We have previously featured two cool caddisfly patterns (here and here) by New Jersey fly tier John Collins, and now he’s back with a killer mayfly emerger. The Hendricksons should start popping . . .
The post Video: How to Tie the Hendo Hammer appeared first on Orvis News.
An essay from Thomas McGuane’s The Longest Silence was recently published on LitHub. In “The Misadventures of an Angler,” McGuane writes about the beauty and absurdity of fly fishing. “We are offended by cheating in sports because it is an attempt to make sports predictable. We’ve all experienced predictable fishing: it’s not interesting. At the same time, not all surprises are welcome.” Read more here.
The post McGuane on “The Misadventures of an Angler” appeared first on MidCurrent.
After its debut on the Sportsman Channel in late February, the short film from Conservation Hawks, “In the Heart of the Rockies,” is now available to stream online. The film showcases this incredible landscape through the eyes of the sportsmen and women who know it best, and also shines light on the threat the region faces from climate change.
The post Video Hatch: “In the Heart of the Rockies” appeared first on MidCurrent.
The most popular casting video that Pete Kutzer has ever done is "The Basic Fly Cast" (below), which has been viewed almost 1.2 million times. But I am a big believer that people learn in . . .
The post Video: How to Cast a Fly Rod, the Basics appeared first on Orvis News.
Building a tapered thread body on a small hook, for a fly such as a Zebra Midge, is a fairly simple process, but things can go wrong pretty easily. You don't want to end up with a misshapen or fat . . .
The post Video: How to Build a Tapered Thread Body appeared first on Orvis News.
The First Annual We’re So Fly Festival will be held May 2-5, 2019, in Bath County, Virginia. The event features self-guided and fee-guided fly fishing trips with local guides, as well as classes on everything from making goat cheese to improving your fly casting technique.
Read more in the press release below.
First Annual We’re So Fly Trout Festival
Author Beau Beasley will be speaking at this year’s We’re So Fly Trout Festival
Attention, Mid-Atlantic fly anglers: The First Annual We’re So Fly Festival will be held May 2-5, 2019, in beautiful Bath County, Virginia. Spread over three full days, We’re So Fly will offer a host of activities for anglers and non-anglers alike.
The event kicks off with a welcome reception featuring appetizers, wines and spirits, a great meal, and a silent auction to benefit Project Healing Waters. The event features self-guided and fee-guided fly fishing trips with local guides, a wide-ranging variety of classes such as a goat cheese-making demo and tour with Hidden Valley B&B, “Conquering Your Fears of Cooking Fish,” and introductory fly casting classes. You can also learn about Brews & Buggs at a small group class given at Bacova Beer Company.
Don’t miss the Lunch & Learn Class taught by author and Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival Director Beau Beasley, who will discuss “Effective Patterns for the Mid-Atlantic” while patrons enjoy a fine lunch at Fort Lewis Lodge.
Not a fly angler? No problem! Decompress with a yoga class at the nearby Omni Homestead–or perhaps a wine & fish pairing class.
“We wanted to put together a really fun event that would appeal to lots of different folks with different interests. Some anglers might know about Virginia’s Jackson River, of course, but Bath County has a lot more to offer than a single fishing destination,” says Kate Loeffler, the event organizer. Loeffler is the proprietor of The Inn at Gristmill Square and Waterwheel Restaurant; she agreed to spearhead the event. “There’s a lot of things to see and do in Bath County. This festival allows visitors to choose from a variety of options and stay with our lodging partners and sponsors over the course of a few days.”
Bath County is located near the Allegheny Mountains and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. To order tickets click here. To find out how you can be a part of this year’s We’re So Fly Festival, contact Kate Loeffler via e-mail at kate@gristmillsquare.com.
The post First Annual We’re So Fly Trout Festival appeared first on MidCurrent.
Flymen Fishing Company is holding a fly tying contest on Instagram from the last week of April through the end of May. Grand prizes include products from Flymen Fishing Co., Howler Brothers, Rep Your Water, Loon Outdoors, Kona Fishing Products, Hareline Dubbin, Taylor Fly Fishing, and Cortland Line. Find more information here about how to enter.
The post Flymen Fishing Company Fly Tying Contest appeared first on MidCurrent.
The latest how-to video from Ben Sittig, a.k.a Huge Fly Fisherman, is all about sunglasses, which perform three important functions for an angler: Eye protection, glare elimination, and expression of coolness (or not). He walks you through . . .
The post Video: The Huge Fly Fisherman Explains Why Sunglasses are so Important for Anglers appeared first on Orvis News.
The northern Rockies are known for their majestic peaks, gorgeous rivers, abundant wildlife, and amazing natural beauty. At the same time, the area offers some of the finest hunting and fishing in the Lower 48. This film from Conservation Hawks show . . .
The post Video: In the Heart of the Rockies appeared first on Orvis News.
Today’s Master Class Monday video by Dave and Amelia Jensen is an Orvis-exclusive in which Dave offers great advice on how to approach very spooky fish in small streams. The second these trout are aware of your presence, they’re gone, so you need to . . .
The post Master Class Monday: How to Cast to Very Spooky Trout appeared first on Orvis News.
The Pebble Mine project--which would create the world's largest open-pit mine at the headwaters of Alaska's Bristol Bay watershed--is a disaster waiting to happen. At risk is the last great wild-salmon run on the planet, as well as . . .
The post Make Your Voice Heard in the Fight Against Pebble Mine appeared first on Orvis News.
RepYourWater has announced the release of their 2nd Annual Sustainability Report, demonstrating leadership and commitment to the environment “by taking a strong stance on climate change, public lands and other policy issues that negatively impact our fisheries.”
Read more in the press release below.
RepYourWater Releases 2018 Sustainability Report
Erie, CO, April 19, 2019 – RepYourWater has released their 2nd annual Sustainability Report and continue to reduce their environmental impact. For the second year in a row they have diverted over 95% of the waste from their office and warehouse in Colorado from the landfill, which is an accomplishment in its own right. However, in 2018 RepYourWater took another big step in reducing their carbon footprint from their office and warehouse through Renewable Energy Credits, and continue to volunteer their time to conservation as well as donating at 3% of their sales to their 17 nonprofit conservation partners. RepYourWater also continues to demonstrate their leadership by taking a strong stance on climate change, public lands and other policy issues that negatively impact our fisheries as is demonstrated in their 2018 Sustainability Report.
In 2018, RepYourWater donated over $50,000 to its nonprofit conservation partners and in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint, they offset 100% of their office and warehouses greenhouse gas emissions with Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). RepYourWater co-founders, Corinne and Garrison Doctor had this to say about addressing climate change is so important for their company and they stated: “We know climate change is the greatest threat to fisheries and the planet, so we made a decision to tread as lightly as possible as a company and are very proud of our 2018 social and environmental performance. We started with our own internal operations and in the near future you can expect to see us begin tackling the social and environmental impact of our supply chain and products, and just getting started!”
RepYourWater started working with sustainability and marketing consulting firm, Emerger Strategies, in 2016 because they wanted to further authenticate their brand by improving the environmental performance of their operations and products. Emerger Strategies President, Rick Crawford, had this to say about RepYourWater, “Corinne and Garrison are the real-deal, and they truly care about the impact their company is having on the environment. RepYourWater is the definition of a purpose-driven brand that is using its business to solve environmental problems.”
RepYourWater is thrilled to share their 2018 Sustainability Report with you. Stay tuned for more exciting news from RepYourWater in 2019.
ABOUT REP YOUR WATER
RepYourWater is an apparel brand dedicated to providing uniquely designed, top quality gear for anglers and hunters while increasing support of local conservation and inspiring exploration. RepYourWater donates at least 3% of every sale to its nonprofit conservation partners and is working towards achieving their sustainability goals.
The post RepYourWater Releases 2018 Sustainability Report appeared first on MidCurrent.
Abel has announced the release of a new custom reel. The limited edition design features the iconic AC/DC logo in a hand-painted and hand-anodized finish.
Read more in the press release below.
Abel x AC/DC Limited Edition Fly Reel
The custom Abel x AC/DC reel features the iconic AC/DC logo in a hand-painted and hand-anodized finish. A proprietary process also adds background smoke, completing a one-of-a-kind design that fans will aspire to add to their collection. These limited edition are available in the Super Series model in two sizes; 5/6 and 7/8. Each reel is individually serialized 1 through 300 in an AC/DC style font that aficionados are sure to recognize.
Features:
MSRP: $1355
The post Abel x AC/DC Limited Edition Fly Reel appeared first on MidCurrent.
When saltwater fishing, many anglers think the most important factor when casting is distance. However, as Bruce Chard writes, accuracy and speed both play just as important roles. “Not only is accuracy a huge part of success in the salt, the most valuable asset is speed. If you can get the fly there fast with minimal movement, your odds of a hook up go through the roof.” Read more via Gink & Gasoline.
The post Importance of Short Saltwater Casts appeared first on MidCurrent.
In this Q&A session, Brian Flechsig of Mad River Outfitters answers questions on everything from saltwater flies to what to wear under waders.
The post Video Hatch: “Mad River Outfitters Q&A” appeared first on MidCurrent.
Orvis has announced the new season of Fly Fishing 101 Clinics, which are offered free of charge at Orvis locations across the United States. “Our hope is that we can help break down the barriers to entry and provide a unique opportunity for families and friends to come together and connect in the outdoors,” says Tom Rosenbauer.
Read more in the press release below.
Orvis Announces 11th Year of Free Fly Fishing 101 Clinics
Orvis introduces more than 15,000 new people to fly fishing every year through free fly-fishing classes. FF101 classes can be found in 43 U.S. states and include a free annual membership to Trout Unlimited. Additionally, for every student that attends an FF101 class in 2019, Orvis will make a $1 donation to Casting for Recovery®, a unique organization that provides therapeutic fly-fishing retreats to women with breast cancer.
