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 readingThe packing list is explicit. One Waterproof bag for your clothing, sleeping bag, etc., and a small one for the boat for daily gear, camera, layers, gloves, etc. My choice – Water Master In their Digi-Camo – I picked up the Ditty Bag for daily essentials – and the Overnighter for my sleeping bag, extra clothes, etc With onboard weight limited for the journey ahead, I didn’t want to go too big – giving myself…
Continue readingWhat are the three pieces of fly fishing gear that you can do without? Minimalism sounds great on paper. When it comes to execution, it is not that easy. What if I need it? There is always a chance I could use it! Those are the thoughts a lot of us have while packing for fishing. But there are some things that you probably don’t need on most trips. Here are three things we feel like…
Continue readingAt Vedavoo, we don’t have ambassadors. We don’t have a pro staff. We have the Torchbearers: a global team of people who believe in what we do, and (more importantly) how we do it. Grassroots and local, they do what they can to bear the torch of Vedavoo in their areas. This includes sending in photos of our gear in the field, posting videos they’ve made of our work in action, or leading action to…
Continue readingWhat are the three best things about fall… besides fly fishing? Big trout come out to play. The weather gets cooler. Saltwater fish begin to run again. While you’re enjoying all of that, there are some other important things happening. And they don’t have anything to do with pumpkin spice. Here are our three of our favorites. What would your top three be? Scenery Want an amazing, non-fish-centric Instagram photo? Take a picture in the fall. The…
Continue readingWhat are the three patterns for fly fishing in the mountains? Who doesn’t love a little blue lining? Whether it be brookies in New England, cutthroats in the Rockies, or goldens on the West Coast, there is something incredibly fun about finding fish in mountain streams. Although these trout are usually eager to eat, there are some flies that perform better than others. Here are our three of our favorites. What would your top three be?…
Continue readingHe wants to catch a fish, but not for the same reason you do. You want to catch a fish because of the experience. What it means to be on the water, in the wild places, away from it all. Fly fishing is the cumulative outcome of days in the office and time behind the vise and countless moments daydreaming. You know the hatches, the migration patterns, and the optimal place to be when everything…
Continue readingEvery once in a while, members of the Vedavoo team get to go places. And sometimes, that even includes fishing. I’ll be back next week with a normal Top Three Thursday. Until then…
Continue readingWhat are the three best mouse patterns for fly fishing? Using mice can be one of the most exciting experiences in fly fishing. Bass, musky, and trout go nuts for these fuzzy little critters once the lights go out. Here are our three of our favorites. What would your top three be? Master Splinter Cermele’s Master Splinter is the pattern to use if you’re a fly tyer. It is simple, quick, and incredibly effective. The thick mat…
Continue readingWant to win the brand new, extra large Vedavoo fly wallet (pictured above, on the bottom)? Each is handmade and features a 10” x 16” shearling fleece patch to hold all of your flies. Post a picture of your fly wallet on Instagram with the hashtag #myvedavoo for a chance to get one! Remember the shearling band on grandpa’s hat? How about that little fleece patch that came with your very first fishing vest? Do…
Continue readingWhat are the three best things you can attach to your wading belt? Although you should be wearing a wading belt for the safety it affords, there is no reason why you shouldn’t get some more use out of it. At Vedavoo, we’ve created some fantastic things for you to attach to your wading belt. Here are our three of our favorites. What would your top three be? Netster If you carry a net while fishing, there…
Continue readingA fresh glass of Ron Cubáy (on the rocks) arrives at my table in the open air villa. My second tonight. It’s richer and sweeter than any rum I’ve ever tasted. I’ve only been here one day, and already my new friends behind the bar know my appreciation for this dark Cuban spirit. I light the most aromatic cigar I’ve ever had, and set to work. On the vise tonight – the Avalon Fly. I’d…
Continue readingWhat are the three best streamer patterns out there? Streamers have always been some of the most effective patterns for all species of fish. Additionally, they’re your best bet for getting into the biggest fish out there. With somewhat of a trout streamer renaissance happening over the past decade, the number of patters out there is overwhelming. Here are our three favorite patterns. What would your top three be? Clouser Minnow Easy to tie, streamlined, and scalable…
