Wes Mangum, Author at Anchor Fly

Best Euro Nymphing Fly Rods (2022, Buyer’s Guide)

October 5, 2022 by Wes Mangum

Nymphtastic! Euro nymphing has taken off in the last five years. From competitive anglers to your average hobbyist, people left and right are picking up this technique, and with it, specially-designed euro nymphing rods. There’s a good reason it’s caught on like it has, perhaps the best reason for something existing at all: it catches …

Euro Nymph Leaders With Lance Egan & Ben Wilcox of Team USA

April 8, 2022February 18, 2022 by Wes Mangum

Euro nymphing At A Glance The appeal is easy to understand. Euro nymphing (also known as “tightline nymphing” or “Czech nymphing”) is a way to efficiently and effectively get your flies in front of trout. Through the use of heavy weighted flies, anglers can deliver natural presentations to trout while they’re holding at the bottom …

Best Fiberglass Rods | Buyer’s Guide (2022)

April 8, 2022December 10, 2021 by Wes Mangum

Fishing with a fiberglass fly rod is an experience unto itself. Before graphite came along as the material of choice in fly rod construction, fiberglass was the answer. Learning to fish with a fiberglass rod, and enjoying the many types of glass tapers out there, is a great way to sharpen your skills as a …

Snake River Fly Fishing | With Info. From Fly Fishing Guide, Scott Smith

April 9, 2022November 4, 2021 by Wes Mangum

Includes interview with Scott Smith , Grand Teton Fly Fishing Targeting native trout on the surface, in fast-moving mountain waters in the late summer. It’s arguably the pinnacle of fly fishing. I personally spend somewhere between 100 and 120 afternoons per year daydreaming about it. It never gets old, either – the fishing, and the …

Best Fishing Coolers: Backpack, Kayak, Large & Small | Buyer’s Guide (2022)

March 26, 2022October 23, 2021 by Wes Mangum

Updated on March 26, 2022 If you’re going fishing, chances are, you’re going to want to bring food and drink with you. Nothing’s better than the ice-cold beverage of your choice as you cool down in-between morning and evening fishing sessions. Every cold drink tastes better on a boat or around a campfire. To get …

Best Saltwater Fly Reels | Buyer’s guide with Reviews (2022)

September 23, 2022September 14, 2021 by Wes Mangum

Ask any saltwater fly angler, and they’ll tell you: If you’re going to target fish in the ocean, you’d better have a reel you can trust. Imagine hooking into a once-in-a-lifetime tarpon or giant trevally, if you haven’t already. You’ll be into your backing, and the fight of a lifetime, quickly. To land a fish …

Best Fishing Kayaks Under $500 | Buyer’s Guide (2022)

April 8, 2022September 6, 2021 by Wes Mangum

Accessing remote waters. Covering more water. Targeting stillwater species. These are all things you can do with the aid of a fishing kayak. Whether it’s these pursuits that have you interested in purchasing the best fishing kayak available, or if you’re just needing to give rivers and streams a break during the hot summer months, …

Top 5 Wet Wading Shoes For Fishing | Buyer’s Guide (2022)

October 3, 2022August 26, 2021 by Wes Mangum

Shed the Boot! I usually mark the arrival of summer by the first time that I slide into my chest-high waders and catch myself thinking “Could I get away without these today?” It is then that I ditch the waders and boots and pivot to my fishing shoes. As the mercury rises, you don’t have …

Best Wading Staffs | Buyer’s Guide With Reviews (2022)

April 15, 2022July 28, 2021 by Wes Mangum

One of the most often overlooked pieces of fly fishing equipment is the wading staff. It’s the type of tool that you look at and think “Eh, don’t really need that” until you give it a try and discover what you’ve been missing out on. Fly fishing comes with a lot of associated gear and …

Best Fly Tying Desks & Organizers | Buyer’s Guide (2022)

April 8, 2022June 4, 2021 by Wes Mangum

Tying flies. 🐛 🦟 For some, it’s a way to pass the time between fishing outings. For others, it’s as much of a lifelong pursuit as fly fishing is. People end up at the tying bench for a lot of reasons – whether it’s to twist up a specific pattern that can’t be purchased, or …

Top 7 Best Saltwater Fly Rods | Buyer’s Guide (2022)

September 23, 2022April 26, 2021 by Wes Mangum

Looking for the best saltwater fly rod? You’ve come to the right place. If you’re about to go on your first saltwater fly fishing trip, or if you need a new fly rod for a specific species that you have yet to target, you might be wondering where to begin. There are a lot of …

Best Fly Boxes | Overall, Streamer, Waterproof & more (2022)

April 15, 2022March 30, 2021 by Wes Mangum

For many anglers, their fly box is their baby. Having the right box for the right situation not only makes you more efficient on the water, but can give you a sense of joy by merely looking at it. Whether you tie your own flies or not, there is something about seeing them all lined …

Lamson Liquid Fly Reel Review, Plus The Gland Cap Mishap

November 23, 2022March 25, 2021 by Wes Mangum

Reliable. Smooth. Durable. Cost Effective Those are definitely desired qualities in a fly fishing reel. Desired qualities usually come with an associated price tag, and entry-level fly fishing gear’s best feature is often listed as something along the lines of “it won’t cost you an arm and a leg.” But how often does a fly …

Orvis Clearwater Review: Exploring This Infamous Set-up

April 8, 2022March 15, 2021 by Wes Mangum

Trying to find the right rod and reel for the right price. It’s easier said than done. The Orvis Clearwater rod and reel is one of the best values in fly fishing. We took one of the Euro nymphing set-ups for a spin and found that it exceeds expectations and is a hell of a …

Wes Mangum