Reel-Ality

07/25/2024

The news journalist in me desires to always uncover what's beyond the surface when I take assignments and on occasion I find far more than I ever imagined existed...this is one of those stories.

Fishing the Bow River for its renowned brown and rainbow trout offers more than just a thrilling catch; it opens a window into the rich cultural traditions of Alberta’s Indigenous Peoples. Guided by Quinn Soonias, anglers not only learn the art of fly fishing but also partake in meaningful customs...

07/15/2024

So many of my fishing stories for publications are fun and adventurous but I am thrilled to share this article for Catfish NOW magazine showcasing how fishing can make a deep and meaningful impact on peoples lives.

https://catfishnow.com/MAG/2024/07/12/veterans-find-new-hope-reeling-in-one-catfish-at-a-time-by-anietra-hamper/

Thank you to Beth Seemann and Disabled Veterans Outdoors for letting me share this wonderful story.

05/15/2024

As an outdoor and fishing journalist it is always an honor to be tapped by top publications and editors who trust my expertise. I was one of the fishing experts that USA Today relied on to develop this impressive list of the best rivers for fly fishing in the United States for their 2024 Reader's Choice contest. This was a tough one to narrow down for nominations but it was a joy to join the USA Today team to develop it. Voting ends June 12.

Voting for the Best River for Fly Fishing is open! Cast your vote daily to help pick the 2024 10Best Readers' Choice Award for Best River for Fly Fishing.

05/07/2024

Some of my favorite work is serving as an expert contributor on fishing for USA Today. This year's USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice nominations for best fishing lodges is out and I was honored to serve on the expert panel to select some well-deserving lodges. Voting is now open.

Voting for the Best Fishing Lodge is open! Cast your vote daily to help pick the 2024 10Best Readers' Choice Award for Best Fishing Lodge.

03/26/2024

What an epic night of shark fishing with Coastal WorldWide in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Thanks guys for the awesome video capture of the experience and for an unforgettable night. Thanks also to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism for the introduction to this top-notch operation.

03/21/2024

I love fishing in remote destinations around the world and as some of these unspoiled places become more appealing to travelers looking for off-the-grid experiences, there is a greater need for balance between tourism and environmental protection to keep them pristine. My latest published story looked deeper into that delicate balance. Thank you to my friends and the best jungle fishing pals Tom Armitage and Emily Armitage for letting me showcase your experience in Guyana and for my friend Navin L. Roopnarain for playing such an important role in the efforts that I highlight in the article.

Kinute follows anglers deep into Guyana's rainforest, discovering the balance between tourism, culture preservation, and environmental sustainability that make it the ideal an off-the-grid adventure hotspot.

03/19/2024

Excited to have been selected as one of Newsweek Magazine's outdoor experts to select the best whitewater rafting adventures to include in its Readers' Choice Awards contest that runs until April 18th. It makes me want to get out there on the rapids!

Grab your adventure-seeking friends and book one wild ride with one of these highly rated whitewater rafting tours.

03/14/2024

Thank you to the Central Ohio Fly Fishers club for having me as the guest speaker this week to talk about destination angling and how the opportunities have vastly expanded for anglers close to home and around the world. It was a fun evening!

03/03/2024

While it's a thrill to fish for some of the biggest species in the world, and around the world, the truth is...it's grueling. This is something you never see behind the awesome photos. My recent "big fish training" incorporates cardio, rowing, EMOM workouts, circuit training, strength training and pilates to better take on these species that are as much a 1-5x my bodyweight while fighting them in rapids, ocean current and against their supreme home-field advantage.

Women have smaller physical stature and upper body strength than men to begin with and I've had some extremely tough challenges recently with giant species (including a current shoulder injury from the sandbar shark below). It's time to up my game in the gym. Whatever your goals are - nothing is out of reach if you put in the work to achieve them! I've got this.

