Friday, 30 November 2018

Tippets: Earl Harper’s Fishy People, Wind Knots Q&A

  • Around the world, no matter the language or cultural barrier, anglers share an instant connection. And for photographer Earl Harper, this connection causes him to train his lens “on the fishy people he encounters in fishy places with increasing frequency—whether close to Harper’s home in Seattle, Washington or in distant places like Mongolia, Kamchatka, Argentina or Thailand.” Read more and view a selection of portraits via Hatch Magazine.
  • In a new Q&A video series, Brian Flechsig of Mad River Outfitters outlines how to prevent and deal with wind knots. Watch more here.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/30/tippets-earl-harpers-fishy-people-wind-knots-qa/

Costa Launches New, Lightest Collection of Performance Metal Frames

Costa Sunglasses has announced the launch of new performance metal frame styles, “which are among the lightest titanium frames on the market and will be available in retail in early November.”

Read more in the press release below. 

Costa Launches New, Lightest Collection of Performance Metal Frames

Daytona Beach, Fla. – November 19, 2018  Adding to its current collection of metal frames, Costa Sunglasses® is launching new metal styles with enhanced performance features including ultra-strong, lightweight titanium frames with castor seed Bio-Resin and Hydrolite® temple tips. The new metals are among the lightest titanium frames on the market and will be available in retail in early November.

The four new unisex metal frames come in various sizes and include over-injected and adjustable temple tips; air-cushion, full-motion nose pads; textured rubber temple pads for grip; and internal spring hinges for added performance and comfort. The new styles are available with Costa’s 580® polycarbonate lenses in various color options including gray, blue mirror, gray silver mirror, green mirror, copper silver mirror and sunrise silver mirror.

The Turret, the smallest and lightest of the new metal frames, weighing in at 9.47 grams, is a medium frame with a full rim. It comes in three frame colors including matte black, matte dark gunmetal and matte silver. Each frame color features a coordinating temple tip, rubber and logo color ranging from deep blue and matte black to gray and orange—offering a pop of color in just the right dose.

Helo weighs only 9.78 grams, offers a large fit with back-chassis, giving the frame a rimless look with the strength of a top bar, and is proving popular with both men and women. The three featured colors in this frame style include matte black with matte black temples and black rubber, matte champagne with deep blue temples and turquoise rubber, and matte silver with translucent gray temples and orange rubber.

The Skimmer (9.48 grams) and Pilothouse (10.91 grams) frames are the largest of the new metals providing an extra-large fit. Each comes in two color options: matte black with black temples and black rubber, Skimmer is also available in matte silver with matte dark translucent gray temples and orange rubber, and the Pilothouse style also comes in matte dark gunmetal with deep blue temples and black rubber.

“Costa’s full collection of metal frames now includes 13 styles to fit various face shapes and accommodate a full-range of activities from the beach to the boat,” said John Sanchez, vice president of product design at Costa. “The new metal styles offer ultra-light, durable performance sunglass frames with a rimless option many of our customers were looking for—we’re excited to show our customers the four new styles we’ve added to Costa’s growing metals collection.”

The new performance metals feature Costa’s 580 color-enhancing lens technology, which provides 100 percent UV protection and polarization, delivering the clearest lenses on the planet. Costa’s 580 lenses selectively filter out harsh yellow light for superior contrast and definition and absorb high-energy blue light to cut haze and enhance sharpness.

Costa’s new metal styles range in price from $219 to $239, based on frame style, color and lens selection. For more information on the new frames and Costa’s full line of performance sunglasses, visitwww.costasunglasses.com.

About Costa
As the leading manufacturer of the world’s clearest polarized performance sunglasses, Costa offers superior lens technology and unparalleled fit and durability. Still handcrafted today in Florida, Costa has created the highest quality, best performing sunglasses and prescription sunglasses (Rx) for outdoor enthusiasts since 1983. Born on the water, Costa works hard to protect the waters it calls home. Through programs like its Kick Plastic campaign, where the brand seeks to raise awareness about the growing plastic pollution problem threatening oceans worldwide, to serving as a long-term partner to shark research organization OCEARCH, Costa encourages people to help protect the Earth’s natural resources in any way they can. Find out more on Costa’s website and join the conversation on FacebookInstagram or Twitter at @CostaSunglasses.

Media Contacts:
Heather Miller, (864) 607-7922, heatherm@gunpowderinc.com
Carie Breunig, (414) 412-9155, carieb@gunpowderinc.com



source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/30/costa-launches-new-lightest-collection-of-performance-metal-frames/

Thursday, 29 November 2018

Rewild the Willamette – Tuesday December 4, 2018

From The Native Fish Society Oregon has often taken bold action to safeguard the natural landscapes and resources that define the state and our communities. Many times, it has been local Oregonians, passionate about the place they call home, who … Continue reading

source http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2018/11/29/rewild-the-willamette-tuesday-december-4-2018/

Tippets: Retrieve Techniques, Convenience Key to Favorite Waters

  • Ryan Ragain writes about different retrieve techniques in this article on Fly Fisherman. “The methods a fly fisher could use to twitch a fly are limited only by creativity,” he writes, “but there are four techniques I ordinarily use. Wiggling, skating, mending, and stripping all transfer motion to your fly.”
  • Homewaters come out a winner in a new study from Southwick Associates. “AnglerSurvey.com recently polled anglers on what was most important to them when choosing a place to cast a line and found that nearly 60 percent of them placed proximity to home as a key factor.” Read more here.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/29/tippets-retrieve-techniques-convenience-key-to-favorite-waters/

RIO’s DirectCore Gets Introduced Into Its Best-Selling Bonefish Line

RIO Products has announced a new line designed specifically for chasing bonefish. The DirectCore Bonefish Line was the the winner of the Best New Saltwater Fly Line at IFTD.

Read more in the press release below.

RIO’s DirectCore Gets Introduced Into Its Best-Selling Bonefish Line

IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO (November 1, 2018) – Anglers looking for their next bonefish fly line should look no further than the winner of the Best New Saltwater Fly Line at the IFTD show in July – RIO’s DirectCore Bonefish Line.

Built on RIO’s low-stretch, low-memory DirectCore, this line lies perfectly straight on the water, does not retract after being straightened, and retains the stiffness needed for repeated shots in tropical conditions The DirectCore Bonefish Line has a long head and rear taper to make smooth, efficient casts while the mid-length front taper produces great turnover and soft presentations of typical bonefish flies.

In addition, this line features RIO’s triple-colored SureFire marking system – a color combination that helps anglers know how much line to hold while on deck and how much line to aerialize for the perfect casting load.

