The ML Editor

Fishing boats have come a long way since the days when you had to purchase the large metal or wood boat with the massive gas guzzling motors attached.

Now even though these boats are still popular, some fishing enthusiasts are searching for alternatives to this expensive investment, and are now turning to the inflatable fishing boat, also known as the fishing kayak.

Kayak fishing has grown in popularity for individuals that enjoy the peace and tranquility of their favorite fishing spots, which allow them to get away from the traditionally hectic areas that attract the large amounts of fishermen and women. These congested areas such as the large lakes and rivers, bring many sport fishing boats that are bulky, noisy, and in most cases they smell of gas and oil.

With many inflatable boats and catamarans that can easily set-up in minutes, the fisherman can quickly stroll down their newly found winding trails, and hit their secret spots in no time to enjoy the un-chartered territories that supply unlimited fish resources.

The angler has much more on their catch agenda, and as the sport fisherman becomes more in tune with his/her environment, it only makes sense that obtaining a watercraft that is safe and non-polluting to our world is an added bonus.

Many inflatable fishing vessels are lightweight and only require a small electric motor to navigate through the water. This keeps the lakes clean, and offers you the added flexibility to get to your recreational fishing area quickly, so you can take advantage of the surplus of fish available!

Sports Fishing Should Be Fun And Affordable, Not A Second Mortgage!

Unless you’re a professional, and you enter many sport fishing tournaments, we believe that most individuals want to enjoy themselves without having to pay thousands of dollars for sports related boats that are only for entertainment.

Online Outfitters have taken the time to cater to this type of boat fishing need! They have designed many inflatable-fishing boats that range from small dinghies to large catamaran boats that can carry many persons and gear. Depending on what you’re looking for, these boats are all made with rugged materials, and can be customized with all the top fishing accessories to make your angling experience the most enjoyable on the waters.

If you’re really serious about getting your hands on one of these fishing vessels, you can easily go online and search for your desired boat in minutes. Once you have chosen the right one that fits your style and budget, the next step is to get more information, or take advantage of the online inflatable boat supplier’s trial period. This offer is very rare in the retail outfitter industry, and if you can find a local company willing to do this, jump on the chance to take one out and give it a try.

What better way to test out the inflatable fishing kayak or catamaran, to see if it achieves all your outdoor requirements! Remember, even though these crafts are not as expensive as the traditional fishing boats, they still are an investment in your future fishing adventures, and will play a large part in your leisure activity for many years to come.

About the author: William is the owner and the author of “Rugged Inflatable Kayaks” available at http://www.rugged-inflatable-kayaks.com A great source for inflatable fishing boats! Read great article information and tips on many fishing boat styles, including kayaks for fishing, catamarans, and inflatable boats in a variety of sizes that can handle many persons, fishing gear, and outboard motors for a flexible and convenient outdoor adventure.

You can buy flies for fly fishing, but you’ll want to tie your own at some point. Undoubtedly, your first fly will be the Frankenstein Fly.

Of Flies…

There is a particular fly for every fish, location and situation. There are basic flies like the Woolly Bugger and millions of exotic ones. You can buy thousands of them, but it will set you back a pretty penny. So, it’s time to tie your own.

The first step in the fly process is getting some educated advice at the bookstore. You’ll need to browse the fishing section for the hundreds of books on the subject. You’ll see books like “Flies for Idiots”, “Be One With The Fly”, “I Fly, You Fly, We All Fly” and other mythical titles. Pick the one that seems tailored to your needs, buy your tools and supplies and head home.

One of the first flies most people try to tie is the Woolly Bugger. It can be used for most situations and seems fairly simple to tie. Since this is your first time, you’ll actually be tying the Frankenstein Fly whether you realize it or not. This is true regardless of the specific fly you try to tie.

With the Woolly Bugger, you’ll use a jam knot, a fluffy piece of marabou, lead wire and so on. You’ll follow the directions in detail. You’ll wind. You’ll strip fuzz. You’ll wrap like you’ve never wrapped before. In the end, you will have followed every step in agonizing detail. As you finish the last step, whip finishing your fly, you’ll step back to admire the best Woolly Bugger.

