December Freshwater Fly of the Month: Hemmingway Caddis

December Freshwater Fly of the Month: Hemmingway Caddis

The Hemingway Caddis is a variation of the Henryville, developed by Mike Lawson, with a Peacock Thorax and a Blue Dun Hackle for both the collar hackle and the palmered rib. It was named for Jack Hemingway, son of Ernest Hemingway, who preferred this variation when he fished the Henry's Fork in Idaho as he thought the Henryville Special was a little too brown in coloration.

The Hemingway Caddis is often used within Sierran streams, particularly Spring Creeks and slow-moving waters. Lawson usually ties the Quill Wings with two segments having the convex sides facing each other with some overlap. This is a quill flatwing style. Often, you will also see this pattern tied with one segment in a "Tent" style similar to the Kings River Caddis.

Either way, the quill wings provide a very good caddis sillouette. The colors of the hackle and body can be matched to the caddis found on the water.

The Hemingway Caddis has a extremely realistic narrow wing profile, is heavily hackled for good skittering and its charcoal color tone matches many real caddis. This is an excellent pattern to pull out when you have a late evening caddis hatch coming off. The darker color really shows up well in flat light and the profile is a dead-on match.

This is a very realistic looking dry caddis. It will float well in both still water and fast bubbling streams. It truly is a pattern Hemingway himself would be proud to fish with.

December Freshwater Lure of the Month: Rapala X-Rap Gold Xtreme Action Slashbait

Happy Holidays to All of our Fishing Enthusiasts!!

December Freshwater Lure of the Month: 
Rapala X-Rap Gold Xtreme Action Slashbait

"This is the ultimate subsurface swimmer in shore and offshore for king mackerel to the usual back country species; even a great bass fishing lure for schooling bass in open water." 

The Rapala X-Rap is the dream lure of the 21st century. It is where technical innovation meets Rapala fishing smarts to create a lure like nothing that has hit the water before.

It's premium finish includes prominent scales and lateral line on the fuselage to capture and flash light like a beacon. This Rapala slashbait cuts, darts and slashes its way through the water. Intended for trout and panfish, with an internal long-cast system built in, fishing the X-Rap will get any angler's adrenaline pumping.

Evolving the lineage of the X-Rap family, the Rapala X-Rap XR-8 Xtreme Action Slashbait

is "all about the action." The versatility of the X-Rap allows an angler to impart a number of fish-catching actions in a single retrieve. Casts like a bullet for long accurate casts. Prominent scales and lateral line on the fuselage capture and flash light like a beacon. It can be fished both in an aggressive "Slashbait®" technique or with a classic Rapala® wobble. The angler defines the cadence for maximum effectiveness. 

Loaded with features from tip to tail, textured translucent body, internal holographic foil, internal long cast system (XR04 excluded), 3D holographic eyes, flash foil teaser tails, Slashbait® action, Rapala “wobble” action, suspends on pause. All topped off with premium VMC® black nickel hooks, each hand-tuned and tank-tested to ensure top performing action from the start.

Features:
Running Depth: 3' - 5'
Weight: 1/4 oz
Body Length: 3-1/8"
Slashbait® Action
Suspending on Pause
Textured Translucent Body
Internal Holographic Foil
3D Holographic Eyes
Internal Long-Cast System (XR04 excluded)
Stainless Steel Through Wire Construction
VMC® Black Nickel Hooks
3D Holographic Eye
Flash Feather Teaser Tail

Hand-Tuned & Tank-Tested

December Saltwater Lure of the Month: Paul Brown's Original

December Saltwater Lure of the Month: Paul Brown's Original

Happy Holidays to all of the Fishing Enthusiasts!  

In 1974, avid Angler Paul Brown began experimenting with different types of trout lures.  He worked out of his garage, a place that his wife, Phyllis, lovingly called "The Shop".  It was in this very shop that Paul knew he was on to something with his newest creation, the "Corky".  The Corky has gone on to become one of the best big seat trout lures ever made, and is sold through Mirrolure's great line of baits.  

It was always Paul's dream to supply fishermen throughout the country with a creation of his own, and this dream has been a reality for many years.  Paul continues to work with MirroLure consulting on lure creation to this day.

  The Corky was a unique lure that is actually a hybrid between a hard plug and a soft plastic.  If you look at the organic looking lure, it features a torpedo-like profile, an oversized eye, a subtle rattle, and a set of sticky sharp hooks that give it a very home made appearance.  The built in action of the Paul Brown Original, when fished correctly, is absolutely deadly on big speckled trout.  

