flyfishing Archives

Fly Fishing Equipment – What to Choose?

Fly Fishing in Southeast Louisiana
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Fly fishing is a fantastic sport that has been around since the time of Cleopatra. While salmon and trout are the most targeted species for fly fishing there are many who target lesser known fish. Species other than trout include freshwater fish such as pike, bass and carp and saltwater varieties of all types including bigger fish as marlin.

Due to the different fish and types of fishing there is a vast amount of fly fishing equipment to choose from.

Fly Fishing Equipment Types And Uses

  • Waders – Fly fishing waders are essential to keep the fisher dry and warm. The two main types of waders are full body waders and knee or hip waders used mainly for small streams or lake edge
    Depending on the conditions to be fished body waders can be obtained in various thicknesses of neoprene for colder conditions or lighter high tech GORE-TEX varieties.
  • Reels - Your choice of fly reel will be determined on where you fish and the type of fish you decide to target. If you plan on fishing small streams the best setup will be a three to five weight combination of rod and reel. Larger fish, lakes and rivers require heavier fly rods and reels, this area is more general purpose and a weight 7 to 9 will handle most medium size fish. If you intend chasing game fish such as marlin you will need very high quality big game fly fishing reels
  • Rods – Fly rods in the same way as reels come in various weights and lengths depending on the variety of fish chosen. Fly rod weights are coded from 1 through to 12, 1 being very light an 12 being strong and heavy. Your fly rod and lines are the most important fishing tools, always buy the best you can afford, I can highly recommend sage fly fishing equipment.
  • Fly Fishing Vessels – Other than using a conventional runabout boat there are there flotation devices to allow the fly fisher to get closer and quietly to his prey. These include float tubes and single man pontoon boats.
  • Fly Lines – Choosing the correct line for the fly rod and reel is also of great importance. Without properly matching your fly fishing equipment you will not get the best casting distance. By using for instance a number 7 rod and a number three line is a poor match and will cause casting problems, therefore all of your lines, reels and rods must match to the corresponding weight number.

While reels aren’t so important, the line and rod should be the same, however you can get by buy using one line weight different. With a top quality no 7 rod for example you should be able to cast a number 8 line with ease.

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Tips to Buying Fishing Vest

Wet Wade
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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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Culex quinquefasciatus, known vector of west N...
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META: Mosquitoes are pests and can be hazardous to your health; they spread diseases like malaria. They can also be very irritating. To get rid of these blood-sucking insects we use various kinds of repellents and the electronic mosquito repellent is one of them.

When you have planned a barbecue for your friends and family or have planned an outdoor trip, mosquitoes can be a great nuisance and can ruin everything. A mosquito bite is like having a needle-prick. This will leave you feeling irritable, restless and very itchy. Your attention span tends to diminish quickly at an outdoor party or trip if you are being hassled by these pests. Not only can these little creatures call you loads of discomfort but the females can give you some very serious infections.

In most Asian countries and in Africa’s Sahara region mosquitoes can cause some grave health risks such as malaria, dengue, encephalitis, West Nile virus etc. A high mortality rate, especially in children can be gained by infections from these pests. It is therefore, quite vital that you smother yourself in some kind of mosquito repellent. This will not only keep the insects away, but will protect you from diseases and stop you getting irritable should you be unfortunate to obtain a mosquito bite.

There are several kinds of repellents available in the market and the electronic mosquito repellent is a suitable solution for warding these nasty pests. Mosquitoes cannot stand the smell of the electronic mosquito repellent and will therefore not penetrate the vapours that it releases into the air. The vapour will be released into a certain radius giving you maximum protection and shielding you from these pests. In comparison to the stronger smelling repellents on the market that you can spray on your skin, this is a more appropriate option. The electronic repellents will last as long as they stay plugged in but these ones only last for a few hours.

Another kind of electronic mosquito repellent is one that emits ultrasonic sound waves that are bearable to the human ear but are found repulsive by mosquitoes. These can either be set on a table or worn around your wrist when you are camping outdoors. The sound of a male mosquito flapping his wings is something that a female will stay away from as it is scientifically said that they can only mate once in their lifetime; this is an added advantage of this repellent as when sprayed it emits the sound that females very often dread. This kind of repellent should not b e relied on for protection however, as it is reported it is not ver effective.

You need to choose a spray that will give you the maximum amount of safety and will give good protection against these insects; this is essential. The electronic mosquito repellent comes close to being the best on the market as it’s not like others which have to be rubbed or sprayed onto the skin. This can be harsh and not smell very nice. The mosquitoes will stay away from you with the electronic repellent as it works silently in the background. One such repellent however, may not be sufficient, as the fumes that a repellent releases only workis within a radius of a few meters and may not be enough for very large areas.

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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.

