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Here’s what we got for you today:

Why braided line deserves a place in your fishing arsenal 🐟
One of our favorite stores, Orvis, announced some sad news 🏢
A creative Hawaiian recipe that keeps things simple + flavorful 🌺

The Toughest Line in the Tackle Box

A Line With History

Before fluorocarbon and fancy co-polymers, there was the original tough guy of fishing line: braid. Its roots go back centuries—literally. Early anglers twisted natural fibers like cotton, linen, or even horsehair into thick cords that could haul in anything from pike to tuna. By the mid-20th century, braided Dacron was the standard for strength and smooth casting, long before modern synthetics entered the scene. Eventually, anglers wanted something stealthier—line that wouldn’t spook fish in clear water or fray as easily on rocks. That’s how monofilament and later fluorocarbon were born: softer, more transparent materials that traded raw power for subtlety and control. But braid never went away—it just found its place in the power-fishing world.

How to Use It Right

Today’s braided lines—made from materials like Spectra or Dyneema—are stronger, thinner, and slicker than ever. They slice through wind and water with almost zero stretch, making them ideal for detecting the faintest bites or pulling fish from heavy cover. But that same lack of stretch can punish the unprepared angler. Without a bit of give, hooks can rip out or knots can fail if you’re too aggressive on the set. To get the most out of braid, pair it with a fluorocarbon or monofilament leader for invisibility and shock absorption. Use it when fishing heavy vegetation, deep water, or when you need maximum sensitivity. Avoid it when stealth is key—braid is visible and can spook line-shy fish in clear lakes.

💡 Pro Tips

Prevent fray: Every few trips, run your fingers along the first 10 feet of line. If it feels fuzzy, trim and retie—braid weakens fast once the fibers start to split. ✂️
Silent casts: Wrap a bit of silicone tubing on your reel’s line guide to quiet that braid-on-metal squeal. 🤫
Check your knots: Palomar knots work best—but double the line through the eye for extra security. 🔒

From horsehair to high-tech fiber, braid’s evolution is proof that some old-school ideas never go out of style.

🎣 IN THE FIELD

Turns out your fish supper might be hiding a heavy metal surprise — bigger predators like swordfish, shark, and tilefish carry the most mercury. Stick with shrimp, scallops, and salmon (low-mercury champs) if you want your catch to feed your body, not your toxicity level.
Orvis just dropped a bombshell: it’s shuttering 31 stores and 5 outlet locations by early 2026, basically slashing its physical footprint nearly in half. The move is being blamed largely on tariff pressures—and the company says it’s gearing back toward its fly-fishing and upland roots.
The best knot for braided fishing line: