Rod Warranties, Simms x Grateful Dead Collab and SA Clear Tip Lines

Rod Warranties, Simms x Grateful Dead Collab and SA Clear Tip Lines

Check out this week’s buzz on the fly-fishing industry. The dog days and elevated river temps are here, so treat your fish with the utmost respect. 

Fly Rod Warranties

I once planned to lay several fly rods on a table, so I could take a hammer and break them all at once. Then I was going to send them off for warranty repair and judge the different companies for how long they took to fix the repairs, the quality of the work, costs of services and so forth.

Even though that would’ve been world-class (media) clickbait, I just couldn’t bring myself to breaking the rods. I might have sooner taken a ball-peen hammer to my own toes, but that didn’t seem like a very good idea either.

Letting nature take its course instead, over a few years I managed to break a handful of rods the old-fashioned way (by being an idiot). So, I sent them off and what I learned was that one cannot fairly compare rod companies on warranty service, because they’re all different. It’s an apple-oranges deal. Some have made their manufacturing processes so uniform that they can replace one broken tip section with another off the shelf (Orvis, Epic Fly Rods). Others (Sage) will rebuild the broken part specifically to match your rod.

You can decide for yourself how much the “custom” factor appeals to you, but when I sent off four rods, they all came back in basically the same order I anticipated. Orvis was fastest (within a week), Winston slowest (about six months), Sage and Scott were in between at a couple months each. Which is pretty much what all these companies say they do, if you read the fine print when you buy the rods/warranty in the first place.

I didn’t test other rod companies because, fortunately, I’m not that fantastically uncoordinated that I can break rods by brand, but I am sure that will happen over time. I’ll keep you posted.

I also found it interesting that some companies still try to decipher the degrees of carelessness that led to the rod breaking in the first place. Sage says its “fly rods come with a lifetime warranty for the original owner, covering defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty applies to the rod, blank. However, it does not cover damages from misuse, neglect, normal wear and tear, fire, theft, or intentional breakage. A repair or replacement is at Sage's discretion.”

I mean, I get it if the reel seat falls off when you take it out of the tube for the first time (which has never happened to me), but pulling on a 100-pound tarpon with a 7-weight kinda pushes the boundaries of common sense. And who’s recording the play-by-play to make that judgment call?

What’s the point of warranties if they’re not no-fault warranties? In many cases, what we’re really talking about is a tiered menu of repair prices. In others, it truly is “no-fault.” Your dog ate it, we fix it. You break it in a screen door, we fix it. You smash it with a hammer…we fix it.

I still contend that consumers are already pre-paying for most of those fixes. Figure one in three rods gets broken, so build a third extra into the price tag up front. Whether that’s been a boon or bust for the average fly shop over the past 30 years or so has been a topic of hot debate for, well, 30 years or so.

The days of taking your broken rod to the fly shop and they send it in for you, and a couple weeks later you get your fixed rod back–at no cost (yes, believe it or not, this is how it happened, back in the day)–have gone the way of the dodo. You can easily drop a couple hundy getting your warrantied rod fixed by some companies.

Which leads us to the real question of the day–are rod warranties even worth it anymore? The companies that kick everyone else’s asses when it comes to warranties don’t like me asking that. And neither do the companies that, truth be told, consider warranties an albatross.

So things stay the same.

But I’d sure be curious about what kind of reaction consumers would have if they were given the option of buying warranty coverage or not at the time of purchase, like you get when you buy a stereo at Best Buy. Would you spend $1200 for the fly rod all-in with warranty, or, say $800, knowing you save up front, but will eat the cost if you do something stupid and break it?

I can tell you with certainty that anglers would be a lot more careful with fly rods minus the automatic warranty.

