"Most of the fishing is subsurface, and I'd estimate you will be nymphing about 80 percent of the time. But there can be sensational surface bites, typically on warm evenings in late May and early June, when shade takes over after a hot afternoon. Fly fishers should always be ready to switch between the two styles, pocket-water nymphing and dry-fly drifting." In the San Francisco Chronicle, Tom Stienstra profiles Calilfornia's Pit River, which flows from Lake Briton to Lake Shasta in Shasta National Forest.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fortunately I had the same experience when I first tried "snoose" at age 15 as Bruce Florquist did while fly fishing on the Blue Mesa Reservoir one evening. His story about sneaking a chew in the school library is pretty funny though. "There developed a protocol for this procedure. Some books were sacrosanct. Nothing by Zane Grey, McKinley Cantor, Jack London or Robert Ruark could be touched. Other books were fair game. Such titles as 'Jane Eyre,' 'Little Women,' 'A Tale of Two Cities' and anything by Laura Ingalls-Wilder were common depositories."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 4:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Saunders recalled that his friend seemed troubled that spring day in 1968, and seemed somehow to know his death was imminent. Saunders recited for King a psalm he had written that describes the reflection of God in nature -- in the sea, in the mangroves, in a snowflake. Afterward, Saunders said King told him: 'I feel like I could reach up and touch the face of God in this place.''' Bimini guide and boatbuilder Ansil Saunders recounts days spent with Martin Luther King and guiding famous clients in Bimini in The Miami Herald.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

U.S. west coast casting instructor Jeff Putnam shows how to use the Snap-T -- a cast originally developed for two-handed rods -- in effective fishing with single handed fly rods.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 4:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ted Williams says that instead of looking the real problem with salmon recovery -- dams -- squarely in the eye, the current administration, bent on controlling salmon predators, is doing a remarkable amount of tail-chasing. Beyond the fact that recovery can't occur without the removal of four Snake River dams, there is no end to the number of predators. "Suppose the Bush administration prevails against squawfish, sea lions and terns. Is it then going to pacify the rest of nature? Will it attack cormorants, which eat more smolts than sea lions and terns combined? And what about orcas and those smolt-swilling walleyes and coastal cutthroat trout?" In the High Country News.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Robert Van Riper decides that walking out the front door with fly rod in hand can be a perfectly fine answer to the question of where to go fishing this year.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 4:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ever wonder how fly uber-vendor Umpqua decides which flies will make the catalog in any given year? Charlie Meyers explains in the Denver Post. "'We get many hundreds of submissions from all over the world from people who think they've invented something new,' [Bruce] Olson said of a process that ends with a sort of summit meeting that includes sales representatives from across the nation. 'They all get to vote on what they think will sell best in each geographic territory. A lot of things go into each decision.'"

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 4:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ed Engle says the time is now if you want to hit the peak of the Mother's Day caddis hatch on the Arkansas and nearby rivers. "The key has always been that you want to get the higher water temperatures that will stimulate the hatch before you get the brunt of the runoff which raises, cools and dirties the water. It was beginning to look like we were going to have relatively clear water, but it was too cold for the hatch and by the time it warmed, the river would be high and muddy." In the Boulder Daily Camera.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 4:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

John Gierach's first book in three years arrives in readers' hands May 16. Fly fishers can hardly wait, and there are plenty of non-angling adherents of the Gierach view of life waiting for the UPS truck to arrive.

This week on MidCurrent you can watch and listen to Gierach as he draws the connections between fly fishing writing and the sport itself. As far as we know this segment, from the "Why Fly Fishing" DVD, is the only time Gierach has ever appeared in film. "We who fly fish," Gierach says, "think it's deeply meaningful until we try to explain why it's meaningful, and then suddenly it's just fishing again."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Despite opposition from some conservationist who argue that toting thousands of gallons of Rotenone into distant mountain lakes is a bad idea, Montana scientists will use their success at Black and Blackfoot Lakes to help convince the public that many more lakes should be poisoned to clear the way for Westslope Cutthroat recovery. "In all, the Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation Project will treat 21 high mountain lakes over a 10-year period, poisoning in the fall and restocking in the spring." Michael Jamison in The Missoulian.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As I was explaining tarpon behavior to Patagonia fishing product designer Steve Straqualersi earlier this week, it occurred to me that a hooked tarpon behaves very much like a certain presidential candidate. "Give a tarpon any amount of leeway," I suggested, "and they will fight forever. You need to fight them from the moment you get them on the reel, and make them think they don't have a chance."

