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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A Guide’s Life by Captain Scott Hamilton

Louisiana redfish on the new Salt R8 by Sage

How to Catch Big Fish by Andy Mill

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.

SOMERSET, PA – Anglers from around the world have named the product winners of the annual Fly Fishing Show Consumer Choice Awards. More than 17,000 votes came from both Fly Fishing Show attendees and electronically from 15 nations for 183 products in 41 categories ranging from rods and reels to boots and Polarized sun glasses.

Congratulations to Thomas & Thomas for their award for the Sextant, a favorite among salty anglers.

Umpqua and more importantly Doug McKnight for their award for the Danger Muffin Crab

The Atollas Fly Caddy – we love this!

And the Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Backpack 

The post CONSUMER CHOICE AWARDS – Fly Fishing first appeared on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

The post CONSUMER CHOICE AWARDS – Fly Fishing appeared first on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

Grundens 6-Inch Deviation Ankle Boot

This is a great fishing shoe for being on a boat or out in the elements, which is what you’d expect from a company that has made its name on the decks of boats in extreme weather conditions. The soles are great on slippery decks, and we’ve found them to very slip-resistant in snowy and icy conditions as well. It’s also a great camp shoe because of the ease of putting them on and taking them off. Even when you’re on your feet for long periods of time, these boots keep you in comfort—even when the weather conditions are anything but comforting. $89.99-$139.99 (grundens.com)

Pelican G5 Personal Utility RF Field Wallet 

This wallet has all the benefits of its larger Pelican hard-case cousins—in miniature. It’s a great place to keep hunting and fishing licenses, cash, and credit cards while on the water. We especially like it on beach trips. It can be clipped to the outside of a tackle bag or sling pack, or kept inside a zippered pocket. It’s crushproof and waterproof and also protects items from RF scanning. $44.95 (pelican.com)

Duke Cannon Solid Cologne

This is a great travel product for sportsmen who want to smell a bit better no matter how rustic their location and accommodations may be. We prefer the Bay Rum scent—probably just because of its name and our affinity for rum and bays. It’s easy to pack and doesn’t count as a liquid in a carry on bag. It’s a subtle cologne that improves the wearer’s status compared to his unwashed companions in hot and funky climates. $25 (dukecannon.com)

Captain Experiences Guide Booking 

Founded and launched in 2020 by two fishing buddies from Texas, Captain Experiences has become the largest online platform for booking fishing guides in the U.S. Their site claims 1,000 vetted guides with charters available from San Diego to San Juan, Key West to Cape Cod. Their search engine filters by location, group size, target species, fishing technique, price, and more. Read verified reviews, and book real-time availability with quality guides. Most guides are conventional-fishing focused (many of which are in Texas, where this outfit started), but they also offer a fair number of fly-focused guides across the country. Price varies. (captainexperiences.com)

Airflo Superflo Ridge 2.0 Flats Power Taper 

Designed to meet the demands of casting big flies with fast rods in stiff winds, this line was tailor-made for fishing the salt. The new and improved Ridge 2.0 technology brings the  reduced-friction advantages of a textured line, but its strips and shoots quietly with a smooth-line feel on the fingers. Airlfo has updated its design and materials, resulting in thinner running lines with greater ability to shoot, less drag, and increased reel capacity. Airflo places top priority on always being 100 percent PVC free. While this means you’re fishing with environmentally friendly line, it also represents a more durable line thats stays cleaner, lies flatter, and simply casts well—season after season. The Flats Power taper allows quick loading and turnover of heavy flies, but still allows long pickups and relatively delicate presentations. The Universal taper isn’t as aggressive and is still a favorite of many Airflo users, but we think the Flats taper is the all-around winner for the rigors of salt. $129.99 (airflousa.com)

Sage SALT R8 Rod

In January, Sage released its SALT R8, the highly anticipated saltwater-specific rod using the Revolution 8 technology from the R8 CORE. The Sage team has merged power and finesse to create a rod that meets the challenges of powerful saltwater species and the rugged environments where they’re found, but the SALT R8 provides strength and durability while also maintaining the feel and touch necessary to deliver quick and precise shots on demand. We test drove it late last year in the Louisiana marsh and found it strong where it needed to be and sensitive elsewhere. Sage increased strength by about 25 percent without adding material and weight. But what separates this rod from the crowd of hefty saltwater sticks is its feel, achieved by a taper and fiber alignment that delivers strength, fine-touch presentation, and an intuitive sweet spot. The rod is quick and easy to load, allowing anglers to fire off shots in the time-sensitive situations common to saltwater fly fishing. $1,100 (farbank.com)

