14 minute read
Salad Bar
LATEST RELEASES SALAD BAR
SCOTT FLY RODS – WAVE
Scott has been busy of late, revamping their fresh and saltwater range. When it comes to positioning, while the Centric and Sector are the successors of the Radian and Meridian respectively, the Wave you could say replaces the Tidal as Scott’s mid-priced saltwater rod. The thing is calling it ‘mid-priced’ ($675 vs $1045 for a Sector) does not really do it justice because while the Wave may not set you back as much as the premium Sector, there’s very little it cannot do. The Wave borrows the best bits of the Sector and the Meridian at a much more accessible price. It’s fast as all hell, accurate as pointing your finger and powerful enough for any application, from 6-weight bending bass and bonefish, to GTs and tarpon in the 12-weight. One of our reviewers is putting it through its paces for a full-length review, but in the meantime it’s available from Mavungana Flyfishing in 6-weight, 7-weight, 8-weight, 9-weight and 12-weight. scottflyrod.com, flyfishing.co.za
SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS – REGULATOR SPOOL
Line changing and, by association, line care are hands down one of the biggest ball aches in fly fishing, but with Scientific Anglers’ Regulator, it just got a lot easier. This ingenious gizmo allows you to switch out fly lines off your fly reel in minutes. Bonus, it does not use spare spools so you are left with a coiled fly line held in place with twistties rather than bulky spools, saving you storage space both at home and on the road. While changing line using this tool, we strongly recommend listening to Regulate by Warren G featuring Nate Dogg. It would be rude not to. scientificanglers.com, frontierflyfishing.com
FASNA – EGG-FLY
Before Mop flies and Squirmies were dropping traditionalists’ jaws as sacrilegious yet deadly baubles, the dirtiest move a fly angler could pull was to fish an egg pattern. They still most definitely have their place in your fly boxes (and in fish diets) which is why if you’re looking to tie some up you should check out Fasna’s Egg-Fly material. Different to standard egg yarn which requires you to spin it up, Egg-Fly is built on a core like chenille. Simply tie it in, wrap and boom! Yolk’s on the fish. Available in a range of colours, it’s perfect for egg, worms and Wozzit patterns. fasnaflyfishing.com,
xfactorangling.co.za
HORIZON – TROUTSTALKER FLOAT TUBE
It’s been a long time coming what with factory lockdowns and general global supply chain issues, but Horizon’s new Troutstalker float tubes have finally arrived in SA. You can expect the same tough 420 Denier Nylon fabric on the top and side panels and the same super tough 500 Denier 30oz PVC fabric for maximum puncture resistance on the bottom panel, plus of course the inflatable air backrest and air seat as standard. New features on this tube include tweaks to the stripping apron which now features a cam device to ensure it is tightly strung, cup holders on the pockets to ensure you stay hydrated on the water (yes, beer counts), additional grab handles and reinforced pockets to ensure they don’t flop around while you search for something. Weighing in at just 7.5kg, it has a 140kg carrying capacity so it should juuust be able to handle you and your gear after the festive season.
frontierflyfishing.co.za
STANLEY – PETER PERCH
Stanley continues to modernize their brand with fresh new colourways and styles. There were the bright orange and camo Mossy Oak collabs and now the latest addition to the collection is the Peter Perch range. A Dutch wildlife illustrator with a wonderfully dark sense of humour, Peter Perch comes from a skateboarding and graffiti background which shows in the way he approaches fish art. Available in tan in the 470ml Trigger Action Mug or the Classic Legendary Vacuum 1L bottle, with this collab not only can you keep your drinks ice cold and piping hot, but you can do it with some extra street cred too. awesometools.co.za
YETI – ROADIE 24
Remember the serial killer hitchhiker from Something About Mary asking Ben Stiller’s character what he would choose if he saw 8-Minute Abs in the video store next to 7-Minute Abs? We feel the same way about the Yeti Roadie 24 when comparing it to its predecessor the Roadie 20, because the 24 holds four more beers. If you are more of a wino, the Roadie 24 is built with extra length in mind for those long-necked bottles. Bottom line? Not everyone needs a gargantuan icebox and this easily packable cooler for bakkie or boat might just be the perfect size for two anglers on a day trip. yeti.com,
upstreamflyfishing.co.za
KEEP YOUR DRINKS ICE COLD AND PIPING HOT”
LATEST RELEASES SALAD BAR
X-FACTOR – YELLOWFISH FLY SELECTION
The Factor behind X-Factor is Dan Factor, consistently ranked South Africa’s top fly angler in competition circles. That means the man knows what he’s doing, especially when it comes to fly selection. Whether you’re on the Vaal, the Orange, chasing scalies, Clannies or the various other yellowfish species, it’s well worth taking a look at X-Factor’s yellowfish box. All the patterns have been developed with decades of competition experience and the latest knowledge on materials, yellowfish, and fly patterns.
