Flylords Gear of the Year Awards

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November 7, 2025

Every year, new gear hits the fly fishing scene. Ranging from new flagship rods and reels to wading essentials like boots and waders, these products garner plenty of attention from gear-savvy anglers. But what gear is worth adding to your collection? To find the answer, we tested new products across categories to find the best new gear of 2025. Here are our picks for the first annual Flylords Gear of the Year.

How We Made Our Picks

The objective of this test was to find the best gear in each of the 18 gear categories we selected. These include trout fly rods, saltwater fly rods, fly reels, waders, and accessories, to name a few. Once we had our list of dedicated product categories, we sorted gear into the categories and began our testing. To qualify for a category, a product had to be released in 2025.

All products featured on Flylords are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Each winning product had to meet one requirement—it had to be the best piece of gear for that category. A rod could be a middle-priced rod, and cast better than premium rods nearly double the price—if that were the case, the more affordable rod wins the category. In other words, the products we chose to win each category were the best of the best, regardless of price, warranty, and other factors. Our list is as unbiased as possible, with performance taking precedence over everything else.

Flylords Year in Gear Awards

Best in Class Trout Fly Rod: Orvis Superfine Graphite

Trout Fly Rod

Orvis Superfine Graphite

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Orvis rods have almost become boring because of how effective they are. That’s not the case with the new Superfine Graphite series. These rods are modern updates of classic Orvis graphite rods of yesteryear. If you fished and loved the Far & Fine, Ultrafine, or Seven/Eleven, these rods are back and built with the company’s award-winning Helios construction techniques.

That means you get a rod with a perfect medium action that bends deep into the cork while still throwing laser-accurate loops. The Seven/Eleven 4-weight, in particular, shines as the go-to rod for technical dry fly fishing on spring creeks and tailwaters.

The Superfine Graphite rods are lightweight, with minimal branding and cork reel seats. They look and feel like a modern take on vintage rods, which is exactly what they are. Best of all, though, is how they effortlessly blend the best of old-school fly rods with modern design and materials. They’re made in the USA, retail for $598, and are the best dry-fly focused rods on the market right now. –Spencer Durrant

Best in Class Freshwater Fly Rod: St. Croix Tannic Pike & Musky

Freshwater Fly Rod

St. Croix Tannic Pike & Musky

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Freshwater fly rods are a wide-ranging category, spanning from bass, carp, muskie, and every other freshwater species you can target on the fly. For that reason, we created its own category, differentiating it from trout-specific rods to warm-water sticks and other species that anglers regularly target.

This year’s rod offerings saw several new models that could have taken home the award, but one specifically designed for toothy critters out-fished the rest. We first saw the newly released St. Croix Tannic Pike & Musky at ICAST, and instantly thought this would be a solid contender. After fishing it hard in the Midwest for muskies, we made our decision that this was the clear winner.

The rod is available in three different 9-foot models, each with corresponding rod weights of 10, 11, and 12, to cover a wide range of fisheries and waterbodies. The 11 and 12-weight models come with an extended front grip and a 4″ fighting butt. For musky fishing, this enables anglers to cast easily with a two-hand overhead cast and figure eight boatside. Perhaps our favorite feature is the cactus cork grip—a mix of two different cork types—this creates texture that gives you a firm grip even when wet. –Max Inchausti

Best in Class Freshwater Fly Reel: Redington Ace

Freshwater Fly Reel

Redington Ace

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When Redington quietly retired their long-standing Rise reel, many anglers wondered what could possibly take its place. Enter the Redington Ace Fly Reel, a completely reimagined design built for anglers who want lightweight performance without compromising strength, style, or their wallet.

The Ace takes everything anglers loved about the Rise and elevates it. With a fully machined aluminum frame, a modern ported design, and a refined carbon fiber drag system, the Ace delivers smooth, consistent stopping power in a sleek, minimalist package. It’s lighter and more balanced than its predecessor, yet tough enough to handle everything from backcountry trout to aggressive smallmouth and even light salt applications. Available in multiple sizes (3-10wt) and colorways, the Ace is Redington’s statement that affordable reels can still look and fish like premium gear. –Tripp Nazziola

Best in Class Saltwater Fly Rod: TFO Moment

Saltwater Fly Rod

TFO Moment

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This year, we didn’t see many new saltwater fly rods hit the market. The ones that did, however, proved to be great value rods, with performance to boot. Of the rods we tested, the one clear winner was TFO’s newest saltwater rod, the Moment.

The Moment is TFO’s extra-fast saltwater fly rod. It comes in weights ranging from 6- to 12-weight, covering practically every inshore saltwater species you can think of. The rod we fished the most was a 9-foot, 7-weight, which proved to be an excellent choice for targeting shallow-water redfish and bonefish. The ultra-fast blank punches heavy flies through the wind and delivers them with surprising accuracy. Every rod also comes with corrosion-resistant components, a must-have for saltwater rods, and a lifetime warranty. –MI

Best in Class Saltwater Fly Reel: Bauer SLT

Saltwater Fly Reel

Bauer SLT

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Saltwater fly reels face a tall challenge—they must handle powerful fish, withstand the elements, and perform consistently without failure. This year, Bauer, a sister company of Winston, released the SLT. This reel comes in three sizes, designed to cover nearly any saltwater species you’re likely to encounter. The 7/8/9 will cover small inshore species like bonefish, redfish, striped bass, and more. For larger inshore species, opt for the 9/10/11, and for the biggest saltwater species and pelagics, choose the 11/12+.