Sage ENFORCER Reel

The ENFORCER is designed for the power, durability, and reliability needed on the saltwater flats. The reel’s drag is 50 percent higher than Sage’s SPECTRUM MAX family of reels, with beefed up O rings and drag plates, as well as other design features—including increased rigidity—that make it more durable in unforgiving saltwater environments. Maximum drag is 8 pounds at the arbor in the 7/8 size, 15 pounds in the 9/10, and 17 pounds in the 11/12. Its larger drag discs better disperse pressure and maintain the consistency of the power band throughout the fight by stabilizing inherent stopping strength. We really like the new radius-cornered reel seat, which prevents leader abrasion during storage. $575 (farbank.com)

More reviews…

Louisiana redfish on the new Salt R8 by Sage

Saltwater Fly Fishing Gear – Fall 2022

Fly Fishing Gear

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

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

by Trey Reid

Louisiana redfish don’t always present the best sight-casting targets. Water clarity, which underpins the hierarchy of marsh variables, is somewhat like black tea. Even when wind, tide, and sunlight create advantageous conditions for sight fishing, visibility still leaves much to be desired.

The Mississippi River’s vast delta is country that’s not sure if it wants to be land or water, where the big river’s fresh water—and the alluvial soils it carries—clash with salt water from the Gulf of Mexico. The higher ground’s oaks and cypress give way to fields of marsh grass pocked by shallow ponds and lakes. Watery ribbons slither through the flat lowlands that rise just inches above sea level. They connect countless pockets of water and become highways for aquatic life. When this maze of earth and water gets stirred up by tides and wind, the result isn’t a sight-fishing dreamland.

But even with stained water to complicate sight fishing—and a fishing buddy who hasn’t quite finished rigging out his new skiff—sometimes a plan comes together.

Beyond the Louisiana marsh, this fishing trip took place at the confluence of personal and professional relationships. Multiple friendships and business connections became intertwined, and even with significant logistical considerations, we threaded a needle that resulted in three days of Louisiana fly fishing with the new Sage SALT R8 rods and Sage ENFORCER reels.

Being this magazine’s managing editor comes with perks, but it doesn’t necessarily mean Sage was going to hand over a proprietary new saltwater rod a month before its public debut. So it helped to have a friend with a Sage connection and a skiff. We call him Tadpole.

His name is actually Casey Hughes, a Sage Elite Pro and Arkansas fly fishing guide. We’ve mostly fished together for Arkansas trout, usually casting articulated streamers in search of big, piscivorous wild brown trout on the Little Red and White rivers. He’s also a member of my Costa Maya wrecking crew of flats freaks and salty drinkers known as the Loyal Order of Boxfish.

I love Tadpole, but he’s a complicated fellow. He’s a safe, effective, and competent guide, smart and funny, patient and accommodating with clients. But he also marches to his own beat. Time is a constraint he doesn’t always abide. He has strong opinions about everything from fishing methods to fishing apparel and lacks a filter between his brain and tongue. He sometimes jokingly agitates people for sport. I’ve always enjoyed fishing with him and we usually catch fish. When he’s at the helm or on the oars, I’ve always felt safe. But most pertinent to this story, I also go into every adventure with him knowing that our path to success may be circuitous, not adhering to what others might consider a normal plan.

Hughes’ friends Darren Jacober and Jeff Trigg of Three Creeks Outdoor Group represent Sage in the region. Tadpole fishes with them often, and also helps them with product demonstrations for retailers and fishing trips for Three Creeks customers and outdoor-industry colleagues.

Jacober and Trigg had December obligations to bring Texas fly shops up to speed on the new Sage saltwater products, but they also planned a personal fishing trip on the front end of their business travel. Three Creeks’ home base is in central Missouri, and South Louisiana is the closest saltwater destination—and a fisherman could argue that it’s on the way to Houston. It’s also a manageable drive from mine and Hughes’ homes in Arkansas, so when the Sage team reached out to Tail Fly Fishing about the pending release of the SALT R8 and ENFORCER product lines, everything came together for a redfish trip with Sage’s newest saltwater collections.

We set out the first morning in identical Hog Island skiffs, heading southwest down a boat channel toward a spot where Jacober and Trigg had found success on past trips. They slipped into a channel that snaked through the marsh toward a small lake. While Tadpole fiddled with his newly installed trolling motor, I stripped line off the ENFORCER reel and made a couple of casts with a 9-weight SALT R8. They were the only two casts I made with it on the first day of fishing.

The trolling motor’s prop spun for about ten seconds before abruptly stopping. I could blame Tadpole’s last-minute, late-night boat rigging for the problem, but in his defense, a cascading series of logistical complications contributed to the situation. Several weeks before the trip, Tadpole had taken his new skiff to a fabricator for the installation of an aluminum casting deck, but supply-chain issues delayed the project, and the fabricator was still working on it the week before we left for Dulac, Louisiana. Five days before the trip, the fabricator had to step away from the uncompleted deck project for a scheduled knee surgery. Tadpole talked to him by phone as he was about to go under anesthesia and worked out a compromise in which an assistant would finish the deck, albeit with a slight deviation from the original specifications. But it wouldn’t be ready until two days before our departure, and Tadpole had a previously planned family weekend getaway, which meant he’d have to pull an all-nighter to finish rigging the skiff—applying SeaDek to the new aluminum deck, mounting the trolling motor, and installing a battery in the bow.

