Recently in Fly Fishing Events Category

Fly fishers are known for their reveries: imagining themselves following streams to their sources, pondering magical origins to favorite waters, or thinking of themselves as participating in age-old rituals. But amidst the shifting culture of what we call fly fishing in 2009, we typically forget to look back over our shoulders and remember how we got here. Looking "upstream" at history, we can better understand the evolution of techniques, technology, and other tributaries of our sport. This is especially true in fisheries conservation, where a historical perspective tells us where we've gone wrong, where we've succeeded, and perhaps where we should go in the future.

On November 21, several of fly fishing's noted figures -- James Prosek, Hoagy Carmichael, and author John Ross, along with two new historians of the sport, Sam Snyder and Bryon Borgelt -- will wade into the headwaters to explore fly fishing's contribution to coldwater conservation. A one-day symposium entitled, "A River Never Sleeps: Conservation, History, and the Fly Fishing River" on November 21, 2009 at the National Sporting Library in Middleburg, Virginia, will investigate lessons from our sources and insights on the future of fly fishing and fisheries, from native species to restored rivers. If it's any indication of the level of interest, the symposium is almost sold out.

Brian Milne reports on About.com that local pro George Daniel topped the rest of the field in last week's U.S. Fly Fishing Championships held in State College, Pennsylvania. "Utah's Lance Egan, who finished first during a difficult session on the Little Juniata, earned the overall silver medal, and New Mexico's Norman Maktima finished with the bronze."

You can read the full results in Milne's report.

"The 62-year-old Penn State fly-fishing program will be featured in the next exhibit of the Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Museum Association, which will unveil the display before its annual fund-raising dinner and auction Saturday at Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse, Boiling Springs." From PennLive.com.

The legacy of Mel Krieger was celebrated and honored Thursday evening, September 24th, 2009 at a dinner in San Francisco hosted by The American Museum of Fly Fishing. Mel had been honored by the Museum as its Heritage Award Winner in 2003. Mel died from brain cancer at the age of 80 in October of 2008.

The dinner was held at the MarketBar Restaurant at The Embarcadero, where both a silent auction and, after dinner, a live auction were held to benefit the Museum in Mel's name. AMFF Executive Director Cathi Comar was the host for the evening, and among the speakers was Fanny Krieger, who thanked everyone and talked about Mel's many contributions to the sport of fly fishing. Reports from people at the dinner said there was more than ample evidence of love for Mel, as people in the Bay Area and beyond had a chance to honor one of the most revered and important teachers of fly fishing and fly casting the world has ever known.

We got a copy of Jeffrey Pill's remarks at the tribute and thought they were worth sharing with MidCurrent readers. Jeff -- the producer of some of the best DVDs on fly fishing ever made and a long-time friend of Kreiger's -- was kind enough to let us publish his tribute in its entirety. Especially if you'd never met Mel in person, it is well worth reading.

Compared to Kevin VanDam's $3,658,476.30 career winnings on the pro bass circuit, the teams competing in North Carolina's "Rumble in the Rhododendron" competition this coming weekend are vying for pocket change. But the $10,000 purse (double last year's) is drawing 30 teams and a great deal of regional interest.

It was only a year ago that we walked the floor of the Fly Fishing Retailer show and heard almost as many conversations about the coming economic collapse as we did about the hot new item for 2009. Yet we're all (mostly) still here, and despite scheduling conflicts, rivalries, and fiscal challenges, fly fishing show and convention producers still manage to float enough product, personality and purpose to draw thousands of attendees.

This morning in the Denver Post, Charlie Meyers looks at the rumors swirling around the FFR show's future and says its a sign that, as an industry, we're still living on the edge. "The world of fly-fishing comes to Denver on Thursday. Question is, how much of it will be coming back? The three-day Fly Fishing Retailer show at the Colorado Convention Center once again gathers representatives of the trade for an orgy of buying and selling that will showcase the products that will appear on the shelves of your favorite fly shop next year."

The annual Fly Fishing Retailer show kicks off Thursday in Denver, and MidCurrent will be there for three days asking questions, testing product and getting a first-hand look at all the new fly fishing gear that will go on sale this winter. Personally, I'm looking forward to casting Orvis's new Hydros rods, Scott's 2010 S4 models, and just about anything in the St. Croix Imperial line. (I actually need to find a four-piece one- or two-weight that I can pack into Rocky Mountain National Park, and to take bike-fishing.) I also want to try on Simms's new pant-style waders and throw on one of Cloudveil's new fishing packs. If this year is anything like the last few, we'll end day three with sore feet and a last-minute dash to cover gear that didn't get on the pre-show radar.

We're also looking forward to asking manufacturers and marketers some focused questions from MidCurrent readers, as we do every year. Besides finding out how rod-makers will adjust to the success of mid-priced fly rods, who might win the fully-featured-vs-utilitarian wader wars in 2010, and whether sticky rubber soles are here to stay (with cleats?), we'd like to answer your questions to the product folks. So feel free to send them our way at info@midcurrent.com, or to post your question below.

We'll be blogging throughout the show -- hopefully even from the Convention Center floor -- and of course following up with our annual "Four Feet of Anything" new product review article once the show is over. We'll do our best to address your questions one way or another.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of United Fly Tyers, the country's oldest fly tying club. UFT's periodical, Roundtable, was the first and, at one time, only publication dedicated to fly tying. Members, men and women of all ages, continue to hold meetings on the first Thursday of each month in Woburn, Massachusetts and welcome any one interested in fly tying.

Members, past and present, and the public are invited to United Fly Tyers 50th Anniversary Gala on Sunday, October 25, 2009 from 5-9 in the evening to be held at the historic Longfellow's Wayside Inn, Wayside Inn Road in Sudbury, Mass. The evening's speaker will be Jim Krul, Director of The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in Livingston Manor, NY, and the Gala will feature door prizes, raffles and special events.

For more info, contact Leslie Wrixon at 508-733-8535 or by email at lesliewrixon@ityeflies.com.

On November 21, the National Sporting Library in Middleburg, Virginia will hold a one-day public symposium called "A River Never Sleeps: Conservation, History, and the Fly Fishing River." The Library -- for those who've never been to Middleburg -- is a 16,000-volume research library dedicated to horse and field sports, and they have numerous current and historical titles on fly fishing (including a number of very rare books going back to the 17th century).

Speakers at the even will include James Prosek, Hoagy Carmichael, and John Ross. Sounds like a great way to spend the day if you live in the Washington-Baltimore-Virginia corridor. Read more about the event on the NSL Web site.

The fast-growing corridor between Fort Collins and Denver, Colorado attracts plenty of attention these days, and it's not surprising that the Federation of Fly Fishers wanted to test the waters for potential new participation here. (As a matter of fact, MidCurrent just relocated to the Fort Collins area to be closer to fly fishing's geographic "hub.") The last Conclave I attended was at the public high school in Livingston, Montana, though, and the contrast between an old railroad town and I-25 in Loveland couldn't be more dramatic. Wednesday afternoon Angling Trade's Tim Romano and I found ourselves test-casting fly rods in plushly carpeted 100-yard hallways and being offered beer by carefully groomed caterers. Fortunately we had just spent the morning testing Moffitt Angling's hookless-fly system on the Big Thompson (more on that later) and still enjoyed the memory of soft grass and classic water.

It seems the FFF is not in such a big hurry to move to Loveland after all, said Reporter-Herald writer Steven Weinmeister yesterday. 'We're not going to have an office here for a long time,' said Phil Greenlee, chairman of the board for the federation, which is based in Livingston, Mont." But Loveland is doing a great job of attracting new business even in a down economy, and anyone who tells you that the fishing is better elsewhere may be trying to steer you away from their favorite water.

The highlight of the Conclave this year seems to be the number and variety of fly tiers on hand. (Next year, please put the kids' fly tying workshop at the front of the auditorium rather than in the back corner.) Lots of big name tiers showing their stuff, lots of innovative materials and patient teachers. We're going back to day to look at some clever new glass bead flies that demanded more than 10 minutes of our time.

"Despite the few quirks encountered in the early days of the conclave, Chairman of the FFF Board Phil Greenlee said the organization was optimistic about the results of the conclave and glad to be hosting the event in Loveland. 'We're really delighted to be in Loveland,' he said. 'It's the best facility we've been in.'" Carl McCutchen of the Loveland Connection.

The second annual McKenzie River Two-Fly, which benefits native fish habitat restoration on the McKenzie River -- and in particular habitat for spring chinook and cutthroat trout -- will happen this year on October 9 and 10 in Eugene, Oregon.

"Festivities begin Friday night, October 9th at the Oregon Electric Station in Eugene for beer, wine and appetizers, and a presentation by Oregon State University fisheries biologist Stan Gregory on the significance of the habitat restoration taking place on McKenzie River Trust's Green Island property."

Read the extended entry for the full press release and more details.

Just ten weeks before the annual FFR show opens in Denver, Fly Fishing Retailer has launched a redesigned Web site with detailed info for attendees as well as more current industry news.

Apparently the Federation of Fly Fishers' move to Loveland, Colorado -- first publicly considered over a year ago -- is simply a matter of money and time. So no surprise that this year's conclave will make the small Colorado town its home. "'It's purely an economic consideration,' said Pete Van Gytenbeek, president and CEO. 'We simply can't afford the move right now.' Van Gytenbeek said the transfer could occur between 18 months and two years from now." From the Denver Post.

"'Things I've done today that I've never done before: Catch a 17-inch bonefish [the tournament minimum is 18 inches], catch a tarpon on ESPN and watch my guide fall over backwards wearing a $1,000 microphone.'" That's Carlos Duncan texting on how his day went as he competed against 16 other fly fishers -- including his wife -- in the Florida Keys Outfitters IGFA Inshore World Championship. Steve Waters on ESPN.com.

Day One results can be seen here.

The tryouts for the 2010 U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Team will be held this year on August 7,8 and 9 on the Stillwater river near Nye, Montana. Though the deadline to apply is officially past, there are still a few more spots for fly fishers ages 14-18 who wish to make the 2010 team.

Besides the fact that the Stillwater is an underfished and beautiful river that flows north out of the Beartooth Plateau, anyone who makes the tryouts will have a chance to fish with George Daniel (head coach) and assistant coach Loren Williams will enjoy clinics by Brian Kimmel, Joe Humphreys, and Eric Stroup.

For more info visit the U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Team Web site.

Joan Wulff will return to the Miramichi River after a ten-year absence to take part in the annual Miramichi Salmon Classic. Noting that she was pleased to see private access opened up to the public, Wulff also managed a classic observation when asked about her fishing prospects: "'In terms of catches only God and the fish know.'" Ryan Ross in the Miramichi Leader.

See Joan Wulff demonstrate the Double Haul.

The Federation of Fly Fishers' (FFF) 44th annual International Fly Fishing Show and Conclave lands in Loveland, CO this year and runs for five days beginning July 28. The Conclave schedule will include more than 80 workshops and clinics on casting, fly tying, on-water fishing techniques and other topics, and features exhibits with the latest in gear, outfitters, conservation information and other topics such as outdoor art and books.

Get complete information at the FFF Conclave Web site.

"'And then this guy from Ireland peels off his waders. He has a wet suit on underneath and he starts swimming with his rod up in one hand. He's one of those guys who was a force to be reckoned with. He won that competition.'" That's U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Team member Zach Bearden describing the type of thing that can happen at international competitions. Kelly Bostian writes about Bearden in the Tulsa World.

Good weather and a focus on lake fishing turned into quite challenge for participants in last week's 2009 World Fly Fishing Championships, according to US team member Lance Egan. "'Scotland was a very difficult championship,' Egan admitted. 'To give you an idea just how tough, Ian Barr of England won the individual gold medal with 13 fish landed in five sessions. Last year, in New Zealand, several competitors landed more than 30 trout in one three-hour session.'" Briane Milne on About.com.

Not only did Ian Barr win top angler honors at the FIPS Mouche World Championships, but England overcame an early French lead to take the team competition, which ended yesterday in Scotland. Final team results: England first, France second, and Scotland third. Team USA placed eighth.

Canada's Donald Thom took second in the individual competition, and Belgium's Christian Jadouille came in third.

According to Daily Record writer Arnot McWhinnie, catching only three fish yesterday meant a drop from fourth to ninth place for championship hosts Scotland. "France are top of the leaderboard in the individual championships followed by England and the Czech Republic."

Two new tournaments out of Mission Bay, California, will send anglers offshore after species common to southern California this summer. The June 27th "3Bs Tournament" is a catch-photograph-release event focused on kelp bass, bonito, and barracuda. The August 8th "TYD Tournament" is a team competition targeting tuna, pacific yellowtail, and dolphin. Both contests require IGFA-compliant fly tackle only, and are believed to be the first events of their kind to be held on the West Coast. More info at the Beyond the Breakwater Web site.

