Alaska Fisheries Board

Archive for November, 2011

In Amarillo, TX, a group called the Fly Guys are specifically reaching out to war veterans, reeducating them and teaching them how to work in the area of custom fly rods. According to founder Kyle McAdams, “They’re actually constructing something that they’ll be able to use later on, on the river and then ultimately pass down and hand down to their kids and things like that.”

Veterans have been taught how to build lightweight fly rods so far, which they can use on a planned trip to Cimarron, New Mexico. Each veteran is given a beginner rod building kit, which comes with reel seats, grips, guides, threads, and other things that are necessary to build a basic rod. This gives them the feel of things, and it brings participating veterans together with a sense of community, giving participants something to be proud of according to custom rod instructor Austin McWhorter.

Veterans who have “graduated” from the programs with new rods have stated that it feels “gratifying” to catch fish with something that they made with their own hands, and many have reported being treated well by everybody.

It currently costs veterans a total of $80 to buy a quality tying vise and $125 to buy a whole fly rod kit. $25 buys fly tying materials, which may become more expensive or cheaper with experience, with many being able to find different shops. However, this is just meant to be a start. However, all of these materials can last up to a year for many veterans.

Currently, Fly Guys is being sponsored by groups including the Brown Automotive group, Amarillo National Bank, Budweiser Distributing Company, Top Notch Outfitters, Travelers Oil Company, Southwest Honda, Marble Depot Incorporated, and Dennis M Plunk DDS, all of whom McAdams states that Fly Guys and the veteran participants could not do without.

It was a day and a fishing trip that grandma Laverne Glover of Moorpark will never forget. Most fisherman are lucky to pull in a fish of this size, but this grandma was able to reel in a 380 pounds halibut on a fishing trip in Sitka, Alaska with her husband, Bob.

It measured a total of 7 feet and 4 inches, effectively bigger than Glover herself, who only stands 5’3 ¼. A retired receptionist who previously worked in a beauty salon, Laverne Glover used chunk bait with a 5’6 seeker hook and 80 pound spectra line. She wanted a big fish, but never knew she would get a monster, which apparently she knew right away when it started tugging.

“I was so shocked and I was trying to stay composed, you know, not just scream.”

LaVerne Glover used both hands and had to “really raise it up.” It took a total of 45 minutes, and she didn’t do it on her own. The whole boat had to help her to haul the fish in. However, it was close to making records. There have been bigger, but not by much. Technically, the scales were closed the day that LaVerne caught it, which can make a rather significant difference.

However, the Glovers aren’t protesting, just proud to have caught a fish so large. The Glovers have long been involved in fishing as a couple. LaVerne actually gave it up between childhood and when she married Bob. However, the Glovers have been able to bring back 150 pounds of fish, which will be feeding their small family for a while.

For years, ice fishing was one of those things on my bucket list that I had never actually done, but wanted to do at least once. Yes, I don’t necessarily like the idea of sitting on the ice freezing, thick or not, cutting holes in the ice and hoping to catch very warm blooded fish. However, it’s a unique experience that even experienced fishermen don’t necessarily try.

However, as little as some may know about it, one of the most important tools you can have in any ice fishing expedition is a fish finder. It makes your job easier, and you’re more likely to actually catch a fish while you’re sitting out there freezing.

The Types

There are actually two types of fish finders. One is a traditional flasher and the other is more modern and found in boating expeditions. The flasher is a simple depth and fish finder that gives you the bottom echo and depth of the area as well as echos from solid masses in the water, which you hope includes fish and the depth they happen to be at.

The modern fish finder on the other hand shows everything including the structure of the masses and fish, helping you to get a better idea of what you are actually looking at. These modern fish finders are becoming more and more popular, and it can run all day on one simple battery, which is fantastic.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Fish Finder

• Battery life – How long will it last? Do you need extra batteries just in case? How long are you actually planning on staying out?
• Zoom – Can it zoom into particular sections of the water? Is the zoom adjustable?
• Can it give readings before drilling?
• Is there a warranty?