Unless you’re angling for the purpose of sustenance or competition, species and size are less important than the challenge wrapped up in the pursuit. Where you catch a fish matters to you. How you catch a fish matters to you. The fight of a fish matters to you. Particularly for catch and release anglers, the sensation of a wild creature pulling on the other end of tackle is a significant part of the experience.

Today I’m sharing three articles from the Casting Across back catalog that touch on  hard fighting fish.

• What is the hardest fighting trout on the east coast?
• Which fish would “win in a fight”?
• What species will ruin trout fishing for you?

Check out each of these articles below by clicking on the image or the title:

The Hardest Fighting Trout Around

In my admittedly incomplete frame of reference, the trout of the Upper Delaware River system are the hardest fighting trout you’ll encounter on the east coast. The rainbows and browns that populate the East Branch, West Branch, and main stem of the Delaware River are famously powerful. Hook into a fish over fourteen inches on a five or six-weight, and you’re not going to be able to just horse it in. Similarly, if you lack finesse when fishing the fine tippets required to fool rising fish in even fast water you’ll be losing fish and flies.

Who Would Win in a Fight?

Whale shark. The end. Okay, maybe that doesn’t reflect the spirit of the discussion. But, like the other arguments presented – and any who would win in a fight? proposition – boundaries and stipulations have to be put on the conversation. Ultimately that is indicative of this whole scenario. Like fly casting or fly patterns, there are regional, generational, and preferential matters that have to be taken into account.

Smallmouth Will Ruin It

Smallmouth bass are dangerous. Wherever you find them, they cause headaches for fly fishers who normally pursue trout. They change everything. Once these strong, fast predators make inroads, you can be sure that they’ll impact your angling. Why? You’re going to forsake the gentle creeks for the big rivers. You’ll have felt the pull of a smallmouth. You’ll have seen the surface explode under a  popper. How are you going keep anyone down on the stream once they’ve seen river bass?