Welcome back to Fly Shop Tour, our tentpole series in which we explore the country through fly shops and the angling communities surrounding them. This year’s season takes place in the Northeast—an area rich with fly fishing history. We explored the incredible fly shops, communities, and fisheries of Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania. Seven states, thousands of miles, and a few fish along the way.
In episode 3, host and founder of Flylords, Jared Zissu, heads to the Big Apple, New York City, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Follow along as the Flylords crew kicks things off in Rhode Island, with Saltwater Edge fishing for striped bass before continuing to Compleat Angler in Connecticut. From there, Jared hits the road to New York City, the city that never sleeps, in search of the most unique fly shop we’ve visited, Urban Angler. But what trip to the city is complete without checking out the local scenery and Central Park, this time with carp on the mind. Tune in to episode 3 to see what the Empire State has in store.
When you step up to the bow of a flats boat you need to be prepared in order to have a chance at that fish. Check out these tips from Red’s Fly Shop for flats boat fishing basics.
Filson is a name that hardly needs introducing in the outdoors gear space. They’ve consistently made fantastic apparel and outerwear for years, and their tin cloth hats have been worn by a few famous anglers.
They recently partnered with Housefly Fishing, a shop based in Hawley, Pennsylvania, to produce a lineup of new gear tailored for fly anglers. This gear collaboration includes a hip pack, rain poncho, hat, and a few shirts.
The hip pack is the star of the lineup, although Filson calls it a “waist pack.” This Ranger Waist Pack is built from dry-waxed cotton, which is a unique material that maintains the feel and heft of traditional waxed garments, but without the oily residue. Filson also says this dry-waxed cotton won’t need re-treatment, either.
The Ranger features classic Filson styling, but with a unique color scheme that’s probably been influenced by Housefly Fishing. Lime-green zippers adorn the dark-green pack, which has two front pockets and a large main compartment that’s big enough for a fly box or two. You’ll also find a shearling patch for drying off your flies, and a ripstop water-resistant cover that can be stowed when not in use. There’s a surprising amount of functionality built into this piece of gear.
Also in the collection is the Swiftwater Rain Poncho, made from the same waterproof fabric as Filson’s Swiftwater Rain Jacket.
The Poncho does have front pockets, a quarter-zip zipper, and an adjustable hood. Clocking in at 3.8 ounces, it’s light enough to pack into most day bags.
You can also shop from a pair of quick-dry pants, a selection of shirts, and a Filson and Housefly Fishing branded Ranger Duckbill Cap. The entire collection is available to view here.
For the angler mom, the best gift isn’t just something pretty—it’s something that makes every cast, every catch, and every moment on the river feel even more special. So this Mother’s Day, skip the flowers and go straight for gear that elevates her time on the water. From functional apparel that’ll make her look and feel her best, to packs that keep things organized and un-loseable, and fly rods that make her cast feel effortless, these angler-approved Mother’s Day gifts celebrate the adventures and memories she creates out there. Bonus points if you’re out there making memories with her, which is really the best Mother’s Day gift any fishy mom could ask for.
All products featured on Flylords are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
A shoulder sling or a hip back—this ultralight 9-liter pack from Patagonia does it all in a singular bag. Designed with modularity in mind, the Stealth Switch adapts to how your mom likes to fish (and is actually comfortable no matter which way she wears it, which is hard to come by in a wading pack). It’s loaded with thoughtful features to keep her organized and ready for anything, including a water-bottle sleeve, magnetic docks for tools and flies, easy-access pockets, and corrosion-resistant zippers. The 9L is perfect for moms who refuse to leave anything back at the truck, but if she’s more of a minimalist, the 5L and 3L packs make great gifts, too.
This Mother’s Day, replace her boxy waders with these game-changing wading pants from Miss Mayfly. Designed specifically for women—and available in an impressively inclusive range of sizes— the Moxies are flexible, flattering, and surprisingly comfortable for something built to walk through cold rivers. The high-waist fit adjusts to whatever layers she’s wearing underneath, and the lightweight fabric moves with her, not against her. Kit her out with a pair of matching wading boots and she’ll be ready for anything.
Every fishy mom deserves good coffee on the riverbank. This ultra-compact pour-over kit from VSSL packs a double-walled stainless steel mug, pour-over dripper, and two nesting cups into a sleek cylinder that fits in her pack. It’s like having her own barista on the trail—and way better than gas station sludge at 5 a.m.
