2017 YELLOW DOG FLYFISHING ADVENTURES CATALOG

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ADVENTURES

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ANGLING TRAVEL

GUIDE VOLUME 17

YELLOWDOGFLYFISHING.COM OVER 185 DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE

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D A N A L B R I G H T , P R O D U C T I O N S P E C I A L I S T,

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PRAY YOUR HEART SURGEON IS THIS OBSESSED.

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U N FLI N C H I N G F O C U S CA N’T B E B O U G H T, S O LD O R TR A DE M A R K E D. I T’S A B O R N -W I T H-I T QUA L I T Y. A N D I N B O Z E M A N , M O N TA N A , I T B U R N S B R I G H T I N S I D E T H E F I S H I N G - A D D I CT E D V I S I O N A R I E S W H O C R A F T T H E W O R L D ’ S B E ST WA D E R S . T H E S E A R E I N D I V I D U A LS , L I K E D A N A L B R I G H T, W H O’V E MASTE R E D A TH OU SAN D FI N E P OI N TS. AN D TH E I R FEATS AR E R E V EALE D I N A LE GACY OF DE S I G N I N N OVATI O N S TH AT P LAY O U T O N TH E WATE R . TH E P R O O F I S I N TH E FI N I S H E D PR ODU CT. I N P E R F O R M A N C E T H AT C A N ’ T B E FA K E D . A N D I T ’ S P OW E R E D B Y A N I N T E N S I T Y T H AT, W H E N I T C O M E S T O Y O U R WA D E R M A K E R S , G O E S U N M AT C H E D .

YELLOW DOG FLYFISHING ADVENTURES 213 SOUTH WILLSON AVENUE • BOZEMAN, MT 59715 • 888-777-5060 • email: info@yellowdogflyfishing.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS DESTINATIONS

ARTICLES & OTHER INFO

Bahamas......................... 6 Belize............................. 16 Yucatan......................... 24 Cuba............................. 30 Seychelles.................... 34 Other Salt..................... 40 Christmas Island........... 44 Brazil............................ 50 Bolivia........................... 52 Freshwater Exotics....... 54 Iceland.......................... 58 New Zealand................ 60 Chile............................. 66 Argentina...................... 70 Kamchatka.....................78 Alaska........................... 82 Canada......................... 90 U.S. West....................... 94 Louisiana.....................108

Yellow Dog Community and Conservation Foundation............................................4 ‘Da Tingum’ Fly Recipe..............................................23

By Doug McKnight Notes From The Field: The “Providence Diaries”......38

By Camille Egdorf The Straight Scoop On Trip Insurance And Medical EVAC Coverage..................................... 47 Indifly Project: An Interview with Oliver White...................................57 Yellow Dog Photography Workshops........................64 Creating A ‘Travel Essentials’ Repair Kit....................69 The 2017 Yellow Dog Ambassador Team ..................76 A Voice Or An Echo?...................................................88 ‘Kick Plastic’ Campaign........................................... 106 An Interview With Captain Miles LaRose................. 109 Top Couples Destinations.........................................110 Top Family Destinations........................................... 112 Meet the Yellow Dog Team....................................... 114 The Yellow Dog Website........................................... 116

ON THE COVER: Yellow Dog’s Bessie Bucholz and independent guide, Gordy Watson, fishing the backcountry of New Zealand in style, courtesy of Heli Glenorchy. Cover photo by Jim Klug.

PHOTO CREDITS: Other photo credits throughout the catalog include Bryan Gregson, Jim Klug, Ian Davis, Jess McGlothlin, Tom Melvin, John Hudgens, Camille Egdorf and Bessie Bucholz. The vast majority of the photos used throughout the catalog are shot by the Yellow Dog team. A very small number of un-credited, non-Yellow Dog images in this catalog were provided directly by lodges or occasionally by Yellow Dog clients. Catalog layout and design by Scott Morrison of Morrison Creative, Cody, Wyoming.

DESTINATIONS KEY Throughout this Yellow Dog travel planner you will find a series of reference symbols to help you quickly and easily match the lodges and operations with the type of amenities, offerings and options that are important to you when planning your next trip.

Preferred Couples Destination Preferred Family Destination

Dive / Snorkel Program On-Site

Rental / Demo Equipment Available

Wi-Fi Available

High Value / Economy Package

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YDCCF

PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANGLERS TO MAKE A DIRECT AND MEANINGFUL IMPACT IN THE MOST SIGNIFICANT AND IMPORTANT FISHING DESTINATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

WWW.YDCCF.ORG

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YELLOW DOG phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

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he Yellow Dog Community and Conservation Foundation was created to directly support priority conservation needs, community projects and educational efforts in important angling communities around the world. As a company, we are where we work, and the Foundation is Yellow Dog’s way of making a direct and positive impact in the places we fish. From large-scale protection efforts to local, grass-roots undertakings, the Foundation has a direct and positive impact on the destinations, fisheries and communities that so many anglers visit and care about.

Making a Difference With Your Next Fishing Adventure!

With most trips booked through Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, a portion of the trip cost will be donated directly to the Foundation in your name. In many cases, the lodge you visit will also match this contribution, resulting in a modest yet meaningful monetary gift for each trip booked. It is important

to mention that the full amount of this donation will be made by Yellow Dog and the lodges on behalf of each booking. There is never an additional cost added to a trip or invoice in order to support this project! You enjoy the world’s best fishing AND Yellow Dog’s legendary customer service and support while at the same time making a difference in the communities and areas that you visit and fish.

In the locations where we fish, these donations make a significant and immediate difference. Foundation grants may support the purchase of laptop computers for a guidecommunity grade school on Andros Island, the enforcement and monitoring of catch-and-release practices on the flats of Belize, efforts to protect angler access throughout the US West, and numerous other projects and efforts. Because we already operate in so many great fishing destinations, the Yellow Dog Community and Conservation Foundation is able to support the important work that positively impacts fishing around the world. And, as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, anglers, individuals and businesses can also directly donate to the Foundation: a great way to truly make more of a difference.

We invite you to join Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and the Foundation in supporting the communities and destinations great fishing is found. Book your trip with Yellow Dog, go fishing, and make a difference!

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WORKING TO ENHANCE COMMUNITIES, BUILD PARTNERSHIPS AND SUPPORT CONSERVATION IN PLACES WHERE GREAT FISHING IS FOUND.

FUNDS

Look for the “YDCCF Matching Funds” logo in this catalog and on the Yellow Dog website to identify the lodges and operations that are participating in the Foundation’s “Matching Funds” program. These lodges will match Yellow Dog’s contribution for every trip that is booked. info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

YELLOW DOG

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BAHAMAS T

he islands of the Bahamas are encompassed in a 100,000 square mile archipelago that covers more than 500 miles of the clearest, most pristine water in the world. This area is home to some of the finest bonefish habitat on the planet, and the gigantic network of unspoiled flats found throughout the Bahamian islands are the country’s main angling attraction. The flats and prime fishing areas of the Bahamas are so numerous that even in a lifetime of fishing it would be almost impossible to visit every area. The majority of the flats in the Bahamas have hard, white sand bottoms, which is why they rank among the best flats in the world for wade fishing. The shallow waters throughout the Bahamas are almost always gin-clear, and the sightfishing opportunities are endless.

The fact that the Bahamas are so close to the U.S. makes this a popular and easy destination for anglers looking to maximize their fishing time and minimize travel time. Regular, direct access to Grand Bahama and Abaco make these islands perfect for a quick weekend escape or a slightly-shorter-than-normal trip. Destinations including Andros, Crooked and the southern out-islands are ideal for longer trips or for those who appreciate a more remote setting and miles of endless, uncrowded flats. Here at Yellow Dog, we love the Bahamas for anglers who are new to saltwater flats fishing and those looking to have a great first experience with bonefish. It is also our preferred destination for anglers looking for seriously large bonefish and sizeable permit in the spring, summer and fall timeframes. And finally, it is a great option for anglers that live in the Eastern U.S. and the Southwest, where direct travel and flight access is quick and easy.

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BAHAMAS phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

GRAND BAHAMA With an impressive combination of natural wonders, man-made attractions, modern tourism infrastructure and endless flats, Grand Bahama is a destination that literally offers something for everyone. No matter where you fish on Grand Bahama, the waters that surround the island are loaded with fish, including strong numbers of permit and some of the largest bonefish in the world.

EAST END LODGE Grand Bahama, Bahamas

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6 night / 5 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $3,805 per person.

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• A high-value, fishing-focused destination that delivers long fishing days on productive waters with fantastic, experienced guides.

• Hands-down one of the very best overall fishing lodges in the entire world of saltwater fishing and a fishery that is home to amazing numbers of exceptionally large bonefish as well as impressive numbers of permit.

• Great food, a full bar and spacious, air-conditioned rooms.

• The lodge is close to the five bights that cut through the “horn” of the island on the far eastern end. This multi-bight fishery enables East End Lodge guides to fish optimal tides and conditions throughout the day.

• Easy access, with numerous direct flights from the U.S. to Freeport, Grand Bahama.

• Arrange a trip of any length and arrive and depart on any day of the week. The perfect destination for quick two and three-day trips as well as week-long excursions.

FUNDS

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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DEEP WATER CAY CLUB Grand Bahama, Bahamas • Since 1958, Deep Water Cay has operated as one of the finest, most high-end lodges in the entire world of flats fishing.

• Anglers have a choice of accommodations, including private waterfront cabanas, larger guest homes, and cottages.

• The lodge can easily accommodate single anglers, couples, families, larger groups and corporate groups.

• Club amenities include a main clubhouse, dock and marina, a fleet of Hells Bay skiffs, large infinity pool, angler’s bar, gym, tennis courts, a fully-stocked tackle shop and a 4,000-foot private airstrip.

• Daily runs to and from the flats are short and easy, and the layout of the eastern “bights” allow anglers to fish optimal tides throughout the course of each day.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $5,710 per person plus tax.

H20 BONEFISHING Grand Bahama Island

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NORTH RIDING POINT CLUB Grand Bahama, Bahamas • Originally a private club, North Riding Point has for the past several years been open to the public, offering a great location, seasoned and experienced guides, and some of the best bonefishing in the Bahamas.

• The Club is situated on the southern shore of Grand Bahama on six acres of private and pristine, beachfront property.

• Accommodations in beachfront cottages that overlook productive home flats – with no other buildings in sight.

• The guides trailer skiffs each day from the lodge, enabling guests to fish the most productive flats in the area regardless of weather or daily conditions.

• Standard fishing packages also include a half-day of guided fishing on arrival or departure days.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $5,750 per person plus tax.

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BAHAMAS phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $4,290 per person.

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• A great option for combining an outstanding fishing program with all the offerings of a high-end, full-service beach resort in the heart of Freeport, Grand Bahama.

• Great for anglers and non-anglers alike, the Freeport resort area offers a wide selection of restaurants, bars, shopping, golf, nightlife and even a casino.

• The experienced guides of H2O utilize a variety of high-end equipment, including Maverick Mirage flats boats.

• An excellent option for catching good numbers of bonefish as well as for focusing on trophy-sized bonefish and permit.

• Whether you’re a die-hard angler seeking big bonefish and shots at permit, or someone who needs an exciting vacation spot that also works for non-angling companions and family, Pelican Bay is a great choice.

ABACO The Abacos are a 120-mile-long chain of islands and cays that cover more than 650 square miles of fishable waters. Throughout this huge area, there are countless numbers of uninhabited cays, pristine beaches, and huge expanses of virgin flats teeming with bonefish, seasonal permit, tarpon, and numerous other species.

Known for decades as the “Sailing Capital of the World,” the Abacos have come on strong in recent years as a world-class bonefishing destination with a number of high-end lodges and some of the best guides found anywhere in the Bahamas. With direct, daily access in and out of the international airport in Marsh Harbour, these islands are a great option for easy travel and immediate access to great fishing.

THE DELPHI CLUB Abaco, Bahamas

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ABACO LODGE

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $5,700 per person.

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• An upscale, high-end and full-service Bahamian destination that is an excellent option for both anglers and non-anglers alike.

• Delphi’s location combined with their diverse fishing program provides access to some of the most productive bonefish habitat found anywhere in the region.

• Built in 2009 by Peter Mantle (who previously restored and owned a famous salmon fishing lodge in Ireland), the Club’s unique design and decor focuses on the full history of fly angling.

• Anglers can fish the famous Marls area on the east side of the island—an area that offers over 200 square miles of bonefishing flats—and the wadeable, sandy flats of Cherokee Sound.

FUNDS

The Marls - Abaco, Bahamas

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (single occupancy rooms) start at $5,250 per person.

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• One of the nicer, fishing-focused operations in the Bahamas, Abaco Lodge is the perfect destination for those seeking “just a little more” than what is usually found at the average fishing lodge.

• Located on the eastern side of Abaco, the lodge offers immediate access to an extensive flats system that is home to an impressive number of bonefish.

• All guest rooms at Abaco Lodge are single occupancy with air conditioning and private bathrooms.

• The main lodge features a well-stocked open bar, large dining area, a freshwater pool, outdoor fire pit, and a comfortable social area and lounge.

• Anglers fish from Hell’s Bay Waterman skiffs, specifically designed to pole in remarkably shallow water.

FUNDS

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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ANDROS ISLAND At 2,300 square miles in size, Andros is the largest, most undeveloped island in the Bahamas. Its shallow waters are well known, however, thanks to the second-largest reef in the Northern Hemisphere and a wellearned reputation as the “Bonefishing Capital of the World.” The island is home to approximately 8,000 inhabitants, most of whom reside on the northern coast. It is also home to some of the finest bonefishing lodges and guides found anywhere in the world of saltwater fishing. Andros has always been one of the least-explored islands in the Bahamas. Early visitors to the area traditionally avoided Andros, as it is surrounded by shallow water and thereby very difficult and dangerous to make landfall or anchor. These same factors make it the ideal flats destination for anglers, with thousands of square miles of shallow waters, flats and world-class bonefish habitat.

SWAIN’S CAY LODGE Mangrove Cay - Andros Island, Bahamas

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $4,280 per person.

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• This small-scale beach resort is ideal for anglers, non-anglers, families and couples.

• Situated on one of the nicest beaches found anywhere on Andros.

• Accommodations include ocean-view suites, twin rooms and a three-bedroom apartment for larger groups and families.

• The lodge’s Reefside Restaurant & Bar serves up delicious threecourse dinners of fresh seafood, ribs and chicken.

• A fantastic home flat, which guests can easily access on their own after a full day of guided fishing or on arrival and departure days.

• Anglers have easy and direct access to the Middle and South Bights, some of the least-fished areas on Andros.

• With no set change-over days or a required length of stay, guests can arrive and depart on any day of the week, at any time.

FUNDS

BROAD SHAD CAY North Bight – Andros Island, Bahamas

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BAHAMAS phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

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6 night / 5 fishing day packages $4,965 per person.

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• One of the most exclusive and unique small-lodge operations in the entire Caribbean.

• Built on a private island in a very remote location, this intimate, four-person lodge is ideally situated in Andros’ North Bight, equidistant between the east and west coasts of the main island.

• The lodge’s location allows anglers to fish optimum tides throughout the day with minimal running time in the boat.

• There are no other lodges or fishing operations within 20 miles of the lodge.

• Andy and his guides specialize in huge, trophy Bahamian bonefish.

• The lodge consists of two large bedrooms, a main dining room and lounge, and a wrap-around deck offering unbeatable views of the surrounding waters and mangrove wilderness.

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MANGROVE CAY CLUB Mangrove Cay - Andros Island, Bahamas • Located on the north shore of Mangrove Cay in the southern part of Andros’ Middle Bight, the lodge sits in the very center of the expansive Andros Island fishery.

• A fishing lodge that truly raises the bar for comfort and amenities offered, with high-end accommodations, excellent food, an attentive staff, and hands-on management.

• Guides are as comfortable coaching beginning saltwater anglers as they are hunting trophy bonefish with experienced fishermen.

• From the lodge, guests have access to mile after mile of prime bonefish water without ever having to trailer a boat to a launch point or take a rough ride across open water.

• The lodge affords anglers access to all of the waters of the Bights, the eastern flats and the remote and legendary West Side.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $5,350 per person.

BAIR’S LODGE South Andros Island, Bahamas

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BIG CHARLIE’S LODGE

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (single occupancy rooms) start at $5,250 per person.

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• South Andros is a fishery known for strong numbers of fairly naive and aggressive bonefish coupled with endless wading flats.

• Perfect for small groups, the lodge accommodates twelve anglers per week, enabling the staff to provide exceptional and personalized customer service.

• Gourmet cuisine includes Bahamian specialties and a regular offering of fresh seafood.

• Located midway between the South Bight and Grassy Creek, Bair’s offers access to inland flats, creeks, the South Bight, the West Side and numerous mangrove lagoons.

• Guides can easily accommodate anglers who love to wade fish for bones as well as those who prefer to fish from a boat.

• A full-time lodge manager is on site to keep all aspects of the operation running smoothly and professionally.

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Andros Island, Bahamas

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7 night / 6 fishing day package (double occupancy) $3,870 per person.

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• Charlie’s guide team - some of the most experienced, well-known and in-demand guides in the entire Bahamas - specializes in guiding anglers to truly large bonefish.

• Anglers can fish the nearby waters of Andros’ North Bight or travel to the remote West Side, where bonefish routinely reach trophy sizes and tarpon are found on a regular basis.

• Each room at the lodge is equipped with comfortable double beds, air conditioning, a refrigerator and a private bathroom.

• The bar area and dining room sit adjacent to a large patio area overlooking the waters of Cargill Creek – the perfect place to relax, socialize and unwind after a long day on the flats.

• In addition to specializing in trophy-sized bonefish, Charlie and his guides are also tarpon and permit fanatics, and they always know where to find them.

FUNDS

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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TIAMO RESORT South Andros Island, Bahamas • A small-scale, luxury resort option that is ideal for couples and non-anglers alike, Tiamo also offers a full-scale and world-class bonefishing program for anglers of all ability levels.

• There are no roads that lead to Tiamo, and the only way to get there is via a scenic boat ride through the waters of the Southern Bight.

• With a large deck and pool area and one of the best beaches in the region, this is the perfect destination for a romantic couple’s trip, a husband-wife fishing trip, or a private Caribbean honeymoon.

• Because the resort is located along the sparsely-populated South Bight, the fishing grounds are expansive, lightly-pressured and full of eager bonefish and occasional tarpon.

• Guests stay in private beach bungalows overlooking the water – picturesque on the outside and comfortable within.

Contact Yellow Dog for rates and details.

KAMALAME CAY RESORT Andros Island, Bahamas • This 97-acre private island operation is the perfect retreat for couples and families seeking a totally unique, high-end luxury Caribbean experience that caters to both hard-core anglers and non-anglers alike.

• With several different lodging and private home options on the island, you can custom-create the perfect amenity and accommodations package for your family or group.

• Kamalame offers a full-service spa built high over the water – the nicest and most unique in the Bahamas.

• With fishing grounds that are close to the resort, guides leave directly from Kamalame’s marina each morning, fishing Andros’ Northeast coast and the waters around Mastic Point.

• For those who wish to chase bonefish on their own, the expansive home flats on the backside of Kamalame are easily accessed via golf cart.

Contact Yellow Dog for rates and details.

NORTH ANDROS FLY FISHING LODGE Nicholls Town - Andros, Bahamas • This small and personable guesthouse operation offers a great location and one of the best overall values in the Bahamas.

• The fishing program focuses on the expansive Joulter Cays fishing grounds, located on the far northern tip of Andros.

• Lodging is in a comfortable and private three-bedroom house, ideal for intact groups of four to six anglers.

• Perfect for those who care more about long days of fishing and less about high-end amenities.

• Excellent wade fishing and opportunities to stalk bonefish in skinny water.

• The North Andros Lodge guide team loves to focus on tailing bonefish as well as permit.

• The guesthouse is only a 15-minute drive to the Lowe’s Sound boat ramp, the gateway to the Joulters.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $3,140 per person.

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BAHAMAS phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

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ADDITIONAL BAHAMAS OFFERINGS In addition to the Bahamian operations listed on the preceding pages, we also work with a number of smaller lodges and several remote “out-island” operations. These Bahamian out-islands tend to be sparsely populated, and a visit to these parts of the Bahamas is much like taking a step back in time. If you want nightlife, crowds and condos, stick to the more developed northern islands in the Bahamas.

If you’re looking for a remote, quiet and laid-back experience, however, then many of the options listed below may be a good fit for you.

TWO BOYS INN Andros Island, Bahamas

Ivan Neymour was one of the founding fathers of bonefishing on Andros Island. Ivan’s son Frankie Neymour has followed in his father’s legendary footsteps by opening the Two Boys Inn in 2010 with his wife Melinda. Located just off the water in the quaint settlement of Andros’ Cargill Creek (directly across the street from his cousin’s lodge, Big Charlie’s), Two Boys is one of the top values found anywhere in the Bahamas. The Neymour family always takes wonderful care of Yellow Dog clients, and they know how to put anglers on the trophy bonefish that Andros is famous for. We classify this lodge as a “fishing focused” operation with simple, clean and comfortable accommodations.

MOUNT PLEASANT LODGE Andros Island, Bahamas

While there are a large number of full-service bonefish lodges located on Andros and all throughout the Bahamas, few offer the “do-it-yourself” options, value and economical price-point of Mount Pleasant Lodge. This long-time Yellow Dog operation overlooks the huge flats of White Bight, one of Andros’ most beautiful pieces of bonefish water. With direct wading access to miles of flats, this is a high-value destination for anglers looking for an inexpensive package that allows wade fishing on your own for bonefish.

ANDROS SOUTH Andros Island, Bahamas

A well-known and popular lodge located on the southeastern shore of South Andros, this is an area that is home to an amazing number of tidal creeks and inland flats that provide the ideal habitat for bonefish of all sizes. With one of the most experienced guide staffs in the area, you can fish this large and diverse habitat in the most effective manner possible throughout the course of the week. After each productive day on the water, return to the lodge for cocktail hour and dinner followed by cigars, drinks and conversation on the main patio. All rooms are single occupancy.

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‘DA BAY AREA BONEFISH LODGE South Andros Island, Bahamas

Opened in 2011, ‘Da Bay Area Bonefish Lodge overlooks the expansive Mars Bay, the southernmost settlement on Andros Island. Not only is this lodge ideally positioned for easy access to the southern tip of the island’s expansive flats system, but the bay itself is home to a massive, highly productive network of bonefish flats. With home flats immediately adjacent to the lodge, anglers can wade fish late into the evening after a full day of guided fishing or take a relaxing day off to fish on their own. This is the most reasonably priced lodge in south Andros, with comfortable accommodations and a quiet beach setting.

THE ABACO CLUB ON WINDING BAY Abaco, Bahamas

The ideal fishing operation for those looking to combine great fishing with a host of other activities including golf, sailing and spending time on the finest beach on Abaco. The waters surrounding the Club are teeming with bonefish and can also deliver occasional opportunities for permit. This is a fantastic high-end, full-service, private resort option that is perfect for couples, families, and anglers looking to combine bonefishing, golf and more. This is arguably one of the nicest overall properties in the Bahamas.

BLACKFLY LODGE Abaco, Bahamas

Located on the southern end of Abaco, Blackfly Lodge is a great option for couples and small groups of friends looking for a lodging experience that is intimate, high-end and very private.

Blackfly accommodates a maximum of only eight anglers per week, all in single rooms located on the lodge’s second floor.

The lodge offers a relaxed, fishing-focused vibe backed up by a team of exerienced professionals. For equipment, the lodge features a small fleet of East Cape skiffs: fly friendly and incredibly well-designed for flats fishing.

BAHAMAS phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

STELLA MARIS RESORT Long Island, Bahamas

Stella Maris is an “elegantly casual,” full-service beach resort that caters to serious flats anglers as well as families, large groups and non-anglers. The resort is located on a very private 3,000 acres on Long Island, with a variety of accommodations and activities to suit everyone. Whether you’re looking for a romantic vacation, a family retreat, the next location for a corporate function, or a hardcore fishing trip, Stella Maris has the bases covered. As for the fishing, schools of bonefish in the Stella Maris area can number anywhere from 40 to over 400, with fish ranging in size from two to over ten pounds.

CROOKED & ACKLINS TROPHY LODGE Crooked Island, Bahamas

A new lodge that has recently opened, this small, five-bedroom fishing lodge offers a great waterfront location on one of the Bahamas most remote and untouched islands. These guys have an excellent fishing-focused program and they are definitely doing things right! They also offer one of the most attractive all-inclusive programs and price-points in the Bahamas. Crooked Island and Acklins together offer amazing shallow-water fisheries, uncountable numbers of bonefish, and fairly consistent action for permit and tarpon as well. The new lodge is located on the northern shore of Crooked Island within close proximity to Acklins Island, enabling the guides to fish the waters of both islands.

CROOKED ISLAND LODGE Crooked Island, Bahamas

Crooked Island is one of the least-visited islands and most productive fisheries in the Bahamas—about as far from the U.S. mainland as one can get and still be in Bahamian waters. The location of Crooked is important when you consider that weather patterns in this area are usually warmer, more consistent and less volatile than the areas further to the north (especially during the winter months). Crooked Island Lodge accommodates a maximum of ten anglers per week—something the owners believe will ensure the quality of fishing for many years to come.

CHESTER’S HIGHWAY INN BONEFISH LODGE Acklins Island, Bahamas

Another excellent option for fishing Acklins, Chester’s can accommodate up to 20 guests at a time. Great for both do-ityourself anglers and those looking for an all-inclusive guided package, Chester’s offers a fantastic price point and the perfect location for fishing the flats of Acklins. There is also a huge home flat adjacent to the lodge grounds, allowing anglers to fish on their own before or after a guided day as well as on arrival and departure days. Guided fishing can also be arranged on an a la carte basis for those looking to customize their trip.

RENO’S BONEFISH LODGE Acklins, Bahamas

Operated by Reno Taylor and his wife, Pamela, Reno’s Bonefish Lodge on Acklins offers a fantastic price-point, a great location, and a no-frills fishing-focused program for those looking to fish on their own or with a guide. This tiny island is completely surrounded by over 1,500 square miles of shallow flats that—compared to other destinations—see very little fishing pressure. As a result, this area is home to fantastic numbers of happy, naive bonefish. Because of the size and characteristics of the area flats, wading is the main game on Acklins, and anglers can expect to wade fish 85% of the time.

DARVILLE BROTHERS BONEFISHING Berry Islands, Bahamas

Located on Great Harbor Cay in the Berry Islands, Carriearl Hotel is the base of operations for Darville Brothers Bonefishing, a smallscale operation that offers guests the opportunity to experience this unique and quiet part of the Bahamas. Combine the comfortable accommodations, local food and friendly service with the likes of Percy Darville and his team of experienced bonefishing guides and you have a fantastic, low-key, off-the-beaten-path destination for anglers and non-anglers alike. The waters that surround Great Harbor Cay offer miles of wadeable, hard sand flats that are teeming with bonefish.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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BELIZE W

hether you’re looking for a hardcore, fishing-focused adventure, a first-time saltwater experience, or the perfect couples or family vacation, Belize is a destination that truly offers something for everyone. Seemingly created and designed with fly fishermen in mind, the tiny country of Belize is home to some of the finest saltwater flats opportunities on Earth. The entire coastline of this beautiful Central American country is home to a broad range of species and a variety of different fishing scenarios. Bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, snapper, jacks, barracuda and numerous other species can be found throughout the waters of Belize, with scenarios that range from crystal-clear, white sand flats to shallow-water lagoons, to some of the largest “classic-style” tarpon flats found anywhere on the planet. It is this overall level of angling diversity that truly sets Belize apart from every other Caribbean fishing destination.

First-time saltwater anglers can experience great fishing in destinations that include Turneffe Atoll and Ambergris Caye, where the bonefish are plentiful and shots at permit, tarpon and numerous other species are always possible. For anglers that want to focus on the ultraselective permit, the waters of Southern Belize—Hopkins, Placencia and Punta Gorda—offer some of the best opportunities found anywhere in the Caribbean. And of course there is the tarpon fishing in the central and northern waters of Belize, home to some of the largest tarpon in the entire region.

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BELIZE phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

EL PESCADOR LODGE Ambergris Caye, Belize

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $4,310 per person.

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• One of the most established, experienced and well-known fishing lodges in all of Central America.

• A long-time Yellow Dog favorite, the lodge complex is situated on the island of Ambergris Caye, a Belizean vacation hot spot that offers consistent year-round fishing for tarpon, permit, bonefish and more.

• A great option for first-time saltwater anglers, families, couples and groups of all sizes.

• Home to the largest “classic” tarpon flats in the world outside of South Florida, Ambergris is one of the few places in the Caribbean where tarpon can be sight-fished year-round.

• Newly remodeled rooms in the colonial-style main lodge all feature air-conditioning, ceiling fans, spacious private baths and two queen beds.

• Adjacent one, two and three-bedroom villas are perfect for couples, families or smaller groups looking for more of a “private home” layout.

• Amenities at the resort include a fully-stocked “Angler’s Bar,” three swimming pools, a workout room, a fully-stocked fly shop, sea kayaks and paddleboards.

• San Pedro is a great beach town with the best nightlife in all of Belize!

• Itineraries that include any number of nights and guided fishing days can easily be arranged, and guests can arrive and depart on any day of the week.

