Portland Syrups

Like many great companies, Portland Syrups began in a kitchen in 2012, when two friends came together to produce mocktail mixers. A decade later, Portland Syrups produces more than a dozen simple syrups for mocktails, cocktails, and cooking. Notable flavors include Meyer Lemon and Mango Habanero. Portland Syrups are made with whole ingredients and are naturally low in sugar. Read this issue’s “Magnificent Manhattan” libations feature to learn how to use their cola and root beer simple syrups to take the classic whiskey cocktail to the next level.

$14 (beveragemixers.com)

Ti Arto EDC Pen

Big Idea Design’s Ti Arto EDC Pen is the best idea in pens to come along in quite a while. Sure, it’s machined from solid titanium—which means you’ll be passing it on to your heirs—but that’s not the best part. The Ti Arto EDC accepts over 880 refills—from the high-end refills made for the likes of Mont Blanc and Waterman to the ubiquitous Japanese refills found in cheapo plastic click pens (and most refills in between). Do you like the way your Pilot G2 writes but wish it would complement your Charles Tyrwhitt shirt? Simply insert the G2 refill into your Ti Arto. Refills insert from the back. A twisting action activates four clasps that hold the point in place without slippage or wiggle. The only refills we haven’t gotten to work are those that we can’t remove from their disposable plastic bodies. The back of the pen adjusts in length to accommodate the length of the refill. Threading at the back of the barrel allows you to post the screw-on cap securely for writing. The pocket clip is made from grade-4 titanium for proper tension. Available in three finishes: machined raw, stonewashed, and midnight black. Lifetime guarantee.

$90 (bigidesign.com)

Charles Tyrwhitt Button-Down Collar Non-Iron Hound Print Shirt

Be your own ice-breaker with this hound print shirt from Charles Tyrwhitt. From the company’s flagship store on Jermyn Street in London comes this 100-percent cotton, button-down collar shirt that is as elegant as it is whimsical. Equally at home in the casual office, the fancy cocktail bar, or at your club’s dinner. Wherever you are, you will be paid attention. Since 1986, Charles Tyrwhitt has been steadily developing a world-class range of men’s clothing—top-quality, stylish, timeless, and comfortable. Nobody these days wants to have to use an iron—particularly when they travel. Machine wash this shirt, place it on a hanger to dry, and it will be ready to wear. Comes in classic or slim fit with back pleats. Unlike many European shirts, this one sports a left chest pocket. Charles Tyrwhitt guarantees all clothing for six months—any condition, no questions asked. Believe us when we tell you that you won’t find a better value for your dollar in London.

$39.95 (charlestyrwhitt.com)

Hobie Mirage Outback Fishing Kayak

Hobie’s Mirage Outback checks most of the boxes for desirable traits for a fishing kayak. Its kick-up paddle fins allow you to cover a lot of water, and they automatically retract upon impact from unseen obstacles. The extra-wide standing deck offers an improved stable casting platform that allows for superior vision from above. The adjustable seat provides extra width and lumbar support for long days on the water. It has several high-capacity storage compartments that offer customization and organization in accessory mounting. Compared to its competitors, it proves to be fast, quiet, and exceedingly maneuverable. Its Kick-Up Rudder system with dual steering capabilities combats unwanted drift and allows quick directional adjustments. 

$3,649 (hobie.com)

Omnispool Complete Switchbox Kit

Omnispool’s line-management system offers a complete suite of products to quickly and easily change, clean, and store all your fly lines. The Switchbox system includes a plastic reel that mounts on the box and a detachable crank that allows quick transfers of fly line to reel or from reel to a storage spool. The Line Care Box contains a foam pad ready for line-dressing application. Lines can then be drawn through the cleaning apparatus while winding them onto a Switchbox spool.

$29.95 (omnispool.com)

Skwala Fishing Carbon Jacket

Designed as a warm-weather exterior shell, the Carbon jacket is ideal for anglers who demand flexibility and dexterity but aren’t willing to sacrifice comfort. It’s fully waterproof, truly breathable, and easily packable. It is lightweight and features a four-way stretch, hard-shell outer layer that moves unlike anything we’ve ever worn. It features a low-profile storm hood and oversized chest pockets with integrated drain holes and articulated sleeves with Velcro adjustable cuffs and stretch fabric that won’t compromise your casting stroke. Truly impressive.

$399 (skwalafishing.com)

Zilker Stitched Gaucho Belt

Zilker is an Austin, Texas company that’s bringing high-quality stitched Argentinian gaucho belts to the US. We’ve been wearing the “Cowboy” belt for several months now, and it has earned a strong spot in our belt rotation. It’s made of quality materials with solid workmanship. The leather has worn in nicely, and the stitched portion of the belt has held together without any fraying. It looks great with slacks or jeans.

$115-$125 (zilkerbelts.com)

Jake Hoback OneSam Knife

Jake Hoback is known for custom blades, but they’re also selling some great manufactured knives these days. We’ve tested the OneSam Titanium with DLC Black Stonewall Finish for the past six months or so, and it’s now almost always in our pocket. The blade stays sharp, the opening and closing mechanism is smooth and flawless, and the handle material feels great in our hand. The OneSam flips open easily, in one motion, and we always prefer a knife with a belt clip. It’s a bit pricey for a knife made overseas, but we’ve found the quality to be exceptional.

$425 (jakehobackknives.com)

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The post Fly Fishing Gear Guide – September 2023 first appeared on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

The post Fly Fishing Gear Guide – September 2023 appeared first on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

Mill Scale Metal Works Yakitori Grill

Don’t know Mill Scale Metal Works? You should. Brothers Matt and Caleb Johnson are self-taught welders who have spent the last decade building custom pits and smokers for some of the biggest names in barbecue out of their shop in Lockhart, Texas. They’ve garnered worldwide attention for their fabrication of the highest-quality restaurant-grade smokers, and the Yakitori represents their desire to bring the Mill Scale brand to the everyday grill man. The Yakitori is a Texas take on a traditional Japanese grilling style. The multi-level grill offers superb heat control, as each rack can be moved to a higher or lower position for searing, resting, or slow roasting. Its quality construction promises season after season of use. With the Mill Scale Yakitori Grill, you can retire your backyard clunker and step up to big-league barbecuing.

$1,560 (millscale.co)

Loon Outdoors Tying Mat

Always putting their best foot forward for the avid fly tier, Loon Outdoors has done it again with their newly released tying mat. It’s the perfect solution for those of use who feel like they spend more time at the vise searching for misplaced tools and materials rather than tying flies. Neatly divided magnetic compartments keep hooks, eyes, and beads in place—and tools and materials organized. Its silicone construction is easy to clean, and UV resin and glues peel away, ensuring a tidy, mess-free working surface. 

$35 (loonoutdoors.com)

Umpqua Deceiver HD Big Game Fluorocarbon Tippet Pink

Really? A pink fluoro leader, you say? Yes, indeed, says Umpqua. The science behind Umpqua’s new tippet material points to unparalleled subsurface invisibility; red is the first color in the water column to disappear, and pink, being the lightest shade of red, disappears fastest. Furthermore, the experts at Umpqua explain, when standard fluorocarbon gets nicked, kinked, or abraded, these imperfections can stand out underwater like a neon sign to our wary quarry. The pink additive greatly diminishes this fluorocarbon trait. When a stealthy presentation is key, consider Deceiver HD Big Game Pink another weapon in your arsenal. Available in 8-pound to 40-pound.

$14.99-$29.99 (umpqua.com)

Gerber Truss Multi-Tool

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. This old adage certainly applies to a good multi-tool, especially when it comes to equipment malfunctions in remote areas. This all-inclusive unit combines 17 tools in a tough and compact yet ergonomic design. It includes spring-loaded pliers, locking-blade folding knife and saw, Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, bottle opener, and much more. We’ve used this tool countless times to service reels while traveling, and have even used it to de-hook unfortunate fellow anglers. The redesigned Truss solves many of the design issues that plagued its predecessor, the Suspension. While there are many capable multi-tools on the market, the price point, compact size, and weight—combined with Gerber’s trusted name for quality and craftsmanship—make the Truss a solid tool.

