The Old Heddon Meadow Mouse
August 14, 2007
Have you ever fished with a Heddon Meadow Mouse? How did you do? The reason I ask is, I have fished with them until I lost my last one and did extremely well at catching big bass using them. I would throw the lure out and let it sit. Then twitch it once and watch it turn sideways, twitch it again and watch it turn the other way, then move it so slow it barely made a ripple and BANG. That’s when the fish would hit it. I know I have caught at least a dozen bass on this lure over 5 pounds and hooked one of the biggest bass I ever had on but it got loose. Yeah, I know you hear that all the time. But I am telling you this bass was at least 10 pounds and since I have a 12 pound 14 ounce on my wall, I know what a ten pound bass looks like. I seen a 6 pound bass caught on one the first time I ever seen one about 30 years ago and also seen a 7 1/2 pound walleye caught on one.
Shark Attacks! How Common are They? Where do They Occur?
August 13, 2007
Last week in Australia, one man’s day at beach could have turned into a disaster: He was attacked by a seven-foot bronze whaler shark while surfing about 100 yards out from Sydney’s Bronte Beach.
Fortunately, the man, Simon Letch, stayed calm and “shoved the board at [the shark] like a barge pole.” After taking two bites of the fiberglass board, the shark swam away and Letch surfed back to shore.
“It was only about 10 or 15 seconds that I was waiting for a wave but it seemed like an eternity,” Letch said.
You’d think that this Jaws-style attack would have kept Letch on land, at least for the rest of the day, but the lifeguard said he came back 30 minutes later, replacement board in hand, ready to surf.
Afraid to Get Back in the Water?
Just how likely are you to come across your own “Jaws” while wading in the surf or snorkeling with some Angel Fish?
According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), 1,909 confirmed shark attacks have occurred around the world-between 1580 and 2003! Of these, 737 happened in the United States, and 38 people died as a result. Hardly alarming numbers, but the actual number of shark attacks isn’t really known because many areas keep them under wraps so tourism isn’t affected.
Your Horses Back May Not Be the Same Next Month
August 13, 2007
A saddle is a static object, but your horse is a living, dynamic creature. Even slight changes throughout the year in your horse’s weight have a significant impact on the fit of the saddle. And, naturally, the saddle fit in turn significantly impacts your horse’s experience.
That’s just common sense, of course. But many riders forget the fact that a horse normally undergoes even slight alterations in weight and posture throught the seasons and throughout his or her life. And yet we continue to put the same old saddle on her back, year in and year out.
That’s what saddle pads are for, right? Right. But most saddle pads under-perform when it comes to a customized and continually changing fit. There is a solution that addresses all the changes that come with new seasons, age, injuries and habits. The Cavallo Therapeutic Saddle Pads use memory foam to precisely contour your horse’s back.
These saddle pads are known as the TOTAL COMFORT SYSTEM.
Specifically engineered to contract and expand where needed, these Therapeutic Saddle Pads mold for a precise fit between the back and the saddle for each and every ride. They even compensate for YOUR weight and posture.
A Simple Way To Identify and Catch The Big One in River!
August 12, 2007
River dry fly fishing considered as the purest form of fly fishing inspired generations of writers, artists, poets and even philosophers to wax lyrical about its pleasures.
The gist to river dry fly fishing lies in the rise. Here, the angler waits patiently for a rise to begin before he or she starts to fish. And the art comes in persuading a particular trout to take your artifical pattern among a host of natural flies.
Rise forms vary widely from hour-to hour and river-to river. From the way a trout breaks the surface (a rise), an experienced angler can tell how and what the trout feeds.
The classic rise is when a series of concentric rings fan out on the surface as the trout confidently engulfs the fly as it drifts past.
Trouts do not rise vertically in the water, instead they drift back on the current to intercept the fly. The trout will then return to its station in the stream, usually inbetween weed beds on a shallow gravel run, under a bridge, overhanging tree or in a hatch pool, to wait for the next free meal.
Other rises includes:
Three Classic Hikes Abroad
August 11, 2007
Paul Scott Mower once said, “There is nothing like walking to get the feel of a country?” If you’ve ever contemplated going abroad to find your next trail, here are 3 classic hikes to consider.
New Zealand’s Milford Track: The best known “track” through New Zealand’s beautiful fjords, this 32.9 miles (53 km) easy 4-day hike, starts at Glade Wharf (Lake Te Anau), winds over Mackinnon Pass and ends at Sandfly Point (Milford Sound). The scenery includes rainforests, alpine meadows and waterfalls at every turn, including the worlds third highest, the 3-leap Sutherland Falls. With its ethereal, dream-like scenery, some have described this hike akin to “walking through a Lord of the Rings movie.”
