Great White Shark circles kayakers off Australia

Man, this had to be seriously scary! Although I would have caught the shark handily on rod and reel or by hand if necessary, I can still empathize with the fear these guys must've been feeling.

Now that's flycasting!

One of the toughest challenges in learning to fly fish is getting off a good cast. I'm really grateful to Bob Shuey, owner of Neshannock Creek Fly Shop who reassured me that any cast which gets the fly where it should go and doesn't spook the fish is a good cast. That calmed my nerves enough to continue learning.

A well-done cast goes farther, easier and does more than any bad cast. Keeping that in mind here are a couple of ladies showing you how it's done. First, the amazing Spey casting of Jeong Park:



This one's of the "First Lady of fly fishing" Joan Wulff:


Taking the time to perfect your casting is a really valuable thing to do, because you'll find an amazing variety of specialty casts that will help you in any situation. Here's more with Joan Wulff demonstrating basic casts.

I've gotta go work on my roll cast! Lemme know how you do. :)

The people you meet

I got to get up to the lake and do a little Yellow Perch chasing finally. Being a weekday, there weren't many people on this very popular body of water, but before I could get out of my truck one guy managed to get ahead of me and set up near my intended base of operations.

No problem, on this particular spot if you're limited to shore fishing there are two specific posts you want to assume and since the other was open I set up there. Now this was a beautiful fall day. The sun was shining and accompanied by a light wind which thankfully wasn't enough to create a chill in this 50 degree (on the way to 70) morning.

It was about 9 am (I tried to get there earlier I really did, but while I was checking the weather on tv I made the mistake of flipping channels and there was this really good episode of "Third Watch" on and well...) and I had a bucket of minnows I'd been keeping for a week since a horrible skunking elsewhere and wanted to use them up.

Before I could take a single cast the older guy who was there bass fishing with plastic worms (at first) started chatting with me. After saying only a few words he was nice to enough to tell me that he tends to love having someone to talk to while he fishes, and I should let him know if he's talking too much.

I took that as a warning!

So over the next hour and a half we learned about each others families, how we'd both lost our brothers and fathers, how the economy was hurting but how every man is responsible for his own family, dogs and losing dogs, cooking rabbit, fishing for Steelhead, fly fishing and fly tying, home repair and probably several other things.

That was a lot for me, but that's the kind of thing you can sometimes encounter when you fish, and if you let yourself, you can really learn something. If you are really blessed, you can gain a friend. I had a good time meeting Don. The fish weren't coming in very large sizes anyway, so hey I got to meet another very good fisherman, and while I didn't get to talk much about Christ with him, I did give him my card so that he can tune in to the radio station where I work and hopefully hear more about Him there.

We both left that spot since the fish weren't really hitting, and I did fish another spot for about an hour, but on the drive home I realized that the highlight of my day was making a new buddy!

Lions and tigers and...well, just bears, but still.

We've got lots of bears in Western PA, but most people don't realize it because bears tend to keep away from people. The thing is, when the population increases, the bears start to smell what you've got in your backyard and want to investigate.

A friend of mine lives less than a mile from one of my favorite fishing spots, and she sent me these pictures of a "friendly" that keeps investigating her backyard. Keep in mind, she lives on a major state road that is heavily trafficked!

Black Bears...yow. This friend has drastically reduced the number of spots where she'll hang out with me while I fish now. A firm prerequisite is that there be lots of open space in case she needs to run! :D

What a summer

Beneath all the slings and arrows of outrageous inactivity, Mark rises! This has been a really unusual summer for me in that I've only fished like three times! I've had lots of summers where I've fished three times a week, so you can guess that this is makin' me nuts.

That's no excuse for languidity here though, and as such, check this out. Catfish are great fish. There are many, many beautiful species which lay their "ugly" reputation quite to rest. Several species attain sizes larger than the people fishing for them! The European Wels is one such catfish.

The bug is bitin'

Oh man, a month! I can't believe it's been that long since I posted. Thing is, it's been longer than that since I fished because of the gas prices and just business. God's been good to keep the bug from getting to me too much 'cause I really needed to get the stuff done that I've been doing, but I need to hit the water soon!


On the bright side, speaking of Adventures with Fish, I was able to pick up a really neat plecostomus type catfish for my aquarium. Popularly known as a "Peppermint Pleco", the little guy is settling in well. I'll have to get you a picture of it. Hopefully, Lord willing, I'll be putting my fishroom back together in the next few months and that excites me!


Go read about the Peppermint Pleco, and I'll get back soon.

Best Channel Catfish bait ever!

If you fish for catfish you know there are a million different ways practiced by a million different people to catch them. All know and agree however, that for Channel Catfish, playing their sense of smell/taste is the top way to catch them on rod and reel.

I don't fish for them often, so when I do I want what works. I've caught them on all sorts of live baits, stink baits, flies, crankbaits, jigs...cats will surprise you when you least expect them!

After trying lots of approaches, there is one that has stood the test of time and now stands head and shoulders above every other technique I've used to catch Channel catfish: squid.

This couldn't be simpler.

1. Buy yourself a few fresh, whole squid. You can get them cleaned or do it yourself.
2. Cut them into pieces about 2 inches by 2 inches, leaving individual tentacles whole. (They already look like worms, right?)
3. Place the whole deal into a plastic food storage bag that secures well. Stick this whole thing outside on a hot sunny day in a place where the animals won't get to it.
4. Leave it there for the day at least. You can go for two days.

That's it! Now you should have a ripe, stinky bag of squid bits. I have never had a day of Channel cat fishing that produced results like the days when I use squid treated this way. The flesh is tough too, so it holds the hook well.

Just uh, watch out for the cats.

A piece or two on your hook and you'll be finding catfish in places you never even saw them before!

The moment of the strike

Oh wow, I can't believe I've ignored this blog for so long! Sorry about that, I've been mad busy with work and actually haven't had a moment to fish in weeks. I did find something today that I thought you'd enjoy.

I've often said that the one thing fly fishing shows usually omit which is oddly enough, the most exciting moment of fishing for a lot of people: the moment of the strike.

This video is sweet!

The Clean Water Restoration Act H.R. 2421

From a recent (April 15 2008) press release:

A bill before Congress aims to keep drinking water "good to the last drop", in Ohio and across the nation. Recent Supreme Court rulings have removed Clean Water Act protections from a number of waterways- mostly smaller streams and wetlands- and the proposed law would clearly state that those waterways are protected."

........

"Critics say the proposal would hurt farmers who use the waters in question - Goldman-Carter says it includes exemptions for agricultural use."

So what's the read deal behind this controversial act? Here are some background links for your edification. Look and learn, y'all.

Pennsylvania certified salted minnows

Almost sounds like a new snack food doesn't it? Got another new rule for you Pennsylvania anglers: your salted minnows must now be certified VHS free. There's a good discussion hashing out the finer points of the new regs and giving links to the official statements going on over at Fish Erie. Click here and start learning the rules so you don't get caught red herringed handed.

Salmon fishing to be cancelled in Oregon and California?

With cancellations possible, this is looking to be a bleak and expensive year ahead regarding salmon.

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) -- Federal fisheries managers today took the initial step toward imposing what could be the strictest limits ever on West Coast salmon fishing amid a sharp drop in fish returning to California's Sacramento Valley.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council unanimously adopted three options for sport and commercial fishing off the Pacific Coast, including a complete shutdown of fishing off California and Oregon.

The closest the council has come to halting all salmon fishing was in 2006 when a decline in Northern California's Klamath River run forced severe catch limits.

story

2008 Pennsylvania trout stocking schedule

The 2008 trout stocking scheduls are now available for pickup only at Republican Chairman of the PA House Game and Fisheries Committee, Rep. Sam Rohrer's (R-Berks) district office.

A total of 745 streams and 128 lakes will be stocked as a part of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's 2008 adult trout stockign program...with a total of nearly 4.5 million trout being stocked this year.

Starting last year the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) began stocking longer, heavier adult trout.

Copies of the trout stocking schedules can be obtained by visiting mr. Rohrer's district office located at 29 Village Center Drive, suite A-7, Reading PA 19607 or by visiting SamRohrer.com.


source: press release

The clean boat act

I don't have a boat yet, but this is an important issue for ANYONE who even might boat someday. I'm copying this from this post at Fish Erie, all links included. The pasted portion is between the lines.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a New Bill re-worded, AND also to exempt CHARTER BOATS, CAPTAINS GET ON THIS.

What are the differences in the bills?

Both HR 2550 and S. 2067 articulate the definition of a recreational boat and then exempt recreational boats from the permit requirement of the Clean Water Act.

The new bill, S. 2766, includes all that language, with two additions. Charter boats are exempted from the permit and there is a three year, three part framework to determine if any management practices should be required.




March 19, 2008

Dear BoatUS Member,

We need your help now to pass NEW federal legislation in the Senate that would provide a permanent exemption for recreational boats from the upcoming EPA discharge permit requirement. Remember that if we don't get legislation passed, we all need to get EPA permits to operate our boats effective 9/30/08!

We appreciate the time that many of you have already taken to let your Senators or Representatives know your support of S. 2067 or HR 2550 "The Recreational Boating Act of 2007." Now there is a new Senate Bill #2766 "The Clean Boating Act of 2008", which is more politically viable, and our best chance to eliminate the permit requirement before it comes in effect on September 30, 2008.

Please pick up the phone or email today and ask your Senators to sponsor and vote YES for S 2766. Although Congress is on recess this week and next, we need their staff to hear from us so that this bill can move as soon as the Senators are back in Washington.
For more information:
http://www.boatus.com/gov/alert_0308.asp
Background
What's the timing?
Why a new bill?
What are the differences in the bills?
What does S 2766 include?
View a copy of the bill
Speaking points
To contact your Senators electronically

Thanks for your ongoing help with this issue.

Margaret Podlich
Vice President, Government Affairs
BoatUS
GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com
703-461-2878 x8355

What people need to understand is that if the new version of the bill is not passed ALL BOATERS will have to buy an EPA permit that could cost $800.00 or more. The EPA does not have a choice. As the law is written right now they MUST create a permitting system for ALL boats by September of this year. Obviously this will cripple the boating industry as well as recreation. Time is running out!

