We always try to deliver high quality offerings that will improve your fly fishing and hunting experience. This spring we’ve selected items that have impressed us for one reason or another. Each item was tested by our staff and was selected to appear in the pages of Strung Magazine because of the attributes of the products themselves. In the unbiased selection process of these products we would like to point out that 8 of the ten selections do not advertise with Strung Magazine. We shared them in our March Fly Fishing issue but made some of them available on our blog. Have an opinion about these items? Leave us a comment or email us at editor@pnt.tta.mybluehost.me.
Sea Run Fly Fishing Travel Cases – $499-$569 (searuncases.com)
Once travel restrictions are over, adventurous anglers are going to make up for lost time. If you are one of them, we can’t recommend a Sea Run Fly Fishing Travel Case enough. Made in Italy by Negrini, a company with a 40-year history of manufacturing travel cases for fine shotguns and rifles, Sea Run cases are secure (TSA compliant), lightweight, and compact—perfect for itinerant anglers. We were blown away by the quality of the construction and the thoughtful layout on the interior. The bottom of the case contains recessed, padded compartments for storing reels, spare spools, leaders, fly line, fly boxes, and other gear. A divider wall separates the top of the case which has space for 4-5 fly rods plus additional storage. We haven’t been this excited about a new piece of fly fishing gear in years!
TFFM Perfection Leaders – $13 for a 3 pack (tailflyshop.com)
Joe Ballarini, publisher of Tail Fly Fishing Magazine, couldn’t find a tapered leader that met his needs while fishing his varied home waters of southern Florida—so he designed them himself. Made in Japan, long known as industry leaders in monofilament extrusion, TFFM Perfection Leaders are manufactured to Ballarini’s exact specifications. The result is a durable and strong leader with a saltwater-specific taper and the perfect amount of stretch. At 12 feet in length and four tippet strengths, they’re suitable for everything from bonefish to tarpon.
Orvis PRO Underwader Pants – $139 (orvis.com)
Layering up keeps us warm, but bulky layers mean having the mobility of the Michelin Man. Orvis’s new PRO Underwader Pants have an athletic fit with tapered legs that cut out undue bulk and stirrup straps that keep them from bunching up under your waders. Their fleece construction means they’re warm enough for the coldest days and so comfortable you’ll want to wear them lounging around the house. We liked the side zip vents that keep you from sweating during long hikes to the river. Rear security pockets and two front handwarmer pockets are welcome additions.
RIO SlickCast Fly Line – $80-120 (rioproducts.com)
When RIO sent us samples of their new SlickCast fly line, we were skeptical. The line was said to increase casting distance by greatly reducing friction when shooting through rod guides and outlast any other fly line currently available. After a summer of fishing with it we can’t argue with them. We immediately noticed a difference when casting the line, but what really impressed us was how that “slickness” lasted through the season. Most fly lines scuff, get nicked, and wear out after a season or two, but our SlickCast line is still casting like new even after over 70 days of use in 2020. Even better, SlickCast is now available in a wider range of lines including saltwater and Spey varieties.
Howler Bros Waterman’s Work Pants – $99 (howlerbros.com)
Howler Bros founders, Chase Heard and Andy Stepanian started their Austin-based company out of a love for surfing, fly fishing, paddle sports, camping, and living a life surrounded by water. Their Waterman’s Work Pants are perfect for any of those activities. Their four-way rip stop fabric is rivet reinforced in the knees, making them durable, but still quick drying. Bungee closures at the bottom hems along with a dedicated pliers pocket make them a great choice whether you are wet wading, splitting firewood, or bellied up to the bar.
Fish Pond Thunderhead Submersible Duffel – $400 (fishpondusa.com)
We’ve used a lot of duffel bags over the years and think Fish Pond’s Thunderhead Duffel is the best. We brought it on long fishing trips to Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Colombia. It also makes the daily transition from truck bed to the bottom of a skiff where it takes a constant beating on long runs to distant flats and is constantly exposed to saltwater. The inside has never seen a drop of water. The Thunderhead Duffel is like an insurance policy for anything you can fit inside. Yes, it’s pricey, but this is likely the last duffel you will ever buy. It will take your gear around the world worry-free. We think it’s worth it.
Simms Women’s Challenger Fishing Jacket – $200 (simmsfishing.com)
Designed by women for women, the Simms Women’s Challenger Fishing Jacket is a technical, waterproof shell that keeps you fishing on wet and windy days. The jacket’s hood, with 3-point adjustability, is aimed at combating blowing winds and pouring rain. Other features include a cinchable hemline, adjustable cuffs, and articulated sleeves for a wide range of adjustment and motion. Additions like a removable sunglass cloth in the front chest pocket and a D-loop sewn into the hem for attaching a kill switch cord mean this jacket is designed for serious anglers. When combined with Simms Challenger Women’s Fishing Bib the set makes a rain suit that will keep you warm, dry, and comfortable.
Scott Fly Rods F-Series – $695 (scottflyrod.com)
Scott Fly Rods didn’t recently hop on the glass train, they’ve been making glass rods since the early 70’s. Their new F series brings together the slimmer tapers that E-glass allows with redesigned hollow internal ferrules. The result is a smooth, deep flexing rod that’s at home fishing for everything from spring creek trout to farm pond bluegills. Like every Scott fly rod, each one is hand crafted with little touches like measuring wraps and alignment dots. There’s nothing more fun than a glass rod, and Scott makes a fine one.
Hardy Zane Carbon Fly Reel – $399 (hardyfishing.com)
The best fly reels are simple ones that just work, and the Hardy Zane Carbon is exactly that. With a non-flash, salt-safe finish and fully sealed drag it comes apart easily with one screw knob. We enjoyed the hard indents on the drag control for making quick adjustments simply by feel. Available from a 7/8- to a 11/12-weight model there is a suitable size for any saltwater application. When we tried the gold standard of reel tests; cranking the drag down and pulling line straight off the reel, it spooled off smoothly. This is an excellent reel and one that adds to Hardy’s reputation for quality.
Duck Camp Lightweight Bamboo Hoodie – $59 (duckcamp.com)
We fished in this hoodie from Montana to the Florida Keys and enjoyed how comfortable and lightweight it is. Along with being super soft, we found the cut of the hoodie was great for casting, with plenty of room in the sleeves and shoulders, but not to the point of becoming baggy. We were also impressed by how breathable and fast drying these hoodies are—ideal for any combination of water and sun. Available in a variety of colors and patterns that blend into any environment, Duck Camp’s Lightweight Bamboo Hoodie is perfect for anything from manning the oars of a drift boat to scanning for tails on the bow of a skiff.
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