My first exposure to flies tied on jig hooks was while casting oversized flies to snook. I was impressed with two things: the way the light wire of the hook made even four-inch flies easy to cast, and the hook-up rate. At first glance the 60-degree bend behind the hook eye makes flies look odd, like something that fell out of a hardware-chucker's Plano. But indeed they are castable, and very fishy. In fact while jig hook flies got their start with West coast anglers, many of the top permit guides in the Keys now tie their flies on variations of the bent-shank design.

Henry Cowen walks us through the beginnings of jig hook use by fly tiers and shows several patterns that have proven themselves effective not just for stripers, but for just about any saltwater fish that will fall for a streamer. Read "The Jig Is Up" on MidCurrent.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ed Jaworowski -- a full-time classics professor and author of many articles and books on fly casting -- notes that good casting technique can be learned, especially if you remember a few key principles. Morgan Lyle offers a layman's interpretation of Jaworowski's instruction on DailyGazette.com. "The line can only go in the direction the tip is moving when it stops. Does your cast pile up on the water, short of the target? You may be stopping with your rod tip pointing slightly downward, and not even realize it."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Never heard of Jarden? Well, besides owning the First Alert, Oster and Sunbeam brands, they own a huge share of the outdoors products business. Think Berkley, Fenwick, Penn, Pflueger, SpiderWire, Trilene, and ExOfficio, to name just a few of their fishing brands. This week Jarden named Terry Carlson president and CEO of their fishing businesses. Carlson had been CEO of the Americas division of Raymarine.

Read the extended entry for the full press release.

JARDEN OUTDOOR SOLUTIONS NAMES TERRY CARLSON AS CEO OF ITS FISHING BUSINESSES

CHICAGO IL - January 30, 2008 -- Jarden Outdoor Solutions, a leader in developing outdoor and active lifestyle products and a division of Jarden Corporation (NYSE: JAH), today announced the appointment of Terry Carlson as President and Chief Executive Officer of Jarden’s fishing businesses. In this newly-created position, Mr. Carlson will be responsible for the growth and development of the company’s leading brands that include Abu Garcia®, Berkley®, Fenwick®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Pflueger®, Pure Fishing®, Shakespeare®, SpiderWire®, Stren®, and Trilene®. He will report to Greg Shearson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jarden Outdoor Solutions.

Mr. Carlson, 45, is a seasoned executive and avid angler who brings more than 20 years of branded consumer product experience to Jarden Outdoor Solutions. Mr. Carlson joins from Raymarine Inc., a worldwide leader in marine products, where he served as CEO of the Americas business and was responsible for worldwide global product management and strategy. Under his direction, the company’s sales and profitability have grown substantially.

Commenting on the appointment, Greg Shearson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jarden Outdoor Solutions, said, “We are excited to welcome Terry to head up this important area of our business. Our brand portfolio in the fishing market is unparalleled and Terry’s long track record of successfully building brands, developing winning teams, developing breakthrough innovative products and increasing sales and profitability makes him an excellent fit as we look toward the future.”

Prior to Raymarine, Mr. Carlson held a variety of senior management positions at Polaroid, Emerson Electric, and Black & Decker. Mr. Carlson received an MBA from Loyola College and a BS in Business Administration from Indiana University. He holds seats on the boards of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, Growing Boating Inc. and the World Sailfish Championship Advisory Board.

Mr. Carlson said, “Joining Jarden Outdoor Solutions is an exciting opportunity to grow what are the premier brands in the fishing industry. I look forward to working with the entire team to further unlock the potential of these brands on an international level.”

Beyond fishing, Jarden's Outdoor Solutions segment has a broad portfolio of outdoor and active lifestyle products with leading brands such as Coleman®, Stearns®, Rawlings®, K2®, Volkl®, Ride®, Exofficio® and Marmot® in niche markets including camping, backpacking, fishing, water sports, baseball, skiing, snowboarding and high performance technical outdoor apparel.

Jarden Corporation is a leading provider of niche consumer products used in and around the home. Jarden operates in three primary business segments through a number of well recognized brands, including: Branded Consumables: Ball®, Bee®, Bicycle®, Crawford®, Diamond®, Dicon®, First Alert®, Forster®, Hoyle®, Java Log®, Kerr®, Lehigh®, Leslie-Locke®, Loew-Cornell® and Pine Mountain®; Consumer Solutions: Bionaire®, Crock-Pot®, FoodSaver®, Harmony®, Health o meter®, Holmes®, Mr. Coffee®, Oster®, Patton®, Rival®, Seal-a-Meal®, Sunbeam®, VillaWare® and White Mountain™; and Outdoor Solutions: Abu Garcia®, Berkley®, Campingaz®, Coleman®, Fenwick®, Gulp®, JT®, K2®, Marker®, Marmot®, Exofficio®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Rawlings®, Shakespeare®, Stearns®, Stren®, Trilene®, and Volkl®. Headquartered in Rye, N.Y., Jarden has over 25,000 employees worldwide. For more information, please visit www.jarden.com.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

They're delightful, they're entertaining, and they contain an important message for kids: respect our resources. Kirk Werner's two new books arrived in the mail last week and we were simply amazed by the talent they display. No only are the books -- Olive, The Little Woolly Bugger, and Olive and the Big Stream (both around 40 pages and published by Swimming Kangaroo Books) -- beautifully illustrated and written, they show great imagination and real knack for storytelling.

MidCurrent's own crack team of children's book critics began reviewing the books last Thursday night. Their balanced opinion (one is a 7-year-old boy, the other a 5-year-old girl) is that the books are "the best." Of course we didn't let the reviewers get away with such a simple critique, and when pressed both mentioned the "great story" and repeated several examples of engaging plot twists. But perhaps the most telling praise of all was an eagerness to return to the task on subsequent evenings, and even a willingness to forgo Spongebob.

