Wednesday, December 16, 2009

As I fish in many different settings and states I have come to rely on some very good fishing books that can be bought fairly cheap at amazon.Here is one of them in particular I will share with you.This is a book and dvd combo.very helpful.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Tips for the Ice Fisherman

Ice fishing is popular and a lot of fun in the winter months.Anglers venture out onto what they think are frozen lakes to fish through the ice. And, each winter there are ice related accidents often caused by not knowing the basics of crossing a frozen lake .
Here are some safety tips every person venturing out onto frozen lakes should observe:
Tell someone or a family member where you intend to fish and when you expect to return.
Wear a personal floatation and always fish with a partner.
Ice varies in thickness and condition.
Always carry a chisel or ice spud to check ice as you proceed.
Try to cross away from ice near mouths of rivers, points of land, bridges, islands, and over reefs and springs. The current causes ice to be thinner in and around these areas.
Do not proceed onto the ice if it has melted away from the shore. This indicates melting is underway, and ice can shift position as wind direction changes.
Waves from open water can quickly break up large areas of ice. If you can see open water in the lake and the wind picks up, get off!
Always carry a set of hand spikes to help you work your way out onto the surface of the ice if you go through. Holding one in each hand, you can alternately punch them into the ice and pull yourself up and out. You can make them at home, using large nails,Make sure you have a wrist atachment to keep them on.You can also buy them at sporting goods stores.
Carry a rope line that can be thrown to someone who has gone through the ice.
Every year several motor vehicles go through the ice on lakes, and people have drowned as a result.Keep your auto off the ice.I fell through with my jeep and thankful the water was only 4 feet deep.
Heated fishing shacks must have good ventilation to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
It sounds like a lot of stuff to take with you on the ice,but when disaster strikes,you will be thankful for having it.
Good luck on your next Ice fishing Trip..

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Fishermen remember to take your fishing gear with you when you are hunting this fall,as most fishing is still open in the mountain states.
When you are camped by a stream without your gear,you realize that you made a mistake by not taking your fishing equipment with you when a big trout jumps for a bug.
Besides the fact that a trout dinner might be good also,along with a plate of fried potatoes and a cup of coffee.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Fresh Feta with Salmon Pasta

This is a fast recipe for any meal and is good..
You will need ;
6 ounces of whole wheat penne or you can use rotini.
2 cloves of garlic,minced
4 large plum or 10 cherry tomatoes ,chopped
1/2 cup of sliced green onion
12 ounces of cooked salmon,broken into chunks.
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
3 ounces fresh basil sprigs

In a crock pot cook pasta as directed.
Drain pasta and keep covered
Coat an unheated large non-stick skillet with olive oil
Heat skillet to medium high and add garlic cook and stir for fifteen seconds.
Add tomatoes and green onion and cook until soft and tender.
Sprinkle the salmon with salt and add salmon and snipped basil,black pepper and heat through.
Add oil to drained pasta,then toss to mix
Add salmon mixture and feta cheese to the pasta and stir gently
serve warm and garnish with basil sprigs.

Friday, July 3, 2009

July 03,2009

Went fishing today and caught three Rainbow Trout measuring from 10 inches to 17 inches,in the Clark Fork River.
The water is still quite high,but the fish seem to be on the bite.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Fly fishing instructions

In fly fishing.

Fish are caught by using artificial lures that are cast with a fly rod and a fly line.
The fly line (today, almost always coated with plastic) is heavy enough in order to send the fly to the target.

This is one of the main differences between spinner and bait rods, which use heavy weight on the line to cast lures, bait, etc.

Artificial flies can vary dramatically in all morphological characteristics (size, weight, colour, etc.).

Artificial flies are created by tying hair, fur, feathers, or other materials, both natural and synthetic, onto a hook with thread.

The first flies were tied with natural materials, but synthetic materials are now extremely popular and prevalent.

The flies are tied in sizes, colours and patterns to match local terrestrial and aquatic insects, baitfish, or other prey attractive to the target fish species.

Fly rod and reel with a wild Brown trout from a stream.

Unlike other casting methods, fly fishing can be thought of as a method of casting line rather than lure. Non-flyfishing methods rely on a lure's weight to pull line from the reel during the forward motion of a cast.

By design, a fly is too light to be cast, and thus simply follows the unfurling of a properly casted fly line, which is heavier and more castable than lines used in other types of fishing.

The angler normally holds the flyrod in the dominant hand and manipulates the line with the other close to the reel, pulling line out in small increments as the energy in the line, generated from backward and forward motions, increases.

