Picking a fly fishing rod is a tricky endeavor. Do you go with your ego, expected fishing environment or something else? While length is a factor, the bend or action of the rod is a key factor.
Flexibility
Fly fishing rods are often defined by their flexibility. In laymen’s terms, flexibility means how far the rods will bend when the same casting effort is used.
Minimal Bend
A fly fishing rod that has minimum bend is often called a “fast” rod. The lack of bend lets the angler get lots of speed on the cast. This speed allows you to cast very accurately and farther away than rods with more bends. While these benefits may sound great at first glance, a fast rod can be frustrating. There is no room for error when using the rod. If you are going to use one of these rods, you need excellent motion and timing. Generally, only anglers with a lot of experience should have a go at using fast rods.
Moderate Bend
The next step down from a fast rod is one with medium flexibility. These rods tend to have good flexibility, but the bend is restricted to the top half of the rod. The rod requires less perfection of motion and timing, but is fairly accurate. If you’ve been angling for a while and have the basic techniques down, a moderately flexible rod is worth a try.
Slinky Bend
If you are just taking up fly fishing, you should use a rod with maximum flexibility. While others suggest a moderate bend is better for beginners, a “slinky bend” rod gives you a lot of leeway when it comes to learning to cast.
Fly fishing is relaxing and enjoyable. Pick the wrong rod, however, and it can quickly become frustrating and stressful. If you use your brain, not your ego, when picking a rod, you will have a blast.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Inflatable Pontoon Boats
Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and in fact designed several models. The one that has been produced the most is a three-tube model of unparalleled maneuverability and load bearing capacity. This boat which is fourteen feet overall, can carry 6 passengers, their baggage, and a guide.
Not all Pontoon boats are 14 feet long. Some are 8 or 9 feet long as well. Pontoon boats come in all sizes and prices from $200 to $1,000. Users looking for an 8 foot Pontoon should expect to pay $500 to $700 for a new entry-level boat.
Not all Pontoon boats are 14 feet long. Some are 8 or 9 feet long as well. Pontoon boats come in all sizes and prices from $200 to $1,000. Users looking for an 8 foot Pontoon should expect to pay $500 to $700 for a new entry-level boat.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Fishing the Fall Salmon Run in Michigan - A Beginner's Guide
I decided to write this guide because a couple of years ago I was the "beginner." I don't claim to be a master at it, but I have lost my fair share of fish and have put a few in the freezer each year. Let me start by saying that, to the best of my knowledge, Michigan has the best Salmon fishery in the United States except for Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest (which is where our Salmon were originally stocked from). I also have to say that once you hook one, you will be "hooked" on the experience. I have broken this article into several parts to keep it organized, and from time to time the article will be updated as I learn more about it. This year I am going to try fly-fishing for the Salmon as well as bait fishing.
About the Fish
Salmon stocking started in Michigan in 1967 to combat the excessive Alewife population. The first species to be stocked was the Coho. As time went on the Chinook was added to the mix. Since that time they have taken off, and between the naturally reproduction that occurs and the DNR stocking we now have one of the best salmon fisheries anywhere. For pictures of the fish please refer to the Michigan Fishing Regulation book for the current year. In addition to the Coho and Chinook salmon you may also occasionally catch a Pink Salmon or Atlantic Salmon, but to the best of my knowledge it doesn't happen often. Maybe someone reading this can correct me if I am wrong.
Where to Go
About the Fish
Salmon stocking started in Michigan in 1967 to combat the excessive Alewife population. The first species to be stocked was the Coho. As time went on the Chinook was added to the mix. Since that time they have taken off, and between the naturally reproduction that occurs and the DNR stocking we now have one of the best salmon fisheries anywhere. For pictures of the fish please refer to the Michigan Fishing Regulation book for the current year. In addition to the Coho and Chinook salmon you may also occasionally catch a Pink Salmon or Atlantic Salmon, but to the best of my knowledge it doesn't happen often. Maybe someone reading this can correct me if I am wrong.