If you have or know children of reading age who like a good book, we highly recommend Mr. Werner's new titles. Not only the books great reads, their sales will result in a contribution to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital via Hooked On a Cure.

You can purchase both books through the Olive Web site (where you can also find some pretty cool t-shirts).

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Angling Exploration Group starts an expanded schedule of stops in major U.S. cities this year, beginning with their visit to Patagonia headquarters in Ventura, California tonight. This year's tour will screen at over 95 venues to over thousands and thousands of fly fishers and has grown to become the biggest fly fishing film event in the country. For the complete schedule and to find the nearest showing location, check out the AEG schedule page.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of the worst effects of large forest fires is that they invite erosion and stream siltation -- bad news for juvenile trout that literally get ground up by the sediment. It will likely take many years before the silt resulting from the 2002 Cheesman fire is fully flushed from the South Platte, but meanwhile biologists continue to stock juvenile rainbows and browns and say the river is coming back to life. Matt Gray provides an update on the popular fishery near Denver and quotes local expert Pat Dorsey: "'The fishery has changed, from the standpoint that there are more brown trout now, and they can be a little tougher to catch. They have really taken to the river now, and depending on what section you’re in, the ratio of browns to rainbows can be 60 to 40.'” In Rocky Mountain Game & Fish.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Robert Ramsey will step down from the leadership role at the American Fly Fishing Trade Association on March 30, 2008, according to a press release we received this morning.

Read the extended entry for the full press release.

January 25, 2008

Robert Ramsay Resigns from the American Fly Fishing Trade Association

The American Fly Fishing Trade Association's Board of Directors announced today that it has respectfully accepted the resignation of President Robert Ramsay, effective March 30, 2008. Ramsay and the Board are working together to ensure a seamless transition before Ramsay pursues his plans to fulfill other career ventures.

"I've considered it a privilege to lead AFFTA during a period of tremendous building and progress," Ramsay said. "The fly fishing industry has just begun to see what's really possible from this organization. I'm proud of what we've accomplished together and heartened by the potential that is clearly unfolding. So much of that is due to a higher level of member activism and optimism that has brought vitality to AFFTA's ranks."

Over the last two years, the association has been focused on membership and related services, which has resulted in a revenue increase of more than 60 percent and 17 percent growth in membership. Improved coordination with the owners of the FlyFishing Retailer World Trade Expo has led to several show enhancements and business benefits that bring more value to AFFTA members. AFFTA successfully launched its first-ever consumer show, spearheading a new era of growth in the sport and profitability for fly fishing businesses. AFFTA's annual "National Casting Call" event in Washington, DC, has become a showcase for fish habitat conservation advocacy.

"Robert should be proud of all that he has contributed to the fly fishing industry," said Alan Gnann, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Much of the progress we've made under his leadership has helped form a firm foundation for AFFTA's growth far into the future."

The American Fly Fishing Trade Association is the only organization established for the sole purpose of representing and advocating for the shared interests of fly fishing businesses. Its mission is to promote the sustained growth of the fly fishing industry.

AFFTA has nearly 500 members nationwide, including manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales reps, guides and outfitters, travel companies, and outdoor media representatives. For more information, visit www.affta.com or call (706) 355-3804.


For more info contact Alan Gnann (860) 749-3476 x209 or cell (860) 214-2490

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 9:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bonnier corporation announced on Friday that Mike Mazur, who had been managing editor of Sport Fishing magazine, will be the new editor of Fly Fishing in Saltwaters. Ted Lund, the former FFS editor, will be given the role of editor at Salt Water Sportsman.

Read the extended entry for the full press release.

Mazur Promoted to Editor of Fly Fishing in Salt Waters

Winter Park, Fla – The Bonnier Marine Group, the largest and most diverse collection of marine-media properties in the world, announces the promotion of Mike Mazur to editor of Fly Fishing in Salt Waters magazine.

Mazur moves to his new position from another Bonnier title, Sport Fishing, where he was managing editor. He also served as associate editor during his time at Sport Fishing. Mazur succeeds Capt. Ted Lund, who has been promoted to editor of Bonnier title Salt Water Sportsman under editor-in-chief John Brownlee.

“Mike is a talented editor and a knowledgeable fly-fisherman,” said Gary Jennings, associate publisher of Fly Fishing in Salt Waters. “We have no doubt he’ll uphold the wonderful traditions of our magazine and maintain the high standards of editorial excellence set during Lund’s tenure.”

“It is truly an honor to be selected to lead such a prestigious title,” Mazur said. “We will continue to do what Fly Fishing in Salt Waters has always done best — deliver the finest saltwater fly-fishing content with an emphasis on solid how-to information from the most respected names in the sport.”

Prior to joining the Bonnier fishing titles, Mazur worked for Fish & Fly and Golfweek magazines. A graduate of the University of Central Florida, Mazur also worked for Florida Naturalist, an Audubon Society publication.

Fly Fishing in Salt Waters is published six times a year. A division of Bonnier Corp., the Bonnier Marine Group has more than 30 magazines, websites, events and television shows. Covering the boating, sailing and fishing markets, the group reaches more than 6 million active participants, with offices in locations across the United States, including New York, Florida and Rhode Island.

www.bonniermarinegroup.com

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"I've seen one fella (who) carved himself an anatomically correct mermaid, and he stared at that the whole day," said Ron Bruce, Department of Natural Resources sturgeon biologist for Wisconsin, in commenting on the variety of sturgeon decoys fashioned by the state's anglers.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Thin silver crystals of ice shimmered in the air. The fly landed just above the feeding trout and floated high on the ripples. The surface erupted as the fish struck. I raised the rod tip, pulled down firmly on the line and felt the weight and fury of the brown." While schools close and ice fishermen huddle in their shacks, Brian Jones takes his bamboo rod to northwestern Utah's Weber river tailwaters and fishes for big browns. His complete guide appears on Rocky Mountain Game & Fish.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Before you conclude that there's yet one more essential cast to learn, check out the photo accompanying this piece on the Kentuckiana Fly Fishing Show. Elbow pads, anyone? In truth, we've fished a few streams where this skill might come in handy.

