50 years ago the still water fly tackle was very different.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Fly rods were tubular hollow fiberglass up to 8'6" in size for trout in lakes, number 5 and 7.

Most were 2 piece rods, with clunky 3 and 4 piece reserved for back packing..


Reels were very simple single action too.


There were not many fly line choices for lake fishing for trout.


Most had a Weight Forward 6 or 7 floating line for on or near the surface.


Most popular line for Stillwater in 1970 was full line in a WF6S type 2 sink.

Today that has been replaced with the clear slow sinking lines.


Sink-tips did not exist yet.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Round float tubes were the norm too......a canvas skin over a truck inner tube.

The first ones were by Tucker Duck and Rubber Company in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Most went backwards with swim fins.