The Year in Gear 2007
Fish Alaska magazine Editors’ Choice Awards

GOLD AWARDS

Abu Garcia Revo Casting Reel STX-L $199.99 www.abugarcia.com

This baitcasting reel is light, smooth, and small, but packs enough drag to turn some pretty feisty silvers. One can really toss a spinner with the reel when loaded with any number of 10-pound lines. In fact, when tossing spinners with it on the Little Susitna River, Fish Alaska testers appreciated the smoothness of the reel as it dispersed line, and the ability to slow the cast, so as to not throw the lures into the trees guarding the far side of the river. Backlashing incidents were few.

Fisknat Steelhead Float Tube Net $110 www.fisknat.com

This net, with custom woodwork and a rubber basket, is both handsome and functional. With laminate wood choices like padouk/walnut/ash or purple heart/ash/walnut and several exotic solid-wood handle choices, this is a pretty sharp net. Fish Alaska testers liked the way it handled landing many 16- to 20-inch trout on Long Lake. Top of Page

Frabill Prowler Ice Tent $519.99 www.frabill.com

This portable ice shelter is built for serious ice fishermen who want to be able to travel to different locations and comfortably fish two anglers. The base of the unit has two runners that allow the shelter to slide easily on the snow and ice. We added the Universal Tow Bar to the system, which allowed us to pull the unit with a snowmachine. We also purchased the Prowler GT cover, which did an excellent job of protecting our ice-fishing gear while towing. The shelter is large with a setup area of 89 inches long x 60 inches wide x 72 inches tall, though it is still up in minutes due to a telescoping frame. The Modular Seating System is comprised of seats that attach to the base and fold down for transport and storage.

Alaskan Gourmet Batter $7.99 www.alaskangourmetbatter.com

Judged delicious, this Alaskan-developed batter was perfect for pan-frying rockfish. You can mix the batter and keep it refrigerated for up to two weeks and can even batter up some pieces and freeze them on a cookie sheet. Pan fry, deep fry, wok, or fondue: While we found the Original recipe the best, Alaskan Gourmet Batter is also available in Coconut, Spicy and Herb flavors.

Flambeau A5 Aggressive Bag $74.19 www.flambeauoutdoors.com

This tackle bag allows you to load a wide range of tackle into a small space and to then bring it onboard a boat in wet conditions and have it remain dry. In addition to the main storage compartment, there is an upper storage area that is padded and a top pocket with a zipper. An especially nice feature is the hard rubberized bottom that adds some protection for the contents and is a main factor in keeping water out of the bottom of the bag.

Flambeau Blue Ribbon Box $39.59 www.flambeauoutdoors.com

We used this compartmentalized box to store and transport a wide range of tackle for bead fishing for trout, char and grayling. Fish Alaska testers were especially pleased with the way the box opened into four different main areas—two on each side of the hinged box. Each compartment is then broken into many different small compartments to hold a wide range of 6- to 10 mm beads, hooks, toothpicks (cut in half) and split shot. Bring a spool of leader material and an indicator (if you use them), and you are on the way to catching some resident species.

Columbia River Big Eddy II Alaska Fillet Knife $28.99 www.crkt.com

This knife chewed through big king salmon like Kobayashi through Nathan’s Hot Dogs. According to the company’s paperwork, this comes about through an innovative blade grind. Instead of a traditional symmetrical grind, this blade has a hollow grind on the top side and a flat grind on the bottom. The addition of the Triple-Point serrations on the first quarter of the blade allowed us to easily cut through a king salmon spine when steaking a fish. This big knife (91/4-inch blade) has a comfortable, sure-hold grip.

Greatland Laser 72-Hour Red Laser Flare $109.95 www.greatlandlaser.com

An Alaskan-born product, the Greatland Laser is a favorite signaling device among the rescue community because it is lightweight, alerts rescuers from a great distance and is ideal for travel in the Alaska Wilderness. The red rescue laser is seen at night at up to 20 miles or up to three miles during the day.

