Fishing Tips

   Tips for Stress free life  >  Expert Zone   > Fishing tips

       Fishing tips by experts


The Way Of A Bass Fisherman With a Fly Rod And The Way Of A Bass With A Fly


-----SIDEBAR------------------------------------------

Older fly fishing classics contain a wealth of knowledge for the beginner fly fisher as well as the experienced angler.

The following is an excerpt from Practical Fly Fishing, by Larry St. John (1920)

-----END SIDEBAR----------------------------------

WADING A STREAM

Ideal Fishing

The ideal way to fish a bass stream, if its depth and bottom will permit, is to wade. Some one has said that Art is the beautiful way of doing things. Certainly then, wading the stream is the artist's way of fishing for Micropterus. It has all the charm of trout fishing and all of its thrills and seldom is so lonesome since many of our bass streams are in settled districts. One often fishes a stream and is never out of hearing of the cowbells and the barking of friendly farm dogs but is in the wilderness nevertheless. When the angler wades he becomes a part of the stream and its life and the more he fishes a fine stretch of water the friendlier it becomes.

Bass and Flies

One reason I believe bass fly fishermen are not as generally successful as their trout fishing brethren is because the bass fisher, as a class, has not put as much study into his waters and his methods. This is not to be wondered at when you consider that fly fishing for bass is, compared with trouting, in its first tooth stage. In other words, if some anglers loudly proclaim that the east wind bloweth when they are bassing with flies it is due, not to the bass but to the angler.

True one seldom gets the big, old, granddaddy bass of 'em all on a fly, neither do the bigger trout come to the net by the same route, but the average of the stream or lake can be caught on flies and are on certain waters. Is it entirely because of certain local peculiarities of fish, water or conditions that fly fishing for bass is practiced so successfully on such widely separated waters as, to mention a few: the upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers in the Middle West; the Susquehanna, Potomac and Delaware in the East; the Current and St. Francis in the Ozarks; the Belgrade Lakes in Maine? I think not. Bass fly fishing has long been practiced and studied in these places, hence the success.

Aside from its beauty and charm wading a stream makes for success. In the first place a stream that is of wadable depth is ideal for fly fishing and the angler, moving slowly and quietly, with only a portion of his body above water is, as old Dennys put it, less likely to "offend the fearful Fish's eye."

Seasons, Weather, Etc.

As a general rule the trout fisher can go a-fishing earlier with his flies than the angler who fishes for bass in northern North America. A great many of our good bass streams are in civilized territory and the Spring rains, plus the drainage of farm lands, usually roils the water. If one must have bass then most success will be had if he will dangle an angle, baited with worm, helgramite or craw, in the deep holes.

As the season advances fly fishing improves but June usually finds the bass busy with family affairs and they should not be bothered even if the law permits. July is usually a good month on all streams and on the larger ones this month and August often produce best of all - and just when the lakes are yielding least. Very low water, however, often drives the fish into the holes on small streams during the " dog days."

September, the month Eastern and Midwest trout fishermen close up shop, is usually excellent except the week of the equinoctial storm. October - brown October - also yields well, and the seasons we have "a late Fall" fishing continues good even well into November. Local conditions also must be considered.

The ideal fly fishing day is a dark, overcast one, just before a rain, or better still, when it merely suggests or threatens to rain and doesn't with enough breeze to ruffle the surface of the water. Next best is what the average person would call a "nice day."- when the sun shines, the sky is blue and friendly and streamside posies and tree tops nod to fitful breeze lets that put a slight ripple on the stream.

The best time of the day is undoubtedly the early morning hours, from dawn until eight or nine o'clock and from four in the afternoon until sundown or even until after dark. During cloudy days the noon hours often produce well. However, most of us fish the day through and perhaps it doesn't add much to the heft of our creels but it adds lightness to our hearts and uplift to our spirits and there is always the anticipation of the luck the evening fishing is going to bring us - unless, perchance, it is the last day and we must quit untimely to catch the 5:15 for home. Then we are out of luck as the fish invariably begin to rise well as the quitting hour approaches -'twas ever thus as the poets say! But never mind: other days are coming and for that matter if the fish become too challenging one can always "miss" a train and send a telegram of explanation later. Such things have happened! In fact, I know bald-headed men who have, choosing love before duty, thus played truant from home and business under these circumstances.

Thunder and lightning storms are unpropitious for good fishing but a gentle shower often turns the tide in our favor and sets the fish to rising.

