If you haven’t heard, scientists just brought back the dire wolf… kind of. And while that might sound like something out of Jurassic Park or a Game of Thrones promo, it’s a real, modern-day breakthrough. But what does that have to do with fly fishing? More than you might think.

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: "Clackamas15"  at checkout for 15% off your first month, and we’ll donate 25% more to conservation efforts supported by Claackamas rod co. For Eric Berkner, fly fishing isn’t just a passion—it’s a lifestyle, a daily practice, and the foundation of a small but growing garage-based rod company called Clackamas Rod Co. Berkner doesn’t have a warehouse. He doesn’t have a staff. What he does have is a relentless obsession with fly fishing, a vise-grip work ethic, and a garage in Oregon filled with rod blanks, thread, and a growing list of customers who believe in what he’s building. Eric Berkner From East Coast Creeks to Oregon Steelhead Eric Berkner first picked up a fly rod at 12 years old, cutting his teeth on small creeks along the East Coast. Years later, a move to Oregon for college changed everything. “That opened up a whole new world,” he said. “I started chasing steelhead and salmon, and eventually got into fly fishing filmmaking.” His passion for filming fly fishing took him all the way to Iceland, where he caught “the biggest Brown trout of [his] life.” That progression—from curious kid to filmmaker to rod builder—wasn’t planned, but it made sense. “Maybe rod building is just an accumulation of all those experiences,” Berkner reflects. No Breaks, No Lunches, No Half Measures If there’s one word to describe how Berkner approaches fly fishing, it’s intensity. “My friends say I’m intense—and I guess they’re right... I don’t bring lunch when I fish. I won’t eat it. I don’t want to stop fishing.” That single-minded focus fuels how he builds rods, too. He only creates rods he personally loves to fish. If a blank doesn’t feel right, it doesn’t get built. “The rod has to look good too,” he added. “The finish, the action—I want it to be something I’m proud to put my name on.” He’s partial to fast-action rods, which match his aggressive, high-energy fishing style. One of his most memorable builds? A custom 11’3” switch rod that he used to land two 10-pound cutthroat trout at Pyramid Lake. “Landing a fish like that on a rod you built yourself—that was a rush.” From Garage to Growing Brand Clackamas Rod Co. is a small-time operation in every sense—each rod is crafted by hand in Berkner’s garage. It’s not his full-time job (yet), but that’s the dream. “I’d love to get more space than my garage someday,” he says. “Right now, every rod takes a lot of time, and social media is a whole other job. It’s hard to keep up, but it’s worth it.” Time is the biggest challenge, but also the fuel. Berkner is constantly researching ways to build better—lighter, stronger, smoother. The other side of the business? Building a brand through content. Viral Rod Building & The Power of TikTok Eric’s videos—many of them filmed in that same garage—have started to take off online. “I appreciate that,” he says. “Some days I can’t keep up with the DMs and comments. But that connection, that feedback from people—it’s huge.” Creating content is more than a highlight reel. It’s a job. “You have to look at it that way,” he says. “You post in batches, track what works, refine it, and stay consistent.” He admits it’s tough to put hours into a video that flops, but he keeps going—because that consistency is what builds trust, audience, and eventually, momentum. And the momentum is real. “I assumed everyone wanted a rod from a big-name brand. But I’m learning that’s not always true. People want that personal connection. That’s what I’m trying to build.” Fly Shops, Goals & What’s Next Berkner isn’t in any fly shops—yet. “To get into shops, the brand has to be recognizable enough that customers know what they’re picking up,” he explained. “If they don’t, it’s not worth the shop’s time. But I hope to get there.” He’s got big dreams. Big enough to go beyond building rods. “In five to ten years, I want this company to do things that haven’t been done before. I want it to help anglers all over the world—help them catch more fish, enjoy the art of casting, and just love the process more.” Follow Along or Reach Out You can find Eric Berkner and Clackamas Rod Co. at www.clackamasrodcompany.com  or connect with him directly through DMs on Instagram and TikTok @ Clackamasrodco And even if you’re not in the market for a rod? “Reach out with anything you need help with—even if it doesn’t involve my rods,” he says. “I just love helping people.” That’s the spirit behind Clackamas Rod Co.—built with heart, cast with purpose, and always one rod at a time.

