Our friends over at Moldychum.com have launched a non-scientific yet intriguing poll they plan to hand over to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in conjunction with TU. 

“We’d like to demonstrate to the state just how important wild fish are to those of us who spend time chasing these magnificent fish,” said Eric Rathbun, chief editor of Moldy Chum and founder of Reel Pure Inc. “I can’t speak for everyone who fly fishes for steelhead, but catching a wild fish is a unique experience, and one that I certainly prefer.”

Personally, I agree with Rathbun, although I'll catch hatchery plants of any species if forced to. Especially ones dropped from airplanes...  I will say that wild fish no matter the size or location seem to...

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So I’ve recently become a pick-up truck owner. I've only had SUVs in the past, but given the nature of my hobbies, I finally decided that a pick-up was more practical in many ways. I only had one problem: I couldn’t stand laying rods in the bed with them hanging over the tailgate. I’ve just seen too many sticks get snapped or lose guides that way. So I began to tinker.

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I'm on my way to the Everglades for a few days of high adventure, camping, kayaking and hopefully catching some snook, redfish, and/or tarpon.  Every time I go saltwater fishing, however, I bring a baitcaster along.  I'd rather catch a fish on a pinfish in dirty water, than get stuck with just a fly rod when the fly thing isn't happening.  And sometimes it doesn't happen.  

Now... in trout fishing, I actually believe that a fly floated the right way is deadlier than any old lure... and I'm just not going to bait fish for trout, no matter what.  I haven't fished garden hackle in years, and I simply can't and won't go there.

But I can turn into a downright bait-chucking, heavy metal-chucking monster in the salt, in a relative hurry.

Is this wrong?  Should I just man up and stick to the "fly or die" ideal, even in the saltwater?  Or is fishing about catching, and all is fair game?

Not that you'll change my attitude (or actions) in the next few days... but I am interested in your opinions.

Deeter  [ Read Full Post ]

Staying alive. Personal safety is high on my fall fishing list. The water temperature this morning on one of the big lakes I often fish is 51 degrees. Normally dressed, if I fall out of the boat there’s a good chance of death by hypothermia.

So a couple of years ago, I bought one of the Mustang Survival Jackets shown here. It’s a floatation coat/PFD with enough foam inside to also protect my body’s core temperature in the water. I figure that’ll be enough so I can either make it to shore or somehow struggle back into or on the boat on my own. The jacket is also plenty warm and comfortable while fishing.

This was not some free sample, by the way, but cost somewhere well north of $200. When I explained it to my wife, she who otherwise tends to parsimony immediately bought one too.

I have similar thoughts about river fishing. Neoprene chest waders aren’t as comfortable as the new breathables I most often wear, but unlike breathables the neoprene will act as a wetsuit if I take an inadvertent dive. So there would be some warmth during and after any... [ Read Full Post ]

Wanna talk to other anglers in your geographical area or perhaps for an upcoming trip somewhere else? Get info, share stories, pictures, meet fishing buddies or get the low-down on guides? Check out GoFISHn...

GoFISHn is "where anglers connect,". It's a place where anglers can easily share stories and information, and small businesses who serve anglers can discover new customers and stay in touch with existing ones.

GoFISHn is distinctive in this realm (at least I think so) by bringing in a very clean and open design that's easy to use, and it makes the creation of new content -- whether it's a quick status update or a photo gallery or a custom map -- easy to create and publish.

They've created a way to review gear and ask/answer questions, both of which are integrated...

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I'd have caught that scum-scum sucking pig rainbow trout if...

I'd have done what jvento suggested:

"Size up to an 18 non-parachute pattern and keep the emerger on. Cast and play the waiting game. Let him find your fly instead of presenting it in front of him."

Play the waiting game.  That is the key, I think.  I've replayed the situation over and over, and have thought I cast too much... should have found a pocket of clear water, placed the fly, and waited.  I think that might have worked.

So, as the scum-sucking pig contest winner, jvento wins a Temple Fork fly rod. Not too shabby.  Hit me, jvento, at kirk@anglingtrade.com, and I'll send it out to you, but not for a couple weeks (I'm on my way from the Bahamas, to Montana, to the Everglades... more on those adventures to follow...)

Deeter [ Read Full Post ]

It's been a while since we've announced some winners for the last couple of caption contests. Sorry about that... On the line were a new Buff and a Petzl headlamp. Below are the images and captions/winners that won us over. As usual there were quite a few good ones and making the decision was tough, but here are the winners. Please email me and I'll get you prizes sent out.

The winner of the Buff was

 The Armchair Ou... wrote 2 weeks 3 days ago

Man, I know I've always said our state's game management program was in the toilet, but this is ridiculous!

The winner of the headlamp...

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I'm not the world's greatest angler, by any stretch... but I'm not used to failure.

In this case, we had the camera rolling (for Cermele's new Hook Shots episode, check it out) as a giant rainbow was sipping bugs off the surface in a part of the Colorado River where I reliably catch fish.  I figured that was a done deal.  I was prepared to hook that fish, turn and mug for the camera, and say something smug like, "and THAT'S why I only do one show a day, babe, I won't do two..."

But, alas... I got schooled.  Skunked.  Whiffed.  For the entire Field & Stream nation to see...

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In the spirit of the Strike-O-Matic and other soon to be unveiled products by Flytalk Inc., we bring you the Divine Intervention Fly Box.

The idea was hatched during shooting of the most recent episode of Hook Shots with our friend and fellow blogger Joe Cermele. Need a little help...

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One of the great things about fishing in the Internet age is being able to access information like stream reports quickly.  That's also one of the bad things about fishing in the Internet age... some of that quick information you get is garbage.

On the one hand, if I want to know what the flow is, and what flies are working on the Yellowstone River right now, it takes all of five minutes to Google up some results and get a gaggle of info.  On the other hand, I'm not always sure how honest and insightful the info is... sometimes it's hard to check those sources.

Here's a website that's worth checking out:  The Orvis River Report website. From what I can tell, the site does a very respectable job of providing current and reliable information on over 130 major trout rivers throughout the country. (An oft-attempted, seldom accomplished holy grail of fly fishing reporting that Orvis' dealer network has the bandwidth to pull off...)  

Check your home water, and tell us if they're on the money or not.

There's nothing worse than the souped-up river fantasy report from a shop trying to hook some quick business... "man the hatch is ON,... [ Read Full Post ]

Chances are it’s already getting colder where you are, so here’s a warming thought: a free bonefishing trip to Andros Island in the Bahamas.

Fishing-lodge operator Deneki Outdoors is holding a drawing for a week’s fishing for one angler at their lodge on south Andros anytime between November 2009 and December 2010. All you have to do is sign up for the company’s e-mail newsletter here. The entry deadline is November 11, when the winner will be announced.

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I know this is a little off-topic for the blog, but it's too good. I had to share it. While looking at a few news sites this morning, I stumbled across this headline: "Woman Fries And Eats Pet Goldfish After Fight With Ex-Husband." Here's the story.

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