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…
Continue readingYou 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…
Continue readingToday 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…
Continue readingAs 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…
Continue readingWhat 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…
Continue readingIn 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…
Continue readingWhat 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…
Continue readingOne 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…
Continue readingI 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…
Continue readingIt 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…
Continue reading“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 some cross-branded nets to fly fishers. Vedavoo and Streamwalker have a lot more in common than just American-made fly fishing gear. Both companies were founded on the principle that good old-fashioned work gets you something – and somewhere, if you put…
Continue readingWe 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…
Continue readingAt 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.
Continue readingIt 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…
Continue readingSpring 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,…
Continue readingFly 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…
Continue readingA 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,…
Continue readingDerek 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…
Continue readingCome on a tour of the Vedavoo factory. You’ll get an insiders glimpse at what HAND-BUILT IN THE USA really means.
Continue readingThis 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…
Continue readingIt 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…
Continue readingFor 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…
Continue readingMy 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…
Continue readingOn 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,…
Continue readingAnyone 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…
Continue readingAfter 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…
Continue readingNeeding 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…
Continue readingThrough this post, our aim is to give you a place to tell your stories, share your thoughts, and (like around a campfire) meet us / other Vedavoo users. Please comment freely and often 🙂 Scott
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