Why Night Fishing Beats Day Fishing Any Day of the Week

Without a doubt, night fishing is better than day fishing for many reasons.

One of the biggest reasons is the size of the fish you can catch at night. In almost every circumstance, you will catch bigger fish at night than you can during the day. There are several reasons for this. Bigger fish tend to feed at night. Maybe the reason these fish were able to get so big is because they were smart enough to not eat during the day when dinner may include a fisherman’s hook inside it.

I like to think the big fish just sit around all day and take bets on which little fish is going to get caught by a fisherman. Ok, maybe that is a little far fetched, but it’s fun to imagine.

Bigger fish also seem to feed on baitfish in more shallow water than during the day.

Since the fish are less likely to associate night time to fishermen, they tend to take the bait with less resistance and hesitation. Almost like they are thinking to themselves “There is no way this is a fisherman’s bait, it midnight for crying out loud”. This results in better hooking of the fish.

Maybe it’s the fact that fish are more likely to feed based on sound and vibration at night, unlike the day when they can also use vision.

Since you will be catching bigger fish at night, you can also use bigger bait. Personally, I find it easier to use bigger lures anyway, so it works out better for me at the same time.

You don’t have to worry about all the other boats zipping around you at night, like you do during the day. This alone is enough to make some fishermen want to only fish at night. The peaceful serenity at night is hard to beat.

If you fish at night in the summertime, you will also appreciate the cooler weather compared to fishing during the day.

If you have never been night fishing before, you need to get out there and try it at least once. You may never want to fish during the day again!

Daniel Eggertsen is a long time fishermen, as well as President and Founder of Evening Secret Fishing (http://www.eveningsecretfishing.com/specialsecret/night-day.php)

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

If you’re coming to experience Hawaii sport fishing, you
have one heck of an adventure awaiting you! Anglers from all
over the world journey to these deep blues waters teeming
with trophy fish. This is where you come to get the big
ones. In fact the biggest fish ever caught on rod and reel
was a blue marlin caught just off Oahu, weighing in at a
hefty 1805 lbs.! Hawaii is so legendary among sport fishing
enthusiasts that several “big-game” tournaments are held
here every year, including the granddaddy of them all, the
Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, luring fishermen
from all over the globe.

Hawaii sport fishing is the home of big-game fish. Some of
the species you’ll encounter here are three types of marlin;
blue, black and striped. It’s entirely possible to hook
yourself a “grander”, meaning a monster fish weighing at
least 1000 lbs.! Other top game fish include Ahi (Yellowfin
Tuna), Ono (Wahoo), Mahimahi (Dolphin fish), and Skipjack
Tuna. All of these babies can give you a reel-spinning run
for your money, and an experience you’ll not soon forget! In
fact the tuna are among the fiercest, most tireless fighters
of the bunch! Only the striped marlin is a sometimes
resident, showing up only in winter. All of the others can
be found year-round. Some of the best fishing spots you’ll
want to try would include Kona; long regarded as the best
big-game fishing in the world. Oahu’s North Shore is more
famous for it’s surfing, but it’s just under the surface
here where the real action begins! Actually, there’s pretty
much not a bad place for Hawaii sport fishing: some are just
more excellent than others!

Booking your Hawaii sport fishing adventure is easy. There
are literally hundreds of charter fishing boats operating
here, offering you a ton of choices. Some things to keep in
mind would be to consider how long you’ll want to be out.
Most offer half or full day trips, but also know that of you
want the best chance at hooking a big-game fish, a longer
trip may be called for to give yourself time to get to the
best fishing grounds and keep your line in the water awhile.
No experience or fishing license is required, and should you
hook a trophy fish, taxidermy can be arranged. Come and
experience Hawaii sport fishing and come home with a little
something for that bare wall!

Keith Thompson is the webmaster at Hawaii
Vacation Directory, a top resource for your Hawaiian
holiday adventure!

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

Want To Catch More Fish At Night, Watch the Moon!

Sounds like a crazy idea, doesn’t it?

I thought so to, until I experienced it first hand.

Using the moon, you are able to learn several things about fish at night.
During a full moon, you are most likely to find fish hiding in the shadows. Don’t ask why it’s true, but that’s what we have seen. When you find shadows on the water (from trees, etc), you know exactly where you need to cast your line.

If the moonlight is not shining down on the water and there are no shadows, the fish will be much more scattered in the water, making your job of finding them much more difficult.

On the other side of the coin, it seems like the fish are more likely to hit when the moon is hidden, either by clouds or a quarter moon. So, the real trick is to use the moon to determine how you are going to fish that particular night.

If you have a bright, full moon, head for the shadows on the water. If you are on the water and the moon is nowhere in sight, you can go straight to your favorite spot and fish like you normally do, but expect to get more frequent and harder hits on your line.

This tip is especially true for bass, but it works with virtually any kind of fish at night.

Some fishermen swear they only fish during a full moon, others say no moonlight is best. I say, both are best, you just have to alter your style depending on how much moonlight you have that night.

Try it out for yourself and see if you get the same results. This one tip alone has helped me catch some of the biggest fish in my life. Hopefully it will help you do the same.

Daniel Eggertsen is a long time fishermen, as well as President and Founder of Evening Secret Fishing (http://www.eveningsecretfishing.com/specialsecret/moon.php)

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

Number One Benefit to Night Fishing

I think the best thing about night fishing is that the conditions are generally the same as day fishing, but the results are much better.

If you find a good spot where the fish are really hitting during the day, you can go to that same spot at night and get even better results!

The fish seem to hit harder at night as well, so it is almost easier to hook them at night than it is during the day, even though it is harder to see the line.

Places where you get a few nibbles during the day will often lead to many catches at night in the same spot.

Night fishing can make a bad daytime fisherman look good.

I always like to keep track of the lures that work at certain fishing spots during the day, and then try the exact same thing at night. Try it next time you are out. You’ll be amazed at the difference a simple variable (time of day) has on your results.

Here is a simple way to keep track.

One a piece of paper, write four column headings:

Place Lure Used Number Catches Size of Fish
—– ——— ————– ————

Then, write down your results from your day time fishing below the columns on your paper.

After you try a few difference spots with a few different lures, do the exact same thing you did during the day at night this time.

Daniel Eggertsen is a long time fishermen, as well as President and Founder of Evening Secret Fishing (http://www.eveningsecretfishing.com/specialsecret/benefit.php)

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

As Forrest Gump would say, you never know what you’re
going to get.

