We admit it – we’re gearheads. We love fly fishing gear so we write about it a lot on our web site.
This page has links to almost everything we’ve ever written about fly fishing gear – enjoy!
If you’d like to put your gear to good use, you should get in touch and talk with us about fishing in Alaska or the Bahamas.
Gear Reviews
Spey
- Spey Rods for King Salmon – Our Favorites
- Pieroway Renegade Rods – From the Designer
- Airflo Skagit F.I.S.T. Line
- OPST Swing Hooks
- OPST Lazar Line Running Line
- Airflo Streamer Switch Lines
- Echo Glass 7129-4
- Winston Microspey Trout Rods
- RIO Skagit iMOW Tips
- RIO Skagit iShort Heads
- RIO Skagit Max Review
- Sage 6119-4 METHOD Switch Rod Review
- Sage 7126-4 METHOD – The Lightsaber
- Sage 8116-4 ONE
- Rio Gripshooter Review
- Sage 7126-4 ONE
- Readers’ Steelhead Rigs – READ THIS ONE
- Pieroway Metal Detector King Rod
- Sage 8136-4 ONE
- ECHO King
- Sage 10130-4 ONE
- Sage 8134-4 Z-Axis
- Running Line Roundup
- Sage 5126-4 Z-Axis
- Sage 5110-4 Z-Axis
- Rio Skagit Flight
- Sage 7136-4 Z-Axis
- Sage 7126-4 TCX – The Death Star
- Scott Fiberhammer
- Spey Lines for Switch Rods
- Airflo Skagit Compact
- Rio MOW Tips
- Scott King Rod
- Scott King Rod Re-Review
- Airflo Skagit Switch Head
- Sage TCX Switch Rods
- Sage 6119-4 TCX Switch Rod
- Airflo Rage Compact Head
- Airflo Skagit Intermediate
- ECHO3 7130
- Really Heavy Skagit Heads
Bonefishing/Flats Fishing
- Patagonia Tropic Comfort Hoody II
- G. Loomis NRX Saltwater Rods
- Echo E.P.R. 890-4 Rod Review
- Simms SunHood
- Exterus Fly Fishing Inspired Apparel
- Einarsson Plus Reels – Review
- RIO General Purpose Tropical Fly Line
- Orvis Andros Flats Hiker Boots
- Scott Meridian 908/4
- Sage MOTIVE Saltwater Rods
- Sage SALT 890-4
- Simms Bone Flip Sandals
- Airflo Ridge Clear-Tip Tropical Fly Line
- Airflo Chard Tropical Punch Fly Line
- Hatch Nomad Pliers
- Redington Vapen Review
- Pocket Fly Boxes
- Scientific Anglers SharkWave Saltwater Fly Line
- Hatch Professional Leader and Tippet
- Scientific Anglers Bruce Chard Grand Slam Line
- Rio Bonefish Quickshooter Line
- Sage ONE Review for Bonefishing
- Sage 790-4 TCX
- Rio Tropical Clouser
- Rio Bonefish Line
- Smith Ignitor Lens
- Sage 1090-4 Xi3
- Airflo Bonefish Ridge Line
- Sage Xi3 790-4
- Sage VXP Rods
- Backing for Bonefish
- Simms SunSleeves
Alaska
- The Shot-Gun: Split Shot Alternative
- Stone Beads
- Airflo Super-Dri Nymph/Indicator Fly Line
- TB Peggz
- Mystic Sapphyre 590-4
- Sage 690-4 Z-Axis
- Sage 890-4 Xi3
- Sage 99 Nymphing Rods
Bags, Packs and Luggage
- Simms G4 Pro Sling Pack
- Umpqua Bandolier ZS Sling Pack
- Fishpond 45″ Dakota Rod and Reel Case
- Fishpond Westwater Large Rolling Duffel
- Patagonia Stormfront Sling Pack
- Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack
- Simms Dry Creek Boat Bags (2015)
- Orvis Safe Passage Carry-It-All Rod and Gear Case
- Vedavoo No Pebble Packs
- Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag
- Simms Dry Creek Flats Pack
- Simms Headwaters Backpacks
- Sage Typhoon Waist Pack
- Simms Headwaters Reel Briefcase
- Simms Headwaters Sling Pack
- Sage DXL Typhoon Boat Bag
- Sage DXL Typhoon Backpack
- Simms Harbor Shoes
- Simms Headwaters Tackle Wallet
- Fishpond Blizzard Soft Cooler
- SmithFly Modular Fly Fishing Gear
- Fishpond Rodeo Rolling Duffel
Reels
- Loop OPTI Megaloop
- Einarsson Plus Reels
- Hatch Finatic Reels
- Sage Evoke Reels
- Sage 6000 Series Reels
- Sage 6080 Reel
