Reel of the week from @field_days, be sure to follow Matt on Instagram here!
Are St. Croix Fly Rods Back? Testing the Flagship Technica and Evos Salt
Angler Story of the Week: Stand Up Paddle Board Fishing for Cobia
St. Croix has built a reputation as a world-class rod company backed by the respect and admiration of anglers worldwide. With over 70 years of knowledge and product development, it is no surprise that St. Croix is a household name among anglers in both freshwater and saltwater. In fact, their conventional fishing rods are coveted by many as the best on the market. But over the past few years, the St. Croix fly rods department has been overlooked. They had built their reputation on building basic fly rods that could take a beating for the everyday angler. In a market flooded by wallet-friendly, middle-of-the-road rods, it was time to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Enter the Evos and Technica series. These recently released rods are St. Croix’s newest effort to reinvent its fly rod lineup with high-grade and technique-specific rods.
We recently put the screws to two rods in the new series: a 9’ 5wt Technica and a 9’ 9wt Evos Salt. Having cast just about every premium rod on the market, we have high expectations of what makes a rod “premium” and worth the investment. In this gear review, we tested them East Coast style in the worst conditions and to the fussiest of fish to see if the claims stood up.
St. Croix
St. Croix
The Price – Every angler these days starts with two questions. What is the price? Is it worth that price tag? With materials and technology getting more and more advanced, it is not uncommon to see rods exceeding $1000. The Technica retails at $995, and the Evos Salt at $1025, on par with other rods of their caliber. Is it worth it? For a serious angler looking for a rod capable of performing on the worst of days, or you are in a situation where you must drop a dry fly within inches of a feeding fish, the answer may be yes.
The Technology – St. Croix is a true innovator in the rod-building industry, and these two models are no exception. Both the Technica and Evos Salt series are made with a combination of SCVI/IV/II carbon fiber and exclusive MITO graphene, delivering exceptional action, loop stability, and strength in both rods. Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ART), Fortified resin systems (FRS), and reinforced slim profile ferrules (SPF) boost strength without adding weight to keep you slinging all day long. However, to the novice angler, these terms are meaningless, and the proof will come out in our test to see if these technological advances matter.
The Aesthetics – Both the Technica and the Evos Salt start with flor-grade cork handle giving that classic feel and look. The Technica comes in an olive color reminiscent of a river bottom, while the Evos Salt comes in a slick black and blue. While both have an uplocking, machined aluminum reel seat, the Technica boasts a stunning tiger maple insert revealing the delicate details put into the rod. Even more critical in my mind is the presence of a hook keeper on the Technica to make sure you are always ready to strike when that trout starts to feed again.
The Cherry on Top – It would not be a St. Croix without their exceptional 15-year transferable warranty, allowing you the comfort and safety to push the rods to the limit. Both rods are designed and crafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin promoting that made in the USA culture. Rest assured, they come in a heavy-duty aluminum rod tube with rod socks to ensure easy transport and safety.
Designed for selective risers on the most technical rivers, the Technica was created for those specialized, sophisticated trout that hold a PhD in detecting the slightest drag on your fly. With the idea behind the rod to deliver a smooth-loading action capable of handling long leaders in the windiest conditions, we thought of no better place to test the Technica’s capabilities than on the upper Delaware River. The Delaware is filled with trout that see thousands of lines throughout the season and are attuned to the slightest color difference in fly choice or the micro drag effects of a poorly placed fly. Long leaders are a must, and dry flies can range from size 10 to size 24.
To test the rods, we paired a 5wt Technica with a Lamson Litespeed with a Scientific Angler MPX 5wt floating line. During our test window, we encountered enough wind to make even the most confident caster worried. While no rod truly excels in high wind, the Technica did deliver the necessary line speed to punch through the windswept assault. It handled long leaders with ease and placed our size 20 Hebes precisely where needed to trick some wise Delaware trout. Some Isonychias even made an appearance, and a quick switch to larger bugs was no concern. On a personal note, the moderate action tip took some getting used to, as I like faster rods. However, I will admit that the moderate feel did make for a softer touch when landing flies down and maybe a future switch in my tactics versus the trickiest of fish.
