Happy New Year! The Weekly Five, Issue 45 features Venezuela, Northern Patagonia, and New Zealand, plus we tip our hat to Kurt Danielsson, inventor of the large arbor fly reel.

1. As access to Los Roques improves and conditions continue to stabilize, it’s worth placing this stunning, ‘zero-pressure’ Venezuelan destination back on your fly fishing travel wish list. We’re happy to advise on three trusted operators, along with flight and accommodation logistics.

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2. After releasing their latest GT series, Scott Fly Rod’s Jim Bartschi has hired Shawn Combs (ex-Orvis head of product design) as vice-president at Scott Fly Rods. Despite the chatter that this indicates Jim will transition into retirement, it’s not going to happen in our view. More likely, Scott will modernize their production facilities utilizing Shawn’s expertise.

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3. Unfortunately, little has been said about the passing in late December of Kurt Danielsson, a great innovator and master craftsman. Best known as the founder of Danielsson Fly Reels – a company now carried on by his son, Tomas, Kurt was also the inventor of the large-arbor fly reel.

   

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4. With nearly every Northern Patagonia rental car booked from Neuquen (pronounced neh-oo-KEN) down to Esquel (es-KEL), January is the busiest time for Argentine waterways. We recommend leaving the warming rivers of the Neuquen Province behind and heading south to Chubut where glacial-fed streams offer cooler conditions and less pressure.

   

   Image Credit: Success on the Río Pico with Patagonia Trout Outfitters

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5. New Zealand experienced a wet late December, but the sun is now shining. Many river systems will be filling with camping families, but anglers who went remote early this season and chased clearing water will be well rewarded. The early angler catches the brown.

   

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Plan your mid-year Mexican Grand Slam!

Welcome to The Weekly Five, Issue 44, where we celebrate Puerto Rico’s tarpon & permit fishery, the arrival of Cox Outdoors, more 2026 trips to isolated Fanning Island, mid-priced rods from St Croix, and Patagonia solo by pack raft.

1. Following their US$10 million donation to American Rivers noted in The Weekly Five - 42, Cox Enterprises is continuing its push into the outdoor sector with the launch of Cox Outdoors. The new division brings together Kuiu Ultralight, their latest acquisition, and Loop Tackle, purchased in 2024. With the pieces now under one roof, expect Kuiu to roll out a dedicated fly-fishing apparel line in 2026.

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2. Puerto Rico is quickly emerging as the next major hotspot in saltwater fly fishing. Anglers are finding tarpon pushing 60–80 pounds before they migrate to spawn, all alongside a genuinely world-class permit fishery. Consistently light winds, pleasant weather, and frequent nonstop flights into San Juan (SJU) from major U.S. hubs mean exploring this destination is an easy decision.

   

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3. St. Croix continues its return to fly-rod prominence with the launch of the Legend Elite Freshwater and Legend Elite Saltwater series. Priced at US$595 and US$650 respectively, these new-for-2026 rods strengthen the mid-price category — adding even more pressure to an already embattled US$1,000-plus premium segment. Have any readers tried these yet?

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4. For those looking for a remote saltwater fly fishing adventure, Isolation Outfitters has announced a second 2026 hosted trip to Fanning Island after strong demand for their two-week April 2026 expedition.

   

   Endless Equatorial Flats — photographed by Winston Weyborn

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5. 64-year-old Perry from the UK demonstrates that Argentine Patagonia can be fished DIY — and even with a pack raft. Stay tuned to Exploration Angling for more on each of these pristine river systems in the coming months.

Missed us?

Heading to the Yucatan?

1. Attention anglers in New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina: Protect rivers this season by preventing the spread of didymo. Check out our guide and simple biosecurity checklist to keep your gear, and these waterways, clean.

   

   Image Credit: Landcare NZ — Didymo in New Zealand’s Hawea River

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2. If you are traveling south to where we all wet-wade, consider picking up a pair of NRS Hydroskins (in either 0.5mm or 1.5mm Terraprene™ neoprene) to counter the cold river flows. Down to US$112 a pair right now, you have no excuse not to fish in comfort, fellow anglers.

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3. Denver, Colorado-based Fishpond has heeded the call for lighter fly boxes within their Tacky range by adding ‘Dynamic Foam’ into the clear lid options within their Pescador range. New arrivals include a small Pescador sporting a clear lid, a medium clear lid Pescador, plus this medium Dynamic Foam Tacky Pescador weighing in at a modest 0.28 lbs (127 gms).

   

   Image Credit: Fishpond, Colorado USA

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4. For those planning to chase Aitutaki’s bonefish next year, Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines has adjusted their weekly Honolulu-Rarotonga route from Saturdays in/Sundays out to Fridays in/Saturdays out. The new Honolulu-Rarotonga weekly schedule from April 24, 2026 is:

   HNL—RAR: Fridays — departs 4:35pm, arrives 10:55pm
   RAR—HNL: Saturdays — departs 12:35pm, arrives 6:30pm

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5. Dave and Amelia Jensen have been heading down to New Zealand for many years. Here’s some great educational content from these experts on presenting flies to big Browns in small West Coast spring creeks.

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Cautionary Advice for Southern Anglers

Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) is one of the most persistent ecological threats to the rivers and lakes of southern Chile and Argentina since its discovery here in 2009/10.

The alga forms dense, fibrous mats that smother riverbeds, disrupt insect life, and alter the character of streams that many anglers consider some of the finest on earth. Once established, it is almost impossible to remove — which makes prevention the only meaningful defense.

For traveling anglers, the responsibility is simple: treat every river crossing as a biosecurity checkpoint.

Why didymo spreads so easily

Didymo cells cling to anything that stays damp — waders, felt soles, boots, nets, leaders, anchor ropes, boat bilges, even gravel stuck in tyre treads. A single drop of contaminated water can start a new outbreak. The southern Andes are vast, but the pathways between river systems are short. One wet pair of boots can connect entire watersheds.

Angler protocol: what you must do

Chile’s Sernapesca and Subpesca, along with Argentina’s Ministerio de Ambiente and regional authorities — as well as in New Zealand where didymo has been present since 2004 — all recommend the same core practices. Build these into your routine.

1. Check

Before leaving any river, inspect boots, waders, reel, net, socks, packs, boat and trailer. Remove any algae, mud, and plant material and dispose of it in the rubbish — never down drains or back into waterways.

2. Clean

Use one effective method every time you change catchments:

• Hot water — Drench or soak gear in water 60°C or hotter for at least one minute.

• Bleach solution — Use a 2% sodium hypochlorite solution; ~200 mL household bleach per 10 L water. (Household bleach broadly translates to ‘lavandina’ in Argentina, or ‘cloro’ in Chile.)

  • Non-porous items: 1 minute

  • Porous items (waders, lifejackets, cork rod handles): 30 minutes

• Detergent — When hot water or bleach is unavailable, some agencies accept a 1–5% detergent solution for at least a minute.

3. Dry

If you cannot clean immediately, then drying is mandatory. Gear must be completely dry — no cool, damp spots — for at least 48 hours before entering another waterway.

Patagonia’s weather often demands 72 hours or more, leaving bleach as the most practical method when traveling between river systems.

4. Boats & Trailers

Drain any bilge water, empty buckets or containers holding river water, open hatches, and let everything dry fully. Check trailer frames and tyre treads for trapped vegetation or debris.

5. Dedicated Gear

If you fish a river known to have didymo, consider dedicating boots, waders, and net to that system alone if possible. Some guides now operate with ‘river-specific’ kits for this reason, so ask your lodge or outfitter ahead of your visit.

Felt soles on wading boots have been broadly banned in Argentine Patagonia and whilst not yet universally banned in Chile, they are strongly discouraged. Some outfitters are still foolishly advising that bringing clean felt soles into Chile is acceptable, despite high risk of cross-contamination of streams whilst moving between waterways. There’s a clear reason why both New Zealand and Argentina have banned felt soles, so play the long game and leave them behind.

6. Report Suspicious Mats

If you are a return visitor to a stream and encounter unfamiliar algal growth:

• Chile: Report through Sernapesca channels.

• Argentina: Report to provincial environmental or fisheries authorities.

Contact details are listed at the end of this article. Early reporting helps protect neighboring watersheds.

A small routine that protects a huge place

Patagonia’s rivers are rugged in character, yet complex, delicate fisheries. A minute to check, apply hot water, a bleach soak, and a drying cycle is insignificant compared to the damage didymo can inflict. New Zealander’s know the damage this alga can inflict on southern waterways. International visitors to Chile and Argentina must take the same care as is demanded in New Zealand’s South Island.

These fisheries rely on the choices anglers make at the tailgate, the put-in, and the take-out. Treat your gear with the same care you give the fish, and you help keep Chilean and Argentine waters healthy for decades to come.

Authorities to report didymo sightings

Argentine Agencies

Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible (MAyDS) – National Environment Ministry
Email: inspecciones@ambiente.gob.ar
Website: argentina.gob.ar/ambiente

Autoridad Interjurisdiccional de Cuencas (AIC) – Watershed Authority
Phone: +54 299 443 1943 (Neuquén office)
Website: aic.gob.ar

Chilean Agencies

Servicio Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura (SERNAPESCA) – National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service
Phone (National): +56 32 281 9176
Email: oficinadepartes@sernapesca.cl
Website: sernapesca.cl

Superintendencia del Medio Ambiente (SMA) – Environmental Superintendency
Phone: +56 22 617 1860
Email: oficinadepartes@sma.gob.cl
Website: portal.sma.gob.cl

1. The Southern Hemisphere angling season is now well underway, with spring rain keeping river levels topped up in New Zealand. The South Island received 150% more rainfall than normal in October. However in Northern Patagonia, despite there is no evidence that rainfall was above average, things bode well for an excellent summer from San Martin de los Andes down to Esquel and further south.

   

   Image: Rio Collón Curá in Neuquén Province, Argentina

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2. Back in Episode 34 of The Weekly Five (Sept 24, 2025), we announced that the Scott Fly Rod Company will be releasing a ‘GT’ range — the latest iteration of their popular ‘G’ series moderate action fly rods. Well, this weekend they finally confirmed it too. Early reports describe a faster-action rod, which is somewhat surprising, as it moves the range into an already crowded segment.

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3. American Rivers has just received its largest grant in history — US$10M from the James M. Cox Foundation, the philanthropic organization of Cox Enterprises, which acquired Loop Tackle in late 2024.

   

   Image Credit: American Rivers

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4. Down in New Zealand, we’re dusting off the dry flies as the days lengthen and temperatures climb. Does anyone know the history and evolution of the Twilight Beauty, from English wet, to the indispensable New Zealand dry fly pattern?

   

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5. Looking for a Christmas present for the wannabe fly angler in your life?
   Phil Monahan’s new book, The Orvis Quick-Start Guide to Fly-Fishing: Everything You Need to Know to Catch Fish Your First Time Out, goes on sale early December. Phil reckons that if you buy this book on a Wednesday, you could be out catching fish on Saturday morning!

   

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Fancy a trip to New Zealand next year?

EXPLORATION ANGLING — TWF:41
Another week, another Weekly Five — issue 41, if you’re counting. Fall’s in full swing up north, and the ’Gram is awash with game recipes. I’ve tossed mine in at the end of this post.

1. Pause for day dreaming. Unless you’ve got a yacht with range, a freighter captain on speed dial, or your own floatplane with large fuel tank, the bonefish patrolling the far-flung Polynesian atoll shown above are sleeping easy. There are dozens of these idyllic destinations scattered across the South Pacific Ocean.

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2. Celebrating New Zealand’s spring creeks. Back in 2013, MidCurrent published an article outing the majestic La Fontaine Stream on the South Island’s West Coast. This stream presents the ultimate challenge for visiting anglers who might only have a day or two to uncover its secrets.

