DEMYSTIFLY

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship I have always viewed Waterworks-Lamson as one of the more innovative—or even daring—companies in fly fishing. Constantly thinking outside the box, their products often push the envelope of design and really set themselves apart from many others on the market. Remember the Center Axis integrated rod/reel they introduced a few years back? It doesn't get much more unique than that! The new Litespeed F marks the sixth generation (where has the time gone?

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Hugely popular across Europe, Greys returned to U.S. shores in 2020 and now offers several new fly rods and reels for us stateside anglers. Covering both freshwater and saltwater sizes, their new Tital series of fly reels took home the Best Fly Fishing Reel award at ICAST 2021. Having never touched a Greys product before this year's show, I was eager to test the 5/6 Tital to see if the performance matched its sexy good looks. Reel Size: 5/6 Measured

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

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Fly fishing can often conjure up images of softly casting to rising trout on a small mountain stream, or maybe sight-casting to bonefish schools on a slicked-out Bahamian flat. While these picture-perfect scenarios certainly do happen, the reality is that things can be much more demanding. When the wind is blowing, casts are distant, and flies are heavy, the average fly rod can come up short. In these situations, higher performance is welcomed. That'

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Ever wished for just a little more length in your fly rod? Whether added distance, line control, or casting elevation is desired, I'm pretty sure nearly all serious anglers have had this thought more than once. I know I have. A 9-foot fly rod is top dog for good reason—it delivers an ideal blend of castability, portability and control—but sometimes it's just not quite optimal. While a 10-foot fly rod can deliver the right results, in my experience th

When it rains it's not always cold outside. Growing up in Northern California, our wet season was from roughly November through April when cold fronts would come in off the Pacific giving us rain for several hours to maybe a full day or so. Fishing in those conditions was often a cool to downright cold experience, so typical heavier-duty rain gear was often required. Here in South Florida, that need isn't nearly so frequent. On days when the temperature is up and the rain sta

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Along with fiberglass rods, click-pawl reels seem to have really grown in popularity the last several years. Out of the various offerings on the market, the Colorado LT undoubtedly was and still is a favorite among trout chasers everywhere...and for good reason. Those reels are lightweight, high-quality, and offer a ton of visual appeal. While the Colorado LT has enjoyed a highly-successful run, production of those reels has ceased and the brand-new

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship It's no secret that I absolutely love a 5 weight with a fighting butt. In fact, out of all the fly rods out there, I'd have to say this is my favorite size and configuration. For small streamer duty and even very light saltwater action there is simply no other rod that is more enjoyable to use for these tasks. Outside of the custom world, however, there aren't a whole lot of readily-available production rods like this to be had. I was intrigued when

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Dry fly fishing. It is often a very technical game where finesse and precision can be of utmost importance. When it comes time to choose a rod for this style of fishing, it makes sense that most are made with softer actions that emphasize shorter, more delicate presentations over distance and ultra-fast line speed. Undoubtedly, there are some great choices available out there today which are tailored specifically for the dry fly angler. What sounds m

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

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship I used to not think much of die-cast fly reels. I'd typically envision them appropriate for display in the fishing aisle of a big box retailer or maybe as part of a beginner fly fishing combo, but not much else. Times are definitely different now. Personally, what made me rethink my opinion of die-cast reels came when Redington released the BEHEMOTH back in 2015. Those reels offered a lot more refinement than I was expecting and looked amazing to boo

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship If I was never a user of social media, Qualifly Reels is a label I may not have discovered yet. Though smaller in size, the brand offers a similarly small but very intriguing lineup which currently includes their Carbontech, Maverick, and Razorback reels. For our first Qualifly review to date, I selected a Razorback 4/6 reel because of a particular out-of-the-ordinary design feature. Keep reading to discover what that is... Reel Size: 4/6 Measured We

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship There's a new Crown in town. Stealthy and simplistic, Cortland Crown fly reels are back on the scene looking to offer anglers a quality alternative without breaking the bank. They may lack the exotic, intricate looks of reels costing three times as much, but I've been impressed more than once by the performance of both rods and reels with subdued looks and affordable price points. Could the new Crown be another one of these surprising reels? Reel Siz

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship A high-end fly reel is a thing of beauty. The intricate machining, sparkling finish, premium touches, and silky performance can really spike the desire meter. However, like a precision timepiece or luxury car, the associated price tag puts these reels in another financial galaxy for many anglers. Sure, there's a plethora of reels out there for all types of budgets, but does choosing a more affordably-priced option carry a heavy performance and "cooln

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

The huge number of species available here in Florida makes it a paradise for anglers. Peacock bass are definitely one of the most unique. First stocked into Dade and Broward County waters in 1984 to control exotic species, peacock bass populations have exploded throughout the region with fish now found even in some Southwest Florida waters. The only other place here in the United States that you'll find peacocks is in the Hawaiian Islands. I used to have some misconceptions a

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Ever since I was a kid, I've had a special affection for 4 weight fly rods. While the 5 weight is undoubtedly the the most popular for freshwater anglers, the feel and fun factor of the 4 has always worked well for me and been more appealing. This size is also far more versatile than some may think, capable of handling dries, nymphs, and even small streamers. North Carolina based Mauser Fly Fishing builds rods with a meticulous, personal touch. If yo

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

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Around a year and a half ago, I had the pleasure of reviewing the Orvis Helios 3D in a 5-weight size. While I typically like to keep our reviews mixed and don't bother testing more than one fly rod from a single series, I made an exception this time. I recently bought a Helios 3D 4-weight for myself and figured it might be interesting to write this rod up to let readers know about any performance differences. Although only one line size separates it

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Moderate-action fly rods may fall short in the popularity department when put up against their fast-action counterparts, but that doesn't mean they can't fill important niches in anglers' arsenals. When delicacy and accuracy are far more important than power and distance, a moderate action can provide a distinct advantage. Dry fly anglers fishing smaller waters are one such group that cherish softer rods for gingerly placing diminutive patterns ahea