Outdoor Academy

Captain Steve Friedman's journey from a fishing guide to an environmental advocate highlights his deep love for nature, his dedication to protecting Florida's delicate ecosystems, and his desire to represent the interests of the Florida Keys community. Friedman's experiences working directly on the water and witnessing the impact of environmental issues have shaped his political perspective and fueled his campaign for clean water and sustainable fisheries. This article will explore how Captain Steve's passion for fishing led him to become a voice for change in the Florida Keys.

Striped bass management is at a critical inflection point. The decisions you make today affect the productivity of our fisheries for years to come. Capt. Brice Contessa is the owner of Martha's Vineyard Outfitters, and has been a professional fishing guide on the bountiful waters surrounding The Vineyard since 2003. He recently put pen to paper on the topic of striper conservation to underscore the importance of our own actions in the face of tenuous resource management.

Immeasurable progress has been made since the late 19th century — when groups of passionate outdoorsmen in the U.S. first popularized the idea of conserving and sustainably 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 are crucial for maintaining healthy and sustainable natural ecosystems. As outdoor enthusiasts, it's part of our responsibility to ensure that future generations can also enjoy the bountiful opportunities that nature has to offer. Here at AnyCreek, we 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 "Conserve on 7" conservation match program to simultaneously support the preservation of our natural heritage and our amazing community of professional outdoor guides.

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.