AT News: Remembering Jim Murphy, Minnesota’s Proposed Copper Mine, G. Loomis’s $1,700 Asquith
Jim truly valued the community aspect of fly fishing. He had a conscience and genuine passion and concern for the sport.
Remembering Jim Murphy
Fly fishing lost a giant with the passing of Jim Murphy, who recently succumbed to cancer after a long, brave and valiant fight.
You want to talk about someone who had an influence on fly fishing and made a lasting impact? Whoa, not many compare to Murphy.
Jim wasn’t the type to be in front of the camera or looking for the spotlight, so the average angler might not know much about him. But they sure as heck know about some of the companies Jim Murphy started, helped launch, managed, even resurrected–names like Redington, Albright, Hardy, Douglas, Winston and Hardy again.
And throughout it all, Jim was one who truly valued the community aspect of fly fishing. He had a conscience and genuine passion and concern for the sport. He was a teacher, as well as a conservationist, and every brand he worked with endeavored to make fishing better by paying things forward.
I valued every conversation I had with Jim, whether that was via my roles at Angling Trade, Trout Unlimited, Field & Stream or Flylab. I always learned something when I spoke with him, and he always made me better at my job. He was sharp as a tack, and remarkably creative. He was the consummate “outside the box” thinker in fly fishing, at a time when fly fishing needed that most.
His positive influence with me even extended into the books I’ve written, because Jim was very much a man of words and stories, and he had a great passion for books (having worked in that realm also).
Most importantly, he was a proud family man, and a good friend.
To say Jim will be missed is an understatement.
But his influence will surely last, especially among those of us who had the honor of working (and fishing) with him. – Kirk Deeter
Statement from Hardy Fly Fishing: “Jim led with calm strength and set a high bar for how to represent a legacy brand. He protected the Hardy name and carried its history with dignity and respect. He taught fly fishing to anglers around the world and was a pillar of the fly-fishing community and a leader and mentor to many. Jim believed in the power of craft and detail. He valued gear that felt right in the hand and on the water. He made time for conversations in fly shops, in waders, and on stages. He cared about the sport and the people who shaped it.”
Proposed Mine In Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area
If you haven’t heard, last week, Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) @reppetestauber and Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) @repryanzinke, who was responsible for whipping votes, were able to pass a highly-suspect resolution aimed at revoking a 20-year mining ban near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota.
Stauber sold out his state to line his pockets. Zinke sold out the public lands movement. Neither is surprising.
Essentially, this is an effort to restart the Twin Metals project: a proposed (foreign) sulfide-ore copper mine immediately upstream of the Boundary Waters, which has been roundly condemned by every environmental impact review and 70% of Minnesotans.
AP News reported: “Congressional Republicans moved closer Wednesday to lifting a 20-year ban on mining near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, pushing a resolution to end the moratorium through the House despite environmentalists’ warnings that it could devastate a premier destination for campers, kayakers and canoeists.
The resolution now goes to the Senate, and approval there would send it to President Donald Trump for his signature.
The push to end the ban comes as a Chilean mining company considers opening a copper mine in the Superior National Forest on the edge of the wilderness area that conservationists say could contaminate the watershed.”
If you care about this issue (every U.S. hunter, angler and outdoor recreationist should), reach out to your state senators today, to voice your concerns and adamant disapproval.
How do you make your voice heard? Head to BHA @backcountryhunters or Save the Boundary Waters @savethebwca and plug in to their “take action” centers. You also can call the U.S. Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and leave a thoughtful message.
More on the Boundary Waters controversy from Outdoor Life: Trump Administration and Congress Are Attempting an “Unprecedented Maneuver” to Roll Back Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Protections. “While [Rep.] Stauber’s approach is a new one, it wouldn’t be the first time that Congress used the CRA as a blunt instrument to reshape federal public lands management. In September and October, the House and Senate used the congressional tool to rescind the BLM’s resource management plans for Alaska, Montana, and North Dakota, paving the way for more energy development there as well as potential litigation in the future. This is part of a larger trend in a Congress that seems eager to wield the CRA. According to the GAO’s accounting, the CRA’s disapproval process was invoked 20 times between 1996 (when the CRA itself was enacted) and 2024. It’s been used 22 times in the last 10 months alone.”
