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PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE LONGORIA VOLUME 23 â€¢ ISSUE 282

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Losing Count On The Clinch River By Nick Carter

very now and then, there are magical days when all the variables align. It can seem almost too easy. The fish just eat what you’re throwing, and it’s glorious. Of course, these days happen more often for those who have a fishery dialed in. And for the rest of us who can’t be on the water daily to learn a river, the next best thing is to go with someone who can. That’s where Capt. Dane Law and Bill Stranahan, of Southeastern Anglers, stepped in during a recent trip on the Clinch River, northwest of Knoxville, Tenn. The Clinch is one of the Southeast’s

premier trout fisheries. It is a 13-mile tailwater fed by cold, oxygenated waters of Norris Dam. Tennessee stocks the river with rainbow and brown trout, and bank anglers line up near stocking points to pitch baits for a seven-fish limit. That’s all well and good, but for anglers in search of more than a fish dinner, the river is great because of all the trout that survive this initial onslaught. There is some natural reproduction in the river, and with a 14- to 20-inch protected length range and an allowance of one keeper fish longer than 20 inches, trout that reach the protected slot are free to grow. And they grow quickly. The Clinch has gained a reputation for being fickle and for requiring delicate presentation of tiny flies. “The Grinch or The Cinch,” is a clichéd phrase Bill related to me while launching his jet-powered G3 on a hot Tuesday morning in June. By mid-afternoon, it was difficult to imagine this river being stingy. Maybe a minute into our first drift, Dane hooked up with a gorgeous rainbow that pushed the upper end of that 20-inch slot. It was an indicator of good things to come. The action remained constant for the next five hours. We must have caught 30 or more trout, including four that measured 18 to 20 inches and a couple presumably larger fish that snapped the 6x tippet required to draw strikes. And it was simple fishing. Dane and Bill showed up armed to the teeth with 5- to 7-weight rods and reels, with everything from floating to 300-grain sinking lines. Their flies ran the gamut from tiny midges to big articulated streamers. On this day, the vast majority of their arsenal saw no action. The only thing we needed was Bill’s initial suggestion: a size 16 bead-head Prince Nymph dropped 5 feet beneath a foam hopper. Several times, Dane or Bill remarked that the river normally doesn’t fish this ridiculously well. But when it all comes together, there is nothing more fun than floating a river and losing count of the fish. Southeastern Anglers is a multi-state fly fishing outfitter. Check out all the trips they offer at www.southeasternanglers.com

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Destination: Fishing!

Using Technology For Rhode Island Stripers By Tom Schlichter

t’s hard to find a place better suited for catching trophy striped bass than the waters surrounding Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay area. With a mix of rocky bottom, strong currents and tons of forage species in nearby ocean waters, plus miles of mud flats inside the bay, this stretch is loaded with big fish potential. Flippin Out Charters skipper BJ Silvia has mined these waters for more than 30 years. He’s boated hundreds of bass in the 40-pound class, plus five weighing 50 to 54 pounds… and he thinks the fishing here is on the verge of getting better! “The number of stripers coming through the ranks right now is amazing,” he said, “We’ve got plenty of cow bass, plus an unprecedented number of fish ranging from shorts to 20 pounds. If we protect the young year classes over the next few years, the potential is outstanding.”

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The shallow waters of Narragansett Bay receive a solid shot of big stripers each May, the 48-year old revealed. Those fish drop out of the Hudson River and spread across the mud flats, traveling in small wolf packs that most anglers target with random casting. Using the latest technology, however, gives Silvia a big edge. He’s hooked on side-scanning sonar to isolate the bass packs on the flats. “Any fishfinder can spot fish below the boat,” Silvia emphasized, “but my Humminbird Solix 15 scans the surrounding waters with super-clear images that push out several hundred feet. For the sharpest images, I set my system to scan within 100 feet. Once we spot these fish, we target them with big plugs like a Musky Mania Doc or topwater spooks. Last spring, the big bass were more spread out than usual, so my Solix proved a lifesaver. It helped get me on the fish quickly, which resulted in more fishing and less searching around.” Technology counts later in the summer as well, added Silvia. Once the stripers leave the shallows, they hold around bottom humps in ocean depths ranging from 20 to 50 feet during July and August. Here, the striper sharpie targets cows using live eels. He’ll fish one weightless rig, one with a small egg sinker, and a third with more weight based on drift speed. On tough days, he said, the biggest bass often prefer the lightest rigs. Focusing again on his technological edge, Silvia noted the bestknown striper spots see tremendous pressure, so he uses his Humminbird fishfinders (he also has a Solix 12 and Solix 10) to look for isolated pieces that don’t show up on the charts. “I use the auto-chart live feature to record them as way points,” he said. “That way, I’m hitting small spots others miss. These often hold the biggest fish.” Contact Silvia at Flippin Out Charters (Flippinoutcharters.com; 401-529-2267). To go it alone, tie-up or launch from Fort Adams State Park Newport, RI (www.dem.gov; 401-847-2400). For overnight accommodations, The Courtyard by Marriot, Middletown, RI (www. marriot.com; 401-849-8000) is reasonably priced and a five-minute drive from the water.

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America’s Boating Club Delivers Boating Education

hen it comes to boating education, nothing beats getting out on the water with an instructor. Whether you are learning about the subtlety of throttle control while docking or decision making based on the rules of the road while underway, having a knowledgeable instructor to guide you is irreplaceable. A good source for on-the-water boater education is United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club. Your local squadron will have a schedule of courses covering topics like boat safety equipment and procedures, basic vessel operation and controls, close quarters maneuvering, operating a boat on plane, docking, anchoring, emergency maneuvers and man overboard recovery, to name a few. To bolster your on-the-water training, America’s Boating Club has released digital assets designed to enhance boating education with the Digital Media Library and America’s Boating Channel. Funded by grants from the United States Coast Guard, United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club’s Digital Media Library houses multiple formats of digital media focused on boating safety and boater education including videos, slideshows, images, animations, audio presentations and instructor’s manuals. Videos have also been made available through a YouTube channel, America’s Boating Channel, to allow users to stream video content online. Videos and animations cover a wide range of topics and are organized into sections like Planning, Departure, Underway and Arrival. Each video goes into more detail tackling subjects like life jackets, vessel inspections, steering basics, anchoring, man overboard, docking, mooring and shoreline landings. “In an ongoing effort to make boater education more accessible, we have turned to digital and online resources to disseminate the latest information,” said Gary Cheney, chief commander, United States Power Squadrons. “The mission of the United States Power Squadrons is to promote safe boating through education. By offering video assets through the Digital Media Library and America’s Boating Channel, we give

individuals access to vital boating information that they can view at home or on the go. It’s all part of making it easier than ever before to become a safer and more knowledgeable boater.” Providing original multimedia content instructors can use to enhance their classroom offerings, the Digital Media Library lets individuals view videos at home to reinforce what is learned in class. Videos provide an introduction to a range of boating topics, essential skills and etiquette. Links to “Learn More” at the end of each video promote further education. New content is added regularly. A new video series currently in production includes four videos on various aspects of life jackets, six on personal watercraft operation and one each on accident reporting, frequently asked questions about navigation rules, visual distress signals and mobile maritime service identities. Videos are also available in both English and Spanish. The Digital Media Library can be accessed at uspsdml.org/videos/. America’s Boating Channel can be found at americasboatingchannel.com/. Knowledge is key to a safe and enjoyable time on the water. United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club, has the materials you need to enhance your education. Find your local squadron at www. americasboatingclub.org and sign up for a class today!