The Evos Salt is a similar story to the Technica with a saltwater twist. Powered by a faster rod tip, it was made to excel in all salt conditions, marrying punch and precision. To test the capabilities of the Evos Salt, we beat it up in the Atlantic Ocean, chasing albies and bonito, striped bass, and Jersey Gold (inshore Mahi).
When you pick up the Evos Salt for the first time, it was meant for power. The fast tip is evident, and the stability is key, with no issues picking up lines of all types quickly. For our Mahi Mahi hunt, this is key. We paired the Evos Salt with an Orvis Mirage Reel paired with a 9wt Hydros Saltwater line and “pot hopped,” as we call it in New Jersey. Come late summer, Mahi Mahi following warming water make their way inshore and set up next to any lobster/fish trap pot they can find. We employed a typical run-and-gun approach where our captain, Bryan Woodfield, navigated us from pot to pot, putting us just close enough to put a fly next to it. With ease, the Evos Salt could pick up flies for multiple shots on target before drifting off the pot. While we had multiple chances at Mahi, they had our number that day, following multiple times without committing. A few banded rudderfish did manage to connect, giving us a little idea of the fish fishing power, but we left that for the striper pursuit to truly appreciate the rod.
With the help of two Connecticut fishing guides, Tristan Wilgan and Alex Ferraiuolo, we intercepted some stripers as they began their way down the eastern seaboard. Paired with Cortland Striper blitz line, we fished along a breachway and finally connected with some stripers to get our first taste of handling bigger fish. The Evos effortlessly pulled fish across the current and withstood their powerful runs. Albies were albies this day, and with few opportunities presented, the onslaught of casting was a breeze with the lightweight design. While conversations were filled with critiques, including heavy swing weight but the stability to counter it, the only negative discussed was lack of control at short distances, not something typically needed in saltwater scenarios anyway.
What can I say, are St. Croix fly rods back? I think it is safe to say that with the Technica for freshwater and the Evos Salt for those salty big fish pursuits, St. Croix has reentered the space with some high-end quality rods for the specialized hunter! While we did not get the chance to test the Evos Salt counterpart aptly named just the Evos, I am sure it will continue to impress as a faster Technica if that suits your preferences. With the holidays right around the corner, I do not think any fly angler would be disappointed with one of these rods wrapped with a bow on it. Confidentially and without a doubt, it is safe to say that St Croix is back in the fly space with a vengeance. You can find the full lineup of weights and sizes available here.
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Abandoned mines have plagued watersheds throughout America for decades if not centuries. At the same time, scientists and clean water stakeholders have known the harmful impacts of these forgotten mines on streams, waterways, and ecosystems; they’ve also worked to remediate the pollution and reclaim these abandoned mine sites as best that they could. The government and organizations like Trout Unlimited have spent billions of dollars towards these efforts and shutting off the stream of heavy metals and toxic pollution leaching from the hundreds of thousands of abandoned mines littering the American landscape. Yesterday’s action from the US Congress will fundamentally increase the capacity to clean up our waterways and ecosystems.
One of the primary roadblocks to large scale abandoned mine cleanup activities throughout the country was the exposure of legal liability associated with assuming ownership of and engaging in restoration activities for abandoned mines. This is not a new issue–in fact, Trout Unlimited has encouraged Congress to legislate a solution for decades. However, the legislative remedy to open the door to large scale restoration work never reached the President’s desk. That is not until Tuesday, December 10th.
Senator’s Martin Heinrich (New Mexico) and Jim Risch (Idaho) successfully shepherded the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act, which passed the senate back in July. Today the House of Representatives passed the same legislation, championed by Representatives Celeste Maloy (Utah), Mary Peltola (Alaska), and Susie Lee (Nevada). This critical legislation, which has an immediate scaling impact toward cleaning up rivers, streams, groundwater, and ecosystems, is now heading to the White House for President Biden’s signature.
