Beyond the Cast with DP

Most anglers treat their fly reel like an afterthought. After 35 years on the water — from Texas redfish flats to smallmouth rivers — I’ve learned it’s anything but.
I’ve been running a two-reel, three-line system built around the Orvis Mirage 8/9 and the Hydros III 5–7wt, paired with three very different Cortland 444 lines. Each one has a specific job. Each one earns it.
The full breakdown is live on Beyond the Cast — reels, lines, real conditions, no filler.

My Fly Reel & Line Lineup Reviewed: Orvis Mirage, Hydros, and the Cortland 444 Series - Beyond the Cast Two reels, three lines, and 35 years of experience behind every choice. Here’s how I run the Orvis Mirage and Hydros III across salt, bass, and trout — and why the right Cortland line changes everything.

Good little trip on the Bayou. Temp was in the 40’s but the bass was biting.