PDF - Angling Trade

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PDF - Angling Trade

the buzz on the fly-fishing biz
®
INSIDE
THE FALL 2014 ISSUE
AT 20: The Best New Products for 2015/Boutique Rods/
Selling Montana/Carolina Boom/Making Better
Fly-Fishing Videos... And More.
September 2014 AnglingTrade.com
FISHING, FRICTION-FREE.
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the buzz on the flyfishing biz
CONTENTS
®
Features
Departments
24 B O U T I Q U E R O D S
6 E D I TO R ’ S C O L U M N
The hand-crafted, small-batch ideal works
for whiskies, beers, guitars, and choppers...
so how’s it doing in the fly rod realm?
By Geoff Mueller
28 F I L M S C H O O L
The In Crowd.
There’s a new momentum in this
industry that revolves around social and
environmental causes. Be part of it, or risk
being lost in the flow. By Kirk Deeter
8 CURRENTS
The latest people, product and issues
news from the North American fly
fishing industry, including news from the
trade shows, AFFTA’s planned Retailer
Summit, and discussion on the latest
environment and access news.
34 B R E A K I N G N E W S
Fly fishing video is the “in” thing. And it’s
getting harder to earn a slot in the film tour
lineups. So how do you make it? Actually
make a good video. Here are tips from an
entertainment industry insider.
Editor
Kirk Deeter
[email protected]
Managing Editor
Tim Romano
[email protected]
Art Director
Tara Brouwer
[email protected]
shovelcreative.com
Editor-at-Large
Geoff Mueller
Copy Editors
Mabon Childs, Sarah Deeter
Contributing Editors
Tom Bie
Ben Romans
Steven B. Schweitzer
Photos unless noted by
Tim Romano
By Marshall Bissett
36 C A R O L I N A B O O M I N G
Some of the best fly fishing in America, and
some of the best growth in the industry,
is happening in a part of the country that
anglers from Montana, Colorado, Michigan,
and Pennsylvania seldom talk about.
By Mike Hodge
40 T H E AT 2 0
Protecting Saltwater Resources
AFFTA differs from ASA over MagnusonStevens, favoring conservation of
saltwater fisheries.
46 B AC K C A S T
Marketing Montana
By Geoff Mueller
Angling Trade is published four times
a year by Angling Trade, LLC. Author
and photographic submissions should
be sent electronically to
[email protected].
Angling Trade is not responsible
for unsolicited manuscripts and/
or photo submissions. We ask that
contributors send formal queries in
advance of submissions. For editorial
guidelines and calendar, please
contact the editor via E-mail.
Printed in the U.S.A.
Advertising Contact: Tim Romano
Telephone: 303-495-3967
Fax: 303-495-2454
[email protected]
By The Editors
Street Address:
3055 24th Street
Boulder, CO 80304
AnglingTrade.com
AnglingTrade.com | September 2014
A no-nonsense look at 20 of the bestdesigned products that offer the best sales
potential in the coming year. Plus a look at
five others that have us really interested.
Mail Address:
PO Box 17487
Boulder, CO 80308
3
Tougher than your last three pairs of waders,
combined.
new
guide wƒders
a) grey “silver”
a) white “silver”
In the search for a fresh
run, Orvis’s Jim Lampros
puts his Silver Sonic
waders to the test on
Montana granite.
C O N T R I B U TO R S
Real Men Wear
TURQUOISE
MARSHALL BISSETT
Southern California-based freelance writer
Marshall Bissett has spent many years in the
entertainment industry. He doesn’t hold back
with his qualified opinions in this issue. He is
also an avid fly angler and a world-class caster.
303-690-0477
www.mountainriverlanyards.com
*Includes forceps
MIKE HODGE
Florida-based outdoor writer Mike Hodge makes
his debut in Angling Trade with an interesting
look at the Carolina fishing scene. He will be
back for an encore as soon as we can talk him
into another story.
303-690-0477
www.anglersaccessories.com
[email protected]
E D I TO R ’ S C O L U M N
The “In Crowd”
clocks involved in any of this. That
said, there is indeed a standard
against which any and all who
participate in this sport should
be judged.
Are you putting back, by way of
the resources, as much as you are
taking away?
I’m not here to stomp on anyone’s
buzz. But the fact is, that without
the healthy water, and without the
fish, none of this sport, and certainly
none of this industry, would exist at
all in the first place.
The reason I gravitated to fly fishing
in the first place, and the reason
I still love this sport so much, is
because the waters play no favorites.
The trout, or the tarpon… or the
pike… or the bonefish… don’t care
if you are the CEO of a Fortune 500
company, or a high school dropout.
I’ve been with the captains of
industry as they hooked into 20-inch
browns, and I’ve watched them melt
back into their inner selves through
those experiences, becoming the
little boys (in some cases, the little
girls) they thought they would never
see again.
Many times, I’ve been on rivers with
soldiers who have been physically
and emotionally torn apart, and I’ve
watched the tug of a trout heal all
wounds, if for only an instant, and
make them (and me) feel whole again.
6
I’ve watched doctors who can repair
broken limbs and cure people with
cancer, cross their eyes in despair,
then exult after having solved the
riddle of an emergent caddis hatch.
Fly fishing is the ultimate equalizer.
It’s the most fair of any playing field.
And yet there are (thankfully) no
judges, no scorecards, and no time
Fortunately, the vast majority of
manufacturers, and retailers, and
guides and outfitters get all that.
You are the people who make fly
fishing what it is today. You are
my heroes.
But, trust me, some would still be
surprised by how many in our ranks
are conspicuously absent when it
comes to meaningful support of the
waters that make fly fishing possible.
If you’re a shop, or a product
manufacturer, who doesn’t earmark
a solid percentage of your profit
toward making habitat better for all
anglers… well, you’re no different,
in my mind, than the person who
borrows one’s car and drives all day,
then returns it without putting any
gas in the tank. You’re the person
who borrows a cup of sugar, and
then shows up to eat the holiday
cookies someone else bakes without
a mention of thanks.
That’s part of life, I guess, and there
will always be folks of that sort. But
for those people who embrace that
practice as “frugal business,” or
laugh it off as an oversight, I have
just one thing to say…
Boooooo.
For the manufacturers who throw up
a thin “PR” façade and want to take
a bow in the conservation context
when their “real” impact is too
minimal to track, shame on you, even
more. Shame on you for trying, and
shame on you for not respecting that
there are people out there who are
smart enough to call you out.
We all talk about demographics, and
growing the sport and all of that these
days. And the truth is that the real
growth dynamic… the real potential
for the future… revolves entirely
around anglers who care about
keeping rivers and oceans fishable
well into the future. All the young, the
women, the newbies, the crossovers,
and every other target group that
matters, share a concern for habitat.
As such, I have never been more
proud to be an AFFTA member, and
have never thought my membership
to be more worthwhile, than when
I learned about the new AFFTA
Fisheries Fund. Brilliant. Thank you.
And while I wear my heart on my
sleeve when it comes to Trout
Unlimited, the Bonefish & Tarpon
Trust, TRCP, CCA, and myriad others
that support the fly ideal, I really don’t
care where you channel your support.
But I care if you do, or if you don’t.
And more anglers than some of you
realize do as well. The “in crowd”
in angling these days cannot be
pegged to a single demographic, or
select places to fish… the in crowd is
everyone who cares about what the
fishing will be like, 50 years down the
road. And there are plenty in those
ranks to help us all grow and continue,
if we reinvest our money, and efforts,
where our mouths are.
Kirk Deeter
Editor
7
CURRENTS
Company and Product
News
CNS Outdoor Technologies
Acquires Thomas & Thomas
AFFTA Plans Dealer Summit in
Aspen
the market but I feel on-site leadership
is essential for the brand to really fulfill
its potential. As a serious fly fishing
enthusiast, a devotee of T&T products
and an experienced businessman,
Neville Orsmond will provide this in
abundance and I wish him and all
associated with Thomas & Thomas a
happy and prosperous future.”
Two Fly Fishing Shows to Add
“Women’s Fly Fishing Showcase”
Angling Trade is proud to be a supporter of the planned “Aspen Dealer
Summit,” to be held at the Aspen
Square Hotel in Aspen, Colorado, October 20-23. This will be an intensive
retailer-focused, business improvement
seminar. You have issues to discuss
with AFFTA? This is the place to do so.
Perhaps lost in the shuffle of
this summer’s International Fly
Tackle Dealer show, CNS Outdoor
Technologies LLC, a Massachusettsbased company owned by AlbertNeville Orsmond of Stamford,
Connecticut, announced the
acquisition of fly rod makers, Thomas
& Thomas, previously owned by Mark
Richens of Islamorada, Forida.
CNS has purchased both the Thomas
& Thomas brand and the rod making
facility at Barton Road in Greenfield,
Massachusetts, and will continue
manufacturing premium bamboo,
glass and graphite fly rods in the
USA. Neville Orsmond will replace
Mark Richens as President and CEO
of the business.
8
Want to share ideas and experiences
with other retailers in the fly-fishing
space? Same deal. A robust speaker lineup will include a “Firestarter”
keynote address from brand strategist, social media maven, and author
Erika Napoletano. There will also be
roundtable discussions, and so forth.
In short, this is the type of service
AFFTA owes to its constituents. If
you have the opportunity (it is the
off-season), you owe it to yourselves
to be a part. Angling Trade will be
there... to listen to you.
Commenting on the sale Mark
Richens said, “It has been an immense
privilege to work with Tom Dorsey,
Troy Jacques and the talented
team of craftsmen and women at
Thomas & Thomas. Their hard work
combined with the strong support of
T&T distributors, dealers, pro staff,
suppliers and customers has returned
T&T to a stable and proud position
in the fly fishing world. It has been an
enjoyable and exciting process but
due to family commitments in the
UK, I have not been able to spend as
much time in Greenfield as originally
intended. T&T is well positioned in
Women anglers will be a key focus at
the two largest of the seven editions
of the 2015 Fly Fishing Shows. The
shows in Denver (January 9-11) in the
Merchandise Mart and Somerset, N.J.,
(January 23-25) in the Garden State
Exhibit Center, will feature femalecentered activities during the Women’s
Fly Fishing Showcase.