“For more than 25 years, Good Samaritans have tried to clean up abandoned mines but have faced significant hurdles and liability rules that hold them responsible for all the pre-existing pollution from a mine — despite having no involvement with the mines before their cleanup efforts,” said Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico. “With today’s passage, we’ve now cleared one of the final hurdles preventing these groups from helping to protect the land, water, fish, and wildlife our communities rely on. This victory belongs to every single person who rolled up their sleeves to fix this longstanding injustice, and I’d like to thank those who have carried the baton to get us to this point. I am grateful for President Biden’s support of the bill, and his signature will allow Good Samaritans to get to work.”
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“Clean water and healthy fish and wildlife habitat are values that unite us,” said Corey Fisher, Public Policy Director at Trout Unlimited. “For too long, toxic hardrock mine waste has polluted rivers, causing downstream impacts to communities and wildlife. This common-sense law will give us a critical tool to turn the tide, restoring clean water to watersheds across the West and beyond.”
This achievement was drawn out and had its share of “ups n downs,” but now the US government has unshackled the countless organizations like TU and facilitates an incredible potential to recover thousands of abandoned mines and continue restoring thousands of waterways. This is a historic day for clean water and healthy ecosystems in this country and was made possible by the bipartisan leadership from many in Congress , a sorely needed reminder of what can be accomplished across party lines, and the persevering work of Trout Unlimited.
Cover picture courtesy of Josh Duplechian, Trout Unlimited
The 2025 Fly Fishing Film Tour is almost underway, but before you see the films, get an inside look into what went into making each film in this year’s “F3T Behind the Lens” series. Also, be sure to check out the 2025 Film Tour Dates HERE to see the schedule and get tickets!
Next in this year’s F3T Behind the Lens series is Iconic Rises, a film by Anthony (A.J) Swentosky that highlights the resilience of the Snake River and its native cutthroat trout. We spoke with Anthony to learn more about the challenges this river faces and the uncertain future of its native fish. From dry fly fishing heaven to picture-perfect backdrops in the Grand Tetons, this is a film you won’t want to miss. Check out the full interview below.
Anthony: “I lived in the Jackson, WY/Teton Region for over 10 years until recently moving to Bend, OR. The trout fishing in that area is truly amazing, and I’m forever grateful I was able to spend so much time exploring the local rivers, streams, and stillwaters. As water demands, climate change, fishing pressure, invasive species, and other factors compromise and threaten many of our fisheries across the West, the US, and the world, we have the Snake River Headwaters and Fine Spotted Snake River Cutthroat trout that are doing relatively well. That being said, it’s imperative not to take this fisheries’ health for granted, especially as water demands and climate change continue to worsen. As we move forward, it’s important for us to invest in the health of fisheries that are currently doing relatively well or even thriving, as threats and challenges are only likely to grow. This Snake River fishery is in a very favorable geographical region, but we also have a lot of great work and advocacy going on at the government, non-profit, and local community levels that will need to continue.”
Anthony: “There were a lot of great times and experiences throughout filming and even the post production process, but I’d say that the opportunities to spend quality time with so many different people who care deeply about this resource are probably most memorable. Some of these people work in the fly fishing industry, some work in the conservation and non-profit world, some from government organizations, and others are simply recreators who appreciate this environment and fishery. It was rewarding to spend time with people across different professions and walks of life who are all truly passionate about this river and fishery. There were also two truly epic fishing days I had with some of the anglers (one day with Scott Smith and one brief 4-hour session with Josh Gallivan) that I’ll never forget.”
Anthony: “I’d have to say that the list of challenges could be worse, which is great to say at this point! Sure, we had tough weather at times, we had some significant wildfire smoke in the summer that we had to work around, runoff and outflows were too high on a scheduled day of filming with Boots Allen and his daughter, the fish didn’t always cooperate on cue, etc. That being said, we did the filming over 3-4 different windows of time, so we had the luxury of being flexible and adjusting to conditions. Many thanks to the talent and filming crew as well for being flexible throughout! Perhaps the most notable challenge, which is certainly not unique to this film, was trying to ensure all parties involved felt like their perspectives were adequately represented. There’s so much to unpack related to the concepts of climate change, fishing pressure, water management, etc. that any one of these topics warrants their own film to adequately and most accurately tell the story.”
