New & Noteworthy | Scientific Anglers Absolute Tippet Supreme
Fluorocarbon is an interesting material. For starters, it’s nearly invisible under water, it has a higher abrasion-resistance than monofilament, and also sinks faster than mono. While that doesn’t make it ideal for dry-fly fishing, many anglers use it on small dry flies. That being said, fluorocarbon is an absolute must for nymphing or throwing streamers, […]
New & Noteworthy | Orvis Bugout Backpack
Fly-fishing packs have taken a number of forms over the years, starting with vests, then transitioning to backpacks, chest packs, hip packs, and sling packs. We can say pretty confidently we haven’t seen a pack like this come along in a while. From a host of innovative features to standard Orvis-quality construction, the Bugout Backpack […]
New & Noteworthy | Scott Centric
No matter which rod manufacturer you look at, you’ll find a wide range of models, line weights, and lengths available. But at the end of the day, the bread-and-butter models for most manufacturers are trout rods. Many technological advancements in fly-rod design have been made with trout in mind. From gently placing tiny midge patterns […]
New & Noteworthy: RIO Elite Flats Pro
The last thing you want to worry about on a trip to a tropical destination is your fly line, so it pays to choose the right one before you go. When targeting bonefish, permit, or tarpon, your fly line needs to be durable, provide enough mass to turn over heavy flies in stiff winds, and […]
New & Noteworthy | Simms Guide Classic Stockingfoot Waders
Speaking of waders, Simms has brought a few new models to the market this year, including the Guide Classic Stockingfoot Waders. The Guide Classics are no-nonsense, do-it-all waders built for the day-in, day-out grind of guiding clients, yet priced for all anglers. Many American-made waders can cost upwards of $800, so having a durable, bulletproof […]
New & Noteworthy: Ross Colorado
Over the past few years, Ross has reinvented itself with a steady stream of excellent remakes of old favorites featuring innovative new technology. The Colorado is the latest and greatest from the team in Montrose, Colorado, and is a complete redesign of its forerunner, the Colorado LT. For fans of creative design and minimalism, there […]
New & Noteworthy | Umpqua ZS2 Wader Tote
Of all the gear fly anglers accumulate, perhaps none take the beating that waders do. From scrambling up and down rocky banks to bushwhacking in dense cover, our waders absolutely take a pounding. Unfortunately, the wear-and-tear doesn’t end once you take them off. We’re as guilty as any of simply taking our waders off, tossing […]
Editor’s Choice Awards | Best Buy
Best Buy: Blue Coolers 50L Ice Vault Cooler If there’s one thing we’ve seen an influx of the last several years across the outdoors industry, it’s heavily engineered, nearly indestructible coolers. What we haven’t seen is one as affordable as Blue Coolers’ 50L Ice Vault. With all the features and functions of the higher-priced models—roto-molded […]
Editor’s Choice Awards | Transport System
Best Transport System: Yakima Double Haul Roof top rod carriers have become common place in many areas of the US. An easy identifier for fly fisherman no matter where you go. In recent months a number of new rooftop rod carriers have come out and the Yakima Double Haul is the latest, and quite possibly […]
Editor’s Choice Awards | Best Hooks
Umpqua X-Series If we’re being honest, fly-fishing hooks are sort of like an anonymous cog in a well-oiled machine; they’re only noticed when they fail. That’s why it’s important to use quality hooks in your own tying, and Umpqua’s new X-Series is a great place to start. Developed with what they dub a BN5X, or […]