“BOZEMAN, MT. – The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act aimed to help protect Americans and our economy through the COVID-19 outbreak has passed the House. AFFTA is excited to report that there have been funds allocated for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) through the Small Business Administration (SBA), a case-by-case temporary suspension of tariff payments, payroll tax relief and a fund specifically dedicated to the fishing industry.
The fly fishing industry is such a close community, it’s brutal not to be able to offer immediate help to your neighbors and friends,†says Ben Bulis, AFFTA president. “When we sent our letter to Sec. Mnuchin, House and Senate leadership and the White House asking for relief specifically for our industry, we hoped our requests wouldn’t get lost in the noise. While we in no way can claim that our letter had a direct affect, we were heard loud and clear. There’s no doubt about that.â€
AFFTA offered three recommendations that would offer direct relief to the fly fishing industry:
1.     Eliminate Sec. 301 tariffs applied to fly fishing products/product codes
2.     Eliminating payroll taxes paid by employers through July;
3.     Streamlining and expediting loan program to provide zero-interest loans or grants for small- and medium-sized businesses with less than 250 employees.
In addition to the temporary case-by-case suspension of tariff payments, payroll tax relief measures and ensuring the viability of the SBA loans for small businesses, an additional $300 million has been included “to provide direct financial assistance to all manner of fishers, fishery participants, and communities that have been affected by coronavirus.â€
“Right now, all of the details about application and distribution haven’t been made available,†adds Bulis. “But our finger is on the pulse of this and we will share everything we learn as soon as we hear. Keep your heads up. We will make it through this.â€
AFFTA guides the sustainable growth of the fly fishing industry through trade development and stewardship. We accomplish this by advocating for the industry and empowering our members to improve their businesses through collaboration, education and building community; along with advocating for healthy fisheries and engaging our members and partners to support protection, restoration, and access.
With the virus running rampant our daily lives have taken a drastic change. I have worked from home for a while now pre Coronacalypse so not much has changed much on my front except for one thing. I have a 5-year-old who is now home all day with cabin fever. Homeschooling is going just about as well as a trip to the dentist and not seeming to get any easier. But one thing I can say and highly recommend is now is the time to get our children outside and into fly fishing. I have never been one to push fly fishing on my son in fear of him not falling in love with it as I have.
The activities we have done together this last week have been priceless and fly fishing has once again been my saving grace. Here are a couple of things we have done to keep my son entertained.
Make a Game Out of Casting.
We jumped in headfirst, I handed my son a fly rod and let him show me his casting skills. I fully expected knots, snags, break offs and whatever else you can imagine a 5-year-old doing with a fly rod. Patience is key here and in my opinion where they are going to love or hate it. I am sure a lot of you like myself didn’t learn to fly fish until you were old enough to drink. It can be frustrating and the last thing my son wants at the moment is to be “taught†something else with my wife and I already replacing his teachers.
Image courtesy of Orvis
I recommend using your old fly fishing equipment, so you all don’t walk away from this game with a broken Orvis Helios or Sage X.  I took some random things like a hula hoop, a bucket and even had him make a shape out of sticks and placed them randomly in the yard. The game was to put the fly on the object, I took the rod and cast at the bucket and missed. His little laugh was something I hadn’t heard for a couple of days since this madness started. So I missed a few more times and it then became his mission to beat his dad at our new game. I let him try on his own for a while before trying to show him some basic casting techniques. He was hooked, the screams of joy that ensued when he hit his target were priceless. If you can’t get outside you can still enjoy this game inside. We have an Orvis Practicaster that is small enough to cast indoors with a string and yarn line.
By day 4 of Quarantine, we decided a hiking trip to a secluded pond would be a great way to spend the day. It was a 3 mile round trip through the woods. I was a little ambitious here since my son doesn’t hike a lot but it wore him out and the adventure aspect really kept him interested. I chose to take him somewhere I knew we would have the most luck, while still practicing good social distancing skills. I think this is part of the fishing experience for kids is important. If you are skunked your first couple of trips I find it highly possible they will not want to go back. Fly fishing for bass or sunnies makes for a great first outing. We were lucky because I know a great pickerel spot where they are always hungry or maybe just mad and will attack anything that swims by. A few casts in and there was a lightning-fast strike and a fish on. My son went bonkers and almost forgot he needed to reel it in. He actually got a decent pickerel and couldn’t wait to “hold itâ€.Â
This is a perfect opportunity to teach proper fish handling skills without it being a lecture. And just a side note be mindful of mouths full of teeth and spines in the fins here when your little ones are handling fish. We were lucky our trip went as planned but be prepared for the “maybe we will get’em next time speechâ€. I also brought my son’s favorite snack to soften the blow just in case we weren’t as lucky. Â
The day after our very successful fishing trip, we woke up to some very heavy rain. The forecast? Rain and snow for the next couple of days. I am the type of person that always tries to think ahead for the most part and was prepared for this. I ordered my son some light wire streamer hooks, some crazy looking feathers and set up my old vise for him to “tie flies like mom or dadâ€. Make sure to show them how hooks can hurt and my advice here is to place them as far back in the vise as you safely can or maybe even place a small piece of cork onto the tip before you let them start tying. Some of the concoctions they create can be pretty fun. My son tied what he called a “tiger fly” and is looking forward to our next outing to try it out.
