Salad Bar

There’s a fresh drop of clobber over at Xplorer offering their customary blend of value, utility and well thought out R&D. First up is the Trekker Sling which does everything you want from a sling for a day out on the water. Busy fishing? It slings behind you to stay out of the way. Need to rerig, grab some lunch or reach for your camera? It swings around to offer up both the cavernous main compartment and a moulded fold down work station with a removable foam fly patch inside, and a Velcro fly patch outside. It offers ample space in both the main compartment and the shoulder harness pockets for a variety of fly boxes, while various gear and tool lashing points throughout the pack, D-rings for a net retractor and a water bottle holder round up the features.

More of a chest pack kind of angler? Xplorer’s Technical Chest pack has 3 separate compartments with a folddown workstation, built-in fly patch, and tool attachments. The magnetic closure, moulded fold-down work-station, with its exterior Velcro fly patch and an interior removable foam fly patch gives you a space to re-rig, while the middle storage compartment and the rear storage compartment with flat mesh interior pockets can hold a range of fly boxes and other goodies. The separate backpack can hold larger gear from fly boxes to jackets and a sneaky hip flask. Expect premium YKK zippers with moulded pull tags and durable UV-resistant webbing straps throughout the entire pack. Last, but not least, there’s the Xplorer Expedition fly rod and reel vault. Whether it’s a week at Sterkies or an overseas trip you have planned, this nifty rod storage solution lets you leave the bulky tubes at home. Rigid padded sides give extra protection from accidental damage caused during travel and everyday use. Designed to carry rods up to 10ft (4pc) in length, it is great for your nymphing rods or small stream sticks, and can hold up to 10 rods and six or more reels plus all your other bits and bobs. xplorerflyfishing.co.za

While some members of our team are 100% OCD, even the most disorganised amongst us have yodelled Thom Yorke’s immortal line, “Everythiiiiiing, in its right place” as a calming mantra when we can’t find shit. If you’ve wasted precious seconds digging the wrong fly box out of your vest or pack before, then you have no doubt asked/screamed/ bellowed internally at why more brands don’t make seethrough fly boxes. Orvis’s Meiho Clear Case Fly Boxes are the solution for this particular bugbear. Made from unbreakable polycarbonate, these lightweight but durable fly boxes sport movable compartment dividers (allowing you to customize the case) and secure clip closure to keep everything in its right place. Available in medium shallow and medium deep options. orvis.com, flyfishing.co.za

The Dubai-Dash, the Addis-Amble, the Charles de Gaulle Stumble-Fall - if you’ve travelled far for fly fishing, there’s a good chance you’ve engaged in some of these disciplines in airports across the globe. If it’s a scenario where you cannot check your bags all the way through to your final destination, lugging a massive duffel around gets tired fast. That’s where a big wheelbag like Loop’s 150L offering comes into play. Made using TPU coated 1200 x 600D ripstop polyester fabric; it features rubber reinforced grip handles, YKK zippers, a large internal storage compartment and additional storage pocket in the lid. It’s built without internal structure; that’s provided by your rod tubes which are attached via internal compression straps. This saves you both excess weight – a common (and often costly) issue encountered on long haul travel – but also helps with general storage. You can carry it via a single sling strap or detachable shoulder straps. Or, if you prefer to save your shoulders for a week of casting, use the wheels to get you to the right terminal on time. looptackle.com,

Love tarpon? Perhaps you love the silver kings so much you want to pay tribute to them with a suggestive silver crotch accessory? Fishpond’s King Webbing Belt features a zinc non-slip belt and is made from 100% recycled nylon webbing that can be trimmed to size and sealed off with a little flame for a completely custom fit. Available in coral or tidal blue, it looks as good off the front of a skiff as it does at the bar. fishpondusa.com, frontierflyfishing.co.za

Looking for a do-everything net for fishing on foot and off a boat? Orvis’s Wide-Mouth Guide Net has you and the fish you haul in covered. The large hoop sizing makes landing and releasing fish easier and safer; it’s sports a lightweight,

durable composite construction that won’t age like wood and has a deeper, knotless, hook-resistant net bag. Bonus: it pairs well with Orvis’s Guide Sling Pack and Bug-Out Backpack. Total Length – 37.5” with a 19½” handle length. Total Width – 12.75”. orvis.com, flyfishing.co.za

There’s always a trade-off with wading boot soles around whether you go for rubber or felt. Perhaps the biggest determining factor is how far you have to hike in to where you will be fishing. If you have kilometres to cover, rubber wins as felt takes a beating on a trail. If it’s close by, then felt is your friend, because felt gives you unbeatable grip on slippery river rocks. If you’re in the market for a felt boot, you should consider the recent upgrade of the Orvis Clearwater. With a full synthetic leather upper that provides comfort and durability without excessive seams, this boot is protected by a scratch rubber toe, vamp, and heel counter for added durability, and a heavy-duty rubber toe bumper protects the foot in tough wading conditions. An integrated EVA foam footbed offers all-day comfort and a wider fit. A Phylon midsole and ESS plate provide stability and excellent stud retention. Available in men’s whole sizes from 7-15. orvis.com, flyfishing.co.za

