best

The 25 Greatest Flies of All Time

Joe_Cermele — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:56:03 -0400

No one fly catches all the fish all the time. That’s a fact of flyfishing, and it’s why there are thousands of different patterns. Fish, ever whimsical, sometimes refuse to eat on Friday the fly they ate on Tuesday. Fishermen, ever inventive, constantly create new patterns to compensate. Despite this, some standard patterns have evolved. Tested by time, water, and fish, these are the flies that work more often than not. Most are trout flies because the majority of flyfishermen target trout. That’s why my top 20 list leans in that direction.

The Killers: 112 Can't-Miss Lures of Today's Top Guides

Joe_Cermele — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:59:34 -0500

Ask fishing guides to name their favorite lures and most sigh, then grumble, then inevitably utter some variation on the words, “That’s tough, because it all depends on the conditions.” But deep down, all guides—regardless of sponsorships, endorsements, or free lures showered on them by manufacturers—know the patterns that will get them hooked up on their home waters anytime. They all have standbys that get it done come rain, wind, or dirty water.

Favorite Lures of the Smallmouth Guides

Joe_Cermele — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:16:56 -0500

Guide John Blais

John Blais
Location: Belgrade/Cobbosseecontee Lake, Maine
Credentials: Blais has been chasing smallmouth throughout Maine for over 20 years, both is still-water and the river systems. Boating 50 fish a day is common, and he’s led clients to his share of six-pound bronzebacks.
Number of years guiding: 7

Favorite Lures of the Crappie Guides

Joe_Cermele — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:19:46 -0500

Captain Jim Porter

Jim Porter
Location: Stick Marsh/Farm 13, Florida
Credentials: An accomplished fishing writer and professional guide since 2002, fifty percent of all Porter’s trips are for crappie, during which he routinely boats fish weighing two pounds or better.
Number of years guiding: 7
Contact: (321) 951-7841; stickmarsh.com

Favorite Lures of the Walleye Guides

Joe_Cermele — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:07:24 -0500

Captain Rick Millette

Rick Millette
Location: Lake Erie, Ohio
Credentials: Millette has taken the knowledge gained fishing Erie since 1962 and turned it over to his clients, who have put walleye over 14 pounds in the box with his help.
Number of years guiding: 28
Contact: (614) 771-1910; eriequest.com

Favorite Lures of the Pike Guides

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:56:33 -0500

Captain Bobby Liedberg

Bobby Liedberg
Location: Lake Delavan, Wisconsin
Credentials: Liedberg has called Lake Delavan his home since childhood and now plies its waters with clients, offering a “no pike, no pay” rule on all full-day trips.
Number of years guiding: 12
Contact: (630) 830-7687; pikeboy.com

How to Tie The Five Strongest Fishing Knots

Joe_Cermele — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:31:54 -0500

The Test: To determine the winners I tested a total of 18 established knots on my Chatillon DFE digital force gauge, for which I paid an obscene amount. Basically, two small fixtures hold the line (or knot) and pull slowly apart, while a precisely calibrated gauge records the force at which a break occurs.

Knots often break because they aren’t firmly and evenly tightened, so lubricate yours with saliva and pull them tight. Also, knots that require multiple turns of line must lie and draw up neatly, without line overlapping where it shouldn’t.

Story Leak: Gear for the New Year

fieldandstream-editor — Tue, 30 May 2006 17:00:00 -0400

Begin to Spin (Deal of the Month)
An oscillation gear keeps the line evenly spooled, while a special roller reduces tangles. Bottom line: great castability. The rear-drag Solstace makes a good first spinning reel. $50; 949-951-5003; shimano.com

Table of Contents

The 50 Best Guns Ever Made, Revisited

fieldandstream-editor — Fri, 05 May 2006 12:00:00 -0400

Click here to read this story and post your comments on David E. Petzal's blog, The Gun Nut

Editor's Note: Last February, Dave wrote a cover story titled "The 50 Best Guns Ever Made" that generated lots of heated opinion. In case any of you missed the piece, we've posted links to it in photo gallery form in Dave's blog. Keep an eye on the story next week as he returns to the subject with updates to the list and some fresh thoughts on these guns.

