Local Fishing Information Sources

“90% of all fishing knowledge is local knowledge.” – Noted Fly fisherman, Lefty Kreh, from 1001 Fishing Tips by Lamar Underwood

Bait or tackle shops are known to be a great source of fishing information, but other businesses may provide a wealth of information as well. In my neck of the woods, it is a rare local business owner or employee that doesn’t go fishing and boating. Patronize an establishment in a “Just Keep Reeling” hat (or such) and ask about that mounted fish over the deli counter. You may hear some fish stories but there just might be some particulars that will help your next outing.

Here are some examples of where and the types of information I have learned from local sources:

1. Grocery Store. The owner knows the river and has shared locations of potential boating hazards and muskie haunts.

2. Lumber store. An employee has provided walleye fishing tips, locations of boats launches, and updates on river raft races.

3. Restaurant. Discovery of this place lead not only to a delicious shrimp poor boy sandwich but the owner claims he can put me on 30” brown trout.

4. Bank. A teller’s husband ties flies and has all of the equipment, should I need supplies, instruction, or completed flies.

5. Coaches. From several of my son’s coaches I’ve learned new trout streams, techniques, and lure colors.

I’ve found that most anglers momentarily working at a business are generous with sharing of information, although understandably retaining certain secret baits and locations. However, it also doesn’t hurt the exchange of knowledge if they learn you are taking your kids and practice catch and release.

Have you learned some fishing and boating information from some unusual places? Remember you can also check for places to fish and boat through our interactive map.

Andy Whitcomb

Andy is an outdoor writer (http://www.justkeepreeling.com/) and stressed-out Dad has contributed over 380 blogs to takemefishing.org since 2011. Born in Florida, but raised on banks of Oklahoma farm ponds, he now chases pike, smallmouth bass, and steelhead in Pennsylvania. After earning a B.S. in Zoology from OSU, he worked in fish hatcheries and as a fisheries research technician at OSU, Iowa State, and Michigan State.