The Drake Magazine

10/11/2023

Headed to your mailbox… (minus the yellow lab hair) Most photos of the Tetons feature “The Cathedral Group”—highlighting the majestic Grand and all its pointy neighbors. But for those who ever lived and worked in Grand Teton National Park, the mighty bulk of Mt. Moran carried a different sort of weight, especially when framed by fall colors at this oxbow of the Snake, as A.J. Swentosky captured here. Thanks, as always, go to the photographers, writers, and advertisers who make this magazine possible. .photo .lance.robbins

09/25/2023

Tomorrow Night! 7 o’clock. SLC peeps, hope to see you all there!

09/17/2023

Authenticity check on isle four…
Who doesn’t love the classic “Crazy Charlie Salmonfly pattern”?

09/09/2023

For the past 20 years, I have swung only orange-and-black flies on Saturdays, to honor my beloved Oregon State This guy with the sweet jacket knows the deal. And his buddy in the background knows what color to wear! 🏈

09/04/2023

A classic find from The Jackson Hole Guide, written by the legendary Paul Bruun in March 1976. “His name is Jimmy Buffet. Maybe you’ve heard him.”

09/02/2023

Had a great chat with my friend Jeff Mishler a few weeks back!

For 25 years The Drake Magazine has created a voice for the everyday fly angler. In this episode of Fin and Fire With Jeff Mishler, Tom tells the story of how The Drake evolved, his personal journey to this moment, and how young writers can create works destined for publication. Along the way, we al...

09/02/2023

Badass photo from ! The s**t you see on the water… Have a great weekend everyone!

08/17/2023

fans: The 16th Annual Flyfishing Video Awards (Tue, 9/26 in SLC) will be a little different this year. Chris Pandolfi and —banjo player and fiddle player, respectively, for the Grammy Award-winning will be joined by guitarist Tyler Grant (National Flatpicking Champ/the man behind ) and bassist Adrian “Ace” Engfer to play after the awards. Anyone who knows bluegrass knows that some of the best shows can occur when various compilations of these amazing musicians get together. This event is a fundraiser for — the conservation and advocacy arm of (American Fly Fishing Trade Association). While AFFTA members can come for free, we encourage all attending the AFFTA Confluence (Sept 26-28) to consider buying the $20 ticket in support of the flyfishing industry’s nonprofit. Link to tickets in bio.

08/12/2023

Huge thanks to and and Kada and Nukka and and the whole crew at for an incredible week in AK!

08/10/2023

More like this, please.

08/09/2023

Finally got up to to see the dream that friends and have built in King Salmon, AK. Such a killer lodge and fishery!

07/27/2023

A shout-out to all the cops and sheriffs who’ve been cool with Clyde’s often-suspect legality. The first shot is from a 2014 Idaho/Montana journey with writer Miles Nolte and photog Austin Trayser, when a patrolman helped change Clyde’s tire. The second is from a 2017 trip with former BTT President Harold Brewer and his wife, Mona Brewer, former prez of Bonefish Bonnies (the largest ladies fishing club in Florida). Clyde has had more undocumented run-ins with the law, but while some have led to tickets, Clyde likely qualified for more than he received.

07/27/2023

This sign was posted on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, in Colorado, into which the Colorado Division of Wildlife “has stocked more than 24,000 fingerlings and catchable trout in the last few years.” Swipe left for a corrected version.
From the Colorado Attorney General’s Opinion of 1983:
“Your inquiry raises two related questions. First, does Colorado law expose persons who float or boat on Colorado rivers and streams to criminal trespass prosecution if they float across private lands, provided they do not touch the River bank or river bed? Second, does that provision AUTHORIZE ADJOINING LANDOWNERS TO PROHIBIT OR OTHERWISE CONTROL SUCH FLOATING OR BOATING? [Emphasis added.] I conclude on both questions that it does not.”
Colorado Attorney General Duane Woodard, August 31, 1983

07/20/2023

In 2010, I wrote a profile of artist, fly-tyer, and passionate herpetologist
We went snake-hunting the night we met, and Tim told me that there were 20-foot pythons in the Everglades. I wasn’t sure if I should believe him. Last week, Stephen Gauta (left) and found this 19-footer, which weighed 125 pounds. In 2011-12, there was a thought that the cold winter of 2010–which had killed many snook and possibly bonefish—might have killed the huge as well. Apparently not. 📸:
Link to Borski story in profile.

