Way Upstream

The Complete Angler - Chapter 6

2008-07-01T03:00:00.001-05:00

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 6 of the mini-series - The Complete Angler. In this segment James visits Victoria Wakefield who helped him secure fishing on the renowned chalk streams, the Test and Itchen in Hampshire. She introduces him to Roger Harrison, who owns a beautiful stretch of water on the Itchen with lots of wild trout. There, James encounters a milkmaiden.

Way Upstream Productions Copyright 2008

Marlwalker®

2008-06-28T07:59:00.030-05:00

I received some product feedback that I wanted to share with the Way Upstream community. The following letter and photos are from guide and casting instructor Joel Hays:

Hi Steve -

My name is Joel Hays and I'm a guide in North Texas. I specialize in fly fishing freshwater flats for carp at Lake Ray Roberts north of Dallas/Ft. Worth. An amazing fishery, 4-8 lb. fish that love flies, TAILING in inches of clear water - an absolute blast! Anyway, I received your contact info from the guys at the Tailwaters fly shop in Dallas. I took them fishing last weekend and they said "Dude, you've got to send Patagonia a picture of your Marlwalkers!" Well, attached is a photo of my beloved boots. This is my third pair of Marlwalkers and nothing stands up better to the abuse I give footwear. Hard packed coral flats have nothing against the bottom of this lake in terms of shoe torture - broken glass, old house foundations, barbed wire, abandoned well equipment, etc. The discoloration is from iron oxide leached out of the sandstone that surrounds half the lake. Thanks for a great product - these boots have lasted three years in a VERY harsh environment. Contact me when you're in Dallas and I'll show you to some amazing fishing!

Joel Hays - www.dfwflyfishing.com

Note that Joel's Marlwalkers are the originals which were introduced in 1999. The Marlwalker® of today has evolved some but is still the same superb flats/surf fishing shoe. It's been combat tested on the razor-sharp coral pancakes of Christmas Island, this third version of our classic flats shoe is better than ever. Lighter, more flexible and faster drying, the latest Marlwalker retains the stiff midsole flex pattern and killer durability that’s made it the favorite of flats guides everywhere. Boot-style protection and support reduce fatigue and maximize stability.

Photos courtesy of Joel Hays

RMPFF

2008-06-26T14:30:00.012-05:00

Matt O'Connor is the new Patagonia Sales Rep managing accounts in Colorado, New Mexico, and southeast Wyoming. One of his first on-the-job actions was to dive into the meandering currents of the blogosphere with an online creation he's dubbed - Rocky Mountain Patagonia Fly Fishing. His reason, "I wanted to create a resource for anglers, retailers and industry partners." His site plans to feature updates and reviews of Patagonia products, his travel calendar, industry news, events, retail success stories, tales from the river and fishing reports. Give a Way Upstream welcome to Matty and drop by RMPFF.Photos courtesy of Matt O'Connor

Insulator Jacket

2008-06-20T03:00:00.019-05:00

Crisp, autumn mornings on the Yellowstone, foggy late spring Vineyard rips, the first hard frost at Illiamna—these kinds of scenarios are the motivation for creating the Insulator Jacket. This windproof, water-resistant soft shell dramatically increases on-the-water comfort whenever the hard shell is overkill. It's also perfect, friction-free insulation under the hard shell for inclement conditions. The sleek-yet-cozy fabric (stretch-woven polyester outer layer bonded to Polartec® fleece) combined with features like angled, water-resistant zippers on large front cargo pockets, protected zinger attachment points and streamlined, snag-free cuffs ensure you’ll fish more comfortably and efficiently. Added bonus: the signature trout logo on the collar back. Brushed-fleece lined zippered hand pockets and collar; Houdini® drawcord at hem; inner stash pocket. The Insulator Jacket will be available for Fall 2008.

Overview
The Insulator Jacket provides all the advantages of a soft shell—max breathability, comfort and warmth—in a windproof, water-resistant package that loves to fish.

Fabric
Shell: 9.8-oz, 100% stretch-woven polyester laminate (Polartec® Power Shield®) and 8.8-oz dobby weave of 47% nylon, 45%polyester, 8% spandex with 4-way stretch plus a durable water repellent finish. Collar: 4.3-oz polyester fleece (50% recycled)

Features
* Large front cargo pockets with water-resistant, angled vertical zips
* Protected zinger/tool attachment bar
* Houdini® drawcord at hem
* Zippered, brushed-fleece lined handwarmer pockets
* Brushed-fleece lined collar
* Snagfree, streamlined cuffs
* Internal zippered chest pocket
* Modified Y-Joint™ shoulders and articulated elbows
* Distinctive fish (trout) logo on collar

Sizes
S, M, L, XL, XXL

Color
Black
Photos courtesy of Chris LaScola and Dylan Tomine

Find what moves you

2008-06-18T03:00:00.006-05:00

Return to the Outdoors is a Web site recently launched by The Conservation Alliance and Timex, a Conservation Alliance member company. Their goal - inspire people to get out, enjoy and protect wild places. The Web site features videos about people who identify with special places, and how those places inspire them to be involved in conservation. Check out this fly fishing related video of Yvon Chouinard in Argentina. Visit The Cleanest Line for a more detailed post about this subject. Find what moves you.

