Before the runoff

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

Setting the standard

Way Upstream community around the world, a challenging project is now at the forefront. The project is to redesign and possibly redefine an icon. This icon is the SST Jacket (SST stands for salmon, steelhead and trout). This jacket was born in 1989 and has been often copied but never duplicated (top left). Since it's introduction, the SST has continually set the standard for on-the-water weather protection. Today’s version features 3-layer stretch nylon fabric with H2No® waterproof/breathable barrier (bottom right). So what’s driving the change idea? Spring 2008 jacket development (new Guidewater Jacket and redesigned Deep Wading Jacket) is causing closer inspection of this SST reinvention concept for S9. I have some ideas about where I’d like the design to go and I’m sure YC has his ideas too but where do you think it should go? Think about the SST and tell me what you like, wish for, want to improve? Consider color, pocketing, cuffs, hood, salt/freshwater and so on. Tell me stories of your SST. Who knows, maybe you think it’s fine as is, but either way, let me know your thoughts.

Travis Rummel keeps a firm grip on his coffee and spey rod while cruising in his Stretch SST. Photo by Ben Knight

Running down the men

Many of you have probably seen the films The Hatch or Running Down the Man by Felt Soul Media. These two films along with a handful of recent others created by a new school tribe of fly fisherman/creators/activists have captured the global market’s attention. Follow the efforts of Ben Knight, Travis Rummel and the crew of Felt Soul Media as they shoot their current film project on the proposed Pebble Mine told through the voices of commercial, subsistence and sport fishermen of Bristol Bay, Alaska. Check out The Wire for details and more.

Stretch SST Jacket, Watermaster II Wader and Riverwalker Boot clad Travis and Ryan Peterson of The Fly Shop hit a late night skunk-fest on the mighty Naknek. Photo by Ben Knight

First line of defense

This shot of Jeff Liskay (Patagonia fly fishing ambassador) struck me as a very clear illustration of the function of a garment’s DWR. Click on the picture to see what I mean. What is a DWR? A DWR is a “finish” that keeps the outer fabric from becoming saturated so that the breathable “barrier” can do its job. DWR finishes are the first line of defense in preventing water entry. Patagonia waders, jackets, vests and packs all have DWR finishes. In most cases it’s a proprietary technology called Deluge DWR, which lasts longer than standard DWRs. Garments with the Deluge DWR finish can have good repellency even after years of use. Eventually DWRs wear thin and aftermarket applications are the remedy. Oh and by the way, the picture also struck me as a nice shot of Jeff and his catch. Stay dry everyone. Let me know if you want to have a DWR (durable water repellent) conversation.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Liskay, Silver Fury Guide Service