Watch the video:

http://www.boattest.com/nmma.aspx

Contact your members of congress:

http://www.rallycongress.com/boattest-dotcom/1064

http://www.boatblue.org/takeaction.aspx

It takes probably less than 5 minutes to login and make your voices heard.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read thoroughly, and make an informed decision!

Catching a 200 pound stingray

My biggest fish so far was a 16 pound Carp. I can't even imagine the fight of a nearly 200 pound stingray, but this guy can:

When remembering today about the amazing tug of war we had with this "barn door size" stingray , I find myself in total admiration about the unbelievable strength it displayed during six hours before giving up. It is absolutely out of this world. We hooked up this 200 pounder at the Bang Pakong River. It then tracted us for miles like you cannot imagine, taking us next to the Nakorn Nayok River, then to the Prachinburi River, then back to the Bang Pakong River again, to be finally landed at the Nakorn Nayok River.

Now this sounds like a whole lotta fun!

Every man has a giant

My name is Mark, and I have a problem.

Every man has his giant.

Captain Ahab had Moby Dick. Steve Fawcett had his insatiable need for adventure. Rocky Balboa had his relative ignorance, and I have a giant too. Something I face that haunts me at every turn, that greets me not long after I wake, visits me throughout the day, and sometimes visits me in my dreams. It is the thing which I have to conquer.

My giant...is fishing.

To be honest, I have to concentrate on keeping it from becoming an obsession, and it isn't easy. Right now as I sit before my laptop, I know that there are Hybrid Stripers over ten pounds swimming within 2 miles of where I am. I know that I have what it takes to catch them, and I know that there are bigger fish swimming in the same waters. I know what the wind feels like on my face as my eyes begin to water from the breeze, and the anticipation of waiting for that first strike, and the next.

I know that within 45 minutes I could be on some of the best panfish water in the state of Pennsylvania, and most of my favorite spots on that lake are spots that I've never seen anyone else fish right, and I can slip in there and catch fish right under their noses.

I know where the Flatheads swim.

It gets to me. Those days where someone outfishes me and it takes me until just before I have to leave to break the code. Then I go back and the next time that method doesn't work. I must learn to break the code faster.

I get nervous every time I get to waist deep while wading, yet I've watched guys zoom past me until they are nearly up to their armpits in the water, yet continue to cast. Not that I think that's particularly safe (or smart) but when it gets quiet, and I'm in weeds up to my thighs, water up to my pockets, I wish I could be crazy like those guys and stop wondering what's going to pop up next to me (it's happened) or if a Snapping Turtle is going to decide to sample me (it nearly happened: thankfully it was clear water.).

I need to slay that giant.

I can't do a great Roll Cast with my fly rod. I can't use a bait caster reel at all. There are people who are better fishermen than I, who tie better flies than I, tie better knots than I, who get a perfect circle in their cast net nearly every time...

There's something in me that wants to do everything involved in sport fishing and to eventually perfect every aspect of it.

As long as there is even one part of fishing that I haven't conquered, it will be a giant looming over me, casting its shadow across my point of view. Whispering in my ear that I have failed to do something...and it wins again. Every time I try to adjust the lip of a Rapala and it makes no difference, I'll know my giant is there. When I catch only a single White Bass and I'm using minnows, I know it's there.

My giant is fishing itself, but if I am careful and don't let it beat me, don't let it come between me and what's important, instead letting it push me just enough to get better all the time, one day my giant will fall.

On that day I wonder if I'll laugh or cry?

Larry Dahlberg "Panfish and Bass fly fishing basics" DVD review

Panfish and Bass fly fishing basics

I found out after watching this DVD twice that it was copyrighted back in 2003, but I just saw it for the first time about a month ago at the local Sportsman's Warehouse and decided to pick it up. I've been looking for just the right fly-fishing/fly-tying video, and I thought this one was it. Turns out it isn't what I expected, but everything it proclaims itself to be!

This is an outstanding video for the beginner fly fisher. Released by Scientific Anglers and a scant 58 minutes in length, "Panfish and Bass fly fishing basics" by Larry Dahlberg packs all the punch of his regular tv series "The Hunt for Big Fish". It begins with the "bloop-bloop-bloop" of a large Dahlberg Diver (the diving fly made of deer hair which was popularized by mr. Dahlberg) working the nerves of a soon revealed Peacock bass. We then see several tropical species before settling in on the North American fish we've come to see.

The first segment, "Panfish" begins by demonstrating the natural curiosity of the average panfish, as Larry tosses first a cricket, then the chewing gum he was just chewing, into the water. The fish grab both, showing just what a great starter they are for the beginning fly fisher. He goes on to explain the importance of insects in the diet of these fish and why that makes the fly fishing approach not only appropriate but extremely effective.

He continues on to explain the where, when, why and how of finding the fish on any body of water, including coverage techniques to make the most of your time on the water. Subtle things of which to take note, like the composition of the bottom, are clearly noted. There is video a a great double on a two fly rig, and this segment (as well as the entire DVD) is replete with the classic Dahlberg slo-mo and extreme close up views, making catching a Bluegill seem like the most exciting thing ever!

There is plenty of underwater footage of not only the fish but also the flies in action, and best of all there is no shortage of what other fly fishing shows seem almost to avoid: shots of the actual take! Personally speaking, this is the most exciting moment of the fishing show for me, and while our hardware throwing brethren realized long ago that their viewers love seeing the moment of the strike, somehow fly fishing producers find that to be a definite negotiable and I just don't get it. In fact, later in the DVD in a bonus section on Northern pike is the most incredible fly take I have ever seen in video, when a Pike comes almost vertically from below a fly and it's jaws snap shut over it like some scene from a Godzilla movie where the giant lizard eats a boat!

In this segment mr. Dahlberg performs an effective demonstration to show the physics behind casting with a fly line vs. casting any other way, showing how the weight of the line provides the power. this leads us into a segment on Largemouth bass which reiterates the crossover facts from bluegills, plus gives a where, when, why, how on the techniques and conditions for catching this larger cousin. He mentions that hsi favorite flies for hunting mr. Bucketmouth are the diver, popper, slider and skipper, and demonstrates each.

From here we go to casting instruction. Declaring stroke and timing to be the highest priority issues involved in casting, he uses a small wooded dog with bright orange wheels to demonstrate with tremendous clarity the role of timing. (You have to see it to believe it.)

From here he launches into casting instruction that includes the best videography of good and bad casting that I've seen to date. Demonstating hauling, roll casting, false casting, line control and other important factors in making your fish catching experience all it can be, I truly believe that a person could watch, pause, try, repeat and master all the basic casts. Mr. Dahlberg takes great pains to note the benefit of practicing in your backyard before even considering going near water! If you have a portable DVD player, this would be where it earns its' keep. take it outside with you as you practice.

The next segment covered is Smallmouth Bass fishing in rivers. This segment contains more great video of casting techniques and goes into boat control, detailed fish location and how to thoroughly work a pool.
While the topics are well covered, drift control is inexplicably left out. Perhaps more important to the trout fisherman, I think it does come into play at time with Smallmouth, especially when fishing a mayfly hatch. Otherwise another great segment.

Our next topic is knots, and this segment gives up close presentations of how to tie the accepted, effective knots going from tying the line to the reel all the way down to the tippet/fly connection. I was surprised to not hear a reminder of wetting the knot before tightening, a reminder I think should always be made.

From here is a brief tying segment which showed how to tie mr. Dahlbergs' favorite panfish fly, the Black Gnat, and one of his Dahlberg Divers. This segment would be best suited for someone who has already begun tying. It goes by very quickly and you'd need to know the basics of tying first. Though if you do, it'll be pretty simple to follow and make these two flies.

The last segment is on Northern Pike, and really seems more like a chance just to show another fish, as details are few. There isn't a plan given on where or when to find them on a given body of water, and more tackle details would've helped.

I am admittedly a Larry Dahlberg fan, that's what influenced me to buy this DVD in the first place. Still, for the beginning (1st or 2nd...even 3rd year) fly fisher who hasn't taken any classes, this video is an outstanding tutorial. Mr. Dahlbergs passion is evident, his instruction clear, and the video shows all. The experienced fly fisher may find that parts of the casting segment drag a bit, but I can recommend this DVD even for you because one day you'll wanna teach others how to fly fish, and even if you are already an effective teacher, (and especially if you aren't!) this DVD will add to your ability to teach.

For it's purpose, teaching the basics of fly fishing for bass and panfish, I give "Panfish and Fly Fishing Basics" a 10 out of 10. I paid $17.99 for it.

Truth hurts

(WHAT?!? whuzzat?? Oh, the alarm clock. Stupid clock. Hey wait, fishin' today, YAH! Erie here I come. I wonder what the streams look like. Man, I'm gonna catch a bunch o-) "Ouch!" (STUPID CHAIR! MMMMMM, coffee. Okay lessee, rods are in the truck. Where's my thermos? Gotta call Mike and Shawn make sure they're ready.) "Hey. You up? 15 minutes. Cool. I dunno, maggots, minnows, treat 'em like Trout is what I'm told. Cool. Hey, call Shawn and I'll meet you at the church parking lot. Cool."

(Man it's colder than I thought it would be. Oh well. Lord, please let me catch a few. Nice ones. C'mon truck warm up already. Where-Oh, there they are.) "Hey. Yup. I got coffee. Yeah, we'll stop at the McDonald's off the Grove City exit. y-a-w-n. Ready? Cool." (Man, this is gonna be great. I'm gonna catch my limit then just catch and release. Hey, I wonder if John's on the air yet. C'mon radio. Wow, I haven't been up this early since... since I was fired from A.)

