The LuxMob Info Tags

To see a fisherman perfectly mastering a double-handed fly rod is rare enough. When the fisherman turns out to be a woman, we are in the realm of the exceptional. It was on the banks of the river Blackwater in southeast Ireland that we met Glenda Powell. She teaches the art of salmon fishing with talent.

Portrait
Northern Irish - Glenda grew up in the suburbs of Belfast. A place where you learn quickly not to let others walk all over you. Her uncle was the best fisherman in the family. She was only nine years old when he died and left her a precious legacy - all his fishing tackle. Under the amused gaze of her three sisters and other boys of her age, she decided - with a determination well beyond her nine years - to learn to use it by herself. Not easy by any means, but more a question of pride. Within a few years, many Northern Irish trout had paid the ultimate tribute to her ability with the worm and then the fly rod. Even as an adolescent, she knew that fishing would be the focal point of her existence.

Good, and now ……….
Do we go fly-fishing or would you prefer that we go and catch a salmon?
Glenda’s question is clear.

The fly is beautiful, and she has just given us a superb demonstration. Single Spey or double, roll cast, snake roll and other subtle variations on the theme of double handed fly-casting, she executes them all gracefully.
But the Blackwater is running bank high and the water’s colour lives up to its name. Not much hope with a fly rod in these conditions. For the worm, on the other hand, the conditions are good.

But her preference is to teach fishing and fly casting, to teach her clients the basics of double handed fly casting or to correct the bad habits of the more experienced anglers (we all have them!). She loves teaching fishing. “I prefer teaching individuals or small groups. The most important factor is not to stress the clients. A beginner must feel at ease. Before he picks up the rod, I always start by explaining what he will have to do - how and why. Always in plain English. I demonstrate how it should be done, and break it down into the important steps. The pupil must see the correct movements - his goal is to emulate them. Then, before he starts to fish, I point out the stages which could cause problems. It’s easier to avoid an impasse if the pupil is aware of the difficulty”.

For Glenda, this psychological aspect is very important.
“It’s no good drowning the pupil with details, but to bring out the essential points. If he has problems with a particularly difficult movement, I don’t insist. We go on to something else, less difficult, but in any case different. When he has regained his confidence or changed his ideas, we go back to it - and things invariably go better”.

Consequently, even during a fly fishing lesson, she won’t hesitate to suggest a couple of runs with the worms or a few casts with a spinner, just to put him at ease.

“I’m not a fly fishing purist. I love fishing worms in particular. To fish them with the right weight & speed down the right line isn’t so easy. Then - the sensation of the salmon taking the worms whilst we give him line - the suspense is much more prolonged than a pull on the fly or a hard hit on the spinner”.

I watched Glenda fishing with worms. She knows exactly what she’s talking about.

In fishing, a woman’s place is always marginal.

In spite of a competence and experience of Atlantic salmon fishing that few people of her age possess, we could well ask if the fact of being a woman isn’t a handicap in her chosen profession.

“Of course, some men don’t like the idea of learning to fish from a woman. But they are few and far between and, overall, I think it’s positive for the learning process. Advice is often better accepted by a man from a woman than from another man. Not getting blocked, vexed or stressed is undoubtedly easier. Not withstanding, a woman doesn’t have the right to make a mistake. Much more than a man, she must strive for excellence to remain credible.

As for female pupils, they are still few and far between in Glenda’s clientele. But her observations paint an interesting portrait of the fisherwoman.

“A woman who fishes is rarely average. If she does so solely to please her man, without real motivation, she’s a lost cause. At best, she will remain mediocre, and progress little with time. On the other hand, if she fishes for herself with a real passion, then she will probably be extremely good. To persevere in this predominantly macho sport where women are at best tolerated, necessitates an approach & motivation which permits her to progress above the level of the normal fisherman.

The Spey-casting Myth
Teaching and perfecting the use of a double-handed rod are Glenda’s speciality:

“There is a myth surrounding the Spey cast. Many fishermen who master the use of a single-handed rod for conventional casting have a complex about spey-casting.

It’s true that to learn the spey-cast is complicated by the habits of casting single-handed.
Generally, the right-handed fisherman who picks up the double-handed rod completely underestimates the role of the left hand. He imagines that it only serves to support the rod, which requires two hands purely because it is longer and heavier.

In fact, it’s the scissor movement between the two hands that gives all the power to the cast.

Until this manipulation is mastered, it is impossible to cast correctly. The rest in simply a variation of a roll cast. When a pupil already knows how to do this with a single-handed rod, they already feel more at ease”.
Glenda has some memorable moments in her time as a casting instructor of which she is particularly proud. The story of the sturdy man, who in spite of being a keen fisherman, had given up after trying for years to spey-cast properly. After 20 minutes of teaching, he was casting right across the river. Tears of relief flowed down his cheeks as the frustration of so many years trying in vain evaporated. Two days later, a large bouquet of flowers arrived for her with the message “I’ve always been in the dark with my spey-casting - thank you for showing me the light”.

