Fly-Fishing Buys
Art: Jack Unruh
Any local fly-fishing enthusiast will tell you that nothing beats the meditative rhythm of the 10 o’clock—2 o’clock cast while standing thigh-deep in a cool stream surrounded by Utah’s awe-inspiring mountains. But catch or no, part of the fun is playing with the tools of the trade, like these new or tried-and-true must-haves:
Begin suiting up with Exofficio’s line of “Buzz Off” clothing, made of insect-deterring fabric. Then finish off that fine outfit with Korker’s boots (between $79 and $129). “[Korkers] have interchangeable soles: ‘aquastealth’ rubber [for those slippery river rock perches], felt, and a standard hiking sole,” explains Harley Jackson, buyer at Trout Bum 2. That makes one set of shoes that will take you to the river and keep you from falling into it.
Once at the water’s edge, everyone agrees that Simms’ “G3 Gortex” wading gear is the way to go in. Breathable, waterproof, and durable, the jacket ($400) comes with two built-in retracts and a hood like a waterproof tent, while the waders have a retract and extra material at the knees and seat.
Other outfitters making a splash include Patagonia’s “Watermaster” puncture-resistant waders, and Redington’s “Stratus” lightweight wading jacket. Retailing at $129, the jacket won’t get you in over your head.
Since catch-and-release is the only way to fly, how do you prove you caught a fish this big? Four Seasons Fly Fishers offers a new digital camera the size of a PEZ candy dispenser ($39.99, including cables and software). Utah native William Joseph, of Vortex backpacks, makes the one-megabyte camera, which takes about 25 pictures.
Four Seasons’ manager Matt Selders also recommends System X fly-fishing-boxes ($19.99). “These use a system of removable pages that snap in and out to manage and organize flies. It eliminates the need for carrying two or three boxes, which a lot of us do. The box is also clear so you can see the flies without opening it,” he says.
But the biggest change to fly-fishing could easily be Sage’s two-handed casting “Spey” rods (about $750). Jans Outfitters’ George Sideris explains, “They are 12- to 15-feet long and have about a two-and-a-half foot handle. In one move, they cast farther than a single-handed rod.”
Pair that with a Ross’s “Evolution” reel in the light-catching pewter finish and you’ve accessorized a look for 2005 that is nothing short of “fly.”
Your comments may be edited for brevity and foul language.