Fly Fishing Gear- Customized Gear For The Fairer Sex
Years back it wasn’t very common to see a lady trudge all through the water hunting for a few trophy fishes. This is not the case anymore. If you are regularly fishing, you would have noticed most women in the area and field of fishing with their best. Today women are not just greatly involved in the various sports or workforce, but also the hobby of fishing. Most of the fishing companies today, have made a note about the rise in ladies anglers and have started producing several lines which are geared towards the ladies fish lovers. Women too, love the outdoors similar to men. It is a myth about a lady not liking sports such as fishing and being helpless. These are ridiculous statements. Quite many women prefer the fishing and hunting experience, as it gives them the extra time along with their partner.
Among the ladies, Fly-fishing seems to be the most popular fishing methods. You would often find women in their caps and wading boots reeling them in. The gears of Fly fishing range in styles and weights, which becomes extra efficient for the lady fisher. Moreover, instead of borrowing heavy Fishing Rods from their husbands women today, enjoy the graphite rods which are often lighter. Shorter rods also become very helpful since women usually are not equally tall like their male counterparts. Varied graphite rods could be used for that ultimate experience of fly fishing.
The different rods of Fly Fishing Gear could be bought suit the size of wrist and hand of the fairer sex. The playing field is now equaled since women are able to fish with the similar kind of fly fishing gear which is dedicated to their frame. Men need to know that women today are taking these equality rights! There would be no creepy or nasty crawlers to hook with fly fishing; just with the artificial fly, you set off to get your fish.
Instead of borrowing the oversized shirt from your husband along with a life jacket which is often is two times bigger, there now is a line of accessories available for the ladies. Wading boots, life jackets, shirts, caps, and coveralls for that in-water experience are now available. The Fly fishing gears have changed drastically since several years now and are better now considering that even women are included.
It is true that the usual fly fishing gear when the bait, weights, and along with other incidentals would never change from female to the male angler. The similar artificial flies could be used; however, many of the ladies’ are colorfully designed for the incredible eye. Women have the similar equipments to allow them with all the pleasure and relaxation with fly-fishing. As fishing is one of those special hobbies that is always equal to both men and women.
About the Author
Abhishek is an avid Fly Fishing enthusiast and he has got some great Fly Fishing Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 93 Pages Ebook, “How To Become A Fly Fishing Pro” from his website http://www.Fishing-Masters.com/95/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
What will i need to catch some good bass when i go fishing this sunday on rockland lake?
I was planning to go fishing on rockland lake. Am i able to catch fish from the edge without going to the water? Another place i was planning to fish on was the hudson river. I live in the bronx so i was planning to go fishing somewhere near the tappanzee bridge.
u dont need a boat. shore fishing is just fine. Right by the bridge just south of it is a pretty good spot.
When you begin to get into the sport of fly fishing, you will want to find a store that carries a diverse amount of supplies. Look for a local sporting goods store or even a specialty fishing store to find what you need to get started.
Most Fly Fishing Stores will carry many different brands of flies, rods, reels, and hooks that can meet all of your fishing needs. Many specialty stores will also offer classes on various subjects such as Fly Tying, casting techniques, how to find the best fish, and more. They will also often organize fishing expeditions for people to participate in.
You can find a variety of items in a quality Fly Fishing Store. Many places strive to become a “one-stop shop” for its customers. They don’t want Fly Fishers to have to go to several different places to get their equipment, so they will carry a diverse amount of supplies such as waders, nets, and flies.
The great part about going to a local fly fishing store is that you will get good customer service from the employees there. Chances are very good that the reason they are working there is they also have a love of fly fishing, and some of them have a wealth of information to share.
If you have any questions about the sport, just ask. Most of the employees will be happy to share their knowledge with you. If they don’t have an answer to your question, they can find out what you need to know.
You can also find Fly Fishing Equipment in stores like Wal-Mart and K-Mart. Keep in mind, however, that these stores probably will not give you as much assistance as you may get in a specialty store. They will, however, have cheaper prices, so if you’re on a budget but still want to buy your gear, they are good options.
If you don’t have a local fly fishing store, you may want to look online as there are many, many places for you to get your supplies from as well. Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, and Orvis all have online stores for Fly Fishing Supplies. The sites are well organized and easy to navigate.
You can get all of your fly fishing supplies in a specialty store or on a specialty website. Always be on the lookout for specials and clearance items as you’ll be able to amass your gear quickly with a minimum of expense. Fly fishing stores are more than just retail outfits, they can offer you information, too, about this wonderful sport!
Cast Your Reel For Northern Pike on an Alaska Vacation
Sport Fishing has been steeped in popularity for decades. It’s a common assumption when one refers to sport fishing that they are always thinking about marlin, sailfish, or swordfish, a.k.a. the saltwater varieties of trophy-sized fish. However, you are definitely missing the boat (no pun intended) if you think all the excitement is reserved exclusively for ocean fishing. There is much excitement to be had with a freshwater fishing vacation – especially if you journey to Alaska in search of the Northern Pike.
Northern Pike are found to be fairly common in certain areas of the United States, namely in the northern and Midwest states as well as some of the Rocky Mountain areas. However, no where are they more prolific and trophy-sized than what you can find by journeying out into some of the more remote waterways of Alaska.
The Northern Pike fisheries of Alaska can be found anywhere in Alaska’s interior and on out to the Eastern Kenai Peninsula. What you have to be aware of the most is how the climate (or the weather, if you prefer) affects the cycles of the individual regions in Alaska. Climate and weather influences are key factors when it comes to the success (or failure) of a fishing excursion in this state, so keep that in mind when it comes time to plan the trip.
Alaska has been broken up into nine regions where sport fishing is concerned, in the following manner:
1.Anchorage and Matsu Valley
2.Arctic, Yukon, and Kuskokwim
3.Bristol Bay and Kodiak
4.Kenai Peninsula
5.Northern Southeast
6.Prince William Sound
7.Southern Southeast
8.Susitna Valley
9.Tanana Region
Each of these regions offers a diversity of fishing, as well as some of the more unique and indigenous Alaskan varieties. However, the Fly Fishing opportunities are abundant, no matter what area you decide to visit. The northern interior and the arctic regions tend to be very primitive areas, while the Tanana Region lies in the heart of Alaska. The Northern Southeast region is rich in history dating back to the Klondike days, but also presents a choice of both freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities. If it’s a variety of challenging fishing that tempts you, then the Kenai Peninsula is definitely the place to break out the rod and tackle.
No matter where you venture out into Alaska, you will find a diverse range of excursions to award you with excellent Northern Pike fishing. Fly fishing tournaments can be found in a variety of areas year round in Alaska. If Northern Pike is your target, then by all means, you’ll definitely enjoy your Alaska vacation. Trophy Northern Pike excursions can be found by doing a little research, but your due diligence will more than likely pay off.
Look to the Internet when you begin your search. There are many websites offering information on the subject. Make sure to allow plenty of time for the planning stage. Private guides and fishing excursions for Northern Pike tend to fill up rather quickly, so the sooner you book your reservation, the better.
About the Author
Real Adventures is meant to give travelers immediate access to reviews and unbiased opinions on Alaska vacations
. This service has been incredibly popular, especially for those seeking to find the best value on Alaska cruises
.
Choose The Right Fly Fishing Equipment And Be Successful
When it comes to fly fishing, attitude is half of the battle. You need to be able to switch on to a calm mindset that allows you to keep repeating the same technique without becoming frustrated. You must be able to use the surrounding natural beauty as a means of tempering your impatience. It requires forethought, dedication and commitment.
The other half of fly fishing is the equipment. One wise commentator once noted that whoever said one could not buy happiness had never invested in a new Fly Fishing Rod. Now we may well smile at that and think it a bit far fetched, but, there is no doubt that the proper equipment will go a long way toward creating fly fishing success.
Certainly you need things such as a hat to protect the head from sunburn and the occasionally miscast fly and a pair of good sunglasses can make the difference between a painful squint and wonderful look at a natural vista, but the actual tackle that you use is probably the most important aspect of the equipment portion of the fly fishing equation.
However, if you have ever bought equipment before you will know that making tackle and equipment decisions can be challenging. Consider all of the choices an angler must make.
Is an old-fashioned bamboo rod with its natural flexibility the best choice for a day on the creek, or would you be better served by a new composite graphite rod with a far different, but equally enticing whipping action? When choosing a rod, should the fisher look for a particular brand, or are all models of Fly Fishing Rods created at least close to equal? And what about length? Is there a reason to prefer or pass over that slightly longer model seen at the local sporting goods store? Answers to these questions will have a real impact on your success when you go to cast your fly.
Speaking of flies, this is another area where decisions are critical. Are you going to go for a dry fly strategy, or do you plan to use insect replicas? Is there a color to prefer for the morning as opposed to the evening? Will those trout really even notice the difference between your flies or will any in your collection do the trick as twilight hits? Before you even get that far in the process, you have to decide whether you should learn to tie your own or if you are better off relying upon professionally produced flies for your excursions.
The choice of rod and fly is also going to influence decisions regarding the line you use. The size of the target fish may force you to decide to use a lighter or heavier test line. Some lines float, while others will slowly sink to the bottom. Which lines make the most sense for which kinds of casts, strategies and conditions?
There are those who fish with a stick, a string, a worm and a hook. If they are exceptionally advanced, they may add a bobber to their repertoire before dipping their line and taking a nap under a tree by the side of a slow moving creek or dead still lake. That may be a fine strategy for enticing wobbly out from the muddy banks, but that kind of simplicity does not really work for those choosing to Fly Fish.
Fly fishing is a more complicated proposition, in terms of both mindset and equipment. Both are essential to success. Tackle decisions can and often will make the difference between a catchless day and hitting the limit.
