Tin Shed-Mewuk Canyon

The new Tin Shed just launched on Patagonia's website.  This installment features a short video clip from Burl Productions called Mewuk Canyon.  It's a segment from FISH EYE 4 "Through Anglers Eyes".  The video takes you along on a hiking trip deep into the backcountry of California with Dave Lass of Trout Unlimited, Rock Star Bernard Yin, Joe Nosek and Me .   We didn't know quite what we were getting ourselves into when we left.  It turned out to be one of the most brutal hikes ever!!  The hike in is about 15 miles with a 4,500 foot elevation change.  The last 4 miles there was no trail at all and we were just bush whacking and taking bear trails.   That was the easy part.  Hiking back out was the hard part.  Bernard and Joe took two days to hike out and were consequently picked up by a friend at the top of the canyon.  Dave and I stayed an extra day to fish more and ended up hiking the whole way out in one day!! Then we had to ride mountain bikes another 16 miles to where my car was parked!!!  Insane mission but well worth it to see one of California's most pristine canyons and trout that have never seen people.   

I called the segment Mewuk Canyon after the Mewuk peoples that used to live in that area.  There is evidence of their society everywhere.  Grinding stones, arrow heads and old fire rings.  You can feel the energy in air and almost hear their spirits talking to you in the wind.  It's a wild feeling.  

Make sure you check out the whole line up on the Tin Shed.  There's surfing, rock climbing, skiing and more.  Mine is probably the worst one in there.  There's a couple really nice trailers for different up coming films this year.  Lots of good work being done out there documenting our planet.  

Check it out

http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/tinshed/index.jsp?ln=240

Trout Trek

The Trout Unlimited show, On the Rise featuring Dave Lass, John Roberts, Richard Anderson and myself fishing with Frank Smethhurst on the Little Truckee aired this weekend.  I don't have a T.V. and haven't seen it yet, but i got some nice comments from some of my friends who did see it.  

Here's a comment form Vance, a hard core trout fisherman who travels around the country in search of the ultimate trout and posts his adventures on youtube under trouttrek.  

"Just saw you on TUTV w/Frank! Nice work and nice Brownie (twice).  Keep up the awesome footage and the fight for wild places. You are one of the "good guys!" 

Thanks Vance!!

Granite Camo

More Granite camo photos from the high country.  

Having the right gear can make a big difference between a sucessful day and a long day of trying.  Being able to blend with your surrounding can sometimes be the ticket to fooling a stealthy brown.  

Color isn't the only factor in determining what your going to wear on a day out to the lake or river.  Think about how much your going to be casting, walking wading or climbing.  Think about being comfortable outside during varying wether conditions that can occur.  
The Soul Patrol shirt is my favorite for these types of conditions.  It's light but durable and blocks the sun while not sticking to me and making me sweat while I'm climbing or hiking.   

Photos by: Megan Smith

Here's a better look at the Patagonia Fishing 09 Catalog.  Check out all the latest styles and gear from team fish.  It's eco friendly and downloadable.  

Get your own - Open publication

Late Season Lake Fishing

When the leaves start to fall off the trees and the first snow falls, can be a good time to get some late season fishing in the high country.  Sunny days are the best for spotting fish cruising the shore looking for some last meals before the lake ices over.  It's a tough game because very often the fish see you first.  I like to try to dress to blend with the surroundings as best possible.  When presenting a dry fly to a weary fish, you need all the advantages you can get.  

The Patagonia 09 fishing line has some great granite camo color ways.  Check out the line at: 

http://issuu.com/patagoniaflyfishing/docs/catalog/3?mode=embed&documentId=090120235258-0ad6f948da064884bf4e11cd2c2792ec&layout=grey
A stealthy and observant approach can yield nice brown trout on a dry flie.  
Just one of the cool old cabins off of Hwy 88.  
Tall Juniper tree basking in the late fall sun.  
This is the mother tree.  She's the second biggest juniper tree in the world.