Author: deeter

Review: Columbia AirGill Chill Zero Shirt

There’s no easy way around this, so I’m going to lead with the fact that this fishing shirt carries a suggested retail price of $130.  I often fish in T-shirts (even on the flats)… my favorite, custom-order T-shirt is a Grateful Dead (Montego Bay, Jamaica, 1982) commemorative, that cost me $25, with shipping. I’ve also been given plenty of...

Cabela’s CGT Fiberglass Fly Rods

I was recently asked whether or not I thought fiberglass rods were “the next big thing.”  It’s hard to call a technology that’s been around for decades a “next big thing.”  To me, it’s more a “what goes around, comes around” deal.  Fiberglass has been around for years… now it’s coming back en vogue… and that’s all good...

Sage Xi3 Rods and Big Jungle Fish

This is an arapaima, a juvenile version of the largest freshwater fish in the world (with scales). It's one of the first of these fish ever to be caught on a fly. It was hooked in the jungle waters of Guyana in South America, and for more details on that expedition, you can click here. But the backstory involves what rods, reels, and lines we used to catch...

A Really, Really Good Strike Indicator

Far be it from me to get excited about strike indicator fishing... usually. But I've had a chance to work with the StrikeIndicator Tool recently, and I think this New Zealand-born innovation might be the best new idea I've seen in a few years. Here's what we ran in Angling Trade: "If you like fishing indicators with nymph rigs, the importance of a reliable...

Review: Scheyden Precision Eyewear

Sooner or later, we're going to reach a point of diminishing returns in terms of polarized eyewear for fishing. And though I know I upset some readers when I review "expensive" items, I also know that the majority of the fly fishing market is still driven by that thirst for premium product. So if you think your $20 polarized shades are good enough (and you...

Manley's Super Pliers

My favorite gear recommendations are the things that aren't splashy and that not many people know about, but that certain guides swear by. This one comes courtesy of my buddy Oliver White who owns and operates Abaco Lodge in the Bahamas. I spent a good part of the past month or so running around the jungles in South America with Oliver. He is young in...

ZebraLight Headlamps

Whether you're camping without electricity, or fishing past the evening hatch (read mousing!) a great headlamp is important. As I've said before, I'm a minimalist, so heavy, complicated systems with many wires and attachments don't do it for me, even if they cast a beam that would turn on spelunkers. I've been dabbling around with headlamps from ZebraLight...

Fishpond's Dakota Carry-On Case

I'm often asked how I travel with fly rods. Truth is, when I travel, I'm usually on a story assignment, so I'm more likely than not to be lugging a laptop computer and a camera or two. Because carry-on luggage is limited on most flights (and because I like to travel with as few bags as possible), I typically reserve the carry-on for the more expensive...

Simms BugStopper Shirt: "As Advertised"

The Simms BugStopper NFZ (for "No Fly Zone") shirt, which is new for 2012, does exactly what it's supposed to do—keeps you from getting bitten by insects while fishing. As an added benefit it also offers 50+ UPF sun protection, which is important for anyone who spends time outdoors. Typically I wouldn't consider a product performing "as advertised...

REVO Water Lenses Definitely Worth a Look

REVO is a major player in the fashionable eyewear market, and the company is starting to make a push into the fly fishing arena with some pretty impressive frames and lenses. I know, I know... just what the fly fishing world needs is another sunglasses company that's going to make a big splash and, perhaps, flame out on fishing within a few years—we've...