Articles

Hidden bounty on a late summer riverbank

Paying attention to what's on—not just near—the river's edge can pay dividends

by Matthew Reilly - Wednesday, Aug 18th, 2021

Photo: Matt Reilly

Sploosh!

A crater in the river’s surface formed just a dozen feet off the bank behind the boat, and my head swiveled on my shoulders. Strong rings emanated from the source of the commotion, and my mind raced.

Of course, in such an instance, you want the racket to be the product of an amped-up and still-hungry smallmouth hunting in the shallows, but they rarely exhibit such recklessness when feeding on natural, surface-trapped food, particularly in the bathwater of summer’s peak. The answer is in the trees.

3 tips for dry fly fishing stealth

Common sense tactics to improve your dry fly fishing success

by George Daniel - Friday, Aug 13th, 2021

Photo: Jeremiah Clark

Low water and skittish trout are common during the late summer and early fall trout fishing seasons. While most any fly fishing tactic will produce results at those times of the year, dry flies are often an excellent option. Although some hatches still occur, reduced activity of aquatic insects both above and below the surface often leaves trout looking up for food, specifically, for terrestrials. But while trout are looking up to feed, they are also on the lookout for predators, thanks to low, clear water, which puts their evolutionary protective alarms on high alert.

Review: Grizzly 60 cooler

Another bulletproof, rotomolded cooler option for hunters, anglers, and more

by Johnny Carrol Sain - Thursday, Aug 12th, 2021

Photo: Johnny Carrol Sain

That first portable cooler, patented in 1953 by Richard C. Laramy of Joliet, Illinois, was a game-changer for outdoors-minded folks. Extended stays far from the conveniences of modern life could now be toasted with an ice-cold beverage. And while the actual contents of that first cooler’s maiden expedition aren’t known, it’s a safe bet that beer and lunchmeat were in there. Not much has changed when it comes to cooler staples, but the coolers themselves have evolved tremendously.

Gear we love right now: August 2021

What's working on and off the water

by Chad Shmukler - Monday, Aug 9th, 2021

Bajio Bonnevile frames with "Permit Green Glass" lens (photo: Chad Shmukler).

Fly anglers are overloaded with gear choices—rods, reels, boots, waders, lines, packs, bags, boxes, vests, apparel and more. It seems harder and harder to know what's worth coveting and what's worth ignoring. Gear reviews are a great way to explore in-depth what might be right for you, but not every piece of gear is suited to a full-length review and, even if it were, there's simply too much of it to get to. With that in mind, we periodically showcase what's working for us right now, to hopefully offer more helpful feedback on gear that's worth a second look.

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