Orvis Helios Fly Rod Series. The Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod, The Orvis Helios 3F Fly Rod, The Orvis Helios Blackout Fly Rod:
With the fleet of high-quality rods on the market today, Orvis determined that the next frontier of fly rod innovation was accuracy. For years, line speed and distance have been the driving factors in the design of new fly rods. That has resulted in some short rods that might lack a bit of soul, feel, and accuracy at times. Designed for accuracy, Orvis hopes to separate themselves from the herd with the all-new Helios 3 fly rod. A few years ago, Orvis released the five and eight-weight Helios 3s with two flex families to choose from (additional sizes will continue to be added to the range in 2018). Doing away with more traditional descriptors like tip-flex and mid-flex, Orvis opted for the following monikers: Helios 3D (D=Distance) and Helios 3F (F=Finesse). In straightforward terms, the 3D is a fast-action rod that offers accurate casts with power at a distance, and the 3F is a moderate action rod that offers finesse casts. The 5wt in the 3D is deadly accurate out to 60 feet—the difference between line speed and presentation. The 3D generated noticeably more line speed than the 3F. Not surprising, I know. It's a fast-action fly rod that still has quite a bit of feel. The tip was softer than I expected, in a positive way. A relatively progressive taper for a fast action rod, the rod loaded well, and the loading cues were easy to pick up while casting. This helped me consistently deliver the cast without starting too early on my forward cast. The rod tracked highly straight, and that resulted in some impressively accurate casts at a distance. The 3D handled everything from Peanut Envy streamers to size 18 Blue Wing Olives nymphs and excelled in the larger water I fished in Wyoming. The 3F excelled out to 40 feet and was well suited for fishing dry flies and light nymphing rigs. Where a little more attention to presentation was required with the 3D, the 3F gives you no choice but to land that size 16 PMD dry soft on the water. That being said, don't underestimate the 3F. While it loads a little deeper, it doesn't lack the backbone to deliver casts at a distance. The 3F can still handle heavier rigs, as I picked apart the pockets of a smaller river with articulated streamers and size 6 Chubby Chernobyl's with it last weekend. My shoulder wasn't sore. I wasn't worn down from casting the big rig. H3D Blackout 8'5" 8wt: The line-speed titan designed for unreal, quick-turn, one-shot accuracy. Big fish are ghosts. They vanish and quickly reappear where you least expected.This rod thinks quicker—obsessively designed to overcome instantaneous directional changes that would normally require three, four, and five false casts to correct. That's the philosophy behind this 8'5" surgical 8-wt. The result is a high-concept boat rod designed specifically for the quick-turn, one-shot accuracy required to stay ahead of fast-moving bonefish, reds, permit, or even pike. While this rod has the power of an 8-wt., it feels more like a 7-wt., with a slightly shorter length perfect for fine-tuning your loops and driving flies under heavy cover. It's a line-speed titan in salt or fresh. Made in Vermont.
Simms G4Z Waders:
The most technologically advanced wader in Simms' collection offers next-level durability and functionality with the convenience of a waterproof center front zipper. From bush plane drop-offs to drawn-out wilderness floats, failure is not an option. When the task requires total competence from you and your gear Simms' guide-caliber G4Z® Stockingfoot Waders are a clear choice thanks to their exceedingly durable, waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX® Pro Shell build. Patented front- and back leg seam construction promotes mobility and seasons' long durability, while cutting-edge fabric and detailed craftwork come together to prioritize all-weather comfort. G4Z's extended YKK waterproof zipper makes getting in and out of waders (an taking care business) ultra-easy. Two zippered chest pockets with integrated retractor docking stations keep tools and other river essentials within close reach and ready to deploy. The new Sharkfin buckle provides convenient hemostat retention. Insert chilled, wind-slapped hands inside zippered, micro-fleece lined hand-warmer pockets for instant relief. And confidently march into the day with redesigned baffled, compression-molded stockingfeet for improved boot fit and enhanced circulation to bolster comfort on the trail and in the water.
