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How to Nymph for Brown Trout on the Middle Provo with Jeremy Allan

By
Sam McLean
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In this video by KSL Outdoors and Jeremy Allan, it takes the viewer through approaching and nymphing a small run on the Middle Provo River. This video does an outstanding job both curating what is happening and adding a description of how to nymph a small run like this. The video demonstrates the beauty of fly fishing and how Jeremy Allan goes about capturing that beauty.

The video talks on how to photograph fish and make sure that you get that perfect shot. Oftentimes as fishermen we get so enamored with finding the perfect shot and angle of the fish. This video does an outstanding job exemplifying how to make sure we get that million dollar shot, and reminding us that there will be more fish.

This film was created by ESL Outfitters. Be sure to check out more of their films on the ELS Outfitter YouTube page.

These instructional videos are curated and written by team member Sam McLean (@sam_d_mclean).

 

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Video of the Week: Desert Buffet

By
Gilbert Rowley
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This week we had the chance to talk with Gilbert Rowley about an awesome and unique film in his buffet series. Check out what he had to say about fishing in the desert:

FlyLords: Start off by telling us some about your buffet series.

Gilbert: The Buffet Series has been a lot of fun! Myself and my good filmmaking/fly fishing friend Phil Tuttle set out to create a handful of short fly fishing films that showcase the elements of fly fishing that truly excite us as anglers. Our intent was to create videos that people could connect with because of the adventure itself, and not necessarily a deep meaningful story. The goal of the series is simple, inspire people to get outside and engage in healthy activities such as fly fishing. We’ve been blessed to visit some amazing locations while filming this series, and we’ve also been able to capture some amazing footage close to home. All of which has resulted in a fun series of films for people to enjoy.

FlyLords: What gave you the idea to go out to the desert to make this film?

Gilbert: As both filmmakers and fly fishermen we are always searching for unique opportunities in diverse places. These fish are surrounded on all sides by red rocks and sand, and we knew this would set the backdrop for a fun experience. As shown in the opening scene of Desert Buffet, we played with the idea of an oasis in the desert, which in a lot of ways is what fly fishing can be for many people who work uneventful jobs all week just to escape to their favorite river/oasis on the weekend where they can chase some fish.

FlyLords: Tell us about the tactics you were using to catch these fish.

Gilbert: The bass were the intended targets for the film, and the bluegill just happened to be a sweet bonus to the project. For the bass we waded the shallows looking for sight fishing opportunities. Once a fish was spotted we would cast a large streamer in their vicinity and watch as they would chase and most of the time SMASH our offering. It was awesome! Not very technical, but a good eye for spotting fish was definitely needed. The bluegill were pretty easy to catch, after finding a school of fish we would stay hidden behind the cattails and dap our flies in front of them. They are such a fun fish on a 3 wt!

FlyLords: The bluegill sequence was my favorite part of the film. How were you able to get so close to capture those videos?

Gilbert: Getting the underwater eats on film was certainly harder than catching the fish. To accomplish this we used a 12 foot painters pole extended all the way with a GoPro attached to the end. We kept ourselves concealed while we slowly extended the camera and pole as close to them as we thought manageable without spooking the fish. The trick was to dap the fly in front of the camera and see if the fish would come to us. It worked! We couldn’t believe how willing these fish were, and we were certainly pleased they were’t camera shy!

FlyLords: What’s next for Gilbert Rowley/Capture Adventure Media?

Gilbert: First off, here in the next month we will launch the second half of the Buffet Series on our YouTube channel which includes, tarpon and permit from Belize, BC bull trout, and some amazing trout fishing films. We are always on the lookout for fresh inspiring ideas to capture and share with others in the hope that it will help others get outside and enjoy this great world we’ve been given to enjoy! We have some amazing adventure opportunities to film this coming year, so subscribe and keep an eye on our YouTube channel for more exciting content!

This interview was conducted by FlyLords team member Conner Grimes (@doublehaulfishing).

