Articles

St. Croix's new Legend Elite fly rods hit shop shelves

Park Falls delivers a reborn Legend Elite series to fly shops and anglers

by Hatch Magazine - Wednesday, Sep 3rd, 2025

Photo: St. Croix.

St. Croix made a big splash a few years ago when it announced it would once again return focus to the world of fly fishing. Countless anglers, for which the vaunted St. Croix Imperial was their first “real” fly rod and who had long viewed the brand as a hallmark mark of American-made quality, perked up with wide-eyed anticipation. The vaunted, Wisconsin-based rodmaker has been relatively busy since, releasing its award-winning EVOS series of fly rods and its lineup of dry fly specialist TECHNICA rods. St.

The only dam in the world without even an alleged purpose

Conservationists have waged a 57-year battle to free “the sweetest water-lane in the world” by tearing down an unnecessary dam. Their efforts have seemed hopeless—until now.

by Ted Williams - Tuesday, Sep 2nd, 2025

The Rodman Dam blocks the migration of numerous species, from American eels to endangered shortnose sturgeon, and also prevents manatees from reaching important winter habitat (photo: Florida Defenders of the Environment).

Rodman Dam on the Ocklawaha River is the only dam in the nation without even an alleged purpose. It is a 57-year-old vestigial appendage of what would have been America’s greatest boondoggle.

Influential angler and conservationist Flip Pallot dies at 82

Another icon is fishing the best flats of them all

by Hatch Magazine - Thursday, Aug 28th, 2025

Photo: William Hereford.

The fly-fishing world lost yet another icon this week, when legendary angler and conservationist Flip Pallot died after complications from a surgery on Tuesday. Pallot, the engaging host of "Walker's Cay Chronicles", which had a 14-year, Saturday-morning television run from 1992 to 2006, and introduced millions to saltwater fishing, was 82 at the time of his passing.

Review: Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Backpack

Our review of Fishpond's waterproof carry-it-all backpack

by Chris Hunt - Wednesday, Aug 27th, 2025

Photo: Chris Hunt

Editor’s note: As we ask today’s gear to do more, last longer, and come in at a price that makes sense for a quality gear investment, it can be difficult for consumers in search of specialty items in the fly-fishing space to find the right piece of equipment for the right set of circumstances. Such is the case for waterproof backpacks. We’re launching a multi-part series on these items that are asked to do much more than just “keep stuff dry.” Following is the fourth review in the series.

Skwala intros new 3-in-1 Fusion Tactical midlayer hoody

Layering performance built specifically for wader-wearing anglers

by Hatch Magazine - Sunday, Aug 24th, 2025

Photo: Skwala Fishing.

Layering is a necessity for virtually all anglers and others who spend long days outdoors in varying conditions. It's the only practical way to get through a full day while staying comfortable. You start the day with all the layers, gradually pare them down until, by mid-afternoon, you’re left with just a mid-layer. By the time the sun has dipped to the horizon, you’ve piled them all back on. Most of the time, your mid-layer is the one constant in the whole setup, the one piece that’s with you all day. That’s likely why there is no shortage of technical mid-layers out there.