As a kid I did a lot of boat building, mainly scale models that were not able to sail, although I did actual build a few boats that were, more or less, capable of sailing. I even once build a 10 feet boat, or shall I say raft. I accomplished this with a few friends and we had great fun sailing it on the local river. It was not really water proof and while one person was rowing, the others had to make sure that they removed the water quicker then it was entering our boat.

Then sadly one day we failed. I was rowing at the time, and we were in the middle of the river when it was clear we were sinking. I stopped rowing to assist with the hosing, but this only slowed down the process of sinking, it did not stop it. So I started to row again in on effort to reach dry land before we sank, thus avoiding having to swim to safety.

And guess what: We made it! Just before the boat really started to sink we managed to jump ashore. Here we watched as our pride and joy slowly sank to the bottom of the river. It was then that we realised we were at the wrong side of the river and this left us with a problem. We either had to walk to the nearest bridge, 10 kilometers upriver, so that would have been a 20 kilometer walk, or swim to the other side.

We decided on swimming. We did not see anyone around, so we quickly undressed, and with one hand holding our clothes above the water, we managed to get back to our own side of the river. Just as we were struggling to get out of the water a group of girls from our own school were passing by, and I can tell you we were not happy!

This all happened a long time ago and a few times in my live I have had plans of building a boat again. I have spent a good amount of time looking at boat building plans, but with boats size does matter.

I usually looked at boats between 30 and 40 feet, but the sheer volume of work involved has always stopped me from going ahead with my boat building plans.

Now I have decided to start small. I am going to build a 16 feet Grand Banks dory, which I want to fit with a small outboard engine. I boughtl the boat building plans, I got the working space, and by the time you read this article I might be finished already.

Later, who knows, I might build a 40 feet cabin cruiser, and tow my Grand Banks dory behind me. Then, if my cabin cruises sinks, I can always row to safety in my Grand Banks dory, dry and with my clothes on.

Here you can see the Grand Banks dory I am going to build: Grand Banks Dory.
H. Rackers is W.M of Download music, movies, and games.

Some of the greatest fishing in the world, is available within a mile or two away any where in the US! Many anglers miss out because their gear is too big and not sensitive enough to show them bites. Fish feed in a delicate fashion 90% of the time. In order to catch them, you need to change your ways. If you do, you can be rewarded with 500 fish in 4 hours- my record is 512.

To get in on this action, you will need a few items and, you will need to get rid of a
few old items you may be used to. It might help the reader to know that until the
Spring of 2000, I was a big game fisherman with a box full of lures and plenty of
spinning gear as my main tools for catching fish. Everything changed about the way
I fish, especially the fact that I actually caught fish, every time out. I still have not
been “skunked” since changing my ways. By the way, it’s a good thing we don’t
smell like a skunk when we don’t catch anything as a group of anglers, otherwise
our families would know for sure how miserable a fishing day we had. Getting
“skunked” (catching no fish) stinks!

There is no need to be skunked, if you follow a couple of fishing basics and
transform your gear for local waters (instead of our tackle being based on Florida
bass or Kentucky crappie or Wisconsin Muskie. Even the “ultra light” spinning gear
we are accustomed to using as a standard for local fishing is cutting down on our
catches! Most anglers in the US have never truly fished “ultra” light. Years ago I
changed my gear and I caught sacks full of fish all summer and for the first time in
my fishing career, caught fish into very late fall! I never knew that fish would feed in
late November and early December on open water!

I will give you two examples of having a blast catching fish vs. casting at them.

At a 4th of July picnic on a small pond in suburban Chicago, I was fishing with my
30 foot pole while a pack of kids nearby were busy throwing a bass jig connected
to a 2.5 inch bobber (way too big) at a weed bed extending 4 ft. out into the lake
from the edge. Their problem was simple. They couldn’t cast well with the short
“kids” rod and closed face reels. Their giant bobber was not giving them any
indication of bites and the bass jig was too big to fit in any of the nearby fish’s
mouths. Their 10 lb. line was like a cable being seen by even the aggressive fish in
the area approaching this rig (read- avoiding). When the rig was actually wet,
because these kids could not get the thing into the water near the fish because of
tangles and weeds on the jig head, it was not catching fish. Their “casts” couldn’t
get the lure/giant bobber combo past the 6-foot wide weedy edge.

