IN THE SALT - Issue 10

Don't get too thrown off that the latest issue of In The Salt is considered "Winter 2019" issue.  Seasons are flipped on the other end of the world.  Australia based but touching on locales worldwide including a piece by Christian Pretorius that is bittersweet in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian on what it was like to manage Abaco Lodge in the Bahamas.  

CHECK IT.

Saluda River Chapter T.U. - "Swap N Shop" Event

While this post is mainly for those in the Columbia, South Carolina area, this is a heads up that the Saluda River Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be hosting their annual cook out picnic and Swap N Shop event at Saluda Shoals on Tuesday, September 10th.

Along with local artisans, creators, industry professionals and others, The Fiberglass Manifesto will also have a booth space at the event and I'm planning on bring a mix of offerings from the T.F.M. Store to sell along with some T.F.M. freebies.  I'll have some demo fly rods to cast and who knows what else I'll bring along.

I am also excited to pass along, thanks to the support from Swift Fly Fishing, that I'll be giving away a coupon for a Ready to Wrap Fly Rod Building Kit, of the winner's choice. 

The other big news is that Sweetwater Brewing Company handed over a few cases of Guide Beer that I'll have iced down in a couple YETI coolers.  The beers will be free but if you'd like to tip the barman, and of course you should, I'll take all donations which will be sent to the Yellow Dog Community & Conservation Foundation for those in the Bahamas affected by Hurricane Dorian.

This is a not to be missed event, the food and fellowship is always excellent and you just may walk away with way more than you arrived with.  That's kind of the point to the evening.

The Swap N Shop event will be held at Saluda Shoals at the Redbud Shelter and will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m.  Bring your family and invite a friend.  This event is for members and non-members alike.

If you have any questions please give me a shout at thefiberglassmanifesto@gmail.com.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE - Issue 43

The latest issue of Tail Fly Fishing Magazine is showing up in mailboxes and is live online.  If you didn't know, Issue 43 celebrates seven years of salt.  In a time where and when print magazines are harder to come by, Tail Fly Fishing Magazine keeps getting better with each new issue.

Even if you don't subscribe yet, you can preview the first few pages and I'm stoked to have gotten a drone image of a huge permit flat from a recent trip with South Water Adventures Belize into this issue.  It's not often that I sneak an image into print, so this is kind of cool.

CHECK IT.

MEATEATER - Das Boat: Episode 3

The Das Boat fishing film series continues with Episode 3 featuring MeatEater Conservation Director Ryan Callaghan and artist Ed Anderson who first do some boat tweaks before spending some time tossing flies and lures in the waters around the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. 



 Check out the MeatEater website and follow along for future episodes on the YouTube channel.

HURRICANE DORIAN RELIEF - #DozenForDorian

While I'm still working to keep yesterday's Hurricane Dorian Relief post updated, fellow blogger and man of good ideas, Josh Mills of Chucking Line and Chasing Tail kicked off a fly tying initiative to raise money with #DozenForDorian.

This idea is picking up steam and fly tiers are offering up a dozen premium tied flies (some as a set and others as winner's choice) and bids are being placed on the tier's Instagram post.  So far over $2,000 has been raised for the cause and I expect that number to go way up over the next few days.

So, jump on Instagram, search for #DozenForDorian and toss down some bids to make a difference for those whose lives have been forever changed by this hurricane.  I'm just going to guess that these flies are going to be full of mojo.

JEFF KENNEDY - Gates Lodge "Artist in Residence" Journal #2

The "Artist in Residence" journals continue (if you missed Journal #1 circle back there first) with artist Jeff Kennedy from Gates Au Sable Lodge.  Take a few minutes and enjoy this look into his day creating and taking in a beautiful northern Michigan day.

Photo courtesy of Courtney Marie Martin.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2019

This was my first full day at the lodge and I woke up at 4:30 a.m. to get things rolling.  I broke out the JetBoil and the AeroPress to get the first cup of coffee going.

The part I struggle with is getting into a routine, breaking away from my regular routine and focusing on my creative routine.  It is a constant journey.

I then did some quick warmup sketches to get my mind and working together. 