"Hey, wake up. Yeah. Uh, Sausage biscuit and hash browns please. Thanks. You guys ready? Cool. I dunno, about another hour. What are you gonna do with your fish? Yeah, right! I'm gonna keep one for the smoker, one for the grill, and I'll probably give one to Sue, they have been on kinda hard times lately. Cool." (Man it's pretty up this way. Boy it's taking forever to get there! Arrggh! I can't wait!! Gotta remember to get maggots and spoons. Need some floats too. Did we pray yet?) "Hey, let's pray and thank God for today and pray for a safe time." "------ Amen." ( and lots o fish too Lord, okay?) "Which way now? You're some help. Look on the map! D'uh! Here? Okay. C'mon let's make this quick, and don't spend too much 'cause you're payin' for gas!" (C'mon, c'mon, hurry up! Why can't they be like me, everything rigged up before I take them out of the car, know what I want before I walk into the-hey, what's that?) "Two of these please. So, can you tell me how to get to Walnut Creek. Nope. Okay, okay. A left? Cool, thanks. Stop sign. Have a good one! You got what you need? Let's go, C'mon."

(Please Lord, don't let me get skunked, not this time. Please.) "I'm gonna catch the biggest fish you do realize, right? Man! Look at all those people!" (Here's a good spot to park. Thank you Lord.) "You got everything? Let's go over there." (How do we get down there?) "Can you see how to get down? Okay good, now hurry up, I got fish to catch. Where are they? What do you mean right there? Whoa... look at those fish!" (MANOMANOMANOMAN) "WOW! I can't believe it! Look at those fish! They're huge!" (I can't believe this! This is gonna be great!)

"Man this is sweet! This is gonna be so easy! You got one?! Alright!! Way to go, man!" (Anytime now, anytime... C'mon, take the bait!) "Another one? Alright! You Got one yet? Don't worry, if he got one, anybody can!" (except me apparently. C'mon PLEASE bite! Worms, minnows, maggots, they've gotta want SOMETHING!) "You got one? 'Bout time! Just what 'til I get mine, you'll be shamed!" (and you can feel like I do now. 5 hours!?!? what am I doing wrong?) "Almost had one!" (Now HE'S got one! Is everybody gonna get one but me?) "Now, you know I'm not goin' home fishless! I'm gonna work my way down to the lake. Yeah! Okay. Hey buddy, doin' any good? 3 eh? Good job." (I hate you.) "What are they hitting on? A piece of yarn?!?" (What kind of mess is that??) "Sure, let me help. Easy, okay I got him in the net. Man, he's even bigger than your last one!" (F*** YOU!!)

"Hi! Looks like you're doin' good. What're they hittin' on? Oh, yeah? I've been usin' them and haven't landed one." (Stop lying! You haven't even had a hit!!) "Not using them right? yeah okay..." (Whatever. Lord, it's a 2 1/2 hour drive, why is this happening to me? I'm not THAT bad. I catch plenty of Trout, why can't I catch them?!? Yeah, "fish on" my a**. Sorry, Father, I don't mean to curse, but I HATE this. Everybody else is catching fish, why can't I? Wait, there's one holding in that groove. Okay, patience, get the drift right in front of him, DARNIT! that drift was perfect! Okay, maggot. CRAP! Minnow. -----, powerbait, what color? okay... he's gonna take it! NO! NONONONO! Why the hel* did it spook! I HATE THIS! I HATE FISHING. I DRIVE ALL THIS WAY FOR NOTHING! STUPID FREAKIN' FISH!)


(Please God pleasepleasepleaseplease)

"No. No. How many did you get? Cool." (Screw you.) "How many did you get? Good deal!" (SO what!) "Yeah, I'm ready. I didn't have what I needed this time, but you watch next time. You won't even be able to carry the fish I catch 'cause they'll be so big!" (I'll never do this again. what a complete waste.) "Yeah, I can give you a great recipe. No, but it looks good." (Stupid recipe, stupid fish) "Yeah, wow, that sounds like it was fun. Yeah, I did see you catch that one, that was great!" (Can't you understand how much this sucks for me?? I will never do this again. Fish suck. I hate to clean them anyway. 5 hours of driving.) "Oh, yeah, I can't wait 'til next time. I'm gonna try this new spinner I bought, and I think I know EXACTLY what will work on them. I'm gonna catch a bunch!" (LIAR!) "Sure. No, I don't want one of yours, 'cause next time you'll be wantin' one of my big ones! Ha Ha!"

(I will never make this drive again. What a stupid freaking waste of time. Darn fish are too finicky. You can only catch them if you know the area. It was too windy anyway. Plenty of fish close to home.) "Alright man. Yeah you did great! Watch out for me next time though! Thank you Lord for getting us back safely. See ya'! (Stupid fish. How much humiliation is one guy supposed to take?) "Hey babe. No, I didn't have the lure they were hitting on. Yeah, I know. I think I'm gonna concentrate on figuring out the Walleyes down Montour for a while. Got plenty of jigs. Hunh? That's a little Cleo, I bought 6. Yes the leftover maggots are goin' in the fridge. Don't worry they're wrapped tight. I'm gonna leave my gear in the truck. Prob'ly go down the river tomorrow. Yeah, they both caught fish. How do I know? I'm NOT yelling! Fine."

(Never again. Never.)


(It's a long drive for nothing.)













(Maybe I'll try that yarn thing next time.)



