by: Richard Chapo
It was one of those fishing trips. You know, everyone catches fish but you, you loose six or eight of your most expensive streamers, it rains buckets, and you sink the boat. That’s right; I got skunked at Steamboat Lake over Memorial weekend.
I was determined to show those meat huckers (worms and power bait) that a well chosen and strategically placed fly was as effective as anything a conventional fisherman could load on a hook and hang under a bobber. Well, no such luck, I got stomped.
The fish were rising like mad on a midge hatch, and I threw everything in the box at them. I could swear I saw a hefty rainbow nudge my fly to the side to eat the natural laying only centimeters from my damn near perfect replica. As we watched the group of 12 year olds add another 18” fish to their stringer (full loaded, I might add) I decided it must be a lake thing. I don’t fish lakes often.
I usually have good luck with a streamer in faster moving water, so I head for one on the several tributaries hoping to get the boat up far enough to make a make a few good casts. No such luck, here comes the wind. Determined and frustrated, I proceed to lose several of my best streamers in the dense shrubbery surrounding the mouth of the creek (can’t retrieve them since the current is too strong to get the boat any further up the creek).
On the way back to camp we are passed by a couple of boats with stringers of fish crashing off the bows of their boats (hmmm, are they just rubbing it my face, or are they tenderizing the meat?)Questioning my decision to become a fly fisherman, I head over to the dock to pick up my 5 year-old son and a fresh styro of night crawlers. I'll let my son fish the meat before I crumble and load one up on the spinner myself. Surprising, no luck with the meat either, and hear comes the rain. I throw my arms up and ponder my karma activity of the past year.
We charge for shore as the lake turns to white caps. The rain and lightning moves in fast. Did I mention that we got the boat for free and have no clue what to do in the rain? We pull the boat up close to shore near our camp, outside of the no-wake zone. We leave all of our gear and head for the soggy camp.
Well, apparently it’s best to leave your boat in protected cove in the no wake zone. From what we could tell, our boat was hammered with 300 to 400 gallons of water from the waves and boat wakes from boaters rushing back to the dock. Yes, it sank in 18 inches of water. I didn’t realize a boat could sink in 18” of water! All of our gear is floating around the shore. The gas tank and gear which included an Orvis waste pack with hmmmm, some 500 plus flies. Every box any fly had to be opened and dried on the dashboards of our trucks.
We bail the boat, load the truck and haul our soggy gear and crippled egos back home.
Next memorial day, it’s back to the river!!!
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of writing journals for outdoor activities and travel. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read outdoor activity and travel articles.
Rick Chapo is with Nomad Travel Journals - makers of writing journals and BusinessTaxRecovery.com - recoverying overpaid business taxes for small businesses.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Fishing Equipment And Accessories
The sun is shining. The air is cool and crisp. Yes, this is a great time for fishing.
As you come to the edge of a swiftly moving stream, you see a great fishing adventure beckoning. You set down your tackle box and your rod and reel, slip off your waterproof jacket, and slip on a pair of hip waders over your fisherman's vest.
The abovementioned are just a few of the many fishing accessories that are available to you from stores, catalogs and the internet. Read on to learn more about the accessories you need to make fishing even more fun.
The Fishing Basics
The backbone of your fishing equipment is your rod and reel. For the casual fisherman, the basic rod and reel is all you need. Once you are more experienced, you will better know your tastes and can upgrade accordingly.
Tackle ranges from simple to extremely complicated. Basic tackle includes hooks, sinkers, bobbers, fishing line and needle nosed pliers.
A net is also a good addition. Choose a net size based on the fish size that you are after.
High Tech Tools
Electronics have, to the alarm of purists, invaded the fishing arena. There are devices that help you locate where the fish are located. And there are alarms to alert you when you have a fish on your line. Those poor fish won't have a chance.
Clothing For Anglers
Fishermen's clothing necessities include a fishing hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun. A fishing vest with lots of pockets comes in very handy. A good waterproof jacket is essential for keeping you dry when the weather isn't. Waders, in thigh or chest height, help extend your reach by getting out into the water.
Other Useful Accessories
You should also consider: a tackle box, forceps, fishing knife, scissors, flashlight, wading shoes, and a fishing belt. If you are fishing from a boat, you will need a flotation vest.
Get Advice Before Buying
Before choosing expensive accessories, be sure it is right for the job and right for you. There are many factors to consider, so don't hesitate to talk for help. Someone with experience, either a friend or a salesperson, can quickly help you assemble a set of fishing accessories that will maximize your fish catching odds.
