HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!

Whether your adventures in 2010 take you to the jungles of Brazil in search of giant peacock bass, the jungles on Africa for monster tigerfish, the wilds of Alaska in search of salmon, or just you local pond in search of bass and bluegills, maybe 2010 bring you a great year full of good health and happiness!!

ICE FISHING ACTION IN THE MIDWEST

With the long cold winters upon us, it does not mean that good fishing cannot be had. Friend and fishing expert, Steve Ryan, shows proof of this with fantastic catches of steelhead and brown trout in the Midwest through the ice!! Just again shows that you do not have to travel around the world to get into monster fish.

PETE MAINA MUSKY RODS

Bass Pro Shops currently has a clearance on the Pete Maina Musky Rods. These are fabulous casting rods for musky, dorado, tigerfish, and peacock bass. The rods come in size 6ft 6in MH 1 piece, 6ft 6in MH 2 piece, or 7ft 2in MH 2 piece. I bought the 6ft 6in 2 piece and plan on using it soon in the Amazon. The rods also come with a XPS wieght balance system which screws into the butt of the rod. These rods are a bargin at only $69.77 so act now as I am sure they will not last long at this price.

YO-ZURI

Recently bought a few new minnow type lures from YO-ZURI. The SASHIMI is the only lure able to change colors with every twitch of the rod. It has a ribbed body to increase surface area for added natural vibration and color release.

The EDGE MINNOW has flattened sides which cut into the body to reflect light in all directions. IT has has a weight transfer system to improve more accurate casting.

Both in my opinion should be great on peacocks. Hopefully will give them both a test in a few weeks in the Amazon!

GOLDEN DORADO LURE

Recently while shopping at a local tackle shop, I ran upon some very well constructed deep diving lures which I believe should work well on the giant dorado at La Zona. Gapen's deep diving Polish Perch are made in Poland and are built with top of the line materials. It has a duel wire construction running through the deep diving bill which often gives me trouble from the monster dorado shattering it. Check out these lures at www.gapen.com

TANZANIA TIGERFISH

The 2010 schedule for monster tigerfish out of the Ruhudji River camp and Mnyera River was recently announced by owner Michel Mantheakis. He has decided to upgrade the facilities, transport and services and is offering 19 trips starting mid July to the second week of November. They are moving the Ruhudji river camp further up stream to access more fisheries which has never been touched.

The rates for 5 day fishing program for only 4 anglers is at the rate of $6150 US each which includes the guided fishing, 2 nights hotels in Dar es Salaam and charter from Dar to camp.

Friends Steve Ryan and Steve Yatomi fished these rivers this past October with high reviews. A few monster tigers over 20lbs were caught by both.

Act soon to get on to the best tigerfish in the world. This is virgin waters which will not last long. This trip fills up very quickly so call Steve Yatomi at 1-800-254-3474 for booking info

TROPHY PAYARA FISHING IN VENEZUELA

Rumor has it that Javier Lasama has rebuilt the original Uraima Falls Lodge in Venezuela. This is the lodge which has made payara fishing famous. The World Record 39lbs trophy payara came out of the lodge waters.

I heard reports that Steve Shoulders, http://www.headwatersfishing.com/, will be offering split trips for peacock bass out of his lodge on Lake Guri and the other part for trophy payara out of Uraima Falls Lodge.

MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!

Would like to wish all a Merry Xmas and Happy New Years!! May 2010 bring you and yours a healthy and prosperous year!

Still looking for the perfect Xmas gift? Well, how about a once in a lifetime fishing trip for peacock bass, tigerfish, PNG bass, etc Contact Steve Yatomi at zato1@earthlink.net

How about a new GLoomis fishing rod or fishing reel. Contact Tom Ashby at the American Legacy Fishing Company at www.gloomis.us

Have a great a safe Holiday Season!!!
Hope all in 2010 catch all their dream fish!!

BRAZIL PEACOCK UPDATE

The water levels are getting very low on the Rio Negro and other top peacock waters. The houseboats are having a difficult time navagating into the low river channels making much competition between various outfitters. Most of the lagoons have dried up. However fishing is reported to still be excellent of of sandbars and deep lagoons which are still fishable. Hopefully the annual Xmas rains come so fishing will continue into Janauary and February.

GREAT XMAS DEAL

Looking for a great Xmas gift to give to your favorite fisherman? Tom Ashby of the American Legacy Fishing Company is offering a free $50 gift card with a $200 purchase. The offer ends December 12th. Tom deals with many fishing items such as GLoomis rods and Shimano products. You can check out the products on http://www.gloomis.us/ or give Tom a call at

1-812-402-6350

URUGUAY RIVER/ LA ZONA UPDATE

Due to a huge amount of water coming from Southern Brazil and Northern Argentina, the town of Concordia has it's worst flood since 1995. Currently the Uruguay River near La Zona so high that the water is flowing out of the Salto Grande Dam at over 100mph. Over 10,000 residents of Concordia have evacuated with the water flowing down the city streets. Towns north of Concordia like Corrientes received over 300mm of rain in 1 day. As of now, La Zona lodge is closed until the water levels come down.

TOXIN TO KILL ASIAN CARP

Last night, Illinois biologists dumped rotenone into the canal waters near Romeoville, Illinois to keep Asian Carp from entering the Great Lakes while an electrial barrier is turned off for maintenance. The barrier will be down for a few days and the toxin will kill any Asian carp that try to pass through the canal.

The rotenone is estimated to cost between $1-$2 million. Roughly 200,000 pounds of fish not just the carp will be killed. The toxin is not hazardous to humans.

Asian Carp pose a major treat to the Great Lakes because they can consume up to 40% of their body weight in food each day. They can grow to more than 4 feet long. They have been known to be in excess of 100lbs and are know to leap at boaters!

If the Carp enters the Great Lakes, the ecosystem could be damaged. The Great Lakes sportfishing industry which takes in an estimated $7 billion per year will be greatly affected.

Recently, water samples taken six miles from Lake Michigan tested positive for the Carp by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The University of Notre Dame verified this stating the waters tested positive for carp between Sept 23 and Oct 1.

EXCLUSIVE TRIPS TO THE TREE RIVER

Plummer's Lodges is offering for the first time, exclusive trips to the Tree River for monster Arctic Char. The Tree River is bar none the best place in the world to catch trophy Arctic Char. Numerous char over 20lbs are caught everyday on the Tree. The trips originate in Kugluktuk, NWT, where you will be picked up by float plane to spend 4 days fishing the Tree River.

The dates are August 19-23 and August 23-27 $3395 which includes the air to camp from Kugluktuk, 4 days guided fishing, and 4 nights accodations and meals.During these dates, the char will be in full spawning colors.

I have fished the Tree a few times and highly recommend this trip if you are after trophy Arctic Char.

For more info contact www.plummerslodges.com