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Fishing on the fly Archives

jamieI like hearing stories from those who hooked into their first Atlantic salmon that they managed to land and photograph. Well even if they didn’t get to photograph it, like my first salmon, but that’s another story.

A guy who has become a good friend, Jamie, who has also taken me on so many fishing trips got to go on a salmon fishing trip and got his first salmon.

Take a minute or two and read Jamie’s Atlantic salmon fly fishing experience. I always love the excitement when someone is sharing.

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Fly fishing for brook trout with fly fishing buddy Jamie It’s been a year since I went fly fishing, when I took Tim fly fishing for his first Atlantic salmon in the Cains River. It was 5 long years before that since I was out with my fly rod.

I love fly fishing but my health took a sharp 180 back in 2004 and it 5 years before I was able to wave my arms around like I like to do when fly fishing.

I was a little out of practice but it comes back quickly. It was also quite windy and I worked hard to keep control and ended up with three big blisters on my right hand. Ha, they will heal in a few days and for the fun I had it was definitely worth it.

Jamie, who I have never done any fly fishing with, gave me a call and asked if I wanted to go fly fishing . He would be here to pick me up in a half hour. Well I was ready in 5 minutes and paced the floor for the next 25 minutes.

As the title says we went to Penobsquis, near Sussex New Brunswick. I have done a lot of fly fishing in that area over the last 30 years and missed getting there.

stone-brook-Penobsquis-New-Brunswick

The fact that it’s only about a 3/4 of an hour away is great and we were in the water with fly rods waving by 3pm for an evening of brook trout fishing.

The weather has been so hot it was nice to get out fishing while it was a bit cooler. It actually cooled off so much that I started to get chilled. But every time I caught a trout I warmed up.

The water in Stone Creek was the highest I have ever seen it for this time of year and I had to get out of the water in a few places so that I would have to swim.

I didn’t keep track of the number of brookies we caught and released but there was enough to keep us both happy and that’s what it’s all about.

trout-rod-reel
This little Brookie was only out of the water for about
8 seconds and was happy to get back in the water.

Where we were fishing was strictly catch and release and we were fine with that as we pretty much catch and release everything. Well I like to keep the grilse I catch.

jamie-with-a-troutJamie hooked into a brookie and yelled something about supper. Anyways I had to take a picture of his prize catch and laughed for a bit. Such a funny guy.

We did hook into a couple of bigger trout, not a lot bigger but they just won’t stay on the end of our line.

A couple of times it looked like it was going to down pour on us but then it passed but man it got windy and dark. It was at that point that I took a chill so I had to hook into another trout or two to warm up.

Time flew by like we couldn’t believe and before long it was starting to get dark. It took me hours to go to sleep, even though I was beat. I just couldn’t get the day out of my mind and was very cool with that.

A nice thing about this fly fishing spot is you can fish all day, have great fun, catch lots of trout and then it’s just a 15 or 20 minute walk back to the car on the railroad tracks.

tracks-to-the-car

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One from the very first things you ought to recognize when you are looking at beginner fly fishing is the fact that it truly is not hard. Possibly you have heard from others that it is really a experienced activity, one that will require lots of talent but truly more people take part in the sport for the fun of it rather than anything else.

What You Need

Of course there arehundreds of different items of gear that you can get with the this activity but there are only a couple of that you really require, that are the basics. It is very important that you simply take the time to choose fly fishing gear that is well balanced and heading to become suited to the specific fishing situation.

According to the water and the climate conditions you are heading to wish to choose a particular lure and fishing rod, and with newbie fly fishing gear it is required to select the gear with a certain type of fishing in mind.

There are two types of flies that are typically used in beginner fly fishing which are: flies that float on the water and flies which go below the surface of the water. Poppers are especially popular, namely simply because they could be made to imitate a lot of various points from an injured baitfish to a frog, and they could be created out of so many various materials. Balsa, cork, foam, spun deer hair, these are just a few from the various types of material that you simply can have your poppers made out of.

Also take into consideration the size of the hook that you purchase, and this refers to the gap that’s located between the point and also the shank. For general trout fishing you’ll probably use sizes 6 through 20 the most and for panfish sizes ten through sixteen are more frequently utilized.

You’ll also need to obtain some flyline, and these flylines are categorized by pounds, taper, and density. Again you will wish to make certain that you’re aware of what kind of fishing scenario you’re going to become obtaining into and this will assist you to properly determine what flyline to obtain.

Learning to trout fish
Image by Sue Waters via Flickr

Fly fishing for beginners, trout fishing tips truly make a difference. First of all, it would be a good thing to know that trout are fish whose metabolism depends on the temperature of water. Their metabolism accelerates as the temperature gets higher. If the water where they live is cold, as it is in deeper waters, they show less active and need to eat less.

