Flies

I tie but I also buy.  As a guide, I go through a lot of flies.  If I buy flies, I must have quality and savings both.  I recently found the folks at Blue Fly Cafe.  The quality, selection and price are as good as it gets.  Probably what I was most surprised about was their service.  Fast and friendly, these folks treat you like an old fishing buddy.  I know there are a bunch of others out there, but you won't find any better.  Check them out at www.blueflycafe.com

Fly Tying

Renzetti, period!  Check out the only vises and tools I'll use, and you’ll ever need, at www.renzetti.com

Tiemco hooks are all I'll tie on.  There are many others out there but only one you can count on.  When you're stalking 30" fish on size 20 flies, you will want a good hook.  If you settle for less, you could lose the fish of a lifetime.  Tiemco are available at most quality fly shops.

Accessories

Vests, cases and tools can all be had from a variety of places.  If you wish to one stop shop, check out Fishpond.  You can by all of your accessories from one place.  Reasonably priced, this is functional, tough, and good looking, fishing gear.  You simply can’t go wrong with Fishpond.  Check them out at www.fishpondusa.com

Wading Boots

I judge boots solely by their durability and comfort.  There is very little difference in traction from one brand of felt to another.  The only boot I wear is the STL by Chota.  These boots are like bedroom slippers.  Enough said.  I get about a year out of a pair and I’m a professional guide.  Give Chota a look the next time you’re thinking about new boots.  www.chotaoutdoorgear.com

One cautionary note about these boots: If you like your boot really tight, these are not the boots for you.  With an elastic cord, for tension, over tightening, results in substantially diminished cord life.  This can however be overcome by replacing the elastic laces with regular boot laces.  

Rods

For all things trout, my personal pick for performance in a value priced rod, is the Cortland Brook Series.  These rods are forgiving to cast.  Casters with a variety of stroke problems will benefit from this rods medium action.  Strong mid sections really come into play on windy days and adds confidence when the fish of a lifetime is on the fly. Check their line up of rods at www.cortlandline.com

If you’re looking to upgrade to something a little more refined, check out St. Croix’s Legend Elite Series.  These rods are finished beautifully.  They are all built in the U.S.  The materials get lighter and tolerances get tighter as the cost of a rod goes up.  The Legend Elite Series covers the widest possible range of fishing situations and casting strokes.  These rods are a great bargain for the price.  Check‘em out at www.stcroixrods.com

If you think you’re ready for multiple rods and want rods tailored for specific fishing situations, nobody can beat Sage.  Their rod lines are each very unique, one to the other.  My love for these rods is deep due to their dedication for uniquely different tapers and the true art of rod building.  All Sage rods are built in the USA.  

In an age of “this is extra magnum, navy seal, hyper space, fast rod,” and entire companies built around one action with a few tip variances,  Sage still values ALL actions as premier.  Each rod in their line up is completely unique, reel seat to rod tip.

With Sage you can, and will, find a rod best suited for the actual fishing circumstance.  Nobody builds a faster rod and nobody builds a softer rod than Sage.  If you are discriminating enough for the finest actions in the world check out Sage fly rods at www.sageflyfish.com

Reels

When it comes to what Jeff likes in reels, besides durability, two things come to mind.  Smoothness and weight reduction are the epicenter of my concern.  Ross Reels, specifically the Evolution Series, are my go to reels.  Nothing is as smooth and light as an “Evo.”  The time honored CLA models are the best value in an American built reel today.  Having just received and subsequently abused the new Vexsis model, I can tell you it passed my torture test with flying colors. 

The warranty on Ross reels is as good as it gets.  You can literally improve the feel of a rod by putting an Evolution on it.  The reduction of weight in your hand is immediately perceivable.  Like all reels that I use, the Evolution is a “slap spooling” dream. 

