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Reel of the Week: Tennessee Browns

A note from Eric Dickinson:

“Northeast Tennessee isn’t the first place that comes to mind when targeting world class Brown trout. It is by no means instant success but if you spend enough time on the water, patterns do begin to form. Water release schedules, feeding windows, staging areas, understanding bug life, and mixing in a little bit of luck are all important in order to target and land the biggest brown trout of your life. I’ve been fortunate to spend some time fishing west of the Mississippi and while it was amazing fishing in a totally different environment, the South Holston River and the the Blue Ridge Mountains will always be home.”

This week’s Reel of the Week featuring Eric Dickinson, follow him on Instagram at @eric_dickinson.

If you’re on a mission to catch big trout, check out the articles below:

How to Land Big Trout

Fly Fishing Nymphs – The Most Productive Way to Land Fish

Flylords Holiday Fly Fishing Gift Guide

Disclosure: The article may contain affiliate links that may result in a commission at no additional cost to the reader.

With the holidays right around the corner, the search for the perfect holiday gifts has officially begun. Our team at Flylords is proud to present this installment of our annual list of the hottest fly fishing gifts on the market. From any preference and price range, we have something that’s sure to make you the best catch of the angler in your life.

inside the fly shop small business

How to choose (for non-anglers)

When it comes to finding a fly fishing gift for the angler in your life, it feels like there are a million options to choose from. So, when trying to find the perfect gift to give, focus on the person you’re buying for, not an exact item or brand. If they are someone who calls an airport terminal their second home, focus on a gift that embodies travel such as a backpack, or rain jacket. If they’re more of a weekend warrior, consider smaller fly fishing gifts like a water bottle that’s built to last, or a fishing shirt. By matching the lifestyle of the person you’re buying for, as opposed to their estimated taste, you’re far more likely to find the perfect present they didn’t even know they needed. (But just in case, it never hurts to save the receipt)

bugs under the glass

Contents

Stocking Stuffers

Fly Fishing Gifts Under $100

Fly Fishing Gifts $100-$200

Fly Fishing Gifts $200-$500

Fly Fishing Gifts Over $500

Unique Fly Fishing Gifts


 Stocking Stuffers


1. CHUMS Adjustable Orbiter Sunglass Retainer $13

CHUMS Adjustable Orbiter Sunglass Retainer

Losing sunglasses to the river happens, especially in times where you don’t think it will. Having CHUMS attached to your glasses is a must. Not only can you take them off and put them around your neck once the sun goes down, the CHUMS Adjustable Orbiter gives you security so you don’t gift your expensive polarized sunglasses to the water. Snug these babies up and they will lockdown your glasses with a stainless steel grip, then loosen them right back up to let your glasses rest around your neck.

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2. Umpqua UPG LT High Weekender Fly Box $39.99

 

Umpqua UPG LT High Weekender Fly Box

You’ve been planning on getting to the water on the weekends with friends for a while, and need a new fly box for all the flies you tied during the winter. The Umpqua UPG LT High Weekender Fly Box is a great way to get all of the flies you need for a weekend on the water. Not only does this fly box have different inserts for large nymphs and #26 midges, the inserts are silicone giving you headroom for bigger flies, and a magnetic feature for your small midges or emergers. The best feature–the magnets that keep this box together. If you’re looking for a simple gift this holiday season, every angler loves more fly boxes. Remember, the one with the most flies wins.

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3. BUFF CoolNet UV Neckwear DeYoung Brown Flank Orange $24

BUFF CoolNet UV Neckwear DeYoung Brown Flank Orange

Mosquitoes, sun, and cold weather, protect yourself from the elements with the CoolNet UV Neckwear DeYoung Brown Flank Orange Buff. The Brown Trout Buff from Derek DeYoung is an attractive and comfortable piece to keep you on the water with style. Made for the sun, the Brown Flank Orange Buff is UPF 50, giving you ultimate sun protection. Not only does a Buff protect you from the sun, it is also a great way to cover up from all the skeeters in the marsh. However, if you prefer throwing the waders on during winter months, the trending DeYoung Brown Orange Flank Buff will keep the ears warm during the chilly winter months, just pull the Buff over your ears or wear it as neck gaiter. Enjoy the multi-functionality, and wear it style when walking up to your favorite fishing spot.

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4. High N Dry Liquid Floatant $11.88

High N Dry Liquid Floatant

The High N Dry Liquid floatant should be in every fly anglers pack for a day on the water. Specifically, we love it because it works on all dry flies, big foam Hoppers, Parachute Adams, and CDC dry flies. Just simply take off the lid, dip your fly in, and start casting. This floatant is one of the first floatants to the market that’s 100% environmentally friendly, containing no organic solvents. The best part, this container is 2.5 ounces compared to other competitors that have 1 ounce containers, providing anglers a great bang for the buck. Fully designed not to leak in your bag, keep your flies High N Dry the next time you see a pod of fish rising.

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5. Oros Strike Indicators $3.30 each

Oros Strike Indicators

You’ve tried everything. They won’t eat dry flies, they won’t eat a streamer, so you throw a nymph rig on, it’s ok, you just want to see what they want to eat. Oros strike indicators are lightweight, easy to use, and won’t kink your leaders. Simply untwist half of the indicator, insert the leader into the mold, and take the other half of the indicator and screw it on. When twisting both of these indicators halves together, it creates a pressure-fit lock securing your indicator to a fixed place on your leader, no sliding, no kinks. Pro tip: mix and match your color variation when fishing in bad glare.

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6. Blue Line Company Quality Flies $75

Blue Line Flies

Whether or not you buy flies or tie your own, gifting someone some extra flies this holiday season is a great gift every angler will appreciate. Not only is this an easy way to get your buddy, your wife, or your boyfriend’s Christmas wish list crossed off, you don’t have to go through the hassle of trying to hand-pick flies. Our friends over at the Blue Line Company have an assortment of quality fly bundles for either saltwater or freshwater missions, making it easy to get hand-tied fly patterns at a great price. If you’re the angler that breaks off a dozen flies on a weekend trip or don’t have the time to tie your own, this is an easy package to remedy your stresses next time on the water. Here at Flylords, one of our favorite bundles is the Trout Three Quarter Send Fly Bundle. In this package, you will receive eighteen of the best hand-tied flies, and you can add a Blue Line Co. Fly box to your order. If you slack on holiday shopping, check out Blue Line Fly Company’s bundles; remember, the one with the most flies in their box always wins.

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Gifts Under $100


7. Seager X Flylords El Pescador L/S Shirt Teal $99

Seager X Flylords El Pescador L/S Shirt Teal

Sun protection? Got it. Hate getting bit by mosquitoes? This shirt is made for any angler in any pursuit. Introducing the newest style in the Seager Line, The El Pescador. A Pearl Snap shirt that has no limits. This nod to western heritage combined with modern-day functionality is meant for the 4 am wake up and meander to the stream where the anglers go to work all day long. The El Pescador is perfect for Flopping Flies and Wrangling Hawgs. It’s also dinner table approved, just ask your momma. Collaborated with Team Flylords, this teal colorway will do you no wrong in any setting.

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8. The OnWater App 

The OnWater App 

Tired of trying to find public access points and worried about trespassing on private property? If you are a float or wade angler that loves to explore new rivers or stillwaters, the OnWater App is for you. Not only will this App give directions to hundreds of access points and boat ramps, the OnWater App will notify you when you make it close to points of interest, whether it’s a hefty set or rapids or a blind boat ramp. Download the OnWater App, giving you 14 days to test out the app before subscribing to $39.99 a year. You can save any map before you loose cell service, get general information about the flows, conditions, and historical data from the water you’re trying to explore.

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9. YETI Rambler 26-ounce Reusable Water Bottle $40

drinking yeti waterbottle

YETI offers a lot of different options in various hard and soft coolers, storage boxes, and even dog beds. However, In the hot summer months, choose the drink recpeticol that’s proven to keep your drinks cold, and look no further than a YETI Rambler 26-ounce Reusable Water Bottle. This Rambler holds just the right amount for almost any day, and can fit in your backpack. Worried about putting it in the dishwasher? Just take the shatter-resistant cap off and toss it in. YETI has a lot of different options for lids, whether you like drinking out of a straw or like the classic water bottle spout, look into the variety of different lid options. Here at Flylords, we love the YETI Ramblers because you can fill your bottles up early in the morning with ice, and still find ice after a hot 95-degree day. P.S., through YETI, make a fully customizable YETI Rambler for anyone this holiday season to make them feel extra special. 

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10. Grundens Deck Boss Ankle Boot $99-104.00

Grundens boot

Early mornings dropping your boat in the cold water can be hapless, especially in the spring and in the fall. Keep the water off your dogs with the Grundens Deck-Boss Ankle Boot. The Deck-Boss is designed specifically for anglers with anti-odor technology. The Grundens Deck Boss Ankle Boot has an amazing grip on boat decks, leaving minimal dirt and grime in your raft, drift boat, or skiff. Offered in nine different color combinations, this performance ankle boot is a great gift for under $100.

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11. Fishpond Eddy River Hat $79.95

Fishpond Eddy River Hat

Tired of sunburns, awkward trucker hat tans, and your hat flying off from the wind? The Fishpond Guatemalan-Palm Eddy River Hat offers a 5” round curved brim and a pinched crown of a cowboy hat to keep you in style out on the water. Not only do these materials keep the sun out of your eyes, they are built for sun abuse, giving you the UPF protection you need. If you’re from Wyoming, this gift is for you. The adjustable cinch cord keeps the hat on your dome, so don’t worry about fishing for your hat once it gets blown away from the wind. This hat is not “one size fits all,” giving you the option to find your best fit between Small-XL. Make sure to measure the size of your noggin before purchasing this item. 

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12. Epic Western Canned Cocktails

Epic Western Canned Cocktails

You just caught a nice fish. In fact, a personal best. Now it’s time to celebrate with a can of Epic Western’s tequila cocktail. Born on the back of a truck bed; Epic Western only uses the finest quality Tequila, certified Mexican mineral water, and real citrus. Have a Holiday party to get to after a day on the water? Pick up a case of Epic Western – trust us, your fishing buddies and guests will thank you later.

Epic Western is an alcoholic beverage. Please drink responsibly.

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Fly Fishing Gifts $100-$200


13. Airflo Superflo Ridge 2.0 Tactical Taper Fly Line $129.99

Airflo Superflo Ridge 2.0 Tactical Taper Fly Line

Tired of watching your favorite fishing buddy grow frustrated over their busted fly line? Now’s your chance to be the answer to their prayers with the Airflo Superflo Ridge 2.0 Tactical Taper Fly Line. Gone are the days of trying to figure out which fly line is right for you, with the tactical taper leading the charge for the premier line for presenting gentle casts on small spring creeks. Not exactly what you’re looking for? Airflo has a great variety of different fly lines tailored to any condition you could face on the water. Not to mention, all of Airflo’s lines are PVC-free. So, not only are you getting the best line for you, but for the planet too! Available in line weights from 2-6, Airflo’s Tactical Taper fly line is perfect for those picky eaters.

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14. Eureka SPRK Camp Grill $134.95

Eureka SPRK Camp Grill

If you want to impress your buddies on the river, or after fishing all day, pull the Eureka SPRK Camp Grill out of the truck or your boat and fire it up. The Eureka SPRK Camp Grill runs on butane, and includes a removable grease drip tray and nonstick ceramic grate to make cleanup easy. If your buddy forgot a table, no problem. The Eureka SPRK Camp Grill has adjustable feet to keep the grill level on uneven surfaces. Throw a butane canister in the hatch, lock it in, and auto-ignite the flame to cook up a delicious meal. If you’re tired of cold-cut sandwiches on the water, (Guides), fire up your Eureka SPRK Camp Grill and get complimented from your guests with how good your cooking skills are.

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15. Rising Stubby Lunker Net $169

Rising Stubby Lunker Net

You or your friend helped land the biggest fish you’ve ever seen. After landing, the first thing that comes to mind is you need a bigger net. If you’re fishing a small stream or a large river with healthy, tank-like fish, you might consider purchasing a bigger net for all of the hogs you land. The Rising Stubby Lunker Net gives you the capability to land bigger fish with a deeper net bag, while accessing easily from a leash or hanging from your wading pack. Not only is this net resistant to corrosion, but you can also fully customize these nets with their engraving, whether you want your name on it or a loved ones. Available in eight different colors, support Utah-made Rising Nets if you or your partner wants a new net for the holidays.

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16. Orvis Guide Hip Pack $149

Orvis Guide Hip Pack

Organizing your specific gear to head out on the water can take time and effort. Making sure you have the appropriate leader and tippet sizes, and remembering your favorite fly box can often be the last thing on your mind as you rush to the river. Introducing the Orvis Guide Hip Pack, this hip pack keeps your fly-fishing tools tidy with nine liters of capacity. This pack features two side panel pockets, an interchangeable neck strap and shoulder strap with docking stations to keep you comfortable while on the water.

This pack is offered in two variations, the Orvis Guide Hip Pack, and the Fully Loaded Orvis Guide Hip Pack. A fully Orvis Guide Hip Pack includes all of the essentials if you’re eager to make fly fishing a new hobby. The fully-loaded Orvis Guide Hip Pack includes floatant, leaders, tippet material, forceps, a comfy grip nipper and zinger combo, split shit, indicators, and flies for your next trip on the water. Unlike the fully-loaded pack for $326, Orvis sells the Guide Hip Pack alone for $149. So if you already have all the gear, or if you’re brand new to the sport, look no further than the Orvis Guide Hip Pack.

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Fly Fishing Gifts $200-$500


17. Costa Paunch XL Sunglasses $211-251

Costa Paunch XL Sunglasses

Either on your boat box or sight fishing monster sized fish, having a great pair of polarized sunglasses is a must. Polarized sunglasses eliminate the amount of reflecting light that enters your eyes, giving you the ability to sight fish any fish you’re targeting. The Costa Paunch XL Sunglasses have three different available frame color options in either polarized polycarbonate or Costa’s signature polarized glass 580G lenses. Costa also has different lenses for different variations of fishing, whether you’re fishing the flats, out in deep blue water, or fishing a small stream. Not only are the Costa Paunch XL Sunglasses a performance frame, you can wear them in style out to a brewery, or even on a date night. If you are looking for a great pair of sunglasses, look into the Costa Paunch XL Sunglasses.

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18. Turtlebox GEN 2 Speaker $399

Turtlebox GEN 2 Speaker

Whether you’re out camping, or enjoying a day on the water, playing some tunes and soaking in mother nature is a great way to spend time with friends and family. The Turtlebox GEN 2 Speaker is a portable, waterproof, and rugged that will rock your socks off. Get crystal clear audio and sound up to 120dB that is easy to carry and easily pairable to your phone as well as other Turtlebox GEN 2 speakers. If you’re looking for a party,  shindig, or prefer kicking it back with friends and family, the Turtlebox GEN 2 speaker can provide you with the ultimate audio experience. 

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19. Ross Reels: Colorado Reel $375

Ross Colorado Reel

Born in the USA, out of Montrose Colorado, Ross Reels invented the Colorado reel, the ultimate lightweight click pawl reel. This design brings beautiful aesthetics, strength, rigidity, and meets modern design standards to the fly reel market. When using this large arbor reel, you can feel the crisp and audible sound of the click pawl reel available in sizes for light 2 to 3 weight rods and larger 4 to 5 weight fly rods. The Ross Colorado Reel has three different matte color options, black, platinum, and the new olive finish. Designed to fish anything from small streams and large rivers, the Ross Colorado Fly reel is a great option for any angler.  

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20. Topo Designs X Redington Fly Fishing Kit $450

Topo Designs X Redington Fly Fishing Kit

If you or a family member had a phenomenal time on a guide trip or their first time testing out the sport of fly fishing, be the one to continue a new passion. This holiday season, look no further than the Topo Designs X Redington Fly Fishing Kit. Designed for every outing, whether you’re a hiker, bike commuter, or love to spend your time outdoors, the Topo Designs X Redington Fly Fishing Kit is for you. This fly fishing kit includes a six piece 9 foot 5 weight Redington X Topo Designs fly rod, a fully loaded reel and cover, 9’ 5x Rio Powerflex Leader, Rio Powerflex 4x tippet, lanyard hemostats, a fly box, and a stylish hip pack. If you’re a new angler, or someone that likes to pack minimally, this setup has everything you ever need to get into fly fishing at an affordable price.

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21. Renzetti Traveler True Rotary Fly Tying Vise $239.99

Renzetti Traveler Vise

Renzetti Vises introduces the Traveler, a true Rotary Vise that’s handcrafted in the USA. This is a great holiday gift if you or a buddy love to spin up a few flies before an outing on the water. As much as it sounds, the Traveler is made for its portability. You can pack it away and set it back up in the matter of seconds when you need that one fly that works. The Renzetti Traveler True Rotary Fly Tying Vise is made for those that just learned to tie a San Juan Worm, or those that can tie big articulated streamers. If you’ve been fly tying with a traditional non-rotary vise, this is a great holiday gift that allows fly tyers to “make the next step” into their fly tying game. Your partner might make fun of you given the fact you’re “nerding out” tying all these different flies; however, go fish with them and see if the flies they tied up actually work. You never know, you might have an eager fish willing to take that specific fly.

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22. Riversmith Riverquiver Black 4-Banger $799.99

Riversmith Riverquiver Roof Rack

Have a family of four, or prefer having multiple rods for every set up? Rigging your rods up and keeping them together before you get to the water helps beat the crowds, but also reduces the stress of dialing your fly rod in the parking lot. This setup fully mounts to the roof rack of your vehicle, making you or your partner look like the hugest fly fisherman around. Riversmith has the #1 rated fly rod rack in the world, designing a secure, rear entry molded fly rod holder that can withstand shock, wind, and the most treacherous roads the fly angler pursues. If you’re looking for the perfect gift, look no further than a Riversmith Riverquiver,  unlock your Riverquiver and hit the water in a matter of minutes. Pulling into a parking lot with other anglers rigging up will give them fear once you’re ready to hit the water. 

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23. Sea Run Riffle Daily Case $359-449

Sea Run Riffle Case

If you’re a travelin’ man, The Sea Run Riffle Daily Case is a great gift for the angler that likes to hit the road or hop on the plane. Compatible for three 10.5 foot fly rods, The Sea Run Riffle Daily Case is a great addition for an angler that stresses about rods getting stolen and doesn’t want to break the twenty year old rod they love. The Riffle from Sea Run leaves you optimal space to pack all necessities in a confined space, with a customizable TSA-compliant locking mechanism. Not only does this case give you the security you need to lock up your fly gear, the Riffle case is durable, constructed of patented double-wall composite for optimal protection against the elements. The Riffle case is so durable you don’t have to worry about airlines hail marrying the case in the belly of an airplane. If you’re sick of traveling with your friend or partner that duck tapes four fly rod tubes together, or want to show someone you don’t mess around, a Sea Run Riffle Daily Case is something to consider for a holiday gift. Check out our review of the Sea Run Riffle Case here. 

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24. Uncharted Supply Company Rapid Raft $479

Uncharted Supply Company Rapid Raft

Can’t get to the place you want with your heavy raft or drift boat? The Uncharted Supply Rapid Raft is a great alternative to get anywhere and everywhere on a mission to target the water you or your friends love to fish. Not only is this raft fully compatible within military grade durability, this raft is lightweight, made for rapid deployment and fluid transition to the water. Made for ultralight backpackers and campers, this is your go-to raft for targeting stillwater and remote access points. This raft is extremely durable, inflates in seconds, and can hold up to 400 pounds. The Uncharted Supply Rapid Raft is the lightest and most packable raft made to the public for adventurous outings. So if you’re feeling spontaneous to get outside, look no further than the Uncharted Supply Rapid Raft this holiday season. 

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Fly Fishing Gifts Over $500


25. Abel Rove Series Reel $795

Abel Rove Reel

The Abel Rove Series Reel is not your delicate, ultralite reel. This reel is made for business. Built to fish anywhere and everywhere the Abel Rove Reel was created to give anglers peace on the water regardless of the location or the conditions. Abel created this reel for its toughness, it’s reliability, smooth drag, and gives you the capabilities to fish anywhere you want with it. Offered in five to twelve plus options. If you’re the die hard trout angler or eager saltwater fly fisherman, this reel is a workhorse for any angler.

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26. Sage R8 Core Fly Rod $1050

Sage R8 Core Fly Rod

Just getting to the market in April of 2022, the Sage R8 is the newest, sexiest, and one of the most badass rods out there. Sage uses only the most advanced materials, using aerospace graphite, nano-sintered resin, and the all new circumferential hoop fiber allowing for greater feel, flow, and control. Made to fish, not just to cast, the Sage R8 Core fly rod  is a phenomenally constructed rod available in 8’6” to 10 foot lengths anywhere between a delicate 3 weight rods to a substantial 9 weight options for big freshwater streamer endeavors. If you’re looking at purchasing a new rod, look into the Sage R8 Core, it truly is a great option for this holiday season if you’re considering to add a new fly rod to your fleet. 

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27. DECKED Truck Bed Storage Solutions

Decked Truck bed products

What do you need to make your truck bed dialed? DECKED has a lot of different products designed for life outside and on the road. If you’re worried about your expensive waders, comfortable wading boots, and gear flying out the truck bed, the DECKED Drawer System is something to consider this holiday season to organize your gear for a day on the water. Built for nasty weather and heavy 1 ton payloads for bed use on top of the drawer system, the DECKED Drawer System is top notch. Get easy access to your gear and live stress-free without your gear missing on the road.