At this point, you’ll look at the book and your masterpiece. Then you’ll jump on the Internet and pull up pictures of Woolly Bugger flies. Then the neighborhood will shake with a piercing scream. Yes, you’ve created something that faintly looks like a Woolly Bugger, but strikingly like Frankenstein.

Congratulations, you’ve tied a Frankenstein Fly. Welcome to the league of mad tie scientists.

Have Faith

Tying flies is definitely an art. You will almost never get it right the first time. Don’t be discouraged. Keep at it. Who knows, maybe the fish will find your Frankenstein Fly to be a tasty treat.

Rick Chapo is with www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals. fly fishing journals are great gifts. Visit www.nomadjournals.com/flyfishing.cfm to see journals for fly fishing trips and fly fishing vacations.

Fishing is an activity of hunting fish or aquatic animals such as cool water fish, warm water fish, various types of shellfish as well as squid, octopus and turtles with a rod, line and hook. It is a popular, ancient practice involving many techniques and traditions. Also called angling, fishing originated as a means of seeking food for survival.

Fishing traces its roots back to the Mesolithic period that began about 10,000 years ago. It is the major occupation of many coastal inhabitants. The catches vary according to the season and fishing place. Basically, there are three types of fishing - beach, rock fishing, and boat fishing.

The method of fishing varies according to the region, technology available and species being fished. Fishing tackle, fishing rods, fishing reels, hooks and fishing lures are commonly used fishing equipment. Some of the traditional fishing techniques are hand fishing, spear and bow fishing, kite fishing and dynamite or blast fishing.

Fishing for commercial purposes has become a big business. Trawling, seining, drift netting, hand lining, long lining, gillnetting and diving are common commercial fishing techniques. Recreational fishing is mainly for pleasure or competition and is done with a rod, line and hooks attached to any of a wide range of lures or baits. Fishing competitions are organized for fishermen to compete for prizes. Falls River Drainage, New Jersey Striper Fishing, Connecticut Striper Fishing, Conasauga River, Lake Logan Martin and Lake Amistad are some of the best fishing destinations. Fishing clubs offer countless opportunities for fishing from streams to rivers, canals, and lakes.

tommie@toppayingkeywords.com Fishing provides detailed information on Fishing, Fly Fishing, Fishing Boats, Deep Sea Fishing and more. Fishing is affiliated with Deep Sea Fishing Boats.

If you are looking for a fishing trip to remember, then one of the locations you should consider is Canada. Canada offers some of the best Saltwater and Freshwater fishing around. There are a wide area of rivers and ponds, freshwater lakes, and saltwater streams to choose from. Fish and wildlife are very abundant to make any tourist or Canadian happy. There would not be any reason for you to be unhappy.

Canada has the ideal water where the fish are abundant. There are plenty of shops and establishments that sell fishing gear and tools. Fishing in Canada is divided into two groups. They are the Lake Water Fishing, and the Salt Water Fishing. The two groups are totally different, especially in Canada.

Canada is most famous for its salmon fishing. Salmon are known for the great size and beauty. This type of fishing is enjoyed and is very rewarding because of the wide variety and abundant salmon. In Canada there are the Coho, Sockeye, Chinook and the Chum salmon. If you are looking to do this type of fishing there are many guides that specialize in salmon fishing adventures.

Saltwater fishing is popular on the 3 coasts of Canada. They are the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans. This is a chance for the shark and tuna fishing. A lot of big saltwater are caught only on deep seas, and that is what these coast offer.

Ice Fishing is also an option for you if you would like to experience fishing in Canada. There are also ice fishing guides that could assist you in your trip. They will ensure your safety and enjoyable experience in Canada. Ice fishing requires special gear, outfits and techniques that require the help of a skilled ice fishing guide. Many tourists who come to Canada for ice fishing can rent ice huts to keep them warm and away from wind.

For safe fishing there are many things that are advised. It is always recommended that you have a fishing guide who knows the area and are specialized in each fishing type. You should also bring your normal safety gear like a compass, cell phones and flashlights, or anything else you feel you would need in an emergency situation.