Where to Go
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods
Fishing Tips - Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods
Beyond a doubt the best fly fishing rod material is good bamboo properly selected, cured, split, glued, and correctly proportioned. It possesses strength combined with lightness, resiliency, pliancy, power and balance in greater degree than either steel or solid woods.
Formerly anglers and rod makers could draw fine distinctions between male and female Calcutta and Tonkin " canes," but under present conditions good Calcutta is very rare and the word " Calcutta " is be¬coming merely a trade term. Good bamboo of all kinds is more difficult to obtain and a good piece of Tonkin is better than an indifferent one of Calcutta. Male Calcutta, however, is supposed to be superior to either the female or Tonkin. The cheapest split cane is known as steel vine or African cane. It is light colored and makes up into good, inexpensive bamboo fly fishing rods.
Six Strip and 8 Strip Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods
We assume that you know that bamboo is split and then glued together in order to utilize the hard outer enamel and reduce the diameter of the pieces. Some rods are made of bamboo split into six sections (hex¬agonal) and some in eight (octagonal) but the six strip construction is more often used. Some makers claim that the eight strip, being more nearly a true cylinder, possesses better action but this seems to be more theoretical than practical, while the tiny tips of an eight strip rod are likely to be " soft" due to the comparative amount of glue necessary to hold the pieces together. Eight strip rods cost more than the six strip and if the angler wants a round bamboo fly fishing rod they are preferable to the six strip planed down as planing certainly must injure a rod. As a general rule a well-made six strip rod leaves little to be desired.
Special Feature Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods
A novelty in bamboo fly fishing rod making is what is known as the " double built " rods which are made of two layers of split and glued bamboo, one within the other. They are heavier and strong, and it is claimed, hold their shape better, than ordinary rods and are popular for sea and salmon fishing but unnecessary, I believe, in single hand fly rods. An English innovation is the steel center rod which consists of a fine piece of well-tempered steel running as a core through sections of regular split bamboo. The makers claim this construction gives a rod of superior casting power with only of an ounce added weight. Friends who possess rods of this kind are enthusiastic admirers of this construction for heavy fishing.
An American maker supplies a rod of " twisted bam¬boo " which he claims equalizes the strain and pro¬duces better action. I have never tried a rod of this type so am unable to pass on its merits, but Perry Frazer, in his " Amateur Rodmaking," speaks well of it.
Beyond a doubt the best fly fishing rod material is good bamboo properly selected, cured, split, glued, and correctly proportioned. It possesses strength combined with lightness, resiliency, pliancy, power and balance in greater degree than either steel or solid woods.
Formerly anglers and rod makers could draw fine distinctions between male and female Calcutta and Tonkin " canes," but under present conditions good Calcutta is very rare and the word " Calcutta " is be¬coming merely a trade term. Good bamboo of all kinds is more difficult to obtain and a good piece of Tonkin is better than an indifferent one of Calcutta. Male Calcutta, however, is supposed to be superior to either the female or Tonkin. The cheapest split cane is known as steel vine or African cane. It is light colored and makes up into good, inexpensive bamboo fly fishing rods.
Six Strip and 8 Strip Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods
We assume that you know that bamboo is split and then glued together in order to utilize the hard outer enamel and reduce the diameter of the pieces. Some rods are made of bamboo split into six sections (hex¬agonal) and some in eight (octagonal) but the six strip construction is more often used. Some makers claim that the eight strip, being more nearly a true cylinder, possesses better action but this seems to be more theoretical than practical, while the tiny tips of an eight strip rod are likely to be " soft" due to the comparative amount of glue necessary to hold the pieces together. Eight strip rods cost more than the six strip and if the angler wants a round bamboo fly fishing rod they are preferable to the six strip planed down as planing certainly must injure a rod. As a general rule a well-made six strip rod leaves little to be desired.
