Fishing Articles
My top 5 Early Spring Largemouth Tactics
One on my favorite times to fish for the allusive Ditch Pickle is in the pre-spawn during early spring. When the water temps are in the high 40’s to high 50’s you can have some great early spring action for pre-spawn bass. I will cover my 5 best tactics for landing some early spring lunker largies.
By far my favorite early spring tactic for Ole Mossyback is dragging a tube. In years past I us...
Activities for the Stuck at Home Angler
On March 25th, Washington State governor Jay Inslee issued a 2-week stay at home order during the COVID-19 outbreak. Anglers all over the state wondered what this would mean for our beloved sport. Shortly afterwards, Fish and Game announced a closure of public docks and shorelines in accordance with the stay at home order. So what's a bored angler to do during this time? There is plenty to stay bu...
Springtime Trout Tactics
Springtime means anglers are getting ready for the lowland lakes trout opener or for your local lake to be planted with trout for some fun catching action. Those planter rainbows are fairly easy to catch during the first few weeks but once the fish are acclimated to their new waters they tend to spread out and filling limits can take a bit longer. There are a few things that will help you catch mo...
Little Known Federal Outdoor Land Options
Washington has enacted the strongest measures in the nation when it comes to limiting outdoor recreation. Following Governor Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” decree, agencies have closed access to all state public lands, boat launches and have even closed recreational fishing. Several federal agencies, notably the US Forest Service, have closed campgrounds, day use sites and even trailhead...
Quincy Lake Derby Results and More
TROUT DERBY RESULTS -The Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce held their annual trout derby on March 7th at Quincy Lake and it was a big success with 90 adults and 46 kids participating in the one-day event where $5,000 in money and prizes were given away or raffled off. The winner of the derby was Joshua Shew of Quincy who caught the biggest trout of the day, a 17.5- inch rainbow. His first-place ...
Early Season Trout and Salmon Opportunities
The first day of March brings a host of fishing opportunities for both salmon and trout anglers across Washington State. Here’s a round-up of what’s in store:
SEKIU SALMON: A special winter/spring season for hatchery Chinook salmon opens March 1st off Sekiu and the Olympic Peninsula in Marine Area 5. This is not a day trip for most of our readers but you may well be rewarded with a limit of ...
Fly Casting and Leader Tips
My son bought an 8wt fly rod outfit at a local sports store last fall. One of the typical middle price range starter outfits with rod, reel, line, leader and case, all ready to head to the water. We went to the park for a few hours and did some casting, learning the basics and trying to find the timing. While we were wiping our lines clean and putting stuff away he said he felt ready do it on the ...
Jerkbaits Tactics for early Spring Smallies
Early springtime to me always conjures the thoughts of the coming warming weather and increasing water temperatures. I dream of pre-spawn smallmouth (and Pike if I tell the truth) invading the shallows to stage for spawn. This is amazing time for fishing and makes me forget how bad winter was and I neglect all my other responsibilities for the upcoming weeks that follow chasing Smallies.
Each s...
Ocean Bottomfish
March can be one of those months were you find yourself between fisheries with winter steelhead on coastal rivers nearing an end, some local steelhead rivers closed early, Spring Chinook still waiting to show, and the anticipation to next month’s trout opener. But March is the perfect month to put some great eating fish in the freezer if you have the right gear or are willing to explore some chart...
The High-Low Rig Difference
Fishing season is just around the corner, and there is no better time to refine your current fishing techniques and learn some new ones. Take a break from oiling your favorite reel and follow me on my journey as a fisherman, from when I started off casting out store bought crappie rigs, to when I graduated to tying my own high-low rigs.
Back when I began bottom fishing the Puget Sound, I start...
Commissioner of Public Lands Interview with John Kruse
THE WASHINGTON OUTDOORS REPORT
March 06 – March 13, 2020
PUBLIC LANDS COMMISSIONER HILARY FRANZ HAS A LOT ON HER PLATE
This week I sat down with Hilary Franz, the Commissioner of Public Lands and head of the Washington Department of Natural Resources, for a wide-ranging discussion covering everything from wildfires to geoducks to derelict vessels and outdoor recreation. Here are some of...
The Politics of Fish, Fishing and Boating
The States of Washington and Oregon have taken a number of actions in the last week that will affect both our fish populations and those who fish for them. Here’s a brief rundown of the four issues at the forefront this week:
GILLNETS TO REMAIN IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER IN 2020: The Directors of the Oregon and Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife released a joint announcement on Valentines...
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