Written by: Matt J. Libby, Libby Camps
What do you say about growing up with a living legend? I say that a little in jest, but it’s true. Orvis lifetime achievement award, Legendary Maine Guide Award, Maine Tourism Hall of Fame . . .
The post A Father’s Legacy in the Remote Maine Woods appeared first on Orvis News.
One of the great things about fly fishing is that you never stop learning. No matter how long you’ve been at it, there is always another technique, style, or fishery to explore. Every day, we offer tips . . .
The post 10 Tips That Will Make You a Better Fly Fisher appeared first on Orvis News.
This film from Roundhouse features great shots of saltwater fly fishing.
Written by: Nick Roberts, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust
Orvis CEO Perk Perkins caught and released bonefish BAP3435 while fishing last week with Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Bahamas Initiative Manager Justin Lewis. This fish was tagged on . . .
The post Photos: Bahamas Bonefish Recapture appeared first on Orvis News.
Written by: Kip Vieth, Wildwood Float Trips
Last year, The Orvis Company launched 50/50 on the Water, an aggressive initiative to introduce more women to the sport we love and to promote those already making a mark in the fly . . .
The post 11 Questions with Geri Meyer of Driftless Angler appeared first on Orvis News.
When fish are coming to the surface but won't touch your dun patterns, it's time to try an emerger, and this easy-to-tie pattern has all the attributes you look for in an emerger imitation: it sits. . .
The post Video: How to Tie the Sulphur Breadline Emerger appeared first on Orvis News.
Father's Day is fast approaching, so we're celebrating dads in the outdoors with a great photo contest on Instagram and Facebook. If you've got a great image of a dad enjoying the outdoors . . .
The post Win a Helios 3 Fly Rod in Our #DadOutdoors Photo Contest! appeared first on Orvis News.
In this short film from Todd Moen of Catch Magazine, he joins Brian O’Keefe for a late spring tour of remote trout and bass water in the high desert of Oregon.
Wrapping a single strand of, say, chenille on a hook to create a fly body can be frustrating enough, if the wraps don't touch or the body comes out lumpy and uneven. When you add the . . .
The post Video: How to Wrap Multi-Strand Materials on the Hook appeared first on Orvis News.
On this week’s podcast my guest is RA Beattie of Beattie Productions/Off the Grid Studios. You have no doubt seen some of his wonderful films, or perhaps you have enjoyed his latest venture. . .
The post Podcast: Tips for Taking Great Fishing Photographs, with RA Beattie appeared first on Orvis News.
Boise will be the host city for the 2018 Fly –Fisher’s International Fly Fishing Fair set to be held Aug.7-11, 2018. The event will feature a FishFest with presentations and demonstrations, as well as a Youth Camp and Learning Center.
Read more in the press release below.
Boise to Host World’s Fly Fishers at Fly Fishers International Fair
BOISE, Idaho – Thousands of the world’s fly-fishers – from first-timers to seasoned professionals – will turn their eyes to the Boise Centre for Fly Fishers International’s 2018 Fly Fishing Fair and FishFest, Aug.7-11.
Registration for the Fair and FishFest opens June 6, announced Len Zickler, President and CEO of the worldwide conservation/education organization.
The conglomeration of events includes FishFest, some 75 fly-fishing or fly-tying workshops, the Fly Fishers International Learning Center and two-day Youth Camp, announced Zickler.
The 2018 Learning Center program Aug. 7-11 includes a four-day potpourri of workshops “designed to develop and improve skills and knowledge in the areas of tying, casting, fly fishing and conservation,” said Zickler.
“FFI’s Women Connect Group will host a three-day beginner’s tying workshop, a three-day intermediate tying workshop and a three-day fly fishing workshop. The tying and casting workshops are vast – both in number and variety. Whether a beginner, an expert caster, looking to achieve certification, a professional tier interested in earning the Fly Tying Group Bronze Award or virtually anywhere in between, you are guaranteed to find something of interest to you with on-stream casting and fishing courses or the multitude of non-angling workshops with options to explore the area, learn about local issues or explore a craft,” he said.
