In this week’s “How to Tie†video feature, Fly Fish Food ties a perdigon midge hybrid that will be sure to entice those lethargic trout this winter, the Perdi-Midge.
Difficulty: Easy
Winter is upon us, which typically means three things: cold weather, shorter days, and midges. Having an assortment of midges during this time can mean the difference between a good and bad day on the water. The Perdi-Midge offers an aspect that many traditional midge patterns lack, weight. Even on the slowest of days, this fly will simply get the job done.
The combination of a heavy bead and sparse body allows this fly to sink like a rock. This makes the Perdi-Midge deadly, as it will get down to those fish and can serve as an anchor fly in a smaller sized nymph rig. For more lethargic fish, it is key to present the fly in a way that allows for an easy meal, which makes adding another smaller dropper very useful. Adding a more natural color dropper to start the day can be an easy way to see what the fish are looking for in tandem with the Perdi-Midge.
This fly is arguably the most simple covered in the How to Tie series, but like many good things in life, simple is better. Winter fishing can be difficult and tedious, but adding the Perdi-Midge to your fly box will undoubtedly produce more trout. Go small and fish deep during these colder months. Although it may be more comfortable to stay home and tie flies, nothing beats being on the water and feeling the tug.
According to CNBC, GM has acquired a 25% share of Pure Watercraft, a start-up focusing on developing and manufacturing all-electric boat motors. As we watch more automakers in the US develop and commit to EVs, it’s equally exciting to see the boating industry get behind the technology. We’re especially interested to see if guides and boat-owners adopt the technology as carbon-neutrality continues to be a focal point in the fly fishing and outdoor recreation industries.
“Today, GM and Pure Watercraft announced an investment and long-term exclusive strategic pact to bring boating into the EV age. With Pure Watercraft’s industry-leading efficient powertrain and direct-to-consumer sales channel, and GM’s world-class manufacturing and supply chain expertise, its $35B in EV powertrain investment, and the power of both brands, we have a quiver full of arrows and we’re ready to go. Look for future products that make you love boating more than ever before.”
You can learn more about the acquisition and Pure Watercraft, here!
Would you run an all-electric outboard for your boat or skiff? Let us know in the comments below!
Welcome to our newest travel series, brought to you by YETI. In this series, we will be highlighting some of our favorite fly-fishing destinations around the world and providing you with some essential angler insight to help complete your mission. Just like the new YETI luggage, this guide will aim to help you get from point A to B, but whatever adventure you choose to have in-between is up to you.
In this installment of A2B, we will be looking back on a recent trip to Southern Belize. Our travels took us to the lush rainforest jungles and then to the expansive saltwater flats where we hunted for tarpon, permit, and bonefish. We were immersed in the Belizean cultures where we ate the Garifuna cuisines and traveled to ancient Mayan ruins.
What to Know Before Traveling To Belize:Â
The country of Belize is no bigger than the state of Massachusetts, it is a lot smaller than you would imagine. It boasts the second-largest barrier reef in the world. Small islands dot the coastlines and rainforests thrive on the mainland. Making it a traveler’s playground! And not to mention the primary language is English. The locals of Belize are some of the most hospitable people in the world.Â
With COVID still restricting travel across the world, traveling to Belize is straightforward at this point. International travelers can now visit Belize by staying in an approved Gold Standard hotel and providing proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 96 hours of arrival, a negative Rapid Antigen test within 48 hours of arrival, or taking a test upon arrival at the airport. Plan accordingly when making your travel plans to Belize.Â
Where to Fly Into:Â
Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, located in Belize City is the only international airport in Belize. The small airport stays busy with direct flights from many international destinations as well U.S. cities including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, Houston, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Charlotte, Chicago, Toronto, and Newark. Once you fly into Belize City, the best way to travel is by commuter air travel. Tropic Air and Mayan Island Air are the two airline companies that have consistent flights throughout the smaller towns and destinations in Belize.
