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Fly Fishing AdventuresNorth Bear Creek, The Driftless Morning Fly Fishing Before Work

North Bear Creek, The Driftless Morning Fly Fishing Before Work

  Need to get away?  A friend of mine recently said to me that the best thing about fly fishing is that there are 4-5 things you always need to be thinking about while fly fishing to do it well.  ...

Jul 3, 2026
Fly Fishing AdventuresNew Year Fly Fishing in Iowa's Driftless

New Year Fly Fishing in Iowa's Driftless

Brown Trout, Waterloo Creek   Maybe it’s just me, but there’s only one way to welcome in the new year, and it’s by getting out of the house and getting some much needed river therapy.  This year I...

Jul 3, 2026
Fly Fishing AdventuresCutthroat Trout on the Streamer in Downtown Missoula, Montana

Cutthroat Trout on the Streamer in Downtown Missoula, Montana

Cutthroat Trout Caught by Jeff Ditsworth of Pescador on the Fly   It’s hard to beat walking up to any river in the world with a fly rod and flies you tied yourself.  Especially when you walk up to...

Jul 3, 2026
Fly Fishing AdventuresSpring Iowa Smallmouth Bass on the Fly

Spring Iowa Smallmouth Bass on the Fly

Iowa Smallmouth Bass   Our window of time these days to get on the water can be so narrow, that no matter the weather, we are still going fishing.  There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad ...

Jul 3, 2026

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Fly Fishing AdventuresFlats Fishing in Key West, Florida

Flats Fishing in Key West, Florida

  El Jefe Salt Series   My wife Heather has been looking at a website a buddy of mine turned us onto called scottscheapflights.com.  He tells me he's able to book super cheap flights for his famil...

Jul 3, 2026
Fly Fishing AdventuresFebruary White River Fly Fishing in Arkansas — Day 2

February White River Fly Fishing in Arkansas — Day 2

  22 Inch Brown on The White River, Arkansas   Maybe it‘s the fact that I’ve been coming down to fish The White River in February, but it seems like it always snows while I’m here.  My friends at ...

Jul 3, 2026
Fly Fishing AdventuresWisdom That Comes From the Best Sport on Earth

Wisdom That Comes From the Best Sport on Earth

  It's Called Fishing Not Catching:  This blog post is in partnership with our friends at Riversmith, a fly rod roof rack manufacturer based out of Boulder, CO.  Check them out! How many times hav...

Jul 3, 2026
El Jefe v2 8-weight fly rod

What Is an 8-Weight Fly Rod For? (Bass, Pike, Salt & More)

The 8-weight is the most versatile big-fish fly rod you can own — bass, pike, carp, steelhead, and the saltwater flats. Here's what it's for and when to reach for one.

Jun 23, 2026
Econ 101 fly rod and reel combo — a quality fly rod under $300

The Best Fly Fishing Rod Under $300 (Without the Beginner Compromises)

You don't need to spend $500+ for a rod that performs. Here's what actually matters in a fly rod under $300 — and why a direct-to-angler rod punches well above its price.

Jun 23, 2026
RiverVault waterproof fly fishing hip pack

Fly Fishing Hip Pack, Waist Pack, or Sling: How to Choose

Hip pack, waist pack, or sling? Here's how to choose a fly fishing hip pack that actually lasts — what matters most, and why waterproofing is the one thing you can't skip.

Jun 23, 2026
Fly fishing a high mountain lake near Boulder, Colorado

The Best Fly Fishing Near Boulder, Colorado

From South Boulder Creek's cold tailwater to wild brookies in the high country, here's where to fly fish near Boulder, Colorado — the best creeks and lakes, when to go, and what to throw.

Jun 23, 2026
AdventuresTwo anglers supporting a bull trout low in the shallows of the Blackfoot, Montana

Fly Fishing the Blackfoot, Montana — An Unexpected Giant (Day 3)

The last day — Drew Baker on the camera, tough technical conditions, and an unforgettable surprise on the streamer. An epic close to three days in Montana with Jake.

Jun 17, 2026
AdventuresAngler holding a large brown trout from a drift boat on the Blackfoot, Montana

Streamer Fishing the Blackfoot, Montana — Big Browns (Day 2)

Day two on the Blackfoot with Jake — a 22-inch brown on the third cast, big browns on streamers all day, and Max on the dry-and-dropper through the prettiest canyon water there is.

Jun 15, 2026
AdventuresAngler holding a large rainbow trout on the Clark Fork River, Montana

Fly Fishing Montana With My Son — A Father's Day Float on the Clark Fork

Father's Day weekend on a quiet stretch of the Clark Fork with my son Max and Missoula Fly Guy Jake — about 35 fish, eight doubles, and a day neither of us will forget.

Jun 14, 2026
Fly Fishing AdventuresAngler in rain gear holding a rainbow trout on the Clark Fork, Montana

Fly Fishing the Clark Fork Below Missoula in the Rain (Day 3)

A cold, rain-soaked April day on the Clark Fork below Missoula — tough fishing, one gorgeous rainbow, and a hard-earned lesson on why good rain gear is non-negotiable in Montana. Day 3 of three.

Apr 22, 2026
Fly Fishing AdventuresAngler fly casting on Rock Creek with a canyon cliff behind, Montana

Fly Fishing Rock Creek, Montana — A Spring Dry-Fly Day (Day 2)

A hidden stretch of Rock Creek near Missoula with Jake and photographer Drew Baker — dry flies, the full El Rey G6 lineup, and a beautiful canyon all to ourselves. Day 2 of three.

Apr 21, 2026
Fly Fishing AdventuresA vivid spawning cutthroat trout beside an El Rey G6 906-6 fly rod on Montana's Clark Fork

Spring Nymphing the Clark Fork Near Superior, Montana (Day 1)

Day 1 of three days in Montana with Jake: steady April nymphing on a rising Clark Fork near Superior — big nymphs, squirmy worms, and steady cutthroats from the jet boat.

Apr 20, 2026
Fly Fishing Pro TipsTop 5 Ways to Get Fly Rod Sections Unstuck (And Why They Get Stuck)

Top 5 Ways to Get Fly Rod Sections Unstuck (And Why They Get Stuck)

Fly rod stuck? Learn the top 5 ways to separate stuck fly rod sections, including the freezer trick, and why ferrules get stuck in the first place. Expert fly fishing tips.

Mar 26, 2026
Fly Fishing Pro TipsIf You Want to Fish More This Year, Start with the Calendar

If You Want to Fish More This Year, Start with the Calendar

Q: Why do so many anglers talk about “planning a trip” but never actually go? Because life fills the calendar first. Work, kids’ schedules, meetings, obligations — they all show up fast. Fishing tr...

Jan 2, 2026
Fly Fishing Pro TipsIt’s getting cold—what’s the smartest way to fish late fall trout, bass, and even carp on the fly?

It’s getting cold—what’s the smartest way to fish late fall trout, bass, and even carp on the fly?

🎣 Short Answer Slow down and get deliberate. For trout: streamers and nymphs shine. For bass: key on baitfish moves and temperature swings. For carp: target warming trends and make ultra-precise pr...

Nov 22, 2025
Why True Travel Rods Should Fit in Your Carry-On

Why True Travel Rods Should Fit in Your Carry-On

Q: What makes a real travel fly rod today? A: A true travel rod should disappear into your carry-on. Modern 6-section rods like the El Rey G6 Series pack down small enough to fit in your luggage—no...

Nov 8, 2025
Fly Fishing Pro TipsHow Six-Section Fly Rods Changed Travel Fishing Forever

How Six-Section Fly Rods Changed Travel Fishing Forever

Last month, we asked whether packable fly rods can really perform like traditional four-piece rods. The short answer was yes — today’s six-section rods cast, flex, and fight fish just as well as th...

Nov 1, 2025
Fly Fishing Pro TipsEl Jefe v2 saltwater fly rod, an 8 weight for flats fishing

The Best Saltwater Fly Rods: What Weight to Choose

Ask ten flats guides what the best saltwater fly rods are and you'll get one clear theme: more power than a trout rod, a reel that shrugs off salt, and enough backbone to punch a fly into the wind....

Oct 25, 2025
Fly Fishing Pro TipsAre Fly Rod Combos Worth It?

Are Fly Rod Combos Worth It?

Question: Should I buy a fly rod combo or build my setup piece by piece? Answer: A fly rod combo is often the best value — especially for anglers who want a perfectly matched rod, reel, and line s...

Oct 18, 2025