With Ross, the cost of perfection is worth every penny.  In a day when most reel companies are marketing stuff that looks like it came out of an old Buck Rodgers movie, Ross’ classic lines are beautiful to behold.  Check out class, beauty, and quality at www.rossreels.com

Fly Lines

Here we go!  There are a ton of lines out there.  Some work better than others for certain things, for varying durations.  I still fish Cortland lines on all my rods.  I know, with all certainty that Cortland lines will perform consistently for years.  I've got Cortland lines that are older than most fly fisherman.  They are still smooth and float high and cast like glass after decades.  Keep 'em clean and dressed and you won't need another line.   I still fish with 30 year old Cortland lines on my 6-weight and 4-weight.  It stays on top of the water and shoots into another zip code on request.  Check them out at www.cortlandlines.com 

Leaders/Tippet

I hope you're not confused by this.  When fishing above 4X tippets, I use only Orvis Fluorocarbon.  This stuff is so tough, I can't imagine hurting it.  This is unquestionably the most abrasion resistant leader/tippet material I know of.  I have worked weighted clousers on shell beds all day, for redfish, without replacing tippet sections.  This tippet is spooky tough.  Make sure you lube the knot well before pulling it tight, this is a must.  Check out the specifications and comparative great prices at www.orvis.com 

Sorry to confuse you, but, when it comes to light tippet fishing, I only use Seaguar fluorocarbon.  Their 8X is the strongest on the market.  Take a look.  Compared to anybody else, their 8X is much stronger.  Their material knots well and is as supple as a cloud.  It lands like a dream on the water.  On extreme technical waters, where tiny flies and delicate presentations are a must, Seaguar is all I'll use.  How good is it?  I landed a 33" brown trout on 7X.  That just simply ain't done.  Seaguar leaders and tippet material are available at most fine fishing dealers.  Check it out at www.cabelas.com , www.theflyshop.com , to name only a few.

Waders

Depending on what you want to spend and how much time on the water you’re going to spend, I believe there are two great choices in waders. Before you but waders, you must honestly consider how many days a year you’re going to be fishing.  If you plan on fishing a lot, More than 100 days a year, you will benefit from purchasing premium waders.  They are expensive, ranging in price from 300.00 to 700.00 dollars.  Most people fish less than 50 days a year.  Great waders can be purchased for “weekender’s” for around 100.00 to 200.00 dollars.  If cost is of no concern, you’ll never go wrong with premium waders.

For the cost conscious, Hodgman waders have been around for years.  They offer sizes and styles to fit any person and any type of fishing conditions.  Hodgman waders are available at a host of retail stores.  They can often be found at any store that sells fishing equipment.  Hodgman does make many different models.  A great place to see the entire lineup is at www.hodgman.com

Premium waders are worth every penny.  They are mandatory for people who are on the water more than a hundred days a year.  The finest waders I know of are made by Simms.  Their warranty is OK but not great.  Once upon a time, when Simms was making their way in the industry, their warranty was engraved in stone and they always were comitted to protecting their image of the best gear, the best price, the best service, American made, PERIOD!  Well that is changing...  I guess the Harvard MBA crowd has shown them how to increase margins by selectively moving lines overseas and conditionally applying their warranties to items while monitoring margins or something. Their service is either horrid or great, no middle ground.  Most of us did not mind paying 400.00 for a premium gortex wading jacket made in the USA.  Now waders are all they make in the USA, so why dump that kind of money into an Asian built jacket just becasue it says "Simms."  You can buy a new one every year from somebody else, made by the same Asians, out of the same materials,  and still save money...  In the south, we have a saying "you gotta dance with the one that brung ya."  Simms made their name with waders and waterproof jackets, built in the USA and backed by an iron clad warrranty and seemed to be the choice of most guides.  I guess there's no value in that kind of reputation anymore...  Simms products are available at many fly fishing shops around the country.  They do offer a variety of models, giving the angler a lot to choose from.  Check them out at www.simmsfishing.com

NOTE: Should you choose chest waders, always wear a non-stretchable wading belt.  Many chest waders come with an elastic belt.  Should you find yourself underwater, you’ll appreciate a belt that doesn’t expand, on its own, to let air out or water in.