Then there was the story of the guy who caught his first salmon on fly with her on the Blackwater after fifteen years of trying in Scotland, Norway & elsewhere.

But her favourite tale is the one about the Royal Air Force veteran with two wooden legs as his were blown off in the Second World War. At the tender age of 86, he caught his first ever salmon on his second day fishing with her.

Indulging one’s passion throughout the seasons on a magnificent salmon river, it’s the little boy’s dream that still haunts many a fisherman.

In a Belfast suburb, a little girl had the same dream……..

Glenda Powell’s webpage: http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/Tuition/Tuition.htm

Original Article written by Olivier Plasseraud (editor - Salmo magazine) & translated & edited by Ian Powell from the French original.
Ian Powell can be reached via the website
Angling for Salmon on Ireland’s Cork Blackwater on
http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net

The Split shot rig is a finesse version of a fish finding rig along the lines of but not quite the Carolina Rig. Too many anglers dismiss this method as being too slow or a small fish method. The truth is that it is a deadly finesse method that can cover water as efficiently and as quickly as the Carolina rig. The split shot method also is a great way to catch limits of keeper sized bass. What tournament angler could dispute the success of that? Split shotting is a fairly shallow water finesse technique that works best in depths under 20 feet. It can be worked deeper but the sensitivity decreases as the depth increases. For anglers who aren’t confident in their worm fishing abilities, the split shot rig is actually nothing like traditional worm fishing.

This method is a cast and crank method that can be more easily compared to crank bait fishing than to worm fishing. The tiny 4inch curly tailed worms are in constant motion on the bottom so it might be even more effective than cranking because the bait stays in the strike zone longer. However simple this may sound, you can increase the effectiveness of the technique by “seining the bottom”. By this I mean using different casting angles and boat positioning to essentially saturate a grid or area. This way you can potentially present the bait to every fish within a determined area.

Not Just Another Carolina rig

The Split Shot may resemble a Carolina rig but it is different. To tie the rig you must eliminate the bullet sinker. Instead, you just crimp a piece of shot, two or three feet above the Texas rigged bait. I most often distance the shot about 18 to 24 inches above the bait. It is important to use only round shot without the tabs. The tabs will always catch on the weeds and foul the rig. Use size 2 or 4 shot. Make sure you don’t fray the line when you crimp the shot down on it. I prefer softer shot to prevent damaging the line. Water Gremlin, makers of weights and sinkers for fishing has introduced its Bull Shot. This is a bullet weight or conical shaped weight with a new twist. Like its famous squeezable split shot weights that crimp on to the line, Bull Shot weights have the same premise. Here you can place your bullet weight above the hook in any desired length. Just squeeze it on and it will stay in place. Gone are the days of multi knot rigs. It is a quick and easy way to rig up your soft plastics. This may be the best alternative if avoiding weeds and snags are your concern. The pointed shape comes through snags with ease and takes this rig to a new dimension.

This is a true finesse rig. Using this rig requires an angler to scale down his/her tackle. A four-inch bait is about the largest an angler should use. Employ a size 1/0 or size 1 Aberdeen style hook. Rig the bait on the seam. This along with the Aberdeen hook is a straight shank style and creates a keel to prevent the bait from rolling thus eliminating line twist. That is the key to the natural swimming motion of this bait. Fine diameter line and light spinning gear are necessary for this technique. I use a 6 or 6-6 foot ML spinning rod and 6lb test for this technique.

Employ the split shot rig when fishing in depths shallower than 20 feet. Any deeper and you’ll lose contact with the bait. The split shot retrieve is slow and steady. Maximum bottom contact is essential. You simply have to keep the weight in contact with the bottom. This technique is perfect for locating concentrations of bass. Especially when coordinated to cover a specific area from multiple angles. Because the bait is always in motion, wind won’t hamper its success. Wind can put a serious damper on regular worm fishing such as a Texas rig. The split shot rig is less affected by wind because you are constantly moving it.

Split shotting is deadly when fishing used water. If I’m fishing behind another boat, chances are that I am throwing a split shot rig to the water that has already been covered by that boat. The split shot method excels in heavily fished waters. That is the beauty of this method. One area in which this method excels is locating fish around uninteresting areas. Most anglers will beat visible cover or structure they see on their LCD’s to death. While you can catch fish in these places on split shot rigs, the rig may be better suited for use in boring areas without heavy cover. These boring areas are usually passed over by other anglers and they likely don’t receive any exploration because those anglers can’t see anything attractive to hold bass.

