"Headed Down South to the Land of the Pines"...#RedTrout2018

'Tis the season...CCA Maryland's RedTrout is here! The 6th annual tournament is shaping up to be an epic one. As TLTFF Crew member Mike Dunlap and I pair up yet again on the Mako 171 down in the skinny in pursuit of Redfish, Speckled Trout, Striped Bass, Flounder and Bluefish. The truck is packed and we shove off later this morning for two days of pre-fishing to get ready for Saturday and Sunday, tournament days.

Stay tuned on all TLTFF social media for updates as we keep you in the loop from the islands and marshes! You can find us on all major social media outlets by clicking the icons in the top right sidebar.

Boom...Morgan

12th Annual Project Healing Waters 2-Fly Tournament

Its finally here! One of my favorite weekends of the year, 2-Fly weekend! I'm packing up the truck as soon as I finish pounding these keys and heading south to Syria, VA for the 12th Annual PHWFF 2-Fly Tournament! Here are the details you need to know along with a few links to follow along via social media all weekend long!

Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Saturday 

Bluegill Tournament

• 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Bluegill tournament at the Rose River Farm pond.This will be a fun “pre-tournament” event on the Rose River Farm pond for PHWFF participants and anglers competing in Sunday’s tournament.
• 4:45 p.m. (approximately) -PHWFF program participants in this year’s 2-Fly will be escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders from Culpeper to the Rose River Farm on Saturday night.
• 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Dinner at Rose River Farm.

Open to all volunteers and participants in the 2-Fly — RSVP is required via the Evite announcement sent to all registered volunteers, participants and guests.

SUNDAY

• 7:00 a.m. check in begins (coffee, doughnuts, and light snacks)
• 7:15 – 7:30 rules briefing and beat assignments
• 7:30 – 7:40 team photos
• 7:45 National Anthem
• 8:00 – 9:30 round one fishing for 15 teams (teams time slots will be picked at random)
• 10:00 – 11:30 round one for the 15 other teams
• 11:00 – 12:30 Lunch
• 12:00 – 1:30 round two for the first 15 teams
• 12:30 – 1:15 Fly Fishing Clinic
• 2:00 – 3:30 round two for the other teams
• 2:30 – 3:15 Fly Fishing Clinic
• 3:30 – 4:00 score tally relax time and other activities
• 4:00 Awards Ceremony

       All Day

• Clinics with Fly Fishing Experts Check for posted times
• Rod Demo
• Bass and Bluegill fishing in the 2 ponds (fly only)
• Free streamside broadband courtesy of Virginia Broadband.

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

Live Feed from the 11th Annual PHWFF 2-Fly Tournament Day 2

Day 1 coverage of the 11th Annual Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing 2-Fly Tournament starts now, we are bringing you a look into the tourney via our Instagram account today and tomorrow...be sure you check out our Facebook and Twitter for more coverage including status updates and live videos and standings.

Be sure to follow all the action via the hashtag #PHWFF2Fly on all social media.

Boom...Morgan

TLTFF Crew Does Somerset 2017

The TLTFF Crew is heading north to Somerset, NJ to visit with friends and fly fishing family for The Fly Fishing Show. Stay tuned for live updates throughout the day...

Follow along with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or stick to this post by watching the live Instagram feed below!

 

Boom...Morgan

District Angling

District Angling is an independent company formed to fill a small niche in the Washington DC area.  We cater to fishermen wanting access to local fisheries.  We specialize in fly fishing.  You probably remember us if you were a customer of a few of the previous shops in the Arlington and Alexandria areas.

Although we're currently building out the company and do not have a brick and mortar retail space you can visit, we are currently hunting for the perfect location for our shop and you will receive another e-mail from us shortly with your chance to add input about our future destination shop.

We're the same casting and fly tying instructors, travelers, and fly fishing experts that you've come to know and trust.  We're first and foremost anglers, just like you.  We're fly fishing junkies.  We love the sport, and try to fish as much as we can.  We love to fish wherever we can.  We fish locally, and we travel to wherever a fish will eat a fly.  We also love helping people enjoy the sport.  We understand the mechanics of fly casting and the techniques that make fly tying easier and enjoyable.

