The Drake Magazine

The Drake Magazine For Those Who Fish
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Headed to your mailbox… (minus the yellow lab hair) Most photos of the Tetons feature “The Cathedral Group”—highlighting...
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

Tomorrow Night! 7 o’clock. SLC peeps, hope to see you all there!
09/25/2023

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

Authenticity check on isle four…Who doesn’t love the classic “Crazy Charlie Salmonfly pattern”?
09/17/2023

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

For the past 20 years, I have swung only orange-and-black flies on Saturdays, to honor my beloved Oregon State    This g...
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! 🏈

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

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

Badass photo from  ! The s**t you see on the water… Have a great weekend everyone!
09/02/2023

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

  fans: The 16th Annual Flyfishing Video Awards (Tue, 9/26  in SLC) will be a little different this year. Chris Pandolfi...
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.

Huge thanks to  and  and Kada and Nukka and and the whole crew at  for an incredible week in AK!
08/12/2023

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

More like this, please.
08/10/2023

More like this, please.

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

A   shout-out to all the cops and sheriffs who’ve been cool with Clyde’s often-suspect legality. The first shot is from ...
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.

This sign was posted on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, in Colorado, into which the Colorado Division of Wildlife “...
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

In 2010, I wrote a profile of artist, fly-tyer, and passionate herpetologist  We went snake-hunting the night we met, an...
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.

Summer issue is headed your way… Ireland and Idaho. Minnesota and Montana. Backcountry Yellowstone to backcountry Xcalak...
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

If you’re a man with cancer or know a man with cancer: five spots recently opened up for Reel Recovery’s free flyfishing...
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

Nothing screams “legit flyfisher” like the ole baitcaster/pool cue combo…
07/07/2023

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

Have a fishy Fourth! .hookedflycompany
07/04/2023

Have a fishy Fourth! .hookedflycompany

Readers and contributors will often send us pics of fish they’ve caught. Sometimes, these fish are special. Congrats on ...
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!

Carp are like the  of fish. Even with a somewhat negative, nasty history, both have shown that, over time, a certain lev...
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.

Don’t think I’m pulling the raft and trailer around this one…
06/19/2023

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

On Nuggets parade day, I must congratulate Stan Kroenke on his four consecutive big wins: Super Bowl for Rams in ‘21, Av...
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…

Irish lodge-dogs. (As far as you know.)    ?
06/13/2023

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

Irish things.
06/08/2023

Irish things.

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--d...
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

Irish brown trout. Loch Sheelin.
05/31/2023

Irish brown trout. Loch Sheelin.

Xmas Island has opened! But has also moved! According to “Fly Fisher Pro”, this famed flats destination, where  hosts tr...
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.)

One year ago today, the  lodge was burned to the ground in the Bolivian jungle. More than three months after the fire, a...
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.

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

Spring issue is headed your way… The Tisza mayfly is the largest in Europe. Photographer Aleksander Kamasi captured this...
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

Too late for a quick   ?
04/13/2023

Too late for a quick ?

Bunny and Clyde. Happy Easter everyone. 📸 Ben Romans                 .lance.robbins
04/09/2023

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

Spring issue is headed out the door, but we can’t decide on the cover! I’ve narrowed it to nine. Lil help please?       ...
04/02/2023

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

Holy camo-toe.  ain’t messin’ around. Taking sexy ‘flage to the next level. Buy ‘em if you can find ‘em.
04/01/2023

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

Season’s winding down, but always nice to get out with an old friend and meet some new ones.
04/01/2023

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

Wassup with all these Oregon Wolverines? On March 20, two sober fishermen (also rare) spotted a wolverine along the Colu...
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.

 was possibly the first “brand” I ever knew. My father worked as a commercial long-liner for halibut in SE AK in the lat...
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.

A belated but much-deserved congrats to Kathryn Vallilee  and Capt. Doug Kilpatrick  for winning the        on March 16t...
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.

All these years with bonefish guides throwin’ shade at my gotchas and I coulda been using a bucktail coachman? Legendary...
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.

One of the friendliest, most popular, and most knowledgeable members of the Denver and greater Colorado flyfishing commu...
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.

