...and I feel fine! Continued.

Just out of curiosity.  Did anyone get the joke regarding the title of the last 2 days articles in relation to the context of the articles?  If you did not, check this out.  It is a little diddy by a band called R.E.M.

Any way, back to the countdown of the top places that you must fish before you die.

Lake of The Woods, Minnesota.  The self proclaimed "Walleye Capital of the World", Lake of the Woods is home to monster fish.  Although this lake is a walleye pilgrimage for many, anglers can expect to catch a variety of species.  Everything from Walleye to, Sauger, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Musky, Crappie, Largemouth, Smallmouth, Sturgeon, Whitefish, and Tulibee can be hooked into on this 6th largest freshwater lake in the USA.  But to make this prestigious list, fishing locations must prove to be a little extra special.  The extra incentive of Lake of the Woods you may ask?  There is never a bad season for fishing.  Sure the fishing may slow down at times, but this lake has proven to be fruitful during the spring, summer, fall, and especially in winter.  Ice fishing is not for everyone.  But those who do ice fish know that there is nothing better than pulling a huge fish through a little hole surrounded by your friends.  And what better place to take an ice fishing trip to than Lake of the Woods, where they take ice fishing serious.  Check out these guys, Angle Outpost Resort.  You can have the option to stay in a sleeper cabin on the ice or at their personal lodge where they will drive you to a ice house in an awesome ice cat for the day before picking you up and cleaning your fish back at the lodge.  I personally have not been on a trip with Angle Outpost nor am I sponsored by them, but they are the best deal I have found and would love to go fishing with them!  Let's just hope the ice arrives early this year... Before December 21st...

 
Alaska.  It is true that Alaska has been a little over commercialized over the last decade, but Alaska is still one of the last pristine places to fish on Earth and within North America.  The fishing here is just magical.  There are so many species and seasons to fish in Alaska it will make your head spin.  I honestly do not have to say too much within this paragraph in the attempt to entice you to take a fishing trip to Alaska.  Just look at these pictures.  I'll wait until your done looking....   Not pictured in those fine pixels is an angler with a Dolly Varden Trout.  Raise your hand if you have ever heard of the Dolly Varden Trout aka Dolly Varden Char.  Probably not too many of you are sitting at your computer, or with your phone, with a hand in the air.  Of course a halibut, rock fish, and salmon are all good target species, but the Dolly Varden would also be high up on my list.  This fish can look vary similar to the Brook Trout, have very pretty coloration, and also eats very good if you chose to make a meal out of them.  And if you are preparing for an "Earth altering event" on December 21st, if you get to Alaska to fish, target the Dolley Varden.  There is a lot of them and if you clean and dry this fish properly, you will have ample protein and food source during any situation.

....and I feel fine!

Whether you want to admit it or not, it is coming.  It will be here before we know it.  It's significance is different fore many people, but everyone knows about it.  And unless you have been living under a rock for the past year you all know what it is.  December 20th, 2012 is only 100 days away.  It is time to start preparing.

All of this "the world is going to end!" jargon has really got me thinking.  I mean, what if our world really does explode from a rogue meteor and we as human beings cease to exist after that day?  Many people believe that something like this is going to happen.  There is even an website dedicated to it -> December 21st 2012 Official Website.  And of course, if it is on the internet, it must be true, right? So like I said, this got me in "prepare" mode.  If the world really is going to end, I need to do something....

...So let me present to you the Top 4 places that you must fish within the United States before December 21st, 2012.  (2 locations today, 2 revealed tomorrow)  All of these locations are a "must do" trip as an angler before their life comes to an end.

Crater Lake National Park.  Crater Lake is located within a very old inactive volcano.  How awesome, right?  There is literally no place like this on Earth.  A once prestigious volcano within the Cascades Mountain Range,  Mount Mazama erupted catastrophically one day about 7,700 years ago.  This massive eruption caused Mount Mazama to collapse inside of itself and become dormant.  The lake that then formed inside this basin was a result of an accumulation of rain and snow over 250 years.  Originally, fish did not naturally inhabit Crater Lake, so the fish that live there today are a result of stocking programs.  Uniquely, the fish species that were stocked did extraordinarily well.  The last time Crater Lake was stocked was in 1941.  Today you can find Kokanee and Rainbow Trout within the waters of Crater Lake.  More info regarding licenses and such can be found here.  Be sure to visit this location as far in advance before December 21st, just in case it decides to become active for that date.



