In my years of accumulating useful fishing tips and knowledge, a few lessons stand out. And right near the top of the list is this: If a body of water looks good, it probably is—but the only way to know for sure is to go and fish it yourself.
As anglers, and in life, it’s often tempting to take the familiar path. We default to what we know because it’s safe, easy, and convenient. And while it’s great to have a rolodex of tried-and-true fishing holes, the only way to add to your collection is to branch out and try something new!
Ever since my teens, I’ve made a habit of scouting for new fishing spots. Some lakes or stretches of river have a particularly fishy look, even from the road (or, nowadays, on Google Maps). I take note of these areas, and when an opportunity comes, I hit them with some of my favorite lures and tactics.
The results have been overwhelmingly positive. More times than not, the fishing is good. Many times, it’s great, and the previously unfished hole turns into favorite go-to spot. Years ago, fellow fishing columnist Roger Phillips told me about a bass reservoir located about two hours out of town. He provided few specifics, but told me “Trust me, it’s worth the trip.” He was right! This remote gem has become one of my favorite fisheries, and I make a road trip to fish it at least once every summer.
During some recent travels, I had the opportunity to experience both benefits of exploring new water. My route took me right past a river spot I first noticed while driving past more than a decade ago. Once I fished there, it quickly became a favorite. Unsurprisingly, the fishing remains great—I landed two big rainbow trout in short order!
My journey continued, and it took me right past a bucket list river I’ve had circled on the map for a while. As soon as I got eyes on it, I had a hunch I’d struck gold. Flows looked perfect, the water was crystal clear, and I could see trout circling in a large eddy. I caught three nice rainbows and a brook trout in the first 15 minutes, and proceeded to land more than a dozen fish in two hours of work. Many of my catches were large, wild rainbows, including a nearly 20-inch male that leaped eye-level during an epic, drag-burning fight. I also wrangled a 23-inch hatchery brood stock rainbow—not nearly as athletic or beautiful as its wild brethren, but a huge fish nonetheless.
I’ll definitely be back to fish that river the next time I’m in the area. And the experience served as a good reminder: No matter how many fishing spots you have, it pays to keep exploring and adding to your collection. Tight lines!