“We recognize the importance of
women’s participation in the sport
and, in response, are creating a
total Women’s Fly Fishing Showcase
environment at both sites. If the
response is as great as we anticipate,
we’ll consider expanding the concept
to other show venues in 2016 and
beyond,” said Brooke Furimsky,
showcase coordinator.
The Denver and Somerset Fly Fishing
Shows will feature women’s beginner’s
fly fishing, casting and fly tying as well
as the history of women in fly-fishing,
on-the-water etiquette, and the best
women-specific gear on the market.
continued on next page...
CURRENTS
Early sponsors and participants in the
Women’s Fly-Fishing Showcase are
Orvis, Patagonia and Frontiers Travel.
connect directly with the makers of the
best fly-fishing gear for women,” said
Furimsky.
Women anglers committed
to workshops, question-andanswer sessions, instruction and
demonstrations include Peggy
Brenner (President of International
Women Fly Fishers); casting
champion Wendy Gunn; International
Federation of Fly Fishers Master
Casting Instructor Sheila Hassan;
Casting for Recovery; and Maurie
Sussman (Sisters on the Fly.)
For additional information,
participation and sponsorship
availability, contact Furimsky at
[email protected].
RIO Launches Fly Line Selector App
RIO Products
recently launched
its RIO Fly Line
Selector App as
an effective way to
help anglers choose
the right fly line
every time.
“The industry has really responded to
women’s demands for better products,
thanks to more women in the sport as
well as celebrity female anglers. We
want to provide a comfortable and
casual meeting place for consumers to
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Books & DVDs
“Here at RIO, we
realize that there are
a lot of fly lines on
the market, and a
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great number of fly fishers are confused
by the choices available,” says Simon
Gawesworth, RIO brand manager. “We
believe in making it easier for anglers
to choose the right fly line for a given
situation, and this app is the next step in
our education process.”
Available for iPhone, iPad and
Android, this free app starts by asking
which type of rod the angler will use.
It then leads participants through the
rod make and model to water type,
environmental conditions, geography,
species, line density, and the specific
application desired. Once each step is
completed, the app offers line choices
where users can dive deeper into
the specifics of each line, visit RIO’s
website, and even find the closest
dealers to purchase the line.
Gawesworth adds: “This app is an
incredibly useful asset for retailers and
consumers alike and certainly makes
it very simple to choose the right fly
line for most fishing situations. Imagine
a specialty trout fly shop that has a
customer come in asking for advice on
a line for Dorado fishing in Argentina.
With a few taps of the app, the perfect
line will be revealed – ensuring both
angler and retailer are happy.”
The app is now available to download
from iTunes and Google Play; shortcut
links to which can be found at www.
rioproducts.com/apps.
Choke your Bug! Bug Collars Add
Panache to Flies
AT friend and contributor Joe
Mathis has launched an interesting
CURRENTS
concept with Bug Collars from
Bozeman Fly Goods—colored
collars that fit snugly with beads on
nymph patterns. We’ve tied with
them. We’ve fished them. We think
they make certain patterns more
effective (especially attractors).
We recommend taking a look at
them as additions to your fly-tying
department.
They are now available in five sizes
and 30 colors. They have a small
cone on one side, and a countersunk
opening on the other.
Mathis is offering an attractive retailer
program with keystone margins at
suggested retail pricing. Suggested
retail pricing will be very similar to
brass bead pricing.
Retailers will have a minimum initial
order, but no minimums on reorder.
All retailer ordering will be
E-commerce based. They are available
through bozemanflygoods.com and
bugcollars.com.
Douglas Outdoors to Start Shipping
After making
a splash at the
IFTD show in
Orlando, Douglas
Outdoors recently
announced that
its Douglas DXF
and DHF fly rods are shipping. The next
wave of Douglas products, including the
made-in-New York state “Argus” reels,
the “Nexus” large-arbor reels and the
Douglas Spinning and Casting rods, will
be shipping in October.
Developed in Australia, the trailer can
be configured to carry boats (kayaks,
canoes, dinghies), motorcycles and,
as a box trailer, many other things
used on fishing adventures. The
Check it Out… A Folding Trailer
trailers were launched at Outdoor
Bulldog Folding Trailers USA introduced Retailer Summer Marketplace in Salt
Lake City. The trailers weigh 132
a unique new product to help outdoor
enthusiasts maximize their fun—a sturdy, lbs., can carry up to 850 lbs., and are
certified by the National Association
of Trailer Manufacturers.
UNI Products J.G. Cote Inc.
1004 Princippale
Ste-Melanie QC. Canada J0K 3A0
Tel: 450-889-8054
Toll-free: 1-877-889-8054
Fax: 450-889-5887
E-mail: [email protected]
NEW FOR 2015
UNI-Mylar
Holographic Rainbow
road-worthy trailer that can carry a
variety of gear from home to the
outdoors, and folds up to stow in a
space smaller than a broom closet.
UNI-Mylar
Holographic Combo Pack
Bulldog Folding Trailers are also
available now to consumers via www.
bulldogfoldingtrailers.com at a price
range of $1,290 – $2,958 for various
configurations. Additional accessories
and parts are available via the website.
Possible retailer interest here?
Cool Idea: Richmond Tube Roll from
Finn Utility
UNI-Mylar
#14 Clear
12
Look to UNI for the best in spooled ﬂy-tying materials!
www.UNIPRODUCTS.com
Here’s a new wrinkle on rod transport
worth checking out. This piece is
modular in design, working with
a variety of tubes and lengths. It
features four pockets, which fit tubes
AFFTA: Moving FISH Forward
Aspen DeAler summit
OctOber 20-23, 2014 | Aspen squAre HOtel, cOlOrADO
THANK YOU to our sponsors of the inaugural Dealer Summit! We’re looking forward to seeing everyone in Aspen for this threeday retreat devoted to retailer-specific educational topics and industry networking. Let’s grow the fly fishing industry together.
For more information and to register visit www.affta.com or call 406.522.1556.
CURRENTS
up to 2” in diameter or smaller, and
34” long. At the same time, it will
accommodate two tubes as short as
24” long. With English bridle leather
strap and handle, it should work for a
variety of situations, from an Alaskan
float plane trip to a motorcycle ride
among the Maine lakes. Made in the
U.S.A., retail is $289.95.
For a listing of the hot new products
we think will sell well in the coming
season, please see the “AT 20” feature,
beginning on page 40 of this issue.
People News
American Fly Fishing Trade
Association Members Elect
New Board
The American Fly Fishing Trade
Association (AFFTA) membership
recently completed a board voting
cycle to elect four new industry
professionals onto the organization’s
board of directors. Each elected board
member will serve a three-year term,
and also be available and active on
the board sub-committees.
14
After the results were tallied Larry Barrett
of Farbank (Sage, Redington, RIO), Ben
Kurtz of Fishpond, Michael White of Blue
Ribbon Reps, and Shawn Combs of Orvis
were elected to the board. Barrett, Kurtz
and White have all previously sat on the
board and were seeking re-election;
Combs is new to the AFFTA board.
AFFTA president Ben Bulis stated, “We
were excited to see our membership
so active in the voting process this year,
and are keen to welcome our new board
members. We just came off of a great
IFTD show, eager for the new Dealer
Summit and to continue to move the
sport of fly fishing forward with our new
board.”
The AFFTA board of directors
convenes four times annually, the next
board meeting will be in Aspen on
October 20 immediately preceding
the inaugural Aspen Dealer Summit.
TU Welcomes Three to Board of
Trustees
Trout Unlimited
volunteers elected
three new members
to its Board of
Trustees at the
organization’s
annual meeting in
Santa Fe, N.M., last
week.
Joining the board are Raiford Trask,
president of Trask Land Co. and vice
president of Autumn Hall Inc.; Dan
Plummer, vice president of the Code
Blue Foundation and a trustee of
the Summit Charitable Foundation;
and long-time TU volunteer who has
been instrumental in water policy
and fisheries enhancement in the
Northwest, Mark Taylor.
In addition to his work with Trask
Land Co. and Autumn Hall, Trask,
of Wilmington, N.C., is a proven
developer who finds ways to preserve
community culture, environmental
integrity and “walkable” features in
new developments. His commitment
to environmental protection
earned Autumn Hall the Significant
Achievement Award from the Lower
Cape Fear Stewardship Development
Program. The North Carolina chapter of
the American Planning Association has
recognized Trask’s work, and he serves
on the University of North Carolina’s
Board of Governors.
As well as his work with Code Blue
and Summit, Plummer, of East
Branch, N.Y., is also the chairman of
the board for Friends of the Upper
Delaware River. He previously worked
for ABC covering sporting events like
Monday Night Football and the 1984
Summer Olympics. He’s also a general
contractor and owner of Plummer
Construction. In years past, he worked
for Ralph Lauren in New York, and
was the general contractor on “This
Old House” in San Francisco, where
he built his first sustainable home
in nearby Mill Valley, Calif. Plummer
spends as much time fly fishing the
Catskills in New York as possible.
Taylor, of Tulalip, Wash., has volunteered
for TU for many years, and it presently
involved in work trying to restore the
kokanee salmon run in Lake Sammamish
in Washington state. The salmon run
is in dire straights, but Taylor’s work
has given kokanee much-needed
attention, both in government and
non-government circles. He has served
as Washington’s representative on the
National Leadership Council and he’s
worked on a number of vital Northwest
issues, including salmon and steelhead
recovery, hydropower relicensing and
chapter and council development.
Jennifer D. Pringle Joins OIA as
Vice President of Marketing and
Communications
Outdoor Industry Association recently
announced that Jennifer D. Pringle has
been chosen as its new vice president
WINTER MARKET TRADESHOW JANUARY 21-24, 2015
SALT PALACE CONVENTION CENTER, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
ALL MOUNTAIN DEMO JANUARY 20, 2015
PHOTO: CARLO NASISSE
WASATCH RANGE, UTAH
WWW.OUTDOORRETAILER.COM
ADVENTURE TRAVEL
BACKCOUNTRY
BACKPACKING/CAMPING/HIKING
CLIMBING/MOUNTAINEERING
CYCLING/MOUNTAIN BIKING
FISHING/FLY FISHING
HEALTH & FITNESS
LIFESTYLE
MADE IN THE USA
MILITARY
MULTISPORT
NATURAL PRODUCTS
PADDLESPORTS
RUNNING/TRAIL RUNNING
SAFETY
SNOW/WINTERSPORTS
TECHNOLOGY
URBAN OUTDOOR
WOMEN’S
YOGA/MIND & BODY
CURRENTS
of marketing and communications.
She formerly served as a partner
with 4Leaf Partners, an organization
specializing in comprehensive
marketing and communications
solutions for a wide-ranging group
of industries including apparel and
retail, higher education, public safety,
healthcare, finance, nutrition and
wellness.
In her new position as OIA’s
vice president of marketing and
communications, Pringle will oversee
all corporate communications, digital
strategy, integrated marketing and
branding.
Pringle began her career in marketing
at Levi Strauss and Co., headquartered
in San Francisco. From there she
moved into marketing leadership
positions at Powerbar, Qwest
Communications, Terabeam, Intrado
Inc. and Fresh Produce Sportswear
before undertaking partnership
responsibilities at 4Leaf Partners.
Catskill Fly Fishing Center Names
2014 Hall Inductees
Bob Popovics, Paul Schullery, Joseph
Bates, Jr. and R.B. Marston will be
enshrined in the Flyfishing Hall of
Fame. The ceremony will take place
on October 11, 2014, at a reception
at 3 p.m. A Recognition Dinner for
inductees and the award of the Lee
Wulff Conservation Award to John
Waldron will be held at 5:30 p.m.
in the Wulff Gallery adjacent to the
museum.
The Fly Fishing Hall of Fame was
established in 1989 to recognize
those who have made a significant
contribution to fly fishing, and is
located at the Catskill Fly Fishing
Center in Livingston Manor, N.Y. All
those honored are memorialized
with an individual cast bronze plaque
attached to the exterior of the Catskill
Fly Fishing Museum.
Galloup, Chard Join Airflo
Design Team
Kelly Galloup, known for his
innovation in designing and fishing
streamer patterns, and Bruce Chard, a
23-year full-time bonefish, permit and
Stealth
ApproAch
Sneak away from the crowdS, Sneak into
the water, Sneak up on the fiSh.
The all new STealTh Pro
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Urethane bladders
Integrated Gear System
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perSonal watercraft for the covert.
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1/8/14 10:30 PM
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CURRENTS
tarpon guide have joined the Airflo
Design team.
Said Galloup: “The decision for me to
move to Airflo was a simple one. My
fishing is not casual, it is an intense
hunt for the biggest bad-ass predator
that swims and I want the very best
product and technology in everything
I use. Simply put that is what Airflo
delivers. The performance and
durability I get is unmatched by any
other line. I demand that in the
products I fish, and more importantly
on the products I put my name on.
When you use one of these lines you
will know it will perform the way I
want it to and it has been tested by a
people who fish, not by a guy in a
lab coat.”
Said Chard: “Tropical wind is no
joke. We deal with it daily fishing
the flats. Often, clients struggle to
lay out long leaders and big flies
casting into the wind. Our goal was
to develop the new industry standard
‘go-to’ saltwater line to help anglers
overcome this obstacle, and be
more effective on the water. Airflo’s
Super-Dri technology coupled with a
proven, award-winning taper makes
this the best saltwater fly line ever
made. I’m so excited about these
new lines. Having the opportunity to
work with Airflo and Rajeff Sports is a
dream come true”.
Look for the release of Chard’s new
“Tropical Punch” line and the Galloup
“Tactical Series” in early 2015.
WorldCast Anglers Announces New
Additions to Management Team
WorldCast Anglers recently announced
the promotion of Mike Dawkins to
vice president, and C.G. Sipe to chief
operating officer on the WorldCast
Anglers management team.
Dawkins joined the WCA team in
2008. As the retail and business
development manager he successfully
expanded the retail operations and
marketing reach for the organization
before transitioning to the COO
role. Sipe joined WCA in 2010 as a
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vests • packs • belts
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fishing guide after completing the
Western Rivers Guide School, and
offered operational support as the
outfitting manager. His experience
in commercial outfitting, and
intimate knowledge of the extensive
destination fishing experiences
offered by WCA will bring a solid
expertise to the COO role.
“These exciting additions to our
leadership team will allow us to
capitalize on our current successes
and new opportunities in the fly
fishing industry,” said Mike Dawes,
President, WorldCast Anglers. “Both
Mike Dawkins and C.G. Sipe have
a strong track record of managerial
and operational leadership, robust
business performance, and are
committed to exceptional angling
service for our clients.”
These personnel changes were
prompted by the departure of Jim
Hickey, a friendly and bittersweet
transition as Hickey explores new
professional challenges outside of the
fly fishing industry. Hickey leaves a
spectacular legacy as one of the early
leaders at WCA. He joined WorldCast
Anglers in 1999 as a guide and
quickly climbed the ranks to a Head
Guide position. Jim transitioned
to an owner and partner of overall
business operations and continually
built upon the growing WCA brand
and services. In his executive role,
he aided in the expansion of the
company’s overall product offerings
and served as the head of the
Western Rivers Guide School. In
2008, Jim was named the Orvis
Freshwater Guide of the Year and
competed in the World Fly Fishing
Championships in Sweden in 2005
and in Finland in 2007.
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the role of director of operations. Bauer
has been a member of the Umpqua team
for 14 years, having worked in purchasing,
operations, production and new product
development. For the past two years,
Bauer has been Umpqua’s director of
operations and production, during which
he has taken a lead role in new product
development, including Umpqua’s awardwinning line of packs, bags and vests.
Adinolfe has worked with companies
as large as the Samsonite Corporation
to smaller organizations with a portfolio
ranging from consumer goods to
high tech environments. Adinolfe’s
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Wilkins Joins TRCP as Chief
Conservation Officer
Paul Wilkins
has joined
the Theodore
Roosevelt
Conservation
Partnership as
the TRCP’s chief
conservation
officer. A native
Montanan, Wilkins spent a decade
working with Max Baucus, former U.S.
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Senator and current U.S. ambassador
to China, where he most recently
served as Baucus’ chief of staff.
“The TRCP stands to gain enormously
from Paul’s impressive skills and
expertise, and we are very glad
to have him join our team,” said
TRCP president and CEO Whit
Fosburgh. “His leadership of our
conservation both in directing our
existing initiatives and identifying
new opportunities – will play a crucial
role in implementing federal policies
that expand access for the public,
including sportsmen, and conserve
healthy fish and wildlife habitat.”
Wilkins grew up on a sheep ranch
in Melstone, Montana, where his
childhood included annual fishing
trips with his family in the Beartooth
Mountains and elk hunting in the
Missouri Breaks. He received a
bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga
University and a master’s from
Fordham University.
Environment
B.C. Mine Failure Sheds Permanent
Doubt on Pebble
Do you still wonder if Pebble Mine
could coexist with the Bristol Bay
fishery? Look into the recent, tailings
dam failure at the Mount Polley copper
mine in British Columbia, which released
vast amounts of mine waste into
streams, rivers and lakes…
Also, as reported in the last issue of AT,
a proposed pipeline through the heart
of the Skeena system (prime steelhead
water) is only starting to heat up. If you
think Pebble was/is a fight, wait until this
one gets rolling…
Study at Deepwater Horizon Spill Site
Finds Key to Tracking Pollutants
A recent study of the ocean circulation
patterns at the site of the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill reveals the significant
role small-scale ocean currents play in
the spread of pollutants. The findings
provide new information to help
predict the movements of oil and other
pollutants in the ocean.
Nearly two years to the day after the
Deepwater Horizon incident, scientists
from the Consortium for Advanced
Research on Transport of Hydrocarbon
in the Environment (CARTHE), based at
the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel
School of Marine and Atmospheric
Science, conducted a drifter experiment
in the northern Gulf of Mexico spill site to
study small-scale ocean currents ranging
from 100 meters to 100 kilometers.
“Our results conclusively show that
ocean flows at small scales, below 10
kilometers, contain significant energy
fluctuations to control the initial spread
of pollutant clouds,” said UM Rosenstiel
School Professor and CARTHE Director
Tamay Özgökmen. “Now that we have
quantified this missing piece of the
puzzle, we can improve our real-time
predictive capabilities in the event of a
future oil spill.”
During the 12-day at-sea experiment
called GLAD (Grand Lagrangian
Deployment), the research team
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deployed 300 GPS-equipped custom
drifters off the UM Rosenstiel School
research vessel F.G. Walton Smith in a
region where wind-driven continental
shelf currents mix with buoyancy-driven
Mississippi River outflow currents
and deep eddy-driven currents in the
Gulf of Mexico. The drifters flowed
along the Gulf of Mexico currents for
several months post deployment to
capture a multi-dimensional picture
of the upper-ocean movements in the
presence of wind and waves at DeSoto
Canyon, the site of the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill. This was the first
experiment to deploy so many drifters
at once. Data about their whereabouts
was retrieved every five minutes.
