George,

Could you shed some light on the line weight or grain weight range the Mini Mag Lite might be? If possible, could you share the MSRP?

I'm unexpectedly in the market for something in the 8wt range. I got in a hurry while leaving a trade show and took my rod tube out of the car and apparently did not put it back in before I left.

I would be guessing along with everyone else ....
I've heard some numbers but anxious as you are for specifics ..
Should arrive in a couple of weeks I'm told.

+2 I guess you are right about that.

Ken's comments are very true. A few years ago Lefty Kreh was at Tailwaters in Dallas. Taylor made the comment that she had the goal to get her CCI and his response was "let's get a rod, I can help you". He gave her about a 45 minute casting lesson. I was amazed to say the least. Saturday, I got 2 hand casting help from Rick Pope and Nick Curcione. Anytime you see a TFO booth setup, they'll encourage you to cast the rods and they are willing to help with your casting. You can count one thing, the folks that are hanging around a rod display enjoy casting and are willing to help someone new.

As far as where can you test cast a TFO rod? In the Dallas area, I've test cast them at the Ft Worth Cabela's, both Bass Pro shops, and at Tailwaters fly shop in Dallas. Tailwaters is a nice shop and they have some good instructors too. As far as the TFO demo rods, they are usually at the bigger fly fishing events, conclaves, Fly Fish Texas, etc. and I've even seen them at Cabelas before. You can always call or email TFO and ask when and where the demo rods will be available again.

Rex

Here's where my memory shows off how great it isn't. They told me the grain wt's for the new rod Saturday, but I didn't write them down. I don't remember the exact numbers, but I remember thinking that it put the rod in the 8 wt neighborhood. No comments were made about price, but my guess would be similar to the current Mini-Mag.

Rex

One of the reasons that TFO has so many fans, is the help that they have provided many of us with ff'ing classes. They provided the rods that were used in many of the casting classes that I've been involved in. Being able to use their set of class rods has allowed several casting classes to be offered for free that otherwise would not have been offered at all. Access to student rods can be a problem, after all, how many people own 10 identical rods that you are willing to let anyone of any skill level use?

TFO recently teamed up with the FFF and the Sierra Club, to offer rod and reel sets to FFF clubs to use for youth ff'ing classes. We used two of those rod sets last Saturday.

Rather than spending money on advertising their view is to encourage people cast their rods and decide for themselves.

Rex

Rex, IIRC 200 grain ...

Well here are the answers to some of the questions. TFO has posted the press release for the new Mini-Magnum and Bug Launcher rods.


***

Press Release:

July 7, 2009

TFOs New Mini Magnum/Mini-Mag Kits and Bug Launcher Fly rods

Who inspired you to pick up a fly rod? Chances are it was a parent, your �favorite� uncle or a close friend that helped you throw your first tailing loop with great pride. You probably landed your first fish on a hand me down rod with a missing guide and a doctored tip. If it�s time for you to pass your knowledge onto others, Temple Fork Outfitters has the perfect rod to hand down; introducing the Bug Launcher series of fly rods.

Bug Launchers include smaller diameter compressed cork grips and the yellow Bug Launcher logo stands out against a candy apple red blank. Speaking of blanks, this series is made from general graphite so there�s less risk when that passing dragonfly happens to take a swipe. Two models, a 7� 4/5 weight and an 8� 5/6 weight, both are 2 piece and have a suggested retail of $79.95

The Mini Magnum now has a little brother as TFO adds a 6/8 weight (200-300 grains) to the mix. Like its big brother, the Mini Mag 6/8 is not to exceed 8�, keeping it �legal� for many tournament fishing circuits. Equally at home in both fresh and salt water, Mini Mags are constructed with a hybrid combination of S-Glass and high-modulus carbon fiber for exceptional lifting power and casting ability. So go ahead and throw your favorite pattern into the junk, once eaten there�s enough butt strength to rip bronzebacks out of the rock quarry or wrestle linesiders away from the dock pilings.

Mini Magnum rods are not just powerful fishing tools; the polished blue marble finish makes these 3 piece rods a stunning piece of equipment topped with oversized stripping and snake guides. The up-locking reel seat features a cushioned channel that is set in a flor grade full wells cork grip with a large comfortable fighting butt. Suggested retail is $199.95.

Mini Mag kits (available mid-July) will include a TFO Prism CLA reel (7/8 or 9/11) rigged with a fly line (8 or 10 wt. line), leader and backing all packed neatly in a rod and reel carrying case. Suggested retail is $299.95.
All TFO rods feature a lifetime unconditional warranty. Simply return the damaged rod with $25 for shipping and handling, and we will repair or replace your rod. For additional information contact your local dealer or visit www.templeforkflyrods.com .

Contact:
Jim Shulin
Temple Fork Outfitters
(800) 638-9052 Toll free
jim@templeforkflyrods.com

Thanks for the update, Rex. That's great news to those of us who are in the market for a new 8wt because of our own faulty memory and general goofiness (me). I'm really excited to get to handle one of these soon.

Will the kits and the Mini Mag rods by themselves both be available mid-July, or just the kits?

The rods should be available now since they've issued the press release. It sounds like the kits will be available in a couple of weeks. I had not heard about the kits, but they sure are tempting.

Rex

I am really glad to hear about this. I was afraid it would be months before they came out and I'd have a hole in my selection/collection of sticks.

Now I'm curious what kind of line they'll be using on the kits. I've already got a reel and line, but I'm still curious.

Was at TFO today. They said the new rods made it to the warehouse today. I'm excited.

I think it's pretty cool that you hang out at TFO! I wonder where they sneak off to for fishing down there. I know that they must.

That Bug Launcher sounds like a great way to get kids started on fishing. The smaller Mini-Mag, I need to test one of those as well as the big Mini-Mag.

Rex, what reel were they using on the bug launcher? My little girl is only 6 but very interested in my fly rods. She always wants to practice with mine if i'm out in the yard casting, but they're just to big and heavy. So are they going to be combo's or just the rods. Thanks

I'm not sure what to say about reels for the Bug Launchers. At "TOTF", we cast the prototype rods using 5 or 6 different lines and I think they were all on different types of reels. I didn't notice any significant difference in how the rods cast or felt with the different reels. Although, it was interesting to cast a Sharkskin line in the rods, especially since that line is about $30 more than the rod.

These are smaller rods, so I'd think you'd want a smaller reel to go with it, but I don't think reel selection would be that critical. My experience with my daughter was that shorter rods were less tiring for her and that overall weight was not as important (within reason). But long rods would wear her out very quickly.

At "TOTF" TFO mentioned that they are considering offering a Bug Launcher kit, but as of June 20, the final decision had not been made.

About the Mini-Mag's kit line, I have no idea what it is and I was wondering about it too.

Rex