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BACKCOUNTRY GEAR REVIEW

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VERSA PACK REVIEW

VERSA PACK REVIEW

by Brian La Rue

Recon Mission On Slough Creek

One of my goals on the Slough trip was to put Orvis’ Recon Outfit to the test. My go-to H2 had company on this trip as I took along a 9-foot, 5-weight Recon outfit complete with a Hydros III Reel and Hydros Trout 5-weight fly line. Day 1 in the morning on Slough was beautiful, and cutthroat came quick to the hopper and beetle patterns delivered effortlessly with the 9-footer. Targeting the rising trout upriver from our position, the Recon loaded smoothly and allowed for easy, softlanding placements of big bugs to target these unsuspecting trout.

After three hours of perfect conditions, the warm wind began to blow, eliminating our easy casts and advantage of polarized glasses. We thought, okay a little wind chop might give these fish a little more confidence to blindly rise to hoppers more often and they did. Throwing

a #4 hopper into the wind was easy as the Recon allowed me to force-feed, forward casts into 30 mph gusts. There’s nothing like a rod that isn’t afraid to take a little muscle to make a powerful forward cast.

The wind was kept at bay with powerful casts. I had some fun throwing low loops, sidearm casts as well and a few roll casts just to test the Recon and see how it would perform. It passed all my tests and I managed to catch some nice fish while casting it. The Hyrdos III Reel included in this outfit performed flawlessly too. Operation was smooth as the Hydros was up to the task at hand. You don’t think of cutthroat as hard fighters, but a couple in the 16- to 18-inch range ran a few times given this is Slough Creek in August. Flows were a bit low and when you hook a fish here, they like to stay in the deep pools and freak out when they find themselves close to the net in shallow spots at your feet. We were fishing with 3X and 4X leaders and a handful of fish took line out of the advanced Hydros’ drag system that comes complete with a fully sealed drag clutch bearing.

The refined, lightweight large arbor reel is ideal for all 5 wt. to 7 wt. applications. It holds more than enough backing and its large arbor always means it picks up line in a hurry while reducing line coiling. See this outfit at your local Orvis dealer or click https://www.orvis. com/recon-fly-rod/2TMN5364.html.

Overall, the Recon itself is an amazing rod at a mid-level price. I would highly recommend it for someone who needs a rod and doesn’t want to feel that they have upgrade as they get more into the sport. It’s not an “entry level rod” and it won’t break the bank, but it is a rod/outfit that could be your first and last forever. If you won’t to avoid a basic rod, one that you will soon wish you bought something better, the Recon checks all the boxes. Yes, the Recon will find a home in your arsenal for years to come.

Love Lightweight, Sticky Boots? Try Simms Flyweight Access

I challenge you to try the award-winning Simms Flyweight Access, and I bet you will never go back to any other pair of wading boots again! These boots capitalized on the comfort and support from the previous Flyweight model and somehow, Simms cranked out an even better boot!

Winning Best-Of-Show at the 2022 International Fly Tackle Dealer Show, the Flyweight Access features a new sole exclusive to Simms that provides more slip resistance on wet surfaces than any other wading boot before!

The sole is called Vibram IDROGRIP FLEX. Specially, it’s a blown rubber compound that adds to the Access’ cushion and is engi-

neered to add grip when you need it most. I’m a big believer in adding studs for extra peace of mind on slippery rocks, but these boots are sticky without them. I’ve got the Flyweight with studs, but these guys felt even more sticky without any hardware. I might just have to make these guys my driftboat boots or for waters like Slough that don’t feature larger cobble stones or boulders?

For the tech guys, the Flyweight Access features lightweight, nonabsorbent mesh uppers, welded TPU overlays in high-abrasion areas for added durability, supportive, but lightweight and comfortable webbing lacing hardware across the foot, full closed-cell neoprene foam lining, and pull-on loops for easy on and off. Put it all together and you got the best trail-to-river machine.

