Articles

Hatchery steelhead are dumber and less likely to survive than wild steelhead

by Chad Shmukler - Thursday, Dec 26th, 2013

Releasing a wild steelhead on Oregon's Deschutes River

Though the title is intentionally a bit tongue-in-cheek, the results of a recent study published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE suggest that not only are hatchery-reared steelhead less intelligent than their wild counterparts but that they exhibit defects in the structure and composition of their lateral lines. These two findings are a likely explanation for why hatchery-reared juvenile steelhead exhibit a significantly reduced survival rate to adulthood than wild born steelhead do.

If you're at all familiar with fish biology, you've likely heard of the lateral line. If you haven't, the lateral line is sensory organ system that is arguably more important to a fish than any other aspect of its biology. The reason for this is that the lateral line of a fish is its primary tool for sensing and reacting to its environment. Cell clusters, called neuromasts, located along a fish's lateral line allow the fish to sense changes in stream flow rate, direction and other hydrodynamic fluctuations. It plays a crucial role in a fish's ability to catch prey, avoid predators, interact socially (including spawning) and communicate with other fish and orient and hold station in currents.

3 reasons you should be using loop knots

by Colin K. Breck - Tuesday, Dec 24th, 2013

Making loop knots part of your rigging method can result in more fish landing here.

Loop knots have an integral place in the way most experienced anglers rig their flies. Despite common misconception, there are a great many loop knots that are exceedingly simple to tie. Sure, there are loop knots that are cumbersome or even difficult to tie, but some of the best loop knots are easy to learn and to tie streamside. But the main reason that most experienced anglers readily use loop knots is that, in a great many scenarios, loop knots provide significant advantages over knots that are fixed to the fly's hook eye.

Following are a few reasons why, if you're not already regularly using loop knots in your fishing, you should be. Even beginner anglers will likely be familiar with the most common of these reasons, but the others may be new information even to some of you who've been at it for a while.

Orvis Sells Off Recently Acquired Ross Reels, Acquired by Owner of Abel Reels

by Colin K. Breck - Monday, Dec 23rd, 2013

Ross Reels Logo

Mayfly Group LLC, owner of Abel Reels, has acquired the Ross Reels brand from Orvis. It was only in June of this year that Orvis acquired Ross as part of its purchase of the Scientific Anglers brand of fly lines.

To address expected speculation regarding why Orvis would look to sell off a brand it had just acquired six months ago, a press release by the Mayfly Group noted that Orvis had "developed a clear growth strategy for its Scientific Anglers brand, while concurrently struggling to integrate the Ross Reels brand into its own reel business." The sentiment was echoed by Orvis' Jim LePage, who said that "It became clear that Ross [was] not a strong fit for Orvis’ long term strategy."

Mayfly Group intends to continue to operate the Ross brand, taking advantage of the expertise of Abel engineers to update and further develop its product lineup. President of Mayfly, David Dragoo noted that “[the] Mayfly Group is honored to be associated with Ross Reels, an iconic fly fishing brand. We hope to expand upon the creativity and quality of the brand developed by founder Ross Hauck more than 40 years ago.” According to the company, the Ross brand will also re-introduce former popular models into its lineup.

Sage METHOD Fly Rods Receive Numerous Accolades

by Ben Kryzinski - Monday, Dec 23rd, 2013

Sage METHOD Series of Fly Rods

Sage's METHOD fly rod series, which this year replaced its ultra-fast TCX rod series in the Sage lineup, has received some significant recognition as of late. The METHOD has generally received by fast-action rod fans as a welcome evolution from the TCX, offering all of the speed and power of its predecessor, but with a great deal more feel and accuracy. And it seems many are in agreement.

The METHOD was recently chosen as Best Saltwater fly rod by Fly Fisherman Magazine and took home top awards in the upcoming winter issue of Fly Fusion Magazine. Fly Fusion's editors noted, "A ton of heart goes into each and every issue of Fly Fusion Magazine, however, the upcoming winter issue goes above and beyond traditional effort. Within it is our most comprehensive rod review to date. Jeff Wagner, Fly Casting Field Editor for Fly Fusion and Board of Governor and Master Certified Fly Casting Instructor with the Federation of Fly Fishers headed up the massive effort which included a total of three experienced fly casters. With the cameras rolling over 7,000 casts were made and the data recorded. We are excited to announce that the Sage METHOD took home the top honors by winning in all of the following categories:5 wt Accuracy & Distance, 5 wt Distance, 8 wt Accuracy & Distance and 8 wt Distance."

Only 750 Greenback Cutthroat Trout Remain in the World

by Ben Kryzinski - Thursday, Dec 19th, 2013

The Greenback Cutthroat Trout.

Greenback cutthroat trout exist in only one body of water, a small stream known as Bear Creek, not far outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado. In fact, the greenback cutthroat trout is one of the rarest trout in the world, with only 750 individual fish remaining. The survival of these rarest of trout is in severe jeopardy, and those that are striving to prevent the greenback's extinction are making a dire plea for help.

A new website, 1of750.com seeks to educate fishermen and other conservation-minded individuals alike about the history and current plight of the greenback. According to the website