The Fiberglass Manifesto

THE CAPTAIN'S COLLECTIVE - Back to School Podcast Series

2026-08-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

While at the Fly Fishing Show in Denver earlier this year, Hunter Leavine of The Captain's Collective podcast found a quiet corner for us to have a conversation on fiberglass fly rods that has been released this week as a podcast as part of their "Back to School" series.

LISTEN HERE. This podcast can also be found on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

TOM'S TIPS - How To Organize Your Fly Boxes

2026-08-26T05:00:00.000-04:00

Do you carry this many flies for your trout fly fishing? In this episode, Tom Rosenbauer of Orvis explains how he keeps his flies organized to be ready just about anything.

See more on the Orvis YouTube channel and check out the latest gear on the Orvis website.

LIFE OF BRIAN - Episode 5: The Western Hatches Tour

2026-08-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

The "Life of Brian" adventures continue at the Skwala Lounge with Brian O'Keefe breaking down the bug hatches of the west. Who'd drop everything to road trip with Brian? I would.

Check out the latest gear on the Skwala website and follow Brian on Instagram.

FLY COUNTRY - Episode 2: Alaska

2026-08-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

The R.L. Winston Rod Company Fly Country film series continues with an adventure on the Cooper River with The Ridge Alaska. Press PLAY...

Look for future episodes of Fly County here and on the Winston YouTube channel.

FIRST LOOK - Thomas & Thomas Fly Fishing Lotic II Series

2026-08-19T06:00:00.000-04:00

There is going to be more to share on this new series soon but in the meantime, here's a heads up and a first look at the next generation of fiberglass fly rods from Thomas & Thomas with the Lotic II.

I've said it out loud before that the Lotic fly rods aren't talked about enough. I've found these fly rods to be wonderful and I have a couple Lotic II demos that I'll get on the water with soon. The 7106-3 will likely go with me to Florida next week to tangle with juvie tarpon with Captain Noah Miller.

In the meantime, here's a studio photograph of the Lotic II with information on the series below.

From the Thomas & Thomas website...

Thomas & Thomas is pleased to introduce the new Lotic II for 2026. Building on the success of the original Lotic series, the Lotic II retains the feel and performance anglers have come to expect while expanding the lineup with two new models: a 6’3” 2-weight and a 7’10” 6-weight. These additions complete the family of medium-action fiberglass fly rods, offering exceptional recovery, crisp performance, and lightweight responsiveness.

The Lotic II bridges the gap between traditional slow-action E-glass rods and full-flex graphite rods. Its steeply tapered S-glass blanks provide a lively, lightweight feel with a responsive tip, delivering tight loops, excellent line speed, and surprising power without sacrificing touch or presentation.

The progressive action of the Lotic II makes it exceptionally versatile across a wide range of fishing situations. Whether casting delicate dry flies and dry-droppers or larger poppers and streamers, the Lotic II offers the accuracy, feel, and control needed for both coldwater and warmwater applications.

The new 6’3” 2-weight is purpose-built for small-stream fishing, making it an ideal New England brook trout rod. Its compact length excels at short, precise casts in tight cover while providing ample hook-setting authority and fish-fighting capability.

At the other end of the spectrum, the new 7’10” 6-weight is equally at home targeting larger trout, smallmouth bass, and carp. With the power to throw streamers and poppers while maintaining the smooth feel that defines the Lotic II series, it is an outstanding choice for anglers seeking a versatile warmwater or larger-trout fiberglass rod.

Features:

Three-piece construction with progressive-action, bamboo-colored S-glass blanks.
Models 2-weight through 5-weight feature a half-wells cork grip with a cork spacer and silver hardware reel seat.
The 6-weight features a full-metal silver reel seat, a 7-inch full-wells grip, and a 1-inch fighting butt.
Snake Brand ECOating® snake guides wrapped with cinnamon-colored thread.
Silver hook keeper on all models.

Visit the Thomas & Thomas Fly Fishing website for more information and cast one of these (or all of them) at your local dealer soon.

What is Orvis Adventures? Introducing The Season That Never Ends

2026-08-19T05:00:00.000-04:00

A new video series is rolling out from Orvis Adventures, which will highlight their network of guides, lodges, schools, and trips the world over. Press PLAY...|

Look for upcoming episodes here or on the Orvis YouTube channel.

FLAT CREEK RODS - The 15th Anniversary Fly Rod Series Grows

2026-08-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

You might remember the announcement from Flat Creek Rods last month on the 15th Anniversary series of fly rods that began with a yellow glass 7' 3-weight that is now being followed by these five 7'9" 4-weight builds.

