It’s almost the beginning of trout season. With the stirring of insect and fish comes the preparation of shop, stock, guides and gear. Angling dreams of hatches and takes are mixed with business hopes for ideal water, bookings and revenue. It’s a tangled, intertwined, biological and economic web….and all because of fish. Let the season begin and may your fishy goals be achieved. Feel free to share a season opener comment, story or photo.
The Way Upstream community has been vocal in its appreciation for the transparency that this blog provides with regard to gear for fishing. It has given the community a voice that didn't really exist before. Well Patagonia has taken things a few footsteps further by becoming the first major apparel manufacturer to track and expose the social and environmental impact of building specific products through The Footprint Chronicles, an interactive website that reveals to consumers the good and the bad involved in manufacturing outdoor clothing such as Synchilla fleece vests and rain shells. In a bold move that might make most companies nervous, Patagonia is determined to be candid and forthright about its impact on the environment and created the site to encourage dialog with its customers who are concerned about the environment.
and asking customers for their suggestions and help in efforts to find solutions to our less sustainable practices. It’s a unique dialogue to engage in – but one that will ultimately allow us to cause less harm to the planet."
hopes to inspire other companies to increase their transparency, and at the very least, raise awareness.
Wading can be a little chilly after breakup but there's no need to go numb below the waist just because you fish in cold water. The Insulator Pant serves as a warm buffer between you and your waders. They're made of eco-friendly polyester (51% recycled) double-faced fleece (brushed on both sides for loft and warmth) with a moisture-wicking finish. Details: elasticized waistband with drawcord and a brushed tricot lining, two tricot-lined front pockets, one zippered hip pocket and tapered cuffs for a smooth, low friction underwader fit. They are recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program. I know many of you have expressed appreciation for the old El Cap pants. The Insulator Pant was cloned from the rootstock of that classic style.
Tim Borski takes some interesting photos in addition to painting and fly designing. Here's one photo I received that I couldn't help toying with. The image shows Tim's hand holding a bird that flew into his studio with a fly resting next to it. I've created some unusual versions of this image but here is a version that's close to the original. I used Flickr toys Framer to soften the edges and Matte to frame it up "museum style". This is not your average "still life". Maybe a collaborative series will emerge.
Filming continues on the east coast this spring. If you have a suggestion of where Frank should park his trailer alongside a river and cast a few flies, please fill out the online form (click here).
Photo courtesy of Jerry Darkes
I see pictures from around the world of fisher folk and there is one article of gear that is so uniformly accepted as part of the ceremonial garb of fishers on and off the water that I thought it was worth a post. That piece of gear is the ball cap. I suppose there are many names for it but I think you know what I mean by the term. What I'd like to ask the Way Upstream community is this, What matters most regarding your choice in a lid? Is it six panel design, stretch, size, adjustability, pony tail opening, brim, lining, vents, sentimental value, fabric, logo, shop or brand affiliation or what? Let me know your thoughts on lids.
From the Associated Press
The reason was that the jet stream had shifted to the south, delaying the spring onset of winds out of the north that create a condition known as upwelling, which kickstarts the ocean food web by stirring the water from bottom to top, the agency said.
If there is no upwelling, there is no phytoplankton growth, no zooplankton growth, and basically you have no food chain that develops, because it all depends on the upwelling," Peterson said.
"We are not dismissing other potential causes for this year's low salmon returns," NOAA Fisheries Service Northwest Science Center Director Usha Varanasi said in a statement. "But the widespread pattern of low returns along the West Coast for (both coho and chinook) salmon indicates an environmental anomaly occurred in the California Current in 2005."
Read the complete article by Jeff Barnard (AP Environmental Writer) - click here
Drawings by Noah Stracqualursi
Flickr illustration by El Pescador
Sun protective clothing is fast becoming a staple offering from outdoor and fishing retailers. Consumers are more aware of the dangers of UV exposure and see the benefits of UPF rated gear. The Sun Mask (UPF 15) and Sunshade Shirt (UPF 30) are both pictured above on Craig Amacker (Fontana Sports Specialties) while on recent a trip to Ascension Bay. Click on the bold text for more details. One word of caution though, if you wear the Sun Mask for activities other than fly fishing or if you walk into your local gas station or convenience store with it on be ready for some strange looks. On an environmental note, both the Sun Mask and Sunshade Shirt are recylable through the Common Threads recycling program and the Sun Mask is made of 100% recycled polyester.