South Florida.  Southern Florida can offer a variety of fishing opportunities for many people.  Whether you are into saltwater fishing or freshwater fishing, Florida is a hot spot for a plethora of fish species.  But there is one fish specifically that you need to try and catch before you die or the world ends, and that is the Peacock Bass.  Even though this fish looks reminiscently similar to a largemouth, the peacock bass is not a "true" bass at all.  It is in the genus Cichla, whereas the largemouth is in the genus Micropterus.  The Peacock Bass is native to the Amazon River and South Africa so fishing for this particular species in S. FLA may be your only chance.  The Peacock Bass is mad aggressive and will put up a better fight than any chunk bucket-mouth you have ever hooked into.  Not only are they more fun to fish for, but they are arguably a more "pretty" fish than any large or smallmouth.  


Check back tomorrow when I reveal the other 2 "fish before you die" locations!  What do you think they will be??



Crater Lake Pic:  http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/021/cache/crater-lake_2107_600x450.jpg

Trout Week; Day 7

Trout Week 2012

As Trout Week comes to an end with Day 7, I would personally like to thank everyone for reading my articles.  I hope that these articles were able to educate as well as inspire you to get out and enjoy all the streams that Pennsylvania has to offer.  I may be biased, but in my opinion, Pennsylvania is one of the best states within the United States for trout fishing.  The only way that you will get better as an angler is to get out on the water as much as possible.  Knowledge comes with experience, and catching more fish will arrive with a combination of knowledge and experience.  It is up to you to make that happen. 

As a reminder, as of September 4th, the Late Season regulations arrive for all PA anglers who wish to keep trout.  7 inches is still the length requirement, but the creel limit is cut down to only 3 combined fish.  To check out waterways in your area for late season stocking be sure to view this link.  And please remember to keep our streams and lakes clean.  Take out whatever trash you bring into an area.  Clean up any extra line or trash that you may see around you.  Leave the area you fish better than how you found it when you arrived.  Without conscious minded fishermen and women like you, we will not have healthy ecosystems to fish in the future.

Be sure to continue to check this blog every week for new information on everything fishing in PA and throughout the country.  I will be making multiple trips within this year to many places and will be sure to post my experiences, advice, and tips for everything I experience.  Other than trout, you can expect updates and articles written about everything that swims.

Lastly, if you have any advice, or would like to see something different within this blog, I extend my offer to please e-mail me your opinions.  You can contact me by either living a "comment" at the end of each article or by sending and e-mail to hookemfishingtv@gmail.com .  Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions, comments, or pictures and they WILL make my blog.  I would love to honor any and everyone who reads my writings.

For those interested in the Trout Week prize pack competition (day 7 is listed below).  Be sure to e-mail me, address provided above, with each days "Prize Pack Code".  Please include your name and mailing address.  You have until, Tuesday, September 4th, to e-mail me and enter the contest.  
Remember, you need to provide:
-Each days "Prize Pack Code"
-Your Name
-Your Mailing Address


I will chose the winner at random when the clock strikes 9:00pm EST on September 4th.  The winner will be announced via this blog.



And of course you can follow me through twitter and facebook.
Twitter: @TruezE
Facebook: Matt Truesdale

Good luck fishing!  Tight Lines and Fish On!!!

Drink Straub Beer!  A true PA native!

Write this down!  Trout Week day 3 prize pack code: Thank You Fans

Trout Week; Day 6

Trout Week 2012

It's  Trout Week Day 6 and you know what that means!  It's time to be honest.  Honest day, Day 6.  So I'm gonna keep it reel.  On the for reel tip, I don't care too much about Rainbow Trout.  I've put off writing about rainbows all week, but now I guess I have to.  I do not find them special.  They are an ugly trout in my opinion, and their only use is for put and take fishing.  Gank 'em and fry 'em.


So in ode to the monotonous Rainbow Trout, and without taking up too much of your Friday afternoon...

Stream Name: Any that is on the stocking schedule.  Fall stockings are going on now.

Stream Location: PENNSYLVANIA

Features:Streams that are stocked have too many fish in them to be a healthy ecosystem.  That's why they are put there, so you can gank 'em and fry 'em

Target Trout: Rainbow Trout

Weapon of choice: Zebco rod and reel combo with whatever line that is already on it.

Bait/Lure/Fly:Live minnows, powerBait, or red worms.

Section of Choice: Follow the stocking truck.  They know best!

X-tra Info: Remember to keep your fishing license displayed.  Also, this is actually important, the daily creel limit drops during the "Extended Season".  

Extended Season (approved trout waters and all waters downstream of approved trout waters)
Jan. 1 through Feb. 29 and Sept. 4 through Dec. 31.

I'll leave you with this recipe for you to try:

Keepin It Reel Trout

Stuff your trout with a combination of diced peppers and onions.