Wes Siler exposes Rep. Ryan Zinke’s (R-MT) record on public lands and the Twin Metals project: Boundary Waters Mine Vote Highlights Ryan Zinke’s Hypocrisy On Public Lands. “If we lose the nation’s most popular Wilderness area to sulfuric acid pollution, part of the reason for that is because two popular hunting influencers helped the most corrupt politician in Congress rehabilitate his image with both voters and within his own caucus. And by failing to call Zinke out for this, or attach blame for it to him, Callaghan and Rinella are empowering Zinke to cause even more harm in the future.”
Christopher Keyes from Re:Public on the Boundary Waters news: Shortsighted in the Extreme. “This week, the House voted to use the Congressional Review Act to nullify a 20-year mineral withdrawal (Public Land Order 7917) that banned new mining leases on roughly 225,000 acres of Superior National Forest land in the watershed upstream of the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. That ban was established in 2023 to block a copper-nickel mine, proposed by Chilean mining giant Antofagasta, that could pollute water feeding into the iconic wilderness area. The resolution to rescind the mining withdrawal, introduced by Congressman Pete Stauber (R-Minnesota), was approved 214 to 208, largely along party lines. (Only Democrat Jared Golden of Maine and Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska voted in opposition to their respective parties). No one was surprised by Stauber’s move: though he has often described himself as a conservationist, his voting record has hardly prioritized long-term public lands stewardship. His colleague Ryan Zinke (R-Montana), however, has similarly spent the last year presenting himself as a conservationist at heart. Last May, he even co-founded the Public Lands Caucus, the House counterpart to the Senate Stewardship Caucus, ostensibly because he wants to protect the lands near and dear to his Montana constituents. But rather than working with the Public Lands Caucus to find the handful of votes needed to shut down Stauber’s resolution, he was reportedly working hard behind the scenes, whipping votes to approve the resolution. So much for the bipartisan bulwark.”
Why the Boundary Waters Mine is a “Bad Trade” from Outdoor Life.
onWater Fishing App (50% off w/ Flylab)
The onWater Fishing App–a do-it-yourself app for fishing adventures: offline river maps, private/public access points, boat ramps, real time streamflows, river shuttles, fly shops, fishing reports. Make more informed fishing decisions when you have answers right at your fingertips.
Some recent updates to the app’s planning tools and data insights: 1. Angler Intelligence Chat–ask questions about conditions, gear, or seasonal tactics and get “location-aware” answers. 2. Measure Fish From a Photo–upload a photo and get an accurate length estimate, along with fish species information. 3. Auto-Populated Conditions–weather, flows, water temp, air pressure etc. log “automatically” when you add a catch or trip to your journal. 4. Smarter, Simpler Maps–find a place to fish using access points, boat ramps and clearly marked public/private land boundaries.
An onWater+ subscription ($49.99/year) is always 50% off with a Flylab discount. Take advantage today with a Flylab membership.
Recent News
The Drake on Colorado Stream Access: “Take any Colorado stream-access battle that has taken place this century, and a small, relatively unknown but politically connected nonprofit has likely played a role. The secretive Creekside Coalition has fought for much of the past thirty years to keep stream-access laws in Colorado from becoming anything like those in Montana, where the public is allowed to recreate in its rivers and streams up to the high-water mark. Public records describe the group’s ongoing mission: ‘To protect historic river property rights and associated habitat in Colorado against threats that may arise in the state legislature, the courts, by ballot initiative, or from any other source.’ Creekside has proven adept in achieving this goal.”
Utah is creating new ways to co-opt public lands: A Backdoor Land Grab, Signed in Plain Sight. “The new Cooperative Agreement between Utah and the U.S. Forest Service applies to roughly 8 million acres of National Forest System lands and runs for two decades. While it does not formally transfer ownership, it does something arguably more consequential: It embeds Utah’s political priorities into federal forest decision-making at every stage, from project conception to implementation, while accelerating extractive uses and narrowing meaningful public oversight. It basically puts the state in charge of National Forest lands. Equally troubling is how broadly the agreement expands state influence beyond timber. While framed as a ‘forest health’ partnership, it explicitly opens the door to state-federal coordination on grazing, wildlife management, water projects, minerals, recreation infrastructure, motorized routes, and even archaeological site management. This ‘grab bag’ approach turns shared stewardship into a catch-all vehicle for advancing Utah’s land exploitation agenda across nearly every dimension of national forest management.”
