It was cloudy, it was windy and it was very foggy and the forecast was possible rain until noon. A great day for fishing but then isn’t any day a great day for fishing.

When we are taking a canoe with us we don’t care much for the wind. It just makes handling the canoe a chore and that’s exactly what it did but we still had a great day, because we were fishing of course.

We could see by the movement of the tree tops that the wind was not calming down the further we got from home. So as we were driving the discussion was about where we would fish.

When we have days that are windy we pay attention to wind direction and then head for a cove or bay that is protected from the wind.

We stopped at our first fishing spot and looked at the water. It was a bit choppy but we thought we would be able to get to a protected spot to fish for a while from there so we launched the canoe.

You can see Jamie hiding in the trunk I am sure he was tying on a secret weapon, so I was planning how I could accidentally cut his line when he turned his back for a minute.

You can see the fog has pretty much lifted by the time we arrived but the wind wasn’t about to let up though.

Beauty Hiding In The Most Unlikely Spots

As we were carrying Jamie’s canoe down to the water I noticed a pink colour in the bush to my right so when we got to the water and put the canoe down I went back to take a look.

It was a wild rose bush. I was amazed that it could survive as it was surrounded by taller vegetation.

There is beauty every where in nature, you just have to have your eyes open.

We did a lot of moving around as the wind seemed to keep changing direction on us. Just as you thought you were in control the wind would spin us around.

It’s kind of funny how the wind can turn you directly opposite of where the fish are. You make a cast, the water explodes and then you are facing the other way.

We still managed to have a great day despite the windy conditions.

Why I Like Fishing With Friends

It’s always exciting when a friend catches an unexpected catch.

We shoved off from shore and headed to a spot that was out of the wind where. It’s always a great place to start as we usually catch two or three fish there and today was no different.

Well okay it was different but Jamie will have to tell you about that as he was the first to catch a fish. Here is a link to Jamie’s fun fishing blog, you will be able to read all about it.

Many beginners are confused with the different terms used in fly fishing. That is perfectly understandable. As a beginner, you cannot expect to learn all the names of those fly fishing gears sold in the market, so if the guy at the fly shop counter tells you to use a leader to hold that small fly on the fly line, don’t freak out. Even some old timers do not know what a leader is in fly fishing so do not be so distressed if you have no idea what the shop counter attendant is talking about. Instead of freaking out, just ask the attendant to explain to you what he or she is talking about. You may also ask him or her to show you what a leader is and to use it.

What Is A Fly Leader?

Before you concoct some funny definition of what a fly leader is, let us get this straight. In fly fishing, a fly leader is that part of the terminal tackle system which allows for an almost invisible transition between the fly line and the tippet. Now, if you do not know what a tippet is, let us define it for you. In fly fishing, a tippet is the last 24 or more inches of the leader. You get to tie the fly on this part of the leader. If you are not clear on this part, you better ask that guy on the shop counter to show what this is all about. Holding the fly fishing leader in your hands is the surest way to get to know it better.

What does a fly fishing leader do? The leader separates the fly from the fly line so that you your fly line will not create a lot of disturbance when it hits the water. Since the fly leader is invisible, it helps fool the fish into eating the bait. In other words, you will most likely catch more fish if you have a good fly leader.

What Kind Of Fly Leader Should You Buy?

There are many types of fly fishing leaders being sold in the market today. Fly leaders different in terms of length, strength, design and purpose. The most common types of fly leaders are around 7 1/2 to 9 feet long. However, if you prefer shorter or longer fly leaders, you can easily find fly leaders between 3 feet and 20 feet long. On the other hand, fly leaders vary in terms of design and purpose. Some leaders are designed to catch trout and some are designed to catch bass and the likes. To find something that suits your needs well, ask the attendant to help you choose your fly fishing leader. Most fly fishing shop attendants knows all about fly leaders so ask for their assistance if you are in doubt.

Go here for more about fishing tips and fishing techniques.

A well-known fishing event among many fishers, bass fishing can be observed all around the world today. Due to certain changes and developments in the game there have been many improvements in the way to fish. More importantly, new kinds of striped bass fishing tackle have been used and many new types of Bass have been caught.

Striped bass fishing tackle is also used for other events such as largemouth bass fishing events. The gamers on different competitions will utilise the most efficient striped bass fishing tackle ; this will highlight the pleasure factor in these said events. By using the most innovative and effective striped bass fishing tackle available on the market nowadays, the fishermen are claimed to have the greatest chances of winning.

