Leland on Fishpond Firehole Tippet and Leader Gage
How many times have you stared at your severely shortened leader after a break-off and wondered what weight monofilament it now ended in so you could start rebuilding it? You could go the safe, sometimes lazy route like I'm ashamed to admit I sometimes do, and tie on a fresh leader... It sure beats losing a good fish due to a poor leader/tippet weight match-up and a slipped knot, but that may be a little wasteful! Instead, grab your
trusty Fishpond Firehole Tippet and Leader Gage to figure out what diameter you're dealing with, grab and a few spools of the appropriate tippet, tie a few knots and
you're fishing again!
Leland on Specifications
The Firehole Tippet and Leader Gauge is a
simple, yet solid piece! It's machined out of durable aerospace aluminum and most importantly it is
easy to read. As a bonus Fishpond has built in a guarded hook-eye clearing needle. It's also extremely versatile, from
fresh water to salt, as it can gauge monofilament anywhere
from 8x (1.5 lb.) to 60lb. test! And like most other Fishpond tools, the Firehole Tippet and Leader Gauge comes in four cool anodized colors and has an attachment hole for a retractor or lanyard.
Specifications:
- Precision machined from durable aluminum stock
- Easy to read measuring system provides accurate identification of mono size
- Two tone anodized body available in assorted color
- Built in hook-eye clearing needle
- Retractor/lanyard attachment hole
- Measures 8x (.004) to 60 lb. (.031) monofilament
Fishpond on Fishpond
"Two friends and a passion for fishing.
It all began near the banks of a large beaver pond high up in the
Colorado Rockies on a crisp fall outing. While the fishing was
productive, something even more exciting happened on the water that
day.
Between casts, our conversation turned to fly fishing
accessories and how most of our gear was adapted from products not
designed for fishing. As we talked, new ideas and designs began to
flow. Before the sun began to drop behind the peaks that October
evening, the idea for fishpond was born.
Fishpond is the fly
fishing industry's newest and most innovative accessory products
company. We're small, but our products are already making more than a
few ripples. By rethinking product design from the ground-up, we've
created an impressive line-up of fly fishing storage products and
accessories that look great, and outperform anything else available on
the market.
We started with a few simple ideas: design and
create a tippet dispenser, develop an innovative cutting tool or
clipper, and reshape the fly storage category with the creation of a
series of soft sided cases and chest packs. Our simple ideas turned
into very complex design obstacles and challenged some of the best
industrial designers in the country, yet we've succeeded with our
vision and created a line of revolutionary accessory products that will
stand the test of time."
“Many go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after”- Henry David Thoreau
"Thoreau's
words have a special meaning to all of us at fishpond. From our
perspective, fly fishing is more than just a sport. It is an
opportunity for people to enjoy the wonder and beauty of the outdoor
experience. Our company exists to help them get the most out of that
experience.
Our mission is to identify and bring to market
innovative storage products and accessories that make fly fishing
easier and more enjoyable. We're not interested in developing "me too"
products. We intend to stand out by being first to market with product
concepts that represent breakthroughs in the fly fishing storage
products and accessories categories.
To stay on the leading
edge of new product design, we started with a few simple ideas.
Bringing these ideas from concept to reality was a challenge, but we
believe our initial products offer just the right blend of state of the
art design, unmatched functionality and great value.
In all
that we do, we want to be recognized as a role model for the way we
approach our business, treat our associates, and work with our
dealer-partners. We want everyone we work with to think we're more than
just a great company. We want them to think we're great people, too.
Fishpond
is all about design and function. We are the first to bring a
functional tippet dispenser to the market- one that stores,
straightens, cuts and dispenses tippet material directly from most
commercially manufactured freshwater tippet spools. Look for our
saltwater version in the coming months. Tired of plastic and aluminum
fly boxes? We've also created an entirely new product category with our
molded nylon and soft sided fly cases. With ease of use in mind,
brightly colored jacquard webbing on the spine serves as a hand strap
to securely hold the case while on the water. This gives our cases
their signature style and unparalleled function. To keep us on the
cutting edge, we're redefining the accessory segment with revolutionary
products like our patented, ergonomically designed Titanium Clippers
with optional integrated retractor that make competitive tools based on
the traditional nail clipper obsolete.