Video of the Week: Union Jacks

Video of the Week: After The Man

Throwback Video of the Week: Early Morning Jungle Poon

Product Spotlight: Scientific Anglers Absolute Tippet

By
Flylords
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Scientific Anglers released their all-new Absolute Tippet this fall at the IFTD show in Denver. During the IFTD show, Scientific Anglers took home the award for Best New Leader/Tippet with Absolute Trout Tippet. So we wanted to learn a little bit more about the tippet so we asked Scientific Angler’s own R+D Manager Josh Jenkins a couple of questions.

Flylords: How is Absolute Tippet (Mono) different from SA’s previous mono tippet?

Josh: Absolute monofilament is completely new material for SA.  The magic in creating a great monofilament boils down to material blends and coatings.  There are a bunch of varieties and grades of nylon that can be blended together to obtain different properties.  For Absolute, we selected a blend to obtain the highest possible wet knot strength.  We emphasize wet knot strength because it is the metric that best represents how tippet is used in the field: it will always be used on water and it will always have a knot in it.  Once we selected an optimal material, we found a coating that further enhances those properties.  The coating is there to limit water absorption (which weakens nylon) and to reduce friction generated heat from knots.

Flylords: What improvements can anglers expect from the new Absolute tippets?

Josh: We’ve been able to achieve a 30% strength gain in wet knot strength over our older nylon material, so anglers have a huge advantage in fishing strength out of the gate.  Our coating also means that Absolute has a longer shelf life, so it won’t degrade as quickly as other monofilaments when it’s sitting on a pack or in a boat.  We’ve also created new retaining bands for our tippet that are made of soft rubber.  Compared to older, metal grommet style bands, these provide better protection from the environment and they eliminate the possibility of weakening tippet through contact with metal.

Flylords: Tell us a little bit about the Absolute Stealth tippet line.

Josh: Absolute stealth tippet uses the same base material and coating, but has a light olive tint.  It sounds counterintuitive, because a fully clear tippet seems stealthier, but the truth is that all monofilament casts a shadow when it is floating on the surface of water.  From underneath, floating tippet looks like a dark shadow, and on sunny days it can even be fairly reflective.  The olive tint helps to absorb some of that light, so fish see less line flash, especially on high sun days.

Flylords: Will Guide-Size spools be offered? 

Josh: 100M guide spools are coming in 2021, so keep an eye out!

Flylords: Any other products we should be on the lookout for heading into 2020?

Josh: We’ve added our popular general-purpose Infinity taper into Amplitude, so that is now available with texturing.  We also took what we learned from creating the freshwater Infinity and made a saltwater version.  Infinity Salt is available in Amplitude and Amplitude Smooth.  It has a longer head length than most of our salt lines.  It’s great for accurate, long shots but it still has enough mass to turn over large flies and combat wind.

To get your hands on the all-new line of tippet check out SA online and on Instagram.

Photos from Jesse Packwood of Team Flylords on their recent adventure to British Columbia.

Flylords Holiday Gift Guide 2019

Product Spotlight: Orvis Women’s PRO Wader

By
Chelsea Baum
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Five years ago I purchased my first pair of waders, which happened to be made by Orvis. After five years of heavy use, I was ready to upgrade to the all new Orvis Women’s PRO Wader. It only made sense as every week I was finding myself fishing in all types of water and weather conditions and whenever possible I strike out for a travel adventure to fish new territories.

So this fall I flew up to British Columbia with Team Flylords and it was time to break these waders in. We helicoptered into lakes and 4 wheeled to various rivers. The woods and the waters were beyond cold but my Orvis Pro Waders kept me warm and dry.

Not only do my waders keep me warm and dry but they fit me well. I am 5’9” tall and I fit a small-tall which are still roomy. Another one of my favorite features is the removable knee pads. I had no idea that was even an option!

The other key features I’ve come to depend on are the hand warming pockets, the handy flip out pouch where I can store all my fishing gear and phone, and a new clip style to their shoulder straps as well as new gravel guards. Orvis waders are not only well made with key features, but they have really stepped up their sizing options for the female anglers.

