From time to time (as I look at my garage full of lures and baits), the realization hits me that tackle companies keep themselves relevant by designing, manufacturing, and marketing hundreds of new lures, baits, and ancillary products each and every year. Are new lures necessary? And, even more to the point, will they really
Today (of all days) is one to reflect on the past year and plan for the future. Although I like making a few resolutions here and there, the most important aspect of New Year’s Day (besides the bowl games) is to make solid plans to fish. Allow me to explain. As I have discovered reading
“Though the weather here in Provo might be frightful, in St. George it’s usually delightful, so since we’ve got somewhere to go … let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.” Each year, more and more of my friends and readers of this column migrate to southwestern Utah for the winter. And, as a
Fishing a new reservoir (Pickwick Lake, Alabama) and especially one so different than the lakes and reservoirs out here in the mountain states, was a daunting task. Learning to manage current, navigate the Tennessee River, and finally, catch fish in a new and challenging environment was (at times) downright scary. According to the rules, none
A 5 lb largemouth and 4 lb smallmouth caught on Pickwick Lake. This week’s column comes to you from the Shoals Marriott Resort in Florence, Alabama. Earlier this year, I earned a slot in the B.A.S.S. Nationals, a bass fishing tournament held (in 2018) on Pickwick Lake in Alabama. Well, I say “Alabama,” but the
Sometimes (even though I feel like people are tired of my rants on assorted topics) I must once again dedicate a very pointed column to the importance of “allowing” the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) to do their jobs regardless of our personal opinions as to their effectiveness. Please allow me to explain. Starting
Without a doubt, (in rivers, streams and even reservoirs in Utah) fall brings the brown trout spawn with some incredible fishing (catching) opportunities. Let’s discuss this important time of year and highlight some of the ways to enjoy catching quality fish while protecting the areas in which they spawn. Brown trout or commonly known as
Early in October, a family reunion brought our only daughter, Kara, back to Utah for a few days, and one Friday she joined me for a father-daughter trip to Strawberry Reservoir to catch cutthroat trout on jerkbaits. Having just taught a seminar earlier that week at Sportsman’s Warehouse in Provo, I was very excited to
Lake Powell is a fantastic fishery and fall brings incredible opportunities with less fishing and boating pressure on the sprawling reservoir. After Labor Day, two things happen that improve the overall fishing. One, water levels generally drop which this year is an understatement. The reservoir is dropping nearly two feet a week which (when considering
While fishing Strawberry Reservoir last week and seeing hundreds of bright-red kokanee salmon schooling near the areas we fished, I realized that the whole idea of having kokanees in some of our reservoirs in Utah is having a positive effect on overall fishing excitement. People love to catch salmon. Kokanee salmon have been offering great
