A Guide’s Life

There’s a First Time for Everything

“For the most part, it’s glorious work, and while I’m partial to the experience and environments involved in fishing for trout in the American West, it’s all pretty good, really. Years go by, and you find that maybe you’re not only disinclined to do something else, you’re not even equipped. It’s been said that guides have a shelf life, and you definitely start to feel it. Medical issues creep in–blown knees, scorched retinas, melanomas and organ mutinies take their toll. With enough time on the water, you will witness Acts of God as well. I’ve seen boulders the size of automobiles shot a hundred feet out of a hanging side canyon by an unseen cloudburst miles away. Thirty foot logs sweeping downstream out of nowhere towards clients under a clear blue sky. Rearview mirrors missing faces by inches from drivers crossing the white line by feet, or surprising a cow moose with calves bedded down in open sagebrush. It can give you the willies…”

Read the entire article on Substack.

On Fly-fishing Etiquette

“Looking at a river, you can usually see the runs where trout will be. It’s good form to leave any angler you encounter at least two or three runs above where you find him fishing, before you think about dropping in the river. In a crowded stream–say, New York’s Beaverkill on a Saturday in May–this might be impractical. At the least, give other anglers their space...”

Read the entire article on Substack.

Product Buzz

Skwala Expands Thermo Collection with new midweight merino layers. “Merino is one of the most versatile textiles we can put on the water,” said Kevin Sloan, Skwala Founder and CEO. “It keeps you warm when wet, resists odor naturally, thermos-regulates body temperature and feels incredibly soft against the skin.” Learn more about the expanded Thermo Collection. From Flylords: The Best Click-and-Pawl Reels of 2025 and The Best Beginner Fly Rods of 2025. “This guide will not only walk you through the best beginner fly rods in 2025, but I’ll also explain why these rods are so highly recommended for those getting started in fly fishing.” From Hatch: New fly fishing gear: September 2025. “With the exception of one fall and winter apparel piece, all of this month's highlighted introductions are new rod or reel offerings. And, with new freshwater, saltwater, and two-hand rods hitting shop shelves, almost every fly angler looking for additions to their quiver will have something to ponder.” 15 Outdoor Brands With Repair, Resell & Upcycled Gear Programs. “In a warming world filled with single-use products and rapidly growing landfills, many outdoor brands are ditching the conventional linear take-make-waste system in favor of a circular one to keep pre-owned or end-of-life products in the wild.” Huckberry takes a behind-the-scenes look at the Patagonia WORLD HEADQUARTERS, providing insight around the brand’s fascinating product legacy and business philosophies. Watch the interview. Garmin unveils the versatile eTrex Touch to guide every outdoor adventure: Easy-to-use GPS navigator includes a vivid color touchscreen display, preloaded maps and exceptional battery life–should be about perfect for anglers: slender, lighter, rugged and moisture resistant, longer battery life. It’s that time of year when every fly-fishing brand is putting gear on sale: Simms fall stuff, Madison River Fishing Company has piles of gear on sale + the Airflo fly line sale, Epic Fly Rods have great Fly Rod & Reel Combos with awesome savings, BOTE SUP deals, Grundens End of Summer Sale, 3Bird Summer Sale, Stio Warehouse Sale.

Fly-fishing News

Check out our new Flylab Substack and the cool content over there. The Venturing Angler Podcast: Keep Fish Wet with Sascha Clark Danylchuk. “Sascha Clark Danylchuk discusses the Keep Fish Wet organization and efforts to help improve the health of fish and fish populations.” The Art of Taking Better Fish Photos from Loon Outdoors. “Put the health of the fish first in everything you do. This means keeping the fish wet before and after the photo is taken, and having your camera ready with your settings dialed in prior to the fish hitting the net.” Deeter on hunting birds, tying flies and catching trout. “I’ve come to believe that wild trout will eat just about anything if it’s presented the right way. And the fact they do so when it comes to my ugly bugs only proves the theory that presentation usually trumps pattern, especially when it comes to dry-fly fishing…” Searching for striped bass and balance on the Miramichi River. “A wide, powerful river that empties into the Atlantic Ocean, the Miramichi was once one of the preeminent spots for salmon fishing along the coast of New Brunswick.” From the Skwala Lounge: “In Iceland, every pool has a name. Every name has a number. Every number has a history–usually told by your guide, who somehow remembers how many fish were hooked there in 2021, how many ate on Tuesday morning, and whether someone lost a 90-centimeter hen at the tailout last September. (They did.) They remember everything. I can barely remember where I left my backup spool…” Kyle Frost on The [Outdoor Industry] Consolidation That’s Coming. “The dirty secret is that many of the outdoor industry’s most visible players are standing on financial quicksand. And when that ground finally gives way, the question isn’t whether there will be consolidation, layoffs, and closures–it’s who will be left standing to pick up the pieces…”

Recent Press

“I’m loving what you guys are doing. What a great resource for anglers. I know it’s a ton of work to put these together and it doesn’t go unnoticed. I just wanted to say, Bravo!” – Cortney, Blue Halo

On In Defense of Dry Flies: “Amen and Amen! Putting skill and artistry back into the sport will not only improve the fishery, it will raise the value of each fish we land. If we can add to the list single, barbless flies only, put a closed season back in place and add some reasonable limits on the angling pressure we put on fish, we stand a good chance of improving the long-term health of our fisheries. I will add that if every decision made in the sport is to maximize the dollars generated, we are headed to a collapse of it all.” – Jim, Flylab Fan

On Madison River Baetis: “I’m camping on the Madison as I read your great piece. Timely and helpful.” – Roger, Flylab Fan

“I would love to hear what it takes to become a gear tester and a serious fly-fishing representative. Looking forward to hearing from you!” – Joshua, Flylab Fan

Joshua, start fishing, row a boat, tie flies, become a guide, travel everywhere (with a fly rod), learn why fish do what they do and learn the difference between what is manufacturer/marketing product BS and what is real. Can you do that in a few years? Seems unlikely, but the only way to find out is by getting started. Send us some work after you’ve broken a dozen rods…

We’re always looking for Flylab feedback–send any comments, thoughts, suggestions, and we’d love to hear from you.

On Deciding Where To Fish

“When asked where to fish, I’m likely to respond with a few questions of my own. Do you already have a place in mind? Some sort of fishing you’re looking for? Some sort you’re trying to avoid? I’m not being evasive, but rather trying to ascertain whether you have an agenda I need to consider. Most folks simply want to have a nice day and catch some “good” fish, but when pressed further they often reveal biases regarding certain waters and certain kinds of fishing. I don’t want to send you to a big river if you’re really interested in small streams, and I don’t want to recommend, say, streamer fishing if you’d rather fish small dry flies...”

Read the entire article on Substack.

Partner Spotlight

J. Stockard Fly Fishing

For over 20 years, J. Stockard Fly Fishing has been the go-to place for high-quality fly tying equipment, materials and supplies. Their collection includes over 15,000 materials, hooks, tools and more, including all the major brands. Located in Connecticut, J. Stockard serves tyers across the U.S., Canada, and the world. Despite being one of the largest retailers of fly tying materials and supplies, J. Stockard stays true to its roots as a family-run operation with a customer-first ethos: deep product knowledge, reliable service and an earnest respect for the craft of fly tying. @jsflyfishing

Flylab member discount: Weekly discounts on all fly-tying products.

If you’re a fly shop, outfitter, fishing lodge or outdoor brand and interested in becoming a new Flylab partner, learn more about our program here. Join the best partner network in fly fishing.

From Hooké and the Atlantic Salmon Federation: “Scale of Change” highlights efforts to preserve wild Atlantic salmon for generations to come.