- Ross Evolution LT
- Sage Click Reels
- Ross F1 Reel
Other Gear
- Simms Cam Wading Belt
- Nexcare Absolute Waterproof Tape
- Meiho Adjustable Fly Boxes
- Kast Velocity Jacket
- Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener
- GoDolly Landing Nets
- UTC Ultra Thread
- Fly Vines
- Simms Bounty Hunter Mesh Reel Pouches
- Hatch Nippers
- Tacky Big Bug Fly Boxes
- Simms Wading Koozy
- HMH Shank Adapter Tool
- Plan D Articulated Fly Boxes
- Measure Nets
- Simms BackSaver Wading Belt
- Clear Cure Good Hydro
- Plano 3601 THIN Boxes
- Rod Gloves
- Tide Watches for Anglers
- OPST Steelhead Shanks
- Merino Baselayers
- Sharpie Extreme
- Angler’s Image Magnetic Hook Boxes
- Olympus TG-3 Camera
- Simms Axis Hoody
- Arc Fishing Tippet Material
- Hydro Flask Travel Mug
- Hatch Nomad Pliers
- Simms G3 Guide Boots
- HMH Poly Tubes
- Omnispool Switchbox
- Airlock Strike Indicators
- Simms Kinetic Jacket
- Aeropress Coffee Maker
- Dr. Slick Razor Scissors
- O’Keeffe’s Working Hands
- Aquaseal UV
- HMH Tube Spinner Tying Vise
- Abel Hybrid Hemostats
- Seal Line Dry Cases
- Hair Ties as Rod Straps
- RIO Fly Line Cleaning Towelette
- Stuffits – Fight Foot Odor!
- Simms Slick Jacket
- Fishpond Westwater Rolling Duffel Review
- New Essential Gear for Fishing Trips
- Hatch Backing Review
- Simms Slick Jacket Preview
- Simms Coldweather Shirt Review
- Alpaca Wool Socks
- Baker’s Dozen to Bring on Your Trip
- ECHO Gecko Kids’ Rod
- We Love Puff.
- Simms Boot Studs
- New-Skin
- Maxima Ultragreen
- Ultrathon Insect Repellant
- Simms Hardbite Studs and Star Cleats
- Simms Guide Windstopper Jacket
- Simms G3 Guide Pant
- Pelican Cases
- Abel Pliers
- Kelly Kettles
- Abel Nippers
- Rio Alloy Hard Mono
- Aquapac Phone Case
- Revo Water Lens
- Kast Steelhead Gloves
- Sage Kanektok Wool Pro
- Shark Tooth Leader Control System
- Plano Boxes
- Favorite Trailer Hooks
- Best Sandals Ever?
- Sage Kanektok Wool Pro
Gift Ideas
- Last Minute Fly Fishing Gift Ideas
- Best Fly Fishing Gifts for 2012
- 10 Fly Fishing Gifts Under $50
- 10 Great Fly Fishing Gifts
Gear-Related Tips
- Get Down with Glass Beads
- Rigging Backing Solo
- Rinse Your Zippers
- Choosing a Fillet Knife
- Practice Flies
- Rod Gloves – Great for Flats Skiffs
- Always Pack the Puffy
- Mind Your Line Scraps
- Rinse Off Your Flats Boots
- Clean Your Rod Guides – Cast Further
- Spey Line Recommendations – Updated
- Wear Good Boots
- Downsize Your Rod for Spooky Bonefish
- DIY Dehookers for Bonefish
- Spooling Fly Line Correctly
- Rigging Beads for Trout – 3 Methods
- Tube Fly Organization
- DIY Pliers Lanyard
- Reel Weight – It’s All About Balance
- Don’t Fish This Fly
- Taking Care of Your Waders – 8 Tips
- Dry Out Your Flies
- Frozen Rod Guides – Try Lip Balm
- Splicing a Loop in Miracle Braid
- Understanding Fly Line Profiles
- 3 Uses for Opposing Wader Straps
- Get Your Buff On
- Storing Rigged Fly Rods
- Wind Your Backing on Tight – Here’s Why
- Gluing Knots for Extra Strength
- Drinking Straws for Tube Flies
- Pre-Rigging Nymph Rigs
- Polyleaders for Single Hand Rods
- Caring for Fly Lines
- All About Spey Rigging
- Which Tippet Size Should I use
- Untwisting Your Fly Line
- Color Coding Sink Tips
- Reinforcing Welded Loops
- Rigging Tip: Bunny Tails and Stinger Loops
- Carabiners for Flats Boots
- Tying Nail Knots Without a Tool
- Rolling Up Your Raincoat
- Painting Beads for Trout
- Unsticking Fly Rod Ferrules
- Monofilament or Fluorocarbon?
