Fly Fishing Secrets for the Novice as well as the seasoned Angler Fly fishing is an exciting and fast growing sport in all over the world, and especially here in the U.S.A. The reasons for the increasing popularity of fly fishing are obvious. Fly fishing is enjoyable, relaxing, and rewarding in many different ways. Perhaps the most rewarding element of fly fishing is the variety of beautiful natural surroundings in which anglers often find themselves; a secluded stream up in the mountains, a peaceful meandering river deep in the forest, or a tranquil blue lake somewhere out in big sky country. For some, it may be the opportunity to test ones' individual skill against nature - in an intricate game of cat and mouse (but in this case, man against fish.) These are just some of the compelling reasons why many thousands of people enjoy the challenges of fly fishing every year. [Read More]

Fishing for Blue Fish The average fish weighs between 4 and 10 pounds, with any fish over 20 pounds being considered a real quality fish. The recognized IGFA record is 31 pounds, 12 ounce fish caught off the coast of North Carolina in 1972. Unconfirmed monster fish have reportedly been caught in the 40-pound range. Population numbers of bluefish have been documented to follow cycles lasting about forty years. A recent disappearance occurred during the 1920s, and anglers are still enjoying a high for the fish which began in the 1970s. They are migratory fish, following schools of baitfish such as menhaden shad and mullet, heading north from Florida in spring, all the way to Maine by the end of the summer. [Read More]

Confidence in Fly Fishing Three quick stories come to mind illustrate this. First off let me say there have been plenty of times when I have been on both sides of the confidence equation. A few years ago, I was steelheading with a couple of fly fishing buddies. Unlike me, though there guys weren't purists. And we were using terminal gear. Although were just dead-drifting jigs, very similar to fly fishing, I felt about as coordinated as a monkey performing brain surgery. As the day wore on more and more steelies were caught. Huge steelies, the biggest I had ever seen! None by me. I could feel my confidence shrinking. And I mean my confidence in all kinds of things, like being able to read the river, being able to detect a strike. Things that had no connection to me using unfamiliar gear. The pressure inside my head built, until I HAD to catch a fish. I didn't catch one fish that day, although I finally had a strike, and set the hook so hard I jerked it right out of the fish's mouth. And I fished longer and harder than anyone else on the trip. [Read More]

Dog days at Hunting Days: Canine visitors, owners enjoy Hunting and Fishing Days (The Southern Illinoisan)
CARTERVILLE - Krypto, the wonder dog, sat quietly by the side of his master, Joe Lewis of Carterville. Lewis of Carterville was spending some time at the kids' fishing area at the Southern Illinois Celebration National Hunting and Fishing Days..