Author: Rick Lawrence

Posted: 1/5/2019

If there is one thing I have learned over the past 10 years is you can catch just about any species of fish that swims on a dropshot rig. I have caught Large and Smallmouth Bass, Perch, Sunfish, Crappie, trout and Burbot all on a drop shot this year. One species I added to this list a few years ago are Mackinaws. I like to fish for Lakers mainly in the winter months from early Dec. to mi...

Author: Jason Brooks

Posted: 1/5/2019

Most anglers know that you should bleed the fish you catch and keep. Doing so means to cut a gill right after you decide to retain the fish and mark it on your catch record card. But that is only one step in a multi-step process to properly care for your catch. Even before bleeding a quick bonk on the head is not only humane but it also keeps the fish from becoming bruised. A fish flopping...

Author: Sponsored Content

Posted: 12/18/2018

There has been a lot of talk in the news about the decline in our southern resident killer whales. The science shows the downward trend over the past 40 years, but historically the population is no different than it was 50 years ago. Blame is being placed on the decline of the Chinook Salmon stocks up and down the coast. With that said, Area 25 where our lodge is located, is one of the only areas ...

Author: NWFR Staff

Posted: 12/12/2018

The winds are blowing, the first snow is threatening, and your rod guides are freezing up. There’s not a fish in sight and much as you love getting out, that warm crackling fire is calling your name. Not to mention your laptop computer as you search out the perfect gifts for your fellow anglers – or yourself. Your spouse is asking you “what do you want”, right? Well, if you’re running out of ideas...

Author: Scott T Starbuck

Posted: 12/2/2018

When winter steelhead run, the main thing is to keep your lure in the strike zone as long as possible, as many times as possible so that sooner or later, you will hook a chrome fish. The past two seasons, I learned to bead fish with good results. It has been common for me to find fish while nearby anglers go fish-less. The difference is “The Slide Technique” by which I mean using a THILL TURBO M...

Author: Mike Carey

Posted: 12/2/2018

When salmon and steelhead closures seem to be more the norm than the exception, anglers can be forgiven for thinking their favorite pastime is in its terminal gasps. With opportunities seemingly closing left and right, it’s easy to get despondent at times like these. If you’re feeling that way too then perhaps it’s time to take a break from “big game” fishing and return to your roots. Remember whe...

Author: Rick Lawrence

Posted: 12/2/2018

Here is a great way to store your larger baits without dumping a load of cash on one of those fancy Musky tackle boxes. This size of box if you were to go out and buy it would be well over 100 bucks. All you need for this is a Portable File storage box and 2 sheets of foam board. I got my File box from Staples for just over 6 bucks (you can find them at Wally world as well), and the 2 ...

Author: Ben Team for Outdoor Empire

Posted: 12/2/2018

Deciding on the best time to load up your fishing gear and hit the water is a big decision for many anglers. You don’t want to spend hours trying to get a bite when the fish are not actively feeding; you want to go when you’re most likely to catch fish. There are a variety of factors that will influence the behavior of your target fish, and there aren’t many hard-and-fast rules regarding the ...

Author: Jason Brooks

Posted: 12/2/2018

I can remember it was August 11th when a co-worker took me out on Puget Sound. I caught my first salmon in the salt after moving to the Tacoma area over 20 years ago now. For some reason that date stuck in my mind. We fished out in front of Gig Harbor where I caught a 10-pound Chinook after chasing Coho near Pt. Evan’s by the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Those are the only details I remember but it suff...

Author: Kyle Jones

Posted: 11/9/2018

When most people think of November they see Thanksgiving, Turkey, Football, and all the family events that surround the beginning of the Holiday Season. So, while most are decorating houses with fall spirit and making their Thanksgiving day plans, our minds become solely focused on the big, brawling, summer Steelhead that call Idaho’s Clearwater River home. Idaho’s Clearwater River is a special...

Author: Jason Brooks

Posted: 11/9/2018

A simple as a piece of yarn can help you improve your fishing. Not knowing exactly sure who or how someone thought about adding something so simple to their hook came about but “yarnies” are a very effective fishing lure. Of course being anglers we can take something so simple and make it very confusing and convoluted; so here is the lowdown on using a piece of yarn to catch more fish. Before y...

Author: Rob Phillips

Posted: 11/1/2018

If you haven’t had your fill of fall fishing you might want to check out one of the ponds or lakes in Central Washington. While many lakes around the state are now closed to fishing, virtually all of the lakes in Yakima and Kittitas County are still open for fishing. And, while most have not received any newly stocked trout, most still have a few fish swimming around in them, and this time of yea...