This week members of Team USA have arrived in Drymen, Scotland for the start of the World Fly Fishing Championships, which began Friday and last for a full week. The seven-member roster includes:

Team Manager: Walter Ungermann
Team Captain: Josh Stephens
Competitors: George Daniel
Lance Egan
Pete Erickson
Anthony Naranja
Mike Sexton
Devin Olsen - Alternate
Coaches: Vladi Trzebunia
Jerry Arnold

The non-profit Tres Pescado ("Three Fish") Slam Tournament will take place August 20-22 on Ambergris Caye in northern Belize. "The Tres Pescado Slam Tournament is filled with 'firsts:' 1st Belize fly fishing tournament; 1st Belize 3 fish grand slam event; 1st Belize tournament approved as an IGFA Inshore World Championship qualifier event for the 2010 World Championships; 1st Belize fish census data collection effort." What also caught our eye is that the tournament will include a "poling contest (the world's first?).

The event's proceeds will all go to further the protection and research of tarpon, bonefish and permit -- fish that just last fall were given "catch-and-release-only" status in a progressive move by the Belizean government.

Read the full press release in the extended entry.

Recently six U.S. war veterans fished Maine's legendary Grand Lake Stream as guests of Project Healing Waters and Weatherby's Resort. John Holyoke spoke with Weatherby's owner Jeff McEvoy about the trip, noting that "six guides-- Sue (Wheaton) Hurd, Dick Turmenne, Brett Vose, John Brown, Scott Sabol and McEvoy -- donated their time to make the trips possible." From the Bangor Daily News.

On Moldy Chum, environmental ethics professor Sam Snyder -- who is a long-standing member of the American Museum of Fly Fishing and is soon to be John H. Daniels Fellow at the National Sporting Library -- challenges the Museum's well-publicized decision to invite Dick Cheney to their annual fundraising event this fall. "At the AMFF, in its galleries, on its book shelves, and in its storage rooms, we find the sacred artifacts of our sport (rods, reels, flies) and the stories (both published and written in personal journals) - all of which track the growth of technologies, shifts in rod building, and advances in fly tying. Throughout all of that, however, we also find details of the evolution of our varied ethics and relations to nature, streams, and the fish we pursue with religious passion."

Team USA Fly Fishing member Pete Erickson is practicing for the upcoming championships in Scotland by perfecting his stillwater techniques, including fishing with three-fly rigs and learning different retrieves for different depths. "To consistently catch fish, you have to constantly adapt to the changing situations on the water, which he said he learned from his fellow competitors, especially the Europeans. 'They know if a cloud comes over they need to switch lines,' he said." Roger Phillips in the Idaho Statesman.

The Fédération Internationale de Peche Sportive Mouche ("International Sport Flyfishing Federation") 2009 championships will be held in Drymen, Scotland this year from June 5 through 12.

The American Fly Fishing Trade Association and its partners host two events as part of the newly renamed Jim Range National Casting Call in Washington, D.C. this month. These events, hosted at Fletcher's Cove on the Potomac River and timed with the annual shad run, aim to connect kids to fly fishing and government decision-makers to conservation.

The Family & Youth Casting Call, on Sunday, April 26, from 11 AM To 4 PM, is a public event intended to introduce D.C.-area children and their families to the joys of fishing and the outdoors. AFFTA partners provide all the tools and training necessary for families to catch fish in the C&O Canal, which is netted and stocked with native fish for the event. When not fishing on the canal, children complete a series of hands-on activities including fish art, scavenger hunts, water quality testing, touch tanks, critter identification and many other learning stations.

On Monday, April 27, the Jim Range National Casting Call -- an invitation-only event -- provides government decision-makers with the opportunity to fish for shad on the Potomac while also learning about fisheries conservation issues. This year, the Casting Call honors the legacy of Jim Range, a noted conservationist who envisioned the Casting Call almost a decade ago and who passed away from cancer in January (see "Prominent Conservation Lobbyist Jim Range Dies"). After morning fishing there will be a number of presentations including the christening of a boat built by wounded soldiers through Project Healing Waters.

AFFTA is looking for volunteers to help with either or both days of the events. To sign up, go online at www.familyandyouthcastingcall.com and click on the Volunteer link in the menu.

More about AFFTA.

Costa Del Mar continues their sponsorship of the fly fishing portion of the Teva Mountain Games this year. Registration is now open for the first 75 anglers to sign up at www.tevamountaingames.com, with the competition taking place June 6 - 7 in the cold-water fisheries in and around Vail, Colorado.

Read the full press release in the extended entry.

If you're anywhere in the vicinity of Cameron, Montana in late June this year, you may want to consider attending the Madison River Foundation's annual banquet, where Howell Raines will be the keynote speaker and a live auction will feature an original oil painting by Ennis artist Ed Totten and a custom bamboo rod made by the "Boo Boys" at Sweetgrass Rods. The event will take place June 26 on the banks of the Madison at Sun Ranch.

Read the extended entry for the full press release.

Morgan Lyle describes how opening day -- April 1 in many U.S. states -- doesn't imply the beginning of anything anymore. "Yes, you can fish all winter, but nymphing for sluggish trout in February can't hold a candle to casting dry flies to rising trout during the Green Drake hatch in June. Some things you still must wait for, no matter what the regulations booklet says." In the Schenectady, New York Daily Gazette.

Meanwhile former Fly Rod & Reel editor Jim Reilly -- now back in school studying environmental science -- says of his Opening Day celebration at Blue Springs Creek in Missouri: "I couldn't help but think that I was probably the only angler fishing on Opening Day who had gotten skunked. And that's perfectly fine by me."

Midwest fly tiers have something new to look forward to next weekend, in the form of the first Celebration of Fly Tying show kicking in Wyoming, Michigan (just outside Grand Rapids). Thirty Midwest "yarn spinners," including master tiers Ray Schmidt, Jeff Andrews, Gerry Worden, Chris Soule, Jim Reed, Julie Nielsen, Kevin Feenstra, Dick Walle and Chris Helm will display their works on large-screen TVs and mingle with the curious. Check out a few of the interesting patterns in Howard Meyerson's article in The Grand Rapids Press.

Chester Allen says that all one really needs to do in this whacked out economy is go fish. But that didn't keep him from adding Turbo Popper Foam and vintage camping trailers to his list of new desires. "A famous fly angler named Enrico Puglisi was hawking a new kind of popping bug -- one made with cupped foam sheets that gurgle through the water and would surely seduce summer bass on the little lake near my house. Suddenly, buying sheets of Turbo Popper Foam in every color available -- and every model of Turbo Popper Fly, well, except for the giants designed for sailfish and marlin -- seemed like the thing to do." In the Washington State Olympian.

While exchanging anecdotes with Ray Zink of Hardy USA yesterday (by the way, it seems everyone, on both sides of the Atlantic, overestimates the amount of backing needed for any given fish), we heard Ray talk about how much the Hardy & Greys folks look forward to fly fishing shows. Why is that? I wondered. "You would be amazed at the number of people with old Hardy tackle that show up at these shows who want to talk about the relationship that they have with their tackle," he said. Here's a post from Charles Jardine's Wordpress blog that will give you a sense of what he means.

Hardy USA is doing its best to build on the romance in its first year of direct U.S. marketing by attending all of the big shows, and that includes stops at Pasadena and Pleasanton in the next 10 days. The Fly Fishing Show in Padadena, California begins tomorrow, and next weekend the Show appears at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. On hand will be Hardy USA's John Shaner, who will evaluate, clean and lubricate Hardy reels for free. Just bring your Hardy reel to their booth and John will be able to tell you when it was built and all about its features and benefits.

Sponsored by Midwest Fly Fishing magazine, the 2009 Great Waters Expos will offer free demos, fly casting lessons, learning stations for beginning anglers, fly tying demos and lessons, and plenty of other ways for fly fishers to learn and see the latest products and opportunities for adventure. In addition to Brian O'Keefe and Kelly Galloup, regional presenters and fly tiers will include Tim Holschlag, Pat Ehlers, Tim Landwehr, Kevin Feenstra, Wendy Williamson and Larry Mann, Midwest Fly Fishing magazine fly tying columnist Dennis Potter, artist and guide Bob White, muskie hunters Robert Tomes and Brad Bohen, Michigan tier Jeff "Bear" Andrews and others.

The Chicago Great Waters show will run Feb. 20 - 22 at the Renaissance Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill. The Minneapolis expo will be March 6 - 8 at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel. For more info, go to www.greatwatersflyfishingexpo.com and/or email mwfly@mwfly.com.

The 3rd Annual Project Healing Waters 2-Fly event has been set for May 3, 2009, at Douglas Dear's Rose River Farm in Madison County, Virginia. (The televised coverage of last year's event at Rose River Farm just won the "Best Episode" award at this year's SHOT show.) You can download the entry form, along with sponsorship info, here.

Project Healing Waters (www.projecthealingwaters.org), in case you haven't heard of them, teaches wounded soldiers to fly fish as official rehab therapy via the U.S. military and the Veteran's Administration. It was started by Capt. Ed Nicholson to help wounded Iraq veterans recover from physical and emotional trauma and has gathered support from numerous national organizations and individuals for the good work it does.

For more personal insight on PHW, listen to NPR's interview with Capt. Eivind Forseth.

In addition to some of the former president's oil paintings, the only baseball in the world hand-signed by five U.S. presidents, and a bottle of President Carter's homemade, private-label wine, the Carter Center will auction off a fly-fishing trip with the Carters at Brigadoon Lodge in North Georgia (www.brigadoonlodge.com) at this winter's February 7 fundraiser.

While only eight hook-ups were reported and three fish were caught during a lull in what has otherwise been a red hot sailfish season, participants in the Islamorada Invitational Sailfly Tournament, which ended Friday, feel their sport provides a thrill like no other. "'I've been sailfishing like this for 10-11 years, four of five days a year, and I realized I've been hooked up for about an hour,' [tournament organizer Sandy] Moret chuckled. 'You have to have a hot fish -- the right fish in the right circumstances. It makes it very challenging and therefore very exciting. If you could bottle that excitement, you could give the Viagra company a run for its money.''' Sue Cocking in the Miami Herald.

By the way, Moret's store in Islamorada -- now in posh new headquarters next to the Green Turtle Inn -- employs some of the most knowledgeable people in the saltwater fly fishing business. If you want to know why (or why not) to put Gel Spun backing on your fly reel, or just want to buy the latest hot fly, you owe it to yourself to give these folks a call. They also have what I think is the best saltwater fly fishing school in the world, staffed by notable experts Steve Huff, Chico Fernandez, Flip Pallot, Diana Rudolph and others.

"'Everybody's looking for value for the dollar,' says Chuck Furimsky, owner of The Fly Fishing Show, which still appears in eight cities across the country. 'Instead of a $700 rod, they're buying two $150 rods. ... There's still a light at the end of the tunnel for us; it's just not as bright as it once was.'" In the Baltimore Sun, Candus Thomson notes that the venerable Washington Boat Show won't even attempt an event this year, joining big and small events that have been stung by the sharp downturn in product sales.

ISE's 2009 season begins with what is probably their biggest, most popular show. The San Mateo, California event brings together 300 exhibitors and 250 seminars, with products on display from Sage, Simms, G Loomis, Scott, St. Croix, Scientific Anglers, Temple Fork Outfitters and many others. Tom Rosenbauer will be there, as will Jeff Putnam, giving free spey casting lessons, and Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters will sponsor an authors' book signing booth. This is one of those don't miss shows of the year if you are a left-coaster. Keep in mind that ISE will also have its Sacramento show only a week later (January 15-18) and be in Denver (January 22-25) only a week later. More info on the ISE Web site.

Read the extended entry for the full press release.

Denver once again hosts The Fly Fishing Show at the Denver Merchandise Mart beginning Friday, January 9 and running through Sunday. In the Authors' Booth will be John Gierach, Charles Meck, Ed Engle, Gary Borger, and Dave Whitlock, among several others. The seminar instructors include George Daniel, Jim Teeny, Dave Ames and A.K. Best. There will also be a full schedule of fly tying and casting demonstrations. For more info, visit the The Fly Fishing Show Web site.

Gordon Wickstrom recounts weaving his way through lascivious hippies in the sixties to find his way to the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club, and then returning more than 40 years later. "It was thrilling for me to revisit this fabled shrine of angling where during the 1940s and '50s, fly-fishing would take on an indelible and thoroughly American character. Here was codified the double haul cast, shooting head lines backed to monofilament, big-water, heavy-river distance casting, and a new dispensation in flies, the big 'attractor' flies capable of irritating steelhead and big trout into savage strikes." In the Boulder Daily Camera.

This coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday the Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers will hold their annual conclave in Mountain Home, Arkansas. While some seminars will take place on the White River, the bulk of Friday and Saturday's events will be held at the Baxter County Fairgrounds.You can find more info on the Southern Council FFF Web site and in this summary by John Berry.

