On April 15, 2025, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) made a major call for California’s salmon fisheries:

Fly fishers know their rivers. We know the clarity of the water, the movement of the currents, the way a fish rises when a hatch comes off. But there’s something in our streams now that’s harder to see—something that doesn’t float, doesn’t drift, but settles into everything.

Usually, conservation starts with nonprofits. Maybe a government grant. A wildlife trust. But in Blairgowrie, Scotland, a small-town fishing club decided to skip the middleman. In 2023, the Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Angling Association (BRDAA) bought a stretch of the River Ericht—one of Scotland’s key salmon rivers—in a move that turned heads across the fly fishing world. They didn’t do it for profit. They did it to save the fish.

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: "DryFly15"  at checkout for 15% off your first month, and we’ll donate 25% more to conservation efforts supported by Dry Fly Distilling. What do fly fishing and whiskey have in common? If you ask Don Poffenroth, founder of Dry Fly Distilling , the answer is everything . Don Poffenroth, Founder, Dry Fly Distilling Founded in Spokane, Washington in 2007, Dry Fly Distilling became the first legal distillery in the state since Prohibition. But unlike most brands chasing trends, Dry Fly was built on something else entirely: a lifelong passion for fly fishing and the deliberate, patient, and deeply personal way it teaches you to move through the world. Sticking In Spokane—with a Fly Rod Before launching Dry Fly, Don worked in the food industry. His career had him eyeing a move to Los Angeles, but one glaring issue held him back. “I failed to see the merit in moving to LA,” he said. “In my estimation, fly fishing in Los Angeles sucked.” Instead of uprooting his life, Don doubled down on his roots. He wanted to build something local—something that made use of Washington’s natural bounty and aligned with what he loved. “I needed to create something that capitalized on local resources,” he said. What started as a leap of faith became a legacy. Dry Fly would go on to define the Pacific Northwest’s craft spirits scene, blending whiskey with the fly fishing lifestyle from the inside out. Tied by Hand, Driven by Purpose Even the name Dry Fly—and the company’s now-iconic logo—was born on the water. Or close to it. “The fly logo is the result of a tying vise, 24 Miller Lites, and a box of flies,” Don joked. The team projected fly silhouettes on the wall, eventually landing on a Parachute Adams. “Classic,”. But Don’s approach wasn’t about clever branding. It was about values—ones he’d carried from the water into his company. “Fly fishing teaches us to be humble, and to never give up... On slow days, we’re tested. On busy days, it’s a frenzy. Both apply to small business.” He described his guiding philosophy as a mix of patience, persistence, and the pursuit of perfection. “It’s never achieved,” he said, “but chased regularly.” A Community-Focused Distillery From the beginning, Dry Fly has invested heavily in people and place. The company’s grains are sourced from family farms within a 30-mile radius, and their water comes from a pure underground aquifer. “We live farming,” Don mentioned. The company also supports nonprofits like Casting 4 a Cure  and partners with local tribes on habitat restoration and access efforts throughout Washington, Idaho, and Montana. But instead of chasing big sponsorship deals, they focus on what Don calls “sniper local projects”—small, strategic initiatives in the places they actually fish. “Fish with someone new for a few days, and you have a friend for life,” he says. “That’s how we approach our community, too.” Whiskey for the Drift Boat Dry Fly’s most fishing-forward product might be their “On the Fly” canned cocktail line, which has become a major part of their business. Designed for anglers who want to pack light and drink well, the cans are 100% made in-house, with real ingredients—and each one even features GPS coordinates to actual fishing spots. “It was expected that I’d carry a bottle of whiskey in the drift boat, but most folks don’t,” Don said. “The cans bridge that gap.” It turns out the idea resonated: the RTD (ready-to-drink) line now accounts for half of Dry Fly’s wholesale sales, and they’re preparing to launch wine-based versions in partnership with the Caymus Wine Family. A Legacy Passed Downstream In August 2024, Don sold a majority stake in Dry Fly to Charlie Wagner and the Caymus Family—a trusted partnership he describes as “the most honorable and kind group I’ve ever worked with.” He still holds a small share, and plans to stay involved through 2025. After that, he says, “I’ll never really leave—I’ll just move the office to the water.” Don now holds the title of “Chief Fishing Officer.” While the role may be tongue-in-cheek, the mission is real: more days on the river, more people introduced to the sport, and a stronger bridge between the fly fishing and craft spirits communities. Where to Find Dry Fly You can explore their full lineup—including spirits, merch, and canned cocktails—at Dry Fly Distilling or email the team at info@dryflydistilling.com  for local distributor info. They ship direct to most U.S. states, and their Spokane distillery is open to visitors, offering a full production facility, bottle shop, and pub, so swing by for a tour—or a pour. More than just a distillery, Dry Fly is a love letter to fly fishing, small business, and doing things the right way—even when it’s the hard! “Fly fishing teaches us to be humble—and to never give up. You never know which cast lands the fish. On slow days, we’re tested. On busy days, it’s a frenzy. Both apply to fly fishing, and running a business... show up with kindness, chase something just out of reach, and remember that the right cast can change everything!" - Don Poffenroth Video -- The Dry Fly Story 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: "DryFly15"  at checkout for 15% off your first month, and we’ll donate 25% more to conservation efforts supported by Dry Fly Distilling.

You probably don’t think twice when your hand wraps around the cork grip of your fly rod—but the material under your palm has a long, evolving history that tells us a lot about where fly fishing has been—and where it’s headed.