The study, aimed at quantifying the
small-scale circulation that cannot be
captured by satellite-based altimeter
measurements or general circulation
models, has immediate practical
applications to help better predict the
path of catastrophic pollutant events,
such as from future oil spills or nuclear
disaster events. The results provide
new information about the significant
dispersion patterns currently unaccounted for in ocean circulation
models, according to the authors.
“This experiment is helping to answers
questions that arise in all major oil
spills, such as ‘where will the oil go?’
and ‘how fast will it get there?’ which
are important when allocating limited
response resources and to determine
the overall socio-economic impact of
the spill,” said Özgökmen.
22
Outdoor Industry Celebrates 50th
Anniversary of Land and Water
Conservation Fund and Wilderness Act
Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)
and The Conservation Alliance
delivered a letter to Congressional
offices asking all members of
Congress to support reauthorization
and full, dedicated funding of the
Land and Water
Conservation
Fund (LWCF) on
this, the 50th
Anniversary
of both Land
and Water
Conservation
Fund Act and
the Wilderness
Act. The letter
was signed by
151 outdoor companies including
manufacturers, distributors, retailers,
outfitters, guides, small family
businesses, entrepreneurial start-ups
and international companies who rely
on America’s public lands and waters
for the success of their businesses.
LWCF was signed into law by
President Lyndon Johnson on
September 3, 1964 to protect and
provide recreational access to our
nation’s irreplaceable outdoor spaces.
Under the Act, a small percentage of
federal lease royalties from natural
resource extraction in our nation’s
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) are
to be invested in conservation and
outdoor recreation. Yet, since its
enactment, in every year except for
one, LWCF has seen a majority of its
funds diverted to other, unrelated
purposes despite the fact that recent
polling shows that 85 percent of
American voters want and expect the
nation to continue to invest in LWCF.
Check out the most recent issue of
TROUT magazine for an in-depth
photo essay on the Wilderness Act,
and some of the prime backcountry
fly-fishing locations made great
through its passage.
Sportsmen Applaud Senate Hearing
on Browns Canyon Protection
Efforts are moving forward that
would designate Browns Canyon in
Colorado’s Chaffee County a National
Monument. Sportsmen and women,
rafters and local communities and
businesses have worked for more than
20 years to have this area’s hunting,
fishing and recreational values
protected—and they urged quick
passage of the legislation.
“Now is the time to get this done,”
said Kyle Perkins, Browns Canyon
coordinator for Trout Unlimited. “We
have overwhelming local support for
protecting Browns Canyon—we just
need Congress to get it across the
finish line.”
David Leinweber of Angler’s Covey
fly shop in Colorado Springs said
Front Range anglers are pleased
to see this hearing, and eager to
see this designation accomplished:
“Browns Canyon is a favorite fishing
spot for many of my customers and
clients. Virtually all of us want to see
Browns Canyon—a stretch of the
Arkansas River’s Gold Medal trout
water—receive National Monument
protection.”
Sen. Mark Udall introduced his bill,
which will protect 22,000 acres of
rugged backcountry as well as a
popular rafting canyon, in December
2013 after a lengthy process of public
input and listening sessions. The area
is highly valued by sportsmen who
hunt and fish the area, and just want
to keep it the way it is now. Browns
Canyon is important to outdoor
recreation businesses, a mainstay of
the local and state economy.
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Become a TU Business member: www.tu.org/business
FEATURE
Senseis of Soul
Good things in small batches from today’s boutique rod builders
Written by By Geoff Mueller
From coveted craft brews to
renowned surfboard designs by
luminaries such as Greg Noll and
Al Merrick, handcrafted excellence
plays a key role in marketplaces
where consumers don’t mind
paying premiums for small batch
items considered the best of their
kind. When it comes to boutique
fly rod making, the tradition is also
alive and well, with contemporary
builders blending history and
innovative designs that heighten our
experiences on the water.
These intimate operations, with
anywhere from one to a dozen or
more employees, have in essence
become the guardians of the
fundamentals, keepers of the time
honored, and the Dojos of fly-fishing
soul. And no one fits the bill better
than 73-year-old Tom Morgan who,
along with his wife, Gerri Carlson,
owns and operates Tom Morgan
Rodsmiths out of his home/workshop
in Manhattan, Montana.
24
Morgan, who is wheelchair bound
due to a 23-year battle with MS, has
been an integral member of the rodmaking community since the early
’70s, when he purchased the R.L.
Winston Rod Company. About 20
years later, shortly after A River Runs
Through It premiered, the former
guide turned rod designer was
forced to reassess his principles.
The effect of The Movie, Morgan
says, sent shockwaves through
the industry, prompting rod
manufacturers to refocus energy
on faster-action builds that were
more forgiving for an influx of
beginner casters. Instead of bowing
to pressures, Morgan sold Winston
in order to continue his quest for
perfection—designing and selling
“thought rods” that function
intuitively, as an extension of the
end-user.
“After selling Winston, I wanted
to start a very small rod company,
producing the absolute best rods,
regardless of price,” he says. Tom
Morgan Rodsmiths was born in
1996, with a quiver of high-end
graphite trout rods. In the years
that followed, he added bamboo
and, more recently, a line of
fiberglass blanks and completes
to the mix. The operation has four
employees, in addition to Carlson,
who switches back and forth
between the demanding roles of
full-time caretaker and the woman
who helps bring Morgan’s rodmaking vision to fruition.
At one time, Morgan was able to
cast his sensory-enriching graphite
creations from his wheelchair,
but those days have passed—
and with them much of the rod
making elements have moved into
Carlson’s hands.
Morgan says the hardest lesson to
teach is the ability to see and feel
what makes one rod superior over
another: the finesse touches. “Gerri
has the mindset that makes her
even fussier than I am,” he says.
FEATURE
“So she’s really helped elevate the
quality aspects of the brand.”
As for essential R&D elements that
go into handcrafting best-in-class
fly rods, Morgan has a team of
expert anglers and casters, such
as Yellowstone Angler’s George
Anderson and retired Scientific
Anglers designer Bruce Richards,
who aid in fine-tuning actions and
dialing in dimensions. Today, the
company produces approximately
50 glass and graphite rods a year. In
addition, it makes 15 to 20 bamboo
rods, a niche Morgan helped pioneer
with the development of the Morgan
Bamboo Hand Mill—which is used
by contemporary rod makers across
the globe.
Morgan’s lineup, one imbued with
the guiding principle “we don’t sell
disappointment,” has solidified a
brand reputation rooted in integrity.
“The rods are well built for fishingspecific purposes,” he says. “We
won’t win any distance casting
competitions. But when you get out
on the stream, you have a tool for
great fishing. I’ve always stuck with
that. I always will.”
26
That unswerving ethos, which
flows from an energetic mind to
the skilled hands that roll and
finish elegant tools destined to
dance with rivers and their colorful
inhabitants, is one that’s reiterated
throughout the boutique rod-making
realm. And on the banks of British
Columbia’s Kispiox River, you’ll find
it in the bamboo spey incarnations
from Riverwatch Rods, a singleman operation headed by one of
Morgan’s former disciples, Bob Clay.
The makers met in the 1980s, while
Clay was steelhead guiding on
the north coast. “When Tom was
in his early stages of MS, I would
go to Montana and help with the
machine work,” Clay says. “So with
Tom’s brains, I basically acted as the
brawn.” At the time, Morgan was in
the process of designing his Hand
Mill and Clay was able to mentor
under the master. Clay sold his
guiding outfit in the early ’90s and
today operates in the alcove world
of bamboo spey, building 35 to
40 rods a year for an international
client list.
Clay designs rods based on his
experience as a steelhead fisherman
and expert two-handed rod caster.
Where traditional bamboo spey
rods were long, heavy, and often
cumbersome, Clay has gone the
opposite route. He builds his oneof-a-kind sticks for contemporary
casting styles, preferring a shorter
length—11- to 12-footers—and
using a hollow-build process that
lightens and livens the in-hand feel.
He currently builds three rods a
month, devoting 60 hours of labor
to each, and works six to seven day
weeks during the shoulder seasons.
But when ocean bright steelhead
enter the Skeena system and, from
there, funnel into famous tributaries
such as the Copper, Bulkley, and
Kispiox, Clay vacates the premises
and heads toward the action. The
flexibility of operating a one-man
operation affords him the ability
to fish more, which, in turn, fuels
Riverwatch’s R&D engine. If you want
to design something properly, you
have to fully understand its inner
workings. For Clay, that’s all about
how the rod feels and casts, “that’s
what I’m striving for. I think when
you fish with a Riverwatch rod it
brings the angler back to the roots
and history of the sport. And they
are very pretty. There’s nothing quite
like wood—it’s alive and hopefully
you’re going to be proud of it and
take good care of it.”
Clay’s marketing strategy hinges on
the latter: pride of ownership, which,
via Internet forums and on-thewater events like the annual Sandy
River Spey Clave, has led to wordof-mouth promotion that drives
business. Although Clay has little
want to grow Riverwatch beyond its
sustainable output, he notes that
rods in the right hands is a good
thing, and that networking benefits
the business model.
From the monkish pursuit of fishing
functionality to growing sales while
maintaining balance and integrity,
C.F. Burkheimer Rods in Washougal,
Washington, is another boutique
brand to watch. Kerry Burkheimer
started his company in 1992
after working in the industry as a
marketing consultant and a fishing
guide on Oregon’s Deschutes River.
Fiberglass guru, Russ Peak, oversaw
Burkheimer’s apprenticeship in
rod making. Recognizing his
student’s passion, Peak conveyed
the importance of workmanship
and, more than just designing rods,
Burkheimer received an education
in how to critique them. “After
working with Peak, who to me was
like the Leonardo da Vinci of the
whole deal, I wanted to keep things
FEATURE
handmade, keep it very high quality,
a la his mentor Russ Peak. He’d
“It’s not going to be a comet crashing
and have it as much hands-on as
also like to see the company define
out of the sky. After all, it’s the fly-fishing
possible.” That meant shifting the
more of the niches: from warm water
business and with us it’s a boutique
focus to two-handed graphite rod
pursuits to streamer fishing for large
thing. This is the soul level of it. And I
making and moving operations in-
trout. But the genesis is more of
think we help the industry by being here
house in order to foster connectivity
an easy-going evolution than an
for the long haul, with quality USA-made
and maintain a direct line of contact
abrupt upheaval.
products. I hope it sticks.”
with the customer.
