Without question, a large part of what makes fishing so appealing is the chance for the unexpected. Well, this Sunday, something incredibly unexpected happened...and my camera was rolling. Chad Love, who many of you know from our Field Notes blog, flew out from Oklahoma for a shot at his dream fish: tuna. He never caught one, but instead ended up boating a near 600-pound blue marlin, which in my opinion trumps any tuna in the ocean.
One of the largest whitetail bucks I have ever seen was not running across an Iowa cornfield, or careening through a northwoods clearcut, or even languishing behind the high-fence at a petting zoo.
I live in New Jersey, and from my commuter train I once saw two massive main frame 8-points, absolutely huge bucks--heavy, wide, tall, symetry, the complete package--standing in the wide open of the 18th fairway of a golf course. I about pooped my pants.
I could not have made this story up if I tried... This past Saturday my wife, friend Arturo and I took a 8 mile hike to a high mountain lake in Rocky Mountain National Park for some greenback fishing on dry flies. I was shooting photos, and Ellie was catching a mess of fish on a size 22 Parachute Adams, refusing to give up her spot on a tall rock. The next thing I know Ellie is cursing a ziplock bag that she has hooked on her backcast and has given it a forward cast to try and release it. Even as I watched it didn't register until it was too late...
Once, while fishing in Cape Cod near Chatham, I hooked a monster striper. It felt huge and strong and it ripped line off my reel. And then it surfaced, and I could clearly see my white bucktail hooked on the fin of a large seal. Ooops.
I wasn't sure what to do, so I played the seal for a bit, then figured I should break him off. Not sure how you land a seal with a bogagrip anyway.
I love a day of offshore fishing immensely. But while the rush and team work involved in wrangling tuna or sharks is huge, such trips don't often qualify as "relaxing fishing" in my mind. You're on a mission that involves long-distance runs in the dark, days of watching weather patterns, a couple hundred bucks tied up in bait and fuel, a boat to clean when you return, and so on. Fun, but often stressful and always tiring...though it's a good tired.
David Hedlund would have looked like a soldier even in civilian clothes. Lean, wiry, piercing eyes…and of course, a buzz cut. He—and a whole lot of other soldiers—boarded the same plane I was flying in late January. I was heading to Alabama for a late-season deer hunt, they were going…well, I didn’t know at first, only that their destination was certainly not as nice as mine.
F&S is the best magazine of its size on the planet. Okay, I’m a little biased on that point--but it’s not just me who thinks so. Last night, the country’s top magazine editors representing the country’s top magazines met at New York City’s Lincoln Center for the 44th Annual National Magazine Awards. Known as Ellies, these are basically the Oscars of the magazine industry, and “General Excellence” is “Best Picture.”
In this first-ever Field & Stream "Hook Shots" episode, Joe Cermele chases American shad with local guide Dieter Scheel on the Central Delaware River in New Jersey during the annual April run. These shad fall to flutter spoons held in the current at different depths behind an anchored boat. Females, or "roes," can actually hit the eight-pound mark. Interestingly, American shad do not feed on their journey upriver from the Atlantic Ocean. Theories abound, but most believe they strike out of aggression or simple curiousity.
You find a .22 cartridge. You do not have a .22 rifle. How should you dispose of the cartridge? A. Bury it. B. Bring it to a friend who does own a .22 rifle. C. Bring it to a gun shop for them to dispose of. D. Smack it with a hammer—hard.
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New Hook Shots: Giant Blue Marlin20
Without question, a large part of what makes fishing so appealing is the chance for the unexpected. Well, this Sunday, something incredibly unexpected happened...and my camera was rolling. Chad Love, who many of you know from our Field Notes blog, flew out from Oklahoma for a shot at his dream fish: tuna. He never caught one, but instead ended up boating a near 600-pound blue marlin, which in my opinion trumps any tuna in the ocean.
Damn! Awesome video, and an awesome fish! I didn't even know you could catch a blue marlin in Jersey.
