Fly Fishing Secrets

Is is time to switch torubber-soled wading boots?

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:56:00 -0700

Interesting article...Never thought how my wading boots could transfer organisms from one river to another...

http://www.idahostatesman.com/outdoors/story/837705.html

Which boots do you prefer?

I use the rubber ones myself...just because I was able to pick them up cheaper...

Cheaper isn't always better though :)

-Michael

Fly fisherman accidentally reels in great white shark

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:24:00 -0700

Check this out...This is crazy...A Great White on a Fly Rod

http://www.yahoo.com/s/1105056

Testing Fly Reels With A Four-Wheeler

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Thu, 2 Apr 2009 09:48:00 -0700

Testing Fly Reels With A Four-Wheeler

This is some crazy stuff!

Anyone have any other crazy ideas on how to test a fishing reel's drag
system?

Love to hear your stories...

-Duke

Iraq Vets Fly-Fishing Back to Health...

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Mon, 4 Aug 2008 17:13:00 -0700

Flyfishing for Vets...This is a great program...

I'm always in support of helping our veterans...

David Erickson photos / Whitefish Pilot -- Iraq War
veterans Capt. David Folkerts, far left, and Staff Sgt.
Brian Mancini, far right, share a laugh with Project
Healing Waters founder Ed Nicholson on Friday.

Project Healing Waters helps disabled veterans recover from emotional and physical wounds

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

It's not easy to think about a horrifying and bloody war in a foreign desert when you're standing waist-deep in a clear-blue Montana trout stream, with a fish on the line and a cool breeze rustling the leaves. For a group of Iraq veterans visiting Whitefish last week, that's exactly the point.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. is a non-profit based near Washington, D.C., that is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled military personnel through fly-fishing and fly-tying education and outings.

Last week, eight Iraq War vets took part in an all-expenses-paid trip to Whitefish to take part in the International Conclave hosted by the Federation of Fly Fishers.

"The goal is to give these guys hope, give them a hobby and help them enjoy life again," explained fly-casting instructor Jim Valle, an attorney from New Jersey. "It's extremely relaxing and therapeutic. A lot of people say fly-fishing is sort of a Zen experience. I know it kept me alive. I would come home from working on murder cases, in a bad mood, and my wife would tell me to go out to the yard and fly-cast. It worked."

Staff Sgt. Brian Mancini is currently a patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. While on patrol in Iraq in 2007, he came about as close to death as any living person can get. The huge scars on his face and head allude to the story of the day his life changed forever.

"We were on patrol on July 23 last year, we were in a hellacious firefight, and we got hit with an E.F.P.," he recounted while taking a break at Whitefish High School last Friday. "I lost my right eye, all the teeth on my right side, and my whole forehead is titanium. My whole face is rebuilt. I had extensive tongue damage, and received third-degree burns. I lost consciousness about five minutes after I got hurt, and I had extensive brain-tissue damage."

An E.F.P. (explosively-formed projectile) is a directional explosive designed to destroy armored vehicles, so one can imagine the amount of damage it can inflict on a human being.

Mancini, who served as his patrol's medic, said the young medic he was training that day ended up performing first-aid on him.

"He saved my life," Mancini said. "It was ironic that the student saved the teacher."

Mancini spent the next three weeks in a coma and was in a semi-conscious state after that.

"I woke up with my whole family around me," he said.

After being flown from Iraq to Bethesda, Md., he was sent to Walter Reed to begin extensive rehabilitation. About three months ago, one of his friends introduced him to Ed Nicholson, president and founder of Project Healing Waters.

"I had done some rod-fishing, so I thought I'd give it a shot," Mancini said. "It's an awesome program. The doctors and nurses can prescribe all the medication they want, but getting out in nature is healing in itself."

Mancini said he participated in several outings with the program, and he was hooked right away.

"It gets you away from the day-to-day grind of occupational therapy," he said. "The pain doesn't go away, but it's not as prevalent when you're out fishing. It's a combination of beautiful landscapes and being out in the wilderness, the water and being around great people."

The people involved with Project Healing Waters are a big reason why the program is so great, according to Mancini.

"There are so many amazing people who are willing to give their time," he said. "All these guys that came on this trip have significant injuries, and this program helps show that it's a positive life we're in, and fly-fishing allows us to make a connection. That's the biggest thing, showing you that you can do things again, despite the injuries that may have occurred. Life's not over -- it's just about finding those small pleasures again."

Retired Army Capt. David Folkerts, now the program manager for the organization, was one of the first veterans to take part in the program. Folkerts was injured during a route clearance mission as a platoon leader and medic in Taji, just northwest of Baghdad, in April 2005. An improvised explosive device, or I.E.D., exploded and sent shrapnel through his left side.

"It blew me up 20 feet in the air and severed several arteries in my arm," he recounted. "My buddies put a tourniquet on and flew me to Baghdad. They told me when I woke up, 'You're probably going to lose your arm.' But they were able to take a vein from my leg and saved my arm. It was pretty amazing."

Folkerts spent eight weeks as an inpatient at Walter Reed. He spent the next three years as an outpatient recovering from physical and emotional scars of the war.

"I definitely suffered from P.T.S.D. (post-traumatic stress disorder)," he said. "It lasted about a year."

Folkerts found out about Project Healing Waters while he was recovering in Walter Reed and started attending some of the outings.

"I fell in love with it," he said. "The program did a lot for me. Fly-fishing was an incredible outlet. It's pretty depressing in the hospital, and trout don't live in ugly places. The peace and serenity you get from being out in nature is amazing. Also, the difficulty of fly-fishing gives you a sense of accomplishment."

Nicholson started the organization four years ago after retiring from 30 years in the Navy.

"I was at Walter Reed for a non-combat-related injury, and I saw guys hobbling around," he explained. "I just went up to them and said, 'Hey, do you want to go out fishing?' One thing led to another, and the next thing you know, we had a nonprofit."