$60 (gerbergear.com)

Orvis PRO Waterproof Sling Pack 14L

The PRO line of products from Orvis continues to impress, and the PRO Waterproof Sling Pack is a great choice for wading anglers or for traveling anglers in search of a collapsible bag that can serve as both boat bag and wading bag. We used every bit of this bag’s 14 liters of space when carrying it as a boat bag in Belize and Mexico earlier this year. And when using it to stalk flats, its ergonomics, durability, and total protection against water made us true believers. Much like the Orvis PRO Waterproof Roll Top and Waterproof Backpack we’ve previously reviewed, this pack is virtually bombproof. It’s made from 840-denier ballistic nylon and coated with .1 millimeter waterproof TPU on both sides of the fabric. It has a submersible No. 10 TIZIP waterproof zipper; you can hold this pack underwater and it won’t blow out. The generous opening allows extreme ease of access to sort through our typically overstuffed pack, and the interior hanging pocket is a great spot for leaders, tippet spools, cash for tips (and small entrance fees at Belize’s Bacalar Chico National Park), and other small items. We used the outer pocket for our cell phone, keeping it protected but allowing easy access when we wanted to snap a photo. The strap is the most comfortable we’ve ever used—there’s 10 millimeter foam padding in both the strap and the pack’s back panel. The recessed tippet holder, fly patch, and water bottle pocket with retention leash are easy to access. The design and engineering that went into this pack are evident.

$279 (orvis.com)

Free Fly Elevate Hoodie

This new hot-weather sun hoodie from Free Fly balances breathability and sun protection in a shirt that’s a little heavier and more durable than Free Fly’s Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie but still light enough for hot days on the water. The shirt’s material—83 percent polyester, 11 percent Tencel, and 6 percent Spandex—is soft and smooth against the skin and offers UPF 30 sun protection (for comparison, Free Fly’s Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie is UPF 20). Without question, our favorite feature is the innovative hand cuff for sun protection. Unlike the majority of shirts that have thumb holes/loops that allow the cuff to ride over part of the back of the hand, the Elevate hoodie has a thin fabric loop that goes over the middle finger (or whichever finger works for you), pulling the cuff snugly over most of the back of the hand and providing the highest level of sun protection we’ve seen without gloves. Unlike gloves, however, this design allows an open palm and greater tactile sensation for handling line. We think this shirt’s hand cuff is going to be a game-changer in performance fishing-apparel design. The crossover hood provides total sun coverage and is fitted, although the fit leaves room for a cap. It has a slim fit through the body, but there’s room to move.

$88 (freeflyapparel.com)

Bote Inflatable Aero Bag Toss Classic

The Aero Bag Toss is a fresh take on the classic game that goes by many names. The rules are the same, but the boards are not. Bote has made the game portable and storable by using the same technology they use for their inflatable paddle boards. They’re easy to air up with the included pump—and very sturdy. Great for tailgating or truck camping. The price point may be higher than other versions of the game, but these boards are very cool and can go anywhere. $399 (boteboard.com)

(Affiliate Link: https://bit.ly/3UUUM8W)

Costa PRO Series Sunglasses

Costa Del Mar has taken a leap forward with the PRO Series line of sunglasses, which feature multiple design improvements that address problems anglers face with fit, fogging, and durability. Sweat, sunscreen, and heat stay off the lenses with the help of adjustable nose pads, eyewire drains in the frame below the lens, and sweat management channels along the inside of the temples. The PRO series, which covers a line of multiple popular Costa frame designs and lens options, also has an improved Hydrolite material in the temple that’s supposed to be more durable. We’ve been testing a pair of Reefton frames for several months, and we like the suite of design improvements designed to keep the lens clear of fog and sweat so we can see more fish. It takes some time to get used to the new nose pads, but once you get them dialed in, the design is effective in keeping your fish vision clear. We also tested a different frame with the low-light Sunrise Silver Mirror lens and found it exceptional for seeing into the water on overcast days and during crepuscular periods.