Deadly on coastal predators, Paul Brown’s Original Series Lures have a soft-bodied mullet profile. This lure once held the Texas State record for speckled trout and has taken thousands of other trophy-sized fish. Scientifically weighted with an internal wire harness and fish-calling rattle, the Original’s suspending action and lifelike eye make this one outstanding lure. The Original darts erratically from side-to-side with a twitching retrieve. Working depth: 0 to 24".

Features:

Soft-bodied mullet profile
Scientifically weighted
"Fish-calling" rattle
Suspending action
Lifelike eye
Side-to-side action on retrieve

October Freshwater Fly of the Month: Blue Winged Olive

October Freshwater Fly of the Month: Parachute Blue Winged Olive

Any good angler knows that it is important to know the tendencies and seasons of the flies in the area they fish in.  But the blue wing olive mayflies are a unique fly, because you will find them at almost every month of the year, wherever you are.  The blue wing olive mayfly looks like a tiny, greenish gray sailboat on the water to the human eye, but to the trout - that sailboat looking fly with wings that are light gray to black looks like lunch! The olives typically hatch and then swim to the surface.  After swimming to the surface, they split their nymphal shells and emerge as winged insects.  The blue wing olives are prime trout food from fall through spring. This gives anglers a distinct advantage over other anglers, as the flies are a sure shot at rising fish at almost any time of the day (particularly effective during the warmest part of the day).

The key to success is to wade as closely as possible to the rising fish, and then target individual fish (as opposed to shooting into a group of the risers).  By watching the individual fish, you can see what stage of the hatch the fish is keying on and where in the current he is feeding.  Be patient! With careful observation, you can pick out the largest fish in the pool and then specifically target it.  Try to position yourself slightly upstream and across so that you can make a fly first downstream presentation to the trout.  

The Blue Wing Olive Spinner Secret (from Hunting and Fishing Suite 101)

Within 24 hours, the spinners mate and fly to the river's surface to lay eggs and die. On many days, the spinners land on the water's surface at the same time the immature nymphs hatch into duns. Anglers see the upright wings of the duns - and tie on a dry fly with an upright wing.  Most anglers miss the secret part of the blue wing olive hatch. The adult blue wing olives that survive the trout fly off to streamside brush and molt into the sexually mature insect, which is called a spinner. Spinners have bright, clear wings and big eyes.  Few anglers see the spinners - with clear, almost invisible wings - sprawled flat on the surface at the same time.  But the trout - especially the bigger, warier fish - see them just fine, and they lock onto the safer, easier prey.Tie on a spinner - such as a Hackle Spinner - and watch tough trout get much easier!

Fishing Gifts for Fishing Enthusiasts!

www.FishingEnthusiast.com

October Saltwater Lure of the Month: Gulp 3” Shrimp New Penny

October Saltwater Lure of the Month: Gulp 3” Shrimp New Penny 

"Don't waste your money on real shrimp. These are much more effective than frozen shrimp and just as effective as live shrimp, but much more durable."
~Customer Review from Darren

At Fishing Enthusiast, we love trying new things, and this bait is one of the hottest baits on the saltwater market.  Great for Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Puppy Drums EAT THEM UP!  I've used the shrimp as well as the minnow in this series, and both are outstanding baits for every saltwater fisherman's tackle box.

This is better than live bait!!! Specked Trout,Flounder,&Puppy drum EAT them up! Have used both the shrimp as well as the minnow, either one just flat out catches fish!

Berkley Gulp! Saltwater Shrimp is without a doubt one of the most effective saltwater baits of all time. Designed to look, feel, smell, and move just like live shrimp - you can even fish with it the same way! Made to release 400 times more fish-attracting scent than other plastic baits, Saltwater Shrimp are 100% biodegradable, extremely durable and long-lasting.

Since the baits are soaked in the powerful attractant they are more effective and catch more fish. Put the bait back in the bucket to ReCharge its effectiveness. You don't have to deal with the hassle of live bait anymore - try Gulp! Alive! and fish the revolution.     

Features:
-Designed to look, feel, smell and move just like shrimp
-100% biodegradable
-Durable and long-lasting

-Each bait has a natural presentation in action, scent, and taste
-Rig and fish using any technique appropriate for live shrimp
-Gulp! Alive! baits absorb up to 20% more fish attractant by weight
-"Recharge" bait by placing used bait back in powerful Gulp! Alive! attractant

October Freshwater Lure of the Month: Bandit 200 Series Chartreuse

October Freshwater Lure of the Month: Bandit 200 Series Chartreuse

Whether you're a pro or just a weekend fisherman, Bandit Lures prides themselves on being able to help take your fishing to the next level.  That's because a Bandit is everything you'll need in a quality crankbait - state of the art molding, premium grade plastics, multi-coat gloss paint.  And, with a complete selection of 51 stock colors, 12 body styles, and twelve different depth ranges, there's a lure to match any fishing condition.  Plus, a Bandit always runs true right out of the box.

 Bandit Crankbaits are some of the most popular crankbaits with experienced anglers for a reason - and it's not just because they are one of the most affordable crankbaits on the market. Featuring a compact shad-shape, with a wide wobble and loud internal rattles, the Bandit Crankbaits have all of the fish attracting features available in a crankbait. Combined with infinite color schemes to match to your local forage, there is a Bandit Crankbait for your situation. Super durable as well, you can bounce it off of every rock, stump or branch you see and it will still look good and swim like it's supposed to. Match up a Bandit Crankbait Series with the depth you want, a color scheme for where you're fishing - and go catch some fish.

About the Bandit Series 200 Crankbait:
Bandit Series 200 Crankbait - The 200 series crankbaits are 2" long and run 4' to 8' deep. This is the best seller of all the Bandit crankbaits. It is an excellent search bait in the spring and fall. It runs as true as any lure made.  

• Premium grade plastics
• Multi-coat gloss paint colors
• State of the art molding
• Dives 4' - 8'

September Freshwater Fly of the Month: Streamer- Thin Mint Wooly Bugger - Beadhead

September Freshwater Fly of the Month: Streamer- Thin Mint Wooly Bugger - Beadhead

The woolly bugger is always listed as one of the top ten flies you should have in your fly box. This is one of the most productive and popular wet flies for a variety of species of fish. The woolly bugger is an awesome sub-surface fly that imitates a variety of baits. Leeches, minnows, nymphs, and sculpins begins the list of what this fly can represent to a hungry trout, steelhead, bass or panfish.

"The Woolly Bugger is so effective, it should be banned from some watersheds. I suspect its effectiveness is due to its resemblance to so many edible creatures in the water--nymphs, leeches, salamanders, or even small sculpins. Its tail undulating behind a fiber, bubble-filled body is just too much for most fish to resist. It just looks like a meal!" – Bill Hunter, The Professionals' Favorite Flies

Trout spend most of their time on the bottom of rivers, near the rocks and in the cover of structure.  The advantage to anglers using bead-head flies, is the fact that the weight of the bead, sinks the fly. Bead-head flies can be especially effective in rivers with fast, deep water. Keeping your hooks around the fish is a sure way to get more strikes, and ultimately, catch more fish. 

Most anglers would agree that a common nymph rig with an indicator and additional weight is perhaps the easiest way to catch fish in moving water. However, many sporting fly fishers also enjoy fishing a large dry fly with a bead-head dropper attached.

Bead-headed flies became popular in the eighties and have been catching fish since then. Bright gold, silver and copper metal beads are most commonly used, but flies that include glass beads are also very effective.

Every conceivable nymph pattern has been tied with a bead at some point. Mayflies, stoneflies, midges, and many more imitations of aquatic species have bead-head variations. Limited only by imagination, beads can be used in many ways to add to the effectiveness of a fly. As the popularity of flies with beads increases, bead manufacturers have begun to increase a fly tier's options with colorfully anodized and painted versions.  

September Freshwater Lure of the Month: ACME KO Wobbler

September Freshwater Lure of the Month: ACME KO Wobbler

The History of the ACME Tackle Company:

The Kastmaster is a popular and deadly spoon-type lure for both fresh and salt water. Many anglers use this lure or know about it. But very few anglers know the story of Art Lavallee, the man who discovered and perfected the Kastmaster and put it on the market.

Art Lavallee was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1918, and as a young boy liked freshwater fishing. After returning from W.W. II where he served on submarines in the Pacific, he resumed freshwater fishing and in 1947 he caught an 8 3/4 lb. largemouth bass that held the Rhode Island state record for many years. But when he caught his first striped bass in the ocean, striper fishing became his primary fishing interest.