If you really want to become her favorite child, splurge on a Sage R8 Core fly rod, the brand’s flagship rod beloved for its power, deadly accuracy, and nimble responsiveness. Whether she needs a buttery soft 3 wt for presenting delicate dry flies on a high-mountain creek or a faster 8 wt. for slinging streamers from a boat, the R8 Core will have her back (and her wrists and shoulders). It’s a Hallmark card in graphite.
Some moms bring a book to the riverbank—yours brings a full charcuterie spread. If that’s the case, this soft cooler from RTIC will be her new fishing buddy. It’s lightweight but seriously rugged, with a puncture-resistant shell, waterproof zippers, and a cold-locking lid that keeps drinks and snacks chilled for up to 48 hours. The molded base stays upright on uneven terrain (read: gravel bars, drift boats, truck beds), and a stash pocket keeps her phone dry and her keys in reach. It’s the cooler that does more—just like she does.
We’ve all been there: packing our flies and tippet spools in between socks and underwear in our carry on, before wrestlng our rod cases into the overhead bins on the plane. Which is why I can’t think of any angler—mom or otherwise—who wouldn’t love packing this travel case on their next fishing trip. Its compartments include a separate zippered section for rods and adjustable dividers for reels, fly boxes, and other essentials. Reinforced corners and a lockable main zipper ensure durability and security, so she won’t have to worry about TSA breaking anything. It’s her new favorite travel companion (besides you, of course).
You can never have enough sun hoodies. Free Fly’s Elevate Lightweight Hoodie is engineered for long days under the sun, blending technical performance with comfort and style. Crafted from a featherweight lyocell blend, it offers UPF 25+ protection to keep Mom dry and cool on the water. The crossover hood and sun cuffs provide extra coverage without bulk, and the colors—a rusty orange, summery aqua, dark navy, and classic cream—look good with everything.
She’s got the cast. Now give her the clarity for Mother’s Day. The Costa Corrientes are built for the water, with polarized 580 lenses that cut glare and boost contrast—so spotting fish is easier than ever. But they’re not just fishing shades. The sleek, featherlight frames and everyday-cool silhouette make these a true lifestyle lens she can wear from the river to the farmer’s market and everywhere in between.
Fishewear’s colorful gear is designed specifically for women, blending style and practicality in a way that stands out on the water. For a thoughtful gift that will elevate her wading game, get her this vibrant wading belt, which comes in a range of pretty prints inspired by some of her favorite fish. Whether she’s casting from the beach at dawn patrol or navigating rocky riverbeds, it adds the perfect pop of color and support to her fishing ‘fit.
Benchmade’s small-but-mighty fishing knife is another gift that’s sure to earn you big brownie points this Mother’s Day. With its 3.21″ MagnaCut blade, it’s crafted for both precision and durability for cutting line and cleaning fish. When she’s using it, the lock system and textured, ergonomic handle provide a secure grip (safety first, after all). And when it’s folded up, it fits neatly in her pocket or pack, taking up virtually no space. It’s a “cut” above the other gifts—pun very intended.
The creek usually fishes well before runoff, but that window of time varies year to year. Last year I had two weeks of good fishing before snowmelt turned the creek into a raging torrent. I spent most of June on tailwaters, waiting for the freestones to come back into shape.
This year, even with an average winter, the creek is in fantastic shape. The water is low and clear, the bugs are hatching, and the fish have moved from their winter runs into the riffles and pockets. It’s been this way for almost a month, a much longer window than any of the years I’ve had since moving to this corner of Wyoming.
The creek doesn’t produce huge fish, but enough decent ones to keep a day interesting. Photo: Spencer Durrant
And I only realized the creek was fishing this well by accident. From my driveway to the first parking spot on the creek is 27 minutes, but from the first snowfall until usually the first of May, the creek doesn’t fish well. It’s at the bottom of a steep canyon, so the ice and snow stay packed in there longer than any of the rivers flowing in the valley. That means the water stays colder longer, which delays the bug activity, which delays the fish activity.
About a month ago, I had to drive near the canyon for an errand, so I decided to park at that first pullout and get a lay of the land. Sure, it was earlier than I ever fished the creek, but there was a chance it might be in good shape, and fishing is about taking chances, if nothing else.
Fish were rising in the pool at the pullout when I parked. I had a rod in the truck, so I fished for a few minutes, caught one, and made plans to head back the next day. What followed was one of the best days I’ve ever had on the creek, culminating in this gorgeous cuttbow.
