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Fly tying: Making your own fine-tipped bodkin
As a fly tier that tries to do things as affordably as possible—yet still have quality tools and materials to craft the best possible flies—I'm always on the lookout for tips and tricks to achieve my goals. Video of Fine Tipped BodkinBodkins are simple tools—just a sharp stretch of wire attached to a handle. But,…
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Video spotlight: How to Fish Out of a Flats Boat
In recent years, fly fishing the flats of the Caribbean has become an expensive passion for me. I like to go at least once a year, usually in the spring when the weather here in Idaho can be still be relentlessly cold. And I usually try to do a lot of my flats fishing on…
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Yes for salmon
By Chris Wood Some bad ideas rise above others: New Coke, Diet Water, the Red Sox trading Babe Ruth to the Yankees. One of the worst ideas of all time? The proposal to build a mine in the headwaters of Bristol Bay, Alaska. Scientists during the during the Obama Administration said the mine was too…
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Oregon Wildlands Act passes out of committee
Last week, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act celebrated its 50th year as law of the land. Also last week, the Oregon Wildlands Act sponsored by Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Thge Oregon Wildlands Act would protect 108,000 new acres of Wilderness in…
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Voices from the River: Cruising upriver
By Jenny Weis Rounding the corner from the dock, I turn my baseball hat backwards so it doesn’t blow off my head, and zip my down vest up all the way so it covers my neck. Standing behind me at the motor, Connor turns the throttle and I fold my arms across my chest and…
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Reflections on another western fire season
By Tom Jones Those of us who live in the west have spent yet another frightening summer navigating our fire season, which has become longer and more intense over the years with climate change. On June 1, a fire started north of my home in Durango, Colo.. As the 416 Fire began to move toward us, my…
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Voices from the River: Fly fishing as therapy
Dan Nelson took some time away from his worries about having Stage 4 brain cancer and ended up catching this beautiful brown trout during a Reel Recovery fly fishing retreat. Photo courtesy of Reel Recovery. By Brett Prettyman Like many anglers, Dan Nelson took his time on the water for granted. He appreciated being on…