The Best Can’t Miss Cyber Monday Fly Fishing Deals
As fall comes to a close and winter sets in, anglers are getting ready for winter fishing and fly tying. With that comes gearing up for the season ahead. Luckily, there are some incredible Cyber Monday fly fishing deals up to 50% off for anglers looking to upgrade rods, reels, waders, and more. Looking for a gift idea? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide too.
We scoured the internet for the best Cyber Monday deals from major brands such as Simms, Orvis, Sage, Redington, Costa, Patagonia, and more. Be sure to check out the deals below for some epic savings, and tune back in as we continue to update this with more deals.
Disclosure: The article may contain affiliate links that may result in commission at no additional cost to the reader.
In this week’s “How to Tie” video feature, Gunnar Brammer teaches us one of the toughest techniques in fly tying to perfect, spinning deer hair.
Learn About This Technique:
Difficulty: Difficult
There are many techniques in fly tying that are complex and tedious, but working with deer hair can be some of one trickiest to master. Not only do you need immense dexterity to control the hair before even putting it on the hook, you also need to manage density, space, and trimming. All of these steps require extreme patience and can result in absolute failure and set you back several minutes if not done carefully. With that being said, when tying and spinning deer hair does come together you can make some of the most beautiful and effective flies an angler could dream of.
A major factor in successfully working with deer hair is having the proper thread. In this video, Gunnar uses GSP 150 denier, allowing him to use enough force to pull down and secure or spin the hair around the hook shank. If your thread is weak or damaged then discard it, as there is little likelihood of withstanding the pressure needed. Working with deer hair requires perfection and starting with the proper thread is absolutely essential.
Like all aspects of fly tying, without a pattern to practice on this skill is useless. Whether it is summer or winter, there is always a need for flies that use deer hair. This material is prominent in streamers for trout, such as Galloup’s Wooly Sculpin, and popper patterns for bass, such as the Deer Hair Frog. Although this may be difficult for tyers of nearly any level, no one has ever regretted the final product created from spinning deer hair in any capacity.
The 2025 Fly Fishing Film Tour is just around the corner! Before the films hit the screen, take a behind-the-scenes look at the making of each film in this year’s F3T Behind the Lens series. Plus, don’t forget to check out the 2025 tour dates HERE for the full schedule and to grab your tickets!
Next in this year’s F3T Behind the Lens lineup is The Hard Way, by RA Beattie. We hopped on a call with Beattie to discuss the journey of following a Warm Spring Reservation fishing guide as he goes through a full year’s season on the Deschutes River. Check out the full interview below.
Photo courtesy of Arian Stevens.
“The Hard Way” is a cinematic journey on Oregon’s Deschutes River, seen through the eyes of Warm Springs Reservation fishing guide Matt Mendes. Over the course of a year, the film captures the river’s dramatic seasonal changes and the unique ecosystem it supports. Matt, who has exclusive access to one side of the river that’s only fishable with the accompaniment of a native guide, reveals a pristine, often unseen side of this iconic river.
As an angler who favors the challenging route—whether in fishing or life—Matt’s approach reflects his deep respect for nature and his cultural heritage. The film explores how the river transforms with each season, from the vibrant energy of spring through the leaner summer months to the changes brought by fall’s steelhead runs and the stillness of winter. It’s both an environmental narrative and a character study, spotlighting Matt’s dedication as a steward of the river and his commitment to doing things “the hard way.”
“The Hard Way” is more than a fishing film; it’s a testament to the richness of the natural world, the patience and grit of those who safeguard it, and the satisfaction found in the journey itself. For viewers, it’s an invitation to look deeper into the rivers that shape our landscapes and the people who, like Matt, are devoted to their preservation.
Flylords: To start things off, could you give me a brief overview of the film “The Hard Way?”
Beattie: Sure! This film is centered around an amazing fly-fishing guide from the Warm Springs Reservation, Matt Mendes. We wanted to capture the Deschutes River through Matt’s perspective over the course of a year. We divided it into four seasons, focusing on the section of the river that flows along the Warm Springs Reservation. Matt has access to one side of the river, which is only accessible if you have a native guide, offering a unique, pristine view of the river. The Deschutes is a dynamic, fascinating river that stretches over 250 miles, changing significantly from its source to where it meets the Columbia River. This diversity, both in species and scenery, is incredible. The Tribal section that Matt guides, which is not accessible to the general public, feels very untouched and is an ideal setting to tell the story of the river over a year.
Photo courtesy of Arian Stevens.