Special Feature Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods
A novelty in bamboo fly fishing rod making is what is known as the " double built " rods which are made of two layers of split and glued bamboo, one within the other. They are heavier and strong, and it is claimed, hold their shape better, than ordinary rods and are popular for sea and salmon fishing but unnecessary, I believe, in single hand fly rods. An English innovation is the steel center rod which consists of a fine piece of well-tempered steel running as a core through sections of regular split bamboo. The makers claim this construction gives a rod of superior casting power with only of an ounce added weight. Friends who possess rods of this kind are enthusiastic admirers of this construction for heavy fishing.
An American maker supplies a rod of " twisted bam¬boo " which he claims equalizes the strain and pro¬duces better action. I have never tried a rod of this type so am unable to pass on its merits, but Perry Frazer, in his " Amateur Rodmaking," speaks well of it.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Fishing in Finland
Fishing in Finland is the most popular kind of rest for.
The statistics asserts that more than third of population of the country is fond of fishing, and it isn’t surprising. To tell that fishing in Finland is nothing much to tell. Fishing in Finland is possible in any place, in any water area. Lakes, rivers and channels. The cleanest water, different fish types, and the quantity of fish is so much that to appear without an outcome impossible.
It is possible to go fishing to deaf corners of northern Finland, and it is possible to settle down with all comfort in a cottage on the bank of the lake. Full service, hire of boats and boats, tackles and equipment.
Fishing in Finland is not simply rest, it is the strongest industry where state support guarantees that there will always be fish in Finland.
Fishing tourism in Finland is arranged so that holiday in the nature could be spent with the whole family even if not all members of household share this hobby. Cottages, campings, tourist bases offer a wide spectrum of services and entertainments.
Fish in Finland is almost the same as in Russia though it is separately possible to allocate fishing on the Aland islands. There the extraction account doesn’t go simply on kgms.
Characteristic areas for fishing in Finland are:
Kotka – sea and river fishing.
saaristomeri – Pjajjanne – sea fishing
Valkeoski – catching on thresholds
Pyayanne – lake fishing and catching on thresholds
Vanmalla – lake fishing
Laukaa – catching on thresholds and winter fishing
Kiiminkijoki-Olujarvi – river and lake fishing
Kuusamo – lake fishing
Mikelli, Kuopio – lake fishing and catching on thresholds
Northern Kareliya – lake fishing
Polviyarvi, Hejnjavesi – lake fishing and catching on thresholds
If – lake fishing and catching on thresholds
Kajani-Vuokatti-Sotkamo – lake
Kitillya, Julitornio, Savukoski – lake fishing and catching on thresholds
The Aland islands – sea fishing
6 Winning Strategies Guaranteed to Improve Your Coaching Skills
Are you sure you're doing everything you can to be the best coach possible? Absolutely sure?
I've been a coach and I've had a lot of coaches. You know what I've found? Some coaches put all the pieces together and some just don't invest time developing the coaching skills that make a difference.
I can't turn you into a coaching superstar overnight but I can get you started with these six powerful communication skills. I'll break them into two groups: Verbal and Non-verbal.
Three verbal communication skills you must master:
1) Consistency
Don't send your players mixed messages by telling your team something today and then two days from now completely contradicting yourself. Your players must be able to trust the words that come out of your mouth.
Also, keep your tone consistent with what your words are intending to get across. I had a coach once who, when one of us messed up, would say, "That was great" in a dripping wet sarcastic tone. Talk about sending us a negative message and beating team morale into the ground!
2) Honesty
Be honest with your team and always in a positive way. Your team knows when mistakes are made so don't try to ignore them. If you try to gloss over them, you'll lose your team's respect. Just be sure to correct mistakes in a positive way that helps a player see what was done correctly but also feel good about fixing the mistake.
When pointing out a mistake, first say what was good, then say "and if you follow through properly, you'll get the proper spin on the ball", rather than "but if you follow through properly, you'll get the proper spin on the ball".
3) Be Concise
Don't speak to your team unclearly. Think through what you want to get across ahead of time and deliver your thoughts in a clear, concise manner. Come right out and say it. Don't go off on tangents and bore your players with unnecessary talk. Get to the point and then get the troops moving.
