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2013/05/09

Trout Fishing Tips

In fishing, trout are one of the favorite “fishing friends” of most anglers. These crafty fish are abundant anywhere. The native habitat of these crafty fish depends on the type of trout.

For brook trout, the native habitat includes the territory from Labrador westward to the Saskatchewan, while the rainbow trout is a native of the Pacific slope from Alaska to California.

On the other hand, brown trout has found its way into the waters of every state in the United States except Florida, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas. It has been reported in the waters of some of these states, but according to conservation officials, no authentic reports have been received. It is also found in many parts of Canada.

In trout fishing, there are some factors that need to be considered in order to have a successful catch.

1. For trout fishing, the leader should not be greased. It will not sink far enough to cause any difficulty when picking the line and lure from the water, but if it is allowed to float; it will cast a shadow on the bottom of the stream which may scare the trout.

2. The trout is one of the fishes that are usually secured through the use of the dry fly. For trout, the current as well as the pools should be fished. It may sometimes be a bit difficult to keep the fly from sinking or dragging because of the various conditions of the current, but this is a matter that the angler will have to figure out for himself.

3. It is not good practice when fishing for trout to fish directly upstream so the flies, line, and leader will float directly over fish. The fisherman should make the cast from one side of the stream so the fly will only float over the fish.

4. It is important to make the first cast the best. A feeding trout will usually strike the first lure presented if it is cast so that it will float over his private domain. The angler should never fail to fish the lower end of the pool first even if the trout are rising in the middle or upper end.

5. Trout are sometimes very moody or selective and will try the patience of any angler; hence, possibly a fly with less hackle will do the trick or it may be necessary to use a spent-wing fly or a fan wing.

Indeed, catching trout fishes can be lots of fun. The anglers just have to remember these tips in order to have a happy catch.

2013/05/08

Begin Fishing

If you are new to the sport of fishing, you need to know some of the basic rules of fishing. Like other forms of hunting, fishing involves both your environment and those around you. Be respectful of both. You can responsibly enjoy this treasured pastime in several ways.  Fishing is an ancient practice. It dates back nearly 10,000 years.

A number of various techniques and traditions have been used during fishing's progression. Modern technological developments have changed the way people fish, but many of the same rules, regulations, and social norms involving fishing remain.  Always practice good stewardship of our waterways when you are fishing. Remember that these waterways were around thousands of years before you and will remain long after we are gone. You can make a conscious decision to leave the areas in which people fish in better condition than when you found it. Take care of our lakes, rivers, and other waterways so that others will enjoy these areas for years to come.

Practicing certain behaviors will ensure that you are taking good care of the places where people fish.  Never litter when you are fishing. Always bring a trash bag or other receptacle to use for the collection of your trash. You can easily deposit it in a nearby trash receptacle. Dump your refuse in properly assigned dumping stations instead of tossing it in the water. You do not need to spend much time figuring out the many ways in which this hurts the environment.  As you fish, always use the correct type of bait and fishing gear. Certain areas allow for certain bait and gear. You will also encounter limits on the number, size, and kind of fish that you can keep. Become familiar with what these limits are and pay attention to them. Do not wait until you are at your fishing spot to search for what is allowed and what is not. Check with your destination before you head out on your fishing trip to see what the local regulations allow. If you plan on using a boat while fishing, research to see what kinds of watercraft are allowed where you are going to fish.

Every fishing location is different, so pay special attention to local procedures and cautions. This also applies when you decide to clean your boat after you leave the water. You do not want to spread non-native species to another body of water.  Finally, never fish where it is not permitted. There is always a reason why it is illegal. Some reasons include the protection of certain wildlife, the proper care of vegetation, and the safety of you and others who want to fish.  You should also follow a number of cautionary behaviors to ensure your safety.