Not too many things get me more excited than the prospect
of hooking and landing big fish. The mere thought of setting
the hook on a 300 pound marlin, hearing the scream of the
drag as the fish pulls off line and watching the acrobatic
leaps that follow really gets my heart pumping. Fortunately
for me, a two and a half hour flight and a 30-minute drive is
all it takes to find myself in the “billfish capital of the world”.
What more can a sport fisherman ask for?

Well, for starters, variety. Just like biting into a randomly
selected piece of chocolate, when you set out the trolling
lures here in Los Cabos in search of the next big one, you
just don’t know what it will be. Different seasons bring
different possibilities as does different sides of the Baja
peninsula. The diversity of game fish here never ceases to
amaze me and even a slow day on the water offers the
opportunity to see some of the oceans greatest creatures.
Whales, porpoise, sea turtles and bat rays that often school
by the hundreds and perform what almost appears to be a
choreographed routine of synchronized jumps. On a spring
trip to Cabo in late march of this year, my partner Dolores
Peralta and I had another opportunity to experience the
diversity of life in these nutrient rich waters.

Jacqueline “Jacquie” Lee, owner of Guerita II, set us up for
two days of fishing with Captain Efren Beron Zamora and
crewman Jesus Alfredo Espinoza. Efren has a lifetime of
experience as an angler, guide and captain and has a love
of the ocean that rubs off on crew and passenger alike. The
Guerita II is a tournament rigged 34-foot Crystaliner
equipped with everything the avid angler could need or ask
for _ Shimano Tiagra 50 wide LRS & Penn International
reels, Shimano Black Steel IGFA rods and an outstanding
selection of lures, this wide-beamed fishing machine
boasts top-of-the-line electronics to help get you on the bite
fast.

We arrived at the docks at 6:30 in the morning, a little late for
Captain Efren’s liking as he planned on running out about
30-40 miles in search of warm, blue water where he hoped
to put us on striped marlin and tuna. While waiting on our
arrival Efren had already loaded up on live bait from the
pangeros that supply the fleets and with no delay, we were
on our way. Winds this time of the year can be unpredictable
and on this day, the winds helped build a fairly large swell.
We motored our way out to sea on a bumpy but dry ride to
the fishing grounds. Once he found the water conditions that
best provided the chance for large billfish, he switched
driving positions to the tall tuna tower while Alfredo began to
set out our spread of lures. Purple and orange Zukers set
out at the fifth wake behind the boat, trolling feathers in pink
and white and Mexican flag patterns on the third wake and a
dark colored Marauder set close to the boat.

A few hours passed as we crisscrossed areas where
colder water met warmer, Efren’s eyes trained on the
surface scanning for signs that fish were near - circling and
diving birds, the tail of a marlin cruising for its next meal, a
pod of porpoise balling bait. None of the usual signs
appeared until Efren’s eagle eyes spotted a feeder, a
marlin
actively working the ocean surface. A quick turn of the boat
and a punch of the throttle controls placed us in the perfect
position to present our spread of lures to the fish. The
marlin took notice and struck one of the lures back at the
fifth wake. The jigstrike started our adrenalin flowing and we
scrambled to the deck to ready for a battle. The marlin let
loose the lure just as Alfredo cast a live bait back to entice a
bite. After a few tense moments, the marlin took the bait, the
reel left in free spool in order to give it time to fully take the
bait. Flipping the reel into locked position followed by three
to four strong and sharp lifts of the rod tip set the hook on a
good sized striped marlin.

Dolores took her position in one of the two fighting chairs
mounted on the stern and within seconds the marlin was
giving us a show. Several vertical leaps and violent shakes
of its broad head and the fight began. The key to landing
marlin is the hook set. Everything depends on whether or
not the hook was in the right position when the hook set is
made. Many times, the marlin takes the bait only partially
and the hook never pierces the mouth fully when the set is
made. Unfortunately, this was one of those times. Shortly
after the first series of jumps was made, a second series
began and on this series the hook was thrown and the fish
was lost. Spooked by the encounter, the marlin sounded
and was soon nowhere to be found.

We continued on in search of another marlin, my turn in the
chair coming next. A short while later, a starboard reel
started to scream. Nothing was visible on the surface so the
likelihood of it being a marlin was slim. From the strong pull
and speed of the fish, we thought it would be a tuna and
sure enough it was. The fight lasted only 5-10 minutes and
soon we had a twenty-pound yellowfin on deck.

The trolling continued and for several hours and we had
nothing to do but occasionally switch out lures and scan the
horizon for signs of life. Efren spotted a true prize in the form
of a swordfish. While these great eating game fish can be
found here most of the year, they prefer colder water so
spring is generally the best time of year for this sought after
species. Although the sword made a turn towards our
spread and a live bait was cast directly in front of it, this fish
was apparently well fed and no matter how appealing the
presentation, it would not take the bait or strike a lure. As
they say, that’s why they call it fishing and not catching. The
balance of the day produced only suntans and relaxation.

On our second day on the Guerita II, we arrived at 5:30,
determined to beat Efren and Alfredo to the boat. Once
again, Efren had made it to the boat well before us and once
again, he had already baited up. If I didn’t know better, I’d
say he must have slept on the boat just to make sure we
wouldn’t arrive before him! We headed out, stopping off to
check in with the port authorities to present our manifest
and fishing licenses. A recent change in fiscal policies
keeps the revenues from fishing licenses within the state
where the activity is taking place. This restructuring has
apparently heightened the diligence of officials responsible
for ensuring that everyone on a boat possesses a valid
license, even those not fishing. Makes sense that if you get
to keep the money, you’re more likely to make sure everyone
is playing by the rules and buying their licenses. Those that
did not have licenses in hand were sent back to the docks to
get them or there would be no fishing that day.

This day we decided to switch to the Sea of Cortez side of
the cape and concentrate our efforts on some of the
in-shore species that Los Cabos waters offer up. One of the
benefits of a pre-dawn start is the experience of viewing
some of the most spectacular sunrises you’re likely to find
anywhere in the world. The skies here light up with all the
colors of an artists canvas with the endless reflection of the
ocean surface. Everything is bathed in reds, oranges and
yellows and the sky appears to be on fire. The sight alone
makes the trip worthwhile.

The Guerita II cut through the calmer waters of the Sea of
Cortez with ease by benefit of the natural windbreak that the
East Cape coast provides. We set out a mix of CD 4
Rapalas in a sardine pattern and started to work the
underwater ledges and rock piles in search of sierra or
Spanish mackerel, dorado or tuna. We ran across pods of
porpoise working bait schools to the surface. These
working pods often hold schools of tuna just below that pick
off bait from the edges of the bait ball but today, we found
just the porpoise. Off in the distance, Captain Efren spotted
surface activity and turned the Guerita towards it.

