The Fiberglass Manifesto

In a Ford Escort Down By the River...

2026-05-03T06:00:00.004-04:00

I came across this photograph the other day and a flood of memories came back of being a twenty-something rambling around northern Michigan on solo fly fishing and camping trips in a less than reliable Ford Escort. I was a poor college kid with a couple of part-time jobs, not doing too great in classes, and when I read my journal from back then, I couldn't have been happier.

On this trip, I had spent a few late summer days camping outside of Grayling, and this photo was taken on the South Branch of the Au Sable River from a sandy pull-off on the Mason Tract. This was long before digital cameras or mobile phones with a camera. I had a pager, which should put into perspective of where in the digital age we were back then. We barely had the internet. To get this image, I had to set up a tripod that I traveled with to my film camera, and used the timer to capture this still life of sorts. One film capture and I hoped that I got it right.

The two page journal entry that I penciled from this trip was dated September 7, 1996, and it had been an overcast day and though I had seen fish rising, I caught one smallish brook trout. That didn't stop me from casting a small hopper or caddis flies into likely places on the river throughout the afternoon.

A few gear items that I wish that I still had from this photograph are my first "expensive" fly rod with the two-piece Orvis Rocky Mountain 8'6" 5-weight fly rod, which was paired with a Battenkill Disc 5/6 fly reel. The entire outfit might have cost me $400, but that was months of me saving for it back then. It's tough to see but on the hood of the car is a Wood River Sidekick gear bag that was just big enough for everything that needed on the river. I believe I ordered it from one of print fly shop catalogs, maybe Kaufman's Streamborn? And, as I noted at the end of my journal entry from this day, I had purchased the Filson Tin Cloth Packer Hat from Ray's Fly Shop in downtown Grayling on this trip and felt like it "completed" my look as a fly fisherman. That is a smart looking fly fishing guy in that photograph...

I kept a hardbound handwritten journal from 1995 until 2000. I started to be active on a handful of online fly fishing forums which replaced journaling with online posts (now mostly long gone) and since 2008, I have used The Fiberglass Manifesto as an online dispatch of sorts. There's a list of advantages in keeping a fly fishing history on T.F.M. with photographs and hyperlinks but it still doesn't replace the notes made by pencil or pen. I should get back to carrying a trip journal again. They are a lot of fun to look back on and I'd like to get back to the places that I used to frequent in the 1990's. I'd find these places with paper maps, notes on napkins or scratch paper, or directions from a guy at the fly shop. I got lost more times than not, but always found my way back to the campsite.

PATAGONIA - Tying the Pheasant Tail Trico Spinner

2026-05-03T05:00:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite books from last year was Pheasant Tail Simplicity and the trio of Yvon Chouinard, Craig Mathews, and Mauro Mazzo teamed up again for this Patagonia paperback which is full of stories, techniques, and fly tying recipes with step-by-step instructions.

Order your copy of Pheasant Tail Simplicity on the Patagonia website or pick one up at your local book store or fly shop.

Want to jump ahead and watch other Pheasant Tail Simplicity videos? You can find them on the Patagonia YouTube channel.

TIEMCO - Fenwick is Just Teasing Us Now...

2026-04-30T06:00:00.001-04:00

Yesterday this image popped up on the Tiemco Instagram page and while I try to run down some additional information to share on the latest generation of Fenwick Yellow Glass, you can visit the Tiemco website to sort out some of the basic information.

This 5th generation of the Fenwick Yellow Glass, available in Japan, has five fly rods in the collection from a 6'6" 3-weight to a 7'3" 5-weight. All of the line weights and lengths look very interesting to me and when doing a YEN to USD conversion, they are priced at $300 or less. Getting one stateside might take some doing but would be worth the trouble if they cast anything like previous generations.

If you get into the "wayback machine" you'd find an early T.F.M. dispatch where I took a Japanese Fenwick Yellow Glass pack rod to Wyoming and caught a banger Bonneville Cutthroat on a dry fly. I guess sepia tone filters were the rage in 2008 and I should try to hunt down the originals from that trip on a long lost external drive. That fish really started it all here almost 18 years ago. Crazy.

Visit the Tiemco website for more info on this yellow glass collection. Which one(s) would you order?

UMPQUA - The SWIFTLINK Pack Collection

2026-04-30T05:00:00.000-04:00

As a follow-up (with one more in the works) to the news release from Umpqua Feather Merchants on their new SWIFTLINK Packs and LINK Magnetic Accessories, Russ Miller breaks down the entire pack lineup in this video. If you're considering a new pack this spring, these are worth a look.

Visit the Umpqua website to check out the SWIFTLINK Packs and LINK Magnetic Accessories lineup.

