Fisknat Steelhead Pontoon Net
I went through 3 different styles of net before finding the one for me. I am fortunate enough to live near many of Colorado’s famous tailwaters and sometimes even fool some of the big fish that inhabit them so a net with a big frame was my first priority. The second most important thing to me was having a net with rubber mesh. Nothing is more frustrating than finally figuring out what the fish are feeding on but not being able to cast because your flies are stuck in nylon mesh. Finally, I need a net with a long handle to help me land fish while fishing solo. The Steelhead Pontoon Net has all three. It is 36” with a 16” handle. The bow stretches 11.5” x 20” and your flies will never get caught in the rubber mesh. Bob is the owner and nearly sole manufacturer of all of FIsknat’s hand made nets. Check out his site!
Fishpond Sagebrush Mesh Vest
I have always been the type of person who gets stuck in their ways—I find something I like and do not change it. I am convinced the reason I do this is because I put the time in to select products that are perfect for me. I cannot give you a better example of this other than my Fishpond vest. I call it a Sagebrush Mesh Vest but that is just because I have had my vest since high school (over 8 years!) and the exact vest is no longer made but it is very closely resembled by the Sage Brush Mesh Vest. It seams everyone is a chest pack fan now but I stay strong to my vest. It has a place for everything I need which I find perfect for trout fishing out in the Rockies. I carry a stupid amount of gear with me but that is because I want an excuse to fish multiple different techniques. My vest has front pockets for 4 large fly boxes and 2 small ones. This allows my to always carry all my nymphs, drys, streamers, and midges with me when going out. I may not always use all of those flies but I have that option which is important to me when fishing for the opinionated tailwater trout I typically challenge. The vest also has large back storage pockets for lunch or an extra layer. As with all Fishpond products, that pack is designed by people that actually fish and everything about the pack is purpose driven. The icing on the cake is the lifetime warranty policy and the local Colorado headquarters. Check out the Fishpond site for more of their incredible products, http://fishpondusa.com/
Simms Softshell Windstopper
I cannot say enough good things about this jacket. Without a doubt, one of the best fishing investments I have made. To even simply call it “a fishing” investment is not accurate because it is my day-to-day jacket all winter long. When fishing it not only keeps me warm but it also keeps me dry. The word “softshell” in the name initially scared me and had me thinking off a hoodie. This is not the case and I have stayed dry throughout many snow and rainstorms without ever bringing along a raincoat. The best part is, it will keep you warm and toasty while also saving you over $200 because it doesn’t have the name Gore-Tex in the title. Buy this jacket and I promise you wont regret it.
Galvan Torque Reel
The Galvan Torque T-5 (5wt) reel is the perfect match of form and function. Its super machined body makes it lightweight and visually striking, while also being rugged and durable. Some of my favorite features are the large drag knob, making changing the drag when you hook the unexpected monster a cinch. Additionally, it is incredibly smooth and produces a distinctive rich clicking sound upon reeling. Galvan has made its hallmark on producing high quality reels and providing outstanding customer service. This reel does not disappoint! If in the market for a large arbor reel, do not overlook the Galvan Torque Series! To check out more information on this reel check out Galvan's site.
Wright & McGill Hopper Dropper Storage System
I started bringing this fly box
with me on some of my recent winter outings and now do not fish without it. When fishing in cold weather I sometimes find
myself wanting to do anything to stay warm and consequently avoid changing
flies as frequently as I should. Having
the Hopper Dropper Storage System filled up with 8 of my favorite winter rigs
means I only need to tie one knot to get 2 or 3 new flies rigged up. Not only do my hands stay warmer, but I have
a much better chance at hooking into more fish.
The box is large, 13”H x 5”W x 2”D but still can fit into the back pouch of my vest. The removable tacks allow it so you can arrange the box to fit multiple rigs of different lengths. The opposite side of the box has two removable fly boxes but also is a Velcro surface allowing you to put other accessories like a smaller fly box in there as well. The box is sturdy and protects the rigs but also is light causing it to not be a pain to bring along. I am definitely a fan of this box, it has caused me to be more willing to change flies in cold conditions, which results in hooking into more fish. For more information check out the Wright & McGill site.
The box is large, 13”H x 5”W x 2”D but still can fit into the back pouch of my vest. The removable tacks allow it so you can arrange the box to fit multiple rigs of different lengths. The opposite side of the box has two removable fly boxes but also is a Velcro surface allowing you to put other accessories like a smaller fly box in there as well. The box is sturdy and protects the rigs but also is light causing it to not be a pain to bring along. I am definitely a fan of this box, it has caused me to be more willing to change flies in cold conditions, which results in hooking into more fish. For more information check out the Wright & McGill site.
Wright & McGill Midge Box
As my fly collection continues to
grow, I am always looking for new fly boxes that can hold the largest amount of
flies while remaining compact and light enough to easily fit in to a vest
pocket. The Wright and McGill magnetic midge box has allowed me to carry many
more flies while adding no bulk to my vest. I have the 7.5” x 4” x 0.75” midge
box with fifteen 1” x 1” compartments. So far, I have over 100 midges in the
box with plenty of room for many more. The box also features a small tool for
selecting and hold small flies. Although I mostly use my fingers to select my
flies, I have turned to the small tool and found it useful when winter
conditions have numbed the feeling out of my hands. So far, my favorite
features of this box are the clear plastic lid, the magnetic compartments, and
the slim width of 0.75 inches. The clear lid allows me to look over my flies
without opening the lid of the box, preventing the risk of losing flies if I
drop my box. Also, the magnetic interior of the box prevents the flies from
sliding around too much. However, I will occasionally find a few of my flies
have bounced from one compartment to the next. By far, my favorite feature of
this fly box is its width. At only 0.75 inches wide, the box is so light and
tin, I can’t notice a difference whether I am carrying the box or not. This is
a good midge box and has served its purpose well. To learn more about this and other products, check out the Wright & McGill site.
Costa Del Mar Corbina 580 Sunglasses
Possibly the greatest advantage one can have in fishing is the ability to see the fish before throwing a cast out. The people over at Costa Del Mar have perfected the art of sight fishing with their new 580 glass lenses. The magic behind these lenses is attributed to cutting edge technology that limits the amount of yellow light through, while enhancing all other colors. The Costa 580 lenses come in different colors including blue mirror, green mirror, silver mirror, gray and copper. Each color is designed for a specific purpose. I personally have the silver mirror lenses which are designed for freshwater sight fishing. These lenses truly are Costa Del Mar quality. The Corbina frames have also impressed me. The frames wrap around the face eliminating any light from penetrating in, promoting maximum visibility while maintaining a snug comfortable fit. Even without croakies, the Corbina glasses stick to your face with their slighty ribbed rubber ear pieces. I am excited about these sunglasses and they will definately be replacing my previous pair. Costa Del Mar's quality products are matched with a lifetime warranty, making them a good investment for any angler or outdoorsman. For more information be sure to check out the Costa Del Mar site.
Wright and McGill Power L Nippers
I never envisioned myself writing a gear review about a pair of nippers, but I must give credit where credit is due. The Wright and McGill Power L nippers have exceeded my expectations. The L shape allows one to apply increased pressure when cutting tippet that ordinary nippers often struggle with. I have found that this nipper design is capable of cutting thick tippet with ease and even multiple tippet lines at once. The Power L nippers are also equipped with a fold out nail knot tool. This is nice to have and discrete enough that it is hardly noticable. Overall, I have found that these nippers are quite effective and do their job well. To get a pair for yourself check out the Wright & McGill site.
Korkers Torrent Multi-Purpose Shoe
The Torrent shoe by Korkers is their wet wading model of wading shoe that utilizes Korkers patented OmniTrax Interchangeable Sole tschnology. Like all of Korkers wading boots that use the interchangeable sole, the Torrent has the capability to adapt to its surroundings. Whether for felt soles in slippery conditions or rubber soles for long hikes, the interchangeable soles will allow you to match the riverbed conditions. In addition to the interchangeable soles, the Torrent shoe has a partly mesh exterior which allows for water drainage and quick drying. My favorite part of the shoe is the heavy duty rubber toe and heel support. The thick toe and heel support are great for protection from moving rocks in the water and stubbing toes on land. These wet wading shoes have offered me great support and comfort on numerous long hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. They are a quality, sturdy wet wading shoe. To look at more products, check out the Korker's site.
