Free to roam

It’s only fitting that the previous post highlighting James Prosek be followed up by a piece on the other founding member of World Trout – Yvon Chouinard. These pictures and the following words found their way upstream to El Pescador from Casey Sheahan (Patagonia CEO). Click on the colored text (links) to read more about YC and a variety of salmon articles. Casey wrote:

“Rare to see YC holding a fish out of water for even a second but this 26 pound Zolotaya River chromer required closer inspection. This Russian beauty had been caught on the nearby Rynda two summers ago and blue-tagged to identify it as a product of Rynda waters--proof of salmo salar's wandering capabilities, and what happens to salmon when allowed to swim freely, spawn repeatedly without estuary nets and net pen farming.”

Contribution by Casey Sheahan and El Jefe

Photos by Bruce McNae

Preserve what we have left

Here's a short Felt Soul Media film that highlights James Prosek and World Trout. James states in this piece "The mission of World Trout in part is to preserve native diversity of fishes and the idea is to raise money to give to individuals or grassroots organizations who live in places where trout live and can protect the habitat and the fish. I think the most urgent thing to do is to preserve what diversity we have left." Would you agree?

Check out these links for more detailed information on James Prosek, World Trout and World Trout t-shirts.

Torrent of hope

Dragonflies rule the late summer air space.
Migratory birds will take flight for distant sanctuaries.
Ditches have become overstuffed vases of Goldenrod and Queen Anne’s lace.
Blackberries swell with juice and ripen to a purple black.
Leaves contemplate revealing their souls.
Jaws of certain finned creatures protrude and bend.
Eyes become filled with the reality of what lies ahead.
The time has come for journey.
Seeds will be left.
Late summer is a torrent of hope.

By El Pescador

Photo by Bill Klyn

Trout Eldorado

This Way Upstream video post follows Svein Røbergshagen (Patagonia ambassador) and a group of dedicated Norwegian fly fishermen as they chase monster browns in a spectacular wilderness setting on the tundra of the Kola Peninsula. The beautiful rivers are teeming with big browns, sometimes hitting the fly with an explosive take. It's awesome to see these fish settled in a steady rising pattern, showing their broad tails in the surface, posing an ultimate challenge for the dry fly fisherman. This wilderness region of Russia has been closed to the public until recently. Now this undisturbed wilderness fly fishing is highlighted on DVD. Check out this 3 minute compilation and get your passport in order.

Contribution by Svein Røbergshagen and Jeff Leopold

Only in Costa Rica

It may be the only place in the world to do it: Catch wild rainbow trout on dry flies on a frosty morning, enjoy a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup while cozying around a fireplace then drive less than two hours and take a dip in the bath-tub warm Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. Do it all in sight of palm trees, quetzales and spider monkeys. Never mind the sailfish and the tarpon.
Only in Costa Rica.

Story and photo by Capt. Dave Sherwood

Invasive Algae

This is Didymo algae (Didymosphenia geminata), also appropriately known as "rock snot". It continues to spread a deadly path in trout habitat. This algae forms a thick layer on stream beds, in time choking out most aquatic insects and greatly reducing food supplies for trout. New Zealand has had a significant problem with Didymo for some time. Since the mid-Eighties, Didymo has become a growing nuisance in North America. It is present in rivers throughout the West, Arkansas, and Canada. This summer the algae was discovered for the first time in New England waters (Connecticut, White and Battenkill Rivers). The rapidly growing territory of this invasive single celled organism has led many scientists to believe humans play a significant role in it's spread by inadvertently transporting Didymosphenia geminata on fishing boots, waders and boats. Please check out the links below to learn more about Didymo and what you can do to help prevent the spread of this freshwater diatom.

Global Invasive Species Database

Protect Your Waters

Contribution by Greg Davis

Deep Wading Jacket - Front

Way Upstream commenter Bradley asked to get a closer look at the S8 redesigned Deep Wading Jacket. Here it is for you all to see. Click on the shot and mouse over the comment boxes to learn more.

Way Upstream

Copyright 2007

Angler - Topher Browne

Photos by Rene Braun

Deep Wading Jacket - Back

Here's a look at the back of the S8 Deep Wading Jacket. Click on the shot and mouse over the comment boxes to learn more.

Way Upstream

Copyright 2007

Release (Dark Version)

I was in SLC, UT for the Outdoor Retailer Show and took advantage of a dusk fishing offer from Thad Robison. It was a perfect opportunity and it turned out to be a memorable session. We stopped by (continued below)

Release (Light Version)

Western Rivers to get my license, great service and a good cup of coffee before heading out to fish a section of the restored Provo River late into the night. We had take-out burritos and cold PBRs for dinner at the parking spot. It was AEG ceremonial. Caddis and trout were active. We caught fish on small caddis drys while we still had light but when the dark came on we V-waked a mouse pattern and brown trout crashed it ferociously. I created these two images from a photo taken that evening.

Just a little further

Every time I see films and videos by Mikey Wier, I'm, well.., moved. He often casts a certain soulful light on the bigger picture of fly-fishing. In this video he exposes an angling facet that many know, "It's all out there waiting. You just have to go and find it." I recently asked him to write a Way Upstream intro to this 5 minute Fish Eye video. Here's what he said:

"I love catching fish. Don’t get me wrong. They are some of the most beautiful and fascinating creatures on this planet. But for me, a bigger part of fly-fishing is the total experience. It's about that sense of adventure. I love looking at a map and trying to discover new places to catch a fish. I'm always so intrigued to know what's just around that bend, or what does it look like up stream of here. It's that feeling of exploration and discovery that often motivates me to keep searching for the next great fishing spot. There are lots of times when I see a place on a map that looks like it has potential, or hear about a "Great spot", and when I get there, it's nothing more than a nice stretch of river. The fishing might not be good, but I'm still outdoors and seeing something new. Then, inevitably there will be days like this, where it all comes together and I might have the chance to catch the fish of a lifetime. It took my brother and I almost 10 years to get to this spot at the right time of year. It’s all out there waiting. You just have to go out there and find it."

Lump of Crab - top

Lump of Crab - bottom

Lump of Crab - colored hook