One particular day I was on an 85 acre pond that was hosting a bass tournament by a local B.A.S.S. chapter. The water was crowded with 15 or so boats and all of the water was used up. Immediately I rigged a split shot worm and I proceeded to catch a limit of decent bass. From what I heard, the participants didn’t fair as well. This proved to me how valuable an option this rig is. It took fish in water that was used by skilled anglers. This rig is a good choice when trying to locate fish on an unfamiliar lake. It is often the first tactic I’ll try on new waters. When a cold front is passing through the split shot may be the only bait that gets consistent attention from bass.

Anglers must learn to recognize the strike on a split shot rig. It differs from the telltale tap-tap of the Texas rig. The split shot bite tends to feel like a mushy sensation or the feeling of added pressure on the line. Bass do tend to hold onto the bait a bit longer than traditionally rigged worms. The lack of a sliding weight for a bass to feel in its mouth likely is the reason. This set up is just more natural. As with many of the techniques in this book, it might be best to learn what the rig feels like being retrieved unimpeded. Because you will be bumping of bottom with it, you may be in for a tough time recognizing strikes. Just remember that hook sets are free and if you feel anything out of the ordinary, swing on it. One caution with this rig, because you are using light line, try to sweep set the rod sharply to one side of your body. I utilize a set similar to the Slider sweep. You do not want to pop your line by setting too hard with the tiny line. Bass seem to hold on to the bait because of the weightless feeling coupled with the small amount of slack line between the split shot and the bait.

Hand poured worms along with standard grubs, reapers and lizards work well on a split shot rig. One of the best worms for this is the Curly Tail worm from Robo Worm. This is made specifically for the Shot techniques. This is a tiny 4 inch worm that features some wicked hand poured colors. It has a curly tail that is rigged tail down to offset any line twist by being inline with the keel that the Aberdeen hook creates. The worms are scented and salted and bass simply do not drop once they once them up. I’ve been using some of the new Cyberflexx baits that really float high off the bottom on this rig. They are very effective and this is a good way to seine the water. The floating bait opens up another dimension to the split shot rig. Now you can cover water above the bottom. This is helpful when fish are suspending a few feet off the bottom.

Anytime is Split Shot time

An angler should recognize the best times to use this method. I use it as a fish finding tool on unfamiliar waters. If you put an easy meal in front of any bass, it is going to tell you something every time. Obviously, if you are simply patterning fish incorrectly, the rig may not be of use to you. If you use it where they live, it will draw a reaction and usually quickly at that. I initially target, sloping primary and secondary points with the rig. From there, I move to small shallow humps, sand bars and depressions, flats and sandy bottom areas. Perhaps one of the best places to utilize the split shot rig is on bare or nothing banks. These areas visually don’t look as sweet as say a submerged log jam or weed bed. For this reason, they are often overlooked and passed by most target fishing anglers. The truth of the matter is that bass will be in these areas and often it is because the bottom offers something that the target angler doesn’t even know is there. The rig also works well when pulled over shallow flats, sloping points, sandy banks, boat launch ramps and sandbars. Try it in non-traditional fishing spots. Locate bass’ daily migration routes and try this rig. Many times when fish are spooky, traditional baits won’t raise a strike, the split shot rig may be just the ticket to catching a bass with lockjaw. Target spots that other fishermen ignore; bare banks, swimming areas and shallow sandy flats are among the choicest of areas.

Gear Breakdown: Split Shot Rig

Rod: Kistler California Series 6-9 ML Drop Shot rod

Reel: Shimano Sustain 1000FB

Line: Super Silver Thread 6lb

Hook: Gamakatsu size 1 or 1/0 thin wire straight shank

Bait: Robo Worm 4” Curly tail worm

Craig DeFronzo has written over 300 articles that are bass fishing related within the past decade for several of the top bass fishing web sites and periodicals. He is the author of over 12 books and eBooks on bass fishing and is the creator of Micro Munch Tackle. He started a small bait company based on the belief that unique custom tackle would be more appealing to bass that are continuously bombarded by the same commercial baits every day. Custom baits and lighter tackle have helped him achieve success in competition. For more information on custom handmade baits and more articles and Craig’s ebooks visit http://micromunchtackle.com/

There are a few basic methods that are effective in catching catfish. Bear in mind that specific methods are applicable to specific kinds of waters. That is because techniques and baiting mixtures are formulated for specific targets.

The following methods are simple, yet proven successful when used:

1) Rigging method - Depending on the bait used, loop the bait holder or the treble hook from a line to a preferred distance to the end. Bait movement is not suggested; therefore, a weight must be used to allow the rig to be still. A good distance shall be about 18″ to 24.”

