Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Midcurrent Reviews The Divider Series And Stormfront Pack

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They call it "highly water resistant," but I'd challenge just about anyone to get water inside of one of Patagonia's Divider storage designs. I've kept a Great Divider in my skiff for years, and it's been the home of expensive video and camera gear. The only problem I've ever had with the Great Divider is that it didn't always fit in tight compartments without some squeezing, so I was very happy to hear that Patagonia is coming out with a half-size version of the product call the "Sub Divider." They've also dropped the double side handles in favor of a single, adjustable, removable, padded shoulder strap. And they've rounded the corners so that it is no longer a struggle to zip the lid shut.

If you absolutely have to have total waterproofness and think a few hundred bucks is a small price to pay for something that will keep your gear dry when it goes over some giant Amazon waterfall, be sure to check out Patagonia's redesigned Stormfront Pack. The new version features a new, easy-to-use waterproof zipper, a completely redesigned pod-to-harness attachment system, and an internal, padded, custom-fit gear case.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Just A Little Re-Cap...

So, we have returned. From an epic. To say the least.

The 2008 trip into the Wyoming backcountry will not be forgotten. How could it be? An unbelievably burly 11.5-hour horse ride in over rougher country than I have ever experienced. A horribly sprained ankle. Bush-whacking. Splitter weather. Long hikes in to breath-taking alpine lakes. The elusive Golden Trout. The voracious Cutthroat. A bear. Her cubs. A stellar assortment of surface bugs. Long casts and great takes. An 11th-hour grab by a beautiful rainbow in the last 5 minutes of fishing. Incredible food and fine wine. Could Casey, Mike, Aidan and I have asked for an easier trip? Certainly. Would we trade this one in? Absolutely not. Enjoy a few pics...

The "Heart Of Darkness..."

Uber-Grom On Point

Fish On!

Moore In Beautiful Country

Sensei - Once Again!

Slab!

Big Papi Ends With A Walk-Off Homer!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

This Is Fly #11 - 'Nuff Said...

Catch Magazine Hits The "Stands"

There's a new online rag on the virtual newsstand. It's called Catch Magazine. The creators are billing it as the "Official Journal of Fly Fishing Photography and Film". Brian O'Keefe (photo editor) and Todd Moen (film editor) invite you to check out the free premier issue. Catch Magazine is scheduled to be released six times a year and will house content from a host of creative contributors. I think this product might just exceed your expectations. One word of caution from Brian "Catch is not dummied down for little, small computers and monitors. Catch needs a powerful computer, NO DIAL UP!!, a fast, high speed internet connection (especially for video) and a nice sized monitor. Send the link to your work, a neighbor’s house, etc, if you have an old clunker."

Cover photo by Brian O'Keefe

Midcurrent Reviews The SST

Patagonia may not have invented recyclable fishing gear (hard to compete with the indigenous Aleuts' seal-gut parkas), but it's been a part of their product-design mantra since long before "green" became synonymous with lower carbon emissions and oil consumption. And they are still among the first to put their foot into the water when a new recycling or low-energy-use concept presents itself. The venerable SST Jacket -- a product in which Yvon Chouinard has always taken a personal interest -- will have yet further improvements along the lines of eco-friendliness and utility in 2009.

Read more HERE.

Fly Fishing Film Tour Comes To Boulder!

That's Right! AEG Media will be coming to Boulder to show their seven short movies fly fishing around the world. Boulder Flycasters are sponsoring this special presentation right here in Boulder in conjunction with our Rogers Park/Boulder Creek Enhancement Project scheduled to begin construction in late September and October of 2008.

Tickets are $17 if purchased by September 20th and are $20 from the 20th until the presentations on September 26th and 27th. The presentation will be held at the Dairy Center, 26th Street and Walnut. Shows begin at 6:30 p.m. Read more in the September issue of Reel News.

Purchase your tickets here.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Black as Night - Brown Delight!