Milford track is highly regulated for tourism and restricted to a one-way route during summer season. All hikers (independent or guided) are required complete the track in 3 nights/ 4 days and stay in the designated commune-styled huts along the way. Day-specific reservations and trail permits are required
Choosing the Right Fly Fishing Rod
August 10, 2007
Choosing a good rod is a major decision for the fly fishing angler. Shopping for that new rod can also be allot of fun. But how do we know what the right rod is? Here are some tips to help you make your purchasing decisions.
Fly rods are about the action, casting speeds, weights, and many more factors. You generally want a soft or slow casting rod. Softer is often better because the line will land in the water with less impact. The faster your rod is the harder the impact.
You need to purchase a rod that suits the type of fishing you do. If your into bass fishing you will need a strong rod and one that’s longer. Fishing for more active fish will generally require a much stronger and longer rod.
Shorter rods are great when your around trees and objects. You need a much shorter length in order to avoid getting caught in objects.
If you like to fish where there is lots of action and rough waters your going to need something that is much heavier. This will provide a much faster casting speed. The only problem with this is that its not beginner friendly. If your new to fishing start by fishing for small fish in a calm environment.
The Great Outdoors is to be Explored and Loved in all its fullness
August 9, 2007
The thing with enjoying the great outdoors is seeing aspects of life that you do not normally see during your normal weekly activities. The familiar sea breezes, the smells of spring flowers, the winter winds, fantastic views from mountain tops and so much more.
I currently work 60 hours per week in the building maintenance game and don’t have enough time to get out in my own garden regularly, let alone have a really good 4 week break in some exotic location like the west of Turkey looking at sandstone caves. My wife and I have been to 30 countries between us and we will add to our list as our income increases in our respective Home Based Business’.
Having been to islands off the Malaysian coast, islands off the Mediterranean coast, scaled cliff tops in Turkey and been all around Australia, the travel bug rises in me vehemently as I write this article. Travelling is a most rewarding way to meet people, fellow travellers, locals, backpackers, nationals; you get to meet all sorts. Not only do you get to meet wonderful(and not so wonderful) people but travelling teaches you to think on your feet, literally and often laterally.
A Guide to Non-Typical Catfish Fishing Techniques Part III
August 8, 2007
Method 2
The second method that works really well for me is drift fishing. Lets start by explaining how drifting works. It’s really pretty simple: you cast out bait and drag it behind or from the side of your boat while the wind pushes you along.
Where to Fish
The majority of Cat-men that I know all use the same rig, although their tackle will differ from one guy to the next. Whatever tackle they use, they are all dragging some kind of bait on the bottom. The big difference between most drifters and myself, however, is that I usually do not drift in water any shallower than 30 feet deep while most others like to fish much shallower, such as 10-20 feet deep.
Welcome to Bragg Creek
August 8, 2007
Welcome to Bragg Creek! Bragg Creek is located in the Rocky Mountains in Alberta Canada. It must be by far one of Alberta’s best kept secrets. From it’s scenic beauty to it’s one of a kind shops and restaurants, Bragg Creek has something for everyone.
Recreation: Because Bragg Creek is in the Rocky Mountains is has a wide variety of outdoor sports for any type of audience. Scenic walks to extreme mountain biking, and climbing. To list some other activities that can be done at all levels around Bragg Creek: hiking, running, bird watching, orienteering, photography, sightseeing, picnicking, kayaking, golfing, paintball, swimming, horseback riding, fishing, skating and many more!
Restaurants: "The Steak Pit" is Bragg Creek’s signature restaurant. With live music and fine dining at a reasonable price it’s definitely not something to miss. If your looking to grab a quick bite to eat there are several bakeries, and places where you can grab a quick sandwich or snack. Another place worth mention the cinnamon spoon coffee shop. Starbucks and similar have been overdone and if your looking for a nice place, a place with personality, to grab a coffee or a snack, Cinnamon spoon is the place to go.
A Guide to Non-Typical Catfish Fishing Techniques - Part II
August 7, 2007
Method 1
Equipment
I fish baits at all depths, not just the bottom, in wide-open water. I always set up and fish deep lake structures. Besides an understanding of the contours on the bottom of the lake, being mobile and being able to read your fish locator are the keys. The tools I use are 8-foot heavy action rods, circle hooks, cut and live shad, balloons and the all-important fish locator. I use 30-pound line, large capacity reels, 8-foot heavy action rods, 2 oz. Egg sinkers, barrel swivels and #7/0 circle hooks.
Basically a Carolina Rig, I have a hook with an 18-inch leader tied to your barrel swivel, which is connected to your main line, which is where your egg sinker is attached. My boat is equipped with steel rod holders, a hand-controlled trolling motor, two fish locators, a big dip net and marker buoys. My equipment is not the most expensive but it is practical. The main thing to remember is to keep whatever equipment you use in good condition. Many know all too well about the disasters that can be caused by old line and improperly maintained fishing equipment and big Blues will test everything from your knots to your rod holders. If there is a weak link, they will expose it.