The right accessories will make your fishing experience more successful, and hence, more enjoyable.
Visit Fishing to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.Visit
As you come to the edge of a swiftly moving stream, you see a great fishing adventure beckoning. You set down your tackle box and your rod and reel, slip off your waterproof jacket, and slip on a pair of hip waders over your fisherman's vest.
The abovementioned are just a few of the many fishing accessories that are available to you from stores, catalogs and the internet. Read on to learn more about the accessories you need to make fishing even more fun.
The Fishing Basics
The backbone of your fishing equipment is your rod and reel. For the casual fisherman, the basic rod and reel is all you need. Once you are more experienced, you will better know your tastes and can upgrade accordingly.
Tackle ranges from simple to extremely complicated. Basic tackle includes hooks, sinkers, bobbers, fishing line and needle nosed pliers.
A net is also a good addition. Choose a net size based on the fish size that you are after.
High Tech Tools
Electronics have, to the alarm of purists, invaded the fishing arena. There are devices that help you locate where the fish are located. And there are alarms to alert you when you have a fish on your line. Those poor fish won't have a chance.
Clothing For Anglers
Fishermen's clothing necessities include a fishing hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun. A fishing vest with lots of pockets comes in very handy. A good waterproof jacket is essential for keeping you dry when the weather isn't. Waders, in thigh or chest height, help extend your reach by getting out into the water.
Other Useful Accessories
You should also consider: a tackle box, forceps, fishing knife, scissors, flashlight, wading shoes, and a fishing belt. If you are fishing from a boat, you will need a flotation vest.
Get Advice Before Buying
Before choosing expensive accessories, be sure it is right for the job and right for you. There are many factors to consider, so don't hesitate to talk for help. Someone with experience, either a friend or a salesperson, can quickly help you assemble a set of fishing accessories that will maximize your fish catching odds.
The right accessories will make your fishing experience more successful, and hence, more enjoyable.
Visit Fishing to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.Visit
Fishing By Moon Phase: Increase Your Catch
Every fisherman dreams of a bigger catch! Is it possible to know beforehand when you should plan a trip to enjoy some fishing, catch more than usual, and come home feeling 100% satisfied? Based on my own personal research around the best fishing times, I think it is.
When I first started fishing, the best fishing time for me was whatever time happened to suit me. I tried different lures, baits and techniques until I'd spent a small fortune in my quest to improve my fishing catch. When I finally heard about the "Solunar Theory"--or fishing by moon phase--like most anglers, I was skeptical.
What I'd read sounded too complicated. All sorts of factors needed to be checked and the determined angler needed to be at the water's edge at exactly the right time, TO THE MINUTE, in order to improve on his average catch. Was I really willing to take my hobby that seriously? Let's just say that curiosity got the better of me.
To help me determine whether there was any truth in the moon's effect on the best fishing times, I kept a record of every trip I made over a period of 18 months. All information related to the moon's phases, the weather conditions and the catches I made were carefully logged. What I discovered convinced me that moon phase fishing works. BUT, I also found that it isn't anywhere near as complicated as many would have us believe.
How Does Fishing By Moon Phase Work?
Every fisherman knows that the best fishing times are when the fish are feeding. This tends to be during dawn and dusk, but what often goes unnoticed are the two periods elsewhere in the day--moonrise and moonset. Because the moon has an effect on a variety of factors surrounding the fish--including the live fodder they hunt--these periods, combined with the moon's phase, are what trigger feeding.
By understanding this, and choosing times when sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset coincide with new or full moon phases, you'll increase you chance of a good fishing catch. Assuming there are fish in the area, of course.
Choosing The Best Fishing Times
There really is nothing complicated about this at all; it's just a matter of knowing ahead of time exactly when the sun and moon will rise and set. Fish are most active during 90-minute windows surrounding each of these four daily events; that's 45 minutes before and after these four daily points.
Fishing during these four periods will help increase your fishing catch, but if you plan wisely so as to ensure you're at the water's edge on the days of new or full moon, you can use these 'windows' to reel in a catch like you've never done before. If you have to choose between sunrise/set and moonrise/set, always go with the moon as the moon is the stronger influence.
Hunters have always known that fish and game are most active at dawn and dusk--sunrise and sunset--but their activity surrounding moonrise and moonset is less noticeable because these events are likely to occur without effecting any change in the perceived light. The rise and set of a new moon is invisible anyway, and overcast weather often hides the moon. Without prior knowledge of setting and rising times, two of the best fishing times will be missed every day!
Other Considerations
When planning your fishing by moon phase, there are certain other factors that should also be considered.
Weather - Severe weather changes have an impact on the way fish feed. When a storm's brewing, or just after one has passed, is a good time. If this happens while you're in place, you'll be in for a treat! However, if there's a cold front approaching, the fish are likely to move deeper into the water and become inactive.
Season - Most fish are more likely to bite willingly during seasonal transitions with the transition from winter to spring and summer to fall being the two best fishing times.
Now that you know that moon phase fishing really works, there's no reason why you shouldn't utilize this knowledge to increase your own fishing catch by being at the ready with your rod during the best fishing times available. It's easy and it works!
Good luck!
About The Author
David Rose is an outdoor enthusiast and the creator of QuickPhase Pro, a popular moon phase software program. Visit http://www.calculatorcat.com/moon_phases to discover the fun and easy way to view the phases of the moon and increase your fishing catch.
David Rose is an avid outdoorsman, guidebook author, web developer and entrepreneur who enjoys creating websites, articles and products on a variety of interesting topics.
When I first started fishing, the best fishing time for me was whatever time happened to suit me. I tried different lures, baits and techniques until I'd spent a small fortune in my quest to improve my fishing catch. When I finally heard about the "Solunar Theory"--or fishing by moon phase--like most anglers, I was skeptical.
What I'd read sounded too complicated. All sorts of factors needed to be checked and the determined angler needed to be at the water's edge at exactly the right time, TO THE MINUTE, in order to improve on his average catch. Was I really willing to take my hobby that seriously? Let's just say that curiosity got the better of me.
To help me determine whether there was any truth in the moon's effect on the best fishing times, I kept a record of every trip I made over a period of 18 months. All information related to the moon's phases, the weather conditions and the catches I made were carefully logged. What I discovered convinced me that moon phase fishing works. BUT, I also found that it isn't anywhere near as complicated as many would have us believe.
How Does Fishing By Moon Phase Work?
Every fisherman knows that the best fishing times are when the fish are feeding. This tends to be during dawn and dusk, but what often goes unnoticed are the two periods elsewhere in the day--moonrise and moonset. Because the moon has an effect on a variety of factors surrounding the fish--including the live fodder they hunt--these periods, combined with the moon's phase, are what trigger feeding.
By understanding this, and choosing times when sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset coincide with new or full moon phases, you'll increase you chance of a good fishing catch. Assuming there are fish in the area, of course.
Choosing The Best Fishing Times
There really is nothing complicated about this at all; it's just a matter of knowing ahead of time exactly when the sun and moon will rise and set. Fish are most active during 90-minute windows surrounding each of these four daily events; that's 45 minutes before and after these four daily points.
Fishing during these four periods will help increase your fishing catch, but if you plan wisely so as to ensure you're at the water's edge on the days of new or full moon, you can use these 'windows' to reel in a catch like you've never done before. If you have to choose between sunrise/set and moonrise/set, always go with the moon as the moon is the stronger influence.
Hunters have always known that fish and game are most active at dawn and dusk--sunrise and sunset--but their activity surrounding moonrise and moonset is less noticeable because these events are likely to occur without effecting any change in the perceived light. The rise and set of a new moon is invisible anyway, and overcast weather often hides the moon. Without prior knowledge of setting and rising times, two of the best fishing times will be missed every day!
Other Considerations
When planning your fishing by moon phase, there are certain other factors that should also be considered.
Weather - Severe weather changes have an impact on the way fish feed. When a storm's brewing, or just after one has passed, is a good time. If this happens while you're in place, you'll be in for a treat! However, if there's a cold front approaching, the fish are likely to move deeper into the water and become inactive.
Season - Most fish are more likely to bite willingly during seasonal transitions with the transition from winter to spring and summer to fall being the two best fishing times.
Now that you know that moon phase fishing really works, there's no reason why you shouldn't utilize this knowledge to increase your own fishing catch by being at the ready with your rod during the best fishing times available. It's easy and it works!
Good luck!
About The Author
David Rose is an outdoor enthusiast and the creator of QuickPhase Pro, a popular moon phase software program. Visit http://www.calculatorcat.com/moon_phases to discover the fun and easy way to view the phases of the moon and increase your fishing catch.
David Rose is an avid outdoorsman, guidebook author, web developer and entrepreneur who enjoys creating websites, articles and products on a variety of interesting topics.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)