About a week ago I read a comment on my blog from Tim, on the left, who was eager to meet up with other like minded fishers addicted to the sport.

I emailed Tim right away and left my phone number as I am always up for making new friends, especially fishing friends. Just aske Jamie and Casey.

Tim and his wife returned to New Brunswick after living and teaching in Quebec for a few years. Glad he came back.

After talking with Tim for a bit I started thinking how much he reminds me of me about 25 or so years ago. I would hit every spot that could hold a trout and spent days finding new spots to fish.

My health has been improving and I feel better than I have felt in the last five years but I was still a bit hesitant to go on a day trip walking and fishing for trout so I suggested we take a trip to the Caines for an evening of fly fishing Atlantic salmon instead.

I am here today to tell you I survived the evening and had a great time as well. I figured I would stiff this morning but surprisingly I am not. I am having a hard time staying awake but feel great.

Our little trip yesterday was Tim’s first Atlantic salmon fishing so it was a new experience that I will let Tim share with you in the next day or two.

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This, for me, is the hardest time of the year. I can’t go fishing because the season isn’t open for another few weeks but the weather is sunny and warming up, plus the snow is going down really fast, almost gone from our backyard now.

I guess it’s time to bring up my fishing gear from the basement to make sure I know where every thing is and to organize things that didn’t get organized last fall.

You never really know what to expect at this time of year. March can be very unpredictable and even though the snow is going down it could just a quickly start piling back up again. I have come back from Flordia more than once, at the end of March to find more snow that we had almost all winter. But I always keep my hopes up and dream of my favorite hot spots for brook trout and smallmouth bass.

I will have my fly rod with  me of course. The opening day of fishing season wouldn’t be the same without trying to catch something on my fly rod but it doesn’t always happen so I will be sure to take my spinning rod as well and some nice Mepps. The brookies love the Mepps and if they are their the Mepps will find them.

This is the only time of year I keep fish, other than Atlantic salmon. The water is clear and cold making for the best tasting fish. Later when the water warms up the fish seem to get softer and even have worms which kind of turn me off.

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I love Atlantic salmon fishing on the fly using my favorite artificial flies, but sometimes that line ups are pretty long.

It took a long while before I was willing or confident enough in my fly fishing abilities to step into the link of fly fishing fanatics at Quarryville New Brunswick but I finally did and it wasn’t so bad as people let on. Maybe they just made it sound like they were all cranky old men so there would be less fishing.

I have one fly fishing buddy that still won’t fly fish when their are too many other fishers around and it’s been more than 20 years. He just doesn’t have that confidence but I fish with him all the time and he is equal to my abilities, maybe even better, but don’t tell him that, it will go straight to his head and I will never hear the end of it. So I won’t mention is name.

I have seen days when the weather and time of year were just right. You could see a line of mostly men fishing, but every once in a while a woman jumps into the line. The I am sure would stretch for at least a half mile down river.

Next time I am at Quarryville and the conditions are just right I will take a picture, maybe even a few minutes of video so you can see how cool it is to watch the fly lines going and the line moving.

Image by lx-88 via FlickrIt’s been a five years since I have been able to fly fish. After my heart attack I was not allowed to lift more than 10 pounds, not allowed to cross my arms or legs, no lifting my arms over my head, so many rules, just to stay alive.

Well it’s 5 years later and 2008 rocked for me. I was able to get out and do some fishing, even made a new fishing friend but I still didn’t get to fly fish, maybe in 2009.

2009 is going to be my year for fly fishing. It’s only mid-January and I have started lifting 5 pound weights to strengthen my arm so I can spend more than 3 minutes with my fly rod.

As soon as winter is over long enough to get back out into my backyard I will be practicing my cast and building endurance.

The funny thing about all this is that I miss fly fishing for Atlantic salmon but what will I do if I actually hook one. Well that’s why I didn’t bother trying last year. I was just happy to get out fishing at all.

