Stonefly USA 2024

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Contents

Stonefly Magazine

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EDITORS Kate Dzienis, Toby Ryston-Pratt

Welcome to the 2024 F3T About the F3T The F3T Celebrates 18 years Artistry and Adventure The Fly Fishing Film Tour Life on the Road F3T National Tour Schedule Host the F3T: Reeling in Success for a Cause Independent Promoter Tour Dates Behind the Lens: Rio Marie Behind the Lens: Visibility Behind the Lens: Triple Trouble Behind the Lens: Costa's Marlin Fly Project Welcome to Saskatchewan Skwala Fly Fishing’s Apparel Upgrade Seven Mile Fly Shop Building Bighorn Resiliency A Couple Worth Knowing The Origins: Chilean Patagonia Adventure with Fly Fish Utila Reel Products, Reel Reviews Gallery: Kendrick Chittock Shellshots: A River Smallmouth Story The Milk Run The Final Word STONE F LY MAGAZ I NE

DESIGNER Marine Raynard CONTRIBUTORS Kendrick Chittock, Scott Battista, Flylords, Cooper Nash, Nick Reygaert, Taylor Rock, Toby Ryston-Pratt, Charles Werb 2024 FILMMAKERS Tyler Soares, Hannah Trotter, Ben Meadows, Harrison Hughes, Helmut Zaderer, Kate Targett, RC Cone and Fred Campbell and more to be announced 2024 FLY FISHING FILM TOUR ROADCREW Scott Battista, Cooper Nash, John Zynda, Taylor Rock COVER IMAGE Photo by Scott Battista, taken while the F3T were on the “road” in Belize during the offseason, see more on page 58.

THIS PAGE IMAGE Photo by Arian Stephens, a quiet moment captured in Visibility VISIT US ONLINE flyfilmtour.com PARTNERSHIPS Cooper Nash cooper@flyfilmtour.com PUBLISHER Adventure Entertainment Americas LLC Suite 100, 1434 Spruce Street, Boulder, Colorado, 80302 STONEFLY™ AND F3TFISH™ are trademarks of ADVENTURE ENTERTAINMENT FlyFishingFilmTour

/ 10 / 20 24

FlyFishingFilmTour

FlyFishFilmTour

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WE LCOME

WELCOME TO THE 2024 FLY FISHING FILM TOUR Welcome to the 18th annual Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) presented by Costa & Skwala! Last year our team had the privilege to take the reins of the Fly Fishing Film Tour, and one of the first things we decided we had to do was bring back the Stonefly Magazine.

Stonefly is an annual publication that for many years accompanied the F3T as a value add for attendees, partners and local fly shops.

With the help of that very community we are thrilled to present the 2024 edition of Stonefly, and it’s one of - if not the biggest editions ever produced.

In the following pages we take you behind the scenes of the F3T. You’ll hear from our ‘roadcrew’ on what it’s like to take the F3T on the fly fishing roadtrip of a lifetime from January to April each year.

Plus check out the dates of our national tour shows and independent promoter program.

We also share our 2024 poster artwork and introduce you to Piper Nunn, this year’s F3T featured artist.

The Fly Fishing Film Tour is unique in showcasing films produced by the fly fishing community itself. Each year the tour receives hundreds of submissions and our panel of judges reviews them meticulously to pick the best films for inclusion in the tour.

In this year’s Stonefly we go behind the lens of four of those films to share the story of how those films came together: Rio Marie, Visibility, Triple Trouble and a special F3T edit of Costa’s Marlin Project.

In the off season this year our roadcrew went on a different kind of tour, visiting the waters of Belize on a fly fishing trip of a lifetime. Our cover photo gives you a taste of what you’ll find inside.

Plus read features and stories from some of the guides, fly shops and partners that support the F3T without whom the tour would not be possible.

This year’s Fly Fishing Film Tour is special as for the first time it will combine with the Rise Fly Fishing Film Festival to deliver F3T across the globe. In addition to 200+ shows in North America, the 2024 F3T will go to Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, South Africa, Singapore, Indonesia, South America, the UK and more.

The F3T wouldn’t be possible without your support and I would like to personally extend my thanks to you, the fly fishing community, for supporting the tour. If you haven’t already got your tickets, grab them today.

If you’re reading this at a show, enjoy it and share it with your friends.

We look forward to seeing you this year and for many years to come.

Cheers Toby F3T Owner Founder & CEO Adventure Entertainment

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AB OUT T HE TOUR

ABOUT THE FLY FISHING FILM TOUR WORDS BY NICK REYGAERT | IMAGE BY CHRIS REYGAERT The genesis for a fly fishing film tour was born between a few young trout bums standing around a fire, having a few beers, in the afterglow of an epic dry fly session on a Patagonian springcreek. That moment was during the filming of the seminal Trout Bum Diaries – Patagonia. We thought a film tour would be a great way to generate some DVD sales (remember those) and get some buzz going in the fly fishing community.

In the almost 20 years since that moment, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge. The four guys I made the film with formed a company called A.E.G (Angling Exploration Group) and they started the Fly Fishing Film Tour. Back then the concept of a fishing film tour was generally regarded as a crazy idea that wouldn’t have legs. Little did anyone know how the media landscape would evolve; those were the days before YouTube and social media platforms.

The new concept hit the sweet spot with fly fishing audiences who were keen for some excitement in the off season. Through the contributions of many people over the years, over the next decade, the tour grew organically, garnering the support of many local fly shops and the industry as a whole.

The festival platform was a springboard for fly fishing filmmakers to reach a larger audience and connect with sponsors. The advent of accessible, budget friendly, high spec cameras brought with it a wave of great films and the tour helped launch quite a few careers.

It was right idea at the right time.

During the same timeframe I started the RISE Festival which has gone on to annually tour in 12 countries throughout Oceania, Europe and South America. Just recently, the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) joined forces with RISE Fly Fishing Film Festival to form the world’s biggest fly fishing film tour.

The combined world tour comprises more than 250 shows across the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore, Indonesia, France, Germany and more.

Combining both tours brings with it many benefits including a greater pool for film selection, the free Stonefly magazine, some great audience giveaways and prize draws. Film makers also benefit through larger exposure and better access to sponsorship and film maker funding. Which all makes perfect sense on a commercial level but personally this union has a more profound effect than just a better product.

It is poetic that through the meandering bends of time the two tours followed their destiny to become one.

Nick Reygaert RISE Founder & F3T Film Curation Manager

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.” - Norman Maclean Adventure Entertainment is a global digital media business with offices in Boulder, Colorado and on Sydney’s Northern Beaches in Australia. We are adventures and fly fisher people at hear who specialise in running community focused film tours, publishing niche adventure and outdoor magazines and digital platforms. In 2023, Adventure Entertainment acquired the USA based Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) and the international RISE Fly Fishing Film Festival and is thrilled to now be bringing those tours together. The combination of F3T and RISE makes the combined tour the most expansive fly fishing event of any kind in the world. Thank you for being part of it!

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F LY F I S HI NG F I L M TOUR P OST E RS

THE FLY FISHING FILM TOUR CELEBRATES ITS 18TH YEAR

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F LY F I S HI NG F I L M TOUR P OST E RS

GET TICKETS NOW

Introducing our 2024 tour Poster STONE F LY MAGAZ I NE /

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F E AT URE D ART I ST - P I P E R NUNN

ARTISTRY AND ADVENTURE with featured artist Piper Nunn This year’s Fly Fishing Film Tour official poster was created by artist Piper Nunn, and today she shares with us how fly fishing inspires her artwork.

As an avid fly angler, adventurer and acrylic artist Piper Nunn has been featured as F3T’s artist – so incredibly fitting as she has a love for the great outdoors, in particular rivers and streams where wild fish populations are in abundance.

Her artwork comes from creativity drawn by connection, where she believes it’s a powerful tool putting together the outdoor world with people in a bid to inspire and protect.

Born in Colorado, Piper’s love for the great outdoors derived from a young age where she would go camping and hiking in the mountains. Her love for fly fishing came later in life, and thanks the scenery of Colorado for her passion and art inspiration.

She began painting 6 years ago, but the intensity to be more serious about it started 4 years ago. Her journey well and truly began 3 years ago when Piper decided to turn her love of painting into a business, and she hasn’t look back since.

Fly fishing inspires Piper because of how it allows her to connect with rivers and the areas that surround them, where she can fully immerse herself in everything around her from the water’s edge to the trees in the distance. And so why does she love painting fish?

It allows her to focus on the small details. She has said previously that when she catches a fish, she takes into consideration all the minute details and beautiful intricacies of the animal, and painting gives her an opportunity to spend more time studying those details and bringing them to life on a canvas.

Believe it or not, Piper also has a degree in fisheries biology which she began pursuing when she first started painting – this proved a brilliant connection between the two, because as she learned about the biology of fish, she began realising all the conservation issues in the fisheries world, which in turn provided her with more passion in her artwork.

“I began to feel motivated and inspired to not only conserve fish populations and ecosystems, but to use my art as a way to connect others to nature and inspire them to protect our resources,” she reveals.

“I think that my degree and the level of knowledge that I have about fish helped me to fine tune the accuracy and realism of my art, however the realistic aspect of my art also came with lots of practice and repetition.”

Piper primarily paints with acrylic paint on reclaimed pine beetle kill wood and sometimes works with gouache, saying she loves painting on wood due to its nature, character and sustainability – the fact it’s all natural is the biggest tie into her reasonings for using the material.

“The biggest change in my art was going from nature and landscape paintings to fish focused art,” she says.

“This shift happened after discovering my love for fly fishing and resulted in the launch of my art business…I am most proud of the detail that I put into each piece.”

Piper’s current pieces, as well as a request for commissions, is available through her website at pipernunn.art and you can also check her out on Instagram @piper_nunn

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T HE TOUR

THE FLY FISHING FILM TOUR The Fly Fishing Film Tour Hosted Show Program is the backbone of the Fly Fishing Film Tour and has been for over 18 years of operation. It has grown to include over 150 shows nationwide that complement the national tour stops and are run in almost every state across the country.

Hosted F3T events are more than just a night of fishy fly fishing films in your local cinema or theater. Hosted F3T events bring fishing communities together by supporting conservation efforts, non-profits, fly shops, growing fly fishing on college campuses, and so much more.

Thank you to all of the hosts, attendees and sponsors across the nation that make this all possible year after year. To find more information on how to host an F3T show or to find your local F3T event scan below!

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L I F E ON T HE ROAD

LIFE ON THE ROAD WORDS: COOPER NASH | IMAGE: SCOTT BATTISTA For three magical months each year, my two buddies and I embark on an epic cross-country adventure. We hit the open road, crisscrossing the vast expanse of the United States, with a singular mission in mind – to bring the awe-inspiring world of fly fishing to life through the lens of cinema.

began when I was a wide-eyed 16-year-old attending the F3T in Cleveland, Ohio. It was my neighbor Andy who first introduced me to the art of fly fishing a few years earlier, and my knowledge of the sport was largely limited to the Midwest’s great lakes, rainbows, and smallmouth and largemouth bass.

It’s a journey that has become a cherished annual tradition, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I vividly recall the sense of awe that washed over me as I watched the remarkable feats on screen. The fish caught on the fly were nothing short of mesmerizing, and the fly rod, which had previously been overshadowed by my trusty spin rods and lures like Buzz Baits, hula-poppers and topwater frogs, suddenly took center stage.

An obsession was born that very day, a passion that would stay with me forever.

From one city to the next, we navigate the transition from our makeshift crash spots to bed-buggy hotel rooms. The relentless rhythm of life on the road with our dedicated crew can be exhausting, to say the least. And yet, the journey is nothing short of an odyssey. It’s a testament to our shared passion for the art of fly fishing, a pilgrimage that binds us in ways that only fellow anglers can truly understand.

The challenges of life on the road can be as formidable as the majestic landscapes we traverse. The harsh winter months test our mettle, subjecting us to punishing 18-hour delays in the unforgiving mountain ranges.

Year after year, as we hit the road, our mission remains the same – to recreate that awe and inspiration. It comes in many forms, from the wide-eyed amazement of a child witnessing a massive fish caught on the fly to seasoned anglers diving deeper into the world of fly fishing. Sometimes, it’s the catalyst for a group of experienced anglers planning an exciting new destination trip.

Fine dining becomes a rare luxury, and good weather seems as elusive as the prized fish we pursue. Yet, amidst the trials and tribulations, the anticipation of a few precious days of fishing keeps our spirits afloat.

Regardless of the reason, we extend an invitation to anglers of all levels to join us at a show in your city, to immerse yourself in the magic of fly fishing cinema, and to connect with fellow anglers who share your passion.

However, it’s not just the pursuit of fish or that fuels our relentless journey. What truly motivates us are the incredible people we meet along the way – the passionate anglers who fill the seats at every show. These gatherings serve as more than just a night out for fellow fishing enthusiasts and outdoor lovers. They are a communal celebration, a chance for kindred spirits to come together, share their stories and share hearty laughs.

I have no doubt that this event will find a cherished place in your calendar, just as it has in mine. It’s not just a show; it’s an unforgettable journey, a celebration of the incredible world of fly fishing, and a shared experience that will keep you coming back year after year.

My own introduction to this extraordinary world of fly fishing

Cooper Nash Roadcrew Manager

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S CHE D UL E

2024 FLY FISHING FILM TOUR NATIONAL TOUR SCHEDULE This year our Roadcrew will visit more than 30 towns to run F3T shows.

Check out the dates of our road trip below and visit our website for tickets and full details BOZEMAN, MT JANUARY 20 EMERSON THEATRE 5:00PM & 8:00PM

CHICO, CA FEBRUARY 13 EL REY 7:00 PM

MINNEAPOLIS, MN MARCH 5 THE PARKWAY 7:00 PM

FORT COLLINS, CO MARCH 29 LINCOLN CENTER 7:00 PM

BILLINGS, MT JANUARY 25 BABCOCK THEATRE 7:00 PM

BEND, OR FEBRUARY 15 TOWER THEATRE 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM

MADISON, WI MARCH 7 THE BARRYMORE 7:00 PM

BOULDER, CO MARCH 31 BOULDER THEATER 6:00 PM

CODY, WY JANUARY 26 THE CODY THEATRE 7:00 PM

PORTLAND, OR FEBRUARY 17 ALADDIN THEATER 5:00 PM & 8:00 PM

GREENBAY, WI MARCH 8 THE TARLTON 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM

DALLAS, TX APRIL 4 TEXAS THEATRE 7:00 PM

SUN VALLEY, ID JANUARY 28 SUN VALLEY OPERA HOUSE 5:00 PM

WEST SEATTLE, WA FEBRUARY 22 THE ADMIRAL THEATER 7:00 PM

GRAND RAPIDS, MI MARCH 15 THE WEATHLY THEATER 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM

AUSTIN, TX APRIL 6 STATESIDE AT THE PARAMOUNT 6:00 PM

BOISE, ID FEBRUARY 2 EGYPTAIN THEATER 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM

SEATTLE, WA FEBRUARY 24 SIFF - EGYPTIAN 5:00 PM

ANN ARBOR, MI MARCH 16, STATE THEATRE 5:00 PM & 8:00 PM

ORLANDO, FL APRIL 13 ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER 7:00 PM

SALT LAKE CITY, UT FEBRUARY 4 JEANNE WAGNER 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM

MOUNT VERNON, WA FEBRUARY 25 LINCOLN THEATRE 5:00 PM

CHICAGO, IL MARCH 19 TIVOLI THEATRE 7:00 PM

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL APRIL 18 SAVOR CINEMA 7:00 PM

SACRAMENTO, CA FEBRUARY 8 THE CREST 7:00 PM

SPOKANE, WA FEBRUARY 29, BING CROSBY THEATRE 7:00 PM

SANTA CRUZ, CA FEBRUARY 10 RIO THEATER 5:00 PM

MISSOULA, MT MARCH 2, THE WILMA 8:00 PM

CLEVELAND, OH MARCH 23 MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 7:00 PM DENVER, CO MARCH 28 ORIENTAL 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM

FLYFILMTOUR.COM STONE F LY MAGAZ I NE /

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PURCHASE TICKETS

H O ST T H E F3T: RE E L I NG I N S UCCE S S F OR A WORT HY CAUS E

HOST THE F3T

REELING IN SUCCESS FOR A WORTHY CAUSE Every year more than 150 community organisations host their own screening of F3T to support a cause or raise money for a non-profit organization. Our hosts in Phoenix share their story.

17,000 crucial documents to those experiencing homelessness, enabling them to access services, find employment and regain their independence. The impact of this simple yet invaluable support cannot be overstated.

When the world of fly fishing and philanthropy come together, the results can be truly remarkable. Phoenix recently witnessed such an amalgamation of passion and compassion, as the city hosted its first annual Fly Fish Film Tour.

The Homeless ID Project’s work is a testament to the idea that small acts of kindness and practical assistance can lead to profound change in the lives of those facing adversity. The funds raised at the Fly Fish Film Tour will undoubtedly make a significant difference in the organization’s ability to continue its mission. It’s a reminder that, in a society that sometimes forgets about its most vulnerable members, we all have a role to play in building a more compassionate and equitable community.

The event not only showcased the beauty and art of fly fishing but also raised over $15,000 for three outstanding charitable organizations: the Homeless ID Project, Casting For Recovery and Trout Unlimited. This remarkable feat signifies the power of a dedicated community united by a shared love for nature, sport and the desire to make a positive impact.

The Fly Fish Film Tour, held at a scenic venue in the heart of Phoenix, brought together fly fishing enthusiasts from all walks of life. It was a celebration of this timeless sport, a reflection of the beauty of nature, and a tribute to the selfless efforts of these three organizations. The camaraderie was palpable, and the shared passion for fly fishing was undeniable, but beyond the thrill of casting lines and catching fish, the event served as a platform for attendees to give back to their community and contribute to causes that matter.

One of the primary beneficiaries of the Fly Fish Film Tour was the Homeless ID Project, an organization that has been making a profound difference in the lives of homeless individuals in the Phoenix area. Last year alone, the Homeless ID Project issued over

Another remarkable beneficiary of this event was Casting For Recovery, an organization dedicated to helping women recovering from breast cancer through the therapeutic and restorative power of fly fishing retreats. For several years now, the fly fishing community in Phoenix has shown unwavering support for this vital cause. Casting For Recovery understands that healing comes not only from medical treatments but also from the rejuvenation of one’s spirit in the embrace of nature.

These retreats offer a unique and profoundly healing experience for women who have faced the harrowing journey of breast cancer.

Fly fishing, with its harmonious blend of nature, patience and skill, provides a space for these women to find solace, support and empowerment. The Fly Fish Film Tour’s contribution to Casting For Recovery demonstrates that we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.

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HO ST T H E F3T: RE E L I NG I N S UCCE S S F OR A WORT HY CAUS E

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H O ST T H E F3T: RE E L I NG I N S UCCE S S F OR A WORT HY CAUS E

Lastly, but certainly not least, the Fly Fish Film Tour embraced the opportunity to support Trout Unlimited, an organization committed to safeguarding Arizona’s trout fisheries. The fragile balance of nature, especially in a state known for its arid landscapes, demands dedicated preservation efforts. Trout Unlimited’s work not only ensures the conservation of these vital ecosystems but also promotes sustainable fishing practices.

As any angler knows, the health of our rivers and streams is intricately linked to the well-being of the fish we pursue. The support garnered for Trout Unlimited through the Fly Fish Film Tour highlights the deep-seated connection that fly fishermen and women have with the environment. It’s a reminder that we are not merely consumers of nature’s gifts but its custodians as well.

The success of the Fly Fish Film Tour and the overwhelming support it received is a reflection of the fly fishing community’s dedication to more than just a sport. It’s about a shared commitment to making the world a better place through acts of kindness, solidarity and a deep appreciation for the great outdoors.

It’s a testament to the fact that passions can drive positive change.

When we come together, driven by shared interests, we become a force for good. Fly fishing has become a catalyst for change. It has demonstrated that we can cast lines into rivers not only to catch fish but also to cast hope into the lives of others.

The success of the Fly Fish Film Tour raises a fundamental

question: what else can we achieve when we combine our love for an activity with a desire to give back to our community? The answer, it seems, is unlimited. Fly fishing is more than just a pastime; it’s a conduit for positivity, a force for good in a world that often needs more of it.

In the inaugural Fly Fish Film Tour, Phoenix has set an inspiring example of how a community can come together to support causes that truly matter. The organizations benefiting from this event represent just a few of the many worthy causes that can benefit from our shared enthusiasm and generosity.

As we celebrate the success of the Fly Fish Film Tour, let us also reflect on the potential for similar initiatives in our communities.

It is a reminder that even in our most cherished hobbies and interests, we can find opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others. Let us cast our lines not only in search of fish but also in the direction of a more compassionate and sustainable world.

The Fly Fish Film Tour in Phoenix has undoubtedly been a triumphant gathering of like-minded individuals who, through their shared love for fly fishing, have cast a net of support and compassion over their community. It’s a reminder that the power of community and the dedication to making the world a better place can flow as freely as the pristine rivers they so love to fish. In the words of Aldo Leopold, “Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land.” In Phoenix, the Fly Fish Film Tour has brought us one step closer to that state of harmony.

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IN D E P E ND E NT P ROMOT E R TOUR S CHE D UL E

2024 FLY FISHING FILM TOUR INDEPENDENT PROMOTER TOUR SCHEDULE What makes the F3T special are the shows run by fly shops, Trout Unlimited and other associations and community groups across North America. In 2023 we had more than 150 independent shows running all the way through the year. Shows with confirmed dates at the time of publication of Stonefly are set out below. For a full list of Independent shows go to our website: flyfilmtour.com. Don’t see your city listed? Contact us at f3t@adventureentertainment.com to request a booking form.

BONITA SPRINGS, FL JANUARY 20 PRESENTED BY 239 FLIES 239 FLIES - 7:30 PM SHERIDAN, WY FEBRUARY 3 PRESENTED BY FLY SHOP OF THE BIGHORNS WYO THEATER -TIME TBC COLORADO SPRINGS, CO FEBRUARY 3 PRESENTED BY ANGLER’S COVEY STARGAZER THEATRE -5:00 PM PORTLAND, ME FEBRUARY 5 PRESENTED BY OXBOW BREWING COMPANY OXBOW BLENDING & BOTTLING -7:00 PM ALPENA, MI FEBRUARY 24 PRESENTED BY MOTHBEAR OUTFITTERS THUNDER BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY - 6:30 PM KEY LARGO, FL FEBRUARY 26 PRESENTED BY BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST OCEAN REEF CLUB -7:30 PM LINWOOD, KS NOVEMBER 28 PRESENTED BY MOKAN TROUT UNLIMITED GLENWOOD ARTS THEATER - 7:00 PM MORRTILON, AR MARCH 1 PRESENTED BY POINT REMOVE BREWING CO POINT REMOVE BREWING CO. EVENT CENTER - 6:00 PM DESTIN, FL MARCH 1 PRESENTED BY SHORELINE CHURCH INC. SHORELINE CHURCH INC. - 6:00 PM SENECA, NY MARCH 2 PRESENTED BY WESTERN NEW YORK CHAPTER / TROUT UNLIMITED THE RIDGE WEST SENECA RESTAURANT AND BREWERY - TIME TBC SIERRA VISTA, AZ MARCH 2 PRESENTED BY SAN PEDRO FLY CASTERS THUNDER MOUNTAIN CHURCH - 5:00 PM OAKMONT, PA MARCH 3 PRESENTED BY INTERNATIONAL ANGLER FLY SHOP THE OAKS THEATER -2:00 PM

MAUMEE, OH MARCH 6 PRESENTED BY FALLEN TIMBERS CHAPTER OF TU MAUMEE INDOOR THEATRE - 7:00 PM

BIG SKY, MT MARCH 21 PRESENTED BY GALLATIN RIVER TASK FORCE THE WAYPOINT THEATRE -5:30 PM

LEBANON, NH APRIL 11 PRESENTED BY LEBANON OPERA HOUSE LEBANON OPERA HOUSE - 7:00 PM

WENATCHEE, WA MARCH 7, PRESENTED BY WENATCHEE FLY CO. & GUIDE SERVICE / K&E OUTFITTERS NUMERICA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 6:00 PM

ASHEVILLE, NC MARCH 22 PRESENTED BY HUNTER BANKS FLY FISHING HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY - 6:00 PM

ROCHESTER, NY APRIL 13 PRESENTED BY SETH GREEN TROUT UNLIMITED THE LITTLE THEATRE - 5:00 PM

JACKSON, WY MARCH 22 PRESENTED BY WORLDCAST ANGLERS CENTER FOR THE ARTS - 7:00 PM

EVANSTON, WY APRIL 20 PRESENTED BY UPPER BEAR RIVER CHAPTER STRAND THEATER - 5:00 PM

SARASOTA, FL MARCH 15 PRESENTED BY MANGROVE COAST FLY FISHERS FOGARTYVILLE COMMUNITY MEDIA AND ARTS CENTER - 7:00 PM LEAVENWORTH, WA MARCH 15 PRESENTED BY ICICLE CREEK CENTER FOR THE ARTS SNOWY OWL THEATER - 7:00 PM CORVALLIS, OR MARCH 16 PRESENTED BY BLUEBACK CHAPTER OF TU LASELLS STEWART CENTER - 7:00 PM RIDGWAY, CO MARCH 16 PRESENTED BY RIGS FLY SHOP & TELLURIDE ANGLER OURAY COUNTY 4H EVENT CENTER - TIME TBC SANTA BARBARA, CA MARCH 19 PRESENTED BY SANTA BARBARA FLY FISHING CLUB THE LOBERO THEATER - 7:00 PM ARLINGTON, VA MARCH 20 PRESENTED BY DISTRICT ANGLING, LLC ARLINGTON CINEMA DRAFTHOUSE - 6:00 PM DELAWARE, OH MARCH 20 PRESENTED BY DESTINATION DELAWARE COUNTY STRAND THEATRE - 7:00 PM VICTOR, ID MARCH 21 PRESENTED BY WORLDCAST ANGLERS HIGHPOINT CIDER - 7:00 PM SAVANNAH, GA MARCH 21 PRESENTED BY RIVERS & GLEN TRADING CO. SOUTBOUND BREWING CO. - TIME TBC

DURHAM, NH MARCH 27 PRESENTED BY COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION NORTH COUNTRY HARD CIDER COMPANY TIME TBC NORTH LOGAN, UT MARCH 29 PRESENTED BY CACHE ANGLERS CHAPTER OF TU 665 GREEN CANYON HIGH SCHOOL - 6:30 PM SALIDA, CO MARCH 30 PRESENTED BY FISH ON ADVENTURING A CHURCH - 6:30 PM BENTON, AR MARCH 30 PRESENTED BY ARKANSAS FLY FISHERS CALS RON ROBINSON THEATRE - 6:00 PM SARATOGA, WY MARCH 30 PRESENTED BY MOTHER MOUNTAIN ANGLERS PLATTE VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER 6:00 PM TACOMA, WA APRIL 4 PRESENTED BY GIG HARBOR FLY SHOP BLUE MOUSE THEATRE - TIME TBC TRAVERSE CITY, MI APRIL 6 PRESENTED BY THE NORTHERN ANGLER FLY SHOP CITY OPERA HOUSE - 7:30 PM MODESTO, CA APRIL 6 PRESENTED BY STANISLAUS FLY FISHERS STATE THEATRE - 2:00 PM LAKE FOREST, IL APRIL 7 PRESENTED BY GORTON CENTER GORTON CENTER - 1:00 & 4:00 PM

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GALVESTON, TX APRIL 27 PRESENTED BY MOODY GARDENS MOODY GARDENS - 7:00 PM DECORAH, IA APRIL 27 PRESENTED BY IOWA DRIFTLESS CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED HOTEL WINNESHIEK OPERA HOUSE 6:00 PM GULF SHORES, AL MAY 4 PRESENTED BY FFI GULF COAST COUNCIL GULF STATE PARK LEARNING CAMPUS 4:30 PM COTTER, AR MAY 27 PRESENTED BY COTTER - GASSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BIG SPRINGS PARK - 6:00 PM WINTER PARK, CO JUNE 1 PRESENTED BY BIG TROUT BREWING BIG TROUT BREWING - 6:00 PM PHOENIX, AZ SEPTEMBER 22 PRESENTED BY AZ FLY SHOP MOON VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB 4:00 PM

F 3T B E HI ND T HE L E NS | RI O MARI E

F3T BEHIND THE LENS

RIO MARIE Commencing the 2024 F3T Behind Lens series, we dedicated a moment to converse with Helmut Zaderer and his team regarding their cinematic creation, MARIE. Hailing from Austria, filmmaker Zaderer guides us through his remarkable expedition into the jungle in pursuit of the elusive peacock bass. Flylords had the privilege of connecting with Helmut to delve deeper into the film, its awe-inspiring moments, and the collaborative process that brought it to life. Explore the comprehensive interview below for insights into the making of this captivating production.

INTERVIEW BY NELSON OXLEY IMAGES BY SUPPLIED

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Flylords: Helmut, tell us a little about yourself.

Helmut: I am an enthusiastic fly fisherman and photographer with a deep love for nature and travel. I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to explore the finest fishing destinations around the world.

I vividly recall my first time fishing, guided by my father to a mountain stream when I was 5-6 years old. Everything seemed fascinating and thrilling to me at that time. Since then, I’ve been an angler, and this interest and passion have remained with me throughout my life. I’ve engaged in various forms of fishing, spending a considerable amount of time in the carp fishing scene, achieving notable success.

Additionally, I participated in fishing competitions, acquiring valuable techniques. Fifteen years ago, I underwent a significant transformation and ventured into fly fishing. Since that pivotal moment, I exclusively use the fly fishing method.

Flylords: How did this film turn into a reality?

Helmut: Peacock bass unquestionably stand out as one of the most intriguing catches on a fly in the Amazon, and Rio Marie is an exceptional location. While I had previously targeted various peacock bass species, landing a trophy fish exceeding 20 pounds was an uncharted territory for me.

The decision-making process for the film’s storyline was a lengthy and thoughtful one. The Marie River emerged as the prime destination for those seeking to reel in a trophy peacock bass, particularly

the formidable Cichla Temensis, known to reach weights of up to 30 pounds. With only a week at our disposal, it became crucial to capture both the thrilling action of landing a trophy fish on camera and the breathtaking landscape through striking photographs.

After extensive effort and countless casts, our persistence paid off, and we were fortunate enough to encounter and film some trophysized fish, securing valuable footage for the project.

Flylords: What is your inspiration, and the most memorable point from this film?

Helmut: I initiated the documentation of my fly fishing journey twelve years ago, creating a travel report and photo album for each subsequent trip. In recent years, I expanded my endeavors to include filming and hosting trips. A significant development in this venture was forming a friendship with Vaidas Uselis during our experiences in the Seychelles. Vaidas frequently accompanies me on trips, and our shared adventures have given rise to collaborative filmmaking.

Among the many memorable moments, one that stands out vividly is when Vaidas skillfully operated the drone, providing me with the opportunity to spot a genuine trophy fish in the clear and shallow waters.

Regrettably, I was the sole angler to hook a small butterfly fish, which I used as bait to entice the true trophy peacock towards the boat. Rodrigo, then, successfully hooked and landed the impressive 20-pound fish. The unique combination of the moment and the captured shots evoked strong emotions. It remains a remarkable and cherished memory that I consider truly special.

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Flylords: What was the biggest challenge you faced in producing this film? Was it targeting, slow days, conditions, or getting the shot?

Helmut: Like almost every film project, accumulating a plethora of compelling moments within a week poses a constant challenge. In today’s filmmaking landscape, it’s crucial to incorporate diverse situations and perspectives into a compelling narrative. Simultaneously fishing and filming is a formidable task, but my friend Vaidas is an absolute professional, maintaining unwavering activity on set. Very few situations result in ultimately unusable material due to his dedication. While occasionally assisted by guides, our films are produced without additional personnel or resources; we simply fish and film.

During this particular venture, we encountered a few quiet days and faced challenges in landing a trophy fish. However, the final days proved to be exceptional, and we successfully captured everything essential for a compelling film.

Flylords: What message are you hoping viewers take away with?

Helmut: I aspire for our films to be a source of inspiration, showcasing the finest fishing destinations worldwide. We aim to kindle an appreciation for nature and ignite the passion for fly fishing. Our shared love for this incredible hobby has not only connected us with like-minded individuals but also fostered friendships across the globe. There’s a unique bond within the fly fishing community, and I believe that everyone who engages in this pursuit shares a love, appreciation, and commitment to protecting nature. Perhaps our films will motivate some viewers to embark on their own fishing adventures.

Flylords: Do you happen to have any more exciting films in the works?

Helmut: We have two film projects lined up for the next year. In February, we will be fishing and filming in the Seychelles for four weeks, covering Providence, Cosmoledo, and Alphonse. Following that, in September, we plan to travel to Tanzania to produce a film focused on tiger fish.

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F3T BEHIND THE LENS

VISIBILITY To kick off the 2024 F3T Behind the Lens interview series we head out to the Pacific Northwest to the remote Olympic Penisula. Steelhead guide Lael Paul Johnson takes us on an emotional journey through the Pacific Rainforest where he and his new friend Wesley find bliss through a winter steelheading trip. Flylords was lucky enough to catch up with filmmaker Tyler Soares and star of the film Lael Paul Johnson, to learn more about what went into the making of this film.

INTERVIEW BY PATRICK PERRY IMAGES BY ARIAN STEVENS

F 3T B E HI ND T HE L E NS | VI S I B I L I T Y

Flylords: Tell us about yourselves.

Lael: I am Captain Lael Paul Johnson, owner and guide for Fly Gyde, founder of the F•Y•S•H Foundation, photographer, fly tyer, writer, ambassador and above all, an obsessed steelhead fisherman. I’m originally from Topeka, Kansas where, after training in the army I left in my early 20s to v the US as a surgical technologist and ended up in Seattle. I never left, and now I’m in my 10th year of living out a childhood dream of being a fishing guide in the Pacific Northwest.

Tyler: I’m originally from New Milford, Connecticut. The first time I picked up a camera was while catching pike with a buddy of mine after school. We were so addicted but had no business buying $7 Dardevle lures at the rate we were losing them. After college, I moved to Los Angeles with my now wife. Over the last 7 years, I’ve worked in tech/ marketing, launching products, and building brands. Over the last 6 months, I’ve made the transition to freelance full-time, combining everything I love doing and working with brands I believe in.

Flylords: How did this film come to life?

Lael: What would you do if you had 15 minutes to show the world who you are? I’d asked myself that for a long time. What do you want to represent your legacy if you get your chance? Are you waiting for a chance, or will you make an opportunity? After sorting through those questions over the years, my goal was to help people catch fish, but more importantly, to open doors for other anglers who looked like me, or make it easier for them than it was for me. Getting my story out and spreading the mission of the F•Y•S•H Foundation was best done by showcasing what has helped me in a short film, ultimately hoping to help others. Here’s how it all went down: The title “Visibility” is a perfect example of a double entendre – from a steelheaders perspective, watervisibility” is the only thing that can stop us. The second definition of visibility for me, on top of being

a steelheader, was asking: How do I become noticed and successful in a profession that typically has not been filled by anglers of color?

How do I change that narrative so that I become the example? Those are two things I have been faced with my entire career, but I knew the only thing that could stop me is me, and not being able to show my gift to the world.

Tyler was originally one of my clients who booked a steelhead trip in February of 2022 for him and his now fiancé, Lex. On the trip, we hooked one good one, it came off, Tyler filmed a little and we had fun. After we pulled out the boat, I grabbed my rod and went back to the river for an after-work sesh. Tyler asked if he could go with me, and that moment meant a lot to me. He showed me he was really into this and wanted more, even after a challenging day. In my eyes, a steelheader baby was born!

As I was swinging, I told him more about myself and my plans for the year, and how I wanted to do this film project called “Visibility.”

He then told me how he wanted to get into the outdoor industry as a filmmaker. Then, it was just two people opening up about future goals while standing in the water.

I chose Tyler to be the one who would eventually direct this project because he was so passionate and excited about steelheading when I first met him. Tyler has the drive to do whatever he sets his mind to, and that’s who I needed.

I can’t leave out the story’s connection to the F•Y•S•H Foundation.

The F•Y•S•H Foundation is a non-profit I created with support from Ford’s Bronco Wild Fund to help others find better mental health through the transformative power of fishing and the outdoors. Without it, I don’t believe this project would resonate with so many people as it has. Understanding how fishing and the outdoors has helped me, it made me want to present that opportunity to others to help them too – regardless of their income, ability, or background. There

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was a need for this film. Partnering with an organization that aims to help people find that too just made sense.

Flylords: What was your most memorable moment in the production of the film?

Lael: On the second day of shooting, I was inches away from hooking into possibly the biggest steelhead I may have seen. It will have to be a creature of legend that I’ll chase for the rest of my life.

We’re on schedule, launching the boat in the dark, and I decided to take the boat across the river and swing a run I know holds fish that will play ball. All is going well, but it’s a pretty deep, challenging spot, so I’m locked in dredging, big shit! 14′ foot rod, Intermediate head, T-17, a fat Night Crawler, and a hook worthy of getting into “Walter.”

I’m 3/4 of the way down, and I see a splash next to the fallen tree I’m swinging next to, and my heart beats fast! The cameras are on, so I just have to hook ’em. I got closer to the tree, and there was no more movement for about six or seven casts, but then something the size of a 25+ pound chinook broke the surface with a big splash, chasing my fly. It was a real HOLY #@!% type of moment that would have gone down as one of my greatest. That feeling epitomizes the excitement that steelheading can bring, with or without hooking a fish.

When you are in that moment, the world disappears, and it’s just

you, the forest, and the fish.

Tyler: Aside from Jimmy taking stand-up comedy breaks or eating his ramen noodles with pliers, I’ll never forget the morning of our final day. At 4:30am the guys were dumping boiling hot water to get ice off the boat. We pulled up to the river as the sun peeked over the mountains. We were awarded the most breathtaking panoramic view of snow covered trees and mountain tops. We just knew this was the day Lael would find what he was searching for. There was this silence in the air for the first hour, it was pure magic.

Flylords: Tell us about the production, camera gear, and the production crew.

Tyler: The entire film was shot handheld on the Sony FX3 with a 24-70 lens and a ton of batteries. I had to be nimble. The guys were mic’d up for a few scenes, but for the most part, the audio was from a Sennheiser MKE-600 shotgun mic via XLR, so I could have some audio control. I did everyone’s interview 1:1 apart from one another, so no one had a clue what the other had spoken about. I wanted it to be as organic as possible. Not an ounce of this film was fabricated.

The only thing we had planned was a 4:30 AM wake-up call every day and flights back home.

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STILL SETTING THE STANDARD

TFLATS.COM

Protecting Turneffe Atoll and Belize’s flats fisheries since 2002

F3T BEHIND THE LENS

TRIPLE TROUBLE Next up in our 2024 F3T Behind the Lens series, we connected with angler and guide Danielle Davidson, wildlife artist and angler Mary-Beth Meeks and filmmaker Ben Meadows to chat about their latest film Triple Trouble, which focuses on friendship, joy and fly fishing for the infamously tricky tripletail. Flylords was lucky enough to catch up with these three to learn more about what went into the making of this film.

INTERVIEW BY TAYLOR FRY | IMAGES BY SUPPLIED

B E HI ND T HE L E NS | T RI P L E T ROUB L E

Flylords: Danielle, how did you get connected with Ben and George and how did filming for Triple Trouble transpire?

Danielle: Back in May, a group of friends attended the FFI’s Gulf Coast Classic at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores AL. It was one of the best fly fishing events I’ve ever attended. The event wrapped with a 2023 F3T Film Tour viewing party. George and Ben had a film called The Holy Well that really caught my attention because they were feeding tarpon on top waters. Ben and George seemed down to earth and approachable so when I got home, I sent them a message on Instagram telling them about our event and asking if they might be interested in possibly doing a film on the Tripletail Classic.

I felt like what we had created with The Tripletail Classic was something unique and I wanted to document it so that we could share our community, cause, and fishery with the rest of the fly-fishing community.

I knew I didn’t have the story telling or camera skills needed to create what I had envisioned. I knew I was going to need help and needed to find the right people who would recognize how special it all was! Ben and George did just that and teamed up with my friend Sam Sumlin, a local photographer and fly-fishing guru, and the rest is history.

Flylords: Can you tell us a little about the Tripletail Classic?

Danielle: The concept started back in 2020 as a small event for our local fly fishing club, the Eastern Shore Fly Fishers. My husband, Noble and I were both on the board for ESFF and were looking for ways to connect local fly anglers and support conservation efforts.

We thought, what better way to do that than a tournament! The format and cause have really resonated with people and has turned into something we’re extremely proud of! Although Noble and I started the tournament, it wouldn’t be possible without the help of the tournament committee.

There are so many components of the tournament that I love! We have fun categories which include first fish, largest fish, and most total inches. We also started a marine debris category with help from our sponsors 4 Ocean, Costa and Ethan Estess to help bring awareness to the marine debris issues that come along with FAD fishing for tripletail.

Our tournament committee has taken the conservation efforts to the next level by growing our Conservation Corner into the Conservation Causeway. Where we showcase up to 10 environmental organizations.

Flylords: If you could give one piece of advice to any female anglers wanting to get into the guiding industry, what piece of advice would you give?

Danielle: The advice I would give to a female angler wanting to get into guiding is first off, make the jump! We need more lady guides!

Secondly, get to know your equipment. Do your own service maintenance, change the tires, know your wiring. Be ready for when things break, because they will break.

Flylords: Ben, what made you want to make this film?

Ben: This year, George and I attempted to focus on stories that centered around joy. Whether it was an F3T production or a personal cut dropped on YouTube, we wanted joy to be the key resonance. As folks will see in the film, MB and Danielle bring passion, talent, and bring boat fulls of joy.

Flylords: What was the most challenging part of this project?

Ben: Understanding the fishery on a moment’s notice. Everyone knows that fishing a new area/species is exceedingly difficult. Documenting that is a whole different game – it’s like multiplying two low-probability things together. This (and most saltwater projects) is

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wildly different than filming trout. Trout are spatially constrained by a river bank, and river depth, which means you can set up, prepare, and predict their behavior. If you miss a rise or an eat, patience will pay off! They’re likely to repeat the same behavior.

Saltwater…isn’t like that at all. If you blow a shot (typically the holy grail– filming an eat shot) there’s no second chances. There’s no do overs. The moment is gone. The fish is swimming miles away. So for this project– documenting MB’s first saltwater fish– created an intense level of pressure. If you fail on the moment it all comes together? There’s no reshooting that.

Flylords: MB, what does your artistic process look like?

MB: I start by sketching the image onto the block. Then I use carving tools to create the image in the block. After the carving is complete I paint the block using block printing ink and then press it onto paper.

I just recently started working on life size commissions of Permit and Tarpon. I think my favorite I’ve made so far is a 68in Tarpon.

Flylords: Was this was your first time saltwater fly fishing? If so, how frustrating and rewarding was the experience?

MB: I had done some surf fishing before with little to no luck but nothing like this. I wet wade all the time, so being on a skiff was a bit

different. I told Danielle it almost felt like hunting because you’re constantly looking for signs on/in the water. It was so rewarding having everything come together.

Flylords: Favorite/funniest memories while filming?

Danielle: MB catching her tripletail (first saltwater fish) and asking, “What do I do?” when the fish took drag.

Ben: When Danielle said “MB, this is going to be it.” We all listened – and man. That paid in spades! Funniest memory is when we thoroughly enjoyed Danielle’s magic trick for making folks cast farther…

MB: My favorite thing was being able to catch a tripletail with Danielle. I think people from 5mi away heard our excitement. I also was able to tag the one I caught which was such a neat process. It was amazing to share a boat with such a bad ass woman. Danielle is knowledgeable, passionate and eager to teach. Getting first hand knowledge from her and seeing her in her element was my favorite… that and landing a fish also!

The funniest part had to be the “last cast.” We were just about to throw in the towel because it was midday and the heat was becoming unbearable. Danielle switched up a fly for me, I threw a Hail Mary as the last cast of the day and the most beautiful tripletail appeared.

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F3T BEHIND THE LENS

COSTA’S MARLIN FLY PROJECT TAPS INTO CONSERVATION, COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND EPIC FISHING INTERVIEW BY WILL POSTON IMAGES BY NICK PRICE PHOTOGRAPHY STONE F LY MAGAZ I NE

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C O STA’S M A R L IN F LY PR OJ E C T TAP S I NTO CONS E RVAT I ON, COMMUNI T Y S CI E NCE AND E P I C F I S HI NG

If you have spent any time on social media in the last few years, you have likely stumbled across some insane fly-fishing content from Mag Bay. Chances are that clip involved a marlin slashing through a bait ball or chasing down a fly. Magdalena Bay has built quite the reputation in recent years as a world-class angling destination home to incredible numbers of striped marlin for portions of the year. Knowing this, Costa initiated the Marlin Fly Project to learn more about this incredible fishery to protect these fish and local communities for the long term.

Late in 2022, dozens of Costa Pros and scientists traveled to Los Locos, Mag Bay to deploy 15 satellite tags into fly-caught marlin. The Costa crew successfully deployed all the tags in two days and made history with the first recorded billfish research campaign using exclusively fly fishing tackle.

We recently sat down with Costa’s Conservation and Community Manager Joe Gugino to learn more about this awesome project–follow along for more on the Marlin Fly Project and some great stories!

The 2024 Fly Fishing Film Tour features a special F3T edit of Costa's Marlin Project

Flylords: Before we get into the genesis and impact of this project…I’ve got to ask you first what everyone is thinking: “Marlin on the fly?! How epic and borderline insane is this idea?”

Joe: Yeah. Marlin on the fly. It is as insane as it sounds. You see all the epic photos and videos and you know it is going to be awesome, but I promise, it is even better than you think. I’ve heard stories of people doing this sort of thing around Mag Bay, but it seems like the boys of Los Locos have really put it on the map. It’s something everyone should experience in person.

The fishery itself is incredible, and one that’s appreciated by so many, from divers and sportfishers to those crazy enough, like us, to pursue it on the fly…and from a panga! The visuals are amazing, but it’s the full experience. You run miles and miles (hours) on a panga out of Mag Bay and into the open ocean looking for the swirling vortex of frigates. Once you find them, you’ll start seeing the marlin slash through the water. Throw your fly in, get tight, and watch the acrobatics while line is just peeling off your reel…the whole thing is insane. And it doesn’t feel any more real once you get the marlin boatside. Your adrenaline is pumping and you’re just there reviving it and admiring its beauty before safely releasing it back…yeah, you gotta do it.

Flylords: Tell us a little bit about how the Marlin Fly Project came to be.

Joe: If you’re a fly angler who’s spent any amount of time on social media, chances are you have seen the awesome photos and ridiculous videos of the scene in Mag Bay. Naturally, we were drawn to it and wanted to experience it for ourselves. We didn’t want to exploit the resource or use the opportunity to just create epic content. We wanted to do something bigger, but we weren’t quite sure what that looked like. So our initial goal was to go down and see what might

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even be possible, because at Costa we’re always looking for ways to involve community and conservation in everything we do.

Our first thought was maybe we could put on a Costa Marlin Fly Tournament to help call attention to the area, and have the proceeds benefit a conservation partner. Capt. Cody Rubner and I worked on the idea and brought Costa Pros Capt. Brandon Cyr and Capt. Nick Labadie, who are familiar with fishing tournaments, down with us.

And thanks to the recommendation from the Los Locos team, we also brought photographer Nick Price to document the experience and help us promote our plan that would come out of this mission.

From the outside, it seemed like the pangas were a cool set-up to possibly have teams of two anglers, competing in a multi-day format.

We thought it would be awesome to pair up Costa pros with unique connections (either similar fisheries or regions) to come down and compete and help bring awareness to the area, while connecting it all to a cause. It wasn’t completely formulated in our heads, but that’s why we went…

As expected, we fell in love with the fishery. But even more so, we fell in love with the town and the community surrounding Mag Bay. In the days and weeks that followed, we all sort of knew that a tournament wasn’t the answer here…it was going to be some sort of conservation mission, and the community piece fit right in line with that.

Not sure where to start, we began to have conversations with our partners at the Billfish Foundation and the International Game Fish Association to see if having data on this striped marlin population would be valuable. We were happy to learn at that point that any science we could get would be crucial, as little to none is really known about this species in this area of the world.

And that’s when it clicked for us – what if we helped ensure the health and future of this Mag Bay fishery? We would go down and

catch these fish, just like the Los Locos team, and deploy satellite tags to help fill some crucial data gaps. Given the Los Locos operation, it was important for us to catch fish on the fly, just like they do, as part of the study to help them prove they aren’t putting any more stress on the fish than the sportfish boats do.

Flylords: You guys went down to Mag Bay to study this population of striped marlin. What are you hoping to learn, how did you embark on this mission, and how can you leverage this science to protect this incredible resource?

Joe: We wanted to find the best opportunity to learn as much as we could about them. We wanted to get satellite tags to have the most information possible, but satellite tags aren’t cheap.

Costa was able to purchase eight tags from IGFA and TBF. Next thing we know Peter from the Billfish Foundation offers to donate an additional seven tags to bring us to a total of 15 satellite tags for the expedition.

The first goal was to deploy all 15 tags, and after that an additional amount of spaghetti tags as well. The satellite tags will give us valuable information on post-release survivability, where the striped marlin swim, what depth, and what the water temperatures are.

We aren’t entirely sure what will come out of this science, but the ultimate goal is to start to get a baseline on this fish, to be able to set up and protect these species down the road.

Flylords: This project was no small feat, can you tell us more about the partnerships/team that made this possible?

Joe: This project was a big lift from start to finish and required the utmost amount of coordination and planning from a year out, to during the trip, and bringing the story to life after the trip.

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In addition to all seven science and community partners we brought along the trip, plus the whole team at Los Locos and the San Carlos Community, we had over 40 people as part of the mission and even more supporting that. The core Marlin Fly Project team consisted of Cody Rubner, Hannah Trotter and myself.

bination of anglers, scientists and our content team to be set up for success while scattered across the ocean on pangas was no easy feat.

Before we went down, and after successfully securing the tags, we had to figure out a way to transport all the tags and tagging equipment into Mexico. That was all in addition to coordinating 20 people’s flights, from around the country into Baja, transporting everyone 5+ hours north from Cabo to San Carlos, lodging, fishing gear and scheduling.

Before leaving San Carlos, we celebrated the mission with our whole team and more people from the town at Mar Y Arena, the lodge we were all staying at. The Travel Creel team put out an awesome spread, and we all ate and danced together.

Cody was the main force behind all the logistics and communication between the scientists.

We had an insane two days of travel for the entire team but once everyone was actually in San Carlos, the next big task was to find the fish, catch the fish and get the tags in the fish. The amount of coordination it took to make sure every boat was set up with the right com-

Good news: We got all fifteen satellite tags deployed in just two days of fishing!

After coming back from the trip, the hard work continued. Cody, Hannah and I worked closely with Perrin and Wiley to put the film together to accurately share the fish-stoke as well as tell the story.

Hannah helped take the lead with all of our internal and partner comms to make sure we were aligned with a launch strategy, and eventually executed all external comms.

This trip was a full team effort, but would not have happened or been brought to life the way it was without Cody and Hannah!

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SAS K ATCHE WAN, CANADA

Welcome to Saskatchewan!

Images of this vast Canadian province, inaccurately generalize it as flat and boring. It’s said (jokingly) you can watch your dog run away for days. Think farmland, grain silos and golden fields stretching to the horizon. Saskatchewan’s official animal is the white tailed deer, official bird is the sharp tailed grouse, official fish, the walleye and official sport isn’t hockey…it’s curling! Eh? The southern half of Saskatchewan is prairie, the northern half densely forested, peppered with lakes, rivers and streams. With just over 1 million residents in the entire province, Saskatchewan has more than 100,000 lakes and really is a fly angler’s dream.

Saskatchewan’s north is an incredibly diverse land, geographically and topographically. It’s dynamic, isolated, pristine and wild but getting there isn’t difficult at all. Many lodges have charter flights arranged to get anglers into their lodges the same day they arrive in the province.

There are a few remote lodges however that will put anglers up for the night and fly them in the next day. It’s all part of getting that far north in the province. Generally, a flight from the angler’s originating airport begins by heading to either Saskatoon or Regina. Some lodges ask you arrive in Edmonton Alberta.

In our experience, they will connect you to Stony Rapids. From there, the fun really begins as anglers can expect to be ferried to their northern lodge via ‘The Workhorses of Canada’s North’ the DE Havilland Beaver or Otter.

Flying in one of Canada’s iconic bush planes is truly an experience to behold. These planes have literally built the north by flying fuel, construction materials, recreational vehicles, boats and motors, explorers, adventurers and now anglers to some of Canada’s most remote locations and communities. They are as reliable, safe, and trusted today as they were in the 1950s when they were at their most active.

THE DETAILS: WHAT TO EXPECT Northern Saskatchewan outfitters can range from very comfortable ‘spike’ camps in remote areas to extremely well-appointed luxury lodges and most everything in between. Finding the perfect big fish adventure in Saskatchewan will require anglers to do research on the species they choose to target, level of service they desire and of course, to find an outfitter or lodge that meets their budget expectation.

The Tourism Saskatchewan website is the perfect take off point to narrow the search for the perfect adventure but here are a few things to consider: Bush Planes – individual weight limits are a consideration for each angler and are generally limited to 50lbs.

Bugs – with the right repellent and clothing choices, the bugs really aren’t an issue at all.

Weather – anglers travelling to the north should be prepared for a wide swing in weather conditions.

Time Of Year – spring and fall are prime times for hunting the big 3 – northern pike, lake trout and Arctic grayling. Summertime, most lake trout will go deep, well beyond the range of fly anglers and grayling will continue to inhabit their fast moving water haunts, accessible to anglers. When it comes to northern pike however, there are many lodges in the north that fish the same conditions all year long – just like ice-out, July, August and September fish pike as shallow water, warmer bay hunters on the prowl for unsuspecting prey.

Northern Saskatchewan is an angler’s paradise. With almost countless rivers, lakes and streams, hunting the big three is as exciting as one can imagine. In fact, the entire experience from door to door is one that every angler won’t soon forget.

Northern Saskatchewan isn’t only the land of wheat fields and horizons, it’s an easily accessed, remote and wild adventurer’s destination dream that will not disappoint.

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RISE. FISH. REPEAT.

If you wanted a vacation, you wouldn’t be coming to Saskatchewan.

You want early mornings, chapped hands, and sore muscles from reeling in a trophy. You want remote lakes with so little pressure they’re growing dinosaurs down there. And you’re going to wake up each day making it your mission to catch them.

You want the fishing trip of a lifetime. It’s right here.

FishHuntSask.com

AP PARE L

FLY FISHING’S APPAREL UPGRADE

Introducing Skwala, the newest F3T Sponsor WORDS BY MILES NOLTE It’s almost showtime. You’ve settled into your auditorium seat with your buddy, and you’re sipping on a malted beverage from a can, waiting for the lights to go down, the music to drop, and the films to conjure places and fish that swim through viscous dreams. It’s the extraordinary standard start to an F3T.

Head of Brand, Rich Hohne, explained Skwala’s philosophy, “We don’t make “good” gear. We don’t believe in making price-point, mid-grade, and top-tier waders. We only build the best gear we can possibly make for its intended use. We pair the highest quality materials with thoughtful design inspired and informed by decades of experience on the water.”

You may be wondering, “Who the heck is Skwala? This isn’t a name I was expecting.” Maybe you’ve heard some buzz about their products maybe you’ve seen them on the water or at your local shop. While the name might feel unfamiliar, the people behind this upstart are far from new to the fly fishing world or technical apparel. They’ve been involved in some of your favorite brands and gear for years.

Skwala aims to make innovative, quality fly fishing focused apparel for anglers who take fishing seriously but don’t take themselves too seriously. Their ultimate goal sounds almost counterintuitive for a brand. They want to build gear so good that you forget you’re wearing it. “If you’re thinking about your waders on the water, then your waders aren’t doing their job very well,” Hohne told us.

Skwala intends to build apparel so comfortable you focus on the important stuff, like fishing.

Skwala Fly Fishing launched in 2022 to “bring a new level of purpose-built design and performance to fly angling apparel.”

Founder, Kevin Sloan described their origins, “We knew that we didn’t need to be wearing clothes that felt stiff, heavy, baggy, cold, or clammy. We had solved that problem in apparel built for other endeavors and I knew we could start a fly fishing company that can compete at the cutting-edge of the outdoor industry. So, I recruited a team that has helped build some of the most respected brands out there—Sitka, Yeti, Orvis, Patagonia, Simms, Burton, and others.”

Sloan courted a small crew with sharp minds, tight loops, and thought-provoking ideas, convincing them to join forces to create what would become Skwala.

Sloan said, “We’re making gear in a way no one has thought of in fly fishing: a fully waterproof jacket that stretches like a squirmy worm, waders that move with you so you don’t fight to move inside them, wet-wading pants that dry before you get back to the truck (and long before you get to the bar), light-as-air sun hoodies that still offer 50+ UPF protection. We’re completely rethinking fishing apparel design, from the burly gravel gaiters on our waders to the unique scuba-hoods on our sun shirts and everything inbetween.”

If you haven’t already, check out their gear at skwalafishing. com or at one of their exclusive retail partners.

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The Chimera

FLIES THAT CATCH MORE FISH. YAKODA.COM

IT’S NOT SECRET FLY ANGLERS LIKE TO GIVE ADVICE, TELL STORIES AND ON OCCASION, BRAG A LITTLE. Seven Mile Fly Shop’s bathroom has become a must-see attraction for traveling fly anglers who visit the Florida Keys. First catches, guide quotes, shop reviews, off the cuff artwork, and fishy stickers have all found their way onto the walls of our lavatory.

SMFS’s staff hold the markers in a secret location and only offer them up to responsible parties. Although, every once in awhile an inappropriate comment makes its way onto the wall. Rest assured, the loo police monitor our sacred landmark and quickly remove tasteless comments. Magic Erasers and large stickers are their tools of choice for covering up the ones that don’t make the cut. Don’t be that person!

Recently, a new trend has been documenting first fly catches on the walls. Anglers young and old have been paying tribute to their first catches on fly whether it was a bonefish, tarpon or snapper. These are all accomplishments and memories to be celebrated and remembered.

MONTANA

BUILDING BIGHORN RESILIENCY Since construction of the Yellowtail Dam in 1966, Montana’s Bighorn River has fostered a premier tailwater fishery recognized by fly-fisherman for its year-round cold, clear waters and prolific populations of fast-growing wild trout.

St. Xavier Bridge Channel - Before Reactivation

However, in addition to creating a blue-water trout fishery, the construction of the dam strongly impacted the natural flow regime of the river channel – negatively affecting the downstream habitat of which the tailwater fishery depends.

Over the past few decades, the Bighorn River has become increasingly disconnected from its side channels. Changes in natural flow volumes and decreases in overall flow variability have led to sediment deposition and vegetation encroachment at side channel entrances, effectively isolating them from the main river. In result, the Bighorn River has become increasingly channelized, offering less complex habitat options for wild trout to fulfil their necessary life stages in.

The Bighorn River Alliance (BHRA), a nonprofit group dedicated to the protection of the Bighorn River, understands that side channel habitats are vital contributors to the health of the Bighorn wild trout fishery. Since 2019 the organization has focused its research efforts to assess, map and survey disconnected, or low functioning side channels that could be restored back to the main channel through mechanical excavation.

St. Xavier Bridge Channel - After Reactivation

“The idea is to explore how, with the help of periodic mechanical excavation, we can restore the Bighorn River to a more natural state that benefits the downstream river ecosystem,” says executive director Anne Marie Emery.

“The reconnection of side channel habitat to the main river not only helps the fishery by providing trout access to critical spawning and rearing habitats, but also helps increase the overall resiliency of the river in lieu of changing climate conditions by providing thermal refuge for trout during low flow years, and helping spread out, and slow down the river during high flow years.”

Juniper Channel - Before Restoration

As of fall 2023, the Bighorn River Alliance has effectively increased the resiliency of the mighty Bighorn through the successful restoration of 7 Bighorn Side channels, adding over 3 miles of complex habitat back to the river and its wild trout, while concurrently monitoring restored habitats to assess macroinvertebrate colonization and fish use.

The group will restore an additional 4-6 channels in the fall of 2024, making one of the largest side channel restoration efforts to date.

