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NEWSLETTER
#46 - MARCH 2006
If you have access to Microsoft word, open the
attachment above to see the information below in a
more “reader friendly” format.
Fly Fishing Adventures Travel Newsletter, March 2006
TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE:
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NO. CALIF CLEARWATER HOUSE “EVOLVES”
-
TRIP REPORTS – it
IS New
Zealand time.
-
BELIZE FIRST TIMER SCORES ‘SLAM
-
SOME PRIME ’06 DATES REMAIN IN BELIZE
-
NEW INFORMATION PIECE
AVAILABLE REGARDING NEW ZEALAND
-
RESTRUCTURE IN THE LELAND FLY FISHING
ADVENTURES BUSINESS
-
“PRIME TIME” LOWER DEAN STEELHEAD
SPOT OPENS FOR A SINGLE
We
are in the fifth year of publishing our monthly
newsletter with updates on great fly fishing venues
and insights for our traveling fly fishers. We want
to help you match the right location with your fly
fishing goals and objectives and properly prepare
you to fully enjoy the experience. We’ve been to
most locations and pride ourselves on our ability to
research new sites. One of our services is to
compare and contrast different lodges/outfitters.
Whatever unbiased information on timing and
locations we can provide comes at the same cost to
you as booking direct – i.e., no extra cost.
CHANGES AT CLEARWATER HOUSE IN NO.
CALIF
During the last 25
years, many of our clients have enjoyed visiting the
finest fly fishing lodge in Northern California, The
Clearwater House. After all those years, the
Clearwater has moved into the new Clearwater Lodge
on the Pit River. The “new Clearwater” will offer
all the features and services that have
distinguished them: exceptional guide team,
wonderful food, full range of schools and programs
for anglers of every level. All this will be
happening in a setting of remarkable beauty on the
Pit River between Burney and Fall River Mills. The
biggest change will be in the number and variety of
guest accommodations (including two and three
bedroom cottages) which will facilitate families and
groups enjoying the ambiance of the area and the
services provided by owner Dick Galland and his
team.
All the Clearwater
schools and packages of the past will take place at
the new Clearwater Lodge. Of special note for
beginners to the world of fly fishing is their
“Mastering The Art of Fly Fishing” program. There
is also a women’s “Mastering” program taught by
female guides. If you’d like more info or the dates
for these programs, hit “reply.”
TRIP REPORTS – it IS New Zealand time
Note: Space doesn’t permit reprinting these trip
reports in full so they are condensed versions. If
you’d like to see the full report, just hit “reply”
and ask for a copy.
It’s hard to explain how special New Zealand is to
one who has never been. It’s the country, the
people, and of course, for us fly fishers, the
challenging and unique sight fishing to trophy
rainbows and browns in crystal clear rivers and
streams. Late January through mid-March is the
“prime time” in NZ and therefore we’ve had several
travelers returning in the last 30 days. It is
without a doubt the finest couples trip with “world
class” fly fishing on the planet. The comments
below make an attempt at capturing the essence of
the “specialness” of New Zealand and explain why
most clients return.
“Thank you so very much for planning and
orchestrating our introduction to NZ fly fishing.
It was our best vacation ever and certainly an
experience, extraordinary in every way. Let’s do it
again!” Nancy and Wayne Badovinus
“Murphy’s Lodge was spot on. I had some good
fishing, quite good actually…The Motu, in
particular, is a wonderful laboratory for observing
trout behavior. My non-fishing wife had a fine time
walking in the native forests, birdwatching, and
visiting nearby towns. There is plenty for a non
fisherman to do around Motu if they have a bit of
curiosity. The staff was quite helpful, organizing
her trips, etc……..” Ralph Stephens (while visiting
family in NZ)
“You served up just what we wanted on all points,
not necessarily easy with old grumpy travelers
accustomed to the comforts of home, wanting the
adventures of our youth, but without hardship or
inconvenience…..I was more than satisfied with
bringing in 8 browns on my first day, one eight
pounds plus. Four Peaks surprised us all with the
elegance of quarters, sophistication of cuisine, and
overwhelming attention of our hosts. (From here),
we fished the wildest, most beautiful, breathtaking
valleys and rivers…..and my guide led me to my ten
pound rainbow and 12 other fish…” David Sheldon
“…..thank you for helping us put together what
turned out to be an absolutely perfect itinerary!
We found every place to be great. Despite running
into a cold front on the South Island, the fishing
was fantastic, and thoroughly challenging. We both
netted a couple of 6+ pound fish and had our shots
at a few fish between 8 and 12 pounds. We’re both
plotting our next visit.” Alyssa and David Morris
(note: David and Alyssa were on a honeymoon trip and
Alyssa was very much a novice fly fisher. NZ is not
normally a good spot for a beginner, but the right
guide and water selection can make it work out if
the new fly fisher has enough persistence and Alyssa
proved to be up to the challenge with some great
fish released. The Morris’ like to “rough it” and
mixed in three different wilderness campouts with
some upscale stays as part of their package).
