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Faces of Fly Fishing: Joshua Hutchins

By
Jared Zissu
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Daniel Coleman, South Island New Zeland, Underwater brown trout release.

Joshua Hutchins is the mind behind @AussieFlyfisher – Publishing some of the best content in the entire Fly Fishing industry. Since catching his first trout on fly at the age of 13, Josh has spent years traveling the globe in search of the best, and often most exotic, fly-fishing experiences. An incredibly humble, talented, and passionate angler, we are pleased to introduce Josh as our first feature in the “Faces of Fly Fishing” original blog series from flylords.

How old were you when you picked up a fly rod? Do you remember the first fish you caught?
I was first introduced to fly fishing when I was 13 years old on the Ovens River in Bright, three hours from Melbourne, Australia. I was trying my luck spin fishing until a friend of my grandfathers showed me a fish he had caught on what seemed like an impossibly small fly. I was instantly intrigued. That Christmas, I asked my parents for a fly rod. Along with the fly kit, came an instructional video on VHS. I studied that video meticulously and then finally caught my first fish on fly one year later. It was a 25cm (10-inch) brown trout from the Macquarie River, near my hometown of Bathurst. We didn’t have cameras on our phones in those days so I don’t have a photo, but the memory will never leave me!

When did you start getting interested in photography?
In early 2013, a friend of a friend, named Filippo, joined our annual New Zealand fishing adventure. Filippo was a professional photographer and videographer and now produces all our fly fishing short films. Upon returning home I began comparing my photos with Filippo’s from the trip, and realized I would love to learn more about photography. I told my wife I would only buy one camera and one lens to support my guiding business. Three years later, my equipment family has exploded to include three camera bodies, six lenses, underwater housing, tripods, filters and everything in between. Obsessed is probably an understatement.

Do you ever find it hard to juggle being the photographer and being the guy doing the fishing?
I am constantly juggling the decision about when to fish and when to take photos. I will always love fly fishing, but as my enjoyment of photography grows, it seems to be increasingly more of the latter. I enjoy capturing other people’s stories and sharing them through quality photos. The more I guide clients in beautiful places, the more I realize that I get as much joy from watching them catch a memorable fish as if I caught it myself.

In a recent Facebook post, you exclaimed: “Leaving my real job to fly fish full time is the best decision I have ever made”. Tell us a little bit about this decision. Did something happen in your life that told you to just go for it?

I’d been running my fly fishing guiding business part-time for three years while still working full time. I was grateful to have a job that paid me to travel to some of the world’s best fly fishing locations, so I was constantly tagging fishing adventures onto the end of my business trips.

As can happen with something you are passionate about, the fly fishing began to overtake my life (in a good way!), and I found myself trying to squeeze my day job around the Aussie Fly Fisher business.

I had thought about (…ok dreamt of) full time guiding and photography but I wasn’t sure of its financial viability and the risk of giving up a well-paid and well-traveled job. But in Feb 2015, my work approached me with two different choices: move to Melbourne and continue your role, or accept a generous redundancy and payout. The decision was easy – it was time to follow my dreams. I gratefully accepted the payout, left my job and started Aussie Fly Fisher Guiding and Photography full time in August 2015.

Congrats on your new son! Is it challenging to juggle life as a father and husband while pursuing your career as a professional photographer?
Thanks for the congratulations! It’s been awesome. Becoming a Dad was almost as good as catching my first trophy brown trout. Just kidding, it was way better. Before becoming a Dad everyone told me my life would change dramatically, and they were right – it got so much better.

In the early days, instead of an alarm, I had a baby to wake me up for my early-morning fishing trips. But I’ve been loving being a Dad. And now it’s just twice as hard to leave when I travel overseas.

You have hands down some of the best photography in the industry. How did you get so good? Is there any advice you could give to some younger photographers? 

Thanks for your compliment, I really appreciate that. I still feel like a bit of a newbie just getting out there, having fun and trying to capture the moment. But I’m grateful that people are enjoying the pictures and that it’s inspiring anglers to get outdoors and embrace the adventure.

I’ve built my skills practicing shots on the water, spending time with great photographers, and asking lots of questions from people who are better than me. I’m also not afraid to have a crack at new things and I keep trying until I am happy with it.

When I look back at my photos from even a few years ago, I realize how much I’ve learnt just by slowly taking in more information and skills from the people around me.

My advice to young photographers would be to save up and invest in good gear. GoPro and wide angle shots are not always the best choices. Get out there and find your own style. Editing goes beyond an Instagram filter, and you don’t need to copy what other people might be doing with their shots. Find people whose photos you like and then ask them specific questions. Photographers normally can’t help talking about their gear and decisions around a shot. And, it may be cliché, but it’s important – have fun.

 

If you were stranded on an island and had one camera set up, and one lens, what would they be?
My current favorite camera body and lens are the Canon 5D III, and 70-200 2.8 Canon L series respectively. However, if I could only have one lens I would probably take my 35mm as it looks natural to the eye and is a good all-rounder.

Do you have a favorite photo that you have taken?
I have plenty of favorite photos. Most of which include my wife Anna, and my son Hunter.

Do you have any idols in the fly fishing world?
I tend to think people can sometimes compare themselves to others too much and so in general, I try to run my own race. I rarely idolize anyone for their fishing skills as I don’t think fly fishing is about how well you cast, tie flies or what camera you own, but rather about enjoying the moment and having fun.

