We all know the feeling, the eager anticipation, the restless excitement that builds as we prepare for an upcoming trip. The first item on the agenda is always preparing our gear and doing extensive research to ensure a successful journey. We meticulously check and double-check everything, leaving no room for error on the water. Seeking advice from others who have experienced the same adventure is also crucial in our preparation process. However, nothing compares to the night before as we lie in our beds with visions of big fish dancing through our heads. Tossing and turning with anxiousness, we can't help but feel a surge of adrenaline at the thought of finally landing that catch of a lifetime. And this evening was no different; except for the fact that I hadn't been smallmouth fishing in quite some time and this increased the excitement exponentially. Tomorrow morning, I would be venturing to the Juniata river - well-known for its abundance of large bass, especially big bass during this time of year. April is prime season for pre-spawn smallmouth that are hungry and ready to strike. As I continued to torture myself with sleeplessness, my mind couldn't help but drift to thoughts of these potential monsters tugging on my line just a few hours from now. As the alarm clock awoke me from an abbreviated night's rest I prepared to embark on my journey west to the Juniata River. The sky was still dark, with no sign of the sun yet, but it was a beautiful morning for traveling. I estimated the trip would take about two hours and used that time to finalize my plans in my head. My first stop was the convenience store for my daily ritual, I won't go into detail about that ritual. Second cup of coffee in hand, I made my way to the boat launch. Despite being an hour early, I parked my truck and sat on the tailgate, sipping my coffee and taking in the serene surroundings of the Juniata River. The crisp air, the sound of rushing water and birds singing their morning symphony put me at ease and filled me with a sense of peace. Before long, our guide Mike arrived in his impressive RO Drift boat. Memories flooded back as I watched him load up the boat and launch it into the river. I had been a guide myself many years ago, and remember purchasing one of the first RO Drift Boats manufactured. Watching Mike at work reminded me of all the hard work and dedication that goes into being a guide. It also made me appreciate how nice it was to be just a guest this time around. Mike Rosa, Stream Bred Anglers, is an expert Smallmouth guide on not only the Juniata River, but also on the Susquehanna and other streams in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area. I had the pleasure to meet Mike through my local fly fishing club and was immediately impressed by his extensive knowledge, friendly personality, and undeniable passion for fishing. Without hesitation, I had booked him for this highly anticipated smallmouth trip. I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of my long-time friend, Vince, whom I affectionately referred to as Magumbo - a nickname with a story that could fill a book. As Magumbo rolled up, the party was about to begin. Bursting with energy and a love for fly fishing, Magumbo was always ready for some good-natured ribbing. With our gear loaded up, we pushed off from the shore and onto the river. As we sat on the tranquil water, Mike took a moment to show us his special technique for catching bass. The first step: bouncing a crawfish pattern off the bottom. We quickly rigged up and started drifting down the river. On just my second cast, I felt a strong tug on my line - clearly Mike's techniques were effective. Confidence soaring, I engaged in an exhilarating battle with the smallmouth bass that had taken my fly. After a few tense moments, I finally brought it to net - a perfect specimen with striped markings along its side and a striking red eye that seemed to stare right back at me. The day was just about perfect, temperature hovering around mid 50's and just a slight breeze. Our guide Mike was very happy as he explained the last few days were ruined by heavy winds. I was thanking the fish gods for this day. As we cast our lines, it wasn't long before several fish were caught, but it was my buddy Magumbo who got the big fish MOJO going with a beautiful, healthy plump 18 inch smallmouth. Magumbo threw down the gauntlet and set the standard high, so it was my only response to catch a bigger fish. Not long after Magumbo's catch I hooked a big smallmouth bass, fought it valiantly but the fish gods were not in my favor and the bugger threw the hook right at the boat. I have to go on the guides opinion of 19 inches because we never got the fish to the measuring tape. Therefore Magumbo was still high rod so far!! Despite losing that first big catch, I wasn't discouraged and soon enough, I got another bite from a large bass. This time, our efforts paid off and we were able to reel him in and measure him - a beautiful plump 18 inches smallmouth