This series of fly rods have a notable pedigree as they are being rolled by Mike McFarland of McFarland Rod Company and then thoughtfully built out by rod maker Ben Casarez to his exact specifications.

Next after this will be a 5-weight from the 15th Anniversary series that will be announced soon.

Ben wrote... "The 15th Anniversary series continues with the 7'9" 4-weight in three pieces and this taper that was developed in 2017 with longtime friend Dave Pyle and Mike McFarland. This custom taper delivers a full‑flexing, moderate action with a firm butt section that will cast dries but also nymphs and streamers.

After two successful limited runs, it returns as part of the anniversary series. These builds feature a translucent brown blank, Snake Brand guides, Struble agate stripper, red and black silk wraps, 6” Fenwick reverse half‑wells flor grip, shop‑turned alligator juniper or padauk wood insert, and Lemke LC7 down‑locking (NOS) hardware. One rod will feature a Lemke LC14 slide‑band (NOS) seat with a cork insert. Each build includes a custom rod sock and tube. This series of 4-weight fly rods is limited to five builds."

And, if you're looking for something just a little different, Ben is offering a slide band version of his 3-weight and 4-weight 15th Anniversary series fly rods. See more in this Instagram post.

Learn more on the Flat Creek Rods website and follow along with the latest shop news and announcements on Facebook and Instagram.

A STROLL WITH SLED: JULY

2026-08-17T05:00:00.000-04:00

In just a couple months from now, we're all going to be thinking back to our own summer evenings like this of big bugs, fish, and friends, wishing we could do it again. We can. Next summer...

Visit the Schultz Outfitters website, maybe book a trip, and click subscribe to the YouTube channel.

C. BARCLAY FLY ROD CO. - Notes from a Colorado Road Trip

2026-08-13T06:00:00.000-04:00

When I stopped in to visit Chris Barclay of C. Barclay Fly Rod Company at his shop in Winston-Salem earlier this year (T.F.M. post), we talked about the summer road trip that he and his wife were planning to Colorado to look for a few new small streams and dry fly sipping trout. It sounded like fun.

Plans made, miles traveled, trout caught, truck camping, friends found, and more in Chris's latest Smallwater blog post detailing he and Kristen's adventure west in his wonderful storytelling style.

Visit the C. Barclay Fly Rod Co. website, don't sleep on his Smallwater blog updates, and follow along with the latest shop news on Facebook and Instagram.

Need more? Consider joining the C. Barclay Fly Rod Co. Enthusiasts Group on Facebook, too.

WAYPOINTS PODCAST - Tom McGuane on Writing Water

2026-08-13T05:00:00.000-04:00

I spend a lot of time listening to podcasts and this two-part series from Waypoints with Jim Klug with legendary author Tom McGuane are so worth your time.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or on the website in the links below.

Give each of these podcast episodes a listen by clicking on the link below...

PART ONE: WRITING WATER

PART TWO: WRITING WATER

Extra credit? McGuane followed these two podcasts with another on the Wet Fly Swing podcast.

CROOKED CREEK HOLLER X TOPO DESIGNS X PINE PRINTSHOP

2026-08-10T06:00:00.000-04:00

I'm a few days late from sharing the latest Crooked Creek Holler collaboration with Topo Designs and Pine Printshop but there's still a few pieces to snag online.

It's fun to see your friends do cool things and when Danny Reed of Crooked Creek Holler tipped me off that this collaboration was coming, I knew that the collection would go quickly. And, several of the piece are gone. Hopefully, this won't be a one time collaboration...

Danny Reed of Crooked Creek Holler wrote...

"In 2012 I bought my first Topo Designs bag. It was a brown old school camouflage duffle. I quickly went back and bought a dopp kit to match it. I still use both of those bags today. It’s a testament to quality and style. I’ve traveled all over the world and they have stood the test of time, with no sign of decay.

When my business partner, Garrett, presented the idea of a possible collaboration, I was surprised and excited. I quickly started thinking of ideas that might represent us both as American outdoor brands. I was pulled to create images that made me think of Colorado, my time fishing there, and the duality of wild fish in beautiful places and urban angling in the most common. That helped me land on the Cutthroat Trout and Common Carp. Two very different fish that share very little outside of having fins. But that’s what’s fun about fishing, the diversity of the catch, and where the bite takes you.