In saying that, there are photographers in the fly fishing scene who I definitely look up to and admire. For example, Tim Pask was one of the first guys I saw taking underwater half-half photography and it inspired me to try that out.

Dave Anderson and Brad Harris are two other Australian fly fishing photographers with great skills and experience. They have shared so much knowledge and helpful advice with me. I look up to these guys for not only taking great images but for being willing to help me on my journey.

Two other fly fishing legends I admire are Phil Weigall and Greg French.

Phil is one of the all-round nice guys of Australian fly fishing. The ultimate trout addict of Australia, Phil still gets just as excited for a catch as a giddy school boy, and that passion and enjoyment of the sport inspires me.

Greg French, another Australian fly fisherman, is also the real deal. Greg is the type of guy that will hike into the hills, endure extreme temperatures, eat snakes and kangaroo, all in the hope of finding a new fishing spot.

Traveling the world and photographing epic fly fishing content can’t be as easy as it sounds. What are some of the challenges you have faced in this industry?
No, actually it is easy – it’s awesome.

Kidding. There are definitely some challenges amidst the great moments. It’s tough to manage the finances of the business and ensure that I can still put food on the table for my family. When your hobby becomes your job, there is an inevitable grey area between your leisure and work time.

I’ve been pretty committed to ensuring that I don’t give away my images or articles for free. Not because I don’t want to, but because every photo costs something, and we need people to understand that using (or asking for) photos for free actually devalues the whole industry. Magazines hunting free content generally die out. Quality content usually comes at a price.

The other challenges are just the unavoidable side effects of travel: lost luggage, living out of a suitcase, finding WiFi overseas and missing my family.

But even the early mornings and cold days are all in the name of fly fishing, and I love it.

Favorite Movie?
Shawshank redemption & Cool Runnings. I still clap the Jamaican team over the line every time I watch it, quality!

Favorite Book?
The Bible.

Favorite Drink?
Caramel and Lime Milkshake – don’t knock it till you try it.

Favorite Food?
Malaysian Laksa

Do you have a bucket list trip that you still want to take?
Unfortunately, I have many. Two species I’d love to catch next are Rooster Fish and Tarpon.

What’s next in the world of the Aussie Fly Fisher?
Between local guiding for trout and murray cod, I have a bunch of hosted trips to New Zealand, Argentina, Tasmania, Mongolia and Tahiti. I am most excited to head to Seychelles for the first time in December.

Make sure to check out the AussieFlyFisher on Instagram for some more epic content!

And stay tuned for our next guest in the “Faces of Fly Fishing” original blog series from Flylords.

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Raised Into Fly Fishing

By
Jared Zissu
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I grew up in a culture where fishing was everything. Where the Tarpon swarmed every season and the Permit and Bonefish were plentiful year round. Where rust was your biggest enemy, and the ocean your best friend. Where judgement was based on how many tournaments you won, and character was based on how many days you spent on the water. I grew up in Key West.

My father was a fishing guide, and everyday after school I would sit on our dock, overlooking our canal with a spinning rod in hand, practicing casting over and over again until he returned from work. On days when the fishing was good, he would unload his client and finish business. Then he would take me out on the water, right to where the fish were. You can say I got pretty spoiled. Countless nights were spent out on the water until dark, and our excuse for being late for dinner was that we had a hundred pound tarpon on the line that we just had to land.

When the fishing wasn’t good, or maybe there wasn’t enough time to go out, we would play a game. He called it the ring game. It was pretty simple; I would cast a jig out in our canal, making a splash that creates a ring. Immediately afterwards, he would cast his jig into that ring. We started playing this game when I was around 3 years old, and as I got more and more practice, our roles switched, and I was the one placing my jig in his ring.

At the tender age of 5, my dad decided that it was time that I caught a permit for myself. Ever since I was born, he would take me out on the water to watch, or he would hook them and I would reel them in. But now it was my turn. And when the weather was finally right, he took me to one of my favorite places in the world: the Marquesas Islands.

The conditions were picture perfect for permit fishing. Sun at our back, a light breeze and no clouds. But more importantly, the fish were there, and it was happening. I was seeing the fish, casting to the fish, and hooking them on my own, fighting them on my own and landing them. A 5-year-old kid doing what most strive to do just once in their life.

Some of my greatest memories have been out on the water with my dad. We would go out every year for the annual worm hatch, where the tarpon would swarm in schools of hundreds, and even a kid could catch as many tarpon as he could physically fight.

When I made my choice for college, I wanted to get out west as soon as possible, so I got a job as a Wrangler in the Park at Roosevelt Lodge, guiding horseback rides through the backcountry. Working in the park was a mind-blowing experience. Being so close to so many great trout rivers and streams, I was like a kid in a candy store. On my off days, me and my friends would take our horses on a half day ride, going up mountains and racing down dirt roads. We’d come back to the corrals, turn our horses out and jump in the truck to go fish the Yellowstone.

Fishing outside of the park was different than inside the park. I actually like it better for some reason. I think it might be because working in the park ruined it for me in a way. When you have to deal with guests complaining about their butt and knees hurting all day, it can get old, but it was definitely worth it. There was a week of no responsibility during the time in between moving in the dorms and school starting where we were fishing every day. During this time is when my friend Connor caught this monster of a brown on the East Gallatin.

