Redfish [Sciaenops ocellatus] are a member of the Drum family and are close cousins to black drum and Atlantic croakers. They are found all along the coastal waters of Florida and depending on the location you may hear redfish referred to as red drum, reds, bull reds, spot tail bass, puppy drum and channel bass.

They are well known for the spot on their tail and some will have multiple spots on the tail and body, they can reach weights of ninety five pounds and reach sixty one inches in length and they can also live for sixty years.

I recently came across an article that I wrote and was published in Trout, the official publication of Trout Unlimited, the Winter Issue, 1978. It is interesting to look back and see that the Montana spring creeks are still providing quality trout fishing for anglers from around the world.

It was probably the most surreal experience in my life, fishing and any other things included. Several years ago I lived in eastern part of Washington State. There were some good trout fisheries in the area, with Yakima River probably the most well-known. My best kept secret and favorite was the small mountain stream filled with native Westslope cutthroats and wild rainbows. The Westslope tended to be larger than the rainbow. The largest being 15 to 16-inches, any Westslope 12-inch or larger were always beautiful. This stream was suitable for one day or for one overnight camping with the mix of other streams in the area. Although fishing was consistent and always fun, I didn't want to fish it out. It was such a lovely stream. (Though usually I'm open to discuss which streams and even spots, I've never mentioned the name in my blog. Now I don't live there any more so don't ask me!)

Standing waist deep in water, which included 12 inches of pond mud, I looked out over the expanse of lily pads before me. This particular end of the pond was the shallow end of the impoundment created by a small barrier wall and culvert, all done in the name of flood control. As were most of these suburban ponds or lakes in the area, they were greenways created in the process of diverting runoff away from the multitude of subdivisions. Fortunate enough to have been raised away from any sense of development, none of it screamed "fishing water" to me

I had been working in the garden trying to catch up to all the weeds that grew while I could not be in the garden. Then we kept getting rain that made it a mess. Also I had a third crop of dill coming up by the thousands. So by the time I got all the things done that needed to be done it was noon before I could think of going to a pond.

I ate lunch and headed out, taking two rods and a couple of boxes of flies. I had a 3 weight graphite and a 5 weightt bamboo rod with me. It was still to wet to try to drive into many ponds so I headed out to the university to fish the pond near the football field

The Parachute Midge Cluster is a pattern with a long heritage. In fact, Jim prefers to think of it more as an early evolutionary step and is waiting to see what its offspring may produce.

One of Tom Deschaines recipes. Who says eating has to be dull or tasteless?