It’s tough to impress me when it comes to backpacks. I want a pack that can do it all and be comfortable enough that you forget you have it on. The Bug-Out backpack went with me on the water but to test its functionality also went on buses, under car seats and along for my regular commute—10 miles by bike and 45 minutes by train. Through it all the CORDURA ECO Fabric, a best-in-class polyester made out of recycled consumer wastes, proved to be extremely durable. At first the 25 litre capacity seemed cavernous, but after I compartmentalized the bag with the provided Velcro dividers, I appreciated how organized I was able to keep my gear. Yes it is designed for fishing, however, if needed you can get some work done between hatches as it also contains a laptop sleeve and an assortment of other pockets to hold whatever else you need to get from A to B. What’s best about the Bug-Out is the intelligent design. The large access panel on the side is perfect to get at the bag’s contents without having to remove the thing from your back. This is most useful when waist-deep in a stream, but that function could also come in handy at the airport; the Bug-Out doubles as a perfect carry-on bag. More slick components include the water bottle holder which unzips to allow an extension for a fly rod, an expandable net sleeve and attachment points for multiple chest pack options. Taken together, you’ve got a pack that is versatile and utilitarian. The Bug-Out not only impressed me, it has quickly become my go-to fishing and commuting pack.

More information about the Bugout Backpack can be found online.

Full disclosure…I’m a Tacky fan. I like the guys who created the box, and I’m impressed with the way their boxes house my flies. A number of years back the Tacky team saw a need in the fly-fishing industry and discovered a truly innovative way to meet that need. I can fully understand why different companies want to work with them and was pleased when I learned that Fishpond was collaborating with Tacky. The Pescador is everything you’d expect when two all-stars in the industry team up to create a sturdy, waterproof fly box. I filled my Pescador with mostly smaller streamers for coastal cutthroat and Coho, but the box is just as well suited for bushy dries or nymphs. On the river I didn’t have to invent situations to test out the waterproof nature of the box. I’ve been known to drop a box or two in the river, and this summer was no exception. The times my Pescador got wet, my flies remained dry. I even managed to drop the case on the rocks without incident—the box didn’t crack or pop open; no flies were spilled. I figure no water in, no water out, so when I got home after a day of fishing wherein I’d used the box extensively, I opened it up to dry out the flies I used. I enjoyed testing the Pescador this summer. It’s a well-built and intentionally-designed fly box.

Rods are gorgeous, reels are exquisite, waders are rad, so it was a bit surprising to me that one of my top choices of gear would be a tote bag. However, Umpqua’s full-featured ZS2 Wader Tote just makes fishing better. The 22’x16”padded stand station makes gearing up very civilized and the fact the tote holds your boots, waders and accessories (even rod tubes and a net when stowed) means when the bite is on, you just grab this thing and go. Having a place to store wet, mucky waders and boots post-wade meant I kept the back of my car clean and dry and flat pockets make arranging other essentials a breeze. Get organized and more efficient with this 45 L tote. Like it did for me, it’ll surprise you how much it enhances your angling experience.

Tested & Reviewed by Jeff Wagner

A good rod doesn’t need to be expensive or flaunt unnecessary technology no one can identify. It does, however, need to be the rod that you reach for and don’t think twice about when fishing. The Sage Sense is that sensible nymphing rod. This was the primary rod I reached into my quiver for this season. Most days, I deliberate on which rod will fit the particular style of fishing we are embarking on. Not so with the Sage Sense. Not once did I question its ability or utility, instead I focused on the river and what flies might bring up a fish. My home waters are the medium to small streams of Central Colorado. The Sense fished them all well. As a nymphing rod, the Sense has relatively slow action and a soft tip, features designed to protect the light tippets nymphing anglers tend to favour. Sage’s well-established grip—snub-nosed, half-wells cork—feels comfortable and well-balanced in hand. The rod is subdued in appearance but strong in performance—all the better to high stick spooky fish in a run or a riffle. The Sense’s Generation 5 blank eliminates the tip bounce that many 10-foot rods can’t shake and most impressively it casts everything from thinner Euro-nymphing lines to traditional, heavier trout lines. I successfully fished everything from small multi-nymph rigs to larger dry-dropper rigs and small streamers. When you stack it against other mid-range rods, the Sense stands tall. 

Visit Sage online for more info.

In order to better understand each rod, some feel it necessary to contrast the Sage Sonic to the Sage X. But as a person who owns both rods, I feel a side-by-side comparison does both rods a disservice because it promotes an unnecessary focus on the specific components. This can lead to an unfortunate oversight of the overall telos of the Sonic. The Sonic is designed to be a mid-priced fly rod that delivers in a variety of situations. When I set it against that bar, the rod exceeds my expectations. The Sonic is a buttery wand with cork that is velvety to the touch. The rod’s flex and recovery rate is a marriage of love, not utility. I fished with the rod all summer, which meant I fished nymphs, streamers, terrestrials and small dries. The rod performs ably with each. If you’re in the market for a versatile fly rod that feels good and casts well, I highly recommend the Sonic. For me, the first cast felt effortless and subsequent reps made me want to keep casting. I’ll continue to fish the Sonic long after the testing period is over. Accolades to the Sage research and development crew for a job well done.