Alaska Hunting Guide
November 13, 2007
WHAT TO HUNT AND WHERE: Alaska is a hunter’s paradise. Hunting here can provide the full scope of experiences- from caribou to deer and moose, from grizzly and brown bears to wolves, from Dall sheep and mountain goats to muskox, from waterfowl to ptarmigan and several grouse species. Diverse Alaska geographic areas offer adventure for everyone, give us various choices:
Interior Alaska. From mountains and rolling hills, river valleys covered with forests to the vast spaces of treeless tundra at higher altitudes and in the far north. Temperaure varies greatly throughout the year, from -50 Celsius (-58 Fahrenheit) in the winter months to +30 Celsius (+86 Fahrenheit) during summers. There are just a few highways in the interior part of Alaska. Most of the area can only be reached by plane, boat or by foot. Summer is warm but short. Climate and landscape conditions provide variety of big game: moose and cariboo, Dall sheep in the mountains, some wild bison, muskox in the arctic Alaska, wolves, black and grizzly bears, waterfowl, some grouse and ptarmigan.
The Sublime Pleasure of Fly Fishing
November 12, 2007
Fly fishing has a history stretching back to the ancient Greeks, whose historians record people fishing for “spotted fishes” with fixed-line wooden poles. They used for bait wound with cloth and animal hair ?primitive fishing flies. More than 2,000 years later, people still fly fish, and they’re still catching those “spotted fishes” and many other types besides. Fishing venues have expanded to include lakes, rivers, and even the ocean. With a continual flow of new adherents and constant technological advancement, fly fishing is likely to go strong as long as there are still fishes out there to catch.
Flyfishing gear
These days, our fishing flies either come ready-made or we make them ourselves; we’ve got all kinds of specialized tools and fishing clothing with which we pursue our art; and our fly rods are made of graphite, with nifty fly fishing reels designed to extend our reach well beyond a few feet. Taken together, these comprise a serious fisherman’s basic fly fishing gear. You’re also likely to need additional fishing equipment like supplies and tackle, and even fishing apparel like mesh vests and waders. If you’re making your own flies, that opens up a whole other can of worms, involving the specialty materials and tools required for making decent flies. Finally, if you’re fishing deep water, you’ll need to take a look at fishing boats too.
Alaska Sport Fishing Guide
November 11, 2007
WHAT TO FISH AND WHERE: Alaska offers some of the most diverse and incredible fishing opportunities in the world. You can drop a line into a roadside river and catch a nice size rainbow trout. Or charter a boat and reel in one of Alaska’s giant Pacific halibut. You also can treat yourself with a freshly caught shellfish- shrimp, crab, clam. There are almost 400 fish species in Alaska’s fresh and salt waters including all five species of Pacific Salmon: King (chinook), Silver (coho), Red (sockeye), Chum (dog, keta), Pink (humpy). It is not uncommon to catch a 50-pound King salmon, the Alaska record was set by a fish weighing 97 pounds. Arctic greyling, sheefish and northern pike are easy to find in many inland streams. Diverse Alaska geographic areas offer adventure for everyone, give us various choices:
Get Ready For Bed….Bedding Bass That Is!
November 11, 2007
It’s getting near the time bass will be on their beds. Not just any bass, but trophy size bass in Ohio. So, what are you going to use to catch those lunkers? Big baits of course! Well, not really. While large baits do catch big bass, sometimes they scare them away or intimidate them. That is when finesse baits come to play.
You can throw a finesse bait on the bed and the bass won’t be intimidated at all. Matter of fact, he is probably thinking to himself, “I can take that little bitty thing”. Also small baits don’t stir up the bedding and bottom like bigger baits do. That doesn’t mean you have to use light tackle, you can even use a flippin stick with finesse baits. I usually use the biggest weight line I can get by with even 25 pound test and a bullet weight. If there is a chance she could get entangled in cover near by, you will be glad you have the heavier line to horse them out with.
Alaska - Brief Travel Guide
November 10, 2007
WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount McKinley is the highest mountain in North America (6,194 m or 20,306 feet), 150 miles from Fairbanks. Mountain climbing season is very short because of cold weather, strong winds and avalanche hazards. Nearly 1,000 people each season attempt the mountain, the best climbing conditions are in June.The peak is located in Denali National Park that offers superb mountain scenery and incomparable wildlife viewing, from 400-kg (900 lbs) grizzlies to Alaska state birds, willow ptarmigans, from Dall sheep to porcupines.
Many visitors come to Alaska in winter to see Aurora Borealis when Northern Lights glow in all its glory. Birdwatching is also very popular among Alaska visitors, over 250 bird species inhabit the area, especially the southwest region. You can find all Alaska nature watch viewing sites including detail maps here. Whale watching boat trips allow the visitors an opportunity to observe and photograph Beluga, Orca, Humpback and Gray whales, along with many other marine mammals, in their natural environment. Available Alaska whale watching tours are listed by geographic region here. There many miles of trails for backpackers- from the pristine glaciers and fjords of remote Wrangell-St Elias National Park to the famous Chilkoot Trail where you follow the footsteps of the Klondike gold prospectors on this demanding 33-mile route near Skagway. It is a difficult hike and usually takes three to five days.
