Fly Fishing Products I Sorta Like in 2025
When I was a kid and had to walk ten miles uphill to the bus stop every day, fly fishing products were limited in selection and quality. Graphite rods were just becoming a thing and fly reels, the few models that were available, had drag systems of dubious value. Waders were available in four sizes and constructed out of a thick, canvas material that kept you safe during a bear attack, which was handy since you didn’t have the mobility to avoid a bear attack. I could go on but thankfully, times have changed. As a long-time fly fisherman and fly shop owner, I’ve seen my share of fishing products over the years, and we are truly living in a golden era. Below are some recent products that have especially impressed me.
Winston Air 2 Max
When you think of Winston fly rods you probably think of beautifully crafted, medium-action, dry fly rods, rods with that classic Winston feel. The Pure 2 series come to mind. Winston has always excelled in this area but for the most part I’ve looked to other companies for powerful, fast action fly rods. But now the Winston Air 2 Max has made me a convert. Winston really CAN build a fast-action rod that is second to none. These rods are light in the hand and powerful. I suspect this has a lot to do with the NanoParticle resin Winston is now utilizing.
The 9’ 6 weight model is perfect for Bighorn River nymphing. It can handle the wind, big indicators, and double-fly rigs. I also like to fish a short, sink-tip line with it for streamers. Because of its light weight, I no longer need to ice my shoulder at noon. The 9’ 7 weight is also outstanding for streamer fishing and heavy nymphing. Because of their saltwater focus, all Air 2 Max models have aluminum reel seats. They retail for $1,245.00.
Douglas Fly Rods
I’d like to tell you that this is my best-selling fly rod, but it’s not. Brands like Sage, Winston, and Scott outsell Douglas, but if you’re looking for rods that perform very well, consider Douglas. Across the board, Douglas rods are excellent. My friends at the Yellowstone Angler in Livingston, Montana do an in-depth rod shootout every year, and the 5 wt. Douglas Sky G took top honors … again! The 8 wt. Sky G won Field & Stream’s “Best Overall Saltwater Fly Rod.” So, I’m not the only one singing the praises of Douglas. I own the 5, 6 & 7 wt. Sky G rods, all in the 9 ft. length. They are fast-action rods that are very light in the hand. Several of us here at Bighorn Trout Shop own the 7 weight, which is outstanding for streamer fishing, and doubles as a great bonefishing rod. The Sky G retails for $845 which is not inexpensive, but it is still $200 to $300 less than a comparable Sage or Winston.
While the Sky G is the star, one of the sleeper models in the Douglas lineup is the “Upstream Plus” series of rods. Retail is $549 and I have experience with the 5 and 6 weight. The action is described as “progressive” on the website which won’t mean a lot to some, but it is a very smooth, medium-action rod that casts beautifully and is a joy to fish. The rod has spigot (internal) ferrules that help transfer energy efficiently and contribute to the pleasant feel of the rod. I’ve fished dries and nymphs with this rod and couldn’t be more impressed.
Lamson Guru S Reel
To some degree, this is a lifetime achievement award for Lamson reels. Bighorn Trout Shop has sold a lot of them over the years, and they check all the boxes for what a quality fly reel should be. Lamson’s sealed conical drag system has proven to be smooth and dependable. They are easy to change from left to right-hand wind. And they are light-weight and durable. In fact, I think many fly shop owners are a little bit mad at Lamson for making the Liquid S reel. It’s just too nice of a reel for its price point ($149.99) and it makes it difficult to sell the more expensive reels. Our shop has used many Liquid reels in our rental outfits, and we hardly ever have a problem.
But just to nitpick a bit: the Liquid S is a “cast” reel, as in diecast. While Lamson uses a pressure-cast process that creates a great looking product, it is still inferior to a machined reel. Machined reels are stronger, made with tighter tolerances, usually lighter in weight, and they have a more refined appearance. Anglers who own a flagship, ultralight fly rod should strongly consider the machined Lamson reels.
The Lamson Force SL Series II reels are the lightest fly reels on the market, so light that they will levitate in the reel display case and float towards the ceiling if you don’t keep them tethered. So I’m joking, but if you own an ultralight, high-end dry fly stick, you might consider balancing it out with this reel. The engineering is impressive, and it has the dependable sealed drag that Lamson is famous for. The bad news is that this reel retails for $629.00. The Litespeed F ($549.00) and the Speedster S ($389.00) are also outstanding reels, slightly heavier than the Force SL, but still ridiculously light. They all have the same drag system, so choosing one over the other hinges upon appearance and price.
Which brings me to the Guru S reel. This is the least expensive of Lamson’s fully machined fly reels with a retail price of $299.00. I consider it a solid value at that price and “solid values” are hard to find in this era of inflation. The weight difference from the higher-priced Lamson reels is negligible. The Guru S reel comes in two colors, Olive Green and Blackout.
I will also mention the Guru E series of reels which retail for $419.00. These are full-frame reels designed for Euro nymphing enthusiasts. Euro nymphers favor full-frame reels, as they don’t have to worry about the thin running lines finding their way through the frame during the heat of battle. According to the World Nymph Fishing Statistics Institute in Lichtenstein, this only happened to 14 anglers worldwide last year, but it’s still a concern. This is a great reel for the Euro nymphing specialist.
Cortland Ultra Premium Fluorocarbon Tippet
I know it’s hard to get excited about tippet but if you’re serious about fly fishing you should be serious about what tippet you use. All the top brands utilize impressive technology and all of them will get the job done. For me it comes down to the balance between suppleness and abrasion resistance. You could make the case that suppleness in a tippet makes for a more natural drift; yet, I’ve had problems with some of these formulas stretching and weakening. Plus, the abrasion resistance isn’t as good. Cortland Ultra Premium seems to find the right balance. I nymph with 5X most of the time, and I’m always amazed how strong the product is. I generally use an Orvis Knot on the terminal end, and it works beautifully. Several of our guides have switched over to it. Give this stuff a try.