The DirectCore Bonefish Line is available in sand/orange/blue in WF6F through WF9F. Watch here for more information on this award-winning line. Find one at your local RIO dealer for $119.99.

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 visitwww.rioproducts.comConnect with us through FacebookInstagram, and Vimeo.



source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/29/rios-directcore-gets-introduced-into-its-best-selling-bonefish-line/

Wednesday, 28 November 2018

Jay’s Trout Clouser Jig Copper Crawdad Fly Tying Video

In this video, Jay ties a Trout Clouser Jig “Copper Crawdad” using an Umpqua 60 degree jig hook. This fly can be cast and stripped, swung, or fished an under indicator. This is a great fly for fishing Rainbow Trout, … Continue reading

source http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2018/11/28/jays-trout-clouser-jig-copper-crawdad-fly-tying-video/

Tippets: Dam Removal Projects for 2019, Reflections on River Closures, Brown Trout and Native Cutthroat in Montana

  • Across the country, dams are being reviewed and removed. From California to Maryland, Tara Lohan writes about four specific dam removal projects on the radar in the upcoming year. Via Adventure Journal.
  • In light of the recent decision by the Idaho Fish and Game Department to close their steelhead season on December 7th, Josh Mills writes a thoughtful article about “What Does the River (or a Fish) Owe You?” on The Drake. “Fingers are pointing everywhere and anywhere,” he writes. “The river owes you nothing. Salmon and steelhead owe you nothing. We owe them everything.”
  • A recent study examining brown trout and native Yellowstone cutthroat in the Crazy Mountains of Montana shows a negative effect on the native trout populations. “Nonnative brown trout can substantially alter food webs, compete with and reduce recruitment of native fishes, and lead to declines in native fish abundance,” according to the paper published by scientists Robert Al-Chokhachy and Adam Sepulveda of the U.S. Geological Survey in Bozeman. Brett French reports via The Missoulian.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/28/tippets-dam-removal-projects-for-2019-reflections-on-river-closures-brown-trout-and-native-cutthroat-in-montana/

Tuesday, 27 November 2018

Tippets: Veterans on the Water, First Trip for Northern Pike

  • This recent article on CNN features the work Warriors & Quiet Waters is doing to help veterans through fly fishing. “The group invites post-9/11 veterans from all over the country to participate in week-long fly-fishing expeditions. Veterans are outfitted with clothing, gear, and lessons before spending two days on some of the country’s best fishing rivers. The foundation’s executive director, Faye Nelson, believes a critical part of the experience is camaraderie forged between veterans with shared combat experiences. That bond, she says, allows them to open up about their struggles.”
  • From powerful hook sets to splashy fly presentations, Chuck Coolidge writes about some of the tips he learned on a recent trip to Wisconsin to fly fish for northern pike. Read more via Orvis.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/27/tippets-veterans-on-the-water-first-trip-for-northern-pike/

Monday, 26 November 2018

Greg’s Jigged Counterfeit Nymph Fly Tying Video

In this video, Greg ties a prospecting fly he calls the Counterfeit. He has fished it on countless trout streams in the Western USA with great success when all else fails. He recommends tying it in sizes 14-16 with a … Continue reading

source http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2018/11/27/gregs-jigged-counterfeit-nymph-fly-tying-video/

Video Hatch: “Carpoon”

In this short film from Sage, “woodworker, furniture builder, and musician Wes Walsworth hits the Snake River looking for carp on freshwater flats.




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/26/video-hatch-carpoon/

Tippets: River Etiquette and Fish Karma, Fishing the Texas Coast

  • From packing out trash to being willing to extend a helping hand to another angler on the water, Steven Beaulieu writes about “fish karma” in this recent article. “This comes in many forms – sharing intel about what’s working where, offering to net a fish for a solo angler, or lending a hot fly – there’s lots of ways to spread the fishy goodness.” Via Postfly Box.
  • In this recent interview, Tom Rosenbauer talks with Dave Hayward, manager of Swan Point Landing Fly Shop, about fly fishing the Texas coast. “In this podcast you’ll learn about how the fishery changes with the season, what tackle you need, fly patterns to choose, and how to approach these fish.”


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/26/tippets-river-etiquette-and-fish-karma-fishing-the-texas-coast/

Sunday, 25 November 2018

Video Hatch: “Pure High”

In this film from Scientific Anglers and Fly Fusion Magazine, Derek Bird and Jim McLennan “plan to fish a well-known stream, but due to fire closures, they end up high in the Rockies on a small lake at the base of a towering peak.”




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/25/video-hatch-pure-high/

Fly Fishing Show Launches New, Easier to Read Website

The Fly Fishing Show has announced the launch of a new website for show schedules and information. The new platform is “much more mobile device friendly, easier to navigate, and significantly faster,” says Fly Fishing Show president Ben Furimsky.

Read more in the press release below.

Fly Fishing Show Launches New, Easier to Read Website

SOMERSET, Pa. – Effective today, the Fly Fishing Show has launched its new information and schedule website, www.flyfishingshow.com/.

The new platform is “much more mobile device friendly, easier to navigate, and significantly faster,” according to Fly Fishing Show® president Ben Furimsky.  “There is a modern, all-encompassing, updated feel.  It will make everything less complicated, from ticket purchases to class registration,” he concluded.

The website now logically leads viewers through the Fly Fishing Show’s seven 2019 venues with information on each show’s programs, class availability, registration information, and updates on presentation schedules.

Contact:

The Fly Fishing Show                                                                                  
531 North Center Ave.
Suite 102

Somerset, PA 15501

Ben Furimsky
(814) 443-3638
info@flyfishingshow.com



source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/25/fly-fishing-show-launches-new-easier-to-read-website/

Saturday, 24 November 2018

Jay’s Tiger Dad Trout Tube Streamer (with Rabbit Strip) Fly Tying Video

In this video, Jay ties a Tiger Dad Trout Tube Streamer pattern using an Orange Pro Cone and Black Barred Orange Rabbit Strip. This fly is best fished on the swing. Jay’s Tiger Dad Trout Tube Streamer (with Rabbit Strip) … Continue reading

source http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2018/11/24/jays-tiger-dad-trout-tube-streamer-with-rabbit-strip-fly-tying-video/

Video Hatch: “Green Heron Micro Intruder”

In this recent tying video from Kevin Hospodar, learn how to tie the Green Heron Micro Intruder, “A mix between a Green spey, Gray Heron, and a Micro Intruder.”