FishFest, scheduled Aug. 9-11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., will feature fly-fishing celebrities, authors, manufacturers, destinations and a casting pond in the 80,000-square foot facility. Demonstrations and presentations are scheduled by Dr. Gary Borger, Dave Whitlock and Brian O’Keefe along with tackle from Orvis, Patagonia, RIO Products, Sage, Scientific Anglers and Simms as well as Idaho-area fly shops, guides, lodges and artists.
Youth activities during FishFest include casting, tying, fish and insect identification.
Fly-tiers from throughout the United States will demonstrate patterns for fresh- and saltwater fish in one-on-one and hands-on demonstrations of the craft.
Admission to FishFest and all associated activities are free with advance Fair registration or day pass entry. Day passes are $10 with entry free for children 11 and under. Advance Fair registration, including sponsor swag and an access to all Fair activities, is $35 per person or $45 for a family.
Youth Camp is slated for Aug. 9-10. Designed for ages 8-17, it offers a wide variety of angling and aquatic education topics including entomology, fly tying, equipment and accessories, explanation of the balanced system, angler ethics, fishing safety, abeyance of regulations, catch-and-release, fly casting and fishing.
The class will qualify a Boy Scout towards the Fly Fishing Merit Badge with a letter sent to the participant’s Scout Master with the items that were accomplished.
Youth Camp is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a noon lunch break.
In a report from the Fly Fishers International Learning Center, the Education Committee reached its goal and delivered in excess of 30 educational offerings to the fly fishing community online.
“Fair-goers will have the opportunity to experience these offerings first-hand and are encouraged to share their experience when they return home. The offerings were designed to allow members, clubs and councils to deliver these courses in their home location. The Learning Center’s four focus areas include Fly Tying, Fly Casting, Fly Fishing Skills and Conservation. “Individuals may pick and choose topics of interest, build a new program for others, or augment an existing program. It is through education that the Learning Center provides opportunities that offer inspiration, create stewardship, and promote healthy and diverse fisheries that offer recreation and sustain ecological function that can be enjoyed for generations to come, concluded Zickler.
Information on the Fly Fishing Fair, FishFest, Youth Camp and Learning Center is at flyfishersinternational.org or Fly Fishers International, (406) 222-9369.
Fly Fishers International (FFI)
5237 US Highway 89 South – Suite 11
Livingston, MT 59047
Attn: Rhonda Sellers
(406) 222-9369
operatiofishersinternational.org
Costa has announced a partnership with Bureo to turn discarded fishing nets into quality sunglass frames as part of its new “Untangled Collection.”
Read more in the press release below.
Costa Sunglasses Partners with Bureo to Recycle Discarded Fishing Nets Into High-Performance Sunglass Frames
Costa Sunglasses, the leader in world-class performance sunglasses and the initiator of the growing Kick Plastic campaign, is helping to bring positive solutions to the growing issue of ocean plastic pollution through its new Untangled Collection—a collection of frames made entirely from recycled fishing nets.
The brand is partnering with Bureo, the pioneer in recycled fishnet products, to turn discarded fishing nets into quality sunglass frames. Identified as the most harmful form of ocean plastic, discarded fishing nets and gear account for ten percent of ocean plastic pollution, which grows by an estimated 640,000 tons every year. The new collection will be available at retailers nationwide and online in late May.
“Healthy oceans have always been a crucial part of our core mission at Costa,” said Holly Rush, CEO, Costa Sunglasses. “The Untangled Collection is helping to raise awareness and provide a solution to keep discarded fishing nets from being lost in our oceans each year. Through this important program, we will also help Bureo scale and replicate its net collection program to a growing number of fishing communities.”
The collection will include four new frame styles made from 100 percent recycled fishing nets, each featuring mineral glass polarized lenses, recycled aluminum Costa logos, PLUSfoam recyclable temple and nose pads, and a unique tumbled finish. The Untangled Collection includes two male/unisex styles, Pescador and Baffin; and two female styles, Victoria and Caldera. All styles feature Costa’s patented 580 Lightwave® Glass lenses, providing 100 percent UV protection and polarization to offer the clearest lenses on the planet. The Costa 580® color-enhancing lens technology selectively filters out harsh yellow light for superior contrast and definition and absorbs high-energy blue light to cut haze and enhance sharpness. In addition, Costa’s lens technology reduces glare and eye fatigue.
