Brian O’Keefe is one of the world’s most remarkable anglers and photographers, having had photographs published in the most important periodicals and magazines. The Catch Magazine, co-founded by Todd Moen and Brian, is the best online fly fishing magazine, by far. He has spent the majority of his spare time fishing and taking advantage of all the outdoors has to offer. Brian started fishing the world in the fall of 1973, having traveled to some of the wildest and most remote angling destinations in the world. He is also an accomplished fly caster, earning the title of Master Certified Fly Casting Instructor from the Fly Fishing Federation (FFF). He has also placed in, and won many fly casting competitions. Brian lives with his wife and fishing partner, Judith in Powell Butte, Oregon and continues to work as an angling and outdoor photographer. We feel lucky for sharing Brian’s thoughts and experiences with you.

FD: When did you start fishing?
Brian: I started fishing when I was 6 years old, with worms. By the time I turned 8 years old I started fishing with a fly rod and never stopped. You could tell it was an early start!

FD: Could you tell us about your memories from those times?
Brian: I used to ride my bike to local rivers, lakes and ponds very time I could. I would fish for bass and trout. Those were my very early experiences. I got my first steelhead on a fly in high school (1972). Then, went on a fantastic trip to New Zealand in 1973.

FD: Do you remember your first rod and reel?
Brian: I borrowed my grand-mothers’ bamboo rod and silk line in the early 60’s, then I bought a Fenwick 8 weight fiberglass rod in 1968. 

FD: How where those first experiences? 
Brian: As you could imagine it was great fun. Exploring on my own riding my bike and rowing my boat I had the chance to learn many interesting things.

FD: Who was your mentor?
Brian: My grandfather. He was a Montana dry fly purist fly fisherman. He went to New Zealand, to fish, in 1951. He was an original trout bum, wasn’t he?

FD: Indeed.

FD: What is your favorite freshwater specie? Why?
Brian: Golden dorado, no doubt about it.  Its hammer strikes, huge jumps, cool looking, and bad attitude have no parallel!

FD: What is your favorite saltwater specie? 
Brian: My favorite saltwater species is midsized tarpon, in the 50 to 70 pound range. They have great visual strikes, big jumps and come in faster than big tarpon. Plus, they live in fun places.

FD: Do you remember any fish in particular? Could be one that you loss.
Brian:  I lost a 35 pound permit in Cuba. It was on for 20 minutes, then got me snagged in some fan coral.
 
FD: Is there any fly fishing technique that you prefer over the others?
Brian: I like fishing poppers for bass, downstream dries to smart trout and big streamers for golden dorado. 

FD: When did you become a professional photographer? How? 
Brian: During my 20’s, around 1976, I started selling photos. I’ve never taking pictures stopped ever since.

FD: Photography is one of your passions, along with fly fishing. How do you handle both at the same time when you are outdoors?
Brian: It is easy for me. I fish a lot, so I don’t always have to be holding the rod. Great photos are rare and are worth the effort.

FD: We couldn’t agree more. Taking a great photo is a fantastic reward.FD: What is your favorite camera system? Which camera are you using nowadays?
Brian: I have a used Canon 30D that I bought on ebay. I also use a nice Lumix point and shoot with a big zoom lens. And I still shoot a Nikonos Underwater film camera.

FD: Which are your favorite lenses?
Brian: Canon 70-200 2.8, the rest of my lenses are quite standard.

FD: How was your guiding experience?
Brian: It was fun and also a good way to see places in Alaska. I guided movie stars and sport celebrities.

FD: Do you prefer to be guided or fish on your own?
Brian: It depends. Sometimes a boat and guide is a must. In general, I find more pleasure in doing it on my own.

FD: You are also an expert caster. During those times when you competed in tournaments, how many hours a day/week did you practiced? 
Brian: Well, I really don’t practice!! I’m very lucky to fish a lot.

FD: You have been travelling all over the world fishing for almost 40 years now. Which are your favorite fresh and saltwater spots? 
Brian: For freshwater fishing I like Alaska, Argentina and New Zealand. In saltwater my favorite is the Bahamas.

FD: Could you tell us some of your funniest memoirs from your trips?
Brian: One time, in Belize, I was fishing from my Zodiak and took a morning snorkel and just dove in butt naked. The wind came up and my shorts went away in the wind. I had to drive my boat back to town with nothing on but a tank top shirt. The locals had fun laughing at me.

FD: Any very risky situation you’ve been into?
Brian: Quite a few…In Sierra Leone Africa, a war was starting, people were murdered along the riverbank while I was fishing. Also, bears in Alaska have been an adventure. Drug smugglers and USA Drug Enforcement has been a problem. I lost boats, sank them, flipped rafts…too many to remember them all!

FD: The Catch Magazine is the most important and visually perfect online fly fishing magazine ever. How did you start it?
Brian: Todd and I wanted a photo and video magazine to do our own projects and to have a place for other photographers to show their stuff.

FD: Which spots and species are in your to-do list? 
Brian: Iceland/salmon, Ireland/anything and beer, Africa/tigerfish, Tasmania/brown trout, Yukon/giant pike, Sweden/giant pike.

FD: Do you consider important to know fly fishing history? Why?
Brian: I like reading the old books and magazines. A lot has changed with tackle, but many things are still the same.

FD: What would you recommend to the starting angler?
Brian: Take casting lessons.

FD: What is fly fishing for you? 
Brian: I like everything about fly fishing, from feeling a fly rod bend with the weight of the line to meeting guides and anglers all over the world. I like knowing new places and their food, beer and culture. I like hard fishing and figuring it out. I like spending time on or near water, by myself or with friends. I like the gear, the flies, the knots and the planning and execution of a fun trip.

FD: How do you feel when you fly fish? What do you feel?
Brian: I feel free. I feel lucky.

FD: Anything you’d like to add? }
Brian: The fly fishers in Argentina have no idea about how lucky they are. You have such a great country, lifestyle and fishing resources.

FD: Your final balance?
Brian: Casting, to me, is the foundation of fly fishing. Being a good caster adds to the fun and challenge of fly fishing. No excuses!!

FD: Thank you very much Brian!