Within minutes we were surrounded by thousands of
Humboldt squid. Denizens of the northern most portion of
the Sea of Cortez, these alien looking creatures have slowly
made their way down to the southern tip of the Baja in recent
years. With tentacles reaching up out of the water like some
kind of extra terrestrial meat eating flower, we watched in
awe as they fed on floating red crab. Just about anything we
tossed into the water was immediately engulfed by the
toothy tentacles of the squid and with constant pressure and
slow pumps and reeling, we brought them to the gaff.

Legends abound about the ferocity and strength of the
Humboldt squid and while many of these tales are true “fish
stories”, there is ample credible evidence of the potential
for injury and even death from these marine cephalopods.
Recently, a Discovery program featured an in-depth study of
the Humboldt squid in the Sea of Cortez. During times of
agitation, such as when these animals are being fished by
fleets of pangeros who make a significant share of their
income from the sale of the tasty beasts, they can and do
become very aggressive. One pangero spoke of his
encounter with the squid with fear and respect. While
working a large school, he lost his balance and fell into the
water. Within seconds, several five to six footers locked onto
him and began to pull him under, all the while biting into his
flesh with their impressive and powerful beaks. He
managed to free himself and make his way back to the
surface and into his panga, scared and exhausted. The
scars that he showed tell the tale all to well. He also told of
others that did not fair so well, never making back to the
surface.

While events like those have occurred, the squid are usually
no more than curious about visitors to their domain. It is the
frenzied activity caused by fishing these creatures that
creates the aggressive and often cannibalistic behavior.
Divers have been able to get up close and personal with
the Humboldt squid when no fishing pressure was present,
all without being attacked or harmed in any way. The
aggressive behavior and flashing of colors associated with
a feeding frenzy brought on by fishing pressure is simply not
a normal occurrence, but more a reaction to the situation at
hand. You need not fear the squid but make sure to stay
away from the business end. Tentacles with hundreds of
toothed suction cups lead to a bird-like beak with incredible
power. Ink on the other hand can reach you from
astonishing distances as my partner, Dolores, can testify.

While fighting a squid estimated at about fifty pounds, she
experienced the jet blast of a Humboldt squid firsthand. As
the squid was gaffed, Alfredo jumped off to the side leaving
Dolores directly in the path of what seemed to be gallons of
ink shooting from out of the squid. In a split second she was
covered head to toe in the slimy, dark liquid. Being the
trooper that she is, she laughed it off, wiped herself clean
and tossed her line back out to catch another one. By that
time we had been joined by over a dozen other charter
boats
and pangas and everywhere you looked, people were
battling these impressive animals. Great fun, an awesome
sight and great table fare was the end result. We left the
spot having boated 3 squid and cleaning the ink from the
deck of the boat.

Our next area of focus was just a few hundred feet from
shore working the reef structures that line the coast.
Catching eight to ten pound sierra on light tackle is an
experience I recommend highly. We picked off a few sierra
and even landed a small mako shark before we called it a
day and headed back in, all the while amazed at the beauty
of the azure blue and turquoise green waters of the Sea of
Cortez.

So if you are one to enjoy the ocean and the surprises that
such a aquatic paradise promises, fishing the waters of the
Pacific ocean and the Sea of Cortez in Los Cabos is a
dream come true. Finding the right boat and crew is of the
utmost importance in ensuring a successful and
memorable charter. When it comes to making that choice,
we can’t recommend Jacqueline Lee’s Guerita II and the
knowledge and hospitality of Captain Efren Beron Zamora
and crewman Jesus Alfredo Espinoza enough.

To book your trip, visit their site at
http://www.gueritasportfishing.com or call 011-52-624-143-4465
and tell them Cabo’s Best told you all about them.

Richard Chudy and Dolores Peralta are the co-owners of
http://CabosBest.com, a travel information portal for Los Cabos,
Baja Sur, Mexico. An avid and frequent Cabo traveller,
Richard brings his travel experiences to the web for
others interested in exploring all that Cabo has to offer.

To
reach him, email caborich@cabosbest.com or call 1-818-702-0876.

Copyright 2005 CabosBest.com

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

There are several elements that go into creating the ideal charter fishing experience. The most important of these elements are not within the control of the charter service, captain, or the customers:

THE WEATHER: By weather, I am not just talking about rain, hail, sleet, snow, fog and other forms of precipitation. I’m talking about wind, and its effect on the water. Depending on the boat, the size of the waves will determine if and how far out you can go. This is actually one of the huge advantages of hiring a charter - an experienced captain will save the whole group a lot of grief by knowing when NOT to depart, or setting the proper expectations for the most probable outcome of the trip.

THE FISH: Another element that is not in the control of the participants is the condition and location of THE FISH. This is part of the charm and allure of fishing, but it can lead to disappointment, frustration and perceptions of incompetence. Again, an experienced captain can do much to set expectations based on weather, time of day, and permitted types of fish most likely to bite for the conditions, but ultimately you must realize it’s the fish that control this part of the equation, and have been known at times to be somewhat unreliable.

Now, on to variables we can control, and the more you know about them, the better decision you can make about your prospective captain and accommodations.

THE BOAT: This is more than a hull displacing enough water to keep you from swimming. The size, power and hull design of the boat combine to determine the limits of the trip. For example, a 32 ft Sport Fisher will carry 6 guests, will cruise at about 20 MPH, and often cannot proceed because the sea conditions seem to frequently exceed its capabilities by 1-2 feet. That means the happy party met at the dock for no good reason. Contrast this with a 27-ft Catamaran, which can also carry up to 6 guests, cruises at about 35 MPH, and slices comfortably and safely through much heavier seas than the standard “V” hull craft can handle. The huge bonus here is the speed - you spend much less time shuttling out to and back from the fishing spots, and much more time actually fishing. If you look at this whole proposition in terms of fishing time per charter dollar spent, you quickly realize that for twice the fishing time, the type of boat makes all the difference. One other advantage - on those days when it is just not possible to get offshore, the shallow draft of the catamaran gives you the opportunity to fish in the bay system. A word about safety - again the newer catamarans have all the advantages with unsinkable foam-filled hulls and twin outboard motor redundancy - much safer than the bigger inboard boats that try to convince people that size equals safety (which can sink in seconds), and much safer than the boats with inboard gasoline engines that have earned a bad safety reputation for blowing up.

THE CAPTAIN: Experience, intelligence, personality and certification are the keys to success. It’s difficult for you to assess a potential captain’s experience and intelligence, but you can get some clues. Have him talk to you about trips he has cancelled and why. Have him talk to you about the kinds of fishing locations he will be taking you to. Ask him how many years he has been doing this. With these simple questions, you can get a pretty good idea about experience and horse sense, and you will have talked with him enough to find out if his personality is the kind that will knit a group together for a good time. You will also ask about Coast Guard certification, which is required of any charter captain.

Now I’ll rate some of the other amenities:

AIR CONDITIONING: While we are all used to this convenience, in practical terms, it is pretty useless in the fishing charter context. First, you are on the water, and there will usually be a breeze. It’s a lot more tolerable than being on the land. Second, you can only air condition a closed space, and closed spaces generally make people sick in an ocean environment, no matter how cool they are. Also, most air conditioned areas of fishing boats don’t give you a view. You have to ask yourself why you wanted to go on this trip, and then decide if this is really important to you.

SHADE: This is important, even if you bring SPF 3000 sunscreen and wear a hat, you need a place to get out of direct sunlight.

TOILET (Head) - Unless this is a total frat party, this is usually a good idea.

Things you need to be aware of:

SIZE OF PARTY: Generally, more intimate groups have more fun than larger groups. Think about it: You stay more connected to a smaller crowd, and the captain has more of his personal time to share with fewer people.

CAPACITY: This is usually expressed in terms of “average sized people”. Weight is of primary importance for the comfort and safety of everyone, especially on the smaller boats. If the people in your party are exceptionally husky, you might want to drop the count by one. Consult with the captain if you have any concerns. NOTE: Often, you’ll see the boat rated by the manufacturer for 10 people, but the limit imposed by Coast Guard regulations on the same boat for charters may be 6.

WHAT’S INCLUDED? - Usually everything needed to fish is included - rods, reels, bait, ice chest (for fish), instruction (if you want/need it).

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED? - food, drinks, fish cleaning (often offered as an extra option for “tips”).

REFUND POLICY: You need to know what this consists of, because of the uncontrollable variables listed above. If you are happy to keep the outing going when seas are too rough to go offshore, and you want to be able to convert to bay fishing, make sure that’s an option.

DEPOSIT: Most fishing charters will require a non-refundable deposit of some kind, because the company or captain has already committed resources to you that have to be taken off the market. This is a part of the deal. You need to get comfortable with it.

GRATUITIES: Your captain will provide you with the best time he knows how to deliver. If you think he did a good job, an appropriate tip is customary and is always appreciated.

I hope this outline of what goes into a successful fishing charter trip has been of some use and interest to you.

Kent Walters is loosely affiliated (as a customer) with Captain Anthony’s Fishing Charters in Freeport, TX, a fishing charter service that has been in operation in the Freeport/Galveston area for over 7 years. Captain Anthony Blewitt hails originally from England, and has a delightful “Crocodile Dundee” style of relaxed competence - Coast Guard certified and passionate about fishing. If you are in his area, there’s no need to look any further. If you are not in his area, look over his website, and look for someone playing the same general tune.

See http://www.freeportfishingcharters.com. For additional resources, articles and a web directory, see http://www.fishingcharterinfo.com

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

When planning for your fly fishing trip in Wyoming, there are
several factors that should be considered. A little time spent
planning will make your fly fishing trip more enjoyable, and
your time on the water more productive. In order to properly
plan your fly fishing trip, you will need to take a close look
at…

What type of fly fishing do you prefer?

One of the first things you need to consider when planning your
fly fishing trip, is the type of fishing you want to do. Whether
you’re planning on tubing some alpine lakes and casting to big
browns that are cruising near the bank. Or possibly you prefer
fishing meadow streams and beaver ponds for native cutthroat.
Maybe your plans are to spend some time doing both. Regardless
each will require a different plan of attack.

This one decision will tell you what time of year to take your trip.
You will also be able to tell what the climate will be, as well as
hatches, needed fly patterns and equipment. It will also give you
the information that will help you decide where to go on your fly
fishing trips.

Make a Checklist

I don’t think I could get through the day without using some kind of
checklist. This is especially true when getting ready to travel. Whether
you’re driving or flying, it’s a pain to get to your destination and
realize that you left some key stuff at home.

Most of us have had this experience. One time I left my extra waders
at home, and the pair that I did bring started leaking. (Not good at
9000 feet and 38 degree water.) We were just lucky to find a fly shop
open in a little town in the middle of nowhere.

Needless to say, I always take an extra pair of waders with me on every
fly fishing trip. The point is, had I used a checklist, I would have had
my spare waders on that trip as well.

Now all that’s left is to go through your check list and make sure you
have everything you need. Once you’re sure it’s all there, hit the road.
And have a great Wyoming fly fishing trip.

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

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

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

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

Picture this; you’ve spent some time hiking into a small stream in
the back country. It’s early morning, mist is rising and the midges
that have been swarming around you are breakfast for the small browns
you have come to catch. You quietly walk up to the stream, watching
the swirls of rising fish. You tie a nymph onto your leader and step
into the water.

A trout skids away from under your feet, its flight sending out
warning signals as bright as any neon light. The feeding fish flee in
response and you are left with a section of river devoid of all but the
midges. Welcome to fly fishing the small stream.

Stop and look before fly fishing the small stream

Before you get into the water stop and look at what is in front of you.
This is especially true when approaching the small stream. Trout are well
camouflaged, especially when you are looking down into the water.
(A good pair of Polaroid glasses helps here.)

I like to make my first cast well back from the waters edge. If there
is little cover then I tend to use a long leader and lay the line on the
riverbank, allowing only the leader to enter the water, as close to
the near bank as possible. That way, if there are any fish lying close
under the bank, I will have given them first look at my fly.

Reading the water of the small stream

The waters of the small stream are like those of any river, just
on a smaller scale. The fish will be in the same types of water that
they would be in if you were fishing any trout stream. When you are
fly fishing the small stream, look for those areas that provide the
fish with their need for protection from predators, relief from fast
flowing currents, and access to food.

Fishing the pocket water

I like to use dry flies when fly fishing pocket water in a small
stream. The fish will usually be holding out of the main current but
close enough to grab any food that comes floating by, and a drifting
fly is often too tempting to resist.

Often it is not necessary to match the fly closely to whatever is
hatching. Instead I like to fish a fly that is visible enough for me
to see in fast moving water. Something like a light elk hair caddis
works well. When the strike comes I can see it and I catch more fish
this way than missing the strike by using a less visible, hatch matching
fly.