Moreover, around January those interested in catching trout start to be directed towards warm waters as trout tend to leave cold deep waters for environments more favorable to spawning. Also, this migration takes place the other way round in autumn, when the trout prepare for winter in cold deep waters. Yet fishermen should not expect them to travel distances too rapidly. The migration cycles from one place to another follow the seasons and last for several months.

Also good to know when trout fishing is that these animals are social ones. Similar sized marine fish will tend to gather in schools. Therefore, if you have already caught some trout, you are likely to catch more in the same area as long as you do not throw the dead caught fish in the water to panic the rest of the school.

In addition, trout fishing areas are easy to spot. trout prey on smaller fish, but they are not great hunters due to their slow motion features. They rather wait for the prey to come along and then strike. Sometimes, they feed on injured marine animals even though this kind of food might not be on their regular menu. They normally eat frogs craw-fish, worms, minnows insects and so on. If fishermen learn such things on trout, together with their feeding and mating habits, fishing would be much easier and more fun.

On the other hand, these fish are prey themselves therefore, in the normal habitat, there should be rocks and alls sorts of sea vegetation to provide them a safe retreat. That is why trout fishing gets carried out in areas where they could find safety like small or big rocks, weeds and other shady or sunny well-lit areas where the eye makes it difficult for them to be spotted.

Successful trout fishing may also depend on the type of bait that is chosen by the anglers. Thus, the seasons as well as the spawning cycle of the fish influence the choice of bait. Hence, those new to trout fishing should pay attention to more experienced anglers to learn the basic steps.

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Tips About Fly Fishing Wading Boots

Scouting for Fish
Image by kasperbs via Flickr

A Brief  Warning to the Buyer

As with most fishing equipment, you get what you pay for.  Spending $50 or so on Amazon or in Wal-Mart may seem like a good purchase at first sight, but the chances are that your so-called bargain is in fact, a false economy:  this is as true of wading boots as of your rod and reel.  They may not seem so at first, but at some point any serious fly fisherman will have to buy in a set of wading boots or shoes.  Note, a standard hiking boot or sneaker is not good for splashing about in moving water, across slippery rocks, and on wet riverbanks (and by the same token, a good wading shoe is not good or meant to be used, for hiking paths, etc).

Are Felt Soled Boots Still the Best?

Until recently popular opinion has it that felt soled wading boots are the best, providing the greatest flexibility and traction.  More recently however, recent technological advances, coupled with a greater awareness of the need to ameliorate the introduction of harmful micro-organisms (aquatic nuisance species, or ANS) into our waterways, have led to the introduction of a new style of fishing footwear that whilst providing the necessary traction, and ankle support, but also lessen the conditions liked by micro-organisms and are easier to clean and keep clean.  A fine example are Simms G4 Guide Boots, complete with new Vibram soles & Cleanstream technology; worth a second look.

The wading shoe you purchase should be comfortable and have solid foot support when walking through water, and your choice may be influenced by the conditions you’ll be fishing in – speed of water current, type of terrain underfoot, and so on.  When angling these types of rivers, river talons or studded cleats are highly recommended.  River talons and cleats fit around a standard wading shoe and have small, metal spikes on the bottom.  These spikes, in combination with the metal it is attached to, provide the ultimate in footing.  River talons are highly recommended for the angler who will be wading in rivers that are very rocky, deep and have fast currents.

Size Differences

One point to be aware of is that due to differences in the systems of foot measurement, buyers in the USA & Canada are advised to purchase wading shoes one size above their actual shoe size, whereas in the UK for example, boot sizes equate more accurately to ones’ shoe size.  Most good stores that sell apparel such as the Simms G4 will have size charts and in some cases, written advice.  Further, most will supply the appropriate socks designed to go with the boots, as well as cleats mentioned above.

To Sum Up

A high grade quality wading boot or shoe provides purchase in slippery, fast moving water – leading to more enjoyable and safer wading. Whenever possible, look for wading shoes that have:

  • A solid grip
  • Ease of cleaning
  • Good ankle support

Floundering around in a fast flowing river in hiking boots, standard gum boots or any other non-specific wading shoe is not advised.  Avoid the constant risk of falling, sliding around, the possibility of a visit to a medic, and the pain of wounded pride (and a fish that gets away); and invest in some sensible, quality wading boots.

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I have so many great fishing memories but when Jamie and I were fishing chain pickerel this past weekend I was reminded of a fly fishing trip with Fishing buddy Kerry. We were out in our float tubes for a day of fly fishing pickerel in the weeds, which is always exciting.

