Fishing Articles
Fishing for Suspended Walleye
Here in the Pacific Northwest walleye are a popular species to target. Appreciated for their fine table fare, in recent years walleye populations have held steady despite increasing angler enthusiasm. With that in mind, NWFR’s Rob Holman and I were excited to be contacted by Keith Eshbaugh of Dutch Fork Custom Lures to come visit him in Erie, Pennsylvania and learn another technique to catch walle...
Kokanee Restoration in Lake Sammamish
What is a kokanee?
Before I cover this question, I should introduce myself. My name is David Kyle and I am a Project Manager for Trout Unlimited focused on Lake Sammamish Kokanee restoration. In my job I work on stream habitat reconnection/restoration, education and outreach, and supplementation and research. I have a background in fisheries working at a chinook/steelhead hatchery after high...
Tackle Tips for Summer Trips
With the plethora of rods and reels out there, it's easy for even a seasoned fisherman to get overwhelmed. The avid saltwater fisherman expects a lot from his or her reel. It has to hold up to the occasional splash of corrosive saltwater, the pull of large fish, and dings and dents from rocks. Fortunately, the vast variety of options means you can pick up a reel that is just right for you.
Wha...
The Salmon Highway
Most northern Pacific Salmon leave their natal waters once they get to the smolt stage of their lives and head out to the open Pacific Ocean. As they grow the fish head north to the nutrient rich waters of Alaska and British Columbia. Along the way the protected “inside passage” becomes home to the feeding Chinook and Coho, Sockeye and Pink as well as the Chum salmon. Feasting on herring, anchovie...
Choosing the Right Fishing Sunglasses
Sunglasses are one of the most important and often overlooked tools for fishing. They protect your eyes from the sun and also help keep your eyes safe from objects. Beyond that, they allow you to see what is below the water. There are many great brands on the market, and finding frames that fit your style and face is one of your first decisions. Once you have found the right frames, choosing the c...
Chasing Summer Smallies
Most of the rivers and larger creeks in the Inland N.W. have some excellent smallmouth bass populations. Rivers like the Spokane, Snake, Columbia, and Pend Oreille all have some fabulous Smallie fishing,
Chances are there's some good summertime smallmouth bass fishing in a flowing body of water near you. Here are some ways of catching those bronze backs during the summer and early fall. The ma...
Paddle Safe Week
Focuses on safety for paddlers during Paddle Safe Week
Paddle Safe Week is July 21 to 27
Olympia – July [date], 2019 – Last month, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a proclamation declaring July 21 to July 27 as Paddle Safe Week. NWFR joins the Washington State Parks Boating Program in promoting this public safety campaign focused on increasing safety awareness among people who kayak, canoe and stand u...
Yakima River Smallmouth Bass
While the king salmon is the icon of the Pacific Northwest, some anglers are not as enthralled with catching the big fish as others. In fact, some anglers would just as soon catch any variety of other types of fish, rather than spending the amount of time and money that it often times takes to catch a salmon.
This spring, with the Columbia River chinook salmon runs being far below predicted ...
Good Rain Gear Can Help You Catch The Big One
Many of you have seen me in my Columbia PFG red bibs and jacket rain gear. As I have gotten older, I’ve come to realize more than ever that being comfortable is the most critical factor when it comes to fishing success and generally enjoying being on the water. And when it comes down to it, isn’t the primary reason we go fishing for enjoyment? Well, being miserable is not going to help you catch m...
In Pursuit of Trophy Pike
Pike, especially really big trophy Northern Pike, can make even the most experienced angler's heart skip a beat. And, although not common, many pike anglers are still managing to land 25 to 30 pound wall-hangers each season here in the Pac. N.W..
For the past 3 years I have targeted trophy pike and I have gotten my share of big fish, but I’m looking for those fish that are over 25 pounds, the ...
Summer Fun at Puget Sound Saltwater Piers
Too choppy to take the boat out? Want to take the kids out for a relaxing, low key adventure? Try fishing at one of the many saltwater fishing piers around Puget Sound! The summer is a prime time to bring home a tasty fish dinner for the barbeque or smoker. In the south Sound, salmon season is much longer, if not year round, for pier bound anglers. If bottom fish are your goal, there also a year r...
Spring and Summer Pursuit of Kokanee: Ospreys Facilitate
A Kokanee University Mini-Series, Part 4
A few moons ago I had the privilege of learning how to properly fight and land kokanee. The teachers? Two ospreys.
These ospreys likely did not know each other. The first I helped save its life. The second osprey still puts kokanee on my table.
I suppose I should start at the beginning.
I had received a call one Thursday from my local ra...
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