So, one of the best things of going to Salt Lake City for the Outdoor Retailer show this time around was getting to meet Thad Robison of the Angling Exploration Group (AEG) and the Fly Fishing Film Tour. If there was ever a better ambassador for a sport, I have not met them. Thad took myself and good friend Tim Ridings out for an evening session on the Provo River below Park City. The browns were on the hunt and we fished well after dark, literally guessing and setting the hook. Nine times out of ten it came back and hit me in the head, but not this one at left. A great way to end the evening. Thanks Thad - see you in Denver!

Ridings Gets It Done!

Tim Ridings with the first fish of the evening on the Provo with Thad Robison of AEG fame. The caddis were hatching, and TR picked this one up on a perfect drift in some pretty swift water. Nicely done!

Taylor Creek - Basalt

Ever since my brother Mike moved to Basalt a few years ago, Taylor Creek Fly Shop has been the go-to location for anything we might need. Perfectly located in downtown Basalt alongside two of the best rivers in Colorado - the Frying Pan and the Roaring Fork - this group has always provided fantastic friendly service and necessary local knowledge. Their bug selection is top notch and you can always grab a couple Patagonia items to make yourself more comfortable out on the water as well. If the Roaring Fork Valley is on your travel agenda, then this shop should be as well.

Mountain Anglers - Breckenridge

In Breckenridge? Then you need to stop by a legendary shop owned by an American fly fishing legend: Jackson Streit. Published author, prolific guide, and all-around fantastic character, Jackson has been at the forefront of the industry and Mountain Angler has been a great Patagonia dealer for many years. I bought my first rod case from Jackson when I started fishing years ago, and it's always fun to stop by and catch up. Located right on Main Street, it is a must-do when in town.

Blue River Anglers - Frisco

Zeke Hersh has done a great job with this shop. Since moving to Main Street Frisco from Breckenridge, Zeke and Blue River Anglers has become a solid Patagonia Core Dealer providing a wonderful shop experience and guide service. It was inspiring to see so many folks coming in for a day out on the rivers at 6:30am as I walked around town looking for a fresh cup of joe. Make sure to swing in and say "hey" to the gang when you're in town. Can't quite get there? Check out the online store.

Cutthroat Anglers

The second leg of this most recent road trip found me in Summit County chatting with Trapper (guiding at left) in Cutthroat Anglers in Silverthorne. A beautiful shop to be sure with the Blue River running right behind it, Cutthroat has everything you need for a day, week or life on the water. I got some great beta for an evening on the Blue about 10 miles north of town and it paid off. In only a couple hours I landed close somewhere around 20 fish in stellar pocket water. Thanks for the tip boys!

Straightline!

Heading to Steamboat Springs? Make a visit to Straightline Sports a priority. Located right on Main Street, these guys are the pros if you want to get into beautiful fish on exceptional water. A great shop with helpful staff always helps - make sure to browse their awesome fly collection with the top picks called out. Owner Brett Lee has been doing this for a while and it shows - Get in there!

Devil's Thumb Ranch

If you are looking for a spectacular get-away in the heart of the Rockies, the Devil's Thumb Ranch is a great way to do it. With private water on the Fraser, a fully outfitted shop and a Patagonia fleet of waders and boots for use, you can't go wrong. I think someone just said "long weekend..."

Winter Park Fly Fisher

I had the opportunity to meet with Jeff Ehlert of the Winter Park Fly Fisher last week on the road. Jeff has been a long time Patagonia partner and is running a great operation in the Fraser Valley in Colorado. I had a great time catching up with him and his staff and getting the lay of the land. Needless to say, they gave me some great beta for hitting the Fraser River that evening, which I did. It was a special treat to catch brookies on a dry fly in a beautiful setting. If you are in the area, make sure to stop by WPFF - a great resource!

Monday, July 21, 2008

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...

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

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.

Friday, July 4, 2008

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!