Articles

Editors' picks: The best stories of 2019

Favorite stories of the past year, as selected by our staff and contributors

by Chad Shmukler - Monday, Dec 30th, 2019

From 'In the Highlands' (photo: Earl Harper).

Last week, we showcased the most popular Hatch Magazine stories of 2019. As is the norm, those top 10 stories of the past year was a mixed bag that included not only stories that were the favorites of our readers, but of our editors and contributors, as well. But, in addition to each year's reader favorites, there are always a pile of stories that the folks that help bring you Hatch Magazine want to highlight.

The 10 most read articles of 2019

Reader favorites from the past year

by Chad Shmukler - Saturday, Dec 28th, 2019

Photo: James Joiner

At the end of every December, we take a look back at the top stories of the year. While each year's reader favorites always unsurprisingly contain a few stories from each of the areas we focus on most intently here at Hatch Magazine—namely conservation journalism, stories about gear, tips on how to become a better angler and so on—there are always a few stories that grab readers more than we expect them to.

Casper

We all have our anchors; those things that hold us in place when the storms come

by Mike Sepelak - Thursday, Dec 19th, 2019

Photo: Mike Sepelak

He hadn’t said a word all evening, the small, frail man in threadbare jeans and a faded fishing shirt two sizes too large. Slumped-shouldered and sunken-eyed, he’d arrived alone and had settled into the sparest chair in the lodge’s common room, the one near the window, and extended a thousand-mile stare out onto the plain, across the river, over the foothills that rose to our west. To where the sun would soon set.

Why—and how much—you should tip your fishing guide

There's a lot more to tipping your guide than how many fish you caught

by Matthew Reilly - Wednesday, Dec 18th, 2019

On the good days, guides help you find (and hold for a photo) fish like this one (photo: Chad Shmukler).

What’s the biggest misconception about the life of a fishing guide? It’s a question I’ve been asked, and have heard asked, countless times. If I had to provide an answer, it would be that it’s easy. That it’s as simple and stress-free as simply taking someone fishing. That the day begins and ends at the boat ramp.

Patagonia raised $10 million for the planet and will match every single dollar

Thousands of donors will have their contributions doubled to grassroots environmental organizations

by Chad Shmukler - Tuesday, Dec 17th, 2019

Eel Wild and Scenic River, California (photo: BLM).

On Black Friday, Patagonia kicked off its Action Works fundraising effort for 2019, dedicated to raising money for grassroots environmental organizations. Patagonia's pitch to those who would potentially support these organizations was simple: donate to support these environmental non-profits and we'll match every single dollar, up to $10 million. A mere 17 days later, Patagonia had hit that ceiling, effectively putting $20 million dollars in the hands of grassroots organizations that typically struggle with limited staff and budgets.