The Management Consulting Group

Port Renfrew is a small Canadian town with a major fishing problem. The problem is the sport fishing is great and only a few people know that.

We arrive in Port Renfrew in late afternoon. Port Captain Quigley greets us at the entrance to Osprey Cabins. Quigley and his family provide these comfortable cabins in a beautiful rural setting - and there’s an outdoor hot tub to boot! Their place is one of the most popular accommodations in Port Renfrew ,and their rates are very reasonable.

Captain Quigley is one of the most skilled and knowledgeable guides we’ve ever met. We’ve been out with the affable “Capt’n Quig” before, at his other fishing operation in Sooke, ,B.C. (45 minutes west of Victoria), so we know we’re in good hands!

The alarm shatters our solid sleep at 5 a.m. We’re on the water by 6:00. The sun is just coming up behind us as we speed westward, heading towards the mouth of the Port San Juan Inlet. Quigley’s boat is fast and powerful. We hang on to our seats as we bounce over the big waves!

We stop just off Camper’s Beach , where the West Coast Trail from Port Renfrew meets the “Pacific Ocean” for the first time. The shoreline cliffs were spectacular and carved into numerous huge dark caves.

Captain Quigley points over the port side towards the open Pacific. “Next stop Hawaii, and that-away Japan!” The water is as calm as it ever gets out here, but the rolling swells are huge. The sun is shining brightly now, but cool dark fog is already rising from the water, cloaking the cliffs. It looks like the trees are suspended in the air far above us.

Captain Quigley tells us we’re sure to catch some big ones today. Swiftsure Bank, where Juan de Fuca Strait drops off into the deep blue Pacific, is where halibut and salmon are most plentiful. It’s hard to believe we’re fishing on the edge of the open Pacific Ocean.

The first one I catch is a screamer! They call it that because it grabs the bait and takes off. The line literally ’screams’ as the fish runs. Quigley knows what to do. He puts the boat in gear and chases the fish. My eyes
almost pop when I look down at the reel and there are only about 3 wraps of line left! In seconds, the fish had run almost 300 yards of line. I reel as fast as I can until the line’s tight again and the fight’s back
on

Non-stop excitement, boats all around us are getting strike after strike. On Quigley’s radio, we can hear the guides sharing information about their catches - “Double strike, 40 feet down!” They all share their success so everyone else can succeed too. Even when there’s a lull, and the fish aren’t biting, Captain Quigley is entertaining us. He teaches us his latest fish-luring chant and the accompanying dance: “Chinook, Chinook - Bite on my hook, my hook!” There is never a dull moment on board.

And when the fish are biting, Quigley is a very patient teacher: “Let him run! That’s it… He’s got the whole boat to play with. Let him tire himself out…”

Later, Quigley tells us a story about the biggest fish ever landed on his boat. He had taken an elderly couple on an expedition, and it was turning out to be a disappointingly uneventful day - not one bite, until they decided to turn back! Then, all of a sudden, they got a nibble. It was a huge struggle, but with Quigley’s help, they reeled it in - a 52-pounder! Now that’s a really big salmon.

It went on to win several categories in the fishing derby. We catch our limit long before the charter’s over, each fish is in the twenty-pound range. We had about 100lbs of fish on board, enough to feed us all winter! (We were fishing for spring salmon as the Coho and Sockeye fisheries were temporarily closed.)

When I made dinner that night, back in Victoria, one fillet filled the grill on my barbeque! Five people dug in and there
was2/3 left over! We’re talking serious salmon here, folks!

Small town, big fishing problem - right? Now you know.

Ron Kirstein is the owner of a Canadian Travel & Tourism Web site (since 1995). Ron has traveled the length and breadth of Vancouver Island British Columbia Canada in search of adventures. For exciting additional information and color pictures of Ron’s Island Fishing Adventure visit his Travel Magazine.

You have just rolled out of bed, poured you coffee and there it is. You knew it
was coming, but it is real, it is here. What am I talking about? It’s not taxes,
the Grim Reaper or even your in-laws coming for an extended stay. It is the first
foggy Fall morning. If you have spent any time in the Northwest you know what
that means. From here on out the weather will never get quite as hot as it did
all summer, and the nights will be cooler. Sure, we may get an Indian Summer and
some nice days, but the fact is, things are cooling off. Now it is time to start
thinking about what that means for our Bass fishing.

With the falling temperatures, Bass will start to build up their Winter reserves.
This can offer some fantastic fishing opportunities if you know what to look for.
Big Bass that have been hiding deep all Summer are now moving up and looking for
as much food as they can. Their feeding periods will also lengthen as the Sun
drops to lower angles. All the better for us!


