The year is almost over, so think back at what new stuff you got for your addiction known as Fly Fishing 
What is the coooolest, most invaluable, or worst piece of junk did you get in 2006? (Fly Fishing Stuff) 8)
My best acquisitions this year were a William Joseph Gear Bag Chest pack and a custom built 6 ft 2 wt rod with a Cabelas LSR reel
Hmm! Let’s see.
New pair of Hodgman’s felt sole hippers. Great when fishing small streams when full waders are not required.
Martin MR72 Multiplier for my 8 1/2’ 8wt boo rod.
SA’s Trout fly line wf5f. Best fly line I have ever used.
Last but not least, a chest pack that I picked up from Sierra Trading post for $30. It has a pack in front and back and is ideal for carrying everything I need for when wading my favorite smallie river.
Good grief! How could I forget my Scott G885? That along with my SA Trout Line was the best acquisition this year!
Let’s see…
A 6’6" 2wt Hook and Hackle Batson rod
A boatload of great tying stuff
Perhaps most importantly a couple of new fishin buds courtesy of sites like this (FAOL among them)
I managed to make a lame-brained move, as well. I passed up a chance to get a 12’6" Thomas & Thomas 6wt spey rod for a little more than a song. What an idiot!!!
Marty
there is that driggs river special I built this year. that sits high atop the list.
I also finally replaced my wading boots. it was about time. I had forgotten that you’re not supposed to be somewhat uncomfortable in wading boots.
turbo dubbing brush spinner is cool. I can’t wait to spend some more time w/ it.
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Custom built Sage VT-2 9’6" 8wt. I love it!
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Guide Series chest pack from Gander Mountain. Beats trying to jam a fly vest on over a winter coat!
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Bass Pro Hobbs Creek reel with type IV sink tip line. Still learning how to cast it without breaking my rod.
That would either be the Scott A2 9foot 4-wt, or the Lamson Velocity reel I got to go on it. Or maybe the combo as a whole, they do go real sweet together.
Lotsa cool tying stuff, too!
That’s easy my Heddon Black Beauty.
Dear Fly Goddess,
I had the good luck and good fortune to meet up and fish with a couple of people from this message board and some other message boards that I frequent. They are all people I would have never met if not for the internet.
That to me is priceless. All the rest is just icing on the cake.
Regards,
Avalon
the best for me this year were all the new people margaret and i met at the roscoe fish-in. (the people we met last year were equally as nice.)
as for material things i got a bradley reel to celebrate margaret and my 50th wedding anniversary in april, and i was fortunate to win the sage z axis rod in the october drawing on faol. i will not receive the rod until late december because the model i chose was on back order.
mike
My wife was kind enough to say yes to me buying a Sage XP 590-4 and Abel TR/2 reel. 
I am looking to buy a Sage Z-Axis for which my wife already said yes, but only after the house sells and we find another. Anyone in the market for a 2 bedroom townhouse? 
The most invaluable item for 2006 I purchased was an Orvis headband magnifier. I tossed it and replaced it with a pair of reading glasses.
without a doubt my fishpond fishcat 4 float tube. opened up a whole new avenue of fishing to pursue. went fishing more and caught more fish this year than i ever have.
Coolest: My new pontoon boat. Cooler than the other side of the pillow!
Most Invaluable: Fly Tyer’s Finger Treatment - Just might be the best purchase I’ve EVER made.
Biggest Piece of Junk: Weinbrenner wading boots. Yes, they’re well made, but I’ve got ski boots that are easier to walk in. :shock:
Hey - We’ve still got 33 days left in 2006. He who dies with the most toys leaves their family with ONE saaamokin’ ebay auction!
Definitely a couple new fishin’ buds.
As far as gear…a 13’ 8wt. Scott ARC spey rod, a Sage VT2 9’ 4wt. and a Lamson Litespeed 4 reel. All, very nice. I bought a Ross CLA that I wasn’t to happy with. Sounds like a rusty bed spring.
I have to give the ‘thing’ award to my new Hatch Outdoors Monsoon 34 reel, this has to be the greatest new company out there. These reels are simply indestructable, watertight and have the sweetest drag out there.
In the fly-fishing experience column I have to chalk up my Dad and Uncle coming out here to Missoula for a week and fishing for a week straight, dawn till dusk and at times in the dark as well. Dont get to see my folks much since I moved out here so it was a good week.
Rick
A five weight sage Launch rod.
The worst piece of junk was a Package of 3 green wooley buggers for $1.75 that I bought at a gas station. I tookd one out of the package to tie it on. My hands were still wet from releasing a fish. As I picked it up what ever they used to dye it with began to run green dye. I couldn’t even toss it overboard cause it would pollute the waters. I garbaged canned 3 of the darned things.
The sage made up for it though.
Lowell Idaho fish in was my most fun time last year.
For me it’s all about NEW places. After spending most of last winter mapping the majority of the trout streams in my home state; I set a goal for 2006 to fish 20 new, (to me) streams.
With GPS in hand so far this year I have fished 25 new streams, 2 new lakes, and one new canal for a total of 28 NEW places! I’m going to try and squeeze in two more before the year ends to make it an even 30.
I don’t know what I’m going to do for an encore in 2007.
:roll:
My favorite fly fishing purchase for this year would be the 7’6" 3 wgt Echo Rod that I bought from Gus from FAOL. I’ve really enjoyed fishing it, and since we’re just moving into our summer, I’m looking forward to using it some more pretty soon!
- Jeff
Jeff…SUMMER! Can I stay with you guys? lol.
Boy that’s a tough one. I’ve gotten some really good stuff this last year.
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I guess my first real winner occurred when I took JC’s (and lots of other peoples’) advice and tried a couple of Denny’s capes—just wonderful.
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My Cabela’s #1 weight (Clear Creek Outfit) has given me a lot of pleasure and enjoyment.
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The Chota waders that I won here on FAOL have also been great. Light weight, well made and COMFORTABLE.
Major flop—the hard drive on my Dell computer that crashed big-time four months after the warranty expired.