SportDog SportTrainer 1275- $219.95 (sportdog.com)
Spring is the perfect time to start working with your new puppy or to smooth out a few kinks in your veteran bird dog. The new SportDog SportTrainer 1275 is perfect for both the backyard and the field with a ¾ mile range, 10 levels of stimulation, vibration and tone options, and a waterproof DryTek coating. The easy-to-read screen displays the selected dog, stimulation level, mode, and battery status. The system can expand up to 6 dogs, is remote beeper and launcher compatible, and available in orange and black. Customizable for every situation, the SportDog SportTrainer can adapt to both your needs and your dogs.
Smartwool PhD Hunt Socks- $24.95-$28.95 (smartwool.com)
“You don’t sneak up on anything if you’re not light on your toes.” The Smartwool PhD Hunt Socks come in three levels of insulation and are a custom blend of merino wool, nylon, and elastane. This blend yields a sock with excellent comfort, stretch, and durability. Made in the USA, these are some of the highest quality socks you can find. While marketed to hunters, they work equally well inside a wading boot while fishing a mountain stream.
Banded Lightweight Technical Hunting Pants- $119.99 – $129.99 (banded.com)
Whether hunting early season teal, spring turkeys, or September whitetails, Banded Lightweight Technical Hunting Pants are a perfect fit. Their breathable, four-way stretch, ripstop fabric is made with mobility and comfort in mind. Reinforced and waterproof in the seat, shin, and knees, they protect the most vulnerable areas while stalking turkeys on a wet spring morning. With an integrated adjustable waistband, you can dial in the perfect fit. Additionally, their zippered side vents allow you to adjust on the go for a variety of hunting conditions. They are available in four camouflage patterns so you can blend into any environment.
Dave Smith ¾ Strut Jake Decoy- $169.95 (davesmithdecoys.com)
If you’ve never hunted spring gobblers with a jake decoy you’ve been missing some of the most exciting hunting in the turkey woods. When used in combination with a hen decoy, the Dave Smith ¾ Strut Jake Decoy will bring in dominant toms looking to show the newcomer who is boss. Unlike other tom decoys, the ¾-strut decoy reduces the chance of scaring off subordinate jakes and more importantly, is easily transported for run-and-gun style hunting. Like all Dave Smith Decoys, the 3/4 Strut Jake is made with A.C.E. technology and able to withstand years of abuse, including accidental shotgun blasts.
Hunt to Eat Apparel-$19.99-$45 (hunttoeat.com)
For many Strung readers, hunting is a lifestyle, a source of pride, and a way to obtain food. Hunt to Eat, with their conservation minded approach to apparel offers landscape-inspired designs for hunters and anglers wanting to display their love of the outdoors. Many shirts are state-themed, displaying the species each state is known for within an outline of the state. Hunt to Eat also collaborates with leading conservation organizations, donating a portion of their profits to conserve the habitat hunters and anglers rely on.
Nautilus CCF-X2 Fly Reel – $445-$695 (nautilusreels.com)
2020 is as good a reason as any to test your limits and target the biggest shallow water fish on the planet. The newest addition to the Nautilus family, the CCF-X2 pushes the boundaries of what big game fly reels can accomplish and would be a welcome companion on any tarpon, arapaima, or GT adventure. The drag system features twice the drag strength (20lbs+) and half the startup inertia as the former CCF. Moreover, the oversized reel handle and drag knob are perfect for fighting big fish and every model is fully sealed. The “Silver King” model is the world’s lightest 5-inch diameter big game reel and picks up 14-inches of line per handle turn.
Goal Zero Sherpa 100 AC Battery- $229.95 (goalzero.com)
Goal Zero has a reputation for products that are robust, powerful, and well designed. Their Sherpa 100 AC Battery is no exception. Sleek and mighty, the system features a 94.72Wh power bank and is equipped with features like wireless charging, high-output power, and a variety of options for charging phones, tablets, DSLR cameras, and even power-hungry laptops. The kit includes every cable you might need for powering your devices and there are three ways to charge the unit including using a traditional wall plug, the included 12V adapter to power from your vehicle, or connecting it to a compatible solar panel. The unit is airline approved and perfect for powering your devices on adventures all over the world.
Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack- $199.95 (simmsfishing.com)
Whether wading the flats, fishing in a down pour, or going deep to reach that fishy looking spot on the other side of the river, Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack will keep your gear dry and protected. Fully waterproof and submersible it comes with interior mesh storage pockets, numerous exterior lash points, a centered net holster, and built-in tool storage. The waistband has ample cushion and is breathable for hot days on the water. Available in three colors with a 10-liter storage capacity it’s big enough to hold all your essentials without being bulky.
Mud River Wine and Spirits Tote- $120 (boytharness.com)
Your bird dog’s first point, a personal-best catch, or a day afield with old friends—some moments are best celebrated with a drink, and the Mud River Wine and Spirits Tote ensures you’ll be prepared when it’s time to celebrate. With a stylish nylon-poly shell and leather accents, it’s also ideal for picnics, drift boat floats, or bringing a few bottles to a party. Its padded interior holds up to four bottles of wine and spirits and the outside zipper pocket is perfect for storing a corkscrew, bottle opener, or small collection of cigars.
Yakima DoubleHaul- $699 (Yakima.com)
There have been rooftop fly rod carriers on the market for several years, but rooftop juggernaut Yakima recently started offering a unique design for the growing number of guides and hardcore anglers who just want to grab their rod and go. Unlike other carriers, the DoubleHaul holds rods on their sides so there is no pressure on the guides and ferrules. It carries four standard fly rods or two standard and two spey rods, locks, and is waterproof. An industry first, the DoubleHaul features a tool-less telescoping design that varies from 6 to 10 feet so you can adjust it to your needs on the fly (pun intended).
Big Agnes Soul Kitchen Camp Table- $129.95 (bigagnes.com)
The Big Agnes Soul Kitchen Camp Table is the perfect addition to every outdoor adventure. At just over 4 pounds, it has a fold up UTS waterproof top that easily snaps into the aircraft-aluminum pole base. The table is super-easy to set up and provides a spacious platform that can hold up to 90 pounds or enough dishes for a family of four. Set up your cook station, clear it off for a game of cards, or just kick back and use it to hold your drinks. When you’re done it packs down small into the included carrying case and fits perfectly under the rower’s seat of a drift boat, in your pack on the way to elk camp, or kept handy in the trunk of your car.
