Category Archives: Fly Fishing Gear Review

Nautilus reel owner hard at work

A little bonefish gearhead satire, sent to us by Kristen Mustad of Nautilus Reels 20 years of pursuing the speedy and smart bonefish of Biscayne Bay had prepared me well for what lay ahead for me this past January. Impossible … Continue reading

Posted in Fishing Reports, Fly Fishing Gear Review | 1 Comment

Switch fly rods: Videos on when and how to use them

Jeff Putnam, Federation of Fly Fishers certified Casting Instructor based in Northern California has put together a series of great high-definition videos on YouTube on how and when to use the new “Switch” Fly rods. Switch rods are a hybrid … Continue reading

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Gear Review: Scientific Anglers Sharkskin Running Line

Sharkskin Running Line with grey load zone identifier performs great. Today I fished it with my Z-Axis Switch rod using a 30ft Rio Max Shooting Head, the line shot like crazy, had little memory and it’s tapered section at the … Continue reading

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William and Joseph Tech Jacket gear review.

The William and Joseph Tech jacket stuffs under the boat seat and fits in the back of your vest. The Tech Jacket offers waterproof breath-ability for under $60. William and Joseph has produced two or three versions of this lightweight packable jacket. The 2008-2009 … Continue reading

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Gear Review: Cloudveil 8X Wading Boots

Like any gear, one pair of boots just isn’t suitable for all applications.  I love my Simms G3 wading boots for fishing from the boat or bank but as soon as I hefted them, I dreaded the thought of carrying … Continue reading

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Saltwater Sharkskin fly line gear review

Like the freshwater sharkskin line the saltwater version casts very well. It’s micro-textured surface jumps through the guides with little surface area of the line actually touching your guides. It differs from the freshwater version in it’s core, a stiffer … Continue reading

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Gear Review: Simms G3 Guide Boots

If you are over 30 you will probably know what I am talking about and if you’re under 30 . . . well, you’ll know soon enough too. There comes a time in your life when your knees will tell you … Continue reading

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Gear Review: Simms Keen River Wading Sandals

Let’s get this out of the way: I hate waders. This bias is based on the fact that mine almost always stink like mildew and crotch, they take about 2 minutes to put on (2 minutes I could be spending … Continue reading

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Gear Review: William Joseph Boat Thermometer

Recently, I purchased a William Joseph Boat Thermometer from the Caddis Fly and affixed it to my gunwhale and got to taking some water temps. The unit is housed in an orange shock guard and attached to any rail via … Continue reading

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Bauer fly reel motorcycle test

If you enjoyed the Bauer Fly Reel factory tour, you’ll love this clip from Field & Stream’s Fly Fishing Blog on YouTube. They guys hook up a Bauer MX4 to a motorcycle and run out the drag. They compare the … Continue reading

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Bauer Fly Reels, made in Oregon: Factory tour and interview

Last week we traveled down to Southern Oregon to meet up with John Bauer, founder of Bauer Fly Reels. John took us through the machine shop in Medford, where the components for the Rogue Series reels are made, to his … Continue reading

Posted in Fly Fishing Gear Review, Fly Fishing Profiles | 11 Comments

Gear review: Trying to break a Winston BII mx boron fly rod

Don’t try this at home folks. Last week, Winston Rods rep Jon Covich came by the shop to demo the flexibility of the Winston BII mx fly rod. These rods are super light, with extra backbone in the butt section. … Continue reading

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Sharkskin fly line giveaway winner announced

Many thanks to all those who participated in the Sharkskin fly line giveaway. We appreciate all of your comments on the Sharkskin reviews  as well as other posts. And now for the winner: Don Dexter can pick up his line at the … Continue reading

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Gear: 20/20 Magnetic Tippet Threader

Hands too cold to get the tippet through the eye of those tiny size 20 BWOs? This magnetic tippet threader might be the best $10 you ever spend on something hanging off your fly vest. Check out the video demo. … Continue reading

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Sharkskin Review and giveaway: $100 fly line, are you serious?

Scientific Anglers new Sharkskin fly line does put a dent in the wallet but it is well worth it. We started using this line in earnest this January for winter steelhead. Fishing the Umpqua I had ice in my guides … Continue reading

Posted in Fly Fishing Gear Review | 24 Comments