Sunshine Bass on a Cloudy Day

White Bass/Striped Bass hybrids are called Sunshine Bass in some areas. In most places, they are just referred to as hybrids or wipers. They can reach weights of close to 20 pounds and are found in many places accross the lower midwest and into the south. They go on a feeding spree as the water cools in the Fall and can be found busting bait on top. This fish ate a Gummi Minnow for Marc Dixon of Eagle Creek Kayaks.

Hooked Up!

On a blustery Indiana afternoon, Marc Dixon of Eagle Creek Kayaks in Zionsville, IN, checks out the new Freedom Hawk FH 12 on a farm pond clsoe to the shop. The Freedom Hawk boats are the only kayak on the market where you can comfortably stand, cast, and fight a fish. Here Marc tangles with a sizeable white bass/striper hybrid.

Steelhead Candy

I'm an admitted steelhead addict and fly tying junkie and am always on the lookout for new materials to work with. At the recent Fly Fishing Retailer Show I came across RealFlyColor Beads and NymphHead Beads from the Flymen Fishing Company. These products really floored me. I am a real believer in color change and contrast when fishing steelhead. Based on these concepts, I tied up a series of attractor nymphs from the various colors of beads they have. Initial results have been very positive. With names like Tangerine, Black Licorice, Blueberry and others, these flies truly are steelhead candy.

Spey Day

Spey casting specialist, Jeff Liskay, forms a D loop as he finishes up a Snap T cast on Ohio's Grand River. Jeff is also a Patagonia Fishing Ambassador and tests new product for the company during his 150 plus days on a river somewhere chasing steelhead. On this day, Jeff and JD were tuning up some rods with Scientific Anglers Skagit, Compact Skagit, and Supra Skagit lines. Skagit casting is a recent development in the Spey world and is very applicable to many waters throughout the Great Lakes. It allows the angler to make long casts where needed and with minimal backcast space and turn over heavy sink tips and weighted flies.

To find out more about Skagit casting check out the DVD Skagit Master featuring Ed Ward. Will Turek of the Midwest Spey School is our local "skagit master".

Swinging Steelhead

Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders Club member, Dave Craddock, holds a chunky fish he caught on a swung fly during a Spey casting lesson with instructor, Jeff Liskay. Not a bad way to kickoff the Fall season!

Real Hard Heads

You see some unusual sites when you get off the beaten path. Here is the Wisconsin Concrete Park, just south of the town of Phillips. It consists of several acres of concrete figures of all kinds. Looks like someone had too much time on their hands.