Tom Sadler | Page 61 | The Middle River Group, LLC

“Just one question?”

October 23, 2013 By Tom Sadler

Beau Beasley penned an important article, In Cuccinelli-McAuliffe Governor’s Race, Reaching Virginia’s Sportsman Critical to Vote, that ran in the Potomac Local this week.

Here are a few thoughts.

I know Rob Wittman personally, he is the real deal and a stellar example of what is right in our elected officials. In the current parlance, “he gets it.”

It is very unfortunate that Mr. McAullife or his folks didn’t respond. I understand they were asked more than once.

Mr. Cuccinelli’s lack of engagement on the Jackson River case is very disappointing. I understand the state’s position, I think they are wrong and should do more. If you want to know more about what should be done, just Google Beau Beasley and Jackson River.

Beasley is correct when he writes “The problem politicians face is crafting a clear message that appeals to those potential voters without turning away many others.”

What troubles me is that other than Wittman, they show little appreciation for the economic impact outdoor recreation has in the Commonwealth and how dependent that economic activity is on public land. Outdoor recreation generates $13.6 BILLION in direct consumer spending in Virginia. Hunting and fishing account for $2.38 BILLION.

Seems like that is the foundation for a clear message that is unlikely to turn away voters.

I wonder, again other than Wittman, how much thought they have given to conservation and the environment in relation to the impact it has on our outdoor recreation economy.

Everyone who meets the candidates or elected officials should ask one simple question, “What are you doing to support the outdoor recreation economy in Virginia?”

The answers will tell you 1) if the candidate understands the importance of the outdoor recreation economy and 2) what they think can and should be done. I am afraid we may be disappointed at best and more likely troubled by the answers.

Kudos to Beasley for banging the drum.

source: http://potomaclocal.com/2013/10/22/cuccinelli-mcaullife-governors-race-reaching-virginias-sportsman-critical-vote/

Bringing you the news from OWAA

October 22, 2013 By Tom Sadler

As executive director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, I know first hand how important our work is. The opportunity to be part of the leadership team at OWAA is exciting, challenging and a career highlight for me.

OWAA is comprised of more than 800 individual outdoor communicators from the broad, modern spectrum of outdoor beats, from shooting to camping, fishing to kayaking, wildlife watching to backpacking. We believe in improving the professional skills of our members, setting the highest ethical and communications standards, encouraging public enjoyment and conservation of natural resources, and being mentors for the next generation of professional outdoor communicators.

We do that by networking with fellow professional communicators, publishing Outdoors Unlimited magazine, offering job and editorial listings in our Outdoor Market and most notably, hosting our annual conference. We offer craft improvement advice, industry news, information on technology trends, available job openings, conservation news, and business advice.

While much of what we do is aimed at our members and supporters, we do share a fair amount of information with the public.

I will be sharing that public information here on Dispatches. My goal is to help spread the news but also to offer you a view into the world of OWAA.

If you want more information about OWAA you can find it at OWAA.org.

If you are interested in learning about joining OWAA take a look at OWAA.org/join.

Fish Water

August 20, 2013 By Tom Sadler

Imagine fishing without beer. That would almost be as bad as fishing without fish…

If you take your beer as seriously as your fishing then this post, “10 Brewing Companies That Protect Our Fish” from the boys at Gink & Gasoline is worth the read.

They take a look at brewers who give back to the resource and the list may surprise you.

Next time I tip one back I’ll be thinking about who is helping make the fishing just a little bit better.

And brewers, if you are doing something for the water resources in your area, let me know. Happy to post an addendum to the Gink and Gasoline list.

Rx for Vegas

July 14, 2013 By Tom Sadler

“Ooh, Las Vegas ain’t no place for a poor boy like me. Every time I hit your crystal city, you know you gonna make a wreck out of me.” – Gram Parsons

When I got the first text from Delta telling me that my flight home from Vegas Thursday was delayed I just knew my travel plans had started to circle the drain. I changed my flights to try and make it home, but a mechanical issue on the flight did me in. I will give Delta customer service credit they could’t have been nicer and more helpful, thanks to Kim Bailey on the phone and Georgie at the LAS check-in counter.

I was in Vegas for the AFFTA board meeting and the ICAST/IFTD trade shows. Three days of smoky hotel bars and scant periods of being outside had me more than ready for a return to the Shenandoah Valley.

Over the years I have learned to roll with travel snafus. So when I texted my buddy Chris Hunt telling him I was stuck in Vegas, his reply was “Glad your back. We’ll make the best of a bad situation ;-)”

And indeed we did!

After a quick trip back to the Convention Center to get in one more round of post show parties, I wound up eating in Chef Rick Moonen’s new restaurant Rx Boiler Room, with Hunt and Scott Hed of Sportsmen’s Alliance for Alaska fame. Rx rightly claims to be the “alchemy of food and drink.”

