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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Fishing Knots


Fishing Knots

Basic fly fishing knots for all situations - illustrated instructions on how to tie some of the best and most popular fishing knots, fly fishing knots in particular, linking reel to backing to fly line to leader to fly.


 
In fly fishing, as in all fishing, the knot the fisherman uses is crucial to success, as many of us have learned to our cost. It is important to get our fishing knots right, in securing our backing line to the reel; in connecting our backing line to the fly line; in joining our fly line to our leader; and in tying on our fly. A number of the most reliable fly fishing knots are illustrated below. These are the fishing knots I use in my salmon, trout and sea trout fly fishing. These knots are simple, strong and reliable and include some of the most popular fly fishing knots in use today, such as the Perfection Loop and the Water Knot, as well as one or two not so well known knots, such as Gray's Loop. For those who like to attach their leader to the fly line by a loop-to-loop connection, Gray's Loop, shown above, is a simple, neat, strong, and durable alternative to the braided loop. 

Fly Fishing Knots

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REEL > BACKING LINE > FLY LINE > LEADER > DROPPER > FLY
Fly fishing Knots 1 - Slip Knot 2 - Constriction Knot
3 - Gray's Loop
4 - Loop to Loop
5 - Perfection Loop
6 - Water Knot
7 - Slip Knot 

 

  SLIP KNOT  -  Backing to reel

Fishing Knots - Backing to Reel
SLIP KNOT
A reliable knot for attaching backing line to the reel.
For full tying instructions see
 Fly Fishing Knots

  CONSTRICTION KNOT  -  Backing to Fly line

Fishing Knots - Backing to Flyline 3
CONSTRICTION KNOT
This knot is suitable for attaching nylon monofilament, dacron, braided terylene or twisted nylon backing to a traditional PVC coated, terylene core fly line. It is not suitable for some modern lines with kevlar or monofilament cores. Nor should it be used with hollow braided nylon backing line. For full tying instructions see:
Fly Fishing Knots

  

  GRAY'S LOOP  -  Fly line Butt Loop

   See also Needle knot version of GRAY'S LOOP - tying method with photographs.
Fishing Knots - Gray's Loop 3
GRAY'S LOOP
A version of the Constriction knot for attaching a semi-permanent loop of nylon monofilament to the end of a traditional PVC coated, terylene core flyline to facilitate a loop to loop connection with the leader. Such a loop might last a whole season.
For full illustrated instructions on the tying method, see Gray's Loop
  Grays Loop - fly line leader loop
 
See Needle knot version of GRAY'S LOOP

  LOOP TO LOOP  -  Butt Loop to Leader

Fishing Knots - Loop to Loop
LOOP TO LOOP
A convenient method of attaching a leader to the fly line, avoiding wear and tear on the butt loop.
For full tying instructions see
Fly Fishing Knots


  PERFECTION LOOP  -  Leader (or cast) Loop

Fishing Knots - Perfection Loop 3
PERFECTION LOOP
A reliable leader loop which lies in line with the leader. The loose end can be trimmed very close to the knot. Easier to tie than it looks.
For full tying instructions see
Fly Fishing Knots




 

  WATER KNOT  -  Dropper Knot

Fishing Knots - Water Knot 3
WATER KNOT
A good dropper knot. Stronger, more reliable and easier to tie than the blood knot. Although the typical advice is for three turns, I often use only two turns and the resultant knot seems quite reliable. Note that the length used for the dropper should be the one pointing away from the reel
For full tying instructions see
Fly Fishing Knots

  

  SLIP KNOT  -  Fly or Hook connection

Fishing Knots - Slip Knot
SLIP KNOT
An alternative to the half - blood knot which has served me well for over thirty years. Similar to the Grinner knot. Tighten well and don't trim too close to the hook.
For full tying instructions see
Fly Fishing Knots
 


Fishing for Trout in Spring

Seasoned trout fishermen know that early spring is one of the best times to visit their favorite trout fishing hole

It's springtime and to many of die-hard fishermen this means the spring trout fishing season starts soon. Seasoned trout fishermen know that start of March is one of the best times to visit their favorite trout fishing hole. Taking their spoons, taking out their fishing lines, and sharpening the hooks o.

In the spring, the water is usually higher and much murkier due to the spring storms and melting ice. The trout are often feeding very aggressively during March and april months, opportunistically taking] anything that looks like food in the quickly moving water. To be able to grab food though, they must be able to see it through the mud rich, stained water.

Flashy Spoons

The main thing to remember when trout fishing early spring is that the flashier the fishing lure, the better. The most popular lure among the trout fishing experts is the spoon, very flashy by nature, most all spoons put off flash and vibration when pulled through the water with every type of retrieval method.

The best spoon to use also depends on the type of water being fished, determining factors are also the spoons weight in relation to its' length. Wide streams and deep holes require a heavier spoon, one that can be worked faster and cast further than lighter ones.

Water color

The water color is another determining factor when choosing the correct swimming action as well as the proper colors and finishes. Tighter wobbling spoons are great for clear water, while a wider wobbling spoon is the ace in the hole for dirty, murky water. The wider wobbling spoon sends out larger pulses and makes a wider visible impression in the water; both of these qualities can help the fish find the spoon.