Sue Cocking's recent experience with a large Key West tarpon had her wishing she had picked a less experienced fish. "For the next 20 minutes, the wicked fish alternately charged away on after-burner, or turned and aimed itself like a torpedo at the boat. A couple of times, it surfaced briefly to gulp air, but it never jumped again. 'Something tells me this fish has been down this road before,' I puffed to [Captain Tom] Pierce." In the Miami Herald.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Detroit Free Press columnist Eric Sharp recommends the Extrasport Osprey PFD -- which looks very simply like a fly fishing vest with an integrated PFD -- as a great vest for kayak fishing. "The Extrasport Osprey PFD, which can be fitted properly, is comfortable on both sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks, and has two large and five small pockets that are nearly as efficient those in my fly vest."

On Campmor.com.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For only a second time in the history of the program, an entire watershed received "Wild and Scenic" designation, meaning that local communities must limit development and runoff that might impact Eightmile and its tributaries. "The Eightmile is one of two 'wild and scenic' rivers in Connecticut: The 14 miles of the Upper Farmington River between Colebrook and Canton earned the designation in 1994. An effort is underway to win the same designation for the lower Farmington. The 40-year-old Wild and Scenic Rivers program has protected more than 11,000 miles of 165 free-flowing rivers nationwide." David Funkhouser in The Hartford Courant.

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

"Mayfly nymphs live a life in the cold, rocky dungeon of the floor of a trout stream only to emerge for a few brief moments of glory before breaking down into their elemental parts. But the stillborns never make it clear of the water to enjoy that shining moment in the silver air. Instead, some brief bout of bad luck at a crucial moment changes their destiny." An unnamed but clever writer talks about stillborns and how to imitate them in the Cadillac, Michigan Cadillac News.

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

For his upcoming new edition of Spey Flies and Dee Flies: Their History and Construction, Oregonian John Shewey traveled to northern Scotland in search of flies tied by the legendary ghillie Geordie Shaw. He found them, after years of searching, hanging on the wall of the Craigellachie Hotel.

John Shewey's Spey Flies and Dee Flies: Their History & Construction on Amazon.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday California's Fish and Game Commission banned salmon fishing on most of the Sacramento, and on all of the San Joaquin and American rivers. The action follows similar moves by California and Oregon last month to close commercial salmon fishing in ocean waters. "The only exception to the salmon ban will be along a stretch of the Sacramento River from Red Bluff to Knights Landing. During November and December of this year, anglers will be allowed to catch and keep one salmon a day from that zone." On My58.com.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday Fly Talk's Kirk Deeter turned up a classic example of animal rights activism run wild. In Switzerland, new legislation designed to improve animal welfare includes a provision that "it is not permitted to go fishing with the 'intention' to release the fish." That caught they eye of anglers all over Europe, who want the Swiss to change the legislation before it is too late."It's believed that the legislation could affect as many as 275,000 anglers in Switzerland, who generate around 30 million Euros in annual tackle sales. EFTTA (European Fishing Tackle Trade Association) acting president, Pierangelo Zanetta, said: 'EFTTA does not believe that forcing anglers to kill their catches is either good for nature or for recreational sport fishing - which makes a significant financial contribution to the EU economy.'"

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

"Since selling his fishing rod company in 1997 to Shimano American Corporation, Gary Loomis has spent the last eleven years at G.Loomis, Inc. in a promotional capacity and assisting when needed on new rod designs. Now, Loomis has decided it is time to move on and focus on other interests, including several conservation projects in which he's involved. He founded Fish First, a group dedicated to restoring salmon runs in his home state of Washington in 1995, and was the driving force in bringing the first chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association to the West Coast."

Read the extended entry for the full press release.

GARY LOOMIS ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT FROM G.LOOMIS, INC.

WOODLAND, Wash. 5/08 -- Since selling his fishing rod company in 1997 to Shimano American Corporation, Gary Loomis has spent the last eleven years at G.Loomis, Inc. in a promotional capacity and assisting when needed on new rod designs. Now, Loomis has decided it is time to move on and focus on other interests, including several conservation projects in which he's involved. He founded Fish First, a group dedicated to restoring salmon runs in his home state of Washington in 1995, and was the driving force in bringing the first chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association to the West Coast.

