2010 Fly Fishing Show

We've gotten a couple of emails asking about the 2010 Fly Fishing Show.  So we thought we'd post the dates here for everybody!   So if you're interested in attending, you can catch the 2010 Fly Fishing Show at any of the places mentioned below:

Denver, CO
January 8, 9, 10
Denver Merchandise Mart

Marlborough, MA
January 15, 16, 17
Royal Plaza

Somerset, NJ
January 22, 23, 24
Garden State Convention Center

Charlotte, NC
January 29, 30
Charlotte Merchandise Mart

Bellevue, WA
Postponed until 2011

Pleasanton, CA
February 26, 27, 28
Alameda County Fairgrounds

Pasadena, CA
March 13, 14
Pasadena Convention Center

For more information, about the 2010 Fly Fishing Show, click here.

How to Clear Muddy Fish Ponds

One of our readers wrote in the other day asking what he could do to clear his muddy pond.  The pond is home to speckled trout and became muddy after heavy rains.  Since the pond is rather small, a quarter acre in size, the muddy water doesn't seem to be clearing.

In response, I did some research and came across this article published by a group in Texas.  Hoping others will benefit from the information, I wanted to publish the link here.

The article is title, "Clearing Muddy Ponds", and you read it by clicking here.

Folks at Virginia Tech published another good article, titled, "Clearing Muddy Pond Waters."

If you have a fish pond you need to take care of, make sure there is plenty of grass around the shoreline.  This will help prevent more mud from washing into the pond during a good rain.

There are compounds you can add to the pond to help clear the water also.  The most popular compounds include gypsum, agricultural or hydrated limestone, aluminum sulfate (also called, alum).  But be careful using these compounds as they can change the pH of the water. 

Adding Alum to the pond will lower pH, and keep in mind that trout typically don't do well in water with a pH lower than 6.  The lower the pH, the more acidic the water.  If using Alum, most experts recommend using it in conjunction with limestone at a ratio of 2:1 (Alum to limestone).

Read the above mentioned articles for more information and if you have questions, your local fish and game department will most likely be able to offer more detailed help in regards to using compounds to clear your muddy fish pond.

Fossil Creek Opens October 3rd

Roundtail chub are native to Arizona and are commonly referred to as "Verde Trout".  These fish live in the Verde River and are known to bite on many of the same lures and baits that trout do. 

The Arizona Fish and Game Department has been working the last few years to turn Fossil Creek into a prime fishery for Verde Trout.  On October 3, 2009, Fossil Creek will open for the first annual Verde Trout fishing season.

Fossil Creek will open the first Saturday in October every year and remain open through April 30th.  Only the middle 4.5 miles of the creek is open to fishing (there will be signs).

Since this is a special fishery, special rules are in place including:

• Single Barbless hooks only
• Artificial lures and flies only
• Catch and release only

The fishery is open to both spin and fly fishers alike, provided they follow the rules mentioned above.  Of course, all other Arizona Fishing Regulations remain in effect as well.

The AZ Fish and Game Department hope that this fishery will help anglers learn more about its native fish. 

Other fish can also be found in Fossil Creek including the Speckled Dace, Longfin Dace, Desert Suckers, and Sonora Suckers.

You can find more information about each of these fish, by clicking here.  Just click on each of the pictures on the web page for more detailed info.


Fossil Creek is located on the Tonto and Coconino National Forests approximately 15 miles east of Camp Verde and 5 miles west of the town of Strawberry. You can find it by driving along Forest Service Road 708.

Cooler Weather Means Better Trout Fishing

I don't know about the rest of the country, but where I live (northern Arizona), temperatures are starting to cool down ... which means the Fall trout fishing is just around the corner.

Trout become a lot more active when warm summer temps starting cooling down. They like cooler water (which is typically more oxygenated) and so will start feeding near the water's surface. This is good news for anglers!

This time of year, the best trout fishing still tends to be early morning and early evening ... but as mid-day temps drop further, trout will be easier to catch all day long.

Happy fishing!

Mepps Spinners Aren't Just Good for Trout Fishing

Mepps Aglia Spinners have been a favorite lure for trout anglers since their invention. These simple in-line spinners have a great success rate in catching trout. Check out any trout angler's tackle box, and you're sure to find a couple of these spinners in it.