The mechanics of proper rod movement are commonly described as "10 to 2", meaning that the rod's movement on the forward cast is at the 10 o'clock position (12 o'clock is rod straight up, 9 o'clock flat forward, 3 o'clock flat backwards) and the backcast at 2 o'clock. In proper casting, loops of line unfurl completely before the angler throws his rod in opposite direction.

The effect resembles sending a wave along a garden hose to remove a kink.

Newer casting techniques promote minimal wrist movement, a very open stance and movement of the arm parallel to the ground, discouraging the rigid boundaries of the 10 to 2 technique.

Proper casting, regardless of technique, requires pauses in both directions (forward and backward) to allow the entirety of the line to unfurl parallel to the water's surface.

As additional line length is desired for farther casts, the angler allows momentum generated by the forward and backcasting to carry slack line previously pulled free from the reel to glide forward through the non-dominant hand without bending the wrist.

Flyline speed and orientation in three-dimensional space, in both the forward and back cast, yield a tighter or looser unfurling of the "loop” of line. As rhythm and line control improve, longer and more accurate casts can be achieved.

Poor casts typically lead to tangled lines that pile up on the water's surface in front of the angler as he attempts to allow the fly to come to rest.
In broadest terms, flies are categorized as either imitative or attractive. Imitative flies resemble natural food items.

Attractive flies trigger instinctive strikes by employing a range of characteristics that do not necessarily mimic prey items. Flies can be fished floating on the surface (dry flies), partially submerged (emergers), or below the surface (nymphs, streamers, and wet flies.)

A dry fly is typically thought to represent an insect landing on, falling on (terrestrials), or emerging from, the water's surface as might a grasshopper,dragonfly,mayfly,ant,beetle,stonefly,or caddisfly.

Other surface flies include poppers and hair bugs that might resemble mice, frogs, etc. Sub-surface flies are designed to resemble a wide variety of prey including aquatic insect larvae,nymhs and pupae, baitfish,crayfish, leechs,worms, etc.

Wet flies, known as streamers, are generally thought to imitate minnows, leeches or scuds.

Some think people who call themselves "fly fisherman" can be elitist.

There is a stereotype that fly fisherman look down on bait fisherman and others that don't haven't put in the time to become a skilled fly fisherman.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Sunday, February 15, 2009

The Expert Angler

The expert angler produces trout from a seemingly empty pool,stream or river like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat.

The beginning fisherman has no idea how do likewise.The best way to accomplish being a good trout fishermen is to make freinds with a good trout fisherman.You need to be taught what to do and what not to do,and an explanation for each.

A beginner who is taught by an expert will catch bigger and better fish than a fairly good fishermen.What is even more important is a beginner under proper guidance will soon learn enough to give them a good start so they can keep on learning.

I have witnessed this aspect by watching a person fish a good hole and not get a bite,so they leave disappointed,and sometimes quit fishing.

I can fish behind a person hole for hole and catch trout they couldn't.The catch is knowing what trout are feeding on at that time of year.

Joining a Sportsmans Club or taking lessons at a tackle shop can also help.

Many fisherman have their own methods of catching trout,however the instructions in this article will enable the beginner to do a reasonable job in trout streams anywhere.As I look at the time on my Rolex Watch,it is time for me to go fishing..

Habits of Trout

Before a novice gets into the process of trout fishing,he needs to learn something about the finny creature they are pursuing.

Most trout live in shady areas with gravel and boulders on the stream bottom.

Trout like ripples and pools.They also like cool water,usually above the 2000 ft. elevation.

Stream trout feed primarily on aquatic and insect larvae,crustaceans,mollusks,land insects which have fallen in the water,and to some extent on smaller fish.
Trout also like to eat Crawdads or Crayfish.

In most streams aquatic insects and insect larvae form the bulk of the food chain,with the Caddis worm the most common single item.This creature is the larvae of the caddis fly.Most caddis fly larvae live in cases composed of bits of wood,sand grains,etc.These cases are quite conspicuous and abound in most trout streams.The fish eat the worm case and all.

Trout food is most abundent under stones,logs and other obstructions in rapid flowing parts of the stream.The trout itself is a fast water feeder,which means it is usually in or near fast water.and a good hiding place.

I acknowledged this example by fishing in the out flow of a small lake,which was full of logs and rocks.By letting my bait drift under the logs,I caught 8 Brookies in an area no wider than 6 feet and fished no farther down stream than 40 feet.

In a large stream trout might be in the open riffle,if the water is not to fast,but is apt to be where a boulder breaks the current.The fish may be under a bank or in the deep water at the head of a pool.Where ever it is it will be watching the fast water and waiting to grab whatever the current brings.

In a small brook the fish will be most likely at the upper end of the pool for safety watching for food to flow in.No matter what stream the fish will be facing the current.In an eddy the fish may be facing in any direction,so be careful when approaching the hole,as not to spook the fish.