This is why anyone considering fly fishing must learn how to make the right choices. Even a Zen master of an angler will have a disappointing day if his equipment is not up to the task. All Fly Fishers must take the time to research the sport, the rods, the reels, the flies, the lines and everything else in order to increase their chance of reeling in an impressive trophy catch.
If you are a potential fly fisher and are confounded by the choices available to you, find a solid reference manual that will provide you with answers that can empower you throughout your fly fishing decision making process.
About the Author
john savage has a Blog which is all about Fly Fishing.
FlyFishing Tips, Here are some of the best flyfishing tips available from my flyfishing tips .info where there are tons more flyfishing tips to enjoy.
FlyFishing Tips – Everybody knows the fundamentals of Fishing. There is a rod, reel, fishing line, hook, bait, you cast the line, wait for a bite, and reel in your dinner. Experienced fishermen know there’s more to it than that, except for lots of us that outline suitably sums it up. However, there are a few sorts of fishing,eg salt water and water, and maybe the most suave of all, Fly Fishing. Unlike different sorts of fishing, fly fishing does not typically use any kind of organic bait, live or dead. Instead, Fly Fisherman use man-made flies ribbon, string, hair, feathers as a lure to draw in fish. The artificial flies are attached to the hook and line, and the fisherman draws fish with movement that makes the fly look like an insect that is moving on or above the outside of the water.
FlyFishing Tips – The personality of that manmade bait is the 1st and most critical part to understand when examining Fly Fishing Basics. Other categories of fishing depend on casting a line and enticing fish with the bait, but fly fishing requires a far more skillful system of luring the fish.
FlyFishing Tips – If you understand fly fishing basics, you could wonder what you would like to give it a try.
FlyFishing Tips – The reel used is in generally quite straightforward as it is in typically used only to retrieve the hook and lure and hopefully a fish! Before casting, fly fishermen customarily create slack in the line by pulling some from the reel.
Choosing the correct lure is another side of fly fishing basics that one should understand before setting off to cast their line. The game has developed latterly, and many fly fishermen now select lures and casting systems that mimic the first prey of the fish they attempt to catch.
FlyFishing Tips – Having the ability to tie the right flyfishing knots is intensely crucial to being a useful flyfisherman. Though there are definitely a large amount of different knots employed in flyfishing, the most typical are sometimes pretty simple to tie. The basic ones are the arbor knot, Albright knot, nail knot, double surgeon knot, and also the improved clinch knot.
FlyFishing Tips – An experience of fly fishing basics isn’t enough to prepare one to head off to the nearest lake or stream. If you have an interest in expanding your understanding, or trying fly fishing yourself, spend some time reading on the topic, and if possible seek the tutelage of a professional fly fisherman. Only then are you in a position to start to understand more than fly fishing basics, for example explicit suggestions on rods, reels, line weight, lures, and most critical, the great places where fly fisherman must make a pilgrimage.
We hope you found this useful. Read more flyfishing tips @ www.myflyfishingtips.info.
About the Author
http://www.myflyfishingtips.info – Flyfishing tips to make fly fishing easy.
Fly Fishing Basics Are The Gateway To Understanding An Ancient Technique
Everyone knows the basics of fishing. There’s a rod, reel, fishing line, hook, bait; you cast the line, wait for a bite, and reel in your dinner. Experienced fishermen know there is more to it than that, but for most of us that description appropriately sums it up. However, there are many types of fishing, such as salt water and fresh water, and perhaps the most artful of them all, fly fishing. You have probably heard of fly fishing – it has been in recorded history for nearly 2000 years – and you probably know that it does not involve fishing for flies, but if that is all you know then a primer in Fly Fishing Basics can bring you up to speed.
Unlike other forms of fishing, fly fishing does not typically use any kind of organic bait, live or dead. Instead, Fly Fisherman use artificial flies – ribbon, string, hair, feathers – as a lure to attract fish. The artificial flies are attached to the hook and line, and the fisherman attracts fish with movement that makes the fly look like an insect that is moving on or above the surface of the water. The nature of that artificial bait is the first and most important element to understand when examining fly fishing basics.
Another aspect of fly fishing basics, an aspect that separates fly fishing from most other variations of fishing, is the way the line is cast. Other kinds of fishing rely on casting a line and attracting fish with the bait, but fly fishing requires a much more skillful method of luring the fish. A fly fisherman casts his lure toward the fish and uses rhythmic movements to make the lure fly above the water, skimming the top, or even diving under the surface, all in an effort to replicate the movements of an insect that might entice a hungry fish to strike.
If you understand fly fishing basics, you might wonder what you need to give it a try. Fly fishermen usually use rods that are longer and lighter than typical Fishing Rods. The reel used is typically quite simple because it is generally used only to retrieve the hook and lure – and hopefully a fish! Before casting, fly fishermen usually create slack in the line by pulling some from the reel. That slack allows the lure to fly freely to the targeted area. Choosing the proper lure is another aspect of fly fishing basics that one should understand before setting off to cast their line.
Fly fishing implies that the lure is intended to resemble the characteristics of flies, but fly fishing is hardly limited to that. The sport has evolved in recent years, and many fly fishermen now choose lures and casting techniques that mimic the primary prey of the fish they are attempting to catch. However, specific baits and the eating characteristics of various species of fish are beyond the realm of fly fishing basics.
An understanding of fly fishing basics is not enough to prepare one to head off to the nearest lake or stream. If you are interested in expanding your knowledge, or trying fly fishing yourself, spend some time reading on the subject, and if possible seek the tutelage of an experienced fly fisherman. Only then can you begin to understand more than fly fishing basics, such as specific recommendations on rods, reels, line weight, lures, and most important, the great places where fly fisherman must make a pilgrimage.
About the Author
For easy to understand, in depth information about fly fishing basics visit our ezGuide 2 Fishing
.
Please check out our web site … http://www.gillhamsfishingresorts.com for all the latest news and info about fishing in Thailand at Gillhams Fishing Resorts.
What a year 2008 was – it was the first full year Gillhams was open. We first opened the doors to anglers in August 2007, and the very first anglers to fish were my old friends Terry Eustace and Joe Taylor. Terry caught his first ever arapaima here, and to this day it is still my favorite arapaima picture. Many of my friends own and run fisheries, and they all warned me how hard this business is. I did not believe them, but I now know why. Over the course of a year we have met some truly lovely great people, some OK people, and some extremely horrid ones. Luckily the really nice ones by far outnumber the a——-s! Perfect examples are people moaning because they have not had a big arapaima when it was 130lb, or saying they’ve had no big fish today when they have had a couple over 60lb, or that it’s a bit slow when they had a 100lb fish in the morning and a 150lb fish in the afternoon! We even had a guy who caught 150lb, 220lb and 340lb arapaima plus a 60lb carp and two red tails of 50lb and 60lb all in a day say it was OK but not what he expected! Christ I would love to fish his local lake. Another one we hear is, “The line broke – it’s crap.” No, it broke because they don’t know how to play fish, and when trying to stop a 300lb-plus beast at 30 miles an hour, something has to go! The list goes on, but the happy smiling faces as a decent angler catches a big fish far outweighs the idiots! Seeing grown men reduced to tears as they catch the fish of their dreams is what it’s all about to us. What a shame the good guys sometimes fail and the prats catch the whackers!
Pet hates are the fellas you haven’t seen for 15 years suddenly coming up to see us at a show, announcing he lost his contact details for me, his long lost mate, then asking for a mate’s rate! Come on – I have never been hard to find! Or the ones who come here on holiday and make you their best friend in the whole world, and invite you to their house or a couple of days thinking it now qualifies them for free holidays for life! How about advising someone what bits of tackle to bring to increase their chances, only for them to present us with a bill for it afterwards – people bringing piles of junk that we will never use and wanting us to buy it. Or moaning because the drinks and snacks in our fridge using our electric, and which our staff refill, is five pence more than the supermarket 15 miles away, then filling our fridge with the stuff they saved three quid on with a ten quid taxi fare. Or bringing end tackle with them, and then taking a few bits home along with our bits and bobs – we have hook link material, baiting needles, pliers etc stolen every month. We even had one prat who whinged so much that we wouldn’t buy some overpriced items he had brought with him that we purchased stuff off him that we get for free of our sponsors, only for him to take it out and use it during his holiday, and then take home some of the bits we had been forced to buy!
Then we get the ones who go to the local pet shop, buy some goldfish, and want to use them as bait in our lake! No wonder carp pox is on the increase in the UK with these morons about! All our fish are photographed in the water to protect them; 100lb fish bouncing across the ground does them no favours. But hey, for the ultimate photo, who cares?
Wanting to hold them out of the water for pictures on three cameras and a video, then wanting their mate to hold them the same, all in the name of ‘look what I caught!’ Get the camera ready, work out your angles and background, and take a couple of good shots – believe it or not it’s the fish that matters. Guys who get a repeat catch – this happens when fishing one swim for a holiday, as a lot of predators are territorial. If you photographed a fish two days ago in the dark in the same swim, why on earth would you want another picture? Even if you are wearing a different shirt? Well folks, the list goes on and on, but as 90% of anglers who come here care about the fishes’ welfare and want them to be just as pristine for the next person. We meet so many lovely people, for us it outweighs the bad, but when the bad ones come it spoils our day. If you are one of these people, please do us all a favour and stay away.
Anyway, that’s the griping done, so onto the year, and what a year it has been with 3,465 fish landed of 29 species. The list below shows the figures from January 08 to December 08.
Arapaima – 432 total, best 400lb, best month November – 44 fish.
Alligator gar – 151 total, best 35lb, best month August – 21 fish.
Arawana – 12 total, best 8lb, best month September – five fish.
Asian red tail catfish – 40 total, best 31lb, best month November – six fish.
Barramundi – six total, best 31lb, best month February – two fish.
Big head carp – two total, best 30lb, best month July – one fish.
Black pacu – 186 total, best 55lb, best month December – 33fish.
Black shark carp – two total, best 10lb, best month March – one fish.
Chao-Phraya catfish – 62 total, best 64lb, best month September – 11 fish.
Common carp – six total, best 25lb, best month April – two fish.
Giant featherback – three total, best 21lb, best month May – one fish.
Giant freshwater stingray – two total, best 90lb, best month November – two fish.
Giant Gourami – nine total, best 15lb, best month March – five fish.
Julian’s golden prize carp – 105 total, best 45lb, best month May – 25 fish.
Mekong catfish – 46 total, best 185lb, best month May – seven fish.
Mrigal (Asian grass carp) – five total, best 18lb, best month November – three fish.
Red tail Amazon catfish – 504 total, best 80lb, best month August – 76 fish.
Rohu carp – 83 total, best 21lb, best month December – 37 fish.
Siamese carp – 1,325 total, best 98lb, best month December – 213 fish.
Spotted featherback – 34 total, best 15lb, best month November – eight fish.
Shovel-nosed spotted sorubim – 379 total, best 45lb, best month October – 65 fish.
Striped snakehead – 40 total, best 5lb, best month December – 15 fish.
Tambaqui – eight total, best 29lb, best month October – three fish.
Tiger catfish – four total, best 20lb, best month March – two fish.
Wallago Attu (silver) – nine total, best 25lb, best month August – three fish.
Wallago leeri (black) – five total, best 35lb, best month April – two fish.
We hope this list is of use to you, and if there is fish species you are targeting, it may provide you with some clues. Personally unless you are targeting Mekong catfish and Julian’s golden prize carp, which hate the rain, we rate the wet season between June to October. There are still many good sunny days between rainstorms. But regardless, Gillhams produces numbers of big fish every month – check the newsletters on our website where you will see returns for every month since we opened.
Highlights from each month of 2008 for us are as follows…
January. Joe Taylor taking two hours to land an 85lb Mekong catfish and stopping the whole lake going to breakfast in the process. Then we had dreams come true in the shape of arapaima. First was Simon Wynn who came on a day ticket then extended his holiday and changed his flights twice, vowing to stay at Gillhams until he caught an arapaima. Finally landing one of 160lb, he broke down in tears of joy. Then there was John the policeman who had spent years trying around the world for arapaima, then coming here and landing six up to 200lb. When you see the good guys win it makes our job worthwhile.
February. This month finally saw the completion of all the holiday bungalows at Gillhams, and with the swimming pool done, our dream was now taking shape. Top angling this month must go to 11-year-old Andrew Purton who stuck through the pain to land a 130lb Mekong catfish totally unaided after a two hour fight, only to follow up the next day with a 170lb arapaima, plus a nice 30lb Julian’s golden prize carp. It’s a strange name for a carp; I can only presume many years ago some hooray family were in Thailand with young Julian when he landed his golden prize carp, and the name stuck. Anyone out there got any suggestions?
March. This was special for me as I returned home after a long 11 weeks promoting Gillhams around Europe. This month saw four arapaima over 300lb landed, one to match angling legend and world champion Dave Roper, one to Dave Negus, one to Alan Jones, and last but not least one to Keith Purton. Now this one was special; Keith had fished Gillhams in October 2007 and caught a 350lb arapaima, which was filmed by Lee Jackson and found its way onto YouTube. From there National Geographic spied it and arranged to come here and film Keith in a remake of the capture. To cut a long story short, Keith caught the same fish again for the film crew! What makes this tale unique is no one else had ever caught this fish. Watch out for that one on your screens on the National Geographic channel. “Man vs. Fish – Arapaima” should screen in the UK in February this year.
April. Had a really good crowd in with some good fish caught. Joe Burkett caught a PB 98lb carp, adding 78lb to his best. Comments on the lake were unlucky it wasn’t 2lb heavier for the ton – strange, some people! Walking around the lake one evening I came across Bob Martin with piles of money set up along the bank. My guide Gollock was drooling as Bob had them lined up as tips – a red tail over 50lb was one pile, and an arapaima another. I had noticed on my way to him some good fish showing in the bottom corner, so we moved him down, and on his first cast he landed a 70lb red tail catfish, then next cast a 380lb arapaima! Gollock binned the tips, and didn’t even buy me a beer, the tight sod! Also another special fish to me was when my daughter Rebecca landed a PB arapaima of 200lb.