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Episode 469: An Evening with Kenneth Andres of AFFTA
On this episode, I am joined by my friend from the other side of the mountain, Kenneth Andres. Kenneth is the Trade Show Director for IFTD. He shares his fly fishing journey, his thoughts on how trade shows have evolved over the last twenty years and what folks can expect at IFTD in Salt Lake City at the end of March.

American Fly Fishing Trade Association - Hell's Bay Boatworks - Costa Sunglasses - Orvis Fly Fishing - Take Me Fishing - Sage Fly Fishing - Scott Fly Rod Company - The Drake Magazine - Tackle Trade World
I enjoyed working with Eleven Experience in Chile for their angling programs. Rio Palena Lodge is a fantastic lodge with an excellent crew... And, it's always nice to see your work as a print ad and in a catalog.
Eleven Experience / Eleven Angling / The Drake Magazine

A few images made it to print in the summer issue of The Drake Magazine. I can still remember the moment when the shutter clicked. As always, a big heartfelt thank you to all those anglers and people involved in the process and to the print magazines that still hold credible journalism in high regard

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures

In case you missed it: our Life History Project is live! Three amazing short films, three WSC staffers, three human life histories that make the salmon conservation movement whole.

From Betsy Krier, who found home deep in the Olympic Peninsula, to Dr. Sam Snyder, a native Texan who's defended Bristol Bay for the past decade, to Mariusz Wroblewski—who had the farthest road to travel—the stories of our Life History Project show us that we all live for the same things.

Watch the series now on our project home page. And check our social platforms for more on the Life History Project, as we expand this initiative to the wider Wild Salmon Center community.
The Drake Magazine Fly Fisherman Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club SalmonState United Tribes of Bristol Bay Stop Pebble Mine Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay rabbit Defend Bristol Bay Alaska Conservation Foundation Coast Salmon Foundation Resources Legacy Fund Fly Water Travel Frigate Adventure Travel Fish The Swing Sweetwater Travel Company Crystal Creek Lodge

https://bit.ly/30SXKAt
Thank you, IGFA, for naming Wild Salmon Center as this year's recipient of the Barry M. Fitzpatrick Conservation Award!

“We’re honored to receive this recognition from an organization that has been promoting conservation and responsible angling for over 80 years," says WSC President and CEO Guido Rahr. "From the Everglades to Bristol Bay, anglers know the value of truly special watersheds and wild places. It’s our job to band together and stand up to protect these rivers and waterways for the benefit of future generations. Now, we’ll work together to permanently protect Bristol Bay’s watersheds from hard rock mining.” The Drake Magazine Flylords Fly Fisherman
“Rivers are probably more meaningful to me than countries.”

Next up in our Life History Project: meet Mariusz Wroblewski. Mariusz, Wild Salmon Center's Western Pacific program director, took the long road home. Pressured out of Poland as a dissident in the 1980s, Mariusz heard of the great salmon and trout rivers here in North America. He set out for them not knowing exactly what he would find nor how things would turn out. Following the fish would take him around the globe again, before settling in Portland, Oregon. He shares his unique story in our third Life History Project video.

Watch "A Fly Fishing Refugee," filmed on the Deschutes River, traditional territory for many Chinookan and Sahaptin speakers, including the Warm Springs and Wasco bands. (PC: Brian Kelley) The Drake Magazine Fly Fisherman Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club https://bit.ly/30SXKAt https://bit.ly/3sYZTXZ
How about responding to emails?
Help... I ordered $267.85 in subscriptions and merchandise on Dec 18, you posted it to my credit card on Dec 19.. no merchandise has arrived. I cannot find my order number. Have called (your mailbox has been full for a week - really??) I have emailed and received no answer. Please help. thank you.
disappointed in you!! ordered early December..still nothing delivered.. $175.00 order.. empty Christmas boxes for family men. ugh
Thought we’d run down some highlights for 2020 for the Driftless Flyathlon, a great year for the organization despite not being able to host our event!

In November, we were honored by the article Pat Burke wrote about our Wade Wisely collaboration with Big Grove Brewery in the The Drake Magazine. Pat is a great friend and a Driftless Flyathlete....and a heck of a writer. Check this one out by picking up a copy...it’s awesome! Thanks again Pat!
Hello, my husband has been trying to contact you to get his subscription sent to our house. He has tried all the email contacts listed on your webpage as well as left several voicemails. How do we reach a real person to discuss this issue?
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