From Wes Siler: Where Public Lands Stand As We Enter 2026 and prepping media channels for the bait and switch. “Interior Is Trying To Fool Hunters And Anglers. Doug Burgum put his warm cookies down long enough to issue a new Secretarial Order mandating that all BLM, USFWS, and BOR properties be open to hunting and fishing unless managers specifically close it. Pretty much all public lands are already open to hunting and fishing. Exceptions include areas experiencing emergencies such as ongoing or recent wildfire activity, unseasonal weather conditions that impact wildlife behavior or survival, and similar. There will be no substantial new acreage available for public recreation, but area managers are going to have to spend time writing and justifying new orders again closing areas impacted by the above. Given that Republicans don’t care to represent the majority of Americans who didn’t vote for them, the pushback to Steve Daines’ and Mike Lee’s effort to sell off millions of acres of public lands last year from traditionally conservative-leaning affinity groups around hunting and fishing took the regime by surprise. See this as an effort to get ahead of messaging this year, so those demos will already have their brains melted by the time any big sell off attempts or otherwise unpopular actions occur.”
Why I’m Not Writing Off Patagonia from Kyle Frost. “I’m not Patagonia’s biggest fan. I’ve written critically about them before, especially around the time they restructured ownership. I pointed out that conservative billionaires have used similar tax strategies, and that there is reason to be cautious about elevating Chouinard as one of the so-called ‘good billionaires.’ I think Patagonia sometimes sucks up a disproportionate amount of oxygen in the industry, overshadowing the work other companies are doing. I’ve also questioned whether their marketing accurately conveys the scale of the challenges they face. But even if we acknowledge the very real contradictions at the heart of their business model, there is little question that Patagonia is pushing the industry forward, and they’re doing more than 90% of similar brands.”
Foster Huntington’s piece that has sparked the recent Patagonia re-think: Akin to believing light beer is a solution to alcoholism: My time at Patagonia. “Most people, especially not die hard Patagonia fans, don’t know that for decades, Patagonia’s largest client, by a notable margin, is the US military. Prior to walking around the Patagonia campus and wondering who the tattooed, football player looking people that worked on a floor that no one went into were, I had no idea either. During the Global War On Terror, Special Operation units like the Navy Seals and Green Berets wore Patagonia on missions in Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East, all while Patagonia outwardly condemned the administrations in charge and waxed poetic about the environment. At the very same moment that I was getting lectured about how Patagonia doesn’t show imagery of people with fossil fuel consuming vehicles in their marketing, there were in fact Special Operation Soldiers on multiple continents engaged in combat operations protecting US oil interests, wearing Patagonia head to toe. The irony is unmatched and strangely omitted from conversations about the brand…”
Shawn Combs and Jim Bartschi of Scott Fly Rods talk about brand continuity and innovation: “So what is Scott going to look like with Combs’ influence and experience in the office and the factory every single day? Well, at first, the brand’s customers likely won’t notice too many changes. Combs hasn’t come in and blown up any long-standing corporate processes or put his stamp on anything just yet. First things first, Bartschi explained, Combs will immerse himself in the Scott culture and absorb as much of it as he can. There are no major collaborative projects in the works, aside from what’s already on the company’s production calendar. Instead, Bartschi said, he and Combs are aligned on the best approach, which, more or less, is an organic one, where Combs learns all he can about Scott and then inserts his experience and credentials into the actual rod-making process when the time feels right. ‘It would be totally absurd to rush something right now,’ Bartschi said. He said there’s no sense trying to push out a project in 12 months or less just because Combs and his experience making fly rods are in the building. ‘A 24-month concept-to-market approach probably makes the most sense.’”
From the New York Times: This Is Why Our Rivers Are Turning Into Sewers (animal waste). “Iowa now has more than seven pigs for every human resident, and there’s no obvious way its factory farms that make meat for giant conglomerates like Hormel and McDonald’s should dispose of more than 50 million tons of manure a year. But it’s striking that as a society, we’ve implicitly decided it happens however they want it to. A feedlot cow can unload 100 pounds of manure a day, and unlike fracking water, nuclear waste and municipal sewage, nobody’s really responsible for making sure it doesn’t contaminate nature. A single CAFO can produce more waste than a major city, but unlike cities, CAFOs don’t have to invest in wastewater treatment plants.” Non-NYTs subscribers can read at archive.today.