07/17/2023

Summer issue is headed your way… Ireland and Idaho. Minnesota and Montana. Backcountry Yellowstone to backcountry Xcalak. Plus: Swifties and tarpon fishing. Cover: Inside: and many others! Thanks to: simmsfishing

07/12/2023

If you’re a man with cancer or know a man with cancer: five spots recently opened up for Reel Recovery’s free flyfishing retreat at Madison Valley Ranch July 27-29. This is for men in any stage of treatment or recovery from any form of cancer. provides all meals, lodging, and fishing equipment. Participants just need to get themselves to Ennis and have a signed medical release from a physician. For info and forms, go to reel recovery.org

07/07/2023

Nothing screams “legit flyfisher” like the ole baitcaster/pool cue combo…

07/04/2023

Have a fishy Fourth! .hookedflycompany

07/03/2023

Readers and contributors will often send us pics of fish they’ve caught. Sometimes, these fish are special. Congrats on the beauty, Ben! bamboo spey rod by Happy Fourth, everyone!

06/23/2023

Carp are like the of fish. Even with a somewhat negative, nasty history, both have shown that, over time, a certain level of respect can be earned.

06/19/2023

Don’t think I’m pulling the raft and trailer around this one…

06/16/2023

On Nuggets parade day, I must congratulate Stan Kroenke on his four consecutive big wins: Super Bowl for Rams in ‘21, Avs Stanley Cup in ‘22, Nuggets in ‘23, and the latest issue of —maybe the only Kroenke-owned property that doesn’t get him booed in public. For the past three seasons, most Nuggets and Avs fans have been blocked from watching their team play on TV. Few have put it better than Steve Warner, after the Avs win last year: “Kroenke built a candy store and kept the blinds down so no one could see. The Kroenke’s can now claim another first: The first Stanley Cup champion in 30 years that had no local broadcast access to its fans. When the Kroenke names were announced during the Cup presentation, the boos were unmistakable.” The same happened at the Nugs trophy presentation, when Kroenke-the-close-talker was again booed. At least he hasn’t banned access to Fly Fisherman…

06/13/2023

Irish lodge-dogs. (As far as you know.) ?

06/08/2023

Irish things.

06/04/2023

Moose Hofer has been a great friend to many of us over the years, whether he was rowing down the Gunny or--in my case--driving around Iceland looking for salmon. Moose has hit a rough patch and could use our help. Please consider donating to help our friend: https://gofund.me/de2d55d9

On 5/30/2023 my partner Moose Hofer was diagnosed with cancer of the neck and mouth. He… Kelly Carlson needs your support for Help Moose Hofer beat the Big C

05/31/2023

Irish brown trout. Loch Sheelin.

05/26/2023

Xmas Island has opened! But has also moved! According to “Fly Fisher Pro”, this famed flats destination, where hosts trips, has just been relocated from south of Hawaii to the west coast of Australia. Because nothing says “Pro” like flying to the Indian Ocean when aiming for the North Pacific. (This is why you shouldn’t rely on ChatGPT to make your s**tty blog post.)

05/25/2023

One year ago today, the lodge was burned to the ground in the Bolivian jungle. More than three months after the fire, accusations were made here on Instagram about who was responsible. Tune in to today’s episode of The Drakecast to hear host Elliott Adler and Drake editor Tom Bie take a closer look at what really went down in Bolivia, and why.

05/08/2023

Sometimes Mondays are hard. So here’s a baby camel to help. From and his “Ode to Oman” photo essay in the Spring issue.

04/24/2023

Spring issue is headed your way…
The Tisza mayfly is the largest in Europe. Photographer Aleksander Kamasi captured this one as it tried to take flight from its namesake Tisza River in Serbia. 📸: .kamasi Thanks to all writers and photogs who helped make this issue happen! .lance.robbins

04/13/2023

Too late for a quick ?