bass! The 19 inch bass would have put me top spot on the leaderboard but I was happy to share the spot with my friend! As the sun shone brightly and the waters were calm, we thought it would be a perfect day of fishing. However, just as we settled into our lunch spot, the wind suddenly picked up and the temperature dropped. A sudden drop in temperature can dramatically alter the behavior of smallmouth bass, particularly when it comes to their feeding habits. The once active and voracious fish may become sluggish and uninterested in feeding, seeking shelter in deeper, warmer waters. This change in behavior can be frustrating for anglers, but it also adds a new level of challenge and excitement to the sport of fishing. Only the most skilled and patient fishermen will be able to entice these elusive creatures to bite in such conditions. As if mocking our frustration, the. sharp gusts of wind, never eased up making it nearly impossible to navigate our boat and continue our fishing expedition. Poor Mike's arms strained as he battled against the waves, determined to row us back to our take out launch Fish were caught not not as frequently as in the morning hours and our afternoon on the water quickly turned into a test of endurance and skill. The once peaceful river now produced whitecaps. Just as we were about to call it a day, Mike's determination prevailed. He urged me to cast my line near the boat launch, promising that there might still be some luck left in those waters. And sure enough, after a few casts, we hooked a nice bass just before sunset. With fish caught and spirits lifted, we finally made our way to the launch. It had been a challenging afternoon, but being out on the water with my good friend Magumbo and new friend Mike made it all worth it. I realized how much I had missed fishing in this area and vowed to make it a regular trip next year. As we gathered at the launch and reminisced about our day, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this unforgettable fishing adventure
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First Time Boner! Well, another fantastic year in the Bahamas chasing the speedsters of the flats is complete! This year, a little different as we traveled north to Andros town and the north bight. Our adventure began with a meet up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where we spent the evening having dinner, drinks and great conversation about our adventure. The following morning we gathered our gear and headed to the Fort Lauderdale executive airport, weather was not cooperating on this day, with ominous storms continuously rolling through the area, and of course all centered around the airport, this made for quite the adventure just at the airport. But, skies finally cleared and we boarded our Cessna 208 Caravan and headed towards Andros Town, Bahamas. The flight was quite interesting as we skirted several storms but, our pilot was a true professional and landed the aircraft safely at our destination. Our days at Tranquility Hill Lodge were filled with excitement and adventure as we set out to chase the elusive bonefish. Our guides, seasoned fishermen of the Bahamas, led us to secret spots where bonefish and permit often lurked, where the crystal-clear waters shimmered under the bright sun, revealing the beauty of the underwater world. Each guide was assigned two anglers which we rotated through the week. Our guides were very professional during our time on the water and we had a very special surprise, as one of the guides was Dwain Neymour, for those that know bonefishing will instantly recognize the Neymour name. Dwain is the son of the bonefish legend and father of Bahamas bonefishing, Ivan Neymour. Needless to say we had some great conversations about Dwain's father and all the history surrounding this area. (Be sure to check the film "In Search of a Rising Tide on Vimeo). So it begins, we were heading out to the north bight, which for me was a completely different experience than the southern flats that I was more familiar. The north flats are a series of islands with many beautiful white sand flats in the midst of the islands, which makes for some interesting battles with the large bonefish that live there. Many of our caught fish knew their habitat quite well and took us for a direct flight right into the mangroves! As we ventured into the first flat of the day, The sun beat down on us as we scanned the crystal-clear water for any signs of movement. Dwain expertly guided the boat through the shallows, his eyes sharp for any telltale signs of bonefish. The sound of the flats boat gliding through the water, the sound of Dwain making slight adjustments to the boat set me in a relaxed and happy mood and made me wonder why I have been away so long since I have returned. I have a tradition, I always hand the rod over to my partner allowing my angling amigo to take the first shift on the bow, This time it was quite special as my partner had never been to the Bahamas and never caught