Fly-fishing Media
The Flyfish Journal sits down with Travis Rummel, who started Felt Soul Media (a ground-breaking voice in outdoor media) in 2005 with Ben Knight, a decision they described as a “pretty scary plunge into self-employment.” How do you start making iconic fly-fishing films? By becoming a fishing guide and “just start doing projects you care about,” in the words of Rummel.
A classic from FSM on surfer Ben Moon, and his fight with cancer and dog Denali. Human stories always transcend…
Todd Tanner from the School of Trout with some great teaching advice for fly-fishing guides and instructors: “If you can’t help someone or answer their questions, at least point them in the right direction. If they want info on a particular hatch that you’re not familiar with, tell them to contact the local fly shop. If they want to know about fishing destinations that you’ve never visited, suggest that they contact a reputable travel agency. If they need help with their casting and you’re not up to the task, suggest that they reach out to a stellar casting instructor. There’s nothing wrong with admitting that you don’t have all the answers and then pointing them in the best possible direction…” Good advice as the season approaches.
Phil Monahan joins The Drakecast–former fly-fishing guide, editor at Outdoor Life, MidCurrent and the first Orvis blog, Monahan discusses the evolving media landscape as it relates to fly fishing. “In 1996, after several summers of guiding in Alaska and Yellowstone National Park, Phil Monahan landed his dream job as the editor at Outdoor Life. But by the time he arrived, the magazine was a shadow of its former self. Over the next three decades, Phil’s successive jobs would mirror the transition in the way people consume fly fishing information…”
Emilie Björkman returns to her homeland, Sweden, fishing long, dark nights for migratory brown trout.
Gear Buzz
Words to Avoid In a Rod Critique: “The term ‘tracking’ is used to describe the quality of a rod to remain in a single plane as it is moved through the casting stroke. A rod with perfect tracking would never veer off-plane, and the fly line cast by such a rod would unroll in perfectly straight lines. Nothing wrong with that; it’s a recipe for efficient, accurate casts. A rod that doesn’t ‘track’ well would demonstrate some sort of off-plane movement, perhaps side-to-side wobble.”
So, You Want to Know the Real Story About Fly Lines: “Fly lines can be pretty damn expensive these days. But they are undeniably the jet fuel that makes the planes fly. It’s pretty hard to argue against the notion that coated, floating fly lines are the greatest technological innovation that’s changed fly fishing over the past 75-plus years.” Read the entire post ($) paid subscribers.
Deeter on the heartburn with $1,700 fly rods: “But I’m conflicted. The voice in one ear whispers, ‘Jeez, just what fly fishing needs to shed the stereotype of being a snobby sport for wealthy old men.’ The voice in the other ear says, ‘Hooray for innovation! And whatever squeaks your duck, right? If that’s your flavor, knock yourself out. This is still America (at least I think it is).’”
More coverage on uber-expensive fly rods: Flylords rolls out a lukewarm review of the $1,750 G. Loomis Asquith. “Now the real question still remained: Is it worth the money? While I thoroughly enjoyed fishing it, for most anglers, I’d say no. For the price of a new Asquith, anglers could get a new rod, reel, waders, and boots. That said, I do feel this rod has a place in certain anglers’ quivers. Any angler who spends a lot of time on the water will appreciate what the Asquith can do. Also, those who are targeting once-in-a-lifetime fish, perhaps in a far-off location, could benefit from the reassurance this rod brings.”
GearJunkie weighs in on the Asquith: “But the price is ridiculous. At $1,570, I am fairly certain that the G. Loomis Asquith is the most expensive graphite rod to exist in fly fishing history. There are a lot of sweet fly rods out there. Just about every flagship rod from any other manufacturer is going to be hundreds of dollars cheaper. Whether this one is worth hundreds of dollars more than the other premium options is up to you. Go cast it. The price sting is even worse, considering that the G. Loomis warranty program is expensive as well. The rod is covered against accidental breakage. For $350, Shimano/G. Loomis will ship you a replacement rod under the Xpeditor Service. It’s nice you don’t have to wait long for a new rod, but ouch. Manufacturer defects are covered at no cost, but those are extremely rare.”