(Yeah. That'll get 'em)

Carp story number two

No, I didn't forget, I'm just learning that it isn't easy to work two blogs along with my production and regularly hourly work, but it is a good way to stay out of trouble. Except of course, in relating to the people who connect on my blogs, through my production, or in my regular job. ;)

I like fishing with the lightest gear that I can reasonably get away with. Now bear in mind, I'm not going after Flathead cats with 2 pound line or anything like that, and I'm not using gear that would play fish to complete exhaustion. I just know that you can usually use much lighter gear than we usually use and with a dash of skill + experience, you can safely and quickly land a pretty big fish.

This in mind, a couple of summers ago I picked up two new rods. One a 7 1/2 foot ultralight, and the other a 7 foot light action. The 7 foot rod I geared to fish 4 pound line, and couldn't wait to take it out on the water. I transferred a small reel from my 4 1/2 ultra light Ugly Stik to use on the long rod along with a fresh spool of 4 pound Trilene XL. Even though I was going to be running errands all day, one Friday I decided to put it in the back of the truck and stop by the mouth of a particular stream which enters the Ohio River not far from one of my stops.

It was a beautiful afternoon about 1:30 PM as I pulled off the main road and pointed my vehicle toward the railroad tracks which follow the rivers around here as faithfully as a hound follows his master in hopes of some play. A hundred yards or so upriver found me at one of my favorite fishing spots, a spot ordinarily so reliable that if I don't get a bite within 20 minutes I know that I can go ahead and leave.

I parked, excitedly snatched my new rod and "emergency fishing pack" from the truck and headed down through the weeds toward the water. (You've got an emergency fishing pack don't you? The mini-tackle box and gear that fits in your pocket and never leaves the truck just in case you drive past a likely spot during your days' travels and need to see if there are any fish there? You've gotta have one of these packs. I have one for fly fishing and one for lure/bait fishing.) The water in the mouth of this creek runs crystal clear nearly all the time despite the immediate conversion to olive green it assumes upon combining with the river.

There is a large tree that fell from the bank and sticks halfway across the mouth, and several boulders strewn haphazardly throughout its wide but shallow lower reaches. At any given time there are Rainbow and Brown Trout, Largemouth or Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Sauger, Pike, Musky, Hybrid Stripers large Shad and probably a half dozen other species milling around this apparent haven.

One visitor nearly always in residence is the Carp, and normally in schools of no less than 10. This day was much like any other in that moments after reaching the bank, I saw several dark brown shadows cruising the area, stopping now and then to sip at the surface, much to my delight. As with most Carp schools, this one was accompanied by one fish which was a bit different from the rest. Why this happens is a mystery to me, but it seems that about 7 out of ten schools I see have one fish which is a total standout. I'll never forget the school I saw years ago which held one big Carp which looked all black.


This schools' oddball was about 3 shades lighter than all the rest, and seemed just as golden from above as the average Carp does when viewed from the side! Despite only being about mid-sized for this school of fish, he was the one I wanted. I decided to tie on a one inch pale tan Crappie tube jig, on a 1/16 oz jig. After watching the fish for a while to determine their direction (they were "pacing" the mouth of the stream as they fed), I tossed my little jig on 4 pound line on my new light action rod about 6 feet in front of the group. Several fish noticed the jig and swam toward it, but lost interest fairly quickly.

In the 2 feet of crystal clear water, twitching it on the bottom for their attention wasn't going to to be a problem. In fact, I had to be careful to twitch lightly because my next cast, sink, twitch cause about 6 of the fish to startle and swim off upstream a ways. I was kicking myself for this over the fear that they wouldn't return, but after just a few minutes my concerns were squashed, as the whole gang, with "goldie" off to the side of the school nearest the bank I attended.

I watched as they came slowly back downstream, sipping at the surface, nipping at the bottom, and before they were within 20 feet I decided to set my tube jig out there so that it could settle before the fish arrived, and then I could work it after they were near. With a flip of my wrist the teeny tube sailed through the air and landed with barely a ripple about 5 yards in front of me. The fish were getting closer, and the anticipation was making me nuts!

As the front of the school flowed by, the gold Carp that had initially attracted my attention stopped short, taking some small bug off the surface, and at that moment with the fish only three feet upstream and to the right of my jig, I started to swim it up off the bottom. Slowly, with small sweeps like a fleeing crayfish I moved my tube only an inch or two off the bottom, and that Carp pounced on it like a shark on a mullet!

Let me pause here to say that one of the most common mistakes when a fish strikes in this type of situation is to get so caught up by the take that the fisherman forgets to set the hook, the fish spits the hook and the chance is gone for good. So, this in mind I had been telling myself over and over "if this works, don't get so caught up by the take that you forget to set the hook".

So, after seeing this Carp so aggressively attack my jig, I found myself so caught up in the take that I forgot to set the hook. Momentarily. ;)

With just a tug on the rod the fish was on as was the fight! It took off several yards of line almost instantly, spooking the rest of the school out of the area. As my drag screamed I though of how much I love that sound, and how glad I was that there was another fisherman there to see me catch this fish, 'cause you know when you catch nice fish there's never anybody to witness it! This fish and I played tug of war for a couple of minutes, with me hoping and praying that it didn't come off the hook. At one point it seemed to become disinterested in our little game and headed for the deeper water out in the river channel and I started to believe I would never land this fish.

