Anglers Banned From British Columbia’s Skeena River

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Greg Thomas

The news isn’t good out of British Columbia as a recent court ruling gave the Gitxsan Treaty Society the ability to do whatever they want with pieces of land along the Skeena River, which is one of the best places in the world to fly fish for steelhead. The impacts to lodge owners, anglers, and the fisheries could be significant. Here’s a detailed report from the Globe and Mail on the decision and the actions of the Gitxsan and how that might influence fisheries and access decisions across British Columbia.

BRITISH COLUMBIA
In a startling announcement last week, the Gitxsan Treaty Society in Hazelton declared that sports fishermen are being “evicted” from the area, along with the forest industry and CN Rail.

“This eviction notice affects all sports fisheries on the Skeena River and tributaries, all forest activities … and CN Rail,” declared the Gitxsan. “All are expected to vacate and cease activities on Aug. 4, 2014 until both Crowns have obtained the required consent of the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs.”

The notice flows from the recent Supreme Court of Canada decision that underscored the aboriginal title and rights of the Tsilhqot’in. And it gives credence to those alarmists who said that landmark ruling was going to create chaos in Continue reading →

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EPA’S Preliminary Decision on Bristol Bay—Commendable

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Greg Thomas

Here’s a quick update on the state of Bristol Bay and our ongoing fight against a massive mine that threatens the future of our most important salmon rivers.

Hunting and Angling Community Commends EPA on Use of Clean Water Act to Protect Bristol Bay, Alaska
Anchorage, AK – Today’s Environmental Protection Agency announcement of its proposed determination to protect Bristol Bay using Section 404c of the Clean Water Act elicited praise from a vast coalition of more than 1,100 sporting groups and businesses opposed to proposed mining operations that threaten Continue reading →

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ICast Fly Fishing Trade Show 2014

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Greg Thomas

Just got back from the iCast show in Orlando, Florida, iCast being the single trade show each year for the fly fishing industry. This show allows manufacturers and dealers to do business make pre-season orders for the 2015 season. In addition, this show affords manufacturers an opportunity to highlight their new product lines to media. I spent three days walking the show floor, meeting with product designers and marketing managers and there’s plenty to be excited about. What stood out? What should you be on the lookout for as these items become Continue reading →

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Mexico with Smith Optics, for dorado

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Greg Thomas

Ok, the thought of visiting Mexico is not so appealing when it’s 90-some degrees in Montana today, but this video should get  you fired up to book early for late fall and winter. That’s when you’ll want to get out of the house and get yourself out of those snowstorms sure to come. What better way than to take a short flight to Mexico and cast for dorado and whatever else that swims. Good food, warm weather, flat seas, and a few flies in your pocket. What’s better? Thanks to Smith for sharing this vid. Be sure to visit their site and check out the new Chromopop lenses.

GREAT DAYS 9: Fishing below the border from smith optics on Vimeo.

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Happy Fourth from Angler’s Tonic

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Greg Thomas

Have a great holiday weekend. Catch a bunch of fish and keep well refreshed.

Here’s an image from Tonic patron Geoff Moore who works for Canada’s Cariboo/Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association. He knows how to divvy up a big Fourth of July sandwich!

You’ll need sustenance when  you’re out there this weekend and the water should be falling into near perfect conditions on most streams, a little high it is true, but dropping quickly. Pay attention to the cutthroat streams, such as the Blackfoot and SF Flathead and Idaho’s Kelly Creek, North Fork Clearwater, St. Joe and the Lochsa. This is when they fish prime and you might even see some green drakes.

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Angler’s Tonic Visits Hawk Lake Lodge, Ontario . . . for walleye and bass

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Greg Thomas

Just spent five days at Hawk Lake Lodge in northwestern Ontario, trying to figure out how to catch walleye on the fly, and spending the rest of the time slamming smallmouth on poppers. In the evenings it was all fun and games with a great cast of characters. When fishing out of Hawk Lake Lodge you get great access to the big main lake, where the big walleyes roam, and daily access to one of more than 18 private lakes that are accessed via portage. Once you complete the short hikes between lakes you find boats waiting for you. It’s a self-guided affair, unless you hire a guide from the lodge, and that allows you to probe the lakes at your free will. And you can fish for as long as you choose. Want breakfast delivered to your room before Continue reading →

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Fly Rod & Reel’s Summer Issue

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Greg Thomas

Fly Rod & Reel’s summer issue is hitting the newsstands now and I think you’re going to like it, from the moment you see the cover. I gave the cover image thorough consideration before selecting it because, technically, it doesn’t work perfectly. The horizon is angled and one of the dogs is too close to the edge of the page. But the eye focusses quickly on the dog in the foreground and the angler and I think that is the key. To me this said “summer and fun.” And who doesn’t like a dog in the boat, as long Continue reading →

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Oregon’s Lower Deschutes River Steelhead Need Help

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Greg Thomas
My friend Dave Moskowitz is sending a shout out for funding, with all dollars going straight to the protection of Oregon’s fabled Deschutes River. And not just any stretch of the Deschutes, but the Deschutes’ best section, the lower 50 miles. If you have not fished this section you need to get on the horn and set up a trip with Jeff Hickman at Fish The Swing. He’ll get you onto some great fish here and the scenery is amazing. This is truly one of the best fly fishing destinations you’ll ever visit and the fact that you can find steelhead here is the bonus. Anyway, here’s Dave’s plea. Give him some help if you could.Hello Fishing Friends and Friends of the Deschutes, I need your help and support for the lower Deschutes River!

Any of you who have fished or boated on the Deschutes in the past three years have witnessed changes to the river which cannot be ignored. The clear water of late spring and summer has become turbid. Algae that was not present just four years ago now Continue reading →
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Black Butte Copper Mine Threatens Montana’s Smith River

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Greg Thomas

Saw this in The Missoulian today and figured many of you care for the Smith River and have probably floated it and if not you definitely should. The Smith offers possibly the best multi-day fishing float in the West and the scenery is almost indescribable with colorful limestone walls rising hundreds of feet, straight out of the river. Often, anglers catch browns by bouncing streamers or hoppers off these walls for fish that are tucked under the cliffs. They dart out and crush flies when the opportunity allows. Here’s the story.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — Two weeks ago, 40 boaters mingled in the muted morning light at the Camp Baker Fishing Access Site, waiting for Montana State Parks ranger Colin Cooney to clear them for the 59-mile trip down the Smith River State Park and River Corridor. With miles of otherwise inaccessible wild waters bounded by picturesque cliffs and little development, the Smith River continues to grow in popularity as a READ MORE

 

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Wyoming’s Red Desert Mule Deer Migration

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Greg Thomas

Most of us don’t only fish. Many of us hunt and simply enjoy wildlife, too. I definitely fall into that lot and I found this video to be pretty interesting. Check it out. Mule deer migration out of Wyoming’s Red Desert.

Mule Deer Migration from Joe Riis Photography on Vimeo.

Posted in Hunting | Tagged , , | 2 Comments