For good measure, I brought in the brook trout and bass to round out the capsule, and make sure there was a little something for everyone. I hope you enjoy these goods as much as we enjoyed creating them, for it was truly a labor of love."

This collaboration is available on both the Crooked Creek Holler and Topo Designs websites. Where it might be out of stock on one, it could be in stock on the other. Get yours before it's all gone.

TIGHT LOOPS: Two in the North - Episode 01

2026-08-10T05:00:00.000-04:00

I don't know if there is anyone else doing it better than Chase and Aimee of Tight Loops. And, the "IT" is filmography, storytelling, artwork, editing, adventures, and more...like birdwatching making the cut in several of their latest films. I'm here for all of it.

Their latest film series, 'Two in the North" takes them to Alaska. I already know it's going to be good.

Check out the Tight Loops website, follow their YouTube channel, and Facebook and Instagram.

THE BOREALIST - Perhaps, Slow is Indeed the New Fast

2026-08-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

Blaine Peetso of The Borealist gets it right and his Instagram captures moments with perfection. No filters. Typically just a few word caption or prose. Sport. Dogs. Food. Wine. The images speak.

His post this week featured his Scott Fibertouch and everything else that makes for a good day. I asked if could share here, to which he obliged. Enjoy...

Peetso wrote... "Perhaps, slow is the new fast. Probably, always has been."

Bookmark The Borealist and follow Peetso on Instagram, too.

Casting Lessons with George Revel - The Double Haul

2026-08-05T05:00:00.000-04:00

Lost Coast Outfitters and Loon Outdoors are back with their casting lesson series with George Revel with this video focused on teaching you how to double-haul. Press PLAY and take notes...

A dozen years ago, George and I spent a morning together at the G.G.A.C.C. and this film is a wonderful memory to reflect on. Visit the T.F.M. post if you haven't seen it already.

I'll continue sharing these videos as they are released but find more goodness on the YouTube channels of both Loon Outdoors and Lost Coast Outfitters.

VEDAVOO - Your Favorite Patch on Your New Favorite Gear

2026-08-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

I can't be the only one who has a bag full of patches that I've collected over the years and instead of them just living in a drawer or gear box, I've started sending them to Scott Hunter at Vedavoo to be given new life on a piece of gear, typically on a No-Kink Reel Cover or Fly Wallet.

Recently I wanted to send along a thank you gift to Chase at Oak & Oscar and sent Scott a patch that I had in my stash. It fit perfectly on a No-Kink Reel Cover made of waxed twill fabric. Scott took some step-by-step photographs of this piece of gear coming together that I figured would be insightful to share here.

Interested in having a few of your favorite patches sewn on custom made Vedavoo gear? Reach out to Scott through the contact page to get the conversation started.

POSTSCRIPT... Now through Tuesday, August 11, 2026, use code "GLASSMASTER" for 50% off the patch mail in service.

FISH HOUSES - The Tarpon Palace with Brett Martina

2026-08-03T05:00:00.000-04:00

Tarpon Week might be over but still check out Captain Brett Martina's "Fish House". Press PLAY...

If you missed Andy Mill's episode, circle back to this T.F.M. post from last year.

SCHULTZ OUTFITTERS - Senyo Tying the Shadow Hex

2026-08-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

Senyo at Schultz Outfitters with another good one to have in your Midwest fly box this time of year.

Check out the Schultz Outfitters website and subscribe to their YouTube channel. And, stop by the Greg Senyo Fly Tying website for flies, grab a copy of his book, and more.

HOWLER BROTHERS - Privateers Dispatch - Weeks 5 & 6

2026-08-02T05:00:00.000-04:00

The Howler Brothers Privateers are back with their latest dispatch that takes them to the Grand Canyon, New Mexico to Arkansas, Nashville to New Jersey, and back home for a stop in the Lowcountry.

Check out the Privateers Dispatch of their last several weeks on the road and make sure you're following along with their latest exploits on Instagram and TikTok.

SMITHEY - Everyone Travels with a Favorite Cast Iron Skillet, Right?

2026-08-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking about Alaska a lot this week since our daughter is up there visiting friends before she heads back to college later this month. During Hadley's week and a half visit, she's spending time at some of the same places that we visited together a couple of years ago as she winding up a year of living in Palmer. Before Hadley packed up to come home, my wife flew up to spend a week with her, camping and hiking all over, and then I flew up to spend a week where we spent time in Homer fishing with friends (Part 1 and Part 2), floated the Kenai River with Outgoing Angling, and then off to Seward for hiking and exploring. We came home with a 50 pound fish box and so many memories. Alaska is tough to beat even though I feel like we saw just a small fraction of it over the week that I was there.

