All
Things Good
is a new section here at gottrout.com. Will Blanchard and the other
guides will offer
their professional opinions on various outdoor products. This will
include fly rods, reels, waders and boots as well as drift boats, rafts
and
pack rafts (like inflatable kayaks, but better). The guides will also
offer tips on travel, as
well as services and lodges that might be of interest to you. Please
feel free to drop us a line with your input, recommendations
and questions.
Have a product you want us to test, review and showcase here at gottrout.com?
Let us know. 970.259.0484. Send an e-mail from the link located at
the bottom of the page.
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New-Simms
G3 Bootfoots/with Muck® Wetland™ Boots
Gear Review: Will Blanchard (Steelie fishing in BC late
September to late December)
As a steelhead bum, I live
in my Simms waders. They are on, more than they are off.
The new
G3s, with
the Muck
boot
are the perfect combo. I wear a thick Simms sock and a
thin pack liner to keep my feet toasty on the most frosty
of days. These are the best Simms waders ever built. I'm
not even paid to say that. From ripping around in a jet boat
to thrashing through the bush these waders
held up in every situation. The waders were toasty even with
water temps ranging from 45 F to 34 F. The coldest day was
-15 C
(5 F) with the water temp around 38 F. Warm, dry and comfy,
what more can I say?
Simms
offers nearly their entire line of waders in a custom-built
bootfoot through their custom bootfoot
program. They have teamed up with Muck® boots
to offer today's angler and duck hunter the best bootfoot
waders ever built. Muck
Wetland™ boots are
rugged, durable, comfy and very warm. Waterproof, comfortable
and light, this boot is ideal for fishing and can withstand temperatures as cold
at 20 degrees below zero. Key features
include a breathable Airmesh™ lining that wicks away moisture and a contoured
footbed for maximum comfort and support. Any steelie junky and cold weather
angler will be grin in' ear to ear in the foulest of weather.
• Durable
QuadraLam™ fabric featuring Thermotron® technology
for superior heat absorption and storage
• Bi-component fabric construction absorbs sweat and pumps moisture away
from the body
• Heavy-duty front leg panel offers exceptional abrasion resistance
• Fleece-lined hand warmer pocket features interior compartments for hand-warmer
inserts
• Exterior chest pocket with zippered closure
• Boots are lightweight vulcanized construction with fleece-lined spacer
mesh and 7mm neoprene
• Available in felt or lug sole in whole sizes only
(men’s sizes 7-14)
• Nylon wading belt included
• Every pair manufactured & tested in Bozeman, Montana
Retail
price: $399.95 plus $100 for custom boot.click
for S
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MyKiss
Guide Service-Steelheading on the Kispiox
Review:Will Blanchard 2-07
Mykiss guide service and Dawn Chorus B & B is owned and operated
by our good friends Todd and Kathy Stockner on the Kispiox River in north-central
British Columbia. Todd is a steelhead guide on the Kispiox and Skeena.
He also guides fishing trips for salmon. Todd is pretty much booked for
the entire steelhead season, but from time to time has opening for late
season steelheading. Visiting the Kispiox valley and Dawn Chorus B & B
is a wonderful experience year-round. For
more info check out Mykiss
Guide Service |
Scott
Fly Rod ARC1308/3
Review:Will Blanchard 3-07
Length:13'0" |
3 Piece Spey | Action: Medium Fast | Line:8
In the hand: 8.3 oz | Retail Price $750
I have battled and landed more steelies on the ARC 1308 than
any other rod in my arsenal. It has been my workhorse for BC
steelies since '97. I split my time equally between
single-handers
and spey rods, but the 1308 is my two-hander of choice. Most
time in BC is spent on medium sized tribs of the Skeena watershed.
Rivers like the Babine,
Kispiox, Morice and
Copper. All these rivers can all be fished effectively with the single-hander,
but the longer swing from a spey cast will help cover that extra
bit of a run the single might miss.
There
are three key reasons this rod is in my hand 50 percent of the
time. First off, the feel of a rod is very important. This
rod
not only feels great in your hand, but when the fly is on the
swing you'll appreciate just how sensitive it is. Helps to feel
structure as well as
late season takes that can be extremely subtle.
New casts, like the Snap-T and Snake Roll are just as effortless
as traditional casts. All
Scott speys, including the ARC 1308 is well balanced with today's
modern spey lines.
Second
is how light the rod is. After consecutive days
(40 to 50) of steelie fishing, this rod helps considerably
in fighting fatigue. Especially the mornings after a night
were the scotch and Kokanee flowed freely. The rods in the
Scott LS2 series are also very light, but this rod is right there
with
them.
Third
is the durability of the ARC. It holds up well when pushing
through thick BC forests,
fighting ice buildup or battling 20-plus pound steelhead.
I have two other 1308s for backup, that is how much I
relay on this rod. For larger rivers, like the Bulkley
and Skeena, look at the ARC 1409/4 or LS2 1509/4. The extra
length gives the caster more distance on bigger water. The 1308
is a wicked stick that can cast large flies on tips, yet has
enough
feel
when you are on the swing.
Scott
Fly Rods |
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Korkers
Guide Boot with Boa Lace Technology
Review:Will Blanchard 2-07
Retail Price $159.99
The
Korkers Guide Boot offers the most versatile footwear systems
on the market. Teamed with the Boa Lace system and OmniTrax
V2 technology, Korkers offers today's adventure angler 6 different
accessory soles to choose from. That's right, soles that you
can switch out in seconds. Hike for miles on a sole with trail
lugs, then switch out to felt soles for the stream. Need studs,
or spikes? No problem these soles are also available. Golf
and boat deck soles are also available. Interchangeable soles,
sturdy construction, light weight and way cool; Korkers is
setting the bar pretty high. For more info on great wading
boots click Korkers
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Best
cooler for any of your needs...Keep your Ska and PBR
chilly with ICEE-KOOL
Review:Will
Blanchard
Do you like cold
beverages and yummy deli sandwiches? Good, you need to check
out a cooler that will last season after season in the field.
Durango based company, Icee-Kool has state-of-the-art coolers
for any river, hunting and picnic situation. Will, Chris
and Josh have been using Icee-Kool coolers for a year know
and they have held up better than any other cooler we have
used
in our
guide operations. Click for more info and find out how to get
your own Icee-Kool
Elk
Meadows year-round cabins and RV
spots
Review:Will
Blanchard
Spend
a day on the upper Juan with us, then enjoy your own personal
RV spot or cabin on the banks of the San Juan River. Located
just 5 miles east of Pagosa Springs, Nancy and Tony offer you
and your family or fishing group the perfect Colorado getaway.
Click for more info. Elk
Meadows
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