Product Picks
Check it out! Signature items used by Aaron Jasper.
Ross Reels Evolution Reel
The Ross Evolution gets my thumbs up for the best trout reel on the market right now. Ross reels is a very innovative and consumer oriented company. They even have a two day turn around on reel repairs!!! You cannot beat that. This reel is very light and takes abuse well. You should see the dings and bruises on my reel. The drag is very smooth and does not fail even on the biggest of trout. The Evolution even looks very stylish for you fashion conscious fly-fisherman out there and the price won’t even scare you. You get a great bang for your buck with this reel. Kudos to Ross!!!!!!
Simms G3 Vest
The Simms G3 vest is the absolute best vest I have ever worn. The pockets are large and a plenty. There is enough room for plenty of fly boxes. The pockets in the back are designed better than the guide vest. The vest is also lighter in weight. The pockets have been made stiffer and allow for easier zipping. Also, since the pockets are stiff the fly boxes can’t fall out easily when you forget to zipper them. The vest comes with two built in zingers and get this…. There are even magnets to hold you clippers and pliers in place. Simms hit the home run on this one and it is very fashionable as well.
SAGE Z-Axis Rod
I have to give my rod award to Sage. They are
the most innovative rod company on the market. The Z Axis is
THE best rod, hands down on the market. For now I am using
the 10 foot 5 weight XP and 10 foot 4 weight RPL+. I also use a 9
foot 5 weight SLT for dry fly fishing. I also have a 8’9” 3 weight
SLT. I have a number of Sage rods but these are the four that I use
all of the time. As soon as I can get the Z-Axis, I will have the 11
foot 5 weight switch rod for nymph fishing. I will also get the 9’ 5
weight rod for dry flies. I tried out lots of rods at the
RIO NYMPH Fly Line
For fly lines, leaders and tippets, I would have to pick Rio. They are an extremely innovative company. They are always coming out with new products. I love the Rio nymph line. The tip is super high floating and it casts even the largest strike indicators into the wind with ease. All of my friends are using density compensated sinking lines for streamers. We all have the 200 and 300 grain sinking lines. You can even wade fish with this streamer line because the running does not sink and get caught up in your laces. The Rio Grande floating weight forward fly line is great. It is high floating and has a welded loop on the end to make for easier line to leader changes. Rio tippets are simply amazing and strong. Nearly 100 percent of the trout and the one carp were caught on Rio flouroflex plus and powerflex tippet.
Stanley's Ice-Off Paste
Another must have for the winter fly fisherman is Stanley’s ice off paste. Loon Outdoors makes this product. Loon Outdoors is a very environmentally conscious group and none of their products cause any harm to the environment. So you can use their products without the guilt. It is a must have for the winter fly fisherman. I know we have all had ice in our guides before. If you apply the paste to your guides the night before you fish. You will not totally stop ice from forming but you can make it manageable. When ice starts to form you can re-apply the paste to the guides and keep on fishing. The paste will cause no damage to your fly line at all. Add this to your little fly fishing shopping list. It will make those below freezing morning easier to deal with.
Special Deliver Fly Line Dressing
Ever have line that gets old and starts sticking to the guides in your rod?? I have found that Special Delivery fly line spray eliminates this problem. When I am fishing I usually rely upon long line nymphing as a primary technique. Having a line that flows easily through the guides is essential to being successful with this technique.
All you have to do is have some in your gear bag or vest. Simply spray the dressing onto your reel and go fishing. The line will perform almost as if it was new. You will be glad you did! This spray is as important as having fly floatant for dry flies. You can pick this up at almost any flyshop.
Umpqua Feather Merchants
Umpqua Feather Merchants is the dealer for Tiemco hooks. Tiemco hooks are the standard in which everyone in the industry strives to follow. These are the absolute finest hooks for tying flies. They have a hook style for any application. From tying size 32 midges to size 8/0 tuna flies they have a hook that is tailored to meet your need. You can use the special use 8089 for tying streamers. This hook has an extra wide gap to make sure you hook fish. My friend Rich turned me onto this hook and it has been awesome. You can also use the 2488H for tying small flies. You can literally tow a truck with these hooks they are super strong and enable you to land big trout on tiny flies. If you haven’t tried Tiemco hooks yet, get on it!!!!!! You will appreciate their high quality products.