News On The Fly

This week I have a long and fascinating interview with Mike Schmidt, designer of such giant trout streamers as the Junkyard Dog.  He gives up his secrets on when to fish a giant streamer (and when not to), what techniques he uses, and also some tips on tying these flies and why he designs them the way he does.  I don’t think I have learned so much in a podcast in a long time and I hope you find it as inspiring and interesting as I need.  I am ready to charge out there with some giant streamers right away.  In the Fly Box this week, we range from catching smallmouth bass in clear lakes to catching stocked trout and channel catfish in Houston, how to get more involved in the fly-fishing industry, whether or not wings are necessary on a dry fly, and much more.

This week I have a long and fascinating interview with Mike Schmidt, designer of such giant trout streamers as the Junkyard Dog.  He gives up his secrets on when to fish a giant streamer (and when not to), what techniques he uses, and also some tips on tying these flies and why he designs them the way he does.  I don·t think I have learned so much in a podcast in a long time and I hope you find it as inspiring and interesting as I need.  I am ready to charge out there with some giant streamers right away.  

In the Fly Box this week, we range from catching smallmouth bass in clear lakes to catching stocked trout and channel catfish in Houston, how to get more involved in the fly-fishing industry, whether or not wings are necessary on a dry fly, and much more.

The National Sporting Library & Museum is seeking applicants for its annual John H. Daniels Fellowship, which supports scholars with funding to research and the institution.

Read more in the press release below.

This short film chronicles the journey of fly fishermen who travel to Alaska’s Chuitna Watershed to fight against the proposed Chuitna Coal Mine that threatens the Chuitna salmon runs.

Welcome to our latest edition of the Orvis News Friday Fly-Fishing Film Festival, in which we scour the Web for the best fly-fishing videos available. This week's collection offers a cool dozen . . .

The post Friday Fly-Fishing Film Festival 03.06.15 appeared first on Orvis News.

"Goldie" - Oil on canvas
By Bob White

I've been friends with Bob White since we first met at a benefit fly-fishing event for St. Jude's Children's Hospital in 2007, but I've been a fan of his artwork for. . .

The post Gorgeous Dog Art: “Goldie” by Bob White appeared first on Orvis News.

Written by: Kip Vieth, Wildwood Float Trips

Fly fishing is not that difficult, and it's a lot of fun!
Photo by Derek Young, Fly Fish the Yakima

Fly fishing companies, suppliers, clubs and shops are now doing more to get new people into the sport of fly fishing than ever before. Even if you just took the Orvis Fly Fishing 101 class,. . .

The post 10 Tips for Becoming a Fly Fisher and Having More Fun appeared first on Orvis News.

Here's the latest wonderful rescue video from Eldad Hagar of Hope for Paws, in which Eldad and Annie Hart venture out at night, wade into a river, and follow a scared, skinny stray into. . .

The post Video: Eldad and Annie Make a Daring Nighttime Rescue appeared first on Orvis News.

Written by: Jeremy Kehrein, Orvis Travel Sporting Travel Program Manager

Bob Cosgriff is all smiles after landing this incredible permit.
Photos courtesy Bob Cosgriff

Frequent Orvis Travel customer Bob Cosgriff was on the outer islands of the Bahamas looking for large bonefish and found this fish of a lifetime. Bob says they had tough weather the whole. . .

The post Photos of the Day: A Chance Permit of a Lifetime in The Bahamas appeared first on Orvis News.

Known for their aggressive nature, and native to the Pacific Northwest, bull trout are an apex predator. This film shows them in a different light, calm and cool underwater.

From Hobie:

The fifth annual Hobie Fishing World Championship (HFW5), presented by Rhino-Rack and hosted by Hobie Cat® Australasia, will take place on Shang Lake in Changshu, China November 9-16 of this year. Located in the central eastern part of the country, Changshu is steeped in Chinese history, starting in 770 BC, and will be a memorable experience for all attendees.