You can read some excellent casting tips from Macauley on MidCurrent:

The Elements of Style
Beyond Competence, Part I
Beyond Competence, Part II

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A couple of recent articles in the Atlanta Journal Constitution note that the new head coach of the Falcons is given to contemplative pursuits when he is not dreaming up new ways to motivate players. "The man hasn't surfed in close to 15 years, he figures. His hobbies now — fly fishing and kayaking — speak to a contemplative approach. His candidacy came out of nowhere, because he is not one of those coaches who shoot off flares in the media. 'He's always been: 'I work hard, and someone will be out, is watching, and they'll notice.'" From an article by Steve Hummer.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ken Allen points anglers to Maine's top spring trout and landlocked salmon fishing via DeLorme's Maine Atlas and Gazetteer. "One wonderful region of Maine takes a little effort to reach because of its remoteness -- the Munsungan and Mooseleuk area north of Baxter State Park. Check out Map 57, B-2 for Mooseleuk Stream and Map 56, C-5 for Munsungan Lake and the blue-ribbon brookie ponds west of this lake." On MaineToday.com.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Among the highlights of Bill Graves's billfish adventure was saving a large green turtle from death-by-longliner. "If and when a sailfish does appear, it’s the first mate’s job to keep pulling the teaser away from him, enraging the fish into more violent attacks. Once the teaser of interest is within casting range, the mate jerks it away and the angler casts an 8/0 fly about the size of a robin into the path of the hot sailfish." In the Bangor (Maine) Daily News.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Saying that the snagging of wild steelhead has gotten out of control, FFF's northern California members are asking the state to close the popular 26-mile section of the river from Nimbus Dam to the Sacramento River during February and March. "The lower stretch of the American has nearly shriveled into a muddy ribbon compared to its typical rippling abundance because of stingy dam releases, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. That isn't likely to change during the next two months because, even with the recent storms, there isn't enough snowmelt to spare more water, said Ron Milligan of the bureau's Central Valley Project." M.S. Enkoji in the Sacramento Bee.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Some outfitters are angered by a new 3% "tax" on revenues they will have to pay while guiding clients on the Madison, but others -- including the state and many private anglers -- are saying the license fee is good medicine for a river that is suffering from ever-increasing pressure and lack of management. While public comment will be taken by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks up until February 15, it looks like the license is a done deal, at least for this year. A story in the Bozeman Chronicle by Daniel Person describes the hubbub and the state response (note: at this time, the link does not seem to work in the lastest version of Internet Explorer, but does work in Firefox). (Thanks to reader John DeVault for bringing this story to our attention.)

Also, we are still trying to figure out what "rouge guides" are. If anyone knows, please clue us in.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Vancouver Whitecaps goalie Jay Nolly was lured to join to play in Vancouver by what? Fly fishing.

"Q: 'I read a bio, too, somewhere that you said if you weren't a pro soccer player you wanted to be a coach, a teacher or a pro bass fisher?'

A: 'Yeah, now, if I wasn't a soccer player I'd probably want to be a fly-fishing guide.'"

Steve Ewan in The Province.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you hadn't noticed by now, we like fly fishing art. We also like good writing. This week's excerpt of a book by Ed Gray and Arthur Shilstone exemplifies the best of both. Gray, as you may know, was the founder of Gray's Sporting Journal. Shilstone has achieved worldwide fame as a watercolor artist, and his paintings grace many corporate and private collections.

See a sample of their work from a collaborative effort called Flashes in the River (Willow Creek Press, April 1996, 127 pages). In it Gray talks about Alaskan fly fishing, its awesome beauty and its incredible fish, and Shilstone shows what a great watercolorist sees in big rivers.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This spring new rules for minimum water levels will be put into place by the Delaware River Basin Commission -- an agency representing New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware and in charge of flows from New York's cold water reservoirs. What they decide could have an enormous impact on the health of upper Delaware and Catskill trout streams, where rising temperatures and uneven precipitation has led to constant conflict between those who want minimum water levels (and temperatures) maintained, and those who simply want to ensure that New York city has plenty of tap water. Now a new Flexible Flow Management Program -- where the amount of water released into streams is dependent on the amount of water that's in the reservoirs instead of on stream temperature -- seems to have the backing of all conservation and angling groups and even the agreement of the states. But Trout Unlimited and others are pushing for more generous flows still, after years of watching streams run virtually dry because of rules that didn't always work. Morgan Lyle writes on the topic in today's Schenectady Daily Gazette: "The DRBC has agreed in principle to minimum releases from Cannonsville Reservoir on the West Branch of 180 cubic feet per second in May and 250 cfs in June, July and August under normal conditions. Trout Unlimited and its allies have asked for 250 cfs in May and 350 the rest of the summer."

Fortunately the Commission has extended the period for public comment until March 3, signaling that more input from anglers could make a difference in what form the rules finally take. Here's the contact info: mail comments to Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, N.J. 08628-0360, or FAX them to “Attn: Commission Secretary” at (609) 883-9522, or email them to paula.schmitt@drbc.state.nj.us.

(Thanks to Tom Rosenbauer for making us aware of this story.)