The first cuttbow I ever caught from the creek. Photo: Spencer Durrant
I went back a few days later and found a blue-winged olive hatch that had every fish in the river looking up. The fishing was the kind of lights-out day where it feels like you can’t throw a bad cast, miss a hook set, or play a fish incorrectly. I don’t usually keep track of how many fish I catch, but I honestly lost count that day.
I wondered just how long the creek would stay in good shape. We had a string of 70-degree days, and one that broke 80. But it was cool enough at night, and high in the mountains, to keep the creek in great shape. Enough so that I even took my mother-in-law out, to a section of the river full of rainbows that eat anything so long as the drift is good. She caught 15 fish in a couple hours, including a few decent-sized ones.
It’s hard to have a bad day catching any fish. Photo: Spencer Durrant
The water was clear enough that we could watch the fish eat the nymph off the dry-dropper rig, which was a great experience for my mother-in-law. Once we’d had our fill of smaller fish, we drove down to a stretch of the creek where the trout grow larger. We walked right into the best March Brown hatch I’ve ever seen, and it felt like every fish in the river was eating.
These are the prettiest brown trout around. Photo: Spencer Durrant
The hatch was so good that I went to the creek two more days in a row, before I had to leave town for a work trip. I won’t be back until Saturday, and I’m not sure how much longer the creek will be in prime shape. But for this year, at least, I experienced some of the pre-runoff madness that gets so many anglers hyped.
I also learned that the creek probably fishes better earlier in the year than I’ve assumed. That means I’ve spent days staring at the mountains, wishing I could fish, when I actually could’ve gone fishing.
In this week’s “How to Tie” video feature, McFly Angler ties a saltwater version of the infamous Woolly Bugger, the Seaducer.
Learn About This Fly:
Difficulty: Easy
No matter where you are in the world, there are few fishing opportunities are exciting as the ones you will find around saltwater. Of course, freshwater species such as trout will have a special place in 99% of fly anglers hearts, but there is no denying the adventure and mystery that comes with the salt. Dreary rainy days are always a good time to prep for some of the best fishing to come of the year on the east coast, the Spring Striped Bass migration. When it comes to getting your fly arsenal together for anglers following this migration, the Seaducer is pattern that cannot be forgotten.
Tying this fly won’t take much time or effort. Only requiring two major steps, this is a perfect pattern to practice on if you are starting your tying journey or new to working with larger materials. Such few steps and materials allow for easy variability and creating large batches of several sizes and colors. For beginners, wrapping hackle can be difficult, but on larger patterns such as this one, you’ll be able to learn the technique and correct mistakes much easier. If you’ve tied a Woolly Bugger before, the Seaducer will be a piece a cake for you!
Fishing this pattern on an 8wt rod and reel setup paired with a floating or intermediate line will serve you well on the water. Success is found using this pattern in many scenarios, but the flats and tidal rivers in particular is where it will shine. The slim profile made of natural materials imitates small baitfish exceptionally well and can even suffice as a shrimp attempting to escape to cover. Much like its Woolly Bugger cousin, the Seaducer is a do it all type pattern that should be in every angler’s saltwater fly box who targets shallow water species.
We started Fly Shop Tour with one goal in mind: to tell the stories of the people and fly shops that are the fly fishing community. These shops are the glue that brings anglers together, teach the next generation, and provide a sense of community. It doesn’t matter who you are, as long as you fish, you’re right at home in these fly shops.
Throughout our time filming and fishing for season 3, we met some incredible people and visited some world-class shops. Join us as we explore what each state has to offer as we dive into the shops along the way. The next stop on the tour is Massachusetts.
The first stop on our list is actually not a shop at all. Harrison Anglers is based out of Western Massachusetts and is run by brothers Dan and Tom Harrison. After an extensive guiding career in Montana and Chile, the two returned home to Massachusetts to guide where it all began.
Episode 2 kicks off with Nelson fishing with Harrison Anglers, exploring the waters of western Massachusetts. Along the way, they find some trout, but most importantly, a great time on the water. The program Dan and Tom created takes you away from the big city life and into the wilderness that many overlook in the Bay State. While not a fly shop, Harrison Anglers earned its spot on this list.
If you’re a serious fly tyer or angler, chances are you’ve gone to a fly shop to look for a specific item and couldn’t find it. That is not the case if you’ve been to Bear’s Den. Located in Taunton, Massachusetts, Bear’s Den is a fly fisherman’s paradise. From bluegills to billfish, this shop has it all.
In addition to products, Bear’s Den has the staff and knowledge to get you set up for any trip. The shop is currently run by Scott Wessels, the son of Robert “Doc” Wessels, the original owner. Scott and his team of fishy employees make sure any angler, fishing at any destination, has the gear, flies, and fly tying materials needed to make it happen.
We started Fly Shop Tour with one goal in mind: to tell the stories of the people and fly shops that are the fly fishing community. These shops are the glue that brings anglers together, teach the next generation, and provide a sense of community. It doesn’t matter who you are, as long as you fish, you’re right at home in these fly shops.
Throughout our time filming and fishing for season 3, we met some incredible people and visited some world-class shops. Join us as we explore what each state has to offer as we dive into the shops along the way. The next stop on the tour is Vermont.
Along Fly Shop Tour, we’ve visited a lot of unique fly shops, but never one inside a house. That is, until we visited Tie By Night Fly Shop in Vermont. When you walk through the door of Tie By Night, you’ll be greeted by Roland Tremble, a Vermont legend. What the shop lacks in space, it makes up for in fly tying materials and atmosphere.
Roland started the fly shop after visiting a garage-based fly shop in Colorado. He took that inspiration and started Tie By Night shortly after. Roland’s business hours are far from regular, with visits being by appointment or by chance. That said, it’s more than worth it to book an appointment if you find yourself in Vermont. The shop screams fly tying, with Roland stocking a wide assortment of some of the very best fly tying materials available. Whether you’re new to fly fishing or an experienced angler, everyone is greeted by the same infectious enthusiasm and willingness to help you on your fly fishing journey from Roland himself.
Our next stop in Vermont was Middlebury Mountaineer, located in Middlebury, Vermont. The owner, Steve, started the shop in 1998 with a goal of bringing outdoor essentials to the community. Now, unlike some other shops, Middlebury Mountaineer is a full-fledged outdoor shop. That said, their fly fishing selection is well-stocked and paired with the knowledge of in-house guides to get you outfitted and ready for a day on the water.
On the shop floor, we met Craig, the store manager and guide for Middlebury Mountaineer. His wealth of knowledge on local systems and his passion for fly fishing were top-notch. For anglers looking to explore the vast offerings Middlebury and its surrounding fisheries have to offer, a stop at Middlebury Mountaineer is worth it.
A draft of a four-year plan for the Department of the Interior’s objectives for “prosperity, security, and recreation” has been leaked online. This leaked road map outlines shocking policy objectives that could have serious implications for anyone who recreates on public land, especially in the West.
According to Angus Theurmer, with WyoFile, this draft plan calls for the “release” of federal holdings, which Theurmer describes as “(divesting) Americans of their public property to allow states and communities to reduce housing costs.”
This initiative has been reported on before. The Trump administration is floating the idea of selling public lands around major population centers in the West (Salt Lake City, Bozeman, and Denver, to name a few) in order to ease the housing crisis this region is experiencing. The sale of those lands would, in theory, be applied to reducing the federal deficit.
That plan has been met with swift rebuttal from conservation groups who don’t believe the current administration would stop at only selling public lands around cities. Other high-value lands home to world-class hunting and fishing could potentially be on the table. The fact this initiative is mentioned in the leaked DOI road map adds more fuel to that particular fire.
The plan also calls for deregulation for coal production, and oil and gas drilling. The approval process for new energy development projects, which falls under the National Environmental Policy Act, would be shortened to just 28 days. Current NEPA reviews can take years. That only applies to coal, hardrock mines, oil and gas drilling, geothermal development, and biofuels projects on public lands, while wind and solar projects are specifically excluded, according to Politico.
Grazing prices would also decrease under this plan, even though current leases are low.
The plan does call for cleaning up abandoned wells and mines, and calls for “clean and adequate amounts of water.” Specific details on both of those goals weren’t readily available, however.
It remains to be seen how much of this plan can be implemented, as litigation is almost a certainty. The plan can’t take effect earlier than Oct. 1, and a public comment period runs from May 16 to July 18.
The Poncho does have front pockets, a quarter-zip zipper, and an adjustable hood. Clocking in at 3.8 ounces, it’s light enough to pack into most day bags. 