Adams Dry Fly #10 Barbless Hook
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Right from the start I have to say that I never really get tired of fishing. I get very tired from fishing but that’s cool, a night’s sleep and I’m ready to get right back at. But for others it’s not that simple, some people just get tired of fishing. I guess they haven’t tried fly fishing also known as fishing on the fly.

I spent the first 25 years of my life fishing whenever I could and never tired of it but once I was introduced to fly fishing I put the spinning gear away for a few years. Yes, fly fishing is that much fun.

My grandfather was an avid fly fisherman for many years before I was ever born but I didn’t get to meet him until I was in my 20s and he was no longer able to get out fishing. He learned it from his father back in the early 1900s, who came over here from England.

Fly fishing just seems to put the fisher in closer contact with the fish being hunted. Not quite the same with a spinning rod. There’s just something about tying some feathers and fur on a hook and throwing it out to a fish using only your fly-rod and fly-line, not heavy lures or weights required.

Match The Hatch

I remember the first time I heard the phrase ‘match the hatch’, it just sounded so cool and made so much sense.

I learned to fly fish in about 10 minutes and was immediately able to catch fish, yet I have been working on my fly fishing technique for the past 25 years and it never gets old. If I hadn’t been shown how easy it is to learn I would likely have gone another 20 years without ever giving it a try.

Fishing changed my life as a depressed 8 year old foster kid with little hope in life. That’ why I tell people all the time that they need to take a kid fishing.

Well I would say that fly fishing changed my life as well. Heck it may have even saved my life. It’s a long story but to make it short, the joy of fly fishing drew me away from drug abuse and into a life free of that. I ended up moving from where I was living to where my roots were in New Brunswick Canada.

When people interested in the topic fly fishing start looking at prices they sometimes need to sit down. Yes things can be that expensive but I have never paid those prices for any fishing gear, fly fishing or otherwise.

My first fly fishing setup was all of $30.00 for both the rod and reel. I did have to spend another $25.00 on fly line but that setup is still working just fine today,  about 25 years later. Costs may have gone up but you can still find great deals and remember what you buy for a rod and reel can last you for years to come making it a worthy investment.

I have never bought a fly rod or fly reel on ebay but that’s because I already have my gear. I buy a lot of other things from ebay, including everything else to do with fly fishing. I think that if you are on a budget you should check out ebay and see what’s there. But first be sure you do some research before buying.

When I look at things on ebay, fly fishing or other hobbies and interests I like to look at an item and then go and find the web site for the company that makes the products so I can see about the quality and features.

Try Tying Your Own Artificial Flies

I’m telling you that I was blown away with how easy it was to get started with my new fly fishing hobby all those years ago but even better than that was learning about the flies I was using to catch brook trout, Atlantic salmon and even bass and chain pickerel.

Before long, probably less than a month after I started fly fishing I just had to try my hand at tying my own flies. I was fortunate enough to have a brother-in-law that showed me how to fly fish and he showed how to tie my first fly.

Well like I said it’s 20 some years later and I still can’t get enough fly fishing. Heck I even have my fly tying bench setup in my office where I work at home. It’s great, and I personally recommend giving fly fishing a try, you may just find a renewed love for fishing.

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A Guide to the Eagle Cuda 300 Fishfinder

Fly Fishing in Southeast Louisiana
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If you are looking for a fish finder then it should have at least three basic features. It should tell you the temperature of the water, the depth of the water and give you a map of the bottom terrain for where you are fishing at provided it is not beyond its depth locator. These are three basic features just about every fish finder on the market now has and it is to be expected. Sometimes that is enough and sometimes you need something more advanced to help you hook that trophy fish. The Eagle Cuda 300 Fishfinder delivers some of those advanced features.

To be quite honest, the Eagle Cuda 300 Fishfinder is not the best fish finder on the market. It does have a limited depth and range for its sonar. But considering its price you do get the basics plus a little bit more. It is those extras that are fueling sales of this fish finder over comparative models.

Among the extras you get with the Eagle Cuda 300 is the power to see the distance downward of the fish. That is valuable because, when casting out your line and utilizing weights, you want to come to the most appropriate deepness for the specific fish you’re looking for. The topography the Eagle Cuda 300 reveals is pretty comprehensive taking into account it’s a cheaper product. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see that brush pile at the base of the lake that you might possibly get snagged on, but it does give you a view of a widespread topography.

The Eagle Cuda 300 also includes another rather helpful feature. It permits you to view the screen even in bright daylight. A good number of LCD screens are tough to read if sunlight is shining on them so this is something you ought to be aware of.

The Eagle Cuda 300 Fishfinder is very reasonably priced. You can find it online at various websites for around 0, which puts it into the economical category. Though it is not going to give you the intricate details of the size of the fish or the type, it still does the job quite well. As a beginning fisherman, this is a good purchase because it gives you the basics plus a little bit extra. If you are a competitive sportsman or woman, you may want to go with a more advanced model.

If you want to increase your odds of catching fish, you should consider investing in a fish finder. But how do you know if the Furuno FCV 295 10.4″ fish finder is better than the Garmin 140, for example? You need to read some fish finder reviews to help you decide on the right model for your needs.

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Assortment of fly boxes with trout, warmwater ...
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Choosing a fly rod is a very mulled-over process. There are so many factors to think about that arriving at a choice can be pretty discouraging. Here are some guidelines and advice to help you make the right verdict when trying to buy a fly rod.

Fly Fishing Tackle – Consider Both Fly Size and Line Weight

The weight of the line you have must match the fly size—this is imperative.Furthermore, you should take into account the weight and also the numbers of the flies you’re planning to cast. For example, to fish for trout on little rivers and streams, you’re going to need a very different rod from what you’d use to fish for other species, such as pike. Providentially, there is a basis known as AFTM that matches the weight of fly line to the accurate rod. If you wish to fish streams and small lakes, choose an AFTM line weight of 5 to 6 to match with rods 8 feet to 8 feet 6 inches lengthwise. Anglers should take into consideration that the AFTM correlations are estimates in light of the fact that there’s substantial overlap amongst the kinds.

Fly Fishing Tackle -Other Factors That Influence Rod Decisions

An Angler ought to match his/her rod size to the kind and size of fish they’re seeking. Once you’ve settled on a fly size and line weight, you need to select your rod length. A short line can make your cast more precise but they are weaker. Long rods give more power and can be handled easier. In practical utilization, a medium-length rod rated for a 4 weight line has very little power and should only be implemented when casting for small fish. On the other hand, a longer length rod that’s also rated for the same weight line will have enough power and rigidity to catch fish that are really large. The weight of the rod will be vital considering that when you are fly fishing the angler’s rod is hand held and not placed in a rod rest. The length of a rod is yet another aspect to take into consideration. If a rod is too lengthy it will seem slow-acting, unresponsive and also weighty. A rod that is very short abbreviates casting distance and makes it harder to manage line drift.

All About Rod Action and Performance Level

The action of a rod refers to how bendable it is. A fast action rod will flex primarily at the tip but will be firm butt end. A slow action rod will be bendable at the butt end and will usually not flex at the tip. A moderate action rod is neither excessively flexible nor excessively stiff. Furthermore, it is significant for the action in a rod to be totally progressive, which means that the rod will bend along the entire length with the load capacity. Ultimately there’s an elusive facet of a rod that is connected to its “feel.” A rod which has the correct feel communicates clearly to the angler, permitting the proper amount of time for casting his line and giving him a chance to extend the proper force needed. Lesser rods have an indecisive or vague feel that can hamper correct casting.

Fly Fishing Tackle -Your fly rod is an vital constituent of your fishing equipment. Choose it with care and deliberation.

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wendy and josh back from fishing
Image by the queen of subtle via Flickr

I really enjoyed fly fishing from my canoe here in New Brunswick although it was a really easy canoe to tip so I had to have good balance all the time, but it was worth it.

I have taken a few friends fly fishing in my canoe and they usually tell me it was tough fishing as they have either fished from a more stable boat, like a bass boat with a platform to stand on or that they have only ever done their fly fishing from the river or lake bank.

At the beginning I found that the water seemed a little to close for fly fishing when I was in my canoe, but then I went fly fishing from my float tube where my elbows almost drag in the water. Fly fishing from my canoe was much easier after that.

Once I over came the balancing issues and had casting so close to the water I was able to get to fish most others would pass by. Especially where I fish for Chain pickerel. They will fight so hard they turn the canoe around, which has disturbed a few of my fishing buddies.

I may not be able to move as fast as a boat with a motor but I don’t mind. They are usually all over the place, just because they can, so it’s seldom they come close enough to bother me. I end up with all the honey holes that they couldn’t get to with their big fancy boats.

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Bamboo fly rod (51481672)
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My granddad worked for the railroad here and had a great edge on most fly fishers. He could just jump on a train and they would stop anywhere along their route to let him off for a day of fishing. All he had to do was stand by the tracks again when he wanted to be picked up to go home. Pretty cool fly fishing.

Formerly anglers and rod makers could draw fine distinctions between male and female Calcutta and Tonkin ” canes,” but under present conditions good Calcutta is very rare and the word ” Calcutta ” is becoming merely a trade term. Good bamboo of all kinds is more difficult to obtain and a good piece of Tonkin is better than an indifferent one of Calcutta. Male Calcutta, however, is supposed to be superior to either the female or Tonkin. The cheapest split cane is known as steel vine or African cane. It is light colored and makes up into good, inexpensive bamboo fly fishing rods.