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While many professional photographers say the digital age has done nothing but diminish the value of their work, Barry and Cathy Beck say photographing fish is a growth business. Go figure. "Unlike most of their peers, the Pennsylvania-based partners made photography a key component of their 30-year old business from the beginning. Beck’s seminar: 'The Digital Road to Better Fly Fishing and Outdoor Photography' now draws large crowds at shows throughout the country." In the Worcester, Massachusetts Telegram & Gazette.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mike Dombeck, former director of the Bureau of Land Management and head of the U.S. Forest Service, says its time for Washington to stop wasting tens of millions of dollars fighting rules that block new roads in National Forests. The reasons are obvious: less money being spent on forests and parks, the additional maintenance costs of new roads, and our ever-lower standards for what can be called 'wilderness.' "The first "roadless" or primitive area inventory on national forests was conducted in the mid-1920s. The Forest Service inventoried 74 tracts larger than 200,300 acres. In the '70s, areas larger than 5,000 acres were inventoried. By the late '90s, we were debating 500-acre tracts. What size tracts of land we will be fighting over 25 years from now?" In the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Though these patterns got their start on steelhead streams, a Times Herald-Record columnist notes that flies imitating sucker spawn can work on virtually any water with a population of suckers, even Catskill streams. "Here's what [guide Ron] Bierstine has to say about this peculiar but effective fly pattern: 'It was created to imitate sucker spawn in the inland streams which trout feed upon,' he said. 'It's perhaps the ultimate egg pattern. A small, soft, silhouetted fly that looks snotty in the water, not hard and unnatural. Drifts well and traps small air bubbles.'"

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Somehow the advice of an angler who earned money for his first fly fishing outfit by ferreting (catching rabbits with a ferret) carries more import. Welsh angler Moc Morgan recounts observations made while practicing for the world championships in Poland, where he had a chance to watch teams from various nations fish to the same trout. Turns out fishing down-sun wasn't making the difference, but fishing the "blur area" was. "I watched closely and realised the fish were only taking flies in one particular section of the river and I remembered reading once of something called 'the blur area' – that is the area between maximum glare and clear vision." From IcWales.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Costa Del Mar has two new styles of sunglasses coming out in February, both using their patented Hydrolite material lining the inside of the frames. We've seen a picture of the Permit model lenses, and they feature some interesting venting in the frame behind the lenses. Both the Permit and Blackfin lenses are "large eye frame" designs, a style Costa seems to be using in more and more of their lenses these days.

Read the extended entry for the full press release.

Costa Del Mar® Re-defines Sunglass Performance Technology with Blackfin and Permit

Proprietary co-injected Hydrolite® Lining Provides a No-Slip Comfort Fit

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 18, 2008, Costa Del Mar®, the company that changed the way people see the world outdoors, kicks its sunglass performance technology into even higher gear with two new co-injected models, Blackfin and Permit.

Perhaps the most unique part about both Blackfin and Permit is Costa Del Mar’s signature co-injected Hydrolite® rubberized composite compound found lining the sunglasses from one temple tip to the other, as well as the nose pads. The hypoallergenic, lightweight material is naturally adhesive, giving the sunglasses superior fit and grip properties, no matter how extreme the wearer’s adventure becomes.

Besides the no-slip, comfort fit Hydrolite lining, Blackfin and Permit feature a more aggressive, contemporary large eye frame shape. Each touts flexible stainless steel integral hinges and wire core designed to fit the consumer perfectly, providing comfort and stability all day, every day. Permit, similar to Costa Del Mar’s Fathom sunglasses, offers innovative side venting in the frame.

Both Blackfin and Permit are available in nylon frame colors shiny tortoise, matte black and gunmetal, and come in the full array of Costa Del Mar’s 100 percent polarized CR-39 and glass lens technology, including COSTA 400 and the patented 580 mirror and non-mirror options.

“Blackfin and Permit are serious performance sunglasses for today’s extreme adventurers,” said Chas MacDonald, president of Costa Del Mar sunglasses. “Whether you’re skiing black diamonds, shredding waves or catching the big one, Blackfin and Permit have built-in enhancements, like the Hydrolite lining, to let the wearer experience the adventure in a whole new way – and look great while doing it.”

The new sunglasses join other co-injected perennial best sellers from Costa Del Mar, including Fathom, Brine, Stringer, and the new ‘birds of prey’ line featuring Man-o’-War. Available in February, Blackfin and Permit will retail from between $139 to $239.

About Costa Del Mar

As the leading manufacturer of premium polarized performance sunglasses, Costa Del Mar offers superior lens technology, unparalleled fit and durability, and a lifetime warranty on all of its products. Still handcrafted today in Florida, Costa Del Mar creates the highest quality, best performing sunglasses for outdoor enthusiasts.

Honoring its heritage on the water, Costa Del Mar supports and sponsors a number of marine conservation initiatives and educational programs. The company was founded on protecting the marine environment worldwide and educating others to understand the importance of conservation. Costa Del Mar also sponsors a number of epic outdoor adventures around the world, encouraging others to see what’s out there.

For more information, contact 1-800-447-3700 or visit the company’s Web site at www.costadelmar.com, or check out Costa Del Mar’s original adventure programming at Costa Channel C, www.costachannelc.com.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Whether you think their take on fly fishing is clever and refreshing or excessive and trendy, you have to admit that the folks who put together the free online pub This Is Fly put a lot of energy into their content. The latest issue has everything from the story of a girl whose fascination with helicopters leads her to take up fly fishing to a comparatively sedate story about headhunting big trout on the "world's largest spring creek" (Montana's upper Missouri). But the hippest writer in this issue is original wild man Brian O'Keefe having an Alaska flashback.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's something else for the dam and power resource planners to ponder: Dams on rivers important to wild salmon reproduction also create feeding zones where predators can pile up and decimate the fish. So if the National Marine Fisheries Service believes that killing a protected species is the best way to aid dam-challenged salmon (mind you these are the same folks who brought us "Hatchery Fish = Wild Fish" in recent years), then I suppose we should let them have their way, given the fact that salmon are essential to the survival of many, many other species. "A federal agency recommended killing about 30 sea lions a year at a Columbia River dam where the marine animals feast on salmon migrating upriver to spawn. By many estimates, the sea lions devour about 4 percent of spring runs. Fishermen and Columbia River tribes have urged action for years against the sea lions at Bonneville Dam." Joseph Frazier of the Associated Press. (Thanks to reader David Dalu for this link.)

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Among the odder target species for saltwater fly fishers, a sheepshead may be just about as hard to get to eat a fly as a permit. Given that they are so plentiful and love shallow water, though, they appeal to sight-casters looking for a good challenge. An article in the southwest Florida Herald Tribune describes the techniques used by Sarasota guide Any Cappar. "It's not a game to play if you just want to catch a few fish. In fact, fly-fishing for sheepshead isn't a game played by many at all. Sheepshead are crustacean eaters that are rarely fooled by artificials."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Though I seriously doubt anyone is paying $750 for "rubber" waders, there's little question that as baby boomers move to the countryside -- enabled by the Internet and a changing job culture -- they are transforming rural areas. In The Wall Street Journal, Conor Daugherty describes how the demands of affluent retirees and wired businesspeople are bringing rapid change to quiet backwaters. "'What we're seeing is a class colonization,' says Peter Nelson, an associate professor of geography at Middlebury College and an expert on rural migration. 'It really represents a shift in the nature of the economy from a resource-extraction economy to an aesthetic-based economy.'" Be sure to check out the map of locales that have become rural money magnets.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A break in winter weather can mean the appearance of the year's first big meals for hungry trout on California's Yuba. "Skwalas have a distinctive profile that the trout key in on and a good imitation is called for. They stand on the surface film with their wings folded flat on their backs. The profile is about an inch long and less that a quarter-inch wide. They can ride the current this way for as far as you can see them. This bug is the first large portion meal these fish have seen since the salmon egg feasts of Halloween." Denis Pierce on TheUnion.com.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As we noted back in November, Versus will soon begin airing a new series called "Dollar Wise Fly," hosted by Conway Bowman (see "Versus Plans to Show Fly Fishing on the Cheap"). The crew was down in southwest Florida this week filming, and the local paper published some nice stills from the redfishing action in and around Matlacha.

Who was it that said waders weren't made for Florida fishing?

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In the February issue, editors at Field & Stream list their twenty choices for the best fishing towns in the U.S. Glenwood Springs, Colorado is on the top of the heap. "It's the geographic center of the best flyfishing in the state: The Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers merge right in town, and the Eagle River, the Frying Pan, and the Gunnison are easy day trips. In any season (even the dead of winter), there's always at least one world-class flyfishing option." The rest of the top ten:

2. Mountain Home, Ark.
3. Traverse City, Mich.
4. Bozeman, Mont.
5. Minocqua, Wis.
6. Apalachicola, Fla.
7. Nantucket, Mass.
8. Bend, Ore.
9. Guntersville, Ala.
10. Morehead City, N.C.

Apparently the folks in Missoula, Montana, which came in eleventh, disagree with any listing of their town as a good fishing base. "It's too cold up here," one commenter said, "You won't like it."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Orvis will get matching grants from the NFWF and offer customers a chance to "round up" their purchases to the nearest dollar amount as part of their contribution to ongoing efforts to restore Maine's Penobscot. “'The Penobscot River is the second largest river in New England and the only remaining stronghold for the nation’s struggling runs of wild Atlantic salmon. Yet multiple dams still prevent the migration of Atlantic salmon and several other species of sea-run fish to key habitat,' said Laura Rose Day, Executive Director, Penobscot River Restoration Trust."

Read the extended entry for the full press release.

The Orvis Company Joins Coalition to Help Restore Penobscot River

Orvis Announces $150,000 Matching Campaign and "Round Up" Opportunity for Customers

Sunderland, VT (January 17, 2008) - The Orvis Company, the world leader in fly fishing gear, announced today a matching grant challenge in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to raise $150,000 help remove dams on Maine’s Penobscot River. The Orvis Company and NFWF will match donors’ contributions turning a one dollar donation into three. In addition to the matching campaign, from now until the end of February Orvis customers will have the option to “round up” their purchase amount in increments of 1-100 dollars, with the proceeds going to the same removal effort.

The dams were first placed nearly 200 years ago and as a result, life that once pulsed through the Penobscot River and its region was significantly changed. Runs of tens of thousands of Atlantic salmon, American shad, alewife, rainbow smelt, sturgeon, striped bass, and nearly half a dozen more native species of fish that once migrated from the Gulf of Maine into the river are all but gone. In response, in addition to Orvis, a powerful coalition which includes the Penobscot tribe, American Rivers, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, Natural Resources Council of Maine, the Nature Conservancy, Maine Audubon, and Trout Unlimited has emerged to open over a thousand miles of unobstructed river to migratory fish passage.

“The Penobscot River is the second largest river in New England and the only remaining stronghold for the nation’s struggling runs of wild Atlantic salmon. Yet multiple dams still prevent the migration of Atlantic salmon and several other species of sea-run fish to key habitat.” said Laura Rose Day, Executive Director, Penobscot River Restoration Trust “By selectively removing dams and improving access to nearly 1,000 miles of habitat, Orvis and its customers will help give Atlantic salmon their last, best chance to rebound.”

To learn more about how to help restore Atlantic salmon and other sea-run fish by removing dams along the Penobscot River, visit www.orvis.com/conservation.

About Orvis

Founded in 1856, Orvis pioneered the mail order industry in the United States, operates a chain of retail stores in the U.S. and England including its Flagship store in Manchester, VT; and maintains a network of over 400 dealers worldwide. Orvis donates five percent of pre-tax profits each year to environmental programs. You can read more about Orvis on their website at www.orvis.com.

###

James Hathaway
Manager, Communications & Conservation

The Orvis Company
178 Conservation Way
Sunderland, VT 05250
802.362.8525 phone
802.362.8851 fax

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

January, to fly fishers who aren't enjoying Patagonia, New Zealand or a cold Beliken beer on some secret Central American patch flat, is typically pure downtime. But a cadre of steelheaders in the U.S. northwest is hard at play, doing what they look forward to all year long: stalking and sight-casting to big, solitary steelhead. Of course you have to know the spots. And with that comes dues-paying and various oaths of secrecy.