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FISH & FISHING

Hunting Sharks

MARK SOSIN

ost anglers go out of their way to avoid hooking a shark. In their minds, anyone who actually hunts sharks doesn’t know much about fishing and has his priorities mixed up. They reason that these toothy critters don’t put up much of a battle. With sharks of any size and particularly in relatively shallow water, you’re going to have to crank the engine and chase them with the boat. Two of the toughest and most memorable battles I have ever endured involved sharks that pounced on a fish I had almost landed. In the first instance, I was leading a relatively small wahoo to the boat so we could release it. Suddenly, an oversized mako shark ate half of that fish in one bite and inadvertently got itself hooked. We chased that mako forever, and I put every ounce of pressure on it that I could until my arms and shoulders turned numb from the pain. During all that time, we hadn’t even slowed the shark down. Finally, in desperation, I purposely broke the shark off. The second battle took place over Pinas Reef in Panama, where I was getting close to landing a 250-pound black marlin. That’s when some unseen creature devoured the marlin in three bites. It took over an hour before I could bring that shark alongside the boat. It had to weigh at least 1,500 pounds and was half as long as the boat. That, by the way, was the biggest fish I’ve ever caught. Whenever and wherever you fish, keep a rod rigged and ready for sharks. It should have an abrasion leader about 10

feet long and 12 to 18 inches of single-strand wire between the abrasion leader and the hook. A circle hook should be your first choice because its hooking ratio is higher than any other type. And remember that you don’t have to set it. Unless you are only trolling, you want to be able to cast a bait in front of a cruising shark and retrieve it on the surface or close to it. A balao or a strip of natural bait should do the job. Casting to a cruising shark is exciting sport, but in areas that boast plenty of sharks, you can also anchor the boat and chum them with chunks of natural bait. You’ll need a quick release on the anchor, because a hooked shark will take off at considerable speed. Keep in mind that sharks on the flats or in relatively shallow water can be easily spooked, so your cast has to be on target. The bait should ease in front of the shark and appear as if it is getting away. Sharks do not have a bony skeleton like other fishes. They can literally turn their head and bite their tail, and their body is extremely strong. The best policy for any shark and particularly those of size is to keep them in the water and don’t bring them aboard the boat or try to handle them like other fishes. And, every shark has teeth, so be careful. If you’ve never hunted sharks, this is a good time to try. You’re going to be amazed at the battle they put up and how many times you have to follow them with the boat. Catching sharks can be exciting for anglers of any age, but if you take youngsters fishing, they’ll talk about catching it forever. Don’t pass up the opportunity to expand your fishing horizons.

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Center s Sheri Daye

ogfish – it’s an ugly name for a pretty fish. It’s also one of the most delicious species in the world. I know some seafood shops that store hogfish fillets behind the counter and bring it out only for special customers. I’ve had chefs beg me for hogfish once they found out I was into spearfishing. One chef wrote, “Not even for fresh broiled flounder could you pry my cold, dead hands off a hogfish fillet.” Some describe it as the perfect combination of flavor and texture because they are “sweeter than grouper, flakier than mahi, and as rich as scallops.” Their unique flavor is due to their diet of small crabs, shrimp and seashells, which translates into moist, white, tasty meat. Hogfish use their elongated snouts to root around in the sand for food, like a hog. Due to this tendency of searching with nose in the sand, it is very uncommon to catch them by hook and line, although it is possible to bait them with shrimp. Hogfish are sometimes thought of as nature’s gift to spearfishers, especially for beginners, because they are relatively abundant, relatively easy to spear, and such a prized catch. Hogfish can live up to 11 years, and they all start out as females. Upon reaching about 3 years and 14 inches, they transform into males with harem groups of females dominated by a larger male. Juveniles are pale pink and attain a deep dark band spanning from the snout to the first dorsal spine as they mature and turn into males. Maximum size is about 24 pounds. They can be found on rocky bottoms, ledges and reefs throughout the western Atlantic, from North Carolina and Bermuda, south to the Gulf of Mexico and the northern coast of South America. They are very common in Florida and the Bahamas and can be

found in shallow waters, ranging from 10-100 feet. Assuming you are in the right place to find them, here are some spearfishing tips: 1) Bag/size limits ensure a healthy stock and protect it from overfishing, so respect the local laws. 2) Look on reefs and especially on sand edges for bigger hogfish. 3) They are not difficult to spear, so take your time, be selective, and don’t take long shots. 4) They are abundant in the Bahamas. This is a good fish to practice your slinging/polespearing skills. Only take the shot if you are sure you can land it. 5) If you are not seeing any, try Sheri Daye displays a stirring up the bottom and make a world-record hogfish. sand cloud. If there are any in the vicinity, they will come to investigate. 6) Do not take advantage of their nature. Take one for dinner, and respect them for the beautiful experience and the delicious meal. Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.

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WEST MICHIGAN INSIDE Catch Photos Fishing Reports - Rivers & Streams - Big Lake - Inland Lakes

+ PLUS

Expert advice from the area's top guides and charter boat captains

Photo courtesy of Capt. Sean McDonald of Katch Me Charters.

WWW.THEANGLERMAG.COM/WESTMICHIGAN For editorial comments, articles, photography, advertising, and all other inquiries please contact: The Angler Magazine West Michigan (616) 957-1714 • westmichigan@theanglermagazine.com • www.theanglermag.com/westmichigan

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Fish Tales

FISH TALES SPONSORED BY

Send your Fish Tale photos to: westmichigan@theanglermagazine.com Don't forget to include your name and the details of your catch.

A client of Katch Me Charters shows off a nice summer king.

Triston la n Lake Mic ds a nice 13-pou nd higan st eelhead.

The kings are back and their big this year!

Anita ji Traverse gs up two big la ke Bay wit h Capt. trout on Ben Wo lfe. Will shows off the dandy Grand River smallmouth he caught while out with Capt. Greg Knapp.

2 WEST MICHIGAN

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Father and son double! Its a great day in Traverse City wth Sport Fish Michigan.

