Fishing Reports

My First Walleye Trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

Day 0

I ran out of work on time and grabbed my daughter from daycare. My wife left work on time as well. After a brief goodbye and some last minute additions to my gear I was off to the airport in Detroit.

I had my usual luck on the flightit was packed and I was sitting next to another large frame person like myself. I never get to sit next to a little petite thing that only takes up half a seat, I always end up with someone like myself who is to tall and bulky to be comfortable in those sardine boxes they call airplanes. I landed at 9:30 PM local time in Minneapolis and waited for my luggage. Much to my surprise both pieces of luggage made it here. Unfortunately, because of the slow loading time and extra wait before the flight took off, the rest of my crew had been waiting for me for an extra hour.

The rest of the crew picked me up at the jump-n-run loading area and we headed for Ely. I think it was about 4 hours, or a little more, with the stops we made and the deer we had to dodge. You have to watch them, they are thick in there. We finally arrived at Ely at 2:30 AM and decided to nap for a couple of hours before we met with the outfitters.

Day 1

We met the guys from Wilderness Outfitters at the local breakfast joint (I cannot remember the name but they had excellent food) at 6 am. After breakfast we went back to the outfitters and packed our gear. We had two canoes, six packs, and two rod tubes. Everything we needed was in those packs including our food, fishing gear, tents, clothes, cooking utensils, etc.

We headed off to the Chainsaw Sisters around 7:30 AM and climbed into the canoes around 8 am. The water was high enough that we could canoe down Pickett creek without much difficulty. I was in the canoe with our guide Jeff. During that first few minutes he went over basic canoe strokes and their effects and we tried them out in that slow moving twisty creek.
Mudro Lake was our first open water to cross and it didnt take real long. I didnt realize, however, that the nastiest portage of the trip was at the other endthe Stairway To Heaven. I had been told by others in the group that this was nasty but I had underestimated it. The portage path was slimy with mud. The first half of the portage was mostly a gravel path up hill and the second half was an incredibly nasty downhill that was made up of water smoothed rocks like steps, if the steps had been done by a mad man. I huffed and puffed my way up one side and started down the other but I kept slipping with the weight of the double pack. One of the others came back and helped by taking the top pack off my back and that allowed me to finish the portage without falling and braining myself on a rock. After what seemed like forever, but really was just a few minutes, I made it to the end of the portage and arrived at Sandpit Lake.

The paddle across Sandpit was uneventful. While the lake is not really that big it is quite pretty and there are supposed to be decent Walleye and Smallmouth in the lake, but that can be said for a lot of lakes in the BWCA. In short order we arrived at the portage between Sandpit and Tin Can Mike. This portage is longer than the first portage but it is a little easier because the slope of the uphills and downhills is not as great. You still need to watch your footing but you dont feel like your going to die if you fall over.

After we finished the Sandpit portage we found ourselves paddling across Tin Can Mike lake. On some maps this lake is known as Murphy lake, but no one seems to know why. Tin Can Mike looks a lot like Sandpit, only larger. Again it supposedly has good populations of Walleye and Smallmouth, but we werent stopping there. The portage at Tin Can Mike lake takes you to Horse Lake. I dont remember much about the portage trail between Tin Can Mike and Horse Lake so it couldnt have been real tough.

Now that we are in Horse Lake our destination is the river. Luckily for us there is not much wind that day, because our guide said that this lake can get quite nasty to paddle across when the wind picks up. We paddled halfway up the lake and turned east into the Horse River. Shortly after that we came to our first river portage. At this point the guide had us get out of the canoes and he took them through the very short rapids one at a time and we climbed in at the other side. There were a couple of short rapids to negotiate before the next river portage and those were uneventful because we took our time and picked a good line through each. The next river portage was quite a bit longer than the first river portage but still not more than a couple hundred yards. Back into the river we went and paddled a while longer before coming to the final river portage before the falls. This is another average portage with nothing special to describe other than wonderful scenery like always. We now are on the last leg of the river before Lower Basswood Falls.

