Category: Angler Improvement Articles

Flaming Gorge Burbot

by Don Allphin January 15, 2007 Those who have followed this column over the years will most likely remember my off-handed comments about regulations relating to “burbot” caught in Flaming Gorge. Burbot look somewhat like cod and were illegally introduced some years back. They’re called “poor man’s lobster” around the country and are excellent table

Spring-Time Minnows

by Don Allphin Apr 10, 2006 For the better part of 30 years I’ve been hooked on fishing with minnows for most of the game fish I pursue.  Of course I use other lures but if you took a good look around my boat you’d quickly observe that I have at least one minnow bait

See The Moon

by Don Allphin Feb 12, 2006 From wolves to elk oysters to catfish, the moon and its orbit has an astounding affect on earth life. We’re now just beginning to understand how moon phases affect game and fish activity. To say that the moon is the key to behavior changes in animals is oversimplifying the

MORE FISH ON A FULL MOON

by Don Allphin During the springtime bass become more active during the full moon phase than at most other times.  This conclusion did not come to me through personal observation alone, but it is now widely accepted by fisheries biologists and researchers as well. The reason for increased activity on the full moon relates more

Fall Fishing!

by Don Allphin Oct 10, 2005 Fall is always a great time of year to catch fish no matter what species you pursue. Colder weather signals the fish that it’s time to store up, eat as much as possible before winter sets in. And, if the fishing reports I’ve gleaned over the past week are

Detecting The Strike

by Don Allphin July 18, 2005 A reader writes, “I’m new to nymphing for trout and am having problems recognizing when to set the hook. Can you give me some suggestions?” Detecting a strike in moving water is one of the most challenging aspects of fly fishing. And, don’t let the veterans tell you they

Improve Your “Blade” Techniques

By Don Allphin April 07, 2005 For more than 30 years, spinnerbaits have maintained their popularity with bass anglers though over the years, hundreds of competing lures have entered the market, from life-like soft plastics to expensive foreign-made hard baits. Through it all, the simple, inexpensive, and straight-forward spinnerbait has not only weathered the competitive

The Mysterious Walleye

by Don Allphin  March 27, 2005 Walleyes are perhaps the most mysterious game fish that haunt our local waters, and understanding when, where, and how to catch them is a life-long challenge for many anglers. Few Utahns understand walleyes as well as my good friend Jerry Schlief, so let’s get inside the head of this

Powell March Striper Boils?

By Don Allphin March 20, 2005 When Kim Wootton and Jason Warren, both bass fishing buddies of mine, reported on their recent trip to Lake Powell, I was expecting a story of cold water, lethargic bass, and deep, lazy stripers. Instead they spoke of active bass, 55-degree water and even some very active shallow stripers.

Utah Anglers … You Have A Choice!

by Don Allphin Last Wednesday I traveled to Manti to do some work for a real estate client of mine.  Though I had my “emergency” fishing kit in my vehicle, I didn’t have time to stop and cast a lure.  What struck me as I drove, however, was the enormity of fishing opportunities that exist