Most experts would agree that Fall Bass are suckers for the right crank bait.
This means you probably will grab lures that are a little bigger than you have
been using all Summer. The Bass that have made it to Fall are smart and will be
looking for lures that closely match the size and color of the prey fish that
spawned in the Spring. Check out what is in your lake and match up to that. Another
good choice is to grab your top water lures. Again, the big Bass are looking to
load up on food and will be watching for any easy meals above them.


Finding the Bass is of course key. But where are they? The simple answer is, where
the bait fish are. These are most likely going to be found in closer to shore
than they previously were, hanging out in the shallows and around the green plants.
My favorite tactic to find bait fish is to bring along an extra pole rigged with
a small jig and bobber and when I am exploring a lake, drop it out in front of
me and let it sit on a hole before I start throwing my Bass hooks at it. I also
toss it out when I am changing or re-tying lures. If there are bait fish there,
then odds are, the Bass are lurking near by.


Important things to look for are areas where there is cover for the Bass to move
between their deeper holding areas to the shallow feeding areas. Also remember
on cloudy and windy days or in stained water, the Bass may not retreat at all
to their holding areas, but may spend the day feeding in the shallows. Pay attention
to water that is shallower than you would normally expect to find big fish. I
have seen large Bass lurking in water as shallow as one foot.

On bright days or after a cold front has moved in, you will have to go back to their mid-day holding areas to find the Bass. Remember that a cold front will affect the shallow water first and the Bass will most likely hold to the deeper water and its more stable temperatures. In this case, it is time to finesse fish a little bit and work the deeper structure. Remember drop shotting?



Don’t think that the falling temperatures means a let up in the Bass fishing. Lunker Bass are waiting for you. Grab yourself an extra pull over and get out there on the water, the fish are waiting!

Chris Cliff is a long time fisherman that hails from the remote lands of Northern Idaho, but has now moved to the big city. He and his crew fish the waters of the Northwest filming episodes of their own web based fishing show ‘Fishing with Cliff’. You can find it at http://www.FishingWithCliff.com/ and features more great articles, photos, links and of course episodes of their show. Think of it as a fishing show crossed with reality TV.

When you are going fishing, whether nearby your home or on a long distance trip, there are many fishing safety rules that you need to keep in mind.

These rules can help prevent injury to yourself and others while shore and boat fishing.

There are several different areas of fishing safety that you should be aware of. These include the following:

• Equipment Safety

• Pier Fishing Safety

• Offshore Fishing Safety

• Shore Fishing Safety and Noodling

• Ice Fishing Safety

Equipment Safety

Before you go fishing, you need to make certain that all of your equipment is in safe working order. This should be done before you even consider going out to any waterfront. You need to check several things while looking over your various pieces of equipment.

First, you need to check your fishing rod and reel. Both of these pieces should be in top condition, with the rod having no cracks or breaks. If your rod separates, you need to make certain that it is very secure when it is built together. The reel itself should operate smoothly, with the line coiling without tangles. If the line is tangling quite a bit within the reel, you will need to unbind the line and replace it with new. If this behavior continues, you should consider a new reel.

The type of line that you use should be a consideration as well. Dependent on the conditions you are going to be fishing in, you will want to use different line. With rocky bottoms, where your line is going to get caught easier, you will want to use a lower line rating. If you are fishing for larger fish, the test on the line should be increased to match what you are planning on catching.

The final fishing safety check that you should make is on your tackle, sinkers and lures. If any of these are rusted, you should replace them with new ones, as rusted equipment can change a mild injury into tetnis or a worse illness.

Pier Fishing Safety

One type of fishing that many people enjoy is pier fishing. When you go fishing off of a pier, there are several fishing safety rules that you should keep in mind. First, you should only place your feet into the water if you know that there are not vicious fish, such as Muskie, in the water. Muskie, as well as other types of vicious fish, are renown for biting off the toes of unsuspecting fishers off of piers. For this reason, you should avoid doing this. In addition to this, you should never run on the piers, especially if you are carrying any sharp equipment. The most important thing to keep in mind when pier fishing is to use your common sense. Falling from the pier, especially taller ones, can be life threatening. Leaning over the pier edge, as well as being careless, can put yourself and others in danger.

Offshore Fishing Safety

When you go on a boat for a session of offshore fishing, you need to be extra careful. Out of all of the forms of fishing, this is the most dangerous. You need to be aware of the weather and potential weather changes at all times. In addition to this, you need to make certain that you are always wearing a life preserver. While these may be uncomfortable, or ugly to wear, they can make the difference between life and death. You should always make certain that you know you do not hit anyone with your hook when you are casting. This is the most dangerous aspect of offshore fishing, as you are most likely fishing in close quarters, which requires a higher level of skill when you are casting. Hooking yourself or a companion is a real likely hood in this style of fishing, unless you are extremely careful.