You may see trout in the middle of a quiet pool,just laying on the bottom,not really hungry and tends to move away from all food offers.The odds of this fish surviving another day are great.

I have fished streams like this and by trying different food sources,have caught these loafing trout.One food that trout love are Grasshoppers.They usually appear around July and August.
Trout fishing Is best in the summer from dawn until the sun strikes the water. Fishing for trout is relatively slow during midday,and picks up again near sunset. Why is this?Because that is when the bugs are most active.. Big fish that have been hiding all day often start to feed after sunset.If you know where one is, plan to try for it as the light fails,but remember your State fishing regulations. Trout Tackle The tackle for fishing a trout stream is very different from that used for trolling,bait casting,or ocean fishing. The trout fishing beginner who uses a stiff boat rod is doomed to dissapointment.He would be better off using a flexible willow limb. When a beginner buys their outfit he should go to a store that has a huge selection of tackle,and a staff of salesmen who are expert in fishing equipment. Buy tackle when there is not a croud in the store,not the day before season opens,as the salesman will try to sell you anything to get to the next customer. Most salesman will gladly spend an hour with you if you tell them you are a beginner and need to know what to buy,how to use it and where to go fishing with it. Rod, Reel and Line The key factor in catching trout is to use a balanced outfit.Rod,Reel,Line and terminal gear should all compliment each other. It should be the right size for the water and fish you are seeking.A good tackle salesman,knowledge gained from talking to experienced anglers,books available on line or at the library can guid you. Light spinning outfits are preferred for beginners.A 5 1/2 foot to 7 1/2 foot Rod with a light good quality spinning Reel suitable for 2 to eight pound test line is about right for trout fishing. Buy the best outfit you can afford,even if you are buying for children.Less expensive equipment may work most of the time.but when you loose that trophy fish because of faulty equipment,you will not be happy. Fly-Fishing Gear Fly fishing is a sport of it's own.This method has the advantage of being less cumbersome than bait fishing,and allows the sporting and sensitive gesture of easily releasing hooked fish. Fly Fishing is more fulfilling than other forms of fishing as the thrill of seeing a trout come to the surface and grab a fly you personally tied.The lightness and flexibility of fly fishing allows the fish no matter what size to put out it's best fight. Fly Fishing clubs are good places to get started with this technique. The kinds of fly fishing gear are so varied, and the method so different from bait fishing, that I will not attempt to cover them all. Leaders As used in trout fishing,a leader is monofilament line placed between the line and the hook in an attempt to hope the fish will not notice it. Most beginners will use a leader that is too short and too heavy. A three foot leader of 10-15 pounds breaking strength is used,when a 6 foot leader with a strength of 4 pounds would get better results. For Fly-Fishing,a 71/2 foot knotless nylon leader,tapered to a 4X point (about 5 pounds)is probably the most useful on a small stream(the more Xs the finer the leader. A tapered leader is the easiest to cast,and when it breaks you loose the tippet not the whole thing.Carry one or more spares and some leader material to replace broken tippets. Special knots are needed for tying leader material Most ordinary knots will slip or come untied and goodby fish. Pull all knots tight before using them.Pulling on the ends is not enough. Moisten knots before you pull them tight. Hooks,Lines and Sinkers Two to Six pound test line for spinning gear is about right. Minimize the attachments to the line.All you really need is a couple split shots and a single number 12 hook. For still fishing lakes use a number 10 or so sliding sinker on your line,a small swivel to stop the sinker between the sinker and your leader,and finally a prepared lake rig of two hooks appropriate for the type of bait you are useing. Most useful hook sizes ae # 14 through 8.A number 10 or 12 is excellant for worms,salmon eggs or grubs.For salmon eggs a short shank #12 or 14 hook is best.Generally the less weight of sinker you can get along with the better.I sometimes fish with no weight as the bait slowly sinks like a natural insect,which doesn't caution the fish to disregard.Place your sinker a foot or two above the bait. Fishing Basket or Creel Fish do not keep well in a sack or on a string if the are not cleaned.Clean fish immediately and place in a cool dry place such as a creel.Do not leave your fish on a string in the water ,they usually die quickly when kept this way.When they die,fish absorb water,causing the flesh to become mushy.The fish should not taste like liver,since trout raised are fed a complex dry meal,never liver.. Tackle Box Get a tackle box small enough to carry in your creel or pocket. A few pill boxes will work. A fishing vest is a good purchase as it will hold numerous items. Learning the drop or underhand cast Hold the rod in one hand,the bait in the other and have the line from bait to rod tip sag slightly. Point the rod at the horizon. Now drop the bait and simultaniously lift the rod tip.The bait should swing away away from you,first down then up. As it starts to rise ,drop the rod tip and the bait will keep on going and land in front of you. Practice till you drop your bait exactly where you want it nearly every time. On a stream you will have to be precise as there are sticks ,and branches to miss. This is the simplest of all casts,and for bait fishing on a small,brushy stream 90 percent of your casts will be this way.
June 18,2009
Got the boat into the lake today,and caught 8 Brook trout.
Had to cross some snow but it wasn't to difficult to manage.
Rained on us but that didn't stop us from fishing.