Not only did Mike Lennox and Simon Wells take first and second place in the recent Canadian championships at Mont Tremblant, Quebec, but they also bested the top U.S. competitors, who fished unofficially. "'Everyone was really good about it,' Lennox, a Grade 12 Nepean High School student, said about how their victory ricocheted through the fly fishing community. 'But I feel there are a lot of better fisherman than me.'" Martin Cleary in the Ottawa Citizen.

Beating out the likes of Tim and Steve Rajeff and a host of other top casters, Hardy and Greys product manager Howard Croston won the casting competition at last week's Fly Fishing Retailer show in Denver. Croston, based in England, knows an awful lot about European fly fishing and fly rods, and he's overseer of Hardy and Grey's huge collection of fly rod models. So I'll have to remember to ask him what he thought of those Orvis Helios five-weights he was casting.

Rachel Finn, who also won in 2006, took top honors for women.

Zany. It's a word that could describe almost any Carl Hiaasen character. It could also describe the level of skill required for a fly fishing team -- that is, an angler and a guide -- to win something as challenging as the Islamorada Fall Fly invitational Bonefish Tournament five times. Hiaasen and Klein caught three weight fish and counted eight more releases during the three-tournament, which ended Friday. Tim Mahaffey of Miami, guided by Capt. Duane Baker, was second, catching one weight fish of 11.5 pounds on day three and managing seven releases on days one and two. The largest bonefish -- 12 pounds -- was caught on the last day by Mark Richens, guided by Mark Cockerham.

To read more about fly fishing for bonefish, as practiced by Hiaasen and Mahaffey, read "Targeting Giant Bonefish" and "Inside the Box: Carl Hiaasen" on MidCurrent.

Wading deeper into the concrete corridors of the Denver Convention Center brought us closer, yesterday, to the exhibitors who didn't bet on a front-row position to sell their '09 product. Among them: Hardy and Grey's, who in their first year of handling their own distribution in the U.S. brought a staff of 10 or more to man a very active booth lined with dozens (hundreds?) of different rods and reels ranging in price from $200 to $10,000. A third British invasion (if you remember the Beatles)? May be. The first good news for fans of fly fishing gear with a long pedigree and deserved reputation is that Hardy will make the "Perfect" fly fishing reel again, using the exact same specifications used in 1923 (sans brass foot). Pick one of these little beauties up, and I challenge you not to want one.

At the other end of the hall, Ross touted a new, lighter Momentum fly reel for salmon and saltwater, as well as a higher-end expansion to their Ross Worldwide line, machined overseas, and the smart-looking new Vexsis, which has distinctive and very appealing double-convex shape (imagine two shallow bowls, one inside the other). In the middle, we had a chance to spend time with Hatch Reels, whose products are very impressive feats of engineering (8-layer drag systems -- really) and an up-and-coming favorite of the other product reviewers we spoke to.

But the day was full of little surprises too. Tight Line Enterprises, who last year won the Ka'Ching award (retailers' favorite) for the magnetic rod and fly holders, showed us a very clever little plastic device that makes threading tippets through tiny flies a breeze. A magnet holds the hook eye in a small groove; slide the tippet end down the groove and, voila.

Of course we'll cover all the week's discoveries in our extended show coverage (be sure to listen to last night's podcast if you haven't already), but I did want to mention one other interesting bit of news. At the end of yesterday's show we had a chance to visit with the engineers at the Scientific Anglers booth. Seems there has been a bit of a "dust-up" over just how abrasive the new Sharkskin coatings have been to fly rod guides. Well, SA wanted to find out exactly how abrasive they are as well, so they put all the top fly lines from all the manufacturers through a 800,000-cycle test of tip-top wear. If you trust the measurements of a $750,000 Interferometer machine, turns out Sharkskin is among the least abrasive fly line coatings.

The first day of the FFR show started with sharing a van ride to the Denver Convention Center with three super-sized South Dakotans on their way to shop for Broncos paraphernalia prior to watching the "big game," and ended with our returning from yet another overstuffed theater with slow beer service (2 bartenders serving 300-400 thirsty and well-tatooed fly anglers) with, you guessed it, the same three South Dakotans. "The game was great," they said. "All you could ask for."

I thought to myself, "Well, that's exactly what our day was like too." Fact is, if you don't mind walking miles on concrete floors to get a real taste of how the industry perceives the near future of fly fishing, Denver was the only place to be yesterday. To be sure, there were at least a handful of manufacturers who told us they were flying a holding pattern this season -- one inflatable boat manufacturer said "We have no new products. We're just trying to survive."

But the booths of all the major vendors were packed with buyers. I had to wait for a couple of dozen curious retailers (including the 9-man Leland Outfitters crew) to exit the Fishpond exhibit before I could begin my walk-through. And it was pointless trying to wedge yourself into the Ross, Scientific Anglers, Sage, Simms, Orvis or Patagonia spaces without an appointment.

The top manufacturers apparently spent little time this year wondering how a recession might play with their bottom line. Many of the new designs seem momentum-driven (e.g. the move toward enviro-friendly gadgets, the collective adoption of sealed drag systems, and the introduction of shorter "stump-puller" bass rods), but several designs seem downright inspired. William Joseph's invention of a "water-tight" magnetic seal system on their new packs and Simms's new super-sticky Vibram rubbers sole patterns come to mind.

Other eye-catching items from Day One included Outcast's new $90 electric pump for inflatable craft, Flambeau's moderately priced waterproof fly boxes with smartly designed slit foam systems, Abel's new quick-release spool for their Super Series, and Dr. Slick's split shot clamps. We also learned that Oakley will be bringing out new amber lenses exclusively for fly fishers (and that a BB makes a pretty good splash when hits a glass lens going 150-feet per second).

There's plenty more that we don't have time to write about this morning. But if you need more first-day scoop, be sure to listen to Zach Matthews's excellent podcast interviews which were posted last night.

For those unfamiliar with the Fly Fishing Retailer Show in the U.S., it's the one-time-a-year fall event that brings fly fishing manufacturers together to display new products to retailers and distributors. As we have for the past two years, MidCurrent will be at the showing testing and evaluating the new offerings and blogging on items of interest as well as writing a full review of new products that will appear next week on our site. This year we'll also be posting daily podcast interviews with company executives and product designers at the end of each day, so be sure to check those out.

What is there to look forward to this year? So far manufacturers have mostly kept their promise to retailers that they will be the first to know about new products, but we've heard lots of exciting rumors, among them:

• Abel has a brand new reel design, and Tibor is introducing a reel just for spey casters. Ross, Loop and Ari Hart also will show new reels at the show, and Sage is showing off a new line of six reels to match their updated rod lines.
• Orvis has taken Helios technology and applied it to both larger saltwater rods and some specialty trout rods. Sage is replacing their FLi series of rods with a similarly priced "Flight" series. G.Loomis, Scott and others are introducing new shorter, stouter rods for warmwater, bass and shoreline-saltwater applications (seems to be the trend this year).
• Scientific Anglers is giving a bunch of their new lines a Sharkskin coating, while Cortland is entering the clear-line fray with a new crystal-clear line. RIO is turning their eyes to saltwater with some brand new tapers.
• In waders and boots, the themes this year are hard to miss: grippier, non-felt soles are either ready or in the works for Simms, Patagonia, Cloudveil and others; Patagonia has a new patent-pending merino-wool booty; and utility-focused waders arrive from Patagonia and Orvis, along with everyone seeming to recognize the need for waders that don't require a solid lining with $100 bills to stay waterproof.

When the show opens in a couple of hours we'll begin taking detailed notes on all new products, so be sure to check back regularly during the next three days.

The Jackson Hole One Fly Event, which raises money for trout stream habitat improvement, was won by Bud Chatham of Jackson Hole this past weekend. The One Fly requires participants to fish with a single fly each day; if the fly is lost, the competitor's day is over. Worth noting: Chatham won the event using only two patterns, a loop-wing mayfly and Barnett's Red Ant.

Orvis has made Project Healing Waters their special charity for the month of September and is matching all round up donations (rounding up your Orvis purchase) dollar for dollar. They've also donated $20,000 to the organization, which helps rehabilitate wounded veterans through fly fishing and fly tying. You can watch a video slide show on PHW on the Orvis Web site.

Read more about Project Healing Waters.

The Light Foundation, which provides money for children's medical and educational programs, will be the beneficiary of an auction of a fly-fishing cabinet made from reclaimed wood by the Pro Bowler Matt Light and Stephen Staples. "Staples says the cabinet is worth $5,800, but hopes it will bring in more, given the work that went into it. 'It will fit in any home, no matter what the decor,' he said. 'It is a real piece of history.'" Benjamin Bell and John Wilcox in the Boston Herald.

The impressive British performance in Beijing has Telegraph writer John Bingham looking back at the good old days of the 1908 Olympics, when the top swimmers had to share the pool with fly casters. Apparently it was a time when "running deer shooting" was considered PC and champagne was considered a legitimate electrolyte replacement drink, at least among the Italians: "Paula Radcliffe's upset in the marathon pales in comparison with the disappointment felt by Italy's Dorando Pietri in 1908 when he collapsed five times on the track and was disqualified because officials had to carry him over the line. But then his incapacitation is said to owe as much to the many glasses of champagne he enjoyed during the previous 26 miles."

"Danny Marino led Team USA in 8TH place, an impressive finish in his first competitive outing. Matt Rose (12th ), Caleb Boyle (15th ), and Weston Reynolds (16th ) all turned in strong performances as well." From the U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Team Web site.

"When the modern-day Olympic Games began in 1896, competitive fly-casting was already well established. In 1906, an Irishman named John Enright set a world record by casting a salmon fly 152 feet at an Anglers Club of New York tournament in Central Park. The New York Times reports Enright used a 20-foot greenheart rod that weighed four pounds." Morgan Lyle offers some history on the sport of competitive fly casting, mentioning current American women's record holder Pamela Peters and of course Steve Rajeff, who's made a cast of 236 feet with a single-handed rod. In the Schenectady, New York Daily Gazette.

On October 18, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center Hall of Fame will induct Dave Whitlock, Ed Zern, George Griffith, Art Neuman, Francis Betters,and Ed Van Put, who at age 70 still works full-time as a state fisheries and wildlife manager. "When you fish nearly 55 years of your life in the Catskills, you kind of pick up on the history behind the water you've fished. Along the way, Van Put wrote two important historical books on Catskill fly fishing. In 1996, he penned the critically acclaimed book, 'The Beaverkill,' (The Lyons Press), and more recently, Van Put released his second and broader historical book in 2007, 'Trout Fishing in the Catskills,' (Skyhorse Publishing)."

Early July can produce good permit fishing in Key West, but as the month drags on toward August, calm winds and high temperatures can make it maddeningly hard to find fish, and especially ones that will eat. Apparently that's what happened during this year's annual Del Brown Tournament. Only three fish were caught in three days, and that's out of eighteen skiffs fishing.

One notable story coming out of the tournament is that the winning team was guided by Scott Collins -- the same guide who partnered with David Dalu to win the first ever one-season hat trick of tarpon tournaments this year. Collins and angler Greg Smith won by only 3/4" of an inch (that's what separated their one fish from the second-place catch), but it does suggest Collins is doing something right.

Below are the final results of the tournament:

1st Place: Angler -- Greg Smith, with Capt. Scott Collins (1 fish on day 2)

2nd Place: Angler -- Jack Knoll, with Capt. Jeffery Cardenas (1 fish on day 3)

3rd Place: Angler -- Chase Wise, with Capt. Bryan Holeman (1 fish on day 2)

Having been born and halfway raised in Charleston, it doesn't surprise me that the Post and Courier, which was founded in 1803, would take a month to come up with a story about resident David Dalu's triple crown win in Florida tarpon tournaments this year. It has to do with the half-century "waiting period" for new arrivals, I think. But columnist Tommy Braswell wrote the most thorough piece yet about Dalu's phenomenal win: "Dalu didn't catch his first tarpon on fly until 2002, but in five years has reached the pinnacle of tarpon fishing. 'Last year was my first year of fishing tarpon tournaments in the Keys,' Dalu said. 'I fished with my friend Scott Collins, and we fished the Golden Fly and had the most releases. We fished in the Hawley last year and won, the first time a new angler had ever won.'"

Members of the America Cup Junior fly-fishing team will be using engraved #1 Abel Creek reels, courtesy of the tackle manufacturer, during their September international competition in Frisco, Colorado. Teams from Japan, Ireland, Australia, the USA, Hungary, and others are expected to compete.

Read the full press release in the extended entry.

The Federation of Fly Fishers will bring more than 75 workshops and clinics on casting, fly tying, on-water fishing techniques and other topics to Whitefish, Montana for their 43rd Annual International Fly Fishing Show and Conclave, July 22-26. Dave Ames, Stu Apte, Bob Jacklin, Brian O'Keefe, Bruce Richards, and Diana Rudolph are just a few of the dozens of expert fly fishers who will be presenting workshops and teaching at the conclave.

