Wanna talk to other anglers in your geographical area or perhaps for an upcoming trip somewhere else? Get info, share stories, pictures, meet fishing buddies or get the low-down on guides? Check out GoFISHn...

GoFISHn is "where anglers connect,". It's a place where anglers can easily share stories and information, and small businesses who serve anglers can discover new customers and stay in touch with existing ones.

GoFISHn is distinctive in this realm (at least I think so) by bringing in a very clean and open design that's easy to use, and it makes the creation of new content -- whether it's a quick status update or a photo gallery or a custom map -- easy to create and publish.

They've created a way to review gear and ask/answer questions, both of which are integrated...

 ...in the "feed" of the member who participates. GoFISHn will also be linked to Facebook and Twitter so members can push anything they create on GoFISHn into their feeds at those social sites.

A beta test of the site continues until Dec. 1, and any small business that signs up between now and then will get the service free for six months, with no obligation after that. Individuals are invited to give the site a whirl as well.

To get a beta invitation, enter your name and email address in the fields in the lower left of the www.gofishn.com home page, and they'll send an invite along.

TR

Field & Stream's ever-so-stylish Kristyn Brady flagged this photo by Marcio Madeira of model Kim Noorda walking the runway in designer Giles' Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear collection..look closely and you'll notice the print features classic fishing flies. Now I'm no slave to fashion, but I will tell you that the three or four times a year I wear a necktie, it features flies. In fact, it's usually a pretty safe bet at the holidays that I'll be given something for my wardrobe that features the fly motif... a safe bet for my family, it seems.

How about you? Are you the designated fly-wearin' guy/gal? What is the wackiest fly-themed article of clothing you've ever gotten, and worn?

I don't know, this might be the magic the fly industry needs to boost the sport's popularity. Skinny supermodels wearing Green-Butt Skunks and Silver Doctors...

Nah, nevermind. I think my wife looks plenty hot in a pair of Gore- Tex waders.

Deeter

Exactly one year ago, I was deep in the heart of the jungle in Bolivia, on what proved to be an extraordinary fishing adventure.  The trip led to a feature ("In Search of the River Gods") in the July '09 issue of Field & Stream, as well as this online story that ran last fall.

There's something to be said, however, for actually seeing and hearing the wonders of this pristine environment.  And now you can, thanks to this video by Mike Nelson and Henry Harrison, sent to me by my jungle angler friend Rodrigo Salles.

Appropriately titled "Kings of the River," it captures the raw power of the remarkable freshwater dorado... most definitely the toughest, most beautiful river-swimming species I've ever caught.  It also captures the sounds of the jungle, which I still hear in my mind, one year later...

Enjoy, but be warned there is a little spicy language, including the magic word that earns an automatic "R" rating for movies.

And some of you long-time Fly Talkers will be interested to see our old friend, writer and photographer Joey Lin in the video.

If, after watching this, you can think of another fish more deserving of the "King of the River" crown, I'd like to hear about it.  For my part, I say "long live the mighty dorado."

Deeter

PS- If you want to go here and see it for yourself... see www.tsimanelodge.com

Anyone who knows me personally understands that I think the sun rises and sets in the fly fishing world where guides say it does.  I've always been a fan of guides; I guide myself; how could I not be a fan?

I know, I know... it's expensive to go on a guide trip.  But in my experience, if you find the right guide, the investment is ultimately as valuable in your long term fishing experience as almost anything you can buy, save the rod and reel itself.  Put it this way... if the investment is not extremely valuable in this way, well, you went fishing with the wrong guide.

I think that's especially true in fly fishing.  Too many "gurus" approach this sport as a platform to show all the stuff they know that we do not, and maybe make a buck or too in the process.  The guide's mission should be exactly the opposite... to break down the barriers, to share understanding, and to instill confidence that this crazy sport isn't rocket science after all.

The guide who does their job right sits in the catbird's seat, and has the power to influence whether or not that beginner client becomes a lifetime angler, or a once-and-done customer.  It can happen in the first 15 minutes on the water.

As such, I think the fly industry has to do a better job of taking care of guides.  Some companies get it.  Most don't.  I think we need to give guides more than cheap gear.  In return, I think we need to expect more from guides. 

I'm working on a project involving guides now, and I want to hear any recommendations some of you might have.  Do you know any aces?  Teachers? Story tellers?  What makes a guide great?

Also, I must report that the Fly Talk Smackdown Grudge Match on the Colorado River yesterday was...

A tie.

I think I had Romano on numbers (barely), and I had the best eat... a hopper take that seemed like it lasted 10 seconds.  But Tim beat me cold on the big fish of the day... a 21-inch brown that ate his streamer in heavy rapids.  He had more chases too, but as is usually the case in streamer fishing, you rarely pin them all on. 

Guess we'll need a rematch.

Deeter