This past week the Orvis Guide Rendezvous returned, once again, to Missoula, Montana. Hundreds of guides, lodge owners, and industry folks descended upon the downtown Holiday Inn, Caras Park, and the surrounding bats / eating establishments for meetings, seminars, and several well-heeled cocktail parties. The Orvis crew did a good job of putting everything together […]
Jess McGlothlin
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 […]
Leaving today for a shoot in the South Pacific (40 hours of travel… party hearty), with the promises of monster GTs, milkfish, and other adventures on the other end. Ready to land and get to work! With this shoot coming up, I’ve had two people in past week make touch and ask, “How the hell […]
As we were wrapping a South Pacific shoot this past year, the Costa del Mar team ensured most of the photo sample sunglasses stayed with Anaa locals. It was fantastic to watch these islanders — who live so happily and so simply — try on sunglasses, ask their friends for opinions, and laugh. There was […]
We’re well into March; the trails around Bozeman have turned into springtime mud runs… frosty in the morning and mucky in the afternoon. Montana fishing licenses expired at the end of February, prompting a mass run into the local fly shop to renew. The rivers are slowly warming up, and locals are switching from down […]
When word broke of a 35 million gallon wastewater spill on the Gallatin last night, I had the reaction most local anglers did. An eye roll at Big Sky, a burst of anger at the fact one of my favorite rivers had to deal with this, and maybe another eye roll at Big Sky. I […]
It rained here in Bozeman Saturday; good old, gusty spring storm rains. And while we were back to bright, sunny, and frosty Sunday morning, it was a reminder that March is peeking around the corner and spring is on the way. I even broke out the flip-flops Saturday in a celebratory gesture, though I got […]
There are many reasons we love fly fishing. The beautiful places it takes us — fresh or salt. The adrenaline rush of a large brown sipping that foamy you’ve been plying the bank with. The way your heart stops as you watch a tarpon turn to follow your fly. The gear. The marketing. We talk […]
Over the past few years, it has been fascinating — and exciting — to see the rise of small brands who do it right. While the greater outdoor industry has seen a healthy new tribe of brands rise up, the fly fishing world seems to be harder on those who would do it a little […]
If you missed it yesterday, read the first installment of my Cuba story here. After a late night / early morning transfer to Havana we then moved onto Cayo Largo, riding a Mi-8 helicopter to the island, the familiar thump-thump of the helo reminding me of days spent working in Russia several years ago. An […]
Sometimes shoots don’t go quite as planned. Weather is bad. Gear breaks. Water clarity is poor. And sleep is minimal (no, that’s pretty normal for shoots actually). But as Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Figuring who to make it work — and learning along the […]
I’ve been down in Denver for the week; first for an AFFTA board meeting at Fishpond HQ, and now for the Fly Fishing Show, held at the Merchandise Mart north of town. These shows are always a unique representation of the area they are held in; I’ve done Somerset the past few years, and Denver […]
I’m staring at three duffels lining the wall in my room, joined by a pack of Pelican cases and various smaller packs. One duffel for each trip, assorted gear going different directions. It’s fun, and there’s always an anticipation before a trip that’s unexpectedly addictive. Getting ready to head to the Denver Fly Fishing Show […]
There’s a power to places we often forget about until we break out of our normal routine. We get dulled into the home – work – grocery store – home – work routine and don’t stop to really think about the place we’re spending our days. Often it takes travel to break that routine. Flying […]
Snow has come full force into Bozeman, and suddenly town is white again. The skiers are thrilled, the children are building snowmen, and it’s looking a bit like Christmas. It’s nice to appreciate the seasons; to use winter to catch up work and prepare for trips to come. But sometimes a tropic flat sneaks into […]
