Hatches: New & Notable Fly-Fishing Gear

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Abel Custom Blue Line TR Reel

Abel has always been the king of customization. With their long list of matte and satin colors, flags, fades, interchangeable handles, and artist edition reels from Andrea Larko, Casey Underwood, and Derek DeYoung, there are a thousand different ways to customize your reel. Now there are 10,000 more ways.

Abel Reels, in collaboration with onWater Fish, now allows you to engrave a personalized map of your own favorite section of river onto a reel. You can still keep “your” spot a secret—only you will recognize the curves, angles, and tributaries of your own Frenchman’s Creek.

The Abel Custom Blue Line TR Reel is part of a joint initiative with onWater Fish, Airflo, and Trout Unlimited. The reels use Abel’s Cerano Chaos Coating, which combines a ceramic coating and laser engraving to create the artwork. The Abel TR is a lightweight, click-pawl reel designed for trout fishing in small to midsized streams.

“We’re proud to be the first to integrate personalized digital cartography with Abel’s precision machining and custom finishing for anglers,” said Jeff Wagner, CEO of Abel Reels. “This reel is not only durable and unique, it’s also deeply personal to every angler. It tells your story about your favorite section of river or bend.”

The reels are only available through the onWater Fish App, starting at $695. Users select their preferred river and section, and reel color and size. The purchase includes a one-year subscription to onWater+, and buyers can add a custom Airflo Blue Line Superflo Universal fly line.

A portion of each sale supports Trout Unlimited’s efforts in coldwater habitat conservation. The Blue Line Project aims to encourage anglers to explore less-frequented waters and promote environmental stewardship.

$695 | onwaterapp.com

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H30 Vapor Elite Plus RX

When I was a young man, I was a guide on Alberta’s Bow River. In the waning light of 10 P.M. I could quickly tie on a #18 spent caddis. I could easily see the rise of a trout on the gunmetal water, and I’d yell “set!” for the guests who could not see the very subtle disturbance. I was in my twenties and thought I had a trained talent, or special skill, but what I actually had was the gift of youth.

Predictably, in the 30 years that followed—much of it in front of a computer screen—my eyes deteriorated and I needed successively stronger prescriptions. I am nearsighted or myopic. I have worn contacts and regular sunglasses for decades to spot fish and see my fly on the water, but then the close-up work of tying flies and tippet knots becomes a terrible chore. A better solution I’ve found recently is H3O Vapor Elite Plus RX glasses with a prescription insert that clips inside. These aren’t the obtrusively large fitover sunglasses that grandpa used to wear, these are regular high-performance sunglasses you can wear with or without the insert. When I remove the sunglasses, I can use my excellent close vision to tie knots and reconstruct leaders.

If you need help with just the up-close vision, you can alternatively clip in H3O Reader Inserts. Unlike regular readers or bifocals that are at the bottom of your field of vision, these readers are up high in your field of vision so they do not affect your eyesight looking forward at your target or down at your feet while wading. When you tie a knot, merely lower your chin, look up, and you can take advantage of 1.5X to 3X magnified vision.

H3O Vapor Elite Plus RX sunglasses come with four different interchangeable decentered polarized polyamide lenses with Hot Copper (green mirror), Dark Gray (blue mirror), Twilight Yellow (red mirror), and Polar-Clear Elite lens tints. Polyamide is 15% lighter than polycarbonate and has clarity and sharpness akin to glass. The Twilight Yellow lenses have a visible light transmission rate of 26%, which means they allow a lot of light through for use on overcast days. The Polar-Clear Elite lenses are polarized to cut glare but are essentially clear so you can protect your eyes while fishing late in the evening or at night. —Ross Purnell

$389.99-$489.99 (inserts $30) | h3opolarized.com

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Simms Flyweight Wading Boots

The newest boots from Simms are the lightest in the Simms catalog, the most comfortable for long approaches and high-mileage fishing days, and have a balanced blend of travel-worthy performance and durability that makes them a strong consideration for almost any angler. They are perfect for packing on a plane, for walk/wade adventures on big rivers, and they can take you deep into the wilderness, whether that means alpine greenbacks in Colorado, or native rainbows in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region, where you have to walk miles from the nearest float plane landing site.

Available in both men’s and women’s models, Flyweight Wading Boots have a TPU-based synthetic upper, a molded rubber toe wrap for tough abrasion resistance, and Vibram IdroGrip outsoles. The outsole is compatible with Simms HardBite and AlumiBite Star Cleats and HardBite cleats/studs.

A dual-density EVA midsole provides cushioning comfort, and the lace-up closures with reinforced eyelets are fast and light. The all-synthetic construction and rapid drain holes ensure that the boots stay light when moving from spot to spot.

Available in sizes 7 to 14 in men’s and 5 to 12 in women’s sizes. These boots are so tough, Simms offers re-soling for them when the outsole wears down.

$249.95 | simmsfishing.com (men's; women's)

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Grundens Turbulence Insulated Jacket

If you always want to keep casting even in chilly, inclement weather—when many people reel up and head for shelter—the Turbulence Insulated Hoodie from Grundéns has you covered. The 320D nylon shell is durable, windproof, and splash- and abrasion-resistant. On the inside, the 80g G-LOFT Eco Plus insulation maintains its high thermal rating and efficiency to keep you warm even if it gets wet because, unlike goose down, G-LOFT fibers do not absorb moisture. Designed with modified raglan construction and gusseted sleeves, the Turbulence Insulated Hoodie provides unrestricted freedom of movement—so you can keep double-hauling after the weather turns nasty and cold. The stretch woven panel cuffs and scuba-fit hood work together to shed spray and keep you warm and dry. The sturdy zippers—on the front main and left chest and handwarmer pockets, as well as the main hoodie zipper—have no exposed pulls or cords that might snag your fly line. The hoodie compresses for easy packing, then fluffs back up to normal size.—Bill Bowers

$230 | grundens.com

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Forloh Women’s AllClima Softshell Jacket

Forloh’s AllClima Softshell Jacket proves that technical outerwear can deliver performance without sacrificing fit. Built for active pursuits, the jacket offers excellent mobility, moving with you whether you’re casting from the bank or hiking into remote water. The arm length is spot-on, eliminating the common frustration of sleeves riding up during motion. Unlike boxy unisex designs, the feminine cut actually fits right, providing a flattering silhouette while maintaining full range of motion. A reinforced pocket adds durability where it matters most, ensuring secure storage for essentials in rugged conditions.

This softshell that blends function, durability, and fit giving women anglers purpose-built gear.

$299 | forloh.com

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Pull Start Fire Grills

The PullStart Fire Grill is a packable cooking solution that shines where portability matters. These one-time-use portable grills are great for float trips and in drift boats, as it’s ceramic underplate protects platforms from burning. It’s equally at home when backpacking to mountain lakes and backcountry fisheries because it offers a compact footprint that won’t clutter your gear. Once lit, it burns hot and long, even doubling as a heat source on chilly outings. Its design is tailor-made for simple, satisfying meals—perfect for burgers, brats, and hot dogs during or after long days on the water.

$23 | pullstartfire.com

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