Tim Pim Blog

The sun is shining. The air is cool and crisp. Yes, this is a great time for fishing.

As you come to the edge of a swiftly moving stream, you see a great fishing adventure beckoning. You set down your tackle box and your rod and reel, slip off your waterproof jacket, and slip on a pair of hip waders over your fisherman’s vest.

The abovementioned are just a few of the many fishing accessories that are available to you from stores, catalogs and the internet. Read on to learn more about the accessories you need to make fishing even more fun.

The Fishing Basics

The backbone of your fishing equipment is your rod and reel. For the casual fisherman, the basic rod and reel is all you need. Once you are more experienced, you will better know your tastes and can upgrade accordingly.

Tackle ranges from simple to extremely complicated. Basic tackle includes hooks, sinkers, bobbers, fishing line and needle nosed pliers.

A net is also a good addition. Choose a net size based on the fish size that you are after.

High Tech Tools

Electronics have, to the alarm of purists, invaded the fishing arena. There are devices that help you locate where the fish are located. And there are alarms to alert you when you have a fish on your line. Those poor fish won’t have a chance.

Clothing For Anglers

Fishermen’s clothing necessities include a fishing hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun. A fishing vest with lots of pockets comes in very handy. A good waterproof jacket is essential for keeping you dry when the weather isn’t. Waders, in thigh or chest height, help extend your reach by getting out into the water.

Other Useful Accessories

You should also consider: a tackle box, forceps, fishing knife, scissors, flashlight, wading shoes, and a fishing belt. If you are fishing from a boat, you will need a flotation vest.

Get Advice Before Buying

Before choosing expensive accessories, be sure it is right for the job and right for you. There are many factors to consider, so don’t hesitate to talk for help. Someone with experience, either a friend or a salesperson, can quickly help you assemble a set of fishing accessories that will maximize your fish catching odds.

The right accessories will make your fishing experience more successful, and hence, more enjoyable.

Visit Gone Fishing to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

Fishing for carp is a really rewarding pasttime since these fish are rather intelligent and learn from experience and sometimes recognise fishing bait as dangerous. Nevertheless, with some cunning, you can tempt the fish and trick them into biting onto your hook. Here are just a few useful tips to help you with your carp fishing:-

• Use boilies based on fishmeal in the finer weather (summer and autumn), and experiment with 50/50 mixtures or bird food types of bait in the winter and spring seasons
• For particile baits, add an abundance of salt, especially the cooked ones like maize, maple peas and chick peas. The carp savour the taste of salty foods. Roughly, add a single tablespoon of salt to five litres of dry particles. These are also good cheap baits to use!
• Experiment by adding spicy chillies to particle baits. The carp fish appear to enjoy that fiery sensation from those spices. As a rough guide, mix a couple of tablespoons to 5 litres of particles.
• When the water is cold such as in the winter, try casting your fishing rigs a little more frequently, and target various areas in order to set a hook bait near to the fish. The colder water makes the carp move slower so there’s a lesser opportunity for the carp to swim to your hook. In the warmer months, you can place traps in likely patrolling areas and simply wait for the carp to take the bait.
• Add plenty of vitamin C to your bait. Mix up your method with fruit juice as opposed to water from the lake. You can also experiment with dipping fresh boilies in fruit juice so as to to create that well-defined relish.
• If possible, make sure not to use round shaped bait. So many fishing lines feature rounded bait, you should feature something different. Try to square the hook bait using scissors.
• Lastly, make sure you have the right fishing gear with you. Research what you should bring online. You can find all kinds of things online, such as carp bite alarms - and ensure you enjoy the time you spend by the river!

The French colony of New Caledonia is the ideal island destination for sportfishing and diving holiday, positioned north west of New Zealand in the South Pacific.

Travelers searching for culture, shopping, and dining will be titillated with Noumea, capital of the main island of Grand Terre. Noumea has been called the Paris of the Pacific, with its remarkable museums, and modern dress shops of Rue de Sebastopol and shops of Chinatown. If this isn’t enough then the Grand Terre is surrounded by its largest treasure, the worlds grandest coral lagoon and second largest coral reef, where aquatic life bristles.

Due to the south-east trade winds and New Caledonia’s positioning as one of the southern-most pacific islands, New Caledonia relishes a temperate climate all year round. With consistant warm and sunny days there are unlimited opportunites for diving and sportfishing excursions. Amazing coral, underwater canyons and caves supply the background for glorious dives and abundant fishing.

fishing holidays in New Caledonia accommodate any type of fisher. Guided charter boats for deep sea and big game fishing; cruisers and catamarans for rod, spear, and fly fishing; or small, local boats are all available for lease. Fisherman around the earth know that New Caledonia is one of the greatest and most gorgeous bonefishing destinations in the world. Fisherman flock to this part of the globe desiring to break records as the fish are well-known for their strength and speed.

The small islands that make up New Caledonia are idyllic for diving and snorkelling. Clear turqouise waters, white sand beaches, over 900 varieties of coral–some only found in New Caledonia, and more than 15,000 species of marine life provide divers a myriad of sights and experiences. Full and half day trips work out of Noumea, and equipment is accessible through excursion operators and resorts. Whether diving in the still waters of Ile des Pins or night snorkeling where special torches illuminate fluorescent coral, New Caledonia is a diving holidays paradise.

New Caledonia is the ideal destination for all sportfishing and diving experiences and joys.

Fish Cooking Basics

I must admit that I have met more than a few fishermen that know every trick in the book to catch fish, but after they have caught it, have no idea what to do with it. So if you are still wondering what you should be doing with those fish you caught, I have some help for you. The basic techniques for turning those fish into food are very simple and I have outlined the basic information and cooking methods for you.

10 minutes to the inch
Whether you are grilling, frying, baking, poaching, steaming of broiling your fish, the basic rule is that it will take 8-10 minutes of cooking time for every inch of thickness. The biggest mistake most people make in cooking fish is to over cook it. Now if the fish is frozen, count on 20 minutes per inch.

It starts at the water
Fish can degrade quickly after you catch it. One thing you can do to prevent this is kill the fish as quickly as possible. Smack it in the head with a club, then cut the gills with a knife. This will bleed the fish out quickly and slow down spoilage.

You caught it, you clean it
OK, so you probably know this already, but you need to clean the innards out, using a sharpknife and your thumb or narrow spoon. The longer you leave that stuff in there, the more chance it will have to start messing with the fish’s flavor.

When is it done?
The classical definition is that fish is done when it hits 160 and the juices run clear. Stick a fork into the thickest portion and twist gently. It should be flaky, but please, what ever you do, don’t let it cook into dry nastiness.

NUKING (MICROWAVING) FISH - Fillets, 1″ thick steaks
Yes, this is a valid fish cooking method!Microwaves cook by exciting (heating up) the water in whatever you put in there. Now call me crazy, but fish are just full of moisture. Gee… wonder why? Here are the proper steps for nuking fish. Allow 6 minutes per pound of fish, and remember that no two microwave ovens will be the same so adjust accordingly.

1. Arrange the fish with the thickest parts towards the edge of the plate, and tuck and thin parts under so they don’t get overdone. One layer deep only please.
2. Cover with plastic wrap, but pull one corner back just a little, or punch a little hole in it to vent steam.
3. Don’t blast it! Cook at 70% of full power. Again, we are looking for just flaky.
4. Let the fish rest for three minutes after you nuke it.

PAN FRYING (SAUTING) - Fillets less than 1-1/2″ thick, scallops, large shrimp
The old standby by for cooking fish, there are countless variations on how to pay fry fish.The basics are to heat butter or oil over medium heat in a pan big enough to comfortably hold your fish. Then cook on one side till brown then turn over and brown the other side. This shouldn’t take long so don’t over cook them!

