Trial, Error, and Success

There’s something to be said for the merits of “comfortable” fishing. Bluegill fishing takes you back to summertime childhood memories; stocked trout fishing marks the start of spring; and blue lining takes you on wild adventures. I’ll always love the simplicity of fishing freshwater rivers and lakes for familiar species – but there comes aContinue reading “Trial, Error, and Success”

Legging Up

“Legging up” is an equestrian term used to describe the slow conditioning of a horse after a winter break. This process involves gradually increasing the horse’s exercise regimen throughout the early spring, so it can build the necessary strength and stamina to perform at its best. Similarly, preparing for the fishing season involves gradually increasingContinue reading “Legging Up”

First of Many

For diehard anglers, catching the first fish of the year is always a highly anticipated event – sometimes even a stressful one. It’s funny how, in an attempt to affirm our commitment to a sport that brings us so much enjoyment and contentment, we can drive ourselves nutty in the process. It’s as if weContinue reading “First of Many”

Fishing Ethically

Quick Note: The word “redd” is used frequently in this post. For those who are unfamiliar with this term, a redd is the nest of a salmonid (trout, salmon, or char) where their eggs are deposited. To create a redd, the female digs a depression in a gravelly substrate with her tail. For this reason,Continue reading “Fishing Ethically”

In Lieu of Stocking

What a strange start to fall! With water levels as low as they have been, Mass Fish & Wildlife made the atypical decision to not stock many of the state’s regularly stocked rivers. In talking with local anglers, not one could recall a time when such a decision was made, including the horrific drought ofContinue reading “In Lieu of Stocking”

Fall Angling Opportunities Still Abound in Maine

I received some very disheartening news today: the water levels in many of my local rivers are too low to even support stocked trout this fall. Massachusetts limped through one of the worst droughts on record this summer. As the seasons turned, it seemed some autumn showers would replenish our lakes and rivers. Yet evenContinue reading “Fall Angling Opportunities Still Abound in Maine”

Doomed by Drought

As fellow Native Fish Coalition MA board member Will Friedland and I laid eyes on the brook (or more accurately, the trickle) we were about to fish, we simultaneously muttered two dispirited words: “Oh boy.” This was no giddy with excitement-because the stream is chock-full of-happy little trout Oh boy. No, this was a “I’dContinue reading “Doomed by Drought”

The Future of Fly Fishing and Conservation is in Good Hands

This year’s Trout Unlimited Teen Summit instilled a great confidence in me: the confidence that the future of fly fishing and conservation is stronger than ever before. This five-day event in the mountains of western North Carolina not only helped me become a better fly fisher and conservationist, but also introduced me to numerous like-mindedContinue reading “The Future of Fly Fishing and Conservation is in Good Hands”

Rangeley Memorial Day Weekend 2022

Yes, I went to Rangeley over Memorial Day weekend. And yes, I’ll admit, it has been a while. With the school year and sports winding down, I figured I’d have all the time in the world to write this post. However, this was about the opposite of how the last few weeks played out. I’veContinue reading “Rangeley Memorial Day Weekend 2022”

Second Helping

Stocked trout fishing is all too often feast-or-famine, with successful days being legendary and tough ones candidates for short-term memory loss. For most, the first of this year’s stockings have followed this pattern. I’ve heard plenty reports of double-digit days on the river, but also a good amount of skunk days. It seems further west,Continue reading “Second Helping”