Coffee Sausage Salmon Repeat

By
Jared Zissu
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After four flights and twenty sleepless hours of travel time we finally arrived in Sweden at Lulea’s airport. Greeted by lost baggage and four days of rain in the forecast. We scrambled to find rain gear and waders. Our guides Ted Logardt and Calle Lundqvist gathered all the gear they had laying around in an attempt to outfit a few of us to get on the water. After settling into our camp and unloading the little baggage we had a pleasant knock on the door caught us off-guard at 2am. There lay our 6 bags filled with waders, boots, rain jackets, marino wool, and everything else you don’t want to loose on a fishing trip halfway across the world.

Our first destination was the Byske River. It was there that we realized how challenging the following days would become. Baltic Salmon had proven to be the older brother of Atlantic’s. Showing themselves in every pool, mocking us around every corner as they broke the surface rejecting our flies one after another. A bump or grab did not come easy, never mind having the chance to hold a piece of silver that belongs to the Baltic Sea.

 The Byske had gotten the best of us as we left with our tails between our legs now heading in the direction of the Torne River. North of the Artic Polar Circle the difference between night and day was so minimal it allowed us to travel throughout the night. Furthermore we could fish endlessly until our bodies objected.

After arriving in Kengis and meeting with Lars Munk we headed directly to the Torne River. There was no time for sleep, for the prime time drop started at 3:30 am and we had arrived at 3:00 am.

As we stepped foot into the Torne for the first time we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. It marked the border between Finland and Sweden as one of the biggest rivers in the Lapland. With over 52,000 Salmon in the system at this point in the season, and an estimated 100,000 salmon in the system each year. We found a new confidence in a river we could hardly see across. 

The rain continued and the river rose.  At this point, we had decided it was best if we stayed at the run for the following 24 hours. We took turns making coffee over the fire and grilling sausages for one another.

After fishing the run for almost a full day the rain broke and finally persistence had paid off as we landed our first Baltic Salmon. Soon two more were hooked and lost as these salmon demonstrated their rigorous attitude tearing line from our spools as we ran down the river in a hopeless attempt to turn them back towards the bank. 

After sleeping for what felt like the first time in a week, we returned to Kengis Bruk. For the first time the clouds had broken, the sun was shining, the water was stabilizing, and fresh fish were moving up the river at an exponential rate. We made the decision to spend one last morning fishing the Torne before heading to the Lainio River. To date, it was the best decision we have ever made. Over the course of the next eight hours, we hooked salmon after salmon. Each drop yielding another fish, we laughed as the sun warmed our soul and we screamed as the salmon tore into our flies. We had fallen into the perfect rotation: Coffee, Sausage, Salmon, Repeat. Never in our lives had we seen or experienced anything like it, as we may very well never see fishing like that again. 

The sun held high overhead at noon. Memories had been made, and bags had been packed as we headed even further north to the Lainio River to explore Lars Camp Onka. We rested our heads for the night at Pinetree Lodge we headed off first thing in the morning. A short hike, followed by a quick ride in an old rowboat full of character brought us to some of the nicest water we had seen all trip. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before our host Charles was hooked up. As lines tightened hearts raced. Overwhelmed with euphoria Charles took his most beautiful salmon of the trip and we celebrated with yet another sausage by the fire, a few whiskeys and memorable stories from our past. 

Loading up the van once again, we headed to Jackfall to meet with Ronny Landin where we would celebrate midsummer’s eve and take in a number of cultural events. One of which happened to be a can of surströmming: fermented herring. The only thing worse than the taste was the smell. The locals laughed as we tested our gag reflex’s in an attempt to stomach the herring.

The fun and games had come to an end and it was time to test our luck on the Kalix River. We fished with Calle, Ted, Ronny, Andreas, Jay and a few other our friends we had met along the way. Once again persistence paid off as Calle lifted one last fish before our eyes. The last pot of coffee was brewed over the fire as the midnight sun glistened overhead. It was all too good to be true. We packed up our gear and headed back to Lulea to board our flight back to Quebec City. Our trip was concluded as we headed home with nothing but surreal memories of the best fishing we had ever seen complimented by new friendships that will last a lifetime.

This story and incredible photography was brought to you by Stuart Davis @adiposefishing

Stuart is the talented photographer and photojournalist behind the lens of the @hooke adventures. Make sure to give him a follow for some more incredible content! And check out hooke.ca for more adventures!

The Secrets of New Zealand Winter Fishing

By
Jared Zissu
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New Zealand’s south island is often the place traveling anglers come to for its summertime fishing, working well against the alternating hemispheres of the globe. Very few anglers get to see or experience what the depths of a New Zealand winter can offer a fly angler.

 A vast majority of water is closed to all fishing restricting anglers to a small range of lakes and a few of the bigger rivers, mainly areas where trout spawning is limited. You also have to deal with cold winter conditions, dirty rivers are more frequent and fish are more interested in reproducing than eating a fly…

So on the back end of a snowstorm we went fishing into one of the harder to reach lakes in the Canterbury high country, a couple of hours drive north of Christchurch. The road was completely buried under snowdrifts, making the drive in a little sketchy and the hike a little more demanding than usual. Once at the location I headed to an area of flooded tussock and starting throwing a variety of streamers in around the grasses.

