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I have always loved getting out on opening day of fishing season but the fact I got married on April 17 means that every so often our anniversary is on the weekend and that kind of messes up my fishing plans.

I had the opportunity to go on a fishing trip and even asked permission. I guess I hadn’t been married long enough to know when YES means NO.

I went away on the fishing trip and I am sure I am still not forgiven for that bone-headed move.

Living in Moncton, New Brunswick we only have one east Indian restaurant that I is within walking distance so we like to go there on our anniversary.

The restaurant is just off Mountain Road on Killiam Drive and has the best Indian cuisine. Mmmm, so good and spicy.

Getting My Fishing License

I knew I wouldn’t be going fishing on the weekend, if I want to stay married, but Chubbies is just up the street and they sell fishing licenses. I suggested we go up there first and pick up my fishing license. I had to make a promise that I would not go fishing on the weekend. She even paid for my salmon license.

As of Sunday we were married 29 years and I remember that day so well. Fear will do that to you, kinda burns things into your mind.

We were blessed with the most gorgeous day.

Finally the wedding stuff was over and we were on our way out of town for our honeymoon. We were heading to Ontario to visit Niagara Falls and then to visit some of our family throughout Ontario. However our first night would be spent in Fredericton.

As we were getting closer to Fredericton we could see the water levels were so high they were right at the road. The radio was saying they might have to close that part of the road if it didn’t stop rising.

There were dozens of moose stranded on the road because the water was too high off road so there were police and rangers everywhere along the road telling people not to stop and take pictures as the moose were stressed enough already.

It took us a long time getting through that section of road and I kinda pushed the pedal to the metal trying to make up time. After all we were on our honeymoon. Then the lights came on, behind us. It was the police.

He saw the writing on the car saying “Just Married“, gave us a warning, wished us a happy marriage and sent us on our way with a message of safety.

Next year, 2012 is our 30th anniversary so I was thinking that maybe we could take a fishing trip somewhere nice. I haven’t got up the nerve to mention that one yet.

Fishing is a sport that requires you to be prepared. Sure, you can grab any sort of stick, attach a rope to it and TRY to catch something. But, in today’s wide world of products, you can do so much better and become that much more successful at fishing. There are several things that you’ll need and that’s what we will talk about here.

Bass Fishing

So what are some of the few big bass fishing secrets? First and foremost, you must start off by thinking like a bass fish. It may sound crazy but it could help you in finding where the big one is. It is also advised that you find the right and appropriate tackle to use in any situation or case. You must have a lot of information on crank baits, spinner baits, plastic worms, buzz baits and many other types of it.

This would be one of the things that you might be sure of. A good lure is one of the techniques you have to learn and be knowledgeable about. In addition, you must know what part of the lake or stream is best to bass fish on different weather conditions. It will be different on a rainy day or a windy day, early in the morning or late in the evening. Other factors also affect like on a crowded lake or a steady lake and many others. It is up to you to research further on it.

Another thing is that you must know the most common bass fishing mistakes that almost every fisherman makes and executes. After knowing them and knowing the reason why will instill in your mind that these common practices end up in error so you must not practice it. Another grateful thing is that you must choose the right bass fishing rod. You must learn the techniques and secrets on how to choose and where to find the most appropriate bass fishing rods there are. Furthermore, you must know how to develop a successful bass fishing pattern.

This will really help you in your fishing trip and having a larger bass. Some may go bass fishing at night so it is good that you learn professional night bass fishing techniques. Moreover, others may also be benefited by learning the professional winter bass fishing techniques for those who experience four seasons. These are only some of the many techniques and tips on how to improve your bass fishing strategy. If you do not have any strategy at all, you may really get disappointed from time to time. But, it is suggested that you first learn and read sufficient information and guides on bass fishing.

Fly Fishing

Knowing how to utilize fly fishing knots is an extremely important skill to have when mastering the sport of fly fishing. First of all, there are quite a few different types of knots that you can utilize for fly fishing, and most of them are relatively simple to understand. The most simple ones utilized are the arbor knot, Albright knot, nail knot, double surgeons knot, and improved clinch knot.

