Fishing Junk Water
What started as the sketchiest junk lake turned into something much harder to leave behind
3/20/2026Michelle Jarvie
DO
Snowshoeing: Proof You Can Love Winter
A funny, honest take on snowshoeing for the “real you” not the expedition you. Learn what you actually need, how to pick the right size and bindings, and why walking-speed winter can be the season you start to love.
3/2/2026Dun Team
Winter Hiking Safety for Normal People (Not Expedition Athletes)
Winter hiking doesn’t have to be extreme to be safe and fun. This guide gives you a simple system—how to pick the right trail, dress in layers, pack a small safety kit, and know when to turn around—so you can enjoy cold-weather miles with confidence, not stress.
2/3/2026Dun Team
Gradual Untangling
Fly Tying? You want me to tie a fly? No way. I can’t even darn socks. I knew I had enrolled in a fly fishing school, but I never thought about the fly tying aspect that would accompany my studies. School started and there I was, my instructor persuading me to give it a try. Reluctantly I went to the tying area. With a heavy heart, I tried my hand at tying my first fly, and managed to make a large and splendid bug. That disheveled fly went on to startle many fish, but one showed interest; all was
7/20/2018Mari Kitagawa
Latest
In The Beginning
I can vividly remember the moment I fell in love with fly fishing. My Dad and I were standing side by side in a small creek in California, the beautiful blue water slowly moving in front of us. I was so young my head was only able to reach his hips. He was tying a new fly onto his line, and I was standing there, anxious to catch a fish. I was tired of waiting so I said, “Dad, let me fish. I can do it.” He looked at me, and I’m sure his mind was racing. Do I let her go? Let her just cast? She's s
11/3/2017Lauren Dunn
Finding Solace and a New Thrill
Rivers of Recovery operates on a simple premise—outdoor therapy via fly fishing excursions can help U.S. combat veterans find emotional and physical recovery. All combat vets face similar complications when they leave the military—coping with the trauma of warfare, finding a new career, and navigating changed relationships with family and friends. But, women often times experience different and additional challenges. “Women tend to be caregivers,” explained Monica Shoneff, U.S. Army veteran. “
11/3/2017Michelle Nicolson
8 Rivers and a Girl Named Mandy
If you ever find yourself in Minturn, Colorado on a Wednesday night during the winter months, you’re in for a treat. Here at the fly shop there’s never a dull moment. A group of bearded men sit around a big table drinking local craft beer while bantering back and forth about how their new shimmery creation is going to rip lips better than any other fly out there. Glancing into their tying boxes, you’ll notice that the materials within are supplies that you would probably find in a Girl Scout’s a
11/3/2017Mandy Hertzfeld
Why are They Fishin'?
When I saw this 1890 postcard, I had no idea it would reignite my interest in a sport I had abandoned 30 years before. Found in the lobby of The Lodge at Lolo Hot Springs, MT, this window into the past initially appealed to my sense of history. A friend and I were on a 13 day university class, following the route of the persecuted Nez Perce Indians as they fled their reservation in 1877. Never had I seen women of the 19th century fly fishing in long dresses and boots, while being guarded from g
11/3/2017Amy Kileen
Take Me To Your River
The river is more than a weekend retreat for us. It runs through our veins. It’s a way of life: our livelihood. For me, it also symbolizes change … leaving the city life (almost 15 years ago) and venturing into the unknown. It doesn’t always give freely. Conditions can change in the blink of an eye, making it difficult for the average bear. I am forever grateful for our ‘Papa Bear’ who is way beyond the average. I’ve watched our children grow from ‘fishing’ with us in front packs to mending the
9/2/2017Kati Rouse
Karup
My name is Amalie. I’m 15 years old and I come from Denmark. My story begins four years ago, when my dad was working on an entry to our local fishing club’s fly tying competition. He was having some issues working out the right technique to weave the Polish woven nymph. By a happy coincidence, I had recently been doing something similar at school; so he asked me to have a go at it. I tried and it worked! With this success, my dad encouraged me to come to the fly tying competition. I did attend
9/2/2017Amalie Nielsen
Support That Unites
Fly fishing has exposed me to numerous adventures and opportunities to learn over the past couple of years. The sport naturally provides experiences that ultimately develop into life lessons and values we inherit. Out of everything I have learned, something significant stands out from the rest. Behind every strong female angler is another strong female angler. Most female anglers would agree that somewhere along the road they were inspired, motivated or taught by another female angler. It is n
9/2/2017Anne Susemihl
Pool Party
For me, some of the best days on the water involve more than just fishing. While we often endure seemingly endless streaks of harsh conditions while fishing, one’s appreciation of calm, blue-sky days can also become magnified. I’m reminded of a particular day, the last day of our annual trip to New Zealand. We’d planned a trip on the water with our friends Serge and Sharron and their pups. Outings with these friends always prove to be an adventure and I expected nothing less that day. Our hike
6/30/2017Amelia Jensen
Opening Day In Iceland
I was offered the opportunity to join a fishing party opening day on the Laxá in Dölum River in Iceland, in June 2016. Salmon river openings are always fun. Although the catches are few, there are always big salmon caught and you are lucky if you are the one catching! The opening party landed 42 salmon in 2-1/2 days of fishing. We were three couples and decided to divide the river into three beats and fish with three shared rods. Great company, beautiful river, good food and the chance of catc
6/30/2017Harpa Olin Thordardottir
Not Your Typical Stag and Hen Escape
I live in the Lake District of England. I am a qualified casting instructor with the Game Angling Instructors Association and have fished my entire life. In February, my husband and I went to the British Fly Fair in England and met a Czech fishing guide named Petre Axamit, who showed a film of the fabulous fishing for wild trout and grayling in the mountainous region of the Czech Republic. He appeared very honest and spoke excellent English, so we asked him for the best time of year to visit h
6/30/2017Vera Carlson
Rolling With the Punches
When you board your first leg of a big trip, your fishing expectations are the highest they will ever be and they remain so as you imagine all the possible things you will see and experience on the water while en route. Even though I’d consider myself a veteran angler who knows fishing is unpredictable at its best, I still love to daydream. Fishing with great distances in between point A and point B can put a lot of stress on whether or not the trip was worth it. I’m here to remind you to kee
6/30/2017Nome Buckman
Time Well Spent
Being a Mom can be hard. Like, really hard. There is this overwhelming reality that you have been given this life to influence and to bring up someone who adds to society and ultimately leaves the world a better place. There is the hope that they will have a greater, positive impact than you did. Some days, it takes everything you have to hold it together, to keep everybody happy, to wake everyone up, get them off to school, go to work, come home, make dinner, get everyone to bed, and get eve
6/30/2017Courtney Despos