Pickerel are great fun on a spinning rod but fishing pickerel on the fly will give you an entirely new experience, one that will keep you coming back with your fly rod. At the best of times having a chain pickerel on my fly rod is exciting but being deep in the weeds and hooking one of these toothy critters on the fly is a challenge. What an adventure.

Kerry was really good at creating a tippet that was pretty weedless because he was continually out performing me.  I eventually asked him what he was doing to keep from getting caught up in the weeds. That’s when he showed me how he had used epoxy to cover all knots, including the steel leader he used.

As soon as I got home I sat down and prepared a few setups for our next trip out, which was at least once a week, if not more. Now I was able to keep those weeds off my line and the catches increased dramatically. So sad that he chose to get married and move away rather than stay here fishing with me.

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Brother-in-law Joe, taught me how to fly fish and gave me a few pointers when I was purchasing my first fly rod, reel and fly line. I think the most important thing he told me at that time was to match my rod and fly line weight.

I didn’t really understand why he wanted me to match the weights, I just did what he told me and soon understood why.

The fly rod I purchased was a 7 1/2 foot – 8 weight rod, which was 30 years ago and I am still using that same fly rod. As a matter of fact I was still using the same fly reel that I purchased at that time, even though I just bought a brand new fly reel.

Investing in a good, well matched fly fishing rod, reel and fly line will make for more enjoyable fly fishing.

I have always been able to out cast my fly fishing buddies and always thought it was because I was better at casting a fly when in reality it was due to matching my fly rod and fly line.

It wasn’t until I switched fly rods with one of my fishing buddies. Both of us noticed right away that my buddy made the best casts of his life using my old and worn fly rod and I was having trouble matching my normal cast.

That was when I started asking him about the fly line he used and what weight it was.

The next time we went fly fishing for Atlantic salmon I had already forgotten about switching rod, but he didn’t and had gone out to buy new fly line that matched the weight of his fly rod and my days of out casting him were pretty much over.

I am sure he went for at least 10 years without ever matching his fly line to his rod and I never thought about it either, I just did it because Joe told I needed to. I’ll guarantee that he will never made that mistake again.

Balance is where it’s at when it comes to fly fishing. I even have my fly reel matched to my fly rod so that when I hold it in my hand to cast and open my fingers that rod stays there, balanced perfectly on my fingers.

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Tips to Buying Fishing Vest

Wet Wade
Image by bugeaters via Flickr

I love the fly fishing vests I’ve had over the year and really feel they are a necessary part of my fly fishing gear, I could see me carrying all the stuff I carry with just a jacket on.

With the different styles of fishing such as dry fly and wet fly, carrying the equipment for each style required can become quite a load. A quality fly fishing vest should keep all your tools and extras organised and within easy reach, and in doing so make each outing an enjoyable and hopefully memorable experience.

As an illustration a days outing on a far-flung river requires that you carry certain supplies. The fishing could change from fishing fast water where you are fishing with a heavy nymph, or to clear deep pools using a sinking line and streamer fly. You may also come across areas that you could use a dry fly or tiny nymphs such as back washes and incoming creeks. All of these conditions require varying lines and fishing flies. Nothing is worse than to be caught out by finding the trout suddenly coming on to a dry fly and all you have is nymping gear with you.

Dependent on the amount of time you have you may also want to something to sustain you. When I spend a day on the river I usually take lunch, a small billy and gas cooker if the area to be fished was in a fire restricted area. Also foul weather gear and spare clothing in the way of light weight but warm polypropelene shirt, socks and leggings. All of this gear requires a serious, good quality fishing vest.

Not only is the fly fishing vest a great way to keep organized, but also ensures that you have everything you need. With a well set up fly vest you can leave all your gear inside ensuring that the next time you venture out everything is where it should be. Get used to keeping the same things in each pocket so you can unconciously locate whatever it is you desire. The majority of vests these days have a host of pockets and compartments for whatever it is you need. Cell phone and camera pockets, pouches for torches,glasses, the list goes on.

Most fishermen will have need for different fly vests. For myself I have 2, one I use for fishing from a boat, canoe or where i know what to expect such as local lakes rivers and streams. This is a lighter vest for basic gear such as fly boxes, leaders, a spare spool, and perhaps an extra reel. On the other side is a full day pack / vest that can house various reels, lines and apparatus for a long day hike.

Obviously the fishing vest you choose will suit your style of fishing, be prepared to spend a little extra and opt for quallity fly fishing vests such as a simms fishing vest, Like the rest of your fly equipment good quality will give years of enjoyment and fond memories.

