Buying your first fly fishing rod and reel is an exciting prospect. Knowing WHAT to buy, however, can be a bit daunting.
You need information to help you buy the right rod and reel and have the right line for the kind of fly fishing you want to do, where you want to do it, and what kind of fish you want to fish for. All of these things matter a great deal. There is no one-size-fits-all.
Fly fishing rods are specified as a length and an 'AFTM' number. The AFTM relates to the weight of fly line that the rod is designed to be used with.
Casting a line heavier than the rod is designed for can cause the rod to break, under loading it makes casting very difficult, since the light line will not flex the rod enough to make it cast properly.
It is vital that you purchase a rod that is suitable for your uses, and that you match that rod to the correct weight of fly line.
More Information:
http://www.landbigfish.com/affiliates/welcome.cfm?SiteID=1739&LinkID=2
The reel has to have the capacity to hold your fly line plus 50 feet of backing. That's all it does. It's simply a line carrier and it has no other use.
Some people try to play their fish on the reel, you'll see them, they're the ones that run backwards for 20 yards when they hook a fish in order to get a tight line between reel and fish.
Don't bother, it's much easier to hold on to the line that you were retrieving, and play the fish in, just dropping the spare line at your feet.Because you are only looking for a line carrier, you don't need to spend a lot of money on a fly reel.
More Information:
http://www.landbigfish.com/affiliates/welcome.cfm?SiteID=1739&LinkID=2
**********************
About the Author:
Mick Hunt is a retired school teacher and an avid fisherman. After retirement he spends time on the river doing what he likes best…fishing. He also has created a rather significant income online to support his “habit.”
http://MickHunt.net
Dale
http://dalesblogs.blogspot.com/
http://unityblog1.blogspot.com/
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Actually Fishing Is Fun
Fishing is a fun and tranquil sport that lets you spend quiet time with your friends, family and with Mother Nature.
Fresh water fishing is a sport involving the catching of fish in lakes, rivers and streams. It involves a lot of patience, challenge and a lot of acquired skill over time. Anyone can participate in this fun activity, including the kids.
To start, you have to check your State’s fishing requirements and make sure if a license is needed for you to fish. If it is required, you must acquire one by checking with a sporting goods store. They will help you how to get it, and some will even provide it for you.
During the time that you are in your favorite sporting goods store, you can look around and buy the right fishing equipment that you will be need for your trip. Considering that you are a beginner, make sure that you budget well the cost and your spending on the equipment, not deciding on expensive equipments; buy only the basic things you will need.
When in doubt as to what is needed, ask the help of the store keeper, but do keep in mind that you need to stick to a budget. Take your time and don’t hesitate to ask how to use each piece of equipment that is offered to you. Artificial lures for bait can be used or you can simply look for worms from your back yard.
An inexpensive fishing rod and reel will be enough along with a fishing line, hooks, weights, a bobber (this keeps your line afloat), fishing lures and net. A polarized sunglass is also essential, as it will help to see clearly through the water and lessen the glare.
Then if you don’t know the good locations to fish, ask about local “hot” spots, or check your State’s fishing regulations for information about fishing locations around your State.
The time will surely come when you will be a better fisherman; then you may decide on upgrading your equipment. In the meantime, keep things simple.
It is always advised that you avoid fishing alone. Always be with a friend, as when emergency strikes, there can be someone who can call for help.
It is wise to start fishing in shallow waters. Aim your cast in shady or rocky areas where the water is deep, as this is where the fish is expected to be found. Keep in mind that this is all practice first.
As your skill level develops and increases, you can then attempt into deeper waters. But before going, take the time to practice casting to familiarize yourself with your rod and your reel.
What better place to practice than your back yard. To do so, mark off an area using a rope and use this as your guide in aiming your cast. Rehearse and study your movements to discover a method that will work for you. Bear in mind, cast with your wrist, and not with your arm.
Fishing hooks are very sharp and needed to be handled with care to avoid injury. Before casting, it is important that you should look around you and stay unobstructed to avoid hurting other people with your hook.
When the right time has come and you go fishing for real, keep in mind to cast your line always ahead of the fish, making your bait land slowly, with as little splash as possible. The fish will see well at a close point, but cannot see behind.
