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.
Top 5 Bonefishing Tips from Florida Keys Guide Capt. Chandler Williams
We caught up with Capt. Chandler Williams, a guide who’s living proof that all it takes is a Walmart setup and a whole lotta grit to chase down your dreams. From practicing casts in the front yard as a teenager to poling clients across the gin-clear flats of the Florida Keys, Chandler’s journey is a true testament to what happens when passion meets persistence. We sat down to talk bonefish, guiding challenges, and why the lower Keys are hotter than ever.
Legacy to Lifestyle: Jeff McKenna on Guiding, Family, and Fly Fishing in Colorado
We caught up with Jeff McKenna, the heart and soul behind Colorado West Slope Fly Fishing, between spring storms and early hatches. Jeff’s one of those guys who lives and breathes the river — the kind of guide who’ll row you into fish, pour you a hot cup of coffee riverside, and share stories that'll stick with you longer than any grip-n-grin photo. In our chat, he opened up about his journey from fishing with his dad and grandpa to building a thriving outfitting business with his wife Rebecca. It’s a story rooted in family, passion, and the pursuit of something deeper than fish
From Coast to Craft: How This B.C. Fly Tyer Designs Patterns That Catch Everything
We caught up with Conor, a fishy character out of Victoria, B.C., whose passion for fly design runs as deep as the waters he fishes. From chasing coho on the Sunshine Coast as a kid to crafting lifelike baitfish patterns inspired by Baja’s big blue, Conor’s story is one of salt, sand, and serious creativity at the vise. Whether you’re a seasoned fly slinger or just getting into tying, his perspective on building better flies and understanding forage species is one you won’t want to miss.
Night Fishing for Giant Rainbows: Pro Tips from NZ
We caught up with Ben, one of those rare anglers who walks the line between laid-back Kiwi humility and razor-sharp competitive drive. He’s not your typical full-time guide—he’s a mechanical engineer by trade—but when word gets out, folks know who to call. Between chasing monster rainbows under moonlight and gearing up for the World Fly Fishing Championships in the Czech Republic, Ben sat down with us to talk passion, patience, and what it really takes to fish at the top level.
5 Essential Tips for Catching Lake-Run Trout with Payton Hanssen
We caught up with Payton on a slow morning while the river was still waking up—steam rising, birds tuning up, and coffee in hand. She’s the kind of angler who doesn’t just fish—she feels the water, sees the bigger picture, and brings a conservationist’s heart to everything she does. From her first shaky casts in a backyard pond to landing partnerships with Redington and RIO, Payton’s journey is all about grit, growth, and genuine love for the outdoors. Pull up a chair and settle in—this one’s got heart, hustle, and a few hard-earned lessons from the water.
Fly Fishing New Zealand: A Young Guide’s Epic Backcountry Adventure
We caught up with Brady, a young guide with an old soul and a 5-weight in hand, who’s traded comfort for the chase—living out of a car in the New Zealand backcountry, stalking brown trout that spook at their own shadow. From his humble roots wrangling critters in Arkansas ponds to guiding high-country waters in Breckenridge, this fella's journey reminds us why we fish: not just for the tug, but for the stories that ripple out long after the cast. Here’s what he had to say about chasing fish, finding friends across the globe, and living a life tied to the current.
Chasing Giants: Gear, Stories, and the Quest for Monster Dollies
We caught up with Oliver somewhere between the tail end of winter and the slow thaw of spring—the kind of time when the rivers are still locked up but the mind is already drifting downstream. He's the kind of guy who doesn't talk big, but fishes big, with a deep love for the wild places and the fish that live there. From getting frostbitten chasing Dollies to flavor-blasting campfire meals with Goldfish crackers, Oliver's story is one of hard-earned laughs, big fish, and going deep into the backcountry with the right crew and the wrong sleeping bag. We chatted about his journey into fly fishing, what keeps him chasing trophy Dolly Varden, and why the best trips are the ones that leave a mark—on you and your gear.
How to Tie Effective Nymph Patterns That Catch Fish
You know, fly fishing’s got a way of calling you out to the water, and for Dylan Gonzales, that call came early. Growing up on the golf course with his dad Eli, Dylan didn’t expect to find a lifelong passion for tying flies, but sure enough, his dad’s old vise at the kitchen table set the hook. From tying simple patterns to becoming a Signature Fly Tyer for Umpqua Feather Merchants, Dylan’s journey has been a mix of trial, error, and plenty of casting. We caught up with him to talk about how he blends simplicity with effectiveness, his partnerships with industry-leading brands, and—most importantly—how he’s still chasing that perfect cast.
Inside the Mind of a Modern Fly Rod Craftsman: Lance Kittel’s Journey
We caught up with Lance Kittel the same way you find a good bend in the river—by following the signs and trusting the current. Now, I’ve spent a lotta years guiding folks through riffles and runs, but every now and then, someone comes along who’s doing more than just casting lines—they’re crafting ‘em. Lance, founder of Pescavida, started building custom fly rods during a cold Gunnison winter, and what began as a broke grad student’s side project turned into something truly special. Pull up a chair by the campfire (or scroll down), and hear from the man himself—about creativity, craftsmanship, and what it really means to land a fish with something you built from scratch.
From Stream to Studio: How Fly Fishing Shapes Sarah’s Art and Life
Every now and then, you cross paths with someone who just gets it—that feeling you get knee-deep in a cold stream, eyes locked on a rising trout, heart beating like it’s the first cast of the season. We caught up with Sarah, an artist and angler who’s carved out her own trail from the banks of Montana to the waters of northern Michigan. Over a cup of camp coffee and stories swapped like flies in a tackle box, she let us in on how fly fishing isn’t just a sport—it’s her canvas.
The Vital Role of Public Lands in Preserving Fishing Habitats
Public lands are crucial for productive fishing and hunting, offering some of the best habitats for wildlife, especially in the West. Healthy, protected habitats help sustain the species we love to fish for, like trout, whose populations are at risk due to habitat loss. As anglers, we have a vested interest in preserving these lands, which is why laws protecting national monuments and public lands are vital.
Inside the Lens of Gilbert Rowley: Fly Fishing Films That Tell a Story
Every now and then, you come across a fella who isn’t just in the river — he’s part of it. We caught up with Gilbert, a fly fishing filmmaker whose lens has chased trout from high mountain streams to far-flung corners of the globe. He’s the kind of guy who sees a hatch the way a conductor sees a symphony — detail, rhythm, and story all rolled into one. Between projects and packing for trips that’d make any angler weak in the knees, Gilbert sat down with us to talk about how a borrowed camera, a wooly bugger, and a deep love for water turned into a career that’s as inspiring as it is technical. Pull up a chair and pour yourself a strong cup — this one’s worth the drift.
3 Essential Tips for Tying Big Streamers That Catch More Fish
If there’s one thing that makes a streamer junkie’s heart skip a beat, it’s a well-tied fly with the perfect swim. So, we tracked down Jeff—a guy whose Instagram is packed with some of the cleanest, fishiest streamer patterns you’ll ever see. He’s been at the vise since he was a teenager, drawing inspiration from legends like Larry Dahlberg and Kelly Galloup. We talked about his approach to tying, how he fine-tunes patterns for specific fishing situations, and what’s next on his bench.
The One That Didn’t Get Away: Landing a Monster Brown Trout
We caught up with Tomas fresh off an absolute ripper of a fishing trip—one that ended with a brown trout most folks only dream about. Three days, miles of hiking, and one last-minute decision led to a heart-racing moment he won’t forget. With his brothers by his side and a barbless hook keeping things interesting, Tom put his skills to the test and landed the fish of the season. But he’s not done yet—there’s unfinished business on this river, and a new target on the horizon. Here’s how it all went down.
Big Sugar's Quiet Move: The Rock Mine Threatening Everglades Restoration
The South Florida Water Management District gave the green light for this controversial project, which is being sold as a "water resources" project, but let’s be real—this mine is more about making a quick buck off crushed limestone than restoring the Everglades. What’s worse? The same companies behind the mine, like U.S. Sugar, are suing the Everglades Restoration project that’s already doing real work to protect our waters.
Louisiana Redfish on the Fly: Expert Advice from Ron Ratliff
If you’ve ever dreamed of chasing bull redfish in the Louisiana marsh, you’ll want to hear from someone who’s spent his life doing just that. We caught up with Ron Ratliff (@ronratliffs_marshdawn), a seasoned fly fishing guide with decades of experience hunting reds in the murky waters of the Gulf. From his first sight-casted redfish back in ‘89 to his deep-rooted passion for conservation, Ron knows these fish—and this fishery—like the back of his hand.