George W. Harvey, 96, of State College, PA, passed away at the Mount Nittany Medical Center on Monday, March 24, 2008. In 1934, as an undergraduate student, Harvey organized and taught the first angling and fly tying class at Penn State, the first of its kind in the United States.

From 1935-1942 he was an instructor of physical education at the Mont Alto Campus (Forestry School) were he coached every sports team. From 1943-1973 he was an Associate Professor of Physical Education at the main campus of the Pennsylvania State University. During his tenure at Penn State he coached freshman and varsity cross country and track, taught 72 extension classes on angling and fly tying in 68 cities …

One of the most common questions for flyfishers this time of year is whether or not it’s too early to hit the local lake for largemouth. Sure, some of you Southern boys have already been getting after it, but for those of us living north of the Mason-Dixon line, March still means near-frozen surface temps and super-sluggish fish.

Nevertheless, there are some ways to increase your odds of finding a few hungry ones.

Temperature is everything.

In the winter, the bottom of most bass lakes hovers around 39 degrees, while the surface–just below the ice–is around 33. But as the ice melts, winds start mixing the warmer water below with the colder water up top, and a magical sort …

Opening day of trout season often falls on the first Saturday of April for many states. And even if you are lucky enough to live in an area where trout fishing is available year-round, April often marks the symbolic beginning to trout-chasing, that glorious seven-month stretch from now til October, when you learn or re-learn the joys and frustrations of tossing tiny flies to feeding browns, rainbows or brookies.

If you’re new to the sport, or if your skill set became a little rusty over the winter, here’s five trouty tips for the opening-day onslaught.

1) Fish upstream, not downstream, to feeding trout.

Early April remains pre-runoff for most major trout fishing rivers, so the water is often …

Ahhh… March in the Florida Keys. When permit come up onto the flats before heading offshore to spawn. Spring is one of the best times to chase this most sought-after species, and March is traditionally one of the hottest months to catch them. Do your research before heading down, book a reputable guide, have the kinks in your cast worked out, pray for your shot at a tailing 20-pounder, don’t screw up the presentation or the strip or the hook-set, and maybe, just maybe, you’re day will end up like this:

Man… gotta have shades! These sunglasses from Azure are specifically designed for anglers, featuring polarized lenses that eliminate over 99% of all reflected glare and give you 100% UV protection… you’re too young to fry those retinas! These are lightweight and provide protection from the sun and wind while checking in at under 30 bones. www.basspro.com

The Fish Cat 4 Deluxe Float Tube is a durable watercraft for you flyfishermen who enjoy hammering the bass just as much as getting into some Rainbows. Weighing in at 14 lbs, this float tube is a little heavier than others, but the extra pounds translate to a stable and more comfortable ride. The Fish Cat 4 tends to ride much higher and has more room in the pockets and the two beverage holders will allow you to have a beer and catch a few fish, while those suckers on shore look on in envy! This thing is reinforced around the mount area and sits up high above the …

The Southeast Florida outpost of Everglades City, Florida, has long been known for its drug-running past and as home to Everglades National Park, Big Cypress, and Ten Thousand Islands. For flyfishermen, the Everglades offers what is undoubtedly the finest mangrove-fishing north of the Caribbean, especially for redfish like this:

Or smaller snook like this:

But while taking photos of the snook above, a was, you know, kinda letting my mind wander, thinking about all the snook I was going to catch, and my kayak was just drifting along in the current. Until I finally bumped into a collection of mangroves, looked down, and saw this guy not ten feet away:

So there’s that. Regardless, …

Forget the flowers, the chocolates, or that mango-colored thong. Before Thursday rolls around, get you and your girl a trip someplace warm. So she can lounge in the sun, go kayaking or snorkling, or take a surf lesson with some guy considerably hotter than her husband. In return, you get to do this:

And she gets to do this:

And everyone is happy. Here is a list of three great places to start:

Turneffe Flats, Belize

For one of the best combinations of excellent flats-fishing and great food, accommodations, and alternative activities, head to Turneffe Flats off the northern coast of Belize. This place offers probably the …

 http://seattlepi.nwsource.com
By COLLEEN SLEVIN
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

January 30, 2008
DENVER — Colorado lawmakers are looking at ways to encourage people to donate or lease water rights they’re not using to increase the amount of water in the state’s rivers. The aim is to make rivers and their fish healthier and support the state’s recreation industry.
The current law isn’t clear on whether people would forfeit their water rights by leasing extra water to the state so it can flow downstream when they don’t need it. To encourage leases, Rep. Randy Fischer introduced a bill Wednesday to clarify that they won’t give up their rights.
Lawmakers are also working on bills that would give tax credits to people who let their …

www.rockymountainnews.com

Jeff Hatton, who owns an impressive collection of historic fly rods, discusses particulars with Hugh Gardner, of Morrison. “Even though I own this stuff, it’s every angler’s heritage,” said Hatton, of Paonia. “It needs to be shared.”
Jeff Hatton is no simple maker of fine fly rods. He also is a historian and guardian of the old ways. To wit: He believes natural materials are unmatched as instruments that breathe life, grace and meaning into a pastime that otherwise is simply about fish. He speaks of the fine old woods - and some new ones - with reverence. The old rods were made of greenheart, ash, Cuban lancewood, snakewood from French Guiana, old Calcutta cane and Tonkin cane.
Hatton, 46, builds …