Posts by That Idiot
I am fairly confident that it is the skull plate of a Sea Robin. This link is to fossilized collection pieces, but modern ones would be the same. Not sure how it wound up in the woods of central Co...
Lack of vegetation along the banks will have a number of effects, each of which can affect fish populations. Vegetation will shade the water. This will reduce water temperatures which is typicall...
Not only is it possible, but it is a great tactic when prospecting a new stream to figure out what's working. You definitely have to modify your cast to keep the loops larger and more open, simila...
It looks like a raccoon latrine (and here) to me. We don't have skunks in my area, but perhaps you do. It could be that. In either case I'd be careful around it and try to find a way to discourage...
It would be good to know if you are certain that there actually ARE fish bigger than the palm of your hand in the area. But let's assume that there are. Whenever I come across suspicious fish that ...
Plant Plants. Birds are drawn to various plants for various reasons. Off the top of my head: To gather nesting material - small twigs or fluffy seeds As a nesting location - good cover or protec...
That looks to be what is known as a flat "Scandi" grind on the edge. There are a lot of good resources online about how to sharpen this type of grind, but basically this is considered a relatively ...
Here's a decent video detailing just how to do it: Basically filet it like any other fish. Remove the "dark meat" that is pungent and distasteful. Then remove the row of spines. Taste tests descr...
Take it to a knife smith. They have specialized equipment, experience, and knowledge. They'll be able to put an appropriate grind back on it and address any other issues.
You CAN use the fluorocarbon for tippet. In fact many high quality tippets ARE made of fluorocarbon. What you get by buying the smaller roll of tippet is portability and the ability to convenient...
If by braided line you mean something like spider-wire or power-pro, they wouldn't have the backbone to turn over a fly - especially something you are likely to throw for bass. Most bass plugs ar...
I grew up around sailboats and live on an island. I have always heard the word "foundering" used to describe a boat taking on water and sinking. I have heard the word "flounder" used in connection ...
How about this Sprit rig, which requires no hardware for the connection. The forward end of the boom is attached to the mast with another small line called a Boom SNOTTER. This short line shoul...
That is cause by clearcut timber harvesting. Timber harvesters will remove branches from trees that they fell and leave them on site. They will also sometimes leave specimen trees to help repopulat...
Texas has a coast-wide, year-round speckled trout fishery. But Speckled trout fishing is hot in May and June and from October through January.
From what I understand, the floatation characteristics should be relatively similar since both types of hair contain "chambers" that keep in air and provide floatation. An important difference is h...
Your concern for keeping the fish alive longer than necessary is valid. I used to like to club fish to kill them immediately. However I now typically bleed by cutting the gills as you describe. Thi...
To supplement the points in Escoce's answer: NOTE: The following is salt-water-centric. It may or may not apply to fresh water. Anchor when: you are chunking or chumming - the fish will follow ...
I assume you are asking about striped bass. Although I have never fished for stripers (or rockfish, depending on where you are) on the Pacific side of the USA, this is the species that surf anglers...
I have only had them as a tea with raspberry leaves. Refreshing enough, but nothing I'd actively forage to accomplish. However since the USDA report (direct PDF download) says that stinging nettl...
I fish for everything from 9" brook trout to 15 lb. bluefish to 40 lb. striped bass on both fly rod and spinning tackle, and honestly I don't think I would say that one is better than the other exc...
Your choice of an ugly stick is fantastic. I fish more specialized rods now, but I have owned many ugly sticks over the years, and they are rock solid performers. For the "small-water" fishing des...
Your rod will take longer to unload and shoot the line under these conditions, giving the line more time to fall. Since the extra line weight will cause your rod to behave as if it has a "slower ac...
I would hesitate to do so. The keen wading sandals I've worn let in a fair amount of gravel. This gravel, when caught between the sandal and the neoprene bootie, will make mincemeat of the bootie -...
This type of dry fly floatant powder is quite effective at drying off smaller flies. I believe it's the same silica gel that is used to keep packaged electronics dry. But I typically just press f...
