BANK FISHING & RAMPS EAST OF CINCINNATI

Author: NLCATFISH

Article:

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FACT FINDING TRIP

Around eleven o'clock Sunday morning I started out on a fact finding trip. I wanted to checkout some of the boat ramps and bank fishing area around them. These ramps are east of Cincinnati all the way up to the Meldahl dam. I also wanted to finally get to the Aberdean Power Plant's creek that I heard so much about.

I took Ohio route 52 all the way to Abredean and back. Checked out how much the fees were to launch a boat. My first stop was at Sweetwine marina just east of River Downs race track. The area around the ramp is more mud than gravel, but does have a dock to tie up your boat. The fee is $5 which is cheaper than the Cincinnati park ramp fee.

The second spot is Steamboat Bend Campgrounds which is about 3 miles up river from the 1st spot. There is a very nice dock and cement ramp. The fee is $5 per day or $25 per year to launch your boat. You also have to get a Hamilton county park sticker which is $1 a day or $5 a year. The only down side is the river has to be lest than 28.5 to drive your trailer down to the ramp. It is a good spot to use your casting net to gather Shad and Skipjacks.

Next stop was the public ramp at New Richmond. Big advantage here is you can launch for FREE. There is a good area to park your trailer. No dock so it is tricky to launch a boat by yourself. There are large areas to bank fish above and below the ramp. The bank is sand and gravel.

The mouth of Big Indian Creek at the rest stop in Point Pleasant was my next stop. There is a small trail from the parking lot to the bank. Not much area to bank fish for the water is shallow and has a number to dead trees to snag your line. The Creek did seem to hold bait fish so might be a good spot to use a casting net for bait.

Moscow public ramp is also FREE. It has a wooden dock that enables you to tie up your boat as you park the trailer. There is a good around of area to bank fish around the ramp. The black top road is a little tricky to see in the dark and or fog. This is another place the Skipjacks can be caught with a casting net.

The State of Ohio built a very nice ramp at Neville last fall. The parking lot is black topped and large. There is NO Sign along route 52 about the ramp!. You have to go down MORGAN Street one way to the ramp. Then leave out on Coffee which is one way to the highway. There a re 2 new docks that allows for securing your boat. This is also A FREE launch set up and it is just below the Meldahl Dam.

The Ohio side of the Meldahl Dam is a dirt or muddy bank all along the Lock wall. You can fish it, however it is not the easiest area to walk around. There is a small parking area that has a tricky path down to the water. I did not see any skipjacks at all on that side of the dam. I got there just after a shower turned the area into a steam bath. So I did not stay there very long at all.

The Aberdean Power Plant has their hot water discharge into a small creek. In the late fall and winter this creek is where the Skipjacks thrive. There is a parking lot right at the Adams county border on route 52. Pull into the lot and then walk down a long narrow path to the bank of the Ohio River. There is also a very narrow path that goes along the creek bank. From what; I saw that path would be muddy and hard to walk with the trees that have blown down across the path. There is an Iron semi dam at the mouth of the creek with another section up stream in the creek that makes getting a boat in there risky. I have been told guys really load up their coolers with big skipjacks over the winter. I would say if you live east of the Meldahl dam then go to Aberdean. All else get all the skipjacks you can in the fall at Meldahl or anywhere else. Put them in your freezer over the winter. Save the gas money and time of driving all the way up there.

I hope this information will be of some use to get a few more cats your reels sing.

nlcatfish@fuse.net webmaster for Cincinnati Catfishing www.cincinnaticatfishing.com

SHOP WITHOUT DROPPING www.cincinnaticatfishing.com/Shop1.html LINKS 4 FISHING INFORMATION AND SUPPLIES www.cincinnaticatfishing.com/links4fishing.html

About the author: Have been catfishing around the Downtown Cincinnati area of the Ohio River for over 40 years. Gone fishing at Lockport 5 times over the past 10 years. Locport,MANITOBA, is the greastest place to catch lots of huge CHANNEL catsfish in North America!! For the past 6 years have passed catfishing information for the Cincinnati part of the Ohio river on my web site ""CINCINNATI CATFISHING"".

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Fishing In Jamaica

Author: Ryan Larson

Article: Fishing in Jamaica is part of a dream vacation for many. There are many excellent fishing spots, as is evidenced by Jamaica's international popularity as a fishing destination and tournament site. Deep-sea fishing trips are easily chartered, as are fishing tours of the region. As an island nation, fishing is important to the local economy, a part of the local culture. Thus, the savvy visitor may be able to arrange to do his fishing outside of the usual tourist spots, and instead enjoy a few of the places known and loved by local fishers.

Suzie-Q Deep Sea Fishing Charters operates out of Falmouth, which is close to Montego Bay, offers both 8-hour and 4-hour charters for up to 12 people. There are a wide variety of fish available in the fishing region, including blue marlin, white marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo, black-finned tuna, yellow-finned tuna, skipjack, kingfish, mackerel, and sailfish. Reservation must be made 48 hours in advance, and rates are $500 for 4 hours with up to 8 people, $900 for 8 hours. $30 per extra person, up to a total of 14, will be charged.

Jamaica Deep Sea Adventures, found at the Port Antonio marina, prides itself on the fine equipment it provides for its fishers. One of the special items is a chair designed specifically for supporting the fisher while he is struggling with large fish. Fishers can expect to be dropping their lines up to 6,000 feet into the beautiful salt waters that are home to numerous species of fish, including barracuda, tuna, and marlin.

Montego Bay is home to No Problem Fishing Charters. They offer half day charters for $360 and full day charters for $690. Also in Montego Bay are Pier One Marina, where chartered fishing excursions can be arranged, and North Coast Marine Charters, which operates out of Half Moon Hotel and Wynham Rose Hall Hotel.

Families will enjoy using Salty Angler Fishing Charters of Montego Bay, because children are welcomed and beginner's lessons are readily available. It should be noted, however, that this is catch and release fishing only. They have a variety of fishing experiences available, including open water fishing, coastal fishing, night fishing, fly fishing and light tackle fishing.

At the Lost Beach Resort, located in Negril, a different sort of fishing trip can be arranged. For a fee, a trip with a local fisherman can be set up. Fishers will accompany the local fisherman in his wooden skiff and fish by line or by pot. It is a fascinating experience and a wonderful way to learn a bit about the local culture.

Near Treasure Beach and also around Port Antonio, small wooden boats can be chartered or rented for hand-line fishing. As with most fishing expeditions in Jamaica, the local hotels can help to locate and arrange the most suitable fishing experience.

Jamaica has a broad range of fishing opportunities, from adventurous and exciting to relaxing and peaceful. Tours and charters are not only for the sports fisherman, but also can be enjoyed safely by families. Jamaican waters draw fishers from all over the world, and for good reason. Each fishing day has the potential to be a one-of-a-kind experience.

About the author: This article provided courtesy of <A HREF=http://www.fishing-vacation-guide.com>http://www.fishing-vac ation-guide.com</A>

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Florida Keys Fly Fishing

Author: Loren Rea

Article: Fly Fishing in saltwater has become so popular in the last twenty five years in the Florida Keys that the Bonefish census board determined each fish is ""worth"" about 3,000.00. This is mostly due to the overwhelming amount of tourist who visit the Florida Keys each year to go fishing.

Fly fishing in saltwater has always been a known sport amoung its enthusasts but not until the last few decades has it sparked an interest in many more anglers. It provides the ultimate challenge to many, the cast must be perfected, take into account the wind, the moving fish, the moving boat, and you have your perfect saltwater fly fishing scenario.

Many fly rodders flock to the Florida Keys each year for the annual Tarpon migration. Depending on the temperatures, tarpon can start showing up in the lower Keys as early as February and tarpon fishing will last well into the summer months. For a fly fisherman the first few seconds of a tarpon hookup is the most exhilarating. The hook set on one of these prehistoric silver monsters has to be strong and often you will strike two to three times to get the hook in the tarpon's cinder block mouth. Once he's hooked you will know it and most likely he'll take you on the ride of your life. Don't be disappointed if after a few jumps he gets off, that's tarpon fishing and it should be enjoyed for what it is... a great display of gamefishing.

Other fly fishing target species here in the Florida Keys include the bonefish and the elusive permit. Permit are considered the ultimate gamefish taken on fly tackle. Some purists will even venture to say it has been the pinnacle of their saltwater fly fishing. Permit are nervous all the time. In my opinion they are a deep water fish who just do time on the flats to get food. A bandit of bait. They feed on blue crabs about the size of a silver dollar and shrimp. Therefore fly fisherman tie up many forms of crab patterns including the classic Merkin crab fly. This pattern in its many shapes and forms works best for fly fishing for permit here in the Keys.

Some of the largest bonefish in the world live here in the Florida Keys. Large bonefish cruise the flats from Biscayne Bay down to the Marquesas Keys west of Key West. The most concintration of large bonefish is in Islamorada. Many think this is because Islamorada hosts so many release bonefish tournaments and these fish are relocated after they are released at the tournament weigh station to grow up in ""downtown Islamorada"" as many of the guides call it. Bonefish in the Keys range from 4lbs. to over 10lbs. and are not easy to catch on fly but it can be done.

Advice to the Florida Keys visiting flyrodder, practice your casting as often as you can. Many visitors come to the Keys to try fly fishing for the very first time. It is a great way to either fall in love with the sport or become completely frustrated. There are casting clinics held at various fly shops in the Keys and Sandy Moret holds a fly fishing school a few times a year.

Loren Rea is an avid fly rodder and lives and works in the Florida Keys. She writes a report weekly at <a href=""http://www.flyfishingthekeys.com"">www.flyfishingthekeys.com </a>

About the author: Loren Rea lives and works in the Florida Keys and has been heavily involved in the fishing community.

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Fishing Kayak

Author: Peter Lenkefi

Article: There's a good chance that if you're reading this article then you are already a fan of kayak fishing, or if not you are keen to learn and already know the basics of kayak fishing. The advent of the Internet has brought with it the biggest resource in the world on any topic you might be trying to research and the fishing kayak or the sport of kayak fishing is by no means an exception to this rule.

Don't throw away your fishing gear.

The first important thing to point out is that if you are already a keen fisher or you have fishing gear in your house, don't throw it away; virtually any fishing gear can be quite easily adapted to work in a fishing kayak. Obviously, though, you will need to buy a fishing kayak and one of the first things you'll learn on your travel through the Internet is that fishing kayak owners are very proud of their respective fishing kayak.

Pick your specialty.

Just because you're looking for a fishing kayak doesn't mean you are the same as every other kayak fisherman out there and one of the first things you will need to decide is whether you are going to sit on or sit in your fishing kayak. My personal preference is to sit on the kayak; this way you can add or carry accessories or equipment and you can easily hop out to wade the shallower waters.

Give it a go.

There's more than likely a shop somewhere in your area that sells kayaks and you should take this opportunity to get down to those shops and give the different types of kayak a go. You won't necessarily know exactly what you want from your fishing kayak immediately and by sitting in (or on) your next fishing kayak you will get a much better idea for the feel of it and whether it is indeed the kayak for you.

Also, this gives you the opportunity to talk to someone who should know quite a lot about the sport and while kayak fishing is a relatively new sport there are already some intensively keen advocates of the kayak fishing pastime. If you're a beginner, tell them; like I say it's a new sport so there's no shame in admitting you don't really have a clue about what you're looking for. If you tell them your skill level and what you are looking for they should be able to point you in the right direction and more than likely give you some good advice not only about the fishing kayak you are interested in but they may even give you some useful gems on the actual sport.

About the author: For more more information about fishing kayaks please visit http://www.buy-sea-kayaks.com

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Care And Repair Of Fishing Lures

Author: Keith Lee

Article: Making fishing lures may be easy for the seasoned do-it-yourself angler. But the maintenance of these lures is just as important to ensure a tip-top condition.

After buying or making the fishing lures there is still the responsibility of taking care of and repairing them so that they are always in good condition. This requires some effort and time but is usually easy for the angler who makes his own fishing lures.

Since he makes them and puts them together, he also knows how to take them apart and repair them. He also has the tools and fishing lure parts necessary for such work. All the tools required to assemble the parts and make the lures are explained on this page at http://www.make-your-own-fishing-lures.com/hand-tools.html .

Fishing lures in general do not require much care when storing them in a home or shop. The best idea is to put them into cabinet drawers or individual boxes so that they can be found easily and can be kept dry. In humid climates or near the seashore it is important not to expose the metal parts to the air; otherwise, hooks will rust and other metals will corrode.

Fishing lures that have feathers or hair should be kept in airtight containers so that moths and other insects or small animals will not get to them. This also applies to new fishing lures that haven't yet been used. Lures which have been used require considerable care if you want to get the maximum use from them. Freshwater fishing lures usually require less care and repair than saltwater ones.

In general, when examining any fishing lure you have made or bought it's a wise policy to repair it if you are the least bit doubtful about its condition. Repairing usually means sandpapering the part of the lure body that is slightly chipped and then touching up with a small brush, using enamels or lacquers.

Replace the hooks with new ones if they are badly rusted. When doing this it is important to use the same size and weight as the old ones so that the action of the fishing lure is not changed in any way. If the damage is too bad and the lure cannot be repaired, throw it away after salvaging any usable parts.

It doesn't pay to take chances with a fishing lure that is weak in any way. You may hook a record fish but lose it if the lure is not dependable. Many anglers who buy their fishing lures in tackle stores often use them until they fall apart, before buying new ones. But if you make your own fishing lures you can afford to use only those that are still in good condition.

It is better to be safe than sorry.

About the author: Keith Lee is a practical, do-it-yourself angler and owns Make-Your-Own-Fishing-Lures.com , an info-packed website on making fishing lures. Learn how to make high-quality fishing lures at http://www.make-your-own-fishing-lures.com and use it as your trusted guide on home made fishing lures.

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Why Should You Buy a Custom Fishing Rod?

Author: Steve Broadwell

Article: Well, perhaps you shouldn't. If you have just started fishing, and occasionally dunk a worm for panfish, you can easily get by with a cheap rod from a discount store. But, if you have progressed in the art of fishing to the point where you get a kick out of your equipment, and have learned to appreciate the benefits of a sensitive rod, the custom rod may be for you.

There are some concrete benefits to the custom rod. Above all else, the custom rod can be much more sensitive than any rod you can buy over the counter. Sensitivity is a function of two things – the actual characteristics of the blank and weight. When you go the custom route, your rodmaker can help you select a blank that is ideal for what you require. Bass fishing with a dropshot or splitshot rig? In this case, you need a very sensitive tip to feel the bite, but enough butt to get in the big ones. Every type situation can be optimally handled with a specific blank.

Weight is the other component of sensitivity. The lighter the total rod weight, the better you will be able to feel those light bites. As a plus, the lighter the weight, the less tired you will get over a long day's fishing.

When you go the custom route, you can tailor each part of the rod to reduce weight. Since a good rodmaker will do both static and dynamic testing, you will have fewer guides. Fewer guides towards the tip is a particularly good thing, as weight here really reduces sensitivity. Also, you can choose extremely lightweight guides to further reduce overall weight.

The handle is another area where weight can be saved. Today's hot handle is the split grip, where there is a small butt, then the bare blank, then the reel seat. This not only saves weight, but can be customized to fit your hand and forearm. Of course, you can have your choice of handle materials, from the normal cork, to EVA foam, to exotic woods. There really is no limit to customization in the handle.

There are many other unique things you can have in a custom rod – spiral wrapping, your favorite colors (even your school colors), special lengths, etc. If you really want the ultimate fishing experience, a custom rod may be for you.

How much should you pay for a custom rod? There is a wide range of prices. If you go with a top line branded blank, with a lot of custom art, you can easily pay well over $1,000. However, a function rod, customized to your needs, can also be obtained for not much more than $100. It really depends on what you want.

If you decide a custom rod may be for you, you need to contact a local rod builder. He can help you decide if you can justify the price, and walk you through the selection process.

About the author: Steve Broadwell is a life-long fisherman who has been interested in rod building and repair for many years. He has just opened a home-based business with the goal of offering custom rods at affordable prices. Visit http://www.bcrods.com to learn more.

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Drizzle Fishing in Saltwater or Freshwater

Author: Greg Smith

Article: ( Great fish catching opportunity after a rain storm. )

What the heck is that you might ask? Well, let me tell you. Drizzle fishing is all about taking a break and getting side-tracked from your normal daily activities towards the end of an afternoon or evening thunderstorm, even if only for a brief period of time. Just after the storm moves through, grab your fishing rod and head for your nearest canal, seawall or beachfront and make a few casts with your favorite fishing lure.

Keep it simple. Do not make an ordeal out of it. Get to the nearest body of water you can reach. It could be saltwater fishing off of a dock, beach or jetties for snapper, trout, redfish, flounder, tarpon or snook; or a fresh water river, pond or canal for bass. Just take a spinning rod and reel, and a couple of easy fishing lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs.

This type of fishing is pleasurable, relaxing and productive. On many occasions such as this my work day will suddenly stop! I then get up out of my chair which is perched in front of my work computer, immediately grab my fishing rod and head off down to the fresh water canal behind the house and start throwing a soft plastic lure or worm. I often concentrate my casts around the storm drains since noticing that the bass will often times congregate around these after a storm, possibly waiting for their next meal to wash out of the drain.

Depending on when you make it to the water after the rain storm, you may find yourself standing and fishing in a rain drizzle. That is ok. Just relax, cast, take long deep breaths and enjoy the moment. Just be careful not to be out during any remaining lightning.

Fishing this way is not only therapeutic, you will catch fish too! Not being a scientist, I can not tell you why, maybe it's the change in pressure, but you will probably notice that many times after a storm moves through the bite will turn on during the calm period. Take advantage of this fishing opportunity time when you can. You will be glad you did. It will enable you to clear your mind of the strains and tensions that your normal work day puts you through, sometimes catch a few fish, then get back to your day feeling just a little bit better.

The inspiration for this modest writing came from my own recent drizzle fishing experience and yes, was even lucky enough to catch six bass in a short period of time. After the bite was over, I quickly returned back to my computer and typed these thoughts. Give it a try yourself.

This article may be freely reprinted as long as the author's resource box and url links remain intact.

About the author: Greg Smith is a lifelong fisherman and publisher of the <a href=""http://www.floridafishingspots.com/"">Florida Fishing Spots</a> website. Visit <a href=""http://www.floridafishingspots.com/"">http://www.floridafish ingspots.com/</a>. Your source for free fishing information on artificial reefs, charters and guides, tackle, lures, secrets, fly, saltwater, electronics, boats, kayaks and more.

