 Like many, when on the water I've experimented with just about every conceivable bag and vest on the market. Admittedly, no one bag or vest performed poorly, just differently. I was comfortably wearing my Patagonia vest for years. I found it to be the perfect size and layout for all of my gear. Yet, a couple recent experiences had me reevaluating my setup. After hooking a large, wild Farmington River brown trout, I took a plunge in the river while fumbling with my gear. Then, while on a small stream, I found myself having a particularly challenging time balancing on a slippery rock, changing flies and tippet while holding my rod. I began thinking more deeply about my on-water gear system and stumbled upon an in-depth review of the Richardson Chest Fly Box. When I saw these boxes on previous occasions, I did not fully comprehend how a square, aluminum box on my chest was going to make life easier. However, being a fan of hand craftsmanship, I gave it a more serious look.  I eventually found a 3 tray Original Style model on eBay that had virtually no use. At the same time I reached out to Robert C. Hegedus, Jr., the current company owner. Robert was an absolute delight to communicate with, answered all of my questions, and informed me of his waitlist. I was added to the waitlist, but decided to purchase the available eBay model to use in the meantime. Robert stressed that my experience with the box will exceed my expectations, and I will spend more time fishing than fumbling with my gear. Robert was exactly correct.  I cannot stress enough how this small box has revolutionized my angling experience. Virtually, everything I need is contained in this box and/or attached to the harness straps. Changing flies is a seamless process, and making sure that all gear is fully secured is nothing more than closing a drawer lid and snapping it closed.  The Richardson Chest Fly Box methodology also forces the angler to think deeply and thoroughly about his or her process. For me this resulted in he elimination of needless and useless gear. Although this was a welcomed change, the most significant change for me is in the actual process of changing and dressing flies. The process is unified, consistent and coherent. This results in less time fumbling with gear and more time fishing, as highlighted by Robert.  And with this trial run of my eBay purchased 3 tray Original Style, I am already making plans about further customization when it is my turn for Robert to work is magic and build my chest box. With the long, rich history of the Richardson Chest Fly Box, there are undertones of vintage fly gear, which is fully complimented by Robert's innovation and beautiful craftsmanship.
 Completed in December of 2023, this 6’ 3wt is 100% shop-made and weighs 2.8 oz. The butt and tip are solid built. The reel seat wood insert is Bolivian Rosewood. The cork is flor grade from Portugal. The wraps are Kimono silk in Chokko, Black tipping and Tuscan Sun accents at the ferrules. The beige agate stripping guide is encased in a soldered silver (blued) bezel that complements the cane and silk colors.  This tactical small stream rod is a prototype and designed specifically for canopy laden streams. The progressive taper is (on the slow side of) fast. It truly feels like an extension of one’s arm. I took it out last week for some winter small stream fishing. I fooled brook and brown trout by making delicate presentations both up and down stream. One of my absolute favorite times to be on the water chasing wild native fish is in the dead of winter. With life in a frozen condition, it almost seems like nothing is around. Yet, with a flowing, spring fed small stream, life is often a few inches beneath the surface. I headed out with my newly made 6’ 3wt. If a cane rod could talk, this rod would utter the words, “Small Stream Special.” Designed for canopy laden small streams, this technical rod’s progressive taper feels like an extension of one’s arm. From casting tight loops up and down stream, to roll casting, this rod did it all in tight quarters. Organized with my Richardson Chest Fly Box, I began my adventure. I was rewarded with char after char. And consistent with my last couple trips to this stream, I brought a wild (non-native) brown to hand. Each time I visit this stream, I become fueled and energized by God’s beautiful creation.  I had a wonderful time at the annual Connecticut Fly Fisherman’s Association’s Exposition. It was nice to catchup with friends and present my bamboo rods to the local fly fishing community. On hand I had a 6’ 3wt hex, a 6’6” 4wt penta, and a 8’ 5wt hex. I truly appreciated all of the abundant interest and questions. After 6+ hours of talking and engaging, I was exhausted! It was great to have my friend and master toolmaker Art Leclair at my table as company.  We often lament the time of reconning when we step on the scale at the doctor’s office. Bamboo fly rods are no different. Assigning a line weight may be a bit too personal. At the 2023 Catskill Rodmaker’s Gathering, noted fly fishing historian, John Shaner, suggested that makers may want to consider leaving the line weight notation off of their bamboo rods. Rather, Shaner went on to recommend that a given line weight is best determined by the end user. Shaner concluded that line weight notations are just a suggestion.  I am blessed to have many things in life, one on of which is my casting area. Exiting the back door of my shop, it is surrounded by woods and a stone all. It is long and reminiscent of a meandering stream, providing the perfect attributes to test cast bamboo fly rods. It is a great place to spend time and to allow a given rod to provide valuable feedback as to its performance characteristics. When test casting, I experiment with a variety of line weights and reels. More than once I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the results. Noted fly fishing author, Dave Hughes, has recommended a good way to slow a rod down is to simply go up a line weight. This is wonderful advice. With the variability of fly lines on the market, it is virtually impossible for a 4 weight rod to perform the same with any 4 weight line. But to Hughes’ point, one may also choose to take an active role in a rod’s performance. I’ve certainly done this in my own fishing. One of my main fishing rods has been a 7’ for a 4 weight. It is a medium action rod that gracefully places a 4 weight double taper line on the surface of my tailwater when targeting selective browns. However, when on my canopy laden small streams, I find the action a bit slow and a need for tighter loops. Thus, I fish it with a 3 weight double taper line on such small streams, and its progressive taper is a small stream dream. I recently completed three new rods: 6’ 3wt; 6’6” 4wt; and 8’ 5wt. I test casted all with multiple line weights. I executed short casts, long casts and roll casts. I was utterly confused because I found myself thinking deeply about all kinds of different fishing applications with each rod. While I noted line weights on each rod, I came to realize those notations were truly…just a suggestion.
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