Director of Content for @VenturesFlyCo. Staff Writer for @fly_lords. Married to @Jessie_Ann244. LDS.
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Articles by Spencer Durrant
Yellowstone Closes Buffalo Creek For Fish Restoration
Yellowstone National Park just announced that Buffalo Creek, a tributary of Slough Creek out in northern end of the Park, will be closed from August 31 – September 7. The closure is for park biologists to continue working on native fish restoration projects in the park. The closure is in effect for the entirety of Buffalo Creek from where it enters the park in the north, to its confluence with Slough Creek.
Glass vs Polycarbonate Lenses: What’s The Best For Fly Fishing?
There are generally two types of anglers—those who are fine to spend a decent chunk of change on good sunglasses, and those who opt for the best-fitting pair they can find at the gas station. While there’s nothing wrong with either approach, it does simplify a gear choice that I don’t think gets enough attention. A lot of anglers ignore how important sunglasses are in the same way many people handle merging onto the interstate, or deciding who goes first at a four-way-stop.
The Best Fly Boxes For Trout Flies
A good fly box is something a lot of us overlook until we need one. When it’s below freezing outside and the plastic hinges give out, your cheap box can crack and spill your entire collection into the frigid water (I’m speaking from experience on this one). Or if you’re caught in a downpour, all your flies can get waterlogged and musty fairly quickly, too. I’ve even had some hooks rust from getting too wet in cheap boxes.
Fishing And Hunting Opened At Hatcheries And Refuges
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced earlier this week that it will open up more than 1,500 hunting and fishing opportunities at over 100 national wildlife refuges and hatcheries across 32 states. 95% of all land contained within national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries will now be available for hunting and fishing. Many wildlife refuges and hatcheries are currently open for hunting and fishing, but some have been historically closed-off.
Gear Review: Alpacka Rendezvous Packraft
Welcome to the first in what we hope is a long lineup of watercraft reviews here at Flylords! There’s something magical about getting out on the water. For one, it’s easier to get around and explore all the nooks and crannies of whatever lake or river you’re on. For another, you get to know a fishery a bit more intimately when you’re floating.
Lake Powell’s elevation dropped to 3,519.91 feet above sea level, which is its lowest level since 1967, during the 13-year period that the dam initially filled from 1960 to 1973. This means that Powell is only 30 feet away from the point where Glenn Canyon Dam will no longer be able to generate hydropower. At that level, the Dam will also rely on backup drainage tubes to release water downstream.
Skwala And Fishpond Release New Film ‘The Duranglers’
Skwala and Fishpond, two of the biggest manufacturers in fly fishing, have teamed up with Cutbank Production House to produce a brand-new film, ‘The Duranglers.’ The film chronicles the history of one of fly fishing’s most important fly shops – Duranglers, in Durango, Colorado. Before 1983, Durango didn’t have a fly shop at all. That year, John Flick and Tom Knopick opened Duranglers on a shoestring, tying their own flies and building their own rods out of a basement.
Sage Releases New Signal Saltwater Rod
Sage rods, one of the most respected names in the industry, has just announced the release of a brand-new saltwater fly rod family, dubbed the Signal. Built on the company’s KonneticHD technology, the Signal is a fast-action rod that Sage says is “built around the idea that great saltwater fishing is all about reading signs; a tailing fish, a sudden V-wake, your guide’s hands tightening on the push pole.
Spey Nation Returns To New York’s Salmon River
Spey Nation is coming back to New York’s Salmon River, slated to run August 7 – 9. Spey Nation is put on by Swing the Fly, and it’s a three-day event dedicated to all things two-handed fishing. This three day gathering includes a Spey School, casting classes and a main event open to the public aimed at education and a sense of community for Spey casters and Spey anglers of all experience levels.
The Drift: Fighting The Crowds
A Thursday in late July shouldn’t be too crowded up in the high country, right? Even if there’s a paved road offering folks easy access to dozens of lakes, at least as many trailheads, and countless 4-wheel-drive trails? Even if it’s a bit crowded, the sheer number of places to fish and explore ought to spread the crowds out a bit – right? That was the gamble I took when heading out to fish last week.