From designing tapers and building
blanks to CNC milling cork grips
and reel seats, everything happens
under one roof, powered by a small
staff of skilled builders. Burkheimer
produces about 1,500 rods annually;
an output that lends itself to agility,
with creative license to explore
new ideas whenever the whim
presents itself.
“The best thing about being this size
is nimbleness,” Burkheimer says. “I
can have an idea for a design, draft
it out, get the paperwork to our
pattern cutter, and have a prototype
in my hands the same day.”
The process, much like writing music,
is fluid. The end result is a signature
rhythm, an intangible aspect that
customers have come to call the
“Burkie feel”. What that translates
to, according to Burkheimer,
manifests itself in the form of
feedback, telling the angler what the
rod—at any given moment during
the cast—is doing with the line.
And, when talking two-handed rods,
it helps one determine timing and
pace through the casting stroke.
As for parlaying perfect momentum
into brand development, Burkheimer
expanded into single-handed rods
three years ago and plans to soon
add glass iterations into the lineup,
FEATURE
How Fly-Fishing Videos
Can (MUST) Get Better
Written by Marshall Bissett
28
In a sport noted for precision and performance, it is amazing how
low we have set the bar for video excellence. Sometimes as low as
the unedited footage your brother-in-law shot at the last family gettogether, but mostly just well below average.
FEATURE
The fly fishing film tours usually serve
booze. That is a good thing when the
films either induce epilepsy, hearing
loss or deep sleep. How many times
must we follow whooping and hollering young dudes up and down a
stream to canned banjo music? How
many soppy, blurry sunsets can a man
stand? Do we have to see the wake
of one more bonefish skiff racing to a
clapboard shack where a distant relative of Bonefish Charlie will tell us his
life story again?
How many dirt roads do we have to
see through that grimy windshield
before we get to the sleet-swept
secret steelhead hole? How often will
grizzly guide-types speak of the fish of
a thousand casts reliving the rejection
they got in high school? Will we see
every cast or only the first 500? Do
we have to travel in the old Ford Galaxy station wagon with Frank, grandpa and the black Labrador to find the
spot where Uncle Fred lost the fish of
a lifetime? Does everyone have to be
either “Duuuuuude” or “Bro?”
and waiting to receive it all, unfortunately with its quality-control feature
still not installed.
This is not to say that excellence is
not in evidence in our closed world
of fly fishing. The ORVIS teaching
series on their website is well filmed,
scripted and effective. There are
many great videographers and directors at work today. Take a look at
the work of “Felt Soul” Todd Moen,
Mikey Wier, Will Benson and the
instructional videos made by Jeffrey
Pill for examples of the medium at its
best. Their work hits all budget levels
and is consistently watchable.
you have never heard of but without
whom all movies would be agony.
Everything in life requires editing.
Without editing your newspaper
would weigh 20 pounds and books
would take years to read. I hope
this article will be edited (it was)...
but mostly I hope that fly-fishing
video makers get a clue about the
supreme importance of editing. Narrative and editing complement one
another to turn the unwatchable
into a visual delight.
They say the rules will set you free and
luckily video has some rules - many
of them are borrowed from photog-
How many foreshortened, out-of-focus
shots of spinning fly reels must we sit
through? Will we ever actually see a
fish take a fly before the deafening
heavy metal is cued? How often must
the face of the guy mumbling into the
camera be obscured by the peak of a
baseball cap? Will the guy tying the fly
on YouTube please get his huge thumb
out of the way? And more importantly,
will God, in his mercy, give us this time
back so we can fish some more?
So how can we all get better at this?
Here’s a clue – the most important
feature of your latest camera is the
free editing software it comes with or
is available to you online. This is why
the film industry has an OSCAR category for editing – always won by guys
raphy. If you are new to this, sign up
for photography classes at your local
community college BEFORE heading
out to Best Buy. Everything you learn
there will apply in spades to creating
good, watchable video.
Just as everyone with a boat in Islamorada is a bonefish guide, everyone who can get to Best Buy with
$150 is a videographer. Everyone with
an iPhone is a camera man. In this
race to shoot everything that moves,
the Go Pro is the weapon of mass
destruction. And social media is ready
29
FEATURE
If you are in any doubt try editing your
own footage. Check your light levels,
shoot smoothly and keep the camera
dry were other helpful tips.
ALWAYS TELL A STORY, and give it a
beginning, middle and end. A story
does not mean the plot of Casablanca
and can be as simple as the launching
of a raft down a steep embankment
or the journey to a stream. A story
needs an establishing shot, action
footage, as much subject movement
as possible and close-ups. Television
is about the close-up. Audiences love
a good story and fly fishing videos can
be made up of many short stories.
SHOOTING FOR THE EDITOR (NO,
NOT SHOOTING THE EDITOR)
Some years ago I had the good fortune
to work as fourth cameraman on a
steelhead shoot in BC featuring a famous angler and director. The camera
and audio crew (yes, a dedicated audio
guy makes all the difference) were topnotch professionals with many years
of features, commercials and other fly
fishing DVD’s in their credits.
30
I was a 100% rookie whose job was
to shoot the now obligatory behindthe-scenes footage and anything else
I thought might be interesting. So, of
course, I stuck the camera out of car
windows, ran down river banks bouncing the camera on my shoulder, shot
fascinating conversations in restaurants so dark as to lend new meaning
to the term noir and moody artistic
scenes of birds flying or leaves blowing down the river.
“Interesting” to me meant lots of
camera movement, unusual angles
and lots of zooming. On the evening
of day one I proudly showed my
extensive footage to the DP who said,
and I remember these words quite
well, “This is crap and we can’t use
any of it – let me tell you what we are
looking for.”
Over the next 10 days the cameramen, the DP and the director put me
through guerrilla film school. The
first lessons were:
YOU ARE NOT THE EDITOR, but you
have to shoot in a way that lets him
do his job. You have to create doors
in and out of any scene you shoot.
You do this by holding the camera
long and steady to give the editor a
static platform to make a cut. If you
are going to pan a scene horizontally
make sure your timing is correct and
the camera is steady. Excessive use
of the zoom creates nightmares for
the editor and the sound guy. They
threatened to gaffer tape my lens. Do
not make fast cuts in your shooting
style – the editor will do all that later.
INTERVIEWS. Learn how to shoot
interviews. If in doubt, watch “60
Minutes” or “20/20” – they have it
down. Lighting or good natural light
on the features is essential. Poor lighting distracts the viewer and he stops
listening. Shoot the interview from
different points of view and establish
setting and time of day. Do not let the
subject drone on and repeat himself. If
in doubt get the opinion of someone
with a short attention span and marginal interest in fly fishing – they will
tell you if the interview is engaging.
My experience on the BC professional
shoot taught me a lot and made me
a harsh critic of mediocre video. But
mostly it showed me that there is
often a fine line separating the good,
bad and ugly.
COMPOSITION AND THE RULE
OF THIRDS
If you want to learn how to compose
a screen shot look no further than
any black and white noir movie of the
1940’s. Many of those cinematographers came from the world of still
photography and you will rarely see
action dead center in the screen. They
use strong diagonal lines to draw your
eye into a scene. They place the focus
in the quadrants of the screen that
give maximum impact. Your eye is
led through the action with a subtlety
that is masterful but still relies on a few
simple concepts. As an example, long
straight stretches of river are majestic
to the naked eye but boring to the
camera lens. Look for the sharp bends
and curves – get up high and shoot
what the human eye cannot readily see.
THE DOCUMENTARY STYLE
Watch the work of great documentary film makers and note the seductive quality of their treatments. You
may not care about BASEBALL, but
try a few minutes of Ken Burns’ film
and you will be hooked. Here there
are some variants on rules. Do not
let your narrator or interviewee talk
without the support of visual images.
Explanation without visuals is called
an audio book , not a film. Research
Will Benson shooting fishing video footage near Hopedale, LA
has shown that modern audiences
are capable of assimilating an enormous number of consecutive images
without overload. If your visuals are
strong let the viewer sip and savor
them. Again there is a tasteful middle
path between the seizure inducing
and the soporific. Use stills of maps –
most of us need a sense of time and
place for reference.
FEATURE
Photo: Marshall Bissett
I am now anticipating a tsunami of
protests about budget or lack thereof. Of course money will buy you
better audio mixing, music integration and color correction. It will not
improve narrative content, composition and style. If you need proof of
the disconnect between high budget
and quality film-making you can
always visit your local multiplex in
summer season.
Fly fishing is the subject of more
literary output than any other sport
and, to be clear, much of what is
written is well below the standard
of Tom McGuane, John Gierach and
Jim Harrison. This tells me there is
an audience for quality visual programming. Let’s give our videos the
beauty of a tight loop, the visual
delight of an Atlantic salmon fly and
the magic of a well-told tale.
NAUTILUS PRO SHOP DATA SHEET
Chicago Fly Fishing or ChiFly
LOCATION: Chicago, IL
YEARS IN BUSINESS:March 2001, so 13 is the lucky number
WHERE TO FISH NEARBY: Forty miles of lake front and
harbors and too many rivers and lakes to count!
Plus Wisconsin and Michigan are in our backyard.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: May/June and Sept./Oct. Not only the best
fishing, but the best weather to visit a gorgeous city and take in the sights!
DO YOU GUIDE OUT OF THE SHOP?: We have friends that guide locally, so we book destination
travel. Having 2 airports very close by can take us anywhere in the world easily.
ARE THERE TROUT IN CHICAGO?: Aren’t steelhead trout?
