Gear Review: Ross Reels

800 • 669 • 3474

The Ross Reel Ross Reels is getting back to its roots! Ross Reels has been an important part of the fly fishing landscape since their first reels came out in 1973. Aerospace engineer Ross Hauck founded Ross Reels in Etna, California, later moving the company to Montrose, Colorado, where it is today. Hauck perfected a number of industry standards in his tenure at the company’s helm, including the market’s first reel machined from aluminum bar stock. The result was one of the most durable fly fishing reels ever to hit the market. The original reels were fairly basic by today’s standards, even in the naming of the reels – Freshwater: RR1, RR2, RR3, and RR3.5 (prices ranged from $150-170); Saltwater: RS1, RS2, and RS3 (prices ranged from $310-365).

Ross Reels Saltwater V Reel Over the years, 3M, Scientific Anglers and Orvis each owned the company. But in 2012, Orvis sold the company to Colorado’s Mayfly Outdoors, which has spent the last 10 years relaunching the brand, because it lost a lot of traction in the reel market when owned by 3M and Scientific Anglers, almost becoming a distant memory to fly anglers.

Mayfly Outdoors has also re-released classic Ross Reels with its Heritage Series. The first of these being the Gunnison, which was originally released to the public in 1988, quite possibly their most famous reel of all time. The most recent of these heritage releases being the infamous San Miguel, which was first released in 1997.

ROSS COLORADO
We did an initial product introduction on this improved reel back in November of 2020 (Ross Colorado Fly Reel Review) as it was being released by Ross. Not much has changed in our opinion of this great click and pawl reel. We would still mark this, after its initial release, as one of the best trout reels on the market. A bit too light to be the perfect Euro nymph reel, it is perfect for most other small stream trout situations.

Features:
The two sizes of this reel model weigh in at a mere 3.2 and 3.5 ounces respectively. The click and pawl brings back the original sounds and feel of reels with a modern flare. No need to adjust the drag since there isn’t one. The beauty of this reel is that it just works. Add your favorite fly line with some great backing and you are ready to hit the water. The curves and rounded edges are strikingly attractive. No longer hidden with your backing and fly line, the precision machining is out in the open for you to see and enjoy. The large arbor reduces line memory and increases your line pickup rate. They also added more porting, even to the reel foot, to decrease weight. The all-metal external clicker cover adds that special look to the back of each reel, with a machined silhouette of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. This is a big change from its predecessor, which had the mountains hidden once you added backing and a fly line. At the same time, the placement of this metal plate adds appropriate weight to the reel next to the reel seat, giving it better balance with the rod.

ROSS EVOLUTION LTX
This is by no means a new reel for Ross, but rather an upgrade to one of the most revered trout reels in history. The LTX replaced the LT with a new drag system that is four times stronger than its predecessor. The Evolution LT was first launched in 2009 and replaced in 2018. This reel is a beautiful combination of the old LT and the Ross Evolution series of reels and combines technology from the Evolution R to create an ideal reel for both freshwater and light saltwater use.

Features:
The large arbor spool includes an innovative line channel that cleanly hides arbor knots when winding on backing. This reduces the bulk and possibility of tangles when the beast on the end of your line takes you into your backing. The bell-shaped arbor design, the same on all Ross Reels, adds strength, while helping to self-level the fly line across the face of the spool as it is retrieved. Ross also added their innovative canvas phenolic handle, which reduces weight, adds durability, and increases grip when wet. They weren’t done there – Ross also took away any extra weight in this reel with their beautiful machining, even adding machined holes to the reel foot to reduce weight.

ROSS ANIMAS
A new name for a great old reel. The Animas is based on one of the most well-known reels in Ross’ lineup, the CLA. The CLA, short for Cimarron Large Arbor, was one of their top-selling reels in the early years of the 21st century. Ross brought it back big time with the release of the original Animas. Then, in 2019 Ross decided that the original Animas just wasn’t up to par with the rest of their reel offerings and did a complete redesign. They took all of the best features from the original reel design and combined it with their newest technology to create a reel any guide would be proud to fish and have their clients fish. This is the go-to reel for many of our retail staff and guides here at The Fly Shop® – it’s bomber!

