January 4, 2016
It’s been a blur since I received my new Winston 9’ 9-weight Boron III Plus Jungle Rod. The attractive new model arrived in late October and I took it on a two day photo shoot to Key West. We got our photos and I enjoyed my best day of bonefishing in the Keys of my life. That was my first experience with the extra powerful new model Winston and I was impressed.
Q: As an angler and photographer, what was your initial draw to begin flying and utilizing a multi-rotor drone for your photography work?
A: I love fly fishing. It occupies virtually every part of my personal life and my professional life. I also can’t imagine ever going fishing without a camera. It’s my way of sharing my passion for Winston and for fly fishing with others – especially when visiting a place for the first time. Aerial photography offers the opportunity explore the world from a new vantage point, so naturally I was drawn to it right away. In fact, that’s the main idea behind my latest film, Icarus. Like the Greek myth, the film Icarus is about a new freedom in flying (and filming with a quadcopter). And, like Icarus, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of things I saw from this new point of view, and ultimately undone by foolishness and inexperience. My wax wings soon melted and down it all came.
Q: After returning from Bolivia only a week or two ago, you set off again for the tropics, this time to the Brazilian jungle. Where in Brazil is this new lodge and how do you get there?
A: The new Rio Marie lodge is located in the northwestern part of Brazil and almost on the Columbian border. The river systems you are fishing are in the upper reaches of the Amazonian basin. Travel starts in Miami with direct flights to Manaus, which is a large city and one of the major ports on the Amazon River. Our package includes your arrival night’s stay at the Hotel Tropical which is the best option in the city. As with many South American accommodations do not be in a rush to check-in or obtain a cold beverage. The following morning the ground transfer agent picks you up for the three hour charter flight aboard a 14-passenger, twin engine turbo-prop to the remote Indian village of Sao Gabriel. From there you have a five hour boat ride to the mothership on a comfortable transfer boat with a Bimini top and rain shields. Bring a good book.
Cuba October 2015
Lucky me, when I called Winston to ask if they had any loaners in stock for an upcoming trip to Cuba, they offered to let me fish both an 8 and 10 weight in their new Boron III Plus saltwater series. You betcha I said.
Virginia is for Brook Trout Lovers is the first installment in Winston’s new series, On The River – by Parker Clemens. Originally from California, Parker spent four trout filled years in Colorado before landing in Washington, DC. In a city where things that are said are not always meant, Parker seeks solace in the streams where the fish keep the angler honest. While he reserves the highest reverence for trout, he happily pursues all species swimming in the nation’s capital. Whether it is casting at carp in the shadow of the Jefferson Memorial or backpacking to one of Virginia’s mountain brook trout streams, Parker can be found with a smile on his face whenever there is a fly rod in his hand. When he is not fishing, Parker writes about his experiences on the water. His writing takes on an appreciative and reflective tone, highlighting the intangible intricacies between the angler and the environment. With allusions to stewardship and the rejuvenating qualities of nature, Parker encourages his readers to explore and contemplate their own innate connection to the outdoors.
