Cable TV Fishing Shows To The Rescue

The rivers are locked up. What to do? What to do? Where's the remote?

It’s late January and the rivers are locked up with ice. There’s no place to throw a fly, and I can only spend so much time checking equipment for the next outing, whenever that is. I never thought withdrawal would be part of fishing, but weather permitting, year-round fishing is possible, especially with steelhead in the rivers from October to April. So, any layoff longer than a week brings on heart palpitations and nightmares. The only medication for this type of withdrawal is the fishing shows on cable television shown this time of the year.

My cable provider pipes in the Outdoor Channel and NBC Sports Network. Beginning in early January, these channels begin a new season of shows geared toward fishing. The shows have just about all types of fishing covered, from saltwater to freshwater, from bass to bonefish. Unfortunately for me, but fortunately for my wife, we do not receive the World Fishing Network. This network broadcasts fishing shows 24 hours a day. My wife is afraid I wouldn’t get off the couch for days at a time.

While I’m a fly fisherman, I will watch shows that feature spinning and bait casting gear as well. I find that the best way to watch all the shows is to DVR them. This allows the viewer to blow through the commercials. Total watch time for a 30 minute show can be reduced by about 12 minutes. I’m sure many of the sponsors aren’t happy about that but they get product placement throughout the show.

Some of the shows do have teachable moments where tips on how to use a fly or lure, where to use it, and why, are given the viewers. To me, this is something all shows should do. Think about it. For every older viewer like me, there may be two or three young kids watching who want to be better fishermen. But there is a downside to some of the shows that I believe should be addressed, and it has to do with how the fish, a valuable resource, are handled.

With all the young kids watching it may make sense for the hosts and fishermen on these shows to set a good example on fish handling. Many shows talk about preserving the resources but will then mishandle the fish they catch. I am surprised how poorly some the fishermen on these show handle fish. There is one host that will go nameless who will place his hand in the gills of almost every fish he catches. In addition, he’ll bend the neck of the fish while holding it by the gills. Then he’ll release the fish by tossing it back into the water from a distance of four feet.

Also, once a fish is caught, every host will start talking, all the while holding the fish. I've never timed it but I'm sure some of the fish have been kept out of the water much longer than they should be. No one knows if the fish survives after being held out of the water.

Now, I’m sure we all regret having handled a fish incorrectly, and have learned from the experience, but some of these fishermen who host the shows have been on television for over 30 years. I don’t think the hosts even realize that they are teaching the wrong way to handle fish to young viewers. In a way I blame the sponsors of the show. I wonder if they even watch the shows. If I was a sponsor I would request that the hosts change their method of handling the fish. After all, the fish are the stars of the show, not the hosts.

Go out and fool a fish!

From A Guide’s Point Of View

With the start of a new year many fishermen set goals for themselves. Some want to fish more often, others want to catch a personal best fish, and some want to fish new waters. I believe the underlying theme of all these goals is fishermen want to learn and improve. From personal experience I know of no better way to learn and improve than by hiring a guide. A half-day or full day on the water is the fastest way to improve.

When I got back into fishing after a 40 year hiatus, using a fly rod, I had no idea how to read water, what to look for, or what flies to use. The internet helped but I couldn’t take what I read or saw and translate that to success on the water. It wasn’t until I spent a day on the water with my brother-in-law and Brian Trow from Mossy Creek Fly Fishing that I started to understand the sport.

Brian knew I was green to fly fishing so there were many teachable moments that day, but what stood out that day was Brian asking me first thing in the morning what I wanted to get out of the day. Now, even after five years, and having improved a little, Brian still asks what I want to accomplish when we get together each spring.

 Working with a guide will speed up your learning process. Brian is helping me land my first rainbow.

 (Click on image for larger view.)

I believe it goes to managing expectations, which is what all guides do. They want you to have an enjoyable day. They want you to catch fish. They want you to learn. But don’t take my word for it. Let’s hear from several guides and outfitters who are experienced, and good at what they do. I asked them what clients can do to prepare for a day on the water, and they supplied excellent information. It doesn’t matter what species of fish you are targeting, this information is extremely valuable.


Patrick Campbell, Fisher of Men Outfitters


Let your guide know what your expectations are for the day. We do a lot of stuff, and fish many different ways. We're educators at heart, but we love to catch fish after fish just like the next guy. So, what do you want from your day? Do you just want to put fish on the line? Do you want to work on your casting? Do you want to try two handed casting? Do you want to learn more about reading water? When we know exactly what you are looking for, we can exceed your expectations by tailoring the trip to your needs. We have so many options across Steelhead Alley, it's usually possible to put you in the situation you are looking for.

Be honest with your guide about your skill set. Trust me, we've seen it all. We're not here to judge you, but to guide you. When you are honest with us about your skills, we can be prepared with the proper gear, and put you on the water where you can be most successful with your goals for the day.

Based on the first two tips, allow us to guide you on the front end of your trip by helping you manage your expectations for the time you want to get on the water and the skills you are coming into the day with.


Dan Pribancic, Chagrin River Outfitters


Have a clear plan with guide on what you would like to accomplish. Catching fish is nice, and that’s the idea, but most clients also want to learn. How to read the water, how to rig, getting the proper drift, learn a new river, new technique, etc. Let your guide know what your goals are for the day.

Fish hard, have fun, enjoy the day for what it is. Everyone wants to go catch a bunch of fish, but we are fly fishing for steelhead. A couple of fish is a good day. Enjoy time with guide, learning, scenery, time on the water, enjoy all aspects of a day on the water. Catching fish is a part of the experience, and no one wants you to catch them more than your guide for the day, but it’s not the whole enchilada. 

Let your guide be your guide! You are paying for their expertise and knowledge, this is their job, and why you hired them. Let them do their thing.


Matt Zudweg, Z Fly Fishing


If possible, ask your guide ahead of time if you will need to bring anything on your trip. Most guides in my area supply everything needed for a day on the water including properly rigged rods, lines, reels, flies, etc. Once in a while clients load my boat with 200 lbs of gear that they won't need and it just adds unnecessary clutter and weight to the boat for the day. I rarely have the heart when picking them up in the morning to tell them they won't need any of it. If you have equipment of your own that you’re dying to use, try to find out from your guide ahead of time if it’s the proper rod, reel, and line for the fishing you'll be doing.

If you’re booking a guide you've never used before, research their method of fishing. They should describe the style of fishing to expect on their marketing material but if not, contact them to ask. You don't want to show up for a day of swinging streamers for Steelhead and your guide specializes in nymphing... or vise versa.

Come into a guide trip with the understanding that your guide wants you to do well as much as you do (maybe more so) but sometimes the fishing is tough. Your guide is there to give you the best opportunity possible for a great day. Trust his/her decisions (including fly selection). Remember, they're out there every day.

Don't bad mouth other guides you've used to your guide, it will only make them wonder if you'll bad mouth them to your next guide. If you end up not liking your guide, simply don't book another trip with them.


Pete Tyjas, Devon School of Fly Fishing


One of the most important things when first booking your guide is to speak to them. You’ll be spending a day with them and you want to be sure they’ll be the sort of person you’ll get on with. It could be a long day if you don’t!

Probe them a little about where they guide, it will give you a good idea if they have their finger on the pulse of their stream.

Be honest about your angling ability, tell them a little about the sort of fishing you do. This will make it easier for them to tailor the day so that you get the most from it.

Do you want to just be put on fish or would you like help with watercraft or casting? If you do, be sure to let them know.

If you tie flies and want to tie some for the trip ask them what hatches you’ll be encountering.

In the UK we do not have float trips, so we wade. If you have difficulties with walking or wading be sure to let the guide know.

Let them know what sort of fishing you like to do, and is there a chance there will be something similar you can experience? We love nothing more than taking our clients to some of our favourite small streams, fishing dry flies with 2wts for small brown trout when we hear that is what they love to do.

Do you want to fish just dry flies? If you do letting your guide know will let them select the right water for you to fish.

Is your guide up to date with the latest fishing methods that you might have read about? Perhaps you’d read about Euro nymphing and wanted to learn about it. A good guide will enjoy nothing more than showing a new technique to a client.

As a guide I never take a rod and fish. The only time I’d hold a rod is to demonstrate a technique or cast. If your guide strings a rod up for his/herself and tells you to “go fish over there” while they head for a honey hole, are you sure you are happy to pay for them to go fishing too?

If you book a bonefish trip be sure you know what is required cast wise. Can you double haul and hit a target at a realistic distance?

The most important tip is to tell the guide what YOU want from the day when you start. Do you want lots of fish, big fish, tricky fish, dry fly?

I like to sit down at the start of the day with my clients with a coffee, get to know them a little, and ask them what they like to do. It lets me know how best to plan the day and where to take them.

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Go out and fool a fish….with a guide’s help!

Sometimes You Have To Listen To The Devil

As I write this, the temperature is about 15° F and the rivers are slushy, with some shelf ice starting to form. For someone retired who can’t keep his feet warm, not the best weather. The warmest December on record ended quickly, and January began with more typical winter weather. This is my dead zone. It’s that time of the year when weather puts a damper on fishing. I can still get out, but often the window is short. Trying to catch a day when the water and the air temperature are on the rise is like rolling dice. Some days you hit the number, other days you crap out.

The devil won, again.

At times I feel like I’m in a cartoon with an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other. The angel keeps telling me the steelhead will be in the rivers for the next four months, so if I miss a week or two in January due to weather I’ll still have my shots at them. The devil is telling me there’s a fresh run of steelhead in the rivers and the bite is hot.

Supposed to be in the 40’s Thursday. I guess the devil just won.

Go out and fool a fish!