NO.1 SELLING FLY: Either the Murdich Minnow or Craven’s Dirty Hippy – crazy great flies!
They work on bass and trout but also on pretty much all species!
WHAT IS THE FAVORITE NAUTILUS REEL?: We sell a ton of the FWX for smaller species and
LOVE the NV’s, especially the G8 and 9’s for the bigger species.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT NAUTILUS REELS?: They deliver the best bang for your buck
on all levels, outperform competition in all levels, and service issues almost never arise.
Maintenance free actually really means maintenance free when it comes to Nautilus Reels.
STAFF OR STORE SPECIALTIES?: We fish a lot of species locally , so steelhead, trout and
smallmouth are staff favorites. We are all travel junkies and have crazy addictions and
experience ranging from permit to Argentinian trout and most species
in between. If it has fins, someone here is addicted to it and knows
their stuff! Jon, Paul, Will and Phil are incredible casting and fly fishing
instructors and some of most creative tyers on earth.
- Andy Kurkulis
SHOP NAME:
NAUTILUS REELS ®
DEDICATED TO THE
INDEPENDENT FLY SHOP.
NAUTILUSREELS.COM
305.625.3437
BREAKING NEWS
AFFTA Makes the Right Call on H.R. 4742
H.R. 4742 does not reflect the
conservation ethos that defines
the character of the fly-fishing
industry and its natural resourcesdependent community.
The American Fly Fishing Trade Association just released
a position statement on H.R. 4742, which would roll back a
number of conservation aspects of the Magnuson-Stevens
Conservation and Fishery Management Act. This is a bold
move, as it directly contradicts the efforts of many entities
in the sportfishing industry that are now advocating
against certain catch restrictions and other aspects of
Magnuson-Stevens.
34
Angling Trade, the only magazine
focused specifically on the business of
fly fishing, has researched the issue,
and we support AFFTA. We believe
AFFTA’s opinion best addresses the
long-term interests of the fly-fishing
community of manufacturers, retailers,
guides, and consumers.
Magnuson-Stevens Conservation
and Fishery Management Act’s
2007 reauthorization’s strongest
conservation provisions:
Here is the full statement from AFFTA:
• Shifts Annual Catch Limits that
maintain fishing efforts at sustainable
levels from annual quotas to multiyear quotas that would threaten
opportunity and management stability;
The House Committee on Natural
Resources introduced H.R. 4742, the
Strengthening Fishing Communities
and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries
Management Act, in late 2013. The
bill is poised for a vote this session.
H.R. 4742 eviscerates many of the
• Removes reasonable rebuilding
timelines that allows marine species to
recover from years of overfishing;
• Hinders the recovery of the
Endangered Species Act-listed
resources, such as salmon and steelhead.
Since 2000, when a federal court
decision required the National
Marine Fisheries Service to comply
with the conservation and stock
rebuilding provisions of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and with
new mandates included in the Act’s
2007 reauthorization, 34 previously
overfished populations have
been rebuilt, and the number of
populations subject to overfishing
has been reduced by more than 60
percent, from 72 to 28.
Changing any of the Act’s
provisions now, just as so many of
our nation’s marine resources are
on the cusp of recovery, is
unwarranted and threatens to send
us back to the days of overfishing
when opportunity was severely
limited because of a lack of healthy
fish populations.
The American Fly Fishing Trade
Association—the nation’s sole flyfishing trade association—will be
developing recommendations for
reauthorization of the MagnusonStevens Conservation and Fishery
Management Act and will share
those recommendations with
Congress as the reauthorization
process moves forward.
Please feel free to submit comments
on this issue to editor@anglingtrade.
com. We will continue to cover this
discussion in future print editions of
the magazine, as well as online at
anglingtrade.com.
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FEATURE
Carolina Chic
Written by Mike Hodge
36
One of the best fly-fishing locales in the country is far
away from the Rockies, and business there is proving it.
When Mac Brown first started out as
a fly-fishing guide in western North
Carolina in the late 1980s, he knew
his colleagues well. He could count
them on one hand—Roger Lowe and
Haden Copeland. They would meet
for a beer in Asheville after the summer surge of business.
fall when it slowed down and hang
“We were all buddies,” Brown recalled. “We’d all get together in the
a living back when I worked at the
out and tell stories. It’s different now.
When I said I was going to guide for
NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center)
FEATURE
years ago, all of my friends who
weren’t fishermen just laughed.
They thought no one’s going to pay
anyone to fish. The first year I was
scared to death, thinking I was going to starve to death. In ’89, I had
30 people. Next year, boom, I was
covered up, then it got busy and
stayed busy for a while.”
Thanksgiving. When the tourists
head for home, rivers finally settle
in for the winter after the traditional
seasonal surge.
Matt Canter said. “They don’t have
Historically, North Carolina isn’t
known for its big numbers of
trophy trout. The fishing, by southeastern standards, is good, but it
take a week off and go to Montana.
doesn’t compare to blue-ribbon
As fly fishers started to trickle toward
the local streams and rivers, Julie
Spiro recognized the trend and
seized an opportunity to market it.
The executive director of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
put together a tri-fold brochure promoting local trout fishing and quickly
a week to figure out a stream. When
they get time off, they want to get directly into fish. Used to, people would
Now they’re taking a weekend off and
coming up here from Atlanta
or Charlotte.”
Twenty-five years have passed and
the wave of fly fishing in the Smoky
Mountains hasn’t stopped. The love
of the long rod still endures.
Once upon a time, western North
Carolina used to be the land of
canned corn and mealworms. Local fly shops used to be scarce in
the mid-1980s. There was Hunter
Banks in Asheville, the One Feather
in Cherokee and the Happy Hiker
in Highlands. If you lived anywhere
else in the Smokies, you probably
called L.L. Bean.
Options now abound. Sylva, Bryson
City, Waynesville, Cashiers and Brevard all have fly shops.
“One just on about every doorstep,” said Kevin Howell, owner
of Davidson River Outfitters in
Brevard, N.C.
Almost every shop runs a guide
service. Brookings’ Cashiers Village
Anglers started with three guides,
but now has 13. Davidson River
Outfitters employs a staff of 15 after
starting with just three.
Guides from Bryson City to Brevard
have been busy from March through
western waters.
The appeal of the Blue Ridge watershed
is its location. Charlotte and Atlanta are
three hours away. A trip from Orlando or
Tampa, Fla., can be done in a day.
“People are just so busy,” Brookings
Cashiers Village Outfitters manager
“People saw guys like me and Roger
Lowe and said, ‘Man, I want to do
that,’’’ Brown said. “It went from
having one or two guides to having
more than a hundred right now.”
37
FEATURE
realized she couldn’t print them fast
enough.
“People picked it up like crazy,”
Spiro said. “That’s when I knew
there’s something there: ‘I can make
this better.’”
38
are fly-fishing related. Many concern
the Trail, which has its own website:
http://www.flyfishingtrail.com/.
And the western N.C. Fly Fishing
Trail was born. The Trail, created by
Spiro and a few local anglers, is a
compilation of 15 streams. It starts
with the scenic Scott Creek and ends
with rumbling waters of the Tuckasegee River.
“It really has become a staple for
tourism in Jackson County. It generates revenue,” Spiro said. “When
people are here to fly fish, they’re
here two days, three days fishing
several spots on the trail. I get emails
from fishermen saying they’ve fished
three spots one year and they’ll be
back for more. It’s really an honor
badge to say you’ve fished all 15.”
Roughly 30 percent of the Jackson
County tourism inquiries, Spiro said,
The Tuckasegee is one of the most
popular WNC spots. Other favorites are
the Nantahala and Davidson Rivers. All
are within two hours of each other.
The Tuckasegee is a favorite among
those who want to fish from a drift
boat, a trend that started in the early
‘90s. Lowe, who works out of Brookings, was one of the first guides in
the area to grab an oar.
“We were the guinea pigs on that,”
Lowe said. “That opened a lot of
doors right there.”
Anglers willing to pay can have access to more fish without the stress
of wading big water. It’s a win-win for
the fisherman and guide.
FEATURE
“When I first started guiding there were
only a handful of guides doing it—
Roger, Henry (Williamson), a select a
few,” Canter said. “Now it’s blown up.”
“The delayed harvest had a lot to do
with it,” Canter said. “It gets people
here and it’s fairly easy fishing. I think
Most of the area anglers fish weekends.
They dabble. But a handful of folks fish
competitively. In fact, the North Carolina Fly Fishing Team hosted the 2011
national championships in Cherokee,
N.C. And Josh Stephens, who has two
top-three finishes at the U.S. nationals,
lives in Robbinsville, N.C.
“The adult (North Carolina) team is
based out of here,” Brown said. “The
(U.S.) youth (national) team is based
out of here. They started doing well.
We’ve got so many good anglers
we’re not only taking first place,
we’re taking second place (at nationals). Nobody’s even close point wise.
It’s a hotbed. It really is a hot bed.”
But fly fishing appears to be more
than just a passing fad in western
N.C. It’s part of the culture.
“It came on pretty good,” Lowe said.
“It’s a sport everyone’s enjoyed. Fortunately, a few of us have been lucky
enough to make a living every day.
It’s been a good lifestyle.”
Although the access to the water has
improved, so, too, has the fishing,
thanks to the implementation of
delayed-harvest regulations on many
streams. The Nantahala, according to
the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, was the first in 1991.
The Tuckasegee was added in 1994.
Now there are more than 30.
it made it easier on the Average Joe.
It’s pretty easy access. You don’t
have to walk up tiny little streams in
the backcountry to catch fish. And
it sort of shed light on catch-andrelease in North Carolina.”
39
FEATURE
THE “AT 20”
20 Products we think will make a splash in the coming
months… and five more that have us intrigued.
