Articles

How outdoor enthusiasts can help scientific research about climate and wildlife

Can anglers help scientists learn more about climate and wildlife in remote locales?
Water quality testing on the North Fork of the Smith River in Oregon (photo: Ellie Friedmann).

When Gregg Treinish set out to hike the length of the Andes Mountains at age 24, there was a lot he didn’t know. For starters, he didn’t realize he and his hiking partner, Deia Schlosberg, would be the first to do it. Or that their 22-month, 7,800-mile trek would gain them international recognition.

He also had no idea what he would do next — but he sure had a lot of time to think about it.

The 5 best fly patterns for hopper season

Our favorite terrestrials for our favorite time of year
Photo: Earl Harper

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Well, for fly fishers it is, anyway. It’s hopper time! And that means trout around the country will be looking up and waiting for those big, clumsy terrestrial insects to inadvertently hit the water in hopes of grabbing a big meal. And by big, I mean something in the size 6-10 zone, and tied with all kinds of buoyant material, from foam to spun deer hair to high-vis Antron.

Mouthfuls. Meals. Not the pre-dinner green salad or the appetizer.

Working backwards

How to choose a fly rod for trout fishing
Photo: Chad Shmukler

How do I determine what fly rod I need for trout? I work backwards.

I begin with five key questions:

  1. What size flies am I going to fish?
  2. How heavy and/or wind resistant are those flies?
  3. How close or far away will I fish?
  4. How much wind do I expect?
  5. What types of presentations will I need?

Those five questions tell me almost everything I need to know in order to choose … drumroll, please … no, not a fly rod. A fly line and a leader.

Simms sold to Vista Outdoors for $192.5 million

The iconic fly fishing brand will retain its Bozeman roots
Photo: Simms Fishing Products.

Simms Fishing Products, one of the most iconic brands in the fly fishing industry, will be sold to outdoor conglomerate Vista Outdoors. According to a recent release from Simms' new parent company, the two brands have entered into a definitive agreement for Vista Outdoors to acquire the Bozeman, Montana manufacturer of waders, wading boots, and countless other fishing products for $192.5 million. Vista Outdoors' portfolio includes popular outdoor brands such as Camelbak, Bell, Giro, Bushnell, and Remington firearms.

Review: Simms Flyweight Access Wading Boots

Do Simms' featherweight wading boots with novel sole technology live up to the hype?
The Simms Flyweight Access Wading Boots (photo: Johnny Carrol Sain).

Along with the litany of ailments typical of one’s body wearing out, aging anglers also tend to accumulate fond but false memories of days gone by. The sunrises seemed brighter, the air a bit sweeter, the best fishing not far from the truck, and our reflexes so very much quicker.

Two of those four we are remembering correctly.

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