torch VOLUME 1: NOV 2014
photo ADAM AMICK vedavoo.com | TORCH | VOLUME 1: by NOV. 2014 | 1
photo by jake wiliams 1: NOV. 2014 | vedavoo.com 2 | TORCH | VOLUME
TORCH VOLUME 1: FALL 2014
in this issue... EPIC VISUALS 6 THE HOOKUP 9 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
10
WORKSHOP FRESH
16
THE BLOODKNOT
20
NEW ELITE’S
24
CANUS STOGINUS
28
ALL CONTENT & IMAGES COPYRIGHT 2014 - VEDAVOO
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EXCLUSIVE TORCHBEARER’s ONLY GEAR @ vedavoo.com/product-category/bearthetorch/
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You’re getting this because you’re awesome. Not blowing smoke - just stating truth. When I’m putting in the late hours in my basement, cutting and building new packs, or designing our next big thing, the pictures, videos, and encouragement you send keep my tank full. Cheers!!! SO! To thank you for your support - and to keep you in tune with what’s going on in Vedavoo Land, we decided to put the “TORCH” together as a fun way to connect - stay in touch - deliver special deals and promos to our loyal inner circle, and to share good news from other torchbearers and from our workshop. Bottom line - as a Torchbearer, you’re helping us get the word out about our work. And in return, you’ll be getting access to deals no one outside of the group will get - you’ll get a chance to pick up our newest gear before anyone else can - and you’ll get perks available only to Torchbearers. Thanks again for believing in BETTER AMERICAN GEAR! Tight Lines!
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EPIC VI
A few of the many epic shots submitted and tagged by Torchbearers through Instagram and Facebook... (clockwise fro
thank you for tagging us!!!
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ISUALS
om upper left) Zach Pittman, Mike Schultz, Justin Carfagnini, Adam Silvis, Ryan Brennecke, and Phil Churchill. CHEERS!
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THE HOOKUP TORCHBEARER ONLY SPECIAL
50%off HATS & APPAREL DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
Torchbearer Mike Schultz of Schultz Outfitters
use coupon code
TORCHVEMBER At checkout to score your deal
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SPOTLIGHT KIT NIELSON
We met Kit at the Somerset Fly Fishing Show in the winter of 2013. She gave us the opportunity to build her a pack... then quickly became one of our faveorite fans. Yes... she fishes (well)... she’s involved with TU... and she regularly shares pics with our work. But she’s so much more! As a teacher and school board member, she uses her love of the fly to help get kids who need a little extra encouragement an awesome way to be creative, grow, and learn about fly fishing. Kit has been leading an after school tying program - laying out tools and materials, and providing friendly instruction to give these kids a place to really excel. Then - as if that isn’t enough - she garners friendly feedback from a solid group of pro tyers. Imagine Michael Jordan offering a critique on your jump-shot... for these kids, friendly words from Pat Cohen, Mike Schmidt, Rich Strolis, and Peggy Brenner (among others) takes it to the next level of cool. Well Done Kit!!! 10 | TORCH | VOLUME 1: NOV. 2014 | vedavoo.com
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Something wicked SCOF way comes...
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An Epic Great Lakes Brown Caught by Torchbearer Andy “Dufrain” Fictel
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WORKSHOP FRESH
what are we working on?
Coming off of the incredible success of our new TL BEAST sling pack, and the Pint Sized “LITTLE BUGGER” that won top honors at this year’s IFTD Show, we’ve been cranking to keep up with orders... but it hasn’t stopped us from getting creative. Keep an eye out in the coming months for our new MAGNUM Tool wallet and other new gear for fly tyers, as well as several new storage / transport solutions for Rods and Reels. The new S3 (Senyo Spey Sack) has been getting a ton of underground buzz on the Facebook sphere! PS: keep your eye out for a new “Art” project soon! Thanks A.D.! 16 | TORCH | VOLUME 1: NOV. 2014 | vedavoo.com
KINKY...
the case, not your line.
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UNTIL THE BATTLE IS WON, WE’LL KEEP MAKING STREAMSIDE BILLBOARDS...