Features:
Like the other newer reel designs from Ross, you get a beautifully machined reel that is super light in the hand. The machining on this reel shows off their cutting edge manufacturing techniques which give a great look and retain a low weight. What looks to be art actually helps with durability and strength. They’ve even added a small machined silhouette of the Colorado mountains, which looks good and helps balance the reel. You also get the innovative canvas phenolic handle, which reduces weight, adds durability, and increases grip when wet. The easy release spool gives easy access to the sealed drag and adds to the ease of switching retrieval directions. Ross also added a large two-tone drag knob to make it easy to adjust during the fight.

ROSS EVOLUTION R & EVOLUTION R SALT
Another excellent reel from Ross is the Evolution Series. The R and R Salt are two of the newer reel models in the Ross lineup. These models, depending on line size, are ideal for both freshwater and saltwater applications. This is Ross’ top-end reel and for good reason.

Features:
Both of these models come with a sealed drag system consisting of a stainless steel and carbon fluoropolymer disc system, which gives it more stopping power than other models. The unique, large, frame-integrated drag knob allows for easy on-the-fly adjustments with just the palm of your hand during long fights. Both models are saltwater safe with three drag seals for redundant waterproofing and a Type II anodization for the perfect balance of hardness and color. The start-up inertia is virtually non-existent to protect the most delicate of tippets or stop a speeding-away bonefish. Like all their reels, Ross also added their innovative canvas phenolic handle, which reduces weight, adds durability, and increases grip when wet.

Ross has been an innovative fly reel company for over 40 years, and their re-commitment to intelligent and elegant design puts them at the top of the list of modern fly reel companies. American designed, engineered and manufactured, these fly reels are some of the best on the market, and we couldn’t be prouder to offer their full line of reels.

If you are looking for a new, high-quality, American-made fly reel to add to your kit, we strongly recommend the Ross family of fly reels.

“SINCE 1973, ROSS HAS AND ALWAYS WILL STAND BEHIND THE QUALITY OF OUR PRODUCTS.”

Gear Review – Fishpond Packs & Bags

800 • 669 • 3474

As a new year starts, we are always excited to see what new fly fishing products our trusted manufacturers have been developing . High-quality fly fishing gear is not designed and made overnight. It takes years of research and design, along with field testing and modifications, to bring a quality product to fruition that fills a unique niche in your kit. The Fly Shop® goes through much of the same processes with our Signature Series of products.

Without further ado, here are some new products from Fishpond that we are excited to review and share with you.

Fishpond Canyon Creek Chest Pack
This little chest pack from Fishpond is the perfect tool for the minimalist angler who doesn’t need much to enjoy a day on the water. Maybe you are just heading out to hit the evening dry fly hatch or heading out for an afternoon of Euro nymphing. If that is the case, then this is the ideal pack for you. The design on this chest pack takes all the weight off your neck and distributes it evenly throughout your core. Thinking that sometimes you may need more storage, Fishpond made this product completely modular; the main pack can be separated from its back support and added to any of the other great Fishpond backpacks.

Features:
This pack has everything you could ever want in a chest pack. The drop-down fly bench puts your flies at your fingertips, and the Tacky silicone pad is removable to help get you set up for your next angling day. You can purchase extra silicone pads to pre-organize your bugs for different angling adventures as well. The large main compartment is perfect for storing several fly boxes (up to four Tacky boxes). Tool attachment points are placed in easy-to-reach places, and the brilliantly designed Headgate Tippet Holder hangs neatly below and out of the way, but is easily accessed for quick leader rebuilds. The back support has a built-in net storage pocket, center-located, which keeps your net handy and protected from snagging on branches.