Tim Schulz goes deep on line weights and deciphering fly line mathematics: “It’s not as straightforward to see, but every one of the spey line standards can be described by a relationship that involves squaring the line weight. I don’t know if the Grand Wizards at AFFTA recognized this when they standardized the relationships between line weight and grain sizes, but the grain-wt standards all follow what is called a quadratic relationship because of that linear rate of change. Rather than knowing that, though, it’s much more likely the sorcerers had an intuitive feel for another topic I learned in Introductory Esoterics: Weber’s Law…”
From Fly Fisherman magazine: “Coors Light and Ross Reels just dropped a limited‑edition Cimarron LT with an industry‑first, temperature‑reactive finish. Dip it in the river and the mountain graphics turn blue below 70°F, giving anglers a quick visual cue for trout‑safe water.” An interesting idea for monitoring river temps, but more beer branding to engage fly consumers (the reels do sell). I guess it’s better than Grateful Dead waders? I think it’s time for our Nirvana, Hüsker Dü, or Temple of the Dog brand collaborations.
Hatch on the new Ross & Coors collaboration: “Cue the Coors Light jokes. Cue the corporate collaboration shade. Fly anglers love their purity tests and Ross Reels’ latest in an ongoing series of collaborations with brewing giant Molson Coors Beverage Company is bound to fail several of them. However, what it will also do is raise an estimated $100,000 for Trout Unlimited and–as part of an undeniably cool, added twist–tell you whether the river or stream you’re standing in is cold enough for you to safely fish.” Donating to TU and saving rivers is cool.
Saltwater Edge Surf Psychology: Bass Class with Frank Goncalves ($65). “The Saltwater Edge has partnered with Frank Goncalves to deliver an exclusively online surfcasting (seminar) series built around how and why surf anglers succeed. With over 20 years of experience fishing the Northeast, Frank is one of the most respected voices in surfcasting clubs and shows. This virtual format allows for deeper, more nuanced discussions than a one-night talk. The series covers tides, structure, fish behavior, and the often overlooked mental side of surf fishing.”
From the WAPO: This company says it has produced the Holy Grail of batteries. “Verge and Donut Lab have offered no evidence and few details about their battery claims. The proof, they say, will come when customers start to receive the $30,000 electric motorcycles they are selling now and plan to deliver by the end of March. Scientists are skeptical, and the controversy illustrates the long and troubled history of companies that have tried–and so far failed–to develop a technology sometimes lauded as the holy grail of batteries. Solid-state batteries are similar to the standard lithium-ion batteries found in phones, laptops and electric cars, but they replace liquid electrolytes with solid materials that, theoretically, could allow them to store more energy, charge faster and last longer, while lowering their fire risk. Researchers have struggled to develop solid-state batteries that combine all these benefits and work consistently in the real world. Even if they succeeded, companies would have to spend years and billions of dollars overhauling battery factories to mass-produce solid cells instead of batteries that use liquid electrolytes.” Non-WAPO subscribers can read at archive.today.
Fly-fishing Jobs
Teton Valley Lodge: Fly-fishing Guide (Teton Valley, ID). “Teton Valley Lodge is seeking competent, enthusiastic fly fishing guides to join our team for the 2026 season. If you’re passionate about fly fishing, enjoy working with people, and want to guide on some of the best trout water in the world, we’d love to hear from you. You’ll be guiding on legendary rivers including the South Fork of the Snake River, Henry’s Fork, and Teton River, based out of beautiful Teton Valley, Idaho.”
Old Baldy Club: Fishing Guide (Saratoga, WY). “The Old Baldy Club is a private golf and fly-fishing club located in southern Wyoming along the banks of the North Platte River. Our club offers an exclusive, community-oriented guiding experience where you’ll build relationships with repeat Members and be part of a close-knit team. As a Fly-fishing Guide, you will be responsible for guided trips–leading members on float and wade fishing trips throughout the North Platte River Valley.”
Fish On Colorado: Float-fishing Guide (Western, CO). “Are you looking to make your passion your job? Why not work for the best Fly-fishing Outfitter in the state of Colorado. Fish On Colorado (FOC) offers unique opportunities for its employees. Employees enjoy consistent work where they help make lifetime memories for their clients every day. Make the Rocky Mountains and rushing rivers full of fish your new office. Our hospitable and energetic culture has led our guides to friends and memories that last a lifetime.”
