Hello World! It's been awhile... Big changes are coming - Good changes!

First, we've added Brandon Matthews to the mix. He will be running our new section of the site called "The Fly Fishing Corner". Brandon knows his stuff when it comes to fly fishing, but you'll see that once his bio is up.

I promise to write more in 2012 - I've been too busy working and haven't had time to write OR fish much. I also have some reviews to do, more '10 Questions With...' to post and have a few cool ideas, which brings me to my next point... You'll also see more of my sexy NuCanoe Frontier :)

We will be doing a complete site overhaul, moving to a new CMS (Probably Wordpress) and really taking this site to the next level. We've outgrown Weebly - I have a ton of ideas, but I just can't execute them with this current system.

You'll even see our 'sister' company, Smallmouth Media Group, launching within the next few weeks. We hope to provide what I have dubbed, Outdoor Professionals, web & graphic design, branding, marketing, etc... We are going to strive to provide this to anyone, on any budget (I've been known to work for product too... If that's what it takes, so be it). I think everyone deserves a good web presence and it's almost impossible to do at the prices some of these firms charge... and lets face it, most of them, if not all of them, don't understand our passion. How can you make something GOOD for someone when you have no idea about their field? I'm ranting again...

So there you have it, our plans for 2012. We'll be back stronger and more annoying than ever... Well I will be anyway, I don't know about Brandon, he might not annoy you.

Ok - call me partial - but Pete has always been a huge name in the fishing industry, but now he is completely taking over the fishing world! Let's take a look at just a few of the things Mr. Pink Hat has done over the past week... Yes, all this in 1 week:

- Outdoor Life name's Pete Maina 1 of 20 of the best Anglers on the Planet! Yes, planet! Not just in Wisconsin, not just in the US of A, but the entire PLANET! How many angler's could have been put on this list? Hundreds... thousands even! This alone is enough to call game over, but we aren't done yet!

- 'The Next Bite' wins 'Best Overall Outdoor Fishing Program'. Now, I have to ask here... Outdoor fishing program? Who won the Indoor fishing program? Anyway, that's another story - Again, how many fishing shows are floating around the airwaves and intrawebs these days? Tons! 'The Next Bite' just swam on through and ate up the competition! <- Pun intended. Congratulations to not only Pete, but everyone involved with TNB, you guys deserve it!

- Pete makes the top 5 for 'Best On Air Talent' - Now, personally, I think this one could have went either way. The guy who won (Razor Dobbs - is one bad ass kinda guy) - From what I have seen from his shows, if you gave Pete a gun, he'd be Razor. If you gave Razor a fishing pole (and a stylish pink hat), he'd be Pete... Both these guys are the most entertaining in their disciplines, so it's a tie in my book... But again, I'm probably being partial.

Here's some bonus awesome for ya'll. Pete's boat windshield also got destroyed by a dancing, Shram lovin' muskie... When will it end!

Here's a link for all you PR people... http://www.petemaina.com/pages/press-release.php

This was featured in Susquehanna Fishing Magazine a few issues back, but I thought I'd repost it here for everyone to download. These are the 5 knots... and the ONLY 5 knots, that I have ever needed. Learn them, use them and you'll see why they are so awesome!

One of the most overwhelming aspects of fishing is choosing the right knot. Think about it for a minute – There are hundreds of different knots being used today, so how do you know which one is right for which situation? The short answer to this question is that there really isn’t a correct answer. It all comes down to personal preference and even your own ability to tie some of these complicated knots. I’ll show you some of my favorite knots. I chose most of these because they are simple, strong and very easy to tie – especially in mid winter when you’re freezing and can’t seem to get your hands to work.

San Diego Jam Knot -

This first knot hasn’t been used by me for very long, but I wish I would have found out about this one sooner. Anytime you feel the need to use an ‘Improved Clinch’ knot, give this one a try – The San Diego Jam.

I started using this knot when I tied my lures on straight to braid. ‘Improved Clinch’ knots just do not hold well enough with braid. I eventually started using this knot on most of my lure to line applications. This knot has not slipped or broken on me yet and that’s more than I can say for the ‘Improved Clinch’!

Rapala Knot -

The next knot is another lure to line knot. This knot is fairly popular, but I still do not see people using this as much as they should. The ‘Rapala Knot’ is a great knot to use on any hard bait. It can also be used on nymph’s while fly fishing. This knot frees the lure and allows for a more natural presentation.

