Outdoor Academy

Much has shifted since the late 19th century — when groups of passionate outdoorsmen in the U.S. first popularized the idea of conserving and managing our fishing and hunting resources. Folks such as President Theodore Roosevelt, Gifford Pinchot, and John Muir, among others, recognized that prescribed standards for land management, recreation, and commercial resource usage is crucial for maintaining healthy and sustainable natural ecosystems. As outdoor enthusiasts, it is part of our responsibility to ensure that future generations can also enjoy the bountiful opportunities that nature has to offer. Here at AnyCreek, we still believe wholeheartedly in this forward-thinking outlook and implicit responsibility to keep our country wild. As we continue to raise the bar as leaders in outdoor experiences, we strive for sustainability and a proactive approach to safeguarding our woods and waters. In 2023, we're proud to offer the innovative "Conserve on 7" conservation match program to support the preservation of our natural heritage and our amazing community of professional outdoor guides at the same time.

Are you looking for a selection of family-friendly fly fishing trips that offer both freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities? Look no further! In this article, we compiled a list of the top 10 destinations for fly fishing with your family. Here, you’ll find a mix of world-class freshwater and saltwater fishing destinations that also offer great activities for newbies and non-anglers.

If you’re looking for a visually exciting, challenging fishing adventure, tarpon fishing in the Florida Keys might be just the ticket! These magnificent fish are known for their strength, acrobatic jumps, and sheer size, making them a thrill to catch. But before you set out on your tarpon fishing trip, there are some key things you need to know. In this ultimate guide to tarpon fishing in the Florida Keys, we'll cover everything from tarpon behavior and best times to fish, to conditions, gear, and tactics to help you make the most of your next trip chasing down the Silver King.

It’s no surprise that Captain Ian Slater understands the value of good coaching. Born and raised in Satellite Beach, Florida, Ian grew up fishing for trout, snook, redfish, and baby tarpon in the tidal estuaries of his backyard. However, his focus fell squarely on hockey early in life, and he began pursuing it seriously by the age of 9.

It's easy to see how Martin Gerdin's creations could be mistaken for magic. Since the pandemic began, he has hand-blown dozens of meticulously detailed wild fish recreations from his glassblowing studio in Colorado.

While our natural resources of fish, game, and habitat face increased pressures from all angles, science remains the backbone of sustainable recreation. As springtime approaches and wild turkeys once again become top of mind for many outdoor enthusiasts, we want to acknowledge the tireless work of scientists like Dr. Mike Chamberlain — who, thankfully for hunters and game managers nationwide, never stops thinking about turkey behavior.

People tend to make a lot of generalizations about anglers, but one of the most widely-held and glaringly-reductive beliefs has to do with their stories. Continuously and without fail, the proverbial “fisherman’s tale” has been codified into pop culture and modern lingo as an exaggerated, farce-ridden narrative — deceptive by design and meant to be received with default skepticism.

Alec Lucas grew up in North Carolina and started fishing when he learned how to walk. His parents, both avid outdoorsmen, frequently took their family on excursions to inland waterways, as well as the occasional trip to the Carolina lowcountry.

Not many folks understand outdoor art like Michael Paderewski, owner of The Sportsman’s Gallery. Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Michael did some schooling stints in urban areas, but his head was always in the outdoors. “I grew up hunting with my family, and was very passionate about fishing too. In boarding school, my roommate taught me to fly fish and tie flies, and I actually began guiding trout in Colorado during summers in college. I guided a couple years after that and ran a fly shop for a bit as well.”

Our ongoing conversation with fishing guides who’ve found a love for waterfowl has revealed that camaraderie is one of the central draws to the sport, even if some find their hunting cohorts earlier in life than others. For Miami-based inshore fishing guide and self-described duck nut Honson Lau, the allure of both hunting and fishing has long been the culture of storytelling and community, as well as the personal growth he experienced as he honed his skills in both sports.

For small businesses, differentiation is key; this certainly holds true for fly shops. These angling establishments come in all shapes and sizes — ranging from small roadside shacks servicing local river-goers with the perfect regional tie to highly-scaled operations with tremendous selections and e-commerce presences. The U.S. is lucky to have so many great fly shops that strive for exceptional client service, something that is no small task to achieve.

If you’re lucky, you may know a handful of guides who are true, die-hard denizens of the outdoors. It seems whether they’re hunting or fishing, these folks consistently put themselves in the right place to find success in their pursuits — maybe scouring the flats in search of head-wakes or waiting on that first flight of teal to buzz the decoys at shooting light. One man who falls squarely within this category of outdoorsmen is third-generation light tackle fishing guide and obsessive waterfowler Tommy Koulouris, who runs his guiding operation out of Tarpon Springs, Florida.

We believe the guide IS the experience. As a former fly fishing guide myself, I had the opportunity to fish with people from all over the world and all walks of life - people I wouldn’t normally interact with or mesh with. Many of these people I stay in contact with to this day. I don’t believe I’m unique in that way. Most full-time guides share a deep connection with their clients. A bond that can’t be otherwise explained except that it happened in the outdoors over a shared passion.