The best fly fishing in Australia, New Zealand & the World

As I’ve got older, I’ve become increasingly intolerant of being cold. A restless night shivering beside a river no longer holds much appeal. The Rumour quickly convinced me that I don’t have to choose between warmth and comfort. I tested the -12°C model in June, bivvying beside a river after fresh snow had fallen across the nearby Alps. Overnight temperatures dropped well below zero, exactly the sort of conditions this bag was designed for. What impressed me most wasn’t simply the warmth—although there’s plenty of that—but how well the bag managed moisture. Despite being toasty warm, I never woke feeling...

Fishing across a lot of different environments — freshwater, saltwater, up north and down south — I need a boot that I can just get on with it. The River Salt II does exactly that. It’s built for crossover. You can move from salt flats to rivers without changing gear, and there’s no sense of compromise. That matters. I don’t want different boots for different places. I want one pair I can trust wherever I end up. Underfoot, the Vibram Megagrip soles are solid. Whether it’s slippery rocks, boat decks, or rough ground, they hold where they need to. I’ve...

The updated Hydros fly reel from Orvis builds on one of the most popular reels in the lineup, refining a proven design with meaningful performance upgrades and improved usability. At the centre of the update is a new end-to-end sealed drag system, delivering enhanced durability and protection from water, sand, and grit. This makes the Hydros even more dependable across a wide range of environments, from freshwater rivers to saltwater flats, while maintaining the smooth, consistent performance the series is known for. The reel retains its large arbor design, allowing for faster line pickup and reduced line memory, while an...

The latest Recon fly rod series from Orvis delivers a compelling mix of durability, performance, and versatility, positioning itself as a true go-anywhere rod built for anglers who demand reliability without sacrificing feel. Drawing on construction techniques inspired by Orvis’ flagship Helios range, the new Recon rods are engineered with increased hoop strength, resulting in improved lifting power and overall durability. This makes them particularly well suited to real-world fishing scenarios—whether being transported in the back of a ute, strapped to a pack, or travelling to remote locations. Despite this rugged build, the rods retain a refined casting character, offering...

I’ve fished for so many years without gloves. It seems strange saying this now, but it just never occurred to me to do so. As with most of my favourite gear, shortly after putting these Patagonia gloves on, I more or less forgot I was wearing them. The build quality was as I expected and the fit was spot on. I think they call it ‘3D Fabric Technology’ and the attention to detail is immediately obvious. Multiple panels, carefully positioned seams and well-placed reinforcement all work together to create a glove that feels remarkably natural. I guess hands are complicated...

The new Pescador fly box range from Fishpond delivers a thoughtful balance of durability, functionality, and sustainability, offering anglers a streamlined storage solution built around recycled materials and practical design. At the core of the range is the use of post-consumer recycled EVA Dynamic Foam providing secure fly retention while reducing overall weight and environmental impact. Across the lineup, the boxes maintain a rugged, waterproof construction, featuring durable shells and reliable gasket sealing to keep flies protected in all conditions from freshwater streams to saltwater flats. The Pescador Medium is a standout as a clean, grab-and-go option. With a clear...

Regular readers would be aware that I am a big advocate for long rods when it comes to nymphing. For many years now I have been using an 11’ 3-weight on our rivers as my main rod, and for times when I want to nymph tighter water I will take one of my shorter rods. This isn’t necessarily practical for an angler who may only nymph a handful of times a year, or who wants to see if nymphing is really for them. Earlier this season I decided to revisit multi-length nymphing rods. A long time ago I enjoyed fishing...

Airflo’s new saltwater leader and tippet range is a well-thought-out expansion to an already extensive lineup, aimed squarely at anglers who spend more time battling the elements on the flats than talking about it back at the ramp. All products in the range are made in Japan using premium materials, and that attention to quality shows through straight away. Starting with the new saltwater sizes of the Airflo fluorocarbon we all know and trust, the Saltwater Fluorocarbon tippet is built from 100% fluorocarbon and comes in 30m spools. It delivers the knot strength and low visibility you’d expect, but it’s...