You've heard about them. Chances are you've even seen one plowing through riffles ankle deep in the land where lower units go to die. It's the jet outboard, and if you aren't familiar with them yet ... you soon will be.

With the popularity of fishing continuing to grow and long lines forming at the ramps of your favorite reservoir, what's an angler to do? You can make the move to finesse baits in hopes of luring an over pressured bass to bite, or you can go where no bass boat dares to tread. That's where the jet boat comes into play. I was skeptical at first, until my friend and fellow pro angler Billy Lowen took me out for a little run. Billy knows the river and tributaries as well as anyone, and when he pointed the bow of the boat towards the "V" in the rapids of a particularly shallow stretch, I'm not afraid to say that I puckered up pretty tight. But true to form, we skated along on plane in water that would barely cover your foot if you were standing in it. Don't get the wrong idea. It's not like you're flying over the water, and treachery can exist around every bend from a boulder or sunken tree, but the jet outboard has now made those bank-kayak-canoe only fishing holes accessible to anglers who just don't want to give up the comfort of front deck casting and bait presentation.

So does this story have a happy ending? Absolutely. The fishing was fantastic and the looks we got from people paddling their canoes were priceless! So the next time you want to check out some un-pressured fish without paddling, kayaking or hiking through mile thick briar patches, take a jet instead.

Good Fishing,
Joe Thomas

When I first heard of the fish kill on Indiana's White River in 1999, the numbers were phenomenal (5 million fish dead). It's enough to make your heart sink if you're an angler. So when local angler Jim Pickett contacted me about a trip on the White in downtown Indianapolis, I thought it would be a great opportunity to take a first-hand look at the conservation efforts underway to restore this great fishery.

Well, I'm happy to report that the White River is making a great comeback. In one day, Jim and I caught a great stringer of both largemouth and smallmouth keepers and found a ton of bait fish and brood stock which means the White River has regained not only a healthy population of large fish but has the forage base to re-stimulate a growing and healthy fish population. Organizations such as The Friends of the White River and others, including the State of Indiana, have established a 6 million dollar trust to continue the restoration and are largely responsible for the amazing comeback experienced by this beautiful river. We can all take a lesson from their efforts when it comes to rivers and streams in your own area. Get involved. Find organizations, both public and private and let your voice be heard. Attend meetings, send emails and most importantly, contact your local and state agencies and let them know that you care about your local rivers and streams. Better yet, if you're really motivated, organize a clean-up day and spend a little time picking up trash and debris that allows seems to find its way onto the river bank.

The White River is back and better than ever. Can you say the same about your local rivers and streams? If not, get involved and do something about it. The fish will thank you.