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/24/video-hatch-green-heron-micro-intruder/

Tippets: Interview with Craig Hayes, Tying Lefty’s Deceiver

  • Craig Hayes, owner of Turneffe Flats Lodge, sits down to talk about sustainable business models and strategies to combat climate change in this recent interview on the Sustainable Angler Blog.
  • In a fly tying tutorial from Postfly, learn how to tie the classic fly pattern, Lefty Kreh’s Deceiver. “Designed to imitate any inshore or freshwater baitfish, this pattern can be found in anglers boxes around the world.” And for good reason. Learn more here.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/24/tippets-interview-with-craig-hayes-tying-leftys-deceiver/

Friday, 23 November 2018

Video Hatch: “5 Generations of Travelin’ Ghosts”

This video from The Bonefish and Tarpon Trust tells the story of bonefish connectivity, set in the Florida Keys, The Bahamas, and Cuba.




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/23/video-hatch-5-generations-of-travelin-ghosts/

Tippets: Interview with Hilary Hutcheson, Trout of Japan

  • Hilary Hutcheson is a recent guest on the Anchored Podcast with April Vokey. Hutcheson talks about her childhood, climate change, and being a fishing mom. Listen here.
  • In this recent piece, Daniel Galhardo writes about the trout of Japan: “There are two main types of trout that we target in Japan: the amago and yamame. There is also a char, the iwana (side note, most tenkara rods we offer at Tenkara USA are named after Japanese trout/char).” Via Gink & Gasoline.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/23/tippets-interview-with-hilary-hutcheson-trout-of-japan/

Thursday, 22 November 2018

Video Hatch: “How To Tie a Dropper”

In the first episode of RIO’s third series of “How To” videos, Simon Gawesworth outlines why you would fish a dropper fly. “In addition, Simon shows 4 different ways of making a dropper – using a surgeon knot, a tippet ring, the “New Zealand” dropper and the swiveling dropper from Poland.”




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/22/video-hatch-how-to-tie-a-dropper/

Loon’s Spirit of Giving Sweepstakes

To celebrate the holiday season, Loon has partnered with other brands in the Spirit of Giving sweepstakes. “We all know it’s better to give than receive. We’ve teamed up with some of our favorite brands to give away a couple HUGE prize packs worth over $3,000 and spread some holiday cheer. To enter, go to http://bit.ly/spirit_of_giving and enter to win.” The Loon Spirit of Giving will run Nov. 27- Dec. 4, 2018.



source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/22/loons-spirit-of-giving-sweepstakes/

Wednesday, 21 November 2018

Tippets: Wildfires and Watersheds, Pike Threaten Salmon on Columbia River, Idaho Steelhead Season Suspended

  • “Wild and native fish depend on healthy watersheds,” writes Chris Wood. And healthy watersheds depend on healthy forests. Read about the wildfires of the West and practical steps to fix what ails our forests, via Hatch Magazine.
  • Northern pike, considered and invasive species on the Columbia River, are encroaching on critical salmon recovery habitat. “Northern pike eat endangered salmon and steelhead. The predator fish are getting closer to prime territory in the Columbia River, threatening to sink millions of dollars in salmon recovery.” Via King 5.
  • In response to a pending lawsuit, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission has voted to “suspend the ongoing steelhead fishing season after Dec. 7, and to shutter the coming spring season as well.” Via The Lewiston Tribune.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/21/tippets-wildfires-and-watersheds-pike-threaten-salmon-on-columbia-river-idaho-steelhead-season-suspended/

Tuesday, 20 November 2018

Season Six at Cedar Lodge Under Way November 2018

We arrived to gorgeous spring weather. Our care takers Alan and Glenys Cooper did an excellent job of maintaining the property. We did not conduct any major construction projects this year so it’s all go, a pretty smooth to start … Continue reading

source http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2018/11/20/season-six-at-cedar-lodge-under-way-november-2018/

Tippets: Fall 2018 Issue of Dun Magazine, Minding the Spawn

  • The Fall 2018 issue of Dun Magazine is now available in print, with some features also available to read online. This most recent issue highlights “Destinations,” including fly fishing in Canada, Labrador, and the Adirondacks.
  • While anglers shouldn’t target spawning trout, “Should we fish for trout through the spawn or stay home,” wonders Domenick Swektosky. “Fishing for trout during the spawn requires acute awareness to your surroundings and a commitment to keeping your impact low. It also takes restrain and temperance to walk past the same large trout you might chase in every other season, and to do so without a single cast.” Read more via Troutbitten.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/20/tippets-fall-2018-issue-of-dun-magazine-minding-the-spawn/

Author Bob Romano to Attend The International Fly Tying Symposium

Author Bob Romano will attend the International Fly Tying Symposium to promote and sign copies of his new book, The River King. The International Fly Tying Symposium is set to be held November 17-18, 2018, in Parsippany, NJ.

Read more in the press release below.

The River King by Robert J. Romano Jr.

Years ago I spent an evening sharing a stretch of river with a young angler new to the sport.  As the caddis danced and the sun dropped below the pines my young companion commented; “This isn’t about catching fish, is it?”  Robert Romano’s latest novel The River King, is like that:  A fishing book that’s not about catching fish!

The River King is a page turner and each page turned encourages, invites, excites the reader to put finger to paper in anticipation of what will unfold, It’s a Good Read!

Romano’s cast of characters, although unique to the Rangeley Lake Region of Maine could be found in any of the hundreds of small towns avid Sports chase trout.  As I turned pages I found myself thinking of Traver’s Danny and The Boys, Harrison’s Brown Dog and Harry Middleton’s The Earth is Enough.

Like titles that are read, safely stored on a bookshelf to be taken down again and again to be revisited Romano’s characters and their stories took me to a special place.  A place where a fisherman is about to land a memorable fish, a trophy, while the guide patiently awaits with landing net in hand.  While reading The River King I found myself wondering not about the guy with the fly rod but rather the fellow holding the net.

Over the years I have been fortunate to have shared time on the water with some “Pretty Good” guides.  I have listened to their stories, shared a beer and eventually been gifted with their friendship.  At the end of the day, while storing tackle and the boat you’ll hear them talk about life away from the water.  They’ll share stories of girlfriends and wives, guide wars, successful or sick kids, the rising cost of the angling business, mortgages and more.  Romano’s novel, The River King, is more than a book about fishing in Maine. Rather it’s a testament to all the hardworking men and women who add so much more to the sport of angling.  At the end of the day Bob Romano knows time spent in the company of the right kind of folks enable the average angler to return home from the water a River King!

I look forward to Robert Romano’s next book!

Ron Barch/Alder Creek Publishing



source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/20/author-bob-romano-to-attend-the-international-fly-tying-symposium/

Monday, 19 November 2018

Jay’s Ultralicious Steelhead Tube Black/Blue Fly Tying Video

In this video, Jay ties an Ultralicious Steelhead Tube Fly using Black and Blue Materials. This fly can be swung for winter and summer steelhead on your favorite runs! Enjoy! Jay’s Ultralicious Steelhead Tube Black/Blue Rabbit Strip Black Tube: Pro … Continue reading

source http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2018/11/19/jays-ultralicious-steelhead-tube-blackblue-fly-tying-video/

Video Hatch: “True Facts: Carnivorous Dragonflies”

Learn about dragonflies and have fun doing it in this video with amusing narration and amazing footage.




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/19/video-hatch-true-facts-carnivorous-dragonflies/

Tippets: Swing Season, Warm Hands on the Water

  • Jason Rolfe writes about the struggle and beauty of steelhead fishing in this essay via Sage. “The fish doesn’t tire so much as settle in, taking you for a long, stumbling walk downstream. You’d happily follow this fish to the Pacific if it would take you.” Read “Swing Season” here.
  • Being on the water in the winter can be brutal on your hands. From wool and warmers to wrist bands and glomitts, Domenick Swentosky outlines great options for keeping your hands warm in winter conditions in this article via Troutbitten.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/19/tippets-swing-season-warm-hands-on-the-water/

Sunday, 18 November 2018

Video: How to Tie the Wood Special

Tim Flagler demonstrates how to tie the Wood Special in this week’s featured tying video. “Overall it’s a great looking pattern,” says Flagler, “but it’s the curved, narrow wood duck wing that really sells it for me.”



source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/18/video-how-to-tie-the-wood-special/

Tippets: Streamer Techniques for Cold Weather, Perfect Your Casting Grip

  • In this recent instructional video, learn techniques for fishing baitfish patterns in colder weather: for example, imparting a jigging motion to your retrieve. “In this video, Kelly demonstrates how you time your strips to the raising and lowering of the rod tip during the retrieve and explains how you can detect strikes during the “drop.” This slower, lifelike retrieve will help you hook more trout during those times when they’re not very aggressive.” Via Orvis.
  • When casting, should your thumb or finger be on top of the grip? Domenick Swentosky addresses the question in this recent article. “I use both. There are good reasons for each hold, and we’ll get to that briefly. But accuracy and power suffer if you do anything else.” Via Troutbitten.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/18/tippets-streamer-techniques-for-cold-weather-perfect-your-casting-grip/

Saturday, 17 November 2018

Video Hatch: “Swing Season—Ghost of Steelhead Future”

This new short film from Sage features Jon Hazlett on the Rogue River in Oregon. It is a story about fish and people, “and the lessons we can learn from the past about the importance of conserving our rivers for future generations to come.”




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/17/video-hatch-swing-season-ghost-of-steelhead-future/

Tippets: Interview with Jon Hazlett, Learn to Tie the Zebra Copper John

  • Jon Hazlett guides on Oregon’s Rogue River and sits down for an interview on The Venturing Angler blog that reaches from his favorite fly and funny guiding story to his passions and interests when not on the water. Read more here.
  • In episode six of “Tie with Postfly,” learn how to tie the Zebra Copper John, “invented by famed fly designed John Barr, and is now one of the most widely used and effective nymph patterns in existence.” Via Postfly Box.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/17/tippets-interview-with-jon-hazlett-learn-to-tie-the-zebra-copper-john/

Friday, 16 November 2018

Camp Creek Cellars Wine Benefit – TONIGHT!

When: Friday, November 16 5-9pm Where: Oregon Research Institute, 1776 Millrace Drive From: the Mckenzie River Trust Join us for a “Last Waltz” fundraiser with the local winemakers at Camp Creek Cellars. Half of the $10 tasting fee will be … Continue reading

source http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2018/11/16/camp-creek-cellars-wine-benefit-tonight/

Video Hatch: “Live More Now”

Maddie Brenneman is a fishing guide based in Colorado, and this film shows how she’s “followed her heart right into the life she’s designed for herself, but not without some trial and error.” Via Buff Headwear.




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/16/video-hatch-live-more-now/

Tippets: Urban Angling in NYC, Classic Flies for New Tiers

  • Fly fishing’s stereotype as a quiet and contemplative pastime has made urban angling “fishing’s redheaded stepchild,” writes Chris Wright. Read more about “Going Fishing in New York City” and the fun that can be found in urban angling pursuits in this recent article via Outside Online.
  • The Woolly Bugger, Elk Hair Caddis, and Bead Head Pheasant Tail are classic patterns that are also fairly easy to tie. Bob Reece recommends these three flies, along with tutorials for each, in this article on flies for beginning tiers. Via Gink & Gasoline.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/16/tippets-urban-angling-in-nyc-classic-flies-for-new-tiers/

Thursday, 15 November 2018

Tippets: Loon Live, Minding Upstream Pockets

  • In the most recent episode of Loon Live, learn to tie Anderson’s Euphoria and the Wiggle Squid, “patterns designed for chasing a particular anadromous fish that we like to call “steelhead”.  Anderson’s Euphoria has a classic, low-water style to it, whereas the Wiggle Squid is a bigger, high-action intruder that uses a great technique for adding composite loops to flies.”
  • Don’t overlook the holding water in front of rocks, writes George Daniel. “I’m not recommending that you disregard the downstream pocket–it can and sometimes does hold nice fish–but the front side is worth at least a few passes. Sometimes the grass is greener in spots others don’t think to fish.” Via Orvis.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/15/tippets-loon-live-minding-upstream-pockets/

Video Hatch: “The Gardens Of The Queen”

Named the Queen‘s Gardens by Christopher Columbus, the Jardines de la Reina is a pristine chain of islands that runs more than one hundred miles back to the northwest, from Cuba‘s south-eastern coast and boasts an impressive fishery. Via Fly Fishing Nation




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/15/video-hatch-the-gardens-of-the-queen/

Smith Releases new Freespool MAG

Smith has announced a new frame in their WATER Collection of performance eyewear. The new Freespool boasts MAGTM interchangeable and ChromaPop polarized lenses.

Read more in the press release below.

Smith Releases new Freespool MAG

From Smith:

When life revolves around days on the water, eyewear versatility is critical. The new Freespool with MAGTM interchangeable technology, from Smith’s WATER Collection of performance eyewear, offers multiple wearability options in a single sunglass.