DECKED also manufactures the Truck Tool Box, ultra-durable, waterproof, and is easily accessible to get to the gear you need. The DECKED Truck Tool Box won’t ding, dent, or rust. If you love having space in your truck bed and don’t want the important gear rolling around, look into the DECKED Truck Tool Box. 

Another great option to add to your truck is the DECKED CargoGlide, the CargoGlide sliding tray makes loading and unloading your bed easy to access. The tray rolls on heavy-duty bearings, actuated by a single-handed latch which allows you to smoothly retrieve all of your fishing gear for a day on the water. Keep your gear protected and readily accessible with DECKED truck bed storage solutions, made exclusively in the USA. DECKED guarantees a lifetime warranty, and ships free.

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28. NRS Slipstream Fishing Raft Packages $3495

NRS Slipstream Raft Package

Purpose-built for anglers that are ready to explore, the NRS Slipstream rafts are designed with deliberate attention to D-ring placement, handles, and valves to reduce weight and eliminate catch points from your fly line. Inside the Slipstream Raft Package is a high-pressured drop stitch floor, and EVA foam decking to provide stable and secure footing without the need of heavy casting platforms. The best part, NRS redesigned their fishing frame for the Slipstream Series, giving anglers a foot-controlled anchor release, ultimately reducing the amount of parts, and delivering an outstanding rowing and fishing experience. If you’re looking for your first boat, a boat to get down skinny water, or just want to get the Slipstream so you don’t have to go through the full customization of a raft, look into the NRS Slipstream Fishing Raft Packages. Offered in a 9’6″ model compatible for 2 anglers, a 12 foot raft, and a 13’9” option in gray or olive colors.

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29. Simms Men’s G3 Guide Stockingfoot Waders $599.95

Simms G3 Waders

Looking at getting a new set of waders this holiday season? The new and improved 2022 Men’s G3 Guide Stockingfoot Waders by far are a great option if you love American made products and ultimate durability from the elements. Not only has Simms set a new standard for fly fishing waders, these waders are comfortable, reliable, and performance-driven. Simms only uses the best world-renowned GORE-TEX fabric giving you breathable, 3-layer upper and GORE-TEX Pro 4-layer lower materials for maximum durability. Since the last generation of G3 waders, Simms has upgraded their suspender system, belt loops, gravel guards, and even added an interior side pocket. If you ask the Flylords Team, the addition of the new Air Mesh Suspender System has been a hit. Adding this suspender strap adopted from the G4 wader collection, has increased comfort, and reduced the fatigue while rowing down the river and added comfort when wading with various packs and bags. If you or your loved one needs a new set of durable waders, don’t hesitate to invest in the new Simms G3 Guide Stockingfoot Waders, made in 19 different sizes. Don’t forget, Simms also manufactures G3 Guide Stockingfoot Waders for women, with different color options and sizes. 

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Unique Fly Fishing Gifts


30. A Gift Card to Your Local Fly Shop

CT anglers

Still can’t decide what to get the angler in your life? With the complexity of the fly-fishing market, we can’t blame you. Instead of losing sleep over it, just google your local fly shop’s website and look for a gift card option. Take the guesswork out of it all and let your loved one decide what they want!

Check out gift card options with our friends over at Cutthroat Anglers below!

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31. Take Someone Fishing!

Take Someone Fishing

Whether it’s their first time on the water or their 10,000th, there’s no better fly fishing gift to give than bringing someone on an adventure. Push aside all the premonitions that clutter the meaning of our true mission as anglers, and go make some memories that could never hold a price tag.

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BACK TO TOP

 

The Ultimate Fly Fishing Gift Guide

Land the Perfect Gift this Holiday Season with Some Fishy, Fine Art

An Inside Look at YETI’s New Book TARPON

Colorado Brook Trout State Record Broken for the Third Time in 2022

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Although not native to Colorado, brook trout have certainly proven that they can grow to immense sizes in the state’s rivers, lakes, and streams. This week, one angler reeled in an incredible brookie that broke the state record for the third time this year weighing in at 8.56 pounds on an official scale. You can learn more about the catch, below!

From Colorado Parks and Wildlife:

As Colorado Parks and Wildlife celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2022, it may be long remembered as the year of the brook trout.

Only five months after CPW certified a new state record brook trout for the first time in 75 years, the record was again reestablished by Matt Smiley of Lake City. He caught an 8-pound, 9-ounce brook trout on Oct. 8 from Waterdog Lake, located on the east side of Lake City in Hinsdale County within the Uncompahgre National Forest.

The fish measured 26.25 inches in length and had a girth of 16 inches. 

“The experience of this catch has been surreal, and it took a few days to soak in. It’s a really special fish,” Smiley said. “The toughest thing for me with this whole deal was deciding to keep the fish. I’ve released so many over the years, but it was one of those deals where I made a quick decision and wanted to give this fish the recognition it deserves.”

In May, Tim Daniel of Granby reeled in a 7.84-pound brook trout from Monarch Lake in Grand County. That fish, measured at 23.25 inches with a girth of 15.375 inches, broke the previous state record of 7.63 pounds from a brook trout caught in 1947 out of Upper Cataract Lake in Summit County. That had been the longest-standing fishing record in the state.

Since Daniel’s catch May 23, the record has actually been broken twice, with both caught at Waterdog Lake.

The weekend before Smiley’s triumph, Larry Vickers of Lake City had caught an 8.22-pound brook trout. While Vickers knew he had a record fish, he opted not to go through the certification process and decided to eat it to not let the meat go to waste. CPW aquatic biologist Dan Brauch was notified of the catch, and word spread across the region.

Smiley, who sells tackle for the company Favorite Fishing, has chased large brook trout in lakes across Colorado for a decade. He was eager to get in the high country for some fall fishing, and Vickers’ catch was stuck in his mind. So, he set up the Waterdog Lake trail with a 3.9-mile hike and 2,400 feet of elevation gain between him and the lake nestled in the timberline bowl beneath Mesa Seco at 11,130 feet.

After a day of catching smaller fish, Smiley was about ready to pack up and head home to watch college football. But 20 seconds after he had that thought, he felt the tug of a large fish on his Favorite Fishing Jackhammer rod and set the hook on his artificial lure.

“After fishing for a bit and only seeing smaller fish, I thought I wasn’t going to see any really good ones,” Smiley said. “But then the rod got heavy, I set my hook and could tell I had a really big fish…”

Read the rest of the interview and CPW release, here!

Behind the Cause–Bonefish & Tarpon Trust

A new series here at Flylords, “Behind the Cause”, is sponsored by Costa Sunglasses and will look into some of their collaborative efforts with key conservation organizations. When it comes to industry support for conservation, few match Costa’s dedication to ensuring our waters, fisheries, and habitats are healthy today and long into the future. That’s why so many of us here at Flylords are huge proponents of Costa–oh did we mention they make a killer pair of sunglasses too!

This first installment will look into the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and how Costa supports BTT’s mission “to conserve and restore bonefish, tarpon and permit fisheries and habitats through research, stewardship, education and advocacy.” Follow along to learn more about this collaboration and stay tuned for future installments of Behind the Cause!