Feds Announce New Colorado River Plan
The Bureau of Reclamation released its much-anticipated plan for managing the dwindling water within the Colorado River. The plan allows for Upper Basin states to voluntarily cut 200,000 acre-feet of water from their use, while Lower Basin states could see their usage cut by 3 million acre feet, through 2036. The plan is likely to be met with fierce opposition from Lower Basin states, although it’s unclear if they have an avenue to protest Reclamation’s decisions.
Northern Pike, Bass, Threatening Montana Fisheries
Northern pike, along with both small and largemouth bass, are posing a legitimate threat to some of Montana’s most storied trout fisheries. In a new report for NBC Montana, journalist Laurel Staples spoke with Montana fisheries managers to spread the word about the invasive fish threatening the Missouri and Yellowstone River basins. Northern pike were netted from a pond near Three Forks, which is where the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers converge to form the Missouri River.
The Drift: Bluegills And Snapping Turtles
No one believed me when I told them I’d hooked a snapping turtle while reeling in a palm-sized bluegill. You can’t blame them, since we were in Southern Utah – not exactly a hotspot for either species. This was a long time ago, during my first attempt to gain higher education. I was attending what was then Dixie State University (it has since been renamed Utah Tech) in St. George, Utah, where my parents had moved after spending most of their lives in the northern part of the state.
Fish Are Evolving Against Dams
New research from Nord University highlights what study authors describe as an argument that “fish are not just passive victims of environmental change but active participants in a feedback loop that can reshape entire river systems.” We already know that dams, hydropower generations, fish ladders, and other forms of diversions are causing rivers to change. Water temperatures get warmer more quickly, and staple insects like mayflies and stoneflies are in decline.
Fires, Drought, Put Fishing On Pause
Wildfires and a worsening drought have impacted fly anglers across the North American continent. With a record low snowpack in the West, and surging heat waves across the country, many areas are dealing with the impacts of this year’s extreme weather. In Wyoming, officials at Yellowstone National Park have ordered complete closures for the Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon Rivers. Previously, those rivers had been under hoot-owl restrictions had been in place.
The Drift: Banning Guides And Saving Fisheries
There’s a river in Wyoming that’s full of cutthroat trout, and of course they’re willing to rise to dry flies for most of the year. The river is easily accessed by a dirt road (although the road’s quality varies significantly year-to-year) and it’s also the only river I know of in Wyoming where any form of guided fishing is banned. No float trips, no walk-and-wade, nothing. This river isn’t far from the Snake or the Green – two rivers that see immense guiding pressure.
‘People Are Most Important’ – An Interview With New Winston Owner Lance Robertson
Lance Robertson has just a hint of a Texas accent—enough that he feels immediately welcoming and upbeat in the first moments of a conversation. As we spent the better part of an hour on the phone last week, it became apparent that’s exactly who Robertson is. In May, Robertson bought the R.L. Winston Rod Co. from David Ondaatje, who had owned the company since 1991. The ownership change took the fly fishing world by surprise, as Ondaatje didn’t make it publicly known he was looking to sell.
The Drift: Caddis Fever
Two big cutthroat finned just below the surface, snacking on a buffet of nymphs and emergers with the same carefree attitude of kids riding bikes down to the local ice cream shop. I don’t know if the cutthroat were actually giddy, but they ate in a way that convinces anglers fish have more sentience than they’re given credit for. The fish were picking their food seemingly at random, although I’m sure there was a method to their madness.
Trump Downsizes Grand Staircase, Bears Ears National Monuments
Mirroring actions taken in his first term, president Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that slashes the size of the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments, both of which are located in Utah. Both monuments are located in some of the country’s most stunning landscape, including high-alpine forests and red rock deserts. Both areas feature great hunting and fishing, as well as other recreation opportunities.
Gear Review: Loop Trak Fly Rod
Loop is a brand that’s not as familiar to American anglers because they’ve largely sold their gear in the European market. You could get their rods here in the States, but only at a handful of dealers. Now, the company offers direct-to-consumer access, and one of their latest entries into the field is the new Trak series of rods.