“Aligning with partners that really want to support us and expand our mission is how we’ve grown over the past five years,” said David Stover, CEO and co-founder of Bureo. “Working with Costa to develop the Untangled Collection is another step in the right direction—not only for us, but for the replication of solutions to secure a healthy future for our ocean and its ecosystems.”
Bureo’s Net+Positiva recycling program is working to prevent fishing net pollution by partnering directly with fishermen to collect back discarded nets at their end of life and providing funds to local communities for every pound of fishing net collected. This in turn creates value in the discarded material, to generate a net positive impact for this once harmful material. Costa’s Untangled Collection supports Bureo’s ongoing efforts where they have collected more than 220,000 pounds of discarded fishing nets to date.
Once collected, the discarded fishing nets are washed and prepared for a mechanical recycling process. Within this process, they are shredded and fed through a pelletizer where they are melted and cut into small recycled pellets. These pellets are then injected into steel molds to form products, which most recently includes Costa’s Untangled Collection.
“Nets lost at sea are four times more harmful than all other forms of ocean plastic pollution combined,” added Rush. “This new collection is a positive step towards untangling our oceans and creating awareness for the dangers our oceans are facing.”
The Untangled Collection retails from $199 to $269.
Most anglers know that the transition from trout fishing to casting for saltwater or big-game species can be fraught with peril. The deaded "trout strike" has resulted in the loss of countless tarpon, . . .
The post Video Pro Tip: Be Ready to Strip Strike! appeared first on Orvis News.
Tying on a dropper when you're on the water can be a real pain for some anglers, as Steve Moore says of this video: "Tiny tippet, big fingers and small hooks all conspire to make this aspect of . . .
The post Video Pro Tip: An Easy Trick to Tie on a Dropper Fly appeared first on Orvis News.
The post Friday Fly-Fishing Film Festival 05.25.18 appeared first on Orvis News.
RIO has announced the winner of their second annual Amateur Fly Fishing Film Awards. Meris McHaney took away the grand prize for 2018 with her film “Lucky.”
Read more in the press release below.
RIO Amateur Fly Fishing Film Award Winner Announced
IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO (May 23, 2018) – RIO Products celebrates amateur film makers in the fly fishing arena with its second annual RIO Amateur Fly Fishing Film Awards. With many great films submitted for year two, Meris McHaney took away the grand prize for 2018 with her film “Lucky.”
McHaney wins an all-expenses paid trip to Idaho Falls to fish for three days with the RIO team, $300 value of RIO products, a $500 cash prize, and a “short film” category entry in the International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4) – courtesy of our media partner Fly Fusion magazine. The runner-up, “Matapedia” receives $500 worth of their choice of RIO Products.
Meris said, “I created this film to capture the passion I have for fly fishing and wanted to show people how beautiful the Texas Coast is and how the sport brought me closer with my dad. I’m so fortunate to get to sight cast to fish so close to home and I felt like the story I’ve had with fly fishing needed to be shared. I’m so thankful RIO hosts such a great competition for amateur filmmakers. The whole company has been so amazing and all the buzz from the film is very exciting. I can’t wait to get to Idaho to fish with the RIO crew and get some great gear; I’m so lucky they believed in me and my story.”
The Viewer’s Choice Award saw a tie between Ken Tanaka with “Obsession” and Mike Silva with “A Fish-mas Story”. They both receive $1,000 worth of Sage, RIO and Redington products, and the runner up will receive $500 worth of RIO products of their choice. See all submissions here.
About RIO Products:
RIO is a pioneer in developing fly lines, leaders and tippet material to enhance fly fishing experiences across the globe. Offering premium fly lines for both freshwater and saltwater fishing applications, RIO consistently utilizes field experience and scientific testing to create the best products on the market for anglers. Founded 20 years ago in the mountains of Idaho, RIO continues to develop innovative products, design revolutionary tapers and refine performance-driven fly line technologies. For more information about RIO Products, please visit www.rioproducts.com. Connect with us through Facebook, Instagram, and Vimeo.