If your casts are going in a disorganized manner, move closer to the water so you can gain better accuracy.
Watch the bobber closely for any movement. If and when a fish grabs the bait, the bobber will be pulled under water. This signals that you got a fish on the line. Don’t get too excited. Remain calm.
Keeping your line tight, slowly reel in your catch. Place the net near and use it to bring the fish out. Remove the hook from the fish with great care.
If you got an undersized fish (as noted in the state’s regulation book), quickly return it to the water. Likewise, if you have no intention in eating your catch, do not waste it and return it to the water. Releasing the fish will supply the water with more fish, giving future fishermen the thrill to experience a catch.
Lastly, look around you and feel the calm, restful and serene view of the river.
Have fun!
Thanks Dale
Fresh water fishing is a sport involving the catching of fish in lakes, rivers and streams. It involves a lot of patience, challenge and a lot of acquired skill over time. Anyone can participate in this fun activity, including the kids.
To start, you have to check your State’s fishing requirements and make sure if a license is needed for you to fish. If it is required, you must acquire one by checking with a sporting goods store. They will help you how to get it, and some will even provide it for you.
During the time that you are in your favorite sporting goods store, you can look around and buy the right fishing equipment that you will be need for your trip. Considering that you are a beginner, make sure that you budget well the cost and your spending on the equipment, not deciding on expensive equipments; buy only the basic things you will need.
When in doubt as to what is needed, ask the help of the store keeper, but do keep in mind that you need to stick to a budget. Take your time and don’t hesitate to ask how to use each piece of equipment that is offered to you. Artificial lures for bait can be used or you can simply look for worms from your back yard.
An inexpensive fishing rod and reel will be enough along with a fishing line, hooks, weights, a bobber (this keeps your line afloat), fishing lures and net. A polarized sunglass is also essential, as it will help to see clearly through the water and lessen the glare.
Then if you don’t know the good locations to fish, ask about local “hot” spots, or check your State’s fishing regulations for information about fishing locations around your State.
The time will surely come when you will be a better fisherman; then you may decide on upgrading your equipment. In the meantime, keep things simple.
It is always advised that you avoid fishing alone. Always be with a friend, as when emergency strikes, there can be someone who can call for help.
It is wise to start fishing in shallow waters. Aim your cast in shady or rocky areas where the water is deep, as this is where the fish is expected to be found. Keep in mind that this is all practice first.
As your skill level develops and increases, you can then attempt into deeper waters. But before going, take the time to practice casting to familiarize yourself with your rod and your reel.
What better place to practice than your back yard. To do so, mark off an area using a rope and use this as your guide in aiming your cast. Rehearse and study your movements to discover a method that will work for you. Bear in mind, cast with your wrist, and not with your arm.
Fishing hooks are very sharp and needed to be handled with care to avoid injury. Before casting, it is important that you should look around you and stay unobstructed to avoid hurting other people with your hook.
When the right time has come and you go fishing for real, keep in mind to cast your line always ahead of the fish, making your bait land slowly, with as little splash as possible. The fish will see well at a close point, but cannot see behind.
If your casts are going in a disorganized manner, move closer to the water so you can gain better accuracy.
Watch the bobber closely for any movement. If and when a fish grabs the bait, the bobber will be pulled under water. This signals that you got a fish on the line. Don’t get too excited. Remain calm.
Keeping your line tight, slowly reel in your catch. Place the net near and use it to bring the fish out. Remove the hook from the fish with great care.
If you got an undersized fish (as noted in the state’s regulation book), quickly return it to the water. Likewise, if you have no intention in eating your catch, do not waste it and return it to the water. Releasing the fish will supply the water with more fish, giving future fishermen the thrill to experience a catch.
Lastly, look around you and feel the calm, restful and serene view of the river.
Have fun!
Thanks Dale
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Time For A Story
Hey everyone
First I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to stop by and visit my blog. For a while I never took my blogging seriously but now things have changed. I am posting almost everyday and enjoying the hell out of it.
I work out of town for usually three weeks at a time. The last time I was home my sons and I got to put my new canoe in the water. Believe it or not I am a first time canoer. Damn if we didnt almost tip in the first 30 seconds.
We decided to put it on a big lake with lots of boats and big waves. Boy was that a dumb thing to do. About 3 minutes later we were off the lake and I was discouraged as hell. The next week we decided to put it in a little river by home and that turned out a lot better.
We got comfortable very quickly and were catching fish shortly afetrwards. I guess all Im trying to say is be careful and take all the proper precautions. If we would have tipped we were in 40 feet of water and things could have gone bad in a hurry.
Thanks Dale
http://dalesblogs.blogspot.com/
http://unityblog1.blogspot.com/
First I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to stop by and visit my blog. For a while I never took my blogging seriously but now things have changed. I am posting almost everyday and enjoying the hell out of it.
I work out of town for usually three weeks at a time. The last time I was home my sons and I got to put my new canoe in the water. Believe it or not I am a first time canoer. Damn if we didnt almost tip in the first 30 seconds.
We decided to put it on a big lake with lots of boats and big waves. Boy was that a dumb thing to do. About 3 minutes later we were off the lake and I was discouraged as hell. The next week we decided to put it in a little river by home and that turned out a lot better.
We got comfortable very quickly and were catching fish shortly afetrwards. I guess all Im trying to say is be careful and take all the proper precautions. If we would have tipped we were in 40 feet of water and things could have gone bad in a hurry.
Thanks Dale
http://dalesblogs.blogspot.com/
http://unityblog1.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tips for Archery Fishing
Also known as Bow fishing, this is a sport wherein a fisherman uses archery equipment to fish.
A regular hunting bow can be used for fishing by simply attaching a reel to the front of the bow grip.
Archery fishing is especially favored by regular hunters when regular game like deer are off season. This way they can continuously hone their skills for whatever season it may be.
Before engaging in archery fishing, one must first take into consideration the following:
1. A fisherman must be duly licensed. Some states require that an individual have a state license to fish.
2. Equipment. Most states have a predetermined set of approved equipment for archery fishing.
3. Archery Safety Course. Still, some states require that an individual go through an approved safety course for archery fishing to ensure that the individual is well versed with the proper safety precautions and information regarding applicable laws in fishing.
4. Seasons. Bow fishing in some states can only be done in certain seasons. This is to allow the fish to spawn.
5. Species of fish. Some states have rules forbidding archery fishing for some species of fish.
The following skills are necessary for an individual to obtain and practice:
Knot tying. Though it may seem like a simple task, tying knots that will not slip (line for the arrow) are crucial in bow fishing.
Tuning. Tuning is making sure that the bow is at its best working condition. To ensure this, one has to continuously adjust the rest and calibrate the nock.
For a faster tuning process, one may shoot a regular bow-fishing arrow (without the tip) onto a target made of cardboard.
Marksmanship or targeting. Bow fishing and bow hunting, though similar on some aspects, really do differ on many things. Arrows for bow fishing are heavier, have larger arrow tips and, the most obvious one, has a string attached to the arrow.
And since fish are shot in the water, resistance differs as when compared to shooting in the air (for bow hunting of games)
There are various methods or ways of archery fishing. This includes the following:
1. Still hunting. A fisherman selects a place by the lake in which he would wait for passing fish to shoot its bow at.
2. Stalking. This can be done on foot or while on a boat. One is in constant motion in an attempt to locate fish.
3. Ambush. Fish that are best ambushed are the ones that are spawning since they tend to crowd thus increasing chances of target.
Dale
http://dalesblogs.blogspot.com/
http://unityblog1.blogspot.com/
A regular hunting bow can be used for fishing by simply attaching a reel to the front of the bow grip.
Archery fishing is especially favored by regular hunters when regular game like deer are off season. This way they can continuously hone their skills for whatever season it may be.
Before engaging in archery fishing, one must first take into consideration the following:
1. A fisherman must be duly licensed. Some states require that an individual have a state license to fish.
2. Equipment. Most states have a predetermined set of approved equipment for archery fishing.
3. Archery Safety Course. Still, some states require that an individual go through an approved safety course for archery fishing to ensure that the individual is well versed with the proper safety precautions and information regarding applicable laws in fishing.
