Preparing for Your Fishing Trip

September 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Fishing on the high seas

Image via Wikipedia

Your upcoming fishing trip will be the highlight event of the year, so before you set off be sure that everything is in order and that nothing that is avoidable can go wrong.

Wherever you plan to go on your fishing trip it will cost you money, therefore it will pay you to contact cash lenders online to make certain that lack of funding will not spoil your day. Once you have the day’s expenses covered, you can then look to other things you must do including the following:

  • Make Reservations. Never just ‘turn up’ hoping for the best. You may get a charter if you are lucky, but the odds are that you will end up disappointed. Pre-booking is essential to avoid being let down at the last-minute.
  • Book Accommodations. You will probably be required to leave early in the morning and return late at night. If so, your trip will be much more enjoyable if you don’t have to travel miles to get there. It will make your trip more pleasurable if you can simply leave your nearby accommodation to board the charter vessel.
  • Amenities. Find out well in advance what amenities your charter vessel provides and what you will have to bring yourself. For instance, will you need coolers, bait, tackle or fillet bags? Are drinks and food provided?

Make sure you pack warm clothing, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, light shoes and a reliable camera to record the big catch. If the family is coming with you, don’t forget that kids get bored rather quickly. Make sure they bring some games along with them.

Filed Under: Conservation Tagged With: , ,

Anglers Heaven: A Fisherman’s Dreamland

August 6, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Every fisherman has his own idea about the ideal fishing destination. Every fishing destination has its good and bad qualities. Comparing one destination to another is not possible without raising objections from fishermen. Before going on the trip, make sure to visit ebayclassifieds if you are in need of fishing supplies to pack. Here are some fishing destinations in America which are considered among the best. However, in no way are these the only good fishing destinations. There are many others which fishermen find and love.

Montana has some of the best fishing destinations in America. This destination is popular the world over, with many fishing tournaments held through out the year. Armstrong’s Spring Creek is one of the most favored fishing spots. Another equally good fishing destination in America is the Gallatin River with its numerous creeks. Some of the most beautiful fish in America are found in Montana.

Henry’s Fork in Idaho is another great fishing destination. It attracts fly fishers from around the world to test their skills against each other. It is the best location to catch trout, and it is a scenic location with abundant wildlife. Alaska, with its unspoiled beauty, also makes this list. Along with known species of fishes, this region has some unique varieties which are particular to this region. Salmon fishing is very popular in Alaska and Alaskan Salmon is popular everywhere. Reaching the remote fishing destination in Alaska is the toughest part, with very little public transportation available here.

If it is the Great Bass that interests you, then the state of New York is the best destination. It has multiple fishing locations spread in Glens Falls, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Elmirs and Jamestown. These fishing destinations are so popular with New Yorkers that seldom are any of the fishing locations ever found without at least a few enthusiast anglers angling away to their heart’s content. It is also a popular retirement destination for many New Yorkers.

Filed Under: Travel

The Key to Locating a Great Fishing Spot

February 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Fisheries scientists sorting a catch of small ...

Image via Wikipedia

Have you ever been fishing in a spot that you were absolutely sure that there weren’t any fish? How frustrating! Here are a few tips to help you select the best spot possible that will yield large catches of fish.

First, look for clues to the area where you are fishing. Are you fishing on a lake that is feed by a creek or a river? If so, the area where the river dumps into the lake is a natural gathering spot for fish. The current from the river will oxygenate the water and fish will collect in this oxygen-rich environment.

Check out the layout of the shoreline. Is there an area where it juts out to a point? If so, these sections of land continue on into the water. You’ll want to fish both sides of this jutted land piece. Fish will collect along this shoreline because bugs will collect in the weeds and grasses. Fish will also collect underwater along this jutted shoreline.

If you are fishing on a river, look at the surface of the water. Locate spots where the current “breaks” or makes an edge on the surface of the water. These breaks could be caused by rocks, logs, or other debris in the river. Fish naturally collect in the breaks. They don’t have to fight the current so it is a spot where they collect to rest. Fish also check on the food that is available in that area.

