He is compelled to return to the rivers of Normandy

Award winning production company Uncage the Soul has launched an indiegogo fund raising campaign for a documentary film about Frank Moore. If they can pull off their lofty fundraising goal this promises to be a one hell of a film.

Mending the Line is a documentary about Frank Moore, a 90-year old WWII veteran and fly-fishing legend, returning to Normandy to fish the rivers he saw as a soldier.

Tough as nails, gentle as a poet, and determined as a badger, 90-year old Frank Moore loves to fly-fish. A World War II veteran, in 1944 he landed along with some 150,000 other troops on the beaches of Normandy, France for the D-Day Allied invasion. Despite the cacophony of war around him, the avid, young fly fisherman couldn’t help but notice the productive fisheries on the rivers he and his fellow troops crossed as they made their way into occupied France.

Frank's lifetime accomplishments as a fly fisherman, conservationist and a veteran have earned him many awards, including the prestigious Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor, and recent induction into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. Moore has guided and fished with actors, congressman and executives over his storied angling career. He built and was the long-time proprietor of the world renowned Steamboat Inn along the North Umpqua River. Now, reflecting on his life, he is compelled to return to the rivers of Normandy, this time armed not with a gun, but with a fly rod and reel. 

This documentary project will profile Frank Moore's inspiring and dynamic life history and follow his return to France to fish the rivers that he crossed so many years ago as a 21-year-old soldier amidst the devastation of war. There are few veterans in as good health as Frank; far fewer who have the courage and ability to travel back to France to see the war grounds of their past. In May 2013, the Uncage the Soul Production team will travel to France with Frank and his wife of 70 years, Jeanne, traversing the rivers and World War II landmarks of Normandy. The production team will shadow Frank's journey, capturing the raw emotion and experience of a lifetime to be found in Frank closing this book he began writing on June 6, 1944.

An award winning film production studio, Uncage the Soul specializes in outdoor adventure documentary, having produced projects featured at the Banff Mountain Film Festival, Mountainfilm, the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, and broadcast on National Geographic and the Discovery Channel. The team is comprised of world renowned filmmakers and photographers, bringing a unique and beautiful perspective to storytelling.  

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R.I.P. Doug Rose

Sad news as one of the Pacific Northwest's steelheading legends, authors, and champions for wild fish has lost his battle to cancer. Doug Rose died peacefully at home on Monday surrounded by family and friends.

Take some time and explore Doug's website and blog to get a feel for the large legacy he leaves.

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RIP - Jon Ain

I first met Jon Ain at the Fly Fishing Retailer show in Denver when he approached me about Patagonia sponsoring his March Merkin Permit Tournament. Despite not having the budget there was something about the man and his passion for permit that persuaded me that we should be involved. So that first year we scraped together some shirts and Patagonia's involvement with the tournament, and my friendship with Jon, grew over the years.

Every year Jon would invite me to his place in the Keys and every year either work or family obligations prevented me from making the trip. It wasn't until last year's Fly Fishing Retailer show in New Orleans that we had a chance to chase some redfish together. After a great day on the Bayou he insisted I make the trip to his place in the Keys for some permit fishing.

I'll never have the chance to make that trip, Jon passed away yesterday morning after a courageous battle with cancer. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and many friends. Jon was a true gentlemen, a great angler, and his legacy will live on in those of us he inspired to protect the fish he loved.

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