A river like this is vast, so we narrowed our focus to a manageable segment. For anglers, it’s known that rivers are constantly changing, living systems. But for much of the general public, a river might seem static. We aimed to show the river’s evolution across seasons: the vibrancy of spring, the leaner times in the hot summer, the shift with steelhead runs in fall, and the challenges of winter. Matt’s approach as a guide is also special—he personally enjoys catching fish “the hard way.” It’s a bit of a challenge he sets for himself, echoing his passion as a bow hunter, too.
Flylords: It’s exciting to see such an all-encompassing film. So, what was the inspiration behind “The Hard Way”?
Beattie: I’ve always wanted to capture a river’s story for over a year. People connect with rivers, but they connect even more with people, and Matt was the perfect fit. He’s incredibly thoughtful and gracious and embodies the spirit of what we all hope to be as an angler and as a river steward.
Photo courtesy of Arian Stevens.
Flylords: That’s really special to see from that perspective. What was the biggest challenge you faced while creating this film?
Beattie: The biggest challenge is the same every time we work with Mother Nature. You can plan well, but nature has its own agenda—especially when it comes to filming steelhead. Those fish are elusive and notoriously camera-shy. We joke about how hard it is to film steelhead or permit because they’re so tricky to capture. But we were fortunate to get some great footage of them!
Photo courtesy of Arian Stevens.
Flylords: Now, on the flip side, what was the most memorable moment during filming?
Beattie: There were so many memorable moments. Interestingly, one of the highlights wasn’t fishing-related at all. We went out with Matt and his family one morning to pick wild huckleberries in the summer. Spending time with his family—his kids, wife, and father-in-law—was incredibly special. For the fishing crowd, though, one standout was a beautiful wild steelhead Matt caught on the swing. It’s a perfect fish, and seeing these wild fish return to the river was very rewarding.
Photo courtesy of Arian Stevens.
Flylords: That sounds amazing. Why did you choose the Deschutes specifically over other rivers?
Beattie: It’s funny; we often travel to far-off places to make films, but sometimes we overlook what’s in our own backyard. The Deschutes is a phenomenal resource and a beautiful river, so it felt right to tell its story as our “home river.”
Flylords: Having such a world-class fishery right there must be incredible. Can you tell us more about Matt as a character?
Beattie: Matt is an exceptional guide. His grandfather was the first native guide on the Warm Springs section of the river, so he has deep roots here. Matt is incredibly professional, dedicated, and focused on conservation. He doesn’t just guide—he’s out there cleaning up trash, planting willows, and taking care of the river. He leads by example, not for recognition but because he genuinely cares about the river. He’s a great role model and steward of this resource.
Photo courtesy of Arian Stevens.
Flylords: It sounds like he’s exactly what a fly-fishing guide should be: professional and committed to caring for the environment. What’s the key message you hope viewers take away from this film?
Beattie: One core message of “The Hard Way” is that it’s not always about the number of fish you catch but the satisfaction you find in the process. For example, catching a steelhead could be easier in some ways, but there’s a lot of reward in doing it the harder, more challenging way. As anglers, we often start our angling journey by focusing on numbers, but eventually, we learn that the experience itself is what truly matters. I hope the film shows that perspective.
Photo courtesy of Arian Stevens.
Flylords: What would someone fishing the Deschutes for the first time expect?
Beattie: The Deschutes has many faces. Up in the high country, you’ll find smaller fish, which are abundant and not too wary. In the lower river, it’s a different game. The scenery is breathtaking—a true high desert experience. The river can be both kind and challenging, offering something for everyone. I recommend newcomers connect with local guides or shops to tap into local knowledge. It makes a big difference on a river as complex as the Deschutes.
Photo courtesy of Arian Stevens.
Flylords: That’s great advice. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the film?
Beattie: Absolutely. Arian Stevens, an amazing photographer, has been shooting still photos with us all year long. I’m very excited for people to experience his photography, as he is a tremendously talented still shooter.
Photo courtesy of Arian Stevens.
Thanks so much to Beattie for taking the time to sit down with us. Be sure to check out more from RA Beattie HERE. Also, be on the look out for more “Behind the Lens” features, and be sure to check out when the film tour is coming through your neck of the woods! Get info and tickets, BELOW.
Fall is a time muskie anglers can’t wait for. Cooling water temps and hungry fish make the fish of 10,000 casts a realistic hope for many. Dave Karczynski, author and muskie aficionado, goes about fall muskie fishing in a unique manner, setting up his own “Muskie Camp.” In his most recent book, Calling After Water: Dispatches from a Fishing Life, he recounts his journeys throughout the world chasing fish. This excerpt below reflects what muskie fishing is all about.
To get your own copy of Calling After Water: Dispatches from a Fishing Life, click HERE.
Why I do Muskie Camp:
First things first: Muskie camps are not a thing. As far as I know, my friends and I run the only one in existence. I’m not even sure that camp is the right word. There’s no wood plaque with a hand-carved rainbow trout that would welcome you to a fish camp, only a crush of reeds where we pull the boats up through the alders and out of sight. There’s no shack with a woodstove and eight-pointer hanging on the porch, though we share the deer hunter’s indifference to hygiene. No, our muskie retreat is a tent-and-tarp, public-land sort of affair, our only residential luxury the waxed canvas A-frame our spiritual leader, an enthusiast of 18th-century voyageur culture, packs along from time to time. By day, we ply the black water for muskies. By night, we drink whiskey under a dark sky. Sometimes, but not always, we smell like Esox.
Explaining how our first camp came about is simple: We plotted the farthest-most point from any paved road in the Midwest and went to check the fishing. The river we settled on, a swampy, low-country watershed that defied development and swallowed two tracks whole, was so little known we dared not bring anything but a canoe. That first year we paddled a full ten miles looking for high ground to camp on and eventually found it, along with a wolf pack that howled to either warn or welcome us, no one can say which. And we caught fish; or rather, one of us caught enough fish to make the others believe they could too.
Author, Dave Karczynski, behind the oars.
Explaining how muskie camp happened for the first time is one thing. But accounting for why it stuck, why muskie camp became an annual event with all the fixity of Christmas—explaining that is another thing altogether. If I had to come up with a reason—and my editor deems this wise—I’d hazard it’s for the particularly sublime nature of the discoveries made at muskie camp. These are not your everyday bits of knowledge. They have little to no application to the outside world. They won’t make you money or find you love, can’t help you out with a flooded basement or do your taxes. And yet—or maybe because of this—the teachings of muskie camp seem to be essential lessons for the good life, or at least the life I care to live.
Because of muskie camp I can think through the origins of faith and its variations, since any muskie fly box is an attempted conversation with the Unknown.
Because of muskie camp I know that the shape of a river also has a sound, best played by the stylus of an old Evinrude, best heard over the crackle of a campfire.
Because of muskie camp I know that whiskey has utilities beyond the mere tonic, that on moonless nights it becomes an agent of navigation, conferring if not sight itself then at least the conviction of it, which is sometimes superior.
Because of muskie camp I know that a man who makes a terrible housekeeper when surrounded by brooms and vacuums can become, when handed an axe, the dictionary definition of neatness. That black bear backstrap is first and foremost a breakfast food, especially when wrapped in venison bacon.
Because of muskie camp I know if you get lucky once, you revel, and if you get lucky twice, you row. That the human body is a tool whose edges fade with time, though there are activities that provide fair compensation for the blunting.
Lastly, I now know that not all time is created equal—that muskie time, those rare minutes spent in hand-to-hand combat with a fish, is exceptional. Though few in number (spread out over a lifetime, even the luckiest in our group will be hard-pressed to break the ten-minute mark by the time he makes his Final Cast), these moments are great in size, towering over all those hours caught in traffic, blotting out years spent staring at screens. And they keep growing in height, those muskie memories, year after year. Maybe, in the end, that’s what makes muskie camp so special, the great size of your life there when you look back on it—so tall you can barely, even on a clear day, see the top.
“I used to come to these trout streams with my fly rod and waders. In the last 5 years I have left the fishing gear, preferring my camera and drysuit. Seeing and documenting the beauty of southeastern United States freshwater fish has become my passion in hopes of promoting conservation of the animals and habitats I love.” Andrew Zimmerman
Steelheading on the Skeena is more than fishing — it’s a way of life, a test of patience, and a testament to passion.
Destination Skeena takes you into the heart of one of the most iconic, undammed river systems in British Columbia. This is where the most dedicated and, let’s be honest, most troubled anglers —steelheaders — spend days, weeks, even months chasing one of the most unique highs one can experience on the water. For this obsessive breed of anglers, it’s never been solely about the fish. It’s about the thrill of the chase, the serenity of the process, and the belief that on the next cast, everything could change.
In a world where instant gratification is the norm, steelheaders embrace the grind. Destination Skeena follows a community bound together by more than just fishing—it’s the shared journey, the stories, and the deep connection with one of the world’s most pristine river systems. Every take is different. Every take is special. And for these anglers, every moment on the Skeena is worth the wait.
In this week’s “How to Tie” video feature, Kelly Galloup with TheSlideInn ties one of his classic sculpin streamer patterns, Galloup’s Wooly Sculpin.
Learn About This Fly:
Difficulty: Difficult
Streamer season is here and to stay through the winter. Trout have and will continue to eat big ticket items to prepare for colder temperatures, inevitably decreasing their energy output and feeding habits. It is always good to have a few streamers in your fly box regardless of time of year, but sculpin imitations during winter in particular are a must. Joe Humphreys once said that sculpin are strawberry shortcake for trout, and that’s enough reason as to why you should always carry a few of in your streamer box, starting with Galloup’s Wooly Sculpin.
