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Rick Kustich

@rickkustich

5.9K

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Fly fishing author, instructor, travel host, guide.
Recent books: Modern Spey Fishing, Hunting Musky with a Fly
@rioproducts ambassador

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TBT Going through some old photos and found one of my favorites from British Columbia almost 14 years ago to the day. This was a quick lift and snap limiting the time the fish was out of the water. While that was an accepted approach back then, for years now I keep steelhead submerged for photos to fully eliminate air exposure.

My trips to BC were a nearly annual event until Covid and some lean return years disrupted the routine. Seeing and hearing stories from friends that have been there this year have me missing this special place. It is a resource that is critical to preserve even though there are numerous threats to its future. I need to get back. But recognize that being a steelhead angler today requires a greater care for the fish and the resource. And providing support anyway we can hopefully makes a difference.

#steelhead #wildsteelhad #nativefishsociety #skeenawild #wildsalmoncenter #theconservationangler by @rickkustich

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a year ago

There are those moments in fly fishing when the experience is so intense that it creates an image indelibly etched in the mind. This past Monday while fishing with Joe Goodspeed @teeth_and_trout on my home river, this beast intently followed the fly to boat. In what seemed like ultra slow motion, the fish eats the fly on the first turn of the figure 8. Chaos ensues. I could tell by the angle of the eat that the fish is most likely not hooked well. Luckily Joe sees the whole thing go down, quickly makes the same assessment and is ready with the net in record time. After a short but anxious heart pounding struggle, we work together to slide the fish into the net. As we look in the net to admire the girth of the musky, our suspicions are confirmed as the fly has already fallen out of its mouth. I’ll never forget seeing that grab and always be truly grateful for Joe’s all star net work.

#musky #muskyhunter #muskyflyfishing #muskyonthefly #muskyfly #huntingmuskywithafly #muskyfishing #flyfishingformusky #muskie #muskieflyfishing #muskieonthefly #muskiefishing #fishof10000casts #thegrindisreal #muskyfool #thechocklettfactory #gamechangerfly #nyflyfishing @rbmeiserflyrods @rioproducts @thechocklettfactory @muskyfool by @rickkustich

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2 years ago

An incredible day on my home river. Both elated and humbled. It had been entirely uneventful until one fortunate cast turned things into utter chaos. A tense battle ensued complete with a heart stopping areal display.

@magogsmelt and I have fished through blazing heat, bone chilling cold, rain, wind, snow and sleet. Successes have been hard earned. I have scooped up Nick’s triumphs over the years so it was fitting and comforting to have him on the camera and net for this fish. It’s been a great shared passion.

From a tactical standpoint fishing proven water with a confidence fly is always a good approach. My new RB Meiser 9’9” overhead casting rod played its part in both effortless casts and the power to land a big musky. And looking a little deeper we have long made the connection of moon rise and sets with increased musky activity. This fish ate within minutes of a moon set.

Thank you Nick for the great photo!

#musky #muskyfishing #muskyflyfishing #flyfishingformusky #muskyonthefly #muskie #muskiefishing #muskienation #muskyhunter #huntingmuskywithafly #wnyflyfishing #wnyfishing #bucktailgamechanger #riverchanger #muskyfool #muskytown @rbmeiserflyrods @simmsfishing @rioproducts @hmh_vises @flymenfishingco by @rickkustich

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4 years ago

Apparently 10,000 casts has once again been attained. Sometimes it feels like twice that many. But with the days getting shorter, light getting softer and water temperatures dropping it’s time for the tables to turn. The best days are on the way and can’t wait for the fall season to unfold!
#musky #muskyflyfishing #muskyonthefly #muskyflyfishing #rioflylines by @rickkustich

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16 hours ago

Autumn colors. Brookies and bamboo.
#brooktrout #brooktroutfishing #brooktrouttherapy #sweetgrassrods #bamboo @sweetgrass_rods by @rickkustich

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6 days ago

Rain plus rising water equaled streamer time yesterday. It has been a bit dry in western NY despite rain and unfortunate flooding in other areas of the country. It usually pays to mobilize quickly to hit the rise. #troutspey #streamerfishing #onehandspey #browntrout #browntroutflyfishing by @rickkustich

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8 days ago

Still two spots open for the Swing the Fly hosted trip in March 2027 to Las Buitreras on the Rio Gallegos in Argentina. Las Buitreras is top notch operation with talented guides and staff. And the beautiful Rio Gallegos nestled into the stunning Patagonia landscape is host to a robust migration of sea-run brown trout. It’s an opportunity to pursue the largest brown trout in the world and the fish of a lifetime. DM me if you are interested.

#browntrout #seatrout #searunbrown #searunbrowntrout #argentina @speynation @swingthefly by @rickkustich

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10 days ago

The new RIO Outbound Musky Lines are here ready for the fall musky grind!

@rioproducts #musky #muskyflyfishing #muskyonthefly #muskyfly #muskyflies by @rickkustich

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12 days ago

The Swing the Fly Journal 26.3 is now live. It’s a strong issue loosely related to travel and the pursuit of the swung fly. It includes my article on this past summer’s Alaska adventure. Swing the Fly is a great resource and value. Check out www.swingthefly.com

#swingthefly #thevoiceofspey #spey #speycasting #speyfishing by @rickkustich

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15 days ago

I was able to spend some time on the water last week with my brother Jerry on his home waters. Even though he has been an angler for some 70 years Jerry still approaches each outing with a youthful enthusiasm and an appreciation for the adventure and chase.

#brothers #stripers #smallmouthbass #kayakfishing #maryland by @rickkustich

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21 days ago

If you are interested in musky fly fishing - just a reminder about my musky masterclass on the Anchored Outdoors platform. Here is a link to a sample chapter of the class on rigging and also a link to the full class. Check it out.

https://anchoredoutdoors.com/fly-fishing-for-musky-with-rick-kustich-getting-rigged/

https://courses.anchoredoutdoors.com/courses/fly-fishing-for-musky-with-rick-kustich

#musky #muskyonthefly #muskyflyfishing #muskyfly #muskie by @rickkustich

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a month ago

I have long thought about getting a replica mount to commemorate a special experience or catch but never found the right situation or fish. Finally pulled the trigger on a musky from my home river caught on a Game Changer fly. It’s a fish that I got an accurate measurement but subpar photos. Great work by @fittante_taxidermy !

#musky #muskyflyfishing #muskyonthefly #muskyfishing #muskie by @rickkustich

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a month ago