Saltwater Fly Fishing — A Tide Runs Through It
February 13, 2008
Saltwater fly fishing is all the rage these days. This excitement is quite understandable because there’s hardly anything more thrilling to a saltwater fly rodder than a bluefish blitz, a tailing red drum off the coast of NC, or a bonefish battle on the flats of south Florida waters.
If you are just getting started in saltwater fly-fishing, there are a few tips that will make your conversion from freshwater easier and more productive.
Get some gear just for fishing saltwater You’re best bet is to get another fly rod and reel for your saltwater fishing adventures. Your freshwater gear is undoubtedly going to be lighter than may be necessary to deliver that big fly in a stiff offshore breeze, and you’re better off leaving your high-dollar equipment out of the punishing salt air.
Get a good 10 weight rod There are a number of reasons you need to use heavier tackle. One is because you will need to make longer casts with larger flies in typically windy conditions. Another is because when you see that fish you need to deliver the fly IMMEDIATELY. Doing that will be considerably easier with heavier equipment.
Find Outdoor Camping Gear Online at Great Discount Prices
February 12, 2008
Before you take off on that great outdoor adventure, be sure to write a list of all of the outdoor camping gear you will need with you and your family when on that camping trip. Some of the most important items to remember to bring are backpacks, tents, sleeping bags and camping furniture to name a few items.
Other outdoor camp gear accessories you should think of bringing should be based on the type of camping trip your taking and at what time of year. For example, if you know that it’s going to be rainy season, a good durable tarp to cover the ground and go over the tent is a good camp item to have. Also, if you and your family are sensitive to temperature when sleeping, you may want to bring along a tent heater and an air mattress for more sleeping comfort in that cozy sleeping bag.
Also write out a list of camping food you will need. Along with your food list you may also want to consider the many outdoor camping cooking equipment you will need like a camp stove or campfire grill, pots, pans, matches and more. Do your research by reading online reviews and ratings at epinions.com on some of the best camping gear and supplies available today to help make your choice a little easier.
Fly Fishing Journals ? Keep Track of Your Trips
February 11, 2008
Fly fishing is addictive. Once you start, you’ll never stop. Whether you are going to the local water hole or to Alaska, you should use a fly fishing journal to keep track of your sessions.
Fly Fishing Journals
Fly fishing is more than just fishing, it’s a peaceful, surreal activity. For many, there is almost a meditative quality to casting. For avid fly fisherman, fly fishing trips to locations such as the Battenkill River in Vermont, Green River in Utah and Letort in Pennsylvania are a must. Of course, the possibility of trips to Argentina, Alaska and other exotic locations can make ones eyes glassy. For many, however, past fly fishing experiences fade from the memory with time. If you had keep a fly fishing journal, this doesn’t have to be the case.
There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout time. Of course, Anne Frank’s Diary is the best example. In her diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your fly fishing sessions will hopefully be more lighthearted, keeping a journal will let you remember them as the years pass.
Be Sure to Buy the Best Discount Camping Gear Before Going on that Family Adventure
February 10, 2008
When you’re on the Internet looking for discount camping gear, it’s good to read an online camping equipment review. There are so many camping outdoor gear products on the market today that the challenge is choosing between them. Some basic things to look out for when buying camp gear preferably at almost wholesale prices is to make a camping supplies list with these in mind affordability and lightweight products.
Some of the best camping equipment and gear manufacturers on the market today include Ozark Trail, Coleman, Motorcycle, Swiss, Eddie Bauer, Brunton, Hillary, Eureka, North Pole and Wenzel. Search online and you can buy all sorts of new or used closeout camping supplies like backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, camping furniture and other camping stuff.
There are tons of stores and outlets online including Wal Mart that you have access to anywhere in the world like Canada, Phoenix, Northwest Territory, New York Washington DC, Chicago, Oakland, San Francisco, Seattle, San Jose, Ohio, Philadelphia, Boston and even the UK. These outdoor merchants that sell everything from cooking gear, furniture, kid & family gear and so much more.
Fishing Team Gear Helps Teams Market To Sponsors
February 9, 2008
Competition between offshore and inshore anglers has skyrocketed within the last few years. As the competition increases, so does the need for fishing teams to differentiate themselves and stand out from other teams. To do this, fishing teams are acting more like businesses and taking marketing and branding seriously. There are several reasons why increasing amounts of fishing teams are moving towards self-promotion.
First of all, it is a sheer numbers game. There are more and more well run fishing tournaments available to the average angler these days. Everything from the “mom and pop” type local tournament, to entire circuit series, like the H.O.T. Fishing Circuit, that has the likes of the NASCAR points system. With circuit and big money tournaments becoming the more common, more anglers are fishing them. And these tournaments are not cheap. That leads us to the second reason.
Secondly, since anglers fishing more tournaments, they are spending much more money to fish them. This costs a considerable amount of money. The costs and fees involved are registration fees, gas, bait, boat purchase and maintenance, insurance, a large vehicle or truck to pull your boat or dockage fee at a marina. Plus you must not forget food, beverages, lodging and any other associated travel costs. Fishing teams are looking to save money and seeking out corporate sponsorships from fishing and marine companies. This can become a very important goal to competitive fishing teams to help defray costs.