The commuter flights make it easy to travel to multiple different destinations in Belize. The flights are relatively cheap and the flight times are short. Our travels brought us on a 45-minute flight from Belize City south down to Punta Gorda. After we stayed in Punta Gorda we flew to Placencia and then back to Belize City. The commuter flights can be booked the day of or weeks prior to your trip.
Preparing for Your Trip:Â
Packing List:Â
For all of your non-angling needs, here are a few items we suggest packing along for your journey. Needless to say, there’s always more (or less) you can choose to equip yourself with, but that’s all dependant on what kind of traveler you are. Here are a few items we were glad we brought, or more likely, wish we had:
The new luggage line from YETI is exactly what you would think, a rugged and well thought out product. That is built to last a lifetime and practical. From suitcases to backpacks, to carry-ons – this new line is built to withstand anything from the harsh hands of baggage check to the exotic angling destinations of your dreams. With more space than you’ll know what to do with, bulletproof composure, you can kiss the days of travel turmoil goodbye.
2. Sun Protection!! Hats, Buff, Sun Shirts, & Reef Friendly Sunscreen:
The crystal clear water and flats of Belize are a giant reflector for sunlight. When heading out on a fishing trip, it is essential to have some SPF protection. You will thank us later. The first day of fishing was the only day that we didn’t where a BUFF on the water. The sun is that intense. Which isn’t necessarily the worst thing while on the water….
3. Snorkeling Gear (Mask and Fins):
While our main priority of the trip was fly fishing, and I’m sure many other anglers will have the same priorities having a snorkel mask and fins was about the best item of gear we could have brought. The water in Belize is crystal clear and the reefs are stunning. After standing on the bow of the boat for hours on end, a quick swim into the warm Caribbean waters was all we needed to keep our head in the game when saltwater fly fishing. Nurse sharks, sea turtles, lobsters, parrotfish were some of the highlights.
A waterproof backpack like the YETI Panga 28 Backpack, was essential for our days on the water. The Hydrolok â„¢ Zipper keeps all water out, giving us confidence that our cell phones and camera gear would stay bone dry while out on the flats.
5. Flats Sneakers or Boots:
While when were in Southern Belize, our fishing days involved fishing from a Panga (Flats Boat), we ended up doing a good amount of wading on the flats. The Belizean guides like to get out of the boat in order to stalk and get closer to a feeding fish. Making it easier to get an accurate fly cast to the fish. A good pair of flats fishing-specific boots makes the world of difference when trying to walk through the rough coral ocean floors.
Anglers Packing List:Â
If you’re reading this, you’re most likely planning on going fishing. Good for you. Below, we’ve coordinated with some the local guides to put together a list of some saltwater fly fishing essentials you should try to bring as there are no fly shops or sporting goods stores with fly fishing gear.
Bonefish: smaller shrimp and crab patterns (sizes 4-8) with medium weight.
Examples:Â Crazy Charlies, chicos bonefish special, bonefish slider, merkin crab, gotcha, christmas island special, mcfly crab, pink puff, bone crusher, meko special, bonefish scampi, go-to joe
Permit: small crab and shrimp patterns (sizes 2-6) with weight to get to the bottom efficiently.
Examples:Â avalon, christmas island special, matthew’s turneffe crab, merkin crab, kung fu crab, hover crab, mcfly crab, bauer crab
Tarpon: unweighted baitfish patterns on larger hooks (sizes 1/0, 2/0), just a few with weight.
Examples: tarpon toad, tarpon bunny, black death, cockroach, deceivers, clouser minnows.
Fly Rods for Southern Belize:
Bonefish: 7-8 weight. For calmer days on the flats, a 7 weight fly rod will serve you right with a little more finesse for a perfect cast. It is nice to also have the 8 weight for casting into the wind.
Permit: 8-10 weight. For the calm days on the water, an 8 weight is best for accurate casts. However, a 10 weight is the go-to for wind and the fight. A 10 weight is a perfect choice for permit.
