On-Water Demo Day • June 20
Sawyer Ambassador
Tim Landwehr
Fly fishing guide, drift boat innovator, and owner of Tight Lines Fly Fishing Co.
Tim Landwehr has spent decades helping shape modern river smallmouth fly fishing in the Midwest. As the owner of Tight Lines Fly Fishing Co., Tim was one of the first outfitters in the region to incorporate drift boats into guided smallmouth bass fishing trips.
Meet Tim
Tim Landwehr is the owner of Tight Lines Fly Fishing Co. and a longtime innovator in Midwest river smallmouth fly fishing. He helped pioneer the use of drift boats for chasing river smallmouth bass and continues to spend countless days on the water guiding, rowing, and exploring fisheries throughout the region.
Tim and his guide team have been featured in ESPN Outdoors, Fly Fisherman Magazine, Catch Magazine, Fly Fishing Film Tour, Eastern Fly Fishing, Sporting Classics, and many other publications and media projects. He also hosted the Midwest Sportsman television program and co-authored the book Smallmouth: Modern Methods, Tactics and Techniques.
Whether rowing a Hyde drift boat, raft, or jet sled, Tim relies on Sawyer oars for dependable performance and efficiency during long guide days. After nearly 20 years as a Hyde pro, Tim continues pushing river fishing forward while helping anglers experience world-class smallmouth fishing from the rower’s seat.
“The Smoker Bandits changed the entire feel of a boat I have rowed for years.”
Life on the Water
Favorite Gear & Conservation
- SquareTop Dyno X Shoal Cut Oars
- SMOKER Bandit Oars
- Hyde Drift Boats
- Yeti Coolers
- Sage X Fly Rods
- Hatch Gen 2 Finatic Reels
- Costa Loreto Sunglasses
- Trout Unlimited
- Smallmouth Alliance
- Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
SMOKER Bandit Review
After discussing a technical and shallow piece of water with the Sawyer team, Tim tested the SMOKER Bandit Oars on a demanding late-season river where agility and efficiency mattered most.
What stood out immediately was the weight and responsiveness. At just 4.5 pounds for a 9-foot oar, the SMOKER Bandits dramatically changed the handling of Tim’s raft, turning a traditionally cumbersome setup into a much more responsive and agile boat.
After a full guide season, Tim found the SMOKER Bandits durable, efficient, and ideal for technical water where precision and reduced rowing fatigue make a major difference for working guides.
“My raft never felt so agile. They changed the usual cumbersome feel of the raft to a sports car.”
Featured Book
Smallmouth: Modern Methods, Tactics and Techniques
This book explores modern fly fishing techniques and patterns for smallmouth bass from some of the country’s top guides and anglers. While many of the techniques originated in the Midwest, they can be adapted for rivers and fisheries across the country.
- Modern fly patterns with full-color plates and recipes
- Tips and insights from leading guides and anglers
- Smallmouth bass behavior, biology, and habitat
- Interviews with Lefty Kreh, Larry Dahlberg, Chuck Kraft, and more
Featured Sawyer Gear
Tim’s Favorite Oars
SMOKER Bandit Carbon Fiber Oars – Tim’s preferred setup for lightweight efficiency, technical rowing, and all-day guide performance.
Explore Drift Boat Oars
Discover Sawyer oars built for drift boats, river fishing, technical water, and professional guide use.
Explore Sawyer OarsConnect & Explore
Follow Tim Landwehr and Tight Lines Fly Fishing Co. for river smallmouth fishing, guide insights, and drift boat adventures.