The 2026 Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show returns March 19-22 to the Spokane Fair & Expo Center with a choose-your-own-adventure mix of gear, how-to learning and kid-friendly attractions for anglers, hunters and anyone who prioritizes time outside. Now in its 64th year, the volunteer-powered show is produced by the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council nonprofit organization.

Daily seminars and demonstrations led by local guides and field experts cover skills from casting and fishing techniques to backcountry know-how, with interactive attractions like Fishing World, archery, gem hunting at the Silvermine and a kids’ adventure map offering something for all ages. Fishing World is an event highlight with live-fish pools where little anglers can catch a real fish. There’s also an airsoft rifle range, trophy displays, a lounge for those 21 and older and other live entertainment. Hours run noon-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 online and $18 at the door for adults, with discounts for youth, seniors, veterans, military and first responders; kids 5 and under are free, and kids under 13 get in free Sunday. Details and tickets are available at Inwc.org/big-horn-show.

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By Ryan Stemkoski

A man does not usually walk into a fly shop expecting his life to change. He comes looking for a rod, a reel, a handful of flies, and perhaps a little advice. Sometimes, he comes with curiosity and uncertainty, hoping someone behind the counter can help make sense of a sport that feels both beautiful and overwhelming. For Kevin Knight, that walk into the House of Fly inside North 40 Outfitters was exactly that. He had no idea it would become the beginning of a friendship, a mentorship, and a turning point that would quietly reshape his life.

Behind the counter stood Chip O’Brien, wearing his familiar scally cap, calm and unassuming. Kevin asked the question nearly every beginner asks. “I am on a budget. Where do I start?”

In a retail world that often equates the value of a customer with the bottom line, Chip responded differently. He did not point Kevin toward premium rods or showcase the most expensive reels. He did not overwhelm him with jargon or pressure. He listened. Then he guided him toward a modest rod-and-reel setup, something honest, affordable, and appropriate for someone just beginning.

It was a simple exchange. Professional. Respectful. The kind of interaction that feels refreshing but not yet remarkable.

What Kevin did not realize at the time was that he was standing before a fly-fishing icon. Not a casual enthusiast. Not simply a seasoned angler. Chip O’Brien had written hundreds of articles and several books. His work had appeared in respected national publications such as American Fly Fishing and Active NorCal, as well as a long list of fly-fishing magazines that anglers trust for education and truth on the water. He was, in many ways, a celebrity in the fly fishing world, a man whose words had already shaped how countless anglers understood rivers, insects, and fish. Yet there was not a trace of ego in how Chip approached Kevin. Chip genuinely wanted to help a beginner get into the sport.

To Kevin, Chip was simply a kind man behind a counter who took his question seriously.

That alone would have made the encounter positive. But what made it unforgettable came later.

A month or two passed. Kevin took his new rod-and-reel combo to the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. He was still learning. Still fumbling. Still unsure of himself. But that day, he landed his first Westslope Cutthroat trout. The moment carried weight far beyond the fish. It marked a shift from curiosity to connection, from interest to belonging.

He returned to the House of Fly and held up his phone. Chip leaned in, studied the image, smiled, and said, “What a beaut.”

Three simple words.

For Kevin, they carried the gravity of affirmation. Those words felt like recognition. He now felt welcomed into the fly-fishing fraternity. 

They talked that day for nearly two hours, interrupted only by customers coming in for flies, leaders, and advice for the coming season. During that conversation, Kevin learned that Chip was not just knowledgeable. He was a writer. An author. A former guide. A retired school teacher. A man whose life had been built around teaching others to understand both water and words.

What Kevin could not have known then was how deeply that conversation would echo into his life.

At the time, Kevin was stepping into one of the darkest seasons he had ever known. A divorce after seventeen years of marriage had fractured his sense of identity and stability. The future felt loud, uncertain, and heavy. Fly fishing at first became an escape. Then it became something far more powerful. It became a rhythm. A place of stillness. A way to breathe again.

And Chip was his guide on that journey.

Not through dramatic gestures. Not through speeches or prescriptions. He was there through time, conversation, and shared experience. Through showing Kevin not only how to cast, but also how to slow down. How to pay attention. How to let the river become a place of restoration rather than distraction.

Fly fishing gave Kevin peace. Chip gave it structure and possibility.

Kevin would later say that Chip saved his life. More than once.

That is not a statement made lightly. It is one that reveals how deeply mentorship can shape a person when it is grounded in care and compassion. Chip never positioned himself as a hero. He simply showed up consistently, with patience and respect. With genuine care and support.

And that is the thing about Chip. He affords every person he meets the same opportunity.

Customer after customer, he smiles and offers help. He learns names. He remembers stories. He treats beginners and experts with equal dignity. In a world shaped by speed and transaction, Chip practices presence. He understands that people rarely walk into fly shops carrying only fishing questions. They carry stories. Longings. Grief. Hope. Uncertainty.

The House of Fly inside North 40 Outfitters becomes a perfect reflection of that philosophy. North 40 is a store built for work and practicality. It serves farmers, hunters, gardeners, homesteaders, and families. It sells feed, boots, tools, and equipment. And tucked inside it is a fly shop that feels entirely different in pace and tone. It is slower. Quieter. Thoughtful. It feels like a classroom and a gathering place at the same time.

Here, one of the most experienced fly fishing writers and educators in the country chooses to spend his days helping people find their footing.

To understand why that matters, you have to understand who Chip has been long before Spokane ever knew his name.

Chip grew up in the Midwest, moving between Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois. His introduction to fly fishing came almost accidentally. After his father passed away, an old bamboo fly rod was left behind in the garage. It was not a cherished heirloom yet. Just an object waiting for meaning.

That meaning came when the family moved to eighty acres outside of West Bend, Wisconsin, with their own private lake. Chip tied on a bass popper that was already attached to the line and cast it out. A bass inhaled it almost immediately. Years later, he would reflect on that moment and wonder who had really been hooked.

Around the same time, his mother planted another seed. After a strong grade on a piece of writing, she said, “Maybe you should be a writer when you grow up.” Those words ignited a spark. 

There were no fly fishing magazines then. Chip read Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, and Sports Afield, eagerly waiting for the one fly fishing article each issue might contain. He decided that someday, he would write those stories himself.

So he pursued journalism, earning a bachelor’s degree and later a graduate degree in writing. Like many young adults with clear passions, he detoured into something that promised stability. Corporate sales in Los Angeles. A good income. A predictable future.

Then one morning, he told his wife, “All I really want to do is fish.”

That sentence changed everything. It altered finances. It strained relationships. It reshaped priorities. And it led him north to Northern California, where wild trout water and possibility ran side by side.

There he began writing seriously. Fishing seriously. Learning deeply. He worked with California Trout and later guided for Clearwater House, where he met Dick Galland. It was Galland who would give him the sentence that would define his life:

“I am not looking for people who are expert fly fishers. I can teach you that. I am looking for people who love people.”

Chip carried that sentence into every role he ever held.

He spent fourteen years guiding the best waters in Northern California. He taught fly-fishing classes for beginners, intermediates, and experts. He wrote prolifically. He discovered that while teaching others brought great fulfillment, it left little time for fishing. So he pivoted again.

He became a school teacher, teaching writing during the year and guiding and fishing during the summer. He lived a life built on curiosity and service. He wrote hundreds of articles. He authored several books. He wrote about technique, entomology, equipment, conservation, history, and the fragile places that should be protected through silence.

Life took him to Oregon through love and marriage. Then, eventually, to Spokane, drawn by the powerful bond between a grandmother and her grandchildren. After retirement, he fished throughout the West. And then restlessness returned.

He began searching for fly fishing opportunities in Spokane.

That search led him to the House of Fly inside North 40 Outfitters.

