Shakedown Stream: Where the Grateful Dead Meets the River
- The Fly Box LLC
- Aug 28, 2025
- 5 min read
This interview was conducted by The Fly Box and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter.
Casts That Care brings you real stories, big ideas, and the heart of the fly fishing world — all while donating 50% of subscriber fees to a different fly fishing charity each month.
Subscribe today and use promo code: SHAKEDOWN15 at checkout for 15% off your first month, and we’ll donate 25% more to our charity of the month
From South Carolina Shores to Montana Rivers
For Dylan Creech, fly fishing didn’t start in childhood, it began with a cross-country move and a cheap Amazon starter kit.
“I didn’t start fly fishing until my wife and I decided to move from Charlotte, NC, to Helena, Montana in late November of 2022,” Dylan says. Growing up in South Carolina, fishing meant piers and beaches with his grandpa, dad, and brothers. No one in his circle fly fished, so the idea didn’t click until his mid-20s.
Outdoor passions like mountain biking and climbing opened the door, but it was that first Montana spring that pulled him in. “I rigged up that cheap outfit and quickly fell in love with the sport. I’m the kind of guy who will do something relentlessly if I enjoy it, so it quickly consumed most of my free time.”
That obsession, mixed with a big move, leading to new outdoor passions, and diving into something headfirst, is a familiar story for so many who find fly fishing later in life. It proves there isn’t just one path into this world; sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery and a bit of curiosity to ignite something bigger than expected.
The First Fish (and the Tug That Stuck)
Dylan’s first catch on the fly was a small brook trout from a pond outside Helena. “I still had no idea what I was doing… but that first fish reminded me how much I enjoyed fishing and definitely confirmed my interest in fly fishing.”
Weeks later, after countless YouTube videos, dumb questions at the fly shop, and hours of flailing casts, he landed his first trout in moving water. The real breakthrough came on the Missouri River in November 2023.
“It was a nice-sized rainbow, about 18 inches, that I hooked on a white woolly bugger. That was a huge moment for me… The tug was, in fact, the drug.”
If you’ve ever landed that first fish that really matters, you know exactly what he means. Fly fishing has a way of locking you in for life with one single tug. For Dylan, that rainbow was less about the fish itself and more about a shift in perspective, and a reminder that this wasn’t just a pastime, it was a craft worth chasing.
The Birth of Shakedown Stream
What started as an Instagram side account became something with a bigger picture. Originally called @shakedown_streamers, Dylan used it as a space to share fishing photos without spamming friends and family.
“I didn’t start the account with the idea of growing it into a brand. I just wanted to combine two of my biggest passions — the Dead and fly fishing.”
A friend helped him design a Stealie logo with trout skin patterns, and soon the idea of turning it into a real brand took hold. “For the first time in my life, I’m wholeheartedly going after something I actually want to do to make a living… not just doing what’s needed to pay the bills.”
That kind of leap is what makes small brands like this worth following. It isn’t a corporate play or a half-hearted side hustle, it’s someone putting their passion on the line and seeing who it resonates with. And in Dylan’s case, it’s resonating with people who understand both sides of the culture: the river and the music.
Deadhead Spirit, River Soul
The Grateful Dead runs deep in the fly fishing community, and Dylan’s life. “They played over 2,000 live shows in 30 years, with over 400 unique songs. That sense of art and connection goes hand in hand with fly fishing.”
Fly fishing, like the Dead, is about being present in the moment... casting, adjusting, and never playing the same tune twice. “You’re connecting to nature, the river, the fish, and yourself while creating art with each cast.”
It’s not just a metaphor; it’s the backbone of Shakedown Stream. The logo, the vibe, even the name itself are built on this idea that creativity, connection, and imperfection are what make both music and fishing beautiful.
Building the Vibe
Dylan’s vision for Shakedown Stream is about more than hats and hoodies. “I want to use the brand to build a community focused on kindness, gratitude for the beauty of life and the earth, and inclusivity.”
When he started fishing, he didn’t have a mentor. That isolation shaped his mission. “I would love for this brand to ‘send it back down the ladder.’ In other words, I want it to be something that welcomes people who might feel excluded from fly fishing.”
That message hits home. Fly fishing has long wrestled with an image problem; a sport that can feel exclusive, intimidating, or even gate-kept. Shakedown Stream pushes against that. It’s an open door, an invitation to join a jam session where everyone’s welcome, no matter what gear you fish or how many casts you’ve blown.
Challenges and First Wins
Launching the first merch drop was nerve-wracking. “I was terrified it wasn’t going to land. My goal for the year was just to get to 1,000 followers and make a single sale. As of now, I’ve got about 630 followers and 15 sales — which blows my mind.”
One of the coolest moments came while wearing his logo-ed gear in Ouray, Colorado. “The bartender, Seth, asked me where I got my hat and shirt. It was the first time I ever told someone it was my brand. That moment made me realize a dream was actually possible.”
Someone has already gotten the Shakedown Stream logo tattooed. Dylan didn’t ask them to. “They just liked the logo and got it tattooed. Won’t forget that either.”
Moments like that. Whether it’s a bartender’s compliment or a stranger’s tattoo; prove that even the smallest brands can carry a real sense of meaning. It’s not about numbers yet, it’s about connection. And connection has always been the point.
Looking Ahead
Dylan’s working on a winter product line, with an eye toward water-ready gear and sustainable materials like recycled plastics and hemp. He hopes to move into conservation partnerships as the brand grows.
“Part of my business goals includes partnering with a conservation project — ideally something local to Montana, Trout Unlimited, MAPS, or even a rotating list of organizations that help preserve the rivers and trout populations we cherish.”
The future for Shakedown Stream feels open-ended in the best possible way. Like a good Dead jam, it’s less about a rigid setlist and more about where the moment leads. “I have some big ideas for products that are very much in the works. Follow along for updates.”
Where to Find Shakedown Stream
Check out Dylan’s work and grab gear at the Shakedown Stream Website
Follow along on Instagram: @shakedown_stream
This interview was conducted by The Fly Box and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter.
Casts That Care brings you real stories, big ideas, and the heart of the fly fishing world — all while donating 50% of subscriber fees to a different fly fishing charity each month.
Subscribe today and use promo code: SHAKEDOWN15 at checkout for 15% off your first month, and we’ll donate 25% more to our charity of the month
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