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Rivers&&Streams Streams Rivers

Upper Pere Marquette

REPORTS& &FORECASTS FORECASTS REPORTS

Rogue River Pere Marquette A

lthough I no longer live on a farm, I still read the Farmers’ Almanac and put faith in their forecasts. This year they seem to be dead on, as they predicted our winter to be a real one with B Y : J E F F Hcolder U B temperatures B A R D and snow that seems to be a while. These conditions have caused GuideforService B Y : G L E N R . B LOutfitters A C K W O North O D staying the Rogue River to produce both shelf and anchor (231) 898-6246 The Great Lakes Fly Fishing Company ice and in some sections completely freeze shut. www.outfittersnorth.com River anglers have a couple of choices, the obvi(616) 866-6060 ous, go ice fishing, (you will never land a fish staywww.troutmoor.net ing home) or make the best of a tough scenario. I choose to make the best of what Mother Nature has created. To make the best of these tough conditions one must look to maximize time on the water and fish in a productive fashion. We can do this by preparing our equipment. The constant issue that we face is cold air and water temperatures. How we deal with this limiting factor will determine our success. Looking at equipment first, most tackle designers never dream that someone is going to be using their rods and reels in sub 30 degree air temperatures. A common issue anglers experience is reels and lines freezing, along with ice buildup in guides. So how do we deal with this issue? To prevent freezing issues with reels, before your next winter trip, clean both your reel frame and spool completely. Remove any excess oil or grease from both, as well as any dirt. A little lubrication goes a long way with modern reels and any additional lubricant will begin to solidify, causing a binding effect between your spool and frame, leading to freezing. Dirt and sand will trap moisture also causing premature freezing of your reel. Upon finishing your angling day, bring your reels inside, remove the spool from the reel frame and allow both to completely dry and warm. Another issue this time of the year is ice buildup in guides. There is no good way to stop this, but there are ways to negate it happening rapidly. Try placing fly floatant, cooking spray, or he "dog days of summer have arrived". The Pere Marquette River Vaseline on your guides to negate rapid ice buildup. Will these stop it completely? No, but they saw really warm water temps towards July with high heat index's. will keep you the game Happiest Holidays! When theinwater getslonger. this warm it'sofnot good for Trout who need the cool

spring waters. It also isn't smart to fish for them, just the pressure you put on these wild Brown Trout will kill them in that heat. For August hopefully will see cooler nights and days. August is a good time to focus on trout with terrestrial flies hoppers, crickets, ant's and beetles work great this time of year. If you are a early riser the trico's will start to. You can find these micro mayflies through out the whole river system. Towards the end of August keep your eyes peeled for king salmon entering the river. Usually fishing for these fish at this time is more productive towards the mouth of the river with lures or skein under a float. There's still chrome and their in a Big Lake mood, so hang on when they're hooked. There called the king for reason. Good luck and hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Tight lines!

Muskegon River

BY: J E F F H U B B A R D

Outfitters North Guide Service

B Y898-6246 : C A P T. (231)

JEFF BACON

Michigan Fly Fishing Ventures www.outfittersnorth.com (616) 560-3195 www.westmichiganflyfishing.com

appy Holidays to everyone! Winter sure hit early this year, with single digit temperatures the evenings and teens during the day. The Pere Marquette River ith in the arrival of starting to drop. We're starting to see shelf ice and temperature of andthe watermonth level are really August brings end tosections of the river system. anchor ice in somea oftail the middle our "summer" season look in West As winter progresses for steelhead fishing to slow down a bit. Instead of an allMichigan forto get anglers day bite you and will start short windows of action throughout the day, usually in the onaftthe Muskegon River, this ernoon as water temperatures start to warm. Nymphs will also start to be a key fly to also brings in river use this time changes of year. When the water temperatures really start to drop steelhead and conditions fishformany resident troutand are the looking whatever they can get as far as an easy meal. Hex Nymphs, pursue. Stone Flies and small Hares Ear's or Pheasant Tails can start to produce. Eggs will also With days getting shorter worknights well. Try small Clowncolder, Eggs and Nukes in more natural colors. For Swinging Flies try and getting more natural colors too, with less flash as the water clears. Sculpins in olive or brown can the river will transform from produce the been winter.producing Check out my site for some go-to patterns, www.outfittersnorth. one that in had com.smallmouth Remember troutbass Beads are not flies and are illegal in the Flies Only Water. good fishing Youprevious can find fimonth sh throughout for the or so,the whole river system. The fish are now starting to their winter runscool and pools. touse a river that will down,Look for fish in much slower deeper runs with wood structure hide them. You can find this typetoof "life" water inand any the stretch of theofPere Marquette, see some toinsect hatches bring trout onset our fall big game fishing. however because of the weather; access will become more difficult until spring. Play it theramps fall and spawning runtheofriver. chinook runPere of safeBefore at the boat while wading Practicesalmon catch and and releasefall on wild steelhead willgetbetoplenty to Marquette dominate steelhead. Ifangler’s they don'tattention, get to spawn,there we don't hook anyofinfishing the future. beGood hadluck in August. and Happy Holidays! Both fly fishing enthusiasts and conventional anglers can get into fish by fishing imitations of what the fish have seen for the previous weeks, which has been mostly 2-3” baitfish and crayfish. For the fly fisher, a 6 or 7 weight rod with floating line matched with a 10-15' sink tip or a sinking line, will allow you to get flies down to the zone where they need to be, which is 2-4' down, in 5-7' runs. Topwater fishing with poppers and/or waking flies, fished early morning or late evening will also get some attention. For the conventional angler, a 8-9', medium action rod and reel spooled with 6 or 8# test line, will work just fine. The same general crayfish/baitfish imitations will work, as well as topwater poppers. Access to the river is not a problem right now, as water levels for this summer in general, are very low and we may not see much of a change on that front until our next good rains in August. Soon to follow will be the return of chinook salmon on their annual spawning run, followed by fall steelhead through fall and the Christmas holiday. Based on fish caught and reports in general, we could see some BIG SALMON in the river this fall and surely some BIG STEELHEAD as well!

FLY of THE MONTH Beaddazzled Stone

BY PHIL CUSEY

Materials

his is a great winter stone fly FLY NAME: "Beadazzled Stone" imitation! The rubber leg tail provides greater movement HOOK: Tiemco 2457 - Sz.12- 8 in the water. Using beads for the THREAD: Uni 6/0 Black body gives a wonderful segmented TAIL: Round rubber - Black - Small profile and the dubbed head traps BODY: Spirit River glass bead - Iridescent Plum airwww.WestMichiganFishingGuide.com and hence releases "bubbles" HEAD: UV Dubbing- Peacock when fished. Be sure and adjust size; smaller for trout and larger JEFF BACON CAPTAIN for steelhead. Enjoy the solitude of winter fishing! Phone: 616-560-3195

Guided River Fishing

Email: When Phil Cusey isn'tjrbacon@ameritech.net guiding, he can be reached at streamertwo@sbcglobal.net. 4 WEST MICHIGAN

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Grand River BY: G R E G K N A P P

Getting Bit Guide Service 616-570-2946 www.gettingbitguideservice.com

510 68th St. SW

ugust is a great month to chase smallmouth bass on the Grand River as the water levels are usually low and the fish are on the feed. The tributaries such as the Flat, Thornapple, and other warm water rivers upstream are good options to hit as well and can be easily walked into or floated on smaller water craft. Largemouth bass can be found in the lower reaches of the Grand along with walleye and pike. If you are into drum or sheepshead you can find those in good numbers down near Spring Lake or in the channel down in Grand Haven. Trout can be found in the cold water tributaries of the Grand if you do not mind doing some bushwhacking. Late August we usually start to see a few migratory salmon and trout showing up whenever we get a good lake turn over and those are usually targeted at 6th Street dam where they tend to congregate before heading up river.

