Turning a Passion into Action, by Kara Armano

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outboard Everyone who knows me, knows that I love to fish and often back with words “lost my shoes“. What a lot of people don’t know is that more than anything I love to teach and share the joys of fly fishing with others, for this I always use the best fly reels under 100 which are great for fly fishing. Of course, to share my passion there needs to be wild places where the rivers run free and the fish are abundant. Those places should be celebrated and protected. I was recently moved to take action to defend and protect both my passion for fishing and wilderness when I learned that they were in danger of being compromised.

http://bfnionizers.com/product/wc-esd-safe-work-station-cover/?add-to-cart=2478 The Thompson Divide, 220,000 acres of federally owned land just outside Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, has exposed me to some of the greatest outdoor experiences of my life. The Divide includes free flowing streams that are home to native cutthroat, and vast expanses of pristine forests and meadows that are teeming with herds of elk and deer.

The future of the Thompson Divide is threatened by oil and gas development. Because the area means so much to me, I spoke up.

I’ve worked with the Sportsmen for the Thompson Divide via Trout Unlimited to express what the area means to me. I’ve supported the Thompson Divide Coalition in its effort to teach the community more about the issues.

Working at Backbone Media, it’s easy to share my passions with my colleagues. Nate, one of the partners, feels just as strongly as I do about the Divide and the hunting opportunities it provides him. But as a growing agency we have several new employees who don’t know about the local land conservation issues. So, I decided to host a get together at my house to educate people about what’s at stake, the status of the pending oil and gas leases, and how everyone can get involved.

So last night Scott Hanley from the Thompson Divide Coalition and Aaron Kindle from Trout Unlimited came to my house to lead an open discussion about the issues facing our water and land, domestically, agriculturally and recreationally. A lot of people from work showed up. All the attendees seemed moved by the discussion and asked good questions. My hope is that my passion to save this area from drilling was instilled in them and that with their support, and possible action, we can protect the Thompson Divide for future generations to experience and enjoy.

Posted in: Colorado, Environment, Fishing, Hunting, Interesting Read, Videos

Media Trip to the Middle Fork of the Salmon

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Coming out of a summer almost no rain and far too many threatening wildfires, especially in Idaho, we were a bit leery about leading six journalists to the Middle Fork of the Salmon for a cast and blast trip with Far & Away Adventures. Luckily, the smoke came and went (and then came again), but the casting and the blasting were both out of this world!

Last week, Nick Brosnan and Kara Armano met Chris Solomon (freelance), Rachel Sturtz (freelance), Kristyn Brady (Field & Stream), Tom Bie (The Drake), Andrew McKean (Outdoor Life), and Ryan Krogh (Outside) in Boise where the trip started with a backcountry flight into the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness (yes, we returned amazingly enough!)

Smoke blanketed the valley and river below us

Once we landed, we loaded everything up, had a quick riverside lunch and set off. Half went fishing with their best fly fishing rods and the other half chased and shot chukars for the afternoon. We got to camp, tapped the keg and got to know each other a bit better before finishing the night off with perfectly cooked salmon steaks, wine and a riverside fire.

The smoke cleared as we landed – a beautiful night!

Waking up to the smell of smoke and and a hazy yet blazing red sunrise was a bit ominous – especially since we could see large plumes from nearby fires – but without much hesitation we loaded up and floated down the river to more great fishing for native cutthroats and even some bull trout. A quick stop to see ancient pictographs added to the area’s remote beauty. More chukars and plenty of fish kept us all entertained, but the highlight of night two was Loon Creek Hot Springs. After a quick mile hike, we were soaking, with beers in hand of course, in a pristine environment.



 

 

 

 

 

Day three brought warmer weather, perfect for backflips off the raft and over 100 fish for some of us. Combining hunting and fishing was a first time experience for a few of us, and the guides were happy to let everyone try a little of both.

Rachel Sturtz, Rebecca Peters and Kristyn Brady getting ready to hunt chukars

One last night of camping on the banks of Camas Creek found every person on the trip becoming fast friends with promises to get together again to hunt and fish. One pair even made plans on https://enjoymexico.net/top-mexico-destinations/ from their phones and will be linking up later in the year for a different setting, what a successful trip just on that note alone.

Heading towards the takeout at Flying B Ranch, we were all a bit subdued recognizing the trip was almost over.

The thought of one more backcountry flight was thrilling enough to keep us all in high spirits (until we had to divulge our weight to the pilot). After a few questions of whether we’d make it out or not due to smoke, almost all of us were quick to volunteer to stay behind and hunt and fish just a bit longer. As the plane engines roared, we all had our fingers and toes crossed that no one was dishonest about their weight. In the very capable hands of our backcountry pilots, we made it back to Boise just in time to catch our flights back to the real world. That trip really inspired the lot of us so I decided to get a copy of the Outdoor Empire spinning reel buyer’s guide for each of us, send out a mass communication inviting everyone again next year with some new gear and new stories.