$284 (costadelmar.com)

Fishpond Stowaway Reel Case

We have been long-time fans of Fishpond’s innovative products, which always put a premium on durability and quality. The Stowaway Reel Case is certainly no exception. With an impact-resistant bottom and cushioned interior, it will keep up to ten reels protected in transit. The removable padded dividers allow you to set up any configuration to accommodate anything from fly boxes to camera equipment. With a cool, ergonomic rope handle, it’s easy to carry and transport. We even use it to keep our reels and spools stored and organized back on the home front.

$99.95 (fishpondusa.com)

Lansky Diamond/Ceramic 4-Rod Turn Box Knife Sharpening System

Boat, field, or kitchen—your knives need to be sharp. Lansky offers a simple, affordable solution that anyone can use to hone an excellent edge. The Lansky Turn Box is a wooden block drilled with four holes that forms the base of the sharpening system. Turning the cap of the box dispenses four 5-inch rods—two medium diamond rods (600 grit) and two fine ceramic rods (1,000 grit). The holes are drilled to accept the rods; one set of holes places the rods at a 20-degree angle while the other places them at 25 degrees. In general, use the 20-degree angle on your kitchen knives. The 25-degree angle will create a more durable edge on pocket knives and hunting knives. Use the diamond rods first. Hold the knife perpendicular to the wooden base and draw it down the rod while pulling it toward you to the tip. Twenty or 30 laps on each side of the blade should suffice for all but the dullest knives. Then replace the diamond rods with the ceramic rods. Fifteen or 20 laps will polish the blade to finish the job. We’ve used this sharpener on very small pocket knives as well as our large kitchen knives with impressive results. At just over 10 ounces and under 10 inches long, the Lansky Turn Box stows easily for travel.

$51.99 (lansky.com)

The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler’s Set

Originally, bitters were the essential ingredient that distinguished cocktails from other mixed alcoholic drinks—most notably the Old Fashioned and the Manhattan—giving them balance, flavor, and complexity. Since 2006, Munich bartenders Stephan Berg and Alexander Hauck have been producing a variety of bitters to mix historical cocktails true-to-recipe. The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler’s Set gives you a smattering of their finest offerings—Aromatic Bitters, Celery Bitters, Creole Bitters, Jerry Thomas Bitters, and Orange Bitters—along with a Recipe Booklet—to let you take your mixology show on the road. All very handsomely packaged in a retro tin. Makes a great gift for the home cocktailer at a very modest price.

$19.99 (the-bitter-truth.com)

Kona Fly Fishing Hooks

Kona has come up with a full complement of hooks suited to tying a variety of flies for virtually any saltwater angling scenario or species. The BIg Popper Hook has a kinked shank to reduce twisting inside large foam bodies or streamers. The Big Game Hunter is a short-shank streamer hook—ideal for Game Changers and variety of tarpon fly designs. The Universal Strong Streamer is a great choice for bonefish and permit flies, and we love the Xtra Strong Stinger for redfish patterns on the Gulf Coast. All of Kona’s saltwater-specific hooks boast ultra-sharp, high-carbon steel and a resistant black nickel finish, ensuring fantastic strength and durability. $8.50-$13.50 per pack (konafishingproducts.com)

Trxstle CRC System Fly Rod Carrier

Designed and engineered by guides in Helena, Montana, Trxstle has developed an original and convenient roof-rack system to house and transport your fully rigged fly rods with unparalleled protection and convenience. It mounts to any vehicle’s roof rack with adjustable mounting lengths, and inner-suspension rod liners and reel padding ensure your equipment is shielded from the harshest elements and traveling conditions. The carriers are easy to take down and double as portable rod-carrying cases. With such thoughtful design and convenience, it’s no surprise Trxstle quickly found a dedicated following with their original version. Scheduled for release in the coming months, Version 3 promises several key hardware upgrades. We can’t wait.