- Cheap and Easy Sunglass Retainers
- Double Up Your Loop to Loop Connections
- Salt is the Enemy
- Cleaning Fly Lines
- Easy Furled Leaders
- Make Sure Your Bonefish Rod Loads Easily
- Gold Bond Powder in Your Waders
- Don’t Forget Your Headlamp
- Skagit vs. Scandi Heads
- Finding and Fixing Leaks in Your Waders
- Lubricate Your Knots Well
- Try a Mono Running Line on Your Switch Rod
- Make the Best Rain Bibs Ever
- Intermediate Heads on the Dean River
- Clothing for Bonefishing
- 3 Ways to Save Money on Gear
- Selecting Bonefish Flies
- Fishing Gear Maintenance
- 5 Ways to Simplify Your Fishing Gear
- Baker’s Dozen to Bring on Your Trip
- Bullet Weights Part 1: Get Crittery
- Bullet Weights Part 2: Still Crittery
- Making T-14 Tips
- Bead Fishing for Rainbow Trout
- Reels for Bonefishing – 5 Things to Look For
- How to Break Your Fly Rod – 10 Simple Options
- How to Pack for Your Day of Bonefishing
- Bonefish Leaders for the Bahamas
- Hand-tied Leaders for Saltwater Fishing
- Sinktip Secrets
- 5 Non-Fishing Items to Bring on Your Trip
- Rigging Stinger Hooks
- Try Fishing Smaller Hooks
- Let Your Guide Pick Your Fly
- Tube Flies – Introduction
- Tube Flies – Two Ways to Rig Them
- Silvey’s Tandem Tube – How to Rig It
- Tube Flies – Advanced Rigging
- Fly Rods for Alaska
- Don’t Wear a Red Shirt
- Lake Fishing with Switch Rods
- Sage Rods for the Dean
- Traveling with Spey Rods
- Airflo Sinktip System
- Keeping Sinktips Organized
- Prevent Rod Mating
- Try a Lanyard
- Spey and Switch Fishing for Trout – An Update
- Barracuda Rigging with Irving and O’Keefe
- Depthfinding – Beauty of the Skagit Intermediate Heads
- Bulk Hooks
- Keep Your Hooks Sharp
- Spey Line Recommendations
- Quick Nipper Lanyards
- Making Loops on Sinktips
Recommended Flies
- Rainbow Trout Flies: Our Favorites at Alaska West
- Rainbow Trout Flies: Our Favorites at Rapids Camp Lodge
- Aqua Flies for King Salmon – 5 Favorites
- Jerry French’s Dirty Hoh
- Peterson’s Spawning Shrimp – Tying Instruction
- Stu’s Tube Leech – Tying Instructions
- Price’s Five O’Clock Shadow Mouse Fly – Tying Instructions
- 6 Reasons this Fly Works for Salmon
- Hickman’s Fish Taco – Tying Instructions
- The Hoh Bo Spey – Tying Instructions
- Mr. Hankey – Tying Instructions
- The Predator – Tying Instructions
- Steelie Pot Bellied Pig – Tying Instructions
- Favorite Bonefish Flies for South Andros – Updated
- The Foxy Leech – Tying Instructions
- Stu’s Tube Mouse – Tying Instructions
- The Rubber Legged Gotcha – Tying Instructions
- The Spawning Mantis Shrimp – Tying Instructions
- Rubber Legged Intruder – Tying Instructions
- Marabou Intruder – Tying Instructions
- Reverse Marabou Tube Fly – Tying Instructions
- Stu’s Quick Tie Sculpin Tube Fly – Tying Instructions
- Stinger Mice
