Geartalk

Decoding The Madison River

It finally dawned on me that the only fish I was catching were those rising quietly. It was the explosion risers I couldn’t touch.

Fly-tying Knowhow: Hackle Grading

Most tyers building a hackle bench do the same thing: buy one cape or saddle in one color, run out of the colors they use most, then go back and buy another cape…

In Praise of 12-inch Trout

Relative pleasure in angling is becoming a function of fish size, where bigger equals better. I’m a little worried by this development.

One of Liz Steketee’s “mixed media” hallucinations, circa 2006.

The Ethical Minefield of AI-generated Journalism

For a fly-fishing media brand, AI-generated content concerns aren’t just about whether stories are “good,” but whether they’re trustworthy, legal and creatively taboo.

Cliff Watson, minding the nets in Bristol Bay, Alaska.

Welcome to The Rising

Thoughts on the culture of fly fishing from a Gen Z angler.

Baetis emerger in the water film.

Fishing With Your Feet

Proper positioning–fishing with your feet–is an important part of skillful fly presentation.

Montana Brothers Rodworks 9-ffot, 4-weight fly rod.

Montana Brothers Rodworks: The Inside Skinny

You can’t put these rods in your fly shop. You can’t sell them online. You’d be insane to turn one over to a client in your drift boat…

Why Social Media Marketing in Fly Fishing is Dying

That’s because fly fishing is all about authenticity...

Mother's Day Caddisflies on a western river.

A Fine Caddis Emergence

The strongest indication that fish are feeding on emerging caddis is the presence of rising fish with no insects apparent on the water…