Reviewed this week
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PATAGONIA
15L Guidewater sling
Don’t be deceived by this sling pack’s streamlined, minimalist looks: it’s packed with thoughtful features that make it a top tier product.
For starters, the ambidextrous design features a wide, soft, quick-adjust shoulder strap for carrying comfort. Water is heavy, making inferior carrying gear much heavier than posted (dry) weight – Patagonia has tackled this issue by including a hydrophobic mono-mesh back panel and shoulder strap do not absorb or retain water.
That deceptively no frills look features an extra-tough outer shell, plenty of external lash points for accessory fastening, a heavy-duty, impermeable and a dual-direction zipper that allows the sling to be easily accessed with either hand (dual zipper sliders dock securely to avoid leakage). The inside has a large customizable organizer pocket for leaders and accessories, plus one large zipper compartment. Super-smart feature: the customizable organizer pocket can be attached inside or outside the pack (fastened to the shoulder strap or external lash points) for items that require quick access.
Noteworthy: the Guidewater sling pack is IPX-7 rated, which means that it can be submerged in up to 1 meter in water for 30 minutes.
Other things we liked: the exterior has robust, secure rod tube straps and snap buckles. 15L (915 cu in) hits that ‘Goldilocks’ target capacity: the pack isn’t so big as to make it unwieldy, or so small that it will limit your gear inventory. Net scabbard integrated into the back panel for out-of-the-way stowage and easy access. Clean exterior design means that this is a snag-proof carrying option.
Summary: Uncomplicated and reliable performance, this pack is a gear-swallowing insurance policy for nasty conditions, sneaky waves and surprise swims. Testing included 3.5 consecutive hours of wading: all gear remained bone dry. Jackets, cell phones, cameras and sandwiches don’t work when they’re wet – the Guidewater sling pack has you totally covered.
Compatible with Patagonia’s Convertible Vest or Wader Workstation, allowing for interference-free access to essentials while on the water.
Highly recommended.
DR. SLICK
Microburst plier
Many anglers overlook the importance of quality pliers until they actually use a great pair.
I tested Dr. Slick’s Microburst series compact pliers and they exceeded expectations. The materials, machining, construction and finish are all top-shelf, the pliers operate smoothly and have a balanced feel.
This particular model occupies a sweet spot in the market. They’re not as delicate as standard forceps, yet they don’t have the heft of traditional fishing pliers. The compact 1 ½” jaws are aggressive enough to tackle both delicate and tough tasks without feeling cumbersome, and the robust tungsten carbide side cutter effortlessly slices through heavy mono and braided lines, thanks to its 70+ Rockwell hardness. Rubber frame grips round out the package and provide excellent control, even in wet conditions.
Measuring just 5 7/8” in overall length, these pliers are perfect for travel and come with a lanyard and robust holster. They went through a rigorous 90-day testing period with zero failures. If you’re looking for reliable fishing pliers, the Microbursts will serve you very well.
Spare set of jaws and cutters included.
Attractively priced.
Makes an excellent holiday stocking-stuffer.
Highly recommended.
WINSTON
AIR 2 fly rod
Being familiar with the original Winston AIR, our first impression of its successor, the AIR 2, is that it's imbued with more power than anyone of us had expected.
Beyond that, however, we were also pleased with the rod’s mid- and short-game: it fared well in all water, from large rivers to tiny creeks.
The new blank also notably exhibits nearly zero swing weight (a holy grail in blank design and construction, in my view), so it feels perfect throughout the entire casting stroke. This alone makes the AIR 2 a standard bearer in the all-around trout rod category.
Couple the negligible swing weight with that nudge upward on the power scale and you get a rod that will easily deliver those larger flies to target with relative ease.
The overall result is that the AIR 2 is a perfectly balanced package: the blank feels great in hand, and has a properly regulated amount of flex, though without going overboard (a big discussion point with the original AIR offering).
Rod designers essentially manipulate numbers and materials, and this blank formula is as close to perfection as anyone can currently ask for (… there's no telling what the future holds in materials development).
Something that all testers noted was that the AIR 2 has a slightly nervous blank that considerably amplifies underwater signals. In practical terms, this means that the rod really amps up the fun factor.
When we took the AIR 2 to the water for the first time, we consciously had to dial down the excitement level and keep our expectations in check. Turns out that we didn't need to. The AIR 2 delivers consistent five-star performance.
Conclusion: Come prepared. Make sure that your casting basics are in order and you'll be rewarded with a new, show-stopping American classic.
Hardware, build, finishing and overall attention to detail is A+.
Highly recommended.