While in-line spinners aren't typically used by bass anglers, one guy discovered that Aglia spinners have helped him catch more white bass than the traditional spinner baits usually favored by bass anglers.

Judging by the Mepss Lure Selection guide, this comes as no surprise to them. They suggest several different Aglia spinners for white bass anglers.

So why are in-line spinners (like the Aglia) often overlooked by bass anglers? Probably because they're famous for getting stuck on weeds and rocks and anglers are always losing them. Unfortunately for anglers, large fish often hide in those same weeds and rocks (especially bass) and so if you want to catch them, you'll have to contend with the frustrations of getting your spinner stuck (and possibly losing it).

One of the attitude problems that many anglers tend to adopt is a "spare the spinner" mindset. Out of fear of losing $3-$6 lures, they tend to avoid rocky, weedy areas when fishing. While this can be more cost effective for the angler, the downside is that you're sacrificing opportunities to catch more and larger fish.

One way to combat this mindset is to make your own spinners. You can buy the parts in bulk and assemble your spinners which in turn can greatly reduce the cost of each spinner. And when they cost less, you don't mind losing them as much.

So the moral to story is don't be afraid to think outside the box (as this one bass angler did) and don't worry so much about losing those spinners (especially when the opportunity exist to catch more and larger fish).

Fishing Report for New Mexico

Wondering how the fishing has been in New Mexico? A new fishing report for the week of July 16 has just been published.

Trout fishing has been good to fair on the Canjilon lakes. Anglers have been using worms, salmon eggs and spinners. Same is true for the Chama River, although trout anglers have also been using grasshoppers with success there.

Anglers at Eagle Nest lake have been catching good size rainbow trout from the bank using worms, power bait and spinners.

You can read for the full fishing report by clicking here.

Fishing Report for Southwest Colorado

Trout anglers are doing well in Southwest Colorado. Beaver Creek Reservoir is full and anglers are catching brown and rainbow trout on salmon eggs and powerbait.

Folks at Big Meadows Reservoir have been catching brook trout on flies, lures and other baits.

Read the full fishing report by clicking here.

Trout Fishing Good in Great Falls, Montana

According to fishing report released today, anglers are having great success trout fishing in Great Falls, Montana.

Anglers are catching brook trout on night crawlers and gold spoons. Folks trolling cowbells tipped with night crawlers are also have great success.

To read the full fishing report, click here.

What Lure Works Best for Trout Fishing?

One of the questions I get asked a lot is, "What lure works best for trout fishing?" Of course there are different variations of this question, such as "What lure works best in lakes?", etc.

While the question is simple enough, the answer is not. There are too many different variables involved in fishing to say that one lure works best. In fact, one of the biggest frustrations in trout fishing is that one lure may work great one day and not all the next. Why? There are a lot of possible reasons for this.

Several variables affect trout fishing including:

• Water temperature
• Water clarity
• Water color
• Weather conditions (sunny, cloudy, windy, rain, ice, snow, etc.)
• Season (spring, fall, winter, summer)
• Available food sources
• Pressure from other anglers

These are only a few of the variables which affect trout fishing. And of course, each of the variables mentioned above not only affect trout, but also your lure selection. The reason why is too complicated to explain in a blog post, but are addressed in the Trout Fishing Tips eBook.
But in short, the variables mentioned above affect how your lure looks underwater to trout. These variables also influence trout activity and feeding habits.

Trout are sluggish in very cold water and therefore might need a bit more flash to entice them into striking. And yet too much flash, might scare them off.

Water color and clarity can affect a trout's ability to see your lure. A bright red lure in your tackle box will appear black in blue water. That's because red is filtered out in blue water. The deeper the lure is fished, the blacker it will appear under water. This is just one example of how water color and clarity can affect how trout see your lure under water.

Advanced anglers have observed that dark colored lures tend to work well on overcast days, murky water and when fishing at night. Likewise, nickel and silver lures tend to work better on bright sunny days.

These are some of the reasons that a lure may work well one day and not the next. There's just too many variables involved in fishing.