Anglers from over twenty countries are expected to compete in China’s first-ever HFW for the chance to be crowned this year’s Hobie Fishing World Champion. All competitors will fish for Chinese Perch, Topmouth Cutler and Yellowcheek Carp from identically rigged Hobie Mirage® Pro Angler 14’s, provided by Hobie Cat Australasia and outfitted with Lowrance® Electronics and Power-Pole® MICRO Anchors.

“It’s hard to believe that we are looking at our 5^th World Championship,” commented Steve Fields, Managing Director Hobie Cat Australasia. “Each event has taken Hobie fishing to

From Costa:

A swirling, floating, melting mess of plastic trash and debris roughly the size of Texas spins in an ever-growing orbit in the North Pacific ocean, known as the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” Discarded plastic cooks in the sun’s rays, and oozes into miniscule pieces too small to be collected and removed from the water.

This plastic sea soup continues to grow and threaten the globe, with similar garbage patches spotted in oceans around the world. Already, more than one million sea birds have been killed as a result, and two-thirds of the world’s fish now test positive for plastic in their system.

Disposable items like plastic water bottles are huge contributors to the problem. Humans produce more than 200 billion plastic water bottles per year, with at least 10 percent ending up in the ocean.

Costa, a company committed to sustainable sport fishing practices and ocean conservation, launched a campaign this week to

Welcome to another edition of our trivia challenge, where we test your knowledge of all things fly fishing and where you might learn a thing or two about this sport we love. This one is just like. . .

The post Take an All-New Phil Monahan Fly-Fishing Trivia Challenge 03.05.15 appeared first on Orvis News.

Kim Jeffords sent in this picture of "last summer's big catch." She's now geared-up to catch something bigger.
Photo courtesy Kim Jeffords

Two weeks ago, we announced a sweepstakes aimed at folks who wanted to get more involved in fly fishing, which is why the prize was a complete package of gear that included. . .

The post Meet the Winner of Our Orvis Encounter Sweepstakes! appeared first on Orvis News.

Brad Gilba says that he was close to committing suicide, as a result of PTSD and several injuries he received in the military, but his life was effectively saved by a service dog named. . .

The post Video: Colorado Vet Who Lost Service Dog Gets Help from Far-Away Strangers appeared first on Orvis News.

Sharptail Media sent us this gorgeous video shot on a fact-finding (read: fish-finding) mission to an unnamed Caribbean country a while ago. There's been quite a bit of news about this. . .

The post Classic Video: El Agua del Franco appeared first on Orvis News.

Photo via Pinterest

Have you ever thought to yourself, "Gee, I wish my dog had his own hydrotherapy pod?" Me neither, but the folks at Samsung have designed what they call the "Dream Doghouse" to. . .

The post Video: Check Out This $30,000 Doghouse! appeared first on Orvis News.

Middle Earth Fly Fishing

Fly-fishing comes with a diversity of motivation. For some,it’s about chasing big fish, or a busy day with consistent high numbers, but for me, fly fishing’s greatest gift, is captured in those quality moments shared with like-minded people in beautiful places.  South Island New Zealand is arguably the world’s best offering for sight fishing to large trout. We literally don’t cast until we see a fish; watch it’s feeding pattern; and carefully plot our plan of attack. More than that, it’s done is gin-clear water with stunning scenery in every direction – epic mountains, glacial cut valleys and hidden back-country streams full of character (not people). You can’t help but think you are the only person for hundreds of miles.  Very simply, a summer in NZ will change your angling life.

original content and photograph Josh Hutchins

Written by: Robert Morselli

Filmmaker RC Cone posted a great series of photos about beach fishing in Mexico.
Photo by RC Cone

There are times when you just can’t get to your ideal fishing spot. Travel constraints, time constraints, change of plans and so on. On those occasions, I hit the beach. Casting from a. . .

The post Pro Tips: Embracing Beach Fishing in Warmer Climes appeared first on Orvis News.

Skinny Water Culture raffle winner Mark Vedder joins Dan Decibel and Jason Fernandez  for this short film about “a day in the life.”

From DHP:

We are sad to announce the passing of David Hall – founder and chairman of David Hall Publishing.

David died peacefully in his sleep this morning after a short spell in hospital. He was diagnosed with cancer almost two years ago and had spent the past 12 months at home being cared for by his wife, Cherry. Throughout that period, David continued to take an active role in the running of DHP and asserted that the only thing keeping him from the office was an arthritic ankle!

Considered a maverick when he entered the angling trade as the private publisher of Coarse Fisherman magazine more than 30 years ago, David went on to publish several leading angling publications including Match Fishing, Pole Fishing, Coarse Fishing Answers, Total Carp, Total Sea Fishing and Total FlyFisher. His portfolio also includes the industry ‘bible’ –Tackle and Guns – and the annual trade show of the same name, plus two international trade magazines, Tackle Trade World and Gun Trade World.

From an outspoken beginning, David went on to

From RIO Products:

RIO Products, industry-leading manufacturer of fly lines, leaders and tippet material, continues to expand the fly line options for tarpon fishing with the new Tarpon QuickShooter.

The Tarpon QuickShooter is designed with a short head that is 30 feet in length and a full line size heavier to easily load modern saltwater rods. The powerful front taper makes it a breeze to cast large flies or to punch into tough winds, while a long back taper and handling section enables anglers to pick up and re-target second shot casts. This line is ideal for close range shots at tarpon and on low light days when buy alprazolam online no prescription needed quick casts are essential.

This line is available in both full floating and floating with a 10 foot, clear intermediate tip that will sink at 1.5 inches per second. Welded loops on

From Upslope Brewing Company:

Upslope Brewing Company announces the release of Craft Lager 12-packs for the first time, hitting shelves next week. This year-round style has become a staple for Colorado craft beer fans and river enthusiasts alike and has been benefitting coldwater fisheries and watersheds through their 1% for Rivers campaign since 2011. One percent of all Craft Lager can sales will be donated to local Trout Unlimited chapters in Colorado, Arizona, Montana, Texas and Wyoming.

“Our local watersheds give us so much—beauty, recreation and of course, the snowmelt that goes into our premium craft beers,” said Henry Wood, Upslope’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “Protecting our water is not only essential for good fishing, it’s also good for beer—and we all know fishing is better with beer!”

Upslope Craft Lager is a

From Costa:

As the idea of warmer, longer days looms closer, women who love the water are already plotting an escape to their happy place, be it beach, lake or river. Costa’s new sunglass styles, Boga and La Mar, give their journey a stylish look without compromising on performance.

Boga features a large, round-eye fit, with a stylish nylon frame design. It includes Costa’s proprietary hypoallergenic rubberized no-slip nose pads and temple tips, and durable built-in optical spring hinges to provide a “forget-they’re-on” fit. Boga is available in bright and lively frame color options, including: white, squall (dark gray), pomegranate fade, orchid, morena and retro tortoise.

La Mar also offers a

From Backcountry Hunters & Anglers:

Sportsmen and -women from across Colorado converged on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol this afternoon to protest efforts by members of the Colorado legislature to take control of federally managed public lands located within the state’s borders.

“Keep public lands in public hands,” was the rallying cry of the hunters and anglers, who are strongly opposed to efforts to transfer to state ownership federal public lands in Colorado. A bill has been introduced in the Colorado General Assembly that would give the state concurrent jurisdiction over some federally managed public lands; subsequent proposals aimed at undermining the federal public lands system are expected.

“Public lands are 100 percent essential to Colorado recreation of all kinds and should never be surrendered to the political whims of state politics and special interests,” said Kent Ingram, president of Colorado Wildlife Federation. “In the case of Colorado sportsmen and sportswomen, these public lands may also represent the only real guarantee we have in hunting and fishing opportunity.”

A bipartisan poll by Colorado College found that more than 80 percent of Coloradans cited

From Hillsound:

Hillsound Equipment’s FreeSteps6 are lightweight easy on/easy off over the boot river crampons that offer secure footing on steep muddy banks and slick rocks in still or moving water. The FreeSteps6 are easy to pull on or off, so you don’t have to worry about scratching the bottom of you boat. Also, anglers don’t have to worry about transferring invasive species that felt-bottomed boots are known to do. No longer are anglers subject to expensive, heavy, and inconvenient traction options. At $39.99, the FreeSteps6 is what every angler needs in their fishing quiver!

