nature

A collection of 34 posts

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fish behavior

The Science of Rest: Trout Get Burnout Too

How long is a fish's recovery after getting hooked? And how long would it take to reset the timid behavior of previously hooked fish throughout an entire fishery?

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behavior Featured

Tips for Streams with Low Fish Density

Lets take a look at how we approach rivers based on fish density and discuss what fishing rivers with fewer fish per mile have to offer

terrestrials

Story From the Road: Amy's Ante

Fish were rising everywhere, skimming #28 midges off the film of a deep run. Cows surrounded us as spectators for the feeding frenzy of a developing hatch. The water temperature was perfect...

common carp

First to America: Carp

Carp introduction in North America pre-dates brown trout introduction, and the hatchery propagation of rainbow trout

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cutthroat

How Did Cutthroat Trout Cross the Continental Divide?

Most cutthroat trout are found west of the Continental Divide, so how did they find their way to the east side of the divide? Science behind fly fishing

exploring

End of the Year Round Up: Best of 2022

We revisit the best of the best from 2022 slate of fly fishing articles.

cutthroat

The Cult of the Rainbow

We simply don't need more rainbow trout, and rest assured, they aren't going anywhere. So don't be swayed by the cult of rainbow trout.

psychology

Rx Nature

We all could use some Rx-nature. In fact, doctors are starting to prescribe nature as treatment.

steelhead

The Weird Biology of Half-Pounder Steelhead

Fly fishing: Let's take a look at the weird biology of half-pounder Steelhead

terrestrials

Silver Linings Fly Box: Grasshoppers and Drought

Fly fishing: There is one interesting byproduct of the drought that could serve to favor trout anglers when fishing hoppers

cutthroat

Native Trout South of the Border?

Fly fishing: What if I told you that there are native species of trout found in North America that extends as far south as the tip of Baja California.

alpine

Alpine Flies: Darker as You Climb

Alpine fly fishing: the higher the elevation, the darker the fly

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barometric pressure

Myth-Busting: The Barometric Pressure Debate

Lets look at the Barometric Pressure debate, one of the most enigmatic topics in fly fishing.

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behavior

The Dynamics of Fish Spooking

Fly fishing: Why do fish spook? Why don't fish spook? Let's investigate.

behavior

Sibling Rivalry? Behavioral Differences When Browns and Rainbows Share a Stream

Fly fishing: How do these species behave differently when living side-by-side? Even more importantly, how can that help your angling?

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terrestrials

The Colorful World of Grasshoppers

Fly tying: What are the best colors for tying and fishing grasshoppers. Check out our breakdown.

cutthroat

Using Nature's Engineers to Slow Early Runoff

Before civil engineering ever existed, there were animals shaping rivers across N. America. Have we forgotten the benefits they offer?

colorado

Alpine Ice-Off: Raining Dust

We discuss a phenomenon that's causing earlier spring snowmelt

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alpine

Alpine Ice-Off: Timing The Thaw

caddisfly

Net Spinning Samaritans

Fly fishing: Recent findings now reinforce what LaFontaine first introduced—caddisflies are more important than we first thought!

Rivers

Key to Restoring the Middle Blue River to Gold Medal Status might be Phosphorus

How will the middle Blue River return it's Gold Medal status? It starts with an experiment to add a usual pollutant back to the stream.

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utah

The Case of the Missing Salmonflies

What happened to the salmonflies in this western stream? Are other streams headed for the same outcome?

trout

No, Trout Aren't Lazy

Fly fishing: They say to look for areas where trout can indulge in their 'lazy' tendencies. One problem — trout aren’t lazy!

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wet flies

Why Swinging Soft Hackles Works

It might be the oldest trick in the trout fly fishers playbook. Yet many people still don’t really know why swinging soft hackles work. It's hardly a natural presentation...

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colorado

Catch and Release: How do fish respond to fishing pressure?

By practicing catch and release (C&R) we actively alter our favorite C&R rivers and lakes and influence the dynamics of the fishery. Lets explore how...