Author
Cameron Spanos
Cameron is the founder of Bushwhack and its lead engineer. He fishes throughout Utah and the wider Rockies — mostly fly fishing rivers and streams, with regular detours into stillwater. Trout are his bread and butter, but he'll chase anything with fins and is always pushing for a new species on the list. He picked up a fly rod in 2012 and hasn't put it down since. When he's not on the water, he's building the tools he wished he'd had a decade ago — every feature in the app started as something he needed for his own log.
53 articles on Bushwhack
Articles by Cameron Spanos
Trico Spinner Falls in July: The 7 AM Window Every Tailwater Angler Should Plan Around
The Trico spinner fall on July tailwaters runs on the kind of clock you can almost set a watch by. When the air hits 68F over slick water on the Bighorn, Missouri, or South Holston, you get a 90-minute window of size 22 dry fly fishing, then a second act with drowned spinners that almost nobody fishes.
Mousing at Night for Big Brown Trout in Summer
Mousing at night for big brown trout in summer is the ethical trophy option when daytime water is too warm to fish. Here's when to go, where the big ones hunt, how to work a waking mouse, and how to wade safely in the dark.
Hopper Season Setup: The Three-Fly Rig That Replaces Your Dry-Dropper in July
PMDs are done by mid-July on most freestones, and the dry-dropper that crushed in June starts getting refusals. The fix is a three-fly hopper rig: foam hopper as indicator, weighted jig 3-4 feet down, soft-hackle emerger 18 inches under that. Here's the exact hopper season setup, when to switch, and how to fish banks versus midstream.
How to Fly Cast in the Wind: 5 Adjustments That Actually Work (Without a Single Haul Lesson)
Most advice on how to fly cast in the wind starts with "learn the double haul." That is useless when you are already in the river. Here are 5 adjustments intermediate anglers can make today, no haul required.
How to Fish the PMD Spinner Fall: The Evening Window Most Anglers Miss
The PMD spinner fall happens after most anglers have already broken down their rods. Here's how to read the last 30 minutes of light, find where spent spinners collect, and catch the biggest trout of the day on a rusty spinner pattern.
Best Line Counter Trolling Reels for 2026 (Walleye, Salmon & Lake Trout)
A no-nonsense look at the best line counter trolling reels for 2026, sorted by budget and matched to walleye, salmon, and lake trout. Which Okuma earns the rod holder and which to skip.
Same Spot, Different Day: Why You Got Skunked Where You Slayed Them
You crushed it Saturday. Same dock, same lure, same water on Sunday, and nothing. Here is why you get skunked at the same spot on different days, the five conditions that actually changed between trips, and how a few logged outings reveal which one matters for your water.
Yellowstone Fly Fishing in June 2026: A Week-by-Week Trip Planning Guide
Yellowstone fly fishing in June 2026 is a moving target. The freestones are blown, the Firehole is on fire, and every week shifts which river is the right call. Here's the trip-planning view: where to fish each week, where to base, what permits cost, and how to time the salmonfly-to-PMD-to-green-drake handoff.
Best Wading Boots 2026: Felt vs Rubber Sole
Picking the best wading boots for 2026 comes down to one decision before brand or price: felt or rubber sole. Here are three verified picks and where each one actually wins.
How to Fly Fish From a Drift Boat: A First-Timer's Guide to Your First Guided Float
Your first guided float on the Madison, Yellowstone, or Green is mostly about not getting in your guide's way. Here's how to fly fish from a drift boat like you've done it before: where to cast, how to set the hook, which seat to grab, and how much to tip.
Yellow Sally and Golden Stonefly Dry-Dropper for June Trout
The salmonflies are done. Now what? A rig-by-rig guide to fishing a yellow sally and golden stonefly dry-dropper through late June and July on western freestones, with timing notes for the Madison, Big Hole, Yellowstone, Henry's Fork, and Green.
