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Fishing is by far the most popular hobby in England, and this article introduces the contrasting methods and styles of fishing in the UK. It’s a great way to be outdoors, and there’s an expanding fishing community in the United Kingdom with many fishing clubs and contests patronized by a large number of angling fans.

What’s involved with angling? You just require a rod, a reel, some fishing bait, and the ability to sit down in one place for a very long time! Where you live in the UK will likely determine the sort of fishing you’ll be getting up to. There’s coarse fishing which can take part in lakes, rivers and on the coast, and there’s game fishing which involves landing larger fish, often as a contest. It’s advisable to get involved with the sort of fishing that doesn’t demand you journeying great distances - best to have a river or lake close by that you can hop to at a moment’s notice - as the fantastic thing about angling is that it’s a location you can go to get away from it all and unwind.

Game fishing is a kind of recreational angling, targeting large fish renowned for their difficulty in landing, like marlin. Despite the swashbuckling images that conjours, game fishing can also include salmon and trout. Game fishing calls for a hardy fly fishing rod and fly reel, some fishing flies, and game fishing luggage.

Coarse fishing is where you fish for types of fresh water fish other than game fish. It’s especially popular in England and mainland Europe. The types of fish you can find on your hook when coarse fishing include pike, dace, roach, tench and bream amongst many other species of fish.

Fishing tackle is an important component of angling. Bait is utilized to invite fish to the obscured hook. Normally, insects and smaller fish have been used for this purpose. Fishermen have also begun fake plastic tackle and even electronic lures, to attract fish. Surveys reveal that natural fishing tackle like maggots are more accepted by the fish and so more successful.

Angling is especially popular in the warmer months when the weather is fair and the days longer, and night fishing isn’t so freezing chilly. Fishing can be as cheap as you want. You can get yourself a rod, a reel, some bait, a fishing license, and that’s it.

The French colony of New Caledonia is the perfect island destination for sportfishing and diving vacation, situated north west of New Zealand in the South Pacific.

If you are in to culture, shopping and dining, you will be stimulated with Noumea, capital of the main island of Grand Terre. Noumea has been called the Paris of the Pacific, with its grand museums, chic and trendy dress shops of Rue de Sebastopol and shops of Chinatown. But Grand Terre is capsulated by its largest treasure, the world’s biggest coral lagoon and second biggest coral reef, where aquatic life bristles.

Due to the southeast trade winds and New Caledonia’s situation as one of the southern-most pacific islands, New Caledonia basks a temperate climate all year round. These warm, sunny days provide unlimited opportunites for fishing and diving expeditions. Gorgeous coral and underwater canyons and caves supply the backdrop for brilliant dives and plentiful fishing.

Fishing holidays in New Caledonia accommodate any type of fisherman. From charter boats for deep sea and big game fishing; cruisers and catermarans for rod, spear and fly fishing; or small, local boats are accessible for hire. New Caledonia is well-known by fishers across the globe as one of the greatest and most beautiful bonefishing locations in the world. Fisherman flock to this part of the globe desiring to break records as the fish are known for their strength and speed.

The small islands and atolls are also perfect for snorkeling and diving. . . Whether diving in the tranquil waters of Ile des Pins or night snorkeling where special torches illuminate fluorescent coral, New Caledonia is a diving holidays paradise.

Travellers would be hard-pressed to find another destination on the earth that offers such an amazing medley of fishing and diving holiday delights.

Fishing Lily Pads With Topwater

In 2004, I fished more lily pads than ever before? Why? Well, because I caught fish in them. I probably caught over 100 fish in the lily pads this year alone. Two were over 5 pounds and one over 6 pounds. So what did I do different this year?

I’m glad you asked……I used a lure called the scum frog, green and white, not only that but i fished it different than ever before. You see, I used to go slow, I mean real slow, my way of thinking was that even though the bass is a fast swimmer, he would have a hard time catching up with the lure throught the pads, if I retrieved it fast. Not only that, but, I wanted to put it in his face a lot longer by going slow on my retrieve.

Well, then I watched this guy and he was running it through the lily pads almost as fast as any buzz bait I have seen used. I was using the same lure except slow. The outcome? Well, he was getting strikes, I mean lots of strikes, I was getting none.

So, I went back over the same area I just fished and guess what? Yep, I began getting strikes, but I was missing them as the lure would get past the fish. I thought maybe I should compromise, so, I slowed down my retrieve just a hair and bingo, I started catching fish. That is the way I used the scum frog for the rest of the fishing season. Fast, but not quite as fast as a buzz bait, when they would hit and miss I would stop the bait and just twitch it a few times.

This was one of my best fishing years in over 40 of fishing for bass, all due to this new retrieve.

As Mikey says “Try it you might like it”.

Charles E. White has fished for bass for almost 50 years. He has fished from Florida to California and has caught more than 6,000 bass in his lifetime. His biggest bass is 12 pounds 14 ounces.

Charles has owned two tackle stores in his lifetime and taught dozens of people to fish for bass.

He now resides in Ohio.
Charles is webmaster for: www.bassfishingweekly.com

The “Dream Stream” section of the South Platte River is a beautiful winding stream that’s filled with trophy trout. Deep bends filled with large boulders and logs are typical fishing holes in this section of the South Platte. The nickname “Dream Stream” is a perfect description of this tailwater fishery.

Like most famous tailwater fishing rivers, the Dream Stream gets a lot of pressure from fly fisherman. It’s not uncommon on weekends for parking lots to be filled, and every bend of the first two miles of the river having a fly fisherman in it…all in search of those trophy fish for which this section of water is reknowned.

