Featured Angler: Tyson Chavis (@Leave_No_Trvce) on Fly Fishing, Steelhead, and Death Metal

The Fly Box LLC
Feb 12, 2025
5 min read

This interview was conducted by The Fly Box and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter.

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Introduction

Fly fishing is more than just a sport—it’s a lifelong pursuit of adventure, patience, and discovery. Few embody that journey as uniquely as Tyson Chavis, known online as @Leave_No_Trvce. Growing up in Idaho, Tyson’s love for the outdoors was fostered by his grandfather and later evolved into a full-blown obsession with fly fishing.

From winter days on the Snake River to landing his first steelhead, Tyson’s story is one of passion, persistence, and an unexpected fusion of fly fishing and heavy music. We caught up with Tyson to talk about his journey, his most unforgettable fishing moments, and how he’s carving out his own niche in the fly fishing community.

Getting Hooked: The Beginning of the Journey

Growing up in Pocatello, Idaho, Tyson’s first introduction to fishing came from his grandfather, who taught him how to spin fish for bass, bluegill, walleye, and trout. Weekend trips to Preston, Idaho, were a staple of his childhood, but over time, the thrill of spin fishing began to fade. By 2021, Tyson found himself longing for something more technical and engaging.

That same year, two close friends convinced him to try winter fly fishing on the Snake River. Armed with borrowed gear and no experience, he set out in below-freezing temperatures, battling wind and snow. Within an hour, he had lost three fish—but managed to land one of the biggest rainbow trout he had ever caught.

“From that day forward, I knew I had to keep pursuing fish on the fly,” Tyson recalls. “What I didn’t expect was that it would turn into a full-blown obsession.”

Since then, he has traded nightcrawlers and Panther Martins for dry flies and spey rods, continuously pushing himself to master new techniques. His love for fly fishing is fueled by conservation, the challenge of unlocking new waters, and the ever-evolving puzzle of catching fish on the fly.

Unforgettable Fishing Adventures

Among all his fishing experiences, Tyson’s most memorable catch was his first steelhead—a fish that tested his patience and determination.

After months of failed attempts on the Salmon River, he decided to take advantage of Idaho Fish & Game’s annual steelhead stocking in the Boise River. Setting out alone in 5 AM darkness, he found himself shoulder-to-shoulder with other anglers. The first few hours were fruitless, but then it happened—on a perfectly placed swing with a purple/black/orange Popsicle streamer, Tyson felt a massive strike.

“I set the hook, and the battle was on,” he described. “I had no idea what I was in for.”

Under-gunned with a 6-weight rod, he fought the fish through heavy current for over 15 minutes, with fellow anglers coaching him from the riverbank. Against all odds, he managed to land a 33-inch steelhead, the biggest fish he had ever caught. The moment was surreal—after miles of wading and hours of casting, everything had finally come together.

“Looking back, I’m still stunned I landed that fish,” Tyson said. “That experience sealed my love for swinging flies.”

As for dream destinations? Steelhead waters in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska are at the top of his list.

The Fusion of Fly Fishing & Content Creation

Tyson’s journey into content creation was sparked by two things: a passion for visual media and music and the desire to document his experiences on the water. Inspired by creators like Flyfishdelewhere, Bulletproof Bugs, and Very Good Fly Fishing, he started sharing his fly fishing adventures on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

His brand, Leave No Trvce, is built around his core values of outdoor conservation, adventure, and a deep love for fly fishing. While his content is still evolving, he hopes to inspire others to get out and explore.

“I love to create. I love to fly fish. Doing both at the same time is a really fulfilling pursuit,” Tyson says. “I want to bring more conservation awareness into my content while keeping it engaging for my audience.”

Balancing fishing with filming is a challenge, but he’s working on finding the right mix. “I’m probably just as chronically online as I am on the water,” he jokes.

The Future of Leave No Trvce

Looking ahead, Tyson has big plans for Leave No Trvce. One of his most exciting projects is building his first custom fly rod—from scratch—completely themed around death metal.

“I grew up playing guitar in bands and listening to hardcore, death metal, thrash, and slam,” he explains. “I figured, why not mix my two biggest passions together?”

In addition to the death metal fly rod, he’s also looking to expand into long-form video content, collaborations with fly shops, and more conservation-focused storytelling. He’s open to working with other creators and hopes to bring a fresh, unique voice to the fly fishing space.

Advice for Aspiring Anglers

For those just starting their fly fishing journey, Tyson offers this advice:

Pick up a fly rod sooner. “I wish I had started fly fishing years earlier. I missed out on so much.”
Stick with it. “Fly fishing can be frustrating at first, but the learning curve is part of what makes it so rewarding.”
Explore and experiment. “Don’t just stick to one style—try nymphing, swinging flies, and throwing dries. Each one will make you a better angler.”
Respect the waters. “Conservation is key. Always leave the places you fish better than you found them.”

Where to Follow Tyson

Want to follow Tyson’s journey? Keep up with him on:

TikTok: @leave_no_trvce
Instagram: @leave_no_trvce
YouTube: @LeaveNoTrvce

One of his most anticipated upcoming projects? Showcasing his death metal fly rod in action—a project he’s aiming to release this spring.

Final Thoughts

Tyson Chavis is forging his own path in fly fishing, blending his passion for the sport with music, conservation, and creative storytelling. Whether he’s chasing steelhead, exploring Idaho’s wild rivers, or crafting his own custom gear, his journey is one that speaks to every angler who finds themselves hooked on the thrill of the cast. With big plans ahead, Tyson is definitely an angler to watch.

This interview was conducted by The Fly Box and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter.