Author Archives: Nathan Blackburn

About Nathan Blackburn

Nathan Blackburn is a biologist and passionate angler who lives in Montana. In addition to his strong passion for the outdoors, he also enjoys research and writing. He has written for several major outdoor companies and websites and is a top contributor to Reel Adventure Fishing.

8 Great Books for the Walleye Angler

A lot of what we know about fishing for any species was handed down to us from our elders. Father to child and so on. I was raised in a family that fished and was taught our way of doing it, but a book is the combined strategies of another angler’s perspective. While traditions passed on are valuable and help us to strengthen our own knowledge,  it is also equally important to gain an outside perspective from others. That is… Read More »

Truscend’s Multi-Jointed Swimbait Moves Like the Real Thing

Fishing lures have come a long way in terms of design and implementation over the years. A sport that takes place in so many different environments calls for an extremely wide variety of lures and bait because no two lakes or rivers are the same. While most lure designs work great, having been used for many years, fishing lures have nowhere to go but up in terms of design. As an example, the Flatfish design has been used since the… Read More »

5 Apps That Will Enhance Your Fishing Experience

Technology is an abundant thing in today’s world. While we often think of technology as a separate part of fishing we can also embrace it and use it to aid us. The reality is that we have already been using the technology for fishing. Sonar units attached to boats and digital scales are a few examples. In today’s world, there are social media and logbook apps for anglers to share and learn about their favorite pastime. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and… Read More »

Gear and Tactics for Going Green (Or Greener) With Your Fishing

Ethics is something we all learn as anglers and hunters from childhood. Fair chase, stewardship of our lands, making the right choice. These are values that I and my fellow outdoorsmen share out of a respect for the world around us. Making ethical choices for the environment is really easy, and if we want our children to love and enjoy the outdoors as we do, it is our responsibility. When I was a kid, it was picking up after ourselves,… Read More »

The 4 Fishing Lure Features That Matter Most

While there are many aspects to a fishing lure that can contribute to its success on the water, I believe there are 4 that are essential to creating a lure that is irresistible to fish regardless of species. So let’s take a look at what these features are, along with some personal observations and tips, and a few words about flies. Design We have been tricking wildlife for sport since the dawn of man. From the most primitive fishing lures… Read More »

A Montanan’s Tips for Fishing Perch Year-Round

As a kid, I remember catching massive amounts of yellow perch. By the bucket depending on the season and location. Here in Montana as a kid, some locations did not have a limit on perch at all and our freezers were often stocked with them. Being raised in Washington and Montana taught me one thing school didn’t have to do, there is a big difference in species when you change locations. This change is typically found in their behavior as… Read More »

7 Overlooked Fishing Accessories That Can Enhance Your Time on the Water

Essential fishing gear is about what you would expect. Rod, reel, tackle box, lures, and bait. Some of the best gear I have in my possession is not the gear you would expect an angler to carry with him or her to the lake. It is important to have the right gear in the field. The ability to adapt your fishing style to meet the environment is crucial to success on the water. There are fishing tools and accessories that… Read More »

Hands-on Review of the KastKing Spartacus 2

If you are like me, you want a reel that can perform without breaking the budget. Reels, as with other gear can be very expensive and complicated, and I believe that is unnecessary. This is why I love KastKing and their products, especially the Spartacus 2.  KastKing makes a good reel that is simple to use but also comes the modern components and features you’d expect. For example, the braking feature allows simple control over your cast to prevent knots… Read More »

10 Best Fly Fishing Destinations in America for Trout

I live in a place renowned for its trout fishing but in my travels, I have come to learn that outstanding trout fishing spots are everywhere around us. Some are remote and others are just down the road but the thing that they have in common is great trout fishing. From the pristine rivers of Alaska to the long rivers on the east coast, trout fishing is ample and available for anglers all over the country. We are going to… Read More »

5 Best Polarized Sunglasses for Fishing and Buyer’s Guide

Our topic today takes us to something that is indispensable for nearly every angler. We’re talking about sunglasses for fishing, a tool I learned to appreciate early on in life. When I was a child, my small town had a fishing pond that was only fishable by children. That pond was absolutely stuffed with bass and when I snagged my granddad’s polarized sunglasses, what was once just the surface of the water came to life and I could see the… Read More »