What you do with them before you drop them in the pan is what matters the most. To be a purist, you can pat them dry and just lightly season them with salt and pepper. Of course if you want to get fancy, you can always coat them with egg and bread them with flour or bread crumbs.Then we get into seasoning of the breading and things get really interesting. Have fun, experiment.

BROILING - Fillets & Steaks 1/4″ to 1-1/2″ thick, Scallops & Shrimp
Think of broiling as blast cooking your seafood. Put the top rack ~4 inches below the broiling element and pre-heat that puppy. One thing to remember is that broiling can suck the moisture right out of fish, so you have to make sure it doesn’t dry out and get nasty. Fish like Salmon, Tuna and Swordfish have enough oil already to keep them moist, but think about marinating other types of fish.

Drop your fish on the broiling pan, season it lightly and get it under the broiler. Keep a watchful eye on it though. Broilers will take food from done to crispy in the blink of an eye.

STEAMING SEAFOOD - Fillets, Steaks, Whole Fish and Shellfish
Steaming is about as easy and healthy as it gets. No added oil is needed, just a little salt and pepper. If you like, you can steam your veggies right along with your fish! Just remember the 10 minutes to an inch rule and go for it.

BAKING SEAFOOD - Fish Fillets, Steaks, Shellfish & Whole Fish
Baking is the tame version of broiling. Set your oven for 450 and away you go! As for the fish, arrange them one layer deep in a lightly oiled pan, tucking any thin parts under so they don’t burn. Variations include breading, coating with oil/butter, and topping with fruit and/or veggies.

POACHING (NOT BOILING) SEAFOOD - Whole fish, Steaks, Fillets, Shrimp, Scallops
Basic poaching technique is to cook the seafood in a broad, shallow pan filled with enough hot, but not boiling liquid to completely cover it. Any liquid will do, from plain water to concoctions of water, wine, herbs and stock. The liquid should be brought to a boil then turned down till you see movement, but no bubbles breaking on the surface. Carefully place your food in the water and cook the required time. Another very healthy way to cook your seafood!

STIR-FRYING - Chunks and strips of firm fish, Shrimp, Scallops, Squid
Stir frying is broiling from the bottom effectively. This is because to correctly stir fry, even cooking, make sure that your pieces of food are fairly uniform. Here is the basic stir frying technique.

1. Heat the wok over high heat with oil till the oil starts to smoke. Add your vegetables if any and stir constantly. Cook until they are just a little tender and then set aside.
2. Add oil if needed and reheat the pan. Cook the seafood, stirring constantly so it doesn’t stick. Cook until it is browned slightly and opaque in the center.
3. Add the veggies back in along with some sauce and any other seasonings you like. And you are done!

GOOD OLD GRILLING - What can’t you grill?
Whole encyclopedias could, and probably have been written about grilling. It must tap into some primal spot in our soul to be outside, cooking or burning a piece of meat over some hot coals. Here are the main points to remember.

• Keep your grill clean! Dirt grills cook unevenly and dirty grates are more likely to have food stick to them.
• Oil your grill grates! It will help keep the food from bonding to them.
• Grilling can dry food out like broiling does, so use fatty fish, and consider using a marinade or oiling and seasoning your fish before grilling.
• For fish that is small, or might fall apart, use aluminum foil on the grill.
• Once you put the food down on the grates, don’t mess with it! As my cooking hero Alton Brown says ‘Just walk away!’ Granted, not for long but don’t fiddle with it till it is time to turn it over.

So there you have the basics of cooking fish. Best of luck in your cooking adventures! Just remember to let your creativity flow and don’t be afraid of trying new things!

Cliff is a long time fisherman and cook hails from the remote lands in Northern Idaho, but has now moved to the big city. He is also the founder of the web based fishing show ‘Fishing with Cliff’ that can be found at http://www.FishingWithCliff.com where you can watch on demand episodes of his show, and get more great cooking ideas!

Just like dry fly fishing, there are many, many ways to fish a
nymph. Which one you should use really boils down to how skilled
you are in nymph fly fishing and what you are attempting to catch
and where you are doing it. Make sense? Probably not, but let’s
move forward to give you some idea on the different nymphing
techniques available when fly fishing.

This e-book goes over the easiest method for beginners to use.
The more effective Dead Drift Method is covered in a bit.

Nymph Fly Fishing Technique : Beginner Method

This method of fishing nymphs is probably the easiest for any
beginner to use, and is certainly a good way to get introduced to
nymphing in general. This nymph fly fishing technique, which
involves casting the nymph directly across the river and then
letting is float all the way down to a point on the river
directly below the angler, removes many of the problems of nymph
fly fishing for the new anglers.

The beginner method of fly fishing with nymphs is quite simple.
First, just cast your nymph directly across the stream from where
you stand. Then, let the fly float down the river, keeping the
line tight as it floats away as well as following the fly with
your fly rod. Eventually, the nymph will be at a point directly
downstream from you.
This is the point you want. Due to the current, here the nymph
will begin to “rise” out of the depths due to the current of the
river. The current will also wiggle the little nymph all around.
Thus, when the nymph is directly downstream from you, hold the
nymph there for a couple of seconds, and then gradually raise the
tip of your fly rod, which will bring the nymph a bit further up
from the depths of the river. This is the most likely point of a
strike using this method.

This is a nice method for beginners, as it is all done by feel,
not by sight. You do not need to use a strike indicator for this
nymph fly fishing method. Instead, since the fly line will be
tense at all times, you will feel a trout strike immediately.
Moreover, setting the hook is a snap too, since the trout will
hook itself when it takes your fly - due to the tight tension in
the fly line.

So, what’s wrong with this beginner method? A number of things,
actually. First, the only point this method is likely to draw any
strikes is right at the point where your nymph begins to lift off
from the depths of the river. This greatly narrows the scope of
the effectiveness of this fly fishing method; since the vast
majority of the float of the nymph is “wasted” (trout are
unlikely to take a nymph that is careening at weird angles across
a river).

Secondly, since the point of the strike will occur directly below
you, you need to make sure that you are able to be directly
upstream of this point. If, for some reason (and there are lots
of potential reasons) you can’t get directly upstream of this
point, you’re unlikely to get your fly there.

And, lastly, this method won’t work from a boat very well. This
beginner method is mainly designed for the angler who is fly
fishing with nymphs from the shore.

This page covered the “beginners nymphing method”, for lack of
better terminology. While this method is an excellent way for the
beginner to get started in nymph fly fishing, there are better
methods available.

So, let’s look more closely at advanced nymphing techniques,
particularly the Dead Drift Method for Nymph Fishing.

The method listed above is an excellent method for beginner
anglers to use when fly fishing with wet flies. However, there
are a modifications of this basic method that will improve your
fly fishing productivity and are not much more difficult to learn
how to do. This page discusses several of these methods.

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When most people think of Bass Fishing Bait, what comes to mind is usually basic information that’s not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there’s a lot more to choosing the right Bass Fishing Bait than just the basics.

Most of this information comes straight from the Bass Fishing pros who know what type of the bait is best to lure your fish. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you’ll know what they know.

How can you catch a big fish? How can you attract those fish when daytime? How can you have the best catch of your life? May be you need to seduce those fish to come into your fishing rod. But what you really need is the best fishing lure.

Fishing lures is very important to bass fishing because it will help you catch more fish or even win that very important fishing tournament. There are various types of lures that are used specifically for bass fishing. There are fishing lures each for use in luring small fish, for fish living in shallow waters, for fast swimming fish, for big and large fish as well as for a big-mouthed fish.

In Bass fishing you need to pull the fish’s attention towards you. Fishing lures help you to excite the fish awareness. Some of the lures contain a rotating and shaking action and it produces an overall thrill for the starving trout, pinfish or bass into a feeding emotion.

