Jigging for Kokanee
August 8, 2006
Late in summer, kokanee salmon start to get edgy. With spawning season not too far off, the fish get all bunched up into tightly-packed schools, and in those close quarters, the salmon become aggressive. And, that, my friends makes them particularly susceptible to one of my favorite koke techniques: jigging.
While trolling is, bar-none, the most popular way to catch kokanee, there are times when jigging is the way to go – especially in late summer.
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Catch More Trout on the Meat Rig
June 7, 2006
Summer’s been here long enough now that you’ve probably gotten all the kinks worked out of your boat, you’ve fished a few of the local lakes, maybe figured out a couple patterns and…even trolled up a trout or two.
Right?
Well that’s great — good job. But, I’m here to tell you that things are going to get more and more difficult as the summer wears on. As they get pounded by legions of other anglers, the trout in our waters are going to get a little more skittish.
Warming water temperatures and intense sunlight will also make the bite tougher. That’s when you need an edge. Throw something at ’em that nobody else is using. I’ve got just the ticket: The Meat Rig.
Pink Plastic for Trout
March 8, 2006
What I’m about to tell you is going to sound a little crazy, but hear me out. I’ve been sitting on this for quite a while, but I figured it was finally time to let the secret out and clue you all into some of the most productive trout lures I’ve ever come across.
The Cure for the Common Skunk
February 14, 2006
Skunks suck. No, not the black and white and smelly all over four-legged variety. I’m talking about getting shut out by the fish - you know, going out on a fishing trip and posting a big, fat doughnut at the end of the day. Skunkings happen to even the best of us from time-to-time, but there are ways you can reduce their frequency. So here we go, here’s the cure for the common skunk…
Tournover Trout Fishing
October 7, 2005
When autumn finally arrives, get ready for some hot trout fishing at your local lakes. S o, what’s so sweet about fall anyway? Well, that’s when lakes “turn over” and the fish go on a feeding binge. And when the trout are binging…that’s when you want to be there!
Fall Trout Tips
October 4, 2005
Now that the heat of the summer (finally) seems to be behind us, it’s time to start thinking seriously about fall trout fishing.
This is the time of year that the fish begin to feed actively in preparation for the lean winter months to come and that means you can have some outstanding action over the next several weeks.
To help you cash in on the autumn trout bonanza, here are some tips and techniques to think about. Keep in mind, however, that there are no absolutes in the world of fishing and trout operate on their own schedule with their own agenda. Think of the following more as general rules of thumb with which you can get pointed in the right direction.
The Deadliest Trout Bait
October 11, 2004
Ever wished there was some magical bait that made trout go crazy? One that made rainbows, browns, and all their beautifully spotted cousins as easy to catch as farm pond bluegills? And wouldn’t it be great if this bait was available in large quantities for free? Well, I’ve got some good news here, folks: Such a bait exists.
This super bait doesn’t come in jars or Styrofoam containers; it doesn’t live on wet grass or under logs. It doesn’t wiggle or hop or swim and it doesn’t require much special care. It’s not made out of chemicals and doesn’t have a doughy consistency yet it keeps well in the fridge or freezer. Give up yet? Here’s one final clue: the world’s greatest trout bait comes from the bellies of salmon. Yep, we’re talking about roe here.
Chasing Reservoir “Steelhead”
May 8, 2004
With general trout season now open it’s time for a little reservoir “steelhead” fishing. Never heard of such a thing? Well, read on…it’s a blast!
My first encounter with a reservoir “steelhead” occurred when I was a kid, fishing a small tributary to a vast impoundment. Walking upstream and flicking a tiny silver spinner into the pools ahead of me as I went, I was felling pretty smug thanks to the three 10- to 12-inch trout that I had stuffed into the zipper pocket of my backpack. As I rounded a bend in the creek, I came to a deep pool just below a 2-foot waterfall. I lobbed a cast to the head of the run, and as soon as my spinner broke through the greasy smooth surface of the pool and began to sink, a great monster of a fish hit it with the fury of a Japanese bullet train. In an instant, the beast rocketed the length of the pool, flashed near the surface, violently shook it’s mighty head and then it was gone…
Learn More About Fish With a Mask & Snorkel
April 30, 2002
We were fishing the South Yuba just above Lake Englebright and the bite was slow. Being 12 at the time, I’d gotten a little bored with fishing and decided to go for a swim. My best buddy at the time, Rusty, kept fishing and lobbed a nightcrawler into the pool. With my mask on, I watched the worm break the surface and get pulled to the bottom by the splitshot. The weight made a small explosion in the sediment as it hit the river bed, and when the worm touched down, it started wiggling frantically. That movement soon attracted several 10- to 12-inch smallmouth bass to the area.
Small Trout Stream Techniques
May 18, 2000
Now that trout season is here, it’s time for one of my favorite activities — fishing small creeks. Since I grew up on the Auburn Ravine’s North Fork, I’ve long been an affeciando of catching trout out of trickles. Most of the time little creeks give up…well…little trout, but size isn’t really what’s important here. There’s just something about hooking a vibrantly colored little native rainbow or brown or brookie out of a creek you could step across that’s good for one’s soul.
One of the most appealing aspects of fishing small streams is the inherent simplicity. No triple decker tackle boxes stocked with the latest in fish catching weaponry are needed. Just grab your rod and a handful of lures and you’re in business. Of course, you can load your box with a billion different lures if you so desire, but four basic baits will cover just about every small creek situation.
