Here is a list of the some of the newest fly-fishing gear of 2021. If your resolution is to catch more fish, these may be just the tools you need.

Sage Fly Fishing Rods

Sage Fly Fishing has, over the years, provided rods to a broad range of anglers, from beginners to pros. Sage products have always been in the forefront of design and material technology, whether built for fresh or saltwater. Ocean or raging river, lake or small stream – there has been a Sage rod built for just about every need.

Perhaps the most unique and exciting Sage rods come from their new small water DART series. Designed for stalking wary trout in still water or in obstacle lined small streams, these short-range fast action rods can drive casts under tree limbs with a delicate presentation most rods can only envy. The DART rods utilize Sage’s Konnetic HD technology, a new graphite/resin composite exclusive to Sage. This material and design maximizes strength to weight/stiffness to weight ratios, enhancing energy transfer, while still maintaining Sage’s reputation for durability. All Sage rods are covered by their highly regarded lifetime warranty.

Redington Fly Rods and Reels

Redington states that their new CRUX models represent the best fly rods they’ve ever built. Built using their Line Speed Taper design, these rods offer accurate short to mid-range accuracy and effortless extreme distance casting. They’ve also introduced a new grip design named the “Angled Key Grip” – designed to “guide the angler’s hand into the most efficient casting grip.” Rods are available in three to ten weight models to meet the demands of just about every fish species, fresh or salt.

They’re also offering a new fly reel, the GRANDE. Fully anodized, machined aluminum and saltwater ready, it incorporates their new sealed SUPER-TORQUE carbon drag system. The GRANDE has an oversized palming rim, increased backing capacity, and an easy to locate handle and drag knob, enabling the angler to make quick adjustments during the heat of the battle.

Patagonia Swiftcurrent Packable Waders

Patagonia’s new Swiftcurrent Packable Waders are their lightest and most packable waders yet – engineered with a waterproof/breathable fabric, single-seam construction for durability and a gusseted crotch for easy movement. If you are flying or backpacking to a fishing destination these waders are a must – they roll up into their own compact 8- x 13 -inch stuff sack and weigh just 36 ounces. There is no sacrifice to comfort or longevity, and like all Patagonia products are backed by a fantastic warranty and unsurpassed customer service.

Abu Garcia Revo MGXtreme Low-Profile Bait Casting Reel

Waving a rod and reel in the air all day can become a tiring proposition, so manufacturers strive to design and manufacture the lightest weight gear possible.

Pure Fishing’s Abu Garcia’s brand addresses this with its newly released Revo MGXtreme low-profile bait casting reel. This reel has set a standard in lightweight, compact design – weighing in at just 4.5 ounces. To accomplish this design goal Abu Garcia combined a new super lightweight spool concept with hybrid ceramic bearings, resulting in a reel with first class casting performance in a package that weighs almost nothing in the hand.

Hardy Fly Fishing Ultraclick Fly Reel

Hardy Fly Fishing is another Pure Fishing brand; their new Ultraclick fly reel follows the lightweight design philosophy. The new UCL series is the lightest Hardy has ever produced and is a particularly good match for today’s high technology lightweight rods. It also features their new enclosed line guard frame design for use with ultra-thin fly lines and leader-only systems, making these reels particularly useful whilst using the euro nymphing technique.

Swift Fly Fishing Epic Brand Fly Rods

New Zealand fly fishing is notoriously difficult. Fish are easily spooked by sloppy casting, so both the rod and the angler must be able to delicately deliver an accurate fly presentation. Based in New Zealand, Swift Fly Fishing’s Epic brand fly rods have developed a reputation for being up to the task. These exquisitely designed fly rods are custom built to your particular requirements. The first choice to make is whether to have a rod built on the silky smooth-casting FastGlass (special fiberglass) blank or the light and precise carbon graphite blank; one can also customize all other rod components and choose from a myriad of colors. If you’d like to ‘roll your own’, Swift will provide a complete kit so you can have the additional pride of building your own fly rod.

Simms Fishing G3 Guide Wading Pants

Whether backpacking, fly fishing or skiing – the clothing you wear can be either a torturous hindrance or a comforting advantage. What do you do when some  protection against the elements is needed but the heat can parboil you in your waders? On those days you would be wise to use Simms Fishing G3 Guide Wading Pants. These are breathable, durable, comfortable, and practical with a double snap closure and waterproof fly zipper; belt loops and a 2” stretch wading belt are included. One of the benefits of wearing wading pants vs. waders is the ease of movement – and the G3 pants with their patented front & back leg seams deliver articulated fit, improved mobility & increased durability. They wader-like neoprene stockingfeet  are treated with an anti-microbial agent.

Blue Halo Liger Fly Rods

Justifiably admired for their hi-tech, hi-performance fiberglass fly rods, Blue Halo designers aren’t blind to the advantageous of graphite as a material – but prefer the casting characteristics of their fiberglass designs. Blue Halo’s goal has always been ultimate performance rather than one material over another.