Some of the Bass fishing lures create a charm for the fish and works in wonders in catching your favorite fish. They come up with a multi-color design so that the fish can see the lures clearly and get attracted. A fish-like imitation also makes a fish swims fast towards it. This is one of the oldest form of fishing lures.

Other Bass Fishing lures are also designed to be thick in the middle and have a curve at the both edges to create an angle when it is soaked on the water. The design and its actions of the fish lures will also let you manipulate the fish and you will catch them in the easiest way.

To look more fashionable some of the fishermen have a different color for their fishing lures, like the silver, gold plated, red/white, firetiger, lightning flash, rainbow color, shades of red gold and the yellow slash.

Bass fishing lures comes in a different size; some of them are slender and thin, others are big with tiny edges, depending upon the size of the fish you want to catch. If you want to catch a small fish and the fishing lures you are using are very big the fish might think that it is a predator and he will not go to your hook. Fishing lures should also depend upon the size of the fishing hook.

Several of the Bass Fishing lures also vary in the weight, some fishing lures are ultra light and they are angled so that it will cause a spin. As an effect of the angel the fishing lure will be consistent on its action, it can also have the territorial defense against the instinct of the predator fish.

Added features to the lures like a life-like fish shape can also be a very effective way to catch the attention of the fish. These fishes have three-dimensional images that will make the lure look irresistible. Several types of life-like fish lures have sparkling eyes so that it would be easy for the fish to identify the lure and the fish will get tempted.

If you want to have deep fishing lures, those with tight design will exile, break and do better than any other crankbaits. Because of the features a wobbling effect in swallow water. Some of professional anglers add some blood on their crank baits so that hungry fish will immediately recognize it and swim towards the lure. Afterwards if the fish already take up the scent of blood, the fish will surely bite the hook.

You must choose the best way to attract the fish. It is not about fooling the fish, it is about thinking of the wisest idea in order for you to attract them.

Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action. Go fishing!

Puneet Singhal is a seasoned bass fisherman who is always on the lookout for the new tricks and techniques to catch more fishes each time he go for fishing.

For more information, tips and related articles on Bass Fishing Tips please visit www.bassfishing-center.com

A major staple for spring time bass fishing is the floating worm. The tactic can work well in pre-spawn and post-spawn situations. I have most of my success with a watermelon seed color but that is probably due to the confidence level and the amount of time I spend fishing with them. One look at the Wal-Mart shelves will show you that the most popular colors are bubblegum and white. A 2/0 hook on relatively light line is all that is needed for this rig. A baitcaster can be used if the worms are heavy enough but I prefer a 6′6″ medium spinning rod with 10lb test. I like to fish floating worms in the backs of coves and creeks lined with timber structure or boat docks.

A typical retrieve is much like the retrieve of a jerk-bait. As the worm is retrieved it will dip, dart, and spin much like a casting spoon. This spinning will kink the line and could cause a bird nest on the spinning reel. To prevent this I use a
small black barrel swivel about 12 inches above the hook. The barrel swivel adds just enough weight to help with casting and will cause the worm to sink very slowly. This enables the fisherman to fish the bait on the surface with a steady retrieve or slow it down and fish it like a suspended jerk bait. Cast to the target and let it settle before beginning the twitch, twitch, pause, retrieve action. As the bait approaches the structure, I may change the cadence slightly pausing for several seconds letting the worm sink slowly down beside the structure.

Jeff Morton is the administrator of TheFishHound.com.

North Carolina Fishing - North Carolina’s source for freshwater and saltwater fishing.

for more articles and information on fishing go to The Fish Hound.

Bass fishing is one of America’s top pastimes. Many people indulge in this activity for their therapeutic wonders. Great relaxation and the exhilarating feeling of catching a big bass fish is its biggest drawing power. Many memorable times are experienced between friends and family on these bass fishing trips.

Not all states are blessed with having great places to go bass fishing. Residents of Florida though have a great reason to be happy because they are one of the states in America that do have many places to bass fish in. In fact, many of these lakes are transformed to wonderful bass fishing trip destinations.

Many of them have been developed, provided with lodging and rental establishments to cater to the needs of the bass fishers. Aside from that, there are also many interesting side trips you can take your family to. Florida bass fishing is an adventure that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Southwest Florida has already acquired worldwide recognition for its exceptionally rich saltwater fishing, but its richer freshwater fishing could never be forgotten by anyone who has tried the bass fishing opportunities there.

Local residents are brought together by series and regular competitions organized by three very active freshwater clubs in Collier Country. There are also some open competitions that can be enjoyed by out of town fishermen. They can either compete or just plain watch the excitement going on.

Friendly tournaments are a great common focus of all of these clubs. Other fish species are never left unnoticed and untargeted, that makes Florida not just famous for bass fishing.

The state of Florida is blest with beautiful and rich lakes that are good for fresh water fishing. This could be enjoyed throughout its southwest regions; there are also ponds, canals and creeks in other places that have good number bass fish content.

There are also websites created to provide information and invitations for bass fish loving and catching aficionados to come, sample and prove that not all big fish are caught by professional fishermen.

These websites provide great details on what you will discover and experience in Florida when you go there. They center on the bass fishing aspect of the trip and also the other activities you can do while being there. They also would help you out plan your trip and set up an itinerary.

The resort owners and the local tourist boards create most of these websites. They provide great services as well as packages for either as small or large group. They will provide you with all the information you may ever need about bass fishing in Florida.

Guided tours are also offered and guides in bass fishing as well. For those just starting out in bass fishing, Florida has some of the best Bass fishermen to help you and teach you as well as share some of their experienced tips. They know all the best spots to go to and the best gears to use.

One of these places is Lake Kissimmee in Central Florida. Experience the thrill of fishing for giant lunker largemouth bass in this famous lake resort. They have comfortable lodgings as well as great rentals for anyone who wants to try to catch the “big one”. Aside from that, Lake Kissimmee is just a stone’s throw away from Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, and the metropolitan Orlando area, this means that even the kids would enjoy the other aspects of this bass fishing trip in Florida. You will see and enjoy the perfect “real Florida” getaway adventure everyone would like to have in his or her lifetime.

Aside from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, you can go to Stickmarsh/Farm 13, Blue Cypress, and Walk-in-Water any time for more bass fishing. The famous Indian River Lagoon offers fishing for Redfish, Snook, Trout, and Tarpon aside from bass fishing. You get a variety of catches.

So plan that bass fishing Florida trip now, visit the websites that can show you the highs of any trip done to Florida. You can just type in the keyword at any search engine and see for yourself how a weekend or a week of Florida Bass fishing could provide for you and your family.

For free bass fishing tips and Florida bass fishing secrets, visit www.bassfishingsystem.com/ today.

Developed mainly for salmon and trout, fly fishing is a special angling method whose origins are lost in the mist of time. Initially, real flies and worms were used as baits, bur as time passed and plastic and rubber were invented, artificial flies replaced the real ones. The rods were made from wood at first, but are now made from polycarbonate and glass fiber. The artificial fly is very light, however the line is heavy, helping the bait sink.

Places to go fly-fishing
Many stories have been told about places where trout jump out of water, or where you can catch salmon with your bare hands. I can’t promise you that, but I am going to tell you about two of my favourite fly-fishing locations, where you can find big trout and salmon, and where you can have a relaxing time as well.