I have been lifting my little 5 pound weights for a few weeks now and just this morning I thought about moving up to 10 pound weights. I imagine it’s going to hurt but the fear of pain has lessened a bit and my doctors says I am okay to work out a bit, just not to push it.

The only part of me at this point that is in good shape would have to be my calf muscles from walking and my tongue from talking. Other than that I really need some work.

Bass fishing takes determination, dedication and some strength depending on what kind of bass you are going after. These fish, classified as sunfish, can be found almost anywhere nationwide. Because of the skill needed to hook and reel these fish in, bass fishing is somewhat of a sport. While most fishermen who go fishing for bass catch them and then release them, some people do catch them and use them for their dinner that night. No matter what reason you or someone you know may have for taking up bass fishing, there are plenty of bass fishing clubs to join.

These clubs are not just for male fishermen, but there are clubs dedicated solely to younger people and women. There are clubs on a national level, state level and some on a very localized level. Some are specialized for a certain type of bass fishing, such as largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, while others cover the sport and the skill. Being a club member is also a great way for avid bass anglers to find out about joining a bass tournament. All clubs have benefits for those who do decide to join up and no two clubs are the same. There are so many available in almost every state in the country that it would be difficult for a bass fishing enthusiast to not find a bass fishing club to join.

Before you join a club, you should look into it to see whether it meets your needs and expectations. If you just want to join up with other small time fishermen who simply bass fish for fun, then you will want one of the local free clubs that are so easy to find. However, if you wish to meet other serious, and sometimes professional bass fishermen, then look into one of the competitive clubs. You will need to pay some annual dues to professional bass fishing clubs and there is often an application process.

The size of the bass fishing clubs you are considering is also important. This is because the larger ones offer many more and different opportunities than the smaller ones do. The larger clubs tend to better suited to the serious bass fisherman because they have the funds to help their members become involved in tournaments and learning opportunities. The smaller clubs are very well suited to the bass fisherman who just wishes to fish for fun and enjoy the companionship of other local fishermen.

Finding quality time to spend together as a family may be one of the toughest parts of being a parent. It may not be easy to get time off work, but with a little planning it can be done. Try a camping trip to a local campground, and see what type of hiking or walking trails they have. Or find a family campground as there are usually extra activities available for the kids. It does not have to be a long trip; as a matter of fact it may be fun to take a few weekend trips throughout the summer months. The important thing is that you are spending time together.

Before going on a camping trip make sure that you have everything that you will need. Kids love to help with this type of stuff, so give them a check list with some of the camping equipment listed or other “to do” tasks. Since they tend to get very excited while waiting for something like this to begin, get them some nature books, so they will be able to identify different things they may see while away. If you go to a lake campground, then they will no doubt have the opportunity to identify numerous plant and local life forms.

Before taking off in an RV consider checking for an RV campground, as they can be difficult to locate. As well, this type of campground will have RV service capabilities, if the need arises. Even if your RV has all the comforts of home, it can be really a great experience for city kids to get out the sleeping bags and spend a night under the stars.

Camping in a family campground may also make it a little easier for your kids to find other kids. (They have been known to go through withdrawal if without friends for a day). You may get to meet some interesting people and share a few laughs or suggestions on what campground is the best for future family adventures. It most definitely does not have to be that way the whole trip but it can make a nice change.

Have you thought about sending your kid to summer camp? It can be a great experience for them and they may tend to be a little more forgiving when they learn that you are not going to be able to take any time off from work this summer. This type of outing is really great for kids, as it is full of energy and challenges. They may participate in any number of activities, such as everyone meeting at the campfire area of the campground where there is talking, singing, marshmallow roasting and fun. This is truly an experience that your child will always remember and will continue to reap the benefits of for quite some time.

Instead of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, it should be marshmallows roasting on an open fire. Camping is an activity quite like any other. The serene quality of being out in nature is one that thousands of people take part in when the weather gets warmer. The tents become unfurled and sleeping bags make their way out of storage. Warm weather signals a great time to make camp and get out of the house. The long winter is over and now it is time to get outside and get active. Are you a camping enthusiast or are you a novice to this great pastime? If you are a novice then you are in luck. This article will cover the basics of what you will need while camping and what to expect of the great outdoors.

