The Tongass: America's Salmon Forest

Here in Texas, we worry about oil spills and red tides harming our Coastal waters. The close encounter of an Alligator as it tries to figure out what you are, since the kayak you're floating in is the same size and shape that it is. A flash flood while on the river, or stepping over a poisonous snake as you make that last step into the water to start your wade.

When you are not a  seasoned fly fisherman like myself, you tend to do a lot of web searching for articles to assist you and often come across items that you can assist with. Last year through Trout Unlimited I learned about the effort to try and stop Pebble Mines in Bristol Bay. Now I come across an effort to stop the initiatives to privatize large areas of land on the Tongass in Alaska for development with proposals for Hydroelectric dams and mining.
Trout Unlimited  collaborated with scientists, fisherman, land managers and others to develop a strategy called Tongass 77 to protect the valued Salmon and Trout watersheds. With the help of sportsman they are urging Congress to enact Tongass 77 legislation to ensure that this area remains America's Salmon forest for generations.
Whenever I read an article or watch a video about Alaska I'm in awe of the beauty that this state has to offer. When you think about this area a few things that come to mind are cold weather, awesome fishery, and bears. I had no idea that there was even a Rainforest there, much less one that covers around 17 million acres. With it's over 40,000 miles of streams and 20,000 lakes and ponds, you can see why this would be a worthwhile cause.

Photo Credit: Ian Majszak

After researching this area I now understand why this area needs to be protected. Not just to protect a fishery, but to protect the living of all of the people that need the resources that it provides. Although I am lucky enough to live in an area that has Rainbow trout it would still be an unreal feeling to fish a place like this and absorb its beauty.

While I am only one voice, it would be nice to see others take an interest in the need to protect America's Salmon Forest.

 





This is my submission to the Trout Unlimited 2013 Blogger Tour sponsored by Fishpond, Tenkara USA and RIO, and hosted by the Outdoor Blogger Network.

Red Quest

Determined to catch Redfish on a fly rod this year. I set out to meet three friends along the Texas coast for a weekend of fishing. A cold front had passed through the area on Thursday and had the water a little off color from the rain and high winds.

We arrived Saturday and unloaded gear then prepped for an afternoon launch. Launching the kayaks we were met with strong winds and low waters.

Using the afternoon to explore and fish, we came across some reds in the low water but they were spooked. Seeing one cruising to my right, I laid a cast with a shrimp clouser in front of it's path and patiently waited as it approached. When it came close to the fly I made a short hop and started stripping it in only to have the red boil on it but missed hooking up. This would be the best chance that I had for the rest of the day due to the setting sun.

After a night of good food and laughs, we woke up to a wicked wind and decided to wait awhile before hitting the launch.

The wind finally died down (some) so we headed out to continue the search. The water was still low so we made the most of it by catching some small crabs and rigging them up and testing out the channel. This proved to provide some action as we managed to bring in a few fish.

I took my SUPerFISHal out the next morning and paddled the flats searching for reds. Saw a few but no takers but I did run across quite a few rays which put a reminder to slide my feet when wading.

Always a great time hanging out with friends, no matter what the fishing is like. I will catch a redfish on the fly soon.

F3T Invades Austin

It happened on a Thursday night in Austin,TX. The Fly Fishing Film Tour came to Texas and the afternoon looked like a fresh hatch on the river as people socialized before the film began.

It was my first time to see it at the beautiful Paramount Theater located off of Congress Ave. Pretty sure this was on my mind more than work that day.

Arriving a little early and patiently waiting for the doors to open. The crowd started growing outside with everyone trying to be one of the first 500 through the door in order to get a pretty cool hat from the F3T donated by Howler Brothers.

The great part about the social hour is meeting old friends and meeting people face to face for the first time. I also enjoyed walking around and talking to the many sponsors who had a small booth set up inside the theater. Without these great companies and people this probably would not happen.

Oh yeah, there were fish tacos during the social.

I also had my name drawn a few times. One for a certificate for a fly line of choice from Scientific Anglers and a gift certificate to Backwoods Austin.

This was my view from the balcony. I had a great time and will be back again next year. The film was great and if you ever get the chance to see the short film Hit 'em again Doc, do so as it was my favorite of the night.

Pre Easter River Trip

Was invited to fish the day before Easter on the Colorado river outside of Austin. The trip was arranged to help put a couple of guys from  the Heroes on the Water program onto some fish.
We met up early in the morning and dragged the kayaks down to the water. The overcast skies would hang with us for most of the morning but give way to warmer temps and clear skies.

These guys were excellent fisherman as they caught bass after bass all day long tossing a texas rigged lizard.

Tossing a popper on my LOOP 6wt all day coaxed strike after strike around the outer edge of the grass lines.

Everybody seemed to be having a good day with the fish as well as the company.

Even the cow seemed to be enjoying the river.

It was a great day and I came away with some new friends.
See you on the water........

A Day Of Firsts

Sunday was a day of firsts for me. Not only did I catch my first Largrmouth bass of 2013, but it was caught on a new LOOP fly rod and reel.

It was the first time for me to fish with a Cajun Cheerleader fly from DragonFly Angler Flies. The fly is designed to mimic a crayfish with it's moving arms and slow sink rate makes it a great fly for bass as well as trout.

This was the first time for me to fish on the new SUPerFISHal from Jackson Kayaks. A standup paddleboard that was designed with fishing in mind.

The wind was blowing hard as the SUP was slid into the water and I climbed aboard. Stable is an understatement, not once during the day did I feel uncomfortable or tippy. Sitting atop my K2 cooler to rest during the day was a breeze and I was able to sit on it and paddle when I felt like it.

Can't wait to get this SUP out on the flats and chase some redfish with it.

Here is a short video of the bass that bit the fly.


3-3-13 Guad from Robert Matthews on Vimeo.