1. Scott S4s Rod
-I own three of these rods. Fast action but plenty of feel. No overlining or other shenanigans needed. Titanium components better resist corrosion.
Click here: Scott S4S
2. Sage Method Switch Rod
-For the surf, the 11’9″ 9wt is a beast. Surf demands managing casts and line over waves and all sorts of structure in the water. In addition, casting shooting heads and other heavy lines demand a lot on the angler. Then when hooking a striper or shark, leverage and strength is needed. This puppy also handles wind like none other.
Click here: Sage Method Switch Rod
3. Simms OceanTek Boot
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I feel like an amphibean when running around coastal terrain in these boots. What’s more, when exploring Rocky Mountain rivers for trout, these grip just as well as anything else I’ve ever owned. I’ve taken some jumps from wet rocks to rocks that may have been foolish in retrospect, but my landings were like some of the scenes in Spiderman 2. People ask why Simms replaces metal components with plastic. It wasn’t a money-saving move. Plastic beats metal in corrosion protection in the salt.
Click here: Simms OceanTek Boot
4. Patagonia River Salt Jacket
The first jacket I ever experienced true love for was the Patagonia SST jacket. I wore that piece in many-a-blizzard during my fishing/guiding days in Colorado. Now that we’ve parted ways, my new love is the River Salt jacket. As a shell, this handles the elements so well that minimal layering is needed underneath. I’m keen on waist-high fishing jackets, with well placed pockets.
Click here: Patagonia River Salt Jacket
5. Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
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Am excellent travel piece, this jacket can be balled-up to a tiny size. When worn, it’s very warm and fits beautifully under shells.
Click here: Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
6. Nautilus NV-G Reel
Where do I start?! Find me reel as tough and lightweight that meets the needs of any saltwater fishing situation that comes close to the NV. This is the reel that others now try to replicate.
Click here: Nautilus NV-G
7. Patagonia Sweet Fish Pack
Anglers are picky about packs and vests. When I fish, I plan to be gone a long time, often covering much ground. I need to carry food and water, and in the surf, I like to have a arsenal of spools to be able to change things up at the drop of a dime. I also don’t want clutter on my chest, and line catching a bulky pack will not fly (pun). This pack is perfect.
Click here: Patagonia Sweet Fish Pack
8. Patagonia Black Hole Duffel
Duffels are like Range Rovers. They look great and have lovely features then they die young. On a trip to Colorado, an old duffel sat on the tarmac at the airport in a storm and many things were ruined. This can be a trip wrecker when en route. The solution was the Black Hole Duffel. This 90L bag tempts the weather to mess with it. And when fully loaded, it feels relatively light when worn as a backpack.
Click here: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel
9. Simms G3 Guide Stockingfoot Waders
Layers of Gore-Tex. Enough said? Active fishing is tough on knees, butt, stitches, and other areas of waders. The minimal chest pocket doesn’t get in the way. Perfect.
Click here: Simms G3 Guide Stockingfoot Waders
10. UV Buff
“I run from the sun,” commented a guide in the Glades last year. I don’t want skin cancer and thousands of hours with UV from the sky and the water will wreck the face and neck. I also love sharks, so this kills two birds with one stone.
Click here: UV Buff
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Disclosure: As a fly fishing industry professional (whatever that means), I sometimes benefit from professional relationships with manufacturers, guides, lodges, fly shops, and more. Though potentially benefiting from these relationships, I do not post what I do not believe to be true. To read more, click here.
