The new-product showcase at September’s American Fly Fishing Trade Association conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, may have been smaller than usual, but the attendees were certainly enthusiastic. And with the impressive array of new products on display, it’s clear the fly-fishing industry is still going strong following the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are my picks for 2024’s best new fly gear for Canadian anglers. For a look at more of the year’s best new fishing tackle, also see our round-up of 2024’s best new lures, conventional rods and reels and electronics & accessories. Best Rod WRANGL ..read more

For a look at more of the year’s best new fishing gear, also see our round-up of 2024’s best new lures, rods and reels and fly-fishing gear (coming Friday). Best Battery DL+ 12V 135AH BATTERY Lithium batteries keep impressing. This dual-purpose model offers 135 amp-hours of deep-cycle capacity to power your boat’s electronics, plus 1,000 cold-cranking amps to start the big engine. That’s five times the usable power of a traditional Group 24 marine battery, at half the weight and with a lifespan that’s five times longer. Plus, you get an 11-year warranty. Just put it your boat and forget abou ..read more

For a look at more of the year’s best new fishing gear, also see our round-up of 2024’s best new lures, electronics & accessories (coming tomorrow) and fly-fishing gear (coming Friday). Best Affordable Spinning Rods MUSE BLACK II I’m impressed by 13 Fishing’s commitment to making high-quality tackle at affordable prices, and this new line of rods doesn’t disappoint. Featuring Japanese components such as 40-ton Toray Graphite blanks, Fuji K Frame stainless steel guides and Evolve Custom Soft Touch Reel Seats, the six rods come in a length, power and action for every freshwater fishing sce ..read more

After listening to Dr. Bruce Tufts, who heads up the Freshwater Fisheries Conservation Lab at Queen’s University, talk about why big fish matter on our most recent DOC TALKS FISHING podcast, our heads are still spinning in amazement. And judging from the emails and messages we’ve received from folks who listened to the podcast, we’re not the only ones who were spellbound. You can listen to the entire podcast by clicking HERE. And here are a few critical takeaways. It’s incredible how much science is still coming out about the value of big fish in fish populations. In many different ways, they ..read more

Every year, the recreational fishing world comes together at events such as the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades Show—best known as ICAST—to showcase the latest and greatest angling innovations. And with such an astonishing quantity and variety of new fishing gear on display, where better to find those items best-suited for fishing in Canada? Here’s my selection of the top new offerings for 2024. For a look at more of the year’s best new fishing gear, also see our round-up of 2024’s best new rods and reels (coming tomorrow), electronics & accessories (coming soon) and ..read more

From tot to tom taker, the author’s son Charlie High hopes for an outdoor family’s future often start well before newborns soil their first camo onesies. Then soon enough, changing diapers turns to changing lures, and before parents know it, they’re being out-fished and out-hunted by the same children who learned everything from them. Somewhere right now, in fact, there are plans coming together for daughters and sons who can’t wait to ride shotgun on their first spring turkey opener. I first embraced fatherhood with the anticipation of doing all the cool outdoor things with my own kids that ..read more

There’s an old adage about any job being easier when you have the right tools, and that definitely applies to fishing boats. Just as there are endless ways to catch fish, there are an equally endless variety of fishing boats to help you do just that. That means selecting the right boat for your specific needs takes a bit of thought and research. Shopping for a new fishing boat starts by making an honest assessment of your own needs, preferences and budget. Do you prefer to troll, or cast? Do you like big open lakes, or smaller more protected waters? Will you trailer the boat, or keep it dock ..read more

Last summer was a scorcher along southern Alberta’s trout streams as the latest prairie drought stretched into its third year. Although fishing was prohibited when streams reached near-lethal temperatures for trout, conscientious anglers opted not to wet their lines, even when allowed, rather than stress the fish further. Historically, native cutthroat and bull trout, both now threatened species, have always weathered droughts. They hold at the bottoms of pools where cold groundwater seeps in, feed in the cooler hours, and wait for relief. It’s getting harder for them to survive during today’s ..read more

At first, the old man seemed intrigued by the giggles and high-fives as I helped two eight-year-olds, my son Charlie and his friend Iva, reel in their catches. But as we continued fishing from my boat in view of the onlooker’s waterfront home, his body language became aggressive, and was soon matched by his foul mouth. Foot-stomping down to his dock, the man grew even more hostile, escalating from throwing out vulgarities to throwing out a dangerous object. I swiftly got the kids out of harm’s way when he grabbed a pre-rigged rod and fired a heavy, treble-hooked stickbait directly at our boat ..read more

Gord Pyzer says snags can often lead to big results (see next page for more) One hot evening this past summer, I was casting for muskies at a favourite spot with two expert anglers, my grandson Liam and our friend Jason Matity, when out charged one of the biggest muskies I’ve ever seen. She was easily 54 inches long, and she had her nose planted right behind Liam’s glide bait. Liam performed a text-book figure-eight, picking up speed on the turn while twitching the bait, but the mammoth muskie sank out of sight. The three of us frantically scanned the water to see where she went, while Liam h ..read more