Fishpond Summit Sling 2.0
This sling pack from Fishpond just gets better every time they redesign it. The newest version is the result of years of field design and suggestions from many anglers. This non-waterproof version (coated YKK water-resistant zippers) offers just about everything for the swing angler on the go. The single sling design allows you to easily swing the pack to the front for easy access while also allowing for maximum off-arm mobility. This sling pack is large enough to bring whatever you need for your day or multiple days on the water.

Features:
Fishpond spared no feature on this sling pack. They gave us plenty of attachment points for your at-hand items such as tippet or floatant. It also comes equipped with lash points to carry an extra rod. Need more pockets? Not to worry because this sling comes with seven interior and exterior pockets, which provide plenty of room for just about anything. The front pocket is a patented and signature molded drop down fly/cargo bench with outside velcro for fly patch attachment. This allows for easy changing of flies and the ability to dry your already used flies by attaching the removable silicone fly pad to the exterior of the pack. Hydration isn’t an issue with this pack either, as it comes with a water bottle holder built in that includes a locking cord to make sure your bottle stays where it’s supposed to. Don’t forget about the integrated net holder on the back panel, as it will keep your net handy at all times and protected from snagging on brush.

Fishpond Switchback Wading Belt 2.0
I think we can all agree that the original version of this was a great idea but left a lot to be desired. The original was supposed to be ambidextrous but ended up really only working for the right-handed angler. This new version makes some huge advancements in design, with the biggest being that it can be modified to work for both left and right handed anglers. We think they’ve nailed it with this one!

Features:
This is not just some ordinary pack – it is also a wading belt and nifty net holder. With the MOLLE slots you are able to add all the accessories you would ever need and more. These slots allow you to add a water bottle holder or Quickshot Rod Holder, or both. The comfortable, removable shoulder strap adds additional comfort while also giving you more tool attachment points and a velcro pad for attaching fly patches or drying out flies. The main pack, though not large, has a main zippered compartment with a removable divider and two interior pockets for organization, as well as an exterior velcro patch for use with the Tacky Fly Dock. If you are looking for a simplistic modular pack and wading belt combination that will give you the ability to adjust to any fly fishing application, then this is a great tool and the right item for you.

Fishpond Firehole Backpack
We all have our favorite backpack that we reach for the majority of our adventures. I mean, really, who really needs another backpack in their closet? Well this new fishpack might just change your mind. It has more features than any other backpack we’ve seen or used. This is the perfect tool for those long hikes or when you want to bring everything because you aren’t sure what you’ll need or when you’ll be back at the truck.

Features:
This 26-liter (1,600-cubic-inch) backpack comes equipped with everything you need for a weekend or long day on the water. Not only is the top opening large, making it easy to reach the bottom, but the zippers are water resistant to keep the elements out and your gear inside dry. Worried about weight,? Well don’t be because this thing weighs in at only 2.7 pounds. We think one of its best features is that it can be joined with several other Fishpond packs to make the ultimate fishing pack. Hook your Thunderhead Chest Pack, Canyon Creek Chest Pack, Cross-Current Chest Pack, and even the Sagebrush Pro Vest to the front of your backpack, and you’ve created an amazing fishing tool. This backpack also comes equipped with three net holders, one on each side, and the final as part of the exterior boot and wader pouch. The last feature that we find is a must in our part of the world is an interior pocket for a hydration bladder. This pack really can do it all, and we are excited for its debut this April.

Exciting Fly Fishing Gear for 2022

800 • 669 • 3474

We just finished our 2022 catalog, and in it you’ll find exciting new products, some of which we want to share with you in more detail here. This list is put together by people who have fished and used the equipment – hard core fly fishers and guides who use this stuff daily. Before we recommend an item, the first question we ask ourselves is, “would I pay full retail price for it?” If we can say “yes,” and would actually use it, then we share it with our customers and friends. So, what you see on this list are things that our own staff would buy for themselves.

Gear Review: Astral Water Shoes

800 • 669 • 3474

Last April I purchased my first pair of Astral Water Shoes from my friend Jim MacAllister at Northwest River Supply (NRS). I had checked them out online and then was able to talk to Chris King (Outfitters Associate/Guide) and Russ Kegler (Guide), as I noticed they were both wearing a pair. I wasn’t quite sure where to get them locally so I searched online and found that NRS was selling them. I’ve worked with Jim for years so I reached out to him for his thoughts. After a couple minutes of talking I decided to pull the trigger and place an order for a pair of Brewer 2.0 in the Basalt Black color. Chris and Russ had them in Storm Navy so I thought I’d be a bit different.

Russ Kegler wearing Brewer 2.0's on the Lower Sacramento River

I wore this first pair of Brewer 2.0 shoes every day for almost 4 months. I both wore them with and without socks (I would recommend socks as they tend to get really stinky otherwise) as they were touted as a water shoe. Ultimately I kept them in my laundry room or outside due to the smell. I have to say that these are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn, period!

Sampson at the beach It took several months for me to actually try them in the water. I was coming back from the coast and stopped at a rest area on the Trinity River and took Sampson, my Labrador, down to the water to get a drink and stretch our legs. He ended up pulling me into the water, and that is when I realized how truly amazing these shoes really are. I was expecting them to dry quickly once I got out, but I had no idea that the sole was going to be so sticky on the rocks. As Sampson was dragging me through the water I had better traction than I’ve ever had with my rubber sole wading boots. Normally I need to put in quite a few studs to make the rubber work for me, but these worked great without any add-ons.

Astral Loyak - Capndarling photo The very next week I decided to place another order with NRS for the Astral Loyak, Astral’s most popular water shoe. These were more of an impulse purchase as I didn’t know anyone who had them or really anything about them. Honestly, they just looked comfortable. When I received this pair I was a bit disappointed by the simplistic design and the rubber interior. However, that only lasted until I wore them a couple of times. This shoe actually sticks to your foot so you feel like you are walking around barefoot. This is my absolute favorite wet wading, fly fishing shoe.

I took both pairs of shoes with me to Tanzania in September of 2021 to test their viability for travel. I ended up wearing the Brewer 2.0 as a travel/camp shoe. They are easy to get on and off, and they work great when going through security. Although, I did feel bad for the person sitting next to me on the plane when I took them off and put on my slippers. These things smell so bad that my dogs won’t even go near them. I then used my Loyak’s for fishing every day.

Loyak's draining - Gareth Tate photo The Loyak’s were the perfect shoe for this trip. Fishing out of a boat all day and occasionally getting out on shallow sandbars for pictures. I was also able to feel my fly line under my feet when I found myself standing on it. They dried moments after getting them wet, and the water drained perfectly out of the drain holes when getting back into the boat. This is easily a shoe I would recommend to anglers fishing on a flats skiff as well. The non-marking, white soles (white comes only on the gray/white color) won’t damage the skiff, and you’ll be comfortable without burning the tops of your feet. Both the Brewer 2.0 and Loyak have non-marking soles, but I don’t see a captain of a Hell’s Bay skiff allowing anyone on their boat with colored soles.

Astral Brewer 2.0 and Astral Loyak

I think anyone who does a lot of wet wading or water activities should own at least one pair of each of these shoes. I’m actually considering getting another pair of the Brewer 2.0, but this time not wearing them without socks.

UPDATE:
I did have an issue with my first pair of Brewer 2.0’s. The inside of the sole came unglued from the shoe. I filled out Astral’s warranty form online, and I had a new pair of shoes in my mailbox in a week and an email from Astral explaining what they wanted me to do with the damaged pair. To file my warranty claim I needed to provide a couple of images of the damage to make sure it was defective and not caused by me. This was the simplest warranty that I’ve ever done with a pair of shoes or any other product. That told me a lot about this company – they truly care about their customers and their products.

