Articles

Review: Orvis Recon fly rod

Orvis' new, mid-range fly rod makes few compromises.

by Chris Hunt - Thursday, May 14th, 2015

The Recon's design is derived from its pricier big-brother, the Orvis Helios 2 (photo: Chad Shmukler).

Sometimes, a new fly rod feels a little foreign when you break it out of the tube for the first time. Maybe the grip is just a bit different than the rod you’re accustomed to. Maybe the weight is off just a hair. It takes a while for a new stick to really become an extension of your body… a comfortable tool that invites confidence on the water.

Airflo releases new Streamer Switch fly line, two-handed trout fishing gets better

It is a good time to be a two-handed trout fisherman, even if our numbers are limited.

by Chad Shmukler - Tuesday, May 12th, 2015

Tom Larimer with a prototype of an Airflo line.

It is possible that there is no longer running experiment in the world of fly fishing than that of switch rods. At some point, trout and other smaller-game anglers realized that many of the benefits experienced by fishermen chasing steelhead and salmon fishermen with spey rods would come in handy on their trout streams as well. And so, switch rods were born. But, ever since their introduction, most switch rods have been trying to be many things at once -- a spey caster, a nymphing rig, an overhead caster -- instead of just being a two-handed rod for smaller fish on smaller water.

Always never homeless

Where does the fisherman with no homewater call home?

by Dave Karczynski - Monday, May 11th, 2015

Make yourself at home. An autumn morning on northern Wisconsin's Chippewa River (photo: Dave Karczynski).

On a recent Northern Wisconsin smallmouth float a chilling thought occurred to me: I'm homeless.

I don't mean in the literal sense, but rather that I have no body of water I can called homewater. I've worked through all reasonable definitions of the term. All have come up short.

Review: Orvis Safe Passage Guide sling pack

A close look at Orvis' significant redesign of its flagship sling pack.

by Steve Zakur - Friday, May 8th, 2015

Photo: Steve Zakur

When I fish a small stream I'm content to go minimal; a fly box in my pocket, a lanyard full of tools, and a trusty small stream rod. But on bigger water I tend to go big. A fly box for every condition, clothing for changeable weather, snacks, lunch and a water bottle. I sometimes carry two rods and a spare spool as well. I need storage, lots of storage.

Pages