“…as part of our two week New Zealand trip in
January, I was able to persuade Lori that she would
enjoy 4 days of fishing. Our guide was great with
Lori, who had never fly fished. She ended up being
enthralled with the sport after two days and I was
reminded that hiking through beautiful country and
scenic rivers is always enjoyable…..luckily, we also
caught a fair number of fish. If there is a fly
fishing heaven, it will look like New Zealand. All
in all, the trip was a home run. We both loved
it.” Brian David (similar disclaimer as the one
tagged on the end of the Morris’ report regarding
fly fishing novices in New Zealand – sometimes it
works out well, but……)
“Well, we are home,
and had a most wonderful time. As I’ve mentioned
previously, you really understood what we wanted to
do on our first New Zealand trip and planned it
accordingly. Needless to say, the sight fishing
was extraordinary. I think we may have run into a
little more bad weather than usual, but that is
fishing. We would love to give you all of our
impressions......, in the meantime, I have been
busily organizing our return trip for 2007”
Barbara and Charlie Renfrew
“The trip was a huge
success. Obviously, you know NZ and the guides and
lodge operators, and they know you. It makes a big
difference. Every detail was covered. There were no
glitches. I had one day with thirteen takes, nine
on the beach, all on dry flies. Polly, a less
experienced angler, still caught eight or ten fish,
at least one in the six pound range and several 4-6
pounders. We were captivated by the clear water and
the absence of other fisherpeople. The paucity of
fish, offset by their size, makes for challenging
fishing. We fished about half of our days in NZ and
traveled about, enjoying the food, the people, and
the scenery on the other days.
All in all, a highly
enjoyable trip. Thanks for all you did to make it
so.” Chuck Longsworth
NEW INFORMATION PIECE AVAILABLE
REGARDING NEW ZEALAND
We have a new
write-up available in word doc form for anyone
interested in more information about New Zealand and
its unique fly fishing for trophy browns and
rainbows. It includes some general info about the
special aspects of the country as well as dealing
with the proper expectations for the fishing. If
you’d like a copy, hit “reply” and request one.
BELIZE FIRST TIMER SCORES ‘SLAM
Schuyler Marshall,
on a February trip on the Belize motherships with
five friends fishing from the Meca and Seaduction,
scored several significant saltwater flats
“firsts.” Often, fly fishers on these Belize trips
take their first tarpon, and/or first permit, but
not in the dramatic manner that Schuyler did. He
released his first tarpon and first permit along
with a bonefish to complete his first GRAND SLAM.
The following comment from Schuyler does capture the
feeling of separation from the “real world” that is
such an important part of the mothership experience:
“The Belize
Mothership trip was like a dream. Caught my first
permit and first tarpon as part of a GRAND SLAM.
The food was delicious and the guides were
outstanding, not to mention the access to
rarely-fished waters. The only decisions I had to
make all week were which fly to tie on and what kind
of cocktail to pour.”
REMAINING “PRIME TIME” BELIZE DATES FOR TWO
The Belize mothership, Meca (for parties of 3 or 4),
is fully booked through mid-September. However, the
mothership Seaduction (parties of 2), has four weeks
still open – price is $5,800 for the seven night
trip, virtually all inclusive. Free DVD is
available. Open weeks:
4/28 – 5/5
5/9 – 16
5/31 – 6/7
8/16 - 23
RESTRUCTURE IN THE LELAND FLY FISHING ADVENTURES
BUSINESS
Five years ago, Josh Frazier and Leland Fly Fishing
Outfitters were looking to expand their enterprise
and offer fly fishing travel consulting and booking
services. A marriage was consummated between
Leland's and Don Muelrath's Fly Fishing Adventures.
Since that time, the entire business, including the
travel segment, has grown substantially each year
and many satisfied fly fishing travelers have
returned time and again for advice on their next fly
fishing adventure.
A
change is about to occur. Because of liability
concerns that only a professional travel insurance
agent can explain, Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters has
to remove themselves from the travel business. With
that removal, the formal and legal relationship
between Leland's and Don Muelrath and Fly Fishing
Adventures will be dissolved.
The Leland shop is recognized in the industry as a
dynamic and pacesetting organization with a booming
web site in place(www.flyfishingoutfitters.com)
and their own fly fishing ranch in Sonoma soon to be
constructed. That primary business of Leland Fly
Fishing Outfitters will not change and will continue
to flourish and be of service to all fly fishers in
the Bay Area.
Also, what will not change is that we at Fly Fishing
Adventures will continue to provide the "personal
touch" in consulting with fly fishing travelers
regarding how to best meet the objectives of their
next fly fishing trip. Essentially, nothing changes
except the legal relationship of Leland Fly Fishing
Outfitters with the travel end of the business,
Leland Fly Fishing Adventures.
Don Muelrath and Fly Fishing Adventures will
continue all it's services that you are accustomed
to, but going forward, will not operate under the
"Leland banner." Any questions, please give a call.
PRIME TIME LOWER DEAN STEELHEAD SPOT OPENS FOR A
SINGLE
We just had a cancellation for one of our spots
during what is traditionally considered one of the
best weeks on the lower Dean for the hottest
steelhead on the globe. Week is July 21 – 28 and
the price is $5500.
Either phone or drop
us an e-mail if you have questions or would like
more information about any of our destinations.
An enthusiastic traveling fly fisherman,
Don Muelrath
Leland Fly Fishing Adventures
888-347-4896
flyfish@napanet.net
mailto:
www.flyfishingoutfitters.com
e-mail Josh Frazier at
Josh@flyfishingoutfitters.com
If you want to be removed from our e-mail newsletter
list, just hit “reply” and let us know – you’ll be
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