#LineAndGear

Paul

Aug 21

Bajio Roca Sunglasses Review

For the vast majority of my fishing life, I wore nothing but cheap sunglasses with grey lenses. It didn't matter if the skies were cloudy or sunny; I never experimented with anything else. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure if I ever owned more than one pair at a time! While grey might not be the optimal lens color in a lot of scenarios, they worked well enough for me, and that included an awful lot of sight-fishing in both fresh and saltwater...so why change? When I started r

BlackStrap Brackish Sun-Protective Shirt Review

Paul

Jul 4

BlackStrap Brackish Sun-Protective Shirt Review

As fly anglers, protecting ourselves from the sun's harmful rays is absolutely vital. The most hardcore of us often spend entire days on the water—that's a lot of exposure! With skin cancer being so common, I often wonder why some people don't seem to take this too seriously. I don't know about you, but I like to minimize my risk for serious health problems, and wearing sun-protective clothing is an easy way to do that. Over the years, I've worn many lightweight, long-sleeve

Stop UV Rays and Insects With New Items From Buff

Paul

May 31

Stop UV Rays and Insects With New Items From Buff

For years, the name "Buff" has been synonymous with face shields. In fact, the name is so well known that it's pretty much used as a general reference to any face shield, regardless of manufacturer—"Hey, did you remember to bring your Buff?" Of course, since Buff USA first hit the scene, they've broadened their horizons a bit. Currently offering other items like hats and gloves, they now provide even greater skin protection for outdoor adventurers. Although we've reviewed Buf

Airflo Superflo Universal Taper WF6F Fly Line Review

Paul

May 15

Airflo Superflo Universal Taper WF6F Fly Line Review

What are some things you look for when shopping for fly lines? I'd guess that the main aspects people notice are taper style, grain weight, price, and even color. But, besides those key points, how often do fly anglers consider the material these lines are crafted from? Over the years, PVC has been the go-to material for crafting fly lines. However, it is unfortunately not so good for the environment. In fact, on the back of my fly line box, Airflo states how PVC leaches plas

Review: Breakwater Supply Explorer Waterproof Backpack

Paul

May 8

Review: Breakwater Supply Explorer Waterproof Backpack

The backpack: simple, bland, and basic...right? A typical backpack can serve as a handy means of transporting gear for us fly anglers, but its efficiency can also be limited by the conditions we encounter on the water. When wading aggressively, fishing in pounding rain, or in other more extreme scenarios, you must be confident that your belongings WILL be protected. This is where the Breakwater Supply Explorer Waterproof Backpack comes in. Dimensions: 20 x 13 x 6 inches E

Paul

Mar 21

Plano EDGE Micro Fly Box Review

Remember when all fly boxes were pretty basic? Well, like most things, they have evolved quite a bit over time. Gone are the days where the only choices were all pretty similar, standard, and somewhat boring. Sure, those boxes got the job done, but their simplistic designs left a lot of room for functional improvements. Offering more than just a place to store nymphs, dries, and little streamers, Plano's new EDGE Micro Fly Boxes go well beyond the basics. These feature-rich b

Costa Santiago and Blackfin PRO Sunglasses Review

Paul

Oct 17, 2021

Costa Santiago and Blackfin PRO Sunglasses Review

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

Simms Flyweight Hip Hybrid System Review

Paul

Sep 27, 2021

Simms Flyweight Hip Hybrid System Review

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

Paul

Aug 29, 2021

Simms Open Water Tactical Box Review

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

Paul

Aug 9, 2021

YETI Crossroads 29-inch Luggage Review

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

Backcountry x Simms Flyweight Z Sling Pack Review

Paul

Jun 14, 2021

Backcountry x Simms Flyweight Z Sling Pack Review

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 and Rambler 10 Tumbler Review - Plus Other New Additions

Paul

Oct 5, 2020

YETI Daytrip Lunch Box and Rambler 10 Tumbler Review - Plus Other New Additions

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

Paul

Sep 7, 2020

Filson Ripstop Nylon Rod Tube Review

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

Elite RIO Gold Fly Line with New SlickCast Coating Review

Paul

Jun 28, 2020

Elite RIO Gold Fly Line with New SlickCast Coating Review

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

Paul

May 25, 2020

YETI Roadie 24 Cooler Review

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

Paul

Jan 19, 2020

Aqua Design Camo Tube Face Mask Review

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

Paul

Nov 12, 2019

BUFF USA Product Review

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

Paul

Nov 3, 2019

Umpqua Bandolier ZS2 Sling Pack Review

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

Orvis PRO Trout WF4F Textured Fly Line Review

Paul

Jun 2, 2019

Orvis PRO Trout WF4F Textured Fly Line Review

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

Fly Line for $15? MaxCatch WF3F ECO Fly Line Review

Paul

May 20, 2019

Fly Line for $15? MaxCatch WF3F ECO Fly Line Review

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

DEMYSTIFLY

Demystifying the Gear and Art of Fly Fishing