Programming Note: I’m at the Orvis Guide Rendezvous in Missoula this weekend, and had intended to report today (Saturday) on the event. Unexpectedly I was roped into the Guide Olympics and find I’ll be competing this (yesterday) afternoon. So check back next week for OGR coverage!
I was the typical Western kid who grew up reading Zane Grey, Norman Maclean, and pouring over the latest issue of Outside Magazine. What new mountains were being climbed? What was the latest news from the river-runners on the Colorado? I remember stealing a river rescue book off my dad’s office bookshelf as a little kid and pouring over the illustrations — this was important stuff.
Now I’m fortunate enough to travel a bit. It’s never as glamorous as it looks — there are a lot of nights spent on airport floors, weird tropical illnesses picked up along the way, and long sessions locking myself away to edit images or write. This is 90% running a business, 10% exotic adventure, a fact which makes the adventure part all that much more precious.
When I had the opportunity to document some exploratory fishing a few weeks ago on the South Pacific island of Samoa, I wasn’t about to pass it up. But sometimes things don’t quite come together once on location… leaving us to find ways to make the most of it.
I was thrilled when Outside expressed interest in the story, and excited to have a photo essay and short story published yesterday on their website. Any time anything fly fishing is published outside of our own, insular fly-fishing media world it’s a victory, and can be a powerful tool to bring people into the sport. This particular work covers the challenges that oh-so-often come with trips such as this, with a good dose of Samoan culture thrown in for good measure.
Huge thanks to the team at Outside for letting me have a bit of space for storytelling. Already looking forward to the next adventure! You’ll be seeing more assets from this trip making the rounds with a few clients in the weeks to come. Stay tuned.
