So are you ready for the Barbie Challenge? Barbie rods and related cartoon-character spincast outfits for little kids are sold by the hundreds of thousands every year. You can get one at your local chain-discount store for about 10 bucks. Everybody knows about these things and experienced anglers usually regard them as a bad joke. But have you ever actually fished with one?
So I broke yet another rod yesterday when I got distracted somehow and our spring-loaded screen door slammed shut on the rod tip. Pretty stupid. I can get the rod tip replaced okay, so that’s not too big a deal, but breaking a fishing rod is always a little traumatic. It got me thinking of other breaks at other times.
There’s been a lot of talk around here lately about budget-priced fishing gear, and even more discussion about how ostensibly silly it is to pay hundreds for simple things like reels. All this leads me to point out an interesting paradox when it comes to tackle and gear prices.
I try to spend as much as I can on things that I kmow will last, like reels or motors. But I go cheap on the things that I know my kids will jump on and break a lot, like rods and sunglasses.
If something has a good warranty, I will spend some extra bucks for it.
Today is the traditional Opening Day of trout season in New York state. It is also April Fool’s Day. Some will wisely assume the two are somehow connected.
The water temperature of the Beaverkill, that most famous of Catskill trout rivers, this morning is 42 degrees. The weather forecast calls for cloudy skies with afternoon rain showers and air temperatures also in the 40s. It is a lovely day for playing cribbage by a warm wood stove; somewhat less lovely for trout fishing.
No opening fish days here in Utah. We don't even have morning opening times because we can fish 24 hours. THe opening day magic goes to hunting seasons- except the opening day of general mule deer- that is just madness with flying bullets.
When sketchy weather or prior obligations keep me close to home on weekends, my attention turns to largemouth. For me, bass have always been a fish good for killing a few hours in the local lakes and ponds, but I have never traveled to chase them in famed waters. I am, however, happy to report that I caught my first of the season Sunday, and they were pretty aggressive even though the spawn is nearly two months away and the water is still darn cold.
Last thursday the Wall Street Journal ran a piece (view it here) on fishing for carp, catfish, and other warm-water species using a fly. They talk about a term completely new to me called "brownlining" or finding the brown lines on a map like urban creeks, rivers, and ditches.
There is a big brown water near me- the Bear River and Cutler Reservoir. Luckily it is only a few minutes from my house and it is full of carp, catfish, walleye, bluegill and crappie. It's hard to catch them with a fly because the water is so BROWN (because it is a drainage ditch for every dairy in the valley.)
A couple of years ago, popular bass pro Kevin VanDam came up with a crankbait color that Strike King lures (his sponsor) produced as "sexy shad." [photo] It's basically a blue-green back with a chartreuse stripe along the sides. Now just about every lure company is offering their own, similar versions in a wide variety of lure styles. I have never seen a new lure color become so popular so quickly.
Here's a fun item I picked up from Trinidad and Tobago Express News. On February 27th, James Jagroop, fishing in six feet of water, snagged and landed this barnacle-encrusted sword still in its wooden sheath. Speculation as to its origin, and how it ended up in such shallow water so close to shore, are flying wildly.
My 3 yr. old daughter hooked a fish and began reeling it in, but when her hook came up it was attached to a prince nymph which was dropped below an elk hair caddis which was firmly lodged in the mouth of an albino rainbow trout. That was fun for her.
Yup, that's a big bass. Really big. Our friend Conway Bowman, better known for his TV shows and affinity for catching Mako sharks on the fly turns his thoughts elsewhere in the spring. Bass and carp on the fly. He caught this cruising fish two days ago on a southern California coastal reservoir.
I have said it before- nothing is funner than watching a big bass come out of the water to hit a damsel fly. Even big bass go nuts for them and will hit a damsel fly over and over.
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Merwin: The Barbie Rod Challenge23
So are you ready for the Barbie Challenge? Barbie rods and related cartoon-character spincast outfits for little kids are sold by the hundreds of thousands every year. You can get one at your local chain-discount store for about 10 bucks. Everybody knows about these things and experienced anglers usually regard them as a bad joke. But have you ever actually fished with one?
they make great ice fishing rods and they aren't near as expensive as the ice rods.
