by JD on January 23, 2007
The following is an excerpt from an article I have in the current edition of Western Outdoors Magazine.
So, what’s the best lure of all time?
It’s an interesting question and one that’s guaranteed to stir the pot down at the local watering hole, plunking shack or boat ramp. Steelhead anglers might vote for the Spin-N-Glo, Hot Shot or the original Wiggle Wart, while salmon fans would likely go for a Kwikfish or Flatfish.
Bassers, on the other hand, would probably choose a worm of some type, perhaps a Senko, a spinnerbait or maybe a flippin’ jig. And so it goes – trout fishermen and panfish enthusiasts would have their own favorites, as would stripers chasers, tuna trollers and kokanee anglers and on and on.
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by JD on January 21, 2007
Okay, contest time! As I’ve said before, I’m a huge fan of Angie the Fish Goddess’ Darkest Fish of the year page on Thefishingoddess, so I figured it was time to do a little one of our own…why let her have all the fun? So, because I just never get tired of seeing pictures of skanky fish, new for 2007 is our “Smoker of the Year!” photo contest in which we encourage you to send in pictures of the nastiest fish you’ve caught.
We’ve all done it — caught (and kept) a critter that was…well…let’s just say…not in prime shape for eating and justified it with the infamous line: “It will smoke.”
The winning entry will be picked by a completely biased panel of river rats, pirates an poachers and the “Smoker of the Year” will win a free fishing trip with me…(maybe for downer steelhead!).
To get things started, I give you this, the first entry in “Smoker of the Year!” This is a picture from my early days of guiding on the American River. Of course, to protect the guilty, I’ve altered the identity of my former client.
To enter, end me an email via the contact link on the homepage and then I’ll send you an email address to send the pictures to.
by JD on January 20, 2007
After an epic 35-minute battle that took him on a 500-yard hike down the Mad River, 17-year-old Roy Heape of Oroville, CA joined an elite club this week when he caught & released this 22-pound, 11-ounce wild buck steelie.
The big fish was going to be just a good fish tale for the kid because he didn’t have a camera with him at the time. Luckily, Jason Ford of Petaluma happened to be fishing nearby and snapped a couple photos of the youngster and his monster buck.
And by the way, the biggest steelhead of Heape’s career prior to this fish? How about 2 pounds!!
Maybe I’m a little jaded these days, but methinks Mr. Heape may want to retire now…it’s going to be tough to top that one!
by JD on January 17, 2007
Ever wondered how to tie the egg loop — aka “roe knot” or “egg snell?” Well, if you’re into steelhead and salmon fishing, this one’s a must! Hit the play button for a quick lesson…
by JD on January 14, 2007
History was made…almost…last week on the Smith River, where young Alex Green hooked and landed a monster 26.8-pound steelhead off the bank.
The fish was under a pound off the current state record of 27 pounds, 4 ounces — a steelie caught way back in 1976 also on the Smith River.
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by JD on January 10, 2007
Well, here it is…Big Fred’s Orange County Choppers Ranger bass boat just came out of the custom paint shop…and she’s looking sweet!
Fred took delivery of the be-flamed beauty as few days ago and is now in Florida for a warm up tournament before his big debut on the FLW Wal-Mart Tour — a tournament on Lake Okeechobee that runs Jan 24-27.
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