Custom Yeti tumbler artwork tarpon green bus beautiful

I’m not real big on buying hats because I get more than my share of freebies over the course of the year. Besides, I tend to narrow my “game day” selection down to a choice few in any given season. I’m not Steve Kennedy, who wears a single Auburn hat until it wears out, but I know that only certain lids fit my head properly, and I also know that some of them just have bad fishing mojo.

Nevertheless, I do buy a few here and there. In order to get me to open up my wallet, they have to be something pretty special, or a new place I’ve visited – not just another run of the mill model advertising a tackle company.

In my Instagram wanderings some of the most badass hats I’ve found come from art teacher Michael Williams of Michigan, operating his Angling Art business under the name “Green Bus Designs.” He overlays angling designs on hats from mainstream manufacturers like Patagonia, Simms and Under Armour to make unforgettable headwear – the only question is whether you should wear them in the elements or put them behind glass.

Many of his works are trout-centric

Greenbus Patagonia hat hand painted trout

But I was drawn in by the peacock bass

Hand Painted peacock bass hat patagonia colorful

And I loved the grayling, a species I first caught last year at Bear Trail Lodge in Alaska and Hanna knocked off her list this year.

trucker hat arctic grayling hat hand painted

His work is not limited to hats. Here’s a driftboat

custom painted driftboat green bus trout pattern beautiful

And you can look good while sounding good

hand painted guitar marlin musical fishing

Remember to support small businesses during these crazy times. Our educators like Williams may not technically be “first responders” but they are an essential and underappreciated resource, so this guy’s doubly deserving.

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