Consolidated trout opener poses problems for local tackle shops

With the 2020 trout opener consolidated to April 18, local tackle shops are bracing for last minute customers. 

Willie from Willie’s Bait & Tackle in Cementon, bemoaned the fact that the single opener will now have early season customers come in later when they should come in now when he’s not as busy to have reels wound with new line, to buy fishing licenses, buy bait and fix existing gear. But, he surmised, they’ll probably all wait to the last minute and deluge him with all of the above. 

Under the normal early southeastern opener that was scheduled for April 11, the COVID-19 virus made the PF&BC cancel that date and move it to a single statewide opener on April 18. Far too many anglers will now figure they have time to get gear in shape and do their angling shopping, much to the displeasure of shop owners. 

Of all the fishing tackle on the market, there are some new tackle items anglers may be interested in, and one of them is Ugly Stik’s new Carbon rods. 

According to Cole Hunter, Ugly Stik media manager, the new Carbon rods offered in casting and spinning models, are the lightest Ugly Stik ever made. He goes on to say that using new carbon technology, the carbon rods are crafted of 100 percent 24-ton graphite which allows the new rods to be lightweight and 37 percent stronger, on average, than other similar action rods make without the Ugly Stik process. But they still use the famous Ugly Stik durable tip. 

Although the rods’ press release said it’s 24-ton graphite, the major composition is comprised of carbon fiber like that used in the automotive market, crossbows and other gear. 

Pure Fishing, the parent company of Ugly Stik, says the Carbon series of rods marks a major improvement in rod handling and sensitivity and the series also encompasses other performance qualities that raise the bar for the brand in terms of features and benefits. The Carbon rods feature Ugly Tuff stainless steel guides and popular WINN split grips for added control and comfort. 

Ugly Stik Vice President Jon Schlosser says, “Anglers are shocked that a rod can have this much power and yet be so sensitive at the same time. And does so while remaining in line with the affordability of other Ugly Stik models, making it one of the best values in all of fishing.”

For you bass and saltwater anglers, Soft Steel, the line company from reel maker Okuma, has debuted their stretchable fluorocarbon line. 

The company says it’s Sift Steel is 100 percent fluorocarbon line with stretchable properties of monofilament line. This means, they claim, you’ll get a tighter cinch on your knot standard fluro lines and it’s available in breaking strengths of 10-150 pounds and is offered in 25 yard spools as well as 5-yard single shot lengths. It retails from $6.99 to $89.99. 

UNUSUAL FISH HATCHERY THEFT
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We recently learned that a thief visited the restroom at Allentown’s Lil-Le-Hi Fish Hatchery and broke the toilet paper container to steal two rolls of toilet paper and hand wipes from the room. Unreal what some crazed people will do.