The Fiberglass Manifesto

I've been starting to wonder if my social media algorithm has been broken on Instagram for the past few months since my feed is typically a non-stop barrage of oversized redfish being hoisted up on the front of a skiff, gaudy flies in purple and chartreuse, and scenes from the Gulf marsh. Somehow, I've only seen the rare dispatch, which I guess is a blessing since plans to get there this winter just didn't materialize like I hoped.

I did make it there early last year with Captain Kevin Morlock and Captain Steve Martinez and this is a long lost gear review that still needs to see the light.

There's a lot of gear tucked into the photograph above but listed below are ten items that I wanted to highlight most from the last trip, listed in alphabetical order...

ATOLLAS 2GO FLY BOXES
I've been using these fly boxes almost exclusively on trips for the last year and couldn't be more impressed. I'd call Atollas an "emerging" brand with a dynamic husband and wife team who are growing with good ideas and seriously great fly boxes.

The 2GO fly box is the perfect trip box for warmwater, saltwater, and in this case, two of them held more than enough flies for this marsh trip. I like the layout of the foam slits and this allows flies to be organized in several configurations.

KORKERS NEO FLEX ANKLE BOOT

I've worn most of the major brands rubber ankle boots and none come close to the comfort, fit, and sole grip of the Neo Flex Ankle Boot. Where other ankle boots fall short with a very loose and "sloshy" fit, the Neo Flex feel like a boot should which increases stability and makes them easy to wear all day. The mid-sole is cushy and the Kling-On Deck outsole is both non-marking with great grip on wet and dry surfaces. Perfect in the skiff, around camp, and on rainy days around town.

MARSH WEAR BOGARD FLEECE JACKET

I've mentioned it before that Marsh Wear just keeps getting better and better and this fleece jacket is no exception. It's warm, the fit is great, and I like the mix of camo fleece with shoulder and elbow reinforcement. The chest pocket is perfect to stash your mobile phone, too.

MAVEN GULF CRYSTALGLASS SPINNING ROD

After a few trips taxing a light line weight fiberglass spinning rod with too many bull reds, stepping up to the Maven Gulf has been a revelation. This 7' Uni-Directional S-Glass blank spinning rod can huck rigs a mile and paired with a Shimano Stella, it's up for almost any saltwater adventure.

PURPOSE BUILT OPTICS
I've worn several pairs of PBO sunglasses for the past year or so and continue to be impressed with the highest level of lens clarity and specialized polarization to match the angling conditions. For this trip, I had two pairs of sunglasses in the Storm frame with the Chandy and Laguna lenses, which covered low light and clouds to sunny conditions looking over mud flats that can be stirred up or dingy with silt.

Purpose Built Optics has a "Lens First Strategy" that prioritizes how and where you plan to use these sunglasses when on the water. They have multiple lens choices across offshore, inshore and flats, freshwater, hunting and shooting, electronics, and more.

RED TRUCK DIESEL 889-4 GLASS FLY ROD
Longtime readers will know that I have a soft spot for the 4-weight and short 5-weight Diesel Glass and this was one of the first trips with the Diesel 889, which is the 8'9" 8-weight, that I spent quite a bit of time with it. The taper of this fly rod is progressive for glass and it handled the over-weighted redfish fly line with ease. Paired with the new Red Truck Pickup V8 Fly Reel, it's the perfect match.

RIVERSMITH CONVOY SERIES DUFFEL & TRAVEL PACK

I've taken a number of trips over the last year with the Duffel and Travel Pack, and these feature-filled pieces from the Convoy Collection solve a ton of "problems" for the destination angler. Both the Duffel and Travel Pack are built tough, extremely lightweight for their size, can be carried with handle grabs, or can be worn as a backpack.

