Skwala Lounge

In Volume Three of The Life of Brian, Brian O’Keefe explores the changing trout fishery in Chile—from jet boat access to escaped salmon and unexpected bass bug eats.

In Volume One of The Life of Brian, fly fishing legend Brian O’Keefe shares stories and photos from a gritty, DIY adventure chasing lake-run rainbows in New Zealand.

Veteran guide Mark Raisler shares a simple, effective fly casting routine: 2–10 minutes a day focused on precision, mechanics, and consistency. His method builds muscle memory and casting accuracy through short, daily practice—no lawn or pond required.

A return trip to Beaver Island serves as a reminder: great fishing trips aren’t always about the numbers. They’re about the struggle, the ritual, the companions—and the willingness to show up again, no matter the forecast.

This article explores how the Sol Defense Hoody offers dual protection from the sun and insect bites. The key is permethrin—a synthetic insecticide modeled after a natural compound found in chrysanthemum flowers. The piece explains the origins, science, and effectiveness of permethrin, including how it works by incapacitating insects on contact. It also details how long the treatment lasts and why the hoody is a smart choice for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts looking for all-day protection and comfort.

When a beloved Belizean permit flat was quietly greenlit for resort development, local fishing guides didn’t just get mad—they got organized. What followed was a masterclass in grassroots conservation, culminating in the government seizing the land for public use. This is the story of Will Bauer Flat, a fight for fish that proves even a 2-acre flat can spark big change.

What happens when five longtime friends chase wild steelhead across remote Alaskan rivers? You get a trip defined not just by the fish, but by the people, the effort, and the boat that held it all together. This wasn’t about luxury—it was about movement, mischief, camaraderie, and the kind of fishing that demands your full presence.

While everyone else is daydreaming about summer, the best trout fishing of the year is happening right now. Spring offers hungry fish, perfect water, and a fleeting window of magic—if you’re willing to brave the weather. Skwala’s Miles Nolte makes the case for dropping everything and getting on the river before it’s too late.

Fly shops give us information and inspiration, they console and cajole, mark our passage from timid neophytes to confident regulars. But we don’t always treat our beloved fly shops as well as we should. Intentionally or not, some of us perpetrate faux pas that range from mildly annoying to downright obnoxious.

Silent Spotter offers something for everybody. If you want to get all cinematic/literary, it's a self-referential commentary on the fly fishing film genre and fly fishing media more generally. If you just want an entertaining fishing movie, sit back and enjoy 17 minutes of piscatorial escapism: Beautiful shots, meticulously edited, transport you to Carribean flats for all the close-up, slow Mo action you could want. It invites you to interrogate the construct of fly fishing films while simultaneously giving you everything you love about fly fishing films. 

by Miles Nolte Over the past 35 years, I’ve spent a lot of time in waders. These days, I love wearing my wader...

The Hard Way, the newest production from Off the Grid Studios, offers an alternative to dub-step fish fetish mash-ups. It’s a celebration of the Deschutes River told from the perspective of Matt Mendes, a guide and Warm Springs tribal member who credits the river with saving his life.