PRESS

SAN PEDRO, Belize (August 8, 2019) — Tres Pescados Fly Shop is pleased to announce another successful year of its annual Tres Pescados Slam fishing tournament. The 11th Annual Tres Pescados Slam welcomed guests to Belize to compete in an upbeat and easygoing tournament that had one objective above all else: promoting conservation and ecological sustainability in Belize.

This year the Tres Pescados Slam raised $15,000 for the Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries, which will support the efforts to ban the destructive gillnets that plague the region’s waters.

“There is a tremendous effort underway in Belize to ban gillnets, and the Tres Pescados Slam is proud once again to donate the proceeds of our event to the Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries,” said Wil Flack, owner of Tres Pescados. “I would like to thank all our anglers and sponsors for continuing to support sustainable sport fishing in Belize. This event continues to promote conservation and education so that future generations can enjoy bonefish, permit, and tarpon.”

The success of the tournament is largely due to the generosity of its sponsors, and the Tres Pescados Slam enjoyed support from Simms, YETI, the Belize Tourism Board, Oceana, Costa Sunglasses, Scott Fly Rods, Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, Tropic Air, El Pescador, Victoria House, Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute, Holiday Hotel, Marcelo, Belize Permit Club, Hatch Outdoors, and Tangelo.

The fishing at the tournament did not disappoint. “A few slams, some big tarpon, and several permit made for a great tournament,” noted Flack. A total of 11 teamsparticipated this year. Team GoFish (Zach Kolanda and Abbie Marin) took first place,  team Excalibur (Rob Block and Parnell Coc) took second place, and team Redhouse (John and Tina Winkler, Darrel Smith) came in third.

Next year’s Tres Pescados Slam will take place July 15-18, 2020 in San Pedro, Belize.

About Tres Pescados Fly Shop:

Located in San Pedro, Tres Pescados Fly Shop is Belize’s only full-service fly shop, offering guided fly fishing trips and charters throughout the country as well as rentals, rod repairs, and a full retail selection. For more information about Tres Pescados, please visit their website and find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Untamed Angling Announces Expansion into Cuba with an Exploratory Season in 2020 at El Faro Lodge

SANTA CRUZ DE LA SIERRA, Bolivia (July 18, 2019) — Untamed Angling is pleased to announce the expansion of their operations into Cuba with El Faro Lodge.

Well-known for their lodges in Bolivia and Brazil, as well as their commitment to finding remote and pristine fly fishing destinations that offer world-class experiences unlike any other, Untamed Angling is excited to share Western Cuba with the angling world.

Backcountry flats, coral reefs, and expansive bluewater make these remote waters especially attractive for fly fishing and conventional angling. The Guanahacabibes Peninsula and its national park and biosphere reserve have been preserved for 40 years and offer world-class fishing for many flats and offshore species. The region is not only still wild and without fishing pressure, but it is also home to a unique mix of beaches, channels, mangroves, flats, and bluewater, thereby allowing anglers to take on different waters and experiences each day. El Faro Lodge will be the first and only beachfront fishing lodge in Cuba and will offer the first-class service and luxuries that Untamed Angling destinations are known for.

“We are very excited about this new destination in Cuba,” states Marcelo Pérez, CEO and founder of Untamed Angling. “This wild, beautiful, and huge national park and biosphere reserve offer anglers a wide variety of species and many diverse environments. This will be a new challenge and adventure that we are pleased to share with fellow anglers.”

As is with all of their destinations, Untamed Angling is deeply committed to protecting the ecosystem and preserving a way of life for the local community through sustainable fly fishing tourism. With their partners in Cuba, including the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and Eckerd College, andCuban institutions, including CIM-UH, Guanahacabibes National Park, and the Center for Marine Research at the University of Havana (CIM-UH), Untamed Angling is actively supporting research programs and biological data collection to further understand the fishery and ecosystems.

El Faro Lodge will welcome its first clients for an exploratory season in May 2020.

About Untamed Angling:

Founded in 2001 by Marcelo Pérez, Untamed Angling takes a unique approach to destination fly fishing by combining fly fishing in exclusive areas with a significant social benefit to local populations and the preservation of natural resources.This model project allows Untamed Angling to explore the best areas for fishing while supporting local communities, cultures, and ecosystems. For more information about Untamed Angling, please visit their website. Also, learn more about El Faro Lodge on their website and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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NEXGEN TRAILER from The Fly Fishing Film Tour on Vimeo.