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Rivers & & Streams

Manistee River

REPORTS & FORECASTS

Rivers & Streams

River CFEEDING TIMES Manistee River MuskegonPRIMARY

older conditions have made their way into the Midwest, with snow accumulations making it look "a lot like winter”. Although water BY: L A R RY R A N E Y levels and temperatures have Premier Angling Guide Service dropped with the snow and BY: J E F F B ACO N colder weather patterns, fishing (231) 477-5554 BY: R J K E R R Michigan Fly Fishing Ventures is still good on the Muskegon www.premieranglingguideservice.com Aug 4 Aug 11 Aug 18 Aug 26 Premier Angling Guide Service River. The next month or so 616-560-3195 Last Quarter New Moon First Quarter Full Moon should fi sh well for both steel(231) 510-5862 www.westmichiganflyfishing.com head and resident rainbow and www.premieranglingguideservice.com brown trout. Morning Evening Fishing for resident rainbow Date anuary brings thoughts and brown trout has been(EDT) exceptionalMinor this fall and early winter. Aft er the fl oods of last spring, Major Minor the Muskegon MajorRiver of the first steelhead bewater levels and temperature stayed above average in flows and sustained below average temperatures over most of the ing caught in the New Year 3:46AM 10:54PM 4:08PM summer and as a result, trout1 had a10:14AM chance to fatten up…and they did! The huge salmon runs from this fall allowed here on the Manistee. This trout to pack on more weight in anticipation of the colder months ahead. is a time of solitude on the 11:16AM ----to different parts 4:52PM This month will find the2steelhead that are currently 4:30AM in the river system relocating of the river river, sometimes you can go for a better "lies"— places where they can comfortably post up to feed and conserve energy. Th e resident brown and 3 11:20PM 5:15AM 12:19PM 5:38PM for days not seeing another rainbow trout will find their winter lies as well and continue to strap on the feedbag in preparation for the colder boat or bank angler. It seems 4 are 11:49PM 6:02AM 6:27PM months. Lake run brown trout now in the river system and more are sure to1:24PM follow. Some have already spawned; like your own private paraothers will do so in the weeks ahead. dise most of the time. The 5 spin12:22AM 6:52AM 7:18PM Both the fly fisher and light angler are catching steelhead using a variety2:32PM of techniques. Swinging streamers weather can be the deciding with sinking or sink tip lines,6 on one and two handed fly7:45AM rods are getting some fi3:40PM sh to net, but patience and covering 12:59AM 8:13PM factor some days but by watching the weather forecast and water is critical to the swing. Floating line+indicator rigs are good options as well when fishing pocket water or planning your fishing day around warm ups, you can make 7 of a1:42AM 8:43AM 4:49PMis best when 9:13PM runs that don't require too long cast. Deeper water drift fishing, a.k.a. "chuck-n-duck", fishing very it happen. Water temperatures in the winter months on the long, deep runs and troughs where getting flies down and keeping them down is required. Those spey casting two Big range from 32 to 35 degrees on average. As an angler, you 8 2:35AM 9:43AM 5:53PM 10:15PM handed rods are doing so with 11-15' long, 8-9 weight rods, with heavy floating/Skagit lines and sink tips from 10have to think a little different this time of the year. With the 15' long. Flies for swinging9are wide3:36AM open to one’s imagination and river conditions. Big, gaudy streamers 10:46AM 6:53PM ----in rich water temperatures so low the fish tend to slow down and and vibrant colors are also getting looks by fish. Use both "chuck-n-duck" and floating line+indicator rods with 7-8 A ugust is smallmouth and pike time here on the Big Manistee. get lethargic. You should do the same as an angler. Look for 4:46AM 11:17PM 11:48AM weights, 9-10+' lengths, 10 with 6-10# test line. Egg flies-beads, nymphs, and very7:44PM small minnow patterns are options Waterruns temps are inslow thecurrent low to mid-70s which is harmful for in our slow woody and pools, seams, and current for flSo oating line rigs and chuck-n-duck. trout, but the pike and smallmouth are loving the temps. that seams along deep cut banks. Places the steelhead can get out 11 6:00AM 12:19AM 8:28PM 12:49PM For theFor light tackle spin angler, bottom bouncing beads, flies, or bait is getting it done, as well as float fishing great fishing opportunities for both spin and fly gear. of themeans main currents and not have to work so hard. our spin gear guys, medium to large crankbaits and spinners are flies, or bait12 floating beads, under bobbers. Best setups for bottom bouncing spin gear rigs is 9-10' med action rods. 7:16AM 1:18AM 9:06PM 1:46PM We fish these type of spots with floats. Whether it being the ticket. Targeting structure is key, any wood and undercut in be used with spin gear as fly gear….bugs are bugs, the fish don't know what kind of setup you're using! Same flies can with athe floating andhold fly rod, float rodfish. and center pin reels, bankline can multiple For our fly guys mediumAs to water largetemperatures 13 drop, fish8:30AM will look for slower2:14AM moving water. Reduce9:40PM the size of your off2:40PM ering in slower or spinning gear. Fishing a fl oat of some sort enables youabout to streamers will get it done. But don't forget the topwater bite. Line choices can range from 6-10# test, water color/clarity will help one decide. moving water. 14 9:42AM 3:06AM 10:11PM 3:32PM control the depth and speed of your off ering to these fi sh. Poppers and guglers are a must have for those early mornings and to seek out for fishing fall steelhead and lake run brown trout include most all water from below Croton Locations The off erings y anglers should an egg pattern, be in your back pocket. later in for theflevenings, so bebesure to have them Dam, down to Muskegon, but of the lake run brown activity has been from Croton Dam down 4:21PM to Newaygo. As 15a bulk 10:52AM 3:57AM 10:42PM it trout bead or yarn and what a nymph of some sort. Hex's, But let's not egg forget happens when we move to for theresident end oftrout, focus on the water from Croton Dam, down past the Thornapple Rd access site, down to Newaygo. GreenAugust. Caddis, Pheasant Tails and Buggers are my preferred KINGS!!! 16 11:59AM 11:12PM 5:09PM Trout numbers drop off considerably once you get below 4:45AM Newaygo. patterns. As Center and spinning may want wepin approach the gear endjunkies of August, theto kings will start their Winter fly fishing for trout rigs is producing1:03PM some rocky mountain caliber fish 17 with floating ---- line and indicator 5:33AM 5:57PM thewax rivers, and thinkspawning about spawn,migration wigglers orinto jigs and worms to there get it is nothing quite like and will be a great option for those looking to keep lines wet here and there throughout the winter months. The next done.a fresh hot king on a crankbait. We are chucking large stick baits month should fish well for18 both steelhead and resident rainbow and brown trout. Some of the largest6:44PM trout I’ve seen 11:43PM 6:20AM 2:05PM thetoruns andfirst working them back sleep to the Nointo reason rush out thing in the morning, in boat, and let me tell in years haveIf come to hand over the past few weeks. I will be targeting both during my half day, winter special trips. you they crush it! There is no better freshwater bite out there! and have an extra cup of coffee. Most days the bite is best from 12:18AM 7:08AM 7:32PM my website for more19 trip details at www.westmichiganfl yfishing.com. 3:05PM you're looking rap up your summer funand in NorthernCheck Michigan, late morning to early afttoernoon. Remember think slow season and welcome 2014! come on up give us ahidden call. Tight and high fives! I hope everyone had a great 20 holiday 12:56AM 7:56AM 4:00PM 8:20PM get out and enjoy oneand of Michigan's winterlines activities, winter steelheading here on the Big Manistee. 21 1:38AM 8:45AM 4:52PM 9:09PM