The quick release system of Smith MAG technology offers two sets of interchangeable temples on the 8-base Freespool sunglass. The Everyday temples offer a casual, lifestyle inspired look constructed of a thin profile wrapped in comfortable, no-slip megol. When the fish are hitting hard, a simple click swaps them outfor On-the-Water temples, engineered with additional side coverage to maximize light blockage and minimize distracting backside glare from bright sun. Smith MAG technology utilizes two opposing N52 neodymium magnets in the injection molded temple lug that intuitively separate to allow temple interchangeability and flexibility to adapt to changing environments with a locking mechanical engagement.

Exclusively offered in proprietary ChromaPop Polarized lens technology, optically tuned for visual comfort and impact protection with enhanced glare reduction, while also offering anti-reflective, water and oil resistant coatings with 100% UV protection.

The addition of megol nose pads and temples on each set, which gently adhere to the skin when reacting to perspiration and moisture, provide a secure fit and all day comfort for on-the-water domination.

The Freespool MAG (MSRP $249) is available August 2018 at specialty retailers and online at smithoptics.com.



source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/15/smith-releases-new-freespool-mag/

Wednesday, 14 November 2018

Tippets: Big Win for Santa Clara Steelhead, Barks of Piranhas

  • Conservation groups claim a huge win in a legal case against United Water Conservation District after a federal court judge ruled the water agency had failed to adequately protect endangered steelhead trout in the Santa Clara River. “A coalition of environmental groups had sued the United Water Conservation District, charging that the Vern Freeman Dam on the Santa Clara River restricts steelhead movement between the ocean, and their habitat. A judge agreed, saying the district could be doing more, and that the lack of action violated the federal Endangered Species Act.” Via KCLU.
  • By contracting muscles near their gas bladders, piranhas are able to make a “barking” noise. Professor Francis Juanes of Canada’s University of Victoria studies and catalogs these unique sounds for species identification and research. He will present the results of his study at the Acoustical Society of America’s 176th Meeting in Victoria, Canada. Via News Atlas.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/14/tippets-big-win-for-santa-clara-steelhead-barks-of-piranhas/

Dinner with Angling Legends Frank and Jeanne Moore

December 1 2018 5pm, Fundraiser with Frank and Jeanne Moore at the Steamboat Inn. From Source One Serenity Source One Serenity was born out of Frank Moore’s fly fishing vision and its potential life-altering benefits for our veterans struggling with … Continue reading

source http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2018/11/14/dinner-with-angling-legends-frank-and-jeanne-moore/

Tuesday, 13 November 2018

Video Hatch: “Anthony”

In this short film, learn about Anthony, probably the only grayling with a name. “Learn why this fish is so unique and why was given a name.” Via Black Fly Eyes.




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/13/video-hatch-anthony/

“Simple Fly Fishing” Second Edition

The second edition of Simple Fly Fishing will feature a new cover design by artist Dwight Hwan, eight new fly designs in full color, added stories and instructional illustrations by renowned fish artist James Prosek, plus a quick setup guide for tenkara. The revised 2nd edition lands in Patagonia stores in December and will include a limited number of autographed copies. It will be sold nationally in fly shops and bookstores starting January 19, 2019.

Read more in the press release below.

In Simple Fly Fishing, the More You Know, the Less You Need

Why Yvon Chouinard uses one fly, prefers to lose the guide, and other wisdom from accomplished anglers on the best way to catch a fish

Since 2015, Patagonia founder and lifelong fly fisherman Yvon Chouinard has been using a single type of fly (the Pheasant Tail and Partridge) and says he’s caught more fish with it than he’s ever caught in his life.

In an interview on NPR’s “How I Built This” podcast, Chouinard opened up about his “the more you know, the less you need” approach to fly fishing. “I’ve learned that all these hundreds of thousands of fly patterns in different colors and shapes are totally unnecessary. You can replace all of them with knowledge and technique.”

This wisdom is the premise for Simple Fly Fishing: Techniques for Tenkara Rod & Reel (Patagonia, Jan. 19, 2019, paperback), a tenkara technique book that Chouinard co-authored with fly-fishing gurus Mauro Mazzo and Craig Mathews. Releasing in January 2019, a fully-revised second edition of Simple Fly Fishing offers new personal accounts from seasoned anglers and updated information all with the same message: the best way to catch trout is simply, with a rod and a fly and not much else. High-tech gear, confusing flies and tackle, and pricey fishing guides not necessary.

Speaking to a new generation of young anglers and a growing contingent of women to the sport, Simple Fly Fishing offers an introduction to the ancient Japanese no-reel, tenkara technique. Stripping away the complexity, elitism and expense of fly fishing, tenkara takes us back to a simpler time when the joy of fishing came from a willow stick rod, wiggly worms and wet boots.

“Most anglers soon discover simple fly fishing helps preserve our capacity for wonder,” says Chouinard. “It can teach us to see, smell, and feel the miracles of stream life, with the beauty of nature and serenity all around, as we pursue wild fish.”

With chapters on wet flies, nymphs, and dry flies, the authors employ both the tenkara rod as well as traditional fly-fishing gear to cover all the bases. Readers will learn to discover where the fish are, at what depth, and what they are feeding on as well as the techniques needed to present a fly at that depth, make it look lifelike, and hook the fish.

The upcoming second edition of Simple Fly Fishing features a new cover design by artist Dwight Hwang using the traditional Japanese Gyotaku method where Sumi ink is brushed onto a fish, then a sheet of Washi paper is pressed onto the inked surface. It boasts eight new fly designs in full color, added stories and instructional illustrations by renowned fish artist James Prosek, a quick setup guide for tenkara rod, and photos from the featured anglers’ latest adventures.

YVON CHOUINARD, a noted fly fisherman (chosen by Fly, Rod, and Reel as “Angler of the Year” in 2009) and environmentalist, is the founder and owner of Patagonia, Inc. He cofounded, with Craig Mathews, 1% for The Planet, a group of businesses giving back to the environment. A bestselling author, Simple Fly Fishing is his third book and first release in the hunting and fishing genre. He lives in Ventura, California, and Moose Jaw, Wyoming.

CRAIG MATTHEWS, with his wife, Jackie, is the owner and founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, a retail fly-fishing outfitter based in West Yellowstone, Montana. Craig has authored five books on fly fishing in the western U.S. and Yellowstone National Park and is renowned as an expert fly fishing guide.

