Thursday, August 13, 2026

C. BARCLAY FLY ROD CO. - Notes from a Colorado Road Trip

When I stopped in to visit Chris Barclay of C. Barclay Fly Rod Company at his shop in Winston-Salem earlier this year (T.F.M. post), we talked about the summer road trip that he and his wife were planning to Colorado to look for a few new small streams and dry fly sipping trout.  It sounded like fun.

Plans made, miles traveled, trout caught, truck camping, friends found, and more in Chris's latest Smallwater blog post detailing he and Kristen's adventure west in his wonderful storytelling style.  


Visit the C. Barclay Fly Rod Co. website, don't sleep on his Smallwater blog updates, and follow along with the latest shop news on Facebook and Instagram.

Need more?  Consider joining the C. Barclay Fly Rod Co. Enthusiasts Group on Facebook, too.

WAYPOINTS PODCAST - Tom McGuane on Writing Water

I spend a lot of time listening to podcasts and this two-part series from Waypoints with Jim Klug with legendary author Tom McGuane are so worth your time.  
 
Listen wherever you get your podcasts or on the website in the links below.  
 

Give each of these podcast episodes a listen by clicking on the link below...
 
PART ONE: WRITING WATER
 
Extra credit?  McGuane followed these two podcasts with another on the Wet Fly Swing podcast. 

Monday, August 10, 2026

CROOKED CREEK HOLLER X TOPO DESIGNS X PINE PRINTSHOP

I'm a few days late from sharing the latest Crooked Creek Holler collaboration with Topo Designs and Pine Printshop but there's still a few pieces to snag online.  

It's fun to see your friends do cool things and when Danny Reed of Crooked Creek Holler tipped me off that this collaboration was coming, I knew that the collection would go quickly.  And, several of the piece are gone.  Hopefully, this won't be a one time collaboration...


Danny Reed of Crooked Creek Holler wrote...

"In 2012 I bought my first Topo Designs bag. It was a brown old school camouflage duffle. I quickly went back and bought a dopp kit to match it. I still use both of those bags today. It’s a testament to quality and style. I’ve traveled all over the world and they have stood the test of time, with no sign of decay.

When my business partner, Garrett, presented the idea of a possible collaboration, I was surprised and excited. I quickly started thinking of ideas that might represent us both as American outdoor brands. I was pulled to create images that made me think of Colorado, my time fishing there, and the duality of wild fish in beautiful places and urban angling in the most common. That helped me land on the Cutthroat Trout and Common Carp. Two very different fish that share very little outside of having fins. But that’s what’s fun about fishing, the diversity of the catch, and where the bite takes you.

For good measure, I brought in the brook trout and bass to round out the capsule, and make sure there was a little something for everyone. I hope you enjoy these goods as much as we enjoyed creating them, for it was truly a labor of love."

This collaboration is available on both the Crooked Creek Holler and Topo Designs websites.  Where it might be out of stock on one, it could be in stock on the other.  Get yours before it's all gone.

TIGHT LOOPS: Two in the North - Episode 01

I don't know if there is anyone else doing it better than Chase and Aimee of Tight Loops.  And, the "IT" is filmography, storytelling, artwork, editing, adventures, and more...like birdwatching making the cut in several of their latest films.  I'm here for all of it.  

Their latest film series, 'Two in the North" takes them to Alaska.  I already know it's going to be good.  



Check out the Tight Loops website, follow their YouTube channel, and Facebook and Instagram.

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

THE BOREALIST - Perhaps, Slow is Indeed the New Fast

Blaine Peetso of The Borealist gets it right and his Instagram captures moments with perfection. No filters. Typically just a few word caption or prose. Sport. Dogs. Food. Wine. The images speak. 

His post this week featured his Scott Fibertouch and everything else that makes for a good day.  I asked if could share here, to which he obliged.  Enjoy...
 

Peetso wrote...  "Perhaps, slow is the new fast. Probably, always has been."

















Bookmark The Borealist and follow Peetso on Instagram, too.

Casting Lessons with George Revel - The Double Haul

Lost Coast Outfitters and Loon Outdoors are back with their casting lesson series with George Revel with this video focused on teaching you how to double-haul.  Press PLAY and take notes...


A dozen years ago, George and I spent a morning together at the G.G.A.C.C. and this film is a wonderful memory to reflect on.  Visit the T.F.M. post if you haven't seen it already.

I'll continue sharing these videos as they are released but find more goodness on the YouTube channels of both Loon Outdoors and Lost Coast Outfitters.

Monday, August 3, 2026

VEDAVOO - Your Favorite Patch on Your New Favorite Gear

I can't be the only one who has a bag full of patches that I've collected over the years and instead of them just living in a drawer or gear box, I've started sending them to Scott Hunter at Vedavoo to be given new life on a piece of gear, typically on a No-Kink Reel Cover or Fly Wallet.

Recently I wanted to send along a thank you gift to Chase at Oak & Oscar and sent Scott a patch that I had in my stash.  It fit perfectly on a No-Kink Reel Cover made of waxed twill fabric.  Scott took some step-by-step photographs of this piece of gear coming together that I figured would be insightful to share here.







Interested in having a few of your favorite patches sewn on custom made Vedavoo gear?  Reach out to Scott through the contact page to get the conversation started.  

POSTSCRIPT...  Now through Tuesday, August 11, 2026, use code "GLASSMASTER" for 50% off the patch mail in service.