There’s always a moment near the end of a trip when we realize what actually mattered. Before the photos are sorted. Before the numbers get counted. Before anyone tries to turn a few days on the water into a clean...

Ever show up on a trip and see that guy with the perfectly organized packing cubes and think, Man, I should do that? Then you get home, look up packing cubes, and realize you’re about to spend more money on...

The bags are packed, unpacked, and packed again. I keep finding my thoughts drifting, but not to the usual places. Not to the fishing. Not to the adventure ahead. Not even to the what-ifs. Instead, they keep circling one simple...

Some places stay with you long after you leave. The Amazon is one of those places. I first went there more than twenty years ago, long before fly rods, long before travel became work, long before I knew what any...

The trip never starts as the plane leaves the runway. By the time wheels are up, the trip has only become the current reality. It starts weeks, sometimes months earlier, in quieter ways. In daydreams. In questions. In the space...

The round plastic card table we use for lunch at the shop has been a war zone lately. Feathers everywhere, hook boxes open, a couple of empty glasses, often one half-full of Sunriver’s seasonal West Coast IPA, red Solo cup...

As we roll back into the work week after Thanksgiving, most inboxes are full of the same. Hundreds of emails with Black Friday sales, last-minute discounts, and deals on deals on deals. But what is this season truly about? Thankfulness...

A few weeks ago I walked onto a driving range with a hand-me-down set of golf clubs and absolutely no idea what I was doing. I didn’t even know where to put my bag. I stood there for a second,...

A long time ago, a legendary steelhead guide told me that every true steelheader needs to catch three fish without a phone or a camera - to truly appreciate the fish for what it is. I didn’t think much of...

Permit fishing has a way of humbling even the most experienced anglers. Many times, you won’t feel the eat. The guide will tell you to set, but the angler hesitates. They lose sight of the fish, can’t see the eat,...

While deer hunting this week, an opportunity arose for a shot on a mule deer. As I drew back, calmer than ever, waiting for him to step into a gap, I went through my shot process - my closed loop...

We’ve all heard it, maybe even said it ourselves: “I did everything right… so why didn’t it eat?” It’s the phrase that comes out around the dinner table after a tough day on the water. An angler sits back, frustrated,...

When people ask what the most important piece of gear is for a trip, most expect us to say rods, reels, or maybe a specific fly. But the truth is, the most important gear isn’t in your bag. It’s in...

“So good it will make you feel better than you are - all while making you better.” That’s the only way I know how to describe it. Imagine standing at the best ski resort in the world. You can ride...

If you’ve ever spent a day fishing the flats with me, you’ve probably heard me talk about a “closed loop system.” It’s a system I lean on for consistency, and I credit a lot of my success in fishing and...

Hosting fly fishing trips looks pretty great from the outside, and to be honest, it is. We get to travel to wild places, fish incredible water, and share unforgettable moments with anglers from all walks of life. But behind the...

I’ve been fortunate to fish in some incredible places over the years. We’ve chased tarpon in Cuba, sight-casted to tailing Permit on glassy flats, and thrown big bugs at trout in remote stretches of Patagonia. And while the fish are...

As I hopped on the iconic 5 AM flight from Redmond on Monday, June 9th, my mind was spinning with goals, hopes, and expectations. I've been practicing my casting for the last six months, learning as much as I thought...

Exploratory Trip: Migratory Tarpon in Ascension Bay The purpose of this June trip to Ascension Bay was simple: get boots on the ground and evaluate the developing migratory tarpon fishery. While Ascension Bay has long been known for its world-class...

Last month, I spent five days guiding a couple of anglers who’ve traveled the world with us, Cuba, Alaska, and beyond, but had never fished Central Oregon. For them, this was their first time on my home waters. The weather...

Cuba’s waters are renowned for their breathtaking clarity, vibrant hues, and diverse marine life, making them a true paradise for many different diverse species in the ocean.  At any time on the flats, fly anglers can choose a quarry other...