Three non-verbal communication skills you must master:
4) Facial Expressions
Be aware of how closely your team pays attention to what your face is "saying". Don't be a phony by trying to hide what you really feel with a fake smile or a serious blank stare.
Realize, also, that just a simple smile can do wonders for a struggling player or a player unsure of what they're doing.
Show them that you're behind them, glad to be with them and there to help.
Don't overdo this, though. Your players will pick up on that. Be genuine in your coaching efforts.
5) Body Language
If you're standing on the sideline in a way that shows you are happy to be there and confident, how will your players respond as opposed to you scowling around all hunched over and looking angry? Remember to present body language that represents enthusiasm, class and character.
Body language can also be used in the form of physical contact such as a pat, a handshake or an arm around the shoulder. Stay ethical, of course, but physical contact can show your players the many emotions you feel about them - happiness, concern, affection, approval, etc.
6) Listen
This one's huge! You need to pay attention to your players. You've got to focus on really seeing and hearing your players' verbal and non-verbal signals.
If your players keep hearing you say, "What was that?" or "Did you say something?", you're in trouble and you need to work on your listening skills big time.
Start practicing this coaching skill and watch how much more you instantly start to learn about your team. You'll see a player is upset over something even though he's trying hard to hide it. You'll see how each player reacts to not only you but to one another.
Master these six coaching strategies and watch your coaching skills skyrocket. Your players must know you care way before they'll care about what you have to say. Remember this because too many coaches don't.
I've been a coach and I've had a lot of coaches. You know what I've found? Some coaches put all the pieces together and some just don't invest time developing the coaching skills that make a difference.
I can't turn you into a coaching superstar overnight but I can get you started with these six powerful communication skills. I'll break them into two groups: Verbal and Non-verbal.
Three verbal communication skills you must master:
1) Consistency
Don't send your players mixed messages by telling your team something today and then two days from now completely contradicting yourself. Your players must be able to trust the words that come out of your mouth.
Also, keep your tone consistent with what your words are intending to get across. I had a coach once who, when one of us messed up, would say, "That was great" in a dripping wet sarcastic tone. Talk about sending us a negative message and beating team morale into the ground!
2) Honesty
Be honest with your team and always in a positive way. Your team knows when mistakes are made so don't try to ignore them. If you try to gloss over them, you'll lose your team's respect. Just be sure to correct mistakes in a positive way that helps a player see what was done correctly but also feel good about fixing the mistake.
When pointing out a mistake, first say what was good, then say "and if you follow through properly, you'll get the proper spin on the ball", rather than "but if you follow through properly, you'll get the proper spin on the ball".
3) Be Concise
Don't speak to your team unclearly. Think through what you want to get across ahead of time and deliver your thoughts in a clear, concise manner. Come right out and say it. Don't go off on tangents and bore your players with unnecessary talk. Get to the point and then get the troops moving.
Three non-verbal communication skills you must master:
4) Facial Expressions
Be aware of how closely your team pays attention to what your face is "saying". Don't be a phony by trying to hide what you really feel with a fake smile or a serious blank stare.
Realize, also, that just a simple smile can do wonders for a struggling player or a player unsure of what they're doing.
Show them that you're behind them, glad to be with them and there to help.
Don't overdo this, though. Your players will pick up on that. Be genuine in your coaching efforts.
5) Body Language
If you're standing on the sideline in a way that shows you are happy to be there and confident, how will your players respond as opposed to you scowling around all hunched over and looking angry? Remember to present body language that represents enthusiasm, class and character.
Body language can also be used in the form of physical contact such as a pat, a handshake or an arm around the shoulder. Stay ethical, of course, but physical contact can show your players the many emotions you feel about them - happiness, concern, affection, approval, etc.
6) Listen
This one's huge! You need to pay attention to your players. You've got to focus on really seeing and hearing your players' verbal and non-verbal signals.