Anthony: “Sure, almost two years ago, there was a proposal to temporarily reduce the Snake River outflow to 80 cfs, which, as we discussed in the film, would be extremely detrimental to the cutthroat trout and other species. This issue, as well as how the community positively responded, advocated, and collaborated, helped further inspire us to commit to doing the film in the first place. During our summer filming sessions, we had wildfires in the area that reduced visibility and air quality. We also had some high water temperatures on some Snake River tributaries relatively early in the summer season, which caused us to adjust our specific filming locations. That being said, at the end of our filming window, we were able to get some footage of TU removing a diversion dam on Lava Creek (a tributary of the Snake). This footage didn’t make it into the film as we were already pretty far through the edit, but it was great to still get some footage and overlap with this work.”
Anthony: “As I mentioned, I’ve been fortunate enough to live there for 10 years and experience much of the dry fly fishing this area is so well known for. It’s amazing. Every winter, I think and dream about all of the rising fish and dry fly opportunities from years past and, hopefully, ones to experience in the future. The backdrop, scenery, and diversity in fishing opportunities are truly remarkable. It’s easy to understand why so many people are committed to the health of this region.”
Anthony: Those who fish and/or film with me know that I definitely prioritize the camera over the rod these days. This absolutely was not always the case, but time and again, I’ve missed memorable moments shortly after putting the camera down. Nowadays, I tend to be a bit rigid; I’m either filming or fishing, but doing both ends up being distracting for me. For this project, I would occasionally get a free day, or filming plans would change, leaving me with some personal time to go out and chase the exact trout that were the focus of the film. Although I’m no longer in Jackson, I still like to travel back there a good bit and always find a way to get some personal fishing in.
Anthony: “For one, it’s probably going to be a good time. While the weather is constantly changing, you’re usually able to find productive fishing if you know where to look. Great people run the fly shops in the area, and you’ll likely be pointed in the right direction. While you are a short drive to other subspecies of cutthroat trout, this area is home to both the Fine Spotted Snake River Cutthroat and Yellowstone Cutthroat. It can be fun to move throughout the watershed and different concentrations of each.
While we tend to immediately think of dry fly fishing when targeting cutthroat, these trout can provide some great streamer fishing and stillwater fishing, too. I personally don’t love throwing large double-hooked articulated streamers for these specific fish, as we’ve noticed they can cause some serious damage a little too frequently, and they tend to prefer smaller streamers anyway. While the fishing is truly amazing, it’s not just about catching a bunch of fish. As Scott Smith alludes to in the film, if you’re able to spend time here and be present, you can make a connection to a special place.”
Anthony: “There are a few things that come to mind here. One hopeful takeaway is the idea of investing in and protecting watersheds that currently may be “okay” at the moment. We obviously must respond to rivers and streams when they’re in an emergency state due to water temps, water quality, development, drought, etc., but sometimes prevention can be much more effective than intervention. I really think the collaborative work going on in this Teton Region across government agencies, non-profits, the fly-fishing industry, and local stakeholders can serve as a helpful model for fisheries in other regions.
The other key message is just for all anglers to be stewards of their waters so, as an angling community, we can do our part in preserving our fisheries as much as possible. The Friends of the Bridger Teton National Forest, the presenter of this film, has a community-wide motto of Responsible Recreation, which, among other things, locally promotes low-impact fishing practices (e.g., barbless hooks, keeping fish wet, minding water temperatures, etc.), avoiding the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), and simply being good stewards of the river by respecting other recreators. As climate change increases and fishing pressure grows, the need for anglers and recreators to engage in low-impact fishing practices isn’t really a luxury but has evolved into a necessity. As fly fishing continues to grow, more experienced anglers, guides, and fly shop owners can play a pivotal role in providing modeling, support, and education for those either new to fly fishing or who are more casual anglers.”