Same as the first method, using the Slipweight to make the bait stable is also effective. The weight does not matter as long as it can slide in the line. The fish will not feel any weight and it will be late until they realize that the bait is fake.

Multibait technique allows multiple catches at once. Simply place three-way swivel along the line. As it draws more strikes it makes a great choice for catching more catfish at the same time.

2) Bait - Experts opt for chicken livers or medium sized shrimp from groceries. The shrimp’s tail and skin must be removed and body should be big enough to slide up in a number 6 hook. This is simpler than the chicken which necessitates the use of pantyhose. A diameter of a quarter is wrapped in a piece of pantyhose leaving a tag end then attach it through the treble hook. Blood worms, minnows, catfish paste, night crawlers, snails, living or dead small fish, and dough baits are also good choices of baits. Remember that the best baits are always those that nature produced.

3) Chumming - Fishermen catch more catfish with this method. This is simply throwing balls of mixtures of natural recipes in the fishing area. This attracts more catfish; the trick is that the mixture should be right enough for the catfish to feed heavily. The hook that will be used to fish normally must have the same recipe for the bait. Adding a good smelling flavor into the pasty mixture attracts catfish more.

4) Tackling - Although the technique involved in this method is by far effective, it’s still the bait that attracts and brings the catfish in. As simple as it is, the tackle should be about 6 feet long with a spinning real. Choose heavier lines to allow more battle between the fisherman and the catfish. It doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive. The experience you get from a cheaper tackle is no different from an expensive one.

Make sure the grip is secure hooks are removed by pliers after catching the fish. Avoid being stuck with the fins as some are poisonous. Just simply sliding the hand up to its belly from tail, placing the fingers behind one side and thumb behind the other can remove the catfish from the hook without any harm. Happy catfishing and good luck!

Travis Clemens is a life time fisherman and he knows the ins and outs of gettinem on the hook! You too can gettem on the hook with Travis as your guide! www.best-fishing-tips.com

Talk to a professional angler like Kevin Schweder(2003 PWT Rookie of the Year), and you will quickly find out that organization is a major part of their game plan. Keeping rods and equipment organized provides many advantages, not the least of which is allowing the angler to spend more time fishing.

Loose rods can be a real hassle on the water. Besides taking up premium boat space, they are also more likely to get broken tips or have tangled line. And it’s not much fun untangling rods on a hot August day, or losing you favorite rod to a broken tip. Ideally, rods should be kept upright in the boat in a secure holder. Protect your rods from scuffs and wear by using rod holders that feature foam locking rings. Keeping all your rods in a central location provides quick and easy access to your arsenal. But keep in mind that a rod holder that will quickly and easily move to different areas of the boat can be a real asset. A quality rod holder will allow an angler to keep his rods safe yet accessible from anywhere on the boat.

An angler may also save time by rigging his favorite presentations before even getting on the water. Keeping different rods and presentations ready at all times allows a fisherman to easily change technique at any moment. An angler in the hunt for walleye for example, may want to have a 7 foot rod set up with a favorite rigging presentation while also having his 6 foot rod set up for jigging. To save more time he may also want to set up his favorite presentations for trolling. This is especially critical when time is a factor, as with tournament situations, but can save alot of time for any angler. Be sure to look for a heavy duty rod holder that can safely handle more than one or two rods. A rod holder that can accomodate up to 8 rods is your best bet.

With the average angler owning more than six rods, storage and transport can present a real problem. Making the transition from storage to pick-up to boat is often time consuming and frustrating. An ideal rod holder will accomodate all these situations. Look for a rod holder that easily converts from a holder while in the boat, to a safe way to transport and store your rods out of the boat. Kevin Schweder suggests a rod holder such as the Rod Wrangler by Cornerstone Manufacturing. “Simply put, the Rod Wrangler makes organization and transportation of rods and reels simple, so I can spend more time fishing.” And really, isn’t that what it’s all about?

Anne Elliott
Research & Development
Cornerstone Manufacturing
http://www.rodwrangler.com

My young stepson and I was fishing at Rush Creek in Ohio and using the same rod and reel, line and lure. Everything was exactly the same, the problem was I had caught about a dozen bass and he hadn’t caught any and we were only standing about 10 feet apart.

He finally asked me why I was catching all the fish and he wasn’t. I said “Well John, you’re not holding your mouth right”. He said “How A I suppose to Hold it?”. I said “like this”. I made some strange face and had my lip stuck out and my face all messed up. So, I looked over and seen him trying to mimic the face I made and just fishing away. I never thought any more about it.

About 2 months later, he went up to the mountains of California and was fishing for trout at his grandparent’s cabin. He was standing by the stream and his grandfather came along to check on him. His grandfather kept watching and talking to him and finally said “John is there something wrong with your face? Are you sick?”. So John explained I had told him to make his face like that to catch more fish. His grandfather tried not to laugh and went on his way to tell John’s grandmother who told my wife and it got back to me.