   

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3. The push to slap permits on the float fishers of Colorado’s Lower Blue has backfired. ‘Friends of the Lower Blue River’ rolled out a so-called ‘management plan’ with a sponsor list padded by companies (including Fishpond, Down River Equipment and Mountain Angler in nearby Breckenridge) that had only ever donated a bit of gear in the past. After the angler backlash, those logos are vanishing faster than snowmelt in May.

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4. Tropical anglers have never had it better than in 2025, and we’ve been getting plenty of questions about GT lines lately. Scientific Anglers has their relatively new Amplitude Smooth Titan GT, as well as the excellent Sonar Titan GT with an intermediate (1.25 ips) head. Both go head to head with top-selling Rio Elite GT and Rio’s Premier Tropical OBS intermediate lines. And yes, before anyone asks about the Cortland 50+ series Giant Trevally fly line — they’re completely sold out on the company’s website.

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5. Charlie Craven of Charlies Fly Box picks his top flies for November 2025, including Lance Egan’s unfortunately named Rainbow Warrior— coincidentally the same as the Greenpeace vessel sunk by French secret agents in Auckland Harbour back in 1985. How on earth did they ever get away with that act of sabotage?!

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Two from the Archive

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EXPLORATION ANGLING TWF:40
Welcome to The Weekly Five, Issue 40. We’re gearing up for half an inch of snow on the ground this week. If I were writing from Bozeman, that wouldn’t be a surprise — but I’m sitting in Wanaka, New Zealand, listening to heavy rain hit the roof. Again. Good to get it all out of the way in October, I guess.

We’ve had three fierce storms roll over our little South Pacific paradise in the past seven days, with angry winds downing trees and knocking out power in remote areas. But hot weather is on the way — or so they say. The local trout won’t stay safe for much longer.

1. If you’re heading down to New Zealand, you could do a lot worse than to study the angling craft of jet-setting duo, Tuva Bjerketvedt and Vebjørn Kielland, in their South Island series shot during the summer of 2024. This is the last of their NZ videos and features some heavily pressured water.

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2. At Southflyfisher, we’re tackling some reel reviews this week. The chat has already started about preferred drag systems in saltwater fly reels: sealed disc drag or the old reliable cork drag. If you’re new to this, disc drags use friction from materials like carbon fiber to create smooth, precise resistance (unless saltwater sneaks in). Cork drags, on the other hand, use a bar that presses a cork plate against the spool, providing a robust and often very durable drag — and they’re easy to rinse. We’ve also kicked off a compulsory poll — give us your vote!

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3. Hungarian custom rod maker Stickman Rods isn’t widely known beyond the serious gearheads. These ultra-premium fly rods feature finely tuned blanks rolled by Maxia in Spain, then finished by expert hands back in Hungary. The highly respected Ti6 (below) is a perfect match for New Zealand’s big backcountry browns. Order in advance — there’s a 2 to 3 month lead time.

   

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4. A destination chat with some mates turned to the subject of chasing Jacks off the Texas coast. The underrated Crevalle jacks (Caranx hippos) to be precise, a worthy GT substitute. Here’s a Texas teaser from RA Beattie (one of our favorite fly fishing film directors) and the crew at Off the Grid Studios.

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5. Speaking of geets, five of us are off to explore a ridiculously remote atoll next year. A quick whip around the group this week revealed some serious early excitement. More so after talking to a village local this weekend who confirmed the big GTs hang right outside the lagoon entrance. We have space for one more to join us.

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Featured Articles

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By now, you’ve hopefully read New Zealand: Which Part?, selected your prime fishing region (or two), and decided what you really want out of your first visit to Brown Trout Heaven. Maybe you’ve even gone as far as sketching out a rough itinerary.

Part 2: The Gear Part goes deep into the practical stuff — what to pack, what to leave behind, all the finer details on fly lines and where to get your fishing license. In this installment, we also provide a full packing list for you to use to prepare for your journey down to New Zealand. Let’s go!

Read more

For decades, the world has fished the Argentine side of the Rio Grande. Now, a new Chilean estancia offers access to the same legendary sea trout — but with lighter rods, quieter water, and a rugged wilderness few have ever seen.

For more than half a century, the Rio Grande in Tierra del Fuego has defined what it means to fish for sea-run brown trout. Its name alone evokes long evening shadows, two-handed casts guided by a steady wind, and the pulse of chrome fish returning from the South Atlantic.

But for all the fame and folklore, few have ever seen where it all begins — across the border, in Chile.

Just west of that invisible line lies Estancia Las Segadas, a 200,000-acre frontier of windswept pampas, lakes, and tributaries that feed the headwaters of the Rio Grande. Until now, its waters have remained almost entirely closed to visiting anglers. That changes this February, when Las Segadas Lodge unlocks the farm gates and opens its doors for its first season — marking the start of a new era on one of the most storied rivers in fly fishing.

Why This River Matters

Every summer, tens of thousands of sea-run browns push upstream from the Atlantic, spreading through the main stem of the Rio Grande and its tributaries to spawn. They are descendants of a handful of trout stocked in Tierra del Fuego nearly a century ago — fish that adapted, migrated, and evolved into the remarkable anadromous strain known today for their power and size.

When they reach Las Segadas, these fish have only travelled half the length of the river. The water here is narrower, clearer, and more intimate — a far cry from the wide, wind-scoured channel of the mouth and lower sections downstream. Anglers can fish it differently: with 8-weight single-hand rods or Trout Spey setups in 4- and 5-weight, casting Scandi heads with lighter tips and smaller flies into clear water.

It’s a subtler, more technical expression of Rio Grande fishing — where presentation and patience count more than brute distance.

It’s also refreshingly quiet. There are no other lodges within sight, no convoys of guide trucks moving between beats. Just you, your guide, and a river that has never known daily angling pressure.

A Chilean Reawakening

Las Segadas Lodge sits deep within the historic estancia, encircled in a clean white picket fence, on a thicket of green grass shared with the other support buildings. The lodge itself — a restored ranch homestead — feels timeless: thick-walled, warm, built for Patagonia weather. After its 2025 refurbishment, it now hosts just six anglers per week, each with private or twin rooms, ensuite bathrooms, and communal fire-lit dining and lounge rooms that serve as the nightly gathering point for stories, local wines, and Chilean asado.

Beyond the main river, the property hides a network of smaller waters: spring creeks that snake through the vast grasslands, clear tributaries like the Rio Blanco and Rio Chico, draining several lakes into the growing Rio Grande. These streams house resident brown and rainbow populations. Future early-season guests will find runs of King Salmon moving up the Rio Grande and turning into Rio Blanco — an increasingly strong run that hints at what’s possible within this unique fishery.

The Experience

A typical day at Las Segadas starts on sunrise, with the wind still asleep. After coffee and a cooked breakfast, you’ll wade through low, glacial light, watching the river come alive. The first cast across the current swings quietly, the line draws tight, and suddenly you’re attached to something heavy and alive — a sea-run brown in the upper Rio Grande.

Guides will rotate guests through a mix of main-stem pools and smaller tributaries, with flexibility to fish long days, or take a midday break at the lodge to maximize the evening twilight session. Expect to wade on stable gravel beds, with sight-fishing chances when the water drops clear.

In the evenings, you can fish until the last light fades — which in February might mean casting past 10pm — before returning to the lodge for a glass of Carménère and grilled lamb by the fire.

Techniques & Tackle

Fishing on the estancia rewards finesse over force.

• Single-hand rods: 8-weights with floating or sink tip fly lines, smaller flies and delicate mends.

• Trout Spey: 4–5 (DH) weight setups with Scandi or Skagit-lite heads and intermediate tips for effortless swings.

• Flies: Green Machines, smaller leeches, EMBs, Girdle Bugs — tied light and sparse, always on single barbless hooks.

Everything on the Chilean side is single barbless hook, catch-and-release only, ensuring this fishery remains as wild as it is today.

Beyond the Fishing

This far south, nature feels new and raw, even imposing. Guanacos graze on the horizon, condors spiral overhead, and the wind carries the raw scent of the steppe. You’re almost as likely to spot a grey fox on the riverbank as you are to see a fish porpoise within the pools.

After days spent on the water, the evenings at Las Segadas Lodge slow down. Dinners are social and unpretentious — local lamb, garden vegetables, and wines from Chile’s central valleys. There’s a constant supply of hot water, electricity from on-site generation, and Starlink internet for the essentials — though most guests are happy to leave the world behind for the week.

February and March 2026 — Limited Season

Las Segadas Lodge will host anglers for only eight weeks next year, from early February through March, closing before the April spawning season begins. Two hosted launch weeks mark the opening:

• February 1–8, 2026 — Opening Week (two rods available as at publication)

• February 8–15, 2026 — The Sea-Run Sessions

Each week is limited to six anglers. Packages include seven nights accommodation, six days of guided fishing, all meals and beverages and, for 2026, will include charter flights to Aeródromo Pampa Guanaco, just 35 minutes from the estancia, used to shuttle guests between the lodge and Punta Arenas.

Why Choose Las Segadas

Because this is what exploration angling in Patagonia can be like — not finding a new river (although that is possible on this estate), but discovering the wild parts of a legendary one.

Because casting a line in the upper Rio Grande, into beats that have never seen a fly, is a rare privilege in the modern fly-fishing world.

And because when you stand alone on that river, with the mountains behind you and the wind at your back, you’ll remember what drew you to this pursuit in the first place.

Booking & Availability

Las Segadas Lodge — Chilean Rio Grande
Season: February–March 2026
Capacity: 6 anglers per week
Hosted Weeks: Feb 1–8 (two rods only) & Feb 8–15, 2026
Contact: Isolation Outfitters for details, gear lists, and travel assistance.

EXPLORATION ANGLING TWF:39
The Sea Run Issue announces a new double handed rod range from Winston, last angler availability for 2026 at two Rio Grande lodges, a Tierra del Fuego jacket to rule them all, and at the other end of the world, an Iceland lake.

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1. Guillermo at Wuijoor Lodge, together with Isolation Outfitters, is calling for the last two rods for their upcoming 2026 Sea Run Brown Trout season on the Rio Grande and Rio Menendez in southern Patagonia. Wuijoor’s water allows for single hand and light Trout Spey fishing. At only US$3,900 for a full week, this lodge is the most affordable guided option on Tierra del Fuego and bookings have now been filled (almost!). With only two rods left for Feb 22 - Mar 01, call toll free US/Canada 888-404-1390 today to hold your spot.

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2. Upstream, the new Las Segadas Lodge will open its doors this season. Due to an unfortunate late cancellation, two rods for Feb 1-8, 2026 have freed up. This historic estancia comprises over 100 miles of virgin Rio Grande plus tributaries, the Rio Blanco and Rio Chico, among other streams. Much has never been fished, beyond the mapping and exploration of the lodge guides. You’ll need to book this week to have a chance to fish the LSL water first.

   

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3. This weekend the R.L. Winston Rod Company announced their new Air 2 TH (Two Handed) range, comprising nine rods covering line weights from 330 up to 700 grains (5-9wt DH). Utilizing new nanoparticle technology is progressively aligning Winston’s entire Air 2 range with the world’s advanced rod makers, and making these rods lighter and stronger (by 24%) while maintaining Winston’s deep loading feel. Rods retail for US$1,495.

   

   Image credit: Winston, Double-bonded nanoparticle graphite technology.

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4. If you’re searching for the one jacket to rule them all on Tierra del Fuego expeditions, go no further than the RS Outpost from Skwala Fishing.