Once you get a drift boat, the first thing that comes to mind is outfitting and accessorizing it to fit your fishing program. Let’s face it, the moment you get it, you just want to hit the water. To make it easy to hit the water, these drift boat accessories have become essential items on any trip.
Trying to stay minimal, but maybe you’ll see a piece of gear in this guide that you never would have thought about. Given the minimalist mind, we have even jumped into trailers and a few pieces that can make your experience even better. That being said, some of these items aren’t completely necessary but could make or break your day the next time you drop your boat in the water.
Tornado Anchors
You might not think this is the sexiest piece of gear, but when it’s attached to your anchor, it makes it so much easier. Having a pulley system consists of two things. One, you will need longer anchor line. I like to start with 50 feet of .5 anchor line that you can pick up at your local hardware store or boat shop. Two, the swivel pulley will not spin your line. On typical pulley systems that don’t have an integrated pulley system, your anchor line will spin and get twisted up. The Swivel Block from Tornado Anchors answers the problem: easier to pull your anchor up, and eliminates twisted line.
Master Lock
Some of the places we like to fish are weird. That being said, don’t just throw your keys in your gas cap for the shuttle driver, keep a lockbox on your trailer and make sure your vehicle stays locked at all times. Sometimes I’ve worried about my shuttle driver having issues getting into the lockbox, however, make it known that your car keys are in a locked unit on your boat over the phone, or in a notes section of any shuttle form you fill out. Rule of thumb: put-in time, take-out time, car model, color, license plate number, and where your keys are located.
Yeti
YETI
Coffee mugs & insulated drinkware designated for your drift boat. That’s all. Whether or not you’re doing a couple days on the water and overnight, having coffee mugs that are easy to clean and stack nicely when stowed away, the Stackable Cups from YETI are a must. Like your typical Rambler from YETI, we like these mugs due to their stackability and how easy they are to organize. That being said, once you finish your morning cup of Jo, you can refill it with dedicated bottles throughout the day, eliminating the use of water bottles and keeping everyone happy in the boat. Typical days on the drift boat can be hot, tiring, and exhausting by the end of the day, check out our article on how we pack for a day on the water with YETI.
Adventure Medical kits
Might not be the sexiest piece of fishing gear, but a necessary piece in the field. Whether hooks get caught in someone or there’s a light scrape, having a kit that you can rely on when the time comes is always a good call. The Sportsman’s Series 300 Medical Kit from Adventure Medical Kits has everything you need and more to stay safe on the water when you’re out on the drift boat.
You might have just gotten your boat, it may be used, but how can you make it look and feel comfortable? SeaDek is a company known for making flooring products for boats. Big in wake-board or water skiing boats, drift boat companies have adopted SeaDek, and some even sell it as an a-la-carte option. If you’re looking for a cheaper option and a DIY project, SeaDek sells sheets you can customize for your boat. We like these for the bow and the stern of drift boats, but the customization is endless when it comes to making it your own. The best part, it’s easy to clean, nice on the feet, and durable.
Yeti
Forget buying the $5 bags of ice at the gas station. One, it gets old. Two, it comes in plastic and melts quickly. YETI, once again, has delivered a product that changes the game when it comes to keeping cold-cut sandwiches cold, and beer frosty. YETI ice is awesome, take it out of the freezer and throw it in your cooler to keep everything chilled for days spent on the water.
boatbuckle
Boat buckles are a great addition to your trailer. They are super nice as they self-contract and go right onto your gunnels for an easy strap onto your trailer. With that, they are versatile with your mounting points. Typically, most drift-boat owners mount them near the rear of the boat trailer close to the roller bar. Personally, I’m due for a new set, as they are the original boat buckles from 2008. They are durable and super easy to use when your boat is ready for tow.
