Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Victories

Here's a short piece that was sent to me by Alistair Stewart that I'd like to share with the Way Upstream community. It captures a moment in time that an angler understands all too well. It also seems pertinent as May blends into June.

"Friday May 9th, 2008 was warmer in the evening in Waushara than promised by the weather service. The challenge of The Sand Counties' streams during these periods is what keeps drawing me back to try and find a few victories. A brown trout was spotted rising to emergers tight to a shaded far bank during a period of very modest and mixed hatch; in situations like this I try to delicately paint a light line on the water, with a long fine leader from far away. The trout on May 9th, 2008 didn't care about any of that - he declared victory by refusing to engage with any of my attempts at deception, thus ensuring I'll be back."

Photo contribution and words by Alistair Stewart

Friday, May 23, 2008

The Complete Angler - Chapter 4



James Prosek (artist/writer), Fritz Mitchell (producer/editor) and Peter Franchella (cinematographer) produced a Peabody Award winning film documenting Prosek’s travels in the footsteps of the 17th century English writer, Izaak Walton.

Way Upstream now brings you Part 4 of the mini-series - The Complete Angler. In this chapter James visits the "fishing temple" on the River Dove, which Charles Cotton (considered the father of modern fly-fishing) built in honor of his friend Izaak Walton.

Way Upstream Productions Copyright 2008

Friday, May 16, 2008

Sales Meetings

El Pescador departs today for the S9 North American Sales Meeting. It's time to present Patagonia fly fishing. For the past few days I've been coordinating photo shoots with Rene Braun and Topher Browne while packing up the stuff I'll need for diplay and presentation. Stay tuned for a post sales meeting update.

Photo by Brian Bennett

Monday, May 12, 2008

Self Portrait with Trout

By Steve Stracqualursi Original photo by Mikey Wier
Way Upstream Productions Copyright 2008

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

The Complete Angler - Chapter 3



James Prosek (artist/writer), Fritz Mitchell (producer/editor) and Peter Franchella (cinematographer) produced a Peabody Award winning film documenting Prosek’s travels in the footsteps of the 17th century English writer, Izaak Walton.

Way Upstream now brings you Part 3 of the mini-series - The Complete Angler. In this chapter James fishes a tributary of the Thames in London that Walton fished three hundred and fifty years before, the River Lea. Walton was forced out of London during the English Civil War and returned to the pastoral beauty of his homeland in Derbyshire and the beautiful River Dove in the Peak District.

Way Upstream Productions Copyright 2008

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Wading into position

High water. Slick bedrock. Cobble like greased bowling balls. Riverwalker Wading Boots built their reputation in the most demanding wading conditions. They feature great flexibility, fast dry times and are lighter weight than most of what's out there in the water. Notched flex zones allow for more natural foot movement and a polypropylene insole/shank offers stability. But don’t let the comfort fool you—these are tough boots for serious wading. Details: molded EVA midsole, synthetic leather and polyester, 100% recycled, high filtration mesh uppers and protected lacing. Riverwalker Boots come in three sole choices: resoleable felt; tungsten-carbide studded; and sticky rubber. Engineered to accommodate neoprene stocking-foot waders. Felt • 1,108 g (39.1 oz) pair, Felt/Studded • 1,213 g (42.8 oz) pair, Sticky Rubber • 1,037 g (36.6 oz) pair

Fabric
Strong, lightweight, 100% recycled, high-filtration polyester mesh, synthetic leather upper, with nylon/spandex neoprene in tongue and polypropylene insole board. Full-length molded EVA Rockstopper midsole

Features
  • Wide last is engineered to accommodate a neoprene foot wader without constriction
  • Tough, durable, quick-drying materials and construction
  • Padded ankle support
  • Sculpted flex zones for improved flexibility
  • Compression molded EVA midsole and polypropylene insole/shank combination provide excellent torsional rigidity, support, protection from stone bruising; creates a stable platform without sacrificing flexibility
  • High-filtration mesh keeps out more sand and silt and drains quickly
  • Protected lacing loops with two speed lace hooks at the top
  • Padded insole for comfort and arch support
  • Stout, reinforced toebox and heel counter
  • Molded rubber toe bumper provides abrasion resistance
  • Sole designed to hold fin straps for float tubers and kickboaters
Outsoles:

Felt: Long-wearing, polyester wool felt sole is bonded to a rubber carrier and stitched on for added insurance

Felt/Studded: Felt soles studded with tungsten-carbide tips embedded in a dual rubber layer to prevent wobble. The felt is also stitched on for added insurance

Sticky Rubber: Star-patterned sticky rubber sole provides excellent multi-directional traction and no grit, mud, debris or snow pick up. This outsole can also be customized into a "studded" bottom with several after market solutions.

All outsoles can be resoled

Color
Marsh Green synthetic leather with Sage Khaki mesh

"Lunch" photo by Brian Bennett
"Turned tail" photo by John Frankot