THE DEERFIELD REINCARNATE

August 22, 2003 - FFF casting tutor, Dave Benoit, has recently been praising the rebirth of this once great watershed and he's not the only one. To be quite honest the Deerfield was once considered hallowed water among central Mass cold water enthusiasts and it seems to be gradually returning to it's former glory. Dave has been making frequent pilgrimages to the C&R sections of the river, and when the water level complies (usually sunrise to mid morning and mid afternoon to sundown), the fishing has been extraordinary.

Benoit also commented on the absence of significant surface activity due to the lack of adult insects. Despite this, his most successful patterns to date have been Ausable Wulffs (14) and BWO CDC's (20). Also worth noting is the mammoth proportion of the resident rainbow trout population with many specimens exceeding 18 inches in length.

I will also make mention of the fact that fishing has been non existent of late due to excessive water discharges caused by high water levels in the upper reservoirs. This period of inclement weather with frequent cloudbursts has contributed to the unfishable conditions, which should only be a temporary setback. In any event, should you be planning to visit the river it would be best to consult the Deerfield water release hotline at 1.888.356.3663. Consider the fact that the discharge schedule is subject to change and is often inaccurate and should only be used as a guideline.

G. LOOMIS BACK WITH G. LOOMIS
Gary Loomis, founder of G. Loomis, has renewed his contract for three years with the company he once owned. His new contract puts him in the promotional spotlight as he works consumer shows, with dealers on factory visits, and with the media. He plans to maintain an office at the factory. "Gary just isn't ready to retire," Said G. Loomis executive director and CEO Bruce Holt. "He wants to be - and we want him to be- very much a part of our team."

A BILL TO BAN 2-STROKES?
Massachusetts Rep. Jim Marzille Jr., D-Middlesex, has introduced House Bill 1909 to prohibit the sale of 2-stroke recreational engines in Massachusetts. The state legislation, which would take effect immediately if passed, seeks to ban the sale of 2-strokes, thereby creating a stronger market for their less polluting counterparts, 4-stroke engines.

INDUSTRY NEWS
Sage Acquires Redington Apparel (Press Release)
As a follow up to their purchase of Redington Tackle, Sage today formally announced the completion of their purchase of Redington Apparel.

Consisting largely of a line of technical sportswear, Redington Apparel is known primarily as value outdoorwear. Originally created for Redington by former Columbia Sportswear affiliates Dave Ferrie and Bart Bonime, both the existing line of sportswear and the two founders will be making the transition to Sage. Dave will continue to handle the merchandising end of the business and Bart will handle the sourcing and design coordination. "With Sage's marketing, customer service and financial horsepower behind us," noted Dave Ferrie, "we look forward to building Redington Apparel into a perfect fit for both the specialty and multi-door retailers. These products, programs and pricing are right on for this marketplace."
As with the Redington Tackle purchase, all Redington Apparel transactions will now originate out of Sage's plant and warehouse on Bainbridge Island, WA. Back office and distribution functions will similarly be merged. But as in the previous tackle purchase, the Redington Apparel brand will operate separately from Sage.

"We see the Redington Apparel brand as a natural extension of Redington Tackle," added Bruce Kirschner, President of Sage. "We've heard many positives about the products and have in the past worked successfully with both Dave and Bart. We look forward to having them on the team again."

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB