Good illustration

Matt Boutet sent me an email recently about a story that Dave Sherwood had just written on an open pit mine project that was forced to close. Matt wrote: "I just heard from Dave, his latest project down in Costa Rica was a story on a recently closed open pit gold mine down there. With all the buzz around the Pebble Mine up in AK and the Felt Soul film coming out, it seems like this is a good illustration of what could happen up there if the project gets the green light."

I sent Dave an email asking him for a short overview on this Bellavista story and he wrote back: "Open-pit gold mines are rarely without their problems. But when landslides ripped across the face of the Bellavista open-pit gold mine in Miramar, Costa Rica, mine officials were shocked. The disaster left 350 unemployed and a potential environmental disaster hanging in the balance. Costa Rica's Gulf of Nicoya, a prime fishing ground for snook, red snapper, corvina and sharks is threatened. Miners blamed God. Activists, townspeople and environmentalists believe it may have been something more. "

To read Dave's story on the Bellavista Mine click here.

Photos by Ronald Reyes and Dave Sherwood

Off the grid

By El Pescador
Copyright 2008 Way Upstream

Puzzled

Original by El Pescador Original Photo by M. Wier

Mongolia teaser

The crew at AEG has released a teaser for their Mongolia film. I asked Thad Robison for his thoughts now that the short segment is ready and the film tour eminent. Here's what he had to say:

"We have been working nonstop for months in the editing studio putting together the Mongolia film. Finally getting a teaser out there to share with the public has us all feeling pretty good. We are still plugging away night and day putting the finishing touches on the full length feature. It’s coming together nicely and the footage still blows us away. We finished up the Film Tour piece this week which we will be taking out on the road starting January 30th at the Patagonia HQ in Ventura before we head out to the other 60+ cities across the country. The film tour cut will give people a really good sneak peak on what we have in store for them on the full length film."

11A > 12

SOULFISH

Mikey Wier's film project SOULFISH recently debuted at the ISE show in San Mateo, CA. Here is a 3 minute and 30 second glimpse of the film trailer. I asked Mikey to tell me how he felt about this film now that it's in the public eye. This is what he had to say:

"SOULFISH is a something-for-everyone fly fishing movie. I tried to capture the perspectives of some of the pre-River Runs Through It fisherman as well as the voice of the youth and women in fly fishing today. It's a cool look at travel adventure fishing and a tribute to people who have dedicated their lives to this wacky sport. SOULFISH was a really fun project. I didn't get to do everything I wanted with this project but I am really pleased overall with how it came out. It was amazing to spend time with and learn from all the people who are featured in this flick. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it."

Mike E. Wier

Double Haul

There seemed to be a lot of interest in fishing packs so I hauled together a bunch of pix and words to illustrate one of the revised styles in the Patagonia S8 line. The Double Haul is a modular, multi-functional pack designed to meet the needs of the multi-dimensional angler. It's been redesigned to separate into components. The padded shoulder strap can be disconnected from both the front and back pack. That's what makes the modularity possible. The padded connecter has a tool slot and you can stick on a fly patch if desired. The back pod is large enough to carry a compressible jacket or insulation and standard size hydration reservoir plus it converts to a stand-alone waist or sling pack. The front pack organizes fly boxes and other necessities and can be used separately as a chest or sling pack too. Details include: 8.8-oz nailhead nylon dobby and polyurethane coated 420-denier pack cloth construction; back hydration pack can hold a rod tube in it’s tunnel, two attachment points can accommodate pin back, post and clip retractors; magnetic tool loop. Check out all the Double Haul posts below for more detail. Click on the pix for larger views. Also note that some images show the old Gi II pants, revised Sunshade Shirt, new Sun Mask and new Surf Sneakers. (Hydration reservoir, retractor and hemos shown above are not included.)

Photos by Tim Davis

Double Haul - Chest Pack

The front pack (Single Haul) can be worn solo as a chest pack by connecting the neck and waist straps . The pack is narrow but tall so you can fit large boxes in it and still see your feet.

Photos by Tim Davis

Double Haul - Front Pack Sling

The front pack has been nicknamed the Single Haul and is very useful worn on its own. It's an ideal minimalist pack that will hold large fly boxes vertically and a standard size bottle of water. The neck strap is needed to create a 3 point connection which allows the user to swivel the Single Haul from back to front and back again very easily. You can also substitute your stretch wader belt (shown above) in place of the one that comes with the Double Haul to avoid doubling up on belts.

Photos by Tim Davis

Double Haul - Back Pack Sling

This picture series shows how the hydration pod can be worn "sling style" on its own. This is a high riding set up which is great when wading deep or dodging waves. The back pack tunnel can serve a variety of angling needs. The tunnel can serve as a rod or water bottle holder. The rod tube can be lashed at one of the web loops. These web loops can be used to tend a pair of hemos and more.

Photos by Tim Davis, Joe Ziepniewski and Janice Parente

Double Haul - Hip Pack

The hydration pod portion of the Double Haul can be worn as a hip pack once detached. The hydration feature remains functional and you can see that there is still retractor attaching capability.

Photos by Tim Davis

Double Haul - Mixed Bag

This shot shows the front pack worn sling style with the back pod in waist pack mode. Another configuration would be Single Haul in chest pack mode with back pod worn as a hip pack. The back pod has a "tunnel" which can stow a water bottle. The tunnel can also be used for a variety of other purposes depending on how the pack is worn.

Photo by Rene Braun

Double Haul - Magnetic Loop

This picture shows the Double Haul magnetic accessory loop and a good view of the new "fish pull" which is a signiture detail on all the fish products. The magnet makes for a great place to temporarily place a fly when changing patterns and is also strong enough to hold hemos. The picture shows how the magnet in the loop holds nippers from dangling.

Photo by Rene Braun

Double Haul - Drainage

Double Haul drainage details were paid great attention. The packs are not completely waterproof (not seam sealed) but they resist liquid penetration (coated fabrics with a DWR) and they won't hold water....because it always seems to find a way in.

Photo by Rene Braun

NPR covers Rock Snot

Way Upstream posted twice about invasive species issues in 2007 (Invasive Algae and Aquatic Hitchhikers) . National Public Radio covered the "Rock Snot" story recently which has given the invasive species problem more needed national exposure. Click here to read the Morning Edition story from 12/31/07. Click here to listen to the NPR broadcast. The broadcast is about 4 minutes long. Be sure to wait a few seconds after the 12 second intro for the broadcast to start. Listen and share your thoughts.A rock snot bloom (Didymosphenia geminata- "Didymo") can cover a stream from bank to bank and reach for miles. Twenty years ago, the algae was found only in isolated mountain streams in western Canada. But a more aggressive version has spread to streams in the western United States and to the East Coast.

Tickets and Prizes

Tickets for the AEG 2008 Fly Fishing Film Tour are now on sale. Click here to reserve your tickets. Also note that AEG will be giving away great prizes from their sponsors: Loop, Patagonia, Costa del Mar, Scientific Anglers, Rising, RO Drift Boats, Water Masters, Brunton, Gerber, Big Agnes, Loon and The Drake. A new prize will be given each day until the start of the tour, January 30th (Ventura, CA). The winner's names will be announced every day at 10 a.m. PST. GOOD LUCK!