Taking photos with video - save time, save fish

I only need one (1) second to get a photo of a fish out of water.  

Are you a professional photographer?  Are you making money by taking photos of your "trophies" that are smaller than most of the fish being caught round the world?  I'm guessing that most people are not, and you have no reason to leave a fish gasping for air on a bank while you try to set up your point and shoot camera for a shot you're not prepared for.  I've ranted about it before...10 seconds is too long for a fish to be out of water.  Anything more will be compromising a life for a silly photo that will nary be seen after its upload.

Most "average Joe" fisherman like myself, just want some cool shots for memories or videos that might be put together for friends and family.  Trying to take a snapshot of yourself after catching a fish can be a difficult task.  I know some great fishermen who have a developed systems that allows them to get great photos (most of the time) while keeping the fish healthy for release.  I'm not one of those guys, which is why I use video to take all of my fish photos.

Not professional, but still a nice shot of a beautiful browny

Hear me out.  All of my photos are taken from Go Pro Hero2 videos.  Video quality and cost are no longer correlated to a point where you must pay too much for a camera that takes great video.  A waterproof camera will not only take high def video and a great snapshot from the editing table, but it will give you the piece of mind knowing you can set it on the bank for a quick fish video without worrying about it falling in or getting wet.  With the fish in the net you are able to start the video (remotely with the Hero 3) leave the fish in the water until you are ready to set up for "the shot", lift the fish and release the fish.  It's that simple.  Stop the video and begin the cycle again.

Again, I get that you aren't going to take professional photos with this method.  I understand that there may be the occasional water spot on the lens that will show up on your image.  What's so bad about that?  I say it adds a bit of authenticity to an always perfect, photoshopped, filtered world of photos.  Yes, I often wish I had the resources and time to reach a level of photography that others would find desirable.  I have a great deal of admiration for what wildlife photographers can do with a camera and enjoy their work often.  Maybe someday I'll join their ranks.  Until that time, I'm proud to say I can release a fish in under 10 seconds and still have a great photo to show for it.  I'm also content preserving the memories of great adventures and fish encounters one video at a time.

I say two rods are better than one...What say you?

Two options in one hand

One of the greatest things about fishing with friends is the opportunity to trade fishing secrets, collaborate on daily fishing quests, or learn about new fishing methods or techniques.  I have picked up some great tips and tricks from Tuesday Tyers and other fishing enthusiasts that have made me a better fisherman.  When I am able to give back in this capacity, I feel privileged to provide a different perspective that may not have been considered before.  I had a chance to provide some tips and tricks this past week while fishing for wild browns and brookies in the beautiful black hills.


Our first morning on the water provided me with a chance to share my "tip of the day" with the gang.  Most guys in our group were fishing deep holes and pockets with nymph rigs, a great setup for finding some nice fish.  When comparing notes after a morning session on the water, we found a variance in catch rates for everyone involved.  Some fisherman had not caught a fish, while others had only caught a few.  I, on the other hand, had landed 15-20, and lost many more.  Granted, we were fishing different sections of water, with different set-ups, so that was a likely factor.  Above all, however, I contribute my success to the two rod system, and using it throughout the morning to find fish with a different focus.

One of my favorite tricks when fly fishing (regardless of location or situation) is to always prepare two rods for use during my excursions.  This has paid dividends on the Bighorn River, central SD stock dams, the mighty Mo, northeast SD lakes, and Black Hills streams and reservoirs.  Typically, I'll have a few patterns on the brain that are just begging to catch fish.  Other times, mother nature will have already told me what to prepare for.  This particular time of year, great hatches, terrestrials in the trees/bushes, and beautiful weather have fish pigging out in the black hills.

I always come prepared with a deep diving nymph rig setup along with a dry fly/beetle/hopper combo of some kind.  The last few years, my beetles have caught more fish than anything, and this year was no exemption.  Having two rods allows me to diversify my presentation options to fit the time of day, weather conditions, temperature, hatch and varying water situation without having to make drastic changes in my rig setup.  When fishing rapid creek, I could easily move from hole to hole offering multiple presentation to willing trout that lie in wait.  At each spot I was able to find 3 or 4 looking up for beetles and hoppers, while also finding those sitting a bit deeper to take the hot spot tung teaser combo.  The system worked to perfection and as long as I was able to remember my rod each time I moved upstream.  Yes, adjustments had to be made here and there, but they were not drastic, and took very little time.  It may not be for everyone, but I would recommend trying it on your next adventure.  It may save you some time, and help you catch more fish.  Just don't leave a rod behind if you do! (yes, I've done it...)

Each fish is like a fingerprint.  Amazing beauty in these wild browns.

Inaugural "Destination Visitation" Edition

The secret spot we so longingly refer to as "Lake X".  A gem to cross off my bucket list, and a new favorite spot.

How many people do you know with a bucket list?  How many of those folks have actually completed any of the items on that list?

It seems to me that bucket lists are for procrastinators.  I believe it is great to dream, and have aspirations for something bigger and better, but there is a point where you have to keep these dreams realistic and timely.  Bucket list items seem to frequently be activities or locations that will not even be considered until retirement.  If I'm going to have a goal to get to a place, I need to put a time frame on it or it'll never get done.  And if that doesn't get done, I'll likely sit around dreaming about the places I've always wanted to fish rather than being on the water.  

I've decided that 2014 and 2015 will act as a pilot run for this annual initiative.  I'll begin by selecting five locations that have epic possibilities for a particular species who have never seen one of my flies.  I'll keep it in South Dakota for this first year, then we'll consider branching out.  These five trips will be scheduled early and updated often.  By the end of the year, I'll have five new experiences in my hat and likely some great fishing stories to tell around the campfire.  If there is room for an additional destination or two, they'll get thrown into the mix as well.  As one item is completed, another will replace it.  While I'm fairly aware of great fishing opportunities around our state, by no means do I have an all inclusive list of possibilities.  Please comment if you have a fishing hole that just needs to be tried with the fly.  Here is my current list:

East River Trout - Gary Creek, Gary, SD:  Sept 27-28

Gary creek is home to the only naturally reproducing trout in eastern South Dakota.  While I've caught a number of fish in the newly revitalized Lake Elsie, these were stocker bows.  My goal will be to find the brown trout that call this creek home and bring one of these beauties to hand.

Fall Salmon Run - Whitlock Bay, Gettysburg, SD:  Oct. 10-11

Each fall, the Chinook salmon of Lake Oahe migrate to Whitlock bay to spawn.  This process brings thousands of salmon back to the bay allowing SDGFP to collect 250,000 - 1 Million eggs.  Anglers flock like hungry seagulls to cast for the hard-fighting giants.  I've never fished this with Glory-a, but will do so in 2014.  With salmon numbers suffering, my expectations are low.  Possibilities for an epic adventure, however, are certainly great.

Westbend Smallies - Westbend Recreation Area, Lake Sharp:  Oct. 18-20 or May 2015

I'm ashamed to admit that I've never taken the time to pursue smallmouth at westbend with my fly rod.  Not only are 18+ inch smallies a very good possibility, the sheer numbers of fish in this popular fishing hole make the most seasoned of veteran fisherman salivate.  Most go for walleyes, few chase the smallies.  I will join that elite group this fall or next spring.  Pheasant hunting may be part of the October adventure.

Oahe Northern Pike - Lake Oahe - 2015 Ice Out (April)

I've said it for two years in a row, "I'm fishing lake Oahe at ice out."  Each year has brought on a set of circumstances and eventual excuses as to why no attempts were made at 15 - 20 lb northerns.  The main reason was my pursuit of big rainbows just below Oahe.  It's time to break out of my comfort zone next spring and pursue the hungry monsters of the deep lake.   Now if I can only get my boat working properly...

20+ lb Common Carp - Lake Poinsett: June 2015

I've had an amazing time fishing for carp so far in 2014.  A friend shared a secret location with me, and I've found some new spots to add to the list.  Lake Poinsett is one of those NE SD lakes that holds mass quantities of big fish.  Northerns, smallies, white bass, walleyes, crappies and perch can all be found with relative ease.  There is one species, however, that grows big, and is rarely targeted...the common carp.  This will be a priority of mine in 2015 if not sooner.

This is my list.  As soon as I have the experience, and write about it, I will replace it with a new adventure.  Future adventures on the waiting list include:  Jim River cats, Rapid City racetrack pond carp, evening mousing on Rapid Creek, Smallies and Carp on the Cheyenne River below Angostura, Summertime cats on the Belle, Shadehill Reservoir northerns, Mobridge/Pollock Spring walleyes.  As you can see, I need some more options for epic adventures.  Let me know what fishing hole deserves to hold a spot as a "destination visitation" location.