News

Simms Brings Back Dave Mellon, This Time as President

Revelyst Inc. has named Dave Mellon president of Simms Fishing Products and Revelyst Outdoor Performance, the parent company announced. Mellon, who held leadership roles at Simms from 2012 to 2014 and most recently served as a CEO within Kian Capital's private-equity portfolio, officially began the role on May 18 and is relocating to Bozeman. Dave Mellon...

Tying Tuesday: The Electric Flatwing, a timeless BWO, a Foam Golden Stone, and the Green Butt Skunk

This Tying Tuesday starts with Ryan from Trident Fly Fishing and the Electric Chicken Flatwing. He ties the chartreuse-and-pink streamer as a Maine smelt pattern, an ice-out fly for landlocked salmon and brook trout chasing baitfish in the shallows. Up next is the Henry's Fork Foam Stone with Mike Lawson. This high-floating stonefly pattern mimics a golden...

Soque River Fly Fishing Festival Pairs Casting and Conservation in North Georgia

The annual Soque River Fly Fishing Festival, sponsored by the Modern Fly Fishers, returns to the North Georgia mountains on Saturday, June 13. It's a single day built to pull anglers of every age into one place along the Soque, recommended for ages 10 and up and designed for families and seasoned anglers alike. The stated aim is to grow the local community...

Montana's Corner-Crossing Fight Heads to Court

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and the Public Land & Water Access Association Partners have filed suit in Montana's Lewis and Clark District Court, asking a judge to rule that corner crossing is legal in the state. Photo: Gregory Johnston/Adobe Stock The complaint covers roughly 871,000 acres of Montana public land that OnX mapping has catalogued as...

Tying Tuesday: Two Gurglers, a Food Stamp, and an Extended Body Mayfly

We kick things off with Martyn White's Gartside Gurgler, a topwater fly that can be waked, skated, and for a more aggressive presentation, popped. Iridescent flash combined with the white body makes for easy locating if you happen to throw this near shaded structure. Following up with Charlie Craven's Food Stamp: not a "clean and pretty" fly, as he puts it...

Trout Unlimited Defends the Roadless Rule in House Testimony

Trout Unlimited president Chris Wood testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources on Thursday, May 21, against rescinding the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The hearing came as the U.S. Department of Agriculture moves through the rulemaking process on H.R. 7695, with a final decision expected by the end of 2026. USDA had previously...

Winston Sold to Lance Robertson; Ondaatje Era Ends After 35 Years

Winston has a new owner, the first in 35 years. The Twin Bridges, Montana rod maker announced on May 14 that the company has been sold to Lance Robertson, a businessman and engineer who, as it happens, lives just outside Twin Bridges and is described in the announcement as a "passionate fly fisherman." Photo courtesy R.L. Winston Rod Company The deal closes...

Tying Tuesday: Streamers, Spinners, and Specialized Jigs

We start with The Fly Shop's Float 'n Fly Bass Jig, a stripped-down bucktail jig built for suspending under a cork when bass go lethargic. From there, Paul Procter walks through his Twinkle Wing Spinner, a precise spent-mayfly imitation that uses a flash-laced wing to stay visible on low evening light. Charlie Craven follows with the Boat Drake, a...

3rd Annual Appalachian Fly Fishing Festival

The 3rd Annual Appalachian Fly Fishing Festival, organized by local anglers Robby McClung and Tyler Waldo, returns to Thomas, West Virginia May 30–31. Anglers of all levels will find a weekend packed with educational events and activities. A few to note: Bugs and Suds Fly Tying with Chesapeake Council of Fly Fishers International, Intro to Fly Casting...

Tying Tuesday: Five Centuries at the Vise

This week's Tying Tuesday stretches across roughly five centuries of fly tying. We open in 1496 with the Hawthorn, a wet fly that appears in one of the earliest written texts on angling and is still simple enough to wrap up in a few minutes at the bench. From there, Charlie Craven walks through Bob Quigley's Cripple---an emerger that has earned its...