Posts tagged: orvis

The Friday Fly Fishing Follies at the Underground – the King of All Fly Fishing Media

December 12, 2008, by Tom Chandler 13 comments

After a couple of heavy-duty enviro/industry posts have worn out the Undergrounders, I thought we’d fire up a Friday Follies post, where we not only celebrate the odd, but the weird as well.

The Trout Underground Rockets to Stardom, Again

First, Businessweek.com published an article about Orvis focusing on the performance of the lifestyle company in the recession, and the success of the Helios fly rod in particular

Businessweek covers Orvis' Helios Fly Rod

Businessweek covers Orvis &, the Helios Fly Rod & TU

Proving again the Trout Underground has become the King of All Fly Fishing Media (move your ass over, Grays), the World’s Bestest Ever Fly Fishing Blog was prominently named on Page 2 of the Businessweek story, and frankly, we think it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

And yes, I jest, but then, it is interesting that a pair of blogs were mentioned on the cover of the Orvis fly fishing catalog (which I still haven’t seen in person), the Underground has become fodder for a fly fishing TV show, and I’m getting more mainstream media mentions all the time (though not from the mainstream fly fishing media).

This suggests the fly fishing’s blogosphere starting to grow into the same spaces filled by blogs in more progressive markets, and if you take a careful look at the better fly fishing blogs, you’ll find them filling niches largely untouched by the big magazines.

More on this subject when I’ve had more to drink got a little time.

It’s The Holidays at the Man Cave

Last night was the official lighting of the Trout Underground/Man Cave Christmas tree, a festive occasion darkened a teensy bit by the utter lack of presents under our mammoth, formerly-growing-too-close-to-the house tree.

TU World Headquarters Christmas Tree

Because we’re adults and already own every conceivable piece of outdoor gear (successfully covering the sports of fly fishing, cycling, downhill skiing, ski touring, snowshoeing, airgunning and a few others I can’t remember), there isn’t much under the tree (to the better-off Undergrounders I say this: I’m a large, like blue, and think turbocharging is kinda cool).

On hand for the lighting was the biggest celebrity in all of Mount Shasta: Wally the Wonderdog, who celebrated the occasion by farting, circling three times, and laying down.

Excitement like that you simply can’t find in New York.

Winter Finally Here?

With snow forecast at Trout Underground World Headquarters over the weekend, is it possible winter’s finally arriving after months of unseasonably nice weather?

As always, we’ll let you know – especially the water users south of Redding, who have been holding their collective breath, fearing a third year of drought.

A drought – combined with failing native fish populations – could turn the southern half of the state into something of a desert (well, most of it is desert).

Photos from the weather front as it happens (probably photos of the Wonderdog, who loves snow almost as much as he loves stealing pot roast off my plate when I’m not looking – bad dog).

For now, the winter fishing on the Upper Sacramento is still pretty damned good, and come February – when there’s no place to fish – you’ll rue not traveling up to try it. You will. Really.

Crocodile Swimming in Massachusetts Pond?

Massachusetts fly fishermen may want to steer clear of the float tubes for a while – at least until this report of a crocodile swimming in an Massachusetts pond is cleared up.

The story’s a good example of the relentless drive of non-native terrorist species to conquer our freedom-loving waters (or a good reason why prohibition should be brought back).

Either way, no need to thank the Underground for almost certainly saving your miserable life. We’re happy to do it.

And Now, Something Unbearably Cute

With no writer’s bailout in sight, I have to get a few words down on paper, so I’ll leave with you an unbearably cute animal video that’s making the rounds.

No, I have no idea what it’s really about – and yes, it lacks a singing fish – but somebody at your end of the Intertubes will no doubt love it. Love it.

See you on the river (and probably this weekend), Tom Chandler.

Fly Fishing the Internet Follies: It’s the Monday Internet Wrapup

November 17, 2008, by Tom Chandler 8 comments

It was a weekend spent sitting, driving, driving, sitting, driving… well, you get the picture.

And without a trout at the end of any of those drives – and all my little small streams closing as the General Trout Season ended on Saturday – you could say my “regular” season ended not with a bang, but with the whimper of tires on the highway.

Fortunately, California’s progressed to the point that they carelessly left a few places for us to fish during the winter, and yes, I damn well plan to take advantage of them (starting this afternoon).

Still, I gathered this collection of interesting bits (often Internet stories) that don’t quite fit anywhere else, and thought I’d turn you on to them, if only for the opportunity they afford to rant (never pass an opportunity like that).

Yes, my fishy friends; it’s the Monday episode of the Underground’s Internet Wrapup.

