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.
RL WINSTON
PURE 2 fly rod
As much as (I think) I’d like the job, I wouldn’t want to be a fly rod designer at RL Winston. Imagine being tasked with developing the successor to the PURE fly rod?
… Best of luck, buddy!
The first-generation PURE was a standard-bearing fly rod - five stars in every conceivable category - materials, build, finish, blank calibration. In short, a pinnacle of finesse - and a joy to fish.
The PURE 2, picks up where generation one leaves off, and - thankfully - doesn’t take any misguided detours.
This tells us that the designer had the presence of mind not to “reimagine” the fly rod. It’s great when a poor product is reimagined, but that is most definitely not the case, here.
Instead, what we got is a thoughtful evolution.
The first thing we noticed is that the PURE 2 blank has a touch more zing! We thought long and hard about that word, and it just fits: that extra energy means you can fish with a little more authority.
The upper mid-section has been subtly tweaked to help you cast farther and turn over longer leaders.
The progressive flex profile allows for ultra-precise fly placement, particularly at short to medium distances. It also enables buttery-smooth casting and limits the awful bounce-back that’s common in far-too-many recent fly rod offerings. In short, the PURE 2 allows for outstanding presentation (add a double taper line to that equation and it remains unmatched).
The blank also delivers very fluid energy transfer and dampening for exceptional loop control.
Other things that this fly rod excels at:
The PURE 2’s refined taper design ensures seamless loading and a connected feel throughout the cast.
If your fishing day requires finesse-driven dry fly manipulation, the rod enables stealthy presentations - even in complex water conditions.
Converts even the subtlest takes into tactile feedback.
Lightweight build reduces fatigue - great for long, unhurried days on the water.
Balanced for use with lightweight reels - near negligible swing weight makes high-cadence casting sessions feel effortless.
We’ve said many times that the PURE 2 has soul and - to our minds – any fly rod that makes you wax poetic should be high on your list of considerations - if you’re looking for a truly special fly rod.
We ended our last PURE review by calling it our “new favorite fly rod”, but scratch that, the PURE 2 is our new favorite fly rod.
Whether you’re casting fine tippets, working micro-patterns, or hunting risers on glassy water, this rod delivers in a big, big way. The RL Winston PURE 2 isn’t just a great rod - it’s a benchmark for precision-driven freshwater fly rod design.
We tried to come up with something we didn’t like about the PURE 2 and that mission was an abject failure. The best anyone could come up with was: “I don’t like that ‘Winston green’ – even if it’s iconic.” Hey Winston! Possible to get one in sunburst orange?
Highly recommended.
Rod specifications:
Action: medium
Material: NanoParticle double-bonded graphite
Grip: Flor grade 6.5” cigar grip
Reel seat: Box Elder with Nickel Silver uplocking hardware
Guides: Chrome Nanolite stripper guide + Chrome plated light wire snake guides
Storage: Premium graphite tube & logo rod sock
Available in 2, 3, 4 and 5-weight configurations
Designed and handcrafted in Twin Bridges, Montana, USA