In 1949, Art Lavallee and his brother Al formed the Spencer Plating Company, which polished and electroplated jewelry. Art took some of the jewelry and bent and changed their shapes to create metal fishing lures. He and his friends enjoyed successful angling results with these inventions, so Art decided to enter the fishing tackle business and founded the Acme Tackle Company in 1952. Then Art learned about a lure called the EDA Splune developed by the Engineering Design Associates of Severna Park, Maryland. This metal lure was the forerunner of the Kastmaster. The Acme Tackle Company entered into a royalty agreement with EDA and acquired the rights to market the lure. Art field tested the lure and then modified it, making it longer and giving it the jewelry like finish for which Acme lures are famous.

The Kastmaster was quickly accepted by both fresh and saltwater anglers and is now used to catch all kinds of fish. An amazingly versatile lure, the Kastmaster is equally deadly whether cast, trolled, or vertically jigged. It casts like a bullet, and its unique side-to-side darting action is something which pursued baitfish do, but which ordinary spoons do not.

In 1980 Acme purchased the former Seneca Tackle Co., and now makes the popular Little Cleo and Sidewinder spoons, as well as many other types of metal spoons for fresh and saltwater fishing.

Today, Acme continues to manufacture, assemble, and package all of its lures at its Providence, Rhode Island plant, under the daily management and supervision of Lavallee family. Acme's company goal is the same as it was in 1952 -- to produce the world's finest metal fishing lures.

The Fishing Enthusiast Freshwater Lure of the Month is the ACME Tackle Company's Wobbler Spoon. This lure excites by sight and sound! Gamefish are sensitive to the vibrations created by baitfish on the move K.O. wobblers MIMIC this sound with their precision-Engineered 'Sonic Flipper Tail'.

September Saltwater Lure of the Month: Clarkspoons Gold Classic Clark Spoon

September Saltwater Lure of the Month: Clarkspoons Gold Classic Clark Spoon

"These spoons catch everything ! They work so good it's hard to try anything else love then even for trolling work like magic!! Gotta have them!"

"The standard of the Clarkspoon family"

The Clarkspoon company was founded in America in 1927 and sought to create a series of better saltwater spoons for offshore fishermen.  In the nearly 100 years since the companies inception, the company has created dozens and dozens of innovative new baits, including (of course) the original Clarkspoon, but also Flashspoons, Spoon Squids, Clark Caster, Mackerel Duster, Mackerel Tree, Trolling Sinkers and many others.  Their attention to detail and quality have allowed them to stay ahead of the competition 

The Clark Spoon original is a legendary spoon that has stood the test of time.  With a fast action and strong life like motion designed to be trolled or casted, this bait is a favorite of blues.  It's also a a hands down favorite for Spanish Mackerel, Striper, and other game fish.  They are proven for both salt and freshwater fishing.  

Equipped with special built-in swivel with red bead and reinforced strong, stainless steel hooks, the fast acting lures feature a bright finish and a fast live action flutter.  Rigged Silver Clark Spoon is tied with a 24-ft., 30-lb. test leader and a No. 3 snap swivel. Wound on a 4" wheel.

Available in both chrome and gold.

FEATURES:

• Original Clarkspoons
• Fast-acting with realistic motion
• Great for trolling or casting
• Chrome or gold plated
• Built-in swivel with red beads
• Stainless steel Eagle Claw® hooks
• Clarkspoon

August Freshwater Fly of the Month: Bead Nymph Psycho Prince

August Freshwater Fly of the Month: Bead Nymph Psycho Prince

An excerpt from GearPatrol.com's "The Art of the Fishing Lure" to read the rest of the article on our blog at www.FishingEnthusiast.BlogSpot.com! 

I

f any item holds special mysticism among fishing gear, it’s the lure. Some anglers spit on them for good luck; many have favorites (my dad and I still call one spinner, which will be kept secret to protect innocent fish, our “secret weapon”); rules abound for their use, like “light on dark days, dark on light”. Or was it vice versa? There are spoons and buzzbaits, tubes and cranks, jitterbugs and streamers (and dry flies, wet flies, and a million other flies) to choose from. It’s a lot to keep track of.

It's understood that at their basic level, lures are deceptions meant to replace live bait, which are hard to gather and often expire prematurely, escape or are used up before the day’s work is done. But beyond that, a surprising majority of fishermen don’t really understand lures — and in this vacuum, myths abound. So we spit on them. And worship them. And generally pick them from our tackle boxes without much sense of why they’re the right choice.

And the lures (the good ones, at least) tend to work, maybe not every time, but on the whole — which, given recent findings about the intelligence of fish, is more impressive than we might have realized. In a recent study, biologist Culum Brown found that “fish perception and cognitive abilities often match or exceed other vertebrates.” Turns out they don't have five-second memories. More like a year, and maybe more. Brown has even written that certain fish species like the wrasse show similar tool use to primates and corvids (birds).

Fishermen have long known that fish are often smarter than they. But the rest of us probably haven’t given the lures used to catch these clever creatures their due. In fact, the best lures are really works of inventiveness, science, utility and even art.

Bead Nymph Psycho Prince
With a little variance in the usual color of a prince nymph, the psycho prince nymph offers trout and steelhead a slightly different look...something that they haven't seen before, and something that looks buggy. The caddis green psycho prince nymph can be effectively used to imitate most green colored caddis larva or pupa.

Saltwater Lure of the Month: Gibbs Minnow

Saltwater Lure of the Month: Gibbs Minnow

An excerpt from GearPatrol.com's "The Art of the Fishing Lure" to read the rest of the article on our blog at www.FishingEnthusiast.BlogSpot.com! 

I

f any item holds special mysticism among fishing gear, it’s the lure. Some anglers spit on them for good luck; many have favorites (my dad and I still call one spinner, which will be kept secret to protect innocent fish, our “secret weapon”); rules abound for their use, like “light on dark days, dark on light”. Or was it vice versa? There are spoons and buzzbaits, tubes and cranks, jitterbugs and streamers (and dry flies, wet flies, and a million other flies) to choose from. It’s a lot to keep track of.

It's understood that at their basic level, lures are deceptions meant to replace live bait, which are hard to gather and often expire prematurely, escape or are used up before the day’s work is done. But beyond that, a surprising majority of fishermen don’t really understand lures — and in this vacuum, myths abound. So we spit on them. And worship them. And generally pick them from our tackle boxes without much sense of why they’re the right choice.

And the lures (the good ones, at least) tend to work, maybe not every time, but on the whole — which, given recent findings about the intelligence of fish, is more impressive than we might have realized. In a recent study, biologist Culum Brown found that “fish perception and cognitive abilities often match or exceed other vertebrates.” Turns out they don't have five-second memories. More like a year, and maybe more. Brown has even written that certain fish species like the wrasse show similar tool use to primates and corvids (birds).

Fishermen have long known that fish are often smarter than they. But the rest of us probably haven’t given the lures used to catch these clever creatures their due. In fact, the best lures are really works of inventiveness, science, utility and even art.

The Gibbs-Delta  "MINNOW" is definitely one of the most versatile fishing lures available today, It can be jigged, trolled or used as a casting lure. "Designed Flexibility" of this sterling silver plated lure allows the fishermen to achieve the desired action simply by bending the lure. The one piece stainless steel wire, 3 extra strong rust resistant hook and extra heavy stainless split ring offer maximum strength to land even the largest gamefish.

August Freshwater Lure of the Month: ZMAN ChatterStick 5” Blue/Silver

August Freshwater Lure of the Month: ZMAN ChatterStick 5” Blue/Silver

An excerpt from GearPatrol.com's "The Art of the Fishing Lure" to read the rest of the article on our blog at www.FishingEnthusiast.BlogSpot.com! 

I

f any item holds special mysticism among fishing gear, it’s the lure. Some anglers spit on them for good luck; many have favorites (my dad and I still call one spinner, which will be kept secret to protect innocent fish, our “secret weapon”); rules abound for their use, like “light on dark days, dark on light”. Or was it vice versa? There are spoons and buzzbaits, tubes and cranks, jitterbugs and streamers (and dry flies, wet flies, and a million other flies) to choose from. It’s a lot to keep track of.

It's understood that at their basic level, lures are deceptions meant to replace live bait, which are hard to gather and often expire prematurely, escape or are used up before the day’s work is done. But beyond that, a surprising majority of fishermen don’t really understand lures — and in this vacuum, myths abound. So we spit on them. And worship them. And generally pick them from our tackle boxes without much sense of why they’re the right choice.

And the lures (the good ones, at least) tend to work, maybe not every time, but on the whole — which, given recent findings about the intelligence of fish, is more impressive than we might have realized. In a recent study, biologist Culum Brown found that “fish perception and cognitive abilities often match or exceed other vertebrates.” Turns out they don't have five-second memories. More like a year, and maybe more. Brown has even written that certain fish species like the wrasse show similar tool use to primates and corvids (birds).

Fishermen have long known that fish are often smarter than they. But the rest of us probably haven’t given the lures used to catch these clever creatures their due. In fact, the best lures are really works of inventiveness, science, utility and even art.

Along those lines, this month's selection, the ZMAN ChatterStick is a very rare, hard to find, but devlishly effective bait.  ZMan's better know Chatterbait is heralded, but the Chatterstick is an equally effective bait for bass and other freshwater fishing.  Take em out on the water and try it out! Hopefully you can outsmart some fish!!

July Saltwater Lure of the Month: Logic Lures Scented Tandem Rigs

July Saltwater Lure of the Month: Logic Lures Scented Tandem Rigs

The Logic Lures Pre-Rigged Tandem Rigs feature Logic Lures' patented swivel hook technology, which allowed them to perfectly pair two lifelike PlastiX Flutter Tails, and produce the natural schooling action bass instinctively key in on. The patented Texas Twister Swivel hooks also keep the baits weedless so you can swim them through weeds and around structure, while still preventing line twist and increasing action.

 Each Tandem Rig comes ready to fish, and each bait also comes loaded with Logic Lures’ own Scent Formula iX. Tungsten sound beads provide additional fish attracting sound, while helping to keep the baits down in the strike zone, and 30lb fluorocarbon links it all together. Available in several colors, the Logic Lures Pre-Rigged Tandem Rigs are also completely reusable - just replace your PlastiX Flutter Tails.

It's best to fish this with a slower retrieve and slight movements to attract the fish.  The slightest movements of the rod will help to send the baits side to side across the water, making these even more enticing for the big boys to come after and create that beautiful swimming action that makes this a must have bait.  

Features

• Realistic swimming action
• Pre-rigged with premium 30lb fluorocarbon
• PlastiX  are infused with Logics own Scent Formula iX
• Weedless, rigged with our patented Swivel Hooks
• Tungsten sound beads
• Realistic 3D Eyez
• Bait Clips – baits stay on!
• Reusable rig  - just replace your PlastiX

July Freshwater Lure of the Month: LIVETARGET Frogs

July Freshwater Lure of the Month: LIVETARGET Frogs

In 2007, professional sportfishing guide, Grant Koppers, founded Koppers Fishing and Tackle Corp.

Koppers caught his very first gamefish when he was 8-years-old. He had joined his dad and a friend for a morning of casting spoons from a Lake Ontario beachfront. The quarry were Brown Trout cruising the shoreline, foraging on Emerald Shiners. Being only eight and the only angler to catch a fish that day, one would say that Koppers was officially ‘bitten by the bug’. Fueled with a new passion and exploding with energy, he crafted his own lure using an old kitchen spoon that same day.  In 1996, Koppers took his experience on his own to start a different kind of lure company – one with the finest crafted baits.  In 2005, he took the company to the next level by creating the first ever anatomically accurate line of fishing lures. They continue to fine tune their baits every year, continuing to dazzle their customers at every new bait that hits the market

This month’s Freshwater Lure of the Month is the LiveTarget Frog, a spectacular series of lures.  Weightlessly gliding left and right across the surface, the LIVETARGET frog series has all the attributes to attract BIG fish. Anatomical accuracy, detailed color and effortless action make this a first to the market, elevating the thrill of topwater fishing to a whole new level.

Use the hollow body in heavy cover. Twitch, Twitch.....SPLASH!

Young frogs are commonly found in lakes, rivers and reservoirs throughout the world. Frogs prefer the security of heavy vegetation, submerged timber and subsurface structure.

This popular bait is a favorite prey to:

·         Bass

·         Walleye

·         Northern Pike

The hollow body Frog is the perfect choice for fishing over weed choked areas or lily pads. The weedless design allows it to be worked over the cover without hanging up.

• ·         Astounding detail
• ·         Hollow-bodied frog
• ·         Precise spots, ears, front arms, and bulging eyes
• ·         Ultra-soft yet durable body
• ·         Better collapsibility for more hook-ups
• ·         Foolproof weedless design   

The detail here is astounding--you've never seen a hollow-bodied frog this realistic! Precise spots, ears, front arms, and bulging eyes. Ultra-soft yet durable body offers better collapsibility for more hook-ups, and the foolproof weedless design lets you chunk it into those water-thickets with confidence.

July Freshwater Fly of the Month: Crystal Bugger Black Beadhead

July Freshwater Fly of the Month: Crystal Bugger Black Beadhead

The Wooly Bugger fly pattern has to be one of the most productive streamer patterns to ever be created. Over the last few decades the wooly bugger style of flies have without a doubt accounted for more and larger fish being duped than with any other freshwater fly. The main reason for the wooly bugger’s great success is its ability to be adapted to catch virtually any fresh water fish that exists and to be used in all the different water conditions that may occur. From trout to bass, rivers to spring fed lakes the wooly bugger can just about do it all. The Crystal Bugger fly pattern is a relatively new addition to the wooly bugger family. 

