KORKERS - Winter Rebate Collection

It's hard to believe that winter is just around the corner and with that in mind, the folks at Korkers are running a limited time Winter Rebate Collection where you'll get $25 back when you purchase a new pair of Neo Flex Ankle Boot, Neo Flex Thermo Winter Ankle Boot, or Alpine Chelsea boots.  

All three of these boots are available in both men and women sizes and colorways.

I've worn ankle boots from several of the big names in the space and the Neo Flex Ankle Boots are by far my favorite for the fit, comfort, and the Kling-On Deck rubber outsole.  I've got the "10 for the Marsh" gear review coming soon and these boots are in the mix.  They are perfect on the skiff and anytime it's muddy or wet outside. 

Hadley reviewed her pair of Alpine Chelsea boots in her "10 for Alaskan Winter" article and she'll be in them soon for her second winter in Michigan.  They've been great boots and the benefit of "customizable traction" with switching out the soles has come in handy for her.

Check out the Korkers website for more information on the Winter Rebate Collection.  Boots need to be purchased by November 15, 2025, with the rebate redemption sent in by December 1, 2025.  Complete the online rebate form and you'll be mailed a check for $25 from Korkers soon after.  

6 Good Reads

Weekend mornings are the perfect time to slow scroll and read everything that you saved in your tabs.  Here's six favorite articles I've come across lately.  Enjoy...

FLYLORDS - Q&A WITH ARTIST STEVEN WEINBERG

MIDCURRENT - PRIMER ON SOFT HACKLES

HUNTER LEAVINE - LESSONS FROM 8 YEARS ON THE WATER

FLYLAB - TEN TIPS ON TAKING BETTER FISHING PHOTOS

GENERAL SPORT CLUB - A NIFTY TRUCK CAMPER UPGRADE

THE MISSION - A DIARY OF FISHING FLIES

THE SPORTING ART OF PAUL PUCKETT - Newsletter Sign-Up

There are few dudes out there who are better or more talented than artist Paul Puckett.  He has a bunch of things in the works right now and will be rolling out announcements on his newsletter.  

It's worth signing up for if you haven't already.  

 

Check out The Sporting Art of Paul Puckett website, sign up for the newsletter, and smash follow on Instagram, too.

#FLIESFORALASKA - Support Those Impacted by Typhoon Halong

Right on time, Josh Mills has kicked off a new Instagram led fundraiser with #fliesforalaska to support for those living in the Yukon-Kuskokwim delta and experienced flooding due to Typhoon Halong.  This delta area is roughly the size of Oregon and is where the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers meet the Bering Sea.  This flooding has affected fifteen different villages and thousands of Indigenous Alaskans have been displaced.

Google "Alaska villages Typhoon Halong" to get caught up on the news stories.  It's overwhelming.

If you can help, search Instagram for the #fliesforalaska auctions and give where you can give.  It looks like most of the donations are going towards the Alaska Community Foundation.

MB CUSTOM RODS - Three October Soulmate Rods Builds

It's been a bit since I've shared anything that Marc Beissler of MB Custom Rods and in that time, his online store offerings continue to grow in diversity.  His Soulmate Rods builds are so easy to share since he puts so much time in making sure the fly rod layout images are absolute perfection.  

Marc posted three top shelf 7' Soulmate Rods builds over the past week and it struck me how underrated fly rods in 4-weight, and especially 5-weight, in this length are.  If you have somewhere special with small to medium water but with larger than average fish, a 7' 5-weight gives you so much versatility.  Add to that, these two Soulmate 705-5 builds are five piece pack rods which means there is no where these can't go.  Oh, and the wrap around ink description on the Soulmate Rods 704-3 has a very vintage Hardy'esque vibe which I very much appreciate.  

SOULMATE PACKLIGHT SPECIAL 705-5 FLY ROD

Marc wrote...  "This is the perfect match to begin the summer season in New Zealand with this Soulmate Special Packlight build.  Black and brown concept rolled out to impress the nerdy backcountry trout.  Only 49cm transport length will make you able to bring your rizz rod wherever needed.  BTW, this is a superb match with the Epic Fly Fish Trutta Hubless fly reel"

SOULMATE PACKLIGHT SPECIAL 705-5 FLY ROD

Marc wrote...  "This is another Soulmate Rods Packlight 705-5 that left my workshop.  This one will accompany a recurring glass bum around the world.  It will see places I can only dream of and hold stories once back being told by the campfire.  Happy to send this one out to see some more sane and quieter places the most of us live in.  Tight lines, Bro."

SOULMATE BLACK SERIES S-GLASS 704-3 FLY ROD 

Marc wrote..  "Feels like autumn has finally arrived with the days slowly become shorter.  The workshop starts to get dusty again and the last rod from the bench is a Soulmate Rods Black Series 704-3 model in a classic suit with maroon and gold touches over top flor western grip with a highly figured spalted maple insert.  The 704-3 S-Glass blank provides a classic glass action, tending to bamboo like casting feel with soul and power.  I'm pretty sure it will look good in her new owner's showcase."

Visit the MB Custom Rods and Soulmate Rods website to see more of Marc's offerings and builds.  Follow along with the latest shop news on Facebook and Instagram.

EMERGER X COGGINS - Join the Waitlist for a Traveler Side Bag

I am drawn to interesting collaborations and last spring when Emerger Fly Fishing and David Coggins spun up a unique variation with the Traveler Side Bag, I wasn't surprised when it almost immediately sold out.  If you missed it, Chris Freeman is opening the books again and you can get on the waitlist for the next several days.  

 

This short film is the top shelf ASMR for any handmade fly fishing gear aficionado...



If the images and video don't convince you that you need a Traveler Side Bag, you can circle back to some previous posts on Emerger Fly Fishing HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, some snaps from the Drifltess using my Cameron Side Bag last late summer HERE and HERE, and a great podcast on gear design with Chris Freeman HERE. 

Check out the Emerger Fly Fishing website for more information on the Traveler Side Bag and follow along with the latest shop news on Facebook and Instagram.

BOZEMAN REEL COMPANY - A Comeback is in the Works

On a whirlwind trip through Bozeman, Montana a couple of Octobers ago, I spent a morning at the shop with Matt McCune of Bozeman Reel Company.  Making fly reels has been a very small fraction of what his machine shop does but he talked about the possibility of resurrecting his fly reel company while also being distracted with ice hockey and wrenching on his small fleet of vintage Land Rovers.

Since our conversation, Bozeman Reel Company has been somewhat quiet aside from the occasional social media post, but all that started to change in August with the signal that new ideas and a comeback of sorts were in the works.  There has been some shop updates, inventorying the parts and pieces, figuring out how to manufacture their reels on updated and advanced equipment, and offering up of several one-off color anodized fly reels they've found on the shelves.  All positive news.

So, if you haven't, it's time to start following along with Bozeman Reel Company.  Check out their website and follow along with shop updates on Facebook and Instagram.

You can also tap into the T.F.M. archieves with posts HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE on Bozeman Reel Company.  I can't believe we gave away a Retro Fly edition SC 223 fly reel back in 2014.  Might have to try to do something like that again...