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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.
Ryan is back to show us how to tie an awesome predator fly! Did you find this video helpful? We’ve got hundreds more just like it. Subscribe to Trident’s YouTube Channel and enhance your fly-tying skills. New videos are posted frequently in a variety of different patterns. Ryan is back with us to show us how to tie his very […]
Join Ryan as he walks us through how to tie a simple, yet extremely versatile streamer pattern! Did you find this video helpful? We’ve got hundreds more just like it. Subscribe to Trident’s YouTube Channel and enhance your fly-tying skills. New videos are posted frequently in a variety of different patterns. After a little hiatus, we are back at you […]
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.
In 2024, Orvis unveiled the latest generation of Helios rods, dropping the numbering system while refining nearly two decades of innovation. This new Helios represents the culmination of speed, lightness, accuracy, and feel – but Orvis didn’t stop there. This latest generation improves recovery, tracking, and hoop strength, resulting in a more stable, responsive, and durable rod in real fishing conditions.
Recently, we had the opportunity to cast every model in the whopping 29-rod series, and today’s review reveals our findings. We’ll share casting notes, recommended line pairings, and best uses for each model, giving you valuable insights into which rods are ideal for your fishing. Keep reading to learn more about Orvis’ flagship rod series, which may be the most complete lineup we’ve ever reviewed.
Premium fly rod technology has focused on different areas of performance over the last couple of decades. We had the fast-action craze of the early 2000s, followed by the lightweight revolution of the 2010s, and now we find ourselves in the accuracy era, balancing power and weight with fine-tuned tapers to make the most precise casting tools imaginable. This blog will highlight some of the most accurate freshwater rods of 2025, including why we like them and some pros and cons for each. Whether you’re targeting tricky tailwater trout with size 20 tricos or smacking hoppers along an undercut bank, accuracy is one of the most important aspects of freshwater fly fishing. Keep reading to discover our top picks for the most accurate freshwater fly rods of 2025.