We have over 100+ years of combined fly fishing experience, knowledge, and expertise among our staff.  Let us help make your favorite sport and pastime enjoyable and memorable.

We're also more involved in conservation, outreach, education, and fundraising.  We not only support national organizations like Project Healing Waters, Coastal Conservation Association, and Trout Unlimited, we also participate in important events and regional awareness like the Friends of Fletcher's Cove, Trout In The Classroom, and the Cape Lookout Albacore Festival.

We invite you to visit DistrictAngling.com to learn more about who we are, what we do, and how we can help you.  From events like the Fly Fishing Film Tour to tying custom flies for your trips to exotic destinations, we're here to help.

Be sure to give DA a Follow or Like on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Boom...Morgan

TLTFF Does #RedTrout2016 and Kicks Off Collaboration with Why Knot Fishing...#StriperCivilWar

The TLTFF Crew is heading south! Mike Dunlap of Barefoot Adventures and I are going for the podium of the 4th Annual CCA Maryland RedTrout Tournament. To get our bearings straight in the Lower Chesapeake, were heading down two days early to pre-fish the tourney and enjoy our time away from work and on the water.

A little info about CCA Maryland's RedTrout Tournament via CCA MD:

RedTrout is a unique catch, photo, and release tournament held at the American Legion in Crisfield, Md. The idea of this tournament is to support the community by drawing tourism as the season begins to wind down. Crisfield is a very special place; not only for its great seafood, but also for its close proximity to our islands, expansive grass beds, and the never ending list of creeks, points, flats, and coves. RedTrout 2016 will give you the opportunity to put your lure, bait or fly in front of a long list of species including: Rockfish, Red Drum, Bluefish, Flounder and the ever elusive Speckled Trout! This tournament truly does present a wonderful opportunity for you to have a fun filled weekend with your friends or family. Enjoy the Tangier sound on your boat, or paddle away from it all and enjoy the solitude in your kayak. In addition to some of the best shallow water fishing around, we will have a live and silent auction, door prizes, Crawfish and Shrimp Boil, Pig Roast, cold drinks, good music and great friends!

Mike and I are stoked to get after some of our favorite species this week(end). One tournament we wanted to fish but unfortunately fell on the same weekend as RedTrout is Why Knot Fishing's 2nd Annual Fall Run Striper Classic. Our boys up north with be chasing the same species as one of our target species, Striped Bass, so we've put together a little competition with them. As the kickoff of our collaborative effort with Why Knot, we've decided to treat y'all with a little thing we're going to call #StriperCivilWar. North vs South, battle of the Team Why Knot and the TLTFF Crew. Follow along on social media, primarily both the Why Knot Fishing and TLTFF Instagram stories. Remember to give us both a follow to see the war go down!

Make sure you put the Why Knot Fishing's Annual Fall Run Striper Classic on your calendar for next year as a must do tournament as the TLTFF Crew intends on being there! A little info about their rad tournament on Boston's North Shore via WKF:

This is our second year hosting this Catch and Release Tournament for Striped Bass on Boston’s North Shore!

The tournament will be an overnight tournament that starts at 6:00pm on Friday Night, September 23 and runs until 6:00pm on Saturday, September 24.

Tournament participants choose to fish in one of four divisions (Fly – From Shore, Fly – By Boat, Spin – From Shore, and Spin – By Boat) and can fish from Boston Harbor to the Merrimack River.

Good luck to all those involved and fishing both tournaments and be sure to follow us on social media to see how Boston's North Shore matches up against the Lower Chesapeake Bay.

Follow along with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or stick to this post by watching the live Instagram feed below!

 

Boom...Morgan

iCAST/IFTD 2016

I'm going to do my best to share/repost photos from iCAST/IFTD since I was unable to make it this year due to work responsibilities. There will be a slideshow below of the TLTFF Instagram where posts will be shared and reposted. Be sure to check the other social media by clicking the buttons in the top of the blog's right sidebar

 

Boom...Morgan

Fishing Trip...Nantucket Bound

Family vacation is finally here. The car is packed and we're Nantucket bound. I'm going to do my best to check in throughout the week but just in case, I decided to do the typical TLTFF trip thing and post a live feed here on the blog and direct y'all to social media (you know, the TLTFF Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) where I can instantly update. Stripers, blues, and a mixed bag of freshwater species is on the list for the week so stay tuned for some live action!

Boom...Morgan

Take Action...Fish or Die Wins a Prime-Time Slot Due to High Ratings

Via Moldy Chum:

This just in from the Fish or Die crew.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2016

Contact:  Tom Tanno, ttanno1@aol.com; 818-907-9950

Animal Planet’s FISH OR DIE Wins a Prime-Time Slot Due to Extraordinarily High Ratings of its Recent Premiere,

Posting a +21% Growth Over its RIVER MONSTERS Lead-In

Prime Time Re-Broadcast of “Fish or Die” Set for Wed., May 11 @ 10 PM EDT

The premiere of “Fish or Die” on Sunday, May 1 (11 pm EDT) was a time period upgrade for Animal Planet.  Here’s a snapshot of the results:

•  Fish or Die” grew over its “River Monsters” lead-in by +21% with target A25-54.
• “Fish or Die” posted double-digit percentage gains over the network’s prior 4-week time period average.
• “Fish or Die” was up +37% with A25-54 (231K) and +20% with Total Viewers (435K).
• “Fish or Die” placed Animal Planet among the Top 20 Cable networks in the time period with hard to reach male demos, ranking as high as #13 with M18-34

Spread the word!

Boom...Morgan

Quik + Splice...Two New GoPro Apps for Edits on the Go

Live Feed from the 10th Annual PHWFF 2-Fly Tournament Day 1

Day 1 coverage of the 10th Annual Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing 2-Fly Tournament starts now, we are bringing you a live feed of our Instagram account here on the blog today...be sure you check out our Facebook and Twitter for more coverage including status updates and live videos and standings.

Enjoy...

Be sure to follow all the action via the hashtag #PHWFF2Fly on all social media.

Boom...Morgan

Fishing Trip...Chasing Spring Stripers

Hang with me here on the blog, on Instagram (slideshow above), Facebook, and Twitter as TLTFF does the middle Chesapeake today with Remick (@flytimesDC) and some of the other UA and CCA Maryland crew.

Boom...Morgan

10th Annual PHWFF 2-Fly Tournament - Alumni Weekend

I was driving down the winding turns of the Blue Ridge Turnpike with the wipers on full speed as the last few bars that would connect me to society dwindled to "No Service". Good tunes were playing and something just felt right, it felt just like it did three years ago...the first time I made the trek to Rose River Farm and a weekend that would eventually hold a place on my calendar circled multiple times with a big red sharpie.

This weekend, as those of you who have read TLTFF for some time know, holds a very special place in my heart. That connection was grown from many factors, from seeing familiar friendly faces to landscapes, fishing to making new memories...but one of those factors is the true foundation of that growth, the seed that started it all, an organization and what it exemplifies.

I knew little about Project Healing Waters until about 4 years ago when I befriended a certain guy with the last name associated with a Disney character. Rob Snowhite had been posting about PHWFF here and there, talking about upcoming events and I would even see him at shows in their booth. Already being involved in the Non-Profit realm through CCA myself, I knew they had a mission, had a focus, and wanted change. Little did I know that change was in the form of attitudes, directly impacting lives and more time than not, saving them.

Fast-forward a bit to the Spring of 2014, where I find myself relying on my GPS to get me to this unknown place in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains as I wind down a wet road. I was trying to get in touch with the only two people I knew that were going to be at the 8th Annual PHWFF 2-Fly Tournament, but all my phone said was "No Service". Snowhite wouldn't have picked up either way since he was in the thralls of guiding the Potomac's shad run with a few clients and I had no idea if Dan Morgan (PHWFF's Director of Communications) even had my number. Eventually, after a few reroutes and turns through farm and cow country, I saw water, the river...followed by a sign. I had made it.

This year, I had no need for a GPS and the only phone call I needed to make was to my wife to let her know I was about to drop into the modern twilight zone and was almost there (within a few miles of RRF). The sight of the RRF lane is enough to get your adrenaline pumping, even through a rainy windshield on a low light day. The classic Mongolian Yurt cabins off to the right, the sight of American flags along the fence, the crossing of the bridge, and finally, the familiar faces.