Written by: Doug Casey, Montana Angler Fly Fishing
The annual salmonfly hatch on Montana’s Madison River is one of fly fishing’s most storied and anticipated events. Salmonfly time is hands-down your best shot at landing a true trophy trout. . .
The post Pro Tips: 5 Keys to Fishing the Salmonfly Hatch on the Madison appeared first on Orvis News.
Off the Grid Studios, in conjunction with Orvis, has announced the first public release of the fly fishing film “Corazón.” To mark the occasion, Off the Grid Studios will make the three films in “The Scorpion Trilogy” available to view freely online at various dates through the month of May.
Read more in the press release below.
Off the Grid Studios Launches The Scorpion Trilogy: “Scorpion Expedition,” “Frontera Norte” and “Corazón”
All three films in the trilogy will be available to view for free online for a limited time
BEND, Oregon (May 1, 2018) — Throughout the month of May 2018, Off the Grid Studios, in conjunction with The Orvis Company, will be celebrating the first public release of the fly fishing film “Corazón.” To honor the release, Off the Grid Studios will engage in a month-long campaign focused on each of the three films in “The Scorpion Trilogy” — a collection of fly fishing movies roughly six years in the making.
The Scorpion Trilogy started in 2012 when an expedition to Scorpion Reef in the Gulf of Mexico was documented. This documentary-style film journey brought together fly anglers from the United States and Mexico to explore one of the most remote atolls in the Gulf. On behalf of The Orvis Company, the full-length film, “Scorpion Expedition,” will be released free to the public on May 9 for 48 hours on Amazon and Vimeo.
Following “Scorpion Expedition,” the crew members embarked on another trip into the remote wilderness — this time to a hyper-remote Alaskan river. In the film, “Frontera Norte,” the Mexican national known throughout the angling world as “Sandflea” emerges as one of the central figures in the series with his notable and hilarious commentary about the dramatic northern adventure. This film will be released to the public for free on May 16 for 48 hours on Amazon and Vimeo.
On May 23 the final installment of the trilogy, “Corazón,” will be released for the first time to the public for free for 48 hours on Amazon and Vimeo. “Corazón” follows Mike Dawes from Jackson, Wyoming, to Sandflea’s island home in Holbox, Mexico. It’s here that viewers are granted a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life and friendship of an American pro angler and a Mexican fly fishing guide who became brothers united by a shared passion for the water.
The Scorpion Trilogy is sure to delight anglers from around the world with its cinematography, world-class fly fishing footage, dynamic storytelling, and humor. It provides a special look into some of the most remote and untouched natural places on the planet and reminds us that we all have more in common than we might think.
About Off the Grid Studios:
Off the Grid Studios is a network of talented people from around the world who take the creative process from concept to fruition. From content creation to marketing, the Off the Grid Studios team has been delivering creative storytelling for more than a decade.
For more information about Off the Grid Studios, please visit their website and follow Off the Grid Studios on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Contact:
RA Beattie
ra@beattieproductions.com
Todd Moen of Catch Magazine has pulled another great video from the vault and posted it on Youtube. As usual, this one stars Brian O'Keefe, who catches some fine trout, bass, and carp in a . . .
The post Video: “Airstreamer” by Todd Moen appeared first on Orvis News.
It's sulfur time on the Battenkill, as well as on waters across the country. One of the venerable patterns for matching these hatches is the Light Cahill. Historians don't seem to agree about whether the pattern was . . .
The post Video: How to Tie the Extended-Body Light Cahill appeared first on Orvis News.
Today's the day: the fly fishing film “Corazón”--the final of three films that make up “The Scorpion Trilogy”--is showing for FREE on Amazon (for Prime members) and on Vimeo using the . . .
The post Watch “Corazón” for FREE for the Next 48 Hours appeared first on Orvis News.
Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions has been taking a little break from his fly-tying videos to focus on knot demonstrations. (Last week, he focused on the 3-in-1 Uni Knot.) Here, he shows you how . . .
The post Video: How to Tie a Simple Non-slip Loop Knot appeared first on Orvis News.
We have posted hundreds of fly-tying videos over the years, and one of the problems with this format is that posts fall off the front page pretty quickly. If you want to see them again or find . . .
The post Tuesday Tips: Covering the Sulfur Hatch, Top to Bottom appeared first on Orvis News.
Over the past few weeks, we've posting a great new video series called "Getting Started in Fly Fishing," from Brian Flechsig of Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio. In this episode, . . .
The post Video Pro Tips: Understanding Different Kinds of Flies appeared first on Orvis News.
When a recipe calls for a hook of a specific size, how is that size determined? As Tim explains, this is a question without a clear answer, as there is no industry standard. What is consistent, though, . . .
The post Video: Understanding Hook Sizes appeared first on Orvis News.
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and The Nature Conservancy have announced a new partnership to better serve disabled veterans. The collaboration will launch this August with a three day retreat and program at the and The Nature Conservancy’s Pine Butte Preserve outside Choteau, Montana.
Read more in the press release below.
United by Nature: New Partnership to Serve Nation’s Veterans Announced
LAPLATA, MD —Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. and The Nature Conservancy are partnering to further the recovery of injured and disabled veterans.
This collaboration will launch with a program at The Nature Conservancy’s Pine Butte Preserve outside Choteau, Montana, with the purpose of providing eight disabled veterans with conservation-oriented educational and angling opportunities during a three-day retreat in August.
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities, including education and outings. Many PHWFF veteran participants are new to the sport of fly fishing – a sport traditionally instilled with a natural conservation ethos – which is where The Nature Conservancy will play a role.
The Conservancy supports a diverse range of programs globally to further conservation, protection, sustainable management and appreciation of nature in urban, suburban, rural and wild places, and has a long history of working with military communities in places like Fort Bragg inNorth Carolina and Camp Ripley in Little Falls, Minnesota.
The Conservancy owns and protects two million acres of land in the U.S., and the two organizations found a great fit in each other’s missions.
“Nature provides for us in so many ways, from food and water to energy and livelihoods. Our mission to conserve lands and waters stems from all of this, but also from the hope and sense of belonging it brings people. As a veteran, I’m grateful for partnerships like this that provide immersive learning opportunities, connect new audiences with conservation and demonstrate nature’s invaluable, restorative power,” said Brian McPeek, Chief Conservation Officer for the Conservancy.
PHWFF began in 2005 serving wounded military service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since then, PHWFF has expanded nationwide, establishing its highly successful program in Department of Defense hospitals, Warrior Transition Units, and Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and clinics.
“By learning the sport, we’ve seen participants immerse themselves in environmental education and stewardship of our rivers and streams,” said David Folkerts, Chief Operations Officer for PHWFF. “Their exposure to and involvement with the educational work and natural places of The Nature Conservancy will play a key-role in their development as anglers while simultaneously furthering their journey to recovery.”
Contact
Daniel Morgan, 301-830-6450
daniel.morgan@projecthealingwaters.org
Michelle Kotulski, 443-994-8875
mkotulski@tnc.org
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. began in 2005 serving wounded military service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Since then, PHWFF has expanded nationwide, establishing over 200 highly successful programs in Department of Defense hospitals, Warrior Transition Units, and Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and clinics. In 2017 alone, 3,636 PHWFF volunteers served 8,470 injured and disabled military service personnel and disabled veterans nationwide. Visit www.projecthealingwaters.org to learn more.
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have helped protect 130 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.
The Swedish anglers at Carpe Diem shot this lovely video about casting for colorful rainbow trout in a small forest lake. The cinematography is really nice, focused both on the glorious autumn . . .
The post Video: Trout in Fall Colors appeared first on Orvis News.
When fly-fishing a small stream, it's always good to know if another angler has been there before you. Although it's always best to have water that has not seen another angler all day ahead of . . .
