Featured Angler: Chase Coyle Of Slayfest Fishing Co.

Kevin Wolfe
Feb 3, 2025
4 min read

I had the chance to catch up with Chase Coyle, the founder of Slayfest Fishing Co., a brand that embraces the philosophy that “Fishing is Fishing.” Chase’s approach to the sport is refreshingly untraditional, focusing on the fun and adventure of fishing rather than the rigid expectations that often come with certain styles of angling. His brand has carved out a unique space in the fishing world, resonating with those who simply love being on the water—no matter how they choose to fish. Here’s a look at Chase’s journey, his creative process, and the vision behind Slayfest Fishing Co.

The product photos shown throughout this article can be purchased at his website: Slayfest Fishing Co.

Breaking the Mold: The Philosophy Behind Slayfest Fishing Co.

Slayfest Fishing Co. was born from Chase’s own experience of diving into fly fishing while feeling like he didn’t quite fit the traditional mold of the sport. A lifelong angler, he found himself drawn to fly fishing but felt that his approach and personality didn’t always align with the more conventional aspects of the community. He wasn’t afraid to pick up a spinning rod when needed and didn’t see the point in drawing hard lines between different fishing styles.

That mindset became the foundation of Slayfest’s philosophy: fishing is fishing. Chase believes that at the end of the day, everyone is out there for the same reason—to catch fish and have a good time. It doesn’t matter if you’re swinging flies for steelhead, throwing poppers for bass, or trolling for salmon. He’s open-minded about it all "except maybe Euro nymphing—kidding, of course."

Honestly, I love this outlook. There’s too much gatekeeping in fishing, especially in fly fishing, and Chase’s philosophy is a refreshing reminder that we’re all just out there to enjoy the water.

Building a Brand from the Ground Up

Slayfest Fishing Co. started as a side project while Chase was in college, taking freelance product photos for other fishing brands. Stickers were a common product he shot, and he realized he could design and sell his own. What began as a small experiment snowballed into something much bigger.

At first, it was all about gaining experience in business, marketing, and content creation. Now, Slayfest is filling a niche that Chase saw missing in the industry—a brand that speaks to the nontraditional angler. Instead of showcasing just the most skilled fly fishers, he focuses on documenting the journey. His products reflect that laid-back, adventurous attitude, bringing humor and relatability into the mix.

Making a Statement with Stickers & Apparel

Slayfest’s products have gained traction, especially in Southern Oregon and Montana—two regions that have deeply influenced Chase’s fishing style. His designs stand out because they bridge the gap between gear-focused salmon and steelhead anglers from Oregon and Montana’s deep-rooted fly fishing culture.

But for Chase, it’s not just about selling hats and stickers. The storytelling behind Slayfest is what drives him. His brand documents the highs and lows of fishing—learning new techniques, exploring new waters, and chasing different species. His content isn’t polished to perfection, and that’s exactly the point. It’s real, honest, and captures the trial-and-error journey that most anglers can relate to.

The Creative Process Behind Slayfest’s Gear

Coming up with new designs is a mix of creativity and practicality. Most ideas start as a rough sketch on paper before being digitized and refined. But launching new apparel takes more than just a cool design—it’s a process of research, planning, and budgeting to make sure each piece is worth producing.

It’s clear that Chase approaches Slayfest with a mix of artistic creativity and entrepreneurial strategy, making sure his brand stays authentic while still growing in the right direction.

Community, Content & Staying Authentic

If you follow Slayfest on Instagram or YouTube, you’ll notice right away that Chase isn’t trying to be anyone but himself. He engages with his audience but also stays true to his own creative instincts.

He believes there’s a balance between taking community feedback and following your own path. “If you only do what’s popular, you might grow quickly, but you lose some authenticity,” he explains. Instead, he focuses on experimenting with content and letting the brand evolve naturally.

I think this is something a lot of brands in the fishing world could learn from. Too often, companies chase trends rather than creating something that truly reflects their own vision. Slayfest stands out because it’s built on a genuine love for fishing and the community around it.

Exploring Oregon & Montana: Fishing That Inspires

Chase has fished in both Southern Oregon and Montana, and while Montana’s small streams and creeks hold a special place in his heart, moving back to Oregon has been a learning curve. He’s currently in the process of rediscovering his home waters, figuring out the best ways to chase fish in the region. His recent steelhead trips have been full of skunks, but he’s embracing the process.

Montana, however, played a pivotal role in Slayfest’s origins. Chase says without his time in the Big Sky state, Slayfest wouldn’t exist. The challenge of learning to fly fish there became a key part of his story, and his “Chasing Water” series documents that progression.

The Fly That Started It All

Ask any fly angler about their confidence fly, and they’ll have an answer immediately. For Chase, it’s the Red Copper John. It’s his go-to fly, though surprisingly, he’s never featured it in a YouTube or Instagram reel. That might have to change soon.

What’s Next for Slayfest?

Slayfest has been growing steadily, and Chase has big plans for 2025. His summer hoodie and t-shirt drops were a success, and now he’s working on new fly designs. He also has a full lineup of trips and video projects in the works—including (hopefully) hooking into his first steelhead on the fly.

More than anything, Chase wants Slayfest to continue representing the nontraditional angler—the ones who crack open a beer, cast their line, and don’t worry too much about what gear they’re using. Fishing should be fun, and Slayfest is a reminder of that.