Archive for the ‘gear review’ Category

Orvis SonicSeam Waterfowler Bootfoot Waders

Thursday, January 7th, 2016

One cold day this fall Steve showed up sporting a brand new paid of Orvis SonicSeam Bootfoot Waders. As I looked down at my very chilly feet that were wrapped in frozen stocking foot waders, I asked if they were warm and he answered, “toasty”. Knowing that you have to give your first born and a kidney for a pair of bootfoot breathable waders, I asked if he had to sell his truck to get them and he said, “that the price wasn’t bad at all”.

I froze my feet for another month while Steve put the new bootfoots to the test. If you know Steve, you probably know that he puts gear to the test like nobody else. I once saw him tear the entire leg out of a brand new pair of waders on their first morning out of the box.

After, what I knew had to be a punishing month for the new waders, I asked Steve if there were any problems and if he’d recommend them. He said he absolutely loved them and they were still as good as the day he got them. I bought a pair that night and have been happy and warm all winter. These waders have removable felt packs for insulation and they work perfectly.

Steve and I think so much of these waders that we bought a pair for our friend Walt for Christmas.

orvis sonicseam waders

A Nod to G. Loomis

Wednesday, November 4th, 2015

During a moment of frustration a while ago on Beaver Island I horsed a carp with a little too much gusto and in the process snapped a customer’s favorite G. Loomis 9 weight. Thinking of the old saying, “It isn’t the mistake that matters, it’s how you recover that make a difference”, I insisted on handling the rod return.

Other than having plenty of Loomis rods in and out of my boat over the years, I have never owned one. Having no experience with the company I filled out the proper web form, put the rod in a tube and shipped it off. In just over a week there was a new rod on my doorstep.

Props to the G. Loomis customer care. Efficient and hassle free warranty service is very much appreciated.

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The Adipose Pro-Lok/Edge Oar System

Sunday, October 11th, 2015

Two months ago if I were to have made a list of all the things in my life that I felt needed improvement, my boat oars wouldn’t have been on it.

Which is why I was slightly surprised to hear my response during a rowdy dinner at the Stoney Acre Grill on Beaver Island when Mike Ward from Adipose Boatworks leaned over and told me that I just had to try out their new oar system. “Best ever,” he said.

“Absolutely,” I said without hesitation through a warm and fuzzy beer buzz smile, “I’ll take a pair.”

I have to say that at the time I regretted my quick dinner-table decision. The Pro-Lok Oar System is top-of-the-line, with a top-of-the-line price tag. I already had a nice pair of oars. They worked fine. But what was done was done. Buy the ticket, take the ride.

Then the package arrived.

A month of using this system has completely removed any doubt or regret in my mind. They are the best oars I have ever used. With my big boat I use 10′ oars, and the Edge oar shafts are feather-light and float well, making my old oars feel like clubs. If I had to guess, I would say they were a third the weight.

Blades that float well may seem like a little thing, but it isn’t. When I drop an oar to release my anchor, for example, there is nothing more frustrating that an a sinky oar that finds every log or rock to jam on. This type of behavior is how oars, oar locks, and boat sides are damaged, and also how boats can flip. Which is an activity best avoided, in my opinion, and the Edge oars float like bobbers and greatly reducing this risk.

On the Pro-Lok System the rope wrap is removed allowing the oar to slide smoothly within the collar. Up to this point I had only used rope-wrapped oars and I was weary of losing the grip and feel. Now I can say that smooth is good. Very good.

The Pro-Lok system and Edge Oars are fantastic and if I broke or lost one today I would order a replacement without hesitation.

Adipose Pro-Lok page: http://adiposeboatworks.com/wordpress/pro-lokedgeoarsystem/

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8’10” of Awesome the Orvis Helios 2 in 1 Piece

Friday, August 14th, 2015

This summer I was blessed with a one piece Orvis Helios 2 rod. Not being an exceptional distance caster like some, I’m certain that I’m not getting everything this fine piece of graphite has to give.

I was lucky enough to have Mike Ward from Adipose Boatworks (post about new seats) in the front of my boat for a couple days this summer. Mike is the finest caster I’ve ever had in my boat and his rod of choice was the one piece Helios. This allowed me to witness everything this rod is capable of and let me tell you, it is capable.

The picture below is my first fish on the new rod.

orvis helios 2