Blog

How to Fish for Bass in Cold Water

How to Fish for Bass in Cold Water

For those that live in the northern half of the United 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...

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New Year, New Goals!

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.

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Rogue River Offers Spring Chinook Action

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.

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Twitching for Coho Salmon

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.

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Welcome Christian Colabelli

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...

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Buzz Ramsey: Central Oregon Trout

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.

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Pre-spawn Bass Fishing

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...

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Best Swimbait Rod

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:

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Fly Fishing for Redfish

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...

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Centerpin Fishing: Setup and Tips

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...

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Cold-water Bass Fishing

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.

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Trout Spey: Tips and Rod Setup

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...

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Salmon Mooching Rig

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...

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Fly Fishing for Bass

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...

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Best Crankbait Rod

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...

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4 Weight Fly Rod: Uses and Benefits

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 —...

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Oliver Ngy: Douglas Ambassador

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...

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Spring Trout: Fishing Tips 

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...

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Best Spinnerbait Rod

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...

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Fly Fishing for Bonefish: Tips and Rod Setup

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...

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Early Spring Bass Fishing

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...

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How to Fish a Buzzbait

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 –...

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Walleye Rig

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 live bait like minnows or nightcrawlers....

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7 Weight Fly Rod: Uses and Benefits

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...

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Fall Bass Fishing

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...

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Fall Fly Fishing

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...

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Best Fishing Line for Bass

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. ...

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How to Tell What Trout Are Feeding On

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...

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Perch Fishing Rig

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...

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Fly Fishing For Summer Steelhead

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...

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How to Fish a Carolina Rig

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...

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The Difference Between Spinning and Casting Rods

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...

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Euro Nymphing Tips for Trout

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...

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SKY G 6904 vs. SKY G S6904 — Whats The Difference?

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...

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The Best 6 Weight Fly Rod

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...

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Striper Fishing Tips – How to Fish for Stripers

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,...

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California Crappie Record set by Clearlake Outdoors

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...

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John Pearl Wins Western Classic 2020 Championship

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...

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How to Choose a Fly Rod

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...

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Kyle Patrick Tournament Season Recap

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...

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Bull Trout Fishing – A Story from the River

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...

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Spring Creek Fishing Under The Big Sky

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...

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Fly Fishing in Costa Rica – La Pura Vida

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...

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The Best 5 Weight Fly Rod

The Best 5 Weight Fly Rod

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...

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Understanding Fly Rod Action

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...

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How to Fish Hoppers

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...

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Euro Nymphing for Beginners: Rigging the Rod

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...

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