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.

Continue reading "Costa Del Mar Hosts Teva Fly Fishing Competition" »

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.)

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Continue reading "New Zealand Hosts World Fly Fishing Championships and National Tying Competition This Sunday" »

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

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

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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.

Continue reading "Abel Tournament Winner Gives Reel to His Captain" »

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"'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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Continue reading "2007 FlyFishing Retailer Show Attendance Up" »

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"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.

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

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

“'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.

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

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

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

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 9:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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.

Continue reading "Chicago Angler Wins Abel "On Your Honor" Tarpon Tournament" »

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

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

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Continue reading "Cloudveil Sponsors U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Team" »

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.)

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"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."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

"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."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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.)

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

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.

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

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."

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

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."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.)

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

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

"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

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Continue reading "American Angler to Host Maine Workshops" »

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"'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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 5:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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.

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

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.

Continue reading "Abel Announces "On Your Honor" Tarpon Tournament" »

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"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.

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

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."

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

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

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/.

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

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 6:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

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

"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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Marshall Cutchin at 7:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

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

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.

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

As we mentioned back in December ("