While tenkara has existed in Japan for centuries, it’s recently become a very popular alternative to traditional western fly fishing. Many of the techniques and principles are the same, but there are key differences. The most apparent is that in tenkara, there’s no reel of line. Instead, a fixed line is tied to the tip … Read more
More and more people are discovering tenkara, the traditional Japanese form of fly fishing. As it grows worldwide, a number of manufacturers have popped up that make great tenkara rods for beginners. Choosing the right rod is crucial to getting the best start possible in your new hobby. Read on for our picks for the … Read more
Knowing when trout and salmon spawn is very important for an angler. Spawning fish behave very differently, and you’ll have to alter the way that you approach them in order to snag one. In many places, fishing for spawning trout and salmon is discouraged or even banned. Read on for an explanation of spawning seasons, … Read more
Ask any angler whether lures or bait is better, and you’ll probably get a strong opinion. Some would never dream of picking up a hunk of PowerBait or hooking a worm. Others will tell you that nothing beats a live shiner under a bobber. Whether to use bait or lures comes down to a wide … Read more
The best time of year to fish for trout can depend on a number of factors, but generally, it’s the spring. A combination of rising temperatures and a sudden abundance of food make spring a great time for trout to actively feed. And when they’re actively feeding, they’re prime targets for lures, baits, and flies. … Read more
Ask any trout fisherman which lure is the best for catching trout, and chances are he’ll pull out a spinner. Like any lure, finding the best trout spinner for your situation is a game of numbers. Every trout stream, pond, and lake is different, and you never know what fish will bite on. But 5 … Read more
You know the phrase “shooting fish in a barrel?” Well, it’s not that easy to catch rainbow trout in a stocked pond, but it’s not too far away, either. It’s also a great way to learn the basics of trout fishing, basics that will help you catch trout everywhere. Rainbow trout are the most popular … Read more
While steelhead and rainbow trout may seem different, they are actually the same species, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Genetically, they are more or less identical. But despite their genetics, the two lead very separate lives. One Species, Two Life Cycles Both steelhead and rainbow trout start out their lives in much the same way. They hatch out of eggs … Read more
Pretty much every catch and release fisherman will get this question at some point: “doesn’t that hurt the fish?” The debate over whether catch and release (and, for that matter, fishing itself) is humane has been going on for decades. Some places, like Germany, have banned the practice outright. In other places, including many popular … Read more
If you’re looking to catch trout in a lake from shore, there’s a lot you need to know. Trout will instinctually congregate in areas with lots of food, shelter, and other essentials. Fishing for trout in a lake can be remarkably productive. Many areas stock their lakes with trout, meaning that there’s plenty there for … Read more
