Testimonials

“The Water First Fishing Frigate 8-weight rod is one of the finest 8-weights that I’ve cast (I work with a local fly shop, so I’ve cast just about every 8-weight in the business). At shorter distances, the rod loads off the tip for precise casts. At middle distances, where we do most of our fishing, you can false cast the rod with your eyes closed and lay out a straight line with minimal effort. At longer distances, where we’re shooting a lot of line, the rod tip does NOT fold on the caster, instead pushing the bend into the lower reaches of the rod where the real power lies. Designing a rod to cast superbly at all three distances is a difficult balancing act. This rod delivers at every distance, loads easily and recovers quickly. It’s part of my everyday saltwater quiver here in Maine for striped bass.”

Topher Browne worked as a professional guide for many years and has fished for Atlantic salmon in Canada, Iceland, Scotland, Norway and Russia.  As a casting instructor, the author of Atlantic Salmon Magic (Wild River Press, 2011) co-wrote and co-produced the spey-casting DVD, Spey to Z (2006). Trained and mentored in fly tying by the late Warren Duncan of Saint John, New Brunswick, Browne’s superb flies appear in various magazines and books, including the companion volume to the above title, 100 Best Flies for Atlantic Salmon, 2011).