The Well-Outfitted Fly-Fisher

Photo: Frank W. Ockenfels 3

As a fly-fishing guide for 16 years and owner of Fly Fish Vermont, a retail store/outfitter in Stowe, Bob Shannon is one of the Northeast's legendary masters of the sport. Around Johnson State College, where he teaches an introductory fly-fishing course, he's known as a "doctor of fly-fishing." When not imparting the art and science of his trade to eager acolytes, Shannon casts for bonefish off Bonaire in the Caribbean and drifts Alberta's gold-medal trout streams. Here the outfitter is outfitted with an Orvis Battenkill Pro Guide's Vest, Ex Officio Air Strip Shirt, Simms Gore-Tex stocking-foot waders, L.L. Bean GQS rod, Abel Super Series Model 4 reel, 3M Scientific Angler Mastery Series line, SOG Specialty Knives Powerlock, and, of course, a wish-we-had-one-too Fly Fish Vermont cap.

REELS

When a muscle trout blasts off, you'd best have a smooth reel to save your light leader tippet. The bargain L.L. Bean Model 1 Meridien ($79) does just that, with a disc drag of Teflon composite housed in an injection-cast aluminum frame that's powder-coated to resist corrosion. For increased strength, go with a machined reel like Cabela's CR ($200), milled from high-end aluminum and perforated to reduce weight without sacrificing strength or resilience. Abel's Super Series Model 4 ($460) is fully machined and trimmed to the bone with rounded oblong ports in both the frame and spool.

RODS

If you're just getting your boots wet in the fly-fishing game, go with a spendthrift wand. Reddington's Red Fly 905/6 ($75) gives you close-to-cutting-edge graphite casting with five- or six-weight lines; it could be the best value around in a nine-foot, two-piece stick. L.L. Bean's GQS ($250) is a fancily appointed two-piece nine-footer for five-weight line. Its sensitive tip makes short casts easy, while the midsection's smooth action helps keep the line from ribboning around your body. If you lust for high-tech materials and components in a classy look, the G. Loomis FR1085-3 Trilogy ($430) is a stand-alone. In three pieces for travel, this nine-footer for five-weight line sports a nickel-silver reel seat with a maple spacer and a glossy pearl-green finish. It's made of no-wear titanium-carbide-nitride, for fishing at near and far ranges with precision and style.

LINES AND LEADERS

Like the rest of your fishing gear, today's lines are specialized. For starters, though, you'll need one that delivers a variety of large and small flies, near and far, in virtually every clime. Rio's Classic Weight Forward self-lubricating line ($48) has excellent turnover and delivery performance, especially for shorter casts where accuracy is a must. Cortland's 444SL Clear Tip ($49) is great therapy for edgy trout suffering line-paranoia in glassy waters. It features 15 feet of slow-sink clear section fused to a floating body, ideal for nymph or streamer fishing or for shallow-water stealth fishing. For distance, try GPX Mastery Series line from 3M Scientific Anglers ($50), coated in a slick proprietary sauce that lets the line shoot farther and float higher, while repelling dirt, algae, water, and therefore ice. Fluoro-carbon (resin-based polyvinylidene fluoride, not the ozone-eating refrigerator gas) is the rage for leaders because of its low visibility, strength, and UV-defeating qualities. Seaguar's Riverge Knotless Tapered Fluorocarbon Leaders ($7) come in nine- and 12-foot lengths; 5X (four-pound test) will handle most of your fishing needs.

WADERS AND FOOTWEAR

For steam-free hikes to the river, always wear vapor-permeable membrane waders, like the stocking-foot L.L. Bean Colorado Gore-Tex Waders ($199), with a Cordura shell, quick-release suspenders, and wading belt. The waist- or chest-height Orvis Pro Guide No Sweat Breathable Waders (stocking foot, $265; boot foot, $295) have a tough polyester outer material with reinforced lower legs for durability, plus internal foam knee pads. Simms Gore-Tex Guide stocking-foot waders ($360) have five layers of laminated nylon from the thigh down for puncture resistance, and they're impervious to deet and saltwater. Over stocking-foot waders you'll need boots, like the new 29-ounce Patagonia Wading Shoe ($125), which has stout toe and heel boxes and a stiff rubber rand to prevent the wedging of feet between rocks. Its synthetic-leather uppers dry fast, and polyester mesh around the ankle keeps out debris.

GARMENTS AND GADGETS

Comfort and utilitarianism dictate your choice of extras. Ex Officio's Air Strip Shirt ($76) has a three-position collar that guards against red neck, adjustable venting, a UV-beating/fast-wicking finish, and plenty of pockets, including a zip security cache. Protect your bald spot and store your nymphs with Outdoor Research's Corona Cap ($18), made of a breathable, UV-hating proprietary fabric with a nondeforming bill. Hobie's Sportsman polarized sunglasses ($150), with high-contrast brown/copper or yellow low-light lenses, save your eyes from those same rays while revealing fish lurking beneath surface glare. The quick-drying, cotton/nylon twill Woolrich Outrigger Pant ($60) has elastic at the cuffs so legs don't creep up when worn with waders. The Orvis Battenkill Pro Guide's Vest ($145), made of quick-drying nylon, has more pockets than you can shake a fish at (we lost count at 16), each thoughtfully tailored for every item of fly-fishing paraphernalia. Store your wallet in the splash-resistant Seattle Sports Pod. 1 ($12), which you can clip to your vest or belt. Hardware's a one-shot deal with the SOG Specialty Knives Powerlock multitool ($80), which has every implement you'll need, including spring-loaded scissors, wire cutter, pliers, file, openers, and a built-in ruler to keep those chest-beating fish stories honest. —JERRY GIBBS

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