Summit Proof

A very rare "selfie", just to prove I made it to the summit of Pikes Peak!

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Shilton Reels - Flymen Fishing Co. Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release: Flymen Fishing Co. to distribute Shilton Reels Charleston, S.C. — October 11, 2019. Flymen Fishing Company and Shilton Reels announced a new collaborative partnership in which Flymen will distribute Shilton Reels in the USA fly fishing market debuting at IFTD 2019 in Denver, Colorado. Shilton is a high-quality renowned South African brand that produces fly reels known for their innovative clutch system that makes them ideal for fighting the strongest and toughest gamefish in the world, both in freshwater and saltwater. Trusted by guides worldwide in some of the toughest fishing conditions, such as the Seychelles, Shilton Reels were previously unavailable in the US market. Due to rising recognition and demand, Shilton and Flymen formed a partnership to bring Shilton Reels to the US. "Flymen is a company built around innovation and creating the next generation of fly fishing products to take fly fishing to the next level," said Martin Bawden, founder of Flymen Fishing Company and head product designer. "Shilton Reels fits right in with what our customers count on us for – top of the line innovative fly fishing products. We believe this new offering of Shilton Reels will bring great value to our customers." "We are very excited to have Flymen Fishing Company appointed as our USA distributor," said Murray Pedder, Head of Sales in South Africa for Shilton Reels. "Without a doubt, the USA market is the biggest in the world when it comes to fly fishing equipment and it was critical for us to have the right company to represent the Shilton brand. Flymen is that company!" "We first met Tony Frittelli, the man behind Shilton, in 2000 and he presented to us his first design, a black CL. Since then Tony has built a full range of exceptionally engineered, worldclass fly fishing reels which includes the CR range, SL range, and latest edition, the SR range. Through the many reputable guiding and travel operations in Southern Africa, such as Alphonse Fly Fishing Company and Tourette, Shilton Reels have proved themselves over and over again in the field in stopping and landing serious gamefish. It has always been Tony's goal to offer his exceptional product to the global market and we are thrilled that Shilton Reels will now are available to fly fishermen in the USA and South America." For those attending IFTD, you can find Flymen Fishing Company at booth #406.

Guide Beer

Tonight's Orvis Down The Hatch Film Festival is brought to you in part by Sweetwater Brewing Company's Guide Beer! 11% of the proceeds from the sale of Guide Beer goes into a fund to help support guides in times of need. And it tastes pretty good, too!

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2019 Orvis Down The Hatch Film Festival

Doors are open at The Metropolitan Club for the 2019 Orvis Down The Hatch Film Festival!!

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Camper Shakedown

Getting the new camper prepped for it's shakedown run to north Georgia for the Down the Hatch film festival this weekend! Hoping all goes well so I can leave for Colorado the following week. Where did this year go?! I'll have a handful of stickers and buttons at the films, if you want one just ask! Hope to see lots of you there!

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I'm a sucker for old books!

I'm a sucker for old books at bargain prices! Managed to score these cheap from ebay and while their condition is far from mint, the Lee Wulff book has an unbroken spine and the Complete Book of Fly Tying is actually a first addition! I haven't had much time for reading lately (and I'm way behind on book reviews for the website), but these will be added to the stack and enjoyed in time!

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Saying Goodbye to The Pup

The Pup  --  2018 Cherokee by Forest River Wolf Pup 16FQ

The New Rig  --  2020 Grand Design Imagine 2670MK

We said goodbye to a dear friend this past weekend.  I really can't think of a better way for us to have dipped our toes into the RVing lifestyle.  We were only together for just under two years, but The Pup traveled with us from the Florida Keys to the North Georgia Mountains and from St. Augustine to Pensacola.  Over 80 nights of camping, around 30 trips in 21 months, The Pup provided us with shelter, a cool respite from bugs, a warm, dry place to sleep, meals, conveniences, office space, and adventures and it will always have a special place in our hearts.  However, our trips are becoming longer and further from home and a little more elbow room (and the ability to stand up straight in the shower!!) has taken precedence.  On Saturday we joined the Grand Design family by taking delivery of a 2020 Imagine 2670MK!  This new camper is roomier and better appointed than several of my previous apartments, all of the comforts of home (including an actual desk, a dedicated work space while on the road!) and, while much larger than the 16' Wolf Pup, is still small enough to be maneuverable and fit in most National Park campgrounds.  We're going to miss The Pup, it was such a fun, little camper, but I know we're going to love this new Imagine!  If you see us on the road make sure you throw up a wave! .