Much like guiding and teaching before it, Chip discovered that working in a fly shop suited him perfectly. Fly shops are places of conversation and connection. People come for flies but stay for stories. One day, it is carp tactics. The next day, it might be Hemingway. Then entomology. Then life.

Chip writes for the House of Fly blog. He fishes weekly, year-round. His articles continue to appear in national publications. Yet he chooses to spend his days helping beginners build confidence and veterans sharpen their understanding.

Spokane’s fly fishing culture is rich, and Chip is at the center of it. He is involved with Spokane Fly Fishers, Inland Empire Fly Fishers, and Spokane Women on the Fly. He helped organize the first annual Spokane Fly Fishing Showdown, bringing clubs together in friendly competition built on community rather than money. No prize purses. Only a trophy, pride, and a year of lighthearted rivalry. Again, none of it is about ego; it is about true love for the sport.

Through it all, Chip remains the same man behind the counter. The same scally cap. The same smile. The same willingness to listen. To guide. To help. The same love for people that Dick Galland saw in him decades before.

Kevin did not walk into the House of Fly looking for healing. He walked in looking for a rod. What he found was a man who understood that fly fishing is rarely about fish alone. It is about patience. Belonging. Learning how to be present again. Fly fishing is a community, and Chip welcomed Kevin in.

Chip has spent sixty years fly fishing. But his greatest craft has never been casting or tying flies. It has been loving people well, one honest conversation at a time.

And the Spokane outdoor community is better because he has chosen to do it here!

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Since its early days, F3T has grown into the original and largest fly fishing film event of its kind. What began as a traveling showcase of niche storytelling has evolved into a cornerstone of fly fishing culture, gathering anglers of all backgrounds to watch, reflect, and connect. The 2026 anniversary tour honors that legacy with a fresh lineup of films drawn from across the globe, each capturing a different facet of life on the water.

This year’s collection leans into more than just fish and destinations. The films explore wild places, conservation-minded narratives, and the people who shape their lives around rivers, coastlines, and seasonal rhythms. Striking cinematography and thoughtful storytelling anchor the experience, whether the focus is remote water, personal challenge, or the quiet satisfaction found in time spent fishing.

The Spokane screening offers more than a night at the movies. F3T events are known for their sense of camaraderie, where conversations flow easily between longtime anglers, newcomers, and those simply curious about the sport. Attendees can also expect giveaways and special guests, adding to the communal feel that has defined the tour for two decades.

Presented by Skwala, Yeti, and Costa, the 20th Annual Fly Fishing Film Tour reflects both where fly fishing has been and where it continues to head. For some, the evening is a midwinter reminder of seasons past and waters yet to be fished. For others, it may be an introduction to a culture built on patience, curiosity, and respect for place.

After twenty years on the road, F3T remains a gathering point for stories that begin and end on the water, shared one screen, one city, and one community at a time.

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For many Inland Northwest anglers, winter doesn’t signal the end of steelhead season. Instead, it marks one of its most social weekends of the year. The Steelhead Expo, running January 9 through 11, 2026, brings anglers together in Lewiston, Idaho, a town long synonymous with Clearwater River steelhead and cold-weather fishing culture.

Based out of the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel, the Steelhead Expo blends time on the water with an indoor gathering focused on education, gear, and community. The event pairs a multi-day steelhead derby with a fishing expo that features seminars, demonstrations, guest speakers, and vendors centered on Northwest steelhead fishing.

“The seminars were the biggest hit last year,” says Toby Wyatt, co-founder of the expo. “People crave those seminars,” he adds.

Expo hours are scheduled to complement time on the river, with doors open Friday from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The derby component runs throughout the weekend on the Clearwater and Snake rivers, encouraging anglers to fish during peak winter conditions and then reconnect indoors later in the day. Participants compete in men’s, women’s, and youth divisions, with youth anglers 15 and under able to enter for free when registered with a paid adult. All anglers must meet Idaho fishing license requirements. Catches are weighed at official weigh-in stations, with results determined by weight and length when needed.

