It's the top pick for many of the tournament fly anglers around the world, simply because of it's strength. If you compare the Cortland 5X fluoro to many other brands, it's a good 1.5lbs stronger even though it's the same diameter. So that makes the choice obvious!
And this isn't just a number on the label, this tippet is noticeably stronger than other brands of tippet. We have heard tons of stories at the counter, of people explaining how excited they were to be hauling sizable branches from the bottom of the river, when they would otherwise break off an entire rig. This is coming from experienced guys, who have fished light tippet from all other brands, and there is certainly a pattern emerging here. This stuff is not a gimmick!
This translates to more fish landed. Period. Having confidence in something as simple as tippet can really be a game changer. Just knowing that you've got hyper strong tippet, that's also supple and abrasion resistant, can result in some seriously high payouts. More fish hooked, more fish landed, less flies lost.
This is a no brainer. Get some spools of this and see for yourself. It's money well spent, and you will most likely notice a huge difference right out of the gate. Get yours below!
]]>Especially with late season deer, the underfur grows at the base of the body hairs, right next to the skin. It's also called "directional hair," and is an added layer of insulation that develops throughout the winter to keep the deer warm. But it presents major problems when tying, so it's best to remove it.
This stuff:
The Ergo Comb pulls it all out nice and smoothly. If you skip this, it can really interfere with the tying process. A nice little tool for someone who ties with a lot of deer body and belly hair. A perfect Christmas gift for the fly tyer in your life who has everything. Get yours below!
]]>Coming in at 20% lighter than the previous model, the Shadow X has a sensitivity that's hard to beat. With euro nymphing, sensitivity is crucial, and will actually improve your catch rate. This concept is thrown around for all different techniques; dry flies, streamer fishing, indicator fishing, etc. Everyone wants more sensitivity. But most of this is just hype, and doesn't really increase your catch rate. Once you learn to present a dry fly or streamer properly, you can basically do it with any rod, and your catch rate will remain more or less then same.
Tight-line nymphing requires the use of small weighted flies, with very light tippet, in skinny water, and often times very soft eats. This is a situation where rod sensitivity plays a vital role in not only strike detection, but the actual presentation as well. In this case, a lightweight sensitive rod will drastically improve your fishing, since this method relies on such delicate feel when compared to other techniques.
Echo worked with several competition nymph fishermen, and designed this rod to be a featherweight. Using high modulus graphite, this rod is LIGHT. Noticeably lighter than most other euro rods on the market. When it's in your hand, it honestly feels like it's about to float away. Again, this all translates to sensitivity.
This rod is offered in an array of lengths and weights, but we've done best with either the 10' 6" 3wt, or the 11' 3wt. The shorter of the two is a better fit if you will be fishing on slightly smaller water and creeks. If you plan on targeting larger and broader water, the 11' is the obvious choice. The longer rod really helps with getting that vertical presentation that's critical to keeping your flies in the zone longer, but can be cumbersome in tight quarters.
One nice inclusion is an assortment of counterweight washers that screw into the handle of the rod. By removing the fighting butt and adding (or removing) these weights, you can dial in the balance of your outfit to best match the weight of whatever reel you pair it with. As a general rule, you want these systems to be a little heavier toward the back, so the rod tip will naturally want to rise. This eliminates the need for your wrist to constantly fight that weight, and keep the rod tip nice and high.
The Shadow X is a 4 pc, is considered a medium fast action rod, and is noticeably faster than the Shadow II. It features SIC stripping guides, and hard chrome snake guides farther up. The guides are built with a thin wire to reduce the overall weight, and coated in a black finish to minimize glare. Anodized aluminum reel seat, and covered by Echo's lifetime warranty. Also included is a fabric covered rod tube, and a rod sock.
If you've been curious about euro nymphing, and want to dive in with the best equipment available, this rod is a great option. This method has become wildly popular because it just simply works. Once you get the hang of it, you will see the light, with the Echo Shadow X.
Here's a quick video with more information on the Shadow X from Echo...
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The Echo OHS allows the angler to effectively fish in various ways with one rod. It's a jack of all trades, and is designed as a versatile tool for the steelhead angler. Especially in tight quarters like we often have in the Midwest. Swinging flies, bobber setups, indicator rigs, chuck and duck, and even european nymphing techniques can all be done with this rod.
The main reason for this is the interchangeable handles. It comes with a standard fighting butt, and a longer handle section for your two handed casts. They are threaded, and screw in and out of the reel seat. Simply by swapping these out allows you to customize your technique for any given scenario.
