Hey folks , I want you to check out this pair LOTFO Ambassadors, husband and wife duo and partners in crime. Terry & Angela Edelmann. They hail from Coeur D’Alene Idaho. Where these two are putting the hurt on the local fish. Terry is a Commercial tyer, author, guide, & editor of fisheadsfliesnlore a great online information pipeline for all things fly fishing. Angela is a amateur photographer and a pretty damn good angler.
Angela and Terry have a guide service that caters to anglers on the fly, both in Idaho for trout and Steelhead in Washington. If your looking to travel that way or looking for some great hand tied flies. Check out Terry & Angela’s site fisheadsfliesnlore . Check out Life On The Fly ‘s other ambassadors or our destinations. www.lifeontheflyltd.com
Mike Rice is a New England Native, who has lead lives as a former cop, Chuck Norris stunt double, commercial fly tyer, surf fisherman & die hard Chicago Bears fan. Referred to by his friends as “Dog” , He is as unique as his flies that are tied. Each material for each fly is hand selected up to 3 times, to insure that you get a quality fly.
Mike specializes in North-East & South-East Saltwater flies: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Bluefin Tuna, Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Mahi Mahi, Cobia, Shark & Bonefish. Cap Cod and Marthas Vineyard are his home waters, so you might see “Dog” bombing out 60ft casts with a laundry basket tied to his waste, make sure you stop and say hello…..
Feel free to visit Mike’s site at Mud Dog Flies to learn more about him and purchase his flies. Visit the about section of LOTFO to view more of the LOTFO Ambassadors or our destinations.
This January I will be visiting Cinco Rios Lodge in Aysen Region of Chile. Cinco Rios Lodge is located near the quaint South American city of Coyhaique, Chile. which is about a 3hr flight south from Santiago. The main lodge is located on the banks of the Rio Simpson. Which is the home of Southern Chile’s most pristine trout water. From experienced guides who grew up in the valley to US born and Chilean trained guides this lodge will be sure to exceed your needs, for the novice and veteran anglers alike.
Each day you are transported to the river via 4×4 vehicles to experience a different stretch of water each day. Such as; Rio La Paloma, upper ,middle & lower Simpson; including rios Minhuales & Aysen; lagos and boca of the Azul, Desierto, Elizalde, Frio, Castor & Pollux. Guides generally will offer two-days of fishing by jet boat, two-days wadding, and two-days by drift boat.
If this sounds like a true adventure that you would like to be part of please don’t hesitate to contact us. Remember wether you book direct or with Life On The Fly our services don’t cost you a dime!!
Life On The Fly Outfitters, not only provides adventurous anglers, trips to the best fly fishing destinations on the planet. We also provide , a place for hardcore anglers on the fly, to share their passion of their own endeavors. This week we would like to introduce, Benjamin Rioux from Fort Kent, Maine. Ben writes the blog Up’ North Maine Fly Castings, which is a look into his adventures, some great pictures from the beautiful state which he lives, Industry news & some great thoughts from the boss himself. Ben is an avid Hunter, Photographer, Fly Angler & Writer. He is the true definition of an angler on the fly and that is why he is a Life On The Fly Ambassador.
The weather was typical for a late March in the Caribbean, sunny, mid 90’s, wind and plenty of it. The moon phase, wind speed, direction & tide all dictate the outcome of your fishing day in these parts of the world. After spending the last 10 days on beautiful Ambergis Caye chasing the elusive ghost of the flats, the Bonefish, enticing Snook out of the mangroves and casting countless times to tailing Permit on the fly. My journey has come to a end, I look back on my experiences which made me think that not only is Belize a world class destination for fly anglers, but the locals are just as unique as the flats we fish. During my stay I encountered a few Belizean locals that helped me realize that there is more to a destination than ripping lips and drinking the local beer. (Although I do love the local beer!)
The first leg of my trip I was lucky enough to fish with the guide who guided me during my first stay in San Pedro, a few years back. A native from the mainland of Belize. Neftali “ Tayo” Verde, is a young 25 year old who who came from a commercial fishing background in his home town of Sarteneja, Belize. The towns name comes from a Mayan word meaning “taking water from the rock”. Sarteneja is a northern mainland village of 2,500 which is situated on ancient Mayan wells that were drilled through the local bedrock. Sarteneja is also home to some great boat builders who’s products are use throughout the mainland and outer islands.
Fishing again with Tayo brought back many memories from my earlier experience in San Pedro, both good and bad. We seemed to pickup right were we left off. ie Tayo yelling out clock positions and distance, and me trying to see the cruising Permit from 200 feet away. Although the fishing is the main reason we travel, getting to know a local guide has so much to offer an angler wanting to know more about the destinations culture, history and local food spots, which is a big plus! After a few days of catching Snook and Bonefish( do I have to remind you of just casting to Permit) we decided to have our families meet up for dinner at one of the local restaurants, Mickey’s which happens to be the oldest restaurant in San Pedro. As we had a chance for us to share stories over a few Belkins (the local Beer) and great local food. We got to hear stories about the Tayo and his wife Alizani’s life in their village, Mayan culture and how fishing for the people of their little village is not just a sport, but a way of life. Few guides in San Pedro have come from a commercial fishing background, a majority have it in their bloodline. ie. Fathers, Uncles, Brothers all have guided on these flats and the newest edition is trying to prove to the rest he can do it as well. As the week moved on, sun blisters began to heal and the tide was right to land a few more hearty bonefish. Since Tayo comes from a commercial fishing background, catching fish was a way to provide for their families, if they didn’t catch fish, they didn’t get paid and there would be no food for the table that night. It was about survival rather then sport, its weird to think a sport for us is a matter of survival for others. Lesson learned.
