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 »

5 Things You Can Do to Show Your Love for Fishing

Why do you enjoy fishing? Ask yourself that and consider the reasons you come up with. For me, it is the serenity of the sport. Being able to leave all my city woes behind and escape the pressures of the modern-day. This time outside recharges my batteries in a sense. A breath before the swim from Monday to Friday. As outdoorsmen we need this, it is who we are, and with that need comes a responsibility that we carry. As… Read More »

Smoking Sockeye Salmon: Creating Smoky Goodness

I remember my grandfather smoking fish in the backyard when I was a child in Washington. The smoker we had we made was an old 50s refrigerator that weighed the same as an Oldsmobile that had been gutted out and fitted with racks to accommodate the large catches we brought home. The art of smoking fish, as I was taught, is to be patient. Low and slow was always my grandfather’s philosophy and for a good reason: it always came… Read More »

Best Lures for Yellow Perch: 6 Time-Tested Go-To Favorites

Perch are in the family of fish that are notorious for being apex predators in their waters. Species such as walleye, sauger, and perch are highly sought-after sports fish. Yellow perch are fun to fish for and are typically abundant. If you grew up in a fishing town, you likely have heard your elders talking about catching buckets of perch in their day. Catching them in this amount is common because of their tendency to school up. One thing that… Read More »

Is Too Much Technology Killing the Fun in Fishing?

Fishing was once an all-American pastime that allowed you to connect with nature, make a bond with the outdoors, and potentially put food on the table. In many ways, fishing still is that to this day, but technological advances may have put a damper on the fun-loving nature of fishing. As an angler in the 21st century, it is hard to ignore the best new reel and sonar systems. What is the line between actually fishing and just straight-up catching?… Read More »

Winter Bass Fishing: Tips for Catching Cold Weather Lunkers

Understanding Winter Bass It is important to understand that fish change with the seasons and that this can make them a challenge to pursue during the colder months. This is certainly true of winter bass fishing. There are many different changes to be noted and the first is the spawn. As I have stated in a previous article, bass will begin spawning usually when water climbs to 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher so activities related to reproduction will be lessened… Read More »

5 Best Bass Lures to Keep in Your Tackle Box!

Bass are found everywhere and because of this, it is quite easy to fish for them if you use the right lure or bait. Environmental factors are the largest variables but there are also some distinct behavior changes as well. It is well understood that bass are ravenous predators, even more so than most freshwater species. Because of this aggression, they make for a great sportfish. Use this to your advantage and opt for lures and baits that tailor to… Read More »

4 Simple but Delicious Ways to Prepare and Eat Any Trout

I remember the smell of my old man’s Little Chief smoker in the backyard. Being sent outside to check on the fish as they smoked and dried to perfection. Here in Montana, like almost anywhere else, you can find trout in all different water bodies and elevations making them very available and abundant. There are a few different flavor profiles of a trout and it depends on several factors. For example, in my own preference, trout tastes best through the… Read More »

Fishing for Trout’s Most Underappreciated: The Lake Trout

Before we get started on lake trout fishing, let’s first clarify something about the fish itself. Although the Lake trout (also known as lake char, mackinaw and gray trout)  is also a  member of the Salmonidae family, it is actually a char rather than a trout. The Dolly Varden and Arctic char are its close cousins. Lake trout are the largest of the chars and, to give you some perspective on their size potential, consider the massive 102 lbs specimen… Read More »