Canadian Fishing… A True Northern Adventure. Learn more great fishing tips and techniques at fishing.helponline.info/

What lures are 4-13″ long, been used regularly on the West Coast and have caught some of the biggest bass ever? Yep, Swimbaits.

Now a change is happening, these lunker catching baits are being used on the East Coast as well. It doesn’t take a 20 pound bass to eat a 12″ swimbait. One thing the swimbait is known for is big bass and they will catch big bass in any lake if used right.

Some of the swimbaits are pricey to say the least, while some go for $150.00 in the store or more others have been sold on Ebay for $1200.00 each. Why would anyone pay that much for these baits? The answer is easy, they catch fish or are a collectors item or both.

Many of these swimbaits look and act like rainbow trout and there’s a reason for that…trout are one of the big bass’ favorite food. The bass will get a high protein, high calorie dinner and use the least energy with one of these fish in his belly. Swimbaits have come a long way in just the past couple of years.

So, how do you fish a swimbait? The trick is to fish it at the slowest speed you can that will allow the action of the bait to work. Fish it with a slow steady retrieve. Don’t jerk it, don’t speed it up just a slow steady retrieve. Fish the swimbait in places like over the top of submerged vegetation, over submerged points, along docks, over brush, around bridges and anywhere else that bass can ambush their prey. If you see a bass coming after a swimbait by the boat, don’t stop reeling, if anything turn the lure or speed up a little, that is how a fish that is scared would act. You can also troll these bait and cover more water but again, I think slower retrieves works best. If you aren’t having any luck with a slow retrieve then you might want to try trolling or a fast retrieve.

When choosing a swimbait grab the lure by the head, if the tail curves and almost touches the body, that is the one you want. The action will be good. If the tail doesn’t almost touch the body, find another one that will. You want the lure to appear natural.

When fishing a floating swimbait one of the most effective techniques to use to catch suspended bass is called “dead-sticking”. Here is how to use these technique…ready? Just throw the lure out and let it sit, that’s it. You have to realize that a big bass can take 30 minutes or an hour to decide to hit your lure. Just let it sit motionless, be patience and hang on when you get a strike.

You might fish a swimbait all day and only get one or two hits but odds are the fish you catch are going to be trophy bass. Big bass are lazy and use the least amount of energy as possible, so you’re going to get less strikes fishing for lunker bass. Swimbaits can catch the biggest bass in any lake. Have patience and try your luck with these outstanding lures.

Charles has fished for bass for almost 50 years. He has fished from Florida to California and has caught more than 6,000 bass in his lifetime. His biggest bass is 12 pounds 14 ounces. Charles has owned two tackle stores in his lifetime. He now resides in Ohio. Charles is webmaster for: http://www.bassfishingweekly.com

The Eagle Sea Finder 500C is a great fish finder. But, why, you may ask, is it a great product for you? Here are some of the features that make this 500C fish finding tool so valuable from anyone that is a beginner to anyone that is a professional. You’ll love it!

First, we start with the display. The 500C offers a five inch, diagonal screen that has 256 colors, active matrix TFT LCD. What does all that translate into?

It provides excellent color and clarity in a five inch screen. That is about an average size screen but it is also a great quality screen as well. So, you’ll see what’s down below fairly easily. It is also high definition which means that the things you do see will be recognizable. With a backlit screen and keypad, you’ll be able to fish day or night (great for those early morning trips on the lake!)

And, you’ll find that it offers a transparency feature with allows for viewing of the sonar graph through the menu displays and overlay features. In other words, you can use it anyway you would like to and get good results.

But, we have to mention some of its other features as well. With a depth level of 1500 feet, and high performance capabilities, this is a great product. It allows for an extra wide angle giving you more to see and therefore allowing for more impressive pictures. You can use this high performance sonar as well as its other abilities to decide where your fish is, to cast perfectly to the location, to lure him in with the bait and of course, to bring that fish on board.

Having the ability to do this, will make you the accomplished fisherman to say the least!