Fly fishing the small stream usually requires a more sensitive
approach and a finesse that is not necessary in larger rivers.
Experience and practice are the great tellers here. Ability to read
the water is more critical as the fish are often more easily spooked
than their big water cousins. But when you make your way home at the
end of a successful fishing day in the back country you know that
the time spent learning to fly fish the small stream has been worthwhile.

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

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

Fly fishing has a history stretching back to the ancient Greeks, whose historians record people fishing for “spotted fishes” with fixed-line wooden poles. They used for bait wound with cloth and animal hair -primitive fishing flies. More than 2,000 years later, people still fly fish, and they’re still catching those “spotted fishes” and many other types besides. Fishing venues have expanded to include lakes, rivers, and even the ocean. With a continual flow of new adherents and constant technological advancement, fly fishing is likely to go strong as long as there are still fishes out there to catch.

Flyfishing gear

These days, our fishing flies either come ready-made or we make them ourselves; we’ve got all kinds of specialized tools and fishing clothing with which we pursue our art; and our fly rods are made of graphite, with nifty fly fishing reels designed to extend our reach well beyond a few feet. Taken together, these comprise a serious fisherman’s basic fly fishing gear. You’re also likely to need additional fishing equipment like supplies and tackle, and even fishing apparel like mesh vests and waders. If you’re making your own flies, that opens up a whole other can of worms, involving the specialty materials and tools required for making decent flies. Finally, if you’re fishing deep water, you’ll need to take a look at fishing boats too.

Stalking your fishy prey

Any veteran fly fisherman knows that fishing is less about putting fish on the table and more about being comfortable with Mother Nature. There you are: suited up in vest and waders, creel at your side, tackle safely tucked away. You’ve selected the perfect flies, and you’re fly rod is ready for action. Now you’re ready to slip into nature’s timeless waters, where the trout (or tarpon or sunfish or bonefish) await. If you don’t catch any fish, that’s all right - you’ve had an opportunity to enjoy alone time with yourself, to ejoy nature, and to practice your casting. And that’s what it’s all about.

Ivan Goertzen is a web publisher. He has websites in various industries that serve as informational resources to those that view them. To find out more information about Fly Fishing. Please go to: http://www.fly-fishing-source.com and check it out.

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

When looking for information on how to fly fish, fly fishing tips or fly fishing techniques, many anglers, or anglers to be,who limit their search to books or material written ithin the last few years or decades are short-changing themselves.

Fact is, many anglers continue to miss out on great fly fishing information by not reaching back into the rich history of the sport and seeking the advice and wisdom of true fly fishing pioneers.

Now when I say pioneers, I’m talking about the guys who didn’thave anyone to learn from - the groundbreakers.

Remember that when dry-fly fishing first made its appearance here in America from England it came without instructions.

That’s when anglers such as Emlyn Gill, George La Branche, Theodore Gordon and Samuel Camp, just to name a few, came up with their own set of instructions for dry-fly fishing.

Yes, they were the true pioneers - and they wrote the first books about the artistry and craftsmanship of what it took to successfully fly fish in these American waters.

For some strange reason, the last few generations of anglers have not been exposed to this classic fly fishing information that helped shape American dry-fly fishing.

True, there are many fine fly fishing books being published today. But, for some reason, it’s the story-telling aspects, only found in the older classics, that can get your blood racing and beckons you to the nearest stream or river.

It’s these older classics that represent the very heart and soul of fly fishing; its mystery, its allure.

You’ve felt it, haven’t you?

Fly fishing classics every angler should have as part of their library include a wide array of books written by fly fishers for fly fishers and span anywhere between the early to mid 1900’s.

Here is a glimpse of the quality and quantity of fly fishing instructions you can find in any one of these classics. Feel how smooth and flowing they are when being told as a story, as opposed to some stuffy, boring tutorial or manual.

Within these two excerpts (taken from George LaBranche’s, Dry Fly and Fast Water) there are no less than 20 fishing tips; at least 10 in each paragraph!

See if you can you spot them.

**********************************

Exercising patience, he may walk slowly and quietly into the water at the tail of the stretch and as closely as possible to the bank the fish are under. Having attained the desired position, he should remain there long enough to allow all commotion made by his entry to cease, during which time no motion of the rod should be made, because the sight of any moving object will send the now alert trout scurrying, while the ripples will make him uneasy for a short time only. The horizontal cast should be used if possible. The fly should be floated down about a foot from the bank, and it should not be retrieved until it has traveled more than half the distance between the angler and the spot where it alighted….

When satisfied that no trout are within the section covered by the fly, the angler should lengthen his line and fish the fly a few feet above-always permitting the fly to travel over the water already fished. He should continue this until the maximum line that can be handled neatly without moving from the original position is being cast. When the line becomes unwieldy (in this method and position it is courting failure to attempt anything over thirty-five to forty feet, even if one is expert) an advance may be made a few yards up-stream as closely to the bank as the depth of the water and free casting space will permit. As it is quite possible-and likely, too-that a trout has been under the fly all the while, but was not interested in it, the angler’s advance will drive him ahead, and indications of this should be sharply looked for. The discovery of the fish will save much valuable time, for in that case the immediate stretch may be abandoned, because any fish above the one seen will have certainly taken alarm at the actions of his ! fellow and will have lost all desire to feed for some time.

**********************************

How did you do? And, that’s just within 2 paragraphs! Imagine the number of tips you’ll find throughout an entire book!

Reading the early American fly fishing classics is a must for all anglers who are passionate about learning as much as they can about the world’s oldest outdoor sport.

Remember, it is from these now classic books that America learned how to fly fish using the dry-fly. Surely, these books haven’t lost the capacity to continue to teach more generations the art and craft of fly fishing.

Don Berthiaume has uncovered fly fishing tips and techniques that were almost lost forever. To discover more about fly fishing, and claim your free, 4-part mini-course, visit this site:
Fly Fishing

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

Fishing on your pontoon boat can be both a relaxing and fun experience. Fishing from a pontoon boat can much more enjoyable than fishing on other smaller vessels. While fishing on a pontoon boat, you are often free from worries regarding the sturdiness of your vessel, or tipping the boat over while leaning in for larger catches.

Fishing on your pontoon boat is also often much more comfortable than fishing in smaller vessels. In between catches you can relax on the deck of your pontoon boat, or go cook a few filets on the on board grill.

When you fish on your pontoon boat, you can often go out fishing for the entire day, without leaving behind the small luxuries of home, such as a refrigerator to keep your lunch, and chilled drinks, and a stove to do some minor cooking, or to cook up a catch later in the day. You can even outfit your pontoon boat with a small restroom, making it so you have no need to go back to shore until your fishing journey is complete.