Last Minute Shopping

800 • 669 • 3474

Last Minute Shopping
By
Terry Jepsen

Take it from someone who has found themselves in a real pinch, desperately trying to shop at the last minute for stocking stuffers – it is no fun…

I remember being put in charge of getting my daughters’ stocking stuffers on Christmas Eve. I hadn’t necessarily forgotten, but with the holiday rush, seeing family and friends, multiple Christmas parties, work, coaching and more,I just forgot that one detail assigned to me. I was stressed out at the idea of my girls waking up with empty stockings hanging from the mantel.

So I jumped into action. I got dressed quickly, grabbed my wallet and keys and was out the door. Where would I go and what would I get? As I’m sitting in my truck these are the thoughts going through my head. I had blown it, and now my kids were going to be stuck with whatever I could find at this late hour.

Not to worry, there are plenty of stores that stay open late on Christmas Eve. Actually, to my surprise there were a lot of people in the stores doing their holiday shopping. I found out later that one of my friends does all of his shopping on Christmas Eve. I’m a procrastinator, but that was cutting it a bit too close for my liking. I headed to a big box store first, as I knew they were open and would have a good variety of goods to choose from. They did, but it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for.

I ended up purchasing several gift cards, the usual holiday candy, and some goofy toys. Again, not exactly what I wanted, but it was something. And the nice part was that I found something for my girls, and they were never the wiser that dad had messed up.

The moral of this story is that just because a deadline is approaching doesn’t mean that you can’t find something for the special people in your life that will put a smile on their face. If one of those people is a fly fisher then give us a call or stop by The Fly Shop®. We are more than happy to help with those last-minute gifts and make sure they are in hand in time for Christmas morning.

I know that gift cards and gift certificates aren’t as personal as some would like, but they are great in a pinch or if you don’t know exactly what to buy. If your fly fisher is an online shopper, we’ve got you covered with one of our online gift certificates. Have your gift show up in their inbox with a custom note from you.

If you’re looking for something a bit more personal, stop by or call us and get a custom fly selection and fly box made with the perfect flies for the rivers, streams or lakes that your fly fisher fishes. This is a great option as it can be as grandiose or as small as you need.

Another great gift, one that my own mother would appreciate, is a guided day of fishing. Years ago my family talked about great gifts, and we came to agree that spending time together was the best gift that we could give one another. So, we stopped buying a bunch of small gifts and decided to get each other things that would promote time together. There isn’t a much better day for an angler than being on the water, and if that time is with someone they love, then there isn’t a more perfect day.

So don’t despair, all is not lost. Give us a call and we will help you find the perfect gift for the fly fisher in your life.

Looking for some great fly fishing gift ideas? We put together a Holiday Gift Guide to help.
• https://www.theflyshop.com/2021-holiday-gift-ideas.html

2021 Holiday Gift Ideas

800 • 669 • 3474

Take the guesswork out of buying the perfect Christmas gift for the fly fisher in your life. The list of gifts below is just a sampling of the thousands of items available for purchase from The Fly Shop® – all available online, in our mail order catalog or in our shop. If you can’t think of what to buy, give us a call at (800) 669-3474, and we can look up your fly fisher’s purchase history and suggest a great gift. And if you are still at a loss, purchase a gift card and let your fly fisher do the fun work of shopping.

Selecting The Right Wading Boots for Your Fly Fishing Needs

800 • 669 • 3474

Selecting The Right Wading Boots for Your Fly Fishing Needs

We get asked all the time what wading boot is the best. This is a difficult question as each angler has a specific need or wading challenge, not to mention the different regulations or limitations by different countries and states on the types of soles or whether you can even use older boots. And then there’s the challenges of float planes and boats. Trust us, no pilot wants an angler climbing onto their floats with studded boots. The same goes for climbing into a boat with your studs on. Hence the challenges of telling someone the perfect boot for them.