The post Master Class Monday: How to Follow Other Anglers, Part I appeared first on Orvis News.
Our pal Louis Cahill at Gink + Gasoline posted an awesome video featuring professional leader-maker Christopher Fave tying a blood knot. Even if you consider yourself pretty good at tying. . .
The post Video Pro Tip: The Easiest Blood-Knot Method You’ve Ever Seen! appeared first on Orvis News.
Written by: Dave Danley, Falcon’s Ledge
My friend, Jeff Andrus, and I recently made a trip to the La Paz, Mexico area to enjoy some fly fishing and to relax with our wives. We hooked up with Jeff deBrown at The Reel Baja, who . . .
The post Photos: Mexican Roosters (and More) on the Fly appeared first on Orvis News.
As anglers, we spend a lot of time on rivers, whether we're wading or in some sort of watercraft. And the more we engage in these activities, the more confident we become that we know . . .
The post Video: <em>Over, Under, Gone: The Killer in Our Rivers</em> appeared first on Orvis News.
This film from The Element features a steep scramble down the the Black Canyon to fish an incredible salmonfly hatch on the Gunnison River.
Tim Flagler demonstrates how to tie a Uni-Knot in this week’s featured video. “The Uni Knot may be the most versatile fishing knot there is,” says Flagler. In the video he shows not only how to use the knot to tie tippet to hook, but also how to use it to create a loop for attaching dropper fly rigs and for connecting two pieces of leader material.
Conservation Hawks has announced the 2018 Outdoor Media Climate Challenge, designed to recognize and reward compelling climate communicators. The Challenge runs from May 1, 2018 until December 1, 2018, and will be judged by the Outdoor Writers Association of America.
Read more in the press release below.
Conservation Hawks Announces $25,000 Outdoor Media Climate Challenge judged by the Outdoor Writers Association of America
From OWAA:
Conservation Hawks is proud to announce the 2018 Outdoor Media Climate Challenge, which will be facilitated and judged by the Outdoor Writers Association of America. The contest, which features more than $25,000 in cash prizes, is designed to recognize and reward media members who share an accurate, compelling climate message with Southeastern U.S. hunters and anglers.
“Human-caused climate change poses a serious threat to our fish and wildlife, to our landscapes and waters, and ultimately to our hunting and fishing,” noted Conservation Hawks president Todd Tanner. “We hope to raise the profile of the threat through this writing contest.”
The 2018 Outdoor Media Climate Challenge incentivizes outdoor media members, including writers, videographers, bloggers, photographers, radio & tv personalities, and others to produce and distribute strong, effective climate-focused media content that reaches hunters or anglers in the Southeastern U.S. Contestants may submit as many published stories, articles, blog posts, videos, radio segments, television segments, photo essays, podcasts, etc. as they choose.
There is no entrance fee.
“The Outdoor Writers Association of America is excited to facilitate and judge the 2018 Outdoor Media Climate Challenge,” said OWAA executive director Dr. Brandon D. Shuler. “I’ve participated in and judged numbers of exceptional writing contests over the course of my career. This contest, with more than $25,000 in prize money, will truly reward the contestants’ talent and hard work.”
The Climate Challenge has two categories: 1) Writing, which includes magazines, newspaper, e-zines, blogs, websites and other venues; and 2) Audio/Video/Still Images, which includes television, video, webcasts, radio, podcasts and photo essays.
Both of the First prize winners will receive $5000; both second prize winners, $3000; both third prize winners, $1000; both fourth prize winners, $750; and both fifth prize winners, $500. The judges will also choose one of the two First Prize winners as the Grand Prize winner, who will receive an additional $5000 for a $10,000 Grand Prize.
To enter the contest or for rules & guidelines, please visit either the Conservation Hawks website or the Outdoor Writers Association of America website.
The 2018 Outdoor Media Climate Change Challenge runs from May 1, 2018 until December 1, 2018.
Over the past few weeks, we've posting a great new video series called "Getting Started in Fly Fishing," from Brian Flechsig of Mad River Outiffters in Columbus, Ohio. In the last episode, . . .
