The Middle River Group, LLC

fly fishing, conservation and politics.

tenkara, conservation, communications, politics

Key grip and trout wrangler at the Middle River Group, LLC. Playing Doc Holliday to the Wyatt Earps of the fish and wildlife conservation world. Deputy Director, Marine Fish Conservation Network. Guide and instructor, Mossy Creek Fly Fishing. Freelance outdoor writer.

The Duty to Act

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Below is a trailer to the film CO2LD WATERS.

You need to watch it.

As Thomas McGuane wrote in The Longest Silence, “if the trout are lost, smash the state.”

Fortunately, Todd Tanner of Conservation Hawks has started the process. In this new project he joins fly fishing notables Craig Mathews of Blue Ribbon Flies, Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia, Steve Hemkens of Orvis and Tim Romano of Angling Trade in pointing out the consequences of ignoring global climate change.

If you don’t think climate change is problem, then you are just not paying attention.

Not sure what you can do about it? Share this video, add your voice and stay informed.

 

 

OWAA submits comments on the U.S. Forest Service proposed directive for commercial filming in wilderness

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From OWAA News

November 21, 2014

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Outdoor Writers Association of America has submitted comments to the U.S. Forest Service on the proposed directive for commercial filming in wilderness.

OWAA’s comments recommend that the directive specifically exempt professional journalists, either working on media staff, working on an assignment for a media outlet or gathering information, images or footage with the intent to publish or air them in a media outlet.

“OWAA members appreciate and value the Forest Service, and specifically Chief Tidwell, reaching out and requesting our input in codifying rules that restrict the improper commercialization of federally designated wilderness areas without restraining the reporting dynamics of outdoor communicators,” said OWAA President Mark Freeman, outdoors columnist for the Mail Tribune in Medford, Oregon. “Our work brings real wilderness to life for Americans, our readers and viewers and owners of these spectacular lands.”

OWAA also recommended adding two definitions to the language, one defining “constitutionally protected activity of journalists” and one defining “journalist.” The first definition incorporates some of the language Chief Tidwell spelled out in his Nov. 4 letter stating his intentions for the rule. The second definition acknowledges the various kinds of journalists currently working in federally designated wilderness areas.

Contact:
OWAA President Mark Freeman: 541-840-9477
OWAA Executive Director Tom Sadler: 406-552-4049

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OWAA encourages our members to read the proposed directive and provide comments before the Dec. 3, 2014, deadline. (https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-21093).

Download a PDF of OWAA’s comments (http://owaa.org/file/usfs-filming-comments-by-owaa-11202014.pdf).

Download a PDF copy of Chief Tidwell’s letter (http://owaa.org/file/20141104CommercialFilming&PhotographyPermits.pdf).

The Philosophy of Brook Trout

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If you have even a passing interest in brook trout then you will want to pick up a copy of Downstream by David L. O’Hara and Matthew T. Dickerson.

If we could explain why grown men are so fascinated with brook trout, or why we spend so much of our time waist-deep in their waters, soaked to the bone, shivering, and delighting in every encounter with a specked trout, we wouldn’t need to write stories. This book is the best answer we can give.”

So begins this excellent book that explores the nexus between brook trout, fly fishing and some of the more interesting locations these very special fish call home.

The authors switch off with narratives that reflect both their personalities and points of view. The joy in the book comes in how they share their experience of fishing for brookies and the insights they give to the importance of the habitat the brook trout occupy.

The only complaint I would lodge is that they did not include Virginia in their travels. It would have been wonderful to see my home waters through their eyes.

The authors explore not only the impacts wrought upon the brook trout’s habitat, they also share their experience as fisherman; the teaching, manners, politics and connections to home. Dickerson is quite adept and entertaining at sharing the conundrums many fly fisherman face.

At the beginning of the conclusion, O’Hara quotes Kathleen Dean Moore from Pine Island Paradox.

I believe that the most loving thing you can say to a person is “Look.” And the most loving stance is not a close embrace, but two people standing side by side, looking out together on the world. When people learn to look, they begin to see, really see. When they begin to see, they begin to care. And caring is the portal to the into the moral world.”

Then, in my favorite part of the book he delves into the question of why he fishes. No doubt the answer to why is going to be different for everyone; but he does a fine job of putting on paper something that I and many others can relate to, to know the world we live in and our own lives better.

Downstream delivers an excellent “look” that Moore describes and the reader will come away with a sense of having stood side by side with the authors as they share their sense of caring for these special fish and the places they live.

