My Tackle
I’m very picky when it comes to my tackle. I want every little detail to be perfect. I don’t allow anything to falter. Tackle must never become a limiting factor. If anything should limit my fishing I prefer it to be my own knowledge and experience. That’s how I achieve the most, make my fishing more effective, avoid irritating situations and make my fishing even more enjoyable.
When my tackle fails me, it leads to less effective fishing and the enjoyment of fishing is lost. I fish a lot so my rod-bag is pretty big. I choose my tackle according to different conditions. I always fish with two different rods based on two different choices of line.
In my camera-bag which I always carry with me, I’ve packed every line that goes with the rods I carry. You never know when you need to drag a fly aross the bottom or skate a fly on top of the waves. I don’t want to limit myself which is why I always bring everything along.
I always weigh my lines to know how much they will load my rod but what’s more important is the length of the shooting head. All rods can handle some weight differences of a few grams. Most rods do without you noticing any difference.
When it comes to the casting, the technique is dependent of the length of the shooting head. I always want to use the same “swing” independent of which type of line I use and I therefore need the same length of the shooting head. In my world the length of the shooting head is more important than the actual weight.
The assembly of the tackle is very important. If you compromise with one thing, your whole outfit suffers. My choice of tackle varies. The development is so fast that even for someone like me who fish a lot, get a feeling of not being able to keep up sometimes.
The tackle below is upgraded regularly whenever I exchange something, so don’t be surprised if you see a different rod the next time you enter the site. I test most things that come on the market and I’m not afraid of exchanging old for new inventions. My cooperation with Guideline has made it possible for me not only to test new equipment but also to influence the development of salmon tackle. This is very challenging and exciting. At the same time I’m grateful for the opportunity.
PATAGONIA CLOTHING & GEAR
To dress right is so very important. To be warm and dry is among the most important to thrive and enjoy every day independent of season and weather. Principally you could say that I fish in three different set ups depending of conditions. Freezing cold, wet, windy and bloody though – cold water and more pleasant weather and nice warm summer conditions. It can be tricky to dress right when air and water temperature differs more than 20C. Technical clothing made for the extreme gives right possibilities.
Waders
Kind of simple - It’s about being dry both from outside and inside. My new waders breathability have revolutionized my comfort factor. Today I use two pairs:
They have lots of advantages, god fit, comfortably soft, good pockets, sliding suspenders and are though enough for crazy climbs along rivers world wide.
Wading Boots
It’s important that they are comfortable enough for long walks on though ground, stable enough for the craziest deep wading, easy to get in and out and have a grip that’s is adapted the use.
I still prefer felt to most of my fishing, but if there are extreme wading in fast dangerous and cold water the Foot Tractor is superior everything else. I call them my “Tank boots” they can take me anywhere!
Jackets
I use a couple of different jackets. The outermost layer is what takes most of the beating and need to be adjusted to conditions.
The Storm Jacket is amazing - a new technology that opens up fantastic possibilities for the future. It’s so soft and quite, it’s amazing it can be as waterproof as my waders! In this I have done as hard and as though fishing sessions as they get. 12 hours in rain and snow beating on me in a 28 m/s wind and temps below zero. Most would have said awful but I was as warm and dry as a day on the beach, awesome!My “Salt Jacket” is a more traditional but highly technical wading jacket. Keeps me all dry with rubber cuffs and a good hood it’s great to have when
the rain increases. Me using a vest just pulls it over and stays dry. My Adze is a tough high technology fleece, which is amazingly comfortable. I can dip my elbows wading deep, release fish with out getting soaked and I don’t need the “salt” until the rains really hammers my back. With its great chest pocket it’s a jacket I have been living in big parts if the season.
Under My Waders
Principle I use three different trousers that I alternate and us in different combinations. What decides is water temperature. The inner layer is very important, it needs to transport moisture and even if you move and sweat it needs to keep you 100% dry. If you are wet, you get cold and miserable. I always use my “Thermal” closest to my skin and then either only my R1 or my Nano puff Primaloft pants. Using all three layers I can wade long in almost freezing water without risking either my Prostate or getting blue legs.
Upper Body
Here I have a few favourites. Real warm days I use the super thin ultra light underwear and a very thin breathable shirt, if it’s extreme only the shirt. If it gets colder I use my thermal hoody that takes away moisture like a miracle and a R1. I have both a jacket and a pullover. The unique air transporting pattern keep me both dry and warm – a true favourite I have been using for years. It’s good to have a hoody, either the first or second layer. With that I can regulate heat and block the wind from getting inside. Sometimes I use my Adze directly over my R1, sometimes I use a Nano puff pullover. It’s light and warm. I have also a vest that can help me keep warm without getting to bulky loosing my arms flexibility.
Bags
When it comes to packs there is only one for me – the Stormfront. It’s fully waterproof, easy to carry and helps me protecting all expensive camera gear. In this I also keep some spare lines and fly boxes. When I travel it’s good with wheels on the bag. I use 120L and sometimes even want it to be bigger…
Hmm…
Patagonia is like a candy store for a starving kid. There are so many exciting high technology stuff and so many things I would like to try. For the coming season I have kept my greedy eyes on a few new things. I have tried and love the R3 I fished in a sample of the new Nano Light Hybrid (2017) and loved it and also see the advantages to have the upcoming Shelled Insulator Pants (2017) under my waders and who knows I might even try to fish in a sling…