ORVIS FLY-FISHING PODCAST - Simon Perkins on a Return to Roots

2026-04-28T06:00:00.001-04:00

I listen to a lot of podcasts and the recent Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast with Tom Rosenbauer where he spent studio time with Orvis President Simon Perkins reflecting on the changes to the company over the last several years with restructuring and store closures but also highlighting their commitment to long-term family ownership, continued focus on conservation, and enhancing in-person experiences through their stores, partner fly shops, and events. There is also a push for Orvis to "return to their roots' with gear and apparel centered on the pursuits of fly fishing and wingshooting.

It'll be interesting what the next several years hold for Orvis. There has been a lot of transition with longstanding Orvis employees, quite a few who I consider friends, leaving the company. What does a leaner, smaller footprint with less stores, and more singularly focused Orvis look like? Time will tell.

Listen to the Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast for this interview and visit the Orvis website for their latest offerings. I still think that for an off the rack fiberglass fly rod that the Superfine Glass is tough to beat.

FULLING MILL - Trout Fishing with Tom Rosenbauer

2026-04-28T05:00:00.001-04:00

Today's posts are a double dose of Tom Rosenbauer but there are few in fly fishing who I think are more interesting to spend time with on the water with, both from an opportunity to learn and Tom just likes to have fun. Sometimes we all forget what fly fishing is supposed to be. Be more like Tom.

I can't be the only one who's impressed with the films that Fulling Mill has been rolling out lately. Subscribe to their YouTube channel and give their flies and fly tying gear a look on their website.

SWINKFLY - Glass Year

2026-04-27T06:00:00.004-04:00

Late last year, Seth Winkleman, aka Swinkfly on Instagram, sent me a trippy and somewhat rambling write-up of his experiences with his Epic FastGlass 888 fly rod that he built from the kit. I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to put this post together but this was a fun one to push "publish" on this morning.

Have a good time reading this and blame Seth if you finally pull the trigger on your own Epic 888.

Seth Winkelman wrote...

The Epic 888 has filled a void, a hole, a gap (mind the gap) in the arsenal, it has made me complete (I want to already wander here, I want to delve into some psychological exploration of how I am lacking. A ‘void’, what happened in your childhood?). Is how I would explain my "need" to someone who suggested it was just a "want"? Need (needs, actual necessities, maybe a side note on Maslow’s Hierarchy...and we would never find our way back) or not I’m pretty tight (just a quick tangent into personal finances, which would disintegrate into a corrupt system, the rich getting richer rant, or a tasteless joke that loses half one’s audience, three-fourths, ninety percent, the world has gotten pretty sensitive. Who is this humorless audience that can’t see there is no malice in the sentiment? Who is the audience, why am I writing this drivel?) and thus I had procrastinated what I assumed was inevitable, may have even placed it in the cart a few times and then exited out (capitalism the American cult(ure), and we are lost). If I were still drinking (a rabbit hole of personal anecdotes) an uninhibited impulse would have more quickly prompted it’s arrival (and a $150 import tax would have been dodged, no politics at the breakfast table...the lost opportunity to prove my ignorance, naivety and general indifference), but as it is my lady (What makes for a good partner? I’m more of an ass than a tits man) splurged on my behalf in celebration of my aging (Aging...mortality...death...of a man...of a species; are we destined for extinction?).

Is AI the evolution of man...holy hell how did I get trapped in this can with all these worms...the ellipsis is my favorite punctuation because it suggests there is more without defining what more is (all my most profound thoughts are hidden in ellipsis), but is it inaccurate in structure? Maybe those sequential periods should be in the round, rather than a straight line, as much of life is(or should the period turn into a semicolon at some point, then transform into an exclamation point (point, is there one?) parentheses within parentheses, has this become a mathematical equation, writing should not be structured as such, said who? And who am I to listen to them?)...or just periods randomly pin balling about...entropy in action...and then inevitably settling to the bottom of the page, layers upon layers of sedimentary thoughts.

If the above paragraph (If that is what it is? Clearly a public school education.) had a soundtrack it would be layered, undertones of blaring code-3 sirens, a duet of the neighbors miniature furry yappers futilely threatening the taunting chattering tree rats, only to be out done by their owner’s more fervent menthol scorched screeches for auditory peace, a constant sputtering drone of lawn equipment, a chainsaw chewing through a hundred year old oak the pinnacle of this equipment, the neighbor does not like the acorns and in it’s shade she cannot get the grass to grow, she waters and she waters through this never ending drought, but still it will not grow, so the tree must go, and the rivers run dry, but she will have a lawn to mow, and the crescendo: some mindless douche bleating ‘Let’s go!’ for unknown reasons, it’s just something they do, and another echoes ‘Let’s go!’ and then the herd all erupt in not synchronized unison ‘Let’s go!’...and I wish they would go.

