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General fishing news

This news is sourced from third-parties and will link out of our website.

Submitted by Chris Hunt

More Pacific salmon are showing up in Arctic waters

It would appear that two climatic “gates” are opening more frequently thanks to abrupt climate change in the Arctic, allowing Pacific salmon to find their way into the Chukchi and Beaufort seas along the Arctic coast of Canada.

Submitted by Tim Schulz

You're only one cast away from greatness

New York Times bestselling author Monte Burke is obsessed with obsession, and his latest work, Lords of the Fly: Madness, Obsession and the Hunt for the World-Record Tarpon is—as Carl Hiaasen describes it—a “funny, wistful, wonderful book” that tells “a story of the obsessed, unhinged, and often brilliant dreamers who chase giant tarpon.”

Submitted by Steve Duda

Sir Longballs — Part I

I couldn’t see. A half-dozen headlamps were blinding me. They were right in my face.

“Step back, dudes. I need to get a better angle.” Murphy shouldered through the crowd. He was holding a beer in one hand and a couple dental tools—that tiny, round mirror thing and the lethal, two-headed probe—in the other.

Submitted by Richard Wilson

Norway bans salmon fishing on 33 rivers

A steep decline in Atlantic Salmon numbers has prompted the Norwegian government to ban salmon fishing on 33 rivers in the southwest of the country. The move was taken at short notice and may spread to other rivers. The Norwegian Environment Agency says this year’s salmon run is well below half of what it should be — and that 2023 returns were 30% down from 2022. The rivers affected by the ban include the world-famous Gaula and Orkla.

Submitted by Chris Hunt

The PMD

Some might consider the Pale Morning Dun to be the mayfly they think of when they think of mayflies. It’s not particularly flashy. It doesn’t get overly large. It’s honestly not much to look at, with its thin, yellow hue. But the PMD might be the most important mayfly there is when it comes to trout fishing. In all its forms, from its nymphal larvae to its loud-and-proud dun, the PMD is a widespread mayfly that very likely makes up one of the largest percentages of a trout’s diet on any number of freestone and tailwater rivers in the United States and beyond.

Submitted by George Daniel

Sealing the deal: 5 tips for better hook sets

The act of catching a memorable fish is the product of a series of small miracles. First, the right fly pattern needs to be chosen, followed by an effective presentation. Then, a willing fish needs to take the pattern. Finally, the angler must properly set the hook and play the fish. These events are interrelated, and success is difficult to come by if all four are not done correctly. The focus of this piece is on setting the hook—one of the most overlooked aspects of successfully landing a fish.

Submitted by James Joiner

Review: The Believer by David Coggins

I’ve spent much of my life writing for money and, because I’m a whore, all too often I’ve mined the things I love for subjects. One of these things is fly fishing, though I readily admit I’ve never written about it very well. I’ll also admit that, despite a lifetime of trying, I’ve never actually fly fished very well, either. This is part of the allure of worthwhile pursuits, that even when you do one with some level of occasional proficiency, the next day can be a completely different situation.

Luckily, taking photos of fly fishing is easier. Beautiful places, rugged individuals, humanity vs nature, eye-wateringly vivid fish captured on aesthetically pleasing, intricately tied flies … I want to say it’s harder to take bad fly fishing pics than good ones, but a quick scroll through Instagram proves otherwise. I’ve spent countless hours crouched by all manner of water swatting bloodthirsty insects with my camera while comrades wave sticks and lines around. The waving may as well be performative. As a photographer, a failure to hook up doesn’t impact my catch of easy-to-sell images for brands, media, and even fine art prints.

TL,DR: as any experienced writer knows — don’t @ me, photographers — making quality words is exponentially harder than quality pictures.

Yeah, I’ve dabbled with the keyboard. Plucked low hanging fruit for mags I worked at or ranted for odd niche fishing publications but, as Kenny Rogers crooned, ‘if you’re gonna play the game boy, you gotta learn to play it right.’ 