xfactorangling.co.za LOON – ERGO PRIME TAPERING SHEARS
You know that weird moment when the barber is almost done cutting your hair and he picks up a strange pair of scissors, takes a big section of your mop and then proceeds to cut into it like your maniac kid brother? Those are tapering shears that are designed to thin bulky sections without losing too much shape. Loon’s Ergo Prime Tapering Shears work in much the same way. Featuring one blade with teeth and one without, they allow tyers to thin or taper materials without leaving distinct lines. The broad blades offer a stouter feel and increased stability, regardless of what you’re cutting. The oversized handles are ergonomically designed to accommodate tyers with extra large fingers (yes you, Hodor), and include a removable Precision Peg for extra control.
loonoutdoors.com, xplorerflyfishing.co.za
SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS - TAILOUT TOOL ASSORTMENT
Outside of heavy hitting saltwater fish that require serious pliers and tools, if you’re playing in the fresh or light salt scene you cannot go wrong with the Tailout trio of tools from Scientific Anglers. It includes forceps with ergonomic grip for crimping barbs and removing hooks, a nipper for trimming tags and cutting tippet and a zinger to make sure you don’t lose the nipper. You really don’t need much else. scientificanglers.com, frontierflyfishing.com
LOON - APEX HD PLIER
A new player in the saltwater do-it-all plier game, Loon’s heavy duty Apex HD plier with built-in cutter demands your attention. Constructed of lightweight aluminium, it’s housed in a durable rubber sheath and secured with a coated steel-core tether, meaning it can take all the salty abuse, neglect and heavy use you can throw at it. Designed in conjunction with a bevy of fresh and salt water guides it’s been put through the paces to handle the most demanding fish and fisheries out there.
loonoutdoors.com, xplorerflyfishing.co.za
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LATEST RELEASES SALAD BAR
HOWLER BROTHERS – H BAR B TECH LONGSLEEVE
Howler Bros consistently hits that Yeehaw/Aloha sweet spot between ranch and beach and the H Bar B Tech longsleeve is a prime example. Made of lightweight, quickdrying stretch nylon-poly fabric, with a vented rear yoke and ring snaps it keeps you comfortable while working out fish in the heat, yet is plenty stylish for general nonfishing activity too. Other fish-forward features include a sunglass cleaning microfiber at the right hem and a hidden zipper pocket at the lower right seam. howlerbros.com,
upstreamflyfishing.co.za
RIO – AVID GOLD
Rapidly becoming one of the most popular lines for South African trout fishing, the Rio Avid Gold hits that sweet spot between performance and price. Whether it’s short-range roll casts or long-distance doublehauling delivery, this line punches above its weight. With welded loops on the front and back to assist with fast rigging, these lines come in 3-weight to 7-weight options and all feature RIO’s superb SlickCast coating. farbank.com, xplorerflyfishing.co.za
RIO – ELITE GT & ELITE LEVIATHAN
Plan on tackling the really big fish this summer? Then perchance you need to take a gander at the Rio Elite GT and Rio Elite Leviathan lines now with Rio’s SlickCast coating. For the depths you want the Leviathan which is designed to target the largest of tropical species with low stretch, and ultra slick performance. Featuring a 26-foot, fast-sinking head seamlessly integrated into an intermediate running line, it sports a tough, ultra-strong core that gives you the edge when keeping large fish away from coral and rock structures. Available from 300-750 grain. For the bullies of the flats, you want the Elite GT. Its short, heavy head loads powerful saltwater rods fast and the aggressive front taper allows you to cast large flies with ease. The low stretch “DirectCore” lets you drive home those solid strip sets while RIO’s slick, durable SlickCast coating gives you every advantage to get your fly out far and fast. farbank.com, xplorerflyfishing.co.za
RIVER ROAD – CUTTER PRESS
Like a biltong guillotine, but for foam, River Road Creations’ Cutter Press is an assistive device to be used in conjunction with the company’s wing and foam body cutters. If you struggle to get enough pressure on the cutters, this gadget will give you a mechanical advantage. Plus if you’re a budding Robespierre, you can pretend you’re executing Lilliputian monarchs.
