Trout Magazine

Beaverhead Release

Copyright 2010 schnitzerPHOTO

January has been a steamroller. With a hundred different irons in the fire, the submission deadline for the upcoming Trout Magazine request was suddenly staring me down. It has been a while since I've put together a submission for Trout. The publication, and the organization it represents, Trout Unlimited (TU), are very near and dear to me. I am a TU alumnus, having worked for the organization for five years. I am grateful for the time I spent with the organization, and I have many close friends still there on behalf of its worthy mission. It is more than just a conservation organization that I support - it is, in a very real sense, my extended family. Their challenges, their successes, I still perceive as very much my own.

With the turning of a new year, I resolved to once again make a point of contributing photography in support of TROUT Magazine's conservation messages. I was put in touch with their communications staff - all new since my departure in 2006 - and received the call for submissions for the next issue. Unfortunately, the time between notification and the deadline was short, and there weren't many articles that overlapped with images in my archive. I diligently perused the binders of 35mm slides, as well as the digital library for more recent collections. I didn't find hundreds, but a few dozen matched up with least one feature article.

I won't give away what the upcoming issue will highlight, but the headline image for this post is a vague hint. That image, featuring my old friend Rob, is part of a series gathered during some particularly memorable late summer days in western Montana. The memories provided by yesterday's skimming of old slides is something I should avail myself of more often. Not that I needed any more desire to get out fishing right now, but, during the past ten years, I've been fortunate to share some downright fairytale days on some of this country's most beautiful creeks, streams and rivers - even tropical flats and Alaskan waters - with friends who made every day just that much more special. That's sappy, but true.

My fingers are crossed that I am once again able to be a part of Trout Magazine. Whether that happens with the new issue, or one subsequent, I've got a renewed vigor to make many, many more fly fishing images this year. So, to any friends out there who read this - let's get our calendars together and get after it.

2010 Fly Fishing Film Tour!

The 2010 Tour, presented by Costa, lauches January 26 in Ventura, CA.  This is THE premier collection of fly fishing films, and a celebration of fly fishing around the globe.

Check out the tour schedule, and get inspired, as well as contract an acute case of cabin fever.

Getting in the groove

Intro: Some may note the conspicuous absence of a post marking the New Year.  Had I penned one, it would have been witty and profound, but, alas, I just didn't have it in me.  I'm sure there were plenty of amusing "Best Of..." lists out there, looking back not just on the year, but on an entire decade.  I've decided to keep this blog forward-looking.  So, in the way of resolutions: 1) more fishing; 2) pursuing more and more challenging photographic projects; 3) more fun.  With the third item in mind, I hope everyone is headfirst and safely in to 2010.  Let's make it a good one.   -R

Self Portrait: Ski Prep

Copyright 2010 schnitzerPHOTO

We've been fast in winter's grip since well before the holiday season.  Though it took me some time to get accustomed to it, I've lately been making every attempt to embrace the season.  One of the ways I do so is on skate skis, thanks to the Lander Nordic Skiing Association, of which we are members.  LNSA maintains our little system of nordic trails - Beaver Creek, just up the mountain (@8000') from our place, includes a warming yurt and weaving, hilly trails in and out of aspens.  With good snow, it is spectacular.  The Association also grooms the municipal golf course when there is enough snow, making for a good lunch break option.

For the past four days, I've been getting out to Beaver Creek for at least an hour each outing.  Yesterday, I put in ninety minutes. My body and lungs are grateful for the spark provided by skate skiing.  Chukar hunting requires almost as much physical exertion, but just isn't the same.  Last week, we picked up Kel's new skis, and she broke them in on New Year's day.  However, her surgically-repaired right foot isn't yet fully capable, so she'll keep working on it incrementally.

There's a lot of winter remaining.  Here's hoping for more snow.

CIAO Gallery in Jackson: Opening Jan. 8

Autumn in the Canyon

One of the pieces featured in Jackson's CIAO Gallery, opening Jan. 8th

Copyright 2009 schnitzerPHOTO

It has been a while since we've done a gallery show. In talking about it a few months ago, we agreed that the next attempt would be something in Jackson Hole. It keeps the work relevant, and provides the right kind of potential market to gain some further traction for the fine art facet of the operation.

As luck would have it, I received notice from the Wyoming Arts Council that Jackson's CIAO Gallery had issued a call for artists to submit for their first annual juried photography competition. There was no theme, so it was a bit of a shot in the dark. And, adding further cloudiness is Jackson's identity not only as an "arts community," but one that could be considered the capital of "western" and wildlife art. Juried shows are a roll of the dice in any instance, but this one seemed even more of a stretch. Regardless, I submitted four pieces just ahead of the deadline.

I received notice yesterday from CIAO Gallery's Director, Michele Walters, that my pieces were selected for inclusion in the gallery. Even more exciting is that I have been awarded 2nd Place overall. This is a terrific introduction for my photography to the Jackson arts community.

The opening is Friday, January 8th, during Jackson's First Friday art walk. The show will be on display through January.

Season's Greetings

From the ranch here in Wyoming, happy holidays, everyone.

-R & K 

schnitzerPHOTO

Film Teaser: Felt Soul Media's "Eastern Rises"

Though I'm passionate about fly fishing, I'll never admit to being one who enjoys "fish porn."  Many films, behind the quasi-artistic categorizing veil of "documentary," fall flat in contrast with fly angling's spiritual depth and consequence.

However, there is an outfit called Felt Soul Media, Inc., that, in my opinion, stands alone as the bellwether for contemporary fly fishing (and conservation) communications.  First introduced to their craft with "The Hatch" at Telluride Mountainfilm several years ago, I've since been positively electrified by their subsequent films, including "Running Down the Man" and "Red/Gold."  Proprietors and artists Ben Knight and Travis Rummel have teamed up with the down-for-anything and all-around great guy Frank Smethurst to depict the essence of fly fishing's excitement, its camaraderies, and the power which lies in a true sense of place.

Felt Soul has done it again, and I am excited to add this next installment to the video library.  "Eastern Rises" has FSM teaming up with the good folks from Redding, California's The Fly Shop to explore the remote, wild rivers of Russia's far-eastern Kamchatka Peninsula.  Just check out this teaser, from Vimeo:

Eastern Rises | teaser from felt soul media on Vimeo.

Blitzen Trapper On Music Itself Being A Cause

An interesting interview piece featuring one of my favorite bands, discussing the impact of music on society. Check it out:

Blitzen Trapper On Music Itself Being A Cause