Therein lies the problem with writing about fly fishing: Doing it right. Because most don’t.

A big barrier for aspirational fly fishing wordsmiths looking to stand out is the preexisting murderer’s row of actual literary legends. Titans like Hemingway, Harrison, McGuane, Brautigan, and Arnold Gingrich — whose book Esquire editor-in-chief David Granger gifted me on my first day as a staff writer — leave a mountain of unfillable wading boots. In the modern era, writing about angling has become a trope. Bookstores ‘sports’ sections and our glossiest print mags bloat with awkward men (and it’s always men) wrestling with their father’s memory, humblebragging about trips or fish most of us will never experience, egomaniacally chasing nostalgia in their later years, or eulogizing lost dogs with the misplaced confidence of a man whose friends ‘like’ all their Tweets. For the reader, these stories scratch an itch, discussing a pastime we, a target audience, is obsessed with. Yet ultimately most are instantly forgettable.

Submitted by Spencer Durrant

Lake Powell Loses 40,000 Acre-Feet of Water

Bureau of Reclamation officials confirmed that an accidental 40,000 acre-feet of water was discharged from Lake Powell between 2021 and 2022.

The post Lake Powell Loses 40,000 Acre-Feet of Water appeared first on MidCurrent.

Submitted by Chris Hunt

The unique native rainbows of the southern Yukon

As we sat around what was left of the cooking fire on a bluff overlooking the stunning Aishihik Lake, happily sated by a robust New York strip that, minutes earlier, sizzled and snapped on the grill hung low over the coals, it was time to talk fish. Earlier that day, with our guide Allan Hansen, we’d motored around the lake and caught a good number of lake trout and northern pike. The lakers interested me the most. Some were short and big around. Others were behemoths. Still others were smaller and more sleek, and their colors were vibrant.

Submitted by Spencer Durrant

A Fly Reel’s Most Important Feature

Most of those lost trout were my own fault - as is often the case - but I can pinpoint two, or perhaps three, where my gear failed me. Specifically, my reel. 

The post A Fly Reel’s Most Important Feature appeared first on MidCurrent.

Submitted by Tom Davis

Life abundant

It felt like a slower-than-usual day. But then, on the morning after, I noticed a tender area a few inches to the right of my belly-button—not coincidentally, the place where I anchor the butt of my rod when I’m fighting a fish from a boat. The lesson being, I think, that even a slow day of smallmouth fishing on the lower Wisconsin River is still pretty good.

Submitted by Spencer Durrant

Maine Salmon Need More Help

Atlantic salmon in Maine are in trouble, which isn't huge news. But Trout Unlimited claims that recent efforts to help these endangered fish don't go far enough. 

The post Maine Salmon Need More Help appeared first on MidCurrent.

Submitted by Spencer Durrant

Tying Tuesday

This week's Tying Tuesday features a great mayfly nymph, a damselfly nymph pattern, and a caddis nymph.

The post Tying Tuesday appeared first on MidCurrent.

Submitted by Spencer Durrant

The Aquatic Insect Decline

On the Henry's Fork, in particular, PMD hatches have decreased significantly, corresponding with erratic water releases from Island Park Reservoir.

The post The Aquatic Insect Decline appeared first on MidCurrent.

Submitted by Spencer Durrant

Podcast Roundup

This week's Podcast Roundup features a classic conversation about how trout "think," an annual airing of grievances, and stories about chasing the world's toughest fish. 

The post Podcast Roundup appeared first on MidCurrent.

Submitted by Hatch Magazine

Five pounds of Sour Patch Kids

Michael Garrigan’s life is a tapestry of words, water, and wild places. From the tranquil banks of the Susquehanna River to the rugged mountains of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, his experiences flow through his prose and poetry. Michael’s enlightened prose graces the pages of Orion Magazine, The Flyfish Journal, Gray’s Sporting Journal, and The Drake, and his two poetry collections–River, Amen and Robbing the Pillars–share immersive insights into his deep connection with the natural world.