Read the extended entry for the full press release.

We got word last night that for the first time in history, an angler and guide team have won all three major Keys tarpon fly fishing tournaments in a single season. David Dalu, fishing with guide Scott Collins won the Gold Cup Tournament, which was held from June 16 to June 20 in Islamorada, Florida. Dalu and Collins won by a substantial number of points, and did so only two weeks after winning the Don Hawley tournament and less than a month after winning the Golden Fly.

I spoke to both Dalu and Collins last night, and besides giving credit to several other guides and anglers for their role in helping develop the techniques they have been using, they both were ready for some good, old-fashioned fun fishing for a change. "The pressure in the tournaments was intense," Dalu said. "Scott and I need to go out and just jump some fish for a change." Collins echoed Dalu's sentiments in regard to their amazing success: "I just feel plain lucky."

A week that began with a dreamlike combination of fish and weather ended with a good blow, but that didn't keep the competitors in the annual Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament from setting new records for numbers of fish caught. Leading the numbers were winners David Dalu and Scott Collins (guide), who caught an incredible 21 fish during the five-day tournament. Angler Carlos Duncan and guide Rob Fordyce caught ten fish in one day, quite a remarkable achievement. In all 158 total fish were caught by 25 teams in the combined 12-pound and 16-pound divisions, the most ever in a Don Hawley tournament.

More results (all 12-pound tippet):

First Place: David Dalu with guide Scott Collins -- 21 fish released
Second Place: Carlos Duncan with guide Rob Fordyce -- 19 fish released
Third Place: Peter Reddin with guide Dave Borras -- 11 fish released

16-Pound Tippet Winners: Mike McLoad with guide Brian Helms -- 10 fish

For the second time in less than a month, David Dalu and guide Scott Collins won a major Florida Keys tarpon fly fishing tournament, finishing the five-day Don Hawley Invitational with a 2-fish lead over second place finishers Carlos Duncan and Rob Fordyce.

We will post more information about the results as they come in.

In the Denver Post, Charlie Meyers heralds the recent moves by AFFTA and the Federation of Fly Fishers to establish their new bases in Denver, Colorado, and ponders the likelihood that the baggage belts in Denver International Airport might become clogged with rod tubes. "Add to this the impending move of Federation of Fly Fishers headquarters to Loveland, the September AFFTA World Trade Expo in Denver and a January blend of the AFFTA consumer show with the longstanding International Sportsmen's Expo and one finds bold reason to trumpet Colorado as the new fly-fishing capital of the world."

Last night we got word that David Dalu, guided by Captain Scott Collins, won the annual three-day Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament in the Florida Keys yesterday. This follows their win in the 5-day Don Hawley Tarpon Tournament last June, when Dalu was the first first-time angler to win the event. We'll post more results as we get them.

What started as a way to mock their relative poverty became an important annual event for a generation of Pere Marquette fly fishers at this classic club. "Member Carl Graef, a former Texan who lives in Mount Pleasant, said he likes the weekend tradition because he 'absolutely lives to fly-fish.' 'This is my way of communing with God,' he said. 'This is the most beautiful place I know of. It is so far removed from the stresses of my everyday work life. You look down on this river and these trees, and they call to you.'" David V. Graham in the Flint Journal.

Sunglass maker Costa Del Mar will host the Fly Fishing Competition at the Teva Mountain Games, which take place from June 5 - 8 in Vail, Colorado this year. The competition itself takes place on June 9 and 10 and starts with a qualifying round on Gore Creek for 50 registered anglers. The finals will consist of a timed float trip on the Eagle River with two competitors per boat. Anglers will only be able to use one pattern in one size for their fly, but will be allowed six of the same pattern.

For more information and the full press release, read the extended entry.

CNN's Kate Bolduan covers the activities of Project Healing Waters at Douglas Dear's Rose River Farm near Culpeper, Virginia. For the wounded vets, it's just about getting back to doing things "normally," and fly fishing helps. "It's not about the wounds or the rehab," Bouldan notes, "It's about the fish." (Reminder: Project Healing Waters holds their second annual 2-Fly Tournament starting Saturday.)

Every year in May or June a bunch of veteran tarpon anglers get together on No Name Key in the Florida Keys to raise money for good causes and to have fun fishing and trading stories. This year the event is planned for May 30-31 (about the time of a predicted Palolo worm hatch), and the benefit is for Casting for Recovery, which provides fly fishing retreats for women who have or have had breast cancer. Poontangle is supported by lots of generous businesses -- Scientific Anglers, Loomis, Cabela's, Cliff Outdoors, Islander, Temple Fork Outfitters and dozens of others -- who donate products for a raffle and a silent auction. Not only are the giveaways great, but the the Poontangle camaraderie is something to be witnessed first-hand, with new registrants being treated like old friends and old friends flying in from all over the country to share in the enthusiasm, good food, and not-always-100%-accurate fish stories.

You can find more information about Poontangle 8, including registration info, on the Poontangle Web site.

Project Healing Waters, which benefits wounded veterans, will hold their Second Annual 2-Fly Tournament on May 4, 2008 at Rose River Farm in Madison, Virginia. The 20 teams open to the public have been filled and they have an additional 10 teams made up of a professional guide and an injured veteran. (They still have a couple of slots left open for sponsors, who can support a Pro/Vet team for $2500. This year's event is being televised as an episode of "The Fly Rod Chronicles" on The Sportsman's Channel and all the Sponsors will be recognized, if they would like, on a show banner.) Read more about the event on the Project Healing Waters blog.

According to Simon Earle of the Rotorua Review, once again the Czech team showed that they have trout dialed in -- not just in Europe and the U.S., but in New Zealand as well. "The top two teams alternated in the lead over the first two days but the Czech Republic came through to clinch the title with wins in both sessions on the final day on Friday. The result meant New Zealand narrowly failed to repeat its 1991 success when the event was also centred on Rotorua."

According to the organizers of the World Fly Fishing Championships, "Members of the Bosnian Fly Fishing Team, who have been in New Zealand for 10 days practicing for the world fly fishing champs next week, have learned that may not after all be able to compete. The organization running the championships, the SFFNZ (Sports Fly Fishing NZ) has just heard that the Bosnian fly fishing federation has refused to pay the team's entry fee to the competition. The Bosnian anglers team are said to be stunned at this unexpected news as they have laid out a small fortune getting to New Zealand and cannot afford to front up with the $9750 entry fee. SFFNZ is working with the FIPS secretariat to see if they can resolve this matter before the check-in deadline which is Saturday 22nd March."

Among the newsworthy changes for this year's World Championships, which start this Sunday in Rotorua, are rules which prohibit the use of felt sole shoes and the introduction of a new National Open Fly Tying Competition, sponsored by Umpqua Feather Merchants. "The five North Island rivers and lakes where the competition will take place are the Whanganui and Waihou Rivers, the Waimakariri Stream, Lake Rotoaira and Lake Otamangakau."

As we understand it, the U.S. Team handled the new rules by leaving waders, boots and other gear in-country so that there is no possibility of having key equipment confiscated. No doubt this will become the standard practice for competitive anglers in the face of increasing concern about invasive species control.

Read the full press release in the extended entry.

Lakeland, Florida doesn't spring to mind when one thinks about the FFF, which is based in Livingston, Montana. But in fact Florida has probably one of the fastest growing FFF chapters. The Florida Council has a big show coming up March 28 - 30, 2008 at the Lakeland Center, which is about halfway between Tampa and Orlando. Lefty Kreh, Steve Rajeff, Dave Whitlock, Bruce Richards, Nick Curcione and Diana Rudolph are among the speakers, and there is a great group of fly tiers who will be giving demonstrations at the event. For more info go to the Expo site.

Scott Robertson, a guide for Sunriver Fly Shop in Sunriver, Oregon, was recently named captain of the U.S. international team, which will compete in two weeks for the world title. "The 28th world championships — scheduled March 22-30 in Rotorua, New Zealand — will include more than 100 anglers from 24 countries. Robertson, 47, was selected captain based on his experience in competitive angling and his sixth-place finish at the National Fly Fishing Championships in Colorado last October." Marc Morical in the Bend Bulletin.

The annual show run by Tom Helgeson of Midwest Fly Fishing magazine runs from the 8th through the 10th at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center located just north of Gold Road (Route 59) and east of Meacham Road in Schaumburg, Illinois (that's just west of Chicago's O'Hare airport). Steve Sarley writes about it in teh Northwest Herald. "The show floor of the expo will feature a number of 'learning stations' where guests can learn about many different facets of fly-fishing from experts. Free fly-casting lessons run non-stop from Friday’s opening to Sunday’s close. Beginners are encouraged to get instruction." Check out the show's Web site for more info.

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.

If I lived anywhere near Colorado, I'd be hoping for stocking stuffer tickets to both the AFFTA and Fly Fishing Show events that run January 4-6 in downtown Denver. There may not be two shows forever, and certainly there will be some oneupmanship on display. Charlie Meyers gives the event details in this morning's Denver Post.

As the streets clear in Denver for the high-noon stare-down between the AFFTA and Fly Fishing consumer shows, AFFTA president Robert Ramsey offers some insight into the reasons the organization chose dates that overlapped an established event. "He said AFFTA chose to clash dates with TFFS because fly-fishing exhibitors already were burdened with winter show commitments around the country. 'So rather than present all these companies with an additional show on their schedule, we decided just to ask folks to make a decision.'" Ed Dentry in the Denver Post.

We're less than a month away now from the opening of simultaneous fly fishing shows for consumers in Denver, and apparently tempers are not cooling. Chuck Furimsky, owner of the established event, The Fly Fishing Show, is prepared to lose money for a couple of years to fend of the predations of the new AFFTA show, according to today's piece by Ed Dentry. The only thing that is pretty clear is that consumers won't be gaining much in the short term, since divided loyalties and business connections will separate many of the top names. "Some celebrities are staying with the old show; others willingly have gone over to the far side. Among the notables, for example, anglers will find Lefty Kreh at the convention center, but Dave Whitlock at the Merchandise Mart." In the Rocky Mountain News.

Long-time Keys angler Mo Smith was the first person in history to win four different Redbone titles in one year when he took home the grand champion and superfly titles from the Mercury Cheeca Redbone Tournament held Nov. 2-4 in Islamorada. The Redbone was started by Gary and Susan Ellis 20 years ago to raise money and awareness for the battle against cystic fibrosis, after the disease was discovered in their young daughter.

"'You pick your level of insanity when it comes to fly fishing,' [senior collections manager in entomology Raymond] Pupedis admits. 'In the act of doing this, you learn a lot of esoteric things about silk, glues, bamboo. But trust me, there are fly fishermen everywhere.'" The special exhibition going on in New Haven, Connecticut includes Babe Ruth’s E.F. Payne rod, the Shakespeare rod used by Ted Williams, Bing Crosby’s Orvis rod, and Glenn Miller’s Paul Young rod. Jim Shelton in the New Haven Register.

Moving the show back to September from August appears to have helped attendance at this year's Fly Fishing Retailer show, according to this week's press release. "A total of 3,045 attendees made the trip to the 2007 FlyFishing Retailer show, up 33.0 percent overall from 2006. Total buyer attendance jumped by 18.5 percent from 2006, indicating a distinct business vitality from the retailers that made the trip. Total storefronts attending the FFR show was up as well this year (4.5 percent)."

Read the full press release in the extended entry.

"Dennis and Polish angler Vladi Trzebunia were returning to Jackson after the final day of the NFFC and in the very early morning hours of Oct. 8, only 40 miles from home, their car went off the road with Trzebunia at the wheel. Reports say their SUV was demolished after rolling twice." Dave Buchanan in the Grand Junction Sentinel.

The National Fly Fishing Championships ended Saturday, with 15 competitors being tapped as candidates for the US national team. George Daniel took the gold medal in the competition, while Josh Stevens and Edward Pinkston finished second and third, respectively. Dave Buchanan writes about the mental challenges behind the technical ones that the anglers faced during the three-day competition: "There’s the lack of sleep, since you get up at 4:30 every morning to wolf down a quick breakfast and then scramble aboard a crowded van for the 21⁄2-hour ride to the morning venue. You’re already wearing your fishing boots and waders (you’re not sure you even took them off the previous night) to save a few precious minutes for when you get wherever you’re going, so any bathroom breaks along the drive aren’t simple 'hop out and go' pit stops." In the Grand Junction Sentinel. More rankings.

Not even a swarm of sacrifice flies could save the Yankees from a bug-infested loss to the Cleveland Indians Friday night. Yankees player Derek Jeter suggested it was an unfair home-field advantage when players began choking on midges as they rounded the bases. "Swarming bugs, millions and millions of them, bombarded the New York Yankees at the worst possible time Friday night, covering and rattling rookie reliever Joba Chamberlain and helping the Cleveland Indians to a 2-1 win in 11 innings and a two-game lead in their AL playoff series."