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About Buying Fly Fishing Flies Online

Author: Steve Clark

Article:

By Steve Clark

<a href=""http://www.totalflyfishing.com/"" target=new>www.totalflyfishing.com</p>

For many fly-fisherman, fly-tying is a serious hobby. Given that tying your own flies provides so much satisfaction, why buy flies online? </p>

For many fly-fisherman, fly-tying is a serious hobby. Not only is fly-tying economical, it is enjoyable. Nothing beats the thrill of mastering a new fly pattern, or creating specialized flies for ones' unique fishing situations. Also, one cannot underestimate the sense of adventure that accompanies the fly-fisher on the prowl for the perfect materials, whether browsing the local fly shop, ransacking a craft store, or even salvaging road kill. </p>

Given that tying your own flies provides so much satisfaction, why buy flies online?</p>

<strong>Obtain local fly patterns</strong>

The first reason is that as your fly fishing experience grows, your desire to test new and foreign waters increases. As a result, your need for localized patterns becomes more important. Sure, you want to do the research and tie your own variations of the Club Sandwich before you hit the Snake River for the first time, but there's something to be said about fishing the tried and true local patterns on your initial outings to foreign waters. With that idea established, you can either buy these flies from a local shop or purchase them online. I recommend doing both.</p>

Say you live in New Jersey and you're planning your first trip to Colorado. You and your buddies plan to hit a few a rivers within 10 days. Before you go, do research on the internet - find out what's hatching on these rivers when you plan to visit them, and what patterns work best. Then, based on your research, purchase enough flies online to cover you while fishing these waters. Now you have a safety net - you won't have to worry about not having enough flies for the rivers you'll fish at the end of your trip.</p>

Next, research local shops on the internet - find out who the proprietors are and when they are open for business. Now this idea might seem obvious to many of you, but make it a point to stop at these shops before you fish. When you arrive, ask them about recent fishing activity and what flies they would recommend. Tell them about your trip, let them know you found their site on the internet, and ask for their advice. Tell them what flies you already have and ask about what else you may need. If your budget allows, purchase as many of the flies they recommend. </p>

<strong>Save time while supplementing your current collection</strong>

There comes a time in which your energy is better focused on fishing than tying flies. A typical North American fly-fisher and fly-tyer spends the ""off"" months tying flies for the season ahead. Many fisherman focus the bulk of their tying efforts on the winter months to prepare for spring, summer, and fall fishing. If you are one of those anglers who feel like they never have enough flies, purchasing your ""basic"" flies online can leave you time to focus on the more specialized, region-specific flies that you might not find on the web. For example, why not buy your attractor flies such as Adams or Stimulators, so that you can concentrate on the special mayfly flies that you know will require special attention to detail? The same idea applies to those ""hard-to-tie"" flies - if you dislike tying size 24 Tricos, why not buy those items online so you have more time to crank out the flies you prefer to tie?</p>

Also, consider how much your time is worth. Think about your fly-tying time as if you were a professional fly-tyer. How much is an hour of your fly-tying time worth? If it takes you two hours to tie twelve size 26 BWO emergers, you might be better off spending $10 on a dozen of the same fly so that you can use those two hours to tie 18 Rusty Spinners. </p>

<strong>Variety</strong>

No matter what you want to purchase, nothing beats the internet for window shopping. I have seen the same fly pattern tied three different ways on three different sites. This variety allows you to find the best pattern that matches your intended fishing location. For example, if you plan to fish faster moving water, your parachute patterns might need a bit more hackle, or even a brighter post. On the other hand, if you plan to fish tailwaters, your mayfly patterns might need to sit lower on the water. By the same token, if you intend to fish mostly in the spring, your mayfly patterns might need to be a lighter color than if you intend to fish in the fall. </p>

By browsing different sites for the same patterns, you will be able to compare patterns and ascertain the right fly for you. The best way to do this is to open two or three browser windows at a time on your computer. Then go to different sites in each browser and compare the patterns you are interested in. </p>

<strong>Save money</strong>

Quite simply, buying flies online can save you money. Not only can you find discounts for large orders, the actual cost of individual flies can be lower than if you purchased flies from some of the larger fly fishing retailers. The best online merchants often charge as little as 65 cents (sometimes, even 50 cents for fly patterns). One disadvantage is that you don't get to inspect the flies before you purchase them, unlike in a store. I recommend buying a few different patterns your first time so that you can determine not only the quality of the flies, but the consistency of the quality across different patterns. For example, a good initial purchase might include a stonefly nymph, a caddis pattern, a mayfly emerger, a mayfly dun, and an attractor pattern. This way you could check the various elements of typical flies such as tails, dubbing, hackle, deer-hair, and hook strength. </p>

<strong>Types of web sites</strong>

There are hundreds of web sites that sell flies online. These sites fall into two categories: companies that only sell flies, and fly shop owners who run web sites for their businesses. </p>

Businesses whose sole purpose is to sell flies online usually have a greater amount of flies available. One advantage these sites offer is that they are more likely to offer discounts on larger purchases. Also, their web sites tend to be more user-friendly (though not always). Many of these sites typically include advanced functionality that make selecting and purchasing flies easier on the user. The best of these sites allow you to set up personal accounts or use ""shopping carts"" to store your selections before purchasing. In this manner, the purchase experience is more convenient. Shopping carts tend to be ""persistent"" - in that a visitor may select items to the cart one day and return to the site at later time to find that the shopping cart still contains the previous selections. This allows you to select items you are interested in, leave the site and do more research, then alter or add to your selections later.</p>

Fly shop web sites, on the other hand, typically present the user with flies specifically relevant to the area that the fly shop services. You have a better chance of purchasing flies that are most effective to the area you want to fish if you purchase them from local fly shops. Furthermore, you are supporting the local economy of the area in which you desire to fish. Many fly shop web sites also include online hatch charts which can inform you of flies you most likely need.</p>

<strong>The authors experience</strong>

In the spring, and summer I do a lot of fishing on the Delaware River in the Catskills Mountains of New York. Throughout the winter I will tie a decent amount of the flies I actually need. As spring approaches, I have found that supplementing my collection with web-bought flies ensures that I am ready to meet the various hatches encountered in the spring. Any Delaware River fly fisherman will tell you that hatch-matching is a critical part of success on this river. In my limited experience, I have encountered days in which four or five different hatches took place. On top of that, the hatches change from week to week. I have ensured a decent modicum of success by checking local hatch charts ahead of time and then purchasing a dozen flies from week to week.</p>

Hopefully, these tips will help you increase the amount of flies you own, and enhance your fly-fishing experience.</p>

Article courtesy of Steve Clark of TotalFlyFishing.com at <a href=""http://www.totalflyfishing.com"" target=new>www.totalflyfishing.com This article cannot be reproduced anywhere else without his consent.</p>

About the author: Steve Clark runs TotalFlyFishing.com, an internet resource guide for fly fishing.

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Fly Fishing Rods - Getting The Bends

Author: Rick Chapo

Article: Picking a fly fishing rod is a tricky endeavor. Do you go with your ego, expected fishing environment or something else? While length is a factor, the bend or action of the rod is a key factor.

Flexibility

Fly fishing rods are often defined by their flexibility. In laymen's terms, flexibility means how far the rods will bend when the same casting effort is used.

Minimal Bend

A fly fishing rod that has minimum bend is often called a "fast" rod. The lack of bend lets the angler get lots of speed on the cast. This speed allows you to cast very accurately and farther away than rods with more bends. While these benefits may sound great at first glance, a fast rod can be frustrating. There is no room for error when using the rod. If you are going to use one of these rods, you need excellent motion and timing. Generally, only anglers with a lot of experience should have a go at using fast rods.

Moderate Bend

The next step down from a fast rod is one with medium flexibility. These rods tend to have good flexibility, but the bend is restricted to the top half of the rod. The rod requires less perfection of motion and timing, but is fairly accurate. If you've been angling for a while and have the basic techniques down, a moderately flexible rod is worth a try.

Slinky Bend

If you are just taking up fly fishing, you should use a rod with maximum flexibility. While others suggest a moderate bend is better for beginners, a "slinky bend" rod gives you a lot of leeway when it comes to learning to cast.

Fly fishing is relaxing and enjoyable. Pick the wrong rod, however, and it can quickly become frustrating and stressful. If you use your brain, not your ego, when picking a rod, you will have a blast.

About the author: Rick Chapo is with <a href=""http://www.nomadjournals.com"">Nomad Journals</a> - makers of writing journals for fly fishing anglers. See <a href=""http://www.nomadjournals.com/fly_fishing_equiptment.cfm"">Fl y Fishing Journals</a> on our site.

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Le Havre, a fishing village

Author: Jakob Jelling

Article: Le Havre is famous, not only within the region of Normandy but through France and the rest of Europe as well due to the fact that it has one of the largest and most important sea ports of France. This way, it is easy to imagine the importance of fishing related activities for this town and the way in which its people and their traditions have a strong bond with the sea.

The town of Le Havre is located at about 130 miles from Paris, 40 miles from Rouen and 40 miles from Caen, in the French Department of Seine Maritime. It can be found towards the right side of the Seine River and facing the coast of the English Channel in such a way that the landscapes it offers are one of the main attractions of the area.

