Chasing Browns and Capturing Beauty: Leo Sperry on Guiding, Conservation, and Storytelling
Some people are born with a natural feel for the river — and Leo Sperry is one of them. We caught up with Leo (@leos_flicks), a young angler and gifted photographer who made his way from the stocked streams of Connecticut to the wild waters of Montana. Between guiding with Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions and chasing trophy browns on his own time, Leo's been crafting a story that runs deeper than trout and tippets. Here's how he found his rhythm on the river—and what keeps him coming back.
Fin & Feather with Colby Acuff: Music, Fly Fishing, and Conservation
Trent Jones with Fly Life Media had the chance to sit down with Colby Acuff — country music singer, songwriter, and former fly fishing guide — to talk about his unique journey blending music and the outdoors. We also talked about his new docuseries Fin & Feather, which shines a light on the unsung heroes of the outdoor world — the guides and outfitters who protect the places we love.
A fourth-generation Idaho native, Colby’s deep connection to fishing, hunting, and storytelling comes through in everything he does. In this interview, he shares how his time on the water shaped his songwriting, why conservation is so important to him, and what’s next on his horizon.
Here’s what he had to say:
Mastering the Surface: Secrets to Deadly Emerger Patterns
Every now and then, you come across a fly tyer whose patterns just stop you in your tracks—clean, smart, and dialed-in for real results. That’s exactly what you get with Graeme. We caught up with him after another big season on the competition circuit, where he’s not only been stacking up national caps for Scotland but also fine-tuning foam head emergers that have become lethal on pressured waters. Over a cup of something warm (or maybe a dram), we talked about his journey, what makes a suspender midge tick, and where his tying is heading as he sets his sights on the wild brown trout of the lochs. Let’s dive in.
Fly Fishing Patagonia’s Wild Waters: A Guide’s Secrets to Trophy Brook Trout
I had the chance to catch up with Juan, a seasoned fly fishing guide based out of Trevelin, Patagonia — one of the world’s most legendary places for chasing wild trout. Growing up with a stepfather who showed him the ropes, Juan’s passion for fly fishing runs deep. We talked shop about the hunt for trophy brook trout in those stunning Patagonian waters, the biggest mistakes anglers make, and what a perfect day on the river looks like through his eyes. Juan’s stories and tips give a real feel for the raw beauty and challenge of fishing in Patagonia — and the thrill of hooking those iconic brook trout.
Fly Fishing After the Military: Chris Gallagher’s Journey from Soldier to Stream
We caught up with Chris Gallagher—a former infantryman, proud dad, and fly fishing team USA member—somewhere between the banks of the Delaware and the back of his old ‘97 Tacoma. Chris is a Catskills local with a deep connection to the rivers that shaped him, and his story runs deeper than just trout and tight loops. From Army life to Euro-nymph rigs and raising his kids creekside, Chris has carved out a unique place in fly fishing’s heartland. Here’s what he shared with us about the journey.
Inside the Mind of a Master Bugmaker: Michael Wenzel on Realistic Fly Tying
I had the chance to catch up with Michael Wenzel, one of the most dialed-in bugmakers in the game, whose flies are more art than imitation. We swapped stories about early fish, what makes a pattern work (or not), and how he’s managed to blend a lifetime of passion with patience, skill, and a deep respect for the craft. This isn’t just about tying flies—it’s about seeing the world through a trout’s eyes and building something beautiful one wrap at a time. Here's how Michael got his start, why realism matters, and the kind of dedication it takes to make a mayfly look like it’s about to take off.
Classic Patterns, Cowboy Grit: Inside the World of Fly Tyer Blake Glover
There’s a certain kind of strength that shows up when life hits hardest—and that’s exactly what we saw in Blake Glover, better known in our world as The Fly Tying Cowboy. I had the chance to sit down with Blake and hear how he turned unimaginable heartbreak into a fire that fuels his passion for fly tying. From that first Walmart fly rod to pro staff roles with Daiichi, Veevus, and The Fly Hair Co., Blake’s journey is raw, real, and deeply rooted in tradition. We caught up with him to talk about the patterns he loves, the gear he trusts, and the purpose that keeps him tying flies day after day. This one’s about resilience, legacy, and the healing power of thread and feather.