The post Video Pro Tips: Understanding Fly-Fishing Leaders appeared first on Orvis News.
The post Friday Fly-Fishing Film Festival 05.11.18 appeared first on Orvis News.
Written by: Drew Ross, Looknfishy
Sight fishing bonefish from a kayak is something I’ve wanted to do for a few years. In April, some buddies called and invited me on a kayak fishing trip to The Bahamas. I was super excited but knew . . .
The post Photos and Story: Getting Schooled on Grand Bahama appeared first on Orvis News.
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has announced the formation of four new BHA chapters across the country. The new chapters are located in Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota and Ohio.
Read more in the press release below.
BHA Adds Four New U.S. Chapters
From BHA:
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers members demonstrated again their passion and commitment to public lands and waters and to North America’s fastest-growing sportsmen’s group, forming four new BHA chapters and further expanding BHA’s influence across the continent.
The new chapters – Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota and Ohio – were officially launched following a vote by the BHA board of directors at BHA’s North American Rendezvous in Boise, Idaho in April. Less than 15 years after its formation, BHA members have established chapters in 39 states, two Canadian provinces and Washington, D.C.
Ty Stubblefield, BHA chapter coordinator and head of new chapter development, said that he “couldn’t be more impressed” with BHA’s grassroots leaders.
“This BHA energy, growth and youthful exuberance is unprecedented,” said Stubblefield. “The people stepping up to lead this organization are top notch conservationists who recognize exactly what’s at risk. I couldn’t be more impressed with their dedication, and the newest chapters joining our ranks are no exception. Our new chapters in North Carolina, North Dakota, Missouri and Ohio show that our wild public lands, waters and wildlife – and those who would step up to defend them – exist everywhere in North America.”
The state of Missouri is deeply rooted in the public lands of North America, commented Missouri chapter chairman Brett Thorne. The women and men of Missouri will be well served by having a BHA chapter to represent sportsmen, recreationists, outdoor enthusiasts and all public land users, he said.
“As an avid outdoorsman, I was utilizing public lands long before I knew or understood their value,” said Thorne, who lives in Chillicothe. “With more time and experience in the wild, my wisdom and appreciation of this value – and of the importance of protecting it for all – grew. This reason alone is why I joined Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. I am proud to be a BHA member and do my part for our public lands.”
North Carolina boasts one of the highest percentages of public lands and waters of states on the Eastern Seaboard. The Old North State encompasses 1.2 million acres of national forests and 2.1 million acres of public lands overall, as well as 301 miles of coastline, seven major rivers and nearly 100 lakes of significance, including the 30,000-acre Lake Mattamuskeet. NC BHA is committed to being the voice of those lands and waters, said its chairman, and to support opportunities for residents and visitors to hunt, fish, and recreate on them in perpetuity.
“One of the characteristics I value most about the BHA community is that we are made up of individuals who are driven to take action – to actually do something,” said North Carolina Chair Luke Weingarten, of Raleigh. “Not one of us is content to sit and let others do the heavy lifting. Stories are great; talking is fun, but Backcountry Hunters & Anglers needs more than the sound of our own voices bouncing around an echo chamber. We need our actions to resonate – not only within our local communities but also in the nation as a whole.
North Dakota public lands and waters are under attack and sadly under-appreciated, commented BHA’s state chapter chair. From east to west are wildlife management areas, BLM lands, national wildlife refuges and more that public land owners can call their own, in addition to icons such as the Little Missouri National Grasslands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
“It’s not surprising that our first project as an official chapter is an OHV signage project in the Little Missouri National Grasslands,” said Adam Leitschuh, North Dakota chapter chair, who lives in Minot. “Before we were even an official chapter, we started talking with Forest Service representatives. We will be starting this project by the end of May.
“A passion for public lands and waters defines the individuals who have come together to start this chapter,” Leitschuh said. “This doesn’t stop at our board. The diversity of people who have been coming out to pint nights – folks who not only use public lands in North Dakota but truly care about them – is eye opening.”
