FLY BUYING MADE EASY: BLUE LINE CO.’S TROUT BUNDLES
By A.M. Giacoletto
To beginner fly anglers in particular, figuring out what flies to purchase, the appropriate quantity, where to find quality, and what scenarios determine what bugs are used can seem more confusing than following the plot of post-2019 Marvel movies. Experienced anglers may have the answers to the aforementioned questions, but find the fly purchasing process tedious and redundant – sometimes we just want to buy an assortment of flies in one pre-organized package.
For the better part of a decade, Blue Line Co.’s commitment to creating quality flies for anglers of all experience levels has bent countless rods, brought numerous fish species to hand, and created an infinite amount of smiles on the cheery faces of satisfied customers, but creating the best flies on market isn’t enough – we seek to make searching and purchasing our flies easier than winning a game of Scrabble against a blind monkey, which is why we sell our bundle series. Our bundles combine a series of flies in the Blue Line Co. lineup to fit various needs and differ on quantity based on the size of the bundle.
There are many species catchable on a fly rod. Actually, most game fish around the world are, but trout remain the iconic, original species people associate with the sport (that and salmon), so it’s only fitting that a premier fly company develops premier trout flies that translate into our innovative, popular Trout Bundles.
The Trout Bundles vary in size, price, and flies, but keep in mind the value for each bundle is greater than the price listed, so buying these items as a bundle saves money compared to individual purchases. Oh, and each bundle has the option to include a fly box with the famous Blue Line Co. tying vice logo. Here is a guide to help you understand where to start based on your individual needs (current prices are listed in the product description):
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Trout – Quarter Send: This bundle can also be known as “The Five Weight Bundle” as it not only provides basic trout flies for beginners to experience, yet it also includes flies cast-able on one’s basic five weight rod and reel kit, which is the standard in trout fishing. The flies included are two Schlappen Buggers (in olive and white; this fly is a variation of the Swiss army knife and famous pattern called the Wooly Bugger), a BLC Leech (Blue Line’s Swiss army knife), the Landing Strip Nymph, two Leg Force 1s (also a nymph), and the Zonk. For beginners, or more experienced anglers who don’t strip streamers like a man (I kid – sort of), the streamers in the bundle (the Schlappen Bugger, BLC Leech, and Zonk) can be nymphed under a strike indicator or bobber with the other nymphs. The upside of this bundle: the flies can be fished year round. If you’re new to fly fishing, this bundle is the perfect starting point.
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Trout – Half Send: This bundle best fits those who are experienced anglers looking to dabble in Blue Line Co.’s flies or for anglers who are first diving into streamer fishing. In addition to all the flies included in the Trout – Quarter Send, the Half Send adds the Mini-Meat, Hackle Clouser, A.D.H.B., and Angel Hair Minnow, which are all small to small-medium sized streamers. Streamers of this size are meant to catch fish. These aren't giant, bulky flies requiring seven or eight weight rods, which have a place in our fly boxes; rather, these are streamers that catch trout nationwide on all water types, yet each fly offers a different presentation. The Mini-Meat is a small, articulated marabou streamer that’s castable on a three-weight; the Hackle Clouser, a variation of the classic Clouser Minnow, adds two strands of hackle to the already proven fly for varied presentation; the A.D.H.B. is what it’s acronym claims (articulated-deer-haired-bugger), and it’s spun deer-hair head pushes enough water that a brown trout in another zip-code can pick it up with its lateral-line; last, but certainly not least, the Angel Hair Minnow, tied with angel hair, is as light as a feather, casts on any rod, and adds a flashy flavor to the menu, and its fibers can be trimmed to catch the anglers desired length. All these flies can be thrown on a five weight, but some may be better fished on a six-weight with a sinking tip.
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Trout – Three-Quarter Send: This may come as a shock, but the Three-Quarter Send comes with all the flies from the Half Send and… wait for it… additional flies. I know? Disbelief. Anyway, the quality flies added to this bundle include additions of a black Schlappen Bugger, another BLC Leech (one in white and one in black), two Rabbit’s Feet (one in white and one in black), a Sculperino, a Scooter Pie Sculpin, and a Hudson Caddis (a dry fly); six streamers and a dry. This bundle, and the Full Send, are for those who want to experience the variety offered by Blue Line. Similar to a flight of sample beers at a brewery, which people use to select the drinks they wish to order in a larger quantity, this bundle offers an assortment of quality flies for anglers to test and determine their favorites. Spoiler alert: you will have favorites, so be ready to find yourself back online for more because I can tell you from personal experience, one or two of our flies are far from enough for the serious angler’s needs.
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Trout – Full Send: The Full Send is the Three-Quarter Send on steroids. Additions to this bundle include another Zonk (one in white and one in natural), a second Hudson Caddis, two Slap Daddies (nymph), two Hudson Hoppers (dry), the Baby Craw, the Madison Sculpin (this is a must have), the Stinger Minnow, the Disco Minnow, and the Flash Minnow; yeah, that’s a lot. In terms of trout fishing, this covers all bases in terms of at least one fly for every situation. It also demonstrates the premier quality of Blue Line’s Flies ranging from nymphs, to dries, small streamers, medium streamers, big streamers, and everything in between. There are numerous more flies we offer that are fantastic for trout fishing, but the Full Send bundle is an excellent starting place for experienced anglers who are new Blue Line customers.
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Trout – Streamers: Blue Line sells more streamers than Baskin Robbins has ice cream flavors. The other four bundles are streamer heavy yet not streamer exclusive, but this one is. This bundle is for you streamer junkies out there. Those who enjoy the process of sore shoulders and a reduced fish-count from chucking stiff rods with heavy sinking lines in hope of, eventually, sticking a pig. No hate, I’m one of those maniacs, and damn do I live for it. If this describes your fly fishing habits, this bundle is for you. The Sculperino, Scooter Pie, Conjuror, Stinger Minnow, Madison Sculpin, and Zonk round-out the bundle. All these streamers, and more, are flies I don’t leave home without. Each fly offers a different flavor, so this bundle is the perfect base-line cycle for determining what the big-ass aggressive browns (or ‘bows – hell, even cutthroat or brookies) are hunting on any given day. Those who prefer 6-8 weight rods and sinking lines, this is your bundle.
Whether you’re new to fly fishing or experienced, there is a Blue Line Co. Trout Bundle for you with a logo fly box and sticker. Once you run out of flies in your logo box, hop back on and resupply or try out one of our other quality flies not included in your first bundle. We are determined to provide quality flies to new fly fishers and experienced anglers, and invite those who have never experienced Blue Line Co.’s products to join the family. Buy a bundle, catch some fish, and share the experience with friends and family. Also, share photos with us on Instagram. We love to see our quality flies in action.