During the XVI century, Le Havre went through some important changes and historical events. Around the year 1516, a port was built in Le Havre under the orders of the French royalty. After that, during the Religious Wars within first years of the decade of 1560, the town went through critical moments and became under the control of the English, although the town's people and the architecture weren't hardly damaged and a year after it the French gained the control over this town back.

The port was partially re constructed during the XVII century under the orders of the main minister of Louis XIII, Richelieu. After that, and within the XIX century, some of the port areas were re constructed again under the orders of Napoleon, but it always kept its main characteristics unchanged and nowadays visitors can observe most of its features as they were when it originally was.

Besides this port, there also are several other interesting spots and constructions to meet in Le Havre. One of these constructions is the Church of Notre dame de Bonsecours. This church was built during the XVI century, after what, during the XVII century it also received a few changes and new ornaments. Among a few others, this building is one of the constructions which visitors should not miss while being in Le Havre.

About the author: Jakob Jelling is the founder of Eurotomic.com. Please visit http://www.eurotomic.com/france.php if you're planning a trip to France.

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Fishing vacation 101

Author: Mansi gupta

Article: Universally, the term "gone fishing" is associated with vacations. In that case planning a fishing vacation should be nothing more then a natural choice. Fishing combines sport, relaxation, communing with nature and free food and hence qualifies as the perfect vacation. From a weekend trip to the closest lake front camping ground to an adventurous and long packaged tour to the best fishing locales of the world, one has plenty of choices that could be made.

While planning a long fishing vacation, there are a couple of obvious choices to be made. First one being what type of fishing is most appealing. The most basic breakdown here is a choice between freshwater and saltwater fishing.

Fishing vacations come in various sizes and forms. They can be started with loading your car with fishing rods and sleeping bags or calling a travel agent or professional fishng guide.

These trips can be taken all the year round. Although the first thought is generally to catch the bass biting at the very onset of spring or the blues running in autumn. Trips can be made absolutely anytime of the year, even in the dead of the winter, just in case he angler has no aversions to cutting holes in the ice.

A properly planned vacation can be fun for all, irrespective of whether you are a novice or a very serious sportsman. The only essential purchase required is the fishing license, rest all can be rented. Rods and reels, boats and crews, which can even cater lunch, can be rented out.

It can be a way for families to spend time together while simultaneously enjoying the outdoors. Although the idea of skewering worms onto hooks may sound gross yet the vacation can be fun for the entire family. Fishing is a leisurely pastime and you don't have to excel at it to enjoy, and a total beginner might be just as good or even more than a seasoned pro.

Just because you are vegetarian, doesn't mean you can't have fun while fishing. One may use catch and release techniques for the fun of the sport.

While as said earlier, their can be several ways of going for fishing, however packaged tours certainly has some advantages. Best part here being that all the essentials are included right in the price. One need not carry all the equipment around, and thus the trip becomes more fun. Along with the trip, the vacationer also gets the expertise of the trip provider. Thus one need not hunt around for the best 'fishing hole' and thus the chances of returning empty handed are considerably reduced. Also at fairly reasonable prices one may also get lunch included in the package deal.

Toughest decision to be made while planning a trip is, where to go. Think globally as ther are plenty of scenic fishing spots which are a real treat for anyone interested. British Columbia in Canada boasts of beautiful wilderness and streams filled with great number of fishes of an ample of species.

There are also the less exotic but easier on the pocket destination which can be good value for money. Prices for accommodations may range from 100$ to 300$. One may also like to make it a learning experience, by opting for a Fishing School package. It generally includes hands-on and personal tutoring regarding the ins and outs of fishing. All the equipment is provided by the school. Prices may be around 300$ per session , travel expenses excluded.

About the author: Mansi gupta writes about fishing vacation . Learn more at http://www.uniquefishingvacations.com .

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Goodbye To A Fly Fishing Friend

Author: Marshall Estes

Article: Saying Goodbye is Tough

8/26/05</p> For the past eleven years Bill Louthan, owner of Alpine Angler, operated his fly shop at the corner of Chambers and Iliff next to the Aurora Newsland in Aurora, CO.&nbsp; Before moving to the current location, Alpine Angler was located on the corner of Quincy and Parker Road for five years.

Bill's shop was always a joy to visit.&nbsp; Because Bill would gladly share a story, a joke, product knowledge or trout tactics with a customer. Bill was generous to a fault.&nbsp; He would fix a fly line attached improperly to the backing or reverse a reel from right to left hand retrieve for a customer.&nbsp; Often this equipment was not even purchased from Bill but from a discounter big box store. We, the regular customers, urged him to charge for this kind of service.&nbsp;

But Bill maintained that he could attract new customers through quality customer service. &nbsp;I have been in a lot of fly shops in 36 years of fly fishing and I will say that Bill's customer service was without equal.

Unfortunately, not even Bill's magnetic personality and great customer service was enough to save his shop.

When I stopped by the shop this Friday, to see my friend Bill, the shop was eerily quiet.&nbsp; There was only one other person in the shop besides myself.&nbsp; And he was one of Bill's long time friends and fishing buddies.

The shop was almost bare of inventory.&nbsp;On sale signs were posted on hooks, fly tying supplies, leaders, the book inventory and most every thing else.&nbsp; Two lonely rods occupied the rod rack and these were custom builts waiting to be picked up.

The shop condition was a far cry from its busiest.&nbsp;Then you might find ten to fifteen customers at any time in the shop.&nbsp; All of them purchasing equipment, fly tying supplies and talking fly fishing.

From October to mid April, Bill would open his shop up on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to about 8 p.m. for the guys to gather and tie flies.&nbsp; At eight, Bill would supply pizza to close out the sessions.

At the end of August, these sessions will be no more.

Yes, at the end of August, Bill will turn out the lights and close the doors to Alpine Angler for the last time.

Did Bill want to close the shop? &nbsp;No, he wanted to retire and pass on the business to his son Billy.

But Alpine Angler along with eight other small independent fly shops from Castle Rock through the Aurora area have fallen victim to the big box discounters who started moving into Aurora within the last two years.

We, your regular customers, will miss you Bill.&nbsp; We will miss the stories, jokes and the good times during the fly tying sessions.

I will miss you as a personal friend and mentor.&nbsp;I wish you much success with your next business.&nbsp; A business where the discounters will not be able to compete very well.&nbsp; A business where knowledge and equipment use will not be free.

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,

Marshall, Editor <a href=""http://www.fly-fishing-colorado.com/"">www.fly-fishing-color ado.com</a> <a href=""http://www.fly-fishing-colorado.blogspot.com"" target=_blank"">www.fly-fishing-colorado.blogspot.com Reciprocal <a href=""http://fly-fishing-colorado.com/fly_fishing_links.html"">Fly Fishing Links</a>

This article is copyright 2005 by Marshall Estes

This article may be used for free content as long as the article remains intact including the resource box and copyright. <a href=""http://fly-fishing-colorado.com/fishing-articles.html"">Fish ing Articles</a> Index

About the author: None

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Fishing By Moon Phase: Increase Your Catch

Author: David Rose

Article: Every fisherman dreams of a bigger catch! Is it possible to know beforehand when you should plan a trip to enjoy some fishing, catch more than usual, and come home feeling 100% satisfied? Based on my own personal research around the best fishing times, I think it is.

When I first started fishing, the best fishing time for me was whatever time happened to suit me. I tried different lures, baits and techniques until I'd spent a small fortune in my quest to improve my fishing catch. When I finally heard about the ""Solunar Theory""--or fishing by moon phase--like most anglers, I was skeptical.

What I'd read sounded too complicated. All sorts of factors needed to be checked and the determined angler needed to be at the water's edge at exactly the right time, TO THE MINUTE, in order to improve on his average catch. Was I really willing to take my hobby that seriously? Let's just say that curiosity got the better of me.

To help me determine whether there was any truth in the moon's effect on the best fishing times, I kept a record of every trip I made over a period of 18 months. All information related to the moon's phases, the weather conditions and the catches I made were carefully logged. What I discovered convinced me that moon phase fishing works. BUT, I also found that it isn't anywhere near as complicated as many would have us believe.

<b>How Does Fishing By Moon Phase Work?</b>

Every fisherman knows that the best fishing times are when the fish are feeding. This tends to be during dawn and dusk, but what often goes unnoticed are the two periods elsewhere in the day--moonrise and moonset. Because the moon has an effect on a variety of factors surrounding the fish--including the live fodder they hunt--these periods, combined with the moon's phase, are what trigger feeding.

By understanding this, and choosing times when sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset coincide with new or full moon phases, you'll increase you chance of a good fishing catch. Assuming there are fish in the area, of course.

<b>Choosing The Best Fishing Times</b>

There really is nothing complicated about this at all; it's just a matter of knowing ahead of time exactly when the sun and moon will rise and set. Fish are most active during 90-minute windows surrounding each of these four daily events; that's 45 minutes before and after these four daily points.

Fishing during these four periods will help increase your fishing catch, but if you plan wisely so as to ensure you're at the water's edge on the days of new or full moon, you can use these 'windows' to reel in a catch like you've never done before. If you have to choose between sunrise/set and moonrise/set, always go with the moon as the moon is the stronger influence.

