Whether your ideal autumn day is spent on a mountainside or in a forest with bow or gun in hand or you’d rather kick back on the water with a rod and reel working the depths, the best news for any man or woman tired of the summer heat is cooler days are coming. And with it so is the urge for many to get back outside and begin pursuing their favorite adventures. With every season comes great new gear to help you find better comfort and success each time you venture out. Here are three for hunters and three for anglers you’ll want to check out.
My father was a big fisher, mostly catfish. I remember every time we would get near a body of water, he would pull one out and clean it to eat. It was an unpleasant process, because he never took the time to avoid the spines on the dorsal and pectoral fin. And the whole experience was sullied by his swollen, bleeding hands. Mr. Crappie Slab-Slanger Gloves (in addition to being very fun to say) are made for fishermen like my own father, or any angler who would prefer to avoid the mess and potential injury while fish cleaning.
Some of us prefer to fish alone, but many others like to fish with a buddy for many reasons. It could be for companionship, sharing the experience or perhaps safety. Whatever the reason there are qualities that anglers look for in a fishing partner.
Fishing with a friend or even someone we barely know can be one of the best things about hitting the water, or sometimes the worst. Each year I have the opportunity to cast lines with people from all walks of life and sometime the person sharing the boat with me can make or break the trip. Some get invited back, well, others not so much.
A catfish’s sense of smell (and taste) is so great they are likely capable of perceiving their entire universe with their sniffers. Much the same way we observe four separate pine trees on a hill, catfish can likely smell four different carp swimming alongside a distant brushpile.
“I don’t fish for bass,” a guy mentioned last week as we discussed this spring’s fishing bonanza at a local boat ramp. “Besides, there is no way I could afford it,” he said gesturing towards a glistening metal-flake bass boat loaded with rods, boxes of lures and mysterious electronic gadgets. “It can get too complicated and too expensive,” he added.
Are you fishing for finicky fins in clear waters? The SPRO Aruku Shad Silent is an essential addition to your tackle box.
Catching any fish under twelve inches long usually isn’t worth my time. There are a few exceptions however and bluegill are one of them. Pound for pound they fight like a tiger and are second to none when it comes to table fare.
Most of the year giant bluegill can be difficult to catch. Thankfully late spring and early summer offer an exception. This time of year trophy sized gills are going through their mating ritual and aggressively feed while producing next year’s crop of offspring.
There’s something very rewarding about making your own stuff. Over the years I’ve made my own recurve bows, built boats, fly rods and a host of other things. However nothing has been more beneficial to me than making my own flys. It is extremely cost efficient and there’s nothing like fooling your favorite game fish with a gob of feathers and hair you personally put together at the tying vice.
Winter is over and it's time to get the boat back on the water. That also means putting the time, effort and elbow grease necessary to ensure the safest boating season possible.
Those frigid spring mornings don’t need to be miserable. With the ThermaSeat Heat-A-Seat, you can add a little extra comfort to your set up without breaking the bank.