Entomology Bedtime Stories!
My son loves bedtime stories. I have read him several books about bugs and he loves to look at the photos. We are constantly reading “Pocket Guide to New York Hatches” by Paul Weamer. We also got a great book at the last fly fishing show called “Down by the River: A Family Fly Fishing Story†by Andrew Weiner. It’s a great children’s story that revolves around a young boy learning the ropes from grandpa.
Hopefully, this gives you some ideas on some activities you can do with your children while social distancing, quarantining and continue to do in the future.
Mason admiring his catch on our local trout stream. Photo: @finsandtwins
Out of this whole mess, one positive thing I can say is that I truly get to spend some quality time with my boys that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do so otherwise. We have been hunkered down for a couple of weeks now, but we try to go outdoors each day for fresh air and to burn off energy which helps keep everyone happy. The key to fishing during this time has been visiting our local spots that I know are less likely to have angling pressure and areas that give us ample opportunity for space if we do run into other people. The boys have been enjoying the fishing because they can play on the banks, be loud, and stretch their legs.
We don’t go in with the notion that we are going to be out there long and fishing all day. We go just long enough to have a little fun, catch a fish or two and really focus on enjoying the serenity of being outside. Fishing close to home will also build their foundation for knowing fishing spots that they can go to on their own one day when they are old enough to jump on their bikes and explore with a rod in hand.
After fishing the local spot the one activity my boys have enjoyed is crafting fish out of cardboard. This was an absolute hit for them, here is all you need to make it happen.
Pick your species of fish. Then “Google†the fish and look for an image with a side view that gives you an idea for the outline. Once you have an image free trace the fish using a marker onto the cardboard. Then cut out the fish with your scissors. I suggest keeping a picture of the fish open on an iPad or phone for reference and then let your kids color the fish in.
If your kids are younger you can add scale outlines on some of the cutouts for fun and this gives them something a little easier to color in. Our family tried rainbow trout, carp, redfish, brown trout, and salmon. If you have enough cardboard the kids can make tons of different fish and kill a few hours. Afterward, we hung them up on the wall to enjoy!
Patagonia usually has quite a lockdown on the pricing of their gear, sales are limited and are strictly governed by the company itself. Previously, dealers who put Patagonia gear on sale risked losing their ability to sell the brand altogether. Well, in an unprecedented move, the outdoors company has allowed dealers to put their gear on sale as dealers continue to suffer losses due to the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdowns.
Andy Leister from Vail Valley Anglers stated, “We want to thank Patagonia for recognizing the upfront hit the entire outdoor industry is taking financially and allowing us to go on sale with their entire line of world-class products. Our online store is the only way we are able to stay in business for the near future and purchasing through us, rather than Amazon or direct, is supporting our ability to serve the fly fishing public for the future. Thank you for your kindness and support during these incredibly difficult times.â€
So, if you’ve had your eyes on new Patagonia gear, head to your favorite dealer’s online store and get to shopping. Small outdoor retailers need our support now more than ever!
Have you ever thought about getting into fly fishing art? We thought right now is a great time to give it a go. So we connected with our friend Sarah Landstrom to get a little insight into how to get started in fly fishing art. Check out the full interview below.
Flylords: For people who are stranded at home right now where is the best place to begin?
Sarah: Pull out some photos of your favorite fishing trips! Fiddle around with sketching them out, even loosely. Think of this as a warm-up. Get a feel for the drawing tools you may have or the type of paper—then jump into a project that gets you excited!
Flylords: What is the hardest part of drawing a fish?
Sarah: Like any drawing, I think people get caught up in if it looks REAL. But really everyone has a unique way of making marks. And it’s beautiful! People’s personalities come out when they draw, so being tripped up by whether or not it looks REAL just holds you back.