Coming in at 10'4", it's about perfect for many of the small to medium sized rivers that we often fish in the region. Many times, even a true switch rod can be a touch too long. Being under 11', this thing allows for a tighter, more compact delivery in small rivers.
Being so short, you can also overhead cast this rod, and haul it, when paired with a short skagit head. Try doing that with a 12' switch or spey, and you will quickly find that it simply doesn't work. Not the case with the OHS.
Even though many people use true switch rods for indicator and bobber fishing, sometimes even those rods can be a bit much. When fishing a smaller river, a rod exceeding 11' can interfere with branches and limbs, especially when you're standing close to shore, which is almost 100% of the time. Again, having something a little shorter can be a big advantage in this type of setting.
Chuck and Duck as well as Euro Nymphing can also be done with this rod by using the short fighting butt. For chuck and duck, it's about perfect. For euro nymphing, yes, it's a tad heavy, but it can certainly be done. Even streamer fishing is an option. Point being, this rod can do a lot.
Lightweight in hand, SIC ceramic stripping guides, hard chrome snake guides, emerald green graphite blank, anodized aluminum reel seat, medium fast action, high quality cork, lifetime warranty, etc etc. This rod will have a tremendous amount of play in the Great Lakes region not only for steelhead, but for several other species as well. Here's a video from Echo further explaining the versatility and specs of the OHS.
]]>Like the Meridian, the Sector is built as a saltwater rod. And just like the Meridian, has plenty of applications in freshwater scenarios. With a stiff backbone for the first 2/3 of the rod, and a soft tip, it's a perfect fit for our medium range (30-50 ft) streamer presentations in the Midwest. It's very lightweight in hand, and feels lively when casting. For trout, bass, and pike fishing, this is a seriously nice delivery tool.
Starting at the bottom, the handle area has a lot going on. First off, the reel seat and lock rings are made out of Mil Spec aircraft grade aluminum, and is perhaps one of the strongest materials that can feasibly be used for a fly rod. It takes some serious machinery to carve this stuff to shape, and will withstand nearly anything. Highly abrasion resistant, feather light, strong, it's hard to find a better material than this.
Another nice detail that doesn't exist on many rods, is the "self indexing" lock ring. Meaning the ring that locks onto the foot of the reel slides along a track, and isn't allowed to rotate. So you never have to spin the ring around, trying to find that little notch for the reel to fit into. Sounds like a minute thing, but just another design detail that's helpful.
Aside from that, the cork itself is top shelf. So much so, that the particular cork used on this rod is only harvested once every 14 years in Portugal. Each ring is as consistent as the last, won't pit and degrade, and will last a lifetime. Pretty serious stuff.
Each rod has a quick reference number laser engraved onto the lock ring indicating the rod weight. Helps with identifying which rod is which, especially in low light conditions.
Lots of attention was given to the thread wraps. The Sector has 42-47 individual thread wraps on each rod, depending on the length. Other rods on the market are nowhere near that, falling somewhere in the 25-30 wrap range, often times lower than that. People ask why rods are sometimes so expensive, and this is just one reason. The attention to detail here is unreal.
Working our way up, the stripping guides as well as snake guides are high grade Ceracoil. They are equipped with Zirconia inserts for a slickness that's unmatched. Being Ceracoil, they are a little bit flexible, so they are less prone to spapping and breaking than a traditional guide. Also, all guides are coated with a PVD covering. It's a matte black finish, to minimize glare and increase stealth.
On top of all that, one more thing really sets this rod off; the Carbon Web.
It's hard to see in photos, and can really only be seen in person with adequate lighting, the Carbon Web is a delicate mesh netting that envelops the entire rod blank. It's an extremely thin veil of carbon fiber filaments, providing multi directional strength throughout the rod. If the rod is torqued laterally, or twisted, the carbon web provides torsional protection against splintering. Also helps the rod to track straighter, flexing only forward and backward, without wavering. The Sector is the first rod ever made to implement this webbing. Very cool.
That's just some of the NEW features of the Sector. It still retains a lot of the tech from the Meridan. ReAct Technology (Super Fast Recovery), ARC System (Advanced Reinforced Carbon), Multi Modulus, FiberFuse Resin, XCore, among others, are also built into the Sector.
Offered from 6 weight all the way up to 15 weight, this stick will fill many roles. Also is offered in some shorter lengths, which are gaining lots of traction in the streamer realm. Aside from the standard 9 footers, the Sector is available in 8' 10'' and 8'4" in certain weights.
