All discussions about equipment must, by virtue of the physics involved in casting, start with the rod and line because those are the two things that do the work.

Rods

Let's pretend that you're a beginner and don't want to give up your first born child in order to equip yourself. You've probably fooled around on the internet looking at equipment and gettting opinions about various outfits. You've even driven over to a couple of the Big Boxes to perform the wiggle test on the rods. However, the outfits you're interested in are encased in plastic and there doesn't seem to be anyone around who's available to help you. What do you do? Choose the name brand that screams PANFISH! on the label or the house brand that leaves you wondering what you're really buying?

This year we're featuring a Redington Crosswater outfit, pre-rigged for only $100. The reel and line are adequate to get started, but the rod is a dream; lightweight, smooth, easy to cast and an absolutely lovely casting tool. If you don't want to clutter your mind just throw your money on the counter and grab one of these outfits. Plus, we'll teach you how to cast and serve you coffee while you're hangin' around. What's not to like?

Cortland introduced a new line of rods three years ago called the Brook Series. These rods were designed by our local Cortland rep to be fast action and caster friendly. We tested them that fall and they were an immediate hit. Available in 3 to 5 weight, all are four piece, come with a rod & reel carrier and all are priced at a mere $179.95.

Last season we introduced a proprietary rod, the Driftless. This rod comes in only two models both eight feet long and designed for either a 4 weight or 5 weight line. These are progressive, light, responsive and are about all one needs to fish the smaller spring creeks in SE Minnesota, NE Iowa and SW Wisconsin. They're priced at $280 with a tube and bag and The Shop donates $50 to TU DARE from every purchase.

Sage has achieved an enviable status in the industry: They are the benchmark. Every other rod manufactured is always compared to a comparable Sage. Three years ago the company introduced the Z-Axis as a replacement for the very popular XP series. The Z-Axis is lighter and just as quick. Casting the 9' 3 weight was a revelatory experience: it weighs nothing and effortlessly shoots line sixty feet. Four piece rods start at $690. For people who prefer a slightly slower more progressive action we also carry a couple of models of the Z-XL, a perfect trout rod for the midwest and starting at $680. Two years ago Sage decided to upgrade their very popular FLi rods. New last year is the Flight series, a line of lighter, smoother rods with higher line speed and better feel. The four piece models start at $330. Finally, there's the new Vantage, an entry level rod that performs well beyond it's entry level price of $225.

Lines

About 90% of our line sales are floating lines. There are way too many choices out there so we've tried to simplify them. Your choice will depend on the type of fishing you do and the conditions under which you fish. Listed below are the lines we'll be carrying in 2010.

Cortland's most popular line is still the old reliable 444. Supple and silky smooth it's an excellent trout line for $55. Or try the 444 Whisper Taper. It's the same supple plastic but with a very long front taper for delicate presentation for $59. It also works pretty good for switch casting. Another good choice is the Precision. This line has a fairly radical forward taper and a long rear taper so it's very accurate. It also sports the high-floating Dyna-tip for $66.

Scientific Anglers’ Sharkskin is a high floating line which should improve your casting and fishing. Yes, we're carrying them and yes, they're $99.95. The Trout line is a supple, low memory, low visibility dry fly line with a compound concave front taper designed to dampen the presentation…$69.95. This is our fourth season carrying the GPX and it's become our best selling all purpose line. It's designed to be a half size heavier to help load the quicker rods...$69.95. The Nymph line is a smart idea, a line that was designed specifically to cast weighted nymphs, shot and an indicator longer distances with the added benefit of a high floating tip…$69.95. The Steelhead line has a long rear taper to better facilitate mending and a front taper designed to delay turnover...$69.95 The Headstart is an over-grained, supple line that should improve everybody’s casting…$46.95.

Rio makes one fly line which every bass angler should own, the best selling Coldwater Clouser, a line that will deliver any bug accurately at any distance…$69.95. And for you saltwater people, our Rio rep, Tom Andersen, says the Rio Bonefish line is the best he's ever used...$74.95.

Wulff lines have come out with a screamer this year call the Ambush. It's a seriously over-grained line that the guys on the west coast have been using for switch casting and spey casting and retails for $68.

Reels

For a simple storage device it seems kind of silly to offer so many choices, but that’s what we do. That way we can offer you a wide range of choices and the best values.

Ross USA offers extremely durable machined reels with lifetime guarantees. The CLA, a single action large arbor hybrid, starts at $165 and is a tough reel with a long history of reliability. The Evolution LT is a beautiful and an extremely lightweight mid-arbor reel starting at $245. New for us this year is the Airius, featuring a multi level disc drag in a very lightweight package starting at $190. Ross Worldwide reels are very nice die-cast reels with functional disc drags and represent a solid value. The Flystart starts at $50 and if you want a true large arbor at a reasonable price take a look at the all new Flyrise starting at $95

Orvis reels are dependable, purr like kittens and are covered by exceptional Orvis service. The Battenkill Bar Stock is a light weight, machined aluminum reel with disc drag starting at $119. This is an unparalled bargain.

Waders

Neoprene waders were the most oversold material to ever hit the fishing industry. If you’re in the market for waders buy breathable. If you can afford the $500 to $700 buy Simms, arguably the best in the industry. We’re a small shop and can’t afford to carry them, but we've found a terrific alternative in Dan Bailey waders.

Dan Bailey has made the transition from retail to import/manufacturer. I got a pair of Lightweight waders four years ago and can't say enough good things about them. When you look at them critically you can tell they were designed by anglers for anglers. For instance, there's no seam to wear out on the inside of the leg, the built-in gaiter has a velcro closure and the waders are cut generously. They retail for $224.95. The Barebones is less money but is still a serviceable wader with reinforced knees and built in wader belt for $149.95. I'm absolutely confident you won't be disappointed in either of these waders.

We'll be carrying three wading shoes. We have always carried the Gary Borger shoe made by Weinbrenner in Merrill, WI and at $125 it's a serious shoe and still in a class by itself. Last year TU asked shoe manufacturers to phase out felt in favor of rubber in an effort to stop the spread of invasive species. Dan Bailey's response is the Eco-Grip Guide Wading Shoe. It's rubber sole was built from a compound that was developed for the restaurant trade to help keep kitchen workers from sliding around on greasy kitchen floors. It's priced at $149.95. We carried the Eco-Grip sole two years ago, sold quite a few and had absolutely no issues with them. So now you can get a shoe that'll let you wade with the confidence of felt soles but you won't have to disinfect them after every use. A more modestly priced and durable shoe is the Adventurer, a comfortable and stable shoe priced at $89.95 with a felt sole.