I fixed that problem by putting down my pole and setting up my shortest 7 ft.
graphite telescopic “pole” with a delicate float (the size of an pencil eraser) with 1.5
lb. line leader attached to a siz #14 hook and baited it with a tiny grub. I handed the
pole to the first kid and she caught a chubby blue gill within 5 seconds. With this
non-mechanized fishing pole there was nothing to getting the bait just 6 feet out,
past the weed bed. The kids could easily put the bait in front of the fish. As for the
fish, they could easily pull under the tiny natural bait with the small hook and the
float, which was about 1/30th the size of the bobber. The sensitive rig picked up on
the fish sucking in the tiny bait immediately so the kids could react.

Sure, I had to stop fishing for a while, but I had a blast with this pack of 6 kids. My
newly adopted friends were out-fishing the guys with spinning gear working around
the pond 40:1 !

The reason most kids don’t catch is those short little “kid’s” rods. Kids rods come
with the Mouse on the box, wrapped in plastic as one unit and are way too short.
The closed face reels are not bad, but the short rods require a giant 55-gallon drum
bobber which are often sold with these kits. Every angler in America should own and
use a cane pole to fish with! A pole with no reel!

On another day that summer, with nothing more than the cane pole, I won the 1st
day of the U.S. Open with a top weight of 19.75 lb. of blue gill caught in 4 hours.
The answer to this victory was the simplicity of my rig and the size of my line using
a tiny hook. By using this cane pole (really composed of graphite) I was able to fish
quickly for blue gill that were in front of me. The conditions that day had them
feeding in past the first break of the shoreline and were only 8 inches of water. My
rig allowed me to get the bait out to the fish easily, accurately and quickly. Most of
the other anglers in the match were fishing much farther out. My neighbor had a 60
foot pole!!! He was 58 feet past the fish with his expensive gear and I crushed his
weight by 83% using little more than what Huck Finn used — a cane pole. Some
competitors were even casting far out into the lake some 70 yards away. On this
day, AS MOST DAYS IN OUR LOCAL LAKES, the plentiful smaller fish caught in great
number, will offer you success as an angler.

I would brag even more about that U.S. Open, but my teacher Hall of Fame Angler-
Mick Thill, came from behind and crushed me in day 2 to win the tournament
overall, I finished 2nd.

Here are details on setting up to fish for most every fish in your local ponds. Follow
these (8) steps and you will have a pan fish blast of your own.

1. Consult local bait store owner.

They will give you great information on local ponds and you should be able to buy
some floats, and the rest of your gear below. While not every store owner is great
for information, most can get you to good fishing spots. To start,find waters with
panfish. Panfish are abundant and for the most part active. This will provide you
with a chance to catch fish.

2. Throw out your bobbers and purchase a couple small floats.

Bobbers are no good. Red and white are the worst. Throw them out or save them as
museum pieces. America is about to find out what the rest of the world has known
for 2,000 years. Floats catch fish. Even if you must cast larger float, a properly
balanced float will crush a round bobber every day. Slip bobbers are not as good as
floats either. This is because the line comes out the top in a slip float and catches
wind, current messing up the presentation.

3. Get some good fishing line

6 lb. test is overkill for pond fishing. Use 4 lb. with an even lighter 4 - 6″ leader line
to the hook. If a fish feels the line, they are gone. If the fish sees the line, they are
gone. Your leader should be 2 lb.!
Fish feed by sucking their feed in with water. If the line is heavy, it gets sucked in
slower. Most of the time, heavy line is just spit back out. Fish can spit a poor
presentation out faster than you can see your float move up on the surface! With
heavy line, you can miss hundreds of fish bites each time out!! In the World
Championships- I fished with line that is 1/8th the thickness of U.S. 2 lb. line!

4. Get some small, SMALL hooks

Size #12 should be one of the biggest hooks you ever use! If the majority of you
checked your tackle box, I am sure that some 90% of you don’t own a hook this
small! A big hook will kill your fishing! Kill it. Take a look at the nail on your pinky
finger. That is about as long as your hook should be or smaller. (Ask your bait store
owner or check out mickthill.com for these hooks) MOST MAJOR CHAINS DO NOT
CARRY THESE HOOKS. Some aren’t interested in you catching fish, just buying stuff.
They are quite happy selling a bunch of giant bass hooks, because that is what you
have been buying!!! As we ask for proper equipment, the stores will change and
offer us great selection. You may find these hooks in fly fishing sections of big
stores but you can ask your local dealer to special order them. Size #14 or #16
hooks are perfect. If you are wondering, I have landed a 9 lb. walleye on a size #14
hook with small leech.