Shore Fishing and Noodling

Shore fishing is the style of fishing that most people participate. During fishing seasons, hundreds of people gather around oceans and rivers and ponds to take their hand at trying to catch the largest fish possible. Lures are constantly flying through the air, and lines get tangled more often than not. When you are shore fishing, you need to make certain you are aware of all of the people around you, and that they are aware of you. Taking children to crowded beaches for fishing can be extremely dangerous, as they can get hooked while running and playing. Injuries sustained in this manner can be severe. As long as you are careful, and you do not run or dart across the path of someone casting, shore fishing can be the safest of all types of fishing.

There is one form of shore fishing, however, that is extremely dangerous. This is called “Noodling”. Noodling, or another term for “Idiot”, is the practice of wading out to waist or chest level and bending down to search holes, logs and other hiding holes for catfish. Then you wiggle your fingers. If there is a catfish - or another type of creature in residence - they will attack your bare hand. Then the fight begins, and the Noodler needs to bring the fish to shore. Many lose their lives yearly to this extreme sport, and it should be avoided, as it is not safe.

Ice Fishing Safety

When you are going ice fishing, there are a lot of safety rules that you need to follow at all times. Unlike the other forms of standard fishing, ice fishing presents a lot of health risks. First, you should never go ice fishing without a well built shack. The shacks provide you shelter while you are ice fishing. Without this shelter, you will be susceptible to hypothermia and other health related problems.

The second thing you need to keep in mind at all times is the condition of the ice and the weather predictions. Falling through the ice while ice fishing, especially alone, is a death sentence. Being trapped on the open ice during a blizzard is also extremely dangerous, even with the shelter of an ice shack available. When you are stocking your ice shack, you need to make certain that you have enough wood for the wood stove, or heating device within the shack. This device should also be cared for and watched over at all times, so the ice beneath the shack remains stable or that the shack does not burn.

If you keep these fishing safety tips and rules in mind, you should be able to have an enjoyable time fishing without high risk of injury to yourself or others, no matter which form of fishing you choose to participate in.

About The Author

Rebecca Blain is a professional and hobbyist writer who enjoys taking care of her Siamese Fighting Fish and educating people about discount fishing reels & supplies which you can read more about here:

http://www.discount-hunting-supplies-and-tips.com/discount-fishing-supplies.html

You will find that there are several types of salmon that you could be after. You’ll find them in both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans too. In the Atlantic, you will find the founding father of all salmon. This is the original fish name of a salmon. You will also find a wide range of salmon that are in the eastern North American areas that in lakes of all sorts. These don’t migrate as they like freshwater better.

The brown trout is one of the most well known of salmons. Yes, he is a salmon even though most think he’s a trout. Red salmon is also known as Sockeye salmon. These are found off of the coast of California and into the eastern pacific. You will find them off the shores of Japan as well as in the Andayr River in Siberia. Pink salmon is another option and is found in California, Canada and in Korea.

Another common type is Chinook salmon. These are known as spring salmon as well as blackmouth, and King Salmon. You’ll find them from the southern Californian coast to the Bering Strait. You can also find them in Alaska, Russia and in the Yukon Territory.

Baits For Salmon

You can use many varieties of baits on salmon. In freshwater varieties, go with plugs, worms, lures and flies. In saltwater, go with flies, streamers, crustaceans, and lures.

Gear For Salmon

For fly fishing, you’ll need a twelve to sixteen foot graphite or fiberglass rod. You will need fly reel and line too. In bait fishing, you’ll need a ten foot spinning rod and bait caster reel with up to a twenty pound test line. For Chinook’s, you’ll need a boat or a trolling rod. As you know, the Chinook are the largest of the salmon so you will need twenty to forty five pound test line.

When you are after Atlantic’s, go for a fly fish or use spoons, natural baits and plugs to help you. On the Pacific side, use trolling just off the shoreline and use estuaries.

No matter which of the mighty salmon you are after, you are sure to get a good fight. Be prepared with a full tackle box and a large cooler when you are after King Salmon!

Niall Pesci is a keen fisherman who is always looking at new tools to help him catch more fish. Visit Fish Finder Review for more information and great deals to help you find fish finders or other GPS and Sonar marine navigation systems. www.fish-finder-review.com

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Fish-Finder-Review.com

Until recently I never really put much thought into all of the dogfish that I have caught over the years of hunting bass & panfish. While fishing with the great Eric Allee recently, I asked him, “Eric, what were you referring to when you used the word “bowfin”?” We agreed that he was talking about what I call Dogfish. People may call this interesting breed other names, such as grinnel, blackfish, brindle, mud fish, shoe pike, cypress bass, cypress trout, choupique, scaly cat, bugle mouth bass, German bass, brindle fish, and many more.

The Bowfin(Amia Calva) can be found throughout a good portion of the US east of the Mississippi. They run the entire Mississippi River to Canada, east to Florida, and up as far along the coast as New York, but are found primarily in sloughs & ponds on the Mississippi River, her tributaries, and backwaters. Bowfin is a prehistoric fish that dates back 180 million years.

Dogfish have many unique characteristics that intrigue people today. One of the most amazing qualities they possess is their ability to breathe air. Yes, I said breathe air. Unlike most fish, bowfin use their swim bladder like a lung to grab oxygen from the air, when oxygen levels become low in the stagnant, muddy, and vegetation rich nonmoving backwaters. Another unique aspect of these fish is that when they first strike your bait it is a subtle bite, followed by a normal fight. Half way into the battle they turn aggressive & unforgiving. At this point you are fooled into believing you have the biggest Bass of your life, especially after landing a few largemouth prior to this encounter. Once the Bowfin breaks the surface, excitement turns into disappointment in a matter of seconds.

Males make the nest, watch over the eggs and infant fish until they reach 4-8 inches. The small fish school up, and the male Dogfish protects them the whole time. Their powerful jaws hammer anything getting in the way of their youngsters…even humans at times. Males also have a shorter life span, and are smaller than the females.

Bowfin, have large dorsal fins which extend a good portion of their back all the way to their tail. Their tail is paddle shaped, and allows for great swimming, maneuvering, and rolling, as well as fighting when they’re on the end of your line. There is a dark circle at the top of the tail that resembles an eye. Coloration varies between normal times to spawning periods. When not in spawn, they are darker & olive color. Their belly is usually an off-white shade, while their fins are bright green. When they spawn, they get an almost fluorescent glow to them, which is pretty beautiful.

Don’t let the description of exotic coloration fool you. These fish are still around today for a reason. Dogfish are tough and like to lie in most panfish and baitfish laden waters, which are prime honey holes for bass and panfish anglers. These fishermen are often fooled by the Bowfin’s tremendous fight. Bowfin remind me of a cross between a beaver, snake, muskie, & catfish. They will eat almost any aquatic creature & strike at will when their nest or young are jeopardized. There’s a good chance that after landing a nice sized Bowfin your spinnerbait, or weapon of choice, has seen it’s last day in the water. Dogfish destroy anything that comes into contact with their mouths, fight harder than anything you’ve ever caught, and will tear some meat loose from your body if you’re not careful. Their head is large and flat at the top, consisting of a double skull of bone and cartilage. Their teeth are sharp & strong…handling these guys isn’t an art…it takes brute force. As you’re trying to retrieve your brand new spinnerbait, you realize that this is an extremely difficult challenge, if not an almost impossible task. Because of their bony, strong mouth the spinnerbait, head to hook is virtually destroyed. Dogfish are slimy and really strong…never hesitating to try to bite you at times. Placing the middle of your shoe behind their gills allows proper bait removal…without finger removal.

The ongoing argument has always been, release or kill them. My Grandfather used to say, “you gotta slit their throats“. In my neck of the woods, common practice was crushing & throwing them onto the banks. Some anglers see dogfish as a threat to their gamefish ecosystem. I have not caught one in over 6 years, and now realize that they may actually be good for certain fisheries to thrive to their fullest, and avoid population stunting. After thinking about what I was taught, the manner in which I treated this creature of the mud, and reading some forums on bowfin, I realized this fish is famous and also unknown. Fishermen catch them all the time, never seeing or hearing of one before. Some enjoy the great battle they provide. To others they are delicacies, comparing the bowfin to crawfish, and snapping turtle. “Joy of Cooking” has recipes and diagrams on how to clean and fillet bowfin. The bowfin truly is an amazing fish once you sit back and look at it from both sides of the coin.

http://www.fishinsecrets.com

Tony Liddle grew along the banks of the Mississippi River, and became a warmwater fishing fanatic. He now lives in Colorado, and is an active contributor to Fishin’ Secrets.

http://www.fishinsecrets.com

Thousands of years ago, the first inflatable boats, made from animal skins, were used for transportation. People used them to cross rivers, ferry goods to other locations, and move military troops. Over time, inflatable boats were adapted for recreational use as well, and for rescue operations. Today there are many types of inflatable boats and over a dozen ways they are used around the world.

Different militaries across the globe helped bring inflatable boats to the public attention, and today the government still uses inflatable boats for troop transport, special military operations, and drug and other law enforcement activities. In addition, inflatable boats are also used in search and rescue operations, fisheries patrol and security patrol. They are also used as tenders on large yachts and ships.

On the recreational side, inflatable boats can be used for diving, fishing, pleasure boating, river rafting, water skiing, and many other water activities that involve a boat. Consumers can also purchase inflatable kayaks, canoes, and sailboats.

Because there are so many different types of inflatable boats and a variety of ways they can be used, it is important to be familiar with the specific operating instructions for your particular model and situation. However, there are a few general use guidelines that apply to most, if not all, inflatable boats.

Inflating

• When inflating your raft or boat, many manufacturers recommend filling each air chamber in a clockwise pattern around the boat, just until the craft takes shape. Then work your way back around the boat filling the chambers to the pressure level indicated for that particular boat.

• If the floor of the boat is inflatable, add air until the pressure relief valve releases a small amount of air.

• Don’t overfill. A properly inflated boat should have just a bit of give.

• Be aware that air temperature causes changes in the air pressure in the inflatable chambers. Many boaters fill their inflatable boats in the morning when the air is cool. But as the temperature increases over the course of the day, the air in the tubes expands, increasing the pressure. If a tube or chamber becomes too pressurized, it can explode if struck by a sharp object. You may have to let some air out at different points throughout the day if you operate your inflatable boat or inflatable kayak in the hot sun.

• Most inflatable boats deflate simply by opening the air valves.

Standard Precautions

• Because punctures are the main concern with inflatable boats, it is important to protect if from sharp objects. Use care when transporting diving knives, spears, fishing hooks, and other objects that could puncture the skin of the inflatable boat. Watch for barnacles and sharp metal or wood when tying your boat to the dock, and avoid dragging the boat over rocks and shells when landing on a beach.

• Even dull objects such as oars, ropes, or coolers can cause abrasion and deterioration of the coating material if allowed to rub for an extended period of time.

• It also is important to rinse out your inflatable boat or inflatable kayak after each use. Sand and gravel can cause abrasion and plug air valves. If left to soak into an inflatable boat, salt water can cause the material to deteriorate.

Caring For Your Inflatable Boat

• Cleaning: Armorall and other oil-based products can damage the rubber or fabric over time and prevent patches from sticking. Mild dish soap is best for cleaning your inflatable boat. There are also several cleaners designed specifically for inflatable boats.

• Storage: Because uninflated boats are more vulnerable to damage, many manufacturers recommend that you store the boat partially inflated and covered with a tarp. If this is not possible, completely deflate the boat and be sure it is dry and clean before rolling and storing in the carrying bag. If you plan to store your inflatable boat on a trailer, be sure there are no bends or kinks in the boat.

• Repairs: Sometimes, even with the best of care and safety precautions, your inflatable boat can develop a puncture or leak. Unless you have a major and obvious accident, it may be difficult to determine the location of the leak. While the boat is inflated, wipe it with soapy water and watch for bubbles to form on the surface of the boat as a result of escaping air. Don’t assume there is only one leak. Check the entire boat with soapy water to be sure before setting out on the water.

Many manufacturers recommend that you bring your boat to a professional for larger repairs, because it can be difficult to get a good seal with a patch. However, if you have a small puncture or are in a situation where you need to make immediate repairs, follow the directions on the patch kit. Some basic tips include:

-Ensure that the surface is clean and dry before applying the patch
-Be sure the adhesive is sufficiently tacky before applying the patch
-Choose a patch that extends at least three inches beyond the rip in all directions

If your inflatable boat has rough or cracked areas that are filled with tiny pinhole leaks, this is an indication that the coating on the material has aged or become damaged by sunlight, saltwater, overheating or some other type of wear and tear. While you may be able to patch some of these leaks, it is best to replace the inflatable boat if other areas show signs of wear.

Inflatable boats, canoes, and kayaks have many advantages over traditional watercraft, however, because of their special design and materials, they can require more care and maintenance. But as this article describes, it is not difficult to care for an inflatable boat, and most problems can be avoided by using common sense and by developing a consistent routine. If properly cared for, inflatable boats can provide you with years of service and recreational fun without the expense associated with traditional watercraft.

About the Author:

C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for Inflatable-Boats-N-Kayaks.com, providing consumer information on inflatable boats and kayaks,

inflatable catamarans and

boating accessories. She and
her family make frequent fishing trips to Canada’s backcountry. The numerous
portages required to reach some of the smaller lakes have made her especially
appreciative of the lightweight, compact design of most
inflatable boats.

Copyright 2005 Inflatable-Boats-N-Kayaks.com

Permission is granted to publish this article on your site only if the
author’s byline is included and all links are hyperlinked.

Spring is fast approaching the great lands of Alaska and spring is
synonymous with fishing in Alaska. Many cold dark months have been spent
dreaming about the end of winter, the break-up of ice and the emerging fry from
the many streams across Alaska. Emerging fry in Alaska means feeding frenzies that
can test the nerves of the most seasoned angler. These frenzies occur in many
different types of watersheds but for this article we will focus on estuaries where a
river or creek meets the sea and where Dolly Varden come to feed.

Estuaries throughout Alaska become fish magnets as the snowmelt fills
the rivers. Often times rivers and creeks are tough to fish this time of year because
of this increase in water flow. Inquisitive anglers, who tend to rush the season a bit,
found long ago the opportunities provided by this natural occurrence so vital to the
life cycle of so many fish, birds and other animals residing close to these rivers and
creeks but don’t expect open conversations about these early spring haunts as they
seem to be some of the last remaining secrets among anglers. I do not intend on
giving away any spots in this article but I assure you there are more than enough to
go around in Alaska and some that get little or no pressure from other anglers.

