Patrick B

Ah, September. The days are getting shorter, and crisp mornings remind us that autumn is quickly approaching. It’s streamer season for trout anglers in the Northern Hemisphere, and it’s time to prepare your fly box accordingly. If you’re unsure which streamer patterns to load up on this fall – you’re not alone. Streamer selection can be one of the most confusing topics for new and even veteran anglers. Luckily, this article is just for you. Below, we’ll discuss some of our favorite streamer patterns for September, why we like them, and when you should fish them. Like any fly selection, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to streamers, so read on to learn about some of the most effective streamer patterns for fall trout fishing.

The Sage Spectrum C has been a staple of Sage’s fly reel lineup for quite some time now, representing a value reel for anglers who need solid performance at an attainable price. This newest iteration of the Spectrum C carries forward Sage’s legacy of offering functional, well-designed reels for a reasonable price. Follow along as we break down the Spectrum C in this full review, covering topics like weight, spool design, and much more. If you’ve been curious about Sage’s lineup of value reels, this review is just for you.

For longtime fans of Orvis Fly Reels, the CFO model is a cherished heritage reel whose simple design harkens back to the origins of the Orvis Company. In fact, the CFO name comes from Charles Frederick Orvis himself, distinguishing this model as a timeless clicker within the Orvis Fly Reel lineup. But does this current version maintain the legacy of previous models, or is it a modern reel with a classic facade?  In this review, we’ll attempt to answer this question as we examine the newest iteration of the Orvis CFO, diving into its technical features and overall design elements. If you’re interested in click-and-pawl reels, keep reading to learn more about the Orvis CFO Fly Reel and decide if it’s the right choice for your collection.

The Lamson Liquid Outfit combines the incredibly popular Liquid Fly Reel with a new Liquid Fly Rod and a specialty fly line into a convenient, ready-to-fish package. In this review, we’ll discuss the Liquid Fly Rod which is only available via the outfit package, and not as a standalone product. If you’re curious about the Liquid Fly Reel, you can find that review here. Overall, we found a lot to like about this affordable new rod from Lamson, including some surprising performance features. Keep reading to learn whether the Lamson Liquid Outfit Fly Rod is the right fit for you.

Simms has been a leader in the fly fishing industry for quite some time, and that all started with their groundbreaking GORE-TEX® wader designs in the 1990s. Since then, they’ve continued to push the limits of excellent waders and wading equipment, continually winning awards for their innovative and clever designs. In this review, we’ll compare all of the current wader models offered by Simms, discussing their overall design elements and some pros and cons for each wader. Hopefully, this will help you cut through the marketing hype and pick the right pair of Simms waders for your specific fishing needs. 

Tippet is an often overlooked piece of gear, but it is crucial to your success on the water. Considering the amount of time, energy, and money we put into our angling pursuits, the last thing we want is our tippet to fail when it matters most. Although there have been previous tippet shootouts performed by other fly shops, they are now outdated. We wanted to update you on the current products available, and how they perform in a series of tests.

In this shootout, we’ll examine a plethora of 20lb tippet materials from several manufacturers, and test them to see which tippet material is the right choice for your fishing endeavors. Continue reading to learn which tippets came out on top, and how we tested each material for this 20lb tippet shootout.

As summer progresses, low and clear water conditions make edgy trout increasingly difficult to catch on dries. The most prolific hatches of the season are mostly over by now, and many fish have seen their fair share of feathers and fur float overhead. For dry fly junkies, the dog days of summer can be the most challenging, yet rewarding times of the season. Today I’ll share some of my favorite late summer dry fly patterns, as well as why I like them and some helpful tips on how to fish them more productively. Hopefully, this article will help you find some willing dry fly eaters during the late summer months.

The Thomas & Thomas Zone has been a beloved mid-priced rod for a while now, but most anglers are only familiar with its 9’ lengths. Today we’ll shed some light on the euro nymphing models of the Zone, specifically the 10’ 2-3wt rods. In addition to being solid euro sticks, these rods are surprisingly adept at throwing dry flies. Learn about the Zone euro nymphing rods from top to bottom, including who they’re for, how they perform on the water, and whether they’re worth buying in 2024.

Recently, one of our travel customers, Sarah, had a great experience fishing for trout in Almont, Colorado. She and a friend drove from Colorado Springs to Almont, Colorado in late April to float the Gunnison River and wade the Taylor River with the guides from Willowfly Anglers. They also planned two DIY fishing days so they could explore the area’s many creeks and tributaries on their own. The pair stayed at Three Rivers Resort, the home of Willowfly Anglers fly shop and guide service. We had a chance to catch up with Sarah and ask about her experience. Read on to hear what she had to say about the trip, including details about the fishing, the guides, and the accommodations.

Recently, I had the opportunity to make it down to The Palometa Club in Ascension Bay, Mexico for a week of fishing and catching up with our lodge partners in the small fishing village of Punta Allen. This is considered by many to be the epicenter of Permit fishing on the globe, and I was excited to get into the tropics and see what I could entice to eat a fly. The trip was a great adventure filled with many laughs, new friends, and fishing highs and lows that you can expect on any flats trip. Below, I’ll go into detail about the trip, the status of the Ascension Bay fishery, and my experience at The Palometa Club over the week.