Lahontan Cutthroat Stocked In Lake Tahoe
Lahontan cutthroat trout are synonymous with Pyramid Lake in Nevada, the slightly salty body of freshwater that was home to the world-record cutthroat (a 41-pound fish caught in 1925), and more recently, plenty of fish tipping the scales past 20 pounds. But Pyramid Lake is only part of this fish’s native range. Historically, they were present in Lake Tahoe and the Truckee River, which connects Tahoe and Pyramid. Lahontan cutthroat were so large and plentiful in this area that John C.
The Drift: The Craziest Trout I’ve Ever Met
Alex Stulce and I launched the boat a bit after 9 a.m., slipping into a stretch of river that neither of us had ever fished before. It’s a piece of one of the West’s most famous fisheries, but there’s little-to-no information about this particular section online. As Alex observed, that’s either a good or bad thing. It’s not often that I go into a day of fishing – especially when I’m in the drift boat – completely blind.
Riversmith Gear Roll: A Long Haul Review
Long Haul Reviews exist to answer the one question everyone has when buying new gear: sure, this might be good – but how well does it hold up over time? In this review, we’re looking at one of the surprisingly best pieces of gear I’ve ever used – the Riversmith Gear Roll. The Riversmith Gear Roll is an all-in-one pack for your waders, boots, net, rods, reels, fly boxes, and just about anything else you need for a day on the water.
Gold Mine Wins Permit To Explore In Blackfoot River Headwaters
The Big Blackfoot River is one of the most famous in all of fly fishing, thanks to Norman MacLean’s A River Runs Through It. It’s also at the center of a new controversy over mining and data centers in the west. Earlier this month, Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) approved a permit for an Australian mining company to explore deposits in the headwaters of the Big Blackfoot River.
Are Waders Worth The Cost?
If you ever want to get into an online argument, you don’t need to bring up politics or religion. Just start offering your opinion on waders, and folks will come out of the woodwork to call you everything from a corporate shill to completely unhinged. Honestly, it’s surprising how folks have such strong opinions about waders. Not that I blame them—we’re talking about a piece of gear that’s not cheap, and that will fail eventually.
The Drift: Just A Few Fish
Ten years ago, we used to leave the house at 3 a.m. and drive nearly five hours, just to get on the water at 8 a.m. We’d fish until 8 or 9 p.m., then hit the road for the five hour drive back home. Usually, by the time I unloaded gear, wound down, and finally got into bed, it’d be 3 a.m. again. A full 24-hour run with plenty of time spent in the truck, but just enough time on the water to make all the driving feel worth it.
TU Announces Montana Adventure Sweepstakes
Trout Unlimited has partnered with Linehan Outfitters, Orvis, Hardy, Sage, Simms, and Fishpond to offer one of the more impressive sweepstakes in recent memories. As with anything TU pushes, the goal is conservation of coldwater fisheries across North America. There is no donation required to enter the sweepstakes, and a donation won’t increase your chances of winning. However, TU hopes the sheer number of prizes offered will encourage folks to add a donation when entering to win.
Congressional Takeover Of Grand Staircase Fails
An attempt by Senator Mike Lee and Representative Celeste Maloy—both Republicans from Utah—to give Congress complete decision-making power over Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument has failed. Lee and Maloy attempted to use a little-known tool called the Congressional Review Act (CRA) that would have given Congress the ability to make rules and control the operations of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
The Drift: I Wasn’t Ready For The Salt
The swell bobbed our skiff in a consistent rhythm, and the only thing that kept me awake was the occasional larger wave that sprayed over the gunwales. We’d awoken early, downed either Diet Coke or Red Bull, and left the relative safety of the backcountry for the oceanside flats of the Florida Keys. Unlike all the Instagram reels and YouTube videos I watched in anticipation of this trip, we didn’t have glassy water and no other boats on the horizon.
