Posts from the ‘Gear & Equipment’ Category
The Fly Fishing Knots Bandana
Along with cleaning, checking, and organizing your gear, winter is a great time to practice tying your fishing knots, and of course learning some new ones. The good news is that the Internet makes that fairly easy with a number of websites that illustrate a range of fly fishing knots both new and old.
Consider, for example, my personal favorite — Grog’s Fishing Knots, which provides wonderfully illustrated knot-tying instructions for all the biggies. And if you’re into video, you really should check out VideoFishingKnots.com. Very cool site, too.
But there are others. FlyMart Online has a nice page on knot-tying. And of course Midcurrent is always good for a page on a topic like this.
I recently discovered a site that previously I had not known about with a nice section on knots and tying. Check out TheFlyFishingDVD.com for good stuff on knots and other topics, as well.
Of course, if you’re like me, and just can’t remember all your knots in the heat of battle, you can cheat — a bandana of fly fishing knots might really just be all you need.
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Brooke Di Giacomo shows-off the Simms-DeYoung Water Bottle
Simms Fishing Products has partnered with some of fly angling’s leading visual artists to produce a cool new product line of shirts and accessories. The Simms 2009 T-shirt collection features the work of Derek DeYoung, Jeff Currier, and Mike Stidham (whose work graces the back of their Saltwater Series). Two of DeYoung’s pieces are also screenprinted on the outsides of Simms 22 oz. BPA-free aluminum water bottles, as well.
I’ve long been a fan of DeYoung’s work, in particular, and think that the images selected for the T-shirt line are extremely nice. It’s good to see his stuff is getting the attention that it deserves from a major manufacturer in the industry.
My only complaint is the cost – the MSRP for T-shirts in the Artist Series are $24.95 a piece, and the MSRP for the water bottle is also $24.95. Simms, of course, has never been cheap, even when their stuff is made off-shore.
We’ll see what 2010 brings, but it would be great to see Simms expand their Artist Series to include the work of a few others, as well. I’d particularly like to see Simms use the photography of Mark Lance (with whom I fished this last summer – great guy), and the fly paintings of Jeff Kennedy.
The Columbia Bonehead Fishing Shirt
Today True North Trout reviews the second in our line of angling shirts — the Bonehead model by Columbia Sportswear. The shirt comes in both long-sleeve and short-sleeve versions, and the short-sleeve version goes for about $36.00 retail.
Fabric
The Columbia Sportswear Bonehead is made from a 100% cotton ultralight poplin fabric, which is comfortable and breathable. I think it is absolutely a perfect choice for the tropics and on hot days in Northern Michigan, as well. I find the fabric to be an absolute pleasure on warm or windy days in Florida in early spring, and I because I own a number of these shirts, I find myself packing most of my collection for my regular trips to Florida in February and March. I also wear them on my driftboat in August when I am fishing the lower Au Sable.
My one complaint with this particular fabric is the ease with which it wrinkles. I find that when I take these shirts out of the dryer that they are frequently a mess and need ironing to look right. The pocket flaps in particular are bad — usually they need quite a bit of work to get them to lay-down right. I would say that of all the fishing shirts out there that I have tried, these are the ones most in need of work with an iron when they come out of the wash.
Fit
The thing to keep in mind with the entire Columbia Sportswear line of fishing shirts is the fact that they are sized quite a bit on the large side.
I’m one of those people who straddle traditional sizing models. With one manufacturer I find that the large size is perfect, and with another I find that I need the extra-large. But with the Columbia line, it is ALWAYS the large — and I find that sometimes I wish I could completely fit in the medium. Overall, the “large” fits me well enough, but in wind on the flats the shirt tends to balloon out quite a bit due to the fact that it is extra-roomy in both the torso and the arms, and I wish it was cut a bit less roomy overall.
The one thing that is nice about this sizing model comes in the area of the shirt tails. Most shirts I buy tend over time to get untucked simply because the tails are not long enough, but this is not a problem for the Columbia Bonehead — the tail stays tucked all the time, which I like.
Functionality
One problem with most tropical flats fishing shirts is that the designers spend too much time trying to figure out ways to stick more and more pockets on the shirt. This is a bit silly as saltwater angling is either done (a) from a boat, in which case a bunch of pockets are unnecessary because all your gear is stored in the boat, or (b) from your feet, in which case you’ve got a fanny pack or a chest pack that holds your gear because you don’t want the bulk of it moving around in your shirt when you’re casting. In either case, all those balloon pockets are a bit of overkill, in my view.
The Columbia Bonehead, to its credit, does not have this problem. It has a nice range of storage options but none of it is overkill, and the shirt has a nice clean look with a minimum of unneeded storage spots to clutter-up the front of the shirt.
It does sport a bit of Velcro for rod holder patch — the most useless accessory on a shirt, in my view — but also includes spots to hang saltwater and freshwater flies, along with a fully-vented back. Very nice.
Quality
Overall, I give high marks to the Columbia Bonehead when it comes to quality. The stitching is excellent, the buttons are of good quality and fastened on well, and the corners on the pockets are reinforced. I’ve put my shirts through the wash a number of times and they come out looking great with little fading and are mechanically in excellent condition.