State of Our Trout by Ted Williams

While enviro writer Ted Williams doesn’t quite walk on water, nobody writes about the liquid stuff better, at least not when it comes to fish, fisheries and wildlife. Thus, when Williams starts writing about the “State of Our Trout” it’s time to start listening, and as a bonus, you don’t even have to subscribe to Fly Rod & Reel to read it.

Part I and Part II have been posted on William’s regrettably oft-broken blog, so now you can read his cut-to-the-bone accounts of the fight to save Lake Davis from pike (and potentially California’s salmon & steelhead populations along with it), plus follow along the path taken by cutthroat recovery efforts.

Williams infuses his stories with drama, and unlike so many writers seeking a non-existent “balance,” doesn’t take prisoners from either camp.

In turn, he castigatges anti-rotenone activists for blocking recovery of native species; puts a bulls-eye on the backs of “environmental” groups willing to selectively apply the Endangered Species Act; attacks those attempting to gut the ESA; and even hammers outfitters actively opposing native trout recovery.

Williams gets two fins up from the Underground.

State of Our Industry (Sorta)

In the fly fishing industry – where most of the market “leaders” can’t even get their shit together enough to send a regular email/enewsletter to their customers (the marketing equivalent of going fly fishing without knowing how to tie a fly on a leader) – this Internet Retailer article about Orvis should open a few eyes.

Orvis is plowing ahead with all sorts of interesting e-commerce moves, and you don’t need my 23 years in marketing (or read my engagement marketing white paper) to know that companies survive downturns by doing what’s smart right now instead of waiting for the next Movie to save your ass once the weather turns ugly.

And yes, I can already hear the “dog-bed” mafia getting ready to savage Orvis for their lifestyle sales, but frankly, I’m not interested. Find me someone else in the industry – outside of Green Poster Child Patagonia – who’s doing as much to restore fisheries, and I’ll spotlight them.

Underground Namesake Shoots, Scores

Airgun target Many of you think you know all about me from the Underground, but I’m here to point out you don’t.

For example, most have no idea I wile away the winter hours shooting target airguns (I suck, but I do it), which is why I can’t possibly pass up an opportunity to bask in the glow of target shooting success – even if that glow is only reflected on me by Air Force Academy Student Tom Chandler, who shoots scores I never will.

You, my friends, have stumbled on the story where we name Tom Chandler (the young one with good eyesight and non-shakey hands) The Official Underground Director of Shooting Sports and Pathetic Ego-Gratification by Proxy.

You can read about Chandler’s triumph in a recent match (overall points winner with 1172: smallbore 587, air rifle 585), and yes, you can expect more reflected-glory bragging as Chandler’s competitive season progresses – despite the fact I don’t know this kid, and he sure as heck doesn’t know me.

And here you thought it couldn’t get any stranger here at the Underground.

And you were wrong.

See you on the river, Tom Chandler.

fly fishing, fishing, ted williams, target shooting, orvis, patagonia, wild trout recovery, native trout, wild trout

This is What Cold & Wet Looks Like: Can the Underground Find His Old Waders?

October 30, 2008, by Tom Chandler 12 comments

When you break something, you want to break it right. If you snap a fly rod, you want to snap it on a big fish.

If you ruin a pair of waders, you want to croak them from overuse instead of ripping them open at the truck.

At least I’m trying to convince myself of that after discovering the dreaded inside wader seam blow out (it’s happening on the other leg too).

My left leg was soaked after Saturday’s McCloud trip, but in true writer fashion, I forgot about it entirely until this afternoon, when I went looking for what suddenly didn’t feel like a pinhole.

That’s no pinhole, nor is it repairable.

In the interest of tomorrow’s fishing, I’ve got to dig out my old (and sadly leaking) waders, which I haven’t seen since we moved.

The Upper Sacramento – overrun with wild blackberries and other thorny flora – is notoriously hard on waders, and this pair of old-style Orvis Pro-Guides suffered exactly one pinhole in a couple years of use.

Sadly, they also suffered from the fatal “inside seam” flaw, and Orvis clearly knows it, because they moved the seams on the updated version.

The good news, I suppose, is that I killed a pair of waders by using them instead of letting them rot in my garage.

The bad news is tomorrow’s trip is going to be a cold, wet one.

See you on the river, Tom Chandler.

fly fishing, waders, orvis, orvis waders

Fly Fishing Retailer: The Underground’s First Look at Fly Fishing’s Industry Show

September 15, 2008, by Tom Chandler 10 comments

Wall Street’s investment banks are tumbling like so many obese dominos, Hurricane Ike’s treating the Texas coast like Singer Ike treated Tina, and we’re in the midst of an election where the only challenging media coverage has come via a handful of female talk show hosts.

