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Dave Whitlock shows off a fine largemouth from a 1985 story. Photo via Fly Fisherman Forty years ago, writing in the June 1985 issue of Fly Fisherman magazine, Dave Whitlock suggested a novel approach to catching largemouth bass. At the time, streamers and topwater flies were thought to be the best way to catch bucketmouths, but Whitlock discovered that the nymphs he fished for panfish were also hooking bass. One…

The Fly Fishing Film Tour began with a small group of people looking for something fresh—something something that represented he energy, grit, and soul of fly fishing. Today, these films are part of a new wave of storytelling in fly fishing, and this week’s guest on the “Wet Fly Swing Podcast,” RA Beattie, has been there since the beginning. In this episode, RA shares his journey and highlights from his…

By Rick Mikesell Ross Reels has announced the return of the well-regarded San Miguel fly reel. Originally launched more than two decades ago, the San Miguel has been fully redesigned in Ross Reels’ Colorado factory, blending modern machining and materials with the classic elements that made the original iconic. The new San Miguel features a polished high-gloss black, platinum, gold, and special 50th Anniversary finish on a solid frame, and…

Each year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) carefully counts juvenile and adult coho salmon in North Coast rivers and streams. This work is especially important for tracking the status of endangered populations of Central California Coast (CCC) coho. Last winter, CDFW staff realized they were seeing exceptional numbers of adult salmon returning to Mendocino’s coastal streams during their spawning run. When the monitoring season was over and…

A brown drake mayfly, one of the many species not found in the upper East Branch of the Delaware, likely because the water is too cold. Photo courtesy of River Reporter In 1976, New York Gov. Hugh Carey signed legislation establishing minimum water flows for summer and winter below the dams of the Delaware River system. Angler saw the benefits of these new water regimes almost immediately, in the form…

In much of the country, mayfly season is just kicking off, so here’s a great primer on these elegant aquatic insects. This video covers the lifecycle of mayflies, as well as how to match each stage. If you’re a new fly fisher, this is a great introduction that will serve as a base of knowledge that you can build on as you learn more about the specific species of mayflies…

This week’s Tying Tuesday features a big attractor dry, a deep-diving nymph, and a cool tube fly. (A reader recently requested a tube-fly video, and we aim to please.) We kick things off with a video from McFly Angler, who teaches us to tie the legendary Madam X, designed by Doug Swisher in the 1980s. This is a great attractor pattern, and one that works well in a dry-dropper setup….

Lid Rig—a fly-fishing tool company based in Littleton, Colorado—makes a variety of cool magnetized tools that are designed to make life on the water easier. For 2025, they’ve introduced the Lid Rig 3.0 nipper ($59.95), which attaches to the brim of your fishing hat. With replaceable 440C stainless steel jaws and dual cutting surfaces, this state-of-the-art tool is versatile enough to trim anything from 8X tippet to braid with unparalleled…

The healing powers of fly fishing are well documented, as programs around the world have used the sport as therapy for everything from breast cancer to childhood trauma. As Georgia records one of the sharpest declines in opioid-related deaths nationwide, people in recovery are redefining what healing can look like—rooted in peace, connection and hope. Sylvia Huron transformed her personal struggle with addiction into a mission to help others when…

Let’s face it, quality fly-fishing gear and apparel can be expensive, so buying pre-owned is a more-affordable option for many people. The problem has been finding a trustworthy place to do so. eBay and Facebook transactions can seem like a leap of faith, as you don’t necessarily know whom you’re buying from and whether or not the items are as described. The folks at Simms have launched a resale platform,…

Juvenile brook trout, or parr, have vertical bars that help camouflage them; these fish are most vulnerable when they’re small. Photo: Jeff Parsons, via The Provincetown Independent Sea-run brook trout, known as “salters,” used to run up rivers throughout the Northeast, but a combinations of habitat destruction, dams, and competition from other species eradicated most of the anadromous populations by the mid 1900s. A fascinating article by Jim Gilbert in…

An angler holds a wild steelhead caught and released in the Skagit River system during the 2025 fishing season. Photo: Marcus Reaves The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced that the Skagit and Sauk rivers will close to all fishing on Friday, April 11, due to lower-than-anticipated returns of wild steelhead. The last day open for steelhead fishing will be this Thursday, April 10. In-season catch surveys, test…

Lee and Joan Wulff at the school they founded almost a half century ago. Founded in 1979 by Joan and Lee Wulff, the Wulff School of Fly Fishing has been a pillar of the fly-fishing community, teaching thousands of anglers the art and technique of Joan Wulff’s pioneering casting methods. For more than four decades, the Wulff School has introduced beginners to the sport, refined the skills of experienced anglers,…

When a master fly-caster speaks, we should listen. In this video from Mad River Outfitters, Tim Rajeff of Echo Fly Fishing discusses the important of straight-line tracking during the fly cast. If you’re not paying attention to how your casting hand and arm are moving throughout the motion, you’ll have trouble with accuracy and making tight loops. Rajeff offers a couple of pointers and practice methods to help you get…

This week’s Tying Tuesday features three very different patterns that can come in handy at various times in spring. This month will see the first Hendrickson hatches in the East and Midwest, and Michigan’s Lance Nelson walks you through the process of creating a Tilt Wing Hendrickson Emerger. The way he creates the angled wing post—and even adds a bit of flotation—is particularly interesting. Next up, Devin Olsen shows the…

Traveling anglers come to learn that every state has its own Byzantine government website, and navigating to the page where you can purchase a fishing license can be an exercise in frustration. But you certainly don’t want to be caught on the water without the proper documentation. Luckily, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) put together a cool online tool that sends you directly to the right page for…

As a new fly-fishing season gets underway and anglers deal with windy conditions and rusty casting skills, the chances that someone is going to get hooked are perhaps higher than ever. So it’s worth offering a refresher course in how to remove a hook from human skin. In the best of all possible worlds, the hook is barbless, but even if it isn’t the process is fairly straightforward, simple, and—best…

Each year, Orvis recognizes the best of the best among the members of its Endorsed Lodges, Outfitters, and Guides (ELOG) program. The winners of these “Of the Year” Awards are chosen based on a number of criteria, the most important of which is customer feedback: the reviews from the customers who have experienced these operations are the ultimate arbiters of success. Other criteria include the operation’s environmental commitment to and…

By Rick Mikesell For 2025, Umpqua Feather Merchants has launched a complete new line of nylon tippet material, STRATOS X, designed specifically for dry-fly fishing. According to the folks at Umpqua, STRATOS X is made from a proprietary, low-density co-polymer that is 10% lighter than standard nylon, allowing it to float higher and longer than other nylon tippets. The material’s gray camo pattern is designed to minimize visibility, and its…

According to Trout Unlimited CEO and President Chris Wood, “Media reports that lawmakers are considering the sale of public lands to help pay for a budget reconciliation bill are extremely troubling.” Outdoor Life magazine reports, “Congress is reportedly considering sweeping public-land sales as part of the federal budget reconciliation process in pursuit of the Trump Administration’s goal to find $10 trillion in both revenue generation and cost savings.” Wood’s statement…