There are two different portages that I know if at Lower Basswood falls, one on the American side and one on the Canadian side. The Canadian portage is a little better in the long run because it positions you downstream from the falls outflow and make the paddling easier to start. After passing Lower Basswood falls we are now in Crooked Lake. The portaging is over for us because our destination is Skull and Crossbones.

Skull and Crossbones camp site is located about 4 miles paddle down current in Crooked Lake. Its situated on a south facing point next to the current just south of Wednesday bay. The paddle to that location is quite nice because you pass some pictographs located on a high rock wall. As we neared our destination the weather started to turn for the worse as we saw thunderheads start to roll in. We began to paddle a little faster as we heard the thunder crack in the distance and we got to the campsite before the rain started. We got out our rain gear and put up a tarp over the area near the firepit and stored our gear there as we dug out the tents. After the monsoon passed we finished putting up camp and decided to do a little fishing.

Just south of our campsite are two currents separated by a pool with an island in the middle. We began to drift around in the current eddies and jigged for Walleyes. No one caught any huge ones but we did catch enough for our group of four to have supper. By that time it was getting dark so we headed back to camp, had supper, and collapsed into our sleeping bags.

Day 2

Day 2 brought more rain and wind. We decided to fish the currents south of camp and right next to camp that day because Wednesday bay was churned to a froth. While we fished in the cove across from camp we saw two canoes start out into Wednesday bay, a few minutes later they came back after seeing the waves in the bay. Towards the end of the day the sun came out more and the wind lightened a bit, but it was still quite windy. We didnt catch any huge Walleye but we did catch enough for another supper.

Day 3

Day 3 saw better weather and our tent had a mascot. It seems a local spider liked to sit on the outside of our tent every morning. He was about two inches across and had interesting patterns on his back. That day we went up to third current and fished after netting some minnows in the shallows near camp. Everyone caught Walleyes and Northern Pike but there were no trophies that day either. Again, we had enough for supper.

Day 4

Day 4 brought more wind so we decided to fish around camp. More eating size walleye were caught and a couple of Northern Pike and Smallmouth made an appearance. The smallmouth bass were 22 and 21 respectively and quite chunky. That night we grilled fish instead of deep frying them, it was VERY good. I would suggest grilling Walleye to anyone. I would even consider leaving oil at home all together and just bring a grill basic, some spray butter, and some spices.

Day 5

We decided to go back to third current this day come rain or shine. The day started out overcast with a nice drizzle. We got almost to American current and the wind whipped into a frenzy. Trying to paddle against the wind through the current was quite intense because it generated some nasty white caps where it met the current in the narrows. We fought on to third current and waited to see if the wind would let up, but it never did. We went back down through American current and found a spot for lunch. After taking a siesta there and watching the weather, we worked back down to fourth current to get out of the wind and fish. We drifted all over the area just above fourth current and caught enough fish for supper. We then tried fishing the points back through Wednesday bay to Tablerock but nothing but a hammer-handle Pike was on the line.

Day 6

This day we broke camp and headed back out. Paddling up the Horse river wasnt too bad until we reached the little rapids that we had ridden through going downstream. We got the boat stuck both times but were able to get off the rocks. We portaged around the first rapids before entering Horse Lake. Once we reached the lake we had lunch and decided to fish for a little while before exiting the BWCA. We saw several people fishing reefs for Walleye but decided it was too early in the season for there to be much there. We concentrated on the points and islands at the downwind end of the lake. We caught probably five Walleye in the couple of hours we had to spare and threw them all back since we werent taking fish out. Then we finished the paddle out.

Once we reached Chainsaw Sisters we went to the bar and had a couple cold ones while we waited for our ride. Those were the best beers I had in a long time. Our ride picked us up and took us back to the outfitters. Once there we got keys to the bunkhouse and took a long anticipated shower. After that we went to Cranberrys and had burgers and beer for supper, then it was off to bed.