Appearance
The Columbia bonehead comes in both long-sleeve and short-sleeve models. The long-sleeve model comes with integrated tabs to make it easy to roll-up the sleeves. It comes in about ten colors, most of which are more appropriate for saltwater anglers. Columbia recently added the “Super Bonehead Flats” line which brings prints to their offerings, too.
Because these shirts are so widely available, and available outside of traditional sporting goods venues, it is easy to write them off as not being of good quality. I have found, however, that the opposite is true — setting aside the problems of fit, I think of these shirts as excellent choices particularly for saltwater angling adventures.
Note: This is the second in a four-part series of reviews on popular fishing shirts, with a focus on their fit, functionality, quality, and appearance. Look for upcoming installments in future weeks.
The Redington Slipstream
The Slipstream is one of Redington’s core fly fishing technical shirts. It is available in both long- and short-sleeve styles, with a suggested retail price of $40.00 for the short-sleeve model and $50.00 for the long-sleeve model. I reviewed the long-sleeve model, and have been wearing and fishing two of them, off and on, just to see how they would perform. I used them on my recent trip to Montana and Wyoming, and also here in Michigan while fishing the Boardman and Manistee Rivers.
Fabric
The Slipstream model features a 60-40 cotton/poly blended fabric, in a small range of attractive, earthy colors. Among the shirts I have been wearing recently, this is one of the heaviest fabrics, and feels most appropriate for fall or spring fishing outings, or angling trips to cooler and more temperate parts of the world. It would be least appropriate for saltwater anglers who would regard the fabric as way too heavy in comparison with the many other offerings out there specifically targeted for use in tropical and subtropical environments.
As with many of the manufacturers working in this part of the industry, Redington pushes the fact that the fabric provides for UPF 30+ sun protection, which is excellent.
Fit
All of my big complaints with the Redington Slipstream have to do with the fit of the shirt. I’m a fairly tall guy, and I’m not particularly skinny, and in almost all other garment lines, I buy XL shirts. In the Redington line, an XL is a terrible fit on me. I can’t close the top collar button because the neck hole is then too small. I’m close to having the same problem at the wrists. The arms, shoulders, and chest feel extremely tight, and overall I am unimpressed with how frame-fitting the shirt is.
I also like to tuck my shirts in the waist of my pants. With the Slipstream this is hard to do, as the shirt is cut with a square-bottom and so has no tail. The result is that if you try to tuck it in, the tail of the shirt will pull out the first time that you sit down. If you’re a person who normally leaves their shirts untucked, then this will not be a problem, though even then I find that the shirt is really just a little two short.
One appropriate reply would be to point out that, in my case, I need a 2XL — I might, though when I tried that one on it did fit better in some ways, but at the cost of feeling too long in the arms. In short, I think that the Redington shirt dimensions in their standard sizes are just not very good for my frame, and I fear the frames of many others.
I’m sure that there is a body-type out there for which these shirts will fit fine, but I’m not one of them. And this leads to my big caution with this shirt — if you buy one, try it on in the store and think about how you’re going to use it. If you do lots of casting, in particular, and want that looser fit, you might look elsewhere.
Functionality
The Slipstream offers a horizontally-split and vented back panel, ample chest pockets, and integrated roll-up sleeve tabs, which I like. The collar offers a button-down design, which I like, and adds to the shirt’s overall clean look.
One thing that is, thankfully, missing is an attempt at an integrated rod holder tab. Many of the leading manufacturers of angling shirts feel it necessary to add that particular detail, though I find all of them completely useless. Such tabs are a good example of adding something just to add it, rather than as a serious attempt to come up with features that would really be helpful to most actual anglers (like a place to slip a pair of hemostats for easy retrieval).
Quality
Overall the quality of the shirt appears to be excellent. The fabric continues to be soft and holds its color through multiple washings. The thread on the buttons appears to be holding tight, and the shirts I have been wearing appear just about new even after getting some real use in my driftboat.
Appearance
I like the uncluttered and earthy look of the Redington Slipstream. Although I am no fashion maven, I appreciate the clean lines of the shirt, and the button-down collar. The fabric doesn’t look weird and it irons-up well.
Those two big fit complaints come back though — I find that the shirt fits me poorly — it is way too tight — which is easy to see, and I don’t like the square bottom and the need to keep the shirt untucked.
Overall, for me, good fit in crucial in a product like this, and the fact that I struggle a bit in these shirts to get comfortable really bothers me. For that reason, I can’t give this product high marks. Nevertheless, I’m certain that there are users for whom the shirts would fit much better and if they also do not mind the square bottom, these shirts would be near perfect for fishing in cooler climates in the Pacific Northwest, the Upper Midwest, and in New England, in particular.
Note: This is the first in a four-part series of reviews on popular fishing shirts, with a focus on their fit, functionality, quality, and appearance. Look for upcoming installments in future weeks.
Rusty's Nail Knot Tool
O.K., so I’ve used ‘em all. I’ve even used an actual nail. And the paper clip trick. The straw. The $15 doo-hickie that ties all the other knots, too. But the best so far is a simple and effective little homemade gadget that you will find for sale in a cup next to the cash register at Gates AuSable Lodge. I’m talking, of course, about the little brass nail knot tool that he sells for a few bucks each.
