Thomas & Thomas has long been known for building some of the finest saltwater fly rods in the world, and the Sextant series continues this tradition. Typical of T&T, the Sextant features high-end components and a build quality that few other production rods can match. While we appreciate the sharp looks, these are high-performance tools for the discerning destination flats angler, providing a nice balance between feel and power.
The allure of leaving overcrowded and overfished rivers behind for more tranquil settings has piqued the interest of a new generation of anglers. The fly fishing industry has taken note, and The SR enters a growing field of fly rods designed for small stream applications. Going into this review, we questioned whether the rod offered anything different from others in its category. After all, $825 is a good amount for a specialized tool, and it is hard to reinvent the creek rod wheel. If you have similar questions and find yourself in the market for a new rod for your next blue line adventure, you will not want to miss this review.
Scott is no stranger to making great mid-price rods like the salt-friendly Tidal and the fresh-oriented Flex, which were nearly impossible to find during the pandemic. With Scott officially throwing both into the discontinued graveyard, it seemed like they planned to focus on their flagship models until they released the brand new Wave seemingly out of nowhere. At $675.00, it is cheaper than the fantastic Sector but also pushes the boundaries of what constitutes ‘mid-priced.’ Will the Wave crash the mid-price market or make little more than a ripple? Read on to find out.
The Thomas & Thomas Paradigm is the ultimate presentation rod for the modern-day trout angler. These rods are lightweight, deep flexing, and, typical of T&T, feature the highest quality components. If your general fishing experience involves light tippet, long leaders, and tiny flies, you have come to the right place. But this isn’t your father's dry fly rod, and you can expect better all-around performance than similarly billed rods from yesteryear.
When it comes to fly fishing, having the right gear is important if you want to be successful. One of the most important pieces of gear is your fly rod. Choosing the right fly rod can be tricky, but it's important to choose one that is well-suited for the type of fish you're trying to catch. In this blog post, we'll give you some tips on how to choose the right fly rod for every species.
Your sense of self-worth and dignity are too high to fish with a tenkara rod, but you cannot stand the thought of seeing trout rise to an evening spinner fall without a fly rod in hand. Redington’s brand new Trailblazer is designed for this scenario, the hike-to-fish crowd looking for a compact, backpack-friendly rod. Breaking down to six pieces, the Trailblazer meets this requirement, but how does it perform? You will not want to skip this review if you are looking for a new rod to take on your next hike-to-fish adventure.
Over the past few years, the top rod manufacturers in fly fishing have released new high-end rods, but Orvis has stayed surprisingly quiet. They are opting to ride out the H3 series, which has proven to be critically and commercially successful. Orvis has added three models to the Helios 3 lineup, giving them a “Blackout” makeover and redesigned for purpose-driven applications using existing Helios technology. Considering we are well underway with striper season here in Maine, we thought it would be appropriate to review the 8ft 5in 8wt model, which seems tailor-made for our fishery. However, it faces stiff competition, so If you want to see how the new Blackout H3D 8wt stacks up against the G. Loomis NRX+ Swim Fly 8wt and 8’4” 8wt Scott Sector, read on.
Our summers in New England are often spent chasing brook trout on tiny blue line streams that seldom see pressure. Wet wading and casting dries to hungry native fish is a great way to beat both the heat and the crowds found on larger rivers. This is also the time to put away that longer 5-weight in favor of a shorter, lighter-lined rod that will make casting on smaller steams more manageable and six-inch brookies more enjoyable. Lucky for us, Orvis’ redesigned Superfine Glass has dropped just in time for summer’s festivities, and we were able to give the 3wt a test drive. If you are interested in picking up a new rod for creek fishing, you will not want to miss this review.
Big flies, shooting heads, and voracious predatory fish are all the rage in the world of fly fishing. The craze was popularized by anglers like Mike Schultz, Kelly Galloup, and Blane Chocklett, who are responsible for tying some of the meanest and ugliest streamers around. Although the ‘streamer junkie’ movement led to rapid advancements in fly design, the specialized equipment needed for this adrenaline-pumping action has failed to keep up. For years, streamer anglers have made do with salt sticks designed for flats fishing. Sight casting to bonefish with a size 6 Gotcha is vastly different from blind casting patterns that are nearly the size of a chicken to apex predators. If the flies, species, and techniques are different, shouldn’t the rods be too?
A good fly rod doesn't just cast well but is equally effective in real-world fishing scenarios. In theory, it seems like a simple concept, but rod designers have often struggled to find the right balance with fast-action rods. Sage designed the R8 Core series to tackle the shortcomings of high-performance fly rods, such as roll casting, loop control, technical mends, and delicate presentations.
