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.
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gear review
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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 the paired approach 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. Here's why it's the best contact nymph rod I've fished and what it did to my catch rate.
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 fiberglass rod. Click-pawl, beautiful build, Colorado-made — it matches the character of 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, made in Montrose Colorado. Here's why it pairs perfectly with the Winston.
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.
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.
Gear Review
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.
Gear Review
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.
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.
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.
Gear Review
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. Here's why it changed how I get to the water.