Day 7

That morning we had another good breakfast at the something-or-other caf (I still cannot remember the name) and settled up with the outfitter. In the midst of all the hubbub of the night before we managed to lock the keys in the truck so we had to wait for a locksmith as well. Oh well, you know how it goes. Once we were all settled up and geared up we made the drive back to civilization. I was dropped off in Minneapolis at the airport and the rest of the crew continued on to their destinations.

Conclusion

What to say about my first trip to the BWCA? I loved it. I would turn around and go again in a heartbeat. The quiet, the fishing, the scenery, it has it all. Even though we didnt catch any trophy Walleye, and no one we spoke to had this year, I know they are in there. That place also has killer Smallmouth fishing and some huge 20#+ Northern Pike to offer. There is enough water to fish different water every trip for a lifetime if you like to paddle into the back country.

I would also like to say that our Outfitter was very good. Wilderness Outfitters provided excellent gear, canoes, and their guides are top notch. Jeff is especially good, even when the fish arent biting the best he has a sense of humor and enough stories to fill the slow time. The owner has been fishing , trapping, and hunting the area since he was a small boy and probably knows as much or more about the area as anyone. Their bunkhouse was clean and they were in the process of renovating it. While the bunkbeds were a little squeaky they were comfortable and the shower room was nice and clean.

As far as fishing gear is concerned you can probably catch all the fish you want with 1/4, and 3/8 oz jigs tipped with leaches or minnows. You can also catch fish on the grub bodies but the live bait seemed to work a little better. You might also want to throw in some lindy rigs in case the fishing gets a little tougher so you can slow down the presentation. Others have a lot of results fishing slip bobber rigs tipped with minnows or leaches. Instead of bringing in minnows I would recommend bringing a net and catching your own. It gives you less to carry and they work just as well.

I will have to say that I didnt adequately prepare for the trip physically. Next time I will starting taking long walks with a backpack filled with weights. That will help condition me for the portaging. I still havent figured out a good conditioning idea for paddling other than just going out and paddling around somewhere.

MichFish.com - Fishing information for Michigan and other areas. We have interactive fishing maps and personal logs for members.

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The Art of Fly Fishing

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

What is fly fishing? For most people, fishing is just fishing. Throw some bait on a line, toss it in the water and wait for a nibble, but for fly fishing enthusiasts, its so much more. An ancient angling method, fly fishing is a method that was initially developed primarily for catching trout and salmon. Currently, however, it is also used to catch pike, carp, bass and other species.

Fly fishing uses an artificial fly as bait, which is tied to a hook with the use of thread, feathers, fur and other similar materials. The idea is to create an illusion that will match a natural vision of food to attract the fish. Fly rods, which are used for fly fishing, are light in weight, but long in their design. The lines, themselves, are somewhat heavy in order to provide the casting weight. The lines may be made to either float or sink and are typically matched to the fly rod according to the weight. The fly itself will be very lightweight and is attached to the line.

So, what is the difference between fly fishing and regular fishing? Realistically, it is more than just the bait, right? Right. The main difference in fly fishing and regular casting is that with casting, you use the weight of the bait to throw out the line, while fly fishing uses a weightless bait and a weighted line that directs the actual placement.

Fly fishing is commonly done in two different forms, which consists of either dry or wet. Dry flies are coated to sit atop the waters surface, while wet flies are placed beneath the waters surface in an attempt to lure fish.

Fly fishing rods and accessories can be commonly found at any bait shop, retail stores fishing department or online specialty store. There are a number of online fly fishing experts that are happy to sell their recommended products. The internet may, in fact, hold the greatest selection of fly fishing gear as customers are granted access to a world of businesses and a haven of products to feed their fly fishing appetite.

The art of fly fishing is best enjoyed in the company of friends. A quiet afternoon on the water, enjoying nature and competing for the greatest catch is all apart of the fun related to fly fishing. There are many areas that are accommodating to fly fishing, including the western United States and parts of Canada.

For more information about fly fishing, click the link to visit our website at http://www.onlineflyfishingguide.info We have some great free articles and resources about fly fishing.

