Every year toward the end of August I find myself noticing the first subtle signs the seemingly endless days of summer will soon be over. More often than not this realization occurs when I’m on a trout stream.
All in Fishing
Ride the Bull Extreme Kayak Fishing Rodeo
If you say the name “Sturgis” to any motorcycle enthusiasts across the country, you may see their ears perk up. That annual pilgrimage of ramblers to a small town near South Dakota’s Black Hills has gained recognition even outside of the biker community. Resembling that summer spectacle of steel & leather, there’s one weekend each year where a small Gulf Coast fishing community attracts more plastic & nylon per square foot than most sporting goods stores
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Spunky Pumpkinseed Sunfish
Pumpkinseed sunfish are colorful little fish that are almost always willing to bite. That’s a good description for this feisty member of the sunfish family since these fish are quite colorful indeed. They are often a greenish-yellow color, fading to yellow-gold on the belly with orange speckles on their sides.
Another Successful Mayfly Season
I was the first one to arrive for the show. I always like to get there early, that way I’m sure to get my money’s worth, although this show was free. All the best ones are it seems. The others came in time and took their place around me, while still keeping a respectable distance.
Alaska Adventure 2021: Halibut On The Sea Voyager
The highlight of our one-week Alaskan Adventure was to be a halibut charter in the Cook Inlet out of Ninilchik. I had spoken with the captain several times on the phone and was optimistic about success. But Alaskan weather intervened as it often does and after rising early and meeting at the boat, the captain said the weather was just too rough to go out.
Alaska Adventure 2021: Gearing Up For An Alaskan Fishing Trip
An Alaskan fishing trip can be the adventure of a lifetime and an experience you will never forget. “You never go all the way back” is a popular Alaskan expression, and you will want to repeat and share this unparalleled excitement with friends and family.
Alaska Dream Maker
The Last Frontier is still the land of grand adventure, spectacular landscape majestic animals and fishing beyond belief. Alaska changed my life. Without doubt 1963 was a boy-to-man summer thanks to the experiences encountered on a four-month 8,000-mile journey from the Mid-Atlantic States to the wilds of Alaska.
Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Fishing Sets New Diversity Marks
Fish don’t care who the human is at the other end of the lure or bait they are thinking about biting. They’ll bite (or not) whether the angler is young or old, male or female, white, Asian, Black or any other race. So why doesn’t the demographics of people who go fishing in the United States match the demographics of our country?
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Freshwater Drum
One common species of fish that is known by many different names is the freshwater drum. Some anglers call them sheephead, or sheepshead, while others call them silver perch, silver bass, gray bass, grunt, grunter, croaker, shepherd’s pie and even gaspergoo.
Fishing Friday: Jerkbaits for Saltwater
The unique thing about saltwater fishing is that there are a multitude of baitfish available for predatory fish to feed on. Finger mullet, pinfish, pigfish, croakers, pilchards, and menhaden are frequently on the menu. If it swims in saltwater, it lives a life of fear from being devoured by bigger fish!
One-On-One Crappie Fishing: Single Pole Techniques Add To The Fun
In the spring, crappie spawn in great numbers around shallow structures such as standing timber, logs or stumps. When crappie congregate in small places, anglers can enjoy a fun day fighting them one on one.
Fishing Friday: Is Lead Dead?
The fish catching ability of lead-head jigs is legendary. I’ve caught fish in freshwater and salt with lead-heads. I’ve caught fish with lead jigs so small they could be flicked with a fly rod and so heavy they could be classed as a lethal weapon. Many experts opine lead-head jigs to be the numero-uno fishing lure of all time. They are probably right.
So why the title of this column: “Is lead dead?”