Simple enough the crystal bugger boasts a flashy estaz body instead of the traditional chenille to spice things up a bit. This added flash coupled with the undulating action produced by the marabou tail in the water makes this fly a definite steelhead spring time favorite. Another of the key features of this fly is the Spirit River metallic bead head. This bead head provides the fly with the necessary weight to get it down on the bottom of those big deep pools where the big steelies like to hang out.

Fishing the bead head crystal bugger is relatively simple. If you are going to be fishing very cold weather cast this pattern to your target and let it dead drift drag-free down the river. Fish that are in these very cold temperatures become very lackadaisical and will not aggressively search out and chase down prey. Providing a slow subtle presentation with the crystal bugger will help keep your fly in the fish’s strike zone for longer providing you with a better chance of hooking into quality fish. In summer these same lazy fish will now be ready for a more active and rapid approach. Continuously stripping in the wooly pattern will have the head-heavy fly dancing up and down in the water column driving the fish wild.

June Freshwater Fly of the Month: Dry Stone-Stimulator Orange

June Freshwater Fly of the Month: Dry Stone-Stimulator Orange

The Stimulator dry fly is a go-to attractor dry fly, particularly when you're dry fly fishing during a big stone fly hatch or salmon fly hatch. This dry fly sits up high in the water, even in faster water. Its "bugginess" also makes the Stimulator one of the very best dry flies to use as an attractor dry fly pattern "prospecting" for trout when there is no hatch. 

Stimulator Orange. We all know how fruitful a colour orange can be. The Orange Stimulator is no exception. A ruggedly hackled searching dry fly that doubles as a tempting sight indication. I don't know how many times I have tied one of these on  a slower day to experience and immediate rod slamming take. make sure that you keep a wide variety of colours and sizes on you patch at all time, the Orange Stimulator is one pattern you won't want to be without.

This is my go-to prospecting fly for just about any stream/creek/small river. It mimics so many species of insects that trout prey upon it is pretty much universal. Not only can you fish it dry, I have often caught fish while stripping the fly in for another cast. I've compared this fly to other stimulators tied by other online fly stores, and there is no doubt about it. These flies stimulate a strike where others do not. Try it for yourself. These flies last longer and yield more strikes. There's really no substitute.

Although listed under stoneflies, a yelllow or orange Stimulator in size 12 or 14 is my go-to choice for my dry-dropper rigs. In smaller sizes it can imitate a caddis or small hopper. But it really shines as an indicator with a dropper and every so often the Stimulator gets nailed too- especially in broken faster water. Don't fish the dry / dropper on too fine a tippet though or you will just twist yourself into frustration.

• Chemically Sharpened, High Carbon Steel Hook

• Tied with premium materials such as Whiting Hackles

• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

June Freshwater Lure of the Month: Berkley Flicker Shad

June Freshwater Lure of the Month: Berkley Flicker Shad

BONUS! We've also included a new Hat Clip in this month's box.  A Must Have for all Fisherman this summer.

Story from Berkley Fishing 

http://www.berkley-fishing.com/History/Berkley-history,default,pg.html

The Berkley story is deeply rooted in the idea of the American Dream. It is about humble beginnings and unexpected success. It's about hard work, struggle, and tough times. And it's about building partnerships to accomplish goals. Still, the story of Berkley is much more than the story of Berkley Bedell. It's also the story of dedicated co-workers and loyal customers, who were equally willing to take risks.

It all began in Spirit Lake, Iowa, in June of 1937, when 16-year old Berkley Bedell took $50.00 from his paper route earnings to start a business selling his hand-tied flies to fishing tackle shops and vacationing anglers. In his upstairs bedroom, with hair clipped from the family dog, Stubby, and feathers from the backyard chickens, young Berkley crafted flies to entice local bluegill and bass from their underwater cover. The Berkley Fly Co. was founded.

By the time Berk graduated from high school in 1939, he was employing several area girls who made flies, silkworm gut, and cable wire leaders in their homes. The business soon outgrew Berk's parent's basement and living room. He expanded to the second floor of the local grocery store, using a tub filled with ice and a fan for air conditioning.  After attending the state university and serving in the Army Air Corps, Berk returned to Spirit Lake in 1945 to start Berkley and Company. 