Specifically, the 8'4" 6wt will be a really fun rod for small streamer games in tight quarters, and the 8'10" 2pc 7wt will be a nice stout mousing rod. These will be elite tools in those shorter lengths, and they are brand new this year designed with the Midwest in mind.
Simply put, this rod is top tier in every department. It would be quite difficult to manufacture a rod that's as sophisticated as this one. Not surprisingly, the Sector rod series won "Best Saltwater Rod" and "Best of Show" at IFTD 2019. From top to bottom, it's a really impressive piece. Get yours below.
]]>With a 3 layer upper and 4 layer bottom, the GoreTex Pro Shell delivers THE BEST breathability and abrasion resistance of any material in the current wader market. It's lightweight, strong, and comfortable for those long days on the water. The 4 layer bottom goes all the way up to the waist, reinforcing the seat of the wader.
GoreTex is a miracle fabric, and it's ability to push out moisture is pretty incredible. Staying dry is the key to staying warm, and expelling any moisture from within will help retain your body heat. Also awesome in the summer, pushing out all moisture, keeping you dry and comfy.
This time around, the outer layer is a little softer than previous models, and feels a bit more like a true fabric. Also much quieter when walking through the woods.
A complete redesign was done with the belt loop system, and they are now integrated into the wader body in a low profile, sleek fashion. By eliminating any protruding belt loops, line catch is greatly reduced. Not to mention it looks really nice.
The shoulder strap system has also been revamped, with a new "fabric divider" for added comfort along the straps. It also has air mesh to provide even support over the back and shoulders, while still allowing for breathability. Also included is a suspended D ring for net attachment, or for hang drying. Of course, the whole system is easily adjustable.
A closeup of the air mesh. Very technical stitching and layering.
Another cool addition is the "Sharkfin Buckle" that sits up front, along the suspender strap. It's basically a rubber tab designed to securely hold a pair of hemostats. This is removable, and is also sold separately (compatible with G3 waders too).
The front reach-thru hand warmer pocket is fleece lined for those cold days. Put a couple of those powder shake hand warmers in there, and it's like a little oven. Also has a water resistant zipper, which is extremely helpful when rowing a boat so the oars don't catch and grab the pocket edge.
For improved circulation, the stocking feet were redesigned for the 2019 G4 wader. Using a compression molded foam, the feet have specific areas of cushion, leaving other areas thinner. The idea here is to provide a more comfortable fit, while lowering pressure on certain areas of the foot, leading to better blood circulation. The placement of the cushioning is very deliberate, and anatomically designed.
Also includes the tippet tender pouch. Easily flips in and out of wader.
Low profile, sleek buckles on the front. Durable, simple, clean.
Overall, the G4 Pro Wader delivers on all fronts. Great attention to detail with all the features, designs, and stitching. Remember, Simms started as a wader company. This is what they do. Made in the USA, these waders are legit.
Also offered with the Zip-Front option; the G4Z.
These won "Best Men's Wader" at IFTD 2019 in October.
Check out the G4Z HERE
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First feature is the TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurathane) material used for the upper portion of the boot. It's abrasion resistant, flexible, lightweight, and strong. It sheds water instantly, keeping the boot lightweight. It's stitch-less, and essentially welded together as one singular piece. Very nice.
Another nice consideration is the low profile lacing system. Instead of bulky stainless steel rivets, the laces enter the boot directly into that TPU material through a small rivet. This decreases line catch, especially when fishing from a boat.
Also features a really nice speed hook to lock your ankle into the boot. It's quite long, relieving stress on the laces, which prevents lace breakage. Smart.
One of the coolest aspects of this boot are the threaded stud ports. Easy on, easy off, kind of like a golf shoe. Especially useful for anglers frequently switching from wading to boat fishing. Or if your studs are worn down, installing a new set is super easy with this system. If you've ever tried to install studs straight into a rubber sole, you know how much of a hassle it is. This is the first boot ever made with this feature.
Another highlight is the flared profile of the sole. The angle of the sole widens at the bottom, which obviously provides nice support when wading. A subtle design feature, but a very important aspect for a wading boot.
Also features drain holes on the inside edge. The tread overall is pretty aggressive and toothy. Vibram soles are tough to beat.
On the inside, the boot contains 100 percent closed cell foam and neoprene throughout. This retains very little water, again keeping the boot lightweight and fending off mildew growth. Up front, a roomy toe box, keeping you comfortable and warm. The heel pocket is a molded foam, with added padding on the backside to provide stability and a firm hold.