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Etiquette on the Water

Monday, September 29th, 2008

In its simplest form, etiquette is nothing more than doing the right thing at the right time for a particular situation. Some of these rules have been written down, but most have not. So without a formal written code how do we know the correct conduct for a particular situation? Well, pretty much it comes down to a few easy tests.

The first consideration is to ask, how would we want to be treated in the same situation? The second is plain old common sense. Briefly, Ill try to relate this all to fishing situations so everyone can have a pleasant experience while on the water. A quick list of the unwritten rules of the road as they apply to waders and boaters, or maybe better said, waders vs. boaters!

Lets start at the boat ramp. Often, you wont be alone in wanting to launch your boat. Other fishermen with drift boats, canoes, kayaks or pontoons will have the same idea as you. To keep everything running smoothly its important that everyone respect their place in line and their time on the ramp. Have your boat rigged and loaded before you back down on the ramp. If youre not ready and there are others waiting, its okay to let them ahead of you. Get your boat in the water and then move it to the side so others can launch. If theres current, the downstream side of the ramp is a better choice so as not to interfere with others as you start underway. When in doubt, ask someone.

Now youre fishing, and low and behold, theres a guy wading, now what? The best thing is to go behind him, causing minimum disturbance as you do. Dont dip your oars unless its to maintain control of your boat. If the water is too shallow to float, quietly get out of the boat and as quite as possible, walk your boat behind him. Do not fish the water as you go by. Its just plain rude, and youll be down river soon enough to start fishing again. The wade fisherman always has the right of way.

Sometimes you have a situation where there isnt enough room to go behind the other angler. There are several options here. First, if the section of river is wide enough, you can hug the opposite bank as long as you are well out of the water hes fishing. Another option is to pass close to him on the center river side, but only after letting him know of your plan. If he objects, get out and drag the boat behind him. Wade fishermen are allowed to step back toward the bank to let a boat through, and most will in tight situations. Theres nothing wrong with friendly communication.

Okay, you got through that situation. Now you come upon another vessel ahead of you. If the other boat is anchored and they obviously are fishing toward the right, pass far on the left. The reverse is also true. If you cant tell, or arent sure, just ask what side you can pass on. Always give as wide a berth as possible.

If the boat is underway and drift fishing, pass on the opposite side that theyre fishing again giving as wide a berth as possible. The wide berth will keep you out of their back cast and you from getting hooked. Keep in mind that the vessel being overtaken always has the right of way. This is the law and has nothing to do with etiquette. Once you pass the other boat you should never cut in front of him and start fishing. Go down river a long way, even to the next pool of riffle before you start fishing. If you wanted to fish that water you should have held your boat back and fished behind them.

Never jump in on anyone elses fish unless invited. Dont even ask. Just go find some different fish. Dont anchor in casting range of anyone else. Since you dont know how far anyone can cast, assume it to be a fly line length. When you anchor, do it quietly and when its time to move on, leave quietly too. Never put down the fish you were fishing to. Let the next guy have a crack at them.

Be mindful of where you anchor. Sometimes you just need to stop, maybe for a rest or a bite to eat. When you do, you should notice where you are. Be careful not to block a narrow channel and make it difficult for other to get by.

Well, all in all, its been a great day on the river. You landed some monster browns, netted some rainbows and even had a few Kodak Moments and nobody fell in. The suns getting low and you really dont know the river that well. What should you do? Head for port! Unless you have enough experience and have confidence in the dark, dont stay out in the dark. If you do, make sure you have the required safety equipment with you, and yes, pontoon boats have the same requirements as other vessels. When you get to the boat ramp follow the same courtesies you did when you launched.

At night on the ramp try to avoid shining vehicle headlights or other bright lights upriver. This only serves to blind other operators and make navigation difficult. If you are shining a light upriver to help someone find the takeout, see the previous paragraph. You may have to wait your turn to take out and when your turn comes you should be ready. Once your boat is on your trailer, pull it up out of the way and then secure your tie down straps, put your tackle away, and take off your waders and anything else you need to get done. If you are waiting for a shuttle, let the next guy ahead of you.

All you need to do is remember to treat others the way you want to be treated. Unfortunately, you are bound to run across idiots, whether they be on foot or in a boat, and when you do, theres no sense going crazy because youre not going to ruin their day, only yours.

Joe Demalderis is an outdoor writer, fishing outfitter and guide who makes his home near the best wild trout water in the eastern US. You can visit him at http://www.crosscurrentoutfitters.com

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In Praise of the Lowly Rock Bass

Monday, September 29th, 2008

Among sports fishermen the talk is usually of trout and bass or the hyperactive crappie. Ultra-light tackle fishermen boast of their successes, rarely revealing that secret spot with the monster Brook Trout or the swarm of crappie when the season is already waning. They will curse the pesky sunfish that hit their flys or jigs; force them to waste precious time fighting fish they arent after. Among these unwanted denizens of lakes and streams there lurks an odd little fellow whose praises remain mostly unspoken, but its time for that to end. I speak, of course, of the lowly Rock Bass.

The funny thing about Rock Bass is that theyre never the fish a person goes out to target, they seem to just show up unwanted and get in the way. The reason for this is that they share habitat with both trout and other less finicky lake fish such as crappie, bream, and bass. If you do specifically go looking for them, youd swear that they got a memo and promptly disappeared. These fish are pocket powerhouses. For their size they fight like champions and are a joy to catch with ultra-light equipment. You just have to know how to find them.

A Rock Bass is not actually a bass, it just sort of looks like one. Its really a member of the Sunfish family, though longer and wider than a bream and colored a bit like a pumpkinseed fish. The mouth and head are definitely bass like, but the area around the pupil of the eye is red. Rock Bass prefer small to medium streams with rubble and gravel substrates and slow to moderate current. In lakes they like structure with bare lake bottom usually at a border between grass and gravel. They also like to hang out on the colder side of an inversion near steep drop-offs. They like to eat just about anything, and prefer a little movement from the bait. Try bouncing a small crayfish jig in near by, usually upstream or up hill from them. Alternately, a feathered jig or a larva will get their attention.

Finally, Rock Bass are a delicious fish. If youre looking for a great pan-fry at the campsite you cant do much better. Excellent in batter or plain with a little lemon these fish are meatier than their sunfish cousins. So, if the trout arent biting or youre looking for a good fight on ultra-light gear, dont overlook the under-rated Rock Bass.

Jeffrey Gray, founder of TroutWorld.com, has been helping trout fishermen find their way to new and different fishing venues via the internet since 1999.
http://www.troutworld.com — bringing you great fishing gear deals, fishing news and much more.

http://www.MagnaScreen.com — Turn your SUV into a tent.

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Choosing Fly Fishing Flies

Monday, September 29th, 2008

Throughout the longstanding history of fly fishing, fisherman who practiced it - or anglers, as they are known - have always understood the importance of bringing skill, technique, and grace to the sport. But successful anglers have equally understood the comparable importance of superior equipment in order to be their most effective. And when it comes to fly fishing, some of the most important equipment is fly fishing flies - those small but significant items for which the sport is named.

The selection of fly fishing flies is extensive and is often broken down by wet and dry fly fishing. Fly fishing is considered dry when the fly is cast over the water. The angler works to make the fly dance above the water, hoping to attract the attention of the fish below it. Such fly fishing flies are designed to replicate mosquitoes and other insects to which the particular fish may be attracted.
Fly fishing is considered wet when the fly fishing flies are actually submerged under the water - where their design allows them to sink to the bottom if necessary - in order to entice fish beneath the surface. The wet fly fishing flies are made with the use of soft hackling which gives them mobility below the waters surface. In the case of wet fly fishing, often the angler will use multiple fly fishing flies at once in order to improve their chance of success.

Some anglers choose to design and construct their own fly fishing flies - using a variety of materials of natural and synthetic origins. But still others choose to purchase their flies in accordance with the type of fish they are looking to retrieve. Fly fishing flies can be purchased at any number of different locations. For skilled, knowledgeable guidance regarding a choice of fly fishing flies, it is best to visit a retailer that is focused solely on fly fishing. There are also a number of Internet resources where anglers can browse and purchase their fly fishing flies online and have them shipped right to their door.

