By Kirk Deeter

Danielsson reels are about to make a big splash on the American fly-fishing scene. This brand is already wildly popular in Scandinavia, where 90 percent of professional guides use them. I believe they'll take off once more Americans who appreciate the combination of form and function become familiar with them.

By Kirk Deeter

If my dog eats the grip off my new $700 fly rod, will you buy me a new one?

That's basically how it's playing out now with many of those "lifetime guarantee" rods, whether you realize it or not. You're not exactly buying my replacement rod, but when you purchase warrantied rods, you are paying into an "insurance pool" of sorts. We all know nothing is really "free," especially not in fly fishing.

Let's break this down using basic math for the sake of explanation. Assume that an average of one in three rods gets broken in its lifetime. The retail price we pay for rods is therefore closer to the actual cost of 1.33 rods. You're kicking in an extra third. If you break your rod, that's money well spent. If you don't, you took one for the team.

By Kirk Deeter

My favorite business stories in fly fishing are the ones that go something like this: Person genuinely loves fly fishing and realizes a need or an opportunity to make something cool, based on their experiences. Person then goes "all-in" with an investment to chase that goal. Person doesn't compromise their values, manufactures in the United States, and maintains a focus on innovation and the interests of the customer. Person's company is successful.

I'm pretty sure that's how the script is going to play out for Vedavoo, maker of slings, packs, bags and the like for anglers. Vedavoo is a small operation, but it made a strong impression a couple weeks ago at the International Fly Tackle Dealer trade show in Reno. (The name Vedavoo is an alternate spelling of “Vedauwoo”--an outdoor park with notable natural rock features in southern Wyoming; company founder Scott Hunter attended the University of Wyoming.)

By Kirk Deeter

I was fishing in Slough Creek in Yellowstone National Park yesterday, aka bear country. My group saw two black bears while on foot, and two grizzlies from the car (thankfully). We didn't have any problems because the bears knew we were around, and that's usually the key. Letting them know you're in their neighborhood will help you prevent most potential problems with bears.