Articles

EPA Extends Pebble Mine Comment Period

by Chad Shmukler - Friday, May 31st, 2013

Submit your comment to the EPA for a chance to win a trip to do this.

The EPA has extended the public comment period regarding whether large-scale open-pit mining should take place in Bristol Bay, Alaska. The EPA had been scheduled to close today the currently open comment period that began shortly after the release of its updated risk assessment regarding mining in the Bristol Bay region, but has now extended that comment period an additional month, through June 30th, 2013. The updated EPA risk assessment, released late last month, paints a grim picture for the wild salmon of Bristol Bay should an accident -- common in mining operations -- occur during mining activity. Even without a mining accident, the assessment indicates that construction of a mine at the site of the Pebble deposit would destroy almost 30 miles of salmon streams and rivers as well as almost 5,000 acres of wetland habitat.

The foreign corporate entity that is currently exploring mining the Pebble deposit, the Pebble Limited Partnership (PLP), recently released a statement providing information on the number of jobs that would be created if a mine were to go forward. The statement was sharply criticized by organizations such as Trout Unlimited. Trout Unlimited Alaska Director Tim Bristol noted, "Pebble consistently claims they don’t have a mine plan so it’s hard to comment on a study that makes up job creation numbers based on a phantom mine. If Pebble wants to engage in this debate, they need to admit they have a plan and share it with the public.”

10 Important Lessons Learned About Fisheries Management

by Colin K. Breck - Thursday, May 30th, 2013

Earlier this month, over 600 people that know a bit about the world of fishing and fisheries management gathered in Washington, DC at the Managing Our Nation's Fisheries conference to address the current state and future of the United State's domestic fisheries.

The third installment of the Managing Our Nation's Fisheries conference stated a goal of "focus[ing] on how concepts, policies, and practice of fishery sustainability can be advanced to a higher level." According to organizers, the conference planned to address topics of interest to "members of the public, fishery participants, environmental advocates, fishery scientists and managers, policymakers, legislators, and journalists."

Nymphing: Get More Hookups

by Chad Shmukler - Wednesday, May 29th, 2013

Any time that little orange ball (or whatever you're using) moves, set the hook (photo: Chad Shmukler).

It is commonly said that every twentieth rock in a given stream has an adipose fin. The point here is, of course, that every twentieth time you think you've snagged or hit a rock -- you've actually encountered a fish. While it's doubtful there's anything but anecdotal evidence backing the statistical content of this saying, the point it attempts to make remains solid: if you think you're not getting enough hookups when nymphing, one of the most likely reasons is that you're not setting the hook often enough.

Most fisherman that are highly successful at nymphing share a common behavior: they're setting the hook constantly. And this is what you're supposed to be doing, isn't it? Most of us are taught, or teach, indicator nymphing the same way: watch the indicator drift, if it does anything other than float along the surface minding its own business, set the hook.

Forget Me Knot: Living and Fly Fishing in Bristol Bay

by Chad Shmukler - Tuesday, May 28th, 2013

If every river on earth made rainbows like this, the world would be a better place.

For many of us, the idea of growing up on an Alaska river is the stuff dreams are made of. In Camille Egdorf's case, it is the stuff she is made of. Camille grew up splitting time between Montana and Alaska, spending summers on the shores of the Nushagak River, some 180 miles north of where the Nushagak dumps into Bristol Bay. As one would expect, Camille has grown up to be an accomplished angler, is a well respected name in the industry and pro staff for Allen Fly Fishing.

In 2012, Camille spent over 100 hours documenting camp life at her parents' -- Dave and Kim Egdorf -- camp on the Nushagak River. The result is a relatively brief but intimate, entertaining and incredibly well crafted look at a season-in-the-life of the Egdorfs and their guests.

G. Loomis Wins 2013 5-Weight Fly Rod Shootout

by Ben Kryzinski - Saturday, May 25th, 2013

The G. Loomis NRX Light Presentation fly rod.

Earlier this month, George Anderson's Yellowstone Angler released the results of its "5 weight shootout", during which a long list of fly rod offerings from several different manufacturers are tested. The series has become popular with anglers, due to the extensive detail and analysis that goes into the shootout. Many anglers have also come to view it as an excellent resource for an objective view on what rods perform the best, a method of -- as Anderson puts it -- "cutting through the [marketing] hype" of rod manufacturers.

Rods from varying price points are tested and judged based on a series of objective and subjective categories. This year, top honors went to the G. Loomis NRX Light Presentation. Commenting on the rod and its designer, Steve Rajeff, Anderson said, "Steve is a master at building rods with nice progressively soft tips and this is one reason that G. Loomis has made some of our favorite rods over the years. Good strong butt and mid section power, but softer tips that allow for better feel, superb accuracy and delicate presentations."