Hunters have always known that fish and game are most active at dawn and dusk--sunrise and sunset--but their activity surrounding moonrise and moonset is less noticeable because these events are likely to occur without e­ffecting any change in the perceived light. The rise and set of a new moon is invisible anyway, and overcast weather often hides the moon. Without prior knowledge of setting and rising times, two of the best fishing times will be missed every day!

<b>Other Considerations</b>

When planning your fishing by moon phase, there are certain other factors that should also be considered.

Weather - Severe weather changes have an impact on the way fish feed. When a storm's brewing, or just after one has passed, is a good time. If this happens while you're in place, you'll be in for a treat! However, if there's a cold front approaching, the fish are likely to move deeper into the water and become inactive.

Season - Most fish are more likely to bite willingly during seasonal transitions with the transition from winter to spring and summer to fall being the two best fishing times.

Now that you know that moon phase fishing really works, there's no reason why you shouldn't utilize this knowledge to increase your own fishing catch by being at the ready with your rod during the best fishing times available. It's easy and it works!

Good luck!

About the author: David Rose is an outdoor enthusiast and creator of the popular moon software, QuickPhase Pro, the fun and easy way to view the phases of the moon. To increase your fishing catch, visit http://www.quickphase.com

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Tips To Know The Types Of Fishing Rod To Acquire

Author: Travis Clemens

Article: Fishing rod holders take the inconvenience out of fishing for a variety of reasons. For one, it is a convenient storage device especially when one is in a kayak. Rather than holding the paddle in between the legs while fishing, a fishing rod holder stores the rod in place therefore enabling anyone to carry multiple rods or (if one insists so) carry multiple paddles. It also makes trolling easy as a holder keeps the fishing rod in place as one travels to a number of fishing spots. Also, when unhooking a caught fish, rod holders keep the rod secure. More importantly, they help one catch more fish at the same time enabling a kayak look versatile and extremely well-designed.

Here are some tips that could prove helpful in order to determine the types of fishing rods one should purchase.

To attach or to not attach

There are basically two types of fishing rod holders, one that could be attached to the exterior of the kayak and one that is put in the flush. Both have different functions and both work well accordingly. The choice all depends on what one prefers to use and how.

To those who prefer the unattached

The unattached type of fishing rod holder comes in two forms, the straight and the angled. Most kayaks use the angled form. When this type is used, one has a good chance of being able to stroll because the rods veer away from the kayak.

To those who prefer the attached

If the straight type is used, one is able to keep the fishing rod in the middle of the kayak and therefore works best in keeping the rod in storage. This straight type of fishing rod holder is good for the Tower and Cobra Navigator model of a kayak.

The home-made fishing rod holder

One could just as make his or her very own personalized fishing rod holder using common PVC. Or one could also start out by getting a milk crate and attaching it to a kayak with the use of straps.

The alternative type of fishing rod

There is another type of fishing rod holder that could be placed just above the kayak. These are usually tubes that are called RAM as well as Titelock. As the latter's name implies, it locks the rod in place and usually consists of a male and a female part. This part difference allows the two to be separated. Manufacturers that generally make this type of fishing rod are Attwood, Scotty and Roberts.

About the author: Travis Clemens is a life time fisherman and he knows the ins and outs of gettinem on the hook! You too can gettem on the hook with Travis as your guide! http://www.best-fishing-tips.com

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Tips On Kayak Fishing

Author: Ace Blackwood

Article: It takes a long time to become an expert in kayak fishing. The period of apprenticeship, which must be served in order to transform the novice into a veteran kayak angler can be discouraging and often runs into years.

About the nearest thing to a short cut is to have an old-timer take the first-timer under his wing and let the novice accompany him on kayak fishing trips

Basically, kayak fishing is gradually making a name in the industry. Its popularity is steadily creating sustainable gratifications aside from the fact that kayaks have long been used in fishing.

History has it that even in the early times; kayak fishing has long been the primary source of fish supply ranging from the ""flatfish halibut"" to other kinds of big fish. These activities, which happened from the mid 18th Century until the late part of it, were all noted by the Russian Orthodox priests. These turn of events are now known as ""The Native History.""

From then on, kayak fishing continued to dominate the fishing industry, where once, people were doubtful if it could really aid the anglers to catch some fish. The steady feature brought about by its ""sit-on"" type has long been the primary characteristics of kayaks that made it an ideal fishing boat.

However, with kayak fishing, the angler has to learn how to steady the kayak as he tries to paddle through the waters, in which it is considered as part of the whole process.

Therefore, for people who wish to know some tips about kayak fishing, here's a list that may help them enjoy this tricky activity.

1. Safety first

Like any activity, it is necessary that before an individual plunges into action, he or she must first observe some safety measures and background checks to ensure security and protection against any imminent danger.

The angler must check the weather condition, the tide, and other elements concerning kayaking.

2. Hatches should be closed at all times

The angler should always keep in mind that it is best to keep the hatches closed while fishing. Water can never seep through the kayak if the hatches are kept closed.

3. Steady fishing

When the angler is already in the midst of the waters, it is better to have an anchor to keep the kayak steady while on the verge of catching fish.

Best of all, before an individual goes out to the waters, it would be better if he let somebody know his whereabouts. In this way, somebody will be able to keep track of your activity.

As they say, safety should always come first.

About the author: Travis Clemens is a life time fisherman and he knows the ins and outs of gettinem on the hook! You too can gettem on the hook with Travis as your guide! http://www.best-fishing-tips.com

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Welfare Fishing

Author: Tom Ogren

Article: Welfare Fishing

I've been fishing hard for the past 40 plus years and about thirty years ago I started to enjoy catching fish and tossing them back. I usually bring along a camera and have collected so many photos of me or friends with fish caught (and usually released) that they now fill two large fish albums. My niece, Shana, recently complained, saying, ""How come I'm not in the fish book?"" I explained that in order to get in the fish book, you had to catch a fish and have someone take the picture. As a kid I used to fish on the piers of southern California and in those days everyone had a five-gallon bucket and into that bucket went every single fish they caught. You could walk down the pier, looking in peoples' buckets, seeing how the fishing was going. It was a point of pride to have a bucket full of fish--what kind of fish, tomcods, perch, mackerel, croaker, bonito, didn't really matter. What mattered was having a bucketful of fish. Most of the many fish I tossed in my bucket ended up getting buried in our back yard. Good fertilizer for the plants was the way we excused it. Not that in those days we needed any sort of excuse for keeping every single fish we caught. It was the way it was done then. On the ocean piers today I see much the same thing. Catch and release appears to be a very foreign idea. Last time I was on the pier I was casting a line of little jigs, catching and then tossing back lots of big sardines. The people on both sides of me asked me to give the fish to them, but I said no, I was into catching and releasing. They looked at me with a certain bit of hostility and as though I had to be completely out of my mind. One thing about me that is quickly apparent is that I'm pretty big. At 6'2"" tall and 230 pounds I don't look like someone to mess with, and I'm not. This gives me somewhat of an advantage with irate fisherfolk. Two weeks ago I was in Minnesota visiting my brother in St. Paul. One afternoon I decided to drive down to nearby Long Lake to try my hand at tossing bread balls to the carp. There's a little pier on that lake and I walked out on it and started to drown the white bread. I had the whole pier to myself and it was quite nice, even if the carp weren't cooperating. Pretty soon a man who brought an ice chest, a paperback copy of Clan of the Cave Bear, several rods, a big tackle box, and a large portable radio joined me. He tuned his radio to some classical music station and turned it up loud. Now I like violins as much as the next guy, but not especially when I'm carp fishing. But it was a public pier and I'm a polite guy so I didn't complain. This new fellow was quite the talker. In no time he'd told me half his life story. He worked for the city, had read Clan of the Cave Bear five times, and was a (self proclaimed) expert on all matter anthropological. He also complained bitterly about the hoards of damn foreigners who had moved to Minnesota and who caught all the fish while they lived high on the hog on public welfare. I tired to ignore him as best I could but it wasn't easy. Once in awhile I'd try to get my own two cents in about something or other but he never let me finish a sentence and I quickly gave up trying. He was fishing with what looked like fifty-pound line, a huge bobber, a heavy sinker, a size 1 hook and a dead leach. He claimed there were huge bluegills in the lake but he wasn't catching any of them. I decided to give him a little competition. I was using six-pound line on an ultra light outfit. I rigged up with a long shanked number 8 gold hook, put a very small bobber some four feet up from my hook, baited it with a worm from my brother's perennial garden and started to fish for bluegills. On the first cast I quickly got into a really beautiful bluegill, big, fat, solid, a male with a bright orange chest. I pulled him up, admired him for a moment and then dropped him back into the murky waters of Long Lake. ""What the hell did you do that for?"" said my classical loving buddy. ""That was a damn good fish."" ""I'm into catch and release,"" I said. ""I just like to fish and catch fish. I almost never keep any."" ""Well, give them to me then,"" he said. Now to be honest, if I'd have liked the guy better, a whole lot better, I probably would have. But his welfare talk and ramblings about how the minorities had screwed up the world was bugging me...that and his big mouth and loud classical music. ""Sorry,"" I said, ""I catch 'em and I toss 'em. You'll just have to catch your own."" And then I started to fish bluegills with a vengeance. I started catching bluegills almost as fast as I could toss in my line and almost every one of them was huge. It had been years since I'd caught such big sunnies. Every time I tossed one back I could hear this guy groaning but I just ignored him. After I'd caught a dozen or so of these slab sunfish another fellow joined us on the end of the pier. He took a spot at the rail, between me and the other guy. He hadn't come to fish, just to socialize I guess. I quickly found out he was a retired optometrist, and that he too felt oppressed by all the gays, lesbians, blacks, Asians, Mexicans, politicians, you name it. I hung into my biggest bluegill yet. On my light tackle the little bruiser put up a darn good fight. I landed my fish, admired it briefly and tossed it back into the lake. ""My God!"" swore the old optometrist. ""That was really nice sunfish. Why did you throw it back?"" ""I'm into catch and release, "" I said. ""Yeah?"" said the old geezer. ""Yep,"" said the city employee. ""He's into catching them and throwing them back. Nice fish like that, you'd think he'd give some to someone else. But oh no, he throws them all back."" ""You know,"" I said, talking to the retired optometrist and pretending the other guy wasn't even there, "" People sometimes get me confused. They think I'm the welfare department, that I'm out here to pass out free fish to people. But I ain't the welfare department. And anyhow, all the fish I caught I put right back in the lake where anyone else can catch them themselves if they want to. Funny how some people are always looking for a handout, isn't it."" The old fellow just looked at me for a moment. ""That's cold,"" he said. And I guess it was. But you know what? I enjoyed it. I caught a few more of the jumbo bluegills, tossed them back, and then left the pier. The fishing had been pretty decent but the ambiance sucked. It was time to find a different lake to fish.