Ben’s 100 Insect Repellant www.tendercorp.com 1.25 oz Pump Spray $5.99 1.25 oz. Lotion $4.99

When it comes to bugs in Alaska, it’s pretty hard to get them completely off you. There are several good bug sprays that do an adequate job of taming the mosquitoes, white socks, no-see-ums, and horseflies that all want to take a chunk out of your tender flesh. One such product is Ben’s 100 and the 95% Deet does the trick. We tend to use this liberally on clothes and headwear and a bit more sparingly on exposed skin.

Islander LX Series Fly Reels LX3.6 $490 www.islander.com

This reel combines a smooth, strong, cork disc-drag with a sturdy frame that resisted warping in the rigorous fish-fighting conditions experienced by the Fish Alaska magazine field testers. This 7/8-weight reel is capable of handling the other four species of Pacific salmon as well as kings. However, for a king-specific model, the 4.0, 4.5 or 4.8 would be more suited to the job.

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Lowa Men’s Kerano GTX Boots $200 www.lowaboots.com

An all around useful hiking boot, the Lowa Kerano are rugged, waterproof, lightweight, and comfortable right out of the box. Combining the GORE-TEX liner with a PUR midsole and Vibram Vialta outersole, and you have dry feet and excellent stability and comfort. These boots worked well in hikes to the Russian River to fish as well as a boat boot when fishing the Susitna drainage.

Leatherman Charge ALX $99.99 www.leatherman.com

In a continuing position as industry leader in multi-purpose tools, Leatherman scores another victory with the Charge ALX. The ergonomic handle facilitates comfortable use of the variety of options on the ALX, from screwdriver to pliers, cutters or saw. One addition we found especially useful in slicing leader, line and tippet was the cutting hook on the back of the serrated blade. As usual, this is the one tool to keep attached to your wading belt.

Lamiglas XMG 50 Spinning and Casting Rods $340 www.lamiglas.com

We experimented with both the spinning and casting versions of the XMG 50 series and were very impressed. Both responsive and sensitive, we used each model to cast a variety of tackle at silvers, pinks, sockeye and chum, and could use the length of the rod and its fast action to simply flick the rod tip and sail lures to waiting fish. These graphite-handled casting rods range from 8-foot, 9-inch to 10 feet, with spinning models in the 9-foot, 6-inch or 10-foot, 6-inch variety.

Loop Tackle Opti Speedrunner $570 www.looptackleusa.com

This very large-arbor fly reel was one of those few that the Fish Alaska field testers unanimously enjoyed. It made easy work of picking up line after a sizzling run, and was truly silky smooth. The V-shaped spool helps to assist the fishermen in placing the line evenly on the reel. This reel withstood the abuse of several king salmon as well as a plethora of other species. We partnered the reel with Loop OptiStream Float fly line (WF-8-F) and found it to be a great line for quick pickup of big flies in both silver and pike fishing situations. When the situation presented itself, we found ourselves throwing tight loops and lots of line.

Lamson Litespeed 3.5 Hard Alox $349 www.waterworks-lamson.com

This reel performed very well, especially considering the high-stress environment to which we subjected it when fighting chum salmon for three straight days on the Togiak River. Lamson introduced this large arbor, sealed conical drag, aluminum reel to its lineup last year and it is sure to be a hit.

Korker Guide Boot $159.99 www.korkers.com

Along with the efficient and innovative Boa Lace Technology, this is one supremely comfortable wading boot. The Korker Guide boot is lightweight but stable when wading rocky or swift streams, while interchangeable soles allow adjustments for various terrains.

Mini Maglite LED 3AA $24.99 www.maglite.com

Like the standard Maglite, this mini LED version is built tough to stand up to the rigors of abuse over a lifetime. With features like a Diamond Knurl design handle to the 1/2-turn twist-flood to candle mode, this super bright, small light is an indispensable tool, especially when you are a member of the Fish Alaska magazine editorial staff and need to fish from dusk until dawn.

Owner Stinger Siwash Hooks $5.79/6 www.ownerhooks.com

Owner hooks have quickly become a force to reckon with in the hook market. Brutally sharp and strong, the stinger siwash was deadly in hitting fish while jigging. With a supremely strong hook shank and Owner’s own Cutting Point, this is a good hook to stand up to the abuse of hooking and landing big fish while jigging in the saltwater. We are fans of the siwash style hook as we experience a higher fish-hooking ratio with this design.

