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Check out our new page that showcases random entries from our 2013 Photo Contest.

While over two months still remain to enter your best fishing photos of the season in our 2013 Fly Fishing Photo Contest, it seemed like a good time for a contest update and reminder. We've received hundreds of amazing images that readers have captured during their days on the water. Still, we're greedy for more. One of the driving forces behind holding these contests is to shine a light on the plethora of photographic talent that seems to coalesce in the sport of fly fishing. Thus, the more of your stunning images we can gather and showcase in one place, the better.

Random User Contest Photos
Check out our new page that showcases random entries from our 2013 Photo Contest.

Though we've been occasionally sharing contest images on our Facebook, Twitter and Google+ pages, there's been no way for readers to conveniently browse through the contest submissions. Yesterday we informally announced a new interface which, while it won't let you leaf through all the entries one-by-one, will give you what we hope is an entertaining way to get a sneak peak at many of the entries (truth be told, you'd eventually see them all if you kept at it). Go ahead, have a look.

RIO Perception IFTD 2013

Back in June, fly line maker RIO promised to redefine fly fishing with its new Perception floating trout line, and the fly fishing industry has taken notice. The Perception line was named the 'Best New Fly Line' at the European Fishing Tackle Trade Exhibition in Vienna, Austria, and it was also voted the 'Best New Freshwater Fly Line' at the International Fly Tackle Dealers (IFTD 2013) show in Las Vegas.

"To have folks within the fly fishing industry recognize our new line as being the best offering for trout anglers means the world to everyone here at RIO Products," notes Simon Gawesworth, RIO's marketing manager. "These awards give our sales team momentum and helps reinforce that RIO is taking tremendous steps to improve fly lines so anglers can connect with more fish", he added.

The Orvis Silver Sonic Waders for women.

I swim in waders, that is, I swim inside waders. Let's face it, waders are just glorified overalls. And, since fly fishing is a sport dominated by men, most of these glorified overalls are built for men. The reality is, women’s needs when it comes to waders differ significantly from that of men, and waders that are designed for men simply do not work for women. For years, fly fishing women have been in the market for options in the world of waders that fit and function well for women.

Men vs. Women

The most obvious difference between men and women is that our curves are in entirely different places on our body. My first pair of waders was men’s waders, designed for a man’s body. And it should come as no surprise that they were ill-fitting and frumpy. On the plus side, I probably could have stored all my gear inside at the same time I wore them.

This mammoth grayling required a little encouragement with it's dorsal fin.

Grayling, once abundant throughout much of Michigan and Montana, are now virtually extinct from their natural range in the lower 48. Grayling once populated rivers on both the upper and lower peninsula in Michigan, and were historically found in the Sun River, Smith River, Gallatin River, Madison River, Red Rock-Beaverhead-Jefferson Rivers, and Big Hole River in Montana. Today, fluvial (river dewlling) grayling are now completely extirpated from their former range in Michican and exist only in the Big Hole River drainage in Montana, although their non-fluvial, lacustrine bretheren have been artificially introduced into many high elevation lakes in the contiguous United States. Though numerous factors have contributed to the grayling's demise, declining water quality throughout the rivers and streams of the grayling's normal range is considered primarily to blame.

Grayling, which are their own subfamily of the salmon family (not part of the whitefish subfamily, as they are commonly thought to be) and a distant relative of trout, are incredibly sensitive to changes in water quality. Grayling require swift-flowing, clean, well-oxygenated cold water rivers and streams which are typically lined with sandy or gravely bottoms. Due to their sensitivity to water quality, grayling are often considered indicator species. In waters where grayling have previously or continue to persist, declining grayling populations are closely correlated with and often signal the existence of water quality issues.

The Fishpond lineup of Nomad landing nets.

Late last month, fly-fishing accessory makers Fishpond announced it will add Nomad Nets to its lineup of high quality fly-fishing and outdoor travel gear. Nomad Nets founder and designer Kevin Best will add his waterproof and buoyant nets to the Fishpond family in November.

"After meeting the crew at fishpond and the initial acquisition talks began, I was very excited about the distribution and awareness a company of Fishpond's stature could offer my nets," explained Best. "Now that I am joining the Fishpond team internally as well, I can't wait to explore expanding the net line and creating spectacular products for anglers and outdoorsmen alike."

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