For those traveling in, the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel serves as both lodging and event headquarters, making it easy to move between river sessions and indoor programming without added logistics. That accessibility helps keep the weekend relaxed and social, even as winter conditions shape each day’s fishing decisions.

“It’s a great venue,” says Wyatt. “Everything happens right there. It’s tournament headquarters. The weigh-ins are there. We have a wonderful brewery and live music. It’s quite the event for a fisherman.”

At its core, the Steelhead Expo reflects the shared rhythm of winter steelheading in the Clearwater country. Early mornings on cold rivers give way to afternoons spent learning, talking, and reconnecting with a community that understands why steelhead season never really ends when the snow falls.

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Reel in the Fun at the Molson Ice Fishing Derby 

If you’ve never tried ice fishing, the picturesque setting of Sidley Lake in Molson, Wash., about 13–15 miles east of Oroville, Wash., in the Okanogan Highlands is a great place to dive in. The Molson Ice Fishing Derby arrives Sat., Jan. 17, 2026, promising a full day of winter fun, including a grand prize valued at $1,000, a raffle and plenty of family-oriented activities. On “Derby Day,” registration begins at 7 a.m. at Molson Grange, and fishing kicks off at 8 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. Contest categories typically include longest fish, total weight, smallest fish and fun categories such as best-decorated shanty, oldest angler and farthest-distance traveled.  

For those not fishing, the Grange Hall hosts a pancake breakfast from 7–10 a.m. and then transforms into a cozy craft fair featuring local vendors. Outside, on Sidley Lake, a warming tent keeps hot cocoa flowing, while children’s activities, raffles, bingo and a lunch benefiting Sitzmark Ski Hill round out the day. What makes the derby more than just a fishing contest is the sense of community. Every dollar spent goes back into supporting local initiatives and bringing folks together—whether they’re casting lines, browsing crafts or simply enjoying a winter day together outside. Learn more at Discoverorovillewa.com. 

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By Dr. Robert L. “Bob” Bartlett  

Cover photo courtesy of Heather Hodson

I’ve been a ‘lone’ black fly angler in pursuit of wild fish in some pretty wild places—but I’ve never been lonely. So, it’s hard to describe feeling lonely in tame spaces like full board rooms, as a member of a fly-fishing organization, or when attending conservation events. I have spent several decades being the only black or brown person, doing what I love to do where I love to do it. Now in my mid-70s, I began focusing my energy on casting for a family of fly anglers who look like me in order to combat the frequent loneliness.  

My search led to the 2023 creation of a nonprofit, the Ubuntu Fly Anglers Network. We are a group of black and brown fly anglers and environmental activists from across the country and Canada, founded in the Spokane Valley.  

Over my 50-plus years as an outdoorsman and fly angler in the American West, I never met another black or brown person streamside, on a mountain trail, or as a member of a local environmental group. There are both economic and racial barriers as to why that is so. Like any hobby or passion, fly-fishing gear can be spendy and fly anglers are overwhelmingly white, particularly in the West and Pacific Northwest. Out here, they fish overwhelmingly white places and belong to overwhelmingly white environmental organizations.  

Demographers have long predicted that non-Hispanic whites will be the minority in this country by 2045. Who among this predicted black and brown majority are going to be fly anglers, river warriors and environmental activists? It is important that people who look like them reach them and teach them to claim their place in green spaces. Ubuntu Fly Anglers are committed to providing safe spaces for them to gather and learn and to help provide opportunities for them in our natural world.  

We know from our lived experiences how hard it is to become what you do not see. We also know how important it is to be in “right relations” with nature and to protect it. These two things drive our why. 

Finding the Fly  

I was sixteen when The American Sportsman TV show hosted by Joe Foss and later Curt Gowdy debuted on ABC. Gowdy and his guests fly-fished big western rivers and they always caught lots of big fish, mostly trout. My dad and I rarely missed the show.  

