10 Years. 29 Magazines (9 digital only from June 2013 through 2015), 20 in print (2016-2020). And now four books with a fifth soon to come (2023 Anthology is due out in September).
I type this while I look at a bookshelf of them all. It spans several feet across and totals by my estimate over 3,000 pages of printed swung fly content.
But if there’s anything I’m most proud of over 10 years of Swing the Fly, it’s how I think it’s remained true to being a reflection of, by and for all of you — the community that makes this sport (or whatever you want to call it) wonderful. Thank you all.
In celebration of 10 years, I’d love to share a few special moments and reflect:
The banner image above is one of my favorite images from Marty Sheppard in the inaugural print issue (Winter 2016). My layout skills and the refinement of the first print issue weren’t what they could have been, but it remains one of my favorite issues. Why? I don’t think there’s ever been a finer tribute to the sport than Marty’s images and words; Nick Pionessa’s story “Pilgrim” is one of my favorites we ever published; My favorite author Trey Combs joins for an article on grease lining. Jonathan Barlow. Aaron Goodis. Bill Marts. Mia Sheppard and more. What more can I say. If you’ve never read it, you can read it free this month only below.
(And you can read the very first digital issue there as well, and the first Anthology book!)
Another thing that was really special about that first print book — and first year of print — is that you all crowd-sourced it. We did a Kickstarter and raised $20,000 plus another 20,000 in presale subscriptions, which funded the first year of printing. Being a fishing guide, I didn’t have that cash laying around to print a magazine — you all brought it to life. And so many of you are still with us ten years later. Thank you!
The very first issue:
The very first print issue:
What’s next?
The 2023 Swing the Fly Anthology, out in September, will close out year 10 of STF. What’s next in 2024? I’m not sure at this moment. Swing the Fly will continue to be a reflection of you, the readers/supporters, the Swing the Fly editorial team, and the direction of the sport — history, conservation, education.
We’ll be making and announcing plans by mid-September about what we are going to do in 2024 and beyond in terms of printing, digital and other mediums. It’s always been a goal to keep things fresh and interesting.
Anniversary Sale: 10 years is worthy of some sales — good through the end of June.
Free domestic shipping, using code 10years
$10 off the 2022 Anthology using code 2022book if you didn’t get one last year — Dec Hogan, Topher Browne, Marty Howard’s flies, Kustich, Bird, Woelfle, Sampsel, Harrington. What more can I say? It’s a coffee table book to hang onto for many years to come.
Schwag: 30% off all merchandise, using code represent — hats, shirts, sweatshirts, etc. Thank you for representing Swing the Fly.
You can use multiple codes at once if applicable to your order.