Simms G3 Guide Pant

We all loved the “original” Simms Classic Guide Pant, especially if you were guiding or fishing from a drift boat most of the time.  Easy to get in and out of and alot cooler that a chest high wader.  When that went away, that left a huge gap in most guides fishing attire so we just made due.  Simms made an o.k. attempt with the Rivertek pant but durability for hardcore anglers was an issue. 

In 2007, Simms introduced the G3 Convertible wader that was built along the same lines as the Simms G3 Guide Wader in the lower section but the upper was a lighter Gore-Tex fabric that could be stowed in the built-in belt portion of this wader and accessed via a zipper and the upper slid up the straps and attached in place via velcro tabs.  This is the wader most of us were looking for but found the convertible feature of this wader a real pain so we just took the scissors to the upper section and removed the straps making this more like the original Classic Guide Pant.  Hard to fathom cutting up a pair of $379.95 waders but when the upper was stored, it was very awkward when seated rowing a boat. 

Simms then introduced a true pant wader in 2008 called the Headwater Pant that was built with a 3-ply Gore-Tex lower with 5 layer panels in the front for added durability.  This was more like the original Classic Guide Pant but some were able to wear a pair of these out in less than two months of guiding as there are not as durable and the Simms G3 Convertible or the Simms G3 Guide Wader.  They are super light and really breathable, especially in the summer months but the door was still open for a “true” pant style wader that is bombproof.

The one nice thing about Simms is they poll the guides throughout the country and actually take the feedback and head to the drawing board to produce products that we are asking for.  In Spetember, 2009 at the Fly Fishing Retailer show, Simms introduced the G3 Guide pant which incorporated the lower section of a G3 Guide wader with some added features like a RiRi waterproof front zipper at the fly and two angled pockets with YKK waterproof zippers.  There is a tab that snaps at the front and the integrated wading belt with elastic in the waist for an incredible fit.  Of the first thing we had to do was try them on and see how they fit.  All I can say is, “thank you Simms for listening and making a pant style wader that will stand up to the abuse we guides can dish out”.

Availability on this wader is looking like March 2010 but there may be a few pair that sneak out of the factory in Bozeman before then so stay tuned!!

RIO Trout LT (Light Touch) Fly Line

When it comes to delicate presentations to selectively rising trout, the RIO Selective Trout II fly line was the perfect choice.  Long front taper that landed that #20 Blue Wing Olive Pullover Emerger right where you wanted it.  This was a great line and when we heard that it was being discontinued in leu of the Rio Trout LT (Light Touch) there was some mumble and grumble as to whether we would be downgrading to a line that would not perform the same, but it is RIO and they are definitely obsessed with your next cast.

We received one of the Rio Trout LT (Light Touch) line in a WF4F and immediately spooled it up, paired it with the Sage ZXL 9′ 4 weight – 4 piece and headed to Clear Creek.  The fist thing we noticed was the line was two-tone (our sample was beige/sage) which according to RIO changes colors at the optimal load point for most rods which is around 30′.  On the water, the line casted like no other RIO line we have had in our hands and floated like a champ.  The most noticable thing was how easy this line mended and the tip floated all day.  This is mainly due to the AgentX coating on the line which is a dual-density coating that has a specific gravity less than water and the the Super Floatation Technology which like RIO states, “it will keep the line floating” works like a champ. The most impressive feature of this line is how well it loaded the rod at really short distances and when we needed to stretch one out, the line had enough head weight to properly load the rod.

In conclusion, RIO has hit another home run with this line across the board.  If you are looking for a dry fly line or a line for slower action rods, definitely check this offering out from RIO

Titan Rod Vault – Rod Transport System

A wonderful friend of the shop Doug Bode, owner of Titan Rod Vault, has come up with a strong, safe and secure rod storage system, that easily mounts to the top of your vehicle. This makes things really easy as you can rig your rod(s) prior to leaving the house and they are ready to go when you get to the river.  If you are working a section of river that gets a little crowded and you want to move to another location, just slide the rod inside of the Titan Rod Vault and head out without worrying if they are going to blow off of the rack of slide out from underneath the windshield wiper.

This rod transport system has been well thoughout, designed with top notch materials and will last a lifetime.  They will protect your rod investment and make your day of fishing alot more enjoyable.

For more information visit – Titan Rod Vaults or give us a call at 800-435-5353.  We all use them and love em!!!

Ross Evolution LT

Well, we all heard the news the tried and true Ross Evolution that we have all come to love was being discontinued.  Some shops held on to their stock and others were blowing them out at rock bottom prices.  We were somewhat indecisive as to what to do but we felt that if Ross was making a change to this reel, it has to be an improvement although we wondered how? 

We laid eyes on the new version, the Ross Evolution LT this past week at Fly Fishing Retailer and I think all were pleasantly surprised at the outcome.  This reel has has a major overhaul when it comes to machining.  Ross always does a really great job in this category but they have really outdone themselves here.  The entire spool, body and even the reel seat have been redone to shave weight and they replaced the Derlin plastic drag adjustment knob and spool release with anodized aluminum for added durability and corrosion resistance.  The internal drag that was the most attractive part of the old Evolution remains the same and feels better than ever.

It is going to be hard to wait until November for this reel but it will be well worth it!!

Simms Star Cleats for Vibram Soles

Most anglers who have purchased the new Simms Vibram soled boots have also purchased the HarbBite Studs to go with them including myself.  The offer that added traction on those super slippery rocks we have all come to hate.  I got wind of a new cleat in the works that will work in conjunction with the Vibram soles so I made a call to Simms to get the scoop.  After an in depth conversation Simms was gracious enough to shoot down a couple of pair of the new Star Cleatsdeveloped exclusively for the Vibram 360 StreamTread soles for us to test out and send feedback on.

I am a big fan of the new sole with and without the studs and I did not see it getting any better, well I have been wrong before and here I stand, wrong again.  The instructions that Simms gave me were to put three cleats in the forefoot and two in the heel.  Of course I asked why and was told that the new cleat acts like three of the studs due to the star design and its ability to work with the sole since it is almost flush mounted in the open receptacle between the treads.  I was completely blown away at the amount of traction this set-up gave me in an out of the river.  When you need the cleats to work they do where I have found the studs to be slippery in certain situations because the stick out farther and do not allow the sole to come in contact with the rocks. 

Simms has a real winner here and if you want your Vibram boots to perform at their best in all conditions, the new Star Cleats are a must.  You will most likely not want to get in your buddy’s raft with them but and risk a puncture but  I wore them in a drift boat with no damage at all.  Your best bet is to still remove any and all studs prior to entering any type of boat and since there are only 5 cleats per boot, you can remove them in a matter of minutes.

Simms Rivershed – Vibram Wading Boots

Simms Rivershed Boot – Vibram

One of the latest in Vibram boots from Simms, the Rivershed Boot – Vibram is built to last. On of the most comfortable boots on the market with the new Vibram sole designed exclusively for Simms that provides outstanding traction in just about any aquatic environment. Add the Simms HardBite Studs for additional traction in those really nasty places.

For more information, click here