MAURO MAZZO is an FFF Certified Master and THCI Casting Instructor, and he writes and photographs on a regular basis for European fly fishing magazines. He has fished around the globe from the Italian Alps to Himachal Pradesh, from Cuba to the Kola Peninsula. He lives in Milan, Italy.



source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/13/simple-fly-fishing-second-edition/

Monday, 12 November 2018

Holiday Gift Guide Video 2018 Version 1.0

In this video I showcase some of our favorite gifts for the 2018 holiday season. Of course there are many more items our friendly staff would love to help you select. Stop by the shop this holiday season, we have … Continue reading

source http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2018/11/12/holiday-gift-guide-video-2018-version-1-0/

Video Hatch: “Bears, Grayling and Dry Flies”

In this short film from InTents Media, Cortney Boice, Phil Tuttle, Tim Meikle and Derek Olthuis head north to catch big arctic grayling on dries on a remote river.




source http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/midcurrent/~3/sRVuVA276IU/

Tippets: Interview with John Gierach, Questions About Tippet

  • John Gierach is the guest on a recent episode of Ask About Fly Fishing Internet Radio. Gierach talks about his writing, developing stories, and of course, fly fishing.
  • Talk about tippet often focuses on the attachment to the leader. However, in this article, Domenick Swentosky outlines three important questions about tippet: “What type? (Nylon vs Fluorocarbon.) What size? (How thick of a diameter is best?) And how long should your tippet section be?” Via Troutbitten.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/12/tippets-interview-with-john-gierach-questions-about-tippet/

Sunday, 11 November 2018

How to Tie a Wood Duck Heron

Tim Flagler demonstrates how to tie a Wood Duck Heron in this week’s featured tying video. “This is one of those patterns that gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling whenever I tie or fish it,” says Flagler.  “And it helps remind me just how beautiful and simple truly effective flies can be.”



source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/11/how-to-tie-a-wood-duck-heron/

New Fly Fishing Books

  • The Brown Trout-Atlantic Salmon Nexus: Tactics, Fly Patterns, and the Passion for Catching Salmo, Our Most Prized Gamefish by Matthew Supinski a complete historical, scientific, artistic, culinary, and practical guide to understanding and appreciating these remarkable fish. From history to tactics and techniques accompanied by more than 150 stunning photos, The Brown Trout-Atlantic Salmon Salmo Nexus is a must-have for every passionate fisherman, admirer, artist and culinary naturalist connoisseur to enjoy. Skyhorse Publishing [hardcover] (November 27, 2018).
  • Wyoming Mountains & Home-waters: Family, Fly Fishing, and Conservation by Bradley Johnson explores how fly fishing and conservation converge in protecting what makes the Rocky Mountains a unique and beloved landscape. “Yellowstone grizzly bears, wilderness, wolves, and majestic trout all connect in Wyoming’s mountains.Youthful fishing adventures in remote streams combine with conservation science to tell the story of Wyoming’s incredible wildlife and ecology.” Sage Creek Press, LLC [paperback] (August 6, 2017).


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/11/new-fly-fishing-books-79/

Saturday, 10 November 2018

Video Hatch: “Stories from the Fountain”

This film from Matteo Moretti “depicts the 3-week long fishing-research journey of four passionate fly fisherman/aspiring environmentalists and one doctoral student across the state of Pennsylvania. Their mission? To understand and give voice to the story behind native brook trout from the perspective of fishermen, scientists and conservationists.”




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/10/video-hatch-stories-from-the-fountain/

Tippets: Talking About Trigger Fingers, Feathers 101

  • The “trigger finger” is an integral and often overlooked part of casting. In this article, Domenick Swentosky writes about tips for improving your technique. “The trigger finger becomes intuitive if you train it in the basics from the beginning,” he writes.
  • From hackle saddles to biots and quills, this feather tutorial from Dan Zazworsky will be helpful for both beginning and experienced tiers alike. Via Postfly Box.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/10/tippets-talking-about-trigger-fingers-feathers-101/

Friday, 9 November 2018

Video Hatch: “Snow and Trout”

In this short film from Jackson Kayak, Justin Powell, Fishing Manager at Orvis, and Drew Ross, Orvis Ambassador, hit the water for an epic day of snow and trout.




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/09/video-hatch-snow-and-trout/

Fly Gear Guide Website

A new website, Fly Gear Guide, is a fly fishing gear-dedicated site that enables readers to make informed decisions about which gear is best suited to their needs. With three new gear items reviewed weekly, “Each piece of gear is evaluated using real-world testing procedures,” explains publisher Robert Morselli. “No “8-weight shootouts”, no fish porn, no fishing tales—just clear, honest and objective gear evaluations.



source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/09/fly-gear-guide-website/

Thursday, 8 November 2018

Rewild the Willamette – A coalition for wild fish recovery kickoff event!

From The Native Fish Society Oregon has often taken bold action to safeguard the natural landscapes and resources that define the state and our communities. Many times, it has been local Oregonians, passionate about the place they call home, who … Continue reading

source http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2018/11/08/rewild-the-willamette-a-coalition-for-wild-fish-recovery-kickoff-event/

Sage & RIO Looking for Community Manager

Sage Fly Fishing and RIO have announced their search for marketing professional with a passion for fly fishing to join their team as the Sage/RIO Product Community Manager.

Read more in the press release below.

Sage & RIO Looking for Community Manager

Sage Fly Fishing and RIO are seeking an experienced marketer with a passion for fly fishing and the outdoor lifestyle to join our marketing team as the Sage/RIO Product Community Manager. As the Community Manager, you will work with the Sage and RIO Marketing Managers to drive Sage and RIO’s key promotional activities including ambassador/influencer relationships, grassroots promotional efforts, social media platforms, film/event sponsorships, and community (industry and consumer) engagement.

The ideal candidate is passionately engaged with fly fishing and the fly fishing community and has proven relationship building and industry knowledge experience. Must be able to work efficiently on multiple projects and deliver high quality marketing platforms while being simultaneously creative and organized.

This position reports to the VP of Marketing, is headquartered on Bainbridge Island, WA, and spends significant time in-the-field and on-the-water with the fly fishing community.

To see job function and requirement specifics and to apply for this position, visit the Far Bank Careers page today.



source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/08/sage-rio-looking-for-community-manager/

Emerger Strategies Launches The Sustainable Angler Podcast

The first episode of The Sustainable Angler Podcast has been released and features an interview with Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard. Read more in the press release below.

