Just a quick look at what I’m seeing and reading. Enjoy!

First from Yukon Goes Fishing – as always, awesome shorts.

3 Reasons to Catch and Release – Jay Zimmerman

Slamtastic – Gink and Gasoline

Pre-ignition evaluation – Michael Gracie

’bout damn time – Fat Guy Fly Fishing

Brandon Robinson: The “Free Agent Blogger – The Fish News Daily

Lastly, I can’t wait for this full release – Costa Rica Challenge:

As you know, I really enjoy going into the classroom and teaching kids about the sport and art of fly-fishing. I rarely get much feedback on these lesson plans from the school, but I always leave the kids with smiles, hoping that at least one of them is intrigued enough to pick up a rod one day, or go help clean a river.

Well, today I received a really great thank you from two of the classes I taught last month. It’s the little things in life that make you feel like you’re doing some good in this world.

Thanks kids!

Most of you know the significance of the proposed Pebble Mine in southwest Alaska. This documentary created by Felt Soul Media has won awards left and right, including one the 10 best from Outdoor Magazine. In the coming months, you’re going to be hearing a lot more about this proposal, as the Pebble Partnership begins its permit process. The people have already spoken out against this construction (possibly the largest open pit mine in the world), but that hasn’t stopped the continued exploration. Remember, our voices can help – even if it doesn’t always seem so.

Enjoy, and don’t forget to comment below for your chance to win.  I’ll close comments on Sunday, December 19th and list the winner. Happy Holidays!

Update: Winner!

The random number was #5! From the first to last comments, that would be Pam Funk! Thanks Pam – please send my your mailing address through the email on the contact page and I’ll get your copy of Red Gold out to you!

Thank you all for commenting, and stay tuned for further contests and information about Bristol Bay!

There was nothing out there when I was a little kid. We could drive a mile outside of Pagosa Springs and be completely isolated. That’s changed over the years. Now, there’s a full resort west of town, and Pagosa itself has become a close tourist spot for Wolf Creek,  the San Juan River, and the Rio Grande River. The last time I visited our house was last summer, and I can still get lost on some of my secret spots and beyond near the town.

So now, there’s this Pagosa Reservoir, which in theory would support growth for more than 100 years. Don’t lecture me on money – I know. But this is just an example of how growth effects our river health, and sometimes memories and what you can share with future generations. I know where I want my ashes dumped, I know exactly where I caught my first trout on a fly, and I know where I want my family to continue to spend time together and enjoy the same places we’ve visited for over 20 years.

Trout Unlimited recently reached an agreement to limit the proposed Pagosa Reservoir from approximately 35,000 acres to 11,000 (Nicely done TU!). The agreement was reached after TU researched and showed how the reservoir could impact the San Juan Basin. While this is a victory for habitat and conservationists, it’s not so who think that growth is opportunity. I say, support growth by preserving, funding, and listening to your locals before presenting a plan to stop a river from flowing and possibly doing harm to the habitat some of us grew up with. Keep your people in mind. Thanks.

Comment below and let me know what you think. Yes, I’m still working on removing “Ads” on pages and changing those to ‘Friends’.  Thanks for the input!