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META: Every camper has different requirements and there are many differnt kinds of tents available today. It is therefore imperative that you look for a tent that best serves your needs and at the same time is durable and suitable for the weather type of your camping site.

Provided you have a comfortable tent, are sheltered and cosy, camping can be considered an exciting adventure. The needs of different people vary considerably so it is up to you to ensure you purchase the tent that will suit your needs best. There are a number of factors you need to consider when choosing your tent like how much weight can I carry, the weather conditions of the area you will be visiting and the space you require. High standards in terms of material, durability, quality and reliability can be provided by tent manufacturers as they test them.

Materials used for tents are generally lightweight nylon or polyester fabric. The groundsheet or base of the tent suffers from constant abrasions from the ground below. For this reason, they are made out of a far more durable fabric. To prevent it from tearing easily ripstop nylon is used. All camping tents are made to be waterproof by using a coating of polyurethane. This prevents the water from seeping in from the outside in case of a sudden shower or drizzle. It is very important to ensure the tent you buy has really good ventilation; the coatings on the tent sill determine this so check this out before you purchase.

The kinds of tents include ridge tents, geodesic tents, dome tents and tunnel tents. There are many factors which can determine whether your tent can withstand severe weather conditions; these include, the arrangement of the poles for the tent, the location of the guy points and the aerodynamics. Sturdy tents that are fit for harsh weather are the Geodesic tents. They have been tested to fit these conditions and will suit people who are considering going on an expedition. The poles intersect each other forming a self-sustaining structure that allows more room inside, besides it can hold the weight of snow as well as keep the icy winds from penetrating through the material.

There is more space in the tunnel tent due to the fact it has a curved roof. This gives more height in comparison to the dome tent which has a pointed sloping roof. This means you will not feel constricted as there will be more room inside the tent. A dome tent only uses two poles for support or sometime three if there is a porch included so if you are looking to buy a lightweight tent then this is the most suitable. This would be very appropriate if you were going backpacking.

If you are looking for a family tent then you must look for designs that are structured keeping in mind a base camp environment. These will remain standing until the end of the trip as such tents are only erected once. Because these are larger and heavier, it is safe to assume they can accommodate more people for a longer period of time. Taking a tent that is a size bigger than your actual retirement can also be useful as this will mean you have more space; and no one will regret that. With the above descriptions of the different varieties of tents, you can now easily select one of your choice.

Advice For Arranging Florida Fishing Trips

Jim Goes Fishing
Image by Old Shoe Woman via Flickr

I work from home in New Brunswick Canada and right now it’s bitter cold. Every day that I work I look out my office window, in the warm part of the year I enjoy the view and love watching things growing but in the winter all I want to do is head south and go fly fishing in Florida.

Florida fishing trips normally satisfy the desire of hobbyists to spend more time with their families while still enjoying their favourite pastime. Most Florida fishing attractions are organized along the coasts but they can get you out in the ocean too, it all depends on whether you own a private boat or you turn to a rental company for boat and crew alike.

Different businesses as well as rental companies assist customers wishing to put together the details for Florida fishing trips. You can contract one of these service suppliers from the Yellow Pages or by checking the contact category on their web page. Whichever be the case, this is just the beginning of the trip plan as such.

The most common type of info available on Florida fishing web pages covers the best fishing areas as well as the natural features of the fish varieties in the peninsula. The salty water varieties greatly influence deep sea fishing in Florida, although the ocean is the the main attraction.

Backwater fishing works great within the southwest portion of the state, yet plenty of fresh water areas tend to be appealing enough to attract great numbers of tourists interested in Florida fishing all year round. The thing is that the natural surroundings in this part of the United States are favorable for such outdoor activities.

Huge parts of Florida cover complex estuarine regions that are part of special government reserves programs. These waters make a better life support environment for lots of species due to the very strict regulations that protect fauna and their habitat.

Therefore, there are different regions where you cannot fish or hunt in Florida, but plenty of space remains available for fishing skills and lots of fun. Here are some locations where no legal restrictions apply to Florida fishing: the Gulf of Mexico, the coast of the Atlantic, Lake George, Lake Okeechobee or Lake Kissimmee.

Ads for hotels, fishing routes and transportation pop up every day on the Internet, so basically, these expedition details would be the easiest to take care of. Florida fishing trips represent great opportunities for holiday makers, and even when you have to rent a boat, you don’t break the bank if you share costs with some other dedicated fishermen.

Before going for one service or another, make some research and find out the quotes for the various Florida fishing trips during several periods of the year, and only then start thinking about details.

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