Sunday, December 30, 2007

This Weekend's Fishing Trip

Paisley and I met up for a bit of fishing this past weekend. The weather was just bad enough to keep most of the yuppies away and give us the river pretty much to ourselves.

Don Barone Outdoors is Live


Friend of FlyFishMagazine.com Don Barone has launched his new website, DonBaroneOutdoors.com.
The site will include Don's excellent articles and what can only be described as much, much, more.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Don Barone: War and Fishing


ESPN's Don Barone is leaving the ESPN studios to write for ESPNOutdoors.com and B.A.S.S. Before he moves on he sent us a link to one of his best stories yet about a fishing trip with a wounded warrior.
Here is an excerpt from his ESPN.com article:
Dan Laffin, standing up in the turret, was getting lit up from RPG's (Rocket Propelled Grenades). Out of the night, from both sides of the road shoulder-fired bombs streaked into the Humvee, and landed right next to where Dan was standing.

Dan: "Never saw it coming, caught in a cross-fire. The shrapnel tore through my left shoulder, wrist, face, neck, ear …" He suffered Traumatic Brain Injury, suffers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, deaf in one ear, except for the constant ringing which tends to drown everything out.
Dan is telling me this standing on the banks of the Farmington River in New Hartford, Conn. He sticks out his left arm and pulls up the sleeve, I see that "most" of his left wrist is still there. "Good thing it's not my casting arm."
Don't worry, we will keep you informed about all of Don's new efforts.
photo: Don Barone / ESPN.com

Fat finger typing sometimes leads us astray

Be careful what you type when looking for the International Game Fish Association Website.







IFGA.com






IFGA.ORG



Faintinggoat.com ... We have absolutely no idea how we ended up here.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Sage, Redington, Rio Bristol Bay Outfit Pre-Order



From their joint press release:

Bainbridge Island, Washington - The threat of a massive hard rock and open pit mining district in Bristol Bay has sparked three of the most recognizable names in fly fishing to come together for a fundraiser for Trout Unlimited Alaska.Sage Manufacturing, Redington Tackle & Apparel, and RIO Products International are creating a special ready-to-fish outfit that will be shipped to customers in April 2008. Only 300 limited edition outfits will be produced.

This special outfit will come with a Sage Z-Axis 9-foot 8-weight rod and a Redington moss-colored CD 7/8 reel pre-spooled with RIO Gold fly line. A case will also be included, which will be embroidered with a unique graphical slogan, “More Precious Than Gold – Save Bristol Bay”. Purchased separately, this outfit would retail for more than $875. The companies plan to retail this special outfit for $600.

From each outfit sold, Sage, Redington and RIO will donate $200 to Trout Unlimited Alaska. Total anticipated donation, which will be earmarked for campaign activities dealing with the Bristol Bay mining district as well as production, marketing and distribution of the film Red Gold, will be between $60,000 – $120,000.Outfits may be pre-ordered beginning Thursday, January 3rd, 2008.

Pre-orders will be taken in two ways: By calling Sage Customer Service at (800) 533-3004, or by simply ordering online at www.redington.com. At the time of purchase, customers can extend their support even further by choosing to donate additional funds to Trout Unlimited Alaska. Sage & Redington are set up to accept additional donations in $50 increments up to a matching donation of $200. Dealers who wish to carry the outfit will also have the opportunity to do a matched donation. Everyone who places an order with a matched donation will have their name listed in press releases, on Redington.com, Sageflyfish.com, and the Trout Unlimited official site.

To date, Sage, Redington and RIO have donated more than $10,000 for public and media awareness and the production of a new documentary about the region, entitled Red Gold, about the Bristol Bay fishery
For More Information:
• www.savebristolbay.org & www.redington.com/bristol.php
• Marc Bale (mbale@sageflyfish.com), Bruce Kirschner (bkirschner@sageflyfish.com) or Karen Curry (kcurry@redington.com), Company Representatives, 1-800-533-3004
• Lauren Oakes, Conservation Programs Officer, Trout Unlimited Alaska, loakes@tu.org (907) 321-3725

There can be only one...




