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hi,
we're
flylab.

Fly-fishing insight that matters. We are an unfiltered resource for everyday anglers, providing honest gear reviews, expert advice and pro-level deals through our membership.

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our
mission
To help fly anglers navigate the blizzard of new product offerings and empower consumer decision-making along the way.
Group of fishermen having a laugh.
fly-fishing
gear reviews
are broken
No centralized product repository, providing structured and searchable information.
Most evaluations lack thorough testing, category comparisons and transparent recommendations.
Publishers, influencers and even retailers have complicated motivations when recommending gear.
Today’s anglers are looking for organized, independently tested and credible product information.
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how flylab
is different
Our editorial approach will be completely transparent and meet the interests of the consumer.

We’ll think deeper, test product harder and tell it like it is.
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our
evaluation
process
01

design intention

What’s the product actually designed to do? Any reliable gear review starts here.

02

transparency

We’ll stress test marketing claims, as we evaluate performance, versatility, durability and warranty criteria.

03

comprehensive analysis

We have the knowledge and experience to compare, analyze and rank products in their categories.

04

final verdict

When it’s all said and done, we’ll offer a final evaluation. If there’s consensus, or variance, in our expert opinions, we’ll tell you.

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meet
the team
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Kirk Deeter
Founder

Kirk is the editor of Angling Trade, editor-in-chief for TROUT Magazine and an editor-at-large for Field & Stream. He also is the co-author of The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing, The Little Black Book of Fly Fishing and has been reviewing fly-fishing gear for more than two decades.  

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Tim Romano
Founder

Tim is the founder of Angling Trade, the former managing editor of Fly Fishing Trade and the former photo editor of The Flyfish Journal. He also is a long-time contributor to Field & Stream and has been reviewing fly-fishing gear for years.

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Andrew Steketee
Founder

Andrew is the former managing editor of The Flyfish Journal, editor of MidCurrent and has worked as a product consultant for Hardy USA. He also is a former fishing guide and the co-author of two fly-fishing books, Castwork and Tideline.

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Oscar
Fish Hound

Vice President of bacon, mid-day naps and destroying fishing runs. He doesn’t test any gear, unless it can be consumed.

Kirk Deeter founder profile.
Kirk Deeter
Founder
Tim Romano founder profile.
Tim Romano
Founder
Andrew Steketee founder profile.
Andrew Steketee
Founder
Oscar dog profile.
Oscar
Fish Hound
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latest
reviews
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