Photo by Henry Barber

The Complete Angler - Chapter 5

2008-06-15T06:07:00.002-05:00

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 5 of the mini-series - The Complete Angler. In this chapter James fishes with Sir John Swire, an upper-class Englishman who talks about his love of fishing and of Izaak Walton's ideals and life philosophy.

Way Upstream Productions Copyright 2008

River Portrait

2008-06-12T15:17:00.012-05:00

I created this image from a photo that I took of friend and Way Upstream contributer, Rene Braun. I call it River Portrait. Check out this 90 second Kennebec Brown video showing Rene and Guide Sean McCormick putting a nice brown trout in the net.

Way Upstream Productions 2008

Mandatory pilgrimage

2008-06-08T05:29:00.029-05:00

On May 30^th I packed my bags and headed across the North Atlantic. 18 hours and a few plane changes later I was in Oslo, Norway where I met up with resident friends Jeff Leopold and Ole Wilmann. The first objective was to get to a small cabin along the Stordal River and usher in Atlantic salmon season. In order to accomplish that it would still require a 6 hour drive from Oslo over the Norwegian high country, a ferry ride to the Fosen peninsula and then more driving, but the possibility of catching the regal chrome fish transformed the lengthy trek into a mandatory pilgrimage. At our destination cabin we met up with Egil Wilmann who was waiting for us with steaming hearty sodd, aquavit and cool beers. For the next couple of days we two handed flies through the beautiful pools of this river.

Now those of you who chase this fish know that there are no guarantees when it comes to catching Atlantic salmon and in this trip’s case, relatively warm conditions combined with low water stacked the deck in favor of the fish. We had tide and water temperature as our trump cards. It’s a hard game no matter what, especially when you only have a few days. Skill and luck are always tested and big winners are few. I always set my expectations on this mantra, “It only takes one”.

We did manage to coax fresh silver blue torpedoes to take our Leopold tied Jock Scott variations (Ole’s favorite fly for this river). A few small sea trout (pictured above) found themselves deceived as well. During our long and mostly sleepless sessions we tested new waders and features, a variety of packs, a new soft shell shirt and a host of current styles including R2 Jackets, Insulator Pants, Riverwalker Boots, the Guidewater Jacket and more. It was also a chance to see some new product line coloration in this environment. Great session, great place and really great people….but it was time for part II of my trip.

The later half of this excursion was the fixed point and the real purpose behind my travel. It was time to head to Annecy, France for the Patagonia Spring 2009 EU Sales Meeting. I was a bit nervous but was looking forward to it since getting the nod to attend. I would get a chance to present the Patagonia Fishing category to our hard core representatives from a wide variety of countries in their neck of the woods. It would also be a chance to hang with my team members on an “away game” level. Needless to say it was awesome. The presentations, company, food, accommodations, organization and activities (which included Dragon boating and Sumo wrestling) were all commendable. I’m looking forward to next time already as a mandatory pilgrimage.

Photos by El Pescador

Victories

2008-05-28T13:54:00.005-05:00

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

The Complete Angler - Chapter 4

2008-05-23T13:36:00.008-05:00

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

Sales Meetings

2008-05-16T10:05:00.008-05:00

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

Self Portrait with Trout

2008-05-12T15:30:00.008-05:00

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

The Complete Angler - Chapter 3

2008-05-06T07:08:00.005-05:00

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

Wading into position

2008-05-03T13:33:00.022-05:00

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

Before the runoff

2008-04-30T13:28:00.024-05:00

I just returned from a trip to Big Timber, MT. The goals were to get some product testing (both Patagonia and competitor gear) in before the runoff and to work on some new design projects with a designer in Bozeman (more on that later). I couldn't have asked for better conditions. It was nice one minute and a full on snow accumulating blizzard the next (the two inset photos were taken 20 minutes apart). I should clarify that by "nice" I mean that the sun was partially out and the wind wasn't gusting too bad. The temps never really climbed above the mid 40's and it was high 30's on average. Mornings were below freezing and guides did ice up on occasion. Wool grid neoprene (wader booties and gloves), new wader designs, new jackets, new outsole ideas and a host of current gear all were put through the paces.....and the fishing was good too. My companions for the trip were new friends John Frankot and Alistair Stewart. We holed up at the Grand Hotel in Big Timber. We contracted the help of guide Lee Kinsey for a couple of days. He's a wealth of information having grown up in the area. I highly recommend a pre-runoff trip if any of you in the Way Upstream community have the desire. It's good for the soul. Don't forget your warm gear and a range of flies. Size 20 dry bugs and small emergers were just as important as stonefly nymphs and big stuff for exploring the carved out depths.
Photos by El Pescador
"Car Pool" photo by Alistair Stewart

The Complete Angler - Chapter 2

2008-04-21T10:41:00.006-05:00

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 2 of the mini-series - The Complete Angler. In this chapter James goes to Ireland to experience what may be the earliest form of fly-fishing, dapping live mayflies impaled on fine-wire hooks for brown trout on the lakes of the Connemara region. He visits with a boy who collects and sells live mayflies to the fishermen, and salmon fishes along the Eriff River.

Way Upstream Productions Copyright 2008

Time to flourish again

2008-04-18T14:42:00.007-05:00

By Winter's end, there’s a part of you that can feel like you were plucked from your dinner table and yanked by the mouth into a long struggle with some otherworldly being that grabs you with a big hand and holds you in the air, exposing you to bright lights beyond any you have ever witnessed. But then Spring comes in with its warmth and heals that part of you in an instant. The hand releases you back to your dinner table. A price was paid. Time to flourish again.

Words and photo by El Pescador

Grand River Special

2008-04-16T08:43:00.014-05:00

Here's another Jerry Darkes "crossover" fly pattern to share with you. He calls it the Grand River Special. As Jerry puts it, "this is really a glorified Zonker". This fly's color scheme is geared to be productive in the tannic colored water which often happens during Fall rains when the leaves are falling or in cloudy water from Spring runoff. Jerry chases steelhead with this fly but it can also deceive other species like the atlantic salmon pictured above that Jimmy Balogh (Hydrus Expeditions) caught in Canada this past November.

Here's the recipe for the Grand River Special

Hook: Daiichi 2461, #2.
Body: Boa Yarn, also called Eyelash Yarn (you'll probably have to go to a craft store to find it). Use a section where the color transitions. The version pictured goes from yellow to orange.
Wing: Barred sand variant Zonker strip, with some gold Crystal Flash mixed in
Hackle: Gold barred variant schlappen
Head: Smallest gold cone
Atlantic salmon photo courtesy of Jimmy Balogh
Fly photo and contribution by Jerry Darkes

Insect Vision

2008-04-15T09:05:00.009-05:00

Here's another image from a growing Tim Borski/El Pescador collection. This is a Warholized shot of Tim's son inspecting and being inspected by a large praying mantis.

Original photo by Tim Borski Image by El Pescador

Riverwalker Vest

2008-04-13T12:55:00.026-05:00

Course was set before Spring 2008 to create a 21st Century version of our classic mesh vest, which we introduced way back in ‘87. The result is the Riverwalker Vest (M's & W's). This vest incorporates pack-like storage pockets with detailed vest construction (just try counting all the bar tacks). Convenient, easy-to-use curved and straight coil zippers with two molded pockets offer easy access and a clean, fly-line friendly exterior. The Riverwalker Vest is a lightweight (M's 17.5oz and W's 17oz) and highly functional piece of fishing equipment. Mesh (our signature version) and stretch nylon construction; specifically designed storage for fly boxes, tippet, tools, etc.; integrated attachment points; removable fly patch and built in rod holder are all contained in it's framework. This vest has two center clip adjustments for a more form fit when desired. There are two vertical zippers on either side of the back allowing access without having to take the vest off. There is also a single horizontal pocket on the back intentionally placed high for additional boxes, spare spools, food or whatever. The collar is padded and covered in a wicking and odor resistant looped poly fabric and the shoulder pattern helps support the load. There's also a burly webbing loop placed on the back below the collar for carrying and hanging this vest when loaded. The W's version is designed to have a feminine fit. With all the attention that the Guidewater Vest has received I though it might be a good idea to shed light on it's product line companion. Both M's and W's Riverwalker Vest come in Forge Grey.
Detail photos by Rene Braun
Photo of Chris Owens with taimen courtesy of AEG

The Complete Angler - Chapter 1

2008-04-08T14:32:00.022-05:00

Several years ago, James Prosek (artist/writer), Fritz Mitchell (producer/editor) and Peter Franchella (cinematographer) produced a film documenting Prosek’s travels in the footsteps of the 17th century English writer, Izaak Walton—“research” for his senior thesis at Yale. The film focuses on Walton’s book, The Compleat Angler, a book that many have heard of but few have read. Through Ireland and England, Prosek fishes the same rivers and streams that Walton had. He discovers the art of “dapping,” a method of fly-fishing still practiced now, as it was 350 years ago in Walton’s day. He fishes streams flowing under and around London—spring-fed tributaries of the Thames once central to water meadows, but now surrounded by parking lots and high-rise apartment buildings. And he makes his way into the world of private river-ways, fished by the upper-class who own the land through which the rivers flow. He fishes with English gentry, guides and boatmen, discovering a common bond among anglers that erases social barriers.

