Louis Johnson, a retired Chicago foundry operator, was frustrated by the abundance of weeds that kept fouling the hooks on his lures in his favorite fishing lake. Eager to overcome the problem, he…
Bass, as you probably know, are cold-blooded creatures, meaning their body temperature is the same as that of their surroundings. As the water temperature drops, so does their metabolic level. The…
If you've ever hung a big landlocked striped bass on an artificial lure, you know it's a jarring experience. There's nothing tentative about the way a striper hits a surface plug, crankbait or jig…
Every serious crappie fisherman out there has his own thoughts on what works best and why. The majority of traditional ice fishermen you see braving the frozen lakes and ponds stick to live bait with…
Don’t be afraid to change baits when fishing slows down. Giving bass a new look is sometimes all it takes to put several of them in your boat.
Say, for example, you fish an area that is holding good…
Fishing electronics are a valuable tool in today's world of fishing. They are also expensive and protecting your investment will make your days on the water more enjoyable and certainly more…
Ask two fly tiers of equal skill levels to tie the same bucktail pattern and you're very likely going to see two subtly different versions. One will be fuller and, at first blush, perhaps a little…
Losing a fish is often the most disappointing event in angling (save physical harm of course), but a strong runner-up is realizing you forgot a piece of gear you needed after a long journey to your…
For the past 25-plus years, one of my favorite pursuits has been winter fishing. No, the fish aren't nearly as active as they will be in another three or so months, but there's still sport to be had…
While on a recent late-season muzzleloader deer hunt in western Illinois with Golden Triangle Whitetails, we experienced some very cold temperatures for part of the hunt. It certainly made sitting in…
Winter in the north can be an awfully long season. Ice fishing, tying flies and the planning of hunts certainly make it more enjoyable, but sometimes even these things won't cure cabin fever. That's…
The Caddis Poopah is an extraordinary fly pattern designed with simplicity and functionality in mind. Looking at this pattern from a basic construction stand point, the fly is most certainly not…
