By far, Costa Del Mar offers the best sunglasses for serious anglers.  Not only stylish, Costa encorporates new technology to ensure the highest performance lenses in the industry.  Please check them out for the most comfortable polarized glasses on the water. Their website shows all their styles and will help you find a dealer.  Online ordering is also available.

When Sage fly rods are brought up in fly fishing circles, those that own one always get a special twinkle in their eyes.  That's because these are the best rods in the world...period.  Only Sage rods load the proper line weight every time, and they are the lightest and most responsive fly rods around.  I use an 8'9" SLT three-weight, and I love this rod.  In fact, I will not wade fish without it.  All the SLT rods are sweet, and the XP is the best fast-action rod series around.  Feel free to ask me to try out a Sage on a guide trip.  Just beware: YOU WILL WANT ONE. 

   Although I can't say that any of Orvis' rods are my favorites, there's one thing that Orvis is best at:  customer service and satisfaction.  They will replace almost anything free-of-charge, with no questions asked.  Their lightweight wading boots are the best I've tried, and it's nice to know I'll never have to buy another pair.  Orvis has many great fly fishing products, but you will reap the most service benefits from their "perishable" products like waders, boots, vests, etc. Service is king in the fly fishing industrty. 

Nowadays there are lots of hooks on the market, but nothing I've found comes close to Tiemco (TMC).  Available at all fly shops, these hooks offer superior points and the most effective styles for my waters.  The 2457 (2x heavy) is the scud hook I prefer and the 3769 is a great nymph hook.  Go to the website and find the perfect hook for every fly fishing situation.  Don't fall victim to inferior hooks...it's not worth it.

I'm not a huge fan of Umpqua tippett material, but their leaders are my favorite for trout.  They are soft, have a long taper, and turn over exceptionally well.  There is no reason for me to use any other brand of leader.  Available at most fly shops.

I tried every dry fly hackle on the market before I tried Metz.  I had heard their stems were too thick amongst other lies.  Last year I received several #2 Metz dry fly hackles, and I fell in love.  Not only were they great to tie with, the flies would almost NEVER SPIN when fished.  This is huge.  Although most fly shops carry Metz Hackles, very few have anything better than #3, but most shops will be happy to order one for you.

Click the image above to order the best kept secret in tippett material: Tectan Monofilament.  Several friends gave me some nearly used spools to try out as tippett a few years back, and I've been using it ever since.  Unfortunately, Cabela's stopped carrying Tectan for about 6 months, but the new and improved product was worth the wait.  This stuff outperforms Rio, Orvis Super Strong, and Bull Frog, and it costs only a fraction of the price. I personally think it beats the pants off flourocarbon because of its strength and suppleness.  300 meter spools (10-12 regular tippet spools) sell for around .  For those of you that go through lots of tippett material, be sure to check this stuff out.  A true find for frugal anglers.

Although I do not use jigs on a fly rod, many beginners find this an easy way to catch fish...just throw a jig under a float and get it out there.  And for spin fishermen, these jigs will outproduce almost anything you throw, including most live baits.  These jigs have special design feautures and are tied on premium, heavy hooks. Wholesale pricing is available.  Go to their website for more info on an awesome product. 

These reels are some of the toughest and most stylish in the industry.  I love the large arbor reels, and the drag is smooth and gives you a real feeling of being connected with the fish.  I did have a problem with the drag so I sent the reel back, and within a week there was a new one at my door.  That's great service, and most other fly anglers I know were suprised that anything went wrong with a Galvan.  Check them out...it won't cost you an arm and a leg for a great fly fishing reel.

Everyone always asks me what fly lines I like, and my first response is always Rio.  They are consistent, durable, and cast like a dream.  They make most lines in a Camo Green color which is great for spooky fish.  I recommend the "Classic" and "Rio Grand" as far as the type I use.  Their other products like tippet and leaders are very good and I use them quite a bit.

***Please ignore the form below...it's purely cosmetic.

Gabe Cross

home: (870) 435-6529

cell: (870) 404-9027