Articles

50 years of research overwhelmingly shows hatcheries are harmful to trout, salmon, char and more

The science is clear, fish hatcheries do more harm than good

by Hatch Magazine - Wednesday, Sep 6th, 2023

The Leaburg Fish Hatchery in Oregon (photo: David Geitgey Sierralupe / cc2.0).

For over 100 years, hatcheries have been producing fish in an effort to mitigate human impacts on the natural environment. Whether to increase stocks to fuel the demands of commercial and recreational fisheries, counteract the effects of habitat loss, or rescue species on the brink of extinction, hatcheries have been employed all over the planet as a tool to undo damage to fish populations caused by human beings.

How to find big fish in small water

Five guidelines for finding oversized trout and other fish in undersized streams, creeks, and more

by Spencer Durrant - Thursday, Aug 31st, 2023

Photo: Spencer Durrant

Living where I do in Northern Wyoming, there’s no shortage of great fisheries — and big fish — within a day’s drive. The Miracle Mile, the Big Horn below Fort Smith, or the Yellowstone all offer the chance at trophy trout.

They’re also, almost as a rule these days, pretty crowded. Especially during tourist season.

Biden's EPA neuters clean water protections, complying with right-wing Supreme Court

Once transformative, the Clean Water Act is again defanged

by Hatch Magazine - Wednesday, Aug 30th, 2023

Photo: Michael Coghlan / cc2.0.

In May of this year, the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a significant blow to the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, which has been battered back and forth between presidential administrations for almost the last two decades. In its ruling, the court essentially told the U.S.

New fly fishing gear: August 2023

What's new on the water this month

by Hatch Magazine - Thursday, Aug 24th, 2023

Photo: Scott Fly Rods.

Summer’s end is here for those of us in northern climes, and not too far behind for many others. As we drove through Grand Teton National Park earlier this week, the willows had a distinct orange tinge to them, and the morning chill was more of an autumn bite.

Bring it on. After a season of devastating Canadian wildfires, severe drought, tropical storms over the desert and just plain, unrelenting heat, many anglers will welcome the first few weeks of fall with open arms. And, with the winter travel season quickly approaching, many will be looking for some new gear.

Moths for monster smallmouth

When spongy moth emergences are at their peak, topwater action can be absolutely electric

by George Daniel - Tuesday, Aug 22nd, 2023

Photo: George Daniel.

Sometimes, what one perceives as undesirable or troublesome becomes sought after by others. One man’s trash, they say, is another’s treasure. This summer, spongy moths (Lymantria dispar dispar), formerly known as “gypsy” moths, fully matured, taking flight and wreaking havoc on our local hardwood stands. Though they wrought destruction on our local forests, these fuzzy invaders became a favorite food source for smallmouth bass on local rivers.