Blog
Discover Coyhaique: The World Capital of Fly Fishing in Chilean Patagonia
If you’ve ever dreamed of an unforgettable fly fishing adventure, there’s no better destination than Chilean Patagonia. Renowned as the world capital of dry fly fishing, Coyhaique offers breathtaking landscapes and trout-filled waters for a truly epic experience.
Trolling 360 Flashers for Ocean Salmon
Pursuing salmon in the ocean off the Columbia River mouth has become an annual experience for me and friends where we chase salmon in advance of their migration into and up the Northwest’s largest river system. Fishing in the ocean out off the Columbia River mouth, and other west coast ports too, can produce easy limits of fat coho and chinook salmon during the summer months with July and August considered peak times. September can be a good month too, for late returning fish.
The Best Conventional Rod for the Best Price!
Are you searching for the perfect rod for your conventional fishing adventures? Whether you prefer to target bass, walleye, pike, or any species in between, look no further than the Douglas ERA Series. In a world where the cost of quality products has been steadily rising for years, these rods offer advanced level performance at a price point that doesn’t break the bank. Here’s why this series is a game-changer for anglers of all skill levels.
DIY flats fishing: Puerto Rico
Through the expertise of local guides like Capt. Flecha, as well as our own research and DIY efforts, we not only found the fish we hoped to, but also reconnected with the reasons we do any of this at all: to connect with the fly fishing community, the natural world, and ourselves.
Best 5wt Fly Rod 2024!
The results for this year’s Yellowstone Angler 5wt Shootout are in, and the Douglas Sky G has once again claimed the title of Best Overall 5wt. This incredible rod has now secured back-to-back wins, reinforcing its reputation as an exceptional all-around performer.
Fly Fishing In Patagonia, Chile
Dry fly fishing is the draw for anglers to come to fish in Patagonia. At certain times of the year, there are beetles that grow up to 3 inches long, called Cantaria beetles. At other times, trout spring out of the water to eat dragonflies.
Still Fishing PowerBait for Trout
If you’re fishing adventure is to be from shore or an anchored boat, one method that works is to plunk (also known as still-fishing or dead-sticking) PowerBait. More popular than worms, PowerBait is a prepared bait formula that comes in jars and has the consistency of cookie dough.
Best Jerkbait Rod and What Makes a Good Jerkbait Rod
In order to maximize the effectiveness of a jerkbait throughout the year, a properly designed rod is essential for bringing these baits to life and there are a few key things to look for in your next jerkbait setup.
How to Fish for Bass in Cold Water
For those that live in the northern half of the Unites States and well up into Canada, bass fishing in cold water is a necessity if one wants to extend the season as long as possible. For those that are beyond obsessed with bass fishing like me, it’s not just a necessity, it’s a way of life.
Best Overall Salt Water Fly Rod 2023
Field & Stream Best Overall Salt Water Rod - Sky G 8904
New Year, New Goals!
The start of a new year is always a great time to reflect and reset. Taking stock and writing tangible objectives is an essential tool we can use to help us achieve our goals. We asked our conventional spinning and casting Douglas family to share their fishing goals with us and you for the coming year.
Rogue River Offers Spring Chinook Action
Late March, April and May are the months anglers chase Spring Chinook in the Pacific Northwest. To Northwest anglers, Spring Chinook are worthy of more than a little attention as they are the best eating salmon the region has to offer.
Twitching for Coho Salmon
Twitching has captured the imagination of many anglers seeking coho salmon as they make their upstream journey toward the hatchery or natural habitat that produced them. Sure, traditional spinner, float, plug, and drift fishing methods work for coho but twitching, at least for those schooled in the proper use, can outperform other approaches much of the time.
Welcome Christian Colabelli
Douglas Outdoors would like to welcome Christian Colabelli to our Spin and Cast sales team. Christian has more than 20 years of experience working in the music industry and is a lifelong bass fisherman. His passion for fishing was sparked at the age of seven when his...
Buzz Ramsey: Central Oregon Trout
While the Pacific Northwest offers fishing opportunities for salmon and steelhead, the state is blessed with hundreds (thousands really) of fishing opportunities for trout. One of my favorite areas is what the Department of Fish and Wildlife describes at the Central Zone of Oregon. And while there are over a hundred lakes, ponds, and reservoirs (not to mention rivers) distributed across the Central Zone of Oregon’s High Desert here are a couple of favorites you might try.
Pre-spawn Bass Fishing
During the pre-spawn period, bass will move from deeper water towards shallower areas with hard bottoms and nearby vegetation. They are actively feeding to build up reserves for the upcoming spawn. Pre-spawn bass fishing is all about identifying these areas where bass...
Best Swimbait Rod
Douglas Ambassador, Oliver Ngy, is one of the most iconic names in swimbait fishing. He has made a name for himself chasing big bass on big baits. We asked him what the most important characteristics of the best swimbait rods are, here’s what he said:
Fly Fishing for Redfish
Fly fishing for redfish, also known as red drum, has become extremely popular in recent years. Redfish are a saltwater species that are commonly found along the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. They are predatory and known for their powerful runs...
Centerpin Fishing: Setup and Tips
Centerpin fishing is a specialized method of fishing that originated in the Pacific Northwest and is now popular in many other regions around the world. It involves using a long, thin rod and a large, free-spinning reel to drift bait or lures in rivers or streams. The...
Cold-water Bass Fishing
Cold-water bass fishing delivers some of the most exciting action of the year. Some of the largest fish of the season are caught during the cold months. This is when bass are schooling up and the big ones are in full-blown feeding mode. Fish the schools right and you’ll be guaranteed to catch some toads.
Trout Spey: Tips and Rod Setup
Trout spey is a fun and exciting way to fish for trout and has become increasingly popular in recent years. Trout spey is also classified as swinging flies for trout. Anglers who love swinging for steelhead found a way to scratch the itch while steelhead are...
Salmon Mooching Rig
Salmon mooching is a favored technique for many anglers when targeting Pacific salmon in the summer months. Mooching is a very effective tactic because of how closely it imitates a wounded bait fish. Using a mooching rig, the angler slowly lifts and lower the...
Fly Fishing for Bass
Fly fishing for bass is rapidly growing in popularity, especially during the summer months when river temps rise – shutting down trout fishing. Bass have a lot going for them. They are aggressive, they eat flies violently giving the angler an amazing visual...
Best Crankbait Rod
Crankbaits could arguably be one of the most historic baits when it comes to fishing. They have been fished for generations and are a staple in most anglers’ tackle box. But what rod should you use to cast them? Not every rod is able to throw crankbaits properly. Here...
4 Weight Fly Rod: Uses and Benefits
Overall, 4 wt fly rods are more finesse rods — better suited for smaller fish, delicate presentations, and pleasant conditions (light wind). Many anglers prefer 4 wt rods when dry fly fishing for their ability to delicately land the fly in front of a rising fish —...
Oliver Ngy: Douglas Ambassador
Douglas is proud to announce Oliver Ngy as our new Brand Ambassador! Oliver's passion for bass fishing and the intensity with which he pursues knowledge makes him a perfect fit for Douglas. "Douglas is the real deal! Their rod range is enormous – they offer rods for...
Spring Trout: Fishing Tips
The days are getting longer, the water is getting warmer, and the fish are starting to feed – heavily! Spring produces some of the best trout fishing of the year and is often the time the largest fish are caught. Get on the water and find success with these tips and...
Best Spinnerbait Rod
Spinnerbaits come in all shapes, sizes, and weights. It is important to have a versatile rod that can handle throwing a variety of spinnerbaits – as anglers may change sizes, weights, etc. throughout a day on the water. Here are a few factors that make up the best...
