Fly Fishing and Golf

“Boulder is probably one of the best locations to take up fly fishing or fly tying because of the amount of talented fly tiers and fly fishermen in the area,” says Bill Leuchten, owner and president of Front Range Anglers, which has been guiding, instructing, and selling fly fishing gear and fly tying materials for over 24 years. “There are many opportunities to glean information from the local Boulder Flycasters, from the Trout Unlimited chapter, or from the fly shops that offer free demonstrations on a regular basis.”

Mitch Galnick, general manager at Lake Valley Golf Club, would differ. He would say Boulder is one of the best places to take up golf.

We think it’s a great place to indulge in both. The following are a few of Bill’s, Mitch’s, and my favorites. >>

CALLAWAY
www.callawaygolf.com 
>>FT-i Driver
SRP: $499
A number of manufacturers have come out with a square-headed driver, but Callaway’s FT-i proves why square is better. I hadn’t played golf in a while, my back was sore, the FT-i looked kind of funny—but when I picked it up and addressed the ball, it sat right. I said to myself, “I can hit this,” and I did. In fact, it was very easy to hit well, not only straight but long. And no wonder—designed to be the world’s straightest driver, the FT-i uses patented fusion technology that moves weight away from the center of gravity. The result is a driver with increased horizontal and vertical stability that maximizes distance with total accuracy. Using materials significantly lighter than titanium creates discretionary mass that is distributed to the extreme perimeter, resulting in increased stability and longer, straighter bombs down the fairway. Indeed, it has a different feel to it–hard, more lively, with a real crack to it. And it really launches the ball. Even if you hit thin, it still hits straight and not a lot shorter. I don’t change clubs often, but I’d change for this one. It would be too much of a handicap to play without it.

FREETIME 101
www.freetime101.com 
>>X Cap (Men’s)
SRP: $19.95
Ready for your next favorite hat? The X Cap with Extractable Eyewear Technology has a retractable eyeglass holder built right into a sleek, high-performance headwear design. The eyeglasses attachments are built to work easily with most sun, prescription, and safety eyewear. The X Cap’s retractable cord with the cinching eyeglass attachment protects your glasses and can easily be hidden inside when not in use. The cap itself is a high-end six-panel cap in garment-washed cotton twill. It is unstructured with a pre-curved visor and adjustable Velcro closure to ensure it always fits just right. Bill notes that the X Cap keeps the sunglasses and hat as a unit. “I never lose either, even on windy days or on a boat,” he says. “No one has ever improved on an ordinary baseball cap like this, ever.”

SIMMS
www.simmsfishing.com
>>G4 Waders (Men’s)
SRP: $699.95
Simms G4 Waders may be the most advanced fishing wader on the market, but the real innovation here is the patented YKK Aquaseal waterproof center-front zipper, which means you don’t have to go through a big hassle taking off your waders to relieve yourself. But that’s not all that makes these waders number one, if you’ll excuse the phrase. These waders are a whiz in the durability department as well. With five-layer and three-layer GORE-TEX Immersion Technology, the G4 incorporates more five-layer fabric than any other wader, throughout legs, waist, and seat. Patented front and back leg seam construction offers an improved fit, increased articulation, and decreased leg seam abrasion; the 4mm high-density neoprene stockingfoot with hourglass seam is designed for more cushion and increased durability. The G4s also feature an adjustable stretch spacer mesh suspender system, zippered hand warmer pockets with quick-drying micro fleece lining, two thermolaminated, Schoeller fabric chest pockets, and an adjustable, removable belt system featuring Simms’ Neoprene Wading Belt and built-in belt loop. And every pair is manufactured and tested just up the road in Bozeman, Montana.

Z GOLF
>>Z-Tees
SRP: $5-7 (100 count)
Thought it would be impossible to improve on anything as simple as a golf tee? Think again. Z Golf’s zero-friction tee replaces traditional plastic or wooden tees with a composite version that is not only biodegradable and less apt to break, but it also purportedly promotes less friction. So, as you are hitting the ball off the tee, you theoretically hit the ball farther. The stylish little zebra stripes allow for consistent tee height for accurate ball trajectory and ensure that the ball is accurately teed. They also help accurately locate ball position on the clubface for optimum launch angle, resulting in increased distance and reduced spin rate. And, hey, they look cool too.

FISHPOND
www.fishpondusa.com
>>High Country Tech Pack
SRP: $149
Fishpond breaks new ground in fly fishing accessories with its High Country Tech Pack. This versatile carry system combines a large, full-featured fishing chest pack with a compact backpack, which can be worn together or separately. The pack is great for hiking to all the less-pressured water all over the Front Range or it can come apart if you are just going from car to water. Two padded neck straps permit use as a stand-alone chest pack or sling bag, with a padded air-mesh back with accent pods. The chest pack doubles as a travel bag for passport, tickets, wallet, and glasses. The Tech Pack’s backpack features a hydration bladder pocket that holds up to a 52-ounce Fishpond water bladder (optional), along with two large backpack cargo compartments, an expandable main cargo compartment totaling 950 cubic inches, two external web loops for gear attachment, three interior stash pockets, and a padded air-mesh back-net lash.

