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FxR Fishing Articles and Stories

Fishing Vacation, 1930 Break from the farm My grandfather and grandmother raised seven children through the depression, and they did it on a hardscrabble dirt farm. Grandpa was unusual in that he took his family on a two week vacation every year, a fishing vacation. This is what that vacation looked like…	Bass on the Fly 2014 Lake Fork Tournament The story of two Fish Explorer editors giving it a go Llyod picked up the fact that the world fly fishing for bass was being held at Lake Fork, Texas. Hearing he was planning on fishing it I gave him a call and asked if he'd like to fish it as a team. He agreed. We did and here's our story.
Specific Fish Holding Spots and Fish as Economists Knowing fish are economists allows us to pattern their favorite holding spots Over many years of fishing my favorite river, I've come to realize fish are economists. Knowing that lets me pattern their favorite haunts.	Mapping the West Creating your own contour maps Lake contour maps are often difficult to come by for Western waters and those that exist often have wide contours. Creating your own solves both problems.
Gift of a Lifetime Time reveals the truth on another's words Sometimes we receive the gift of a lifetime and don't truly appreciate what we got until a lifetime passes.	Safety on the Ice, Lessons from a Survivor A story and advice about ice fishing safety This article is about Fish Explorer member Bud Everson, his fishing partner Howie, and an unforgettable trip to the ice at Chatfield Reservoir.
California Bass Clubs are Different! I have been a bass club member since the early 1990s and have seen several styles of operation, but none, so far, have been like the California bass clubs near me.	Fishing With Buzzards Flies, lures, or bait, it really doesn't matter what one uses as long as it catches fish. Some things attract fish better than others and they're worth it no matter the cost.
Granny's Teeth! Making Grandma Proud “Grandma needs new teeth.” That’s was all he could think about as he signed up for the bass tournament notice.	The Trip of a Life Time Fly fishing at Arctic Lodges, Saskatchewan Over our lives if we're fortunate, we'll fish many places and catch numerous fish. And if we're lucky a few of those adventures will fall into the category of being a trip of a lifetime.
It’s Not How Long Your Rod Is It’s How You Use It! Reasons for selecting a short rod. Today, there is a greater selection of rods available to anglers today than ever before. Every company has at least a few dozen, up to dozens of dozens, to choose from. How to pick the right rod for the right applications can be mind boggling. This article discusses the strengths and benefits of short versus long rods.	When a Good Idea Goes Bad Why you should never take your doll fishing! Fishing yarns come in all forms, ranging from total truth to not so much. We'll let the reader decide where this delightful tale by Lloyd and Michael falls on the truth scale.
Post Spawn Bass Fishing Techniques That Work An Interview with Dave Mauldin Dave Mauldin in his interview with Lloyd Tackitt, reveals some of his winning spring bass tactics. Practical approaches all anglers can use to put fish in the livewell.	The Overlooked Realistic Crawfish An A-plus lure anywhere there are crawfish Crawfish are frequently abundant in bass waters across the country. Joshua shares his tactics on using this oft overlooked lure.
An Early Spring Recipe for Walleye Success in and Out of the Kitchen Part Two: In the Kitchen Walleye Recipe - Tempura Walleye Rolls Ronny provides a recipe to use a few of the spring walleyes caught using the techniques presented in part one of this two part series, double recipes for success.	Ice Off in the Rockies A magical time of year! As spring makes her presence known, the days and weeks at and just after ice-off can be truly magical. Robby shows us how to work the magic.
An Early Spring Recipe for Walleye Success in and Out of the Kitchen Part one: The Out of the Kitchen Recipe Walleye fishing picks up quickly once the ice comes off. Ronny provides insights on how to be successful catching spring walleye in part one of this series. Part two addresses ways to prepare them once caught.	Steelhead Can Change a Man One's journey to catch the fish dreams are made of Twelve years of chasing the elusive steelhead brought out both the worst and best of this fisherman before the dream of landing one was realized.
Early Ice Safely approaching early and late season ice Why miss some great fishing waiting for six inches of ice, when properly approached early and late ice can be fished with minimal risk?	Deep Trolling Options Techniques for getting crankbaits down deep Whether it's a chilly wintery day or a blistering hot summer day, there are times when getting deep is critical to success.
