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I can't say enough the Orvis Quick Dry Jackson Pants. The fit is comfortable (even for those with some bulk like me...), the material is lightweight, yet tough and you can pull a rolled up pair from the bottom of the closet or a bag and they look great and are ready to wear. They are also my go to travel pant. The light weight of the pant and the included web belt make passing through security a breeze. In addition to general casual and travel wear, I often wear these pants under waders while fishing. They have all the technical features of a great wading pant - they wick, dry quickly and the weight is perfect for fishing on a hot day. Yet after a full day of fishing, they still look great.
In the past most of the pants I've worn under waders I'd never wear in public because they were generally unattractive in fit/design/color/etc. You'll feel equally at ease in these pants while grabbing a burger on the way home from a great fishing trip as you will wearing them while fishing. The other day while eating lunch on a trip I dropped a half can of soda on them. Not an issue - the coating on the pants made the soda bead up and after I wiped them a couple of times with a napkin they looked like they'd just come out of the washer.
Read more about the Orvis Quick Dry Jackson Pants, here.
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Living in the West, I used to get chastised by other anglers for using only 8-1/2-foot rods. Everyone out here swears by 9-foot 5-weight rods. The reason I preferred the shorter rod was weight; it was just more comfortable to use the rod all day. Sure, I gave up a little in distance and line control, but it was a sacrifice that I was willing to make. And then along came Helios. At just 2 1/2 ounces, my 10 foot 4 wt. Helios weighs much less than any 8-1/2-footer I ever used, and now I can take advantage of the line control and the distance the longer rod provides. If you're fishing spring creeks, tailwaters, or any situation where a dead drift is critical, this is the only way to go. You will catch more fish and save your shoulder at the same time!
Click here to read more about the Helios 104-4.
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Kent Klewein of the blog
Gink & Gasoline posted this review of the Orvis Safe Passage Carry-It-All Rod and Gear Case:
TERMINAL FISHING PACKING CHECKLIST
Fly Rods & Tubes
Fly Reels
Leaders & Tippet
Fly Floatant
Split-Shot
Nail-Knot Tool
This list goes on and on with what I need to pack for my guide trips and fly fishing travels. It’s astonishing how much room all this gear takes up in your vehicle once you’ve packed it all in, and the list above is only a partial list of what I need for my days out on the water. I still need waders, boots, fishing packs, net, camera, and enough room to transport my clients. Anyway I looked at it, I was in desperate need of finding a better way to organize all my gear. It was taking far too long for me to strategically load and unload my truck every day.
Recently, I ran across and purchased the Orvis Safe Passage, Carry-It-All Rod and Gear Case, and it’s completely blown me away with it’s ability to safely store an insane amount of gear in half the space. Everything I need is right at my finger tips and that keeps me organized and saves me a ton of time rigging up. From one fellow guide to another, since I’ve started using this gear case, I’ve no longer found myself turning around and heading back to the cabin for a critical piece of gear I forgot to pack. Below is a break down of what the Orvis Carry-It-All gear case can handle and I why I love it.
Read the rest of the review here.
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When I was first introduced to fly fishing by my father, I wasn’t allowed to step foot into a river, lake, or stream. Looking back on it now, I see this was mostly a safety concern for my father and it makes perfect sense not to allow an eight year old to dive head first into a river. Thus, fly fishing during my formative years under my father’s tutelage was spent learning to cast, tie and observe from a stream side perspective until he felt I was skilled enough to step into the trout’s natural habitat. As you can imagine, it was quite a joyous occasion when I received my first pair of waders for my 14th birthday. Nothing flashy; just some hunter green Cabella’s stocking foot neoprene waders. I don’t remember them being overly comfortable, but I was so excited to get into the river that I wasn’t about to complain. The waders were accompanied by an Orvis 2 piece, 5-weight fly rod, and I was one happy fly fisherman. Both the rod and the waders served their purpose and lasted me the next 15 years of my fly fishing adventures (with some help from a wader repair kit here and there).
One of the first things I did when I got a steady job was to buy some new fly fishing equipment. My family always respected Orvis for their high quality products and great customer service. However, since this was to be my first waders purchase with my own money, I poured over fishing journals, websites, blogs and magazines to try to educate myself on the different types of waders available. My primary concern revolved around my frequent travel and I wanted something I could easily pack in my carry-on bag. The trade off to portability always seemed to be less durability, less breathability, a huge mark-up on the price or just less quality overall. I also knew I wanted to get stocking foot waders again, and I hoped to make a purchase that would stand the test of time like my old waders did.