Project Healing Waters relies on donations and corporate sponsorship to pay for the fly-fishing outings.

"It grows every year," Nicholson said. "We're franchising our program at veterans hospitals and bases across the country. More and more veterans are getting the benefit of our services."

The program is open to disabled veterans from any war and is currently helping a mix of mostly Vietnam, Gulf War and Iraq War veterans. The organization has more than 30 programs in hospitals around the country.

Nicholson is a firm believer in the therapeutic benefits of fly-fishing.

"It is an extremely enjoyable sport for anybody," he said. "For someone who has lost some mobility, it builds confidence in your ability to adapt to everyday activities, especially as far as your hands go. The emotional state of mind is improved, and it provides a mental and physical boost for these veterans just when they need it. It helps people who never thought they would enjoy it."

For Mancini, fly-fishing has helped him validate a very simple yet important point.

"You don't have to stop enjoying life just because you got hurt," he said.

Interest in hunting, fishing dropping...

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:57:00 -0700

By DAVE GRAM, Associated Press Writer
Sat Mar 29, 1:39 PM ET

STOWE, Vt. - Bob Shannon is an avid hunter, a fishing guide and owns a tackle shop, but he sometimes struggles to get his own son out into Vermont's woods and fields.

"He'll be sitting there with the video games," Shannon said of 9-year-old Alexander. "I finally had to lay down the law last summer: 'If it's a nice day, you're outside.'"

Shannon's challenge reflects a larger problem plaguing many state governments: Revenue from hunting and fishing license sales is plunging because of waning interest in the outdoors.

"We're losing our rural culture," said Steve Wright, a regional representative for the National Wildlife Federation. "There are so many distractions, and we're not recruiting young people into hunting and fishing."

Sales of Vermont hunting and fishing licenses have dropped more than 20 percent over the last 20 years, leaving the Fish and Wildlife Department pleading with lawmakers for extra funding.

Other states report similar drop-offs:

_Arkansas hunting license sales dropped from about 345,000 in 1999 to about 319,000 in 2003.

_Pennsylvania sold about 946,000 hunting licenses in 2006, down from just over a million in 1999, and a peak of 1.3 million in 1981.

_Oregon had 100,000 fewer licensed anglers last year than in 1987, and 70,000 fewer licensed hunters.

_West Virginia sold 154,763 resident hunting permits in 2006, a 17 percent decrease from 1997.

The trend means trouble for some fish and wildlife agencies, which use license revenue to finance preservation programs for endangered species like peregrine falcons, bald eagles and loons. Game wardens also help with law enforcement, joining searches for lost hikers and skiers.

In the search for new sources of revenue to support fish and wildlife programs, Vermont lawmakers are weighing legislation that would dedicate part of the state's sales tax revenues to the Fish and Wildlife Department.

"The issue here is that most of our fish and wildlife agencies were set up to fund conservation, based predominantly or entirely on one set of users" — hunters and anglers who pay license fees, according to Dave Chadwick, senior program associate with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in Washington.

"They're shouldering the whole burden for a benefit and an amenity that we all enjoy," Chadwick said.

Other fundraising strategies range from sales taxes on outdoor sporting goods, as in Texas, to Florida's surcharges on speeding tickets, said Douglas Shinkle, a policy associate at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Some states are trying to boost efforts to recruit new people — especially young people — into hunting and fishing.

A West Virginia legislator has proposed offering hunters' training courses in public schools, allowing seventh- through ninth-graders to opt for instruction in topics ranging from survival skills to gun safety.

Arkansas has used some of its dedicated sales tax revenue to recruit new hunters. However, the state's hunter education program graduated 11,891 people under 30 years old last year, down from 16,596 in 1998.

Vermont sponsors youth hunting weekends, typically three a year. Oregon has started youth mentoring programs that match kids up with experienced hunters. Minnesota has two staff members reaching out to the state's burgeoning Southeast Asian population, said Jay Johnson of the state Department of Natural Resources' hunter recruitment and retention program.

Wright said it might be an uphill battle because of everything from video games to the growth in structured activities like team sports and music lessons.

But Shannon said he has met with some success. After he laid down the law with Alexander last summer, the boy went out fishing almost every morning, he said.

Bob Shannon holds a stuffed wild salmon in his Fly Rod Shop ...

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:46:00 -0700

I can't believe I read this!

Get your kids off their fat asses and make them go outside...

What is this country coming to?

Bob Shannon holds a stuffed wild salmon in his Fly Rod Shop ... - Yahoo! News Photos: "Sat Mar 29, 12:32 PM ET Bob Shannon holds a stuffed wild salmon in his Fly Rod Shop in Stowe, Vt., Wednesday, March 26. Shannon says he struggles to get his 9-year-old son, pictured on a poster in the background, to leave his video games and get out into the woods and rivers to hunt and fish in Vermont. State fish and wildlife officials say there has been a decline in sales of fishing and hunting licenses, whose fees help protect wildlife.(AP Photo/Alden Pellett)"

Women and Fishing

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:33:00 -0700

Women and Fishing

More and more women are learning to enjoy fishing each and every day. And, why not? Fishing is a sport that doesn't require exceptional strength, stamina or height. Quite the contrary, fishing is a sport of agility, finesse and patience…skills many women already possess. So why don't more women fish?

Successful fishing requires knowledge of various types of fishing gear, tackle, and an understanding of the quarry. Fish have a variety of feeding habits, behavioral patterns, etc. and these characteristics influence how to go about fishing for them.

Traditionally, men learned how to fish when they were boys from fathers and grandfathers. Even if this training was lacking, it's no big deal for a guy to hang out with other guys who enjoy fishing and learn the ropes from them.

For a woman, though, the process is apt to be somewhat more difficult. Some girls are fortunate enough though to have their father teach them how to fish. Often times this happens when there are just girls in the family.

Women like these learn how to bait their own hook, remove fish from the line, and even clean the fish once caught. Some people would call these women “tom boys”…Whether they are or they aren’t…One thing for sure is that they know how to fish!

For women who weren't brought up fishing as I was, all is certainly not lost. Although learning from a boyfriend or spouse is not out of the question, a significant other may not be the best place to get your first fishing pointers.

Your honey may not have the patience that you will need to learn proper fishing techniques and he may be a bit condescending as well…not exactly conducive to an enjoyable learning experience.

Try instead local women's fishing clubs. Check online for groups in your area that are specifically organized by and for women. Many groups are primarily centered on fly-fishing but not all are.

Also see if your community college or local university offers any fishing courses. Often fishing classes are offered in the adult education, physical education or recreation departments.

Of course, you can also start at your local library, checking out books on fishing and learning a few basic techniques that way.

Your local fishing outfitter or marina may have more information as well and would also be a good place for information and to network with other fishing women.

Another option is to go online and search for websites catering to women and the outdoors.

Other groups, both national and state, promote fishing for women. There are seminars, fishing adventures and special fishing events scheduled year-round in many areas of the country which are organized especially for women anglers.

Fishing is also a great hobby for women because it doesn’t cost a lot of money to get started. Compared to other hobbies, the start-up costs for a good spin or bait-casting set up aren’t all that expensive. For $200 you can buy a great beginner rod and reel. As a side-note, fly-fishing equipment is generally a little bit more money but still very reasonable.

Some women don’t fish because they think they need a boat…Boy, they couldn’t be more wrong. You don’t need a boat to go fishing. Many great fishing spots can be reached without a boat. All you have to do is ask around and look at a few maps to determine which places can be reach by car or trail.

So women if you’re looking for an enjoyable and challenging hobby why not take up fishing? Learning how to fish can take a little bit of work but it’s a lot like riding a bicycle. Once you learn how to fish, it’ll become a part of you. In fact, you may even become addicted!

The waters are calling…Go show those boys what you can do!

The ABCs of Fishing Rods

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:31:00 -0700

The ABCs of Fishing Rods

See yourself standing on the bank of a swiftly moving stream in the shade of a gnarled willow, your fishing rod bent beneath the weight of an unusually large catch…

Whether or not you land that fish depends on the decisions you made at the shop -- primarily the type of rod you bought!

Your rod is the most important tool you will use while fishing and you can chose from a wide range of types, styles and lengths.

A fishing rod is a shaft of graphite, fiberglass, steel, wood or bamboo used to catch fish.

The fishing line is connected to your reel and threaded through the eyes of the rod out through the tip. Different rods will have different types of tips depending on what type of rod it is. Some tips are made for casting and others are made for trolling.

The base of the rod is where the fishing reel is mounted. Different rods are for different reels. Some are for fly fishing, some for spin-fishing, and even some for bait-casting or trolling.

Fishing rods vary in length from 4 feet (for children) to 16 feet; with the average being around 6 feet long. You pick your rod length based on the type of fishing you’ll be doing. Often you’ll find stout shorter rods for trolling and the very long rods for casting.

Here’s some advice for selecting your rod based on where you’re going to be fishing…

If your fishing hole is located next to trees with overhead branches, you'll need a short, flexible rod. This will allow you to cast easier. You want a flexible rod so that it can bend without snapping in half.

The flexibility of a rod is determined by the diameter. Light rods are thin and flexible, while stronger rods are thicker and more rigid.

For open terrain, flexible, thin rods that are 10 to 12 feet long are good, unless it's too windy. If it happens to be windy that day, you may find that a little short rod will make it easier to cast.

Some people also choose their rods based on the type of water they are fishing…

Fresh Water Or Salt Water?

Freshwater fishing occurs in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, while saltwater fishing is done in oceans, bays and along the coast. Choose a rod appropriate to the environment of where you'll be fishing.

You should also give consideration to the species of fish you are going after.

Short, strong rods are best for landing big game fish. Stronger and thicker rods should be used for large aggressive fish. Generally a smaller lighter rod should be used for smaller fish.

Some people enjoy fishing with a slightly smaller and lighter rod than you actually need because it’s more of a challenge. Just be careful you don’t break your rod and lose your fish!

Some people select their rods based on the material of the rod.

Common types of fishing rods include bamboo, fiberglass and graphite.

Bamboo rods can vary from a basic inexpensive pole with a line attached to a very expensive, handcrafted rod that is used for fly-fishing. Bamboo rods run from $5 up to hundreds of dollars for handcrafted fly fishing rods. If you are not planning to do fly-fishing, fiberglass or graphite rods are best.

Fiberglass rods are good for beginners and kids and they're reasonably priced. They come in many lengths, flexibility characteristics, and require very little maintenance.

Many experienced anglers prefer graphite rods, because they are very lightweight and extremely strong.

Lastly, you should select a rod based on how well it fits you.

Your goal should be to find a rod that fits your arm and is comfortable. If you have trouble finding one that fits you best, ask someone with experience to go along or just ask the staff at a fishing store.

I hope you put these tips to use when selecting your first or next rod.

Tight Lines!

Fly Fishing Secrets is Back in Publication!

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:59:00 -0800

Hey ya'll,

It's been a while since I've posted here and for that I'd like to apologize.

I will be posting a lot more regular now that I have the time to devote to this.

If you haven't done so already please get on my blog post announcement list.

You can do this one of two ways...

1. Fill out the form on the right and enter your name and email address.

2. Go to: http://www.SimpleFlyFishing.com and enter your name and email.

No matter which way you join, be sure to verify your subscription.

After you fill out the form you'll be sent a verification link to your email.

Be sure to click on it!

Thanks and God Bless,

Michael

Global Warming Effects Fishing and Hunting in US

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 14:32:00 -0700

Fresh from the news today is an article about how Global Warming is going to effect 12 National Parks in the US.

This will have a ripple-effect down to those of us who hunt and fish.

Thought maybe you might want to be aware of it.

-Michael

Global warming puts 12 US parks at risk: report - Yahoo! News:

By Deborah Zabarenko
1 hour, 29 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Global warming puts 12 of the most famous U.S. national parks at risk, environmentalists said on Tuesday, conjuring up visions of Glacier National Park without glaciers and Yellowstone Park without grizzly bears.

All 12 parks are located in the American West, where temperatures have risen twice as fast as in the rest of the United States over the last 50 years, said Theo Spencer of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

'Rising temperatures, drought, wildfires and diminished snowfalls endanger wildlife and threaten hiking, fishing and other recreational activities' in the parks, Spencer said in a telephone news conference. 'Imagine Glacier Park without glaciers or Yellowstone without any grizzly bears.'"

Best Fly Fishing In Years In Idaho...

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 16:37:00 -0700

"The South Fork is one of the best dry fly rivers in the country."

Sounds like Idaho is the place to be this summer...

Check out this article by Jill Margetts of South Fork Outfitters.

-Michael

PS: They even made the local news...You can view the clip below...

===================================

Who doesn't like the nice surprise of suddenly snagging a big fish on the hook and the suspense of reeling it in?

In Wild Files Local News 8's Jill Margetts takes us on a fly fishing adventure with South Fork Outfitters.

They say because of all the water we have this year the fishing is amazing.

Some say this year is the best fishing Idaho has had in ten years because of our full lakes and rivers.

"We've had great water conditions...who would have thought fish like
water," said Shaun Lawson, Manager of South Fork Outfitters.

They sure do love the water, especially cool water, thanks to our high water levels.

"When the lakes get drawn down the water temperatures get elevated it
stresses the fish they don't feed as well the hatches."

So now there's more fish, here's my first catch of the day, thanks to my fly.

"What we're trying to do when we're out there fly fishing is we're trying to imitate an insect that's drifting along with the current."

So Shaun and I waded out with these may fly and golden stone flies.

The golden stone is one of the most popular flies and our guide says we might catch something with it.

"Big dry fly. Easy to see. Tied with foam, they float good. It's nice to fish and fly that's an inch long. " "Here's a real golden stone compared to our fake fly, pretty good match. It is a good match, that's one of our most popular flies."

But the fish weren't biting the golden stone, instead we were reeling in the fish with may flies and nymphs.

"The hatch is just getting started, so we had some success kind of going just under the surface today."

I didn't have much success staying on my feet, but I did catch five fish. Everything from the Yellowstone cutthroats, rainbows and hybrids, to a Rocky Mountain white fish.

"The South Fork is one of the best dry fly rivers in the country."

If you want to try and catch a few fish and float down the South Fork for a day like Jill, you can South Fork Outfitters at 1-800-483-2110.

technorati tags:fly+fishing, fishing, flyfishing, idaho, south+fork, dry+fly, idaho+fishing, fishing+guides, outfitters, flies, nymphs

Fly-fishing clinic supports breast cancer survivors...

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 16:20:00 -0700

Interested in supporting breast cancer? Read this article about the Casting For Recovery clinic. Casting for Cancer supports programs in 23 states and Canada. I found their own website at: http://www.castingforrecovery.org/

God Bless,

Michael

=====================================

Fly-fishing clinic supports cancer survivors
Let’s Go Fishin’, a fly-fishing clinic to benefit breast cancer survivors, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 26 on the Arkansas River in Swissvale.
The clinic supports Casting for Recovery, a national non-profit support and education program.
Sponsored by Angler’s Junction, the clinic will teach women about the art of fly-fishing using its five professional guides instructing about entomology, knot tying, casting and reading the river.

Fly-fishing clinic supports cancer survivors

technorati tags:fishing, fly+fishing, breast+cancer, cancer, fly+fishing+clinic, entomology, knot+tying, casting

Famous Catskills Fly Fishing Lodge Burns To The Ground!

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 16:12:00 -0700

Wow! If the flooding up in the Catskills wasn't enough, now a famous Fly Fishing Lodge goes up in smoke. The Antrim Lodge was built back in 1890. Sounds like a fly fishermans mecca.

Anyone hear why the fire started?

-Michael

=====================================

Catskills fly fishing community dealt another blow...

Yet another disaster has struck in the breadbasket of American fly fishing. The Antrim Lodge in Roscoe was dealt its final death blow when a fire all but leveled the historic inn.
With clean-up still underway following the floods that rampaged the area recently, Monday morning saw yet another piece of history erased from the map. The Antrim — constructed in 1890 — was undergoing a long-overdue major rehabilitation and upgrade.
The inn had closed its doors in 1993, but in 2004 the owners started what was described as a major renovation, which would return the historic building to its former glory. Originally slated to be a two-year project, the latest schedule was for the re-opening to be sometime in 2007. As a result of Monday's fire the date will never come. The building is now damaged beyond repair.
Published reports say plumbers were working on the upper floors of the structure. The fire reportedly started on the fourth floor, completely consuming it and the roof.
The inn was the favorite meeting place for anglers who visited the area. The bar, located on the first floor, was called Keener's Hole — aptly named after the original owner, Frank Keener.
Fly fishers in particular in the early days of the sport seemed to establish favorite watering holes in close proximity to their favorite fishing holes. In the case of the Antrim Lodge, the Beaverkill, Willowemoc and the Delaware and other less famous trout streams were all within casting distance.
Another such place is Steinhoff's Sportsmen's Inn, located in Wilmington. Situated on the banks of the famous West Branch Ausable River, Steinhoff's is still operating today. Just don't expect to be rubbing elbows at the bar with the likes of Joe Brooks or Ray Bergman.
While the Antrim will always be remembered for its turn-of-the-century elegance, Steinhoff's has a more woodsy flavor, which serves as a constant reminder that you are in the high peaks region of the Adirondacks.

PoughkeepsieJournal.com - Catskills fly fishing community dealt another blow

technorati tags:flyfishing, fishing+lodge, catskills, adirondacks, fly+fishermen, fishing, fly+fishing

Catch and Eat Crayfish to help your trout fishing...

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 16:03:00 -0700

Catch and Eat Crayfish to help your trout fishing...

Since I know fly fisherman are a group that like to look after their environment, I thought I'd post this interesting tip about crayfish.

Can anyone comment about how the crayfish affect our streams? I haven't had crayfish since I was a kid.

-Michael

PS: You can also find a bunch of Arizona Fly Fishing Tips in this weekly report about where to go fishing in Arizona.

===================================

Arizona weekly fishing report -- July 18
By Arizona Game and Fish
Rory’s Tip: This is a great time to hit the high country lakes for . . . bet you thought I was going to say trout; wrong. It’s a great time to take the youngsters and try for crayfish in our mountain lakes. Kids love catching crayfish. Kind of fun for us adults too.
Crayfish are simple. All you needs is a stick, some string, and some meat, such as bacon fat, hot dog or whatever. In fact, string soaked in bacon grease will do nicely. Bring a bucket to hold your crayfish. In fact, a good rule of thumb is one bucket for every two children.
Crayfish are also easy to fix. Bring the water to a rolling boil, take the water off the heat, put in the crayfish (leave them off the heat). When the crayfish turn bright red, they are done. If you want to get fancy, get a packet of crab boil to put in the boiling water. Then eat the crayfish tails, just like you would lobster tails. It’s easy, simple and fun camping fare.
By the way, crayfish are not native to Arizona. In fact, in the high country, crayfish can devastate our trout streams. So please, help the environment by catching and eating all the crayfish you can.

North Texas e-News

technorati tags:fishing, arizona+fishing, fly+fishing, crayfish, trout, camping, kids+activities, arizona, trout+fishing

Weighted flies, split shot cause controversy

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 15:51:00 -0700

Hey folks...Sorry it's been a while since I've posted. Things have been pretty busy here this summer so I haven't done the best job updating this blog.
I found this article today that I wanted to share...
Enjoy!
Michael
==============================
Weighted flies, split shot cause controversy
Ahhh Yes...The debate about whether using weighted flies is really fly fishing or not...Ken does a great job in this article explaining this fly fishing controversy.

"When trout and salmon have their chins glued to the bottom and don't look up to feed," I said while trying to keep a straight face, "You gotta' use a weighted fly or split shot on the leader and get down to 'em.
"On days when trout or salmon switch into this bottom-hugging mode, I told Heather, they refuse to rise to a well-presented fly, lure or bait near the surface. Without adding weight, an angler may have a long day with no action. During these times, she needs to sink the offering down to them. It's no more complicated than that simple rule, explaining why bait anglers with split shot often do well when the fly and hardware crowd goes fishless.
Click Here To Read The Rest...
Weighted flies, split shot cause controversy
technorati tags:fishing, flyfishing, fly+fishing, flies, weighted+flies

101 Fly Fishing Secrets Special 4th of July Weekend 2 For 1 Sale!

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Sat, 1 Jul 2006 14:16:00 -0700

Hi Friends,

I hope you're able to get out fishing
this weekend.

If you're on my list, you'll have read
quite a few of my fly fishing tips so far.

If you've put them to use, I'd like to hear
about your results.

I'm curious...

How would you like to get access to all them?

Better yet...How would you like to listen to
them?

Well for the next 72 Hours Only, with your
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you'll also receive a free upgrade to the audio
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That's right, when you get the rest of these
insider secrets, you'll not only get the pdf
ebook, along with all 5 Bonuses (+ 4 Additional
Unannounced Bonuses), you'll also receive the
entire ebook for free on Audio MP3.

That's normally a $20 upgrade!

Go here to place your order now:

http://www.SimpleFlyFishing.com/order.html

Check out what one of my first customers had
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===================
Hi Michael,

Just wanted to drop you a note...LOVED your book!
I'm very jealous. As I went through it I kept saying to
myself "yeah....that's right on the money or wow!...I
never thought about that!...what a great idea".

This is a must read for all flyfishers. I have three daughters.
It's going into their vests for Christmas! Thanks for your
great contribution to the sport. You have a great talent
there. Thanks for sharing.

Bill Jones, LTCBaghdad School of Fly Fishing

===================

You too will be amazed at the rest of these tips.

Shave years off the learning curve and learn secrets
that you wish you had learned years before...

Go here now:

http://www.SimpleFlyFishing.com/order.html

Have a great Fourth!

Tight Lines,

Michael

P.S. If you need a refresher about all of the features
and benefits of my book, visit:

http://www.SimpleFlyFishing.com/index5.html

P.P.S. Remember...

This FREE Upgrade is only for the next 72 hours!

Claim your gifts here:

http://www.SimpleFlyFishing.com/order.html

Happy Father's Day 48 Hour Fly Fishing Gift Special!

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 00:14:00 -0700

Happy Fathers Day!

The following is a message I just mailed
out to my subscribers at SimpleFlyFishing.com

You may or may not be already on my list
to get free fly fishing tips delivered directly
to your email.

If you're not, I encourage you to join.

How?

It's simple...Just fill out the form on the right
of this page to join our newsletter...

or

visit our site:

http://www.simpleflyfishing.com/

===========================

Happy Father's Day!

Are ya able to get out fishin' this weekend?

Well, If you are, then I wish ya the best of
luck.

The Spring Chinook run here on the local
rivers where I live have been a bit slow but
the Summer Steelhead are starting to pick
up quite a bit.

The water levels have been pretty high since
we've been getting a ton of rain and cooler
temps, unlike the majority of the US.

I've been asked a few questions about the
101 Fly Fishing Tips ebook.

One is whether there are tips that would
help with casting...

The answer?

Absolutely!

We have a bunch of casting tips and even
a nice bonus report that's all about casting,
complete with diagrams and explanations
to help you become a better fly caster.

Since it's Father's Day and I like to do
special things for my subscribers, I wanted
to offer you an additional bonus that's good
only for the next 48 hours.

What is it?

Well, what I'm offering is a FREE Upgrade
for anyone that purchases the basic Ebook
version of 101 Fly Fishing Tips.

If you get the book in the next 48 hours,
you'll also receive the MP3 audio recordings
I made.

So, if you're busy like me and don't have a lot
of time to sit around and read, then you can
simply take these recordings, save them to a
disk or other portable device and listen wherever
you want.

I did this to make it as convenient as possible
for you.

Are you game?

To get your upgrade, just place your order
today at:

http://www.SimpleFlyFishing.com/order.html

Remember, this is only for the next 48 hours
in honor of all the fathers out there.

God Bless and Tight Lines!

Sincerely,

Michael
aka "The Duke"

PS: Did you forget what the ebook is all
about? Well, no problem...Just go here to
learn all about what's covered and how these
tips will help you become a better fisherman:
http://www.SimpleFlyFishing.com/index1.html

Free Fishing Weekend Report

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 00:03:00 -0700

Free Fishing Weekend Report

Here in Washington State and in many parts of the country, last weekend was a free fishing weekend in that you didn’t need a license to go fishing. I wasn’t able to fish last weekend but I did go check out some of my favorite fishing holes.

Wow, the warm temps and all the snow melt sure does make for high water conditions. While out exploring on Sunday we went and looked at Sunset Falls on the Skykomish River. I’ve never seen so much water cascading down the falls.

We were up there for the afternoon to have a picnic and relax. There really wasn’t a decent place near the falls to relax (unless you wanted to yell over the roar of the cascading water…So, we continued up river until we got up near the town of Skykomish.

We found a nice spot in a National Forest Campground and sat down next to the river and ate our bbq’d chicken and homemade tater salad.

While we were eating this older man and his wife showed up from behind us and kinda startled us with the question, “having a picnic?” I turned around and said yeah…Then he said, “Well, we’re going to have to charge ya.” I said, “really?” He said, “Yep”.

He went on to explain that they had a day use area and that the charge was $6. $6 to sit for an hour and eat some chicken…You gotta be kidding me! So, I said okay and agreed to pay him on the way out of there since my wallet was up in the rig.

Just as we were finishing our meal, it started down pouring with a mountain thunderstorm. We decided to head back down river, closer to home and back into the sunshine. It was strange. We only drove 5 miles down the highway and it was blue sky’s and sunny and warm. We stopped at a local park and relaxed on the river sand bar cooling our feet off in the icy-cold water.

So, no fish this past weekend but still an enjoyable time on the river.

If you’ve been catching any fish lately, be sure to write me…I’d like to hear about it.

Tight Lines,

Michael
aka “The Duke”

======================

Join Our Mailing List at http://www.SimpleFlyFishing.com/ to receive Free Fly Fishing Tips and get our New eBook, "101 Fly Fishing Tips For Beginners."

Women and Fishing -- Not Just A Man's Sport...

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Fri, 2 Jun 2006 13:58:00 -0700

"Women and Fishing -- Not Just A Man's Sport"

Who ever said Fishing was just for men? In my opinion we need more women in the sport. This article is geared towards women who are interested in getting involved. If you're a man, why not forward this article along to your woman and encourage her to learn how to fish. When done correctly, sharing the experience of fishing with your sweetheart can be very rewarding both on a personal level and a relationship level.

Enjoy and Tight Lines,

Duke

=====================

"Women and Fishing -- Not Just A Man's Sport"

More and more women are learning to enjoy fishing each and every day. And, why not? Fishing is a sport that doesn't require exceptional strength, stamina or height ? quite the contrary, fishing is a sport of agility, finesse and patience, skills many women already possess. So why don't more women fish?

Successful fishing requires knowledge of various types of fishing gear, tackle, and an understanding of the quarry. Fish have a variety of feeding habits, behavioral patterns, etc. and these characteristics influence how to go about fishing for them.

Traditionally, men learned how to fish when they were boys from fathers and grandfathers. Even if this training was lacking, it's no big deal for a guy to hang out with other guys who enjoy fishing and learn the ropes from them.

For a woman, though, the process is apt to be somewhat more difficult. In my family of all girls, we learned the thrill of fishing as children from our father. Fortunately for us, our dad was an "equal-opportunity" fisherman...and he was a very patient man.

We learned to bait our own hooks, remove fish from the line, and clean the fish as well. We were rewarded with many an enjoyable Sunday on the lake competing for top family fishing honors of who caught the most and the biggest fish.

For women who weren't brought up fishing as I was, all is certainly not lost. Although learning from a boyfriend or spouse is not out of the question, a significant other may not be the best place to get your first fishing pointers.

Your honey may not have the patience that you will need to learn proper fishing technique and he may be a bit condescending as well?not exactly conducive to an enjoyable learning experience.

Try instead local women's fishing clubs. Check online for groups in your area that are specifically organized by and for women. Many groups are primarily centered on fly-fishing but not all are.

Also see if your community college or local university offers any fishing courses. Often fishing classes are offered in the adult education, physical education or recreation departments.

Of course, you can also start at your local library, checking out books on fishing and learning a few basic techniques that way.

Your local fishing outfitter or marina may have more information as well and would also be a good place for information and to network with other fishing women.

Another option is to go online and search for websites catering to women and the outdoors or, more specifically, women and fishing. One such website is www.ladiesletsgofishing.com.

Founded by Betty Bauman of Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 1997, LLGF "promotes networking among women anglers and emphasizes mentorship between novice and experienced members."

Other groups, both national and state, promote fishing for women. There are seminars, fishing adventures and special fishing events scheduled year-round in many areas of the country which are organized especially for women anglers.

Yet another reason fishing is a great hobby for women is because beginning your fishing experiences need not be prohibitively expensive. Especially when compared to other hobbies, start-up costs for spin or bait-casting fishing equipment are not tremendously high. Generally speaking, $200 or less can buy more than enough basic quality fishing gear for a beginner to get started. To start up a fly-fishing hobby will cost a bit more as the gear tends to be more expensive.

This, of course, doesn't include a boat! But, many fishing locations can be reached without a boat. Again, do your research to find areas accessible by car.

More women should consider fishing for an enjoyable and challenging hobby. Learning the basics of fishing is easy but perfecting those angling skills can take many hours of sometimes peaceful and sometimes extremely exciting time at the other end of a line.

======================

Join Our Mailing List at http://www.SimpleFlyFishing.com to receive Free Fly Fishing Tips and get our New eBook, "101 Fly Fishing Tips For Beginners."

Fly Fishing On A Jetty Safety Tips!

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Tue, 23 May 2006 23:42:00 -0700

Here's some great tips for you saltwater fly fisherman out there....

Be Safe and Tight Lines,

-Michael
aka "The Duke"

=============================

SHORE CATCH ON THE FLY

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 05/19/06
BY JIM FREDACORRESPONDENT

Surf temperatures in the last week have been teetering in the upper 50-degree ranges, so it is time for striped bass to take a look at and hit a fly.

This makes jetties one location the fly fisher will want to be.

Jetties become a great equalizer, as these structures provide an avenue for the fly fisher to hook into fish that would ordinarily be unreachable from the beach. The extensive crevices, hiding places and myriad of marine life around these structures establish an ecosystem that is highly productive and makes these jetties an ideal place to shoot a line into the suds.

When planning to fly fish from any jetty, it is imperative that you put your personal safety as your No. 1 consideration. You must begin with the mindset that catching and landing a fish along the rocks is not as important as your life. Proper footwear and attire goes hand in hand with personal safety on a jetty. This would include a rain jacket, bibs, short boots, and korkers.

You should also familiarize yourself with the wave period and the location of sandbars around the jetty as these factors will impact both the number of waves striking a jetty and their heights.
Also look for any rogue wave formation that can lead to washovers.

Predetermining a landing location and the path you will take to move down or off the rocks if a big fish hits your fly is also a good idea.

Remember, it will be much more difficult to move from rock to rock when you are hooked up and a force is trying to pull you in the opposite direction.

Jetties can often become crowded very quickly, so fly fishers will have to be cognizant of their space so as not to place another angler in harm's way of a backcast. Be aware of the fact that a fly fisher can take up space that normally three good spin fishermen could occupy, particularly if you are fishing at the jetty's tip.

Travel light when fly fishing from any jetty as this will increase your mobility. A stripping basket is a must as this will prevent your line from dropping into the rocks below, but be sure to push it behind you when walking from rock to rock or when fighting a fish. This will give you a better field of view when you look to take your next step.

Your workhorse line on the rocks will be an intermediate sinking line. Because the intermediate line has a sink rate of one to two inches per second, it will present the least opportunity for getting hung up. However, if strong currents are present and the water is deeper than five feet, a 200- to 300-grain sinking line can also be used without snagging the rocks below.

Finally, always retrieve your fly by pulling it to the very edge of the rocks regardless of where you are positioned on the jetty. Bass and blues will attack a fly close to the rocks in a last desperate attempt to capture its prey as it appears pinned in with no escape.

Capt. Jim Freda is co-owner and operator of Shore Catch Guide Service, Manasquan.
Check out www.shorecatch.com for further information or e-mail jfreda@bytheshore.com.

Fly Rod Selection Tips...Important Questions To Ask Yourself Before Spending Any Money...

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Mon, 22 May 2006 16:02:00 -0700

Here's some great tips on Fly Rod Selection that are crucial for you to answer before going out and investing in a high dollar fly fishing rod.

I'd like to thank the Winston Rod Company for the use of this information.

Visit their site to below to finish reading their tips and all about the fly rods they manufacture.

Tight Lines,

Duke

RL Winston Rod Company Since 1929:

"WHAT TYPE OF ACTION DO YOU PREFER?

Slow, medium, medium-fast, fast, very fast. These are the actions of Winston fly rods. The action you are most comfortable with and your ability to make that action work for you are both important things to consider. Often, experienced anglers choose different actions for different situations. A medium-action for trout fishing, for example, and a fast-action for saltwater.

WHAT KIND OF CASTER ARE YOU?

Beginner and intermediate anglers can cast longer distances using a fast-action rod. More accompished anglers can cast just as far with medium-action rods, which also have the ability to make delicate and effective presentations at shorter distances.

DO YOU WADE OR FISH FROM A BOAT?

In terms of freshwater fishing, a fast-action rod is preferable if you're fishing from a drift boat. Quick and accurate casts, and lots of them, define this kind of fishing.

WHAT TYPE OF FLIES DO YOU USE MOST?

Medium and slower action rods will present dry flies lightly on the water. Faster action rods will cast larger flies and weighted patterns more easily.

WHERE DO YOU FISH?

A shorter length rod is better for small, brushy streams and overhanding trees. Medium length rods are more versatile, and preferred for larger water. Our longer length rods are specialized, with applications for float tubing, steelheading or casting for stripers from rocky shorelines where you need a high backseat.

IS IT WINDY WHERE YOU FISH?

High line speeds are needed to cast into the wind. These are most easily achieved with fast-action rods. However, very good casters can generate high line speeds with a medium-action rod.

HOW MANY RODS DO YOU NEED?

Most saltwater anglers own a variety of rods to handle a variety of lines and fish: an 8-wt for bonefi"

Fly Fishing Tip - Make Floating Line In A Pinch!

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Mon, 22 May 2006 14:07:00 -0700

I was browsing around one of my favorite fishing boards, GameFishin.com today and came across this great post by poster, "madcapmag".

If you're ever out and set up for fishing deep, then try this tip to get you on the surface in a pinch.

Enjoy,

Duke

Gamefishin.com Forum Home: Fly fishing....:

"Figured this might help some folks here...

Read about it somewhere and tried it, as well as JD telling me about it. When you need floating line, try just using mono but dressing it with line floatant. Easiest way is to peel of the amount you're gonna be casting or using, taking a cloth damp with the floatnat and reeling the line back in through the cloth.
Used it today whle trolling a wooly bugger. Trout were on top, so dressed the line, wooly bugger didn't sink as much and I got more strikes. It does need to be periodically redone.

Works for float fishing too, according to JD."

Where To Go Fly Fishing For Trout In Oregon...

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Fri, 19 May 2006 17:28:00 -0700

Fly Fishing For Trout In Oregon...

Oregon Trout Fishing:

"Whether you're headed to the mountains for native cutthroats or driving to the lake to stack your stringer with plump rainbows, here are our recommendations for the year's best trout fishing. (April 2006)"

=================

We came across this great article by Gary Lewis that'll tell ya where to go for Oregon Trout this year.

To read the article just click on the link above.

Since most of these places are lakes, it's the perfect place to go fly fishing.

Growing up in SouthWestern Oregon, I know how well the trout fishing can be there. It's definitely a blast!

I just read about Diamond Lake resort and I guess the daily limit has been raised to 20 fish/day any size! How's that for some great fishing.

You can find out more about Diamond Lake resort by visiting their site at: http://www.diamondlake.net/

Enjoy the recommendations.

Tight Lines,

Duke
Fly Fishing Enthusiast

An Update On SimpleFlyFishing.com!

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Tue, 16 May 2006 17:46:00 -0700

Hi ya'll,

Sorry haven't been posting on here much lately. I've been swamped with a number of different things so I haven't been able to dedicate the amount of time I'd like to this blog. Never fear though, I haven't abandoned you :)

I wanted to inform you that we've just completed some updates to our sister site, SimpleFlyFishing.com.

We've added a bunch of bonuses to the ebook and you can now even get an audio version.

Go here now to read all about it:

http://www.SimpleFlyFishing.com/index1.html

I'll be in touch again soon.

If you haven't done so already, join our mailing list and receive Free Fly Fishing Tips.

http://www.SimpleFlyFishing.com

Tight Lines,

Duke

"Fly Fishing Techniques For Lakes"

noreply@blogger.com (The "Duke") — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 16:20:00 -0700

Well, for many of us here in the US, Spring is finally starting to take it's hold.

Here in Western Washington the Spring Trout Opener for low-land lake fishing offically gets underway, tomorrow morning. The WDFW estimates over 300,000 anglers will be fishing this opening day.

Since it is the trout opener for lowland lakes I wanted to give you guys a few tips.

I found a great article that'll I wanted to share with ya. It's full of a lot of tips that'll help ya find and hook the fish this weekend, Spring and Summer. You can read the article below.

Another great read we recommend if you're wanting to learn more about fly fishing in lakes is one of the bonuses I am offerring for my 101 Fly Fishing Tips for Beginners Ebook.

The bonus is called simply, "The Pocket Guide To Fly Fishing The Lakes".

You can get this book as well as 8 other bonus items at the site:

http://www.SimpleFlyFishing.com/index1.html

Have a great weekend and rip some lips!

Tight Lines,

Duke

================================

"Fly Fishing Techniques For Lakes"

By: Dale East

Lake fly fishing techniques are similar to those of any other types of water except you don't have to deal with currents. In lakes fish have to aggressively search for food and are more likely to be tempted by anything that looks edible than their fussier river cousins.

Often lake fish will gather in schools and cruise around looking for food, but often it is the small fish that rise to take surface insects while the bigger ones feed in deeper water.

Where the fish are:

Fish in lakes aren't much different than fish in rivers. Their concerns are still protection from predators and finding food. Lake fly fishing techniques involved finding the areas where both these concerns are met.

Remember that lake water is generally deeper than rivers water, so bottom structures may not be visible. Try fishing where a stream enters the lake. Insects are often carried into the lake here and the fish will be waiting for them.

Structure in lakes includes piers and boat ramps, weeded areas and deadfalls. Fish are likely to be hanging around man-made structures that have been sunken into the waters. Lake fish like to hang around drop off areas. Here they can munch on food that has fallen into the water and dart back into the depths when spooked. Warm water fish gather around natural springs and weeds also.

Dry flies and lake fishing :

Lake fly fishing techniques usually involved fishing deep. It takes energy for a fish to take insects from the surface and there has to be a darned good reason for a bigger fish to do so. A big hatch might entice a large fish from the depths to feed, but you are more likely to catch smaller fish when using dry flies on lakes.

Wet flies and lake fishing:

If a fish expends more energy than he receives in searching for food, he will not survive long. Lake fishing techniques include knowing how an aggressively feeding fish will behave. He will check out the feeding zones, feed, then return to safe water to rest until it is feeding time again. If you are looking for large lake fish, you need to get your hook down where they are holding.

The larger the fish, the more energy it takes for him to feed, therefore the offering needs to be worthwhile. A big juicy-looking streamer hanging right in front of his nose will often tempt a fish.

The advantage of fishing wets over dries in lakes is that you can vary the depth and the retrieve until you find the combination that the fish cannot resist. Keep a close eye on your line because often the take is subtle. Using a strike indicator is helpful here.

Often a sinking line or sink tip can give you a big advantage when fly fishing a lake. You have a much greater chance for success if you can get your fly to the fish.

About the author: Dale East is a long time outdoorsman and fly fisher and publisher of Fly Fishing Wyoming