Sand Quill

The sand eel imitation that I posted last week has evolved. Click on the picture and mouse over the note boxes for details. I call this fly the Sand Quill.

Sol Duc Steel

Every limited edition print you buy at Savlen Studios before December '07 will get you entered to win this large painting titled "Sol Duc Steel". It is an 18" x 36" original on professional gallery wrap canvas. This piece was the featured art of the month (July) on MidCurrent. In addition to the original painting give-away, Mike Savlen will donate 5% of all Limited Edition Print proceeds to the new Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association. The deadline for your chance to win is November 30, 2007. This is a great opportunity to pick up beautiful prints and provide PNC/CCA funding. The limited edition print prices are excellent ($25 signed/numbered).

Norway's Oslo Fjord Sea Bass

The sea bass has only been identified in the Oslo Fjord for the last 10 years. With warmer water conditions in recent years this hard fighting fish has become popular for the fly fisherman in Norway. The Norwegian Sea Bass are between 2 and 6lbs and need be pursued early mornings in the summer. Runar Kabbe (Patagonia ambassador) has been the major contributor in opening up the knowledge and developing the techniques to take these fish with the fly. Runar’s DVD will be coming out this December. Check out this six and a half minute gem.

Contribution by Runar Kabbe and Jeff Leopold

Sand Eel Pattern

Ever since I posted A use for the pitt and the stem I've been pondering the quill as a fly tying material. I was fishing for stripers recently and the water was loaded with sand eels. I have several sand eel patterns that I like but on my way home after one session I saw these large seagull wing feathers lying in the sand and the vision of this pattern came to me. I'll be testing it out soon. Stay tuned. Click on the picture and mouse over the boxes for more detail.

Concentration

There is this power that allows an individual to harness all senses into one. The entire body then sees. Even the invisible is not free from sight once an angler has employed this power. Motions. Subtle corrections. Detections. What is this power and how long does it last before doubt or satisfaction can erode it?
Corbina hunters Casey Sheahan (Sunshade Shirt) and Dylan Tomine gazing in concentration. Photo by Joe Daniel.

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

"WAHOO"

Tim Borski, artist and fly designer, has been exploring some bold red and black compositions. They are filled with intensity. Check out what Tim has done with his subject matter by combining those two colors. Visit Tim Borski's website to see fish, birds, butterflies and more.

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

Tip Tip

Here’s a very simple tip for the tip of your tippet.
Always remember that it’s important how you snip it.
Angle your clippers when clipping your tippet
to have the best chance of threading the eye once you've nipped it.

Dream globally, fish locally

For many the word "adventure" as it relates to fly fishing conjures up visions of remote places and exotic species. In truth, most of us will never get on many far off adventures, but is it truly necessary to travel far and wide to experience them? Here’s a 7-minute video trailer that underscores another truth - that adventure is often right under our nose in our own backyard. Check out Fishdog Films Production of The Great Lakes Steelhead Chronicles featuring Jerry Darkes (Patagonia Fly Fishing Sales Rep) and friends. Dream globally, fish locally.

Mother Board

I've been creating images inspired by the Inside the Box post. Artistically, I like the compositions that the boxes and flies lend themselves too. This piece in particular struck me as interesting and worth an audience view. It's a small aluminum fly box containing a series of nymphs. The image looked like circuitry to me. The circuitry metaphor seemed to resonate as it related to fly fishing. Something just seemed right. The title of this image is Mother Board. Way Upstream, Copyright 2007

Information Source on the Web

It's hard to believe that it's been 20 years since Patagonia released it's first fishing vest. This past Thursday a new component to the Patagonia Web site was launched. The fly fishing category pages have been revamped (www.patagonia.com/flyfishing) so that systems, products, stories, links and more are easier to find and research. The now-famous "Running Down the Man" video about surf fishing for roosterfish in Baja is hosted on the fly fishing landing page (watch this if you haven't already; it's a slicker version of what premiered at last year's Fly Fishing Retailer show). Check out the site and let me know what you think.

Tools of the trade

Fly fishing vests, packs, jackets and waders all have been made to accommodate retractors in some form or another. In some cases retractors are being built right into the gear. Retractors are not fly fishing specific. Ski areas issue season passes on retractors. These same retractors are standard in hospitals for doctors and nurses so they can have their security passes ready at all times. I personally haven't developed a "can't do without" need for them as it relates to fly fishing yet but man they seem popular (I have my clippers and hook sharpener attached to basic fly line lanyards). Fly fishing product design seems to demand retractor attachment capability. Do you agree? If so, what kind of retractor do you use (pin back, post, clip, etc.)? If not, why? Regardless of your retractor opinions, what tools are mandatory and how do you attach/store your tools of the trade?

Merging Streams

Here's a Way Upstream press release from our technical department:

"After intensive R&D, we've found a way to merge our blog stream, our comments stream and our photo stream into one. All subscribers will now be able to follow along with new blog posts as well as with comments and select Flickr photos featured on the right hand side of the blog - in other words, the whole Way Upstream experience!! RSS and email subscribers may notice a few hiccups as we work out the bugs but we believe this will be an upgrade for everyone."

Test this latest upgrade and let us know what you think about merging streams!

When it's time to go fishing

Why does even the thought of fishing produce such a powerful response in an angler? Fishing seems to make the synapses of the mind, body and soul fire on high. The mind's eye takes over as the primary source of vision. Is it because of ancient DNA or the cellular designs in our bodies that link back to our hunter/gatherer past? Is it because of the connection to adventure and our natural desire to seek? Is it the connection to all that is around us, the diversity we call "nature"? I'm not sure. I think we just instinctively know when it's time to go fishing.
Photo courtesy of Pedro Lopez-Baldrich

Watermaster II Wader demo

I read a lot of comments on the wader posts about zippers. I also heard from some readers that they were a little unclear on the roll down feature of the Watermaster II wader. Here's a one minute video that demonstrates how the feature works (turn volume up). The demo does not show that you can relieve yourself without removing layers or a jacket but I think you can see that it is possible for men...for women it's tricky but I've heard tell that it's possible. Keep the wader conversation going. I'm still listening. Phone camera work by Rene Braun.
Way Upstream Productions, Copyright 2007

Inside the box

I was recently in a discussion with some well traveled fly fisherman and the topic of fly boxes came up. The group consensus seemed to suggest that the perfect box does not exist. Many felt that waterproofness was key and that strides have been made in this area but most felt that waterproof boxes were still too heavy. Weight was a big factor with this crowd. Lightweight boxes do exist but some felt that durability was often their weakness. Someone mentioned the new boxes that actually dry the flies with silica crystals. Others talked about preferring ripple foam for lining; others liked slits while some were most concerned about the structural materials and design. This made me wonder what you think. What do you use, like, hate or wish for in fly storage? If you are a retailer or manufacturer tell me what you sell. Think inside the box.

Fly selection

Here's a dry fly pattern to consider next time you are out chasing Orca.