Beaverkill Angler: Retail Sales (Roscoe, NY). “The Beaverkill Angler of Roscoe, New York (Trout Town USA!) has positions open for retail sales help for this coming season. We are seeking one full-time person, starting in late March/early April and running through October or later, and one part-time person, starting in May and running through the season. For the right individual, there is the opportunity to grow into a full-time management position. There is also the potential for some guide work for qualified applicants.”
North Park Anglers: Fly-fishing Guide/ Fly Shop Associate (North Park, CO). “North Park Anglers is seeking an enthusiastic, reliable, and customer-focused Fly-fishing Guide / Fly Shop Sales Associate to join our team for the 2026 fishing season in beautiful North Park, Colorado. This is a unique opportunity to spend your summer on the water, share your passion for fly fishing, and work in a friendly, well-established shop serving anglers from across the region.”
Montana Angler: Retail Fly Shop Manager (Bozeman, MT). “Montana Angler is looking for a Retail Fly Shop Manager to join our team. This is a full time, year round, salaried position. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in fly fishing retail and be knowledgeable of the fisheries within a couple hours of Bozeman. A positive attitude, strong work ethic, friendly and outgoing demeanor are highly valued as well. We need someone with a flexible schedule, who can work 40 hours a week including weekends and some holidays.”
Montana Angler: Retail Fly Shop Sales Associate (Bozeman, MT). “Montana Angler is looking for new fly shop retail sales associates for our downtown Bozeman fly shop. The ideal candidate will have a good mix of both fly-fishing and customer service experience. We need someone with a flexible schedule, who can work 40 hours per week including weekends and some holidays. Most of our seasonal staff need to be available early June through August at minimum. We will also need some staff to begin by May and some to work into September and maybe later into the fall.”
Montana Angler: River Camp Chef and Gear Boater (Bozeman, MT). “Montana Angler is looking for a camp chef and lead gear boater to help run our overnight river camping program for the 2026 season. This seasonal position starts in May and runs through September. Ideal candidates will have experience planning and executing high quality meals for groups on multi-day river trips, as well as experience rowing gear rafts. River trips are on the Smith River in May - July, which are 5-day trips. July through September we operate shorter trips on a variety of rivers throughout the state. We are looking for a very organized, self driven individual that can oversee the entire program including menu planning, shopping, equipment organization, camp set up, etc.”
Dakota Angler & Outfitter: Assistant Manager (Rapid City, SD). “Dakota Angler & Outfitter is hiring an Assistant Fly Shop Manager to help lead the floor, elevate customer service, and keep shop operations running smoothly. This is a hands-on role for someone who leads by example and thrives in a busy retail environment. Lead by example on the sales floor: customer service, product education and solution-based selling.”
Two Rivers Fishing Company: Sales Associate (Pinedale, WY). “Two Rivers serves as the premier fly shop and guide service in the Upper Green River Basin. With the Green and New Fork Rivers in our backyard as well as sitting at the foot of the Wind River Range, our multitude of waters draw anglers from around the world to chase trophy trout. We are looking for shop staff to fit into a busy retail environment.”
Fat Bear Lodge: Fly-fishing Guide (King Salmon, AK). “As a guide at Fat Bear Lodge, you will provide expert guidance to guests seeking a world-class fishing experience on Alaska’s Naknek River, as well as areas of Katmai National Park and Becharof National Wildlife Refuge. You will lead guests via skiff, Flycraft, UTV, and flyouts to various locations nearby for both boat fishing and walk & wade fly fishing, as well as bear viewing trips to locations including Brooks Falls.”
Head to flyfishingjobs.com to search for more listings.
Boats
Small Craft Sales is the go-to marketplace for buying and selling small boats and other specialty watercraft. Looking to buy or sell a small boat? Check out the brand-new used boat marketplace: modern, searchable, community-driven platform built for anglers, paddlers, rowers, tinkerers, outboard junkies and anyone dreaming of their next waterborne adventure. Read here to find out why it just works better.
Best fishing options this week:
Ultimate Flats Weapon: Fully Rebuilt Maverick HPX 17 Kevlar Skiff. This is a completely refurbished, like-new 2004 Maverick HPX 17 Kevlar skiff, taken down to a true (hull-only) rebuild and reassembled with modern, top-tier components throughout. Every detail was carefully selected with performance, durability and aesthetics in mind.