Each reel comes with a fully sealed carbon disc drag, a must for any saltwater reel. In addition, the drag is linear with every click. In other words, anglers can consistently adjust their drag without worrying about free spooling or overtightening, minimizing the chances of breaking off a fish. All three models come in around $1000, which is by no means budget-friendly. That said, you get reliability, a smooth drag system, and a reel built to last. –MI

Best in Class Freshwater Fly Line: RIO Elite Gold XP

Freshwater Fly Line

RIO Elite Gold XP

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RIO’s lineup of GOLD lines is designed for multi-purpose use across various applications. These are the lines purpose-built for anglers who start out with nymphs in the morning, move to a dry-dropper in the afternoon, and finish the day fishing spent-wings during the spinner fall.

The Elite GOLD XP line is the multi-purpose workhorse of the family, built a half-size heavy to load faster-action fly rods, or handle larger rigs. Whether you need to tie on a hopper-dropper rig and work long seams, or you’re tossing small dries on long leaders, the Elite GOLD XP’s 40-foot, half-size heavy head has the weight to push through wind, but still present flies with realistic delicacy.

These lines also feature longer rear tapers to aid in mending and line control while still in the air, giving you more flexibility with how you put flies in front of fish. –SD

Best in Class Saltwater Fly Line: Scientific Anglers Sonar Striper

Saltwater Fly Line

Scientific Anglers Sonar Striper

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Scientific Anglers has been developing exceptional lines for years, like the Magnitude clear tip fly lines released last year. This year, SA released its new Sonar Striper line, catering to coldwater anglers. This intermediate line has a short, aggressive tapered head, which makes turning flies over in the surf and wind quick work.

The Sonar Striper features a 1.5 IPS sink rate, which is versatile for inshore and shore-based striped bass anglers. In addition, the line features SA’s AST Plus Additive. This coating creates a slick shooting line that also enhances durability. The end result is a dedicated striper line that works for years to come. –MI

Best in Class Nets and Tools: Rising Lunker Net

Nets and Tools

Rising Lunker Net

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Built for big fish and bigger water, the Rising Lunker Net is the workhorse of Rising’s new lineup. Made in Utah and built from anodized aluminum, it’s tough enough for guides and weekend warriors alike. The extended handle gives you extra reach when netting fish from a drift boat or deep run, while still feeling balanced and light in hand.

Like every Rising net, the Lunker can be customized with a range of anodized color options, from classic gunmetal to bright oranges, blues, and greens, so you can make it your own. Pair that with a replaceable rubber bag and bombproof construction, and it’s easy to see why the Lunker is quickly becoming the go-to net for anglers who chase big fish in serious water. –TN

Best in Class Waders: Patagonia Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip Front

Waders

Patagonia Swiftcurrent Traverse Zip Fronts

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At $550, it’s hard to find a better value wader on the market than the Patagonia Swiftcurrent Traverse Zip Fronts. These things have all the bells and whistles of a $1,000 wader, at almost half the price.

For starters, thanks to Patagonia’s extensive sizing system, it’s a piece of cake to dial in your fit, ensuring your waders last longer and feel better while on the water. Patagonia also paid attention to how well these waders move with you, whether that’s while you’re rowing a drift, scrambling over boulders, or hiking to the next spot on the river. These waders are arguably the most comfortable on the market, and they even feature a convertible option if the day gets too warm.

The exterior chest pocket orientation isn’t for everyone, but it’s the only knock you can make against these waders. They’re durable, extremely comfortable, and reasonably priced. You can’t ask for much more than that. –SD

Best in Class Saltwater Wading: Simms Flats Sneaker

Saltwater Wading

Simms Flats Sneaker

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The original Simms Flats Sneaker achieved legendary status amongst flats anglers around the world. I still know anglers who are holding on to their boots for dear life, patching and mending them in any way possible. It was comfortable, durable, and capable of sneaking up on even the wariest fish. When Simms released the newest iteration of this boot, we knew it was up against a tall ask.

The new Flats Sneaker builds upon what the old boot excelled at, enhancing it with modern technology. The inside of the boot features a neoprene lining, allowing wearers to fish in comfort all day. You can fish barefoot in these boots, but we prefer a pair of wool socks and gravel guards to keep sand out. The sole is non-marking and is made of a gummy rubber material that aids in traction on and off the boat. In the saltwater wading boot category, there is no more comfortable and versatile option than the Simms Flats Sneaker. –MI

Best in Class Wading Boots: Skwala RS Boot

Wading Boots

Skwala RS Boot

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Skwala has a reputation for overbuilding and over-engineering their gear. That’s not a bad thing, but it means that when you see their RS wading boots for sale, you have to understand that these aren’t just another boot.

Skwala took the time to reimagine boot design from the ground up. Gone are the stiff midsoles and flat insoles, replaced with flexible materials molded to the shape of your feet. You gain more feel and feedback from your feet in these boots, enabling you to react more quickly to the ever-changing conditions of the riverbed.

The RS boots are built for the extremes of this sport: wading rocky steelhead rivers miles from the truck, stomping across boulder fields in the high country, and standing firm in swift current. In each aspect, they deliver, and they’re among the most comfortable wading boots on the market.