Ladies and gentlemen, I’m officially declaring an Underground Emergency.

Am I the only one who thinks “Working” Media is like “Jumbo” Shrimp?

Sadly, I’m camped in a Denver hotel room instead of wading the Upper Sacramento, so I can’t do what an Underground Emergency requires: immediately take up station near my home water (fly rod in hand), and await further instructions.

Life, it seems, is often dark.

Of course, it’s even darker when you’re running on 1.5 hours of sleep and voluntarily subjected yourself to airline travel, so I didn’t exactly arrive at Denver’s Convention Center all bright-eyed and bushy tailed. More like gummy and cranky.

Whaaa, morning already?

Still, as the poets remind us, every long journey begins with a single beer step, so after I quickly skimmed the show and spoke to the handful of folks from the prior year who hadn’t blotted me from their memories (or their show calendars), everything quickly became clear:

I was in trouble.

I was having difficulty understanding even simple, declarative sentences. And my normally razor-sharp journalist’s mind – ever alert for spin and manipulation – found itself kittenishly amused by brightly colored objects and tinselly things (much like the Washington Press Corp).

I thought the “EggiJuaneKenobi” was cute (it’s a sign of the Apocalypse)

Still, I did pick up a few gossipy tidbits circulating around the show, and given the obvious attraction for gossip among the general populace, I’m beginning today’s report with a juicy tidbit:

A highly placed source at Orvis confided they sold 3.5x as many Helios rods as expected (true), and that they were changing the name of the company from “Orvis” to “Helios” (false).

Orvis
That’s me, collecting Orvis gossip.

Rest assured I’ll keep my ears peeled for more because gossip sells.

The Show Stuff

In a nutshell, here’s my first impressions of the show.

There are fewer people circulating than last year, though the booth count doesn’t look too bad
There are more fly reels available than at any time before in the history of mankind
Everyone’s scrambling to be “green.” Some really are, some really aren’t.
Adventure fly fishing video is taking off; everyone has one, including the companies using them to promote their business
FFR is less elaborate than last year (which doesn’t bother me much at all)

Time to Smash & Grab

I’ve got to run back to the show for an early meeting, so the specific product stuff will have to wait. Still, I have time to hand out yesterday’s Underground “Smash & Grab” award – an honor inflicted upon the product I’d most want to stuff in my pants and sneak out of the hall.

FFR show, Denver
Planning my escape exit strategy for today’s Smash & Grab

Normally it’s gear, but I haven’t scouted the gear too closely yet, so I’m awarding it instead to the latest issue of Fly Rod & Reel magazine, which ran:

Another great Ted Williams essay where he scopes out the Davis Lake project and drops the hammer on “environmentalists” who get in the way of repairing the environment
Its Robert Traver writing contest award winners
A Gierach piece on BWOs – a subject I thought he’d done to death, but managed to do well yet again
A short, smart piece on the Teton Dam project Buster regular by Bruce Smithhammer
Lots more stuff like the above

Today’s the Big Show Day. You gearhounds can expect to see more of what you love.

See you at the show, Tom Chandler.

fly fishing, fishing, ffr, fly fishing retailer, orvis, fly rod and reel

Orvis, Angling Trade Unveil FFR Casting Challenge: Underground Asks You to Make it Better

September 10, 2008, by Tom Chandler 13 comments

It’s Fly Fishing Industry Week here at the Trout Underground, and following the Underground’s discovery of the sporting-clays style casting course planned for Bend, OR, our Crack Investigative Reporting Team read a press release ferreted out news of an Angling Trade/Orvis-hosted casting competition at Fly Fishing Retailer.

From Angling Trade:

According to Hutch Hutchinson, host of the Orvis/Angling Trade Helios Challenge â€œwe’ll have an assortment of casting challenges and obstacles to simulate natural conditions and increase the challenge element.Â This unique event isn’t just a great time, it also gives industry conservation efforts a significant boost of exposure.â€

It sounds like fun – and yes, it’s an ideal venue for Orvis to introduce their rumoured new line of Helios “Ion” small stream fly rods (the “Ion” series wouldn’t be our first choice for a name, but it’s theirs, and they make way more money than we do, so…)

Like the Bend, OR course, the FFR installation is supposed to feature true-to-life casting problems, though frankly, the Underground wonders how “real” any indoor casting course could be.

