Fly Rod & Reel

Simms Fishing Products is one of the few fly fishing companies that is actually growing in a down economy; their expansion into the conventional fishing market has largely been a success, and their clothing lines have expanded and sold well.

Simms 2012 Guide Wader

R.L. Winston took the cover off three new rod lines last year, so this season they have kept it simple, expanding the BIIIx into a line of five-piece models but otherwise leaving their lines unchanged.  As always the boron-heritage lines from Winston are powerful lifting rods, but with the IIIx iteration they have also dialed in the tips, resulting in a smooth, hard-charging caster's rod. Both the 10- and 12-weights are especially excellent striped bass, large permit and tarpon sticks.

Scientific Anglers always has a slew of new lines, but this year we're seeing something slightly different.  Many of the popular tapers in the Sharkskin series are switching over to the even more popular Mastery Textured lineup. 

Fishpond carved a name for itself making great angling-specific bags and this year they've gone back to the well with three updated new designs.

The Nimbus Guide Pack is a monster hip bag with enough space to stash a jacket, fly box (and heck, probably even a sleeping bag!)  Retailing for $109, it's intended for serious all-day angling in places where weather might change rapidly.

Scott Fly Rods is one of those companies that usually refreshes certain series in a predictable pattern.  Their bread-and-butter fast action trout and salt rods (the S4 and S4s respectively) are still in the middle of their cycle, but it's time for them to unveil their middle-range rods, and they've done something surprising this time around, with three new models.  Previously, the A3 series (descended from the Scott "Alpha" line) had included both single and two-handed rods.

Scott A4 (Click to Enlarge)

 This year, the new A4 series will run only in single-hand models, starting with a 7 1/2-foot 3-weight and running up to a 9-foot 12-weight, all for the same price of $375.  The A4 has been updated to be lighter, faster, and have better quality wraps and components (Check out Scott President Jim Bartschi's audio interview here!)

While most manufacturers tend to wait for the yearly trade show to unveil their new offerings, Sage took the covers off a little early this year with the new fast-action, ultralight "ONE" series of rods.

If you're an angler living in the West and have entrepuneurial spirit, this is the best time of the year. Here's why: after a major spring/early summer runoff, when freestone rivers were bent out of shape and trout were anything but easy to find, the waters have settled and are dropping, running completely clear but high enough to make trout feel good all day long.