
4 minute read
Pocket Water: Trout Tested
from TROUT - Fall 2023
Skwala Fusion 3/2 Puffy
($299; skwalafishing.com)
Skwala is coming on strong in the fishing world (probably stronger than anyone, including the company itself, thought possible since Skwala launched just over a year ago). But that’s attributable to the simple facts that the company understands and loves fly fishing, and it designs and makes good, detail-oriented stuff. We’re going to get into waders, rain jackets of different weights, base layers that really take Merino wool to new levels, and all that, later. But for now, we’re going to recommend the one hoody/jacket piece that we’ve been wearing most often, any time the temperature dips under 60 degrees F. The notable attribute of this puffy (besides warmth) is range of motion. It isn’t stiff; it isn’t crinkly… it’s soft, and supple like a sweatshirt. And that ultimately helps you do “fishy” things better… like row a boat, or cast a fly rod. It’s a really smart, utilitarian piece of outerwear. —KD
Bajio Toads Sunglasses

(Bajio Toads; $209)
Fish like you give a damn. A statement repeated on the Bajio website. A statement in which I take to heart working in cold-water conservation for Trout Unlimited.
Bajio has shown that it gives a damn simply by creating quality products that support organizations like Trout Unlimited on top of the 100 percent plant-based frames which are biodegradable and recyclable as well.

I had the opportunity to put the Toads through their paces this summer and wasn’t disappointed. Rowing, fishing, hunting and even biking after forgetting my bike specific pair at home. Not once did they let me down. More specifically, the rose mirror lenses suited nearly all those endeavors. Purchasing from a company that gives a damn is my personal preference and most likely the vast majority of those reading TROUT Magazine. —Josh
Duplechian
Patagonia Forra Wading Boots

($299; Patagonia.com)
We got a test pair of these boots in mid-summer, and have been putting them through the paces in all sorts of fishing situations ever since—hikes to high alpine lakes and blue line creeks, wet wading, climbing in and out of drift boats, kick boats and belly boats, and just plain old wading up rivers in waders. There wasn’t one flaw, one weakness, or one situa tion where we thought this boot could have been designed better. Some wading boots are like work boots. Others like hunting boots. Still, others are so bulky and overbuilt that they might make Frankenstein’s monster shudder. These boots are alpine inspired, like high-end Italian moun taineering boots. Light, comfortable, yet supportive with a burly tread. All the other wading boots got put in the locker this summer, and these stayed front and center. They are a tad spendy, but you can just tell they’re going to last longer than at least three other pairs of $150 wading boots. —KD
Nocs Provisions Zoom Tube
8 x 32 Monocular

($75; nocsprovisions.com)
If you want a closeup look at the bugs hatching on the river surface… or that eagle in the tree… or your son or daughter on stage at the school recital… and you don’t really feel like spending several hundred dollars or more for some heavy, bulky binoculars… this just might be your ticket. At a price of $75 we were literally shocked by the optical clarity, and this monocular gives you a pretty steady look to boot. The best part, of course, is that the monocular is light (9.5 ounces). It’s fun, it’s colorful, it’s easy to grip, and easy to tuck in a pocket or pack. The kids or grandkids would love it, and they’d probably even show you how to use it as a zoom lens for your smart phone camera. —KD
Scientific Anglers Switch Tippet Holder
($19.95; sw)

I honestly never have cared for funky tippet holders and what-not. My tippet holder for the past 30 years? Hemostats stuck through the center hole on a spool of 4X or 5X tippet (maybe both stacked together) and clipped onto the strap of my vest or waders. But for some reason I started fishing this little contraption over the summer and fell in love with it. Now, you can buy a tippet-loaded version for more money, but my tippet preferences, for my trout kit aren’t as simple as 3,4,5,6,7. It’s 1X for streamers, 4X times two, 5X, and 6X for hard cases only. You probably (should) have your own mix. The bottom line is that this is a tangle-free, completely utilitarian solution, and it changed (at least a little bit) how I feel about gizmos.