Reviewed this week
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GRUNDENS
Bedrock wading boots
If you’re an angler who spends long hours on the water, comfort and durability are your top priorities when selecting a wading boot. Grundens’ Bedrock wading boots tick both boxes.
The boots are true to size and provide snug ankle support, but without feeling too stiff or restrictive. The ergonomic cushioned insole is comfortable, making it easy to walk over rocky terrain for extended periods without discomfort.
The outsoles are a standout. The boots feature a high-traction rubber sole with deep lugs that securely grip slick surfaces. You’ll feel stable and confident walking on moss-covered rocks. Excellent traction means that you’ll have fewer worries about slipping - and be able to concentrate more on your fishing.
After 8 weeks of testing, the boots held up exceptionally well, showing almost no signs of wear.
Compared with the competition, Grundens have managed to produce a fairly lightweight boot (760gr per unit) – again, a big plus when hiking long distances.
If you’re looking for a mid-range boot, the Bedrocks are a solid choice that offer the right balance of comfort, durability, and performance.
Other things we liked:
Uppers are made with strong, breathable materials that keep feet cool even on warmer days.
Padded tongue and collar provide extra cushioning.
Flexible yet supportive overall structure, great for rocky, uneven riverbeds.
Construction quality is evident in the stitching and materials.
Quick-dry feature.
Accepts studs (sold separately).
Felt sole available.
Attractively priced.
Tested on multiple trips on rough terrain.
Highly recommended.
SUNRAY
EZ Back Cast fly line
After many years of discussion, debate and speculation, Kevlar has finally made its way into fly lines, and Sunray (UK) is the company behind this innovative addition. Known for its use in bulletproof vests and high-strength fabrics, Kevlar’s inclusion in fly lines brings a host of potential benefits, and Sunray’s no-knot Kevlar fly line is a standout example.
One of the most significant advantages of this line is its core material, Kevlar, which doesn’t stretch. That lack of stretch translates to enhanced sensitivity, allowing anglers to detect strikes with far greater ease compared to traditional stretchy lines. While stretch in fly lines is often regarded as an asset, helping to cushion hook sets, Sunray’s Kevlar line offers a more direct connection to the fish, improving hook sets and ensuring a stronger connection from the moment of the strike.
However, the lack of stretch requires some adjustment to your casting technique. I tested the 5-weight line and found that it required a softer delivery, especially when casting dry flies. The stiff line coating is noticeable, and it took some time to get accustomed to. Nevertheless, the line excels in dead drifting tactics, offering precise control over the drift without the bounce that often accompanies stretchier lines.
Sunray’s fly line also boasts an integrated backing, eliminating the need for knots that traditionally join the two sections. This seamless transition not only reduces potential weak points but also ensures smoother line retrieval. The line comes with 100 feet of fly line and 150 feet of Kevlar backing, providing more than enough backing for typical trout applications.
Another key feature is the line's performance in warmer conditions. The running line, while a bit stiff, shoots cleanly through the guides when temperatures rise, so it fishes well in warmer environments. The line’s floating capability is superb, and the all-around taper ensures smooth casting, shooting, and mending.
Another thing we liked: for those who prefer their backing wound tightly onto the spool, because of its larger diameter, Sunray backing does not bite into itself like regular or gel-spun backing does – so there are zero hiccups (and no risk of a break off) on those occasions when your line is rapidly peeled from the reel by a feisty fish.
Overall, Sunray’s no-knot Kevlar fly line offers a promising advancement in fly fishing technology, particularly for anglers seeking enhanced sensitivity, and a more direct connection to fish. Its unique features will appeal to those willing to adjust their casting style and embrace the strength of Kevlar in their fly fishing arsenal.
ST. CROIX
TECHNICA fly rod
A fishing rod is one of the oldest pieces of technology in existence - but there’s always room for innovation and improvement.
Last year, St. Croix rolled out its second major rod series since the rod maker announced its “return” to fly fishing two years ago. New model rods (Technica included) are built with a moderate action reminiscent of deep-flexing fly rod, but with modern technology and taper designs that St. Croix is touting as offering dry fly anglers “the best of all worlds”.
After several months of extensive testing, the above checks out.
The company has added MITO e-GO to a composite matrix that essentially allows them to do more with less. According to St. Croix, their ability to build rods using MITO technology allows them to design rods they otherwise couldn’t - offering fishing tools with fewer compromises. In the Technica series, St. Criox has increased flex, strength and torsional rigidity. Unlike other fly rods built with pre-applied graphene integrated into carbon fiber prepreg, MITO’s functionalized graphene, which is applied in-house at St. Croix (at total weight-loading accuracies within 0.01%) affords extreme consistency and delivers anglers more of the benefits that graphene can provide. On the water, this means faster recovery, increased sensitivity and optimized loop stability.
Tom Larimer, St. Croix Brand Manager describes Technica’s action as “balanced… higher up on the second and tip sections, the taper maintains the perfect amount of stiffness for picking up long lengths of line when recasting, sniper hook sets on long, downstream dry fly feeds, and fast tip recovery for turning over long leaders in the wind. With the Technica, St. Croix promises anglers clean mending and easy casting through windy conditions in the chase for fly-hungry salmonids.”
This above checks out as well, although line pick-up/mending capabilities may have been understated - this rod is a mending champ.
Our overall assessment:
The Technica is one of the best fishing tools we’ve tested in the last year, but two factors will limit its appeal. Price: unless you have very deep pockets, good luck running this purchase past your spouse. Also, it’s a very particular rod, offering both power and finesse, but considerably more of the latter (the top 40% of the rod screams this out loud). Make no mistake: this is plainly a “new world” rod.
Technology suite:
Mito Graphene, advanced materials matrix consisting of ultra-high-modulus/high-strain SCVI carbon
Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) mandrel tooling
Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ART)
Fortified Resin System (FRS) methods
Reinforced Slim Profile Ferrule (SPF)
Features:
RECOIL single-foot guides
CERECOIL stripper guides
Hook keeper
Snub-nose flor-grade cork handle
Uplocking, machined-aluminum reel seat with tiger maple insert
15-year transferable warranty
Designed and made in Park Falls USA
Other things we liked:
Along with blank performance, Technica sports design aspects inspired by the environment and demands of technical trout fishing.
Painted for presentation - Baetis Back Green matte paint reduces rod glare and ensures a stealthy approach to wary trout.
Light, durable guide train - Single-foot Recoil guides paired with Cerecoil stripper guides are ultra-light and durable, which is ideal for sliding in and out of rod vaults or boat storage.
Military grade, powder-coated aluminum rod tube.
