Flyfishmagazine

And The Latest Fly Fishing Industry Rumor is....

2009-12-02T16:33:00.006-05:00

Industry insiders have reported that Outside Media PR Guru, Hilary Hutcheson (who provided coverage of this year's Fly Fishing Retailer show for our readers) is heading to Patagonia next week . We asked her to pick up one of those righteous SST wading Jackets for us, only to find out at the last minute that she is not going to the famous apparel store but rather going to visit geographical area of the world famous for trout fishing and known by the same name.

Since we didn't get our jacket we have told her that she could make it up to us by providing regular updates about her fishing adventures. Be sure to watch for them here next week and also on her blog aptly named "Holler." You can also follow her exploits via twitter @OutsideHilary.

The Other Side of the Story

2009-12-01T22:16:00.005-05:00

Earlier we posted about AFFTA announcing plans to announce plans for a new non-nielsen manged fly fishing retailer show and discussing the fact that part of the reason was due to not getting enough booth space at Outdoor Retailer for a successful combination. Now Kenji Haroutunian, group show director for the FlyFishing Retailer and Outdoor Retailer shows sends out an open letter around the same time that gives more background and breaks the news that the show will go on, as a part of Outdoor retailer.

Letter to the Industry,

First I want to thank you, the fly fishing industry for your support and participation with the FlyFishing Retailer World Trade Expo. During the past 11 years, this show has attracted almost every major stakeholder in the fly fishing industry from all 50 states and more than 50 countries worldwide. Even in this challenging global economy, the positive energy that emanated from the show floor in 2009 is proof that even as the fly fishing business landscape shifts, the brands, shops and advocates of fly fishing see a good future when prosperity returns to the economy and the market.

Marketplace Evolves to include 'Outdoor Lifestyle

'Research indicates that active participants in specialty outdoor activities, and fly fishing in particular, crossover to several outdoor 'lifestyle' experiences. As consumers change how they play in the outdoors, businesses are changing their distribution and inventory strategies to both keep pace and stay ahead of this changing consumer behavior. As a result, FlyFishing Retailer is also changing.

Fly Fishing Industry and Outdoor Retailer to Join Forces in 2010

From our 30 years of experience producing scores of specialty-sports tradeshows including 11 years producing FlyFishing Retailer, it is clear that the fly fishing marketplace will be better served now and in the future by expanding its reach to include the overall outdoor specialty marketplace. We are convinced that the best opportunity to grow as a market, and build on the core strength inherent in the fly fishing market, is to be connected to a larger collection of relevant businesses at Outdoor Retailer. Therefore, the entire fly fishing industry is invited to join Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Trade Show in 2010 as the FlyFishing Retailer Trade Expo will no longer be held in Denver.

A Winning Opportunity

More than 25 percent of FlyFishing Retailer companies already exhibit at Outdoor Retailer, and those that haven't are now invited to participate in the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2010 Trade Show. For more than 27 years Outdoor Retailer has provided a specialty wholesale watersports culture that thrives on a national and international level. At OR, consistently more than 20,000 professional participants advance the sales process not only in their own category but across multiple lifestyle segments within the overall specialty outdoor market. Please visit www.outdoorretailer.com now for more information about participating in Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.

Product Testing Outdoors at Outdoor Retailer

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market has a thriving and long tradition of providing a watersports focused product demo day in the environment in which the products are used. More than 1,200 specialty retailers have consistently attended this demo day each year to test canoes, kayaks, paddles, PFD's, waders, rods and reels and other specialty equipment and apparel intended for use in the outdoors. We invite the entire fly fishing industry to join this widely popular retail demo day next summer.

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market takes place August 3-6, 2010 at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, preceded by our Open Air Demo August 2 at the Jordanelle Reservoir, Utah.

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Kenji Haroutunian
Group Show Director
FlyFishing Retailer/Outdoor Retailer

While we believe the success or failure of any gathering of fly fishing types rests squarely on the quality of libations offered to members of the media, ultimately it will be the participants that decide which of these events becomes the flagship for the fly fishing industry. Everyone will no doubt agree that at any rate, things they are a'changing.

