Instagram story viewer> @thefriguy> Posts

Brian Cloutier

@thefriguy

1.4K

followers

1801

following

Un-sponsor-able:
Adj. - Too Loud About Real World Problems For A Company To Put their Name Behind.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

What's this experience worth to you?

Nights wrapped in Neoprene, knowingly repelling a few steps lower into the food chain.

Summers spent fighting against Poseidon's grasp, Clamoring to boulders like a barnacle.

All in search of a striped fish we intend to stroke gently and release back to its salty abode.

I don't know about y'all, But this is my life now - Striped Bass reside in my brain 24/7 - 365 days and nights a year.
Its an addiction I will never seek help for.

It's hard watching it circle the drain again, while greedy commissioners decide how to divy up the last of the mohegans.

📸: @jacobjaskiel
#surfcaster #northofboston #boundbythemoon #rockhopper #creepinwhileyoursleepin #moronesaxatilis #stripedbass #stripercoast #beastcoast #weownthenight #northeastsurfcasters #fishermanslife #outdoorwriting #june #2025 #Summer #Neoprenedreams #justkeepswimming @stormrusa @vanstaalofficial @centuryrodsusa @blackdiamond @saltwaterguidesassociation @tomostackle @korkersfootwear @omsystem.cameras @hendersonusa @bkkhooks_americas taken in Massachusetts by @thefriguy

148

13

a year ago

At this point, If you consider yourself:
• A Good Fisherman
• An Avid Angler
• A fishing Vlogger
• An Outdoor Writer/Journalist
• Or any other elevated stance in the angling world.

If you are:
• A Fishing Guide
• A Charter Captain
• A Tackle Shop Owner

And you don't know that this fishery is in trouble, I incur you to go check out @Saltwaterguidesassociations podcast on @spotify or any other places to listen in on podcasts.

Then sign their letter, And I encourage you to write your own to the ASMFC before December 10th.

The writing's been on the wall for years, Fading and decaying with the population of this amazing fishery I so dearly would like to share with my future Kin.

No target closures would cripple so many angler related businesses, including my own That I've just started this very year.

As a catch and release only, recreational angler and lure builder - I support The American Saltwater Guides Association. They understand the science and do everything they can to make fisheries management easier to understand for the average stakeholder like myself and many others. They cut through the jargon and explain the complicated bureaucratic nonsense that is fisheries science.
They create a path for regular anglers to have a voice.

If my business fails - I have a fall back, And work in a trade that will never fade; You charter captains, Guides, and Tackle businesses that make this fishery your sole source of income better start working together before we lose everything.

I've tagged as many of the folks who are relevant to my angling experience as instagram would allow - If wish to be included Tag yourself in the comments, and I'll edit you into the text of this post.

#surfcaster #northofboston #boundbythemoon #rockhopper #creepinwhileyoursleepin #moronesaxatilis #stripedbass #stripercoast #beastcoast #weownthenight #northeastsurfcasters #fishermanslife #outdoorwriting #outdoorphotography #conservation #notonotarget #conservationequivalencysucks #asga
#officialdatercollector #asmfc #redtape #baffledbyignorance
@stormrusa @vanstaalofficial @centuryrodsusa @blackdiamond @saltwaterguidesassociation @tomostackle @massmarinefisheries #savethestripes https://www.saltwaterguidesassociation.com/striper-action-alert/ taken in Beverly, Massachusetts by @thefriguy

272

30

2 years ago

No words..

#aurora #auroraborealis #surfcaster #northofboston #October #2024 #boundbythemoon #rockhopper #creepinwhileyoursleepin #moronesaxatilis #stripedbass #stripercoast #beastcoast #weownthenight #northeastsurfcasters #fallrun #fishermanslife #outdoorwriting #outdoorphotography #tg7
@stormrusa @vanstaalofficial @centuryrodsusa @blackdiamond @saltwaterguidesassociation @tomostackle @omsystem.cameras @korkersfootwear taken in Massachusetts by @thefriguy

237

14

2 years ago

Slaying Fall dragons with my brother from another mother..

#surfcaster #saltlife #ontherocks #stripedbass #homies taken in Massachusetts by @thefriguy

151

7

10 days ago

Prototype metal lip swimmers putting in fall run work..
We'll have these at Mugs and Plugs if it happens, And @saltwateredge Show in April.

Catch and Release guys, And revive your fish - It's literally never been more important to take care of these girls..

