Headwaters

Before he built a company, John Simms built an understanding. It came from standing in cold water for hours: rivers in New York, rivers in Wyoming, rivers that tested the limits of everything a person wore, carried, and believed.

Fly fishing has always been rooted in clean water, wild places, and conservation. But now the industry faces a difficult question: can the gear designed to protect anglers from the elements also be contributing to long-term environmental contamination?

PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” have been used for decades in waterproof jackets, waders, fly lines, and technical fishing apparel because they repel water, oil, and stains exceptionally well. The problem is they also persist in rivers, fish, wildlife, and human bodies for years without breaking down.

Recent reporting out of Montana reignited the controversy after elevated PFAS levels were discovered in fish across multiple waterways, raising concerns among anglers, conservationists, and outdoor brands alike.

Now the fly fishing industry is undergoing a major shift. Brands are racing to eliminate intentionally added PFAS from products, anglers are questioning fluorocarbon and waterproofing technologies, and a new generation of alternatives is beginning to emerge.

The future of fly fishing gear may not just depend on performance anymore. It may depend on trust.

After 23 years in the military, retired Infantry First Sergeant Son Tao found healing through fly fishing. Now he helps other veterans reconnect, find peace, and heal together on the water.