4. Seasons. Bow fishing in some states can only be done in certain seasons. This is to allow the fish to spawn.
5. Species of fish. Some states have rules forbidding archery fishing for some species of fish.
The following skills are necessary for an individual to obtain and practice:
Knot tying. Though it may seem like a simple task, tying knots that will not slip (line for the arrow) are crucial in bow fishing.
Tuning. Tuning is making sure that the bow is at its best working condition. To ensure this, one has to continuously adjust the rest and calibrate the nock.
For a faster tuning process, one may shoot a regular bow-fishing arrow (without the tip) onto a target made of cardboard.
Marksmanship or targeting. Bow fishing and bow hunting, though similar on some aspects, really do differ on many things. Arrows for bow fishing are heavier, have larger arrow tips and, the most obvious one, has a string attached to the arrow.
And since fish are shot in the water, resistance differs as when compared to shooting in the air (for bow hunting of games)
There are various methods or ways of archery fishing. This includes the following:
1. Still hunting. A fisherman selects a place by the lake in which he would wait for passing fish to shoot its bow at.
2. Stalking. This can be done on foot or while on a boat. One is in constant motion in an attempt to locate fish.
3. Ambush. Fish that are best ambushed are the ones that are spawning since they tend to crowd thus increasing chances of target.
Dale
http://dalesblogs.blogspot.com/
http://unityblog1.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Excellent Fishing Rods for that Perfect Fishing Experience
Today’s fishing rods have incorporated modern features that are not typical of the more primitive cane pole. Modern fishing rods contain reels, which aid in the retrieval of fish caught in its bait.
A much-sophisticated feature is the spinning rod where the entire shaft of the rod except the handle can move around on its axis to allow flexibility when fish caught on snare bait struggles through the water.
Like the classic cane fishing rods, the fishing gadget is thick at the handle (bottom) and is tapered and thinner at the tip. This very basic design allows handling stability and flexible movement of the entire length of the shaft.
Types of Fishing Rods and Specifications
A typical fishing rod measures 6 and 16 feet (2 and 5 m) and vary in capability to tolerate strain in fishing activity. The length has a lot to do with withstanding force exerted by the fish to the pole and determines for the most part the performance of rods used for angling.
Cane Poles
Cane poles are one of the smallest and less sophisticated gadgets in fishing. It is usually made of bamboo or other flexible wood material with the most basic fly line attached to it.
Unlike other more sophisticated fishing rods, cane poles do not usually contain reels or its equivalent to be used for reeling in or retrieving fish caught on bait. This very same action is known as angling.
Spinning Rods
These types of rods are the most popular today. They can be used either for heavyweight or lightweight fish although they were proven best for trout, walleye and bass fish. They vary in measurements from 5 and 7 feet (1.5 and 2.5 m).
Spinning poles are commonly used in bass fishing competition accounting for their flexibility and tolerance to stress. They accommodate bigger and tougher fly lines and stabilize them to avoid line tangles during uncoiling of float lines.
Jigging Rods
These rods are best for heavy lures and baits especially when reaching around 180 to 200 feet under the ocean’s surface. They are made of fine, solid materials which accounts to their heaviness. The use of jigging rods is specifically due to alternating currents during the fishing activity.
Some oceans have erratic undersea current. That is why the bait and fly lines should be kept in place. Lures are also disturbed and cause confusion among fish if the lines are not long and heavy enough to withstand and tolerate water currents under the sea.
These rods are best for target fishes usually found dwelling at the bottom of the sea such as halibut and cods.
Dale
http://dalesblogs.blogspot.com/
http://unityblog1.blogspot.com/
A much-sophisticated feature is the spinning rod where the entire shaft of the rod except the handle can move around on its axis to allow flexibility when fish caught on snare bait struggles through the water.
Like the classic cane fishing rods, the fishing gadget is thick at the handle (bottom) and is tapered and thinner at the tip. This very basic design allows handling stability and flexible movement of the entire length of the shaft.
Types of Fishing Rods and Specifications
A typical fishing rod measures 6 and 16 feet (2 and 5 m) and vary in capability to tolerate strain in fishing activity. The length has a lot to do with withstanding force exerted by the fish to the pole and determines for the most part the performance of rods used for angling.
