NOTE AND DISCALIMER:

The products I showcase and review here are all products which I will have used myself and endorse. In many instances they will be products from companies with which I have endorsement partnerships. Any endorsement I have ever undertaken has been with products I already chose to use and then approached the company so while I am sometimes connected to the company I would not suggest anyone judge these reviews on that basis alone. If it is listed here it is due to my personal belief that the product gives first rate service. You will not see a negative review here, we will highlight the products we like, those that do not meet our standards are returned to the supplying company with suggestions on improvement aspects.

BUFF HEADWEAR:

It must have had a touch of fate in it that both the New Zealand distributor of Buff Headwear and "FlyAngler" magazine, which sells buff headwear made contact with me within the same week. I seemed destined to fish wearing their stuff! From the NZ distributor I got a camouflage Buff and the Aussie's sent me a trendy looking bonefish one. I reckon I was set for all occasions.

Let's talk about the overall picture first and then discuss the Buffs on their relative merits....

The Key with Buff's is primarily the protection from the sun. You can wear one about 5 different ways according to their literature but in reality I found about 756.2 different applications. As sun protection, as wind protection, as a shade traveling in my skiff at 30 knots into a rain shower, in all manner of situations these things were worth their weight in gold. Having said that... they don't weight much. They have no seam and this is, in fact the major key to them. There is nothing to irritate you on any part. As a beanie, a balaclava, a wristband, a head scarf.. they do it all. They are bloody handy to have.

Ok, to the two different styles??? From the anglers point of view both do exactly the same thing. From the photographer view they are different. The Camo one, supplied by the NZ Agents, is just perfect for trout fishing. Duck shooters (Another great market for these items) have long known how fast ducks are to recognize the bright white moon that most Caucasians cast skyward when hunting, but trout fishermen seem to neglect that their face is the most obvious thing to trout. Put on a BUFF and see how much closer you get.

The bonefish print the Aussie's sent me is a much trendier look and fits with the chartreuse backing on my reels so much better. There the difference ends and the purpose is the same and the effect noticeable. I have less sunburn, less dehydration, less contact with the elements. I won't get on "saltfly"(My trusty Skiff) now without my Buff and I reckon if you try one... you won't venture out without one either.. fresh or salt.

My sources tell me that while they are currently most easily obtainable from snow board and ski shops (Where all us hip young fellas shop) the fishing shops (Where all us old farts go) are queuing up to have these on their shelves. At around $30... they are in my opinion, as investment!!!! I give them the Two Thumbs Up!!!

SAGE FLi 9' #12 Weight

Back in 2006 we suggested to SAGE that a rod suitable for taking on the big bad boys of the New Zealand and Australian salt should be available in the #12 value rod range. At that point such "canons" were only available in the premium series and some anglers found the cost beyond their budget. SAGE listened and the Sage FLi #12 9' rod was born...

First impressions are that fittings are of good quality though basic. The rod has a nice Cane coloration and while cosmetically pleasing you wouldn't mistake it for one of their premium series. The first thing noted when lining up was that this rod is powerful. The butt has obviously been designed with lifting big fish, something we do a lot of, or aspire to at any rate. The casting action is medium fast and well suited to handling big heavy T-14 heads... you can throw a shooting head a looong way with this chappie...

This rod was only with us for a couple of days and then (As a SAGE demo) had to head off to be tested by anglers elsewhere but it is now back for the moment and I hope to put it through some real tough hoops on XOS Kings... On its two journey's with us so far it had fast work of both XOS Kahawai and some little Kings. I have no doubt having witnessed it in action in those instances it is right up to the task I currently have set for it.

With a retail price of only $515.00 (NZ approx) I think it's a great value way into the heavy duty end of New Zealand Saltwater fly fishing.