The Truck Kit — What Lives in My Rig Year-Round
The pack is what you walk to the river with. The truck kit is what makes it possible to leave at 4 AM without thinking — the knives, the jacket, the leaders, the cigar.
Gear Reviews
Gear I own. Gear I fish. Gear that's earned its place — or hasn't. No gifted product, no padded scores.
The Father's Day Gift Guide for the Fly Fisher in Your Life
What to actually buy the fly fisher in your life — a Father's Day gift guide by budget. Real gear I fish on the South Platte, real prices, two reader discounts.
Building a Euro Nymphing Rig from Scratch
Step-by-step build of the euro nymphing rig I actually fish: Diamondback 10'7" 3wt, Maxima Chameleon mono, sighter, tippet ring, and the two flies that do the work.
I Run a Riversmith — and I'm Eyeing a Switch to Trxstle's CRC Euro
I've carried my rods on a Riversmith River Quiver for a while now. Lately I'm highly considering switching to Trxstle's CRC Euro. Here's the honest why.
Fly Fishing Essentials for Beginners: The Honest Minimum
Most beginner gear lists are upsell guides. Here's the real minimum a new fly fisher actually needs — and what to skip until you've fished a few seasons.
What I Bring to the River: An 80-Day-a-Year Angler's Day Pack
Real gear from 80-plus days a year on Colorado tailwaters. The pack, the rod, the fly boxes, the tools, the layers, and the small stuff that makes the day work.
My Fly Rod Quiver — Five Rods, Five Jobs on the South Platte
What I fish on the South Platte and why — from the do-everything Scott Centric to the Diamondback I now reach for most, as I move more toward euro nymphing.
Gear Review
Umpqua SWIFTLINK Review: Every Pack, Every LINK Accessory, Full Specs
The most complete Umpqua SWIFTLINK review online. All four packs, all eight LINK accessories, real dimensions, prices, and who should buy what.
Why First Lite Took Over Every Layer of My Wardrobe — and I'm a Fly Fisher
A Colorado fly fisher wearing a hunting brand head to toe. Why First Lite — Wick Merino, Navigator Hoody, the pant rotation, the Rugged Wool — owns my wardrobe year-round.
Gear Review
Winston Pure 2 Review: The Best Medium-Action Dry Fly Rod Made
Winston Pure 2 review — $995, medium action, NanoParticle graphite. Built in Twin Bridges, Montana for technical dry fly fishing where presentation matters more than distance.
Gear Review
Wading Boots for the South Platte — Brands, Soles, and What Actually Works
The Pikes Peak granite at Cheesman and the cobble at Deckers demand the right wading boot. Four brands compared, felt vs. rubber per river section, and what Renato fishes.
Gear Review
Scott Centric 9'0" 5wt Review — The Best Tailwater Rod Made in Colorado
Two seasons on the Scott Centric 905/4 at Cheesman and Deckers. Fast action, Colorado-built, and the benchmark for South Platte nymph and dry-fly fishing.
Gear Review
Scott Centric vs Sage R8 Core — Which Tailwater Rod for the South Platte?
Scott Centric vs Sage R8 Core for South Platte tailwater fishing — action, nymph performance, dry-fly accuracy, and which to buy.
Gear Review
Skwala RS Waders Review — Two Seasons, Every Season
Two seasons in Skwala RS waders on the South Platte. Proprietary 4-layer laminate, fourchette seams, buckle-free yoke — and genuinely excellent in cold Colorado winters.
Gear Review
Montana Knife Company Westslope Review — The Trout Knife Worth $275
The MKC Westslope reviewed for fly fishing — MagnaCut steel, modified sheepsfoot blade, and G10 handle built for cleaning trout on the bank.
Gear Review
YETI Hopper M30 Soft Cooler Review — Day Trips on the South Platte
Two seasons with the YETI Hopper M30 on South Platte and Arkansas day trips — ice retention, packability on the trail, and honest cons at $350.
Gear Review
Best 4-Weight Fly Rods for Tailwater Fishing in 2026
The five best 4-weight fly rods for tailwater fishing in 2026 — Scott, Sage, Winston, Orvis, and a budget pick. Specs verified, honest takes.