So we decided to go straight to the source and ask Jim Kershaw the Senior Designer for Fish/Hunt products at the Orvis Company a little bit more about these all-new waders.

Flylords: How long does the overall design process take for a new line of waders?

Orvis: Typically, with a new wader program, the research and design phase is a two year process. For the PRO Wader program specifically, we spent two years working with CORDURA® to develop the fabric in addition to our normal design and development process. Ultimately the additional time spent on the fabric and testing helped us create the best wader Orvis has ever made.

Flylords: How does R&D work when designing?

Orvis: It’s all about trial and error. We spend a lot of time listening, exploring, testing and failing. What we learn through the process often helps guide our design direction. Here at Orvis, function drives Form. In order to build the best gear possible, we need to make sure that it can stand up to the abuse and is rigorously tested, even the smallest things (like a screen-printed logo) gets tested to ensure that the quality meets our requirements.

Flylords: What sets the Orvis PRO waders apart from the rest?

Orvis: CORDURA®. Given these were built with Alaskan guides in mind, guides that are wearing these 12-14 hours a day, jumping in and out of boats and airplanes, they want a reliable and durable wader that is fail-safe… Something they can wear and NOT worry about. CORDURA® uses a blended nylon that’s certified to meet their quality standards for high abrasion resistance and durability. Given the nature of their business, a partnership made sense in developing the most durable wader fabric we have seen. We could have taken the easy way out and chosen one of the traditional wader fabrics, added some new features, changed the fit, but essentially it would be the same as the competition. We wanted to do better.

Flylords: What is your favorite design feature on the new waders?

Orvis: Honestly, it’s the CORDURA® fabric. We had quite a bit of pushback when we started to develop the fabric with the mills… They didn’t want to do it because they said it would be too stiff and heavy. After a couple years of development, we finally had a sample we were comfortable moving forward with to test on a wader. When we got these into the field we learned a lot. We tweaked the weave and finish to get a softer hand, worked on making sure the fabric could live up to the same puncture requirements as our briar pants and wasn’t too thick or stiff for manufacturing.  After the tweaks, the fabric and additional testing the fabric exceeded our expectations and was truly something game-changing for our industry.

Flylords: Can we expect a zip-front or convertible model?

Orvis: The product development team is exploring the possibility of a zip-front and boot foot version of the PRO Wader.

Flylords: Tell us a little about the design features for the women’s model.

Orvis: Through a lot of our testing and feedback we heard time and time again that our women’s gear needs to be comparable to the men’s. For the women’s PRO Wader model, we wanted to focus on perfecting fit and offer the same features as the men’s waders.

To get your hands on all new Orvis Women’s PRO Wader check them out online here.

Gear review by Chelsea Baum (@cherokeeflygirl) photos from Jesse Packwood of Team Flylords on their recent adventure to British Columbia.

Flylords Holiday Gift Guide 2019

Commenting Period for Proposed Madison River Regulations Opens

By
Dan Zazworsky
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Featured image by Nick Costas

The Madison River is the busiest river in Montana and certainly one of the busiest in the country. During the 2017 season, the river hosted over 207,000 angler days, a state record, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP).

FWP has released a survey on ways to deal with the pressure and traffic the river receives each year. The survey focuses on 4 main issues: commercial fishing outfitters, social conflict and angler use on the upper river, and recreation on the lower river.

“It’s taken a long time and a lot of work to get to this point where we can officially collect input on our next steps,” FWP director Martha Williams said in a news release. “People are passionate about the Madison River, and we know it’s important for us to consider all interests in moving forward. We’re committed to doing just that.”

Participate in the survey, here. It will remain open until January 6th, 2020.

To read more about the issues facing the river and the city of Ennis, whose economy is fueled by angling and recreational tourism, check out this article from The Bozeman Daily Chronicle. 