A Thumb Sketch Outline of Tanzania’s Attractions and National Parks
February 9, 2008
The Northern Circuit is probably Africa’s most dramatic wildlife area. Game safaris never fail to satisfy with the thrill of the big game; they also offer diverse flora, panoramic landscapes and spectacular mountains; the game migrations across the plains defy description. The Serengeti is an ‘Immortal Eden’ where nature reigns - vast endless plains echo with thundering hooves of over two million migrating wildebeest.
Ngorongoro crater heralded as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ is an awe-inspiring caldera; enclosed by sheer walls the crater is breathtaking; this Garden of Eden flourishes with flora and fauna. The Northern Circuit has other equally exceptional game sanctuaries such as Tarangire National Park, which during the dry season has teeming herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle passing through in search of water; and patiently the predators follow these grazers; Tarangire also boasts many hundreds of bird species. Lake Manyara National Park where tree-climbing lions sprawl on stout limbs of acacia. The lovely Arusha National Park nestling against Mount Meru; Lakes Natron and Eyasi are soda lakes that are as fascinating as they are remote and Olduvai Gorge known as the cradle of humankind; so come and let us take you on a safari of a lifetime in Northern Tanzania.
The Frugal Fisherman: Part II
February 8, 2008
For those of you that don’t know this, fishermen by nature are a frugal lot.
Being penny wise and pound foolish is standard fare, and I am no different.
I recently noticed that the felt soles on my wading boots had become worn out on the bottom. I found this out the hard way,of course, discovering this while fishing on the river, going into my rendition of the “slick rock disco”, and falling into “the drink”.You would think I would have noticed that my felt soles had worn out and that I was now wearing hockey skates in the water, but with my wading boots being much like my car, I just get in them and go.
I headed on down to “The Blackbird”, which is my favorite outdoor store–(not because of service or price but because they have this giant fifty foot,black and yellow blackbird statue in the parking lot)–and proceeded to reaquaint myself with wading boot prices. Having last bought wading boots circa 1990, fifteen years inflation certainly caused my jaw to drop.
Bird Watching in the East Usambara Mountains of Tanzania
February 7, 2008
The Usamabara Mountains are very special mountains, often that tired cliché is used comparing them to Switzerland. These mountains are defiantly African mountains, not European but African.
Baron Von Saint discovered the African violet ? the world’s favorite flower here in the Usambara’s in 1892, you will find them here in every shade of red, blue and pink. The primary source of knowledge for the cataloging of birds in this area is due to Reginald and Winfred Moreau who lived in Amani from 1926 to 1948.
The East Usamabara Mountains is accessible with care and a robust 4 x 4. Here you will find the Amani Game Reserve [Amani being Swahili for peace]. This Game Reserve is made up of lush cool forest and teaming with rare birds. Thirteen species of birds are registered on the list of threatened species.
Accommodation here is basic, clean and reasonably priced. Local people who speak English and are full conversant with the flora and fauna of the area are available for hired as guides. [Note that it is customary to tip for good service if you hire a guide]. The Amani Nature Reserve Information Centre was built by the Germens in 1914. The centre is open ever day [so I am assured] and the entrance is free
How To Catch Largemouth Bass
February 6, 2008
Six strategies for a good day’s fishing
(1) Largemouth Bass like plastic worms. Purchase a variety of colours from clear to bright and in varying shades. If fish don’t seem to be biting on one colour then switch for something lighter, and if they’re still not biting, go for a worm darker than your original. Generally, it depends on the water colour, time of day and temperature.
(2) Largemouth Bass like man-made or natural structure so look for them around jetty pylons, treefall and rock formations. They also like lots of weed so keep your eye out for a variety of spots.
(3) Largemouth Bass like baitfish. Herons like baitfish too. Look out for flocks of birds diving. Quite often where you find one you’ll find the other.
(4) Largemouth Bass like it quiet. Fish in areas away from frenzied activity or at dawn before activities begin. Be aware though that some activity can be a bonus as the wake from passing boats can wash out the baitfish from their hiding places in the rocks and, therefore, attract the bass.
(5) Largemouth Bass like deep water and shallow. Keep a variety of deep-diving lures and surface lures in the tacklebox depending on time of day, currents and water temperature.
Scotland - The New White Water Rafting Capital of Europe
February 5, 2008
Scotland has taken its place as the new Mecca for white water rafting and extreme sports enthusiasts. With over 120 activity centres around the country you can do it all here - from jumping off cliffs, sliding through canyons and rolling down hills in plastic balls, to more traditional activities such as white water rafting, quad biking and clay pigeon shooting.
The rugged landscape is perfect for hair-raising outdoor pursuits. As Mark Turner of specialist outdoor sports website adrenalinePASS.com says, “We are especially looking forward to the rafting season on the River Tummel. This is undoubtedly the best white water rafting available in the country over the summer."
The Tummel is dam-release, guaranteeing water levels every weekend from June to September. It is a narrow, technical and exciting river, offering almost continuous rapids to Grade IV, culminating in the descent of a double-drop waterfall!
"An alternative waterfall descent", Mark continues, "is on one of our canyoning trips. This time there’s no boat involved, instead participants are lowered down on a rope in a controlled abseil." Canyoning descents also involve scrambling, jumps into plunge pools, natural water flumes and slides.