Gowdy and his guests cast flies that fooled fish. I’m almost certain we never saw a black person on the show. However, my Pops didn’t see fly fishing as a “white only thing.” He just wanted to fish their way, and we had local fish to fool. If they could fool trout with a fly, so could he.  

Pops taught himself, then me, everything he knew about fly-fishing, which wasn’t much. Catching and releasing fish caught in the lip extended the experience for the two of us. Usually, we did not hunt or fish for sport. Fishing with a fly rod felt sporty and we loved it. 

Growing up as a member of a small black rural community back east formed me and shaped the cultural lens through which I see and interpret the world and my place in it. I spent a lot of time alone on my local water and in the surrounding mountains, but I was never lonely. I had a family and a community to return to.  

I never imagined that someday I would settle in the Pacific Northwest. An Army snafu in orders sent me to Colorado after over a year tour of duty in Vietnam in 1972. At first, I was upset at not being assigned closer to home, but I soon fell in love with the vastness of the West. I began fly fishing premium Colorado trout streams not yet “found.”  It would be 20 years before the movie “A River Runs Through It” would bring the crowds to Western trout streams. I also hunted big game there with bow and gun and hunted birds and ducks. Graduate school eventually brought me and my young family to Washington State in the early 80’s, and we have been here ever since. 

Casting for Family  

Forty years later, in early spring 2023, I gave a presentation via Zoom, hosted by another Spokane angler Heather Hodson titled “Fly-fishing through mid-life and beyond.” There was one black person in attendance—a life resident of Los Angeles, California. At the end of the presentation, we promised to connect, and we did. We came to the conclusion that surely there are other black and brown fly anglers out there and we agreed to be intentional in finding them.  

We soon started connecting with others like us through social media. Not surprisingly, there were and are others who were also looking for safe, familial company and a sense of belonging. We shared similar stories of what being the only one like us feels like in the places we fish, and in the organizations we belong to.  

By summer of 2023, the Ubuntu Fly Anglers Network was officially founded by me and that lone black person in Los Angeles that I met during the Zoom presentation, Carl Crawford. We agreed to embrace the values and practices of Ubuntu. 

Ubuntu is a set of cultural understanding, values and practices that comes from the South African Bantu people. Ubuntu acknowledges that we are part of a larger and more significant communal, environmental, and spiritual world. There is a sincere warmth with which people treat others, both strangers and members of their community. It is a philosophy that values collectivism over individualism, as in, “I am because we are.”   

After a year of planning and fundraising, nine of us agreed to gather in Spokane for four days in mid-October. We shared living space, ate meals together, floated and fished the Spokane River and caught wild native redband trout. We hosted a catered dinner for 45-50 donors and friends and did some strategic planning. We also spent some quality time in a local city park, where we put fly rods in the hands of some black and brown kids.  

That time together from Ubuntu’s first gathering was so affirming. We stayed up late, played board games and laughed until our sides ached. It was as if we had known one another for years and not hours—and maybe we had. It is gratifying to learn that I am not the only one who feels alone in a crowd. 

Expanding the Net  

I still miss the mountains and rivers of my youth, especially in the fall. However, what I have missed most is the everyday company of black and brown faces in green spaces, pursuing wild fish. I long to see more of us in boardrooms, at large fly angling gatherings, and I long to read their stories featured in print.  

This new Ubuntu family has already made such a positive difference in the lives of others and in the industry. Ubuntu hosts and offers free, virtual fly-fishing educational programs. We host a podcast series, called “On the REAL,” where we interview other black and brown anglers and activists from across the country and Canada. We also provide in-person, free fly-fishing clinics and outdoor experiences for black and brown youth.  

The gathering last year was a first for Spokane. We decided to create our own space in this outdoor industry that is overwhelmingly white. We are intentional in our outreach to black and brown youth, professional and hobby fly anglers and business owners everywhere, and we continue to grow. Our sharing of resources and educational offerings will remain free. We depend solely on donations from our allies, corporate sponsors and grants.  