NO PEBBLE::VEDAVOO RETURNING NOVEMBER 2014
FUNDS FROM THE SALE OF THESE PACKS DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE SPORTSMANS ALLIANCE FOR ALASKA. vedavoo.com | TORCH | VOLUME 1: NOV. 2014 | 19
BLOODKNOT
tenkara is more than minnows
I’ll be the first to admit it. I was that guy. I thought Tenkara was a fad... and never saw myself without a reel mounted firmly to the butt of my rod. A couple year’s back, a customer sent me a “tip” for a job well done - a TenkaraUSA Iwana. At the time, I was less than stoked... Honored, but I didn’t see how I’d ever put it to a worthy use. Then my son had one of those miserable “dammit!” days on the water, and swore he’d never touch a fly rod again. I was crushed - but in my observations, I saw that his biggest issues had to do with the management of the line while casting. I took a gamble - literally - with my then 8 year old... offering him the keys to my car if he didn’t catch a fish the next time out. I strung up the Iwana, and set him to work. Granted, I took him to the “Sure-Thing” hole... and “Sure-Thing” - he had his first fish on within a few minutes. After almost an hour of dismantling bluegill, bass, perch, etc. on it... and heavily outfishing his dad, I saw the merit. It was all about 2 key things - Fly Selection, and Presentation. No more line head20 | TORCH | VOLUME 1: NOV. 2014 | vedavoo.com
headaches, and a great foundation for a kid getting started. But I was jealous of his fun. I played around with the rod myself, and found that it was unbelievably easy to pick up and fish with. I loved the compact nature, and on more than one occasion found myself pulling over to pull my Iwana out of the glovebox for a quick fish before home. Last Fall, however, I got a shot of pure awesome, after hooking 5, and landing 1 (light tippet) Landlocked Atlantic Salmon on my rod. I had thought it the ideal match for little guys - as is the common conception - but in my effort to find the breaking point, I only found myself addicted to the thrill of the fight - and the new challenge that came with trying to LAND the fish after you get them hooked. That fish was as Aerial as a Tarpon - and a solid (heavy) 23” fish that rocked that rod at every turn. But it held like a champ. We all need that “confidence” fish to really trust our gear and if my experience is of any value, there are 23 big reasons why you should be confident in one too! This year, I’ve used my rods (I bought a second - the SATO) a ton - on everything from small streams in New England and Colorado, to the hard currents and tight runs of the North Platte back home in Wyoming. In all cases, I’ve been thrilled. Not only does it handle large fish, but it actually has increased my take in tight quarters and in true pocket water. Dry flies have never been more fun to fish - and emergent midge patterns are so much easier to manage. I’ve now hooked and landed big Bows, Browns, Brookies, and a few Atlantics. Though I’ll never give up my trad rods - and though I still fish my 3, 5, 7, and switch rods for the marjority of my fishing, I can honestly say that my Tenkara rods have become a staple in my quiver. - Scott Hunter
RECOMMENDED:
TENKARA USA SATO
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A BRUTE WYOMING CUTTBOW CAUGHT IN THE NORTH PLATTE RIVER OUT OF CASPER.
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NEW TORCHBEARER E
PHOTO BY ADAM SILVIS
ELITE MEMBERS ARE SELECTED BASED ON THEIR ONGOING, CONSISTENT AND LOYAL SUPPORT OF OUR WORK, THEIR EFFORTS TO SUPPORT THE FLY FISHING COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE... AND THEIR GENERAL BADASSNESS! CONGRATULATIONS - AND MANY THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO! 24 | TORCH | VOLUME 1: NOV. 2014 | vedavoo.com
ELITES
ZACH PITTMAN
KIT NIELSON
ADAM SILVIS
MARC AUKERMAN
JUSTIN CARFAGNINI
GARY COLLINS
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CANUS STOGINUS
28 | TORCH | VOLUME 1:-NOV. 2014 vedavoo.com Stogie the Wonder-Pup Photo by | Adam Amick
Man’s best friend, and the anglers consummate companion. Here are a few pics of the most epic Chihuahua on the planet - Stogie, the boulder hopping champ that rides shotgun with Torchbearer Adam Amick. He literally took a dive off a boulder to chase a fish we were trying to net. Who’s got the best pooch story? Email us at CAMPFIRE@VEDAVOO. com & tag your photos with #torchbearerdogs vedavoo.com | TORCH | VOLUME 1: NOV. 2014 | 29
TORCHBEARER / AMBASSADOR DUSTY REED WITH A STREAMER EATING BEAUTY.
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BENCHMADE
EPIC SHOT OF THE BENCH BASIN MAKING QUICK WORK OF SPUN HAIR TRIMMINGS. PHOTO BY TORCHBEARER AND PRO TYER MIKE SCHMIDT OF ANGLER’S CHOICE FLIES.
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Thank you again for all you do to hel[p get the good word out about our work. It may not seem like much, but your photos, videos, and stories make a HUGE difference. See you next issue! NOW GO GET SOME FALL COLORS!
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