Different Casting Strokes Want to catch more fish? Work on your casting mechanics. Many put a lot of money and effort into their equipment when working on the mechanics of fishing would pay greater dividends. Chad discusses different casting strokes, their application, and suggests ways we can improve this critical skill.	Clouser Minnow One pattern that fills many boxes One approach to fly tying is to tie many patterns in order to "match the hatch." Dave shows us how one pattern can match many hatches and fill many fly boxes along the way.
Rigging Your Boat for Tournaments Preparation can be the difference between a loss or a win Winning a tournament is more than just catching fish, it is also requires being prepared to deal with all the issues that pop up while on the water.	Trout Ice Fishing Tips Techniques from years of successful ice fishing for trout. Shane shares techniques he's used over the years to successfully catch trout through the ice.
Researching New Waters Part of the fun of exploring new water is the research before heading out. Many find fishing new waters to be one of the more exciting aspects of fishing. Taking time to do your homework will go a long ways toward making for a successful trip.	Take a Kid Fishing Make it fun and you'll have a lifetime fishing partner Taking kids fishing should be first about having fun. While fishing and catching are always important, they should be secondary to having a fun day with the kids.
First Ice Tactics Early season ice offers great fishing One of Bernie's favorite times of the year is first ice, In this article he shares tactics for early season success.	Spin Rippin' An introduction to the art Spin Rippin is an approach to catching fish, often big wary fish under less than perfect conditions. Danny shares his insights on how to ripp some lips.
Reflections on the Bighorn A love affair with my favorite water Every fisherman has a water that brings forth feelings not unlike those of their first love, Oakley Hole on the Bighorn River is mine.	How-To - Carolina Rigging for Black Bass The first of Dave's series of How-To fishing articles. While Dave has won and placed in many tournaments with Carolina rigs. In this article Dave covers the subject A to Z including his 5 rules of rigging.
Anatomy of a Bass Club Thoughts on the benefits of belonging to a club Bass fishing is becoming more popular each year and as new people are introduced there are many who would wish to have a teacher, a tutor if you will, to better learn how to bass fish. Bass clubs are one of the fastest ways to learn how to be a successfu	The Cat and Mouse of Bed Fishing The next time during the spawn you come across largemouth giving you trouble, try this technique All bass fishermen have come across, at one time or another, a big bass guarding the bed, who just won’t take a bait. Jc explains the why and the how of a great bed fishing technique so you can experience greater success.
The Line on Lines Line selection for really successful anglers has morphed beyond a mere detail to a fundamental aspect of fishing Line selection for really successful anglers has morphed beyond a mere detail to a fundamental aspect of fishing. Chad discusses the details of a large assortment of lines in this article, as well as their impact on your fishing presentations.	Evolution Two: Getting off the Bank Part two of becoming a Bass Pro In part one of this 3-part series, Chad discussed bank fishing with simple tackle. Moving on up, in part 2 he gets into small boats and more advanced tools and techniques.
Carp on the Fly Part 2 Cloopers, Mudders, and Rooters! In part two of this fly fishing for carp series, Barry goes into detail discussing some of the easier carp to approach - mudding and rooting fish. Also included: matching the seed hatch for surface cloopers!	Chasing Master Anglers Digging into Master Angler Data The CDOW Master Angler program is a neat way to be rewarded for catching big fish. Dave takes it a step further in this article, presenting data from historic Awards to illustrate interesting and helpful tidbits about Colorado's biggest fish catches.
Evolution of a Bass Angler: Getting Started The essentials for bassin' big-time Whether or not you aspire to become a bass pro, there is a certain process, or evolution of sorts, that takes place once you take up bass fishing...and Chad walks you through it in this first of a three-part series.	Hiring a Fishing Guide A good guide can make all the difference on new water. There are several reasons why hiring a guide can be a good decision for eager anglers. Dan discusses the benefits of doing just that, what to look for, how to tip, and how to make sure you've got everything covered for your guided fishing trip.
Diary of a Professional Walleye Tournament Angler On the road and water with a Professional Walleye Tournament Angler In this article, Dan takes you through the ups and downs of fishing a PWT tournament including actual experiences , pertinent thoughts, mistakes, and everything in between from start to finish.	Crankin' Early Springtime Bass Try throwing that crankbait this spring - you may be the only one doing it Springtime brings people out of the woodwork to shake off their cabin fever. Troy discusses in this article how to present crankbaits to early season bass for success.
Carp on the Fly Carp on the fly: presentation, presentation, presentation... Fly fishing for carp is more than a physical game, it is largely a mind numbing puzzle. Barry Reynolds, one of the leading advocates of this endeavor presents some of the most essential elements of turning your biglip quest into a forearm straining success.	Crankbait Trolling 101 An effective way to catch every species of game fish in Colorado Trolling is more than just throwing some lines out and putting the boat into gear. Dan steps through the crankbait types, equipment, and methods for successful trolling.
Fly Fishing for Catfish Understanding our Quarry A must-read article for all catfish anglers, Dave discusses everything from common catfish misconceptions to the flies he uses to catch them. If you ever fish for cats, or are a fly fisherman looking for a unique new challenge, grab a drink and settle in for a great read...	Spring Walleye Pre and post-spawn Colorado walleye fishing When it comes to walleye in the spring, there are three stages pre-spawn, spawn and post-spawn movements. Nate and Stephanie discuss techniques to catch spring walleye in Colorado.
Boyd Reservoir from a Fly Fisher's Perspective Fly Fishing Boyd Lake If you plan to ever fish Boyd Lake in Loveland, you will not want to miss Dave's in-depth take the lake. Geared from a fly-fishers perspective, the article details 14 hot spots in writing, pinpointed on the map.	Flashers: Vexilar vs. MarCum Comparing two flashers in the real world. Nate and Stephanie discuss Marcum and Vexilar flashers for ice fishing, comparing the two in real-world application. The conclusion of which is more effective does not necessarily come down to features...
Ice Fishing with Floats You'll Catch More Fish I Guarantee It! Frustrated with missing light-biting fish through the ice? Nate and Stephanie go into detail about using floats to improve your hook-set success on hard water for a variety of species, and discuss basic slip-bobber choices and application.	Heavy Metal Late Season Spooning for Big Bass and Walleye Troy explains why there is no bait that matches the jigging spoon's variety and success, describing various techniques and lures he uses to hook late season walleye and bass. The systems he utilizes will catch almost anything that swims and best of all, it’s cheap.
Fall Wiper (Hybrid Bass) on the Fly Fly fishing for wiper in cold water Don't put away the boat, don't put away your gear. Wiper fishing in the fall offers tremendous fights and big fat fish that will warm you on these cool crisp days. In this article Matt describes the techniques and approaches he uses fly fishing for fall wiper.	Things that go Thump in the Night Fishing shorelines at night for Big Brown Trout Patience and a headlamp can boost your chances of landing a big brown this fall. Bernie Keefe describes his stealthy, shallow, and patient techniques for fall brown trout fishing at night.
Fall Walleyes: All Your Questions Answered Building a pattern is critical this time of year. With an abundance of food available to these predators in the fall, Nate and Stephanie describe the techniques and rigs they use to fool late season walleye. Crawler harnesses, cranks, spoons, and jigging spoons are all on the menu for mid-August through December.	Getting started Fly Fishing Warm Water Turning your trout outfit towards warm water species Don't think that fly fishing is reserved for only trout. Dave discusses the basics of warm water fly fishing in this article including why trout fly-fishermen do not have to break the bank to begin a quest for warm water species.
Tactical Topwaters Catching bass where the water meets the wind Finally a no-nonsense guide to fishing for bass on the surface spring, summer, and fall. Chad discusses what to consider when choosing a topwater bait, and how and where to fish them.	Full Moon Open 2007 All-night tourney lands dozens of boats, big fish and red eyes Centennial Bass Club's Full Moon Open held at Horsetooth Reservoir is one of the most anticipated events of the season. Under moonlight, competitors battle the sleepless conditions to bring in the largest 5 bass they can find.
Walleye Techniques A jig is probably the simplest, deadliest technique in fishing... Nate and Stephanie discuss specific techniques and equipment to make the most of jigging for summer walleyes.	Moody Muddy Carp Sight fishing carp gets tougher with poor visibilty and moody fish Carp are not praised by many. Warmwater flyfishing is difficult. So why not combine the two and see what you get? Often considered easy fish to catch, carp will mostly prove this theory wrong. They are largely more spooky and finicky than trout. But the payoff is in their size and strength.