This knot looks difficult, but it really is easy after a few practice runs. Keep this one simple, just tie an overhand knot, bring the tag end through the overhand knot, and then finish just like you’re tying an ‘Improved Clinch’. This knot really excels on suspending jerkbaits and nymphs, but can also be used on crankbaits and topwater lures.

World’s Fair Knot -

Another great knot that I have just recently started using is the ‘World’s Fair’ Knot. This knot is a great knot to use when you’re dropshotting. It’s fast, easy to tie and very strong. I have used this on braid, mono and fluorocarbon with no issues.

                I also use this to tie on dry flies when I need them to sit perfectly on top of the water. This is a lightweight knot that will keep your knot from pulling the fly into the water.

Alberto Knot -

                Ok, we covered knots that connect lure to line, now let’s move on to some knots I use to attach leaders onto my main line. The one knot that I use almost all the time with leaders is the ‘Alberto Knot’. This knot is a modified version of the ‘Albright Knot’ and is actually easier to tie.

This knot is very strong – I have actually broken 65 lb. braid with the knot being unaffected. Some people like to add a drop of super glue or nail polish to this knot, but I change leaders so often that I don’t see the need to do this. This is the slimmest knot I have seen and it has no problem traveling through guides.

Nail-less Nail Knot -

                Here is one for all you fly angler’s out there – ‘The Nail-less Nail Knot’. I’ll be the first to admit, I hate tying a nail knot. I still cannot tie one without having to start over multiple times, so this knot is perfect for me.

                I’ve seen a few different ways to tie this knot, but I find this is the easiest way to tie it when using those very small leaders.

The last thing I will say about tying these knots is to practice. I’ve tied most of these knots so many times that I can do them in the dark. These may feel awkward at first, but soon you will develop a muscle memory and will be able to tie these as fast as you can tie your shoes! Remember, knots are very important to landing those big fish, so make sure they are tied properly, look neat and are lubricated before tightened.   

Well like everything I normally start - I feel into a rut with this segment and slacked off! Never fear though - It's back! This week's lures are all about bottom contact:

Lure:

Tubes - Yes, the tube! One of my all time favorite lures, yet it's probably the simplest lure in my box (besides the stickbaits). It's so easy to use, even you're grandpa can use it! 

The smallmouth here in Pa are in Pre-Spawn mode (or just about to enter pre-spawn). They need to fatten up and they just can't resist a tube. Crawl one along the bottom rigged on a weighted tube hook and you'll find the fish. A good place to start looking is at the end's and beginning's of deep pools, especially if shallow flats are around. The smallies are going to be sitting in these area's stocking up on food and waiting to move up into the shallows to spawn. 

Fly:

Prince Nymph - The royalty of all nymphs! Doesn't really look like any bug I have ever seen, but it imitates just about every Mayfly nymph around. Every box needs a few Prince's, especially beadhead princes.

A lot of people have a hard time with nymphing, but I can guarantee it's because they aren't dragging the bottom with their fly. If you can't feel the bottom when you're nymphing, you aren't nymphing right! Occasionally trout will take a nymph in the middle of the water column, but 9 times out of 10, their grabbing them from the bottom. Get your fly there to find the fish! 

What happens when 1 angler has really crazy (and some downright dumb) shirt ideas AND has the graphical skillz (HAHA, NOT!) to make totally awesome stuff? The Fishing In Pa Store! Right now, it's limited to clothes (and only 2 designs) but I am uploading designs like a mad man! Keep watching the store for more products and designs. If you have any ideas, let us know and maybe we will get them made. 

Store link: http://www.zazzle.com/fishinginpa

Ok people! CONTEST TIME! All you have to do is suggest our page to friends on Facebook or retweet our twitter message (Retweet this message for your chance to WIN the Fishing In Pa Sharing Contest!) to win! If you suggest our page to friends, you must reply to our message on Facebook and tell us how many people you suggested the page to. You have until Nate's Birthday (Feb. 20th) to do this! What's up for grabs?

- El Grande Tubes - Baby Bass
- El Grande Hatch-Match Sticks - Tri-Lam Talipia
- a bunch of random no name soft plastics 
- Fishing In Pa decals

Now go! Get us some 'Likes'/followers!