The size of a pontoon boat is also ideal for group fishing outings. With a pontoon boat several people can fish off of different sides of the boat without fear of their lines becoming entangled, or interfering with each other’s fishing. Fishing with others on a pontoon boat can also help spread out the area in which you are fishing, and help make your entire fishing experience more enjoyable.

It is also easy to fish while on a pontoon boat with others who wish to engage in other activities about on the boat. Pontoon boats are often separated into several different sections, so that a section can be devoted solely to fishing, while another section be reserved for others to play games, dine, or participate in other activities away from where the fishing is occurring.

If you use your pontoon boat as a fishing vessel frequently you may want to outfit the boats with accessories, catered to your fishing style. You can purchase special holders for your fishing rod to attach to your favorite space, as well as a variety of other accessories to accent your pontoon boat and enhance your fishing experience such as custom seats. No matter what your style, a pontoon boat can help turn a day of fishing into a spectacular experience.

Thomas Holley is owner of Pontoon-Boat-Products.com where you can find all your pontoon boat products and accessories. Pontoon-Boat-Products.com, because we know where you’d rather be. Also, be sure and sign up for our free newsletter, “The Pontoon Boating Life.”

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

One of the most important steps in getting sponsored to fish tournaments (whether you fish for bass, walleye, crappie, musky, redfish, marlin, etc.) is to focus on what YOU CAN DO for your sponsor not what your sponsor can do for you. When trying to obtain sponsorship from a company, first make a list of the things you could provide for your sponsor.

Put yourself in the potential sponsors shoes. Does he want to give you money so you can fish? More than likely he or she doesn’t want to do that. No matter what type of business you are contacting for sponsorship, they want to know what’s in it for me! In other words, WHAT WILL YOU DO FOR ME?

To answer that question, pretend you were in your senior year in high school and your senior paper had to be written on: TEN WAYS TO PROMOTE A POTENTIAL SPONSOR. If that were the case you would do all the research possible to find 10 ways to do it and then write your paper.

Do the same thing when preparing to contact YOUR potential sponsors. When you approach them with your 7, 8, or 10 ways YOU WILL promote them; you’re answering their question - “WHAT WILL YOU DO FOR ME?”

Remember that the next time you approach a potential sponsor and you’ll dramatically increase your chances of getting sponsored to fish tournaments.

Bass Wishes

Scott Rauber
Author of the HOW TO GET SPONSORED FOR FISHING TOURNAMENTS manual.
http://www.fishforfree.com

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

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 about hand tools.

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.

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 fishing lures at Make Your Own Fishing Lures and use it as your trusted guide on home made fishing lures.

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your newsletter or on your website so long as you leave all active links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed here.

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

One of the greatest thrills in Pacific Northwest fly fishing is bringing large anadramous fish to a surface fly. While surface fishing in the saltwater is not as popular as subsurface fly fishing, feeding saltwater coho salmon will take a popper quite aggressively. Neah Bay is the best place to cast flies for coho salmon in Washington State, and I believe it’s also the best place to catch coho / silver salmon on a cast popper.

Of course, there’s a long tradition of trolling flies on the surface in the Pacific Northwest. But there’s a move away from trolling (which I do not believe is fly fishing) to casting and retrieving surface poppers in the Pacific Northwest.

First things first, fishing a popper for saltwater salmon is going to lower the number of fish you hook most of the time. If numbers of fish are your goal, I still recommend fishing a sinking line and a baitfish pattern, such as a clouser minnow. Surface fishing in the Pacific Ocean for feeding salmon is not about numbers of salmon hooked. You will have lots of follows, slashes, and boils at your fly. But out of all the interest, most of the salmon will not grab the fly. This is what makes this type of fishing so much fun. You watch the fish follow, and attempt to entice the salmon by slowing down or speeding up the retrieve (some days faster works, other days slower works). It is truly one of the greatest fishing thrills in the Pacific Northwest.

For this fishing, I prefer fishing 30′ shooting head fly lines. Fishing surface flies for saltwater salmon offshore of Neah Bay demands long casts. Basically, the more line you can throw, the more fish you will bring to the surface. I believe that shooting head fly lines give you the most distance with the least effort, especially considering a rolling deck and persistent winds. I like a .30 diameter floating running line. It gives you distance but without the tangling drawbacks of amnesia or other running lines. Remember, fly lines in a boat seem to seek out tangles. I use buckets with weighted bases to hold the fly line when casting and stripping the fly back along the surface.

An important part of popper fishing for salmon is the retrieve. I like a steady retrieve that makes the fly slowly wake along the surface, slowly covering productive fish holding water. The slow retrieve also gives following fish more time to make a decision to strike. It seems that fish will stop following once the fly gets within 10-20 feet of the boat (another reason to practice casting). To get this retrieve, I will tuck the fly rod under my arm and do a two-handed retrieve. This retrieve gives the angler more control and allows you to have that steady retrieve the coho salmon seem to love. Of course, like all fishing there are exceptions to every rule, so don’t be afraid to pop the surface fly instead of the steady retrieve. It may be just the ticket when the salmon won’t go for the typical retrieve. Coho fishing success is all about fishing hard and a willingness to experiment.

Like many forms of fishing that are less effective, popper fishing does require some dedication. Stick with it, even if you know for certain you are going to catch more fish by grabbing your other rod rigged with a sinking line and a baitfish pattern. You will rise coho salmon when you least expect it, and you will gain the most important thing when it comes to popper fishing for coho salmon�. Confidence! Confidence is the key to true success in fishing poppers in the saltwater.

I hope you learned a few things about popper fishing for coho salmon at Neah Bay. It is the most challenging way of hooking feeding salmon in the saltwater.

Chris Bellows, owner of Topwater Charters, Inc, which runs fly fishing charters off the Washington Coast. His websites offer more information about Saltwater Fly Fishing and Neah Bay Halibut Fishing

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

Tide rips are one of the most common areas to fly fish for salmon at Neah Bay. I’m addicted to fly fishing tide rips for coho salmon in the saltwater. The stronger the current and the rougher the water, the more I love it.

Tide rips are a general term used by many people but not always meaning the same thing. Many people define tide rips as where two opposing currents meet. Others define rips as any ripple caused by current on a glassy sea. Both are correct, but I think of tide rips as where huge amounts of water are moving causing the ocean to resemble a river. This can be caused by current crossing a shallow bar or reef (the northern tip of Waadah Island is an example of this) or where a large volume of water is constricted and/or crosses a shallow (or not so shallow) reef. A prime example of the latter is where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Pacific Ocean north of Cape Flattery. The water in these areas can go from glass calm to rough in a very short time.

