South Boulder Creek Action!

So, I'm always telling folks there are nice fat rainbows to be had in SBC along with the many beautiful browns and smaller bows. Check out this vid from the Today Show - you'll see what I mean. Also, great props to the Today Show for highlighting Casting For Recovery - a wonderful program that has helped, and continues to help, many women battling cancer. Well done...

Drag: An Excellent Read

When Drag is Desirable

by Tom Rosenbauer

"IMPARTING MOVEMENT TO A DRY FLY is one of the most effective and exciting ways to fish dry flies, but it must be done under the right circumstances with special techniques that distinguish movement given to the fly by the fisherman from ordinary drag. Insects on the surface of the water move, no question, but when insects move they do it without creating a V-shaped wake that drag usually creates. When you purposely give movement to a fly, it should look like a skater gliding across the surface rather than a swimmer doing the crawl. If this is done properly, a skated fly will draw trout from six feet away, fish that might not be induced to take any other fly. It's more an active technique that you should use like a streamer fly to provoke strikes than a passive technique where you pitch a fly to a trout's suspected position and wait for him to inhale your fly."

Read more HERE.

Duranglers!

Last Tuesday found me down in Durango showing the line to the great folks of Duranglers on Main Street. This is truly a full-service shop and an excellent Patagonia partner in the region. A little history? Why not:

"Duranglers Flies and Supplies had its humble beginning in 1983 when John Flick and Tom Knopick opened the San Juan region's first and only full service fly shop and guide service. Tom and John had met nine years earlier as freshman in college and quickly began dreaming of making fly fishing their life. The dream became a reality December 10th, 1983 when Duranglers opened its doors in downtown Durango. Duranglers has come a long way from when Tom and John tied every fly they sold and built every rod."

Be sure to stop by before you hit the Animas for up-to-date fishing reports.

A Perfect "10" - Read On...

I Love This River...

A little recap:

I rolled into Alcova in the sweet rented panel van at 6:30pm last Sunday night, suited up and literally ran down the boat ramp. The place was deserted except for one truck and trailer - Blake Jackson's. He got dropped off right as I was about to get in the water - always good to see that boy and we planned to do a short drift Tuesday evening.

The flow is back up to 1600cfs and the weeds have been pushed out. The wind was screaming but the evening was warm - rain systems were coming and going, and the water is still freezing - a great sign.

I dropped in just below where the old fence was, 100 yards below put-in. Egg-annelid-small annelid. 10 or 15 drifts, nothing. Then the birds came out. A wonderful sign - there was a hatch to be matched. Switched out to a black midge below the egg and it just lit up. I fished for 2.5 hours, landed ten, probably lost 15, and had the hook straightened on me 3 times! 3! Gotta pick up some new midges to say the least. Landed one 22" slab that crushed the egg - couldn't believe it. Several other beauties like the one shot attached. Fished until I couldn't see a thing anymore, drove to the Casper Best Western and set up the line for some showings on Monday and Tuesday.

Tuesday afternoon found me in Blake's boat along with John, another Crazy Rainbow Guide and WY local. I decided to drive Blake crazy by over-mending way too much line out in front of the boat, but we got into some great fish (Colorado day-makers, as the local boys call 'em...) as we lazily rowed back through the top 5 or 6 holes before calling it an afternoon. I certainly learned a few things out there. These are fantastic guys to fish with... The joys of having "Metropolitan WY" as part of your territory, no?!?

Platte River Fly Shop

The Platte River Fly Shop is a fantastic Patagonia Core Dealer on the outskirts of Casper Wyoming. In addition to an excellent on-line store, owner / operator Mark Boname has made some strong strides to reduce the shop's footprint, installing a wind turbine on the property this past spring and introducing a comprehensive recycling program on site. Well done. When the weather turn rough up in the great state of WY, this is the go-to store for Patagonia base-layer, insulation, and core Fish products. When it's balmy, check out the T's, Capilene 1 crews and lifestyle shirts - for both men and women. (Did I mention the quality river reports and locally tied flies? They have it all...)

The Ugly Bug!

A beautiful fly shop in downtown Casper, WY, with some exceptional fish art to boot. Along with their sister shop (Stoney Creek Outfitters, Saratoga, WY) and the Crazy Rainbow Ranch, this complete outfitter can get it done for you on the waters of the North Platte River or on the banks as well, if you are in the mood for a little bird hunting. Top that all off with the best story-telling guide I know, Blake Jackson, and you have one great day ahead of you (Although he did fail to get me into the mandatory 50+ fish I fully expected during a couple-hour float this past Tuesday...). Make a point to stop in the next time you are in town.

Insulator Jacket - Get One!

Crisp, autumn mornings on the Yellowstone, foggy late spring Vineyard rips, the first hard frost at Illiamna—these kinds of scenarios are the motivation for creating the Insulator Jacket. This windproof, water-resistant soft shell dramatically increases on-the-water comfort whenever the hard shell is overkill. It's also perfect, friction-free insulation under the hard shell for inclement conditions. The sleek-yet-cozy fabric (stretch-woven polyester outer layer bonded to Polartec® fleece) combined with features like angled, water-resistant zippers on large front cargo pockets, protected zinger attachment points and streamlined, snag-free cuffs ensure you’ll fish more comfortably and efficiently. Added bonus: the signature trout logo on the collar back. Brushed-fleece lined zippered hand pockets and collar; Houdini® drawcord at hem; inner stash pocket. The Insulator Jacket will be available for Fall 2008.

Overview
The Insulator Jacket provides all the advantages of a soft shell—max breathability, comfort and warmth—in a windproof, water-resistant package that loves to fish.

Fabric
Shell: 9.8-oz, 100% stretch-woven polyester laminate (Polartec® Power Shield®) and 8.8-oz dobby weave of 47% nylon, 45%polyester, 8% spandex with 4-way stretch plus a durable water repellent finish. Collar: 4.3-oz polyester fleece (50% recycled)

Features
* Large front cargo pockets with water-resistant, angled vertical zips
* Protected zinger/tool attachment bar
* Houdini® drawcord at hem
* Zippered, brushed-fleece lined handwarmer pockets
* Brushed-fleece lined collar
* Snagfree, streamlined cuffs
* Internal zippered chest pocket
* Modified Y-Joint™ shoulders and articulated elbows
* Distinctive fish (trout) logo on collar

Sizes
S, M, L, XL, XXL

Color
Black
Photos courtesy of Chris LaScola and Dylan Tomine

Thanks, as always, to Way Upstream!

The Tailwater Gallery and Fly Shop

During my swing through New Mexico this past week, I also had the opportunity to visit another great Patagonia Fish partner, the Tailwater Gallery & Fly Shop in Taos, New Mexico. The shop was inspired by Jack and Stephanie Woolley’s life long love of fly fishing. Stephanie, the featured artist, has lived and painted in the Taos area since 1987. Her representational paintings depict fly fishing, wildlife, landscapes, and people of New Mexico and the west. You can also get anything you need for a great day on the river here as well. If you are in the Taos area, stop by and say hello. You might also want to take some time to visit the historic La Fonda Hotel in Taos, where Stephanie's beautiful artwork is currently on display.

The Reel Life!

The Reel Life is an independent, locally-owned fly fishing specialty shop in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Located at 500 Montezuma Street in the Sanbusco Market Center, near the historic railyard district and a short walk from the Plaza, they are a strong Patagonia partner and a great resource for anglers of all abilities looking to get out on the water in the Sante Fe area. I had the opportunity to show Toner Mitchell the Spring 2009 line last Tuesday, and I am looking forward to getting back down that way again soon and wetting a line. If you are in the area, make sure to stop by!