"I have nothing but many great memories and a lot of pride in our achievements here at G.Loomis," said an emotional Loomis, as he addressed all of his employees at a recent company-wide meeting in the Woodland, Washington facility to announce his retirement. "I probably should have left a long time ago, but I really love the company and the people here so it seemed like the best thing for me to do. Other interests along with Fish First and the CCA have all been competing for my time. I spent the past eleven years helping promote G.Loomis. It carries my name and means a lot to me. I'll always be a part of the team. G.Loomis is in good hands and headed in the right direction. As hard as this decision was, I know it's time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life. With all of these other projects on my plate, I feel it's in my best interest as well as G.Loomis' to leave at this time."

"Gary is a dynamic individual that has a huge interest in saving our salmon," says Bruce Holt, Executive Director at G.Loomis, "but more importantly he is a friend. I know he's retiring from here with mixed emotions, but knowing Gary, it's the best thing for him to do. Having worked, hunted and fished with him over the years, it will seem strange that he's not in his office across the room, but I know where his heart will always be. He now has the time to focus his attention into his most recent challenge and that's saving the salmon."

Because of his efforts with both fishing rods at G.Loomis and his very active conservation efforts, Loomis has received various acknowledgements over the years. Recently, he's been inducted into the International Game Fish Association's Hall of Fame, was named one the top 25 'people who have changed the face of hunting and fishing' by Outdoor Life magazine, and Field & Stream magazine recognized Loomis' work with Fish First with its 'Heroes of Conservation' honor. In 2005, he received the 'Future of Fishing' award, one of the highest honors bestowed by the American Sportfishing Association.

Media Contacts:

Bruce Holt/G.Loomis - 800/661-8818, ext. 231; holt@gloomis.com
John Mazurkiewicz/Catalyst Marketing - 574/289-1331; jpmazurk@ameritech.net

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

Associated Press writer Keith Ridler managed to sneak a story on two-handed rods by the discriminating eyes of the AP editors. I guess that means two-handed rods and techniques are here (in the U.S.) to stay. "Two-handed rods are intended for big rivers and big fish. The extra length of the rods lets anglers 'mend' the fly line once it's in the water to make the fly work properly across the river, and the long casts allow anglers to cover more territory, therefore increasing the chances of turning a day of fishing into a day of catching."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Looking again at a copy of "Tarpon," the 1974 film by Guy de la Valdene and Christian Odasso of UYA Films, got me wondering more about the slice of time that produced so much interest in tarpon fishing and conservation in the Florida Keys. A little research turned up this piece by Jim Harrison in Sports Illustrated's December 1973 issue on the prominent Keys guides of the era: "When he is not enervated by bad weather, Woody Sexton gives the appearance of tremendous strength and vitality. He constitutes some sort of classic in conservative guiding; while most guides have turned to larger skiffs -- Fiber Craft or Hewes -- for the comfort of their customers, Sexton keeps his light Nova Scotia. The skiff was bought from a Hamiltonian Republican who named it Amagiri years ago after the Japanese destroyer that sank PT-109. The name is still on the skiff and has been known to vex some of the Navy personnel on the Keys."

Interestingly, the makers of "Tarpon" chose not to focus on the guides but on the fish and the slightly hallucinatory experience of fly fishing on the flats. Harrison's piece proves, I think, that the writers who were fishing there at the time understood the game very well, no doubt because of the guides, who were genuinely impassioned about the sport and not in the game to become celebrities. The film's estimation of the threat to the future of tarpon bound the writers, guides, fishermen to accept that it was all too good to last. Yet here we are, 35 years later, with most of that first generation of expert guides gone, and the tarpon are still coming.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

RIO has just taken on the role of U.S. and Canadian distributor for C&F Design, a maker of fly boxes, fly fishing and tying tools, luggage and other gear.

Read the extended entry for the full press release.

C & F DESIGN APPOINTS NEW DISTRIBUTOR FOR US & CANADA

May 5th, 2008. Idaho Falls, ID. RIO Products proudly announces a new agreement with C & F Design to distribute their unique range of fly fishing products.

U.S. Fly line, leader and tippet manufacturer, RIO Products of Idaho Falls, Idaho, has signed an agreement with C & F Design of Japan to be the exclusive distributor for C & F products in the United States and Canada. The long term agreement, effective the 5th of May 2008, gives RIO Products the distribution rights for the well known brand of fly boxes, fly tying equipment and accessories.