About the author: Tom Ogren is a writer from San Luis Obispo, California, and he admits to keeping the occasional walleye, trout or crappie to eat.

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Winter Time Is Midge Time When Fly Fishing For Trout

Author: Scott McDuffee

Article:

Let's face it, we dream in Technicolor of size 10 green drake hatches or Hexagenia Limbata as big as beavers - but the reality is Winter Time Is Midge Time. Often the only bugs on the frigid water are so small; they challenge most anglers to consider LASIK. And as you already know, much of the eating is under the surface. </p>

At a fly-tying class, I once heard a locally famous fly tier named Pops quip something along the line of ""my second best fly tying material supplier is Hobby Lobby"". This, of course, assumes that Blue Heron Fly Shop where we were sitting is his ""first best"". This guy is also well known for the quote ""it ain't no use, if it ain't chartreuse"" but that, as they say, is another story. </p>

Armed with this nugget of wisdom, I scoured every section of Hobby Lobby. Eureka! Great little wires for tying ""ribs"" of nymphs, wonderful foam sheets for terrestrials, assorted yarn varieties for 'buggers, and beads, beads, beads! All this is available at a fraction of the cost of their fly-shop counterparts. Bingo! </p>

From this magnificent Wall-O'-Beads, I found some fine little metal ones in a small pinky-sized cylinder. They came in a variety of colors like olive, purple, copper, and brown. Many had fancy names like Brown Iris Metallic Beads (the one I took home) and numerous others. Perfect. We ARE talking tiny here. Just the right size to barely squeeze on to barb-less size 20 hooks and be proportionate. </p>

Armed with these at my fly tying station, I began to experiment. If you have ever collected and looked at tiny water bugs, you will note their appendages and segmentations are not distinct unless under a microscope. So, I combined the little bead heads with many simple body materials trying to find a simple-to-tie solution. I wanted to approximately match the hatch from recent trips to the stream. I finally boiled it down to dyed goose biots. I had originally experimented with biots to tie Prince Nymphs at a much larger scale and certainly a different application. My favorite biot color is olive, and man, what a great subtle segmented body biots make. Ultimately, I designed Duff's Bead/Biot Midge - perfect for fishing Winter's cold waters. More than just this emerger, I developed a powerful One-Two Punch combination that has proven itself over and over in many tailraces throughout Texas and Oklahoma. </p>

Though the tiny bead/biot midge is a killer as a dropper below a larger nymph, the One-Two Punch consists of a dropper below a similar looking dry. Before I give you the recipe, let me describe the simplicity of these two flies. The dry fly is: olive thread, olive biot, and olive/gray hackle on a size twenty barb-less hook. The dropper, often fished just 6 inches below the dry, is: olive thread, olive biot, and metallic bead on a size twenty barb-less hook. Simple, right? It's really easy to tie too. But don't let that make you feel guilty when you when you catch numerous trout with it. </p>

<b>Duff's Dry Midge - Olive</b>

Materials -

* Hook: Size 20 dry

* Thread: Olive 8/0

* Body: Goose Biot dyed olive

* Hackle: Olive/Gray sized to match hook gap

* Head: Olive Thread

Technique - Crush barb, put hook in vise, jamb knot thread and wrap back to bend, tie in point of biot, wrap thread forward, spiral biot forward leaving segmentation and tie down with half hitch, tie in single hackle, trim base, wrap hackle and tie off, whip finish forming head, add cement. </p>

<b>Duff's Bead/Biot Midge - Olive</b>

Materials -

* Hook: Size 20 dry or scud/nymph

* Thread: Olive 8/0

* Body: Goose Biot dyed olive

* Head: Brown Iris Bead

Technique - Crush barb, place bead head on hook, put hook in vise, jamb knot thread and wrap back to bend, tie in point of biot, wrap thread forward, spiral biot forward leaving segmentation and tie down with half hitch (optional – tie in a few strands of crystal flash as a wing and clip close), whip finish behind bead head, add cement. </p>

For those who are not into fly tying but are into fly fishing Scott has put together an assortment of dry flies and nymphs that no fly fisherman should be with out. See <a href=""http://www.southwestsportsman.com/shopmain.jsp"">Duff's Ultimate Midge Pack</a>. </p>

Scott is a lead editor and contributor to <a href=""http://www.southwestsportsman.com""><b>SouthwestSportsman.co m</b></a>, a website dedicated to the enjoyment of the great American outdoors.

About the author: Scott McDuffee is a lead editor and contributor to <a href=""http://www.southwestsportsman.com""><b>SouthwestSportsman.co m</b></a>, a website dedicated to the enjoyment of the great American outdoors.

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Keep your fishing reel clean!

Author: Ben Young

Article:

There is no worse feeling than to have a big fish hooked, to be enjoying the fight of reeling it in, then having your equipment fail and the fish getting away. </p>

Sometimes equipment failure cannot be helped, but with good maintenance you'll be confident that any failure it may have could not have been prevented. </p>

By keeping your fishing reel clean, it will work smoother and last longer. This is a basic how to on cleaning and maintaining fishing reels. </p>

Find a clean flat hard surface such as a bench top to clean your reel on. Laying down a clean white sheet over the bench can make finding small parts easier. </p>

Begin by wiping the outside of the reel over with a moist soapy rag, this will remove any of the contaminants such as oils and salts (particularly if it is used in salt water). Remove the spool and wash it and underneath with mild soapy water. </p>

Carefully remove the winding handle; this is usually done by unscrewing the nut on the opposite side of the reel. Take the handle out and carefully remove the side plate with a small screw driver. You will be able to inspect all of the gears inside and add special fishing reel grease onto the gears. Each year you should clean out the old grease and lubricate the internals with fresh grease. </p>

Using fishing reel oil, lubricate any external moving parts such as the bail and anti reverse lever. </p>

Remember that fishing in salt water requires more maintenance than fresh water fishing. Make sure you clean your gear after each trip to keep it in perfect working order and extend its life for many more fishing trips.</p>

More great tips can be found at: <a href=""http://www.fishinglinks.com.au"">http://www.fishinglinks.com .au </a></p>

About the author: Ben Young is a recreational fisherman with over 25 years experience in fresh water, surf, estuary and lake fishing. <a href=""http://www.fishinglinks.com.au"">http://www.fishinglinks.com .au </a>

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Get Polarized Lenses For Great Fishing Sunglasses

Author: Peter Crump

Article: Fishing sunglasses do not contain images of fish, but avid fishermen claim they do make it easier on your eyes when you are fishing. Fishing sunglasses is a name given to sunglasses that contain polarized lenses. This type of lens in sun glasses makes it easier to see when you are on the water because they reduce the glare caused by the reflection of the sun on the water.

When you choose fishing sunglasses, there are many designer sun glasses to choose from. The most well-known polarized fishing sunglasses are those made by Oakley and Hobie. Both have excellent quality lenses that are very durable and able to withstand hard knocks. They are scratch and shatter resistant and they are not just for fishing. No matter what type of outdoor activity you engage in, wearing sunglasses with polarized lenses is really beneficial for your eyes.

The name fishing sun glasses was applied to polorozed fishing sunglasses because they became the favorite of fishermen. They found that with the reduced glare on sunny days, they could keep track of their lures in the waster much easier. Now these sun glasses have become really popular for other sports such as golfing and snowboarding.

The polarized lenses in fishing sunglasses contain vertically oriented polarizers. Since light reflects horizontally, this vertical polarizing ability neutralizes the glare and protects your eyes. Polarized fishing sunglasses also help you to see better in bright light, but if you look at a computer screen when wearing these sun glasses some of the displays on the screen may actually become invisible.

Polorized fishing sunglasses have also become known as sports sunglasses because of their popularity among players of most major sporting events. In protecting your eyes from the UV rays of the sun, fishing sunglasses are way ahead of ordinary lenses. The color tint in these sunglasses also has an effect on the clarity of your vision. This is really a matter of personal taste and you would have to see what color you like best.

