Articles

Patagonia, Black Diamond slam Utah leadership on public lands, OR will consider moving shows

Influential companies urge outdoor industry to leverage its economic power to put a stop to public lands assault

by Chad Shmukler - Thursday, Jan 12th, 2017

Cedar Mesa Valley of the Gods in Bears Ear National Monument (photo: BLM).

Two times each year, for around the last two decades, the outdoor industry holds its biggest extravaganza in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Outdoor Retailer show, better known as "OR", is where the biggest brands in the business of the outdoors show off all their latest and greatest. Not only do these shows repeatedly place Utah's outdoor industry in spotlight, they reportedly bring over $50 million in direct spending to the state each year. OR is big business for Utah.

Power to the public

A year spent on public lands

by Kris Millgate - Wednesday, Jan 11th, 2017

Photo: Kris Millgate

I saw Malheur National Wildlife Refuge for the first time in January 2016. Well, sort of saw it. The fog was as thick as smoke trapped in a burning trailer house the morning I arrived at the refuge. Camera in hand, confused literally and figuratively, I couldn’t get a handle on my surroundings or the situation. The fog was hours from blowing away. The problem was months from going away.

Review: Korkers Darkhorse wading boots

A detailed look at Korkers new do-it-all wading boot

by Spencer Durrant - Thursday, Jan 5th, 2017

Photo: Ryan Kelly

I’ve been fishing a pair of Korkers Devil’s Canyon boots for a little more than a year and have remained convinced that they’re the best wading boots I’ve ever worn. They offered almost everything I want in a wading boot, save for the lack of a gaiter hook ring and a stiffer top section to protect anglers, such as myself, with weak ankles. Despite those missing features, I found myself grabbing those boots more than any others. Then I got my hands on a pair of the new Darkhorse boots from Korkers.

Through years of change, the ponds remain

Pond fishing can spoil even the greediest of anglers

by Mark Taylor - Tuesday, Jan 3rd, 2017

Photo: Mark Taylor

I had dated the girl for a couple of years when it was time for the big test.

We were heading from Virginia to her family reunion in South Georgia.

Her brother pulled me aside to prepare me for what I was about to experience.

“Bring your fishing gear,” Jimmy said.

I knew their dad lived on a lake. But it was the farm's ponds, not the lake, that offered the best fishing.

Vanishing Paradise II: Charlie and the specks

Speckled trout are the lynchpin of coastal Louisiana's fishing culture and economy

by Johnny Carrol Sain - Monday, Jan 2nd, 2017

Photo: Johnny Carrol Sain

Charlie Bush loves speckled trout.

The “L” word often gets tossed around with flippancy, but this is not one of those instances and it’s not hyperbole, and it goes beyond catching and eating speckled trout. No, it doesn’t. Charlie’s love for speckled trout is the purest manifestation of a predator/prey relationship.