DEMYSTIFLY

When it comes to optics for us fly anglers, Costa is undoubtedly a leader in the industry. Founded in 1983, they have forged a solid reputation for not just top-quality eyewear, but also for environmental consciousness and sustainability. Through partnerships, the use of eco-friendly materials and practices, and initiatives like Kick Plastic, it's obvious they care about much more than just their bottom line. Unfortunately, some people out there treat the environment like one

Waist packs and slings are by far my favorite ways to tote gear while fishing on foot. I typically don't carry a ton of stuff with me, so these types of packs are perfect for those of us who prefer packing light and staying mobile. However, the issue with some packs is they can sometimes offer too little or even too much in the way of features. To put it bluntly, you're basically stuck with whatcha get. The new Simms Flyweight Hip Hybrid System aims to give anglers more optio

If you've followed Demystifly for any length of time, then you'll know that I love to pack on the light side. I always bring enough gear to be prepared for both the expected and unexpected, but seldom overdo it. Clutter kind of drives me crazy, and keeping things to a relative minimum allows me greater mobility, organization and efficiency. I also think it's a common courtesy when on someone else's boat to keep my gear tidy and out of the way. I know one fishing buddy in part

Hugely popular with hardcore outdoor enthusiasts and casual users alike, YETI has solidified a reputation of quality and ruggedness. Well known for their premium coolers and drinkware, YETI's product lineup has expanded in recent years to include other versatile offerings such as buckets, chairs, and bags. Well, now you can add luggage to that list. The new Crossroads Luggage includes a carry-on-friendly 22-inch bag along with a larger 29-inch model which is what we'll be loo

I do a lot of shore fishing, so a good pack or sling is a vital piece of equipment. I'm typically pretty minimalist in what I need it to carry—flies, leader material, a water bottle or two, some other little accessories—so these types of storage solutions are absolutely perfect for someone like me that loves packing light. All of the packs and slings I have tried over the years did their jobs pretty well, but some have been just a little more comfy and laid out better than ot

YETI Daytrip Lunch box Outside Dimensions: 10 1/2" × 8 1/2" × 4 1/2" Inside Dimensions: 9 3/4" × 7 3/4" × 2 1/2" Empty Weight: 1.1 lbs Colors: Ice Pink, Coral, Navy, Charcoal, Sagebrush Green (reviewed) Price: $79.99 I love soft-sided lunch boxes, so the YETI Daytrip Lunch box is right up my alley. The cooler uses COLDCELL FLEX™ insulation which YETI says is a lightweight, flexible, closed-cell foam to keep items warm or cold. The bottom is molded EVA to give your food and dr

Fishing rod travel tubes come in many forms. Long, short, telescopic, square...there's plenty to choose from for all types of rods. While a basic, bare, hard tube gets the job done, I always find it better traveling with one that's more nicely appointed. As far as these more refined tubes go, there's nice ones and there's the NICE ones. The Filson Ripstop Nylon Rod Tube definitely fits into the latter category. Filson uses a hard plastic tube to provide a rigid core and wrapp

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship All fly lines are not created equal. Whether it be different cores, tapers, compounds, or other variables, lines can range from basic and affordable to advanced and ultra-high performance made for specific applications. RIO is undoubtedly one of the leaders in the fly line game, and seemingly every year they are introducing brand-new features and line designs. However, this year things are even more interesting than usual. Would it pique your interes

For everything from road trips to outdoor adventures, the YETI Roadie 20 was a popular choice. This downsized cooler was ideal for fitting into tight spots like behind a car seat or in a small skiff, yet still had the toughness and capability folks expect from YETI. Despite it being a solid pick, YETI saw room for improvement...which they are now delivering in the form of the brand new Roadie 24 cooler! Capacities: 18 6-ounce cans / approx 24-pounds of ice / 6 gallons Dimensi

From the dead of winter to the height of summer, sun protection is something that must always be on an angler's mind. In particular, your face and neck are two body parts that can really take a beating from the sun's direct rays as well as reflection off the water's surface. In my younger years, it would be common for me to come home with the dreaded "sunglasses outline" or a red border around my neckline where I missed applying sunscreen. What better way to avoid these unsig