As the WiFi symbol popped into the corner of my phone I knew it was close enough to the tent to send a "I'm here safe" text to my wife. I drove up over the hill after checking in to find everyone settling down for lunch courtesy of the local American Legion. Those Legion boys and girls know how to cook up some brats and dogs, let me tell you. Lunch is always the half-way point of the Bluegill Tournament, a halftime if you will.

The Bluegill Tournament is a fun "pre-tournament" event held at the farm pond on the other side of the RRF main property. The farm pond is stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass and rainbow trout. The tournament is open to PHWFF participants and any angler competing in Sunday's tourney. Hosted by Cory Routh and his wonderful wife Kelly of Ruthless Outdoor Adventures (give them a look, if you're ever in need of a guide in the VA area, look no further). Cory is not only a phenomenal angler, but has outstanding art skills and put them to good use for this year's Bluegill Tournament trophy.

As the Bluegill Tournament came to an end, there were three category winners with 2nd place finishes behind them. Along with the six podium finishers, there is one person who also needs to be recognized, Mark Eustis. Mark is a huge supporter of PHWFF and avid follower of TLTFF. Mark was a guide during the first 2-Fly Tournament 10 years ago and was fishing this year as a supporter. Mark caught the biggest Bluegill of the day (which happened to be a VA state citation) but backed out of the tourney so someone else could take the win. Kudos to you Mark, you're a good man.

CPT (ret.) Alvin Shell (Army) took the win in the Bluegill division and 2nd in the largest other fish division with a 12.5" largemouth seconds before the final buzzer (beaten by a 15" Rainbow), setting him up for what was due to be an absolutely amazing weekend.

As everything wound down and people headed over the hill to catch rides to their hotel, I was able to catch up with some of my favorite's, the TFO crew over an ice cold beer. The rain continued to fall off and on as we decided it was time to think about getting ready for the night's festivities and arrival of the keynote speaker, Tom Brokaw.

Both Rob Snowhite and Rich Farino pulled up just in time for me to grab my car and park it down by the tent near his to change and freshen up for the banquet. I grabbed a beer from my YETI, a Striped Bass Pale Ale by Devil's Backbone (had to give a shoutout for my goto brew), and made my rounds, giving hugs and checking in with everyone as the crowd began to gather in anticipation of the vets arrival, escorted by Culpepper's Patriot Guard Riders. Every year, rain or shine, their arrival tends to get everyone pumped for the night and Sunday ahead. The roaring of the bike engines and the procession that follows is always sensory overload piled on top of sheer excitement.

As the vets made their way into the crowd, finding their guides for Sunday as well as greeting familiar faces. A low murmur started to form as two easily recognizable faces stepped out of a truck right behind Rob and I...Lefty and Brokaw. After being greeted by the PHWFF family, Tom stepped over to Rob, shook his hand, and proceeded to ask "where can I get one of those", pointing to Rob's newly opened Shiner Bock. With a chuckle, Rob handed his off to Tom while saying "right here, its all yours, just opened it.". Tom took a big swig and put it right into his coat pocket, it was awesome. After a brief chat with Rob, mentioning that "podcasts and selfies are the bain of" his existence, he turned to me, obviously seeing I was star struck and shook my hand. Then it happened, he looked down at my name tag and realized I wasn't who he thought I was. Nonetheless, he played it off well be striking up a conversation with me regarding Bucs and Bones, Belize, Bonefish, and his favorite beer. After a few minutes, we were all moved into the tent as rain began to fall and the silent auction fired up.

Side note, Tom is smaller and slightly more weathered than I thought he would be, but I took that as the man has lived a rad life and has seen as well as done a lot of really rad things. Tom is easily the nicest celebrity I've ever met (yes, I can compare him to quite a few).

As I meandered my way through the tent, scoping out some of the most amazing silent auction talent I've ever seen, I found myself in front of my good friend Andrew Holt of Edrington. Holt was kind enough to come down and taste his full range of high end scotches from Macallan to Highland Park. Those scotches, paired with the absolutely amazing (happy) oysters from Sapidus Farms, made for one heck of an appetizer hour.