After all, how do you simulate “real-life” stream moments like:

In mid-cast, you realize you didn’t turn off the stove after heating that can of soup
At dusk, hordes of bloodthirsty mosquitoes descend like the tiny winged hounds of hell, forcing you to cast with one hand while trying to prevent a reverse blood transfusion with the other
You stayed up late the night before and drank too much; how do you simulate casting with a hangov… wait, it’s FFR, this one’s covered
With a crowd watching from the far bank, you hook yourself on your own backcast in a part of your back you can’t reach; you have 20 seconds to solve the problem without anyone noticing

Of course, these are just a few real-life conditions I encounter every day, but I’m sure the Underground’s tail-looping hordes can add a few of their own.

How about it Undergrounders: what it would take to develop a truly realistic casting course?

Best suggestion wins a copy of Craig Ballenger’s not-lauded-nearly enough book: “Shasta’s Headwaters – an Angler’s Guide to the Upper Sacramento and McCloud Rivers.”

Undergrounders, the contest floor is yours.

fly fishing, fly casting, casting competition, ffr, orvis, angling trade, booke giveaway

Sporting Clays Style “Casting Course” Appearing in Bend: Will it Be Good For Fly Fishing?

September 3, 2008, by Tom Chandler 15 comments

If sporting clays competition and fly fishing had a love child, would it look something like Orvis’ just-announced Old Mill Casting Course?

The Orvis shop in Old Mill lies at the start and finish of an 18-station casting course.

Most of the growth in “outdoor” sports is occurring courtesy a competitive angle (e.g. competitive bass fishing, competitive hunting, “action” pistol events, retriever competition, etc.), yet competitive fly fishing has yet to take hold in the USA (despite several attempts).

But competitive casting on a closed, “real-world” style course? Hmmmm.

Let’s face it; wild trout and their environs aren’t particularly well suited to competitions, but the technical act of fly casting almost certainly is.

And while regular readers know I’m hardly a cheerleader for the fly fishing industry, I do think this is an idea with merit.

We don’t force our wild trout populations through the competitive ringer, and I could see weekend competitions acquiring the patina of a social event – much like the action pistol competitions (the fastest-growing shooting sports), where largely low-key competition is almost always followed by a barbecue.

Of course, I see growth in a worthy sport. The fly fishing industry no doubt sees growth in sales of a new line of competition-only fly rods.

How’s the course work?

Like golf, each station on the course will have a par score. Depending on the station, experts will be able to hit par in one to two casts, intermediates in three to four casts and beginners in five to six casts.

Scorecards will be distributed at the store, and those with the best scores will have their names affixed to a store plaque, Tibbett said.

The course will be free and open to the public. It is being developed in partnership with The Old Mill District.

â€œReally, the whole fly-fishing business is abuzz about it because it could be the start of a whole new thing,â€ Tibbett said. â€œIt’s been talked about, apart from grass-roots events where you throw a Hula-Hoop on the lawn, but it’s never been taken to this level. The Old Mill (District) really has gone out of its way to make this happen.â€

Did they mention golf? Damnit. Fly fishermen already look ridiculous, and adding lime-green plus fours to our competitive outfits isn’t going to help.

I’m trying to get past it.

So I’m putting the question to the Undergrounders (especially those living in urban areas): would a “Casting Course” style competition (with hints of sporting clays, golf, and barbecued food) interest you? Or should urban anglers get used to fishing ditches for carp?

Is this a Big Thing for the industry, or just a recession-mired fly fishing industry making hopeful noises?

As always, Undergrounders, the floor is yours:

fly fishing, fly casting, fly rod, orvis, bend, casting course, old mill

Orvis Supports Project Healing Waters: Matches Donations in September

September 2, 2008, by Tom Chandler 5 comments

Nobody gets more mileage out of “matching” conservation funding than Orvis; they’ve successfully used the program to raise some serious cash for everything from the McCloud Redband (better than $120K was raised) to helping restore the Penobscot River.

Now they’re offering a new twist on matching donations for Project Healing Waters, and asking those who buy from them in the month of September to “round up” their purchases.

In addition to donating $20,000 to the effort, Orvis is also helping out through our “Round Up” campaign starting September 2nd. You can choose to increase your order total for online purchases and we’ll match each dollar amount, thus doubling your donation to this very worthy cause.

A few bucks per order doesn’t sound like a lot, but given the sheer volume of stuff that goes out of the Orvis eCommerce site every day, I bet it turns into some real coin for a pretty damned good cause. (The Underground would also like to point out that those looking for an excuse to purchase something from Orvis be aware that Wally the Wonderdog is sleeping on a ratty old dog bed…)

Of courses, you can always choose to snub the Wonderdog and donate directly to the cause via a snail mail address on the Orvis site.

