The Best Fly Fishing is Everywhere - 04.25.2025
Ramblings & Readings, Creativity & Conservation, Happenings & Hope
My Fishy Friends,
I recommended a run on the local river to a friend this evening and, in response, received the following text message: I’ll be damned if that wasn’t the most fun you could have with two feet and a soft hackle. It sounds like I should’ve joined them but I’ll have to wait until breakfast to get the full story.
Cheers,
Jesse
Banner photo: About as buggy as buggy fishing weather gets.
“Clear Intentions”
From The Flyfish Journal, this short film follows photographer, director, and conservationist Chase White around his home of Squamish, British Columbia.
The film a complement to White’s photo gallery featured in issue 16.2 of FFJ, the introductory words of which I wrote.
Tie One for Lefty
This weekend, the American Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA) is hosting a re-imagination of fly fishing legend Lefty Kreh’s Tie Fest. The festivities take place in Vero Beach, Florida (I’m not sure how many readers of this email are in Florida?) and include a showing of the new film about Lefty, educational presentations from industry veterans, fly tying demonstrations, and a dinner and auction event. All funds raised support ASGA’s “Jack Project”. Check out the event webpage and Instagram for more information and updates. It looks to a great mashup and celebration of fly fishing history, education, community, and fundraising for a noble conservation cause. Were I closer, I’d attend.
The Rod & Gun Club
Also in Florida is the historic Rod & Gun Club of Everglades City. I’ve had the good fortune of enjoying an après-fishing cocktail or two there over the years and it’s a stop well-worth the visit for its decor and ambiance. It’s one of those places that you can feel the history in and by entering, sweaty and stinking of fish or perhaps skunk, and ordering an icy drink of your choice, you are joining the long list of anglers and travelers who have done exactly the same. The Club came up this week when I came across this piece and photo essay from Filson. Is it possible to attend both the Tie Fest and enjoy a drink at The Rod & Gun Club in the same weekend? Surely!
Wild Fish Shares for Order
Over the past year I’ve become friends with the folks at Iliamna Fish Company, a Portland, OR-based, family-run, small boat, hand-line commercial fishing operation. Every summer, they head to Bristol Bay for the fishing season and upon return to Oregon, they then distribute their fish across the country in the form of frozen ‘shares,’ similar to a farm CSA model and directly from the source. They’re now taking orders for September, 2025 deliveries and their wild sockeye and halibut can be picked up from Seattle and Portland to Austin, NYC, Boston, Philly, and more. Check out their website and watch their videos to learn about their operation.
Playoffs, (Fishing) Poles & Perception
The first round of the NBA playoffs are underway and in my daily deep-dive into highlights, news, and previews, I found a story about L.A. Clipper Kawhi Leonard, who’s back on the court after multiple injuries. (He just shot 14 for 19 from the field in their Game 2 win over the Nuggets; he was unstoppable.) Anyway, it turns out that a few months ago, Leonard released a video preview to his return featuring a little fishing and a bit of wisdom. Check it out and Go C’s!
Doing Dishes
We have enjoyed the feast generously laid out for us by Mother Earth, but now the plates are empty and the dining room is a mess. It’s time we started doing the dishes in Mother Earth’s kitchen. Doing dishes has gotten a bad rap, but everyone who migrates to the kitchen after a meal knows that that’s where the laughter happens, the good conversations, the friendships. Doing dishes, like doing restoration, forms relationships.
~ From Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass
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© Jesse Lance Robbins, 2025