The real key to successful trout fishing is to understand trout: their physical needs as well as how their environment affects them. This understanding will help you in turn better understand how different lures, baits, and fishing tactics affect your ability to catch trout.

Advanced anglers will pay attention to all of these factors and take note of what lure, bait or fishing tactic worked given a certain set of conditions. Often times, they will keep track of these details in a fishing log or fishing software program. After a while, they'll start to notice trends which will help them make better lure selections, etc.

So while there's no real answer to the question, "What lure works best for trout fishing?", hopefully the information above will help you understand some of the variables affecting your lure selection.

Free Fishing on July 4th in North Carolina

Looking for something fun to do on July 4th? Why not fish?! It's an activity the whole family can enjoy. Even folks who don't like to fish will enjoy the time outdoors with picnic or BBQ while the kids fish.

If you live in North Carolina, you can fish for free on July 4th ... no fishing license or trout stamp is required. All other fishing regulations, such as fish length and daily possession limits, as well as bait and tackle restrictions and park-use fees, apply.

Already have plans this year? There's always next year then. Every year North Carolina designates July 4th as a free fishing day in an effort to raise interest in the sport.

For more information about North Carolina's free fishing day, click here.

Want to know where the best fishing spots in North Carolina are, click here.

Fishing is Good!

Sorry I haven't been posting lately. We've been having an unusual cool summer in Arizona thanks to rain. This means the trout fishing at my local lakes has been better than usual and needless to say, I've been taking advantage of it!

If you're new to trout fishing, remember that mornings and dusk are typically the best times to catch trout during warmer summer months.

For more summer trout fishing tips, click here.

Free Fly Fishing Workshop for Beginners in New Hampshire

Hillsborough residents will have an opportunity to learn fly fishing May 16-17, 2009. This workshop is FREE and geared toward beginners, age 13 and up. Kids under 16, must be accompanied by an adult.

If you want to participate, you must print and return the registration form by May 1, 2009.

The workshop will cover the basics of equipment, fly casting, stream ecology, knot tying, safety and how to find those "hot spots" along New Hampshire's rivers and lakes. The highlight of the two days will be Sunday, when folks will head out to a local fishing hole and put their newly learned skills to the test!

Participants should plan to bring their own or borrowed equipment. A limited number of rods will be available for use; when you register, please let Fish and Game know if you will need to borrow their equipment.

For more information, about this beginning fly fishing workshop, click here.

2009 Trout Season Opens April 4th in Illinois

Folks in Illinois are anxiously awaiting the opening of the 2009 trout season. This year, Saturday April 4th will mark the opening of the 2009 trout season. Folks can begin fishing for trout at 5 a.m.

More than 60,000 trout have been stocked in 43 locations across Illinois. Anglers 16 years or older do need a valid Illinois fishing license along with an inland trout stamp.

For more information about the 2009 Illinois trout season, click here.

Fishing at Pyramid Lake

Pyramid Lake is a favorite fishing hot spot for many California and Nevada anglers. Located in in Northwestern Nevada (about 35 miles Northeast of Reno), Pyramid Lake is on the Paiute Indian Reservation (which means you need a special tribal permit to fish there, which can be purchased online.).

If you've never been there and are imagining a beautiful lake similar to Lake Tahoe, think again. Pyramid Lake is nothing like Lake Tahoe. Despite being North of Lake Tahoe, Pyramid Lake is at a lower elevation, which means the water is shallower, warmer, and substantially more alkaline than Tahoe.

It's the Lahontan Cutthroat trout that draw anglers to Pyramid Lake. Listed as Nevada's state fish, these cutthroat trout are native to tributaries in the eastern Sierra. Because of size and bag limit restrictions, Pyramid Lake offers trophy trout opportunities for anglers.

Fishing in Pyramid Lake is full of challenges, especially in the warm summer months when the lake becomes highly stratified. As stated in the Trout Fishing Tips eBook, understanding how the environment affects trout behavior is often critical to catching trout.

Tui-chubs are a prime food source for Lahontan Cutthroat in Pyramid Lake. Since these chubs often appear yellowish-green in color, chartruese or green fishing lures tend to be very effective at Pyramid Lake.