As the snow melts and rivers swell with spring runoff, fly anglers across the country are stepping back into their waders—and 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting spring seasons in years.

In a world where anyone with a rod and a river can call themselves a guide, Orvis has spent the last 40 years spotlighting the people who actually earn it. Their Endorsed Lodges, Outfitters, and Guides (ELOG) awards are more than just recognition—they’re a stamp of trust in a sport built on connection, care, and consistency.

Fly fishing leaders and tippets are more than just connectors—they're the invisible links that translate your energy and finesse from the fly line to the fly. But how are these essential tools made? Where are they sourced? And how do manufacturers decide on their diameters, taper designs, and strength?

Trout and salmon have long reigned as the kings of fly fishing lore. They’re iconic, beautiful, and tied to the sport’s most romanticized rivers. But lately, a quiet revolution is happening across lakes, backwaters, and even inner-city canals. A growing number of anglers are casting flies not at rising trout—but at bass, carp, pike, gar, and anything else that swims.

Earlier this week, ISPO.com published an article titled "Biodiversity in Danger: Why the Outdoor Industry Must Act" —a sharp and timely piece on the alarming decline in global biodiversity and the role outdoor brands must play in reversing it. We read it. We thought about it. And here at Casts That Care , we wanted to go one layer deeper—especially through a fly fishing lens.

Fly fishing has always held a magnetic appeal. It's a sport of patience, precision, and artistry—and to many, it represents the purest connection between angler and water. But in the long game, how many people who give fly fishing a try actually stick with it? Are we growing a lifelong community, or just collecting one-and-done dabblers?