Emerger Strategies Launches The Sustainable Angler Podcast From Emerger Strategies: Patagonia has an incredible story from how it was founded to why “Patagonia” is the company’s namesake.  Yvon Chouinard initially started making climbing pitons that could be used over and over again, therefore causing less damage when climbing and an environmental ethos was born.  In 1968, Chouinard, Doug Tompkins, Dick Dorworth and Chris Jones went looking for adventure on an 8,000 mile trek from Ventura, CA to Patagonia that would inspire and forever change Yvon’s life and the underground film that resulted from their adventure, Mountains of Storm, is now being re-released by Patagonia Films.  Eventually Yvon discovered that rugby shirts would also make durable climbing shirts, which led him to start selling clothes to other climbers.  He named his new clothing company “Patagonia” and has since done everything from introducing organic cotton to its products, being a founding 1% for the Planet member and now has a goal to not use any synthetic fabrics made from petroleum by 2025. I could go on and on, but the rest of Patagonia’s story is told in Yvon’s book, Let My People Go Surfing.  I read it during my last semester of college and it really got me thinking about how business can be used to solve environmental problems.  Reading Let My People Go Surfing not only inspired me to pursue a career in sustainability, but continues to motivate me as I do what I can to protect what I love by helping businesses minimize their environmental impact.  One quote I have always loved from Let My People Go Surfing is: “Who are businesses really responsible to? Their customers? Shareholders? Employees? We would argue that it’s none of the above. Fundamentally, businesses are responsible to their resource base. Without a healthy environment there are no shareholders, no employees, no customers and no business.” – Yvon Chouinard With all of that being said, I recently had the opportunity to interview Yvon for my blog, The Sustainable Angler.  I started The Sustainable Angler blog series with the intent to educate and create more awareness about environmental threats to our fisheries, such as population (overfishing), policy (public lands and climate change) and pollution (plastic and greenhouse gas emissions), or what I call the “3 P’s.”  However, I decided this interview would be a great one to launch The Sustainable Angler Podcast.  This is the first episode of The Sustainable Angler Podcast and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to interview Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard.  We discuss disappearing into the South Pacific looking for the perfect bonefish flat, potentially changing Patagonia’s mission statement and what Patagonia is doing to fight climate change among other topics…I hope you enjoy! Click here to listen to the podcast



source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/08/emerger-strategies-launches-the-sustainable-angler-podcast/

Wednesday, 7 November 2018

Video Hatch: “Chasing Natives”

This short film from Cameron Cushman features the story of two friends as they travel “7,992 miles across the country and back, over 10 species caught, many adventures and memories, as well as meeting some incredible individuals from different walks of life.”




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/07/video-hatch-chasing-natives/

Tippets: Return of American Shad, Fracking on Public Lands, Call for SARA Listing for Fraser Steelhead

  • For the first time since before the Civil War, American shad are successfully spawning in the lower section of the Millstone, a Raritan River tributary. Removal of an old, obsolete dam in Manville, Somerset County has opened the lower section of the river to habitat for American shad.
  • The Trump administration “is auctioning off millions of acres of drilling rights and rolling back regulations.” Learn how fracking is raising environmental concerns around issues such as endangered species and river management in this article via The New York Times.
  • The BC Wildlife Federation has called on Fisheries and Oceans Canada to list Interior Fraser steelhead under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). “A press release issued by the BCWF says the Committee on Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) did an emergency assessment of the species when returns hit record lows last year, and recommended that the Interior Fraser steelhead are at imminent risk of extinction and should be listed under SARA.”


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/07/tippets-return-of-american-shad-fracking-on-public-lands-call-for-sara-listing-for-fraser-steelhead/

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

Rooster Dragon Tail Fly Tying Video

In this video, Jay ties a Saltwater surface pattern using Mangum’s UV2 Dragon Tail and Grizzly Saddle hackle. This would be an excellent pattern to try for Roosterfish, Tarpon, Jacks, snook and other Oceanic beasts. Jay’s Rooster Dragon Tail Hook: … Continue reading

source http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2018/11/06/rooster-dragon-tail-fly-tying-video/

Video Hatch: “British Columbia Whispers”

This film from Sage captures eight days and 60 river miles, “fueled by pre-noon beer and nightcaps of peaty 10-year old scotch. Eat, sleep, climb back into frozen waders, keep fishing.”




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/06/video-hatch-british-columbia-whispers/

Tippets: Sight Setting for Bonefish, Reef-Safe Sunscreens

  • Greg Vincent of H2O Bonefishing details solid advice for successfully hooking more bonefish through a technique called “sight setting.” “When you are fishing from a boat,” he writes, “you often have to contend with slack between you and the fly. The dreaded bane of all things flats fishing, slack will delay your ability to feel the bonefish take. Therefore, anglers need to develop reactions based on the visual indicators first and rely on feel as a secondary bite indicator.” Via Orvis.
  • Being out on the water can be hard on your skin, and chemical sunscreens can have harmful effects on the environment. In this article, Kassondra Cloos reviews reef-safe sunscreens. Via Outside Online.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/06/tippets-sight-setting-for-bonefish-reef-safe-sunscreens/

Monday, 5 November 2018

Video Hatch: “Wyoming Fall”

This beautiful film from Benjamin Kraushaar features fly fishing with friends on a small stream in Wyoming.




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/05/video-hatch-wyoming-fall/

Tippets: Interview with Blane Choclett, Minding Tippet Spools

  • Blane Choclett pioneered the Game Changer style of fly design, and has been a major player in the rise of big game fly fishing in the last decade. From his start in fly fishing to how he develops patterns, read an interview with Choclett on the Flymen blog.
  • Little things matter, writes Bob Reece, and keeping a tidy tippet spool is often overlooked. In this article, Reece outlines why anglers should care about small details. “Effective fly fishers are built from sound habits.  While casting, mending and other learned habits are extremely important; the little things also matter.  As you prep for your next on the water adventure, turn your focus to the petite world of tippet spools.” Via Gink & Gasoline.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/05/tippets-interview-with-blane-choclett-minding-tippet-spools/

Sunday, 4 November 2018

Tippets: Tying Tips for Stacking Flash, Top Flies for November

  • David Goodrich outlines tips and techniques for stacking flash in this post via Backcountry Fish Nerd. “My personal suggestion it so tie it on top of sturdy/bulky materials so the fly is not fouling up and not between the shank and the point,” he writes. “It is a process involving stacking the flash and folding it back over itself.”
  • Scott Dickson, head guide for Trouts Fly Fishing in Denver, Colorado, shares his top five flies for November fishing conditions. From the Griffiths Gnat to the Miracle Midge, learn more here.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/04/tippets-tying-tips-for-stacking-flash-top-flies-for-november/