Flylords: Hey everyone, I’d like to Introduce you to Joe Gugino, Costa’s Conservation and Community Partnerships Manager. Joe, thanks for taking a minute to sit down for a new interview series of ours, Behind the Cause! For the first installment, let’s talk about the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. Costa has worked with BTT for years now. Tell us about some of the early days and the general idea behind this relationship. 

Joe: Thanks for the time! Honestly, conservation has always been a part of who we are at Costa, it’s in our DNA and tied to everything we do as a brand. We were founded nearly 40 years ago by anglers who relied on healthy fisheries for what they (and we all) love most – fishing. Part of making sure we protect our fisheries and waterways is by supporting mission-aligned organizations, like BTT, that help drive awareness of critical issues affecting our waters. Costa is one of the longest corporate sponsors of BTT and the crucial work they do to conserve and understand tarpon, bonefish and permit fisheries. 

In the beginning, Costa started working with BTT to sponsor the science and find solutions to real problems we were seeing with these species, but the success of that partnership has continued to evolve into larger projects, mostly through grassroots efforts and community participation. In 2011, we got behind what is now ‘Project Permit,’ and almost 12 years later, it’s pretty incredible to look back and see all the progress and lasting impact we’ve been able to make to our permit fisheries because of it. 

BTT’s Florida Keys Initiative Manager, Dr. Ross Boucek with Florida Keys Guide and Costa Pro, Brandon Cyr and his wife.

Flylords: I know you guys were recently down i​​n BTT’s neck of the woods for the organization’s 7th Science Symposium & Flats Expo. Costa played a big role in that. What was the general idea behind this event? 

Joe: That’s right. Thanks to Covid, this event had only been three years in the making, so our entire team was pumped to finally see this one come to fruition. Costa was honored to be the presenting sponsor of the event and to celebrate BTT’s 25th Anniversary. We know not only how important it is for us to understand the science and research behind what BTT is doing, but also to just be in person with people in the industry. Maybe other than actually being out on the water fishing, it doesn’t get much better than being in a room with like-minded people who are just as passionate about fishing as they are making sure those fisheries are around for generations to come. 

Flylords: What were some of the highlights for you?

Joe: Oh man, where to begin? It was definitely two days jam packed full of happenings for the Costa team. We had Costa booths and tents set up in the main lobby and outside the National PGA Resort pool giving away swag and letting attendees try on frames, and there’s no doubt Costa’s VIP lounge with Frigate Reserve Rum was also a happening place, especially around happy hour. 

Throughout the show, we had Kick Plastic water silos with reusable metal cups to help reduce the amount of plastic waste. And to call attention to the initiative, our ‘Twisting the Night Away’ tarpon sculpture, made entirely from plastic material collected out of the ocean (by UpSculpt Artist Cindy Pease Roe), was on display in the main lobby. 

The Legends Panel, full of, well, flats fishing legends!

Collectively I think most would agree, the panels were the biggest highlight for everyone, especially the Permit Panel and the Legends Panel, which were both full of Costa Pros, knowledge, and experience.

On Friday night, our Project Permit and Mighty Waters films were featured during the Film & Arts Festival. It was really special to have one of the most notable bonefishing guides in the world with us, Ansil Saunders, and his family. We worked on Mighty Waters for a couple years with him, so being able to watch Ansil watch his film from the audience was very memorable. Don’t think there were many dry eyes in that room, and we heard multiple accounts of people leaving that screening feeling inspired. 

Flylords: While bonefish and tarpon are obviously BTT’s namesake, the group has most certainly not forgotten the snobby gangster of the flats–the Permit. What is Project Permit (I can embed a trailer?) and how has Costa been involved?

Joe: There’s no doubt that the Florida Keys’ permit fishery is truly special and iconic, I think 33 of 36 fly caught world records are from there! I talked about this a little bit earlier, but in short, Project Permit is a conservation program, funded by Costa, with the help of Lower Keys Fishing Guides Association and March Merkin Permit Tournament, to protect the iconic permit fishery in the Florida Keys, and provide the data and research necessary for resource managers to better manage these fisheries. 

Our Project Permit film, A Pathway For Permit, does a great job showcasing the project, but happy to go into more detail on the backstory too.

Project Permit started in 2011. Anglers and guides were reporting a rapid decline in the permit fishery, so Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) created the Special Permit Zone (SPZ) with stricter permit regulations in Florida Keys and Biscayne Bay. The goal of Project Permit was to find out if that SPZ was large enough – did the permit remain in the Keys or were they migrating out of those waters, most likely to spawn? Relying on scientists and guides, the project started as a dart-tagging study. With more than 1,000 permit tagged, the results showed that only a couple of Keys’ permit were recaptured outside of the Keys. 

After that, the next step was to understand permit movements and habitat use within the Florida Keys. By tracking movements with acoustic tags from 2013-2019, scientists learned that nearly 70 percent of Lower Keys flats permit migrate to Western Dry Rocks (WDR) to spawn. Something that’s really interesting is that more than 30 percent of permit hooked during catch-and-release fishing at WDR were eaten by sharks before they could be landed. 

All of this is what led to FWC’s 2021 decision to create a spawning season no-fishing closure at WDR from April through July. Currently, we’re in the middle of another three-year study, that just launched this year, to continue monitoring behaviors and provide additional data to FWC. 

So, all that to say, there’s a lot to celebrate with this one. Really cool story of what can be accomplished for conservation when industry partners, guides, anglers, non profit organizations, and resource managers work together to protect our fisheries. 

Flylords: It’s always great to see a huge industry name like Costa getting so involved with these conservation efforts and directly supporting groups like BTT. Why does Costa put so much time and effort, and well money, into these causes? 

Joe: What it comes down to is honestly pretty simple…Costa continues to invest so heavily in conservation efforts, like those of BTT,  to guarantee that the waters and fisheries that we love so dearly, don’t become a tale of what was, but rather a thriving, healthy ecosystem for generations to come. 

Conservation is at the heart of Costa. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly encourage you to check out our first edition Protect Report, which essentially takes 38 years of our work as a brand and puts it into writing. It also gives us data to hold us accountable and help define where we go next.

Costa has always been driven by three goals: build the best sunglasses on the planet for those who live to be on the water, protect the waters we love, and inspire others to do the same. We’ve been leading the charge to protect our watery world for nearly four decades now, and it’s been really great to see so many other brands, guides, partners, and even consumers take note and get involved too. 

Captain Will Benson with a stud permit!

Flylords: On a personal note, Costa’s Kick Plastic and One Coast movements really speak to me and show just how connected all of us anglers are and the need to protect our waters and resources–regardless of where you live. It also represents just how influential and a force for positive change small actions can be when they’re replicated by the entire community. So, thanks to you Team Costa. Any parting thoughts? 

Joe: You know, it’s SO important, and I really think our industry has really started getting behind it in recent years. Regardless of where you live, your skill level, or the species you’re targeting, we can all agree that protecting our waterways and resources is vital to our work and play. Sure, Costa created #KickPlastic and #OneCoast movements, but it wouldn’t be possible without our tribe banding together. Just from the efforts of our Kick Plastic Guides alone, more than 3 million single use water bottles have been eliminated, which is insane to think about.