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10 Tips and Tricks for Fly Fishing in the Fall in British Columbia

By
Chelsea Baum
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Presented by Fishing BC

To most fly fishers, fishing in the fall is much like the playoffs for a sports fanatic, or for some of us women, a great sale at a particular store. It’s the season so many of us wait for year-round, a duration of time filled with warm drinks, energetic spirits, and a phase when the season permits a display of fall leaf colors that are spectacular. This weather signals the end of summer and the start of winter’s cold and often icy rivers, which sends migratory fish like salmon and steelhead through the waters to spawn before winter, which in turn is ultimately the peak of any piscator’s year. Here are ten tips and tricks I learned on my adventure to British Columbia this past fall.

Tip 1. Make Sure you Have a Reputable Guide.

Having the ultimate fishing guide is key to a successful fall fly-fishing trip. The best guides will assist you in making sure you are well stocked for a successful exploration, packing equipment you might not even know you needed until you do. Not only is it important to find a guide who knows what they are doing and what to prepare for, but it’s also crucial to find one that connects with you on a personal level. (It can be a long day for both of you otherwise) Communicate with your guide as to what your expectations are and hopefully they are realistic ones that can be obtained. Remember this is their passion and they want you to catch fish just as bad as you do. If you take the time to prepare yourself for the reality of the adventure you are about to embark on; the expenses, the weather, travel time, it will help to ensure you have an enjoyable and successful experience. Good guides come in many shapes and sizes. I was lucky enough to find some of the best of fishing guides who all mentored me in different ways throughout my entire experience in B.C. The guides that I was blessed to encounter were Clint Goyette and Brandon Higgs from Valley Fishing Guide, Kate Watson out of South Cariboo, and Doug Mooring from Cariboo Rivers Trout Fishing and Wilderness Adventures.

Tip 2. Get the Right Gear for Fall Weather.

Preparing with the correct gear is essential for fly-fishing in cold and unpredictable weather. Your gear or lack of can be one factor that can make or break a great experience on the waters. Making sure you have a good waterproof jacket, comfortable wading socks, cold weather pants, a cap with a full bill for eye protection, plenty of extra long sleeve shirts, fleece fingerless gloves, heavy duty wading boots and a tight wading belt, will add to your comfort and safety on the river during the colder seasons.

Tip 3. Know Your Local Regulations and Ethics.

Fishing in B.C. is a large industry and is a big part of their ecological community. Every region has their own regulations when it comes to seasonal fishing and not just everyone passing through can cast a line whenever and where-ever they wish, and when fishing is permitted it is a single barbless fly only. Having your licenses (and there can be a few needed) is highly important when coming to British Columbia to fish. Licenses can sometimes be costly, but most of the license fees go directly into funding for your protection and to keep the waters safe and clean. If you are fishing for steelhead in particular, it would be wise to do research on the different types of licences that not only enable you to fish legally but detail how you are allowed to fish. All of the ins and outs of the license system and the rules of fishing in B.C. may seem a bit intimidating at first but the entire process is the goal of keeping the British Columbia waters pure and wild for generations to come.

Tip 4. Bring and Know How to Use Bear Spray

British Columbia is known for its wildlife, and especially its bears. There are two species of bears in canada; the black bear and the grizzly bear. The most common is the smallest and the one that likes to avoid conflict, the black bear. Although this bear is titled the color black, they can sometimes be anywhere between a light brown to a bluish- black shades. These animals don’t generally like human confrontation, but it is important to be aware of wildlife and respect their personal space. Getting to close to these creatures can cause alarm and fear which could potentially result in a dangerous situation, and if an aggressive event were to occur, taking the proper safety precautions and having bear spray on hand could be life saving. Also educate yourself on proper food storage, etc.

Tip 5. Travel Planning, Have Locations To Stay and Fish.