OWAA Statement on the U.S. Forest Service Chief’s memo about the proposed directive for commercial filming in wilderness

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From OWAA News

November 11, 2014
MISSOULA, Mont. – Leadership of the Outdoor Writers Association of America has commented on U.S. Forest Service Chief Thomas L. Tidwell’s Nov. 4, 2014, letter of intent regarding the proposed directive for commercial filming in wilderness.

Chief Tidwell’s letter responded to concerns raised by OWAA and others that the proposed directive could require media outlets to pay for special-use permits before they film or take photos in federally designated wilderness areas, thereby severely hampering researching and reporting abilities by the media.

“The Outdoor Writers Association of America is pleased that Chief Tidwell has taken this action to clarify his intent regarding the proposed directive,” said OWAA President Mark Freeman, outdoors columnist for the Mail Tribune in Medford, Oregon.

“His recognition that journalists ‘provide a critical public service’ and that ‘journalism is not to be considered a commercial activity’ is clear guidance to the field and we are encouraging our members to rely upon it to continue to do their work on National Forest System lands.”

“OWAA will be submitting comments and attending public meetings to make our views known,” said OWAA Executive Director Tom Sadler.

“In the meantime we appreciate the Chief’s ongoing involvement and this recent action.”

The Chief’s letter notes “Journalism includes, but is not limited to: breaking news, b-roll, feature news, news documentaries, long-form pieces, background, blogs, and any other act that could be considered related to news-gathering.”

Contact:
OWAA President Mark Freeman: 541-840-9477
OWAA Executive Director Tom Sadler: 406-552-4049

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Download a PDF copy of Chief Tidwell’s letter (http://owaa.org/file/20141104CommercialFilming&PhotographyPermits.pdf)

OWAA encourages our members to read the proposed directive and provide comments before the Dec. 3, 2014, deadline. (https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-21093)

Tenkara Subdivisions

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Loadout edited-1The Tenkara Jam last month was loaded with good information and hands-on opportunities. One of the better presentations was by Rob Worthing of Tenkara Guides LLC. Rob’s presentation was a detailed exploration of handling big fish and is now a guest post on Casting Around. If you are interested learning a field tested way of handling big fish you will be hard pressed to find a better resource.

While Rob’s article is educational, helpful and very well illustrated (courtesy of Anthony Naples), what caught my attention was his insights into the Japanese tenkara world. He points out that there are three “subdivisions” of tenkara in Japan. Subdivisions is a good word as the distinctions are geographic:

we’ll refer to these subdivisions as headwater tenkara, mountain stream tenkara, and mainstream tenkara. Rods intended for tight, small headwaters located deep in the mountains are relatively light and usually shorter. Rods intended for mountain stream tenkara are a bit sturdier. Rods intended for mainstream rivers, where casting tends to be more open, are frequently longer, and may be beefier still.”

This then becomes a great way to help tenkara anglers look at the spectrum of fixed line rods that are now available. For quick reference here in the Valley, I would equate these subdivisions to the following local waters; headwater = Rapidan or Skidmore Fork, mountain = Dry River or Mossy Creek and mainstream = South Fork of the Shenandoah.

Mossy Creek Fly Fishing. has rods that work in all these subdivisions and I plan to adopt Rob’s explanation as a way to help my clients and customers understand what rod to use where.

 

 

Your Voice of the Outdoors

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From OWAA News

OWAA President Mark Freeman joins me for a joint post about how OWAA works for you.

An important part of any outdoor communicator’s job is to inform the public about the health of our forests, the status of our wildlife populations and the way public lands are managed. For OWAA and its members it is a duty we take seriously and a service upon which the public relies.

That’s why when a proposed directive by the U.S. Forest Service threatened access for outdoor communicators to designated wilderness areas, OWAA sprang into action, advocating on behalf of our membership and all outdoor journalists. We saw it as a threat to our members, and an attack on our First Amendment rights.

We spoke directly to U.S. Forest Service Chief Thomas Tidwell weighing in on the importance of access and the service our members and other journalists provide to the public.

To his credit, Tidwell recognized OWAA and its membership as the “voice of the outdoors,” asking for suggestions for better wording for the directive and continued involvement as the agency works to protect America’s wild places, while recognizing the importance and rights of journalists.

You can read more about our conversation with Tidwell in the upcoming December/January issue of Outdoors Unlimited.

In the meantime, we encourage members to read the proposed directive and provide comments before the Dec. 3, 2014, deadline. You can email comments directly to reply_lands@fs.fed.us.

(Read and comment via this link: https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-21093)