Articles

Chasing the cold

Trout Unlimited looks at solutions to cold water scarcity in a warming world

by Ben Kryzinski - Wednesday, Oct 21st, 2015

Bull trout are particularly sensitive to temperature changes (photo: Jonathan Hashisaki).

If you're a trout fisherman, then the fish that draws you to the river relies on cold water. It does't matter whether you're talking about brook trout, brown trout, westslope cutthroat or steelhead; trout need cold water. And in today's warming climate, cold water is becoming increasingly scarce. For those of us that love trout fishing, and want to preserve trout populations, this is problematic. After all, it's not like we can just pick up trout and move them to colder water.

Fly fishing travel: don't be stupid

You've been waiting for this trip for a long time, don't screw it up

by Chad Shmukler - Monday, Oct 19th, 2015

A fish, and moment, almost lost to miserly and sloppy planning (photo: Earl Harper).

When you've been dreaming of visiting and fly fishing in Argentina for as long as you can remember, and have finally made the commitment to do so, excitement can reach a fever pitch during the last few days leading up to the trip.

Scott introduces new Radian two-handers

Spey casting comes to Scott's hallmark Radian series

by Ben Kryzinski - Thursday, Oct 15th, 2015

Since it's introduction in 2013, Scott's Radian fly rod has been one of the most coveted high-end rods in the industry, and a hallmark of Scott rod design and craftsmanship. Scott's new Meridian series of saltwater rods, introduced this year, has received early praise — including winning Best in Show at this year's IFTD show in Orlando — that is reminiscent of the Radian's introduction a couple of years ago. This week, Scott introduced it's new series of Radian two-handers which, according to the manufacturer, takes cues from both its Radian one handers and its new Meridian series.

Be water

Taking cues from nature's greatest force

by Johnny Carrol Sain - Wednesday, Oct 14th, 2015

Richland Creek, a tributary of Arkansas' Buffalo River (photo: Johnny Carrol Sain).

If water were an option in rock/paper/scissors, there would be no game. Water wins. Always. Given time, water will eat a mountain and eat it with such gentle caress and subtle gnawing that the mountain never knows it’s doomed. Jack Kerouac had it beautifully backwards when he said: “It was the work of the quiet mountains, this torrent at my feet.” Sorry, Jack. There is a dance between mineral and water, but water always leads.

Catch and kill

From the river to the frying pan, all for the good of conservation

by Chris Hunt - Monday, Oct 12th, 2015

This brook trout is where it doesn't belong. In this case, in Oregon's Cascades (photo: Austin Montreil Leonard).

The tweet was borderline militant. Rude. Snide. Smug. And so misinformed that I almost replied with an equally aggressive insult.

Sadly, this is what the well-intentioned catch-and-release movement has come to:

“It’s called catch-and-release. Catch-and-RELEASE. Check into it.”

I held my temper. I suppose, with a Twitter handle like @eatmorebrookies, I kind of brought it on myself. I simply replied, “Where I live, non-native brook trout are invasive and taking over native cutthroat habitat.” A little information can be a good thing, right?