"I get a special satisfaction out of creating a fly, fishing it and finding out it works really well."
-Ken Morrish
Today’s guest, Ken Morrish, has wored within the fly fishing industry for the past 30 years and has contributed more than we might ever fully undestand. Kenny has designed many functional and effective fly patterns for trout and steelhead and his photographic contributions have inspired not only fly fisherman but non anglers as well.
Kenny started out as guide in Alaska, Oregon, and California and has, quite simply, done it all. He has taught fly fishing, managed fly shops, and is widely known as a fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants. He has come up with patterns like the Morrish Hopper, the Morrish Mouse and the Anato-May amongst many others. Kenny’s writing and photography has appeared in magazines like Outside, Fly Fisherman, Fly Rod and Reel and Northwest Fly Fishing and many other popular publications.
Ken’s images have also appeared in dozens of books including Lani Waller’s A Steelheader’s Way.
In 1999 Ken started Fly Water Travel, a fly fishing travel company specializing in international angling destinations. Ken runs the company with his business partner Brian Gies and serves as their, primary photographer and catalog copywriter. Ken is also a dedicated environmentalist who primary focus is on the cold water fisheries of the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. Ken lives in Ashland Oregon with his wife Mia and his children Max and Lilli.
Show Notes:
Kenny's flies we discussed on the episode.
- Morrish Hopper
- Morrish Mouse v1.0
- Morrish Pick Pocket
- Morrish Anato-May
Reno Fly Shop's hosted trip to Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati - April 16-25, 2018
Call for more details or send an email to jim@renoflyshop.com
- Bonefish from Kiritimati
Links to more information about the trip:
Fly Fishing Christmas Island with Fly Water Travel
Great article on Fly Fishing Christmas Island from Dylan Rose, Fly Water Travel
Reno Fly Shop's hosted trip to Agua Negra, Tsimane, Bolivia - September 9-16
Call for more details or send an email to jim@renoflyshop.com
- Golden Dorado
Links to more information on the trip:
Fly Fishing Tsimane, Bolivia - an article by Ken Morrish
- Tsimane Bolivia
"Fly fishing and art are the two perfect ways to go through life. There are limitless opportunities for learning and pushing yourself."
-Sarah Landström
If describing a hard charging angler, grad student in the fine arts and conservationist doesn't automatically sync in your minds eye then get ready for this episodes guest. Sarah Landström is all of those things and more. Originating in Michigan Sarah migrated to Helena, Montana in search of the refreshing air and a change of scenery. Once there she was exposed to two things somewhat simultaneously that changed her life, fly fishing and her natural talent as a painter and fine artist.
It didn't take Sarah long to direct her focus to combine these two interests and they have led her all over the country chasing fish, creating fine art and forwarding conservation issues to protect the critical environments she enjoys so much. Along the way she solicited a mentorship with none other than the famous fly fishing artist Derek DeYoung. Derek was able to show Sarah ropes of excelling in the fly fishing industry and channeling her energies into a much wider audience.
Sarah now calls San Francisco home while spending time as a Masters of Fine Art candidate at The California College of the Arts and part time work as staff at Lost Coast Outfitters a great independent fly shop in the City. She gains much of her current artistic inspiration from frequent road trips up the California coast for steelhead, high in the Sierras for wild trout and the desert to visit Pyramid Lake.
Sarah's bio on her website:
Sarah Landström is an energetic 23 year old artist who studied classical painting at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and is currently a Masters of Fine Art candidate at The California College of the Arts. Sarah’s practice heavily revolves around her development as a conservationist and angler. Moving from Alaskan rivers to rural Ireland, Sarah has collected and expressed her experiences through referential palettes and subject matter in large scale paintings. Because these delicate landscapes are easily influenced by ill-equipped policy and greed, Sarah hopes her work will encourage her audience to educate themselves on local waters and the environmental pressures they face.
Show Notes:
