Headwaters Madison Review — the Payne 200L 8-Foot 4-Weight
A hands-on love letter to the Headwaters Madison — the 8'0" 4-wt Payne 200L bamboo rod, and why it's the cane rod I reach for on bigger water.
Tagged
gear review
27 posts tagged "gear review".
Best Bamboo Fly Rods of 2026 — From $500 to Heirloom
The best bamboo fly rods you can actually buy new in 2026 — from the $500 Headwaters that punches way above its price to heirloom cane from Winston, Orvis, and Oyster.
I Fished the QuickDrift at Deckers — and Stopped Overthinking Fly Changes
A first-hand review of Flytime's QuickDrift quick-change rig system on technical South Platte tailwater — and why its real value is that you stop overthinking fly changes.
Headwaters Gallatin Review — Bamboo on a Colorado Tailwater
An honest, hands-on Headwaters Gallatin review — the 7'6" 4-wt bamboo rod (Payne 100 taper) after real days throwing dries on the South Platte at Deckers.
Fishpond Stormshadow Chest Pack Review: Slim, Waxed, and My New Everyday
I fished the Fishpond Stormshadow and it became my everyday chest pack — waxed cotton, slim, deceptively roomy. What it nails and what it gives up.
Best Fly Rods for Blue Lines — Small-Stream Picks for 2026
The eight best small-stream fly rods for blue-line creeks in 2026 — glass and graphite, $30 to $825. Honest takes and the 3-weight I actually fish.
Poncho Outdoors — The Fishing Shirt Brand I Keep Coming Back To
Four Poncho shirts in my rack and I keep reaching for them on hot tailwater days. An honest look at why Poncho Outdoors gets fishing apparel right.
C&F Universal System Review: The Lanyard and Chest Box I Carry on Small Water
C&F Design's Universal System, reviewed for real: the lanyard with magnetic fly patch plus the 9.6-oz CFA-830 chest box — the carry I fish on small water.
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.
Diamondback Ideal Nymph Reel Review — Built for the Rod It Ships With
The Diamondback Ideal Nymph Reel is designed specifically for the Gen IV nymph rod. Here's what it does, how it balances the outfit, and why pairing works.
Diamondback Gen IV 10'7" 3wt Review — The Best Euro Nymphing Rod I've Fished
The Diamondback Gen IV 10'7" 3wt is my euro nymphing rod on the South Platte. Why it's the best contact nymph rod I've fished and what it did to my catch.
Lamson Liquid S Reel Review — The Workhorse That Handles October Browns
The Lamson Liquid S is the reel on my 7wt streamer rod — reliable sealed drag, large arbor, and built to handle October fishing. Here's why it earns its spot.
Redington Vice 9'6" 7wt Review — Honest Take on a Budget Streamer Rod
The Redington Vice 9'6" 7wt is my October streamer rod — and the most affordable in my quiver. Honest take on what $279 buys you for streamer fishing.
Ross Colorado Reel Review — Click-Pawl for Small Water
The Ross Colorado is the reel on my Scott F Series glass rod. Click-pawl, beautiful build, Colorado-made — it matches small-creek fishing perfectly.
Scott F Series 7'2" 3wt Review — E-Glass for Blue Lines
The Scott F Series 7'2" 3wt is a five-piece E-glass rod built for small creeks. Here's why I carry it for blue line fishing and what graphite can't match.
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.
Ross San Miguel Reel Review — Sealed Drag, Old-School Character
The Ross San Miguel is the reel on my Winston Pure 2 — sealed carbon drag, beautiful machining, Colorado-made. Here's why it pairs with the Winston.
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.
Wading Boots for the South Platte — Brands, Soles, and What Actually Works
Cheesman granite and Deckers cobble demand the right wading boot. Four brands compared, felt vs. rubber per river section, and what Renato actually fishes.
Ross LTX Reel Review — Made in Colorado, Built to Last
The Ross LTX is the reel on my Scott Centric — fast drag, precise, built in Montrose, Colorado. Same town as the rod it pairs with. Here's why this combo works.
Scott Centric 9'0" 5wt Review — The Best Tailwater Rod Made in Colorado
Two seasons on the Scott Centric 905/4 at Cheesman and Deckers. Fast action, Colorado-built, and the benchmark for South Platte nymph and dry-fly fishing.
Scott Centric vs Sage R8 Core — Which Tailwater Rod for the South Platte?
Scott Centric vs Sage R8 Core for South Platte tailwater fishing — action, nymph performance, dry-fly accuracy, and which to buy.
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 excellent in cold winters.
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.
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.
Best 4-Weight Fly Rods for Tailwater Fishing in 2026
The five best 4-weight fly rods for tailwater fishing in 2026 — Scott, Sage, Winston, Orvis, and a budget pick. Specs verified, honest takes.
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. Why it changed how I get to the water.