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.

Good Planning Is Key to a Fun and Stress-Free Fishing Trip

Going to the lake just outside of town is easy. Get off of work, get home, throw your stuff in the truck and head to the lake until it’s time to come home. I have basically just described my own cozy Montana Friday night for myself. The year before last it was time for my annual trout fishing trip to Yellowstone National Park and this time I was taking others with me. This was going to be family fishing and… Read More »

5 Best Trout Fly Reels and Some Simple, Smart Buying Tips

In our previous post, I took a look at a few of today’s top trout fly rods based on outstanding quality and value for your dollars. In this post, we will look for the same but in reels, as we feature 5 of the best fly reels for trout currently available. For such a relatively small, simple thing, a fly reel is an indispensable tool in the pursuit of fish, especially trout. However, because of its complex design, not all… Read More »

5 Best Trout Rod Values for Your Dollars

The success of your trout fishing trip depends on skill and know-how as well as on the gear you decide to use. The fly rod is not a simple stick, as any good angler will know. For those entering the sport for the first time, I want to explain a few things and show you a few examples of some very good fly rods to help you better understand the differences. But this article and the featured rod are for… Read More »

10 Best Accessories for a Pontoon Boat (for Customization and Fun)

When I was a kid, my friend’s family had a wonderful pontoon boat. When they would take me out, I had the time of my life. The thing I remember most about the pontoon boat was the room it had. My family had a smaller Lund fishing boat with little room, so a pontoon boat was quite different for me. A pontoon boat is essentially a party on the water. There are so many pieces of equipment and accessories that… Read More »

Fishing Charter Types: Choosing the Right Trip Experience

Fishing is a pastime that we all love, and we all appreciate but sometimes we just want to take the work out of it and enjoy it for what it is. Therefore, seasoned professionals are available to take you and your friends and family out on the water for a good time and all you have to worry about is having fun. Chartering a trip can be confusing because there are so many factors to consider. Not just the charter… Read More »

Choose the Best Onboard Marine Battery Charger for Your Boat

A boat is a complicated machine. It operates so many systems and functions that it can be hard to understand and comprehend them all. One piece of that being electronics and how they are powered. When I was in college, we were doing research using sonar technology on the Yellowstone River here in Montana. I remember charging batteries in my garage the night before the trip so we could use the equipment and how much of a chore that was.… Read More »

All About Trout: 10 Trout Fishing Books You Need to Read

One of the best ways to get into any hobby or enhance one that you are already in is through books. I love fishing, in any way, shape, or form so it is only natural that I stuff my bookshelves with titles about the outdoors and fishing. Trout can be a very tricky fish to pursue depending on certain circumstances and learning a few different techniques and strategies does not hurt. I love a good technique book that is written… Read More »

Best Fly Fishing Books: Recommended Reading to Up Your Game

Many things that I have learned about fly fishing came firsthand through experience but there are things that even experience cannot give you. When I am good at something and I want to get better, I turn to literature. When I was a child, I hit a turning point in my fly fishing adventures. I had decided that I wanted to not only be better at it, but I wanted to learn new things about it. This curiosity is what… Read More »

Best Fishing Waders: Top Features and 5 Picks for Every Budget

Waders are an essential part of fly fishing and having the right pair is crucial. There are differences in them all and you will have to consider all these things to find the best fishing waders. I have had a few different types of waders, but my personal favorites have always performed well under many circumstances. Here we will discuss a few points for you to consider when shopping. I like a pair that are form-fitting and have lots of… Read More »

6 Tips for the Best Fishing Charter or Outfitter Experience

Here in Montana, guides and charters are big business due to the abundance of our lakes and rivers and their strong hatch every spring. Because of this, we have outfitters/guides to spare so to speak. In Hamilton, for example, you’ll see three fly fishing outfitters at the same intersection – it is kind of crazy. There are many different things you should consider when considering some extra help fishing and we are going to discuss that here. I love outfitting… Read More »