Try Different Fishing Spots

I tend to revisit the same fishing spots all the time. It is a habit. I am comfortable with these places. Last year I tried a couple different places, but they didn't pan out. I am pretty happy with trout, bass, perch, even hornpout/catfish. Most of the places I go to are along rivers or streams. A few are on ponds or lakes.

Now I have on my list a few new areas to test. I am not sure whether they will be good in the summer's heat or in the cooler weather of fall. I figure I will try them now in the hot summer. If they don't work out, I will go back in the fall and see if I get any bites.

I know if I see repeat bass fishermen along certain places, I might have a better chance there to hook a big bass. I know some spots that are great for fly fishing that I haven't gone to yet.

I know that I will be hitting some of these sweet fishing holes after the sun  goes down. Now with so many cases of mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus and EEE, I will have to load up on bug spray. I also have to watch out for those nasty ticks; in the spring I got one on me and came down with Lyme disease. That set me back a bit. I get a bit nervous going outdoors to go fishing because that is where I think I picked up that tick. Remember to put on the bug goop.

Let's see if I can catch a bass or trout or anything for that matter.

See you on the water...

Catching A Bass...

OK. This bass may not seem big to you BUT it was HUGE to my granddaughter. It was one of the first fish she ever caught. It is great for all of us to get out and go fishing. I think sometimes it is even more important to show the youth in the up-coming generation what fishing is all about:

• Fun
• Skill
• Comradeship
• Patience 
• Relaxation

So go out and show someone younger than you what fishing means to you before the end of this year's great fishing season...I want to go ice fishing, but that is a little cold for most kids unless they have really fished before.

Out Catching Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

I am sorry that I have taken off so much time from blogging, but that bass fever just really hit me. I am back again trying to get back on track.

I just pulled a good 15 incher out of the river a few days ago; it was a smallmouth bass. The bass struck at a good ole fashion earthworm. Sometimes the old ways work well too.

The bass was in a slow area in the middle of the river. I believe that there is a ridge below creating some structure. It was hanging out there just waiting for it's nighttime snack just after sunset.

I have been trying out some of the fantastic tips in this program to educate myself more. I open the programs up to get new ideas in the really hot parts of the day when I want to cool down. I am checking into whether it all makes sense and really works before I mention which program it is. I want you to get your best value.

....See you on the river

I will let you know how it is very soon.

Learning About Bass and Salmon Fly Fishing in Maine, NH, MA and Québec

This past Thursday, Jan. 28^th, wound up the last of the January fishing series at the Nashua Public Library. This is the 19^th year they have had this series.

The evening began with a fantastic refresher on boat safety via a video.

A member of the New England Fly casters, Seth Harris, shared his favorite salmon rivers in Québec. I found him to be most informative when he explained how Québec goes about distributing their licenses – very complicated. He was very helpful by passing out literature from Québec of maps and brochures.

Another couple members of the NE fly casters, Brenda and Ray Phillipon, double teamed their presentation on fly fishing for bass. They discussed their time spent up in Maine at the South Branch Lake Camps and how they proceeded to convert many of the fishermen up there into future fly fishing just by letting them see the pictures of their daily ‘creel’ since it was all catch and release. Brenda and Ray filled everyone in on some of the local ponds and rivers where they find fishing to be good.

Every Thursday different folks or organizations had information at tables on the way into the theatre. The last couple of nights I chatted with the guys from New Hampshire Bass Busters, Inc.

Upon entry each of the 4 nights you received a raffle ticket for the last night when they drew 8 numbers for 8 give-a-ways.

On each Thursday night of this fishing series, you received a ticket for a raffle that was held on the last night. There were eight raffle prizes; I wish I knew who to give credit for these prizes, but right now I don’t know. If I find out I will give them credit.

I had that fishing fever bad yesterday, but I was way too busy to fix it. I put aside time today just to get in some fishing in a new spot that I am dying to try. I have a few new spots because of their location in the river or the structure that is there, I think and hope that there are some good sized bass around.

I picked today's location because of semi-easy accessibility. The weather folks have predicted thunderstorms; I only have a short time frame to fish, and I don't want to waste the time getting to my fishing spot.

Because I want fast action, I'll be trying some new lures that I have. Later today on my way to the river, I will determine which ones and which colors to use. I'll update this blog to let you know the results.

I already have my rod and reel in my car and all set to go as well as my tackle box.

P.S. Don't forget to bring the sunscreen, something to eat and drink. If you're like me, I tend to get a little carried away and always want to fish longer than I expected. Don't drink too much - Relieving yourself takes valuable time away from bass fishing!!!

Teaching my Granddaughter About Fishing

I feel like we need to teach the up-coming generation all about fishing. If we don't, it will be lost.

Even though we have gone fishing before, I wanted to show her how our state and its people support fishing whether it is large mouth bass, small mouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, tiger trout, etc. We took a trip to our state's fish hatchery in Sandwich MA.

They have 'gum ball' machines where you put in a quarter and get some fish food....Don't forget to bring a cup or something to hold the fish food in or you'll have the pellets all over the ground, not in the water for the fish. All my kids loved going here. When you toss in the fish food, the fish splash the kids and they all squeal.

This was the first trip there for my granddaughter. Now I know she'll be begging to go back again. She could see how the fish vary in size. She wants to catch one of the 'big ones'! No rod and reels and hooks are allowed here. These fish are the ones that they use to propagate more fertilized eggs for future fish populations.

She could see how many fish are raised in the multitude of cement troughs with various types of aerators to raise the level of oxygen in the water. She could also see the difference among the trout - rainbow trout, brown trout, tiger trout, brook trout, etc. This fishery doesn't have any bass, but it is a great learning experience for everyone. What a better way for her to see how the fish grow - up close and personal!