May. Now this was the month my old mate Rob Maylin arrived and fished like a demon, showing just what he is capable of. He started on the arapaima, breaking the lake record for most in a day with five up to 300lb-plus, then got amongst the carp as only Rob can, landing them up to 65lb. All the time he was hauling he kept whingeing ‘cos he reckoned we don’t have enough Mekong catfish in the lake. Then he hooked one, and after an hour he was getting knackered, but the fish showed no sign of tiring. After another hour of agony, Rob was asking us how long these things fight for. When we replied that a big one can take three hours plus, he was panicking in case he would run out of power before the fish. After 2 ½ hours we slipped the net under a new world record Mekong catfish of 185lb 2oz. His comment was, “Don’t stock tot many of those!” We told him to cast out again for a brace, but instead we went out and got wasted in true old-time carper’s fashion. The same month another legend John Allen landed a brace of arapaima at 330lb and 350lb. John, for those old enough to remember, had caught a big catfish many years ago in Cassien, France. He never thought he would catch a bigger freshwater fish in his life, but hadn’t reckoned on Gillhams. Finally in this month to remember Mike Woodley equaled the world record Chao Phraya catfish at 64lb. We did not claim this fish as we have fish double the size in the lake, and would rather wait to break the record in style!
June. This was a sad month as our client and friend Sean Fay from the Oxford area sadly passed away. On a lighter note Steve our chef didn’t take our warnings about arapaima being aggressive in the cage, as they look docile. Poor old Steve leaned over to get a closer look at one he had just helped to land when wham, it gave him a Glasgow kiss causing a nice black eye, a split lip and a loose tooth! June was a very wet month with few clients and no monster fish – mind you there were plenty of good fish landed – 171 fish to only 13 clients. Everyone who came had at least one of the 25 arapaima landed this month.
July. The weather for this month was better than usual, even if we did get a flash flood. Our old mate John Allen popped up again; John lives the other side of Thailand, but only a 1hr 20min flight away. His target species this time was the Siamese carp. The fishing started slowly for John, but after baiting heavily for a couple of days the carp moved in. John landed 57 carp over the next few days with three at 50lb, two at 60lb, and the icing on the cake in the shape of a 90lb Siamese carp, giving John the biggest carp of his career. John reckons Gillhams gives him a bigger buzz than any place he has ever fished, and coming from a guy that has done it all, we take that as a complement. July also gave me another angling achievement after a year of trying, I finally sussed the method with my first fly caught arapaima at 150lb, which made me the 14th person to land one on a fly in the world. Mind you, now we have the fly pattern and tactics sussed it is reasonably easy to take them using this method.
August. The big arapaima were back on the feed with four over 300lb this month as the weather settled for the usual dry month between the rains. Sjoerd from Holland was the star this month, and apart from a 300lb-plus arapaima he had a clash with one of our turbocharged Mekongs. Now this fish had a story with it… Sjoerd had agreed with ‘her who must be obeyed’ to a five-day fishing, then five-day sightseeing trip. So it was with disappointment that he packed up on the fifth day, but on seeing his little face I suggested doing a couple of hours for free in the morning from 7am to 9am before his girlfriend woke up. All was going well when at five to nine Leonie appeared on the balcony pointing at her watch. As she did so, the alarm went into a one-toner, Sjoerd struck and the fish went on a mission. Poor Sjoerd landed a 120lb Mekong catfish some three hours later much to his girlfriend’s disgust. That was the last time in the holiday Sjoerd was seen fishing, but he said it was worth it and is rebooking, so all must be calm now in his kingdom!
September. This was the month we had the Anglers Mail team over. We had lots of rain, but the fish were used to this weather by now. They landed three arapaima over 300lb between the three-man team, with a total of 228 fish. Some strokes were pulled, but I am not allowed to mention Adam Parker ‘cos he gets upset! Also the Anglers Mail star Gary Newman had an embarrassing situation that he blamed on the drink – email me for details! The lads also had red tail catfish to 75lb and carp to 70lb, not to mention a rare Wallago Attu of 20lb to Vince. My old Harefield fishing partner Matt turned up this month and caught the biggest fish of his life with a fine 70lb Siamese carp, plus a nice arapaima brace of 180lb and 200lb.
October. The IGFA finally accepted Rob Maylin’s world record Mekong catfish at 185lb 2oz. Damien from Siam Fishing Tours gave his partner Jules a lesson in fishing. Now Jules has never caught a 200lb-plus arapaima, but has some strange theories that they don’t feed in bright sunlight, which is a bit like when I fished in the Colne Valley years ago when the carp didn’t feed when the pubs were open. You have to be in it to win it, and Damien was – he landed six species for six PB’s topped by a 220lb arapaima – top bloke, top angling. While this was happening, a guest who nearly shares my name, David Gillman, landed our 350lb plus arapaima, Henry. Another mate arrived at the end of the month – “I talk a lot don’t I” Derek Mallows, aka Ladders. He fished short spells, but when he did the man was a machine. He wanted to land a 100lb-plus fish and ended up with four arapaima to 170lb plus a Mekong catfish of 110lb. Add red tail catfish and Siamese carp over 50lb, and you can see why everyone at Horton is wearing earplugs now!