I keep my main set up in the board room at Gates Au Sable Lodge.  This place is full of inspiration with huge library of books on trout, flyfishing and fly tying.  A lot of the books are 1st Edition and are now out of print.  Winter fly tying occurs here with many hours of spinning fur and feather to fill the fly shop boxes for the next season.  This is also ground zero for Anglers of the Ausable.  I can just imagine the great conversations these walls have been privy to.

Tricos and 7X tippet are the go-to for daytime fishing now.  On warmer days, terrestrials with droppers also work. 

I had a lot of visitors swing by with great conversations, art, fly fishing and fly tying.  The best way to spend a sunny and 70 degree day.  I did get a chance to set up outside the fly shop for the afternoon.  The outside exposure is great for conversation but slow for art.  I did manage to work in the Bro-nana.  A combination of banana and brown trout.  It's a fun idea to explore but that banana will still not be in my boat!

Photo courtesy of Courtney Marie Martin.

The day ended with a fantastic meal at the Gates Au Sable Lodge Restaurant.  I contemplated heading out to do some mousing but I was really tired from the day's events.  There will be more opportunities in the coming days.

I fell asleep while reading "Fish and Other Stories as My Pen Remembers Them".  A journal by Jack Unruh and he is one of my all-time favorite illustrators.  I can spend hours reading and rereading this book.

 Jeff Kennedy unplugged his website but the Drawing Flies 365 blog is a great trip down memory lane.  You can follow along with his latest fishing exploits and studio news on Facebook and Instagram.

Gates Au Sable Lodge is on the banks of the Au Sable River outside of Grayling, Michigan and has a longstanding history as a mecca within fly fishing.  If you haven't been, plan to go, fish, eat and stay.  Following along on Facebook and Instagram is a good idea too.

HURRICANE DORIAN RELIEF - How You Can Help Today

We are just starting to see videos and images of the destruction of areas of the Bahamas and the realities of this storm will certainly become more apparent in the coming days.  What little I've seen so far paints a scene of complete devastation. 

The fly fishing industry is already stepping up in quite a few different ways to support the relief efforts and this post will be continually updated as new opportunities to donate come across my radar.  If I'm missing one that should be included, please send an email for it to be added.

There are a lot of charities popping up promising hurricane relief and assistance and I'll be doing my best to vet any that are shared here to ensure that they are legimate.

ABACO LODGE HURRICANE DORIAN RELIEF FUND
This GoFundMe kicked off yesterday and already has been supported with donations of over 120,000 with several of the fundraisers listed below pledging the donations to this fund as well. 

This was set up to support the family, friends and staff of Abaco Lodge.

BLANE CHOCKLETT FISHING - MUSKY TRIP
Starting bid is $700 on the Blane Chocklett Fly Fishing Facebook and Instagram pages for a one day guided musky trip.  100% of the proceeds will benefit the Abaco Lodge GoFundme campaign.  Jump over and place your bid.  Bidding will end on this Friday night. 

CASTAWAY CUSTOMS "BAHAMAS STRONG" RULER
Here is an opportunity where your $40 purchase of a "Bahamas Strong" SeaDek ruler (available in three fish choices) is turned into $80 with Castaway Customs matching funds that will be donated to the Green Turtle Cay Foundation.

UPDATE - Over $20,000 has been raised so far and Castaway Customs has added several other "Bahamas Strong" items to consider. 

CHUCKING LINE AND CHASING TAIL - DOZEN FOR DORIAN
Josh Mills is stepping up to the vise with a donation of a dozen custom steelhead flies to benefit hurricane relief efforts.  Bid on Josh Mill's Instagram page through next week.

CODY RICHARDSON CREATIONS
There are four auctions going on Facebook and Instagram and Cody Richardson is giving the money raised to both Abaco Lodge and The Delphi Club GoFundMe pages which will assist the guide families who have lost their homes with this hurricane.  The auctions will end at noon on Friday, September 6, 2019.  

DUPPY FLY CO. BAHAMA BLUE BAD LUCK FLY BOXES
Turn your $50 donation into $100 with Americares matching funds by sending a DM through the Dupply Fly Co. Facebook or Instagram page for maybe your new favorite fly box.

EAST END GRAND BAHAMAS DORIAN RELIEF EFFORT
This is a GoFundMe for the staff and guides to rebuild who are working with East End Lodge.