As with all forms of hunting, safety is first. If you will be using a boat while you fish, always wear your life jacket. Make sure that your passengers wear their life jackets, as well.  Be very careful when baiting and removing hooks. Make sure that you never fish on unauthorized waterways. Follow the posted speed limits and wake warnings that accompany the use of a boat. Bring with you all relevant safety items, such as water, flashlights, maps, and a cell phone.  Fishing continues to be a favorite pastime. 2001 saw nearly 16% of the U.S. population over the age of 16 spend 16 days fishing. You enjoy the sport of fishing, so follow the rules that allow for the continuation of fishing. Be responsible and courteous of others and your environment. Take time to discover how you can be both a better and safer angler.

2013/05/01

Light Up Your Life

Imagine giving your favorite fisherman the gift of better catches, or gifting your teen with a toy that’s useful and fun. Imagine a gift that is appropriate for just about everyone – including yourself. Have you got someone on your gift list that is almost impossible to gift? If you’re stumped on a gift for just about anyone in your life, take a look at some of the newest LED gadgets meant for the desktop, glove box and pocket.

Coast has an excellent reputation for quality LED flashlights, and their newest addition just cements that sterling reputation. The V6 stainless steel 6-chip Lenser is only about three inches long, but it packs a powerful light beam that will never let you down. The V6 uses 6 bright white LED light chips to focus a beam of hot white light that can light up an entire room, or close to half a mile along the path in front of you. The V6 features a smooth, stainless steel body that is sleek and stylish, and comes in its own little pouch that easily attaches to your belt or a loop on your purse or backpack so that it’s always handy. It’s an ideal gift for anyone you know who is sometimes out at night, or who might find themselves in need of a little light now and then. The V6 Lenser offers all the advantages of LED flashlights – it’s powered by three AAA batteries that will give you more than 100 hours of illuminating power with just one set. The light is brighter and cleaner than the typical incandescent flashlight, and the body is comfortable and easy to carry. Buy one for anyone you know that travels, camps or drives at night.

How about a gift with a little bit of cute and a whole lot of useful? LED Moppels are exceptionally useful and quintessentially adorable. The Moppels are a line of LED lights that are more than just illumination. Each Moppel features a warm, white light for a head – but it’s their bodies that make them unique and fun. From the simply slither-ific Snake LED Moppel with a single, flexible arm to the futuristic Block Man Space Moppel with his handy alligator clip appendages, the Moppels are designed to sit and cling to desktops, dashboards, windows, tabletops – just about anywhere you might need a little light. The flexible bodies bend and twist in any direction so that you can shine a little light wherever you want it to go, and magnets and suction cups keep them exactly where you put them. Best of all, the little pseudo-action figures are darned cute without being girly, so they make great gifts for your favorite techie of any gender or style.

There are literally dozens of great LED toys and gadgets that make perfect gifts for those hard-to-buy-for people on your list. From outdoor lanterns to keychain illuminators, LED Lenser lights are high quality and durable, as well as stylish and unique. You’ll find LED outdoor gadgets that can help your fisherman lure more fish, light the path to the trailhead on a dark night or alert other drivers to your need for help. LED tower lights can call attention to a stranded hiker or serve as roadside flares – or just brighten a backyard.

When you’re looking for the perfect gift, let LED gadgets and novelties shed a little light on your search. You’re sure to find exactly the useful and unique gift for everyone on your list.

2013/04/26

Kids Love Fishing

Often times as adults, we want to share our hobbies and pastimes with our children. However, it can be difficult to decide when that pastime is appropriate. Children have shorter attention spans that make it difficult to calculate when they are ready for certain things. Fishing is a common hobby of many people around the world and many people are eager to introduce their children to fishing the minute they can hold a fishing rod. Fishing is a lesson in patience for children and a structured way to teach them a sport that involves precision and safety.

When you take your child fishing, the most important thing to keep in mind is their safety. What kind of fishing are you trying to introduce? Are you thinking about a day of bottom fishing? Does pier fishing suit your needs? Are you going to go all out and take your child for a deep-sea fishing excursion?