Skwala retails these for just over $300, which is a far cry from some boots on the market. But above all, the durability and comfort of the RS make it stand head and shoulders above the rest of the competition. –SD

Best in Class Outerwear: Simms Midstream Jacket

Outerwear

Simms Midstream Jacket

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Simms’ newest performance jacket may look like a piece of modern technical fishing apparel, but underneath it relies on a timeless classic, wool. The Midstream Hooded Jacket allows anglers to get the benefits of wool, keeping them warm even when wet, with the fit and feel of a modern fishing jacket. The outer liner consists of a nylon blend that is water-resistant and durable, while the inner jacket is made from Lavalan Sport wool insulation.

In addition, the Midstream has an adjustable hood, inner gear pockets, and YKK zippers—all features common in performance fishing outerwear. Simms’ blending of classic materials with modern fit and function earned this jacket its place as the best outerwear of 2025. –MI

Best in Class Technical Apparel: Free Fly Topogrid Pants

Technical Apparel

Free Fly Topogrid Pants

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Technical apparel is a wide-ranging category encompassing pants, shirts, and other clothing that anglers depend on. It’s the category with the largest number of products to test and one that truly needed to excel above the rest to win. After a year on the water, we can confidently say the Free Fly Topogrid Pant is that product.

Free Fly launched the Topogrid Pant earlier this spring, and it instantly became our go-to pant. They have an athletic but relaxed fit, allowing free movement whether jumping over logs on the river or scrambling down from the poling platform. These pants feature nylon ripstop materials, which aid in making this one of the most durable technical fishing pants we’ve worn. They are also water-resistant and quick-drying if they get soaked through. Free Fly really thought of everything with this pant, even down to the upwards-facing pockets which ensure your belongings stay put. –MI

Best in Class Rain Gear: Skwala RS Outpost Jacket

Rain Gear

Skwala RS Outpost Jacket

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If you want to never get cold or wet again, the Outpost is the must-have jacket. Alright, you might still get a bit chilly, but the Outpost makes it hard to imagine how that could happen. It’s stuffed to the brim with 150 grams of their 3DeFX+ spiral insulation, which moves and flexes with you better than Primaloft. It’s the same insulation used in their award-winning Fusion 3/2 Puffy jacket.

On top of that, the Outpost features a moisture-wicking liner so you don’t get too sweaty, and it’s all wrapped in a fully waterproof shell that isn’t just a stiff piece of cardboard. It’s flexible and soft, moving with you as you cast, hike, and land fish. It also boasts pass-through pockets to access your RS Waders without removing the jacket, yet another indicator of just how over-engineered every Skwala product is.

The Outpost isn’t cheap, but it’s leaps and bounds better than any other raincoat on the market. If you’re consistently chasing fish in awful conditions, it’s hard to find a single layer that packs as much functionality as the Outpost. -SD

Best in Class Fly Fishing Pack: Fishpond Stormshadow Lumbar Pack

Fly Fishing Pack

Fishpond Stormshadow Lumbar Pack

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In the world of fishing packs, Fishpond has built a reputation for making reliable and functional products. This year, Fishpond released the Stormshadow series, which includes several packs. While the race for the best pack was tight, the Stormshadow Lumbar Pack edged out the competition for our favorite gear this season.

The Stormshadow Lumbar Pack features a waterproof outer, enabling anglers to fish and wade in confidence. That fancy camera you have, your phone, and wallet—all that and more can comfortably fit in this pack while staying dry. The pack also features a net holder, several pockets, and water bottle pouches to keep you prepared for a long day of fishing. If you’re worried this may be too heavy, Fishpond even included a shoulder strap to lessen the overall weight. –MI

Best in Class Fly Fishing Accessory: Cling Mag Grab Rod Rack

Fly Fishing Accessory

Cling Mag Grab Rod Rack

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The crew over at Cling Fishing came up with one of the best fly fishing accessories we’ve seen this year, the Mag Grab Rod Rack. It’s a simple two-part magnetic system that keeps your fly rod secure when you need both hands free, whether you’re swapping flies, releasing a fish, or just grabbing a snack on the bank.

The base plate straps to the butt of your rod with a sturdy rubber clasp, while the top magnet clips onto your vest, pack, or waders. Bring them close and click, your rod’s locked in place. It also has a built-in fly threading groove that holds even tiny flies steady, plus an eye-cleaning needle, hook keeper, and lanyard. It’s one of those pieces of gear you don’t realize you need until you use it once, and then you’ll never fish without it. –TN

Best in Class Boats: NRS Approach 138

Boats

NRS Approach 138

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For many, a drift boat is the ultimate tool to escape and explore new waters. Of the many types of drift boats, inflatable rafts are the most versatile and affordable. This year, NRS released the Approach 138 Raft. This three-man boat is easy to set up, can be launched just about anywhere, and has all the features anglers come to expect from a premium boat.

Some of our favorite features solidifying this raft as the best boat of the year are the sturdy self-draining floor, easy-to-operate anchor system, and the comfortable thigh hooks. If you’re looking for a way to access more water, we highly recommend you consider the NRS Approach 138. -MI

What’s Wrong with Colorado’s Blue River: An Opinion Piece

By

Ben McCormick

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November 6, 2025

The Blue River below Green Mountain is a sanctuary that is heavily used by the public for wade fishing, float fishing, and rafting. It is both a naturally productive and horrifically mismanaged trout fishery. I am not a scientist, and these are my observations as a fly shop owner, fishing guide, and property owner in Blue Valley Acres. Pellet feeding, excessive fish stocking, and river alterations are the largest problems we face on the lower Blue River. It is time we start talking about these issues more thoughtfully and publicly.

The Lower Blue River

When launching below Green Mountain Reservoir, floaters enjoy a beautiful canyon with great bug life, eager fish, and minimal signs of human interference. The first 3 miles are some of the best fishing in the state. Then there is the water from Spring Creek Bridge to the Colorado River confluence that we anglers call Jurassic Park—this is where the river begins to change. There are a few signs of bug life or naturally feeding fish here. Cross-veined weirs, manmade side channels, and human alterations seem to be around every corner. The entire river landscape changes from natural to manufactured, and stocked trout approaching 20 lbs lurk below.

Feeding Fish

Blue Valley Ranch releases large quantities of pellets to keep its enormous trout alive. Colorado has statutes that outlaw feeding big game. The reason is twofold. Biologically, feeding big game unnaturally congregates animals, which can foster disease transmission. Ethically, as any hunter will tell you, it is wrong to attract big game with food in order to kill it.

Giant stocked and fed fish are causing a number of issues for wild trout on the river.

Furthermore, there is a CPW regulation against fish chumming, which means you can’t throw food in the water to attract fish and catch them. The reasons for the chumming regulation are similar to those for the prohibition on feeding big game. So, why isn’t there a statute outlawing the feeding of fish?

Disease Transmission Disasters

In terms of disease transmission, the sad reality is that scientists don’t know what the next fish disease crisis will be. Whirling disease is commonly believed to be a hatchery-created problem. The aquaculture industry proceeded to stock fish with whirling disease before it was recognized as an issue. A decade later, we realized there were no naturally reproducing rainbow trout. There are many more examples in aquaculture history, and gill lice are the next one that comes to mind. The fed rainbow trout on the Blue River are heavily infested with gill lice parasites, as are the kokanee salmon coming out of Green Mountain Reservoir. Landowners practice heavy fish stocking and pellet feeding in both of these stretches. This congregates fish unnaturally. It is logical to believe that artificially and systematically feeding fish in confined stretches of river is causing gill lice transmission.

Altering the Blue River’s Hydrology for Giant Trout

Dave Rosgen, often considered the pioneer of river hydrology, has been hired by the ranch to redesign the river over the years. His alterations include cross-vein boulder designs (weirs) as well as other features. The ranch submits a permit request for these projects to the Army Corps of Engineers, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife is consulted for comment. CPW has stated these projects appear to be heavily biased toward addressing large trout holding water while minimizing the creation of habitat for all life stages of trout that a healthy river needs. In summary, the ranch has transformed what may have once been productive riffles that provided invertebrate habitat and spawning grounds into aquarium-like pools for giant trout. The Army Corps has not addressed these concerns and approved the permits with little to no comment.

Weirs like the one above turn prime spawning habitat into giant trout holding pools.

The giant stocked and fed fish, as well as the social media attraction that creates unwanted angling pressure, are not in discussion. The fish are dying after a fight because they are obese, unnatural, and should not be in the river. We just had a customer come into the shop who volunteers for the ranch hatchery. He claims the ranch is developing a new strain of rainbow that will grow 13 inches a year. He was told we may have 40-45-inch trout in 2-3 years. Imagine what a 45-inch fish could do to the wild fish population. Have we considered the impact of these fish on wild species in general? Do you ever wonder where all the big brown trout went?

The Future of the Blue River

We can create change that will help restore the Blue River Watershed. The most logical step is to amend our regulations and responsibilities around artificial fish feeding, along with reconsidering how and who we allow to stock our natural rivers with unnatural fish. We need to come together and work towards restoring the Blue River to its wild fishery state. That 14-inch brown you caught in the canyon on a dry fly is real and worth protecting. Please join me in demanding that the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission outlaw the feeding of free-flowing rivers of the state and regulate what domesticated fish are stocked into public waterways. Join us in our fight to restore the Blue River by joining the petition here.

The End of Catch-And-Release?

By

Spencer Durrant

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November 5, 2025

Catch-and-release is often touted as the surefire method for ensuring we have fish to catch next season (or even next month). Rivers with catch-and-release regulations often have some level of natural reproduction, as well, sustaining the populations of trout us anglers love to catch.

The problem, according to Christine Peterson, is that catch-and-release is rarely practiced perfectly. When best practices aren’t followed, the end result is a lot of trout that aren’t in great shape.

In a wide-ranging story published last week, Peterson explores the problems facing fisheries managers and anglers as we learn more and more about the impacts of catch-and-release fishing in some of the country’s most popular rivers. The North Platte in Wyoming has been in the news a lot lately, with recent regulation changes to require barbless hooks and banning the practice of fishing with pegged beads.

That’s because a recent study by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD) found that 25% of trout in the North Platte have some sort of hooking injury, whether that’s a broken jaw, deformed lip, or lost eye. Those hooking injuries caused a quarter of trout with them to die, according to Peterson.

In fact, those fatalities from catch-and-release fishing would, if things don’t turn around on the North Platte, require that WGFD start stocking the river again to support the trout fishery.

Peterson and those she interviewed for her story say that one way to push back against catch-and-release fatality is allowing for some sort of harvest, especially for fish that aren’t likely to survive because they swallowed a fly too deeply. The problem, of course, is that on a fishery like the Madison, allowing harvest would cause fish stocks to dwindle, since it doesn’t receive planted fish. In fisheries where wild trout reproduction is prioritized, the balancing act of catch-and-release seems precarious as pressure on fisheries mounts.

That means more regulations to protect trout—like those passed this year for the Miracle Mile and Gray Reef sections of the North Platte in Wyoming—are needed, which isn’t exactly the greatest thing to bring up in most of the West.

It’s worth reading through Peterson’s piece in its entirety because some interesting points are made about the viability of catch-and-release fishing in its current state. You can read her story here.

Libby, Montana: A Fly Fisher’s Escape from the Ordinary

By

Tripp Nazziola

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November 5, 2025

For many anglers, the idea of a perfect day on the water feels more like a daydream than something you can actually plan. But in the remote town of Libby, Montana, I found it. It started with drifting through some of the most stunning scenery I’ve ever laid eyes on, and casting to wild fish without another soul in sight. My guide rowed the drift boat with quiet confidence, the kind that only comes from decades on the oars. Later that evening, the same hands that pushed us downriver strummed a banjo with unmistakable passion. The day ended the way all great fishing days should: with a plate of locally sourced beef and the kind of conversation that only happens after a long day outside.

I came to Libby for four days to experience what locals call one of Montana’s most overlooked fisheries. A place where big water, wild fish, and a tight-knit community intersect.

Libby’s Character and Landscape

Libby, Montana, sits tucked into the northwestern corner of the state, far removed from the crowds that pack Montana’s better-known rivers. It’s home to the legendary Kootenai River. A cold, clear ribbon of water framed by endless pines, rugged peaks, and a kind of quiet that’s hard to find these days. The Kootenai River actually starts up in the British Columbia area, then flows from Lake Koocanusa via the Libby Dam. The river then winds through the Northwest corner of Montana, enters northern Idaho, and returns north into Canada, finally reaching its destination of Kootenay Lake.

The town of Libby has a quiet, unhurried charm that feels like stepping back in time. October mornings arrive crisp and cool, with low-hanging fog that burns off by mid-morning to reveal Montana’s signature big blue sky. Higher up, larches begin to glow golden, and the first snow often dusts the surrounding peaks. Here, wildlife far outnumbers the town’s 3,000 residents. Bighorn sheep, mule deer, and bald eagles are everyday sights, adding to the wild beauty of this remote corner of the state.

The Fishing Experience

Most people chasing big Montana trout dream of the Madison or the Yellowstone—rivers packed with drift boats, trophy photos, and trout that have seen every fly ever tied. The Kootenai is the polar opposite of that. And that’s exactly why it’s special.

This river is home to native Columbian Redband trout, Westslope Cutthroat, Bull Trout (which cannot be legally targeted), Kokanee Salmon, and even White Sturgeon. You’ll notice I didn’t mention brown trout; that’s because they were never stocked here. They do show up below Kootenai Falls from time to time, but my guide told me the odds of hooking one are roughly 1 in 300. At the end of the day, it is a native fishery, and it fishes like one.

Fish here don’t grow to Instagram fame overnight. The average Kootenai trout is under 16 inches. I learned from our local guide that a 12-inch fish might be three or even four years old. This isn’t the nutrient-rich Missouri, and that’s okay. This river is for anglers who value the take, the fight, and the wildness of it all over numbers on a tape measure. Redbands here fight like their lives depend on it, and it seems like half their battle happens in the air. Cutthroat are eager, too, and it’s not uncommon to have them rise on a well-drifted dry fly. But make no mistake, this isn’t a DIY river. Hiring a local guide like the crew at Kootenai Angler can turn a good day into a great one.

After my trip, I sat down with Mike Hensler, Fisheries Manager at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, to learn more about the Kootenai’s hometown trout, the Redband. Mike walked me through their unique history and biology, explaining what sets them apart from the standard rainbow trout. For most anglers, telling the two apart can be tricky, but as Redbands mature, their defining features start to stand out: a lean, red-striped body, a thick, powerful tail, and that almost steelhead-like build.

While many Redbands in the Kootenai have mixed genetics, purer strains still thrive in the smaller tributaries, where they show off deeper green tones and vibrant red markings. Mike also mentioned that the department is working to restore a stronger native presence, increasing the number of true Redbands stocked in the area. Right now, they make up only about 20% of the mix, with coastal rainbows still dominating the hatchery releases, but that balance may soon start to shift.

The People and Culture

Libby is the kind of town where everyone seems to know everyone. I realized this pretty quickly as my guide garnered about 20 honks from passing cars in the course of our full-day float trip. To be fair, this guide was not just any regular guide; it was Dave Blackburn.

Dave made his way out west in the late 70s, where he took a seasonal USFS job in the Bighorn Mountains in Central Wyoming. Dave said, “Well, one thing led to another, and I found myself drawn to the west and its big open spaces along with its great trout rivers”. He would continue to go on to open his own fly shop, restaurant, build several rental cabins, and has now been guiding for 40 years. Dave was one of the very first to guide on the Kootenai River, which is what has allowed him the rarity of acquiring a permit to guide this river. His skills do not stop at rowing a drift boat, but can often be seen displayed while playing his banjo at the River’s Bend restaurant after his guide trips.

Dave’s personal banjo, customized by Jeff Currier

I would describe the people in Libby as part storyteller, part steward, and part comedian. They know every seam, back eddy, and side channel like they’ve raised them. But what struck me wasn’t just how much they knew, it was how much they cared. They love this fishery, and they’re determined to keep it wild.

Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore

I stayed at the riverside cabins at Kootenai Angler, and if I could, I’d wake up and walk out on that porch every morning for the rest of my life. The cabins, built from locally sourced lumber, have a kind of quiet craftsmanship you don’t see much anymore. I met one of Dave’s longtime friends who helped build them, and the passion and knowledge he helped put into these cabins are simply incredible. Side note, he can also play the guitar just as well as he can chink a cabin.

Waking up in the morning to stepping on the porch to take in the scenery of the Kootenai was absolutely breathtaking. This made access to the water for a morning or late afternoon fishing session quite easy. The cabins at the Kootenai River are also a very short walking distance from the River Bend Restaurant and Saloon.

The River Bend is not just a restaurant but a community hub of Libby, and is actually run by Dave’s wife, Tammy. The food here is the perfect ending to any day on the water, and I can highly recommend getting the burgers. Exploring more of Libby will lead you to other great restaurants, such as the Blackboard Bistro, which features more upscale cuisine. I opted for the Filet Mignon and did not regret that decision one bit.

The Black Board Bistro in Libby, Montana

Beyond fishing, Libby offers no shortage of outdoor adventure. Kootenai Falls is the state’s largest undammed waterfall, accessible via a short hiking trail. If you are feeling bold and want to have a better view of the falls, venture onto the swinging bridge that takes you over the Kootenai River. This set of falls along the Kootenai is actually quite popular and has even made its way to the big screen in films like The River Wild and The Revenant.

Conservation & Local Ethos

Conservation runs deep here. Dave spent a good chunk of our trip talking not just about fish, but about the fights that shaped the Kootenai. When Libby Dam was built in 1975, locals split into two camps: “pave the Kootenai” or “save the Kootenai.” Dave sided with the river and paid the price; someone actually dumped sand in the crankcase of his old Ford truck for it.

Libby Dam, the beginning of the Kootenai River

The fight for the Kootenai River is far from over. Today, locals continue to push for smarter flow management and long-term solutions to combat persistent algae blooms. Both Dave Blackburn and Mike Hensley spoke about the ongoing struggle against Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata), a stubborn invasive algae that has made its mark on the river.

Didymo, often called “rock snot”, blankets stretches of riverbed, clinging to everything in its path and tangling itself in flies and lures alike. Beyond the annoyance to anglers, it disrupts the river’s delicate ecosystem, choking out the aquatic insects that trout depend on. According to Mike, the most promising solution lies in reintroducing phosphorus that’s currently trapped behind Libby Dam. Restoring these natural nutrients could help rebalance the river and slow the relentless spread of Didymo.

I would say that the local ethos here in Libby is of grit, community, and pride. The people of Libby are clearly hard workers. Many local workers do not work just one job, but rather two or three. Libby is truly the epitome of what a small-town community can be. Residents are helpful, friendly, and very tight-knit. Everyone here looks out for their own. The focus on community over crowds is something that has built up this rural area in Northwest Montana.

The final piece of Libby’s ethos is pride. Pride in the fact that their descendants were the ones who built up this town. Pride in the fact that their rivers are not filled with drift boats. And pride in the fact that there is nowhere they would rather live. I spoke with an employee at the Rivers Bend who is a fifth-generation resident of Libby. She told me that she had briefly left Montana as a teenager to see Texas, but ended up returning to her roots, which were so deeply established in Libby.

Final Thoughts

I wouldn’t call Libby a “hidden gem” because not every gem is meant for everyone. This isn’t a place for the angler chasing a 30-inch brown or a riverside spa. It’s a place for those who value wildness over hype, community over crowds, and honesty over polish. Libby, Montana, is a place where you can go to appreciate those who paved the path here. A path that still feels wild, thoughtfully designed, and deeply ingrained with nature.

After the Flames: How Wildfires Reshape Western Fisheries

Fish Houses: Paul Dixon

Why Every Angler Should Float the Gunnison Gorge

By

Max Inchausti

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November 4, 2025

This past summer we floated the Gunnison Gorge, a famed stretch of the Gunnison River in Western Colorado. The river winds through steep canyon walls, best accessible by boat and full of trout. For this trip there is no team better than the crew at RIGS Fly Shop. They’ve built their operation on offering premium multi-day wilderness trips. After fishing and floating the river we knew this trip was something special. We partnered with RIGS to offer a trip down the Gunnison Gorge and an exclusive gear package for one lucky reader. Follow along as the team from RIGS takes us through this incredible fishery.

Flylords: What makes the Gunnison Gorge such a special fishery in your eyes?

RIGS: The Gunnison Gorge is a deep canyon guarded by countless miles of inaccessible wilderness seldom visited by anglers. This allows for wild reproduction of hard-fighting trout, not to mention the deep biodiversity of the canyon, plentiful hatches and terrestrial life, reliable flows, and cool water temps. In other words its a trout fishermans paradise.

Flylords: What’s the story behind how RIGS started guiding in the Gunnison Gorge?

