Fly Fishing Gear Reports & Equipment Reviews
Fly Fishing Gear Reviews & Equipment Reports
2008 Fly Fishing Gear Preview
Simms G3 Convertible Wader Fishing Product Preview/Review
It looks like Simms hit the mark with the new G3 Convertible Wader. The news pants are cut like the current G4 model with the front seam and neoprene foot. They have improved on the Rivertek pant design in a number of ways. Making this our pre-season pick for best new wader for 2008.
The G3 Convertible Wader has the ability to hide the pull back velcro tabs on the built in wading belt after you have synched it into place. This is a very important improvement for those of us who wear waist packs that need to spin around. They have also added suspenders allowing you to where wading belt to loose enough to allow the air to escape so that you will not puff up like the stay-puff marshmallow man when you kneel down or sit, another significant improvement over the last attempt at a wading pant.
The chest wader extension tucks into a zippered pocket above the belt. It seemed bulky, but may soften and condense with wear. When extend it hooks on to the suspenders with velcro tabs, we can see the tabs on the suspenders doubling as used fly patches when the extension is not in use. Over all we like this wader and are excited to have a chance to get back in pants next summer. Price: $379.99
Simms Rivershed Wading Boot Fishing Product Preview/Review
Designed on a hiking boot bias these are our pre-season pick for the best new wading boots for 2008. The only newly designed boot on the market with studded aquastealth soles (by far our favorite wading sole) this boot has the fit and support for 8+ hours of wading we like to do in Cheesman Canyon and hiking the 20+ minutes in and out.
The dark gray you see in the picture is all rubber and if it performs as well as the rubber on the G3 wading boot then it will stand the rubbing against the hard granite in Colorado. The tongue is fully attached to the boot at least 2/3 of the way up and looks like it will keep the sand out. Cost: $169.95 in studded aquastealth.
Simms G4 Pro Jacket Fishing Product Preview/Review
This is basically a better fitting G3 Jacket. One big improvement for those muggy day after noon thunder storms we seem to be getting, pit zips. The zipper has also been improved and is easier to pull up and down and less bulky than on the G3. Other than that we do not see much difference between the G4 Pro Jacket and the G3. Other than the price which has increased by $50, man those zippers must be expensive. The Simms G4 Pro Jacket will set you back $449.95.
Simms Rivershed Wading Jacket Fishing Product Preview/Review
We love the material on this jacket. Finally a technical jacket you can where to the movies and around town. We will let you know how the baby soft materials hold up over the course of the season. Cost:$279.00
Fishpond Wader Belt Fishing Product Preview/Review
As a base for the ultimate waist pack Fishpond is getting closer. The 2008 version has increased the density and stiffness of the foam material in the belt. Last years model broke down after just one wear. The verdict is still out as to how much better this version really is on the stream.
Patagonia Riverwalker Vest Fishing Product Preview/Review
With a staff full of waist packs if is always a challenge drawing straws to see who will test this years vest. Something about the Riverwalker has all of us in a buzz. While we agree it is not a guides vest (not enough storage) it does seem light weight enough and large enough for a day trip alone. We will let you know who draws the short straw.
Winston Boron II MX Fishing Product Preview/Review
Here we go again. This time Winston is trying to be Sage. We love the soft, slow rods Winston is know for, lets see how they do when they try to speed it up. Hopefully this will turn out better than their attempt at budget rod making.
Sage Bass Fly Rod Fishing Product Preview/Review
A flippin' stick for fly guys and gals. We know plenty of places to give this one a try. Let us hope the pictures will be worth a thousand words.
Nymphs Volume 1 & Volume 2 Fly Fishing Book Preview/Review
It has been a long time since we had seen a bug book worth the paper it was printed on, we do not mind loosing a tree or two for this two volume baby. There is lost to read and look at, stay tuned as it may take us all year to get through it.
Scientific Angler Sharkskin Fly Line Fly Fishing Product Review
For Colorado trout guides we smile at 60 foot casts and sometimes struggle when we get to saltwater. Not anymore, even our weakest link can put out 100 feet with a 5 weight with this line. I guess $100 bucks can buy, even a Colorado guy, a bonefish. Watch out though this line will cut you if your not careful, do not hang on too tight.
Thingamabobber Indicator Fishing Product Preview/Review
The guides on the Green River in Utah have been working on the balloon concept for may years. This is one balloon we can get behind. They are great for hungry feeding fish. There is no maintenance and they last for about 5 or 6 fishing days before the metal rig pops out and like most other indicators go floating down the river. Do not throw them out when the line begins to cut through the plastic at the ring, they actually fish much more sensitively when they are half filled with water (remember the fly and a bubble). The down side to this indicator is that if you are dealing with subtle strikes you will miss everything.
Cliff Outdoors Fly Box Fly Fishing Product Preview/Review
Matt Cassle just keep hustling. We love the big boxes and we will see how we like this. Adding a flap make lots of sense, stay tuned and we will let you know just how many bug you can stuff in here, and whether or not we can get them out.
