Gear: The SimpliFLY

I don't know about you, but I tend to want to carry way too much gear with me when I go fishing.   I usually end up carrying  as much tackle on my person as possible anytime I am going to be on the water.  After all, if you don't have just the right fly on hand when you need it, you might be out of luck.

Over the years I have worn fishing vests, lanyards, chest packs, back packs and, I hesitate to admit, maybe even a fanny pack (which now would be an over the shoulder sling pack).  I suppose this is why the modular SimpliFLY chest mount fly fishing pack caught my eye.  MSRP $97.99.  What do you think about this new product?

Huge Fly Fisherman: Flying with fishing rods for fly fishing.

 Advice from the Huge fly fisherman on traveling with your fishing gear.   Give him a like and subscribe to his videos on youtube.  He is doing a great service to mankind.  Really he is.

Fly Fishing on the small screen; Outlander Edition

An interesting exchange between young William and Jamie during a recent episode of Outlander.  One of the writers must be afflicted with our disease. 

BirdBox Fly Reel Sighting

Did anyone notice the fly reel on #SandraBullock 's belt in #BirdBox ? I haven't watched it yet. #wellarmed pic.twitter.com/H41WZFsemK

— flyfishmagazine (@flyfishmagazine) December 30, 2018

Undercover Flyshop Visit: Tailwaters Fly Fishing Company Edition

This past weekend, I took as short trip down to the design district of Dallas, Texas to sneak into The Tailwaters Fly Fishing Company.  Tailwaters, a full line fly shop and travel company, is located a bit off the beaten path in downtown Dallas.  I wasn't sure what to expect based on a location in an industrial area, but was pleasantly surprised by a huge, full featured, and well designed fly shop. 

Located in a nondescript building in the design district of Dallas, Texas.  This is the obligatory logo shot. By the way, the parking lot was full.

The entryway promises lots of gear.  The shop is huge.  Not what you would expect in an industrial area of Dallas.

They have a few flies.  I was very impressed with their destination specific fly assortments. 

Not to mention the fly shop bar....I'll be back

These guys may have been on to me....note my substantial purchase of a bottle of Zap a Gap to throw them off the scent.  The Editorial Trophy Wife was waiting in the truck so I had to be quick and on my best behavior.  I'll be back

Did I mention they also do travel?  Yeah I'll be back. 

 If you find yourself in Dallas be sure to check out The Tailwaters Fly Fishing Company.  Keep and eye out for us, you never know where we might turn up.

Jobs that probably do not suck: Director of Fly Fishing

For the record, I am sure that most every job can suck from time to time.  However, we do recognize the fact that some suck less that others.   Today's example via an article from ABC news, is Captain Mark Benson and his job is Director of Fly Fishing at Grande Lakes, Orlando (a Ritz Carlton property.

"My typical day is taking guests fishing on the many lakes throughout the extensive Grande Lakes Orlando property. I consider myself fortunate to be one of the very few people to carry the Director of Fly Fishing title and to be able to share my angling experience and love of the outdoors with guests in such a beautiful place in Florida."

Check out the article via this link   Do you know someone who's job doesn't suck (and we really mean jobs that are really cool and maybe outdoors related)?   Drop us a note in the comments and let us know.

eBay seller busted for fake Rio fly lines

A case was brought against an eBay seller in the UK who was peddling counterfeit  fly lines under the Rio brand. 

"The investigation began after a complaint was received from Chris Hartley, a director of Guide Flyfishing Ltd of Sherburn in Elmet, which holds the sole UK rights to sell Rio line. Test purchases of fly line by a trading standards officer and a number of fly fishing line companies around the UK established that Bailey was selling fake lines under the brand names Rio, Snowbee, Greys, Hardy and Loop.
Inquiries showed he had a turnover in excess of £156,000 through his eBay accounts ‘Telewatcher’, ‘the line man’ and ‘Hardyclassics’. When trading standards officers executed a warrant at Bailey’s home address they seized more than 5,000 lines."