To understand the reasons for the great fishing at these estuaries one
must first learn why. Throughout the summer, salmon move up stream to lay eggs.
These eggs provide the Dollies with much needed protein to survive the long winter
months but that is for another article. These eggs hatch into what is called an
alevin, which is a small salmon with its egg sac still attached. The content of the egg
sac is consumed as they begin to grow into fry. Most of the fry and alevins remain in
the fresh water for a few seasons with the exception of the Chum salmon which
journey to at least the brackish water provided by the estuary where they will reside
until mature enough to journey to the open ocean.

The Snow high in the Southeast Alaska mountains begin to melt in March
through early May, depending on the season. The run-off from this snowmelt
creates higher flow rates within these watersheds causing even more difficulties for
the immature salmon trying to survive. This cycle begins the angling season in
Alaska and anglers should be there to take advantage of this great opportunity. The
action seen at these estuaries are second to none and occur well in advance of the
on-slaught of tourist that flock to Alaska each summer.

Dolly Varden are aggressive and willing to attack anything resembling a
young salmon. Anything from streamers at the end of a fly line to spoons on a
spinning outfit will work great for these tenacious creatures, which are a member of
the char family. My weapon of choice has got to be the fly rod. With a fly the angler
can vary the presentation on every cast. Variations of the presentations will help the
angler entice many more strikes than with a spoon or spinner. Let us look at the
reasons why.

With a spoon or spinner your presentation is pretty much cast and
retrieve. The weight of the spoon or spinner limits your ability to vary your
presentation throughout the retrieve. In order to keep your presentation up in the
water column, where the Dollies are and the bottom feeders aren’t, you must
perform a fast retrieve throughout the presentation. Rests assure you can and will
catch many Dollies in this manner but the fly allows for various presentations even
within the same cast. Here are some of the presentations allowed by the fly.

FAST STRIP: The fast strip retrieve is a good presentation to start with in
your selected estuary or stream. A fast retrieve is performed by completing the cast
and immediately beginning the retrieve with a long strip with the only hesitation
being the brief moment it takes to move your stripping hand up the line. This
retrieve will present the fly on or just below the surface of the water and can entice
some tremendous strikes so be ready and check your nerves at the truck. The
reason this technique is a good one to begin with is that it entices the more
aggressive fish first. These may be the only fish of the many below that will attack a
fast stripped fly on or near the surface. This is important and can allow you more
productive fishing time in one spot. If you were to use one of the following
presentations what you would see is the aggressive fish taking the fly but running
off the less aggressive fish in the process and possibly running those fish to another
area, which could be out of your range even with spinning gear. So keep the less
aggressive fish nearby by targeting the aggressive fish on the surface where there is
little or no competition from below.

PAUSE STRIP: The pause strip is a great retrieve and has really brought
many Dollies to hand. The pause strip retrieve can be performed in many fashions.
One may make two fast strips immediately then pause or one might wait a few
seconds to allow the fly to sink to a certain depth before beginning the pause strip.
Whether fast strip then pause or slow strip three pulls then pause, it is all up to the
angler to try different variations in order to get a strike.

SLOW STRIP: The slow strip is the best finish up retrieve for a certain
spot. In the off chance that the bite slows while using the other strips and variation
of those strips the slow strip just may entice a few more strikes and often times
they can be the largest fish in the area as the same holds true for many of Alaska’s
sport fish as the larger fish will refuse, with good reason, to expend too much
energy chasing a meal that may not even replenish them with the energy burned to
catch them. So, as your nerves begin to settle back to normal and two or three fat
Dollies are in the creel for supper it is time to relax and meticulously cover the area
with the slow strip retrieve. The name is self-explanatory but there are several
variations of the retrieve worth noting. The slow strip retrieve may begin with two
lightning fast strips followed by a countdown then the slow strip that may include a
pause or two on the way in. The important thing is to remember that the majority of
the retrieve should be slow. This allows the fish to decide if it wants to expend the
energy needed to take your presentation, that decision is based on how the fly is
moving through the water. There are many more strips out there to try but these
three and the many variations within can be more than enough to provide many
hours of fish fighting fun
. One question that is brought up in angling circles is which fly line to use.
Well I have to say I personally have refused to allow the many hundreds of fly line
types to interfere with my sanity and so I have one spool of floating and one spool
of sinking. Add a weighted fly or a split shot to either the floating or the sinking line
and you have several different presentations at your disposal. Now having said that
there are times when a special situation presents itself and you may be forced to
purchase a special line for that particular circumstance. Often times, in those
situations, you may be introduced to a line you did not even know existed and
unless you are going to fish that same locale later on you may never find a reason to
purchase that line again but you know its out there.