If your players keep hearing you say, "What was that?" or "Did you say something?", you're in trouble and you need to work on your listening skills big time.
Start practicing this coaching skill and watch how much more you instantly start to learn about your team. You'll see a player is upset over something even though he's trying hard to hide it. You'll see how each player reacts to not only you but to one another.
Master these six coaching strategies and watch your coaching skills skyrocket. Your players must know you care way before they'll care about what you have to say. Remember this because too many coaches don't.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Fishing in Albania
Albania’s waters vary from a large shelf, which is easy to trawl, in the north and deep water with a rocky seabed in the south. The key commercial species include several species of demersals, small and large pelagic fish, crustaceans and molluscs. Approximately half of Albania’s fish production is exported to the EU, mainly to Italy and Greece.
The licensed Albanian fishing fleet is small, consisting of around only 160 vessels; however, many of these operate only on an intermittent basis and there are many vessels fishing without licenses. A lack of effective management means that many coastal areas are over-fished and some fisheries, such as small pelagic fisheries (such as sardines an anchovies) are underexploited.
Albania is receiving finance from a number of external sources, such as the World Bank and the EU INTERREG II programme to help develop its fishing industry, increase the incomes of fishing communities and achieve sustainable use of marine resources.
Short history: Albania is a small country in Europe covering an area of 28 748 square kilometres, and is located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. The territorial waters are extended up to 12 nautical miles (22 km) from the coastline. Albania has a population of 3.2 million and one the highest population growth rates in Europe. Fishing activity takes place along the entire coastline. However for the most part it is concentrated along the continental shelf zone, which on the Adriatic side in the north extends 25 miles, but only 2-4 miles on the side of the Ionian Sea. Albania lies in the FAO-GFCM Geographical Sub Area 18.
Fishing in Albania is primarily marine fisheries, although lagoon and inland fishing does take place on a limited scale. During recent years aquaculture is being increasingly promoted with particular focus on carp fingerlings and fish for general consumption (including sea farms). Currently there are 58 Albanian fish farms: 9 fish farms, 3 carp fingerling hatcheries and 46 for trout culture.
Albania’s domestic fisheries production in 2006 was approximately 7 699 tonnes, of which 5 729 from capture and 1 970 from aquaculture. In addition, fishery imports in 2003-2005 totalled an average of about 13 559 tonnes, while fish exports stood at 4 382 tonnes.
Fishery imports in 2006 totalled about 16 347 (1 000 USD) while exports was 23 914 (1 000 USD) with a net balance of 7 567 (1 000 USD). In 2003-2005, average per capita supply was 4.5 kg/year. (FAO, 2008).
Fishery imports in 2006 totalled about 16 347 (1 000 USD) while exports was 23 914 (1 000 USD) with a net balance of 7 567 (1 000 USD). In 2003-2005, average per capita supply was 4.5 kg/year. (FAO, 2008).
The Albanian fisheries economy can be roughly valued on the basis of estimated landings in 2003 of 2 000 tonnes of mixed marine species and 1 000 tonnes of mixed freshwater species. At average first-hand sale prices of about 2.80 USD (lek 400)/kg for marine fish, 1.90 USD (lek 270)/kg, this equates to a total first-hand sale value of 7.50 millions USD. (In 2000 and 2001: 1 US$=140 lek) (Flloko, 2004). Albania has a fishing fleet of about 212 boats (2002 data) concentrated in four main ports: Durres, Vlora, Shengjini and Saranda, where about 900 people are employed. The fishing fleet mainly concentrates on trawl fishing for which about 62 percent of the fishing vessels are used.
FLY FISHING
The longest river in Albania is the Drin (about 175 miles [280 km]), which originates in Kosovo. Other main rivers are the Seman, Shkumbin, and Vjosë, all of which drain the central part of the western plains. Albania also has many lakes, the most important of which are Lake Scutari (known in Albania as Lake Shkodër) in the northwest and Lakes Ohrid and Prespa along the eastern border.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)