Tarpon: 10-12 weight. A 10 weight is a great choice when chasing the smaller tarpon in the mangroves or along the flats. For larger tarpon, having a 12 weight is best to get a lengthy cast into the wind and tame them on the fight.
Reels and Fly Line for Southern Belize:Â
Matching the rod weight is essential. Large arbor reels allow you to retrieve more line with each reel. A sealed drag system does not allow harsh salt in and assures that when the moment comes, the drag will perform without complication. It is essential to have a saltwater-specific fly line.
Southern Belize Fly Fishing Lodges:
Below are the two different lodges that we visited during our stay in Southern Belize. While there are smaller operations and independent guides, these two lodges had experienced guides, local cuisines, and comfortable accommodations.
This eco-resort is located in Punta Gorda, Belize, the southernmost town in Belize. The lodge sits atop a hill in the rainforest overlooking the Caribbean ocean. A short drive down to the marina and we were fishing the flats of Southern Belize in search of Permit.
Located off the coast of Placencia, Belize the Blue Horizon Lodge sits on a small caye or island. The lodge is newly rebuilt, with decades of fly fishing history from head guide Lincoln Westby. The lodge is an anglers paradise, with endless flats in all directions.
Additional Activities of Interest (For non-anglers):
While not everyone may not be a die-hard angler, there is plenty to see and do in Southern Belize. Here are some activities we recommend for the non-angler.Â
Lubaantun, Blue Creek Village, and Cave Swim
Nim Li Punit Mayan Site and Rio Blanco Waterfalls
Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve
ATM Cave – Actin Tunichil Muknal
SCUBA Dive or Snorkel Glovers Reef or Turneffe Atoll
Southern Belize is truly UnBelizeable!
Southern Belize is a hidden gem, the travel is easy, the sights are stunning and the local people are welcoming. Not to mention the fishing is top-notch and the local fly fishing guides make the experience one you will never forget. You better Belize it!
Thank you to YETI for making this guide possible. If you’re planning an adventure anywhere, domestic or international, be sure to check out their new luggage line that will ensure you get from A-B without hassle or worry.
Boots on the Ground is a new Flylords’ series to highlight individuals working locally to protect, restore, and enhance some pretty fishy places. For our first installment, we check in with Eric Crawford, who is working with Trout Unlimited to remove the four lower Snake River dams and ensure an abundant future for wild salmon and steelhead in the Northwest.
Flylords: Eric, before we dive into all things Snake River and Trout Unlimited, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?Â
Eric: My name is Eric Crawford. I’m the North Idaho Field Coordinator for Trout Unlimited, and one of the main campaigns that I work on is the Snake River campaign and the removal of the four lower Snake River dams. In addition to that, I work on “Up Country” public land protections, mainly in the Clearwater Basin. A little bit about myself–I live in north-central Idaho in a little town called Moscow with my wife and two kids. Prior to my advocacy work with TU, I spent a 22-year career with Idaho Fish and Game as a Conservation Officer.
The Grande Ronde River is a nationally renowned sport fishery, one of the top three in the region. The mainstem and its major tributaries provide spawning and rearing habitat for wild and hatchery stock of spring Chinook, fall Chinook, summer steelhead and rainbow trout.
Flylords: I know this could turn into a few thousand words, but can you describe the Snake River?Â
Eric: So, when we talk about the Snake River, our campaign is focused on the Lower Snake and, specifically, the four lower Snake River dams. The reason why we focus on that and why we are so adamant about removing those dams is the sheer size of the Snake River Basin and its fairly intact and accessible historic habitat. It’s important to put all this into perspective. The size of the basin is larger than the land mass of New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
Historically, 10-16 million salmon and steelhead returned to the mouth of the Columbia River; of that, almost 50 percent of those fish originated from the Snake River Basin. Granted, we have lost some habitat, but we do still have 47 percent of historic habitat and thousands of miles of rivers and streams that are accessible. Those are some of the reasons why we need to remove the four lower Snake River dams–we need to unlock the massive amount of habitat up-river, if we want to have a future with abundant wild salmon and steelhead.
Flylords: What is the current condition of the Snake River and its ecosystem? How’d we get here?
Eric: Beginning in 1962, the lower Snake River hydro system began development, first with Ice Harbor Dam and ending in 1975 with Lower Granite Dam. If you go back and look at run numbers, you’ll see that there was a very significant corresponding decline in both salmon and steelhead returns to the Snake River Basin. In the 80’s, there was a concerted effort to produce hatchery fish to offset the dams’ mortality effect on wild fish. At the same time, there were robust efforts to improve habitat.
But since the mid-19th century, we still have never seen the salmon and steelhead runs recover to what they once were. Sure, we have opportunity, but that is only due to continued hatchery production. Today, most of the species of salmon and steelhead on the Snake are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Yet since their listings, nothing has changed, and today’s run numbers are generally no different than the day they were listed. We are confident that to increase survival of wild salmon and steelhead smolts and adults, it is necessary to remove the four lower Snake River dams.
Flylords: As TU’s North Idaho Field Coordinator, you kind of epitomize the idea of “Boots on the Ground.’ Tell us about some of your local efforts to restore these fish?
Eric: For any campaign, it is important to engage our membership, grassroots partners, and local stakeholders directly. We’re constantly discussing decisions surrounding the Snake Basin and advocating for the removal of the four lower Snake River dams. More recently, we held a seat on the Idaho Governor’s salmon work group, a collaborative effort to discover solutions and generate policy recommendations with the goal of increasing wild salmon and steelhead numbers.
Our water and habitat staff work tirelessly to repair historic habitat, primarily on the Lemhi, Yankee Fork, and the Upper Grande Ronde Rivers. With 62% of the Snake River basin’s historic habitat intact and accessible, habitat isn’t the limiting factor. We need a free flowing lower Snake River so these fish can utilize these restored and historic habitats to the fullest extent.
But the idea of engagement is important too, because not everyone is going to be able to chase steelhead this year or next. So, we’ve partnered with a bunch of different groups and media platforms to spread awareness and education and to engage with as many people as possible. It is so important that we grow our voice to impress upon elected leaders the importance of robust, wild steelhead and salmon runs in the Snake River Basin.
Flylords: How important were the wild salmon and steelhead for your community and others like yours?
Eric: From an angling perspective, so many people don’t realize or have forgotten the opportunities that wild fish once provided Snake River communities before the development of the hydroelectric systems. Today, we are reliant on a hatchery population, which does provide important opportunity, but they don’t provide the resiliency and long-term survival characteristics of wild fish. One community that is somewhat misunderstood, and quite honestly forgotten, are the Nez Perce. They are committed to the Treaty of 1855 and all the rights and privileges that the Treaty affords them. But, what was once a sustainable life with abundant salmon and steelhead, is no longer for the Nez Perce Tribe.
Flylords: Going off that, restoring the Snake River has become a semi-national issue. What has the broader effort to remove the four lower Snake River dams and bringing the salmon and steelhead back looked like?
Eric: Many of you may recall that in February of 2021, Representative Mike Simpson from Idaho released his Columbia Basin Initiative. It was a robust, broad reaching proposal that included the breaching of the four lower Snake River dams. But in addition to that, it provided an outlet for the agriculture and transportation communities that rely on the Snake River dams and funding for infrastructure upgrades throughout the basin. That really changed the trajectory of removing the four lower Snake River dams, and today we’re seeing other Representatives of Congress actively engaging on the issue–not to mention the groundswell of support both locally in the basin and throughout the country.
Flylords: The Snake and Columbia River fisheries once teemed with strong runs of wild fish. But a lot has changed, and now it feels like all the user groups in these river systems are fighting over the dwindling runs. Do you have any thoughts on that?
Eric: It’s almost a sad state of affairs. Here we are now, fighting over what was supposed to be the mitigation solution to dwindling wild runs–the hatchery fish. So, it’s unfortunate that we see all these different user groups fighting over a dwindling resource, but that makes it all the more important to advocate for the restoration of robust, abundant runs of wild salmon and steelhead throughout the Snake River Basin.