Getting the fishing sunglasses you need for the next big fishing trip with your buddies is not as hard as you think. Most of the designers of sunglasses have an online presence or have authorized online dealers where you can place your order. By ordering your polarized fishing sun glasses online, you will also get them much cheaper. Why not buy a pair for your buddy while you're at it?

You need proper fishing sunglasses when on the water.

About the author: For a website totally devoted to Sunglasses visit Peter's Website Sunglasses Explained at http://www.sunglasses-explained.com/ and find out about Sunglasses as well as Discount Sunglasses at http://www.sunglasses-explained.com/discount-sunglasses.html and more, including Gucci Sunglasses, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Rayban Sunglasses, Chanel Sunglasses, Oakley Sunglasses and more.

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Golf and Fishing what have they in common?

Author: Kacy Carr

Article: Golf and fishing could not be more different but they both have something in common and that being is, how they give enjoyment and pleasure to all who participate in the sport. For most people they are hobbies and for others it is how they make their living. You can earn big money as a professional golfer. May I suggest if you do not play golf and think the sport is not for you then think again? The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

If it is the Rupert bear yellow checked pants, red jumper and blue cap that deters you from venturing onto the green then do not let this put you off. This is a familiar trade mark of most players who are comfortable with the Disney look. You wear what you are comfortable with.

Golf has to be one of the most laid back relaxing and enjoyable sports out there; if a sport can excite and give pleasure throughout a whole game then need I say anymore.

Learning to play is a great experience and can be great fun; mistakes will be made and no doubt this will leave your fellow golf partners doubled over with laughter. It will be easier for you to understand why this game is one of the world's most popular sports by joining in.

Fishing,

If you intend to take up angling in the sea make sure you are in a boat, as you do not want to end up bait for most big fish.

Another peaceful sport is fishing. Imagine yourself sitting on the river bank with your fishing basket at your side fully packed with sandwiches and a flask of piping hot coffee. And to make the day even more special are the sedate and scenic surroundings accompanied of course by a flowing river.

The beauty of fishing is the feeling it gives as i.e. not having a care in the world. A very rewarding sport when the fish start to bite. Fishing can become an addictive sport or hobby where you never want to go home, what is so wrong in that I ask unless of course you have a wife and kids.

How to cast a baited rod like a professional is not as hard as you may think, the right guidance tips and advice from an experienced person in this field will prove to be the best move you could make in acquiring these skills for your self.

Kevin Brovold gave me the inspiration that was needed to fulfill my dream of becoming a pro with his Golf Magic tips on the sport.

Choosing which sport to take up may cause problems. Problem solved do both.

http://www.benidormbeaches.com

About the author: Sunday morning without fail off to the local course with a few friends for a round of golf. Golf has become a passion in my life that I get withdrawal symptons should I not get my weekly game.

Expert coaching willl help to achieve. Kevin Brovold became my mentor. I now enjoy teaching others.

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The Benefits of Inflatable Fishing Boats

Author: Kristy Annely

Article: Inflatable fishing boats are great yacht tenders/camping boats that are light enough to be carried in a backpack. Some 8-foot inflatable fishing boats are good for two and gear, and are large enough to float in moderate whitewater rivers. They can also be used as a large yacht tender. Inflatable fishing boats that are 9-foot long can carry enough gear for a long outdoor journey, and make a great fishing boat.

Most inflatable fishing boats fold small enough to be transported easily in a car trunk. They weigh around 40 lbs without running boards and are lightweight enough to be carried to nearby waterways. Inflatable fishing boats are really versatile. They are equally suitable for fishing, diving, or as a pleasure cruiser. In addition to versatility and despite their large size, inflatable fishing boats are very easy to row.

To make things more enjoyable, fit the Inflatable Fishing Boat with a small 4 hp motor and the craft will go around all day on just a gallon of gas. In places that ban gas engines, one could attach an equivalent electric motor. Whatever one's purpose, from fishing to Class 3 whitewater running, inflatable fishing boats are up to the job.

Inflatable fishing boats are cheap and durable boats well-suited for weekend fishing or hunting and camping trips. They are compact, and can be carried to the water by a couple of people. Despite this, inflatable fishing boats are spacious and rugged enough to handle almost any conditions.

The prices of inflatable fishing boats vary from $30 to $450 depending on the size and number of running boards. For just a fraction of the price of a conventional boat, inflatable fishing boats give the user all the freedom needed coupled with unrivalled accessibility. Thanks to their lightweight and amazing compactness, one can get to those hard-to-reach favorite fishing spots.

About the author: <a href=""http://www.e-inflatableboats.com"">Inflatable Boats Info</a> provides detailed information on pontoon, rigid and fishing inflatable boats, as well as trailers, repairs, used inflatable boats and manufacturers. Inflatable Boats Info is the sister site of <a href=""http://www.e-riverrafting.com"">River Rafting Web</a>.

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Saltwater Fly Fishing 101

Author: Cameron Larsen

Article: Fly fishing in itself can be intimidating for the uninitiated. Watching a fly fisher while holding a spin rod can feel humbling. The whole world of fly fishing looks complicated, daunting, unfriendly and expensive. But is also alluring, and sooner or later if you like to fish, you may very well take the plunge, and begin to learn. To experiment, and hopefully to catch a fish., And before long you might begin to think of yourself as a fly angler. Gain confidence, skill and knowledge. Try new fly fishing experiences, and learn new techniques, flies and buy even more gear. And on and on it goes, as learning about fly fishing is a non-ending path.

Well, let's go one step further shall we? <a href=http://www.bigyflyco.com/flyfishinghome.html target+""_blank"">Saltwater fly fishing</a> is the epitome of everything said in the previous paragraph and more. Even for the season fly fishing trout angler, saltwater fly fishing looks like an impossible task, to say the least. For one thing the ocean is well huge, enormous, and might as well be unending. Even the most competent caster can only cover a ridiculously minute portion of the area why would one even bother. When scanning a river or lake, one can have an educated guess about where the fish will lie. But the ocean? Where they can be anywhere can't they, and then you have the whole business of the tide to learn. It isn't seasonal, it is daily. And then we have the myriad of flies to learn about all over again. It took years to learn about trout flies, and it is still ongoing, one must really start all over again?? Ugh!

Yes it is daunting, but remember when you first learned about fly fishing in general. Or frankly any new hobby or topic. It is all daunting at first. Learning is daunting, but becomes easier, as the new area of interest is unveiled slowly. A little knowledge to start, to hang later more detailed knowledge on is the most crucial. So let's start with just a little knowledge.

If you are in an area where saltwater fly fishing is well practiced, you are in an easier position to obtain such knowledge, by asking fly shop owners, and fly fisher's, and by observation you can begin to get a feel for what it is all about. But much of the world's saltwater fly fishing opportunities are virtually unexplored.

So let's see what we can do to break this down. Like fishing lakes and big rivers, you have only look at the territory you can actually cover with your fly rod. And pretty much ignore the rest. For saltwater fly fishing that territory is the 60 feet or so next to shore. The easiest way to explore this area is by foot at low tide, when you can actually see the underwater terrain. You can first invest in a chart or survey map, to help you narrow down areas that might have rocky outcroppings leading into deeper pools or channels. If you have loads of free time, this can become an enjoyable activity of exploration all in itself. Look for activity of fish, and habitats that might hold fish and their food. One nice thing here, is that fish are fish are fish, and they all require the same thing. Security, food, places to lie, if you know how to read habitat in rivers or lakes you can easily adapt that skill to oceans, and bays.

Once you have your spots located, you will also need some gear,. If you have some 8 wt gear or larger, you can least begin to get your feet wet. As for flies, well start with the basics, the classics, Deceiver's, Clouser's, will give you the best opportunity to catch a fish. And you have begun to add that crucial beginning of knowledge onto which you will hang new knowledge as you become more versed in this field of fly fishing. Be sure and check future editions of Big Y Fly Fishing Ezine for more in depth articles.

About the author: Cameron Larsen is a retired commericial fly tier and fly fishing guide. He now operates The Big Y Fly Company. http://www.bigyflyco.com/flyfishinghome.html He can be reached at info@bigyflyco.com. This article will appear in the Big Y Fly Fishing E-Zine at Http://www.bigyflyco.com/Bigyflyfishingezine.html

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Fly Fishing For Fun!

Author: Sammy Salmon

Article: Fly fishing is very different than fishing with a lure or worm type baits. The fly fisherman uses a artificial fly consisting of bites of feathers, foam, hide, fur, yarn, and other materials to be tried on to a hook that make it appealing to the type of fish you are catching. Every fly fisherman has his own type of flies he like to use some purchase them and then some of us like to tie our own. Fly tying is more of an art with basic training which most people can learn over a short period of time.

Dry fly fishing is the best classic form of fishing. The artificial fly is cast so that it floats on the surface of the water. As the fly passes over the fish it will rise to the surface and strike or take the fly.

With the fly rod you will attempt to stop the fish from spitting out the fly and get it tired enough so you can land it in your net. With fly fishing you will see all the action as you cast the fly and play the fish for a strike. The fly is very visible on the surface to the fish. You will see the fish take the fly on the surface however trout and other fish tend to feed under water so if you see the fish rising to the surface it is time to use a dry fly.