This agreement will result in a broader range of C & F products being available in the U.S. and Canada; starting with the 2009 season. In addition, RIO Products will be distributing a select assortment of C & F Design's bag and accessory range - called "Outrange". C & F Design spokesman, Takashi Nakajima, stated that the new distribution agreement will help further grow the C & F Design brand - by offering a greater range of products, sizes and colors to be available to the US and Canadian fly fisher. Takashi says; "We are very excited to have this contract with such a great company as RIO. We know we will have strong sales growth together and look forward to establishing a successful and long term relationship in North America!"

RIO will be distributing the C & F range of products through its network of sales reps,
domestic distributors and authorized retailers. RIO expects to be completely stocked and ready to ship the full range of C & F products by the 19th of May.

RIO's President, Travis Campbell, says; "We are delighted to be granted the distribution rights of such a great selection of products. We are all passionate fly anglers at RIO and have used and admired C & F products for years. It is great to be able to offer this assortment of products to our retailers and consumers, knowing the quality and strength of the C & F brand."

For more details contact Zack Dalton - zack@rioproducts.com

RIO Products Intl, Inc. • 5050 S. Yellowstone Hwy. • Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402 USA
Tel. 208-524-7760 • FAX 208-524-7763 • Website: www.rioproducts.com
Fly Fishing's Creative Specialist in Fly Lines, Leaders & Tippet MaterialsTM

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 4:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Heading off to your favorite Montana retreat or bonefishing destination this summer? Thanks to the major airlines joining the charge-for-everything club, be prepared to pay $25 for each extra baggage item you carry. That includes rods and the wet/dry bag you might carry for waders and boots. For fly fishers, one way around the extra charge is to stuff your four-piece rods into a single suitcase along with all your other essential gear. But an even better way is to ship your gear ahead of time. Not only are you more sure of having your gear when you arrive, but it will probably be in better shape. (Even international shipments are relatively cheap if you plan ahead.)

As Joshua Brockman reports on NPR, the new fees have luggage designers looking for innovative solutions. "Rolling duffels have a lot of capacity and are increasingly popular, says Stewart Sherman, the vice president for marketing at Travelpro. Eagle Creek has a rolling duffel with a separate piece that zips onto the front -- transforming the one bag to two. And L.L. Bean has been redesigning its luggage line with lighter nylon fabrics."

Another idea: Wade wet. Or rent your waders and boots from a local fly shop. By doing so, you won't be toting wet gear back home, and you'll be practicing good environmental stewardship because you won't be providing a piggy-back service for invasive species.

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

This week on MidCurrent, guide and filmmaker R.A. Beattie shares his terrific short film on the relationship between Alaskan guide Mark Rutherford and his daughter Kate, who is also a guide. Not only does the film showcase the young filmmaker's talent, it's a teaser for a larger story, which Beattie introduces here:

"In July of 2006 Mark Rutherford, of Wild River Guides, and I were dropped at the headwaters of an un-run tributary of the Upper Nushigak River in Bristol Bay Alaska. We were strangers. We had only spent the last 20 hours together before this point, but had created enough trust during a winter of phone conversations to attempt a dangerous endeavor: a first descent of a virtually unknown river. Our trip was a monumental success, but did not come easy. We struggled through a twelve-hour portage from our landing pond to the headwaters, fought hypothermia during viscous storms, sustained almost entirely on salmon (which were sometimes difficult to find), and managed to capture some astounding footage."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This week on MidCurrent long-time Wyoming guide Paul Bruun -- who has also done more than his share of saltwater fly fishing -- describes what he's learned from using clear fly lines for more than a dozen years. Bruun likes experimenting, but he's also one of the most careful evaluators of fishing products we know (to be honest, he is the most careful), so when he takes the time to write about something we always listen.

