An angler cradling a wild trout in the water before release

Our story

A home for fly fishing.

Not another feed to fall into. A tool for getting out, getting better, and looking after the water that makes all of this worth it.

The water deserves better than a feed

Most social apps don't care about fly fishing. They care about time-on-app. They'll happily reward a fish held too long, in the sun, for the likes — because what's good for engagement isn't always what's good for the resource. We wanted something that actually cares about the thing we love.

Built for fishing, not for scrolling

Fishbums isn't designed to be addictive. We'd genuinely rather see a photo of a hard-won dink — the little guy that took you all day because nothing in your box made sense — than a parade of grip-and-grins. Good stories are cooler than big numbers.

Check the conditions, find a new fly shop to poke around, then go fish. Don't spend the hatch staring at your phone.

“We'd rather see a hard-won dink than another hero shot.”

Can't get out? Tie one on.

Weather blown out? Work got in the way? Sit down at the vise. Use the app for pattern ideas, dig through your materials, and tie a few. Then share the weird new bug you came up with — we genuinely want to see it.

Hands tying a small fly onto tippet

Respect the resource

We're not here to be the fish-handling police. But we do care, and we'll always nudge in the right direction: keep 'em wet, pinch the barbs, take the photo quickly, and let 'em go strong. Respect the water, respect the access, and when you can, speak up for the places we all fish.

Without the resource, there's no fly fishing. It's that simple.

Video: a fun, no-nonsense take on better fish handling

Keep 'em wet

A quick, fun watch on better fish handling.

Watch →

Come fish with us.
— The Fishbums crew

Get on the water

Check the conditions, tie a few, and go find your fish.