Ode to “Fishy” Moms on Mother’s Day

Ode to “Fishy” Moms on Mother’s Day

Take Mom Fishing!

My mom didn’t teach me to fish, but she encouraged me to go fishing. And she cleaned me up after I fell in the creek. And she cooked the fish I caught, even if they weren’t very good to eat. And now, mom reads the stories I write about fishing.

Here’s to all the moms out there. I hope every day feels like Mother’s Day, in that you feel loved, appreciated and honored.

I hope you go fishing on Sunday.

Or maybe get some new “fishy” presents.

I hope they make you breakfast, lunch and dinner (and clean up after).

I hope the dog takes you for a walk.

I hope the weather is nice and the sun shines on your face, for at least part of the day.

I hope you realize that even after little boys and girls grow up, they still think of you as the mom you have always been.

I hope you know that your kids’ friends also look up to you.

I hope you know how grateful so many people are that you are in their lives.

I cannot think of a better way to show your appreciation for mom than to take her out on the lake, river, or ocean–even for just an hour or so. – Kirk Deeter

Interview: Joe Dilschneider

“The human connection is one of the value propositions that shops like ours [Madison River Fishing Company] can provide. And we’re not alone in this, specialty retail and fly shops especially, we have that human element that anglers require. No matter where you are in your fly-fishing growth curve, at some point you need some guidance, right? And that’s the business we’re in. That’s the business you guys (Flylab) are in too. Sharing, educating, informing, gear reviews, cutting through the noise and providing real information to people.

People need help. They need information. So that’s what insulates this industry from becoming dominated by Amazon. The telephone and human touch and the ability to get some one-on-one guidance on whether they should get this fly or that fly line–this is what sustains our business…”

Read the entire interview.

Product Buzz

Fly Fishing Show Consumer Choice Award Winners: The Fishpond Stormshadow Chest Pack won “Best of Show.” Patagonia rolls out its Stealth Switch Packs (9L, 5L, 3L): “low bulk, lightweight and versatile, the Stealth Switch Packs can be worn in multiple ways.” New fly fishing gear: Spring 2025 Roundup from Hatch. “No matter how you welcome the coming fishing season, it’s that time of year.” onX Introduces onX Fish Midwest: “Find your next new spot, and the one after that, with powerful planning tools that take the guesswork out of finding new places to fish.” Flylords reviews the NRS Slipstream 142: “Durability and maneuverability are key in the diverse and sometimes sketchy rivers of the PNW.” 3BIRD is a new Wyoming-based start-up in the outdoor apparel category. They claim to be “stewards of the outdoors and find[ing] common ground in adventure.” Filson x Housefly Collab: Finally, Some Stylish Fly Fishing Gear. “The new collaboration between Pennsylvania’s Housefly and Seattle’s Filson produced some sweet bags, clothes and accessories.” 

Fly-fishing News

Check out Tim Romano’s photo series Tailing Loops: Twenty Years of Flipped Boats, Punted Fish, Misfits and Semi-luminaries. It’s awesome. Fly Fishing With A Conscience on Fish Camp with Flylab founder Kirk Deeter. We Accidentally Drugged the World’s Fish. “[Atlantic Salmon] on clobazam are less likely to school, or group together, which is an anti-predator response. So even though they appear better at navigating the river–and less likely to be eaten during their seaward migration–it’s possible that they may be more prone to getting killed at sea.” Colorado’s Outdoor Businesses Are Buckling. “If the Trump administration wants to see more goods made in the U.S., where’s the road map?” From Hatch: Four Underrated Western Trout Towns. “There are some legit trout towns that just kind of get overlooked–forgotten amid the glory grabbers and the river culture, where deep conversations usually start and end at the fly shop…” Book Excerpt: “High in the Andes” from The Zen of Flyfishing by Peter Kaminsky. “My rules for cannabis and flyfishing are less stringent. Basically, I never start out fishing high or even slightly buzzed.” Strung Sporting Journal has ceased operations of its print magazine. “Building on the foundation of our print heritage, we’re now bringing you the same authentic stories directly to your inbox.”

Recent Press

“Your recent review of the New Zealand Strike Indicator system opened my wallet for a $60 investment in kit and replacements–keep up the great work.” – Anthony, Flylab Fan

“Love the long-form interviews, especially Conway Bowman’s–hundred times more interesting than some first-person video. Well done.” – Tim, Flylab Fan

“Why are you guys so hard on indicator fishing?” – Concerned Angler

We think you should fish any way you like, but we’re also trying to help anglers elevate their fly-fishing game. Bobbers are the first rung on the ladder, unfortunately. After you master the indicator, check out some new techniques…

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

Timing Dry-Fly Presentations

In the trout world, everything is timed. If I know a hatch is happening, and the trout are keyed on certain bugs, as opposed to the opportunistic terrestrial take, I won’t even make a cast until I’ve seen the same fish eat three times. 

I know what the bug is. I know where the fish is. Now I need to determine the feeding rhythm and establish a timing pattern…

Read the entire fishing tip.

Partner Spotlight

The Jackalope Motor Lodge

The Jackalope Motor Lodge is located in Pinedale, WY, a small mountain town set at the base of the Wind River Mountain Range. The Winds offer the most spectacular and untouched backcountry hiking, fishing, hunting and more; it is also the headwaters for the pristine Green River and several other rivers boasting ample fishing opportunities. The Jackalope is a roadside motor lodge that was given new life by its current owners in 2021 when they completed a full remodel.

Flylab discount: 10% (pro) / 5% (basic) off lodge bookings.

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 The Flyfish Journal: Photographer and director Chase White from Squamish, British Columbia. “White wears many hats: photographer, director, conservationist, advocate, dad and steelhead obsessive are just a few of them...”