The Wiper Fly Fishing Experience, Part 2 With some guidance on finding wiper, here's the rest of the story. Finding Wiper is perhaps the toughest part of fishing for them. Part 2 of this series delves into the gear, the flies, the presentation, the fight, and some places to find these fish in Colorado.	The Wiper Fly Fishing Experience, Part 1 Wiper on the fly in the Rockies, who could ask for more? Wiper fly fishing can be an exhilarating experience on some days and drive you crazy on others. This article dives into the various dynamics of the fish and aims to provide some building blocks to get you through the tough times.
Tricks of Trolling Expand your reach and control your presentation It is critical to be able to present any bait properly in any situation to catch mature fish. Nate and Stephanie Zelinsky discuss some of the trolling tricks up their sleeve to do so.	Ice fishing, friends and sunscreen As Front Range waters thaw, ice fishing gets hot in the mountains When the lakes along the Front Range start to open up, people tend to forget about ice fishing. Give this late season bite a shot, but don't forget the sunscreen!
Warmwater Flyfishing at the Core Core elements of fishing will boost your fly fishing success Whether you are an experienced fisherman turning to fly, or a fly fisherman new to warmwater, re-visiting the core elements of angling will boost your success.	Angling Knowledge Knowledge combined with experience helps decipher lakes and the fish in them Whether you're an old pro or a beginner, knowing which knowledge to soak up and how to apply it will play a large role in your success. The road to enlightenment is paved with common knowledge, navigated with local knowledge, and traveled with application.
The Will to Win The will to win is not as important as the will to prepare to win. The beginning of the new year finds many open-water fishermen anxious to get back on the water. What better way to spend that energy on preparing for the season that may come sooner than you expect.	Crappie Fly Fishing with Streamers In support of the Super Slabs OK so crappie may not be on your list of gamefish to conquer, but these hardy fish can prove to be a lot of fun, especially on a fly rod. So whistle your favorite family sitcom tune, sling a fly rod over your shoulder, and stroll on down to your waterin' hole for some crappie...
Fall Tiger Hunting in Colorado Humility may be more important than patience in this sport. If pounding the water for eleven days with relentless casting only taking breaks to wolf down a PBJ and only to watch your lure come to the boat with nothing behind it nor on it sounds like fun to you, then you are a prime candidate for Colorado muskie hunting...

Other Articles and Stories

Channel cat fishing during the day The other time to fish Catfishing is often thought of as a night time activity. In truth, anglers can do as well, if not better, fishing during daylight hours. Daris shows us how to get started.	Backpacks The alternate tackle box Tackle boxes and coolers are traditional gear for anglers, but a backpack allows for greater ease getting to the water, especially when the going is rough.
Logbooks and Topographic Maps An angler's approach to better catching Logging your fishing outings and tacking them on a topographic map will, with time, greatly improve your ability to find and catch fish more consistently.	Old Salts Memories of influentual fishermen Throughout our lives we meet people who have a profound impact on us. The old salts of my youth influenced my fishing then and today.
Fly Fishing Rocky Mountain National Park What to expect, seasonal descriptions, and pattern recommendations for fly fishing Rocky Mountain National Park.	Water Boatman/Backswimmer Time An often overlooked pattern Many consider boatmen to be a minor part of trout's diet. While they may not be a primary food source, trout readily feed on them and havin a few boatmen patterns will bring fish to the net.
Sixth Sense The Streamer Touch There are many ways to catch trout, but when it comes to big fish, streamers are king. Richard shares his successes with the Crystal Bullet, a streamer of his own design.	Of Dragons and Damsels Fishing the Blues Fishing dragonfly and damels has been the author's passion for over twenty years. During this time he has found tying and fishing adult damsels gives a whole to meaning to dry fly fishing.
Catfish Basics A guide to catching more catfish With Shanto's insights you will better understand how to rig your tackle in order to bring more fish to the net.	Bait Fishing 101 The basics of using bait With all the information, equipment, and techniques available to anglers today, we sometimes forget that fishing with bait is possibly the oldest tried and true fishing method. Shantro walks us through many of the basics of using bait that will provide success on the water.
