Today we’d like to introduce you to Jared Zissu.
Hi Jared, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always been drawn to the outdoors — fishing, exploring, and capturing the stories that come with those experiences. What started as a personal passion for fly fishing and storytelling eventually became a career. During college, I launched Flylords, initially just an Instagram page sharing photos and stories from the fly-fishing community. Over time, it evolved into one of the leading digital media platforms in the fly-fishing space, centered on creative storytelling, conservation, and culture.
As Flylords grew, it naturally led to the creation of Fiska Media, a creative agency and production company focused on helping outdoor brands tell authentic stories and connect with their audiences through film, photography, and digital strategy. We also expanded into the hunting world with Split Reed, which now plays a similar role in the waterfowl community.
Today, I get to collaborate with some of the most respected brands in the outdoor industry — creating content, campaigns, and partnerships that inspire people to get outside and engage with the natural world. It’s been a journey built around curiosity, creativity, and a genuine love for the places and communities that make the outdoors special.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but that’s part of what’s made the journey worthwhile. When I started Flylords, I didn’t have a blueprint for what a digital media brand in the outdoor space could be. It was a lot of trial and error, late nights, and learning how to turn a passion into a sustainable business.
One of the biggest challenges early on was figuring out how to grow without losing authenticity. The outdoor community can spot inauthentic storytelling a mile away, so it was important to build trust before chasing scale. There were also plenty of business-side learning curves — from hiring and managing a team to navigating contracts, brand partnerships, and the ups and downs of cash flow in a creative industry.
More recently, the challenges have evolved. The media landscape changes fast — algorithms, budgets, and consumer behavior shift constantly. It’s forced me to stay adaptable, creative, and resilient while continuing to lead with storytelling and purpose.
Looking back, every tough moment — whether it was uncertainty, burnout, or taking risks on new ideas — ended up shaping how I approach both business and creativity today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Fiska Media?
At the core of everything we do is storytelling that connects people to the outdoors.
I run a creative and media group that includes Flylords, Split Reed, and Fiska Media. Each serves a different audience, but they all share the same foundation — authentic storytelling, premium creative, and a genuine love for the communities that inspire us.
Flylords has become one of the leading digital media platforms in fly fishing, known for films, photography, and stories that highlight the culture and conservation side of the sport. Split Reed plays a similar role in the waterfowl world, celebrating the people, dogs, and traditions behind it.
From those platforms, we built Fiska Media, a creative agency and production company that helps outdoor brands tell better stories through campaigns, film, and strategy.
What sets us apart is that we live and breathe the world we create for. Our team isn’t just made up of creatives — we’re anglers, hunters, and storytellers who understand the lifestyle from the inside out. I’m most proud that we’ve been able to grow without losing that authenticity — staying true to our roots while pushing creative boundaries.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success has evolved over time. Early on, it was about growth building something from nothing, seeing the numbers climb, landing dream partnerships. But as things have matured, success has become more about balance, creativity, and impact.
I define success as being able to do meaningful work with people I respect, while staying true to the things that originally sparked the passion being outside, telling stories, and building something that inspires others to do the same.
It’s also about longevity and culture creating a business that doesn’t just chase trends but stands for something. If our brands can continue to grow while maintaining authenticity, supporting our team, and giving back to the communities and ecosystems that shaped us, that’s success to me.
At the end of the day, it’s pretty simple: doing what I love, working with good people, and creating stories that make someone want to get outside that’s the kind of success I’ll always chase.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fiskamedia.com
- Instagram: @fiskamedia
- Youtube: flylords