Get your comments in for the TAC reduction on Menhaden.. also never been more important than it is right this moment.
And follow the @saltwaterguidesassociation to Stay in tune with the management of this amazing fishery.

Enjoy the fall run Guy's and Gal's. 🤙

#fishinglures #surfcasting #saltwaterfishing #stripedbassplugs #explorepage taken in North Shore (Massachusetts) by @thefriguy

162

5

10 days ago

For the last 5 years, Striped Bass have infiltrated every thread of my life.

At home, I'm building lures, Tying flies, Prepping gear, Servicing reels, and Tying Leaders; Constantly preparing for that next tide and opportunity to fool another Striped Bass into eating an inanimate object.
At work; I'm constantly checking wind and tide. Watching the swell and weather patterns via 4 different models. Constantly evolving my plan of attack for the evening ahead.
When I'm asleep; I'm generally dreaming of being hooked up to a bass from my favorite submerged rock - being viciously assaulted by the surf.
Off-season; I'm building lures and flies for other folks to fish, and repairing the gear that nightly trips to the sea had tolled over the prior 7 months.

Roughly 80% of my life is devoted to striped bass - And I've never harvested one, And I don't make a dime off the species either.
(If you think building plugs and fleyes turns a profit, I invite you to try it for yourself, Or just ask any plug builder how wrong you are)

These fish have been over-harvested for 30 years, Since the Moratorium ended in 95'. The data is there for everyone to see for themselves.
That said, Unless you're a data nerd or some form of;
Fisheries Science and Management is a hard subject to comprehend. The time it takes to define and familiarize yourself with the terminology alone is unnerving, but necessary.

The American Saltwater Guides Association is working tirelessly to fast-track the public's understanding of fisheries science and management. Their @guidepostpodcast focuses on the vital information that influences the decisions made behind the doors of the ASMFC quarterly meetings, and helps to decode the language the management staff uses to define the current state of Striped Bass and other Gamefish populations up and down the East Coast

I urge you to go follow @saltwaterguidesassociation, As well as the Guidepost Podcast on Spotify.
The new MRIP (Marine Recreational Information Program) numbers are out, And there's some information boiling to the top that y'all are gonna want to hear for yourselves.
#stripedbass #saltwaterfishing #conservation #economia #foryoupage taken in North Shore (Massachusetts) by @thefriguy

288

15

a month ago

This fish is almost 3 years in the making. I've had so many fleyes followed, nosed, and inevitably refused right in front of my eyes.

You can tell by the smile on my face that I didn't care what was at the other end of the line - I was just happy to finally be connected to one.

This is my first fish on a fly, Even better yet; a fleye I tied. Here's to hopefully a few more before I kick the proverbial bucket. 🍺

Thanks to @aaron.isthe.captain for talking my stubborn ass into to getting out on a yak on this local piece of shallow water for a day, And for grabbing these awesome shots while I was trying to figure out what I was doing "on the fly". 🤣

Apparently, now I gotta procure or make one of those fancy nets..

#flyfishing #crappie #oldtown #massachusetts #fish taken in Beverly, Massachusetts by @thefriguy

79

10

a month ago

A light in the dark.

🎣@jacobjaskiel
#starrynights #selfreflect #stripedbass #saltwaterfishing #surfcasting taken in Atlantic Ocean by @thefriguy

88

4

a month ago

The amount of time me and this dude have spent combing the surf zone, under these stars is kind of crazy when I look back on it.

"Bro, we've been through some sh*t..

Here's to the night we finally took a photo together, Bud.
🤙

#partnersincrime #saltwaterfishing #surfcasting #intotheabyss #foryoupage taken in Massachusetts by @thefriguy

137

6

a month ago

Luna
Sturgeon Moon - 2026

#eclipse #luna #moon #astrophotography #foryou taken in Massachusetts by @thefriguy

50

16

2 months ago

Sunday night Rigging sesh..

Thanks to Jerry and Toby for the shout out on @thesurfcastpodcast this past Monday.
My process is no different than anyone else's. These are just the supplies I use.

#surfcasting #saltwaterfishing #stripedbass #saltlife #foryou taken in North Shore (Massachusetts) by @thefriguy

232

9

2 months ago

"Hey Guys, Whats up!?"

Google Lens ID:
"Summer Flounder"
Paralichthys dentatus
This was found to most likely be incorrect.

Corrected ID:
"Windowpane Flounder"
Scophthalmus aquosus

#marinelife #saltwater #marinephotography #reelsinstagram #massachusetts by @thefriguy

76

9

2 months ago