Photo by Austin Coit
Photo by Austin Coit

And it’s definitely worth calling attention to the way our industry responded to #OneCoast relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ian recently and the havoc it wreaked on SW Florida. We saw so many organizations, like Captains for Clean Water, brands, partners, pros, guides and consumers step up to help out in any way possible. From working recovery missions, to auctioning off flies and guided trips, to driving supplies down from states away, the response and way we came together truly as #OneCoast was remarkable. 


Thank you to the folks over at Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Joe, and the rest of the Costa team–keep up the great work, everyone! To learn more about Costa’s sustainability projects, click HERE.

Washington DNR Sends Cooke Aquaculture’s Open-Nets Packing

On November 14th, Washington State’s Department of Natural Resources announced that it would be terminating the two remaining open net pen aquaculture operations in its state waters. Both of these Puget Sound operations–in Rich Passage off Bainbridge Island and off Hope Island in Skagit Bay–are owned by the embattled Cooke Aquaculture. In the Pacific Northwest, open-net pen finish aquaculture is riddled with controversy and is wildly unpopular among fishing communities.

What’s the gripe with aquaculture:

  • You may recall Cooke’s 2017 open-net pen failure which allowed hundreds of thousands of farmed, non-native Atlantic salmon to escape into puget sound.
  • This event, and Cooke’s subsequent uncooperativeness, was the driving force for DNR’s rejecting Cooke’s permits, and fueled a 2018 decision by the WA Legislature to end Atlantic salmon farming.
  • These farms create an immense amount of pollution, waste, and can spread diseases and parasites to wild fish stocks–many of which are struggling and well below target levels.
  • Open-net pen finish aquaculture in marine environments carries substantial risks, and accidents can lead to environmental disasters.

“The importance of this decision for wild fish, water quality, and the greater health of Puget Sound cannot be overstated,” wrote Wild Fish Conservancy Executive Director Emma Helverson. “Immediately, this action will cease the chronic untreated pollution that has been discharged every single day by this industry over the past thirty years. Finally, these heavily polluted and degraded sites will have the opportunity to heal and begin the process of natural restoration as part of the largest passive restoration project in Washington’s history.”

Cover picture provided by Washington Department of Ecology and shows Cooke’s Rich Passage operation.

Behind the Scenes of “Mending the Line” with Director Joshua Caldwell

Earlier this year, we caught wind of a new film in production along the banks of some hallowed Montana waters. Upon further investigation, we found out the upcoming film was entitled “Mending the Line“. Directed by Joshua Caldwell, written by Stephen Camelio, and starring Sinqua Walls, Brian Cox, and Perry Mattfeld the film follows a wounded Marine veteran (Walls) as he deals with his emotional and physical trauma, eventually finding mentorship and healing through fly fishing.

Naturally, our interest was piqued, and we reached out to the film’s director to learn more about the project, healing on the water, and his own connection to fly fishing and finding peace. He introduced us to the writer of the film, Stephen Camelio, and we decided a behind-the-scenes interview was a must. Check out our interview with the pair, below!

Flylords: Tell us a little bit about yourself, Josh. Where are you from? How did fly fishing become part of your life?

Joshua: I was born and raised in Bellevue, WA, just outside Seattle. I fished here and there. Spin fishing and deep-sea fishing and went up to Alaska for salmon but I never fly fished. I was a suburban kid through and through. It wasn’t until I moved to New York about five years ago that I started fly fishing. My parents gifted me a two-day Orvis fly fishing class at Sandanona and that was that. I got a rod outfit, waders, boots and started attempting to catch fish and had no idea what I was doing. But I started following people on Instagram and ended up befriending Landon Brasseur. He introduced me to euro nymphing and that changed everything for me. I started actually catching fish, and my interest and passion just grew from there.

Flylords: How did this project come to be?

Joshua: The origin of this film was all Stephen Camelio, our screenwriter and producer, so I thought it best to let him share.

Stephen: My father was in the Army and fought in Vietnam. And though he survived the war, in 2004 he was diagnosed with cancer caused by Agent Orange exposure during his time in the war. Around that time, my wife and I had moved from New York City to Montana and we were living and working in Yellowstone National Park I was writing about fly fishing for various publications. When he passed in 2013, the meditative nature of fly fishing really helped me deal with my grief and I had the idea to write a story that combined the destructive elements of war with the healing aspects of nature. It wasn’t until later that I found out about organizations like Warriors & Quiet Waters and others that were actually doing this in real life – using fly fishing to heal.

After working on the script for several years, on and off, I sent it to producer Kelly McKendry who I knew from Villanova. Being an Army brat, she immediately connected with the story, and, with a grant for the Montana Film Office, it just snowballed. We brought on other producers, brought on Joshua to direct and it took off. The next thing I knew, I was on set watching Brian Cox say the words that I wrote.

Flylords: Joshua, how did you find this script/story? What drew you to it?

Joshua: It was totally random. Kelly was reaching out to people who had produced films shot in Montana – seeking advice and information on the process. She connected with my manager who had produced a film set in Montana but as he informed her, wasn’t actually shot in Montana. But like any good manager, he asked what the film was about. She told him the story, and he asked if they already had a director. They didn’t, so he sent me the script. I pitched Kelly, Stephen, and Scott MacLeod (another producer), and I guess they liked what I had to say. Stephen was dubious when he was told that I fly fished but one look at my Instagram (@joshuacaldwelldirector) changed his mind. The only pictures I have on there are of fish!

Obviously, as someone who fly fishes, I was drawn to that aspect of the film. In addition to that, I had been researching PTSD and the military for years for various projects, but none of that research had yet found a home until this project came along. The marriage of those two subject matters was really compelling. But at the end of the day, it comes down to the script. Stephen wrote a beautiful story and I really, really wanted to direct it. It’s an incredible story of resilience and overcoming trauma and finding something to live for, woven together through complex characters and relationships.

Flylords: It goes without saying that trauma and healing are the main themes of this film. Is this a personal story of healing you were communicating?

Stephen: Yes, this is a very personal story for everyone involved. The sheer act of writing was an exercise in healing as it helped me process my father’s death and understand my mother’s pain as well as the courage she has shown to carry on since his passing. Almost everyone associated with this film had a similar story. Some served in the military themselves or know someone dealing with the effects of going to war. Others lost loved ones and are still dealing with the trauma. Then there were those who, like the main characters of the story, dealt with their trauma through fly fishing, which started the healing process and allowed them to find peace. We hope by telling this story it will also be an inspiration for those still dealing with PTS or any type of trauma to start their healing journey. Whether they do it with a fly rod in their hand or not, that’s up to them.

Joshua: I haven’t experienced trauma, but as Stephen mentioned, the film is still very personal to me. When I started working on it, my real connection was to fly fishing. As someone who spends his days “living in his head” fly fishing is an incredible exercise and allows me a rest from the act of creating. Fly fishing requires that you focus on the present moment. The act of wading and having water pushing against your stance, the cast, the drift, the take, playing the fish, it’s all really hard to do if you’re not existing in the present moment. All that I understood and was excited to bring to the screen. But what really made this personal for me was the veterans and active-duty military I met along the way. Stephen and I were fortunate to spend a day fishing with veterans as part of a Warriors & Quiet Waters fishing experience and we met some really great people who sat with us and told us their stories: stories of resilience, of overcoming trauma, of finding something to live for. So for me, it was about making sure we told their stories with respect – that this movie was for them. And I really felt like it was my job as a director to make a film that lived up to their experience and did it in an accurate and authentic way.

Flylords: Now onto the fun fishing questions. Clearly, a fly angler has had a heavy hand in the writing, how did you all maintain authenticity throughout the script and filming?

Joshua: Well, it certainly starts at the top. Stephen and I are both fly fishermen and it was incredibly important to both of us that we get that aspect of the story correct. It was always a question of how much is too much, you know? How specific do we want to get with the fly tying, with the casting instruction? You want to make sure you accurately convey the information necessary to understand what’s going on or why what you’re watching is important or has meaning, but at the same time, this isn’t an instructional video. You have to entertain the audience and keep them engaged. Stephen and I did a lot of work on the script after I came on board to make sure everything in there was correct and had the right balance. But it all started with Stephen and he did a great job weaving it into the story but ultimately you can only cover so much via the written word. Then we had to bring it to life.

Fortunately, we had some incredible partners on the film. Far Bank (Sage, Rio) gave us Sage X 5wts, Spectrum reels, and Rio fly lines; Simms provided waders, boots, packs, and clothing; Tom Morgan Rodsmiths built us two bamboo 5wt hero rods for Ike; Ro lent us drift boat. It goes on and on and the support we received from the fly-fishing community was so important.

Flylords: Did any of the cast have prior experience fly fishing?

Joshua: The only cast member who had ever held a fly rod was Perry Mattfeld who played Lucy in the film. A year prior to us casting her in the film she had spent time at a lodge in Montana used for veterans and she spent a day or two fly fishing. But other than that, we had to start from scratch.

Flylords: What was it like working with the cast on the water? How much prep work and practice did it take for them to get their fishing skills camera ready?

Joshua: I wasn’t worried about the quality of the performances from the actors. When you hire people like Brian, Sinqua, Perry, Patricia, and Wes, you know they’re going to bring it performance-wise, and they did. But I also knew we were not going to be able to use casting doubles nor did we want to deal with the hassle of a CGI fly line – they were going to need to learn to cast. As a fly fisherman, I knew that was going to be a challenge. A movie like this doesn’t allow for six months of casting prep with these actors – we were going to only have a few days. Fortunately, they all recognized the importance of getting the casting right and were really excited about the lessons. 

And none of that would have been possible without the help of Simon Gawesworth from Far Bank. For those who don’t know, Simon is the Far Bank Education & Engagement Manager but that title doesn’t do justice to his contribution to the sport. Simon has both cast and fished for England in British, European, and World Championships and was elected Captain of the England team for the 2003 World Fly Fishing Championship. He is A.P.G.A.I. and S.T.A.N.I.C. certified in the U.K. and C.I., Master and T.H.C.I. certified in the U.S. through Fly Fishers International. In 2019 Simon was the recipient of the Lifetime Teaching Award by Fly Fishers International. And he is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading authorities on spey casting and has taught and demonstrated it around the world. Thanks to our partnership with Far Bank, Simon was able to serve as our Fly Fishing Technical Advisor on the film, and he was responsible for giving our talent casting lessons.

In pre-production, Simon worked directly with Brian on casting the Tom Morgan bamboo rod, which as you can imagine, is very different than casting graphite. And then once we started up in Montana, he worked with Sinqua, Perry, and Wes on their casting as well. Up until we shot the fishing scenes, you could find any of the cast members by their trailers working on their cast in between set ups. Brian really took to casting. I’m not sure how he felt about fishing, but he loved the rhythm of casting a fly rod and really seemed to enjoy it. And Perry ended up falling in love with the sport and often went fishing on her own on her days off. One of my favorite memories from my time in Montana was the day Simon, Perry, and I went and fished up in Yellowstone Park for the day and were treated to some of Simon’s famous streamside gin & tonics.

Flylords: For the fly shop scenes, what fly shop did you shoot in? Or, did you have to mock one up in a studio?

Joshua: Finding the fly shop was one of the more challenging locations because you’re basically asking a business to close down for a couple of days right in the middle of fishing season in Montana. Through our partnership with Sage, we were connected to Matson Rogers at Angler’s West Fly Shop in Paradise Valley who very kindly allowed us to impact his business for a couple of days while we shot the film. 

That said, we ended up running out of time at the fly shop location before we could finish filming all of the stock room scenes. As a result, our Production Designer Freddy Waff built the stock room in space at our hospital location and did a wonderful job creating a seamless match.

Flylords: We noticed two familiar names in the credits around the fly fishing piece of the film. What was it like working with Simon Gawesworth and Gilbert Rowley on the project?

Joshua: I’ve acknowledged the contribution Simon made above but there were so many different ways people helped bring this film to life and I definitely have to acknowledge both Gilbert Rowley (@gilbertrowley) and Ryan Kelly (@greenriverflyfisher). The truth is, fishing is hard enough without being under the stress of a movie production schedule. Capturing fish rising and trout sipping flies takes a lot of time, waiting for the right moment, and we didn’t have that. So we had to turn elsewhere for the nature footage of the trout in the water. I had seen a number of videos on Ryan’s Instagram feed and I thought some of them would easily cut into the film, so I reached out to him cold and asked if he’d be interested in licensing some of the clips for us to use in the film. He’s a really nice guy and agreed to help us out. He also reached out to Gilbert at Capture Adventure Media because I knew of him from the Modern Nymphing series he did with Devin Olsen and Lance Egan and I figured he might have some footage of trout as well. Well, turns out Ryan and Gilbert both know each other and both agreed to help and were really generous considering our very small budget. But when I watched a cut without the fish footage and then saw it with those clips cut in there was just no comparison, we needed it. And both those guys came through for us in a big way.

Enter the #FaiIOnTheFly Contest

Fly fishing and failures go hand-in-hand, and we want to see some of your best. Share your greatest fishing fails on the gram to be entered for your chance to win an awesome prize package including a brand new Orvis Fly Fishing Helios 3 Blackout 905-4, an Airflo Fishing Fly Line, and an onWater App Lifetime Subscription! If you don’t have any #FailsOnTheFly to share, you can still enter to win a $100 gift to your local fly shop by simply commenting on the Instagram post below. 

Enter the contest below:

 Be sure to check out the #FailsOnFly on Instagram to follow along with the fails. To learn more about the onWater App check them out online here.

Legendary Alaska Fishing Lodge for Sale

Eager to dip your toes into lodge ownership? Well, Bristol Bay Lodge in Alaska is up for sale on some of the Last Frontier’s most pristine river systems. The sale includes everything the new owners would need to keep the beautiful property and operation going in the coming season!

From Bristol Bay Lodge:

Bristol Bay Lodge, a world-renowned luxury fishing lodge in Alaska, has hit the market for $9.5 million. It comes complete with top-shelf fishing gear, boats, aircraft, and everything else an operator would need to continue the 50-year legacy of hosting guests. The lodge is listed with Deke Tidwell of Hall and Hall.

You can find the listing, here!

Located in the heart of Alaska’s Bristol Bay Watershed, Bristol Bay Lodge offers a profitable, efficient, turn-key, internationally renowned operation far removed from the crowds of the state’s most populated fishing waters. Cradled on the shores of Aleknagik on the edge of Wood-Tikchick State Park, the main lodge offers a base of operations for access to some of Alaska’s best freshwater sportfishing. Accommodating up to 29 guests, the complex offers a variety of lodging options, from double occupancy rooms within the main lodge to four stand-alone cabins and housing for up to 24 employees. Guests are treated to world-class cuisine and ambiance from the newly remodeled commercial kitchen and great room in a setting that rivals the most scenic locales on the planet.

