Dam Nation

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DamNation – Official Film Trailer from Patagonia on Vimeo.

 

For more information, check out http://www.DamNationFilm.com

This powerful film odyssey across America explores the sea change in our national attitude from pride in big dams as engineering wonders to the growing awareness that our own future is bound to the life and health of our rivers. Dam removal has moved beyond the fictional Monkey Wrench Gang to go mainstream. Where obsolete dams come down, rivers bound back to life, giving salmon and other wild fish the right of return to primeval spawning grounds, after decades without access. DamNation’s majestic cinematography and unexpected discoveries move us through rivers and landscapes altered by dams, but also through a metamorphosis in values, from conquest of the natural world to knowing ourselves as part of nature.

Spirit River Swamp Rat Zonker

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Found a new material from Spirit River at The Northern Angler in Traverse City to play with on these cold Northern MI days and nights. It’s called Swamp Rat Zonker strips(SRZ). This material comes in Natural, Hot Pink, King Fisher Blue, Orange and Purple. I have been experimenting with the blue and orange for steelhead tubes. There is a sexy translucency to the fur that makes it shimmer in and out of the water.
When the weather breaks I will put in some more on the water R&D, but I fished these flies on the Big River with Jon Ray and Erik Rambo back when the weather co-operated in January and had 2 grabs on the swing, so the fish seem to like them too!
These flies are kind of a hybrid of old school streamer and “scandi style” tubes with few little twists. The first twist is that the SRZ has a hole punched into it and then is slid onto the tube so that it stands up nicely against the hackles as opposed to being lashed down flat on the tube. The other technique is that the front collar(s) are the SRZ spun in a dubbing loop with the skin cut away. It is then picked out with a needle. Speaking of the skin, it’s very thin and holds very little water making these flies very easy to cast. The wing also undulates, shimmies and shakes very freely.
This material is perfect for substituting in any fly that uses rabbit strips- Zuddlers, strip leaches etc.
Happy tying!

Fact from the National Weather Service for Northern Michigan

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Since the beginning of the new year, northern Michigan has gained 77 minutes of total daylight. The sun is rising 28 minutes earlier since Jan 1st while setting 49 minutes later.
The sun’s trek across the sky today is similar to its path on Nov 2nd.

Podcast about the New Sharkwave Line from SA

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Check out the Podcast (15min) at MidCurrent with SA’s John Van Vleet.  John breaks down the new Sharkwave.  Excited to see this new line, sounds awesome can’t wait for trout season.

Link to PodCast

Patagonia Fly Fishing Blog posts Midnight Creeper

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midnight creeper videoPatagonia’s Fly Fishing Blog has recognized our work and posted the latest trailer , the Midnight Creepr Tailer is getting some very nice positive feedback.  We keep working hard in the editing room, on the full length version.  Thanks for all the thumbs up and shares.

Working on Something New

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Getting closer to releasing something new that Erik and I are really excited about.  First trailer is coming in the next 10-14 days.  Also have new logo for this series, just a quick teaser below.  Getting hard to not share more details.  But the last couple weeks editing, email with musicians and fancy logo designers has gotten to the boiling point and had to post something.  Check back here shortly for the first trailer.

something new

Women’s Fly Fishing Collection from Patagonia

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I have had the privilege of spending many days with women anglers and the topic of clothing and waders does randomly come up.  With limited opportunities within the fly fishing industry women did not have many choices. Women will be happy to hear there is going to be another company interested in their needs as anglers.  Patagonia launch’s a women’s line of fly fishing apparel.  Nice work Patagonia!

 

Bogs Extreme Boots – Product Review

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I don’t even want to really think about how many years I’ve been steelhead fishing, scary how fast time flies.  Feels just like the other day that was I throwing on the full neoprene waders and hitting the trails.  But with 24 years later my gear has changed a little.  With each an every year enjoying the winter months more and more.  With that love affair for the cold and dreary I needed to change my attire to withstand the elements.  Out with the full neoprene waders and in with the bibs and boots.  What do I mean by bibs and boots, we will cover the product review for bibs at another time.  But for the boots, what I usually describe to new clients is boots you would want to wear when snow-blowing the driveway or going on the back of a snowmobile.

Wearing boots when steelhead fishing does mean you are going to have to fish from a boat or from shore, and the Bogs Blaze Extremes  are perfect for this.  I have over the past 20 years worn many different styles of boots, and this years purchase of the Bogs Blaze  Extremes  have been my best purchase to date.  They are by far the warmest boots I have ever worn. They give me the comfort for a long day on the river, proper cushioning so no soar feet or lower back pain.  With 100% waterproofing, so that I can wade up to my shin and have no second thought as I push the boat off the trailer.  The traction on the bottom is ideal for wet, slippery, and icy boat ramp conditions that we face day in and day out.  With over 75+ days in these boots since October, and no signs of wear or tear I’m sold that Bogs Blaze Extremes are the best steelhead boot that money can buy, if your into fishing for steelhead from a boat.  I highly recommend these boots.  My normal $100 duck boots would fail after about 3 months, with the rubber sides blowing out and letting cold air and water in.  No signs of cracks or leaks in these boots and don’t see it changing anytime soon.

  • Ultimate winter hunting/steelhead boot
  • 8mm of Neo-Tech™ insulation with NEW Bogs Max-Wick™ lining to manage moisture surrounded with 600 grams of ThinsulateM to lock heat in
  • 5.4 lbs. per pair (size 10) –almost 2lbs lighter than other brands highly insulated boots
  • Comfort rated to temps of -40 degrees (hard to snake roll in these temps)
  • A waterproof 3mm Neo-Tech™ snow cuff lined with plush fleece to seal out wet and cold
  • The thermo-molded EVA midsole and deep lug outsole provide great traction in snow
  • Aegis antimicrobial odor protection insole with scent elimination
  • Height: 16 ½”

Manistee River Winter Steelhead – Picture of the Day

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manistee_river_fishingHad the opportunity yesterday (Sunday, January 19th) to take Ben and John out for a little half day steelhead trip.  While getting out on the river has been a little more difficult than I’m used to this winter, the fishing still remains pretty rock solid.  With some of the best weeks of the winter/early spring season just ahead of us.  Have always been a fan of the February.  Days growing longer and no spring crowds.