ERIK ESTRADA ART
Artist Erik Estrade is donating 50% of the proceeds from The Pinnacle Series to the Abaco Lodge GoFundMe shown above.

FLY FISH FOOD - DOZEN FOR DORIAN
The boys at Fly Fish Food are auctioning off a dozen Project Hoppers on their Instagram.  Bidding ends on Friday, September 6, 2019.

FLYWATER EXPEDITIONS - KEYS OR LOUISIANA DAY
The crew at Flywater Expeditions is offering up a day in the Florida Keys or Louisiana.  Bidding is on Instagram and will end on this evening.

HEART WOOD TRADE
Take your pick of a custom landing net made from small batch whiskey barrel wood.  Place your bid on this Instagram post until Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 8:00 p.m.

HILARY HUTCHENSON - FLATHEAD RIVER DAY TRIP
Do you like clear water and cutthroats munching dry flies?  Consider bidding on a trip with guide and all around badass, Hilary Hutchenson.  Details on her Instagram.

HOWLER BROTHERS CATEGORY FIVE COLLECTION
Weird timing for sure but Howler Brothers kicked off a new Mutations offering with the Category Five Collection which includes a cap and two button up shirts.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit hurricane relief. 

UPDATE - On Friday, September 6, 2019, Howler Brothers will be donating all online sales to hurricane relief.  

MARSH DAWN - CAPTAIN RON RATLIFF
Though it was snapped up in less than ten minutes, Captain Ron Ratliff of the Louisiana redfish marshes offered up a two day trip to benefit the Abaco Lodge GoFundMe campaign that sold for $1,200.

MATT JONES PHOTOGRAPHY
Over the years Matt Jones has spent quite a bit of time in the Bahamas and is auctioning off several prints on Instagram which 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Abaco Lodge GoFundMe campaign.  The latest bid is $1,500 and will end on Friday, September 6, 2019.

REP YOUR WATER SPECIAL EDITION CAP
To encourage donations to the YDCCF, Rep Your Water will include one of these "Special Edition" Bahamas Bonefish caps to all those who make a $200 or greater donation to the cause.

RISING FISH - "BAHAMAS STRONG" GEAR PACKAGE
The good peeps at Rising Fish have put together a tool kit worth at look and bidding is taking place on their Instagram page that will end on September 12, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

SCHULTZ OUTFITTERS - SMALLMOUTH DAY
Ol' Schultzy is offering up a full day guide trip with lodging for the spring 2020 season.  Bid on the Instagram post until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 8, 2019.

SIGHT LINE PROVISIONS BONEFISH BRACELET
Edgar Diaz of Sight Line Provisions is giving 50% of the proceeds of every Bonefish Bracelet sold during September to the Bahamas Hurricane Relief.  This bracelet is available in Horween Brown or Horween Black leather and they are priced at $70 each.

THE DELPHI CLUB ABACO RELIEF FUND
Currently this GoFundMe page is pushing $100,000 and the funds will be used for the guides and staff of The Delphi Club to rebuild their homes and lives.

WHISKEY RIVER CHRONICLE X SPOKE HOLLOW OUTFITTERS
How about a guided Texas cast and blast and Fly Geek is tossing in fly box with four dozen of his favorite Hill Country classics loaded in a Tacky Predator Box (worth $350 by itself).  The money raised will be split between the Abaco Lodge and the Delphi Club GoFundMe campaigns.

The starting bid is $1,350 on the Whiskey River Chronicle Instagram and will end Sunday, September 8, 2019 at 9:00 p.m.

VAN ZANDT FLY FISHING CO.
JT is offering up a guided full-day charter out of Rockport, Texas with proceeds going to the Abacos Lodge GoFundMe.  Currently the high bid is $4,000 and bids are being taken on Instagram.

YELLOW DOG COMMUNITY AND CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
All donations received through the month of September will benefit the Bahamas angling community.

Looking for more traditional ways of making a donation?  The Venturing Angler has a great list up to look over with links provided.

For an admittedly small industry, the fly fishing community goes in deep when it comes to helping others and the response to Hurricane Dorian and the effects that it has (and will  have) on the Bahamas is impressive so far.