Analyzed, tested and reviewed by The Editors
Product preferences are, of course, a subjective deal. What flips our switches as
anglers might not flip yours, and vice versa. Honors and awards are nice, and
usually hard earned, but let’s be honest… that can be a pretty loose deal also.
We’re not saying that we have all the answers, but after covering the fly-fishing
business and talking to retailers and consumers for many years now, we do
have some reasonably qualified hunches as to what will sell, and what will not.
Here are 20 products that we would be darn sure to have in our store next year
(were Angling Trade a fly shop) and explanations as to why we feel that way.
Some qualifiers/disclaimers: We did see, feel, test, handle everything on the
list; there are no “press release reviews” here. Some of these companies are
advertisers, others are not; that didn’t influence this list. This is about sales
potential, not necessarily products we like to fish with (though, naturally, we’d
have a hard time imagining something selling like hotcakes if we thought it
sucked on the water). We limited the list to one product per company (some
companies had multiple IFTD winners, but we think diversity of product offering is important). This is a list, not a ranking, so assume the numeric order
has more to do with magazine layout than anything else. Lastly, if any of these
things prove to be disappointments (by wearing out early and so forth) we’re
going to tell you about that on anglingtrade.com.
Here goes…
40
1. Orvis Recon Rod Series
2. YETI Hopper
A soft-sided cooler/tote bag with a
beefy dry-suit zipper on top that keeps
things cool to YETI standards, we liked
it at first sight. But the real “bosses”
(our wives), liked it even more. Why?
It’s lighter and easier to handle than
a hard-sided cooler. And it’s flexible.
You can tuck it in the car. Carry it to
the beach. The functional possibilities
abound. We did a side-by-side ice
test with a YETI Tundra 45, and sure,
the solid walls maintained ice a bit
longer. But at a time when we’re all
looking for things we can sell beyond
the hard-core angler crowd, this option leaps out. Retail is $300.
Orvis’ new Recon rod series is a high-performing offering that’s priced at $450 retail. All rods
feature a versatile action that should fit right into the wheelhouse of most anglers, regardless
of skill level. What Orvis did was transpose many of the manufacturing lessons it learned in the
development of Helios and Helios 2 (including secretive ferrule designs) to more affordable
base materials and components. The rod (and even the tube it comes in) is entirely made in the
U.S.A. For the angler looking to add a different line weight to the arsenal, it’s an easy, worthy
and honest sell.
FEATURE
3. Umpqua Tailgater
Most anglers’ primary fishing “chariot” isn’t a drift boat or a raft. It’s their truck or
car. Boat bags are fine, but what they really need is a bin to put wet stuff in so their
vehicle doesn’t stink. This very simple, surprisingly affordable ($80) option called the
Tailgater Organizer can be fastened onto any cheap plastic utility tub from Home
Depot or Wal-Mart, and as such, transform that tub into something that not only
holds wet waders, but also fly boxes, various tools, tippet, floatant, etc. Set one up
in the store, and fill the bin with a supply to sell. It’ll empty quickly.
5. Sharkwave Siege Freshwater Fly Line
4. Sage Accel Rod Series
Sage uses much of what it learned in developing
the One rods, and applies that to Generation 5
materials technology to create a tight-casting blend
of power and accuracy with medium to fast action.
It’s intentionally less adorned with component frills,
which helps keep the cost down. We took a twohander to the Dean, and never set it down. The
single-handers (priced from $595 with warranty)
offer good feel. Sage swept the rod competition at
IFTD as Accel won “Best of Show” in the freshwater
category, and SALT (which we haven’t tested yet)
took, well, the saltwater category.
First off, we like
the fact that,
since Orvis acquired Scientific
Anglers, SA has
been focused
on making
things simple
for consumers
to understand.
It’s back to basics. And basics, for SA,
is really cutting-edge line technology
development. The Sharkwave Siege,
which won best Freshwater Fly Line
honors at IFTD, is a coming home of
sorts as well, as it applies the right
technologies in the right places of the
line. The line is a game changer from
a casting and presentation standpoint.
We felt it right away. You and your
customers will too. Retail $100.
6. Tacky Fly Box
This new fly box—another IFTD winner—is made with a slit-silicone insert, rather than regular foam. What that means is that it
is less apt to stretch and wear out as you pull and replace flies in
the box. The material has mucho memory, so every fly is always
snugly anchored back. It’s sized right at 7” x 3.5” x ¾” so it
slips comfortably in pockets. It has magnetic closures to keep it
bound shut, and it’s made of polycarbonate that’s shatter resistant (the same stuff that many polarized lenses are made of). It holds 168 flies. And at $25, it is temperature tested to
250 degrees Fahrenheit. For more information, www.tackyflyfishing.com.
41
FEATURE
7. Nautilus Silver King Reel
What more do you need to say
than Nautilus took the same reel
design, entered one color in the
freshwater category, the other
in the saltwater category (we
forgot which was silver, which was
black), and swept them both at
IFTD? The CCFX2 Silver King is
another pairing of a light (9.1 oz.),
yet durable aluminum frame with
high-performance drag technology. This option is particularly
interesting, because the large design will maximize pickup and
retrieve factors, which are going to appeal from tarpon flats to
Spey rivers. It offers as much pickup, with as little weight, as
you can possibly have. Retail is $685.
9. Fish Skull Fly Tester
8. Hatch Two-Plus Reel
We’ve been huge Hatch fans since the
company started several years ago, and
have admired how the company has
blossomed by sticking to the same basic
design that few could compete against.
Hatch reels are bomb-proof. The refinement in the line this year is the addition
of the 2-Plus Finatic, which we first saw
on a visit to Hatch’s Vista, California, HQ
this summer. It weighs only 3.6 oz., is 3” in
diameter with a .85” spool width. It’s fully
machined and has a Rulon/Stainless Steel
stacked disk drag. It’s rated for 2-weight
through 4-weight, but to be perfectly honest we love it most on a 4. Retail: $380
Another winning product from IFTD we wanted to call out is the Fish Skull Fly Tester,
from Flymen Fishing Co. As the name implies, you can fasten flies to lines, and float
them on the surface, “drift” them under the surface, and even “swim” certain flies like
streamers. In other words you can see how they look and behave in the water… what
the action is, and so forth. That’s all fine, but let’s call it like it is and say what the fly
tester really does. It’s a customer entertainment device that belongs on a counter or
behind the cash register in every shop. Price is $285.
11. Patagonia Nano Air Hoody
10. Fishpond Sushi Roll
42
If it’s good enough for
our buddy Joe Cermele,
fishing editor of Field &
Stream, it’s good enough
for us. This is one of
the first products that
grabbed Joe’s attention
at IFTD. It’s a soft streamer holder—a roll-up foam pad—
costs $30, and it’s meant to hold big patterns like streamers. Not only that, it dries the flies when they’re rolled
up. Pound for pound, Fishpond had probably the most
impressive haul of IFTD awards this year. This product was
somewhat overlooked, but it was our favorite.
Patagonia just introduced a Nano-Air Hoody and
Jacket with FullRange insulation, which is going to
be a game changer. Everyone knows that the NanoAir products have been the hot layering item for
years, because of how actually “not too hot” they
are. Nano-Air products breathe at the rate of allowing 40 CFM (cubic feet
per minute) of air flow,
while still maintaining
stretch and warmth. This
design has taken things to
an entirely new level.
FEATURE
13. Simms G4Pro Jacket
12. Smith Dockside
Polarized Glasses
In the fashion eyewear parlance,
“large fit” is a nice way of saying
“fat head,” which we can say
because one of us—we’re not
saying who—falls into that
category. Seriously, it’s almost
impossible to find many good
options in that fit range, which
can be a frustration. Dockside,
available in a number of different
lens types, is one of the most
comfortable, “forget they’re on,”
and reliable polarized options we
have ever worn.
We took this jacket to the Dean in British Columbia, and hoped it
would rain. It did. The jacket delivered, even beyond its $550 retail
price tag. It can carry a lot of gear, but none of the pockets seem
contrived or gimmicky. It’s lightweight and
accommodates layering. Range of motion
is better in this jacket than in 99 percent of
any others anglers will wear (a real bonus
when Spey casting). And it is supremely
waterproof. Best of all, it’s cut like a rain
coat you can wear around town. Not too
high, like a silly sawn-off “wading” jacket,
yet not droopy to your knees. A rock-solid
champ (IFTD winner), and you’d expect
nothing less from Simms.
14. Costa “Hamlin” in New 580P Mirror
Costa is on a roll, plain and simple. 580 is a standard in terms of clarity. The new 580P mirrors
feature C-WALL technology, an oleophobic and
hydrophobic coating that repels oil, water, and dust.
The mirror lenses block light at a slightly higher rate,
which helps cut glare and protect eyes. Hamlin is
named after Ron Hamlin, the captain who has caught and released over 27,000 billfish and
helped mainstream circle hooks. We’ve worn the shades... they are better than advertised,
and retail is $189.
15. Buff Water Gloves
Romano loves these things and can’t say enough good things about them. Your
hands are as vulnerable as your face when it comes to the sun. And while we
slather sunscreen everywhere, the hands lose the protection before anywhere
else (usually). These gloves dry out extremely fast, they have awesome grip on
the inside, they are easy to take on and off, and they seem to take a beating.
We’ve used them kayaking in Texas, whitewater rafting in Utah, and rowing all
the local (Colorado) haunts. They are fantastic for rowing. Not too thick. Priced
at $27.00.
43
FEATURE
17. Scott Tidal
16. Korkers K-5 Bomber
The K-5 Bomber is designed for durability. Interestingly, Korkers, which
was one of the very first manufacturers
to employ the BOA closure system,
has gone to laces for this model. Not
a reflection on BOA, rather a means
of covering all bases. We have yet
to actually wade in these, but at first
feel on the show floor, the five-ply fit
system that locks the foot in place and
provides ankle support seems to take
things up a level. Fans of the OmniTrax Interchangeable Outsole system
will want to give them a close look.