Fly fishers also do well at Pyramid Lake. In fact, in 2008 a new fly rod record was set for an 11-lb, 1-oz. cutthroat trout caught on a 12-lb tippet.

For more information about fishing at Pyramid Lake, click here. This article was written by a fish biologist and is one of the best articles ever written.

View Larger Map

Fishing Resources Now Online

I apologize for not posting as much as we'd all like lately. But as many of you know, I've been hard at work updating the "Trout Fishing Tips" eBook as well as the web site. Last week I released the newest version of the eBook. PC users can download the latest version now (you know the link).

In my latest attempts to supply you with the latest information about trout fishing, I've created a new page on the site that contains links to books, video and more ... a sort of fishing store, if you will.

All of the products listed on the new page are sold through Amazon.com. My goal was to bring the best and most useful products to you, so you didn't have waste hours on the site searching for items of interest.

Amazon has a lot of cool things on the site, including apparel and gifts for anglers. You can also create a "wish list" at Amazon and then as you browse the new web page, add products to it - so your loved ones will know exactly what to buy you when they're looking for that perfect gift!

To check out the new trout resources web page, click here. And be sure to bookmark (or add it to your favorites) too!

Trout Berry Dough Bait Press

Tired of the mess dough baits (such as PowerBait) leave on your hands? If you answered yes, then you may like the Trout Berry Dough Bait Press. This little gadget is designed to get perfect balls of dough bait on your hook, and not on your hands.

For folks who don't like getting their hands messy, this is a handy little fishing gadget. But it does serve another important function as well.

One of the primary concerns of anglers is not to transfer unwanted odors from their hands to their baits, knowing that these human odors can turn fish off. Sunblock, lotion, and bug sprays are some of the odors that anglers may have on their hands when fishing. While these things are necessary to protect anglers, they can be inadvertently transferred to your bait while handling it - which can then turn fish off.

This is where the Trout Berry Dough Press can help. This gadget eliminates the need for you to touch the bait, thereby keeping you from transferring unwanted odors to your bait. If your bait smells "fishy", it will smell more natural to fish.

Watch the Trout Berry Demonstration video to see how it works.

The Trout Berry Dough Bait Press has also recently been reviewed by Salmon, Trout, Steelheader magazine. You can read the review by clicking here.

Software Can Help You Catch More Trout!

Most anglers would rather be out fishing than sitting in front of their computers (me included). However, did you know that there's a software program specifically designed to help you become a better angler and catch more fish?

Advanced anglers know that catching fish is more skill than just luck. These anglers catch more fish than others because they study the science behind fishing. They learn how fish behave in various water and weather conditions. They learn how water temperatures, dissolved oxygen levels and food sources affect where trout may be hanging out.

Advanced anglers also understand that their offering (lure or bait) will look different underwater depending on water color, clarity and lighting conditions (sunny, cloudy, nighttime, etc.). They learn that some colors work better in certain conditions and will tailor their lure selection based on this knowledge.

It can take years to learn all of this information and how it relates to catching fish. But many anglers don't pay much attention to these details. This is where software can help!

We've developed a software program to track these important details for you. It's called, Fish Tracker. All you have to do is enter the relevant information after you catch a fish and let the program do the rest.

Fish Tracker will keep track of all of your catches and the details surrounding them. Then it will analyze the data for you and present it in a brief report so you can easily see what worked in the past. This information can save you hours of frustration when fishing.

The cool thing about Fish Tracker is that you can sort information by fishing spots, weather conditions, species, water temperature, etc. You can also track more than one angler's catches and you can upload photos too. So you can keep track of your kid's catches too. Nothing like a little family competition!

While there's other software programs out there, Fish Tracker is simple to use and designed for the average angler - so it's less expensive than other programs. The only downside is that it's not MAC compatible (sorry MAC users).

Our goal has always been to help you catch more trout ... and we've developed Fish Tracker to help you do just that. Not sure if Fish Tracker is for you? No problem, we've developed a trial version of Fish Tracker so you can try it before you buy it.

For more information about Fish Tracker, click here.

Trout Fishing on the Casselman River

The Casselman River provides excellent trout fishing opportunities for folks living in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Large rainbow and brown trout are stocked each spring and fall, giving anglers the opportunity to catch a trophy-size trout.

The Casselman River is a specially managed fishery ... which means that from October 1 - June 15, fishing is catch-and-release only, and anglers must use artificial lures or flies.

For more information about trout fishing in the Casselman River, click here.

Fishing Expo in Madison, Wisconsin

Madison's Fishing Expo will be held February 27 - March 1, 2009. This event is always a crowd pleaser drawing thousands of fishing enthusiasts.

While always a great family event, folks will have the opportunity to get great deals on tackle, boats and trips. Ever wonder what your old fishing lure was worth? Bring it along and have it appraised at the expo.

There will also be plenty of youth activities too including a casting contest, face painting, and more. There will also be a trout pond for kids to fish in this year.

Folks wanting more to learn more about fishing for walleye, bass, muskie, and panfish can attend various seminars at the expo. For a complete list of seminars offered this year at Madison's Fishing Expo, click here.

Entrance fee is $8 for adults (kids 12 and under are free). There's also a $5 parking fee. Proceeds raised from the show will be used to fund fishing related projects throughout South Central Wisconsin.

For more information about Madison's 2009 Fishing Expo, click here.

How to Attract Trout While River Fishing

Rivers, streams, and creeks are a lot shallower than lakes - which means that trout can usually see movement on nearby banks. This is why experienced anglers often use care when approaching the water (so as not to startle fish).

It's also important to stay still as much as possible when fishing on the bank. Trout have a wider field of view than we do and can often see us before we see them - and our movement will chase them away.

Likewise, careless wading and walking in the water can result in overturning rocks - which in turn send a signal to trout that you're nearby. This again, will chase them out of the area.

While excessive movement can scare trout away - being still can have the opposite effect. The more safe and secure trout feel, the more likely they will be to swim into an area. This is why trout often hang around submerged logs, undercut banks, and large rocks. These structures give them shelter from predators.

So, if you want to catch trout, you'll want to look for these structures when fishing in rivers, streams and creeks and fish close to them. The next key is to be as still as possible when fishing so as not to startle fish away.

The video below does a good job of demonstrating this point. It was created by my good friend Timothy Kusherets. It's hard to see the fish swimming by him in the first two minutes of the video. But about 30 seconds more into it, the fish become much easier to see as they rise out of the water. Notice how they gradually get closer and closer to Timothy as he continues to remain still.

Donaldson Trout Explained

Donaldson trout (sometimes called, "Super Trout") is a special hybrid trout which is part steelhead, cutthroat, and rainbow trout. These trout get their name from the man who originally created this hybrid, Lauren Donaldson. If you're interested, they're officially classified as Oncorhynchus Mykiss (same as steelhead and rainbow trout).

Donaldson became very interested in fish genetics while working in a Montana fish hatchery in the 1930's. The usual practice for raising trout in hatcheries back then was to procure some roe (or fish eggs) from a stream and take them back to the hatchery for raising. Once the fish reached a catchable size, they were released back into the wild.

While this practice still continues today, some folks have taken to playing God by creating their own hyrid strains of trout. Donaldson created his "Super Trout" in 1944 at the University of Washington.

Naturally there are advantages and disadvantages to raising hybrid trout. One of the biggest advantages is that it gives anglers the opportunity to catch "trophy size" trout. This was one of Donaldson's goals when creating his trout hybrid.

Donaldson's trout are unique in that they are not only large and put up a good fight, but can also adapt to salt water (like steelhead). Their ability to adapt and survive in salt water has made them highly sought after for commercial fisheries (especially in Norway, Finland and Japan).

Several fisheries in the U.S. stock Donaldson trout for anglers including Lake Amador (California), Red Hills Lake (Oregon), and the Great Lakes, to name just a few.

Lake Amador is a popular fishing spot for Donaldson trout. The lake has its own hatchery where they raise Donaldson trout. Several tons of trout are released each year in Lake Amador.

When fishing for Donaldson trout, the key is to fish near or just below the surface (no deeper than about 3 feet). These trout tend to hang out near the surface, looking for an easy meal. If you fish too deep, your offering may be out their view. Fishing at night under a flashing bobber has been a successful technique for many shore anglers.

By the way, in case you're wondering how Donaldson trout taste, it's been reported that they taste more like salmon than trout. Many say the meat is more moist and the flavor less intense than salmon.

For more information about Donaldson trout, click here.

Fishing Cripple Creek - Virginia's Private Trout Water

Cripple Creek is a private trout stream in Rural Retreat, Virginia which offers anglers the opportunity to catch trout weighing 2 lbs and over. The creek is small, only about 3/4 of a mile long, but is stocked daily with rainbow trout. Brook and brown trout are also found in Cripple Creek, although they aren't stocked.

Cripple Creek starts in Smyth county, but it's so close to the county line, that most folks associate it with Wythe County. This portion of the creek is privately owned by Ted Baumgardner and has been open to anglers for about a year now.

So if you want to fish Cripple Creek, you must call Ted or Vanessa and make an appointment. There's also a fee of $50/day per person (no discounts for children). Anglers are allowed to catch and keep 6 trout per day though! Anglers do need a valid Virginia fishing license.

In an effort to help protect the fishery, there is a limit to the number of anglers allowed to fish this creek each day. Although group bookings are accepted.

Once appointments are made, check in time is between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. No fishermen are allowed on the creek before check in time.

There are no guide services offered at Cripple Creek. Anglers are expected to fish on their own.

For more information or to make an appointment to fish Cripple Creek, call Ted or Vanessa at (276) 621-4238.

Cripple Creek, VA

For more information about private trout waters in Virigina, click here.

23 New Trout Records in 2008

The International Game & Fish Association (IGFA) approved 21 new trout records in 2008. Of those new records, the breakdown looked like this:

• 8 new rainbow trout records
• 5 new bull trout records
• 2 new brown trout records
• 2 new lake trout records
• 2 new tiger trout records
  
• 1 new cutthroat trout record
• 1 new brook trout records

One of the new trout records mentioned above was set by Sean Konrad. Recognize the name? He and his brother have set several trout records while fishing at Lake Diefenbaker in Canada. In fact, his brother Adam holds the current world record for rainbow trout. Sean set a new line class record for catching a 37-lb 4-oz. rainbow trout on 16-lb test line.

Not to be outdone by his brother Sean, Adam Konrad set another new record in August 2008. His new line class record was approved for catching a 40-lb 10-oz. rainbow trout on 12-lb test line. This rainbow trout is only 3-lbs shy of his world record catch.

The bull trout records were all set by same person (Bo Nelson). All these trout were caught in the Flathead River in Canada in August 2008. Three of the catches qualified for line class records and the remaining two qualified for fly rod records.

Both tiger trout catches qualified for line class records. One fish (13-lbs, 12-oz.) was caught in Washington state in May 2008 and the other (4-lbs) was caught in Wyoming in October 2008.

Justin Van Cleave qualified for two records (line class and junior) when he caught his 2-lb, 12-oz brown trout in the Bear River in Colorado.

Mickey Russo claimed a new line class record for catching an 8-lb, 6-oz brook trout on 6-lb test line. This trout was caught off Long Island in New York.

Pyramid Lake in Nevada is home to the new fly rod record for an 11-lb, 1-oz. cutthroat trout caught on a 12-lb tippet.

Both new lake trout records were recorded in Wyoming. The first lake trout (2-lbs) was caught at Yellowstone Lake by Mark Kemp. This catch set a line class record (12-lb test). A week later, Virginia Kemp caught 2-lb lake trout at Shoshone Lake on a 4-lb tippet (thereby setting a new fly rod record).

There's also two new trout records currently pending. Both of these new records were caught by same man in Wyoming in October 2008. He set a fly rod record for catching a 1-lb, 4 oz brown trout on a 20-lb tippet. Then on the same day, set a line class record for a 3-lb tiger trout on 12-lb test line.

Click here to see trout records set in 2007

Click here for see trout records set in 2006

Fishing Clinics in Truckee-Reno Area

Orvis instructors have several different clinics for fly fishing and fly tying scheduled throughout February. If you're interested in learning more about these things, you'll want to check out the clinics offered.

For more information about these fishing clinics, click here.

Trout Fishing at Lake Amador

Lake Amador has become a prime trout resort in Ione, California. For those not familiar with the area, Ione is located in North Central California (just South East of Sacramento). It's also just North of Lake Pardee and Lake Comanche (two other popular trout lakes in California).

This 425 acre lake has a maximum depth of 468 feet and approximately 14 miles of fishable shoreline. Lake levels have been down in previous years due to drought, but fishing is still good.

Like Lake Pardee and Comanche, Lake Amador offers large trout (2-6 lbs), commonly known as Donaldson trout (named after the man who created this strain). Donaldson trout are a hybrid cross of Steelhead, Rainbow and Cutthroat trout. Lakes do this in an effort to give anglers a "trophy trout" experience.

Because these are hybrid trout raised in a hatchery, they will eat PowerBait. Other trout baits and techniques are effective as well.

One of our readers reported that he witnessed a man catch one the other night at Marina using a small treble hook with Berkeley Trout Power bait. His spinning rod was rigged with a small split shot about a foot above the hook and a red lighted flasher float about 2-3 feet above the split shot. This young man tossed his line out in the dark part of the water (not under the lights) and let the flashing float do the work of attracting trout for him.

Lake Amador also boasts other "trophy" size fish including bass, catfish and sunfish. So if you're looking for a unique angling experience, give Lake Amador a try.

For more information about fishing at Lake Amador, click here.

For more information about Donaldson trout, click here.

Fly Fishing for Beginners in Texas

Every year the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center tries to introduce fly fishing to those wanting to learn. And they do this by hosting an event called, Fly Fish Texas. This year, the event will take place on March 7, 2009 in Athens (9am to 4pm).

This year Fly Fish Texas will include beginning fly fishing classes for youth between the age of 6 and 18. Upon completion, youth will receive their "basic fly fishing" certification.

Casting instruction will also be offered for beginner to advanced anglers. If you're still struggling to master casting, this is a great opportunity for you.

For more information about this year's Fly Fish Texas event, click here.

2009 Trout Stockings in Virginia

Virginia's Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has posted it's 2009 Catchable Trout Stocking Schedule online. This schedule shows exactly what waters will be stocked and how often.

For more information about fishing in Virginia, click here.

For a list of private trout fishing waters in Virginia, click here.

Fly Fishing Festivals in 2009

Many states host fly fishing festivals to share the fun and excitement of fly fishing while helping to raise awareness of environmental issues surrounding the sport. Below is a list of some of the Fly Fishing Festivals that will take place in 2009.

January 24-25, 2009 - Atlanta's Fly Fishing Festival

January 30, 2009 - Great Falls (Montana) Fly Fishing Film Festival

February 13-15, 2009 - Little Missouri Fly Fishing Festival

February 21-22, 2009 - Fly Fishing Show in Pasadena, California

April 18-19, 2009 - Virginia Fly Fishing Festival

May 2, 2009 - Rocky Mountain Fly Fishing Festival

20 Best Trout Flies for Less than $10

Buying fishing gear can be expensive - especially when you buy selected items one at a time. But every now and then a good deal comes along that is too good to pass up. And Orvis (one of the world's premier fishing shops) is offering one of these deals for fly fishers.

Now you can buy 20 of the best trout flies for only $9.95. If you were to buy these flies individually, you'd end up spending over $40. Orvis is offering you the lot for less than $10.

If you're new to fly fishing or just want to add more trout flies to your existing inventory, this is a deal that is too good to pass up.

This fly kit includes 9 dry flies, 7 nymphs, and 4 streamers. These flies make the perfect gift for fly fisher in your life too!

Learning to Read Moving Water

I've mentioned many times how important learning to read a river is when you're looking for a good place trout fish. And a few days ago, I shared a video that my friend Timothy Kusherets made showing you first hand how to look for some of these trout lies on a river.

Timothy has been hard at work making more videos on the subject and today I wanted to share another on dealing with reading rivers and moving currents. There are several terms used by anglers to describe different aspects of moving water including: riffles, slots, seams, pools, eddies, etc.