Fishpond
You may call a net necessary. However, most people bring a net with a handle that is way too short for the boat. We like having a longer boat net handle for getting over the gunnels, and so the fish is easily caught. Having a little extension goes a long way and there’s even a few brands that have made nets that have removable handles for wade or float fishing. We like rising nets for that reason or a dedicated net that you keep in your boat, like the Fishpond Boat Net.
sawyer
There’s no reason for a full oar in a drift boat. Many companies have made break-down-oars to keep in your boat so they can be stored away easily. I like the option from Sawyer Oars, which they call their “Spare Tire Oar.” Designed to be split into three 36” pieces, it’s a spare oar you can rely on and keep in your storage box when you’re floating.
NRs
Having a knife on board is necessary. For emergencies, opening something up, or just having on your PFD you cannot go wrong with a dependable knife. NRS makes some awesome knives for different occasions. Personally, I really like the Titanium Co-Pilot Knife since it’s lightweight, stronger than steel, and the blade holds a keen edge. Take a look at the Titanium Co-Pilot Knife to add onto your PFD or to keep in your boat at all times.
Rocky Talkie
Good, reliable communication is something that is very important when it comes to float fishing. Here at Flylords we utilize the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio for our communications on multi-boat floats. Check out our ‘Guide Test’ article on the 5 Watt Radio from Rocky Talkie.
Rain will come. Colorado is a place we call “never summer.” Having at least 3 reusable rain ponchos is a great call. The people you take fishing will thank you later.
Do not forget your plugs. That’s why you should just have them everywhere. Just like bobbers, you can never have enough. Keep them in a bag in your boat, and never change the spot you put them in.
Whether you take your drift boat out a handful of times each summer or keep it rigged and ready year-round, we hope these accessories will enhance your time on the water. While not every item is essential for every outing, a few of these products have made a noticeable difference for me—starting from the moment I hitch up the trailer to when I pull the boat out at the end of the day.
Your backcast is one of the most crucial parts of your cast. Check out this video from the Huge Fly Fisherman for tips on how to improve your backcast.
“My grandpa is close to 90 years old and has slowed down a lot and so is no longer able to get out and fish. He is always so eager to hear of what adventures I’ve been on and of course all the fish I’ve caught. So I started this tradition of putting a slide show together for him. I never planned on putting a reel together but my mom took some videos of the visit and I think captured how fly fishing is so much more than catching fish. I love that he enjoys it as much as I do!” – McKenna
Angler Story of the Week from McKenna Hulslander, be sure to follow McKenna’s instagram at @Mckennahulslander!
This is a cast that I use a lot to check if my fly is doing ok. Some call it the Snap C. First, I slowly lift my rod, then comes the downward snap, immediately followed by a sideways movement of the rod (for directional adjustment). In this video, I catch the leader in my hand, but when I fish, I must admit that I catch it on the rod (much easier). – Mathias Lilleheim
Reel of the week from @mathiaslilleheim, be sure to follow Mathias on Instagram here!
We’re back! In this Week’s Video of the Week, we catch up with Adam and Steve from Blue Line Co in their most recent film exploring some of Idaho’s untouched wilderness. They have been working on restoring a 1991 Isuzu Trooper and had plans to go overlanding with it in this film but the Trooper had other ideas. They ended up taking Adam’s truck and still went for it. The crew dealt with very odd, clear weather for fall in Idaho which led to tough fishing. But as we all know, not all fishing trips go to plan. Sit down and enjoy some awesome camaraderie and a few killer fish!
Here at Blue Line, we have been tying flies for about as long as we have been fly fishing. We started tying because we had to. The lack of fly fishing shops and good bass and warm water patterns drove our passion for the vise. We found patterns from saltwater and trout fishing. We would tie bigger or smaller sizes and better colors of some popular flies. Over the years this turned into fly design. We have a different approach here at BLC on flies. Figure out what triggers fish and put those aspects into a fly design. We use these aspects to design flies that catch fish, not fishermen. We only sell flies that we trust ourselves and personally use in our fly boxes. Check us out here: bluelineflies.com
Check out these other awesome articles as well!
Video of the Week: 5 day Fly Fishing Adventure with White Pine Outfitters
Planning a trip down to the salt? Check out this video from InTheRiffle for what you need for a bonefishing trip.
(MSRP: $995)