G. Loomis holds an esteemed reputation amongst saltwater fly anglers thanks to big names like Gary Loomis and Steve Rajeff pushing boundaries with innovative rod designs. Saying the sport wouldn’t be where it is today without G. Loomis isn’t hyperbole. Unfortunately, for budget-conscious anglers, high-performance G. Loomis fly rods have always come at the expense of the angler’s wallet. After we got our hands on the new mid-priced IMX-Pro V2 8wt, we were excited to give it a spin. After all, it has the Loomis name behind it, and at $595, the price tag is pretty reasonable in today’s hyper-inflated market. If you have ever drooled over the Loomis section at the fly shop but walked away in tears after glancing at price tags, read on to see if the IMX-Pro V2 8wt is the mid-priced saltwater Loomis you’ve been waiting for!
Hardy is no stranger to making excellent saltwater fly rods, but their last flagship saltwater series, the Zane Pro, didn’t galvanize the fly fishing community quite like their past rods. The Zane Pro wasn’t a bad rod, but perhaps a little dare-we-say ordinary. We’re here to tell you the all-new Marksman Z is anything but typical and one of the most exciting saltwater fly rods we’ve cast in a long time. If you are looking for a new high-performance eight-weight for your next salt destination trip, you will not want to miss this review.
Learn how to tie the Duracell Fly pattern, including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly-tying skills here.
The Corn Fed Caddis is a chunky, high-floating Caddis imitation tied with a thick, full CDC wing for maximum float ability. The CDC-based design means this Caddis lands slightly softer than a traditional elk hair and maintains a more lifelike profile on the water when targeting trout feeding on top.
The Black Caddis Dry Fly is a pattern we never leave the house without during late summer brookie outings here in Maine. It is the perfect fly to imitate those darker-colored insects dancing over a boiling bog or cascading creek on a sweltering August afternoon. We’re deviating slightly from the original pattern by using CDC for the underwing, which adds a touch of realism while increasing the pattern’s float ability.
The Light Cahill is a highly respected dry fly pattern that originated in the Adirondack region of New York before quickly spreading throughout the northeastern United States. The Light Cahil imitates the Pale Morning or Pale Evening Dun mayflies, which are common during the summer months in many streams and rivers throughout the country.
The Little Brown Trout is a classic streamer from Samuel R. Slaymaker of Pennsylvania, first tied in the late 1950s. Originally a part of a series of three streamers designed to imitate trout fry and intended to tap into the trout’s predatory instincts.
Sage is a brand with a long history of building legendary saltwater fly rods. However, their past few flagship salt series have largely disappointed. Sure, there were a few solid models, but most were too stiff, fast, and clunky for the average angler. When we had the opportunity to cast each rod in the new R8 Salt series, we were immediately impressed by Sage’s commitment to developing a salt-specific series that is enjoyable to cast for the average angler.
This fly was designed by Umpqua signature tyer Tyler Olsen. He was looking for a fly that floated low in the water but held up a nymph well. I’d say he got it right.
The March Brown Emerger is a low floating fly that has proven to be a reliable choice for fly anglers looking to catch trout during the emergence of mayflies. Its simple yet effective design makes it easy to tie, making it a great pattern for novice and experienced fly tiers alike.