Simms says this is the best traction option out of the box with support and durability, but those who prioritize extreme sole durability, should consider the Simms G3 or G4 wading boot models. So, do you want a super lightweight, sticky boot that will do everything you ask, or do you spend most of your time in the boat, or just below the pullout, maybe guiding, charging it over jagged rocks daily-- cold conditions? Ask yourself these questions—I for one value lightweight, comfort and value for long hike ins and long days of rock hopping and will be completely satisfied with this new boot! The Flyweight Access currently has 53 reviews on Simms’ website with a 4.8 rating out of 5 stars. Seems the only complaint is the laces need to be longer! I think we’ve all had boots that featured laces that were too long or too short… not a deal breaker by any means. Click https://bit.ly/3elny2m for the full rundown on the Flyweight Access.

Kelty’s Late Start 2 Backcountry Tent

The name Kelty says it all! The longtime trusty name in outdoor gear, Kelty comes through again with the Late Start 2. This tent is ideal for someone who wants to hike into the backcountry and set up a tent up in a matter of seconds—in the dark—thus the Late Start!

I took this tent on the Slough Creek pack trip with Sunrise Pack Station even though Shane provides tents etc, just to give it a whirl and put it to the test. A little rain each night did not allow me to leave the rainfly off and gaze at the stars, but it’s a perfect tent for two people, two people like a couple or dad and son.

The Late Start 2’s size is perfect for one 6-foot, 180-pound man with maybe your lighting gear and all your clothing. But at 4-pound, 8-ounces all packaged up—you and your fishing buddy can get one each and have your own bed for the night. It’s the ideal tent at $159.99, not your first born, but that price point that tells you, you’re getting quality and it will last—a Kelty!

I mentioned we had rain! Yes, the Late Start 2 passed the waterproof test with flying colors. That’s huge cause nobody is going to get much sleep when your sleeping bag and tent are wet. Click https://www.kelty.com/late-start-2/ to see all the dimension and specs, and if you truly want a bigger tent, the Late Start 2 has a bigger cousin, the Late Start 4. Having tent camped for decades if a company says “4”—count on space for three!

Finally, when I look for a tent, I look for three things. It’s got to be waterproof, lightweight, and easy setup/takedown! This tent checks all the boxes. No cramming to make things fit into the tent sack when you’re ready to head home. Check them out and see what size works for you and get out and explore the backcountry whether its here in Colorado or in Yellowstone and remember, no food in the tent!

Under Armour Fish Advanced Iso-Chill Hoodies

Imagine a long sleeve shirt/hoodie option that keeps you cool on a hot day, warmer on a cool day and the sun at bay every day— well, you don’t have to imagine it anymore. Meet my new go-to fishing shirt, the Under Armour Fish Iso-Chill Hoodie. What did I enjoy best about the Iso-Chill Hoodie? It was silkysmooth, comfortable, hood and all—you felt as if you had no shirt on, let alone a hood, though it covered me with UPF 50+ sun protection. Long sleeves didn’t get catch my rod butt either and the hood loosely protected my ears, neck, and face sides from the sun.

As for performance, the light-weight material wicked sweat away from my body on Day 1 when it was in the 80s along Slough Creek, drying fast as well from splashes and elbow dips on the creek. Day 2 was cool and breezy, and the hoodie not only keep me dry and protected from the overcast sunrays, but warmer when a cold wind shut down the terrestrial bite.

Overall, great clothing to add to your fly fishing, or simply your total outdoors arsenal in general. Another thing I can tell you about the amazing folks behind Under Armour Fish, when I told them I was interested in trying out a hoodie, they asked about my trip. I told them about this Slough Creek trip with my dad and son, three generations, and instead of sending me a hoodie or two— they sent enough hoodies and long sleeve performance fishing shirts to outfit all three of us for every day on the trip. Now that’s generous! That’s a company and clothing I can stand behind for many trips to come! Click https://undrarmr.co/3TDH1vb to see the lineup at UA Fish!

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