Here at FLW Outdoors Magazine we’re always trying to figure out ways to make our publication better. Be it different designs, illustrations or departments, our job is to try and help the reader become a better angler.
That’s not always an easy thing to do through text. It’s one thing to say “throw a crankbait in 4 to 6 feet of water around wood,” but it can be an entirely different thing in reality because there are so many variables. That’s why the most surefire way to become a better angler is to spend as much time on the water as possible. Unfortunately, not every angler can devote five days a week to being in their boat. It’s not that they’re any less devoted, but jobs and life may not permit that type of freedom. Instead, most anglers have to look for ways to reduce the learning curve. They read magazines, buy new lures and chat up other anglers at the dock or tackle shops in hopes of learning a trick or technique that can help them the next time they hit the water.
Yet, when it comes down to it, there is no better way to reduce the curve than fishing in the same boat with a better angler. Often, one day on the water with a “stick” produces enough new information to shape an entire season.
And that’s our goal with the new section, Lake Lessons.
We’re lucky enough to be able to hop in boats with FLW Tour anglers, some of the best fishermen in the world. In doing so, we learn just like any other angler. Now we’re going to take those trips and break them down, giving real-world examples, tips and insights. Maybe we’ll catch them that day, maybe we won’t. Either way, every trip is a learning experience that now our readers can also use.
I hopped in the boat with National Guard pro Ramie Colson Jr. little more than a week ago on Lake Barkley for the trial run and was amazed at the information I learned. I can’t tell you everything (you’ll have to wait until the January issue), but the insights were things I’ll always remember. There were no “secret” techniques; just plenty of knowledge passed on through observation.
Alright, I’ll give you one insight: Turtles. Yes, turtles.
Colson and I were fishing a sunken bridge in the back of a creek arm when a turtle popped his head up, which prompted this conversation.
“That’s good to know,” Colson said to himself.
“What is?”
“There’s wood on this spot.”
“Can you feel it down there with your jig?”
“No. But there’s a turtle. Turtles always live around wood. Some of my best wood spots I found because I saw a turtle come up. It will turn you into a turtle watcher.”
It was a simple insight, but it’s one an average angler may not have known. I sure didn’t, and you can bet myself and our readers will pay more attention to turtles the next time out on the lake. That means we did our job.
Slam the hooks!