Gear Review
Umpqua SWIFTLINK Review: Every Pack, Every LINK Accessory, Full Specs
The most complete Umpqua SWIFTLINK review online. All four packs, all eight LINK accessories, real dimensions, prices, and who should buy what.
Tag
fly fishing gear
11 posts tagged “fly fishing gear”. Browse all tags →
Sitka Gets Into Fly Fishing — And It Makes Complete Sense
Sitka built the best hunting gear on the market. Now they're in fly fishing. Here's what they're bringing to the category and why it matters.
Best Fly Reels Under $500: Five Worth Buying in 2026
Verified specs and honest takes on the best fly reels under $500. From the $150 Lamson Liquid S to the $249 Orvis Hydros — what each is actually good for.
Gear Review
Winston Pure 2 Review: The Best Medium-Action Dry Fly Rod Made
Winston Pure 2 review — $995, medium action, NanoParticle graphite. Built in Twin Bridges, Montana for technical dry fly fishing where presentation matters more than distance.
Gear Review
Wading Boots for the South Platte — Brands, Soles, and What Actually Works
The volcanic basalt at Cheesman and the cobble at Deckers demand the right wading boot. Four brands compared, felt vs. rubber per river section, and what Renato fishes.
How to Choose a Fly Rod for South Platte Tailwater
What actually matters when choosing a fly rod for South Platte tailwater — weight, length, action, and the specific demands of Deckers and the canyon sections.
Gear Review
Skwala RS Waders Review — Two Seasons, Every Season
Two seasons in Skwala RS waders on the South Platte. Proprietary 4-layer laminate, fourchette seams, buckle-free yoke — and genuinely excellent in cold Colorado winters.
Gear Review
Montana Knife Company Westslope Review — The Trout Knife Worth $275
The MKC Westslope reviewed for fly fishing — MagnaCut steel, modified sheepsfoot blade, and G10 handle built for cleaning trout on the bank.
The South Platte Day Trip Gear Checklist — What's Actually in My Pack
Exactly what I pack for a South Platte day trip to Cheesman or Deckers — not the aspirational gear list, the actual one built over years of getting it wrong.
Gear Review
YETI Hopper M30 Soft Cooler Review — Day Trips on the South Platte
Two seasons with the YETI Hopper M30 on South Platte and Arkansas day trips — ice retention, packability on the trail, and honest cons at $350.
Riversmith River Quiver Euro 4-Banger — Four Rods on the Roof, Zero Drama
The Riversmith River Quiver Euro 4-Banger holds four rods on the roof — rigged, ready, zero noise at highway speed. Here's why it changed how I get to the water.