FUNDS

TURNEFFE FLATS Turneffe Atoll, Belize

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $4,085 per person.

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• Located 30 miles off the coast of mainland Belize, Turneffe Flats Lodge is strategically located to take advantage of more than 250 square miles of world-class flats, reefs and lagoons.

• The best option in Belize for anglers who love to wade fish.

• Ideal for anglers of all skill levels, as the fishing is consistently good and numerous species are available throughout the year.

• Excellent options for non-anglers, including a full PADI dive and snorkel center and the eco-focused, fully-guided “Atoll Adventure” package.

• Spacious, air-conditioned guest rooms are located directly on the beach with panoramic views of the home flats and nearby reef.

• Two large, three-bedroom villas – the Garden and the Reef Villa – are ideal for families or small groups of friends.

• The lodge is surrounded by a huge “home flat,” offering immediate access to wade fishing on your own before and after each day of guided fishing.

FUNDS

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

BELIZE

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AMBASSADOR TRAVEL TIP #1 Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

JAKO

Surname / Nom / Appellidos

LUCAS

red When you travel to remote locations, always try and be as physically prepa as possible. Being in shape can add so much more value and enjoyment to your trip. Many fishing locations have fairly extreme environments and can change quickly from very high temperatures to cold and difficult weather.

With certain destination programs, you may have to navigate up and down mountains or wade flats for long distances. Get in shape before you go! < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < BY JAKO LUCAS < < < < < < < < < < < < < <

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TURNEFFE ISLAND RESORT Turneffe Atoll, Belize • A location that is as pristine, private and secluded as anything in the entire Caribbean.

• The close proximity of the wadeable flats and fishing areas to the lodge allows anglers to be fishing within minutes of leaving the dock each morning.

• While bonefish are the mainstay of fishing in the area, Turneffe Atoll is also home to great numbers of year-round permit as well as seasonal tarpon.

• Resort amenities include private cabanas, a large pool and deck area, a great beach bar, full dive center, and numerous options for non-anglers.

• An excellent destination for families, large groups, and non-anglers.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $4,290 per person.

VICTORIA HOUSE Ambergris Caye, Belize • One of Belize’s finest, most high-end luxury resorts, Victoria House is a small and exclusive resort long known for offering exceptional amenities, amazing tropical ambiance, and an outstanding staff.

• All rooms are located in a beautiful garden setting with tall swaying palms and sweeping views of the reef and beach.

• A program that allows anglers to pair the most high-end accommodations on the island with outstanding day trips on the waters that surround Ambergris Caye.

• Perfect for couples, honeymooners and anglers seeking deluxe accommodations.

• Ambergris fishing offers year-round bonefishing, permit, tarpon and more.

• Long considered the most luxurious resort in all of Belize, Victoria House is located roughly two miles south of the heart of San Pedro.

Contact Yellow Dog for rates and package options.

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BELIZE phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

BELCAMPO BELIZE Punta Gorda, Belize

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $5,345 per person.

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• Perched on a jungle hilltop with a spectacular view of the Maya Divide, Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea, Belcampo Lodge is arguably the most unique resort in all of Belize.

• The ideal location for couples, families and anglers looking to combine a fishing trip with great non-angling activities and a highend jungle resort experience.

• On-site amenities include a full spa, two pools, mountain bikes, hiking trails, kayaks and canoes.

• Eco-tour activities such as jungle tours, visits to nearby Indian villages, Mayan ruin excursions, guided river trips, chocolate making classes and more can easily be arranged.

• Anglers can take advantage of the area’s famous permit fishing with a program that utilizes a number of experienced permit guides from the Punta Gorda area.

FUNDS

GARBUTT’S LODGE Punta Gorda, Belize • Air conditioned, spacious and clean, Garbutt’s is a small, fishingfocused, oceanfront lodge located in the town of Punta Gorda in Southern Belize.

• For permit-junkies looking to fish the southern Belize region, Garbutt’s Lodge is the perfect base of operations for hard-core fishing days: a place that we describe as having been “built by anglers, for anglers.”

• While there are some tarpon, bonefish and snook in the area, this is very much a permit-focused destination that is best suited for those who understand and appreciate the challenges of this type of fishing.

• Hands-down our number one, hard-core, permit-focused destination for Central America.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $3,000 per person.

BELIZE PERMIT CLUB

Hopkins, Belize

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $3,000 per person.

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• Situated just south of Hopkins Village on the Sittee River, the new Belize Permit Club is a small, no-frills operation designed specifically for hardcore permit anglers.

• Permit fanatic and long-time Yellow Dog ambassador Wil Flack (founder and owner of Tres Pescados on Ambergris Caye) opened this four-person guesthouse to provide anglers with the ideal base of operations for fishing the Hopkins area.

• Best described as a permit-focused program that delivers long days on the water in one of the most productive permit regions on the planet.

• Belize Permit Club offers clean and comfortable lodging, homecooked meals and experienced guides – all for an attractive and all-inclusive package price.

• This area is known for its traditional style of permit fishing: fish tailing in skinny water and feeding on the flats.

FUNDS

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

BELIZE

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BELIZE RIVER LODGE Belize City, Belize

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $4,375 per person.

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• Offering great year-round fishing for bonefish, permit, snook, tarpon, barracuda and more.

• Conveniently located on the Belize mainland only minutes from the International Airport, the lodge sits directly on the banks of the Olde Belize River.

• A great destination for those seeking a diverse range of fishing scenarios – from first-timers looking to catch a large variety of fish to experienced saltwater anglers looking to target trophy tarpon.

• From the lodge, anglers can quickly access the river, the coastal inlet areas, and the offshore cayes and flats.

• Riverside accommodations with air conditioning and private baths are well-suited for anglers looking for a quieter, more intimate lodge setting.

FUNDS

LONG CAYE OUTPOST LODGE Long Caye, Belize

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $3,949 per person based on a group of six.

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• Owned and operated by Belize River Lodge, this is a small, offthe-grid outpost operation located on the undeveloped island of Long Caye in Central Belize.

• The Long Caye area is well known for impressive numbers of permit as well as seriously large tarpon.

• Due to the prime location of this small lodge, anglers can fish the area waters earlier in the morning and much later into the evening without the long boat runs typically associated with the more distant lodges located throughout the region.

• Ideal for those who are focused and looking for hardcore fishing opportunities and long days on the water.

• The small lodge is perfect for groups of four to six anglers looking to take over the island and enjoy a private and exclusive lodge experience.

FUNDS

CAYE CAULKER FLY FISHING Caye Caulker, Belize

BELIZE phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $2,605 per person.

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• Located approximately 20 miles northeast of Belize City on the edge of Belize’s Barrier Reef, Caye Caulker offers a relaxed atmosphere, a no-hurry attitude, and a great overall island “scene”.

• The waters that surround Caye Caulker are home to impressive numbers of large tarpon and permit, as well as schools of small to medium-sized bonefish.

• The guides and fishing opportunities are legitimate, and the package prices are the most reasonable in all of Belize.

• The centrally-located Sea Dreams Hotel is the base of operations for our Caye Caulker fishing and lodging packages.

• Sea Dreams offers a combination of easy access and laid-back tranquility, with a friendly staff, a great rooftop bar, a private dock and one of the best locations in the entire village.

• The island’s motto is “go slow” – a mindset that has come to define pretty much everything that happens on Caye Caulker.

FUNDS

BLUE HORIZON & THATCH CAYE Hopkins, Belize • For those wanting to focus specifically on permit on the fly, then the waters of Southern Belize are arguably some of the finest in the world.

• A southern Belize, private island experience with a “toes-in-thesand, drink-in-your-hand,” laid-back kind of attitude.

• Thatch Caye is located off the coast of Dangriga in the heart of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve.

• Thatch Caye offers three different types of air conditioned accommodations: over-the-water bungalows, a single over-thewater villa, and island cabanas.

• Thatch Caye has partnered with the guides from Blue Horizon, started years ago by well-known Belizean guide Lincoln Westby.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $3,694 per person.

THE RISING TIDE MOTHERSHIP Belize City, Belize • The Rising Tide is a 58-foot, wide-body Hatteras motor yacht that offers a unique live-aboard saltwater flats fishing experience to anglers of all levels.

• With the ability to accommodate up to six anglers in three separate air-conditioned staterooms, the Rising Tide travels as far North as Ambergris Caye and as far South as Placencia.

• As a fully mobile fishing platform, skiffs launched from the back of the mothership give anglers easy and quick access to some of the best waters in all of Belize.

• Mooring each evening in close proximity to the fishing grounds gives the Rising Tide unmatched and instant access to unpressured fishing grounds and uncrowded flats.

• Typically, all of the major flats species can be targeted throughout the course of a week, including bonefish, permit, snook and tarpon.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $3,695 per person

THE LODGE AT CHAA CREEK San Ignacio, Belize • Belize’s most established jungle eco-resort, this is a fantastic add-on option to any Yellow Dog fishing package and the perfect base of operations from which to visit and explore the interior of the country.

• Set along the banks of the Macal River in the rainforest foothills of Belize’s Maya Mountains, the Lodge at Chaa Creek has long been recognized as one of the finest jungle resorts in all of Central America.

• The Lodge offers carefully designed tours that unveil the fascinating world of Belize, from inland Mayan archaeological treasures to natural wonders of the rainforest.

• The lodge has miles of well-maintained trails that are perfect for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking, as well as a marina that offers guided jungle canoe trips down the beautiful Macal River.

Contact Yellow Dog for rates and package options.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

BELIZE

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TURTLE INN Placencia, Belize • Owned by Francis Ford Coppola, Turtle Inn is an incredible, 25room seafront resort that is consistently ranked among the best small-lodge operations in all of Central America.

• With an attentive staff, two high-end restaurants, an idyllic beachfront setting, access to all types of mainland activities, and a full-service spa, Turtle Inn is the perfect option for couples and families looking for a great Belizean beach vacation coupled with rewarding fishing.

• Ideal for anglers traveling with a non-fishing partner in search of a high-end lodge option.

• For anglers, Placencia is perhaps best-known for the large numbers of permit that inhabit the off-shore flats, and bonefish and tarpon can be found throughout the year as well.

• Yellow Dog can arrange any number of guided fishing days as part of a customized package at Turtle Inn. • If you are looking for a Caribbean vacation that combines luxury accommodations with great fishing, this destination should be at the top of your list.

Please contact Yellow Dog for details and package pricing.

ROBERT’S GROVE RESORT Placencia, Belize • A complete seaside resort that can cater to serious anglers while at the same time satisfying the vacation wishes of non-anglers, couples and families.

• Nestled on 15-acres of land between the Caribbean Sea and the Placencia Lagoon, Robert’s Grove sits on one of the nicest white sand beaches in all of Belize.

• The waters immediately off the coast of Placencia are perhaps best known for the large numbers of permit that inhabit this region’s huge chain of cayes and flats.

• The guides that work out of Robert’s Grove and Robert’s Caye utilize 23-foot skiffs fully outfitted for fly fishing and light tackle saltwater fishing.

• With a prime location on the Placencia Peninsula, the resort offers access to the Belizean mainland and all types of jungle adventures and activities.

Please contact Yellow Dog for details and package pricing.

AMBASSADOR TRAVEL TIP #2 Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

JEFF

Surname / Nom / Appellidos

CURRIER

For international trips, I never try to carry on my rods, reels or flies. Overseas g TSA-type entities are too unreliable and unpredictable when it comes to carryin If I’m these items through security. I always pack all tackle in my checked luggage. one nervous about too many connections, I’ll split my stuff into two bags so that if in bag doesn’t show I’m still in good shape. Remember that reel handles can break each your checked luggage. Pad them well. I line them up with the handles facing other and either wrap them in clothes or put them in a padded reel case.

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< < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < BY JEFF CURRIER < < < < < < < < < < < < <

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Step 1:

“Da Tingum” Shrimp

by Doug McKnight I developed ‘Da Tingum’ shrimp fly a few years ago when I first started working for Yellow Dog. Over the past few years, it’s been incredibly effective and a consistent producer for both bonefish and permit throughout the Caribbean, including fisheries in the Bahamas, Mexico, Belize and Cuba. The name ‘Da Tingum’ is Bahamian slang for “that thing that I need”, and when it comes to an effective shrimp fly with a realistic look and a ton of action, ‘Da Tingum’ is exactly what YOU need in your permit and bonefish box! If you tie your own flies, directions and photos are below, and you’ll find the pattern incredibly easy to tie. If you’re not a fly tyer, then no worries, as this fly has been added to the Umpqua Feather Merchants 2017 lineup and will be available at most specialty fly shops in the near future.

Step 2:

Step 3:

Fly Recipe Hook: Gamakatsu SC-15 (sizes 1/0, 2, 4).

Eyes: Lead dumbbell or bead chain. Adjust for different depths.

Tail: Tan craft fur and a pair of red or orange-tipped Sili-Legs.

Eyes: Glass beads on hard mono dipped in epoxy.

Body: Rooster neck or saddle hackle (bleached grizzly).

Wing: Hareline’s brown-barred bunny strip (magnum or standard, depending on hook size.)

Weedguard: 12# or 16# hard mason

Step 1: Secure dumbbell or bead chain eyes on front of hook.

Step 2: Add a tuft of craft fur for the tail, followed by a pair of Sili-Legs, and finally two shrimp eyes.

Step 3: Tie in grizzly hackle at the back of the hook.

Step 4: Apply a thin layer of Zap-A-Gap to the thread body and palmer the hackle forward to secure at the eyes.

Step 5: Impale the bunny strip over the point of the hook and lay it flat along the length of the hook shank.

Step 6: Pull the bunny strip tight up to the eyes, and trim to size before securing with thread and finishing the head.

Step 4:

Step 5:

Step 6:

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YUCATAN T

he Yucatan Peninsula and the waters of Ascension Bay, Espiritu Santu, Chetumal, Campeche and Holbox offer saltwater anglers one of the most diverse selections of game fish found anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. While this part of the Caribbean is best known for impressive numbers of permit, bonefish, tarpon and snook, dozens of other species are available for the adventurous angler as well. Jacks, barracuda, sharks, amberjack, snapper and numerous other flats and reef species all offer outstanding action on a fly or light tackle set-up throughout the year. Many of the flats in the Yucatan—especially in the Ascension Bay area and further south—are hard-bottomed and ideal for wading. Here, crystal-clear waters present anglers the opportunity to wade and sight fish for cruising and tailing fish twelve months a year.

As an overall fishing destination, we love the Yucatan for a variety of reasons. First off, it is easy and quick to travel to the area, with direct flights to Cancun and Merida offered from numerous U.S. and international cities. These flights are almost always reasonably priced, keeping the overall travel and transfer costs low. The second thing that we love about the area is the low cost of the lodging and fishing packages. Compared to other top Caribbean fishing destinations, the Yucatan is far and away the best value in the entire world of saltwater flats fishing. And finally, we love the people— friendly, professional and quick to welcome anglers into their small communities. Whether you’re looking for a short weekend trip, a single day trip, or an extended multi-lodge itinerary, you’ll find it in the Yucatan. This is the perfect destination for first-time flats fishermen, intermediate anglers looking to improve their saltwater game, and experienced anglers looking to focus on a trophy permit. With a healthy diversity of species and all types of different fishing scenarios, the Yucatan truly offers something for everyone.

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YUCATAN phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

CASA BLANCA LODGE

Ascension Bay - Yucatan Peninsula - Mexico

• Located on the southern edge of Mexico’s Ascension Bay, Casa Blanca has long been recognized as the most famous and established fishing lodge in the Yucatan.

• Completely surrounded by the Ascension Bay marine eco-system, Casa Blanca’s waters are home to impressive numbers of bonefish, tarpon, snook, permit and numerous other species.

• The ideal destination for novice saltwater anglers and seasoned fly fishermen alike, anglers have the option of fishing from a skiff or wading.

• Included in your stay is a private round-trip air charter from Cancun direct to the lodge’s own airstrip – a transfer that replaces the long and bumpy ride down the road to Punta Allen.

• Casa Blanca has 11 comfortable, spacious, and air-conditioned rooms, and can accommodate 22 people comfortably.

7 night / 6 day fishing packages (double occupancy) start at $4,398 per person.

PLAYA BLANCA LODGE Espiritu Santo Bay - Yucatan Peninsula - Mexico • Located approximately 120 miles south of Cancun on the private island of Punta Pajaros, Playa Blanca offers guests incredibly diverse flats fishing, a private and secluded location, and access to one of the largest protected marine reserves in the world.

• A family and couples-friendly adventure resort which offers the same high-caliber fishing program as its sister lodge to the north, Casa Blanca.

• Anglers staying at Playa Blanca have near-exclusive access to both Espiritu Santo Bay and the vast Santa Rosa Lagoon system.

• Surrounding waters are home to large schools of permit and bonefish on the flats and resident snook and tarpon in the area’s mangrove lagoons.

• Overall, this area receives very little fishing pressure, making it the ideal destination for anglers who prefer fishing in solitude.

7 night / 6 day fishing packages (double occupancy) start at $4,398 per person.

LA PESCADORA LODGE Ascension Bay - Yucatan Peninsula - Mexico • Located in the small Mexican fishing village of Punta Allen on the edge of Ascension Bay, La Pescadora Lodge offers one of the best values in the entire Yucatan.

• Ideal for anglers seeking a fishing-focused lodge with access to an enormous fishery and an incredible team of experienced guides.

• This is a family run operation, meaning that you will quickly feel at home and a part of the family as a guest of La Pescadora.

• Each of the lodge’s four, double occupancy cabins flank the two story main lodge building, and all have a private bathroom, two full-sized beds, air conditioning, and a small deck with a hammock.

• Packages and itineraries of any length can be accommodated, and anglers can arrive and depart on any day of the week.

Please contact Yellow Dog for package details and specifics.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

YUCATAN

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PESCA MAYA LODGE Ascension Bay - Yucatan Peninsula - Mexico

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $3,965 per person.

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• Situated in the middle of the 1.3-million acre Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Pesca Maya offers one of the best values found anywhere in the region.

• If you’re a beginner saltwater angler, this is one of the best places in the world to catch your first bonefish. For more seasoned anglers, this is one of the world’s top locations to target permit on a fly as well as resident tarpon and snook.

• Pesca Maya features a number of accommodation options, including Robinson House and SeaClusion House.

• A new giant palapa is Pesca Maya’s hub, home to the bar, dining area, tackle shop and main common area.

• With easy access to Cancun from most U.S. cities, this a great option for trips of any length.

FUNDS

GRAND SLAM LODGE Ascension Bay - Yucatan Peninsula - Mexico

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $3,200-$3,800 per person, depending on time of year.

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• The nicest and most modern fishing and family lodge in the Ascension Bay area situated on a beautiful, expansive beach on the outskirts of the small fishing village of Punta Allen.

• With an experienced, veteran guide staff, the lodge is the perfect destination for first-time saltwater anglers as well as more advanced anglers looking for a great variety of species and fishing scenarios.

• All rooms feature two king beds, huge private bathrooms, air conditioning, and spacious sitting areas.

• Arrive and depart on any day of the week, and trips of any length can be arranged.

• All packages include a boat transfer from Tulum, which eliminates the long and bumpy drive from Tulum to Punta Allen.

FUNDS

COSTA DE COCOS LODGE Xcalak - Yucatan Peninsula - Mexico • Located on the far southern tip of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo near the border with Belize in the small fishing village of Xcalak (Ish-ca-lack).

• This is a small lodge-operation that offers anglers direct access to the waters of Chetumal Bay – the largest bay in the entire Yucatan.

• This area is home to endless flats and healthy populations of bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook and many other species.

• A very laid-back and off-the-grid destination that offers diving, fishing, kayaking, exploring and serious relaxing.

• Guests stay in individual cabanas with private bathrooms, ceiling fans and palapa roofs.

• After a long day of fishing, guests can relax on the lodge’s main deck and enjoy fresh appetizers and cold drinks from the allinclusive bar.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $3,395 per person.

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YUCATAN phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

CAMPECHE TARPON Northern Yucatan Peninsula - Mexico

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5 night / 4 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $2,467 per person.

OGRAM

• Located on the northwest side of the Yucatan Peninsula, Campeche has become known as one of the finest destinations in the entire Caribbean for juvenile tarpon.

• While not as diverse as the waters of the southern Yucatan when it comes to the number of species, this is an area that offers some of the finest and most consistent fishing for baby tarpon that we have found anywhere in the world.

• With an untouched and undeveloped mangrove coastline stretching north from Campeche for 100 miles, the fishing for tarpon in the 5-20 pound range can be fantastic.

• With a large variety of activities, cultural sites, Mayan ruins and interesting day trips, Campeche is also the ideal destination for non-anglers.

FUNDS

HOLBOX FLY FISHING LODGE Isla Holbox - Yucatan Peninsula - Mexico • Situated off the northeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, the small barrier island of Holbox has established itself as one of the Caribbean’s truly outstanding tarpon fisheries.

• Anglers can find tarpon of all sizes throughout the year, from juvenile fish in the shallow and secluded back lagoons to larger fish in the 40-to-200-pound range in open waters that surround the island.

• Holbox Fly Fishing Lodge is the only property on the island dedicated to fly fishing enthusiasts and their non-fishing partners.

• All rooms feature air conditioning and comfortable furnishings, and the lodge’s prime beachfront location offers quick access to the village’s many local restaurants.

• A great destination for those who truly want to focus on sight casting to the Silver King.

5 night / 4 day packages $1,995 to $2,695 per person, depending on season.

AMBASSADOR TRAVEL TIP #3 Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

OLIVER

Surname / Nom / Appellidos

WHITE

When traveling to distant fishing areas that involve multiple flights, consider packing two smaller pieces of checked luggage instead of one larger, single checked bag. Evenly divide up your gear and split everything between both bags. That way if one bag is lost or delayed, you’re still in the game until the second bag arrives. < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < BY OLIVER WHITE < < < < < < < < < < < < <

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Our craftsmenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hands may not win any beauty contests, but the rods they produce sure as hell should.

Beautifully handcrafted, we strive for perfection and uncompromising performance in every rod we make.

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introducing the new avantt and exocett series from t&t. remarkably light. extraordinarily strong.

est

19 6 9

T H E R O D YO U W I L L E V E N T UA L LY OW N

www.thomasandthomas.com HANDMADE IN AMERICA

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CUBA T

here is no doubt that 2017 is THE year to see Cuba before change (and millions of tourists!) begin flooding the island. The death of Fidel Castro in November of 2016 marks the end of a nearly 50 year run for ‘el commandante’. His brother Raul declared that he intends to step down in 2018, creating a new (if still uncertain) era for Cuban leadership and government. While still a communist country, economic growth, new development and private enterprise have recently taken hold, having an exciting and very obvious impact on Cuban society. Privatization and economic progress— primarily in the service sector—have brought about rapid change and much-needed economic opportunities for the 11.5 millions Cubans that call this island home. It won’t be long before cell service is available across the island and American brand names are found in the stores of Havana.

Until then, the island is still a nostalgic experience and throw-back to a slower time, where nothing happens in a hurry and chatting with your neighbor is still a highlight on any given day.

When it comes to pristine flats, low pressure and impressive numbers of fish, Cuba is still very much the “next frontier” for saltwater flats fishing – especially for American anglers. When deciding if a Cuba trip is right for you, the best advice that we can give is to focus on the big picture. While the flats fishing found throughout the country can be incredible, the biggest reason to visit Cuba is to see and experience the Cuba of today versus the Cuba of five years from now. This is the chance to visit a country that has seen very little change over the past 60 years and a destination that still exists in the kind of “time warp” where the music, food, people and overall culture have changed little since the early 1960s. Envision a visit to Cuba as a step back in time: a fishing adventure that offers the chance to meet amazing people, encounter an incredible culture and – if you’re lucky – experience some of the best bonefish, permit and tarpon action in the Caribbean.

If you’re considering a trip to Cuba, then we’re happy to help you do your homework. With Cuba now in the spotlight, there are all types of agents, booking services and even fly shops who are trying to jump on the “booking bandwagon” in an attempt to cash-in on the demand for fishing in Cuba.

The fact is that few of these entities have any real experience traveling in Cuba, fishing her waters, or handling the complex logistics involved in visiting Cuba. This is not an easy place to organize a detailed trip, and to do Cuba right, an agent truly needs to know Cuba. And even though direct flights now operate between several US cities and Havana, Cuba remains a logistical challenge.

Yellow Dog has been making annual trips to Cuba since the early 1990s. We know the in’s-andout’s of the country, how to obtain proper documents for legal travel, how to offer trip insurance for Cuba, visa services, how to set up the best non-angling tours, and relevant flight options and travel arrangements. If you really want to experience the best of Cuba, then contact Yellow Dog today and ensure your trip is done right.

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CUBA phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

CAYO LARGO The Permit Capital of Cuba

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $6,700 per person. Non-angling packages start at $1,950.

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• Situated in the south-central region of the Cuban Archipelago, Cayo Largo (“Long Key”) is one of the finest permit fishing destinations found anywhere in the Caribbean.

• The “Permit Capital of Cuba,” this tiny resort island is only 100 miles from Havana and an easy, 35-minute flight.

• The island itself offers 17 miles of picture-perfect, white sandy beaches – making this our top pick in Cuba for couples and family trips as well.

• Accommodations are at a large, full-service and all-inclusive beach resort that caters to non-anglers from around the world.

• Arguably the best destination in Cuba for the angler who is traveling with a non-angler or family.

• The island itself is completely surrounded by an immense natural flats environment that has remained totally unchanged and largely untouched for hundreds of years.

• The typical package to Cayo Largo is seven nights with six guided fishing days. Additional days in Havana or on other parts of the island can easily be arranged and itineraries can be fully customized.

• Fishing season runs from October through August, and shorter offseason itineraries are possible.

• Direct flights from US cities to Cayo Largo are available if you would prefer to skip Havana or have limited time.

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PLAYA LARGA & LAS SALINAS Experiencing the “Real” Cuba

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $4,150 per person.

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• A very affordable, land-based option located only a few hours’ drive from Havana in a small fishing community on the famous Bahia de Cochinos (Bay of Pig’s).

• One of our favorite fishing options in Cuba due to the fact that anglers can truly experience the best of rural Cuban culture.

• Anglers can fish the flats of Las Salinas and San Lazaro for bonefish and permit, or fish the Rio Hatiguanico for impressive numbers of tarpon.

• Utilize new Beavertail skiffs for flats fishing and Bass Tracker boats to access tarpon and snook fishing in the Rio Hatiguanico.

• Multiple locations and fishing options allow for customizable trips that offers the best of both salt and freshwater fishing in Cuba.

• The hotel and the dining package, which includes trips to local paladars (private local restaurants) makes for a unique opportunity to experience the “real local flavor” of Cuba.

• Standard packages include two nights in Havana, tours, four nights at Playa Larga and four full days of guided fishing.

• Due to the large amount of skinny and shallow water in the area, guides utilize “single angler” skiffs – smaller, skinny-water boats designed for a solo angler and one guide in addition to normal-sized Beavertail double skiffs.

• Playa Larga is the site of the famous Bay of Pig’s invasion in 1961.

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info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

CUBA

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JARDINES DE LA REINA The Gardens of the Queen

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $4,400 per person.

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• The most popular, well-established and well-known fishing destination in Cuba.

• This is an area that is roughly the same size as the Florida Keys, and the entire fishery is exclusively leased by the outfitter that we work with and represent.

• Several live-aboard options are utilized to fish this incredibly remote and undeveloped area, including the high-end Avalon Fleet II mothership and the well-known “La Tortuga” houseboat.

• A very popular area for tarpon fishing in the April, May and June timeframe, and for large bonefish, permit and medium-sized resident tarpon on a year-round basis.

• All weeks in the Jardines de la Reina area are 7 night / 6 fishing day packages starting on a Saturday and ending the following Friday. A normal week includes five full days of fishing and two half days of fishing.

• If you were to do one big trip to Cuba, this is the option to put at the top of the list.

• Additional days in Havana or on other parts of the island can easily be arranged and all itineraries can be fully customized.

• One of Cuba’s largest protected areas, los Jardines are internationally known for the area’s pristine coral reef ecosystems and abundance of reef sharks.

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CAYO CRUZ / CAYO ROMANO Northeastern Cuba

CUBA phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $4,950 per person.

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• Located on the north shore in the eastern province of Camaguey, the Cayo Cruz and Cayo Romano fisheries collectively form an enormous system of flats, lagoons and pristine estuaries.

• The sportfishing-only area is 280-square miles in size, meaning that on the average day, each skiff has over 30 square miles to itself.

• The flats on this side of the main island of Cuba present an inviting combination of hard-packed white sand and a semi-firm mottled bottom that collectively offers great wading.

• The average bonefish weighs in at a healthy three to four pounds, and during the course of a week, it is common to land a fish or two in the eight-pound-plus range.

• Primarily a permit and bonefish destination, migratory tarpon move through the area in good numbers from April to July.

• Direct flights to the nearby Cayo Coco airport allow guests to skip Havana and arrive and depart from the immediate area.

• Beginning in late 2017, all Cayo Cruz packages will be landbased at one of the area’s new large-scale beach resorts.

• Combo trips between Cayo Cruz and other fishing areas can also be arranged. Please contact Yellow Dog for more details.

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ZAPATA Fishing the Ciénaga de Zapata

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $5,950 per person.

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• The Ciénaga de Zapata (the Zapata Swamp) is the bestpreserved wetlands system found anywhere in the Caribbean islands, which is why in 2000, UNESCO declared the entire peninsula a biosphere reserve.