“'The map has changed,' said Naranja in a puzzled voice, staring at the paper in his hand. 'Yesterday this was an alternate beat and I thought, "Man, I’m glad I didn’t draw this one." But here I am.'” That's competitor Anthony Naranja, who also happens to be assistant coach of the current Team USA, commenting on his day one draw of a stillwater lake beat. Naranja is in second place, after Scott Robertson, going into day two. Dave Buchanan in the Grand Junction Sentinel.

Jack Dennis says the 2008 season of coaching the U.S.'s international fly fishing team will be his last, due to personal and business demands. Over the past five years, Dennis has been credited with turning the team into one more capable of competing with other top world teams. "The board said, ‘Look, we need to build a structure to this team so it can become like a regular athletic team,’ Dennis recalled. At the time, the U.S. team was largely composed of wealthy donors rather than competitive anglers, a fact emphasized by the team’s dismal results in international tournaments." Dave Buchanan in Colorado's Grand Junction Sentinel.

Once again a large contingent of competitive fly fishers will be in Boulder, Colorado next week. The 55 U.S. anglers all hope to draw a good beat and land one of the 15 spots on 2008's Team USA. "Five-member teams from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Ireland will assemble in Boulder for the championships, which are being held in northern Colorado for the second consecutive year. The competitors will fish for three days on the Big Thompson River, the Poudre River, Dowdy Lake and Parvin Lake." Zak Brown in the Boulder Daily Camera.

Carl Hiaasen and guide Tim Klein won the Islamorada Fall Fly Bonefish tournament with three weight fish and ten releases, including the largest bonefish, an eleven-pound, twelve-ounce fish caught on day three. Mitch Howell and Dave Denkert were runners-up in the tournament, which ended Friday, with two weight fish and a release. Rick Orcutt with Duane Baker took Best New Angler with two weight fish and two releases.

As David Dalu, this year's Hawley tarpon tournament winner and a participant in the Fall Fly, commented, "It is clear that TK and Carl are THE team in bonefishing. I suspect that they are doing something different than the others, as even the good guides and anglers up there cannot hang with them." (Thanks to David for reporting the results.)

Want to see what Hiaasen and Klein might have been using for flies during the tournament? Check out Carl's fly box on MidCurrent.

If the Fly Fishing Retailer show is any measure of the health of the fly fishing industry, the patient comfortably endured its physical yesterday. Though we had heard from organizers that the show was larger this year, there seemed to be only a few more booths in the Denver Convention Center exhibit hall. And by 9:30 AM, we wondered if the show might see lower attendance than in years past. But by 11, the coffee lines were growing (even at $3.50 a cup) and by lunch time Mountain Dew became the best available option for a jolt (business note to food vendor for 2008: be sure you don't run out of coffee, especially at those margins). All the anglerati seemed to be in attendance this year too: Lefty Kreh, Dave Whitlock, Gary Borger, Flip Pallot, Simon Gawesworth, Steve Rajeff and others. The top new products -- excepting some new rods from Orvis and Sage and new lines from Scientific Anglers and RIO -- might well be sleepers this year. We noticed, for example, some sweet new "Extra Hand" nippers from Dr. Slick and some well-thought-out apparel in Redington booth. But there are many more miles of exhibit carpet to walk before we have a good count of the standouts.

The U.S. Youth Fly Fishing team came in seventh in an event dominated by the same European countries who compete so well in the adult championships. "After a strong final day of fishing, Team USA 1, with 132 points, finished just one point out of the medal standings. France took the gold medal with 90 points, the Czech Republic (91 points) earned the silver medal and England received the bronze with 131 points." Mark Nale in Pennsylvania's CentreDaily.com.

A 140-pound Homasassa tarpon earned Webster Young a trip to California, where he'll watch the craftsmen at Abel make a fly reel of his choice. Abel's tournament, which is the first that we know of to be based on an honor system, also gave out some nice prizes to Tim Mahaffey (second place), Michael Greve (third) and Jeff Ferguson (fourth).

Read the extended entry for the press release and full results.

Mark Nale writes about the various members of the U.S. Fly Fishing Youth team, which is competing today, tomorrow and Wednesday in central Pennsylvania. Among them is Heather Seitz, who, besides having a black belt in Kung Fu, is the only female on the team. "'I'm delighted to be on the world team because it is an amazing experience and an opportunity to meet other anglers who have the same love for fly fishing as I,' said Seitz. 'I greatly enjoy dry fly fishing; however, nymphing has grown on me since I started to work with the coaches. They taught me how to truly nymph, and I have become successful by using the techniques that they have shown me.'" On Pennsylvania's CentreDaily.com.

France will be there in their yellow jerseys... err, golden jackets. "Teams from the United States -- including Pennsylvania -- the Czech Republic, England, France, Ireland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Canada will kick off official practice today, followed by three days of competition. Spain was not able to make it for the opening ceremonies but was expected arrive for practice today." Sara Ganim on CentreDaily.com.

It sure is nice to see a company whose brand is only newly visible in the fly fishing market step up and support something as worthwhile as the U.S. Youth Fly Fishing team. Cloudveil is continuing their apparel sponsorship this year with waders, boots and vests for the team, which is due to compete for the World Youth Championship in State College, Pennsylvania this coming week. The U.S. will host teams from England, Wales, France, Canada, Portugal, Italy, Spain, The Czech Republic and South Africa.

For more information and the full press release, read the extended entry.

Turns out there are only two Federation of Fly Fishers casting instructors certified using bamboo rods, and one of them -- Harry Boyd, Jr., a Baptist minister from Louisiana who owns Boyd Rod Co. (www.canerods.com) -- attended the fifth gathering of the Colorado Rodmakers Reunion in Carbondale, Colorado this week. Dave Buchanan writes in the Grand Junction Sentinel about how the Web has changed everything in a craft where information has traditionally been almost impossible to find.

The Denver chapter of Trout Unlimited chose downtown Denver as the location of their new carp fly fishing tournament next weekend. Why? Because the South Platte as it flows through the city is one of the best places to go to stalk these difficult fish. "The best time to fish flat water is in spring, just before and immediately after spawning. They spend much of the day in the cool shallows, where they root and tail like bonefish. Midsummer heat sends carp to deep water, no longer available for sight fishing except very early and late in the day. But they're always ready in the river, where the only variable is flow." Charlie Meyers in the Denver Post.

Catching a total of eight permit on fly won Doug Berhman the top spot in the 2007 Del Brown Invitational Tournament, which was held July 16, 17 and 18 in Key West, Florida. Berhman fished with Little Torch Key guide Deigo Roullye. Warren Hinrichs, the defending champion, and guide Kris Suplee came in second with six permit. Warren and Kris also caught the largest fish, which was 31 inches (pictured at right); they lost a much larger fish on the afternoon of the third day. John Abplanalp was third, catching four fish with guide Jeffrey Cardenas. (Thanks to readers David Dalu and Warren Hinrichs for providing these results.)

"The International Federation of Sport Fly Fishing (Fips-Mouche), at the 38th Congress of The Confederation International of Sport Fishing (CIPS) in Prague, has announced Scotland has won the rights to host the 2009 World Fly Fishing Championships."

The best part of this story is that Kathy Hoar started competitive fly fishing just last year, after finishing a saltwater fly fishing school -- probably the one started by Sandy Moret in Islamorada, Florida. "Hoar caught five tarpon over the three days, including one weighing 90 pounds, to win the championship in just her second competitive tournament." Greg Swatek on Pennsylvania's EveningSun.com.

"John Ford and Joe Humphreys report that volunteers are still needed for many phases sixth FIPS-Mouche World Youth Fly Fishing Championship, which will be held in and around State College [Pennsylvania] on Aug. 3-10."

Gary Loomis, whose graphite rod production techniques opened eyes to the potential of fast-action rods, and Joan Wulff, the doyenne of influential female fly fishers, will enter the International Game Fish Associations Hall of Fame on October 20.

As Charlie Meyers suggests, the U.S.'s international fly fishing team represents more than a chance to participate in angling competitions that don't require six guys dressed up like a NASCAR pit crew. It's an opportunity to bring leadership to a sport that could use all the help it can get in growing and staying vital. "Question is, can a relatively thin and static U.S. fly-fishing industry muster the money and resolve to provide the necessary boost? Current sponsors include Simms, Scott rods, Scientific Anglers, Nautilus reels and Clear Creek accessories - arrangements that provide swell gear and some cash, but not nearly enough to crack the nut." In the Denver Post.

Tom Siska and guide Glenn Flutie were the winners of this week's Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament in Islamorada, Florida. The tournament, which began Monday and ended Friday, resulted in 63 fish released and 14 fish measured as "weight fish." After scoring no points on day one, Siska and Flutie put themselves far ahead of the pack on day two and three, when their combined release and weight fish points totaled 3854.

Second through forth places were more closely contested, with Delucas and Krowka scoring 2744 cumulative points, Mill and Perez 2726, and Fotopulos and Suplee 2156. Robertson and Burke had the most releases (7).

(Thanks to reader David Dalu for these scores.)

Although the French and Czech teams continue to dominate the annual FIPS Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships, the U.S. is showing that it has to stuff to finish among the contenders, achieving 6th place this year -- its best finish ever. Coach Jack Dennis believes the good showing has to do with the recent switch to a regional trials system of team selection. "'This truly is an example of a team effort (and) everybody working together for a common goal,' wrote Dennis in an e-mail from Kemi, Finland, the site of this year’s World Championships. 'I firmly believe the competition system of trials will work. (A)s it expands and gets better, it helps us get closer and closer” to a world title.'" Dave Buchanan in Colorado's Grand Junction Sentinel.

As Charlie Meyers points out in the Denver Post, the folks who run The Fly Fishing Show feel AFFTA has taken dead aim at their business by scheduling a new consumer show for the same January dates in Denver. "The American Fly Fishing Trade Association announced last week it will launch The Fly Fishing Expo at the Colorado Convention Center on Jan. 4-6, the exact same dates that an exiting [sic] event, The Fly Fishing Show, is scheduled at the Denver Merchandise Mart."

David Dalu and guide Scott Collins won the 5-day Don HawleyTarpon Tournament which ended yesterday in the Florida Keys. Dalu was the first first-time angler to win the event in the 33-year history of the sport. Releasing six fish on day one and three fish on day two, then two fish on each of the last two days, Dalu and Collins kept their lead through the entire event and ended with six fish more than second-place team Thane Morgan and Craig Brewer.

We asked Dalu what he thought made the biggest difference in their success this week and he said: "It was all about staying connected to the fish, which for us means just bringing the fish tight and keeping the hook in the fish's mouth. It works just as well with 12-pound test as it does with 16."

At the Teva Mountain Games in Colorado this past weekend, fly fishers vied for top honors in a one-fly tournament (six flies, but they all had to be identical) while navigating some serious runoff on the Eagle River. "'The most extreme part was rafting down the river,' said Mark Sassi of Edwards, who picked up the $1,000 first prize and a new Sage fly rod after landing five fish in four hours, the biggest measuring 15 inches.'" Scott Willoughby in the Denver Post.

Where else can you blend your own bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and browse an exhibit of Zane Grey fishing paraphernalia? The American Museum of Fly Fishing (www.amff.com) is hosting a dinner and auction at the Louis M. Martini Winery in St. Helena, California on June 2. "This event will feature an exciting sporting auction with fabulous fly fishing trips, fly fishing equipment, original artwork and premium wine lots available to raise funds for our collections work. The evening will conclude in our historic underground cellar with the season's first cherries flamed with Cabernet Sauvignon, Scharffen Berger chocolate desserts, and, of course, some Martini Moscato wine." Honey, call the babysitter.

For more information, call the Museum at (802) 362-3300 or email them at amff3@amff.com.

As we noted on Thursday, Tim Mahaffey won the Golden Fly tarpon tournament that was held over three very windy days in the Florida Keys this week. Mahaffey and guide Rick Murphy won with one large weight fish -- approximately 130 pounds -- and two releases. Mahaffey has now won all the major Keys tarpon and bonefish tournaments (he and Rick Murphy won the Gold Cup in 2006). Together, Murphy and his stepbrother Rob Fordyce have now guided winners to all the major tarpon tournaments (Golden Fly, Hawley, Gold Cup, Women's Invitational.)

Angler Greg Smith and guide Drew Moret came in second in the tournament with one weight fish (120#) and one release. Third was Rob Luehrs with guide Kris Suplee, who recorded one weight fish (120#) and one release. Both had 1400 points but Smith caught his fish earlier in the day on day two. Angler David Dalu with guide Scott Collins got the award for most releases during the tournament.

Fighting winds that started at 15-20 knots on Monday and steadily increased to over 30 knots Wednesday, only 10 teams out of 25 released a fish, and only four weight fish were recorded. Andy Mill, who sprained his wrist playing racketball last week, produced no score, and Carlos Duncan and Rob Fordyce, who won in 2005, went scoreless as well.

(Thanks to reader Dave Dalu for the details in this story.)