On MidCurrent this week confessed steelhead junkie Kevin Wright gives us a little taste of how one of his recent trips turned out in "Sasquatch Style."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It seems Brian O'Keefe was the first to use Scientific Anglers' new Sharkskin line at a casting competition. This past weekend his cast of 108 feet -- "outside, at sea level" -- gave him a first place finish at the International Sportsman's Expo in San Mateo, California.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Montana State University scientist who gave up on researching turning algae into biodiesel in the 1980s suddenly finds himself deluged with requests for assistance, and the idea that didymo might actually become useful seems not so far-fetched. "Soybeans produce about 50 gallons of oil per acre per year, and canola produces about 130, he said. Algae, however, produces about 4,000 gallons per acre a year, and he predicted it will go far beyond that. He said algae requires only sunshine and non-drinkable water to grow." On Physorg.com.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Lest we run out of reasons to complain about fly fishing products, new grandfather John Berry has a suggestion: no one makes breathable waders in children's size 2. "Equipment may be a problem. I have been searching the web non-stop for the past few months and have not been able to find a decent pair of breathable waders in toddler sizes, let alone a decent pair of wading boots. You would think that the manufacturers would address the situation." In the Baxter Bulletin.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

RIO's new PowerSpey line, with a 57- to 71-foot belly, depending on line size, is available in 5/6, 6/7, 7/8, 8/9, 9/0 and 10/11 and in two different models: a full floating version and a Versitip version with 3 sinking tips.

Read the full press release in the extended entry.

RIO Products introduces a brand new Spey line – The PowerSpey™.

IDAHO FALLS, January 1st, 2008 – RIO Products proudly announces the introduction of a new spey
line, designed for the ultimate in controlled, long line performance.

The new PowerSpey is designed for those casters that prefer a long belly spey line. The
unique taper design makes the PowerSpey an incredibly easy line to cast with – at any length – and
traditional anglers will love the longer head for precise fly control and efficient casting.

The head length of the PowerSpey varies between 57 feet and 71 feet, depending on the line
size, and has a front taper designed for great presentation, while still carrying enough power to
turnover large flies.

The PowerSpey is available in six different sizes; 5/6, 6/7, 7/8, 8/9, 9/0 and 10/11 and in two
different models:

1) The full floating version features a welded loop on the front end for quick rigging. The loop is
also ideal for adding one of RIO’s Spey VersiLeaders – converting the line into an
instantaneous sink tip.

2) The VersiTip® version come complete with a body section, a 15 ft floating tip, a 15 ft clear
intermediate tip (sinks at 1-2 inches per second), a 15 ft Type 3, Density Compensated tip
(sinks at 3-4 inches per second), a 15 ft Type 6, Density Compensated tip (sinks at 5-6 inches
per second) and a 15 ft Type 8, Density Compensated tip (sinks at 7-8 inches per second) –
only available in 7/8 sizes and larger.

The new PowerSpey lines are available from all authorized RIO dealers and have a
recommended retail price of $79.95 for the full floating line and $149.95 for the VersiTip version.

For more details or information contact: Simon Gawesworth, simon@rioproducts.com or Zack Dalton,
zack@rioproducts.com at RIO Products Intl., Inc.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Despite a deadly chemical spill that virtually flushed the Wandle clean in September (see "British Firm Pays Big for Wandle Restoration"), fishing guide Mark Anderson found a pair of breeding trout doing their duty next to an upturned bicycle and assorted other debris. "Most of the time Wandle water is clean, even if it is 99 per cent treated sewage. But when clouds darken over Croydon a toxic plug of road run-off and the overflow of sewage systems works its way downriver - something tolerant species like chub and carp can just about endure. But the clean-living trout? No-one knew." Charles Rangeley-Wilson in the London Telegraph.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fly Fishing Through the Midlife Crisis author Howell Raines will write for the new upscale Conde Nast business magazine, reports CNNMoney.com.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As a preview to his appearance in Ohio, A. K. Best gave Cleveland Plain Dealer writer D'Arcy Egan some insight into his sometimes contrarian take on the sport and how it is practiced. Among the tidbits: use a rod that allows you to land a fish quickly, even if you are fishing a small stream, and use common sense when tying mayflies. "Fly tiers leave a lot of stuff out, trying to match an insect perfectly. But they don't. Most every mayfly has a darker thorax than abdomen, but most flies don't reflect that. And they don't tie the wings long enough. Mayflies don't read proportion charts. Their wings are going to be as long as nature wants them."

You can also read A. K.'s thoughts on basic casting techniques on MidCurrent.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Given the he-said-she-said tactics used by both federal and state government agencies to avoid spending money on Everglades restoration in the past two decades, it's not at all surprising to see long-time adversaries in the private sector coming together with conservation groups to say "Enough is enough." And with the prospect of a real estate bust giving south Florida a little breathing space, they couldn't have picked a better time for a truce. (After all, how can you protect water quality with hundreds of acres of landscape being paved with fertilizer-hungry Floritam grass each day?) An article by Timothy O'Hara on KeysNews.com gives details on the new energy being put into getting rid of the algae bloom that has wiped out so much grass and fish food in Florida Bay. "The World Wildlife Fund, Audubon of Florida and two groups that are not often on the same side of the table — Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association and Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen Association — want [governor] Crist to see the persistent blue-green algae bloom that has compromised the health of the bay and could have disastrous consequences for the region's fishing industry."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The captains in saltwater fly fishing tournaments often walk away with a simple 'thanks' after helping their anglers grab the phat loot. But Webster “Web” Young, a Chicago fly-fisher who won the 2007 Abel On Your Honor Tarpon Tournament, felt that Dan Malzone deserved to own the Super 13 reel that he won in last year's event, and after spending two days watching his reward being made, shipped it off to Florida captain. "On Your Honor" indeed.

Read the full press release in the extended entry.

