Hardy Fly Fishing Celebrates Andy Mill’s Induction Into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame -- Press Release 23 Sept 2025

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Hardy Fly Fishing Celebrates Andy Mill’s Induction Into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Celebrated angler and longtime Hardy collaborator honored for his influence in saltwater fly fishing.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Sept. 23, 2025) – Andy Mill’s induction into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame is a richly deserved honor that reflects both his extraordinary accomplishments on the water and his lasting impact on the sport of fly fishing. As an angler, author, conservationist, and long-time product collaborator with Hardy, Mill has helped shape the future of saltwater fly fishing in every sense. For more than 15 years, Mill’s fingerprints have marked the industry’s leading gear. His insights and feedback have informed the tapers, strength, and feel behind multiple award-winning rod series – most notably the Marksman Z. He has likewise guided the evolution of the Fortuna series of fly reels, where his exacting standards produced the Fortuna Regent—a sealed-drag powerhouse balancing strength, size, and weight. Mill’s design eye and rigorous testing have not only advanced the Hardy portfolio but have pushed the entire industry to meet the demands of the toughest saltwater anglers. From his early days as an Olympic skier to his rise as a world-class saltwater fly angler, Andy Mill’s record is unmatched. He has won more invitational tarpon fly tournaments than anyone else, including multiple Gold Cup and Golden Fly events. He is one of only a few anglers to ever win tournaments for tarpon, bonefish, and permit on the fly. Beyond tournaments, Mill has deep influence in the sport of fly through writing, speaking and podcasting. He is the author of A Passion for Tarpon, hosted Sportsman’s Journal with Andy Mill, and now produces the Mill House Podcast, with his son Nicky. He is a committed conservationist and mentor. His work with the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, among other organizations, underscores his dedication to protecting fisheries and passing on knowledge to the next generation of anglers.  “We are honored to count Andy as part of the Hardy family,” said Jake Fischenich,  Hardy Brand Manager. “The list of his achievements and contributions to this sport are nearly as impressive as his kindness, patience, and generosity in teaching others. This Hall of Fame recognition is greatly deserved.” Mill’s induction into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame is not only a fitting recognition of his past accomplishments, but also a celebration of what he continues to bring to the sport through mentorship, media, conservation and gear innovation. Hardy Fly Fishing applauds him for being a bridge between tradition and progress, helping ensure that saltwater fly fishing continues to evolve to meet the needs of saltwater anglers for many years to come. For more information about Hardy, click here.

MCFF Tying Night -- 15 Sept 2025

 

 

Fun tie and a great crowd at Tying Night with MCFF. Guy lead the group in tying the Crease Fly, which reinforced some basic techniques while throwing in foam and super glue. If you don't glue the fly to your hand, you're doing pretty good! 

MCFF meets the 2nd & 3rd Monday each month. As always, all are welcome and I'll be glad to save you a seat!

Salt Life Brand Partners with Eyeking -- Press Release 10 Sept 2025

 

Salt Life Brand Partners with Eyeking to Launch Performance Eyewear Line

“Eyewear is an essential part of the SALT LIFE lifestyle. It protects, performs, and completes the vibe.” — Ryan Sainsott, SVP of Iconix International

New York, NY (Sept. 10, 2025) - The SALT LIFE brand is proud to announce a new licensing partnership with Eyeking LLC, a fourth-generation, award-winning eyewear design and distribution company. This collaboration brings the SALT LIFE brand back into the eyewear category with performance-forward, lifestyle-driven sunglasses designed for life in and around the water. With deep roots in both quality craftsmanship and ocean-inspired living, the partnership blends SALT LIFE’s coastal DNA with Eyeking’s expertise in delivering innovative and category-defining eyewear. “We take eyewear seriously, but we also know how to Live Salty. This partnership is the result of a shared commitment to quality, authenticity, and lifestyle-driven design,” said Darren Goldman, Vice President of Eyeking LLC. “Salt Life has a strong presence in the outdoor market, and we’re excited to help elevate their eyewear offering with product that reflects both performance and purpose. It’s a win for the brand, for retailers, and most importantly for consumers.” Designed to meet the demands of outdoor enthusiasts, the new SALT LIFE eyewear collection blends polarized lenses, high-performance materials, and lightweight construction with style cues inspired by life on the water. From offshore fishing trips to laid-back days at the beach, each pair reflects the brand’s mantra: Fish | Dive | Surf. LIVE SALTY. “Eyewear is an essential part of the SALT LIFE lifestyle. It protects, performs, and completes the vibe,” said Ryan Sainsott, SVP of Iconix International. Eyeking’s proven expertise in developing world-class eyewear makes them the perfect partner for this category. Together we’re bringing a product to market that supports every salty moment from the water to the boardwalk. The collection will debut at key outdoor retailers and online at SaltLife.com, with select styles available through specialty accounts and destination lifestyle stores nationwide.

Costa Schoolie and Street Heat Youth Sunglasses - Press Release 9 Sept 2025

 

Costa Unveils New Collection of Sunglasses Curated For The Next Generation Of Water Explorers

As a new wave of watermen hit the water, Costa expands its offerings

September 9, 2025

Liam Giberson in Schoolie

Life on the water is about tradition. From passing along secret surf spots to learning techniques on how to cast, those who share a love of our watery world have often grown up around it. As young explorers set out on new adventures, Costa is announcing an all-new collection of eyewear designed for the next generation.

Kai Thompson in Street Heat

The first to join the collection is Street Heat, a versatile frame blending function and durability with modern street style. Taking design cues from Costa’s Grand Catalina, Street Heat delivers similar aesthetic cues, including micro side shields and hooding for safeguarding from the elements. The new sunglasses are sported by Kai Thompson, a bold new voice in surfing with roots in Southern California. Making a name for himself as a hard charger with a fearless style and explosive presence, Kai’s journey reflects a generation that rides with purpose and dares to be seen.

Costa Street Heat Matte Aqua Drip with Gray 580P

Kai Thompson in Street Heat

Schoolie, a performance frame created for junior anglers, was designed and crafted from the insights of future pros themselves. Mimicking Costa's iconic designs and time-tested performance features, Schoolie helps the next generation of watermen build confidence comfortably on the water through a secure fit and ample coverage. The frames are inspired and modeled by Liam Giberson, a young angler who’s already reeled in an impressive catch list at just 12 years old.

Liam Giberson in Schoolie

“According to data from the American Sportfishing Association, participation from the younger demographic in water-related activities has been consistently growing over the last several years. Across fishing specifically, there’s an average of 12.7 million reported participants,” said Jed Larkin, Brand Marketing Director at Costa. “As a company that’s dedicated to creating the highest quality, best-performing sunglasses on the planet, we’re honored to have the chance to play a part of their journey on the water.”

Costa Schoolie Tiger Shark with Blue Mirror 580P

Liam Giberson in Schoolie

Schoolie and Street Heat are now available on CostaDelMar.com and select retailers nationwide starting at $130. To follow the latest news from Costa, join the community at @CostaSunglasses on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

About Costa Sunglasses

As the first manufacturer of color-enhancing all-polarized glass sunglass lenses, Costa combines superior lens technology with unparalleled fit and durability. Costa has made the highest quality, best-performing sunglasses and prescription sunglasses (Rx) for outdoor enthusiasts since 1983, and now its product portfolio includes optical frames. Costa’s growing cult-brand status ties directly to its purpose to provide high-quality products with a focus on sustainability and conservation as the company works hard to protect the waters it calls home. From the use of sustainable and water-friendly materials to its Kick Plastic® initiative, #OneCoast efforts and meaningful partnerships with mission-aligned organizations, Costa encourages people to help protect the Earth’s natural resources in any way they can. Find out more on Costa’s website and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or X at @CostaSunglasses.

North Central Florida Outdoor Expo -- 16 August 2025

 Had fun this morning checking out the North Central Florida Outdoor Expo at the World Equestrian Center! It's great to see such a hyper-local outdoor event so well attended! Boats, trucks, campers, clubs, outfitters, organizations, outdoor gear manufacturers and insurance agents all under one roof. 

MCFF Tying Night -- 21 July 2025

 Another great night of fly tying at Mid-Coast Flyfishers! Bob Dillon coached us through the challenging tie of Bill Bishop's Tarpon Mouse. Featuring a rabbit zonker tail supported by 80lb flouro, hackle feathers and spun deerhair! I went with the classic red and white, but black and purple is the more popular combo for our waters. MCFF meets the 2nd and 3rd Monday of every month. As always, all are welcome and I'll be glad to save you a seat!

St. Croix Fly Legend Elite & Legend Elite Salt -- Press Release 8 July 2025

 

Rule Your Water St. Croix Fly announces the return of Legend Elite and Legend Elite Salt rods for 2026     PARK FALLS, WIS. (July 8, 2025) – Moses and Merlin had staffs. Cronus had a scythe, Poseidon had a trident, and Athena had a rod. These mystical objects all wielded great powers and were not just tools. Each was an extension of its carrier’s essence, implementing and executing their will with ease, power, and precision.   Fly rods may not contain actual magic, witchcraft, or divine power, but here at St. Croix Fly, we do believe they should maximize abilities and elevate experiences. In other words, help implement and execute the will of the caster with ease, power, and precision.   St. Croix LEGEND ELITE and LEGEND ELITE SALT rods are back for 2026. Designed and precision crafted with the objective of helping all anglers rule their water, these all-new fly rods are rolled on the original angler-favorite LE and LE Salt mandrels, but have been completely updated with new materials, technologies, and componentry for new levels of sizzling St. Croix performance.       Designed for you and anyone else in your boat, new-for-2026 LEGEND ELITE #3 through #8 all-water rods deliver even more dutiful power, control, and satisfying lightweight performance. Medium-fast with loads of feel, refined and responsive LEGEND ELITE tapers are distinct across all 12 models to deliver technique-specific performance. Whether dropping a #22 trico on a six-inch seam or swinging an intruder past a far-bank boulder, LEGEND ELITE comes standard with inspiring made-in-the-USA St. Croix performance backed by a 15-year warranty… no extra charge for smiles, and high fives.   LEGEND ELITE TECHNOLOGY GROUP Advanced materials matrix consisting of high-modulus high-strain SCIV and SCIII carbons Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) mandrel tooling provides improved energy transfer, increased strength, and mega-efficient rod recovery Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ART) utilizes an exotic carbon fiber scrim that adds a magnitude of strength (10x) with virtually no increase in blank diameter or weight. ART significantly increases hoop strength and reduces ovaling under severe loads while also supporting Slim-Profile Ferrule (SPF) design Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology combines a fortified super resin with computer-operated curing ovens delivering precise temperature and time management throughout all stages of blank curing. FRS prevents microbuckling, keeping carbon fibers in alignment and resulting in blanks tested to be 33% stronger than those built with standard resins and curing methods Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) incorporates precision-cut, curved blank patterns from state-of-the-art computer pattern-cutting machines. Curved TET patterns fit and lay up more precisely on IPC mandrels, resulting in stronger and more consistent actions with improved feel Slim-Profile Ferrule (SPF) design adds herculean strength with minimal added weight   LEGEND ELITE FEATURES Hard chrome snake guides Double-foot hard chrome Fuji SiC stripper guides Hook Keeper Snub nose (379-4 through 480-4), micro full wells (490-4 through 6100-4), or full wells (790-4 through 8100-4) super-grade cork handle with cork-rubber accents Tapered super-grade cork fighting butt with cork-rubber accents (.5”on 4100-4, 5100-4, 690-4, and 6100-4 models, and 1” on 790-4 through 8100-4 models) Custom uplocking, machined aluminum reel seat (all models) with rosewood inserts (379-4, 480-4, 490-4, and 590-4 models) Aluminum rod tube with rod sock 15-year warranty Designed and precision-crafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA   LEGEND ELITE MODELS FLE379-4 / 3-weight, 7’9”, 4-piece, medium-fast action / Retail $595 FLE480-4 / 4-weight, 8’, 4-piece, medium-fast action / Retail $595 FLE490-4 / 4-weight, 9’, 4-piece, medium-fast action / Retail $595 FLE4100-4 / 4-weight, 10’, 4-piece, medium-fast action / Retail $595 FLE590-4 / 5-weight, 9’, 4-piece, medium-fast action / Retail $595 FLE5100-4 / 5-weight, 10’, 4-piece, medium-fast action / Retail $595 FLE690-4 / 6-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / MSRP: $595 FLE6100-4 / 6-weight, 10’, 4-piece, fast action / MSRP: $595 FLE790-4 / 7-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / MSRP: $595 FLE7100-4 / 7-weight, 10’, 4-piece, fast action / MSRP: $595 FLE890-4 / 8-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / MSRP: $595 FLE8100-4 / 8-weight, 10’, 4-piece, fast action / MSRP: $595     Whether you live and work along the coast or it’s where your travels take you, saltwater fly fishing never gets old. The ocean is where new experiences happen daily – on windy flats, tide-flooded mangroves, estuaries and passes, or glassy offshore waters. Encompassing six models in #7 through #12 weights, LEGEND ELITE SALT is designed to maximize opportunity for all saltwater anglers via powerful and accurate fast-action tapers that are as satisfying to cast as they are to own. Engineered and precision-crafted with all top St. Croix technologies, LEGEND ELITE SALT rods begin with an all-new matrix of premium SCIV and SCIII carbon materials. This means lighter and more responsive blanks with reduced swing weights and improved balance without sacrifice to strength or power. Coupling its highly refined actions with premium ergonomics and aesthetics, LEGEND ELITE SALT capitalizes on opportunity with fast-with-feel performance in any saltwater arena.   LEGEND ELITE SALT TECHNOLOGY GROUP Advanced materials matrix consisting of high-modulus high-strain SCIV and SCIII carbons Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) mandrel tooling provides improved energy transfer, increased strength, and mega-efficient rod recovery Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ART) utilizes an exotic carbon fiber scrim that adds a magnitude of strength (10x) with virtually no increase in blank diameter or weight. ART significantly increases hoop strength and reduces ovaling under severe loads while also supporting Slim-Profile Ferrule (SPF) design Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology combines a fortified super resin with computer-operated curing ovens delivering precise temperature and time management throughout all stages of blank curing. FRS prevents microbuckling, keeping carbon fibers in alignment and resulting in blanks tested to be 33% stronger than those built with standard resins and curing methods Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) incorporates precision-cut, curved blank patterns from state-of-the-art computer pattern-cutting machines. Curved TET patterns fit and lay up more precisely on IPC mandrels, resulting in stronger and more consistent actions with improved feel Slim-Profile Ferrule (SPF) design adds herculean strength with minimal added weight   LEGEND ELITE SALT FEATURES Hard chrome snake guides Double-foot SiC hard chrome stripper guides Full wells super-grade cork handle with cork-rubber accents 1 “ contoured super-grade cork fighting butt with cork-rubber accents (790-4 through 990-4) Oversized super-grade cork fighting butt with cork-rubber accents (1090-4 through 1290-4) Custom uplocking, machined aluminum reel seat Aluminum rod tube with rod sock 15-year warranty Designed and precision-crafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA   LEGEND ELITE SALT MODELS SLE790-4 / 7-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / Retail $650 SLE890-4 / 8-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / Retail $650 SLE990-4 / 9-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / Retail $650 SLE1090-4 / 10-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / Retail $650 SLE1190-4 / 11-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / Retail $650 SLE1290-4 / 12-weight, 9’, 4-piece, fast action / Retail $650   Rule your water by making every shot count. Back for 2026 better than ever, LEGEND ELITE and LEGEND ELITE SALT fly rods don’t possess witchcraft or divine energy; they just feel and perform like they do, courtesy of more than seven decades of continual innovation, rod-design expertise, and American-manufacturing excellence.   New-for-2026 LEGEND ELITE and LEGEND ELITE SALT Series rods will be introduced this month at ICAST 2025. See them both in the St. Croix Booth #2223 and the ICAST Fly Shop, as well as LEGEND ELITE in the Fly Rod category of the ICAST 2025 New Product Showcase. LEGEND ELITE will be available to anglers and authorized St. Croix specialty fly retailers on or about September 1. LEGEND ELITE SALT will follow on or about November 1.     ABOUT ST. CROIX FLY At the core of our brand ethos lives a simple yet fierce conviction; we exist to create dynamic fishing tools that intuitively help you evolve as a caster and angler. Our focused philosophy continually questions conventional wisdom, inspires innovation, and drives our persistent pursuit of fly rod perfection. When you own a St. Croix — it’s more than just a rod, it’s a promise. It’s more than seven decades of hard-earned knowledge aimed at designing and building the Best Rods on Earth, so you can be at your best in your own persistent pursuit. Join our journey at stcroixfly.com. The St. Croix Family of Brands includes St. Croix Fly, St. Croix Rod, SEVIIN Reels, and Rod Geeks.