Because they threw down for the McCloud Redband trout, I’m even going to post their ever-so-slightly maudlin YouTube video.

See you on the river, Tom Chandler.

fly fishing, orvis, project healing waters

The Top Ten Signs the Recession is Hitting Fly Fishing

May 18, 2008, by Tom Chandler 10 comments

chart 10. Due to cuts in personal appearance fees, Lefty Kreh casts 20% shorter during trade show exhibitions

9. Simms meets entry-level wader price point by introducing new breathable "wader shorts"

8. Top fly fishing magazine sells soul to advertisers and exotic destination lodges at 60% of last year’s price

7. High price of gas means fly fishermen are fishing same water, but driving less and making much, much longer casts

6. Buster Wants to Fish gang seen drinking tap water instead of ~~cheap swill~~ PBR

5. The Orvis Guy photographed fishing in last year’s tweed jacket

4. Guides attempt to convince clients that Ritz crackers and government surplus cheese are "euro gourmet" lunch

3. Fly fishers suddenly convinced they can "cast to the backing," but turns out SciAnglers saving money by making fly lines 40′ long

2. Redding Fly Shop testing Vespa Scooters to see if they can pull a drift boat

1. Donnie Beaver has only enough cash to illegally post half as much water as year before

The signs are inescapable, Undergrounders. See any of your own?

Technorati Tags: fly fishing,fishing,recession,donnie beaver,bwtf,orvis,humor,telling it like it is

Orvis Fires Up Podcasts for Fly Fishermen, Dogs (It’s Hard To Tell the Difference)

April 18, 2008, by Tom Chandler 2 comments

Regarded as an anachronism just a decade ago, Orvis is moving into the 21st century in a big way (they’re even using Live Chat features on their commerce site).

They just announced a pair of podcasts (essentially on-demand audio recordings): one aimed at fly fishermen, and one at dogs (like most people, we have trouble telling the two apart).

We’re not going to get all snarky by pointing out the dog is far better looking than Rosenbauer, but we will say we’ve given the "Reading Water" podcast a listen and it’s going to be of interest to a lot of fly fishermen.

Of course, with the stubborn, "that’s great but I’ll do what I please" Wally the Wonderdog pushing 90 pounds, I probably should listen to the dog podcast too.

See you in podcast land, Tom Chandler.

Technorati Tags: orvis,podcast,dog podcast,fly fishing,fishing,tom rosenbauer

Orvis Offers Matching Funds on Teton Creek Restoration: It’s Time To Triple Your Environmental Dollar

March 7, 2008, by Tom Chandler 2 comments

Looks like Orvis has fallen for the matching funds restoration model, and who can blame them? (Joe Flyfisher (not his real name) donates $50; Orvis and Fish & Wildlife Fund each match that amount, so Joe’s impact on the project is tripled. Good, eh?)

It was a big hit when they exceeded their goals by raising better than $120,000 for McCloud Redband Trout recovery, and they’re making it work in the Penobscot River Dam Removal project.

Now they’re using the same formula to help restore Teton Creek — an important Cutthroat trout tributary in Southern Idaho:

Historically, YCT flourished in Teton Creek, using the mountain tributary to spawn. However, more than a mile of the creek has been completely altered from its natural state, with little viable habitat, no holding water and no spawning grounds.

Over the past 40 years, Teton Creek has been highly degraded by in-stream dredging and illegal channelization by developers. Since the destabilization, a “domino effect” has ensued, with bank loss and erosion occurring in up and downstream directions. Landowners are losing over a foot of bank to the creek each year. This unstable creek section threatens the viability of one of the last remaining fluvial populations of YCT in the Teton Basin.

I’ve seen the “little viable habitat, no holding water and no spawning grounds” thing on Trout Creek, and hope for better for Teton Creek.

Want to provide happier habitat for Yellowstone Cutthroats? Go here.

Or buy a dog bed (Wally the Wonderdog is accepting donations of furniture for his sausage-shaped carcass), and Orvis will allow you to round up the purchase price to the next dollar, with the difference going to support Teton Creek.

Buy a dog bed, save a trout.

Hell, there’s even an informative YouTube video (apparently nothing happens anymore that doesn’t appear on YouTube). Sadly, it doesn’t involve bikinis or a Rolling Stones soundtrack (Orvis will get the hang of this video stuff someday), but it is short: