Gear reviews
Douglas SKY G a solid fast-action fly rod
I. Like. This. Rod. A Lot. Douglas does not sell direct to customers, so we suggest you check one of their rods out at your local TU Business member fly shop.
The Moonlit Lunar S-Glass is a creek freak’s fly rod
I love to fish glass. Love it. I love the slower cast, the softer feel. I love how glass gives smaller fish some heft. I love the bend in the rod that stretches into the cork. Glass fly rods, in my opinion, provide a more intimate, visceral connection with the fish we’re all after
The new Scott Centric is a rod for the ages
When the tube arrived from Scott, I expected it to be something special. So, I wanted the first analysis to more than a cursory shakedown. I headed to the grass field behind my house for some quality one-on-one time, poured myself a small mason jar of red wine, put on some Bose noise-cancelling headphones, strung up the rod, and got ready to “dance.” I put my playlist on shuffle, the first song that came on was AC/DC’s “Hell’s Bells”
A look at Loon’s new Rogue hook-removal forceps
For me, a good pair of forceps has become a requirement on the water, particularly during summer when I’m fishing more frequently and, subsequently, catching more fish (hopefully!). Forceps or hemostats are great multi-purpose tools — they help with hook...
Douglas Outdoors: Born on the Salmon River
For Douglas Outdoors founder David Barclay, growing up on the Salmon River instilled a deep love and passion for the area and provided a reason to follow his dream of creating a local upstate New York business that would offer high quality fishing equipment and could provide jobs for the local communities.
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Simms Dry Creek Z backpack
As the name implies, the Dry Creek Z isn’t just water resistant. It’s waterproof. And, the pack itself, before you put anything in it, is virtually weightless. In fact, your first impression when you open the box might just be, “Is this it?”
RIO SlickCast fly line
The new RIO SlickCast fly line is billed as the slickest line ever crafted
Hillsound Freesteps6
These light-weight crampons help with footing, in and out of the water.
Simms Flyweight wading shoes
A great shoe for wading wet in small streams
Douglas Outdoors SKY G fly rod
I. Like. This. Rod. A Lot. Please note that Douglas does not sell direct to customers, so we gently suggest you check one of their rods out at your local TU Business member fly shop.
Aquaz Trinity jacket is the real deal
It’s hardcore gear for hardcore anglers who fish in miserable conditions. It’s a ton of protection for a reasonable price.
Aquaz Dryzip Waders
Aquaz Dryzip waders can take a pounding
Redington Prowler Pro wading boots
Over the past few years, Redington has boldly reinvented itself. What used to be a budget fly-fishing equipment manufacturer is now a quality-based company that produces good equipment for anglers of all stripes for prices that are sometimes significantly lower than...
Orvis Pro Insulated Hoody
The Russians say that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. That’s why I don’t agree with my friends in Arizona who say that the heat of their summer is just the obverse of the cold of our Midwest winters. Nonsense. You can only legally take off so...
FITS light hiker-crew socks
Let’s face it…socks are not the kind of gear which occupy much of our thought, in the way that a sexy, machined-aluminum fly reel might. But this somewhat overlooked bit of gear is one of the most crucial elements of our comfort out on the river. Over the past few...
Fishewear wine hydroflask tumbler
While I would prefer to be remembered as well-suited to review something like a nice new tip-flex 6-weight, because of my propensity to fish big water for large, wild trout… it would be entirely disingenuous to pretend I was not perfectly-suited for the...
Loon tying tools help keep winter at bay
The drift hanging over the eves on the house this morning is quite impressive. And it’s cold. Damn cold. The thought of sneaking off for an afternoon on the Henry’s Fork is now more of a pathetic inside joke—fighting frozen guides, frozen fingers and...
Loon Ergo fly-tying tools
Good fly-tying tools are hard to find. Often, you get exactly what you pay for. Scissors that fall apart or quickly dull. Bobbins that slice thin thread in the middle of a pattern. You know, predictably cheap stuff. But not Loon Outdoors products. I’ve been...
Redington Escape waders
First a disclaimer. If I don’t have to wear waders, I won’t. Simple as that. I’d rather wet-wade. But the weather doesn’t always make standing in trout water up to your midsection a practical proposition. Fall, winter and spring in the northern...
Companies that give back
I am 20 years old; sitting cross-legged on the floor of my dorm room. The words on the page are so freaking clear, but their application remains elusive. “Fly casting makes it possible to deliver a relatively weightless lure or imitation of a living creature on a...
A greener fly-fishing industry on display at IFTD
Perhaps the overarching theme of the 2019 International Fly Tackle Dealer show in Denver was environmental sustainability. The show itself was a plastic-free event, and according to American Fly Fishing Trade Association President Ben Bulis, there was no cost...
The New Zealand Strike Indicator
I’m not big on gimmicks when it comes to fly fishing. Anything that requires an extra tool on the water, or some complex, newfangled series of steps in order to make something work like it should rarely appeals to me. But my friend Walt Gasson changed my mind...
FisheWear Wedge Tote
It seems like I’m always short a hand or two and a good tote bag can definitely make life easier, whether running errands or heading to the water, the Wedge Tote from FisheWear is a great addition to any angler’s life. Perfect for hauling gear to and...
Finding the perfect soft-hackle water
I love to swing soft-hackle flies. It’s one of the best fishing methods I know for trout in steadily moving water with a generally constant depth. Below, RIO Products Brand Manager Simon Gawesworth shows you what kind of water you’ll be looking for when...
Sage Trout LL fly rod
When you find a fly rod that’s essentially made for the kind of fly fishing you like to do—and makes that fishing markedly better—you hang onto it. That’s why I’ll likely never part with the new Sage Trout LL rod. I’m a walk-and-wade...
Patagonia recycles 10 million plastic bottles for new travel bag
Each new Black Hole travel bag from Patagonia incorporates some of the 10 million recycled plastic bottles used in this year’s model, meaning you can own tough gear that lasts and help keep waste out of landfills. Every Black Hole bag is incredibly durable,...
Simms introduces two new wader models for women
Women’s interest and involvement in the sport of fishing is growing and becoming more of a focus in the industry. Simms announced last week the introduction of the new Women’s G3 Guide Z Stockingfoot and Women’s Freestone Z Stockingfoot waders.These women-specific...
Back to the vest
I had back surgery last winter—three vertebrae were fused just above my tailbone after a lengthy battle with sciatica and what turned out to a cracked and splitting bone. I was honestly worried about the future of my fly fishing. The first few weeks after surgery were...
Voices from the River: From toys to necessities
The UPS man came to the door the other day, a pretty big package in his hands. It was from Simms. Not too long ago, the arrival of orders from outdoor gear retailers would make me giddy. Soon, I’d have my hands on a new rod. Or a new reel. Some cool flies or lures. A...
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