2021 Gift Guide | Tacky Pescador Fly Box
Tested & Reviewed by Derek Bird Full disclosure…I’m a Tacky fan. I like the guys who created the box, and I’m impressed with the way their boxes house my flies. A number of years back the Tacky team saw a need in the fly-fishing industry and discovered a truly innovative way to meet that need. […]
2021 Gift Guide | Orvis Bugout Backpack
Tested & Reviewed by Jeff Wagner It’s tough to impress me when it comes to backpacks. I want a pack that can do it all and be comfortable enough that you forget you have it on. The Bug-Out backpack went with me on the water but to test its functionality also went on buses, under […]
2021 Gift Guide | Scaly Designs Rod Tube
If you have been looking for a one-of-a-kind gift or maybe even a unique treat to add to your fly gear, look no further! John Noble, who has a background in automotive painting has turned his artistic passion to airbrushing…specifically some fishy designs. It almost feels wrong to bring this piece of art to the […]
2021 Gift Guide | Tie Craft Desks & Stations
Ok, we admit it – our Tie Craft desk gets quite a few more miles than that of a tying desk. When Drew sent us this beauty, everyone in the office was fighting over it for their daily work space. Ultimately, it has been claimed by Kaylee…who is clearly “kind of a big deal”. <br> […]
2021 Gift Guide – Scientific Anglers Absolute Leaders & Tippet
Tested and Reviewed by Derek Bird I’m under the impression that the less you notice leader and tippet, the better off you are as an angler. If you’re tippet is always breaking, you notice it. If your leader is always twisting and knotting up, you notice it. My summer fishing SA leaders and tippet I […]
2021 Gift Guide | Sage Sense
Tested & Reviewed by Jeff Wagner A good rod doesn’t need to be expensive or flaunt unnecessary technology no one can identify. It does, however, need to be the rod that you reach for and don’t think twice about when fishing. The Sage Sense is that sensible nymphing rod. This was the primary rod I […]
2021 Gift Guide | Sea Run Case
Tested & Reviewed by Derek Bird Because of the COVID pandemic, I didn’t have the opportunity to test out the Sea Run on any cross-continent trips. I did, however, use it on cross-province trips and cross-Island adventures. There’s a lot to like about this case. Most notably, it provides a level of protection for expensive […]
2021 Gift Guide | Sage Sonic
Tested & Reviewed by Derek Bird In order to better understand each rod, some feel it necessary to contrast the Sage Sonic to the Sage X. But as a person who owns both rods, I feel a side-by-side comparison does both rods a disservice because it promotes an unnecessary focus on the specific components. This […]
2021 Gift Guide – Korkers River Ops Wading Boot
Tested & Reviewed by Derek Bird I’ve been wearing the River Ops all season and I’ll continue to wear them after the testing period. The Korkers team created a boot that’s impressive from top to bottom. River Ops are comfortable over long distances, they’re lightweight and they’re sturdy. Although my pair looks well-travelled now, the […]
2021 Gift Guide | Umpqua Wader Tote
Tested & Reviewed by Derek Olthuis Rods are gorgeous, reels are exquisite, waders are rad, so it was a bit surprising to me that one of my top choices of gear would be a tote bag. However, Umpqua’s full-featured ZS2 Wader Tote just makes fishing better. The 22’x16”padded stand station makes gearing up very civilized […]
2021 Gift Guide | Patagonia Guidewater Sling Pack
Tested & Reviewed by Derek Olthuis This pack is a great addition to any angler looking to go minimalist or to throw it into your larger backpacking pack as you head into the backcountry. Its compact size is large enough to hold anything you really need for a day of fishing without the bulk of […]
2021 Gift Guide | Fishpond Hailstorm Soft Cooler
Tested & Reviewed by Jim McLennan This cooler caught my eye immediately, because the outside is made of waxed cotton – that beautiful earthy fabric made famous by companies like Hardy, Barbour and Filson. Waxed cotton? For a cooler? Yes, and if that makes it an analog cooler in a digital world that’s more than […]