a bonefish. I settled back into my seat, content to observe the beauty of the moment excitement that had consumed my angling buddy! Weather was not perfect but just enough sun for our guide to spot bonefish at a decent distance, giving us time to prepare and position ourselves for success. The old saying "No Sun, No Fun" is a critical element to successful bonefishing in the Bahamas. As our guide Dwain, scanned the shallows for any sign of movement. Suddenly, he instructed my friend that bone fish are in view at about 100 yards. It always amazes me the expertise of the Bahamian guides at spotting fish! There, just beneath the surface, we could see the sleek outline of a bonefish darting through the crystal-clear water. As we stalked the bone slightly closer, I could see the grin plastered on my friends face, my companion made his first cast, the line whistling through the air before landing just a little hard and too close to the fish, unfortunately the bonefish was spooked and not quite as interested in being hooked as were on hooking him. And so our adventure truly began, with the promise of an elusive catch fueling our spirits as we chased after the shimmering silver prizes that danced just out of reach. Now, Dwain has a unique style of spotting bones for his clients, just a slight readjustment of the boat to get his client in proper casting position before he will call out any direction or distance. We started to get the routine as the day grew into the afternoon hours and the moment we felt the boat change direction our focus and attention levels increased. Well, here we go the boat changed directions and very calmly Dwain called out to My buddy 11:00 40 feet. Now it is sometimes a challenge getting clients to understand the clock aspect on a boat and my first time boner friend was having trouble. So, needless to say that bonefish is now just a memory. But that was ok, and it was time to have a little bonefshing 101 class. We explained to my friend that the front of the boat is always 12:00 and just to left is 11:00 and just to the right was 1:00. Everything was good at this point until the next bonefish came and we felt the boat change slight and call out to 9:00 30 feet, whoops we forget to tell our angling amigo that 9:00 was off the side of the boat, now his body. There goes a another bone but we were confident now we are all on the same page and the next bone that crossed our path was a done deal. As the sun rose higher in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the water, and increasing our visibility, we spotted another school of bonefish shimmering in the distance. Dwain expertly maneuvered the boat, positioning us for the perfect cast. My angling companion, now more familiar with the nuances of bonefishing, took a deep breath made a perfect cast and the bonefish was enticed, we watched with bated breath as the larger bonefish darted towards the fly. A quick strip set and the line went taught. Excitement surged through us as the reel sang with the sound of the bonefish making its first run. My friend's face lit up with joy and nervousness as Dwain calmly coached him through each step of playing the fish. The bonefish made several strong runs, testing both angler and tackle, but my companion kept steady pressure on the line. After an intense battle, we finally brought the bonefish to boat and landed a 5 pound bonefish, not a bad bonefish for my friend's first Bahamas boner! The rest of the day was similar as we both hooked into and landed bones that were not just a decent size but very aggressive, we even had a bonefish get spooked by a hard landing fly and still turn and grab the morsel, they were hungry and willing to eat just about everything we threw. This crazy behavior went on for the first 3 days then our environment changed drastically. extremely high tides, southwest wind at 25 to 30 miles per hour and overcast conditions. This made for some more challenging fishing, making it difficult to spot fish at a distance, but we were still able to hook and land some very nice bones. But it wasn't just about the fishing, evenings were spent swapping stories and laughter with newfound friends, the camaraderie growing stronger with each passing day. There was something magical about Tranquility Hill, a sense of peace and serenity that enveloped us all. As the end of our trip loomed near, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness leaving this paradise felt like leaving a piece of my heart behind. But as I stood on the front porch one last time, watching the sun dip below the horizon in a blaze of colors, I knew that Andros had left an indelible mark on my soul and I will not let so many years go by for my next return! Be sure to check out our next Andros Bonefish Adventure back to the southern flats of Andros Island November 13 to 19, 2024 Fly Fishing for steelhead during the winter months can be an amazing experience with fall colors ablaze, reasonably pleasant air temps, and fresh fish running throughout the river Sounds like paradise, it would be for just one thing, every angler feels the same way and the fishing pressure can be well, kind of like a war zone. Massive amounts of anglers wanting to experience this Mecca of fly fishing all competing for your spot and your fish. And, well others who have no river etiquette at all, Tramping through productive fishing lies, crawling up your back while you fish and land your trophy steelhead. Want to get away from the crowds and the chaos? Try winter steelhead fishing! This is where we separate the men from the boys. You will definitely get away from the crowds, but be prepared for some frigid fly fishing on the streams of the Great Lakes. There will be times when you think why did I do this? But be patient and prepared and you soon will heat up when you hook your first winter steelhead. Before You Go! I guess the most important aspect of winter steelhead fishing is being prepared. Several things you can do is first be prepared for the cold. There are so many new innovative products to help you stay warm, check out your local fly or outdoor shop and they will definitely get you ready to tackle the elements. On the Great Lakes in particular, water levels are critical, so be sure to check the conditions before even thinking about heading out. Rising water can be a wonderful thing as this will usually trigger a fresh run of steelhead or even just get steelhead on the move. This CAN be a great thing but NOT always the case. Yes the fresh run is a positive influence on the stream, but moving fish are not always the most productive fish. Be patient and look for good holding water, such as pools or obstructions own the river such as logs, undercut banks, bridge abutments, etc. This is where your chances will be best. Understanding and knowing your specific river and its conditions is essential to consistent success. Gear Preparation As always is really a personal thing. The most important thing to consider is be sure to have your gear in top notch order before you go. The beast thing you want is to have an equipment malfunction when the weather is so cold you cant feel your fingers. Be prepared with the proper flies you will need for your trip, plus your leaders and tippet material. I do suggest using Flour carbon leader and tippet material during this time of year this will definitely help with all the abrasive substances in the river such as fishing tackle, ice, and of course our least favorite the zebra mussel. This little invasive species, not only destroys the Great Lakes environment but can also do a number on your leader and tippet. One thing that always amazes me beside the fact that anglers never practice their casting is the fact that so many are oblivious to the importance of a sharp hook. Take the time and invest in a great hook sharpener and sharpen your hooks! Rods & Reels for Steelhead I am almost afraid to address this subject because everyone has their own opinion about their gear and its almost like you just insulted them when you suggest anything other. So I will just give you my thoughts on the subject and you can go with whatever works for you. My personal and most reliable outfit is my Winston 9 1/2 foot 7 weight with a matching Billy Pate fly reel. I love the 9 1/2 foot rod, this extra footage helps first make a very accurate and consistent roll cast to locations in the stream that I want to target. The extra length also keeps my fly traveling in the target zone for a much longer period of time. The more you have your fly in the water, the better the chance of success! As for leaders again I like to use fluorocarbon because of the non-abrasive nature of the material. Some anglers also believe it is invisible in the water but I am mostly impressed with the sturdiness of the material. This is the same for the tippet material also. As for regulations pertaining to leader and tippet length please consult your local state fishing regulations. Where are They? Again water conditions will play a big part as to where steelhead will be patiently waiting to take your fly. In the case of high, moving water, search for those slower seams, river obstruction, undercut banks, anywhere the river slows is a great location to entice a steelhead to strike. Keep on the move and don’t overfish one location as the high water will keep the fish moving. Lower water conditions is the time to really search for those conditions above and spend some time working those areas as the fish are holding and are not on the move as frequently. Avoiding the crowds is essential to finding steelhead and hopefully your choice to venture out in the winter will take care of this factor. The crack of dawn is not the critical aspect as it might be during the early season as it would be during the earlier season. Steelhead need to basically warm up before they even start to thing about feeding. So guess what my fellow anglers the “Crack of Noon” is probably your best bet! Take the time and read the water it will definitely increase your chance of hooking your winter steelhead Steelhead Before we start talking about how to catch them, what is a a steelhead? A steelhead is a domestic rainbow that was born and inhabits streams that are feeders to large bodies of water. These stream bred rainbows make an annual trip to these bodies of water such as lakes or the ocean and spend time there getting very large. They then return to the streams to eat and/or spawn. In the case of the Great Lakes, this fishery is entirely dependent on the stocking of steelhead into the system. Now, yes there are some fish that take to the system and do naturally reproduce but the stocking helps supplement the system. Ok, let's catch some! Remember, steelhead will be on the move up river looking to spawn and once they rest the will be conserving energy for their final step, spawning. This resting takes place in the locations we discussed earlier, slow moving water, pools, river obstructions basically look for areas where they river takes a beak and most likely there will be a steelhead waiting there. Whether you are bottom bouncing or swinging flies, remember to slow things down and keep your fly in the water and the target zone for as long as you can and your success rate will increase. Cover the water in a very constant pattern and at different angles. The slightest change in movement or angle can invoke a strike. While nymphing or bottom bouncing get the fly where you want it and slow it down and get the fly deep. You can do this by mending the line upstream. Always start with an in-air upstream mend so you start the drift of correctly. If you try to do a full line mend on the water you will pull the fly out of the strike zone. Slow the fly down, actually I try to get the flow moving slower then the current. This can be done by putting several on water mends without moving the fly. Change flies often and don’t assume that the fly that caught them yesterday, will work today. Experiment with nymphs, egg patterns, streamers (whether articulated or not). Be careful! Each year there are reports of anglers losing their lives on the great lake tributaries. Be safe and don’t take any unnecessary risks. You do not have to cast to the other side of the river, just be observant and you will find the same conditions close to your location. Using a wading staff and cleats on the your wading boots are essential, but probably the most important thing is don’t take a step until you are definitely sure you are secure on the bottom. Try to always fish with a friend for safety plus you have someone to share flies with and to brag about your trophy steelhead! Taking a tumble and getting soaked is a very dangerous situation, hypothermia and in some cases a heart attack will increase your chances of drowning and death. Let's get out there, have a good time and come home safely. Winter steelhead fishing can be a lot of fun and very productive! Just take some time to be prepared, study your local river conditions and be safe. Get out there and get some hot steelhead action! Ray As 2023 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the experiences and adventures that 2023 provided. The year started off with a bang as I traveled to my dream destination, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina in search of the massive sea run brown trout. A new friend was made and I was challenged by the enormous sea run brown trout and wind that is well known for this part of the globe. Battling the wind was not quite as horrible as I expected and was able to catch and land several very large sea run brown tout. A great time was had in the land of fire and ice. Onward to Buenos Aires where a group of excited anglers were met and we traveled westward to Junin de Los Andes in the heart of Patagonia for an incredible fly fishing adventure! Days were spent wandering this incredible region of Patagonia, catching and releasing some very nice trout and experiencing the famous minnow run while floating the Collon Cura River, and camping on the the banks of this incredible river. The fish were excited and cooperated as we had plenty of stories to tell around the campfire each evening. Of course the magnificent hospitality of the Argentine people made the trip an even more memorable experience. After a month of fishing it was time to relax for a few weeks before heading to the Florida Keys in search of my first tarpon. The keys were an incredible learning experience with lots of water to explore and many boat problems. My grandfather would tell me “A boat is a whole in the water where you throw money into”. I truly believe his words today. All in ll it was a tough time but a lot was learned and a fire was ignited in my soul and the utmost respect was gained for the king of all gamefish! Many shots at tarpon were had but, the tarpon were not eager to play this time, hey, there is always next season! My time in the Keys was fun but it was late April and the infamous Hendrickson hatch was calling, so it was back to Pennsylvania and my beloved