Here is how Denver's two dueling consumer fly shows stack up according to a Denver Post Article:


THE FLY FISHING SHOW
Location: Denver Merchandise Mart Pavilion
Show hours: Jan. 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Jan. 5, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Jan. 6, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 adults at the door, $24 two-day, $32 three-day, $2 children younger than 12. Also, Jan. 5 family day, $2 parents and all children younger than 16, $24.
FEATURED ATTRACTIONS
Casting and demonstrations: Gary Borger, Mike Lawson, Dave Whitlock, Joe Humphrey, Charlie Meck, Doug Swisher, Lori Ann Murphy, Rick Hartman, Wendell Ozefovich.
Adventure theater: Jake Jordan, Jack Gartside, Joe Daniel, Matt Supinski, Jim Klug.
Fly-tying theater: Various performers.
Fly-Fishing Team USA: George Daniel, Lance Egan.


vs.


AFFTA FLY FISHING EXPO
Location: Colorado Convention Center
Show hours: Jan. 4, 11 a.m.-7 p.m; Jan. 5, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Jan. 6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $15 adults at the door, $36 three-day, $5 ages 10-15, children younger than 10 and Boy and Girl Scouts in uniform admitted free.
FEATURED ATTRACTIONS
Casting demonstrations: Bob Jacklin, Bob Clouser, Lefty Kreh, Jerry Siem, Rob Kolanda, Cathy Beck, Landon Mayer, Simon Gawesworth, Riley Cotter, Devin Olsen.
Destination seminars: Bob Rafferty, Kreh, Jacklin, Janice O'Shea, Patricia Edel, Barry Beck, Bob Popovics, Char Bloom, Jacklin, Mayer, John Barr, Ryan Anderson, Eric Anderson.
Destination Colorado seminars: George Schisler, Mayer, John Duncan, Scott Graham, Barry Reynolds, guides of Anglers Covey, Greg Felt, Bill Dvorak, Kirk's Fly Shop, Anthony Naranja, Olsen.
Fly-tying: Clouser, Charlie Craven, Popovics, Brady Hanson, Mark McMillan, Dennis Collier, Greg Garcia, Chris Schranz, Bill Searles, Tony Spano, Dan Ziegman, Nick Jones, Neil Leuhring, Brian Kuchyna, Jack Duerson.
Team USA Fly-fishing: Naranja, Mike Sexton, Pete Erickson, Scott Robertson, Norm Maktima, Josh Stephens, Olsen, Loren Williams, Cotter, Kolanda.


Is this a battle that will carry over to other US cities? It seems doubtful that room exists for two shows catering to the same niche audience in many other US cities. The upside is that with both of the shows being set for the same dates, fly anglers won't have to set through the same slide shows twice.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Temps in the 60's here tomorrow



We can hope can't we?

Bob Clouser Expose'



According to the Denver post, the inventor of one of fly fishing's favorite minnow flies will be telling all at the upcoming AFFTA Fly Fishing Expo.



Clouser will talk about the evolution of his patterns and his angling experiences at a 6 p.m. Jan. 2 meeting of the West Denver Chapter of Trout Unlimited. The dinner event costs $15 and reservations should be made at 303-830-1609. The event is at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, West Sixth Avenue at Indiana Street. Starting Jan. 4, Clouser also will make a series of appearances at the AFFTA Fly Fishing Expo at the Colorado Convention Center.



No word if he will go into any detail about his bitter rivalry with that Muddler fellow.



photo via Clouserflyfishing.com

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Merry Christmas




We ripped off the idea for our Christmas greeting from Pete McDonald at Fishing Jones, who got his idea from the AEG Media Christmas card. After all, size doesn't really matter you know....

The Girl, The Trout, and the Bikini

We have chalked this article by Larry Myhre up as one of our favorite fly fishing tales of 2007:

That was the only answer. A pro fly fisherman has to do a lot of that. I'd simply cast while lying on my back. From now on the term backcasting would hold a whole new significance for me. I waved the rod back and forth, feeding out line and then let it go lifting my casting arm high and arching my back with the effort.