02/22/2024

I have a few stories coming out on fishing in the next few weeks but I am especially proud to share this one about how anglers play a vital role in species conservation that was just published this week. It was a treat to work with so many valuable angling experts on this story.

...they are the boots-on-the-ground, eyes and ears to aid in data collection and they are the most passionate advocates for species’ protection. Just getting on the water to fish, no matter where it is in the world, has a greater impact beyond the joy of just catching a personal best.

02/10/2024

Land-based shark fishing from the Gulf Coast shores in Alabama. This sandbar shark was caught on stand-up gear from the shore and released unharmed.

02/09/2024

I've caught a lot of cool fish around the world but my first-ever shark, a beautiful sandbar shark, from the shoreline of Gulf Shores-Orange Beach is forever memorable. She hit 600 yards out (translation: a long retrieve and a very sore arm and core) after 5.5 hours of resting our bait in the water. A blackfin tuna head was her meal of choice on our line. We did a very quick unhook, photo and release of this beauty. The duo from Coastal WorldWide coached me through as we worked this moment in darkness from the beach.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism

02/08/2024

Spent my first hour on assignment in Gulf Shores Orange Beach, Alabama hanging with these guys Bearded Brad (Brad Warren) and Bama Beach Bum (Matt Isbell) being interviewed for their podcast Fishing Not Catching. What a fun time!! I was their first-ever female angler interviewed…and this was my first-ever interview that included a bourbon cocktail.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism

01/30/2024

As an outdoor journalist I never tire of new benchmark moments. In my guest editorial column for Catfish NOW magazine I dive into the “why” when it comes to my passion for fishing in remarkable places around the world.

Anietra Hamper realized a dream when she caught this monster piraiba in Guyana   Why We Catfish: A Guest Editorial

12/06/2023

Yesterday's fishing was nothing short of superb!
I'm really starting to work out how the Jau catfish like a lure presented and the feel required when they pick up at depth. It was the culmination for me of lots of ideas, planning, ex*****on and honing technique over many months.
It resulted in my PB lure caught freshwater fish worldwide and the largest ever lure caught fish from the lodge.
With one other lost in the rocks after a short battle and a smaller red tail landed, it really is an exciting way to catch these river monsters.

10/22/2023

Fishing weekend on Lake Erie for walleye and perch. Rough conditions but we’re pushing through with our buddy and captain Eric Hensley.

10/19/2023

Trout fishing in Wyoming recently was such a thrill, especially when I experienced the waters that Ernest Hemingway found so inspiring. Time on the water working on this story for PlanetWare Inc. was wonderful. If you ever considered the iconic experience of fishing near Yellowstone, you will want to read this.

When Ernest Hemingway spent time fishing in the Upper Clarks Fork tributary of the Yellowstone River in Wyoming, he found such inspiration in this section of river that it has become immortalized in stories about the author's life and within the pages of his own writings. This tributary is one of th...

10/17/2023

We are pleased to announce a new independent fishery for the 2024 season. More details will follow in the near future including a website with a booking portal and social media pages.
If you would like to be kept informed on developments then please follow my page Ian Henderson Guiding.

I am pleased to announce a new independent fishery for the 2024 season. More details will follow in the near future including a website with a booking portal and social media pages.
If you would like to be kept informed on developments then please follow my page Ian Henderson Guiding.

10/12/2023

Fall perching on Lake Erie is one of my FAVORITE types of fishing! Reel-em-in! I can't wait to get up there in about a week for the fall bite. If you are itching for a little perch time too, or new to this awesome species, here's my latest story for Take Me Fishing on how to prep for the fall perch bite on Lake Erie.
https://www.takemefishing.org/blog/october-2023/fall-perch-bite-on-lake-erie/

10/04/2023

What a stunning day on the water with my lovely and skillful fly fishing guide Morgan Tarbutton from Chetola Resort & Spa, the first Orvis endorsed fishing resort in North Carolina. We had several impressive rainbows and a large brown trout caught in private waters the lodge can access.

09/13/2023

I’m so proud to share my just announced writing award from the Outdoor Writers Association of America for one of the best stories I’ve ever written. The OWAA 2023 Excellence in Craft Contest Award for 3rd place in the Magazine, Fishing Contest for “Atlantic Bluefin Tuna & Coastal Fishing in Ireland” for PlanetWare.

Since Ireland is surrounded by coastline, it is no surprise that fishing in the sea is popular for trout; salmon; Atlantic blue shark; and, more recently, the prized Atlantic bluefin tuna, which is making a comeback after years of declining populations due to overfishing.

09/07/2023

Fishing trails around the US play an important role for anglers who want to try new waters, tourism and conservation efforts. Happy to share my latest published story on this triple win idea for the fishing industry.

Fishing trails are a win-win for helping anglers navigate new waterways and enjoy unique fishing opportunities, for tourism in destinations that recognize fishing as a draw for their regions and for conservation efforts related to habitat restoration, species management and environmental upkeep.

08/03/2023

Great morning on the River Wye in the UK today.

07/03/2023

When date night gets scrapped because the barbel are in the bite! Well done Ian Henderson Guiding catching nice barbel & chub on the float on the River Wye the last few days.
The River Wye Barbel fishing Forum

06/26/2023

I am proud of all of my published stories but I am especially proud of this one that just went live. It was exciting to research and write about real and mythical sea monsters with the added bonus of getting an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit into one of the top deep-sea ocean research labs in the world with the woman who oversees it in England.

A public exhibition called the Monsters of the Deep, located at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham, England until November 2023, unmasks some of the mystery surrounding ocean monsters and how researchers are finding, collecting and studying some of the most fascinating creatures that exist.

06/20/2023

Excited to share my interview with Howard Fox on his award-winning Outdoor Adventure Series about female anglers and the effort to improve participation and retention. I discuss my upcoming hosted women's fishing trip to Guyana at the end of the year, what it means to "up your game" and why it is important to encourage women to engage in the outdoors and fishing.

Thanks Howard Fox for your always well-researched interviews!

Anietra Hamper is our guest on the Outdoor Adventure Series today. Anietra is an award-winning travel and outdoor journalist. She specializes in extreme …

06/19/2023

We are so excited to announce a unique collaboration with Women's Fishing and Outdoors to promote, engage, encourage and provide opportunities for female anglers to get out and enjoy fishing. If you are a female angler please follow our page here at Reel-Ality and join in the conversations and posts happening with our friends at Women's Fishing and Outdoors by following that page also.

While Reel-Ality supports all types of fishing and travel, we are especially committed to getting more women out there on the water. We enjoy collaborating with entities that are passionate about that mission too.

06/14/2023

Looking forward to this weekend and hopefully some float action on the Wye

06/08/2023

Excited to announce my upcoming LIVE interview with Nigel Botherway on Fisherman's Blues on UK's TalkSPORT2 radio this Sunday (6/11) starting at 7:15am (BST). I am honored to join Nigel on UK's national commercial sports radio station to talk about women and fishing, Reel-Ality's hosted women's trip to Guyana, comparing/contrasting fishing in the US and the UK, River Wye fishing opportunities with Ian Henderson Guiding ahead of the opening of the river season next week, international angling and so much more!

You can listen to the show live on DAB radio, or via the talkSPORT app, which you can download free. To my US friends you can listen to the recording as the show is 5 hours ahead of EST time zone).

06/05/2023

What a cool, rare and exclusive, behind the scenes exploration for the Reel-Ality team today of the hidden research labs in the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, England. The scientists here have uncovered fascinating discoveries about the species (known and unknown) that inhabit the deepest depths of the ocean since 1925. After our interview with Dr.Tammy Horton who oversees the Discovery Collections, she walked us through the research lab where a new batch of 4000 specimens just arrived from James Cook research vessel. The highlight was probably dipping our fingers into a tub of ocean floor mud (pictured below).