Do not use more than one bait.A second bait is apt to scare your fish away,besides you have created a wonderful snag collecter. A hungry trout in a stream is usually watching for anything edible,that the current may carry it's way.So let the current carry your bait past places trout may be hiding.Drop your bait a few feet above the place you might feel there is action and let it drift with the current.Keep you line slack as this enables the bait to roll along on the bottom,which makes it more enticing to a strike.If there are logs or other debrie to dodge you will have to guide your bait around the obstacle.If there is a small falls,drop your bait in it and let it flow in the eddy.If there is a fish it will normally strike the bait,andd sometimes will swallow the bait without moving. When you fish a riffle, cast your line at the head of it and let the bait drift through on a slack line into the pool below.You will be surprised how many fish you can catch in a shallow riffle,even when you can see the bottom. Remember fish hide under rocks,logs and banks. Hooking and landing a Trout Whenever you drop your line into the water ,watch the bait if you can do so without showing yourself to the fish.If the bait suddenly stops you have euther hooked a fish or are caught up on a snag.If your line suddenly heads upstream you can be assured there is a fish on the hook. Even if you have no reason to suspect a bite ,be ready for action whenever you pull in slack line.All the time your bait is out keep your finger tips alert.Feel for a faint tugging as well as a violent strike. I have caught my biggest trout who verily tug at the bait,as they are trying to steal it off the hook. If you think you have a fish on gently pull in your line until it becomes snug and then set the hook,but not with a jerk or you will most likely pull the hook free and wound the fish. When your fish is hooked,pull gently and keep pulling.If it is a small fish lift it out of the water,but if it is a big fish you will have to play it for a while to get it close enough to net.If the fish heads for the brush stop it if you can,all is not lost if it does tangle in the brush. Releasing Fish Released fish will live to be caught again if handled properly. 1.Land the fish gently 2.Never squeeze the fish hard 3.Never touch the gills 4.If you cannot dislodge hook,cut the leader at the fishes mouth. 5.If the fish is exhaustted hold it in an upright position and move it gently back and forth until it swims away. Do not throw it back in the water as it will not recover and be bashed against the rocks. 6.Use only barbless hooks when fishing the catch and release method.This way some other lucky fisherman can have fun catching this fish. GOOD FISHING AND GOOD LUCK!! Climate change on fish We hear about climate change on a daily basis . but it's often from a global, overarching, far-from-home perspective. So what does it all mean for the Clark Fork basin? This report explores what the future holds for inhabitants of this 22,000-square-mile area and the waterways that define its landscape, culture, and economy. "Low Flows, Hot Trout" delivers a plain-language synthesis of key findings from years of data-gathering in our watershed blended with anecdotal observations from river basin citizens. We gathered perspectives from realtor to rancher, fishing guide to firefighter. Our report is accessible to the public, informative to those whose livelihoods are directly tied to the river, and illuminating to policymakers looking for effective responses. The bottom line is: things can be done in the face of climate change, and everyone can make a difference-- from simple at-home fixes that improve energy and water use to large-scale policy changes that stimulate renewable energy production and river-sensitive growth management.

Don't let the Hatch pass you by!!

Welcome to my blog on how to catch trout,and do not forget too check the fishing report below,as the Salmon Fly hatch is happening in a western river near you.
Seeing these big three inch orange bugs makes a flyfishers eye bug out and the trouts also.
Some good areas to fish are the Blackfoot River and Rock Creek in Montana,right outside of Missoula.
These are rivers where fishermen come from all over the world as it is one of the best Salmon fly hatch areas.
The Clark Fork is another hotspot also.The rivers are flowing mighty high right now,here in the first week of June,but are starting to subside a little.
Best to call an outfitter for answers on time to come here and fish.

You can also head up to Kalispell and fish for Kokanee.
Kokanee are land locked salmon,which are caught mostly from trolling gear.
You can also try your luck at Kamloops trout,which grow to 20 some lakes.
Lake Kookanoosa is one of these lakes.

Cabela's has great deals for the New Year.


Fishing Photos

another good day

another good day
Pike and Bass

New Zealand Trout


lake trout



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