Each one of these knots serves their own individual purpose, and is beyond the scope of this article to explain exactly what they do. However, here’s the important thing you need to understand about this. Without any one of these knots, fly fishing would not work. Obviously, this sounds rather complex and complicated, but once you understand how to do it, it will become as simple as time your shoe. Do you remember when you were a young kid and you watch other people riding their bikes? At first, this probably looks so complicated, but once you understood how to do it, you were amazed at how simple the process was. The same could be said of fly fishing knots. There are certainly more knots than the ones listed, but these are by far the most basic, and the ones you should understand released at the beginning.

Once you understand how to tie a basic fly fishing knot, you want makes sure that before you begin to go fly fishing, you must be certain that they are going to hold up. Especially at first, you might not know how to do it very well, and you might lose an awesome catch because of a faulty knot if you aren’t careful. By far the quickest and easiest way to make sure the knot stays tight as is to simply pour a little water on them, and then pull the lines to ensure the Knights hold still.

One final fly fishing tip that, while unrelated to knots, is essential to having a successful and enjoyable fishing trip: make sure to purchase fly fishing waders, which is a special type of clothing to help you stay dry while out on the water. Without this, if you do happen to get wet while fishing, particularly on a cold day, the rest of the trip will be miserable.

General Fishing

First, what is fishing tackle? This is the equipment you’ll need to get your bait out there. You don’t need to spend a fortune on it, but what you should do is get the right products for your needs instead.

The Rod And The Reel

The most fundamental product that you need is the rod and reel. For a beginner, go with a lightweight choice that has a spinner reel on it. You can even purchase them together. As for length, go for about six feet for the adults and four to five for your child.

Next on the list is fishing line. It is also called filament. You’ll need to know which weight to get. This is called the pound test. The larger the pound test number is, the stronger the line is. Depending on the type of fish you are after, you’ll need to choose the line that is about the weight of the fish. For a small, light rod, go with up to six pound test. If you are using a large sized spinning reel, go with a stronger line. For bait casting reels, go with six to thirty pound test. The most popular options are the eight to sixteen. Don’t always think that heavier is better though as many of the fish will be able to see the line and won’t go near it.

Also in your equipment, you’ll need a fishing net. This will help you to catch your bait and can help you bring the fish in.

Options In Bait

There are many options in bait that you’ll need in that tackle box. First, we’ll talk about which live choices you have. Go with earthworms to start. You can dig your own or get them from the bait shop. You can go with mealworms or grubs as well. Depending on the type of fish you are after, you are likely to have a type of bait to use to catch them. Ask your local anglers for information about which seem to work the best for your area.

There are several other products that you will find that you’ll need in the way of tackle. Here are some of them and what they are good for.

Bobbers. These are floats that you’ll attach to your line to dangle your bait in front of the fish. They give you some extra weight when casting. They will sit at the top of the water. Small is a better way to go and make sure it is just enough weight to keep the bait from dragging.

Hooks. You’ll need to choose the right size for the job at hand. When using live bait, buy sizes from six to ten. For bullhead or catfish, you’ll need larger hooks. For catch and release fishing, look for fish hook barbs that can be flattened. To choose look for the size that is about the right size for the mouth of the fish you are trying to catch. Too large and you won’t get a bite and too small will leave you with the hook in its belly.

Sinkers are next. These are weights that come in a wide assortment. They are used to keep your line from floating under the water. Split shot sinkers are tiny and they are by far the most popular. But, some weights can get up to a pound in weight. Make sure that they are lead free though when you purchase them.

Leaders. These are small metal pieces with an eye on one end and a pin catch on the other. The pin is used to slip a hook or lure onto it. You’ll then thread the line through the eye and knot it. They are helpful when it comes to changing hooks and lures. You may want to consider them when you are after muskellunge, walleye, or northern pike as they’ll keep the fish from biting through your line.

Swivels are used instead to attach hooks and lures without a leader. There is an eye on one end and a pin clip on the other. The same process is done as with a leader except that the pin clip opens much like a safety pin. They protect your line from tangling as your bait moves in the water.