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5. If you prefer to head north, Iceland has giant native browns that “are the descendants of the anadromous brown trout that once migrated between Lake Thingvallavatn and the open ocean,” as covered in this 2025 article by Fly Fisherman magazine. Thingvallavatn is Iceland’s largest natural lake. To get there, just fly to Keflavík International Airport (KEF), a 6 hour flight from New York City via Icelandair.

   

   Image courtesy of Visit South Iceland: Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland.

Missed last week’s TWF?

Last chance for a 20lb Sea-Run in 2026

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Even the New Zealand Government is getting in early with increased funding for predator control. As much as they will lift their predator control program to alleviate the impact of the mouse population explosion, this will only focus on pockets of government land where indigenous fauna will not withstand the increased predation.

“The predicted beech mast will drop trillions of seeds, fueling a surge in rodents then stoats – with potentially devastating impacts on native birds, bats, snails and other species.”

DoC have released the following prediction map, showing moderate to heavy seeding throughout Fiordland and South Westland in New Zealand’s South Island and moderate seeding in and around the Kahurangi National Park further north on the West Coast.

Read more

EXPLORATION ANGLING TWF:38 leads with a lawsuit over water rights on Montana’s stressed rivers including the Blackfoot, Big Hole and Bitterroot. There’s more photos from New Zealand, two new rod releases, and some packing lists for international fishing travel.

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1. Graham Coppes, a Missoula-based attorney, has filed a lawsuit against Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), according to Montana Free Press, seeking clarification on whether the state is fulfilling its constitutional obligation to prevent the “unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources” in its administration of water. The Montana Constitution declares that water is “the property of the state for the use of the people”. We will continue to monitor and report on developments in this legal challenge.

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2. What’s up with all the new fly rod releases?

   Sage Power R8 (model no. 2067) is soon to be announced in 8 models (US$1,100), replacing Sage Igniter for heavy sink tips and large fly work. In the mid-priced category, a new Sage Arrow will replace five year old Sage Sonic (US$725) – a well-regarded fast-action fly rod.

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3. Back at Southflyfisher HQ, we picked up a couple of the newly released Scientific Anglers Amplitude Trout GP (one quarter heavy) and Amplitude Trout Expert (true to weight) fly lines, both Textured WF-5-F, to test this season. We’ll report back on our findings.

   

   BTW, does everyone use the line labels that lift off the sticker packaging at the base of the new S.A. fly line boxes? Super handy.

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4. As snowmelt subsides and spring rains ease, the headwaters of New Zealand’s South Island rivers become particularly desirable to expedition fly anglers from November onward. With the third-highest number of Hughes 500 (MD 500) helicopters in the world — after the USA and the Philippines — access to the country’s most remote fly-fishing waters is both swift and comfortable.

   

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5. Over on No Slack Loops, Michael — editor at Southflyfisher and Exploration Angling — is launching an expedition to an inaccessible, far-flung South Pacific atoll. Exactly the kind of place that holds big bonefish and monster trevally cruising endless white-sand flats. There are still two spots left in the six-person crew for this epic September 2026 adventure.

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Packing Lists for Paid Subscribers

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There’s more to organizing a fly-fishing trip than just the core logistics of where and when. While New Zealand – also known to locals as Aotearoa – is an easy English-speaking country to visit, it still demands careful planning by the fly angler. This is Part 1 of a short series by Michael Gregg on planning a bucket-list journey to the angler’s nirvana of New Zealand.

Plan one region and fish it well

Riffing on the elephant joke: How do you fish New Zealand? One river at a time.

More helpfully, New Zealand should not be viewed as a single angling destination, unless you intend to shift here and fish for many decades. There’s simply too much water. Too many options, too much to learn, uncover, explore and return to.

New Zealand is divided into twelve Fish & Game regions: six in the North Island and six in the South. Focusing on just one South Island region –Nelson/Marlborough, West Coast, North Canterbury, Central South Island, Otago, or Southland – can easily fill an entire season of fishing.

To illustrate this, the image at the top of this post shows a small, hidden high-country lake that holds a couple of dozen large brown trout. Those who know it, and there are very few, will remember stalking its bush-clad edges, waiting for a cruising fish to appear beneath the still, reflective surface. This lake alone can occupy a full day on the water.

Yet just behind the photographer, a clear freestone stream flows from the lake into a beautiful headwaters tributary that supports a small population of brown trout, often of epic proportions. That tributary then joins the main river – a substantial system offering a week’s worth of fishable water within easy walking distance.

Read more

EXPLORATION ANGLING TWF:37 headlines with a massive fight in the Florida mangroves between man and tarpon. We profile a book to order, a bag to carry, and commiserate with a Bolivia lodge. The picture above is simply to remind you why New Zealand tops angler destination wishlists.

1. Will Phelps makes it back into The Weekly Five with a cray cray Tarpon encounter that had me on the edge of my seat and on croc lookout while it all unfolded. Compelling viewing!

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2. Chris and Randi Freeman in Fort Collins, Colorado, craft the exquisite Cameron Side Bag for the sartorially inclined expedition angler. Their company is called Emerger Fly Fishing. For those who journey.

   

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3. A Fishable Feast: Fly Fishing and Eating Your Way Around the World, authored by Kirk Deeter and Matthew Supinski, with photography by Tim Romano, is set for release in March 2026. Pre-order your copy now to enjoy 20 unforgettable fly-fishing adventures, each paired with recipes reflecting the flavors of the destinations.

   

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4. Your earnest editor went for a wander with a South African farmer last season – and along the way, we managed to find this backcountry brown.

   

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5. Trouble has been brewing in Bolivian paradise. Steve from Amazon Anglers reports that they are cancelling operations at Arapaima Paradise Lodge due to ongoing issues with Eco-Jet, the local airline. “Consistent flight cancellations, schedule changes, and date alterations have created an untenable situation that we can no longer accept,” Steve explains. Announcements about their future base for pursuing Arapaima, Peacock Bass, and Payara are coming soon.

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1. News that Orvis is shutting 36 store locations and exiting general apparel to refocus on fishing and bird-hunting goods is not all bad. They’ll lean on their independent retail network, restructuring costs will be amortized, DTC sales will grow. They’ll be leaner and laser-focused on creating top of the range fly fishing gear, including their Scientific Anglers brand of fly lines. That’s a big win for us, the angling community.

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2. To do our bit to support Orvis, we’re giving this rod a plug. The Orvis Superfine Seven/Eleven 4wt Graphite is our pick of their current fly rod selection. Quicker than the traditional glass Superfine, well-reviewed as a small stream rod at 7’ 11”, and under US$600 makes it very fairly priced for a quality US-made fly rod.

   

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3. New Zealand’s season has opened to less than ideal weather with snow in the southern high country, heavy rain and some big fish caught – typical in our antipodean spring. The settled weather will soon be upon us.

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4. We welcome Rodrigo Moreira Salles onto Substack and, in the spirit of our tight-knit fly fishing community, recommend you sub to his Jungle Angling tales in Bolivia and Brazil. Rod’s stories promise to surprise and delight.

   

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5. For the fly fisher who demands art with their angling, Hatch Outdoors have launched an Artist Collaboration Series. Our favorite is Matt Renner’s work on the Hatch Iconic 5+ fly reel. You know you want one!

   

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Two Epic Reviews

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Born in Wanaka. Built for Salt.

Swift Fly Fishing, born out of the rugged beauty of Wānaka, New Zealand, has never been a company content with following the crowd. Instead they’ve carved a now well-trodden path through the fly fishing world by producing the Epic brand of rods and reels that feel alive in the hand, and that carry a mix of precision, style, and personality that has earned them fans around the globe.

Starting with their FastGlass range that reintroduced fiberglass to a new generation of anglers, Epic quickly demonstrated that they could merge performance with soul. Over the years they expanded into custom Studio-built rods, the Reference C series of graphite rods, premium Backcountry and hubless Trutta fly reels, the Graphene (G) series, and now a new Titanium Series that dares to combine strength, speed, and a refined aesthetic for the saltwater traveler who refuses to compromise.

From the company that introduced the angling world to FastGlass favorites – the versatile and now-famous Epic 888, the ten weight Bandit beloved for powerful casts with heavy lines and big flies, and the twelve weight Boca Grande that redefined expectations for big game fiberglass – Epic has consistently delivered saltwater rods that blend performance, durability, and personality. Each of these three is instantly recognizable to experienced anglers everywhere as designs that work as hard as they feel good to fish.

Epic Titanium Series 890Ti Fly Rod

The Titanium Series offers five calibers of four-piece rods across six, seven, eight, nine, and ten weights, each carrying the DNA of Epic’s design philosophy: titanium stripping guides that shrug off corrosion while the Torzite inserts whisper smoothly to the line, stainless steel PVD-coated snake guides, durable anodized aluminum TRI reel seats that feel as good as they look, and fast action satin-finish titanium-reinforced blanks that perform crisply without ever punishing the angler for being human. These are rods that do not flinch in sun, surf, or wind, yet manage to cast with a delicacy that feels almost unfair given their backbone. This is where the new Titanium Series will earn its name and reputation.

The Epic 890Ti fly rod asserts itself as the workhorse of the flats – the eight weight you reach for when you want something that carries both authority and personality to pack for your next saltwater destination.

Taking the Epic 890Ti to Christmas Island was like handing the rod a diploma in saltwater performance. This is a place where bonefish run hard, coral bites back, and the frequent gusts demand a double haul.

Day one and my first casts across the early morning turquoise flats immediately revealed how effortlessly it generates line speed, shooting tight loops into stiff equatorial winds and delicately presenting a light Crazy Charlie to tailing bonefish with no hint of wobble or sluggishness. This rod will drive a grin onto your face faster than a Jimmy Kimmel quip. It was after the first powerful run of a bonefish, the Ti truly shone – bending deep into the butt section, recovering fast, and fighting these muscular fish with authority. Standing on that endless flat, watching line scream off the spool, I understood what Epic meant by “when power needs personality.” Over the course of the week, the rod was soaked, dried, scraped over coral, and sandblasted by wind and grit, and by the end it was pristine, the guides untarnished, the blank as lively as ever.

What sets the 890Ti apart is not just its clear strength and the confidence you get from that. It’s not even its speed and recovery in the cast. It’s the way it balances serious saltwater performance with joy in the hand.

Casting is fast but forgiving, presenting flies with subtlety when needed and with authority when the wind, a change of direction, or a late spotted fish (that happened a lot!) demanded. Long fights feel like part of the fun rather than a test of endurance as the progressive blank bends under pressure yet recovers crisply.

As typical, the travel-friendly four-piece build fits easily into its carbon fibre rod tube, making it the ideal companion for long journeys where every gram matters.

Epic have taken what has been a utilitarian category of late – saltwater rods for harsh environments – and imbued it with their characteristic personality, producing a titanium reinforced tool that is as much about pleasure on the water as it is about surviving punishment.

Final Thoughts

There’s one word that I’m left with after a week using the 890Ti – confidence.

I left Christmas Island with a firm conviction that Epic’s Titanium Series 890Ti is not just another rod in the catalogue but a genuine flagship for my saltwater adventures. It’s a rod that will stand head and shoulders above the best eight weights in the world, while remaining unmistakably Epic. It is fast, tough, reliable, and yet somehow playful – the kind of rod that invites long days on the flats and rewards them with more smiles than stress. A tool that truly embodies ‘strength without stiffness’, yet reminds you that when power needs personality, Epic steps up.

For anyone seeking one rod to carry – across flats, reefs, and on saltwater adventures where conditions are harsh and the fish are unforgiving, the 890Ti is it. Built for the salt, born in Wanaka, and ready to turn heads on flats worldwide.

The Epic 8wt will be joining me in Fanning Island and Aitutaki during 2026, hopefully with a 990Ti riding shotgun for Triggers.

A Fresh Test Awaits

The 890Ti will also be in my luggage for an upper Rio Grande expedition in early 2026, to tackle sea-run browns in the tributaries of this storied Patagonian river system. Access onto the vast estancia of Las Segadas Lodge will provide a superb testing ground for this 890Ti’s freshwater capabilities.

1. Just when we’d finally wrapped our heads around Scientific Anglers’ tiered naming system: Magnitude, Amplitude, Mastery, they’ve shuffled the deck again. Trout Standard is being rebadged as Trout GP (General Purpose?) and rumored to be a quarter line heavy. The old Trout lines are now Trout Expert, and true-to-weight. Unless SA shares the bigger picture soon, this could get confusing fast. Magnitude Trout Expert (below) already sports the new name.

   

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2. It’s not widely known that Loop has been an American tackle company for a year. The rapid transition by Alex Taylor and his team at Cox has been impressive. They’re investing heavily in extending their brand globally – and particularly into the US market. Here’s a short YouTube interview between their long-time ambassador, Emilie, and Alex.

   

   Check out Loop’s Classic COTW Collection: Colors of the Wild (Credit: Loop)

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3. Sunglasses are critical for fly anglers, yet there’s little quantitative research available – with purchases often driven by existing brand preference or perceived loyalty. Buying a pair with prescription lenses steps up the challenge. This is the story of one angler’s path to Tonic.

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4. According to the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DoC), when beech forests seed heavily, known as a mast, they can produce up to 15,000 seeds per square meter. This is predicted for 2026 in Fiordland, South Westland and Kahurangi National Park. If you are planning to come to New Zealand, make it for the 2026 Spring/Summer and bring your 3X tippet.

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5. To wrap, let’s shine a light on a talented New Zealand fly tier, Rhys Hogg from NZ Fishing Flies. He will fill a box ahead of your New Zealand trip and post the selection to your hotel in advance, or ship your international order. Remember that prices are in NZD$ so are extremely reasonable.
   Get these and don’t forget to include some Cicada patterns.

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1. Scott is soon to launch a new GT Series of fly rods, with their flagship 5wt coming in a rather non-conventional 8’ 10” length.

   

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2. Ben Christensen has gone fishing after 13 years at Simms and 20 months as the top dog, where he launched their Simms Recast resale concept.

   Ben stated yesterday, “I leave Simms with love for the brand, and gratitude for all of the people I've had a chance to work with during this time. That gratitude extends to our outside partners: the supply chain partners, product and strategy consultants, and designers that became both trusted business associates, and friends. I look forward to staying in touch with all of you.”

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3. Tierra del Fuego’s Rio Grande opens in November for the spring runs of Chinook Salmon and early Sea-run Brown Trout, however getting a booking can be difficult at peak season. Some lodges operate on a first-refusal basis, allowing previous anglers to book their spots first. Message us if you’re thinking of heading down next season for our lodge and location recommendations.

   

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4. If you’re planning to fish Aitutaki, the yellow clouser will come up frequently in conversations with your guides. Fulling Mill has a Foxy Hot Legs in three sizes, but don't forget to pack the Clouser Yellow & Chartreuse.

   

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5. After your positive feedback about the two films we shared last week, here’s another from RA Beattie, with a great story behind it. Corozón (in 4K) is based on and around Holbox on the tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Flights have opened up for August 2026 and Isolation Outfitters is headed to Aitutaki in the Cook Islands.

Isolation Outfitters is running an Aitutaki Atoll Adventure, Aug 16-23, 2026. Great for first time saltwater anglers and those who appreciate some home comforts after a day on white sand flats. Get in quick: 6 rods only.

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Southflyfisher was provided the Epic Trutta Model 3/4/5 Fly Reel by Swift Fly Fishing for testing. This review complies with FTC and NZASA guidelines and our Disclosures policy.

Hubless reels have breezed in and out of the fly fishing industry without any models carving out a longstanding mainstream reputation.

Epic’s Lunar AC2 back in 2017 was truly sensory overload for those lucky enough to secure this piece of modern art. Loop, via Danielsson, gave it a really good nudge with their hubless Salmon range. More recently, Markus Rohrbach at Swiss Tackle has built the Blackwater 2 for 4-6wt lines and Arctic Silver of Denmark has brought a 5/6wt hubless to the market. Built in South Korea, their IC3 reel is highly futuristic (although they persist with old school petroleum-based neoprene reel cases which surely must be phased out across the sector soon).

Speaking of reputations, it’s appropriate to acknowledge South Korea as the emerging global leader in production fly rods and reel manufacturing – with many industry brands, including Epic, Redington, Douglas, Hardy, Taylor and others, turning to this Asian powerhouse for world-class quality build and assembly of rods and reels.

Anyway, there’s a new kid on the reel block and this hubless fly reel is turning heads and winning hearts. Let’s check it out.

Epic Trutta Hubless Fly Reel

The hubless fly reel is back at Epic, with this stunner set to be a classic right across the fly fishing world in coming years.

Designed in collaboration with renowned Ukrainian fly reel designer Vlad Rachenko (VR Reels), Epic called their freshly-released Trutta “a new take on the classic small trout clicker reel”.

Weighing in at only 106 grams (3.73 oz), the Trutta is available in one compact size suitable for 3 to 5 weight fly lines – the perfect reel for brookies, char, masu salmon – in fact any trout of more modest proportions – and just like Epic’s innovative FastGlass rods, this reel brings a big dose of fun back into small stream fishing.

Look closer at their ingenious design and you’ll note that the simple clicker is placed within the handle, with the handle positioned close to the spool axis for rapid retrieval. The high capacity spool has a Universal Left/Right design for easy setup. Within the frame, a series of aligned dimples encircle the ‘hub’ to activate the click drag. The anodised finish is first rate and the reel assembly feels firm and functional.

The Epic Trutta is available in Satin Black frame & spool. They are offering Red Spool, Blue Spool, and Silver spool variants, meaning you have four colours to choose from. Spools are water resistant, with sealed bearings, plus two spare clickers are stored within the handle, tensioned by small springs.

Yes, I disassembled the entire reel and spool so you don’t have to. There are two spare clickers in the handle, trust me. Pro tip: If you do insist on unscrewing the handle to check on your clicker spares, take care as the black handle is loosened, not to lose any springs or spare clickers when the handle comes free.

In line with their thoughtful approach to rod and line packaging, Epic has taken a further leadership role by moving to what they are labelling a “premium Enviro-friendly X-Pac reel case.”

Produced from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester fabric that is 100% climate neutral, this protective case sends a signal for the industry to put an end to neoprene reel covers. Originally designed for sailcloth, X-Pac is a four-layer laminate that not only provides great durability, but is lightweight, UV resistant, and 100% waterproof (DWR).

The Trutta in Action

I’ve been fishing the Trutta – armed with Epic’s true-to-weight Glassline in 5 weight – since the start of last season and I can tell you that the clicker on this reel puts a smile on my face every time it sings.

My last click-pawl reel that saw regular action was a Hardy Viscount LA MKIII that did more than a few tours of duty on the Taupo winter circuit (I’ve still got it plus a spare spool). Prior to that, a Scientific Anglers System Two back in the 1990s (I loved that reel), an Olympic 440 (the handle eventually fell off that one) and back further, an old Pflueger Medalist.

These modern click drags are much more refined, with the clicker pin (cleverly embedded within the handle) clicking into a cog that is merely well-engineered dimples surrounding the inner circle of frame. As the spool unwinds line, there clicker create sufficient drag so as not to overrun the line as it is stripped off the spool by hand or fish.

A beautiful thing to behold. At least until you hit a powerful rainbow, deep into a tiny tributary up in New Zealand’s Central Otago high country. With the fish heading downstream through staircase gorges where every few meters along the river equals a vertical meter up – or in my case down – rubbing shins against bear-sized boulders, reel clicks merging into a single scream (actually, that may have been me) as I clumsily attempt to add further drag with my palm to subdue said trout.

Unfazed, the Trutta’s fast retrieve – combined with bemusement, or a sense of pity perhaps, from a now more compliant fish – allowed the reel and rod, with me not too far behind, to bring it to the net.

Last season my New Year resolutions included plans to make more time for a 4wt line and 8 ft rod and enjoy weekly wanders up tiny southern burns that burble with crisp, clear mountain water during hot, still summer days, casting delicate dries to rising speckled browns of more appropriate proportions to the rod/reel combo. This remains on my radar for this coming season!

To be fair, I had to step up to a six weight rig for earlier high country water expeditions, and stillwater sessions when the local rivers blew out – a frequent occurrence since the 2024/25 Southern Hemisphere season opened to wave after wave of storms and snow squalls. But once our very wet spring season mellowed into bursts of balmy early summer, I fitted the Trutta, spooled in seductive Satin Cherry Red, to my magical Epic 590G wand and re-lived my carefree click-pawl youth on some of our close-to-Wānaka streams.

If you’ve perused the review of Epic’s Reference 590G, you’ll know I’m a big fan of the accuracy, responsiveness and the perfect balance between distance and delicacy of this true-to-weight rod.

The Trutta is aptly named – as it loves to do battle against the chunky Brown Trout that cruise beneath the overhanging willows of our local lake. One could easily underestimate this compact 3-5 weight reel, but it comes out of its corner when called upon and, when partnered with the 590G, is more than capable of subduing these stillwater brawlers in short order.

Final Thoughts

My love affair with click drags has returned. And hubless reels, well, that desire never went away. So I’m thrilled there’s a hubless Epic fly reel back on the block. It’s already won my heart.

Next June, I’ll be fishing the spring creeks of Montana and I can assure you I’ll be taking the Trutta (adorning an Epic 476 maybe?) on that adventure and I’m certain it will turn more than a few heads on the river.

Note: The Epic Trutta Model 3/4/5 is available on Epic’s website in a satin black frame, with spool color choices of blue, red, silver or black all in stock. This reel comes bundled with a whole lot of good times ahead for the buyer.

1. Must Watch: Emilie Björkman fishes the Río Menéndez at Wuijoor Lodge in Tierra del Fuego. Great tackle tips for fishing deep on the bends of the river.

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2. Flying into Queenstown this season and hoping to fish? Getting on good water can be tricky. Start by calling Chris Dore, local fly fishing guide extraordinaire. He’s likely booked, but can give a solid update on river conditions – or better yet, book a day with him now for expert guidance.

   

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3. Lake Brunner Lodge, on the South Island’s West Coast, is returning to its roots as a fly fishing base. Originally built in 1868 (and rebuilt in 1930), it was first known as Mitchells Lake Hotel. The lodge offers guided access to the storied waters that built New Zealand’s reputation as a fly fishing destination back in the early 1990s.

   

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4. Nautilus finally released the long-awaited GTR 8/9 Fly Reel to fly shops this week. Initially available in matte black and brushed titanium anodizing, prices are US$875 for reel and US$415 for a spare spool. From Kristen Mustad, Nautilus owner/designer for the past 23 years says, “This 4.5-diameter reel gives anglers lightning-fast line pickup and the stopping power to handle bonefish, permit, or steelhead with confidence. Soon you will be able to swap it with the 10/11 spool for tarpon season—one frame, multiple fisheries.” These reels will be very popular with serious saltwater anglers for a long time into the future.

   

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5. If you only watch one saltwater flyfishing film this year, make it this one. Only you’ll have to wait to Dec 1 on YouTube unless you saw it at the 3FT.

Go West for Trophy Browns – South Island NZ Hosted Trip, March 15-20, 2026

Isolation Outfitters, together with Lake Brunner Lodge, is running a West Coast Hosted Trip in March 2026. Timed for settled southern weather, this trip includes helicopter access to remote headwaters where eats from big browns are highly anticipated. Contact Isolation Outfitters to get your name on the list.

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