Tributary Mouth Trout Fishing in Summer Heat: Finding Thermal Refuge When Rivers Hit 70°F
Once the mainstem creeps past 68 degrees, your trout don't disappear. They pile up at tributary mouths. Here's how to find thermal refuge plumes, fish the mixing zone without cooking the fish, and which feeders to scout in late June before the river goes dire.
Stillwater Trout in June: Callibaetis and Damselfly Hatches on Western Reservoirs
June flips western reservoirs on. Here is how to read callibaetis vs damselfly hatches on Strawberry, Henrys, Hebgen, and Delaney Buttes, with a depth-and-retrieve table for chironomid, damsel nymph, and adult presentations.
Hex Hatch 2026: Night Fishing the Hexagenia Limbata in Michigan, Wisconsin, and the Upper Midwest
A region-by-region guide to the 2026 hex hatch across the Upper Midwest. When the Au Sable, Manistee, Brule, Namekagon, and Wolf fire each night, the dusk window in clock terms, leader and fly setups for fishing in the dark, and how to read a Hexagenia limbata spinnerfall by ear.
When to Stop Fishing for Trout: A Water-Temperature Decision Tree for Summer
A simple decision tree for when to stop fishing for trout in summer based on water temperature, plus where to fish instead when your home freestone hits 70F. Mortality data, hoot-owl rules, and a tailwater backup list.
Western Green Drake Hatch 2026: Madison, Henry's Fork, and Yampa Trip-Planning Guide
A river-by-river plan for the 2026 Western Green Drake hatch on the Madison, Henry's Fork, and Yampa. Timing windows, the three fly stages that matter, and the weather pattern that ruins most drake days.
Middle Provo River Wade Fishing: Access, Parking, and Hatches Mile by Mile
Middle Provo River wade fishing rewards anglers who know which access point fits the day. Here's the mile-by-mile breakdown of all seven public access points, parking, and the hatches that turn fish on at each one, from Jordanelle Dam down to Deer Creek.
Fly Fishing Utah for Beginners: 5 Forgiving Rivers
Fly fishing Utah for beginners doesn't mean starting on technical 6X tippet water. Five Utah rivers, ranked from most forgiving to most rewarding, where new anglers actually hook fish, plus where to park, when to go, and one fly each.
Weber River Brown Trout: Where to Find Trophy Browns Below Rockport
The tailwater below Rockport Reservoir grows some of the heaviest Weber River brown trout in northern Utah. Here's where to walk in, what flows to fish, and the seams big browns actually hold in between Wanship and Coalville.
Logan River Bear River Cutthroat: A Walk-and-Wade Guide to Logan Canyon
Logan River Bear River cutthroat live in pocket water you can reach from a Highway 89 pullout. Where to park, what to tie on, and which sections actually fish, from Card Canyon up to Red Banks.
Terrestrial Fly Fishing for Beginners: How to Fish Hoppers, Ants, and Beetles All Summer
Terrestrial fly fishing is the most approachable dry fly season there is: no hatch timing required. Learn how to fish hoppers, ants, and beetles from July through September and why summer bank fishing produces some of the most aggressive trout strikes of the year.
Summer Trout Fishing: How to Find Fish When the Water Warms Up
Summer heat doesn't have to end your trout season. Here's how to read the water, find cold-water refuges, time your trips right, and land more fish, without killing them, when temperatures climb.
Best Wet Wading Shoes for 2026: 3 Picks I'd Actually Wear
Three verified picks for 2026 wet wading shoes: the Astral Brewer 3.0 for slick mountain cobble, the KEEN Newport H2 for all-day durability, and the Chaco Classic for warm calm water. Plus when to actually retire the waders.
Is a Tenkara Rod Worth It for American Trout Streams in 2026? Mizuchi vs Hellbender vs Tenryu
Is a tenkara rod worth it for American trout streams in 2026? An honest verdict on three sub-$200 (and one premium) rods, plus a real answer on whether tenkara should replace your 5wt for backcountry creeks.
