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Tips and Tidbits

Go Large…Big Species Offer Extreme Fishing Fun

They say a fisherman goes through stages. First you just want to catch a fish, then you want to catch a lot of fish, then you want to catch a big fish, and eventually, you want to catch A LOT of big fish.

If you’re at stage three (or beyond), and have your heart truly set on “going large” you might want to try fishing for some of these behemoth monsters that lurk in America’s freshwater lakes and rivers.

Sturgeon
Sturgeon are prehistoric beasts that once had a wide range across North America. Today, the best concentrations of sturgeon—and the most consistent sturgeon fishing—is found in the Pacific Northwest, most notably the Columbia River system. Sturgeon typically travel in groups and are found in troughs along the bottom of the river, often in water 20 feet or deeper. You’ll want to fish a small baitfish (herring) on a weighted line with a 7/0 or 6/0 hook, and use a heavy action rod with a sensitive tip section, because while sturgeon can reach a maximum size of more than 15 feet and 1,500 pounds, their take is surprisingly subtle.

Alligator Gar
Another ancient predator — the alligator gar — lurks many southern waterways, especially the southern waters of the Mississippi River drainage, and throughout Texas, parts of Georgia, and Florida. They typically live in slow river channels and pools, or in lakes. As their name implies, alligator gar have a distinct elongated snout, powerful jaws and rows of sharp teeth. They can grow up to 10 feet long, and weigh 200 pounds or more. The best way to fish for them is to use a heavy slip sinker, and suspend a live bait, like shad, on a 2/0 hook, and then have a bobber riding the surface to indicate the take. You want a heavy action rod, and 50-pound test line. Most importantly, that last 2-3 feet of line connected to your hook should be a wire leader.

Muskellunge
Another toothy critter that requires a wire leader is the muskellunge. Muskie can be found throughout many northern lakes and rivers, but there are some surprisingly good muskie fishing pockets in the East as well, including the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In the summertime, muskie typically move toward more open and deeper lake waters. In places like Green Bay in Wisconsin, one of the most popular approaches for catching warm weather muskie is trolling spinnerbaits. The angler should gear up with a 6- to 7-foot medium-fast, or fast action rod, with powerful-drag reel. Make sure you mix and match your trolling depths.

Northern Pike
Northern Pike are also found throughout much of the country, especially the northern Great Lakes, and the pothole lakes of the northern Plains states. But perhaps the hottest pike fisheries in the country right now can be found in the Rocky Mountain States, especially Colorado. Many of the conventional tackle approaches you use for muskie can be applied to pike (wire leaders, heavy action spinning rod, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and deep-cut spoons). In Colorado, many anglers like to chase pike by sight-fishing for them with fly rods. Use a 9-foot, 9-weight rod, a floating line, clear leader with two feet of wire tippet at the end, and then a “Pike Bunny” fly… purple is often best.

Whenever you’re chasing big fish with mouths full of sharp teeth, caution is obviously the rule. Hooking up is half the battle. Unhooking is also an acquired art. If you can, it’s worth hiring a guide to learn the ropes about catching and handling big predatory fish. Even one or two times out with a pro can shorten your learning curve dramatically, and put you right in the big fish game. For more information on the sturgeon, muskellunge, or northern pike, as well as many other fish found throughout the U.S. check out the species explorer in the Fishopedia section of the site.

Hot Spots

Fly Fishing Across America

If you are looking for the best time to go fly fishing, June is the perfect month because many rivers and lakes are experiencing the most prolific insect hatches of the year, right now. You’ll see rivers come alive in ways you hadn’t imagined, and you might just catch your biggest fish of the season. In fact, the only problem with June and fly fishing is that it happens only once a year.

The West
Take for example, the classic stonefly hatches on western rivers like Montana’s Big Hole, and Rock Creek, or the Gunnison River in Colorado. As the spring runoff subsides, trout are treated to a smorgasbord of swarming stoneflies, some more than an inch long. There isn’t much subtlety involved with this dry fly fishing—you’ll see the bugs skittering along the river, and the trout eagerly gulping them off the water’s surface. Watch for the rise, make your best cast with a big fly (like a Sofa Pillow), and hang on…

The Midwest
The Midwest angler enjoys some late spring/early summer mayfly hatches, like Sulphur Duns, especially in places like the Driftless Area in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The epic Great Lakes region hatch event, however, has to be the Hexagnia fall in western Michigan, when giant butterfly-sized mayflies cascade over the river… usually starting right before nightfall, and lasting well after dark.

Of course great fly fishing isn’t necessarily limited to trout. June is prime time for throwing small popper flies at smallmouth bass in many Minnesota lakes, and especially on the streams that comprise the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

East Coast
Moving further east to the Catskills, Adirondacks, and especially the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New York, the warming weather trends shut the windows on some of the most notable mayfly hatches (like Quills and Hendricksons), but the trout menu now includes large mayfly drakes… slate, green, and brown. The appeal of fishing drakes is that you use large (size #10 or bigger) dry flies, but you want to concentrate your efforts on overcast or rainy days, or in the late afternoons and evenings. It also pays to watch and wait for fish to rise, then pinpoint your casts… the trout are wary in this season.

The South
In the south, fly fishing can also be productive in June, even as the weather heats up. On legendary rivers like the White River in Arkansas, watch for Sulphur hatches. It’s also a great idea to get out early in the day and try to turn one of the river’s legendary big brown trout on a streamer fly, like a white Zonker. On the many trout brooks in Smoky Mountains, yellow and cream colored flies are June staples. Among the best is a size #16 yellow Sally, especially in currents where the water is moving briskly.

Wherever you are, be willing to mix and match your flies. Think sub surface when days are brightest and hottest, and dry flies in the evenings. Do that, and you’ll find June to be among the most rewarding and informative months on the angling calendar.

Check out TakeMeFishing.org’s Hot Spots map to find a great spot for your next fly fishing trip.

Tips and Tidbits

Do you know the boating safety requirements in your state?

For the majority of recreational boaters, the beginning of June marks the ‘unofficial’ kick-off to boating season across the country. Remember, boating safety laws can change annually, so it’s important to take a minute to ensure you meet all your state's boating safety requirements.

As of January 28, 2010, 47 states and territories have enacted some form of mandatory boater education. The following states have changing laws for 2010:

Florida
The Florida bobber card is now required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who operates a vessel powered by 10 hp or more. The boating safety course can be taken online, but don't wait! There are no temporary cards issued in Florida after you complete the online course. However, the permanent ‘bobber card’ typically arrives by mail in 3-5 days.

New Jersey
As of June 1st of last year, all boat operators must be certified to operate a boat on state waters. You can take the bulk of the boater safety course online - you'll only have to show up to a proctored exam to get certified. Best of all – you pay only when you pass!

North Carolina
Boating regulations have changed in North Carolina as of May 1st 2010. Anyone under the age of 26 must successfully complete a state-approved boating safety course before operating any vessel propelled by a motor of 10hp or greater. Boaters should carry their education certificate onboard while operating. The online exam is 60 multiple-choice questions, and you need a score of 80% to pass.

Oregon
Oregon has been phasing in mandatory boater education for the past several years. As of 2010, ALL boaters must carry their Oregon boater education card (also mistakenly referred to as the Oregon boat license) when operating any powerboat (including PWC or any motorized watercraft) greater than 10hp.

Virginia
As of July 1st 2010, all Personal Watercraft (PWC) operators 35 years of age and younger must pass a boat safety course and carry the Boating Safety Education Course Certificate when operating their PWC. Virginia is gradually phasing-in mandatory boating safety education. By July 1, 2016, all boaters in Virginia will need the certificate. Once its obtained – it is good for life and never needs to be renewed.

Washington State
Washington is another state that is phasing-in mandatory boating safety education for the majority of boat operators. In 2010, any operator 30 years of age and younger must have the boater education card when operating a motorboat with 15 horsepower or greater. The online test consists of 75 multiple choice questions. Students need a score of 80% and pay only when they pass.

For a complete list of boater education requirements in your state visit BoaterExam.com. All online courses are state approved, recognized by the US Coast Guard and feature fully narrated study guides with more than 150 animated videos. Our goal is get more boaters out on the water having fun. Securely and safely.

Author: Kerry Moher – BoaterExam.com

Ambassador Spotlight

Last newsletter we asked you to submit a monster fish caught with a tiny lure or a tiny fish with a monster lure. Here are some of our favorite big catches that bit small and little guys with big appetites.

View more pictures on Fishington, The Fishing and Boating Capital of the Internet.