Which ice auger diameter is best for you A short guide to ice auger selection While it is possible to ice fish without an auger, having the right tools makes the day's outing far more pleasant.	Putting Your Underwater Camera to Work Ice Fishing Taking your ice fishing to another dimension Using an underwater camera while ice fishing, brings another dimension to the sport. It literally opens up a whole new world for the viewing.
Non-Technical Fly Fishing Fly fishing for the beginner without all the jargon. Fly fishing is sometimes viewed as an elitist sport, but in truth it is just another method of catching fish. Cliff discusses fly fishing from that perspective. A must read for those thinking about taking up fly fishing but are intimidated by all the technical jargon.	Fly Fishing for Bream (Sunfish) An introduction to the basics of fishing for panfish with a flyrod. Fly fishing for bream is an easy transition from trout fishing and just as much fun. Cliff walks us through the basics of this exciting aspect of the sport.
Capture & Release An everyday guide to better photos on the water! Taking a great fish photograph, or any subject is something most amateur photographers struggle with. As a result most great shots are the result of chance. Al provides some simple guidelines that followed will improve the quality of your images.	How the Queen of the Rivers Taught America to Catch & Release A Nearly True Fish Tail John takes us on a not quite factual history of carp's introduction to Denver, Colorado.
Spinney Mountain Madness Opening Day at a Legendary Reservoir Opening day at Spinney is both a spectacle and a miracle. In this article Scott goes into both the levity of the event and the fine details of finding fish and rigging flies.	Walleye Tips and Tactics of a Nightstalker It's all about the right bait at the right time presented in the right way Walleye are a favorite among many anglers, and would be the favorite of many others if they weren’t so hard to figure out, especially for the shore fisher. James provides insight into how to be consistently successful...
Weather Getting Colder, Blood Getting Hotter Preparing for your ice fishing season Surely ice fishing has begun in some parts of the state, but if you're waiting to get out on hardwater for the first time this season, Brian discusses some of his preparation tips and getting out early on safe lids.	Stocking Gets Fishy Illegal Introduction of Fish Worries Biologists This article was originally published in the DOW Colorado Outdoors magazine a couple of years ago. It is an interesting look at the delicate balance of lake ecosystems and the obstacles biologists face in managing them.
Just an Average Fisherman Run after the dream of becoming more than just an average fisherman Longtime FxR member and supporter Johnny "JED" Wimberly takes us through his journey over the past few years in re-discovering fishing and the bonds created on the water.	Winter Fly Fishing Chuckin' flies all winter long A diehard year-round fly fisherman who finds solitude on winter rivers, Terry discusses where to go, what to use, and even more importantly, how to stay warm when fly fishing the cold months in Colorado.
A Case for Carp Carp fly fishing in Colorado In this article, Longmont's Andrew Spinato and Mark Kyner argue the case for Carp, and promote the fishing for them, despite carp's stray from what are traditionally considered pretty and romantic fish.	Going Deep Fly Fishing Getting down deep with fly fishing gear. Fly fishing to warmwater fish often means you will need to get deep with your flies. Jeff runs through some of the equipment and techniques of doing so in this article which is part one of a series.
Macks Back on Track by: Dennis McKinney - Colorado Division of Wildlife During the years of drought that straddled the turn of the century, Granby’s lake trout and kokanee populations fell out of alignment. But researcher’s efforts to revitalize the venerable yet slumping fishery are now paying off.	Kokanee Run For Fun by: Dennis McKinney - Colorado Division of Wildlife Fly-fishers from near and far are congregating on the banks of the Gunnison River at Almont for the autumn ritual of playing and releasing kokanee salmon that are running up the river from Blue Mesa Reservoir to spawn at the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery on the East River....
Wiper Watch by: Dennis McKinney - Colorado Division of Wildlife When wipers prowl the shallows of warmwater reservoirs in spring, the elusive open-water predators bring the excitement of their speed and power within the reach of anglers on shore...	One Fine Day on Big Creek Lake If this was your only exposure to Tiger Muskie fishing, you would dedicate your life to it. As musky fisherman, we know the perils, humility and likelihood of being skunked on any given day. By the end of this July day, we had landed four nice tiger muskies and by our estimate had about 30 follows...

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