Wet flies will sink under the surface of the water an may be passed in front of the fish there bye causing the fish too strike at the fly,

Nymph fishing is very popular after the flies lay eggs on lakes or in streams and they hatch out as nymphs. As the nymphs make their way to the surface the fish will take them. When they get to the surface they will hatch into a flies.

When nymph fishing the imitation nymphs you us will be weighted to stay below the surface of the water. This will be far more of a challenge for you as the action all take place under the surface of the water and you will not be able to see if a fish is about to strike.

Most fish can be caught on a fly but the most common are trout, salmon, chars, and most game fish. In most areas the trout are the most popular and you will find them feeding mostly on small insects in shallow water. If you live on the coast you find salmon fishing with a fly rod a very rewarding challenge. Hooking a 30 or 40 pound salmon on a fly rod will give you a work out running up and down the beach trying to play the fish out to land it .

The fly fishing sport has gained ever increasing popularity over the years. Most will agree it just not about catching the fish but in the delivery of the fly and the skill and knowledge in the pursuit.

Some fly fisherman regard fly fishing as the holy grail of fishing. It is more relaxing and some say a better past time than golf. The sport of fly fishing see people from all walks of life. Some say it is more environmentally friends than the other type of fishing because it does less harm to the fish then other styles of fishing.

The art of fly fishing will get in to your blood and you will peruse the quite of the streams or the solitude of the ocean beaches to capture you prey. Most anglers will catch and release if they are fly fishing.

About the author: Sammy Salmon has been having fun fishing for years and wants to share all his knowledge with you so be sure to visit him at http://www.fishing-for-fun.net

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Fishing For Prospects: What Is Your Lure, Bait and Gear? - Auto Recovery

Author: Catherine Franz

Article: An exercise for defining what prospects you are attracting. **********************************************

Fly fishing -- it doesn't work, does it? When I first watched someone fly-fishing, I saw them release the line that went out far in the water. No sooner had the fly hit the water it was being jerked back and reeled in. Even today, I still don't understand how this method catches any fish. Yet it does, so I am told. See, I have never been fly-fishing.

It looks like so much more work too. I'm used to the worm, bobber, sitting on a short foldable chair, having some great conversation ever once in a while, sipping on a beer (okay root beer so we don't X factor this article), relaxing and waiting for the nibble. Or, is it praying for that nibble. Okay, either one.

If you talk to a fly-fisherman, he says his method is the best. And the same is uttered from a by-the-seat-of-the- pants fisherman as well (cute description huh, I thought so too).

What makes the difference than? Is it technique? Is it the water type -- salt or fresh? Is it the type of fish you are going after? Is it the equipment or supplies? Is it the bait offered?

Okay, back to the first question -- what is the difference? The right answer is ""all of the above."" You can also throw in the temperature, weather and time of day you are fishing as well. The right answer still is, ""all of the above."" And it all depends on the right combination of all these items performed in a step-by-order method too. You don't want to toss out the fly without the line. Well, I guess you can but the chances of seeing that fly again is next to nil for sure.

Marketing is not any different from fishing. If you are tossing out the wrong hook to the right fish, they are not going to bite. If you have the right fish and hook, and the wrong technique -- fly-fishing instead of butt, wait and pray fishing. This too will not get many results.

This is why so much emphasis is placed on your needing to know your target market. Because if you don't you are forever going to be trying what different lures, hooks and techniques that wear you down as well as your resources trying to figure out what is the right combination. You can't catch flounder in a fresh water or blue gill in salt water.

Many times, and without knowing it because you are just glad for the business, the fish pick you. So, what are you attracting? Let¡¯s take 15 minutes today and begin an exercise that answers that question.

Okay, where were we. Getting late in the day. Oh, yes, what are you attracting? Since I write mostly for service professionals, let me present the ""how-tos"" for you. If you own a retail store or have a much larger client base, you can do the same by calculating just the top ""A"" list by revenue generated.

I recommend starting this process by hand to get the ""feel"" of it and then you can move it over to Excel or a similar software as it grows. Yes, you have my permission to allow this fish to get bigger in this ""fish tale.""

On a new sheet of paper, turned sideways or landscaped, in the far left hand side create the first column. Now write down the first name of you client (or last name or both). If you don't remember their name and you had given them a nickname, use that. It doesn't matter as long as you know who they are.

In the second column, title it ""M/F."" You guessed it, ""male or female."" I knew I didn't have a ""dah"" market reading this. Now, go down the column and write in the answers next to each name.

Next column, title ""M/S/D/U"" = married, single, divorced, unknown. Go down the column and complete again.

Remember, before you move onto a new column you want to complete the previous column as much as possible -- there is a subconscious reason for this I don't want to go off topic to explain, so I'm asking you just trust me on this. Please.

Here is a list of other demographic type of information you want to continue in this same format: Age, time zone, number of children (if any), how long a client, marketing resource (how did they find you or you them), fee, and service type.

As you continue to go through and complete each column you will begin to see some patterns on the type of client you are attraction as well as how they became your client (the source).

Continue with this project by adding more distinctions over the next week. As you complete each column, another important fact will emerge for you that you will want to review. If you are missing some information, you might want to pick up the phone and call that past client and ask ¨C a great reason to get back in touch with them and renew your name in their mind.

When you begin seeing the patterns emerge, like you work mainly with 90% males, or everyone lives in a certain area, or all are divorced, etc. Some of these patterns are going to be obvious and some aren't. This is why this exercise is good to complete at least once a year. I do this even though I now have software that does it for me. There is nothing like ink and paper to open my outside-the-box thinking that doesn't emerge when reviewing a printed report.

When you get to a slowing down place, pull out the description again of your ideal client. Now, see the averages for this measurement chart in comparison to your ideal client. How is it different? Were there any ideal clients on the list -- put a star next to them or highlight them?

Is there a gap between the two? Can you see what the gap is? Is it obvious? Do you need to build a bridge of things to evolve with that moves from the island to the mainland? If yes, what is it?

Okay, you've got your work cut out for yourself. I agree. Then again, this exercise is the top one I recommend to all my clients, workshop participants, and teleclass attendees. I have even had seasoned professionals resist completing the exercise because they felt they knew everything there was to know on this already. If you feel this same way, it¡¯s okay. Let it evolve and see if something grows.

Much to their surprise after they completed the exercise. In fact, Jim, an insurance agent from Arizona wrote me an e- mail after a recent teleclass that did the assignment, yes, with that same reluctance, saying,

""Damn, Catherine, you're good. The exercise eat at me until this morning when I gave in and did the exercise even though last night I convinced myself that I already knew all the answers. I discovered way too many holes in our marketing. My whole staff is excited. After I introduced it to them in this morning¡¯s staff meeting, we had to cut the meeting short because everyone couldn't wait to get back to their office and do the exercise.""

About the author: Catherine Franz is a marketing industry veteran, a Certified Master Business Coach, Certified Teleclass Leader and Trainer, speaker, author, and Master Attraction Practitioner. For daily, weekly, and monthly marketing,nonfiction writing and deliberately creating ezines and other newsletters, visit: http://www.AbundanceCenter.com

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Fly Fishing - In Search of the Chase

Author: Rick Chapo

Article: We put the raft in on a warm morning in Sept. without a cloud in sight. My expectations were not high, since a warm sunny day tends to put the fish down, at least on this stretch of the Colorado. When the fish aren't rising, I go straight for tandem streamers; there is nothing more exciting than a big pissed off brown chasing your streamer off the bank in shallow fast moving water. Dredging the bottom with a nymph just doesn't do it for me. If I break out a nymph'n rig, I must have exhausted all other options.

The first quarter mile of water put a bleak outlook on the remaining 9 house of river ahead of us, not a single chase through some of the higher quality water on this stretch!! My invited guest on board had no experience throwing a heavy awkward tandem streamer rig, and was fairly discouraged after nearly throwing his shoulder out with only a handful of well-placed casts. I always talk of the exciting chases, but now; he must think I am full of it. I now know the frustration that guides must endure while watching miles of quality water go by without a singe well placed or completely untouched. ""There was probably a nice fish it that pocket we just passed"", came out of my mouth far too many times than I care to recall.

About 3 miles into our float, which is exactly what it had become, a sightseeing float, the weather began to change. Here came the clouds, an encouraging sign, of course unless the wind comes with it. Here came the wind, and next thing you know, our beautiful sightseeing float turned into a back rowing battle to keep the boat heading downstream. Luckily, this did not last long, but the rain did begin to fall.

Within a few minuets after the rain subsided, the mayflies were swarming and the fish were rising. Were eddied out in several prime spots and began to catch fish in the swirling foam. Just about any well-placed cast was rewarded. Time went by unnoticed, until suddenly I realize that we had only traveled half way to our take out and more than half of the day was gone. Pushing through the slack water and hammering the moving water with the streamers was now becoming very productive. Finally, I could prove to my guest how exciting the chase could be. It seems that every other cast produced an aggressive brown, either territorial or just plain hungry.

We landed several nice fish while powering through the final stretch, arriving at last light. A turn in the weather sure can turn on the fish and bring on the chase.

About the author: Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals. fly fishing journals are great gifts. Visit http://www.nomadjournals.com/flyfishing.cfm to see journals for fly fishing trips and fly fishing vacations.

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