04/09/2023

Bunny and Clyde. Happy Easter everyone. 📸 Ben Romans .lance.robbins

04/02/2023

Spring issue is headed out the door, but we can’t decide on the cover! I’ve narrowed it to nine. Lil help please?

04/01/2023

Holy camo-toe. ain’t messin’ around. Taking sexy ‘flage to the next level. Buy ‘em if you can find ‘em.

04/01/2023

Season’s winding down, but always nice to get out with an old friend and meet some new ones.

03/30/2023

Wassup with all these Oregon Wolverines? On March 20, two sober fishermen (also rare) spotted a wolverine along the Columbia River, the first time they’ve been seen this close to Portland since Ghostbusters and Footloose were battling it out at the box office. Two days later, a second one was seen by ODFW near Damascus (Oregon, not Syria). This weekend, a third mini-griz was spotted in Colten, about 30 mins south of Portland. Prior to these sightings, most Oregon wolverines were located near the Wallowa mts, five hrs east of Portland, or inside of Hugh Jackman. Because they can travel up to 30 miles in a day, some wildlife officials believe the sightings are all the same individual. But since wolverines are one of the coolest critters on earth, I hope they’re not the same one.

03/29/2023

was possibly the first “brand” I ever knew. My father worked as a commercial long-liner for halibut in SE AK in the late ‘50s/early ‘60s. My mom worked in the cannery. Both owned a pair of “Herks”—Grundens Hercules bibs, which my dad described as “boxy” and my mom described as “unflattering.” Nevertheless, they owned them because commercial fishing bibs aren’t built for comfort, or even to keep rain out, really. They’re built to protect from fish blood and guts. Today, 69 years after the first Herks were released, Grundens is releasing its “Boundary” waders collection. (Tip: on the Grundens website—though the waders are made with GORE-TEX—they aren’t shown under the “GORE-TEX Collection” tab; they’re under the “Fly Collection” tab, though I assume gear guys can also purchase them. And, unlike The Drake, there appears to be no extra levy for bait anglers.) I’ve tried the stocking foot versions in Oregon this winter. As every steelheader knows, it takes a full year or ten to TRULY discover the quality of waders, but… so far, so good on the new Grundens. Lastly: Many wader ads/photos over the years have shown the user sliding down rocks or using their hands to climb up or down a bank where it might not REALLY be necessary to do that. On the Oregon Coast, where these shots were taken, it’s often necessary to do that.

03/25/2023

A belated but much-deserved congrats to Kathryn Vallilee and Capt. Doug Kilpatrick for winning the on March 16th. (And by “16th” I mean they won the 3-day, March 13-16 tourney ON the 16th.) Several facts made this no ordinary Merkin, which I believe has taken place since at least 2005. First, and most notably, Vallilee becomes the first woman to ever win it. ✔️ This had to feel extra special considering she and Kilpatrick held the lead with four permit going into the final day last year, only to have the villainous and Jose Ucan .aka.careto catch SIX permit on day 3. (Yes, people-who’ve-fished-years-without-catching-a-single-one. That happened.) But perhaps the biggest feat for the victors was pulling out a win in one of the toughest March Merkins of all time. (The first two days, exactly zero permit were caught.) So: Very well done, Kat. A hearty (or should I say Hardy?) congratulations to both you and Doug for grinding out the win.

03/22/2023

All these years with bonefish guides throwin’ shade at my gotchas and I coulda been using a bucktail coachman? Legendary columnist Paul Bruun shared a shot this morning of what is likely the first fly-caught bonefish captured with a camera. Capt. Bill Smith, who guided for five decades, not in Islamorada, Spring of 1939. On a trout streamer.

03/16/2023

One of the friendliest, most popular, and most knowledgeable members of the Denver and greater Colorado flyfishing community could use our help. Our friend Tanner Smith, longtime lead salesperson and the man known as here on Insta, has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. The disease has reached its fourth stage and doesn’t have a fifth. Ivan Orsic has set up a gofundme page to help with expenses. Link in our bio. Please consider giving what you can to help Tanner beat this s**t.