Adding to previous wins in the Gold Cup and Dan Hawley, Tim Mahaffey, fishing with guide Rick Murphy, won the Golden Fly tournament in the Florida Keys yesterday. Early word has it that they caught a couple of large fish, and according to Tim Mahaffey's own blog on the Maverick Boats site, they did most of their fishing up in the Everglades backcountry.

Because of very high winds -- it was blowng 30 knots on the last day -- only 17 fish were caught during the 3 days of the tournament. We'll bring you more tournament details as they become available.

"This evening of discussion, demonstrations, question-and-answer and one-on-one time includes Les Johnson, author of 'Fly Fishing Coastal Cutthroat Trout,' Leland Miyawaki of 'Miyawaki Beach Popper' fame, Anil Srivastava of Puget Sound Fly Company, Chris Wilke of the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, innovative fly tyer and angler Roger Stephens, and other special guests." On SeattlePI.com.

The event, which costs $35 at the door, happens this Sunday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Seattle Aquarium. For more information, contact:

Teeg Stouffer
Executive Director
(712) 256-4907
FishRecycler@RecycledFish.org

American Angler magazine is inviting fly fishers to a laid-back weekend of fishing and workshops on Maine's Rapid River starting Friday, June 29. The historic Lakewood Camps (www.lakewoodcamps.com) is the location, and although regular lodge rates apply for all attendees, the events and workshops with David Klausmeyer, Macauley Lord, Bill Bullock, and American Angler editor Phil Monahan are free.

For the complete itinerary, read the extended entry.

"'On a weekday my brother would say, '"Hey, Mom, I'm walking to the club in the park," and she's like, "take your brother," ' Tim Rajeff said. 'I'm like,"no, no. I want to go skateboarding. I want to break stuff. I want to climb a tree."'" Tim Rajeff talks about growing up in the shadow of his older brother, in an article about the talents that may make him the most famous Rajeff after all. Jonathan Nelson in Washington state's The Columbian.

Not sure what this says about Bryan Talmadge, other than the fact that he is a talented angler, but the story does suggest a truism: that good fly fishers are good learners. "Talmadge won a Triton-Mercury package worth $50,000. He caught eight bass that weighed 29 pounds, 3 ounces. Jimmy Sparks of Alabama was second with 28-15 and Keith Sykes of Virginia was third with 28-13." Alan Clemons on ESPN.com.

Expert fly fishers from the Rocky Mountains compete in Cody, Wyoming this weekend for a spot on the U.S.'s international fly fishing team, Fly Fishing Team USA. "Fly Fishing Team USA is the only officially sanctioned organization that represents America in the annual World Fly Fishing Championship events. The United States has fielded a team in the championship since 1981. 'This is kind of like a tryout for the Olympics, but it's fly fishing,' said Tim Wade of the North Fork Anglers in Cody. 'This is the first time Cody has hosted anything like this and it's quite a deal for us.'" Jeff Gearino in the Jackson Hole Star Tribune.

"A Poulton teenager netted a history-making role when she was selected as the first female captain of an England fishing team." The 18-year-old Isles will lead her team to State College, Pennsylvania in early August to compete against the U.S. and several other international youth teams in the FIPS-Mouche World Youth Fly Fishing Championships. Chris Gee in the Blackpool Citizen.

If you live anywhere near San Francisco and you've thought about learning to spey cast but never taken the opportunity, here's your chance. The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club will host the Fourth Annual Jimmy Gree International Spey-O-Rama April 13-15, 2007 at the casting ponds in Golden Gate Park.

The Spey-O-Rama will feature demonstrations and hands-on clinics in all styles of spey casting, a chance to try many brands of rods and lines, coaching by master casting teachers, and an international casting competition. The casting competition is regarded as the U.S. Open of spey casting and will feature some of the finest casters from Europe, Great Britain, Japan, Canada and the U.S. All events are free and open to the public.

Got more information check www.speyorama.com.

If you're one of the many people who think tournament fishing might bring out the worst in anglers, Abel's got a an idea that might change your opinion. Yesterday they announced a tarpon fly fishing tournament that depends on entrants' honesty in reporting catches. All participants have to do is take a digital photo of the caught fish, tape it, and submit the results. But probably the coolest thing is the prize: "'The winner can pick any Abel Reel from our catalog and we will machine, anodize and finish it over about two days. We will host the angler and his or her guest for airfare, transportation to Camarillo, motel, meals, and an extensive tour of the factory,' said Don R. Swanson, Abel general manager." Abel will also host a running "leaderboard" of top catches on their Web site homepage at www.abelreels.com.

Read the extended entry for the full press release.

Seems Warren Hinrichs and guide Kris Suplee have the magic touch when it comes to feeding permit this year. They followed up their July win of the Del Brown Permit Tournament (see "2006 Del Brown Permit Tournament Results") by catching six fish and taking top honors at this year's March Merkin in Key West. They caught one fish on day one, three on the second day, and two yesterday. Second place went to angler Mark Hoskin and guide Bob Paulson with three fish, and third place went to David Dalu fishing with guide Scott Collins, who caught two fish. Dalu and Collins also won the award for the largest fish: 30.5 inches, 22 pounds.

Hinrichs and Suplee caught the first fish they saw on day one, and hooked their last fish -- a fish so shallow that his back was 1/3 out of the water -- five minutes before the tournament ended at 5PM on day three. "Kris did a great job of finding fish," Hinrichs said, "taking some chances and finding fish in spots that he hadn't fished in three years. It made all the difference."

As organizer Jonathan Ain noted, despite high winds, limited visibility, and fish that weren't terribly hungry, the 19 fish caught during the event show that it's a great time of year to fly fish for permit. "It confirms that if you can handle the wind and changeable conditions, March is the month for big permit on the flats." Ain also noted that during this year's tournament, the event's first female angler, Loren Rea, caught the third largest permit (20 lbs.).

The March Merkin benefits the Don Hawley Foundation, which disperses gifts to Keys flats guides in times of need.

"State College and surrounding waters will be the host to the FIPS-Mouche World Youth Fly Fishing Championships in early August. Last year, the competition was held in Portugal and, in 2005, the Czech Republic hosted the event. This will be the first time for the event to be held on American soil." The waters to be fished by competitors are Spring Creek, the Little Juniata River, Fishing Creek and Lake Perez at Stone Valley. Mark Nale on CentreDaily.com.

U.S. coaches are looking for more young fly fishers to make up a second U.S. team for the youth championship, so if you or anyone you know may be interested, coach John Wilson (email: jwilson3@cei.net) would like to hear from you.

Looking for something completely different? U.K. conservation group The Wild Trout Trust (www.wildtrout.org) is adding an interesting twist to the time-honored practice of raising money through auctions: they're putting it all up on eBay. More than 212 items are featured in the auction, which you can reach by going to the WTT Auction Page. As they note on their site, "Apart from a wide variety of fishing in the UK, Eire, the US and Chile, you will find fishing tackle, flies and fly boxes, shooting, DVDs, trees, roses, Harry Potter, Ferrari and Red Arrows collectibles, literature and art. Guide prices range from £5 to £4,500 so there's something for everyone."

On May 20, 2007 the Rose River Farm near Madison, Virginia will host the First Annual Project Healing Waters Two Fly Tournament. Rose River owner Douglas Dear explains his motivation for creating the event, which helps wounded vets rehabilitate through fly fishing and fly tying: "Having just spent an afternoon at Walter Reed recruiting for PHW I can tell you that there are many wounded members of the Armed Forces that need our support. The testimonials from the wounded heroes who have participated in the program were incredibly moving. They made me realize just how important a little time on the water can be for someone who is living in a hospital (in many cases for over a year) while undergoing treatment and rehabilitation therapy." The entry fee for a two person team is $500 and a sponsorship for a two person injured Veteran and Professional guide team is $2,500. For more information, contact Douglas Dear at Rose River Farm.

Chester Allen declares Portland's recent Fly Fishing show a "nerdfest," but a nerdfest that drew some distinctly non-nerdy types, like A.K. Best. "Best showed slides of actual trout stream insects - and then showed us how most fly tiers follow silly traditional rules that prevent our bugs from looking a little more like the real thing. 'There's a lot of b.s. in the flyfishing business right now,' Best said." In the San Jose Mercury News.

Eric Sharp reports on the second of the regional competitions held to select the U.S. national fly fishing team for the world championships in New Zealand in 2008. "A U. S. regional trial was held in California in October and there will be one in Wyoming and North Carolina this spring and summer." In the Detroit Free Press.

The organizers of the popular March Merkin permit tournament, happening March 14-16 in Key West, Florida, notified us this weekend that a late cancellation created an opening for two anglers for this year's event. Interested anglers should contact Jonathan Ain at (305) 745-3731 or jonathanain@aol.com. For more info on the tournament you can visit the March Merkin Web site.

Every year a slew of flats fishing addicts descends on the homes of Dr. Robert Brown, aka Buttonwood Bob, and Jim "JJ" Johnson near Big Pine Key, Florida, to celebrate the fishing life and to raise money for good causes. This year's Poontangle, on June 8 and 9, will likely be the biggest ever, and one of the highlights of the two-day event is a big raffle and silent auction that features cool stuff from lots of important contributors, from Scientific Anglers to Tim Borski to Temple Fork Outfitters. (By the way, if you are looking for great exposure for your products, it's not too late to send something off to the Poontanglers.) Folks always look forward to Jean Johnson's Road Kill Stew (Friday)...and the big BBQ at Bob's place where pork ribs, Texas sausage, and the cooking of Kathy (Brown) and Martha (O'Hare) takes center stage. For those who don't plan to fish, Kathy and Martha lead an eco-kayaking trip. For more information, check out the Poontangle 2007 Web site. All proceeds go to a great cause: Casting for Recovery. See: http://www.castingforrecovery.org/.

Touting itself as "the show that launches the new flyfishing season," the 2007 Spring Flyfishing Show, to be held in Newark, Notts March 3 and 4, will have plenty of celebrities on hand, including Charles Rangeley-Wilson, John Bailey, Iain Barr, and Charles Jardin.

The 27th European Fishing Tackle Trade Expo will be in Rome this year, running June 13-15. "EFTTEX, the long established European trade show with a proven track record and a distinct international flavour will be held at the recently opened Fiera di Roma located only 5 minutes from Rome’s Fiumicino international airport and just 20 minutes from the city centre." You can find more information on the EFTTEX Web site.

"Highly allergic to the bites, yet determined to get the fish, he waded in long enough to land his prize, then succumbed to anaphylactic shock. 'I nearly died,' Ames said by phone from his home outside Helena, Mont. 'I was able to get to a nurse, who gave me an epinephrine shot. They told me the adrenaline from fighting this huge fish saved my life.'" Dave Ames describes a life-threatening fire ant attack that occurred as he fought a big golden Dorado in northern Argentina. From an article about this week's ISE show in Denver, Colorado by Charlie Meyers in the Denver Post.

Brian O'Keefe won the distance casting competition at this week's International Sportsmen's Exposition in Sacramento, California. But lo and behold 17-year-old Dusty Revel, who came in second by only a few feet in his first competition ever. "Neophytes might perceive fly- fishing as a highbrow activity, too sophisticated for the kind of raw competition that gets drag racers and weightlifters excited. They would be wrong." Matt Weiser in The Sacramento Bee.

The Federation of Fly Fishers is presenting a special event at the IGFA headquarters in Dania Beach, Florida, next Saturday, January 27, from 10AM to 5PM. They've gathered some impressive names to talk about topics as varied as casting solutions to wind problems and the casting certification program, as well as enlisted several prominent fly tiers to demonstrate their craft. If you're in south Florida next weekend and have even a passing interest in fly fishing, don't miss this one. For more information, contact Pete Greenan at (941) 232-2960 or (941) 923-6095 or e-mail him at captpete@floridaflyfishing.com.

Lefty Kreh, Rick Ruoff and Charity and Ian Rutter are a few of the presenters at the Atlanta Fly Fishing Festival, which starts next week. "The 11th annual exposition of fly-fishing gear, seminars and presentations will be Jan. 20-21 at the Gwinnett Center. About 100 exhibitors will be pitching reels, boats, tours and apparel." In the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

As we mentioned back in December ("Angling Exploration Group Back with New Film Tour") the team who produced "Trout Bum Diaries: Vol. 1" is launching a Fly Fishing Film Tour that starts at the Patagonia world headquarters in Ventura, California on Friday (January 12). One thing these guys are not is boring, so if you are near any of the 25 cities where the tour lands and need an adrenaline boost, check out their screenings of some of the best new fly fishing cinematography going.

Greg Davenport, a survival expert who will be speaking at the International Sportsmen's Exposition running Thursday through next Sunday at the San Mateo County Event Center in California (ISE San Mateo), offers tips that are useful for any outdoorsperson, in virtually any climate. His three critical rules: 1. Stop and Stay Put, 2. Identify Your Survival Needs, and 3. Improvise. "A car has a ton of improvising equipment. For instance, a mirror can be ripped off as a signaling device. Seats cushions can be cut up for insulation. A spare tire can be burned as a smoke signal, but only if you know the search-and-rescue teams are close." Tom Stienstra in the San Francisco Chronicle.

