In this Video of the Week, we catch up with Jim Klug and Josh Mills of Yellow Dog Fly Fishing in their most recent short film exploring Greenland and its fisheries. The crew explores two different lodges in two uniquely different river systems. From skating flies to streamers the guys are treated to world-class fishing, lodging, and views! So sit down and enjoy as Jim and Josh experience what Greenland has to offer from their fishing to their culture!
“Founded in 2000, Yellow Dog currently works with and represents over 245 different lodges in more than 33 different countries. The company was initially founded by Jim Klug, who began work on the infrastructure and creation of the company in 1999 before officially launching Yellow Dog in 2000. In 2005, Yellow Dog’s Ian Davis left Breckenridge Outfitters, moved to Bozeman, and partnered with Yellow Dog.” If you’re looking for a destination fly fishing trip or a unique travel experience, look no further than Yellow Dog.
“As we all know, nothing is a grantee with fishing. But there will always be those days where everything comes together, weather, water level and happy fish. This was one of those days. And fishing with my good friend Rodrigo made it even more so. Pure chaos in the Amazon jungle. We caught countless monster peacock bass and the highlight was a 22lbs giant sight fish over a shallow sand bank on the Rio Marie River. It could not get any better.”
Angler Story of the Week from Jako Lucas, be sure to follow his fishing adventures on Instagram @captjackproductions.
“After all that time staring it down, he still missed the fly! It happens to the best of us.” –Gilbert Rowley
Arctic Grayling, or Thymallus arcticus for the Latin purists out there, are a coldwater fish classified alongside trout, salmon, and whitefish in the family Salmonidae. These fish are famously known for their presence in Alaska and Canada, as well as some regions of Northern Europe and Asia (Not to be confused with their cousins, European Grayling (Thymallus thymallus)). There are also small pockets of Arctic Grayling populations in the lower 48, specifically in Montana, and a small pocket in Colorado. Take a look at the article below to learn more about fly fishing for Arctic Grayling.
For those who don’t know me. My name is Mark Raisler. I reside in beautiful Craig, MT, have for a long time. I am the owner of Headhunters Fly Shop, a Sage Ambassador, and a passionate fishing guide. All are driven by the desire to teach. I push pretty hard. While not everybody likes that education style, it is damn effective.
I didn’t begin my guiding career like that. Nope. Nobody does. I had quit my cooking job midsummer at a local café in Craig and threw my hat into the guiding arena. I really had no idea of the inner workings of a guide boat at that time in July 2000. A few of my guide friends asked to see my nymph boxes. Surprisingly, I stated, confused, “nymph boxes?” I had 12 nymphs to my name that day. Oversized Prince’s, GRHE’s-Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ears, and a couple of PTs. In my naivety, I thought everyone was dry fly fishing on the Mo’. I really had no idea what was going on out there in the other guide boats, so I found myself heading home to tie San Juan Worms.
During that early period of my guiding life, the percentage of dry fly anglers here on the mo was weighted more on the dry fly headhunting side. As the waters passed quietly under the bridge, that has shifted. Along with the mostly dry fly guests, I guided my ass off chasing bobbers for countless Missouri seasons. You gotta do the work to be guiding happily post-40. The most important part of enjoying this portion of my career is remembering to learn and push myself like I do with my clients. Evolution and education are imperative for both parties.
Today, I have pretty narrow/stringent parameters for my guide season. I wrote myself a Manifesto this past winter that I follow closely.
DFO (Dry Fly Only). No more fishing for the guest via chasing indicators deep nymphing down the middle of the river. The Sage R8 Core is an important part of the DRO delivery.
Catch a fish every day. Yes, with the guest. Generally, after the angler has not closed the deal. But sometimes, a good fresh brown trout rising aggressively calls my name. I like layups, too.
More salads for lunch. I succeed 50% of the time. The day we were out on the water taking photos for this article… was one of the unsuccessful times. Oh well…
Lots of smoked fish, meats, and cheeses. I have always been called the Snack Man. My tastes have evolved along with my angling goals and desires.
Ran this by several friends this past week. Some asked if these guidelines were moveable, amendable, changeable, or soft. Answer? Nope.
2023 ushered me into the most pleasant period of my now 24-year-long guide career on Montana’s Missouri River. I established some hard rules in my boat. It’s not all that new for most of my guests, and the scant number of nymphing days/clients were informed.
Many long-term guides, moving into the “gray” years, have similar parameters for the guide day. As you age as a fishing guide, good ones have gathered their herd of anglers, long-timers, and many considered friends in the boat. Ask any tenured guide if they set the rules inside the guide boat, and the answer will be yes.
I alerted the very few regular/annual nymph guests that I had this last year that ’22 would be my nymphing swan song year. No pushback from said guests. I continue to get questions like this: “Would you guide my wife, child, or neighbor? They are new to fly fishing, and I want you to teach them.” Answer? No. No thanks. There are plenty of fantastic teaching/and Disneyland-type guides who are really good at bringing anglers into fly fishing, deep nymphing, and making anglers smile. Not all anglers want to learn. Some just want to catch fish and leave all that learning stuff to the others. I did that for the front end of my career. What drives me now does not include any part of that, any and no longer.
I have to teach. It is woven into my angling fabric. I must teach to keep my Angling Constitution in line with my Fly Fishing Soul. If you do not want to progress, learn, or try in some manner…you and I will not get along inside the cozy confines of my Adipose drifter. Most of my guests have been fishing with me for approximately 20 years. A few shorter, most longer.
I am not that guide any more. The first 23 years? Sure. You bet. I love new/novice anglers. But now? Now, I have turned the page. Gladly fish with a new dry fly angler whose desire is to improve. Gladly.
Boat & Guide Parameters
I will catch a fish every day. Or try. Guests can choose the fish if he/she wants.
Client rows for 15 mins. Each. 2 anglers, 15 each. It’s good for the guest to experience something new or a change of pace.
Salad for lunch. Meat snacks and cheese, too, daily.
DFO. Dry Fly Only. Streamer fishing or Trout Spey are exceptions. No bobbers. I got rid of all nymphs, bobbers, and nymph rods. DFO.
Reduce the amount of shit in my guide boat. I have always had too much stuff in the boat. Get rid of the shit I don’t use or the angler does not need. I still am striving for the concierge experience, though, for the record.
Advocacy for the Outdoors. Support healthy outdoor interactions through this blog. Be an example of healthy outdoor behaviors. Show my advocacy through actions, words, and physical examples. Do the right thing. Always.
That is where my head is at. Many at this stage of their guiding career set parameters. Boundaries. Goals. You must do what is right for you, or your happiness will dribble down the river.
We all know a fishing guide who has stayed in the game too long. Nobody needs more asshole fishing guides!
I believe truly understanding yourself as a maturing angler is damn important for your personal fishing quotient. Defining those boundaries will allow you to continue to grow. Setting goals is important for all anglers. Thinking or writing down your fishing aspirations for the season is encouraged. Goal setting is important for fishing guides, too. Without it, how can you assess your progression from where you currently are to where you are headed? Short-term goals. Long-term goals, lofty ones, achievable ones, all good.
It has been a fantastic journey fishing the Montana’s Missouri River beginning May ‘92. I arrived knowing not what a mayfly looked like. Seeing the Trico swarms and being fooled into thinking the shoreline was a fire! Watching trout rise within 10’ crouched into shoreline weeds, amazed at the rise forms of sipping brown trout. Witnessing my first pods of scatter-brained rainbows seemingly munch every mayfly spinner passing overhead. It is a wonderful progression of passion, knowledge, frustration, casting practice, getting the net wet, laughing, and smiling.
How many more Missouri River seasons do I have in me? I think at least ten more. I have more to learn, more to see, more friendships to enjoy, more fish to cast at, more PMD hatches…
Thank you to Sage Fly Fishing for supporting this story. If you are looking for the perfect dry fly set up for the Mo’ look no further than the R8 Core. If you would like to take a trip on the Mo’ make sure to hit up Headhunters in Craig, MT. They will get you set up!
Grundéns hired Nicolas Cederström Warchalowski as CEO effective September 11. The company said in a release that Warchalowski “brings a depth of international experience and a strategic vision that aligns with Grundéns mission to expand its brand globally and serve all anglers.”
Warchalowski most recently was the CEO of Rapala, the sport fishing company with products “sold in over 140 countries and the global leader in fishing lures, hooks, and fishing tools.” He has over 25 years of consumer goods and outdoor brand leadership experience, having lived and worked in Europe and North America during his career. He was CEO of the Peak Performance and Haglöfs sport fashion and technical outdoor brands.
“We’re delighted to welcome Nicolas to the Grundéns family. His deep global industry knowledge, strategic acumen and customer-centric approach make him the ideal leader to guide Grundéns through its next phase of global expansion,” said Topher Gaylord, board chair, Grundéns
Under Warchalowski’s leadership, Grundéns said it would “continue to invest in research and development, product innovation and sustainable manufacturing practices,” aligning with Grundéns’ “core values, ensuring that the company remains a responsible steward.”
“I have always admired the Grundéns brand, which first caught my eye on commercial fishermen on the West Coast of Sweden. To see the Grundéns brand gain traction in the sport fishing market has really impressed me, and I feel greatly honored to have the opportunity to build on the strong foundations of the brand and work closely together with all Grundéns team members to unlock the next chapter of growth for the business,” offered Warchalowski.
Warchalowski will relocate to Poulsbo, WA, working from Grundéns North American Headquarters. The company said in a release that “this strategic move comes at an exciting time for Grundéns as it continues to expand its product lines, broaden its global footprint and strengthen its position as an industry leader in performance fishing apparel and footwear.”
Check out these updates from Henry Winkler on the water:
Henry Winkler is an accomplished American actor, producer, and author known for his versatile career in the entertainment industry. He was born on October 30, 1945, in New York City, USA. Winkler gained widespread fame for his iconic portrayal of Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in the popular 1970s television series “Happy Days.” This role earned him critical acclaim and made him a cultural icon.
Beyond “Happy Days,” Henry Winkler has had a successful career in both film and television, with appearances in movies like “The Waterboy” and television series such as “Arrested Development.” He has received numerous awards and nominations for his work, including several Golden Globe Awards.
In addition to his acting career, Winkler is also a prolific author, having written a series of children’s books featuring the character Hank Zipzer, inspired by his own experiences with dyslexia. These books have been well-received and have helped raise awareness about learning disabilities.
Henry Winkler is not only a talented actor but also a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, known for his charisma, humor, and contributions to both the world of entertainment and literacy advocacy.
Henry Winkler, known for his warm smiles and moments by the water, is a celebrity who finds solace in the art of fly fishing. For more insights into his passion visit his Twitter page by clicking here.
Louisiana redfish are in trouble, but you can help advocate for recovering this world class fishery. In 2022, The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fish released a new stock assessment for redfish–the results were not good. Anglers were killing too many redfish, and rebuilding the adult population would take half a century without some serious reductions. For many fishing guides and concerned advocates, a multi-decadal recovery time period was unacceptable. Action is needed, and this community has a great opportunity to encourage Louisiana Commissioners and Legislators to approve a precautionary recovery plan to get this fishery back to where it should be as quickly as possible. The American Saltwater Guides Association has made it super simple to understand this issue and for anglers to help move the needle.
Louisiana redfish is a world-class fishing destination, and the Bayou is aptly dubbed “The Sportsman’s Paradise.” From the vast marshes, to the barrier islands, to a hundred miles offshore, there are so many sporting opportunities. Yet, time and time again, when anglers think Louisiana, they think redfish, and more specifically, big bull reds. This nearly year-round fishery supports hundreds of guides and fishing businesses, as anglers from all over the world travel to have their hand at sight fishing some of these bull-dogging reds.
However, this fishery is in trouble and needs your support to ensure that Louisiana will have an abundant and healthy redfish population in the short-term and long into the future.
It’s easy to get lost down in the Bayou–the good and bad type. By Carter Abramson
Redfish Assessment Findings and Management Options:
The Louisiana Red Drum stock is currently not overfished, but is experiencing overfishing. There are too few juvenile fish recruiting into the spawning (adult, age 4+) population.
The recent downturn in recreational landings are due to a series of below average annual recruitment to the stock. 2019 through 2021 had the lowest recruitment estimates in the time-series examined!
“The spawning stock of red drum is measured with a spawning potential ratio (SPR), simply put, the number of red drum available to spawn relative to the population if they were not fished. While the current red drum SPR is above the limit of 20%, it has been declining since 2005 as fewer red drum “escape” to the offshore population.” (LDWF)
Unless action is taken now, Louisiana’s redfish population will continue declining towards an overfished condition, making recovery all the more difficult.
The last time Louisiana redfish regs were meaningfully changed was in July 1988–the recreational creel limit was changed to 5 fish per person and the slot limit was changed to a 16-inch total length minimum and a 27-inch total length maximum with no more than one fish over 27-inches allowed.
LDWF recently published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to change redfish regulations to a three-fish bag limit with a 18-24-inch slot limit. In addition, the harvest of any “over-slot” fish would be prohibited. This NOI
This proposal “represents a 55% reduction that would rebuild SPR in only 12 years” (versus LDWF’s original 35% reduction proposal that was projected to rebuild SPR in nearly 30 years), according to the American Saltwater Guides Association.
Support for this NOI is critical to show the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission and the State Legislature how important and popular a timely recovery of the state’s redfish population is!
ASGA is working with dozens of conservation minded light-tackle and fly fishing guides down in Louisiana to recover this redfish fishery as quickly as possible. The organization has engaged with LDWF officials at every step of this process to ensure a positive outcome, but in order to get these conservation minded regulation changes across the finish line, ASGA and the many fishing guides and businesses that rely on abundant redfish need your help!
“This is a big deal. Louisiana is considering the first regulation change for redfish in over 30 years,” said ASGA’s Tony Friedrich. “Louisiana is an iconic, world-class fishing destination that faces a growing list of environmental and fisheries challenges. The state’s redfish population has fallen from historic levels, and substantial changes are required to ensure legendary fishing for generations to come. We must support the local guides and business owners leading the charge to make fundamental changes in the local perception of their fisheries and how they are managed”.
ASGA wrote this letter to distribute to Louisiana decision makers, and you can sign-on HERE. The deadline is October 5th, 2023. Even if you’ve never experienced the Bayou, this is a great opportunity to advocate for conservation and effective fisheries management to ensure there are abundant bull reds for when you make it down to Louisiana!
In this Week’s Video of the Week, we stumble into the sleepy port town of Ilwaco, Washington. Where the number of boats in the harbor outnumber the population. But what Ilwaco lacks in terms of human population they make up for in fish numbers and seafood abundance. Whether it’s known as a tuna town or not. To the local fisherman, Ilwaco is an Albacore town. So sit down and enjoy as Barrett Ames and the crew of the Tre-Fin target these schools of albacore on the fly.
Jason Rolfe states “Ilwaco is far-flung and at times forgotten, bloated with tourists each summer only to atrophy each winter when the knuckle-busting fish games of August and September are done.” Check out the full issue here.
Flavor on the Fly offers a unique look into the full-circle, exploratory nature of food and fly fishing! Come join the team as we celebrate the latest series to enjoy some food, cold beer, and a chance to win some awesome prizes!
Date: Friday, September 15th 2023
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
Location: Oxbow Beer Garden 420 Main St. Oxford, ME 04553
Purpose: Join us for our latest series “Flavor on the Fly,” a fantastic evening of food, drinks, and a chance to win some awesome prizes!
“This little “honey hole” is a very special place to me and can only be fished on very few tides when the water is at its lowest point. What happens is this group of fish seems to get trapped in a hole as the water flows off the flats and allows us to have a once in a lifetime experience catching a large number of GT’s in a very short period of time.”
Reel of the Week from Eli Meyer, be sure to follow his saltwater fishing adventures at @_meyer_marine_.
Warchalowski most recently was the CEO of 
Flavor on the Fly offers a unique look into the full-circle, exploratory nature of food and fly fishing! Come join the team as we celebrate the latest series to enjoy some food, cold beer, and a chance to win some awesome prizes!