After plenty of research, I finally set my sights on the “Pack & Travel Waders with SonicSeam Technology”. I talked to a couple Orvis representatives who wore these waders themselves and they stated confidently: “once you buy these, you’ll never want another pair of waders.” I kind of balked at that quote because they not only worked for the company, but I knew they were trying to sell me a product. I thought about it some more and I figured: “well, if I don’t like them, I can always send them right back to Orvis and let them know what I think.”
I ordered the waders right before the spring steelhead run in Minnesota began. They arrived on time and my wife accepted the package and cleverly added a bow before setting it out for me to find after work. I tried the waders on immediately to make sure they fit. This is one of the areas where Orvis always excels: their online fitting chart made choosing my size without trying them on easy and reliable. So of course, they fit perfectly. Before my steelheading adventure was to begin, the next stop was the Kinnickinnic River in Wisconsin for some spring creek trout fishing. I also convinced my fishing buddy to purchase the SonicSeam waders, and we were both “getting our feet wet” with them for the first time. I can say without reservation that the waders performed admirably. They were easy to put on, and I’ve never felt warmer inside a pair of waders. It’s true what they say about the “sonic seam” technology. They’re easy to fold and pack up because there are no seams, and they don’t leak for the same reason. I was impressed with the maneuverability they provided. They didn’t feel stiff like some waders feel until they are broken in. After having had the same pair of waders for the last 15 years, it was like night and day.
The part I hate most about using waders is taking them off at the end of the day. I’m usually a bit tired by that point, and taking them off always means an end to the day’s adventures. They slipped off effortlessly and the mud and dirt seemed to almost slide right off them. Don’t get me wrong, they still needed their proper cleaning, but they also wouldn’t destroy the back of my friend’s SUV if I just tossed them in the back. After cleaning them according to the recommended instructions with the machine wash setting on my washer, they looked brand new.
About a week later, they got their ultimate test under the grueling conditions of a post-winter steelhead run on the North Shore of Minnesota. They held up great under turbulent conditions with rain, sleet and high wind. They remained breathable while keeping me nice and dry. The stocking foot left plenty of room for thick thermal socks. I never felt underprepared and the little chest pocket kept my phone out of the rain (it was also in its own waterproof bag).
The only part I haven’t mentioned is that the SonicSeam waders barely take up any room when they’re packed. At just a little over 2 lbs and tightly packed, it makes my travel plans so much easier. Now I can bring them with me even when I’m not sure if I’ll be fishing.
I couldn’t have asked for a better pair of waders and my friend feels the same way. I’ve had them for two seasons now and they perform like the day I first bought them. I have enjoyed these waders so much, I bought a pair for my brother just this year, and he’ll be stepping into them for the first time in about a month. I have no doubt he will be singing praises and become a convert to the new SonicSeam technology as I have.
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The crew at highland Hills Ranch, in Condon, Oregon, hunts long and hard
during the season, and they love the Ultimate Upland Chaps.
photo courtesy Highland Hills Ranch
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Here at Highland Hills Ranch, we are constantly recommending the Orvis Ultimate Upland Chaps to our guests. Our wingshooting guides can be found wearing them in the field daily. The waterproof feature makes them great when walking through the early morning dew and prevents wet pant legs for the rest of the day. Our guides appreciate the lightweight yet durable construction that makes these chaps a “go to” item for them. Another feature that we love is they are breathable yet waterproof, unlike so many others. The wash-and-wear factor makes them easy to clean and maintain. This year, a couple of the guides finally “retired” theirs after 3 years of very heavy use! It is common for us to re-stock our pro shop several times each season with these chaps, due to their popularity.
Click here to learn more and see a video about the Ultimate Upland Chaps.
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Orvis Sling Pack Video Review from Owl Jones on Vimeo.
Over the years I've come to the conclusion that you can divide good fly fishing gear into three categories that I like to call the Three Qualities: Gear that's made well. Gear that's affordable. Gear that's functional. That said, it's sometimes almost impossible to find a product that has all of these qualities. Then, along comes the Orvis Safe Passage Sling Pack.