The Denver Fly Fishing Show, which begins Friday, promises to remind attendees that the snow won't last forever. "This week's show at the Pavilion Building of the Denver Merchandise Mart serves up equal parts fact and fancy. The show basics include seminars and demonstrations from national and local experts covering every aspect of the fly sport." Charlie Meyers gives details in the Denver Post.

The Denver Fly Fishing Show runs January 5-7 at the Denver Merchandise Mart. The Denver Show, one of ten put on around the U.S., will be attended by a long list of "fly fishing celebrities," including A.K. Best, Simon Gawesworth, Bob Jacklin and Barry Reynolds. If you plan on going, be sure to make time to see Denver Trout Unlimited's second fly fishing film festival and fundraiser to benefit youth fishing programs on January 4 at the Mile High Station.

Australian fly fishers competed in their National Fly Fishing Championship on Bundaleer Reservoir last week, and the top finisher -- who will go to New Zealand long with the rest of the top ten to compete in the World Championships -- was Vern Barby from Victoria.

A normal, living, breathing human inhabitant of the northern hemisphere greets mid-January with all the enthusiasm of a slug. The holidays are truly over, the wind is intolerable, and even avid fly tiers are counting the days until spring. But if you plan on being anywhere near San Francisco, California between January 11 and 14, you'll be in reach of a guaranteed mood-changer: the International Sportsmen's Exhibition in San Mateo, just south of the San Francisco airport. From the "Best-of-the-West" fly casting competition to a full schedule of presentations by fly fishing's luminaries, the ISE shows have a reputation for being great entertainment, and the San Mateo show is the most popular of them all.

Carl Hiassen once again proved that flly rods -- in the right hands -- can be more effective than bait. Hiassen won the 40th annual Islamorada All-Tackle Bonefish Tournament in Islamorada this past week, fishing with guide Tim Klein. "Hiaasen, a popular author and 'Miami Herald' columnist, scored 17 releases and four weight fish, all caught on fly. He added one more bonefish release, caught on bait. The only other angler to have won the grand champion award on fly was Tom Richardson in 1989." Carolina Bustamante on FishingWorld.com.

Given the good humor and trust that grace the annual One-Fly Tournament held by the Kennebec, Maine Chapter of Trout Unlimited, we vote it our favorite fall tournament of 2006. "For the serious fly fisherman, limiting yourself to a single fly is like playing 18 holes of golf with just one club." Dave Sherwood writes about the tournament and its light-hearted atmosphere, noting that although smallmouth bass -- common near the Shawmut Dam where this year's contest was held -- are given points, some consideration is being given to having them count against an angler's score. And we love the fact that if you lose your fly you just pay another $10 entrance fee and start all over.

Serge Thomas, a Ph.D. researcher in environmental science and an accomplished kayak fly fisherman, will be giving a free seminar on kayak fly fishing for bonefish, permit and tarpon at Florida Bay Outfitters in Key Largo, Florida on October 14. For more information visit his Web site or contact him via email.

Referred to by the local Irish press as "a stocky, ebullient American," Steve Rajeff placed first overall in the 2006 World Casting Championships held September 2-8 in Maynooth, County Kildare.

The numbers on Steve's performance:

Event 2- Fly Distance Single Handed- Men 5th Place Final (av.) 65.77 M (216 ft).
Event 6- Fly Distance Double Handed- Men 1st. Place Final (av.) (269 ft)
Event 8- Multiplier Acc. Men- 3rd. Place
All Around- Men 1st Place with a score of 1081.205

Here are the final results of the tournament in PDF format. You can also see results on the 2006 World Casting Championships site.

(Thanks to reader David Dalu for this story.)

For the third time in the past four years, the U.S. national team landed in the top ten at the World Championships, held this year in Portugal. "Czechoslovakia won the team title, followed by France, Spain and host Portugal. Pennsylvanian George Daniel paced the team with a fifth-place finish. Most members of the U.S. contingent fished split sessions, a strategy that provided added experience but disqualified them from the individual standings." From the Denver Post.

“'Fly? I can’t tell you, other than it’s a streamer, or maybe a nymph or a dry fly, perhaps,' intoned Tom McDermott of Denver, who winked and grinned yet nevertheless still refused to divulge the fly patterns he and partner Gary Christlieb were to use in during Saturday’s eight hours of competition." Tom McDermott and Gary Christlieb took high team honors at the annual Superfly in Colorado last weekend; turns out they used a black woolly bugger. The top individual performance came from Mike Beatty, who used -- believe it or not -- a pale morning dun and a blue-winged olive. Dave Buchanan in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.

Meanwhile in Wyoming, Peter Moyer showed that tradition has little place in a heated battle, choosing a San Juan Worm (which he trimmed into a midge on day two) to take the Jackson Hole One Fly. "In spite of his difficulties on Sunday, Moyer’s two-day total of 932 points lifted him over Dave Perkins of the NFWF Drifters for top amateur angler honors. Moyer’s bonanza also helped carry his team, The Boys, to the overall team title." Michael Pearlman in the Jackson Hole News & Guide.

Organizers are moving the dates to September 16-18 next year in order to try and accomodate the nornmally busy late summer schedules of retailers. "Attendance figures for this year's gathering put the number of exhibitors at 1,691, down from 1,882 the year before. And 958 buyers from 617 retail stores attended, which was a drop from 1,255 buyers from 711 stores in 2005." In the Denver Business Journal.

After you've read our wrap-up of the Fly Fishing Retailer show, you might want to slide over to Fly Fish Radio and hear their podcast on the show. It contains multiple good interviews with exhibitors, including folks like Jerry Siem, head rod designer for Sage.

Lisa Isles is a 17-year-old from England, Weston Reynolds a 15-year-old from western Virginia. You might think the only thing they have in common is trying to keep their grades up. But both are passionate about fly fishing and spent the past two weeks in Portugal showing their stuff at the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships.

"Lisa, 17, was the only girl to be selected for England last year and proved herself to be the number one young female angler. And this year, she took the coveted title once again – finishing 28th overall and top of the female category, as well as helping her team into sixth place."

For his part, "Weston was the only member of the U.S. team to catch at least one fish at each spot — he reeled in a total of 13 — not that he didn’t spend plenty of time worrying about it. 'My first day when I was on the bus my hands were shaking, I felt like I was going to throw up,' he said." Martin Cizmar on DNRonline.com.

Yesterday's press release from the Fly Fishing Retailer show held in Denver, Colorado last week notes that while attendance by fly shops and other retailers was down 23%, many manufacturers enjoyed an upswing in demand for their products.

"Compared to last year, the 2006 show was an overall smaller event. A total of 1,691 exhibitors made the trip to Denver this year, down from a total of 1,882 in 2005. According to preliminary attendance figures for 2006, 958 total buyers from 617 retail stores and shops attended FlyFishing Retailer. In 2005, 1255 buyers from 711 retail stores and shops attended the event. While many cited this year’s shift to earlier show dates as the principal reason for the downswing in attendance, most exhibitors reported a higher level of productivity when compared with last year’s show. 'It was one of the best shows we’ve ever had. We actually sold out of one of our new for 2007 products before the end of day two,' said Jim Bartschi, president of Scott Fly Rods."

Read the extended entry for the full press release.

American Angler magazine gave out its annual awards to standouts in the fly fishing business last week at the Fly Fishing Retailer show, distributing kudos based on a vote among manufacturers, distributors and sales reps. Their award for 2006 Retailer of the Year, given out at a posh coat-and-tie affair (!) at the Denver Athletic Club, went to Silver Creek Outfitters of Ketchum, Idaho. (Accepting were Jerry Eder and Dave James.) And of course they announced their awards given for what retailers think will be the best-selling products in four categories, which got American Angler's "KaChing!" award:

Freshwater -- Cliff’s Bugger Beast, Cliff Outdoors
Saltwater -- Scott X2s fly rods
Fly Tying -- Renzetti Presentation 2000
Softgoods -- Sage Skagit River Softshell Jacket

Meanwhile Orvis and Saltwater Fly Fishing magazine hosted a "Casting Cup" during the early mornings of the show, and the winners of the $3,750 prizes for charity were:

Men -- Jeff Wagner
Women -- Rachel Finn

"In a letter sent last week to athletes and other participants, ESPN Outdoors officials said it is 'shifting its focus and will concentrate its energies and resources on B.A.S.S. and the Saturday Outdoors programming block.'" Alan Clemons in the Hunstville, Alabana Times

"Most teams carried a number of alternates. Along with the shrink and the trainer, the French team - which finished first - had three alternates and five spotters to take notes and provide advice for their team." An article about Todd Oishi, Canadian national fly fishing champion, discloses some interesting detail on how the Europeans take the fly fishing world championships so much more seriously than the U.S. does. Michael Matsumaru in the Maple Ridge News.

Weak tides and a lack of almost any wind made fishing frustrating for most of the participants in last week's Del Brown Invitational Permit Tournament in Key West, Florida. Angler Warren Hinrichs did catch 3 fish to take top honors, but only two other anglers caught a fish in the 3-day event. "Hinrich’s catches included a 30-incher that was the tournament’s single largest permit. The fish was three inches longer than the one that earned him the largest fish award in the 2005 tournament." Carolina Bustamante on FishingWorld.com.

Canadian National Flyfishing Championships competitor Mark Anderson writes about his somewhat accidental achievements and inevitable return to reality in the Ottawa Citizen. His storyline includes mention of the Coral Booby, which achieves secret killer fly status during the tourneys -- deservedly so, from the looks of the picture.

The last of the big three tarpon fly fishing tournaments in the Florida Keys ended Friday. The top three finishers:

1. Angler Tim Mahaffey fishing with guide Rick Murphy. They caught 5 weight fish -- including a 155-pounder -- and released 11 total.
2. Angler Charles Duncan with guide Rob Fordyce.
3. Angler Andy Mill with guide Tim Hoover.

While wife Chris Evert cruised the Greek Isles with the elder Bushes, Andy Mill added the Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament to his list of impressive fly fishing tournament wins. It was the first time Mill has one the Hawley -- which, by the way, was the first big tarpon fly tournament to promote release fishing -- even though he has won both the Gold Cup and Golden Fly 5 times each. As has happened in the past, Mill and guide Paul Tejera staged a come-from-behind win on the last day. "Mill said he was out of practice using 12-pound tippet and wasn't 'sticking them hard enough' when the Megalops atlanticus took the fly. 'They all just flopped off the hook,' he said." John Geiger on Keynoter.com. (Thanks to reader David Dalu for this link.)

Bret Bishop, Mike Sexton, and Josh Stevens were the top three finishers in the first national competition designed to pick the members of the U.S. National Fly Fishing team. The competition finished yesterday in Boulder, Colorado, with Bishop staging a come-from-behind victory by catching five fish in Lily Lake on the last day.

For the first time, the U.S. national fly fishing team, which will compete in Portugal in August, will be formed from the winners of a national competition. "The U.S. has been fielding a team since 1981, but up until now the national team was chosen rather than forged from a competition. Other than the 15 members of last year's U.S. team, anglers qualified for nationals at various regionals around the country this spring." The event starts today in Boulder, Colorado and runs through Sunday. Chris Shelton of the Scripps Howard News Service.

MidCurrent contributor and casting instructor David Lambert reminded us today that the annual Jacksonville (Florida) Kayak Fishing Classic -- which includes a fly fishing division -- is coming up on May 19 and 20. "All proceeds go to the St Johns Riverkeeper and Daniel Memorial (for kids and families). The kayak world has rallied behind this. The sponsor list is inspiring -- Old Town, Wilderness Systems, Hobie, Perception, Carlisle, TFO, Shimano, Lowrance, Daiwa, and literally hundreds more companies. We're giving away 16 kayaks to best catches - good ones, too. It's a CPR event -- catch, photo, release."

From June 1 to June 4, Boulder, Colorado will host the final competition for selecting the U.S. national fly fishing team, which will compete in Portugal at the World Fly Fishing Championships. "The 2006 National Championships program will host 9 US teams including existing Team USA members and 1 to 3 international teams which translates into 45 to 60 contestants. They will compete over a three day period in 5 different fishing locations."

In 1988, Del Brown, Don Holland and I were crossing the five-mile-wide Boca Grande channel between the Marquesas and Boca Grande Key west of Key West when we were caught in a squall line. The wind increased from 10 to 45 knots in 30 seconds, and we found ourselves struggling to stay afloat and unable to risk moving 3 feet to grab the life preservers. An hour and a half later we reached the far side, and I asked how they both were doing. Del, who had been falling asleep (!) during the last mile, said only "Nice job, captain." Don, who was still more than little alert, said, "I'm fine, but the comradery is getting a little thin."