Fly Fishing for Bonefish: Tips and Rod Setup
Witnessing bonefish tailing in a still cove as the sun starts rising is a sight that will get any angler’s heart racing. The hunt of spot and stalk fishing—along with the incredible visuals and fights—are what draw anglers to fish the flats for bonefish. The sight of...
Early Spring Bass Fishing
Finally! The last bit of ice sits on the corner of your favorite lake and it’s the first 65-degree day of the year. Early spring bass fishing can be challenging but can also be a great time of the year to be on the water. Lethargic winter bass begin to migrate to the...
“Phoenix” is An Official Selection of The Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) 2022
Douglas Storytellers Andrew and Eric Braker (the @brakerbros) have done it again. Their latest film, “Phoenix” is an official selection of the 2022 Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T). Check out this article for an in depth look at what went into the making of this film and...
How to Fish a Buzzbait
Fishing a buzzbait seems pretty straight forward – it’s just casting and reeling in, right? Well, there are actually different ways to fish it that can give you a better chance at catching fish. Here are some buzzbait tips from a bass fishing pro –...
Walleye Rig
Walleye rigs differ depending on the time of year and where the fish are beginning to congregate. Blade baits, jerk baits, swimbaits, and crankbaits are always good choices no matter what time of year. Some anglers also choose...
7 Weight Fly Rod: Uses and Benefits
7 weight fly rods are the perfect utility rod for a variety of applications. From throwing streamers with heavy sink tips to casting to tailing bonefish in a headwind, a 7wt fly rod can do it. They are capable of handling larger fish and larger flies without breaking...
Fall Bass Fishing
Fall bass fishing is here! Along with it comes brisk boat rides and changing colors accenting the water’s edge. As the temperatures drops, bass begin to scatter and bait fish begin to school up. This can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding times of the year...
Fall Fly Fishing
Fall fly fishing is here! The temperatures are starting to drop, and the fish are getting some much needed relief with the cooler conditions. Summer can put a lot of stress on trout with the increase in angling pressure as well as the low, warm water. Fall is a...
Best Fishing Line for Bass
When deciding on line types and sizes, you first have to understand your options, the characteristics of each and differences between them. Typically, when bass fishing you will be throwing one of three types of line. ...
How to Tell What Trout Are Feeding On
Ever wonder how to tell what fish are feeding on when they’re rising? Here are a few quick tips that will help you determine what they are eating. When you spot a trout rising, it is important to first determine whether the fish are eating bugs on the surface, or just...
Perch Fishing Rig
Perch are one of the most common freshwater species to target – for good reason. Perch are fun to fish for, they require skill to catch, and they're rewarding – whether you like to eat them or just enjoy catching them. Regardless of if you’re fishing for sport or the...
Fly Fishing For Summer Steelhead
When anglers hear the words “summer steelhead” – thoughts of hard fighting fish on American rivers with rich histories fill their minds. Rivers such as the Deschutes, North Umpqua, and Klamath are just a few well-known rivers in the west that get runs of summer...
How to Fish a Carolina Rig
A Carolina Rig is a plastic bait rig most commonly used to target bass – knowing when and where to fish it is important to success. It is a perfect technique to use when fish are feeling lethargic and are sitting...
The Difference Between Spinning and Casting Rods
Most anglers have heard of spinning and casting rods, but might not know what the difference is between the two. Understanding the difference between a spinning and casting rod is important for knowing which rod to use for specific techniques...
Euro Nymphing Tips for Trout
Euro nymphing or tight line nymphing, has become widely popular with trout anglers from all corners of the country and across the globe. Find a trout stream and you’ll likely find a fisherman utilizing the Euro nymphing technique. Its effectiveness is well documented...
“A Journey Upstream” Official Selection of the Fly Fishing Film Tour
Douglas storytellers, Andrew and Eric Braker, are making a big debut with their film “A Journey Upstream.” The film is an official selection of the Fly Fishing Film tour (Lefty Kreh Youth Film of the Year), and Annapolis Film Festival. Courtesy of Kirk Marks “A...
SKY G 6904 vs. SKY G S6904 — Whats The Difference?
