Quartermaster #000

Quirky. Obsessive. Gear Junkie. These are just a few words that have been used to describe Quartermaster. Arriving in your inbox this fall.

Introducing Quartermaster

In fly fishing, there is no trip, excursion, or field day that would be possible without some element of gear. Even a lazy afternoon on home waters requires essential pieces of kit—rod, reel, flies, and likely some not-so-essential creature comforts—to be made possible. I am a firm believer that the gear to which we gravitate, the things we choose to carry with us, define our experience on the water, for better or for worse. Gear failures can lead to drudgery, discomfort, and disappointment whereas good gear can make a day effortless, enjoyable, memorable. 

The items that we bring into the field are an extension of who we are as outdoorspeople. We express our values and our heritage through our selection. Hell, even our style. As we season, we gravitate to pieces of gear that give back to the experience. Even the most pragmatic among us would admit that a beloved piece of equipment, no matter how outdated, can often win out over a more practical alternative.

Quartermaster is dedicated to this notion, to the connection that we form with these inanimate objects, and the memories that they evoke long after the day is done.

What is a Quartermaster?

Simply put, a quartermaster is a logistics and supply officer overseeing a ship, or a large unit of troops. The origin of the term reaches back to fifteenth century France, and is still in use today among several militaries. The iconic and beloved ‘Q’ from the James Bond franchise embodies the dynamic and diverse nature of outfitting field operations (Q is, naturally, short for Quartermaster). The US Army Quartermaster School describes the role as one who provides “the right supplies, in the right quantities, at the right time.” Plainly put, a quartermaster is the logistics guru responsible for acquiring the right equipment for any mission.

I like that: the right stuff, in the right amounts, at the right time.

OK, So What is Quartermaster?

Hookswain readers will find Quartermaster to be far less serious than the name’s genus might suggest. Fun, it turns out, has been almost completely squeezed out of the outdoors industry, and fly fishing is next in the queue. Being an angler has become far too tactical, and too focused on the latest releases that promise catching more fish. Quartermaster is our counter punch to this trend.  

It’s also a response to the overwhelming focus on new gear proliferated via email and content marketing that bombards us with ‘special offers’ and ‘exclusive access.’ Blah blah. No, Quartermaster aims to reorient enthusiasm to the used and the bruised, the patched and patinated. It’s also a chance to celebrate good stuff, and poke fun at our own penchant for obsessing, coveting and collecting the stuff that surrounds the sport.

That’s all I’ll give you for now. Stay tuned for Issue #001, coming soon.