The Convoy Duffel is cavernous at 45L and holds everything that I've ever needed to take a long for a trip when it comes to fly reels, fly boxes, camera gear, tools, and much more. It makes the transition from a backpack carry-on for easy airplane travel to boat bag with ease by tucking the straps away. It stows easily above or at your feet on a plane and it's not too big to have in the skiff or drift boat once you've arrived. It has an internal waterrproof bag built into the cargo area that you can fill, roll the top, and clip closed so that everything inside stays dry.

The only downside I've found? The "secret" lid pocket was almost too secret since I slid my passport into it on a trip and forgot about it when I arrived home. Months later, as I prepped for a trip next month to the Bahamas, I went looking for my passport, which began a week and a half of searching and searching again my desk, gear bags, luggage, and anywhere else it could have been stashed. In the back of my mind, I knew it was somewhere tucked away safe. Searching the Convoy Duffel again, for the sixth time, I found the small zipper pocket, reached in, and immediately recognized the Whiskey Passport Wallet. Hallelujah.

The Convoy Travel Pack is the solution for traveling anglers who are looking for a single piece of luggage to house several fly rods along with everything you might need for a trip, to include several days of (carefully rolled/folded clothing, all in one place. Dividers and zip pockets make it easy to keep everything organized and in it's place. If only using for fly rods, fly reels, fly boxes, and accessories, carrying six or eight fly rods wouldn't be too many. There is a ton of usable space in this travel pack.

I have flown with the Convoy Travel Pack by walking it on the plane as a carry-on without an issue. That said, your experience may vary depending on the airline.

RUTHLESS OUTDOORS LEATHER PLIERS SHEATH
I feel like I've known Cory Routh ever since I've been on social media and he's full of talent that for the last several years he's been putting towards creating leather pliers sheaths. I like bespoke things and ordered a redfish tail carved sheath that only gets better with age and patina. You might remember a post awhile back where Cory gave readers an inside look to his process with this T.F.M. post.

Looking for a new pair of pliers? The Loon Outdoors HD Plier are great and a great value. The only thing that I wasn't keen about was the sheath, and a custom leather sheath from Ruthless Outdoors was the solution.

SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS AMPLITUDE SMOOTH REDFISH COLD FLY LINE

I've used several generations of redfish taper fly lines from Scientific Anglers and they just keep getting better and better. The Amplitude Smooth casts great and turns over redfish flies with ease. This fly line is a great match with several of the fiberglass fly rods that I routinely take on this trip to include, Red Truck Diesel Glass 889-4, Orvis Superfine Glass 888, Epic Fly Rods Reference 888 FastGlass.

This fly line is also a favorite for cold water carp angling, too.

WOODY BRAND KNIVES KING JEREMY OYSTER SHUCKER

A real highlight of any visit to the marsh is having from scratch meals at the house with local shrimp from the boat, Cajun stuffed chickens, boudin, and of course, oysters. We usually get a bushel of oysters (or two) and prepare them in several ways, including my favorite, chargrilled.

The King Jeremy Oyster Shucker makes quick work of opening dozens of oysters and is both a stunning and efficient tool. There are multiple handle color and material choices and a leather sheath keeps it safe when not in use. If you're looking for a worthy gift, these are wonderful.

Well, now I need a Gulf marsh fix more than ever. How about you?

This is quickie post for those in the Denver area that the Fly Fishing Show will be touching down at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center this weekend and Oak & Oscar will be there, too. If you needed another reason to stop by the booth, artist Tim Johnson will be painting under the scope for all to see his meticulous process.

The gallery of fish that Tim has painted on the Oak & Oscar watch dials are certainly eye-catching and if you were looking for a way to make a special watch purchase even more noteworthy, this is it.

AND, way less important than all that, I'll be flying out for the weekend to spend time at the Oak & Oscar booth and I will be walking around the show. I'll have a stash of new T.F.M. decals to share, so hit me up. Let's talk fiberglass fly rods, watches, and whatever else.

Check out the Oak & Oscar website and if you have any questions about their watches, reach out with an email. I am fortunate to wear both a Humboldt GMT and the Atwood. Could an Olmsted with a painted fish dial be in my future? My wallet says no...but we'll see.