By Matthew Harrell

Most fishing television hosts spend an entire 30 minute segment showing viewers how many fish they can catch. Charlie “The Mad Fisherman” Moore would rather spend that 30 minutes making viewers laugh. Catching a few fish is also a plus.

Proudly hailing from Boston, MA, Charlie Moore started fishing Boston Harbor at a young age. Moore’s father was an avid boater and often took Charlie along for boat rides. It was Charlie, however, that decided to take advantage of his father’s Boston Whaler boat and start fishing.

With no college degree, Charlie realized that he would have to do something special in order to be successful. In 1996, Moore came up with the concept of doing the fishing segment for the New England Sports Channel (NESN.) Although the producers liked his show, Charlie was only given limited airtime.

After much negotiation with the producers at NESN, Moore was granted a full hour show. The show, “Charlie Moore Outdoors,” ended up being so successful that it began airing three to four times per week after Red Sox games. With such success in the New England area, ESPN took notice of the Boston area fisherman and decided to “cast” him in his own show.

In 2004, Charlie’s show, “Beat Charlie Moore,” became the most successful outdoors show to date. “Beat Charlie Moore” challenges people from across the country to a fishing contest. If the challenger wins the contest, Charlie will give you $5,000 out of his own pocket. However, if the challenger loses, Charlie gets bragging rights! Some of Moore’s opponents have included: Doug Flutie, Governor Mitt Romney, Tim Wakefield, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Ted Nugent.

“Today’s [fishing] shows are pretty boring. They’re all about education and education doesn’t sound like too much fun to me,” stated Moore about how his show on ESPN differs from other fishing shows. “There’s a ton of fishing shows, but there’s only one Charlie Moore show.”

“People are what make a great show,” Moore said emphatically. “Fishing is all about the experience, it’s not about how to fish. Sometimes I catch one, sometimes I catch four, or sometimes I catch forty. It doesn’t matter.”

Currently, Charlie is looking to take his career to the next level: primetime television. Charlie revealed that he recently signed a deal with CBS Paramount to start working on a sitcom of his own. Charlie’s interest in making his own television show sparked from not being satisfied with the comedies currently on television. Ironically, if there’s one thing that Charlie is serious about, it’s comedy.

“I love to make people laugh. The best cure for anything is laughter,” proclaimed Moore. “We’re in the middle of a war and gas prices are four dollars a gallon. Where’s the funny? Show me the funny!”

One of the most popular segments on Charlie’s show is entitled “The Codfather.” In the skit, Charlie plays the Codfather, an underground mafia boss of the outdoors world.

“You can’t hunt, fish, canoe, or kayak without the written permission and consent of the Codfather or there’s a good chance that you’re going to get whacked!” joked Moore. “The character is based on fishermen and their tight lips when it comes to helping you out [with finding good fishing spots.]

Even with all the success that Charlie Moore has had, he still feels like the same guy he was before his fame. Moore explains this and other aspects of his life in his new book: The Mad Fisherman: Kick Some Bass with America’s Wildest TV Host. Moore revealed that the book was more about being successful in life than about being a successful fisherman.

“I’m not the smartest bulb in the Christmas tree; [my success] is from a lot of hard work and blood, sweat and tears. None of this stuff has really changed me. I’ve got a few more cars and a few more toys, but it hasn’t changed who I am,” stated Charlie about his new book.

For more information about Charlie Moore visit: www.charliemoore.com

Also, be sure to check out Charlie’s hit TV show “Beat Charlie Moore” every Saturday morning at 7:30am on ESPN2!

Charlie Moore’s Fishing FAQ:

Favorite Type of Fishing: Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

Favorite Rod: 6’6” Medium-heavy Quantum Baitcaster with 14lb. test fishing line

Favorite Bait: Lunker City spinner bait

Favorite Fishing Spot: “Wherever I’m at!”

I still remember watching my dad up to his waist in a rushing Colorado stream casting flies for trout. I was too young for that kind of fishing (although at the age of six I had caught a trout off the bridge in front of our home, using a spinning reel and a worm).

It fascinated me to watch the glistening line whipping repeatedly back and forth over his head as he sought to get enough distance to put the fly where he wanted it.

The memory of the heavy strikes and the subsequent fights with lunker trout (that we ate that night) drove me to fly fishing later in life, but I took it up with certain amount of trepidation.

I have to admit I was somewhat intimidated. Fly fishing took a lot of skill, I thought. More that I felt I had.

JUST A LITTLE MORE SKILL?

Arguably, fly fishing takes just a little more skill, or “know-how”, as my dad might put it, than other forms of fishing.

Matching up your equipment is just the beginning, learning to cast takes practice, not just to get familiar with how the reel works as it spools off line, but to gain the dexterity to place the fly where it needs to go — to drop it right in front of a lunker you suspect is lying in a pool behind that big rock.

Then comes fly tying — not really necessary — but a skill that puts you miles ahead of the fisherman that buys flies off the shelf, who can’t “match the flies to hatch”, or create them “on the spot”.

More skill than you or I possess, you may ask? No, not necessarily. Not if you find and associate with the right people, those who already possess the skills, and are more than willing to impart them to you.

A SOLITARY SPORT?

At first glance, fly fishing seems a solitary sport. While you might see more than one fly fisherman wading in a stream or a lake, they appear to be pretty isolated from one another, not exactly like a bunch of golf buddies pulling a cart and shooting above par.