The rod arrived. I built it in two days. There were small frustrations in failed wraps, a sore back from such sustained sitting, there was satisfaction in finishing, and an acceptance that the cheaters were now a necessity . Clean and simple aesthetics, no frills, function over form, utilitarian tastes; a few errant bubbles in the epoxy.

NOTES FROM THE FISHING LOG:
Road trips are good for the soul, a change of scenery to change your frame of mind. This was never the intent, but how could I just let the new stick lie there unused. The fly had been a daydream, spun up the previous year for this same water where we had gone fishless over two days with one brief encounter of a hard hit, a big head shake and a limp line, leaving a hollow feeling in my gut.

DAY ONE:
A long drive, stopping only for refueling and biological offloading. A caffeine infused morning, black, no cream, no sugar for me and frothy whipped flavors and sprinkles riding shotgun. Overnight oats swirled with organic peanut butter, honey and cottage cheese speckled by Chia seeds topped with fresh fruit and maple pecan granola for brunch, brunch just being the re-marketing of AM alcoholism by "Big Booze", and while breakfast beers were once the norm on fishing trips this mimosa-free meal was just healthy goodness, fiber filled fodder for picture worthy turds, we can just call this a late breakfast, which made for a late lunch of non-GMO, grass fed, hormone free hipster meat sticks, non-sulfured dried mango and smoothies: spinach, banana, cauliflower rice, frozen blueberries, collagen powder, yogurt, coconut water and tangerine juice, and an all raw, minimally processed ingredient, preservative free bar with the proper calorie to protein ratio. Snacks along the way of dark chocolate covered almonds and almond butter filled pretzels rinsed down with an overpriced powdered greens concoction spiked with creatine and sugar free electrolyte blends, sure to solve all of life’s problems...she tries to keep me healthy, always pestering to hydrate. Eleven hours of not so awe inspiring scenery and we made camp, pitched the tent and straight to the ramp for some happy hour casting. It was a beautiful sunset, you need clouds for a good sunset, suspended water to refract and reflect the light, bent rays rained down on us as we tried to find the pace, slip into a slower rhythm, and then it was dark, and no fish had been caught. Then when it was dark enough, the light came back scattered across the sky, and when one speck of light fell and burned out, I wished for Meg’s first Tiger, she calls them a ‘Mike’, figure it out.

DAY TWO:
We were up early, I was up early, making coffee and stringing up the new rod as it had not made it’s debut the previous evening. Today was the day undergunned or not. Fingerless wool glove kind of a morning as the sun peaked over the horizon. We fished hard or at least consistently until lunch, took a break and hiked into a tight canyon along a clear creek to stretch the legs and then we were back on the boat. Blind casting is meditative, each cast a hope stretched out across the water, each strip filled with anticipation. It’s not completely thoughtless, but it focuses the mind on the task at hand and pushes away the clutter...for me. I’m not thinking about the rest of life. Daniel Stark’s ‘Short N Sweet’ would be a nice soundtrack to casting the 888, until a twisted memory filled line doesn’t clear and catches itself up in a physics defying knotted mess, record scratches. So we continued our meditating on wind blown points, off steep rock rubble strewn shores and in shallow flat nondescript bays and we continued to catch no fish. Our only positive reinforcement were the occasional massive boils of a bumped fish vacating it’s lie or the more frustrating tendency of quite a few fish alligatoring across the surface eyes completely out of the water for unknown to me reasons, but I assumed they were mocking us. Fished through another sunset, a fishless full day. Stargazing cut short and crashed hard after a rehydrated dehydrated dinner slathered in our most recent hot sauce of choice, the combination, fifty-fifty of Melinda’s Black Truffle and Fire Roasted Garlic and Habanero, followed by a shared Take-5, our diet already falling apart on only the second day. The previous year sitting side by side staring up at the same sky we had both been hesitant to ask the other if they had just witnessed what seemed an obvious UFO, Meg had even been moved to quickly get a pic, a decent pic for an iPhone snap, proof...turns out it was just Starlink.