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: "FINDER15"  at checkout for 15% off your first month, and we’ll donate 25% more to conservation efforts supported by FlyFishFinder. In a sport defined by connection—between fly, water, and angler—FlyFishFinder has taken that idea a step further. Built by fly anglers for fly anglers, the platform is reimagining what it means to grow in the sport, find community, and explore new waters without breaking the bank. FlyFishFinder’s Origin Story When FlyFishFinder Founder & CEO Andrew first picked up a fly rod a decade ago, the challenge was immediate. With no mentors or fishing friends to lean on, the learning curve felt steep. YouTube only went so far. And the hard truth? The best anglers had something he didn’t—a network. "That’s when it hit me," Andrew said. "There should be a platform to help anglers connect and hit the water together." Andrew Boeddeker - Founder/Ceo From that realization came the seeds of FlyFishFinder: a tool not just to watch and learn, but to actually fish together. It wasn’t about replacing guides—who still play a major role on the platform—it was about filling the space in between. The everyday fishing trips, the road trip pit stops, the intel you’d never find online. A modern-day fly box, but digital. The Digital FlyBox™: Building a Platform from the Water Up Christian, FlyFishFinder’s Chief of Sales & Marketing, brought his experience from Oracle to the table with one goal: build something for the users . Christian Bacasa - Chief Sales and Marketing "Anglers, guides, outfitters, and merchants all add their own value," Christian said. "But there wasn’t a single place where communication actually worked." Enter the Digital FlyBox™—FlyFishFinder’s connective tissue. Part resource library, part networking hub, and part mapping tool, the platform is redefining how anglers plan, connect, and collaborate. On the engineering front, Nick—the company’s Director of Engineering & Architecture—approaches every technical decision through the lens of an angler. Nick Tuttle - Director of Engineering and Architecture “The challenge is managing growth while keeping it community-first,” he said. From back-end structure to user-facing design, every layer is built to enhance the experience, not distract from it. A Platform That Works for Everyone FlyFishFinder describes itself as an "all-in-one" platform—and it shows. With over 225,000 mapped rivers (and over 100 fish species identified), it’s not just about where you can  go—it’s about where you should  go based on your goals. FlyFishFinder's Mapping Tools From GPS and public access overlays to real-time stream gages and species filters, the platform is tailored specifically to fly anglers. Their manual data curation and user feedback loops ensure accuracy, with changes from local DNRs and state fishery departments reflected in real time. But the most powerful tool? The human element. Anglers can build profiles, grow their network, and message each other for free. “Maps are great,” Andrew said, “but fly fishing is about people.” Conservation in Action Rather than duplicate efforts, FlyFishFinder partners with those already doing great work in conservation. The app acts as a megaphone—mapping out initiatives, highlighting river cleanups, and connecting users to boots-on-the-ground campaigns like dam removals and trout restoration. This year, FlyFishFinder plans to deepen its impact. “We’re excited to be intentional,” Andrew said. “From steelhead passage projects to garbage cleanup, we want to make a tangible difference.” Standing Out in the Crowd With other mapping services out there, FlyFishFinder is careful not to follow—they lead. Where others focus strictly on trout, FlyFishFinder also maps bass, carp, musky, and saltwater ramps. Where others build booking tools, they build relationships. Independent guides and local fly shops get free, featured profiles within the app, with contact links and booking referrals baked right into the map interface. “These shops are the backbone of the industry,” the team shared. “They deserve visibility, not another paywall.” Defining Moments on the Water Each team member brings something personal to the table. For Andrew, it was a spontaneous river trip in Colorado that turned a casual interest into a lifelong obsession. For Christian, fly fishing was the gift that got him back outdoors after a battle with cancer. For Nick, it’s about building something the community can truly be proud of. What’s Next: Community-First Expansion The team is laser-focused on the rollout of its networking feature—the heart of the original vision. Soon, users will be able to create threads, join local groups, and receive custom stream alerts when their favorite rivers hit ideal flows. “Fly fishing should be more accessible,” Andrew said. “We want this platform to be the launchpad for education, connection, and conservation.” Upcoming releases include offline mapping capabilities and an expansion into more stillwater data. But through it all, one thing stays the same: FlyFishFinder is built for fly anglers, by fly anglers. Where to Connect Instagram: @flyfishfinder Explore the platform at flyfishfinder.com  or go straight to the app via share.flyfishfinder.com . FlyFishFinder recently made the rounds at the Denver Fly Fishing Show and is planning live focus groups and community events in the near future. 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: "FINDER15"  at checkout for 15% off your first month, and we’ll donate 25% more to conservation efforts supported by FlyFishFinder.

Most fly fishers already know the basics of salmon migrations: the epic journey from salt to freshwater, the spawning ritual, and for some species, the final sacrifice. But when you step back and compare the salmon runs of Northern California, Alaska, and Europe, the differences are as striking as the similarities. These iconic fish share instincts forged over millennia, but the way those instincts play out varies wildly depending on the landscape, species, and conservation history.

The world is complicated. Global trade agreements, political tension, shifting border policies—there’s a lot going on. And of course, the question on everyone’s mind: How will this affect fly fishing?

