| |
| |
|
All About Fishing! |
|
|
|
Update Alaska: News From The Front
Stopped into The Fishin' Hole the other day, which happens to be one of my favorite fishing tackle/outfitter/sandwich shops. (Talk about your one stop shopping!!) I was looking for a good 8 weight line to take to Alaska. What I came away with was an update from about four different people who had just returned from Alaska. Now, for those of you that have been following my upcoming maiden trip to The Last Frontier -you know that I am headed up there in a week from now. So it was nice to hear some first hand reports on what is going on, and how the fishing is doing. Of course I am a little concerned that right there in the tiny town of Shady Cove, Oregon--there were four people who have recently been to Alaska right there at that given moment in that fishing tackle/outfitter/sandwich shop! If you take the ratio of those four people at that given time and the odds that they had been to Alaska and multply that out over the entire nation.... well..... you come up with a pretty dang high number! And to think I was worried about the mosquitoes. Anyway, one fella happened to have a photo album and all I had to say was that I was headed up to Alaska--and of course he pulled out that album and showed me some rather dandy Halibut that weighed in at 178 pounds. He also said if he didn't have one of those belts that you strap on to fight Marlin, he would probably be recovering from hernia surgery. I of course said the fish was nice-- but I was more concerned with the mosquitoes. He told me they didn't bother him.Hmmmm now that sounds fishy to me. Another person reported that the Kenai--the LOWLY Kenai--- fished well and they caught some really nice King Salmon. They weren't bragging about size so they were either really big or really small. Not sure. They also went Halibut fishing and caught some 20 pounders, certainly not big by Alaskan standards. They also reported that every person on the boat puked their guts out. Now there is something to look forward to. I hope I am fishing out of a Princess Cruiseliner--but I doubt it. I also asked them how the mosquitoes were? To quote them: " OH MY GOD- THEY WERE BIG AS BIRDS!!" Nice. Puking, scratching, and hernia surgery!! We discussed the various options of Deet and netting, but it sounded like that only made it more challenging for the skeeters to find a way to make your life miserable.They described the mosquitoes approaching, 'like a black cloud' and then enveloping them in a blood sucking frenzy. Sounds like a Stephen King novel. One gal produced a bottle of some " natural" deet free repellant, and offered up a very weak, "our friends used this up at Diamond Lake last week and said this stuff is 'the bomb'." Unless she meant "bug bomb"--I wasn't about to start experimenting with anything unproven. Besides, the difference between Diamond Lake mosquitoes and the Kenai Peninsula mosquitoes is probably like the difference between Peoria and Yankee Stadium. I told her I'd try it but I would need her cell number so I could be sure to call her at midnight if her"natural" spray was ineffective. She pulled that bottle off the counter faster than a Ford truck recall goes out. So it sounded like fishing was going about as expected, and the mosquitoes were going as expected also. I also received a call from another buddy who wanted to go fishing on the Klamath River, in California, the week after I get back. He is an Alaskan fishing veteran so he had all sorts of good information to offer up about catching Silvers, including a "special" fly pattern that he developed and ties himself. I am now going to be his official "field tester" --because I suspect he thinks- if I can catch a fish with it...then it has real marketing potential. So look for it's appearance on the "two guys with flys" website if it works. If not... well... you can always look for my swollen festering mosquito welts. I have also checked in with my good friend Tom, who if you remember, floated the Kisaralik River last month. He is back and reported a successful trip, in the respect that no one was eaten by a Bear, and they returned with same number of people they left with. Oh, and the fishing was great for BIG TROUT, and of course--Deet had little or no effect at stopping the onslaught of mosquitoes.As evidenced by his scabbed over arm full of bites and "Calamine lotioned" skin color. Also received a phone call from Ranger Kurt--and he pretty much just laughed maniacally and kept saying things like: "August in Alaska" "August in Alaska" "HA HA HA ha......." Perhaps a few to many bites from his last trip?? Well, that is about it from the front. I'll be busy this week getting ready-and soaking my clothes in Deet... A.J. Klott is a writer of fishing humor and the people and events surrounding the fishing world. He also can be found selling "fly tacks" and other various fishing supplies at: http://www.twoguyswithflys.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Fishing - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Fishing on Your Pontoon Boat Fishing on your pontoon boat can be both a relaxing and fun experience. Fishing from a pontoon boat can much more enjoyable than fishing on other smaller vessels. Fly Fishing Rods - Getting The Bends 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. Eel And Eelskin Lures Eel and eelskin lures are used mostly in saltwater to catch such fish as striped bass, bluefish, snook, and marlin. The most difficult part about making eel and eelskin lures will often be obtaining the eels themselves. Making The Most of Your Time - Fishing Safety Rules Everyone Should Know When you are going fishing, whether nearby your home or on a long distance trip, there are many fishing safety rules that you need to keep in mind.These rules can help prevent injury to yourself and others while shore and boat fishing. Communications Equipment in the Wilderness For Hunting, fishing, hiking, boating or cycling in all kinds of weatherCommunication in the wilderness is a matter of survival, as well as convenience. Before even leaving home, communications must begin. Choosing Steelhead Gear Steelhead GearLike many things in fly fishing you can ask 10 different fly anglers a single question and you'll get 10 different answers. Asking what steelhead rod one should use for fly fishing is no different. Swordfish and Swordfishing Generally an oceanic species, the swordfish is primarily a midwater fish at depths of 650-1970 feet (200-600 m) and water temperatures of 64 to 71F (18-22C). Although mainly a warm-water species, the swordfish has the widest temperature tolerance of any billfish, and can be found in waters from 41-80F (5-27C). Fishing Charter Need To Know 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. The Alaskan Experience "FISH ON!!"I yelled, as my seven weight fly rod bent over and the line played it's magical tune of "zinging in the rain". It was hard to tell just how big the fish was or if it was a Rainbow or big Dolly Varden. Satisfy Your Thirst for Fishing - 3 Parts to the Fishing Cocktail Everyone who fishes either for sport or fun knows that while fishing itself is simple, catching fish is not. There are times when we think we have it all figured out, then days go by without as much as a nibble. My Fishing Trip With The Pro I was in Southwest Florida and was asked to go fishing by one of the pro bass fisherman there. Thinking I would learn a lot that day, I graciously accepted his kind offer. Pitchin For Large Mouth Bass Well, we have talked about flippin and now we'll mention pitchin.Both techniques are used to fish cover and to do it quietly. Colorado Fly Fishing - Bait Huckin vs. Fly Fishin It was one of those fishing trips. You know, everyone catches fish but you, you loose six or eight of your most expensive streamers, it rains buckets, and you sink the boat. Just What Is the Stream Trout? The term stream trout is actually a term used to encompass any of the stream trout. Brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout are all called stream trout because they like the running waters. 10 Fishing Gems Fishing Gem #1 - When Is Best?If you are in a boat and plan to anchor and bottom fish, get out there before the sun goes down and set up .Over many years, it has been noticed that a good bite usually starts 2 hours before sunrise. A Guide to Non-Typical Catfish Fishing Techniques Part III Method 2The second method that works really well for me is drift fishing. Lets start by explaining how drifting works. Saltwater Fishing Tips Get Rid Of SharksSharks buggin' you? To get rid of them pour some fish blood on a paper towel or newspaper and roll it into a ball. Toss it overboard and the sharks will follow it with the current. The Low Down On Worms We all know that plastic worms are one of the most productive lures there are, but did you know certain worms have special uses? I have a whole tackle box with nothing but plastic worms in it, hundreds of them!Here is what I use a certain worm for:Floating Worm.. Why a Blacklight Will Take Your Night Fishing To A New Level If You Have Never Used A Blacklight While Night Fishing, You're Missing OutWe all know the benefits of night fishing - bigger catches and calmer waters are just two, however, night fishermen have several challenges that "day time" fishermen do not have to deal with.One of the most difficult challenges is, of course, being able to see your line to find out if you have had a hit. Successful Fishing: The Mysterious e Factor..... Successful Fishing: The mysterious "e" Factor.There has always been a strange, and to this day, unsolved mysterious theory in the fishing world.
|
| All About Fishing | home | site map |
| © 2006 |