This Orvis® Endorsed Fly Fishing Lodge is known for its fly-out program, positioning anglers on some of the region’s most productive lakes and rivers via three DeHavilland Beaver aircraft, which are included in the sale. In addition to day trips, there are two comfortable and fully equipped overnight camps with facilities for six guests, a cook, and fishing guides. Rainbow camp sits adjacent to an additional 160± acre deeded inholding within the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge near the shores of Bristol Bay. In addition to the overnight camps, there are two additional day camps on the Togiak River. These remote camps provide a multi-dimensional experience for guests wanting to more completely immerse themselves in Alaska’s wild spaces.

You can check out the full listing, here!

Airflo And Terracycle Invite Fly Fishers To Get Hooked On Recycling With New Program

From Airflo and Terracycle:

Airflo, a leader in making fly lines, leaders and tippet is partnering with TerraCycle, an innovative recycling company specializing in hard-to-recycle materials to announce the upcoming Airflo Free Fly Line Recycling Program. Beginning in early 2023, Airflo will invite consumers to drop off any brand of otherwise unrecyclable plastic-based fly fishing and fishing lines and spools at any participating independent retailer for free recycling.

“Airflo and Mayfly Outdoors (Certified B Corp) are committed to providing the best fly lines, leaders, and tippet while protecting our natural environment through more sustainable solutions and reducing waste,” said Jeff Wagner, President of Mayfly Outdoors and Airflo fly lines. “This presents one of our top priorities and commitments to our dedicated customers that share in this passion. Working together with fly shops and customers we can reduce our footprint and impact. This program combined with solar energy production (coming in 2023), non-PVC lines, and giving back to conservation partners are a few ways we will continue to show this support.”

The Airflo Free Fly Line Recycling Program aims to simultaneously provide a convenient recycling solution for items that do not belong in curbside recycling bins while measurably reducing contamination levels in local waterways. According to the World Wildlife Fund, between 500,000 to 1 million tons of fishing gear are discarded or lost in the ocean yearly. Discarded nets, lines, and ropes make up about 46% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

“At TerraCycle, our goal is to ‘Eliminate the Idea of Waste’ on and off the land,” said Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle. “Through our partnership with Airflo, we are providing consumers a free and easy way to responsibly recycle their waste and enjoy a favorite pastime.”

The Airflo Free Fly Line Recycling Program is in addition to other proactive sustainability measures implemented by the brand, including designing water contamination-causing plasticizers out of their fly lines. While the majority of fly lines are made with PVC — a naturally rigid plastic that requires plasticizer additives to increase plasticity — Airflo fly lines are made from Polyurethane, an inert material that requires no plasticizers and lasts far longer than PVC. 

The Airflo Free Fly Line Recycling Program will be open to any interested individual, school, office, or community organization. For more information on TerraCycle’s recycling programs, visit www.terracycle.com.

About Airflo:

Airflo is the world leader in innovative fly fishing line solutions. Producing lines in the UK and selling non-PVC fly lines since 1984 in over 20 countries. We seek to grow our efforts to improve the lives of our employees while producing the best fly fishing lines that have the least amount of impact on our natural world. Airflo gives back to multiple conservation organizations and is part of Mayfly Outdoors, a certified B Corp, located in Montrose, CO. To learn more about Airflo please visit https://airflousa.com/. To learn more about Mayfly Outdoors please visit https://mayflyoutdoors.com/.

About TerraCycle:

TerraCycle is an international leader in innovative sustainability solutions, creating and operating first-of-their-kind platforms in recycling, recycled materials, and reuse. Across 21 countries, TerraCycle is on a mission to rethink waste and develop practical solutions for today’s complex waste challenges. The company engages an expansive multi-stakeholder community across a wide range of accessible programs, from Fortune 500 companies to schools and individuals, and has raised over $44 million for schools and nonprofits since its founding more than 15 years ago. To learn more about TerraCycle and join them on their journey to move the world from a linear economy to a circular one, please visit www.terracycle.com.

YETI® Releases YONDER™, Their Lightest Bottle to Date

Since the first YETI Rambler bottles hit the market a few years ago, the brand has changed the worldwide perception of performance drinkware. Now, the Austin-based brand has released its first non-insulated bottle, the YONDER. Check out the press release below for more info on the bottles and their design features!

From YETI Coolers:

YETI Coolers, LLC (“YETI”), a leading premium outdoor brand, today officially announced the introduction of its newest product line, the Yonderâ„¢ Drinkware collection. Yonder is YETI’s lightest water bottle yet and features two new sizes – 750mL ($25) and 1L ($28) – in four colorways: Clear, Seafoam, Navy, and Charcoal. Yonder’s thoughtful, lightweight design ensures a premium drinking experience you can take on any adventure, while still delivering on the YETI promise of toughness and performance in both materials and construction.

Just like the world before the YETI Tundra, coolers were easily damaged and lacked ice-for-days thermal retention capabilities. The same with the world of plastic water bottles – Yonder, built with YETI toughness while staying lightweight will revolutionize the water bottle landscape. “As leaders in the drinkware space, we wanted to create a lighter bottle to address specific needs voiced by our outdoor ambassadors and communities,” said Hannah Mara, VP, Product Management at YETI. “Yonder is light enough and tough enough to allow our ambassadors to go higher and further into the wild, no matter how hard they push the limits.”

The Yonder Bottle is built to sustain impact, drop, and freezing without loss of function, and is 100 percent leakproof. The cap’s handle is designed to clip or carry so that users can effortlessly take it on the go. An easy drinking spout was thoughtfully designed for more sipping and less spilling, and full cap removal provides easy access for filling and cleaning, just like YETI’s insulated Rambler Bottles. The ergonomic shape of the bottle includes one flat side making the bottle more comfortable to hold and grip, perfect for one-hand carrying and sipping.

As part of its design process, YETI closely consulted with its ambassadors, a group of more than 150 outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen across a wide variety of pursuits, including world-famous mountaineer and filmmaker Jimmy Chin and fellow legendary climber and mountaineer Conrad Anker. Their expertise provided critical insights that aided the development of YETI’s lightest bottle yet.

“YETI already makes the best-insulated drinkware and when they asked me to collaborate on a lighter-weight water bottle, I was eager to offer my feedback,” said renowned athlete, storyteller, and YETI ambassador, Jimmy Chin. “Yonder is the perfect drinkware option for anyone looking for a lightweight but incredibly strong water bottle for outdoor adventures.”

To celebrate the launch, YETI put its newest product to the test, sending one of the first Yonder Bottles with ambassador and Olympian surfer John John Florence as he sailed from Hawaii to Fiji, covering over 3,000 miles in two weeks. Yonder was the ideal bottle for the excursion given its reliable strength and lightweight design which made it easy for Florence to traverse far, deep, and high into the Fijian Islands.

Yonder will join YETI’s existing lineup of drinkware, coolers, and outdoor gear on yeti.com and at YETI retail stores today.

You can purchase the YONDER Bottle, here!