• The Zapata area consists of untouched mangrove wilderness and some of the most pristine beaches and flats in the entire region. This ecosystem is home to large numbers of rare birds, crocodiles and fish species that include tarpon, permit, snook and bonefish.

• Anglers base off of the live-aboard ship Georgiana, a 100foot, custom-built yacht that accommodates up to eight anglers at a time.

• Due to the area’s large amount of skinny, shallow waters, the Zapata operation utilizes four custom “single angler” skiffs and two traditional Dolphin skiffs.

• Because the Georgiana is located right in the middle of the most productive flats, run times are always fairly short.

• Anglers can expect to fish for bonefish, permit and tarpon throughout the week, with possibilities for other species (snook, jacks, cuda, etc.) as well.

• Similar in many ways to the Everglades National Park in Florida, the Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata is located on Cuba’s southern coast in the middle of the country, roughly a three-hour drive from Havana.

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ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD Southern Cuba

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Please contact Yellow Dog for details and package pricing.

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• Originally called the Isle of Pines (“Isla de Pinos”) until it was renamed the Isla de la Juventud (the “Island of Youth”) in 1978, this is the second-largest Cuban island and the seventh-largest island in the entire West Indies.

• This is a program that emphasizes the area’s world-class tarpon fishing – without a doubt some of the finest found anywhere in the Caribbean.

• When the waters of Juventud are calm and the winds fairly low, anglers can expect to pole the flats for shots at tarpon in the 30 to 80-pound range. Larger, triple-digit tarpon also show up in the area during the late spring and early summer months.

• The area is also home to some seriously large bonefish and decent numbers of permit.

• New for the 2017 season, anglers will fish Juventud while basing off of a live-aboard mothership option.

• Due to infrequent flights and limited travel options to and from the island, this is a fishery that perhaps sees less pressure on an annual basis than any other Cuban fishery.

• This area is home to great numbers of tarpon, and while the spring and summer months typically see the most consistent action and largest numbers of tarpon, there are fish here throughout the year.

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info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

CUBA

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SEYCHELLES C

onsidered by many anglers to be the finest saltwater flats fishing destination in the world, the shallow waters of the Seychelles offer unbelievable wading and amazing fly fishing opportunities for an astonishing number of different species. When you take into account the sheer diversity of gamefish species found throughout these Seychellois waters, the seclusion of the fisheries, the epic scenery, and the consistently good action, you get a saltwater destination that is truly unlike any other found on the planet. All of our Seychelles programs—both the land-based lodges and live-aboard mothership operations—are operated and staffed by experienced and professional guides. Collectively, we consider the guides that work in the Seychelles to be some of the finest we’ve fished with anywhere in the world. Throughout these exotic waters, you can usually find bonefish in extraordinary numbers, several different types of trevally, milkfish, triggerfish, bumphead parrotfish, permit, and dozens of other reef and flats species. As for the incredible giant trevally action that is found throughout the Seychellois islands, we can confidently say that there is nothing else that measures up in the entire world of fly fishing.

Compared to the Caribbean or the Bahamas, this part of the world is by no means a quick or easy place to access. What you will find upon arrival, however, are incredibly pristine ecosystems that are basically untouched by any sort of development or angling pressure. When fishing the islands of the Seychelles, you may feel as if you are the first person to set foot on a particular flat—which in this part of the world may in fact be the case! In addition to our land-based operations on Alphonse, Farquhar, and Astove we are excited to offer remote, outisland live-aboard operations on Cosmoledo and Providence. While all five of our Seychelles options are outstanding, the mothership programs in many ways redefine the concept of expedition and adventure angling.

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SEYCHELLES phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

ALPHONSE ISLAND RESORT Alphonse Group, Seychelles • The Alphonse Group in the Seychelles is a remote and stunning chain of islands consisting of Alphonse Island, Bijoutier and St. Francois.

• Anglers have access to a network of flats spanning an area of more than 10,000 acres—a private, controlled fishery limited to only a dozen rods per week.

• This fishery is home to incredible numbers of resident bonefish as well as numerous trevally species, triggerfish, permit, milkfish, barracuda and dozens of other bizarre and largely-unknown flats and reef species.

• Huge home flats on Alphonse give anglers the ability to target fish late into the evening after a full day of guided fishing.

• On regular fishing days, anglers utilize a large catamaran that takes the group to St. Francois, the main fishing grounds for the Alphonse operation.

• While anglers typically fish two to a boat, a large amount of the fishing is done while wading, which means that both anglers can be fishing simultaneously.

• All accommodations on Alphonse are in single occupancy chalets or larger family suites. Both options feature private baths, open air showers and direct access to the beach.

• The most high-end, family-friendly destination in the Seychelles, with fantastic amenities, great food, non-angling activities, and one of the most beautiful tropical settings in the Indian Ocean.

• With a record of more than 70 different species landed on the fly, Alphonse and St. Francois collectively form what may be the most diverse fly fishing destination in the world.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (single or double occupancy) $9,250 per person.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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COSMOLEDO Seychelles • Cosmoledo has become known as one of the finest trevally fisheries in the world, becoming the benchmark for anglers searching for an explosive and action-packed saltwater flats fishing experience.

• The sheer numbers and variety of species found in the waters of Cosmo has amazed the fly fishing world, with anglers queuing up to sample this incredible fishery.

• When fishing Cosmoledo, guests base off of the mothership “Lone Star”, an 85-foot catamaran specifically designed for long-range fly fishing expeditions.

• The mothership is stable, spacious and drafts less than 2 meters, allowing her to anchor inside the calm, shallow waters of the Cosmoledo lagoon.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (single or double occupancy) $9,250 per person.

ASTOVE ISLAND Seychelles • A stone’s-throw away from Cosmoledo lies the small but highlyproductive Astove Island, known for impressive numbers of large giant trevally.

• This small land-based operation accommodates only six anglers per week in a comfortable and spacious island guesthouse.

• Astove features a shallow central lagoon surrounded by sheer, deep-water drop-offs that are teeming with fish.

• Astove easily ranks among the most productive and wildest fishing destinations on the planet. Aside from good numbers of giant trevally, Astove is also home to bonefish, permit, barracuda, milkfish, bluefin trevally, triggerfish, yellowfin tuna, dogtooth tuna, sailfish, marlin and numerous other species.

• Anglers fly from Mahe directly to Astove aboard a weekly, private charter that is included in the package.

7 night / 6 day fishing packages $14,950 per person.

FARQUHAR Southern Seychelles • Farquhar Atoll is the most southerly atoll in the Seychelles chain of islands, lying just over 450 miles to the southwest of the Seychellois’ main island of Mahe.

• Overall, Farquhar is best-known for an impressive diversity of species. Anglers can wade and sight fish to an impressive variety of species on Farquhar, including bonefish, various trevally species (including giant trevally), Indo-Pacific permit, triggerfish, barracuda, Bumphead Parrotfish, milkfish and more.

• The comfortable guesthouse (fully rebuilt and reopening and in the spring of 2017) can accommodate a maximum of ten anglers per week, with rooms, food and equipment perfect for fishingfocused visitors.

• Area flats are characterized by hard white sand, turtle grass and broken coral, which all combine to create a situation that is ideal for easy wading.”

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $8,500 per person.

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SEYCHELLES phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

PROVIDENCE ATOLL Seychelles • A remote and massive fishery that is legendary for its amazing numbers of giant trevally, bonefish, triggerfish and bumphead parrotfish.

• Having been closed for six long years to all angling and liveaboard operations, the Atoll was reopened to fishermen in the fall of 2015.

• This fishery is as healthy, untouched and productive as anything found in the entire word of saltwater flats fishing; a trip that is best described as an expeditionary, adventurous week of exploring the flats and shallow waters of the largest atoll in the region.

• Anglers base off of the MV Maya’s Dugong mothership, a former research vessel that was upgraded and modified into a liveaboard specifically catering to long-range fly fishing expeditions.

• Able to accommodate up to twelve fly fishermen, four guides and twelve crew members at a time, the Dugong is a large, spacious and extremely stable vessel – the perfect base from which to explore the remote outer atolls of the Seychelles.

• Seasons for Providence are early October through late November and late March through early May. • This a program known for long fishing days, hard-working and adventurous guides, a wild and untouched marine environment, and some of the finest flats fishing on the planet for GTs, bumpies and more.

7 night / 6 day fishing packages $12,500 per person.

WE’LL TAKE YOU THERE Introducing Providence, the newest addition to the selection of Confluence Films’ full-length adventure angling DVD’s.

CONFLUENCE FILMS • Website: www.confluencefilms.com • All films available on DVD or download from iTunes and Vimeo.

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NOTES FROM THE FIELD…

n October of 2015, the crew from Confluence Films journeyed to the Seychelles to shoot their latest movie project, Providence. Filming for the new project took place over the course of several weeks on Providence Atoll, a remote, isolated and totally uninhabited fishery in the far southern waters of the Seychelles. Yellow Dog team member Camille Egdorf was along for this first trip back since the waters were closed in 2009 due to the threat of pirates operating out of Somalia. The movie chronicles the return journey, the piracy issues, and of course the current state of the fishing for giant trevally, bumphead parrotfish, bonefish, and numerous other unusual species (none of which had seen angling pressure in years). In honor of the film’s recent release, we thought we would share a few excerpts from Camille’s Providence trip journal and field notes.

Journal Entry #1: Mahe Island

“Either I’m enveloped in the most vivid dream I’ve ever had or I’m actually 9,489 miles from home in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

Stepping off the plane in Mahe is like walking into a steam room.

In a few days, our crew will board the mothership ‘MV Maya’s Dugong’ to begin a 400-mile voyage to Farquhar Atoll.”

Journal Entry #3: The Maya’s Dugong

“Our group visits the Maya’s Dugong, our base for the next few weeks. We’re all laughing about what exactly a “dugong” might be. We later find out that a dugong is an herbivorous marine mammal related to the manatee. While on board, I notice that several ships anchored in the harbor are outfitted with ‘security dummies’ - human-like mannequins equipped with fatigue uniforms and fake guns and stationed on the upper decks of the boats. The pirate issue suddenly feels real.”

Journal Entry #4: The Voyage

“It’s day two on the open water of the Indian Ocean, and I’ve never been so seasick in my life. Everything is rocking, moving, and swaying, and there’s nowhere to find relief. Simply trying to sit down on the toilet is interesting. (The only other time I’ve ever actually missed the seat was on my 21st birthday!)

With most trips to Farquhar and Providence anglers fly direct, skipping this three-day ocean voyage. ‘It will be fun,’ said the film crew. ‘It will make for a more interesting movie.’ I hate these guys right now. I wish I had flown.”

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Journal Entry #5: Farquhar Atoll

“Arrival to Farquhar! While waiting for our fellow anglers (the smart ones!) arriving by plane, I head ashore to check out the island’s ‘pet’ GTs that live in the marina. Despite my reservations about swimming with the saltwater equivalent of a hungry Velociraptor, my cohorts encourage me to jump right in. This might be the dumbest thing I’ve ever done or the bravest – I’m excited and terrified to snorkel with these apex predators. When one of the jokers on the boat ramp decides to toss in a chunk of dead fish to excite the GTs, one latches onto my toe mistaking it for food, I am relieved to be wearing wading boots. Without the boots on my feet, this would of have been the end of my trip!”

Journal Entry #7: Providence

“Today, I finally set foot on Providence Atoll. I have never felt so isolated, small and invigorated in my life! Guides Tim Babich and Gerhard Laubscher both make me look like an amateur as I adjust a lifetime of trout habits to fishing the salt. After missing several GT’s, I remind myself that I am here for a reason, I shove away the negativity and self-criticism, grit my teeth, and focus on what I know I need to do.”

Journal Entry #8: Giant Trevally

“YES! After a long day of walking I finally have my chance. A large, single GT swims effortlessly along the coral in my direction.

I make three false casts and put the fly about 15 feet in front of the fish, stripping as fast as possible. The GT is on top of the fly in a nano-second. After missing the fly twice, it finally hits hard and I set. Twenty minutes later I am cradling a massive ‘Flats Gangster’ in my arms with a huge grin on my face.”

Journal Entry #10: Toothy Critters

“I’ve never been to a place where so many creatures have the ability to inflict serious bodily harm. The ‘conus geographus’ (geographic cone snail) populates this area and is considered the most venomous animal in the world. A sting from this four-inch snail’s spine will result in paralysis and likely death. I tread lightly.

All the fish species seem to have something to avoid - spines on their backs, spikes on their tails, teeth up the wazoo, razor sharp scales ... this place makes Alaska and Montana seem tame!”

Journal Entry #12: Pirates

“I keep forgetting that we are in an area where ships were being targeted by Somali pirates only a few short years ago. Tonight, we notice a small ship off in the distance. Our captain tries hailing them on the radio, but the radio is silent in response. I’m not concerned until I see our guards bringing out the guns. As the ship gets closer, tensions rise. Much to my relief, the boat moves through the area and eventually disappears into the distance.”

Journal Entry #13: Sharks

“I’ve never had a fear of sharks but I have learned to respect them. Any animal that can smell a drop of blood from over three miles away deserves respect. When walking the flats, you have

YELLOW DOG phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

to keep your guard up, as some of the most aggressive sharks in the Indian Ocean call these waters home. Today we had an interesting run-in with a large bull shark. While wade fishing for GT’s in knee-deep water, I see a triangle-shaped fin about 20 yards in front of me. The guides trained me to use my rod butt to pound the shark’s snout if it comes too close for comfort. I glance around to see who might have my back in case this large shark decides I look appetizing – with no one within 50 yards of me, I am on my own.

Luckily I didn’t have to test the butt end of my rod against the bull shark, but I may have some unsettling dreams tonight.”

Journal Entry #15: Bumphead Parrot Fish “Today I landed a massive bumphead parrot fish. A beautiful fish with blue, turquoise and green scales that reminds me of something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. They usually travel in schools of a dozen or more, and I have begun to think of them as the ‘cattle of the flats’ based on their cow-like grazing habits. They have a massive ‘beaked’ mouth, which they use to crush coral and flush out crabs and other food. Fishing for ‘bumpies’ can be maddening, and I take over twenty shots today and either spook or lose the fish.

On the very last cast of the day, however, it all comes together. I am elated and beaming with accomplishment – even when the bumpie craps all over me while posing for the photo.”

Journal Entry #16: Trevally Paradise

“No matter how many GT’s I catch on this trip (and I have definitely lost count by now!), it still always feels like I’m casting to my first.

After hours of scanning the flats, straining my eyes to see through the water and wading miles of flats, it’s hard not to get discouraged.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, they show up - marauding the flats and always catching me off guard. It doesn’t seem to matter how prepared I am, when the fish show up, I start fumbling around with my line and frantically attempt to make a cast while my heart pounds in my ears. I shake so much that even basic motor skills seem to be a challenge. How is it possible that these fish can have this effect on people?”

Journal Entry #18: Bonefish

“I had an amazing bonefishing session today. While most of the time we seem to be focused on GTs, it is nice to ‘take a break’ to focus on some seriously large bones. The bonefish out here are big, and because there has been so little pressure over the past six years, they tend to be easy to catch. Today I was surrounded by a school of what seemed like a thousand fish! Seems to me that incredible moments like this are just routine for this place. Just when I think I’ve had THE experience of my life, something else occurs that raises the bar.”

Journal Entry #20: Barracuda

“Barracuda have always spooked me. They’re mean, dangerously fast, and they have an arsenal of teeth that can intimidate anyone. Tim hooked into a monster this afternoon, and when we saw that it was easily over five feet long, everyone pretty much assumed there’s no way in hell he was going to land it. The fight was a spectacle to watch, and when the ‘cuda wrapped itself around a coral head in the middle of a deep lagoon, we all thought it was game over. However, Tim swam out and untangled it with the huge, panicked toothy fish swimming circles around him. It was a tense event and everyone was on constant alert for sharks. In the end, Tim landed the giant toothy fish – one of the biggest barracuda’s I’ve seen landed on a fly.”

Journal Entry #21: Fellow Anglers

“The people you’re with on a trip are truly what makes it so memorable. The individuals I’ve been surrounded by for the past several weeks have been nothing short of wonderful. Tim and Gerhard have been so influential and generous with their knowledge of fly fishing and this amazing fishery. Traveling and working with Chris, Jim and Colin has been an experience I’ll forever feel humbled by. Aside from being fantastic human beings, they’re likely some of the most talented people I know. The crew on the ‘Maya’s Dugong’ has made being out in the middle of the Indian Ocean feel like home. Even when I was puking my guts out on the initial crossing, they patted me on the back and always gave words of encouragement. I truly believe that fly fishing brings together some of the finest people on earth.”

Journal Entry #25: Home Again

“I think back to my days and weeks spent in the Seychelles, and the incredible moments that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. They were the kind of moments where it seemed as if someone hit the universal mute button and everything around you goes quiet, allowing you to completely immerse yourself in a single sliver of time. It is in this still silence in the middle of chaos that you find total happiness. This was my Providence.”

A Montana native, Camille Egdorf works with Yellow Dog’s Alaska, Kamchatka and Christmas Island programs. Seeing the world is her passion, and being able to share it with others is her life’s calling.

She was raised splitting time between Montana and Alaska, where she’s spent nearly every summer since she was a little girl at her family’s fishing lodge on the Nushagak River in Bristol Bay.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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OTHER SALT I

n addition to our “mainstream” saltwater destinations such as Belize, the Yucatan, the Bahamas, and the Seychelles, we are proud to work with a handful of fantastic fishing lodges and operations in Honduras, Venezuela, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mauritius, the Cook Islands and on the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. From the crystal-clear waters of the Bay Islands of Honduras to the deep blue of the Sea of Cortez to the pristine flats of Los Roques, the following lodges and fishing operations all offer exciting and unique saltwater opportunities for the adventurous, globe-trotting angler with an appetite for the salt.

ST. BRANDON’S ATOLL Mauritius - Indian Ocean • By far one of the most remote and undisturbed saltwater flats fisheries on the planet, St. Brandon’s Atoll is a small, shallowwater outcropping in the middle of the Indian Ocean comprised of over 50 small islands, numerous coral ridges and massive sand flats that are perfect for wading.

• With bonefish that are hands-down the largest found anywhere in the world of saltwater fishing, the atoll also offers consistent opportunities for Indo-Pacific permit and trophy giant trevally.

• Guests stay in a new, four-bedroom guesthouse on Raphael Island, strategically located in the northern part of the atoll.

Rooms are air conditioned and spacious, and the lodge features social and lounge areas, a large gear area, and a newly built and fully-equipped kitchen.

• One of the few remaining saltwater flats fishing destinations that is totally untouched, pristine and exactly the way it was hundreds of years ago.

• The two seasons on St. Brandon’s run October through December and April through May. 7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $7,500 per person.

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OTHER SALTWATER phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

SIGHTCAST OUTFITTERS Los Roques, Venezuela • Arguably one of the world’s most beautiful and productive saltwater destinations, the archipelago of Los Roques, Venezuela is a protected natural marine park that is home to some of the best bonefishing on earth.

• The ideal destination for anglers that appreciate great wade fishing opportunities, seasoned and experienced guides, and long days on the water.

• Large, predatory bonefish are almost always feeding aggressively on minnows – the main food source for these Venezuelan bones.

Additional species include permit, tarpon, ‘cuda, jacks and more.

• Accommodations are at Posada Acuarela, a small hotel with the nicest rooms on the island, amazing food, air conditioning, plenty of cold beer and a great location in the center of the small fishing village of Gran Roque.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $4,250 per person.

MANGO CREEK LODGE Roatan, Honduras

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7 night / 6 day packages (double occupancy) $2,800 per person.

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• With a unique collection of over-the-water cabanas connected by boardwalks, the lodge is built directly over the waters of Port Royal Bay on the far eastern end of Roatan.

• Each cabana contains a queen bed, a single bed, a private bathroom with a hot water shower and ceiling fans. Interiors feature Honduran hardwood floors, mahogany windows, and hand-carved doors and furniture.

• The lodge is close to many of the island’s most productive bonefish and permit flats, the nearest of which is only a short, 60-second boat ride from the dock.

• The perfect destination for anglers and non-anglers looking to combine a fishing and eco-tour adventure itinerary on one of the most beautiful islands in all of Central America.

• One of the best value trips and all-inclusive price points that we offer in the entire world of saltwater.

FUNDS

FLY FISH GUANAJA LODGE Guanaja, Honduras • The Bay Islands of Honduras are home to some of the best diving, snorkeling and saltwater fishing in the world.

• Perfectly situated on a small, private cay on the southern side of the island, Fly Fish Guanaja is a small and intimate lodge operation that accommodates a maximum of eight anglers per week.

• The lodge overlooks an easily-accessed home flat and is completely surrounded by productive bonefish and permit water.

You can easily step off the deck, wade onto the flats and be casting to tailing fish in seconds.

• With this operation, you can expect to wade about 65 percent of the time and fish out of the boat for the remaining 35 percent.

• While the fishing scenario on Guanaja is similar to other popular areas in Mexico and Belize, what makes this fishery unique is when here, you’re usually the only one fishing the entire island!

7 night / 6 day packages (double occupancy) $3,850 per person.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

OTHER SALTWATER

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FLY FISHING BAJA Baja Peninsula, Mexico

TCHIN

G

PR

MA

Y

Contact Yellow Dog for pricing and package details.

OGRAM

• The Eastern Cape of the Baja Peninsula is known for its unique beach fishing scenarios, exciting shallow water action, and impressive roosterfish populations.

• Anglers can also take advantage of off-shore opportunities for striped marlin, blue marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, dorado, skipjack, wahoo and more.

• Yellow Dog works with Josh Martz of Pursuit Anglers and Captain Lance Peterson for all of our customized East Cape fishing packages, focusing on the areas near Buena Vista and Los Barriles.

• These well-established and experienced guides work hard to create ideal fishing experiences and can tailor each trip to a client’s experience level and expectations.

• Daily or weekly lodging and guided fishing packages are available and fully customizable.

DCCF FUNDS

CROCODILE BAY RESORT Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica • Located on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, Crocodile Bay offers what may be the finest sportfishing and eco-adventure-tour combo package found anywhere in Central America.

• With a fleet of more than 40 sportfishing boats, an arsenal of high-end fishing equipment, and easy deep-water access from the resort’s 850-foot private pier, Croc Bay is Costa Rica’s top choice for bluewater fishing.

• Anglers can big game fish for marlin, dorado, sailfish, tuna and wahoo, or focus on inshore opportunities for roosterfish, snapper, snook and more.

• The resort is situated on 44-acres of manicured gardens on the Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf) and offers anglers accommodations that are a major step up from those of a standard fishing lodge.

• A great family or couples destination and one of the most complete eco-adventure options in the entire world of saltwater fishing.

3 night / 3 day fishing packages begin at $2,495 per person.

CASA VIEJA LODGE Iztapa, Guatemala • Casa Vieja has long been known for its world-class bluewater boats, the best captains and crews in the business, and the highest quality accommodations in the country.

• Continual upgrading has made Casa Vieja a great retreat for anglers, with 21 different guest rooms and all of the amenities that one would expect from a high-end fishing lodge.

• While the larger sailfish (up to 150 pounds) tend to be taken during the fall months, the December through June timeframe is unbeatable when it comes to pure volume.

• The Lodge is located less than a mile from the fishing fleet’s headquarters, Marina Pez Vela, which means that after a long and productive day on the water, you can be back in Casa Vieja’s pool with a cold drink in your hand in under five minutes.

• The lodge’s “cost-per-fish-released-ratio” makes this one of the finest values in the entire world of bluewater fishing 7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $5,750 per person plus tax.

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OTHER SALTWATER phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

AMBASSADOR TRAVEL TIP #4 Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

JAKO

Surname / Nom / Appellidos

LUCAS

jerky Everyone that knows me or has fished with me knows that I love chocolate and beef along (biltong). Whether you like these foods or not, I suggest that you always bring snacks supply on a trip. There have been countless times where I ended up giving away my entire the ageof snacks because no one else thought to bring any! That ranks right up there with yet old scenario where you take your significant other out to dinner: they order a salad enough constantly lean over to nibble away at your steak and fries! It’s just not cool! Bring snacks, jerky and nuts so that everyone (including your guides) can share. < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < BY JAKO LUCAS < < < < < < < < < < < < < <

<<<<<

BONEFISH E2’S WAY Aitutaki, Cook Islands • The ideal destination for anglers who want to focus on legitimate, trophy-sized bonefish.

• Customized fishing packages include a choice of accommodation options, ranging from basic bungalows to five-star luxury villas.

• Bonefish in the Aitutaki lagoon average 4-to-7 pounds, with 10-pound-plus bones caught on a regular basis.

• Giant trevally also frequent these waters, as do bluefin trevally, triggerfish, and numerous deep-water species.

• Although the island of Aitutaki is small, there are dozens of activities for non-anglers, making this an ideal destination for couples and honeymooners.

• Air New Zealand offers weekly, non-stop flights to Rarotonga from Los Angeles.

• Few South Pacific islands offer this combination of pristine, whitesand beaches, deluxe yet affordable resort accommodations, and world-class trophy bonefishing.

Day trips start at USD $350 NZD per day for one or two anglers.

Please call for details on Aitutaki lodging and fishing packages.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

OTHER SALTWATER

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CHRISTMAS ISLAND H

alfway between Hawaii and New Zealand in the middle of the South Pacific sits Kiribati Island— the world’s largest atoll that is better known to anglers as Christmas Island. It takes a bit of time to get here, but once you arrive you’ll find a saltwater wilderness area that is absolutely massive; a fishery that is home to staggering numbers of bonefish and populations of milkfish, triggerfish, giant trevally, golden trevally and numerous other species. The interior and exterior flats of Christmas Island are a mix of hard white sand, coral and turtle grass, creating the ideal setting for wade fishing and shallowwater enthusiasts.

Bonefish are the main target species on Christmas Island and are found all throughout the shallow waters of the atoll. This is an excellent destination for beginner saltwater fly anglers due to the sheer numbers of small-to-medium-sized bonefish that are readily available on a year-round basis. Aside from very dependable bonefishing, one of the things we really love about fishing Christmas Island is the overall diversity of species that can be targeted with a fly rod. The triggerfish are numerous and large, and the atoll is home to three different and unique species of triggers. These waters also offer several species of trevally, including bluefin, golden and giant trevally. Milkfish are usually found in the deeper channels, feeding in the blue waters that surround the island. These large schools of “milkies” are typically fished from the boat as they surf the swells in deeper water. The offshore bluewater fishing that surrounds Christmas Island can also be productive, with strong numbers of barracuda, giant trevally, wahoo, Mahi Mahi, sharks and the occasional marlin.

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CHRISTMAS ISLAND phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

THE VILLAGES Christmas Island – Kiribati • Yellow Dog is very excited and proud to be working with The Villages, hands-down the finest lodge and fishing operation on Christmas Island.

• Built directly on the beach near the small town of London, The Villages features several small cabins outfitted to accommodate two anglers per room.

• Each spacious cabin is equipped with air conditioning, hot showers and new beds.

• Recently renovated, the lodge has an indoor dining area with air conditioning as well as a covered outdoor lounge area where cocktails and appetizers are served after each day on the flats.

• With a client to guide ratio of one-to-one, anglers are assigned their own personal guide each morning.

• The fishing boats depart from the beach directly in front of the lodge, making everything about this operation easy and close.

• Over the course of one week, anglers can expect to fish the expansive bonefish flats located near the lodge, the interior lagoons of the atoll, the wild and remote “backcountry” of Christmas Island, offshore for milkfish and tuna, and the far side of the atoll near the famous “Korean Wreck” flats.

• Overall, this is one of the best overall values in the entire world of flats fishing and a great first-time saltwater destination.

• With a friendly staff, good food and an extremely “fishy” atmosphere, The Villages is a terrific place to call home for a week on Christmas Island.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $2,590 per person.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

CHRISTMAS ISLAND

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THE STRAIGHT SCOOP ON TRIP INSURANCE AND MEDICAL EVAC COVERAGE

by Kimberly Franke, Travel Insurance Specialist for Yellow Dog There is no doubt that many of the fishing destinations offered through Yellow Dog are unique, off-the-grid, and – at times – logistically challenging for access and travel. These ingredients, and the fact that many of these places ARE so remote, are what attract so many anglers and travelers in the first place. These same elements, however, can also pose challenges and potential problems.

Technical and difficult travel logistics are what we deal with all the time here at Yellow Dog; one of many things that set us apart from small-time booking operators and casual, part-time agents. Our services go beyond providing simple fishing information. We always make sure that our clients are covered, informed, and dialedin ‘from A-to-Z’ throughout the entire planning process and during the trip. And when it comes to protecting your trip, we’re always happy to speak with you about the advantages and specifics of both trip insurance and medical evacuation coverage.

Most of the time (with the exception of a slight sunburn or an occasional morning headache), trips go off without a hitch. Every once in a while, however, travel problems can arise and complicate or ruin an otherwise wellplanned adventure. It is unfortunate that, for some of our clients, it takes an expensive scare, a major weather event or even an unexpected accident to realize that basic coverage should have been a forethought rather than an afterthought. With that in mind, here are a few questions that we are often asked about trip insurance and medevac coverage.

What is the difference between a medical evacuation membership and a travel insurance policy?

