Rods & Reels:

I started out the season with this beautiful gently used Scott A2 fly rod purchased from crew member Terry Slaney. It's a very nice rod, this one is 9foot 8wt and is what I learned to cast with in my backyard. This got me a quality rod for much less than it cost new.

I paired it with a reasonably priced Okuma reel reel and an economical RIO 9wt line as my supplier did not have 8wt in stock.

This set up worked well, with it I caught both my first trout (1st pic at top) and my first two salmon during our Lomond trip.

• I found the set up hard to cast on windy days, I believe there is a better matched line available for this rod which would help alleviate that problem for a newbie caster. Definitely do your research and pick a line that best suits your rod.

• This model reel does not have a sealed drag system. I found that when the reel got very wet from rain or dunking into the water the drag internals would swell making the adjuster nut go bar tight. This happened to the point of having to use pliers to loosen the drag adjuster. I would recommend a reel with a sealed drag system.

• I broke the tip off the Scott A2 during our Lomond trip which was completely my fault, I am sending it off to the manufacturer to be professionally repaired.

Breaking the A2 led me to purchase this Loop Q series combo. This is a factory matched setup, I chose the 9 foot 7wt option. It's paired with a Q-series large arbour metal reel and matching Q-series line, it even included leader line and a case!

Atlantic River Outfitters also allowed me to purchase a 2nd tip section of rod for the out of warranty replacement rate of just $60 which was very reasonable.

• As a new fly fisherman I am very pleased with how well the LOOP Q setup casts. I can cast it better than my Scott but I truly believe that is because these components are evenly matched together vs. what I scrounged together in my other set up. No doubt a seasoned fly fisher can cast both with ease.

• Warranty and out of warranty repair/replacement rod sections are readily available over the counter at our local LOOP dealer. This is a definite advantage when you break something mid season many other rods require sending them back to the manufacturer which takes a lot of time and expense for shipping.

Bags:

Having hunted for years and acquiring lots of experience with various backpacks, duffels and other bags, I wanted something well suited to fly fishing than just a regular backpack. I came across Sling Packs and liked the idea that by letting go one strap you can sling the bag over your shoulder to access the large compartment without having to take off the pack. This I presumed would be very convenient especially while stood up in the middle of a river with nowhere to lay the bag down.

I looked at a lot before I found the Patagonia Vest Front Sling pack at Outdoor Pros which took another leap forward in the convenience factor. Different from all the rest I looked at, this sling pack has two immediately accessible, decent size pockets on the front strap. They easily hold one fly case, my phone, clamp etc., and has hanging points for tippet, Gink, nippers and more.

In addition to two pouches the main bag has two adjustable straps for tying something long outside on the main compartment. I used this to hold one of my rolled up Loop jackets in preparation for changing conditions, either my bug jacket or rain jacket.  Finally it has a water bottle holder on the bottom of the main compartment.

• I absolutely recommend a sling pack. If you travel light most sling packs will hold everything you need for a day on the river. I wore this bag comfortably every single day both trouting and salmon fishing. All my gear was with me regardless of whatever other clothes I was wearing, I didn't have to swap equipment or licenses between different jackets or sweaters. 

• Always wearing my sling pack ensured that I wouldn't forget anything especially my salmon license.

• It would be acceptable if this pack had a larger rear compartment. I can make do with it as is but I could fit a better lunch with little more space. Unfortunately this is the only model from any manufacturer I can find with the vest front pockets on the main strap and that's a feature I will not sacrifice now, it's awesome!

Jackets:

Before even starting the season I knew I would need a quality lightweight rain shell/windbreaker. Comfort and reliability is something I didn't want to sacrifice so I invested in this quality Loop Gielas LW rain jacket. This jacket has a triple layer construction including Sympatex membrane which is LOOP's version of Gortex. It's a breathable waterproof material that functioned perfectly as both a windbreaker and raincoat on many fishing trips last year. It has held up great and should provide years of service. There are cheaper and more expensive shells on the market, this one seemed to be the best value at the time of purchase.

My biggest pet peeve fishing in the summer is definitely flies and mosquitoes. I knew I needed something great. I wasn't a fan of mesh head caps or mesh jackets, I fortunately stumbled across this awesome product at Atlantic River Outfitters, I purchased the Loop Mygg 2.0 bug jacket and it was one of my best investments last summer. This pull over style jacket is made from a material pre-treated with permanent fly repellent, it has a stow able fly screen as part of the hood. You can wear the jacket hood down and look normal, but if the flies get troublesome, particularly at dusk, you can raise the hood, zip the fly screen closed and enjoy the rest of the evening in comfort.

• In review I strongly recommend quality foul conditions gear, buy the best your budget will allow. Comfort and reliability often come at a price but can make or break your trip and overall outdoor experience.

Waders:

I began my fly fishing journey with a set of very reasonably priced ($200ish) Compass 360 Stillwater stocking foot chest waders. They are 4-layer polyester construction with Neoprene booties and marketed as breathable and waterproof. They have elastic gravel guards, a zippered pocket, hand warming fleece lined pass through pocket, suspenders and a wading belt.

Of all the chest waders I looked at I still believe these are among the best value for money. I used them all last season without any trouble. I found them very comfortable in a wide variety of conditions and will definitely see service again next season.

• My only con with these waders, and this would apply to 90% of chest waders on the market, is that while wearing a jacket its a PITA to pee. You have to remove your jacket, disconnect the suspenders, and take off wading belt just to get to work. Unfortunately there are just a handful of chest waders on the market with a zipper front and they are considerably and in one case drastically more expensive than these Stillwaters.

Boots:

Over the years I've had various foot issues so once again I wanted to invest in a pair of quality wading boots as sore feet will quickly ruin a day on the river or even an entire trip. I picked up the Korker Darkhorse wading boots at Outdoor Pros on the recommendation of Bassan's product review right here on Shed-Headz. I loved the feature of quick swap soles, it was quite convenient being able to put on rubber soles for long hikes to the river. It's not only safer but saves wear and tear on your felts too. If felts wear out they can be swapped with a fresh set equally as quick.

• These boots performed flawlessly all season. They were very comfortable, swapping of soles was easily accomplished even while still wearing the boots. The BOA lace system is unbeatable for convenience and performance.

Misc:

I picked up some Fly Agra which is a pre-treatment for dry flies to keep them floating better and longer without the need for additional floatant being applied in the field. It lived up to its name and performed very well particularly on bugs and bombers.

Its worth the price and effort to pick up a bottle just for the label!

I'm not usually one for accessories recommended as "one you gotta have" but I have to say this is one accessory that having used it a lot, now I don't want to go without. I picked up the 3rd Hand Rod Holder at Outdoor Pros and used it all last season. It attached securely to my wading belt and was an unbelievable help.

This unit quickly and easily held my fly rod while standing in the middle of a river or on shore. This meant it wasn't dunked underwater or scratched up on the rocks if you laid it down or dropped it. It gave me two free hands to swap flies, release a fish, take pics or any other task. I know many people hold their rod with their legs but that's not always an option in deep water, or fast moving water when you need your feet firmly planted.

The rod holder pivots separately from the waist band clip so you can rotate your rod tip high and out of the way or obstacles no matter where you find yourself standing. For a reasonable price of $35 I found it to be a great investment and definitely recommend.

What will next year bring?

Well one thing is for sure I am truly hooked on fly fishing and have acquired enough equipment to get the job done, and in most cases comfortably as well.

Definite Upgrades:

• I've already picked up a pair of SIMMS Freestone stocking foot wading pants. More than 90% of the time last season I could get away with wading pants vs chest waders as I rarely ventured into deep water. Pants will be cooler on hot days and much easier to pee as there is a zipper, less material in the way and no shoulder straps to let go and reattach. 

• I will definitely be replacing the line on my Scott A2 setup for one better suited to the rod. It's a great rod and I want it to perform to its peak capability.

• I would like to upgrade the reel on my Scott to one with a sealed drag but will likely hold off for now as the Okuma performs very well outside of getting wet.

• Now that I have a quality 9 foot 8wt and a quality 9 foot 7wt rod in stock, I may take an opportunity to add a premium 10 foot 7wt rod and reel to my arsenal. A wise, seasoned fly fisherman once told me you can never have too many rods!

Looking back, would I have changed any of my equipment starting out?

In short, NO. I am happy with all of my purchases and I believe I invested wisely for quality long lasting gear where necessary and scaled back in other departments to ease the financial burden while starting out. Everyone has to start somewhere. With some equipment it's better to start on the lower end of the scale to truly appreciate the performance of fancier equipment such as rods & reels. For personal comfort I recommend buying the best you can justifiably afford, especially boots and raingear as those are two items that can ruin a trip if they fail on you.

Stay tuned this season for my continued journey into this fantastic sport!

Cheers, MIKE

Copyright © 2025 Michael Smith