By Kirk Deeter

In many parts of the country, anglers and wildlife management agencies are wrestling with the issue of saving native fish, or wild fish, or certain sportfish species. And in some of those situations, the threat to the "desired" species is often another species. And the answer, in many cases, is to kill off one type of fish to protect the other.
It's a tricky situation, because in most of those situations, human manipulation of the ecosystem — often with good original intent — is the reason the problem exists in the first place. In Colorado, for example, we have some of the best pike fishing in North America. Problem (for some) is that those pike just love to eat trout. So in some places, there are mandatory kill regulations — catch a pike and you are duty-bound to kill it. For certain invasive species, like snakeheads or Asian carp, that's not so much of a dilemma. Asian carp in the Great Lakes is a nightmare scenario that could devastate that fishery. Of course, that fishery depends on Pacific salmon and steelhead, which weren't in the Great Lakes at all until people put them there over 40 years ago.
The native trout in the Great Lakes is the Mackinaw, or lake trout. But years ago, when the lakes were severely impacted by industrial pollution and other factors, a number of lakers were transported and planted into deep, clean lakes out West. Now that's a problem in Yellowstone Lake, for example, where scientists believe the lake trout have decimated the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout population, and still threaten that species' very survival. Some would argue that the lakers are only one culprit among many, including whirling disease, predatory birds, and so forth. But now there's a massive undertaking to net and kill lake trout in order to protect the cutts.
People once thought it was a good idea to put brook trout in mountain lakes and streams out West. And in terms of creating an abundant, sustainable food source, it was. The brookies thrived, but at the expense of native cutthroats. Brown trout aren't native to anywhere in America, but we sure love them. And rainbows wouldn't live in places like Pennsylvania, New York, Texas and Hawaii if we didn't put them there. Many anglers are darn glad that we did.
So the question becomes, at what point do we accept "what is" now, and how hard should we try to make some order out of the genetic "pick-up sticks" that have been scattered all over the country's lakes and rivers over the past century and a half? Can we even untangle the situation at all, or is that just folly? We made our beds, so to speak, so now we have to lie in them... or do we?
I'm a romantic when it comes to fishing. And there is nothing more special to me than catching native fish in their native water. That trumps size. That trumps quantity. One native in a native place makes for the best fishing day I can imagine.
I'd gladly trade all the little brook trout in the stream by my house for a handful of greenback cutthroats. If that means poisoning the water and killing all the brookies to establish a new base in which to reintroduce natives, so be it. (You can't mess around if you're going to make real change; the invaders or introduced fish must be eliminated.) In the case of the lake trout, I sure wish there were more in the Great Lakes. And I know they're fun to catch. But I support efforts to get them out of places where scientists tell me (and I believe the scientists) where they threaten the native cutthroats. So kill 'em. Kill em 'all.
I wouldn't go so far as to suggest taking all non-native trout out of non-native waters. Does that make me a hypocrite? Maybe. I can live with that. But I do think we need to do our very best to leave native fish in native waters for future generations. And sometimes drastic steps call for drastic measures.
But that's just my two cents? What do you say?


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By Kirk Deeter
Let's face it, spey and switch fly lines are not the easiest things in the world to figure out. Almost everyone I know has questions, myself included. There are tons of different styles, weights, lengths, etc. and matching them to a specific rod can be challenging at best.

The movie here, while obviously produced by RIO does an excellent job of demystifying spey and switch lines for people who have questions about them. It's actually the best one I've ever seen.  Simon Gawesworth is probably one of if not the most qualified in the world to answer these questions and explain the differences in these types of lines.
Enjoy the movie and hopefully it helps you out if you have questions about spey and switch rods.

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By Ben Romans
A press release from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife service said that because of the shutdown of the federal government caused by the lapse in appropriations, the agency will suspend most programs and operations, including public access to all National Wildlife Refuges and all activities on refuge lands including hunting and fishing.
"Closing off public access to our national wildlife refuges and public lands is the last thing we want to do, but is consistent with operations called for during a government shutdown" said Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Dan Ashe. "This is difficult news for the families, birdwatchers, hunters and anglers, and recreationists who enjoy the great outdoors on the refuges – as well as for the many local businesses who depend on the tourism and outdoor recreation economy they generate. I think it's most difficult for the thousands of furloughed Service employees who are impacted in carrying out their mission to protect our nation's resources and providing for their families."
Main impacts include:

• All 561 National wildlife refuges are closed to public access. Visitor centers and other buildings are closed.
• The National Wildlife Refuge System hosts more than 46.5 million people per year, and generates more than $342 million in local, county, state and federal tax income. Refuges also support more than 35,000 private-sector jobs.
• All activities on federal lands and in public buildings are canceled. This includes hunting and fishing activities on refuge lands.
• No permitting work or consultations will occur with respect to the Endangered Species Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species, the Lacey Act or the National Environmental Policy Act.
• The shutdown will affect more than 7,000 Service employees, who are furloughed until an appropriation is passed.
• Employees and others may not volunteer their services on behalf of Service functions or on federal lands.

Services and programs that will remain operational fall into the following exempted categories:

• Programs financed by sources other than annual appropriations.
• Activities expressly authorized by law.
• Activities necessary to protect life and property.
• Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration.
• Natural Resource Damage Assessment Fund activities
• Refuge Law Enforcement emergency operations
• Firefighting emergency operations
• Care and feeding activities at hatcheries and captive breeding facilities.

Because the website will not be maintained, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website will be down for the duration of the shutdown. Additional information will be available at www.DOI.gov/shutdown as well as OPM.gov, which will contain information about the government's operating status on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, and the days following.
The agency also suspended activity on its Twitter feed, the last post on October 1 reading "Due to a lapse of government funding, this account will not be active until further notice."



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By Joe Cermele
There's probably something illegal about harassing a pelican, but I guess when a man is bent on catch and release, a man is bent on catch and release. Something like this ranks high on my "do not attempt" list.

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By Ben Romans

On October 30, 2013, 41 kayaking anglers from 16 different countries will converge on the Bemm and Snowy Rivers in Victoria, Australia to compete in the 3rd annual Hobie Fishing World Championship.

A press release from Hobie says the competition includes anglers that competed in qualifying events throughout the spring and summer including the IFA Championships, Kayak Wars, Jamaica Bay Classic and Paddle Palooza.

All anglers will fish for Australia's black bream from identical Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14 kayaks, provided and outfitted by the manufacturer, replete with think like an anchor, rod holders and Lowrance electronics. Live weigh-ins will take place on each of the three days of competition with anglers weighing three fish per day.  Find out more here: hobiefishingworlds.com 

Source : fieldandstream[dot]com

By Bob Marshall
With fall in the air and hunting seasons about the open across the nation, many sportsmen had an urgent question today: Will the shutdown of the federal government impact our plans?
So your intrepid blogger got right to work on the issue. And, using his decades of experience as a crack journalist, he called the federal government agencies to find out what was closed.
First call: Department of the Interior. The recorded answer at the press enquiries desk: We're closed due to the shutdown.
Your investigator soon discovered the same situation at all the agencies: They were closed during the closure!
Fortunately (or, unfortunately), the folks in charge of our national lands - and hunting and fishing opportunities on those properties – are not strangers to these political windstorms, and prepared web sites explaining what would happen (close) during the shutdown. There was even an email contact of the lone employee covering press inquiries during the shutdown.
So, after an intense, deep, 15-minute investigation, I can answer the question "What federal lands are closed to outdoor recreation during the shutdown?"
The answer: Everything. All federally owned property is closed to all recreational use during the shutdown.
That information was confirmed by the U.S Department of Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture which manages, among other venues, all National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, National Parks, Bureau of Land Management lands and National Recreation Areas.
So if you were planning to hunting, fishing, boating, camping or otherwise setting foot on federal properties – make other plans.
For more detailed information on the closure plans for the Department of Interior, go to http://www.doi.gov/shutdown.


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Submitted by atdogbeach. 5-year-old Ethan Stoner caught this huge bass out of Vail Lake in California. As Ethan's dad tells it, "I was 100 yards down shore when I heard a commotion - next thing I know, Ethan has caught and landed this giant bass all by himself!" Brad had rigged Ethan up with a plastic worm rigged Texas style.

Got a great hunting or fishing photo? Send it to us here! We'll feature our favorites on our web site and Facebook page.

Source : fieldandstream[dot]com

By Joe Cermele

In case you haven't noticed, there is a big push in certain industries—the outdoor industry in particular—to get back to producing wares in the good 'ol U.S. of A. Not long ago I found out that Cabela's was signing on for the movement with plans to introduce an American-made fly rod and reel series. Ray Zink, Cabela's Flyfishing Manager, told me the time seemed right, so the brand partnered with a small rod manufacturer based in the Pacific Northwest. The result is the American Dream rod series, and the WLz reel series, which is also produced state-side and designed by Waterworks-Lamson. I got my hands on a test combo so I could "live the dream," if you will.

Instead of going the trout route for this field test, I opted for carp. Tell you the truth, I've decided that carp are the perfect species for shaking down fly gear. They require long, accurate casts, eat dries and streamers, pull against the drag, and bend a rod to the max. I was fishing a 9-foot 5-weight, and even though some of the "golden bonefish" I hooked would have been better suited to a 7-weight, this rod did a fine job of slowing the fish's momentum during the initial run, and countering the short, pulsing bursts carp are known for during the tussle. This rod is probably a bit slower than you're used to, but in this case that softer action let me put more pressure on these broom-tail doggers than I would have with a faster rod.

To be honest, the first time I used the American Dream, I thought it was a little too slow for my taste. The more I cast it, however, the more I liked it. Even though I know accuracy is a product of good casting form, this rod seemed to naturally add to my accuracy. It is without question a rod made for the serious dry fly angler, mixing the smoothness of a glass stick with the backbone and sensitivity of a graphite rod. According Zink, my gradual appreciation of the American Dream was natural for a guy that has gotten so used to today's fast fly rods.

"I have always maintained that the perfect fly rod is the one that allows you to put a fly exactly where you need it without too much thought. A rod like that has to talk to you, allowing you to acquire the muscle memory of a proper cast," Zink explained. "It seems that over the last few years, rods have become progressively faster, and I think that we may have lost sight of that relationship between the rod and the angler."

While I can't speak for its performance over the course of multiple seasons, I can say that the reel feels well built. The tolerances were tight, and the drag was exceptionally smooth during some hard carp runs. According to the company, the "polymer-alloy and teflon-metal drag cones don't require lubrication and never wear." That's a tall order, but Waterworks-Lamson has a pretty solid reputation for making reels that can take beating. The WLz reels are fully machined anodized aluminum, and the drags are completely sealed.

So what does it cost to buy into the American Dream? The rods are available in weights 3 through 8, and will set you back $300. In my opinion, that's middle of the road these days for a quality rod, and these rods could actually command a higher price tag. The WLz reels run from 4- to 8-weight, and sell for $270. Once again, not a terrible price if you're in the market for a reel that's many notches above the beginner's model, but not the titanium plated, carbon-drag NASA job.

Source : fieldandstream[dot]com