In my many years of fishing, I've worn or carried just about everything ever made for hauling around fishing gear. I've tried tackle boxes, conventional vests, chest packs and fanny packs. You name it, I've probably tried it at least twice. Unfortunately, I always found every product to be lacking one of the Three Qualities. This Orvis Sling Pack though – this is the solution I've been trying to find for the last 25 years.
The Orvis Sling Pack is a rock-solid design. Unlike some other “so called” sling packs that are little more than a square bag with a strap, this Orvis Sling Pack takes care of everything. From a place to easily secure your keys to multiple forceps/pliers pockets to an awesome, comfortable design. Using the optional under-the-arm harness strap, it's easy to forget you're wearing it. Also, I've got to say that as a “big guy” there's plenty of strap length to go around. Both the arm strap and the waist strap are fully removable, too. Add to that two huge compartments, really smooth zippers and numerous tool attachment points, and you've got all the bases covered.
I can get a whole day's worth of fishing gear inside just the main compartment, which leaves the exterior pocket free for a water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, or even lunch. Functional? Absolutely. It's also made of durable, heavy material that looks as if it could last a decade or more of hard use. Is it well made? I've looked it over time and again, and I can't find a single flaw in the workmanship or materials.
OK, so it's well made and highly functional...how about affordable? Honestly, I think Orvis has done the impossible by pricing this kind of quality product so that anyone can afford it. Trust me when I tell you that this thing would be worth $179 – and at roughly half the price of what other companies sell their “sling pack” for, this may literally be the Deal of the Decade. I have never owned a pack or vest with this much going for it – and certainly not at this a price this low!
I plan to fish for 40 more years, and I'm pretty hard on gear. I might just buy an extra one so I'll have a Safe Passage Sling Pack to fish with the rest of my life. Trust me folks, this is the only pack you'll ever need.
-Owl Jones runs the always entertaining outdoor blog, OwlJones.com. It's worth a visit!
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 Visually appealing and highly functional. That is my motto when it is comes to my wardrobe, whether it is a work shirt or a fishing jacket. And it is a real advantage to me to have an article of clothing that you can wear in the office and on the river. The Trout Bum Quarter-Zip fills both these requirements, which make it a real winner. The wool/polyester Polartec Power Dry fabric provides great breathability and light insulation making it an ideal piece under a wading jacket on cool days. The attractive styling and colors are ideal over a dress shirt or when the air conditioning is cranked up in the office. As added bonus, this is the only article of clothing that I own that my wife told me to buy every color offered. How often does that happen?
Read more and purchase the Orvis Trout Bum Quarter Zip, here.
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I was a bachelor until well into my 30s, and I developed a whole bunch of rules about the the kinds of clothes I would purchase, based almost solely on convenience. Some of these rules were even accompanied by witty sayings, such as, "If you can't dry, don't buy." Although I'm now much more fashion-conscious--and I have a wife who ensures I go out of the house looking my best--I still love the Orvis Wrinkle Free shirt. I just love the fact that you can yank it out of the dryer, throw it on, and it looks like it just came from the cleaners. It's also very comfortable and comes in many different colors and patterns. I don't see any need to look elsewhere for dress shirts.
Read more and purchase Phil's favorite, the Orvis Wrinkle free shirt, here.
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Theo the service dog loves his THREE Orvis Therpeutic Dog Nests.
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Theodore the Service Dog has what we like to call the 'Princely Bed'.
What I love about his Orvis Bed is that it never goes flat and the cover has an appealingly thick, quilted top. We've had ours for over four years, and yet, it remains springy and cushiony and still looks like new....
Which is why we own three! One for the car, one for the house and one for his nook in the country.
I can easily plop his Orvis Bed anywhere in the house, and Theo snuggles up, cozy as a pup with his littermates.
Over the years, we've spent a fortune on dog beds, and my chief frustration is that with other brands, the cost does not match the quality.
But with the Orvis Therapeutic Memory Foam Bed, I know that, in exchange for my hard earned dollars, I'll get a bed that will last indefinitely. No pancake syndrome here!
When I think about how much time Theodore spends snoozing, napping and lolling about on his Princely Bed, it makes me happy to know that he can do it all in comfort!
Thanks Orvis!
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| Betty White Enters our Cover Dog Contest! |
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