OWNER: DAVID F. | WATCH OWNED: OLMSTED 38
Ithink my love of timepieces started when my father gave me my first watch at a young age.
It was the Casio calculator, and I was in awe of its nerdy looks and what it could do. As a young adult, I appreciated watches for how they were made and designed. I collected from several brands, but I was on a journey for the “perfect” watch for me.
Fast forward, and I am now a photographer traveling from place to place to take outdoor and fishing photography. I put all my gear to use daily. It's essential that my gear keeps up with me and my active lifestyle. Whether hiking fifteen miles into the New Mexico desert to find native trout or staring into the vast ocean in Belize for a pesky permit, I need my gear to work.
Social media can be used for good. I find it most useful for networking, meeting new people, finding an unknown food stall, or discovering a small business.
This is how I was introduced to Oak & Oscar. While their carefully crafted, handsome lineup of timepieces first attracted me, the crossover into my outdoor world piqued my interest to pursue a deeper understanding of the brand. After reading about their story and making a connection with their founder, Chase, I knew I had to add Oak & Oscar to my collection.
I carefully selected The Olmsted for the timeless look I was searching for, with the ruggedness I needed for everyday wear. And so our journey began…
A day after receiving the watch, I packed my bags, and off I went to Aspen for a photoshoot. I was there shooting assets for a podcast.
The job was a five-day grinder. We started the first morning with a six-mile hike to a high alpine lake that holds cutthroat. We spent the next two days exploring local rivers in search of brown trout and the balance in the high country, scouting for their next elk hunt.
My Fall lineup started with The White River in Arkansas.
This place is an anomaly of a fishery. We were there to document fishing in the area for the Fly Fish Journal, and it was nothing short of incredible. Picture perfect brown trout that measured no less than 20”.
The following week I was off to southern Virginia with good friend and fly rod builder Chris Barclay. We arrived just in time for the perfect fall brook trout that inhabit our favorite creeks. Pre-spawn brook trout can look like something out of a fantasy book. They have a maze system on their bodies with blue and red par markings and glowing redfins.
It is a special time of year that only lasts a few weeks. This day was one to remember.
Mid-December, I closed the year with a few final trips.
The first job was in Venice, Louisiana documenting a fantastic couple who built a trailer that housed six grills, a jambalaya pit, and three massive Yeti coolers. They cook for the communities that were destroyed by the hurricanes. They feed hundreds from their custom trailer. It was amazing to be part of one of their gatherings and to help those in need.
The week following, I jumped back on the road to head to Eagle Rock, Virginia, for a lifestyle photoshoot for a company out of Texas.
Mid-route, the weather turned and made the trip rather … interesting.
Freezing temperatures and precipitation led to roughly ten inches of snow accumulating during the drive. Even though the environment was completely frozen, it created unique imagery of cool colors paired with earthy tones. We didn’t catch many fish during that shoot, but the team was a blast.
Early Spring, and I am off to Louisana again.
A group of friends gets together yearly to chase massive bull redfish. We’ve known our guides for years, so it is like a family reunion.
We eat cajun food, drink a little too much, and fish for some of the largest redfish around. This year’s trip was more difficult than normal due to conditions but we managed to land a few big fish.
To our disappointment, the trip ended early. But as luck would have it, I had a last-minute job that pop up in Texas. Unfortunately, I am unable to share much about this right now but it took me to the Devils River. Imagine Bahama blue waters trapped inside a desert canyon.
The job was hard and grueling but a lifetime memory I’ll never forget. Think wild hogs, smallmouth bass, and a supercell storm.
Every year in the Florida Keys, tarpon migrate through their waters creating world class fishing. Many saltwater anglers dedicate their lives to participating in this yearly event.
This was my second year being invited and I was lucky enough to fish for two days with a killer angler. We had lights out fishing for two days and I lived through a lot of mistakes and broken lines but most importantly, I landed my first big tarpon.
There is no way to describe bringing in an over hundred-pound fish on a fly rod.
One year ago I received my Olmsted. I depend on my gear. These are my tools and without them, I would not be able to function.
This watch swam in freezing waters, in saltwater with sharks, fell in food, was used as a toy for our toddler, and has broken my falls — all while keeping me on time and it continues to work perfectly.
I look forward to making more memories proudly sporting Oak & Oscar.
Are you an Owner? Do you have a story? Of course you do! We’re always looking to meet our Owners and share their adventures on our site and with our fans. Send us a message and let us know you’d be willing to chat with us about you and your adventures, and we’ll do the rest.
