Robert Morselli

Robert Morselli has traveled the planet, visiting factories and talking with designers and makers of fly rods, fly reels, fly lines and a host of other fly fishing implements – thereby gaining an in-depth understanding of how and why a fly fishing product performs well – or not. He has been reviewing fly fishing gear since 2008 and is the publisher of Fly Gear Guide (www.flygearguide.com), a site that features fly fishing gear reviews, an extensive review archive, as well as gear-related news.

Author Articles

Gear Review: Frabill Floating Trout Net

The Frabill Floating Trout Net was the Best Of category winner at ICAST 2020, and with good reason.  Materials, design, dimensions and mesh specs have been perfectly thought out. It’s a perfectly sized trout net, capable of scooping up and managing the brawniest trout (it features a very deep basket) – yet the fine, rubberized, tangle-free mesh weave...

Gear Review: Orvis Ultralight Fly Fishing Vest

Even just a quick glance at this item tells you it isn’t a standard fishing vest. Far from it. Orvis’s Ultralight Fly Fishing Vest is a radical design that merges hi-volume storage capacity with close-fitting construction. The low-profile design keeps load closer to the body and reduces the "layered bulk" of conventional vests. Even with pockets fully...

Gear Review: Moonshine "Drifter" Fly Rod

No storied history quite yet, but Moonshine fly rods are clearly out to make their mark. Starting with the rod tube that features a raised, stitched logo – not a common sight on rod tubes these days. Zip open the top and you’ll find 5 rod sections. That isn’t a miscount, but rather an extra rod tip. Considering the price category that the Drifter...

Fly Fishing Gear Review: Sage "Trout" Reel

Four things make this reel a standout: Looks I showed the reel to seven anglers, all of whom remarked on its old-world elegance, and most of whom insisted on a “hands on experience”. It’s that attractive. Narrow Profile, Full-Frame Design I buried two reel reviews in the recent past. The reels were in the $400 - $500 category, both were fully...

Gear Review: SIMMS G4Z Pro Waders

Once again, Simms has improved its G4 wader line with an exhaustive list of new features. I tested the 2020 G4Zs and came away even more impressed than previous G4 incarnations. Let’s start with the fabric, which is the main driver in this new wader. There are four layers of GoreTex PRO Shell fabric in the legs and seat for internal/external puncture...

Gear Review: Hemingway Performance Fishing Shirt

What makes this shirt a standout is that it’s an excellent travel partner: polyester performance is built in. Fish it, wash it in a sink and hang to dry so that you can use it that same evening: dries in a snap and wrinkle free. Two or three of these shirts will cover you for an entire one-week fishing excursion. Those fishing-specific goods: 2 large...

Gear Review: Redington Prowler Wading Boot

Lately, manufacturers of both waders and wading boots have really focused on comfort, and we are now (gladly) faced with a great array of premium to mid-priced products that make our days – or precious hours – on the water that much enjoyable. If you’re looking for a light-weight wading boot, the Redington Prowler stands at the top of the heap in that...

Gear Review: RIO Metered ConnectCore Shooting Line

I tested RIO's 0.042" Metered ConnectCore Shooting Line with a Skagit Gamechanger and a Scandi 3D head, and RIO has managed to make its already outstanding ConnectCore running line better.  It shoots effortlessly through the guides with both heads and overall, it’s super slick, and it doesn't tangle into a bird's nest when shooting line. I did get a few...

Gear Review: C&F Design Large Chest Storage Box

C&F Design doesn’t make a habit of checking the community radar when designing a product. They do it their very own, very particular way. Despite being widely regarded as a slightly odd box due to the carbonite cladding and spiral binding that holds the whole unit together, testing revealed that this – like most C&F products - is a remarkable...

Gear Review: Orvis Ultralight Wading Jacket

The Orvis Ultralight Wading Jacket is undoubtedly the product of designers listening to customers who ask for and suggest specific features in a wading jacket. Orvis labels it a “a full-featured jacket” – and that it is (partial list appears at base of review). What makes this wading jacket a standout, as the product name clearly points out, is its...