The next four decades were a time of great growth for the company. In the 1960's Berkley entered into the rod business, which lead to international expansion in the 1970's. Soft plastic baits made an appearance in the 1980's. The 1990's through today have seen significant technology improvements in all of the Berkley products. From the beginning, Berkley has committed significant resources to research and development - a continuing strategy that has resulted in countless product innovations, including Berkley Trilene, the Lightning Rod, PowerBait, FireLine, and more recently Gulp!? and Gulp! Alive.

The Berkley Flicker Shad:

Studies have shown that walleye will single out small shad even when they have other forage available to them. That partly explains why, since its introduction just a few years ago, the Flicker Shad has become one of the most productive trolling baits of our time. Its size, profile, action, and diving depth perfectly mimic the walleye’s favorite meal, and its top-line componentry gives you a bait tuned to run correctly right out of the package. The Flicker Shad features strong hook attachments and a wide range of colors—including custom colors available only from Bass Pro Shops®! Complete with quality, wide-gap trebles to keep fish from coming loose on the way in.

• Pro designed
• Size, profile, and dive depth imitate real shad
• Weight transfer for bullet-like casts
• Mustad Ultra Point Hooks

June Saltwater Lure of the Month: Kinchou Minnow Redhead

June Saltwater Lure of the Month: Kinchou Minnow Redhead

We are very excited at this month's selection for Lure of the Month.  The Matzuo Kinchou Minnow is a newly launched lure from the Matzuo Tournament collection, and boy is it a winner! This new launch has struck a fear in the rest of the hard bait market - especially with the fish!

The New Kinchou Minnow launched it's signature flared bloody red gills, high pitched rattle, and seductive curves and lip to create a frenzied panic in the water that has never been witnessed before.  It is an aggressive diver with maximum wobble action covering the widest range of water depths from four to 20 feet – crank it or deep water troll. 

The Kinchou features the nervousness of an eccentric baitfish with its curved body and incredible wide wobble! Its aggressive wobble action will receive much attention as it swims thru the water. With its wide wobble, it creates a different resonate sound - different from any other baits. Retrieve or Troll - Fast or Slow! The Kinchou creates a high resonating rattle created by the stainless steel bearings chambered inside the body. The pitch of these bearings is highly attractive to both active and neutral fish

The Matzuo company adds: “This distressed beauty is perfectly balanced to float at rest or take off and dive when retrieved. Fish don’t stand a chance!"

 Marianne Huskey, Professional Walleye Angler and the recipient of the prestigious Anglers Insight Marketing Angler of the Year Award for 2012:

“I am very excited to be working with Matzuo America® and their line of innovative fishing products,” Marianne Huskey commented. “I am most excited to start promoting and fishing with the new Matzuo Kinchou Minnow. It is a perfect hardbait for beginners to professional anglers to experience all the excitement that hooking a trophy fish brings.”

May Freshwater Fly of the Month: Nymph Head Pheasant Tail Flashback

May Freshwater Fly of the Month: Nymph Head Pheasant Tail Flashback

There are over 600 mayfly nymph species, of which most are brown, and very similar in appearance to the pheasant tail nymph. Originally tied by Frank Sawyer, the Pheasant Tail Nymph is one of the oldest of modern nymphs. A few good wrinkles have been added over the years, such as the peacock thorax, optional beadhead, etc., but when you peel them away, it's still Sawyer's elegantly simple, generically suggestive, devastatingly effective nymph. this pattern has been tweaked over the years, with a bead to sink the fly and catch a trout's attention, and flash to appear like an emerger. 

The Pheasant Tail nymph is one of the most utilized nymph patterns in the history of the sport for the simple reason that it works almost anywhere. 

The heavy metal Nymph-Head Pheasant Tail Flashback-Olive that we are featuring as this month's FishingEnthusiast.com Freshwater Fly of the Month enhances traditional nymph flies. These fishing flies catch big fish. With the extra-heavy tungsten bead head and chemically sharpened hooks, you can't beat the quality or success this fly brings. 

The Nymph-Head fly portfolio is designed to be a more realistic and attractive option to a series of proven fly patterns. The most successful trout flies are fishing flies that can imitate a wide variety of insect life. With already successful patterns like the Copper John, Pheasant Tail and Hares Ear as the base for this category, and now you can Nymph-Head tungsten beads to that mix. Not only do these bead heads keep the fly in the strike zone longer, but also provide a realistic and color-consistent fly profile for catching trout. 

At the end of the day, fish rely on color, proportions, and profile to decide what to eat. These flies catch more fish.