What did Santa bring you?

I was wondering, while we are waiting on the snow to melt and the trout to rise, if anyone got some cool gadgets for Christmas. I am a bit of a "tackleophile" and never pass up the chance to get a new gadget to make life easier on the water.

This year I got a Fishpond Sagebrush vest, not that I needed it (a true tackleophile "needs" nothing but wants everything). It seems nice and fits well over my large frame with ample room for more than I could need on the water. I will let you know how it works if I ever get on the water.



My next new gadget is a Lippa4life tool. I like my Brodin Ghost net but it does tend to get kind of cumbersome when carrying it on the river. I saw this tool on the internet one day and thought it seemed like a great idea. Get a hold on the fish without touching it and we all know that not touching them is best for them. Bass Pro Shops had the aluminum ones in red for, essentially, half off. I am really excited to try them out on the water.... all I need to do is catch a fish.



Lets get out there and catch some fish!

Those are excellent vests! Very popular and for a good reason. You'll be amazed at how much easier it is to organize and find all of your gear.

Santa brought me a Cabelas TQR 7ft 2wt with a Pfleuger Medalist. I wasn't going to break the bank in order to get my hands on a decent small stream stick. It's a fantastic rod. Looking forward to taking it to the bluelines this spring/summer.

Nice! I also can't justify spending mega bucks on a rod just yet, even though I would love a nice expensive stick. I have a 7' 3wt Cortland rod that I use in that niche. For $99 it is an OK rod. I don't blueline much so it doesn't get used a lot since I got my 8'6" TFO Finesse rod that I toss my 3 wt with. If I get in better shape I might start bluelining more.

Roll Cast and I both got new rubber soled boots with spikes from LL Bean and 6'6" 3 wt Streamlites for bluelining. Can't wait for Spring to use the 3 wt.

I hear you on spring! Looking forward to better weather.

Those rubber soled boots are very easy to maintain. I've been using rubber soles and love them. Some people strongly prefer felt, but I honestly haven't noticed any differences as far as stability and traction is concerned. Walked on ice in the shallows of a river without much of a problem! I'll give them the ultimate test this spring on the wild waters.

I have the same vest Buffalo, it's awesome!

I got a wilderness systems commander 120...it's lookin like a warmwater/smallie year
http://www.wildernesssystems.com/product/index/products/recreational/Commander/commander_120/

That is one nice boat Seth!

OK, I have been eyeballing the new rubber soled boots and I would love to hear some feedback on how they handle. You hear that they are just as good as felt and better with cleats put in them. I have been looking to get a pair of Simms one day.

Seth, that is a good looking boat. I read a lot of stuff about "sit on tops" from my surf fishing sites. Rob Alderman with Hatteras Fish Millitia does some scary stuff with a yak off Diamond Shoals and in the Gulf Stream. Looks like it has a lot of storage in the rear deck area. Good luck on the smallies!

I love rubber soles now. Bought a pair of Simms Freestones with Vibram Technology (rubber soles) and have yet to have any problems with them. I recommend them. Easy to clean, easy to maintain, and they provide great traction. Add some studs for enhanced traction.

I have been eyeballing the Simms Rivershed boots for a little while. I just gotta work some OT to pull the trigger. As clumsy as I am when wading, no amount of felt or cleats will help, short of golf cleats.

I've had no problems with the traction, but I have only used them about 3 times. The studs really help and feel pretty secure when I am jumping rocks. They feel as secure as my old felt studded boots.

Simms Riversheds are great. Excellent hiking boots, lightweight, and sturdy. You can trust Simms. Prices are a bit high, but, the product(s) will last a long time...

Update: Sagebrush Vest and Lippa4Life tool.

The Sagebrush vest is worth the cabbage! I finally got to wear it this week under fishing conditions and the vest performed admirably. Plenty of room for gear, tons of attachment points, and light enough to not wear you down. The only slight drawback is that if you weigh it down with gear it tended to feel like the front was being pulled down causing the collar to dig into my neck. I filled a water bottle and placed it into the back pocket which really helped even out the load and made the vest wear much better and gave me a needed sip of water that I neglected earlier in the day.

My other Christmas purchase was the Lippa4Life tool. I was very optimistic about it when I got on the water and I hoped I would catch a fish early to get some use out of it. The fish cooperated and I hooked a small Brown Trout right off the bat. I took out my Lippa and quickly discovered that the tool is a bit big for the small fish. I did a little dance with the trout who wanted no part of that tool in his mouth. When I did get it in it seemed to work well and I got a good release afterwards. So overall I think it is worth the money but might be easier to use a C&R net. Big fish would be better for this tool in my opinion. Get the synthetic version because it is cheaper.


Making the grab.


Getting ready to take out the fly.


Making the release. "See you next time!"