The team at Tail Fly Fishing Magazine puts some of the best fly fishing gear to the test. It is not limited to fly fishing gear though. We also take the time to review clothing, lifestyle items for outdoor living, gear transport systems, fly tying materials and tools, luggage and of course food and beverage–essentially all of the things that make your fly fishing experience better.
Mill Scale Metal Works Yakitori Grill
Don’t know Mill Scale Metal Works? You should. Brothers Matt and Caleb Johnson are self-taught welders who have spent the last decade building custom pits and smokers for some of the biggest names in barbecue out of their shop in Lockhart, Texas. They’ve garnered worldwide attention for their fabrication of the highest-quality restaurant-grade smokers, and the Yakitori represents their desire to bring the Mill Scale brand to the everyday grill man. The Yakitori is a Texas take on a traditional Japanese grilling style. The multi-level grill offers superb heat control, as each rack can be moved to a higher or lower position for searing, resting, or slow roasting. Its quality construction promises season after season of use. With the Mill Scale Yakitori Grill, you can retire your backyard clunker and step up to big-league barbecuing.
$1,560 (millscale.co)
Loon Outdoors Tying Mat
Always putting their best foot forward for the avid fly tier, Loon Outdoors has done it again with their newly released tying mat. It’s the perfect solution for those of use who feel like they spend more time at the vise searching for misplaced tools and materials rather than tying flies. Neatly divided magnetic compartments keep hooks, eyes, and beads in place—and tools and materials organized. Its silicone construction is easy to clean, and UV resin and glues peel away, ensuring a tidy, mess-free working surface.
$35 (loonoutdoors.com)
Umpqua Deceiver HD Big Game Fluorocarbon Tippet Pink
Really? A pink fluoro leader, you say? Yes, indeed, says Umpqua. The science behind Umpqua’s new tippet material points to unparalleled subsurface invisibility; red is the first color in the water column to disappear, and pink, being the lightest shade of red, disappears fastest. Furthermore, the experts at Umpqua explain, when standard fluorocarbon gets nicked, kinked, or abraded, these imperfections can stand out underwater like a neon sign to our wary quarry. The pink additive greatly diminishes this fluorocarbon trait. When a stealthy presentation is key, consider Deceiver HD Big Game Pink another weapon in your arsenal. Available in 8-pound to 40-pound.
$14.99-$29.99 (umpqua.com)
Gerber Truss Multi-Tool
Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. This old adage certainly applies to a good multi-tool, especially when it comes to equipment malfunctions in remote areas. This all-inclusive unit combines 17 tools in a tough and compact yet ergonomic design. It includes spring-loaded pliers, locking-blade folding knife and saw, Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, bottle opener, and much more. We’ve used this tool countless times to service reels while traveling, and have even used it to de-hook unfortunate fellow anglers. The redesigned Truss solves many of the design issues that plagued its predecessor, the Suspension. While there are many capable multi-tools on the market, the price point, compact size, and weight—combined with Gerber’s trusted name for quality and craftsmanship—make the Truss a solid tool.
$60 (gerbergear.com)
Orvis PRO Waterproof Sling Pack 14L
The PRO line of products from Orvis continues to impress, and the PRO Waterproof Sling Pack is a great choice for wading anglers or for traveling anglers in search of a collapsible bag that can serve as both boat bag and wading bag. We used every bit of this bag’s 14 liters of space when carrying it as a boat bag in Belize and Mexico earlier this year. And when using it to stalk flats, its ergonomics, durability, and total protection against water made us true believers. Much like the Orvis PRO Waterproof Roll Top and Waterproof Backpack we’ve previously reviewed, this pack is virtually bombproof. It’s made from 840-denier ballistic nylon and coated with .1 millimeter waterproof TPU on both sides of the fabric. It has a submersible No. 10 TIZIP waterproof zipper; you can hold this pack underwater and it won’t blow out. The generous opening allows extreme ease of access to sort through our typically overstuffed pack, and the interior hanging pocket is a great spot for leaders, tippet spools, cash for tips (and small entrance fees at Belize’s Bacalar Chico National Park), and other small items. We used the outer pocket for our cell phone, keeping it protected but allowing easy access when we wanted to snap a photo. The strap is the most comfortable we’ve ever used—there’s 10 millimeter foam padding in both the strap and the pack’s back panel. The recessed tippet holder, fly patch, and water bottle pocket with retention leash are easy to access. The design and engineering that went into this pack are evident.
$279 (orvis.com)
Free Fly Elevate Hoodie
This new hot-weather sun hoodie from Free Fly balances breathability and sun protection in a shirt that’s a little heavier and more durable than Free Fly’s Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie but still light enough for hot days on the water. The shirt’s material—83 percent polyester, 11 percent Tencel, and 6 percent Spandex—is soft and smooth against the skin and offers UPF 30 sun protection (for comparison, Free Fly’s Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie is UPF 20). Without question, our favorite feature is the innovative hand cuff for sun protection. Unlike the majority of shirts that have thumb holes/loops that allow the cuff to ride over part of the back of the hand, the Elevate hoodie has a thin fabric loop that goes over the middle finger (or whichever finger works for you), pulling the cuff snugly over most of the back of the hand and providing the highest level of sun protection we’ve seen without gloves. Unlike gloves, however, this design allows an open palm and greater tactile sensation for handling line. We think this shirt’s hand cuff is going to be a game-changer in performance fishing-apparel design. The crossover hood provides total sun coverage and is fitted, although the fit leaves room for a cap. It has a slim fit through the body, but there’s room to move.