5. Get some small bait

Again, the thumbnail on your pinky finger is probably the biggest bait you should
use. There are times the fish only want 1 maggot (spikes) on a tiny #16 hook. Even
the big gills will not take 2 or 3 spikes as readily as they would 1 tiny piece of bait,
this is especially true in early Spring, late Fall and after cold rains. Same would go
for worms. Sometimes using a tiny cut piece will give you success. Only the fish will
tell you. Lastly- big fish eat small bait! I have caught 15 lb. fish on a piece of crawler
the size of my small fingernail.

6. Get a cane pole or telescopic pole

I have landed a 3.5 lb. fish so far on the cane pole with 2 lb. line. We call them
“whips” and some call them crappie poles. I plan on landing bigger fish than that,
but the greatest number of fish are best caught in our local ponds using a whip and
tiny delicate floats with small baits. The whip will deliver the bait out to the exact
spot you need to lower your bait. This could be a drop-off, rock edge, gravel edge
or weed edge. You can hit the exact spot every time! No missed casts. No birds
nests. Once you find the fish, you can put the bait back in with the whip in the spot
where the fish are. Whips vary in length from 6 ft. to 25 feet (longer if you find pro
versions).

7. Balance Your Setup

Good shot is essential to this setup. The bite indicator (float you use) should be the
smallest you can find. Take your line, rig this float up and then using a bucket of
water to add split shot below the rig until your float is nearly sunk. It should be 95%
below the water if you have the right amount of shot on it. 75% of that shot goes
right under the float. Take a few small shot and this will go close to the hook. The
best shot is Anchor brand split shot! This is premium splitshot that will stay on the
line better and not slide around on you. It also tangles much less than the brand
with the wings on it- round shot is best.
Correctly balance your tiny float on thin line with a small hook and you will have
created a very efficient fish-catching machine! When your bait is on the hook, float
in the water- the bait should sink the float a little. When the rig is properly balanced
with bait on it- the slightest movement will show above water for you to see. If you
have too much float tip sticking up- you will not see the bites!

8. Catch (and release) bags full of fish

You will need a keep net for the water if you want to have some fun. Seeing how
many you can catch is all the fun. There is nothing like pulling a bag with 100 fish
out to show people what fishing is all about. If you want to fish in a local club
competition, the net is also required to keep the fish you catch for weight of your
total catch. Keeping some medium sized fish and returning the largest fish is the
way to improve your lake. If you take all the big fish, they won’t be in there next
time you go fishing. If you take the medium sized fish, the bigger fish will get even
bigger! It is essential that you release large fish to keep the bloodlines breeding and
ensure future fishing on your lake!

9. Teach a kid to fish and take them fishing

With a cane pole and the basics, kids can have a blast! If we don’t take our kids
fishing, and above all, show them a good time, our sport will fade. Improving our
sport brings better fishing programs, cleaner local waters and education on
preserving our environment for kids. We need kids to care about their local world
and taking them fishing for bluegills is the absolute best way to show them a good
time. Incidentally, there is nothing wrong with catfish, golden roach shiners,
bullheads, carp or bass as any fish gives the kids just as much fun. Any fish they
catch will be a blast on a whip.

Who knows, you might even get hooked on pole fishing. I did.

As an angler, is our time best spent casting all day, or catching fish? Certain
situations will require spinning gear, a very long rod and casting, but for the
greatest number of situations in our local ponds and lakes the reel-less pole will
outperform casting gear sometimes by more than 200% and up. I mean, take a look
across the pond at spin casters sitting fishless and you destroying them with a pole-
that is the goal! Or should I say whipping them!

Angler Magazine Writer- John Wilkins
www.MidwestAngler.com
john@midwestangler.com

John Wilkins has fished on the US Fishing Team competing at the highest levels of fishing in Europe, Canada, China & the United States. He has fished in 2 World Championships and has educated anglers on the basics of fishing urban waters. His teacher is angling legend and Hall of Famer Mick Thill. John’s top catch is 512 fish in a 4-hour competition and top finish is second in the US Open Championships in 2000.

