Articles

Sage X tops list of 'Best of Show' winners at IFTD 2016

Simms, Umpqua and Patagonia also rack up multiple wins

by Chad Shmukler - Monday, Jul 18th, 2016

AFFTA president Ben Bulis presents the Sage fly fishing team with IFTD's 2016 'Best of Show' award (photo: Chad Shmukler).

Each year at the International Fly Tackle Dealer show, hundreds of industry professionals select their picks for the best new rods, reels, lines, apparel and other gear. This year, a record number of attendees voted to determine this year's winners. When the results shook out, Sage's new flagship fly rod, the Sage X, stole the spotlight with wins in three categories — Best Freshwater Fly Rod, Best Saltwater Fly Rod and Best in Show. The wins marked the first time in IFTD history that the same series of rod has racked up wins in both fly rod categories and 'Best of Show'.

Fish porn

6 tips for filming underwater

by Kris Millgate - Thursday, Jul 14th, 2016

Photo: Kris Millgate

There’s no such thing as breathable waders when you’re hiking in them in July. Wading boots aren’t for hiking either, but I’m making due. I have a camera pack on my back and it’s heavy enough without extra clothes and shoes tacked on. As I said, I’m making due, but I don’t recommend it.

I hiked this wooded trail in shorts and running shoes with my boys yesterday. It follows Palisades Creek in eastern Idaho. We spied spawners jumping the falls on our adventure and I knew I’d be back. That’s where I’m heading today with my cameras instead of my kids.

The other Michigan Jim

by Tom Davis - Wednesday, Jul 13th, 2016

Photo: courtesy Enger family.

Like most of us who consider ourselves literate outdoorsmen, I’ve been mourning the death—and celebrating the life—of Jim Harrison. A writer of seemingly inexhaustible energy and imagination, he was our reigning poet of the appetites. One of these appetites, of course, was trout fishing, in particular trout fishing in that land lost in time called the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Presence lost

The plight of public lands

by Kris Millgate - Monday, Jul 11th, 2016

The Use of National Forests, published in 1907, is 42 pages. The green book behind it, The Principal Laws Relating to Forest Service Activities, published in 1993, is 1,163 pages (photo: Kris Millgate).

I’m in a hotel room in Galveston, Texas. A thunderstorm is keeping me from saltwater fishing, but I’m entertained anyway. I’m holding a book published in 1907 titled The Use of the National Forests.

I’ve decided to read the whole book in one night based on its enticing introduction:

“To the Public: Many people do not know what National Forests are. Others may have heard much about them, but have no idea of their purpose and use. A little misunderstanding may cause a great deal of dissatisfaction.”

It's Now or Neverglades

Orvis and others urge anglers everywhere to speak up for the Everglades

by Chad Shmukler - Monday, Jul 11th, 2016

An Everglades redfish from our earlier feature 'An awakening in The Glades' (photo: Dan Decibel).

Over the years, we've tried to provide you with innumerous reasons to care about Florida's Everglades. Its value as a world-class fishery is historic. We've introduced you to snook fishing near Chokoloskee and to chasing redfish, black drum, sharks, jack crevalle and tarpon near Flamingo and Alligator Alley.