Species: Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Location: Phoenix, Arizona Date: November 16, 2017 Though Common Carp and White Sturgeon were my first freshwater species to break the 30-inch mark, the third species was this vegetarian gentle giant. I already wrote a story about these golden ghosts, and it’s not scary, but I’m sure you’d still appreciate reading it…
Species: Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Location: Phoenix, Arizona Date: November 16, 2017 This story is part of a larger story involving me, a bold cockroach, disappointment, and elusive Grass Carp. Since I’m going to retell much of this story in the subsequent post about Species #111 — Grass Carp, I’ll just focus on the tilapia here. ***…
Species: Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) Location: Gila River, Phoenix, Arizona Date: November 16, 2017 I knew Redbelly Tilapia weren’t the only exotic cichlids present in the Gila River, so I continued fishing, being careful to check every one of the 23 Redbellies I caught for signs of being either Blue or Nile Tilapia, both of which can be…
Species: Redbelly Tilapia (Tilapia zillii) Location: Gila River, Phoenix, Arizona Date: November 16, 2017 While the first Rio Grande Cichlid was easy to catch, the next dozen or so fish I caught were Redbelly Tilapia. These feisty and beautiful little fish came out of the weeds with every drop, looking to pounce of any- and everything I…
Species: Rio Grande Cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus) Location: Gila River, Phoenix, Arizona Date: November 16, 2017 Traveling is always tough. When you have limited time, say, on a business trip, but you still want to fish, you must research beforehand. Fortunately, in the world of the Internet, social media, forums, and other digital resources, this is much easier…
Species: Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) Location: Undisclosed Location, Pacific Northwest Date: November 10, 2017 I already wrote this story for the Herald and News last year, so rather than spend too much time on the blog, you can just click here. There were some solid photos my brother, Gabe Ovgard, gave me just recently, though, so I’ll share those here….
Species: Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus) Location: Dana Point Marina, Dana Point, CA Date: August 9, 2017 *climbs onto soapbox* California. It’s a…special place full of…special people. Proposition 65 In case you weren’t aware, lead is harmful. Good ‘ol Pb has all manner of damaging effects to humans, and for this reason, it has been banned in most household goods, including…
Species: Largemouth Blenny (Labrisomus xanti) Location: Dana Point Marina, Dana Point, CA Date: August 9, 2017 Sculpins are awesome. Greenling are awesome. Blennies, which sort of look like a cross between the two, are also awesome. Few fish will try to bite you, but blennies, found in warmer temperate and tropical waters all over the world, are one…
Species: Salema (Xenistius californiensis) Location: Dana Point Marina, Dana Point, CA Date: August 9, 2017 If an advertising team were to market the Salema, they’d describe it as a bite-sized, “Tropical Flavors” version of the Striped Bass. It truly looks like a tiny striper with slightly more vivid coloration. It even feeds like one on a tiny scale,…
Species: Opaleye (Girella nigricans) Location: Dana Point Marina, Dana Point, CA Date: August 9, 2017 After a long day on a boat in the taxing summer heat of Southern California, the last thing most people would do is go fishing again, but as we’ve established, my judgment is impaired when it comes to fishing. As my cousin, Will…