Visit http://www.midwestangler.com for more tips & info. as well as a complete listing of US Fishing Clubs- the best place to learn is in a club.

The hike into Cedar Creek in the Oregon Coast Range is
steep, dropping almost a thousand feet in 3 miles. I
haven’t always been willing to go to those great lengths to
find a good spot for fishing, but I finally found the form
of fishing that turned the attraction of the sport from a
mystery to an obsession. Fly fishing.

Growing up in South Dakota, fishing in the sloughs for
bullheads (little catfish) with my dad on an occasional
Sunday was my first experience of fishing, and I was not
impressed.

It seemed like we spent all our time sitting still and
being quiet, two things that do not appeal to a child. I
can see now why my dad, a farmer who worked long hours in
summer, truly enjoyed sitting in a lawn chair at the
water’s edge, holding a rod in his hand and not doing much
more than reeling in the line now and then. But to me it
was dull with a capital “D.”

Much later, in college, was my next exposure to a fishing
technique. A buddy took me ice fishing. For entirely
different reasons, I was once again not impressed.

On a bright winter day, there we were in a dark shack
poised over a hole in the ice, waiting for a pike to swim
into view. Once again holding very still and keeping quiet
except for the hiss of the pop-top when one of us opened
another can of beer.

The main difference between spear-fishing in an ice shack
and bullhead fishing was that instead of being a sultry
summer day, we were sitting motionless in zero degree
weather, our feet resting on ice, our rear ends in frozen
lawn chairs. One time in the ice shack was enough ‘fun’ for
me.

I really didn’t have much interest in fishing for a long
time after that. Not until a career change took me from
Minnesota to the Pacific Northwest and I met the man who
would later become my husband. He was perfect in every
way… except for being an avid fisherman.

This guy, Greg, is so serious about fishing that he had
one entire room of his house dedicated to housing his gear.
His drift boat, rather than his car, occupied the one bay
garage.

You know how it goes in the first part of a new romance;
you’re willing to do things you would normally never even
consider. So, there I was, going fishing once again. We
stood on the bank of a lovely little creek, and I held the
expensive, ultra-light trout rod in my hand as I stepped
onto a mossy rock, slick with moisture. I slipped, fell
into the creek, and not only scared all the fish away, but
broke the tip of the pole. This was not a good way to
resume my fishing career.

Next try. Knowing I love the beach, Greg decided to take
me fishing on the open ocean. He put the Evinrude outboard
on the drift boat and we motored over the bar and out of
the bay. The mixture of gas fumes and choppy water soon had
me leaning sickly over the side of the boat. Not romantic
at all.

Trolling for bass came next. Nice warm days on one of the
Oregon Coast Rivers. We got in the drift boat, put out a
line for bass, and floated downstream. I really liked being
on the water in the sun.

Things had changed since being a kid. These days, I
appreciated being able to sit in the sun doing nothing…..
until the fish started biting. I didn’t like being
interrupted from sun-bathing and having to take them off
the hook. Catching and then releasing a bunch of poor
little bass didn’t make sense to me. Why ruin both our
days? So I was willing to be in the fishing boat, but not
fishing. I thought it was a good compromise.

Greg is nothing if not persistent. He wanted me to be his
fishing buddy as well as his wife, and I could see the
value in the long run of sharing some hobbies, so I was
game to give fishing one more try. That’s when he
introduced me to fly fishing. Bingo!

It’s impossible to describe why I love it. I guess it has
something to do with the rhythm and grace of it. The
mesmerizing experience of standing in rushing water. And
the power, the absolute thrill of feeling the fish strike.

Greg still has a room dedicated to fishing gear, but it’s
in a different house, and it’s bigger now. We had to make
room for my gear, too.

Joanne Tynedale has made a study of topics related to fish
and fishing. She is contributing writer of articles for
Fishing Junky and Free Aquarium , two
premier resources on-line for information about fish and
fishing. For additional articles by Joanne, also visit Hunting Style

What is fly fishing? For most people, fishing is just fishing. Throw some bait on a line, toss it in the water and wait for a nibble, but for fly fishing enthusiasts, it’s so much more. An ancient angling method, fly fishing is a method that was initially developed primarily for catching trout and salmon. Currently, however, it is also used to catch pike, carp, bass and other species.