Charles E. White has fished for almost 50 years for bass from California to Florida. In his lifetime, it is estimated that he has caught over 6,000 bass. His biggest bass is a 12 pound 14 ounce that hangs on his wall in his office.

Charles has fished with people who have never fished for bass before and taught them how to become successful anglers and also has fished with the Pros in Florida. His new website about fishing for bass is at:
http://www.bassfishingweekly.com

Bass fishing has evolved to a near cult popularity with so many anglers through the years that there have been so many products made, clubs formed, and articles written about it. Here you will read about the types of Bass fishing lures you can use to catch them. Also, there is also a list on the necessary equipments to have when going bass fishing.

The type of bass that will bite almost anything is the largemouth bass. Minnows, worms, or other live bait, plus poppers or streamers presented with a fly rod, or plugs thrown from a casting or spinning rod are ways where they can be caught. Since bass is usually associated with weeds, a weedless bait will often be necessary. Morning and evening are the best fishing times when warm months come. They usually like to stay in warm water and warm weather. There is only little bite during winters.

Smallmouth bass pound for pound are the scrappiest fish of all fresh water bass. They are usually associated with a rocky stream or lake environment where its favorite food, the crayfish, is plentiful. The best lake fishing takes place in the month in June and just after, the spawning season, and in early fall. Natural lure like hellgrammites, dragonfly larvae and crayfish are especially useful during early morning or late evening. Most likely, the best artificial lures are those who are used on the surface. Light tackle is ideal. Fish quietly, casting toward rocks or logs, keeping the rod tip up and the line tight. Many fishermen debate on the colors used for their lures. This may vary on the bass fish that is to be caught.

Fishing requires more than just a simple fishing rod and some lure for serious fisherman. People who fish for leisure are those who fish because it’s their hobby, they can have some tools and accessories that will help them make it easier and be able to catch more fish. Here are some suggested tools for starters that will help them improve in catching fish:

• Fishing Rod. The most important piece of equipment and should be chosen with care. A basic rod-and-reel set is enough for beginners. It is necessarily important to have more featured materials. The most important is that you should learn how to use the rod and be comfortable to it before moving into another difficult type of equipment. Professional fisherman can experiment different types of rod for them to know what works best for them.

When buying a fishing rod, know before you enter the store what kind of fishing you’ll be doing, and under what conditions. Rods come from different varieties of materials, from wood laminates to fiberglass to carbon fiber. Rod handles should fit securely in your palm, and practice casting with the rod, to test how flexible and easy to use it is. In addition have the proper length of the rod. For using lighter lure, or catching tiny fish, a 4 inch to 6 inch rod is advisable to use. For using larger lure, which gets larger fishes or casting longer distances, a rod of at least 6 inches may be required.

• Waders. It is a water- resistant covering you wear over your pants to keep them dry so you can wade out into the water. A lot of are made like overalls, covering the chest and the legs, and with boots attached, for ultimate defense. Make sure the boots are warm and secure, to supply better balance while walking on wet rocks.

• Fishing Vest. Contains several pockets for storing fish equipments and your hands are free to manage the fishing rod. Also, should you have to wade out into the water, wearing a vest will let you to have all of your gear with you at all times. Make a decision beforehand which gear is necessary; if you store too much in the vest, it may make it too heavy to wear, which could bring you down.

• Tackle Box or Fly Box. In fishing it requires a lot of supplies and you need a something big to store all your gears. Spend in a durable tackle box, in which you can store your entire lure, keeping it easily to get to. Styles are classified into simple and inexpensive, and large and costly. Fishermen may only need something small, but the more advanced fishermen may want something handier. Furthermore, you should consider a fly box. Small enough to fit a vest pocket and allows you to keep them with you as needed.

For a free course on finding the best bass fishing guides and the best bass fishing lures, visit www.bassfishingsystem.com/ today.

For a long time when I would go looking at fishing rods I would get confused by the various desigations on the labels. It wasn’t the lure weights that were confusing, it was the designations such as: Ultra-Light, Medium, Heavy, Slow, Fast, etc. After doing some research I sorted out the designations and came to a better understanding of how rods are classified. These designations don’t apply to fly rods, they have there own system for classifying the fly-rod weight and action. Rods are classified by two factors: the range of lure weights, and the amount of flex in the rod when it is loaded with the lure.

The rod weight is a pretty straight forward designation. It uses such terms like Ultra-Light, Light, Medium, Medium-Heavy, and Heavy. So a heavy action rod would probably have a lure weight range starting at 1oz and going up from there, while an Ultra-Light may have a lure range that starts at 1/32 oz and goes up to maybe 1/8oz. You probably get the idea.

The rod action is a little different. As I said earlier, it classifies the amount of the rod that flexes when it is loaded with a lure. The general designations are Slow, Medium, Fast, and Extra-Fast. Manufacturers may use some variation on the the wording, but their words should translate into this basic system. Slow action rods flex across the entire length of the rod up to the grips. Medium action rods flex over about the upper half of the rod, Fast action rods flex over only about one-third of tip, and Extra-Fast rods flex over only about one-fourth of the tip. Each type of action has its application and different people may use different actions for the same purpose.

Personally I prefer to use a Fast, or Extra-Fast action rod for most fishing. If I am jig, or texas-rigging I prefer to use an Extra-Fast tip for the sensitivity. If I am mojo-rigging I prefer a fast action because it allows the fish to load the rod before I set the hook. I very rarely use a slow action rod although they do see a lot of use. The “Noodle” type rods used by Steelhead fisherman would be considered a slow action rod. They allow the fisherman to use lighter line while fishing because the rod help cushion the load on the line. One note, however, the slower the action of the rod, the harder it is to get a good hookset because less force is applied directly to the fish.

I hope this has shed a little light on rod action and rod weight. I know the research taught me quite a bit.

MichFish.com Michigan Fishing Information, Articles, Online Fishing Maps, Online Member Diary, and Forums

The one thing I have always enjoyed about fishing is that you rarely see anyone wearing a tie.

I suppose there is the occasional urban lunchtime warrior who might race from his cubicle to the Hudson river to get a few casts in for some glow-in-the-dark fish, but ties are certainly not the norm when it comes to suiting up for a days fishing on the river.

When it comes to high fashion in the fishing world, a button up fast drying high tech shirt is about as close to fashionable as it gets.Unless of course you count the plaid jacket!!

As it is, I can’t quite figure out the purpose of the necktie anyway.

Who in their right mind would come up with a part of the male wardrobe to wrap around your neck, and then cinch it up tight, and consider this a vital part of the function of clothing.

For Gods sake,this is what they would do to condemned men just before they drop the floor out from under them, to create a rather discomforting constriction about the windpipe and neck.

I could understand it if the tie somehow held all our other clothes up,like a belt, keeping our clothes from dropping to our ankles in a useless gathering of cloth. As far as I know there has also never been an instance of a tie keeping a shirt in tact in high winds.

It’s obvious the tie was invented by our female counterparts, and is the ultimate payback for all our manly sins that we commit everyday. I am sure it was produced under the guise of “fashion” at some point, with some weak feeble argument that a “gentleman” should always don a noose around his neck-lest he become a barbarian!!

Other parts of the wardrobe I understand.

Shoes?

I understand shoes. They were developed to help protect our feet from the hostile environment of thistles, weeds,pavement,and hot coffee spills. Shoes make sense

Socks?

Protection from shoe rub and sneaky thistles approaching from ankle height.

Pants?

Well, outside of not developing them with an expandable waistband, pants have proven beneficial in adding warmth, again providing protection from yet even higher thistles and stickers, keeping the suns harmful rays off of pasty white anglo legs, and protecting us from hot coffee spills. As an added benefit, they also protect our eyes from viewing knobby knees and senior citizens who might otherwise have been walking around in black socks, Florisheims, and a loin cloth had pants not been invented.

Underwear?

The jury is still out on this benefit–BUTT– we will give underwear the benefit of the doubt.

Shirts?

Again, sun protection, warmth in the winter, and a place to hide those man breasts and ape like features we men have worked hard to develop. Keeps ketchup and mustard off our bellys also.

Hat?

We all know where the heat is going to escape. A brilliant invention and very much like the thermos–it keeps you warm, it keeps you cool, how does it know???

Coats, gloves,vests,belts,boots–hell– even chaps, all seem to have a function behind them.

But the tie?

Unless it was developed for men to have a permanently available napkin, or snot rag—I see no purpose.

Actually, you could make the argument that fishermen are the only men that SHOULD wear ties. As long as they were made of sheeps wool, the flyfisherman could use the “fuzzy tie” to have even a greater drying pad to keep his caddis, royal coachman, and brindle bugs handy and at the ready for quick pattern change out.

But enough about the tie.

Fashion, as a general rule has escaped the fishing world.

This is a world where despite the efforts of Orvis and L.L. Bean, plaid is still the king, the t-shirt is still considered standard issue and drab greens and brown tones rule the day.

Thank goodness, because I know the day is coming -when the Gods of fashion will begin to turn the fishing world upside down with trendy nouveau styles and colors.

Before long, tall, emaciated, high cheek boned beauties will be “walking the runway”, in Jordache waders showing us the latest designs of, breathable yet flattering river wear, in purple,yellow, floral and …….dare I say it….TAUPE!! Especially since more and more women are taking up the sport of flyfishing, can high fashion be far behind??

I’m not sure you can feel like a snappy dresser with fish guts,bait and slime all over you but maybe with a diamond encrusted net dangling from your hip you will feel properly accessorized for an elegant evening on the river.

The fishing world has already come a long way when it comes to fashion–or should I say style.Once upon a time, most fisherman looked more like deck hands, wearing rubber waders with big oversized boots at the bottom. You would slip these over your jeans and big thick wooly socks and if was cold, that red and black checkered jacket would keep you warm.It also would help to hide the tobacco juice stains that you would invariably always spit on yourself while fishing. It basically was one size fits all–and you couldn’t tell if a person was 270 pounds or 140 pounds under the rubber–everyone looked 270 pounds.

Today neoprene and lightweight high tech shredded milk carton shirts are being seen more and more, and the fishing vest has more cubbies and pockets than a colony of Kangaroos.

And they look good on the cover of magazines to boot!!

Speaking of boots.

I remember my first wading boots were basically the same boots I wore to muck out manholes when I worked for the telephone company. Now, they look more like “Hush Puppies” and I’m not so sure I wouldn’t be proud to wear them into the office.

I suppose the day is coming when neoprene waders will be made to look like tuxedos or Armani suits–so we can really look like gentlemen out there. That might not actually be a bad idea, I for one could see the benefit in that–especially if the wedding ceremony runs into the evening hatch–one could still make it out to the river and save some valuable time avoiding “change time”.

All in all, it doesn’t really matter to me if some style continues to creep into the fishing world, but if they start making the “river tie”–I’m taking up Golf!

A.J. Klott
Author, writer of fishing humor,and “fly tack” peddler.A.J. writes about the people,characters and modern day events that surround the fishing world. His first book is due out in December of 2005.
If you need a laugh or a fun gift, visit his website at:
http://www.twoguyswithflys.com

If you love something, set it free. It’s not the exact or full quote and I’m pretty sure
that the author wasn’t talking about a fish. Nevertheless, the sentiment seems to
best express my feelings about billfish and their importance in the grand scheme of
things. I ran across another quote that speaks volumes, and it goes like this - “A
release today, is a fish tomorrow!” Yep, this guy is speaking my language. I wonder
how many others feel the same way? To my surprise, a whole lot more than I
anticipated and they’re doing a whole lot more than just talking about it.

The World Championship Billfish Release Tournament makes its debut in beautiful
and billfish-bountiful Cabo San Lucas in May. Sure, there are plenty of other
tournaments held here at the tip of the Baja peninsula, but this one takes
conservation-minded protocols to a new and higher level. First, the mandatory use
of circle hooks with either live or dead bait. Second, single hooks only, whether J or
circle, on all artificial baits. Third, a tagging program which will assist The Billfish
Foundation and others in the continuing research of billfish species and successful
conservation methods. There is a long list of worthy endeavors undertaken by the
tournament and those associated with it including direct benefits to the local
community. Most important being support of the Nino’s del Capitan, an orphanage
dedicated to making a difference in the lives of underprivileged children in Los
Cabos.

Add a one-of-a-kind Billfish Tag Challenge to the mix and you have the makings of
a socially and ecologically conscious tournament with a twist. The organizers have
added a single tagged marlin – to be tagged and released three days prior to the
start of fishing – that if caught will bring the lucky team or angler a $1,000,000.00
(USD) payout. Mexico has never seen anything like this in a fishing tournament,
conservation-minded or not, and the thought of landing the “million dollar marlin”
is sending a buzz through the ranks of big game sport fishermen around the globe.

The group that put this event together sports some impressive credentials and
brings a world of knowledge and experience to the table. The reasons why they
chose to become involved follow along the same path, a path that leads to a reversal
in the decline of billfish populations. Amongst the committee members is Dr. Russ
Nelson, marine scientist and Director of International Conservation Programs for
The Billfish Foundation - http://www.billfish.org. When asked why he decided to
support the tournament and provide his expertise, Dr. Nelson responded with the
following. “Personally I have two motivations here. As a lifelong angler I am
absolutely devoted to the joy of pursuing these great animals and hope my
daughters and their children have the opportunity to do the same. As a marine
scientist I recognize the importance of billfish - sailfish, marlins, swordfish - as the
apex predators of the marine pelagic ecosystem - predators whose presence
preserves a natural balance of other fish species in the system. Threats to these
billfish predators represent real threats to the stability and function of the entire
system.” Dr. Nelson also added, “I think the time is right for Cabo (the town that
marlin built) to move forward with a high profile all-release tournament. Cabo and
Baja California Sur have made great progress in billfish and marine fisheries
conservation over the last few years and now we want to showcase this conservation
ethic to the whole billfishing world.”

