• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jess McGlothlin Travels

Updates on travels, adventures and news from Jess McGlothlin Media.

  • Blog
  • Blog Archives
  • Portfolio
  • Jess
  • Contact
  • Partners

Fishing

Fish Partner in Iceland for InsideHook

November 1, 2023 By Jess McGlothlin

Excited to see this feature on Fish Partner’s Battle Hill Lodge sea-run brown trout fishery come out in InsideHook a few weeks ago. I’ve been down in Bolivia on another shoot and haven’t had time to post this, but playing a bit of catch-up now. Big thanks to the team at Fish Parter for having me, for my editors at InsideHook for running the story, and for the awesome anglers and guides who let me shoot while they fished! (And to the guides for shooting images of me when I got into fish.)

Read the full article here. And peek at my other work for InsideHook here.

 

Filed Under: Fishing, Published Tagged With: article, brown trout, Fish Partner, fishing, fly fishing, Iceland, InsideHook., Jess McGlothlin Media, magazine, photograph, photographer, photography, sea run, sea trout, trout, writing

Fly Fishing for Yellowfish in Lesotho With African Waters

March 5, 2023 By Jess McGlothlin

The end of January and early February was spent exploring the Johannesburg area with good friends, then I flew to Pietermaritzburg and met up with the African Waters team. From there, it was a 10-hour drive across the border into Lesotho, crossing over mountain passes and winding our way along dirt roads past the massive Katse Dam (Africa’s second largest double-curvature arch dam) and on to Makhangoa Community Camp. The small camp rests in the Maluti Mountains, not far from the local village of Makhangoa.

Maluti Mountains and Bokong River in Lesotho, overlooking from the Makhangoa Community Camp run by African Waters.

Guide Greg and I arrived as dusk was falling, on a cool, foggy, rainy night that challenged my perceptions of African weather. We met up with the rest of the guide team—Kyle, Riley, and Chris were awesome—and settled in for a “get to know you” before the work started.

It’s still one of my favorite parts of this job; arriving into a new camp or lodge and getting the lay of the land and the crew at hand. It’s never boring.

You’ll read more about the week in upcoming magazine articles, but suffice to say, yellowfish are unlike any species I’d fished for anywhere else around the world. South Africans call them “African bonefish,” and the same fits. Constantly on the move, picky dry fly eaters, and almost comical in appearance, yellowfish have quickly pressed near the top of my “fish I like fishing for” list, and I’m already very keen to get back to Africa for more chances to chase the fish.

Yellowfish caught while fly fishing the Bokong River in Lesotho, Africa.

My time in Lesotho was epic, and I can’t wait to share the stories. From long walks along the nightly Bokong River, to galloping young two-year old horses along dirt paths, to sitting outside in the dark at night with beer and cigarettes solving life’s problems, it felt so strangely like home.

Thanks to the African Waters team for having me; I’m looking forward to he next adventures! In the meantime, stay tuned here and on Instagram for updates as these Lesotho stories and images hit the streets.

David ties on new flies while fly fishing for Yellowfish on the Bokong in Lesotho, Africa, with African Waters at Makhangoa Community Camp.

Filed Under: Fishing, Travel Tagged With: Africa, African Waters, fishing, fly fishing, Jess McGlothlin, Lesotho, Makhangoa, Makhangoa Community Camp., photography, story, travel, writing, yellowfish

Even Photographers Fish

July 29, 2022 By Jess McGlothlin

Sometimes, on rare, special occasions, the photographer gets to fish. And it’s a wonderful thing.

Last week in Belize I got to sneak out from behind the camera.

Image: courtesy of Robert Wells.

Filed Under: Fishing, Jess McGlothlin Media Tagged With: Belize, Caribbean, El Pescador, fish, fishing, flats, fly fishing, saltwater, tarpon, travel, woman

You Booked a Saltwater Trip… Now What?

May 15, 2022 By Jess McGlothlin

As a general rule, anglers are passionate folks. Often our identity rolls right up into our passion for fishing… it becomes a core part of our being. But I’ve found that passion often doesn’t correlate directly into a willingness to put into the work. Spending more time working at saltwater lodges over the past years, I’ve been curious to see a lot of people showing up to their “trip of a lifetime” with no idea of what lies ahead.

There’s something to be said for the unexpected. But it also pays to do a little bit of research before hopping on a plane and flying to another country to fish (or to do anything, really). And I’d argue that if you’re spending a good bit of change on a trip, taking up a guide’s time, and just generally want to have a decent time on the water, a bit of preparation is going to help.

Bonefish fish caught while fly fishing in Belize at El Pescador Lodge.