Cane Poles
Cane poles are one of the smallest and less sophisticated gadgets in fishing. It is usually made of bamboo or other flexible wood material with the most basic fly line attached to it.
Unlike other more sophisticated fishing rods, cane poles do not usually contain reels or its equivalent to be used for reeling in or retrieving fish caught on bait. This very same action is known as angling.
Spinning Rods
These types of rods are the most popular today. They can be used either for heavyweight or lightweight fish although they were proven best for trout, walleye and bass fish. They vary in measurements from 5 and 7 feet (1.5 and 2.5 m).
Spinning poles are commonly used in bass fishing competition accounting for their flexibility and tolerance to stress. They accommodate bigger and tougher fly lines and stabilize them to avoid line tangles during uncoiling of float lines.
Jigging Rods
These rods are best for heavy lures and baits especially when reaching around 180 to 200 feet under the ocean’s surface. They are made of fine, solid materials which accounts to their heaviness. The use of jigging rods is specifically due to alternating currents during the fishing activity.
Some oceans have erratic undersea current. That is why the bait and fly lines should be kept in place. Lures are also disturbed and cause confusion among fish if the lines are not long and heavy enough to withstand and tolerate water currents under the sea.
These rods are best for target fishes usually found dwelling at the bottom of the sea such as halibut and cods.
Dale
http://dalesblogs.blogspot.com/
http://unityblog1.blogspot.com/
Sunday, July 22, 2007
What Are Sunfish?
Sunfish are probably the most universally popular fish fished in the world. They are some of the easiest to catch for youngsters or a great challenge for experienced anglers to catch the big ones. And to top it all off there isn’t much that beats the sweet taste of sunfish.
Sunfish can be referred to as crappies, black bass, blue gill and pumpkinseeds. Sunfish are usually crossbred with other fish to make them worth catching. Without this true sunfish are usually of no interest to anglers because they are just too small.
In the spring is when sunfish begin spawning. It’s usually in water temperatures between upper 60s to low 70s. Nests are usually built very close together forming a breeding colony. The males usually build on a sand or gravel bottom in depths from 6 inches to 3 feet. The female will deposit more than 200 000 eggs and then she will abandon the nest. The male will guard the eggs and then later the fry. He is very aggressive, attacking anything that comes near the nest including fisherman’s bait.
Sunfish can spawn many times through out the summer and this usually takes place during a full moon. Larval, adult insects, crustaceans, mollusks and sometimes small fish build the diet of the sunfish. Sunfish rely heavily on their sight and smell to find their meals.
Sunfish over populate their habitats because they produce so many young. While fishing pressure is usually high the fish remain small because of the high competition for food.
The world record blue gill was caught in Ketona Lake, Alabama, in 1950. The fish weighed 4 pounds 12 ounces.
The world record Redear was caught in Diversion Canal, South Carolina in 1998. The fish weighed 5 pounds 7 ounces.
The world record Pumpkinseed was caught in Oswego Pond, New York in 1985. The fish weighed 1 pound 6 ounces.
Overall the sunfish is just an all round fun fish to catch. You can be sure that if you know where they are you won’t have a problem catching them. They can turn a slow fishing day into a very successful and fun day.
Dale Mazurek
Just remember that a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work.
http://dalesblogs.blogspot.com/
http://unityblog1.blogspot.com/
Sunfish can be referred to as crappies, black bass, blue gill and pumpkinseeds. Sunfish are usually crossbred with other fish to make them worth catching. Without this true sunfish are usually of no interest to anglers because they are just too small.
In the spring is when sunfish begin spawning. It’s usually in water temperatures between upper 60s to low 70s. Nests are usually built very close together forming a breeding colony. The males usually build on a sand or gravel bottom in depths from 6 inches to 3 feet. The female will deposit more than 200 000 eggs and then she will abandon the nest. The male will guard the eggs and then later the fry. He is very aggressive, attacking anything that comes near the nest including fisherman’s bait.
Sunfish can spawn many times through out the summer and this usually takes place during a full moon. Larval, adult insects, crustaceans, mollusks and sometimes small fish build the diet of the sunfish. Sunfish rely heavily on their sight and smell to find their meals.
Sunfish over populate their habitats because they produce so many young. While fishing pressure is usually high the fish remain small because of the high competition for food.