King salmon spawn in the lakes feeder streams so there is a large number of salmon smolt kicking around the margins to add it being winter, insect activity (Caddis, Mayfly) is down compared to the summer so a streamer was the fly of choice. 10 minutes later my fly was DEMOLISHED by a nice 5 1/2lb brown, stoked!

 Throughout the day I continued wading around the shoreline stripping flies over stream mouths and weed beds having my fly engulfed by more epic browns in the 3-5lb range! Sick day!

NZ winter is tough but put the effort in, fish hard, pick your flies accordingly and you will get the results.

Matt Jones is a Flylords Content Creator. He is our “Go To” guy out in New Zealand. Make sure to give him a follow on Instagram!

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Angler Spotlight: Matt Jones

By
Jared Zissu
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We are excited to announce that Matt Jones will be joining the Flylords Team. Matt will be our New Zealand Content Specialist!

We wanted to ask Matt a few questions to make sure he was right for the job:

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from and how long have you been fly fishing for? 
My name is Matt Jones, I’m 21 years old and I live in Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. I’ve been Fly fishing since I was roughly 4 or 5 years old…and that’s when the addiction started!

2. What was the last fish you caught?
Last fish I caught! Ahh I think it was a 12lb Rainbow Trout that couldn’t say no to a little bit of streamer. 

4. Tell us a little bit about living in New Zealand. How is the lady life? Are most kids your age into fly fishing?
Living in New Zealand is as good as it gets! If I get a spare day I’m off right into some of the best trout fishing this planet has to offer! After work, I can drive 7 minutes from home and be swinging for Chinook salmon. If the tides are right a 20-minute drive from home has me chucking poppers for Kahawai. If it’s good I can have one every cast for a couple of hours (average 5-8lb) -Lady life- I’m 21, you could say they come and go! ☺ -Most kids show an interest in fly fishing if you have a chat with them about it. Very few actually fish though, although there is certainly an increase in the number of young guys fly fishing over here.

 5. Do you have any role models in the Fly Fishing Industry?
Jared Zissu, That guy is legit. Carl McNeil. That guy is walking talent. Everything he does, he does well.

6. If you were stuck on a deserted island and had one fly rod and one fly, what would they be? You can also choose one celebrity to accompany you…
I would pick 9ft #8. Such a versatile GP rod. Brands should be marketing them specifically for the deserted island market. One fly, Olive woolly bugger- everything eats those. Celeb, Matt Damon… He can grow potatoes.

7. If you could choose one destination trip to go on, where would it be?
Anaa Atoll– That’s on my immediate to-do list right now. Give me some of that salt!

9. Favorite Movie?
Palm Trees in the Snow– I hated it, but loved it. Long Story.

10. Favorite Drink?
Up&Go. Unsure if the rest of the world knows what it is. It’s pretty much, flavored milk that has a bit of goodness in it. Sold as a liquid breakfast product.

11. Favorite Artist?
Ronan Keating. His voice makes me cry.

12. What’s next in the life of Matt Jones?

I’d love to tick off a few more destinations around the world, Taimen, Golden Dorado and Atlantic salmon I would be down for! I’m really keen to explore deeper into more of the saltwater fish species NZ has to offer, there are heaps. Life’s too short. Fish.

Photos Provided By Joshua Hutchins

How To Get The Perfect 1/2 Underwater Shot

By
Jared Zissu
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With the explosion of Social Media, the bar continues to be raised when it comes to getting “epic” fish pictures. One photo that continues to catch the attention of audiences, is the 1/2 underwater perspective. It’s the type of photo that pulls the attention of a viewer, giving them a glimpse of the world down under, along with the passion and background of the angler above.

But how hard is it to get this shot?
As the technology for getting this shot is relatively new, you have two solid options…
Option number one: KNEKT USA – This is going to be your best option if you are not trying to drop “an arm and a leg”…
We contacted our friends @tuglifetrio from Utah to give you an extensive review (and some tips) on this product: “I have always been intrigued by the artistic, unique perspective of a good over/under shot.  I spent countless hours trying to get one of these coveted shots using my GoPro only to come home with no precise 50/50 water line and sheer disappointment.  I scoured the internet in search of a dome port attachment for my DSLR camera only to find products well out of my budget.  After nearly accepting the fact that this over/under shot I sought after was impossible I found out about KNEKT Dome Ports. With a much more affordable price tag, I immediately ordered one. After experimenting with my new purchase learned very quickly this dome port is the real deal.  These shots truly showcase the underwater world and the above water world all in one capture. With a KNEKT dome port, you are provided with a plethora of options for that killer shot!  With the optically correct acrylic dome, complete access and visibility to the GoPro buttons/settings, and many other highlights I am well equipped to get the shots I could only dream of.

After experimenting with this dome port I came to a quick realization that well sought after shots don’t come automatically.  This has brought about a lot of trial and error. While I am still learning about all of the options here are a few tips to get that shot that will leave you fully satisfied and your friends in awe:”

1. Ensure that the dome is clear of debris inside and out.  This includes smudge marks, lint, and other unwanted particles.  

 2. Seek after areas of the river where the current is not too much.  If the current is too strong you will find your dome quickly submerged in water.  Glassy areas with a little current are ideal.  This will provide you with a standard 50/50 straight across split shot as well as some chances to get the water in some other areas on the dome to get a unique waterline. 

3. Watch the sun!  I cannot stress this fact enough.  Make sure that the sun is at a minimum overhead of you.  It is most ideal to have the sun at your back.  Never point the dome toward the sun.  This will eliminate the chance of reflection from the dome itself as well as particles underwater. 