Click here to read this story and post your comments on David E. Petzal's blog, The Gun Nut

Best of 2005: Jerry's Tips

fieldandstream-editor — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 04:15:00 -0500

[BRACKET "1"] Get Your Socks On--February 2005
Wet, sandy feet are a nuisance to outdoorsmen--difficult to wipe dry and nearly impossible to pull socks over. A liberal sprinkling of baby powder, however, will absorb moisture instantly and allow you to brush the sand off. Socks are easier to pull on over powdered feet, and dry feet are essential for fungus prevention.

[BRACKET "2"]Bring In Distant Turkeys--March 2005
When a distant gobbler answers your call, move silently in his direction before he starts moving toward you. Try to get within 200 yards of the bird before calling again. Gobblers are more likeley to come all the way to a hunter who is inside that range. If you continue calling froma long distance, the turkey's answers will likely attract a live hen that will cut him off before he reaches you.

[BRACKET "3"]Organize Your Mess Kit--April 2005
When camping, tie a many-pocketed carpenter's apron at eye level on a tree trunk within reach of your cooking site. Fill the pockets with cooking utensils and a pair of long-handled pliers for handling hot pots and pans. The apron pockets provide a means of organizing utensils so you will always know where they are and have them close at hand when you need them.

[BRACKET "4"]Release Your Anchor Quickly--May 2005
It can be difficult to land large fish from a boat anchored in strong current if you can't slip anchor quickly. To make a quick-release system, tie a loop in the anchor line and attach a buoy or plastic jug to the loop, which you will place around the bow anchor cleat. When you hook up, slip it off the cleat and toss it overboard. After you've landed the fish, retrieve the anchor and buoy.

[BRACKET "5"]Make A Double-Sided Worm Can--June 2005
Instead fo digging down to the bottom of your bait can to find worms, replace the metal end of the can with another plastic lid in which you've punched a dozen tiny airholes. When the worms burrow down to the bottom, simply turn the can over and open the other end. The worms will always be on top and easy to see.

[BRACKET "6"]Release Fish Stress-Free--July 2005
Unhooking a wriggling fish becomes much easier when you hold the fish on its back with one hand gently cupping its dorsal fin. All fish immediately relax and lie still when held in this position, allowing you to remove the hook without having to squeeze, thereby causing less stress and injury. Always remember to wet your hands before handling any fish.

[BRACKET "7"]Stay Focused On Stand--July 2005
To help pass the time when you're spending long hours in a deer stand, take along a few ounces of birdseed. Scatter the seed on a nearby log or other bare area within a few yards of your stand. Birds, chipmunks, and squirrels are sure to discover the horde and will give you hours of entertainment, and their presence will keep you alert and remind you to stay still.

[BRACKET "8"]Camouflage Your Tree Stand--August 2005
Branches that you remove to clear a climbing path and shooting lanes at your tree stand should not be left on the ground. They may draw unwanted attention from people who might sit in your stand. Instead, drag them away from the vicinity, or lash some to the trunk above the stand to break up its outline and camouflage your silhouette as you hunt.

[BRACKET "9"]Protect Your Trailer Lights--September 2005
To prevent shorting, rig your trailer's wiring so that no junctions or terminals are ever submerged. Elevate lights on upright poles bolted to the frame. Don't join the wires in a Y-formation on the trailer body. Instead, run separate wires from each taillight all the way to the vehicle plug. For extra protection, use outdoor extension cord rather than standard electrical wire.

[BRACKET "10"]Train Your Dog To Hold Point--October 2005
Practice staunching a bird dog on point by pushing his shoulders and hind end toward the bird he's pointing. He will resist the pressure and push back against your hand, stiffening his point. Over time he will think it was his idea to remain steady. As your dog absorbs the lesson, gradually delay flushing so that he learns to enjoy the anticipation of keeping the bird in place.

[BRACKET "11"]Lubricate Your Grill--November 2005
You can use a raw potato to prevent wild game steaks or fresh fish fillets from sticking to the survace of your barbeque grill. Slice the potato in half, then, when the grill is hot, rub the cut side back and forth lengthwise along the grate. You'll hear a hissing sound as starch from the potato coats the metal with a natural non-stick compound.

[BRACKET "12"]Rig Tangle-Free Decoys--December/January 2005-06
Set your decoys with a trawl line to avoid frustrating tangles. To make one, tie four or five overhand loops 2 to 3 feet apart in the middle of some camo-colored cord. Tie a loop for an anchor at each end. Rig your deocy bases with snap fasteners. To use, anchor one end, snap deocys to the loops as you pay out the line, then anchor the far end. Stagger lines to create an irregular pattern.