Fly Fishing Photography Published on the Cover of The Drake Magazine
There are a lot of ways to measure success in photography, but a magazine cover still carries weight—especially in a niche as tight-knit as fly fishing.
When one of my photographs was selected for the cover of The Drake Magazine, it wasn’t just a milestone. It was a reflection of years spent on the water, learning how to photograph fly fishing in a way that feels honest to the people who actually do it.
This isn’t staged work. It never has been. The goal has always been to document fly fishing as it exists—early mornings, cold water, missed casts, and the moments that make it worth it.
What It Takes to Shoot a Fly Fishing Magazine Cover
Fly fishing photography is unpredictable by nature. Unlike controlled environments, everything is working against you—light, weather, water clarity, and the movement of both angler and fish.
To create an image that’s strong enough for a cover, everything has to come together at once:
Light that defines the scene without overpowering it
An angler who moves naturally, not for the camera
A setting that places the subject within the landscape, not separate from it
Most importantly, the photograph has to feel real. The fly fishing world is small, and people can tell immediately when something is forced.
That authenticity is what separates an image that works online from one that earns a cover.
Behind the Photograph
The image that ultimately became the cover wasn’t planned as one.
Like most of my work, it came out of time spent on the river—watching how anglers move through water, waiting for the right light, and being ready when everything lines up for just a few seconds.
There’s no shortcut to that process. And I truly believe that the worst approach is setting out with the intention to make a magazine cover. Keeping that idea in your head clouds everything and will cause you to miss all the great moments. Instead, just be present. Be patient.
Let the day unfold naturally. Whenever I’m out on the water, there is never an agenda other than having fun and making the best possible photographs. Even with that mindset, I never think about making photographs for an ad campaign, a cover shot, editorial feature etc. Real photographs come just by paying attention and letting it all happen.
Why The Drake Magazine Matters
In fly fishing, The Drake Magazine holds a unique place.
It’s not just a publication—it’s part of the culture. Known for its independent voice and irreverent tone, it has built a reputation as one of the most respected magazines in the industry.
Being featured on the cover means the photograph resonates beyond aesthetics. It connects with anglers who care deeply about the experience, not just the outcome.
That alignment matters. It reinforces the same philosophy behind my work: document the reality of fly fishing, not an idealized version of it.
Fly Fishing Photography for Brands and Editorial Use
This photograph is part of a larger body of work focused on fly fishing across the American West.
Over time, that work has led to collaborations with brands and publications that value authenticity in how the sport is represented, including:
Patagonia
Fishpond
Duck Camp
For brands and editors, the goal is simple: create imagery that reflects how fly fishing actually looks and feels in the real world.
If you’re looking for photography for a campaign, editorial story, or long-term project, this work is available for licensing.
Fine Art Fly Fishing Prints
While this photograph reached a wide audience through publication, it also exists as a fine art print.
Printed with the same attention to detail as the work itself, these images are meant to hold up over time—both as photographs and as representations of a place and experience.
For collectors, anglers, or anyone drawn to the quiet side of the sport, the prints offer a way to bring that connection into a physical space.
Part of a Larger Body of Work
This image is one piece of a long-term project documenting fly fishing throughout the American West.
From small Colorado creeks in winter to larger, well-known rivers across the region, the focus has remained consistent: real anglers, real conditions, and the landscapes that define the experience.
Over time, that body of work has expanded beyond the river itself to include the broader culture—guides, fly shops, and the communities that keep it alive.
Explore the Full Fly Fishing Photography Collection
To see more work from this project:
