Spring can be one of the best seasons to catch fish.
But this time of year can also be one of the most frustrating for anglers, especially for those of us who live in places susceptible to especially volatile weather like Wisconsin.
Continue reading “How to catch more fish in spring”
On an overcast, unseasonably mild January day, I found myself on one knee, my neoprene waders protecting my skin from the condensed pack of fading snow I was parked in.
In front of me was a small pool of the Mullet River protected by frosted cedars and plenty of downed timber. My left hand clutched the butt end of the nine-foot fly rod I had borrowed from my friend and fishing companion, Brandon. My right hand held the flies that were supposed to be attached to my tippet which now swung naked in the gentle breeze.
I was out of breath, drenched in sweat, and there was a steady stream of blood flowing out of my left thumb from an unintentionally self-inflicted wound undoubtedly caused by my haste.
Continue reading “Fly Fishing Reflections”
When I originally started putting together this numbers-driven yearly recap in 2020, I had two goals: the first was to show that the information and perspectives I share through my work are the product of significant personal experience.
The second was simply to let my inner nerd breathe for a little while.
This is the fourth installment of this annual series and, looking back, I am pleasantly surprised at how popular this piece tends to be. Each year, this collection of numbers is one of the 10 most-viewed pages on my site.
Thank you all for a great 2023. Let’s take a look back at the year that was:
Continue reading “My 2023 outdoor adventures, by the numbers”
Author’s Note: This is the conclusion of a three-part series. Click the links to view Part 1 and Part 2.
As I pulled in to my driveway and opened the garage door well after sunset on Sunday night, I noticed that Lyza had already turned on the garage light for JT and I.
While I certainly enjoyed my time in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it felt great to be home. As I began unpacking the truck, I was greeted by the welcomed site of my wife standing in the garage, holding our young son. I was excited for JT to get to meet our little guy for the first time.
Continue reading “Feeling the love – Part 3”
Author’s Note: This is the second part of a 3-part series. If you missed Part 1, you can catch up here.
It was just after 3 p.m. on a cloudy Saturday afternoon when JT and I rolled-in to the boat launch at Baby Lake. It felt like deja vu as we once again encountered a lone vehicle without a a trailer behind it when made our way into the lot.
Continue reading “Feeling the love – Part 2”
My propensity for being a homebody is well-documented.
Not to get defensive about it or anything but, home is just an incredibly special place for me.
I’ve lived in Sheboygan Falls for almost my entire life and, though my town and surrounding community is relatively small, I have never had an issue with finding the appropriate doses of comfort and adventure here. So many of the people, places, memories, and things I hold dear are easily accessible and readily available in abundance.
But, throughout my life, I’ve also learned the importance of fresh surroundings. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to be a well-rounded person if you only stay within the confines of familiarity your entire life. Every once in a while, I force myself to ponder this truth.
Continue reading “Feeling the love – Part 1”
I am a strong advocate of conservation and caring for our natural resources.
As someone who has released over 97 percent of the fish I’ve caught in the last three years, I am constantly searching for ways to continue to improve the wellbeing of the fish I put back to swim another day. It’s important to remember that releasing a fish and releasing a fish safely are two different things.
Panfish make up a large percentage of my annual catch and, as most anglers can tell you, these fish can sometimes develop a nasty habit of swallowing hooks.
The only thing worse than having to cut lines and re-tie hooks is seeing a fish you intended to safely release splashing about on the surface because it was hooked too deep.
That’s why I was immediately intrigued when I was introduced to the Gill Shield, a product made right here in Wisconsin, that is billed as “a revolutionary way to prevent panfish from swallowing the hook.”
Continue reading “Gill Shield Review”
I am proud to announce that the paperback version my first book, “The Year of 500 Fish,” is now available on Amazon. You can buy it here.
Continue reading ““The Year of 500 Fish” is now available in paperback”
For those of us who fish, it seems we are always striving for more.
More fish. More big fish. More types of fish. More everything.
In a way, it’s only natural. More fish means more fun, right?
Personally, I spend a lot of time in the pursuit of improving the amount of consistent success I experience during my time on the water. The bulk of the fun resides in the never-ending chase and the progress that occurs along the way.
So how do you step up to the next level?
Continue reading “Want to get better at fishing? It’s in the details”
If you find yourself on this page, odds are, you have been one of my supporters for a long time.
Well, I am ecstatic to share that my first book, “The Year of 500 Fish,” is now available in ebook format on Amazon.
Continue reading ““The Year of 500 Fish” ebook is now available”
Nathan Woelfel Outdoors 