$499 and up (trxstle.com)

Beulah Opal

A small rod company that has traditionally been know for its intermediate-priced rods has pushed into the high-end category with the new Opal series. The rod is a deep blue with blue and silver thread—quite handsome at first glance. When casting, the first thing you’ll notice is that it tracks very well and is definitely a big improvement from Beulah’s earlier saltwater models. Not as fast as expected, but fast enough to make easy casts for distance while preserving delicacy and feel at the tip. The designer had roosterfish on his mind when working on the Opal series, as this one includes a strong butt section for lifting fish. The cork and fighting butt are also tastefully done, completing the attractive look. Not a bad choice for a limited budget. A fine rod for less than $800 is not easy to find these days.

$750 (beulahflyrods.com)

10 must have flies for saltwater fly fishing

La Vida Seis

Reflections from the Mill House Podcast

The post Fly Fishing Gear – Summer 2023 first appeared on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

The post Fly Fishing Gear – Summer 2023 appeared first on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

Orvis has advertised their new Helios 3 rod as “the most accurate rod on the planet.”

This is a very, very bold statement.  The entire planet, but we don’t even know what China or the Japanese might have.  Can they actually say that?  They could if it was true but before making this claim they would have to prove it beyond the shadow of a doubt.  And not just anecdotal reports or opinions from experts.  A statement like this requires real science in a structured and controlled study that eliminates variables.  They knew this when they designed this rod and they did just that.

A fascinating concept to design a rod for improved accuracy, but for me, even more fascinating is the way they will go about proving it.

My fascination is not with the Orvis company, but rather with what they did.  The research behind the technology is intriguing, possibly more so than the technology itself.  It could even change the way manufacturers look at the way they approach new products.   After reading this, it might even change the way you shop for a fly rod.
It’s cliche but fly fishing is a game of inches so having pinpoint accuracy is key. But how can you actually test for accuracy when every individual is different.  Obviously there are human variables like height & weight, arm fatigue, etc; gear variables like line weight, line condition, fly selection, etc.  Let’s not forget intangibles like wind, the sky color and planetary alignment.  

Being a doctor, I’ve read my share of scientific studies and still do.  I am able to determine the value of data, and grasp the concept of controls and variation within a study.  In order to do this particular one correctly, they need to eliminate all of the variables otherwise their claim would be rendered impotent and disregarded.
The most important variable to eliminate is the actual human variation during the cast.  You can do this by assembling a large sample population (thousands of individuals) to cast the same rod(s), a set number of times and collect a minimum of three samplings for each person. You would then pool the data and request analysis from a statistician who will calculate the mean, standard deviation and variance.  Once complete the scientists can extrapolate data based these calculations to use for the study.
This way would certainly be the dumbest way to do this study and explains why I read the studies and don’t design them.
They just built a robot.
More accurately, not a real robot but just a rod mounted in a stable fixture where they could release the tip at the same distance with no bias. It accomplished the task creating a mechanical angler.  

A mechanical angler, casting indoors in the same conditions has a standard deviation of .055.  For the non-scientists, standard deviation is a mathematical calculation which indicates the extent of variation within the group.  Robots and mechanical devices fluctuate but they do not have big fluctuations and the reliability of the robotic casting being the same each time is approximately 99.945%  With the project now managed with this independent mechanical casting device, brand bias and human variance are eliminated.   First major obstacle – removed.

They then tackled the problem of accurately measuring the oscillation of the rod both forward and backward but also left to right.  This left to right movement is what is referred to as tracking.  Some cast a rod and say, “it tracks well” which is fly speak for “it doesn’t move side to side much” which can make a cast inaccurate.  How can a 6mm (1/4 inch) of sideways movement make me miss my shot you ask?  Keep in mind that 6mm or a 1/4 inch horizontal shift to the left or right at the tip of the rod when the forward cast is stopped can become a 24-48 inches of horizontal shift at the end of your 40-80 foot cast.  My math might be a little off but that means you just missed your shot by up to 4 feet or even worse if the wind is working against you.  

Obtaining this information was made possible as the use of high speed cameras in a three axes to capture and trace the exact path of the rod tip.  With such fast movement and sometimes minimal motion the tip needed to be much more prominent.   The team accomplished this by creating a light source on the tips of all of the rods for the cameras to track.  It was not described well but conventional lighting systems were cumbersome and did not work so what they used was the equivalent of a glow stick.  They used a specific color and painted the tips of the rods.  By adjusted the camera to highlight this color and exclude others they were able to track the rod tips movement at very high speed.

This entire process was tested on the Helios 1, 2, & 3 rods as well a long list of other manufacturers comparable rod models.  A direct comparison of horizontal movement was made and charted.  While I have been not granted permission to reveal all of their data, the results were really not that unexpected.  The resulting bell curve has a few companies at the top, many at the bottom and the others scattered through the middle.  As expected, the Helios 3 easily bested all the other rods, otherwise they wouldn’t have made this claim.  There are two non-Orvis rods that were stand outs among the rest of the pool but they took a distant second and third place.  This is not opinion but fact that was systematically proven by an independent study. Orvis set out to design the H3 to be more accurate than it’s predecessor and they succeeded.  They made the most accurate rod currently available, but I can’t vouch for the entire planet.

Ultimately one’s decision to buy a rod is not going to be solely based on a scientific study in a lab with a robotic device that casts more consistently than Lefty himself, but it definitely helps.  The decision is probably going to be way more personal than that for many.   Newcomers, however might benefit the most from “data proven” claims since they don’t know as much initially and can use information like this to make sound decisions.   Buying a scientifically proven “better” rod is much less scary than buying another.  I remember my own confusion and doubt when buying my first few pieces of saltwater gear.  I tip my hat to Orvis for their passionate pursuit of understanding and improving the sport that we all love. This work will raise the bar for other manufacturers which means even better gear and more interesting products for consumers.

I’ve been criticized for not offering a opinion and staying neutral about products but here’s what I will say about the Helios 3.  Every so often a rod comes along that is special.  To offer some points of reference; the G. Loomis Asquith, despite the very unfortunate name is special, the Sage VXP  and the Winston Boron II are special.  The Helios 3, will join the ranks as a special rod.   It comes in a “D” for distance and and “F” for finesse.  Honestly, after casting both in various weights, I struggle to notice much difference but I qualify that by admitting that I am not a distance caster.  Based in southeast Florida, permit are my primary target so accuracy is alway priority over distance .  The test rod sent by Orvis was a H3 909D so that’s what I fished.

 From the very first cast, you will notice the technology that Orvis built into this rod.  It’s lightweight but don’t be deceived, despite it’s delicate feel the H3 is has some fight.  It has a solid backbone and provides more than adequate lifting power which you won’t initially notice because of how balanced the rod feels in your hand.  It effortlessly brought in line when hooked up with hard fighting fish.  My first two hook ups on the H3 were a jack and a snook, both to hand quickly and without issue.  Since the first part of the review focused so much on tracking and accuracy I won’t go into detail here but, the Helios 3 tracks extremely well and has improved my accuracy and consistency.  The reel seat looks a little flimsy at first but is sufficient, comfortable and ergonomically pleasing.  The design and material reduce the weight of the rod and easy to find the slot for the reel seat.  This makes changing reels on a skiff easy and fast as you no longer have to find the slot in the cork by pointing your rod to look down the shaft.

Another really interesting thing that Orvis did was in the redesign of the logo on the butt segment.  It is probably the first thing you will notice about the rod. The logo is a sort of retro style white label which at first glance looks like the label you might see on a demo rod.  It is not a demo rod label, but a bold white new logo which stands out and makes sure that this rod won’t be mistaken for any others when photographed.  I’m quite sure some permit photos will be showing up in upcoming issues of Tail with a very visible H3 logo in the background as I’ll be fishing the H3 909D in my rotation this spring.  Despite the flood of commercially available rods, the Helios 3 is solid from tip to butt and one to consider if you are in the market for a new stick.

Comments are always welcome: ballarini@tailflyfishing.com

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The post They Blinded Me With Science – Orvis Helios 3 Review first appeared on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

The post They Blinded Me With Science – Orvis Helios 3 Review appeared first on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.