DAY THREE:
Slept in a little as a full day skunking had dampened our enthusiasm. I may not know what I am doing, but I do it persistently, just keep casting. Set a last cast time as we had a drive ahead of us. Developed a theory as to why we should spend our limited time in just one particular area, there is always a theory. Lots of appreciators of glass will say it is all about the feel, and its not just the feel in the cast, or the giggle inducing deep bends of the fight, but the feel of an impact, an aggressive impact of fish and fly that you can feel reverberating through the rod. With just forty-five minutes left on the clock before departure I felt that jolt that immediately quickened my heart rate. Two long hard strips felt solid and I slowly raised the rod into a deep bend as the fish’s head cleared the water violently shaking to unbutton itself, a run to deep water straight under the boat and the fish had taken more line than I would have liked, but I had it boat side reasonably quick and the glass absorbed the close quarters powerful surges as Meg made a few errant stabs and I may have excitedly raised my voice to coach her. Then it was in the net, a super clean healthy specimen, the fly deep in its maul came out easy. I realized I was breathless, had I been holding my breath? First fish on the new 888 was a stunner. As Meg snapped a couple pics I realized I wished the roles were reversed, I wished she had caught that fish. I reeled in, sat back content and ran the trolling motor. With fifteen minutes to go her stripping was interrupted and she said, ‘I think I bumped a rock.’ Rhetorically I asked, ‘How many rocks have you bumped in the past two days’, knowing the answer to be zero. Strip, strip..bang and she was tight and was hitting the fish hard with her line hand. During the previous days doldrums I had tried to impart whatever limited knowledge I had, don’t trout set and fight them hard, don’t give them line and shorten the fight as they are prone to come unpinned. I told her to fight them like our buddy that boat flips five pound redfish, and now as she dug her feet in and refused to let the greyhounding fish have any slack I was afraid maybe she was overdoing it, but the fish was getting enough traction to run her around the boat a couple times and dig deep the best it could between head shakes before hitting the net still furious...a deep sigh, had I forgotten to breath again. Even though that may have been the bite window opening up, no more casts were made; we were both smiling and it was time to go.

–-That first bit is why I fish, because on the water my mind is calmer, there is a focused purpose. It’s not an automatic switch but it will drown out the noise and dissolve the distractions.

Follow Seth on Instagram. It's worth it. He and Meg are always on some wild adventure.

Side note, who else thinks it would be fun to get Seth and Matt from Fishbeer together for a trip?

You can have an Epic Fly Rods FastGlass 888 all your own with just getting an Epic 888 Blank, or the 888 FastGlass Fly Rod Building Kit, or splurge on the Reference 888 FastGlass Fly Rod.

PATAGONIA - Tying the Pheasant Tail X Caddis

2026-04-27T05:00:00.000-04:00

UMPQUA - SWIFTLINK Packs & LINK Magnetic Accessories

2026-04-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

This past week, Umpqua Feather Merchants rolled out four new SWIFTLINK Packs complete with a full collection of LINK Magnetic Accessories. There is a lot of innovation packed into these packs and accessory items and I hope to get hands on the Steamboat Sling Pack with a few accessories soon.

Press PLAY on the video and check out the news release below...

From the Umpqua presser...

Umpqua Feather Merchants, a leading name in fly fishing, is excited to launch our latest innovative fly fishing accessories and packs. SWIFTLINK™ is a best-in-class pack collection. With LINK™ magnetic accessories, it becomes a personalized, on-the-water system unlike anything else. LINK™ is more than just an accessory collection—it’s a modular ecosystem designed to change the way you fish.

Where Function Meets Flow.
SWIFTLINK™ is built to match the way anglers fish – efficiently, stylish, and without compromise. Born from five generations of Umpqua pack innovation, SWIFTLINK™ is our most purpose-driven carry system to date. With built-in LINK™ magnetic ports, dialed storage layouts, and a range of carry styles, these packs give anglers total control and limitless customization on the water. Every SWIFTLINK™ pack comes with a LINK™ Base Station and a Magnetic Hatch Pad.

With four proven silhouettes, Umpqua has built options for every kind of angler on the water.

The workhorse Ledges Waist Pack is over-built to satisfy the needs of the most hard-core guides and anglers alike. A true beast-of-burden, the Ledges has three full-length, zippered pockets with tons of capacity and organization.

The Overlook Chest Pack is the ultimate chest pack for anglers. Designed for anglers who demand high carry, instant access, and all-day comfort, the Overlook offers an uncompromising blend of freedom and functionality.

Our Steamboat Sling Pack is ideal for those who enjoy having high-capacity storage but free line-of-sight and range-of-motion up front. Perfect for spey and switch anglers. A main compartment that holds six large boxes and secondary for smaller boxes and organization.

And the ThunderCreek Chest Pack is the perfect balance of necessity and functionality. A main compartment that holds six large boxes and a flat back panel with zippered pocket and net slot handle all the necessities.

Magnetic. Modular. Made To Move With You.
LINK™ is more than just an accessory collection—it’s a modular ecosystem designed to change the way you fish. Built around a proprietary magnetic baseplate and interface, LINK™ gives anglers fast, secure, and customizable access to their essential tools and accessories.

Whether you're on a drift boat deep in the backcountry, or sneaking in a quick session close to
home, LINK™ keeps your gear right where you need it—without clutter or tangles. Every
component is engineered for on-water efficiency and clean, adaptable carry, allowing you to
streamline your kit and stay focused on what matters: the fishing.

Visit the Umpqua website to check out the entire SWIFTLINK Packs and LINK Magnetic Accessories lineup. Which one would be the right fit for you?

