What’s the best piece of fly fishing gear you own? It’s a bloody hard question to answer! Rods and reels can be sentimental favourites, but I don’t think that makes ones of these items the best. Waders certainly come and go, and I’ve had some trusty old faithfuls, but lets face it, they all eventually die a death of a thousand leaks, leaving a bad ending to the friendship.
So where does that leave my answer? I thought the best answer would be to simply look at my worn-out chest pack, and find the oldest item of fly fishing gear on it. By implication this must surely make that item the best piece of fly fishing gear I own?
So what was it? Low and behold, it’s an eight-year old retractor, from Simms. It’s lived on the outside of two different packs for a thousand days or so, trustily holding on to my forceps. I haven’t lost a pair yet, and despite a few cracks and chips, the zinger still goes strong. So there you have it, the bit of fly fishing gear that may just be the best piece I own.
Simms fly fishing gear and apparel is now available at RiverFly 1864. Check out the Simms zinger!
Simms Retractor (image courtesy of Manic Tackle)