The rough water is where I spend most of my time fly fishing the rips. The movement of water is also moving large amounts of feed (mostly baitfish like herring and anchovies) into the tide rips. The fast, turbulent water disorients the bait, making them easy prey for aggressively feeding coho salmon. The salmon use the current as a massive marine conveyer belt that brings them an easy supply of food. The chop on the water also seems to make the salmon less spooky and they will hold in the upper part of the water column, which puts them well within the fly fisherman’s reach. All of these factors combined make fly fishing tide rips one of the best experiences in northwest saltwater fly fishing.

We’ve found the conditions that concentrate salmon within reach of our flies. Now we have to enter the prime water. This is where things become interesting. I mentioned the rough water previously, and I must add even more caution to those attempting this type of fishing for the first or even the one hundredth time. Many times, the top end of the tide rip will contain breaking waves, much like rapids in a river. In the beginning start fishing rips that are not as strong. Look for days with less tidal movement to get used to the way your boat drifts and how to cast flies while being tossed around before casting flies in stronger tide rips. A sound boat is necessary. You need a boat that’s a minimum of 18′ long to deal with the strongest rips. Make sure you have all the safety equipment required and more. Life jackets, VHF radio, and a GPS are absolutely required. Make sure your engine is tuned up and operating properly. This is no place to have a breakdown.

Okay, you are now in the rip holding the cork of a fly rod with a baitfish fly pattern in your other hand. What now? It depends a bit on how your boat drifts through the current. My boat drifts straight with the current, but others drift sideways. For me, I cast straight across to up-current a bit. Usually the boat is drifting slower than the current underneath, so casting a fly up current will give the fly more time to sink and still allow you to strip the fly back to the boat across the current. I usually strip the fly back at varying speeds. Often, I’ll start the retrieve very fast and then slow it down as the fly gets closer to the boat. I think the initial fast burst gets the coho salmon’s attention and the slower strips with pauses is what triggers the coho salmon to strike the fly.

The tide rips can also be a great place to try casting poppers for saltwater salmon. Bringing salmon to the surface is a thrill.

Of course, an article can only get you so far. Time on the water is the key to being confident fly fishing the saltwater for salmon in Washington State. I hope you will give the Olympic Peninsula a shot for your saltwater fly fishing adventures.

Chris Bellows, owner of Topwater Charters, Inc, which runs fly fishing charters off the Washington Coast. His websites offer more information about Saltwater Fly Fishing and Neah Bay Halibut

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

If you have ever had the priviledge of hooking up on a big
tarpon then you know the exhilaration and thrill of testing
yourself in battle against one of the most sought after
gamefish in the world. This distinction is easy to see at first
glance as the tarpon starts a series of spectacular acrobatic
leaps in the air that will have your heart pounding, your rod
bending and your drag screaming. You better hold on!

Since the tarpon’s habitat is so close to the shoreline,
fishermen of all types and skill levels can catch them. They
can be caught from jetties, passes, docks, bridges,
beaches, piers and rivers. Tarpon can be caught while
using many types of tackle, rods, baits, lures and rigs either
while fishing from a boat, canoe, kayak or walking and
wading from the shoreline as the tarpon work up and down
the beaches.

Live bait fishermen’s bait of choice is the ‘dollar crab’. A
small live blue crab about two inches across its carapace,
hooked through one end of it’s shell or underneath through
a swimmer leg. Other extremely effective live baits include
pinfish, threadfin herrings and pilchards. On days when the
tarpon is being finicky in it’s tablefare selection, try these for
the best results, and oh, by the way, don’t forget about a live
mullet. If you can get them, use them. Flyfishermen are not
left out either. The stealth of casting the right fly can
sometimes be the trick to hooking up.

But Just What is a Tarpon?

Scientific classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Elopiformes

Family: Megalopidae

Genus: Megalops

This exceptionally fine creature is a prehistoric animal and
the only fish with an air bladder. This allows it to absorb
oxygen and live in waters with very low oxygen content. You
can see them gulp air at the water surface. Tarpon are also
called poons, tarpum, sabalo real, cuffum, silverfish or silver
king and belong to the bony fish family Elopidae. The Latin
designation is Megalops atlanticus.

While only microscopic at birth, tarpon have been
documented at lengths of more than eight feet and weighing
280 pounds. Catches weighing more than 200 pounds,
while uncommon, do occur. Many fish caught are well over
100 pounds. Their growth rate is slow, taking 8 to 10 years
to reach maturity, and generally those over 100 pounds are
female. Tarpon can live 55 to 60 years. They are greenish or
bluish on top, and silver on the sides. The large mouth is
turned upwards and the lower jaw contains an elongated
bony plate. The last ray of the dorsal fin is much longer than
the others, reaching nearly to the tail.

They are found primarily in shallow coastal waters and
estuaries, but they are also found in open marine waters,
around coral reefs, and in some freshwater lakes and
rivers. Their normal migratory pattern ranges from Virginia to
central Brazil in the western Atlantic, along the coast of Africa
in the eastern Atlantic, and all through the Gulf of Mexico and
Caribbean Sea. Florida is widely regarded as having many
of the best tarpon fishing locations in the world, especially
the world-renowned Boca Grande Pass in Southwest
Florida.

Fishing for the tarpon can at times be an excercise of
patience and discipline. You may be surrounded by large
schools of rolling tarpon containing hundreds of fish and
they will not hit anything you throw at them. Other times, it is
a feeding frenzy. So, go fishing for tarpon every chance you
get, that next world record catch may be waiting just for you.

Greg Smith is a life-long fisherman and publisher of fishing
information websites. Visit http://www.tarpon-fishing-i.com/
for more resources, tips, tricks and techniques.

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

1f87

It was one of those fishing trips. You know, everyone catches fish but you, you loose six or eight of your most expensive streamers, it rains buckets, and you sink the boat. That’s right; I got skunked at Steamboat Lake over Memorial weekend.

I was determined to show those meat huckers (worms and power bait) that a well chosen and strategically placed fly was as effective as anything a conventional fisherman could load on a hook and hang under a bobber. Well, no such luck, I got stomped.

The fish were rising like mad on a midge hatch, and I threw everything in the box at them. I could swear I saw a hefty rainbow nudge my fly to the side to eat the natural laying only centimeters from my damn near perfect replica. As we watched the group of 12 year olds add another 18″ fish to their stringer (full loaded, I might add) I decided it must be a lake thing. I don’t fish lakes often.