RIGS: We had the perfect location in Ridgway, prior fly-fishing guiding experience, and technical whitewater experience (imperative) to train staff and cultivate new ideas for offering the best trip possible. When the opportunity to purchase an outfitter arose, we were well-positioned for the journey. I had already cut my teeth 10 years before starting RIGS as a guide, with experience outfitting multi-day wilderness trips and a degree in recreation management, so when the opportunity came up, it was a logical progression and a calculated risk.

Flylords: What sets RIGS’ approach apart from other guide services running this section?

RIGS: Our approach is based on a foundation of sound guide training, a high-quality guest experience focused on maximizing fishing time on the water, and old-school customer service. This fly fishing “trip of a lifetime” is deserving of the title, and while we can’t always control conditions, we strive to craft a well-tuned wilderness adventure.

Flylords: What kind of prep goes into making the experience seamless for your guests?

RIGS: At RIGS we never cut corners. We are constantly reinvesting in redundancies for our program to ensure safety and a smooth flow. Due to the remote wilderness nature and technical whitewater on this section, it’s essential to create systems we can rely on and constantly strive to improve and build upon the experience year to year. It’s an incredible amount of work and logistics to pull off a trip of this nature, and to have it noticed by our guests and exceed their expectations is a true honor.

Flylords: What are some of the most common reactions guests have after their first float?

RIGS: Our guest consistently have their expectications blown away. Visiting a world-class gold medal trout fishery is one thing, but having it situated in such a dramatically beautiful and remote setting, while getting spoiled with fantastic meals and creature comforts, forces guests to reflect on the rapture of pristine beauty and the silence of this pristine canyon.

Flylords: Any favorite flies you’re willing to share that work well in the Gorge?

RIGS: All top secret, of course, and requires a visit to our fly shop to show off the curated selection of just the right fly patterns to make your Gunnison Gorge visit a success! But seriously folks—don’t miss the opportunity (too many great flies to speak of!)

Flyords: How would you describe the Gorge to someone who’s never been there?

RIGS: Awe-inspiring—like a warm blanket you want to cuddle into and never leave! Although it is rugged and unforgiving in nature, traveling the river by raft through the serene pool drop bends feels like a new adventure, and angling and exploration await around every corner. If you stare at your fly the whole time and never look up to take it all in, you’re truly missing the magic of this world-class destination.

Flylords: RIGS has been involved in conservation efforts with Trout Unlimited. Can you share more about that?

RIGS: Supporting a collective voice like Trout Unlimited (TU) to speak out for the protection and enhancement of trout fisheries at a higher level is an essential responsibility of all fly anglers. Conservation, protection, and enhancement in our region come in many forms, and over the last 25 years, RIGS has supported Trout Unlimited and other like-minded conservation groups in countless ways (F3T host, giveaways, donations, local fundraisers, etc.). However, we rely most on TU to be an advocate for the preservation of local resources and to fight the good fight as a powerful, collective voice at the legislative level.

Fllyords: What does responsible guiding mean to RIGS, and how do you teach that to your team?

RIGS: We hold this one dear, and it is something we take very personally in our training and the character we look for in what makes a good guide great. Stewardship of these resources we are so fortunate enough to be a part of is our primary duty as a team, and responsible guiding is at the forefront of that. We want our guests to walk away from an experience less wrapped up in how many/how big a fish they caught, and more of a sense of what is so special about time on the water and the quality of what they learned.

Flylords: What excites you most about teaming up for this Gunny Gorge Giveaway?

RIGS: We want to provide an opportunity for folks to experience this fantastic location as an early kick-off in celebration of RIGS’ 25th Anniversary in 2026. Fly anglers are a small community, and partnering with solid brands to share the stoke of fly fishing is a great way for us to come together to celebrate our collective passion for the sport through the eyes of some lucky winners! The Gunny Gorge Giveway is just the beginning of our celebration of 25 Years in business and sharing memories through the lens of fly fishing! Join our mailing list to get involved with more giveaway opportunities in celebration!

Enter the Gunny Gorge Giveaway for your chance to expereince this gold medal trout water and win an exclusive prize package.

Reel of the Week: Catching the Same Fish Twice

By

Tripp Nazziola

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November 4, 2025

A note from Joab (@joablogan):

View this post on Instagram

“Pretty standard bluefish hook up except when it snapped off with my lucky fly in its mouth, it was game on! He may of broke my ankles a few times but had to rally with the lockdown defense to retrieve it!”

Reel of the Week from Joab, be sure to check out his Instagram HERE!

Fishing Tips: The Best Way to Get Your Nymphs to the Right Depth

Reel of the Week: Tying The World’s Creepiest Fly

Fishing Tips: The Best Way to Get Your Nymphs to the Right Depth

By

Andrew Braker

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November 3, 2025

Getting your flies to the right depth is one of the most important factors to consider when nymphing. Check out this video from Ventures Fly Co. for the best way to get your nymphs to the right depth.

Continue

Angler Story of the Week: Shark or Trout?

By

Tripp Nazziola

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November 3, 2025

A Note from Randal Seaton (@randalseaton):

View this post on Instagram

“This high cascade lake is prone to a thick vinyl hatch in the summer months but when the temps start to swing and the paddlers quit paddling, we throw streamers. No matter how many fish decide to eat in a day, you always get the anxiety ridden moments waiting for that mouth to open and all that flashy flash to disappear. Not the case on this giant rainbow…”

Angler Story of the Week from Randal Seaton be sure to check out his Instagram HERE!