“I’ve never seen anyone cast like that,” she laughed.“Well, I’m a professional fly fisherman. There’s probably a lot of new things I could show you,” I said. “Could you tell if my fly landed anywhere near that fish?” She smiled and said the cast was pretty good. Close, in fact.

“I think you should, perhaps, shorten your leader,” she said. “Maybe even change flies. A stonefly nymph might work.”

That’s all I needed. Fly fishing advice from a three-quarters, no, make that seven-eighths, naked blond bombshell soaking up sun in a plastic boat. Yet, somewhere deep in my subconsciousness I admired her. She obviously knew something about fly fishing.

Admiral of the Chesapeake: Dr. Jim Gilford


The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced that the state's Governor has proclaimed Dr. Jim Gilford what must be one of the coolest titles ever afforded anyone since the advent of the Kentucky Colonel, Admiral of the Chesapeake.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John R. Griffin presented the award to Gilford on Monday, December 17 at the Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission, on which Gilford has served for 28 years, including more than a decade as Chairman. Gilford has served on at least 14 other local, state, and federal natural resource commissions, most notably as chair of the Middle Potomac River Basin Public Advisory Council, the Monocacy Scenic River Advisory Board, and the Maryland Wild Turkey Advisory Committee and as a member of the C&O Canal National Historical Park Commission and several striped bass advisory committees.

“Whether in his role as scientist, angler, educator, administrator, newsman, or concerned citizen Jim has inspired countless individuals with his passion for environmental conservation,” said DNR Secretary John R. Griffin.

For many years, Gilford shared his passion for fishing to others through his courses at the Fenwick Fly Fishing School and outdoor columns in the Frederick News Post and the Maryland Fishing and Hunting Magazine. He also gave lectures at Yale University, Johns Hopkins University, and Gettysburg College and served as Hood College’s Biology Department Chair. Gilford earned his doctorate degree from John Hopkins University. He currently resides in Frederick.

This beats the time we were proclaimed Gozer the Traveler, Gozer the Destructor, and Gozer the Gozarian by a long shot. Many Shubs and Zuuls knew what it was to be roasted in the depths of the Sloar that day I can tell you!

Invasion of the Snakehead!

Fishzilla!

A particularly nasty head cold and the complete meltdown of the housing industry as we know it, have had a real negative impact on the amount of time we have been able to devote to our beloved blog. To top it all off we found this article in the Windsor Star telling us that the Northern Snakehead continues to gain ground.


These things are just vicious," said Becky Cudmore, manager of the Centre of Expertise for Aquatic Risk Assessment in Burlington.
The snakehead has become a popular YouTube subject, with a National Geographic YouTube video added within the last month.


One look at that video shows why it would make a mess of the Great Lakes. One man on the video warns they can bite your entire hand off. A U.S. official warns they can decimate the aquatic food chain. And they could settle comfortably into Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, which Cudmore says would be ideal habitats for the northern snakehead.

This is bad news for most anglers ....maybe not so bad for others.

Monday, December 17, 2007

AEG Media: Fly Fishing Film Tour 2008


The trout bums from AEG Media have announced the schedule for their Fly Fishing Film Tour 2008 and we are pleased to say that it includes a stop in our home town of Charlotte, NC the day after our editorial birthday (March, 13th)! The tour will be crossing the United States so be sure to look for it to make a stop at a venue near you.
AEG Media is launching the 2008 film tour this winter. With an aggressive marketing and advertising campaign we are increasing the number of venues and plan to boost the number of attendees to over 50,000.
What can people expect to see at the Fly Fishing Film Tour?Films shot in extreme, exotic and distant locations; epic scenery, cutting edge music, and conservation pieces that are as entertaining to watch, as they are important; and of course gigantic fish on the end of a fly.
Our credo: “No stereotypical instructional programs.” PERIOD!The films we select to take on tour focus on action, adventure, excitement, humor, and lifestyle.
AEG Media is taking people on a journey to see what it takes to be truly committed to capturing fly fishing adventure on film.If you fly fish you are going to be blown away, if you don’t fly fish you are going to be inspired.

