9th Annual PHWFF 2-Fly Tournament - Day 2

Day 2 started off mysteriously similar to last year...my phone had died overnight while searching for signal and my external battery had cut out. What does this mean? Yep, my alarm failed to go off again. BUT, my internal clock made up for the failure of my phone and got me up just in time to head over the hill and grab coffee and breakfast prior to the start of the morning session.

The skies were overcast and the air cool and crisp, but the mood of everyone was just the opposite, bright, excited, smiles all around. With bellies full of breakfast, cups full of coffee, and bugs coming off the Rose, it couldn't be any other way. As I walked around, game plans were being made and flies were selected.

The excitement associated with 2-Fly is indescribable. The excitement associated with the day of the tournament is exponentially beyond that. The beauty of the Rose River paired with the sight of watching the vets and guides step into the cool water for the first time raises hair on the back of your neck...it makes everything else in the world disappear.

I was seated near the gazebo in front of beat 5, where you can sit up on the bank and spot fish and get the best perspective as to how the water is acting and what the fish are doing. You also have an awesome view down the Rose to beat 6 where you can see the competition unwind. Cliff and Harsh were the guides to Jason "JT" Turner and Frank Ortega.

To see more photos from the weekend, checkout the hashtag #PHWFF2Fly on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram by clicking on the links.

This is one of my favorite parts of the entire weekend...all of the amazing items from the silent auction, combined with the revenue from sponsorships, donations, and purchased goods summed up to earning a breath-taking $205k for PHWFF.

From volunteering to donating, you can help as well, help heal those who have served, have given us our freedom. Please check out Project Healing Waters website and consider giving them a 'Like' or follow on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram if haven't already. God Bless.

Boom...Morgan

Orvis X Casting for Recovery = Pippa and Els Go Fishing!

Via Orvis News:

Young Pippa—daughter of Simon Perkins, Senior Manager of Orvis Adventures and Hunting, and his wife, Els Van Woert—has already been featured on this blog. Born into a sporting family, she’s already spent plenty of time on the field, and she clearly loves it.

Here’s a beautiful video that features Els and Pippa stalking trout on a Montana spring creek. As you’ll see, Pippa has a wonderful close encounter with a wild brown.

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, help us celebrate Moms and keep them outdoors for years to come. Share this video with the tag #LongLiveMoms, and for each share, we’ll make a $1 donation—up to $10,000—to Casting for Recovery. It’s a great way to celebrate moms everywhere.

Boom...Morgan

Daily Reel...'Healing Waters'

This is amazing. I'm lucky to call Ed and the PHWFF family friends.

Healing Waters from Foster Visuals on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

Vedavoo's Reel Service 2015

One of my favorite projects to follow every year for the last few. Vedavoo does some amazing things for phenomenal organizations like PHWFF. Check it out and see if you want to grab a ticket to win some great gear from a GREAT U.S., hand-made company with work from the best artists in the industry. I've got my tickets, do you?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE VEDAVOO LAUNCHES ANNUAL FUNDRAISER FOR PROJECT HEALING WATERS "Reel Service Project" to Raffle Hand Painted Packs and Gear with Proceeds for Vets

Partnering with many of the industry's best and brightest artists, Vedavoo hand built a series of packs, bags, and other gear to be hand-painted.  These one-of-a-kind pieces are part of an annual raffle, the proceeds of which, are being dedicated to Project Healing Waters and the veterans they serve. Support from the art community was outstanding, making this event truly special. Well-known artists Derek DeYoung, A.D. Maddox, Andrea Larko, Paul Puckett, Jeff Kennedy, Eric Hornung, Jonathan Marquardt, and Josh Udesen, and up-and-coming artists like Ty Hallock and Jared Nielson each donated their time for the cause.  Each was given a "canvas" with total artistic freedom.   True to form, each piece represents the best of what Vedavoo and the Artist have to give.  Other artists have shown interest in joining the program before the end of the raffle as well. Core pieces were unveiled at the IFTD show in Orlando this July, and were then sent to the American Museum of Fly Fishing for special exhibition. Each of the raffle prizes is displayed at http://www.vedavoo.com/product-category/reel-service/  - and tickets for the raffle can be purchased directly through the Vedavoo site.  They are being offered for $10 per ticket, 6 for $50, or 12 for $100 until the close of the event. Vedavoo hopes to raise $10,000 for PHWFF by year's end with the project.  All proceeds from the event will be donated. To Learn More - or to view these special pieces - please visit VEDAVOO.com.

Boom...Morgan

Support American Museum of Fly Fishing

As many of you know, I'm an ambassador of the American Museum of Fly Fishing. Located down the street from Orvis in Manchester, VT, the AMFF does amazing work to preserve the sport we love. They do it not only to give us a glimpse into what the sport has been and where it came from, but to give future generations the opportunity to do the same.

