What Is the Safest Way to Cross a Shallow Gravel Bar?
A practical river-wading guide to judging current, using a staff and buddy system, choosing a safer route, and knowing when a shallow gravel-bar crossing isn't worth the risk.
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Hooked For The Weekend
Fishing tips, tackle talk, and stories about the ones that got away.
Caleb MercerHi I’m Caleb, a recreational angler who would rather spend a quiet morning by the water than just about anywhere else. I write about practical fishing techniques, dependable gear, and the lessons I’ve learned through years of tangled lines, missed strikes, and the occasional fish worth bragging about.
Recent articles
View archiveWhat Flies Should You Carry for an Unknown Trout Stream
A practical starter fly box for unfamiliar U.S. trout streams, organized around versatile nymphs, dry flies, terrestrials, and streamers rather than a long list of exact patterns.
Read articleWhat Fall Feeding Means for Coastal Striped Bass
How autumn bait movement, weather, tides, and changing water conditions shape a practical shore-fishing plan for Atlantic Coast striped bass.
Read articleWhat Does a Short Feeding Window Look Like on a Summer Pond?
How to recognize brief surface activity, insect movement, shade changes, and other clues that fish are feeding for only a limited time.
Read articleWhat Do You Need to Know Before Fishing a City Reservoir at Night?
A planning guide for lighting, access, navigation, noise, bait storage, and personal safety during after-dark bank sessions.
Read articleWhat Do Walleye Do When Wind Pushes Bait Onto a Shallow Flat?
A practical guide to how wind-driven bait changes walleye positioning on shallow Midwestern flats, with approaches for reading the flat, choosing lures, and adjusting for light and season.
Read articleWhat Can Cloud Cover Tell Me About Lure Choice?
How changing light affects fish visibility, feeding behavior, retrieve speed, and the usefulness of moving or subtle lures.
Read articleWhat Changes When You Fish for Trout During the First Hatch of Spring?
A practical guide to recognizing the first meaningful spring trout hatch and adjusting fly choice, leader, timing, and presentation on Northeastern and mountain streams.
Read articleWhat Changes When You Fish During a High-Water Advisory
A practical guide for shore and wading anglers on deciding when high water makes a fishing trip unsafe, how conditions change, and when to choose a safer alternative.
Read articleWhat Changes When You Fish a Deep Pond in the Middle of Summer
Use oxygen, shade, depth, and forage clues to adjust a pond strategy during hot weather.
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