Reviews

The Simms Guide Classic Wader and Jacket

I’m a bit of a gear junkie. I love good gear and I love good technology. I can also tend to be a brand snob. When I got into fly fishing back in the day, I wore Simms boy’s waders, casted a Sage 9’ 5-wt Light Line and had a Ross Gunnison reel. Everything about the setup was classic and beautiful, and it worked like a charm to get me literally hooked on this sport, except the waders. While the Simms waders were well-made and never leaked even though I put them through the ringer, I have to say th

2/25/2021Jen Ripple

Scientific Anglers Takes Packaging to the Next Level

I love it when a company that makes great products already comes up with a totally out of the box (or in this case INSIDE the box) idea. It’s no secret that I’m a big conservationist. I’ve been shouting it from the riverbank for as long as I have been fishing. To me, fishing and conservation go hand-in-hand. You can’t have one without the other. That’s exactly why it’s important to me when a fly-fishing company pushes the bar upward with a product that has the potential to change the way we’ve

9/16/2020Jen Ripple

RIO SlickCast Lines

Full confession. I’m terrible when it comes to my fly lines. I have boxes of lines in my office and even one of those line winders so I can easily change out lines … but I never do. I have lines on different reels and that's where they stay. It’s not really because I’m lazy, it’s because I’m particular. When I find something I like, I use it – and abuse it – until it’s no longer usable. Case in point, this poor fly line. Every time I pull out my rod and cast this line I wonder if today’s the d

6/22/2020Jen Ripple

Just When We Thought the Flats Pro Series Was Perfect

When I first laid eyes on RIO’s DirectCore Flats Pro fly lines the first thing I noticed was how beautiful they were. The color is what sets this line apart to begin with. But, what good is color if it doesn’t work? Then, I tried the Flats Pro and it has been my hands-down favorite saltwater line since. It is, in fact, the line I use when I’m fishing for saltwater species and (shhhhh) for big bass here in the dead heat of summer. These lines became so popular with anglers that RIO has expanded

5/8/2020Jen Ripple

Latest

Sun Protection - More than Skin Deep

9,500 People diagnosed with skin cancer everyday in the United States 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime 178,560 Number of new cases of melanoma that will be diagnosed in the United States this year 9,320 Deaths attributed to melanoma this year 11,200,000 Estimated total cost of sunburn-related emergency room visits in 2013 1 Number of blistering sunburns during childhood that can double your chance of developing melanoma Ah … summer. The season I wait for all year

7/20/2018Dun Magazine

Crosspoints Showers Pass Socks

The Crosspoints Showers Pass socks are waterproof socks (that's right) that fit perfectly under your waders and are perfect while hiking! These are the only socks you'll want to wear this season. Crosspoint Waterproof Socks By Showers Pass MSRP - $35.00 photo courtesy of - Showers Pass Keep Your Feet Warm and Dry For Your Next Outdoor Activity Don't let cold wet feet ruin your outdoor fun! Crosspoint Waterproof Socks were developed to solve the soggy toe problem and to keep feet dry while

9/2/2017Dun Team

Freshette

It’s unassumingly liberating to finally have a pee aid that allows women to pee standing up flawlessly. This product describes itself as a 'female urinary director,’ and it does just that. I’ve tried several different brands and have concluded that Freshette is the best all-around product of this type. There are numerous designs on the market with many racking up only mediocre reviews. The Freshette takes high honors with an intelligent combination of soft and stiff materials in the corre

4/5/2017Nome Buckman

Hair Clips

I feel I have some explaining to do when checking out with three dozen hair clips at a time when the longest hair on my head is under an inch long. I pipe up and explain it’s for fly tying in an attempt to relieve the perplexed and judgmental look I get. You would think I just told the checkout clerk I’m going to commit murder with these hair clips as the perplexed face turns to shock. It definitely makes for good entertainment. When on the road tying at shows or venues, I get numerous comme

4/5/2017Nome Buckman

Wading Staff

A wading staff is an important piece of safety equipment all anglers should carry with them. Of course if your only fishing in sandy waters that are ankle deep with no boulders to negotiate or if you only fish out of a boat, then a staff might not be necessary for you. But if you're like me and end up wading where you shouldn't, a staff is a handy tool to get you out of a difficult spot or into prime water where many are unwilling to go. Wading staffs are a great tool to feel the bottom for d

2/1/2017Nome Buckman