Urban Legends29
One of the largest whitetail bucks I have ever seen was not running across an Iowa cornfield, or careening through a northwoods clearcut, or even languishing behind the high-fence at a petting zoo.
I live in New Jersey, and from my commuter train I once saw two massive main frame 8-points, absolutely huge bucks--heavy, wide, tall, symetry, the complete package--standing in the wide open of the 18th fairway of a golf course. I about pooped my pants.
Watch that Backcast!26
I could not have made this story up if I tried... This past Saturday my wife, friend Arturo and I took a 8 mile hike to a high mountain lake in Rocky Mountain National Park for some greenback fishing on dry flies. I was shooting photos, and Ellie was catching a mess of fish on a size 22 Parachute Adams, refusing to give up her spot on a tall rock. The next thing I know Ellie is cursing a ziplock bag that she has hooked on her backcast and has given it a forward cast to try and release it. Even as I watched it didn't register until it was too late...
Once, while fishing in Cape Cod near Chatham, I hooked a monster striper. It felt huge and strong and it ripped line off my reel. And then it surfaced, and I could clearly see my white bucktail hooked on the fin of a large seal. Ooops. I wasn't sure what to do, so I played the seal for a bit, then figured I should break him off. Not sure how you land a seal with a bogagrip anyway.
Cermele: The Finest Summer Fishing?9
I love a day of offshore fishing immensely. But while the rush and team work involved in wrangling tuna or sharks is huge, such trips don't often qualify as "relaxing fishing" in my mind. You're on a mission that involves long-distance runs in the dark, days of watching weather patterns, a couple hundred bucks tied up in bait and fuel, a boat to clean when you return, and so on. Fun, but often stressful and always tiring...though it's a good tired.
Great video! Give us more. I love smallmouths too.
Is This The New World-Record Largemouth?92
Just in from Japan: a new world-record largemouth may have been bested in Lake Biwa.
Dang! That is a pig! Truthfully, I hope it breaks the Perry record, because I think that record is BS.
Welcome to the New F&S Dog Blog66
Can't wait to see how it goes. I've got a britney that is gun shy. I messed up! Fine looking pup!
Flag Day21
David Hedlund would have looked like a soldier even in civilian clothes. Lean, wiry, piercing eyes…and of course, a buzz cut. He—and a whole lot of other soldiers—boarded the same plane I was flying in late January. I was heading to Alabama for a late-season deer hunt, they were going…well, I didn’t know at first, only that their destination was certainly not as nice as mine.
Great story! We should all give thanks to the heroes who are over there fighting for us. Thanks, Scott.
Discussion Topic: Field & Stream Wins ASME’s Highest Honor15
F&S is the best magazine of its size on the planet. Okay, I’m a little biased on that point--but it’s not just me who thinks so. Last night, the country’s top magazine editors representing the country’s top magazines met at New York City’s Lincoln Center for the 44th Annual National Magazine Awards. Known as Ellies, these are basically the Oscars of the magazine industry, and “General Excellence” is “Best Picture.”
Way to go! It's a awesome magazine. My favorite, by far.
F&S Hook Shots, Episode 1: American Shad16
In this first-ever Field & Stream "Hook Shots" episode, Joe Cermele chases American shad with local guide Dieter Scheel on the Central Delaware River in New Jersey during the annual April run. These shad fall to flutter spoons held in the current at different depths behind an anchored boat. Females, or "roes," can actually hit the eight-pound mark. Interestingly, American shad do not feed on their journey upriver from the Atlantic Ocean. Theories abound, but most believe they strike out of aggression or simple curiousity.
This was awesome. Please give us more. And ignore that guy about the music. Fishing shows without music are boring as hell.
News Quiz: How Should You Properly Dispose of Ammo?23
Okay, concentrate. Here’s the question:
You find a .22 cartridge. You do not have a .22 rifle. How should you dispose of the cartridge?
A. Bury it.
B. Bring it to a friend who does own a .22 rifle.
C. Bring it to a gun shop for them to dispose of.
D. Smack it with a hammer—hard.
Answer: From WANE 15 News:
What kind of moron doesn't have a .22?
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