Fly Tying for Cheapskates





Let's call it a life time supply of dubbing wax for less than $5.

Feel free to leave a comment suggesting other skinflint friendly items of fly fishing, fly tying, or rod building gear.

FlyFishMagazine's Charitible Giving Guide

Tis the season for gift giving and we know that many fly fishers are also very generous when it comes to charitable giving. With that in mind we have put together a list of a few charities that we feel are deserving of our hard earned money.

Trout Unlimited & the Federation of Fly Fishers - both of these are great organizations that do tons to support conservation and the sport of fly fishing. We suggest membership in one or both.

Stripers Forever - When we first visited this website we thought that we had already donated but then we realized that it was stripers and not something else similarly spelled from our younger, single days. Stripers Forever is a non-profit dedicated to game fish protections for striper.

Project Healing Waters - This fine organization helps with the rehabilitation of our wounded soilders through participation in the sport of fly fishing and fly tying.

Casting for Recovery - provides fly fishing retreats designed for women who have or have had breast cancer.

Not fishing related but worthy none the less:

Kiva - Kiva is a favorite of the Editorial wife. You don't exactly donate money via Kiva but rather deposit it and then pick entrepreneurs in third world countries to lend in to in the form of micro loans. When the person pays the loan back you can lend your money out again.

Touch The World Ministries - TTWM is a faith based non-profit headed by a fly fisherman, my father, Rev. Homer Murdock. It is one of my favorite charities because I have personal knowledge of the work they do and know that the money given goes to help needy people all over the world. Their current project involves building 19 homes in Mawagala village, Uganda. The village has been ravaged by Aids and the houses will be built for children many of whom have lost both parents to the disease.

These are just a few of my favorite charities presented for your consideration this Christmas season. I could never attempt to list all the worthy causes of interest to the fly fishers among us so feel free to leave your own suggestions via the comment section.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Dynasty!


Appalachian State University takes their third consecutive NCAA Division I National Championship with a 49-21 win over Delaware.
For the official record it is pronounced "App-a-Latch-an." ASU alums Jeff Paisley and my own trophy wife have earned bragging rights for yet another year.
Congratulations Mountaineers!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Last Minute Gift Idea: 4 PC Powell Fly Rod $99.95


Powell Advantage XL Fly Fishing Rod - 4-Piece

This Powell fly rod has been our biggest seller through Sierra Trading Post thus far this Christmas season. It seems that folks cannot resist the lure of a name brand 4 piece fly rod for only $99.

Having a 9 foot, 4 piece fly rod with only a 31" "wingspan" stowed in the case literally opens a whole new world of fly fishing to you. You will actually look forward to those business trips when you can take a quality fly rod along. This fly rod is currently available in weights from 4 to 10 making it possible to own a rod from everything from brook trout to tarpon at an excellent price.

Add a few items to your order and take advantage of the 12% off orders of $120 banner in our sidebar.

Proposed Changes to NC Fishing Regulations


Tony Robinson of Morganton.com has some excellent coverage of proposed changes to North Carolina fishing regulations that would define both artificial and natural bait.

Many of the state’s trout waters are classified as single-hook artificial-lure fishing only. The problem that has amplified in recent years is the fact that the law does not define or specify exactly what an artificial lure is. The proposal is to define what artificial lures and natural bait are when used in designated public mountain trout waters.An artificial lure would be defined as a lure that does not contain or has had applied any substance that attracts fish by taste or smell. Natural bait would be defined as any living or dead organism (plant or animal), or part of, or prepared substance designed to attract fish by the sense of taste or smell.

The changes are the result of an effort by anglers to clarify the legality of the use of scented doughs and other baits on delayed harvest waters.