Perhaps no name is more recognizable in the sun protection accessory segment than BUFF. Although most people likely know them best for popularizing sun masks many years back, they've since grown to offer a broad range of sun-protective gear that's ideal for anyone who spends time outdoors. I prefer to cover up when spending any substantial time outdoors, so I can always appreciate more choices on the market. CoolNet UV+ Multifunction Headwear Each piece is crafted in part fro

I love keeping things simple and packing as light as possible. Because of this, I'm a huge fan of waist packs, slings, and the like because they are so lightweight, portable, minimalist, and easy to move around with. As part of Umpqua's newest product lineup for this year, their Bandolier ZS2 Sling Pack looks like a perfect match for my basic needs. Packed with features and highly portable, let's go in-depth and see what this pack delivers. Weight: 12 ounces Dimensions: 18"L

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Have you ever fished a textured fly line? While the vast majority of fly lines have smooth surfaces, some lines are built with different types of surface designs that are said to reduce friction and improve line flow. I've typically just stuck with conventional smooth lines for the most part, but my 2018 test of Orvis' Hydros HD textured trout line gave me some food for thought. That proved to be an excellent line, and with the brand-new PRO Textured

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship How much more expensive can fly line get these days? Back when I began fly fishing, I remember premium lines costing around $60 or $70. Well, that seems like a pretty good deal nowadays, as the most premium lines cost well over $100! The big fly line manufacturers certainly offer some more basic or entry-level choices that are far cheaper than that, but for someone like a kid just trying to piece together their first combo, even those "affordable" pr

Based in Colorado, Solyce Fly Fishing currently offers three unique products designed to make your fly fishing life easier. Let's dig in and take a closer look..... Tippetac This little contraption is quite simplistic yet extremely handy when rigging on the water. The Tippetac has a rubberized slit on the top that's designed to safely hold your tippet or any other portion of loose line while rigging. Both pieces of the Tippetac feature super-strong magnets that let you confid

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship There's a lot of reasons to try fly fishing at night, some of which we went over in a past article right here. Despite these positives, the big negative with night fishing is simply visibility. Even on a full moon night, I always feel like I'm fishing at about half of my potential skill level due to not being able to see my line and everything around me like I can during daylight. Also, here in Florida we have snakes, alligators, and lots of bugs whi

I tie a lot of my flies for snook and largemouth with Puglisi or "EP" fibers. These long, soft fibers come in a huge array of colors and are amazing for crafting a plethora of flies imitating baitfish and other morsels. At the vise, the material is very easy to work with, and on the water it produces an excellent breathing/swimming action underwater. The one downside I do encounter is that larger patterns tied with these fibers can become a big tangled wad after a fish is cau

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Back when I started fly fishing in the early 90's, I remember the top fly lines costing around 60$ or so. Were there more expensive lines? Perhaps. As both a kid and a newbie, I wasn't super aware or knowledgeable of the market quite yet, but at that age the cost still seemed relatively high. Well, have you seen what top tier fly lines cost nowadays? I've reviewed a few of them right here on Demystifly. I'll start off by saying that the ones I've tri

Misery. Anger. Frustration. These are not the first words that typically come to mind when you think of a day of fly fishing, but if your gear gets drenched that can really throw things for a loop. You need serious protection for stuff like camera gear and extra clothing that absolutely, positively MUST stay dry. For those that pack heavy and need waterproof protection that's rugged, Fishpond looks to have the solution: their new Thunderhead Roll-Top Duffel. Fishpond uses the

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Bonefish are widely-known as one of the spookiest fish on the flats. I've only been fortunate enough to specifically target bonefish a handful of times, but I can still attest to the fact that you need to be super quiet and super skilled in your presentations. While I rarely get to cast a line to those critters, I do have a ton of experience sight-fishing for snook on the beach. Although snook can occasionally be dumb as rocks, they are more often sk