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 readingWhat are the three must have thread colors for fly tying? Sure, thread isn’t that expensive. There really isn’t any reason why a tyer should only have three different thread colors. However, if you’re tying a lot or are just getting into tying flies, there are some core color choices. Here are our top three choices for fly tying thread colors. What would your top three be? Olive – If you only had one thread color for fly…
Continue readingWhat are the three best saltwater fly fishing destinations in the USA? 23 states have coastlines. That means that nearly half of the US has saltwater access! Here are our top three state choices for saltwater fly fishing destinations. What would your top three be? Florida – Obviously. You’d have to have a personal grudge against the sunshine state to disagree. The Keys alone would warrant a spot on this list. Louisiana – With nearly 8,000 miles of coastal…
Continue readingFor three days in July, the premier brands in the fly fishing industry gather together at the International Fly Tackle Dealer (IFTD) Show. It is an opportunity for the angling world to see what is on the horizon for fly fishing gear and conservation initiatives. At Vedavoo, we were happy to attend and display our growing line of hand-built slings, packs, and accessories this year in Orlando. IFTD is always a great time spent with…
Continue readingThe International Fly Tackle Dealer Show is taking place in Orlando. Where can you see what is going on? Social media and the internet are incredibly helpful… but they can also be endless rabbit holes of opinions. Here are three places to get great information on IFTD. Here are our top three: #iftd2018 This is the “official” hashtag that you can click on or follow on Instragram to see what exhibitors and media are showing off.…
Continue readingWhat are the three best fly fishing foods you can stash in your pack? You need to eat if you’re on the water for a prolonged period of time, so you might as well keep things tasty. Here are our top three choices. What would your top three be? Energy Bars – Leaving the water to get a burger won’t work when the fish are biting. Not eating leads to hangry fishing: bad casts, harsh words for…
Continue readingWe all take risks while fly fishing. Really, anytime you go outdoors you’re taking a risk. The farther you venture into wild places, the more those risks add up. Thankfully, the vast majority of anglers, hunters, and hikers return unscathed. Yet every one of us has experienced to recount some sort of peril. Sadly, every one of us probably has heard of someone who succumbed to a worst-case scenario of outdoors risks. While all the…
Continue readingWhat are the three best YouTube channels for a fly fisher to subscribe to? Today, every company has a YouTube channel. Heck, every angler with a GoPro and an internet connection has a YouTube channel. With all of that content out there, some is good and some is… not so good. Here are our top three choices. What would your top three be? Catch Magazine – Nearly 50k subscribers can’t go wrong. There’s a rich…
Continue readingWhat are the three dirtiest, nastiest, most offensive flies out there? Even though you might scoff at them in front of your buddies or the guys at the fly shop, you use them. So, what would your top three be? Mop Fly – A relative newcomer, the mop only made waves because it works. What’s your favorite color? Smurf blue? Poo brown? Radioactive green? Squirmy Wormy – Koosh Balls and their kin weren’t nearly as…
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 readingWhat if you could only grab three fly fishing tools to compliment your nippers and forceps? With multiple pages of catalogs and entire walls of fly shops taken into consideration, what would your top three be? Here’s ours: Head Lamp: If the fish keep biting, you need to keep fishing. If the fish keep biting after the sun goes down, then you’ll be out of luck when you have to tie a knot, untangle a line, or safely wade…
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 readingThe Rod You Will Eventually Own is now protected by Better American Gear. Beginning in June of 2018, all Thomas & Thomas fly rods will come in Vedavoo rod bags. This collaboration makes sense at a number of levels. For one, both companies are located in central Massachusetts. Door-to-door, one can travel between the two in just about an hour. Employees live in the same towns and fish the same rivers. Although T&T predates Vedavoo…
Continue readingWhat if you could only have three largemouth bass flies? With every watershed, every condition, and every kind of bass fly out there taken into consideration, what would your top three be? Recently, we asked one of our favorite fly tyers, Pat Cohen, the man behind RU Super Fly, what his three indispensable bass patterns are. Here are his choices: Mo ‘Stank Minnow Fat Head Deceiver Frog Legged Slider What would your top three look like? Let us know below!
