DrakeMag

Feds Clog Million's Pipe Dream

geoff@drakemag.com (Geoff Mueller) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:43:44 GMT

Conservationists are applauding the recent quashing of the Million/Flaming Gorge Pipeline project—developer Aaron Million's mega-bucks pitch to suck water from Utah's Flaming Gorge Reservoir to Colorado's thirsty Front Range. Feds nixed the proposal yesterday.

Royal Treatment Fly Fishing

test@test394908304.com (Sarah Lonigro) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:12:52 GMT

West Linn, Oregon

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Royal Treatment Fly Fishing in West Linn, OR. Upon walking in the door I was greeted by owner, Joel La Follette, who waved me in, put his hand on my shoulder, and said, “Hi Sarah, make yourself comfortable at the fly table, Rob [Crandall] is tying winter steelhead flies. Also, you must have some cake!”

Now this is my kind of fly shop!

Guides Doing Things

geoff@drakemag.com (Geoff Mueller) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:43:27 GMT

There are clearly some discrepancies out there between dreaming of the life and actually living the so-called dream. The dirtbaggish Spey-huggers over at metalheads squash the stereotypes. Some of this may surprise you; some of it will not.

Puerto Rico Uncovered

barbour_andrew@hotmail.com (Andrew Barbour) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:32:11 GMT

Knee deep in PIT tags and swamp poons

Sometimes the best fishing is in uncomfortable settings. Our prey often seeks refuge in difficult to reach areas, areas fishermen eagerly expend high energy to access due to the potential for high returns. This is the sort of location I found myself in during a recent research trip to Puerto Rico: an overgrown, mosquito-infested mangrove swamp teeming with juvenile tarpon. After an overnight flight and a 4am car ride through the mountains, I spent the morning wading in knee-to-thigh deep mud. Four hours and forty jumped tarpon later, I knew this would be a fruitful collaboration.

EPA Pans Water Diversion Plan

geoff@drakemag.com (Geoff Mueller) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:43:27 GMT

DENVER—Federal authorities raised several red flags in their analysis of a $270 million project designed to pull an additional 21,296 acre-feet of water annually from the Colorado River. Citing bad math and a downplaying of critical adverse impacts, the EPA said the project to divert more western Colorado water to feed expanding Front Range suburbs risks causing "significant degradation" of already deteriorating ecosystems along the upper Colorado.

Win for Wild Steel

geoff@drakemag.com (Geoff Mueller) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:18:00 GMT

OLYMPIC PENINSULA—Washington's Sol Duc River is set to undergo a game-changing sustainability plan, becoming the first Wild Salmonid Management Zone for steelhead as designated by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The zone covers the entire river, spanning 227 square miles—one the most productive systems for wild steelhead in the state.

Carp Pose Flight Risk

geoff@drakemag.com (Geoff Mueller) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:00:48 GMT

Big news from the New York Times this week: Carp are officially gaining as a "fly-fishing favorite." According to an article by carp promoter Chris Santella, this so-called trash fish is providing treasured opportunities because carp "are a species you can sight cast to with a fly rod without traveling to the Caribbean."

Suit Filed To Block Elwha Hatchery Programs

info@7weight.com (Tom Bie) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:24:01 GMT

Citing warnings from agency and independent scientists, four conservation groups filed suit today against several federal agencies and officials of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (in their official capacities) for violating the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and ignoring the best available science and threatening the recovery of killer whales, Chinook salmon, and native steelhead by funding and operating fish hatchery programs in the Elwha River. The groups agree with federal and state scientists and a recent review by the Hatchery Scientific Review Group (HSRG) that restoration of the lower Elwha River and recolonization of the pristine upper Elwha River above Elwha and Glines Canyon dams should prioritize recovery of wild fish. The proposed reliance on large-scale hatchery releases undermines ecosystem recovery and violates the ESA. Wild Fish Conservancy, The Conservation Angler, the Federation of Fly Fishers Steelhead Committee, and the Wild Steelhead Coalition have brought the suit against the Olympic National Park, NOAA Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and representatives of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

"Gasland" Creator Cuffed at Public Hearing

geoff@drakemag.com (Geoff Mueller) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:20:01 GMT

WASHINGTON—Documentary filmmaker Josh Fox was cuffed by Capitol Hill police after Republicans objected to his presence at yesterday's meeting of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.

Plan B Detonation

geoff@drakemag.com (Geoff Mueller) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:06:05 GMT

Our friends over at Faceless Fly Fishing continue to kick out the jams. Check out their latest Plan B edit for further proof. Western Canada represent.