Simply put, travel insurance is there to cover non-refundable, outof-pocket trip costs due to cancellations, events that prevent you from taking your trip, or events that cause your trip to be cut short.

Medical evacuation, on the other hand, is there to help you when a major medical emergency occurs while you’re away from home.

Do I need both for my trip?

Not necessarily. However, it is worth speaking with our in-house specialist to determine which product (one or both) is the best fit for you. Determining factors could be your age at the time of travel, the destination you are traveling to, and the total cost of your trip.

Will trip insurance cover me for anything and everything in the event that I have to cancel my trip?

You can only claim back what you have insured. It is also important to note that travel insurance will only cover the reasons outlined in your policy. Another good reason to do a little homework or consult with a specialist to make sure you obtain travel insurance that fits your needs.

When should I plan to buy a policy?

Purchasing a travel insurance policy within 14 days of making your initial trip deposit will afford you the maximum amount of coverage and benefits. Being aware of this can save you many headaches! We recommend requesting information on travel insurance at the time you start working with Yellow Dog in order to understand possible time restrictions as well as potential benefits associated with the timing of purchasing a policy.

How much should I budget for these coverages?

The cost of a travel insurance policy is based on your age at the time of travel, and the state in which you live. Complete trip coverage for a week-long saltwater trip usually costs less than $500. Emergency evacuation policies and costs are based on the term of the coverage and are usually offered at a modest fixed rate.

How do I go about purchasing a policy?

Contact Yellow Dog at any time and we can provide you with a detailed quote. It is important to note that you don’t have to have all of your trip details confirmed (i.e. transfers, airfare) in order to purchase coverage. Coverage can be modified as your trip plans develop and associated expenses accrue.

Yellow Dog is in the business of making it EASIER for our travelers to fish the world and enjoy their vacation time, which is why we have a full-time, in-house travel and trip insurance specialist. With over ten years of travel coordination and planning experience, Yellow Dog’s Kimberly Franke can help our clients navigate the confusion of insurance and medical evacuation coverage to make sure that a trip is covered, protected and as problem-free as possible.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com YELLOW

DOG

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YELLOW DOG DAY TRIP OPTIONS For those in search of guided day trip fishing independent of an all-inclusive or structured lodge package, Yellow Dog is pleased to offer a fantastic line-up of day trip options in Belize, the Yucatan, the Bahamas, Hawaii, Montana, and throughout the U.S. West. The trips listed below are fantastic options that will allow you to experience great fishing in a relatively short period of time. In most cases, all equipment (rods and reels) can be included, making these day trips both fun and easy.

Contact Yellow Dog for full details and a complete listing of locations offered.

BELIZE: Ambergris and Caye Caulker

For anglers staying on the northern Belizean islands of Ambergris or Caye Caulker, day trips offer fantastic flexibility for those hoping to explore the diverse fisheries of northern Belize. Yellow Dog proudly works with a team of local guides on both Ambergris and Caye Caulker, offering fully-outfitted packages that include top of line equipment, terminal tackle, and fly patterns tied specifically for the local fishery. Our Ambergris and Caye Caulker options provide anglers access to all of the primary flats species of Belize. From beginning saltwater anglers looking to find opportunities for bonefish to more experienced individuals hoping to stalk tarpon or permit, both Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker provide an excellent home base.

BELIZE: Belize City

Belize City offers quick and easy access for anglers and serves as the port for multiple cruise lines that operate throughout the region. For those visiting Belize for a quick stop-over or a port-ofcall for a single day, we offer an easy, all-inclusive day trip option for bones, permit, tarpon and more. This is a fishery that offers great action and diversity for anglers of all ability levels, with easy access to both flats and local rivers. All equipment and tackle is included in these packages. Even when weather conditions make it difficult to fish the offshore flats and mangrove lagoons, the Sibun and Belize River systems offer solid opportunities for tarpon and snook. These trips are easily arranged around cruise ship schedules and itineraries.

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BELIZE: Hopkins and Placencia

The waters of southern Belize have long been a Yellow Dog favorite due to the area’s healthy permit populations and the knowledgeable, veteran guides. When favorable conditions prevail, anglers can spend a day hunting for tailing and feeding permit on vast, uncrowded flats. These amazing permit flats—some of the best in the world - connect the seemingly endless chain of cayes and islands located just offshore from the coastline of southern Belize.

For anglers intent on fishing for these notoriously difficult and fickle fish, this is a fantastic option. Bonefish, tarpon, snook and more also inhabit the area, delivering a solid level of diversity and action throughout the year.

BAHAMAS: Nassau and Andros

Travelers visiting the popular tourist destination of Nassau can now experience world-class bonefishing on the flats of nearby Andros Island. Hands-down one of the finest fishing destinations found anywhere in the Bahamas, Andros is a quick and easy flight from Nassau. We work with the top guides on Andros to deliver legitimate, first-rate fishing experiences where anglers spend the day hunting bonefish in this amazingly prolific fishery. Packages are set up to take advantage of short and easy morning and lateafternoon flights from Nassau to Andros. Packages can be arranged for one or two anglers sharing a skiff, and all equipment is included.

DAY TRIPS phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

MEXICO:

Cancun and Isla Blanca

A solid option for visitors to the Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Isla Blanca areas, this fantastic day trip option provides quick and easy access to the amazing flats and backcountry waters of Isla Blanca. You may be close to the action of Cancun, but when you’re fishing this area with an experienced guides who is poling you across pristine flats in search of bonefish, tarpon, permit and snook, you’ll feel as if you’re fishing the middle of nowhere. The Isla Blanca region harbors a healthy, year-round juvenile tarpon and snook fishery along with occasional opportunities for permit and bonefish—all easily accessed from the hotel zone and area resorts.

These packages include pick-ups and transfers from all hotels in the area.

MEXICO: Ascension Bay Travelers to the Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen areas interested in fishing the world famous waters of Ascension Bay can access the area with these full day fishing and transportation packages. Our outfitter in Ascension Bay works with many of the top guides in the area and offers fully guided day packages that include round-trip van transportation from any hotel or resort in the region. These fishing packages provide a great introduction for those new to saltwater angling, as Ascension Bay is home to strong numbers of bonefish and other species. More experienced anglers may choose to focus on the area’s permit – always a challenge for the more advanced angler. All equipment, flies, food and beverages are included with these packages.

MEXICO: Cabo San Lucas and Baja

The Cabo San Lucas area offers a host of bluewater, in-shore and beach options for day trip fishing. Whether you’re basing out of Cabo San Lucas or staying on the eastern side of the Peninsula, these packages offer access to one of the most diverse fisheries on the planet. Depending on the time of year anglers can target marlin, sailfish, tuna and dorado off-shore, or fish the coastline and beaches for the famed rooster fish. We work with a small number of the area’s most experienced guides and can easily set up boat days as well as guided beach fishing trips.

U.S. WEST: Montana and Other Destinations

Yellow Dog has assembled a fantastic team of the top outfitters and guides in our home state of Montana and across the Rocky Mountain region. By working with the best outfitters in the area, we can arrange all types of day trips, from driftboat fishing on the most famous rivers in the west to walk-wade trips on smaller, more isolated waters. Choose from single day guided trips or let us arrange a multi-day “sampler” itinerary that allows you to experience a variety of different fisheries and rivers. We are proud of the angling opportunities that surround our hometown of Bozeman, Montana, and we’re happy to share our connections and knowledge with our valued clients.

HAWAII:

Bonefishing on Oahu

The flats of Oahu offer anglers the opportunity to chase some of the largest, trophy bonefish on the planet. There is no doubt that this is a fishery that is all about challenging, difficult fish, but when it all comes together and you hook into one of these trophy Hawaiian bones, you will immediately appreciate the challenge and appeal of this fishery. Whether you’re fishing from the bow of a skiff or wading the flats, sight fishing is the name of the game on Oahu. We work with the top guides on the island, and they’ll work hard to put you on the largest bonefish of your lifetime. Oahu also serves Yellow Dog clients en route to other Pacific destinations such as Christmas Island, allowing for a day or two of “warm up” fishing en route.

CUBA:

Havana Day Trips

Located only a few hours’ drive from Havana, this popular option is the only program that offers legitimate day trip opportunities in Cuba. Elect to fish either the Las Salinas flats system for bonefish and permit, or target tarpon and snook on the Rio Hatiguanico. This program utilizes new Beavertail skiffs for saltwater flats fishing and Bass Tracker boats to access tarpon and snook in the river.

Rental gear is available for both fisheries, making it easy to enjoy fishing these waters. Transfers to and from your hotel in Havana or Varadero are included, as are beverages and lunch for the day.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

DAY TRIPS

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BRAZIL T

he Amazon Rainforest is the largest rainforest on the planet, and the Amazon Basin is the world’s largest freshwater river system. Home to an incredible number of different plants, animals, birds and more than 3,000 different species of fish, it is one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet. The Amazon River starts high in the Peruvian Andes and flows more than 3,000 miles before joining the Rio Negro near Manaus. It is here that these two great systems combine to become the Lower Amazon, running all the way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Brazilian city of Belem. While anglers can catch dozens of different fish species all throughout the season, this is an area that is most famous for peacock bass: an incredibly strong, acrobatic and aggressive gamefish that has captured the imagination of fly anglers for decades. Some of our Amazonian fisheries are “numbers” destinations, where non-stop action is the norm. Other destinations are more about quality and size over quantity. At all of our Amazon destinations, peacock bass over 10 pounds are considered large, 15 pounders are trophies, and anything approaching or exceeding 20 pounds is considered a true giant. Overall, this is a region characterized by lush, jungle landscapes and endless angling possibilities. For those that love constant action, big fish, and isolated wilderness settings, this is an experience not to be missed.

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BRAZIL phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

AGUA BOA LODGE Amazonia – Manaus, Brazil • Situated deep in the jungle 200 miles northwest of the Brazilian city of Manaus, the Agua Boa River flows through one of the most isolated, protected areas of the entire region.

• To date, the Agua Boa is the lone fly-fishing-only designated river in Brazil – something that has created a special environment where large populations of big fish (including three different species of peacock bass) have developed over the years without pressure from local netters or gear fishermen.

• Accommodations at Agua Boa are in spacious bungalows, each featuring A/C, two double beds and a private bathroom.

• The main lodge features a large dining room, social room, Wi-Fi and a huge swimming pool that overlooks the river.

• This is an operation that we love for anglers who want a highquality, high-numbers Amazon fishing experience in addition to nice amenities and a classic, jungle lodge setting.

7 night / 6 fishing day lodge packages start at $4,950 a nd vary by season.

RIVER PLATE OUTFITTERS Amazonia – Manaus, Brazil • Since 1992, River Plate Outfitters has pioneered peacock bass fishing throughout the Amazon while at the same time setting the standard for customer service, safety, fishing productivity and a commitment to exploring new and distant waters.

• This operation utilizes an amazing network of floatplane transfers and highly mobile floating “cabin chains” as platforms to access distant and remote waters.

• Custom-built, floating accommodations allow anglers to cover a large amount of water each week by continuously moving and relocating your base of operations.

• Anglers can expect to begin each day fishing secluded lagoons and remote areas of the river, as the floating cabins relocate and navigate their way to new and untouched waters each day.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $4,695 to $5,590 per person.

RIO MARIE Amazonia – Manaus, Brazil • Referred to by locals as “Rio de Gigantes,” Rio Marié is a relatively new operation and a fishery that is home to what may be the largest trophy peacock bass in the world.

• Recent biological studies suggest that this river is home to more double-digit peacocks than any other river in the Amazon.

• Accommodations are aboard the new Untamed Amazon jungle mothership - a large, fully mobile “floating lodge” that may be the nicest in the entire region.

• The new three-level live-aboard comfortably accommodates up to 12 anglers in deluxe, double-occupancy staterooms.

• Anglers reach the fishery via a private floatplane transfer that delivers guests directly from Manaus to the houseboat.

• Rio Marie is a fishery that offers legitimate opportunities for a 20-pound-plus trophy bass.

7 night / 6.5 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $7,320 per person plus a $670 Native Community Fee.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

BRAZIL

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BOLIVIA “The ultimate freshwater fly fishing experience for the adventurous angler.”

W

e can tell you from personal experience that this is one of the most incredible, unique, one-of-a-kind fishing trips in existence.

With two different location and program options, Tsimane offers anglers what is hands-down the world’s finest Golden Dorado fishing on small, intimate jungle waters. The Golden Dorado is a species that is powerful, beautiful and totally indigenous to this region. It is a voracious fish that can be targeted and caught on the fly all throughout Tsimane’s areas of operation. The rivers found throughout this area are inhabited by two different types of Dorado as well as the Amazon pacu and the fierce yatorana (pound for pound, one of the strongest fresh-water species in all of South America). The remote nature of the fishing in this area, the exotic wildlife, and the overwhelming beauty of the jungle all combine to create an incredible angling and travel experience that is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting and unique in the entire world of destination fly fishing.

Beginning with the 2015 season, Tsimane completely restructured their lodge and out-camp packages, giving anglers a choice between the Pluma/Itirizama fisheries and the Secure/Aguas Negras fisheries. Both are offered as standard weekly packages of seven nights with six days of fishing, and both offer incredible fishing action, comfortable jungle accommodations and amenities that are definitely unexpected in such remote and isolated locations. In both locations, Dorado and other jungle species are plentiful, and the fishing throughout the region presents endless opportunities for the adventurous angler. It should be noted that being able to cast 40 to 60 feet of line, minimize false casts, and deliver a large fly in an accurate and delicate manner is a huge advantage when fishing this area. It should also be mentioned that anglers traveling to Tsimane should be in fairly good shape – able to walk, wade and hike on rocky banks in a jungle environment.

Overall, Tsimane offers what many consider to be the finest aspects of fly fishing: sight casting, freestone wading, light tackle, floating lines and huge, aggressive fish

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BOLIVIA phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

AGUAS NEGRAS PROGRAM National Park and Indian Reservation Isiboro Secure, Bolivia • Slightly smaller than Pluma operation, the Aguas Negras Outpost accommodates a maximum of four rods per week.

• This comfortable outpost camp offers accommodations in safaristyle tents that are connected to a main lodge building via a raised, wooden boardwalk.

• Anglers have access to sections of the Secure River between the Aguas Negras mouth and the Pluma River mouth (one of the most prolific big-Dorado areas in the world) as well as the smaller waters of the Upper Secure and the Aguas Negras.

• The adventurous angler may also choose to journey further up the Aguas Negras to fish even more remote and pristine waters and camp out on the banks of the river.

• For the 2017 season, Tsimane has lowered the rate for this operation, making this package the best value in the industry for trophy Dorado.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $5,380 per person plus a $670 local community tax.

PLUMA / ITIZIRAMA PROGRAM National Park and Indian Reservation Isiboro Secure, Bolivia • The ultimate freshwater destination for anglers seeking the world’s finest golden dorado fishing coupled with impressive, high-end jungle accommodations.

• Tsimane’s Pluma Lodge features four double-occupancy rooms, a main social area, and a huge deck directly overlooking the Pluma River.

• With this program, anglers have access to the lower Secure and Pluma rivers as well as the smaller Upper Pluma and Itirizama rivers, which means that anglers can expect to fish new (and rested) sections each day.

• Anglers primarily target trophy golden dorado (up to 30 pounds or more), as well as pacu and yatorana.

• The Pluma River is a moderately-sized, clear freestone river with incredibly pristine and beautiful topography; it can be fished out of a boat or on foot.

• The remote Itirizama is considered by many anglers to be the “jewel in the crown” of the Tsimane programs and afford anglers the best sight fishing Tsimane has to offer.

• In addition to the fishing, anglers are always astounded by the birds, butterflies and other types of wildlife that call the jungle home.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $7,600 per person plus a $670 local community tax.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

BOLIVIA

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FRESHWATER EXOTICS I

f you’re looking for the wildest, most unique freshwater fishing adventures on the planet, then look no further than the operations listed in the following pages. From the African bush, to the Indian-Nepalese frontier border region, to the South American jungles of Guyana, Yellow Dog can help arrange the world’s most exotic fishing adventures. After all, fishing is about much more than just catching fish. It’s about the places that fishing takes us, and the people, cultures and sights that we discover along the way.

HIMALAYAN OUTBACK Kumoan, Uttarakhand – Northern India • Located on the Himalayan frontier in northern India, the Himalayan Outback offers a unique program of mobile tent camps and multi-day river floats.

• Anglers fish the Saryu and Mahakali Rivers on the Indian and Nepalese border – home waters for some of the largest Golden Mahseer in the world.

• Fishing for Mahseer is, in many ways, similar to fishing for steelhead or Atlantic salmon, and a variety of presentations including skating dries, dead-drifting nymphs, or even swinging spey flies with two-handed rods are all used.

• The fishing usually involves wade fishing from the bank, although on some larger stretches, fishing from a raft can be productive.

• On-river camps are always comfortable, and the ample and experienced camp staff takes excellent care of guests.

12 night / 7 fishing day packages $2,780-$4,400 per person depending on season and length of trip.

TOURETTE TIGERFISHING Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers – Tanzania • In one of the most remote areas of Africa, Tanzania’s Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers offer what may be the finest trophy tigerfishing on the planet.

• Located in an untouched corner of the Tanzanian wilderness, this area is home to big game, exotic wildlife and monster tigerfish that routinely exceed 20 pounds.

• Over the course of a week, anglers split time between two different camp operations on two different rivers.

• Both of Tourette’s locations - the Mnyera and Ruhudji Camps - are simple yet comfortable tent-camps built and erected each season from the ground up.

8 night / 7 fishing day package $8,150 per person.

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FRESHWATER EXOTICS phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

MONGOLIAN TAIMEN FISHING

Eg-Ur Watershed, Mongolia

• More than two and a half times the size of Texas, Mongolia is home to the legendary Taimen – the world’s largest surviving salmonid.

• The Mongolian river camps in the Eg-Ur Watershed have been operating in Mongolia since 1995, and the owners and guides of this operation have literally pioneered fly fishing for Taimen.

• Anglers stay in Gers (small, low-ceilinged round tents) that are hard-sided and incredibly warm and comfortable inside. Each Ger features two beds, tables and chairs, plenty of storage space, and a central wood stove that keeps you warm on cold nights.

• Anglers who enjoy fishing and swinging flies for steelhead or musky will love Taimen fishing in Mongolia.

• This is rarely a numbers game, but when a three-, four- or even five-foot river fish eats your fly and the line comes tight, you’ll quickly understand the draw of fishing for Taimen in Mongolia.

• The season runs from early August through mid-November, with a maximum of eight anglers per week in each camp.

• While the average Taimen caught is around 32 inches and roughly 10 pounds, there is always the possibility for larger fish in the 40 to 50-inch range, and each week usually produces a number of these trophy fish.

• The upper camp is located on the banks of the Ur River, and the lower camp is situated further downstream on the Eg River (below the confluence of the Eg and the Ur).

7 night / 6 day fishing packages (double occupancy) $6,300 per angler plus a $330 Mongolian fishing license.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

FRESHWATER EXOTICS

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REWA ECO LODGE ARAPAIMA FISHING

Rewa, Guyana • Arapaima are the largest, scaled freshwater fish on the planet, and the South American jungle of Guyana is one of the few places where these dinosaurs can be hooked and landed on a fly.

• This entire area (controlled and operated by the Amerindians of Rewa Village) has been designated fly fishing-only, creating what is hands-down the healthiest and most productive arapaima fishery in the world.

• The Rewa Eco Lodge can accommodate a maximum of four (4) anglers per week during a fall season (October-November) and spring season (February-March).

• The lodge features spacious single occupancy cabanas, a main dining and bar area, a dock and deck area, and access to the nearby Amerindian village of Rewa.

• Anglers also have the option to spend part of the week at an up-river camp – something that we highly recommend in order to access great water and avoid longer boat rides.

• While this trip is definitely not for everyone, it is ideal for those anglers that love adventure travel combined with technical fishing and the opportunity to catch one of the largest and most exotic fish on the planet.

• If you can envision a stealthy, colorful and incredibly intelligent jungle tarpon, then you have a general idea of what arapaima are all about.

• Most arapaima that are caught on the fly in Guyana are anywhere from 100 to 250 pounds. The average length of the fish is six to seven feet.

• Anglers access this operation by flying to Georgetown, Guyana directly from the U.S. 7 night / 6 day fishing packages (single occupancy) $7,600 per person.

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FRESHWATER EXOTICS phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

Yellow Dog is proud to support the non-profit Indifly, a project founded by traveling anglers to protect healthy fisheries around the world and provide sustainable livelihoods for the indigenous peoples who are directly linked to these fisheries. The Indifly mission is accomplished through the development of communityowned fly fishing ecotourism operations that directly benefit from local resource conservation. Once developed, these lodges and guiding operations create environmentally friendly fly fishing destinations that quickly rise to the top of any destination angler’s “must fish” list. We sat down with Yellow Dog Ambassador Oliver White – one of the founders of Indifly – to talk about the organization and what they’ve been able to accomplish in places like Guyana.

So Oliver … what exactly is Indifly and how does it work?

Indifly was created with the idea that we could protect some of the world’s greatest fisheries while at the same time providing sustainable livelihoods for the people that depend on and are linked to these fisheries. How do we do it? We have full community buy-in, where the local people own 100% of the business. We help train, market and run the operations, but ultimately leave it up to the locals to make it all happen. We believe this approach creates a sustainable economic model for the local community, promotes conservation of local resources, and encourages organic growth in perpetuity.

What makes this specific project model work, and why should fly fishermen and anglers care?

Our model means the lodge is owned by the local community. We don’t allocate a fee or take a portion of the profits for management or consulting. They own it all and benefit from every dollar that comes in. All services and training provided by Indifly come with zero strings or costs. We help them finance infrastructure, make improvements, provide marketing and accounting support, and hospitality and guide training. All we ask in return is that they agree to protect their fishing and natural resources. Combine that with an incredible work ethic and local knowledge from so many of these indigenous communities and you have a winning combination.

Can catch-and-release fly fishing really be a vehicle for economic development and environmental conservation on an international scale? Can this actually work in remote areas and third-world countries?

Absolutely! I have seen it first-hand with our flagship program in Guyana. Early efforts in the Rewa Eco Lodge program, for example, have resulted in an exponential increase in community revenues and a major rise in employment, with 47% of the village labor force now directly employed through the fly fishing operation. This success has motivated community leaders to better protect vulnerable arapaima habitat. They are pursing federal legislation and have also applied for a tribal land extension to increase these protections. This not only results in better fishing, but also protects more rainforest. As a result, the villagers of Rewa are more empowered than ever before to protect their natural resources and improve their livelihoods.

Rewa Eco Lodge in Guyana is not only a great success story for Indifly, but really the flagship project for the entire effort.

What makes Rewa special as both a project and a fishery?

Rewa was really a perfect storm. They had a healthy population of arapaima — an incredible, giant fish which (at the time) no one really knew about— that we found out could be readily caught on fly. They also had a proactive village already on board with conservation.

Indifly jumped in and helped iron out the wrinkles and tell the story to the world. The community of Rewa made the important decision to stop harvesting arapaima. They deserve a lot of the credit for the success of the fishery and, in turn, the success of the overall Rewa project.

Besides Rewa in Guyana, where else has Indifly been active?

Any plans for the future?

We do have big plans for the future, and we hope to have an even larger global footprint in a matter of years. We are busy developing destinations in other parts of the world, including the South Pacific and right here at home in the United States. The need is great, but as you can imagine, this can be a long process and one that requires resources. Indifly relies solely on individual and private sector support. Our model is unique in that all revenues generated from our efforts belong to the indigenous communities engaged in our projects. Although these businesses are entirely community-owned, additional financial support allows us to empower communities, create sustainable livelihoods, and conserve natural resources.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INDIFLY, VISIT www.indifly.org 57

ICELAND W

ith a population of less than 350,000 people and more miles of pristine water than could realistically be fished in a lifetime, Iceland offers some of the best and most legitimate fly fishing opportunities for trophy brown trout, arctic char and Atlantic salmon in the world. For anglers looking for an incredibly unique fishing experience that combines intimate waters, great wading, seclusion and world-class service, Iceland is a destination in a league if its own. With fishing scenarios built around longterm conservation plans and low angling pressure, anglers can expect to have sections of river totally to themselves each day. This is a destination where you can pair extraordinary fishing for wild and native brown trout and salmon with a longer extended stay where you can visit the major cities like Reykjavik or explore the amazing landscapes of this geothermally-active island nation. Often referred to as the “land of fire and ice,” the island offers the chance to view incredible scenery, visit local hot springs and waterfalls, tour the beautiful countryside and spend time in the capital of Reykjavik. At Yellow Dog, we feel that Iceland has something to offer for everyone – from incredible fishing to a wide range of non-angling activities and cultural experiences.

REYKJAVIK ANGLING CLUB Iceland • Reykjavik Angling Club is Iceland’s premier outfitter, operating on over two dozen of the most renowned and fabled rivers on the island.

• With these packages, every fishing itinerary and trip schedule is totally customized, and anglers are paired with the lodge or lodges that will best suit their needs and preferences.

• Most of the fishing lodges in the Reykjavik Angling Club line-up are well-appointed and are situated on the banks of prime rivers or in close proximity to the very best fishing.

• Anglers can choose between swinging smaller flies and topwater surface patterns for Atlantic salmon or chasing the lesser-known, yet world-class wild brown trout found in the northern parts of the island.

• When fishing for brown trout, anglers can expect a variety of different fishing scenarios, including great action with streamers and nymphs as well as truly outstanding dry fly fishing.

Please contact Yellow Dog for details and package pricing.

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ICELAND phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

YETI COOLERS ARE BUILT TO BE INDESTRUCTIBLE AND KEEP ICE FOR DAYS. BUILT FOR BEACHES WITHOUT UMBRELLA DRINKS. BUILT FOR GRAND SLAMS AND HOLY GRAILS. BUILT FOR THE MOMENTS YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL NEVER RELEASE. BUILT FOR THE WILD.

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NEW ZEALAND N

ew Zealand is an extremely unique and appealing destination for many reasons, but perhaps most notably for the postcard-like beauty of its varied natural landscapes and freestone rivers. While the country is similar in size to the state of Colorado, there is incredible diversity in terrain, landscapes and climate between the South Island and the North Island. While the North Island is slightly volcanic with rolling green hills, bubbling geothermal pools, and beautiful beaches, the South Island is best described as having a more ‘rugged’ beauty, with glaciers, fiords, rivers and the dramatic Southern Alps serving as the snowcapped ‘backbone’ of the island. The summer season in New Zealand stretches from November to April, with each month presenting different opportunities and challenges for anglers.

New Zealand is easily one of the world’s finest destinations for fishing to sighted, trophy brown trout with nymphs and dries. While the average size of the brown trout found throughout the country is between four and seven pounds, hooking a double-digit, shovel-headed trophy is always a possibility. It’s no secret that these are some of the most challenging trout to catch, but a well-planned approach and an accurate and delicate presentation can reward an angler with the fish of a lifetime. Every trip that Yellow Dog books to New Zealand is fully customized according to each angler’s expectations, needs and abilities, budget and overall trip goals. We have a wealth of in-house information about non-angling activities in New Zealand as well as everything you need to know about the iconic trout fishing. *Please note that all prices listed for our New Zealand offerings on the following pages are listed in USD and based on conversion rates at time of catalog printing. These prices can, and do, fluctuate on a regular basis, so please confirm current rates at time of booking.

PORONUI LODGE Taupo Region – North Island, New Zealand • Nestled in the secluded Taharua Valley on New Zealand’s spectacular North Island, Poronui is one the world’s finest luxury wilderness lodges, long-known for its incredible fly fishing and trophy hunting programs.

• Poronui has one of the region’s best heli-fishing operations that provides easy access to many of New Zealand’s most famous mountain rivers and remote backcountry streams. The flight itself is always an incredible part of the overall experience.

• Numerous other trout-filled rivers that flow through the scenic Kaimanawa Range of the North Island are also an option, accessible on foot or by helicopter.

• With elegant accommodations, incredible food, seasoned guides, unbeatable service and a rich fishing history, this is a lodge built by anglers, for anglers.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at USD $4,050 per person.

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NEW ZEALAND phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

MINARET STATION Queenstown Lakes Region – South Island, New Zealand • An adventure destination unlike anything else in New Zealand, Minaret Station Alpine Lodge exemplifies the very best of highend luxury and rustic mountain comfort.

• Situated on a stunning piece of land at the head of a beautiful and secluded glacial valley, the lodge can only be accessed via helicopter.

• This is one of the most remote operations that we offer; indeed, it is the first and finest destination of its kind in New Zealand.

• Built on a rich tradition of outdoor heritage, Minaret Station was founded by the legendary Wallis family of Wanaka. The family still owns and operates both the lodge as well as the largest fleet of helicopters in the country.

• Helicopters and heli-fishing are an indelible part of the Minaret Station experience, something that enables guests to enjoy a wide range of unique outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, hunting, and – of course – backcountry fishing.

• The picturesque mountains that surround the lodge provide the backdrop for each individual chalet, each of which boasts a private hot tub and balcony.

• Minaret also operates as a working high-country farm, which means that much of what is served in the lodge’s dining room is sourced from the property.

Please contact Yellow Dog for custom rates and package details.

OWEN RIVER LODGE Murchison – South Island, New Zealand • A true fishing-focused lodge, Owen River’s on-water program offers some of the finest sight-fishing for trophy browns in all of New Zealand.