In your tackle box, fill it with several very important things. For example, you’ll need a good quality fishing knife. This will help you do many things from cutting tangled line to cleaning your catch. Also, make sure to have a pair of needle nose pliers in there to help you remove hooks safely. It is wise to have a first aid kit on hand as well and make sure it includes antibacterial lotion. In fact, the tackle box itself should be organized with all of your gear and kept clean. Some will even come with the artificial bait you may need.

The best place to find all that you need in fishing tackle is through the web. You’ll find some of the best products here. Not sure what to purchase? Ask a local professional to help you to know what works well in your area. This can lead to some excellent fishing experiences.

In case you are searching through the web for more info about golf stretching exercise, check out the web site which was mentioned right in this line.

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Like in any other sports, fly fishing has its own set of terms and jargon to talk about everything related to this activity.

While it makes communicating with other fly fishing enthusiasts easier, it could be confusing to the average individual, much less to those who are just starting out with fly fishing.

To help out beginners, below are some fly fishing terms which will let newbies get the hang of them and let them understand what other more-experienced fly fishers are talking about.

Back-cast – is the act of casting the line by first throwing it backwards, letting it unfurl, then casting it forward.

Buzzer – a term that refers to flies or any other insect that flies over the water.

Cover – the act of casting a fly to an area with a great number of fish.

Fly – an artificial lure which attracts fish by imitating a natural lure or by obtaining its attention with the lure’s bright colours.

Fly Line – the line normally produced of synthetic material to which the hook is attached.

Fly Reel – the object which holds the line. It comes in several kinds depending on several factors which consist of the materials employed and function.

Fly Rod – the rod utilized specifically for fly fishing. It is generally produced of bamboo, fibreglass and graphite.

Jig – a small and metal-headed artificial lure which usually has feathers on it.

What is listed above is only the most common terms utilized in fly fishing. Nevertheless, they are enough to let beginners get by in conversations about the activity.

You can find others more out there that beginners can pick up as one gains experience in this angling method.

Probably the best way for fly fishing novices and experienced anglers to improve their technique is through fly fishing books. There is a massive selection of books available online which teach great fly fishing technique along with other skills such as those found within fly tying books.

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I have to say for a fishing fanatic without a car I am having a great summer, thanks to two guys, Casey and Jamie. Both are great fun to go fishing with.

The fact that I met both of these guys through my fishing blog makes it all the better. So thanks guys, you both rock.

Just over a week ago Casey called me up and asked if I wanted to fish New Horton Lake. We had a great time and the day was perfect. That was my first time ever fishing that lake.

Yesterday Jamie took me to a little spot on the Cannan river, again another spot I have never fished and we had a lot of fun and the day couldn’t have been better weather wise.

The Cannan River

It was extremely hot, way hotter than I personally care for but once we started fishing the wind picked up and helped to cool us down a bit.

Jamie told me that he has caught some nice smallmouth bass in this section of the river, well actually he had fished a little further down from where we launched.

Strange Looking Smallmouth Bass Jamie!!

I thought it was kind of funny that we were bass fishing and taking a little break from pickerel fishing but what was the very first thing I caught, before we even stepped in the river, a pickerel. How funny is that, eh?

It wasn’t long before I actually hooked into my first bass of the day. I am sure my expression shows how pleased I was with myself.

OH MANN This is a lot of fun.

It didn’t take us long to realize this section of the river was better for walking than canoe as we were out of the canoe far more than we were in it. Although it was great to be able to bring all the food and gear without the need to carry it.

It wasn’t very hard to pull the canoe along with us and Jamie even managed to catch a bass while pulling the canoe behind him our way back to the car.

Jamie fishing while pulling the canoe along

Jamie Multi-Tasking

I was impressed at just how well Jamie was multi tasking. What a talented guy he is.

NOTE: You may see that Jamie caught this little bass using the same 6″ pink worm we use for pickerel fishing. Does it get any better, when you can catch both species in the same spot using the same offerings?

Jamie caught and landed the big bass of the day but if you want to see it you need to visit Jamie’s Fishing Fun in New Brunswick blog.

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Tuesday, June 22, 2010 was a very special day for me. I finally got to fish New Horton Lake. It only took me 30 years to get to it.

I moved to New Brunswick some 30 years ago. My brother-in-law told about a brook that flowed from the lake and I fished it for years but never actually fished the lake it’s self.

I actually had my best opening day one year. There was still plenty of snow around and the lake was completely frozen over.

I was standing at the beaver damn and ready to fish the brook when it started snowing. It snowed so hard I could hardly see across the little brook but at that exact moment the trout went nuts and I caught my limit of brookies in just a few minutes.

I never had to move my feet.

My friend Casey lives close to the lake and has told me about it before so I was excited to fish it some day.

Well I got home Tuesday morning after my daily walk. I headed into my office to check the email and of course log onto a few fishing sites and forums to check out what’s being talked about.

Casey saw that I was online and PMed me with one question. “Do you want to go fishing?”

I didn’t even respond before I had the phone in my hand to call him. An hour later we were on our way to New Horton Lake.

I remember Casey telling me that New Horton Lake didn’t take much to get really choppy as it’s a fairly large body of water. This day however there was no breeze or wind at all, yet.

When we arrived I was amazed at how much bigger the lake was that I had thought it was from looking at it only from the brook mouth.

Here’s a picture of what the lake looked like when we arrived. I was so excited to get started I am sure I was pacing.

I have to say that Casey could not have chosen a better day to take me fishing.

How Our Day On The Water Went

We started by trolling and caught a few white perch to start with.

It was a hot day, very hot and the water temperature started rising quickly. In no time the bass started become more active, just what we were waiting for.

I had never seen a white perch, I think they should call them silver perch, what a cute little fish.

The picture above shows a small perch but I guess they get to be 14 inches and bigger. Plus they fight just as hard as a bass. I will have to get back there again and try for a few of them as well.

I had the best time and we both caught fish so the day was a definite success in my books.

I had the largest bass of the day right up until about 5 minutes before we left when Casey hooked into a 17″ jumper and won the day.

Casey’s really dark bass fought hard and jumped high out of the water a few times, just to make it more exciting. The strike looked like he hooked into a log on the bottom but then the log jumped clear out of the water.

I told Casey I was going to modify the picture using Photoshop but he worked to hard for me to do that to him, this time around.

Does Casey look happy or what? Congrats and thanks for the awesome day.

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Gotta love living in New Brunswick and fishing for chain pickerel. I have so much fun I’m like a little kid.

We were out Sunday fishing chain pickerel in the rain, but the rain was warm and as long as it didn’t run down the back of my neck I was fine.

The rain was all day but there were a few calm moments, then before a drop hit the water we could hear it coming. A very strange day weather wise.

Of course I forgot my thermometer. I changed my tackle bag to a much smaller one to take in the canoe and forgot it. I wanted to see what the water temp was.

The weather kind of turned off the pickerel as it was windy and raining most of the day. A couple of times the wind stopped but that was usually when the rain was at it’s strongest.

We still turned a lot of pickerel but they were not nearly as active as we had hoped.

However we moved into a little back bay and immediately I caught a little guy and when I put him back in the water it was like bath water compared to the main section. It was warm enough to go swimming and we soon found out just what happens when the water warms up.

Pickerel And Bass Fishing Tip: I kept telling Jamie to aim for the lily pads that had flowers starting to show as predators like the pickerel will use the thick stocks to wait in hiding until something tasty comes near and then they wack it.

I made a cast to a single lily pad flower, didn’t see any lily pads but I am sure that my 6″ red plastic worm didn’t even hit the water before it was smacked good. The best strike so far this year.

The picture is a little grainy but it was raining pretty hard and our cameras were fogged up a bit. Glad it is still working at all after how wet they got. I was soaked to the skin, some glad it was warm all day.

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.