Said Scott president Jim Bartschi: “This rod is designed to make casting and fishing saltwater class rods easier. Fly fishing in saltwater is
challenging by its nature—conditions fish, nerves—and often transitioning up from fly rods most of us use frequently (4,5, and 6 weights)
just adds to the challenges. We wanted to make a rod that really
drove the line and turned over flies easily, even with less-than-perfect
timing or double-hauls.” Retail is $475, yet it’s more than enough rod
for the trout angler who wants to go on his or her planned bonefish
trip. In terms of price and versatility, I think Tidal may be one of the
best all-around carp rods ever made.
18. Dr. Slick Pliers
Most of the magazines we write for
won’t allow us to even review $300
pliers. We can’t imagine how you
sell them (though we know many
of you do.) Dr. Slick has created
new “Typhoon” pliers that are not
only functional and solid, they have
a retail price of $60. They’re fully
machined, they’re comfortable to grip, they are corrosion resistant,
and they even come with replacement cutters. They aren’t bulky
and the color makes them stand out if you happen to drop them in
the river. Gotta say we don’t love the holster, but we like everything else.
20. Dolly Varden
19. Abel Sealed Drag Reel
44
Abel Reels have always been a lead contender in
terms of design, feel, and performance. Where
the company has been kicked in the shins from
competitors has been in the context of sealed
drag systems, which others had, and Abel did
not... until now. And now that the company
does house a drag system in a manner that
makes it impervious to dust, grime, and corrosion, the Abel Sealed Drag line is going to be hard to compete
against. They’re pretty, they’re light, their tough, they’re durable, they’re cool... and they’re status priced ($700 for a 3N),
which may actually be a good thing in a retail display.
Husband-wife co-founders
Daniel and Joanne Berezan are onto some very
smart designs with good
fabrics. They just launched,
and we think they’ve really landed on some great
women’s-specific designs
and products, Another
undeniable plus is that
everything is cut and sewn
in the U.S.A. If you’re
looking for another soft-goods option that’s a
little different, very functional, and eye catching (it doesn’t just look like fishing clothes), do
check out dollyvardenoc.com.
FEATURE
Five More “bonus” products we think are worth taking a hard look at…
21. St. Croix Spinning Travel Rods
Does everything in your shop have to be fly? Does every rod have to be a fly rod? That’s your decision, but if you do
want to cross over, you can do no better than St. Croix’s new Legend Trek spinning and casting rods. There are eight,
3-piece spinning and casting rods ranging from 7- to 7 ½ feet in length, they pack down to 32” or less. In other words,
they travel like fly rods. Retail prices range from $460 - $530.
23. Hemingway’s
22. J. Son Match & Catch
These flies are incredibly realistic…
so much so that they are ultimately
teaching aids more than anything
else. Use them to compare against
naturals, and you help entomology
and hatch-matching skills. Ideal for
any shop that teaches. See http://
www.jsonsweden.com/en/
24. Quad Racks from Vac Rac
Realistic Tying Parts
Buds and Back
Stone Fly
Hemingway’s Realistic Stonefly Wing Buds & Back is quite
unique material, excellent for tying realistic stonefly
nymphs. Wing buds and main body backs are precut, preformed, flexible, waterproof and UV resistant.
Comes in various colors and three sizes: Small, Medium and
Large. Small is good choice for hook sizes #10-12, medium
for #8-10 and large for #6-8. Longer shank hooks are recommended.
Small and Medium: 20 sets per pack
Large: 15 sets per pack
Yellow
HMG-SWB&B-01
Pale
HMG-SWB&B-02
Tan
HMG-SWB&B-05
Dark
HMG-SWB&B-06
Gold
HMG-SWB&B-03
Gray
HMG-SWB&B-04
Buds and Back
May Fly
Gold
HMG-MWB&B-01
Yellow
HMG-MWB&B-02
Dark
HMG-MWB&B-03
Ephemera Yellow
HMG-MWB&B-05
Brown
HMG-MWB&B-04
25. Rep Your Water
People like to show the waters they fish, and the places they are connected to. Nobody
captures this in a fishing sense, better than “Rep Your Water” which neatly integrates state
flag emblems to ball caps, and so forth. It’s an instant premium, or soft good, point-of-sale
money magnet, waiting to happen. Repyourwater.com.
www.hemingway-s.com
21
The Quad racks from Vac Rac
have two lever-actuated vacuum bases per rack, the Quad
rack securely mounts to any
smooth vehicle or boat surface
whether steel, aluminum, glass
or composite allowing you to
safely transport up to four fully
assembled rods & reels on the
outside of your car. We wouldn’t have mentioned this had our rods fallen
off our cars. For further information on the Quad rack or any other of the
Vac Rac products, please contact US Distributor, Highland Trading Co, Inc.
Avon, Co. 1 800 423 4439 www.Sportube.com
Tom Janukowicz, owner and operator
of Bearskin Outfitters guide service in
southern Pennsylvania was looking for
some materials to make legs to tie a
few of his fly patterns with to improve
their overall realism, He ended up
being the guy for the Hemingway’s
product line. (Good name, right?)
Check out the products, there’s more
than sniff once you scratch.
45
B AC K C A S T
So when planning a road trip this past
summer I decided we’d do Montana
differently. We’d nose into areas
we’d never smelt. We’d sidestep
the mainstay tailwaters exploding
with “arm’s length” trout. And we’d
challenge ourselves, carrying nothing
but dry flies and meaty streamers.
MARKETING MONTANA
Fly fishing’s least kept secret
at its best
Written by Geoff Mueller
When it comes to heady lifestyle
magazines, including the ones
frequenting bacteria traps such as your
dentist’s lobby, Montana dominates
the marketplace.
The state has more publications
devoted to endless sky, 10-gallon
hats, reclaimed-timber homes, and
kitschy wildlife art than any other in
the union. That’s because Montana—
the one being marketed to frothing
urbanites from Atlanta to Chicago and
beyond—has become a fabrication of
the savage outdoors, where one can’t
take a shit in the woods without being
scalped by a rogue Indian or mauled
by a grizzly bear any day of the week.
46
Sure, there’s plenty of wildlife and
that equates to some unreal fishing.
Moreover, the state boasts the best
stream access laws in the land. But
all that love has led to a busier
place, where experience has been
diluted, especially while drifting down
mainstay tailwaters, eyes glued all day
to a pink bobber.
Like Lewis and Clark kitted with
GPS and an air-conditioned 4X4,
we throttled it past Billings and its
oil refineries, through a Livingston
recently polluted by John Mayer’s
guitar strumming, over Bozeman
after roughing it a night in the Hilton,
and on across Butte toward the
unincorporated town of Wise River:
Population, sparse. River miles alive
with wild trout… abundant.
Generally lacking the fame and outof-state fortunes, Wise River won’t be
voted best place to live, work, and
play by the lifestyle glossies anytime
soon. That distinction typically goes
to Bozeman, with its prime access to
national forest lands and hundreds
of miles of blue-ribbon trout
river—including the Yellowstone,
Gallatin, and Madison. Its virtues
are undeniable, but picking a place
like Bozeman to get off the grid is
like plucking low-hanging bananas.
Besides, we wanted to reboot our
fishing in a place that embraces its
anonymity. And we found it.
The sod-roof cabin standing before
us, according to David Decker at
the Complete Fly Fisher, was built in
the late 1800s and housed the first
white settlers to overwinter in the
Big Hole Valley. It was about 5 feet
tall and wobbled precariously to one
side thanks to decades of wear, tear,
and wind. Next door, our refurbished
digs were better equipped, with a
refrigerator full of Rainiers and comfy
beds. Outside, a plush sweep of
the Big Hole River gurgled through
the backyard. And we were about to
experience the hatch of a lifetime, as
a billion mosquitoes swarmed us from
all directions. Heaven, with an extra
dose of DEET.
The Big Hole is not an unknown
entity. But having never fished there,
it possessed all the traits we were
after: undammed flows, lengthy
stretches of awesome canyon water,
and a great lineup of wild trout.
The water made sense, but the
fishing didn’t. We stuck to a dry-fly
program that received little fanfare
from the trout. Weather was equally
uncooperative. It blew sideways,
boomed and crackled incessantly,
and rained hard at times.
It was the authentic Montana
immersion we’d sought. But after three
days of more bug bites than fish eats,
it was also a quintessential ass kicking.
On the way home we diverted
through Fort Smith, where we found
30 truck-and-trailer rigs lining a
major Bighorn River access. On the
water, every run housed multiple
boats and their bobber-dogging
clients. And at about 7 p.m., the sun
plummeted into the cottonwood
canopies, while the river lit up in the
kind of caddis emergence that forces
an entire trout population to look up
and open wide.
We caught more fish on dries during
those waning hours of light than
we’d seen all week. The experience
was borderline preposterous—with
a fluffy, pink-cloud backdrop straight
off the pages of Unmistakably
Montana Magazine. And as for living
up to all that hype? The reality of
this place, as is often the case, is far
better than the fiction.
Four Reasons Why TROUT
is the Best Buy in Fly…
1
It has the largest sustained
print readership in the
space.
2
Its readers are the most
motivated anglers (they
spend and act).
3
TROUT offers by far the
best CPM value of any
publication that covers fly
fishing.
TROUT UNLIMITED • W
W W. T U. O R G • S P R I N G
2014
egacy of
shable water.
Money spent in TROUT
supports the organization
that protects the resources
that sustain fly fishing.
If you haven’t checked out
TROUT lately, make a
point to do so. We don’t
do how-to. But we’re also
not strictly a conservation
publication. TROUT is
a lifestyle publication that
covers the conscience
of angling in America.
And we’re growing...
For advertising
information:
Tim Romano;
[email protected].
MARK LANCE
4
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3/3/14
GET INVOLVED.
ANGLERSOFHONOR.ORG
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