“At Orvis, we believe that fly fishing can have a positive impact on people’s lives, and we want as many folks as possible to have the opportunity to get out on the water and enjoy the sport,” states Tom Rosenbauer, fly-fishing mentor, author, and host of the Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast. “We created FF101 classes to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to come learn to fish. Our hope is that we can help break down the barriers to entry and provide a unique opportunity for families and friends to come together and connect in the outdoors.”
Orvis is an instructional leader within the fly fishing industry, hosting schools in the U.S. since the early 1970s. For the 2019 season, classes will be offered from May through July at Orvis retail stores across the country. Students are guaranteed individualized instruction on all the basics, like how to assemble a rod, how to attach the reel, and how to string line up through the guides. Students learn the differences between the fly line and the leader, as well as basic types of flies and knots needed for a successful day on the water.
“After the basics are covered in the classroom, we take you outside to get a rod in your hand and start casting right away,” promises Rosenbauer. “In FF201 classes, folks have the opportunity to put their new skills to the test, fishing on their local waters.”
The free clinics are held at all Orvis retail locations and many of their authorized dealers. Locations are listed at Orvis.com/flyfishing101.
FF101 classes are available in the following states:
About The Orvis Company: Founded in 1856, we believe the most meaningful experiences are created by sharing the love of nature and being inspired by its endless possibilities. Orvis pioneered the mail order industry in the United States, operates more than 80 retail stores in the U.S and the U.K., and maintains a network of over 400 dealers worldwide as a trusted source of discovery and adventure in the natural world. We promise to open the door to extraordinary outdoor experiences, and to protect nature by committing 5% of our pretax profits each year to conservation efforts worldwide.
Learn more at www.orvis.com.
The post Orvis Announces 11th Year of Free Fly Fishing 101 Clinics appeared first on MidCurrent.
This short film tells the story of three Alaska fishing guides who road trip their way home from AK to NYC.
The post Video Hatch: “Movements” appeared first on MidCurrent.
The decision to change flies shouldn’t be solely dependent on whether or not they’re successful, but also how your flies are holding up. In other words, “Fishing a fly with issues is just fishing the wrong fly.” Louis Cahill writes about how to notice “3 Reasons It’s Time To Change Flies” in this article via Gink & Gasoline.
The post Three Reasons to Change Flies appeared first on MidCurrent.
The Bonefish and Tarpon Trust is teaming up with researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute to identify where juvenile bonefish settle in the Florida Keys. “Identifying and protecting essential fish habitat is the first and most important step towards recovering the bonefish population in the Florida Keys.”
The post BTT Works to Conserve Bonefish Nurseries appeared first on MidCurrent.
Welcome to the another edition of the Orvis News Friday Fly-Fishing Film Festival! Each week, we scour the Web for the best fly-fishing videos available and then serve them up for you to enjoy. This week, we’ve got a baker’s dozen production that will . . .
The post Friday Fly-Fishing Film Festival 04.19.19 appeared first on Orvis News.
A couple weeks ago, we launched the Spring Orvis Days Contest, which asks folks to post their best images of original flies on Instagram, along with the hashtags #orvisflytyingcontest and #regal_vise. There were well over 200 entries, and the . . .
The post Vote for the Winners in Our Spring Orvis Days Fly-Tying Contest! appeared first on Orvis News.
A few weeks ago, I did a podcast on floating fly lines with Josh Jenkins of Scientific Anglers. Not only was it popular, but I also hinted that we might do one on sinking lines, which produced a minor barrage of requests for one. So here it is. You’ll learn . . .
The post Podcast: All About Sinking Lines, with Josh Jenkins appeared first on Orvis News.
In this new film from the Buffet Series, the Capture Crew heads to the Olympic Peninsula to fly fish for steelhead.
The post Video Hatch: “Chrome Buffet” appeared first on MidCurrent.
Casting for Recovery’s 7th annual national fundraiser, Cast One for Hope, will be held September 27-28, 2019 in Hamilton, Montana. “This year’s event includes a Kick-Off Party, an all-day guided float on the Bitterroot River and caps off with a Celebration Dinner showcasing live and silent auctions with fishing awards given.”
Read more in the press release below.
Montana Bitterroot Valley single-fly event in its 7th year, raising money for national breast cancer fishing program
Bozeman MT—April 9, 2019—Casting for Recovery, a non-profit organization offering free support and educational fly fishing retreats for women with breast cancer, is excited to announce its 7th annual Cast One for Hope event to be held September 27-28, 2019 in Hamilton, MT. This year’s event includes a Kick-Off Party, an all-day guided float on the Bitterroot River and caps off with a Celebration Dinner showcasing live and silent auctions with fishing awards given.
“The Cast One for Hope gives anglers from across the country an unforgettable day of guided fly fishing while supporting a great cause. Anglers are out on the beautiful Bitterroot River in the fall to raise money to help provide the CfR experience to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer” says CfR Executive Director, Whitney Milhoan.
