Fly Fishing Trout From My Float Tube

'U' boat
Image by bosscauser via Flickr

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.

 

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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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The Perks of Using a Fish Finder

Brown Bear with fish at Mammoth Lake, California
Image by moonjazz via Flickr

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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Discover Alaska Fishing Lodges

Evening mist rising from Fish Creek, Hyder-Alaska
Image by Arthur Chapman via Flickr

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.

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Improve Your Fly Fishing Technique

Fly fishing in a river
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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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Fly Fishing Atlantic Salmon in New Brunswick

Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar, Taken thru glas,...
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The Atlantic salmon is the reason I live in New Brunswick Canada, but don’t tell my wife that please. Back in about 1974 I was introduced to fly fishing by my sister’s husband and from that moment on it was all about the fly rod and Atlantic salmon.

My wife doesn’t fish so she doesn’t really understand the draw fishing has on me but she is good about it and even goes with me sometimes, just to be with me. Isn’t that sweet.

The fish of 1000 casts is the nickname given to our Atlantic salmon and it’s so true. Yet I have gone a couple of times and hooked a salmon on the very first cast. You just never know what the day will present.

I have a few places I like to go. Into the Renous area when we are going for more than one day at a time and I really like the Cains when I am only able to go for a short fly fishing trip.

I usually have everything ready the night before so that once my work day is done I can hop in the car and be on the water in less than an hour and half. That usually gives me a few of the best fishing hours before a short trip back home again.

I had a great evening on the water with a new fishing buddy Tim, read about on ‘The Joy of Fly Fishing.

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A Guide To Fishing Tackle

Fly Fishing
Image by cbruno via Flickr

Fishing can be an extremely enjoyable and relaxing adventure.  As long as you have the right tools, the fishing safety knowledge, and a little bit of support from friends or family, you could perform your fishing successfully.

However, the most important (and overlooked) factor is choosing the correct fishing tackle.  You should follow these simple guidelines in the selection of tackles.

You should choose the appropriate fishing flies that you would be using to catch the kind of fish you will be targeting to seize. The basic rule in choosing the kind of fly is to know which is abundant in that actual environment.

Once you have decided which fly you are going to use you can choose the appropriate line for the fly and type of fishing you are planning. The three commonly used tackles are fly-fishing, plug casting and spinning. The difference between the three is that spinning and plug-casting makes use of bait as weight to drag the line from its reel to the target point of your fishing.

Fly lines come in four different types – weight-forward, double taper, shooting-taper and level taper. Within the four different types are numerous variations. However, once you have decided what kind of fishing wish to accomplish and what kind of fish you wish to catch, you will be using only a particular fishing line.

The fishing lines have numbers that rank from one to fifteen. However, the most common among anglers are the lines numbered from three to twelve in weight. As a basic rule for optimum catching, the first thirty feet of your line should be weighted and matched to the rod.

The next thing you should purchase is the rod and reel. Spin-casting gears are the most suitable for beginners as it is easy to operate with the minimum of problems. For any kind of fishing, the recommended spin-casting reel is mounted on a light-action six-foot casting rod and spooled with an eight-pound test line. A good way to save money is to buy the rod and reel as a package. Most professional anglers prefer bait-casting and spinning tackle.

You would need sinkers, hooks and bobbers. A good idea is to buy sinkers and hooks in different styles and sizes, giving you more variety. When selecting bobbers, always keep in mind that the smaller the bobber, the better the performance. The struggling of the fish would depend on the size of your bobber.

Professional anglers prefer artificial lures. The recommended sizes of lures are 1/8 ounce up to ¼ ounce.

Remember that the kind of tackle would depend on the fish you prefer to catch. Avoid buying unnecessary fishing items and enjoy your affordable fishing experience.

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Beginners Need Tips For Catching Trout

:en:Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Photo...
Image via Wikipedia

Trout fishing tips come in quite handy especially when you are a beginner. 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 lethargy and need to eat less.

Moreover, around January those interested in catching trout start to be directed to warmer and warmer waters as trout leave behind cold deep waters so they could spawn. Also, during fall trout start to move towards colder and deeper waters where they would be better off during the cold season. Yet fishermen should not expect them to cover distances very fast. 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 live in large groups. They tend to stick together in schools, especially the ones of the same size. Therefore, should you get lucky and get a capture, be sure that there is more trout in the area to catch as long as you do not throw the dead caught fish back in the sea 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 would rather wait patiently and lazily for a victim to come by and unexpectedly get in their way. Sometimes, they feed on injured marine animals even though this kind of food might not be on their regular menu. Their regular menu consists of 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. Bait should vary according to both the season – spring, summer, autumn or winter – and the spawning cycle of this fish species. For beginners, let us not forget that there will always be experienced anglers ready to come up with tips.

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Fly Fishing Tips

A rainbow trout taken on an articulated leech ...
Image via Wikipedia

Fly fishing is a relaxing and entertaining sport. However, if you are new to the sport you may be looking for a fly fishing tip or two. You may have looked to a fly fishing video to find a fly fishing tip for your specific need. Even so, you can never read or see enough fly fishing tips before going on your trip.

Cast Into The Wind

Casting into the wind can be a difficult task to master. However, if you learn how to do this, you will be able to catch fish when others are simply blown off of the water. Here is a fly fishing tip on how to do this. If the wind is blowing in your face, many people end up driving the fly rod tip down to generate more energy and line speed. Don’t do this because all you are doing is widening the arc of casting the fly, which means that it will widen the loop and create extra resistance through the air.

You should concentrate to put more force into the cast and having a tighter loop rather than a wider loop that will drag through the air. Make sure that the angle of your loop is making it inches above the water instead of the usual feet above. That way the wind will not have enough time to blow it off of where you want it to go. Do this by rotating your arm ever so slightly at the shoulder, making your elbow move back and up just a little bit.

Lubricate Your Knots

The fly fishing knot is crucial to fly fishing. Without a properly tied knot, you will simply lose your fish. However, your knot will be a lot stronger if you lubricate it before you seat it. Tighten the knot just enough so it will not unravel on its own. Then lubricate the knot by dipping it into the water or with a little bit of saliva. Wrap the line around your finger a few times and keep pulling until you feel the stretch in the line stopping. Voila! You now have a perfectly tied, and perfectly tight, fly fishing knot.

Wear A Wading Belt

While the first two tips will improve your fly fishing, this third fly fishing tip may save your life. People die every year fly fishing when they slip and fall or get pulled into deeper waters and do not have a wading belt. This belt will prevent water from getting into your waders and dragging you down. So before you head out, make sure that you have belted your waders with a wading belt.

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