Fall is officially upon us, and fly-fishing gear manufacturers are pushing new rods, reels and other goods out to consumers this month. From a handful of new reels — both freshwater and saltwater — to a new high-end trout rod and a surprising entry into the optics market from a traditional rod manufacturer, gear junkies should rejoice.
Here are some of the highlights from in these new September offerings.
Winston Pure 2
In a world where most fly rod manufacturers are touting the latest and greatest is fast-rod tech, it’s refreshing to see a quality, legacy brand offer something a little different. Winston, the Montana-based rodmaker, is launching its upgraded version of its PURE fly rod — aptly and simply named the Winston PURE 2 (pictured at top). This medium-action rod is for true trout anglers, and it comes in weights 2 through 5.
Winston says its new “NanoParticle” materials make the new PURE 2 rods “smooth, delicate and lively,” an impressive combination if accurate. It’s built for a broad range of dry-fly situations, from small creeks to the West’s trophy trout waters. Winston says the slower rods recover well, flex evenly from butt to tip and offer a patented, balanced “Winston feel.” MSRP: $995.
Bauer SLT saltwater fly reel
In the fly fishing discipline where the reel really does matter, Bauer is launching its new SLT reel designed specifically for saltwater fly fishing. Bauer has always produced quality reels using a dependable clutch mechanism in its reels. For the Bauer SLT, though, the company claims to have strengthened the system using carbon fiber and stainless steel drag, all while sealing up the reel in a, you guessed it, “bombproof” package.
For saltwater anglers, having a truly dependable and sealed fly reel is of the utmost importance — saltwater takes its toll on everything, and even the best gear tends to break down in the salt over time. That may be why Bauer put four years into prototyping the new SLT reel, testing it time and again, until it arrived at the product available this month. Bauer claims it has developed the “world’s smoothest, fully impenetrable dual-sealed drag” fly reel. Time will be the ultimate judge, but the company’s confidence in the product is encouraging. MSRP: $895 to $1,095.
Winston Polarized sunglasses
Polarized sunglasses? From a rod-maker? Yup. Winston is diving into the optics game with its new line of fly-fishing-focused Winston sunglasses. Featuring eight models in three styles, the reputable, longtime fly-rod manufacturer now offers a significant line of polarized eyewear. The glasses, Winston tells us, are designed for everyday outdoor use and offer premium polarized lenses for top-notch clarity and stylish, appealing frames. Frames come in the more traditional “Montana” collection, which is meant to be an all-conditions frame; the “Classic” collection — designed more for everyday outdoor use; and the LVF frames, which offer more coverage and are clearly designed for fly fishing. The lenses, constructed from nylon, come in four colors — green, amber, clear/amber and champagne. The new frames from Winston offer undeniably classic styles (save for the LVF) and a refined aesthetic. Time on the water will tell whether these new entries into the sunglass race — which are light on available specifications, don’t leverage selective light-blocking tech found in popular competitors (unless they do so without bothering to mention it) and aren’t initially available in glass — are serious fishing tools or just seriously nice-looking sunglasses. MSRP: $175-$225.
Redington Ace fly reels
Technically released in late August, the new Redington Ace, conceived by Redington reel designer Joseph Conrad, seeks to “maximize rigidity and durability” and is inspired by one of humankind’s most innovative inventions — the bridge. The Reel’s new Lattice Structure — an “x pattern” that’s repeated throughout the reel’s construction — the new reel does, indeed, resemble that engineering marvel that’s helped span canyons for centuries. The large-arbor reel picks up line quickly and that lattice structure allows fly line to dry quickly. It also features a line guard on the drag knob to prevent snagging and a wide palming rim. Redington claims to have improved on its drag system and overall torque to lengthen the Ace’s lifespan. MSRP: $239-$269.
Hardy 1921 Wide Spool Perfect fly reel
The venerable English fly-fishing company is launching three new reels, the first of which is an update on one of its classic products — the Hardy 1921 Wide Spool Perfect fly reel. “Enhanced with a nod to the past,” the updated Perfect 1921 reel includes the familiar Hardy check system that’s been refined to allow for smoother performance. The upgraded version includes a revolving line guard — clearly a nod to the reel’s storied history and the nostalgia many anglers associate with the venerable brand. The reel features a two-toned anodized finish that also conjures up images of old-school angling while also complimenting the durability of the wide-spool reel that’s otherwise constructed of premium bar-stock aluminum. The new Perfect 1921 comes in four sizes for various line weights and it’s available in both left- and right-hand retrieve. MSRP: $795 to $895.
Hardy Resonate fly reel
Hardy is launching its new Resonate freshwater fly reel this month, proclaiming it to be the company’s “finest lightweight performance reel yet.” The new Resonate is a large-arbor reel crafted from bar-stock aluminum for weight control. The reel includes Hardy’s click-check system that uses all-metal load-bearing components. The intent, according to the company, is to provide a durable freshwater reel ideal for everything from trout to bass. A nice feature is the enclosed line guard frame designed to prevent leader, tippet or thin fly line from slipping through the edges of the reel — a common challenge for large-arbor reel makers. And, of course, the Resonate’s click-check system offers that satisfying Hardy click when line is pulled from the reel. The Resonate is available in three sizes to cover line weights 1 through 5. MSRP: $330.
Hardy Averon Euro Nymph fly reel
As the Euro-nymphing technique continues to become more mainstream in North America, Hardy is responding by offering a new fly reel specifically designed for the technique. Its new Averon Euro Nymph fly reel is billed as a “state of the art” fly reel made for Euro nymphers — it features a shallow and narrow profile large-arbor spool made for holding longer, thinner lines and leaders for high-stick enthusiasts. Its full-cage, tightly bound design virtually eliminates line snagging and the tendency of lighter lines to slip between the reel and the reel frame — a common problem Euro nymphers encounter with more conventional fly reels. The narrower spool and the large arbor design, Hardy says, strike a balance between the ability to retrieve line quickly and store lots of wispy-thin running line that high-stick nymphing requires. The reel features a multi-pad, disc-drag system and offers a precise two-and-a-half turn drag adjuster for precise drag settings. MSRP: $395-$475.
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