stillwater as well as rivers/streams.  In Missouri, browns can be found in places like the Current River but also found in Lake Taneycomo.  It is a quick, easy read and I bet you learn a thing or two.  Spring will be here soon and so will brown trout fishing so start gearing up physically and mentally.

Link: https://www.fieldandstream.com/stories/fishing/freshwater-fishing/brown-trout-fishing-guide

The Right Tool for the Job

So there I was, talking to my buddy Corey about my need for a sharp knife to have in my boat and to be readily available in an emergency.  He asked me if I thought I needed a diver's knife.  I said, "No, I don't need that."  I then quickly realized I didn't know what a diver's knife was.  Before he could respond, I said, "Why do YOU think I need a diver's knife?"  He grinned and said, "You don' know what a diver's knife is, do you?"  I quickly responded with an emphatic, "Nope!"

He then picked up a knife that had a pointed tip and asked me, "Do you want to accidentally drop this onto your raft?"  I said, "Absolutely not!  That's my baby!"  Corey then proceeded to show me that diver's knives have blunt tips that can even be used to pry things open.  One side has a sharp edge and the other side is sometimes serrated.  I liked what I saw.

As fortune would have it, I actually got two of these knives for Christmas.  One came from Corey and the other came from my lovely wife, Wendy.  I feel that overkill is underrated so I'm happy to have two of these!  I plan on keeping both of these knives in my boat for a couple of reasons.  One is that I am really good at losing things.  Two is that I want access to a knife if a need for one presents itself.  If I need to cut an anchor rope or cut a line that has gotten wrapped around someone, I want to get that done quickly.  I never became a boy scout, but I sure subscribe to the idea of "Be prepared."