Wading boots have come a long way in the last 20+ years. What was once a very limited offering in the world of walking in the water has become its own industry with plenty of great options. I remember when I first got into fly fishing we had two types of soles on boots: felt or studded felt. Rubber wasn’t even considered an option unless you wanted to slip and slide the entire day, potentially hurting yourself pretty badly. Fast forward to today and there are more sole options than most know what to do with, the majority of which are rubber based.

Many of the changes we now see in wading boots and soles started after 1987, when the first New Zealand mud snails were discovered in the Snake River (Idaho). This invasive snail changed everything in water-based recreational sports. Thought to have been originally brought to the U.S. by contaminated ship ballast water and/or the transport of live fish or eggs for the commercial aquaculture industry, these little (4-6 mm) hitchhikers have now been found in 10 western states, five Great Lakes states, and two Canadian Provinces. Hence the introduction and popularization of the rubber sole for wading boots. I’m sure you can see how felt soles would be a much easier way for these little hitchhikers to be transported with its porous nature compared to the dense rubber.

In 2000 Simms introduced their Aquastealth soles then in 2009 changed to the current Vibram rubber sole. They even contemplated removing felt from all of their boots to make sure they weren’t adding to the problem. That changed rather quickly as felt was/is still needed in certain wading situations (such as the Pit River). Simms took this challenge to advance some of their boots and shoes to include both felt and rubber, like on the Confluence Wading Sandal. This gives you the best of both worlds.

In 2000 Korkers came out with wading boots with their OmniTrax® Interchangeable Sole System. This enabled the use of multiple soles on one single boot. Yes, admittedly there were issues with these original removable soles. However, as time passed those kinks were worked out, and the soles now stay in place yet are easy to change. Korkers now offers nice sole options (sold separately) to make the boot you need for any situation. They were also intelligent enough to get you started by including a pair of hiking rubber soles and felt soles with each pair sold.

Now that we’ve covered a bit of history on wading boots and soles, we should talk about what we think makes a great boot. Of course, this can change depending on who you ask. Some prefer a boot with a more stable upper for ankle support while others prefer a more floppy upper. Other anglers could care less about the ankle support and are looking for more toe protection or a locking heel. There are so many things that go into selecting a comfortable boot.

Then you need to decide if you are looking for a boot with standard laces or the BOA lace system. This is another option that can be debated for hours. The old lace system is the proven system. However, the BOA adds a new ease to cinching down and getting out of your boots. At the end of the day simply pull the knob and you’ve freed your entire foot, all the way to the bottom lace. The BOA system is becoming more and more popular with anglers. There is an old argument, that if a lace breaks while fishing you can use just about anything to replace it, even tying the broken pieces together. If your BOA breaks while fishing, which is rare, you will ultimately need a BOA replacement kit. Fortunately, these are small and easy to pack in your vest, pack, or bag. Same goes for replacement laces.

Now that we’ve covered just about everything on wading boots, let’s get to the meat of this thing: the boots that our staff wear and recommend:

Apres Fly Fishing

800 • 669 • 3474

Apres Fishing
By Chris King

Being a guide for over 20 years and now working at the Outfitters desk, I get asked where I recommend people eat or drink after a day on the water. Here is a list of my favorite spots to hit after a hard day of fly fishing.

Fall River Taphouse:
Fall River Brewery has by far the best beer in town. With offerings like Hexagenia, Hooked, and Blood Knot, they have a fishing mentality just like us. The taphouse does not have food, but you can have food delivered or grab some burgers from The Habit or pick up some Hawaiian BBQ, as both are within easy walking distance. Fall River has a spot on the edge of town that’s their actual brewery, and this is a much bigger place that will have food trucks at times, but there is not much for food in the immediate area.