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 readingAt Vedavoo, we don’t have ambassadors. We don’t have a pro staff. We have the Torchbearers: a global team of people who believe in what we do, and (more importantly) how we do it. Grassroots and local, they do what they can to bear the torch of Vedavoo in their areas. This includes sending in photos of our gear in the field, posting videos they’ve made of our work in action, or leading action to…
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 readingEvery year the arrival of spring means back to fishing. Even though I fly fish twelve months out of the year, there is still something special about nicer weather, active trout, and even the opening of formal trout season. However, my enthusiasm for the turning calendar is sometimes squelched by two unavoidable parts of spring: crowds and high water. I’m left with the same choices as virtually every angler who wants to avoid fishing shoulder-to-shoulder…
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 readingI’ve fished since I was old enough to throw a rod in the water while trying to cast and have my father go in after it. My 3 sisters and I grew up fishing the water around Pennsylvania and my mother told me we used to run to the water like we were going to the amusement park. I picked up a fly rod about 10 years ago and started my career as an angling…
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 readingMy name is Alex Poland. I am an avid fly fisherman and artist. A jack of all trades in most respects, but my true passion lies within fishing and the inspiration I find to paint from it. I grew up in a family filled with artistic talent. My mother, grandmother, and great grandmother were all artists. I was fortunate enough to be able to watch all of them paint as a child. During this time…
Continue readingMinnesota based artist and avid fly fisherman, I grew up learning to fish on the Mississippi River, while spending the rest of my free time drawing dragons, Wolverine, cyborgs, dragon-cyborg-Wolverines while listening to a rotation of heavy metal and classic hip hop cassette tapes with my brother. I have an MFA in painting and drawing from the University or Wisconsin-Madison, and an undergraduate degree from Macalester. My work has been shown all over the U.S.…
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 readingA few months back, I wrote a post that shared a really well thought message about the state of New York’s Salmon River, put together by local angler and shop owner, Malinda Barna. Having personally witnessed the mass die-off of Steelhead that happened on the river a few years back, this was (and remains) a serious issue of great importance to me and other anglers. As area anglers fear the worst, and western fisheries take lessons away from…
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 readingWhile I was at the Somerset Fly Fishing Show doing demos with my personal gear, a number of visitors to the booth were really excited to see my “Hacky” boxes – which I made by combining an Original Tacky Flybox and a Tacky Big Bug Box. For me – “pulling the pin” gave me less boxes to keep up with, less weight in the pack, and a lot more efficient use of space (and time)…
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 readingWRITTEN and SUBMITTED by JOEL BAIOCCHI This unsolicited (but much appreciated) post is from a happy Vedavoo Customer who took the time to share his story and details about his setup for others in our community. Though there is no right / wrong way to load up your pack, Mr. Baiocchi clearly has found a way that works well for Christmas Island! The post has been presented without edit and in it’s entirety. Enjoy! BACKGROUND…
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 readingThey say at first a fisherman wants to catch all the fish, and never can catch enough. Later on, as he becomes more mature in the sport, he wants to catch the biggest fish instead of the most. And finally, when he’s a seasoned angler, he wants to catch the TOUGH fish. Those individual fish that are hardest to catch, and the most challenging. Curt Gowdy Guys my age didn’t watch Curt Gowdy and Lee…
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 readingThere’s no secret behind my history in Scouting, and I will always look proudly back on my time in the program. I started as a Tiger, proceeded through Cub Scouts, and ultimately became an Eagle Scout. Along that journey, I gained skills in the Boy Scouts that I use and have used every day of my life. The program taught me to be a leader, a friend, and a member of a community – and…
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 readingI had the opportunity to meet the Vagabond Fly Mag gents from down in South Africa during the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show this past year – and they had me do a quick video demo of my method for tying the Blood Knot. I was shown a similar style for tying one of these while fishing up in Alaska with Reel Fly Adventurez a few years back, and worked the method until I found…
Continue readingEvery year, we organize our “REEL SERVICE” project to raise money to support worthy causes – pairing our best with the best from the industries best artists. This year, we dedicated the whole of the proceeds to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, and the veterans they serve. We hand-built a series of packs, bags, and gear items – then sent these “blank canvases” on to the artists for them to paint, draw, and otherwise decorate…
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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