January 8, 2008

ABEL 2007 TARPON WINNER WATCHES PRIZE REEL MADE

CAMARILLO, Calif. - Webster “Web” Young, a Chicago fly-fisher who won the 2007 Abel On Your Honor Tarpon Tournament, spent two days at the firm’s precision machine shop in mid-December watching a new Super 13 being made.

Young, together with his longtime fishing companion, Henry T. Cannon, Germantown, Tennessee, was flown to the Abel factory and given an extensive factory tour by shop foreman and vice president Glen Krapff and director of sales Jeff Patterson. Over two days they witnessed their grand prize reel being cut from 6061-T aluminum bar stock, precision machined on a CNC lathe and mill, hand polished, anodized, assembled and finally engraved to their specifications. The prize, including the all-expense trip to California, was valued at about $3,000, according to Don R. Swanson, president.

Young selected the Super 13 as his reward for the 140-pound tarpon caught in early June in the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, Homosassa, Fla..

And, he’s giving the reel to his guide, Capt. Dan Malzone. “I’d have never have hooked or landed the tarpon without Capt. Dan,” said Young.

Entries in the 2008 On Your Honor Tarpon Tournament are now being accepted.

The winner and a guest will be flown to California, hosted by Abel, and given the reel of his or her choice. The winner will watch the progression of their personal reel being precision machined, anodized and finished. Value of the prize is approximately $3,000.

Rules of the contest are –

All fish must be caught on Abel Reels and released as quickly as possible.

Entrants must forward one or more clear digital photos of the fish, together with the following information –

- Name, address, phone and e-mail of the angler;
- Name, address, phone and e-mail of the guide service or lodge (if any);
- Best guesstimate of the weight of the tarpon utilizing a recognized formula of length and girth;
- Date of the catch;
- Abel reel model used;
- Location of the catch.

All entries must be caught after January 1 and posted by July 31.

For complete 2008 Abel On Your Honor Tarpon Tournament rules and information, contact Abel at www.abelreels.com, e-mail info@abelreels.com or phone 866 511 7444.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We all know that the perfect wading boots soles -- ones that work as well on icy granite as they do on slimy mud -- will probably never be made -- but Eric Sharp seems to have found some that reach farther than most. "Fishing the St. Marys and some other rock-bottomed rivers this year, I wore a pair of $99 Chota wading boots with a new, thermally bonded sole, and they have been great. The traction has been superb on everything, including algae-covered rocks and mud, and they are about as tough as any boots I've seen." In the Detroit Free Press.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"That's what carp stories do to fishermen. They weigh on them for so long before driving the angler to confess every last detail of landing one. They're like a really bad blind date." Ed Zieralski says fishing for carp, and especially fly fishing for carp, makes you a real stand-up guy. In the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you are in any familiar with Ernest Schwiebert's Nymphs II, published posthumously in 2007 as the continuation of his classic Nymphs, you know that it was an enormous undertaking, not just on the part of the author, but by the editors and publishers as well. It's hard not to be impressed by Schwiebert's erudition, but some reviewers, like this one, take serious exception to the author's delivery. "Schwiebert’s hyper-inflated ego is reflected in his foppish writing style. He is an inveterate name-dropper. This form of self-puffery does not boost his status because, like most egocentric name-droppers, he fails to distinguish between individuals possessing minor outdoor celebrity (e.g., former Winchester public relations executive Jim Rikhoff) and true angling expertise (e.g., famed British river-keeper Frank Sawyer)." James Phillips on FWDailyNews.com.

If you'd prefer to reach your own conclusions, you can see a large excerpt from Nymphs II on Google Books.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Not long ago, felt was the choice when it came to fly fishing wading boot soles, but that was before rock snot and before snails tinier than midge larvae began hitchhiking on our gear. As Brett Prettyman points out, since both Simms and Patagonia make wading boots with soles that are designed to impede the transport of invasive species, you have to ask yourself why you wouldn't choose the healthier alternative. After all, it is the spread of hazards that aren't yet on our radar that might end up being most damaging to our trout streams. "'Felt is basically a dirty sponge that is very difficult or impossible to disinfect,' said Chris Wilson, director of [Utah]'s Fisheries Experiment Station and one of, if not the most, knowledgeable experts on whirling disease. 'It is a great media for spreading a great number of things.' Those 'things' include whirling disease and New Zealand mud snails, both of which can negatively impact trout fishing. Who knows what other diseases and exotic species are out there that could be transported by felt-bottomed boots." In The Salt Lake Tribune.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It took Colorado Governor Bill Ritter only seven paragraphs to introduce an analogy from fly fishing into his official hopes for the upcoming year. Ritter described his plans to work with the legislature as much like his attitude when working a fly fishing stream: "Every time you cast a line, drop a fly onto the water or move to a new spot, there's a new opportunity for a promising return. It is my hope that each of us approaches this session with a sense of hope, of promise, of the immense possibilities." Text in the Rocky Mountain News.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Starting last Saturday, Versus begin airing the several "Chasing Silver" segments that have only been shown once on regular programming. Now every Saturday through February 16th you can watch the series at 1:30PM EST.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

According to Bill Thompson, fly fishing bulletin boards are victim to the same "Cult of the Amateur" that infects much information on the web. "The web provides the opportunity for those who post the ability to remain anonymous. It is now possible to slander someone or something without fear of reprisal. Asking a question about a certain piece of gear and you are certain to get a dozen replies almost immediately. Some of the replies may be legit, however anyone with an ax to grind will surely do so." Caveat Emptor indeed. In the Conway Daily Sun.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

"I always start my winter fly-tying frenzy by creating the flies I’ll need in late February and all through March on the Yakima River. Blue wing olive mayflies hatch in waves — even during snowstorms — and I need lots of flies to match this hatch." Chester Allen explores needs versus wants as he fills the dark winter hours tying and getting ready for the first fishing days. In The Olympian.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I remember my first float-tube experience like it was yesterday. A friend took me to Craig Mathews's Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, Montana to rent a tube for the morning's fishing on Hebgen Lake. The gulpers there were as entertaining as promised, but the real delight was found in floating weightless in between sky and earth while casting a fly rod.

