Articles

The biggest killer of cast accuracy and how to avoid it

There are many factors that contribute to a well-aimed cast, but none more than this

by John Juracek - Tuesday, Aug 29th, 2017

Peter Treichel of Patagonia River Guides tosses a long cast on Rio Malleo (photo: Earl Harper / Harper Studios).

Whenever I watch other flycasters, I have a habit of analyzing their casting. I mentally deconstruct their strokes to determine which parts are technically sound, and which parts wither under scrutiny. I ponder what suggestions for improvement I'd pass along if asked, and how I might phrase the wording of those suggestions. Many flaws of technique require a wholesale rebuilding of the casting stroke. Others are more easily fixed. Among the latter is off-plane movement of the rod, a common reason why many fishermen struggle to place their fly where they’re aiming.

Review: Winston Kairos fly rod

Winston enters uncharted territory with its mold-breaking new rod

by Spencer Durrant - Monday, Aug 28th, 2017

Photo: Spencer Durrant

In an effort to broaden their lineup and offer more opportunities to fish their rods, Winston rolled out two new families of rods this year—the Nimbus and Kairos.

At $475, the Kairos essentially replaces the popular Nexus (a rod which, in a 9’7wt is one of my all-time favorites) as Winston’s entry-level offering. But, unlike the Nexus, the Kairos is a significant departure from the features that make Winston rods what they are and the Kairos will no doubt gain some level of notoriety for that fact alone.

Review: Vedavoo Spinner Deluxe Daypack

Keeping it clean in what might be the last day pack you'll ever need

by Paul Snyder - Thursday, Aug 24th, 2017

Photo: Uncredited

The vast majority of my fishing is done on foot, typically for 6 hours at a time or more. I always plan to spend as much of the day on the water as possible, which makes daypacks (and their oft integrated, supporting chest packs or gear pouches) designed for angling are of particular import to my days on the river.

The fish weren't there

Adapting to the new normal

by Chris Hunt - Tuesday, Aug 22nd, 2017

Photo: Chris Hunt

I went to one of my favorite backcountry haunts this last week, an annual visit during “hopper time” when big trout look up and nobody else is around to laugh at my casting.

But the fish weren’t there.

I climbed to the river’s headwaters where wild rainbows and bull trout congregate in late summer to feast on terrestrials and lounge in sun-kissed, yet snow-chilled water. Everything was different. Everything had changed.

Patagonia's first-ever TV commercial is in defense of public lands

The outdoor apparel giant has never in its history run a television ad, until now

by Chad Shmukler - Sunday, Aug 20th, 2017

Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard wrestles with a rainbow trout on the Henry's Fork River in Last Chance, Idaho (photo: Bryan Gregson).

Patagonia has never run a TV commercial. Not once. In 60 years. Since its earliest roots as Chouinard Equipment, a one-man operation run out of the back of Yvon Chouinard’s car, Patagonia has grown to become one of the largest apparel companies in the world with annual revenues upwards of $500 million dollars. And the company has accomplished all of this, in the competitive apparel world where marketing is half the battle, without ever running a television advertisement. Until now, that is.