BUFFET SERIES - Golden Dorado and Other Jungle Secrets

2026-04-26T05:00:00.001-04:00

Season two of filmmaker Gilbert Rowley's Buffet Series continues with a trip deep into the jungle for Golden Dorado. Press PLAY and escape for a few minutes...

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

JP ROSS FLY RODS & CO. - Toad S-Glass "Panfish on the Fly" Edition

2026-04-25T06:00:00.001-04:00

We have the doors open to our porch this morning as I am writing this post and birds of all sorts are singing in the trees. My Merlin app is having a hard time keeping up with the sound identifications of them all. Spring is certainly here and that puts my mind on bluegills and bass slurping foam flies off the surface of our family pond. Time to get the kayaks cleaned up and a gear bag sorted with all the warmwater fly boxes and gear needs.

I don't know if there is a more perfect fly rod for this kind of fly fishing than the "Panfish on the Fly" edition of the JP Ross Fly Rods & Co. Toad S-Glass. This 7'7" 4-weight in four pieces, complete with bluegill inspired artwork on the blank, reel seat, butt cap, and fly rod tube cap by artist Jeff Kimball really sets it apart.

I want one and if you're a #yearofthebluegill fan, I bet that you do, too.

JP Ross wrote... "This rod design was created by our friend Bart Lombardo of "Panfish on the Fly"

During a winter fly fishing show I met Bart and he discussed with us his needs for the best panfish fly rod. He wanted glass, but he wanted a rod that also was stout enough for his type of fishing and casting. We gave him some rods to try at the casting pond and when he came back from casting our TOAD he said; "This is the one." And so began the journey of collaborating with him and artist Jeff Kimball to create what you see here.

The rod comes standard with Jeff Kimball Art on the reel seat, but other options exist. For Bart, he gave us a photo of the exact fish he wanted on the reel seat, and Jeff Kimball created it for him.

Standard grip is the tapered half wells, but we can add anything you want at no charge. Also standard on the rod is a custom inscription and gold zircon strip guide. The rod comes with a rod bag and aluminum tube. Additional options, which you can see in this images, include the butt cap art, blank art, and case cap art, which really add to this special edition fly rod offering."

Visit the JP Ross Fly Rods & Co. website to learn more about this special edition Toad S-Glass fly rod and their other fiberglass offerings. Keep up with the latest shop news on Facebook and Instagram.

THE DALES ANGLER - Tying the Austin Ridsdale's Grouse Hackle

2026-04-25T05:00:00.001-04:00

I continue to enjoy the Instagram posts of Robert L. Smith and his YouTube channel is a treasure trove. I've always had a soft spot for spider flies and soft hackles. This tutorial is worth your time.

Follow Robert on Instagram and click subscribe to his YouTube channel, too.

STONEFLY NETS - A Glimpse Inside the Workshop - Part 2

2026-04-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

It's "Throwback Thursday" with Ethan Ingleheart of Stonefly Nets and if you missed Part 1 of this two-part series, circle back and then find your self here to slow scroll through this post to enjoy his top shelf work and a look inside of the workshop.

I'm glad that we were able to unearth these images from my Lightroom account from six years ago (apologies again...) and collaborate on these posts to share Ethan's work on how he built these unique landing nets for Hadley and Finn. Our children cherish them, and as a fly fishing dad, it's really neat to gift your children something they will have forever. I guess that's what they call a heirloom...

Thanks Ethan for everything and I look forward to future projects together that we'll share here.

Ethan of Stonefly Nets wrote... "It typically takes about 30 days to complete a net from start to finish. While the actual hands-on labor is between 15 and 20 hours, the extended timeline is necessary to ensure heirloom quality.

The process cannot be rushed because many of the unique woods I use require a 7-day stabilization period to make them durable and waterproof. Following construction, the finishing process requires another 7 days of careful application and curing. If a net includes custom engraving, that adds additional time to the bench.

I also intentionally build "pause days" into my schedule. These are days when I step back if I feel I’m not at my absolute best. It is easy to work fast to speed things up, but I’ve found that when speed increases, quality drops. These pauses allow me to stay fully focused on the build so that every net meeting the water is as close to perfect as possible.

My goal is to craft pieces that stand the test of time—functional works of art that can be passed down through generations. One of my greatest joys is receiving photos from clients sharing the moment they gift their net to a son or daughter. It's a powerful reminder of the legacy a well-crafted net can carry.

This dedication to lasting quality is rooted in my own history. I grew up with the knowledge that anything worth having is worth building right—with my parents hand-building our log cabin in rural Appalachia using only a chainsaw and hand tools. That reverence for hard work and durability, combined with the vivid memories of fishing the South Carolina coast as a kid, is poured into every net I make.

A handcrafted Stonefly net is more than just a tool for landing fish; it's a vessel for memories and a legacy to be shared. Each net is a functional work of art, built to withstand the test of time and the rigors of the river, ensuring it can be a part of countless stories and adventures.

The true value of a Stonefly net lies not in the wood or the craftsmanship alone, but in the experiences it holds. It's in the quiet mornings on the water, the thrill of a successful catch, and the shared laughter of a day spent with loved ones. It's a tangible link to those moments, capturing the essence of a day on the river in its grain and finish.

The greatest joy for a craftsman is seeing their work become a part of someone's personal story. When a Stonefly net is passed from a parent to a child, it carries with it more than just wood and resin; it carries a legacy of shared experiences, a love for the outdoors, and the promise of new memories to be made. It’s a powerful reminder that some things are meant to last—and be a part of your story for generations to come.

A handcrafted Stonefly net is more than just a tool for landing fish; it's a vessel for memories and a legacy to be shared. Each net is a functional work of art, built to withstand the test of time and the rigors of the river, ensuring it can be a part of countless stories and adventures.

The true value of a Stonefly net lies not in the wood or the craftsmanship alone, but in the experiences it holds. It's in the quiet mornings on the water, the thrill of a successful catch, and the shared laughter of a day spent with loved ones. It's a tangible link to those moments, capturing the essence of a day on the river in its grain and finish.

The greatest joy for a craftsman is seeing their work become a part of someone's personal story. When a Stonefly net is passed from a parent to a child, it carries with it more than just wood and resin; it carries a legacy of shared experiences, a love for the outdoors, and the promise of new memories to be made. It’s a powerful reminder that some things are meant to last—and be a part of your story for generations to come."

Visit the Stonefly Nets website to learn more and if interested in a handmade net of your own, use the contact page to begin the conversation. Follow along with the latest on Facebook and Instagram.

FULLING MILL - Fly Fishing in London for Carp with Tim Pottage

2026-04-23T05:00:00.000-04:00

Fulling Mill follows along with angler and fly tier Tim Pottage in downtown London for an urban carp session and tutorial. Press PLAY and take notes...

This post reminded me that I still have a set of photographs to edit from a trip earlier this year to the South Platte River in Denver carp angling at night. Standby for that post soon.

Check out the latest from Fulling Mill and subscribe to their YouTube channel, too.

GEAR REVIEW - Travel Notes on the Fishpond Lodgepole Satchel

2026-04-20T06:00:00.005-04:00

When the new arrivals from Fishpond were rolled out late last year, the Lodgepole Fishing Satchel was high on my list to get my hands on as I saw it as a serious choice for anglers who were looking for a simple yet quietly feature filled gear pack with crossover appeal for air travel, the office, and the field.

I flew out to Denver in late January for the Fly Fishing Show and since I was traveling "light", I checked a medium sized duffel and walked on the plane with the Lodgepole Fishing Satchel. As someone who has a bad habit in over packing, it was nice to keep it pared down to the essentials with the MacBook Air and the latest issue of The Drake in the padded laptop sleeve, and in the main compartment my Nikon DSLR with a 50mm lens, YETI Rambler water bottle, a stash of T.F.M. decals, and a few needed cords and accessories. Everything fit with room to spare and the wide carry strap with sliding pad made it comfortable for both over the shoulder and with crossbody carry.

Flying back after the show, I placed the satchel in the bin at the security checkpoint, and the TSA Agent said, "That's it? That's all you have?" Yes. It was all I really needed.

Here's a few notes I've jotted down from a few months of carrying the Lodgepole Fishing Satchel...

This classic looking satchel has all in size, fit, and feel in a very clean modern design.
The waxed canvas makes for a durable bag that will only get better with age.
Beat it up and get it dirty. It's going to "patina" just like waxed canvas should.
A large main compartment with zippered pockets in just the right places.
TPU coated loops and aluminum D-rings give lots of exterior accessory options.
Self-guided magnetic tension hook keeps flap cover in place.
Adjustable strap on tension hook can cinch down to size of load.
YKK AquaGuard zipper on exterior pocket will help keep contents dry.
Internal pockets are cavernous but not in the way if you need to fill the main space.
Surprisingly priced at a very reasonable $149.95.
Consider the Eagle's Nest Travel Pouch to keep track of cords, accessories, and more.
The only design miss I've found is not having a grab handle on the backside which would have been nice but certainly not a deal breaker.

Take a few minutes to watch this video where you can see breakdown from Jack on all the features...

Visit the Fishpond website to check out the Lodgepole Fishing Satchel. Find this gear bag and the rest of this year's new arrivals at your local Fishpond dealer.

XTRATUF - The Snacklebox - Episode 2 | The Supremo

2026-04-20T05:00:00.001-04:00

Sign me up for any fly fishing trip that also involves some tasty outdoor cooking and drinks. The Snacklebox film series continues with Chef Spencer White and XTRATUF. Click PLAY...