Legislation To Invest Billions in National Parks Introduced in House
Jared Huffman, a democrat House representative from California, has introduced legislation alongside republican Bruce Westerman, from Arkansas, that would invest $1.9 billion annually in national parks, public lands, and Bureau of Indian Education facilities over the next five years.
Mike Lee Preparing Legislation To End Roadless Rule
The Roadless Rule – a statute enacted in 2001 that bars the creation of roads and commodity logging in 58 million acres of national forests – has been on the chopping block for nearly a year, when Department of Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins officially announced her agency’s desire to rescind the rule. While that rule rescission is still pending, Utah senator Mike Lee, a Republican, is planning to introduce legislation that would end the Roadless Rule, according to Politico.
Big Hole River Trout Populations Improving
The Big Hole River in Montana is one of fly fishing’s most cherished rivers. That made the news of tanking trout populations in recent years a notable headline, even for those who don’t live near the river. Understanding the significance of the fishery both to the local economy in southwest Montana, and to Montana as a whole, recent work has been undertaken to understand why trout are suffering throughout the Big Hole and other Jefferson River Basin streams.
Utah senator Mike Lee and representative Celeste Maloy, both Republicans, are pushing for congress to vote on changes to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). If leadership agrees to hear their argument, a vote could happen as early as next week. This is the same mechanism that was just used to overturn protections for the Boundary Waters in Minnesota, allowing mining to occur in an area where that activity has strictly been off-limits.
Should You Quit Nymphing?
One guide on the Missouri River has completely stopped fishing nymphs with clients in his boat. Not because he thinks dry flies are morally superior. Not because there’s something inherently “wrong” with nymphing. But because, as he told the folks over at Skwala, “I no longer wanted to fish for people. I did not want to be the guide that facilitates catching through non-action.” Mark Raisler is a co-founder of Headhunters Fly Shop, and one of the best guides on the Missouri near Craig.
The Drift: Chasing Perfection
Runoff finally started almost a month later than normal. With no snow down low to melt, we had to wait for what little was up high to make its way down into the canyons and valleys, muddying up the water and turning my local creek into a roiling mess. It’s fishable at these flows —a heavy nymph rig tossed near the edges usually produces a few trout—but the sight of brown water and rapids where there’s normally gentle runs turned me off the creek. I wanted clear water and fish rising to dry flies.
How Much Does Fly Line Matter?
There’s a sentiment you’ll find on fishing forums, in club meetings, at fly shops—basically, anywhere that fly anglers gather. Some newcomers to the sport will ask questions about improving their fly rod setup, and at least one person will say, “Don’t worry about the rod, just buy good line. That makes all the difference.” I bought into that theory wholeheartedly the first time I heard it. That I kept hearing it only reinforced its supposed veracity.
The Drift: Saying Goodbye
There’s a creek about a half-hour from my house. It’s not the kind of fishery you’d ever plan a trip around, but it has tons of browns and rainbows that are happy to eat a well-presented fly. Most of the fish are 10-13 inches long, but the rainbows get deep bellies, and I’ve spooked a few nice browns. It’s the sort of creek that’s dependable, but not easy, so you never feel like you have it quite figured out.
Group Sues For Corner Crossing In Montana
Two conservation groups – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) and Public Land & Water Access Association Partners (PLWA) – announced a lawsuit against Montana to legalize corner crossing in that state. If successful, the lawsuit would “cement the legality of corner crossing in Montana.” Corner crossing is the act of moving from one corner of public land to another, while the land on the other sides of the corner is private.
The Best Trout Streamer Rods Of 2026
All products featured on Flylords are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. I’m not the biggest streamer junkie out there, but it’s hard to beat a great day of slinging big bugs from the boat, especially if you’re doing it somewhere like the Green River in Utah, where the water’s clear enough to watch fish slam your streamers from 50 feet away.
The Drift: Saving It For Next Year
There’s this river a couple hours from home that runs mostly on private land, is lousy with grizzly bears, and is the worst river to wade in the West. It’s like walking on bowling balls while someone greased up your boots, and you’ve got a serious amount of ice-cold water trying to take you for a swim. Going there is an all-day adventure, since you have to hike around one enormous ranch to access the public land. But it’s the prettiest river I’ve ever fished.