See also this link to coverage of this issue and a call to action for anglers via our pals at the Southeast Fly Fishing Forum.
In other news from the same article the state is considering the additon of new delayed harvest trout waters around my home waters.
Other proposals would affect some streams in nine different mountain area counties. The towns of Spruce Pine and North Wilkesboro would have delayed-harvest trout waters within their city limits. This proposal would add 3.3 miles of new fishing opportunity. In the counties of Watauga and Wilkes, fishermen would gain new opportunities for catch-and-release/artificial lure trout fishing on parts of Dugger and Laurel Creek. Additional trout related proposals would reclassify or eliminate trout water designation from several other mountain streams.
Here is a link to the full text of the proposed regulation changes for 2008 as well as the schedule of the public hearings that will be held. Anglers should be sure to make their voices heard.

Harding Canyon Trout No More...

A post wildfire mud slide has wiped out a population of California native rainbow trout. From an article published at MercuryNews.com:

"What we feared, happened," said Adam Backlin, an ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. "The hillsides just slumped into the canyon, and buried the entire creek."

Backlin said he became concerned about the Harding Canyon trout after the Santiago fire, which burned more than 28,000 acres during the October wildfires, creating mudslide conditions. The fish lived in rocky pools along a stretch of creek.

The loss is just one example of how many of Southern California's dwindling species teeter on the edge of disappearing completely. The once thriving populations of fish and amphibians have shrunken into small pockets easily threatened by storms and mudslides.

Fly Fishing Royalty

Spotted at the IGFA hall of fame in Fla.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Thank you for your support!

Sierra Trading Post

I just wanted to take a quick moment to thank you all for the support you have given FlyFishMagazine.com and our affiliate partner Sierra Trading Post this holiday shopping season. Sales of bargain priced fly fishing gear have been brisk this year and it is obvious that many of you will be finding some Christmas Fly Fishing Gear Cheer under your tree even if you, like many of us, are on the naughty list and have to put it there yourself.

Needing a last minute gift idea? How about a pair of Costa Del Mar Polarized sunglasses for a price so ridiculously low we can't print it but you can click to find out.



Costa Del Mar Sandy Point Sunglasses - Polarized


How late can you buy and still get the presents under the tree in time? Here is the shipping schedule for Sierra Trading Post from their website:

For delivery of in-stock items by 12/24, please order by 5:00 p.m. EST on the dates below:
Domestic Orders Shipping Ground: 12/19
Domestic Orders Shipping Air: 12/21
International Orders and AK/HI: 12/15
PO Boxes; APO/ FPO Shipments: 12/15

Monday, December 10, 2007

If you must go...go quickly


and if you practice catch and release then get the make sure you get them back in the water quickly as well.
In the journal, “Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A,” researcher Cory Suski suggests that keeping a fish out of water for even 4 minutes might be too long to ensure its survival. Variables include the length of time it takes to land a fish, Suski said. The longer it takes, the harder it is for a fish to recover from even short periods out of water.
Water temperature also determines whether the fish lives or dies. The warmer the water, the longer the recovery, he said. Meanwhile, the fish is easier prey for predators looking for a meal.

Salar, The Leaper Part Deux



At the urging of our pals from Moldy Chum (they found this first) we bring you Part II of the epic salmon flick Salar The Leaper

A Developer's Guide

to quelling opposition and reaching new heights in profits By Kathryn Gray via Yubanet.com:

A few highlights.

2. Think "green", or at least think how to talk "green", even if in your heart of hearts you know that bulldozing hillsides, clear-cutting trees, dredging and damming lakes, and dewatering class one trout streams is, well, maybe not exactly any color remotely near green.

7. Mountains have lots of steep places that even you can't build on. Call this "open space" and encourage public groups to raise money to buy it from you. (Hint: if it's really, really steep, and maybe prone to avalanches, and the groups won't cough up the money, then give it to the county as "mitigation" for all the other bad things you're planning for the mountain.)

National Fly Fishing Champ: George Daniel


If you win the National Fly Fishing Championship, you might just get to make the keynote speech at your Alma mater. According to an article in The Express ,George Daniel addressed recent graduates of Loch Haven University and used his sport of fly fishing as a metaphor for life.