Purchasing Striped Bass Fishing Tackle Online

It’s most convenient to select striped bass fishing tackle online, although there are shops that may sell all kinds of tackle. This is because searching for tackle online will come with a wealth of info and information and data the tackle. This you can only find to a limited extent in shops. Though shopping in shops may be positive for your own convenience, bear in mind that you will not obtain the additional buying information that you will find online.

You will find that, online, many potential buyers get a better chance to grasp the product through reviews and opinions written by prior customers. This occurs on many websites offering striped bass fishing tackle and other products and hardware related to fishing games. Through the recounted striped bass fishing tackle reviews online, clients of the product will become more knowledgeable of whatever sort of striped bass fishing tackle they ought to employ in the competition, or just in regular fun pursuits alone.

Let’s Learn from the Professionals

Apart from  the striped bass fishing tackle reviews you can read through the web, mavens are also able to give their own points of view with regard to the products. This makes the purchasers on the site more knowledgeable regarding the products that they choose. Not just that, the simplicity of utilising this striped bass fishing tackle also makes the complete fishing activity more delightful and recognizable. Through the utility of reviews and expert advice on striped bass fishing supplied for online, it makes purchasers more confident about their skills when using striped bass fishing tackle.

There are always new and innovative striped bass fishing techniques and other largemouth bass fishing techniques that you can take into stride and really use to your advantage when you are out on the water. If you want to be the best fisherman that you can be, and have the most chances of success of catching striped bass when you are out on the water, then you are going to want to learn as many of these striped bass fishing techniques as you can.

Schools

Learning that striped bass typically run in schools is one of the best striped bass fishing techniques that you will ever get. Therefore you need to be aware that while you may have great success one day, and the next day you don’t have any luck at all, this is probably because most to all of the striped bass in the area have left together as a group.

Likes and Dislikes

As a fisherman, if you want to be successful in your endeavor after the striped bass fish, then you need to make yourself more aware of what their likes and dislikes are. This is the only way that you are going to be able to learn about the fish and know what to expect them to do.

They prefer cleaner water for one, whereas some of the other types of bass do not. So you are going to want to stick around in the areas of the water that are clearer and cleaner, and make sure that you then use appropriate lures on your line as well, nothing too shiny.

Research on Your Own Time

Remember that these are certainly not the only striped bass fishing techniques out there, and there are plenty of others that you could use to your advantage here as well. To hone your skills as a fisherman, you need to always be on top of your game and that means spending time doing research on your own as well.

You can use the Internet for one to do your own research and to find out things like what the best striped bass fishing techniques are that you can use.

Also remember that striped bass fishing can be some of the most challenging bass fishing that a person can take on, so you really only want to try it out after you have at least a bit of experience with bass fishing in other areas.

Go here for more about fishing tips and bass fly fishing techniques.

Fishing has new Fishermen getting into the sport every day. Everyone has their own reason to start fishing. Some like the relaxation, some the solitude and some love to eat fish. However, each year, scores ofpeople go out and beg, borrow or steal their first fishing reel and rod in hopes of landing a meal of fish.

I’ve created an easy to follow Guide about picking your basic fishing tackle. You don’t need expensive or complicated gear to begin. Most people know that fishing tackle companies produce fishing tackle to catch the Fishermen’s eye instead of fish. The Fishing gear I used to catch fish all those years ago still catch fish today. In fact, it may even work better today seeing how the fish haven’t seen this particular offerings over and over again.

Gear to catch Fish shouldn’t be so complicated you need an users manual to figure out how to operate it. Simple set-ups work best for any fish. Back in my younger days, a Buddy and I went Bass fishing at a local lake. The weather was hot that day, even for June. We gave up fishing at noon and went in too load the boat when this Old Man and 2 kids came into the boat launch area.

When they were done loading their boat, I walked over to find they had a limit of Black Bass. The biggest one was 6 and a half pounds and none were under 2 pounds. Being that we were just skunked by an Old Man an two kids, I had to know what they were using for bait. The Old Man smiled and showed me his Minnow bucket and said “Why we were using Bass Minnows and Worms”! I also couldn’t keep from noticing their very simplistic rod and reels. Their basic fishing tackle had outfished a couple local Pro’s with the latest in Rods, reels and fishing tackle!

The tackle you’ll want to be successful at catching fish is a Rod and Reel, line and bait. It’s as simple as that. Finding all this tackle at a reasonable price is also easy, your local sporting goods store or Wal-Mart has all that you’ll need. I’d suggest a Rod and Reel combo like the Zebco 33 and a matching rod. This should set you back about $25 or so.

Don’t make the mistake thinking you need a level wind reel to begin with. They’re hard for beginners to use and they cost way more than a spincast reel. Spinning reels can also be difficult to use. They take a little while to get used to and if not spooled properly, can leave a tangled mess of fishing line on the spool.

Next on your equipment list comes the line. If you bought a rod and reel combo, chances are it came with line already on it. If not, or you want to change the line, then I’d suggest a 10lb line from either Stren or Trilene. You could use a more expensive line, but there’s no use. These two fishing line makers offer excellent line.

Bait selection comes next. Don’t fret, it’s just as simple as selecting your rod and reel. Start with live bait and work your way up to artificials. You’ll catch more fish and bigger ones on live bait. When you’re in the Fishing Dept. of your favorite store, look for Eagle Claw live bait hooks in the 1/0 to 3/0 sizes and get a few packs. Next try and find some weights. You can generally find the ones that come several sizes to a package. Split shot is a great weight for beginners. Next, check out the floats. I like to use the Balsa wood floats. I use the slip floats. These slide up and down the line for easy adjustment. They’re held in place at the top by a knot or bobber stop. You’re now ready to head out to go fishing!

That’s your basic list you’ll need to start fishing. All total, this should cost less than a hundred bucks. The fishing companies have made it seem like catching a Bass is nearly impossible unless you’re using the latest and greatest gear on the Market. Ignore the marketing hype. If you come home empty handed, don’t sweat it. Even the best of us do from time to time!

If I have to make a choice as to when I go fishing I will always pick a time right close to or on the full moon.

It seems like something goes off in those little fish brains that makes them all the meaner and I like to be there when it happens as it almost always makes for a wild day of fishing.

When Jamie called Monday evening to see if Tuesday was a good day for me to go fishing I never bothered to check my schedule or I would have seen it was a full moon. I just said what time are you picking me up.

It wasn`t until I was back home with worn our arms and exhausted that I realized it was a full moon and that explained the great day we had.

I have had days like we had Tuesday a number of times before and they are the best memories.

Jamie on the other hand had never experienced a day like we were about to have. And I am sure he will never forget it. Heck we weren’t even packed up to go home yet and he was ready to go again.

It was one of those days that you didn`t even want to take time to stop to eat, drink or even to take a leak.

I ate between casts while my line was in the air and pretty much forgot all about drinking my water, which I paid for the next day as I let myself get a bit dehydrated.

We spent the entire 12 hours in the canoe without one break so when it came time to get out that evening it was a funny site.

Someone should have been there with a video camera when we tried to get out of the canoe. Our knee joints we all but fused by then and it took about 5 minutes to get up and out. It was one of those pains that make you laugh.

I managed to crawl out first as I was the closest to the bank so I got to watch what Jamie had just watched and it was truly funny to watch Jamie trying to get up on his feet. Next time I will think to get out my camera.

Okay, Back to our Day of Pickerel Fishing

We got there early but just like the last few weeks the wind was up earlier than we were which can make fishing the weeds for pickerel a lot tougher.

If I am fishing pickerel in deeper water they don`t seem to be affected by the wind but when we fish the weeds the slightest breeze can shut them down instantly.

Instead of staying there in the wind we usually move to a nice spot I know that is protected from the wind and we fish smallmouth bass there. But this day I suggested we move to a different spot but keep fishing pickerel.

I picked a spot that was out of the wind, usually. When we got there it was still windy, just not as windy.

The spot I suggested was an area that I had fished years ago from my float tube. The fishing we good then but the journey was too long and hard to bother trying again from float tubes.

We were in Jamies canoe so I thought we should give it a try as we would get there in a fraction of the time it took with my float tube.

We fished for a while and had a little action but the wind was still causing enough ripples on the water that the pickerel were keeping pretty quiet.

Then we moved to a more protected spot where the wind was on the opposite side of the trees. The water was like glass and that’s when the pickerel went nuts.