After fighting it back in close it decided to head toward the downed tree I mentioned earlier, and I feared it would either wrap in the branches or around one of the boulders in the water before me. Thankfully, it wasn't able to pull off an escape, and a minute or so later I was ble to bring it to hand. It wasn't big for a Carp, only about 6 or 7 pounds, but it was as bright and shiny as new copper wire and had given me a great thrill as the first fish on my new rod and reel.

As I unhooked the jig I realized that the hook had been bent nearly straight by the strong jaws and powerful fight of this "golden bone", and my respect for this wet warrior returned anew. As it slid through my hands back into its watery haunt, leaving me with a mitt full of slime, I smiled. This had been very good.

I was at the local fish market a couple of days ago, and as I saw the stack of Carp for sale I thought of the many days this fish has out pulled, out fought, and on rare occasion, out jumped, everything else caught on any given day.

There, over shadowed by the Striped Bass, the fresh shrimp and the Tuna steaks lay the simple, everyday Carp. Too well-known to be appreciated as it should, to common to be thought special, much maligned while showing itself a survivor capable of thriving in nearly any environment.

I looked, I smiled, and I walked away knowing that we would meet again, and that it was not a certainty that in our next meeting, I would again be the winner.

A wise fisherman pays attention

If you fish for Striped Bass or the hybrid "Wiper" (a cross between White Bass and Striped Bass), and you've never visited "Striper Moon", you're a bit behind where you could be.

Ken Abrames knows Striper fishing, and is a pretty good writer too.

Serious fishermen seldom try to draw attention to themselves, as a rule they are clandestine and avoid large groups of spectators. They often come out only at night and cannot be identified by the bumper stickers on their vehicles or by the display of rods and reels attached to the front or top or back of their off road 4X4 super duper fishing trucks because they don't often own one. They mostly walk by themselves or with one or sometimes two other serious fishermen that they have known for twenty years or more. They are not actually stand-offish but they are truly going fishing when they appear on a beach and so they are not likely to join in a group of spectators who are there primarily for the companionship of staying out all night with brother 4X4 beach riders. They seldom listen to the radio or watch television when they fish and are more prone to fish than to socialize. They never sit in lawn chairs and their equipment is often old-fashioned which now-a-days means two years old or more.

Check out his newest article "Overlooking the obvious", at Striper Moon. Have a great weekend!

Pike revenge!

Carp fishing

I'll never get used to it. You talk to almost any group of fisher folk and mention Carp. Somebody invariably insults the Carp as a "trash fish", worthy only of tossing back into the water or worse, thrown alive onto the bank to suffocate. NO fish should be treated that way. If you're going to kill it, then do so. If not, then put it back in the water. It's only humane.

Admittedly Carp do overpopulate many waters due to their incredible propagative ability. Then they need to be thinned out, but still humanely. The thing that irritates me about the complete lack of respect shown these fish is that they are tremendous fun to catch!

Hooking up with a ten pound Carp, which is likely almost anywhere they can be found, is hooking up with a ten pound fish! They fight like your big brother whoopin' on you for taking the last cookie, and pound for pound their stamina is a match for any other freshwater fish.

You can't always just throw bait at them either, especially as they grow older. Carp are totally aware of their environment and that usually includes you. The best Carp anglers in the world, generally speaking, can be found in Great Britain. These folks have honed their skills fishing along some of the world's most crowded banks, refining and refining again their approach to a fish which can pick up and drop a bait without you even knowing they've seen it.

Some anglers call the Carp the "Golden Bonefish" because in their feeding habits, skittishness and near invulnerability to the hook in clear water. The name fits. I am certain that you've seen more wakes suddenly headed away from you than you've seen the actual Carp in the your area, and in clear water, you may not have seen them at all.

My 2 favorite Carp memories both took place on, believe it or not, trout streams! Yup, Carp make a way.

The first one was on one of the best trout streams in the northeast. I was fly fishing at a dam on the stream, drifting a small nymph through the pockets in the dam formed by rocks splitting the overflow as it tumbled over it's 3 foot drop in front of me. It was a comfortable spring day and I'd been catching fish pretty regularly. I was drifting it deep after seeing a few large shadows which I took to be smallmouth, when my line tightened slowly. I set the hook, and within 20 seconds I got that cold feeling in the pit of my stomach that tells you something bad is about to happen.

My line had followed the plunge pool of the waterfall from one side to the other, without slowing in the least. The cold feeling set in. Then, when my line turned East and started downstream toward the rapids area, my gut started to quake a little. I'm gonna be real honest here, more honest than a fisherman should. I had two thoughts making me nervous. Thought number one: "Oh shoot, I'm gonna lose this fish!" Thought number two, the...ugly thought...was: "Oh shoot, I'm gonna lose this fish...and everybody's gonna see it happen!" I hate when that happens. It's not as bad when you lose a fish and are the only one who knows it, but when everybody knows...ugh.

