If there is one item we look forward to getting every winter it's the Blue Ribbon Flies catalog. Years ago while in West Yellowstone I walked into the Blue Ribbon shop after a not so successful session on the Fire Hole. A shop clerk listened to my tale of woe with great interest. After deciphering my report, he suggested a few patterns, approaches and techniques to up my odds.
A few days later I was back in the shop for more patterns and more importantly to thank the guy working the floor. That guy was Craig Matthews. The owner. You will rarely find a more humble, unassuming and knowledgeable fly fisherman. That experience left a lasting impression to this day.
Blue Ribbon's catalog reminds me of the old Chouinard climbing catalogs. They always had useful information, excellent images and gear that worked. BRF is no different . This year is possibly the best yet. A couple of stand outs are John Juracek's article on fly casting. This should be required reading for anyone picking up a fly rod. Yvon Chouinard's essay on Tenkara will get you thinking outside the box. Everything about sport Chouinard has ever written has always struck a chord with me. Now he goes on to open my eyes to a "new" simpler way to fish. Damn you Yvon!
For the fly tyer, you couldn't ask for a better selection of materials. If you dig soft hackles, look no further. Video tutorials available on their website will help get you through the winter and stocked for spring. Check out the soft hackle vid and get psyched for some upland hunting next season.
Most importantly take notice of what BRF does in terms of giving back. This shop is not feeding off the gut pile and walking away. It's doing the right thing and setting the bar pretty high in terms of environmental commitment. I know they have made us better stewards by example.
Start today by doing the green move. Instead of ordering a catalog from them, go directly to the site and view it there. There, you just did a green thing. Didn't even hurt.
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