We’re heading down to Puyallup for the weekend, excited about what we’ve packed! Fetha Styx will occupy booth 763 at the 2012 Washington Sportsmen’s Show from Wednesday through Sunday.

We have our brand new Pacific Northwest-inspired Chrome series fishing rods — that you named — with us, as well as our Homewater series and some super show-only specials. Yippee!

The Washington Sportsmen’s Show runs from today (January 25) through Sunday (January 29) at the Puyallup Fair and Events Center.

The show is open from noon-8pm Wed-Fri, 10am-8pm Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday. Entrance fees are $12 for adults, $5 for juniors (6-16) and free for those under five. The Outdoor Line offers a $2 off coupon to the show here.

Make sure to come introduce yourself and get a first glimpse at our brand new Chrome rods! Hope to see you there!

This is my kind of rod! Not only is it pink in so many different places, but Nick Frye with Fetha Styx rod company did an amazing job in their custom shop to build this rod with me in mind. When I first read reviews on Fetha Styx rods, I knew this was going to be my next rod. I checked out their custom shop and when I saw the work that they do, I had to have one for myself. I wasn’t thinking too over-the-top, maybe just some colored wraps with my name on it, but when I got to their shop to pick out my specs, I felt like I was in the Toys-R-Us for fishermen.

They had so many options to choose from and had so many great ideas themselves that it made it a great experience! Both Bill Boyce and Nick were there to answer all my questions and help me create this masterpeice. But the creation didn’t stop when I left the shop: they would update me as new parts came in and as they thought of more ideas. It was great to see that they were constantly thinking of my rod and for me to be able to be a part of the entire process.

I ended up with a 10’6″, 8-12 lb rainshadow casting blank. When I initially picked out my blank, I was torn between a 10-20 lb because I wanted this rod for salmon, and the 8-12 lb blank. The 8-12 lb was exactly what I was looking for in a sense that it had an incredible backbone, but the taper and tip of the rod were ultra-sensative and I knew it was also going to be great for the fish on the smaller end.

I also had the option of choosing how many guides I wanted, what type of guides to add, and where I wanted them placed. I was trying to keep it simple so I stuck with the original number of guides and placement, but ended up with double-footed guides through the first half and single-footed guides at the tip for a sleeker look and less weight at the top.

When choosing the colors to wrap the rod with, the options were absolutely endless and Nick wrapped a few different options for me so I could see what the final look would be. I got a carbon fiber butt in a dark grey and pink, marbled reel seat. This reel seat wasn’t designed for the rod I chose, but they even custom altered this so that I could have this on my rod. The thing that amazed me the most was that they actually sized the end of the rod to fit my arm and where I hold the rod when fighting fish. I had no idea it could get THAT custom! It’s about 3″ shorter than the original size so I don’t have the extra weight or length of the butt in my way.

I couldn’t wait to get this rod on the water and get into some fish so I could see how this beautiful masterpeice handled. I was steelheading on the coast and originally had it rigged for drift fishing. I couldn’t believe all that I could feel through this rod. It truly was amazing the sensitivity it had. I felt every little tick and bump including the tiny little trout that decided to test my bait. Float fishing is really my specialty and what I had in mind when designing this rod, but I wanted to really be able to feel the sensitivity.

I switched my reels, put on my braid, and rigged up my float gear. I instantly saw how much that extra few inches off the back and the lighter tip was so important. The last thing I want when float fishing is a heavy, top heavy rod that makes my arm tired of mending after about five minutes. The entire day that I fished this rod, my arm felt no pressure while fishing and this rod was virtually weightless, but it was still long enough to make my mends smooth.

It was a slow morning, so I was elated to watch my float go under and get to put this baby to the test. I quickly set and instantly felt the throb of the steelhead. Now this was no trout and I wasn’t exactly in the best spot to land a fish. I had to do some maneuvering and walking down river in order to land this fish. The action on this rod was unbelievable! As I tried to steer this fish down river and handle it while it took its screaming runs, I could feel every move the fish made and was able to muscle it to me.

I was astonished that Fetha Styx was able to create a rod that looked like this, was built just with me in mind, and yet was obviously created to handle fish. There was no doubt in my mind that the most important thing to Fetha Styx was to make sure this rod was going to handle well.

This is my first Fetha Styx and it will not be my last. From their amazing customer service, to the tiny details that they paid attention to, and to the most amazing rod I’ve ever fished, Fetha Styx blew me away. This rod truly is an all-in-one package and Fetha Styx took pride in every little step.

Visit the Fetha Styx Custom Rod shop for more information on our custom fishing rods.

We need your help naming our upcoming 2012 fishing rod line.

These rods are specifically designed for the Pacific Northwest angler with a focus on salmon and steelhead. There will be 14 models of rods in this line, including a couple of fly rods. These will be entry-level rods assembled in Washington and will be well built, performance rods for the everyday angler.

With that said, we’ll give the first rod off the factory floor of your choice — Fishing Rod Serial Number #0001 — to the person who comes up with the name we like the most.

Use the form to enter your email address and name idea below. Enter by January 1st and we’ll pick a winner by January 5th, 2012, so stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates and winners.

Entries are closed.

Nick Frye JUST walked out of the custom shop with the rods Team Fetha Styx will be using in the Washington Tuna Classic.  They look killer!  We have a bunch of pictures and their descriptions below, but stay tuned to the blog for updates from the Washington Tuna Classic.  Also, get the latest scoop on the Fetha Styx Custom Shop.

Albacore Spinning Rod:

We decided to build an Ultra Light spinning rod in split grip configuration.  We used a Rainshadow RCLB70XL, 7’ 0”, 1 PC, 10-25lbs, 3/8-1 ½ oz, X-Fast, UL. The exciting thing about this spinning blank is wt is 4.70 oz and the total rod wt is 12.5 oz!! It has a solid E-Glass tip to about a 1/3 of the rod and the rest is RX6 graphite. We paired the blank with an Alps Central -Lock# 18 spin reel-seat that has two double locking nuts and is CNC machined from marine grade aluminum. In between the split grip on the rear handle we overwrapped the exposed blank section with a piece of sharkskin.  The spinning guides are double footed to the tip for added strength and wrapped in black with red collars. Since the spinning reel has come along way in terms of line capacity and drag. You can use this rod for live bait, tossing iron, or jigging underwater structure.

Albacore Casting Rod:

The trolling rod is a Rainshadow RCJB78MH, 6’ 6”, 1 PC, 20-40lbs, 2-6 oz, Fast, MH all purpose saltwater rod.  It has an 8” tapered EVA fore-grip and a 12” straight EVA rear grip. We decided to go with EVA since it is easy on your hands and tends not get slick when there’s blood on the decks. It has Alps XN frames doubled footed and ready for either braid or mono line application. Like the spinning rod it has a Central –Lock #18 spin reel-seat that can accommodate larger reel foot prints. This rod can be used for a variety of saltwater game fish. Live bait mackerel for fishing yellow tail our NW albacore or too sea bass on the east coast.

For more information on the Washington Tuna Classic.

To Learn more about of Customs Shop.

William Porter Boyce will be turning 3 years August 7^th and he loves to fish. So for his big B-day present I will be building him a 5ft 5 inch one piece 4-10lb ultra-light trout rod. I am using the tip section of a 6-12lb Rainshadow XST blank we keep in the shop for repairs. The blank is a light gray titanium color which matches his new Zebco platinum series reel.

For more on our Custom Fishing rods, go to our Customs Shop online.

He loves all things camouflage, just like his Dad, so I found him a 2 inch X-Camo fore grip and a 7 inch X-Camo cork rear grip. In the description is says’, “The super sensitive ventre handle system looks and feels like a rifle stock!”  How sweet it that!  It’s a trout fishing weapon!

The one thing young William is not easy on is the guides. So I stripped a broken side drifting rod of its Recoil guides and picked up a 7 slightly used spin set for the build. So when he is out tromping around in the woods to the next secret spot we won’t be missing a guide insert. I guess the story with the recoil guides was that the Navy Seals were working on a new type of knife that would keep its edge and survive under the corrosion of salt water and harsh elements. After they came up with the new steel blend it had an elastic type of property which bounced back to its original form very easily. Not so great for a knife but strong, corrosive free, and flexible? This made it the perfect guide for the fisherman who uses his rod in a variety of different saltwater and freshwater applications. Now the question is it can survive the Navy Seals testing it but can it survive my 3 year old son?! Humm to be determined.

The reel-seal is a size #16 spin and has a black carbon fiber insert with matching black hood. I put a custom Fetha Styx green aluminum and black rubber butt-cap on the rear grip to finish it off.  I will be wrapping it out in a black metallic thread color that will follow the rod theme and put his name it for him.  I am looking forward to seeing his face once I surprise him with a trout fishing birthday party on Pine Lake.

For more on our Custom Fishing rods, go to our Customs Shop online.

The Fishing Poet took his Kayak, some friends, and his Fetha Styx fishing rods out to the West River to ply for Bass. Check out this awesome video he made!

From the The Fishing Poet:

Under the watchful eye of an American Bald Eagle, one of a few nesting pairs in the area, we paddled from the lake into the river–Jason and Dave with spinning rigs and me with my trusty 5 wt. It took us about half an hour to figure out what was getting the fish to look up. We traded bright top-water patterns for dark and the water instantly turned electric…well, for Dave and I anyhow. Every cast, every pop-strip and retrieve had the hair on the back of my neck standing like a jumpy kid watching the first Friday the 13th, waiting for Jason Voorhees to jump out of the water with a machete.

