Fur Ban Ballot Measure Stirs Up Concerns for Denver Fly Tiers

It's election season and a ballot initiative in Denver has anglers and fly tiers up in arms.

While Initiated Ordinance 308 seeks to prohibit the manufacturing, sale, trade and display of select fur products, according to the Denver Post, it could also take a bite out of the business and inventories of fly shops in the Denver area. Hat makers and people with indigenous ancestry seeking to purchase fur products could also be impacted.

Chris Keeley of Anglers All Fly Shop told the Post that it isn't clear to him what passage of this measure would mean for the shop, although since many flies are made from fur products including elk hair, deer hair, rabbit fur, and more, the end result could be quite costly to one of the top shops in the Front Range.

"It's a difficult analysis to do," said Keeley in the Post story. "It really threatens the No. 1 category in our store, which is the sale of flies."

Stay tuned, there’s likely more fur ready to fly in this story as Election Day approaches in early November.

More Hatchery Salmon Smolt Lost in Oregon

As 2024 runs its course, suffice it to say that it hasn't been a good year for stocked salmon smolt in Oregon.

Earlier this year, we reported on a tanker truck that overturned on a roadway in Oregon, letting loose a tidal wave of some 77,000 salmon smolts...into the wrong river.

Then, there was a vandal who broke into an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fish hatchery and poured a gallon of bleach into one of the hatchery's rearing ponds this past spring, killing nearly 18,000 salmon smolts in a strange and deadly poaching incident.

And now, there's another case of mortality for Chinook salmon smolts that died at a release site in Beaver Slough, a tributary of the Coquille River. 

According to the ODFW in an agency news release, biologists released some 37,600 smolt into the waterway on September 11. Unfortunately, the dead fish were discovered by the public a few days later.

While the fish were too disintegrated for testing at the ODFW fish pathology lab, biologists suspect that dissolved oxygen levels in the water dropped quickly in a short window of time after the smolts were stocked, leading to their ultimate demise. 

With this being the first year ODFW stocked hatchery smolts at Beaver Slough, the agency typically stocks fish and holds them for two weeks at an acclimation site on the Coquille River, although that site was unavailable this year. 

ODFW reports that in September, the agency was able to stock some 48,000 fall Chinook smolts directly into the Coquille River at the Coquille city boat ramp. With those smolts free to move downstream and appearing to have done so, no mortality was observed afterwards. 

Also, ODFW says that another 74,500 hatchery fall Chinook smolts acclimated in a pen in Ferry Creek and were scheduled to be released in late September.

ODFW Charleston District Fish Biologist Mike Gray said that the recent mortality event is still a big blow to a number of stakeholders.

"So much work goes into raising these fish to the smolt stage that it's a disappointing loss to us, our volunteers and the Coquille Indian Tribe. The local community and anglers also highly value these fish," he said.

Swift Fly Fishing Sold to Japanese Company

In another brand acquisition story, Snow Peak, a Japanese camping brand name that has more than six decades of history in that market, has acquired a majority stake in Swift Fly Fishing.

In business since 1958, Snow Peak has built its presence in the outdoors industry by offering products that connect people with nature. While much of their experience has been in the camping markets, they continue to look to expand their offerings according to the company.

"We are thrilled to bring Swift Fly Fishing and the Epic Fly Rod brand into the Snow Peak family,” said Tohru Yamai, Snow Peak CEO and Chairman of the Board, in the company's news release announcing the acquisition. “This union beautifully blends our passion for camping with Swift’s artistry in fly fishing, further extending our mission to connect humans with nature’s rhythms. We look forward to the possibilities that lie ahead as we deepen our investment in the fly fishing market.”

Swift Fly Fishing is headquartered in Wanaka, New Zealand, where it has become a leading innovator in the fly-fishing space. Best known for its Epic Fly Rods brand, the fly rod company has made a name for itself among backcountry fly anglers by using advanced materials and innovative designs, including graphite, graphene, and Epic's proprietary “FastGlass” composite material. 

Winston Announces New Line of Sunglasses

The R. L. Winston Rod Company out of Twin Bridges, Montana is adding a a third component to its family (there's also the Bauer Fly Reels portion of the company) with the introduction of a line of Winston Polarized Sunglasses. There are eight different models presented in three distinct styles. Aimed at fly anglers, of course, the company also says that they are perfect for other everyday outdoor activities. 

The polarized lenses offer outstanding clarity and a pleasing design, along with Winston's gold script logo on the temples. Built on a medium frame, these sunglasses are already making a dent in the market according to at least one angler.

That praise comes after Winston Ambassador and Fly Fishing Outfitter, McKenna Hulslander, tested Winston Sunglasses glasses all summer long while guiding clients.

“As a guide who spends every day on the river, I live in the Montana Sunglasses,” said Hulslander. “One of the best things about these glasses is how they fit on my face and don’t slip off, and they look amazing. They really are my go-to glasses for everything!

Visit the website or check in with your nearby Winston dealer to see what these new premium sunglasses can do for your fishing success.

Mike Mercer Inducted into Regional Fly Fishing Hall of Fame

One of the best-known fly shops in America is The Fly Shop in Redding, California. It's certainly a favorite of yours truly and I look forward to getting the shop's catalog and fly tying catalogs every spring–yeah, I've still got some old school left in me.

Redding fly-angling expert Mike Mercer is also well known in the region, with the story going that he walked into the shop nearly a half-century ago and never walked out. In fact, shop owner Mike Michalak is eternally grateful for Mercer, the first employee he ever hired.

"He is not just the most remarkably talented fly fisherman, he is an author, he is a fly tyer, he is incredibly inventive and more than anything he is an absolutely wonderful person," said Michalak in a recent KRCR news story about Mercer. "[He's a] good father, good guy all around."

Mercer is passionate about fly fishing, fly tying, teaching others, and writing about our great sport. So much so that he has recently been selected for this year's inductee into the Northern California Council of Fly Fishers International Hall of Fame.

"I'm really honored that they would think of me as a hall of fame member, I am still pretty sure there has been a mistake," said Mercer. "But, to be honored by your peers is a really nice thing. After all these years in the industry, working with people, helping people, watching them learn how to fly fish... It's been a good ride."

Mercer will be honored as this year's hall of fame selection when the Council of Fly Fishers Hall of Fame Banquet is held in the Bay region on Nov. 9.

Author Carl Hiaasen to Headline Trout Lecture Series

Acclaimed novelist and journalist Carl Hiaasen will present "The Loveliest Disease: Angling as a Therapeutic Pastime" on October 10th at the Montana State University (MSU) Library's Trout Lecture Series in Bozeman. The free, public event takes place at 7 pm in the Strand Union Building Ballroom and includes a post-lecture reception.

Hiaasen, known for his humorous crime thrillers set in Florida, will discuss the therapeutic nature of fly fishing. Seating is limited, so pre-registration is encouraged at https://www.montana.edu/calendar/events/49871 or by calling (406) 994-6857.

The Trout Lecture Series highlights all aspects of trout and salmonids, with this year's event focusing on the cultural connection to fly fishing. The series is free thanks to generous donor support.

Learn more about the MSU Library's Trout and Salmonid Collection at https://www.lib.montana.edu/archives/trout-salmonid.html.

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