My mind got off that real quick when I looked down and saw that this fish had stripped my fly line off the reel and was down into the backing and still hadn't so much as paused in it's mad dash to be free of that hook. Since I couldn't run across the stream and the near side was bounded by high weeds, I had one choice: follow the fish through the rapids. Scared? You bet. I was running out of line though, and determined to find out what was making me sweat.

It took some serious scrambling on my part and some furious reeling to finally get my fly line back on the reel, and by this point I was down near the fly shop which sits on the bank of the Neshannock Creek. This was a Saturday and there were plenty of other guys fishing. They quickly realized that I was fighting something big, and everybody stopped to look. Bob Shuey, the owner of Neshannock Creek Fly Shop, came out and gave me a little heck. "What's this commotion you're causing out here?" he asked. To be honest, I was so wound up fighting this fish that I don't even remember what I said in response!

I had been fighting this fish for about 20 minutes at this point and all eyes were on me. (Nervous? Bah!) Finally, after all this running, climbing and fighting, the fish showed itself at the surface. It was simply the biggest carp I've ever hooked! I mean when this baby rolled up top it was like a golden side of beef! So when the angler down from me (the fish was still over 20 yards away) offered to net it for me, I quickly accepted.

*Ominous music starts*

Then it all came crashing down. As carp will, this fish reacted badly to the approach of this guy with his net. One huge flip and it threw the hook and took off back upstream.

On the bright side, everybody saw my big fish. On the dark side, I SO wanted a picture with that beast.

Next time I'll tell you about the 4 pound line, Crappie jig, crystal clear water and 6 pound carp. 'Til then...

This...is...SPARTA!!!

Nah, it's Adventures with Fish, but I got your attention didn't I?

Ever been scared by something out there? -conclusion

At that moment, a large (12-15pound) black object rose slowly from the water in front of me, and then after a moment of shock I realized what it was; I was staring at a huge Cormorant! I had no idea they'd come this far south from the place where I'd last heard they were becoming a nuisance, Lake Erie. There is a chance that it could have been a large black Loon, although I didn't see the tell-tale white or grey band around it's neck which most Loons I see have.

It looked at me and quickly took flight (why does everything run from me?) across the river, flapping hard to ascend more than a few inches above the water until it had traveled quite a few yards, when it finally attained full flight. At this point you're probably asking yourself why this would have scared me. Remember: it had been very quiet and I had not heard that bird enter that water. All I knew was that suddenly, less than eight feet away from me, a large black living thing was rising from the water before me.

Yeah, Blair Witch Project scared me, too.

Anyway, after the big bird flew out of sight and I picked up my lower jaw, I got out of the water to wait and see if this bird had any companions following. It didn't, so I got back to fishing, but the bites were done.

No problem. It was time to go to work anyway.

Ever been scared by something out there?

It was a cold, grey day. I decided to spend some of my afternoon fishing the beautiful Allegheny River in Pennsylvania. I was bundled against the cold, dressed in layers. In fact, many layers. Four sweatshirts and a denim jacket over my neoprene waders. The end result is that I look like "Ralphie's" little brother in "A Christmas Story", my arms stiffly out to my sides. I'm in so much trouble if I ever fall down in winter. (I must invest in some decent winter fishing fashion!)

I parked at the top of a hill overlooking the spot I was planning to fish. A trail leads down the 30 or so yards to the waters' edge and I waddled it with no real agility. (Though I didn't fall!) The area has a clear dirt beach maybe 10 feet from treeline to shore, and leading to the mouth of what I think it a runoff drain, though it's well disguised with overhanging vegetation and boulders around the mouth to the point where it would fool you into thinking it's natural until you look closely under the weeds and see the bricks used to form the opening.

I settled in and started casting a 1/4 oz Roostertail spinner, white body with a silver blade and white tuft on the hook. The Smallmouth were very friendly that day, and within an hour and a half I'd caught about 13. At this point with an icy breeze scraping my cheek I decided to take up position leaned against a large boulder which blocked some of the wind. I was balancing myself carefully between a number of basketball sized boulders, in ankle deep water. About 4-6 feet in front of me the bottom dropped off quickly to 5 feet, then after a foot or two more horizontally, over 9 feet.

The bass were hitting as the spinner skirted the edge of the first, more shallow drop. They were anyway, until suddenly there was nothing. No more bites, no chases, nothing. Ordinarily I discount this to the appearance of a predator near the school I'm fishing. A pike, or musky maybe. Oh, it was a predator all right, but not the fish I'd expected. In fact, it wasn't a fish at all.

As I mindlessly fan cast the area waiting and hoping for the bite to begin again, a small dark circle formed in the water only slightly more than a rod length in front of me, slightly off to the left. This circle got bigger, and bigger, when I suddenly realized that something large was rising up from the bottom of the river!

The next thing that happened is what really freaked me out: a black head, atop a long black neck (like those grainy pictures of the Loch Ness Monster), then broke through the surface and that neck kept getting longer. Finally, a large body broke the surface and I found myself face to face with...

...to be continued.