• Located in the heart of the Owen Valley in the Nelson Lakes district of the South Island, the lodge offers access to more than 25 exceptional freestone rivers and spring creeks, most of which are located less than an hour’s drive away from the lodge.

• Host and owner Felix Borenstein has indeed created a New Zealand fly-fishing institution, with many guests returning year after year to experience amazing Kiwi hospitality and some of the largest brown trout on the South Island.

• The lodge’s guides are some of the finest, most experienced in all of New Zealand, with most having over 20 years of guiding under their belts.

• The operation consists of the main lodge, six well-appointed guest cottages, a classic dining room, bar area, numerous sitting areas, a retail shop and a fly-tying area.

• The friendly lodge staff can easily cater to non-angling guests, and there are dozens of additional activities available both on and off the property.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at USD $4,390 per person.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

NEW ZEALAND

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RIVERVIEW LODGE

Hanmer Springs, New Zealand • In business for over 25 years, Riverview Lodge is located five miles from the South Island resort town of Hanmer Springs and less than two hours by car from Christchurch.

• With five guest bedrooms, the lodge can accommodate up to 10 anglers per week.

• One of the top destinations in all of New Zealand for legitimate shots at 10-pound-plus brown trout.

• Hanmer Springs is one of New Zealand’s most popular spa resort towns, home to thermal spa pools, shopping, an 18-hole golf course, several wineries, and numerous outdoor activities.

• This is classic New Zealand sight fishing at its best, where guides and clients work together as a team to locate, decipher and read each and every fish and technical opportunity.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at USD $4,150 per person.

FIORDLAND LODGE Te Anau – South Island, New Zealand • Located just outside the township of Te Anau, Fiordland Lodge is situated in the heart of stunning Fiordland National Park.

• With its unique architecture and enormous beams of Douglas fir, the magnificent design of this South Island fishing lodge combines the look and feel of a high-end North American fishing lodge with the character, personality and hospitality of a classic New Zealand operation.

• There are dozens of rivers that can be easily accessed from the lodge via four-wheel-drive truck or by helicopter, something that gives anglers numerous options when planning each day with the guides.

• The nearby national park is home to two dramatic fiord-like sounds: the serene Doubtful Sound and the iconic Milford Sound, which was once described by Rudyard Kipling as the eighth “Wonder of the World.”

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at USD $8,150 per person.

AMBASSADOR TRAVEL TIP #5

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

JEFF

Surname / Nom / Appellidos

CURRIER

Take a lot of photos. Great photos are the ultimate souvenir from any trip. They don’t cost anything, they’re easy to share with others, and they don’t take up very space in your luggage. When taking photos, be sure to wake up early. It’s the to best time for photos due to soft and warm morning light. It’s also a good time interact with locals, and sketchy areas are less dangerous in the morning! < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < BY JEFF CURRIER < < < < < < < < < < < < <

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<<<<<<

CEDAR LODGE Makarora – South Island, New Zealand • Small and intimate, Cedar Lodge accommodates only eight guests per week.

• There are over twenty rivers within striking distance of the lodge, all of which are located in some of the most picturesque areas in New Zealand.

• The fact that daily helicopter flights are included in all lodge packages means that anglers have a surplus of options for every day of their stay as well as the flexibility to change plans if the weather changes.

• Because Cedar Lodge’s heli-fishing program is owner-operated and flights are included in each package, the overall cost of accessing backcountry waters by flying out each day is greatly reduced.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) USD $7,995 per person.

STONEFLY LODGE Nelson Lakes Region – South Island, New Zealand • The Nelson Lakes Region is arguably the finest location in all of New Zealand in which to build a fishing lodge – exactly the reason why John and Kate Kerr chose this location as the place to build Stonefly Lodge.

• With three major National Parks (Abel Tasman, Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes) as well as dozens of amazing brown trout rivers all located within an hour’s drive of the lodge, Stonefly can easily satisfy the needs of both angling and non-angling guests alike.

• Most of the area rivers can be accessed either on foot or via fourwheel-drive truck, and helicopters are always an option for those wishing to fish and access remote, backcountry waters.

• The Nelson region records more days of sunshine than any other part of New Zealand, something that obviously creates ideal trout-spotting conditions.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at USD $3,950 per person.

NEW ZEALAND INDEPENDENT GUIDES South Island, New Zealand • Yellow Dog is proud to have teamed up with some of the best independent guides on the South Island to offer customized backcountry adventures, day trips, heli-fishing, and all types of custom itineraries.

• Based in areas such as Queenstown, Wanaka and Christchurch, these guides offer fishing on many of the South Island’s finest rivers and backcountry waters.

• Yellow Dog is always happy to help pair fishing with accommodations, travel and other trip logistics to create the perfect New Zealand itinerary.

• All independent guides include top-quality gear and tackle as well as all flies in their daily rates.

• A great way to experience a fully-customized, world class fly fishing experience in New Zealand with limited time or a more modest budget.

Day trips start at USD $530 per day. Please contact Yellow dog to learn more about custom package pricing.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

NEW ZEALAND

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THE YELLOW DOG TRAVEL WEBSITE

FOUR GREAT REASONS TO BOOK YOUR NEXT TRIP WITH YELLOW DOG:

www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

We Match Every Client with the Right Destination At Yellow Dog, we have a very simple philosophy. We don’t care where you go as long as it’s the right place and the right match for you. We never sell a trip based on exclusive contracts we have with lodges or on beds we’re obligated to fill. Rather — with a full line-up of distinct locations, accommodations, and price points — we match you and your expectations up with the destination that’s just right for you.

Our website is hands-down the most in-depth, informative and detailed online resource in the world for fly fishing travel, and we’re always working hard to add to and expand this fantastic resource.

With over 185 different lodges and destinations (both international and domestic) and dozens of trip planning tools, travel resources, research platforms and trip reports, our website is designed to give traveling anglers the very best information to plan and organize their next great fishing adventure. Be sure to check out our daily travel blog as well!

Yellow Dog’s Services are Always Free to You When you book a trip through Yellow Dog, you never pay more than if you were to book directly with a lodge or outfitter.

You get hands-on assistance, valuable insider information, pre-trip planning materials and total support on all levels — all at no additional cost to you. Sometimes clients think, “I’m sure I can save money if I do this on my own.” Not only is that a false assumption, but more often than not, booking a trip on your own ends up costing you more, especially when you factor in your time, headaches, and the very real possibility of booking sub-standard guides or the wrong lodge.

Incredibly Detailed Pre-Trip Planning Materials Here at Yellow Dog, we’re very proud of the incredibly detailed pre-trip planning materials we provide for each and every trip we book. Yes, we love beautiful pictures and colorful graphics, but we also know that savvy travelers appreciate — and expect — relevant and up-todate information. When booking with Yellow Dog you’ll always receive useful, detailed and up-to-date information specifically written for your exact destination.

TRAVEL BLOG: www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/blog

Why Wouldn’t You Utilize Every Resource Available to Make Your Next Trip Exceptional?

Most people wouldn’t think of buying a new life insurance policy or selling a home without using an experienced, professional agent. So why should your important fishing trip — something that involves both your valuable vacation time and your money — be any different? (Especially when these services cost you nothing!) Working with Yellow Dog results in a better trip — each and every time. As we’re fond of saying, using our services is like having a backstage pass to the world of fly fishing.

FOLLOW US: WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, TRAVEL BLOG, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM

YELLOW DOG FLYFISHING ADVENTURES 66

213 SOUTH WILLSON AVENUE • BOZEMAN, MT 59715 888-777-5060 • email: info@yellowdogflyfishing.com

YELLOW DOG FLYFISHING ADVENTURES

FLY FISHING PHOTO SCHOOLS AND DESTINATION CLASSES Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures is pleased to offer a number of hands-on, adventure-filled, fishing and travel photography workshops for the 2017-2018 seasons.

These all-inclusive, multi-day destination schools will take place throughout the year in a variety of different international and domestic locations, and each school offers a fantastic teacher-to-student ratio for the finest hands-on instruction.

These immersive workshops will be led by Yellow Dog’s Director of Photography Bryan Gregson, one of the most well-known and accomplished outdoor and fishing photographers in the industry. Each school will also feature at least one additional guest instructor.

Additional instructors for past schools have included photographers Jess McGlothlin and Jim Klug.

All Yellow Dog photo schools include daily classes, hands-on instruction, several full days of guided fishing, unique field trips to surrounding areas of interest, evening critique and discussion sessions, comprehensive class materials, lodging and meals. Curriculum for workshops includes such topics as:

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• Creative composition for outdoor photographers • Effectively using circular polarizers and ND filters • Underwater photography: equipment and techniques • Night photography: stars and light painting • Proper fish handling techniques and shooting quality “hero” shots • Packing and travel advice for outdoor photographers • Recommended “kit” and equipment lists for fishing photographers • Sunrise and sunset shooting techniques • Travel photography: Food, fishing, people, places and things • File handling: downloading, labeling, editing and organizing • Social media techniques for the independent outdoor photographer • Nighttime photo walks

YELLOW DOG phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

Who should attend a Yellow Dog photo school?

Everyone! Whether you’ve just purchased your first camera and are wondering about the confusing buttons, or you’re a seasoned amateur-tointermediate-level photographer wanting to get more out of your fishing and travel images, this workshop will advance your skill level and improve your photos in the field. All classes have at least two professional photographers instructing who are always able (and happy) to teach and accommodate photographers of all skill levels. Fun itineraries and locations, a diversity of instructional techniques, and a curriculum designed specifically for outdoor, travel and fishing photography will all combine to help you to “up your game” and make the most of your future fishing trips.

2017-2018 DATES AND LOCATIONS: CUBA: October 2017 Playa Larga – Fishing, Photography and Cultural Package BELIZE: May 2017 Ambergris Caye – Out-Island Photo Workshop IDAHO/U.S. WEST: August 2017 Henry’s Fork Photo School ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: Dates TBD New listings and additional dates to announced. Contact Yellow Dog for details.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

YELLOW DOG

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CHILE “C

hile,” wrote Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda, is a country that was “invented by a poet.” Situated south of Peru and west of Bolivia and Argentina, Chile extends for over 2,880 miles in a serpentine ribbon, stretching vertically along the western coast of South America. From the parched, mineral-rich Atacama Desert in the north to the haunting spires of Torres del Paine National Park in the interior and further south to the windy and inhospitable lands of Tierra del Fuego, the country can best be described as “nature on a colossal scale.” The Patagonian region of Chile is typically fished from mid-November through late-April, when many rivers in the north are still cold or frozen over. Spring conditions can be expected during the months of November and December, summer conditions occur January through mid-March, and fall weather characterizes mid-March through the end of April. All in all, the fishing seasons and typical conditions in Chile are very similar to those found in the American Northern Rockies. Cold springs, warm summers and unpredictable fall months all offer great fishing with varying weather and water conditions.

MARTIN PESCADOR LODGE Santa Barbara and La Junta, Chile • Martin Pescador’s incredibly diverse program gives anglers the chance to fish out of four different lodge and camp locations, with direct access to 12 world class rivers, eight lakes, and numerous streams throughout the region.

• Lodge owner and area pioneer Frans Jansen has used his years of experience in Chilean Patagonia to establish a oneof-a-kind fly fishing program that many consider to be the best in all of Patagonia.

• To fully take advantage of all that this area has to offer, the lodge’s professional team of American guides utilize a combination of jet boats, lake boats and rafts to access remote and untouched waters.

• A typical week-long itinerary will have you fishing the Largo Yelcho region for three days out of Puerto Cardenas Lodge before transferring to La Junta Lodge on the Rio Rosselot.

7 night / 6.5 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $6,150 per person.

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CHILE phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

PATAGONIAN BASECAMP LODGE La Junta, Chile • If you’re looking for a great “first time” Patagonian experience, this is a terrific option, as the family-run lodge is centrally located in close proximity to numerous world-class rivers and lakes.

• The trout throughout this area – both browns and rainbows – are wild and aggressive, and you can expect to catch good numbers of fish in the 12-20 inch range with trout in the 20-25 inch range found on a regular basis.

• The American guides at the lodge are seasoned professionals; the same caliber of professionals you typically find at the better lodges in Alaska and throughout the Western United States.

• The beautiful, custom-built main lodge features six double rooms that can accommodate a maximum of 12 guests per week, and the heart of the lodge is the common area situated around the huge, hand-crafted fireplace.

7 night / 6 fishing day package $6,590 per person.

REMOTA RESORT Puerto Natales, Chile • This is an amazingly unique resort that we highly recommend for couples and families looking to combine great fishing with a visit to southern Chile and the beautiful Torres del Paine area.

• Remota is an incredibly modern, multi-level building with long, uniquely-shaped windows, numerous fire pits and lounging areas, a heated indoor swimming pool, an open-air Jacuzzi and a private spa area.

• All 72 rooms have a view of Ultima Esperanza Bay, the nearby Balmaceda Glacier and the Cordillera del Paine.

• The rivers fished by the guides of Remota are pristine, productive and diverse, and the majority of fisheries are accessed by walking and wading.

• The fish in the area are unpressured and usually willing to eat, averaging 14” and sometimes reaching over 22” in size.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $5,050 per person.

AMBASSADOR TRAVEL TIP #6 Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

REBEKKA

Surname / Nom / Appellidos

REDD

my Less clothes and more money! When packing pre-trip, I always lay out all of s clothes and then I try to cut that amount in half. I have never worn all the clothe I I have packed, but I almost always end up using more money that I thought , would need. As for clothing specifics, leave the jeans at home. They’re heavy hot, and they take up too much space. < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < BY REBEKKA REDD < < < < < < < < < < < < <

<<<<<<

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CINCO RIOS LODGE Coyhaique, Chile

YDCCF

TCHIN

G

PR

MA

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $4,395 per person.

OGRAM

• Situated on a high bluff overlooking the Rio Simpson near the historic city of Coyhaique, Cinco Rios Lodge offers one of the best locations and most established fishing programs in all of Patagonian Chile.

• Anglers are transported daily by four-wheel drive trucks to rivers and streams on rides that range from 30 minutes to slightly over one hour.

• The lodge program offers access to many of the region’s most famous waters, including the Simpson, La Paloma, Mañihuales, Aysen, Megote, Guillermo and De Leon.

• The fishing program also includes access to an impressive line-up of private rivers and streams that are exclusively owned or leased by Cinco Rios.

• The accommodations and amenities at the lodge are outstanding, with comfortable guest rooms, a huge dining room and common area, a small bar, a full tackle shop and large decks that overlook the Simpson River canyon.

• Expect seasoned, experienced guides, first-rate equipment, fine accommodations and some of the best food and wine in all of Chile.

• Over the course of a standard week-long package, lodge anglers can typically expect to do two jet-boat fishing days on the Paloma and Azul, two raft-float days on the Simpson or Mañihuales, and two wading days on small freestone streams.

FUNDS

ESTANCIA DEL ZORRO Coyhaique, Chile

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CHILE phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

G

OGRAM

TCHIN

7 night / 6 fishing day packages $4,395 per person.

PR

MA

• Situated 23 miles from the city of Coyhaique on the ChileanArgentine border, Estancia del Zorro is a remote fishing operation in the heart of the Coyhaique-Alto Mountains.

• This 15,000-acre working estancia – owned by Cinco Rios Lodge – offers guests the chance to fish and explore isolated, intimate and incredibly productive waters in both Chile and Argentina.

• Guests are guided on private rivers and spring creeks that routinely hold brown trout up to 12 pounds.

• Anglers typically alternate fishing locations during the course of the week, fishing one day in Chile and the next crossing the border to fish in Argentina.

• The Estancia is a full service lodge operation that can accommodate up to 12 guests per week.

• Peaceful and secluded, this area is also a birdwatcher’s paradise and the condor watching on the high cliffs of the Estancia may be the best in the world.

YDCCF FUNDS

CREATING THE PERFECT EVENTUALITY AND REPAIR KIT TO DEAL WITH THE UNEXPECTED WHEN TRAVELING.

by Jim Klug of Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures

THE YELLOW DOG Essentials KIT

My job takes me all over the world – often times to remote and off-the-grid locations where having the right gear and functioning equipment is essential. Even when I pack the right tools and tackle and bring exactly what I need, however, things can occasionally go wrong. Rods break, reels malfunction, camera gear can develop problems, soft goods can tear … when you’re fishing far from home, minor equipment issues can cause big problems if you don’t have the ability to make effective and immediate field repairs.

In order to deal with and correct these types of unforeseen problems and mechanical challenges, I’ve assembled my own “travelling MacGyver” kit – a collection of tools, repair materials and doo-dads that can come in handy and save the day when things go wrong. Over the years I’ve fine-tuned, tweaked, added to and improved upon what I call my “traveling eventualities kit” to the point that I never go fishing anywhere without bringing it along. The items in the kits have saved 1. The Case (*The small “kits” that they give out on international flights make perfect kit containers.)

2. Lighter 3. Fly Line Cleaner Pad 4. Assortment of Band-Aids and Neosporin 5. Antiseptic / Alcohol Wipes 6. Small Travel Sewing / Repair Kit 7. Cigar Cutter 8. Nippers 9. Small Multi-Tool with Scissors 10. Three-to-Two Plug Converter 11. AquaSeal 12. Small LED Flashlight 13. Gorilla Tape and Electricians Tape

numerous trips and situations – both for myself and for my traveling companions. That means that if you want to be able to “stay in the game” and be the MVP of your next group adventure, then assemble your own kit and throw it in your gear bag before heading out for your next trip. You’ll be ready for just about anything, and capable of repairing and fixing the problems that routinely occur when you’re far from home (and even further from your local fly shop).

The key to creating the right kit, of course, is the ability to include all of the right “ingredients” while at the same time keeping the overall size and weight of your kit to an absolute minimum. Assembling small amounts of key ingredients into a small and compact case that holds everything is the key, and once packed, all of the items below should fit neatly into a small 8” x 4” zippered case. Here’s a look at “what’s in my bag” when I travel:

14. Black Sharpie 15. Nail Knot Tool 16. Small Leatherman with Pliers 17. Forceps 18. Small LED Light 19. Fly Tying Scissors 20. Pen 21. Reel Oil / Lubricant 22. Tweezers 23. Duct Tape 24. Utility Wraps 25. Super Glue 26. Flash Drive / Data Sticks 27. Razor Blade 28. Multi-Tipped Screwdriver Kit

29. Assortment of Safety Pins 30. Assortment of Rubber Bands 31. Ear Plugs 32. Allen Wrench Kit 33. Braided Mono-Loop Material 34. Assortment of Rod Tip-Tops and S-Guides 35. Batteries 36. Bread Ties / Pipe Cleaners 37. Twine 38. 20-Pound Backing Material 39. Bailing Wire 40. Assortment of Zip Ties 41. Assortment of Nails 42. Sand Paper Sections

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.comYELLOW

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ARGENTINA W

ith a mainland area of over one million square miles, Argentina is the eighthlargest country in the world, the second largest in Latin America and the largest among Spanish-speaking nations. In fishing circles, Argentina is often referred to as the “Montana of 75 years ago” due to the similar topography, an abundance of productive water and fishing pressure that is considered extremely light by modern standards. The vast, mountainous and open landscape of Argentina creates a sharp contrast to the lush rainforest environment that characterizes the bulk of neighboring Chile. It is a land often compared to the high deserts of the western US and a destination that, much like Alaska and Montana, should absolutely be at the top of every serious trout angler’s travel list.

The country is noted for its rich culture, friendly people, abundance of excellent food (the finest steak in the world), amazing Malbec wines, and fish that are wild, strong and fast.

The fishing infrastructure (the lodges, guides and outfitters) in areas like San Martin de los Andes, Esquel, Junin de los Andes and Rio Pico are the best in South America, making this a great choice for those new to trout fishing who are looking for a week of detailed, onwater instruction. More experienced anglers can focus on technical dry fly fishing or hunt big trout in a variety of different scenarios. Aside from numbers, Argentina is a great place to find sizeable fish, especially on certain rivers and in a handful of lakes found throughout Patagonia. Rest assured that when you book your trip with Yellow Dog, you’ll always be fishing the best rivers, with the best guides at the very best times.

CHOCOLATE LAB EXPEDITIONS San Martin, Argentina

ARGENTINA phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $5,345 per person.

OGRAM

• Chocolate Lab Expeditions, based in San Martin de los Andes, offers a fantastic combination of exceptional fishing, classic estanicia accommodations, private access, nomadic itineraries and a full taste of the authentic culture and hospitality of Patagonia.

• We have worked with C.L.E. since the early days of Yellow Dog, and we consider this operation to be one of the finest, most professional guide services in a region that is home to such legendary rivers as the Traful, Collon Cura, Chimehuin and the Malleo.

• These guides specialize in technical dry fly fishing, taking full advantage of the area’s prolific hatches throughout the season.

• The very best estancias (ranches) that offer private access to these waters are the ones C.L.E. utilizes to offer the best lodging and fishing packages in the region.

FUNDS

EL ENCUENTRO LODGE Esquel, Argentina • “El Encuentro” translates to “the meeting place” in English—an apt description for a lodge that serves as the centerpiece for the Beale family’s outfitting operation in Argentina’s Chubut Province.

• The Beale siblings who run the lodge—all five of them—were born and raised in this area, and they’ve continued the family legacy started more than 30 years ago.

• Anglers fishing with El Encuentro will enjoy unparalleled access to private waters and the opportunity to experience Argentine culture on an intimate, local level.

• There are a total of eight lodges utilized by the El Encuentro program, and the family has spent over three decades cultivating relationships with the various landowners and operations.

• This expansive network of locations and lodges allows anglers to fish a huge range of different waters throughout the region – everything from big rivers to intimate spring creeks and lakes.

• Anglers can also find a strong diversity of species, from big browns on dries to feisty rainbows to large brook trout in the late season.

7 night / 6 day packages run from $5,250-$5,850 per person, depending on locations and itinerary.

PATAGONIA RIVER GUIDES Esquel, Rio Pico and San Martin, Argentina • Arguably the most complete, high-end and professional fishing operation in all of Argentina, P.R.G. offers exceptional accommodations, extraordinary customer service, and an endless amount of incredible fly fishing.

• The huge variety of waters, lodges and fishing opportunities offered through P.R.G. is second to none, which means that with these trips, you will be fishing the very best waters in Patagonia at exactly the right times.

• Every fishing day with this program features a different river, spring creek or lake.

• Having several different lodges and locations available at all times delivers a huge advantage for extended trips by making countless rivers, streams and lakes available.

• The program utilizes both private and public waters and they have numerous streams, access points and even entire lakes under lease for the exclusive enjoyment of their guests.

• With ten diverse lodging choices stretching across the three most productive regions of Argentine Patagonia (Esquel, Rio Pico and San Martin de los Andes), the P.R.G. experience offers a blend of diverse fishing, beautiful scenery, interesting culture and unrivaled service.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $6,300 per person.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com ARGENTINA

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RIO MANSO LODGE Bariloche, Argentina

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $4,750 per angler and $3,100 per non-angler.

OGRAM

• Far and away our favorite operation in Patagonia for couples and families, Rio Manso is one of the nicest, full-service lodge operations in the entire region.

• Located in the heart of Argentina’s Nahuel Huapi National Park, the lodge sits on the banks of Lake Hess and the Manso River.

• In a setting that feels both wild and remote, the lodge is surprisingly only 90 minutes away from Bariloche, which makes it easy to access on a regular basis on any day of the week.

• When fishing out of the lodge, guests have access to fisheries that include the Manso, Quieto, Pichi Leufu and numerous area lakes that hold some of the largest rainbow, brook and brown trout in the area.

• Each of the lodge’s eight rooms offer spectacular views of Lago Hess, the nearby Andes Mountains and majestic Mount Tronador on the Chilean border.

• Rio Manso’s professionally trained chefs pride themselves on a menu that features the freshest of ingredients paired with an impressive line-up of regional wines.

• Because of its close proximity to Bariloche, this operation is a great option for shorter fishing packages, combo trips with non-anglers, or as an add-on to other, longer Patagonian fishing adventure.

FUNDS

PINTI’S DORADO ON THE FLY Corrientes, Argentina

ARGENTINA phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $4,800 per person.

OGRAM

• Located near the small fishing village of Ita Ibate in the northern Argentine province of Corrientes, Pinti’s Dorado on the Fly offers legitimate Golden Dorado fishing on the Upper Rio Parana on the border of Argentina and Paraguay.

• A large tailwater river, the waters of the Parana are generally clear, which means sight casting to fish is common.

• Most Dorado in the Parana average five to ten pounds, although larger fish in the 20-25 pound range are caught on a regular basis.

• Guests stay at the Amokagny Lodge, a traditional Argentine-style estancia located on the banks of the Parana River.

• Aside from Dorado, other available species include Pacu, Pira Pita, Dentuda (a small barracuda looking fish) and piranha.

• The ecosystem of the Parana is essentially a jungle environment, complete with monkeys in the trees, toucans and an amazing array of other birds and animals.

• This destination can easily be combined with other Argentine fisheries in Patagonia or Tierra del Fuego.

FUNDS

ESTANCIA LAGUNA VERDE Jurassic Lake, Argentina

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $5,200 per person.

OGRAM

• The internationally-renowned Lake Strobel (also known as “Jurassic Lake”) is a 25-square mile crystal-clear piece of water that may be the very best trophy rainbow trout fishery on the planet.

• The incredibly strong rainbows that reside in the lake average 8-to-12 pounds, and fish in excess of 20 pounds are caught on a regular basis.

• Located on the southern coast of this huge Argentine lake, Estancia Laguna Verde is the finest and most complete lodge and outfitting operation in the area.

• Guests have access to the majority of Lake Strobel’s shoreline, the famous “Monster Bay”, and the entire Barrancoso River, the only river tributary that flows into the big lake.

• Accommodations are in the main lodge – a classic Argentine ranch-style house featuring five double bedrooms and a large social and dining area.

• In this distant and remote part of Patagonia, this is hands-down the best option for great guides, huge fish and excellent Argentine hospitality.

• Book a trip to Jurassic Lake and the chances are very good that you WILL catch the largest trout of your life.

FUNDS

LOS OMBUES Entre Rios Province, Argentina • Yellow Dog’s only dedicated wing shooting operation, Los Ombues is an ideal destination for anglers interested in combining shooting with any fishing trip to South America.

• Los Ombues is an outstanding Argentine wing shooting operation that offers deluxe accommodations, fine dining and mixed-bag hunts – all within close proximity of the program’s main lodge.

• Located in Entre Rios Province of Argentina, Los Ombues is one of the few shooting destinations in the region that offers huge numbers and consistent action for doves, perdiz and ducks all in the same area and all on the same property.

• Unlike other shooting destinations in Argentina, Los Ombues guides their hunters on their own expansive and private 40,000-hectare estancia, and all shooting takes place within 5 10 minutes of the lodge by truck or van.

• Aside from the high-volume dove shooting, ducks in the marsh, and perdiz over pointing dogs, Los Ombues offers a complete line-up of amenities, including a full gym, sauna and swimming pool, making it a perfect destination for couples or groups.

• Dove season is year-round, with duck and perdiz season open from May 1st to the third weekend of August.

3 nights / 3 days hunting (double occupancy) $2,100 per person.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com ARGENTINA

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ESTANCIA MARIA BEHETY Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina • Located on the Rio Grande in the Tierra del Fuego region of southern Argentina.

• This is the home of the finest anadromous brown trout fishery in the world – sea run brown trout that average over nine pounds.

One trout in five is over 15 pounds and one in fifty run 20 to 25 pounds.

• Estancia Maria Behety offers excellent guides and remarkable fishing, with 32 miles of access on both sides of the Rio Grande and the freedom to fish more than 100 of the finest pools on the river.

• The distinctive architecture of the historic turn-of-the-century ranches of Tierra del Fuego is incorporated into the design of the lodge, where a roaring fireplace anchors the main room and the bar is well stocked with the finest Argentine wines.

• The lodge is limited to only 12 anglers for each of the 14 weeks of the short season, which means that anglers should book this trip well in advance.

• Trips to Tierra del Fuego can also easily be combined with other packages in Argentina or nearby Chilean Patagonia.

7 night / 6 fishing day package (double occupancy) $4,295-$6,495 per person, depending on time of year.

DESPEDIDA LODGE Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina • Directly across the Rio Grande from Estancia Maria Behety, Despedida Lodge is a small, family-run sea trout operation owned and operated by Danny and Helen Lajous.

• The Despedida and Maria Behety programs share this section of the river through a well-developed system of rotating coexistence, alternating water and pools each day to ensure exclusivity for each and every angler.

• The farthest pool on the Rio Grande that Despedida fishes is only 15 minutes by truck from the lodge, ensuring minimal drive times and longer days on the water.

• Most days, anglers are on the water shortly after 7:30 AM, returning to the lodge for lunch and an afternoon siesta, before heading back out for an evening session that can last until 10:00 PM or even later (based on what each angler wants).

• Taking only six anglers per week, this is a great fishingfocused destination, offering long hours on the river and one of the best guide teams in the region.

• The common areas at the lodge include a dining room, a large living room and the bar area. Three bedroom suites feature private baths, two double beds and plenty of room for gear.

7 night / 6 fishing day package (double occupancy) $6,100 per person.

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ARGENTINA phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

YOU ARE A FLYFISHING FANATIC THAT LOVES TO TRAVEL. WE ARE A FLYFISHING MAGAZINE THAT LOVES TELLING TRAVEL STORIES.