La Rioja, Spain
Spain. What would be the first image that comes into your mind when thinking of Spain? Sunny beaches perhaps, wine and friendly people maybe, but not in a million years would you think about fly-fishing. Well, think again, because in La Rioja, a small town in northern Spain, is the perfect spot for trout fishing. The two wild rivers that surround La Rioja, (Iregua and Najerilla) are perfect for fly-fishing. Big trout, enjoying life in the fertile water, steep valleys and tall mountains, is exactly what you will find in La Rioja. The most popular bait used by the locals fishing on the slower streams, is the Damsel Fly, while on the faster section of the river, the caddis rules. Artificial baits are used as well. But there is more to this place than the scenery. The people are the element that gives the real value to the spot. Besides, they are really experienced fishermen, so you could learn a thing or two from them. Therefore, if you should decide to go fly-fishing to Spain, this is exactly where you should book a ticket.

The Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec
This wonderful place is located at about 350km eastwards from the mainland of Canada. Because of the surrounding mountains, that rise up to 1200m, and the gulf called “Baie des Chaleurs” ( “The Gulf of Heat”), the scenery here is breath-taking. The rivers here are said to have the clearest water in the world. Just check this with your own eyes, and you will have no doubt. Fishing in Gaspe will definitely be an experience you will never forget. For instance, the water is so clear, that you can see the salmon as it nears your fly, and the majestic dance it performs around it. This is a great place for out-door camping as well.

Good fishing
These are just two of the many wonderful places a passionate fisherman could go. However, just as the place is important, so is company. So, if you don’t want to fish alone, choose your company well, since bad company can ruin everything. Trust me, I know!

Nick Carter is editor of www.fly-fishing-insider.com which is full of fly fishing tips, secrets and resources

I’ll admit that I have a fishing problem, I can’t seem to get enough time on the water. Some friends and family think I’m crazy…and they just might be right. If the wind picks up real hard, I envision a school of largemouth bass gorging themselves on bait fish being kicked around by waves…I see rain or snow in the forecast and my mind automatically thinks of those metro area reservoirs empty… No pleasure boaters, jet skiers, or rude unethical fishermen. Just a placid body of water filled with actively feeding fish calling my name. Not even when I sleep does my fishing addiction slow down. When my eyes close I dream vividly of catching trophy fish…the location and species changing nightly, but they all have the same theme. Monster fish caught in beautiful settings, such as twenty pound northern pike in the Canadian wilderness, or putting some muscle on a farm pond largemouth with nothing surrounding me but cattle. Hello, my name is Eric and I am a fishaholic!!!

My grandfather, who was patient enough to take me and my cousins fishing weekly was truly a saint. His tackle box was filled with baithooks, crankbaits, and spoons, and many other things that went unused. He used nothing but a fly and a bubble…Mosquitos and Adams were among his favorites. My cousin Jeremy and I could be slamming fish…one right after another using spinners, but my grandpa would just smile and continue to cast his fly and bubble. It was almost as if he didn’t care if he was catching fish. For years I didn’t understand why he wouldn’t adapt to the conditions and give the fish what they wanted. Some days we would catch fish…others we wouldn’t, but my grandpa always looked like he was loving every minute of it.

Sometimes I get so caught up in catching fish, I forget why I’m spending time in the outdoors. It’s like any addiction…I take fishing in the same way a drunk gulps down whiskey, drinking far too fast to really taste anything. Maybe thats why my grandfather enjoyed fishing and the outdoors so much. Much like a connoisseur of fine wines, he would enjoy every drop…and only in moderation. Savoring every drink for a minute or two just to get the full flavor of the wine. Those afternoons spent fishing for bluegill, or small stream trout will never leave my mind. My grandpa past away years ago but sometimes when I’m fishing, I’ll get a whiff of his scent. It’s a mixture of a freshly opened newspaper, coffee, and aftershave. It’s like he’s sitting right behind me enjoying the outdoors while I fish. I’m sure I’ve caught more and bigger fish than grandpa ever did, but it will be decades before I understand fishing the way he did.

In loving memory of William F. Cassidy

Eric Allee is a phenomenally successful fisherman in Colorado. He has a website dedicated to helping anyone catch more and bigger fish.

http://www.fishinsecrets.com