August 2018

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errestrials are the “go to” for dry fly anglers now. The “foam” hatch is the order of the day. This quick tie can be fished in tandem with a larger dry, in a train with other ant patterns, or solo. Dress the hook with thread to the mid-point. Measure the foam body to form a loop at the rear with enough left to prop up the orange tip at the eye of the hook. Bind the foam body to the hook with tight wraps to the bend. Form the loop for the “butt,” then wrap forward to just above the barb. Tie in the hackle. Continue forward with the thread to just behind the orange tip and tie in the wing material. Palmer the hackle forward to just behind the orange tip and secure. Make several wraps of thread in front of the orange tip then whip finish. Trim the hackle flat under the hook. Apply floatant to the wing material and hackle and you're ready to fish!

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Inland Lakes

REPORTS & FORECASTS

Northwest Area B Y: C A P T. B E N W O L F E Sport Fish Michigan (877) 442-4294 www.sportfishmichigan.com

ugust is a fantastic month here in northern Michigan to ply the waters of not only of Grand Traverse Bays but also of the main lake Michigan. The waters are the warmest of the year, and the fishing can be red hot as well. With a set thermocline, the fish are going to relate to this “wall” by using it similar to how they would structure itself. A thermocline is a temperature break where the water above and below are at different temperatures. Often times, this temperature difference is drastic enough that it can be marked on a good sonar graph. Fish use these temperature breaks (thermocline) to feed. In August, the warmest water will be on top of the thermocline, and the colder water will be below. Trolling is a great option for the month of August. Anglers targeting salmon and lake trout will want to get out super early in the morning right at first light to take advantage of the salmon bite or right at last light. Trolling near the thermocline with the standard meat rig, or spoon options will take active salmon. Trolling at a slightly slower speed will be best for lake trout once the sun gets up and the salmon bite slows. Vertical jigging can be a dynamite option for deep-water lake trout in Lake Michigan as well as Grand Traverse Bays. In depths from 90-100+, look for marks just above the bottom. Drop a heavy jig like a Jonah Jig anywhere from an ounce all the way up to 3 ounces for hard hits This technique can also be applied very successfully for salmon that are in the area as well. Salmon will show up much higher in the water column, and a jig in the depth zone of cruising salmon will very often times get bit. Active fish will hit a jig on the fall, 8 WEST MICHIGAN

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but can be teased into biting with a steady jigging action. Perch fishing on Grand Traverse Bay is still another excellent option as schools of these tasty fish are roaming around feeding on a smorgasbord of food. Gobies, minnows, smelt, crayfish, and bugs are all on a perch’s diet. Schools on the bays are dense, and can be marked easily with a good sonar graph. You should be able to pick up the individual fish that make up a school of perch. With lots of schools of bait also moving around on the Bays, looking for individual marks making up the school is the way to differentiate schools of bait vs. schools of perch. Standard perch rigs tipped with worms or minnows or even wigglers can score big for jumbo perch. Anglers may have to cull through smaller fish in order to find the bigger fish, which will often times be mixed in amongst the massive schools. Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather that August has, and target some of the awesome fish we have in northern Michigan. Stay safe, have fun and tight lines!

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Big Lake

REPORTS & FORECASTS

Ludington B Y: C A P T. S E A N M C D O N A L D Katch Me Charters (231) 510-2072 www.centurycircle.com

id we catch all of them in May and June? We will know the answer to the question in August. Central Lake Michigan had a good king season overall with fish tipping the scales at over 25 pounds. Ludington is a great spot to be in August because the Pere Marquette River is where a lot of the kings in the area were born. Kings will stage in our area before returning home to the river to spawn and ensure future generations of wild fish to come. We have caught a lot of small 10-15-inch kings this Summer and most anglers released what they felt could live and swim to grow up, they were not all small and we had our share of 6 and 12 pounders as well. This is promising for the future years to come. The last two years the first two weeks in August has been the best fishing for adult kings in the Ludington area. In 2017 near the end of August fishing was difficult because there was so much bait in our area the full fish were hard to catch. We did have a good return in the river as a result of this last fall. The first half of the month spin doctors or paddles with flies will be the standard as the lake is warmer and the fish are deep. Plugs will begin to be our best bait for staging kings as the marinade in the warmer water out of their normal living quarters of 42-46 degrees. Staging kings will be found in the 60-degree range temp and they become difficult to catch except for first and last light, and plugs seem to trigger the best strikes. Your best bet to try and catch them after the morning bite is very close to bottom in the warmer water. Good luck in August in the Ludington area and add some fresh line to your downriggers and leaders because the king of the lake is about to return home.

