Articles

Orvis Opens its Annual Guide Rendezvous to All Guides

by Ben Kryzinski - Saturday, Feb 22nd, 2014

Orvis 2014 Guide Rendezvous

For almost the past 30 years, Orvis has held an annual event where it gathers its endorsed guides for several days of networking, instructional seminars, health and safety training, discussions on habitat protection, beer drinking and more. Hosted again this year in Missoula, Montana, the event takes April 3-5 and features a calendar chock full of get togethers, workshops, a film festival and a downtown celebration of fly fishing culture in Missoula's Caras Park. Unlike in previous years, where the event was reserved for Orvis-endorsed guides, Orvis is throwing the gates open and welcoming all guides to join in the networking, workshops and celebration.

In addition to the other scheduled happenings, Orvis' Guide Olympics are also part of the 3-day rendezvous which features events like the guide Cook Off, Casting Contest, Throw Rope Challenge and Rod Rigging Race and awards prizes to each of the winners. The aforementioned fly-fishing celebration in Caras Park is open to the public at large, and will include food peddlers and industry vendors such as Smith Optics Sunglasses, Big Sky Brewing, NRS, Scientific Anglers, Sawyer Paddles, Hog Island Boat Works, Adipose Boatworks and many more. And there will be tunes, too. According to Orvis, "performances by the popular local band 'Lil’ Smokies' promise to create a ruckus and encourage dancing."

If you're a guide and still aren't sold, Orvis offers this final bit of encouragement on their web site: "We also offer you screaming deals on gear, network like crazy and buy the beer… enough said."

US Dam Removal Trend Continues as Over 50 Dams Fall in 2013

by Chad Shmukler - Thursday, Feb 20th, 2014

American Rivers' interactive map of dam removals.

The rising tide of dam removal continues to strengthen, as over 50 dams were removed across the country in 2013, according to information released by American Rivers. 18 different states removed dams last year, with Pennsylvania leading the list for the 11th year in a row with a dozen dams removed. Bob Irvin, president of American Rivers, noted that "the river restoration movement in our country is stronger than ever. Communities nationwide are removing outdated dams because they recognize that a healthy, free-flowing river is a tremendous asset."

Highlights of the 2013 removals include the Stearns Dam which had blocked steelhead, salmon and trout passage on Oregon's Crooked River for over 100 years, the Whittenton Dam on the Mill River in Massachusetts and the Lassiter Mill Dam on the Uwharrie River in North Carolina.

Tips for Keeping Ice Off Fly Rod Guides

by Colin K. Breck - Wednesday, Feb 19th, 2014

Stanley's Ice Off Paste

With much of the country still well in the midst of what is beginning to seem like an interminable winter, cabin fever has sent many of us out to the stream on days which would typically keep us indoors in the warmth and comfort of home. Fishing on those frigid days can be frustrating at times. You're cold. The fish are lethargic. Conditions are tough. And your rod guides and tip keep icing up, causing you to have to break from fishing to clear the ice. Patience can wear thin.

Although there's nothing you can do to improve the cold temperatures, sluggish fish and lousy conditions, you can put a dent in the frustrations that come from iced up tips and guides by experimenting with one or more of the remedies below.

Pennsylvania Governor's 'Non-Impact' Plan to Reintroduce Fracking on State Lands Ignores Obvious Impacts

by Chad Shmukler - Tuesday, Feb 18th, 2014

A water impoundment pond on Pennsylvania state forest land (photo: Chad Shmukler).

Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett recently unveiled an almost $30 billion spending plan for his state that includes proposals that would expand natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania state forests and parks, presumably overturning a moratorium on further expansion of such operations that was put in place by former governor Ed Rendell. According to Corbett's office, his plan to expand natural gas leases could add up to $75 million in new revenue for the state.

Existing, operating natural gas wells on Pennsylvania state forest and park lands exists in or adjacent to watersheds of some of the state's most famous trout streams, such as Slate Run and Pine Creek, amongst others. Pennsylvania state forest, park and game land is also rich with small brook trout streams, many of which are classified by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as Class A Wild Trout water.

In a radio interview with station WITF, Corbett told Radio Smart Talk, “there’s a huge amount” of gas under state parks and forests, “and I don’t believe in leaving it there.”

2 Important Tips for Casting in the W-I-N-D

by Chad Shmukler - Monday, Feb 17th, 2014

Being prepared for the W-I-N-D will give you a much better chance of landing this fish rather than crucifying yourself over that blown opportunity.

When on the water with friend and steelhead guide on Oregon's Deschutes River, Tom Larimer, any mention of the natural movement of the air in a current or particular direction is spelled, not spoken. It's considered bad luck to do otherwise. After all, wind is the fly caster's worst enemy. It butchers trajectories, displaces power, creates knots and impedes the angler's ability to translate load in the rod into a well delivered cast.