This next video will help you a better idea of these terms and how to recognize these things when fishing a river or stream.

Fly Fishing Clinic for Kids in N.C.

There's an upcoming fly fishing clinic in Wasynesville, North Carolina for kids 10 -15 years old. The clinic is on March 24, 2009. It's limited to 10 kids so if you're interested, you'll want to register as soon as possible. Cost is $8/kid.

The six hour clinic will introduce kids to the basics of fly fishing including equipment, knots, casting techniques, and more. Following the instruction period, kids will have a chance to fly fish in the Davidson River. Transportation, equipment and materials, including waders, will be provided.

Kids will need to bring a lunch and non-slip shoes. The group will depart from the Waynesville Recreation Center at 9 a.m. and go to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. The group will return to the Waynesville Recreation Center at 4:30 p.m.

Contact Mike at 456-2030 at the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department for more information.

Elk River in West Virginia Threatened by Treatment Plant

Today one of our readers brought to my attention the fact that the Elk River in West Virginia may be threatened by the building of waste water treatment plant. While it's true that water treatment is important, some fear that such a plant may do more harm than good to the fishery.

If you'd like to voice your opposition to the building of the plant, you can sign an online petition.

For more information, contact the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources.

Sometimes You Just Need Patience

A few days ago, I had the privilege of taking some folks trout fishing who were visiting from Nebraska . We fished at one of my favorite local lakes and although the weather was a beautiful sunny day, the water was still quite cold (39 degrees Fahrenheit) and there was snow on much of the shoreline. Needless to say, these conditions made for a slow fishing day.

But like me, these folks just enjoyed being out on a beautiful lake with good friends and family. We could have come home empty handed and everybody would have still been happy. It was just one of those great days to be on the lake!

Fishing was slow - and we tried different rigs, baits and locations on the lake until we figured out where the trout were feeding and what they wanted. As is often the case, location and time of day turned out to be key factors in catching trout this day.

There is one spot on this particular lake where I've historically had the best luck catching trout, so as usual, we headed there first. But after coming up dry there, we moved to a new location. I've often avoided this other location the lake because it's so rocky and I get tired of losing tackle in it. However, on this particular day, if we wanted to catch trout, this is where we needed to be.

Trout were actively feeding on submerged bugs on and around those rocks. And so tossing our lines there made our offerings more likely to be seen by trout. Trout strikes are often more subtle in winter and so we had to be careful to set the hook, keep our lines tight, and the tip of the rods up to increase our chances of landing fish.

It's a well known fact that many insects and bugs are nocturnal and start emerging around dusk. This is why trout fishing during dusk and night hours can be so productive. And so it was with us. As soon as dusk set in, fishing really started heating up. We were pulling trout one after the other within minutes of casting our lines. And I'm happy to report that we were able to take home a nice stringer full of rainbow trout along with some good fishing memories.

Understanding trout feeding habits and lies can help you catch more trout - even when fishing appears slow and challenging. Good anglers are constantly monitoring the fishing environment throughout the day so they can adjust their tactics as needed. Trout fishing in winter may be challenging in some areas, but it can still be productive if you understand a little bit about trout and their needs.

Reading Rivers for Trout Lies

Trout fishing in rivers can be more challenging than fishing in lakes. While lakes are primarily still bodies of water, rivers are constantly moving. Anybody can get lucky and catch trout once in a while in any body of water ... but successful anglers know how to "read a river" for potential trout lies (i.e, trout hangouts).

Unfortunately, learning to read rivers doesn't happen overnight. It takes practice. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Having an experienced fishing buddy can help speed up the learning curve. But sadly, many anglers don't have the benefit of somebody else's expertise.

However, thanks to modern technology (and the world wide web), now you can learn just about anything. My good friend Timothy Kusherets (author of Steelhead & Salmon Drift-Fishing Secrets) has created a video showing you how to read a river for trout lies. You can view it below.



This is one of those videos worth watching over again until you start to get the hang of trout fishing in rivers.

Big Savings on Fishing Gear

It's a brand new year and that means that many of us are taking advantage of year end sales. Several of the big companies are offering huge savings right now. Be sure to check out the links below to take advantage of the sales currently going on before they end!