This article is part of Casts That Care , our fly fishing charity newsletter.   Casts That Care  donates 50% of every subscription to a different fly fishing nonprofit each month, supporting conservation efforts, veterans, and at-risk youth through the sport we love. This is part of our free newsletter, which drops every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at noon —but if you want daily  fly fishing news, industry insights, and stories delivered straight to your inbox, Subscribe Here ! Usually I try not to get too deep into the spiritual side of fly fishing—but what the heck, it’s Easter. If there’s ever a time to talk about quiet redemption and the rebirth of a fishing season, this is probably it. There’s no official rite of spring in fly fishing. No horn blown, no line cut to open the season. And yet—year after year—this is when we return. The rods get strung. Waders are patched. Our fly boxes, once scattered and half-forgotten, find order again. Even if we don’t plan it that way, we somehow always end up here, casting into cold spring water beneath warming skies. The Season Finds Us Fly fishing has always been personal—less about the fish, more about the rhythm, the ritual. And in a season built on rebirth, maybe this is our own way of saying: I’m still here. I'm starting again. Some of us fish alone. Some with family. Some simply walk the bank to see if anything stirs. We don’t need an invitation. Just time. Just light. Just water. We’re not chasing trophies this time of year. We’re chasing something quieter. The feeling of motion after stillness. The idea that maybe, in spite of everything, we can begin again. A Quiet Tradition Maybe you fish the same bend every April. Maybe your first cast of the season is always a little too strong. Maybe you forget your floatant, or your hands shake a little tying on that first fly. But none of that matters. What matters is that you showed up. That you're there, standing ankle-deep in a river that’s come back to life, even if just barely. Fly fishing in early spring has a way of meeting us where we are. Cold mornings, bare trees, fog off the water. It doesn’t rush. It waits. It forgives. We don’t need to call it Easter. But the timing is familiar. The symbolism is quiet but undeniable. The renewal of the water. The start of something new. A moment to say, without speaking, that you believe in second chances. Izaak Walton—whose Compleat Angler  helped define this sport nearly 400 years ago—once wrote, “Angling may be said to be so like the mathematics that it can never be fully learned; at least not by any one man in this life.” Maybe that’s the beauty of it. That it never finishes. It only returns. Fly fishing has always been personal—less about the fish, more about the rhythm, the ritual. And in a season built on rebirth, maybe this is our own way of saying: I’m still here. I'm starting again. A Final Cast No fanfare. No guarantees. Just us, the water, and the possibility of something rising. Easter or not, the season finds us. And we cast. This article is free to read as part of Casts That Care. 50% of this month’s subscription proceeds support the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston.

Big brands in the outdoor world tend to walk a fine line. When they get it right, they can help grow the sport, advocate for public lands, and bring new folks into the fold. But when they slip—even unintentionally—it sends ripples through the whole community.

If you're a fly fisher in New York—or just someone who cares about the waters we cast into—there’s a big conversation happening right now that you don’t want to miss.

If you’ve fished Pennsylvania’s waters, you know they’re as storied as they are scenic. From the wild browns of Spring Creek to the legendary hatches on the Letort, the state’s streams have long been a cornerstone of American fly fishing culture.

At Casts That Care , we believe in using the power of fly fishing to make a real difference. This April, we’re proud to spotlight the incredible work being done by the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston , and direct all of this month’s charitable donations from our news subscriptions to their mission. You might be wondering—why this organization, and why now? The answer lies in the amazing work happening in our own fly fishing community. The Connection: Fly Fishing and Family Support This April, our friends at the After Work Fish Club  have been running the Red Spot Round Up , a creative, redfish-themed fly fishing tournament that blends fun with purpose. While registration may now be closed, the heart of the tournament is what inspired us: using our shared love of fly fishing to support the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston . We wanted to build on that momentum and keep the giving going. What Is the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston? Most people recognize the name, but few realize how these houses actually operate. Founded in 1983, the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston provides a home away from home for families with children receiving treatment at MUSC Children’s Hospital. Their services include: Home-cooked meals  and fully stocked kitchens Support services  for families facing overwhelming medical crises They rely heavily on community support—despite what many think, they are not fully funded by McDonald’s. While McDonald’s Corporation is a founding partner and provides ongoing support, most local Ronald McDonald Houses raise their own funding through donations and volunteers. Why We Chose This Charity We don’t pick our monthly partners at random. We were moved by the fact that the Red Spot Round Up chose to center their event around helping families—specifically families in crisis. In a sport that often centers on the individual, this was a refreshing reminder that we can do more when we fish together. So while the tournament itself is underway, our effort to support the cause continues . Through every newsletter subscription this month (April, 2025), 50% goes directly to the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston . Expansion in the Works: Expanding Hope On Monday, RMHC Charleston is launching the public phase of its Capital Campaign: Expanding Hope —an ambitious plan to expand their existing facility with a five-story addition. This expansion will increase capacity from 32 to 70 families, ensuring even more people have a place to stay close to their children during treatment. Groundbreaking is set for the end of June, and next week kicks off a full schedule of events to promote the campaign. Learn more and support the expansion at expandinghope.org . How You Can Help Subscribe to our newsletter : Each daily story supports charity. Share this post  or tell a friend—it helps more than you know. Learn more  about RMHC Charleston and the families they serve: www.rmhcharleston.org Final Cast Not every fly fishing story has to be about fish. This one is about people. About families. About making the hardest days a little more bearable. Let’s keep casting with purpose. ❤️ This April, we support the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston. 🎣 Powered by The Fly Box LLC  and the Casts That Care Charity News

If you missed it—last week scientists and anglers in western Scotland made headlines by helping bring a nearly extinct fish species back from the brink. Not with hatcheries. Not with massive government spending. But with photos, pattern recognition, and a touch of artificial intelligence.

April 1st marks the official start of Michigan’s 2025 fishing season—and with it comes a fresh set of regulations every angler should know about. Whether you’re chasing spring steelhead on the Pere Marquette or stalking smallmouth on the Au Sable, these updates could change the way you fish this year.