Having some locations prearranged before your expedition into the wilderness and unknown territories is a necessity! I stayed at Loon Bay on Sheridan Lake 100 Mile House B.C., a cozy overnight stay. Close by are quite a few different lakes, resorts, and must-see locations such as Succour Lake, Christmas Lake, Ponderosa Resort and Howard Lake. I also stayed at the Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Co., a delightful stay in Squamish, B.C. Howe Sound Inn is not only a fantastic place to stay overnight on a fall fishing expedition but also a great place to host weddings and private events. The last place I stayed on my adventure in British Columbia was at Corbett Lake, an absolutely gorgeous location to settle for the night and get ready for a big casting day!

Tip 6. Choose Your Experience.

You can fly fish in and on so many different locations using a few types of transportation. It is pivotal to choose the correct form of travel in order to enjoy your expedition all the more. Heli-Fishing in B.C., Canada by helicopter can be a life changing experience for some or a terrifying event for another. There are also other enjoyable options such as fishing by jet boat, raft, plane, or DIY. It’s valuable to know which scenario you think you would feel most comfortable in.

Tip 7. Be Prepare for All Weather and River Conditions.

The weather in British Columbia is known to be very unpredictable, one minute it could be warm and sunny and the next thing you know it’s pouring down rain. Due to the constant change in weather conditions, the river circumstances can vary. Some Rivers can “ blow out” and your clear water conditions will change rapidly. Most of Vancouver experiences about 290 days a year of sunshine, mostly in the spring and summer. However, the average monthly forecast is rainfall with some irregular hours of sunlight. It’s important to be aware that air levels below 60F can lead to hyperthermia if you are wet. It can be extremely beneficial in ensuring your safety and fishing experience by paying close attention to the weather and river conditions as you launch into your British Columbia experience.

Tip 8. Proper Mode of Transportation.

So you’ve planned an entire fly fishing trip to a foreign land and your ready to take off and all of the sudden you remember that you aren’t going to have any means of transportation once you land. Not to worry, I have the perfect life-hack for you. Hastings Overland is the company I used to get my very own Jeep Wrangler which comes equipped with an easy set up roof top tent, backroad maps, custom tailgate kitchen fully loaded with all the cooking equipment essentials, and overlanding and camping gear. This website truly saved me a lot of trouble finding transportation on my ventures into the wilderness and there isn’t any more efficient car to take fishing in B.C..

Tip 9. Enjoy Yourself.

Although taking the proper safety precautions, planning your trip, having the right gear, and finding the perfect guide is important, so is having an absolute blast. You have put all of this time, effort, and hard earned money into this fly fishing escapade that you are about to embark on and now is the time to enjoy that experience to the fullest. Make sure you take in every new perspective and admire each last encounter because those are the moments you are going to remember for the rest of your life!

Tip 10. Disclaimer!

I had an absolutely incredible first time in British Columbia with Flylords, an experience I will truly never forget. I attained more knowledge, skill, and appreciation for a sport that I already carry a burning passion for. All that aside, it was my first time encountering the wonders and beauty British Columbia possesses and I am definitely no professional at fly fishing. I encourage anyone interested in the sport or traveling abroad to angle, to seek out more information and to truly indulge yourself in the entire exhilarating adventure!

Article by Chelsea Baum (@cherokeeflygirl) photos from Jesse Packwood of Team Flylords on their recent adventure to British Columbia.

Thanks to Fishing BC and all their partners for hosting us on this awesome adventure!

Special thanks to Tourism Squamish, and Valley Fishing Guides for helping put together the trip!

Fly Fishing Columbia’s Jungles: Trip Preparation

RepYourWater Doubles Down on Sustainability in New Fall Line

By
Dan Zazworsky
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Since their beginnings, RepYourWater has been continually working to reduce the environmental impact of their products and improve sustainability within their supply chains. Their latest Fall line of flannels that are made with ethically sourced, organic cotton. According to their press release, their aim is “to continue to lead by example and has been working diligently on ethically sourced flannels made from sustainable fabric.”

From RepYourWater:

Erie, CO, November 15, 2019

RepYourWater continues to improve its social and environmental performance by working with its suppliers to introduce a line of flannel shirts that are ethically sourced and made with organic cotton for their Fall 2019 collection.

