Redington Field Kit Tropical Saltwater ($389.99) includes quality line and lifetime warranty.
April 12, 2024
By Chris O'Byrne
Are you new to fly fishing? Are you an experienced fly fisher looking to purchase a secondary outfit? Manufacturers simplify your choices with complete packages generally known as combos. Recently those manufacturers have stepped up their games by offering more variations in these simplified shopping sets. Paul Selle, brand manager for Martin Fly, explained, “We want everyone with an interest to participate in fly fishing. It’s important that there is a distinction in the action of each rod and the parts of the outfits.” Here is a sampling of some current products that demonstrate these qualities:
Orvis Encounter Starting with the Orvis Encounter rod matched with the Encounter large arbor reel, this outfit includes Orvis backing and an Orvis leader. Perhaps most importantly, high quality Orvis fly line makes this “affordable awesomeness” rod zing the fly out to the fish.
Orvis combos are offered with individual actions for five fishing situations. There is a 9-foot 8-weight, with a fast action, good for Florida salt water. An 8-foot, 6-inch 5-weight with a medium action is well matched for general fresh water, as is the 9-foot 6-weight with medium-fast action (I have used this rod myself for years). A 9-foot 5-weight with medium-fast action and a 9-foot, 6-inch 6-weight with a medium-fast action are primarily designed for mountain trout fishing. Adding to the value of the $198 setup, Orvis includes a reel-on rod tube.
Redington Field Kit Reviewers occasionally point out that combos are compromise setups. But Redington has made the selection precise with seven combos, called Field Kits. The four-piece rods of Field Kits are tuned for seven fishing situations: Trout, bass, salmon, Euro nymphing, trout spey, tropical saltwater, and coastal cold water. The trout, bass, salmon, tropical and cold water saltwater rods are each 9 feet long. While the nymphing rig is 10 feet, the spey rod is 11 feet, 3 inches to generate power off your D loop.
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The rods are paired with large arbor RUN reels for fresh water or the Behemoth reels with stronger drags and corrosion resistant finishes for salt water. Each outfit includes backing and RIO Premier fly line which is top-shelf quality, designed for each species. The appropriate RIO leaders are attached to the lines. From $389.99, Redington Field Kits are completed with a reel-on rod tube.
Greys Fin Combo For experienced fly casters who appreciate high-end casting qualities, Greys created the Greys Fin Combo. The fast action Fin fly rods provide the foundation for this series of five outfits. These tactical matte gray blanks are a step toward the action of high-end rods, and are still friendly to new casters.
They come with Greys Fin reel and a twin color fly line that assists with the fly fishing process. Backing, leader, and a rod/reel case are included in these outfits that start at $269.95.
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The lineup begins with a 9-foot 5-weight rod for traditional trouting and a 9-foot 6-weight for bigger trout. There is a 10-foot 7-weight rod to reach more water, fresh and salt. There is an 8-foot 4-weight for delicate presentations, and a flats ready 9-foot 8-weight with a fighting butt and reel with disc drag.
Martin 67R For many years, the Martin company offered a very inexpensive outfit which attracted countless people to fly fishing. Paul Selle felt, “There was a need for an affordable, quality product, with all the tools necessary to go out and have a positive fly fishing experience.” So, they improved the components and packaged them into my favorite combo of this report, the Martin 67R.
There are two packages bursting with gear. Differentiating the actions in each rod, Martin uses IM6 (24 ton) graphite in their 8-foot, 6-inch 4/5 weight river and stream rod to create a moderate fast action. A blend of IM6 and IM7 (24 ton and 30 ton) graphite in the 9-foot 5/6 weight lake and pond rod, with a stiffer feel, casts big flies with more authority.
Both rods have cork grips, alignment dots and a unique two- tone color scheme featuring a burgundy butt section. They are matched with a simple, all metal, click drag reel, backing, fly line, and leader.
Martin includes a travel case with pocket dividers, plus a needle-driver/cutting tool, and a fly box with a set of flies chosen for either situation. Martin customers also have access to the online Martin Fishing Academy. The Martin 67R complete fishing package retails for $99.99.
This article was published in the March 2024 issue of Florida Sportsman magazine. Click to subscribe .