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Grand Haven

ouble-digit catches that include a healthy dose of lake trout with a few salmon and B Y : C A P T . M A T T W H I T N E Y steelhead mixed in have been relatively common Whitney Charters with anglers catching more (616) 846-6325 salmon and steelhead as www.whitneycharters.com the summer progresses. Anglers have caught many large kings, up to 29 pounds, already this season, and that's creating a lot of speculation about how many big kings, over 30 pounds, anglers will catch over the next couple of months. When August arrives look for the kings to be feeding early in the morning in waters up to 60 degrees. Plan to stop a little short and work your way out. Wire divers with your favorite meat rig or a White/UV taped DreamWeaver Paddle and a glow fly should be great choices. For higher coppers it’s hard to beat Moonshine Glow spoons in the Flounder Pounder, Green and Blue Jeans patterns and Ace High Double Glow plugs for early morning kings while the same meat rigs and paddle combos work well on 450 coppers in deeper water later in the day. Spoon patterns that have held up and been consistently productive include UV Michigan dolphins, Arctic Dolphins, UV Mixed Veggies, Gold Watermelon, Wrecking Ball, Flea for All, and Capt. Gary in both UV and standard paint. Spoon sizes from SuperSlim to Magnums have worked all season as we have several year classes of alewives out there being preyed on. Smaller baits fished high can be very effective in August as young baitfish feed up in the warmer waters late in the month. The 100 - 140 FOW range has been the most active area to fish this summer as the thermocline has rarely dipped below 60 feet down and trout have made the bottom 20’ in this range their home all summer. When the kings settle down after breakfast, slide out a little and try a white with UV Crush tape on an 8" Dreamweaver Paddle with a chrome Whirly Gig. I've been running this combo about 5' behind the ball on calm days and 10' 15' on bouncier days. The 8" Yellow Bikini Bottom Paddle with a chrome and yellow spotted Whirly Gig has been another go-to bait on a wire diver fished suspended about 10 to 15' off of the bottom. My leader length from the paddle to the Whirly Gig is about 20 inches on my center rigger and 45 inches on the wire diver set up.

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Good Gear for Getting Caught Off Guard BY: MA R K MA RT I N You would think with today’s technology that we would never be caught off guard, weather wise. Meteorologists are now able to predict weather fronts days before they arrive, and with just a tap of the screen of our smartphones, weather radar shows us what’s in our immediate future, as well can alert us when impending danger may be on its way. But Mother Nature’s a tricky old gal and she can make funky weather seem to pop up out of nowhere, especially during the late-summer months. To tell you the truth, I’ve been caught in some nasty storms while fishing. But because I had the proper equipment, I reassured my chances of getting back to the boat launch safe and sound were better than ever. WHAT IT WAS In the past, I’d listen to the weather forecast via television and radio every single night before the day I was to go out, as well the morning of. And things didn’t always go as planned. Take pre-fishing tournaments on Michigan’s Saginaw Bay, for example. It seems as if there’s a chance of thunder storms nearly every day in late summer in that area do to the flatlands of southern Michigan being the perfect breeding ground for storms to suddenly build up. Just as I do today, I would depict just how far of a run out onto the bay I would make by what the forecast was. If the chance for severe weather was great I would fish the reefs closer to shore, while days it was supposed to be nice I would make the long run out to the Charity Islands and beyond. But even some of those days the weather was supposed to be good, there would be storms building in the west, which would quickly show themselves overhead. With barely enough time to reel in, I’d find myself running back to port during the most sever portion of a storm. SLICE, SMOOTH RIDE AND POWER Since the first day of my fishing career, I’ve been fishing out of Lund boats. These boats are well-built, and their hull design slices through waves with ease, which makes boat handling while running through steep seas less life threatening. One accessory that I insist on having in my boat is Smooth Moves seat mounts, which attach between the bottom of the seat and the pedestal base, and takes the tailbone pounding right out of the equation. There are now two models to choose from, with the ever-popular Smooth Moves Ultra—with its four springs and hydraulic shock—still available, as well now the hand pump-free Smooth Moves Air—which can accommodate anglers up to 350 pounds. The new Smooth Moves Air has a built-in air compressor that can be activated with just the touch of a button, and you can either plug the system into a 12V outlet when you need to add air, or, hardwire it into your boat’s electrical system. In short, between my Lund’s wave-cutting hull design and the shock-absorbing seat mounts, I can control the boat better than ever in rough seas, as well concentrate better on driving. Another accessory that’s overlooked is a high-quality starting battery. I make sure there’s always an Optima battery connected to my outboard and electronics. Optima batteries are spill/leak-proof, which is extremely important when bouncing in large waves, and they are maintenance free and can take the abuse of re-charging 3-times longer than standard marine batteries.

reassured I’m running back in water deep enough I won’t hit bottom in-between swells, as well know I’m headed in the right direction and within the safety of marker buoys I may not be able to see with the naked eye during inclement weather. A Navionics mapping app can be downloaded onto smart phones, too. JUST IN CASE If all goes as planned, making it back to the boat launch safe and sound when bad weather suddenly erupts is a no-brainer if I just take my time and have the right equipment. Unfortunately, not everything always goes as planned for everybody. In the extremely odd event damage occurs to my rig, or worse, my boating partner gets injured, I have the best marine insurance coverage possible; which will make life much easier in the long run in case the unforeseen happens. Although I didn’t realize it, I was grossly under insured for years when it came to marine insurance. But then I discovered Worldwide Marine Underwriters Inc., and am now fully insured in case of a mishap. Although my goal is to never have to make a claim, it’s there if I have to. No matter what, make sure your boat, its equipment, and everyone riding in it are properly covered before you venture out onto the water. SAFETY FIRST Staying safe and enjoying a day on the water boils down to this: Watch the weather beforehand and plan your run accordingly; make sure your boat is seaworthy enough that can handle a sudden blast of bad weather, and that your motor will start when you need it to; utilize modern technology for gathering instant information on impending weather; have the best insurance coverage even if you don’t ever plan on using it. Most of all stay calm and use your head when bad weather erupts and you’ll be ready and always able to make it back to shore no matter what Mother Nature brings your way. Mark Martin is a walleye tournament angler and an instructor with the Fishing/ Vacation Schools, who lives in Michigan’s southwestern Lower Peninsula. Check out his website at markmartins.net for more information.

In the now, in the know If you’ve read my articles in the past then you’ve heard me praise my Lowrance sonar and GPS, as well Navionics mapping program when it comes to fishing. But both a dependable GPS and good mapping are tools for safety, as well. Navionics mapping allows me a safe return to the boat launch. By watching my Lowrance HDS Carbon-12’s GPS with Navionics in the background, I’m

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Bassmaster Ranks Rayburn The Best Bass Lake In The Country B.A.S.S. Photo

fter three years hovering in the Top 5 of Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings, Texas’ Sam Rayburn Reservoir finally took the crown as the best bass lake in the nation for 2018. Consistent production of heavy five-fish tournament limits and the potential for giant bass made this 114,500-acre reservoir northeast of Houston tops in the country this year. Rayburn started showing out in 2015, when it climbed to fifth in the rankings. In 2016 it jumped to fourth. And last year, Rayburn was the bridesmaid, sitting in second place. But, Rayburn is a bridesmaid no more, and for the first time captures the title. “Although there were some pretty spectacular numbers being produced from other lakes this year, Rayburn was a clear No. 1,” said James Hall, editor of Bassmaster Magazine. “While some lakes were boasting of a single 30-pound, five-bass limit being caught, Rayburn was spitting them out in rapid succession. And to top it off, a 40.28-pound limit was recorded in June.”