RepYourWater already measures the success of their business in part by how much they can give back to conservation. By donating at least 3% of annual sales to 17 nonprofit conservation partners, they have donated over $220,000.00 to date. Since 2018 they have diverted 97% of their waste from landfill and offset 100% of their greenhouse gas emissions through the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from their warehouse and HQ in Erie, CO.  Now, RepYourWater is taking the next step in their sustainability journey by diving into the social and environmental impact of their supply chain.

RepYourWater continues to lead by example and has been working diligently on ethically sourced flannels made from sustainable fabric. By partnering with this factory that is using the HIGG Index, SA-8000 Certified Socially Compliant and using Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Certified yarn, they have done just that.  Additionally, the dyes used on these products are AZO free and meet the OEKO-TEX Standard 100, which means the dyes used are free of carcinogens and harmless in terms of human ecological terms.  RepYourWater co-founders, Corinne and Garrison Doctor had this to say about addressing the social and environmental performance of their supply chain: “We continue to strive to do well by doing good and are proud of our efforts and know our customers will appreciate them.  There is always room for improvement and knowing that is what keeps us motivated to continue to make advancements in sustainability. ”

RepYourWater started working with sustainability consulting firm, Emerger Strategies, in 2016 because they wanted to further authenticate their brand by improving the social, environmental and economic performance of their operations and products.  Emerger Strategies President, Rick Crawford, had this to say about RepYourWater, “Corinne and Garrison continue to amaze me as they are so passionate about protecting what they love and diving into their supply chain completely validates that.”

To view RepYourWater’s new Fall 2019 and their new Ethically Sourced and Organic Cotton flannels, click HERE.

ABOUT REP YOUR WATER

RepYourWater is an apparel brand dedicated to providing uniquely designed, top quality gear for anglers and hunters while increasing support of local conservation and inspiring exploration.  RepYourWater donates at least 3% of every sale to its nonprofit conservation partners and is working towards achieving its sustainability goals.

ABOUT SA8000  Standard

The SA8000® Standard is the leading social certification standard for factories and organizations across the globe. It was established by Social Accountability International in 1997 as a multi-stakeholder initiative. Over the years, the Standard has evolved into an overall framework that helps certified organizations demonstrate their dedication to the fair treatment of workers across industries and in any country.  Elements of the SA8000 Standard include: Child Labor, Forced or Compulsory Labor, Health and Safety, Freedom of Association and Right to Collective Bargaining, Discrimination, Disciplinary Practices, Working Hours, Remuneration, and Management System.

ABOUT Global Organic Textile Standard Yarns

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain.

ABOUT OEKO-TEX Standard 100

If a textile article carries the STANDARD 100 label, you can be certain that every component of this article, i.e. every thread, button, and other accessories, has been tested for harmful substances and that the article, therefore, is harmless in human ecological terms. The test is conducted by our independent OEKO-TEX® partner institutes on the basis of our extensive OEKO-TEX® criteria catalog. In the test, they take into account numerous regulated and non-regulated substances, which may be harmful to human health. In many cases, the limit values for the STANDARD 100 go beyond national and international requirements.

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How to Tie: Svend’s Turkey Fly

By
Wills Donaldson
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In this week’s How to Tie video, we have a special treat from our friend @Svenddiesel. About a week back, we approached him with the prospect of tying up a festive turkey fly in anticipation for the upcoming holiday. He enthusiastically accepted the challenge and within days delivered a fly that looked as enticing as thanksgiving dinner. Without further ado, here is how to tie: Svend’s Turkey Fly.

Learn About This Fly:

Difficulty: Diesel

While families and friends gather together to enjoy a feast, festivities, and football; trout sit bored and unenthused wondering where their usual visitors may be. However, what people may not know is that fish such as trout and bass also celebrate thanksgiving.

One time a year, fish gather together in pursuit of delicious turkey, just as we do. This fly is an excellent way to enthuse stubborn river monsters who only have a hankering for an oven-roasted bird. Soon after this fly hits the water, expect an eruption of feathers and the thrill ride of a lifetime as a fish turning down this deliciously plump fly is a rarety.

