I have guided fishing trips for trout, bass and carp since 1994 using both bait and artificial lures or flies. There is no doubt in my mind that by using bait there is a much higher risk of mortality on the fish compared to artificial fishing practices. For some species and fisheries, bait is necessary, but since 1997 I have upheld a personal commitment to guide strictly artificial after seeing the negative impacts on our precious sport fish. Living by example as a guide and angler will hopefully send a message to future anglers. Editorial StaffAug 28th, 2014
Want better fishing at your local reservoir? Go do something about it.
Austin Fly Fishers recently teamed up with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the City of Cedar Park to conduct aquatic vegetation plantings at Brushy Creek Reservoir. The 38-acre lake, in Cedar Park just north of Austin, is one of five intensively managed Austin-area urban impoundments that provides high-quality fishing opportunities.Editorial StaffAug 26th, 2014
Texas recently set its upcoming dove and teal seasons, and dove hunters will have more late-season opportunities.
There will be a 70-day dove season with a 15-bird daily bag limit statewide. The possession limit for doves is 45 birds. Waterfowl hunters will have a 16-day early teal and Canada goose season.Editorial StaffAug 25th, 2014
Summertime in the South is tough on trout. Unfortunately, I received a reminder of this recently when a rainbow in the 20-inch class died in my hands after I’d spent more than 20 minutes trying to revive it.Editorial StaffAug 24th, 2014
Chairs scraping the linoleum, gentle murmurs and a hushed undertone of intermittent conversation fill the room. Fourteen fly fishermen and their buddies sit down for the evening meal on the first day. Just two hours ago they were complete strangers, but they have now begun to form a strong positive bond based upon their mutual arch-enemy: cancer. These gentlemen are all participants in a unique program offered to male cancer patients, free of charge, called Reel Recovery.Editorial StaffAug 23rd, 2014
In February, Keith Bryan caught a 10.48-pound spotted bass from New Melones Reservoir in California. Recently, he received word that his fish has been declared the new IGFA all-tackle world record for the species as well as the 8-pound-test line class record.Editorial StaffAug 20th, 2014
The Islands of the Bahamas are a paradise! The time to go is when an event is happening and with a shallow-draft boat to enjoy all the gorgeous islands.
Fly anglers are as attracted to their flies as fish are, and in some cases, can be even more attracted to them than the fish. There are a wide variety of flies available for anglers, and selecting from the array can be complicated. There are different colors, sizes, and materials. There are weighted flies and unweighted flies. So, what are the best flies? The simple answer is: it depends.
The ACR Next-Gen ResQLink PLB has a new Digital Display. ACR Electronics’ new next-generation ResQLink Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) is … Editorial StaffMay 1st, 2019
A perfectly designed baitwell system. As fisherman, we all know how hard live bait can be to find. Seasonal weather patterns … Editorial StaffFeb 16th, 2019
Designed with purpose in mind. Since 2015, Frabill has continued to set the quiet standard in bucket conversion. The Frabill … Editorial StaffJan 19th, 2019
Magic Touch earned top honors with a 459-pound blue landed on the last day of fishing, backed by a 344-pound blue from Day Two. The combined team from Texas and Florida is taking home $2,440,850 for those fish, including first and fourth places and multiple daily jackpot prizes.Editorial StaffOct 27th, 2025
Snowbird Creek, and its main tributary Big Snowbird Creek, are places fly anglers could spend days exploring and still leave water untouched. On its top end, Big Snowbird is one of the largest remaining flows populated with native southern Appalachian brook trout. On its lower end, near its mouth at Lake Santeetlah, Snowbird plays host to an annual migration of lake-run rainbows that reach lengths well in excess of 20 inches.Nick CarterOct 23rd, 2025
If all goes well, it will be a fun day, and they will always remember their first fish with pride. Photograph it; celebrate it; enjoy it. Check out some great tips here!Sheri DayeOct 15th, 2025