Countless limits of solid fish aren’t the only thing special about this lake. “When it comes to double-digit bass, Rayburn also seems to top the list this year,” Hall continued. “Three 10-pounders were weighed in during a one-day February derby. Plus, a 12.05 and a 13.06 were landed here in March. The lake is simply on fire right now.” The process to create the rankings takes about three months to complete. Data is received from state fisheries agencies across the U.S. This is coupled with catch data collected from dozens of tournament organizations from the past 12 months. After the numbers are crunched, a panel from the bass fishing industry debates the strength of the lakes to settle on the final rankings. The rankings identify the Top 10 lakes in the nation regardless of location, as well as the Top 25 lakes in four geographical divisions. “By dividing the Top 100 into four regions, anglers have perspective on fisheries nearby,” Hall explained. Tennessee’s Chickamauga Lake, which took the No. 2 slot this year, made a strong argument for No. 1, as it also produced 40-plus-pound limits this spring, two of them exceeding 42 pounds. Although this 36,240-acre fishery hasn’t produced quite as many big fish as Rayburn, there were two bass over 10 pounds recorded since February. The biggest weighed 11.21 pounds. California’s Clear Lake landed the No. 3 position on the strength of its production of big largemouth. Michigan’s Lake St. Clair climbed from ninth last year to the fourth in 2018, while Minnesota’s Mille Lacs Lake (last years’ No. 1 fishery) fell to No. 5. The remainder of the nation’s Top 10 are: sixth, Santee Cooper lakes (Marion/Moultrie), South Carolina; seventh, Diamond Valley Lake, California.; eighth, Thousand Islands (St. Lawrence River), New York; ninth, Lake Guntersville, Alabama; 10th, Falcon Lake, Texas. When it comes to bragging rights for the state with the most lakes to make the Top 100 list, Texas wins with 12. California boasts eight fisheries within the rankings, while Florida has the third most with seven. Complete rankings can be found in Bassmaster.com photo galleries.

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BEAT THE HEAT WITH NIGHT FISHING

BRANDON LESTER he dog days have arrived, and the lake is crowded with recreational boat traffic. The best fishing to be had during summer is after the sun goes

down. Around my home in Tennessee, most all of our club-level tournaments go to nighttime hours this time of year. Let’s talk about why the nighttime bite is so good, what to look for and baits that work well at night. First and foremost, if you’ve never spent a night out cruising your local lake, I think you’ll find it is the most quiet and peaceful fishing you will ever do. It’s like the whole world is asleep, and you have free rein of the lake. Baitfish often become more active at night, and the water cools just enough to get fish to come to the shallows and feed. Bass are a lot like us in that 100-degree temperatures make them want to find somewhere cool to just hang out. Their feeding windows become shorter this time of year, and mostly occur after dark. When looking for night fishing hotspots, think high percentage areas where you know bass live and feed. Keep in mind that they can’t see as well at night, so they must rely on their lateral lines to find food. Start at lighted boat docks, boat ramps, brushpiles

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WITH THE BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERWATER LIGHTS! and points. When you find a good spot, revisit that place several times during the night because it will probably hold multiple fish. Also, don’t be afraid to fish places you wouldn’t dare fish during the day because of too much boat traffic, such as boat ramps and marinas. At night, when these places calm down, fish pull up and feed around them. You don’t need any specific gear for night fishing if you can get used to the fact that you can’t see your line. Many night fishermen use the exact same gear at night as they do during the day. Around my home lake, we fish clear blue fluorescent line at night and attach a black light to the side of the boat to see the line with ease. It helps. There’s nothing more fun than watching that line jump in the black light and knowing your bait just got hammered. Just about any bait that will catch a bass in the day will also catch one at night. The No. 1 key is to slow down. A fish’s strike zone shrinks at night because they can’t see as well. Slowing down helps put the odds in your favor. Some of my favorite baits are Texas-rigged worms (fished on an MHX NEPS 86HF), from small straight tail worms like the X-Xone Fat Finesse Worm all the way up to 11- and 12-inch worms, and even creature baits. Another great option at night is a spinnerbait. I usually throw a 3/8-ounce Kinkee Baits spinnerbait (fished on an MHX NEPS 86MHF) with a single No. 5 Colorado blade in black and blue color. The thin wire of this bait really lets it thump.

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AUGUST 2018

NATIONAL

7/18/18 9:15 AM

Fish for Hungry Trout at Hunger Games Site in Western North Carolina

uPont State Recreational Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Hendersonville, North Carolina, provides not only a scenic setting for trout fishing, but also a unique one. The delayed harvest waters of Little River flow through undisturbed mountains and over several notable waterfalls. Those same waters were immortalized on Hollywood’s silver screen as the backdrop for the exploits of Katniss Everdeen in the original Hunger Games movie. Movie buffs who wet a line on Little River in the DuPont Forest will no doubt recognize Triple Falls, which played a prominent role in multiple scenes in the movie. But there is good news for anglers: spending time on this stretch of Little River does not involve the life or death struggle it did in Hunger Games. Everyone is expected to come out alive. Many anglers also come out happy as this 1.8-mile stretch of Little River is stocked annually with a combination of 7,750 brook, rainbow and brown trout. North Carolina Wildlife regulations require a valid fishing license and the delayed harvest designation means it is single-hook artificial lures only with no harvesting of fish from Oct. 1 through the

first Friday in June. Starting the first Saturday in June and continuing through Sept. 30, there are no bait restrictions and a creel limit of seven trout per day with no minimum length on trout harvested. Because DuPont is a state recreational forest, there is ample parking in both the Hooker Falls Access Area and the High Falls Access Areas, with wide, easy-to-navigate trails to many of the key fishing spots. One downside to fishing this stretch of Little River is the popularity of the trails and waterfalls with those who do not fish. Expect plenty of hikers and sightseers, especially on nice weekends. And when the fishing is done, Hendersonville provides plenty of options for outdoor exploring, listening to live music, sipping craft beverages and enjoying great meals. The town’s main street has a serpentine shape surrounded by pedestrian-friendly sidewalks punctuated by planting beds, park benches and outdoor dining. The abundance of orchards makes Henderson County an ideal location for hard cider fans. Three cideries offer tasting rooms: Flat Rock Ciderworks on Main Street, Bold Rock Hard Cider in Mills River and Appalachian Ridge Artisan Ciders in a 1940s-era barn-turned-cidery. Another craft beverage experience is the East Coast location of Sierra Nevada Brewery, considered the Taj Mahal of craft breweries in the eastern U.S.