Guiding in Silence: A Deaf Fly Fishing Guide’s Unique Approach to the River
We caught up with James on a crisp morning not far from the headwaters, just as the sun started to spill over the ridgeline. He's one of those anglers who doesn’t just fish rivers — he listens to them, quietly and deeply. James isn’t your average fly fishing guide. As someone who’s deaf, he’s had to carve his own path into guiding, learning to tune into the water in ways most of us miss. His story is one of grit, grace, and connection — not just to fish, but to the wild places that hold them
How to Fish Chironomids Like a Pro: Zach’s Guide to Stillwater Strategy
We caught up with Zach, better known online for his razor-sharp stillwater patterns and deep knowledge of lake entomology, during a stretch of calm mornings and hungry rainbows out in Kelowna, B.C. As someone who’s spent more than a few dawns watching chironomids rise and rods bend, I was stoked to sit down with a fellow lake junkie who lives and breathes fly tying. Zach broke down his process, shared his go-to tactics for consistent success on stillwaters, and offered a few tips every new fly tier should hear. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your lake game, there’s a lot to learn from this one.
Inside Fly Tying Europe: How a Scandinavian Passion Sparked a Continental Movement
Every now and then, you meet folks in this world who are so dialed into the craft, it feels less like a hobby and more like a calling. That’s exactly what we found when we caught up with the crew behind Fly Tying Europe. These are the kinds of people who grew up around vise and feather, shaped by generations of passion and purpose. What started as a family tradition in a small Scandinavian home has grown into a continental force for creativity, community, and catching fish on your own ties. We sat down with one of the founders to talk shop, dig into their story, and hear why European fly tying is thriving like never before.
Pro Tips from Nick Benik on Fly Tying, Macro Photography, and Capturing the Perfect Shot
We caught up with Nick Benik—better known online as @photographicflytyer—a Denver-based creator who's blending razor-sharp fly tying with studio-level photography. I’ve always believed the best anglers are storytellers too, and Nick’s journey from Evergreen, Colorado to Florida, Nashville, and back again is proof that the current will always pull you back to where you belong. Between juggling fatherhood, a full-time gig, and growing his creative presence, Nick’s found a way to elevate the art of fly fishing with a lens and a vise. We sat down to talk about his roots, his fly tying evolution, and what’s next for him on the water and behind the camera.
Women on the Water: Grit, Grace & Growth
MacKenna Stang. A lifelong athlete and outdoor lover raised in the heart of Colorado, MacKenna turned to fly fishing after a string of injuries rerouted her path—and found something far deeper than just a new hobby. In this interview, she opens up about what it means to show up as a woman in a male-dominated industry, the joy of chasing fish from the Rockies to Iceland, and how she's building community through mentorship, travel, and time on the river. This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt the tug—on the line and in their heart.
Nick Price on Fly Fishing Photography, Storytelling, and Chasing Light Worldwide
We caught up with Nick Price somewhere between salt and sky, as he wrapped up a trip to Cuba and looked ahead to his next adventure in Argentina. Nick’s one of those rare folks who lives at the crossroads of fly fishing and fine art—guiding clients down Western rivers one day, and chasing light through a lens the next. He’s got a deep respect for the places and people that define this lifestyle, and it shows in every frame he shoots. From the high desert of Idaho to the gaucho traditions of San Antonio de Areco, Nick brings a storyteller’s heart and a guide’s grit to everything he does. We sat down to talk about his journey, his gear, and what keeps him coming back to the water with camera in hand.
Top 5 Fly Fishing Tips for Patagonia’s Remote Backcountry : Catching Trophy Browns in Chile
There’s a certain kind of magic down in Chilean Patagonia — the kind that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go. I caught up with Joaquin, a lodge manager-turned-fly-fishing-guide whose first cast on the Puelo River changed everything. With just four years under his belt, he’s already carved out a deep love for chasing trout in some of the most remote and powerful waters on Earth. We sat down to talk dry flies, backcountry tips, and the kind of moments you only find waist-deep in the rapids with a 25-inch brown on the line. This one’s for those who know — and those who want to.
Top 5 Stillwater Fly Fishing Tips for Lakes and Alpine Waters
We caught up with Josh—a rising name in Colorado’s stillwater fly scene—after hearing whispers about a guy chasing tiger musky on the front range and logging serious alpine miles. I’d seen the passion in his lake posts and wanted to know what really lit the fire. From stalking carp in city ponds to hiking deep into the hills for high-country gold, Josh’s fly fishing story is the kind that reminds you why we do this in the first place: the grind, the solitude, and those small windows of reward that make the whole thing worth it. Here’s what he had to say.
Chasing Wild Waters: Fly Fishing and Photography in the Heart of Scandinavia
We recently caught up with Bastien, a talented fly angler and visual storyteller whose roots run deep in the Pyrenees but whose soul found its stride among the wild waters of Scandinavia. As someone who’s spent a lifetime balancing rods, reels, and camera rigs, Bastien shares what it means to truly slow down and connect with both the fish and the frame. Whether it’s a rising trout under the midnight sun or a perfectly timed shutter click on a mossy bank, Bastien reminds us that the best stories on the river often come from those willing to carry a bit more gear—and a whole lot of heart.
Inside the Mind of Utrera Fly Tying: Lucas Utrera on Art, Innovation, and the Perfect Dry Fly
We caught up with Lucas Utrera, the mind and hands behind Utrera Fly Tying, during a quiet afternoon after the hatch had settled. Over the years, Lucas has carved out a name for himself in the fly tying world—where art meets angling. As someone who’s walked miles of riverbank in search of that perfect drift, I was drawn to Lucas' thoughtful approach to tying and his deep respect for the craft’s tradition. In our chat, he opened up about how a childhood spark turned into a lifelong pursuit of artistry, precision, and innovation at the vise.
Behind the Lens: Aaron’s Approach to Filming the Emotion and Rhythm of Fly Fishing
We caught up with Aaron on a rare off-day—somewhere between editing reels, packing for a Baja trip, and chasing golden light through his viewfinder. I’ve followed his work for a while now, and what always strikes me is how honest it feels. The guy doesn’t just point a camera at a fish and call it good. He’s in it for the rhythm, the grit, and those fleeting moments we all chase but rarely capture. In this conversation, we dug into how fly fishing hooked him, how photography gave him a whole new lens on life, and where he’s heading next with PMD Fly Fishing and Three Tails Media in tow.
Why the Green Baker River Is a Dream Destination for Big Brown Trout
We caught up with Caz fresh off a trip to the legendary Green Baker River in Chile—a stretch of wild blue that’s as remote as it is rewarding. For those of us who live and breathe big water and bigger trout, this one’s been on the bucket list for a while. Caz made the trek, fished hard, and came back with stories of streamer eats, ant hatches gone nuclear, and brown trout built like linebackers. This isn’t your backyard creek—it’s full-send Patagonia, where glacial flows meet high stakes.
Master the Patagonia Swing: 5 Tips for Fly Fishing Migratory Brown Trout
We caught up with Gastón somewhere between the tail end of one season and the scramble to prep for the next — the man barely slows down. Born with a rod in hand and raised on the waters of Córdoba before finding his true calling in Patagonia, Gastón’s story reads like every angler’s daydream. From chasing silversides as a kid to guiding on the legendary rivers of Tierra del Fuego, he’s built a life around big water, bigger trout, and the kind of sunsets that make you forget what day it is. We talked migratory browns, fly setups, and what it means to turn wild country into a classroom — and a career.