Tune in to our massive Craig Mathews Q&A
We hopped the Pheasant Tail Simplicity press tour train and had a chance to chat with one of its iconic co-authors, Craig Mathews, about a bevy of topics related to tying flies, the future of conservation, and much more.
Talking Pheasant Tail Simplicity with Craig
Well, what can I say. It's not every day you get to sit down with an icon and come out the other side even more jazzed than you were when you went in.
I can't think of an angler that has had more influence on me personally than Craig Mathews of Blue Ribbon Flies. Craig has probably tied more than a million flies over the past fifty-plus years (he keeps track of them all) and has both an incredible amount of wisdom to dispense, and the good humor and kindness to bring you along for the ride, wherever you're at.
Craig and I connected last week to talk about the new book he's co-authored with his trio of fishy mates, in a culmination of CFS' fall Pheasant Tail Simplicity celebration. Our wide-ranging conversation touched on all sorts of different aspects of the sport, from Craig's creative practice as he marks his tenth book, to the always-in-season habits of observation and imitation that have marked his angling prowess. Come for the fly fishing philosophy, stay for the great stories.
From tenkara-wielding biker gangs to roadkill feather ghouls to Yvon Chouinard's "stroke": A conversation with fly angling icon Craig Mathews never disappoints. Hear how Pheasant Tail Simplicity is creating a new generation of fly tiers, observation as the key to angling, and much, much more.
Six Tips to Start Tying Flies with Craig Mathews
"Sure," you're saying, this fly tying stuff all looks very cool. "But I can't thread a needle, floss my teeth, or hand-roll a joint. How on earth could I tie a fly?"
Take it from me, friend, you don't need a lot of manual dexterity to tie flies. That's just one revelation shared by Mathews in our Six Tips To Start Tying Flies from the man himself. He's right, and that's his first tip: Anyone can do it.
Are you just getting started fly tying? Feeling a little intimidated? Give these Six Tips to Start from Craig a look, to get your confidence and approach squared away.
Win a copy of Pheasant Tail Simplicity
In case you're on the fence about coming out to our book chat this Sunday, November 2nd, this should sweeten the deal.
Patagonia Books was kind enough to send me a free copy. And I'd like to give it away to one of you. All you have to do is tune in to our discussion. You don't even have to pretend you read the book! All attendees of the Read By the River virtual book club event on Sunday, November 2nd will be eligible for the giveaway.
I really hope you'll tune in to our conversation, and give the book a chance. It'll help improve your angling, and offer another level of depth in the sport.
Join us to discuss this great book, and maybe win your own copy!
In case you missed it
Here's what else has been happening recently
Nick Parish
Nick Parish
Nick Parish
What do a legendary surfer, Hollywood director Christopher Guest, and zen archers have in common?
Nick Parish
Learning to cast a fly rod like Harry Potter uses his wand.
Nick Parish
Are Grateful Dead collabs the sign that outdoor brands have jumped the shark? A look at Simms latest, and the value of high-quality gear.
That's it for this week! Current Flow State is a weekly newsletter from me, Nick Parish.
Got a funny Craig story? Tell me on Bluesky π¦, Instagram πΈ, YouTube π₯, or the Fishcord π¬.
If you enjoyed this, please share it with a friend. We all need more fishing buddies. π
Read our editorial policy or browse the newsletter archives.
CFS members support and sustain the site, and our community. Learn more about membership benefits. If you're getting value from this work, consider becoming a member and giving back.
π π π