So, after a hearty helping of button busting stuffing, take a sit-down at the vice and try your hand at this elaborate fly. This Thanksgiving, avoid the politics and impress the in-laws with the perfect conversation starter and centerpiece.

Thank you again to our friend @Svenddiesel for tying this masterpiece up for us. For incredible fly tying videos and tutorials, make sure to go check him out on Instagram and Youtube.

Ingredients

  •  Hook: ahrexhooks TP615 size 1/0
  • Thread: semperfli nano silk 3/0 black
  • Tail and Wings: whitingfarms 4b hen feathers
  • Legs: harelinedubbin rubber legs
  • Body: whitingfarms euro grizzly hackle mixed with FNF Daphnia Fritz
  • Head: 2mm red foam with blue and black sharpie highlights
  • Resin: loonoutdoors thick (make sure it’s flexible)

Now you know how to tie Svend’s Turkey Fly

Video and ingredients courtesy of @Svenddiesel

Lego Parachute Adams Fly

How to Tie: The Tarpon Bunny

 

 

Two Glacier Nat’l Park Stonefly Species Listed Under “Threatened Status”

By
Dan Zazworsky
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Featured image: JOE GIERSCH, AQUATIC ENTOMOLOGIST / USGS NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCIENCE CENTER

The latest victim of climate change and disappearing habitat isn’t a large mammal or rare fish species, but instead, two stonefly species native to Glacier National Park in Montana, according to a rule published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

According to Montana Public Radio, “The western glacier stonefly and the meltwater lednian stone fly depend on glacial meltwater in high-elevation alpine environments. But scientists estimate the famed ice masses and snowfields of Glacier National Park will have mostly disappeared by 2030.” The ongoing loss of these populations will have lasting effects that are felt throughout the park’s food-web, and their current declination can be directly attributed to shifting climate conditions which have impacted snow-pack and glacial melt rate.

Clint Muhlfeld, a research aquatic ecologist with the United States Geological Survey had this to say regarding the 2 species, “These species might be some of the first that go extinct because of climate change. They are literally the polar bears of Glacier National Park. Clint has studied the two stonefly species for a decade and a half and his research informed Wednesday’s listing decision.

To read more about the western glacier and meltwater lednian stoneflies, check out Montana Public Radio’s in-depth article here!

Source: Montana Public Radio

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Help Wild Steelhead–Now!

By
Will Poston
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Wild, Pacific Northwest Steelhead are struggling–actually, they’re in much worse shape.  There are 11 populations of wild steelhead listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and historic rivers are seeing lower and lower returns. Dams, human development, loss of habitat, and other factors have all contributed to this demise.

Oregon is no different. Many of the State’s historic rivers are not seeing the numbers of years past. Now, a group of anglers are hoping to change that. Harvey Young is leading the charge to let the state of Oregon know that wild steelhead are more valuable–much more valuable–released to bout with another angler than dragged up the shore and harvested. Young’s petition, Catch & Release for Wild Steelhead in Southwest Oregon, seeks to harmonize wild steelhead regulations. Under current regulations, Southwest Oregon is one of the only regions that allows the harvesting of wild steelhead; most of Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia do not allow harvesting these fish.

A Wild Steelhead on the North Umpqua River

Young’s petition highlights several benefits of changing Oregon’s current regulations.

  1. Increased angling opportunity for wild steelhead
  2. More steelhead anglers will be able to participate in the fishery
  3. Steelhead fishing has been really tough for the last couple of years.

On Friday, December 6th, Oregon will consider rule changes for the 2020 season; they will also consider the proposal to mandate the release of all wild steelhead. To show the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission that anglers want to prioritize conservation and the long-term vigor of the resilient wild steelhead, he stared the petition which now has over 10,000 signatures and more on the way, hopefully!

For more background and info on how to comment and sign the petition follow this link!

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