I’ll preface this piece with the fact that I did not grow up in the salt. I’m a Montana trout girl, who grew up chasing trout and grayling in the waters of the West. I had a few chances to chase salty species as a teen, and then — strictly due to photography work and the place sit takes me — I’ve been able to fish the salt around the world as an adult. For the past decade and a half, I’ve taken notes, learned from guides, and spent many long hours casting in Montana parks trying to perfect my double-haul. I didn’t grow up fishing salt, and I’m still learning. But like all good things in life, it’s worth the effort.

So here are five quick tips to keep in mind if you’re heading to fish the saltwater for the first time:

1) Casting Practice

At least have an acquaintance with the double haul. It’s okay if you can’t do it well, but watch a few videos online, play with it, and understand the benefits of increased line speed and control. Lay a few hula-hoops at 30, 40, and 50 feet and practice casting into them, so you’ll have an idea of distance when your guide tells you, “Ten o’clock, 50 feet!” and the boat’s in chaos. If you’re crushing that drill, string in hula-hoop vertically from a tree, and practice shooting line forward through the hoop. The more you can compress your loop, the better control you’ll have.

2) Understand Gear For the Destination

Not all saltwater fisheries are the same, just as all trout fisheries are a little different. Know what gear is requisite for the place you’re going to fish. I like to travel with a 8 and 10-weight rod — at minimum — both ready with floating and intermediate or sinking lines. I keep both coldwater and tropic saltwater boxes stocked. There’s some overlap in patterns, of course, but have a divide by location helps prevent me from having to pack the entire kit for every trip. Come prepared with terminal tackle (leaders, tippet, etc.) as well… do your research into the location’s fishery. Will you need wire? Maybe. Will you need 80-lb. mono? Possibly. Lodges and booking agencies should supply you with a packing list including suggested tackle, and if you’re on a DIY trip, research online. You’ll likely find some ideas. 

Two men fly fishing in Belize from a panga boat beside a mangrove island.

3) Educate Yourself on the Fishery

Come prepared with at least a basic knowledge of the fishery. There are very few locations these days where you can’t find information online about the fishery and the location… and when I’ve gone on a few exploratory trips with no information online, I’ve still been able to research other waters in the region. Know if there are crocodiles around. Are blacktop sharks an annoyance? What are the tides like? What kind of weather patterns can you expect, and what will the wading conditions be like? An hour of research can help you understand what you’re getting yourself into.

4) Take Care of Yourself on the Water

This seems to be a sticking point for a lot of anglers I’ve seen over the years. It’s easy to geek out over your gear, obsess over the fishing, and then forget that your physical ability is a key part of that equation. Tip number one? Hydrate. Drink a ton of water on the boat. (Side note: get used to peeing while out on the water. Guys, you have a big advantage here. Celebrate it.)

I get through at least one packet of electrolytes on the boat, along with a lot of plain water. I also limit myself to two boat beers a day… it’s too easy to become dehydrated otherwise, and I’d rather be on my top fishing and/or photography game. (There’s always the bar once you’re off the boat, if that’s your cup of tea.) I love bringing along a few caffeinated electrolyte Clif Shot Blocks and sticking them in the cooler. Midday, when it’s hot and miserable, they’re hard, frozen little bursts of caffeine and salt. Voke Tabs are also a great little caffeine hit, and take up virtually no space in your bag. Cover up skin with either clothing or sunscreen, and reapply the latter often. (Especially on the triangle of skin between your thumb, pointer finger, and wrist. That skin somehow always gets burned.)

Permit caught while fly fishing in Belize.

5) Be a Smart Traveler

Common sense seems to be very uncommon these days. Practice basic security measures. Keep only the minimal amount of cash in your wallet, and have at least one backup stash spread throughout your bags in unexpected places. (It’s a good idea to keep a backup credit card in one of these places as well.) Keep both hard and digital copies of all your travel paperwork — passport, visas, booking information, health information, etc. Don’t drink any unbolted water unless you’re absolutely certain it’s safe. Carry a decent medial kit with you (I detailed mine in this two-part blog post); even if you’re in a country where you think you can buy first-aid supplies if needed, what happens if the store is closed? Be prepared to take care of yourself and others. 

6) Bonus Tip: Don’t Be That Guy

By its very nature, fishing is a hit-or-miss activity. When everyone gathers at the bar at the end of the day, the guy next to you might have landed a Grand Slam, where you hardly saw anything other than a single school of bonefish. It doesn’t mean you had a bad guide. It doesn’t necessarily mean the other guy is a better angler. Some days it’s just not your day, no mater how much work you put into it. Fish will be fish. Don’t get pissed off about it. Don’t blame your guide because you “Didn’t see fish.” (Chances are the fish were there, and your guide saw them, but knew you couldn’t cast that far. At the end of the day, the guide can put an angler into fish, but the responsibility of catching falls to the angler’s skill. (Hence Tip #1 being at the top of this list.)

This is all common-sense stuff… just use your head. Most of all, enjoy the trip, and be willing and ready to learn from your guides (to this day, I still carry a little notebook and jot down casting tips or learnings every day I’m on the water). Fishing and travel on their own are two very good things, and when combined, they’re one of the very best things about life. Go forth and enjoy!

Filed Under: Fishing Tagged With: Belize, destination, fishing, fly fishing, help, lodge, saltwater, tips, tips & tricks, travel, travel tips, tricks, tropical, tropics

Field Ethos Journal: Tasmania’s a Devil

March 23, 2022 By Jess McGlothlin

First two pages of a story about fly fishing Tasmania by Jess McGlothlin in Field Ethos Journal.

Really chuffed to see this piece in the premiere volume of The Field Ethos Journal. I’ve been writing short, online pieces for the FE team and jumped at the chance to pen something longer for their first print issue. And what better to write about than surfing brown trout, snakes alongside awesome trout streams, and some of the coolest fishing-industry folks I’ve come across? Tasmania seems tailor-made for storytelling, and I’m keen to get back one of these days and keep exploring.

Thanks to the FE team for this ten-page feature, including a few gorgeous spreads.

Filed Under: Fishing, Published Tagged With: article, Australia, brown trout, Field Ethos, Field Ethos Journal, fishing, fly fishing, Jess McGlothlin, magazine, McGlothlin, print, story, Tasmania, travel, trout

Looking Back at Summer 2021 Fishing With Fulling Mill

October 23, 2021 By Jess McGlothlin

Thanks to the crew at Fulling Mill for letting me pen a few words for their blog! In “Takeaways From the 2021 Summer Fishing Season,” I took a look back at the past summer’s angling, including overcrowding, proper fish management, and high water temperatures. Enjoyed writing this piece as a look back at 2021 — lessons learned and how we can prep and plan for a better 2022 season.

In true 2021 form, my fall shoot schedule is facing a volley of cancellations and rescheduling. Looking forward to hopefully hitting waters close to home with friends, getting a bit of hunting in, and just trying to make the most of it.

… Isn’t that the theme of the past few years? Just figure it out and make it work.

Filed Under: Fishing, Published Tagged With: 2021, article, fishing, fly fishing, Fulling Mill, Montana, photography, summer, West

Reporting On the U.S. Fly Fishing Industry for FlyLife Magazine

September 23, 2021 By Jess McGlothlin

When the editors of FlyLife Magazine, one of my favorite publications, reached out last spring and asked me to pen a feature about how American fly fishing has changed in the past year-and-a-half, it was both an exciting and challenging proposition. Write about American fly-fishing trends and industry news for an Australian / New Zealand audience, and make it relevant? Sure. Let’s do it.

And so I proceeded to spend a lot of time on the phone with folks I knew and trusted within the U.S. fly world. Leading off the charge? Linehan Outfitting Company, Kirk Deeter, and Wildwood Float Trips. These guys were kind enough to spend time on the phone during the busy spring months, talking about how they’ve managed through this strange time, what changes we’re seeing in regional and national demographics, the good and the bad of managing resources and overcrowding, and where our fly industry might be in the next five or so years. The team at FlyLife, as always, did a gorgeous layout, and I was thrilled to see images of some of my favorite people appear on the pages.

Thanks to all who contributed to this piece, be it in a phone call, an image taken over the years past, or a long, fireside conversation about the ethics and politics of our industry. (You know who you are.) And thanks to the team at FlyLife for sending the assignment my way.

Filed Under: Fishing, Published Tagged With: America, article, fishing, fly fishing, FlyLife, published, US, USA

Montana Summer

June 28, 2021 By Jess McGlothlin

Cutthroat trout dripping water, caught from a small stream in western Montana. Jess McGlothlin Media image.

Just filed a handful of articles for various clients and coming up for air here on my own blog. I’m fully into the summer “swing” here; have been shooting in Montana and Idaho, and just back from fishing in a striped bass catch-and-release tournament on Martha’s Vineyard (and a day spent playing tourist and shooting street photography in Boston, which was fantastic).

About to start a two-month sprint as of this Friday, but hoping to carve out some time to fish a bit in between projects. I was able to sneak away with friend Jared yesterday for a bit of western Montana bushwhacking, chasing after small-stream cutthroat trout. We saw plenty of bear and moose tracks and no human boot prints, which boded well for our scouting trip.

Aerial drone view of a small stream in western Montana during summer in wilderness. Jess McGlothlin Media image.

Turns out even in the creeks the cutthroat are being selective, and at one point we both ended up posted on fish, feeding them various flies until they finally ate. It was a pleasure to hike and hunt not too far from Missoula, and I’m keen to see what other day-long adventures we can cook up this summer.

In the next few months, I’m shooting in Idaho, hosting a trip on the Missouri (heading back to my industry roots!), have several Montana shoots lined up, working as a Fishing Director in Belize, shooting for another lodge in Belize, and have a handful of other projects coming up. Also some great Stateside fly-fishing shoots coming up in October. Keen to see what other shoots and projects fill in as the world starts to open up more, but appreciating each moment away from Missoula, with a camera and fly rod in hand.

Here’s a few images from Sunday’s bushwhacking adventure.

Jared Larsen fishing for cutthroat trout in a small stream in western Montana during summer. Jess McGlothlin Media image.

Jared Larsen fishing for cutthroat trout in a small stream in western Montana during summer. Jess McGlothlin Media image.

Aquatic insects green drakes on rocks in a small Montana stream while fly fishing. Jess McGlothlin Media image.

Cutthroat trout caught while fly fishing small stream in western Montana. Jess McGlothlin Media image.

Filed Under: Fishing Tagged With: creek, cutthroat, cutthroat trout, fishing, fly fishing, Jess McGlothlin Media, Missoula, Montana, photography, summer, western Montana

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Looking for the Old Blog?

Looking for the many posts from the FireGirlPhotographyBlog.com archives? They’re still alive and well—click the link above to read 10 years of tips and tricks, travel reports, fishing photography news and more.

Instagram

jess_mcglothlin_media

It’s always worth waking up before dawn when I’m on a lodge shoot. (Coffee tastes better when it’s still dark out, too.)

Last week in Belize for @elpescadorbelize.
I’ve got just one spot left to join me from Febr I’ve got just one spot left to join me from February 2-7, 2025 in Argentina on the @goldendoradorivercruiser! This mothership-based golden dorado program is a great winter break and offers some of ridiculously fun fishing, excellent cuisine, and comfortable quarters with good company. DM me for more info to grab this last spot; it’s well worth the $4,200.

📷: me and @martinanderssen, last season.
Grateful for wide open waters and the people who c Grateful for wide open waters and the people who choose to make their living on them. 

Image: Belize last week for @elpescadorbelize.
Despite the pretty massive challenges 2024 has bro Despite the pretty massive challenges 2024 has brought, I’ve been so damn grateful to have gotten to meet and work with incredible folks all over the world, in some pretty stellar fisheries. January and February were Argentina, visiting lodges I can’t wait to get back to in a few months to see friends. March was Baja and Las Vegas. April and May were the Darien Gap in Colombia. June brought me back here to Montana to shoot a friends wedding and a couple fishing jobs, and then it all came to a screeching halt with an injury. I canceled eight international shoots in all, spending August and September in Texas having surgery instead of abroad. But November’s brought me back to the road with a return trip to Belize, and I’m keenly looking toward to what 2025 brings. It’s going to be a sprint… and a marathon. A sprinting marathon? We’ll see.

I just know I can’t wait to be back on the water with both new and old friends, capturing stories and chasing fish. 

Thanks for following along, all. Grateful for you.

(Photo credit on the final shot goes to the awesome @highpeaksrep, who caught me on the other side of the camera this past May in Colombia.)
Posted @withregram • @elpescadorbelize Well, tha Posted @withregram • @elpescadorbelize Well, that’s all from me, folks! About to board my flight back to the States. Thanks for following along this week as I’ve been shooting and fishing at @elpescadorbelize. If you’re looking for a fishing getaway this winter, put Belize on your list. This crew will take good care of you. 

If you’re seeking more on fishing, travel, and what happens when the two combine, follow along at @jess_mcglothlin_media. Thanks for joining me this week, and I hope to run into you all down in Belize one of these days!
Ten weeks ago I was learning how to walk normally Ten weeks ago I was learning how to walk normally again after endoscopic spine surgery at @texasback. Four weeks ago I started to slowly add weight workouts back into my PT and training routine. Today, I am on the tail end of my first trip back on the road, on a shoot down in Belize for @elpescadorbelize. Though I’m still a bit limited on my activity, I’ve grateful to have snuck in a few days fishing with friends. This tarpon, caught while fishing today with @jrflyhighbaby and @portillomariano7, isn’t my biggest by a long stretch, but it’s going to forever be a memorable fish as it marks a (still slow) return back to work. 

Some things are meant to be. We were about to reel up and check another spot, and I asked Junior to wait a moment; I wanted to throw one more cast… something just told me it might not hurt. And you know what? It didn’t. This tarpon came up out of nowhere and smashed my home-tied purple-and-white tarpon toad. 

Thanks @jrflyhighbaby for the picture and the day, to @peterdermanmd and his team for a surgery very well done, to @epicflyfish for making a very fun fiberglass rod for tarpon, and to the entire @elpescadorbelize team for welcoming me back… always feels a bit like coming home.
I’ve learned it’s best to embrace and work wit I’ve learned it’s best to embrace and work with the conditions on any given day—with the cameras, fishing, and just about everything else. So when the light is bright, hazy, and full of glare, we adjust and work with it. 

@elpescadorbelize manager @ebenschaefer hooked into a snook a few days ago here in Belize.
Awesome to be back to work, back on the water, and Awesome to be back to work, back on the water, and back in Belize. I’m down at @elpescadorlodge this week doing a bit of photo work and an Instagram takeover for the lodge. 

Yesterday was my first day fishing since injuring my spine in June, which led to surgery September 10. I’m incredibly grateful I’m able to be back on the water (saltwater flats, no less) at 10 weeks post-op—we had this snook (and a lot of his buddies) in the first hour on the water! I’m still on very modified duties (careful of fast boat runs on choppy water, twisting while casting, and bending awkwardly), but being back on the water is good for the soul. 

Y’all know me… I’m usually behind the lens, not in front of it—and I’m happiest there. But consider this post proof of life. 😆 I’m slowly getting back into the field once again. 

Big thanks to guide @mikey_so_fly and Shawn for a good first couple days back on the water. Working at the lodge tomorrow for an architectural shoot, and then have a few more days of fishing. All’s well here in Belize.
And off we go again. I’m finally (and very car And off we go again. 

I’m finally (and very carefully) back on the road, (slowly) resuming work after a summer / fall of injury-surgery-recovery. I’m still somewhat limited in my activities, but am thrilled to be heading to familiar waters at @elpescadorbelize for a week of photography and fishing. The fishing program won’t be quiet my usual—no targeting the big tarpon this trip—but I’ll be plenty happy to play around with other critters. Belize just had Tropical Storm Sara pass through last night, so we’ll see what the conditions hold. Stay tuned this week here on IG for daily IG trip report stories as I get back to work on the flats of Belize.

And if you’re in an airport and see a tall girl with a tan @pelican case covered in fishing stickers, say hello! I have a day of flying and five airports to hurdle through before I hit the dock at the lodge.
Getting close to final call on this trip! If you’re looking for a winter escape or feeling a bit celebratory, come fish Argentina in January. I’ll be at @estancialagunaverde on Lago Strobel January 25 - February 1, 2025, and have a few spots open for anglers. (I’ll also be offering basic photo instruction for those who are interested.) Join me as we fish for massive rainbow trout, enjoy the stunning scenery and epic fishing, and relax with excellent food and lodging. 

Pricing is $7,500 (7 nights / 6.5 days fishing); private room and shared guide. DM for more info.
Cheer on your people. And if the air temp’s belo Cheer on your people. And if the air temp’s below freezing, it just means your beer stays cold longer.

Image: @katmai_sky toasts to a fun, frigid girls’ day on the Missouri River. Montana, March 2023.
Happy 135th birthday, Montana. Image: Missouri Ri Happy 135th birthday, Montana.

Image: Missouri River, Montana. Summer 2013.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Follow Along on Social

RSS
Follow by Email
Facebook
Facebook
fb-share-icon
Twitter
Visit Us
Follow Me
Tweet
Instagram

Categories

  • Drone
  • Fishing
  • Gear
  • Hunt
  • Jess McGlothlin Media
  • News
  • Published
  • Random
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • West
  • Writing

Recent Posts

  • We’ve Moved to Substack
  • Documentary Photography: 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party
  • New Workshop Announcement!
  • Thoughts on Thanksgiving
  • Stats Breakdown: The Past 11 Weeks on the Road

Recent Comments

  • Jess McGlothlin on Andiamo Firenze
  • Meg on Andiamo Firenze
  • Jess McGlothlin on Montana Summer
  • Victor on Montana Summer
  • Jess McGlothlin on Thoughts on Thanksgiving
  • Blog
  • Blog Archives
  • Portfolio
  • Jess
  • Contact
  • Partners

Copyright © 2025 · Jess McGlothlin Media · Log in