For damn sure, no jackass would be dumb enough to even think about smashing them with a hammer. – Kirk Deeter

Recent News

• Simms rolls out a soft goods, jam band collaboration: Simms x Grateful Dead – Dead On The Water Collection. “This isn’t just about music and fishing–it’s about the way they make you feel. It’s about the fact that both music and fishing remind us that the best things in life aren’t scripted; they flow…” 
• In Wyoming, the North Platte River goes barbless and bans some bead rigs. “We’re concerned that the advent of this technique overlaps with the appearance of these more massive and severe injuries,” Mark Smith, Game and Fish’s fisheries management coordinator, told members of the commission at a Casper meeting. The technique, which some anglers consider snagging, has caught on in the last decade and often hooks fish in the jaw or elsewhere on their face, instead of their mouths, where an ordinary fly would catch.
• How Scientists Are Angling to Learn More About Jack Crevalle. “With their tuna-shaped bodies and boxer’s disposition, jacks fight hard and swim relatively deep. Hutcheson, a Montana-based outfitter and guide, worked the fish with a bent fly rod for five full minutes before it could be pulled aboard, affixed with a numbered tag, and then released—the first subject in a new initiative, kicked off ahead of this year’s Tie Fest, to study jack crevalle populations…”
• Supreme Court To Determine Public Lands Access. From Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: “With more than 8 million acres of public lands on the line, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) is once again mobilizing hunters, anglers and public land owners to help fund the final legal battle in what may be the most pivotal public lands case of this generation. Iron Bar Holdings, LLC, has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a landmark decision by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals that upholds the legality of ‘corner crossing’–a method of accessing public lands at the shared corners of public and private lands laid out in a checkerboard configuration.”
• The Fly Fishing Show Cancels 2026 Atlanta Show. From The Fly Fishing Show: “About two months ago, the Gas South District unexpectedly revoked our contract for the 2026 Atlanta Fly Fishing Show. Despite sticking with the venue through renovations, a pandemic, and their staffing issues, this decision came as a major blow to us. We are actively working to return to Atlanta in 2027 and beyond. The challenge lies in securing space at venues that prioritize events with larger hotel blocks than we can offer–but we remain committed to finding a solution.”
• BTT Honors Jeff Harkavy, Tim Borski, Chris and Wendi Peterson. From the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust: “Bonefish & Tarpon Trust will honor conservation leaders Jeff Harkavy, Tim Borski and Chris and Wendi Peterson at the organization’s 8th International Science Symposium, November 7-8, 2025, at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. As BTT award recipients, Harkavy, Borski and the Petersons will be enshrined in the BTT Circle of Honor, which recognizes legendary anglers, fishing guides and conservation leaders who have made significant contributions to the conservation of the flats fishery.”
• Fishing Participation Leveling After Pandemic Boost. “The study, conducted in collaboration with the Outdoor Foundation, also highlights ongoing challenges for the industry, including high participant churn and the strategic importance of engaging youth. Notably, 85 percent of current fishing participants began before the age of 12. However, retention drops sharply after age 18, with female youth exiting the activity at an 11 percent greater rate than their male counterparts.” 
• Loop Tackle Promotes Jim Coates to CEO. “This leadership transition comes as Loop Tackle enters a new chapter under Cox Enterprises, which acquired the company in the fall of 2024 as part of its broader investment strategy in sustainable businesses and technologies. Loop Tackle’s business practices are reported to ‘align closely with Cox’s mission to build a better future through environmental stewardship and innovation.’” 
• Learning about Water Temperatures on the Henry’s Fork. “On the Henry’s Fork, between Island Park Dam and Pinehaven, summer water temperatures are not affected by streamflow unless flows are so low that the water becomes stagnant and unchanging due to lack of movement. This is because the stream bottom is wide, shallow, and dark, with large amounts of volcanic rock. Instead, water temperatures are affected by: 1. Air temperatures 2. Solar radiation (sunlight)...”

Gear Buzz

Some follow-up feedback on Scientific Anglers’ new clear lines–we reviewed the Magnitude Textured Infinity Clear Tip Floating Fly Line this summer.

I actually like SA’s new clear floating lines and have said so in some reviews I wrote for Flylab. I’m mostly sticking by what I said, but as I’ve fished the lines more, and more importantly, shared some with other anglers, I’ve gotten some feedback that’s probably worth sharing.

Basically, some of my friends think I’m full of crap, and the lines themselves aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. The basic complaint I heard most often involved freshwater/trout fishing scenarios, where it is difficult to tell where the line ends and the leader begins, especially in moving, choppy water. This affects things like your ability to mend, make good drifts and such. In other words, what good is a clear tip if your fly drags? And the answer for some of my friends has been “not at all.”