Throw in some cajun spice to get that stuff spicy!

Line the bottom of your pan with cut potatoes.

Fill up the bottom of your pan with beer until the potatoes are slightly covered.  

Put your stuffed trout on top of the potatoes.  

Cover your pain with foil and cut a few slits in the top.

Allow it to simmer for 12 minutes or so.

For added flavor, throw some butter in the beer or inside your trout.

Enjoy your Friday night.  And if you're a fan like I am, LETS GO PENN STATE!

Write this down!  Trout Week day 3 prize pack code: HEEEEEYYYYYY Rainbow!

Trout Week; Day 5

Trout Week 2012

Day 5 of Trout Week takes us up to the great north west of Pennsylvania.  A destination for trout anglers of all ages, Erie PA offers something that you cannot find anywhere else in the state.  Of course you should know by now that I am referencing the all powerful Steelhead Trout.  A relative of the Rainbow Trout, Steelhead grow much larger due to living the majority of their life within Lake Erie.  The combination of more forage available and a huge lake to grow, it is easy to see why the average steelhead caught in the Erie tributaries hovers around 8 lbs.  Although 8 is the general average, it is nothing for an angler to hook into a 12 lbs lunker or bigger!

Stream Name:Walnut Creek.  (Featured in "Gone Fishin... The 50 Best Waters in Pennsylvania" by Manny Luftglass)

Stream Location:Erie, Pennsylvania

Features:Many deep "natural" holes that were created within Walnut Creek through an effort of the PA Fish and Boat Commission, along with the PA Steelhead Association and several other groups.  These holes that were established allow for perfect steelhead structure during the spawning runs.

Target Trout:Steelhead

Weapon of choice:Either a heavy fly rod or spinning rod will do great.  6 pound test and higher is also important to have with you.

Bait/Lure/Fly: Sucker Spawn flies have seem to be the hot ticket lately for fly fishermen, especially when tied in tandem as an emerger and dropper.  Larger Rapala's (Either X-Raps or the Original Floating Minnow) will do great.  You can also not go wrong with fresh tied egg sacks!

Section of Choice:*There is not a section that is better than others.

X-tra Info: *The benifit of fishing for steelhead is that they have two spawn runs throughout the year.  One is in the fall and the other is in the spring.  The downfall of fishing steelhead in Erie is that you will find yourself fighting with people for a fishing spot if you go at the wrong time.  Erie gets absolutely hammered with anglers during the steelhead runs.  And from my experience, not everyone of those anglers is a "nice person".  You can experience any number of ignorant actions by people when in Erie when the run is in full swing.  So below I have listed a few tips and tricks to try and avoid people as much as possible.

-Expect to do a large amount of driving.   It will usually take you multiple trips down many back roads to find a stream access that does not already have a couple bodies in it.

-The spring run usually generates less traffic from anglers.  Mostly because the fall run is the heavier of the two runs with a higher concentration of steelhead spawning in the fall.

-Plan your trip during the work week.  There will be less people out on a Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Once the later part of the week and the weekend arrives, the banks will be packed.

-Keep an eye on the weather.  Strong or persistent rainstorms will slow the fishing down.  Although this time is not the best in attempting to land a big steelhead, it will keep fishermen away from the muddy, higher, and faster flowing water.

-Lastly, go into things with an open mind.   Try not to have an itinerary or plan that needs to be followed.  You will have to make many adjustments throughout your time in Erie.

With all the stress that can come from a steelhead trip to Erie, once you hook into one it will be worth the effort.  Having to fight a fish for 10, 15, or 20 minutes is not uncommon.  Although I personally have yet to slam a nice steelhead, I have been with buddies who have been fortunate enough too.  (I'd like to blame my lack of catches due to the poor planning and weather we faced, but I hate making excuses.)  Here is my buddy Corbin with a nice steelhead he caught right next to me on our first trip to Erie.  I got to watch the 15 minute fight take place and even snapped this picture!  Below is another awesome steelhead caught a year later. 

One "must do" while in Erie is to check out Poor Richard's Bait and Tackle shop.  Poor Richard's offers a plethora of bait and tackle options that will be sure to leave your wallet a little lighter.  The staff at Poor Richard's is also very knowledgeable on all the tributaries in Eire, as well as the stream conditions and what is working best for anglers.  Poor Richard's also offers an excellent fish cleaning and smoking service that it second to none.  There is nothing better than enjoying some smoked steelhead as you drive home from an exciting trip to Erie PA!

Write this down!  Trout Week day 3 prize pack code: Slammin Steel