Archive for September, 2010

Didn’t really think we were going to get another day on the water but Casey got Jamie and I together again at French Lake. One of my favourite places to fish pickerel.

jamie-james-casey
Jamie, Myself & Casey Pickerel Hunters

We were not really sure what the weather was going to be for Sunday but the forecast on the Weather Channel said to expect rain and winds of 20km.

It’s also the end of September so I packed clothes for every condition and thanks to Casey’s reminder I brought gloves. Well it started out cold enough I had on a sweater and my winter jacket and of course the gloves.

As the temperature drops at night so does the water temp causing the Chain pickerel to become rather lethargic until they warm up a bit so we didn’t leave as early as we usually do. We were still early enough to see a black bear and a coyote, but not early enough to see any deer hanging around apple orchards.

We pulled into one little bay section of the lake and the pickerel must have been there sunning themselves. Once we turned into the bay we saw pickerel scattering in every direction. I am pretty sure they were laying close to the the surface so they would warm up but I could be wrong, they may have been having a meeting about where to hangout for the winter.

A friend and fishing buddy of Casey’s, Ron, said he would meet us at the lake and might bring his son. Well he showed up alone so Jamie went with him. Ron was just launching his boat as we pulled in. Perfect timing.

It was good to meet Ron and hopefully we will get together again for another fun day on the waters of New Brunswick. Maybe next year we’ll get out for some bass and pickerel in the same day.

sunset
Time to head home after a great day of fishing

It seems that day always comes to an end too soon but there is always another day. If things go well we may even get one more day out on the water before the season closes for us here in New Brunswick.

Albright knot diagram
Image via Wikipedia

The Albright Knot is a great knot for connecting to different sizes of fishing line. I use it to tie my fly line and backing but also to connect my thicker leader to a smaller diameter tippet when fly fishing.

So you’ve got 2 different pieces of fishing line which are differing in size that you need to join together. Who actually enjoys to lose fish, not this fisher, for that reason it really is vital to tie a knot which is tough. This is where the Albright Knot comes in handy.

Four simple steps to tying an Albright knot:

1. Begin by creating a loop by using your thicker fishing line. This resembles the eye of a needle while you’re holding the loop.

2. Slide the smallest size line through the loop you just produced using the larger line. I like to give myself about 6 inches of excess line to make coils around the larger line.

Hold the main loop in place and then carefully and as neatly as you can begin winding the thinner line around the base of the main loop. Continue wrapping until you have made 8-10 loops around the loop you made in the thicker line.

3. This step has to be done correctly to ensure your Albright knot is strong. Thread the smaller diameter line back through the main loop in the thicker diameter line. Be sure you do this in the exact direction you put the smaller line through in the first step.

4. I like to wet my knots before I pull the two ends tight so that the knot tightens completely without twisting or clumping the knot threads. So don’t be shy, stick that knot in your mouth and get it wet. Now you can pull the two lines in opposite directions, slowly of course and pull the knot tight.

That’s the Albright Knot. The only caution I would give is to make each wrap of the thinner line very neat and close together. This will give you a nice tight and smooth knot.

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The Coleman Sundome Tent (10-Feet x 10-Feet)

10x10 Coleman TentI am sure you have heard of Coleman. For most of us their name just says camping and fishing.

I have enjoyed camping with my family for more than 50 years now. We have so many great memories of camping and they almost always include Coleman products.

I must admit that I enjoy camping a whole lot more when there is fishing involved. When my son and I get the opportunity to pick up our fishing rods and head out camping for a weekend to catch a few Atlantic salmon and some brook trout. Mmmmm

We’ve had a few tents over the years but the first few we bought didn’t last very long with a kid and a dog but once we bought a Coleman tent that was it, we didn’t need anything else as they are very durable.

Check them out the Coleman Sundome Tent (10-Feet x 10-Feet) as it speaks for it’s self in my books.

Specifications

  • Center height: 72 inches
  • Fly: Polyester taffeta 75 denier
  • Mesh: 68-denier polyester
  • Floor: 1,000-denier floor, 140 g/m2
  • Flysheet and inner tent coating: 450mm polyurethane
  • Base dimensions: 10 by 10 feet
  • Poles: 11mm fiberglass
  • Country of origin: Made in China
  • Warranty: Limited 1 year

I take a few trips into some back country for Brook Trout and Atlantic salmon fishing here in New Brunswick and usually take my float tube with me.

I can only drive so far and the rest of the fishing trip is on foot so I have to pack light and that means I can’t bring the bigger Coleman tent so it’s my backpack Coleman tent. It only has to be big enough to get out of the weather for the nights

My wife and I won a Coleman cooler that came with a smaller cooler inside, just big enough to take on a backpacking fishing trip and is the perfect size for the canoe trips.

I have tried sleeping under the stars without a tent and it’s just not for me, especially when the skies open up and there’s thunder and lightening. I really do prefer a Coleman between me and the elements.

Coleman Product Features

  • Spacious 5-person tent with 10-foot-by-10-foot base
  • Exclusive WeatherTec system is guaranteed to keep you dry
  • Adjustable Variflo ventilation and vented Cool-Air port for comfort
  • 2 shock-corded steel poles, continuous pole sleeves, and InstaClip attachments
  • Center height of 72 inches; rainfly covers doors and windows

Coleman has many other products that make our camping and fishing excursions more comfortable and enjoyable.

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Top Five Tips For New Fly Fishing Enthusiasts

fly fishing
Image by screenpunk via Flickr

Challenges of all varieties exist in sport fishing and individuals should address them in order to be a better angler. Some challenges may well be more hard to handle than other ones. One particular challenge is knowing the right methods for fly fishing. There are usually fly angling experts you can observe to learn the the very best methods to be successful.  But exactly how will you know and make be sure that your receiving the correct results?

The answer then is knowledge. There is nothing easy if you do not comprehend it, don’t understand how to get it done. And to get great outcomes with beginner fly fishing you simply need to understand more about what works and exactly what does not.

Read this to Increase Your Knowledge

Here then are five ideas for beginner fly fishing:

1. Be sure to take care of the fishing equipment and also the fishing line. When the line is cluttered with algae it’ll be tougher to cast, so its imperative that you clean the line frequently making use of freshwater..

2. You shouldn’t rush your cast manoeuvre.  Spend some time and then try to produce a slow and smooth casting motion.  When you cast make certain the rod tip is operating along a straight line, so that the line can release once the rod is near to the 10 o’clock position.

3. Don’t purchase cheap.  The reason behind this will be fly angling gear will be offered from inexpensive to pricey. Most dealers may offer some sort of reduced package, but do not base your choice soley on price. Research your options since you want a rod that you can cast nicely and be very durable.

4. Use the right clothing and gear. Why is this important. Probably the most essential gear will be eye protection. Most people will wear polarized shades, which can help you see fish much better within the water. However, the main cause eye protection is required is that at a crowded fishing spot there is lots of “back casting” occurring. Beginner fly fishermen won’t often look behind them when casting, so you will to keep an eye out for them. A hook inside your eye can do serious damage.

5. Distance isn’t everything.  Most people feel that they will require a long cast to achieve success. With time you will learn to cast better but in the meanwhile know that large fish can be caught in the closer fishing holes and spots where many fish stay.

Just mindfully following the five ideas above and you will expect excellent results in beginning fly fishing.

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Information Of Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Image via Wikipedia

Most fisherman and fish lovers recognize the name Atlantic Salmon. What you may not know is the scientific name for this fish is Salmo Salar. The Atlantic Salmon is known under several names including Black Salmon and Sebago Salmon. This fish can be found in a variety of areas including part of Portugal to the Arctic Circle, in the Northern Atlantic waters between Iceland and Greenland and even from Quebec to the Connecticut River. Known primarily as a freshwater fish, it is not at all irregular to find these salmon migrating from saltwater bodies to freshwater for the purpose of spawning. While Atlantic Salmon typically spawn many times during their lives, once they are spawned out, they die.

If you have mistaken a brown trout for a salmon, you are not alone. Given that they both take on a deep bronze color, it may be difficult to distinguish them until you realize that the brown trout tend to take on red spots through the length of their bodies while the Atlantic Salmon primarily have these spots only around their heads. In saltwater, an Atlantic Salmon will appear to be silver and have black spots in the shape of an X on their backs.

Anglers have a variety of bait options for catching Atlantic Salmon, but one thing must not be overlooked – these sturdy fighters will require a stout line and a good solid knot if you wish to keep your line. A variety of baits are suitable for landing Atlantic Salmon, and while lures, flies and plugs will get good results, you may find that that you have better success with live baits such as egg sacks, crustaceans and worms. Prawns work well for Atlantic Salmon – one reason these live baits are often more effective is the Black Salmon will be naturally attracted to the movement of these live baits.

When casting in saltwater or freshwater for Atlantic Salmon, remember that each type of catch requires completely different equipment. While the freshwater can use a lighter weight tackle, if you are casting in saltwater you will need a far heavier tackle and equipment. Don’t forget that because salmon do die after they have their final spawn, it is usually wise to catch them before they spawn, as they are entering the freshwaters.

Recreational anglers love the Atlantic Salmon for their fight. They are fun fish for catching. Restaurants value the salmon because of the variety of meals that can be created from the meat. Today, you will find that recreation and farms are the two primary uses of Atlantic salmon. Farming has become a necessity as the demand for Atlantic Salmon has grown. Most restaurants are not serving fresh salmon; they are most often serving the farm-raised salmon. In addition to farming, Atlantic salmon are under catch and release rules to help preserve these fish for angler enjoyment in years to come.

When you are getting prepared for a saltwater fishing adventure, having the proper equipment is essential. Some of the most popular products on the market include okuma reel and van staal reels.

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I love fishing but definitely have a passion for the Atlantic salmon here in New Brunswick Canada. The Miramichi River is one of the best fly fishing rivers for Atlantic salmon, hands down.


Fly Fishing the Miramichi River New Brunswick

Upper Oxbow Outdoor Adventures in Sillikers, New Brunswick is just one of the many places you can get skilled Atlantic salmon fly fishing guides. I will put up a few more videos from different outfitters in the future.

Hope you enjoyed this video and are now thinking about your next fly fishing adventure to New Brunswick.

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