SKWALA - Introducing the RS Outpost Jacket

On my visit to the Bozeman headquarters of Skwala in the fall of 2023 (T.F.M. post), Kevin Sloan and Rich Hohne walked me through and discussed feature by feature their upcoming technical apparel releases over the next year or so with the last being the RS Outpost Jacket.   

This jacket is thoroughly insulated and highly waterproof designed for cold and wet weather featuring a four-way stretch exterior shell with taped seams covering 150 grams of insulation.  The RS Outpost Jacket was designed to match perfectly with the RS Waders with jacket pass-through pockets that line up with the wader warming pockets. 

There is a lot more technical talk on the RS Outpost Jacket on the Skwala website that is worth diving into if you're in need of a jacket for on the water to stay warm and dry this winter. 

And, don't just take my word for it, press PLAY to hear what Pierce Oja of Wet Net Outfitters and Cameron Davenport of Eleven Angling have to say about it after field testing...

Visit the Skwala website and be sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for the latest shop news, special events, and more. 

ON SI - The New Fiberglass Fly Rods

It's not every day that fiberglass fly rods get talked about on Sports Illustrated so Ken Baldwin's recent article is a good share here on contemporary glass fly rods with a reminder to "Slow Down".

Take five minutes and read this article on the Sports Illustrated website and give Ken Baldwin a follow on Instagram. 

GATES AU SABLE LODGE - Tying the Robert's Yellow Drake

Winter nights are the perfect time to organize fly boxes from the past season and fill in the empty spaces with fresh flies.  The Robert's Yellow Drake is an essential northern Michigan mayfly pattern that will work there and everywhere else in a few sizes and color variations. 

Press PLAY and take notes.  Call Gates Au Sable Lodge if you need any of the tying materials.



Visit the Gates Au Sable Lodge website and follow along on their YouTube channel, too.

OAK & OSCAR - Humboldt GMT SAR Edition Watch Raffle

I had planned on sharing the release of the Oak & Oscar Humboldt GMT SAR Edition watch last month but it sold out so quickly, I didn't have an opportunity to do so.  We're getting a second chance since they are raffling off the prototype of this adventure ready collaborative watch with the St. Louis County Rescue Squad (SLCRS).  This search and rescue group patrols St. Louis County which includes the northern Minnesota area of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). 

Learn more about this raffle on the Oak & Oscar website.  A portion of the proceeds from the $50 each raffle tickets will support the work of the SLCRS and the random winner of the Humboldt GMT SAR Edition watch will be invited to the SLCRS headquarters for a meet and greet in Duluth, Minnesota.

Check out all the features of the Humboldt GMT SAR along with the story of this limited edition watch.  Visit the Oak & Oscar YouTube channel for an explanation how to use the compass bezel.

If you'd like to support the work of the SLCRS and have a chance to win this watch, get your raffle ticket(s) on the Oak & Oscar website.

THE PERRY PORK - Tying the Dallas

Ease into your Sunday morning with a fly tying video from the folks at The Perry Pork in Tokyo.



Visit The Perry Pork website for more and be sure to follow along on YouTube and Instagram.

LEMKE CONCEPTS - New Website & Direct Sales to Rod Builders

Rod builders are just starting to notice and I wanted to share that Lemke Concepts, maker of premium hardware, wood inserts, and guides, has a new website that launched and also has begun selling directly to customers.  You'll also notice a familiar face with Shane Gray assisting with all of this as General Manager and website guru.

The work of Joel Lemke is widely know for excellence and now his full focus is on making and creating while orders and sales will be taken care of through the website and shipped from Britton, Michigan.

Visit the Lemke Concepts website to see all the offerings.

FIRST LOOK - ECHO Glass Spey Two-Handers are Coming

Just minutes after Waters West Fly Shop posted a video on their Instagram page showing off and flexing the new ECHO Fly Fishing Glass Spey, the DM's started hitting my inbox.  Even though Tim Rajeff and I have been talking about this new series of two-handers for over a year now, this was my first look at them and I like what I see so far.  Hopefully, I'll get my hands on them soon.

I figured that I'd give everyone a first look here and then will follow up with more information.

The basic information on the ECHO Fly Fishing Glass Spey is...

• Three Models with a 10'8" 3-weight, 11'10" 6-weight, and 12' 7-weight
• S-Glass Construction
• 4-Piece
• Grain Windows from 250 to 530
• Suitable for Dry Lines and Sink Tips
• Price is $399.99 with the ECHO Repair & Warranty

Which one are you most interested in and why?  Send an email or DM on Instagram to let me know. 

These aren't up on the ECHO Fly Fishing website so check them out at Waters West Fly Shop.