But float tubes aren't just for vacations and distant destinations. As the interest in warmwater fly fishing and in personal fishing craft grows, many fly fishers are discovering that the humble float tube can carry them to places and fish that always seemed just out of reach. This week California kayak guide Rickey Noel Mitchell tells us how to get started choosing and using a float tube for lakes, ponds and even rivers.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"You should learn the roll cast first. With, say, 50-feet of fly-line-belly, fly-line-taper and leader to a nicely decked out fly, give this a try. Start facing downstream and let the line flow down so the fly is fully extended in a straight line from the rod tip. This position, all Spey addicts know as the 'dangle', a term coined by the Simon Gawesworth, one guru of current Spey casting." Canadian writer D. C. Reid gives advice on learning to Spey cast, and suggests the order of learning, from roll cast to Snake Roll, Snap T, Circle C, Overhead and Perry Poke. In the Times Colonist.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Some of our readers might know that U.S. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson is a devoted fly fisher. But even I was surprised to hear him -- while engaged in a fish-photo contest with fellow "obsessed" fly fisher and CNBC commentator Steve Leisman Tuesday morning -- bring up the importance of releasing tarpon in the water. Let me tell you folks, when the Treasury Secretary says that he doesn't take photos of his fly-caught tarpon because he doesn't want them lifted out of the water, it is time to pay attention.

Paulson said "I've caught many, many tarpon over one hundred pounds on fly." "But you don't have any pictures," Leisman said. "But I don't take them into the boat; I don't want to hurt them," said Paulson. "I didn't want to hurt that tuna either, Mr. Secretary, I just wanted to eat it," Leisman responded. "Truth be known, I'm envious" Paulson replied. "I would love to catch a bluefin tuna on a fly rod. I've never done it, and I've tried."

According to our sources Secretary Paulson is spending even more time fly fishing for bonefish than he was when he was head of Goldman Sachs. We admit to being a little surprised by his comment that he had caught "a number of bonefish bigger than 15 pounds," but hey, he does deal with inflationary pressures all day long.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

For some reason they haven't been on our radar before, but Aquapac's 100% waterproof cases seem like smart products indeed. Not only are the cases guaranteed waterproof, but they float when you drop 'em. Their latest product, the Mini Case 404, is for palm-sized digital cameras, which some of us carry around for the occasional glory shot. But they also make a super-diverse line of truly submersible cases for cameras, cell phones, radios, and all sorts of gear. What surprised us, though, is that you can buy a shoot-through camera case -- rated to be waterproof to 15 feet -- for only $30, and you get a 3-year warranty.

For more info on the new camera case, you can get a summary here. Or you can visit the Aquapac USA site for info on their full range of products.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Somehow it's hard for me to imagine a trout stream issuing forth from the paved and blackened bowels of Allston, Mass, but if local conservationists have their way, Harvard will participate in bringing at least one stream back to life there. The concept, called "daylighting" by proponents, is a hopeful but expensive idea that's already taken hold among urban planners in places like Berkeley, California and Kalamazoo, Michigan. Why not?

"Using old maps of the area, some dating back as far as the mid-1800s, Bowditch and her colleagues have pinpointed several waterways that once drained the area. One stream, which the group has named Allston Creek, formerly ran from near the Everett Street Interstate 90 overpass to the Charles, just north of the Western Avenue Bridge. Technically, Allston Creek is still there. It's just out of sight, running under North Allston in a series of branching pipes." Jeremy Miller in the Boston Globe.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For the tenth year in a row, Marlboro, Massachusetts will host Barry Serviente's wintertime fly fishing show, "a three-day fly flicker’s immersion that begins at 10 a.m. Jan. 18 at the Royal Plaza Trade Center off Route 20." Rich Murphy and Jack Gartside will be there, as will a host of other U.S. fly fishing experts.

Meanwhile, there's the Atlanta Fly Fishing Festival on January 26 and 27, at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Georgia.
Kids are encouraged and welcome (under 13 admitted free) with lots to do and see including learning to cast and tie flies. Show hours are 9-5 on Saturday, 10-5 on Sunday. For more info visit www.castlow.com.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've put enough "hook point punctures" in my cork grips to guarantee they will never end up in an auction, but Barron's writer Robert H. Boyle notes that fishing collectibles make a hot market right now -- with and without blemishes. "Rod collectors, whose mantra is 'condition, condition, condition,' can be ultra-fussy, with just one little 'ding' -- say, a hook-point puncture in the cork handle -- enough to put them off. But rarity and historical importance trumped condition with four dinged 19th-century American fly rods. Compare the estimates with the prices realized: a Charles Murphy 12-footer (estimated at $800 to $1,200) for $3,575; a 14' 3" by Thomas Mack of Boston (estimated at $700 to $1,000) for $8,960; a 14' 6" J. C. Conroy ($600 to $800) for $9,240; and a 12' Thaddeus Norris ($5,000 to $7,000) for $17,920."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Turneffe Flats lodge in Belize has a few openings left in January and February and is reducing its rates for a few key weeks. See the extended entry for the press release and details.

January 7, 2008

TURNEFFE ATOLL, Belize – Permit, bonefish and tarpon anglers with the ability to get away at literally the last moment can take advantage of a 2:1 special at Turneffe Flats, announced owner/operator Craig Hayes.

The 2008 normal rate has been reduced to the single supplement rate of $5,483.73 for two or $2,729.37 for one including all applicable Belizean taxes. The fee includes all lodge services, guides, accommodations and round trip transportation from Belize City to the island resort.

Weeks available are Jan. 12-19; Feb. 2-9 and 16-23, said Hayes.

For information on space availability phone Turneffe Flats toll-free at (888) 512-8812; or visit www.tflats.com.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)