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

That's 'outlets' as in 'factory outlets,' which have proliferated across the U.S. landscape to the point at which they now straddle Blue Ribbon trout streams. Tom Ross notes that he can't quite get right with the notion of shoppers in breathable waders spotting trout from a pre-fab bridge in between sips of mocha latte in Silverthorne, Colorado. "For the uninitiated, allow me to explain. A gold-medal fishing stretch of the Blue River just below Dillon Reservoir flows right through the middle of the factory outlet stores in Silverthorne. I've always wanted to survey the anglers to see whether their spouses were shopping nearby." In the Steamboat Pilot & Today.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"If I have one message on this Earth . . . it is that fly fishing is fabulous... no really." Fly fisher, actor and author Henry Winkler (the Fonz), comments on the real life stories behind his series of books that are meant to help build children's self-esteem.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Someone needs to tell the British Environment Agency's (EA) head of fisheries that making fish a cinch to catch by breeding their natural instincts out of them does not create "more sport." Then pat him on the back for doing something to protect wild trout from interbreeding with hatchery fish.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

When the Wall Street Journal ran a story on Carl Hiassen's new book The Downhill Lie: A Hacker's Return to a Ruinous Sport, I couldn't help but once again notice the similarities that might compel a fly fisher to play golf, and vice-versa.

WSJ: Have you played golf since finishing your book?
Hiaasen: I actually played yesterday. I hadn't played in a month. I disgraced myself completely. A lot of the strategy in golf involves getting your excuses lined up. This time there were no alibis, it wasn't windy, there were no snakes on the course. I shot an abominable 97." We don't have many snakes on saltwater flats, but we do have rays. And more than one beaver has spoiled a perfect drift of the fly.

By the way, you won't see Hiaasen fishing "like a putz." He's recognized as one of the top bonefishers around. You can see his fly box on MidCurrent.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Scientists are guessing that the decline in heavy industry in Scotland, combined with global warming, is leading to an increase in the number of mayflies on Scottish waters. "Ephemera danica emerges when the mayflower, or hawthorn, is in bloom. Meanwhile, the Highlands could emerge as a stronghold for another riverfly, ameletus inopinatus, as it is pushed further north by global warming." Story from the BBC.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you hadn't heard yet, John Gierach's first book in three years -- Fool's Paradise -- is being published this month. Jeffrey Mayor recently landed an interview with him and got Gierach to talk about how his style has changed in the 20 years he's been writing best-sellers. "'The first couple of books were written by a kid. I'm in my 60s now, I hope I've learned something. Hopefully the style has matured. I have people still come up to me and tell me their favorite is "Trout Bum" (published in 1988). That was written more than 20 years ago by a kid I hardly remember. As I get older I take a longer view.'" In the Tacoma, Washington News Tribune.

By the way, this coming Wednesday MidCurrent will be publishing a video interview with Gierach that is part of the new DVD "Why Fly Fishing." To be among the first to see it, subscribe to the MidCurrent fly fishing newsletter.

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

"'In First Nations' tradition, the Raven created the world and created man, and the legend is that the Raven made every 10th bear white to remind him of the time when the land was covered in ice and snow,' said Norm Hann, who developed King Pacific Lodge's adventure program, trains its guides, and runs customized trips in the area through his company, Tantalus Adventures." Kari J. Bodnarchuk writes about King Pacific Lodge, which is actually a floating luxury encampment anchored in the center of British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest, in The Boston Globe.

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

Every year Southwick Associates, an outdoors research firm, surveys a large sample of U.S. anglers to gather data on which fishing product brands are most preferred. They just announced the results of the 2007 survey, which gathered responses from 16,258 anglers. Orvis took the top spot for fly rods and flies, while Scientific Anglers earned the top position for fly lines. Gamakatsu was the top hook.

Read the full press release in the extended entry.

Top Fishing Tackle Brands for 2007 Announced

Southwick Associates has announced the brands and products that anglers preferred most in 2007. This list has been compiled from the 16,258 angler surveys returned from AnglerSurvey.com last year.

In 2007, the top brands and activities included:

Top rod brand: Shakespeare Ugly Stik (16.7% of all purchases)
Top reel brand: Shimano (18.1% of all purchases)
Top rod and reel combo brand: Shakespeare (20.9% of all purchases)
Top fly rod brand: Orvis (17.5% of all purchases)
Top fishing line brand: Berkley (Trilene, Fireline, Big Game and Vanish (38.5% of all purchases)
Top hardbait brand: Rapala (25.6% of all purchases)
Top softbait brand: Zoom (15.9% of all purchases)
Top spinnerbait brand: Strike King (21.3% of all purchases)
Top hook brand: Gamakatsu (30% of all purchases)
Top sinker brand: Bullet Weights (20.1% of all purchases)
Top fly line brand: Scientific Anglers (25.7% of all purchases)
Top fly brand: Orvis (12.6% of all purchases)
Top electronics: Lowrance (55.5% of all radio or GPS and 35% of all fish finder purchases)
Top tackle box brand: Plano (50.3% of all purchases)
Top fishing knife brand: Rapala (46.4% of all purchases)

Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com helps the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries officials, and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. The list above represents only a small sample of the vast amount of information that is available from the complete survey results. The results are scientifically analyzed to reflect all U.S. anglers. Find out how a subscription to the complete survey data can help your business, government agency, or organization.

