$99.95 or $129.99 | tridentflyfishing.com
August 22, 2025
By Fly Fisherman Staff
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RIO Products Gold XP and Gold MAX The RIO Gold fly line came out in 2008, and since then has been a do-it-all trout-fishing favorite in RIO’s product line. After years of testing, tweaking, and fine-tuning, RIO (farbank.com/pages/rio) has expanded the Gold fly line for 2025 into a Gold “family.”
Yes, the Gold fly line grew up and had babies. The original Gold isn’t going anywhere, but it has spawned two descendants—the Gold XP and Gold Max. These two relatives aren’t just newer, they are bigger, more powerful, and more specialized.
The regular Gold adheres to published American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) standards—that means a 5-weight should weigh 140 grains, a 6-weight should weigh 160 grains, and so on. The new Gold XP is a half-size heavy, so a 5-weight would be about 150 grains. The Gold Max is a full line size heavy, so a 5-weight is 160 grains.
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Weight isn’t the biggest difference, though: Both new lines have different tapers with different goals in mind.
The extra power in the Gold XP is partially due to that weight being moved farther forward, with a shorter overall head length and slightly shorter body, so that weight is more front-loaded. It has the same front taper as classic Gold, for laying out dry flies.
“Gold XP shares the same mid-length front taper as the classic Gold, while its added power is balanced by a more level head design,” said Chris Walker, RIO’s director of product development. “The result is a taper just as capable of delicate deliveries with long leaders and small flies when duty calls. After years of tinkering, thousands of hours on the water, and hundreds of prototypes sent to product testers, I’m convinced we have a line even more versatile than the classic Gold.”
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The Gold Max has the shortest overall head length in the Gold class, so it has a full line weight extra in a shorter distance. It also has more weight in the back of the taper so you can roll cast bulky flies and nymphing rigs with ease, and you can turn over large, weighted flies at long distances.
“What sets it apart from other lines designed to handle big rigs is the rear-
loaded head. It has the capacity to turn over a heavy indicator or wind-resistant foam fly, but the tapering body delivers those rigs without the ‘kick’ that is so common among heavier fly lines,” Walker explained.
To put it in layman’s terms, the RIO Gold—developed on the Henry’s Fork about 20 years ago—is still a fantastic line for head-hunting and dry-fly fishing. The Gold XP is a better line if you want to fish with nymphs and streamers until the hatch starts—and then get nearly the same type of dry-fly presentations. The Max is your line if you’re a streamer junkie, or if you are going to dredge the bottom all day with double tungsten nymphs and a strike indicator.
The three Gold fly lines are available in what RIO calls two different “tiers.” Gold, Gold XP, and Gold Max fly lines are available in Elite versions ($129.99) or Premier ($99.95). All have welded loops and RIO’s SlickCast technology, but Elite lines are more expensive for three reasons: Elite lines have three colors along the body length to identify the “sweet spot” for picking up and launching a new cast; they use RIO’s low-stretch core; and they have a line ID printed near the tip. Essentially, they are the same lines, but one is easier to use.
$99.95 or $129.99 | tridentflyfishing.com
Simms Abaco Collection See the whole Simms Abaco kit at: simmsfishing.com/collections/oceans-collection Simms released a new film called Destination Abaco
The Latitude BiComp Bottom ($129.95) isn’t just for salt water, it works anywhere it’s hot and you want to be nimble and stay protected from biting insects and intense sun. In New Zealand the answer for decades has been Spandex tights with shorts over top. Simms took this idea and made a fully integrated short/legging system with UPF50+ sun protection. It has an elastic waistband with a drawcord and external belt loops just in case you want a belt for holding tools like pliers. The mesh pockets drain water easily, and the tights are lighter and lose water quicker than pants—plus you don’t have the annoying flapping of loose material in wind and current. The shorts have a 5" inseam and leggings a 28" inseam in sizes small through 3XL.
Another bright spot in the Abaco Collection is the revamped Flats Sneaker ($199.95). In the Bahamas you need something lightweight that is easy to get in/out of and light enough that you can wear in the boat and on the docks comfortably. This sneaker protects you from sharp, rocky terrain and is light enough to wear all day if you have to. It has a grippy, nonmarking, gum rubber outsole for traction and is built with durable, noncorrosive saltwater-friendly materials throughout, including the lace-up closures with reinforced eyelets. A molded rubber toe and heel cap defend against wear and tear in abusive environments and neoprene liners protect your feet from grit and shells that can cause tiny abrasions on long sandy walks. We still advise wearing socks with these, especially a neoprene sock you can fold over the cuff for extra protection.