Maxwell’s Eatery:
Maxwell’s is a downtown bar that is popular with the locals. They have great pizza and wings, and you will find all of your typical pub fare here. They have a great laid-back atmosphere like you would find at your neighborhood watering hole. They also have a smaller venue called Mini Max in another part of town that offers pizza by the slice and a limited bar menu. The garlic fries will have your significant other insisting you sleep in the garage. Neither of these has a full bar but rather a great selection of your favorite beers.

Final Draft:
This is another brew pub that has good food and good beer. The ambiance is great as there are always people having a good time. They have a couple cornhole games inside the main room, and there is a pretty hip vibe to the place overall.

The Park:
If food trucks are your thing, check out The Park. This spot downtown has a number of offerings circled around a bar that has several of the local beers on tap as well as others. There is a great outdoor sitting area and a few lawn games, including a giant bowling set. If you haven’t had enough competition on the river and feel like you could still make a few friendly wagers with your buddies, this might be the spot for you. They also have live music several times a week.

Jack’s Bar & Grill:
Jack’s has been a Redding staple since the 1930’s. This legendary steak house has been a favorite among fly fishers since The Fly Shop® opened its doors. This is the place you go for a superb steak and stiff cocktail. Many nights there can be up to an hour wait for a table, so plan on a bit of a wait and pre-dinner cocktails. They don’t have appetizers or ranch dressing, but this swanky hideout kicks out the best steaks in Redding and locals and travelers alike line up for them.

Market Street Steakhouse:
This steakhouse is everything you want in a modern-day restaurant. The atmosphere is upscale casual, and the steaks are what you would expect from a top notch steakhouse. On the lighter side, their signature burger is insane with wagyu beef that’s served on a pretzel bun. They have a whiskey bar adjacent to the restaurant that has a dangerous selection of offerings. Make sure you start with their poke nachos. They are the best on this side of Hawaii.

Nello’s Place:
This classic Italian eatery has been a Redding favorite for decades, complete with dim lighting, wraparound booth seating, waiters in ties and a table side Caesar salad. They have every classic dish you can think of and their sauces are on point. The veal parm is the best in town!

Woodside Grill:
The Woodside Grill (actually in Anderson) features creative Northern California cuisine, sourced from local farmers, ranchers, and food purveyors. They serve hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, pastas, chicken and salads, including the black and blue salad topped with grass fed steak (delicious). Be sure to round out your meal with their signature Gaia guilty pleasure. Ask us about our all-inclusive package deals with the Gaia Hotel and Spa that includes lodging, guided fishing, and all meals at this wonderful establishment.

Thai Hut:
The Thai Hut is arguably the best Thai food in the area. You won’t be disappointed if you’re in the mood for some Pad Thai or a big plate of drunken noodles. After a rainy day on the river catching giant Lower Sac rainbows there is nothing more satisfying than a bowl of their Pho. You’ll be ready to put back on your wet waders and jacket and launch the boat again. It’s that Pho-king good!

Peter Chu’s Skyroom:
Chinese food with a view. The Skyroom is located on top of the airport. This great family-owned restaurant has been the place for all of your favorite dishes like General Tao’s chicken, Szechuan noodles, and beef and broccoli. Try the hot and sour soup; it is different from what you’re used to, and it’s the best I’ve found anywhere. They always have nightly specials, and Peter himself is a joy to see wandering around the dining room making sure everyone is enjoying themselves.

I’m sure that I’ve missed some spots on this list, but I could go on forever with local hot spots. These are just a list of my go-tos when I get off the river and what I recommend to my clients. If you have questions or have a spot you’d highly recommend, shoot me an email at chris@theflyshop.com.

Special “Fly Fishing for Leadership” Week Coming to Kingfisher Lodge in Montana

800 • 669 • 3474

Special “Fly Fishing for Leadership” Week

Using fly fishing as a metaphor, John Childress, a former CEO, veteran fly fisherman, and author, is going to be hosting a 5 night, 4 day Executive Growth & Leadership Retreat in mid-May of next year (2022) at Kingfisher Lodge.