AMFF has launched a new online auction campaign to raise money, posting up some absolutely amazing items including:

Be sure to check out AMFF on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and if you have time, roll on over to their website and see what this great organization is doing.

Boom...Morgan

Save Sandflea

You've seen him in RA's films, and he's most likely either touched your heart or made you laugh. Its time to give back...

Alejandro Vega Cruz "Sandflea"  needs a new heart valve.  Sandflea is 44 years old and this will be his 3rd openheart surgery.  We are going to bring him to the Cleveland Clinic for this operation.  The surgery is scheduled for June 3rd 2015.

For all of you that have ever spent anytime with Sandflea, you know how generous he is, now it is our chance to give back

"It’s ironic. The man with the biggest heart of anyone I know needs a new heart." 

-RA Beattie 

Please help!!

Boom...Morgan

UPDATE: Fish Art..."The Most Important Fish in the Sea" by David Sikorski

UPDATE: Sikorski's piece sold for $650 on Thursday night at the Annapolis Chapter Banquet which went entirely to CCA Maryland.

Check out the original post by clicking here or read below...

You may have seen the post I put up on social media earlier this week about David Sikorski's "The Most Important Fish in the Sea" carving, portraying a school of menhaden, the most important link in the food chain as a forage fish. Sikorski carved this piece for our Annapolis Chapter Banquet to benefit the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland.

Carved on a piece of driftwood found on Holland Island, this piece is the perfect representation of what this fish is about. This weathered, old, beat-up board represents a fish that is just as tarnished. Menhaden need our help, they need to be protected and preserved not only for their own well-being, but for that of the species that rely on them for food...more specifically, the Striped Bass.

Check it as this process has unfolded (click photos to enlarge)...

This piece could be yours if you are able to make it out for the banquet! I will be taking phone bids for those seriously interested. If you would like to bid via phone call, email me at tightlinedtalesofaflyfisherman@gmail.com and we can get connected with phone numbers.

Be sure to give Sikorski a follow on Instagram (@what_tide_is_it) and to follow along with us next Thursday for the banquet. If you would like more info on CCA, the banquet, and conservation efforts here in Maryland, check out www.ccamd.org.


Boom...Morgan

Fish Art..."The Most Important Fish in the Sea" by David Sikorski

You may have seen the post I put up on social media earlier this week about David Sikorski's "The Most Important Fish in the Sea" carving, portraying a school of menhaden, the most important link in the food chain as a forage fish. Sikorski carved this piece for our Annapolis Chapter Banquet to benefit the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland.

Carved on a piece of driftwood found on Holland Island, this piece is the perfect representation of what this fish is about. This weathered, old, beat-up board represents a fish that is just as tarnished. Menhaden need our help, they need to be protected and preserved not only for their own well-being, but for that of the species that rely on them for food...more specifically, the Striped Bass.

Check it as this process has unfolded (click photos to enlarge)...

This piece could be yours if you are able to make it out for the banquet! I will be taking phone bids for those seriously interested. If you would like to bid via phone call, email me at tightlinedtalesofaflyfisherman@gmail.com and we can get connected with phone numbers.

Be sure to give Sikorski a follow on Instagram (@what_tide_is_it) and to follow along with us next Thursday for the banquet. If you would like more info on CCA, the banquet, and conservation efforts here in Maryland, check out www.ccamd.org.


Boom...Morgan

Support CCA Maryland

Please Support CCA Maryland

The Chesapeake Bay and Maryland’s coast host a wide variety of marine resources that are sought  for many purposes.  It is imperative that the interests of recreational anglers and the marine species are well represented.  Conserving those resources is a huge effort and a constant battle.  CCA Maryland is fulfilling that role. Click below to donate now.  Your tax-deductible donation  is what will keep us fighting for Maryland and for the fish.

Hear what other anglers are saying about CCA Maryland.

“I believe in supporting CCA Maryland.  They are a leading voice for conservation minded recreational anglers everywhere.”  Lefty Kreh, fly fishing legend

“I’m a proud life member of CCA Maryland because it is dedicated to preserving the resource above all other interests.  If we want our children and grandchildren to continue to enjoy the sport we love, we have to put the fish first.  We have to make it about how many we can save, not how many we can kill“   Shawn Kimbro, Chesapeake Light Tackle.

There are three ways to donate:

1) Online via secure server==>

2) Personal Checks==>

Checks payable to:

CCA MD

PO Box 513

Easton, MD 21601

3)  Gifts of Stock =>

Contact Tony Friedrich at 202.744.5013 or tony@ccamd.org

Boom...Morgan