KORKERS
www.korkers.com
>>Streamborn Wading Boots
(Men’s 6-15)
SRP:  $130
If only all shoes were like Korkers. The Streamborn Wading Boots come with five different sole types so you can swap out for the sole that best fits the fishing conditions: trail lug sole (included), aquastealth sole, felt sole (included), studded felt sole, siped boat sole, and studded rubber. Made from high-quality, water repellant nubuck leather, these lightweight boots also offer exceptional ankle support and reliability. Featuring six micro-screen drain ports, the Streamborn keeps out grit and drains quickly. Incorporating contoured speed lace hooks and triple-stitch reinforced construction, the Streamborn offers exceptional durability that will last for seasons to come.

SKYCADDIE
www.skygolfgps.com
>>SkyCaddie SG1
SRP: $230
SkyCaddie weds the ancient sport of golf with the latest technology in a GPS device that allows you to download various golf courses, affording you such advantages as knowing the number of yards from where you are to the green, plus the location of various hazards and other landmarks on the course. The SG1 is ideal for the occasional golfer who wants the easiest-to-use rangefinder distance to the green from anywhere on the hole and the most advanced GPS technology designed for golf, all powered by a lithium rechargeable battery. And at only 4.7 ounces, the SG1—and its big sister the SG2—are the lightest and most compact rangefinders on the market.

POWAKADDY
www.powakaddyusa.com
>>Freeway Titanium
SRP:  $1,000
First there was the three-wheel cart, akin to a stroller that you push. PowaKaddy takes it to the next level by adding a motor. Golfers can now have their round without having to deal with the weight or fatigue that goes with it. PowaKaddy is perfect for people who want to walk but don’t want to or can’t carry or pull their clubs around. And they can use it with a remote. So, say you’re by the green—you can send your PowaKaddy to the next tee. There’s a new curved profile front wheel and the batteries and motors are aligned for optimum weight distribution, making for sure and easy handling on the course. Thanks to a state-of-the-art AMST alloy chassis, it’s the lightest and strongest cart, too. And this huge innovation folds up easily to fit in the trunk of a car.

‘TACH-IT
www.tachit.com
>>Magnetic Fly Box
SRP: $16.95
Magnet boxes have been around, but many think their benefits have not yet been discovered. This box in particular can hold huge quantities of midges in a compact space and a couple of these boxes would fit in an ordinary shirt pocket. Three or four will vanish inside your fishing vest with space to spare. The box was designed to carry medium to small flies including nymphs, midges, CDCs, wet flies, terrestrials, streamers, egg patterns, and very small hackled dry flies, up to 12 dozen or more. The lid of the box is clear polycarbonate so you can see your flies at a glance, without opening it. And the flies won’t shift or blow away. Nor is the box too heavy, at a breezy 3.8 ounces. It’s small but, because of the magnet, it’s heavier than a same-size plastic box with foam in it. And it’s rust-proof too. But get ’em while you can—‘TACH-IT is selling its remaining stock and shutting down business at the end of this season.

CYCLE CART INC.
www.turftrike.com
>>Turf Trike Sport
SRP: $1,795 (sport-pedal); electric assist motor soon to be out, $2,995
In the mood for a workout? The Turf Trike was made for you. Designed by Jason Deal, a former competitive mountain bike rider who wanted to add cycling to his golf game, this untraditional three-wheel (large rear, two small front) bike holds the golf bag in front, and has a basket in the back for other essentials. Its seven-speed SRAM mountain bike gearing makes for easy peddling on most courses and is faster than walking but still affords the exercise many golfers seek. “Golfers walk the course for exercise,” Jason points out. “But a lot of courses—especially the most exclusive courses—don’t allow walking because it’s not fast enough.” Turf Trike presents an exercise- and environmentally friendly alternative to the cart. Turf Trike fits on a standard car bicycle rack for easy transport, but Jason is seeing orders come in from golf courses for fleets of them. And why not? Unlike most bikes, the Turf Trike comes with a drink holder and a scorecard holder.

TITLEIST
www.titleist.com
>>Women’s Golf Hat
SRP: $19
It’s not often that a hat makes news—especially a baseball-type cap. But Titleist’s women’s golf hats are getting lots of attention. Not surprising that Titleist, one of the first names in golf, would be the first to come out with a baseball-type cap especially sized and shaped for better fit for women. Women are raving: No more using men’s hats!

SUNDOG EYEWEAR
www.sundogeyewear.com
>>Paula Creamer Sundog Sunglasses
SRP:  $70 and up
These sunglasses represent another first for women in golf: The Paula Creamer Sundog sunglasses (named for the LPGA player also known as the Pink Panther) mark the first fashion entry into the performance sunglass arena. Recommended eyewear of the PGA Europe, these sunglasses also incorporate the best value in materials: incredibly lightweight and ultra-flexible SDTR90, as well as nickel-free metal frames. Complementing ease of play are Sundog’s state-of-the-art on-center distortion-free impact resistant polycarbonate or polarized lenses. The inlaid hypoallergenic Megol temple tips and nose pads make them comfortable too, while elegant fashion highlights conceal lens mounts. All models feature a performance lens (8 or 10 based wrap) that protects your eyes from ambient light incursion for an incomparable 100 percent view from the fairway, greens, or deck of the clubhouse, while high-contrast gradient lenses enhance vision.

Anthony Guffanti
has been playing golf for over 40 years. From age 15 through college he was voted most valuable player of every team he played on, and was Small College All American. He then jumped back on a bicycle and grabbed a fly rod and decided to see what else life had to offer, but returns to golf from time to time to see if he can still play “the hardest game known to man.”