How to Tie: Euro-Style Rainbow Warrior

The Drift: Halloween Dry Flies

How to Tie: Euro-Style Rainbow Warrior

By

Greg Stohrer

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November 3, 2025

In this week’s “How to Tie” feature, Brady with AvidMax ties a nymph pattern every angler should have in their fly box all year long, the Euro-Style Rainbow Warrior.

Learn How to Tie This Fly:

Difficulty: Easy

Fall calls for many things from anglers. Many new additions to both wardrobe and gear must be satisfied to ensure a comfortable and successful experience on the water. First, be sure to dress warm and prepare for cold water and temperatures alike, as the last thing you want is to be too uncomfortable to fish. Being prepared this time of year also demands a well-stocked box of nymphs and one fly in particular that must with you at all times as we slip into winter is the Euro-Style Rainbow Warrior.

Tyers of all skill levels will be able to master this pattern with a little practice. This specific video uses a size 12 hook, but you can fish this fly all the way down to size 22, especially during winter for finicky trout. Adding your own unique hot spot collar can be a small variation that could set you apart and change the course of a day. Batches of the Euro-Style Rainbow Warrior can be tied very quickly, which means no tears should be shed if one is lost to rocks or logs.

Fishing this pattern under an indicator or in a tightline rig will be successful any time of the year. The durability of synthetics used to create the abdomen and thorax will allow you to bounce it off rocks and other debris without destroying it immediately, so do not be afraid to fish this pattern around structure. Whether you are fishing to finicky fish in winter or aggressive fish during spring and fall, the flash and slim profile makes this fly irresistible. The Euro-Style Rainbow Warrior is a confidence fly that you won’t spend hours behind the vise tying, giving you time back in your day to be spent on the water.

Ingredients:

Hook: Umpqua C400BL – Size 12
Head: Slotted Jig Bead – Silver
Thread: Uni 8/0 – Red
Tail: Coq De Leon – Speckled Brown Corzuno
Abdomen: Pearlescent Tinsel – Medium
Thorax: Dub Blend 90/10 Rainbow Scud Dub/Ice Dub Pearl

Now you know how to tie the Euro-Style Rainbow Warrior!

Video courtesy of AvidMax.

The Drift: Halloween Dry Flies

By

Spencer Durrant

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November 3, 2025

I made a last-minute decision to ditch work last week and go fishing, which doesn’t take all that much convincing. We’ve had a mild autumn in Wyoming, which has made every day feel like the last grasp at good fishing weather. It’s hard to get wood split, the leaves raked, or the gutters cleaned when it’s 65 out and blue-winged olives are still hatching in large numbers.

It wasn’t quite 65, and the blue-wings sputtered halfheartedly all day, but I made it to the Green River the day before Halloween for a float with two good friends. We launched around 10 a.m. — one of the many perks of fall fishing — and Alex started throwing streamers while I tied on a small black cricket.

I glanced somewhat suspiciously at Ryan when he recommended the cricket, but he knows the river better than I do. Fishing dry flies, let alone a terrestrial, the day before Halloween wasn’t what I’d envisioned, but you’ll rarely catch fish if you try to make the river bend to your expectations, a lesson I’m still learning.

I didn’t keep track of how many fish I caught, but Alex noted at some point that the dry fly outperformed his streamers, and later a dry-dropper rig, about five to one. I’m not sure how accurate that is, but I did catch one decent brown trout in a lull between blue-wings hatching.

Eventually, I lost that cricket pattern on a bad hook set, and predictably, it was the last one of that size in the boat. I threw a larger one, but the fish didn’t buy it. Alex, meanwhile, had ditched his dry-dropper rig in favor of a Parachute Adams, and I’d swapped places with Ryan so he could fish while I rowed.

I’m not great on the sticks, but I didn’t hit anything, and Ryan and Alex both doubled up on fish while I rowed, so I didn’t mess it up too much. Even with the low water and bright skies, the fishing stayed consistent. There wasn’t much of a lull, which is a bit opposite of what usually happens this time of year. The mornings start slow, fishing picks up around lunchtime, then tapers off again as the sun sets and the temps drop. Instead, it felt like the fish in each run were waiting just for us, a mindset I think it’s easy to fall into when you don’t see another boat all day.

By the time we made it to the take out, all three of us were sore from catching fish, a bit sunburnt, and hungry. The fishing had been steady enough that we never stopped for lunch. As Ryan’s truck crested a rise on the drive back to town, I had enough service for my phone to send me one of those “memory” notifications. Apparently, nine years before, I’d been driving along the same road (where I’d taken some landscape pictures of the sunset) with Ryan as we left the river. A quick browse through the rest of the photos in that memory showed fish with dry flies stuck in their lips.

A lot has changed in nine years. I finished college, moved out of Utah, got married, and my wife had a baby. We own a house, have two dogs, and I sold my Camaro to buy a Tacoma (which I’ve since sold for a full-size pickup, sadly). I’ve put on some weight, but my beard filled in, and my collection of vintage Winston fly rods has expanded.

All that is to say that, even though life now doesn’t look much like it did almost a decade ago, fishing has remained constant. That provides some sort of solace as we deal with doctor’s appointments for our daughter, changing family dynamics, and the existential dread a mortgage brings.

Rivers are always changing, sure, and fisheries do, too. But for right now, they’re where I last left them, and that makes all the difference.