Simms G4 Pro Waders:
No stranger to the viscously cold, the torrentially wet, and whatever comes next, Simms' iconic G4 Pro® Stockingfoot Waders continue to raise the bar for versatility and trusted performance across a range of challenging fishing conditions. Whether it's bushwhacking into prime position or wading pushy flows to fish what's around the bend, rugged and ready advancements start with an exceedingly durable, waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX Pro Shell build. Patented front- and back leg seam construction promotes mobility and seasons' long durability, while cutting-edge fabric and savvy design elements prioritize comfort. The G4's top zippered chest pocket with fly patch/tool docking station provides easy access to all your fishing essentials. The new Sharkfin buckle offers convenient hemostat retention. Insert chilled, wind-slapped hands inside zippered, micro-fleece lined reach-thru pockets for instant relief. And confidently march into the day with redesigned baffled, compression-molded stockingfeet for improved boot fit and enhanced circulation. For the highest-level performance in the harshest conditions, G4 Pro is simply unstoppable.
Ross Reels San Miguel:
The return of an icon. Since Ross Reels started in 1973, there has been one model that epitomizes what a Ross Reel is: the San Miguel. It defined the ultimate in class and finesse, and now, over two decades since it was first launched, the classic returns. Meticulously designed in our Colorado factory, the new San Miguel blends modern machining and materials with all of the elements that made the original iconic. Returning are the polished high-gloss black finish on a solid-backed frame, the liquid-smooth free spool, wide-range adjustable sealed drag, and the famous "flower petal" porting. This new version also debuts modern features such as a canvas micarta handle, a material used in high-end custom knives to improve wet grip. The precision sealed drag system consists of a carbon / stainless steel stack-up, yielding strong yet smooth resistance. The large-arbor spool is accentuated by a machined stainless steel push-button release that looks as good as it performs. This integration of classic and new features make this reel a worthy heir of the iconic San Miguel name.
Abel CustomTR Fly Reel:
Crafted by Abel's expert machinists in Montrose, Colorado, the TR is a lightweight masterpiece. An integrated precision-balanced clicker on the spool eliminates the need for a counterweight, yielding a clean look and retaining an iconic click-pawl sound. The pronounced palming rim is deliberately shaped to manually control drag pressure in all fishing conditions. The TR also features a large-arbor spool engineered to reduce line memory and increase retrieval rate. Machined stainless steel accents on both the frame and spool add that extra level of detail found only in an Abel reel. Click and pawl fly reels can be defined in three ways, practical, lightweight, and most importantly, enjoyable. Today, anglers can find the modern click-pawl reels on just about any section of freshwater across the United States; however, most of them can be found on trout streams specifically. Trout fishing and click pawl reels go together like peanut butter and jelly. As mentioned above, a few components make up the drag set up on a click-pawl fly reel. And, naturally, with fewer components comes easier "At-home" maintenance. More importantly, however, fewer components lead to fewer points of failure when you are out on the water. If you happen to find yourself confronted with reel failure, it is as easy as replacing your spool most of the time.
Scott G Series Fly Rod:
Scott G Series are iconic fly rods. They're medium-action, smooth flexing fly rods treasured by anglers the world over. Scott introduced the first G rods in 1976 and changed fly fishing by creating the first 9' 4 weight fly rod. We also introduced the world to the hollow internal ferrule- the most sophisticated way to smoothly and seamlessly connect multi-piece fly rods. In 2006, Scott introduced the G2 series and modernized medium-action fly rods by making them lighter in hand and increasing their recovery speed. Now, they bring you the all-new G Series. These rods advance medium action fly rods with two innovations. Scott has reinvented the hollow internal ferrule to make it more flexible, stronger, and more than 20% lighter. They've also combined cutting-edge fiber and resin systems in the most advanced multi-modulus layups Scott has ever created. New multi-slope tapers were designed to take full advantage of the new materials layups. If you are looking for a fly rod to throw dry flies and bring feeling to the table, this fly rod needs to be in your arsenal. Your next question will probably be, how does it handle nymph rigs? While I didn't fish any nymphs with the Scott G Series, given its moderate action and flex, I have no doubt in my mind it can handle those situations just fine. The fad these days in fly rods is fast, fast, and I certainly enjoy that technology, but come by and take the new Scott G Series for a spin. I'll put money on the table, betting you will want to walk out with it. It is safe to say Scott has delivered one of the best if not the best Moderate Action fly rods of all time.