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 in-depth stories, expert insights, and the best of the fishing and water-loving world. Our content is always ad-free, never sponsored, and dedicated to highlighting real people with a passion for the outdoors. Subscribe today and use promo code: "OTWD15"  at checkout for 15% off. We’ll also donate 25% MORE to charity when you subscribe to support water conservation, community stories, and access to more great content like this. 50% of all subscription fees go directly to a different fly fishing or water-based charity each month. If you’ve ever spent a day fishing, boating, or just soaking up sun at the sandbar, then On The Water Daily is speaking your language. What began as a jet ski side project in high school has grown into one of the most vibrant and fast-rising lifestyle brands in the water sports world. From JetSkiDaily to a Global Community On The Water Daily didn’t start as a business plan or brand strategy. It began with one teenager’s passion for jet skiing in the Florida Keys, originally under the name JetSkiDaily. The brand served as a way to document and share water-based adventures—but it quickly caught on. By 2017 and 2018, On The Water Daily’s founder was racing in the Pro-Am P1 Aqua X Circuit, proudly representing JetSkiDaily on the course. These high-profile competitions helped legitimize the brand within the water sports community. Soon, they were collaborating with names like RIVA Racing and RIVA Motorsports. But what really set On The Water Daily apart were the community events—jet ski rides in Miami and the Florida Keys that brought together 100 to 300 participants. These large-scale gatherings united enthusiasts from across the country, creating a sense of belonging that would shape the company’s identity moving forward. Eventually, the brand evolved to reflect a broader love for all things water—not just jet skis. The rebrand to On The Water Daily opened the door to a wider community and an expanded focus: boating, fishing, paddleboarding, and beyond. Built on Shared Adventure On The Water Daily is more than a content platform—it’s a reflection of a lifestyle. As the brand grew, so did its foundation, fueled by a shared passion between the founder and their partner. Their experiences together—from fishing trips to lazy days at the sandbar—shaped the brand’s direction. "Spending time on the water has always been special," they shared, "but doing it with family makes it even better. Whether it’s boating or just relaxing, that’s where the joy really lives." On The Water Daily aims to highlight those simple yet powerful moments. It's not just about high horsepower—it’s about connection. Filming on the Wake: Capturing Real Water Moments Creating great content on the water comes with unique challenges. Between moving platforms, water exposure, and unpredictable weather, On The Water Daily has learned to adapt. Specialized camera gear, safety-conscious planning, and versatile filming techniques have become essential tools. Their team strategically tailors content for each platform: Instagram for visual storytelling, TikTok for quick-hit reels, and YouTube for deeper, long-form content. The result? A dynamic feed that captures everything from the thrill of a powerboat to the calm of a paddleboard ride. From Hashtag to Movement Since transitioning to On The Water Daily, the #OTWD hashtag has grown into a global community. Followers from across the U.S. and beyond regularly share their own water adventures, making the brand a hub for like-minded explorers. One highlight came during their coverage of the CCA Florida redfish release (50,000 Redfish) in Biscayne Bay. Featuring interviews with Captain Rick Murphy and CCA Executive Director Brian Gorski, the content generated over a million impressions. The moment cemented On The Water Daily as more than a media platform—it became a voice for environmental awareness and community action. Promoting Responsibility on the Water On The Water Daily is committed to showcasing fun—but never at the expense of safety or the environment. Reckless behavior isn’t promoted, and the long-term vision includes hosting events that educate and inspire responsible water recreation. "We want people to enjoy the water and care for it," they said. "That means staying safe, respecting the environment, and leading by example." Looking Ahead: Paddleboards, Snorkels, and Beyond The future of On The Water Daily is all about growth—into new activities, new destinations, and deeper community engagement. The brand is especially excited to start showcasing paddleboarding and snorkeling spots throughout Florida. More long-form YouTube videos, new collaborations, and grassroots conservation features are in the works. For On The Water Daily, the journey is just getting started. Where to Follow and Support To keep up with On The Water Daily’s adventures, follow @OnTheWaterDaily on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. Join the movement by tagging your own content with #OTWD. 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 in-depth stories, expert insights, and the best of the fishing and water-loving world. Our content is always ad-free, never sponsored, and dedicated to highlighting real people with a passion for the outdoors. Subscribe today and use promo code: "OTWD15"  at checkout for 15% off. We’ll also donate 25% MORE to charity when you subscribe to support water conservation, community stories, and access to more great content like this. 50% of all subscription fees go directly to a different fly fishing or water-based charity each month.