Enter their new Liger line of fly rods, a hybrid design utilizing both materials and getting the best of both worlds.

Fiberglass is in all four sections of the rod; the bottom three use a unique combination of fiberglass and the finest graphite material. The tip section, however, is all fiberglass – giving the most delicate presentation of the fly to the most discerning of fish. Ligers are available as factory-built rods or in a complete kit for your assembly.

Orvis Pro Line Waders and Wading Boots

For the Spring of 2021 Orvis is introducing their new Pro Line series of products.

Designed to meet the requirements of guides and hardcore anglers, every part of every product is rigorously tested in the field to fill the needs of demanding customers. A front-zip version of their PRO Waders incorporates an advanced waterproof zip system tested for more than 200 days. Constructed with 5 layers in the legs and 4 layers in the body, these waders offer best-in-class abrasion and puncture resistance. The new PRO Wading Boot has a BOA lacing system for easy on-and-off and great fit. Michelin provides the soles, resulting in maximum traction and durability. Ortholite provides the insole for the ultimate in support and comfort. The midsole is made of BLOOM’s RISE algae technology – a foam made from algae replaces the need for petroleum.

Walton MT6 Custom Fly Rod

Custom fly rod specialists Walton have just released their new top of the line designed MT6 model – an extraordinary performer at a reasonable price. Available only directly from Walton, each beautifully finished rod – built by hand and upon demand – features their proprietary high modulus XF blank, titanium stripping guide, the highest grade cork available, performance grade aluminum reel seat and a lifetime warranty.

Range Reels Avail Model

Range Reels Avail model has just gone into production and is available on a limited, presale basis. Pricing is surprisingly low considering their high-end features and materials of sealed carbon disc drag, CNC precision design and ultralight aluminum construction. These reels also sport a proprietary ‘”saddle spool” for smooth line flow and extra backing capacity.

Riverstick Wading Staff

Any fly fisherman worth his/her salt spends time wading in fast moving water, and even the most sure-footed will eventually take a bath without the basic requirement of a wading staff. Riverstick has refined, tested and designed the sturdiest and most durable staff on the market. The 6061 marine-grade aluminum machined inserts and heavy-walled tubing are designed to be easily self-maintainable; a hammer loop (included) has proven to be the perfect holster, making the staff easy to draw/reload with one hand. At 1 pound 10 ounces, it is solid and built to last. The standard length is 53 inches, but they can furnish custom lengths to suit at no extra charge. Just let Rick Humphrey (rhumphrey@telus.net) know what you need.

Filson Skagit Rain Jacket

In 1897, Filson opened C.C. Filson’s Pioneer Alaska Clothing and Blanket Manufacturers, specializing in goods to outfit the stampeders of the Klondike Gold Rush; it was for those rugged conditions that Filson designed his goods. Those stampeders depended on Filson; in that era, good gear wasn’t a matter of choice, but of survival.

Today Filson designs and manufactures clothing and fishing gear to that same high standard; their classic Tin Cloth Fishing Pack is an example. Working with fly-fishing guides they developed a hip pack constructed from 14-ounce, 100-percent cotton oil finish – damn near indestructible. A fold-out work surface to hold and repair flies; internal pockets for tools and essentials; external side pockets perfect for bottles of water or sunglasses; quick-drying nylon straps at the waist and neck for multiple carrying options maximizes utility.

Their handsome Skagit Rain Jacket, optimized for fishing in very wet conditions, sets a standard. Made with their proprietary waterproof and breathable 3-layer Rain Cloth, it is fully seam-sealed for maximum water protection. Features include a water-resistant YKK AquaGuard zipper; neoprene cuffs: loops for attaching gear; high and low hand pockets and fly box-sized pockets; drawcord-adjustable hem and structured hood.

Abel Custom Reels

Abel reels has enlisted the services of artist Casey Underwood to create their latest series of custom-finished reels. Each of these original designs was created to correspond with a specific model in the Abel lineup. Reels are individually laser engraved, and put through a proprietary polishing/texturizing process; the pictured Super series reel has the “Moondance” finish. The record-owning Super Series reels, made in the U.S.A., are available in models from 4/5 to 12 weight.

Airflo PVC-Free Fly Lines

The majority of fly lines are made from PVC, a materials that requires plasticizers to make them functional. The problem is that PVC immediately begins to break down, leaching those plasticizers into the environment and contaminating everything it reaches. The lines crack and as they decompose, lethal toxins such as Dioxin are released.

Airflo has proudly announced that their fly lines never use PVC, and thus require no plasticizers with their problematic results. These polyurethane-based lines are also more resistant to cracking and have a longer life. Airflo Superflo tapers are available in a variety of configurations to match virtually any demand.