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?

Our Cortland outfit is a complete outfit: rod, reel, line, leader, tube & bag for the rod, fly box, knot tying tool, backing and instructional DVD for only $139.95. With the state sales tax you'll walk out of here fully equiped for less than $150. The rod retails for $99.95 and is a very dependable model we've sold for years. The reel is a really nice large arbor model that retails for $69.95. The line is the semi legendary 444 Peach and that lists for $52. Add it up and you'll see that $139.95 is a great price. Plus, we'll rig for you, teach you how to cast and serve you coffee while you're hangin' around. What's not to like?

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

Sage has achieved an enviable status in the industry: They are the benchmark. Every other rod manufactured is always compared to a comparable Sage. Last year 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 $655. The VT2 is a series of medium-fast action rods with tapers and action designed for specific line weights. They're available in four piece and start at $410. This will be your new travel rod. The FLi series is designed as a step-up rod for people who are looking for a quicker rod without spending a bundle. Designed with a slightly wider profile they are fast action rods with higher line speed. Prices start at $275.

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.

Cortland's Lazerline was my choice for all around trout fishing for years. It's still a good bet for $54. 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 $62. The old reliable 444 Peach, with its smooth surface and legendary suppleness is $52. Finally, there's the all new Pro-Cast, a long belly fly line with a stiffer, lubricated coating, a good choice for only $35.

Scientific Anglers’ Sharkskin promises to be 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 fly line with a compound concave front taper designed to dampen the presentation…$63.95. This is our second season carrying the GPX and it's become one of our better sellers. It's designed to be a half size heavier to help load the quicker rods...$63.95. The Nymph line is a smart idea, a line that was designed specifically to cast weighted nymphs longer distances with the added benefit of a high floating tip…$63.95. The Streamer Express is a sink-tip line without line weight designation to more easily get your streamer down where it matters…$63.95. The Steelhead line has a long rear taper to better facilitate mending and a front taper designed to delay turnover...$63.95 The Headstart is an over-grained, supple line that should improve everybody’s casting…$43.95.

Rio makes one fly line which every bass angler should own, the Coldwater Clouser, a line that will deliver any bug accurately at any distance…$64.95.

Reels

For a simple storage device it seems kind of silly to carry four brands, 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 Cimarron, a single action staple, starts at $150 and is a tough reel with a long history of reliability. We carry the Rhythm mid arbor reel in three sizes and we like its functionality. They start at $190. The Evolution is the most gorgeous on the market and is an extremely lightweight mid-arbor reel starting at $265. Ross Worldwide reels are very nice die-cast reels with functional disc drags and represent a solid value. The Flystart starts at $40 and the Flycast starts at $65.

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 $99. This is an unparalled bargain.

Cortland introduced a new reel last year that is really surprising, the Pro Cast mid arbor. It's a die cast high capacity aluminum reel with a very smooth bearing and a great drag for less than $70. If you're looking for a new reel with a larger arbor but don't want to spend a bundle, this is your reel.

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 $450 or $500 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 two 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 $199.95. The Barebones is less money but is still a serviceable wader with reinforced knees and built in wader belt for $129.95. I'm absolutely confident you won't be disappointed in either of these waders.

We'll be carrying four wading shoes. We have always carried the Gary Borger shoe made by Weinbrenner in Merrill, WI and at $114 it's a serious shoe and still in a class by itself. However, I was very impressed with the Dan Bailey Outfitter II, a comfortable, easy entry shoe offering plenty of protection and studs for $119.95. This year they've taken the same shoe and added a sticky, Eco-grip rubber sole. This sole promises to provide positive traction and is easily cleaned with a simple disinfectant and retails for $124.95. Result? You won't be transporting invasive species. And for $64.95 we can offer you the SL, another Bailey shoe with an enviable track record of comfort, support and value.