Designed by Tradition: Finn
Ryan McDonald started Finn with a lifetime of fly fishing and a passion for design under his belt. The former Adidas and Carhartt product designer comes from a long line of fishermen and women, and spent his early years tying flys with his grandfather while fishing Maine's Rangeley Lakes. His mother and grandfather (a guide) both fished with Ryan, inspiring a love of the water, and an appreciation for nature in Ryan.
As a result, McDonald brings a keen eye and appreciation for considered details to Finn's line of fly-fishing accessories, ranging from reel cases to rucksacks. Each utilizing natural materials such as fine bridle leather, waxed canvas, and sheepskin, Ryan's pieces will leave even non-fishermen envious...They're rugged and built to last, yet with a rustic elegance that makes them supremely covetable. We're especially big fans of Ryan's use of waxed canvas throughout his collection. Like Alps & Meters, Finn has picked up on the memory-keeping superpowers of this natural material...It just gets better with age.
“Once you’ve had it for some time, it’s going to wear in and have some character. This is character that ages with you. You’ll be able to hand it down to your children and grandchildren.”
Based in Jonesville, Vermont on the edge of the Winooski River, it's easy to see why Ryan can often be found knee deep and rod in hand. He'll sew up a sample in his studio overlooking the river, take it out for a test run, and return to his sewing machine to make modifications to the final edition. Check out the video below to hear more of Ryan's story.
“My grandfather always said the more time you have your line in the water, the more likely you are to catch a fish”