Flylords:  What’re the roadblocks or opposition to removing the four lower dams and restoring the river? And the opportunities to achieve that?Â
Eric: There are several significant roadblocks, but it’s also important to recognize the economic opportunities the dams do provide many communities throughout the Northwest. You can’t ignore the large wheat and legumes producers in the basin, or the barging industry, or the not insignificant amount of electricity produced by hydroelectric power plants that the dams make possible. Consistently, the Snake River Dams contribute about 5% to the overall electrical grid in the Northwest, but technology is constantly advancing, improving, and becoming more and more efficient. So, there are solutions to these challenges and paths forward that include people and salmon and steelhead.
Flylords: Just a couple months ago, we all celebrated the great news about Bristol Bay, but here we are again with another massive issue. These fish are teetering on extinction. Do you have hope that we can save them?Â
Eric: Great point, there was much to celebrate with Bristol Bay and rejecting Pebble Mine, but the issues on the Snake River are not new. Whereas, we were just saying no to Pebble Mine, we are working to actually remove four massive structures in a river–it’s quite different and arguably more difficult. Am I confident that something is going to change, yea absolutely–something is going to change. Whether that’s through our efforts of advocacy, outreach, and engagement with our Congressional representatives. Honestly, however, when the authorities that manage the dams realize that their efforts to recover these fish just are not working, they’ll have no other choice. Residents in the Northwest will come to understand that there are innovative alternatives to offset the impacts of removing the dams, but right now there is only one answer to saving the basin’s wild salmon and steelhead–removing the four lower Snake River dams.
Flylords: What are the ways anglers can get more involved and advocate for restoring the snake river and its wild salmon and steelhead?
Eric: First off, learn about the issue. There’s been a lot of hype around steelhead this year, so you’ve probably learned a little bit about these fish and their threats. But it’s important to not lose focus and get distracted by one year’s headlines. Anglers need to get studied up and then it’s time to engage your Congressional representation. Take advantage of TU’s resourcesand call to action page to make your voice heard. Also, support the many other groups engaging on removing the four lower Snake River dams. To sum it up, just make your voice hear loud and clear that you want wild and abundant runs of salmon and steelhead to return to the Snake River Basin before we lose them forever.
In this Video of the Week we catch up with Pete Kaple of the Skiff Wanderer and Alex Blackwell in their mission to fight the weather and get on some Texas Coast redfish. With the help of tacos, redbull, and some fellow chirping the boys battle the weather for 4 days and make it happen with less than ideal conditions. So sit back, take a break from work, grab a beverage, and enjoy some epic footage and comraderie.
In addition to the Skiff Wanderer youtube, Pete also produces the Skiff Wanderer Podcast which he and Alex produced on a rainy morning off the water. Check that out below!
Fall is coming to an end, and for many anglers, so is the season. Once you finally accept that your season is done (if you can finally accept), it’s easy to hang up your gear and forget all about it until the next season rolls around. As fly anglers, and saltwater fly anglers especially, this is a massive mistake. If you have any hopes of keeping your gear functioning at a high level for an extended period of time, you have to treat it well. Salt is a menace when it comes to gear, and if you leave your stuff salty for the winter, you are sure to wake up from your off-season hibernation to a nice growth of rust. Also, if you can manage, try not going into the usual “off-season hibernationâ€, there is still plenty of fun to be had during the chilly months. Here are 5 tips to take care of your gear this winter and make the wait for next spring go by just a little bit faster.Â
Give Your Reels a Deep Clean
In my mind, giving your fly reels a good clean is the most important thing to do at the end of the season. Unfortunately salt is fishing gear’s worst enemy and just a little rust can cause some major problems, especially with something having as many moving pieces as a fly reel. To give your reels a good clean, fill a bucket or plastic container with warm fresh water and then let your reels soak for a few hours. Make sure that you separate the spools from the reel frames while they soak so the freshwater can work its magic in all those nooks and crannies where salt builds up. After the reels take their bath, lightly scrub them down in soapy water. Make sure you hit all the hard-to-reach places, just to fully clean out any extra salt and debris left after the soak. Then, leave them out to dry before putting them back together. Along with regular freshwater rinses throughout the season, this extra care will make sure that the components in your reel don’t corrode so you can keep that nice, smooth drag when next season picks up.
Clean Your Fly Line
Keeping with the cleaning theme, the next tip is to clean your fly lines. Cleaning your fly line is super easy and it can add a lot of life to a line that otherwise would be headed for the trash. While you’re fishing, your line picks up salt, slime, deck grime, and sand, all of which will wear away at your line if you don’t deal with it. All you need to do is run your line through a damp rag or paper towel. Brands line Rio do sell specific line cleaner products which do work great, but a wet towel will work just fine.
If you’ve been fly fishing for a while, you probably have accumulated quite the collection of various flies. I find that the more overloaded my fly boxes get, the fewer flies I actually use. This seems counterintuitive but it is way more efficient to have a few flies in a few of your favorite patterns in a couple of sizes and a couple of colors. This is also a great excuse to get rid of flies with rusted-out hooks, damaged materials, or just flies that you never use.Â
Find a Winter Fishery
Yes, this may be a surprise to some of you, but some fish are indeed still alive and active during the Winter. You may be surprised how many quality winter fisheries are around you, and how fun they can be. For starters, and probably the most obvious choice is trout. Trout need little introduction, but for those on the new side of the sport; trout are active year-round and are either wild or stocked in many streams and lakes across the US. If you can find a tough, selective trout fishery, you will have a great opportunity to work on your sight fishing and use of delicate presentations. A new fishery I’m still learning about and excited to try out more for myself is for Holdover Stripers. If you are in the New England area, this could be a cool one to check out. Striped Bass are migratory fish that spend their summers in the Northeast and then travel south back towards the Hudson, Delaware, and Chesapeake for the winter. While the vast majority of these fish partake in this journey, some fish decide to brave the cold and stay in New England’s backwaters through the winter. These fish are called Holdovers and are an elusive challenge for the Striper anglers who like that type of thing. Wherever you are, do a bit of research and I bet you will be surprised by what you find around you.
Scout Out New Spots
While all of the fish might have scooted out, the spots, the water, and the structure are still right where you left it. Use the downtime to scout out new spots; a lot of people go into hibernation at this time of year but you still can put in the time of the water to make next season even more successful. When you can find the time, go for a drive and check out some new areas. When I scout new spots, I look for a few different things; I look for dept, water, structure, and of course fishiness. Depth is pretty straightforward; is this spot a flat, does it have a steep dropoff, are there channels? All of these things are good, they just mean different things. When I say I look at water, I mean I look at how the water interacts with the spot. How do the tides and currents move in this given location? During a particular tide does a near-shore rip form? Is there an outflow from an estuary, etc? Like depth, structure is also pretty simple. Fish like landmarks. My favorite structure to look for is boulders. Being a New England guy, boulders are key in many good Striper spots so I like looking for rocky areas. Remember, anything that stands out in the water and could act as shelter or a landmark is a positive.
With that said, if you read this article and feel a little less dread for this off-season, I will be happy. While it isn’t ideal, there is still plenty you can do to both get ready for next season and make the most out of your time in between.
UPDATE, December 2, 2021: Flows have been restored on the Upper Madison River. According to NorthWestern Energy, the entity which operates the dam, “Hebgen Dam gate is open and outflows to the Madison River are restored. The water in the river is rising as desired. Crews completed the gate repair just before midnight.”
While it was amazing to see the huge show of support from volunteers to relocate stranded fish, it will be a while until we understand the full impact of this event.
Tuesday, November 30th, a malfunction at Hebgen Dam shut off river flows on the Upper Madison River, south of Bozeman, Montana. A complete fishing closure is in effect from Hebgen Dam downriver to Ennis Lake, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Local accounts are reporting hundreds of stranded fish and vulnerable redds after the spawn. This event will likely have lasting impacts on this portion of the Upper Madison and its trout fisheries. If you are in the area and want to help, head down to the river and ask Montana FWP Officers how you can help.
Montana FWP adds, “the impacts to the fishery are still unclear. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff and volunteers will be on the river Wednesday moving stranded fish back into the river channel, and NorthWestern Energy staff have advised that it is safe to do so. Because flows are unable to be restored immediately, it’s likely that cold temperatures will have a greater impact on spawning redds than foot traffic.â€
Gloria from our team was able to head to the Madison River today (12/1/2021) to assist the crews of people with trying to help the fish, here is what she had to say.
Photo: Gloria Goñi
“Yesterday the Hebgen Lake Dam on the Madison river malfunctioned causing a drastic drop in water levels in a matter of fifteen minutes. Fish were left stranded in isolated pools and on gravel bars and brown trout spawning redds were exposed putting at risk the upper Madison’s current fish population as well as generations to come.”
Photo: Gloria Goñi
“This heartbreaking news spread quickly throughout the fishing community. And in less than 24 hours hundreds of volunteers organized to capture and transport stranded fish into the main channel. Some of the volunteers I met on the river included: anglers, guides, outfitters, fish biologists, non-profit organizations, Montana fish and wildlife, forest service, and staff members from the dam company, Northwestern Energy.”
Photo: Gloria Goñi
“It is easy to start pointing fingers and placing blame, but today people set aside their differences and worked together towards a common cause. I am definitely biased, but I really don’t know of a more passionate, driven, and hardworking group. The fly fishing community never ceases to amaze me.”
Photo: Gloria Goñi
“Northwestern Energy has scuba divers assessing the broken section and is working to find a remedy. That being said, the long-term effects on this 55-mile section of this world-renowned river will take time to fully understand. Humans can be awful— they can tear up landscapes, pollute pristine waters, and destroy habitats for wildlife. But those same human hands can do truly beautiful things. And today the Upper Madison River community did just that.”
Photo: Gloria Goñi
This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as they become available.
Simms has found something awesome to do with all the excess material left over from wader making and repairs, creating tote bags, and we love the idea. It’s not that the bag is a piece of essential gear, but that it will keep gear organized while benefiting a great cause, the Deschutes River Alliance. The products were launched as a part of the Bozeman companies Giving Tuesday efforts and sold out nearly immediately. Luckily for folks eager to get their hands on one, Simms will continue to release new batches of the bags, with each supporting various conservation organizations.
After seasons of use, Simms Waders carry stories. Now they can carry all your stuff. Made entirely from recycled waders, the Simms Fish It Well Tote is the angler’s one-of-a-kind, 40L carry-all that allows the legacy of legends to live on, beyond retirement.
Constructed using recycled Simms wader fabrics, making them each uniquely different
Large cavernous main opening with dual webbing carry straps.
Repurposed wader chest pocket array serves as an external storage pocket.
On November 29th, Washington State’s Department of Fish and Wildlife held an online town hall to discuss coastal steelhead fishing plans for the coming 2021-2022 season. This past season saw some of the worst steelhead returns on record and several rivers in the PNW and British Columbia were closed to protect the few fish that had managed to make successful runs upriver. Last year, WDFW shook things up and banned fishing from boats for coastal steelhead, requiring drift boat anglers to fish on foot next to their boats. This year’s proposed rules have some steelhead conservationists calling for harsher restrictions and closures, while others are celebrating the middle ground struck by the WDFW.
You can see the list of the new rules in the graphic below.
What’s your take on these latest rules? Are they enough to protect wild steelhead? Let us know in the comments!
We at Flylords hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with friends and family, good food, and maybe even a fish or two. Also, we hope you took advantage of many of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales going on the fly fishing and outdoor recreation spaces. But, during this time of year, it’s also important to give back and support many of the groups that make fly fishing and our outdoor places so special and work to keep it that way for generations to come. Follow along to learn more about some awesome groups and how to support them this Giving Tuesday.
Trout Unlimited
When it comes to the conservation of cold-water fisheries and fly fishing advocacy, there are many groups, but none with the reach, influence, and successes as TU. Whether it be national issues like protecting Bristol Bay and the Tongass National Forest, or removing the four lower Snake River dams or securing funding for abandoned mine reclamation in the Infrastructure Package, TU is effective at mobilizing its more than three hundred thousand members for such causes. But TU’s accomplishments and efforts are local too, thanks to a complex chapter network. Click here to support TU this Giving Tuesday!
Captains For Clean Water
South Florida is home to some of the most prolific and historic fisheries in the United States. Decades of poor water management, however, threatens to destroy these fisheries and habitats. Captains for Clean Water works at the local, state, and federal levels to restore and protect waters such as the Everglades, the Keys, and so many other of Florida’s estuaries. Just a couple weeks ago, Captains celebrated one of their greatest achievements to date: a new operating plan for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that “is predicted to significantly reduce harmful discharges to both the east and west coasts, as well as send over three times more water south to the Everglades!” That may sound technical, but it will have an immediate positive effect on south Florida’s waterways. Join the fight to restore south Florida’s historic habitats, consider donating to Captains for Clean Water this Giving Tuesday!
Wild Steelhead Coalition
Frankly, wild steelhead throughout much of the North American west coast are hanging on by a thread. This year saw historically poor runs of wild steelhead return to even some of the most prolific rivers. The Wild Steelhead Coalition is on the front-lines of advocating for wild steelhead and restoring them to their former glory. Their most recent Now or Never campaign, is a testament to that and a call to action for all fly fishermen–those who log more than a hundred days on steelhead rivers or those who dream about swinging a fly to steelhead fresh out of the Pacific. Click here to donate to Wild Steelhead Coalition this Giving Tuesday!
American Saltwater Guides Association
Throughout the Atlantic coast, striped bass are one of the most targeted fish species–they are “every man’s fish,” because you can catch them in so many ways. Unfortunately, poor management has contributed to the iconic striped bass falling to a 25-year low with overfished and experiencing overfishing declarations. ASGA has been advocating for the recovery and conservation-minded management of striped bass for years. Now, they’re making sure the management body responsible for stripers follows through and rebuilds the iconic species to abundance for the millions of anglers who target stripers each year from kayaks, the rocks, boats, beaches, or wading the flats. Click Here to donate to the American Saltwater Guides Association as they fight for striped bass this Giving Tuesday!
Casting For Recovery
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women worldwide and claims hundreds of thousands of lives annually. Casting for Recovery was founded in 1996 in Manchester, Vermont, by a group of women who experienced the healing power of nature through fly fishing and thought that connection would benefit women with breast cancer. Almost 25 years later, what started with one retreat has now grown to 55 retreats nationwide, run by an army of over 1800 volunteers and a hard working full-time national staff of ten. Casting for Recovery’s innovative program focuses on improving quality of life for women with breast cancer and has garnered endorsements from medical and psychosocial experts nationwide. The retreats are open to women of any age, in any stage of breast cancer treatment and recovery, at no cost to the participants. Help further Casting for Recovery’s mission this Giving Tuesday!
Fish For Change
The mission of Fish for Change is to use fly-fishing as a platform to make the world a better place by uniting a diverse group of students in wild fisheries where they engage in a variety of initiatives that promote Connection, Education, Conservation, and Exploration. Supporting Fish for Change supports their programming, scholarships, and local initiatives. It supports the future of our sport. Click here to donate this Giving Tuesday!
Your Local Fly Shop
While all of the above groups do their own amazing things for fly fishing and conservation, fly fishing is local. The communities in Glenwood Springs, the Olympic Peninsula, Islamorada, Dallas, Martha’s Vineyard, and so many others depend on fly fishing for much of the year, not just three days in November. So keep your local fly shop in the back of your head next time you need new tippet, new waders, or a last minute gift for friends or family!
