Author Topic: Gear revisited for 2011... rods, reels, leaders, etc (Read 689 times)

Dejon Hamann · « **on:** January 10, 2011, 03:25:08 PM »

Quite often some of us "forum old timers" stop talking about the gear we're using. Maybe we've settled on something good or maybe it just doesn't cross our minds, but it's always really informative to see what everyone is using and why.

Here are few of mine:

Rods:
Rivers: The PE Echo Shadow 10.5ft 3wt continues to be my go-to river rod. It's just an excellent all around performer for nymphing and throwing dries on medium or larger venues. For smaller, tight quartered work - which doesn't present itself much in competition i like CZN 9.5ft 3wt. My streamer rod is a 9ft DS2 Sage 8wt which i use 6wt lines on. It more than adequately handles the task with a soft tip and lots of backbone, but won't break my heart if lost since I'm usually leaving it hidden in the trees somewhere.

Lakes: 6wt 10fts. TFO Pro and Sage Fli. That's what i have and they get the job done

Reels: I miss my Lamson reels, but the Grey's GRXI+ are really good performers and for the price I can add spools without concern for cost every time i want to spool up a line to test or add to the arsenal.

Leaders: The long Camou French leaders are nice, but a pretty little penny and I think hold a fair amount of memory. But a wee bit of pre-stretching or constant use takes care of that. I still like the 90ft level 20lb leader

And I'm on the lookout for a really nice 10ftish dry fly leader.

Curlies: Bi-Color Sighter Material.

Hooks: Dohiku, but jeesh their expensive. Knapek, but jeesh are they inconsistent. "TroutLegend Hooks", oh wait - they're not offered... yet

Beads: Rip'n Lips Tungsten Beads are the best I've seen at that price.... bar none.

Waders: Simms G3s, but if something comparable at a cheaper price that fits the same comes rolling along...

Boots: Simms Riversheds, but if a pair of Korkers with those fancy soles happened to arrive in the mail...

Pack: Confluence continues to kick butt.

Glasses: Sunclouds - i like the fit and the price since I usually end up losing them when I'm "swimming."

Hat: When I lose my Tilley I'll buy another one.

Net: Frabill because it's the right price, but there's definitely ample room for improvement here.

Jim Frazier · « **Reply #1 on:** January 10, 2011, 04:08:38 PM »

dejon ,

kinda curious do you find it difficult to cast that 90ft level 20 lb leader ?

Adam Wellington · « **Reply #2 on:** January 10, 2011, 04:18:11 PM »

I'm sure Dejon can cast that leader into the backing, err, fly line...

Mark Ferringer · « **Reply #3 on:** January 10, 2011, 05:24:41 PM »

I just got the new korkers for christmas and I haven't done any tough wading yet, but they are comfy, and easy to get on and off.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #4 on:** January 10, 2011, 07:07:45 PM »

I have no problems casting that 90ft level leader... as long as my 10gram caddis is on point.

Jim Frazier · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2011, 07:20:49 PM »

d,
figured i raze ya a little when i saw that 90ft leader in your post . that 10 gram caddis you refer to is that what most guys would call the "bomb"

Scott Pizziconi · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2011, 11:24:22 AM »

With the understanding that I don't see nearly the stream time you guys do I would have to put in a vote for my 5 year old Weinbrenner (Gary Borger model) wading boots.

They are very solidly built and hold up to lots of hiking and clumsy wading !

Chris Puchniak · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2011, 11:57:19 AM »

Always a good idea Dejon.

Rods: I'd still like to try an Echo czech nymph rod. I cannot picture a 3 wt having enough backbone, but my guess is the butt section is much stiffer than a typical 3 wt. I am still liking my 5wt with a 2wt tip!

Reels: I've made the same change for stillwater reels. I like the flexibility of the GRXI+ and they are extremely practical, but I miss using my Lamson Litespeeds 100% of the time. But then again, 8-10 lines with a Lamson Litespeed set up would cost me some $2500-3500, and I much prefer the $200 total cost for the Greys' reels for 8 lines.

Hooks: I like the Knapeks, but the inconsistency I could sure do without - but I still really like the S-type. Hanaks have been great for wet flies. Much better in consistency.

Boots: I have the Korkers and love the interchangable soles.

Sunglasses: I'm just using a set of Cableas right now as my kids keep breaking my Maui Jim's as fast as we can repair them. So far please with the cheaper Cableas. The optical clarity is much higher than average.

Net: Frabill as well. I like how their netting and frames are interchangable, so I've been able to increase the size of the hoop substantially.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2011, 12:02:06 PM »

That's the idea! Thanx chris.

Paul Bourcq · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2011, 04:39:44 PM »

Rods: I cycle between a 10.5 foot echo, a 9 foot 5weight z-axis and a 10 foot 4 weight z-axis. My lake rod is a 10 foot 7 weight winston. I own the 11 foot echo that sees some use.

Reels: Cortland. Greys Cartridge Reel. assorted old junk

Hooks: Tiemco 2499, dohiku, knapek, Hanak

Boots: Simms.

Waders-Simms-ltd (the swoopy 7 layer goretex pro shell ones)

Sunglasses: Costa Del Mars in copper with the new lenses. An old pair of yellow smiths for cloudy days

Net: Frabill as well.

Chris Smith · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2011, 10:45:56 PM »

Rods: For casting comps and dry dropper, 9ft 5 wt Sage XP. For European nymphing, 10ft 4 wt Z-axis. For lakes, whatever rod Baker isn't using...but usually the VT2 or G-Loomis.

Reels: The Thinkfish Bold is at the top of my list. I love this reel. If I'm not fishing the Bold, it's a Sage in the older 2500 series. Great reels as well.

Curlies and Sighters: Bi-Color Sighter Material from Jan Siman.

Hooks: Knapek.

Waders: Patagonia Guidemasters.

Boots: I've always been a big fan of the Chota STL Plus.

Pack: Fishpond Waterdance, but on the lookout for a new pack.

Glasses: For low light, Eye Sport Prima by Thinkfish. Best performing, and most comfortable, glasses I've ever owned. For bright light, Costa Del Mar 580's with Green Mirrored lens.

Net: Frabill.

Janos Boda · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2011, 03:46:18 AM »

Rods: I did not try too many brands and I mostly fish on Stillwater, but my favourite brand is TFO. I really impressed with their new BVK rod, I was just released in the fall. Also, their rod replacement service is exceptional. I broke one of my competition fly rod two weeks before the Nationals, I was really worry, but I sent in the broken pieces on Monday, I got the replacement sections on Thursday on the same week, give me enough time for one more replacement before the completion

. My body broke his Sage rod, after a month still he did not hear back anything about the replacement.

Reels: I do not buy expensive reels (<$70), until they have a reasonable brake and they can hold the line, I do not worry.

Fly-lines: I really like SA lines, I tried many different was, I never had any problem with them, even the cheaper ones are working well after many years. I think the Mastery Series probably one of their best lines. I really like RIO lines, I just tried the expensive ones and they are great lines. I will buy this brand more in the future. I have Airflo Polyfuse XT Sixth Sense Di3, WF7/8 line, if any beginner fly fisher will take it, I am ready to giving it away for free, just pay the shipping cost

. Also, I do not have good luck with Airflo Sightfree tippets, after a year they are good for nothing, probably they are “rotten” and they break easy.

Leaders and tippets: I tried several brand, I think no brand come close to Frog Hair tippets and leaders.

Vest and waders: I love to have the Patagonia brand at this department. I have a Patagonia wading boots, it is very light, and I like the lifetime warranty on it.