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.

Have you ever done any fishing from a float tube. I’m not talking about a tire tube you float down stream in. I mean one that was designed to fish from, with a seat and back-rest?

If you have fished from a float tube I am sure you will agree that there is a lot of fun to be had fishing from a float tube and if you haven’t you need to give it a try.

My first trip was with my fly rod. It was for chain pickerel and we had our spinning gear that day. That day is for another post.

The first place I took my float tube fishing trout was to a spot that I have carried my canoe into. I was a rough go with the canoe and by the time I would get in there I was exhausted from fighting my way through the trees. Plus I always had to make at least two trips in order to have all my fishing gear, paddles and life-vest.

When I first started fishing this trout pond I walked in and fished only from the shore. I always caught my dinner but wondered just what it would be like to fish away from the shore.

Some of these ponds I fish used to have rafts that had been constructed from downed trees. They were great but after a few years they would sink to the bottom during spring flooding.

The float tube is so light I can carry it on my back which freed up my hands to carry the rest of what I need to fish for the day. That shorted my time getting on the water and I wasn’t the slightest bit exhausted once I got there.

I immediately saw that I could catch more trout and bigger trout fishing toward the bank instead of fishing from the bank.

My fishing buddies would come fishing with me and of course they would bring their canoes. I would be at the water fishing long before they ever reached the water with their canoes and then they still had to go back for the rest of there gear.

After a few trips like that I got a phone call. Both the buddies I am referring to have now purchased their own float tubes and now they are fishing the same time I am. I haven’t seen them use their canoe since.

So if you haven’t tried float tube fishing yet you are in for a real treat.

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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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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Many outdoor enthusiasts look to sophisticated technology to help them in their outdoor pursuits. For these individuals, utilizing a fish finder is a handy device to help them catch fish. Many individuals swear by old tried and true techniques to find the best fishing holes. But when used properly, advanced technology will take some of the speculation out of catching the big one.

If you can use the characteristics of the fish finder with accuracy, you will not have to trust your intuition to find the fish you’re looking for. Sonar technology, very much like porpoises use, creates the images and the information that you see on the fish finder’s screen. Once you learn to correctly adjust the finder you ought to be able to discover where the fish are hiding easily.

A fish finder relies on sonar to find the fish that you are searching for. The sonar sends out sound waves to determine depth. When the sound waves bounce off an object or the bottom of a lake, the distance can be measured and objects can be detected on the screen.

When you find a great location for your fish finder you will want to ensure that you are mounting it in compliance with the directions. Misaligning the equipment can lead to faulty readouts. Finding the ultimate sensitivity setting for the finder is an interesting trick. Most manuals come with recommendations, yet on the whole you want the sensitivity settings to reflect the region which you fish. If you’re out on open deep waters you might find a higher sensitivity is effective.

Using this type of equipment does have a learning curve. Frequently a person will mistake a tree branch or other debris for the presence of fish. It may take several tries for you to completely understand how to find precisely what you are searching for.

The technology has progressed to the place that you can now see to depths of 50 feet. And many units can spot objects as small as the tiniest lure. If the fish finder is advanced enough, it can distinguish the kind of fish that are below you. You can set the equipment to notify you when it locates the type of fish that you are trying to find.

You can still use all of your intuition when fishing. Actually, making use of a fish finder tends to work better if you still utilize your gut feelings and put your well earned knowledge into action. Keep in mind that this is a tool designed to help create a better experience for you, so you get to be in charge of how much you rely on it.

Need help deciding on the right fish finder? From the Humminbird 997c SI combo NVB color fish finder to the Eagle Cuda 300, there are fish finder reviews to make the choice easier for you.

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Whenever people visit Alaska for the purpose of fishing they should know time is of the essense as there are seasons that are great and seasons that aren’t as great. Don’t be the one that didn’t take the time to plan your fishing trip.

This is because some kinds of fish are available and plentiful during certain seasons. Therefore, one has to get their timing rights if they would like to visit the state and get a certain type of fish. And it is because of this that people came up with Alaska fishing lodges which provide shelter for visitors in the form of comfort homes, provide necessary information and services for visitors who intend to enjoy their fishing trips at the lodgings.

One good about the Alaska fishing lodge is that it brings a new lifestyle that I may refer to as an ‘Alaskan way of life’ which is different from the hustles and bustles of major cities. But one of the top reasons for these lodges is the fishing experience. The main activity here is fishing, so people usually want a place to go back to and relax after the fishing experience. This is why the Alaska fishing lodge is good. The lodges also offer packages that are affordable for those people who are on a budget, they cater for everyone’s needs. The wonderful thing about these lodges is that they cater for everyone; even for those may be a little bit low on finances because the lodges have packages that meet everyone’s needs.

One of the thing to put into consideration when searching for the Alaska fishing lodge to stay in is its proximity to the water as well as facilities and services being offered by the hosts. There are good package that offers great food, lodging, fish process and also guides who are familiar with the place and could help visitors to choose the best spots for fishing around the area. The guides can also provide good advice on fishing.

If you find an affordable Alaska fishing lodge that offers a few of these services, then you should take it. This will save you the time and stress of searching for a package that is suitable for you by going from one agent to another. One important point to remember is that certain kinds of fish are found at certain areas, and these lodges are placed according to this. This could help in making your decision if you are only interested in certain kind of fish.

Last but not least, Alaska fishing lodges are a great way for one to get into the spirit of fishing and connecting with nature. For those people who like natural surroundings, visiting some of these lodges will give you the experience and relaxation one so deserves.

While fly fishing is conceived to be one of the most relaxing hobbies you’ll ever engage in, there is still a decided amount of skill requirement in order to be successful. You might have heard so much about the cast and about tying your own flies and may wonder how to really improve your fly fishing techniques in order to improve your catch broad. There are just a few simple things you can remember in order to affect your time on the water a more enjoyable experience and to just plain old catch more fish; let’s review these few simple things to remember about your fly fishing techniques.

Being gentle with your cast is important and probably the most important of all fly fishing techniques. Many anglers make the error of attempting to force their project the direction you do with regular fishing. Remember that you’re not trying to achieve too far ahead of you and certainly don’t want to sink your bait the way you do with average fishing. Your target is to just skim or flit your fly over the top of the water. You also want to remember that with fly fishing, the fly is virtually weightless and the line is heavy, so the line pulls the fly and not the different way around. If you give your line just the smallest bit of guidance you’ll see how it pulls the fly behind it and how the fly then skims the water. Practice your cast as part of your fly fishing techniques as much as you can. You can stand in the yard and just apply a line without a fly. Aim for about ten or fifteen feet in front of you and keep exercising until you can hit it perfectly.

Other ways to improve your fly fishing techniques is to get sufficient with working the line. With typical fishing you commonly have no slack in your line but with fly fishing, that slack is essential for when you pull the line up for another project. Getting used to how it feels to control the slack with your secondary hand may take some practice. As you exercise your project, practice covering that slack so that it doesn’t get tangled up in the line and so that you have enough slack overall. Both hands are going to be important when it comes to your fly fishing techniques so get used to how the line feels to you and what it takes to control it.

While you’re exercising your fly fishing techniques, remember not to get too taken up in instructions and the “proper” way to cast. If you do, you might find that you’re lost on the enjoyment of fly fishing overall. Anglers have been successful with fly fishing for hundreds of years without fancy schools or teachings, so you don’t need to worry too much about these matters. Do the best you can with your own fly fishing techniques and remember to enjoy

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