Articles

Review: Women's Waders - Orvis Silver Sonic for Women

by Aileen Lane - Thursday, Aug 8th, 2013

The Orvis Silver Sonic Waders for women.

I swim in waders, that is, I swim inside waders. Let's face it, waders are just glorified overalls. And, since fly fishing is a sport dominated by men, most of these glorified overalls are built for men. The reality is, women’s needs when it comes to waders differ significantly from that of men, and waders that are designed for men simply do not work for women. For years, fly fishing women have been in the market for options in the world of waders that fit and function well for women.

Men vs. Women

The most obvious difference between men and women is that our curves are in entirely different places on our body. My first pair of waders was men’s waders, designed for a man’s body. And it should come as no surprise that they were ill-fitting and frumpy. On the plus side, I probably could have stored all my gear inside at the same time I wore them.

How Clean is Your Stream? Ask the Grayling.

by Chad Shmukler - Wednesday, Aug 7th, 2013

This mammoth grayling required a little encouragement with it's dorsal fin.

Grayling, once abundant throughout much of Michigan and Montana, are now virtually extinct from their natural range in the lower 48. Grayling once populated rivers on both the upper and lower peninsula in Michigan, and were historically found in the Sun River, Smith River, Gallatin River, Madison River, Red Rock-Beaverhead-Jefferson Rivers, and Big Hole River in Montana. Today, fluvial (river dewlling) grayling are now completely extirpated from their former range in Michican and exist only in the Big Hole River drainage in Montana, although their non-fluvial, lacustrine bretheren have been artificially introduced into many high elevation lakes in the contiguous United States. Though numerous factors have contributed to the grayling's demise, declining water quality throughout the rivers and streams of the grayling's normal range is considered primarily to blame.

Grayling, which are their own subfamily of the salmon family (not part of the whitefish subfamily, as they are commonly thought to be) and a distant relative of trout, are incredibly sensitive to changes in water quality. Grayling require swift-flowing, clean, well-oxygenated cold water rivers and streams which are typically lined with sandy or gravely bottoms. Due to their sensitivity to water quality, grayling are often considered indicator species. In waters where grayling have previously or continue to persist, declining grayling populations are closely correlated with and often signal the existence of water quality issues.

Fishpond Acquires Nomad Nets

by Ben Kryzinski - Tuesday, Aug 6th, 2013

The Fishpond lineup of Nomad landing nets.

Late last month, fly-fishing accessory makers Fishpond announced it will add Nomad Nets to its lineup of high quality fly-fishing and outdoor travel gear. Nomad Nets founder and designer Kevin Best will add his waterproof and buoyant nets to the Fishpond family in November.

"After meeting the crew at fishpond and the initial acquisition talks began, I was very excited about the distribution and awareness a company of Fishpond's stature could offer my nets," explained Best. "Now that I am joining the Fishpond team internally as well, I can't wait to explore expanding the net line and creating spectacular products for anglers and outdoorsmen alike."

Smith Optics Announces New ChromaPop Lens Technology

by Marshall Walker - Tuesday, Aug 6th, 2013

Smith ChromaPop

Smith Optics has announced ChromaPop, a new polarized lens technology that it promises will revolutionize the optics industry with groundbreaking "film-free" technology. According to Smith, ChromaPop utilizes a new process that allows for polarization without the need for film and lamination. This new technology allows ChromaPop lenses to deliver "exceptional optical clarity" without the worry of delamination, according to Peter Crow of Smith Optics.

"ChromaPop lenses selectively filter light out in the optically confusing transmission areas of 480nm and 580nm, with the result of brighter more vibrant and popping colors," explains Crow. "The lenses are lighter in weight than any other lens material, 4 to 5 times more scratch resistant than Polycarbonate, have the impact resistance of Polycarbonate and the clarity of glass."

Fluke on the Fly: More Than Just Bycatch

by Chris Goldmark - Tuesday, Jul 16th, 2013

Fluke are terrible at blending in with their surroundings.

Historically, Fluke (or summer flounder) have rarely been targeted by fly fishermen. Instead, fluke have been considered by most to simply be a pleasant bycatch, More recently, however, fluke are being sought after more and more by northeast fly anglers.

Fluke have always played a major part in my life. I spent many years dragging nets for fluke up and down the New Jersey coast during the summer and in the winter offshore on the edge of the continental shelf from Virginia to the Hague line. It was how I supported my family. My commercial experience carried over to my recreational fly fishing passion which inevitably led me once again to chase the flat ones, only this time for pleasure. If there was one thing I learned during my commercial days that I would consider the most important element in understanding fluke, it would be tides. Tides are everything. Tides control the bait movements and bait determines where the summer flounder will be at any given time.