4. Expect to keep the dome in the water longer than one shot.  This is critical.  I like to have my GoPro set at continuous shots every 0.5 seconds.  Try one spot/angle combo for 5-10 seconds holding the dome as still as you can (too much movement can cause too much blurriness).  Then move to another spot/angle combo.  This will give you the greatest chance of getting some good options to choose from. 

5. When specifically taking pictures with fish in a river positioning of the person holding the fish and the person taking pictures is important.  Communicate with each other and make sure the “picture zone” is not clouded up with turbidity from you moving around the targeted area.  This will give you the greatest chance of getting that gin clear look we all like.  

6. Don’t be afraid to play around with angles and distances.  Get creative!  Make sure to have enough memory to give you some freedom with this and have fun!

Option Number 2: Aquatech Imaging Solutions

Pros: Quality… When you invest in an Aquatech housing you are most likely a professional photographer or an eccentric hobbyist with too much money… These housings are made for quality DSLR cameras, and the results are truly incredible.

Cons: The Price… With only a few options for quality water housings, you are going to have to drop at least 1,500 to make this work… On top of the DSLR, I’m guessing you already own?

KNEKT Photos Courtesy of @Tuglifetrio – Aquatech Photo Courtesy @theflyfishingnation

Who Is Harry Moores?

By
Jared Zissu
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You don’t know who Harry Moores is? That’s probably because you are not following him on Instagram… Harry has quickly made a name for himself in the fly fishing industry, with some incredible photography, and more notable his countless array of short, sexy, exhilarating Instagram videos. Harry is able to capture a classic New Zealand moment so perfectly, edit it to the right length, and share it with his audience. If you are not following him you are missing out!

1. Give us a little background on who you are.. (Age, Occupation, How Long Have you been in NZ)
I was born in Taranaki on the West Coast of the North Island (NZ), and grew up there (I’m now 28). My Dad and his good mate Hamish from the UK (both chefs at the time) used to fly fish in their spare time and before long I followed suit. I have had an unconventional career path and I have found that creative pursuits such as painting, music (piano), and photography provide me with enough income and freedom to follow my passion for fly-fishing.

2. What is the largest trout you have ever landed?
These days I take as much pleasure just being out there on the water as I do catching large fish so I don’t normally target ‘trophy trout’ as much as I could or perhaps should. Targeting large fish can mean fishing crowded water. I much prefer finding locations where free rising fish are plentiful and the crowds… not so much. I have been fortunate to land a number of fish around the 9-pound mark though, and I know where one or two trophy trout reside, so perhaps next season I will look at catching the big one!

3. If you had to describe fly fishing in one sentence..
Being near clear running water is almost a spiritual experience for me. So when Picasso talks about art washing away from the soul the dust of everyday life, I would say: “Fly fishing is art” (and an excuse to explore).

4. You obviously spend most of your time in NZ, are their any other fishing destinations on your bucket list?
I was fortunate to fish off Cairns a number of years ago and caught my first Black Marlin on the charter boat Moana 3. I also took a photograph of a 900lb fish on the trip, and my interest in photography grew from then on. I would love to go back and capture more moments like that on the Great Barrier Reef. Places I would want to explore with the fly rod include Alaska, Montana, South America (The Rio Grande in Tierra Del Fuego and Jurassic Lake in particular), and Aitutaki (for Bonefish).

5. You have some awesome content on your Instagram feed, some of the coolest short edits, are these clients that you are guiding? Is there any advice you can give a young videographer?
A lot of the content features my good friend Kyle Adams who used to guide at Cedar lodge. We bought a camera and explored the South Island for a month a few years back with the intention of creating a film. That never eventuated, however, I was left with a lot of great footage from the trip. I also filmed Herb Spannagl demonstrating the TRC (Tongariro Roll Cast) on the Tongariro, which proved to be a very popular short clip. I’m not suggesting that popular is good, but what both these trips have in common are good people and great locations. So once you have the basics down (how to use the camera), I would suggest mixing with people with similar interests that are better than you. Self-taught photographer Ben Moon (photographer for Patagonia), spent 3 years living in his van photographing some of the best climbers before he got recognized. So pursuing your passion can be the way to go. On the Instagram side of things, I have found that simple clean edits do well.

6. Ideal Rod Setup?
I currently use a Sage Z-Axis #6 with a Rio Gold floating line for most of my backcountry fishing. For the winter fishing the Tongariro where I use the ‘Tongariro Roll Cast’ a lot, a good set up would be a Scott Radian #7 with a Rio Salmon/Steelhead #8 or #9 floating line.

7. Favorite Fly?
For small fish, I would go with a tungsten bead #14 mayfly imitation. For rivers where the fish are educated and/or big, my two go-to flies are Sinking Spiders and Stoneflies. Both of these flies are big (#8 – #6) and seem to do the trick. If I had to pick just one, I would pick the Sinking Spider for its versatility.

8. Craziest fishing experience…
In the headwaters of the Rangitikei River, I spooked a large rainbow a number of times to a point where it was sitting dead still, at the bottom of a very deep pool. Without anything to lose (there weren’t much active fish around) I extended my leader length to about 24ft, tied on a weighted stonefly and took off my indicator. I chucked the fly out and just watched the fish (the water is crystal clear). A few moments later I saw a flash of silver, indicating that the fish had somehow taken the fly and hooked itself – it was a real eye-opener as to how effective large flies can be. On that same multi-day trip my forehead and eye swelled up, and as a precaution I was airlifted out, later being diagnosed with the shingles virus. Another crazy experience (which is featured on my Instagram feed) is my mate Kyle wet wading across a freezing cold West Coast river in order to untangle a fish. He swims back (kicking backstroke style, with the rod in hand, and his head fortuitously resting on his backpack) and lands the fish. The most exciting fishing moment I have experienced is when a 900lb Black Marlin was lit up on the wire while fishing off the Great Barrier Reef.

9. Favorite Drink?
Kombucha.

10. Favorite Movie?
Growing up I was always a fan of the classic Shawshank Redemption. If you haven’t seen ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ I would recommend that as a favorite Kiwi comedy of late. 

11. Any Idols in the Fly Fishing World?
I didn’t have the chance to meet him but Norman Marsh has had the most influence on me as a fly fisherman. His book ‘Trout stream insects of NZ’ is the most thorough reference book on NZ Fly Fishing that I have read. I have also learned a lot from a number of NZ anglers, notably Kyle Adams (Taranaki), and Clayton Nicholls (Blenheim). 

12. What is next in the world of Harry Moores?
Filling up the fly boxes with some new ties before embarking on some more adventures. Once October comes around I eat, breath, sleep fishing, so you will probably find me on a remote corner of the South Island.

Product Spotlight: Douglas Upstream Rod

By
Jared Zissu
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I’ve been a long time Winston Fan and I still am. But I was looking for a softer rod when I stopped by George Anderson’s Fly Shop in Livingston last summer and noticed what I thought, with it’s lighter color, was a cane rod. So I picked it up and gave it a wiggle and I knew INSTANTLY that this was just what I was looking for. I loved everything about it; the small all cork handle, the finish, the smooth soft flex, all coming in at a spartan 1.7 ounces and about 50% of the price of the competition.

So off I went for home, via Fernie, and used it on some of my favorite little Cutthroat Rivers. When I got home I ordered a second one, same model; 8’8” 4 piece for a 4 weight and I’ve never done that before, buying the same model twice. Then I took it down for another New Zealand Trout Season, but it was a bit light for those fish. So now I’m waiting and hoping the the new upcoming 5 and 6 weight Upstream Models arrive in time for my Nov. departure for N.Z.

Years ago I gave a cartoon idea to my buddy John Randolph, the then editor of Fly Fisherman Magazine, and they ran it. It was a guy lying in bed with a fly rod and  he had  a goofy worried look on his face and the caption was, “Is Fly Rod Love…wrong?” So for me, I think I met that rod with the Douglas Upstream Model.

 After fishing all over world all these years and chasing the photos for my annual calendar, I have never found a rod that I loved more. In September I’ll be fishing the High Country Streams in Colorado with it and I can’t wait.

David Lambroughton grew up in California, graduating from San Jose University in 1976. Immediately after graduation, he headed to the Fall River and a life-changing summer tying flies and guiding for Rick’s Lodge. From 1976 to 1988, he worked  as a full-time guide in locales that included Oregon, California, Montana, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia, carrying a camera throughout it all. He now travels and fishes all over the globe, writing and collecting images for his annual Fly Fishing Dreams Calendar. Via MidCurrent

Although our photos are not as majestic as the legendary David Lambroughton, we have also been fishing the upstream Rod this summer. In fact two weeks ago we fished on the Farmington River up in Connecticut. To be honest I had never experienced fish this picky. Throwing two dries in a tandem rig, I watched this fish nose at the larger fly, bumping it to see if it was real. It turned it down quickly, then opened its mouth to slurp a small Trico trailing behind. The Upstream Rod Series, has a way of delicately laying out your line, allowing the fly to land as naturally as possible. It really makes a difference in circumstances like this.

Right now the generous folks at Douglas Outdoors are giving away one of these incredible rods. Hit the link below and signup for a chance to win!

http://info.douglasoutdoors.com/upstreamcontest

Video: Why You Should Quit Your Job and Head West With The Love Of Your Life…

By
Jared Zissu
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In the summer of 2015, filmmakers Aimee Savard and Chase Bartee packed up their belongings, moved into their 1985 Volkswagen Westfalia, and left their home in Massachusetts. The goal? To make their way to Montana, and spend as much time as humanly possible exploring, fly fishing, and documenting their travels. Living in an eighty square foot van would pose its challenges. But the lessons learned and experiences gained over the next three and a half months would set events into motion that would change their lives forever.

“Like so many adventures, this one started with a question; how can we spend more time doing what we love, and less time stuck wishing we were somewhere else? Most anglers will find themselves asking similar questions from time to time. In our case, it seemed we were asking it more and more often. Eventually, we realized there was only ever going to be one answer. So we bought a VW van, quit our jobs, and started driving west. The destination was Montana, and the goal was to spend as much time on the water as humanly possible, or at least until we ran out of gas, food, money, or whatever came first. We armed ourselves to the gills with camera gear and documented every step of the way. With destination fishing flooding every corner of social media, “Journey On” proves that with nothing more than a tank full of gas and burning desire to find rising fish, the adventure of a lifetime is waiting just outside your door, all you have to do is reach out and claim it.” – Chase and Aimee aka Tight Loops 

After hearing about this Incredible Journey, and watching the full length film… I couldn’t help but ask this couple a few questions:

1. If you could explain the sport of fly fishing in one word what would it be?
C: Love. Love of water, love of the fish below it, love of the rich environments it flows through. When you truly love something, all you want to do is share it with people you care about. I think that’s the force that drove my grandfather to share it with me, and it’s the same force that drives me to share it with others.

A: Serenity.

2. What was your inspiration for taking this adventure?
C: Just general quarter-life detritus I guess. After I graduated college I worked in the film industry for a couple of years and hated it. Probably because 4 years of art school has a way of really crushing your creative spirit, but the truth about working in the movie biz is that there’s not a lot of room for creativity on a day-to-day basis anyway. I walked away from that and took a job with a buddy doing construction to keep my rent and bills at bay. While I enjoyed the work tremendously before I knew it three years had passed, and I was no closer to finding fulfillment than when I started. I guess after taking some years away from my creative work it seemed like the right time to shake things up a bit. Aimee had never been out West, neither one of us had ever lived nomadically like that before, and I was eager to sink my teeth into a substantial project. I think we’re both at the age where you first realize that time is moving way faster than it did when you were a kid, and every avenue you choose seems to have more and more permanent consequences. I guess it felt like if we didn’t get off our asses and start doing the things we wanted to do, then before we knew it, it would be too late. It honestly felt like we didn’t have a choice.

5. Did you accomplish everything you set out to do?

C: I think so. In hindsight, there are always things you wish you could go back and do differently, but I’m really proud of what we did, and how the film turned out. Part of me wishes I could go back and do it all over again without the cameras, but in the end it’s the love of filmmaking that brought us there, and we’re going to be really glad we have such an incredible record of our trip when we’re old and decrepit and unable to do this kind of stuff anymore.

6. If you could take another trip and make a new movie, where would you go?
C: This has been on my mind a lot lately, because we aren’t even close to being done taking trips, or making movies! I think the Canadian Rockies are high on my list, and over on the east, I wouldn’t mind making our way to Labrador at some point. In terms of more domestically, I’d like to spend an entire summer fishing only high elevation lakes. It takes a lot of work, but it pretty much has everything a fly angler could ever want; beautiful scenery, big fish, and unpressured water. There are so many places we haven’t explored yet. I’m sure we could spend a hundred lifetimes seeking them out.

4. For all the younger videographers out there, what is some advice you could give them about taking their work to the next level? 

C: Make the movies YOU want to see. The fly fishing video world is exploding right now, but it’s still so young, and there are so many stones that are left unturned. Don’t be afraid to make the films you want to make, even if no one else is doing it. Experiment and push yourself out of your comfort zone. There are a lot of incredible places and fish out there, but those things alone won’t make a great film. Even if you don’t have tons of expensive gear, big fish, or exotic destinations there are a million ways to tell a great story, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your narrative or visuals.

5. If you could only bring one camera with you, what would it be?
C: That’s a really tough one. I guess I’d bring my primary camera, which is a Sony NEX-FS700RH because it’s got a lot of versatile functions. But the thing ways like 10 pounds and requires a robust tripod, so I’m getting pretty tired of lugging it all over the place. My suggestion to people who are a little less masochistic would be to find something small, versatile, and bombproof. Shooting in the outdoors can be tough, and the less you have to worry about the better.

A: It depends greatly on the situation for me, but my Voigtlander Bessa R4M is pretty great.  It’s lightweight and easy to carry around my neck when we hike.  I just recently started doing the digital thing, and my Canon 5d Mark iii is so fun to shoot with.  That will likely be my go-to camera for a while.  But film wise, that Pentax 6×7 is pretty stellar too.  I can’t pick just one!

6. Favorite Drink?

C: Well, when I’m not just drinking water to stay alive, which by the way, is a fine drink, I guess I’d have to go with a nice refreshing can of “Colorado Kool-Aid”.

A: Probably lemonade.

7. Favorite Movie?

C: John Carpenter’s “The Thing” never seems to get old.

A: Mrs. Doubtfire

8. What is it like having a girlfriend / Fiancee who shares your passion for fly fishing?
C: It’s amazing! For all the folks who have significant others with different interests; image what it would be like if you didn’t have to come up with some lame excuse every time you wanted to sneak away and get a couple hours in? Yeah, that’s basically our lives. Being able to share my passion with Aimee has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

A: It’s awesome.  We get to share all of the things we love with each other.  We both get so excited making all of these plans for fishing trips and films, and we get to geek out about trout and how beautiful they are.

