TIM JOHNSON GALLERY - Step By Step Brown Trout Watercolor

Last weekend I found Tim Johnson at the Southwest Wildlife Exposition in one of three different Orvis spaces spread out over the event.  As we walked up, he was working on a Timmy Grips and we talked about the many hundred grips that he had done last year for a  limited edition series of Helios fly rods in both freshwater and saltwater models.  There are largely gone though you might find one still at your local shop.

Tim had also recently finished a brown trout watercolor and I asked if he'd pass along the step by step photographs to share in this T.F.M. post.  I always get a kick out of seeing how things come together and appreciate the process of pencil to paint.

The original is already sold and he was down to the last few prints too.  If you're interested in one (not saying there are any left) then you might want to reach out to him today.

Check out the Tim Johnson Gallery website and follow along with the latest studio news on Facebook and Instagram. 

HOWLER BROTHERS - Spring 2020 Collection

The friends at Howler Brothers are sending out warm vibes with their Spring 2020 Collection dropping online and showing up in stories all over the place last week.   

Jump over to the Howler Brothers website to check it all out and don't sleep on the Last Call page either.

River Therapy

I learned how to fly fish on this river in the early 1990's and this short film rings so true. I can't get those sweet tea colored waters out of my bones and would never want to.   



This looks like the first of several films by Ausable River Outfitters on why anglers are drawn to this iconic river and I'm looking forward to future releases.

PAKMULE - Built for the Adventure Ahead

This past week my son and I attended the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition for the day and one of the highlights was meeting Kansas Sartin of PAKMULE.  He's making a great product that is completely changing expectations of what a hitch basket should be and we've been beyond impressed with our PAKMULE and PAKMULE Ridgeline carriers.  It's completely changed how we travel, organize and access our gear, coolers and luggage when on the road but even day to day as well.



Visit the PAKMULE website for more information and look for some additional products being added to the mix soon.  Follow along on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE FLY - Issue 34

The latest issue from the boys of Southern Culture on the Fly went live and I wonder if I'm too old for a "Rumspringa" as a mostly responsible most of the time 45 year old?

CHECK IT.

GRAYWOLF RODS - Haldin RFT 57 S-Glass Build

If you rewound the tape to when the contemporary fiberglass fly rod push began some dozen or so years ago, most fly rod companies and custom fly rod builders entered the space with the usual offerings.  They checked the boxes with a 7' three weight, 7'6" four weight and a 8' five weight.  Over the years, we've seen the small shop builders and blank makers in particular differentiate themselves with some more unusual offerings.  I like that.  A lot.

I've been keeping an eye on Haldin Fly Rods but somehow missed their 7' five weight blank until Shane Gray of Graywolf Rods offered this build on the Finished Rods page.  A short five weight is a throwback to vintage days and just perfect for small to medium waters, especially with some tree cover, where you have high chances of mixing it up with a fish of decent size.

Someone needs to snatch this one up so it'll stop teasing me...

Check out the Graywolf Rods website for more information on this and a few other finished fly rods and be sure to follow along with the latest shop news on Facebook and Instagram.

Also, you should be tracking on both RFT Gear (Facebook/Instagram) and Haldin Fly Rods (Facebook/Instagram) as they are both popping up on my social feeds more and more frequently with interesting additions.  Hopefully I'll have some experience with a couple of the Haldin Fly Rods soon.

BER FLY RODS - CTS Quartz 7'6" Three Weight Build

I'm sharing the latest build from Paolo Bernabei of Ber Fly Rods for two reasons...

First, this Italian craftsman does amazing work and in this case he built a CTS Quartz 7'6" three weight that is just sharp through and through.  The plexiglass fly rod tube gives it extra credit points too.

Secondly, he featured the Rep Your Water X T.F.M. #glassisnotdead Knit Hat in this first photograph and it's a good reminder that I'm down to just a dozen or so left in stock.  Get one while it's still cold out and keep your noggin "fashionably" warm.

Now back to the build with a few photographs...

Visit the Ber Fly Rods website to see more photographs of this build and many others.  Follow along with the latest shop news on Instagram.

Interested in a #glassisnotdead Knit Hat?  Visit the T.F.M. Store and send an email to order.