Fly fishing uses an artificial fly as bait, which is tied to a hook with the use of thread, feathers, fur and other similar materials. The idea is to create an illusion that will match a natural vision of food to attract the fish. Fly rods, which are used for fly fishing, are light in weight, but long in their design. The lines, themselves, are somewhat heavy in order to provide the casting weight. The lines may be made to either float or sink and are typically matched to the fly rod according to the weight. The fly itself will be very lightweight and is attached to the line.

So, what is the difference between fly fishing and regular fishing? Realistically, it is more than just the bait, right? Right. The main difference in fly fishing and regular casting is that with casting, you use the weight of the bait to throw out the line, while fly fishing uses a weightless bait and a weighted line that directs the actual placement.

Fly fishing is commonly done in two different forms, which consists of either dry or wet. Dry flies are coated to sit atop the water’s surface, while wet flies are placed beneath the water’s surface in an attempt to lure fish.

Fly fishing rods and accessories can be commonly found at any bait shop, retail store’s fishing department or online specialty store. There are a number of online fly fishing experts that are happy to sell their recommended products. The internet may, in fact, hold the greatest selection of fly fishing gear as customers are granted access to a world of businesses and a haven of products to feed their fly fishing appetite.

The art of fly fishing is best enjoyed in the company of friends. A quiet afternoon on the water, enjoying nature and competing for the greatest catch is all apart of the fun related to fly fishing. There are many areas that are accommodating to fly fishing, including the western United States and parts of Canada.

When you go fishing from one place to the other in the U. S. you will see many different types of lakes and rivers. Each body of water has its own endearing characteristic but they also have a lot of things in common. And that is where the lakes and rivers in Central Florida differ from all the others lakes in the United States – it has its own uniqueness.

It is popularly known that Central Florida is famous for fantastic Bass fishing. They have the best lakes in the entire Florida because they have the finest largemouth bass any other lakes could give.

Bass fishing in Central Florida is world class throughout the year. The reproduction of this fish occurs between December and April at which time the bass will be at their heaviest. Eight to ten pound trophy-class fish are possible on any given day, with a chance at even a larger bass.

You can also find in Central Florida the famous Kissimmee Chain of Lakes where the finest largemouth bass can be found.

Central Florida bass fishing is known world wide. Avid fishermen from all over the world take their vacations here in order to see and catch their own world-class wall mount, a sure pride of their collection.

Before you go on fishing for bass fishes in Central Florida, you have first to consider that fishes have different characteristics. And they are as follows:

1. Shallow water fish or literal zone fish: These fishes lives and survive in shallow water near the shore line.

2. Of course when there are fishes in the shallow, there are also fishes that live in deep water.

3. The last are the classes of gypsies. These fish live in deep-water home but they van also survive near the shore.

Now, if you are done categorizing to what characteristic does the bass fish belong, start the ultimate fishing.

But wait! You might be wondering where on Central Florida you can get these bass fishes. Here is a list of lakes where you can find the finest and the best bass fishes in the whole Central Florida.

•The Lake Tohopekiga or the Lake Toho - the Florida’s trophy Largemouth fisheries are found in Lake Tohopekaliga or “Lake Toho”. It is actually the place where B.A.S.S is held. This is also know as the Kissimee Chain of Lakes.

•The Lake Cypress

•And the Lake Kissimmee

Try to visit these lakes! And you will never regret it.

While there are so many seasoned Bass fishers from Central Florida and some from out of state, there are also those who have little or no experience just yet but want to takes up the sport. It is necessary to know that it is not just about throwing a line in the water and wait. There are some necessary procedures and laws to follow.

The following are important guides for fishing bass in Central Florida:

1. Be sure that the boats you are going to use are fully equipped with all U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment and cell phone for emergency purposes.

2. It is a must to consider the weather condition. You should leave the water when a storm comes or if there is lightning in the area.

3. You should start to fish early in the morning or in the evening because bass are active on cooler temperature.

4. Use artificial or live bait to trap the bass. This is an effective technique because bass are not aware of the bass fishers when they are feeding.

