Field Tested | Ross Momentum LT

I recently put the newest addition to the Ross line-up to the test at Alaska West and the incredible Kanektok River. Early June marks the beginning of the famed King salmon run in southwest Alaska. These are massive, chrome-plated super tankers that will rip your arms off. The Momentum LT handled what I consider to be the ultimate test for a reel with flying colors. I have since used the reels for guiding Deschutes steelhead. After a summer of hard use, I can honestly say the Momentum LT is the best reel I’ve ever owned.




Tom Larimer
Larimer Outfitters

Field Tested | Ross CLA

If you’re looking for a tough dependable reel that won’t break the bank, the Ross CLA is a great choice. Guiding steelhead is without a doubt one of the best tests for a reel’s longevity. They’re constantly being thrown around, fallen on, set in the dirt, and most of all, given a good work out by pissed-off steelhead. Many of my guides use the reels and we’ve never had a problem with a CLA. While they lack some of the aesthetics of higher priced reels, they make up for it in price and over-all dependability.



Tom Larimer
Larimer Outfitters

Field Tested | Simms G3 Stocking Foot Waders

I hate it when companies change a product design that I love. This was the case in the Simms G3 wader. About a year ago Simms changed the leg seams from the inseam to the front of the wader. I thought to myself, “Now why in the hell would you go fixing something that isn’t broke?” I heard the same mumblings from some of my friends. As it turns out, Simms does know more about designing waders than me… I just retired my first pair of the new design to our guide services loaner fleet of waders. After guiding from July of 2008 through October of 2009, I only had one pinhole leak caused from a blackberry bush. That’s an entire Deschutes Season, a whole winter season, a trip to Alaska, a trout season, and another Deschutes season worth of fishing and guiding! The G3 is without doubt the most durable wader I’ve ever owned. Plus, the pocket design and hand-warming pocket keep my gear organized and my hands warm on chilly mornings.

Tom Larimer
Larimer Outfitters

Field Tested | The Simms Wading Staff

If you’ve ever owned a wading staff you know what a pain in the butt they can be. They stick together when you want to break them down, and they break down when you want them to stick together. The Simms Wading Staff is the answer to your problems. Simms used a locking design with a push button release making the staff reliable when you need it, and easy to break down when you don’t. No more banging against rocks to get the thing apart. The built in zinger allows you to drop the staff in the water but keeps it within arms reach for your next step down river. The neoprene sheath neatly stores the wading staff when it’s not in use.

All in all, the Simms Wading Staff is a great product.

Tom Larimer

Larimer Outfitters

Field Tested | Maxima Ultra Green Tippet

The Maxima Ultra Green Tippet

The largest steelhead I’ve ever seen was landed by Jim Trainer while on a Deschutes River guide trip with me a few years ago. Jim hooked the fish late in the evening in a beautiful pool about eight river miles up from the mouth of the river and the boat ramp. I saw Jim hook the fish from a distance. It immediately cleared the water I could tell it was a good fish. A really good fish! This was a little concerning because it was getting dark and we still had eight miles of river to run in my jet boat with four massive rapids to negotiate on our way down. When I reached Jim, he was visually “goosed”. Which was weird because he’s landed a ton of steelhead with me over the years. Usually he’s smiling and enjoying the ride. Now I knew we had a real monster on our hands.

As darkness fell on the canyon, I urged Jim to pressure the fish for our own safety of getting down the river. He bent his spey rod deep into the butt section and could barely move the fish. It took a while but we finally got the fish close enough to where I could see it. “Holy %$$#@ Jim! That thing is %*$#@&% HUGE!!!” Now we were both goosed. We finally settled down and brought the fish into the shallows. As I slid my hand around the massive wrist of the tail, it felt like I was gripping a fat ladies ankle. I slid my other hand under its belly and lifted forty-two and a half inches of beautiful steelhead out of the water. The head on the massive buck was as big as a Labrador retriever’s!

As I slid the fly out, I noticed something that still blows my mind… A wind knot in the 8Lb. Maxima tippet!!! (Wind knots, really casting knots, reduce the breaking strength significantly.) We had just landed the biggest steelhead either of us had ever seen with a wind knot. With all the pressure we put on that fish, I’m still not sure how it didn’t break.

We made it down the river that night. Barely. Years later we still talk about that night, the ride down the river, and the twenty-five pound steelhead on 8Lb. Maxima with a wind knot.

Tom Larimer

Larimer Outfitters

Field Tested | The Burkheimer 8134-4

The Burkheimer 8134-4 has become one of my favorite sticks for both summer and winter sink-tip work. Lined with a 600 grain Airflo Skagit Compact this is one of the easiest casting eight weights I’ve found. The action of the 8134 could be described as smooth silkiness with reserve power. Kind of on the fast side of medium, but a little slower than it’s big brother, the Burkheimer 8139. While I love the 8139 for booming big casts, the 8134 loads up a little quicker, making it an easier rod to cast in tight conditions. It just might be the best “Skagit Style” rod on the market.

I typically cut my sink-tips to twelve feet on this rod. It will handle longer tips but I’ve got a shorter casting stroke. If you like a longer casting stroke, cut your sink-tip to the length of the rod and see how it feels. You can always cut your sink-tips back. For a running line, you can beat the Airflo 30lb. RidgeLine.

Tom Larimer
Larimer Outfitters