This special program has been designed for those currently in management roles (whether it’s in the business, educational, or civic arena) who are interested in improving and developing leadership skills.

It will be a unique opportunity to enjoy a wonderful fly fishing experience with a small group of like-minded anglers who share the same passion for self-improvement and appreciation of the outdoors.

The format promises to be an excellent opportunity to refine your leadership abilities, sharpen your fly fishing skill set, enjoy yourself, and perhaps make a few new friends.Host John R. Childress is the author of the new book, Fly Fishing for Leadership. Free copy is included.

Dates at Kingfisher Lodge are Sunday to Friday, May 15 – 20, 2022
Cost of the 5 night, 4 day package is $4,250
Included are private accommodations, all meals, hors d’oeuvres, and soft drinks, craft beer, and wine. There will be 4 full days of guided fly fishing on the Bighorn River with instruction-oriented Kingfisher guides. All the fly fishing tackle necessary, and a complete selection of flies will be provided.
Not included are gratuities, and, hard alcoholic beverages

For more detailed information contact Pat Pendergast at The Fly Shop® – pat@theflyshop.com or 800-669-3474

Gear Review: Patagonia Travel Rod Roll

800 • 669 • 3474

A couple of weeks ago I finally made it to Tanzania to chase Tigerfish with our group that was supposed to go in 2020. The extra year of waiting wasn’t so bad, but I was excited for the adventure as well as testing my mettle on the highly-touted tigerfish. You can view my travel report at – https://www.theflyshop.com/travel/tanzania-tigerfish-trip-report.Prior to packing for this trip, we received six of the new Patagonia Travel Rod Rolls. I decided to reach out to our main contact at Patagonia, Bruce Skinner, to see if Mike Michalak and I could each get one to test out. Bruce had them in the mail to us the next day. A few of the guys in the shop were shocked that Mike and I were willing to trust this new product to protect our fly rods while flying halfway around the world. We loaded them up with our rods – I had five in mine, and Mike six in his. They are generally meant to carry four rods, but we needed extra sticks for this trip, as tigerfish are tough on rods.

Gear Review: Patagonia Travel Rod Roll

I packed my Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel as my checked bag and my Patagonia Stormfront Backpack as my carry-on. I put all five of the rods into the new Travel Rod Roll and rolled it up tight and clipped the two straps around it. I felt that there was plenty of stiffness once rolled and wasn’t concerned about my rods at all. Right before we left, I slipped a sixth rod into my Rod Roll for another angler. I stuck the roll back into my duffel and we were off. I was feeling quite confident with this new product and figured worst case scenario, one rod may get broken in transit. Our first flight out of SFO was to Istanbul, Turkey, which was 13 hours. We changed planes in Istanbul and went on to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, which was another nine hours.

Our bags were exactly where they were supposed to be when we got out of Customs, and we were off to the hotel. This would be the first time I would see if my rods made it safely from California to Tanzania, and I wasn’t surprised when I opened my Black Hole Duffel and the Rod Roll was exactly where I packed it, with all rods safe and sound. Just to be sure, I pulled it from my bag to check, and every single rod was in perfect condition.

In my opinion this new product from Patagonia is an innovative way to transport several rods at once. The weight is minimal, design simple; exactly what one would expect from Patagonia. You can use it as a carry-on piece or shove it in your duffel bag. Once you reach your end destination, you can unroll it and clip the straps together and hang it from a hook. All of your rods will be safe, out of the way, and well organized.

Gear Review: Patagonia Travel Rod Roll

And by the way, tigerfish are badass and everything you want on a fly rod. We had a fantastic trip and scheduled another one for the same week next year. If you want to join Eric Argotti on the trip, email him at argotti@theflyshop or call 800-669-3474.

I give this new product an excellent rating and highly recommend it for anyone who is traveling where weight and space matters. Give me a call at 800-669-3474 or shoot me an email at terry@theflyshop.com if you want to learn more about this Patagonia product or any others.