The direction of the wind has little to do with the success of a day on a stream as the wind comes from all directions if the river is at all winding. The proverbial east wind may have local influences, in England or on our east coast, but otherwise is not objectionable and the phases of the moon have little to do with fishermen's luck or the whimsical mood of Micropterus, except that the bass may do their feeding on moonlight nights and be indifferent during the day. In this case the angler, well prepared for mosquitoes and with heavy tackle, can do his fishing after sundown.

Don Berthiaume has uncovered fly fishing tips and techniques that were almost lost forever. To discover more about fly fishing, and claim your free, 4-part mini-course, visit this site:
Fly Fishing Techniques


MORE RESOURCES:

See the complete list of Articles on Fishing tips here

Have a look at Best Selling Books on Fishing tips

 

Google

See also : Other articles on

Depression, Grief Loss, Happiness, Humor, Inspirational, Motivation,
Positive Attitude
, Meditation, Spirituality Goal Setting, Wealth Building, Ethics, Stress Management
Yoga, Alternative Health, Build Muscle, Exercise,   Aerobics Cardio, Fitness Equipment Pregnancy  Dating, Elder Care, RelationshipAcneBeauty, Hair Loss
Cooking Tips, Recipes, Top Tips for everything Crafts Hobbies, Creativity, Fishing Photography, Pets,
 

Latest info on : Fishing

 


Slump, weather slow sales of hunting, fishing licenses
Houston Chronicle, United States - 19 hours ago
Statewide, fishing license sales for the past three months are down 17 percent from the same period a year ago. A series of shattering blows, ...


Decreasing gas prices increasing fishing trips
Manteca Bulletin, CA - 1 hour ago
Either way, I'm glad prices are down and the fishing is good! Striped bass fishing continues to pick up for anglers fishing a variety of techniques. ...
Catching the Best Techniques Crestline Courier-News
11-year-old has big dreams Ventura County Star
all 3 news articles


Feds charge Montauk fleet with illegal bass fishing
Newsday, NY - Nov 20, 2008
James Cassin, a National Marine Fisheries special agent, said the agency had reports of fishing boats going to the Block Island Sound buoy in federal waters ...


Fishing opportunities remain after general trout season
Sierra Sun, CA - 5 hours ago
All lakes, reservoirs and streams subject to this closure date are no longer open to fishing. In our region this includes most streams as well as Martis ...


Opening of fishing pier delayed
Bethany Beach Wave, DE - 31 minutes ago
LAUREL -- Work on the Records Pond handicapped pier and the adjoining parking lot is taking longer than expected. DNREC's Division of Fish and Wildlife ...


Recovery efforts for missing fishing captain are rejected
South Coast Today, MA - 4 hours ago
By Curt Brown NEW BEDFORD — The Coast Guard, citing safety concerns, has turned down a request from SouthCoast fishing magnate Carlos Rafael to use a Coast ...


Weekend fishing best bets
Florida Today, FL - 3 hours ago
Flounder fishing has been slow, but could pick up with this week's cold snap. Live finger mullet will work best, but again, they can be tough to find. ...
Fishing Trends Sun-Sentinel.com
all 2 news articles


Tribune-Review fishing report
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, PA - 4 hours ago
The result is that steelhead anglers are getting some good fish: • Anglers fishing the Walnut Creek Marina basin are doing well, even into the night, ...
Colder weather means crappie fishing Gainesville Sun
all 2 news articles


Fishing access at Montana lake proposed | KXNet.com North Dakota News
KXMC, ND - 11 hours ago
(AP) The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is taking public comment on a proposal to establish a public fishing access site at Lake Five, ...


TWRC passes sport-fishing regulations
State Gazette, TN - 13 hours ago
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission (TWRC) approved the 2009 sport-fishing regulations during its regularly scheduled meeting Oct. 22-23 in ...
Tennessee Elk Hunt Finally Scheduled The Chattanoogan
all 2 news articles

Fishing - Google News

 

Why not be an expert yourself  ?

 If you can write on any of the above topic, you are welcome to submit your
 articles in our database :

 Submit your article here   Our Article Area

You are here Home > Tips for Stress free Life > Expert Zone > Fishing Tips


| Fishing Tips Home | Fishing Tips - Complete list 

| Main Home | | Meditation Corner

                |Health Tips  | Workplace Tips  | Soul Tips  |Expert Zone  |

Recommend us  |

 Books, DVDs and accessories on meditation & yoga  |

[About us] [Contact] [Privacy Policy]

Copyright 2006, Meditation is Easy.com, All rights reserved