In the LOOP

Those who know me a while will remember that I have followed Scandinavian fly fishing style for a while. And its not only because my frequent fly fishing trips to Sweden, but mainly because a lot of novel fishing and casting techniques come from this part of the world. And if it comes to tackle – LOOP, without any doubt, is leeding the way in terms of innovation, qualitty and what is most important for me, fishabilitty. Shooting heads, underhand technique, large arbor reels are just a few examples of world wide established innovations from LOOP. LOOP’s experience in tackle design come back to the Görans underhand casting and modern casting cradle in general, so it’s not surprising that LOOP rods, lines and reels are so admired by fishermen. Simply those who have tried our tackle once will follow and find flyfishing as enjoiable as never before. So here are the list of my favorite setups from LOOP.

Trout setup.

LOOP Opti Stream 5 wt, 9ft, 4 pcs, loaded witth Opti WF4 Floater or Opti Stillwater WF5. Trouting is about patience, precision and sometimes its almost like hunting, if you are after big ones. I have found that LOOP Opti stream 5wt 9ft is just what I need in all aspects. While it loads even with 3 meters of line out, (so you can fish almost everywhere), it is cabable for long underhand cast that sets your fly deep in to the black hole just bellow the overhanging bush. I use Opti stream 4wt line mainly with this rod, winded on Opti Creek reel or if I fish larger river Opti Dry fly with Opti Stilwater WF5 is my choice. And please remember, that Opti stream line is not only for streamers or nymphs – equipped with 20-25 ft leader it is one of the best lines for fishing with dry. Quiet and precise…

Streamer setup

LOOP Opti Coast 6 wt, 9.3ft 4 pcs, loaded witth Multi WF6 Floater or 16 g. shooting head. Fishing in coastal area require fast, crisp action rods with strong backbone to cover long distances accurattelly even in toughtest of conditions. I use Opti Dryfly reel with this rod – it perfecctly ballances it and  its large diameter helps a lot during the fight. Meanwhile this setup is light enough to cast all day long, and its suitable not only for coastal fishing, but will serve excellent as light pike rod or streamer rod too! I take this blue beauty almost everywhere, so there must be a reasson why…!

Light salmon rod

LOOP Opti 12.4ft 8wt, Opti Runner reel loaded with 31 gram shooting heads. Quiet misty autumn morning, you are on your own nrxt to your favorite salmon pool ever… First cast… then second and then another. Your fly land in straight line almost across the current. Swing is just started when it happens – your rod bends as deep as in your deepest dreams… this is the moment what its all about. That’s why we love Salmon fishing. And it is as special as it gen get, if your tackle is light but still with strong backbone!

In opposite to typical salmon fishermen, I mainly use 12.4 ft rods instead of the long 15 ft poles. You can still handle plenty of distance with this super light stick, even if the heavy lines and mighty tubes are the name of the game. Meanwhile it is almost weightless!

A bit longer Salmon rod!

LOOP Opti 14ft 9wt, Opti Runner reel loaded with 36 g. Opti adapted shooting head system. This is the longest rod I use for fishing. If there are plenty of water to cover and conditions too tough for smaller friend this is the setup I choose. 35-37 gram shooting heads till 12 meters in length is best matching lines for this rod, and it does not matter if its floating line or heavy sinker – this rod will deliver almost anything!

Pike rod!

Pike Booster 9 ft 8 wt. If you are, a keen pike fisherman, as I am, you will certainly need a rod with an attitude and concept. This 3 pcs beast is designed for heavier flies, so you will never suffer from the feeling that you are casting a brick instead of fly with this rod. Just use a proper leader! That’s why it is not too stiff, as one can expect, meanwhile having no distance limits for any kind of pike fishing. Loaded with the short 21 g. shooting head this setup is suitable for almost all pike waters, and almost any fly size. And in this game flies can get as big as one can imagine!

Reels I love!

I have plenty of fly reels to choose from, but these are the ones I love and use mostly. Fully Optimized!