A good pair of boots will make your day on the water so much more enjoyable. Period. No single piece of gear can make or break your day as much as a solid set of wading boots. The stability, comfort, and durability will keep you on the water longer.
These things are rock solid, and a definite upgrade from previous models. Back in October, the Simms G4 Pro boot won "Best Wading Boot" at IFTD 2019. A fantastic high-tech addition to the Simms lineup. Follow the link below to get yours now.
]]>The body of this reel is made from a "pressure cast aluminum," so they aren't "carved" out of a block of high grade steel. The aluminum is liquefied, then injected into a mold to create the shape you see above. This keeps costs low, while still offering a strong product. It's then coated in a polyurethane finish to add durability. We have been thoroughly impressed by these things, and so have our customers.
The drag system has an "infinite" adjustment range, meaning it doesn't click when turned. It's a smooth adjustment dial, so you can set it at just the right amount of resistance. Most other reels use a series of stacked discs or rotors. This one is entirely different, using a cone design as the main braking mechanism. The cone is pressed into the drag housing, creating an immensely strong system in a very compact space. A really well designed layout, and is offered on all Lamson reels. Their high end reels have the EXACT same drag system as the Liquid.
This reel is a great way to bulk up your arsenal without breaking the bank. Many buy them to use with their more "obscure" setups that don't get touched very often. Things like small stream rods, bluegill rods, backup rods, or even musky setups.
Another fun option is the Liquid 3 Pack, which comes with two additional spools, and a foam carrying case. It's an easy way to broaden your approach on the water. A popular setup is a floating line, an intermediate, and a sink tip. Or a nymph specific line, dry fly line, and a streamer line. Or a glow line, popper line, and a euro nymph line. The loadouts are endless.
Lamson Waterworks is strictly a reel company. They design fly reels, and nothing else. That says a lot! A great product from Lamson, and a hugely popular staff favorite at Nomad Anglers.
Assembled in the USA! Free shipping on orders, click HERE to get yours!
]]>Although this is not necessarily "new," we still see a lot of people wondering about this stuff. Lots of people in the shop want to try them, but don't want to spend the money, or are confused by all the different types. Loon has made it very easy, with 3 main "consistencies" to choose from; Flow, Thin, and Thick.
Loon Flow ($16.95)
Flow is the thinnest of the lineup, with a "watery" consistency. It's a good coating over adhesive eyes to prevent water from getting under the edge. It's also great for treating feathers to hold their shape when wet, similar to Softex. We've also used it to solidify dubbing bodies so they won't unravel after a fish or two. Wire ribbing is often used to add durability to a dubbed body, but with this stuff, you can inject this resin into the dubbing, cure it, and it will create a rigid body that won't fray. The Flow also cures "tack free," meaning it hardens without any sticky/oily residue afterward. Most importantly, this consistency is a great substitute for good old head cement. As stated before, this stuff will never dry out in the bottle, which means you can feasibly use every last drop. Comes with 2 applicator nozzles, and a brush applicator.
Loon Thin ($16.95)
This stuff is in the middle of the spectrum, with a consistency similar to syrup. You can apply a drop of it to a nymph, and it will hold its shape briefly, before dripping down into the body. This is the most universal in the lineup, and can be used for pretty much anything. It's really good for making basic heads, capping eyes on streamers so they don't get peeled off while stripping, and perfect for hardening a wedge-head spun deer hair streamer. That famous "bubble-back" wingcase on a Copper John? This is the stuff you need.
For larger nymphs we often use for steelhead, it's an easy way to add durability and realism. Hexes, stoneflies, wigglers, shrimp, etc. Since it dries clear, it also adds an illumination element to the bug. Light hits the resin and kind of "illuminates" it, acting almost as a translucent beadhead. We've even used it to stiffen wings on hexes to retain their shape when wet. The uses are endless!
Loon Thick ($16.95)
Thick is obviously the thickest of the bunch, similar to molasses. Most people use this for creating hard, durable streamer heads (like a fish mask). It can also be used to create wingcases on nymphs, stiffening hair wings, or creating hard bodied terrestrials, like ants or beetles. Want to add profile to a spey fly? Apply to the underside of marabou, craft fur, or flashabou to "prop" them up to give the fly a bigger profile. Can also be used to create hard heads on saltwater flies like Surf Candy or Albacore flies. Great stuff.
In order to harden these resins, you'll need a UV light. Loon has several to choose from. They all work on these resins.
Loon UV Infiniti Light ($59.95)
By far the best light we've used for UV resins. It's extremely powerful, which translates to faster curing time. Plus you can recharge it via a USB cable, so you never run out of batteries. The LED on/off switch will change from green to red when a charge is needed. This thing is the real deal.