Off the Grid Studios Announces New Film — “NexGen”

New Film from Off the Grid Studios Will Premiere on the Fly Fishing Film Tour

BEND, Oregon (January 14, 2019) — Off the Grid Studios is pleased to announce a new film — “NexGen.” With support from the Orvis Company, Scientific Anglers, and WorldCast Anglers, the latest from Off the Grid Studios will premiere on the 2019 Fly Fishing Film Tour.

In “NexGen,” filmmaker RA Beattie tells the story of generational bonds and friendships formed through fly fishing. In the film, Beattie offers a new perspective, as the film is told from the point of view and with the narration of Jack Buccola — a 12-year-old angler from Bend, Oregon. The film follows Jack as he experiences living in a fly fisherman’s house, witnesses the impact of fires on his home waters, and explores new waters on a road trip with his father Ryan, friend Judd Field, and Judd’s father Pete. Throughout the journey, Jack grows to appreciate the steelhead of the Northwest, the native cutthroat trout found on the South Fork of the Snake River and other tributaries, and Jack also realizes the potential for more travel with a tying business.

“Our 2019 production ‘NexGen’ takes viewers along for a ride on a more attainable, grassroots adventure here at home in the American West,” explains Beattie. “I’m very proud of our entire team and excited to bring the young cast, epic eats, and stunning nature scenes to the big screen in theaters around the world.”

“NexGen” will be featured on the 2019 Fly Fishing Film Tour, which begins Jan. 19, 2019, in Bozeman, Montana. This is the 16th film from Off the Grid Studios/Beattie Outdoors Productions in the Fly Fishing Film Tour, and the filmmakers have had official selections in the Fly Fishing Film Tour since the event began 13 years ago.

“NexGen” was directed, edited, and produced by RA Beattie, produced and filmed by Bryan Gregson, written by Sarah Grigg and Tim Harden, filmed and edited by Will Phelps, and audio engineered by Troy Hermes, with still photography from Arian Stevens. Marko Milosevic contributed the graphics.

About Off the Grid Studios:

Off the Grid Studios is a network of talented people from around the world who take the creative process from concept to fruition. From content creation to marketing, the Off the Grid Studios team has been delivering creative storytelling for more than a decade.

For more information about Off the Grid Studios, please visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Nautilus Reels Announces Limited Edition No Pebble Mine XM Reel to Benefit the Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska

Collaborative Effort Between Nautilus Reels and S. Kent Rockwell Foundation to Net $12,500 to Assist Fight for Bristol Bay

MIAMI (September 24, 2018) — In collaboration with the S. Kent Rockwell Foundation, Nautilus Reels has created a limited edition No Pebble Mine XM reel to benefit the Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska and the effort to protect Bristol Bay.

The famed Bristol Bay region of Southwest Alaska is widely regarded as one of the premier fishing destinations on the planet. Anglers visiting Bristol Bay dream of chasing Dolly Varden, Arctic char, grayling, northern pike, lake trout, all five species of Pacific salmon, and perhaps most of all, the unique leopard rainbow trout that grow to epic proportions. Recreational fishing and tourism in the region contribute $90 million to Alaska’s economy each year. The staggering return of over 62 million fish in 2018 makes the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon fishery the most productive in the world – valued at $1.5 billion annually and responsible for 14,000 jobs. It’s an economic and biological powerhouse. 

Most anglers are aware that the Bristol Bay fishery has faced the threat of the proposed Pebble Mine for over a decade. The threat is now more serious than ever, as the backers of the mine currently have an application under review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Seemingly driven more by politics than science, the USACE is proceeding at a breakneck pace and bending over backward to move the process forward. The need to enlist America’s outdoors enthusiasts and brands in this effort is urgent. The Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska has been working on those fronts for over 10 years, engaging anglers and hunters from coast to coast as well as companies that sell everything from fly gear to hunting goods.

A precision fly reel is an investment. In this instance, it’s also an investment that pays off handsomely for one of sportfishing’s biggest conservation battles. Beginning on September 24, only 25 individually numbered No Pebble Mine Limited Edition Nautilus XM reels will be available. Thanks to a generous donation from the S. Kent Rockwell Foundation, for every $375 reel sold, $500 will be donated to the Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska to continue the fight to protect Bristol Bay from the Pebble Mine.

“One of our principle areas of focus as a foundation is conservation,” notes Kris Rockwell of the S. Kent Rockwell Foundation. “While it’s important to fix places that have already been degraded, we must also fight to protect places that are wild and unspoiled. There is no better example of such a place than Bristol Bay. It’s a pleasure to combine efforts with a great brand like Nautilus on this limited edition reel to raise money that will be used to ensure Bristol Bay’s amazing natural and renewable resources are protected for generations to come.”

For Scott Hed, Director at the Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska, the joint fundraising effort highlights the widespread commitment to protecting Bristol Bay. “It’s a well-known fact that Bristol Bay has its supporters from all over the United States and beyond,” states Hed. “When a premier fly reel maker from Florida partners with a generous donor from Pennsylvania to defend this amazing fishery in Alaska, that’s just the latest example of how important this issue and resource is.”

For Nautilus Reels owner Kristen Mustad, the effort to protect Bristol Bay is critical. “We’ve got the No Pebble Mine flag proudly flying in our machine shop,” he states. “When this opportunity came up to raise some money to support the fight, it was a total no-brainer — and the matching funds component just puts it over the top. We’re thrilled to partner with the S. Kent Rockwell Foundation and Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska, and we’re not backing down until Bristol Bay’s future is secured.”

Orders of these limited edition reels must be placed directly with Nautilus by calling (305) 625-3437.

About Nautilus Reels:

Nautilus Reels produces an award-winning line of reels from its headquarters in Miami, Florida. Nautilus is on the forefront of reel innovation and maintains a tradition of experience and excellence while continuously improving performance. For more information about Nautilus Reels, please visit their website and follow Nautilus on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About the Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska:

The Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska is a project to engage anglers and hunters, groups to which they belong, outdoor brands, and the outdoor media in campaigns to conserve fish and game habitat in The Last Frontier for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. Take action here.

About the S. Kent Rockwell Foundation:

Based in Pittsburgh, PA, the S. Kent Rockwell Foundation is focused on working with partners in order to continue to rehabilitate, preserve, and maintain our world’s most precious natural environments and benefit societal and humanitarian needs.Learn more on their website.

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BEND, Oregon (April 30, 2018) — Throughout the month of May 2018, Off the Grid Studios, in conjunction with The Orvis Company, will be celebrating the first public release of the fly fishing film “Corazón.” To honor the release, Off the Grid Studios will engage in a month-long campaign focused on each of the three films in “The Scorpion Trilogy”— a collection of fly fishing movies roughly six years in the making.

The Scorpion Trilogy started in 2012 when an expedition to Scorpion Reef in the Gulf of Mexico was documented. This documentary-style film journey brought together fly anglers from the United States and Mexico to explore one of the most remote atolls in the Gulf. On behalf of The Orvis Company, the full-length film, “Scorpion Expedition,”will be released free to the public on May 9 for 48 hours on Amazon and Vimeo.

Following “Scorpion Expedition,” the crew members embarked on another trip into the remote wilderness — this time to a hyper-remote Alaskan river. In the film, “Frontera Norte,” the Mexican national known throughout the angling world as “Sandflea” emerges as one of the central figures in the series with his notable and hilarious commentary about the dramatic northern adventure. This film will be released to the public for free on May 16 for 48 hours on Amazon and Vimeo.

On May 23 the final installment of the trilogy, “Corazón,” will be released for the first time to the public for free for 48 hours on Amazon and Vimeo. “Corazón” follows Mike Dawes from Jackson, Wyoming, to Sandflea’s island home in Holbox, Mexico. It’s here that viewers are granted a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life and friendship of an American pro angler and a Mexican fly fishing guide who became brothers united by a shared passion for the water.

The Scorpion Trilogy is sure to delight anglers from around the world with its cinematography, world-class fly fishing footage, dynamic storytelling, and humor. It provides a special look into some of the most remote and untouched natural places on the planet and reminds us that we all have more in common than we might think.

About Off the Grid Studios:

Off the Grid Studios is a network of talented people from around the world who take the creative process from concept to fruition. From content creation to marketing, the Off the Grid Studios team has been delivering creative storytelling for more than a decade.

For more information about Off the Grid Studios, please visit their website and follow Off the Grid Studios on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Kirk Deeter on Rio Marié from Rio Marié on Vimeo.

REDDING, Calif. (August 1, 2017) — Trout Unlimited (TU) and Untamed Angling are joining forces to create a special trip to the Brazilian Amazon to fly fish for peacock bass at Rio Marié. From October 26 though November 2, 2017, the two organizations are partnering to offer world-class fly fishing that supports the native community and its ecosystem. The trip, and possibly those anglers who join, will be documented in an upcoming book on jungle fly fishing by Kirk Deeter — a well-published writer and the editor of TU’s Trout Magazine.

In just three seasons, the Rio Marié has emerged as a unique destination for fly fishing for peacock bass. It’s scientifically proven that the river is home to more trophy peacock bass than any other river in Brazil, and anglers can also enjoy access to 500 miles of catch and release, fly fishing only water.

“The Amazon isn’t new to the angling scene, but the addition of this fly fishing only, trophy peacock bass fishery is the most significant addition to the sport in a decade,” explains Mike Michalak of The Fly Shop — the exclusive booking agency for Rio Marié. “When Kirk Deeter and TU climb into their float plane in Manaus, they’ll be heading for the new fly fishing frontier. When they touch down on the Rio Marié, they expect to find and fight the biggest peacock bass in the world.”

Untamed Angling also has a special relationship with the native Indians, which allows for exclusive access to the Rio Marié. Untamed Angling offers them support in return, with portions of each trip going to the local people to help preserve their culture and traditions.

Beyond supporting the native communities and ecosystem, portions of this trip will also support Trout Unlimited, and the far-reaching benefits are substantial. “Untamed Angling is proud of this new partnership with The Fly Shop and Trout Unlimited,” states Rodrigo Salles of Untamed Angling. “Our top commitments are environmental conservation efforts and our social responsibility for the indigenous tribes of the Amazon in the areas we work. TU’s mission and concept for North American trout streams are same as ours with Amazon jungle rivers and fish species. We’re really glad to have the very first TU hosted trip with our friend Kirk Deeter under this model launching at Rio Marié.”

About Untamed Angling:

Founded in 2001 by Marcelo Pérez, Untamed Angling takes a unique approach to destination fly fishing by combining catch and release fly fishing in exclusive areas with a significant social benefit to local populations and the preservation of natural resources.
This model project allows Untamed to explore the best areas for fishing while supporting local communities, cultures, and ecosystems. For more information about Untamed Angling, please visit their website and follow Untamed Angling on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (August 1, 2017) — Xplor Boatworks is pleased to announce the X18 — a boat that delivers revolutionary design and performance to modern skiffs.

With a utilitarian approach to design that considers the needs of anglers for a wide range of applications, the X18 offers superior performance and features that make this boat ready for adventure and exploration.

The Xplor X18 skiff is comprised of a vinyl ester resin and is built to specification. Xplor customizes the consoles of these boats, cutting them to the specific owner’s height specifications and desired cockpit placement and layout. Recognizing that not all anglers are the same and neither are their on-the-water needs, Xplor’s unique approach to design delivers customization that ultimately leads to the performance and experience each owner desires.

The X18 drafts only six inches and weighs approximately 700 pounds when moderately equipped. Designed from the ground up to handle massive amounts of weight and still float extremely shallow, the X18 is ready for everything from distance overnight trips with gear to backcountry exploration on shallow flats. With expeditions in mind, the X18 also has substantial storage areas under the bow platform, and the rear deck can accommodate a wide range of gear. And with a large interior cockpit, anglers won’t feel cramped and can also easily access gear. The Xplor X18 can be set up with either a tiller or console design, and this boat can be built as basic or outfitted as the owner desires.

Xplor has designed the X18 to be versatile for a range of needs and applications all while giving its passengers a remarkably soft, dry ride. “I’ve run this skiff in a lot of different conditions from miles offshore to the flats and creeks, and every time I run it, I am more and more impressed with what it will do,” states Xplor founder Frankie Marion. “From taking the family to the sandbar to polling a shallow flat, it’s extremely versatile and will fit into about any situation thrown at it.”

Accommodating four anglers, the Xplor X18 is 18’4” with a beam of 84” and a transom height of 20”. The recommended power is 50hp – 90hp, and it has a fuel capacity of 20/25 gallons.

About Xplor Boatworks:

Founded by Frankie Marion, Xplor Boatworks builds boats for purpose that are simple yet ready to meet the high-performance standards of owners. For more information about Xplor Boatworks, please visit their website and follow Xplor on Facebook and Instagram.

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