Author: failtefishing

Sage just lately introduced the discharge of their latest flagship spey rod – the Spey R8. Constructed on their new and progressive Revolution 8 (R8) know-how, the Spey R8 line has rods from weights 5 by 10, giving spey anglers throughout the spectrum a rod for his or her favourite model of two-handed angling.

Per a Sage press launch, all Spey R8 rods will “heighten the graceful switch of power all through the three key elements of the Spey solid, permitting anglers to successfully Raise line off the water, Load the rod sufficiently, and Ship the flyt o the goal. Casts develop into instinctive and constant.”

You may watch a full video beneath with Sage Rod Designer Paul Schmierer as he goes by all of the distinctive elements of the Spey R8.

I’ve a number of fly rods. And by a number of, I imply virtually 4 dozen. A part of that comes with the territory – I’ve reviewed fly rods for the higher a part of a decade now. However once I learn Tim Schulz’s piece in Hatch Journal, I felt extra just like the hoarder than the well-prepared angler.

Schulz’s story is all about reducing again in your gear, and the wonderful line between gathering and hoarding. It’s a thought-provoking piece which you’ll learn right here.

On Monday, america Supreme Court docket rejected a bid from the state of Alaska to revive the allowing course of for the Pebble Mine. Per the U.S. Information and World Report, “The justices didn’t remark in turning away the state’s try and sue the Biden administration straight within the excessive court docket over its need to revive the proposed Pebble Mine within the state’s Bristol Bay area.”

Alaska can nonetheless attraction the choice in different courts and doubtlessly ask the Supreme Court docket to rule on the problem once more.

You’ll be able to learn extra concerning the case right here.

In a latest story over at Troutbitten, Dom Swentosky goes over his “tracer streamer” idea. It’s Dom’s means of fishing two streamers without delay, which he’s honed through the years as each an angler and a information.

I’ve recognized guides who swear by a two-streamer rig, and among the best anglers I do know fishes two streamers religiously throughout ice-off on native reservoirs. I feel it’s a worthwhile tactic to study, and you’ll find all of Dom’s musings on it right here.

Late in 2023 MidCurrent ran a narrative about an upcoming PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) ban set to happen within the coming years. PFAS are used to waterproof every little thing from rain gear to waders, which makes them an integral a part of an angler’s outfit.

PFAS shed off our fly fishing gear and enter the surroundings, contaminating every little thing from fish, rivers, and “even our personal bloodstreams,” in response to Chris Hunt’s article on PFAS in Fly Fisherman Journal. 

Hunt’s article goes on to element what lots of the main manufacturers in fly fishing are doing to eradicate PFAS from their product lineups. Whereas the challenges this presents are actual, it might result in extra innovation within the wader trade particularly, which has been stagnant for at the least a decade. Which means anglers might, in concept, find yourself with a greater product and a extra snug expertise whereas on the water, with out including extra dangerous chemical substances to the environment.

PFAS bans are set to happen subsequent 12 months in California for textiles, and different states throughout the nation are contemplating comparable legislations. To assist make anglers conscious of that laws, and to offer an outline of what these bans might appear like, the parents over on the Grassroots Outside Alliance recorded a podcast with environmental lawyer James Pollack. Pollack goes into element on upcoming PFAS bans and laws, “and what, why and the way retailers and types needs to be doing to deal with PFAS and results to their very own companies.”

You possibly can take heed to the podcast right here.

Tim Flagler, over at Tightline Productions, has an awesome new nymph sample to point out us for Tying Tuesday. The SR2 makes use of stretch spherical rib, from Wapsi — therefore the title. Oh, and he’s utilizing some incredible new jaws from Regal, as nicely. I’d like to get my arms on each the fly and people jaws! Check out the video beneath.

On this episode of the Orvis podcast, Tom Rosenbauer sits down with Tim Flagler (of Tightline Productions) to speak about how fly tying has modified over the previous 50 years. Tim and Tom are two of the very best tiers I do know, and Tim’s movies taught me greater than any of the dusty fly tying books I stole from my grandpa. This podcast is a must-listen for fly tiers, and you could find it right here.

Joe Cermele and Kirk Deeter teamed as much as write an in-depth information for anglers trying to catch trout on the fly this winter. Whereas the primary half of their story focuses on standard angling strategies, there are some nuggets fly anglers can glean from it. The second half, nonetheless, is filled with 4 ideas that can assist you put extra trout in internet this winter, offered you’re keen to courageous the chilly temps.

You possibly can learn the story right here.

The parents over at Engadget – sure, Engadget – put collectively a splendidly enlightening story on the impacts of the Elwha River Dam elimination in Washington State. As we’ve documented extensively listed here are MidCurrent, the elimination of the Elwha River dams has been probably the greatest success tales for conservation in latest reminiscence. It’s the most important dam elimination venture ever undertaken, though it will likely be eclipsed by the Klamath River dam elimination venture as soon as that’s full.

However the elimination of dams on the Elwha has allowed native salmon and steelhead to repopulate this vital river in Puget Sound, including a refuge for these fish which are critically endangered all through most of their native vary.

As fly anglers, it’s comprehensible that the majority of our focus is on fish species, particularly when speaking about dam elimination. It’s not simply fish that profit from these initiatives, nevertheless. Dam elimination advantages your complete ecosystem, which is the crux of the Engadget piece I discussed earlier.

The story accommodates an excerpt from a e-book by Joe Roman, a conservation biologist on the College of Vermont. Roman’s e-book explores how interconnected the meals internet is within the wilderness, and the way the elimination of a 108-foot tall migration barrier restores stability to that meals internet.

Roman’s e-book notes how songbird populations have elevated as a consequence of extra insect availability, which is brought on by marine-derived vitamins deposited by dying salmon. Steelhead and bull trout are migrating freely from the ocean to the Elwha River, and a leisure fishery seems like a really actual risk within the close to future.

You possibly can learn everything of the Engadget story right here, however keep in mind: tales like this function an exquisite reminder of how highly effective nature could be if solely we’re humble sufficient to get out of the best way.