Something had clearly gone awry during the final steps of rigging the skiff for this adventure. But the bottom line was that we didn’t have a trolling motor, and it was a frustrating situation for Tadpole, who was operating at a significant sleep deficit after working on the boat all night before driving nine hours to Dulac the previous day. Sensing my friend’s growing frustration, I put the rod in the holder and picked up the push pole. We’d be patrolling the marsh under manual power.

Tadpole stayed on the deck most of the first day while I took a self-taught course in poling a skiff through shallow water that barely covered a viscous primordial sludge, which made extricating the pole a Herculean chore. Even with bright sun, water clarity made it difficult to spot fish. We’d occasionally see wakes, giving us the sight-fishing advantage of seeing the fish before they saw us, but more often we’d spot the coppery silhouette of a redfish when they were about two rod lengths from the bow—precisely when they’d see the hull and bolt. Even more frustrating were the number of fish we blew out virtually underneath the skiff; they lay still and undetected, bellies in the muddy substrate, exploding out from under us and leaving a teasing wake of swirling muddy water.

Trigg connected with a 34-inch redfish on the first day, and the presence of fish made it hard to leave the area. But despite a few decent shots, the first day was mostly an exercise in futility and frustration for Tadpole and me, especially with my buddy still seething about the powerless trolling motor.

That night, a trip up the road to Houma for a new battery from an auto parts store fixed Tadpole’s trolling motor issue, and the next day we were back in business. Tadpole took the first turn atop the poling platform, and I stood on the front deck, a shiny new Sage SALT R8 in my right hand and a natural-colored shrimpy fly in the left.

With the SALT R8, Sage has merged power and finesse to create a rod that meets the challenges of powerful saltwater species and the rugged environments where they’re found. Sage sent its senior designers to South Florida to work with guides and shops to develop a rod that provides strength and durability while maintaining the feel and touch necessary to deliver quick and precise shots on demand.

The added strength and durability were the easy part. Using the Revolution 8 graphite technology previously used in the company’s R8 CORE collection, Sage increased strength by about 25 percent without adding material and weight. But what separates this rod from the crowd of hefty saltwater sticks is its touch and feel, achieved by a taper and fiber alignment that delivers strength, fine-touch presentation, and an intuitive sweet spot. The rod is quick and easy to load, allowing anglers to fire off shots in the time-sensitive situations common to saltwater fly fishing.

The ENFORCER completes the package. The reel’s drag is 50 percent higher than Sage’s SPECTRUM family of reels, with enlarged and improved seals, as well as design features that make it more durable in an unforgiving saltwater environment. I really like its radius-cornered reel seat, which prevents leader abrasion during storage.

The rod was becoming a natural extension of my casting arm within a couple of hours of fishing on the second day in the marsh, just in time to put the rig to the test when Tadpole spotted a relaxed redfish in a foot and a half of water about 60 feet behind the skiff. He turned the skiff to give me a better shot, but the cast was into a southerly wind, and the fish was visible only as a faint silhouette in the glare. The first shot fell woefully short, and the second, more precise shot didn’t elicit a strike.

Tadpole held the boat in place. We figured the fish was likely still lurking in the area, and there might be others we hadn’t yet seen. With the limited visibility and skinny water, moving the boat could easily blow out anything in the vicinity.

Three or four minutes later, I scanned to the left and spotted a big redfish at 25 feet. The rod loaded with a quick false cast, and I dropped the fly a few inches in front of the fish. Conventional wisdom says you can hit a redfish on the head and get a strike, but this one didn’t like it. The fish didn’t spook, but it slowly swam in the opposite direction, doubling the distance between itself and the skiff before stopping again.

Two false casts sent out enough line to put the fly in front of it again at about 45 feet. With the first strip of the line, the fish turned, following the fly straight toward us before flaring its gills at 20 feet and inhaling the fly.

The big fish barely moved when I strip-set. It took a steady pull on the fly line and a slight sweep of the rod to trigger its flight response, which manifested in a water-slicing run as the big red exploded across the wide open mud flat. The SALT R8 really shined during the tug of war, making quick work of the fight time, which is good for both fish and angler. An oyster bed in the middle of the flat posed a hazard, but the sturdy 9-weight easily turned the redfish away from trouble. A few minutes later, Tadpole and I were admiring a chunky 32-inch redfish in his landing net.