Let The Fun Begin

Once we hit that hot spot I think I spent the rest of the day with a googy look of happiness on my face. Kind like the picture on the right here.

Before we made it to this awesome spot we were getting a few here and there but nothing like we were about to experience.

Jamie knew I was right about the wind and the weeds and how the pickerel would shut down when ever the breeze picked up but he had no idea what we had been missing until we came around a point that was protected from the wind.

Hours And Hours of None Stop Pickerel Action

I was bringing the canoe to the spot where we could see calm water.

The very first cast was made by Jamie and the water exploded as a big ole pickerel grabbed the big pink worm Jamie was using and headed out of the province.

Jamie had struck gold as you can see on the left.

Notice the nice glove Jamie is wearing. A fine gardening glove with rubber palms so holding the pickerel is much safer. He learned from my mistake a couple of weeks before when my fingers slipped into the gill plate.

I was cut up pretty bad but was very fortunate that they weren’t deep enough to stop us from fishing that day. It was just shear luck that I didn’t have to go and get stitches.

Maybe I need to get a glove myself as they tend to be a pretty slippery fish and a fish that doesn’t sit quietly while you remove the hook.

We went from seeing a bit of action in the wind to getting action on almost every cast once we were out of the wind. The fishing went like that for the rest of the day.

We practiced CPR all day long. We would Catch a pickerel, take a Photo and then Release it back so you can come and catch it another day.

Time To Move The Canoe

We stopped as soon as we were out of the wind where the water got calm. Then we caught about 5 or so pickerel. The we picked up anchor and moved all of maybe 20 feet and started again.

The fishing went like that for the rest of the day. And that’s not counting all the chased and the ones that got awayl.

The only thing that stopped us from lasting until dark was me. I caught fish until I could not lift my arm any more. The last fish I caught I had to get Jamie to help me I just could not hold my arm up any more.

I tried to help paddle us back to the car but my arms just couldn’t keep us going straight once we were back out in the wind. But we made it to the car eventually.

We were packing up and getting ready to put the canoe on the car when Jamie said he was ready. I didn’t clue in at first but then he said he was ready to do it all over again.

I am not sure how many fish we caught and released. I like to keep a rough count but not this time we just couldn’t keep up.

All the way home we couldn’t stop talking about the day and what a great time we had. I know both of us were thinking about how soon we could get back there.

We had a few that were the biggest Jamie had caught but I had forgotten my tape measure. The funny thing is that when I got home and was telling my son and wife how great our day was Stephen picked up my scale and asked me what it was. He thought it was a clock or something and then he noticed it had a tape measure built right in.

I have had that scale in my tackle bag for years and never knew it had a built in measuring tape.

As exhausted as I was it still took me hours to get to sleep. I just kept going over the day in my mind. Then I when I did finally get to sleep I am sure I dreamed of another great day on the water.

Time really does fly when it comes to fishing. I can be on the water at day break and before I know it the sun is going down and I have to go home again. I really don`t know where the time goes but I will tell you that I never fall asleep fishing so it`s not that.

I guess that’s where the saying ‘How Time Flies When You’re Having Fun ‘ comes from.

Put The Gardening Tools Down

Tuesday would have been another day in the yard making it our own but Jamie called Monday night and asked if I was up for going fishing. I laugh when people ask me that as a question.

It would have to be something I couldn`t get out of one way or another to keep me from going fishing. Ha

We hit the road at 6am aiming for one of our favorite pickerel fishing hot spots with Jamie at the wheel. I was talking his ear off as usual about everything and anything to do with fishing.

I can be just like a little kid at Christmas when I get out fishing.

When Was The Last Time You Were Trout Fishing

The subject came around to the last time each of us fished for trout and that is when I had to stop and think. My heart health had kept me off thye water for 4 years and I hadn`t trout fished for a few years before that. The best I could come up with was about 8 years with no trout fishing.

I think there may have been a few moments of silence while I was silently telling myself for putting other things ahead of trout fishing.

That is just sad and can`t keep happening.

I don`t think my health is back enough for me to walk a river all day with a fly rod yet but I do have two float tubes that are just itching to get wet. I think I still know of a few ponds and lakes that I have had great fun brook trout fishing.

I can`t keep my arms up for long but I will still bring my fly rod. How else will I build strength in my arms and shoulders.

I can always switch back and forth as I use my left arm to spin cast and I use my right arm to fly cast. I`ll do just fine.