The 3rd Annual Cache Cats Tournament is officially in the books! This year, 23 anglers competed across the Bear River/Cutler system in Northern Utah, chasing Channel Catfish and Bullheads over two days of fishing. Considering the first Cache Cats had only three anglers , seeing 23 people participate three years later is something I’m incredibly proud of. We came up just short of last year’s 25 anglers, but this year’s tournament also fell on Utah’s archery opener. More importantly, we had nine youth anglers participate. Getting kids and families involved in fishing has become one of my favorite parts of putting these tournaments together. The Road to Cache Cats A big part of Cache Cats isn’t just the tournament weekend itself. It’s everything that happens leading up to it. In the weeks before the tournament, I spent quite a bit of time fishing the Bear River/Cutler system, making videos, scouting and getting ready for the event. I was able to go fishing with Steve Thom...

Registration is Now Open for the 3rd Annual Cache Cats Tournament – Three Years Strong! Registration is officially open for the 3rd Annual Cache Cats Tournament , taking place August 14–15, 2026 on the Bear River and Cutler Reservoir system in Northern Utah. Now entering its third year, Cache Cats continues to bring together anglers of all ages for a fun, family-friendly weekend of catfishing competition. Tournament Format Anglers will compete for the longest combined length of 3 Channel Catfish and 3 Bullhead . FishDonkey will automatically cull your smallest fish. If a tie occurs, the largest Carp will be used as the tiebreaker. Entry Fees Adult Division: $30 Youth Division: $15 Cash Payouts The Cache Cats Tournament features guaranteed minimum payouts that grow with participation. Adult Division 1st Place – $50 minimum, grows to 30% of the prize pool 2nd Place – $40 minimum, grows to 20% 3rd Place – $30 minimum, grows to 10% Youth Division ...

Late Spring Fishing Adventures Across Northern Utah Late spring is one of my favorite times to fish in Utah. The lakes and rivers are coming alive, every trip offers something different, and it's the perfect time to get outdoors with family and friends. Over the past several weeks, I've had the opportunity to fish a variety of waters across Northern Utah, with each trip adding another memorable story. One of my first outings took me to the Blacksmith Fork River in search of brown trout. The Blacksmith Fork has a well-known overpopulation of smaller brown trout, and Utah's regulations encourage anglers to harvest some fish to improve the overall fishery. The trout were feeding well, and after a successful morning I brought a couple home for dinner. It was a rewarding reminder that responsible harvest can play an important role in fisheries management while also putting fresh food on the table. Utah's Free Fishing Day brought one of my favorite memories of the...

🎣 Utah Panfish Festival 2026 – Everything You Need to Know The Utah Panfish Festival 2026 is here—and it’s shaping up to be one of the most fun, accessible fishing tournaments in the state. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just getting started, this event is designed to be simple, competitive, and family-friendly . 🐟 What is the Panfish Festival? This Tournament is designed for all Anglers regardless of skill level. My goal is for families and anglers to make memories and have an opportunity to win some prizes.  Bluegill Crappie Perch Bass (largemouth and smallmouth) 📏 How the Tournament Works 2 biggest fish per species 8 fish max total Combined length = score 📍 Where Can You Fish? ANY public waterbody in Utah 📱 How to Enter Fish Use the FishDonkey app 📸 Photo Requirements Fish must be on a bump board Measurement clearly visible Selfie with fish required Entries that don’t meet require...

A Short Ice Season and an Early Start to Open Water Fishing This year has been a little different. Usually, by this time of year, I’m still trying to squeeze every last bit out of ice fishing—drilling holes, chasing that late-season bite, and holding onto winter for just a little longer. But 2026 had other plans. A Short Ice Season I did manage to get out on the ice this year, including a solid trip where we found a good afternoon bite and stayed on fish. Those days are always a reminder of why I love ice fishing—the simplicity, the cold air, and the action when you find it. Watch that trip here: But overall, the season felt short. There wasn’t much time to really settle into a consistent ice bite before conditions started changing. Before long, I was already thinking about packing up the auger and looking ahead to open water. Mixing It Up in Wellsville In between the short ice season and the early spring conditions, I also spent some time fishing in Wellsvi...

Chasing Bonneville Whitefish at Bear Lake (December Fishing Report) December fishing in Utah often means cold hands, quiet shorelines, and surprisingly active fish—especially at Bear Lake . On this trip, I headed north to target one of the lake’s most unique species: the Bonneville Whitefish . Unlike many fish that move deep as winter approaches, Bonneville Whitefish begin moving shallow in late fall and early winter to spawn. This makes December one of the best times of year to encounter them from shore or in shallow water. A Unique Fishery at Bear Lake Bear Lake is known for its endemic species, and the Bonneville Whitefish is one of the most underrated. These fish are strong, fast, and often mistaken for something else until they’re right at your feet. When conditions line up, Whitefish can be caught on spinners, spoons, and other small moving baits. On this outing, I hooked into a Whitefish using a spinner . The fish was unfortunately foul-hooked in the fin, and as...

November Fishing Report — Big Trips, Big Rainbows, and the Black Friday Tournament November turned into one of my busiest months of the year. Between work, family, fishing trips, and tournament preparation, the weeks flew by. Even with the tight schedule, I still managed to get out on the water for two great adventures and wrap up the month by hosting the 2025 Utah Black Friday Trout Tournament . Hyrum Reservoir Trip — First Cast Bass & Late Fall Trout Early in November, I met up with my friend Adam Peterson for a quick trip to Hyrum Reservoir . Late fall conditions usually mean slowdowns, but this trip was the opposite. The very first cast of the morning produced a nice bass , thanks to the Sakana Baits Wiggly Tail + Tube combo . From there, we mixed in both trout and bass throughout the day. Watch the short: 👉 @sakanabaits Wiggly Tail + Tube For The Win Watch the full video: 👉 First Cast Magic at Hyrum (Late Fall Bass and Trout) Idaho Trophy Fishing ...