Angling Registration is open to the public at $1100 per person which includes the Friday Kick-Off Party, a full-day guided float including lunch, and attendance at the Saturday Celebration Dinner at Flying Horse Montana in Corvallis, MT. Tickets for the Kick-Off Party, $40, and Celebration Dinner, $100, may be purchased separately on the event website.
Cast One for Hope sponsors to date are:
SIMMS, American Fly Fishing Trade Association, Costa, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, Athena & Artemis, New Horizons Physical Therapy, Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop, Cheeky/Wingo, F3T, Farmers State Bank and Sawyer Paddles & Oars.
Other sponsors are continuing to be sought for the event.
To learn more about the Cast One for Hope and to register click here.
For sponsorship opportunities or questions please contact
Peg Miskin:
castone@castingforrecovery.org
(707) 529-2760
www.castingforrecovery.org
www.facebook.com/castingforrecovery
The post Cast One for Hope appeared first on MidCurrent.
Welcome to a classic 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, we’ve got ten questions about fly-line terminology, . . .
The post Take a Classic Phil Monahan Fly-Fishing Trivia Challenge 04.11.19 appeared first on Orvis News.
When I decided that I wanted to spend my summers a fishing guide—I was in graduate school at the time—I didn’t really know how to go about becoming one, so I used a shotgun approach. I applied to literally every lodge and outfitter I could find in Alaska and the Rocky Mountain. . .
The post Classic Pro Tips: How to Become a Fly-Fishing Guide appeared first on Orvis News.
In this video from Salmon & Trout Conservation, Sir David Attenborough shares his views on the need to protect all populations of wild salmon. The video marks the celebration of the International Year of the Salmon.
The post Video Hatch: “Sir David Attenborough Talks Salmon for IYS” appeared first on MidCurrent.
In this video from Vince Tobia, view some great aerial footage of fly fishing Crooked Island in The Bahamas.
The post Video Hatch: “Shakey’s Bonefish” appeared first on MidCurrent.
Just in time for warm weather fishing conditions, Rep Your Water has release a re-designed line of sun shirts.
Read more in the press release below.
Rep Your Water Sun Shirts: Lighter, Re-Designed & More Affordable
From RepYourWater:
We did a full redesign on our Sun Shirts and Hoodies for this year. We kept to the soft, supple feel but lightened them up and brought in a new color palate. We also reduced the price to you. Grab one.
Special Edition BHA X RepYourWater Sun Hoody
Featuring a reproduction of a pen and ink original by our designer Garrison Doctor, this one is a perfect choice for all of your high country adventures this summer. 20% supports Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.
The post Rep Your Water Sun Shirts: Lighter, Re-Designed & More Affordable appeared first on MidCurrent.
Wire is a common element of a nymph pattern. “Whether in the form of ribbing or full body segments, this material adds the important elements of segmentation, durability and weight,” writes Bob Reece. “Yet, because of its fairly rigid nature, it can be a difficult material to work with.” Learn tips and tricks for tying with wire in this article via Gink & Gasoline.
The post Tying with Wire appeared first on MidCurrent.
Welcome to the latest installment of the Wednesday Wake-Up Call, a weekly roundup of the most pressing conservation issues important to anglers. Working with our friends at Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the Theodore . . .
The post Wednesday Wake-Up Call 04.17.19 appeared first on Orvis News.
Video: Giant Olympic Peninsula Steelhead
Author Phil MonahanPosted on April 17, 2019Categories Fly Fishing
Edit "Video: Giant Olympic Peninsula Steelhead"
Here’s the second installment of the “Buffet Series” from Gilbert Rowley and Phil Tuttle. In this video, they chase wild steelhead on the Olympic Peninsula, near Forks, Washington. Fishing with Orvis-endorsed guide service Chrome Chasers, they seem . . .
The post Video: Giant Olympic Peninsula Steelhead appeared first on Orvis News.
In the latest great fly-tying video from Tightline Productions, Tim Flagler ties a variation of the venerated Pat's Rubberlegs, which he has previously featured. The "plus" in the name here . . .
The post Video: How to Tie the Pat’s Plus appeared first on Orvis News.
Learn the fundamentals of fly fishing, in fresh or saltwater, in this podcast episode of the Saltwater Experience.
The post Podcast Episode: How to Start Fly Fishing via Saltwater Experience appeared first on MidCurrent.
Attaching to wader suspenders, Patagonia’s versatile Wader Work Station helps organize tools, gear and accessories in the field.
The post Video Hatch: “Patagonia Wader Work Station” appeared first on MidCurrent.
Welcome to another Orvis Job Openings announcement, where we update you periodically on the opportunities to be a part of the Orvis team. If you follow our social channels, you’re probably already aware of what a great place this is to work—from the . . .
The post Orvis Job Openings 04.16.19 appeared first on Orvis News.
Do I have a lucky fishing hat? I’ll only answer that question if you answer it first. It’s a delicate thing to admit to superstitions when we should be working on our double haul or stealth-emerger tactics. But let’s just say I did have a lucky hat. It was . . .
The post The Perils of Lucky Hats appeared first on Orvis News.