I’m on my second or third one because, alas, I have a habit of losing them. They’re small, and it is easy to do that, if you’re not careful. I remarked on this the other day when I picked-up the one I’ve got now, and another guy in the shop said that I ought to put it on a zinger. Good advice — though I’ll admit that I also misplace lots of zingers ,too.
Anyway, these are great. The diameter of the little brass tube is large enough to get the tippet back through when you’re tying the knot without the need for added magnification, but small enough so that when you slide the tube out of the knot, and then make the knot fast, that it comes out looking right without much adjustment. Just perfect.
Like everyone I suppose, I like tools that do multiple jobs, but I’ve never found a multi-tool that does quite as good a job on nail knots as Rusty’s little single-purpose tool — so I made an exception and carry these for their specialty application. The truth is that almost all the nail knots I tie are to affix loop-to-loop leader butts to fly lines, so I generally reach for the tool when I’m standing on the backside of my car suiting-up and getting fly lines organized for a day’s fishing.
I know, I know. You’re thinking, “What? A couple of bucks for a little bit of brass tube? No way!” Actually, though, the little brass tube is soldered to a brass loop which gives you a spot to hold the thing in a comfortable way while you’re doing all those mini-wraps that make the nail knot what it is. And if you are “with it” enough to get yourself a zinger so as to not misplace the tool all the time, then, well, you’ve got a spot for the clip, too.
Don’t know about nail knots? No problem. Check it out: Tying the Nail Knot
The SylvanSport 'Go' in Camo
One thing about trout fishing in Michigan… the fishing always seems best when the sun goes down. Blame it on the fussy brown trout and the habit of the larger ones to come out hunting for a high-calorie meal after dark. Or the Hex Madness — which always gets really good at about the time you’re reduced to fishing with a little headlamp on your hat, the tiny cone of light bobbing here-and-there as you try to get your shaking fingers to tie big, crunchy flies to thin fluorocarbon tippet.
Anyway, if you’re a night angler — and you probably are — you also probably do your fair share of camping along the trout streams of Northern Michigan. I’ve slept in my car, slept under my car, in tents (good ones and leaky ones), and even once just slept on the ground with my bag up over my head. You do what you gotta do, right?
Having turned 40 this year, I have to admit that my days of sleeping on the ground are about over. I wake-up feeling sore and stiff all over and still feel that way two days later. I’m ready for comfort camping with all that entails.
I bring all this up because there are some new (and not-so-new) products on the market that have grabbed my attention as of late. I’m not ready for a Winnebago yet, but the new SylvanSport ‘Go’ is sure looking interesting. Branded as ‘moble adventure gear’ the SylvanSport is basically a pop-up camper on Steroids. Retail priced at just over $6,000, the ‘Go’ offers up the ability to function not only as a camping trailer/tent, but is designed to be accessorized in ways that expand the functionality of the trailer. I like the look and feel of this trailer, and I really like the fact that it weighs only 800 lbs. and offers over a foot of ground clearance, making it an easy and fuel-efficient item to tow with most any vehicle.
The ‘Go’ also offers an integrated roof rack system to take some of the load off your car’s regular rack, self-lubricating hubs, diamond-floor plating, an 800 lbs. load capacity (sure can get a giant pile of fly rods in an 800 lbs. space!), and lockable waterproof gear storage. Plus it looks kinda cool.
Another somewhat more robust option to consider is either the T@B Microlite teardrop trailer or the T@DA trailer. My wife was the first to spot these on the road, and the design and feel of them harken back to the classic look of 1950s and 1960s camping trailers, but with a very contemporary flair.
T@Bs and T@DAs are just plain cool-looking, or at least I think so. Although the T@B is substantially heavier than the ‘Go’ it is also much more durable, and — here is something to consider — if you also fish Out West (like Yellowstone National Park) then you really need to consider getting a hardshell solution like the T@B because the National Park Service restricts many areas to campers whose equipment can handle the interests of a grizzly bear.
The T@B has some other things going for it as well. The interior ceiling height is 5′9″ — I’m over 6′ tall, and so I would still have to stoop a bit, but for most people this height will be very comfortable. Also the ‘AluFiber’ skin of the T@B covers foam insulation, which means better temperature regulation on chilly Michigan nights.
The T@DA is even more robust and standard gear includes a 22 gallon freshwater tank, an interior SNEV sink and LP stove combination, a wet bath with integrated toilet, and hardwood-framed cabinets. Options include a shower system in the bathroom, a 12,000 BTU LP furnace, a Cool Cat air conditioner with heat pump, an AM/FM/CD stereo system, a 3-way refrigerator, microwave, rool-away screen door, bike rack, and even a 15″ flatscreen TV/DVD combo so you can watch ‘A River Runs Through It’ when you’re not actually fishing.
The price of the T@B and T@DA is not for the weak-hearted (the T@DA seems to come in at around $20,000), though when you compare it to other products of the same class it is certainly in the ballpark, and certainly cheaper than a trout cabin on the Holy Water.