The world record blue gill was caught in Ketona Lake, Alabama, in 1950. The fish weighed 4 pounds 12 ounces.
The world record Redear was caught in Diversion Canal, South Carolina in 1998. The fish weighed 5 pounds 7 ounces.
The world record Pumpkinseed was caught in Oswego Pond, New York in 1985. The fish weighed 1 pound 6 ounces.
Overall the sunfish is just an all round fun fish to catch. You can be sure that if you know where they are you won’t have a problem catching them. They can turn a slow fishing day into a very successful and fun day.
Dale Mazurek
Just remember that a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work.
http://dalesblogs.blogspot.com/
http://unityblog1.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 20, 2007
Bamboo Fly Rods
A well built bamboo rod is one of the finest rods available. A classic bamboo fly rod is not a simple bamboo pole.
The rod is made from split sections of bamboo, planed into tapered sections that are then glued together to form a hollow, tapered rod.
The type of bamboo used for a bamboo fly rod is called Tonkin cane (Pseudosasa amabilis). This bamboo has very straight canes with high quality wood.
There are a number of books available on building the rod. The tools needed are probably more difficult to make than the actual rod.
Luckily, Yagers Flies sells bamboo rods. The bamboo fly rod is experiencing something of a revival as people look for a classic, handmade fly rod.
More Information:
http://www.yagersflies.com/elbaro.html
Each bamboo fly rod is a handmade artifact. In the early days rod builders were extremely secretive about how they built their rods.
There were no books available and information was very difficult to come by. The men who built these rods had to go through an apprenticeship and were naturally reluctant to see the knowledge of rod building become generally available.
With time this changed and today there is a lot of information on building, restoring, and collecting bamboo fly rods.
Up until the 1830's fly rods were made of wood. These were very long, over 10 feet. They were fairly easy to make but had problems with warping and breaking, especially near the tip. They were also heavy.
Some builders tried laminated wood for the tips and later, laminated bamboo strips. They used a type of cane from India called "Calcutta Cane".
This was an improvement and with time the entire rod came to be built with laminated bamboo. At first just two strips were used but eventually the six strips we see in today’s rods were used and by 1870 this was the accepted form used in most fly rods.
More Information:
http://www.historyofflyfishing.com/?hop=bunker1313
**********************
About the Author:
Mick Hunt is a retired school teacher and an avid fisherman. After retirement he spends time on the river doing what he likes best…fishing. He also has created a rather significant income online to support his “habit.”
http://MickHunt.net
The rod is made from split sections of bamboo, planed into tapered sections that are then glued together to form a hollow, tapered rod.
The type of bamboo used for a bamboo fly rod is called Tonkin cane (Pseudosasa amabilis). This bamboo has very straight canes with high quality wood.
There are a number of books available on building the rod. The tools needed are probably more difficult to make than the actual rod.
Luckily, Yagers Flies sells bamboo rods. The bamboo fly rod is experiencing something of a revival as people look for a classic, handmade fly rod.
More Information:
http://www.yagersflies.com/elbaro.html
Each bamboo fly rod is a handmade artifact. In the early days rod builders were extremely secretive about how they built their rods.
There were no books available and information was very difficult to come by. The men who built these rods had to go through an apprenticeship and were naturally reluctant to see the knowledge of rod building become generally available.
With time this changed and today there is a lot of information on building, restoring, and collecting bamboo fly rods.
Up until the 1830's fly rods were made of wood. These were very long, over 10 feet. They were fairly easy to make but had problems with warping and breaking, especially near the tip. They were also heavy.
Some builders tried laminated wood for the tips and later, laminated bamboo strips. They used a type of cane from India called "Calcutta Cane".
This was an improvement and with time the entire rod came to be built with laminated bamboo. At first just two strips were used but eventually the six strips we see in today’s rods were used and by 1870 this was the accepted form used in most fly rods.
More Information:
http://www.historyofflyfishing.com/?hop=bunker1313
**********************
About the Author:
Mick Hunt is a retired school teacher and an avid fisherman. After retirement he spends time on the river doing what he likes best…fishing. He also has created a rather significant income online to support his “habit.”
http://MickHunt.net
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