Ohio BHA members plan to promote the work of BHA nationally and within the state through education, volunteer work and legislative engagement. Buckeye State BHAers are committed to a life outside, and recruiting others, young and old, to join them, said Tony Ruffing, the Ohio chapter chairman, noting that “public lands are not a left issue or a right issue: They are an American issue.”
“Ohio has been ready for a chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers for a long time,” said Ruffing, of Republic. “Within our state we have a forest revision plan underway within Wayne National Forest, which is currently threatened with fracking and pipeline construction. Get ready to see a lot of action here in the East! We have more to lose because of how little we have.”
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers was formed around an Oregon campfire in 2004. BHA’s membership has doubled every year for the past four, and 2018 shows signs of continued rapid growth.
Welcome to another edition of our weekly trivia challenge, in which we test your knowledge of all things fly fishing and where you might learn a thing or two about this sport we love. This week, . . .
The post Take an All-New Phil Monahan Fly-Fishing Trivia Challenge 05.17.18 appeared first on Orvis News.
It's gonna happen eventually: you're going to get your fly stuck in a tree on the opposite bank of the river you're fishing. So, what's the best way to get your fly back without breaking. . .
The post Video Pro Tip: How to Get a Fly Out of a Tree appeared first on Orvis News.
Written by: Chelsea Long
Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to be a River Buddy for the Casting for Recovery (CfR) retreat in Waring, Texas. Casting for Recovery is a nonprofit organization that coordinates and . . .
The post Photos: A Meaningful Mother-Daughter Day on the Water appeared first on Orvis News.
Fishpond has released the El Jefe River Armor Net to the The Nomad River Armor edition net series. The series of nets is constructed with a core of carbon fiber and fiberglass, “designed with the boulder-hopping bushwhackers in mind who demand durability.”
Read more in the press release below.
New Fishpond River Armor Net
From Fishpond: With the addition of the all new El Jefe River Armor Net, we have created the most bombproof collection of wading nets on the market – the lineup covers all species and preferences with the El Jefe, the Mid-Length, and the Emerger Net. The Nomad River Armor edition nets are constructed with a core of carbon fiber and fiberglass, and an outer layer of woven DuPontTM Kevlar® fiber and carbon fiber. This composition was designed with the boulder-hopping bushwhackers in mind who demand durability.
River Armor El Jefe Net
The length of the El Jefe still works well with waist packs for walk wading and provides great reach for getting big fish into the net. A deep bag swallows trophy fish without ever feeling cumbersome to the angler and the El Jefe is at home in a boat or on the bank.
River Armor Mid-Length Net
Our Nomad Hand Net suited the vest-types, and the Guide Net got the pros’ attention. The hardcore lumbar pack wearer, however, wanted a net with a little more length in the handle so they could stuff it between their pack and their back. The Mid-Length Nomad is it.
River Armor Emerger Net
The Nomad Emerger net was designed to work with both packs and vests. The longer handle can easily tuck behind a pack but is not too long to hang off the back of a vest.
Written by: William G. Tapply
We usually rumble across the iron bridge, turn off the road, follow the bumpy ruts beside the field, and park Dad’s station wagon at the water’s edge to offload the canoe. But on this gray afternoon . . .
The post “Gone Fishin’” by William G. Tapply appeared first on Orvis News.
As part of a monthlong celebration of the first public release of the fly fishing film “Corazón”--the final of three films that make up “The Scorpion Trilogy”--Off the Grid Studios and Orvis are showing . . .
The post Watch “Frontera Norte” for FREE for the Next 48 Hours appeared first on Orvis News.
If you've been looking for one knot that can serve several purposes--which means that you have to learn fewer knots--then the Uni Knot may be the one for you. As Tim Flagler of Tightline . . .
The post Video Pro Tip: How to Tie the 3-in-1 Uni Knot appeared first on Orvis News.
Written by: George Daniel, Livin On The Fly
No, this is not about your bladder and its relation to fishing. Instead, it’s a fishing bum’s opinion on where some of the best fish hold during peak hatch season. Here in central Pennsylvania, . . .
The post Tuesday Tips: “Hit the Head” for More Trout appeared first on Orvis News.