The fact is that that individual fly fisherman probably has a lot of “back-up” contacts and friends; you just can’t see them because they’re all part of the club he belongs to.

He as acquired many of his skills by associating with other people.

WHY JOIN A CLUB?

In our busy schedules, clubs take time away from other things we probably should be doing. In many cases, clubs are time wasters, put together by people who have an obsession with following “Robert’s Rules of Order”.

Fly fishing clubs, however, are close to a necessary item on the fisherman’s menu — that is if he also wants to include fish on that same menu.

There are many reasons for joining a club. By associating with enthusiastic fellow fisherman at a higher (and lower) experience level than your own, you can

– discover more about your equipment.

– learn how to choose rods, reels, line, and gear.

– hone your basic skills. Get tips about such things casting, fly selections and determining “where the fish are” in a variety of environmental situations.

– learn how make equipment. Maybe you’d like to make your own fly rod from a blank or discover what equipment and materials you need to tie flies.

– uncover the best places to go to catch fish. Fly fishermen will divulge these things to friends they respect.

– plan trips and vacations. A fishing trip is not a trip unless you take people you like and are as enthusiastic as you are.

– help those less experienced. It’s always good to impart what you know. It’s said that a teacher best learns his own craft by teaching others.

– experience the camaraderie that comes with getting together with like minded enthusiasts.

TYPES OF CLUBS

Fly fishing clubs can be national, regional, local, or ones that are strictly internet based. Many cater to beginners or focus on fly tying or other techniques.

Three notable National Clubs are

– Federation of Fly Fishers

– International Women Fly Fishers

– Trout Unlimited

These clubs are dedicated to education and preservation of cold water species and habitats, and are great for educational opportunities.

Regional and local fly fishing clubs such as those indigenous to your state or city may provide a little more of the camaraderie you’re looking for, as well as information that you can apply to waters you’ll find where you live.

Internet clubs may be fun to join as well. You can post to forums and get tips by internet messenger or email.

Clubs you can find in your city or neighborhood may be the best for getting the kind of “hands on” experience you’re looking for. Check with your local bait and tackle shops for information on what’s available, and if you can’t find one, start one. Those same bait and tackle shops will jump at the chance of posting fliers for you and recommending their customers.

NO LONGER ALONE

Each type of club caters to a different need, and you might find it beneficial to join more than one. By doing so, you’ll find you’re not alone.

Even if you’re out in the stream by yourself, you’re surrounded by your friends in the club. When you see that fish rise, when it slams into your fly, your ears will ring with their enthusiastic support –

“Now, don’t horse him in, give him his head!”

“Keep your line tight.”

“Okay, now he’s tired, you can start bringing him in.”

“Keep your rod tip up.”

And finally,

“ALL RIGHT, NICE ONE! HOW BIG IS HE? I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT”

No, with your new-found club friends, you’re definitely no longer alone.

The fishing rod is the first basic piece of tackle the average bass fisherman needs to consider. I recommend a medium or medium light action graphite spinning rod.

I advise buying a rod six foot long. This rod can be used in a variety of different fishing conditions. As you become more experienced you will see the need for more specialized rods at times.

I have always used Berkley or Fenwick rods and found them to always be up to the task at hand. You should purchase your rod and reel simultaneously. I advise mounting the reel on the rod and holding it before you make a choice.

The rod and reel combo should feel right. Hold the rod direct above where the reel is seated. If you point the rod perpendicular to your body it should balance in a straight line. If it does not the reel may be too big or heavy and need to be replaced with a lighter one. Read the rest of this entry

For anyone that’s new to fishing in rivers and streams it’s important to understand the basics. In this article I will use my 20 plus years of river fishing experience to outline some of the basics of fishing in the flowing waters of both rivers and streams. Fishing in rivers and streams while wading is my preferred method of fishing and I wish I would have been told these basics of fishing when I was just starting out. Knowing this information would have saved a ton of time in trail and error.

The first thing to keep in mind in rivers & streams is that wading will be necessary. This means that a pair of waders will more than likely have to be used. Are waders a must? No, waders aren’t completely necessary, especially in warm weather, but waders do make you much more comfortable. One of the basics of fishing in rivers & streams is to wear a decent pair of waders.

The next thing to keep in mind is the species of fish you are trying to catch and match your gear to the size and species of fish. If you are fishing for trout or smallmouth bass, ultra light gear is a great idea. If you are trying to catch steelhead or salmon medium to medium heavy action gear should be employed. By ‘fishing gear’ I’m obviously referring to your rod and reel, but your line should also be included when referring to ‘fishing gear’ and river & stream fishing. Read the rest of this entry

For many anglers throwing lures or waving feathers in the air, simply isn’t the best way to catch fish. Sure, lures and flies are effective fish catching tools; it’s just that bait seems to be more effective in many situations. I have personally been fishing with bait for more than 25 years and in this article I will outline 3 fishing bait tips that will make anyone a more effective angler anytime that bait, especially live bait, is employed.

Obviously the term ‘fishing bait’ is a broad term that can include many different types of bait, from live worms to paste or nuggets that are sold in jars. For the purposes of this article I’m going to focus on live bait, rather than any other variety. These fishing bait tips should be employed when fishing with any form of live bait.

These tips aren’t being listed in any particular order, so use them as you see fit. Read the rest of this entry