Wayne Harmond, one of the WCBRT’s tournament directors said, “I chose to get
involved with this group out of respect for them and as a chance to show others that
tournament billfishing can have a conservation message and a social conscience and
still be a great, fun experience. Indiscriminant drift net fishing and long lining have
severely impacted the oceans creatures (not the least of which are the billfish
populations). When you add the still popular tradition of sports harvesting of
billfish, its clear that we have to show some personal responsibility if we’re to
change these practices. Baja, Mexico is a perfect example of a world-class billfishery
that is in danger of losing one its greatest natural resources. I want to show that we
can be good stewards of the oceans without compromising the pleasure and
enjoyment of sport fishing.”

Minerva Saenz, owner of Minerva’s Baja Tackle in Cabo San Lucas - http://
www.minervas.com – the tournament headquarters in Cabo, was asked what she
thought about the WCBRT. “What’s there not to love about it, a tournament for
fishermen by fishermen! This is a group of organizers who are not in it for the
money but for the sport! First class all the way! Big dollars for releasing fish! This
tournament is the future of jackpot fishing! It’s important to point out that the
WCBRT is also going to donate proceeds to local charities as well – the “Ninos del
Capitan” and the FCP (Fundacion Para la Conservacion de Los Picudos, A.C.) or
Mexican Billfish Foundation. The FCP has worked hard in Los Cabos, alongside
other like-minded groups, to develop the first trust in Mexico that sets aside fishing
license sales revenues in our state to billfish conservation.” Great reasons to think
about getting involved yourself, whether as an angler or as a sponsor.

So why did we (CabosBest.com) get involved. I can site hundreds if not thousands of
pages of scientific research that supports the position of the WCBRT and The Billfish
Foundation. Facts are facts. If we do nothing but stay the present course, these
glorious creatures will cease to exist and along with them, the delicate balance of
our oceans’ ecosystems. If you love something, set if free. A release today is a fish
tomorrow. The future of billfishing depends on it and it’s up to each of us to
support these types of events and further the spread of conservation-minded
tournaments worldwide.

For more information about the World Championship Billfish Release Tournament,
visit their website at http://www.wcbrt.com or call 800 398-6863.

Richard Chudy is the President of CabosBest.com, http://www.cabosbest.com, and a
lifelong saltwater angler with over twenty years of experience fishing all around the
world including Cabo San Lucas and Baja California, Mexico.

We were on a sixty four foot viking enclosed bridge sport fish. I mean top of the line, brand new with everything you could need to make your trip perfect. Anyways we got all our gear ready hear in san diego, got down to the boat about two in the morning to start her up and get ready to rock. Of course we spent the couple days before this preparing the boat with food and all our fishing gear we needed for this trip. Anyways we set off about three am after everyone getting down there from sleeping in to late of course.

Whell we untied the lines and set off for our three day trip to the magic magdalena bay aka ultimate fishing. As the trip was going on we were fishing a little on the way down but not to much, we knew that the real fish stocks were hanging out in mag bay so why waste time. The only time we would fish on the way down was if we saw something. After three wonderful days on the water we reached our destination, Mag Bay.

Since its a prety good run and we havnt had a good meal for about seventy two hours or so, I decided to pull into the bay and cook up a huge meal that would put us all to sleep. After we all woke up from the great BBQ I made everyone was ready to get fishing. Our goal was to tag and release as many marlin and dorado as possible, witch wasnt a problem at all. That night we pulled in and made dinner I stayed up a bit later than the others to make bait. Witch of course was the best thing we ever did once we started fishing the next morning.

Started up the mains and headed out to fish the magadalena bay area. Perfect day on the water with alot of birds showing us exactly where to go. Once we go all the gear ready to go with live bait hooks I told the boys to bait up and lets get it cracking. As they got there lines in the water I decided to stir up the water with some extra baits, witch in turn brought up the biggest school of dorado I have seen in years. Once they came to the top of the water you couldnt even get your bait to hit the water before they ate it. This was the most amazing dorado feeding I have ever seen, and it didnt stop there.

After running out of dorado tags we decided to move outside a bit and hit up the stripped marlin for tagging. I dont know what was going on this year but it was just amazing, a out right feeding frenzy. So after tagging fourteen marlin and countless dorado the crew was just spent, so I took us back to the bay for the night. We cooked up some fish and passed out about five minutes after eating.

Anyways if you ever get a chance to go fish magdalena Bay dont pass if up, you will regret it. We do alot of these trips each year for tagging and releasing so check out the site and see when we will be there, you could win a chance to come along with Save The Pacific Foundation.

Thanks for listening,

Save The Pacific Foundation Fishing Tales
http://www.savethepacific.org

Craig