Merwin: Broken Rods and High-Sticking12
So I broke yet another rod yesterday when I got distracted somehow and our spring-loaded screen door slammed shut on the rod tip. Pretty stupid. I can get the rod tip replaced okay, so that’s not too big a deal, but breaking a fishing rod is always a little traumatic. It got me thinking of other breaks at other times.
Remember, pulling the rod horizontally to the side is just like lifting it vertically.
Merwin: More On Budget Tackle14
There’s been a lot of talk around here lately about budget-priced fishing gear, and even more discussion about how ostensibly silly it is to pay hundreds for simple things like reels. All this leads me to point out an interesting paradox when it comes to tackle and gear prices.
I try to spend as much as I can on things that I kmow will last, like reels or motors. But I go cheap on the things that I know my kids will jump on and break a lot, like rods and sunglasses. If something has a good warranty, I will spend some extra bucks for it.
Cermele: Fun With Bait Collection35
The night before a fishing trip we go out nightcrawler hunting. It has turned into as much of a trip as thr fishing.
Merwin: Lost Magic & Opening Day20
Today is the traditional Opening Day of trout season in New York state. It is also April Fool’s Day. Some will wisely assume the two are somehow connected.
The water temperature of the Beaverkill, that most famous of Catskill trout rivers, this morning is 42 degrees. The weather forecast calls for cloudy skies with afternoon rain showers and air temperatures also in the 40s. It is a lovely day for playing cribbage by a warm wood stove; somewhat less lovely for trout fishing.
No opening fish days here in Utah. We don't even have morning opening times because we can fish 24 hours. THe opening day magic goes to hunting seasons- except the opening day of general mule deer- that is just madness with flying bullets.
Cermele: Flukin' Largemouth21
When sketchy weather or prior obligations keep me close to home on weekends, my attention turns to largemouth. For me, bass have always been a fish good for killing a few hours in the local lakes and ponds, but I have never traveled to chase them in famed waters. I am, however, happy to report that I caught my first of the season Sunday, and they were pretty aggressive even though the spawn is nearly two months away and the water is still darn cold.
Flukes and curly tails. I have tried lots of bass baits, but these are my go- to baits when I want fish in the bucket.
Warm water fishing: Do you Brownline?15
Last thursday the Wall Street Journal ran a piece (view it here) on fishing for carp, catfish, and other warm-water species using a fly. They talk about a term completely new to me called "brownlining" or finding the brown lines on a map like urban creeks, rivers, and ditches.
There is a big brown water near me- the Bear River and Cutler Reservoir. Luckily it is only a few minutes from my house and it is full of carp, catfish, walleye, bluegill and crappie. It's hard to catch them with a fly because the water is so BROWN (because it is a drainage ditch for every dairy in the valley.)
Merwin: Is Sexy Shad Fishing's Hottest Color?16
A couple of years ago, popular bass pro Kevin VanDam came up with a crankbait color that Strike King lures (his sponsor) produced as "sexy shad." [photo] It's basically a blue-green back with a chartreuse stripe along the sides. Now just about every lure company is offering their own, similar versions in a wide variety of lure styles. I have never seen a new lure color become so popular so quickly.
I have NEVER caught anything with a lure that has a blue back. Change it to black and it is a different story.
Cermele: Treasure Snaggin'39
Here's a fun item I picked up from Trinidad and Tobago Express News. On February 27th, James Jagroop, fishing in six feet of water, snagged and landed this barnacle-encrusted sword still in its wooden sheath. Speculation as to its origin, and how it ended up in such shallow water so close to shore, are flying wildly.
My 3 yr. old daughter hooked a fish and began reeling it in, but when her hook came up it was attached to a prince nymph which was dropped below an elk hair caddis which was firmly lodged in the mouth of an albino rainbow trout. That was fun for her.
Springtime Bass: Bigger on a fly rod?16
Yup, that's a big bass. Really big. Our friend Conway Bowman, better known for his TV shows and affinity for catching Mako sharks on the fly turns his thoughts elsewhere in the spring. Bass and carp on the fly. He caught this cruising fish two days ago on a southern California coastal reservoir.
I have said it before- nothing is funner than watching a big bass come out of the water to hit a damsel fly. Even big bass go nuts for them and will hit a damsel fly over and over.
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