Destination Travel Tips: Simple Is Better

Destination Travel Tips: Simple Is Better

I’ve learned a number of lessons during all my fishing travels (some the hard way). Here are what I consider the most important five: 

First, mosquitoes are the most dangerous animals in the world, more so than any bear, shark, or snake. So, pay attention to vaccination recommendations and bring bug dope (but never pack that anywhere near your fly lines). 

Second, the highest risk of you getting sick or injured is caused by your paying too much attention to the fishing and not enough on staying in the “awareness” game. Always keep hydrated, wear sunscreen/appropriate clothing and watch where you step. 

Third, I always bring at least one extra fly line and at least a dozen patterns of every fly pattern I fish, because there’s nothing worse than running out of the hot bug. 

Four, I always bring three tints of polarized glasses–one for bright, one for overcast/low-light and an “in-between” pair in case you lose either of the others. 

Five, I love the BOA closure system on boots, but never travel with them. Laces are so much easier to fix or replace. And always travel with spare laces. – Kirk Deeter

Castwork Profile: Patty Reilly

Patty shrugs off the notion of being a “pioneer” among women fly fishers, preferring instead, to point out the accomplishments of other female notables, especially those of her mentors, women like Joan Wulff. Over the years, Patty has taught classes and led guided trips specifically for women’s groups. She has been a friend and confidant to many women fly fishers and industry professionals, people like her friend Lori-Ann Murphy of Reel Women Fly Fishing Adventures, who have been able to break down traditional demographic barriers and open new opportunities in the angling world. Whether she wants to admit it or not, Patty has been an important figure and influence in the world of women’s fly fishing and the sport at large.

“I’ve never really considered myself a crusader for women in fly fishing. I’m not out to prove anything,” she explains. “I think we need new and motivated participants, people who will take up after causes and care about rivers and resources, whether they’re men or women.”

For Patty, the river guide faces a number of challenges, and being female may or may not be one of them. Rowing, spotting fish, dealing with clients all present their own challenges, and often leave little boat time for tackling “heavier” gender issues. She says people who tend to get hung up on a lot of male-and-female politics do not have their heads in the fishing game anyhow.

Read the entire essay from Castwork: Reflections of Fly Fishing Guides and the American West (2002). 

Product Buzz

Read Deeter’s hot takes from The Fly Fishing Show in Denver this weekend. We review The Top Performing, Fast-action Fly Rods For Trout: “There are many ‘stunners’ out there, and a few over-rated clunkers as well. Some will (and should) rock your socks, flip your switch and make you drool.” Redington releases their Limited Edition “Miami Vice” Fly Rods: “A fly rod that’s so ugly, it’s kinda cute–and pretty dang smart.” We review the Kifaru Steelhead Chest Pack: “When you call a product line ‘steelhead,’ you enter the fishing world, and it better be ready to fish. Such is the case with this versatile chest pack.” Korkers releases their new Salt Sneaker: “Tough as the tides, it dries fast, resists abrasion, and features an industrial-grade puncture plate for ultimate underfoot protection.” Karmik Outdoors launches a new website with an “Enhanced Rental Platform, Streamlined Features and QR Code Integration.” From GearJunkie: The Best Packrafts of 2025 and Patagonia’s Wader Repair Tour Is Back. Adipose Boatworks from Helena, MT is making the South Fork Skiff again. From Flylords: The Best Fly Fishing Coolers for 2025 and The Best Euro Nymphing Reels for 2025.  

Fly-fishing News

Check out the BONEDALE FISHING REPORTS final entry, featuring legendary guide, Kea Hause, from Colorado’s Roaring Fork valley. Check out Tim Romano’s photo series Tailing Loops: Twenty Years of Flipped Boats, Punted Fish, Misfits and Semi-luminaries. It’s awesome. Author Callan Wink on the Anglers Journal Podcast. “Callan Wink is a novelist and full-time fly-fishing guide based in Montana. His writing style is acclaimed for its vivid descriptions and themes of rural life in the American West. His work is often compared to that of Jim Harrison, who was a friend and fishing companion.” Ted Williams on Fish and Wildlife BS. “The glut of fish-and-wildlife bullshit on social media is not just infuriating and depressing; it’s dangerous. It hurts fish and wildlife because it dumbs down an already fish-and-wildlife-dumb public...” From Garden & Gun: Out on the River with Angling All-Star Blane Chocklett. “The Virginia native is a highly sought guide, mostly for giant muskellunge, the ferocious ‘water tiger’ of cold-water rivers…” Flylab Founder Kirk Deeter on Terry Wickstrom Outdoors. They cover Flylab, Flyfishingjobs and Trout Magazine. 

Recent Press

“Love what you guys are doing and your no BS mission. These days, every media network is nothing more than a self-promotion machine. Way to stand above the fray.” – Gregg, Flylab Fan

“I think Flylab is producing some of the best-written and most informative content in the fly-fishing space. Well done.” – Eric, Flylab Fan

“It took me a while to understand what you guys are up to, but in a world of wall-to-wall AI automation and content disinformation, I love the brutal honesty and transparency of the brand. I’m a fan.” – Jeff, Fishing Guide

We’re always looking for Flylab feedback–send any comments, thoughts, suggestions, and we’d love to hear from you.

Scouting Report

We’re hard at work hunting down the coolest new products, brands and partners you’ve never heard of.

The Flyfish Journal

The Flyfish Journal is one of the most iconic fly-fishing media brands in existence, covering the sport’s icons, environment and global culture. TFFJ has always been one of the true voices in fly fishing, publishing four journals per year from Bellingham, WA. The fly-fishing world’s cultural catalog. 

Flylab discount: 20% off all TFFJ store products.

Partner Spotlight

Fishwest

Fishwest is a full-service fly-fishing outfitter from Kamas, UT, offering flies, apparel, fly-fishing essentials and a multitude of educational resources, including classes, guided trips and events. The shop staff has the knowledge and experience to point anglers in the right direction for a successful day on the water. The shop is surrounded by some of the most productive waters in Utah at the base of the Uinta Mountains.

Flylab discount: 10% off all products–does not include already discounted items.

If you’re a fly shop, outfitter, fishing lodge or outdoor brand and interested in becoming a new Flylab partner, learn more about our program here. Join the best partner network in fly fishing.

From Swedish filmmaker Rolf Nylinder: “something about the best song in the world.” Can you make a great fly-fishing film without a fish?