A proud University of Washington Alumni came into our Customs shop and wanted to know how he could support the Huskies on the water.  Nick Frye, being the creative master mind that he is, put together a beautiful gold and purple rod.  Nick painted the blank purple and used gold thread for the wrapping.  He also found purple and gold guides to match the aesthetic of the entire rod.  Now our UW Alumni can happily support his team on AND off the water.  Go Huskies!

Want a way to increase your Wife’s time on the water?  One of our customers wanted to do just that by creating her a fishing rod that fit her style.  Nick Frye, our rod builder, painted a black blank and used black and silver accents throughout.  Nick even added some glitter in the flex coat on the rod.  What do you think?  For more information on our Custom Rod Shop, Click here.

Check out more coverage of Fetha Styx Fishing Rods at ICAST 2010.

Here’s a cool video of the ICAST floor our friends at Colt Rod Company put out last year:

Colt Rods ICAST 2010 Time Lapse from Colt Rod Company on Vimeo.

Stay tuned to the Fetha Styx blog, Facebook and Twitter accounts for updates on schedules, appearances, specials and all ICAST-related information.

With Puget Sound steelheading a non-existent factor you will not be alone on the Cowlitz.  Oh, it’s a big river but the guides and weekend warriors all hit it for a reason, there’s fish and lots of them.
The one thing that sets the Cowlitz apart from many rivers is its diversity.  Bankies, sleds and driftboats can all fish this river, and surprisingly enough, fish the same areas and manage to do so without too many confrontations.  The Cowlitz is however where the term “combat fishing” was coined.

Water flows are regulated by Tacoma Power and Light with the use of dams so you’ll find that the Cow is generally fishable even when most rivers are flooded.

For the bankies, the Barrier dam can be phenomenal.  It’s pretty much a given as to where to fish here, just look for the line of people.  As long as the flow allows it float fishing a jig pretty much rules here.  But, old school corkies and yarn has always been a big producer.  In heavier flows obviously you’ll have to use more weight, but try using two corkies (#10 or #12 peach… hint hint) to get the presentation off the bottom into the strike zone.

Another terrific bank spot is around Blue Creek and the Salmon Hatchery.  From the ramp down to blue creek is great for float and jig presentation.  Down where the creek drops in will normally be too fast for float and jig so out come your corkies again.
Wherever you’re fishing again you’ll have plenty of company, so, a good tactic here taught to me by good friend and guide Phil Stephens  (206 940-0052) is to toss a spinner or Spoon every once in a while. Number 5 Vibrax’s can be deadly when those fish have been bombarded by jigs or corky and yarn rigs.

River flows are going to be more important for the sleds and driftboats, not necessarily for when or if to fish (like I said it’s generally fishable), but what drift to fish.

Says Stephens, “With most if not all the fish heading to barrier dam fishing between Blue Creek and the Barrier Dam can be very good.”

“If flows are below 7,000 we will be able to fish the entire river, not just the area around the Blue Creek.”

If the water happens to be below 7,000, side drifting can be very good from the Barrier Dam all the way to the Columbia.  Once you find a fish, pound them until you there’s no more action, then start searching again.”

Stephens continues, “I wouldn’t drift from Mission to Toledo or I-5 unless the water was below 5,000cfs. I ‘d concentrate more on the upper river from Barrier to Blue Creek and Blue Creek to Mission.”

“When Sidedrifting pay attention to how much weight you were using when you got bit. Where you’re dredging bottom or when you’re gliding some days those fish really want the offering slowed down so draggin that lead or slinky hard on bottom will pay off but we go through a ton of gear, some days they want it moving a little faster so less weight and gliding your bait is the way to go. Also pay attention to your leader lengths some days we get them on 4 footers the next we can’t hit a fish on anything shorter than 5 ft.”

Since this is a good size river and the flow can be heavy at times, I recommend the new Fetha Styx FS-HW-SH-1022-2S 6 – 10lb rod, Homewater Series of Rods.  This is such an awesome rod and was designed specifically for side drifting for bigger fish and/or bigger flows.
Pautzke cured eggs or prawns chunks like those found on Steelhead University are the bait of choice for side drifting.  Small yarn balls will catch tons of fish and fish better than bait some days, but make sure to add some kind of scent like sand shrimp to the yarnys.

For you plug pullers, using Maglips (double trouble) for Springers killed the late Steelhead last year so this would also be a good ploy.

The best drift boat drift is from blue creek to mission. Bobber doggin a float and jig is deadly if the flows are below 7,000cfs.
If you haven’t fished the Cow in March, you’re missing the best run – oh that’s it “B” run stands for Best!

More Blog Posts from our Homewater Series

More Information on our Homewater Series of Fishing Rods

Terry Wiest

Steelhead University