The Bighorn River Side Channel Activation project is made possible funding received from the BHRA membership, AFFTA, Montana Trout Foundation, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Park Future Fisheries fund and the USFWS Great Plains Fish Habitat Partnership fund.

To learn more about this work and to support the BHRA visit bighornriveralliance.org.

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FORT SMITH, MONTANA

Make 2024 the year you check the Bighorn off your fishing bucket list!

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T HE HATCH: D E ST I NAT I ON B E L I Z E

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A COUPLE WORTH KNOWING THE F3T CREW ON AN ADVENTURE IN BELIZE WORDS BY COOPER NASH IMAGES BY SCOTT BATTISTA

In the heart of Belize, a man named Craig stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of passion and responsibility.

Retired from the medical profession, excluding the specialized skill of hook removal, Craig is not merely the host of a Belizean fishing lodge but a steward of time itself. For decades, he and his wife, Karen, have dedicated themselves to preserving the pristine beauty of Belize, steadfastly endeavoring to maintain its essence as they first discovered it in the 1980s.

Craig, a man with a kind demeanor and arsenal of stories, regales dinner guests with tales that span the entirety of his fishing adventures and life.

Yet, beneath the surface lies a profound commitment to conservation.

Alongside Craig and Karen's conservation efforts is their steadfast companion, a vigilant German Shepherd named T.A.T., standing sentinel over the couple and their island sanctuary.

Unbeknownst to many, Craig and Karen have been at the forefront of the battle for the Turneffe Atoll's conservation for a remarkable 44 years. Recognizing the irreplaceable value of this atoll, they possessed the foresight to champion its protection when the concept of conservation was not yet in vogue.

One of the most enlightening conversations during my time in Belize revolved around the Turneffe Atoll Trust's groundbreaking "Catch and Release Legislation." In 2009, the Trust conducted an economic impact study, elucidating the substantial contribution of recreational fishing for bonefish, permit, and tarpon to Belize's economy. The study revealed an annual injection of $56 million (BZD) into the economy, sustaining 1800 full-time jobs. This revelation prompted Belizean officials to enact a catch and release policy for tarpon, bonefish, and permit—a decision grounded in the recognition that these species are far more valuable alive, thriving in the pristine waters they call home.

This legislative success is but one facet of the Turneffe Atoll Trust's impressive portfolio. In 2020, a monumental land trust initiative was solidified, ensuring the perpetuity of their conservation endeavors. To delve deeper into the remarkable work accomplished by the Turneffe Atoll Trust, I encourage you to explore their website at https://www.turneffeatoll.org/.

As a visual testament to their accomplishments, I share the following pictures, graciously provided by the F3T Roadcrew. While images may

capture a fraction of the reality, they serve as a smidge of justice to the extraordinary work carried out by Craig, Karen, T.A.T., and the entire Turneffe Atoll Trust.

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THE ORIGINS: CHILEAN PATAGONIA WORDS: FRANCISCO RIVERA, MATAPIOJO LODGE CO-FOUNDER & GUIDE For decades, Patagonia has been one of the most sought-after and coveted fishing destinations in the world. Every trout fisherman knows that Patagonia offers something different, challenging and a way to go back in time when fishing pressure on rivers and lakes was lower, where the experience between the angler and the environment was just their rod, line, fly, and the trout waiting for them.

using a number 5 rod to fish simultaneously with dry flies, nymphs (indicators if necessary), and light sinking lines. The emblematic rod number in Patagonia is 6, as it strikes a balance between strength and finesse to cover the greatest variety of waters. But let's not forget about the unnamed factor: the wind, which may lead us to use 7 and 8 rods while searching for trout in fast and deep waters, requiring fast sinking and heavy lines for casting.

Fishing in Chilean Patagonia is simply spectacular, as you can experience all four seasons in one day, greatly enriching each angler's experience. Dry fly fishing is present in every corner and is generous in its concept, allowing for sight fishing with small flies (sizes 14 to 22) such as Midges, Parachute Adams, Caddis, Blue Dam, Royal Wulff and many more. You can follow a food line in the river, sight cast, which undoubtedly enriches the soul.

And what about the species? That's another story, and we will focus on the area where we are fortunate to fish (a special place in Chilean Patagonia located in the Palena Province). It is there where we can find resident trout such as Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brook Trout, as well as migratory species like Chinook Salmon and Sea Run Brown Trout. We also have the Perca, which is 100% native and has a primitive appearance. There is something for everyone in terms of sizes, colors, striking contexts, fight intensities, and scenarios to find them.

In addition to this, we must mention how spectacular it is to fish with large dry flies like Dragonfly, Damselfly, Fat Albert, or Chernobyl which will give you the opportunity to catch a trophy trout. The odonate hatches are waiting for the perfect temperature to begin their cycle, and that is when the party starts.

Chilean Patagonia not only offers the paradise of dry fly fishing but also an ideal scenario for fishing with all kinds of streamers and a wide variety of nymphs. Imagine having everything in one place, day, and water. It is something that moves us angler from within, it cannot be explained. It is like an involuntary energy that leads us to do what we love most: fishing.

We believe that the common characteristic that repeats itself in each fishing spot is diversity, and for this reason, the equipment to be used varies. Starting with a number 3 or 4 rod for using floating lines and focusing on short to medium distances, also

But this would be just another fishing trip if it weren't accompanied by the culture and people of Patagonia. Experiencing it with all your senses is something that should be checked off the list of things a fisherman must do before they die... you just have to do it.

We are fortunate at Matapiojo Lodge to live in this paradise every day of the season, fishing the remote waters of the Futaleufu River, Yelcho Lake, Palena River, to name just a few, and at the same time, getting to know beautiful and interesting people from whom we learn. Just like you, who must be reading this little story, we are anglers, and that is precisely our way of life: being anglers for anglers.

Always, tight lines in the water.

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T HE ORI G I NS : CHI L E AN PATAG ONI A

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T HE ORI G I NS : CHI L E AN PATAG ONI A

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Easily find and book accomodations near your favorite outdoor pursuits.

Our place. Your adventure.

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UT I L A, HOND URAS

ADVENTURE WITH FLY FISH UTILA

When it comes to saltwater fly fishing, Honduras may not be the first on your list. In fact, it may not even be on your list, but that’s exactly why you should go. The big names are big for a reason, but they face heavy pressure on the fisheries, long wait times and canned experiences with the local towns.

Knowing that anglers are searching for world-class fishing and an authentic traveling experience, an outfitter like Fly Fish Utila should be on your horizon. They’ve taken a different, long-term approach to protecting and preserving their fishery while still chasing the indescribable thrill from a strip set in the flats.

Down in Utila, you can have excellent chances at bonefish, permit, tarpon and snook with other species too, like triggers, barracuda, jacks and snapper frequenting the bay and flats from time to time.

Like many fisheries around the world, the delicate ecosystem that surrounds the island always hangs in the balance. This is why Fly Fish Utila has taken a firm stance on its policies and practices to preserve the fishery and to promote healthy fish populations on the flats.

They’ve learned over the years that overfishing schools of bonefish and permit cause them to leave the flats in search of new areas with less pressure. The fishery can’t handle lots of pressure due to its small size.

That’s why they work with the Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA) to promote conservation efforts on the island. They ask their guests for a donation to support this group instead of fishing licenses for the week.

The guides make a concerted effort to move around and rest areas, hooking only a fish or two from a school and then leaving them alone.

The result is a quality-over-quantity experience that leaves anglers with world-class fishing while maintaining and growing the fish populations.

Utila hosts small groups of 4 to 6 angles a week. Not only does this help keep pressure off the fish, but it allows each angler to have a tailored experience to their liking. The people of Utila are welcoming and friendly to visitors – something that seems to stick with every person who ventures there.

You’ll go out for dinner each night to enjoy the fantastic variety of restaurants Utila offers. Besides allowing guests a more comprehensive selection of menu options and things to try, this also brings you together with the community to enjoy the camaraderie and fellowship of meeting new people in an amazing location. There’s one grill night per week with the guides and their families as a way for everyone to come together.

The island offers plenty to do beyond fishing too. Despite it being just 11 miles long and 2 miles wide, there’s a lot to do and see. It’s a water lover’s dream with public and private beaches. You can do everything from kayaking through a mangrove canal to paddling on SUPs through the harbor and snorkeling from the outfitter’s pangas.

On land, the island hosts a jungle full of hikes and freshwater caves waiting to be explored. Scooters, ATVs or tuk-tuk taxis can get you anywhere you need to go or visit the neighboring fishing community on the Utila Cays just west of the island.

When you’re not trying your hardest to double-haul on a school or bonefish, you can take the time to enjoy a slower pace of life. It is the Caribbean, after all, so sunset, happy hours and time on the beach is on most visitor’s to-do list.

You can come to Utila, Honduras to fish your heart out. And you should.

Tourists come and go to places. Utila is a place for travelers and anglers. Immerse yourself in an entirely different culture, ecosystem and land ready to welcome you if you’re willing to embrace it.

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WADE THE FLATS CONTACT US Jeremy Nolan

Jeremy@headsupflyfishing.com (970) 422-5422

DIVE INTO CULTURE Explore Utila's charm with Fly Fish Utila—an Orvis-endorsed outfitter offering unforgettable weeklong fly fishing trips. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the

smallest of Honduras' Bay Islands, where warm local culture meets exceptional fishing. Our expert guides with eagle eyes ensure an unforgettable pursuit of

black-tailed devils. Join Fly Fish Utila for a short escape, a lifetime of memories.

CONTACT US Jeremy Nolan, Jeremy@headsupflyfishing.com / (970) 422-5422

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The Utility Pack

SIMPLE, FUNCTIONAL GEAR. YAKODA.COM

G E AR

REEL PRODUCTS REEL REVIEWS WE TOOK THESE PRODUCTS ON OUR ADVENTURES AND REEL-Y PUT THEM TO THE TEST, SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO!

REELS HARDY Sovereign Fly Reel 5-6 RRP: $595.00 Value: Great Overall: 8.5/10 Performance: 7/10 Build: 9/10 Eye Test: 9/10

GREYS Tail Fly Reel 5-6 RRP: $129.95 Value: Fair Overall: 6.5/10 Performance: 6/10 Build: 5/10 Eye Test: 7/10 Tech Specs At $129.99 the Greys Tail is considered a budget reel, and a very capable one at that. As expected from a reel under $200, the Tail features a high quality di-cast aluminum build and machined finish. Complete with a legit sealed carbon disk drag system, modern large arbor, and closed frame design, the Tail will stand the test on any freshwater adventure embark on. Pair it with any 3-8 wt rod and you’re good to go. Fair warning: be careful on your adventures as the di-cast aluminum reels won't take a beating like the fully machined reels that are commonplace in this crowded reel market.

Tech Specs The old meets the new on this latest release from Hardy. Pair the timeless ascetics and classic click with an adjustable and reliable drag and you have the Hardy Sovereign. The elegance and craftsmanship are second to none on this supped-up take on the classic Hardy click ‘n pawl. Boasting more than enough power to put the brakes on standard freshwater species, the Sovereign is as much art as it is function. As with any click drag system, the Sovereign comes standard with signature and highly audible clicking. You likely know if this is for you as will any angler nearby.

Nonetheless, the Sovereign is a ‘treat yourself’ piece that will take any rod combo to the next level.

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ORVIS Hydros II Fly Reel RRP: $279.00 Value: BEST Overall: 9/10 Performance: 9/10 Build: 9/10 Eye Test: 9/10 Tech Specs Daily Driver, Bomb-Proof, Bang for the Buck. The Orvis Hydros has stood atop the value podium since its earliest days and will likely remain there until a worthy opponent emerges. Coming in under $300 seems ludicrous for what you get in the Orvis Hydros. The Hyrdos is fully machined, equipped with a strong sealed drag system, and is all wrapped up in clean large arbor design. Doesn’t matter what size or application, you can go with confidence knowing this reel will get the job done.

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SAGE Enforcer RRP: $575.00 Value: Great Overall: 8.5/10 Performance: 9/10 Build: 9/10 Eye Test: 7.5/10 Tech Specs Nothing fancy, just function. From our experience, the enforcer is a reel you can marry and settle down with. It delivers dial performance day in and day out. It may not have the reputation of a Mako or Nautilus, but it can certainly hold its own in any fight. It’s reasonably priced and aesthetically pleasing. Featuring a large drag knob with 20 marked stops of drag pressure, you can easily dial in your drag and have full control of the fight. When you are fighting that next trophy fish is not the time to be second guessing your reel selection.

HARDY FLY FISHING Fortuna Regent RRP: $750.00 Value: Good Overall: 8/10 Performance: 8/10 Build: 9/10 Eye Test: 9/10 Tech Specs Sleek, powerful and rapid line retrieval. Featuring the highest level of sealing ever put on a Hardy reel makes this reel a great addition to any arsenal.

LINES SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS Infinity Plus (Amplitude smooth WF-7-F) Full Size Heavy RRP: $99.95 Value: Great Overall: 9/10 Performance: 10/10 Build: 10/10 Eye Test: 10/10 Tech Specs If you’re looking for a line that can handle a little more weight for fast rods or larger trout rigs look no further. This line in our experience was great for the Midwest “steelhead” application. A “Trout rig” that has a lot of weight on it for dropping into deep cuts in the river needs a line that can hold it up. This heavier taper allows you to turn over this rigs without tangling the multiple components these rigs entail.

SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS Absolute Saltwater Supreme Tippet RRP: $29.95 Value: Good Overall: 9/10 Performance: 10/10 Build: 9/10 Tech Specs Some people get obsessed with their saltwater setups and rightfully so. The difference in catching a fish of a lifetime and breaking him off can be the result of the smallest details. The SA Absolute Saltwater Supreme Tippet will grant you peace of mind that it will hold.

The question really is….will your knot John?

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RODS

SAGE R8 S alt 1090-4

HARDY FISHING Marksman Z 908-4

HARDY FISHING Marksman 905-4

RRP: $1,100.00 Value: Great Overall: 8.5/10 Performance: 9/10 Build: 8/10 Eye Test: 8/10

RRP: $995.00 Value: Good Overall: 9/10 Performance: 9/10 Build: 9/10 Eye Test: 9/10

RRP: $950.00 Value: Good Overall: 8/10 Performance: 8.5/10 Build: 7/10 Eye Test: 9/10

Tech Specs Sage set out to change the game with the R8 and continue their quest of perfecting performance. It’s safe to say they’ve done something special here. The R8 Salt makes no compromises in feel or accuracy when making longer casts. Have no fear when that wind kicks up a notch as it still comes standard with that punch that Sage is known for. We won’t know how much this rod ‘changes the game’ for some time but it’s undoubtedly one worth adding to the quiver.

Tech Specs A focus on a light weight, accurate rod for high pressure saltwater environments; the Marksman Z will have you feeling confident even in the biggest knee-shaking school of fish.

New features, reel seat, guides and new materials.

Tech Specs The Marksman is a delicate blend of the old man’s dry fly stick and your daily driver trout rod. It has the finesse to lay down size 18 dries with long leaders, all while retaining the power to chuck a small streamer pattern. The Marksman ranks among the best all-around trout rods on the market. One thing worth noting is the single foot guides running the length of the rod. If you have a habit of stripping your leader past the tip, be very mindful as these single foot guides don’t let go of leader loops without a fight. All in all, outstanding work on this rod.

REDINGTON RODS Wrangler 790-4 RRP: $159.95 Value: Great Overall: 7.5/10 Performance: 7.15/10 Build: 8/10 Eye Test: 7.5/10 Tech Specs The Wrangler family of rods was designed to tackle a variety of applications. This 7wt did just that from smallmouth, Carp to Great Lakes steelhead this rod performed well. You cannot beat the price point and it always feels good to have a super responsive rod you do not have to baby.

TEMPLE FORK OUTFITTERS Blitz Fly Rod 10wt RRP: $429.95 Value: Great Overall: 8/10 Performance: 8/10 Build: 9/10 Eye Test: 8/10 Tech Specs Best rods for the price and earning that reputation with every release. The Blitz is no different. TFO knew exactly what they were doing on this one and created a beast of a rod. Designed by Blaine Chocklett, this rod can do it all, and for less…much less.

At $429.99 the Blitz has the punch to deliver flies of all sizes with accuracy. Need to swamp that floating line for an intermediate or sinking line? No problem. From the Northeast Coast to the Keys, the Caribbean and Open Ocean, the Blitz has a spot on any boat anywhere. It’s important to point out, some species require more finesse than power. When possible, consult your local fly shop about your specific needs.

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FURLED LEADERS FEATHER CRAFT Furled Leaders RRP: $13.95 Tech Specs So surprising they are worth talking about. With so much new stuff in the market these days you might wonder “how can fluorocarbon or nylon really be that much different?”. Well in regard to Feather Craft Furled Leaders, the answer is VERY different. Furrelled leaders aren’t new by any means, just largely under-appreciated.

Resembling braided monofilament tapered to a tippet ring, the feature craft furled leader lasted approximately 5x longer than your standard tapered leader (yes this was tested all summer and fall across fresh and saltwater environments). Tie on your favorite tippet and you are good to go. They come in a range of sizes pairing with rods 3 wt all the way up to heavy saltwater rods. They do sink a touch more than a standard tapered leader but this is negligible in most instances other than dry fly fishing, and can even be an advantage when throwing streamers or in the salt.

FLY TYING DR SLICK Carbon Fiber Tying Tools RRP: Sold Individually Value: BEST Tech Specs Light is hand, easy on the eyes, and most of all outrageously functional.

There are no groundbreaking new tools in fly tying but how they are made and what they are made of can make a huge difference. Imagine that all night, boxing filling, tying missions. Shedding just an ounce here or an ounce there can go a long way.

Thoughtfully made by one of the best in the business.

YAKODA Compact Tool Roll RRP: $101.00 Value: Great Overall: 8/10 Performance: 8/10 Build: 7/10 Eye Test: 7/10 Tech Specs Built for the minimalist, this tying tool set is as good as your tying bench as they are on your next destination trip. Coming in a compact, roll-up sleeve, the Yakoda tool set is perfect for tyers of all levels.

They are great looking and as functional as you could ever need. The package deal and getting everything that you need all in one purchase is a huge value add and an easy gift or upgrade option. If you have the desire to tie flies on the road or on a trip, you must check these out.

TURTLEBOX Mossy Oak Bottomland RRP: $449.00 Value: Good Overall: 9/10 Performance: 10/10 Build: 9/10 Eye Test: 10/10

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Tech Specs In a league of its own in this gear review, the Turtlebox speaker comes in as a waterproof vibe curating machine.

Waterproof and tough as hell, it makes for a perfect companion in any drift-boat, skiff, raft or even just hanging on the patio. Technology is one of those things where if it works its great; From Salt to the stream Turtlebox is providing crisp audio that has you thinking? “Why would I buy any other speaker, these guys fish”.

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NIPPERS YAKODA Nippers

DR SLICK Cyclone Nippers

RRP: $79.00 Value: Good Overall: 7/10 Performance: 6.5/10 Build: 8/10 Eye Test: 9/10

RRP: $25.00 Value: BEST Overall: 10/10 Performance: 10/10 Build: 10/10 Eye Test: 9/10 Tech Specs Frankly the fly fishing industry has gone too far with nippers. Some of the premium nippers topping out over $400.

We can officially silence all the hype beasts because the $39 Cyclone Nippers won best accessory at AFFTA and for good reason. The fully anodized cyclone nippers are available in two styles with both straight and angled blade options. Each pair comes with a pair of replacement blades and a cable retaining ring. Cutting up to 100lb fluorocarbon and even predator wire. Far and away the best nippers in this price point and maybe even the entire nipper market.

Tech Specs Sturdy and Stylish.

Yakoda comes to play with these nippers.

Boasting some of the most unique color options in the nipper game, the Yakoda nippers combine flash and function at a price point that doesn’t make you want to vomit. These can take a beating and will keep getting the job done day in and day out. Wether it’s your first season or your 50th, you’re sure to have these for many seasons to come.

APPAREL PONCHO Original Shirt

SKWALA SOL Hoody

RRP: $89.00 Value: Great Overall: 8.5/10 Performance: 8/10 Build: 8/10 Eye Test: 9/10 Tech Specs So let’s be honest. It’s a shirt. With that said, it’s a freakin’ nice shirt.

Even one that you can wear out without people asking why you wear fishing shirts everywhere. The Poncho Original and Western shirts are sneakily functional fishing shirts that come in a variety of sizes so stand a pretty good chance of finding one that fits well and actually want to wear.

RRP: $89.00 Value: Good Overall: 9/10 Performance: 9/10 Build: 0/10 Eye Test: 9/10 Tech Specs The Sol hoody increased the gap in quality between “Sun Shirts” and is what truly defines Sun gear. This hoody was put to the test in 7 days of tropical sun without a cloud in the sky or some breeze to break the heat. Light weight, quick drying and toughness so you do not have to baby it around rips and hooks. This hoody is a must for any sunny environment.

SKWALA Carbon Jacket RRP: $399.00 Value: Good Overall: 8/10 Performance: 9/10 Build: 8/10 Eye Test: 8/10

Tech Specs The Carbon jacket is a light-weight, warm weather exterior shell. It fits true to size and is designed to keep you dry. It does that and can pack away anyway on the raft or boat, weighing less than a pound. If you plan to wear it over insulation pieces, think about upping the size. This exterior shell was perfect for wading in the fall and being able to stay dry as I walk a few miles to escape crowds.

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G E AR

SKWALA Backeddy Wader RRP: $699.00 Value: Great Overall: 9/10 Performance: 10/10 Build: 10/10 Eye Test: 9/10 Tech Specs Tan is so back. My first pair of waders were tan with built in boots. The Skwala Backeddy wader is tough as nails with integrated knee pads which seems to have become standard around the neighborhood.

These knee pads are perfect size and shape and do not bulk up the wader. A zip up chest pouch for the phone to snap pics of the elusive species you pursue and two side pockets for a fly box or riverside libations; dependent on fishing. New straps are something the wader space hasn’t seen in awhile. I have broken many buckles after taking my waders off and slamming them in the car door after a good ‘Skunking’. The Backeddy wader introduces detachable magnetic shoulder straps for ease when getting out of the waders without sacrificing hold.

SKWALA Sol Tactical Hoody RRP: $119.00 Value: Good Overall: 9/10 Performance: 10/10 Build: 10/10 Eye Test: 10/10

ORVIS Pro Bibs

ORVIS Pro Zip Wader

RRP: $398.00 Value: Good Overall: 9/10 Performance: 10/10 Build: 10/10 Eye Test: 10/10

RRP: $749.00 Value: Good Overall: 9/10 Performance: 10/10 Build: 9/10 Eye Test: 9/10

Tech Specs The Orvis Pro Bib is an epic addition to the Pro line. Those days where you will be in the boat but do not want to put on the waders? The Pro-Bib comes to play. Boasting knee pads similar to the Pro waders. Center chest pocket for keys and phone to stay dry once in the boat. An extended hip zipper provides an easy way in and out. In summary the Pro-Bib is a great additional to the year round anglers arsenal.

Tech Specs The Orvis pro zips offer a super easy on and off solution to a wader.

The zipper starts high on the chest and goes way lower than the hips, no easier on and off. As per Orvis standards this hosts Cordura Fabric and YKK Zippers. The Orvis warranty process is unrivaled, this zipper is rated to 200 days.

Orvis continues to deliver with the ProZips.

SKWALA Fusion 3/2 Puffy RRP: $299.00 Value: Great Overall: 10/10 Performance: 10/10 Build: 10/10 Eye Test: 10/10 Tech Specs With a vast selection of “Puffys” on the market it seems like Skwala would have a hard time separating themselves from the competition. Wrong. I could tell you that it has 90 grams of insulation and 60 grams in the sleeves for optimal heat spread, and that it has Toray® 3DEFX+™ insulation paired with a Primeflex™ shell. That's all very technical. But the reality around this Jacket is that as soon as you pick it up, you can feel the difference in its weight and quality from others. When you wear it you certainly beats the cold. As anglers we do not mind spending the money on gear, we love putting it to the test; but it seems expensive has become the new standard with quality not matching the ask.

Tech Specs The Tactical hoody takes the Sol hoody up a notch; and boasts a great range of motion within the shoulders and arm areas. The “Scuba” hood is perfect for poppin’ the hood up and keeping your hat on to provide the ultimate ninja angler persona. Paired with UPF 50 protection and 3 pockets. You can't ask for much more.

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drslick.com 800-462-4474

BLACK WIDOW

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This wicked cool looking series revolves around the time savings and ergonomics of a bent shaft instrument. The loops on the super sharp razor scissors are raised and exposed, allowing the user to simply put their fingers into the loops without having to slide them across the bench to get them in hand or worse, dropping them on the floor! For those who keep scissors in hand while tying, the bent shaft is more ergonomic than a straight shaft, and follows the contours of your hand. Less hand fatigue=more flies leaving the vise.

The bent shaft on the versatile scissor clamps allows for a greater range of motion vs a traditional straight shank or curved jaw clamp. Perfect for excavating flies from a fish’s pie hole.

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Cutting edge nippers for the new age tippet materials. Super sharp Tungsten Carbide blades are mounted on a lightweight 6061-T6 anodized aluminum frame and make short work of most, if not all, tippet material from braid up to 20lb coated wire.

Available in straight or off set cutting face and both units come with replacement T.C. cutters, screws, hex key, and a steel retention ring.

Rubber Tubing on One Jaw

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DH/CF-J Dubbing Hook

You’ve got to see these! We have taken our 6 jumbo tying tools and mated them to stunning 10 mm O/D carbon fiber handles. Strong, lightweight, and beautiful!

DTW/CF-J Dubbing Twister

GALLERY

LET’S CALL IT A FISHING LESSON WORDS & IMAGES: KENDRICK CHITTOCK We wanted to catch steelhead.

For a local guide/outfitter and a long-time resident of Steelhead Alley, it doesn’t sound all that wild…or difficult. But just catching steelhead wasn’t enough for John Fabian and I. We, like many (all) anglers, had a certain way we wanted to catch steelhead.

We’ve caught enough on an indicator rod, watched the flows to find the perfect swing on a two-hander, and even kept a couple as bycatch while walleye fishing.

For this outing, we set aside our normal techniques and left the river behind. We wanted to catch steelhead as they staged to move up the rivers from Lake Erie. And we wanted to do it by boat.

Steelhead Alley is renowned for its numbers of steelhead, particularly for anglers wading and floating the river. But the big body of water where the steelhead spend their summers has plenty to offer, too. Sure, the fish are caught while trolling in open water, but what’s the fun in that? We wanted to cast, strip, set and watch the sunrise flash off of a wide silver flank.

It all sounded good, but by the end of the morning, the skunk still lurked on our side of the gunwales. It’s not exactly what we wanted.

Part of the fun of fishing is figuring it all out…and we did a lot of figuring. We figured different size flies with varying patterns, we figured varied retrieves and depth counts, and we figured locations. Whatever it was we were trying to figure out, the local anglers on the pier were way ahead of us. Maybe it was luck, maybe it was the bait. Either way, fishing has that way of reminding me that no matter how local I think I am to a place, no matter how well I know it, there’s always someone with a nightcrawler and a bobber hauling in the target species.

While our fly casting enticed nothing but lonely baitfish, we heard yelps and hollers in the voices of kids, adults, retirees and even someone with a heavy French accent. They all caught fish.

Maybe the whole idea of being local needs to be revisited.

I mentioned the voices and ages, home countries and bait, but I also have to add in the boats. We could have saved our pride

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by standing atop the bow of our Lund and looking down on the stationary steelhead anglers on the rock wall, but that gave us no advantage either. A kayak angler fought fish in front of us and waved, likely laughing quietly at the dopes in the big aluminum boat doing casting calisthenics. We even saw what had to have been a homemade craft made of four small pontoons, a deck railing and an engine big enough to push a paddleboard. At least they had a cooler full of beer.

By the time we tired ourselves of our pretentious preconceived notions on fly fishing, we made some comments about the gorgeous sunrise and ornithological observations, convinced ourselves the one color on the fly tying spectrum we didn’t bring was probably the right one, and motored the hell away from all the onlookers. It wasn’t all just running away, though, we did have some semblance of pride remaining. The good thing about fishing in Lake Erie is that there are more fish than steelhead.

Our favorite rock piles were free from boat traffic, cormorants, and bait fisherman with French accents. We adjusted our casting depth, retrieve, and flies, and fired out line for something a little more local than steelhead. It’s true that people come from far and wide to catch steelhead in the Lake Erie tributaries, it’s true

we still love fishing for them. It’s also true that Lake Erie has a tendency to grow smallmouth bass to weights that rival some steelhead. Turns out there are still advantages to being local.

Heavy smallmouth bass are no strangers to the rock piles and break walls of Lake Erie. We didn’t weigh the fish we caught, we were too busy fishing, but there’s something that happens to bass over five pounds. The gains on strength and girth make an exponential jump. I’m not talking about the actual precise measurements, I’m talking about the feeling you get when you see the fish by the boat, when you feel it grab the fly. Smallmouth on Lake Erie are no consolation prize, they are their own category.

We wanted to catch steelhead in the lake. We wanted to catch steelhead in front of all the bait fishermen and strange boats.

Instead, we caught smallmouth bass with not so much as a blue heron watching. After having a laugh and sharing high fives we forgot all about the steelhead. For the most part. There’s a life lesson there, some kind of wisdom.

Whatever we learned, it didn’t come from sitting at home or watching YouTube. Let’s call it a fishing lesson.

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MI CHI GAN

SHELLSHOTS: A RIVER SMALLMOUTH STORY WORDS & IMAGES: NICK MINESINGER, GUIDE AND MEDIA CREATOR FOR SCHULTZ OUTFITTERS It’s a dimly lit carpool lot in southern Michigan and we wait for Mike “Schultzy” Schultz, owner of Schultz Outfitters. Joining me is Corey "Sleddy" Haselhuhn, the manager of Schultz Outfitters. Before the sun even begins its ascent, the promise of a sweltering mid-July day looms.

After Schultzy pulls in, we embark with his skiff in tow, and discuss our strategy for the day. To fool mature smallmouth bass in gin-clear low water, our best bet lies in sight-fishing at distance using terrestrial patterns or small poppers, oftentimes downsizing to 4X tippet. It's a high-stakes game of feast or famine.

A typical smallmouth guide season begins in March, with casting large articulated streamers. Today’s spot-and-stalk approach mirrors the finesse of fishing spring creek trout, a complete reversal on the program from a few months earlier. Precision is paramount, with one misplaced cast risking the entire endeavor.

In the skiff, Schultzy stands on the rower’s seat, guiding us downstream. Corey is poised on the bow like a bonefish angler, fly in hand, mirroring the heron on the bank in stillness. Each of us locked in the same posture and process. We may be fishing for bass, but scan the clear river for soft-shell turtles, a strategic ally for bass seeking cover and prey. The bass and turtles often associate this time of year, a symbiotic relationship reminiscent of a permit shadowing a ray. Schultzy spots the distinct silhouette of a turtle downstream.

"Eleven o'clock, fifty feet," "Got him," Sleddy responds.

Sleddy presents his fly a few feet in front of the turtle. A dark

shape emerges from below. The bass hovers with his nose to the fly, inspecting the bug in a full circle. The pectoral fins twitch, stabilizing the fish in the current. The fish turns, refusing.

“Twitch it,” Sleddy's subtle twitch lures the bass back, and gently it sips the fly with confidence. A beat of silence, then Sleddy sets, and his six-weight loads to the cork. The rodeo begins.

The fish tailwalks towards a logjam. Schultzy’s quick on the oars as line rips through Sleddy’s fingers. The scene resembles a chaotic dog walk as the fish streaks across the bow.

The fish makes a decisive move towards a mid-river log. Almost by instinct, Schultzy grabs the net and jumps into the water.

Waist-deep in the current, he raises the net like a spear.

“Lift!”

A deep scoop reveals the silhouette of a large bass through the splash. Sleddy turns to me, grinning ear to ear. Schultzy laughs, “Make ‘em feel like they found it! Feed ‘em!”

We sit with the fish as it gently sways in the net. Smallies display defined tiger stripes, vivid from the stress of battle. Moments like these define our year. The transition from the voracious swim fly eats of spring to the delicate sips of summer illustrate the depth and diversity of moving water smallmouth. The distinct and ever-changing behaviors of these fish are why we devote our lives to pursuing them.

Sleddy releases the fish, high fives are exchanged, and again we stand at attention, facing downstream, yearning for another chance at interaction.

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— 4 Anglers Maximum — 2/1 Guide Ratio — Untouched Bluewater

ARK ANSAS

THE MILK RUN: A QUICK GETAWAY TO NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS FOR FLY FISHING ENTHUSIASTS In today’s fast-paced world, where time is a precious commodity, it’s often challenging for busy professionals and heads of households to find moments of relaxation and indulge in their hobbies.

Fly fishing often takes a backseat to the demands of everyday life. However, in the heart of North Central Arkansas, there exists a hidden gem known as “The Milk Run” – a unique and time-saving fly fishing experience that allows you to escape the daily grind and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Ozark Mountain region.

“The Milk Run” is not your typical fly fishing trip; it’s an extraordinary adventure meticulously crafted by VanWinkle Adventures, an organization dedicated to creating memorable experiences for fishing enthusiasts.

This journey is designed to be more than just a day of casting lines into the crystal-clear waters of the White River; it’s

a rejuvenating escape that combines convenience, natural splendor and the pursuit of trophy brown trout.

The journey begins with a 40-minute flight aboard a singleengine aircraft, departing from a local airport in North West Arkansas. This efficient mode of travel allows you to save valuable hours that would otherwise be spent navigating the 2.5-hour drive to the river. The moment you touch down, your guide, a seasoned expert in fly fishing and the region’s ecology, will be there to greet you. This seamless transition from the airstrip to the river sets the tone for a day filled with relaxation and angling adventure.

One of the remarkable aspects of “The Milk Run” is its accessibility to anglers of all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned fly fisher or a complete novice, your guide will provide patient and expert instruction tailored to your abilities. They’ll equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the White River’s pristine waters and improve your chances of landing that coveted trophy brown trout.

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ARK ANSAS

Amidst the serene backdrop of the Ozark Mountains, you’ll find yourself lost in the mesmerizing beauty of the region. The lush green forests, the gentle flow of the river, and the chirping of birds create a peaceful ambiance that washes away the stresses of daily life. It’s a chance to reconnect with nature and rediscover the simple pleasure of casting a line into the water.

VanWinkle Adventures has made it their mission to ensure that “The Milk Run” is not just a fishing trip but an unforgettable experience.

They understand that true passion for fly fishing is something meant to be shared, and they are committed to nurturing that passion in every participant. Their dedication to curating an exceptional adventure is evident in the personalized attention and care they provide throughout the day.

their habitat, where you’ll have a chance to test your skills and, with a bit of luck, land a prized catch.

As the day winds down, your guide will prepare a shoreline lunch, allowing you to refuel and savor a delicious meal in the midst of this natural wonderland. It’s a moment to reflect on the day’s experiences, share your angling conquests, and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the Ozarks.

As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, your guide will escort you back to the airstrip, where your pilot awaits to take you home. The return flight offers a final glimpse of the picturesque landscape, leaving you with lasting memories of this exceptional adventure.

As you wade in the White River, with the guide's wisdom echoing in your mind and the rhythmic motion of fly casting, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in conversation, share stories, and forge connections with like-minded individuals who share your love for the sport. The camaraderie that develops among participants is an integral part of “The Milk Run” experience, and it’s these connections that make it a memorable journey.

“The Milk Run” is a testament to the ingenuity of VanWinkle Adventures in creating a unique and time-efficient fly fishing experience. It’s a day that combines the convenience of modern travel with the timeless beauty of the Ozark Mountains and the thrill of pursuing trophy brown trout. More than just a fishing trip, it’s an opportunity to recharge, connect with nature, and share your passion with fellow enthusiasts.

However, the true stars of this adventure are the trophy brown trout that call the White River home. These elusive and majestic creatures are known for their size and strength, making them the ultimate challenge for fly anglers. “The Milk Run” takes you to the heart of

So, if you’ve ever felt that time was your greatest barrier to indulging in your love for fly fishing, “The Milk Run” is the answer you’ve been waiting for – a chance to make time for what truly matters.

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Follow Matt @Stockton.fly2frame and visit his website for more information matthewstockton.com STONE F LY MAGAZ I NE

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