IF THE WADING BOOT FITS, WEAR IT.

FOR THOSE WHO FISH

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THE 2017 YELLOW DOG FLYFISHING

AMBASSADOR TEAM M

eet our 2017 Yellow Dog team of fly fishing ambassadors – five of the most interesting, accomplished and adventurous anglers in the game.

In addition to hosting and leading trips, working with Yellow Dog clients, assisting with consumer shows and events, and promoting Yellow Dog’s full range of offerings, these amazing individuals also work with the Yellow Dog team in an advisory capacity, helping to develop and explore new destinations, evaluating existing operations and working with the Yellow Dog team to expand our full range of services. If you’re interested in joining any of our ambassadors on a hosted or exploratory trip in the future, be sure to keep an eye on our “HOSTED TRIPS” web page and subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter.

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YELLOW DOG phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

JAKO LUCAS

Raised in South Africa, Jako Lucas began fishing South Africa’s fresh and saltwater destinations at the age of four. He represented his country in various competitions throughout his youth before starting his career as a full-time guide in 2006.

Along the way he expanded his horizons to include photography and film work, establishing his own action film production company, Captain Jack Films. Jako’s guide resume includes years of working in Mongolia, Norway, and all throughout the Indian Ocean, including time spent on Astove, Cosmoledo, Farquhar, Providence, and Alphonse. He’s fished all across the globe and has won numerous awards for his film work and editing. Jako is currently a consultant for Thomas and Thomas Rods.

REBEKKA REDD

A native of Ontario, Canada, Rebekka is an accomplished angler, photographer, writer, speaker and television host. Along with her work in front of the lens, she has also garnered a large following through her own photography, writing and social media projects. Her work has been published both locally and worldwide and has been featured in numerous Canadian and international fishing magazines. Rebekka routinely travels the world filming, fishing and hosting trips. From local streams to remote jungle rivers, Rebekka has been there with both fly rod and camera and loves to share the knowledge and experience she gains along the way. When close to home, she is usually accompanied on fishing trips with her two dogs, “Rebel” and “Abel”.

JEFF CURRIER

With over forty years of experience fly fishing the world, Jeff has quite possibly fished more countries and caught more species on a fly rod than any person alive.

He’s an active lecturer, published author, a well-known artist, and the subject of numerous films, articles and media projects. Jeff is constantly traveling and developing new techniques for catching the most exotic fish imaginable in places where even the most avid adventurers are hesitant to go. An IGFA World Record holder, Jeff has fished in over 55 countries and caught over 375 species of fish on a fly. The oldest (most distinguished?) member of the Yellow Dog Ambassador team, Jeff can now die happy having watched the Cubs finally win a World Series.

WIL FLACK

Permit and steelhead addict Wil Flack has been living, guiding and working in Belize for the past 15 years. Wil owns Tres Pescados Fly Shop on Ambergris Caye, and recently opened the Belize Permit Club further to the south in Hopkins. Wil has fished all over the world, including Tahiti and French Polynesia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Fiji, Venezuela, the Bahamas, Australia, Hawaii, Japan and throughout the US West and Canada. He was featured in the 2013 Confluence Films project, Waypoints, searching for jungle payara and eating barbequed jungle rat with his friend Oliver White. When you finish up a day of fishing with Wil, he’ll gladly take a gin and tonic – with two olives.

OLIVER WHITE

Oliver has been the subject of numerous films, TV pieces and magazine articles, including multi-page spreads in Forbes, Men’s Journal and Cat Aficionado. In addition to overseeing the operations as a founding partner of Abaco Lodge on Abaco and Bair’s Lodge on South Andros in the Bahamas, he regularly hosts and arranges fishing trips all over the world. Along with a small group of friends and the backing of Costa Del Mar, Oliver founded the non-profit ‘Indifly’ and their flagship Rewa Lodge and arapaima project in Guyana. Currently Oliver is working on his first book with Stonefly Press, cranking out regular articles for Fly Fisherman Magazine, and still finding time to live the dream.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com YELLOW

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KAMCHATKA L

ocated over 6,000 miles from the “big city world” of Moscow, the Kamchatkan Peninsula offers a safe, stable and remote environment for the discriminating and adventurous angler. This volcano and river-filled region has always been regarded as a land of wonder. The peninsula has more landmass than California, yet only one passable road into its interior. The west coast and all of the northern regions remain roadless and only accessible by helicopter. If you have ever dreamed of fishing some of the most remote, untouched rivers on Earth for large, surface-feeding, aggressive native rainbow trout, then this trip should be at the very top of your list. Kamchatka is still a completely wild place, and while most fishing operations on the peninsula can deliver a remote wilderness fishing experience, there are definitely some operations that are more remote, more wild, and more productive than others!

UPPER ZHUPANOVA RIVER FLOAT Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia • The Upper Zhupanova River is a destination that routinely leaves visiting anglers awe-struck with just how remote Kamchatka is and just how good the trout fishing can be.

• Standard six-night packages on the Upper Zhupanova cover more than 60 miles of beautiful and insanely pristine habitat that is home to some of the largest and wildest rainbow trout on the planet.

• These waters are also home to a fish species known as the Super Kundzha as well as all five species of Pacific salmon.

• Anglers spend their days fishing between various camps, moving downstream each day and overnighting at a different camp location each night.

6 night / 5.5 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $6,995 per person.

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KAMCHATKA phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

SEDANKA RIVER FLOAT TRIP Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia • One of the most highly-regarded rivers in all of Kamchatka, the Sedanka is a beautiful, spring-fed river that is home to a plethora of insects that hatch consistently throughout the summer months.

• Daily scenarios involve anglers fishing mouse patterns, streamers and dry flies, and casting to large and aggressive rainbows oftentimes found feeding on the surface.

• This is one of the few rivers in Kamchatka where dries and mouse patterns are the preferred fly patterns throughout the season.

• Anglers will stay in three different base camps over the course of six days of fishing. Each camp is similar in design, offering hot showers, flush toilets, a main dining hall, and permanent, woodframed guest cabins.

• The Sedanka River Float is one of our favorite operations in Kamchatka, with a solid fishing program, professional American and Russian guides, great hospitality, and the type of on-water experience that anglers will remember for a lifetime.

6 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $7,850 per person.

ZENDUR LODGE Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia • Kamchatka is home to some of the most remote, isolated and pristine freshwater fisheries in the world, and while many rivers offer productive fishing, only a handful of rivers found on this wild and rugged peninsula are truly world-class.

• One of the truly great Kamchatkan fisheries is the mighty Zhupanova, a river that is home to what are arguably the largest rainbow trout in the world.

• With fish that can reach lengths of 35 inches and weigh over 10 pounds, anglers will have the opportunity to hook the biggest trout of their lives during a single week of fishing.

• Zendzur Lodge has access to over 30 miles of river right on the doorstep of the lodge – every mile accessible by the lodge’s jet boats that are operated by seasoned American and Russian guides.

• The lodge itself is also the nicest fishing lodge in all of Kamchatka – the type of high-end lodge and amenities that you would expect to find in Alaska.

• A fishery that is truly in a league of its own with regard to the huge, aggressive rainbow trout that are caught on a regular basis.

6 night / 5.5 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $6,995 per person.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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AMBASSADOR TRAVEL TIP #7

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

WIL

Surname / Nom / Appellidos

FLACK

carryWhen traveling to far off destinations, I always pack important items in my a on backpack. This includes meds, a spare set of fishing clothes, sunglasses, travel hat, snacks, my computer, camera gear, toothbrush, cash, and all important can documents. If my checked luggage is delayed or doesn’t make it, at least I ant survive. If you are headed to the tropics, pack your rain jacket and bug repell on the top of your checked luggage for quick and easy access upon arrival. < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < BY WIL FLACK < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <

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SAVAN RIVER FLOAT Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia • The Savan River float is one of Kamchatka’s more rustic, fishingfocused and adventurous offerings.

• A mobile network of camps and a nomadic program that utilizes high-tech, four-season mountaineering tents allow anglers to cover 10-15 miles of river each day, fishing the main channel of the Savan and exploring various braided sections and backwaters.

• A cook and camp assistant travel with the group throughout the week, and the only thing anglers are responsible for is setting up and breaking down their tents each day.

• The Savan is a smaller river that runs for over 70 miles with various springs and small tributaries feeding the main river throughout the float.

6 night / 5.5 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $6,850 per person.

WILDERNESS EXPLORATORY FLOAT TRIPS Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia • While all rivers in Kamchatka provide a remote and pristine wilderness experience, anglers looking for the next level of true exploration now have the opportunity to explore Kamchatka on numerous untouched rivers.

• The fishing each day begins after camp is packed up as anglers work their way downstream and wade fish different sections of water.

• The rainbows and salmon are targeted with mouse patterns, dries and streamers, with the opportunity to cast to fish that have truly NEVER seen another angler.

• Anglers will stay each night in two person tents that will be set up at designated campsites each evening. An enclosed dining tent and table will be set up each evening for anglers to relax for breakfast and dinner, and tell stories around the campfire each evening.

6 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $6,295 per person.

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KAMACHATKA phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

OZERNAYA RIVER Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia • The Ozernaya – known to anglers as the “Oz” – has been called one of the greatest trout streams of all time: a large spring creek with unbelievable numbers of large, native rainbows averaging over 20 inches.

• The program on the Ozernaya River is a fixed-camp operation in one of the most remote and untouched areas on the Kamchatkan Peninsula.

• This is a river that is loaded with insects and huge sculpins – one of the purest, most productive freshwater habitats in the world.

• Anglers stay in rustic, A-frame-style cabins in the main Oz camp, with more than 50 miles of river accessible each day via jet boat.

• This program will have you fishing for char, Asiatic grayling, and huge rainbows throughout the week – many of which can be caught on large mouse patterns.

6 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $8,195 per person.

TWO YURT RIVER

Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

• An amazing, on-water wilderness float trip experience with the world’s finest fishing for rainbow trout, char and Asiatic Grayling.

• Over the course of this week-long float, a maximum of six anglers per group move downstream each day with the guides and the rafts, fishing between five and ten miles per day.

• Overnight accommodations and camping locations change each night, with each fixed-camp location featuring two-person A-frame-style cabins that are warm, comfortable and dry.

• In-camp amenities at each location include a flush toilet, a woodfire heated shower, a common dining area and evening campfires.

• A rustic wilderness camping and floating experience, this trip is perhaps best-suited for those seeking remote waters that are seriously “off the beaten path” and rarely fished.

6 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $6,895 per person.

RAINBOWS FROM ABOVE

Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

• An extremely limited offering that operates only two to three weeks out of each summer season.

• This “fully air mobile” program gives four anglers per week the ability to fish different rivers and streams each day with daily flyouts on a private MI-2 helicopter.

• In a wild land of no roads and endless rivers, there is no better way to fish for trophy rainbows than by accessing these remote, inaccessible rivers via chopper.

• Each night, the group will study area maps and discuss possibilities and river options for the following day.

• Strategically based out of a recently-renovated private lodge on beautiful Two Yurt Lake, this program gives you access to dozens of untouched trophy trout streams, all located within a short flight of base camp.

Please contact Yellow Dog for details and rates.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com KAMACHATKA

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ALASKA O

n January 3, 1959, President Eisenhower signed the official declaration making Alaska the 49th state.

Covering over 371 million acres, the “Land of the Midnight Sun” contains one-fifth the total landmass of the Lower 48, more than half of America’s national park land, more that 80% of America’s national wildlife refuge land and more world class fishing water than a person could possibly fish in a lifetime. Even today, a trip to Alaska feels like a journey to a far-off and exotic country: a destination that feels as it should require complicated logistics and a passport!

Here at Yellow Dog, we’ve assembled a solid and diverse list of lodge and outfitting options, resulting in the finest Alaskan line-up in the business. Each one of these destinations has been personally visited by a Yellow Dog staff member, allowing us to give you the most reliable, honest and accurate information to help you make a final decision. Through this first-hand experience, we’ll create an itinerary and a trip package that more than lives up to your expectations. From high-end, fly-out lodges to remote tent camps to overnight float trips in the Alaskan bush, our Alaskan operations are the very best when it comes to delivering great fishing, personalized service and a fantastic overall wilderness experience.

NO SEE UM LODGE Iliamna Area, Alaska • No See Um Lodge sits directly on the banks of Alaska’s famous Kvichak River, completely surrounded by thousands of miles of pristine waters, rugged wilderness and world-class fishing.

• Located 300 miles southwest of Anchorage in the heart of the Bristol Bay watershed, the lodge complex includes two large guesthouses and several stand-alone cabins. All rooms have two twin beds and private bathrooms.

• With three Beaver float planes and a fleet of jet boats, No See Um fishes the Kvichak, Moraine, American, Kulik, Funnel, Brooks, Battle, Ku, Talarik and numerous other rivers throughout the summer and fall season.

• Taking only 12 guests per week, having three Beaver floatplanes means that anglers have the option of flying out every single day.

• Because these planes stay with anglers all day long, it allows for rapid movement and the ability to quickly relocate or head to another river if the fishing conditions call for a change.

• Simply put, the No See Um guides and pilots will always fly wherever they need to be fishing and will do everything they can to keep you in great fishing all day long, each and every day of your trip. No other lodge we work with utilizes this same pilotguide program.

7 night / 6.5 fishing day packages $9,500 per person.

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ALASKA phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

KULIK LODGE Katmai National Park, Alaska • Established in 1950, Alaska’s original fly-in sportfishing lodge is situated directly on the banks of the Kulik River – easily one of the top trout rivers in the world.

• It is the only operation located on this famous river, which means that “home waters” for the lodge are the same waters that many of the area’s other high-end lodges have to fly in and out of each day!

• With every Kulik package, anglers can fish a long day via jet boat on the lodge’s home river, fly out to dozens of other area rivers, or create a combination of the two for a completely customized itinerary.

• With numerous aircraft, experienced pilots and a seasoned team of professional guides, Kulik offers guests access to wilderness fishing that is out of this world.

• The historic main lodge at Kulik, originally built in the late 1950’s, boasts a large common room with a stone fireplace, a main dining area and a full complimentary bar stocked with cocktails, wine and beer.

• For accommodations, guests stay in individual cabins on the shore of Nonvianuk Lake that are equipped with space heaters, hot showers and private bathrooms.

• A prime location as the only lodge on the Kulik River means there is also evening fishing available after dinner for additional hours on the water.

7 night / 7 day packages (double occupancy) start at $5,975 per person.

BROOKS LODGE

GROSVENOR LODGE

Katmai National Park, Alaska

Katmai National Park, Alaska

• Owned and operated by Kulik Lodge’s Katmailand, this remote and private small-lodge operation is located on the narrows between Grosvenor Lake and Colville Lake.

• With a maximum of only six anglers per week, guests can expect total seclusion, comfortable accommodations and excellent fishing for rainbow trout, char, lake trout, pike and sockeye salmon.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (single occupancy rooms) start at $4,995 per person.

• Located at the gateway to Katmai National Park, the location of Brooks Lodge is ideal for both the do-it-yourself angler and the adventurous, non-angling family looking to do more than simply fish.

• This historic lodge – famous for its bear viewing at nearby Brooks Falls – sits on the shores of Naknek Lake, adjacent to the productive (and bear-heavy!) fishing waters of the Brooks River.

Contact Yellow Dog for pricing and package details.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com ALASKA

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ENCHANTED LAKE LODGE Katmai Region, Alaska

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages $9,800 per person.

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• For more than 50 years, Enchanted Lake Lodge has provided anglers with incredible fishing experiences, exceptional guides and high-end accommodations in one of the most beautiful settings found anywhere in Alaska.

• Located in the heart of Katmai National Park – one of the most prolific trout and salmon fisheries on the planet – Enchanted Lake has established its reputation over the years by “delivering the very best that Alaska has to offer.”

• Hosting a maximum of 12 guests per week, the operation features private cabins, a beautiful main lodge with a full bar, two viewing decks, a main dining area, and a fully outfitted tackle shop.

• Enchanted Lake’s staff prides itself on the personal attention and service it gives to each guest, as well as being a “rainbowfocused” fishing destination.

• Because the lodge is situated so close to many productive rivers, aircraft and flight time is kept to a minimum, with as much time spent on the water as possible.

• Fishing options include the Kulik, American, Brooks, Battle, Big and Little Ku, Moraine, Funnel, Kvichak and many more.

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MISSION LODGE Lake Aleknagik, Alaska

ALASKA phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages $8,500 per person plus 9% Aleknagik tax.

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• Sitting prominently on the banks of picturesque Aleknagik Lake near Dillingham, Mission Lodge is one of the nicest, most wellestablished and best-run operations in Alaska.

• In a region loaded with fishing options, Mission’s fly-out fishing program stands out by covering an area up to 120 miles in every direction utilizing three DeHavilland Beaver floatplanes.

• Daily fly-outs are included in all weekly packages and are an integral part of Mission’s fishing program.

• Mission also has permits in the Wood-Tikchik National Refuge Area, making this one of the most diverse fishing programs in all of Alaska.

• All guest rooms at Mission Lodge are single or double occupancy, and there is never a single supplement charge for a single room.

• This is an excellent option for groups, couples, non-anglers and hardcore fishermen alike.

• Mission has been serving guests since 1984, and their thorough attention to detail has definitely set the standard for other Alaskan lodges.

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INTRICATE BAY LODGE Iliamna Region, Alaska

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $4,000 per person.

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• An intimate, full service fishing lodge located on the banks of the world-renowned Iliamna Lake in the heart of the Bristol Bay region of Alaska.

• Taking a maximum of only ten guests per week, this program offers anglers easy access to Intricate Bay’s “home waters” of the Copper and Gibraltar Rivers.

• Rebuilt and fully renovated in 2014, the beautiful lodge is also a quick floatplane flight away from some of the most renowned flyout fisheries in the entire Bristol Bay Region.

• The main lodge features a large dining and social area, stone fireplace, full bar, wader and mudroom, and expansive decks that overlook the lake.

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EGDORF’S WESTERN ALASKA SPORTFISHING Nushagak River – Southwestern Alaska

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages $5,495 per person.

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• Western Alaska Sport Fishing is a wilderness tent camp operation that has been in continuous operation since 1982.

• A high-value, no-frills operation that focuses on hard-core fishing in a pristine, isolated wilderness setting.

• Over the years, camp owners Dave, Kim and Camille Edgorf have built a reputation for operating as one of the finest wilderness fishing operations in Alaska: an organization and a fishing program that is often referred to as “the real Alaska experience.”

• The camp has all the basic essentials for a comfortable Alaskan stay, including a full kitchen and dining area, showers, privy latrines and warm Weatherport tents with mattresses on sleeping cots and electrical outlets.

• Overall, this operation has the best price point in our entire Alaska line-up.

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Denali Region, Alaska

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6 night / 6 day packages begin at $5,600 per person.

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• Tordrillo Mountain Lodge is one of our top locations in Alaska for families, couples and kids, as well as anglers looking for a unique alternative to fishing the busier rivers of Bristol Bay. • This beautiful, high-end adventure-fishing operation is a short 45-minute Beaver flight from Anchorage.

• The lodge is situated at the headwaters of the Talachulitna River, home to solid runs of king, sockeye and silver salmon as well as resident rainbows and char.

• There are numerous other rivers and creeks that are accessed utilizing a combination of boats, helicopters and float planes and then walk-waded with your guide.

• Easily accessed from Anchorage, the lodge offers all types of packages, from short, two-day trips to week-long itineraries.

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info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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ALASKA SPORTSMAN’S LODGE Kvichak River, Alaska • Long recognized as one of the top lodges in the State of Alaska, Sportsman’s Lodge is a full-service, fly-out lodge with a perfect location, a seasoned team of top-tier guides, and the finest amenities, accommodations and equipment in the region.

• Nestled high on the riverbank of the famous Kvichak River, Sportman’s is situated in the very center of the Bristol Bay region.

• The fishing is excellent on the lodge’s home waters of the Kvichak, where annual salmon runs in the millions create an environment where rainbow trout can grow in excess of 30 inches.

• The lodge’s location is an easy float plane flight to many of Alaska’s most famous fly-out rivers as well, and all daily fly-outs are included in the package price.

7 night / 7 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $9,875 per person.

BRISTOL BAY LODGE Lake Aleknagik, Alaska • Opened in 1972, Bristol Bay Lodge is one of the most famous and well-established high-end lodge operations in all of Alaska.

• Located in the pristine wilderness of Alaska’s Wood-Tikchik Park, the lodge overlooks the north end of Lake Aleknagik.

• The lodge’s proximity to watersheds in both Wood-Tikchik Park and the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge provides guests with extraordinary freshwater angling opportunities, many of which are remote, secluded and largely unpressured.

• Guests at B.B.L. enjoy a well-appointed, full-service and comfortable facility – all in a wilderness setting with aweinspiring views.

• The lodge also operates two extremely remote tent camps that give guests the option to enjoy a few days of their trip in an isolated setting deep in the Alaskan backcountry.

7 night / 7 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $9,550 per person including airfare to Dillingham.

BEAR TRAIL LODGE Naknek River – King Salmon, Alaska

ALASKA phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

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4 night / 4 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $6,175 per person.

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• Bear Trail Lodge – a sister lodge to Alaska Sportsman’s Lodge – is located on the banks of the Naknek, a river that was once named the “#1 Rainbow Trout River in Alaska” by Fish Alaska Magazine.

• The Naknek is home to all five species of Pacific salmon as well as some of the largest rainbows in all of Alaska, and serious big-trout enthusiasts consider the “Nak” to be one of the finest fisheries in the world.

• Guests at Bear Trail have unlimited access to these amazing waters, as well as daily fly-out options to other productive rivers throughout the region.

• The lodge complex consists of a comfortable and inviting main lodge with a large dining room, several social rooms, a full bar area, and large decks that overlook the river.

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ALASKA CHARTER SERVICE Southeast Alaska • The “C/V Adventurous” mothership provides access to remote and untouched fishing opportunities for all five species of salmon, halibut, a plethora of bottom fish species and strong numbers of spring-run trophy steelhead.

• As this coastal area of Southeast Alaska is home to more than one thousand islands, few roads, and more than 300 rivers and streams, this is a part of Alaska best explored by sea.

• This 56-foot live-aboard fishing platform was designed and built specifically to fish this region, providing the opportunity to leave behind crowded fishing grounds as you embark on a five day, live-aboard excursion.

• With all of the required amenities, a professional crew and gourmet meals, this is a great option for small groups of up to six anglers interested in fishing hard in total seclusion.

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SANDY RIVER LODGE Aleutian Peninsula, Alaska • This modest wilderness lodge, located 600 miles southwest of Anchorage on the end of the Alaska’s Aleutian Peninsula, offers world-class fishing in one of the more remote areas of the state.

• The Sandy River offers the very best king salmon and steelhead opportunities in the entire region. The lodge sits directly on the banks of the Sandy, allowing for easy and immediate access to the river.

• All accommodations are in sturdy cabins, each outfitted with full bedding, private bathrooms and hot showers.

• For spey aficionados, it would be difficult to find a river more suited to swinging flies for fresh king salmon and wild steelhead.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $7,600 per person.

AMBASSADOR TRAVEL TIP #8

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

REBEKKA

Surname / Nom / Appellidos

REDD

When traveling out of the country, always stash extra cash. The further off the and grid you go, the fewer ATMs you’ll find. On top of that, remote lodges, hotels restaurants may not take credit cards, and travelers checks seem to have died p off with Telly Savalas. I always pack away several hundred dollars in back-u not “emergency cash” that I can access if needed. Always better to have it and spend it than need extra cash and struggle to find it. < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < BY REBEKKA REDD < < < < < < < < < < < < <

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by Yellow Dog Director, Jim Klug

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A VOICE OR AN ECHO?

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Natural History is a quote from Theodore Inscribed in the rotunda of New York’s American Museum of of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, spirit hidden the tell can Roosevelt. “There are no words that it seems as if Roosevelt could easily have its melancholy, and its charm.” Fast forward 110 years, and er flat. As anglers, we understand and saltwat or been talking about a favorite trout stream, steelhead run ever, issues related to conservation, than more now, and are, appreciate just how important these places a loud voice and a broad, strong base of support. public lands, the environment and sportsman’s access need angler. In fact, I would venture to say that If you’re reading this article, then chances are good you’re an unless you really love fishing. And if you book there’s no way that you found yourself on page 88 of this the waters where fish live and the places that about care and value consider yourself an angler – if you truly up politically. Regardless of how you vote, who fly fishing takes us– then it really doesn’t matter how you line all that really matters is that you care about you support, and where you line up on the political spectrum, on. s depend sport the sport of fishing and the resources that our comes to weighing in on the issues that affect What also matters is that you let your voice be heard when it that anglers care about will no-doubt fall the waters, access and resources that we enjoy. Important issues the memory of Theodore Roosevelt while at directly into the crosshairs of politicians who are quick to invoke all the questions which can come before “Of ethos. vation the same time ignoring his true legacy and conser preservation of its existence in a great actual the of “short 1910, in speech this nation,” wrote Roosevelt in a central task of leaving this land even a better war, there is none which compares in importance with the great a better race to inhabit the land and pass it into them land for our descendants than it is for us, and training than convenient sound-bites for modern more are words elt’s on.” It is important to remember that Roosev re Roosevelt is found in the 230 million acres day legislators, and that the true conservation legacy of Theodo our 58 national parks, our thousands of in as of public lands he established during his presidency as well that sportsmen throughout our country access the in and es, miles of protected rivers, streams and coastlin enjoy today. what we know to be true: People speak up When it comes to modern-day politics and policymaking, here’s about. And only when enough people sound off for, fight for, and rally behind the issues and things they care listen. Hopefully they listen to the economic ers lawmak and – creating enough united noise – will politicians business that directly supports 6.1 million numbers as well. The outdoor industry in the US is a $646 billion should indeed command attention. jobs and contributes $80 billion in tax revenue – numbers that in public hands are two causes that Public stream access and the belief that public lands should remain to support conservation causes and proud also We’re t.

Yellow Dog will always promote and loudly suppor ems that our sport depends on. ecosyst and species fish rivers, the to and projects that matter to fly fishing efforts, organizations and worthy of are dozens Pebble Mine. The Smith River. The Florida Everglades. There same. the do to anglers other age campaigns that we’re proud to support, and we encour and Conservation Foundation, a non-profit As a company, we recently launched the Yellow Dog Community conservation, access and education efforts. d r-relate outdoo and angling t created to directly fund and suppor to do more to support the organizations, Both as anglers and as a business dependent on fishing, we wanted and regions in which we work, fish areas the in projects and individuals that are truly making a difference ns, the Foundation provides a donatio and utions contrib y and travel. In addition to our standard compan g directly or by simply booking a trip with mechanism for anglers to further support these efforts by donatin Yellow Dog. encourage you to participate in the protection Yellow Dog and the Community and Conservation Foundation lands, protected rivers and sportsman’s public of ance inherit of our country’s outdoor legacy and our rich and enhance these resources – for our own access. It is our responsibility as anglers to preserve, protect outdoor enthusiasts are collectively the benefit and for that of future generations. Anglers, hunters and our access, clean water, wild fish does too so hes, voice for our outdoor resources. If that voice diminis an angler, you’re happy to enjoy and as If, . fishing of ability sustain the numbers, healthy bonefish flats and up, get involved and speak out on issues that take advantage of the outdoor resources and the access, stand on both sides of the aisle know that there makers are important to fly fishing. Let our politicians and policyshould remain a priority. After all, the they and vital are issues these are millions of us that truly care, that future of our sport depends on it.

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YELLOW DOG phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

ADDITIONAL ALASKA OFFERINGS CHROME CHASERS STEELHEAD FISHING

RIVERSONG LODGE Lake Creek Area, Alaska

Located only 70 air miles northwest of Anchorage at the confluence of the Yentna River and Lake Creek, Riversong is great destination for a one-day fishing trip, a quick weekend excursion, or a multi-day add-on to compliment a longer Alaskan lodge package. Accessed via floatplane, the lodge offers solid home-water fishing for all five species of salmon as well as arctic grayling, pike and prolific numbers of rainbows in the small, clear waters of Lake Creek.

Guests can arrive or depart any day of the week and are able to stay as long as they like.

MIDNIGHT SUN TROPHY PIKE ADVENTURES Yukon Drainage, Alaska

Midnight Sun offers what is hands-down the finest fishing for northern pike in all of Alaska – if not the world. With the ability to access more than 350 river miles of the remote Yukon Drainage, this is the only operation in this entire fishery. The average season sees each angler landing more than 10 fish over 40 inches per week. On top of that, at least 50% of clients land fish over 45 inches during their week. Accommodations are aboard a 67-foot, custom-built houseboat with four private staterooms, comfortable dining and lounge areas and several outdoor decks.

ALASKA RAINBOW ADVENTURES FLOAT TRIPS Bristol Bay, Alaska

Wrangell, Alaska

Based out of Wrangell, Alaska, Chrome Chasers offers guests the opportunity to target wild steelhead in one of the most remote areas of Southeast Alaska. This is a fishing program that has been developed over the course of a decade by exploring the various rivers and streams in this region. Utilizing a 33-foot boat called the Chrome Chaser, anglers can expect to fish multiple coastal rivers throughout the week, focusing on areas only accessible by boat or aircraft. This program provides anglers with access to fisheries that are basically untouched and devoid of crowds – an area that is home to large, healthy and very wild steelhead.