9. My first reaction when watching your film was wow, you guys are both incredible artists. How long have you been shooting film and video for? Do you have any videographers that inspire you?
C: Art sort of runs in my family. Although my folks pursued careers outside of the arts, they are both wonderful artists in their own rights, and when I began drawing around the age of 4 or 5 they were really adamant about encouraging and nurturing my creative urges.  I first got into shooting video when I was about 10. I had just been introduced to skateboarding and my friends and I were looking for ways to document our daily adventures. Being the creative type already, I took the initiative to hijack my parents VHS shoulder cam and the rest was history. I continued making skateboard videos for the next decade, and in case folks aren’t familiar with the genre, it actually has a really innovative and unique aesthetic, and several of its big players drawing inspiration from far and wide in the art/film/photography world. So growing up watching and producing skate videos was a serious crash course in video making. When I graduated high school I applied to a bunch of art schools with a largely illustration based portfolio, but after being accepted to the Rhode Island School of Design I quickly made the choice to switch majors and focus on film and video. I was so heavily involved in both the independent and professional skateboard world at the time that I felt I needed to consolidate my work in and out of school. I’m glad I made that choice because I learned a whole lot about filmmaking over the next 3 years. If you’re familiar with my work through Tight Loops then you know that I still play around with some fine arts stuff, but film and video is definitely my primary focus. In terms of videographers, I admire? I could name a million filmmakers (remember I’m an art school nerd) but maybe I’ll keep it within the fishing world. I think Jim Klug and Chris Patterson from Confluence Films make beautiful work. They really set a standard for fly fishing films in terms of both production and storytelling. They also pay a lot of attention to the overall visual aesthetic of their films. I don’t know if they are shooting on 16mm anymore, but I know it always makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside when I pop in a copy of “Drift” or “Rise”. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Rolf Nylinder from Fronsidefly. He always has been, and maybe always will be one of the few people within this little niche community who’s really pushing the boundaries of the format and experimenting with both visual and narrative techniques. If anyone hasn’t seen his latest episodic masterpiece “The Field Coffee Diaries”, then stop reading this interview and go watch it immediately.

A: I started shooting film when I was in 7th grade.  I was handed down a camera from relatives.  A Minolta 35mm.  I shot all black and white film and developed it myself.  I bought a book on the basics and just went from there.  I continued to shoot with that same camera all through high school.  I applied to art school and went into a photography program.  I made it one year.  It wasn’t the right fit for me at that time.  I wanted to be out experiencing and documenting life.  I spent a lot of time photographing punk shows in Boston and the people around me.  I put my camera down and walked away many times, but I always came back to it. This project was the first time I felt like I could fully focus on my art.  I shot with that same Minolta up until maybe 2008, when I started experimenting with toy cameras and color film.  When I started shooting medium format it really opened new doors for me.  Buying my Pentax 6×7 was sort of mind-blowing.  That thing takes such gorgeous photos and it’s such a beast.

10. When did you start to fish? What was the first fish you caught on a fly rod?
C: I started fishing in 1997. My entire family is from Montana, but I grew up abroad (in Israel in fact, but that’s a whole other story). I’d get to visit in the summers, so it was only a matter of time until my uncles and cousins introduced me to fishing. I spent the first two years casting conventional tackle off of docks during vacations. When I turned 10 my grandfather decided it was the time I learned to fly fish, and that summer he taught me how to cast and tie some basic flies. I remember my first fish so clearly; it was a 4 or 5 inch Brookie, caught on a Griffiths Gnat on a small feeder stream of the Big Hole just above Wise River, MT. I was instantly hooked! During the production of Journey On we were lucky enough to pay another visit to that stream and catch the great grandkids of those brookies. It was just as awesome I remembered it.

A: I just recently started fly fishing thanks to Chase, but my Dad took me fishing when I was a little girl and I caught my first trout.  I definitely didn’t know what any of it meant at that time. There’s a photo of me and my dad and I’m touching my first trout.  I look really excited.  Its one of my favorite photos of my Dad and I.  My Aunt Pat & Uncle Jay were big into fishing when I was growing up.  I used to love waking up early and going out on their boat.  We fished conventional tackle in saltwater.  I’ll never forget the excitement when we got into a big group of stripers.  Those are some really special memories.  Chase taught me the basics of fly fishing when we started dating.  He took me out in April when it was still really chilly and I caught my first rainbow trout.  Once I caught my first tiny brook trout on a dry fly I was hooked.  Its been non-stop ever since.

11. Whats next for Chase and Aimee?
C: Marriage! We are getting hitched on September 17th up in New Hampshire. Other than that, we took another trip this past June, up to Maine to fish and film for the next installment of our Journey On series. We got to fish some of the most coveted trophy native brook trout rivers left in the US. It was an incredible experience and we look forward to sharing it, as well as some other project with everyone soon!

 Make Sure you Check out Chase and Amiee’s new Movie Journey On! 

 

 

Photo Essay: 32″ Redfish On Fly, in Rockport Texas

By
Jared Zissu
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Mason did a ssnapshotTakeover for Flylords at the beginning of August, and absolutely crushed the story. He wanted to follow up with some words about his trip, and a nice Redfish the boys landed in some murky conditions…

Monday morning we dropped the skiff in the water and headed south to San Jose island near Rockport Texas in hopes of finding clear water due to the high winds. We arrived at the island and found redfish tailing in clear water over grass and sand. There were blue crabs all over the place so we matched the hatch with a small tan EP (Epoxy) crab fly. The first fish we saw inhaled the small crab fly and the fight was on. Throughout the day we found fish all over the flat with numerous hook ups. The highlight of the day was when we sight casted a nice 32in redfish around noon which headed for deep water and went into the backing on my 6wt Hardy in no time. After getting the fish to hand we snapped a few pictures and headed in for a burger at POPS.

If anyone is interested in booking a trip email masonmatejcek@yahoo.com he can accommodate up to two anglers on his Maverick HPX-T and does both fly fishing and light tackle sight fishing out of Rockport and Port O’Connor Texas.

Thanks again Fly Lords we look forward to next time!

Mason Messana on the Camera. 

Flylords Snapchat: theflylords

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