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Maxima Ultragreen 15-pound, 220 yards $9.99 www.maxima-lines.com

Sometimes it is tough to improve upon an original. Case in point: Maxima Ultragreen. It combines Maxima’s toughness with characteristics that make the line soft and supple for superior casting. It only helps that the line color helps to blend it in the water, making it close to invisible to suspicious fish.

Penn International Torque TRQ 100 $379.99 www.pennreels.com

After 75 years in the fishing business, Penn Reels is a name to be trusted. The Torque lineup is a result of advanced technology to develop a stronger, more reliable reel. In utilizing Integrated Side Plate design, high-speed gears and pinions are unaffected by force and load. This allows for alignment with the pinion regardless of the pressures exerted on the reel. The result is another quality, high-end option for fishing Alaska’s saltwater. At a pound, it’s an easy reel to use for a day of jigging and capable of handling most anything down there.

Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Jacket $200 www.mountainhardwear.com

From the wet and windy weather of the Naknek River to the cold breezes of a Kenai autumn, the Mountain Hardware Alchemy Jacket is warm, breathable and water/wind resistant and makes for a fine choice as the layer beneath your wading jacket. At 22 ounces, this soft shell coat is very comfortable, packable and allows for plenty of motion for the wading fly-caster. It performs and breathes very well and is currently being utilized as a top layer when Nordic skiing. It is available in four color choices and five sizes.

Redington SS Super Sport Fly Rods $449 www.redington.com

The SS Super Sport is an ultra-light and ultra-sensitive 4-piece performance rod that offers smooth casting, superb lifting power and balance with minimum weight. The blank is made with Redington Red Core construction, which incorporates 85-million modulus Toray Japanese graphite, high-density resin coating and a layer of tape-wound graphite, creating a super strong, super light blank. Titanium trimmings and high-end appointments complete the series.

Mustang Auto Hydrostatic Inflatable PFD $229.99 www.mustangsurvival.com

This low profile PFD is an excellent solution for boating in rivers or lakes and will automatically inflate in 4 inches of water with 35 pounds of buoyancy. If you are a person who thinks PFDs are bulky and unnecessary, then this is just what you need. Its rugged design provides for both reliable inflation and low maintenance.

Pelican Case 1550 $124.25 www.pelican.com

As you would expect from the standard-bearer in the portable protective casing industry, the Pelican case was truly element proof. We used it to transport our camera gear all over Alaska and it proved to be up to all the abuse that Fish Alaska could dole. Truly water- and dustproof, it also doubled as a seat or stepstool and showed no sign of deformation. Both the latches and handle are user friendly and sturdy. You should expect this case to last a long time.

Patagonia Men’s Capilene Crew $38 www.patagonia.com

There are many options on the market for base layers. We feel that Patagonia is one of the best. The Capilene Crew is incredibly light weight and breathable. It is very comfortable and wicks water with ease. It can be used in one of many layers in cold weather and as a single layer during hot days where you want extra sun and bug protection. If you wade and fish like the Fish Alaska magazine crew, then you are bound to get your arms wet and it is nice to wear a base layer that dries quickly.

North Face Clothing XTC Lightweight Crew Baselayer $38 XTC Midweight Tight $42 www.thenorthface.com

Both top and bottom layers are lightweight, breathable and are perfect for the layering systems necessary to stay warm while wading in Alaska’s frigid rivers. These layers also work extremely well for winter activities.

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Mustad Ultra Point Beak Hook $23.99/100qty www.mustad.no

From bead fishing for trout to drift fishing for kings, this hook was strong and sharp, and helped us to stick and land many nice fish. The needle point is obtained with Mustad’s 3 stage “Opti-Angle” sharpening technology. The strength of the hook is a result of the hi-carbon steel and Mustad’s “Nor-tempering” process.