Everyone needs a pair (or several) of XTRATUF boots. Our family kicks around in them to stay dry when it's wet outside. Check out the latest styles on their website and follow their YouTube channel.

TROUTROUTES - Western States Fish Species Filter For Anglers

2026-04-19T06:00:00.003-04:00

I continue to be impressed and lean in on the functionality of the TroutRoutes app and they recently announced a new species filter so that anglers in eight western states can identify streams where trout, salmon, steelhead, and other species are known to live.

For PRO or Single State users, this is available now and look for an upcoming Masterclass to cover this new Species Filter feature with a full tutorial.

From the TroutRoutes presser...

TroutRoutes, the leading mapping and navigation app for trout anglers, has launched one of its
most requested features: Species Filter, a feature that helps anglers quickly find streams based
on their target species. Now available to all paying users on iOS platforms (PRO and
Single-State), anglers will be able to quickly filter streams based on their target species in
California, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho.

The new Species Filter can be found in the top-left corner of the app, directly below the search
bar. With just a few taps, anglers can filter waterways by:

● Trout species (including seven cutthroat species)
● Salmonids
● Steelhead (sortable by fall, winter, and summer runs)
● Arctic Grayling
● Whitefish

The filter instantly refines the map to display only waters containing the selected species,
making trip planning faster, more efficient, and more precise. The data powering the feature is
sourced from a variety of publicly available datasets, including state agency data and scientific
research project data. However, TroutRoutes has taken the initiative to remove data for certain
stressed trout species.

In addition, many StreamCards across Western states now feature detailed species lists, giving
anglers immediate insight into what inhabits each waterway. From well-known fisheries to the
Class II and Class III streams anglers have long been curious about exploring, this enhanced
species data provides deeper context before ever stepping foot on the bank.

TroutRoutes is part of onX, the leader in outdoor digital mapping and navigation. As an onX
company, TroutRoutes has gained access to expanded data sources and innovative features,
including Apple CarPlay integration, and a significant enhancement of its existing stream gage
feature.

Visit the TroutRoutes website to learn more and dive into their YouTube channel for Masterclass tutorials on how to get the most out of this app.

OLY'S DEAN | A Kid, a River and a Different Way of Growing Up

2026-04-19T05:00:00.001-04:00

Take 20 minutes of your Sunday and enjoy this latest film from Patagonia. Press PLAY...

Patagonia has a load of new gear and apparel to check out and subscribe to their YouTube channel

C. BARCLAY FLY ROD CO. - The Fly Rod Lineup Going Forward

2026-04-18T06:00:00.001-04:00

On a trip to North Carolina recently, I spent a few hours with Chris Barclay of C. Barclay Fly Rod Co. in his small shop in Winston-Salem. Over lunch at a nearby poke spot, we talked about a lot that he put into his latest blog post with narrowing down his model offerings and making some pricing adjustments to reflect changes in costs on his end. All of it makes sense as he continues to design and build some of the finest contemporary small stream glass fly rods that a growing number of devotees enjoy.

As with all his Smallwater blog posts, this one is worth a read through.

The image above is one of several hundred that I snapped in Chris's basement shop and I need to weed through them this weekend for a pictorial post on T.F.M. and on social media. I might be a little weird (confirmed) but I like watching craftsmen work. These images will be fun to share.

In the meantime, visit the C. Barclay Fly Rod Co. website for the update. Follow along with the latest shop news on Facebook, Instagram, and join the C. Barclay Fly Rod Co. Enthusiasts Group on Facebook.

SCORCHER: Midwest Smallmouth Musings

2026-04-18T05:00:00.001-04:00

You might remember the film Water Sabbath, which was shared here with shorter chapter films several years ago. Scorcher is a continuation of that theme with an even deeper immersion into fly fishing for smallmouth in the Midwest.

I can't wait to get up to Michigan this summer for some moments like this of my own.

Make sure you click through to The Flyfish Journal to read their Tailgate post on this project.

FLY FISHERMAN - Shawn Combs on Dream Job at Scott Fly Rods

2026-04-14T06:00:00.008-04:00

As Shawn Combs settles into his new position at Scott Fly Rods, Ross Purnell of Fly Fisherman sat down with him to tell his story of being a kid in Kentucky with a fly rod to his many years at Orvis to his recent move out west to design and build fly rods with Jim Bartschi.

You can also listen to this Loop to Loop interview as a podcast.

It may be a bit before we see anything in fiberglass from Jim and Shawn but I am left wondering what and how they take it on together. A new generation of Fibertouch fly rods? Resurrecting the Fiberhammer two-hander? I guess we'll all just have to wait and see...

LOON OUTDOORS - Tying the Chubby Chernobyl

2026-04-14T05:00:00.002-04:00

The other day, Loon Outdoors sent out an email blast that included several of their fly tying tutorial videos and the Chubby Chernobyl film took me back to April 2014 where I spent a few days with John Arnold of Headhunters Fly Shop.

I remember getting into his drift boat on the first morning and John asking, "Do you want to catch a bunch of fish on nymphs deep or catch a few fish on big dry flies?" The only right answer was a big foam and poly yarn wing Chubby and we sure had some fun days with big slurps in the soft water edges and even bigger bends on the Epic 686.

Visit the Loon Outdoors website for the Chubby Chernobyl tutorial and dive into their library of tying videos on their YouTube channel.

And, if you're up for it, take a trip down memory lane with this T.F.M. post to Craiglandia.

STONEFLY NETS - A Glimpse Inside the Workshop - Part 1

2026-04-09T06:00:00.001-04:00

I first met Ethan Igleheart of Stonefly Nets at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) back in 2020, and after that show we traded emails and I placed an order for two handcrafted landing nets that would be gifted to our children. Since they both, especially our daughter Hadley, have a bend towards artsy things, I thought matching nets with colored pencil handles would be a neat fit for them both.

Ethan chronicled these builds with a series of photographs that will be shared today and then the rest of the build images next week for another "Throwback Thursday" post since I've been sitting on these photographs in Lightroom for over five years. Sorry, Ethan...

Over the weekend at the Fly Fishing Show in Denver, Colorado this past winter, Ethan and I reconnected and have some future plans for more collaboration that you'll see here. You hopefully have also noted the Stonefly Nets banner ad on the page and I greatly appreciate his support.

Take a few minutes to slow scroll through this glimpse inside Ethan's workshop and see how these bespoke landing nets came together from start with the finish next week.

Ethan of Stonefly Nets wrote... "I’ve been building premium nets since 2018, but the foundation of my craftsmanship goes back much further.

My journey in professional woodcraft began in 1994, working in a custom woodworking shop where I spent thirteen years (until 2007) mastering the art of fine joinery and finishing. In 2010, I took a creative detour into the fashion world by starting Carolina Cotton Ties, a handmade necktie and bow tie company.

After eight years of running that business, I decided to close it in 2018 to return to my woodworking roots and combine my love for the craft with my passion for fly fishing. That’s when Stonefly Nets was born, and I’ve been handcrafting heirloom-quality nets ever since.

The idea for the colored pencil handles actually came from an acquaintance who had turned a bowl out of the material. In the early days of Stonefly Nets, when I had more time to experiment with different concepts, I decided to see how that vibrant aesthetic would translate to a net handle.

However, as the business grew, I intentionally moved away from them. I started to feel like the pencils were becoming a bit of a gimmick—something to just get people in the door—and they were beginning to distract from the core mission of what I wanted to create. If someone wants one, I still have several blanks that are ready to go.

I’ve worked with a wide range of materials that tell a story, ranging from rare exotic species like Hawaiian Koa and Asian Dua Burl to highly figured domestic woods like Tiger Maple and Birdseye Maple. I particularly enjoy internet hunting for burls—specifically Buckeye and Maple—because their chaotic grain patterns create a one-of-a-kind look you just can't find in standard lumber. Some of my most meaningful builds come from client-harvested wood, where I take a piece of a fallen tree from a customer's own property and turn it into a functional heirloom.

To further elevate these pieces, I’ve experimented with Mineral Inlays using crushed Turquoise, Malachite, or Azuriteto accent natural voids in the wood. For those looking for something truly high-end, I have even incorporated Gilson Opal and Gold into the handles to add a level of brilliance and value that sets the net apart. I’ve even worked with ancient Bristlecone Pine to give a net a weathered, high-country character that feels as old as the rivers themselves."

Visit the Stonefly Nets website to learn more and if interested in a handmade net of your own, use the contact page to begin the conversation. Follow along with the latest on Facebook and Instagram.

PATAGONIA - Tying the Pheasant Tail Zelon Midge

2026-04-09T05:00:00.001-04:00

6 GOOD READS - The Skwala Lounge Edition

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

Along with designing some of the best fly fishing gear and apparel, Skwala also tells their story with regular dispatches in the Skwala Lounge. I picked a few favorites, including Rich's reflection on our trips to Beaver Island (with a few of my photographs sprinkled in), to share in this "6 Good Reads".

Click the links one by one and enjoy...

THE BOAT IS THE BAR: FIVE DAYS AFLOAT IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA

WHAT MAKES A FISHING TRIP GREAT?

SPRING: THE BEST SEASON FOR TROUT FISHING

BUY THE DAMN TICKET

FISHING TRAVEL TIPS: PREPARATION VS. PLANNING

THE DESOLATE ROAD, GRINGO HITCHHIKERS, AND A PISSED-OFF GIRLFRIEND

Want more? Visit the Skwala Lounge and make sure you've subscribed to their YouTube channel, too.