For more information, contact Rob Southwick at Rob@southwickassociates.com.

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

Peter Cranston, an entomology professor at UC Davis, is the world's foremost expert on chironomids, which most fly fishers know as "midges." He was recently surprised to discover a new species of midge in his own backyard, but even more surprised when with the help of other researchers he linked it to the health of salmon populations in the Sacramento Valley. As biologists argue over the reasons for the dramatic decline in salmon numbers that caused the state to close the fishery this year, Cranston notes that the discoveries like this may unlock the secret to saving a species. "'It's a web of interacting species, and the more species you pull out of that web, the more sensitive the rest of it is to any fluctuations,' he said. 'What are the salmon going to feed on if this fly goes extinct? It should make a person nervous.'"

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Colorado's Post Independent posted this piece on a couple of the filmmakers featured in the new 5 Point Film Festival, which runs May 8-10 in Carbondale. One of them is R.A. Beattie, who at age 25 is focusing his considerable cinematographic skills on fly fishing. In the interview, Beattie explains his attraction to film: "Why make movies? 'I love the storytelling process. When we create a film we don't have story boards. We don't have a shot list set up. It's cool to go to a place where you don't have expectations, and you don't know what you're going to shoot or what story you're going to tell.'"

You can watch a sample of Beattie's work along with the story behind why it was made on MidCurrent.

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

Tom Pierce started guiding in Key West back when wire was the preferred material for tarpon shock tippets. His experimentation with knots for dissimilar lines led to many improvements in leaders, not the least of which was the Slim Beauty knot. And he's one of the most mentioned captains in the IGFA world record book. Through it all Tom has remained one of those guides that never boasts, never says an unkind word about a client, and would rather be fishing than doing anything else. The Miami Herald's Susan Cocking describes an example of the complex leaders that Tom has perfected over the years for catching large, fast, or toothy fish on fly rods. "The fly line was connected to a 12-inch butt section of 30-pound mono, which was fastened to a six-inch section of thin shock gum, which stretches like parachute cord. There followed another small butt section with a loop to connect to the two-pound, tournament-grade tippet which was fastened to a flexible wire-trace bite tippet. It seemed to me you could launch a fly shop with just what was on my rod."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There are some situations where the only way to offer a drag-free presentation to trout is with a downstream drift. Deep, unwadable pools and runs with complex currents are examples. Morgan Lyle looks at the technique of fishing dry flies downstream, and though the idea is nothing new, he does suggest several reasons why those stuck on "up-and-across" presentations ought to consider a downstream drift. "When casting upstream, the fly starts coming back to you the moment it alights on the water. If your best cast is 50 feet, that's all the water you can cover. Downstream, on the other hand, you could theoretically let your fly drift for the combined length of your line and backing, although you'd have a devil of a time detecting the strike and setting the hook 500 feet away." On DailyGazette.com.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"So I ask myself, what are the first indications of becoming a future Trout Bum? If you could catch it early, maybe a life spent chasing trout could be turned into some productive and positive vocation." Randal Sumner asks if having a masters degree in art was the first step in being struck down by the joy of fly fishing. In the Yakima Herald.

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

Sports announcer Greg Heister is producing a new show about fly fishing the U.S. northwest. It airs Sunday mornings on Fox Sports Northwest, and features Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. "Heister has filmed 15 shows - 10 of which include [Gonzaga coach Mark] Few in the cast - and plans to produce about 20 a year to be rotated weekly on Fox Sports Northwest. The shows include rainbow fishing on Montana's Bighorn River, steelheading on the Grande Ronde River, cutthroat fishing on British Columbia's Elk and Wigwam rivers and various salmon, trout and steelhead adventures in Alaska." Rich Landers on TheNewsTribune.com. You can get more info at www.seasonsonthefly.com.

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