If you self-identify as a black or brown angler or environmental activist and would like to join our network, please reach out to me. We are committed to keep casting for others like us, using a slightly modified 10-2 rhythm.  

Dr. Robert L. “Bob” Bartlett retired from Gonzaga University in 2007 and Eastern Washington University in 2020. He is a storyteller, published author, fly-fishing instructor, life member of Trout Unlimited, a passionate fly angler and co-founder of the Ubuntu Fly Anglers Network. He has served on the board of directors of the Spokane Riverkeeper and writes a monthly column for “The Black Lens.” He can be reached at Ubuntuflyanglers@gmail.com. You can follow the Ubuntu Fly Anglers Network on Instagram @ubuntuflyanglers and on Facebook @ubuntuflyanglers.com. 

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Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s largest and deepest lake, serves as a stunning natural centerpiece for the Sandpoint area, with summer offering up an abundance of opportunities to explore its waters, trails, and shorelines. Whether you’re paddling quiet backwaters, cruising beneath mountain ridgelines, or hiking to panoramic lake vistas, there’s no shortage of ways to go deep into the heart of North Idaho’s outdoor scene around Sandpoint.

Swimming Spots on Lake Pend Oreille

Sandpoint City Beach sits just steps from downtown and remains one of the top spots for swimming and relaxing by the water. Sandy beaches, wide grassy lawns, and amenities like tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts, horseshoe pits, and a kid’s playground make it a go-to summer gathering place. A boat launch and adjacent marinas add convenience for boaters, and the whole park is easily accessible on foot or by bike.

Other great swimming locations include Sam Owen Campground on the Hope Peninsula, which features inviting shoreline and easy lake access. For those willing to drive farther south, Farragut State Park offers clear water, spacious beaches, and plenty of amenities, including shoreline fishing and boating access.

Top Paddling Spots around Sandpoint

Flat-water paddling on Lake Pend Oreille offers a peaceful way to explore the lake’s many coves and inlets. Launch from Sam Owen Campground to explore nearby Warren, Cottage, and Pearl islands. Nature lovers can head to the Pack River and Clark Fork deltas, where calm, wildlife-rich backwaters provide a chance to spot birds and other wildlife in a more secluded setting.

Sand Creek, which flows gently into the lake near downtown Sandpoint, offers a sheltered paddle route ideal for beginners. You can launch directly from City Beach or other nearby access points and paddle a scenic mile upstream through quiet waters under bridges and past marinas.

Lake Pend Oreille Boating

Lake Pend Oreille is a boating paradise, with multiple public boat launches and marinas available for those with boats to get out on the water. Boat rentals are available in both Sandpoint and Hope, including pontoons, jet skis, and other boats for cruising the lake. Multiple outfitters offer hourly and daily rentals, as well as lessons, guided lake tours, and private charters. Check out all of the rental, tour and outfitter resources at the bottom of this article.

For a one-of-a-kind way to get out on the water, Lake Pend Oreille Cruises offers 90-minute narrated outings aboard the Shawnodese, a classic lake tour boat. Options include history tours, eagle watching, and sunset trips, with departures from City Beach and seasonally from Hope. Dogsmile Adventures provides sailing experiences out of Sandpoint and Bayview for those looking for a more hands-on boating experience.

Walks & Hikes to Beaches and Lake Views on Lake Pend Oreille

The Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail offers an easy and scenic walk along the lakeshore just minutes from downtown Sandpoint. For more of a challenge and pristine experience, head to Lost Lake and Mineral Point near Garfield Bay. The network of trails there includes an easier loop around Lost Lake as well as the more challenging Mineral Point Trail, with big lake views and access to a swimming beach at Green Bay.

Farther afield, Farragut State Park near the lake’s southern end provides over nine miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, along with disc golf, a swimming beach, and a well-equipped campground.