Niall is a keen fisherman, always looking at new tools to help him catch more fish. Visit Fish Finder Review for more information and great deals about the Eagle Sea Finder 500C DF and other Eagle GPS/Sonar fish finders and marine navigation systems. www.fish-finder-review.com

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Fish-Finder-Review.com

Bass fishing charters are now in, because definitely bass fishing is really rocking our boats with a flowing number of patrons already. It has been the talk of the town since it was introduced in the late 1700s and has reached its level of popularity to the extent that even young kids are enthralled to join such an activity.

Bass fishing may be fun and enjoyable while you’re your sitting beside the lake as you spend your spare time with your family and friends but if you want you may plan a charter for all of them and experience the thrill and excitement of watching a school of bass fish run after your baits.

Below is a list of the things that you should be reminded of when you plan to have a charter. See for yourself.

• You must have a fishing license so that you will be authorized to take or possess either saltwater or freshwater fish and have a chance to participate fishing games but you should be mindful that we are consistent with the state and federal regulations. Securing a fishing license also contribute in ensuring the future of fishing in the state where we have the activity.

• It is also advisable that we wear a soft soled shoe for our comfort. Boots, especially those that are intended for work, are big NO-NOs.

• Bring with you seasickness pills if you that it is needed. It is important that you pack up enough of it for the whole trip. You should make it sure that you are physically fit before going into a charter for you to enjoy every minute.

• Being on a charter means being exposed to the sun so you should not forget to have your sunglasses with you for protection.

• Coolers should also go with the trip. This is intended for the fishes that are going to get caught. It is one of the vital things that we should not fail to remember for the reason that it would help retain the freshness of the fish. You do not want to have a spoiled-looking fish right?

• Check the weather forecast of the day. You would surely want to go out if the sun is up right? But you should always bring with you rain gear for special purposes. You should always expect for a sudden change of condition.

Well, what else should you bring?

Food, of course. You will be out there in the middle of the sea or lake so you better bring enough food and beverage for all of you because, for sure, you do not want to eat raw fish or gulp the salty water when you get hungry and thirsty, right?

To add up, have your camera, video cam or the like so you will have something that would remind you of your trip anytime you want. Be sure that you have all of these things to have a really pleasurable trip while you are in the fly fishing charter.

There are a lot of bass fishing guides that could offer you great charters. You may check their websites for information or you may also ask some friends of where’s best, if they are also into bass fishing. Find a charter now and go with bass fishing, it is one way of comforting yourself and have precious time with your loved ones.

For a free course on bass fishing, download our bass fishing report at www.bassfishingsystem.com/ today.

Satisfy your craving to fishing not only through the waters but with your home PC too! Do not fret if it’s not the fishing season or the weather is not good for fishing. You can experience the rush and fun of bass fishing anytime and at the comfort of your own home. Free Bass Fishing Games are available for you in the internet.

Here are some bass fishing games and downloads you can come across on the Internet. They are free to download or play online, just make sure you check the system requirements included with the bass fishing games or software summary. Plug in and connect, here are some of the most exciting and realistic free bass fishing games for you.

1. Fishing Expert 4.0. Fishing Expert contains a database that queries your fishing conditions, and then provides you with one of over 400 proven fishing methods or patterns. It takes into account weather, time of year, types of water, wind conditions, spawning conditions, high/low pressure systems, and much more.

2. Pro Bass Fishing. Plunge yourself into a fishing adventure made more alive with splashing fish, jumping frogs, dancing water bugs, rippling water, bouncing rod tips and the biggest, hardest fighting bass fishes that ever landed on a PC. The fishing adventures are endless as you choose the lake, the hot spot, the species, the tackle - even the weather, its your game and your rules.

3. Rapala Pro fishing by Activision. Rapala Company is well known to every avid fisherman as they are taking in big bucks for the products and accessories and now a game is bearing their name. Drive fast on your bass boats and even air boats. Take the ultimate online bass fishing high with this free to try bass fishing game.

4. In-Fisherman Freshwater Trophies by global Star Software. Get the big boys out of the boat and be the In-Fisherman. Take the day off virtually and be the big man in the lake. Bag that trophy fish then strive for more. This free bass fishing game provides the bass fishing high that the real thing offers.