Tayo
Although the locals are unique I realize traveling to these destinations on the fly is not all about standing on the front of a skiff and slathering sunblock on raw areas. It’s about the full experience and getting to know the people who live there or you will miss it (snap) just like that if you don’t slow down during all the hustle and bustle.
During a day off I stopped to eat lunch at a local restaurant just off middle street. With outdoor seating being limited I ask a gentleman if I can sit at his table. Glaring in the sun I try to focus on the conversation and It wasn’t long before he began to talk, and sharing his “story”, how he wound up here rather then Phoenix with the other snow birds. He was a New Orleans native, with a gulf coastal mouth that hasn’t left yet. Called Brother John by the locals, who retired in San Pedro 13 years ago. After hearing from a friend whose wife died and came to the island on vacation and never left. Well, 30 years later Brother John did just this. Sharing his daily life and how on Wednesdays he gets together with his local friends for dinner. He said something to me that stuck in my mind, he told me he “never saw a set of eyes he didn’t trust”. I think as an angler who travels to a 3rd world destination, this is a phrase of hope or comfort for his/her wellbeing. To not see a set of eyes he didn’t trust is a huge comment to make, I mean I cant even say this about people on my block let alone a whole state. The man and I sat and talked for almost and 2 hours, sharing quickly his true love affair for the island and its people. It’s not just one thing really, it’s a beautiful combination of people, scenery, food, nationalities, fishing and all the stories woven in between this mesh of life. Lesson learned, Vacation is another’s home.
Later that week, I had gone to pic up some food from another diamond in the ruff Vern’s, a local Garifuna restaurant ,no bigger then a bus stop, on the north side of town. Keeping in mind my dealing in the past with locals, she invited me into your little kitchen and another lesson was soon about to be learned.
This past weekend, my fishing partner and I had a chance to fish the Muskegon River with Local Artist, Brother in Christ and Guide Matt Zudweg. A family man who loves his job and the people he meets, Matt is sure to make your experience enjoyable a day on the river and he is a great cook. My buddy John and I have been looking forward to this trip for a month and the time had finally come, after eating White Castles and a few wrong turns we arrive in Newyago, MI and overnight at the Riverside Resort a log cabin style lodge with a laid back country decor to match the unique owner Candy we had no idea what the next day would bring.
That next morning, 6:45am on the dot, we were greeted by Matt , he loaded up our rods and headed to the put -in. The Muskegon River is a wide western style river with a classic river, run pool set up. 60 miles to Lake Michigan, the Muskegon is home to some of the finest Michigan fishing all year round. Trout in the spring, Bass in the summer and Lake run Browns, Kings and Rainbows (Steelhead) in the fall and winter. Being a seasoned angler, I had no clue what it was like catch a Steelhead on a swung fly, let alone catch a Steelhead.
The sun barely came up that day, with a whopping 40 degrees in the air, it was sure going to be a long day. Not phased by the temperature, Matt began to set us up with a spey rod and rig designed for the Muskegon and swinging large flies. Due to the water level being low, we stuck to deeper pools that would carry fish and concentrated on working the pool throughly and efficient to have an opportunity to catch a Steelhead. Matt seemed to know exactly the point when the fish would strike, when it was best to leave your flies hang for a bit and exactly how the fish would take the fly. (WARNING: IF YOU HAVENT CAUGHT A STEELHEAD LET ALONE ON A SWUNG FLY , THIS IS A MUST.) Working our way down a few pools, I hear Matt say “Where are you Mr. Steelhead?” and a chuckle to follow. We work our way down the Mighty Muskegon and sit on a hole, and within 15 minutes, the fight was on. Matt must of made a phone call to Mr. Steelhead that morning.
Mr. Steelhead
Swinging a fly for Steelhead and catching my first Steelhead was an experience I will never forget. The classic take described by Matt, not to set the hook at first bite, and that you will know when the fish in hooked 100%. Makes me want to relieve that feeling again, along with having Matt’s Steak Sandwich and Grilled Pineapple Riverside. More in on Matt or my trip please feel free to visit the following links.
Life On The Fly Outfitters, Ltd. is announcing the LOTFO Ambassador Program, We are seeking Fly Bums, Tying Junkies, Steelhead Freaks.. all of the angler on the fly sort. We will review resumes, blogs, websites, guide info.. and chose Ambassadors of LOTFO.
We are a Full Service Travel Destination Company dedicated to arrange and provide, unique of the grid trips for anglers on the fly. LOTFO is for anglers who want to experience a trip like no other.
Our Mission
To provide adventurous anglers with trips to the best fly fishing destinations on the planet.
Vision Statement
Life On The Fly Outfitters, Ltd. is a focused travel company, specializing in fly fishing for the adventurous angler. We arrange and host trips to world class fly fishing destinations and strive to provide the best customer service possible. We have an in-depth knowledge of the regions and lodges that we represent, and we focus on quality over quantity. Your time is important to us. In order to ensure stress-free trips, we handle all of your flight arrangements and layover accommodations. Here at LOTFO we understand how precious our natural resources are and we do all we can to protect and preserve the environment. We treat the waters we fish and the fish we catch with the utmost care and respect.
Our Pledge
-To keep our waterways clean
– To catch and release each fish with care
– To support conservation groups within our sport
– To promote fly fishing to all age groups
-To Give back to the community of anglers
If this is something you may be interested, Email us at or check us out on the web or Facebook.
Hey Folks check out the way the east coast does it with this fresh and upbeat blog. Fly Fishing lifestyle meets a artistic edge. Steve Straq Outdoor Industry Pro, has got it going on, while he keeps you up to speed of industry conservation news. Way Up Stream <~~~~ Check it out!!!!
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