Derek DeYoung has spent the last 20 years redefining the look of Fly Fishing. His artwork has been licensed by some of the industries top companies (as well as building his own brand along with his wife and business partner Janell). Derek was born on a Bayou near the shores of Lake Michigan where his love of fishing and painting was ignited. Over the years, Derek’s artwork has veered from the classic Fly Fishing art style to a more contemporary approach placing more significance on concept and story telling, as well as using a unique color palette and style. His artwork and products are collected by fly fishers around the globe.
“My work has veered off from the traditional fish illustration style. I place more importance on using a unique style and palette rather than painting a fish to look photo realistic. The reason I’ve chosen fish as the subject of my life’s work is I find fish to be intriguing, not just as a fisherman, but as an artist. When painting fish, I try to capture all the intricacies they possess; their scales, patterns, dimension and texture. When chest deep in a river, I’m not just chasing fish, I’m searching for a magical experience or vision that will inspire me, and raise my paintings to a higher level. For me, the most inspirational vision comes once I’ve landed a particularly beautiful fish. I hold it up, tilting the fish back and forth in the sunlight, allowing all the subtle colors and patterns to come alive. After setting the fish back into the water and releasing it into the depths, the only thing on my mind is getting back to my studio to bring that fish back to to life on my canvas.”
Derek’s relationship with Abel goes back years, bringing his unmistakable style from the canvas to the water. Over that time, his artwork has become a familiar part of the Abel lineup, with some of his most recognizable fish and patterns translated into finishes across our reels.
Bringing one of Derek’s paintings onto a reel is a process in itself. His original artwork is adapted to the shape and details of the reel before being placed in the hands of reproduction artists in California. Each finish is then hand-painted, with some of the more intricate designs taking more than 20 hours to complete.
That time shows in the details. The layers of color, patterns, scales, and small details that give Derek’s paintings their character have to work on a completely different canvas, one that’s built to spend its life on the water.
It’s one of the things that has made our relationship with Derek so special over the years. We get to take artwork inspired by the fish and places we all care about and put it onto something made to go right back out there.
Today, a selection of Derek DeYoung finishes remains available throughout the Abel lineup, continuing a collaboration between artist, angler, and reel maker that has been years in the making.
Learn more about Derek and his work at his website here, and follow him on his latest fishing adventures on Instagram @derek.deyoung.
Build your Abel reel with Derek's finishes here.