My first reaction was, “Well, you’re obviously not as good a fisherman as I am, because I have no problems at all.” But that’s not really the truth. The truth is, for many trout anglers, the full floating clear tip might be overcooking things. I do think these lines skew toward expert anglers (SA even markets some as such). I still fish mine and like it. I figure, even sometimes when the tip appears to me to be white as much as it is clear, the little stealth advantage is worth it. Still, line control is a factor that matters in trout fishing, as much or more than any stealth factor a clear tip might provide.

In saltwater, when you’re making straight casts and connections, I don’t think it’s nearly as big a deal, and I like fishing the clear. 

So, I consider myself standing semi-corrected and felt obliged to offer a bit of follow-up clarity.

Speaking of Stealth…

I do believe that Umpqua’s Stratos X tippet material matters in a stealth context. 100%. Just spent several days fishing for trout in British Columbia with it, and the camo pattern, and lower density (higher float) mattered–at least in contrast with plain clear nylon tippet.

• Check out the ingenious Cling Thermometer Temperature Tape: net-friendly thermometer for summer fishing.
• We review the MFC Fly Tying Mat: a durable, non-slip mat designed to enhance your fly tying experience.
• Hatch reviews the Patagonia Guidewater Waterproof Backpack and the Simms Dry Creek Z Backpack (Patagonia: “everything you need, nothing that you don’t” | Simms: the zipper requires some conscious thought).
• From GearJunkie: Best in Show: ICAST 2025. “The truth is, not every new product is good. Not everything deserves a spotlight just because it’s new. And I definitely didn’t have time to see it all. ICAST is massive, and I’m just one person with a very full notebook.”
• From Field Mag: The Merino Wool Alternative Backed by Hoka, Ibex & More. “Textile industry veteran Andy Wynne designed a twist-free way to spin merino fabric into yarn that helps it retain its renowned performance properties in a lighter, more breathable base material. And thus, Nuyarn was born.”

Recent Fly-fishing Jobs

• Mayfly Outdoors: Senior Director of U.S. Operations. “We are seeking a Senior Director of U.S. Operations, who will oversee multiple manufacturing sites, driving operational improvements, ensuring quality compliance and optimizing production processes. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong leadership skills and a proven track record in managing multi-site operations.”
• Mayfly Outdoors: Customer Service Manager. “We are seeking an experienced Customer Service Manager to join our dynamic team. This position will oversee the success of business relationships with our clients. The expectation for the role is to build strong relationships with Mayfly Outdoors customers; with a focus on aligning customer experience initiatives with business objectives, you will build lasting relationships with internal teams and external partners.”
• Mayfly Outdoors: Dealer Service Brand Manager (Ross and Abel). “This role is crucial in ensuring our dealers receive unwavering support and resources to excel in delivering top-tier service to customers. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of the dealer service environment and a passion for driving improvement.”
• Mayfly Outdoors: Universal Production Tech. “The Universal Production Technician will be trained and assigned to work in all areas of Production: handwork, assembly, warranty/ repair, anodization and will be able to fulfill each department’s job duties.”

Boats

Small Craft Sales is THE go-to marketplace for buying and selling small boats and other specialty watercraft. Looking to buy or sell a small boat? Check out the brand-new used boat marketplace: modern, searchable, community-driven platform built for anglers, paddlers, rowers, tinkerers, outboard junkies and anyone dreaming of their next waterborne adventure.

Best Fishing options this week:

• 2019 Boulder Boatworks Pro Guide
• 2025 Boulder Boat Works Low Side Dory
• 2024 PAC 1150 Fishing Raft
• 2003 13-foot Gheenoe
• 2023 Outcast Stealth Pro Stillwater Pontoon
• 2024 Outcast Pac 900 Inflatable Pontoon
• 1971 Boston Whaler Fly Fishing Skiff
• 2019 Gheenoe LT 10
• Vintage Refurbished Clackcraft
• Wooden Drift Boat

Check back in a few weeks from more updates from Angling Trade.