Cabela's brands: World Wide Sportsman brand fly rods and White River waders.

[SilverFly]

On our way back from a 2 night trip to Skagit Valley Getaway cabins (awesome place), we stopped at the Tulalip Cabela's. Normally I like to support local or online fly shops, but cash is tight right now with a growing mortgage on our house under construction, and 2 years of paying rent. So Cabela's was the logical choice for cheap new waders, and a 10wt to replace the one the big rooster in my avatar exploded several years ago.

Haven't been into a big C in a while, and I was pretty disappointed at the relatively small fly section. Pretty sure Cabela's started by selling flies and fly gear, so kinda sad to see fly stuff pushed into a far corner, opposite the acre or so of gear tackle they had. Anyway, the only heavier rods they had (8-12) were "World Wide Sportsman" brand. In spite of the $99 price tag, the quality doesn't look bad and it feels OK in hand. Hard to tell without casting, but guessing it's medium/fast action. Also picked up a pair of White River breathable waders for $139. We'll see how they hold up, but anything would be better than my old Redingtons which have effectively turned into tuna slickers.

Anyone have experience with either of these Cabela's brands?

 

[Josh]

Anyway, the only heavier rods they had (8-12) were "World Wide Sportsman" brand.

I happened to be looking through the Cabelas "fly fishing" print catalog they sent me earlier. All the budget stuff they have listed is their house "White River" brand. Most rods top out at 8wt. But they seem to have a $99 model called "Heat" that comes in 8-12wt.

There is a $200 "Gold Cup" saltwater rod in an 8-12 from that WorldWide Sportsman brand. This "Deceiver" model seems to be the one you saw in store.

Also, outdoor company product names just keep getting worse.

 

[SilverFly]

I happened to be looking through the Cabelas "fly fishing" print catalog they sent me earlier. All the budget stuff they have listed is their house "White River" brand. Most rods top out at 8wt. But they seem to have a $99 model called "Heat" that comes in 8-12wt.

There is a $200 "Gold Cup" saltwater rod in an 8-12 from that WorldWide Sportsman brand. This "Deceiver" model seems to be the one you saw in store.

Also, outdoor company product names just keep getting worse.

Yup, that's the one. Agreed on the cheezy product names. "Deceiver" seems like a Lefty Kreh ripoff.

Better, more reputable brands just aren't in the budget right now, but I've really missed having a 10wt. I find it useful for lots of the fishing I do. River coho, chinook, jetty, and Baja (also not in the budget right now). Immediate need was for a family trip back East next month. Alabama isn't exactly a destination trip for me but I'll be damned if I'm passing up a chance to catch a striped bass.

 

[Josh]

On the one hand, as always, you get what you pay for. On the other hand, budget rods have probably made the greatest leap forward of any fishing tech in the past 10 years. You can probably get a lot of fishing done with a $99 rod.

That said, if it were me and I wanted a budget 10wt, I'd probably save up another $100 and pick up an Echo Ion XL:

ECHO ION XL | Echo Fly Fishing

echoflyfishing.com

 

[Dave Westburg]

I gave up on Cabelas after they were purchased by Bass Shops. Worse inventory and the quality of the wading boots and waders has dropped. My German friend Leonard is fond of saying "David, sometimes cheap is expensive." Certainly the case with Cabelas waders. I was unable to get a year out of Cabelas waders without leaks. Am on my third season with Simms - no leaks.

 

[Matt B]

Yup, that's the one. Agreed on the cheezy product names. "Deceiver" seems like a Lefty Kreh ripoff.

Better, more reputable brands just aren't in the budget right now, but I've really missed having a 10wt. I find it useful for lots of the fishing I do. River coho, chinook, jetty, and Baja (also not in the budget right now). Immediate need was for a family trip back East next month. Alabama isn't exactly a destination trip for me but I'll be damned if I'm passing up a chance to catch a striped bass.

Theoretically, you could catch and keep a striped bass, drink a bunch of beer to celebrate, go to Waffle House for breakfast for dinner, then cook that striped bass in the waffle maker at the La Quinta the next morning.

 

[Scslat]

Maybe 20 years ago, I ordered a 6 wt reel from Cabela's to use as a backup. As soon as I opened the box, it was clear that I had completely wasted my money. Absolute piece of cr*p. I've never been back and never will be.