riverroadcreations.com, frontierflyfishing.com
FULLING MILL – MASTERCLASS TIPPET
Think “Fulling Mill” and a fly tying and hook manufacturing behemoth probably comes to mind, but there’s more to this trans-Atlantic power player’s product range including some high quality tippet. Fulling Mill’s Masterclass Fluorocarbon combines Japanese raw materials with German engineering to create tippet that they claim has the lowest refractory index of any other fluoro on the market, meaning the fish are less likely to see it. With excellent diameter to strength ratio it’s incredibly strong, ultra supple and has great knot strength. It comes in interlocking spools of 7X (2.82lbs) to 04X (23.17lbs). fullingmill.co.uk, flyfishing.co.za
GUIDELINE – ALTA 2.0 WADING BOOT
Well, helloooooo Sweden! The team at Guideline have put together an impressive-looking pair of lightweight wading boots with a comfortable last, designed for long days of trekking and fishing. Made with nylon Airmesh laminated to closed cell foam to prevent water from soaking into the material, the Guideline Alta 2.0 boots are built to keep cool and shed water so your feet stay light and comfortable all mission long. The ergonomically designed, gusseted tongue is made of neoprene which relieves pressure from the top of the foot while the inside has a comfortable neoprene lining which reduces wear on the wading socks. Lightweight, yet rigid enough for the harshest of African fly fishing conditions, the Alta 2.0 is now available at X-Factor. guidelineflyfish.com,
xfactorangling.co.za
ORVIS – DOUBLE-SIDED FLY BOXES
Double-sided goodness for maximal use of space – check. Microslit foam to tightly hold flies in place – check. Sealed box closure to keep moisture out, strong latch clips to prevent accidental opening and a clear shell to allow you to see the box’s contents so you find exactly what you need with zero faffing – check, check, check. Available in small (160 flies), medium (204 flies) or large (378 flies) sizes, with Orvis’s double-sided fly boxes you’ll want for very little.
orvis.com, flyfishing.co.za
LATEST RELEASES SALAD BAR
SMITH CREEK – WADING BELT
Wiping out while wading is part of fly fishing. If you do that while wearing waders in fast water, you have to have a good wading belt, because without one your waders will fill up and well…you could drown. Seriously, this is not alarmist bollocks. Things can go very wrong, very quickly when wading swollen rivers with unsure footing. There are wading belts and then there are wading belts. Smith Creek’s Wading belt is the variant you want as it is made of extra thick nylon webbing and quality YYK components and is adjustable from 24” to 52” (61cm to 132cm). For extra safety, the buckle is designed so that it can be unclipped under extreme loading. Hang your gear on it AND bet your life on it. smithcreek.co, flyfishing.co.za
YETI – RAMBLER® 12 OZ HOTSHOT BOTTLE
We swear by these things, not only because they are bulletproof thanks to their kitchen-grade stainless steel construction (they are), nor because they keep our coffee hot and our drinks cold (they do), but also because we’re enamoured with the cap design (seriously, this excites us). When shut, the 100% leak-proof Hotshot cap keeps the coffee off the rest of your kit in your bag, but when opened it can be sipped from any side. Just apply lips. In short, it was designed for sleep-deprived obsessives who need caffeine, but who fear liquid destroying their equipment. Fly anglers essentially. Available in seafoam, stainless steel and black from Upstream Fly fishing. yeti.com, upstreamflyfishing.co.za
C&F – UNIVERSAL CASE SYSTEM
We’re seeing a lot more anglers using C&F these days for the versatility the Japanese company brings to your fly storage game. The C&F Universal System Case with compartments is the perfect fly box to carry bush or bulky dry flies in the compartments. On the opposite face, the easy-to-use clips allow you to clip in any of the system foams, or even to change the system foam with a different one, when needed. Day on the Vaal? Clip in the Dry Dropper Foam which can accommodate smaller fly patterns and would be perfect for nymphs and pupa fly patterns. Chasing largies? Perhaps the Attractor (which can accommodate larger fly patterns), is what you need? From the Midge (small size nymph and midge patterns), the Threader (designed to help you get small flies onto your tippet or the Standard (a great all-rounder) - whatever the application, just swop foams in and out as you see fit. .c-and-f.co.jp, frontierflyfishing.co.za
FLYING FISHERMAN – BOONIE AND STRAW HATS
You may feel invincible in the baking summer heat, but the reality is the planet is getting hotter and that means you are more likely to get skin cancer if you do not take precautions. Sunblock helps as does long-sleeved clothing, but for your face a solid hat is a must. Flying Fisherman’s Boonie hat (Boonie… as in the Boondocks… as in the middle of nowhere…) is stylish yet functional for on the water use. Rated UPF 50, it sports a lightweight breathable quick drying material with vented mesh sides to help create a cooling affect while wearing.
The Flying Fisherman Straw Hat is made from natural straw for lightweight and attractive sun protection. The full brim helps to shade your face, neck and shoulders from the sun and UV rays, while the the adjustable chin strap keeps it on your pip on a windy day. Bonus – you could probably run a Tiki bar convincingly wearing one of these.
xplorerflyfishing.co.za
