Origination of the GelKeeper™ Brand Straight Fork Anglers was started by Bob Nanney when he designed the
first GelKeeper™ floatant holder for the fly floatant product lines. Now the company has a line of holders for not
only the High N Dry products but also for Frog’s Fanny and Dry Magic floatants. That was back in 2019 and the company
has grown ever since. Bob was inducted into the Southern Appalachian Fly Fishing Museum’s Hall of Fame in 2019 so you
know the GelKeeper™ holder product line was designed from a Fly Fisher’s perspective. We are sure you will enjoy your
floatant keeper for many years to come, but should it fail, simply mail $2.90 (shipping cost) to the address below for a free replacement.
As they say “tight lines”
Hello, my name is John Strobell and I am the new owner of Straight Fork Anglers; manufacturer and supplier of GelKeeper™ floatant holders.
Thank you Bob! For all your hard work and support with this transition. My prayer is that you have more time to fish and that you and Hazel have
more time to relax. I am excited for this opportunity and exploring the Straight Fork stream area for some beautiful scenery and fishing.
While learning more about the Straight Fork stream with all its ruggedness and wildness within the Great Smoky Mountains, I decided to keep
the company name. Rugged and straight forward design elements form the basis for the simple and highly functional line of GelKeeper™ floatant holders.
My fly fishing days started as a young man living in Colorado. Standing in the middle of a river is almost as enjoyable as catching the fish. Here fishy fishy,
come get my fly!! When on the water, I want my equipment close at hand without dropping it, watching it sink or float away. That’s what makes these
floatant holders a must have for your fishing gear. Thank you for reviewing our web site and learning more about the GelKeeper™ brand in this great industry.
I look forward to talking with you and answering any questions you may have regarding the product. Under the “contact” page you can fill out our contact form
and an e-mail will be sent.
John Strobell, Straight Fork Anglers Owner
From Bob, the original designer/owner
"New products don’t come along very often in the fly fishing industry, but occasionally there will arise a need for something “different to fill a need.” That’s exactly what the GelKeeper™ line of holders does.... we took the ordinary floatant holder and put a new twist to it and the results are pretty darn nice.... We have designed a holder that is made from an extremely durable vinyl material, added an attaching loop/clip which, when combined with a zinger (retractor) gives you true “Easy One-handed Use.”
"New products don’t come along very often in the fly fishing industry, but occasionally there will arise a need for something “different to fill a need.” That’s exactly what the GelKeeper™ line of holders does.... we took the ordinary floatant holder and put a new twist to it and the results are pretty darn nice.... We have designed a holder that is made from an extremely durable vinyl material, added an attaching loop/clip which, when combined with a zinger (retractor) gives you true “Easy One-handed Use.”
“After years of scratching through my vest to find my floatant and getting frustrated, Bob’s holdeer comes to the rescue with the perfect holder for my
High N Dry gel. The High N Dry gel container is an odd size bottle and I couldn’t find a holder for it. Now I can keep it attached to the zipper pull on my
sling pack and every time I need to dress a fly the floatant is close by...and I can use it one handed which is great. After 68 years of fly fishing I have
found the perfect combination of gel holder and gel. Thank you, Straight Fork Anglers, for designing and making this gel holder for the fly fishing community.
I have since retired and no longer guide, but I am on the water every chance I get.”
Tom Hopkins (retired), Western North Carolina fly fishing guide.