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Photo courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife A bombshell report released on January 5, 2026, by Fly Fisherman magazine, detailing new survey data from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), has sent shockwaves through the angling community. The study focuses on the Lower Blue River near Kremmling, a designated Gold Medal water, and paints a grim picture of a fishery in imbalance. According to aquatic biologist Jon Ewert, the biological makeup…

The flagship rods feature new Spiral X Core blank technology developed in Japan—photo courtesy of G. Loomis. G. Loomis has announced a complete redesign of its top-tier Asquith fly rod series, introducing new carbon construction technology and refined componentry across the lineup. The redesigned rods feature what the company calls Spiral X Core, an evolution of parent company Shimano’s proprietary carbon tape construction. The blanks are manufactured in Kumamoto, Japan,…

Dan Favato photo   Dropping Water Levels Signal Prime Season for Amazon Peacock Bass The Amazon basin is delivering exceptional peacock bass fishing as 2026 begins, with multiple lodge operations reporting what veteran guides are calling ideal “dropping water” conditions across the Rio Negro and Agua Boa watersheds. Reports from the final two weeks of December confirm that receding river levels have exposed the region’s signature golden sand beaches and…

  As the seasons shift, this week’s collection highlights the versatility required for early-season success. We begin with Davie McPhail’s masterful use of Tanuki fur, an innovative material choice for Spring Salmon flies that offers unparalleled underwater movement. For those targeting aggressive predators, the integration of internal rattles in the Rattle Pike Streamer showcases a tactical advancement in fly design, while the classic Rabbit Zonker remains an indispensable staple for…

photo by Andrew The Shift from Hero Shots to Headspace: Fly Fishing’s Mental Health Movement Gains Momentum As the fly fishing community settles into the new year, a notable shift in focus has emerged across industry publications, social media, and year-end reflections. Rather than the traditional emphasis on catch statistics and trophy photos, anglers and brands alike are increasingly highlighting the sport’s therapeutic value and its role in mental wellness….

Airflo’s 2026 Saltwater Line Gets Kudos from Fly Fisherman The Airflo Superflo Max Ridge 2.0 Clear Flats Universal was recently named Best New Saltwater Fly Line in Fly Fisherman’s 2026 Gear Guide.  The 2026 saltwater lines feature Airflo’s new Elevate Elite technology, which builds upon the Glass Sphere flotation system introduced in the company’s freshwater lines a year earlier. Rather than using traditional gassing agents—which create air bubbles in the…

photo by Andrew Late-December Weather Window Delivered Trophy Fishing Across Virginia Virginia anglers made the most of a brief warm spell in late December, with multiple reports of trophy musky, brown trout, and bass coming from waters across the state. A combination of unseasonably mild temperatures—reaching 60°F in some areas—and timely precipitation after an extended dry period created ideal conditions for targeting winter trophies. The standout catch came from Mossy…

Remember what the Madison used to look like in December and January? | photo by Reimar If you were on the water in the Rockies this December, you likely noticed something missing: ice. A record-slow start to the Western snowpack began this fall, with snow water equivalents tracking at barely 30% of average in parts of Colorado and Montana. For the weekend warrior, this has been a unexpected gift. Guide…

photo by PixelNest No 2025 wrap-up would be complete without mentioning the “Nitrile Glove Debate” that took over social media. What started as a niche winter tip for keeping hands dry has exploded into a full-blown culture war. Influencers have been posting videos landing winter steelies wearing blue surgical gloves under their wool mitts, claiming it’s the only way to maintain dexterity in freezing temps. Traditionalists call it a fashion…

Chinook salmon on their way to spawning, view from Ballard Locks in Seattle | photo by Wlodzimierz Looking back, the big story of 2025 was the miraculous recovery of the Klamath River. Following the final removal of the four lower dams (Iron Gate, Copco 1 & 2, and J.C. Boyle) late last year, 2025 became the “Year of the Return.” Reports from California Trout and the Yurok Tribal Fisheries Department…

A stunning brown trout from Iceland’s Blanda River. Photo: Earl Harper 2025 was the 15th year of publication for Hatch Magazine, and they’re taking a look back at the stories that captivated readers the most during the past year: Typically, the most read stories are a healthy mix of gear-focused coverage, tips and how-to pieces, conservation journalism, and plain old fly fishing stories. This past year was no exception with…

This week’s Tying Tuesday features four simple patterns for catching trout or bonefish this winter. We kick things off with a coll upside-down Baetis jig pattern from Travis at Bearded Trout’s Flies. I’m not sure why he called it a “balanced” fly, since it’s a basic jig nymph, but it will surely draw strikes from trout holding near the bottom. Next up is a cool blue streamer from Savage Flies,…

Here’s a cool video in which Richard Magill—from Golden Fly Shop in Golden, Colorado—takes us along on his day throwing streamers at the Dream Stream during a cold, December day. A short tailwater section of the South Platte River, the Dream Stream is a popular winter destination for Front Range anglers, and Richard shares his favorite streamer patterns, rigging choices, and overasll strategy for this time of year. The post…

Winter fly fishing is a game of patience, precision, and—most importantly—having the right bugs in your box. In this video, Curtis from Fly Fish Food in Orem, Utah, is cracking open his “Cheat Code” Winter Fly Box to reveal the 10 specific patterns that have saved his season time and time again. When the water temps drop and the trout get lethargic, you can’t just throw anything. These 10 flies…

A native brook trout from the North Maine Woods. Photo: Charles Hildick-Smith A couple weeks ago, we posted a story about some conventional anglers in Maine who are suing to gain access to waters that have been off-limits to them. In an essay in The Piscataquis Observer, well-known Maine fly fisher Al Raychard argues that such regulations are valuable tools for protecting native fish, especially brook trout: One of [the…

April Vokey—well-known steelhead angler, guide, and host of the Anchored Podcast—has published her first children’s book, The World Through Her Eyes. The book follows April and her daughter, Adelaide, as they explore fly fishing and nature from a child’s perspective. According to Vokey, her goal is to inspire the next generation of anglers to see fly fishing and the natural world through the eyes of curiosity and play. The book also features gorgeous…

 When I was at Orvis, for several years I ran a holiday campaign called “Moment of Chill,” which was a series of short videos designed to help consumers pause and de-stress from the frantic pace of the holiday season and connect to the natural world. This video from Poland’s Wkra River would have been a perfect fit, as the description of the video makes clear: Mist over the Wkra…

 Here’s a great quick lesson on fly-fishing for stripers in the surf with a two-handed rod. George Revel from Lost Coast Outfitters in San Francisco fishes the surf in real time, sharing practical tips and observations on reading water, positioning, casting in wind, fly selection, and adapting to changing surf conditions. These are lessons learned through years of fly fishing California beaches for striped bass, surf perch, and corbina.  The…

Simms waders on sale at Duranglers, in Durango, Colorado. Photo: Will Warasila for Bloomberg Businessweek Consolidation has played an increasingly important role in the fly-fishing industry over the past couple of decades—see companies such as Far Bank and Mayfly Outdoors—but interest from private-equity groups is a more recent thing. And according to an article by Andy Becker on Bloomberg.com, many fly-shop owners are unhappy about it. In fact, many shops…

Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Flickr Fly fishing show season is about to get underway! Attending one of these events is a great way to get out and involved in fly fishing, even in the dead of winter, when many of us just can’t be on the water. We’ve put together a list of consumer-focused fly fishing shows starting in January, which you can browse below. (If we missed any, let us know…