Jen Ripple

Articles from Jen Ripple.

28 posts

The Overlooked Skillset

The other day I met Certified Casting Instructor Susan Thrasher at a Nashville park to test for my Gold Fly Casting Skills Challenge. About halfway through the challenge, I noticed a man had stopped to watch us. When we decided to take a short break and get out of the sun for a few minutes, he approached Susan. It was obvious she taught fly fishing, he said. It was always something he had wanted to try, and did she have a card? How many times have you been approached by someone on the river, or

12/15/2019Jen Ripple

Three Reasons to Rent a Rod Instead of Buy

Years ago, during the process of a divorce, I rented a brand new and very expensive home intending to purchase it in the aftermath. It was five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and had all the top of the line bells and whistles you would expect with a higher market home. By all outward appearances, it was perfect. And then I lived in it. The first time the large jacuzzi tub in the master suite was used, my son, who was doing his homework at the dining room table below, announced there was water d

11/26/2019Jen Ripple

Fishing the Mighty White - Cotter, Arkansas

Images of frozen fingertips and iced-over rod holders run through my mind like the frames of an old-school movie projector as we snake our way over the historically high mighty Mississippi. Rain pelts the windshield so hard we have to slow almost to a stop, and I can’t help but feel like it’s me who is bringing the weather. It has been five years since the fateful frozen day when I fished the Norfork River in Arkansas, and still, a cold shiver runs down my back at the mere thought of returning.

11/10/2019Jen Ripple

Why You Should Target Redfish This Fall

Ah, Redfish — red drum, channel bass, puppy drum, spottail bass, or simply red, by whatever name you know them, this species has become a sought after game fish for fly anglers in the past few years. Known for that beautiful red hue, the flash of gold in the sunlight, and that telltale black dot, Redfish is a hard fighting fish that can be found tailing the flats like permit as they scrounge the bottom for crabs, shellfish, shrimp, or anything tasty. Scientists believe that the black dot near th

10/9/2019Jen Ripple

Five Reasons Fly Fishing is the New Yoga

Forget the gym, the spin classes, and the yoga studio. There’s a new practice in town, and it’s called fly fishing. Formerly thought of as an old, white, rich man’s sport, the fly-fishing generation of today is as diverse as the species they target. The sport that at one time was considered male-dominated is now taking the world by storm as it quickly becomes the new yoga. Here are some reasons I think it should be just that. It’s inclusive. Like yoga, fly fishing is a sport that is available

10/6/2019Jen Ripple

Why Your Cooler Needs an Upgrade

I have to admit; I was not fast to jump on the Yeti bandwagon. I'm not usually a cult follower and thought it was ridiculous that a cooler would sell for so much. Maybe, just maybe, I was also a little jealous that a company could turn something that's been around forever and worked just fine, into that cult item. But over the years, I've become a believer. I've become a believer because the products are better. While I still don't quite understand why there's a need for a tiny little cooler th

8/22/2019Jen Ripple

Desk Job to Dream Job

Working in the fly fishing industry is my dream job. I’d like to think I was deliberate in my pursuit, but honestly, I fell into it by accident. To say I feel fortunate is an understatement. I get to travel, meet the most interesting people, and fish. I never thought that one day I’d be living this life. That’s why when I read about this opportunity, I just had to say something. If you are working in a job that’s not your dream job, but know what your dream job is, then what I’m going to say ne

8/22/2019Jen Ripple

10 Gifts for the Dad Who Has Everything

Let’s face it – Dads are hard to buy for. If yours is anything like mine, he already has everything he needs, and if he wants something, he usually just buys it for himself. What he wants and doesn’t buy – well, I can’t afford, unless I win the lottery between now and Father’s Day. To say that Father’s Day gifts can be a challenge is putting it mildly. What do you get for the man who has fixed your car in the middle of a snowstorm, taught you to swim, and quite literally is your version of a sup

6/4/2019Jen Ripple

Jen’s Favorite Grilled Chicken with Smitty’s Beard Sauce

I believe that life is made of up serendipitous moments. One such moment was the meeting of Kevin Smith of Smitty’s Beard Sauce. Smitty is that guy that you like from the moment you meet him. He’s hardworking and thoughtful and has quite literally turned hardships into triumphs. I caught up with him to talk about how he’s turned a lifetime of difficulty into one of the most amazing barbecue sauces I’ve ever tasted. It’s his sauce that makes up my favorite grilled chicken. Smitty grew up in sou

5/25/2019Jen Ripple

Jen's Spring Must-Haves

There are so many great products out this spring. Here are some that I absolutely love, and you will too. — Jen 12oz Coffee Mug By Hydro Flask MSRP - $29.95 photo courtesy of - Hydroflask River Warm Up The Hydro Flask 12 oz Coffee Mug makes the perfect travel mug for those cool spring days boatside. Hot water, tea, sweetened dried lemons, and splash of Basil Hayden's Bourbon Whiskey makes our driftboat toddy. By Now Jono Hat By Deso Supply co MSRP - $36.00 photo courtesy of - Deso

5/13/2019Jen Ripple

Whitewater Smallmouth in Asheville, North Carolina

Some of the most fun you can have in a freshwater destination is not far from downtown Asheville. Couple this amazing bass fishery with a stay at the Biltmore and some of the best food on the planet and you have a trip you’ll be booking every year. Hire: Galen Kipar from Asheville Fly Fishing Co Stay: The Cottage on Biltmore Estate Eat: Migas con verduras at Cúrate Drink: Liquid Truffle at French Broad Chocolate Lounge Boron III Plus By R.L. Winston MSRP - $895.00 photo courtesy of -

12/2/2018Jen Ripple

Jen's Favorite Holiday Gifts

16oz Coffee in Blueberry By Hydroflask MSRP - $24.95 photo courtesy of - Hydroflask Coffee!! I can't live without hot coffee. By Now Galway Extrafit Country Boot By Dubarry MSRP - $449.00 photo courtesy of - Dubarry The Right Foot Waterproof and stylish, perfect for the water or field By Now Canoe Pom By United By Blue MSRP - $38.00 photo courtesy of - United By Blue Beanie Baby!! For every product sold this company removes one pound of trash from our oceans and waterways. By