Revo Beast

We often say around my house that you never know what a day will bring. Seems that also applies on the water in Mexico. Who knew I'd get to fish El Salto with the Beast?

It seems possible -- even likely -- that I could spot the Beast again this week at ICAST, as Abu Garcia is launching it's new Revo Beast reel at the show. I actually fished a quite a bit with a Revo Beast in Mexico, and I can tell you right now that if you like the sound of a smooth-operating, heavy-duty bass reel that was designed specifically to handle big baits, you're going to like the Beast. It was ideal for El Salto, where big worms, big swimbaits and big crankbaits typically are the major players. I used one a lot for deep crankbaits because I liked the oversized handle and grips for getting the bait down and manhandling it.

Speaking of ICAST, I made it to Orlando. Everything begins tomorrow!

Changing Gears (and Gear)

Today I'm trading 12-inch worms for 1/32-ounce hair jigs, 50-pound braid for 4-pound Nanofil, and a Revo Beast and heavy baitcaster for an ultralight spinning outfit. Last week's fishing was from a boat for jumbo largemouths in Mexico's Sierra Madre Mountains. This weekend, my boys and I are head for the Great Smoky Mountains, where we'll wade clear mountain streams and cast for trout and smallmouth bass.

I enjoy fishing for everything that swims, and variety in the gear, the techniques, the terrain and the fish themselves is part of what keeps every trip interesting. In Mexico's fertile lakes, my lure disappeared a foot or so down in the water column. In the Smokies, I'll be able to count rocks on the bottom of a 10-foot deep pool.

I actually haven't figured out our specific plan yet. We may do a little smallmouth fishing in the North Carolina mountains before we get to the national park. Within the park, we may fish bigger streams for browns and rainbows or visit some headwaters branch with wild brook trout in mind. If we do go for brookies, any fish we catch is apt to be smaller than most of the lures I used in Mexico!

We're staying two nights in Townsend, Tennessee, where Nathaniel will play music on the Pickin' Porch at Wood'n'Strings Dulcimer Shop on Saturday evening, and we'll fish our way there, spend some time in creeks on Saturday, and then fish our way home on Sunday.