Sage Z-Axis Fly Rods $670–$695 www.sageflyfish.com

Replacing the renowned XP series can’t be an easy task, but after a somewhat rocky beginning Sage’s new Z-Axis fly rods seemed to have taken the industry by storm. Utilizing proprietary Generation 5 graphite and improved tapers to offer a lighter, stronger, and easier casting rod for anglers, the Z-Axis comes across at first as slightly stiff or gummy, but after a day’s familiarization, anglers will find tighter loops, longer casts and ultimately, more fish are the reward. Models availabe range from 3- through 10-weights, with five additional two-handed rod models.

Messermeister Fish Pliers $13.95 www.messermeister.com

An exceptional product available locally from Allen & Petersen’s Cooking and Appliance Center, these stainless steel pliers feel solid when pulling bones out of salmon.

Ross Momentum Reels $445–$645 www.rossreels.com

Stiffness, strength, heat resistance, shock-dampening capabilities and infinite fatigue resistance are all properties of carbon fiber that help make the Momentum drag system one of the strongest and most dependable big-game reels available. With 6.3 square inches of effective drag surface, and 12 pounds of dead lift weight, the Momentum series has three times the effective stopping power of every drag tested. A triple redundancy drag system also ensures dependability under the most demanding fishing conditions, and by adding in features like titanium drag components, a quick-release locking spool and water-shedding grooves on the palming rim, you have the ultimate big-game fly reel. With a wide range of sizes available, the Momentum series is appropriate for any fishing application, including Spey.

Redington Titanium CDL reels $179–$239 www.redington.com

Redington’s newest and boldest large arbor reel, the Titanium CDL is a true large-arbor design with an oversized cork disc drag that offers consistent pressure, control and line handling. The Koyo one-way clutch bearing ensures smooth, immediate engagement for quick pick-ups. Made from anodized 6061 bar stock aluminum in an attractive titanium color with durability in mind, these reels also offer a large paddle-style handle and a quick-change spool. For use in both fresh- and saltwater, there are four Titanium CDL sizes to choose from: 5/6, 7/8, 9/10, 11/12.

Patagonia Women’s Wool 2 Crew $82 www.patagonia.com

Soft and warm, the Women’s Wool Crew from Patagonia looks and feels feminine, but is totally functional—just what the Alaskan outdoorswoman needs.

Blue Fox Bleeding Classic Vibrax $2.49-$3.99 www.bluefox.com

This indispensable spinner has all the elements to make it eminently successful in Alaska, plus the addition of a “bleeding” color element designed to mimic a wounded baitfish. It is available in 5 body colors.

Mountain Hardware Women’s Extend Featherweight Tight $45 www.mountainhardware.com

Mountain Hardware does a really nice job of making outdoor products that work well in Alaska. These base layer tights are versatile enough to work fine on their own under waders or as a base under heavier layer weights for the various chillier times in Alaska. If you’re also into the great outdoors with snowmachining, skiing or virtually any other sport, these are a great all-around option to have in the closet.

NRS Access Duffel–Dry Bag $55 www.nrsweb.com

This duffel-style dry bag has a clear top, which makes it easier to find what you are looking for. At 23x12x17, this bag is large enough to fit everything you’d need for the day. Efficient packers should be able to fit a weekend’s needs. There are 4 roll-down clips that enable you to get a waterproof seal.

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Scientific Anglers Mastery Series Spey Skagit Deluxe $149.95 www.scientificanglers.com

The Skagit Deluxe is the ideal line for fishing with fast-sinking tips and big, wind-resistant flies, two hallmarks of angling in the 49th state. The short shooting head excels in confined areas that limit backcasting room, while the powerful front taper casts dense, heavy tips exceptionally well.

Shimano Curado 300DSV Baitcasting Reel $249.99 http://fish.shimano.com/

Maximizing the use of a deep-spool frame, the Shimano Curado 300DSV offers line capacity typically found only in large, round reels without sacrificing the benefits and comfort of a low-profile reel. In addition to high-efficiency gearing and line capacity advantages, this reel is capable of generating an incredible 15 pounds of drag.

Tender Corp AfterbitEe Xtra $3.99 www.tendercorp.com

This wonderful product takes the itch out of a bug bite almost immediately and is not only great for anglers who want to get on with their day, but also for parents who want to keep their children happy and comfortable when out enjoying Alaska’s outdoors.