American Rivers has released its annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2019. “This year’s report spotlights the threat that climate change poses to rivers, clean water supplies, public safety and communities nationwide.”
Read more in the press release below.
American Rivers Announces America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2019
From American Rivers:
American Rivers today released its annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, identifying ten rivers facing imminent threats. This year’s report spotlights the threat that climate change poses to rivers, clean water supplies, public safety and communities nationwide.
From water scarcity on New Mexico’s Gila River, named the #1 Most Endangered River in the country, to sea-level rise on the Hudson and flooding on the Upper Mississippi, America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2019 illustrates what’s at stake and the choices facing communities.
“Climate change is striking rivers and water supplies first and hardest,” said Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers. “America’s Most Endangered Rivers is a call to action. We must speak up and take action, because climate change will profoundly impact every river and community in our country. Healthy rivers are our best defense against droughts, floods and the impacts of a changing climate.”
Climate change is the most consequential environmental challenge facing our planet. In the U.S., cities are struggling to do more with less water, fish and wildlife are struggling to survive, forest fires are growing more destructive and storms are triggering more life-threatening floods. In March, record flooding across the Midwest killed at least four people and cost more than $3 billion in property damages in Nebraska and Iowa. The harshest impacts of climate change are often most prevalent in communities of color and economically disadvantaged communities.
The National Climate Assessment released in 2018 states, “Water quality and water supply reliability are jeopardized by climate change in a variety of ways that affect ecosystems and livelihoods…Very heavy precipitation events have increased nationally and are projected to increase in all regions. The length of dry spells is projected to increase in most areas, especially the southern and northwestern portions of the contiguous United States.”
The top three rivers in America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2019 demonstrate how climate change is already having an impact, and how our actions will either weaken or strengthen river communities:
“Our nation is at a crossroads. If we continue to degrade and abuse our rivers, we will compromise our ability to deal with increasingly severe droughts and floods. But if we protect and restore our rivers in thoughtful and equitable ways that do not perpetuate the mistakes of the past, we can strengthen our communities and create a more secure future,” Irvin said.
“We are committed to spotlighting threats and working with communities on solutions that benefit people and rivers. We believe everyone in our country deserves clean water and a healthy river.”
In addition to announcing the nation’s ten endangered rivers, American Rivers honored Ohio’s Cuyahoga River as “River of the Year.” The title spotlights the river as a national success story and celebrates the progress Cleveland has made in cleaning up the Cuyahoga, fifty years since the river’s famous fire that sparked the nation’s environmental movement.
“Fifty years ago, the Cuyahoga River was so polluted it caught fire. In this anniversary year, we celebrate the progress that has been made in Cleveland, and we underscore the importance of clean, healthy rivers to cities nationwide,” said Irvin. “May other cities draw inspiration from Cleveland’s story, and may we all work together to spark an urban river renaissance nationwide. Because everyone in our country deserves clean water and a healthy river.”
In its 34th year, the annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® report is a list of rivers at a crossroads, where key decisions in the coming months will determine the rivers’ fates. Rivers are chosen for the list based on the following criteria: 1) The magnitude of the threat, 2) The significance of the river to people and nature and 3) A critical decision-point in the coming year. Over the years, the report has helped spur many successes including the removal of outdated dams and the prevention of harmful development and pollution.
AMERICA’S MOST ENDANGERED RIVERS® OF 2019
#1 Gila River, New Mexico
Gov. Grisham must choose a healthier, more cost-effective way to provide water to agriculture than by drying up the state’s last major free-flowing river.
#2 Hudson River, New York
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must consider effective, nature-based alternatives to storm-surge barriers that would choke off this biologically rich tidal estuary.
#3 Upper Mississippi River, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri
State and federal agencies must enforce laws that prohibit illegal levees, which increase flood risk for communities and degrade vital fish and wildlife habitat.
#4 Green-Duwamish River, Washington
Local leaders must produce a flood protection plan that safeguards communities and restores habitat for chinook salmon — fish that are essential to the diet of Puget Sound’s endangered orca whales.
#5 Willamette River, Oregon
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must immediately improve 13 dams to save wild chinook salmon and steelhead from going extinct.
#6 Chilkat River, Alaska
The Japanese investment firm, DOWA, must do the responsible thing and back out of a mining project that could decimate native salmon.
#7 South Fork Salmon River, Idaho
The U.S. Forest Service must safeguard endangered fish by denying a mining proposal that could pollute this tributary of the Wild and Scenic Salmon River.
#8 Buffalo National River, Arkansas
Gov. Hutchinson must demand closure of an industrial hog-farming facility that pollutes groundwater and threatens endangered species.
#9 Big Darby Creek, Ohio
Local leaders must use state-of-the-art science to craft a responsible development plan that protects this pristine stream.
#10 Stikine River, Alaska
The International Joint Commission of the United States and Canada must protect the river’s clean water, fish and wildlife, and indigenous communities by stopping harmful, polluting mines.
ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS
American Rivers believes every community in our country should have clean water and a healthy river. Since 1973, we have been protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers and conserving clean water for people and nature. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., and offices across the country, we are the most effective river conservation organization in the United States, delivering solutions that will last for generations to come. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org.