Flies for Dollies can really vary throughout the season but during early
spring only a few stands out. Remember, during early spring Dollies are feeding on
fry and alevins. Streamers are the most effective during this time as the fish are
somewhat aggressive and hungry and tend to focus on the most abundant forage at
the time, which are these young salmon. One important factor to consider is color.
Dollies have been known to prefer a certain color not just from day to day but even
hour to hour. So fill the fly box with several streamers of different colors and take
advantage of this early season and crowd less, angling opportunity.

http://www.ramblingangler.com

Before 1939 there was no universal code of sporting ethics to guide ocean anglers in their pursuits. Some rules pertaining to sporting conduct were in effect at certain well-established fishing clubs but they varied according to the dictates of each club. The idea of a worldwide association of marine anglers had been brewing for some time in England, Australia, and the United States, and the first steps in this direction were taken in the late 1930’s by members of the British Tunny Club who hoped to establish headquarters in England to formulate rules for ethical engling. The threat of war, however, interrupted their plans.

At that same time, Michael Lerner was organizing a fishing expedition to the waters of Australia and New Zealand in conjunction with the American Museum of Natural History in New York. He heard of the British Tunny Club’s plans, and when he arrived in Australia he looked up one of the country’s finest anglers, Clive Firth, to discuss the idea with him. Firth was well aware of the angling feats of Californians, Floridians, Long Islanders and others. He felt that England and her colonies would accept American judgement as sporting and impartial, and that Americans should be the ones to devise and administer these ethical angling rules.

Dr. William King Gregory, head of the Departments of Ichthyology and Comparative Anatomy at the American Museum of Natural History, also was a member of the Australia-New Zealand expedition. He was particularly enthusiastic about the idea of a worldwide sport fishing association headquartered in the United States, and immediately suggested that it might be possible to affiliate such an organization with the Museum. His interest in such an association and the information it could provide to scientists was the beginning of IGFA’s lasting connection with scientists and scientific institutions.

When the members of the Australia-New Zealand expedition returned to the U. S., letters were written to outstanding anglers, fishing clubs, and tackle manufacturers soliciting their opinions regarding the formation of an international association of marine angling clubs. The response was highly favorable and on June 7, 1939, the International Game Fish Association was formally launched in a meeting held at the American Museum of Natural History. Present were William King Gregory (who became the first president of the association), Michael Lerner, angler/writer Van Campen Heilner, and Francesca LaMonte, Associate Curator of Fishes for the Museum and science leader of several of the Lerner expeditions.

Another immediate task was to notify scientific institutions and fishing clubs throughout the world about IGFA, its activities and intentions. By January 1940, only a few months after that first meeting, there were two associated scientific institutions, 10 member clubs, and 12 overseas representatives. By 1948, the numbers had grown to 10 scientific institutions, 80 member clubs, and IGFA representatives in 41 areas of the world. Clive Firth of Australia was elected IGFA’s first overseas representative, and others were chosen in Nigeria, New Zealand, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Chile, Costa Rica, the Canal Zone, Cuba, Hawaii, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Among the first associated clubs were the Catalina Tuna Club, Miami Beach Rod and Reel Club, Cape Breton Big Game Anglers Association, Long Island Tuna Club, Atlantic City Tuna Club, Freeport Tuna Club, and Beach Haven Tuna Club.

As news of the IGFA spread, other noted sportsmen and scientists were drawn to its administration. Among the early officers were Ernest Hemingway, Philip Wylie, B. David Crowninshield, and Charles M. Breder, Jr., who served as Chairman of the Committee on Scientific Activities.

Michael Lerner financed the operations of the International Game Fish Association from its inception, and when Dr. Gregory retired from the Museum staff in 1944, Lerner took over responsibility for the IGFA presidency as well. Since then, William K. Carpenter, Elwood K. Harry, Michael Leech, and Rob Kramer have served as IGFA presidents. The physical location of IGFA headquarters changed as well through the last six decades: in the late 1950s IGFA moved from New York to Florida, first to Miami, then in 1967 to Fort Lauderdale, in 1992 to Pompano Beach, and in 1999 to the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach.

However, two of the most significant events affecting the association since 1939 occurred in the 1970s. Early in that decade E. K. Harry, then IGFA vice president, proposed opening the organization to individual membership to insure its continued funding, unify international anglers, and inform a much larger audience of the problems threatening fishery resources. Then, in 1978, Field & Stream magazine officially turned over its record-keeping responsibilities to IGFA. Thus the membership-driven organization that IGFA is today, responsible for all saltwater and freshwater world records and for spreading awareness of fishery and conservation issues to fishermen around the world, was formed.

Steve vonBrandt
Sponsored by: GYCB (Yamamoto),Okuma, Delaware Tackle, TTI-Blakemore, and Ambush Lures.