I usually have good luck with a streamer in faster moving water, so I head for one on the several tributaries hoping to get the boat up far enough to make a make a few good casts. No such luck, here comes the wind. Determined and frustrated, I proceed to lose several of my best streamers in the dense shrubbery surrounding the mouth of the creek (can’t retrieve them since the current is too strong to get the boat any further up the creek).

On the way back to camp we are passed by a couple of boats with stringers of fish crashing off the bows of their boats (hmmm, are they just rubbing it my face, or are they tenderizing the meat?)Questioning my decision to become a fly fisherman, I head over to the dock to pick up my 5 year-old son and a fresh styro of night crawlers. I’ll let my son fish the meat before I crumble and load one up on the spinner myself. Surprising, no luck with the meat either, and hear comes the rain. I throw my arms up and ponder my karma activity of the past year.

We charge for shore as the lake turns to white caps. The rain and lightning moves in fast. Did I mention that we got the boat for free and have no clue what to do in the rain? We pull the boat up close to shore near our camp, outside of the no-wake zone. We leave all of our gear and head for the soggy camp.

Well, apparently it’s best to leave your boat in protected cove in the no wake zone. From what we could tell, our boat was hammered with 300 to 400 gallons of water from the waves and boat wakes from boaters rushing back to the dock. Yes, it sank in 18 inches of water. I didn’t realize a boat could sink in 18″ of water! All of our gear is floating around the shore. The gas tank and gear which included an Orvis waste pack with hmmmm, some 500 plus flies. Every box any fly had to be opened and dried on the dashboards of our trucks.

We bail the boat, load the truck and haul our soggy gear and crippled egos back home.

Next memorial day, it’s back to the river!!!

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of diary and writing journals for fly fishing. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles about fly fishing and the great outdoors.

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

When most people think of saltwater fly fishing their minds drift to tropical climates and fish species such as tarpon and bonefish. While the Pacific Northwest lacks the hot weather and the typical saltwater gamefish, it more than makes up for it with outstanding fly fishing and spectacular scenery.

I have spent some time fishing in warmer climates, but I always want to return back to Washington State. Whether it’s casting along the beaches of Hood Canal for sea-run cutthroat or fighting the swells and currents casting flies for coho salmon in the Pacific Ocean, I cannot get enough of the saltwater fly fishing opportunities available right here.

Much of my summer is spent fly fishing the Pacific Ocean for salmon and bottomfish. Bottomfishing is targeting fish such as rockfish and lingcod. This is fishing right up near the rugged rocks and shorelines that line the Northern coast of Washington. The fishing is often fast and furious. Once you find the schools of black rockfish, you will catch them one after another. They are aggressive, and can even be caught on poppers occasionally. While fishing along the coast, you will see sea lions, seals, tons of birds, and possibly a whale.

The other primary saltwater fly fishing target in the Pacific Ocean is the coho salmon. Neah Bay is located in a perfect place to intercept millions of salmon as they return to rivers from Oregon, British Columbia, and Washington. The strong currents concentrate the fish as they feed on baitfish and shrimp. This is incredible saltwater fly fishing, with 10-30 fish days possible. Most coho salmon run between 4-6 pounds, but fish in the high teens are landed every year. Casting baitfish patterns on sinking lines is the primary way to catch salmon, but fishing on the surface is becoming more popular. Pink salmon are also available every other year, and they only add to the fun.

The offshore fishery requires a sturdy boat and some experience, but Washington State also offers great saltwater fly fishing right around the Seattle metro area. Stretching from Bellingham to Olympia, Puget Sound is a large protected body of water. Draining into Puget Sound are numerous rivers and creeks. These watersheds produce annual runs of coho, pink, and chum salmon that are available to not only anglers with boats, but can be caught from shore. Along with the salmon, Puget Sound and Hood Canal offer outstanding habitat for the sea-run cutthroat trout. This native trout moves into the saltwater to feed. Casting flies along the beaches is a popular fishery for these trout.

The cutthroats are like ghosts as they cruise along the beaches. The beaches I like to fish typically are rocky or have large amounts of oysters. This habitat supports the feed, such as sculpins, baitfish and shrimp that cutthroat love to eat. Fishing surface patterns such as Gurglers is becoming much more popular, and is a great way to search for fish. The cutthroat will often show themselves boiling at the dry, and then switching to a subsurface baitfish pattern will result in a solid hookup.

If you are traveling through the Pacific Northwest, you might want to remember that where there is saltwater, there is saltwater fly fishing.

Chris Bellows, owner of Topwater Charters, Inc, which runs fly fishing charters off the Washington Coast. His websites offer more information about Saltwater Fly Fishing and Neah Bay Halibut Fishing

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

Talk to a professional angler like Kevin Schweder(2003 PWT Rookie of the Year), and you will quickly find out that organization is a major part of their game plan. Keeping rods and equipment organized provides many advantages, not the least of which is allowing the angler to spend more time fishing.

Loose rods can be a real hassle on the water. Besides taking up premium boat space, they are also more likely to get broken tips or have tangled line. And it’s not much fun untangling rods on a hot August day, or losing you favorite rod to a broken tip. Ideally, rods should be kept upright in the boat in a secure holder. Protect your rods from scuffs and wear by using rod holders that feature foam locking rings. Keeping all your rods in a central location provides quick and easy access to your arsenal. But keep in mind that a rod holder that will quickly and easily move to different areas of the boat can be a real asset. A quality rod holder will allow an angler to keep his rods safe yet accessible from anywhere on the boat.

An angler may also save time by rigging his favorite presentations before even getting on the water. Keeping different rods and presentations ready at all times allows a fisherman to easily change technique at any moment. An angler in the hunt for walleye for example, may want to have a 7 foot rod set up with a favorite rigging presentation while also having his 6 foot rod set up for jigging. To save more time he may also want to set up his favorite presentations for trolling. This is especially critical when time is a factor, as with tournament situations, but can save alot of time for any angler. Be sure to look for a heavy duty rod holder that can safely handle more than one or two rods. A rod holder that can accomodate up to 8 rods is your best bet.

With the average angler owning more than six rods, storage and transport can present a real problem. Making the transition from storage to pick-up to boat is often time consuming and frustrating. An ideal rod holder will accomodate all these situations. Look for a rod holder that easily converts from a holder while in the boat, to a safe way to transport and store your rods out of the boat. Kevin Schweder suggests a rod holder such as the Rod Wrangler by Cornerstone Manufacturing. “Simply put, the Rod Wrangler makes organization and transportation of rods and reels simple, so I can spend more time fishing.” And really, isn’t that what it’s all about?

Anne Elliott
Research & Development
Cornerstone Manufacturing
http://www.rodwrangler.com

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips