Adventure Travel on Horseback
March 23, 2008
When you think of "adventure travel," what crosses your mind?
- Hiking?
- White water rafting?
- Scuba diving?
- Something as sedentary as a cruise ship or land rover safari?
Those ideas lose their "adventure" status when you compare them to galloping on a horse in Africa with a zebra and wildebeest racing along side you, or quietly observing the elephant and giraffe.
How can a traveler visit the remote parts of the world’s most beautiful and interesting places while…..
- Practicing a fascinating sport
- Avoiding polluting
- Keeping in harmony with history and nature
- Being free to explore exotic locations
- Making friends in remote places, and Sharing the experience with a willing animal?
Have you ever considered the tremendous advantages of adventure travel on horseback? A horse can take you to beautiful and remote places which are difficult to reach in any other way. At the same time, you can practice a challenging sport which has been a favorite of mankind for millennia.
Destinations like Africa, Asia, Europe and South America offer a wonderful variety of adventure tours on horseback. Though comparatively little known to Americans, the British and particularly the French have highly developed the riding tour concept in many parts of the world. In many locations in the United States rights-of-way for horses have been lost, but many still exist in other countries.
Catch Your Limit With These Fishing Supplies
March 22, 2008
Great fishing supplies are an essential when it comes to netting the big game out at the lake or the stream. You can’t expect the fish to bite, though, if you don’t bring your A game. And a big part of a top-notch game is the right gear–from rods and reels, to lines, lures, and tackle boxes.
On the other hand, even some weekend warrior with the most advanced, most pricey equipment won’t last very long on the lake if he doesn’t know what he’s doing. Them fish can practically smell inexperience, and they’ll walk all over you–or swim, in their case–if you can’t fish worth a darn.
That’s where practice comes in. Get in a few hours of fishing whenever you, wherever you. No matter if it’s off a dock on the bay or thigh-high in high tide in the Atlantic, cast away whenever you can find the time.
Just like any athletic pursuit or hobby, practice combined with the best fishing supplies makes for perfect angling.
Try to learn as much about fishing as you can, too. Instead of running off on your own, try to fish with buddies who’s fishing skills you envy. Or hunker down near a few total strangers and pick their brain while you’re all casting and reeling.
What Do Cowboys-n-Campfires Have in Common?
March 21, 2008
I bet you’re wondering where the heck this articles going. After all what could cowboys-n-campfires have in common? Well lots actually!
Cowboys are full of wonderful tales from their travels and their work. Campfires are a wonderful place to listen to tales whether from a cowboy or shared among a group of friends over an ice cold beer and a star filled sky.
There’s another commonality. In earlier times cowboys spent a great deal of time sleeping under the clear star filled skies. They enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the universe as they stopped to rest for their night from a long day of moving cattle across the country.
Today campfires are one of the few times we get to appreciate the dark night skies with the twinkling stars. It’s one of the few times we stop and appreciate what a wonderful universe we live in. In the city most of the beauty of the night sky is washed out by the ambient light.
Cowboys-n-campfires share something else ? the big C. Now I bet your wondering what the heck the big C is? The big C stands for a few things Character, Charm, Cause, Caution, Cheerful, and Chatting.
Fishing Fall Bass - Early Fall Fishing for Bass in the Northwest as the Seasons Change
March 20, 2008
You have just rolled out of bed, poured you coffee and there it is. You knew it was coming, but it is real, it is here. What am I talking about? It’s not taxes, the Grim Reaper or even your in-laws coming for an extended stay. It is the first foggy Fall morning. If you have spent any time in the Northwest you know what that means. From here on out the weather will never get quite as hot as it did all summer, and the nights will be cooler. Sure, we may get an Indian Summer and some nice days, but the fact is, things are cooling off. Now it is time to start thinking about what that means for our Bass fishing. With the falling temperatures, Bass will start to build up their Winter reserves. This can offer some fantastic fishing opportunities if you know what to look for. Big Bass that have been hiding deep all Summer are now moving up and looking for as much food as they can. Their feeding periods will also lengthen as the Sun drops to lower angles. All the better for us! Most experts would agree that Fall Bass are suckers for the right crank bait. This means you probably will grab lures that are a little bigger than you have been using all Summer. The Bass that have made it to Fall are smart and will be looking for lures that closely match the size and color of the prey fish that spawned in the Spring. Check out what is in your lake and match up to that. Another good choice is to grab your top water lures. Again, the big Bass are looking to load up on food and will be watching for any easy meals above them. Finding the Bass is of course key. But where are they? The simple answer is, where the bait fish are. These are most likely going to be found in closer to shore than they previously were, hanging out in the shallows and around the green plants. My favorite tactic to find bait fish is to bring along an extra pole rigged with a small jig and bobber and when I am exploring a lake, drop it out in front of me and let it sit on a hole before I start throwing my Bass hooks at it. I also toss it out when I am changing or re-tying lures. If there are bait fish there, then odds are, the Bass are lurking near by. Important things to look for are areas where there is cover for the Bass to move between their deeper holding areas to the shallow feeding areas. Also remember on cloudy and windy days or in stained water, the Bass may not retreat at all to their holding areas, but may spend the day feeding in the shallows. Pay attention to water that is shallower than you would normally expect to find big fish. I have seen large Bass lurking in water as shallow as one foot.
Rafting on the Rogue River in Oregon
March 20, 2008
Oregon’s Rogue River is one of the nation’s most beautiful. The Rogue River begins in Crater Lake and extends 215 miles until it empties in the Pacific Ocean. There are two major sections of the Rogue River: The Wild and the Recreational. Many river recreation outfitters offer tours through both.
The recreational area is more of a family-oriented affair, with a number of activities from sunbathing to swimming and rafting available. Half day, one day, and multi-day passes are available. The 13-mile stretch used for white-water rafting is moderate and definitely suitable for the whole family. Other activities like swimming, fishing, hiking, and sightseeing are also offered.
People interested in riding some of the finest rapids the continent has to offer are advised to visit the wild Rogue River. Here, travelers will find the best of Rogue River rafting. The rapids are mostly Class II and Class III, but some famous spots are Class IV. Blossom Bar Rapid and Mule Creek Canyon are two world-renowned Class IV rapids found on the Rogue River. Most wild Rogue River rafting excursions last multiple days, lasting between two and four days. Wild Rouge River is what rafters call a drop pool river, which means that the fast and exciting rapids are separated from each other by stretches of slow, calm water, giving rafters a chance to enjoy the scenery before being plunged back into the rapids.
Fly Fishing Rods ? Getting The Bends
March 19, 2008
Picking a fly fishing rod is a tricky endeavor. Do you go with your ego, expected fishing environment or something else? While length is a factor, the bend or action of the rod is a key factor.
Flexibility
Fly fishing rods are often defined by their flexibility. In laymen’s terms, flexibility means how far the rods will bend when the same casting effort is used.
Minimal Bend
A fly fishing rod that has minimum bend is often called a "fast" rod. The lack of bend lets the angler get lots of speed on the cast. This speed allows you to cast very accurately and farther away than rods with more bends. While these benefits may sound great at first glance, a fast rod can be frustrating. There is no room for error when using the rod. If you are going to use one of these rods, you need excellent motion and timing. Generally, only anglers with a lot of experience should have a go at using fast rods.
Moderate Bend
River Rafting on the Salmon River
March 18, 2008
The beautiful Salmon River stretches through over 400 miles of Idaho. The legendary explorers Lewis and Clark traveled part of the Salmon River but thought it was too rough to navigate. For a short time The river was also known as Lewis’s River. Another name for this wild, untamable body of water is the River Of No Return.
The Salmon River has two major parts, the Middle Fork and the Main Salmon River. Both offer great rafting experiences, with rapids in the Class III to Class IV range. When the Main Salmon floods, the rapids become Class V.
Salmon River rafting trips take rafters through the second deepest gorge on the continent, exposing them to pristine, beautiful wilderness and Native American and early settler artifacts. The Salmon River Gorge that the Main Salmon passes through is even deeper than the Grand Canyon; the Snake River Canyon is the only one deeper in all of North America. The shores of the Salmon River are rich, sandy beaches perfect for relaxing. People who travel further inland will find Native American ruins and ghost towns formerly inhabited by early settlers. Rafters can see a wide variety of stunning wildlife along the riverbanks.
The Fishing Industry and Sponsorship
March 17, 2008
Should you approach the fishing industry for sponsorship?
First let’s look at it from the lure manufacturer’s standpoint. Just think of your favorite lure manufacturer for a minute. Now imagine that you work at their plant. One of your jobs may be to sort through the hundreds of emails, hundreds of faxes, and hundreds of letters each day from anglers seeking sponsorship via products and or cash. Included in those communications you will also find donation requests from - fishing clubs, non-profit organizations, company friends, etc.
Can you imagine having that job?
After a few days of employment wouldn’t all the resumes start to look the same? How about all the product or financial donations requests, wouldn’t they all start to look the same too? Of course they would. How would you know which one to support or sponsor?
Don’t think I made this example up ? I didn’t. The fishing industry as whole, whether it is manufacturers of: lures, line, rods, reels, boats, motors, sunglasses, hooks, tackle boxes, etc. is literally inundated, every single day, with hundreds maybe thousands of sponsorship requests.
River Rafting in the Grand Canyon
March 16, 2008
Rafting through the Grand Canyon is the experience of a lifetime. Viewing the canyon from along the rim is a stunning experience on its own, but it pales in comparison to the adventure of riding the river through it. Several river recreation outfitters offer guided rafting tours through the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon was formed over several million years. An ancestral version of what is now the Colorado River slowly eroded the earth, creating this breathtaking formation. The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The canyon is over 250 miles long and is over a mile deep in some parts.
Grand Canyon river rafting is one of the most fascinating experiences available. Grand Canyon river rafting tours usually run several days and many last more than a week. These tours often include side trips to areas at the bottom of the canyon where travelers near the river. Visitors often stop and examine Native American ruins and fascinating geological formations.
River Rafting in California
March 15, 2008
River rafting is a major attraction in California. The most popular California river rafting destination is the mighty American River. The American River begins in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and runs to the Sacramento River. The American River splits into three forks before it converges. The North Fork, the Middle Fork, and the South Fork each offer rafters unique adventures.
The North Fork of the American River offers the most challenging rapids on the river. It is fed by the runoff from the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the early spring when the snow melts. This runoff, mixed with the narrow canyons found downriver make for some exciting and challenging Class IV rapids. Chamberlin Falls Gorge, the most intense part of the American River, is found on the North Fork. This fork of the river is only open for rafting for a few months of the year, usually from April to the early summer.
The Middle Fork of the American river is slightly easier to navigate than the North Fork. Adventurous, physically fit novices can try a guided tour on the Middle Fork. The Middle Fork contains some of the most popular Class III and IV rapids in the state. Parts of this fork run through beautiful 2,000-foot tall canyons. The season for Middle Fork rafting runs from April through October, giving rafters many months of the year to enjoy the river.
