THE PANANGLER

 

While sorting through boxes of fishing magazines, I came across a folder full of The PanAngler newsletters. These were the first newsletters on international fishing. It was established in the 1970s and was published monthly.  Inside were great destination reviews by Pat Galyan, Jim Chapralis, and many others including a wide variety of international correspondents.  While reading, I could dream of fishing for exotic species such as peacock bass, payara, Arctic Char, and others.  As they say "Dreams do come true".

THE FISHERMAN MAGAZINE

 

Upon sorting out my giant stack of fishing magazines, I discovered 4 issues of "THE FISHERMAN" THE MAGAZINE FOR SPORT FISHERMAN.  The issues were printed in 1955 and 1956.  They cost 35 cents per issue and were published monthly.  Inside contains various articles on techniques, boating, destinations, and "new for the fisherman".  Each issue is loaded with ads from companies such as Evinrude outboard motors,  Johnson outboard motors, the Helin Tackle CO. (Flatfish), Mepps, Gudebrod spinning lines, B. F. Cladding & CO., South Bend Tackle Company, and many more.  Going back in time looking at the equipment they used, it a wonder the fishing was probably better than today without GPS or sonar!

Columbia, Bahia Solano May 23 to 28

 

I traveled to Columbia, Bahia Solano with numerous friends from Argentina.  The trip was arranged by friend, Javi Koller of Travel Fishing out of Buenos Aires.  We fished for 5 1/2 days targeting giant Yellowfin Tuna.  On May 20th, I flew on COPA Airlines out of Chicago to Panama City then onward to Medellin.  Here, I would meet up with 14 friends from Argentina including Javi. I spent a few nights at a nice hotel enjoying the Medellin nightlife.  On May 23, we flew on Moon Air to Bahia Solano.  We immediately started fishing.  Javi organized 4 boats for the group. The majority of guys had fished here before.  Javi supplies everything. The accomadations and meals were 5 star.  The tuna fishing was on fire the entire trip with a few exceeding 150lbs for each boat. 

A few sailfish were also landed.
Tuna are extremely strong and we battled a 170lbs for     1 hour and 23 minutes before putting it in the boat.  One day the seas were rough so we fished inshore.

We caught a few roosterfish, Jack's, Mahi Mahi, and mackerel.  On our last day on the last cast we landed the largest tuna for the stay, a giant estimated at 200 lbs. 

The majority of the tuna were landed on live bait and Sebile Stick Shadds and a few on poppers. 

My arms and shoulders are still sore and cannot wait to return next May.  Join us for a fantastic experience.  Contact Javi Koller or contact me for more information.

JURASSIC LAKE LODGE MAY 2-9, 2026

 I once again had the opportunity to fish Lago Strobel which is located in the Santa Cruz Province in Argentinas Patagonia.  Jurassic Lake Lodge has established itself as the greatest rainbow trout fishery on earth!  This was the 19th time God has blessed me to wet a line at. May has become my favorite time of the season at Jurassic. 

This is the end of the season where huge chrome rainbows can be caught.  I also go in September which is the beginning of the season where most bows are in the spawning colors. I traveled this May by myself meeting new fishing friends from Russia, London, and Argentina at the lodge.  We were greeted with gorgeous weather for the week, actually too nice in Jurassic Lake terms. 

We had sunny days with low to medium winds.  The temps for May were not bad with the thermometer reaching above 0C.  The fishing was as usual outstanding. In May, the rainbows normally sit out in deeper water once the sun rises so long casts are a must.  It pays to get on the water before sunrise and remain until after sunset when the bows come to the shallows. My guide for the week was Nico.  His father, Julian, and uncle, Jose are legendary guides at Jurassic Lake Lodge.  Nico was outstanding as he was taught by the best of the bests. 

Chef, Rodrigo put unnecessary pounds on me again with his delicious meals.  Manager, Santi did a great job organizing everyone during the week.  I landed numerous monster rainbows in the 15 to 18 lbs range but did not push the scale to the magical "20" lbs.  Jurassic has become a 2nd home.  It reminds me so much of Pumice Creek Lodge and Painter Creek Lodge which are located on the Alaska Peninsula.  I fished the Peninsula for huge sivers for 34 years.  Jurassic has outstanding guides who will put you on the big bows.  Nico, Jose, Julian, Fede, Tomas, Santi, and others are outstanding and have become great friends.  Also thanks to good friends of Jurassic Lake Lode, Carlos and Patricio.  See you again in September!

TREE RIVER- ARCTIC CHAR?

 

Gord Pyzer of IN-FISHERMAN magazine recently reports that the Arctic Char in the Tree River of Canada's Nanavut Territory are actually Dolly Varden trout. The conclusion was based on years of study by the University of Waterloo's Swanson lab.  I was blessed to fish the Tree numerous times.  The all tackle Char was landed by Jeff Ward in 1981 which pushed the scale to a massive 32 pounds 9 ounces.  After this finding, Ward might now have the record Dolly Varden.  Will be very interesting on how the IGFA responds to this finding. 

BEST SPOONS FOR SHEEFISH

 

Jigging spoons through the thick ice is a very effective technique to tempt Alaska Sheefish.  The majority of souls brave or crazy enough to battle the extremely harsh weather usually jig with Doctor Spoons from the Yellow Bird Fishing Products Company.  The Big Game (Papa) 5.5 inches and the 4.5 inch models have produced the best results.  The top colors are nickel or gold.  These spoons can be tied to either end.  Tie to the narrow end for a tight wobble or tie to the large end to get a sweeping action. Experiment with jigging techniques is key to landing giant sheefish. 

As mentioned in other posts, the Papa Doctor rigged with an 8/0 single hook in gold coloration is a fantastic lure for catching giant golden dorado in La Zona in low water conditions.

SHEEFISH IN KOTZEBUE SOUND MARCH 29 TO APRIL 1, 2026

 

Sheefish are warriors.  They have been known to strip drags, straighten split rings, and crimp down the points on the strongest hooks.  Nicknamed "tarpon of the north" the sheefish exhibits the tarpon's bone-hard mouth, large, silvery scales, and an underslung jaw similar to a snook.  

The sheefish is also known as an Eskimo tarpon and is the only predatory member of the whitefish family in North America.  They are sought after for their delicious white-flaky meat.  

On March 28, our group of 4 flew to Kotzebue, Alaska to ice fish for sheefish in Kotzebue Sound under the guidance of Lew Pagel.  Lew guides for sheefish during the months of March and April.  He operates www.arcticfishingadventures.com.  All equipment, meals, and housing can be provided by Lew.  

Upon arrival at the Kotzebue airport, Lew was waiting to drive us to his comfortable guest house which would be our home away from home the next 4 days.  He said the fishing was slow and the big sheefish have not appeared yet.  We had a dream trip with Lew last March where the fishing was nonstop with many 40+ inch sheefish weighing over 20 lbs landed.  

On our first day, we found the ice to be over 6 feet, so Lew had to drive the snowmobile back home to obtain an auger extension.  Plus, there were 2 to 4 feet of snow on the ice so many shovels were also obtained.  

Once ice holes were drilled, we decided not to use the ice tents as the weather was a balmy 20F, so we sat on chairs. ice hole jumping.  The action was good every morning until about noon then picked up again around 6pm.  Being slightly above the arctic circle the sunlight extends for long hours.  For the 4 days our group landed 69 sheefish up to 18 lbs.  So, we did much better than expected.  The "hot" lures were papa doctor spoons in gold and silver. 

Lew does a fantastic job in putting clients on fish.  With safety being a top priority, he has the best equipment available.  Ice tents are spacious and have ample heating supplies if needed.  Snowmobiles are driven to the fishing area and Lew inspects them daily to make sure they are in great operating condition.  The meals are delicious.  We were treated to some musk ox which Lew harvested.  His guest house is perfect to hold 4 anglers.  

This is definitely a trip to put on your to do list!  Contact Lew ASAP as he fills quickly.