Before you start panicking, this is not as big an undertaking as you might think. They are certainly been an overwhelming amount of information published about saltwater fly fishing and accessories. This can be confusing to someone who has never picked up a fly rod. However, just as with any other type of fishing fly fishing can be simple, or it can be complicated. It really does depend on what you wish to make of it. Getting started does not have to involve huge amounts of knowledge or equipment. In fact, you will quickly discover that there is no need to spend your life savings on equipment that will help you put a fish in your boat. Here are some of the basic equipment needs that will help you get started.

Naturally, the first thing you will need is a decent fly rod. Anything lighter than the seven weight rod is not a good investment. In fact, it is typically recommended that eight or nine weight is the perfect place to start for your average saltwater fish. This includes Northeast fish like bluefish and striped bass. You will find that for the most part, rod lengths are about 9 feet. These offer the leverage that anglers need to cast the line with little effort and they are easy to handle. A good quality rod should not cost you more than $100 at most tackle shops.

The next most important piece of equipment that you will need is a good reel to match your rod. The good news is the confusion is easy to wade through. Since reels and fishing rods are rated the same, and an eight weight reel will match up with an eight weight rod. If you plan on using your fishing rod primarily in salt water settings, a large, arbor reel is typically a best choice. The benefits of these include wider deepest pools that allow you the room that you need for a couple of hundred yards a fly line backing, as well as your fly line. This additional line is necessary in the event that you hook a large fish that make a long run. This type of fly reel system can be purchased for well under $100.

The next part of your tackle should be fly line and backing. There is no need to use expensive lines in the beginning. Your line weight should match your fishing rod and reel, and it is preferable that you go with a floating weight forward line. You will not need sinking lines until much later. The majority of your spool should be filled with the fly line backing before the fly line is attached. The best fishing line for this is Dacron, typically weighted for 20 to 30 pound test. It would be prudent to ask a tackle shop that has line winding equipment to put the appropriate amount of backing onto your reel and then attach the fly line to the backing.

Finally, you will need leaders and flies. The best leaders are made from monofilament of fluorocarbon line. This piece of line should be the same length as your rod, and should be attached to your fly line before you tie on your fly. Your local retailer will be more than happy to make recommendations the leader sizes and this will depend on the type of fish that you are going after. Tapered leaders allow for unfurling at the end of the cast.

Talk to others who fish locally for deciding which type of flies to use. As a general rule of thumb, a small selection of surface flies and streamers are usually sufficient. For those just starting out, the employees in a local tackle shop can provide this information. After you have been fishing a few times, you will start to figure out what works best for you.

I always prefer to be out on the water rather than stuck in the house or at home for that matter, don’t tell my wife. However when I am stuck at home for what ever reason I still have my satellite and WFN. I also have a PVR so I can record all the fishing shows I love to watch, without the need to be home.

I used to have to surf all the channels to find what fishing shows are on but now I can just go through the guide and record any future events while I am sleeping or better yet, while I am out enjoying a day on the water fishing with friends.

A couple of the programs I like most are the fly fishing related programs, as I love to fly fish and really enjoy tying some of my own flies.

I can cast a fly pretty well but I am always ready and willing to learn new things to get a better cast.

I also like watching fly tying sections on these shows. I am a show me kinda guy. I do so much better when I see someone tie something. I end up tying flies I would have just been left scratching my head trying to figure out.

It’s also nice to be able to jump online and see what’s going on at www.wfn.tv both in the past and what’s upcoming.

Much of New Brunswick is under a heavy rain fall this morning. It’s going to feed a lot of streams so the water level’s going to very high again. Good thing we have has some mild weather earlier this month, so it may not be as bad as it would most other years.

I was looking for a video on fly fishing for trout and came across this helpful video on the fact trout seek protection from various things that help them live longer. Knowing these little tips will help you land more trout on the fly.

Enjoy Scott Linden’s Fly Fishing Tips: Trout Hiding Places.

Learn where the trout hide for their protection and you can have great fly fishing days most of the time, just be sure to practice CPR (Catch, Photograph and Release) so our kids have the same opportunity when they start fly fishing for trout.