ALASKA WEST WILDERNESS TENT LODGE Kanektok River, Alaska

Long recognized as one of the best overall values in Alaska, this comfortable tent camp operation sits on the banks of the famous Kanektok River, one of the best places in the world to target king and silver salmon and the famous Alaskan “Leopard Bows” –spectacularly colored rainbow trout named for the amazing profusion of spots that cover their body. Over their many years of operation, Alaska West has also become well-known and popular with anglers that love casting spey rods and swinging flies for fresh, aggressive salmon. Accommodations are comfortable Weatherport tents with carpeted floors, heat, electricity and beds with comfortable mattresses.

While many of our clients who visit Alaska want lodge-based fishing packages, others are looking for more remote, on-water, wilderness camping experiences. For that reason, we offer all-inclusive float trip packages through Alaska Rainbow Adventures, an experienced outfitter that operates multi-day, on-water excursions on some of the finest rivers in the state. This is an opportunity for anglers to experience the Alaskan bush in a way that most people only dream of. Accommodations on the river are in comfortable, high-end tents, and the guides take great pride in delivering an experience that has been crafted and modified through years in the Alaskan wilderness.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com ALASKA

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f you were to use only one word to describe the fishing in Canada, that adjective would definitely be “diverse.” From the legendary steelhead waters of British Columbia to the trout-rich rivers of Alberta to remote waters in the Northwest Territories, Canada is a freshwater fishing destination that is second to none. To the west, British Columbia is home to the world’s most famous steelhead rivers and the largest trophy anadromous rainbows on the planet. While rarely a “numbers” game, the satisfaction of hooking, fighting and landing even a single wild and pure-strain steelhead ranks at the very top of the list of great angling accomplishments. During the summer months, the waters of Western Canada and the trout-laden rivers of British Columbia and Alberta are celebrated for a number of reasons, including above-average fish sizes, healthy wild trout, a strong diversity of species, consistent dry fly fishing, and incredible hatches. For adventurous anglers looking for trophy char, grayling, lake trout and northern pike, the waters of the Northwest Territories attract anglers from all over the world with vast populations of untouched, aggressive fish. There are a handful of truly great destinations that over the course of any angler’s lifetime simply have to be fished. Canada easily makes that list.

DAVE BROWN OUTFITTERS Fernie, British Columbia

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CANADA phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

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• As one of the largest and most complete fly fishing outfitters in all of Western Canada, Dave Brown has earned his place in the fly fishing world as the outfitter of choice for those seeking the ultimate Canadian trout fishing experience.

• With a variety of different lodging and fishing options covering all different price points, D.B.O. offers guided packages on more than a dozen of the finest trout streams in southern British Columbia and Western Alberta.

• River options include the Elk, Kootenay, St. Mary, Upper Columbia, Slocan, Bow, Crowsnest and several others.

• These rivers are world-renowned for their above-average fish size, healthy and wild native trout populations, a fantastic diversity of species, consistent dry fly fishing and incredible hatches – all combined with breathtaking scenery and a total lack of crowds.

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PLUMMER’S GREAT BEAR LAKE LODGE Northwest Territories, Canada • In operation for over 60 years, Plummer’s Lodge is the longest running fishing operation in the Canadian Arctic.

• Great Bear Lake Lodge is the crown jewel of the Plummer’s program, boasting numerous all-tackle world records for lake trout and arctic grayling.

• This is a fishery where 8-pound lake trout and 18-inch grayling are the norm and trophy-sized trout over 50-pounds are always possible.

• Located just above the Arctic Circle, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking and the fishing is incredible.

• Anglers can spend the day drift-fishing and sight-casting to large lake trout or working the shorelines and creek mouths for grayling.

• Two DeHavilland Otter float planes offer daily fly-outs, and packages can be customized to include arctic char fishing at Plummer’s sister lodge, the Tree River Outpost.

7 night / 6.5 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $5,245 USD per person.

PLUMMER’S TREE RIVER OUTPOST Northwest Territories, Canada • Accessed by float plane, Tree River Outpost is located 232 miles to the northeast of Great Bear Lake Lodge in the Arctic Circle – only four miles from the Arctic Ocean.

• The Tree River produces the largest arctic char in the world and is home to the all-tackle world record of 32 pounds.

• Guests stay in rustic yet comfortable canvas-roofed plywood cabins that accommodate four guests each.

• Located well above the tree-line of the world, the landscape is characterized by rolling green hills, crested buttes and aqua-blue waters.

• The fishing on the Tree is a mix of swinging flies in classic runs and twitching flies along the edge of fast, heavy water in tight pockets.

• Tree River Outpost packages can easily be booked as a combo with Plummer’s Great Bear Lake Lodge.

5 night / 4 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $3,995 USD per person.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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SILVERTIP OUTFITTERS Carsland, Alberta

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3 night / 4 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $1,695 USD per person.

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• Alberta’s Bow River is known throughout the world of fly fishing as one of the truly great North American rainbow and brown trout fisheries.

• Less well known – but equally productive - is the less crowded section of the Bow which flows east through the Siksika-Blackfoot Indian Reservation.

• Eric Grinnell’s Silvertip Outfitters has pioneered this “Bow-NobodyKnows” section of the river, and after 30 years in operation they are still the only outfitting service regularly guiding and fishing on these highly productive waters.

• Silvertip operates a full-service guesthouse within easy walking distance to the river, near the upstream edge of the reservation.

• Ideal for anglers looking for a great overall value for accommodations and fishing in a beautiful and productive setting – the perfect combination of comfort, access and country solitude.

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MIMINISKA LODGE Northwestern Ontario, Canada • With more than 250,000 lakes and 60,000 miles of river teeming with walleye, northern pike and brook trout, Northern Ontario is easily one of the most prolific fishing destinations in all of North America.

• With the ability to accommodate 12 anglers at a time, Miminiska Lodge is located directly on the shores of Ontario’s Lake Miminiska.

• Northern pike in the 50-inch class have been caught on the fly, as well as walleye in the 30-inch range and brook trout over 6-pounds.

• Amenities at Miminiska include the main lodge building and dining room, guest cabins, 24-hour electricity and Wi-Fi. Daily meals include the best shore-lunches in Canada.

• Pike, walleye, and brook trout all populate the many tributaries that flow into Lake Miminiska, giving anglers a wide range of fishing scenarios each day.

• Guests can choose from numerous full-day guided floats, an overnight camping experience or daily fly-outs.

6 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $4,995 USD per person.

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NICHOLAS DEAN OUTDOORS Terrace, British Columbia

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6 night / 5 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $4,950 CDN per person.

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• British Columbia’s Skeena River system and its tributaries are home to some of the largest and most diverse runs of wild anadromous fish found anywhere in the world.

• Nicholas Dean Outdoors has access to dozens of the best rivers and lakes throughout region, which means guests will always have numerous fishing options to choose from regardless of water conditions, weather and time of year.

• Oftentimes you can expect to be fishing in places where there are no roads and no development; areas that are instead home to old-growth forests, northern wildlife, gin-clear rivers and large, wild steelhead.

• Nicholas Dean’s staff of professional, experienced guides know the Skeena and its tributaries intimately, ensuring that you have the best possible chance of landing some of the trophy fish that migrate upriver each year.

• Conveniently located just minutes from the town of Terrace, Nicholas Dean’s main Yellow Cedar Lodge is the ideal base of operations for this area.

• The lodge is also happy to arrange daily fly-outs, providing guests access to a number of amazing backcountry fisheries.

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SPEY LODGE & BOUNDARY LODGE Skeena Region, British Columbia • Starting in late July and continuing through the fall season, Spey and Boundary Lodges collectively offer some of the best steelhead fishing in the world.

• Built directly on the banks of the Skeena River, Spey Lodge offers unrestricted access to the fly-friendly waters of the lower Skeena watershed, home to the largest runs of wild steelhead in North America.

• The lodge has six double-occupancy rooms along with a large lounge, dining room and all other necessary amenities.

• Further to the north lies Spey’s smaller sister operation, Boundary Lodge.

• A slightly more intimate lodge built on the banks of the Bell-Irving River, Boundary was designed as a remote “out-camp” lodge catering to only four rods per week from September through November.

• The target species and the rivers fished vary from month to month, but the technique of swinging wet flies with floating lines and light wet-tips is always most effective.

7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $5,250 CDN per person.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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he fly fishing opportunities in the American West are legendary, and anglers from all over the world travel to the western states to fish such storied waters as the Madison, Big Hole, Snake, Deschutes, Henry’s Fork, Yellowstone, Wind, Big Horn and hundreds of other rivers, streams and lakes. Whether you’re searching for trophy-sized wild trout on the better-known classic western rivers, seeking solitude on a quiet spring creek, or swinging for steelhead in the waters of the Pacific Northwest, there is a mind-blowing abundance of fly fishing opportunities available all throughout the west.

Yellow Dog was born and bred in Montana, and our offices are located in the heart of Big Sky country in historic downtown Bozeman. We’re proud to be associated with a fantastic network of guides, lodges and outfitters that we’ve assembled from throughout the US West – the finest professionals operating on the finest waters in the region. Over the years, we’ve extended this network to include the very best lodges and operators in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon and Washington, and we’re adding new operations on a regular basis. Whether you’re looking for a single day trip or an extended, multiday lodge package anywhere in the West, give us a call and let us custom-create an itinerary and package that’s perfect for you.

WIND RIVER CANYON LODGE Thermopolis, Wyoming

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $3,995 per person.

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• Yellow Dog is proud and excited to be working with this one-of-akind lodge and outfitting operation in the heart of Wyoming’s Wind River country.

• While this guide service and the fishing opportunities they focus on and offer are by no means new or undiscovered, what is new is that long-time Wind River guide and outfitter Darren Calhoun has recently opened the Wind River Canyon Lodge, the most exciting new fishing lodge in the West.

• Darren and his talented guide team are the only commercial operation allowed to guide the Wind River Canyon – an amazing tailwater fishery that offers some of the best wild brown trout fishing in the U.S. complimented by impressive numbers of hot, heavy rainbows.

• There are also a number of great whitewater sections on these floats, which definitely adds to the overall excitement of each trip.

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LODGE AT PALISADES CREEK Swan Valley, Idaho

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4 night / 3 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $1,825 per person.

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• Built directly on the banks of the world famous South Fork of the Snake River in Idaho’s Swan Valley, the Lodge at Palisades Creek offers nine private cabins and a main lodge that includes the dining room, the “Cowboy Bar” and a fully-stocked fly shop.

• The South Fork is one of the finest dry fly fishing rivers in North America, with prolific hatches of caddis, mayflies, stoneflies and midges occurring throughout the summer season.

• Supporting a population of over 5,000 Yellowstone cutthroat, rainbows and browns per mile, the average size of the fish in the river runs 14-to-18 inches.

• The lodge is a beautiful facility that is perfect for groups, couples, and families: a great base of operations for fishing the South Fork and numerous other fisheries located throughout the region.

FUNDS

SOUTH FORK LODGE Swan Valley, Idaho • A classic Western lodge built directly on a dramatic bend of the Idaho’s South Fork of the Snake River, this is an operation that offers the perfect blend of rustic elegance, outstanding activities, high-end amenities and some of the best fly fishing in the United States.

• The lodge offers a number of different room and cabin options, gourmet meals, unique guided fishing experiences, and fully guided, land-based non-angling excursions into the surrounding Big Hole Mountains.

• The lodge’s spacious and well-appointed rooms create the perfect setting in which to relax, reminisce with friends, or sleep well in preparation for another amazing day on the river.

4 night / 3 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $1,900 per person.

HENRY’S FORK ANGLERS Island Park, Idaho • In 1976, Mike and Sheralee Lawson started Henry’s Fork Anglers, a full-service fly shop and guide service located just upstream from Harriman Park and the Railroad Ranch section of the worldfamous Henry’s Fork River.

• Today, more than 40 years later, Henry’s Fork Anglers remains one of the top stand-alone fly fishing shops and outfitting businesses in the West.

• Working with this independent fly shop and outfitter, Yellow Dog can easily create package options that offer a variety of different accommodations to meet your needs.

• From single-day guide trips to multi-day, all-inclusive lodging and fishing packages, we’ll fully customize an itinerary to match all types of requests as well as the budget of any angler or group.

• Several of our Yellow Dog staff are H.F.A. guide alumni, which means we know these programs and the area fisheries well.

6 night / 5 fishing day package (double occupancy) begin at $2,435 per person.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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AMBASSADOR TRAVEL TIP #9

Given Names / Prénoms / Nombres

WIL

Surname / Nom / Appellidos

FLACK

Fishing off the grid usually means destinations with no power or limited electricity. That means that things can get difficult when it comes to charging to cameras, laptops, e-readers, and other electronics. In today’s age of trying staying connected, switched-on and in the game with your devices, it makes then sense to have a portable mini-charger when traveling. There’s nothing worse y. holding the fish of a lifetime and realizing that you have a dead camera batter < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < BY WIL FLACK < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <

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HENRY’S FORK LODGE Island Park, Idaho • Henry’s Fork Lodge offers a complete five-star fishing and lodging experience, with the most high-end accommodations and amenities found anywhere in the Yellowstone region.

• With a philosophy focused on the highest levels of customer service and the finest attention to detail at all times, this is the ideal lodge option for those who truly want the very best when it comes to a Western fishing experience.

• Fishing options include numerous sections and areas of the Henry’s Fork, South Fork, Madison, Hegben Lake, Yellowstone Park and many other stillwaters and smaller streams throughout the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

• The lodge works with most of the area’s outfitters, so if you have a favorite guide that you have fished with before, chances are good we can incorporate your fishing request into your package.

• Built on a high bluff directly overlooking the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, the lodge is Yellow Dog’s first choice in the region for families, groups and couples – anglers and non-anglers alike – looking for something more than a standard fishing lodge.

6 night / 5 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $4,525 per person.

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U.S. WEST phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

TIGHTLINES OUTFITTERS Middle Fork of the Salmon, Idaho

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5 night / 5.5 fishing day packages (drift boat fishing) $3,200 per person.

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• Idaho’s Frank Church Wilderness area is located in one of the most secluded and rugged areas in the entire Lower 48, and carving through the center of this wilderness area is the legendary Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

• With class three and four rapids, abundant wildlife, prolific cutthroat populations, and waters that are almost always crystalclear, this is one of the most spectacular multi-night camping and float trips available anywhere in the world.

• On a typical Middle Fork trip, you will float for roughly 100 miles through an ancient granite canyon, utilizing classic, McKenziestyle drift boats.

• With pure-strain westslope cutthroat, native bull trout and more, this trip is a great option for beginners, families with younger anglers, and groups of friends.

FUNDS

SMITH RIVER FLOATS Central Montana • There is one trip that the entire Yellow Dog team looks forward to every spring: one that many of us who live in Montana consider our favorite trip of the year.

• The Smith River camping and float trip package is a fully-guided adventure on 60 miles of pristine and protected river that winds through a scenic and remote canyon over the course of five days.

• The Smith is primarily a brown trout fishery, although there are smaller populations of rainbows and cutthroat as well.

• Anglers typically fish two to a raft while being guided, and when you arrive in camp at the end of each day, spacious two-person tents are already pitched, camp is set up, dinner is cooking, and the drinks are ready.

• One of the most special trips available in the Western U.S.; a trip that is great for hard-core anglers as well as families, kids and groups of friends looking for a totally unique, on-water camping trip.

5 night / 5 fishing day package $4,300 per person.

SUNRISE PACK STATION Yellowstone National Park • One of the few horsepack outfitters licensed to operate in Yellowstone National Park, Sunrise Pack Station offers a fantastic backcountry fishing and camping experience.

• This operation has developed an excellent reputation for excellent stock and equipment, knowledgeable guides and wranglers, and access to some of the most spectacular scenery and fishing found anywhere in the Western U.S. • Backcountry fishing options include Slough Creek, Pebble Creek, the Lamar River, the Bechler River, Cache Creek and the Thorofare Region of Yellowstone.

• All backcountry camps are accessed via horseback, usually with the support of several pack animals in a mule train.

• Tents, sleeping bags and all necessary camping equipment are included with these packages.

Packages range from $1,452-$3,388 per person depending on the length of trip and the venue.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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THE STONEFLY INN Twin Bridges, Montana • Nestled in heart of Rocky Mountain trout country at the confluence of the Big Hole and Beaverhead rivers is the famous fishing town of Twin Bridges, home to Rooster Leavens’ Stonefly Inn. • With one of the most seasoned guide staffs in the area, Stonefly maintains a constant focus on “doing things right” on all levels.

• Guided fishing opportunities are available on the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Jefferson, Ruby, and Madison Rivers along with a handful of spring creeks and several pieces of private water scattered throughout the area.

• This small, personable operation with six private cabins can accommodate a maximum of 12 anglers in a fun, fishing-focused, small-lodge atmosphere.

5 night / 4 fishing day package (double occupancy) $2,995 per person.

MADISON VALLEY RANCH Ennis, Montana

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5 night / 4 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $3,600 per person.

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• Overlooking the Madison River on a large, private ranch just outside the trout town of Ennis, Madison Valley Ranch is a beautiful, luxury Western lodge operation.

• The lodge offers guided fishing packages on the Madison, Beaverhead, Ruby, Big Hole, Gallatin and Yellowstone Rivers.

• The “Channels” section of the Madison is an amazing piece of water that flows directly behind the Ranch. Ideal for wade fishing, this is a great dry fly fishery for evening fishing or bonus fishing on arrival and departure days.

• The Ranch has beautiful rooms, great amenities, and a kitchen staff that takes pride in serving gourmet meals.

• For guests who want the very best of everything, this is a great Montana operation to focus on.

FUNDS

FOUR RIVERS FISHING CO. Twin Bridges, Montana

U.S. WEST phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

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5 night / 4 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $1,555 per person.

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• Nestled in the heart of the small Montana trout town of Twin Bridges, Four Rivers Fishing Company is one of the oldest, fullservice fly fishing operations in the area.

• With five of Montana’s most famous rivers located within a 40mile radius of Twin Bridges, this is truly a “trout Mecca” for the Lower 48.

• Four Rivers is licensed to outfit on every watershed in the region, guiding on the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Madison, Jefferson and Ruby Rivers.

• To compliment their outfitting offerings, Four Rivers’ lodging program is extremely flexible and varied.

• Clients have numerous DIY dining options, including various steakhouses and restaurants around town (a fun alternative to the typical “lodge-style” meal program).

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• Ruby Springs Lodge has a well-earned reputation as being one of the nicest, most luxurious, well-run lodges in the entire Western U.S. • Amazing on all levels, this high-end operation consists of two main lodge buildings and a number of luxurious, private “cabins” built directly on the banks of the Ruby River.

• The accommodations are magnificent, the meals are gourmet, and the amenities and setting will satisfy even the most discriminating guest.

• Several private and meandering miles of the Ruby River and Clear Creek – the lodge’s “home waters” – give guests access to an intimate fishery that is unpressured and loaded with fish.

• Guests can also opt for guided fishing on the Madison, Big Hole, Beaverhead, Jefferson and several other famous rivers – all a YDCCF close and easy drive from the lodge.

OGRAM

RUBY SPRINGS LODGE Alder, Montana

FUNDS

GREAT WATERS INN Melrose, Montana

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5 night / 4 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $2,025 per person.

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• Located five miles south of Melrose, the Great Waters Inn is one of Montana’s most historic, dynamic and affordable full service fishing lodges.

• Utilizing local fir trees and river rock, the Inn was built in the grand tradition of the area’s early hunting and fishing lodges, creating a rich character and lodge environment that complements the area’s rivers and streams.

• This lodge operation offers the visiting angler comfortable riverside lodging, fine dining and professional guiding on Montana’s Big Hole River and other area waters.

• With accommodations for 18 guests, the Inn is a great option for private groups, corporate gatherings and family retreats.

• Great Waters Inn utilizes the guide services of the local Sunrise Fly Shop in Melrose, Montana – one of the top outfitting operations in Montana.

FUNDS

SILVER BOW CLUB Divide, Montana • A new addition to the Yellow Dog line-up, the Silver Bow Club is a high-end, family-owned Montana guest ranch situated on 1,800 acres near the small town of Divide, Montana.

• The property offers over three miles of private river access on the legendary Big Hole River and is also close to the Beaverhead, Jefferson and Madison Rivers.

• The main 15,000 square foot lodge is the perfect setting for corporate retreats, family events and groups of friends looking for a long weekend in Montana.

• With eight bedrooms, a private chef, hot tub, stocked trout pond, and a massive “great room” complete with a grand stone fireplace, the lodge is a spectacular setting for your next western fly fishing adventure.

• All guided fishing trips are operated through Sunrise Fly Shop, located in the nearby town of Melrose, Montana.

5 night / 4 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $3,825 per person.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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Vaya Con Dios on the Smith River Stockett, Montana $4,400,000 • 2,675± acres

Minam River Ranch • La Grande, OR $24,990,000 • 16,660± acres

Ruby River Ranch • Sheridan, MT $10,990,000 • 746± acres

Henry’s Fork • Fremont Cty, ID $1,250,000 • 167± acres

FARMS • T IMBER • R ANCHES

• PLANTATI O

LAND INVESTOR

VOLUME 2 TM

You can view available properties and request a complimentary subscription to Land Investor magazine at:

FAYRANCHES.COM | 800.238.8616

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800-238-8616 • www.fayranches.com

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THE LODGE AT EAGLE ROCK Craig, Montana

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5 night / 4 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $3,300 per person.

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• An incredibly fertile tailwater fishery with abundant insect life and a healthy population of rainbow and brown trout, Montana’s Missouri River is a large, easily fished river that has many of the characteristics of a giant spring creek.

• A full service, high-end operation, The Lodge at Eagle Rock is the ideal base of operations from which to experience and explore this incredible fishery.

• With excellent customer service, gourmet meals, the nicest accommodations on the river, and fully customized fishing packages, this is hands-down the finest, most high-end option in the area.

• Aside from the main river, the lodge also fishes several of the Missouri River tributaries and other fisheries that include Prickly Pear Creek, Belt Creek, the Blackfoot River, the Dearborn and others.

FUNDS

GALLATIN RIVER LODGE Bozeman, Montana

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4 night / 3 fishing day package (double occupancy) start at $1,987 per person.

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• Located on the outskirts of Bozeman, Montana, Gallatin River Lodge is a high-end, full-service fishing lodge that offers the nicest accommodations and best food found anywhere in the area.

• Easy access to the Yellowstone River, the Lower Gallatin, the Upper and Lower Madison, Yellowstone National Park and numerous area spring creeks and lakes – all less than an 80-minute drive from the lodge.

• For home water fishing, a short walk across a meadow on the lodge’s property leads to two miles of private access on the Gallatin River, which is excellent water for both browns and rainbows.

• The lodge’s five-star ‘Gallatin River Grill’ is recognized as the premium fine dining establishment in the region, with a gourmet menu, great wines and a gorgeous restaurant setting.

FUNDS

YELLOWSTONE VALLEY LODGE Paradise Valley, Montana • Situated in the heart of beautiful Paradise Valley on the banks on the world-famous Yellowstone River, YVL is a true Western lodge operation that offers the finest location and best overall amenities of anything in the area.

• This is a fishery known for its prolific hatches and excellent cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout fishing.

• The lodge offers guided fishing on all sections of the Yellowstone as well as the Madison, the Boulder River and several area spring creeks including Armstrong’s, DePuy’s, and Nelson’s.

• From any of the lodge’s 16 private riverside cabins, you look directly over the Yellowstone River and the lodge’s “home riffle,” a piece of productive water that allows you to fish on your own and late into the evening.

6 night / 5 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $3,670 per person.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com U.S.

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BIGHORN RIVER LODGE Ft. Smith, Montana

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5 night / 4 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $2,695 per person.

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• This high-end, all-inclusive lodge is situated directly on the banks of the Bighorn, a clear, cold tailwater river that is home to thousands of rainbow and brown trout per mile.

• Guests may choose to stay in one of the lodge’s five main bedrooms, or rent the private Caddis Cabin, ideal for groups or families.

• There is a comfortable common area in the main lodge, a fullystocked fly shop and a large private stocked pond ideal for casting practice and evening fishing.

• One unique aspect of this program is that the lodge facilities are located directly on the bank of the river 13 miles downstream of Yellowtail Dam, which allows guests their very own private river access as well as the exclusive use of a private boat ramp.

FUNDS

BIGHORN ANGLER Ft. Smith, Montana • The Bighorn Angler has offered quality guided fishing packages on the Bighorn River for over 30 years.

• The combination of reasonable lodging options, top-notch guides and home-cooked meals makes for the perfect Bighorn River experience.

• The fishing sections below the Bighorn’s Yellowtail Dam are incredibly productive, displaying unique spring creek characteristics that allow rainbow and brown trout to thrive year-round.

• There are somewhere around 5,000 fish per mile in the Bighorn, and trout in the river average around 15 inches with many fish pushing the 20-inch range.

5 night / 4 fishing day packages (double occupancy) start at $1,540 per person.

LINEHAN OUTFITTERS Troy, Montana • The northwest corner of Montana and the areas that surround the small town of Libby are far less traveled (and less fished) than almost any other place in Montana.

• This rugged and remote region is home to miles upon miles of productive rivers and streams that receive very little angling pressure compared to other areas of the state.

• Linehan Outfitting Company is one of the most established, bestrun guide and outfitting operations in the region.

• Guided fishing options include Linehan’s “home waters” of the Kootenai River, the Clark Fork River, and a number of other troutrich waters throughout the area.

• Anglers can choose from single day trips or all-inclusive, multiday fishing and lodging packages based out of the Kootenai River Lodge.

4 night / 3 day packages (double occupancy) start at $1,195 per person.

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phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

DESCHUTES ANGLER Maupin, Oregon • Whether you’re looking for a one-day guided Deschutes River trip, private high desert lake fishing, or a multi-day camping and float trip for fall steelhead, Deschutes Angler offers a variety of worldclass fishing and guiding options.

• All of the guides possess an amazing level of technical competence and a willingness to teach and instruct on everything from the intricacies of river fishing to the dynamics of technical spey casting.

• Options include fishing for chrome-bright, hard-fighting steelhead with floating lines and light spey rods or chasing the river’s wild and incredibly strong Redside trout.

One Day Float Trip (1 or 2 anglers) $495. Multi-Day River Trips are $500 per day, per person.

JEFF BRAZDA’S Olympic Peninsula, Washington • Jeff Brazda and the crew at Brazda’s Fly Fishing are the most experienced guides on the Olympic Peninsula, and in the fall and winter months, they literally live and breathe steelhead guiding on the rivers of the peninsula.

• This operation continuously guides anglers into some of the largest sea-run rainbows in the Lower 48, and over the years they’ve put together an incredibly diverse and productive offering.

• The winter run steelhead on the Olympic Peninsula have a history of strong returns on rivers that include the Sol-Duc, Hoh, Bogachiel, Queets and Calawah.

• Brazda’s also guides anglers on Columbia River tributaries that include the Methow, Klickatat and Wenatchee Rivers during the late summer and early fall.

3 night / 3 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $1,575 per person.

BLACK BEAR LODGE Upper Columbia River, Washington • The Upper Columbia River is one of the better-kept secrets in the Lower 48, and Black Bear Lodge – located directly on the banks of the river on a remote and isolated stretch near the Canadian border – is the perfect base from which to fish and explore this amazing area.

• This section of river is home to both wild cutthroat and a wild strain of rainbows believed by many to be a landlocked strain of Columbia River Steelhead.

• The Upper Columbia boasts incredible insect hatches throughout the summer months, which can make for consistently good surface action.

• Throughout the year, anglers can choose between conventional fly fishing techniques using single-handed rods, or swing and skate flies with light, two-handed rods.

4 night / 3 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $1,585 per person.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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ADDITIONAL U.S. WEST OFFERINGS

YELLOW DOG OUTFITTING SERVICES

ABSAROKA BEARTOOTH OUTFITTERS

Yellow Dog offers a full menu of custom-built packages for anglers looking for the ultimate Big Sky fly fishing experience. Based in Bozeman, we can arrange and outfit all types of trips throughout the region, from single day float trips to multi-day lodge packages.

Rather than working with one single outfitter, we’ve organized a team of the region’s finest guides, outfitters, and lodges – a network that ensures that you’ll be matched with the best guide, on the best waters, at exactly the right time of year. Whether you’re looking for a quick day on the water or an extended, all-inclusive package, give us a call and we’ll custom-build an itinerary that’s perfect for you.

Located in a remote and isolated wilderness setting eight miles north of Yellowstone Park, Absaroka Beartooth Outfitters – open July through September – offers isolated backwoods fishing based out of a well-established and comfortable backcountry camp. The camp itself is accessed by a day-long horseback ride through some of the most beautiful and remote terrain in the northern Rockies.

Once there, you can fish a number of high country lakes, small streams and the Hellroaring River (the camp’s home waters) for native cutthroat trout. Camp accommodations consist of roomy wall tents that sleep two to four people, each outfitted with cots, sleeping bags and a wood-burning stove.

Bozeman, Montana

MISSOURI RIVER RANCH Craig, Montana

A great lodging options for couples, families and small groups looking for private and secluded riverfront accommodations on Montana’s Missouri River, this operation offers a full line-up of comfortable amenities and spacious guest rooms that directly overlook the river. Missouri River Ranch works with local guides and outfitters who have a solid reputation for taking great care of guests and putting their anglers on fish throughout the season.

