Outdoor Academy

Situated in the Lower Hudson Valley’s Catskill Mountains is The Chatwal Lodge, an all-inclusive resort with access to some of the best trout fishing and upland bird hunting the United States has to offer. Set on an 18,000-acre former wildlife reserve, the lodge features its own private native brook trout stream and is just a stone’s throw away from several rivers that each hold a special place in American fly fishing history. The surrounding area is prime ruffed grouse and woodcock habitat, as well– the region has miles and miles of beautiful, wild terrain that is begging to be explored. Guiding you through this storied region will be Covert Creek Outfitting’s Joe Heusinger, a renowned Catskills fly fishing and wingshooting guide. Whether you’re an avid fly angler or upland bird hunter – or you’re new to both – Joe and his team have all the knowledge necessary to make your trip to the Chatwal Lodge an unforgettable one.

Nestled on the shores of scenic Lake Placid, New York, the Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa is a true trout fishing paradise. Lake Placid is known primarily as a premier winter sports destination, but its fly fishing is not to be underestimated. With easy access to the finest brown trout fishing on the East coast, trophy-sized lake trout, and beautiful backcountry brook trout ponds, the angling opportunities are endless. Guiding you through the region’s beautiful landscapes and pristine waters will be Zac Horrocks, a 7th-generation Adirondacks fishing and hunting guide. Zac’s family lineage in Lake Placid dates back to the 1790s, and he has been a part of the village’s fishing and guiding world for his entire life. Zac’s guiding career has taken him all across the globe, but his roots have remained in the Adirondacks. His local knowledge and experience are sure to make your time at the Mirror Lake Inn an unforgettable one, whether you’re an avid angler or have never picked up a fly rod.

EJ Stern grew up in a fishing family, exploring the remarkable fisheries across the Northeastern United States from an early age. He started fly fishing over thirty years ago and has developed a wealth of knowledge that he is passionate about sharing with others. Today, EJ guides in North Carolina and Virginia, introducing anglers to the Southeast’s exceptional warm and cold water fishing opportunities.

El Coronado Ranch, tucked away in the Southeast corner of Arizona, is a scenic, expansive haven for wild quail. Spanning over 150,000 acres of expertly managed quail hunting land, this destination is truly an upland bird hunter’s paradise. Just a short drive from Tucson, El Coronado Ranch offers the chance at the Arizona Quail Slam — Mearn’s, Gambel’s, and Scaled quail— each day. Guiding you through the area’s magnificent rolling hills and desert valleys is renowned Orvis-endorsed wingshooting guide Dave Brown, as well as his team of world-class local guide staff. Dave guides all across North America, but he calls Arizona home and has developed an astounding body of local hunting knowledge and experience. Whether you’re an avid quail hunter or have never shouldered a shotgun, this exclusive lodge experience offers everything you need for a truly unforgettable Arizona quail hunting adventure.

If you’re someone who enjoys targeting bonefish, redfish, permit, snook, tarpon, striped bass and other inshore fish on salt marshes, a flats skiff is your best friend. These small, shallow-draft boats are designed to move quietly and comfortably through skinny water, allowing you to spot and stalk fish on the flats. When it comes to buying a skiff, there is no shortage of options to consider. In this article, we’ll do an overview of how to choose your next flats skiff and offer up a list of the best skiffs on the market today. We polled our expert guide partners that use flat skiffs every day, and this is what they came back with.

Often they are found in the bottom of pockets in folded up parkas and raincoats, with empty shells in blind bags or buckets, lost in the postseason funk of February after the long slogs back through the refuge. Along with our shotguns and decoys, our duck calls are some of the most important tools in our waterfowling arsenals. So, why neglect them for the majority of the calendar year?

Choosing the right shotgun can make or break your hunting or sport shooting experience. Whether you're an experienced hunter or have never shouldered a shotgun, taking the time to pick out a shotgun that suits your needs will greatly impact your performance and comfort. Different hunting situations and shooting sports require specific features and capabilities – whether you're hunting waterfowl in marshes or pursuing upland game in thick forests, there’s a shotgun that’s right for you. This article will give you everything you need to know about purchasing and getting the most out of a new shotgun, as well as a list of our guide partners’ favorite shotguns on the market.

With duck season just around the corner, waterfowl population management is on the minds of many hunters across the country. There has been a steady decline in duck populations over recent years, and there has been a push to evaluate what we as hunters see in the field from one year to the next within a broader framework of historical trends and ongoing research. We sat down with Dr. John Coluccy, Director of Science and Conservation Planning at Ducks Unlimited, to discuss duck genetics, waterfowl population trends, current research efforts, and why hunters should care about these hot-button issues in the world of waterfowl.

Capt. Conner Bryant and Capt. Bryant Wilson do an overview of Bryant's Floyd 7WT and 10WT. Brief written overview in the YouTube Descriptions, courtesy of Capt. Conner Bryant.

When it comes to freshwater fly fishing, the Pacific Northwest is hard to beat. From casting to native cutthroats in Idaho’s high alpine lakes to fighting massive steelhead on Oregon’s coastal rivers, the region truly has it all. The Pacific Northwest is known for its impressive mountain ranges and lush forests, and its fly fishing deserves similar appreciation. Whether you’re hoping to fish for trout, salmon, or steelhead, this region offers abundant fishing opportunities in some of the country’s most beautiful places. This article will give you all the information you need to have an unforgettable Pacific Northwest fly fishing experience.