Sight-fishing opportunities didn’t come easy, but when this one presented itself, the new Sage SALT R8 rod and ENFORCER reel proved up to the task. And a plan for Louisiana redfish, despite some hiccups, came together quite nicely.

photo: Chase White

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The post Louisiana redfish on the new Salt R8 by Sage first appeared on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

The post Louisiana redfish on the new Salt R8 by Sage appeared first on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

Fishpond Thunderhead Backpack

Most of us know Fishpond for its impeccably made products with unique design features. They’re made to tackle some of the harshest environments an angler can expect to encounter. The redesigned and updated Thunderhead series of packs and slings certainly lives up to demanding standards. We finally had a chance to put the fully submersible backpack through its paces. The biggest brother of them all did not disappoint. The pack’s sheer toughness is impossible to overlook. Being made from 1680D TPU coated nylon, it looks and feels bombproof. What really sets it apart from its competitors is the waterproof TIZIP zipper closure system. While other packs utilize a roll-top enclosure, the Thunderhead zipper offers conventional top access using finger loops on either end to slide the mechanism. It just feels completely impenetrable, and on our tests in the elements, it was. Like most waterproof gear, the backpack has a simple interior. The only extra storage is a removable zipper pocket for small items like cell phone or wallet. The exterior, however, has a number of gear attachments and ergonomic—and surprisingly comfortable—shoulder and hip straps. It can be integrated with other Fishpond products like the chest pack. It also has attachment points for Fishpond’s Quickshot Rod Holder for wet wading with multiple rods. The Thunderhead Submersible is a versatile, highly durable, backpack that maintains comfort and fishability while offering uncompromising protection from the elements. Thumbs up! $299.95 (fishpond.com)

Scientific Angler Regulator Spool

Switching out fly lines from reels and spare spools and keeping them tidy and organized is a headache all fly anglers experience. Well, Scientific Angler just made our lives a little less complicated. The Regulator Line Winder is an ingenious device that allows seamless line removal and storage in kink-free coils. Its retractable inner pegs fold in once the line is wound, and notches in the housing keep pipe-cleaner twist-ties in place to secure the line in a neat bundle. The housing disassembles with an easy twist, retracting the inner pegs, and voilá, your wound line is perfectly delivered. 

Its light compact design makes it an easy addition on travel trips. And with no metal parts, it’s completely saltwater-proof. Our only suggestion would be another model with a bigger overall diameter, as many prefer to store lines less-tightly wound to prevent memory. $29.95 (scientificanglers.com)

Loon Quickdraw Rod Sleeve and Ergo Quick Release

Loon Outdoors has been making industry standard fly-tying tools and adhesives for more than 20 years, but if we thought fly tying was their only bag, we’d be wrong. Loon has released a number of cool gadgets that we think fly rod owners will love as much as we do. One of our favorites, the Quickdraw Rod Sleeve, allows anglers to store rods fully rigged and ready to go. It ensures the rod’s finish, guides, and lines won’t get damaged, whether they’re on the floor of a skiff or in the back of a truck. It’s a great way to keep multiple rigged rods from having their lines become twisted when walking out to the boat or through the woods. They’re available in a variety of sizes and lengths, easy to use, and take up very little space in a boat bag. The Ergo Quick Release is a hook-removal tool with just the right angles and edges. It allows an angler to efficiently unhook landed fish with minimal handling. While there are many similar products out there, we really like this tool’s ergonomic handle, durable stainless construction, and versatility. We also appreciate its ability to handle a variety of hook sizes and flies. $13 and $19 (loonoutdoors.com)

MacKenzie’s Hand Scrub and Salve

The folks at MacKenzie’s like to say that this stuff will liberate the stinkiest of blood, scales, and slime from hands. And even though fly anglers may aren’t usually handling bait and bloodying fish, we all can benefit from this hand soap’s perfect blend of scouring walnut husks and pleasant deodorizing essential oils. Whether oil and grime embedded from a garage project or garlic/onion essence from the preparation of a fresh fish dinner, Mackenzie’s will keep hands feeling smooth and smelling fresh. Their hand salve is able to tackle the driest cracked palms and fingers. We keep a supply at the kitchen sink and the boat bag—and use it regularly. $9.95-$46.95 (fishermanhandscrub.com)

Skwala Fishing

Skwala Fishing, based in southwestern Montana, is a fledgling apparel and gear company focused on fly fishing. The founders bring years of high-level industry experience and meticulous attention to detail to their design features. We couldn’t be more excited about a new player in the business and welcome the fresh perspective on products we all use on the water. We recently got our hands on two items in their Sol Collection: the Sol Tactical Hoody and the Sol Wading Pant. The durability and quality design hooked us first. These feel like huge upgrades from the average solar shirts and pants. The hoody has moisture-wicking, quick-drying breathable fabric and 50 UPF sun protection that we’ve come to expect from high-end products. But these items stand out from the crowd because of unique features like the Primeflex ultra-durable fabric in high-wear areas and low-profile pockets in key areas that don’t compromise mobility. Likewise, the wet-wading pants are made from a microporous unique fabric that feels solid enough to slog through the flats all day but light and liberating enough to remain comfortable and unobtrusive. Skwala also offers a full line of fishing jackets and waders, and we look forward to field testing them. $119 each (skwalafishing.com)

Tervis Tumbler

Tervis is a third-generation, American-owned-and-operated company known for durable drinkware with great insulation properties. The company’s 20-ounce and 30-ounce stainless tumblers are not unlike those offered by their competitors, who are perhaps more recognizable to the average consumer these days. But we think Tervis offers a great alternative at significant savings. They promise their tumbler’s double-walled design will keep beverages hot for up to 8 hours or cold for 24. We did our own overnight ice water test with a big name tumbler and found the melt rate basically identical. We especially love the look and feel of the tarpon, redfish, and mahi-mahi skin prints—reason enough to own a new Tervis Tumbler. $27.99 (tervis.com)

Wilkie Brand Mesa 5

Wilkie Brand shirts may not be typical fly fishing gear, but they are essential for making an impact when arriving in a tropical airport for a week of fishing with friends. Sure, most anglers will arrive in typical high-performance fishing shirts, but stepping onto the tarmac in the dark grey, short-sleeved western shirt with the tan Hawaiian-pattern yoke will immediately get a fisherman into the proper island state of mind. Don’t be afraid to fish for ditch tarpon after dinner in this 65/35 cotton-poly blend shirt with snazzy pearl snaps. It’s an article of clothing that won’t be too badly wrinkled after it’s been stuffed in a duffle in the overhead. We like to couple it with a shapable-brim, raffia straw Stetson, but we’ll skip that review since our fishing buddies no longer allow it on the boat (too many windy mishaps while flying across the flats in search of big bonefish). We highly recommend this shirt for the discerning traveler who likes to make a splash. $59 (wilkiebrand.com)

Toadfish Non-Tipping 10-ounce Wine Tumbler

There’s a lot going on with the Toadfish® Non-Tipping 10-ounce Wine Tumbler, including a couple of features that make this vessel completely different from others we’ve seen or used. The first is the SmartGrip® technology that keeps the cup upright even in the choppiest sees. It’s a suction system that can be stuck to any smooth surface such as the fiberglass on a skiff. The system’s upside is also its downside—it sticks hard. While great on the boat, be careful with that glass-top coffee table in the lodge. The other great feature is the glass insert. The company says the insert is designed to enhance the aroma of wine, but we use it exclusively as a convenient container for bourbon, tequila, or mezcal. We wish the lid was a bit more leak resistant, but overall, this is a great boat cup that will not tip over. $24 (toadfish.com)

Orvis Flats Hiker (Spring 2023)

These are without a doubt the best flats shoes to hit the market in a long while. The Flats Hiker is like a sneaker with a built-in rain coat. This stylish shoe has a top layer covering the actual protective shoe within. The Michelin soles are flexible and have a non-slip tire tread, making them feel good when walking as well. Zip open the outer layer to reveal a well-padded and comfortable sneaker-type shoe on the inside. Theres’ a wide-grip handle on the heel that makes them easy to pull on, accommodating even the thickest fingers. The laces are hunting-boot style and loosen easily even when wet. Once on and laced up, zip the outer layer and adjust the velcro closure at the top to your preference of tightness around the sock or lower leg.  A very well-designed and comfortable flats shoe—something we all needed.$249 (orvis.com)

Tornado Anchors

Designed for river beds, this hand made anchor is also quite handy on the flats. While it was designed to adjust to the constantly changing bottom of stone river beds, we asked to try one in the salt. We didn’t think this style of anchor would hold a skiff in a strong current or high winds, but it surprised us. The Tornado will plane a bit if dragged. This adds resistance and allows for the shifting plates to grab and catch. It actually grabs in sand pretty well, even better on softer bottoms, and best on hard bottoms. It didn’t get caught up in underwater debris nearly as often as traditional anchors, but it did hang up once (all anchors do at some point). The best part is it’s easy to rinse and store and has far better aesthetics than other anchors. It you’re looking for a better anchor, check out the Tornado. The 24- to 45-pound models should be sufficient for most skiffs, and you can also add the “Anchor Nest,” which is a nice storage box to fit in your hatch, for an additional charge.

$160-$250 tornadoanchorsusa.com

Monic Phantom Tip – Permit

Readers know we like Monic lines because they’re made in the USA and PVC-free. They’re also really great lines. The Phantom Tip permit taper employs a gradual head and 15 feet of clear tip for a delicate and stealthy presentation. The head design allows for a more delicate presentation on long casts, while 20 feet of belly provides the ability to make that cast. We’ve found that the sweet spot for casting this line is about 35-40 feet, which coincides with the last part of the belly. $119.99 (monic.com)

Vannkriger Solar Stealth Performance Shirt

In a virtual sea of apparel for anglers and outsiders in general, some are well done while many are . . . well, let’s just say some are well done. Vannkriger is a new entry in performance wear, and they got a lot of things right. The rolled double-stitched seams and sleeves are aesthetically appealing and very comfortable on sticky summer days. The “athletic” fit is accurate, so you’ll have to suck in that gut for your grip-and-grin. The sleeves are a little long, providing an extra bit of sun protection. It’s definitely not your standard tech shirt, and it’s a very good value. $45 (vannkriger.com)