With rising trout and regular hatches, this section of the Missouri is sometimes referred to as a giant spring creek due to consistent water temperature and steady flows from Holter Dam.

MISSOULA RIVER LODGE Missoula, Montana

When it comes to outstanding dry fly fishing, the rivers that surround the fishing Mecca of Missoula, Montana provide some of the best opportunities found anywhere in the West. Centrally located to take full advantage of the diversity of waters and fishing opportunities found throughout the area, the Missoula River Lodge sits on 100-acres on the banks of the Clark Fork River only fifteen minutes from the Missoula Airport. Anglers staying at the lodge can quickly access the Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Blackfoot and nearby Rock Creek throughout the season, and the lodge offers both float and wade-fishing day trips.

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Greater Yellowstone Area, Montana

TROUTHUNTER LODGE Island Park, Idaho

The Henry’s Fork of the Snake River deserves its status as one of the most famous trout rivers in the world. Located on the banks of the river, TroutHunter offer comfortable riverside accommodations, a fully stocked fly shop, a full-service bar and the best restaurant in town. Situated 160 feet from the river, all eleven rooms feature fantastic views of the river from each private deck. TroutHunter is a fantastic choice for guided packages and the ideal basecamp for fishing and exploring eastern Idaho and the Yellowstone region. This is a well-priced, high-value option with some of the best guides in the Northern Rockies.

TIGHT LINES OREGON Rogue River, Oregon

The Helfrich family name is almost synonymous with the history of modern drift boat design and running the biggest waters of the Northwest. Jeff Helfrich owns and operates Tight Lines Fishing, a family-owned guiding and outfitting business that first began operations in 1925. Over the years, Jeff has assembled a crew of true river masters, and with these Rogue River operations, Jeff and his team offer three-night trips down a Wild and Scenic 42-mile stretch of the river. This is a piece of the river that runs directly through the coastal mountains of Oregon, and one that offers great fishing during the September through November timeframe.

phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

THE STEELHEAD RANCH Klickitat River, Washington

Washington’s productive Klickitat River is arguably one of the best fisheries in the Pacific Northwest, offering what may be the finest summer-run steelhead action in the region. Located 15-minutes from the town of Klickitat and two hours from Portland, Oregon, the Steelhead Ranch offers guided fishing for strong summer runs of both wild and hatchery steelhead as well as solid fall runs of chinook salmon. Located streamside on 40-acres, the Ranch can accommodate up to twelve anglers at one time in the gorgeous three-bedroom ranch house that serves as the main lodge and centerpiece of the operation.

SOUTH FORK OF THE FLATHEAD FLOAT TRIPS Bob Marshall Wilderness, Montana

The South Fork of the Flathead is known in the fly fishing world as the Mecca for dry-fly cutthroat fishing. Located in the 1.5 million-acre Bob Marshall Wilderness, America’s first-ever designated wilderness area, the South Fork is formed from the junction of Danaher Creek and Young’s Creek. From here, it runs 45 miles due north, fed by dozens of small tributaries, where it exits the wilderness near Spotted Bear Ranger Station. Utilizing a combination of horsepacking and rafts, this trip completely transects the wilderness area from south to north, right through the deepest, most remote area of the “Bob.” Groups of four to eight can be accommodated.

MISSOURI RIVER TROUT SHOP Craig, Montana

The Trout Shop is located in the heart of Craig, Montana and only a short walk away from the famous Missouri River. Besides being one of the best-stocked fly shops in the Western US, their services also include fully guided fishing trips on the Missouri River, lodging options, drift boat and gear rentals, and shuttle services. The Trout Shop offers a variety of different lodging options in the immediate area – everything from single rooms for the single angler all the way up to private riverside homes that can easily accommodate larger groups.

GRANDE RONDE ANGLER Southeastern Washington

A well-established operation that has been providing multi-day float trips on the wild and scenic Grande Ronde River since 1991.

This outstanding operation – easy to reach from anywhere in the Lower 48 states – specializes in teaching spey fishing techniques for steelhead. Most trips are three days and three nights, camping along the banks of the Grande Ronde River with hosts that are both friendly and knowledgeable. Well-known steelhead fisherman, fly tier, and author Dec Hogan runs his spey school with G.R.A. in September – a great option where anglers can learn the art of spey casting from the very best.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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LODGE, GUIDE & OUTFITTERS PROGRAM Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re traveling to the ends of the earth in search of angling excitement or floating down your favorite trout stream closer to home, fishing exposes us to amazing sights and beautiful scenery.

Lately, however, time spent outdoors also exposes us to hard truths. I stumbled upon one of these truths a few years back while fishing off the coast of Belize.

Hoping to fool a few bonefish, I attempted to reach a nearby flat by trudging through seaweed to reach the fish that were feeding on the shallows.

As I waded through the tangle of seagrass I noticed plastic trash of all shapes and sizes: old netting, candy wrappers , sixpack rings and dozens of dreaded plastic water bottles.

During the boat ride back to camp, I saw plastic literally blanketed the beaches. Back home in Montana, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve since noticed similar plastic trash tangled into log jams and riverbank foliage all along my favorite trout runs.

SADLY, PLASTIC IS PART OF THE SCENERY Thinking back to my years as a guide and outfitter, I realized I contributed to creating these mountains of plastic trash, especially water bottles â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I was part of the problem.

But now with the help of industry leaders like Costa, Yellow Dog and others, we intend to â&#x20AC;&#x153;turn the tideâ&#x20AC;? on plastic waste. We believe over the next ten years every guide in North America can be plastic bottle-free and fishing lodges around the world will offer alternatives to single-use water bottles.

While thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big task to take on, it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that long ago that catch-and-release or the use of barbless hooks seemed crazy to most anglers. And when was the last time you were with a trout guide who did not use a rubberized net for the good of the fish?

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One of the most common pieces of plastic found in our oceans and waterways worldwide is the disposable water bottle and cap.

Costaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kick Plastic Programâ&#x20AC;? was created to give plastic-free solutions to guides and fishing lodges, connecting them with the right resources needed to help them kick their dependence on plastic water bottles.

Single-use plastic has become an appalling problem for all our ecosystems, which is why Costa Sunglasses cut down the use of plastics in their shipping process and has also begun making their frames with an ecofriendly bio-resin. Hopefully others will follow suit.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP â&#x20AC;˘ Take a 30-day pledge to avoid purchasing and using single-use plastic bottles. â&#x20AC;˘ Bring and use your own reusable water bottle when traveling, working, going to the gym, etc. â&#x20AC;˘ Support lodges and guides that are making an effort to cut down their plastic waste and tell the guides and lodges you fish with about the Kick Plastic Program. â&#x20AC;˘ Talk with your family and friends about ways to cut back on plastic use and dependence on plastic water bottles.

Changing a mind-set is a powerful thing. At first it might seem like a drop in the bucket, but those drops eventually turn into mighty rivers. Join the #kickplastic revolution and start making a difference today!

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HELP US

PROTECT

WH AT ’S

OUT THERE

GET THE FACTS

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN SHARE

We have a bad habit. Humans throw out 200 billion plastic bottles per year, and far too much of it ends up in our oceans. We at Costa know how important our oceans are, and as fishermen, we’re in a unique position to do something about it.

• Post about Kick Plastic to your social media accounts. We’ve collected images and facts that’ll help spread the word at http://bit.ly/kickplastic.

HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Tag your posts with #KickPlastic. We’ll amplify your posts on our campaign page to help you reach more people.

• Each year, humans produce 200 billion plastic bottles, 35 billion in the US alone.

• Watch and share the Kick Plastic video at http://bit.ly/kickplasticvid to help get the word out and protect our oceans.

• After a few minutes of use, plastic bottles last for 1,000 years and 10% of them end up in our oceans.

SMALL CHANGES, BIG IMPACT

• Plastic endangers 400 marine species through ingestion and entanglement, including all 7 species of sea turtles.

• Use Reusable Grocery Bags

• Plastic fragments into tiny pieces that researchers are calling a plastic smog, making it difficult to clean up once it’s out in our oceans .

• Stop Using Plastic Water Bottles

• Buy In Bulk To Cut Down On Packaging • Recycle Old Fishing Line

• More than ¼ of fish sampled by researchers test positive for plastic in their gut.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD None of us wants to live in a plastic sea. Join us in the fight to Kick Plastic by spreading the word about the problem and teaming up to find solutions. You can learn more about what we’re doingto Kick Plastic at costadelmar.com/kickplastic.

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t’s been a few years since we’ve put our “stamp of approval” on a collection of accommodations and guides in Louisiana. The wait is now over and we’re thrilled to once again help our clients plan and book their next Louisiana redfish adventure. A trip to the low country of Louisiana is all about great food, amazing music, interesting people and of course the greatest redfishing on Earth.

SPORTSMANS LODGE Venice, Louisiana

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5 night / 4 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $2,675 per person.

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• Sportsmans is a 110’ floating lodge strategically located in the southernmost part of Louisiana in the small fishing town of Venice.

• An operation that offers the perfect blend of great accommodations, memorable Cajun cuisine, friendly hospitality and some of the best fly fishing in the entire southeastern United States.

• This location offers easy access to the finest offshore fishing in the region, and marlin, tuna, dorado and wahoo can all be found in area waters.

• In addition to offshore fishing, Venice is surrounded by vast marshes offering some of the best coastal fishing in the entre Southeast for redfish and speckled trout.

• Due to its close proximity to the open waters of the Gulf, Venice has long been known as the place to target big redfish as they move into the shallow waters of the marsh.

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DOGWOOD LODGE Hopedale, Louisiana

phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

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7 night / 6 fishing day packages (double occupancy) $3,995 per person.

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• Located on the edge of the Biloxi Marsh, the new Dogwood Lodge is a 114-foot floating lodge that is the perfect base of operations for anglers looking to fish the Hopedale area.

• When staying at Dogwood, anglers can literally step off the vessel each morning directly into their guide’s skiff.

• This trip is all about trading the scenes of the big city for views of shrimp boats, alligators, and the low country landscape of the Louisiana marsh.

• While redfish are the primary species that most anglers focus on, there are always additional opportunities for sheepshead, black drum, jacks and alligator gar.

• The lodge features the ‘Mississippi Room’ lounge, plenty of comfortable social areas, a complimentary bar, and numerous outdoor deck areas perfect for morning coffee or evening cigars.

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INTERVIEW: CAPTAIN MILES LAROSE Yellow Dog was excited to re-launch our Louisiana

program in 2016, and we have big plans to expand our saltwater offerings in the Pelican State for the future. As we continue to ramp things up in 2017, we asked Louisiana native and guide Miles Larose, owner of Shallow South guide and charter service in New Orleans, for his opinion on the “where, when and how” of Louisiana redfishing.

When is the best time to come to Louisiana to target redfish?

You can literally catch redfish any time of year as long as there are clear skies and calm winds! The best month depends on what type of redfishing experience you’re looking for. If you’re interested in getting lots of shots at redfish and don’t care about size, the best time to come would be spring and early summer when you can target fish in the 6-to-12 pound range all day long.

If you’re more of a trophy hunter and looking to catch redfish over 20-pounds, then the best window is between mid-October and early March.

Tell us about targeting big bull redfish?

Depending on where you are in the marsh, bull redfish are possible any time of the year. That said, we usually start targeting bull reds once the water cools down in mid to late October. This is when these larger redfish finish their spawn and start moving into shallow water in search of bait. By mid to late November, these fish have settled into their wintering patterns, and – when the weather cooperates – they are much more easily located. These larger fish will stay within the marsh through early to mid-March, which means that the very best window for catching bull redfish is usually the fall and winter months.

What other types of fish can you target while out on the marsh?

Different seasons will deliver several different species of fish. In the fall and winter, you can find black drum, alligator gar and sheepshead in addition to redfish. In the spring, there are also opportunities to catch speckled trout and bass. During the summer months you can target all of these species as well as giant Jack Crevalle – my personal favorite. Many of these jacks run well over 20 pounds! It is no exaggeration to say that the Louisiana marsh is truly a year-round fisherman’s paradise.

If an angler is only a marginal fly fisherman, can they also try light tackle tactics with their guide?

Personally, I would choose fly fishing over spin fishing any day of the week. That said, if the weather is tough and fly fishing isn’t the most productive way to catch fish, most of us are always happy to pick up a spinning rod. I think it’s important for clients to have this same mentality, as Louisiana weather can definitely be unpredictable. While cloudy and windy days can make for difficult sight fishing, those same conditions usually create an opportunity to throw conventional gear as fish are on-the-move and feeding.

What is the best thing an angler can do at home to prepare for an upcoming redfish trip?

Practice makes perfect! Watch videos, take a lesson … whatever it takes to become a better caster. Most importantly, rig up your rod and practice your casting before you arrive. The thing to remember is that redfishing rarely requires distance. What’s more important is being able to make short and accurate casts and then moving the fly as soon as it hits the water. Our average shots at fish are between 20 and 40 feet, and shots within 10 feet are common! Speed of delivery and accuracy are important, and combined, they absolutely make the difference.

In addition to the fishing aspect of a trip, what are some other off-the-water, must-do things while in Louisiana?

Being born and raised in Louisiana, I believe we have the best local cuisine in the world. The city of New Orleans has hundreds of amazing restaurants, from old classics like Galatoire’s and Commander’s Palace, to newer award-winning establishments like Shaya and Peche Seafood Grill. The food is incredible. There are festivals just about every weekend with music, food, and art to please every type of traveler. Local musicians play in bars on Frenchman Street, or you can check out the unique architecture in the Garden District, or even take in a ghost tour in the French Quarter. For the history enthusiasts, we have the National WWII Museum, Chalmette Battlefield, and all kinds of forts and monuments throughout the area.

Captain Miles Larose is a Louisiana native and the owner of Shallow South guide and charter service. Miles can be booked through Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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RECOMMENDED COUPLES DESTINATIONS

While there are certainly a large number of fishing lodges that cater to hard-core, no-frills anglers, we are finding more and more operations have become very adept at and excited about accommodating couples and non-fishing significant others as well. Frequently, we hear from clients and anglers who are specifically interested in destinations well-suited for these types of “couples-combo trips.”

The lodges and operations listed below offer legitimate fishing opportunities coupled with the genuine ability to cater to non-anglers with a variety of fun activities and options. All offer a high degree of luxury and a complete line-up of fun things to see and do over and above standing in a flats boat or wading a freestone river. And finally, all of the operations featured in this section offer higher-end amenities such as beautifully appointed rooms, gourmet food, spa services and a full line-up of nonangling programs. Here’s your chance to enjoy great fishing AND be a vacation-planning hero!

COUPLES DESTINATIONS - SALTWATER ALPHONSE ISLAND RESORT (Seychelles)

KAMALAME CAY RESORT (Andros Island, Bahamas)

Situated approximately 1000 miles off the east coast of Africa, Alphonse is a distant and exotic destination offering one of the most beautiful tropical settings on the planet. Beautiful and private chalets, a large freshwater pool, snorkeling in the Alphonse lagoon, Scuba diving, sailboats, kayaks and some of the most stunning beaches in the world.

If you’re looking for a private Caribbean adventure accompanied by world-class accommodations, Kamalame has it all. Amenities include postcard-perfect beaches, a freshwater swimming pool, gourmet dining, a wonderful selection of wines and the finest spa in the Bahamas.

BELCAMPO LODGE (Punta Gorda, Belize)

For anglers looking to combine a premier saltwater fishing experience with a secluded tropical beach vacation, Playa Blanca eco-adventure resort is a great option. Located 130 miles south of Cancun, Playa is located on a secluded private island with great rooms, gourmet food and beautiful grounds.

An ideal location for couples looking to combine a fishing trip with great eco-tour and jungle-based non-angling activities. This highend jungle resort experience is among the finest in all of Central America. The food, service, accommodations, amenities and location are all outstanding.

CAMPECHE TARPON (Campeche, Mexico) A UNESCO World Heritage site, Campeche is among the most beautiful and unique cities in all of Mexico. Visitors will enjoy strolling the colorful streets of the historic downtown area, checking out shops, museums, art galleries, outdoor restaurants, historic cathedrals and churches. All of this, combined with the best baby tarpon action anywhere in the Caribbean, makes this a top pick for couples.

CAYO LARGO (Southern Cuba) Situated in the Canarreos Archipelago just off the southwestern coast of the Cuban mainland, this small resort island is 100 miles as the crow flies from Havana. The island itself offers 17 miles of picture-perfect white beaches – quite possibly the most beautiful beaches in the world.

DEEP WATER CAY CLUB (Grand Bahama, Bahamas) Arguably one of the nicest, most high-end fishing lodges in the entire Caribbean. In business for more than 50 years, the club is better than ever and the fishery remains healthy and productive.

Club amenities include a main clubhouse, welcome center, marina, infinity pool and a 4000’ private airstrip.

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PLAYA BLANCA LODGE (Espiritu Santo Bay, Mexico)

TIAMO RESORT (Andros Island, Bahamas) Tiamo means “I love you” in Italian, so it’s no surprise that this operation makes the list of our top couples destinations. This luxury eco-resort features a pristine beach, a large pool, and 11 beachside bungalows, each overlooking the incredible turquoise water of the South Bight of Andros.

TURTLE INN (Placencia, Belize) Owned by Francis Ford Coppola, this 25-room seafront hideaway combines a great location with a high degree of luxury and service.

With the best diving, snorkeling and sea kayaking in the area and a variety of inland excursions and activities, Turtle Inn is a fantastic family vacation option.

VICTORIA HOUSE (Ambergris Caye, Belize) One of Belize’s finest, most high-end luxury resorts, Victoria House is a small and exclusive resort long known for offering exceptional amenities, an amazing tropical ambiance, and an outstanding staff. A program that allows anglers to pair the most high-end accommodations on the island with outstanding day trips on the waters that surround Ambergris.

phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

COUPLES DESTINATIONS - FRESHWATER CINCO RIOS LODGE (Coyhaique, Chile)

MISSION LODGE (Dillingham, Alaska)

A beautiful, high-end lodge in a town that we think of as the “Bozeman, Montana of Patagonia.” High end food and wine and a host of area activities including Andean condor viewing, trips into town, hiking, horseback riding and much more can be arranged for guests.

A first-class luxury experience in the heart of rugged and beautiful Alaska. Large private rooms, gourmet food and wines, sauna, hot tub, full massage services and comfortable lounge areas all make Mission a great option for non-anglers and significant others.

ENCHANTED LAKE LODGE (Katmai Region, Alaska) For more than 50 years, Enchanted Lake has provided guests with incredible fishing experiences, high-end accommodations, superb cuisine and the finest in customer service all in one of the most beautiful settings in Alaska. The lodge staff can arrange a number of activities including sight-seeing tours, bear and wildlife viewing, and boat tours.

HENRY’S FORK LODGE (Last Chance, Idaho) Henry’s Fork Lodge is Yellow Dog’s first choice in the region for groups or couples looking for a high-end and elegant lodge setting.

The lodge’s attention to detail and customer service is second to none. There are also outstanding opportunities for wildlife viewing in Harriman Park and Yellowstone National Park.

LODGE AT PALISADES CREEK (Swan Valley, Idaho) A beautiful facility that is well-suited for groups, couples, and families, the lodge is happy to arrange a variety of non-angling activities to complement your stay. Horseback riding, white water rafting, and tours in nearby Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are just a few of the options available.

MINARET STATION (South Island, New Zealand) The first and finest destination of its kind in New Zealand, this is one of the most unique lodges in the world. A trip to this secluded luxury alpine retreat – accessible only by helicopter – will give you a highend adventure unlike any other, complete with an extensive list of activities for every guest.

REMOTA RESORT (Puerto Natales, Chile) Close to Torres del Paine National Park, Remota is one of the most unique resort operations we’ve ever seen and a lodge that is perfect for those looking to diversify a fishing package. With a full line-up of guided non-angling trips and eco-activities, this is one of our favorite couples destinations in all of South America.

RIO MANSO LODGE (Bariloche, Argentina) This is a phenomenal fishing option that also offers deluxe accommodations, delicious food, the finest Argentine wines, incredible culture and rich hospitality. Our favorite Argentine lodge for couples, all fishing days can easily be complemented by a host of non-angling activities and tours.

RUBY SPRINGS LODGE (Alder, Montana) Beautiful riverside cabins that are truly magnificent are the standard at Ruby Springs. Each cabin features the highest level of amenities, and each evening the staff will turn down your beds and build a fire for you in your room’s stone fireplace. Complement the fishing with horseback rides through the Ruby Valley, golf and sightseeing tours of historic Virginia City.

SOUTH FORK LODGE (Swan Valley, Idaho) A beautiful, high-end western lodge built directly on a dramatic bend of the world famous South Fork of the Snake River. This stunning wilderness location offers the perfect blend of rustic elegance, diverse activities and exceptional hospitality. The unique setting and luxurious amenities provide a truly memorable experience for both anglers and non-angling guests.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com YELLOW

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RECOMMENDED FAMILY DESTINATIONS

At Yellow Dog Flyfishing, we appreciate how tough it can be for many anglers to balance their fishing addictions and desires with the vacation demands of a family, kids or a non-fishing spouse. If you’re trying to plan a trip and looking to combine great fishing with a family adventure that will please everyone involved, then we’re here to help. We CAN make this happen! We handle hundreds of these types of family packages each year, and we promise you these type of win-win trip options do in fact exist.

The lodges and operations listed in this section all offer totally legitimate fishing opportunities, with the ability to cater to non-anglers and family members with a variety of fun and different activities and options. From babysitting services and kids programs to a full line-up of side trips and adventure tours, we’re confident that your entire family will enjoy a vacation at any one of the following operations. For more information or for help in planning your next “fishing-family-spouse-multi-activity-vacation,” contact Yellow Dog today and let’s get started.

FAMILY DESTINATIONS - SALTWATER BELCAMPO LODGE (Punta Gorda, Belize) An ideal location for couples, families and anglers looking to combine a fishing trip with great non-angling activities and a luxury jungle resort experience in Central America. The food, service, accommodations, amenities and location are all incredible.

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CROCODILE BAY RESORT (Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica) Crocodile Bay is located in a region that National Geographic Magazine has called "the most biologically intense place on Earth."

The resort offers 29 privately guided adventures and eco-tours including kayaking, canopy tours, snorkeling, surfing, horseback riding and more.

STELLA MARIS RESORT (Long Island, Bahamas)

DEEP WATER CAY CLUB (Grand Bahama, Bahamas)

SWAIN’S CAY LODGE (Andros, Bahamas)

Arguably one of the nicest, most high-end fishing lodges in the entire Caribbean. In business for more than 50 years, club amenities include a main clubhouse, welcome center, marina, infinity pool, and a 4000' private airstrip.

A full-service bonefishing operation and beach resort designed to cater to anglers, non-anglers, families and couples alike. Located on one of the nicest white sand beaches on Andros, there are a number of different accommodation options, including ocean view suites, garden view twin rooms, and apartments for larger groups and families.

EL PESCADOR LODGE (Ambergris Caye, Belize) A family-run resort situated on the best beach on Ambergris Caye.

Close to the town of San Pedro, you can fish, dive, snorkel, shop, ride bikes, explore the island, and enjoy the best nightlife in Belize. The lodge features three swimming pools and a full line-up of family amenities.

GRAND SLAM LODGE (Punta Allen, Mexico) This full-service Yucatan lodge operation – the nicest in the area – is situated on a beautiful beach in one of the region’s largest protected wild areas, the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Beautiful rooms and amenities that far surpass anything in the area.

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World-class bonefishing with all of the comforts and amenities of a luxury family beach resort, Pelican Bay gives the family access to a wide selection of restaurants, bars, shopping, water sports, and nightlife.

A beautiful oceanfront resort that offers a wide range of tropical vacation accommodations, superb beaches, and numerous on-water activities. Three hotel pools dot the manicured grounds, as do seven hidden beach coves. Long Island is peaceful, uncrowded, and hardly touched by modern tourism.

TURNEFFE ISLAND RESORT (Turneffe Atoll, Belize) This immaculate private island located on the southern tip of Turneffe Atoll is simply stunning - as pristine, private and secluded as anything in the entire Caribbean. Turneffe Island Resort’s location allows easy access to the flats, snorkeling, swimming and more.

TURTLE INN (Placencia, Belize) Owned by Francis Ford Coppola, this 25-room seafront hideaway combines a great location with a high degree of luxury and service.

With the best diving, snorkeling and sea kayaking in the area and a variety of inland excursions and activities, Turtle Inn is a fantastic family vacation option.

phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

FAMILY DESTINATIONS - FRESHWATER BROOKS LODGE (Katmai National Park, Alaska)

REMOTA RESORT (Puerto Natales, Chile)

Overall, this may be the best family destination in all of Alaska.

This historic lodge sits on the shores of Naknek Lake near the world famous Brooks Falls – home to the best brown bear viewing in all of Alaska. Non-anglers can participate in numerous bear viewing activities, area “flight-seeing,” hiking, photography, kayaking and more.

Far in the southern part of Chile lies a land of raw beauty, majestic mountains, and numerous rivers. Close to Torres del Paine National Park, Remota is one of the most unique resort operations we’ve ever seen and a lodge that is perfect for those looking to diversify a fishing package.

GALLATIN RIVER LODGE (Bozeman, Montana) The location of this lodge near Bozeman makes it the perfect home base for fishing southwest Montana, exploring the Yellowstone region, and spending time with the family in the great outdoors.

Quick and easy access to horseback riding, touring Yellowstone Park, hunting, hiking, shopping and exploring.

THE HIMALAYAN OUTBACK (India)

RIO MANSO LODGE (Bariloche, Argentina) A phenomenal Patagonian lodge option that offers deluxe accommodations, delicious food, the finest Argentine wines, incredible culture, and rich hospitality. Our favorite Argentine lodge for families and couples, the fishing program can easily be complemented by a host of non-angling activities and options.

SUNRISE PACK STATION HORSEPACKING

A journey through the outback of the Himalayas and the frontier area between India and Nepal leaves anglers with memories of more than just a world-class golden mahseer fishing experience.

The simplicity of the region, the people encountered, and the incredible landscapes are a sight unto themselves.

(Yellowstone National Park) The best way to see Yellowstone and fish some of the most untouched waters in the country is by horseback. This backcountry experience features excellent stock and equipment, skilled and knowledgeable guides and wranglers, and access to some of the most pristine, spectacular scenery in the world.

MADISON VALLEY RANCH (Ennis, Montana)

TIGHTLINES OUTFITTERS

Located on the banks of the world-famous Madison River three miles outside the quintessential fly fishing town of Ennis, M.V.R. is centrally located in the heart of southwestern Montana. For a completely western-style family vacation, the ranch offers nonangling activities, including horseback riding, touring Yellowstone Park, hiking and sightseeing.

(Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho) Float for roughly 100 miles through an ancient granite canyon utilizing classic McKenzie-style drift boats in a fully-supported river camping adventure. The Middle Fork of the Salmon is a strong option for beginners, groups of friends, and families with younger anglers.

PORONUI LODGE (North Island, New Zealand) Nestled in the Taharua Valley on New Zealand's North Island, Poronui is one the world's finest luxury wilderness lodges, longknown for incredible fly fishing and trophy hunting. With elegant accommodations, gourmet food, seasoned guides, and one of the best heli-programs on the island, this is a fantastic high-end lodge option that everyone will love.

TORDRILLO MOUNTAIN LODGE (Alaska Range, Alaska) Located at the foothills of the Tordrillo Mountain range on beautiful Judd Lake and the outlet of the Talachulitna River, T.M.L. offers anglers and outdoor enthusiasts numerous options for adventure, including fishing, heli-skiing and whitewater rafting.

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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MEET THE TEAM…

THE #1 REASON TO BOOK WITH YELLOW DOG FLYFISHING ADVENTURES

P

eople often ask, “What is it that sets Yellow Dog apart from other booking agencies?”

Our answer is simple: “It’s the Yellow Dog team.”

Over the years, we’ve assembled an amazing full-time staff — an on-site lineup of seasoned and knowledgeable industry veterans that includes former guides, lodge managers, fly shop owners and serious world travelers! The bottom line is that when you work with Yellow Dog, you’re working with the most experienced and educated professionals in the business.

The Yellow Dog team knows fishing. More importantly, we know how to deliver excellent customer service. The relationships and interactions we have with our customers are always our number one priority. When you book with Yellow Dog, we’ll

work for you on all levels — at all times — to make your next fishing adventure outstanding. The most detailed pre-trip preparation, the highest levels of support, honest information and exceptional customer service: all things you can expect when you work with Yellow Dog. Contact us today to discover for yourself what a booking company can — and should — be.

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures 213 South Willson Avenue Bozeman, Montana 59715 • USA (406) 585-8667 • (888) 777-5060 WWW.YELLOWDOGFLYFISHING.COM

Yellow Dog team from left to right (Back row) John Hudgens, Bessie Bucholz, Michelle Massara, Bryan Gregson, Kristen Tripp, Doug McKnight, Jess McGlothlin, Camille Egdorf, Grey York (Front row) Jim Klug, Jake Wells, Brenda Martinez, Jenna Joki, Cam Davenport, Jennifer Norris, Kimberly Franke, Ian Davis, Cari Endres, Tom Melvin, Shaun Lawson.

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phone: 406.585.8667 • toll free: 888.777.5060

info@yellowdogflyfishing.com â&#x20AC;¢ www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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