If you have tied the classic Woolly Bugger, you already know how to tie more than 50% of this fly. For the novice tyer, working with deer hair for the head and collar will be difficult, but patience is key and will set you on the right path. Do not expect perfection the first time and keep practicing proportions and hair density until you have consistency. Much like many of Kelly’s streamers, Galloup’s Wooly Sculpin is not easy but worth every second behind the vise.
Depending on depth and current, you could fish this streamer on an intermediate or full sinking line. It’s weightless body combined with a substantial amount of deer hair will make it necessary for some form of sinking line or additional weight to get this fly down. Fishing this one low and slow during the coldest months of the year for a reactionary strike can bring success, but like most things in fly fishing it is good to change it up and test different retrieves. Enjoy the process for this pattern and sitting down after a long week with a drink behind the vise, Galloup’s Wooly Sculpin isn’t to be rushed through.
Do you know how to jerk strip and jig strip? These are two methods that will drastically help your streamer fishing game. Check out this video from Kelly Galloup’s The Slide Inn about how to jerk strip and jig strip.
“While we were bouncing up a rough riverbed track on route to our actual destination, another river about 15miles further upstream, we spotted a trout feeding in a large spring creek that had popped up since a previous flood in the large valley we were in.
My brother and i jokingly suggested we should have an attempt to catch it without actually getting out of the truck. Well, i came close! Getting a half-decent hookset, the fish didn’t stay on but made for a rather entertaining clip!” – Matt Jones
Angler Story of the Week from Matt Jones, be sure to follow Matt Jones instagram at @flyfishingnz!
onWater is a leading force behind innovative new technologies in terms of fishing access, public land information, and tools for navigating water. Recently, onWater has partnered with California Trout to celebrate World Fish Migration Day and spread awareness about issues California’s fisheries face. For more information about this partnership, check out onWater’s press release below.
Louisville, CO – November 18, 2024 – onWater Fish, a leading mobile app for anglers across the U.S., is excited to announce a new partnership with California Trout (CalTrout), launching in celebration of World Fish Migration Day and CalTrout’s #MigrationMatters campaign. This exciting collaboration not only highlights the importance of fish passage for California’s native fish species, but also marks the beginning of an ongoing effort to equip anglers with the tools to support sustainable fishing and river restoration.
Supporting Fish Passage with Purpose
From November 18th through November 25th, onWater Fish will offer users 20% off mobile app subscriptions, with $20 from every purchase going directly to CalTrout to support their fish passage projects. These initiatives focus on removing outdated dams and barriers, restoring natural river flows, and enhancing fish migration routes, essential for the survival and recovery of California’s aquatic species.
“At onWater, we believe that responsible angling goes hand-in-hand with conservation,” says Alex Maier, CMO of onWater. “Our giveback campaign with CalTrout marks the start of a much larger initiative to integrate conservation tools into our app. Together, we’re not only supporting vital fish passage work but also preparing to provide anglers with data-driven resources that will help them contribute directly to these efforts in the future.”
Celebrating World Fish Migration Day
World Fish Migration Day, observed on November 21st, raises awareness of the importance of migratory fish and their habitats. CalTrout’s #MigrationMatters campaignemphasizes the urgent need for fish passage solutions and river restoration efforts across California, with a focus on habitat recovery and ecosystem protection. It also highlights the importance of scientific monitoring work to better inform and understand restoration.
“This partnership with onWater comes at a critical time for California’s rivers,” says Curtis Knight, Executive Director of CalTrout. “Together, we aim to inspire anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to take action for native fish, ensuring that future generations can witness the return of iconic fish species to their ancestral spawning grounds.”
A Commitment to River Restoration
California Trout has been at the forefront of river restoration efforts for over five decades, leading the charge in removing obsolete dams, rehabilitating river systems, and protecting endangered fish populations. These actions are not just about preserving species—they’re
about safeguarding the ecological integrity of entire watersheds, which support biodiversity, local communities, and cultural heritage.
About onWater
onWater Fish is a mobile app designed to empower anglers of all skill levels to find success on the water, while promoting conservation awareness and responsible fishing practices. The app provides users with interactive maps, real-time fishing information and conditions, and customizable content. Learn more at http://www.onwaterapp.com.
About California Trout
California Trout (CalTrout) has been leading efforts to restore rivers, protect watersheds, and ensure resilient wild fish populations across the state for over 50 years. Through advocacy, restoration, community engagement, and collaboration, CalTrout works to secure healthy waters for future generations. Learn more at http://www.caltrout.org.
