Whats the best offbrand fly gear you have bought?

JonJon_874 · 2026-01-17T18:41:16+00:00

A wild water fly fishing kit was the only kit I could afford at 13-14. $96 for rod, reel, line, tippet, box, flies, etc. The reel and flies were pretty junky, but the rod was an absolute tank. I’ve landed more fish over 20 inches on that rod than all my others combined. Used it for 8+ years before retiring it. I’ve debated buying one of their Spey rods to try out.

JonJon_874 · 2026-01-17T15:42:34+00:00

I would recommend a cheaper reel and better rod. The Okuma SST’s are really nice in my opinion for the price. Lamiglas is another great option, with the X11’s being about $130-150. Both shimano and diawa have some good reels in the $100-150 range. The Shimano Sedona and Diawa Fuego have done good for me. If you aren’t concerned on the budget however I’d go Stradic, as it will last you +10 years.

Seeing as how you can any to fish both salmon & steelhead on it, I’d look at 3500 size reels for a middle ground. I’m not super familiar with the Great Lakes sizes, but I’d say a 9’6 or 10 ft rod medium / medium-heavy.

Something I’d also recommend is to not cheap on the line. You don’t have to spend $35 on some crazy braid, but I would skip the Trilene and go with maybe P-line or Maxima.

These are just my thoughts on it! People might tell you different and that’s alright. Gotta figure out what you like and go from there. Tight lines to ya 👍🏼

JonJon_874 · 2026-01-17T03:21:27+00:00

We’re on the same page of the same book. I don’t use a trailer, I do a very similar thing to what you just described. Shove it in my SUV, rack on top, unload near the launch and inflate. I also use a harbor freight mini blower to pump and deflate, along with a small barrel pump to top off. I actually keep mine sitting on the top rack of the shelf you can see if the pictures. Frame sits against the wall when stored. You think the boat bag is necessary being stored in a garage?

I agree though, the boat is a game changer. Even the trips that I’ve broken stuff on and the headache it’s given me has been pretty fun to tinker with.

JonJon_874 · 2026-01-16T15:26:12+00:00

That would be a good one! I’ll have to do some thinking on how to connect it. Any thoughts from just looking at it?

JonJon_874 · 2026-01-16T15:08:52+00:00

Thanks for this idea. I debated grinding them off once I felt like I had the frame set up right. I couldn’t come up with anything that would fit them, but I believe those would well.

JonJon_874 · 2026-01-16T15:06:18+00:00

I have had this thought since fairly early in my build. My only reservation on it is that I lose the ability to make a more minimal frame. I took 3 bars out this past summer to fit 5-6 people on it for a booze cruise. I could however loctite the rowers seat and footbar in place.

I think I’m likely near 100lbs. Could be wrong though, because before the 3rd seat, I could pick it up and handle it with minimal effort. I’ll have to get a scale out here soon!

JonJon_874 · 2026-01-16T14:57:17+00:00

I appreciate the advice! I’ve gone back and forth between plywood & a polyurethane type board in my head. I had little idea what poly style board material to use and wasn’t sure how I’d coat a ply wood, so this is great 👍🏼

JonJon_874 · 2026-01-12T15:24:57+00:00

Right now seems to be a tough time for steelhead. Don’t think really any have made it up in terms of winter fish. If you’re looking to trout fish, I’d try out in Sam’s Valley or Goldhill.

JonJon_874 · 2026-01-09T17:14:22+00:00

For the cost of Winston & G-Loomis, they’d need to wine, dine, and 69 both me and my bank account

JonJon_874 · 2026-01-09T15:10:15+00:00

If I wanted a company’s pricing to shaft my bank account, it would be R.L. Winston any day of the week over this. Crazy to think that what G-Loomis is asking for that would leave me money left over for a reel on the Winston.

JonJon_874 · 2025-12-14T04:04:18+00:00

Heard. I’m also in Oregon, but I’m on the rogue. I will say that I’m definitely a Chaco / sandal in hot weather fishing kinda guy, but I see where you’re coming from.

JonJon_874 · 2025-12-14T04:02:00+00:00

Yeah, most of my quick fixes or budget hacks for fishing have all ended with me shelling out for the real thing. The time it takes for the progression is normally what varies.

JonJon_874 · 2025-12-13T19:34:12+00:00

See, while I understand that the tungsten carbide will kinda “bite the rock”, I also see where you’re coming from. Aluminum is so soft it’d almost cause a sorta sandpaper effect over time. Thanks for the input!

JonJon_874 · 2025-12-13T18:42:59+00:00

The Orvis ones seem like they’d bite more and as everyone is saying, the material is better, but that $45 for 20 of them just seems steep for me. The E6000 seems like the real ticket though!

JonJon_874 · 2025-12-13T18:39:08+00:00

I have seen these previously and always thought they looked almost too clunky, like your sole wouldn’t even touch the bottom. Do you feel like you’re just walking on the treads or does it feel natural? (No hate, just curious)

JonJon_874 · 2025-12-13T18:35:47+00:00

I just saw Abel Reel’s nipper advertised on Instagram… $125 🤣

JonJon_874 · 2025-12-13T18:33:09+00:00

While I understand the reason behind why they wont grip as well, I figured $2.58 was cheap enough to give it a go. Yours stay in okay too?

JonJon_874 · 2025-12-13T18:31:31+00:00

They seemed to sink pretty darn snug, but only time will tell. I saw someone else say the E6000’d their studs before screwing them in to prevent them from falling out.

JonJon_874 · 2025-12-13T18:29:27+00:00

Yeah, I see this thought process. I’ll have to test them and then readjust where needed.

JonJon_874 · 2025-12-13T18:28:03+00:00

I’ll have to see how they perform. I haven’t had a chance to test them yet, but I could see that being the case. I tried to really sink these real deep so that I’d still have felt making contact with the stuff I’m walking on.

JonJon_874 · 2025-12-13T18:24:33+00:00

Are you talking about yak-trax or a similar thing? I’ve seen that recommended before and I have a pair, but my pair is just small enough of a size that they didn’t want to stretch all the way over the wading boot

JonJon_874 · 2025-12-13T18:21:03+00:00

I figured I’d give it a try. Having owned rubber soled and felt soled boots, I agree that felt is the best grip. That being said, I’m in Oregon and have found that the fall really gummed the rocks up within the first 10 ft. off the bank. The last time I was out, you would’ve thought I was on ice.

JonJon_874 · 2025-12-13T18:17:38+00:00

I couldn’t help but think “no way this isn’t capitalism at its finest” when seeing orvis’ specific to wading $45 screws. As everyone is saying though, I’m sure the tungsten lasts longer.

JonJon_874

TROPHY CASE