Fishing Charter Need To Know
November 9, 2007
There are several elements that go into creating the ideal charter fishing experience. The most important of these elements are not within the control of the charter service, captain, or the customers:
THE WEATHER: By weather, I am not just talking about rain, hail, sleet, snow, fog and other forms of precipitation. I’m talking about wind, and its effect on the water. Depending on the boat, the size of the waves will determine if and how far out you can go. This is actually one of the huge advantages of hiring a charter - an experienced captain will save the whole group a lot of grief by knowing when NOT to depart, or setting the proper expectations for the most probable outcome of the trip.
THE FISH: Another element that is not in the control of the participants is the condition and location of THE FISH. This is part of the charm and allure of fishing, but it can lead to disappointment, frustration and perceptions of incompetence. Again, an experienced captain can do much to set expectations based on weather, time of day, and permitted types of fish most likely to bite for the conditions, but ultimately you must realize it’s the fish that control this part of the equation, and have been known at times to be somewhat unreliable.
The Wandle Trail - Map and Illustrated Guide
November 8, 2007
The Wandle offered wonderful trout fishing up to the latter part of the last century. The Wandle Trail was established by the Wandle Group in association with the Wandle Industrial Museum in September 1988, launched with a walk with over 200 participants, led by Colin Saunders. ‘The Wandle Trail Map and Guide’ was put together in 1996 by the Wandle Industrial Museum with the support and help of London Borough of Merton, and sponsorship from Brown and Root.
It is now at the core of the efforts of the Wandle Group and we are integral to the Wandle Trail Working Party, which includes all the 4 Wandle Boroughs, Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton and Croydon.
This original guide aimed to encourage and assist those who wish to explore the River Wandle and its heritage. Whether taken as a short stroll or a long walk it provided a brief outline of the main points of interest and the principle features of the route.
The full length of the Wandle Trail is a 11.5 mile long route that follows the River Wandle from Sutton, through Merton to where it enters the Thames in Wandsworth. Two thirds of the riverside is accessible to the public.
Hawaii Sport Fishing
November 7, 2007
If you’re coming to experience Hawaii sport fishing, you have one heck of an adventure awaiting you! Anglers from all over the world journey to these deep blues waters teeming with trophy fish. This is where you come to get the big ones. In fact the biggest fish ever caught on rod and reel was a blue marlin caught just off Oahu, weighing in at a hefty 1805 lbs.! Hawaii is so legendary among sport fishing enthusiasts that several “big-game” tournaments are held here every year, including the granddaddy of them all, the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, luring fishermen from all over the globe.
Hawaii sport fishing is the home of big-game fish. Some of the species you’ll encounter here are three types of marlin; blue, black and striped. It’s entirely possible to hook yourself a “grander”, meaning a monster fish weighing at least 1000 lbs.! Other top game fish include Ahi (Yellowfin Tuna), Ono (Wahoo), Mahimahi (Dolphin fish), and Skipjack Tuna. All of these babies can give you a reel-spinning run for your money, and an experience you’ll not soon forget! In fact the tuna are among the fiercest, most tireless fighters of the bunch! Only the striped marlin is a sometimes resident, showing up only in winter. All of the others can be found year-round. Some of the best fishing spots you’ll want to try would include Kona; long regarded as the best big-game fishing in the world. Oahu’s North Shore is more famous for it’s surfing, but it’s just under the surface here where the real action begins! Actually, there’s pretty much not a bad place for Hawaii sport fishing: some are just more excellent than others!
Arrowhead Hunting and Rock Collecting
November 6, 2007
We weren’t planning to go rock and arrowhead hunting in Arizona. My wife and I just liked that hotspring in the desert. It was agood place to escape the Michigan winter for a while.
Then we met Felix, an old Mayan Indian living in an old RV. After sharing meals and campfires for a week, he took us into the desert to show us ancient metates (grain-grinding stones) and arrowheads. We also found hundreds of beautiful rocks of every type, including Apache Tears, Fire Agate, and various quartzes.
Irina, a nineteen-year-old “rainbow kid,” who had been living in her van for months, rode with Felix in his old pickup. We took our van. We spent two hours at the first stop. The recent rain had made the rocks and artifacts stand out, washing them clean. We were mostly just rock collecting.
Irina and my wife Ana found odd pieces that may have been arrowheads. We found old pottery pieces too, and Felix came back with half of a pot painted with an intricate design. It was probably hundreds of years old. Felix had been in the desert for years, and kept seeing things we missed.
Pony Express Ruins
The Only Fishing Experts You Should Listen Too
November 6, 2007
Everyone’s an Expert, So Who Has The Right Answers?
Have you ever been stuck in a conversation with a fisherman who thinks they know everything there is to know about night fishing?
I know I have. After listening about how many fish this person caught yesterday or hearing about the 8 pounder he brought home last week, it may be tempting to take the advice this person gives with absolute certainty.
And in some cases, this is a good idea. I am a strong believer in listening to experts who are achieving the results I want to achieve, learn what they do, and then do the same thing myself.
I have had good success with this method in the past, but there is one thing to be careful of.
You will surely come across people who can “talk the talk”, but couldn’t catch a fish if you put one on his line for him. The key is to identify this type of person before taking his advice. I would always be polite and listen to his stories or theories, but I wouldn’t be trying to take mental notes or try to remember everything he is saying.
