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.

Virginia’s rivers are an economic engine.

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One of my favorite statesman, former U.S. Senator John Warner of Virginia, penned a great editorial, Protect Virginia’s rivers, about how important Virginia’s rivers are to our culture, health and economy.

Senator Warner wrote about the value of our rivers as blue ways or water trails:

“A water trail or blueway is a dedicated stretch of river that enjoys special clean-water safeguards and is a destination for fishing, boating and other recreation. Water trails also benefit our economy, bringing valuable tourist dollars to local businesses and providing recreation-related jobs for Virginians.”

Virginia’s rivers are a gift in many ways. Hopefully when the America’s Great Outdoors report is released tomorrow it will include, as Senator Warner hopes, strong support for rivers and water across the county.

By making rivers the centerpiece of America’s Great Outdoors, the administration will ensure the rivers of our states will flow with beauty and vitality, enriching lives for generations to come.

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Money Talks

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Now we are talking!

Here in Virginia we have a Lt. Governor, Bill Bolling, who loves to fly fish which is great in and of itself.

More importantly he “gets it” when it comes to the how important fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation is to Virginia’s economy.

Check it out!

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M46moS7YvoA

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Angling Trade: Thieves Targeting Colorado Fly Shops

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Looks like a couple of dirtbags are on the loose and ripping off fly shops in Colorado.

This is no joke. Pass the word!

All Points Bulletin: Thieves Targeting Colorado Fly Shops | Angling Trade.

A well-orchestrated group of of thieves is targeting Colorado fly shops.  So far they have made off with several thousand dollars in merchandise.  The group is stealing high end product.  Among the shops hit thus far: Laughing Grizzly, Angler’s All, Charlie’s Fly Box, Trout’s Fly Shop, Orvis Cherry Creek, and Rocky Mountain Anglers.

Thefts occurred February 2-3.

Suspects are two couples, Middle Eastern or Latin in appearance, well groomed and dressed fashionably.  Once couple distracts the store staff while the other steals merchandise. Suspects have called ahead and
verified that you are indeed a specialty fly shop. Cell phone area codes that have been used are (402) and (815). A Maroon passenger van with an Illinois license plate # K714 248 was used by the suspects.

Below is the only photo of the suspects that is available at this time.

BE ON ALERT!  Protect your business, and if you get a chance to pinch these crooks by calling the police, do it!

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Tenkara on the Madison River

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Craig Mathews of Blue Ribbon Flies shows off his die-hard chops!
Craig is responsible for my current tenkara addition. And while I love my tenkara fishing as much as the next guy, this is true dedication.

You will get to see more of Craig’s fishing escapades. He noted in a recent blog post:

I just received word our 13 part series on The World Fishing Network comes out this Sept. The first show will be Yvon Chouinard and I on Spring Creek. The show run 52 weeks, 6 times per week., with 13 different fishing venues I will keep you posted with information on other shows, where and when and more so stay tuned!

Will keep you posted.

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A Field & Stream Hero of Conservation

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Each month Field and Stream in its Hero’s of Conservation column features people who are upholding the finest traditions of fishing and hunting stewardship.

The January column, Heroes of Conservation: Fence Removal, Water Guzzlers, And Trout | Field & Stream, profiled my good friend Jim Greene of Waterwisp. Jim is a true gentleman and his volunteer efforts are legendary.

He gets well deserved recognition for his efforts in support of Trout Unlimited’s Trout in the Classroom program in Maryland. Greene has helped more than 100 classes get started.

“The underlying purpose is to get kids to appreciate clean coldwater streams,”

Sounds like a pretty good idea to me, what do you think?

Trout Unlimited have seven programs for young people from 8 to college age to help protect and restore the nation’s coldwater resources. Check out TU’s Headwater’s Youth Education Initiative!