Of my wife's handful of superpowers, finding top tier campsites and Airbnb spots is her forte. For Hadley and my trip, she arranged a wonderful dry cabin outside of Homer and a small yurt in Seward for our stays. Knowing that over the two weeks of travel with Hadley that we'd be cooking for ourselves quite a bit, my wife flew to Alaska with our Smithey No. 8 Chef Skillet and then I brought it back at the end of my trip. As Hadley was packing provisions for our week on the road, she grabbed a dozen local eggs, rhubarb jam from a roadside stand, and a loaf of sourdough bread that we made toast, breakfast sandwiches, and grilled cheese with.

As much as I enjoy Airbnb's, they typically have dreadful cookware, knives, and kitchen tools. Having our own cast iron skillet and slotted spatula made camp and kitchen meals so easy and I can't imagine a trip like this where we won't travel with at least one (if not several) of our favorite pans and kitchen tools. In fact, I'm working on a custom knife/tool roll that will have everything from knives, spatula, tongs, digital meat thermometer, wood cook spoon, and more, just to be fully prepared.

Here's a few snaps from the cabin, kitchen, yurt camp, and on our forest to ocean hike. Everything tasted as good as it looks and I can't wait to get back someday.

We cook almost exclusively with Smithey pans and the quality cannot be beat. The four pans that everyone should own include the No. 8 Chef Skillet, No. 10 Skillet, Carbon Steel Farmhouse Skillet, and one of the Dutch Ovens. That covers all the bases and though these fall squarely into the category of "Buy Once, Cry Once" each will be passed down to your children (and their children) with proper care.

What kitchen gear can't you live without on a trip? Let me know with an email.

BOB WHITE STUDIO - On Painting Bristol Bay

2026-08-01T05:00:00.000-04:00

Artist Bob White is a favorite online follow and when he posted this group of images of recent paintings that he completed during several weeks in Bristol Bay, Alaska earlier this year, I figured sharing them would be a nice way for the T.F.M. readership to ease into the weekend.

Slow scroll and enjoy. I know that I did...

Bob wrote... "After 42 seasons, Alaska has a very special place in my heart and soul. Every spring, I'm fortunate enough to travel there and spend a couple of weeks painting. This year I painted at both Bristol Bay and Tikchik Narrows Lodge, and over the course of my stay, completed five 24 x 20 inch panels and finished three others started the year before.

Additionally, I'll spend another week this fall at Royal Coachman Lodge, painting what I love most. So, more to come!

Enjoy the work, and if you're interested in the original artwork or fine art prints... give me a shout!"

Visit the Bob White Studio website for more and follow along with the latest travel and studio news on Facebook and Instagram.

J.P. ROSS FLY RODS & CO. - A "Love Letter" of Sorts

2026-07-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

It's hard for me to believe that T.F.M. has been around for almost eighteen years. When I think back to the beginnings of the Fiberglass Fly Rod Makers page, there was maybe a dozen or so builders, blank makers, and fly rod companies who worked with fiberglass. JP Ross Fly Rods & Company was on the list then, and remains so now as it features over 100 builders from all over the world.

Through all those years, Jordan, aka JP, has been a great supporter of what happens here, got a lot out of me on his podcast, continues to innovate with new glass tapers and fly rod series, a focus on conservation, and surrounds himself with artisans that both elevate his work while he exposes others to their talents.

A few weeks back, JP posted something on his social media pages that I felt deserved a share here. He wrote this right before a demo if his latest fiberglass fly rod, the 8' 8-weight Phat Glass, arrived on my doorstep to take with me to Beaver Island.

JP, thank you for the kind words and support through all the years. Thanks for everything.

"Dear The Fiberglass Manifesto,

From my research it looks like you made your first post on T.F.M. in 2008. I believe we started to chat around 2010, and by 2012 I was a regular advertiser and we have been pals ever since. We have come a long way. I remember one of the first rods we made was the Eagle Creek Special, a blank made by Mcfarland Rod Company. Shortly after that we released our first totally designed glass rod called the MUIR. It was a 7 foot 3-weight 5-piece and is still in production today.