November. Well it all happened this month, as my old mates Lee Jackson, Len Gurd, Dave Woods, John Allen and Chris Turnbul all descended on us. Amongst drinking, partying and a bit of fishing, a good old fishing party was had by all. Len has even made a DVD of the event, so watch out for that one, ‘cos Jacko has a 250lb arapaima on it. Now we have had stingrays in the lake from day one, but none were ever landed. This changed when Martin Roker was told a free day’s fishing was on offer to the first person to land one, and the next day he had a 90lb stingray and claimed the prize! So much happened, and some good fish landed, but I must mention the fishing family from Great Yarmouth (someone has to live there!) Lloyd and Lin Clark with Luke, their 14-year-old son. Wow, this family were fishing mad, and could all fish. Lloyd landed seven arapaima with the best at 340lb. Lin, not to be outdone, landed a PB carp of 70lb amongst her tally of fish. Then Luke went into super mode and stole the show when after a totally unaided display of how to play a big fish that would put adults to shame, landed a 90lb Mekong catfish after a 1½-hour battle.
December. This was another busy month with so many visitors we can’t mention them all. But fish of note were Len Gurd’s 400lb arapaima caught on his last cast on his last night. This fish gave Len a battle to remember, lasting over two hours. The old gits’ club was formed with Len Jacko and Woodsy being the founder members. To join you only need to be able to drink vast quantities of wine, wear women’s clothes, and have caught an arapaima! We rounded off a full year of Gillhams being open with a big Christmas party – three
Since Gillhams opened at the end of August 2007 we have probably been responsible for more personal bests than any other lake in the world. So many people have come here and caught fish beyond their wildest dreams, and we have the best job in the world making people’s dreams come true. Although at the beginning of this report I complain about idiots and freeloaders, really they are the minority, and 90% of our clients are lovely people. We have made many friends, most clients are returning, and we have the best job in the world. But please, if you are in the 10% bracket stay away and leave Gillhams for the people who want a holiday in paradise with the biggest fish in the world.
About the Author
Accardo Bugs Freshwater & Saltwater Fly Fishing DVD
Clueless about fly fishing?
Me too!
I have been really curious about this sport for some time now. I’ve seen it done countless of times.
Tried it. Failed.
People have endlessly and tirelessly, with their utmost patience and understanding tried to rub off some fly fishing skills on me – but to no avail.
I have resorted to reading, for now. I decided that whatever I can’t do, I might as well LEARN – even just in theory. It helps. I think of my self right now as “A work in progress”.
Let’s all learn the basics. DEFINITION OF TERMS!
A brief definition about some terms I need to know about fly fishing.
What is Fly Fishing?
Fly fishing is an ancient and distinct angling method, developed primarily for salmonids (trout and salmon, mostly) and now extended to other species such as pike, bass, and carp, as well as a wide range of salt water species.
Fly casting is gripping or holding a Fly Rod correctly and to adopt the correct stance to maintain comfort and balance. The most basic rule to casting is based on the way a clock looks. Your head points straight up to 12:00, your cast (the tip of your rod) should go back to 10:00 and then forward to 2:00, releasing your line at the end of the forward motion. It is a common mistake to dip the rod below those two positions and almost always ends in a line tangle!
Angler. (Does that have anything to do with Math? I hate Math!)
That would be YOU silly! Someday, IF you learn how to Fly Fish, you will be called an angler. A person catching fish or shellfish with no intent to sell, this includes people keeping the catch or people that practice the “Catch and Release” method (highly recommended).
The Essentials – If you don’t have a complete list of these, you’re NOT Fly Fishing!
Fly Fishing Rods are long, thin, flexible rods sometimes made of bamboo, but more recently from man-made materials. Fly rods tend to have large diameter eyes (or guides) spaced along the rod to help control the movement of relatively thick fly line. To aid in the freedom of movement required to skillfully cast with a fly rod, there is usually little to no butt (handle) extending below the fishing reel. Although fly rods are mainly used for casting from fixed positions, they can also be used for trolling for fish.
Fishing Reel is a device used for the deployment and retrieval of fishing line using a spool mounted on an axle. They are used in conjunction with the fly rod and are attached to the base or handle of the rod.
Fishing line is any cord made for fishing. Important parameters of a fishing line are its length, material, and weight (thicker, sturdier lines are more visible to fish). The refractive index is also important—lines with a refractive index similar to water are almost invisible to fish. The most important parameter in deciding what line to use is its strength. This is the amount of weight the line can hold before snapping. One must balance the trade-off between strength and visibility.
Flies as Bait? Are you kidding?
Flies or Artificial flies are constructed — “tied” onto a hook with thread, fur, feathers and other materials — in sizes and colors to match naturally occurring food or simply to excite a fish. And to add more confusion, the names of flies: Wet and dry flies, nymphs, scuds, eggs, streamers, steelheads, bass flies, salmon flies,and saltwater flies.
You will be considered a well equipped fly fisher if you bring waders, wading boots, vest net, polarized sunglasses to protect your eyes and see through the reflection on the water, a hat for the harsh sun, sun block and bug dope (bug repellant) – if you don’t want to be eaten alive by bugs before you even catch a fish!
Armed with the stuff I read, I went about to experience Fly Fishing without even going near a body of water.
She is a webmaster for Riverbum.com. Riverbum.com sells Fly Fishing Flies, gears, and accessories on-line. They constantly innovate themselves to give their customers the best products they can offer for unreasonably low prices. They love fly fishing, and it shows!
Fly Fishing Basics : How to Tie a Fly to a Fly Fishing Line
Fly fishing is a way of catching fish using artificial baits like flies. The baits can be made up of natural or synthetic materials. Catching fish like trout and salmon needs certain skills. These fishes are very delicious to eat so fishing them would be more than enjoyable. Throughout history man is known to fish. It is even considered to be one of the earliest jobs of human race. Aside from hunting and planting, the people of earlier times have known how to catch fish in the nearest body of water in their area of locality. The main reason for fishing is of course to have something to eat. However, nowadays, fishing in whatever form has become a hobby and sport. This means that classes are now available to those who are interested to learn. Fly fishing tuition could vary from institution to institution. There are also especial rates for beginners and advanced learners.
There are many things we need to learn in fly fishing. Things like which bait fits best in a certain aquatic territory and the special tools we need to use in a certain body of water. Fly fishing tuition would sometimes include the things we need to use during fly fishing. In some instances, we need to buy the equipments ourselves. To be able to enjoy it more, we need to be efficient in handling the materials we need to use. So fly fishing tuition would be worth the expense.
Most resorts are also providing lessons. The fly fishing tuition also differs with the type of lessons we get. If we want to learn alone, we can avail a one on one lesson. This type of program would help us learn at our own pace and without the distractions of other people. However, if we want to learn with other people, we can avail a group lesson. This way we get to experience learning to do it with our friends and strangers alike. It could also be a perfect bonding activity for the whole family. Summer vacation is a good time for the whole family to go to resorts and enroll in a course together. We can take our family there and learn how to catch fish using fly fishing strategies and techniques. The things that we do together as a family are oftentimes the things that we will treasure for the rest of our lives.
During classes for beginners we will learn the different techniques used in fly fishing in different aquatic habitats. This is because the difference in the area could mean a lot of variations like fishing in saltwater and freshwater. Fishing in saltwater could be done in the shore or in the middle of the sea using a boat. However, fishing in freshwater could be different and may require other materials like a proper wading boots to help us stay up in a slippery river. The fly fishing tuition we have to pay to learn all these things and more are worth the new knowledge and skills we acquire.
There are many components involved in successful flyfishing – some you can buy, some you must learn. Choosing the bits you can buy can be confusing and expensive if you don’t arm yourself with information on the options you’ll be faced with. The rod is a very important component of your fly fishing arsenal and it’s important to take care in choosing one. The simplest part to decide is the material. There’s only one real choice for a modern Fly Fisherman. While fly rods were once made of bamboo painstakingly cut and laminated, those rods are collector’s items today – and not cheap! You should avoid fiberglass fly rods as they tend to be poorly made, heavy, and slow. The material of choice is graphite – it’s light, strong, and casts well. Be careful, though; some fiberglass rods are wrapped in graphite and labelled as graphite rods. Most shops will have many variations on fiberglass and graphite, and you don’t have to spend a fortune. It’s enough to know that a rod that is primarily graphite will be much thinner and lighter than one that’s a fiberglass carbon fiber laminate. If you’re going to be fishing, say, with woods to your back, you’ll want to look at shorter rods for close quarters. If you’re going to be in the open with lots of room, a longer rod will give you better casts. A long rod gives you higher line speeds and help you keep the fly in the air on the backcast. Make sure you know what kind of conditions you’ll be fishing in before you finalize your decision. You should flex your prospective rods and make sure the curve is smooth all the way from grip to tip; long flat areas or sharp bends can indicate weaknesses in the rod’s structure. You’ll want a “medium action” to start with until you discover your preferences and the ‘feel’ of the rod. “Fast” actions are stiffer, and this can cause line breaks if you don’t have a very soft touch at the grip. Try out the various grips. They vary in shape and size, and you’re looking for one that feels comfortable and controllable. Find a material that feels good in your hand, and that won’t slip when damp. Practice casting and make sure you don’t feel any chafing or binding as you don’t want blisters after an afternoon of fishing. Know what kind of fish you’re going to be going after, and pick a weight of rod that’s appropriate. A rod that’s labelled “905″ above the grip is probably nine feet long and designed to case five weight line best. So if you’re going after a fish that’s best (or usually) caught on six weight line, you’re going to want a rod designed for that weight line. Again, practice casting with the rod and make sure it feels “live” in your hands; the better it feels the more pleasant your fly fishing experience will be! Paying attention to these details is important, and they will help you to select the right rod for your application. Prices can range from $50 to “How much do you have?”, but you don’t have to break the bank to have fun. Just make sure you check these details and you’ll be on the right path to fly fishing fun!
About the Author
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How to Use a Wooly Bugger Lure When Fly Fishing : Fly Tying Tips for the Wooly Bugger