Salmonfly Hatch 2026: A Region-by-Region Timing Guide for the West
The 2026 salmonfly hatch is the West's biggest dry fly event. Here's the river-by-river timing cheat sheet for the Madison, Big Hole, Henry's Fork, Deschutes, and Upper Colorado, plus how to actually fish the bank-bashing pattern when you get there.
Best Sun Shirts for Fishing 2026: UPF 50+ Long Sleeve, Hooded and Crew
A no-fluff comparison of the best sun shirts for fishing 2026: Huk Icon X and AFTCO Samurai 2, hooded and crew. Pick by use case so you stop burning your neck on the water.
Strawberry River Utah Fly Fishing: The Tailwater Most Anglers Skip
Strawberry River Utah fly fishing gets overshadowed by the Green and the Provo, and that's exactly why it fishes the way it does. A Blue Ribbon tailwater below Soldier Creek Dam, a canyon section through the Pinnacles, and brown trout that have never seen as many drifts as their downstream cousins.
Shimano Vanquish vs Daiwa Exist: Is a Premium Spinning Reel Worth $1,000?
The Shimano Vanquish vs Daiwa Exist debate comes down to one question: how much smoothness can you actually feel? This head-to-head breaks down where each reel excels, plus whether the Stradic FM or Ballistic MQ gets you 90% of the performance at half the price.
Best Rubber Mesh Fly Fishing Net for Trout: Rubber vs Nylon (2026)
The best rubber mesh fly fishing net for trout keeps fish healthy and makes hook removal fast. Rubber mesh removes far less protective slime than nylon, cutting post-release mortality. We tested and compared 2 nets from $160 to $180 across frame material, weight, hoop size, and mesh type to help you pick the right one for your water.
Post-Spawn Trout Tactics: Fishing the PMD and Caddis Hatches in May and June
After the spawn wraps up, trout shift from survival mode to aggressive feeding, and May and June deliver some of the year's best hatches. PMDs and caddis bring trout to the surface and demand a different approach than winter nymphing. Here's how to read the water and match the hatch.
Best All-Around Trout Fly Rod 2026: Sage R8 Core vs Orvis Helios vs Scott Centric vs Douglas Sky G
Looking for the best all-around trout fly rod 2026 has to offer? We tested the Sage R8 Core, Orvis Helios F, Scott Centric, and Douglas Sky G head-to-head on casting feel, dry fly vs nymph versatility, and value to help you pick the right premium 5-weight.
Green River Cicada Hatch: When to Be on the Water in May and June
The Green River cicada hatch is the one week of the year when 22-inch browns will eat a size 8 chunk of foam off the bank. Here's how to time it, what to throw, and the rookie mistakes that put fish down.
Best Fly Reels for Trout Under $300 (2026): 3 Picks I'd Actually Buy
After 35 trips on the American Fork River and 121 brown trout in the net, here are the three best fly reels for trout under $300 in 2026 worth your money. One budget pick, one lightweight specialist, and one do-everything workhorse.
How to Catch More Fish After a Bad Trip: Turn Slow Days Into Data
Learn how to catch more fish after a bad fishing trip by reframing slow days as your richest source of data. Discover what to log, which patterns emerge from blank sessions, and how a season of 'bad' entries reveals exactly what conditions to avoid.
Best Fly Fishing Sling Pack for Wade Fishing (2026)
The best fly fishing sling pack keeps your gear dry and accessible when you're waist-deep in current. We tested the top sling packs for wade fishing and picked the three that actually deliver.
Should You Fish Near Spawning Trout Redds? An Evidence-Based Answer
Every April the debate erupts on rivers across the country: is fishing near spawning trout redds ethical, harmful, or even legal? We break down the science on redd disturbance, how to spot a redd before you wade through one, where regulations actually close the water, and a practical code of conduct rooted in evidence, not guilt.
Best Polarized Fishing Sunglasses Under $50 for Beginners (2026)
Finding the best polarized fishing sunglasses under $50 doesn't mean settling for junk. These five pairs genuinely cut glare, protect your eyes, and help you spot fish without blowing your gear budget, plus a plain-English guide to choosing the right lens tint for where you fish.
