Patrick B

The Mako Tournament is a no-compromise saltwater reel built for anglers who demand total confidence in their gear. Best known in the tarpon world, where long runs and light tippet can expose any weakness, the Tournament has earned a cult following among guides, tournament anglers, and seasoned flats veterans. It’s a refined version of Mako’s already legendary platform, with subtle but meaningful upgrades that elevate its performance even further. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at what makes the Tournament model so respected and whether it deserves a place in your arsenal.

The Peux Fulgor is unlike any reel we’ve reviewed. Built in Switzerland by a company rooted in precision mechanics, the Fulgor is the result of decades of refinement in a niche corner of fly fishing: semi-automatic reels. Peux was founded in the 1990s by Francis Nydegger, a Swiss machinist and fly angler who set out to design a reel that could recover line faster than anything else on the market. That mission led to the creation of high-end, lever-operated reels like the Fulgor, which combine fast retrieval, fine craftsmanship, and innovative design in a compact package. Semi-automatic reels have long had a loyal following in European nymphing circles, but they remain a curiosity to many anglers elsewhere. The Fulgor takes this niche concept to a whole new level. To learn more about its quirks, features, and who it’s really for, keep reading.

Old Mariner might be a new name in the fly reel world, but it comes with serious pedigree. Founded by Paul Conover, the original mind behind Old Florida Fly Reels (now known as Nautilus), the brand brings that same commitment to quality, simplicity, and durability into a fresh new package. The Inshore series is Old Mariner’s flagship saltwater reel, and it’s already turning heads with its vintage-inspired design, rock-solid construction, and ultra-smooth drag. In this review, we break down what makes the Old Mariner Inshore stand out and whether it deserves a spot on your saltwater setup.

Scott hasn’t offered a true mid-priced rod since the Flex, so the release of the Session series was highly anticipated. Anglers were eager to see how Scott would bring their signature feel and build quality to a more accessible price point. We’ve already published a full model-by-model breakdown (Here) of the Session lineup, but this review takes a closer look at the flagship 9’ 5wt model. Keep reading to learn about the new Scott Session, what we like about it most, and find out how it stacks up on the water.

The Skeena River in northern British Columbia is legendary for its world-class Steelhead and Salmon fishing, and I was fortunate to spend a week there this April with an amazing group. Skeena River Lodge is, without a doubt, the top operation on these iconic waters, with a talented guide team, welcoming staff, and a comfortable lodge that quickly feels like home. I’d been anxiously tying flies and preparing for this trip for months, and I couldn’t wait to be knee-deep in the river alongside friends from around the world.

Our week was a huge success. Every angler in our Trident group hooked and landed multiple Steelhead and, perhaps more importantly, picked up valuable skills we’ll carry forward into future trips. Read on for a full report on the current conditions in the Skeena system, the lodge itself, and what makes this trip one of the most special we offer.

I’ve just returned from a hosted week at Turneffe Flats Lodge, located on the beautifully remote Turneffe Atoll in Belize. This is one of the most popular destinations we book, thanks to its stunning natural beauty, vibrant fishery, and a world-class team of staff and guides who make an isolated island feel like home. Needless to say, I was excited to fish, but I was even more eager to spend a week with my group and help ensure everyone got the most out of their experience.

Overall, the trip was a great success. Everyone caught fish and gained a deeper understanding of the intricacies of flats fishing. Below, I’ll recap the week with details about the transfers, the lodge itself, and the robust fishery of Turneffe Atoll.

Sage has long been known for building fast-action fly rods with broad versatility and power. But with the release of the Classic R8, they’ve added a thoughtful chapter to their ongoing exploration of moderate-action, dry fly-focused tapers. This series represents a refinement of Sage’s more presentation-oriented offerings – rods built for anglers who value touch, loop control, and a slower, more deliberate casting rhythm. Across the lineup, the Classic R8 rods flex deeper and offer more feedback than the Trout LL, with a slightly quicker recovery than the Circa. While the series is clearly designed with dry fly purists in mind, each model has its own strengths, quirks, and ideal use cases. In this review, we break down each rod individually to help you understand where it shines, which lines pair best, and how it stacks up against its siblings in the lineup.

The Lamson Guru E is Lamson’s euro-nymphing-specific take on their best-selling Guru series. Built on the same reliable platform, the Guru E introduces a handful of thoughtful tweaks, like removable balance weights, a full-cage frame, and an ultra-large arbor, to meet the unique demands of euro nymphing and light trout spey. Longer rods and ultra-thin lines can challenge a standard reel, but the Guru E is purpose-built to keep everything balanced, tight, and tangle-free.

Whether you’re a dedicated euro angler or simply looking for a reel that pairs well with longer 3 and 4-wt rods, the Guru E delivers performance without unnecessary extras. In this review, we’ll break down what makes the Guru E stand out, and whether it deserves a spot in your quiver.

The Ion is Echo’s mid-priced, all-purpose freshwater reel, but keep in mind that “mid-priced” for Echo still means very affordable compared to much of the fly reel market. For many freshwater anglers, the Ion represents a fantastic value. In this review, we’ll break down the Ion’s features, componentry, and on-the-water performance to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your setup. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly reel that can handle long runs and strong fish, this is one you won’t want to miss. Keep reading to learn what makes the Echo Ion one of the best value fly reels out there.

The Swing is Galvan’s new spey-specific fly reel built using technology and design features from their popular Grip saltwater reel. We’re big fans of the Grip due to its powerful sealed drag, user-friendly design, and solid USA craftsmanship, so we’re excited to review this new specialty spey reel. If you chase Steelhead, Salmon, or migratory trout with a two-handed rod, this is a reel worth learning about. Read on to see why the Galvan Swing is set to become one of the top USA-made Spey reels on the market.