Casting for Recovery Auction

This week marks the start of Casting for Recovery's annual holiday auction, with proceeds earmarked for its quality of life retreat program for breast cancer survivors across the United States. Auction items range from vacation destinations and guided trips to rods, reels... and special to this year's mix: the "final conflaguration" of the Drake Classic Atlantic Salmon Fly Swap.

Here's the story, via the Magnificent Seven: 

A little over a year ago, a couple members of The Drake Forum who tied classic Atlantic Salmon flies decided to swap a few patterns. The group grew to 8 and it was determined that each tier would designate a special pattern to be professionally mounted and framed in a display to be auctioned to benefit a worthy cause. All flies are tied with authentic materials. As the wife of one of the participants had just lost a battle with cancer, Casting for Recovery was chosen as the beneficiary of the donated display. 

Two other forum members, Bob White and Richard Harrington, both nationally known artists, became aware of the project and most generously offered to create original paintings to be a part of the display. A very generous Drake Forum member covered the cost to custom-mount and frame the flies and artwork. The finished product is approximately 24" x 20". 

Robert Meiser, who builds beautiful custom salmon and steelhead rods, will custom-build a Highlander Classic S2H13068C-4 to be included with the framed piece. This rod is 13' 6" and designed to throw a line weight in the 6-7-8 window. The winner bidder can arrange design specifics with Bob prior to the rod being built. This is truly a unique opportunity to own a singular display of classic salmon flies, two original works of art, and a spey rod built by a true master. 

To commission the artwork, purchase the individual flies, frame and mount the piece, and purchase the custom rod, were it even possible to recreate the project, would cost in excess of $6,000.

The auction ends on Dec. 5. Let the bidding begin!


As a son to a mother, who fought courageously, battling breast cancer, I am proud to post this. Casting for Recovery is a great cause, using nature and fly fishing as a way of healing for those who battle both the physical and mental struggle of breast cancer.

Auction

A Deliberate Life

"A Deliberate Life" (Trailer) - Official Selection, IF4 2013 from IF4 on Vimeo.

A Deliberate Life

There comes a time in all of our lives when we let ourselves dream about living life on our own terms. When we wrestle with the decision to take a step into traffic, follow our passions and live deliberately - or simply let another day, and daydream, pass.

In the end, it doesn’t matter if we make the decision of our own accord, or life makes it for us. It’s where our heart and soul are that matter. For some, the result is a closer alignment between vocation and avocation, for some it’s a reprioritization of what’s important in life, for some it’s the very real difference between life and death.

Set primarily against the diverse, rugged and breathtaking landscape of Idaho and Oregon, A Deliberate Life explores the stories of five unlikely friends who share the same love of fly fishing and the outdoors and their choice to lead a life according to their passions.

Silo4

The Code

Fall Swing Photo: Brian Chou

Yes, there is a Code of Steelheading. An ethos, if you will that those who fish everyday or way too often carry among friends. It's different to each person but those within a group understand it and stick to it, otherwise they may find themselves in radio silence or just plain left out. Its not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but in a fishing circle getting left out leads to missed opportunities that do not come along often, especially when you have a busy family and work schedule.  

With this new era of fishing and the internet, it is easy to get reports, help or hear rumors about what is going on throughout the Pacific Northwest. And like any real steelheader worth their chrome, we are all willing to make sacrifices to chase that hope of a fish on some fabled or less fabled water somewhere within driving distance of our homes on any given day. The fact of the matter is there are few secrets left out there and the ones that are, you can find if you are able to read between the lines. So those that are spot burners, you have to understand you are ruining it in the long run and you best learn to keep it zipped or your gonna get ripped  the next time it comes around. Also in all reality when you chase those rumors, you chasing last weeks sweat and hustle and just because shit happens once doesn't mean its gonna happen again. 

To break it down simple, each person is different, but those who you trust and know whats up keep that intel wrapped up tight. When one of your boys hands it to you or brings you to the spot, you keep it that way. That is just how to keep it real. Calling bullshit cause you brought one of the boys to one of your spots and finding him there with some of his friends there a day later is not exactly part of the code, but it happens and when the whistle is blown on you... well, don't expect pleasantries. This seems as if it would be common sense, but as it has been said, "common sense is not common to everyone". 

There are of course bylaws to add to the Code from time to time as well. When you figure something out and its known by a few, its not necessarily means you can take your friends there. That is a community decision made among your peers who worked the beatdown. This by no means is some kind of secret society and like mentioned before there are few real secrets left out there, but you always have to keep in mind that you never want to ruin a good thing nor piss of your homies. 

There is also a grey area of well known spots that lead to reports given without hesitation, primarily due to the obvious and aiding in a less experienced friends learning curve. Educating friends, helping them learn about their quarry, casting, presentation, etc are just as important facets of the Code, but not everything is given without reciprocation.  Respect of the resource, educating others and your peers views of secrecy are vital and mandatory in maintaining the code. In the end we all learn from each other. 

Why We Hate Hatch Tards.

I was looking through pictures today and could not help but think this shit right here is why we hate hatch dogs. Perfect specimen.  Love them and leavem boys and don't give them to some hatchery to rape them either. Oh and kill every hatchery fish you can.