5. Bring extra rods and reels. You might need it.

But if you feel like you want the guide services to help you, you can just search for them at the internet. Because they already have an advertisement regarding the services they offer.

Different bass fishing guide agencies will assist you with your tour. It may charge you a certain amount. But it is an expense I am sure will be worth it. You will like the pleasure that bass fishing will give to you.

As a reminder do not forget to bring with you your sunglasses and sunscreen because it might get hot out there! But of course, do not forget to bring food. You don’t want an angry stomach on your bass fishing trip, do you?

And best of all be sure you have your camera so, you can take pictures as a memoirs of your fantastic bass fishing in Central Florida as well as that whopping 15 pounder that you caught.

For a free course on central Florida bass fishing and where to find the best bass fish equipment, visit www.bassfishingsystem.com/ today.

Bass fishing is like any other sport, if you have the knowledge and the understanding of the opponent it allows you to be more successful. You can look at it like Turkey hunting, the more the hunter understands the trails, water areas, food areas and habits of the Turkey the easier it will be for the hunter to locate them. The same is true with Bass fishing, the more you understand the Bass, the circumstances and conditions you face the more successful you will be at catching them. Here are a few factors of a better understanding of the bass.

SURVIVAL: Largemouth bass need three elements to survive:

Food, Oxygen, and cover.

If any one of these elements is not present in a body of water a bass could not survive, just by knowing why these three elements are so important for a bass’s survival will help you to become a more successful angler.

The first element we talk about is FOOD. Believe it or not, shad is NOT the 1st choice of a bass. Shad is a very common food for the bass as well as other natural baits, however the number 1 food choice of a bass is a crawfish (also know as crawdads, crayfish, etc.). A few years ago a study was done where 100 shad and 100 Crawfish were in a tank of water with all species of bass (Spotted, Smallmouth, Largemouth) and Surprise the crawfish were eaten 8 to 2 over the shad. A couple of reasons for this are that the crawfish are a very easy prey for a bass to catch and they are fairly easy for bass to find. Studies show that there are actually more crawfish found in vegetation areas than around rocky areas (or as some may know as Rip-Rap).

A bass will eat just about anything at any given time such as: Mice, Ducklings, Frogs, Rats, Snakes, Worms, Salamanders, Grubs, Lizards, Insects, Leeches, Baitfish, etc. This is one reason there are so many different shapes and types of artificial baits on the market today.

The next element is OXYGEN. Oxygen is an element that any living creature needs to survive. The main reason a bass fisherman angler should pay attention to oxygen is that a bass requires it to survive. By knowing water oxygen content in various areas and angler will develop a better understanding why a bass acts the way it does under the many different conditions. When a bass has a limited supply of oxygen, it tends to get more disoriented, and much slower or lethargic. The “Key” in understanding the rules of oxygenic water is that the cooler the water, the more oxygen content and the warmer the water the less oxygen content. The more oxygen a bass can get usually during the warmer months the more active it will be. Usually during the summer when the water temperature hits the 80 degree mark or higher, the oxygen in the water will start to diminish.

What does this have in common with bass fishing? Well, a bass will usually do one of two things in a condition such as this. A bass will drop down to water that is cooler for a larger supply of oxygen, or a bass will usually head for vegetation areas because of the constant producing of oxygen that aquatic plants provide. This usually happens in spring, summer and early fall.

Here are some areas where ample supplies of oxygen can be found:

Power. Plants- because of the constant discharge of oxygenic water.
Deep. water areas- the deeper the cooler water a better supply of oxygen.
Around. Trees, Sump, & Log areas-because of the porous wood will hold oxygen.
Rivers-. because of the constant flowing of the water.
Vegetation. areas-remember, the deeper the cooler water a better supply of oxygen.
Mouths. of Creeks- again, because of the constant-in-flow of fresh water.
Wind. Blown Banks- a constant oxygen source, these are just a few areas there are many more…

And the third element is COVER. Cover is an extremely important element when it comes to a bass for many reasons here are a few of the most important ones.

One reason would be for protection. A bass , being known mostly as a “Ambush Fish” will use cover such as vegetation, rocks, stumps, trees, fall-downs, structures, docks, holes, etc….to dart out after it’s prey. A bass really is a lazy-by-nature type of fish and will extend the least amount of energy for the greatest amount of benefit. Bass fish are known as territorial fish and will not travel a long distance.

A second reason a bass fish needs cover is because a bass does not have eye lids like you or I and prolonged exposure to the Sun’s rays, a bass will eventually go blind. The next time you see someone bass fishing; you will usually see the bass being caught in a shaded area, and in and around covered areas.

For more information visit Bass Attacks LLC website at http://www.bassattacksdvd.com, by email chris@bassattacksdvd.com, or by phone call 1-888-802-4277.

Chris Bowser

It is easy to get intimidated by world class rivers.

I guess the Henry’s Fork was a little intimidating to me.

With the old rule of thumb being that “eighty percent of the fish are caught by twenty percent of the fishermen”, I was pretty much convinced that at least for this trip I might fall into the “eighty percent” of fishless fellas category.

Nonetheless– being the supreme optimist that I am– I was up at 4:30 a.m. and heading upstream to Box Canyon. This is a stretch below Island Lake Reservoir, that is classic “tailwater” and a good place to fish with nymphs.

Now for those of you not familiar with the term “nymph fishing”, I don’t want you to race to the Henry’s Fork with your Armani waders and Italian leather fishing vests–because you might be a tad disappointed to find mainly a bunch of fish crazed males when you get there. Nymph fishing is the term used for the stage of life, when an aquatic bug is residing beneath the surface of water, usually on the bottom.

If that gets you excited–then you have potential to be a fly fisherman. But leave the Gucci duds at home!!

I followed my map to the place where the guide shop had directed me, and took a short hike to the river. Water looked good, but I always get a little suspicious when I am not competing for fishing space with other fishermen. Especially on an easy access spot on a world famous river!!

My suspicions were justified, as I ran the leech/bead head combo through several riffles and pools and came away with bupkiss. I fished for an hour and decided to move downstream to Box Canyon campground.

I still hadn’t seen another fisherman out on the water and it was about 8 o’clock by now. I walked downstream from the campground for about 3/4 mile and never saw another soul.Unless you count the two rather angry Ospreys that were giving me an earful as I stood below their nest. They, of course, had some luck that morning and were chowing down on something. The water was moving through the canyon here at a pretty good volume and I had to look hard for a spot to fish.

I finally found some water that looked good and fished a tiny pocket where I got a hit right away. I casted again to the same spot and……. seven monsterous inches later I had my first Henry’s Fork trout.Hey, a fish is a fish, and at the current “fish story” growth ratio of 1 inch every 3 months-in two years he would become a 15 incher!!

That was it though, another hour went by and no more strikes or fish.

It was starting to warm up by now and I headed back to my truck–stopping to antagonize the Osprey–who were now also laughing at me –due to my lack of fish catching ability.

I considered painting my head white,climbing up the snag to the Osprey nest and stealing their fish– but lacking some of the other attributes of the Bald Eagle–like wings and beak– I opted to just slink out of the forest and let the Osprey gloat.

Bastards.

Oh well, that evening would be a different!!

to be continued…..

A.J. Klott

Author, writer of fishing humor,and “fly tack” peddler.A.J. writes about the people,characters and modern day events that surround the fishing world. His first book is due out in December of 2005.

If you need a laugh or a fun gift, visit his website at:
http://www.twoguyswithflys.com

A few years back, I spent a year living in Siberia and had a chance to head out to a town called Tinda. Much to my surprise, a couple of the locals had fly fishing on the menu.

The Siberian Surprise

Mention the word “Siberia” and most people think of bleak, frozen tundra stretching for hundreds of miles. Well, this is more or less true in the winter. In the summer, however, much of Siberia is a burst of green with temperatures in the eighties and nineties. As I had failed to bring shorts, this was a bit of a surprise to me.

Living in the city of Chita, I had an opportunity to visit the forest town of Tinda. Tinda is located about a day east of Lake Baikal and was built in the 1950s to act as a lumber town. The communist government haphazardly relocated a hundred thousand people and there they remain today. The area around Tinda is very mountainous and very beautiful. As the winter snows melt, rivers, lakes and creeks spring to life.

While in Tinda, I was invited to go fly fishing with the sons of the people I was staying with. Hilarity was sure to follow since they spoke no English and I was fluent in Russian at about a kindergarten level. Off we went strolling to the apparent local hot spot.

After a 45 minute walk, we came upon a slow moving creek that looked like something you would find in Wyoming. Trees towered over us and cast shadows across the water. Shallow pools of water formed along the bank and I could’ve sworn I saw more than a few of our slippery friends.

As every person knows, a first timer at anything will always have success. The boys had fished this spot hundreds of times, but I hadn’t. By all that is good in the universe, I should’ve caught 20 while they caught nothing. Alas, evil had the day. I caught nothing, nada, zippo. Nikoli and Oleg, on the other hand, were getting fisher elbow.

Although they caught a lot of fish, I can’t tell you what they were. The language barrier was just too much. The fisher were six to 10 inches long and appeared to be related to Mackinaws, but the vodka celebration made this pure speculation.

Rick Chapo is with www.nomadjournals.com/flyfishing.cfm - makers of writing journals. Fly fishing journals are great fly fishing gifts for anglers and fly fishing trips and vacations. Visit www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more fly fishing articles and stories.

In fishing, trout are one of the favorite “fishing friends” of most anglers. These crafty fish are abundant anywhere. The native habitat of these crafty fish depends on the type of trout.

For brook trout, the native habitat includes the territory from Labrador westward to the Saskatchewan, while the rainbow trout is a native of the Pacific slope from Alaska to California.

On the other hand, brown trout has found its way into the waters of every state in the United States except Florida, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas. It has been reported in the waters of some of these states, but according to conservation officials, no authentic reports have been received. It is also found in many parts of Canada.

In trout fishing, there are some factors that need to be considered in order to have a successful catch.

1. For trout fishing, the leader should not be greased. It will not sink far enough to cause any difficulty when picking the line and lure from the water, but if it is allowed to float; it will cast a shadow on the bottom of the stream which may scare the trout.

2. The trout is one of the fishes that are usually secured through the use of the dry fly. For trout, the current as well as the pools should be fished. It may sometimes be a bit difficult to keep the fly from sinking or dragging because of the various conditions of the current, but this is a matter that the angler will have to figure out for himself.

3. It is not good practice when fishing for trout to fish directly upstream so the flies, line, and leader will float directly over fish. The fisherman should make the cast from one side of the stream so the fly will only float over the fish.

4. It is important to make the first cast the best. A feeding trout will usually strike the first lure presented if it is cast so that it will float over his private domain. The angler should never fail to fish the lower end of the pool first even if the trout are rising in the middle or upper end.

5. Trout are sometimes very moody or selective and will try the patience of any angler; hence, possibly a fly with less hackle will do the trick or it may be necessary to use a spent-wing fly or a fan wing.

Indeed, catching trout fishes can be lots of fun. The anglers just have to remember these tips in order to have a happy catch.

Download your free trout fishing tips guide now. Lots of great tips and techniques to improve your fishing. http://www.secretfishingtips.com/freeguide.html

For those who are interested in speckled trout, you will be happy to know that these fish are some great catches. One of the most interesting features of this fish is the actual speckled trout fishing you will get to do. And, when you do hook the speckled trout, you will be surprised with the trout’s ability to thrash and fight you on the way out. For many, a speckled trout fishing trip may be something that you are interested in doing as well.

Speckled trout are also called by other names including the spotted sea trout, specks, yellow-mouths, and paper mouths. They are usually about 14-18 inches long and weigh between one and three pounds. The speckled trout can be found in shallow but muddy bottoms, mostly coastal areas as well. They can be found though out the entire gulf coast in the United States. They are silver with olive green on the back and many small black dots throughout the body. The lower jaw is larger then the upper.

So, if you are interested in finding the speckled trout, what are you going to do? You want to take a speckled trout fishing trip as well as enjoy some beautiful scenery. It doesn’t have to be too close to home either. You can go speckled trout fishing near the Gulf of Mexico. One of the best locations is Louisiana, although there are several areas along the coast that will provide for you as well. The area is abundant with the speckled trout. To make your trip enjoyable, you may want to book a retreat or guided tour of the area. That way, you will learn where the speckled trout are and what to use to lure them in from experts who have fished the area for years. Regardless, you will get to enjoy a great fishing trip catching a tasty speckled trout!

Ken Austin
All About Trout and Trout Fishing