home waters, the Upper Delaware River. This year was typical of the Delaware, tough conditions both atmospheric and water conditions but, was ale to land a healthy number of both browns and rainbows sipping those delicious Hendricksons. . Spring is a always a good time on the upper Delaware, as good friends gather to have have a great time on the river and around the campfire. Late June brought a very memorable trip to Belize River Lodge with my dear friend Barry Servinete, It is always a great memory when I get the chance to fish with my good friend. Our experience was first class from the accommodations of this wonderful lodge, the food and the exceptional guides. Tarpon were hooked and landed while fishing the amazing Sibun River. The stars were aligned and seemed like it was just our time as everything we did equaled to success. The river fish are not known to be the monsters that everyone dreams about, but as our guide quoted “Its still the Silver King and you must bow to the King” Summer was a time for rest, just an occasional trip to the upper Delaware was all that was on the schedule. September was an interesting month as we were all geared up and ready to Albie fish in Montauck, NY, the fish were not as geared up as we were expecting. We were able to locate and hook a few nice False Albacore but the experience was nothing like past years. October is my time to be in the woods and thats exactly what I did, chasing the few grouse that remain here in Pennsylvania. Many miles were traversed across the Pennsylvania mountains but, very few grouse were taken, It seems like Maine will be an annual trek for me in the future! With the limited grouse population here in Pennsylvania, the majority of the autumn days were spent chasing pheasant both on public and preserve land. November was a real highlight of the year, and my compass painted south again to South America, our destination, Chile. It has been several years since my last visit and my time away from this amazing country truly affirmed how much I missed this spectacular location. Traveling with two great friends made the trip even more memorable and the fact that a good friend was waiting for us to show us his new fly fishing operation in Manhuelas made the trip even more memorable. Manhuelas, Chile is a forgotten area of Chile, we were were greeted with some spectacular river, lake and spring creek fishing all loaded with some memorable brown and rainbow trout! Weather was a bit challenging, we survived and the ominous weather made for some spectacular scenery Going forward into 2024, Riversage Outdoors is my top priority and I will be emphasizing the promotion of all aspects of Riversage Outdoors. It is my goal to introduce or remind as many sportsman of their passion for the outdoor lifestyle, either in person by participating in my international and domestic fly fishing, wingshooting, and now big game hunts, or through my videos, photographs and presentations. Please be sure to visit Riversage Outdoors website and Facebook page to stay up to date with all the exciting trips and events happening in 2024!! I also will be attending several fly fishing and sportsman shows throughout the winter so please stop by and say hello! Family and friends are the the essence of a happy life, so please take care of yourselves and make 2024 the year you spend more time outdoors, enjoying whatever it is that draws you to the wild and live your life to the fullest! Have a safe, happy and prosperous new year! I am excited and look forward to hunting, fishing or just sharing stories together in 2024! Welcome to my blog, fellow outdoor enthusiasts! As you read through the pages, you will come to know me as Ray: a lover of all things outdoors - fishing, hunting, photography, travel and more. I am grateful for your visit and appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to explore my content. Life moves at a fast pace, but in this moment, we can slow down and immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature together. Your feedback is also greatly valued here. Whether it is praise or constructive criticism, I welcome it with open arms. Together, we can grow and learn from each other's perspectives. As you wander through my posts, I hope to provide not only technical information about outdoor activities but also delve into the essence and personal experiences of being in the great outdoors. To me, it is not just a hobby but a way of life that rejuvenates the heart, mind, and soul. This blog will constantly evolve and adapt to stay current with the latest news, events, methods, and stories related to our outdoor world. It is crucial to continue challenging ourselves with new ideas and experiences. And as a treat for my loyal readers, keep an eye out for surprise extra content and free giveaways! Thank you for allowing me to introduce myself and my blog. Let's embark on this journey together and see where it takes us. Stay wild! - Ray |
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