Steve is the owner of Reeltime Anglers Guide Service in Wilmington, Delaware, Anglers Radio in Delaware and New Jersey, Reeltimeanglers, Bass Lure Review, and Delaware Tackle in Delaware. He also is a tournament angler and freelance outdoor writer. He has over 40 years of fishing experience in the Northeast, 5 years exp. in California. He has fished freshwater and saltwater since 1962, and has devoted to freshwater only since 1989. http://www.reeltimeanglers.com

One of the greatest thrills in Pacific Northwest fly fishing is bringing large anadramous fish to a surface fly. While surface fishing in the saltwater is not as popular as subsurface fly fishing, feeding saltwater coho salmon will take a popper quite aggressively. Neah Bay is the best place to cast flies for coho salmon in Washington State, and I believe it’s also the best place to catch coho / silver salmon on a cast popper.

Of course, there’s a long tradition of trolling flies on the surface in the Pacific Northwest. But there’s a move away from trolling (which I do not believe is fly fishing) to casting and retrieving surface poppers in the Pacific Northwest.

First things first, fishing a popper for saltwater salmon is going to lower the number of fish you hook most of the time. If numbers of fish are your goal, I still recommend fishing a sinking line and a baitfish pattern, such as a clouser minnow. Surface fishing in the Pacific Ocean for feeding salmon is not about numbers of salmon hooked. You will have lots of follows, slashes, and boils at your fly. But out of all the interest, most of the salmon will not grab the fly. This is what makes this type of fishing so much fun. You watch the fish follow, and attempt to entice the salmon by slowing down or speeding up the retrieve (some days faster works, other days slower works). It is truly one of the greatest fishing thrills in the Pacific Northwest.

For this fishing, I prefer fishing 30’ shooting head fly lines. Fishing surface flies for saltwater salmon offshore of Neah Bay demands long casts. Basically, the more line you can throw, the more fish you will bring to the surface. I believe that shooting head fly lines give you the most distance with the least effort, especially considering a rolling deck and persistent winds. I like a .30 diameter floating running line. It gives you distance but without the tangling drawbacks of amnesia or other running lines. Remember, fly lines in a boat seem to seek out tangles. I use buckets with weighted bases to hold the fly line when casting and stripping the fly back along the surface.

An important part of popper fishing for salmon is the retrieve. I like a steady retrieve that makes the fly slowly wake along the surface, slowly covering productive fish holding water. The slow retrieve also gives following fish more time to make a decision to strike. It seems that fish will stop following once the fly gets within 10-20 feet of the boat (another reason to practice casting). To get this retrieve, I will tuck the fly rod under my arm and do a two-handed retrieve. This retrieve gives the angler more control and allows you to have that steady retrieve the coho salmon seem to love. Of course, like all fishing there are exceptions to every rule, so don’t be afraid to pop the surface fly instead of the steady retrieve. It may be just the ticket when the salmon won’t go for the typical retrieve. Coho fishing success is all about fishing hard and a willingness to experiment.

Like many forms of fishing that are less effective, popper fishing does require some dedication. Stick with it, even if you know for certain you are going to catch more fish by grabbing your other rod rigged with a sinking line and a baitfish pattern. You will rise coho salmon when you least expect it, and you will gain the most important thing when it comes to popper fishing for coho salmon…. Confidence! Confidence is the key to true success in fishing poppers in the saltwater.

I hope you learned a few things about popper fishing for coho salmon at Neah Bay. It is the most challenging way of hooking feeding salmon in the saltwater.

Chris Bellows, owner of Topwater Charters, Inc, which runs fly fishing charters off the Washington Coast. His websites offer more information about Saltwater Fly Fishing and Neah Bay Halibut Fishing

Alaska is becoming a vacation destination thanks to its unique landscape and location combined with an abundance of activities the entire family can enjoy. Salt water fishing has become a popular tourist attraction as the cold, deep oceans that border Alaska offer some of the finest fishing opportunities in the world.

Charter fishing boats have become big business in this once isolated part of the world and many people are leaving their concerns at home and taking a week or more off to take advantage of some of the most unique fishing opportunities available. Complete packages are now available for purchase through travel agents and online booking sites that let you customize a unique ocean adventure to test your skills casting a line in the waters around Alaska.

Many packages include a relaxing, entertaining cruise to the region where you will then spend several days trying to reel in the next big one. The entire family can enjoy the relaxing getaway as dad enjoys the ocean waters with other fisherman mom and children can explore a wonderful array of shopping, cultural and educational opportunities on the mainland. At night everyone can reconvene about the cruise ship or back at a local hotel to enjoy family time and entertainment that can extend well into the night.

This year extend your horizons and discover a part of America that few will ever get to see. Where else will you ever get to experience six months of continuous daylight? Packages to the northernmost state are comparable with traditional vacation getaways and can provide an experience that you will never forget.