For easy to understand, in depth information about fly fishing flies visit our ezGuide 2 Fishing.

Rainbow Trout And Trout Flies
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Fishing Lures And Flies
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Canada Fishing Trips

Sunday, September 28th, 2008

Canada is a favorite spot to explore the wonders of fishing. Canada fishing trips assure a fly-fishing enthusiast tremendous fishing opportunities that are structured to take fun-filled, exciting adventure. And not only are there placid and beautiful lakes and rivers for fly-fishing, but also for any kind of fishing you care to enjoy. The options are endless.

Though Canada is rich in bodies of water, finding the one best suited for your individual taste is important before arranging a fishing trip. Weather is a major factor, and you will need a detailed map, first aid kit and all the necessary fishing equipments.

To have a clear idea about the best season for fishing is the next important consideration. Sturgeon fishing season is year round, whereas salmon, trout and Varden fishing are in season according to the area. Other species also have their peak seasons; inquire with the locals.

Fraser Valley in British Columbia is among the top recommended areas for salmon fishing. The West Coast of Vancouver Island is noted for saltwater or freshwater salmon fishing. Other fishing destinations include Black Lake, Selwyn Lake, Misaw Lake, and many, many more locations.

Every year, beginners and veteran anglers come to Canada to enjoy an exciting fishing experience. Numerous tour guide companies can assist you in selecting a trip that caters to your preferences. Most of the hotels, resorts, wilderness lodges and B&Bs have will arrange guided fishing trips. Fishing enthusiasts can find the most up-to-date information about various Canada fishing trips on the Internet.

Fishing Trips provides detailed information on Fishing Trips, Fly Fishing Trips, Canada Fishing Trips, Alaska Fishing Trips and more. Fishing Trips is affiliated with Deep Sea Fishing Boats.

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The Basics Of Trout Fishing

Sunday, September 28th, 2008

First things first, you need to know which fish are considered trout. The term can be one that is used for salmon family fish. It includes rainbow, brown, brook, cutthroat and steelhead. Youll find that they are native to Europe, North America and Asia. But, they have been introduced to many areas around the world. Anglers love going after them for their beauty, taste and of course their size.

Youll find most of them in cooler lakes and rivers. Look where the rapidly moving water finds the slower moving water and where deep water hits the shallow. You can see them in the rocks in a calmer river too. Other species will tend to migrate towards slower currents or faster ones. Youll find brook, brown and rainbow trout at the head of a pool and the others towards the middle or end of it. You will find most of your trout in water adjacent to the main current.

Baits For Trout

Youll find a good variety of bait works for snagging the trout you are after. Some of these include earthworms, crayfish, minnows, spinners, and insects work well. Also, consider marshmallows and kernel corn.

Equipment Needed

For most still water fishing, go with a fiberglass or a graphite rod about six or seven feet. Use a basic reel. Eight to ten pound test line works well. For fly fishing, go with a nine foot fly rod and to catch trout over four pounds add 75 feet to your reel. Make sure to get out those waders and your vest with all the flies, knives and baskets youll need.

Trout fishing is a type of fishing that is enjoyable. Most enjoy finding just that right spot, behind the fallen tree or in the shallow rocks where the trout love to hide. They are lurking just out of the way of that main current. Take the time to learn more about trout fishing from a professional, or look to taking a few lessons. It will pay off.

Niall is a keen fisherman 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 a Bottom Line fish finder or other GPS and Sonar marine navigation systems. http://www.fish-finder-review.com

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Canada Fly-in Fishing Vacation

Saturday, September 27th, 2008

If you are looking for a fun and relaxing vacation, you should consider a Canada Fly-in Fishing Vacation. There are many vacation packages for you to find when searching for a Canada Fly-in Fishing Vacation. For example, one vacation package offers those looking for a quiet, relaxing atmosphere with the opportunity to experience fly-in fishing on Hearne Lake in beautiful Canada. The only lodge on the lake, Hearne Lake Lodge, is owned and operated by two people, a husband and wife team. This is the picture perfect portrait of a Canadian vacation at its best.