For a short but steep hike to a more secluded lake access point, the Maiden Rock Trail south of Garfield Bay winds down through forested terrain to a cobblestone beach with primitive campsites and picnic areas.

Those looking for a more rigorous alpine trek can head up the Scotchman Peak Trail. With over 3,700 feet of elevation gain, the trail climbs to the highest point in Bonner County. The summit rewards with sweeping views of Lake Pend Oreille and, if you’re lucky, a sighting of the resident mountain goats.

Lake Pend Oreille Marinas, Rentals & Tours

Dover Bay Marina and Resort
Located in the heart of the Dover Bay waterfront community, this full-service marina offers seasonal boat moorage, covered slips, a boat launch, 24-hour fuel, dockside power and water, restrooms, showers, and a market. With 274 slips and deep-water access, it’s a convenient base for lake adventures.

Sandpoint Marine & Motorsports
This outfitter in downtown Sandpoint offers a wide range of rentals, from ski boats and pontoon boats to jet skis and kayaks. Options are available by the hour, half-day, or full day, making it easy to tailor your lake time to your schedule.

Action Water Sports
Operating in both Sandpoint and Hope, Action Water Sports rents pontoon and ski boats, jet skis, paddleboards, and kayaks. They also offer lake tours and lessons, which can be helpful for beginners or families looking for a guided experience.

A Day on the Lake Rentals
With a full-service rental fleet that includes ski boats, pontoons, Sea-Doos, and vacation homes, A Day on the Lake Rentals provides delivery service and flexible options for families or larger groups looking to explore the lake in comfort.

Go Fish! Charters
This Sandpoint-based outfitter offers hands-on fishing trips on Lake Pend Oreille and the Clark Fork River, targeting multiple species in varied settings. They run custom trips year-round, including sunrise and sunset outings.

Long Drift Outfitters
For fly fishing and float trips on the Kootenai River, Long Drift Outfitters leads guided adventures through a scenic, canyon-carved stretch of river. With limited access by land, the float-only sections provide solitude and the chance for a more remote experience.

Sandpoint Seaplane
Offering scenic flights over Lake Pend Oreille and surrounding mountain ranges, Sandpoint Seaplane gives you a bird’s-eye view of North Idaho. With an experienced pilot and decades of flying time, this unique experience combines adventure with perspective.

Bottle Bay Resort and Marina
Tucked away on a quieter arm of the lake, Bottle Bay Resort offers cabin rentals with a private beach, a marina with public gas, and a boat launch. Their on-site bar and grill provides a relaxing spot to unwind after a day on the water.

Plan Your Perfect Summer Getaway to Lake Pend Oreille and Sandpoint

Whether you’re paddling Sand Creek, diving in at City Beach, or climbing to a high ridge for sweeping lake views, Lake Pend Oreille delivers a North Idaho summer experience that’s as deep and varied as the lake itself. From downtown Sandpoint to the remote shoreline coves and alpine peaks, it’s a place worth exploring on water and on foot. Combine days on the lake with Sandpoint’s vaunted culinary and entertainment opportunities for a weekend or multi-day visit; discover those, plus an array of lodging choices, at VisitSandpoint.com.

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One of the coolest things about the 2025 Big Horn Show  are the dozens of seminars where you can learn new ways to get outside. Fishing seminars this year include kayak and ice fishing as well as sessions covering ways to target a wide range of fish species including walleye, salmon, Kokanee, bass and more. Other seminar topics include sausage making, outdoor survival skills, a variety of hunting topics, fishing 101, and fishing techniques including trolling, fly fishing, and more.

There will also be some great entertainment throughout the long weekend too, including live music daily from the likes of David Bray, Jesse Quandt, Shedroof Divide, and more. Kids and parents also get the chance to fish for lively fish indoors at the highly popular kids fishing pools at Les Schwab fishing world, with prizes for the biggest fish caught each day. Kids will also love the Kids Adventure Map activity, the archery area sponsored by Evergreen Archery, and the kids’ activity room with hands-on opportunities to explore nature, wildlife, and outdoor skills.

Adult tickets are $10 in advance and $18 at the door with discounts for youth, families, seniors, veterans, and military and EMT personnel. Sunday is family day at the Big Horn Show too, with kids 13 and under getting into the event for free. The Big Horn Show runs Thursday 12-7 PM, Friday 12-8 PM, Saturday 10 AM-8 PM, and Sunday 10 AM-4 PM.

 Get tickets and more info here.

(Sponsored)

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The highly anticipated 19th Annual Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) is back and ready with a curated selection of the best fly fishing films from around the world. Anglers, outdoor enthusiasts, and adventure seekers from around the Inland NW are invited to join the tour stop in Spokane Tuesday, March 18 from 7-9 PM at the Bing Crosby Theater. Get ready for a night of stunning cinematography, unforgettable stories, and the heart-pounding excitement of fly fishing. Tickets available here now.

This year’s event promises to be the biggest yet, with a diverse lineup of films that highlight remote locations, unique challenges, and the passionate anglers who pursue them.

Fly Fishing Film Tour 2025 Film Highlights

This year’s Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) features an exciting lineup of films that capture the spirit of adventure and perseverance in the world of fly fishing. Highlights include:

• “Dan’s Pain II” which follows the determined and lovable Dan as he faces his greatest challenge yet: catching the elusive musky. After 10,000 failed casts, he’s ready to flip the script on his bad luck, with musky legend Blane Chocklett stepping into the boat to give Dan one final shot.
• The “Hard Way” takes viewers to the rugged Deschutes River, where guide Matt Mendes reflects on the river’s raw beauty, its challenges, and the deep connections formed between its waters and the people who cherish it.
• “Bumpyland” showcases the heart-pounding action of bumphead parrotfish fishing in the pristine waters of Providence Atoll, pushing anglers to their limits.
• In “Shadow People at the Falls,” April and Sam venture into the remote wilderness of Guyana, targeting arapaima and peacock bass while also encountering uncontacted tribes that still call the region home.
• “Streamers, Steamers & Struggles on the Krka” follows four kayakers as they turn rafting into an unconventional method for fly fishing on Slovenia’s stunning Krka River, casting under castles and battling the pressures of a competitive environment.
• “Mouse Trap” tells the story of two best friends who spend an unforgettable week night fishing for giant brown trout, finally landing the fish of their dreams on the last night of their trip.
• “Echoes in the Tundra” sees Fred Campbell returning to the Leaf River in Nunavik, where he explores the mesmerizing autumn landscapes and the spawning Atlantic salmon, while caribou migrate across this pristine and untouched territory.
• “Left Field” introduces Ilya, a no-nonsense angler who pushes herself to the limits, understanding the grueling journey of a true fisherman while redefining what it means to truly earn the catch.

From elusive fish to remote fisheries, these stories reflect the spirit of adventure, determination, and the raw connection between anglers and the wild places they love.

An Unforgettable Night

The Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) is the original and largest fly fishing film event of its kind. Now in its 19th year, F3T has become a beloved annual tradition for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts across the country. The event provides an opportunity for the fly fishing community to come together, share stories, and experience the best of the sport’s cinematic world.

Along with the films, attendees can look forward to exclusive giveaways, special guests, and plenty of camaraderie. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or someone new to the sport, F3T offers something for everyone.

For more information, including event dates and locations, visit www.flyfilmtour.com

Presented by: Skwala, Yeti, Costa, NRS, Monster, Ross Reels, Airlite, Scientific Anglers, Decked, Daiichi, C&F Design, Sawyer, Benchmade, Stranahan’s, Himbrini, Richardson, Yakoda, Turtlebox, TroutRoutes, Rambler, Riversmith, Restorline, Adventure Entertainment, Outside, Anglers Journal, Flylords, TU Alaska, Heroes on the Water

(Sponsored)

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