Road to Redemption

June 12, 2018 By Ross Purnell, Editor

Rankin Jackson could have been killed or consumed by the "push" of the drug trade in Honduras but instead he became a fly-fishing guide and discovered a spit of sand known as Cayes Cajones.

Ten years ago, Fly Fish Guanaja owner Steve Brown hired Rankin as a security guard, but he soon became one of the country's top permit guides.

The place Rankin calls "the keys to the east" is 160 miles from Gaunaja, and has historically been a haven for drug runners, pirates and other illicit activities. It also just so happens to be home to one of the most untouched and unfished bonefish and permit habitats in the entire Caribbean.

Beyond the Horizon from Cold Collaborative on Vimeo.

Beyond the Horizon was featured in the world-wide distribution of the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), won the 'Creative Excellence' award as an official selection in the 5points Film Festival in Carbondale, CO, and finally finished up its festival circuit as an official selection in the Telluride Mountainfilm Festival.

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Salmon Return to the Klamath River

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Salmon Return to the Klamath River

With the Klamath River flowing completely free for the first time in over 100 years, the next question was how soon the salmon would return. It didn't take long. In October, scientists with CalTrout documented Chinook salmon beginning to migrate beyond the site of the former Iron Gate Dam for the first time since 1912. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) then confirmed that on October 16 that a run of Chinook salmon was identified by biologists in a tributary of the Klamath River. Watch as Michael Wier and CalTrout document the dam removal and the amazing return of this sacred fish.

How-To/Techniques

Ed Jaworowski's Functional Fly Casting Part 1: Acceleration

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Ed Jaworowski's Functional Fly Casting Part 1: Acceleration

Casting is not primarily about rod position and should not be taught “Presbyterian style” or in the 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock motions as taught in A River Runs Through It. Instead, casting is based on the principles of physics, one of them being Newton's First Law of Motion, which states that an object in motion will remain in motion. To put the line in motion you must smoothly accelerate at an exponential rate and then abruptly stop the rod. It's vital to understand that, since fishing conditions and situations change endlessly, there can be no rigid or fixed rules or instructions for casting. You cannot specify where to start, move, or stop your arm or rod, or the direction and distance to move them, before deciding on the result you want from the cast. You must take various factors into account, including the fly being cast, the desired direction and distance, wind, any obstructions—whether overhead or to the side or rear—and more.

Destinations/Species

Simms Presents - Destination: Skeena

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Simms Presents - Destination: Skeena

Steelheading on the Skeena is more than fishing — it's a way of life.

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Just Do It: Nike and Drake Plunge into Fly Fishing

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Just Do It: Nike and Drake Plunge into Fly Fishing

One of the biggest names in hip-hop and pop culture, and the biggest brand in sports apparel, are doing more than just “dipping their toes” into the fly-fishing universe. Nocta—a Nike sub-label owned by Nike and award-winning hip hop and R&B artist Drake—dove headfirst into fly-fishing waters with an entire new line of “fly-fishing-inspired urban wear.”

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Abel x Nocta Fly Reel

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Abel x Nocta Fly Reel

Check out this 360-degree view of Abel's new collab reel with Nike and Drake's brand Nocta. A truly badass reel.

How-To/Techniques

G. Loomis's “Feel Connected” Episode 2: "Rolled Up"

How-To/Techniques

G. Loomis's “Feel Connected” Episode 2: "Rolled Up"

Creating blanks with dialed technique-specific actions that perform under extreme load without failure doesn't just “happen.” Thousands of hours of R&D, materials planning, and precise manufacturing processes are wrapped into every rod that goes out G. Loomis's door. “Rolled Up”—the second episode in G. Loomis's “Feel Connected” video series—reveals each step of their blank-building process, from raw materials to inspection. Along the way, meet the individuals who handcraft these fishing tools daily in their Woodland, Washington manufacturing facility.

Gear

How to Tie Chicone's Magnum Mantis Fly

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How to Tie Chicone's Magnum Mantis Fly

Saltwater flats fishing has come a long way in the past few decades, but one of the most peculiar things about that fact is that it seems the flies, for the most part, have remained straight outta the 70s. Check out this new take on an important flats prey item.

How-To/Techniques

Fly Tier's Bench: How to Tie Egan's Poacher

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Fly Tier's Bench: How to Tie Egan's Poacher

Fly-fishing competition guys like Lance Egan and George Daniel figured out that you didn't always need to strip a streamer to draw a trout's attention. Sometimes a very slow, swinging and even hopping motion down deep was just what the fish were after. Egan has debuted his latest jig-hook streamer offering, and dubbed it the Poacher. It is not only a compelling fly to tie and fish, but the logic and thought process behind it are interesting as well.

How-To/Techniques

Small Stream Hopper Fishing

How-To/Techniques

Small Stream Hopper Fishing

Aside from some of the big stonefly hatches, hopper season is often the most anticipated time on the Rocky Mountain angler's calendar. And while the big rivers offer some fantastic opportunities, fishing smaller streams and tributaries often provides faster fishing–sometimes with some surprisingly large trout. Check out our tantalizing tutorial on some of the most exciting fishing of the year.

Destinations/Species

The Tightest Line

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The Tightest Line

A look back at Pandion Creative's film The Tightest Line that profiles several guides across the globe, after 10 years. Huge dry-fly browns, fly-eating sharks, Pacific Northwest steelhead, and a charming collective of thoughts and personalities on fly fishing.

How-To/Techniques

How to Tie Craven's Mr. Jones Dry Fly

How-To/Techniques

How to Tie Craven's Mr. Jones Dry Fly

The Mr. Jones, an adult cranefly pattern that skips, skates, and hops, has proved effective all summer long, especially during the hot afternoons and early mornings when these bugs are most active. I find myself often tying it on when things are slow just because it's so fun to fish, and more often than not, I end up smiling and laughing at the antics of aggressive fish making fools of themselves.

How-To/Techniques

How to Tie Craven's Mr. Jones Dry Fly

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How to Tie Craven's Mr. Jones Dry Fly

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Road to Redemption

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2023 Catfish In-Sider Guide

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