Flylords: What is the best medium to start with?
Sarah: Starting with just a bit of paper and a pencil is great. With those tools, you can begin to understand “value†(lights and darks through shading) in black and white. After you’ve developed that skill, it can be far easier to jump into color.
Flylords: What is your favorite medium?
Sarah: Personally, I love acrylic paint. Mostly because it’s forgiving! It’s water-based and builds on itself, so you can always go back to change things.
Flylords: For people who are in the intermediate level of experience – what do you recommend as a new medium for them?
Sarah: Colored pencil or acrylic paint is a great way to experiment when you’ve reached an intermediate level! Play around too. Not every piece has to be your new favorite, make sure to test ideas. This is how you’ll really develop your “styleâ€.
Flylords: Do you have a favorite piece you have worked on?
Sarah: I love working large scale, so likely the boats I’ve painted. It’s such a physical way of painting! Big brushes, tons of paint, and transforming a large surface is just so exciting.
Flylords: Where is the best place to get supplies during Quarantine?
Sarah: That’s a great question. Ideally, if you can avoid amazon, you may have a local store that has supplies for online purchases. Or try calling! They may be able to take orders over the phone. This solution would still help support local and likely get you the supplies much faster.
Flylords: Where do you get your inspiration from?
Sarah: I dream about fish quite a bit. So if I’m not referencing from a specific photo or trip, I likely am thinking about some gesture of scenario I’d come up with in a dream. Sounds silly, I know. Just what happens to fishing folks eventually I guess!
Flylords: When this is over, where is the first place you want to send a cast?
Sarah: Back in Michigan off of my parent’s dock. Being around people I love, but can’t see right now, and in a place that is so special to me.
Sarah is currently doing Instagram Live How to Draw Sessions, be sure to tune in at @sarah_landstrom.
Deep in Southern California’s Cleveland National Forest, US Forest Service workers are in the process of drastically improving the Forest’s creeks and streams. The aim of the project is to remove over 80 small dams, creating more room for natural fish movement upstream into the depths of the wilderness. Countless native fish species use the forest’s creeks and streams for year-round habitation or for spawning runs, like the currently endangered Southern California Steelhead. Yep, you read that right, although small in numbers steelhead run in creeks and rivers between San Diego and LA.
The project is managed by the US Forestry Service and work is being done in part by members of the US Marine Corps.
Currently, there are countless movements aimed at the removal of dams to free the rivers that they impound, like the Snake River Dams. But instead of removing a single, large dam, this project aims to remove dozens of low head dams.
“Looking at what the Forest Service did is a really smart way for other agencies to begin to think about their infrastructure,†says Serena McClain, the director of river restoration at the nonprofit American Rivers, which tracks dam-removal efforts. “The Forest Service is showing that the federal government can lead on this and demonstrate the possibility for the private sector and municipalities.â€
For this installment of “Nonprofit of the Month,” we sat down and chatted with Elevate Youth’s Founder and Executive Director Alec “Griz” Griswold. Elevate Youth is a nonprofit organization operating in the Boston and greater-New England area that uses the outdoors and positive adult mentorship to empower underprivileged kids. Griz came to the realization that so many kids in his community did not have access to the outdoors and were missing out on all the health benefits and positive life lessons learned from being outside. EY seeks to highlight and correct the severity of this inequity.Â
Flylords:Â So, how did Elevate Youth start?
EY: Elevate Youth (EY) started as a result of my experiences in the outdoor industry but most importantly from a relationship with my little brother Miguel (through Big Brothers Big Sisters). Growing up, I was lucky to be surrounded by nature and I knew that the outdoors was going to be an essential part of my life. I moved to Boston back in 2011 and shortly thereafter signed up for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Miguel and I were matched, and we started doing fun outdoor activities together. I vividly remember asking him one day, “hey how about we go for a hike!?†He responded, “what do you mean? Like just go walk around in the woods.â€Â Something at the moment clicked in my head–Miguel did not have the context to understand the benefits of nature activities, and I realized that there are many barriers to accessing nature and the outdoors for those in underserved communities. From seeing his growth and excitement about outdoor sports (especially fishing), I knew I had to find a way to bring these experiences to more kids.
Flylords: Explain Elevate Youth’s mission.
EY:Â Our mission is simple: Empower youth from underserved communities through year-round outdoor experiences coupled with the support of consistent adult role models. Essentially, we introduce and provide continual outdoor recreation for our youth and incorporate supportive adults, to create a safe place where our youth can realize their full potential.
Flylords:Â How many kids has Elevate Youth mentored/shared outdoor experiences with?
EY:Â Since the beginning of 2018 we have served over 400 kids, a majority of which have attended multiple outings. Our model is cohort based and focuses on creating the habit of spending time in nature. In order to create a habit, there needs to be multiple opportunities to explore.
Flylords:Â How does Elevate Youth use the outdoors to mentor kids in underserved neighborhoods?
EY:Â We use local parks, public lands, and accessible waterways as the setting for many of our outings. We believe it is imperative to use outdoor spaces that are close to our kids’ neighborhoods to educate them that these places belong to everyone.
The outdoors is the perfect place to build relationships as communication, teamwork and resiliency are inherently built into outdoor activities. Moreover, kids living in urban environments are not getting enough time in natural green spaces and this has many negative repercussions. Author Richard Louv, coined the term “nature deficit disorder,†and we are creating avenues to combat this reality. Providing opportunities for kids to explore nature is essential in ensuring their overall health and wellness.
Flylords:Â What does the average Elevate Youth outing look like?
EY: We provide a lot of different outdoor outings (i.e. hiking, fishing, backcountry yoga, sailing, horseback riding, kayaking, surfing, climbing, and more). Let’s take a fishing outing as an example: A typical fishing outing involves a group of 12 youth from our partner organizations along with 2 EY instructors and at least 2 volunteers/mentors. Our Lead instructor picks up the group in our van, and we head to a river, pond, or ocean. We start every outing with a team building exercise and make sure everyone feels comfortable in that particular setting. We teach the basic skills, go over different techniques, discuss the fishery and outline the importance of catch and release, and ultimately allow our kids to learn at their own pace. One of the most important parts of all our outings is the group debrief at the end of the outing, where youth recognize each other’s accomplishments and we share our favorite moments of the outing as well as discuss various challenges. Fishing is one of our most popular activities and seeing the eyes of kid when they catch their first fish is the absolute best!
Flylords: The Elevate Youth experience seems like a fun, enjoyable time—is there an educational aspect to it, or is mostly about the mentoring/getting kids outside?
EY: As we have grown, so has our curriculum. In addition to our outings, we provide enrichment sessions that focus on environmental education, strengthening social & emotional skills, and leadership. Experiential and hands-on learning is at the heart of all our outings and enrichment sessions. As part of our mission we are in the business of instilling the importance of green spaces for everyone. As a result, we aim to create the next generation of environmental stewards. Nature is the best classroom.
Flylords:Â Volunteers are essential for most nonprofit organizations. Describe the importance of volunteers at Elevate Youth.
EY: Our volunteers are incredible. I believe one of the reasons we have such great volunteers is that they come with a passion for the outdoors and are thrilled to share that with our youth. We have over 80 volunteers that range from our Board, development committee, outing support, and mentors. Our outdoor mentor program was just recently launched in conjunction with the local Patagonia store. It is truly a unique group mentoring program that allows for the relationship between mentor and youth to grow throughout the year. The simple act of being a supportive adult has tremendous positive impact on our youth.
Flylords: I’m sure the kids love these experiences and gain invaluable life lessons. But for you and other volunteers, sharing your time with these kids and witnessing the happiness must be a very powerful and rewarding feeling, too. Right?
EY: It is a shared experience – our main focus is providing transformative experiences for our youth and by being an active participant in this experience the adults feel and see this transformation. I’ve had numerous volunteers come up to me after an outing and express pure joy. There is something truly powerful about sharing new experiences in the outdoors with kids.
Flylords:Â Can you tell us about some specific Elevate Youth stories?
EY: I have some great stories but I will never forget our first outing, a ski trip at Wachusett Mountain. Jade, who is an EY veteran now, was very nervous about this new sport. She did not believe she could do it, but throughout the day we had instructors and volunteers work with her and encourage her to progress. By the end of day, she was connecting turns with a big smile on her face. She came up to me as we were getting ready to load up in the van and head back to Boston and said, “this was the best day of my life… I really conquered my fears.â€Â Needless to say, my eyes were not dry, and I knew that Elevate Youth had the chance to be an impactful force on the youth we serve.
Flylords:Â Does Elevate Youth have any big upcoming projects or plans?
EY:Â Entering our third full year of operation, we are focused on maintaining the best quality outdoor programming for our youth. Our aim is to add two new school partners in the fall and continue working with all our current youth. Our goal is to reach and consistently work with over 800 youth in the next three years. Moreover, we are forging partnerships with other outdoor organizations & businesses to create an avenue for our older youth to find meaningful internships & employment in the outdoor industry. In order to affect meaningful change, there needs to be collaboration between nonprofits, communities, families, schools, and government. We are not in the business of one & done nature experiences–rather we aim to instill a love for the outdoors through multi-year programming and support.
Flylords:Â How has the recent Coronavirus craziness affected EYB?
EYB: This is such a difficult time for everyone right now, but especially for kids in underserved communities. In this time of isolation & uncertainty, it is our duty to step up and be there for the communities we serve. Now more than ever our kids need outdoor time but for those in urban environments this can be a challenge. Since we have had to suspend all programming, we have pivoted into creating a virtual platform for kids to access. In collaboration with other organizations and our partners, we are focused on providing fun, nature themed activities, social & emotional resources, movement & workout exercises, as well mindfulness activities. I encourage everyone to find ways to volunteer in their local community in this time on great need.
Flylords: How can Flylords’ readers get involved with Elevate Youth?
EY: If you live in the New England area please reach out to us and we would love to get you out on a trip to see what we do firsthand. For those not in New England, I encourage you to find a youth mentoring organization in your area and get involved–advocate for getting underserved youth outdoors! The most important thing we can do is share our passion for the outdoors with the next generation–if they don’t care about nature why would they want to protect it.
If you want to learn more about Elevate Youth, be sure to check out their website, Facebook, and Instagram!
For our latest video of the week, we had the chance to talk with Alex Blackwell, videographer for Jon B., about their trip to Sudan and their experiences there.
FlyLords: Tell us about how this trip came about.
Alex: When this trip first came to our attention, we were reached out to by Capt Jako Lucas of Capt Jack Productions. World class fly fisherman, film maker, you guys know the drill. He had set this trip up through African Waters, an extremely reputable guide outfitter that handles African based trips to remote locations. Their main point of contact is Wild Sea Expedition, we spent the majority of our trip with them & dealt with African Waters’ Guide, Brent Poultney. He’s been guiding with Wild Sea Expedition for the last 4 years.
This was the first guided trip to the Southern Red Sea. Wild Sea Expedition had acquired an old diving boat, Don Questo, for this mission. It was a bit rugged, but perfect for what we were looking to do. Normally they run trips to the Nubian Flats near the Egyptian Sudanese border, but our trip took place over 100 miles SSE of Port Sudan on small atolls & archipelagos that have rarely (or most likely never) seen a fly or fishing lure before.
After launching from Port Sudan and making our way into these untouched waters, we would take small boats called Pangas to the reefs edge & crawl inside these protected islands. Inside we found flourishing ecosystems. Sand flats contrasted the coral reefs that lined the islands edge, with gin clear water. Giant Trevally, Bluefin Trevally, Bohar Snapper, Marbled Grouper, Triggerfish were littered throughout. The occasional Napoleon Wrasse, Sweet Lips, & Permit would show themselves, but never were quite in casting range.
Once on the flats your group (normally 2 anglers) would be accompanied by a guide. We would alternate between stalking flats fish with teasing bigger reef fish from the edge. You’d always be strapped with a 12wt & an 8 wt, but ideally you’d want to have a 10wt with you just in case that elusive permit showed up.
Flies were primarily alphlexo crabs or small crab patterns for fish on the flats, while the Giant Trevally flies were size 10/0 hooks and all of 8 inches long. We brought along some Tarpon fly tackle along, but quickly learned we were dealing with an entirely different class of fish.
15-20lb tippet was standard for the flats.
150-200lb leader was standard for the reef’s edge.
The contrast in tackle was absolutely stupid. You think you come prepared for GT’s knowing they’re only 15-25kg class fish, but you soon realize even a 15kg sized fish can absolutely destroy your gear in the blink of an eye.
The GT’s eluded us on the fly, but our friend’s Mick & Ben from Australia were able to come tight on one fish over the course of 12 days of fishing
But we weren’t there to just fly fish, we were there to throw giant stick baits and poppers as well. That’s where we had the best luck. The boat probably caught over 40 GT’s, and we were told that was extremely slow.
FlyLords: What was the highlight of the trip?
Alex: The highlight of the trip was definitely the entire experience. Going into these exploratory trips you never know what’s going to happen. You just place yourself in a situation that seems productive & you cast until your shoulder feels like it’s going to fall out of the socket.
We caught over 16 different species of fish, using everything from big poppers to small freshwater bass tackle to flies.
We stepped foot on islands that have probably never seen a “modern day†angler & witnessed what a tropical ecosystem looks like without the influence of man. It was truly eye opening.
One of the trips where you look back & go, “Wow, did we really just do that!â€
The fishing was slow at times, we dealt with cold fronts that dropped temperatures from 91 degree Fahrenheit to 65 the next day. Winds sustained at over 25 knots on numerous days. We didn’t have the best conditions over the course of our 12 days of fishing, but when the weather cooperated – it was world class.
Hopefully some of our pictures do it justice.
FlyLords: I heard you got to knock off some personal accomplishments on the fly. Tell us about that.
Alex: Yeah, it’s always a challenge putting down the camera when the fishing is red hot. But being that we were in Sudan for 14 days I was able to take some time & focus on my true passion, fishing.
I’ve traveled all around the US & abroad chasing fish on fly. From Bonefish and Permit in Belize to King Salmon in Alaska. When this trip came to my attention, I knew I wanted to target Triggerfish.
The Triggerfish is a Staple in Sudan. The small Atolls & Archipelagos we explored in the South Red Sea were littered with them. Singles cruising & tailing down the beach, packs of two or three fish grubbing on the sand flats. It’s a sight fisherman’s eden.
Jon was struggling on his second day targeting Triggers to come tight on fly. Everything that could go wrong, did. Fish lodging themselves into coral, tackle failure, pulled hooks, you name it. After “partially†landing his first Trigger, Jon handed the rod over to me and said “I’m done! It’s your turn.â€
Getting these Triggers to hone in on your fly isn’t the biggest hurdle, it’s the Hookset. You lay out a 30ft cast, 5 ft past the fish, trying to intersect their path, it’s flats fishing 101. Your strips slowly drag your crab fly into their path & they immediately show interest. Every strip feels like an eternity, pulling a foot of line over the course of 3-4 seconds. Your knees are shaking, sweat dripping into your eyes, just waiting to feel the sensation of weight on the end of your fly line. When that fish finally eats, it feels like you’ve come tight onto a rock. Your running back, waist deep in the water, just hoping to put the fish onto the reel. And when it all comes together, it happens! The reel starts screaming, you’re into your backing in the blink of an eye & you come to the realization that “it’s happeningâ€!
The approach to these fish is eerily similar to stalking Bonefish on a flat. The eat is so subtle, you tend to miss the first, second, even third eat. But the reward for all that stalking & patience is a colored out fish that feels like it’s better placed in a children’s coloring book than in the middle of nowhere Sudan.
Catching my first Trigger on fly is going to be hard to live down, I’m addicted from this point on. I could spend days chasing those fish on an 8wt – it’s everything you want out of a sight fished scenario.
FlyLords: How were you carrying camera gear in this harsh environment?
Alex: I was carrying our camera arsenal in a Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Backpack. It’s one of the toughest backpacks on the market when it comes to being waterproof and dealing with harsh environments. I never left the boat without the Sony A7III & Sony A6300, always had the 16-35mm F/2.8 G Master & 70-200mm F/2.8 G Master lens, my DJI Mavic 2 Pro & DJI Smart Controller, a handful of extra SD & Micro SD cards in a PolarPro hard case, 3 external 10,000 MHA Anker batteries, 2 additional USB C cables, 9 Fully Charged GoPro Batteries for our 2 GoPro Hero 8’s, and a GoPro Hero 6 in an Underwater Dome Housing. To say we were ready for anything was an understatement.
The Fishpond Thunderhead backpack held up with no leaks for 12 days exploring 7 different islands in some of the harshest weather & terrain conditions I’ve ever experienced. One splash of saltwater in that backpack could have resulted in thousands of dollars lost. She held up like a champ.
This interview was conducted by FlyLords team member Conner Grimes (@doublehaulmedia).
Self-isolating doesn’t mean that you can’t go outside. But it does mean you should make smart decisions — both for yourself and more vulnerable people and communities.
I know many members of our community have a lot of questions about travel and the outdoors right now, so here are a few suggestions about how we’re thinking about getting outside.
If you’re looking for a few concise slides to share on your networks, you can download them here.
1. Avoid road trips and significant travel for now.
Cheap flights might be enticing, and social distancing by “hitting the road†can sound exciting, but we don’t want to put small communities at risk or increase our ability to spread infection. Even in the last few days, many people flocked to places like Moab and Tahoe to “just getawayâ€.