Izaak Walton was a simple tailor whose genial nature won him the company of kings. Walton was a proto-conservationist who advocated for the pastoral simplicity that the countryside offered. He wrote the Compleat Angler in the mid-1600s during the English Civil War when different Christian denominations were vying for power in London. Through the course of the book, Walton instructs his fishing companion not only in the technical aspects of hooking, cleaning and preparing trout, chub, pike and eels, but in finding spiritual sustenance in the forest, meadow, and on the stream.

Way Upstream now brings you the video mini-series of the original, Peabody Award winning film - The Complete Angler. The mini series will be composed of the seven individual segments that make up the film. Here’s chapter one, where you'll see James leaving Connecticut for Ireland and England, catching a few trout in his home streams and musing about his youth, fishing, and some Waltonian ideals. He visits the library at Yale and examines a first edition of Walton’s Compleat Angler from 1653. Then he sits for a reading of W. B. Yeat’s poem, The Song of Wandering Aengus, by Harold Bloom.

Paintings by James Prosek

The hole story

2008-04-04T08:31:00.004-05:00

All of us who wear waders have heard of an old saying which goes something like this “Every pair of waders either leaks or is waiting to leak.” Why is this a commonly held belief? It may be because of the fact that we ask waders to allow us to trudge unscathed through brush and thicket containing Mother Nature’s myriad of thorny and pointed creations. Maybe it has something to do with the fact we kneel down on rocky banks and in stream beds with them or sit on whatever we feel like sitting on while wearing them. It may also have something to do with what I call Vampire flies which like to feed on blood. These flies seek to embed themselves into flesh but sometimes (if you’re lucky) they only find your hat, wader or jacket. Barbed wire is a cousin of the Vampire fly and has been known to draw blood but prefers to just tear into stuff. Lastly, this leaky belief could also be connected to how we treat our waders which often means “riding them hard and putting them away wet.” Whatever the reason, leaks do happen even to the best of waders. The good news is that they are often easily repaired (all Patagonia waders come with a repair kit). Patagonia’s Creative and Quality teams have put together a little instruction guide for wader repair that just may prove useful to you someday. Brian Bennett (Fly Fishing Sales Manager) has taken this guide and turned it into a modern day “e-zine” making it accessible and easy to research because rarely do anglers keep all the little pieces of paper and tags that come with new waders. Check it out and may your waders always keep you dry.

Thorn photo by Brian Bennett
Vampire fly photo courtesy of Justin Crump

Let em flow

2008-04-02T08:44:00.017-05:00

I spend a fair amount of time in Southern California and have always heard talk of how steelhead once thrived in the ocean flowing coastal rivers of SoCal. The talk is pretty similar to the atlantic salmon stories I've heard in New England. Unfortunately we all no that dams, development, farming practices, poor planning and habitat loss have caused once plentiful species to dwindle or die out. So when Malinda Chouinard forwarded an email from Matt Stoecker I thought it was worth sharing. Here was proof once again of the tenacity of Mother Nature in the face of a formidable opponent - us. Let the following message and pictures serve as a reminder that there is always hope and that we must be part of the solution to environmental crisis.

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them"
- Albert Einstein

Original email from Matt Stoecker (Stoecker Ecological)
March 31, 2008

Hello all,
I wanted to share an amazing experience I had a couple days ago with you. On a small creek near Santa Barbara I had the rare opportunity to spend some time swimming with and documenting the seldom seen southern steelhead. Attached are some of the photos taken. The two adults back from their adventures at sea are in the 26-30 inch range and the small "juvenile" steelhead are possibly ready to head downstream to start their ocean odyssey.

Unfortunately these fish were prevented from being able to migrate upstream to adequate spawning habitat due to a large road crossing barrier that prevents passage. Fortunately, if all goes as planned this barrier will be removed this summer after seven years of studies, designs, permits, landowner agreements, and fundraising from many individuals.

Right now, all over California's watersheds there are thousands of steelhead and salmon stuck below migration barriers us humans have built, many of which are obsolete, poorly planned, and safety hazards in need of replacement or removal so these amazing fish can swim home and our rivers can run free.

Let em flow,
Matt

Photos by Matt Stoecker

Coming Soon

2008-04-01T00:01:00.006-05:00

Photo by Tim Borski Movie poster by El Pescador

Trout Season

2008-03-28T09:25:00.008-05:00

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.

Illustration by El Pescador