$88 (freeflyapparel.com)
Bote Inflatable Aero Bag Toss Classic
The Aero Bag Toss is a fresh take on the classic game that goes by many names. The rules are the same, but the boards are not. Bote has made the game portable and storable by using the same technology they use for their inflatable paddle boards. They’re easy to air up with the included pump—and very sturdy. Great for tailgating or truck camping. The price point may be higher than other versions of the game, but these boards are very cool and can go anywhere. $399 (boteboard.com)
(Affiliate Link: https://bit.ly/3UUUM8W)
Costa PRO Series Sunglasses
Costa Del Mar has taken a leap forward with the PRO Series line of sunglasses, which feature multiple design improvements that address problems anglers face with fit, fogging, and durability. Sweat, sunscreen, and heat stay off the lenses with the help of adjustable nose pads, eyewire drains in the frame below the lens, and sweat management channels along the inside of the temples. The PRO series, which covers a line of multiple popular Costa frame designs and lens options, also has an improved Hydrolite material in the temple that’s supposed to be more durable. We’ve been testing a pair of Reefton frames for several months, and we like the suite of design improvements designed to keep the lens clear of fog and sweat so we can see more fish. It takes some time to get used to the new nose pads, but once you get them dialed in, the design is effective in keeping your fish vision clear. We also tested a different frame with the low-light Sunrise Silver Mirror lens and found it exceptional for seeing into the water on overcast days and during crepuscular periods.
$284 (costadelmar.com)
Fishpond Stowaway Reel Case
We have been long-time fans of Fishpond’s innovative products, which always put a premium on durability and quality. The Stowaway Reel Case is certainly no exception. With an impact-resistant bottom and cushioned interior, it will keep up to ten reels protected in transit. The removable padded dividers allow you to set up any configuration to accommodate anything from fly boxes to camera equipment. With a cool, ergonomic rope handle, it’s easy to carry and transport. We even use it to keep our reels and spools stored and organized back on the home front.
$99.95 (fishpondusa.com)
Lansky Diamond/Ceramic 4-Rod Turn Box Knife Sharpening System
Boat, field, or kitchen—your knives need to be sharp. Lansky offers a simple, affordable solution that anyone can use to hone an excellent edge. The Lansky Turn Box is a wooden block drilled with four holes that forms the base of the sharpening system. Turning the cap of the box dispenses four 5-inch rods—two medium diamond rods (600 grit) and two fine ceramic rods (1,000 grit). The holes are drilled to accept the rods; one set of holes places the rods at a 20-degree angle while the other places them at 25 degrees. In general, use the 20-degree angle on your kitchen knives. The 25-degree angle will create a more durable edge on pocket knives and hunting knives. Use the diamond rods first. Hold the knife perpendicular to the wooden base and draw it down the rod while pulling it toward you to the tip. Twenty or 30 laps on each side of the blade should suffice for all but the dullest knives. Then replace the diamond rods with the ceramic rods. Fifteen or 20 laps will polish the blade to finish the job. We’ve used this sharpener on very small pocket knives as well as our large kitchen knives with impressive results. At just over 10 ounces and under 10 inches long, the Lansky Turn Box stows easily for travel.
$51.99 (lansky.com)
The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler’s Set
Originally, bitters were the essential ingredient that distinguished cocktails from other mixed alcoholic drinks—most notably the Old Fashioned and the Manhattan—giving them balance, flavor, and complexity. Since 2006, Munich bartenders Stephan Berg and Alexander Hauck have been producing a variety of bitters to mix historical cocktails true-to-recipe. The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler’s Set gives you a smattering of their finest offerings—Aromatic Bitters, Celery Bitters, Creole Bitters, Jerry Thomas Bitters, and Orange Bitters—along with a Recipe Booklet—to let you take your mixology show on the road. All very handsomely packaged in a retro tin. Makes a great gift for the home cocktailer at a very modest price.
$19.99 (the-bitter-truth.com)
Kona Fly Fishing Hooks
Kona has come up with a full complement of hooks suited to tying a variety of flies for virtually any saltwater angling scenario or species. The BIg Popper Hook has a kinked shank to reduce twisting inside large foam bodies or streamers. The Big Game Hunter is a short-shank streamer hook—ideal for Game Changers and variety of tarpon fly designs. The Universal Strong Streamer is a great choice for bonefish and permit flies, and we love the Xtra Strong Stinger for redfish patterns on the Gulf Coast. All of Kona’s saltwater-specific hooks boast ultra-sharp, high-carbon steel and a resistant black nickel finish, ensuring fantastic strength and durability. $8.50-$13.50 per pack (konafishingproducts.com)
Trxstle CRC System Fly Rod Carrier
Designed and engineered by guides in Helena, Montana, Trxstle has developed an original and convenient roof-rack system to house and transport your fully rigged fly rods with unparalleled protection and convenience. It mounts to any vehicle’s roof rack with adjustable mounting lengths, and inner-suspension rod liners and reel padding ensure your equipment is shielded from the harshest elements and traveling conditions. The carriers are easy to take down and double as portable rod-carrying cases. With such thoughtful design and convenience, it’s no surprise Trxstle quickly found a dedicated following with their original version. Scheduled for release in the coming months, Version 3 promises several key hardware upgrades. We can’t wait.
$499 and up (trxstle.com)
Beulah Opal
A small rod company that has traditionally been know for its intermediate-priced rods has pushed into the high-end category with the new Opal series. The rod is a deep blue with blue and silver thread—quite handsome at first glance. When casting, the first thing you’ll notice is that it tracks very well and is definitely a big improvement from Beulah’s earlier saltwater models. Not as fast as expected, but fast enough to make easy casts for distance while preserving delicacy and feel at the tip. The designer had roosterfish on his mind when working on the Opal series, as this one includes a strong butt section for lifting fish. The cork and fighting butt are also tastefully done, completing the attractive look. Not a bad choice for a limited budget. A fine rod for less than $800 is not easy to find these days.
$750 (beulahflyrods.com)
