reviews
In-depth and unbiased product reviews by some of the sport’s most credible experts.
There’s no such thing as too much gear, as long as it’s the right stuff.
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Lamson Purist II Fly Reel
A light, well-designed, large arbor fly reel for the trout fishing “purist,” who won’t balk at the price.
“Featuring a click pawl design and drawing inspiration from its U.L.A. lineage, this reel flaunts a super large arbor with a 30% increase in average line retrieval, defying conventional limits while maintaining the minimal mass of its predecessor.” – Lamson
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Nautilus X-Series Fly Reel
Uniquely designed, extremely light, with dependable, high-end performance–it’s a fair value for a U.S.-made trout reel.
“The Nautilus X-Series is an open-frame reel designed for lightness, strength, drag smoothness and fast line pick up.” – Nautilus
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Simms Men’s G4Z Stockingfoot Waders
Is it really worth spending a grand for a pair of high-end, fly-fishing waders?
“Our highest-tech, hardest-charging wader, the USA-made G4Z Stockingfoot wader brings best-in-class waterproof breathability, rugged durability and unmatched comfort to the remote coordinates and unforgiving conditions you call home.” – Simms
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Sea Run Cases Norfork Classic Expedition Rod and Reel Travel Case
A dedicated fly rod and reel case that also doubles as a security “safe.”
“This travel case can comfortably hold up to six 4-piece 9-foot 6-inch fly rods, ensuring you’re fully equipped for your angling adventures.” – Sea Run Cases
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Toadfish Line Nippers
A new entrant to the specialty fishing tool arms race, with a unique design and reasonable price point.
“Cutting edge nippers designed to cut 80-pound braid to tiny tippets. One squeeze makes quick work of retying flies or baits. Made from machined aluminum with tungsten carbide cutting blades.” – Toadfish
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Manley 6.5-inch Teflon Super Pliers
A cost-effective set of pliers for the salt, jungle, or steelhead fishing that are well-designed, durable and maintenance free.
“For the serious bluewater fisherman, spring-loaded, 6.5-inch pliers that stay sharp cutting wire and monofilament long after other brands are thrown away. Tested from St. Thomas to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.” – Manley Industries
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Akimaru 7-foot 6-inch 4-weight, 2-piece Bamboo Fly Rod
From Shuichi Akimaru, a master builder of bamboo fly rods, comes the “HEXA” 764, a 2-piece, six-sided (hollow) 7-foot 6-inch 4-weight fly rod.
“This 4-weight series has been trained with actual fishing on the Henry's Fork. It is a light and sharp bamboo rod for trout and absolutely recommended for Hokkaido trip and trout over 20-inches.” – Akimaru
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Sage Maverick 9-foot 10-weight Fly Rod
You don’t need to spend a ton of money to get a perfectly good, high-performing saltwater fly rod you can take anywhere in the world.
“Sage’s new MAVERICK has been designed to maximize quick-shot opportunities with a powerful tip section that drives the casting load down to more robust lower sections, making it easier to fire quick, efficient casts and help the angler make the most of finite opportunities.” – Sage
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Scientific Anglers SONAR Titan Tropical/Jungle Clear Tip Fly Line
When you have to throw heavy, saltwater flies in a hurry–this is the line to do it.
“The SONAR Titan Tropical Clear Tip fly line provides all the advantages of our Titan taper–easy loading and effortless turnover to name a few–and tops it off with an intermediate sinking clear head.” – Scientific Anglers
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Monic Precision Dry Stealth Fly Line
A thoughtfully designed, PVC-free fly line for technical fishing presentations.
“Our Precision Dry taper was designed specifically with the hardcore dry fly enthusiast in mind. The extended front taper allows for the most accurate and delicate presentations to lay those tiny dries on the water like a feather exactly where you need it.” – Monic
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Skwala Carbon Jacket
A light, packable rain jacket for travel and warmer weather.
“Built for anglers who demand flexibility and dexterity, but aren’t willing to sacrifice comfort, the Carbon Jacket is fully waterproof, truly breathable and easily packable.” – Skwala
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Epic Reference 4-weight 476 FastGlass Fly Rod
Epic of New Zealand made a niche by making rods like no others. This small dry fly rod blends function with fun, very neatly, and very intuitively.
“Looking for a shorter fly rod to fish in tightly confined creeks but still want the backbone and pulling power of a larger rod? The 476 is a fast, lively, and extremely accurate fly rod perfect for small stream and spring creek fishing.” – Epic
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Baja California, Mexico: Fly Fishing The Sea of Cortez
The big league of saltwater fly fishing. No angler’s life is complete without having a go at pez gallo.
One of the best places in the world to tangle with large saltwater fish on a fly rod–marlin, tuna, dorado, jacks and the fabled “pez gallo” (roosterfish). The beautiful thing about fishing this region is that the seafloor drops dramatically within a short distance from the beach, so you can find yourself in pretty blue water within paddling distance of the shoreline.
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