Mountain Hardware Women’s Power Stretch Zip T $85 www.mountainhardware.com

This pullover layer is soft on the inside, making it extremely comfortable, and a durable, moisture-wicking Polartec material makes sure it stays that way, no matter your activity. In a multi-layer environment, this is a great top to add to your mix.

Simms Dry Creek Chest/Hip Pack $99.95 www.simmsfishing.com

Combine Simms quality craftsmanship and innovative design and you truly have a hip pack worth using. From the padding on the belt to the large main pocket and auxiliary additional pockets, this pack not only was easy to wear, but stayed dry in very wet conditions.

Smith Action Optics Hudson $139 www.smithoptics.com

These polarized sunglasses from Smith Optics offer glass lenses that are ground and polished to remove distortion and precisely fit into each stylishly designed frame. The medium-fit Hudson frames offered full protection and increased glare reduction, while the Photo Copper lenses are photochromic to adjust density of the lens tint as light conditions dictate. A go-to-lens when travel restrictions dictate packing light

Tender Corp Afterburn $4.95 www.tendercorp.com

From sunburn to burning your arm on the BBQ, Afterburn provides temporary pain relief fast.

Patagonia Pack Vest $149 www.patagonia.com

When wading a river, it’s nice to have the convenience of a vest and the gear-carrying capability of a pack, but it’s cumbersome to wear both. Patagonia solved this problem with the pack vest. The pack boasts many fishing-specific features from its short cut for deep wading to a rod holder and innumerable pockets, and it is also very comfortable, largely due to a streamlined shape and nicely fitting shoulder straps. The ample vest can be used in conjunction with or separately from the pack.

Smartwool Hiking Light Crew $15.95 www.smartwool.com

Ideal for wearing inside your wading boots, the Smartwool hiking socks have a cushioned bottom for extra comfort and provide all-day warmth, even when standing in a glacial river casting to sockeye.

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Simms G3 Guide Jacket $399.95 www.simmsfishing.com

When it comes to fishing Alaska’s big rivers, it is imperative that you are warm and dry in order to muster the energy needed to stand in ice-cold water all day and throw big lures to big fish. One such product that excels in this category is the Simms G3 Guide jacket. Many jackets can keep you dry in the rain, but this one will keep you dry in the steady deluge of Kodiak in August or the Naknek River in September. From the functionality of two large chest pockets and four small zippered chest pockets to the watertight stretch cuffs on the sleeves to the highly breathable, 3-layer Gore-Tex XCR fabric technology of the jacket, this high-end piece of outerwear is worth the expense.

Serengeti Trento 7054 Sunglasses $120 www.serengetieyewear.com Drivewear polarized, prescription, transition lenses $240 www.drivewearlens.com

These stylish frames are both rugged and comfortable. The wrap-around shape provided excellent protection for the eyes and aided in better vision into the water. The Drivewear lenses are excellent, and the lenses tested were polarized, prescription and transitional all-in-one. The Transitions Photochromic technology made it possible for the lens to lighten and darken depending on light conditions and this made the glasses easy to wear in many environments, from bright glare to low light to indoors. The glasses and lenses were provided by Adventures in Eyecare in Anchorage and they can be reached at 907-333-6040.

St. Croix Legend Inshore Rods $300–$330 www.stcroixrods.com

Created specifically for inshore saltwater angling and designed for extreme performance, these state-of-the-art rods from St. Croix are built on a foundation of SCIV graphite, with Belize-blue blanks that incorporate St. Croix’s exclusive ART and IPC technologies and 100% rustproof, super lightweight REC Recoil guides.

Temple Fork Outfitters Terry Hayden Fly Reels $349.95–$379.95 www.templeforkflyrods.com

Machined from 6061 marine grade aluminum and Type III Hard Anodized, TFO’s Hayden reels are built tough for a lifetime of service. Hard Anodization penetrates the base metal becoming an integral part of the material while building up on the surface creating a finish that is harder and more durable than those found on the most expensive reels. Three stainless steel bearings and a large surface-area cork drag are combined for smooth start up and positive stopping power. Three sizes cover your big-game needs with ease.

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