Product Details:

From TU:

This summer, 15 sport fishing guide hopefuls from the Bristol Bay region will head to Kulik Lodge, a premier fly-out sport angling operation in Katmai National Park to participate in the Bristol Bay River & Guide Academy. Students will train for the opportunity to join the ranks as sport fishing guides in their local bustling recreation and tourism industry. Kulik Lodge’s owners, the Petersen family, pioneered and fostered the growth of commercial sport angling in Bristol Bay. In large part because of their efforts, Bristol Bay’s sport angling opportunities now have a world-class reputation and include over 70 lodges and guiding operations.

However, many of the guides employed by Bristol Bay lodges are recruited and flown up from the Lower 48. The Bristol Bay River & Guide Academy seeks to change that by training local youth, ages 14-24, to become sport fishing guides. Though many of the students may have never touched a fly fishing rod and reel before the first day of the Academy, nine of the 66 graduates have now worked in Bristol Bay lodges. Thanks to support from

From TU:

Sportsmen are urging Congress to fund work that creates roadmaps for responsible energy development on public lands.

This week, the  Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee are considering the FY2016 budget proposal for the Department of the Interior.  Part of that budget proposal is an increase in funding for master leasing plans of $5.8 million.

Master leasing plans, or MLPs, were among the oil and gas leasing reforms the Interior Department unveiled in 2010. They are intended as a landscape-level review of an area’s resources and a critical step between the more general resource management plan and analyses of individual oil and gas sites.

Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development has been a longtime advocate for master leasing plans as a way to find better, more detailed solutions in areas ripe for both conservation and natural resource exploration. The Bureau of Land Management plans to

From Western Rise:

Western Rise​​​​​​​​​​, launching at the end of March, is high performance and versatile fly fishing apparel to fit all dynamic mountain adventures​​.

​Developed by ​fly​ fishing guides, ski instructors, mountain ​bikers, climbers​ and hikers​​, Western Rise’s apparel inherits ​a ​timeless aesthetic​ while ​deliver​ing​ advanced performance demanded by all those called to the river and wild.

​”​We ​love ​build​ing​ campfires, sleep​ing​ under the stars​ ​and ​driving ​backcountry roads with​ our dogs sitting shotgun,” says Will Watters, Western Rise founder.​ ​”When we set out to create apparel ​that met the demands of th​is​ lifestyle​,​ we were searching for something different.​ ​So we ​decided to reexamine​ the design and​ support ​fly fishing

Here's a great short film about a beautiful Black Lab who is trying very hard to be "man's best friend." He just happens to be clumsy. . .or something. Don't miss the surprise ending, which . . .

The post Video: Stop the Dog appeared first on Orvis News.

Jasmine, a rescued greyhound, cared for more than 50 animals including Bramble,
an orphaned roe deer at the Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary.
Photo via nationalgeographic.com

A wonderful post on the National Geographic website highlights the incredible services of five very special dogs who care for others—both humans and other animals. Each story is a. . .

The post Five Amazing Stories of Devoted Dogs appeared first on Orvis News.

Sheldon and Dolly enjoy playing together.
Photo via abcnews.com

We've posted many times about how dogs are able to form bonds with other species, such as horses, otters, and even elephants. But this is one of the strangest pairs yet: Sheldon is an. . .

The post Video: Dog and Tortoise Are Best Friends appeared first on Orvis News.

By Jack Williams, Trout Unlimited

Gill lice in a Wisconsin brook trout.
Photo courtesy Wisconsin Trout Unlimited

In Wisconsin, Department of Natural Resources staff are finding increasing rates of gill lice parasitism in brook trout as waters warm. In North Carolina, the same gill lice have been. . .

The post Scientists Find Parasites in Brook Trout on the Rise appeared first on Orvis News.