Join us for a rare evening with legendary anglers and authors Yvon Chouinard and Craig Mathews, moderated by Bryan Gregson, as they unveil their new book Pheasant Tail Simplicity: Recipes and Techniques for Successful Fly Fishing. This co-hosted event by Montana State University (MSU) Library and Patagonia, is a chance to talk story and hear adventures from decades on the water, guided by two voices who continue to bring fly fishing back to its essence—where skill, knowledge, and technique matter far more than gear.
The book’s premise is radically simple: while the industry attempts to convince you that you need 10,000 fly patterns, Yvon and Craig have proven you can catch fish anywhere in the world with variations of just one. Yvon spent an entire year fishing globally — from Montana rivers to Patagonian streams —using only pheasant tail patterns. The experiment proved remarkably successful.
Pheasant Tail Simplicity isn’t about buying more gear or carrying hundreds of flies. It’s about understanding why more knowledge and carefully selected, efficient tools consistently outperforms the latest trends.
So, grab a Patagonia Provisions beer and the Pheasant Tail Simplicity book - Yvon and Craig will be signing. Connect with non-profits, The Salmonfly Project, Upper Missouri Waterkeeper and Cottonwood Environmental Law, and mingle with your local fly-fishing community, for a special evening at Montana State University.
Doors at 630pm.
Yvon Chouinard is the founder of Patagonia and a lifelong conservationist. He is a noted fly fisher and was named Angler of the Year by Fly Rod & Reel in 2009. He co-founded, with Craig Mathews, 1% for the Planet, a group of businesses giving back to the environment. He lives in Ventura, California.
Craig Mathews is a Montana-based author and conservationist and co-founder, with Yvon Chouinard, of 1% for the Planet. He and his wife, Jackie, founded Blue Ribbon Flies, a fly shop and outfitter in West Yellowstone, Mont. Craig has authored and co-authored nine books on fly fishing in the western United States and Yellowstone National Park. He was chosen by Fly Rod & Reel as Angler of the Year in 2005. He and Jackie live in the Madison River Valley of Montana.
Bryan Gregson is a Bozeman-based photographer and cinematographer whose fieldwork includes fly fishing, conservation, and global expeditions. A lifelong angler with Rocky Mountain roots, he spent seasons commercial fishing in the North Atlantic and Pacific before dedicating himself full-time to the camera. Time spent on oars, decks, and remote rivers has shaped a calm, practical approach to storytelling—focusing on water, wildlife, and the people who care for both. His images and films have been featured widely in the outdoor and conservation communities.
The mission of The Salmonfly Project is to conserve aquatic insects for future generations through research, monitoring, education, and sound management and restoration practices. We work with diverse partners to monitor aquatic insect populations, educate anglers, and implement conservation solutions to preserve our hatches. The Salmonfly Project was founded by two passionate entomologists - Jackson Birrell and James Frakes – in 2022. The Salmonfly Project is based in Missoula, MT and has projects throughout Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Oregon.
Upper Missouri Waterkeeper leverages a combination of strong science, citizen action, and the law to protect and restore fishable, swimmable, drinkable water and community health throughout the 25,000 sq miles of the Upper Missouri River Basin in Montana. Founded in 2013, for over ten years we’ve tackled tough battles in the courts, the halls of the legislature, and in your neighbors’ backyards for the values of water, wildlife, western heritage. Clean water is the public’s right, and our mission.
The Madison River Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rooted in the heart of the Madison Valley and dedicated to the health of the Madison River and its tributaries.
Our mission is to conserve, restore, and educate in support of a healthy watershed, always striving to return more cold, clean water to the river. Guided by our vision, we serve as a leading advocate for sustainable watershed management and foster collaboration among partners to protect the ecosystem and strengthen our community.
Working alongside agencies, landowners, ranchers, fishing guides, and anglers, we take a science-driven approach to improve water quality, enhance fish habitat, and restore riparian areas and tributaries. Through these efforts, the Madison River Foundation is committed to preserving this world-class river system for generations to come.