It is hard to say why certain color or finish would result in more strikes than another on one day and not the next afternoon. Still, the basics are, metal finishes seem to work best for clear or slightly dirty water while very dirty water calls for brightly painted or very flashy holographic strips on the spoon. Neon colors such as chartreuse, orange, and hot pink are easy for the trout to spot in dirty water. On the other hand, black makes an easy to see contrast even in the dirtiest of waters.

Tips To Catching Spring Trout On A Spoon

One of the biggest advantages that the trout fisherman has in early spring is that the strong currents that accompany the high water levels will position the fish in obvious areas and make the feeding alleys very easy to recognize. The trout will hang out in the only places they can, behind obstructions that slow the water current such as rocks and logs.

Spoons can be fished in a variety of ways to catch the trout both near the surface and on the bottom. The general idea is to cast either upstream or cross current. Downstream casts equal upstream retrieval, most spoons do not operate properly with the constant current against them, this also does not fit into the genre of natural foods that are floating along with the current.

The best overall way to work a spoon in trout water is to use it for short casts upstream and cross current while practicing a combination of rod sweeps and stops that put the bait to action as the water carries it downstream. This puts the lure right over the heads of the trout in the proper direction that they are used to seeing their food come from.

Conclusion

With a bit of practice and a taste for trout, you should be slaying the springtime trout in no time at all. This is your best chance ever to catch a hungry trout this year. Spring has Sprung for trout fishing, so grab your best fishing gear and go get em'!

Tips on Cooking Trout



Trout is available all year round from supermarkets, individual shops, fishmongers or direct from fish-farm shops. It can be purchased fresh or frozen, as fillets, steaks or whole fish and also comes in hot and cold smoked varieties. Trout is low in both fat (a third of the fat of salmon) and calories (just 135kcals per 100g), with high levels of A and B vitamins, calcium, selenium and the vital Omega-3. It is also quick and easy to cook, as well as being very versatile:
BAKED
Whole fish, steaks and fillets can be oven-baked in a greased dish or wrapped in individual foil parcels and baked in a medium oven. In each case, top with a knob of butter and moisten with a little fruit juice, wine or cider. Allow 20/30 mins for portion-size fish and steaks

FRIED/SAUTEED
Use whole or boned fish, steaks or fillets. Dust with seasoned flour and fry in a little oil or butter for 5 minutes each side. Serve simply with a squeeze of lemon, herb butter or mayonnaise.

GRILLED
When cooking whole trout, slash thickest part 3 times on each side and brush lightly with oil. Alternatively, brush steaks with oil on both sides. Lay in pan and grill 5/8 minutes each side depending on thickness. Serve with a squeeze of lemon.

MICROWAVED
Trout cooks perfectly in a microwave oven, either fresh or frozen. As cooking times vary for each make of microwave, refer to the instruction manual for cooking fish. As a general rule, trout take from 4/6 mins cooking time when simply prepared, stuffed trout take a little longer. Slash thickest part several times on each side of whole fish for even cooking.

POACHED/STEAMED
Use whole fish or steaks and enough boiling, lighted salted water to cover. Poach gently for 10/12 minutes and drain. Serve hot and cold with butter sauce or mayonnaise. Steam steaks or fillets after seasoning lightly, using a steamer or by placing between two plates over boiling water.

Retro Giant Sea Bass Photos

Giant Sea Bass Retro Photo
Today we feature a couple of retro photos showing fishermen with world record Giant Sea Bass catches. It's hard to imagine fish this big, but these are real, non-Photoshopped photos of world record size fish. The photo above shows John Perkins with his 428 lbs. catch in 1905.
Giant Sea Bass world record 1900
This second image of a world record Giant Sea Bass shows a 384 lbs. fish caught by F.S. Schenck in 1900. I find these photos amazing.
And, just in case you're wondering, the current world record for Giant Sea Bass is 563 lbs. 8 oz. - caught by J.D. McAdam Jr. near Anacapa Island, California on August 20, 1968.
Image Sources = Shorpy.com

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Make Your Own Magnetic Fly Box

Make Your Own Magnetic Fly Box

I had bought some flexible magnetic tape from the hardware store a few months ago for a project around the house.  It was a large roll, so I had a lot left over.  Tonight I put some to use on a DIY magnetic fly box:

1.  Roll of magnetic vinyl tape - I'm using the leftover 3M

2. Empty Altoids-type mint tin - I'm using L.L. Bean Fisher-Mints container.  (I'm sure if you're into dipping tobacco, an empty tin of Skoal, Copenhagen, etc...would work too)

3.  Cut size appropriate strip of tape and line the bottom of the tin.  In this case I actually had to cut a strip and a half as the tin was wider than the tape.

4.  Drop in some flies.  In this case my typical tenkara arsenal of Beadhead Prince Nymphs & CDC Elk Hair Caddis.

I've shaken it, tipped it upside down, they don't seem to fall out.  May not be great for bulky streamers or dries, but for these size #14 nymphs (& I'd imagine smaller flies), it seems to work pretty well.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Strange Things Have Happened During Fishing

This guys has gone on fishing same as the many times before. But this time some strange and unexpected things have occurred. I’m not sure how this has happen, but their pickup ended in shallow water. This strange circumstances didn’t stop them to have a great time. Enjoy in this awesome photos ;)
odd fishing01 Strange Things Have Happened During Fishing
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Monday, April 11, 2011

CATCH OF THE DAY