Our research has told
us that fly fishing enthusiasts want to lighten their load. In response
to this trend, fishpond has created two new chest/fanny packs that can
complement or replace the traditional fishing vest. Each product has
our signature zip-down "fly bench" with a replaceable foam fly page
that serves as a convenient fly changing station and work area. At
fishpond, we're committed to staying on the leading edge of fly fishing
product design, and we're already hard at work on the next generation
of new products to enhance our position as an emerging leader with our
dealer-partners and customers. Fishpond is connected to the past and
its timeless traditions, but its focus is on making designs for the fly
fishing enthusiast that will endure the future. We're committed to our
dealer-partners and consumers at every level, and want to earn your
trust and support by offering quality service, delivery and creativity.
Fishpond was created with the philosophy that innovation and
design be the foundation for every product in our collection. We want
to set the standard by which our competition is measured.
We
understand great design is about more than dynamic color combinations
and versatile fabrics. Our designs blend style with functionality,
yielding products known for their creativity, durability and value.
Each
fishpond design is inspired by our own angling experiences and travel
adventures, resulting in products that perform flawlessly under the
most demanding conditions.
We thrive on creating new products
that exceed customer expectations. We're committed to being on the
cutting edge. We're driven by design.
There's a spirit at
fishpond to be the best to revolutionize thinking and design in every
product category in which we compete. We're always open to challenging
and exciting opportunities to extend the fishpond brand. Embracing new
opportunities not only allows us to grow, we believe it drives us to be
better.
We're constantly pushing ourselves to create new
designs, new styles, and new ways of improving the performance of our
products. It is demanding and time consuming, but it really defines who
and what fishpond is as a company.
This year, our collection
of products is expanding beyond fly fishing, but not beyond the
boundaries of our experiences and passion. We bring the same innovation
and commitment to each new product, building on our legacy of superior
design, quality and value. That's why we're in business. That's
fishpond.”
Fishpond on the Fishpond Guarantee...
“At fishpond, our goal is to build a reputation for unmatched quality among
the outdoor enthusiasts using our products. Our soft goods are covered
by a lifetime guarantee. Should one of our soft goods fail during
normal use due to defect in materials or workmanship, we will, at our
discretion, repair or replace it free of charge. Fishpond hard goods
are covered by a limited one year guarantee. Our guarantee does not
apply to accidental damage, misuse, mishandling, or alteration. To
initiate service under this guarantee, bring both the fishpond product
and sales receipt to your fishpond dealer for evaluation. They will
replace or forward the goods to us for repair or replacement as
appropriate. Thank you for choosing fishpond.”
Fishpond on Environmental/Ecological Responsibility...
“For many people their passion for conservation derives
from a hobby or pastime. They have a direct connection. They can see a
tangible benefit to their support of an organization or cause, so they
believe strongly in it.
At fishpond we believe in the power of
purpose. We encourage you to engage in a cause that directly impacts
your heart. In conservation, as in every other facet of life, none of
us can do everything, but each of us can do something.
There
are many fantastic organizations involved in important conservation
work around the world. From Trout Unlimited to the American Hiking
Society, conservation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to new
ideas like Carbon Neutral travel there’s a way for each of us to make a
difference. So get involved. Make your statement. Follow your passion.
Much
of the success of fishpond is directly attributable to the passion and
love we have for the outdoors. Each of us, over the years, has
approached conservation in a personal way. We practice responsible
stewardship and believe that every small act counts.
We call
it the "Ripple Effect" It's the collective impact of individuals
performing in an environmentally conscious manner and leading to
lasting change, in thinking, in deeds and in results. Conservation of
our natural world is a shared responsibility and we are proud
that Fishpond is creating its own ripples in 2008. We're starting
small, looking for ways to reduce our footprint on the environment
while continuing to provide the highest levels of quality and value in
every fishpond product. From an examination of our source materials to
an analysis of our business processes, we're committed to being
thorough and more cognizant of our impact as a company.
We're
confident these steps will yield positive results for both our company
and our environment. With each step forward, each new ripple we create,
we move closer to becoming a company that embodies our vision for what
the fishpond brand can be.”
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