You’ve been sweating it out all summer, praying for the rivers to get some water so you could finally go fishing. Alas, for a lot of us, our wish went unanswered, and at best we got a few evening sessions in, or ended up combing the river like Stakhanovites, picking off a few lost trout with multicolored nymphs… Basically, we had a crappy season, and only the folks fishing upstream headwaters or up in the mountains managed to pull anything decent out of it! So what does the tail end of the season have in store for us? Another heat wave is on the way, which means we’ll be left falling back on second-category water, fingers crossed… But that’s not gonna stop us from dreaming about how to gear up!
Sweat Shirt Men’s Fitz Roy Massif Daily Crew – Patagonia – Alright, you can already feel the chill creeping in by the end of the day, but it’s not quite cool enough yet for a fleece or even a puffy jacket, so this sweatshirt is perfect — and the new ultra-minimalist logo looks as beautiful as a dorsal fin breaking the surface! $99, available in 4 different colors. Soft as a lamb!
Fishpond Nomad Yampa Hand Net — Just because you only landed three fish all summer doesn’t mean you should give the ones you do catch a chance to wriggle free! Here it is: a net that’s not too big, lightweight, and will be your best friend the moment you’ve got a grayling on the line! $170 — we love the Camo model, but one that’s still easy to spot thanks to the fluo orange logo!
Ocean Bottle Big 1L Water Bottle — You may have learned this the hard way: it’s essential to have water with you, or at least something to drink! But the real win is having it ice-cold, or once the chilly days roll in, a nice hot soup that brings unmatched comfort! Bottom line, this bottle is awesome — it’s dishwasher-safe and keeps things hot or cold! 44$, available in a choice of 15 colors!
Filson, Alaskan Guide Shirt fanel So yes, it sounds like it’s going to stay hot for a while yet, but if you decide to stick around outdoors in the evenings, it’s worth investing in a well-made flannel shirt that you can wear for years to come! The Alaskan Guide Shirt is perfect — roomy, comfortable, and warm. 149$, available in 14 colors, so you’re sure to find one you love!
Orvis Clearwater reel. This reel is super versatile — with the reservoir/stillwater fishing season about to kick off (as soon as first-category water closes), you could easily rig it up with a #8 spool to launch your streamers “at the far bank,” or use it for delicate presentations by fitting it with a #3 line spool (and any weight in between that suits your 3- to 9-weight rod)! On top of that, it’s got a great drag and stays affordable! 130 to 150$, available in three different finishes. We’re partial to Dark Pine.
Dancing Bear – James Crumley. James Crumley is one of the writers who made me want to discover wide open spaces, take up fly fishing, and dream for entire nights, eyes wide open, imagining extraordinary tales of the great outdoors. I first discovered him through The Last Good Kiss, and I went on to devour every one of his books after that. The Dancing Bear is one of the best — you’ll get to experience the American West like never before! It’s the perfect book to toss in your bag and read by the water! 15$