Hunt and the Rx ladies — Hunt and Rx ladies

The food was exceptional! I enjoyed a lobster roll that would be proudly served in Newport (he knows his rolls) matched by outstanding service. Thanks Cecila!

The drinks are as special as the menu, so don’t settle for any of your standard cocktails, enjoy what the bar wizards concoct!

The decor and outfits were created by Moonen’s talented wife Roni. Billed as Steampunk, it had this glorious pirate den feel to me.

Hed knows Moonen from their work together on the Save Bristol Bay campaign and Savor Bristol Bay. Moonen is a sustainable seafood advocate who practices what he preaches and puts his money where your mouth is.

Eating at Rx gave us a chance to say thanks to Chef Moonen for his support for protecting Bristol Bay and for being such an excellent voice for sustainable seafood.

Fly Fish Virginia – Rapidan

May 4, 2013 By Tom Sadler

When I started Five Great Virginia Streams for Tenkara on March 5th I had hoped to get all five covered in a couple of weeks. Now here we are on May 4th and I am just getting to number 4, the Rapidan River. Sorry about that, but life and new job keep me away from this chronicle.

The Rapidan is probably my favorite brook trout water. I have spent more time and logged more miles on the water then any place else on earth. It truly is my home water.

The Rapidan, located in the Shenandoah National Park, is a high gradient mountain stream with a variety of riffles, pools, runs, and falls. You can drive right to the water but you will be on a dirt road of varying quality much of the way. It doesn’t require a 4×4, but a sports car is not recommended.

To reach the Rapidan take state route 29 to Madison. Head west on route 231 toward Banco. Bear left onto route 670 toward Criglersville and Syria. Go about 2 miles and turn left onto 649/Quaker Run Rd. Follow Quarker Run Rd. until it becomes a dirt road. Stay on the dirt road and you go up on over the ridge, crossing a fire road and head down into the Shenandoah National Park. You will bottom out at the Rapidan with a 4-5 car parking area on your left.

You can start fishing up or down from here and there are miles of water either way. If there are more than two cars, I would continue on the road until you find a pull off that suits you and start fishing.

If you continue on the road you will cross the first of two wooden bridges. There are 4-5 car parking areas near each bridge. When you cross the first bridge you will be entering the state’s Wildlife Management Area. You can camp in this area if you want.

President and Mrs Hoover's Rapidan Camp — President and Mrs Hoover’s Rapidan Camp

Continue past the second bridge you will pass an in-holding (not open to the public) and further along you will come to a locked gate. If you hike up the trail you will reach Rapidan Camp, President Hoover’s summer getaway. This is where the Mill Prong and the Laurel Prong form the headwaters of the Rapidan. The U.S. Park Service maintains an interpretive operation at Rapidan Camp. It is an easy ½ hour hike and worth the trip if only for the historic value of seeing a rustic presidential retreat.

If you have read the other posts then you already know what flies work in these mountain brook trout streams; a dry or dry-dropper rig either Adams or BWO parachutes. For nymphs try a Pheasant Tail, Gold Ribbed Hare’s ear or Copper John. A few Quill Gordons, March Browns and Sulfurs for mayfly imitations; little black stoneflies, yellow sallies and some tan and olive caddis round out the assortment. Of course if you want to go the full tenkara route then try an Oki or Ishigaki. Check with Mossy Creek Fly Fishing to get the latest on what’s working.

Because the Rapidan has more gradient it offers more complexity to the water. You can spend a lifetime fishing the Rapidan and will always find interesting water to fish. I have fished it in every month of the year and covered most of the water and still look forward to fishing it again.

Give the Rapidan a try and let me know what you think.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers name Land Tawney Executive Director

April 28, 2013 By Tom Sadler

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers announced this week that Land Tawney will lead the organization. Tawney is one of the rising young stars of the conservation world and a top-hand. He will provide BHA with strong leadership and a can-do attitude that will surely move BHA into the big leagues of hunting and fishing conservation groups. Tawney is a close friend and ally and I am really excited to see him take charge!

PRESS RELEASE

MISSOULA — The national sportsmen’s group Backcountry Hunters & Anglers today announced the hiring of longtime Western conservation leader Land Tawney to be the organization’s new Executive Director.

“We are very excited to have a sportsman of Land’s caliber and experience to take the helm of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and lead this growing and influential organization forward,” said Ben Long, the group’s co-chairman. “Land exemplifies the hunting and fishing lifestyle and boots-on-the-ground conservation ethic that makes Backcountry Hunters & Anglers special.”

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers bills itself as “the sportsmen’s voice for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife.” Born around an Oregon campfire in 2004 the organization now boasts members in nearly all 50 states and chapters in nearly all Western States.

“As someone who was raised hunting and fishing the backcountry of Montana, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is a great fit for me personally and professionally,” said Tawney. “I’m excited to help this group of passionate public land sportsmen reach its full potential.”

####

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands and waters.

tenkara, conservation, communications, politics

PRESS RELEASE