5. Pro Bass Fishing by Atari. LAN play and do fishing challenges with your friends and beat the popular on-line gaming portal, Game Spy Arcade. Enjoy the scenery of the northern and southern lakes. What’s up ahead will always be a surprise. Have that wonderful weekend get away with the boys anytime of the week and at the comfort of your own home.

6. Outdoor- Life: A Sportsman’s Challenge. the Sim - city meets the backwoods yokel cousins. Your ultimate hunting and fishing destination is right in your fingertips. Take those big bucks and monster bass flourishing as you market your outdoor paradise. You have complete control and power of everything you want in bass fishing all at the click of a mouse.

7. Championship Bass by EA Sports. This game provides computer anglers with small selection of lakes and rivers but have an extensive selection of lures and colors to choose from. Clean and simple play methods and not overly complicated. Good quality graphics with a huge amount of fun factor, something you can definitely expect from EA sports.

8. Trophy Bass 4 by Vivendi Universal games. Dubbed as the mother of all PC Bass fishing games, this game sets the standard of playability and “fishability”. Trophy Bass 4 is a game that provided tons of fun and demonstrated classic control of any fishing game. It has a large library of fishing tips thus you will learn real life fishing while playing this exciting game.

9. Flysim Fly fishing Game by http://FlySim.com. these incredible game portrays real life physics that you can feel as you practice your fly casting. Practice flycasts at fish that demonstrate realistic behavior.

10. Trophy Bass 3D by Vivendi Universal Games. This game came up after Trophy Bass 2. This game came up with new and improved 3D rendered game engines. You must be familiar with the game series and make up with the speed of these game. The rush of adrenaline is like a jolt and the experience is breathtaking. Strap on for the ride of a lifetime!

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

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.

You can find good spots for fly fishing in most states, but some are more epic than others. Allow me to introduce you to heaven on earth for anglers.

Montana is an incredibly beautiful state. It is located on the Canadian border between Wyoming and the Dakotas. It is the fourth largest state with over 145,000 square miles. The central and eastern sections of the state are plains, while the west contains the northern Rocky Mountains. Major rivers include the Yellowstone, Madison, Missouri and Flathead. Montana also has the shortest river in the world, the Roe, which is 201 feet long. Just a bit of trivia for you to throw around on your trip!

The Yellowstone is a tributary of the Missouri River. It is an excellent fly fishing river. The longest undimmed river in the continental United States, the Yellowstone drains the Rocky Mountains in the park of the same name. The river offers excellent trout fishing up and down practically every area. Cutthroat and brown trout are plentiful and active. Rainbows are less so, but still common. The Yellowstone is mostly a no-kill river, so don’t plan on dinner. The Lamar, Soda Butte and Slough Creek tributaries are easily waded and not excessively challenging. Although it may get you in trouble with your mother, the Caddis Fly hatch on Mother’s day is legendary.

When it comes to fly fishing in the states, no river is more legendary than the Madison. For years, nearly every Montana trip started and stopped with a visit to the Madison. In the early 90s, however, the fish in the river were devastated by whirling disease. The disease was accidentally created in fish hatcheries in Europe and spread across the globe. The criminal element is a parasite that infects fish and causes neurological disease. The fish tend to swim in circles, thus giving the disease its name. Fortunately, the fish in the Madison have been on the rebound for the last five years or so. The last three years have seen a major rebound, which means the legendary Madison should be a high on your list.

The Madison is a round rock bottom river and can be slippery. The current isn’t excessive and you can wade most of it without problem. Browns, Cutthroats, Rainbows and Graylings are the prominent fish. The area below Holter Dam is highly recommended by many, but you need to be an accomplished caster to have a good time. Hatches start in April and run through the middle of September. The Salmon Fly hatch in late June is the best, but you really can’t go wrong.

As the weather starts to warm up, it is time to start thinking about breaking out the rods and thinking about potential trips. Montana should be at the top of your list.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of writing journals for fly fishing. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more about fly fishing and the great outdoors.