Fish Hippie Drift Performance Short

The Fish Hippie Drift Performance Short is lightweight and quick-drying, constructed from 93 percent Nylon and 7 percent Spandex. The shorts have a decent amount of stretch but still hold their shape well. The company has been very responsive to minor flaws we’ve encountered, and they stand behind their products. One pair had some loose stitching after months of hard wear, and Fish Hippie quickly replaced them. These shorts make great fishing or hiking shorts because of a high level of comfort and ability to dry quickly, but they can double as dressier shorts if necessary. $88 (fishhippie.com)

Skullcandy Crusher Evo Wireless Headphone

As fly anglers, we sometimes subject ourselves to long flights to get to the remote destinations required for bucket-list fish. A crying baby or overly talkative neighbor in the seat next to us can make a long day of travel even longer. The Skullcandy Crusher line is a noise-suppressing headphone that performs very well at a lower price point than some of the better-known brands in the high-fidelity space. One of the more impressive features is the 40-hour battery life that’s coupled with rapid-charging technology. The expanded bass is great for the island music we like when traveling to the Caribbean, and the the ear cups are very comfortable. One of my favorite additions to this product is the Tile finding technology, which is great if you’re like us and constantly losing things. Very nice headphones for the price. $199 (skullcandy.com)

The post Saltwater Fly Fishing Gear – Fall 2022 first appeared on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

The post Saltwater Fly Fishing Gear – Fall 2022 appeared first on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

AxisGo iPhone housing and a little luck produce stunning fish image
by Sonny Culp

The goal of any guided flats fishing adventure should always be some variation of improvement as an angler, having fun, and catching some fish. But the memories are what we bring home, so having a few fish pictures to share and savor is a big part of the overall experience. It’s always been that way, especially with the acrobatic and dinosaur-like Megalops atlanticus.

If you’re not convinced, just take a look at the famous fly-caught tarpon images taken by A. W. Dimock more than 100 years ago. How difficult it must have been to record and produce images like that. But he knew it was a worthwhile endeavor. Today, we all show up on the skiff with our fully charged iPhone or GoPro, the rain covers relegated to a lesser status than they used to be. But capturing decent fish pictures can be a challenge, and no matter the level of technological advancements in camera gear, some photographers are better at it than others.

I’m a point-and-shoot guy, simply hoping for the best. Sometimes, only family and friends might see the shots, but every once in a while I’m able to capture an image that really stands out. Such was the case on a recent tarpon trip to Southwest Florida.

I was fishing with Andy Lee out of Marco Island. The spring migration offers shots at swimmers on the outside when the tide, water clarity, sun, and wind all cooperate. Yep, you need all of those elements. We were getting our share of shots, and after landing a couple of smaller fish, a bigger girl ate the fly. She really gave us both a fit, and as the fight neared its finale, I started thinking about getting a photo of what appeared to be the fish of the trip.

If catching and landing a tarpon is a team sport, so is getting a quality picture of one. My iPhone 10 was already loaded inside its AxisGo waterproof housing, which is equipped with a pistol grip with a 6-inch dome housing around the lens. With the subdued fish on the sunny side of the boat, Andy readied the tarpon for release.

The shot you see here was the simple result of a good deal of pointing and shooting, which was made easier by the trigger-finger pistol grip. The only tip I can offer is that the dome lens effect requires the camera to be held much closer to your subject than you might think.

We released the fish and later scrolled through the results in the cab of Andy’s truck on the way home. Among the clutter of images facing certain deletion, there it was, a “keeper” as we say in fishing.

Tarpon training: offseason work with retrievers

Tarpon Cockroach – One of the Best Tarpon Flies of All-Time

How to Catch Big Fish by Andy Mill

The post Getting the Shot first appeared on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

The post Getting the Shot appeared first on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

REVEL GEAR Day Tripper Solar Pack

We’ve all been there: On the water with a dead cell phone or camera. And Murphy’s Law dictates, of course, that those are invariably the times you land the one you’ve been waiting for. But with no picture, it might as well never have happened, right? The Day Tripper Solar Pack solves that dilemma. It’s a battery pack that can be charged in civilization with a micro USB cord or in the wild via a built-in mini solar panel. Sealed in a shock- and moisture-proof housing, the 8,000-mAh battery charges cell phones, handheld GPS devices, portable speakers, head lamps, cameras, and more. Simply plug your devices into one of the two USB outputs and power up from the sun’s rays (even two devices simultaneously). Operational at up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit, you can hang the Day Tripper from the included carabiner clip on your backpack or on your boat console and keep it charged all day. It even has a 1,000-lumen LED grid light that will blow your headlight or flashlight away. $49.99 (revelgear.com)

Duck Camp Drifter Pant

The Drifter is Duck Camp’s signature fishing pant. Made from a two-way stretch nylon fabric with UPF 40+ sun protection, these pants are light enough to keep you cool on the flats but substantial enough to not feel like your pajama bottoms. The moisture-wicking material dries quickly when wet. They sport a variety of zippered pockets as well as a couple of pockets that have cool magnetized snap closures rather than traditional buttons. The articulated knees and gusset crotch provide more room in those important places. Available in three colors and two fits: regular fit for a slimmer athletic cut, and a relaxed fit for, well, you know, those of us who need a more forgiving cut. If you’re looking for solid-performing pant for both wading and boat-fishing applications, we’re sure you’ll find it in the Drifter. $89 (duckcamp.com)

12WT SUNwt Glove 2.0

12WT Fishing Apparel always combines Teflon-tough resistance to the elements with ultra comfort and performance. The SUNwt Glove 2.0 is certainly no exception. Utilizing lightweight stretch polyester fabric boasting 30+ UPF sun protection, the glove design is as light and non- obtrusive as anything we have encountered. Let’s face it: Fishing gloves can be downright uncomfortable, especially in direct rays of the equatorial regions where your hands need sun protection the most. We recently fished these gloves in Ascension Bay, Mexico, and found them surprisingly easy to wear and use. Each finger has a small elastic band at the tip producing a snug fit that eliminates snags or catches. The fit seems almost tight when first donned, but the gloves quickly stretch out and relax to the right feel. Comfortable for all-day use, quick drying, and breathable, the SUNwt Glove 2.0 doesn’t compromise dexterity or function in the slightest. Bravo, 12WT! $29 (12wt.com)

Sage R8 Core

The R8 Core represents the first release of a high-end, medium-fast action, multi-purpose fly rod in more than five years. Designed to replace the ubiquitous and beloved Sage X, the R8 Core has been at the center of an intense buzz and excitement. While rumors swirled around the development of the R8, Sage says the aim was to produce a rod with maximum versatility using  new revolutionary material technology, including new graphite consisting of high-density fibers with improved sintering. The result combines feel and responsiveness in a smooth, efficient, easy-casting fly rod that will adapt to a variety of casting styles and fishing techniques. We took the 9-foot 9-weight to fish the El Palometero tournament in Ascension Bay, Mexico, and put it through its paces chasing permit on the flats. We paired it with the Scientific Angler Amplitude Grand Slam fly line. Overall, the R8 was a pleasure to fish with. It loads quickly and allows precision at short casts inside 40 feet. With longer casts, we found it takes a bit longer to load than the traditional fast-action, saltwater-specific favorites, but the reward is unparalleled feel with plenty of power. After a few casts with it, our boat partner shelved his favorite “go-to” 9-weight, marveling at the R8 Core’s capabilities. The R8 Core is indeed a freshwater/saltwater crossover, and an R8 Core Salt series is an expected future addition to the lineup. But don’t discount the upper end of the Sage R8 Core current releases to perform well in a variety of saltwater applications. $1,050 (farbank.com)

 Mpowerd Luci Lights

Luci Lights have been around for a decade, but the product lineup keeps getting better–and the company behind these inexpensive but powerful personal lanterns continues to make a difference in the fields of sustainability and social impact. Mpowerd offers a range of products, but the small, inflatable solar-powered lanterns that launched them into the market remain the core of their lineup. The Luci Original features a pair of small solar panels on the top of the 5-inch diameter lantern that can be fully charged in seven hours. The lights, which weigh 4.4 ounces, can run up to 24 hours on a single charge, illuminating the darkness with 65 lumens. Other models feature USB charging ports, string lights, and even a Bluetooth speaker. The Luci Base Light has a USB charging port and shines at up to 360 lumens. We’ve used the Luci Color Essence lights for several years; they’re invaluable for backcountry camping and fishing and have traveled around the world with us on far-flung fly fishing adventures in remote outposts with off-grid electrical situations. Best of all, Mpowerd, the company behind these innovative lights, works with hundreds of NGOs and nonprofit organizations to put their solar-powered lights in the hands of remote communities around the world, where access to affordable, solar lighting truly can change lives. Mpowered also has a program to distribute products for disaster relief and humanitarian aid around the globe. $19.95-$74.99 mpowerd.com

All-Waters Coffee

Coffee is critical to many of our fly fishing adventures–if you’ve ever been around our editorial staff before they’ve had a cup, you’ll understand–so we were delighted to stumble across All-Waters Coffee Co. It’s damn good coffee, and better yet, the company donates 3 percent of every bag of coffee sold to conservation groups such as Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, Save Bristol Bay, and Wild Steelheaders United. A guide buddy recently returned from a Laguna Madre fly fishing trip with one of All-Waters’ owners and put a two-pound bag of the Bristol Bay Bold in our hands. With a growing number of new coffees being marketed to outdoors enthusiasts, we weren’t sure what to expect. But we found the brew to be strong and tasty, with hints of dark chocolate and nutty undertones. The company’s other offerings include the medium roast Captains Brew Blend, the medium-dark roast Wild Run Blend, and the light roast Mayfly Blend (proceeds from this version benefit The Mayfly Project, which works to change the lives of children in foster care through fly fishing and mentorship programs). All-Waters Coffee Co. also offers a subscription service that delivers their coffees straight to customers’ doors at desired intervals from weekly to monthly. $15-$35 allwaterscoffeeco.com

Patagonia Swiftcurrent Jacket

Patagonia touts the new Swiftcurrent  jacket as a rugged, waterproof/breathable technical shell outfitted with fishing-specific details and built for steadfast performance and advanced storm protection–tested to withstand the harshest weather conditions. We agree. While not specifically identified as rain gear, the Swiftcurrent has kept us dry and comfortable on skiffs running full tilt through tropical downpours. Conveniently located pockets both inside and out and adjustable velcro straps to keep out the wind and water–and it’s made from recycled fish nets. The Swiftcurrent will be available in the fall of 2022, and it’s definitely worth the investment. $399 patagonia.com 

Patagonia Black Hole Rod Case

The flexibility of the interior spaces may be the defining feature  of this case. The design isn’t rigid, so all of the interior spaces can be customized to fit your gear. It’s a soft case, so it doesn’t afford the protection of a rigid molded frame, but it has accommodated just about everything we’ve needed on a slate of recent trips. It’s perfect for travel, but it’s also great to store and keep your gear ready to go in the car or garage. $249 patagonia.com

Fiberglass Rods for Saltwater Fly Fishing

How to Catch Big Fish by Andy Mill

Saltwater Fly Fishing Gear Guide

The post Fly Fishing Gear first appeared on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

The post Fly Fishing Gear appeared first on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

Designing a fly rod that’s better than its predecessor is always difficult. What makes one rod “better” than another is often subjective, but there are aspects of rod design that can change the debate from Pepsi-versus-Coke and result in tangible attributes that make one rod superior to others in terms of function. The product development team at Thomas & Thomas asked us to put their new Sextant through the rigors of destination angling. I put this rod to the test in Florida, Belize, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and here’s what I have to say.

When comparing the Sextant with its predecessor, the Exocett (as well as several other comparable rods), I identified a few aspects that I consider significant upgrades.

The first time you cast the Sextant, you’ll feel that the rod is faster than the Exocett. This is because the Sextant’s midsection and butt are a bit stiffer. The supple tip on a more sturdy body allows for a fast rod to shoot line quickly at fish moving on a flat. Compared with the Exocett (and other rods), the Sextant offers the opportunity to unroll the line and present the fly very quickly. You’ll probably need to spend some time with this rod to get used to it, as the Sextant definitely has a unique feel. It can carry 30 to 50 feet of line easily which tees up my next point.

The biggest improvement of the Sextant over its predecessors, I believe, is its lifting power. One of my pet peeves is a fast-action rod that lacks the backbone to control or lift a large fish. It’s especially bad for a fish if it takes more than 20-30 minutes to land. If you’re an experienced angler, you’ll immediately notice notice how easily the Sextant handles the toughest gamefish. This is no surprise, as the decision-makers at T&T—as well as many of its advisors, ambassadors, and pro staff—are experienced anglers who are from or frequent South Africa who are used to slugging it out with hard fighting species.

One would expect he Sextant’s increased lifting power to come at a cost, however the more powerful blank of the 9-weight Sextant comes in at just under 4 ounces, slightly less than the Exocett.

Thomas & Thomas makes the most of this powerful blank by splining it.

If you’re not familiar with the term, the spline (or spine) is the slightly thicker section of a rod blank that results when the flag of carbon fiber is wrapped around the mandrel. In short, the spline is the blank’s “power sector.” Unlike many manufacturers, Thomas & Thomas splines all of their rods—that is, they wrap the rod guides in line with the spline, making the most of the blank’s inherent strength. An advanced fly caster who’s familiar with a particular rod blank can can notice a decrease in power if the rod has been wrapped off-spline. Likewise, you’ll also notice the difference when you try to lift a large fish from the depths.

The rod’s aesthetics keep with the tradition of T&T’s 50-year history. The blue blank and wraps mesh beautifully with ceramic inlays and high-grade cork handle. The double up- locking reel seat with engraved logo adds to the Sextant’s regal look.

In a word, the Sextant is the embodiment of design with a purpose: a rod made for fishing as well as casting. For not every angler will need to throw 100 feet, but at some point, every angler will need to land a sizable fish.

This is an  unsolicited, unbiased review written by Joseph Ballarini, Editor-in-Chief of Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

The post Gear Reviews: Fly Rod Review first appeared on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

The post Gear Reviews: Fly Rod Review appeared first on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

The post Saltwater Fly Fishing Gear Guide first appeared on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.

The post Saltwater Fly Fishing Gear Guide appeared first on Tail Fly Fishing Magazine.