The mic fired up and the familiar voice of Douglas Dear asked us to begin to settle down. Douglas Dear, owner of RRF and Chairman Emeritus of the Board of PHWFF greeted us to the tenth installment of PHWFF's largest fundraising event before introducing a true American hero and someone who has benefitted greatly from PHWFF's work, SSG (ret.) Robert Bartlett (Army). Robert gave the invocation, speaking as a true man of God.

As everyone grabbed dinner, a low roar filled the tent as over 300 supporters of the event shared fishing stories, caught up on recent events in their lives and chowed down on the delicious food courtesy of Gentry's Catering Service. The rain continued to fall, harder and harder, actually helping to set the mood with a low, ambient sound, enough to soothe the soul as only the grace of the Blue Ridge Mountains paired with an amazing night can.

With full bellies, good wine, and happy spirits, the mood was fully set for the evenings program to begin with PHWFF CEO Ellen Killough's welcome and remarks. Ellen has a huge heart, she is a big advocate for our nations vets as well as women in fly fishing. Off the cuff she wanted to make sure two of the Able Women in the room were recognized, Jessica Callahan (Navy) and CPT (ret.) Kim Smith (USMC)...both of which have also benefitted from PHWFF's programs. Take a minute and check out what Able Women is doing, really really good stuff for the sport from both a diversity and overall well being standpoint.




Boom...Morgan

Kickstarter...The SmithFly Big Scioto Dry Pack

I was able to chat with Ethan up in Somerset this year for quite some time and this pack came up in the conversation. At that point he wasn't sure if he was going to do a Kickstarter because he wasn't sure if people were interested despite the lack of this type of product on the market. There were a few of us standing around and when he began to talk about the (now named) Big Scioto Dry Pack, we immediately got excited. Check this out...chances are, if you let this awesome Kickstarter price slide, you're going to be wishing you hadn't when someone downstream is wearing this awesomely green molle dry pack.

Keep your gear dry on the inside, keep other stuff handy mounted to the outside of this comfortable light weight back pack.

The Big Scioto Dry Pack is the world's first MOLLE compatible Roll Top Dry Pack. 

We've taken the concept of a comfortable light weight roll top dry back pack and added a laser cut MOLLE  panel to the back to allow you keep your fly tackle easily accessible. You don't need to access the dry compartment to get to your fly boxes, leaders or accessories. The inside stays dry and the stuff on the outside stays accessible! How about that.

To learn more and pledge towards this great Kickstarter, click here and be sure to give SmithFly a 'Like' and/or 'Follow' on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Boom...Morgan

The Fly Fishing Show - Lancaster, PA 2016

Hang with me here on the blog, on Instagram (slideshow above), Facebook, and Twitter while I cruise The Fly Fishing Show in Lancaster, PA.

Boom...Morgan

Fishing Trip...TLTFF Does the Bahamas

I shoved off to the Bahamas yesterday on a work trip, yes, work trip. I'll be down here until Sunday when we head home. I plan on sneaking away a few times to the flats and I believe we are going deep sea on day to bail Mahi. I have my favorite 8wt setups with me, my Redington Vapen Red paired with my Allen Fly Fishing Omega and my Shore Tackle Custom St. Croix Legend Elite (review pending) paired with my Allen Fly Fishing Kraken XLA. Stoked to get out and chase Bones, maybe stick a 'Cuda, and get away from this cold weather!

Hang with me here on the blog, on Instagram (slideshow above), Facebook, and Twitter while I cruise the flats in some warm weather, hopefully sticking some fish.


Boom...Morgan

H&H Live!

H&H Outfitters is now on Periscope, where they will be streaming live to answer questions and give you a taste of what its like to crank out some rad product from the HQ. What is Periscope? We'll think of it as a combination of Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube that allows you to see the world through someone else's eyes...

H&H LIVE INTRO from H&H Outfitters on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

DAY 2 of The Fly Fishing Show - Somerset, NJ

Hang with me here on the blog, on Instagram (slideshow above), Facebook, and Twitter while I cruise The Fly Fishing Show in Somerset, NJ for Day 2 of my adventure (day 3 of the show).

Boom...Morgan

DAY 1 of The Fly Fishing Show - Somerset, NJ

Hang with me here on the blog, on Instagram (slideshow above), Facebook, and Twitter while I cruise The Fly Fishing Show in Somerset, NJ for Day 1 of my adventure (day 2 of the show).

Boom...Morgan