12 DAYS OF SKWALA SALE - Fusion 3/2 Puffy

Saturday morning after Thanksgiving we woke to our daughter telling us that her Chicago flight had just been cancelled due to a winter storm with heavy snow moving across the Midwest.  She had to be back to college for classes and the only option was to pack an overnight bag, load up the Subaru, and head north.  Knowing that we were driving into unpredictable conditions, I grabbed some worst case scenario provisions and layers, which included the Skwala Fusion 3/2 Puffy jacket.  Fortunately, even with eight hours straight driving in blizzard conditions, we made it back south unscathed.  WHEW...

In this final 12 Days of Skwala Sale offering, the Fusion 3/2 Puffy is 15% off for you and with 5% going to Trout Unlimited and the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.  If you're in need of a do-it-all winter jacket that will keep you warm wearing alone or works great with a shell, this is the one.  Available in two colorways and feature-filled, grab one to complete your "Skwala Uniform". 

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.

Shawn Combs Joins the Scott Fly Rod Company as Vice President

Last evening Angling Trade sparked off some worthy online media news that Shawn Combs has joined the Scott Fly Rod Company.  It'll be interesting to see what he and Jim Bartschi will cook up in the lab in Montrose, Colorado together.  

I couldn't be happier for Shawn and when I think back to emails that we traded as early as 2010, long before he started working at Orvis, he was all about his collection of Scott fly rods, including a black glass Fibertouch.  He even had one of the few Fiberhammer two-handed fly rods.  

As far as timing, Scott Fly Rod Company celebrated their 50th Anniversary this year and I'm not alone in thinking that the future starts now with a push forward with new ideas and innovation.  After a decade and a half of overseeing so many different products lines, Shawn's ability to just focus on fly rods will be change that anglers will undoubtedly benefit from.

From the Scott Fly Rod Company presser...

The Scott Fly Rod Company is pleased to announce that Shawn Combs will join the Scott team as Vice President in January 2026.

“Shawn is a lifelong angler with finely honed skills and a proven track record in fly-fishing product design,” said Scott President Jim Bartschi. “His passion for innovation, quality, and team building is a perfect fit to help carry on Scott’s fifty-year legacy of handcrafting high-performance fly rods. I’m thrilled to welcome Shawn to the Scott family and the opportunity to work with him and the rest of the team on writing the next chapters of the Scott story.”

After earning his master’s degree in mechanical engineering, Shawn Combs spent a decade in engineering roles with industry leaders including ExxonMobil and Lockheed Martin. In 2011, he joined The Orvis Company in Vermont as a Product Developer for fly rods and reels, and he has served as Director of Product Design and Development since 2014.

Combs added, “I am beyond excited to join Scott Fly Rod Company to work alongside Jim and team. Having grown up fishing Scott rods, I am honored to contribute to the legacy of handcrafting rods that, in my view, embody innovation and soul like no other.”

Check out the Scott Fly Rod Company website and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.  

12 DAYS OF SKWALA SALE - Backeddy Vest & Backeddy Jacket

The 12 Days of Skwala Sale continues with both the Backeddy Vest and Backeddy Jacket on a one day sale with 15% off for you and 5% going to Trout Unlimited and the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.

A couple of years ago, I spent a few days in Bozeman where several mornings were spent at Skwala headquarters.  One of the things that we did was run through everything that was in the works for the foreseeable future.  The Backeddy Vest and Backeddy Jacket were part of that stack and in their final stages of prototype.  I left impressed and was stoked to make both part of my "Skwala Uniform" soon after they were released in mid-2024.  

 

The Backeddy Jacket has been stashed in nearly every trip duffel since it has the ability to play the role of soft-shell layer and water-resistant layer all in one.  It's lightweight, stretchy, cuts the wind, and works perfectly with my ever favorite, Fusion Hybrid Jacket for a warm layer underneath.  There is a trip gear review mention in this T.F.M. post, which is a fun look back. 

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.

SENTINEL - Basecamp: Expedition One

For a few years now, I've been on somewhat of a golf journey since our son plays competitive high school and local tour golf.  My own game is terrible but I've found ways to appreciate a good walk after work and typically there are one or two swings that are good enough to make me smile.  

Through all this, I've enjoyed uncovering small shop brands within the golf space who are doing something a little (or a lot) different than the rest and it didn't take long to find Sentinel.  They recently released their Basecamp: Expedition One collection and it's worth a look.

The connection between fly fishing and golf has stellar parallels and this short film is wonderful.  Who's ready to plan out a camping, golf, and fly fishing trip somewhere?

Take a few minutes to check out Sentinel.  I have several pieces from them and a wish list for more.

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?