Drake Magazine Daily Fly Fishing News and Blog
Congrats to Big Year contestant Cory Wheeler for dominating all challengers during the month of June. From peacock bass to creepy snakehead and common snook, Wheeler tallied 11 IGFA-certified species and walks away with an epic swag bag from RIO, Sage, Redington, and William Joseph. Stay tuned and keep the fishy dream alive. More winners to…
Our Two Hands is a crowdfunding project set to investigate the complex and intimate relationships between flyfishers and salmonids. It asks: How did we arrive at this crossroads of conservation and sportsmanship and what are the creative alternatives to flawed management practices for salmon and steelhead? Watch it Via Bloodknots Flyfishing: “Welcome to our primary…
For “destination” carping, Michigan is a great place to get trashy. “Great Big Minnows” inflicts Beaver Island fever, with a healthy dose of sight-fishing shots at big lips and wiggling hips. Watch it “This is a premier Carp fly fishing destination, and the flats, fish and community of Beaver Island are incredible. When I asked the…
El Pescador Lodge is hosting the Belize Tarpon Tagging Expedition this August. Group leaders include marine biologist, Dr. Jerry Ault, tarpon fishing legend, Stu Apte, and Chicago-based angler/conservationist, Adam Marton. Check out the teaser, and explore the $64,000 Question: “Are our fish their fish?” Watch it “This is a rare opportunity for folks who dream…
On Tuesday the Canadian federal government approved Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline, setting the stage for an ambitious $7 billion export artery that would shuttle 525,000 barrels of oil per day from Alberta to a super-tanker port on B.C.’s northern coast in Kitimat. Enbridge, a company that tallies about 73 hydrocrabon spills per year, would bore…
How do you say hipster fishing holiday in Swedish? “Kaffestund…” possibly. Sip coffee. Fish with friends. And make music. Frontsidefly goes three for three, and throws in some sublime cinematics for good measure. Via Frontsidefly: “Frontsidefly was spending some time with good people, sinking flies and coffee a few days ago.” More from The Tallest…
While England was embroiled in revolution and plotting civil war, OG flyfishing author Izaak Walton was lazing around a river, underlining the tenants of fishing with a fly. Priorities on point, he published the Compleat Angler in the mid-1600s. And this week, the Staffordshire “temple” built to honor him can now be yours for about $760,000 USD. The 400-year-old…
Ever wonder what steelhead are up to underwater? Getting ready to get busy, that’s what. Swarming steelhead—one with some heavy face bedazzling—from Washington’s Methow River. Via: River Snorkel: Wild Steelhead. Watch it “Join them for a few minutes as they stage for the run upstream. Special thanks to Matt Hall for putting this trip together…
Bonefish and Tarpon Trust launched two angler-driven programs this week aimed at gathering intel on bonefish and tarpon genetics. The org will use tissue samples collected by guides (and the rest of us) on fishing missions in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and southeastern US. “The goal of the Bonefish Genetics Program is to determine…
Flats-bound filmmaker Dan Decibel daytrips “Back to the Park”, where they give the reds a lickin’. Watch It “This is a One Day video fishing the Everglades National Park aka Flamingo. Ever since I got rid of my Kayaks I haven’t return to the place I love the most, Flamingo. I haven’t been there in…
Join The Fly Fishing Film Tour, Orvis, Costa, and Trouts Fly Fishing for a FREE night of brews and flyfishing movies in Denver. “Flies, Films and Foam” will be held at the Thin Man Tavern centrally located in the Uptown neighborhood of Denver on Thursday, June 12. In addition to NEW and FRESH flyfishing films…
SAN FRANCISCO—According to a study by state biologists, several drought-stricken rivers in northern California’s coastal forests are being polluted and sucked dry by water-guzzling medical marijuana farms. Worse, many affected waterways also contain non-smoking endangered salmon, steelhead, and other species. Biologists estimate that 30,000 pot plants were being grown in each river system. It’s also estimated…
With more than 400 entries to date, determining our first monthly winner for THE BIG YEAR contest came down to an ultraclose race. Shutting the door on the month of May, Joe Petrow was the man with the most varied mixbag—edging out his closest competitors with 15 IGFA-verified species. Joe’s fish images spanned Colorado, Texas,…
Better known for its right-hand point break and the eclectic surf culture entrenched at nearby Surfrider Beach, Malibu isn’t much of a steelheader’s hotbed these days. But thanks to a wetlands restoration project completed at nearby Malibu Lagoon last year, trout have been spotted. Scientists monitoring the site found an adult fish, approximately 20 inches…
Oregon-based guide Jeff Hickman lives on the Clackamas River, where his sidekick, Ozzy, doubles as a hood ornament/steelhead pointer. Meet the man, the myth, the legend. And learn how gravity keeps the ocean from racing upriver. Watch it Via Scientific Anglers: “SA Ambassador Jeff Hickman, owner of Fish the Swing guide service, lives just steps away from…
Orvis just informed us of a couple job opportunities for qualified Drakians. For those seeking employment in the industry, with resumes running deeper than slinging caffeine at Dunkin’ Donuts, check out the following listings: 1) ROD & REEL—The Product Development Specialist will be responsible for the development, growth, and profit of key the Orvis fly…
Oregon and California senators introduced legislation this week that will cement into law the Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement, signed last month. The Senate bill gives Congressional approval to the Upper Basin Agreement, authorizing the Department of the Interior to increase stream flows into Upper Klamath Lake, improve and protect riparian areas along the river…
This spring Ma Nature put the Yellowstone River in a cold-weather chokehold, postponing the caddis hatch indefinitely. Those who waited it out… got rewarded. “The river quickly dropped and cleared creating near perfect conditions. After a few warm days, the water finally reached 52 degrees, the wind settled and the caddis exploded. Drew Stoecklein was…
FALL CITY, WA—Police today are investigating an overnight break-in at the Tokul Creek hatchery, where so-called “steelhead bandits” released approximately 25,000 contraband fish into the Snoqualmie River. According to a King5.com article, state fish and wildlife managers believe the act of trout terrorism could have stemmed from a lawsuit filed (and won) by the Wild Fish Conservancy earlier…
Daytrip down Loop Road in the Florida Everglades for local grit, gators galore, and more. Watch it Via Dan Decibel: “Loop Road is the reason why I started flats fishing in the first place. It’s an awesome place to go with friends and family. There is an abundance of wildlife, such as fish, gators, and…
Patagonia Inc. Founder On The Offensive Patagonia Inc. founder Yvon Chouinard went on the offensive today, imploring President Obama to turn his attention toward eliminating dysfunctional dams on eastern Washington’s Snake River. In a New York Times op-ed he notes that electricity generation from the four dams along the river’s lower reaches is marginal (at…
Wild steelhead pocketed a decisive win last week, when Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced it would cease hatchery plantings of “Chambers Creek” populations in all Puget Sound tributaries, except the Skykomish. For the next two and a half years, NOAA Fisheries will evaluate each specific hatchery program using the contemptible stock. While the Skagit…
Southwestern Wyoming’s Little Mountain is home to native cutthroat, the former footsteps of thieves and villains, and looming threats from large-scale oil and gas developers. Seventeen-year-old Haley Powell gives us a feel for its raw power and the reasons behind why it needs protecting. Watch it “Trout Unlimited and the Greater Little Mountain Coalition are…
There are those rivers that we dream of fishing; and there are those that we actually fish—constantly. Yukon Goes Fishing keeps it close-to-home with this icy edit of Colorado mainstays. Watch it Via YGF: “We took the beaten path this winter. When it comes to fly fishing in Colorado in the winter, there are plenty…
For a time, Ross’s Gunnison was the legit trout reel from Colorado, where it was birthed, to rivers across the American West. Then it disappeared into artifact territory. Thanks to a limited-edition batch, today it’s back. Watch it “Ross will manufacture limited edition Gunnison reels to the specifications of the post-1998 model, except for an…
It’s the final countdown to The Drake’s BIG YEAR CONTEST and you’re invited for the year-long ride. Tens of thousands of fish species are currently swimming the planet. How many can you catch, release, and share? This Saturday, April 26, log into Facebook and launch The Drake’s Big Year Contest App. Add your images and…
Liquid Gold follows a group of anglers missioning into the remote reaches of the High Sierra to scout for native golden trout—pockets of fish have been isolated for more than a century. Watch it Via CalTrout