Most mountain towns and rural communities simply don’t have the medical staff or facilities to handle an outbreak, and acting as a potential carrier simply isn’t worth it. Heading out on a road trip and passing through small towns can have more of an effect than you think…you’ll probably stop for gas (or to use the restroom), visit a grocery store, or interact with a parks service employee (if you’re in a national park). Sure, it might be possible to limit your interactions, bring all your own food, and see no one. But honestly, most people aren’t that self-sufficient. Beyond the threat of spreading COVID-19, you also want to avoid putting an additional strain on rural healthcare systems if you suffer an accident while climbing, mountain biking, skiing, etc.
Additionally, some rural communities (like many in Utah) are already taking steps to actively prevent additional visitors during this time. Please respect that.
For those that are currently doing #vanlife full time…I honestly don’t know. You’re in a tough spot.
2. You don’t have to stop going outside
It’s great to get outside, take a break from the incessant news, and get away from social media, and many officials are even recommending it. But be aware of and minimize your “touchpoints†when going outside.  Think home ➡ï¸Â car ➡ï¸Â trail (and reverse). Don’t stray too far from home, avoid other people, and recognize any unnecessary risks that could put an additional burden on health professionals. Try and keep your groups limited to your own household.
National Parks can be a tantalizing option for many people right now, but recognize that they might also be a hotspot for crowds. Many park facilities will be closed and similar to a government shutdown, parks may not be prepared to manage visitors. If you do choose to go, don’t use public facilities like restrooms, and consider sticking to areas you know are less popular.
A lot of people might not have the privilege of being able to use a car to create distance or access the more “backcountry†outdoors. In this case, walks down the street, in the park, etc are all still good options as long as you’re maintaining at least 6 ft of space from others.
3. Listen to local officials and the CDC
Above all, follow the recommendations and restrictions of local governments and health officials. Wash your hands, practice social distancing, and keep yourself healthy.
Many people are dealing with loss of work, trips being canceled, or figuring out how to work from home. Events are canceled, summer plans are in jeopardy, and our sphere of travel has narrowed to a radius around our house. But as with all challenges, this too shall pass. We can all handle staying at/closer to home for a while.
The mountains will still be there, there will be pow days next winter, and your health is more important than any trip — as is the health of everyone in your community. While getting outside can and will be a key component for many people to reduce stress, relax, and get a bit of exercise, it’s important that we do it in ways that don’t put others at risk.
A few concise summary slides that you’re welcome to share
Let’s face it not many of us expected the novel Corona Virus to take our country by storm shutting down all non-essential businesses, encouraging social distancing, self quarantining, and limiting travel. It happened and it happened very fast. I mean it all does make sense, if we do our part we can flatten the curve, reducing the spread of the virus, allowing our healthcare systems a little more room to breathe. But our economy will suffer especially small businesses like fly shops and staff working at the fly shops.
Many fly shops across the nation have shut their brick and motor retails stores and are left with no way to bring in any sort of revenue. Other fly shops have set up creative ways to capture customer’s business. At this point we really don’t know how long this might last, the longer it does the more likelihood of many fly shops having to close down for good. So to prevent that from happening what are some ways that we can support our local fly shops?
Fly shops across the nation have begun to offer “curbside” services. Where you can call ahead and purchase items over the phone. The fly shop will prepare the items for you and deliver them to you when you pull out front. Some fly shops are even offering home delivery for certain orders.
The owner of the Silver Bow Fly Shop in Spokane, Washington Sean Visintainer stated:
“With a rapidly changing business and social environment, we are here to support the angling community while respecting their space and health. We deeply appreciate phone and online orders during these tough economic times and encourage anglers to support their local fly shops by calling in orders, purchasing from their online stores, and share/tag their home shops to help promote them. We will all get passed this together!” #flyshopstrong Â
Not all fly shops have online stores but the ones that do you can support during these times of social distancing. If you have been saving up for a new setup this year, now is the time to purchase one from your local shop. You can browse many fly shops full inventory online and most shops have free shipping if you spend more than $50.00-100.00.
Some online fly shops have been able to discount gear that they normally cannot. Andy Leister from Vail Valley Anglers stated, “We want to thank Patagonia for recognizing the upfront hit the entire outdoor industry is taking financially and allowing us to go on sale with their entire line of world-class products.
Our online store is the only way we are able to stay in business for the near future and purchasing through us, rather than Amazon or direct, is supporting our ability to serve the fly fishing public for the future. Thank you for your kindness and support during these incredibly difficult times.”
In Summit County, Colorado, Cutthroat Anglers Fly Shop is “allocating 30% of all online sales to their year-round shop staff as long as the retail space remains closed” according to owner Ben McCormick.
YOUTUBE LIVE | FLY FISHING THE DENVER SOUTH PLATTE with @troutsflyfishing
“With the Denver Stay at Home Order in effect, we’ve moved to ONLINE SALES only through April 10th. With everything that’s going on, we want to be there for all of our customers and help them escape whether it be through Live Streaming relevant angling content or getting them ready for a responsible day on the water with gear or some of our River or Species-Specific Staff Picked Fly Collections. We’ve got a lot of streaming content coming up in the next three weeks and we’re even launching a quarantine inspired podcast next week, as well.”
Say you don’t really know what you need for gear right now or want to get your special someone a gift amidst the social distancing. Maybe get into to fly tying..? There is no better time to buy a gift card from your local shop. Why? Most shops are offering specials where you will often receive up to 20% off or in rebates with any gift card purchase. It’s a great way to support the shop in times of not a lot of revenue coming through the business.
Aaron Alexander of St. Petes Fly Shop in Fort Collins sent over the following message:
“Things seem to change by the day, even the hour, but we are trying to adapt…keeping the health and well-being of our great community first. We are “open†to online orders, email orders, and phone orders, for everything from gift cards (pictured above) to gear to essentials. With each of these outlets, we are still able to provide that personal touch and customer care that we so highly value, and our customers deserve. Our customers and friends are always there for us, so we’ll be there for you!”
Many of us are already planning our summer, fall, and even winter fly fishing trips. If you know you are going to be visiting a certain area and want to fish with your favorite guide, now is the time to book. Many shops have flexible cancellation policies just like many of the airline carriers. Take advantage of this. And if you want your favorite guide it may be smart to book now as many of the current trips have been pushed to later dates. So take that into account when booking. If you are flying to your destination there is probably no better time to book a flight either.
If your one of the millions of people that have recently been laid off and don’t have any savings for fly fishing gear, one way to support your local shop is to help boost their online presence by giving them an online review. Most of us are looking for stuff to do at home, this is one task that takes 5-10 minutes at most. If you have a google account you can simply google your favorite shop and their business listing should come up and you can click “Write a Review”. Facebook, Trip Advisor, and Yelp are other online sites you can review your shop.
What Not To-do:Â
Now might now be the best time to buy direct or on Amazon. Our local economies will benefit from shopping locally, so seek out your local fly shop and support them.
Without a fly shop, the base of the angling community in that area will be lost. They are so vitally important to anglers and the fly fishing community. Let’s put our heads together as anglers and support the industry that we all do love. #flyshopstrong
For the past couple weeks now, we have been seeing the adverse effects of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) for the fly fishing industry, the larger recreational fishing industry, and obviously the entire world. Guides are seeing tons of cancellations, trade shows are being canceled, and local fly shops are losing their peak season. On top of this, anglers’ access is being restricted all over the country as a precautionary measure to slow the spread of Coronavirus. In these uncharted and trying times, it is essential that the fly fishing community stand together and support the rest of the industry.
The entire recreational fishing sector is taking a massive hit and will need federal assistance, like you hear about for other–subjectively larger–industry sectors. Thankfully, The American Saltwater Guides Association is here to advocate to Congress on behalf of recreational fishing. Check out their letter to Congressional Leadership:
If the Federal Government won’t or can’t step in to help the recreational fishing industry, we will need to step up. You’ve probably already seen the social media posts about supporting guides and local shops, but it deserves repeating. Here is how ASGA’s Vice President and Policy Director, Tony Friedrich, put it:
“For those of you who booked trips with the guides, we understand if you can’t go fishing with us in the next few weeks. Please, don’t ask for your deposit back. If you can find it in your heart to reschedule, it would be greatly appreciated. Some of our best clients are paying for the trip upfront and keeping the date flexible. We can’t tell you how much we appreciate it. If the rest of you could do what you can, we won’t forget it. If you don’t usually use a guide, please consider taking a trip with us later on in the summer or fall 2020. It will take us a while to get beyond this crisis. We would love to take you on a charter and show you what we know.
Most of our locally owned tackle shops are offering curb side pickup or online ordering. Please get something from them. Every little bit is going to help. They are there for you. Please, be there for them.
These are extraordinary times. ASGA appreciates all that is being done to curb the impacts of the virus. We believe in the country. We believe in the fishing community. The small businesses we represent are there time and time again for all of you. Please, be there for us. Pick up the phone and place an order with your local tackle shop. Email a guide and book a trip and pay for as much as you can now, not tomorrow.”
Entomology Bedtime Stories!
