April 10, 2018
By Fly Fisherman
Hardy® Ultralite MTX Reel
The Hardy Ultralite MTX is their first fly reel to feature a Hybrid Carbon fiber alloy main frame construction. This strong lightweight real features a Carbon fiber drag system with 340 degree color coded regulator, captive spool release and high line capacity. Retail: $429.00 to $499.00. hardyfishing.com
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Simms G3 Guide Vest
The G3 Guide Vest boasts 24 pockets of all sizes, suitable for any box you can find. It provides a comfy ride with cushioned, stretch mesh shoulders and a padded rib knit collar. This vest, complete with two built-in retractors, a backside net carry, and a Teflon finish on Cordura ripstop nylon, suits gearheads and guides alike. The two hook fields are enormous, and with a third-hand rod holder, reel sling, Velcro chest tab, and easy access to oversize compartments, this is a hatch-matcher's delight. If it doesn't fit in this vest you don't need it on the water. Retail: $250. simmsfishing.com
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Cool Tool
Gerber's Linedriver performs numerous fishing functions like threading line through troublesome eyelets and clearing epoxy or old knots from line-ties. The Linedriver also helps you tie knots by vise-gripping the hook and effortlessly rotating it on a continuous axis. The dual line cutter works scissors light and heavy diameters alike, but also lets you simply push line across a cutting edge when the Linedriver is affixed to your vest. Retail: $42. gerber.com
Solar Shade Zero Woven Long Sleeve
This woven button-up features Columbia's new Omni-Shade Sun Deflector and Omni-Freeze to help keep you cool and protected for long days on the water. This long sleeve shirt is strategically zoned, and offers the sun-defecting dots exactly where you need it on the shoulders and back. In addition, this shirt has a sun protection collar, roll-up sleeves, rod holder, and Light Rail zippered chest pockets. Retails: $95. columbia.com
YETI On Wheels
The Tundra Haul is first-ever YETI cooler on wheels! The nearly unbreakable StrongArm™ Handle is engineered with a welded aluminum T-Bar design that allows you to pull the cooler next to you, not behind you, keeping your heels in the clear. NEVERFLAT™ WHEELS are properly named and just like its Tundra predecessors, the nearly indestructible, rotomolded construction promises optimal resilience through every adventure, year after year. Lastly, it has the same pressure-injected PermaFrost Insulation, so you can trust things will stay frosty even in the heat of the summer. Retail: $399. yeti.com
Costa Sunrise 580G Silver Mirror Len
The Sunrise Silver Mirror 580G (glass) lens boost optical contrast in dim light situations — like when the sun is low or on cloudy days. Color-enhancing technology selectively filters out harsh yellow light for superior contrast and definition. In addition to reducing glare and eye fatigue, they also absorb high-energy blue light to cut haze and enhance sharpness. Costa's 580G lenses provide 100 percent UV ray protection while absorbing the HEV light known to cause macular degeneration, pterygium, cataracts and other eye diseases. Available in several popular frame styles, including: Blackfin, Bloke, Brine, Corbina, Fantail, Fisch, Jose, Montauk, Motu, Reefton, Slack Tide, Tuna Alley and Whitetip Retail: $160 to $259. costadelmar.com
Ultralight Wading Jacket
The Orvis Ultralight Wading Jacket, which packs down into a small footprint that weighs only a few ounces, offers solid protection against wind and rain, but can be carried in a small day pack. The new lightweight approach to foul weather protection offers more comfort, freedom, and a significant reduction in bulk. Editor Ross Purnell field tested this jacket in the Amazon where it was muggy, hot, and pouring raining. "The two-way stretch, three-layer shell fabric with a 20,000 mm waterproof rating and a 30,000 gram breathability rating kept me comfortable in the most humid conditions possible. A DWR finish repels water so the material doesn't get soaked and heavy. The seams are taped, and the Dolphin Skin Cuff system keeps water from running up inside the sleeves, even when holding a rod upright while casting," says Purnell. Retail: $250. orvis.com
Patagonia Middle Fork Packable Waders
The new Patagonia Middle Fork waders feature a proprietary rubber material — so there are no seams in either foot piece and the four-way super-stretchy material is extremely durable. Weighing in at 1.6 pounds, (including a wading belt) they easily roll into a sack that is about the size of a water bottle. Retail: $350. patagonia.com
Cabela's Stowaway 6 Fly Rod
Cabela's packable Stowaway 6 Fly Rods break down to fit into most carry-on luggage. Don't let the extra pieces fool you — these quality graphite rods generate the smooth-loading performance you'd expect from two-piece rods. The blanks feature a responsive moderate/fast action to suit a range of abilities and techniques. The tip flexes easily for accurate short casts, while the powerful butt section has the backbone needed for longer casts in windy conditions. With an even number of sections, the rods can be broken down into two pieces for easier accessibility between trips to fishing holes, or broken all the way down for packable convenience. $150. cabelas.com
C&F Design Chest Storage
The C&F Designs Lanyard has an integrated fly box attached to a sturdy plastic panel that serves as the core of the system. Eight metal snaps retain tools, and a clip on the front secures the lanyard to your shirt or waders to prevent it from swinging forward when you lean over. The lightweight foam fly box has nine rows (large size) or seven rows (medium) of micro-slit foam in the lid, base, and on one side of the flip page, which has lockable wells for split-shot and small flies, magnet sheets for flies, and threaders. The backside of the medium box takes two (large size takes three) standard-diameter tippet spools for storage and easy access. Medium is 31/2"x6"x21„8" ($69) large is 41/2"x75„8"x21„8" Retail: $69-$74. anglersportgroup.com
Cheeky Limitless
This solid reel has modern esthetic and functional design. The 475 cranks 14.75-inches of line per revolution at full capacity and weighs only 10.9 ounces. The deep backing channel holds an enormous amount of backup (more than you'll ever need) and the sealed disk drag system never failed despite sand, grit, suncreen, and repeated dunkings. Retail: $325-$525. cheekyfishing.com
Ross Evolution R Salt
The Evolution R Salt has a 16-disk drag system that produces nearly 30 pounds of drag. The large frame-integrated drag knob makes it easy to turn up the volume. It also has two smaller offset counterbalances to reduce vibrations when line is being ripped from the reel, and a reel handle machined from canvas phenolic rod. Retail: $600. rossreels.com
Redington First Run
This mesh vest is the perfect solution for hot days, or as an affordable, well-designed starter vest. The knit collar is comfortable and supports the weight of a 1-liter hydration reservoir and whatever else you can stow in the vest's 11 pockets. Retail: $60. redington.com