Loon UV Bench Light ($39.95)
A more compact version of the Infiniti, the Bench Light is a basic torch that can cure all these resins within about 15 seconds. One cool feature is a zoom knob that allows you to focus or broaden the light depending on the situation. It's powered by 1 AA battery (included) and lasts quite a while. This is our top selling torch. Basic, reliable, affordable.
Loon Nano Light ($19.95)
This little fella can do everything the others can, it just takes a bit longer. It's obviously not as powerful, or as big, but can still cure all resins no problem. Lot's of people like this for on-stream wader repair, since it can be used with Loon UV Wader Repair and Loon Knot Sense. It's an easy choice for people wanting to start using UV, but don't want to break the bank on a light. It's powered by 1 AAA battery (included).
If you're still reading this, you should really consider diving in and giving this a try. It's fun to use, and the applications are limitless. Here's an easy route to take:
Loon UV Fly Tying Kit ($79.95)
The UV Kit has everything you need to get started. Comes with a bottle of Flow, Thin, and Thick, an assortment of applicator tips, brush applicators, and the Bench Light. You couldn't ask for a more simplified way to get into the game.
Check them out at our shops, or on our site. FREE SHIPPING on any order placed through our website!
]]>The Black Hole Duffel Bag has become a staff favorite at our shops. It’s a perfect solution for carrying all your miscellaneous stuff that inevitably finds its way into your gear pile. Will I need another pair of long underwear? Throw it in! Another set of gloves? Jam it in there! Extra batteries for my headlamp? Toss it in! Bug Spray? Yup! How about these random socks that I may or may not use? Shove it in there! Why not!
They named these bags the “black hole” for a reason. Somehow, there is always room for that extra item. The amount of room in these things is bewildering. Yes, there is a capacity (obviously), but you can fit a ton of gear in them!
Here are some features:
If you’re looking for a general purpose, rugged, and sleek duffel bag, look no further. This thing is quickly becoming a standard gear piece with our staff here at Nomad. A brilliant gift for the fisherperson or non -fisherperson in your life. Patagonia hit a home run with this one! Also check out its smaller counterpart, the Black Hole Cube.
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New from Simms, the Fleece Midlayer Bottom is a versatile insulation piece for Steelhead fishing in Michigan, or the Great Lakes in general. With a grid-fleece interior, these pants help to wick away sweat and perspiration. Staying dry is the key to staying warm. Here are some other features:
-Abrasion and odor-resistant fabric.
-Tapered leg prevents fabric from bunching up at the bottom of your waders.
-Integrated belt ensures a snug, comfortable fit.
-2 side pockets.
-Elastic ankle cuffs.
-Front zip.
-95% Polyester/5% Spandex
Staying comfortable on the water translates to more success. We love these pants! At $79.95, these are worth every penny. Click here to get yours today!
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It’s no surprise that streamer fishing has taken this sport to the next level. What used to be an afterthought within the fly fishing realm, pulling streamers is now at the forefront. Thus, many companies are creating rods to meet the demands of the modern streamer angler. One that we have been very fond of lately is the Echo Boost Series. These rods are light, powerful, and won’t break the bank.
The Boost series is a fast action rod, generating high line speeds which help to deliver large streamers accurately, precisely, and deliberately without fatigue. Although this series if offered in a wide array of rod weights, we really like the 6 and 7 weights for streamer applications.
The 6 weight is available in both freshwater and salt water models. They are very similar in action, but the saltwater version has a fighting butt, and a slightly modified handle. These things have become a staff favorite for trout and smallmouth bass.
At $229 for the freshwater versions, and $249 for the saltwater, these rods are a great choice for someone just getting into streamer fishing. Come in and test cast one!
]]>Whether you’re a novice or an expert, swinging for steelhead demands adaptability. Water levels, temperature, and clarity all dictate how a fly should be presented. Having a selection of sink tips that will allow you to swing a fly in several different ways can often be the difference between a successful day, and another day of casting practice. The TC Tip Kit from Scientific Anglers is the perfect solution.
This kit includes 5 separate tips, giving you the ability to present your fly over a range of depths. They are tapered, allowing for a soft landing, as well as easy pick up. SA’s Mastery texture makes line pick up virtually effortless.
The lineup is as follows:
Float
Int./Sink 2 1.25/2.0 ips (inches per second)
Sink 2/Sink 4 2.0/4.0 ips
Sink 3/Sink 5 3.0/5.0 ips
Sink 7 7.0 ips
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