Nielsen Releases AFFTA from FFR Show Contract

2009-12-01T13:03:00.003-05:00

Having failed to reach an agreement to combine the Outdoor Retailer and Fly Fishing Retailer shows Nielsen and AFFTA have decided to go their separate ways. Text of the AFFTA press release follows:

AFFTA ALLOWED TO PURSUE FLY FISHING INDUSTRY TRADE SHOW OPTIONS

LOUISVILLE, COLORADO.

Since April, 2009, AFFTA has been in discussions with Nielsen Business Media, owner of the FlyFishing Retailer Expo (FFR) to determine how to improve upon future FFR shows. Nielsen shared AFFTA's desire to improve upon the design and production of future FFR shows.

Thinking outside the box, as the owner of the Outdoor Retailer Show (OR), Nielsen offered to create a "show within a show" by combining FFR with the 2010 Summer OR Show in Salt Lake City. David Loechner, Nielsen Sr. V.P., delivered the "show within a show" proposal to the AFFTA Board at their meeting in September.

According to AFFTA Chairman, Alan Gnann, "When the Outdoor Retailer proposal was first brought to the AFFTA Board's attention, the Board was interested in the opportunities this combination offered. The thought of having our show within a show the size and caliber of OR was initially felt to be a reasonably good fit."

Unfortunately, when the AFFTA Board received the final floor space proposal from Nielsen, the total space allocated to the fly fishing industry was grossly insufficient; the separate space to create the "show within a show" concept was not offered nor was space allocated for indoor casting ponds. In addition, many AFFTA members stated that the timing of the OR Show was not a good fit for the fly fishing industry. Therefore, citing these deficiencies, the AFFTA Board of Directors rejected Nielsen's proposal.

Immediately after the AFFTA Board voted to reject Nielsen's Outdoor Retailer proposal, AFFTA and Nielsen engaged in good-faith negotiations to allow AFFTA the opportunity to acquire the rights and licenses to the FFR show. Unfortunately, these negotiations were unsuccessful and AFFTA asked Nielsen to either produce a 2010 FFR show or terminate the agreement.

According to Gnann, "Nielsen and their predecessors have been great partners and collaborators for many years. Prior to the downturn in the economy, trade shows nationwide were generally profitable and well attended. However, the current economic climate dictates that AFFTA and Nielsen pursue a different business model. Therefore, as of November 30, 2009, Nielsen released AFFTA from its show production contract. It is now time for AFFTA to move on and determine its next course of action."

"Since April, the Board of Directors has been working diligently with Nielsen to consider a wide range of options and combinations for FFR," said AFFTA President Gary Berlin. "Because of confidentiality and non-compete provisions in the Nielsen agreement, the AFFTA Board has been unable to notify the industry of the on-going discussions or issue a press release on the status of the show. Now that AFFTA and Nielsen are no longer contractually obligated, the AFFTA Board is considering multiple options for a 2010 fly fishing industry trade show, including hosting a standalone show or combining with an existing show."

Berlin promises to keep the fly fishing industry up-to-date on AFFTA's plans for a 2010 fly fishing industry trade show.

Update*** Midcurrent has the Nielsen release and they plan on setting up shop on their own.

Hopkins to Portray Hemingway in Film

2009-11-30T22:29:00.004-05:00

Via Fly Fishing Examiner comes word that Sir Anthony Hopkins will be taking on the role of Ernest Hemingway in an upcoming film about the author / fly fisher. Read more on the Examiner.

Reasons we bought a NJ Fishing License

2009-11-30T22:18:00.002-05:00

NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife Photo

A 32 pound 11 oz female lake trout was captured during a recent survey of Round Reservoir by State fisheries biologists:

"Weighing in at 32 lbs.11 oz this female Laker surpasses the current state record caught by Greg Young in 2002 by 3 ounces. No state record accolades will be given in this case however, as this fish was hauled in by Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries biologists during their annual gillnetting surveys, which are used to monitor the lake trout population. The massive lake trout was returned to the reservoir alive and well."

Asian Carp within 8 Miles of the Great Lakes?

2009-11-29T20:18:00.004-05:00

Asian Carp have been detected beyond an electric barrier designed to keep them out of the Great lakes - from JSOnline.com:

The Army Corps of Engineers acknowledged Friday that tests taken earlier this fall revealed 32 positive DNA samples for Asian carp above the electric fish barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, some within about eight miles of the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

The Journal Sentinel first reported the apparent barrier breach Thursday, though the Army Corps refused to acknowledge it until Friday morning.

There now appears to be nothing left standing between the supersized, ecosystem-ravaging fish and the world's largest freshwater system other than the constantly swinging gates of two busy navigation locks, and it may be only a matter of time until the fish are jumping and flopping in Lake Michigan waters from Chicago to Door County - and beyond.

"It's a disaster," said Dan Thomas, president of the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council. "Heads should roll for this."

Reader Harry Campbell writes with a call for action:

"This is a genuine environmental crisis, and the Army Corps of Engineers should close the lock on the Calumet River and chemically cleanse the waterway as soon as possible, and not cave in to barge operators who oppose the closure. Please use whatever influence you or your publication can bring to bear to help make sure the Corps of Engineers moves quickly before it's too late."

Black Fly Fishing Friday

2009-11-26T22:46:00.002-05:00

Fresh from our TurDuckEn induced coma we bring you Black Friday Deals from friends of FlyFishMagazine.com.

Sierra Trading Post
Sierra Trading Post is pleased to announce our Black Friday promotions. From 12am to 8am on Friday, November 27, 2009 customers can recieve Free Shipping on all orders over $100! From 8am on we will be featuring 'Black Friday Bargains' on the home page, 10 items at great prices, these items will change every 2 hours until 4pm!

Shop at Sierra Trading Post on Black Friday and receive free shipping on $100 or more from 12 a.m. - 8 a.m.

Black Friday Bargains at Sierra Trading Post!

Joes Sports

Black Friday Sale! 15% Off Order. 11.27 Only!

And for those of you who want to read good and do other things good too: Alibris

Save $2 off $20 or more of books, music, & movies when you use coupon code ZEPPELIN on checkout at www.alibris.com. This coupon expires November 30, 2009.

Westfly founder Scott Richmond heads East

2009-11-21T17:51:00.002-05:00

I recently had the great pleasure of guiding Scott Richmond for a couple days for carp and trout while in Charlotte visiting family. Scott is owner and founder of Westfly.

Westfly is a non-profit website that serves Western fly anglers. Westfly covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and western Montana. It provides current fishing conditions, fly patterns, feature articles, entomology and other fish food information, and hatch charts for many western rivers. Westfly also has a very active bulletin board forum. Westfly, Inc. is a non-profit corporation registered in Oregon. It is an approved 501(c)(3) corporation under the IRS tax code. Its purpose is to advance the quality of Western fly fishing. This mission is accomplished by financially supporting projects and groups that will improve fly fishing in the West, and by informing and educating fly fishers through the website.

Scott did not hook any of the large rainbows on my private trout water as conditions were tough with high, muddy water and leaves choking even the most favorable drifts. I changed tactics to a smaller classic Appalachian stream and found success. No monsters but solid action on dries and droppers. Scott is well published with numerous destination guides for the West coast steelhead fisheries and quite savvy with techniques for success. Check out his site and forum at www.westfly.com particularly if planning a trip West.

Scott is also become a carp junkie and plans to visit often as we exchanged flies and ideas about tactics. I have some secret steelhead flies now and trip is in the works. Capt.Paul

Alligator Proof Waders

2009-11-18T10:29:00.002-05:00

Above is a picture of me in my old office in Nashville. I have since moved to South Carolina and there are no pictures of me fishing. There is a small lake in my sub division that I plan to try once things settle down from the move. During my first trip to the river here in Columbia I ran across an alligator warning sign that assured me that all rivers in South Carolina would probably have gators in them. Since I do all my fishing while wading, this presents a problem for me. I was told by some of the people that I work with that most of them will leave you alone except for the ones that don't. This also presents a problem for me since my waders are not rated for gator bites. I will find some water to fish. It may not contain trout, but I will go.

Since I have left middle Tn. I have given up my job as editor for Flyfish Magazine and I am trying to figure out how to replace the loss of income. Maybe I can be the editor of the entire state of South Carolina. While I negotiate with our editor, my friend Phil will keep you up to date on all things fishy in Tennessee. The next time there will be fishing pictures and maybe a report on some new waters, or just a photo of some torn up Simms waders and my picture on a milk carton.

Phil Duke's Middle TN Report

2009-11-15T21:16:00.002-05:00

Photo altered to protect the guilty.

My apologies to the editor in chief for accepting the position of Tennessee editor, writing one article in September, and then going silent. I also wish to apologize to my fan. I had one response to my first article and I would like to take this occasion to thank my loyal fan and youngest daughter.
My absence is a function of conditions beyond my control. Unfortunately, the Army Corp of Engineers in league with The Tennessee Valley Authority have seen fit to make the Caney Fork River unfit for a fly fisherman who depends on a pair of waders to enter the river. September saw the watershed have over four times the average rainfall and October was not much better. Couple this with a dam determined by the Corp as being in danger of collapse and you have a generation schedule that kept the river rolling and unfishable except for those willing to fish from a boat. I don’t have a boat.
That was September and October. November saw a return to average rainfall and soon the Corp returned Center Hill Lake to a safe level so that repairs to the dam could continue and stopped generating around the clock. Unfortunately the TVA turned on the sluice that turned the tail water side of the dam into a geyser that boils up ten feet above the stream level adding 1800 cubic feet of water per second to the stream flow. The sluice was added to the apparatus of the dam to aireate the water to prevent fish kills due to low oxygen levels. We have seen fish kills in late summer and into fall.
I visited for the first time in two months late Friday, Nov. 13. The generation schedule showed that only the sluice was activated. I wish I’d had my camera with me as the boiling water at the bottom of the dam is impressive.
I walked down to the boat ramp just below the dam. I normally fish there shortly after the generators are turned off as it takes several hours for access points down river to be accessible. There are usually fish to be had there but they tend to be small as this is where the river is stocked but if you take the path from the parking lot at the dam and follow it down stream about one half mile there is a set of stairs which takes you down to the gravel bar next to a stream that terminates into the Caney. Unfortunately that path takes a lot of fisherman to the same spot but if you can get some elbow room the fishing can be pretty good.
When I arrived about 4:15 in the afternoon the parking lot was almost empty. There were a couple of fishermen walking up from the dam and I inquired as to their luck and they replied that had not had a strike and had not seen anyone else catch a fish either. I walked down to the dam and saw the water made rough by the sluice and noticed two seasoned citizens on the bank each with a line in the water. While I was marveling at the turbulence caused by the sluice each reeled in a small trout, put them in a fish basket with several already in captivity, rebaited and resumed fishing. The power baiters seemed to be doing just fine in troubled waters. I stayed no more than five minutes and walked up to the trail leading downstream. It is a short walk on a wide path covered in fine gravel.
When I got to the stairs there were a pair of long rodders leaving the river. They had been there for about three hours and had no luck at all. They had thrown everything in their fly box and not had a strike. The sluice was sending water over the second step from the bottom of the stairs and there was about two feet of water over the gravel bar. One of the two fishermen who I had talked to said after two hours and no action he climbed the stairs, sat on the highest tread and brought out a bottle of wine and spent the last hour drinking away his troubles. I decided to spend Saturday raking leaves.
Word has it that the TVA will suspend the sluice in December. If the rain heavy rains do not return the river will once again be fishable and as the fish have had plenty of time to fatten, this could be an interesting winter on the Caney Fork. In the meantime I’m headed to the Harpeth.

Do you know what it means?

2009-11-15T15:27:00.004-05:00

To fish New Orleans? I do now: http://captgordon.wordpress.com/2009/11/15/awesome-new-orleans-redfishing/

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale...

2009-11-13T16:47:00.004-05:00

We are not sure if they are still available but our striper fishing friend to the North, Jason Puris of TheFin.com fame, is giving away some hats from the folks at Nat Geo. Even if they have all been snagged, you should take time to read his post...

"They said "great" we'll send you some hats. Since I really like the Hooked logo I was psyched to get some Hooked baseball hats to give out to some of our users. Then, the package arrived and this is what I got.

Friday Wall Hangers: The 19' Tall Trout

2009-11-12T23:06:00.004-05:00

For the angler who has everything: a 19 foot tall trout statue from Direct Manufacturing. On sale now for $11,780 and ships in 4 to 6 weeks.

"This Trout is a great way to add decoration to your wild life display and fishing supply store. Also great for displays at sea food restaurants!"

Forward March

2009-11-11T21:11:00.002-05:00

Thank You Veterans

2009-11-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

Words from song writer Sam Tate and images from the folks at Project Healing Waters seem appropriate as we say thanks to all those who serve or have served.

Deals: 15% Off from Joe's Sports 1 day only

2009-11-11T00:09:00.004-05:00

Veteran's Day Sale! Receive 15% Off Your Order at JoesSports.com. Exclusions Apply. 11.11.09 Only.

Hells Bay Skate-skinny,sexy and affordable

2009-11-09T08:14:00.003-05:00

The Skate; a small, rugged shallow water performer
At 12 ft. - 9 inches in length with a 45 inch beam, the Skate, Hell's Bay's smallest craft is made with tough Kevlar and weighs just 250 lbs. Its draft is a mere 3 ½ inches with engine and six gallons of fuel. Hell's Bay recommends a 9.9 or 15 hp two stroke tiller-steered outboard for power.

"It's light and it's versatile," said Hell's Bay boat designer and sales director Tom Gordon. "Beyond using it as a fishing tender on a yacht it can also be used for extreme shallow water fishing and as a hunting boat.

"The Skate can even be loaded into the back of a pickup truck if needed. It can also be useful in restricted no combustion motor zones where an electric trolling motor is allowed. Duck hunters will love it," added Gordon.

This is on my Xmas list. Should work well for carp, small ponds and skinny water found anywhere. I have always been a fan of these premier boats. Check it out at www.hellsbayboatworks.com Capt. Paul

Redfish dude goes albie fishing

2009-11-08T19:50:00.004-05:00

I get to go albie fishing once or twice a year these days. Today was that day. The above pic is a "taste". The rest is just to rub it in for Murdock:

http://captgordon.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/albie-fishing/

Buff now with 100% Merino Wool

2009-11-08T05:51:00.000-05:00

Buff now with 100% Soft Merino Wool. Think cool in summer, warm in winter, and it doesn't get stinky because it is naturally anti-microbial. We will be field testing this in Colorado very shortly.

Check out all their great designs at the Buff website.

FTC disclaimer - Yes they sent these to me. Yes I am keeping it. A bald guy can never have enough Buffs.

Road trip

2009-11-06T09:13:00.000-05:00

Photogs: Alex Landeen

2009-11-05T08:27:00.002-05:00

Normally you wouldn't refer to a guy who loves to take pictures of automatic weapons as a "Fat Guy" and sleep well at night. However, since Alex Landeen is part of Fat Guy Fly Fishing we hope we can get away with it. His work really catches your eye and points out the difference between the hacks and the pros. Check out the Landeen Photography blog to see his work and get some great photography tips.

New on the digital newsstand: Fish Can't Read

2009-11-02T10:21:00.002-05:00

I ran across the debut issue of "Fish Can't Read" a bit late since it came out in September. I open it up and find that this publication has some excellent contributors (K. Barton and Alex Landeen etc.), shocking photos (is that Gracie sans hat?), and some great fish photos. This one we will read.

RIP: Russ Blessing Inventor of the Wooly Bugger

2009-11-01T18:17:00.004-05:00

If you tie flies, most likely the first fly you ever learned to tie was the Wooly Bugger. If you fly fish for trout there is also a very good chance that your first trout was on a Wooly Bugger. According to an article from Examiner.com, Russ Blessing, inventor of the Wooly Bugger passed away last week after a battle with cancer. Mr. Blessings simple and prolific contribution to the sport of fly fishing most certainly will live on in angler's fly boxes and tyers vises.

Here there be monsters...

2009-10-31T20:39:00.006-05:00

Swamp Thing

Bigfoot

Count Dracula

The Living Dead

NC Fly Fishing Team Member in the News

2009-10-30T07:38:00.003-05:00

There is a nifty quote on CentreDaily.com about NC Fly Fishing Team co-founder, Chris Lee. The quote comes from their article about the United States Fly Fishing Championships that were held recently.

These are skilled anglers,” Ford said. “These are the best in the country.”
They qualified at open tryouts held in different states, including Montana, North Carolina, Colorado, Oregon and Michigan. Even when they came up empty-handed Sunday, their prowess was apparent. Sampsell liked how Chris Lee, from North Carolina, quickly freed his line with a flick of his wrist.
“You notice these guys: They don’t get hung up,” Sampsell said. “These guys are good.”

Here is a link to the results from the US event.