Euro Nymphing vs. Indicator Nymphing: Which to Learn First?
Trying to choose between euro nymphing vs indicator nymphing as a beginner? This guide breaks down both styles honestly: how they work, where each shines, what gear you actually need, and which one you should learn first based on where you fish.
Moon Phase Fishing: Does It Actually Work?
Moon phase fishing divides anglers like almost nothing else. We dig into the science behind solunar tables, tidal pull, and lunar feeding periods, and show how logging your catches reveals whether it works for you.
Nymphing for Trout: A Beginner's Guide to Subsurface Fly Fishing
Learn nymphing for trout beginners with this complete guide to dead-drift indicator rigs, weight selection, reading the drift, and setting the hook, plus how to log which rigs work at which depths.
Best Fly Fishing Waders for 2026: From First-Timer to Full-Season Wade Angler
The best fly fishing waders for 2026 cover every budget, from under $100 to premium guide-grade. Here are 4 verified picks, plus a buying guide to help you choose the right pair.
Dry Dropper Rig Setup: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Learn the dry dropper rig setup from scratch: how to build it step by step, the best fly combos, how to cast without tangles, and how to detect subsurface strikes. The most practical beginner guide to fishing a dry fly and nymph together.
Matching the Hatch in Spring: April and May Trout Hatches
Master matching the hatch fly fishing spring with a practical guide to BWOs, Quill Gordons, and Sulphurs, plus how to log your observations and build a personal hatch calendar that gets sharper every season.
Best Fly Fishing Lines for Beginners (2026): 5 Lines That Make Learning Easier
The best fly fishing lines for beginners load rods easily, cast predictably, and don't cost a fortune. Here are 5 picks that make learning the sport faster.
Spring Runoff Trout Fishing: A Phase-by-Phase Guide
Spring runoff trout fishing doesn't have to mean staying home. Learn how to read each phase, from rising water through peak dirty flow to the clearing window, and catch trout when most anglers won't even launch a rod.
Finding Your Secret Fishing Spot: A Strategic Guide to Discovering Hidden Gems
Learn the proven strategies for discovering productive fishing spots that others overlook. From map analysis to on-the-water exploration, this guide reveals how to find and protect your own secret honey holes.
Green River Utah: Section A vs B vs C, Where to Float and Where to Wade
The Green River Utah breaks into three sections below Flaming Gorge Dam, and each one fishes nothing like the others. Here's an honest breakdown of Section A vs B vs C: fish density, float times, wade access, and which one to pick for your trip.
30 Fishing Challenges to Level Up Your Skills
Push your angling abilities to new heights with these 30 fishing challenges. From beginner-friendly goals to legendary achievements, discover how to earn badges and become a better angler.
Complete Fly Fishing Setup Guide: Rods, Reels, and Lines Explained
Everything you need to know about choosing the right fly rod, reel, and line combo, plus how to track your gear performance to find what works best.
10 Best Spring Flies for the Rocky Mountains (March-May)
Discover the top 10 fly patterns that consistently produce results during spring runoff in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana. From midges to stoneflies, these proven patterns will help you catch more trout this spring.
How to Start a Fishing Log: Complete Guide for 2026
Discover why keeping a fishing log is the secret weapon of successful anglers. Learn what to track, how to organize your data, and how digital logs are revolutionizing the sport.
Spring Fly Fishing Preparation Checklist: Get Ready for the Best Season
Spring is prime fly fishing season. Use this comprehensive checklist to prepare your gear, scout locations, and maximize your success when the ice melts and fish start feeding.
Diamond Fork Fly Fishing: The Sixth Water Drainage
Diamond Fork fly fishing improved dramatically once the Central Utah Project pipeline took the irrigation water out of the streambed. Here is how the Sixth Water drainage actually fishes now: access, flows, hatches, and the regulation most anglers miss.
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