Regardless of what you decide is best, you should have the basic safety essentials with you at all times. A first aid kit is mandatory because whenever a kid is involved accidents will happen. Children tend to get poked, scratched, and barbed, so you need to be prepared. If you are going out into the sea and away from the shore, make sure that you have life jackets and make sure that your child is wearing one even he or she has no intention of getting into the water. Keep in mind your child's abilities when it comes to swimming. If you do not think that they are a strong swimmer, you may want to keep your boat docked.


Make sure to buy and stock your child's tackle box. A youngster's first tackle box should be small and lightweight. There is nothing complex about the contents of a beginner's tackle box. All a child needs are some pre-tied hooks, some bobbers, a couple of weights, swivels, and small scissors or fingernail clippers to cut their line. A tackle box is a fingerprint for many who view it as a personal expression. Let your child see the basics so that they can build their own to represent themselves one-day.
Make sure to lead by example when you take your child fishing. Teach them how to keep the line taut so that they will be able to respond properly if a fish bites their line. As soon as your child feels the bite, teach them how to set the hook. Tug back on the rod in order to firmly set the hook in the fish's lip. Take the time with your child to let them learn techniques like "playing the fish". Part of the fun of fishing is the struggle between the man and the fish, so let your child have the entire experience and not just a partial one.

When you introduce fishing to your child, you have certain advantages to teaching them at a younger rather than older age. Younger child have a greater absorption rate with a desire to soak up as much information as they can. Take the time that you and your child are sharing to educate them about catch and release regulations and fishing for food as opposed to pleasure. If your child decides that they want to let the fish that you catch go, make sure that you know the right way to release. Cleaning the fish can either make a child vomit or ask when the next trip is going to be, so use discretion in regards to age when preparing your catch for dinner.

There will be good days and bad days when fishing with your kids. Kids have a tendency to not listen, become disinterested fast or fall asleep at inopportune times. Patience is the key to taking children out for a day of fishing. Repetition will also make your child more comfortable with the whole process. Regardless of whether a fish is caught or not, take the time to bond with your child while using fishing as an excuse.


2013/04/24

Made to Fish

Sea foods were an important part of our natural food resource thousands of years ago, and even now, men still fish to put food on the table.

People living in tribal lands still fish for survival, they don’t have good old McDonalds to go to or the local supermarket to buy their weekly shopping; they have a wooden rod with a spike at the end of it to catch their meals.

This is how we all lived at one time; it was in our nature to hunt and fish to survive.

Although more women are getting involved in the act of fishing, fishing was primarily a male sport. The fellas would grab their rods early in the morning, meet up with their pals and go out for a days fishing.

This leads me wonder whether or not fishing is in our genes. As a cat would naturally catch a mouse, a man would naturally catch fish, and even today, that gene is still roaming around giving us the urge to fish.

Generally people don’t need to fish anymore to ensure they will eat, but still, people still have the desire to fish.

Even today estimates show that fish provides 16% of the worlds protein.

Trading cod has been going on for more than 1000 years and is now one of the longest lasting trades in history. US Statistics say that historically nearly 20% of the population went out hunting or fishing and in the past the UK alone could consume 524 tonnes of fish.

So as well as fishing for fun, we still eat fish as a part of our normal diet.

Fishing is now generally classed as a sport for either recreation or competition. You can either go fishing down to your local river, or you can book a trip on a fishing boat and go deep sea fishing.

If you go out fishing for the day and don’t catch a bite, you come away deflated, but if you go out and come back with a big fish, you feel a buzz and pleased with your achievement.

Have you ever been with anyone fishing when they catch a big fish, or maybe you have been fishing yourself and had a good bite and you say jokingly ‘We eat tonight!’?

Perhaps this could be due to the natural instinct within us from centuries ago where men would go out fishing and when he got a good bite, he knew he and his family were going to eat that night.

What we do know is that fishing is a part of our lives today as well as a part of our history, and perhaps it is a natural instinct for us to fish. We enjoy the act of fishing as much as we like to eat fish as a part of a diet.