Blog Content Archives

A big muskie day on the Niagara River

December 3, 2019

My phone vibrated while I sat in a seat at the DEC presentation on the forage base in Lockport. It was Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island inviting me along on a muskie trip the next morning. One of the guys on his charter had cancelled and he had room for another body. I had to think about my schedule the…

The early ice fishing formula for success with ‘Tackle’ Terry Tuma

November 29, 2019

Terry Tuma

From minnow heads to jigging spoons, new ice activates big-time piscatorial action during the short days of early winter.

Ice fishing tips: Essential tools for safe early ice fishing adventures

November 25, 2019

Jason Revermann

Having the proper equipment and checking ice conditions frequently will help keep you topside.

Why this blogger is not renewing his Trout Unlimited membership

November 1, 2019

Mark Nale

Why should someone who has devoted a fair portion of his life to coldwater conservation for the past 44 years be “forgiven” for fishing with lures? Most TU members don’t understand this concept. To them, it is all about what they view as a “greater calling” — fly-fishing. And this blogger has had enough.

Honored to live a Hall of Fame life

October 29, 2019

Tim Lesmeister

A healthy career, marriage, and network of friends and colleagues leads Tim Lesmeister to the Little Falls-based Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame.

The case of the missing Niagara River salmon

October 25, 2019

Bill Hilts

Among other things, winds have also been blamed, with strong east winds pushing salmon out of their staging areas in September. If so, where did they go?

Camp offers special education for kids interested in trout, fly-fishing, conservation

October 24, 2019

Tyler Frantz

Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp to accept early applications in Pennsylvania.

The autumn gold that stays: Tips for catching fall walleyes

October 18, 2019

Terry Tuma

From jigs to crankbaits, unleash a greatest hits of top angling tactics to convince walleyes to fall in during the great bite of autumn.

Capt. Ernie a legend in western New York and beyond

October 18, 2019

Bill Hilts

As Capt. Ernie Calandrelli of Lewiston set the hook, there was a big smile on his face. “It feels like a good one,” he said with excitement in his voice. We were fishing on the lower Niagara River along with outdoor writer Dave Barus of East Aurora and it was a beautiful morning. When he pulled the walleye to the…

Getting organized: Establish some ‘grab-and-go’ gear

October 15, 2019

Steve Piatt

Somewhere, somehow, things have gotten a little disorganized around here. The office and my desk are fine; a bit cluttered, but that’s typical any time a deadline is approaching (and it seems there always is a deadline approaching). What I’m talking about is my hunting and fishing gear. It’s around, and I know exactly where most of it is. But if something arose,…

Mississippi River’s Best Dam Fishing Float

October 7, 2019

Bill Hilts

It was a special day on the mighty Mississippi River, a football Sunday, and the Green Bay Packers were playing the Minnesota Vikings. Allegiances are divided here because the river is the boundary between Minnesota and Wisconsin (where Green Bay is for you geographically challenged folks). This turned out to be a great side story as we fished the river…

5th annual King George Fishing Derby delivers

September 20, 2019

Dan Ladd

This year saw a record 185 anglers take part. That’s nearly triple the number that participated in the first derby in 2015.

VIP fishing events important reminder of great resources of western N.Y.

September 3, 2019

Bill Hilts

It’s important to educate our elected officials about the importance of our natural resources, whatever they may be.

Shorter days fishing tip: Use bigger baits to target larger bluegills in the school

August 30, 2019

Jason Revermann

Bigger baits will help trigger bites among the largest and most active ’gills of late summer or early fall

Brook trout: A love of little fish

August 27, 2019

Tony Peterson

They’ll measure, at most, about 11 inches, with the majority probably going no more than 8 inches tip to tail. That’s not much fish when you’re used to 20-inch smallies, but there’s an appeal to them this blogger can’t shake.

Fishing and phishing: Online app has nothing to do with Division of Wildlife

August 22, 2019

Jeff Frischkorn

Phishing scenario seems to be at play, authorities say.

Local fishing tournament celebrates 30 years of fun, camaraderie

August 19, 2019

Bill Parker

A group of childhood friends in Lake Orion gathers each year for a fun-filled day of fishing, food and friendship.

Getting schooled on sportfishing rods

August 15, 2019

Tim Lesmeister

That graphite fishing rod you’re using? It’s probably not graphite.

Makerspaces bass: Thoroughly modern approach pays off big time

August 14, 2019

Tyler Frantz

Blogger lands nice smallmouth on 3-D printed lure, demonstrates innovative learning in Pennsylvania.

Plan a trout trip to north-central Pennsylvania

August 12, 2019

Mark Nale

Blogger finds solitude and excellent trout fishing.

Erie’s Ohio ‘eyes bountiful, too, and the fishing is on fire

August 6, 2019

Bill Hilts

While local populations off New York’s shoreline have been increasing, the real kicker to our walleye population numbers is the migrating schools of fish that show up every year from the Western Basin of the lake. As many as 10 percent of the lake’s Western Basin walleye will take a trip from Ohio to the western reaches of the lake – as far as Buffalo.