The new award-winning Douglas Outdoors SKY G 6-weight Fly Rod is offered in both freshwater and saltwater models. But even if you live a thousand miles from the nearest ocean, don’t be so quick to write-off the saltwater version. As you’ll learn, some freshwater...
The Best 6 Weight Fly Rod
Douglas Outdoors is proud to announce that our new SKY G 6-weight fly rod is the winner of Yellowstone Angler’s 2021 6-Weight Shootout for Best Overall 6-Weight Fly Rod. For those keeping score, this follows up our win for Best Overall Fly Rod in the 2020 5-Weight...
Striper Fishing Tips – How to Fish for Stripers
Finding success along the striper coast is dependent on figuring out the little things. Every once in a while–maybe once a season–something ‘clicks’ that helps you understand how to catch stripers more consistently. Eventually, these “lightbulb” moments begin to mix,...
California Crappie Record set by Clearlake Outdoors
Authorized Douglas Dealer sets California Crappie State Record! Dave Burruss’ (owner of Clear Lake Outdoors’ in Lakeport, CA) day took an unexpected turn when a normal Wednesday outing led to an unanticipated monumental achievement. After a long day of no...
John Pearl Wins Western Classic 2020 Championship
Douglas Ambassador John Pearl Wins! John weighed in 62.6lbs to win the Lucas Oil Western Classic 2020 Pro/Am Championship on Clear Lake. The field contained 70 pro anglers coming from the top ten of each division. After leading first place after day one at 19lbs, he...
How to Choose a Fly Rod
I’ve spent most of the past decade reviewing fly fishing, hunting, and outdoors gear. Throughout that time, I reckon I’ve fished north of 100 different fly rods. To this day, I still find myself spending too much time choosing which rod to bring to the water on any...
Kyle Patrick Tournament Season Recap
Bass fishing in Upstate NY in 2020 was a huge success for Kyle Patrick. In just under four months, he has won a total of 16 tournaments. With his placements, he qualifies for the Bassmaster team trail championship through Empire Team Trial which is going to be on...
Bull Trout Fishing – A Story from the River
The smoke-filled sky slowly darkened while I pitched a brand-new tent. It was August, and unseasonably chilly, even for my being in a valley in northern Idaho around 9,000 feet above sea level. Blair and I had been on the road for hours, finally coming to a bumpy stop...
Spring Creek Fishing Under The Big Sky
Hopper fishing in Montana is tough to beat, and last summer was no exception. After a tremendous winter we started last season with a quality snow pack. Usually by August we are experiencing river closures to help protect fish from becoming overly stressed in warm...
Fly Fishing in Costa Rica – La Pura Vida
Exploring new destinations and gathering new experiences has been a passion of mine since I can first remember. Quite often these adventures are led by the fine end of a fishing rod. When my better half and I were invited along for a ‘vacation’ stay at a small resort...
The Best 5 Weight Fly Rod 2020
Picking the Best 5 wt Fly Rod Yellowstone Angler has found that the new 5-weight rods are getting better and better each year. Often only subtle differences separate one rod from another. Casting and rating the performance of the rods at different distances is the...
Understanding Fly Rod Action
By Spencer Durrant A few months ago I found myself in a tight spot money-wise. We all get there, and we all find creative ways to get out of them. One look at my collection of two dozen fly rods was all I needed to know that selling a few wouldn’t break my...
How to Fish Hoppers
By Spencer Durrant It’s been a weird year here in the Rocky Mountains. Most of us – Montana and Wyoming excluded – had a worryingly light winter. Wild temperature swings threw off the hatch schedule, too. Most bugs were a month late. Then the entire Western United...
Euro Nymphing for Beginners: Rigging the Rod
European nymphing is the new Tenkara. Everyone’s doing it, and just like any new fishing fad, you have the guys who swear it’s the only way to fish. That’s not quite true, but as someone who grew up fishing dries in a Rocky Mountain spring creek, I’ll vouch...