Saturday, 3 November 2018

Tippets: The College Angler, Location Research

  • Matteo Moretti shares great advice for college anglers in this article via Postfly Box. “Aside from getting in the swing of things academically, the next important thing on your mind is fishing! Whether you’re a senior or starting your first year in college, here are some helpful tips to help get you fishing this fall season.”
  • In the excitement of getting out on the water, practical logistics can often be overlooked. In this article, Kent Klewein writes from experience of why you should do things like research a boat ramp. “Taking the time to research and figure out the logistics of your adventure should always be a priority,” writes Klewein. “Let’s face it, if you can’t get on the water, you sure as heck can’t catch fish.” Via Gink & Gasoline.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/03/tippets-the-college-angler-location-research/

New Winter Hours at The Caddis Fly November 2018



source http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2018/11/03/new-winter-hours-at-the-caddis-fly-november-2018/

Friday, 2 November 2018

Tippets: Henry’s Fork Marathon, Backpacking Locales for Fly Fishing

  • On the summer solstice, fly fishing guide and YETI Ambassador, Jeff Currier, takes advantage of the extended daylight and fishes the ranch of the Henry’s Fork River. “I don’t just do an average day of fishing—you can do that any day. I do an epic day of fishing. A 16-hour, 16-mile-long fishing trek from one end of the ranch to the other and back. This spectacular day of fishing is known as “The Henry’s Fork Marathon.”” Read more via Yeti.
  • From classic Western destinations to the Ozarks of Arkansas, read about ideas for six backpacking trips that include great fishing in this article via The Clymb.


source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/02/tippets-henrys-fork-marathon-backpacking-locales-for-fly-fishing/

Thursday, 1 November 2018

Fall Guide Special on Now through November 2018

We are offering a shortened half day trip on our local waters for trout and steelhead for the rest of November. The cost of the trip is $325. The trip includes guided fishing and equipment for two anglers. The trip … Continue reading

source http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2018/11/01/fall-guide-special-on-now-through-november-2018/

Video Hatch: “Roll Casting Tips – Point P”

In this episode of RIO’s Fly Fishing Tips series, learn techniques for making a great roll cast with a two-handed spey rod.




source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/01/video-hatch-roll-casting-tips-point-p/

New Book: “Stilt Houses of Texas”

A new book highlights the unique architecture of stilt houses of coastal Texas. Stilt Houses of Texas is authored by Michael J. Medrano with photography by Tim Romano.

Read more in the press release below.

Stilt Houses of Texas By Tim Romano (photographer) & Michael J. Medrano (author)

A hard-cover book, french fold jacket, 240 full-color pages, 15.5 x 10.5-inches.  This will not only look good on a coffee table, it might become the coffee table.  $75 available for purchase at https://www.stilthouses.com/

From the Author….

There’s no feeling like that of heading out onto the water—for 1 or 8 hours or even days. The transition from land to sea, dock to vessel, can’t be fully captured by a camera or summed up in words but it’s tangible—you know it when you’re there, you can smell it, you can feel it, you’re so thankful—it’s real.

The journey began for me in the 1990s when I was invited as a guest to duck hunt and fishover the weekend at a cabin in Baffin Bay. The weekend was incredible—an adventure in every regard. The excursion required planning, supplies, time, courage and gear—lots of it. I was hooked. The weather was miserable, a cold front arrived and it rained. Despite the conditions we had a successful hunt and we caught fish. That story was told and retold and the mystery behind the cabin unfolded—how in the world can I get a place like that…? Stilt Houses of Texas began then; on that cold, wet and camaraderie-filled weekend trip to Baffin Bay.

Through the years, I continued to dream of one day having a place like that—a place so remote, so unique, and so intentional. Like chasing a particular species with a vengeance, I became versed in the ways of the cabin program. I learned about the restrictions and the commitments and the agency that is tasked with governing the program. Finally, in the spring of 2012 my cabin quest culminated in the issuance of a permit for a cabin in Cameron County—PC 1554.

My sense of fishing adventure has evolved over the years. I suspect this happens for most… Forme it first began with offshore pursuits, then wade fishing, then inshore fly-fishing. I’ve begun to travel with my fly rod some more as well: Bahamas, Belize, Florida, Christmas Island and there’s a longer list still unvisited… But coming back to fish “home” waters for me is like jumping into my bed after a long trip. It just feels right. That desire to see a sunrise or a sunset on the dock of the cabin is just as appealing as it was 20 years ago after that winter trip to Baffin Bay.

Last summer, I decided to create a book for those who, like me, are constantly longing to be on the water. A book that attempts to capture the vastness of a neighborhood on stilts located mainly along the inshore coastal waterway. This book opens that speakeasy of a community into a bar, one that you can visit as you turn the pages and come back to from time to time.

The Texas coastal inshore fishery is varied and beautiful. It comprises namely three regions, the upper, middle and lower areas of the coast. All of these regions are connected via the intracoastal waterway, which stretches in this state 379 miles from the lower coast of Texas to the border with Louisiana and then continues further all the way to Florida. This project began with a plan to photograph the roughly 400 cabins beginning with the upper coast in the Galveston Bay area and then finishing in the lower coast at South Padre Island. Renowned outdoor photographer Tim Romano agreed that this was a worthy subject although daunting in scope. We began this journey together as we boarded the Maverick HPX-T skiff early one morning in June. What we experienced together are the pearls found when you spend time outdoors—moments, little things that happen because you had your eyes open and you were present—dolphins that surfaced right at the boat, birds on aerobatic display feeding around us as if we were standing in the middle of the buffet line that had just opened, and animals and fish in places that we wouldn’t ever imagine. That summer, we logged more than 100 hours together on that skiff, soaking it all in, the lens pointed and the shutter clicking. We teamed up with local fly fishing guides in the three coastal regions to show us around.

We poled our boat behind these guides in areas that few have ever been and drove the skiff into back bays and lakes that rival fisheries in far-off and distant places.

In chronicling these cabins along the Texas coast one quickly realizes that ingenuity and resourcefulness are requisites for the dwellers that occupy these houses in a subdivision located in the water. We met people who invited us in, showed us around, gave us a drink and told us stories. They were delighted that someone was finally going to tell the story about this Texas treasure. They wanted in the book and they sent us to their neighbors.

In Stilt Houses of Texas, we’ve attempted to capture the essence of these inhabitants as well as their structures. They are all colorful. In some cases, as you’ll see, these houses defy architectural aesthetics in favor of form and function. However, they all have one thing in common: Their foundations are formed on stilts.



source https://midcurrent.com/2018/11/01/new-book-stilt-houses-of-texas/