Submitted by Spencer Durrant

Early Season Pike Tips

According to Chris Hunt's recent story in Hatch Magazine, the earlier in the season you chase pike, the better luck you'll have.

The post Early Season Pike Tips appeared first on MidCurrent.

Submitted by Spencer Durrant

AFF Launches Salmonfly Project on Yellowstone River

The AFFTA Fisheries Fund (AFF) - the conservation arm of the American Fly Fishing Trade Association - recently announced the launch of The Salmonfly Project on the Yellowstone River. 

The post AFF Launches Salmonfly Project on Yellowstone River appeared first on MidCurrent.

Submitted by Spencer Durrant

Smith Launches New Hookset Frames

Smith has announced the release of their newest frames, the Hookset. These frames boast a bevy of new features, including two new lens options.

The post Smith Launches New Hookset Frames appeared first on MidCurrent.

Submitted by Spencer Durrant

Renewed Push for Dolores River Monument

Trout Unlimited (TU) and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) have renewed their push for a national monument along the Dolores River in Colorado.

The post Renewed Push for Dolores River Monument appeared first on MidCurrent.

Submitted by moldychum

Exit The Chum

“It’s not that I don’t enjoy it, but it’s kind of like a trip to Disneyland. You get so excited about a ride on the ...

The post Exit The Chum appeared first on Moldy Chum.

Submitted by moldychum

Investigation into Bass Pro Shops tarpon theft remains active

More than a month after a man entered a Bass Pro Shop in Fort Myers with a fish net and removed a live tarpon from ...

The post Investigation into Bass Pro Shops tarpon theft remains active appeared first on Moldy Chum.

Submitted by moldychum

UnBelizeable 2024 Fly Fishing Trip

Rocky Point permit camp.

The post UnBelizeable 2024 Fly Fishing Trip appeared first on Moldy Chum.

Submitted by moldychum

Sunday Toona: The Way It Is Edition

Radio 2’s Piano Room Month returns with a bang, with singer-songwriter and Pianist Bruce Hornsby performing live from Maida Vale studios alongside the BBC Concert ...

The post Sunday Toona: The Way It Is Edition appeared first on Moldy Chum.

Submitted by moldychum

What Lies Above – Trailer

I witnessed this feeding behavior five years ago when one of our guides hooked a perm off the beach feeding in a giant mat of ...

The post What Lies Above – Trailer appeared first on Moldy Chum.

Submitted by moldychum

Patagonia Spends 71 Million on Wildlife Conservation & Politics

Putting their money where their mouth is A little more than $3 million to block a proposed mine in Alaska. Another $3 million to conserve ...

The post Patagonia Spends 71 Million on Wildlife Conservation & Politics appeared first on Moldy Chum.

Submitted by moldychum

Messing With The River Test

The River Test is an internationally renowned chalk stream. Southern Water has installed equipment to pump waste directly from underground sewers into the river. It ...

The post Messing With The River Test appeared first on Moldy Chum.

Submitted by moldychum

Ice fishing without nicotine

This one is about Ice Fishing, Nicotine Addiction, River Test, a hillbilly friend, and former champion in competitive Ice Fishing, Jacksson Winter. Also, a little ...

The post Ice fishing without nicotine appeared first on Moldy Chum.

Submitted by moldychum

This week in what are you doing?: Backyard Fish

Unreal! Wild and crazy legislators in Alaska – a state that banned net-pen fish farming in 1989 in part because of fears some of the ...

The post This week in what are you doing?: Backyard Fish appeared first on Moldy Chum.

Submitted by moldychum

Saving salmon: Newsom unveils blueprint

With salmon populations throughout California declining for decades and facing the threat of extinction, Gov. Gavin Newsom has unveiled a state strategy aimed at protecting and restoring ...

The post Saving salmon: Newsom unveils blueprint appeared first on Moldy Chum.