Comradery, indeed, is what is left when you distill the essence of many days on the water. That's why events like the annual Poontangle in Big Pine Key, Florida, deserve special mention. As host Bob Brown, a former university professor (38 years) and sailing author turned Keys landmark puts it: "Friday is the official 'happy hour,' but folks get happy before that. Jim Johnson's wife makes what her husband calls Roadkill Stew. It doesn't sound like a summer happy hour dish, but it is scarfed up by the gallon. Saturday is 'Tarpon Saturday.' The yankees come in first, burned to a crisp, and others come in red faced a little later." If you want to attend, though, you will need to make reservations by May 20 at www.aoot.com/poontangle.

Touted as the world's largest event for spey casters, the 2006 Sandy River Spey Clave will be held May 13 and 14 at Oxbow Regional Park, east of Gresham, Oregon. Among those on the program: Steve Rajeff, Andy Murray, and Simon Gawesworth. Mike Stahlberg in the Eugene Register-Guard.

Jim Gunderson threw a 5-weight fly line 120 feet, nine inches to beat second-place finisher Steve Rajeff by seven inches at the "Best of the West" competition held on March 19 in Salt Lake City, Utah. "World champion caster Steve Rajeff was next and passed on a practice cast of 119 feet 10 inches, needing as many casts as possible to best Gunderson's mark. Rajeff's next two casts, 111 feet 0 inches and 118 feet 8 inches were also short of the winning distance." On the International Sportsmen's Exposition Web site.

Those who competed in the Jackson Hole One Fly tournament might consider it cheating, but contestants in the annual Ausable River event are allowed two flies. "To be successful, contestants have to be skilled enough to read the water, figure out what (if anything) is hatching, and then go on to land and release as many fish as they possibly can before they lose the pair of flies they pick to fish with." Robert Streeter in the Albany, New York Times Union.

The first Merkin Madness Permit Invitational Tournament was held last week in Key West, Florida, with angler Jon Ain and guide Doug Kilpatrick taking first place with two permit caught. (Guide Mike Guerin and angler Moe Slaton came in second, and Mike told me that their two fish were "only an inch or so short.")

Other than a politically correct definition of 'merkin,' John Geiger's article in the Florida Keys Keynoter offers the first accurate detail in print of the development of Del Brown's killer permit fly. "Then Brown saw Isley's deer-hair crab fly that had little dumbbells for eyes, which made the fly sink just like a real crab does to get out of harm's way. But Brown couldn't spin deer hair on a hook if his life depended on it. Instead, Brown figured yarn would work just as well." (Thanks to reader David Dalu for this link.)

90 minutes is all you get to prove you have the speed, dexterity, and knowledge to be the best at this annual competition in Wilmington, Massachusetts. "'Oh, there is definitely some tension involved here,' said fly tier Richard O'Donnell of Derry, N.H. 'You're going up against people who are just as good as you or better." Tim Wacker in the Boston Globe.

Nothing could be worse on opening day than standing in line on a Missouri dam and discovering that the guy next to you is wearing the same dress ...err waders ... that you purchased at the local fly shop the day before. Is it time for a fly fishing apparel registry?

"'You have people coming here for years, knowing that it's going to be crowded and that it might not be a day for serious fishing,' [Bennett Spring State Park hatchery manager Mike Mitchell] said. 'It's more like opening day of baseball season.'" Tom Vaughn in The New York Times.

The annual fiberglass-and-gadget fest that is the Miami Boat Show opens today, and the theme of most seminars and displays is, predictably, fishing. "Besides filling the marina slips, showrooms, parking lots and patios of the Miami Beach Convention Center; Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center; and Miamarina at Bayside with more than 3,000 boats, the show is a prime showcase for new innovations in fishing tackle, electronics and techniques." Susan Cocking in The Miami Herald.

The Championship will be held at Rotorua on New Zealand's north island, according to Friday's press release. "Jill Mandeno, president of Sport Fly Fishing NZ (SFFNZ) announced on Friday, February 10, that New Zealand had been awarded the rights to host fly fishing’s 2008 World Championship and Conservation Symposium by the sport’s governing body - the Federation Internationale de Pecheur Sportif-Mouche (FIPS-Mouche)."

The first Stu Apte Stu Fly Fishing Sailfish Tournament will be held this week at Golfito Sailfish Ranch in Costa Rica.

Less biorhythmic than circumstantial, late winter, more than any other time of year, is associated with the peak of the fly tying frenzy. Ed Dentry notes that the perfect opportunity to feed the beast occurs at the annual International Sportsmen's Exposition in Denver, which this year features several great tiers tying their favorite flies, "[f]rom the salt-water flies of Coloradan Pete Parker to ants tied by Jack Dennis and a realistic mouse by Don Ordes, of Fantasy Fly Co. in Casper." In the Rocky Mountain News.

"Over the years, I've watched everything from Lefty Kreh's fly casting demonstrations at the International Fly Fishing Expo in Wilmington, Mass., to demonstrations of hero casts with huge saltwater flies at the Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough." John Corrigan names all of the top fly fishing shows coming to New England this spring. In the Concord (New Hampshire) Monitor.

This year's International Sportsmen's Exposition in San Mateo, California boasts some big names and a variety of interesting presentations. Among those on the schedule: Jack Dennis on "The Best Spots to Fish Before You Die," Mike Lawson on "Spring Creeks & Tailwaters," and Gary Borger on "Really Matching the Hatch."

"Some samples, from The Fly Show's exhaustive assemblage: 'Fly Fishing the Tail Waters,' by Ed Engle, Colorado Springs resident and field editor of Fly Fisherman magazine; 'Fly Fishing the Four Seasons of Colorado,' by Brad Befus, of Montrose, author and professional fly tier; and 'Matching the Naturals,' with fly- tying virtuoso and author A.K. Best, of Boulder." Ed Engle tells why the January Fly Show in Denver — starting this year on January 6 — continues to capture the interest of western U.S. fly fishers. In the Rocky Mountain News.

O.K., all you masters of piscatorial bombast and the 100% dragless presentation, Fly Fishing Team USA hosts the first of three regional tryouts for the 2006 U.S. international team Oct. 29-30 near Fresno, California. Among other things they are looking for that "competitive, never-give-up team attitude."

It will probably also help if you know Czech nymphing.

Wally Zimmer in the Jackson Hole, Wyoming Star Tribune.

The most impressive thing about the results of this past weekend's Mercury Southernmost Light-Tackle Anglers Masters was the number of permit seen. "[Tournament director Gary] Ellis said teams reported schools of up to 100 permit roving the flats. Bill Cullen caught and released six. Two anglers on Capt. Tom Roland's skiff caught eight between them." John Geiger in the Florida Keys Keynoter. (Thanks to reader David Dalu for this link.)

This third annual Ennis, Montana event brings Ted Leeson, Dick Greene, Ken Morish, Scott Sanchez, Kelly Galloup, Greg Thomas and Bob and Cezanne Alexander to the Madison river for 4 days of presentations and instruction starting September 1. See the offical Web site at www.ennisflyfishing.com for more info.

Team France was the clear winner in the 25th Annual FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships which wrapped up in Lycksele, Sweden yesterday. The competition saw 21 teams competing on the Juktan, Logde and Rodingtrask rivers. Frenchman Bertrand Jacquemin also won the individual championship. The top three finishers for the U.S.: Pete Erickson (34th), Ryan Barnes (64th), and Jim Hickey (71st). You can find all of the team and individual results on the French International Federation of Sport Fly Fishing Web site (click on "News").

From this page on the Federation of Fly Fishers site you can get all the details about this year's conclave, which runs from August 10 to 13 in Livingston, Montana. According to the site, "The focus on two handed casting and spey casting will continue this year. Those presenting casting workshops include Mel Krieger, Bruce Richards, Tom White, Maggie Merriman, McCauley Lord, and Joan Wulff and Floyd Franke. The very popular double haul for dummies with Rhea Topping is also back."

The European Fishing Tackle Trade Association's EFTTEW show starts tomorrow in Warsaw, Poland. According to the EFTTA's Web site, "EFTTEX regularly attracts visitors from over 40 countries including Japan, Argentina, Russia and Australia in addition to those visitors from Europe."

As is more and more common in these days of Internet socializing, the Psycho Fly Fishers of the Southern Fly Fishers Forum get together twice a year to put faces and usernames together. "In fact, the fishing, the food, the friends and the fun were so good that the weather couldn't dampen the enthusiasm. Three days of twice-a-day thunderstorms turned the camp site into a muddy quagmire. Four-wheel drive vehicles got stuck trying to pull out two-wheel drive cars sunk to the hubcaps in slop. Folks took to wearing their boots and waders from dawn to bedtime." Dan Genest in the Richmond (Virginia) Times-Dispatch.

Of course these types of conclaves aren't limited to freshwater get-togethers. One of the most popular saltwater gatherings is the Poontangle in the lower Florida Keys — hosted by Jim "JJ_BPK" Johnson and Buttonwood Bob (Bob Brown) — where lots of old and new friends toast tarpon fishing and comraderie for 2 days every early summer.

As anyone who has fished long and hard for permit can tell you, it's not all that unusual to have to endure a long dry spell. Three fish in 48 fishing days qualifies as a "dry spell," I think, and unfortunately it happened for the anglers and guides in this year's Del Brown Tournament, held last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Key West, Florida.

As MidCurrent readers and participants Captain Mike Guerin and angler Warren Hinrichs reported, the water was cold, the light was poor and a cold front added to the challenge.

Capt. Guerin: "Wednesday of the tournament was one of the three most ludicrously foolish days I have ever spent fishing.... Water temp at 64, full cloudcover and blowing 20-30mph. Had only(surprised to get those) 3 shots all day and the fish looked strange in their black neoprene suits."

Warren Hinrichs: "Of course Simon [Becker] and Steve Dunn caught a fish! No surprise there. Andy Mill and Dustin Huff caught two permit to win the tournament. No surprise there either. We ended up with runner-up...again...and we caught the largest fish of the tournament. Good fish karma in difficult conditions. The tournament will be moved to July per a vote by the group."

The 24th annual World Fly Fishing Championships took place in Slovakia last week, and the top U.S. angler was Pete Erickson. "'The American Team has reached a long sought after respect amongst the European nations who typically dominate these annual championships,' wrote team manager Jack Dennis in a press release, pointing to Team USA's two consecutive top-10 finishes at the World Championships. 'The Americans are now recognized as legitimate competitors and can no longer be written off as insignificant.'" Michael Pearlman in the Jackson Hole News & Guide.

Here's an interesting history of the One Fly on the nonprofit site of the same name. If you happen to know any or all of the characters who've been involved in this contest, it's quite entertaining to read the past results. The rules: (1) Pick a single fly. (2) Catch the most fish and the biggest fish you can with your fly over the course of 2 days. (3) Don?t lose your fly. The 2004 One Fly is September 9-12.

The annual Ennis Fly Fishing Festival brings 5 days of fly fishing, conservation, art, sculpture and photography to this epicenter of Madison Valley fishing. 3M's Bruce Richards will be there, as will Brian O'Keefe, Bruce Richards, Bob Jacklin, Kelly Galloup, Scott Sanchez, Troy Letherman, Jim Klug, Greg Thomas and Bruce Chard.

MidCurrent isn't normally feverish about tracking tournament results, but Diana Rudolph qualified as something of a phenom by being the first woman to win the classic Don Hawley Tarpon Tournament last week. Now she has extended her dominance of the Scientific Anglers/Florida Keys Outfitters Women's World Invitational Fly Championship in Islamorada. In a sport with a superabundance of male iconography I'm secretly hoping for heroine status for Ms. Rudolph. (Thanks to reader David Dalu for this link.)

If you didn't catch it last week, Diana Rudolph was the first female to win the prestigious Don Hawley Tarpon Tournament in the Florida Keys. (Don Hawley started the Islamorada Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament in 1964 with Ted Williams, Jimmie Albright and others.) This article by John Geiger talks more about Ms. Rudolph and her accomplishments. (Thanks to reader Dave Dalu for these links.)

Undoubtedly there are more experts in fly fishing than any other avocation. The good news is that in any human endeavor where the cognoscenti make up the majority, the humble are the elite (witness Bruce Richards, Lefty Kreh, Mike Lawson, Craig Mathews et al.). As Willy Wonka said, "You should never, never doubt what nobody is sure about."

Loosely translated, the "sportsman's death." That's what the Club de Yates de Veracruz will apparently give Xavier Molina, who falsified his recent 6-lb. tarpon record. The reason: "To impress a woman." According to Mr. Molina's confession, the fish was actually caught more than 300 km away and on conventional tackle.

The Fly Fishing World Championships were just finished in Jaca, Spain. Apprently Jeff Currier of Jackson Wyoming (manager of Jack Dennis Fly Shop) won the Individual Bronze. The US team tied with Poland for 7th place.