His third and final piece of advice was for the graduates to learn and grow from their mistakes.“Failure is not always a bad thing. You have to look at failure as an opportunity,” he said.He shared that he has always learned more from his losses than from his victories, such as when he finished “dead last” in a fly-fishing competition in Wyoming.

Photo: Mark Lance

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Sabbatical anyone?

The Columbus Dispatch reports that the concept of the sabbatical is making a come back as a way to prevent burn out on the job.


When Cindy Russell, a 47-year-old paralegal with Alters, Boldt, Brown, Rash & Culmo in Miami, approached her boss about taking a four-week sabbatical in June, she elaborated on how she plans to decompress and why. Russell will go fly-fishing in the South Pacific.

"I put in long hours when preparing for trials," she said. She sold her boss on how the longer break -- some of it unpaid -- will allow her to escape and come back refreshed. "I'm not going to be sitting at home trying to get my to-do list done."

Sounds like something I could get used to. Now to start working on the boss.

The Leaper

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Smith Optics Interlock Wins Award


Smith Optics Wins Prestigious National Geographic Adventure "Best of Adventure Gear" Award



Ketchum, ID (November 26, 2007) For the second year in a row, Smith Optics has been recognized for its forward-thinking product development with the prestigious "Best of Adventure Gear" award from National Geographic Adventure.

Smith Optics Interlock Technology received this honor among thirty-nine other products regarded as essential outdoor gear by a select group of outdoor experts. National Geographic Adventure’s review process differs from other magazines as it selects an independent panel of forty-four of the country’s leading outdoor authorities and retailers to weigh in on products which, in its expert opinion, are innovative, essential, and have created particular excitement in the marketplace.

"We developed the Interlock technology to combine high performance and style in one product without forsaking one for the other. This award is confirmation yet again that Smith is exceeding
market expectations with our innovative and fresh approach to product development," said Eric Carlson, Smith Optics vp of product and design.

The Interlock was awarded "Best of Adventure Gear" due to its ground breaking technology, superb functionality and the corresponding demand created in the marketplace by its introduction. "The Smith Interlock looks cool, the lenses are simple to change, bombproof when in place, and optically precise. They’re nothing short of the best interchangeable sunglasses. Ever," said product guru and Best of Adventure Gear editor, Steve Casimiro. "One twist to change your entire look." Announced at the Adventurer of the Year ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November, the Interlock appears in the November-December issue of the magazine.

For the 2007 edition of the award, SMITH received similar honors for its V Ti high-performance sunglass, a lightweight, single lens product employing two different titanium alloys
to provide a lightweight and perfect fit.

FYI - Just in time for the holidays Sierra Trading post has an great selection of Smith Sport Optics at excellent prices and we have links to all of them in one convenient place via the FlyFishMagazine.com deals on gear page.

The Trout Zone - David Knapp


We were surfing the Internet recently when we came across The Trout Zone blog by Crossville, Tennessee fly fisher David Knapp. David fishes some of the same waters as FlyFishMagazine's own middle Tennessee Editor - Jay Moore. Undoubtedly David is that "only other guy catching fish" that we hear about in many of Jay's reports.
We knew that David was our kind of people when we read this post on his blog:
"For as long as I've been fishing nymphs, I pinch on my weight by using the good old set of chompers in my mouth. There was always the vague unease created by knowing that something bad could result, but I always shrugged it off and gnawed on yet another split shot. Yesterday, the routine was rudely interrupted (and just after I had caught a nice 13 inch brown no less) by a frightening crunching noise coming from somewhere under my nose and above my chin. I didn't feel any pain though and began to think that my teeth were so powerful that they had shredded the small split shot. When I examined the weight and saw that it was in perfect condition, the light came on and I was horrified to feel rough edges on a formerly perfect tooth. Subdued, I managed to pinch on the weight with my pliers and continued fishing."
Like we said, he's our kind of people. Sidebar links added.

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Thursday Pink Links


It seems that fly fishing isn't the only sport that is trying to lure women into its ranks. It seems that pink is the new black. To that end we present these Thursday pink links: (P.S. for the record Mrs. Murdock prefers her weapons nickle plated.)
Pink guns gaining ground via Lubbock Online.
Pink Fly Rods from Elkhorn Fly Rods
Pink Fly Reels from Ross Reels (in support of the Susan G. Komen foundation)
Tie on a pink scud
A pink fishing vest from LL Bean
How about a pink gps to get you to your destination
Finally a proverbial pink kayak from the folks at NOC

Neil Young Covers Benefit Casting For Recovery


A group of talented women artists have released an album of Neil Young covers with all proceeds going to Casting For Recovery. Casting for recovery is an organization that promotes fly fishing as a means of recovery for vicitms of breast cancer.
CINNAMON GIRL - WOMEN ARTISTS COVER NEIL YOUNG FOR CHARITY!
Tanya Donelly, Britta Phillips, Lori McKenna, Jill Sobule with John Doe, Veruca Salt, Kristin Hersh, Josie Cotton, and The Watson Twins are just some of the outstanding artists covering Neil Young's most popular songs for charity on this 21 track Double-CD.

All proceeds from CINNAMON GIRL will be donated to
CASTING FOR RECOVERY in memory of Norine R. Spadaro (ALR founder, Joe Spadaro's mother). CASTING FOR RECOVERY is a national non-profit support and educational program for women who have or have had breast cancer. Casting for Recovery provides an opportunity for women whose lives have been profoundly affected by the disease to gather in a beautiful, natural setting and learn fly-fishing, "a sport for life." The weekend retreats incorporate counseling, educational services and the sport of fly-fishing to promote mental and physical healing.
If the samples from their myspace page are any indication these sultry sounding ladies are making music that even a southern man wouldn't mind having around.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Fly Fishing Smokies Style - Jim Shepherd


Yesterday's article about fly fishing the Smokies by Jim Shepherd appears to be your standard fishing article fare but dig into it and you will find some great one liners.
"Once, when I flicked an effortless cast out and then realized I'd hung my line in the tree, Tony smilingly looked at me and said "they don't usually roost until closer to dark."
and...
"So I put my attention on the task of landing my first fish of the day and cranked away. My reward? A small trout. Really small. So small that his parents probably have reported me to the trout police as a child molester."

Don Barone Outdoors


We just got a heads up about a new website from our ESPN pal Don Barone. Don is pretty closed mouthed about it but rumor has it that whatever lurks behind the homepage DonBaroneOutdoors.com will be pretty off the hook.
Watch for Don's site to go live January 1st. Check out some of DB's previous work by following this link.

Network trouble - Outfoxed behind the dumpsters


Some water must have gotten into the Internet tubes last night as our connection was down for pretty much the entire evening. We will return to our regular posting schedule (subject to the whims of our provider) later today.

I did manage to go fishing last Friday and intentionally left the digicam behind so as not to worry about taking pictures and concentrate on fishing. I met up with my Dad and we had a great time.

Our first stop was a creek that runs behind some roadside dumpsters. As soon as we arrived we saw a large trout holding in a pool just below a small bridge. The water was very low and extremely clear but he did not see us. I put on a camo jacket, tied a tiny copper john on 6x tippet, and literally crawled to the opposite side of the bridge to get into position for a drift. As I was creeping, Dad was watching the fish from the bushes so as to alert me of any sign of piscatorial spookage. He assured me that the fish was still holding as I made a blind drift to the fish.

Due to the current, my drift ended up about two feet too far right so I gingerly pulled the fly back into position. Dad indicated that the fish hadn't so much as moved an inch. My second cast was on the mark but as the drifting fly approached the fish he decided that he didn't like what he saw and bolted for the shadows without ever looking back. Opportunity lost.

I wasn't sure what I had done that spooked the fish. Maybe it was the glint of the sun off of my fly rod, or maybe an errant shadow. It might even have been the ever so slightly unnatural look of the copper john. All I knew for sure is that this trout would most likely not be caught that day.

We moved on to other more forgiving waters and did manage to catch several nice trout that day. More importantly we were away from work and standing knee deep in icy mountain water for most of the time.

(slightly post related photo credit 20th Century Fox)