Articles

The unique native rainbows of the southern Yukon

A one-of-a-kind strain of rainbow trout exists in an unlikely Canadian watershed

by Chris Hunt - Thursday, Jun 27th, 2024

Photo: Earl Harper.

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.

Life abundant

Rolling with the flow on the Lower Wisconsin

by Tom Davis - Wednesday, Jun 26th, 2024

Winston Ostrow with a Lower Wisconsin smallmouth bass (photo: Kyle Zempel).

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.

Five pounds of Sour Patch Kids

A conversation with author Michael Garrigan

by Hatch Magazine - Saturday, Jun 22nd, 2024

Photo: Michael Garrigan.

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.

Fishing the Murdich Minnow for smallmouth bass

One of the most effective bass patterns is also one of the most affordable and simplest to tie

by George Daniel - Monday, Jun 17th, 2024

Photo: George Daniel.

It has been said that anglers go through several stages during their angling lives. Recently, I’ve entered the stage where I am focused on simplifying the gear and patterns I use. I’ve also transitioned to fishing more warm water species within the last 6 years, including my current favorite—smallmouth bass. As a recreational smallmouth angler, I find it easy to decrease my selection. I’m not guiding for bass or entering bass tournaments where carrying a greater range of patterns might prove useful during the rare times when my staple patterns fail to produce a strike.

Smith's new ChromaPop Glass Polarchromic Lenses are worth paying attention to

New lens tech in the world of sunglasses doesn't come around often

by Hatch Magazine - Friday, Jun 14th, 2024

The new ChromaPop Glass Polarchromic Lenses from Smith (photo: Smith Optics).

Truly meaningful product news in the world of sunglasses comes few and far between. Often, years go by in between impactful product releases. Sunglass makers do their best to fill the gaps in between, mostly by releasing new styles and frame designs. While frame construction definitely matters — frames play a big role in fit, comfort, coverage, durability and more — lenses are the real engine of every pair of quality sunglasses on the market.