Six Strip and 8 Strip Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods

We assume that you know that bamboo is split and then glued together in order to utilize the hard outer enamel and reduce the diameter of the pieces. Some rods are made of bamboo split into six sections and some in eight (octagonal) but the six strip construction is more often used. Some makers claim that the eight strip, being more nearly a true cylinder, possesses better action but this seems to be more theoretical than practical, while the tiny tips of an eight strip rod are likely to be ” soft” due to the comparative amount of glue necessary to hold the pieces together. Eight strip rods cost more than the six strip and if the angler wants a round bamboo fly fishing rod they are preferable to the six strip planed down as planing certainly must injure a rod. As a general rule a well-made six strip rod leaves little to be desired.

Special Feature Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods

A novelty in bamboo fly fishing rod making is what is known as the ” double built ” rods which are made of two layers of split and glued bamboo, one within the other. They are heavier and strong, and it is claimed, hold their shape better, than ordinary rods and are popular for sea and salmon fishing but unnecessary, I believe, in single hand fly rods. An English innovation is the steel center rod which consists of a fine piece of well-tempered steel running as a core through sections of regular split bamboo. The makers claim this construction gives a rod of superior casting power with only of an ounce added weight. Friends who possess rods of this kind are enthusiastic admirers of this construction for heavy fishing.

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Top Ten Fly Fishing Tips

Fly Fishing
Image by cbruno via Flickr

Fishing Etiquette – Taking out your Line

Common courtesy dictates that you take your line out of the water for any angler who has a fish on the line. This is so that they have plenty of space in order to land their fish. This rule is very important if you’re fishing down-river from the other angler. Make sure that you never step into the space of an angler who is releasing or landing a fish on the bank.

Fishing Etiquette – Silence

Whenever you’re fly fishing you’ll need to be as quiet as you can…and this means leaving your dog and the radio at home. There are two reasons why you want to be as quiet as possible: (1) you don’t want to spook the fish, and (2) you don’t want to disturb other fly fishers. Many people enjoy fly fishing for the peace and solitude that it affords them.

Fishing Etiquette – Lend a Helping Hand

Always be willing to help out other anglers. This can be as simple as helping them retrieve something that has floated down-river or lending them something that they need, such as extra line. You’re all there for a fun day of fly fishing so helping each other out just lends to the experience.

Wading with Safety

When you’re wading make sure that you follow a few basic rules: (1) never fish by yourself on remote lakes, rivers, or streams, (2) wear a good pair of wading boots, (3) use a good wading staff that is flexible yet strong, and (4) know the area where you’re wading. Wading is a great way to get access into those places that you couldn’t otherwise reach.

Tackle Boxes

Tackle boxes: A tackle box is a necessity so that you can keep all your “stuff” with you in one organized place. Some of the things to keep in mind when you use a tackle box and want to avoid overfilling include:
· Keep your worms and soft plastic bait in a small container away from your other lures. This will keep the soft plastic lures from creating a chemical reaction with the materials that other baits are made of.
· Buy two or more small tackle boxes to hold certain categories of lures. For instance, buy one tackle box to hold your worms and another to hold your spinnerbaits.
· Buy seasonal tackle boxes that you only use at certain times of year. In the spring you can have a tackle box that contains jigs, plastic worms, and minnow lures. And in the fall you can have a tackle box that is filled with fall lure, such as topwaters and crankbaits.

Keep your Fishing Vest Organized

If you use a fishing vest to carry around your tackle and lure you’ll want to keep it as organized as you can so that you’re not fumbling around looking for something when you need it. If you’re not going to be using something leave it home so that you only take along the essentials.

Carry a Wading Staff

When you’re fishing in water that is rough or unfamiliar you might want to carry a wading staff to keep you stable and give you better footing.

Wear Good Shoes

A good pair of wading shoes will let your grip the bottom that you’re walking on. Choose shoes that have soles with rubber cleats since these are ideal of bottoms that are made of mud, fine gravel, sand, or soft silt.

Take Along the Sun Block

Although it may seem like a small tip to mention, taking along the sun block is one thing that you don’t want to forget. After standing in a sunny stream for eight hours you’ll be glad that you remembered to bring along some protection.

Use Polarized Glasses

Wearing polarized glasses is one of the best things that you can do. You’ll be able to see beneath the water so you can keep an eye on your fish. Don’t forget a hat to reduce the amount of glare that you experience.

Discouraging Insects

If you want to discourage insects you’ll want to avoid wearing clothes that are red, yellow, black, white, or navy blue. These colors can attract black flies, deerflies, gnats, and mosquitoes.

Louis Dale a informational product writer enjoys providing quality information on a wide variety of topics. His latest fly fishing tips website provides in depth quality information and is a must see for the fishing enthusiast.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louis_Dale

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