Rio Craft 13’6” Madison. Very good condition, one-year-old Rio Craft. The boat has had light use and doesn’t need a thing, and is under warranty. Frame is brand new. Upgrade to a dual lid dry box with low back rowing seat for $500 extra. Lean bars, oars and other accessories available.
1982 Boston Whaler Newport 17 with a 2000 Honda 90hp engine. This boat was recently serviced last year and has a brand-new bottom paint job. It runs great, but the exact number of hours it’s been on the water is unknown. It comes with a 12-gallon portable tank, Garmin GPS and a Lowrance 9-inch depth finder. The cushions and bench seat have been replaced with newer ones, and newer whaler decals haven’t been put on yet.
2020 Boulder Boat Works Used High Side - Pro Guide. This Boulder Boat Works High Side Dory is ideal for those high gradient freestone rivers and wave trains. Looks to be in great shape with tons of accessories.
2025 Aire 146DD - Complete Raft Package. Brand new raft package offered at an incredible discounted price. The AIRE 146DD is an extremely versatile size, offering enough storage for multi-day expeditions, while still being small enough to run as a paddle boat, or squeezed down, the low water run of your choice. Featuring: a self-bailing, lace-in floor, Leafield B7 valves for easy inflation, welded seam construction and urethane AIREcell outer shell. (Ten year warranty for retail use.)
2025 Rio Craft 13’5” Madison - Fishing Package. Sleek and purpose-built, the Madison Raft is the fisherman’s dream. With a diminishing tube design and a keen eye for detail, it’s crafted for snag-free, pure angling enjoyment. The side-located valves and minimal D Rings help ensure your line stays snag-free, while the Drop Stitch floor gives you a solid footing for perfect casts.
Here’s what’s floating around the boating world this week: Big Drop BoatWorks is holding a logo competition for their new business. We interview Ben Tester at RIVTEK Boats on how he’s looking to upend the raft industry (our words, not his). American Whitewater is looking to secure safe and lawful river passage in Colorado. Emo Electric reviews FLUX Marine’s 100hp Electric Outboard. Chesapeake Light Craft dropped a must-read Complete Guide to Mixing Epoxy for builders, fixers and tinkerers working with small craft. “If you’ve ever mixed epoxy for anything remotely boat-related, you already know the deal: it’s equal parts chemistry experiment and quiet prayer.” Small Craft Sales is offering free listings plus a chance to win $250 for your favorite boat company of choice. Sawyer Paddles and Oars is unloading some floor boats here and here.
Chittum Boatworks Announces Release of Chittum 24 Bay. “‘This bay boat is truly exceptional,’ said Charlie Johnson, Vice President of Commercial Operations. ‘It carries all the defining characteristics of our skiffs–lightweight construction, speed, quiet operation, class-leading rod storage, and an uncompromising ride–while still being capable of effectively fishing deep water. It will be the choice of serious anglers looking for a single platform that can chase redfish in skinny water one day and run offshore the next. We specialize in building boats for the most demanding, performance-driven anglers, and this boat delivers on that promise.’”
Music
Oologah, Oklahoma’s new American cowboy: Zach Bryan’s sprawling With Heaven on Top (Acoustic), and also the plugged-in, fully-arranged version: With Heaven on Top. Worthy songs: Runny Eggs, Santa Fe, Bad News, You Can Still Come Home, All Good Things Past. A run-down from Pitchfork: “Stripped of anything other than his acoustic guitar, Bryan mumbles and murmurs, drawing no distinction between heartbreak and new love, singing about how ‘ICE is gonna come bust down your door’ on ‘Bad News’ without a trace of a snarl, softening his lament for the ‘fading of the red, white, and blue.’” He also explained the process behind his follow-up acoustic version on Instagram: “I’m assuming this record is just like all the other ones and there’s gonna be a billion people saying it’s overproduced and shitty, so I sat down in a room by myself and recorded all the songs acoustically so I didn’t have to hear everyone whine about more stuff.” With just a room and a guitar, it’s hard not to think of the songwriters who built the floorboards on which he’s standing: Townes Van Zandt, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Merle Haggard, Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen, Jason Isbell, Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss…
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