This lodge offers the perfect start to enjoying your Canada Fly-in Fishing Vacation. You can enjoy their guesthouse and stop at their main lodge for a one of a kind Canadian home cooked meal. Service is at its best at the Hearne Lake Lodge. They only cater to a small group of people at a time and this ensures that you will have friendly service and attention that you need.

Your Canada Fly-in Fishing Vacation is, of course, mostly about the fishing. In Hearne Lake, you will have the opportunity to take fly-in trophy fishing trips from June through September. There are many varieties of fish you can have the experience fishing for when visiting Hearne Lake in Canada. They have fish such as Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling and Lake Whitefish.

Certain times of the year are better than others for catching certain fish. For example, Northern Pike, Lake Trout and Walleye are most commonly caught during the month of June. Arctic Graylings and Lake Whitefish are harder to catch during June. Arctic Graylings are more common during July through September and Lake Whitefish are easier to catch in Late August through September.

It is best if you get a Canadian Fly-in fishing guide that is knowledgeable in the fishing of the area. They can provide you with tips on how to properly experience fly-fishing. They will be able to show you exactly where you can catch the fish you are fly-fishing for and what types of fish are more common at a particular time of the year.

Looking for a fun and relaxing vacation ?
Consider a Canada Fly-in Fishing Vacation!
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Vita Vee.

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Best Bass Fishing Flies

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

Bass are ravenous eaters and are known to eat prey up to half of their own length. Because bass swallow their prey whole, the size of bass fishing flies must be smaller than the width of the bass mouth. Being hungry predators, they usually seek out the largest prey they can find that will fit into their mouths.

The movement of the fishing fly is critical to attracting the bass. Bass quickly jump at the chance to swallow anything moving, but also regularly spit out a would-be meal, perhaps due to the taste or texture. When bass fishing, its important to use fishing flies with a strategic design and hook position. In this article, youll read about our top picks for bass fishing flies:

Deer Hair Popper:

Deer Hair Poppers are often referred to as the original fishing flies. Before the tying of fishing flies was commercialized in America, Native Americans bundled feathers and hair to create fishing flies to attract bass. These fishing flies are meant to float and wriggle on the surface and gain the attention of the bass lingering just a few feet below. Thinking it terrestrial bug caught helplessly in the water, the bass normally cant resist such an easy meal.

Deer Hair Mouse:

Very large bass have been known to swallow baby ducklings and other waterfowl to satisfy their voracious appetite. While not all bass reach a size where they can take in such a large snack, most large bass can and will find a mouse a tasty treat. Deer Hair Mouse fishing flies are a tackle box staple for any bass fisher. Mice often take residence near the riverside and it only takes a slip or a strong win to render them helpless in the water. The body of this fishing fly is made of course deer hair tied around a large hook with a long flexible tail to attract the bass as it swishes through the water.

Swimming Frog:

A frog is a delectable meal and a temptation that a hungry bass can rarely resist. Swimming frog fishing flies are designed to imitate the movements of the frog while swimming along the surface of the water. The swimming frog is also made of deer hair and is colored in various shades of green. These fishing flies work well in areas where frogs naturally take residence like around lily pads and other water plants.

Matuka Sculpin:

The olive colored matuka sculpin is a great fishing fly to use in streams with algae or weed covered bottoms. These fishing flies normally come in a gold option for lighter colored riverbeds and are made from deer hair and turkey quill. The sculpin is a small fish that lives in camouflage against the river bottom. These fishing flies need to be fast sinking and heavy enough to stay down and not float off the bottom.

The best bass fishing occurs when water temperatures are between 68 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Any hotter or colder and feeding tends to slow down considerably. With the right weather, the right fishing flies, and a little luck, a bass fishing trip can be one of the most satisfying fishing trips of the year.

Author is a writer for Blue Fly Cafe which specializes in bass
fishing flies and accessories. For additional information you can visit http://www.blueflycafe.com