The post American Rivers Announces America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2019 appeared first on MidCurrent.
The final steps of creating a Pheasant Tail Nymph involve adding legs that sweep back from the head along the thorax. In this short video, Tim demonstrates his ingenious methods for finishing . . .
The post Video: How to Create Legs on a Pheasant Tail Nymph appeared first on Orvis News.
In one of his recent essays published in Gray’s Sporting Journal, John Gierach writes about fly fishing for muskie in Wisconsin. “In some ways muskie fishing reminds me of Spey casting for steelhead or Atlantic salmon,” he explains. “It’s not so elegant and lacks the stodgy sense of tradition, but it does involve the same kind of attentive repetition that demands pacing yourself, sort of like digging a long line of identical postholes.” Read more here.
The post John Gierach on Wisconsin Muskies appeared first on MidCurrent.
In this episode of the Wet Fly Swing podcast, host Dave Stewart talks with Joe Brooks, producer of the recent documentary about the legendary angler of the same name, Joe Brooks, who was his grandfather’s brother. “We find out how the late great Joe Brooks fell from grace to live on the streets but pulled himself out of the gutter to become one of the most influential fly fisherman in history.”
The post Podcast Episode: Joe Brooks on Wet Fly Swing appeared first on MidCurrent.
Here is some very cool footage from the 1920s(?) of anglers steelheading on Vancouver Island. Brigadier General Noel Money fishes the Stamp River with traditional Spey gear, and it looks like he is money with a fly rod in his hands. It's tough to watch them gaff such gorgeous wild fish—something that would appall and anger us today—but this was long before the catch-and-release ethic took. . .
The post Video: Amazing Archival Footage of Early-1900s Steelheading appeared first on Orvis News.
Ben Sittig, a.k.a Huge Fly Fisherman, is back with another informative and humorous video seasoned with a few cranky opinions that are sure to ruffle some feathers. Sittig makes use of his Fisheries Biology degree to give a . . .
The post Video: Basic Insect Identification for Fly Fishers appeared first on Orvis News.
Today’s video is another exclusive Orvis video by Dave and Amelia Jensen, featuring amazing shots of trout feeding. In this installment of our weekly lesson, Dave explains the rationale . . .
The post Master Class Monday: How to Choose a Nymph for a Tandem Rig appeared first on Orvis News.
A two-part article in the Winter and Spring 2019 issues of The American Fly Fisher, the journal of the American Museum of Fly Fishing, explores the world’s oldest known artificial flies. The patterns date from the late 1700s and early 1800s and are part of the Harris Collection of Irish and English fly patterns at AMFF.
Read more in the press release below.
The Harris Collection of Irish and English Fly Patterns
Manchester, Vermont (April 2019) The American Museum of Fly Fishing
Celebrating the World’s Oldest Known Flies
A rare look back more than two centuries to the fly-tying savvy revealed by the extraordinary Harris Collection of Irish and English fly patterns at the American Museum of Fly Fishing.
The American Fly Fisher, the journal of the American Museum of Fly Fishing, has published a thorough analysis of the world’s oldest known artificial flies, dating from the late 1700s and early 1800s. Written by Andrew Herd and Paul Schullery, the two-part article appears in the Winter and Spring 2019 issues of the journal.
Herd, the leading British fly-fishing historian, and Schullery, former director of the museum, describe and analyze the unique collection of historic trout and salmon flies that include the oldest known flies anywhere, dating from the late 1700s. “These are amazing artifacts,” says AMFF Executive Director Sarah Foster. “Merely their survival for more than two centuries is a big deal.” The collection has never before been studied or analyzed in any detail, as it has spent almost all of the past 200 years in private hands. In several significant ways, Herd and Schullery’s analysis of these flies pushes back the earliest known dates of various fly-tying practices, often by decades. American Fly Fisher Editor Kathleen Achor agrees: “Among other things, this collection has also allowed us to connect the first realistic published illustrations of artificial flies from the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries with historically contemporary artificial flies. These articles are possibly the most important new development in the study of early fly-fishing history since Professor Richard Hoffmann’s scholarly research in the 1980s and 1990s dramatically reshaped our understanding of the origins of Old World fly fishing.”
The articles are generously illustrated with scans of the earliest known woodcuts and engravings of flies that appeared in fishing books in the 1600s and 1700s, as well as with a wealth of spectacular color photographs of painstakingly accurate replicas of the original flies tied by Australian master fly tier Robert Frandsen.
The flies were originally gathered, used, and carefully documented by the Gregory family of Galway, whose colorful and often quirky history is also chronicled in the articles. The flies eventually came into the hands of Irish fly-fishing writer John Richard Harris, a fellow of the Royal Entomological Society and author of the milestone An Angler’s Entomology (1952), which featured among its many illustrations a photograph of a few of these very flies. The flies eventually made their way into the hands of Dorothy Downs (of Branford, CT), who generously donation them to the museum in 1991.
“We at the museum have always prided ourselves on leading the exploration of our sport’s fascinating history,” said Sarah Foster. “Over the years we’ve published many discoveries, but none may be more significant than this groundbreaking study of a truly unique collection of flies. For a direct connection with our eighteenth-century angling ancestors, there is nothing that approaches the Harris Collection.”
The American Museum of Fly Fishing was founded in 1968 by a group of passionate anglers who wanted to ensure that the history of fly fishing was preserved as an important part of America’s culture, industry, and history. Having just celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, staff has energetically collected, studied, preserved, and exhibited the sport’s greatest treasures, including flies by countless historical and modern authorities ranging from Theodore Gordon and Mary Orvis Marbury to Lefty Kreh and Ernest Schwiebert.
The American Museum of Fly Fishing is open from 10:00 a.m.to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday from May through October, and Tuesday through Saturday from November through June. For more information about the museum, please visit amff.org or connect on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Media Contact: Samantha Pitcher| 802-362-3300 ext. 205, spitcher@amff.org
The post The Harris Collection of Irish and English Fly Patterns appeared first on MidCurrent.
This film from the Wild Salmon Center highlights the challenges facing coastal salmon strongholds on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and the work being done to protect these populations.
The post Video Hatch: “Coldwater Connection” appeared first on MidCurrent.
In early spring trout start to hone in on mayflies. In this short film, Tanner Smith and Scott Dickson of Trouts Fly Fishing hit the middle Colorado River, highlighting the top five flies for April.
The post Video Hatch: “Five Flies for April 2019” appeared first on MidCurrent.
The 11th Annual Chica de Mayo will be held May 11, 2019, in Bozeman, Montana. This women’s fly fishing event educational clinics, conservation programing, new product highlights and more. “This year, we’re expanding our educational offerings and also hosting an event kick off social/trunk show Friday evening,” says event coordinator, Sarah Clark. “This event is a fantastic day of fly fishing education, camaraderie, programs, fundraising for Casting for Recovery, and more! We’ve been seeing right around 200 women attend for the past several years.” Find more information via The River’s Edge.
The post 11th Annual Chica de Mayo appeared first on MidCurrent.
Nebraska’s Interstate 80 provides unexpected, and surprisingly good, warmwater fishing opportunities along a 350-mile stretch from Big Springs to Omaha. On a road trip to the College World Series, Tom Bie stops to fish Kea Lake. “Whether you’re a college baseball fan or not, this drive is worth it for the bass fishing alone,” he writes. “As long as you’ve got a float-tube, canoe, or kayak, and don’t mind a semi-truck soundtrack, the opportunities to toss poppers at largemouth are virtually endless on this bassy stretch of Interstate.” Via The Drake.
The post Bass Fishing Nebraska’s I-80 appeared first on MidCurrent.
In this episode of RIO’s “How To” series, RIO sales manager Zack Dalton fishes the salt flats of Cuba, offering “numerous great tips for the tarpon angler, including how to prepare yourself and your line on the boat and be ready for that shot, what to look for when out tarpon fishing, and the best way to play a tarpon.”
The post Video Hatch: “How To Fly Fish For Tarpon” appeared first on MidCurrent.
The American Fly Fishing Trade Association has released a statement in praise of new bipartisan legislation that would permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Read more in the press release below.
AFFTA applauds legislation to permanently fund Land and Water Conservation Fund
Bill that would fully fund LWCF receives wide bipartisan support, heads to Senate.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2019
Bozeman, MT: On the heels of a decisive vote to permanently reauthorize the Land and Conservation Fund under the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act in February, Senate leaders from both sides of the isle joined together to put forward a bill that would fully and permanently fund the LWCF at the originally intended annual level of $900 million.
“This is a bold and necessary next step for the most important conservation program in our country,” says Ben Bulis, AFFTA president. “We saw the undeniable, bipartisan support that came to bear when the LWCF was permanently reauthorized. We are completely behind the Senate leadership who have now put this stake in the ground to ensure that our public lands, lakes, rivers and parks get the full and appropriate funding they deserve as well.”
The Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act was introduced by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Cory Gardner (R-CO). They were joined by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard Burr (R-NC), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Jon Tester (D-MT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Susan Collins (R-ME), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Angus King (I-ME).
“This is proof-positive that working together to protect our most valuable natural resources is possible and a shared priority regardless of where we call home. We urge the full Senate to join their colleagues in support of this bill and ensuring the protection of our outdoor heritage for generations to come.”
AFFTA advocates for and promotes the sustained growth of the fly fishing industry. By igniting consumer demand for products and services, providing businesses the tools to be successful, and advocating for access, protection and restoration of fishing waters, we will continue to enhance the passion and profitability of the sport of fly fishing.
Contact: Matt Smythe (585) 406-5525, matt.smythe@affta.org
The post AFFTA Applauds Legislation to Fund Land and Water Conservation Fund appeared first on MidCurrent.
Welcome to the another edition of the Orvis News Friday Fly-Fishing Film Festival! Each week, we scour the Web for the best fly-fishing videos available and then serve them up for you to enjoy. This week, we serve up fourteen . . .
