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REEL SERVICE VI LAUNCHES May 15, 2019 – Posted in: Vedavoo

PAUL PUCKETT AND JORGE MARTINEZ FOR CAPTAINS FOR CLEAN WATER VEDAVOO started the REEL SERVICE PROJECT as a means to raise funds for worthy causes and in this case, Captains for Clean Water.  VEDAVOO messenger bags featuring the original artwork of marquis artists Paul Puckett and Jorge Martinez were built as prizes for those who support these efforts.  100% of the proceeds will directly benefit the featured charity.  All construction, materials, artwork and administrative expenses have been donated. DONATE NOW…

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Inversion Sling – GIVEAWAY! March 21, 2019 – Posted in: Design, Special Projects, Vedavoo, Workshop Fresh

ENTER TO WIN For every $10 spent on the Vedavoo website you will receive 1 entry. Purchases must be made between 03/21/2019 and 04/07/2019 In the Order Notes during check out enter in the word “SPRING” (This is not a promo code) The winner will be chosen on 04/08/2019 and they will receive the very first Inversion Sling built here in the Vedavoo shop. INVERSION SLING Our newest LIMITED RUN pack in collaboration with WATER…

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Catch, Release, & Remember: Interview with Ty Hallock February 27, 2019 – Posted in: Vedavoo

Everyone likes to remember that fish. The big fish. The first fish. The fish you caught on a dry fly after the perfect cast. The way it used to be done meant killing that fish. If you caught an impressive trout, killing and mounting it was the way you remembered your feat and your trip. This fell out of fashion as time went on and anglers became more conservation conscious. As technology advanced and cellphones became…

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Adding Weight (and Micro-Swivels) for Better Fishing November 9, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo

What fly? What tippet? Important questions. But in my humble experience, these points are moot unless you are getting the fly to where the fish are. Packing split shot onto a leader is a necessary evil when you’re trying to get light or buoyant flies down in the currents. But the hinge points – harder casting – potential for leader abrasions – and the amount of time you spend doing it makes crimp on’s a…

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STREAMWALKER NETS – THE HOOK UP November 8, 2018 – Posted in: Design, From Our Community, Special Projects, Vedavoo, Workshop Fresh

Now included with every Streamwalker Net Vedavoo Edition get a Vedavoo Netster. Not only will you be have a beautifully handcrafted net made by hand in Rochester, NY, but also a secure place to put it when your hiking in or casting. “Because we can! And it if we can, we should.” That is why Leif Mermagen, owner of Streamwalker Nets, believes in Better American Gear. Starting this year, Streamwalker and Vedavoo are collaborating to bring…

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Why You Never Go Fly Fishing Alone October 23, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo

You never go fly fishing alone. Even though angling is a pursuit that many gravitate toward because of the frequent solitude, true isolation isn’t a reality for the vast majority of people. It might mean another car in the parking lot. It could sound like the droning of a jet just out of sight. It may even be the nagging knowledge that eventually you’ll have to reel in your line, take off your boots, and…

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Small Fish – Top Three Thursday September 20, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo

Why would you go fly fishing somewhere you know only holds small fish? Sometimes we head away from the big rivers and the popular stretches. We do it for more than trophy trout. We do it because although the fish might be smaller, the reward is sometimes bigger. Here are three reasons why we head a little further upstream. What would your top three be? Solitude Hiking in a mile or more up all but guarantees you some…

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Fishing Heavy: 3 Quick Tips for Streamers July 31, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo

You know what fly fishing with streamers is all about: Heavy. Heavy rods. Heavy lines. Heavy flies. Heavy fish. Whether it be the salt, the bass pond, or the trout river, big streamers produce big fish. Fly fishers have known this for a long time, and anglers have been pushing the envelope as they chase the most aggressive fish out there. The fly fishing industry has responded in kind. Rods, lines, and tying materials catering…

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Vedavoo Anniversary: 9 Questions for 9 Years June 19, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo

Today marks the nine-year anniversary of Vedavoo! We asked company founder Scott Hunter nine questions about Vedavoo, the fly fishing industry, and gear: In one word, what were you thinking in June of 2009? Frustration. I was legitimately frustrated with the gear that was in the market. Other packs worked, but nothing really hit the mark for me.  Designs were overcomplicated and often didn’t function as they should. That frustration led me to innovate through…

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The Future of REEL SERVICE June 11, 2018 – Posted in: Reel Service, Special Projects, Vedavoo

As a small company we are just not able to write a big check – but that doesn’t make us any less committed to supporting causes that we care about.  As are result Vedavoo  started building one-of-a-kind pieces that could raise funds, build awareness and make an impact in the community .  By working with notable artists in the Fly Fishing industry we were able to make truly unique pieces, unlike anything else – prizes…

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Best States for Fly Fishing – Top Three Thursday June 7, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo

What if you could only fly fish in three states within the USA? With every fish species, type of water, and climate out there taken into consideration, what would your top three be? Here’s ours: Montana: Trout, trout, and more trout. Big trout, little trout; rainbow trout, brown trout; freestone trout, spring creek trout. Trout. Florida: Really, the Keys alone would warrant a spot. Add the rest of the coastline and it is a no-brainer. Plus, the interior…

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Fly Fishing Alongside History May 29, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo

In the low water of the late summer, even the mighty Potomac seemed tranquil. Every landing waterfall and breaching fish punctuated the stillness of the warm air. Only a quick hook-set and a fighting smallmouth produced a prolonged commotion. Only a short float from the intensity of the traffic and tone of Washington, DC, the peacefulness upstream was profound. Just over 150 years ago, there were nearly 300 casualties along this stretch of the Potomac…

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Spring Trout Flies – Top Three Thursday May 24, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo

What if you could only have three trout flies in the spring? With every hatch, every water level, and every kind of trout out there under consideration, what would your top three be? Here is our attempt to put together the perfect three spring trout flies that every angler should have in his or her fly fishing pack: Parachute Blue Wing Olive Beadhead Pheasant Tail Nymph Olive Wooly Bugger What would your top three look like? Let us…

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Don’t Go Fly Fishing Without Your Wallet May 22, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo

One of the joys of fly fishing is that the pursuit can be as simple or as complicated as each individual wants it to be. It isn’t a stretch to say that some anglers have at least a dozen rods… of the same line weight. At the same time, there are plenty of fly fishers who fish with their one tried-and-true rig under nearly every circumstance. Both approaches have their virtues. Having the precise tool…

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Casting Contrast May 8, 2018 – Posted in: Adventure, Vedavoo

I left the Boston suburbs at five in the morning. I was walking on the Pennsylvania spring creek at one in the afternoon. A lot happened from dawn to dusk. Traffic, cold water, gas station hot dogs, rising trout, mountain overlooks, lost flies, sleeping in the backseat, and lots of other little things. A long day of non-fishing stuff is the quintessential day fishing. Objectively, there is a huge contrast between casting delicate dry flies…

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Drifting, Liberation, and Fly Fishing May 1, 2018 – Posted in: Adventure, Vedavoo

It isn’t a stretch to say that fly fishing itself can be very liberating. Standing knee-deep in a river might not strike the uninitiated as being particularly freeing, but once you’ve experienced it you know. As you move further and further away from civilization and roads and cell coverage, that liberation feels more real. Push off shore in a drift boat, raft, or kayak, and your emancipation is tangible. Gliding from pool to riffle in…

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STREAMWALKER NETS – THE HOOK UP April 24, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo

Now included with every Streamwalker Net purchased get a Vedavoo Netster Streamwalker Edition included. Not only will you be have a beautifully handcrafted net made by hand in Rochester, NY, but also a secure place to put it when your hiking in or casting. “Because we can! And it if we can, we should.” That is why Leif Mermagen, owner of Streamwalker Nets, believes in Better American Gear. Starting this year, Streamwalker and Vedavoo are…

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Show Your #myvedavoo & Win! April 18, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo

We love seeing people using Vedavoo gear on social media. Anglers from all over tag us in their pictures, and it gives us a chance to see where the gear we build gets to go. From brookies in our New England backyard to cutthroats in Wyoming to tarpon in the Keys, it is a privilege to be a small part of so many adventures. What we don’t get to see is what you put in…

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Taking Vedavoo Into A New Season April 10, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo, Workshop Fresh

At Vedavoo, we know that fly fishers don’t settle. Whether it be the pursuit of fish or the pursuit of equipment, anglers always are looking for more efficient and more effective. We get that because we are fly fishers. That is why Better American Gear has always been about well-made, functional equipment. For this season, we have taken the core lineup and streamlined an already sleek set of packs.

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VEDAVOO VISE: Tying Community Together March 27, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo

It the short history of VEDAVOO VISE, the monthly fly tying event at the Vedavoo workshop, we’ve seen the creation of some impressive flies. Seasoned tiers have produced microscopic midges, cutting-edge saltwater patterns, and intricately articulated streamers. Plus, someone tied a fly that lights up. And another guy wove mop material. And a few people have tied their very first flies. Behind the bobbins and scissors, people are getting to know each other. Plans are…

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Packing for a New Fly Fishing Season March 20, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo

Spring is here! Technically, at least. Whether you live somewhere still covered in snow or a place where you’ve been fishing solidly throughout the winter, “spring cleaning” is a concept that can and should apply to your gear. If you have been stuck indoors, you might want to just grab your sling or vest and hit the water as quickly as possible. But it is helpful to take some deliberate time to clean up. Also,…

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VEDAVOO at the Shows March 14, 2018 – Posted in: Vedavoo

Fly fishing expos are always a great experience for the angling community. This winter, we were at The Fly Fishing Show in Colorado, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; and also the Bear’s Den Fly Fishing Expo in Taunton, Massachusetts. It was excellent to have hundreds of friends, both new and familiar, stop by the booth to check out what Vedavoo is doing. It was a lot of fun to hear the adventures people who already fish…

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Borbay February 27, 2018 – Posted in: From Our Community, Reel Service, Special Projects, Vedavoo

A world-renowned artist, Time Out New York magazine named Borbay their Most Creative New Yorker. He defaced Andy Warhol’s Marilyn and Major League Baseball hung it up in their Fan Cave. His collages incorporating New York Post headlines became a New York Post headline. He is painting the Guggenheim each year for 20 years, and intends to show the series in the Guggenheim itself. His work graced the cover of Zack O’Malley Greenburg’s best-selling book,…

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Derek DeYoung February 16, 2018 – Posted in: In The News, Reel Service, Special Projects, Vedavoo, Workshop Fresh

Derek DeYoung was born on a bayou near the shores of Lake Michigan where his love of fishing was ignited. Over the years his art has veered from the classical fishing art, placing more importance on using a unique style and palette. Using oil paints on canvas, he artfully captures all the subtle intricacies fish possess; their colorful patterns, dimension and texture. Derek explains, “When hiking up a small mountain stream, I’m not just chasing…

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For a Good Cause June 2, 2017 – Posted in: From Our Community, Special Projects, Vedavoo

This past weekend, I stood on our town green with a covered heart for the parade of flag bearing, uniformed veterans, representing generations of service from WWII to the latest conflict abroad.  Love it or hate it, there’s a real price paid for the lifestyle we love – and I count it a PRIVILEGE to honor those who assume their share of the bill with a firm handshake and a humble ‘Thank You’. Now that those respects have been paid, I am…

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A Few Kind Words April 24, 2017 – Posted in: From Our Community, Vedavoo

It has been so fun over the years to see our work reviewed and discussed on sites and in publications around the fly fishing world… but it remains that the words of our customers carry the greatest weight with our team.   The life of a pack builder is often thankless… so it goes without saying that unsolicited words like these (below, presented as received) truly keep our tanks full.  Hearty thanks to Simon and to…

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Last Minute? No sweat! December 23, 2016 – Posted in: Vedavoo

For the many who’ve given us the opportunity to be a part of your holiday celebration… our thanks! Small businesses like ours thrive because of the support from folks like you – and the families behind our work are proud to build for you! But if you (like me) are down to the wire and your shopping isn’t done, don’t sweat! We’ve got you covered. If you’re looking to put some Better American Gear under…

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Stand for NY’s Salmon River December 7, 2016 – Posted in: From Our Community, The More You Know..., Vedavoo

My first was caught near the mouth of Alaska’s Kenai River. My last on the tribs of Lake Ontario. East or west, rare or in plenty, few things stand more true in my mind as symbols of Winter than the cold pursuit of hot chrome. Long drives – riverside coffee – and stories wisely told by new and lifetime friends. The fish are the objective, but never the expectation. A seasonal addiction fueled by memories…

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Back Roads & Killer Bows June 1, 2016 – Posted in: Vedavoo

On one of my trips back to waters outside of my home town in Wyoming, I stopped into the Reef Fly Shop to pick up a few flies for a solo mission. I snapped the lid on my fly puck, and as I walked toward the counter Jay Johnson walked through the door. Jay, Addison Berry, and Berin Wachsmann were on their way back through from a Pig Farm Iron Fly event up in Jackson,…

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You spelled it wrong!!! May 18, 2016 – Posted in: Vedavoo

Anyone who has spent any time in Southern Wyoming knows about Vedauwoo… note the spelling. When I was looking for a name for our brand, I wanted to pick something that stood apart from other companies out there, was memorable, and represented the spirit of the outdoors behind everything we do. Vedauwoo (the park) was a perfect inspiration – and was the ONLY choice for my (then) two-year-old son. Having grown up in Wyoming, and…

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The Road Less Traveled January 27, 2015 – Posted in: Vedavoo

After a year of working with outside designers and factories, I was left with little more than $700 in the company account. To say that those were tough days would be a vast understatement. About that same time, I had two amazing conversations – one with Wayne Gregory (Gregory Packs) and one with Yvon Chouinard (Patagonia). Both had similar guidance to share – “if you can’t build something with your own hands – you have…

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Designing the Tightlines Sling – Posted in: Vedavoo

Needing something that didn’t exist drove me to design the Tightlines Sling. I’d had and used a series of other slings and messenger style packs from a broad range of makers – and though many were great packs, none of them really functioned like I wanted and needed, and all had things that drove me crazy. The biggest complaint I had with slings was the “slip and slide” action. I wore a sling because I…

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