If you see birds diving down into the water, they are seeking small species of fish to eat. Chances are you will also find bigger fish in the same area.

Sometimes you can see fish jumping out of the water to catch bugs to eat. This is another good sign of where the fish are collecting.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Environment

Tips for Ice Fising

February 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Angling1

Image via Wikipedia

You’re all bundled up to stay warm. You’ve cut a hole through the ice. You’ve dropped a line and you’ve been waiting and waiting for what seems like forever. If the fish don’t start biting soon, you’re outta  here.

Sometimes ice fishing can be discouraging. You’ve gone to a lot of work to prepare your gear (and yourself). You’ve spent time cutting a hole in the ice. And now you’re frustrated because the fish don’t seem to be biting. What can you do?

First, add a twist to what you are doing. Fish become accustomed to the up and down bobbing motion of the lures. This doesn’t catch their attention. So, instead of bobbing you line, twist it. Twist your line between your thumb and index finger. This spinning action works well to attract fish especially in shallow water.

Change the style of your jig. Many ice fishers use tea-shapped jigs which hang vertically in the water. When the fish stop biting, switch your jig to one that hangs horizontally.

Another tip is to bounce your jig off the bottom of the lake. Bouncing your jig will create a small cloud in the water. This cloud and the sound that you create will attract fish from a distance.

Change the type of bait that you are using.  If you’ve been using plastic bait, switch to live bait.  If you’ve been using ive switch to plastic. Changing the type of the bait that you use will attract the fish’s attention.

If you’ve been bobbing your bait and twisting your line, try stopping the motion. Prop  your pole on the ground so that your bait can sit totally motionless. (You might think that you can hold your rod still in your hand. You really can’t.

Another way to change things up a bit is to change the colors of your jig. Or change the size. If you’ve been using a small jig, use a larger one and vice versa.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Technique & Equipment

Fishing at Strawberry Reservoir in Utah

February 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Ah, the thrill of the catch! Strawberry Reservoir is Utah’s foremost place for trout fishing. It is a reservoir in the Uintah National Forest about an hour and a half drive from Salt Lake City. It is on Highway 40 and is between Heber City and Duchesne.

What can you catch there? Rainbow trouts up to twenty-four inches long. Cutthroat fish weighing over 20 pounds. Kokanee salmon.

Fishing from a boat is generally more successful than for those standing along the shore. That is because the fish seek cool water levels that are below the warm surface water in the summertime.  However, fishing in the spring and fall provides good fishing for fishermen on the banks of the reservoir. That is when the water is cold overall.

The daily limit at Strawberry is four fish. You can’t catch more than 2 cutthroat fish that are smaller than 15 inches long. You can only hae one cutthroat that is over 22 inches long.  Any cutthroat fish that are between fifteen to twenty-two inches long have to be immediately thrown back into the water.

There are four developed marinas around the reservoir. They all have paved boat ramps. Soldier Creek Recreation campgrounds are full service facilities. They have day use and picnic areas, group pavilions, and sanitary dump stations. Strawberry Bay has a marina store, restaurant, and full service lodge. There are various spots around the reservoir that have been developed for day use fishing and picnicing.

Fishing is open all year-round. Because of the high mountain location, winter time is mainly ice fishing.

The area receives lots of snow during the winter. There are many snowmobile trails that are widely used. (Snowmobiles are even used to get to spots for ice fishing on the reservoir.)

Filed Under: Travel

Fishing Laws

February 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Traditional fish traps, Hà Tây, Vietnam.

Image via Wikipedia

Sometimes fishermen rant and rave about the stipulations put on fishing. They wish that they could fish anywhere, any time, and catch as many fish as they want.

While that was acceptable during the times of mountain men such as Jeremiah Johnson, times have changed. Laws have been created to protect the fish from extinction, to protect their habitats, and yet still provide an enjoyable experience for fishermen.

Fishermen are required to get a fishing license. However, states vary their regulations for licenses for children. It’s best to check with your state’s Wildlife and Game commission to see if your young children need to buy one.

There are limits on how many fish of a certain species you can catch in one day. Usually a beginning and stopping date is set for the fishing season. There are limits on the size of fish that you can catch and on how many fishing lines and hooks you are allowed to use. Even the type of tackle and fishing method is regulated.

There are several things that you can do to help the fish and game department do their job. If you catch a fish that is tagged, report this to the proper agency. (It is most likely identified on the tag)  If you don’t want to eat the fish yet you still want to fish, simply catch the fish and then immediately release it unharmed back into the water. When you have finished fishing, make sure you leave your fishing area cleaner than you found it. Pick up your trash. Properly dispose of the guts you have removed from your fish. Make sure your campfire is out.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Fishing

Understanding the Attributes of a Fishing Pole

February 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Deep sea fishing from a boat in the Gulf of Mexico

Image via Wikipedia

Fishing rods have several different attributes.  These attributes lend themselves to different types of fishing. By understand them, you will be able to select the right type of fishing rod for the type of fishing that you will be doing.

First of all, pay attention to the length of the rod. The longer the rod is the longer you will be able to cast out your line.  Shorter rods are generally used when you need a heavier line. If you will be doing light trolling, a longer trolling rod should be used because it will give when you catch a fish and are reeling it in.

Another characteristic of the fishing rod to pay attention to is the butt length.  This is the section of the pole from the back end of the rod to the reel.  Rods with shorter butts are best used for casting rods. Spinning rods are a tad longer, and trolling rods will have the longest butts.

There are three basic types of guides.  Cheaper fishing pools usually come with a standard metal guides.  This is best suited for bottom fishing. If you are doing heavy trolling, the best guide to get is a roller guide.  The most expensive guide is a ceramic one.  With a ceramic guide, you get smoother action, longer casts, and less fray on your fishing line.

The taper of a pole refers to the amount of give or bend that a rod has between the butt of the rod to the tip. It is measured from slow to extra-fast.  Usually, the cheaper the fishing rod is the slower the taper it has. A slow taper means that the whole rod will bend in an arc. This makes it harder to bait your hook and difficult to cast with heavy bait. The butt end of a pole with medium taper will not bend very much.  A rod with a fast taper is one that is most flexible in the upper end of the rod.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Technique & Equipment

Equipment

September 2, 2010 by
The Grayling Society sells
a small range
of high quality flies, floats,
furled leaders, badges, binders and clothing.

Equipment Sales

Flies
It remains our aim to offer only the finest quality flies to members, tied to the highest standards, using only premium quality hooks and materilas, sourced where possible from our trade ‘Friends of the Society’.

Badges and Car Stickers
Three styles are available from the Society. Please order on the appropriate form.

Righyni Style Floats
We offer two sizes of these popular, traditional pattern ‘trotting’ floats – small (4BB size) and Large (6BB size).

Crow Quill and Fluted Crow Quill Floats
Two styles and two sizes of crow quill floats are available – traditional Small (3AAA+) and Large (4AAA) and in fluted styles in Small (3AAA+) and Large (4AAA).

Furled Leaders
A small range of superb Hand Furled Leaders made especially for the Society in England.

Amadou
A premium leather and finest double-sided Amadou fly drying patch.

Fly Stand
Handcrafted in Northumberland, exclusively for the Society out of a range of English hardwoods

Video
We have only very limited stocks of the well known video ‘The Lady of the Stream’ – showing a fishing year on the Welsh River Dee with Andy Nicholson the well known writer and broadcaster.

Magazine Binders
Dark Green and Gold binder in A5 size to carry 8 issues of our magazine ‘Grayling’. Also available in A4 size to hold 24 copies of our ‘Newsletter’.

Clothing
Various items of quality clothing are available in the approved colour scheme, embroidered with our well known Society ‘G’ logo.
All clothing is produced to your order by our official supplier who will be pleased to embroider your name for a small extra charge.
All clothing must be ordered on the Clothing Order Form. Click the link above to download a PDF order form.

Click the link to download a PDF
Equipment or Clothing Order Form

Clothing Order Form

Equipment Order Form

Filed Under: Technique & Equipment

Conservation

September 2, 2010 by

For more than 25 years the Society has been actively engaged in the conservation of Grayling.

Conservation

The Society now provides an opportunity for its members to make a direct contribution to the conservation and sustainability of the grayling, its habitat and fisheries. In order to keep habitats alive and flourishing in this time of tight financial budgets, members pay dues, contact organizations, casinos, and other area businesses in order to plan fundraisers and awareness for the conservation of Grayling. These contributions create plans of actions, jobs, and tourism.

Since the appointment of a Conservation Projects Officer (CPO) in 2002, The Grayling Society has allocated a sum of money that is available for undertaking a project that directly benefits the conservation of grayling in the United Kingdom. Such projects could range from part-financing habitat improvement works, through initiatives such as the promotion of catch-and-release of grayling, to increasing access to grayling anglers on the riverbank. The money pot will be replenished each financial year.

How do I go about making an application?
An application form is available from the Grayling Society and is downloadable from this website. The CPO will receive all applications for grants in the first instance and make an assessment of suitability based on merit and cost. This will take into account such things as value for money, match funding, conservation benefit, impact on grayling stocks, sustainability, etc. The CPO will then make recommendations to the Grayling Society Committee. The Committee will make the final decision as to which projects are funded in the current year. The CPO will follow the progress of projects making interim reports to the Committee and again on completion.

Rules of application
1. Application for a Grayling Society conservation grant is open to any adult (18 years and over) with an interest in grayling conservation – you do not need to be a member of The Grayling Society.
2. Applicants must submit a completed proposal form to the CP Officer.
3. The Maximum available grant will be £3000 in each financial year (1st July to 30th June) but may increase if future demand dictates.
4. The project must be undertaken in the same financial year as the application.
5. Conservation grant money cannot be deferred from one year without the express permission of the GS Committee.
6. Unsuccessful applicants may re-submit their grant bid in the following financial year.

Conservation Projects supported Since the scheme began, The Society has sponsored several projects including:
1. The River Monnow Project. This is a collaborative project to restore the upper Monnow catchment and its tributaries to its former glories through habitat improvement – securing a future for wild trout and grayling populations.
2. The Clyde Rivers Foundation – a survey of grayling populations in the River Clyde.
3. The Forth Fisheries Foundation – grayling survey and restoration work.
4. The River Annan District Salmon Fishery Board – survey of fish populations in the River Annan.

(Although 2,3 & 4 may not be readily classed as conservation projects, they make steps to promote the awareness of grayling and the potential of grayling angling in Scottish rivers supporting large salmon and sea trout fisheries. Grayling were misguidedly seen as competitors to salmon and actively removed)

Filed Under: Conservation

Angling

September 2, 2010 by

The Society is not an angling club and therefore does not own any angling waters. However the Society publishes regularly a

Guide to Day Ticket Waters covering the UK.

Note – this publication is only available to fully paid-up members.

A selection from the Day Ticket Guide…

Wales and the Western Counties

Some excellent Grayling fishing will be found in some of the rivers of central and northern Wales and the Severn catchment.

Generally speaking, the more southerly rivers of Wales and the English western counties are not so good for Grayling.

River Dee – Bala

Lyn Tegid and BB R.Dee to Llanfor, fly only at Llanfor. LB at Llanderfel. Dt from Siop yr Eryr (Tackle Shop) High Street, Bala.

Llangollen

Filed Under: Technique & Equipment
«Older Posts