If it looks to good to be true it probably is.    The offenders were sentenced to between seven and eighteen months in jail with a fine.  Read the entire story here.

A Fly Fisherman's Black Friday / Cyber Monday

Here is the list of the deals we've dug up for this year's #BlackFriday #CyberMonday.  We will update this list as more are located.  Local fly shops get top billing. Please feel free to add your own in the comments.


Fins and Feather Bozeman, MT  - Select items 20%-50% off

Tight Lines Fly Fishing Company,  DePere, WI - 30% - 50% Off and a free Whisky glass for the first 10 customers. 

Unicoi Outfitters Helen, GA - $107 half day fishing trip and 20% off on Cyber Monday.

Headhunters Fly Shop Craig, MT - deals on waders, rods, and etc.

Trout's Fly Fishing of Denver, CO - Invites you to skip the madness and meet them outside to clean up the South Platt River.  

Duranglers of Durango, CO - is giving you a free Umpqua fly box with online purchases of $100 or more.


Amazon also has a few interesting  Black Friday week items for fly fishers. (these are affiliate links so don't hate us.)

A Martin fly fishing outfit for only $20.98.  Thinking that if you need a set up for a kid, clumsy in law,  or to get someone started, this could do the trick.   Obviously, you aren't getting a new H3 here but you are getting everything you need to take someone fishing.

How about a Wooden landing net with soft rubber mesh bag for $28.48 .  I don't think this was hand crafted by a local artisan but you get the idea.

Allen is selling an interesting Cottonwood gear bag for $58.45 that holds up to four rods and multiple reels.  I've owned their waders and they were surprisingly good. 

And a Performance Tee Shirt with a Tarpon on it for $16.07 (XL in Charcoal) because everyone needs a shirt with a tarpon on it

And if you don't have an Amazon prime membership you can get one here.    As always, if you want to look at things we own and have used on our trips, visit our page.


Keep an eye on this spot for updates all through out the holiday weekend.

Monday Motivation - Thanksgiving Edition

This Monday morning of the holiday week, we turn our thoughts to history for our motivation as we remember one of the great moments in radio.  The WKRP Turkey Drop. 

Hardy fishing purchased by owners of Hot Topic

In other news...storied fly fishing brand Hardy has been purchased by the same people who own teen angst inciting retailer, Hot Topic.   Could a run of fly fishing themed concert tees be very far behind.   https://tinyurl.com/y8cuwqc3 

Unity through fly fishing

We could solve a lot of the world's problems if we just went fishing together.   

Friday #Trollpoll: Headgear Edition

Friday Fly Fishing #Trollpoll. What's your go to head gear for fly fishing?

— flyfishmagazine (@flyfishmagazine) October 26, 2018

Short Film - Tippet

Via Gofundme.  This doesn't sound like your typical fly fishing film.

"Tippet" is a dark comedy/thriller about a young couple's fishing trip that turns into a fight for survival. John, an avid fly fisherman, and his girlfriend, Sarah, are intercepted by two bumbling bank robbers ,who had just escaped a failed heist. An otherwise relaxing vacation turns into a nightmare when the bank robbers aren't in the mood for witnesses. 

They are only looking for $700 and if you donate $250 you get a guided fly fishing lesson.  Let's hope it  doesn't turn into research for the film. 

Jamie Lee Curtis on Fly Fishing

 A Halloween Scream Queen walks into a fly shop. Jamie Lee Curtis, gives her opinion on fly fishing fashion and tells us what's really behind the name of some of those flies in your fly box.   Fast forward to the 2:44 mark for the fly fishing part.

Lang's to Auction Lefty Kreh items

Here's a chance to own a piece of fly fishing history.  On October 27th and 28th, Lang's will be auctioning off several lots previously owned by fly fishing legend Bernard "Lefty" Kreh.  Items on the block run the gamut from flies, fly rods, reels, and even a letter from President George H. W. Bush addressed to the famous angler.  Link to the auction catalog.   Let us know what  catches your eye.