It's probable that people who love catfishing might have a preference for the Red-River-of-the-North or the Red-River-of-the-South. The rest of us will probably find both regions intriguing. The northern waterway has a rich history complete with Indian tribes, fur trappers, and the Hudson Bay Company. The southern one has its own stories, like border disputes between the United States and Spain (and later Mexico) and a 160-mile-long log jam. They both boast a population of monster Red River catfish.
The Red-River-of-the-North runs along the border of Minnesota and North Dakota and on into Manitoba, Canada. It's 545 miles long and eventually reaches Lake Winnipeg. It runs through the RR Valley of the romantic cowboy lament, which is really the ancient bed of a lake formed eons ago by glaciers.
It might surprise some that locals claim this northern region has 'the best catfishing on the planet'. Catfish somehow seem a part of the sleepy South, but the colder northern waters are home to channel cats that grow into monsters. That this isn't just unfounded bragging is shown by the photo galleries that accompany sites posted by fishing guide outfits. It's plain to see that a prize Red-River cat is more than an armful.
You can sign up for a boat trip that will take you to great fishing holes. You can also find an experienced guide to take you and any companions out privately. Trips can be for a half or a full day. Having a local guide show you the best spots can result in your own picture taken with a monstrous channel cat.
Then there is the Red-River-of-the-South, which originates in the Texas Panhandle as two more or less parallel forks. This long waterway (1360 miles) meanders along part of the Texas and Oklahoma border and on into Arkansas and Louisiana. It's home to several species of cats, including channel cats, blues, and flatheads. There are rumors that a new species has been identified at the end of the river-course.
This is where people go 'noodling' - catching catfish with their bare hands. Since channels can grow to over 50 pounds, flatheads to over 100, and blues even bigger, this makes you wonder about the good ol' boys and gals down that way. You can also use a rod and reel, you'll probably be happy to know, with worms, minnows, or chicken livers as bait.
Other legal ways are much more leisurely. You can suspend baited hooks from plastic Coke or milk bottles (jug-fishing), use a slat-trap where the fish swim in for the bait and then can't get out, or snag them with three-way hooks. These may be less sporting but can quickly fill a freezer with a months-long supply of fish.
Whichever way you go, north or south, there are lots of fish. There's also wealth of fascinating history, many rural towns and larger cities, and a whole lot of scenery. Avid fisher-folk will love catching these large, tasty fish, while the whole family will find entertainment either on or off the water. Even if you don't get a record fish, you'll have a lot of fun and take home great memories of one or both of these great regions.
The Red-River-of-the-North runs along the border of Minnesota and North Dakota and on into Manitoba, Canada. It's 545 miles long and eventually reaches Lake Winnipeg. It runs through the RR Valley of the romantic cowboy lament, which is really the ancient bed of a lake formed eons ago by glaciers.
It might surprise some that locals claim this northern region has 'the best catfishing on the planet'. Catfish somehow seem a part of the sleepy South, but the colder northern waters are home to channel cats that grow into monsters. That this isn't just unfounded bragging is shown by the photo galleries that accompany sites posted by fishing guide outfits. It's plain to see that a prize Red-River cat is more than an armful.
You can sign up for a boat trip that will take you to great fishing holes. You can also find an experienced guide to take you and any companions out privately. Trips can be for a half or a full day. Having a local guide show you the best spots can result in your own picture taken with a monstrous channel cat.
Then there is the Red-River-of-the-South, which originates in the Texas Panhandle as two more or less parallel forks. This long waterway (1360 miles) meanders along part of the Texas and Oklahoma border and on into Arkansas and Louisiana. It's home to several species of cats, including channel cats, blues, and flatheads. There are rumors that a new species has been identified at the end of the river-course.
This is where people go 'noodling' - catching catfish with their bare hands. Since channels can grow to over 50 pounds, flatheads to over 100, and blues even bigger, this makes you wonder about the good ol' boys and gals down that way. You can also use a rod and reel, you'll probably be happy to know, with worms, minnows, or chicken livers as bait.
Other legal ways are much more leisurely. You can suspend baited hooks from plastic Coke or milk bottles (jug-fishing), use a slat-trap where the fish swim in for the bait and then can't get out, or snag them with three-way hooks. These may be less sporting but can quickly fill a freezer with a months-long supply of fish.
Whichever way you go, north or south, there are lots of fish. There's also wealth of fascinating history, many rural towns and larger cities, and a whole lot of scenery. Avid fisher-folk will love catching these large, tasty fish, while the whole family will find entertainment either on or off the water. Even if you don't get a record fish, you'll have a lot of fun and take home great memories of one or both of these great regions.
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