The post Friday Fly-Fishing Film Festival 04.12.19 appeared first on Orvis News.
This week, I interview Jeremy Wade, of “River Monsters” fame. You may remember the episode where he caught a huge arapaima on an Orvis H3 and Mirage reel. He doesn’t always use a fly rod, but he does enjoy everything . . .
The post Podcast: River Monsters, with Jeremy Wade appeared first on Orvis News.
In this short film, the Nomadic Anglers crew heads to Pyramid Lake with the CSU Fly Fishing Club. While showcasing hooking up with the legendary monster trout, the goal “is to show our appreciation for all the successful conservation efforts that have taken place to restore the fishery.”
The post Video Hatch: “Pyramid” appeared first on MidCurrent.
The Fly Rod Chronicles is teaming up with country musician Thomas Fountain for a concert to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Bristol, VA/TN. The event will be held April 26, 2019, at Studio Brew in Bristol, VA.
Read more in the press release below.
The Fly Rod Chronicles and Thomas Fountain Team Up for Benefit Concert
The Fly Rod Chronicles with Curtis Fleming and up and coming country music star Thomas Fountain pair up for a concert to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Bristol, VA/TN.
The fly fishing community of NE Tennessee and SW Virginia are invited to attend a special event at Studio Brew in Bristol, VA on April 26, 2019. America’s longest running Fly Fishing show, the Fly Rod Chronicles with Curtis Fleming, has teamed up with Thomas Fountain to host a concert to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital starting at 6:30.
“We are going to be in the area filming a new episode all about the famous tailwaters of NE Tennessee, and my good friend Thomas Fountain wanted to be in the show… so, we decided to have an event since we are here! We know tons of people who have been affected by children’s cancer, so as a thank you to the area for hosting us, we decided to raise some money and have some fun!” says Curtis Fleming host of the Fly Rod Chronicles.
Thomas Fountain is an up and coming Country music star and avid fly fisherman. With is sophomore album set to hit to airwaves in early May, this was a great time for him to relax before the touring season and put on a show to an audience known for their love of music.
“I can’t wait to play in Bristol, we’ve never been able to, so this is a treat for us!” says Thomas Fountain. “I mean, the chance to fly fish with Curtis, play music in the Birthplace of Country Music, and raise money for St. Jude’s, it’s a win win for all of us involved.”
The money raised will be donated in the loving memory of Tyler Boggs who passed away last summer to a rare bone cancer. Tyler, 14, is the son of Scott & Tiffany Boggs, a co-founder of Rock Treads, a sponsor of the event and the Fly Rod Chronicles Show.
The event is also being sponsored by Westervelt Ecological Services, the South Holston River Company and Studio Brew in Bristol, VA site of the event.
The part will start at 6:30 with a chance to meet Curtis and Thomas, take pictures, hear some stories and win some great fly fishing prizes. Thomas will take the stage at 8 for a great show. There is a limited number of tickets, so be sure and get yours today online through Eventbrite and Facebook.
The post The Fly Rod Chronicles and Thomas Fountain Team Up for Benefit Concert appeared first on MidCurrent.
Welcome to an all-new 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, we’ve got ten questions about fish history, fly-tying . . .
The post Take an All-New Phil Monahan Fly-Fishing Trivia Challenge 04.11.19 appeared first on Orvis News.
The crown jewel of Montana’s off-the-beaten path fisheries, the Smith River is a small but floatable river that winds its way through a limestone canyon that effectively divides the Big and Little Belt mountain ranges. The scenery is spectacular, . . .
The post Pro Tips: Seasons of Montana’s Smith River appeared first on Orvis News.
Fly fishermen are masters of euphemism when it comes to tangled leaders. “Oh, look. I’ve got a wind knot,” an angler will say on the even the most flat-calm day. Sorry, my friend, but the wind had nothing to do with that knot, which was surely caused by. . .
The post Pro Tips: How to Untangle Knots in Your leader appeared first on Orvis News.
Dave Sweet has spent over a decade helping to bring the Yellowstone cutthroat trout back from the brink of extinction. In this film, along with his daughter, Diana, a fisheries biologist, he travels “into the infamous Thorofare area of Yellowstone, the most remote wilderness in the lower 48, to see if his efforts have been successful and if the trout has returned to its native spawning runs. Via KGB Productions.
The post Video Hatch: “The Return” appeared first on MidCurrent.
A GoFundMe campaign has been created to support the craft and installation of a handcrafted, custom bench along Steamboat Creek in tribute to Frank and Jeanne Moore, and to celebrate and commemorate the recent successful passage of the public lands bill that includes The Frank and Jeanne Moore Wild Steelhead Sanctuary. The bench will “honor the decades that Frank and Jeanne have dedicated in advocacy and stewardship for the North Umpqua, providing a natural sanctuary for wildlife as well as people.” Learn more about this project at the fundraising site.
The post A Tribute to Frank and Jeanne Moore appeared first on MidCurrent.