BLM Rescinds Public Lands Rule
In a decision long seen coming, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rescinded the “public lands rule,” which formally recognized conservation as one of the many uses of land the BLM should manage its holdings for. That meant not using, or developing, land for energy or leasing it for grazing, was as justifiable a decision as putting up a parcel or oil and gas auctions.
Maine Fly Fishing Only Law Challenged In Supreme Court
Maine’s supreme court has agreed to hear challenges against the state’s fly fishing only regulations, which were the subject of a recent lawsuit. Plaintiffs who want the fly fishing only regulations overturned succeeded in appealing a lower court ruling that sided with keeping the state’s current regulations in place.
The Drift: Thankful For Muddy Water
There’s this frenzied energy in the air, this mad dash in trout towns all over the country – get to the rivers, and fish them hard, before runoff hits and we’re confined to lakes until the end of June. Usually, this is right about when that fervor hits its peak. The Mother’s Day Caddis Hatch is the unofficial kickoff of the best of pre-runoff fishing, when every day might be your last on the creek for as long as a month, depending on how the snow melts.
Own a Piece of Fly Fishing History in Project Healing Waters Popovics Memorial Auction
Project Healing Waters (PHW) has teamed up with the family of legendary saltwater fly tier Bob Popovics for a memorial auction. The auction’s proceeds will benefit PHW’s mission of supporting veterans through fly fishing. The auction starts May 11 at 10am Eastern, and will close on May 16 at 10pm Eastern. All auction items are available to view online. PHW writes that this auction is a great way to support both Popovics’ legacy, and the mission of PHW that Popovics believed in.
The PFAS Scare in Montana
Recent reporting emerging from Montana Public Broadcasting and other outlets has raised alarm bells for those concerned about PFAS contamination in both waterways and fish throughout the state. Montana PBS also raised evidence that officials within Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks (FWP) suppressed a report about PFAS contamination since 2024, even though it showed conclusive evidence of those chemicals in fish throughout some of the state’s most popular fisheries.
The Drift: Is Fly Fishing Too Luxurious These Days?
A few headlines this past week grabbed my attention, and not in the best way. The first was someone’s response to the new TV show “The Madison,” another entry from Taylor Sheridan (creator of “Yellowstone”). The author said that his wife finally understands why he fly fishes, after she watched that show, which stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell. It’s set on the Madison River in Montana.
Gear Review: Winston Air 2 5-Piece
Winston’s Air 2 fly rod might be the best the company’s ever built, which is saying something with their pedigree of fantastic trout sticks. The Air 2 is a great blend of power, finesse, control, and just plain fun. So, when they announced a 5-piece version of this flagship, I was surprised and anxious. Winston’s previous 5-piece rods, the LT series, were good. They still sell for a decent price on the used market, but they’re not as beloved as two-piece IM6 rods, or even some B3x models.
No Hearings Held On Roadless Rule Repeal
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is moving ahead on its attempt to repeal the Roadless Rule. However, unlike other rule changes—and even the rule’s implementation in 2001—the Forest Service isn’t holding any public meetings about this monumental shift in forest management. The Roadless Rule was adopted in 2001 to protect certain areas of forests from any road construction or commodity logging.
The Drift: The Current State Of Fly Fishing Guides
In certain circles, it feels in vogue to criticize the way fly fishing guides go about their business. Just like with any profession, if you’re looking for things to poke at, you’ll find them. Dirty trucks, flat-brimmed hats, an undying love for indicator rigs, and a tendency to overwork the same stretches of river might be legitimate complaints of some guides. I’ve done my fair share of whining about it all, too.
Umpqua Releases Link Pack, Accessories
Umpqua Feather Merchants have dropped a new line of packs and accessories built around magnetic technology that allows for easy swapping of different accessories. Link accessories can work with any pack, vest, webbing, or shirt tab, but they’re specifically designed to work best with Umpqua’s Swiftlink Packs. The Link system uses a magnetic base station, and from there, different attachments are secured via directionally-released magnets.
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