I got news from you that you are going on a trip, and that trip sounds like a place that our new Phat Glass could be a great tool for you. I shipped you this rod on Thursday. Tracking looks like it should get to you Monday. Hopefully just in time. This is an early prototype Phat Glass made right before we went to full production. I made this rod for myself and put on a J.S. Kimball smallmouth bass reel seat. I was also playing with ideas to either rib or sand the blank and have chosen to leave the blanks sanded and gloss.

You may notice the rod is a little dirty, and that is because Panfish On The Fly just got done using this rod in Maine.

I hope you enjoy the rod, and perhaps decide to get one for yourself. Enjoy your trip and thank you Cameron for all the memories and support thru the years."

And, enjoy the trip to Beaver Island I did. There will be more on this trip soon with a full pictorial post but I took one morning to walk into a area off Garden Island with the Phat Glass to tangle with a few smallmouth bass who couldn't say no to a white Kraft's Baitfish. The dart and stop retrieve of the fly was met with a pounce and pull of a few strong willed smallmouth. A fun way to start a morning and perfect place to put the smallmouth themed Phat Glass through its paces.

I have a known soft spot for short 8-weights and this has quickly come to be a favorite. So much so, JP Ross is working on a carp themed Phat Glass build that I'll soon call my own. More on that later but in the meantime know that this progressive 8-weight taper is wonderful and its evident the time and design work that JP put into this taper. While it may be a departure from the "trout weight" blanks he's designed in the past, he's proud of his work and should be.

Visit the JP Ross Fly Rods & Company website, check out the new Phat Glass fly rod, and keep up with the latest shop news on Facebook and Instagram.

FLY COUNTRY - Episode 1: Montana

2026-07-29T05:00:00.000-04:00

The R.L. Winston Rod Company Fly Country series continues with a visit to Twin Bridges, Montana.

Look for future episodes of Fly County here and on the Winston YouTube channel.

A Float with Favorite Folks

2026-07-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

These early summer trips back home to Michigan for a week (or even two) have been a tradition now for twenty-something years. Ten years ago, Danny Reed of Crooked Creek Holler came over to Beaver Island with me and now time in Michigan has become an annual ritual for him as well. As our trips were nearing, we compared notes of where we'd be and when and realized that he had a float planned with Captain Steve Martinez of STM Outfitters on the Muskegon River on a day that I didn't have anything planned. I may have invited myself along to balance out the drift boat by taking the backseat but couldn't help it as Danny and Steve fall high on the list of "Favorite Folks" to spend time on the water with.

Steve has made a few changes to his life and guide program choosing to stick closer to home. He's taken over the family farm, opened a roadside stand, baking breads with his mom, plays in a band once or twice a week, and limiting his guiding to a handful of local rivers. After years of months away guiding for days on end on Beaver Island and in the Louisiana marsh, he's prioritizing himself and his family.

Twenty-something year old me would be scratching my head. Fifty-something year old me gets it.

I pulled into Newaygo to find that Danny and Steve were waiting on me. I ran through a quick checklist of fly rods and gear to move over to Steve's drift boat and we were off to the river. I wouldn't say that fishing was lights out but we caught a few smallmouth and a pike, talked shit and had some laughs, enjoyed a top shelf on the river lunch, and were off the water by mid-afternoon.

A highlight for the day was casting towards the bank, upstream of a downed tree, and watched as a hefty smallmouth emerged from the pile to rise up to the fly, inspecting it, and then soft slurped it in. It all worked out like it was supposed to.

Here's a few snaps from the day...

I don't think there is a more "fishy" guide than Captain Steve Martinez. I've caught my largest lake run rainbow trout, carp, smallmouth, black drum, and redfish with him and cherish all the years that we've fished together. He invited me over to fish with him on Beaver Island in 2011, and that sparked a friendship with us fishing together a few days to a couple of weeks each year. If you want to catch smallmouth, salmon, steelhead, or trout on the west side of the state, he's the one. His website is down right now but he's easy to reach through Facebook or Instagram.

Support Danny by checking out Crooked Creek Holler and scheduling a session at Hot Stuff Tattoo.

Thanks boys for the stellar time. I'm always happy to take the backseat.

BUFFET SERIES - Spring is for Fly Fishing

2026-07-22T05:00:00.000-04:00

Gilbert Rowley's Buffet Series continues with a flashback to what winter easing into spring looks like.

Follow Gilbert Rowley on Instagram and subscribe to his YouTube channel.

THE MISSION - Issue 58

2026-07-19T06:00:00.000-04:00

The latest issue of The Mission is live and ready for a Sunday morning flip through over coffee...

CHECK IT.