Reviewed this week
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RIO
Fly Assortments
Preface: There’s no substitute for visiting local fly shops to key in on what bugs are particular to that specific area. Barring that…
RIO has applied its extensive knowledge of fly design and trout behavior to create curated assortments that meet a wide range of fishing needs and conditions. The packages consist of deceptively generic yet intelligent selections, tailored to large regions (example: North-eastern USA), that will have you covered with much of what trout will be eating in that vast area.
Selections (7 in all) typically include a balanced mix of dries, nymphs, emergers, and streamers, designed to cover the most productive life stages of aquatic insects. The flies are neatly packed and well-organized, often categorized by hatch type or fishing season—such as “Trout Season” or “Stillwater” selections. This makes it easy to match the hatch without much guesswork.
Craftsmanship is excellent: hooks are sharp and durable, materials are tied with precision, and proportions are proper and consistent. Patterns like the Parachute Adams, Pheasant Tail Nymph, and Woolly Bugger are staples, and often included alongside more innovative or region-specific flies. Importantly, the flies hold up extremely well after multiple uses, which is rarely the case with pre-packaged assortments – due to inferior hooks (often the weak link in pre-packaged trout assortments).
RIO stands apart in their attention to detail and matching selections to water type and regional hatches. These are not just random flies thrown into a box - they’re assembled by anglers with a deep understanding of trout fishing.
These trout fly assortments are marginally pricier than budget options, but the value in reliability, thoughtful design, and on-water performance justifies the investment. These selections are smart, high-quality choices for any angler’s box.
RIO Salt water and steelhead/salmon fly assortments are also available.
Highly recommended.
GRUNDENS
Vector waders
Grundéns’ Vector waders offer an impressive combination of features typically found in premium models—without the premium price tag. These mid-weight waders strike an ideal balance between durability, mobility, and comfort, making them one of the best values in their class.
Compared to Grundéns’ lightweight model, the Vector is just slightly heavier—and intentionally so. We appreciate brands that factor in product weight without compromising performance.
Build Quality & Comfort
Grundéns nailed the fundamentals. From precise stitching and seam taping to carefully tailored paneling, the attention to detail stands out. The use of 3- to 5-layer fabrics in key areas ensures long-lasting comfort—crucial for long days on the water.
Features & Specs
Ultra-Dense Poly-Nylon Outer Fabric with 4-layer bi-component puncture-resistant laminate
Provides a 30K+ waterproof submerged ratingGrundéns Wading Mobility Patterning
Optimized for freedom of movement, whether you're on or off the riverSize-Specific, Anatomically Shaped Stockingfeet
Made from dual-density TiAlpha warming neoprene for comfort and warmthVertical Zip-Entry Chest Storage Pockets
Plus water-resistant zippered hand-warmer pocketsIntegrated Molded Knee Pads & Stretch-Woven Gravel Guards
2" HD Stretch Safety Wading Belt
Other things we liked
Light-to-midweight construction
Top-tier seams and welds
High-capacity cargo pocket
High-quality zippers and hardware
Ergonomic, wide suspenders
Velcro fly patch with 2 front attachment loops
Verdict
With the Vector wader, Grundéns brings a high-performance wader—typically reserved for premium price points—into the mid-range market. It's a standout option for anglers seeking quality, comfort, and value.
Highly recommended.
The Mangrove Diaries
by Mike Watt
I’m currently one-third into another Wild River Press publication, Ian Davis’ A Passion for Bonefish, and it’s a brick! Reading that volume with the attention it deserves will take time (look for that book review sometime in October).
I mention the above for a reason, and that reason is that if you’re pressed for time - let’s just say you’re off to Andros next Monday - and you don’t have the time to digest 400 pages on flats fishing, then The Mangrove Diaries is for you.
Mike Watt is the author of this thoughtfully and skillfully stripped down 71-pager that includes superb technical illustrations by Shea Monahan. You can take in all that this book has to offer on a mid-length flight and be mostly prepared to stalk your quarry that same day.
The subtitle, what every tropical flats fly fisher needs to know, indicates that the basics are covered (quarry, casting, equipment basics… ), but you’ll also find some often neglected yet very important technical portions such as setting up your saltwater reel, all presented in just 4 information-rich pages containing plenty of connection diagrams (reading time: 4 minutes). Casting and presentation are, expectedly, covered in detail via beautifully descriptive graphics: Monahan doesn’t phone it in - the graphics in this volume are top level. What to take on a skiff is a gem of a section that tells you this book is all business.
You may know it’s imperative that you stay in contact with your fly, but Watt offers a few insights on what can happen between strips… things under the surface aren’t as simple or as obvious as they may seem. There’s an expertly distilled 198-word section on permit leaders that alone is worth the price of admission.
This attractive and very useful volume will appeal to anyone looking for a technical and concise immersion into flats fishing.
Cast members include tarpon, bonefish, the often-under-appreciated-yet-optimal-flats-target: snook, along with a few words on permit.
If you’re looking for ornament, you won’t find it here. This fine balance of distillation and insight is rare.
Highly recommended.