Calling all racing snakes! If heavyweight wading boots feel like lead balloons to you, perhaps Simms Flyweight Access Boots will tickle your fancy. These things are built for covering distance, taking you from the trail to the river and back again dozens of times in a session. Lightweight, they’re made with non-absorbent mesh uppers and welded TPU overlays in high-abrasion areas for added durability. Most importantly, they boast the exclusive-toSimms Vibram Idrogrip Flex outsole that has a rubber compound engineered to be softer and grippier than the sole materials in other Simms wading boots. The result? A boot you can truly cover a lot of water and ground in. simmsfishing.com, frontierflyfishing.co.za

Scheming to get a lekker pair of tit new sunnies for the year ahead boet? Then we think you might shmaak what new heavyweights Bajio are cooking up, especially if you are on the lookout for a pair of glass lenses that will perform in low light conditions. Bajio’s Violet Mirror lens is their lightest high contrast lens, helping you see fish clearly in all conditions from sunrise to sunset, while their Copper Glass lens is a great high contrast lens for spotting underwater structures and fish. Bajio’s glass lenses are scratch resistant and block 95% of the sun’s blue light, giving you reduced blur, glare and haze while enhancing colour and protecting your eyes. Check out the range at X-Factor Angling and match your lens of choice to the right frame for your pip (pictured here are the Bonneville and Caldera frames). bajiosunglasses.com, xfactorangling.co.za

As fly anglers, we have at times earned ourselves a rep as snobs, looking down our noses at the papgooiers and bank anglers with their shiny team shirts displaying the fish they target like bass or carp. Thing is, are we really that different? Some just like to wear a different kind of fish on their garments and in the case of the nifty options Frontier has brought in from the Simms Tech Hoody Artist range, it’s trout. The Brown Trout in Light Green or the Trout Logo Flame Sterling to be precise. But this tech hoody is more than just a sartorial statement of targeting intent. Its lightweight jersey knit antimicrobial polyester fabric feels smooth and stretches with each cast, while wicking moisture away from the skin to keep you comfortable in hot weather. Speaking of heat, it has a built in hood to protect your ears, neck, and back of your head from the sun and the fabric boasts a UPF 50+ rating. simmsfishing.com, frontierflyfishing.co.za

There’s something immensely satisfying about not giving a damn what the weather apps say, not because you don’t care about how the various systems will affect the fishing, but because you’re prepared for any conditions. That confidence comes with good gear and this versatile jacket is a prime example. The 4-layer, waterproof/breathable H2No® Performance Standard shell has a 15-denier circular-knit slick jersey backer for added comfort and performance, a waterproof/breathable barrier and a PFC-free DWR finish (durable water repellent coating that does not contain perfluorinated chemicals). Two low-profile, front-zip pockets fit fly boxes; zippered handwarmer pockets are positioned for deep wading and feature flap covers for back-of-hand comfort and the easily adjustable, vented hood and integrated collar provide maximum protection in heavy weather and high winds (plus it is designed to be worn over almost any hat). Watertight, adjustable cuffs keep your arms dry when releasing fish and the recessed design eliminates line snag. Put simply, this is a jacket to go to war in. patagonia.com, xplorerflyfishing.co.za

When it’s hotter than Hades out there, you need kit that keeps you as cool as possible. The SolarVent Hoody offers UPF 50+ sun protection with the ideal combination of highly breathable panels to disperse heat while keeping you cool with a comfortable UPF50+ jersey knit that stretches comfortably when you move and wicks away sweat. The built in hood protects your ears, neck, and the back of your head from the sun’s rays so you are less likely to have to get things burnt off you further down the line. simmsfishing.com, frontierflyfishing.co.za

Set your sights on poons this year? Then you need a line that can take that kind of power. Rio’s Elite Tarpon line with their signature durable SlickCast coating is made for effortless casting and accurate presentation, turning over typical tarpon flies with ease. It features a long back taper for fast, second shot casts, a low stretch “DirectCore” for hard, solid strip sets and Rio’s SureFire tricolored measuring system for increased accuracy and distance control. farbank.com, xplorerflyfishing.co.za

Like watches that can go to 100m underwater, we are unlikely to ever let ice last for seven days in a cooler, but it’s good to know that it can be done. Skitch’s 42L Rugged Cooler is one such cooler that qualifies for the job. The fully insulated rugged design features refrigerator grade seals, an easy to clean finish, pivot latches, wire basket, cutting board/ divider, seamless hinges, stainless steel bottle opener, locking points and adjustable pull handles. It also comes with a wire basket insert, a pressure relief valve, a cutting board/ divider and a cup holder. At 70,5 × 44,5 × 43,5 cm, it weighs 12kg before you put your beer in it. skitch.co.za, xplorerflyfishing.co.za

Picture this. You have a fish (or the almost imperceptible signs of a fish) in sight, but the conditions are tricky and you really cannot afford to take your eyes off it. You also need to re-rig your leader. If you had to dig around in pockets, checking and re-checking whether you had 5x or 7x in hand, that would be problematic, but because you got Scientific Angler’s Switch Tippet Holder, it’s easy. You know exactly how your spools of tippet sit sequentially across your chest pack or vest so without looking down you can pull out a section, cut it on the tippet’s in-built blade and re-tie the leader. The Switch Tippet Holder’s unique design lets you choose either a horizontal or vertical orientation on your sling pack, vest or boat bag. With a powder coated aluminium construction, they hold up to eight spools of tippet. scientificanglers.com, frontierflyfishing.co.za

While you can nymph a bit with WF or DT lines, if you are trying to unleash any modern nymphing approaches you’re really going to want a super thin nymphing line. With a diameter of only 0,55mm and a consistent taper over the entire 90 foot line except for the tip which is 0,22mm, Soldarini’s new ultralight line is made expressly for the job. Totally memoryless (like our art director Boderick after most Friday nights) and featuring a special slick coat, that latest version comes in a camo and black colour. Covers line classes 0-5-weight.

Every tackle collection warrants a few classics and it doesn’t get more classic than a traditional click-and-pawl reel like Orvis’s Battenkill. Though it may be old-school, the design is still smart, with the narrow spool meaning less line stacking, a large diameter spool for high retrieval rates and an ultralight weight for use with small stream rods. Machined from heavy-duty bar-stock aluminium, Battenkill reels feature laser-engraved logos and are easily adjustable for left or right hand retrieves. orvis.com, flyfishing.co.za

You know how the Euro Nymphing crowd take nerding out over clobber to the next level and tend to unearth elite brands most of us have never heard of? Well, the Euro Nymphing comp guys at X-Factor Angling are super excited about Maxia. Handmade in Spain, these are billed as some of the best nymphing rods available and are hugely popular with top competitive anglers in Europe. The designers of these rods go granular with what they call “multisegment” design, manufacturing each section by adjusting each centimetre for the function it must perform on the rod while ensuring a perfect transition between sections. Each Maxia SX rod uses five types of ultra-high modulus and high resistance fibres and two types of resins, incorporated to both lighten the blanks and increase their resistance. That means limited energy losses in the flexion and extension cycles and a greater responsiveness. maxiarods.com, xfactorangling.co.za

Another Euro brand brought in by X-Factor, this time from Piedmont, Italy, is Soldarini and their S-Power Elite Competition fluorocarbon and Tournament monofilament. The S-Power fluorocarbon is remarkable in that it somehow manages to be invisible in water, incredibly resistant to abrasion and the effects of UV rays and yet it is also exceptionally soft and knot-resistant. The Tournament monofilament is resistant to traction beyond the most extreme limits and has virtually no memory. That means more natural presentations, making it great for all dry fly fishing techniques.

New to fly fishing? Or perhaps you’ve been around the block but are looking to get a good value all-rounder to cover most bases. Either way, it’s hard to beat Orvis’s Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit that includes a Vermont-designed Clearwater fly rod, fly reel, fly Line and backing. Whether you opt for a dry fly friendly 4-weight, a do-it-all 5-weight for bigger rivers and stillwaters or a 7-weight for everything from heavy fresh to light salt - from medium-action small stream rods to medium-fast freshwater rods and fast-action big game rods, Clearwater rods are designed with a purpose-built profiles and actions. orvis.com, flyfishing.co.za

Xplorer Fly Fishing has some new frames in stock from Ozzie Sunnie supremos Tonic as worn by trail-running fly fishing director of African Waters Keith Clover on page 82. For people with regular heads, the Wave is made for comfort and fashion, perfect for both casual and extreme scenarios. Then there’s the Titan. Titans were the giants of the ancient Greek world, so that’s Tonic being subtle about their XL frames and essentially saying you have A MASSIVE MELON. But even Noddy need sunnies right? These generous frames combine a modern square front with long flexible arms for people with GIGANTIC CRANIUMS. For both the Wave and Titans, you can take your pick of glass lenses from photochromic grey and copper to blue/green mirror. xplorerflyfishing.co.za

Purists hate them, but there’s no denying that along with their sneaky brethren, the squirmy wormy, mop flies are incredibly effective. Whether they really imitate a larvae, a worm or just a soggy NikNak, they work. Wapsi’s Mop Chenille is specifically designed for these flies. Simply wrap it around a bodkin, twist it into an extended body, tie it in behind a bead on your hook, work in some dubbing and you’re ready to mop up fish. wapsifly.net,

Bored of the same old reel pouches? Or, perhaps you have loose reels that really need a home? Our premium neoprene reel pouches will not only protect your precious reels when they are not in use, but by sporting The Mission’s Tailgunner Grunter and yella Fella embroidered badges, they will do it in style. This 100% neoprene pouch sits in the Goldlocks Zone fitting most reels from 3-weight, up to 9/10-weight (e.g. Shilton SR9). It will be too roomy for tiny small stream reels and too tight for behemoth saltwater reels (e.g. 12-15-weight). themissionflymag.com/shop