What type of things should I take with me camping?

Let’s see…you will definitely need to take some extra clothing and depending on the weather will depend greatly on the type of clothing you will need. You will need to bring along the following items no matter where you go camping: sleeping bag, food, water, small hatchet for chopping firewood and matches. Other items that some people pack are: coolers for food, fishing poles, tents and a radio to listen to at night. What you take depends largely on how you want to camp and what you want to carry with you.

What can I do when I’m camping?

You can do whatever your heart desires. Some people look at camping as a way to relax and so they spend a majority of their time just relaxing by the campfire and reading a book. Some people want adventure such as rock climbing or white water rafting. You can also swim, hike, ride bicycles or even go horseback riding while you are camping. It is also a great way to explore the area.

How do I keep wild animals out of my food stuff?

The best way to keep animals out of your food stuffs is to keep it in your car if you are in a campground. If you are the enthusiast who likes to hike into the woods away from everyone you will want to tie your food stuff out of reach so small animals, and even big ones, can not reach the food. Keeping a campfire going will also discourage animals from getting into your food supplies. Always keep scraps and other food wastes buried or far away from camp to discourage them as well.

What are some typical foods that are eaten while camping?

Who could possibly not go camping and not have hot dogs and marshmallows roasted over an open fire? It is just tradition to have those two staples. Other food items will depend on what type of camping you are doing. Many people love to catch their own food and roast them on the fire. Fish is an excellent food source and if you are near a river or stream it is a great way to hunt for your food. No matter what food you take, you will swear it is much better outside than if you were to cook it at home.

How much do tents cost?

Small tents average around thirty dollars. The larger, more sophisticated tents can cost hundreds of dollars depending on the type and brand you buy. There are also tents that are designed to be shades from the sun and will be where you set up your table. If you purchase one of these awnings, make sure it comes with mosquito netting to keep those pesky blood suckers away from your delicate skin. Any outdoor sporting store will have a variety of tents for you to choose from.

To learn more go to Camping Shower also Camping in Texas and at Camping Water Purifiers

The success of a fishing trip depends on the availability of a good, local fly fishing tackle shop. Avid fishermen will find all the spares and forgotten equipment and get all the tips and tools needed for a successful trip. Finding equipment locally will mean getting the ideal rod, the ideal reels and the best flies and baits to use to attract the local fish. A well stocked shop will have rods from different companies and reels, lures, floats, traps, tackle boxes, lines, fishing nets, down riggers, outriggers, gaffs and harpoons. Some tackle shops have camping gear, vests, boots, tents and stoves for overnight fishing trips. The shop will stock gear made by popular fishing gear companies, like Shimaro, Middy, Fox, Preston, Svendsen, Daiwa, Okuma, Abu-Garcia, Berkley, St. Croix and Esox Reels.

Going on a trip arranged by the local tackle shop will help the fishing enthusiast enjoy the hobby in the company of a local expert who enjoys fly fishing as much as they do. The local will be well versed in the best times to get the best catch, the tides of the river and all of the tips and tools necessary for an enjoyable fishing trip. The local fish and their eccentricities can be handled in the company of a pro. Local knowledge can be valuable for a keen, amateur fisherman who is bent upon an excellent catch at the end of the day.

There are many fly fishing tackle shops that can be found online. Sometimes, the internet is a great place to find what you are looking for because you can research your purchase before you make it. You will also have the benefit of not dealing with equipment being out of stock or backordered. You can purchase most anything you want with the click of a mouse.

Every state has different rules and regulations, along with fish that they consider exclusive to their state. A local fly fishing tackle shop will have all of the information you will need regarding the state laws, seasons and limits. You will also be able to ask about endangered fish and threatened species. Before you leave on your fishing trip, stop by your local tackle store and get your equipment and your information so that your trip is trouble free.