Aftermath on the McCloud
In August, the Bagley wildfire took aim at California’s iconic McCloud River. The blaze consumed more than 46,000 acres before it fizzled, including old growth forest within an unburned river canyon. CalTrout’s Craig Ballenger reports on the effects of the fire on angling and the fishery.
California Fly Shop
Bay Area fly shops have taken a hit and many hanger-ons have slid off the cliff in recent times. In 2006, after witnessing a flurry of shops fold, current California Fly Shop owners Xavier and Karen Carbonnet made the brazen move to embrace the industry and acquire one.
Male Angler Gets Screwed
The male angler fish is born puny, weak, and useless. His female counterpart in comparison is massive, an adept predator, and possesses the ability to fuse with multiple sperm donors for sexy time.
McGuane, Montana, and Geezer Awards
Author Tom McGuane will be honored with the Emeritus distinction of the High Plains Book Awards on Saturday in Billings. It’s something that he jokes sounds a lot like a prize for geezers.
Whip of the Week
Recently ran into this beauty while fishing out of Oceanside Marina in Key West. Don’t know what life you’re living, but some seriously have it dialed.
The Verde
Drake contributor Tim Romano recently spent several days on Utah’s Green River, documenting one of the West’s most beautiful trout rivers. Hit the link to view the gallery, which is nothing short of awesome.
Ghostbusters
It’s October and that means three things: incredible fishing, purdy colors, and the veil between the world of the living and the dead is at its thinnest. Some people who believe in ghosts have a theory for the presence of the paranormal. They call it “Recordings of Past Events.” According to this theory, ghosts are…
Details
Dr. Trout May Save the Planet
Marshall Bloom—aka Dr. Trout—has a less-than-casual day job by most standards. When he punches the clock as associate director for scientific management at Rocky Mountain Laboratories, he throws on a positive-pressure suit and strolls into a “Biosafety Level 4” lab, where he works with the planet’s deadliest diseases—some of which could be exploited by bioterrorists.…
Details
Tarpon Trackers
They come. They go. They eat and retreat. But for some reason they never show up in Colorado. A little Tuesday tarpon footage for those who’d rather be fishing the flats today.
Clyde—Still Smokin’
Since Clyde spews more fumes than the collective exhale of a Dead concert audience, an upcoming emissions inspection had him sweating some serious anti-freeze. No more. The issue has been resolved thanks to scoring these sweet 5-year collector plates from DMV.
New Whip up for Bid
Orvis and the Wild Steelhead Coalition are auctioning a one-of-a-kind McKenzie-style driftboat, hand-built by master craftsman Ross Duncan. Bidding starts at $5,000 and all proceeds go toward WSC habitat restoration and steelhead research projects on the Skagit River. So bring the cheddar.
Photo Contest: It’s All About the Flies
Theme: It’s All About the Flies Dates: October 22-26 (mon-fri) Closing Date:Midnight ET on October 26, 2012 Post Submissions: Drake Message Board thread & Drake Facebook Sponsored by: Hill’s Discount Flies (www.hillsdiscountflies.com) 1st Place Prize: Large Waterproof flybox with 192 Flies Runner Up: Small Waterproof flybox with 84 Flies 2nd Runner Up: Small Waterproof flybox…
Details
Peter & Rolf on Aitutaki
If you’re into crappy dancing, and bad singing, and really drunk islanders, and Euro-dudes dressed up like Gilligan… this one’s for you, holmes. Oh, there’s always a banger bonefish or two in the mix, as well, with Peter & Rolf on Aitutaki.
Post-Isaac Rebound
What does southern Louisiana’s fishery look like 15 days after Hurricane Isaac makes landfall? Less post-apacolyptic than you might think. Fishing’s good; but different. Shallow Water Expeditions scopes out the scene in this sweet, sweet edit.
Tongass Truths
Even AK—contemporary bastion of wild salmon in big numbers—is not immune to the ills of habitual habitat degradation. The Tongass National Forest, for instance, is a prime example of salmon bearing waters in need of a little extra lovin’. They’re now set to get just that thanks to a $1 million partnership between The USDA…
Details
Mason Tract Won’t be Tapped
CRAWFORD COUNTY, MICHIGAN—Nine years ago river advocate Rusty Gates assembled a team of angler conservationists and volunteer lawyers to scrutinize Savoy Energy’s plans to drill under the South Branch of the Au Sable River. Although Gates has since passed, he’s likely awash in posthumous Crown Royal swigs now that Anglers of the Au Sable won…
Details
Win a Rod, Says Ricky
Hey America, it’s me, Ricky Bobby. If you understand freedom and you understand liberty, then I’m about to blow your mind. Before I get too emotional, I just want to say all you Drake readers remind me of me, precocious and full of wonderment… and bursting with the balls to go fast and win. So…
Details