Articles

Barracuda: The cheetah of the flats

Cudas aren't just a blast on the end of your line, they're important

by Justin Lewis - Friday, Sep 28th, 2018

Photo: Justin Lewis / Bonefish & Tarpon Trust

The Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) is one of the most well-known predators found in shallow water. With their torpedo-like shape, menacing teeth, and lighting speed, they truly are the cheetahs of the flats. Barracuda strike flies and lures with immense power, take off on long screaming runs, and are known to erupt into head-shaking jumps. But despite being well-known, barracuda remain one of the most underrated and under-targeted sportfish on the flats, especially on light spinning or fly tackle.

Arkansas River ambrosia

A time honored, traditional recipe; good for both body and soul

by Mike Sepelak - Wednesday, Sep 26th, 2018

Photo: Mike Sepelak

With autumn's temperatures comes one of my favorite fall recipes.

1 medium sized Colorado freestone river
2 lifelong friends, aged and generously salt-and-peppered
2 large boxes of hoppers, humpies, and assorted terrestrials
1 flask of Kentucky’s finest

Reduce the river over a slow Indian summer heat and then cool with the first breaths of high country autumn frost until the surrounding aspen dazzle the eye.

Nautilus Reels intros special edition 'No Pebble' XM reel to help stop Pebble Mine

Limited-run reels will help raise thousands of dollars crucial to helping to protect Bristol Bay

by Chad Shmukler - Tuesday, Sep 25th, 2018

Photo: Nautilus Reels

Oh, Pebble Mine. The nightmare that seems intent on recurring for all time, asking native Alaskans, commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, hunters, birders, hikers and lovers of wild places from all walks of life to forever present a front of resistance against the foreign mining company seeking to build one of the world's largest open pit mines at the headwaters of the Kvichak and Nushagak rivers in Bristol Bay, Alaska—home to the world's most productive salmon fishery and a $1.5 billion economic engine for the state of Alaska.

Review: Sage IGNITER fly rod

Sage's latest KonneticHD rod is built for heavy rigs, big fish and tough conditions

by Ben Kryzinski - Friday, Sep 21st, 2018

Photo: Matt McCannel

It’s one thing when a rod manufacturer claims to have crafted the best rod for any particular scenario—as I’ve noted before, rod-makers are happy to oblige in building rods for any niche.

It’s quite another thing when said rod does exactly what the manufacturer says it will do.

Class of '67

The original endangered species—where are they now?

by Kris Millgate - Wednesday, Sep 19th, 2018

Fall on the Snake River in eastern Idaho, where endangered species recover protected by Land and Water Conservation Fund (photo: Kris Millgate).

I'm researching the heavy hitters of my homeland. Grizzly bears. Bald eagles. The iconic feathers and fur of the Endangered Species List. They were both list bound when 'endangered' became a buzzword half a century ago. So were 73 other animals, including 21 fish. Those 75 species are officially called the Class of 1967.