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“ Rainy Season ” Action Rages Out Of Playa Garza, Costa Rica By Craig Sutton

he five-boat FishingNosara team logged 78 trips last month, and I’m stoked to announce that the marlin are here in northern Costa Rica, as our “second high season” is in full effect. The 32-foot Harvester led the charge for our Playa Garza-based fleet, with Capt. Alex going on a crazy run of marlin and sailfish releases over four days between June 9 and June 12. Jeff Broome scored the fish of a lifetime with Capt. Alex on June 10 with a black marlin weighing well over 450 pounds. The next day, Broome posted the trip of the year, to date. First off was a true double sailfish release. After the safe release of both fish, they added a third sailfish for good measure. Another monster came calling, as the Harvester reported another massive marlin release, the second

in two days. It was amazing work by Capt. Alex, Mate Wilson, and this group of Florida anglers. Here’s what Broome had to say: “Just wanted to say an enthusiastic THANK YOU for the incredible trip we had thanks to your team. In three days, we got three Marlin—two blues and a massive black—three sailfish, a huge dorado and a good deal more tuna and mahi! “Thanks to Capt. Alex and his hard-working deckhand Wilson, I was able to cross marlin off my bucket list of fish to catch. Definitely a dream for me, and I know I speak for all the guys in our group that it was definitely the fishing trip of a lifetime! “You could tell how passionate Alex was about fishing. His favorite thing to say after we brought in a catch was, ‘Let’s get another one!’” “Pura Vida!”-Jeff Broome The next day, Capt. Alex and FishingNosara Hall of Famer Chuck Harris scored another marlin release. That’s four monsters in four days. It was a truly legendary run for the Harvester. Meanwhile, Lila Weirich brought a big group of folks from Texas down in early June, so many that they need both the 32-foot Wanderer and Discoverer to hold them all. In addition to having a big time all week, these Lone Star anglers scored some fillets big as Texas. Monster mahi-mahi were abundant, and meaty yellowfin tunas added variety to the fillet bag With all the other fishing operations in Costa Rica on the hill for the summer, we have attracted adventurous anglers from all over the Pacific Coast, as well. Scott Burke drove in three hours from Tamarindo at 3 a.m., fished a full day, and went back the same day. The odyssey proved worthwhile, as the group reported three great sailfish releases. Shea Ralph is another journeyman angler who came from Jaco to Nosara, covering 140 miles on land in order to reach Costa Rica’s closest bluewater. They hooked up multiple sailfish and proved once again that the fish eat every day, even during the so-called “rainy season.”

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Teen Breaks Wyoming Green Sunfish Record

“J

Photo courtesy of Wyoming Game & Fish

ust one more cast, please,” Chris Castleman, 14, pleaded several times the evening of June 7. On the very last of the “just one more” casts, Chris hooked a new Wyoming state record green sunfish on a worm and bobber. He and his dad, Allen, knew the fish was much bigger than the panfish they’d been catching that evening at Bryan Stock Trail Pond in Casper. The next morning, the fish weighed 1-pound, 4-ounces on certified scales. It measured 12.25 inches long with an 11-inch girth. It was officially identified as a green sunfish by Fisheries Supervisor Matt Hahn, the state record form was filled out and a new record was on the books. The fish resoundingly beat the former state record caught at the Lovell Ponds in July 2010 by nearly 6 ounces. The world record weighed 2 pound, 2 ounces and was caught in Stockton Lake near Springfield, Missouri in June 1971. “This was a one in a thousand, maybe even one in 10,000 fish,” Hahn said about the frequency of a fish this size in the Wyoming green sunfish population. The green sunfish is native to middle America from the Great Lakes to Texas and as far west as Nebraska. It was introduced to Wyoming primarily as forage for bass, but also because it generally cooperates with warm-water anglers.

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BUFFALO BLACK

Customer Rating

6499

COMPARE TO

LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 12/1/18*

SUPER COUPON

COMPARE TO

MODEL: 38028

NOW

• 450 in. lbs. of torque • 1.5 amp hour battery • Weighs 3.4 lbs.

NOW

14208

$449 $599 SAVE Customer Rating

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 12/1/18*

3 PIECE DECORATIVE SOLAR LED LIGHTS

MAX LOAD

30" SERVICE CART WITH 7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" CAMOUFLAGE LOCKING DRAWER WEATHER RESISTANT TARP

LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 12/1/18*

COMPARE TO

SAVE $ $60

SUPER COUPON

$5 9

ITEM 62434, 62426, 62433, 64178, 64179, 62432, 62429, 62428 shown

SAVE $67

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 12/1/18*

NOW

SUPER COUPON

$49

4 8999 $7

ITEM 60395/62325 62493/61523 shown

VALEO $ 02

$ 99 ITEM 63750 GAME WINNER MODEL: FSGWHE1030 63181 shown

ATV/LAWN MOWER LIFT 8", 5 SPEED BENCHTOP • 300 lb. capacity DRILL PRESS • Weighs 72.5 lbs. NOW NOW 99 99

Customer Rating

ITEM 62314 63066/66383 shown

1599

COMPARE TO

LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 12/1/18*

Customer Rating

NOW

SAVE $ 48%

SUPER COUPON

$1299

LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 12/1/18*

• 350 lb. capacity

Customer Rating

PERFORMAX MODEL: 2411-1 ITEM 69645/60625 shown

LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 12/1/18*

MECHANIC'S GLOVES

$ 99

MODEL: 2000020293

SUPER COUPON

COMPARE TO

$999 $1499

SAVE 65%

NOW

Customer Rating

NOW

SUPER COUPON

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 12/1/18*

Customer Rating

270

SUPER COUPON

4-1/2" ANGLE GRINDER .50 CAL METAL AMMO CAN NOW

$1 999

Customer Rating

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 12/1/18*

SUPER COUPON

12,000 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH REMOTE CONTROL AND AUTOMATIC BRAKE

$299

COMPARE TO

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 12/1/18*

NOW

$1 69 SAVE $19999 100

Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trencher/backhoe, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 12/1/18.

SUPER COUPON

COMPARE TO

ITEM 62728/62583 47770/62570 shown

NOW

20% OFF ANY SINGLE ITEM*

SUPER COUPON

21 GALLON, 2.5 HP, 125 PSI VERTICAL OIL-LUBE 10 FT. x 17 FT. PORTABLE GARAGE AIR COMPRESSOR Customer Rating Customer Rating

797

MODEL: 20210003

Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 12/1/18 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 12/1/18*

SUPER COUPON

ANY PURCHASE

SUPER COUPON

AUGUST 2018

FRESHWATER

7/2/18 9:15 1:46 AM PM 7/18/18

For a limited time, get Suzuki Extended Protection, Instant Savings and attractive financing on select Suzuki outboards from 25 to 350 horspower. See your participapting Suzuki Marine dealer for details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.

REPOWER FINANCE Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.

Instant Savings of up to $800 on select models. See your dealer for details.

Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboard on approved credit.*

Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate form at time of sale. Instant Savings will be applied against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account). There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

FRESHWATER

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AUGUST 2018

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

7/18/18 9:15 AM

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