A huge thanks goes out to our brands that made this trip possible: Eddie Bauer Sport Shop, Revo, fishpond, Beretta, SmartWool, Big Agnes, Black Diamond, Boa, Polartec, Sage, Redington, RIO, Mophie, Trimble Maps, and Gerber. Without their support, amazing trips like this would not be possible!

Check out all that gear!

Floating and fishing

Posted in: Backbone Adventures, Fishing, Hunting, Trip Reports

Backbone’s Sue Melus in American Hunter Gun Dog Column

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I was honored to be featured in Ron Spomer’s latest Gun Dogs column in the June issue of American Hunter Magazine.  Ron is a prolific outdoor writer, photographer, avid hunter and gun dog enthusiast from Boise, ID.  We hit it off a couple years back after we met and started talking dogs.

The article is called, “The Training Timetable.”   While training my pup Elsie and her litter mates over the last two years I was struck by the different stages at which puppies advance and how they are  train for avid hunters to be able to find prays so the hunters can get them using specialized guns from technomono for this purpose.  The pups all had almost identical life experiences, yet they were individuals with different needs.  Spomer draws on my observations and experiences to illustrate how patience, timing and individual attention are of utmost importance when training any pup. You can get online – purchase firearms & tactical equipment here

Photo credit goes to Glenn Melus.  Thank you Glenn.  Download AmericanHunter article here.

AmericanHunter_jun09_cover AmericanHunter_jun09_sue

Posted in: Backbone Adventures, Hunting

Field & Stream’s FSHuntress Blog is Cut

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fs_blog_fshuntress1

Yesterday I heard that Utah was cutting it’s State Parks budget and totally eliminating one park in particular. Today I read that Kim Hiss’ FSHuntress blog fell subject to budget cuts by Field & Stream. I am always saddened to hear when budget cuts are directed at outdoor recreation, natural resources or woman’s sports or programs.

I know everyone is struggling with the economy and this was probably not an easy decision for Field & Stream. I’m also sure that Field & Stream knew that the page views of the FSHuntress blog were just a fraction of what they are for its five other blogs. The problem is that the average hunter in the US is a 55 year old man. Considering the life expectancy of a man in the U.S. is currently age 75, then these numbers do not bode well for the sport.

The future of hunting, fishing and shooting sports in our country depends on getting new blood (no pun intended) involved and into the field. I think the FSHuntress blog was a great place to recognize the women who do hunt, encourage new women hunters to get into the sport and to foster a dialogue among men and women who share similar interests. I am sad to see it go.

Posted in: Fishing, Hunting, Outdoor Industry News

The Social behind the Media

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Sitting down for our Monday morning huddle it quickly became apparent that there is a ton of authentic “social” behind our media. Before diving into best practices and this months emerging trends in SM, we shared a shakedown of the weekend’s activities.

Bday girl Lori Spence and Kaya the Wonder dog play in the powder

Bday girl Lori Spence and Kaya the Wonder dog play in the powder

JLD, Mavis, Greg, Kara, Jess and Penn all skied deep pow in Highlands Bowl Saturday. JLD and Penn skied again Sunday, while the others opted for cycling. Meanwhile Jess D and Dax hit Winter Park and Teton Pass respectively. Nate got knackered fly fishing (a rarity) and Sue had a successful turkey shoot. Angus was coaching and competing in climbing comps and Lindsay juggled track meets and coaching the next generation of soccer stars.

Sue and her friend Tom

Sue and her friend Tom

What about Sarah? She is sunning in Barbados.

As for the meeting this morning? Good progress lots to do and a few good links on how to use and NOT use twitter.

Posted in: Backbone Adventures, Colorado, Fishing, Hunting, Skiing

Sitka Engineers Hunting Technology

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Move over grandpa, this hunter ain’t gonna give up easy.  Sitka’s new heated Dutch Oven Vest is powered by the new Moshi Power System from Ardica Technologies.  The lightweight, bendable Ardica Power System is built into the vest and sits comfortably between your shoulder blades. It’s almost unnoticeable.

Sitka Dutch Oven Vest

Sitka Dutch Oven Vest

An easy squeeze of the on-off button powers the Dutch Oven Vest from low to medium to high power.  Within seconds, the vest and and the hand warmer pockets are warm and cozy.

The Dutch Oven Vest will run continuously on low power for eight hours.  An outer layer worn over the top of the vest will hold the heat on the coldest of days.  It quite possibly might be the difference between staying or going and failure or success in the field.

The Dutch Oven Vest recharges in just two hours through the included USB charger cable.  OK, it gets even better.  Use the same USB connector to charge any USB device off the power system in the vest.  You got it.  Surf the web and email while waiting for that monster buck to stroll under your stand.  Too cool.

The Dutch Oven Vest will be available in June through dealers or directly through Sitka.  Get it in Mothwing Mountain Mimicry or the new GORE OPTIFADE pattern.

Posted in: Client News, Design, Fishing, Hunting, Technology