12 DAYS OF SKWALA SALE - RS Outpost Jacket

The 12 Days of Skwala Sale is starting its wind down but first, the RS Outpost Jacket is on a one day sale with 15% off for you and 5% going to Trout Unlimited and the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust with your purchase.  

I don't have this jacket but one of my guide friends does who spends a lot of time where it's cold and snows.  A lot.  He describes the RS Outpost Jacket as "Warm as F$%&."  No joke.

This jacket does it all.  Waterproof.  Four-way stretch.  Insulated.  Breathable.  Durable.  And, more.

Check out the Skwala website and the 12 Days of Skwala Sale page for more information.

P.S.  If you don't have a favorite Skwala dealer nearby, making a purchase through the affiliate links in this post will put a few coins in the T.F.M. piggy bank.  I appreciate the support.  Thank you.

FULLING MILL - Tom Rosenbauer Tying the Rosenhopper

It's never too early to start filling up the hopper fly box and this is a fun one with Tom Rosenbauer.

Find everything needed to tie your own Rosenhopper on the Fulling Mill website.  Don't tie?  You can purchase a few Rosenhoppers, in two colors and two sizes, there too.

FISHPOND - Lodgepole Fishing Satchel

The New Arrivals from Fishpond are overwhelmingly impressive and the Lodgepole Fishing Satchel is very likely my favorite item from the entire collection.  This shoulder carry bag is a perfect mix of low-key meets quietly techy.  Made with an organic waxed cotton exterior, it features multiple pockets and even a padded laptop sleeve inside.  This as much of an outdoor and everyday pack as it is a fishing satchel at a price point less than $150.  

I'm thinking about fly fishing, bird hikes, city walks, grab and go, and more.  This satchel can do it all.  

 
Visit the Fishpond website to see all of the New Arrivals.  Which ones are your favorites?

ORVIS - A Look Back at Bamboo in 1976

I am spending way too much time in the Orvis Spring 1976 catalog that I scored from Vintage Trouts awhile back.  The fiberglass fly rod pages were shared in a previous T.F.M. post and I thought that it would be fun to share all the bamboo fly rod pages from the catalog now.  

I've had a good time looking over all the various models and reading the copy for each.  By my count, there were over three dozen different bamboo fly rod models then, compared to just four models that are offered now.  I wonder how many bamboo fly rod builders they employed then?  I believe there is just one at the Orvis Rod Factory these days.

Click on the scans to enlarge them.  Which model, if you could only choose one, would you ask for?

Check out Vintage Trouts, follow on Instagram, and subscribe to the Vintage Trouts Journal on Substack.

Don’t Get Them A YETI (Unless You Really Love Them)

We're a big YETI family and this 60 seconds holiday ad nails it...



Who's getting something YETI on your Christmas shopping list this year?

GIVE THE GIFT OF GLASS

I'm always a little conflicted as the holidays approach with how much sale content that I want to share on The Fiberglass Manifesto.  As if your email inbox isn't overwhelming enough, then you come here for more.  There will be "selectively" a few posts highlighting a few gear and apparel favorites over the next week or so but what I do think is important to pass along the various promotions in fiberglass since that is the mission and focus of the website.

Giving the gift of glass, even if it's to yourself, is a stellar idea this holiday season.

I am going to keep this post pinned to the top of the page at least through the first week of December since I have a feeling that there will be additions along the way with various promotions and this will be easy reference if you saw something that you liked.

Of course, if you have any questions and want to hash out anything fiberglass fly rod related, I'm easy to connect with a DM on Instagram or an email to thefiberglassmanifesto@gmail.com.

You can spend your gift giving money a lot of places but it likely is felt a lot more with a purchase with a small shop fly rod builder or gear maker over a big box store.  

Let's get started and certainly circle back every so often for updates.  I'll keep this post refreshed with new promotions for the next couple of weeks.

C. BARCLAY FLY ROD CO. 
While Chris isn't running a holiday promotion per se, he does have a select few of his builds listed on discount in his online Store.  I am really keen on Chris's tapers and don't talk enough about his small stream magic wands.  You look back at previous posts HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

EPIC FLY RODS

For the next five days, shop the Black Friday Bundle Deals with 25% select items.  

If someone on your list needs a 6-weight, 8-weight, Bandit, or even a 12-weight, the Epic choices are always at or near the top of my list.  And, the trout weights are all so good, too.  

I've said it over and over but everyone needs a Bandit in their lives.  The El Tiburon post from ten years ago is a great reminder why...

GRAYWOLF RODS

I'm not sure when it ends, but Shane Gray has a Black Friday 25% Off Sale going on site wide.  Discounts are already plugged in on everything already.   

When that ends, we announced it the other day an ongoing 15% off everything on the Graywolf Rods website when you use TFM15.  This code is good through the end of the year.  

I've said it already (over and over) but don't sleep on the UL and BFS Rods.  A not so secret guilty pleasure and easily a top gift contender for a kid or adult.  Guaranteed smiles.

FISH ON! CUSTOM FLY RODS 

I traded text messages with Joey Moll and while he's still mulling over holiday discount plans, he's fully, fully, fully stocked with a lot of neat fiberglass fly rods blanks and components on the rod building pages of his website.  And, if someone has been very good this year, he has a stash of Kabuto Rods (including a sex bamboo fly rod) that are worth a look.  

JP ROSS FLY RODS & COMPANY
JP and I traded text messages this week and he assured me that some holiday sales are coming on his five different series of fiberglass fly rods (with a sixth coming soon...) but in the meantime, use code BFCM20 for an extra 20% off everything on the Cabin Clean-Out Sale page.  There are all sorts of great stocking stuffers, gear bags, art, and more.

KABUTO RODS

I haven't heard of any holiday sales but there is the new two handed rod and the 2026 Limited Edition fly rod model should be announced soon.  If you're looking for something special, these are that.

 

MOONLIT FLY FISHING

I already tipped you off that the Lunar S2 Glass and Nirvana PhoenixGLASS are both back in stock with a post last week.  The Lunar S2 Glass 6-weight (with mini fighting butt) is on my Christmas list... 

Now through November 30th, use code BLACKFRIDAY2025 for 20% off everything on the website.

When that discount code cycles off, you can always get 15% off everything using this LINK.

 

ORVIS FLY FISHING 

I mentioned it awhile back, and a few times on social media, but the Superfine Glass family was expected to shrink from 2-weight to 8-weight to a smaller family of 2-weigh to 5-weight.  The 6-weight and 8-weight fell off the website a couple of weeks ago and if you wanted to add either of these to your collection, it's time to start hunting for them at your local dealer.

6-weight or 8-weight?  I am a HUGE fan of the 8-weight and fortunately have a fresh backup to the one that has traveled all over the world with me.  

 

RED TRUCK FLY FISHING

James Park upped the normal 10% off to 20% off using code MANIFESTO20 for the next week on your online order.  The Diesel Glass Fly Rods continue to be a favorite and don't sleep on the fly reels.

 

SCOTT FLY ROD COMPANY
The F-Series is obviously wonderful but if you poke around your local dealer, you might be able to find one of the 50th Anniversary Edition F703/4 models on the rack.  It would be worth the hunt. 

 

STEFFEN BROTHERS
You'll likely see a separate post at some point tipping you off that this website is now powered by Shopify and the discount code TFM15 works here too for 15% off your purchase.  

All the fiberglass blanks are in stock and I'll never not tell you that the 8' 3/4 weight should be in your quiver.  If you need an excuse to place an order, Christmas is as good as any.

Alright, this will get us started.  I'm sure there will be more to add here over the next week or two.

12 DAYS OF SKWALA SALE - The Carbon Collection

My first experience with Skwala came after a phone call with CEO Kevin Sloan over three years ago with a package that included the Carbon Jacket.  I was immediately impressed with the fit and quality but looking deeper, the design and little things that make a Skwala product unique.  This is a great lightweight and pack ready waterproof layer that I continue to depend on.  

The Carbon Collection has grown with the Carbon Wader, the Carbon Pant, and most recently, the Carbon Boots and for the next three days, they are all included in the 12 Days of Skwala Sale with 15% off for you and 5% going to Trout Unlimited and the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.

 

The Carbon Jacket, Carbon Wader, and most recently, the Carbon Boots have been on the water with me for the past several years and are all recommended.  The jacket and waders are lightweight, with a clean design, and great performance.  I've walked so many miles in the Carbon Boots since spring and can tell you that few other wading boots that I've worn come close to the fit, traction, and durability.   They still look brand new.

Check out the Skwala website and the 12 Days of Skwala Sale page for more information.  And, if you need help with wader sizing, circle back to this T.F.M. post and video.

P.S.  If you don't have a favorite Skwala dealer nearby, making a purchase through the affiliate links in this post will put a few coins in the T.F.M. piggy bank.  I appreciate the support.  Thank you.