- Shrimptruder Tying Video
- The Shrimptruder
- Cotton Swab Tube Flies
- 3 Things to Look For in Your Andros Bonefish Fly
- Golf Tee Popper
- Tying Sculpins with Trevor Covich
- Chuck Shepard’s Silver Salmon Popper
- Senyo’s Intruder Wire
- Bonefish Fly Selection for South Andros
- Tube Flies – Why We Like ‘Em
- 7 Reasons This Fly Works on Andros Island
- 5 Flies for Kings on the Kanektok
- Dean River Steelhead Flies – 5 Favorites
- King Flies – The Mikey Prawn
- Alaska Silver Salmon Flies – 5 Favorites
- Bonefish Flies – 5 Favorites for South Andros
- Flesh Flies for Trout
- Barracuda Flies for the Bahamas
- Silver Salmon Fly Selection
- Dean River Steelhead Fly Selection
- Veverka’s Mantis Shrimp
- Mr. Hankey
- The Intruder
- Selecting Steelhead Flies
- King Salmon Fly Selection
- Cotton Candy – The Old Standby
- Dean River Chinook Flies
- Favorite Bonefish Flies
- Idylwilde Flies for South Andros
- Fly Selection for Lakes
- Chinook Flies for the Dean
- Rainbow Trout Flies – 5 Favorites for Alaska
- Quigley’s Bonefish Tickler
- Grillos’ Quick Silver Popper
- Dean Steelhead Fly Roundup
- King Salmon Flies – Size Does Matter
Expert Rigs
Bonefish
- George Cook’s Bonefish Rig
- Jordan Sly’s Bonefish Rig
- Bruce Chard’s Bonefish Rig
- Michael White’s Bonefish Rig
- Rick Sisler’s Bonefish Rig
- JEB Hall’s Spin Rig for Bonefish
Steelhead
- Grant Turner’s Alaskan Steelhead Rig
- John Hazel’s Steelhead Rig
- Adam Tavender’s Steelhead Rig
- Dana Sturn’s Steelhead Rig
- Tom Larimer’s Steelhead Rig
- Scott Baker-McGarva’s Steelhead Rig
- Ken Morrish’s Steelhead Rig
- Jeff Hickman’s Steelhead Rig
- Michael White’s Steelhead Rig
Salmon
- Stuart Foxall’s King Rig
- Jason Whiting’s Silver Rig
- Whitney Gould’s Silver Rig
- Jordan Sly’s Silver Rig
- Adam Jackson’s King Rigs
- Kyle Shea’s King Rig
- Charles St. Pierre’s King Rig
- Michael White’s King Rig
- Brian Niska’s King Rig
- Dec Hogan’s King Rig
- Ed Ward’s King Rig
- Tom Larimer’s King Rig
- Jeff Hickman’s King Rig
- Trevor Covich’s Silver Rig
- Whitney Gould’s King Rig
- Bruce Chard’s Pollywog Rig for Silvers
- King Salmon and Indicators
Trout
- Kyle Shea’s Trout Swinging Rig
- Dan Herrig’s Naknek Swinging Rig
- Kyle Shea’s Nymphing Rig
- Jordan Sly’s Early Season Big Trout Rig
- Jordan Sly’s Trout Swinging Rig
- Rick Sisler’s Rainbow Rig
- J.E.B. Hall’s Sculpin Rig
- J.E.B. Hall’s Rodent Rig
- J.E.B. Hall’s Bead Rig
- Jeff Hickman’s Trout Rig
- Kevin Price’s Trout Rig
- Michael White’s Flesh Rig
- Michael White’s Trout Switch Rig
Others
- Jordan Sly’s ‘Wake and Eggs’ Rig
- Whitney Gould’s Competition Rig
- Dan Herrig’s Halibut Rig
- Hollis Bennett’s Camera Rig
- Rick Sisler’s Barracuda Rig
- Louis Cahill’s Camera Rig
- Bruce Chard’s Barracuda Rig
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