See the whole Simms Abaco kit at: simmsfishing.com/collections/oceans-collection .
Airlite Fly Rods mayflyoutdoors.com Airlite fly rods aren’t new—Airlite has been a popular brand in the UK and Europe for 20 years. But Airlite is new to the U.S. market, and now draws on the engineering, design, and marketing expertise of its Montrose, Colorado–based parent company Mayfly Outdoors. Mayfly also owns other brands, including Ross and Abel reels, Airflo lines, and Dyna-King and Renzetti fly-tying vises.
The refreshed rod line is designed primarily by Gareth Jones, general manager at Airflo, and by Jeff Wagner, CEO of Mayfly Outdoors. Both are world-class casting experts and have nearly 50 years of combined experience in the business.
“Designing fly rods has been one of my true passions for over 20 years, and few things in the world of fly fishing excite me more than crafting quality rods that elevate the casting experience,” said Wagner. “It was a pleasure to collaborate with our UK team and Gareth Jones, who also brings nearly 20 years of experience in rod development.
“Together, we refreshed the rod line to bring it to the U.S. market, and beyond. We aim to design fly rods so exceptional that casting becomes second nature, where the rod feels like an extension of your arm.” Airlite products are available through Mayfly dealers and online at airliteflyrods.com.
Airlite has six updated rod series for fresh and salt water, ranging from the $299 Adventure series for beginning anglers, up to the $499 fast-action Vitesse series. There are also two Airlite reel series—the V3 and the Switch—and a complete rod, line, and reel combo kit called the Aspire that comes in 4-, 5-, 6-, and 8-weight versions to help people get started in almost any type of environment. Wagner says more products are planned for the near future. All the rods have earthy matte finishes, color-coded reel seats, alignment arrows, high-quality cork handles, and durable machined aluminum reel seats. Triangular rod cases with stitched descriptions and color-matching components make it easy to prepare for any fishing trip.
mayflyoutdoors.com
Costa Fly Line $154-$234 | scheels.com These high-performance Costa sunglasses (costadelmar.com) are designed specifically for fly fishing, but without the big price tag. This is part of Costa’s 2025 effort to engage younger, newer fly fishers who might be working on a tight budget, but still want the on-the-water performance Costa is famous for.
The shape and inspiration for these frames come from Costa’s number-one-selling performance frame, Reefton, and from their overall top seller, Brine.
Costa Fly Line sunglasses are available in 13 frame and lens colors, including the new color called Seagrass. Prices start at $154 for 580P lenses made from bio-based polycarbonate, a new sustainable plant-based material. Costa has been making frames from bio-resin for several years—as part of its “kick plastic” campaign—but this is the first time Costa has used a plant-based material for making lenses.
Fly Line frames are also available with 580G glass lenses ($234) and for the first time ever with a 580G rose tint. The rose lenses have a non-mirror finish and a 14 percent visible light transmission (VLT) rating. The new rose tint is now also available in all new 2025 styles and in Grand Catalina, King Tide, and a few other select Pro Series models.
The eight-base wrap is designed to block wind and shut out glare from sun and water, so you can focus on acquiring and hooking your target. Fly Line frames feature retainer-ready temple tips, fixed Hydrolite nose pads, and Lite Double-Injected Hydrolite temples. This men’s style is extra large in shape and size, so if you’re one of the big guys out there, these are for you.
$154-$234 | scheels.com
Free Fly Elevate Lightweight Hoodie $78 | als.com The Free Fly Men's Elevate Lightweight Hoodie is a versatile piece built for high-output adventures in warm conditions. It’s crafted from a blend of polyester, lyocell, and spandex, giving it a soft, breathable feel with just enough stretch for unrestricted movement. The hoodie features DriRelease® technology, which dries significantly faster than cotton, and HeiQ® Fresh odor control to keep you feeling fresh during long days outdoors. With UPF 25+ sun protection, a crossover hood, and thumbholes for added coverage, it’s clearly designed with anglers in mind. The fit is slim but not restrictive, and the minimalist design makes it easy to layer or wear solo. It’s a smart, technical layer that balances function and comfort, ideal for anyone spending serious time under the sun.
Available in six sizes and three colors.
$78 | als.com