As a spin fisherman, its intimidating to read the reports on the Dream Stream. All they usually talk about are these tiny little flies that the super educated trout “microscope over” before biting. While spin fishing its impossible to delicately present a tiny fly with a drag free drift using a clear bubble. Your standard trout spinners and spoons will produce results from time to time, but for the most part these big P.H.D. carrying trout will pass them up. So do you need to pick up a fly rod and learn how to use it in order to catch fish out of the Dream Stream? Of course not! With the method I’m about to tell you about, there will be many times you will be catching fish and leaving the fly fisherman next to you astonished and bewildered.

Most of us have heard the phrase “match the hatch” while either learning how to fly fish or just reading through fishing magazines. It’s simply matching your fly pattern to the insects the fish are currently feeding on. It’s a time proven fishing method that can really put you onto countless fish in a single outing. However, sometimes hatches are so prolific that artificial flies get lost in swarms of emerging insects and getting bites can be very difficult at best.

Sometimes during these hatches, trout feed exclusively on that particular insect, ignoring all other aquatic life forms and any terrestrials that might fall into the water. Situations like these are what fly fisherman dream of, and why so many of us have picked up the sport. Having your fly rod and a fly pattern that matches the emerging insect can’t be beat at times like these.

Do trout feed in between hatches? The answer is yes, and heavily. A common misconception is that trout feed exclusively on small flying insects. A big portion of a trout’s diet is indeed on small insects that are in different stages of their life cycle, but trout are also opportunistic feeders with hearty appetites that make crayfish, smaller trout, grasshoppers, and even field mice the meal of choice. Another myth among anglers is that trout are finicky eaters that only eat certain flying insects. Trout, like most game fish are opportunistic feeders that find it hard to pass up an easy meal, or for that matter a big meal that’s rich in protein.

So how do spin fisherman take advantage of all the information stated above? We “Crash The Hatch” instead of relying on weather conditions for certain hatches to take place and trigger a feeding frenzy. We are going to use the aggressive and territorial nature of big tailwater trout to our advantage. Not only relying on hunger for strikes but also anger and territorial responses that will put fish on the end of your line.

While Crashing the Hatch, two different types of fishing lures are vital to success. The first is minnow imitation jerk baits such as floating Rapalas or Smithwick Rattlin Rouge Shallow Diver. A few other fishing lures to consider are the Storm Thunder Stick, Bomber Long A, Rebel Minnow, and Yo-zuri Crystal Minnow. I generally look for fishing lures with a tight wobble that run at a depth between 1 and 3 feet of water. Most of the lure companies have the running depth printed on the box, but if not, you can always tell by the size of the plastic lip on the front of the lure. The bigger the lip the deeper the fishing lure will dive. Between the different companies, there are hundreds of different finishes, and all have certain situations in which they will shine. For the Dream Stream stick with natural colors like a rainbow trout finish or a silver minnow finish.

The next type of fishing lure we are going to discuss has been highly under utilized by trout fisherman for years. The tube jig!!! Bass anglers have been successfully using tube jigs in clear water for years. Tube jigs are extremely versatile fishing lures that produce when nothing else will. Some of the most productive tubes include Berkley Power Tube, Chompers Ultra Tube, Strike King Bleeding Bait Tube, Yum Wounded Mega Tube, and Zoom’s Big Tube, to name a few. Color schemes are endless, but the colors that produce the best results are white with black flakes, black, and pumpkinseed. Some people prefer to Texas rig their tubes with an offset hook, but for fishing the Dream Stream the hooks made specifically for using tube jigs are much more practical. With the weight hidden inside the tube and the eyelet of the hook barely showing it makes for a more natural presentation.

Before we get down to the nitty gritty of fishing the Dream Stream, lets cover an invaluable tool for stream fishermen. Polarized glasses are a must for river fishermen in Colorado. They not only protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays, but will help you see fish that otherwise would go unnoticed. Although they can be pricey, a good pair of polarized lenses will, without a doubt, will help you catch more fish. I never fish a river or stream without my polarized glasses and after using them for the first time, I strongly doubt you will either.

When using spinning gear on the Dream Stream, there are a few different types of structure that will produce the best results. The Dream Stream, from the dam below Spinney Mountain Reservoir to the bridge close to Eleven Mile Reservoir has a great number of deep pools usually located on one of the many river bends. The bottom of these deep holes often has big boulders which are perfect ambush points for the resident population of big rainbow trout, cuttbows, and brown trout. Targeting these boulders, cast your tube jig a few feet past them and start with a slow retrieve with pauses just before and after rocks. Many of your strikes are going to be on the initial drop of your jig, so be ready!

Another great location for spin fishing on the Dream Stream is right below the makeshift dams made out of boulders located all up and down the dream stream. Casting a minnow type jerkbait across these area’s with a jerk, jerk, pause retrieve will without a doubt stir up some reaction strikes.

With your polarized glasses, sight fishing on the Dream Stream can be unreal at times. Look for fish sitting in shallow rocky bottomed water gorging themselves on bugs being washed down by the current. The strategy here is not to provoke a strike out of hunger, but from anger. These fish are very territorial when it comes to feeding lanes, and bigger fish defend their feeding lanes violently. Cast your jerk bait just past the feeding fish, bringing the lure past him with a steady retrieve. Now stop your lure six inches to a foot in front of the feeding fish, letting the resistance of the current give your lure its swimming action. If you don’t receive a strike right away, stay persistent. After a few casts, the fish’s territorial instincts will kick in and it will strike to protect its feeding lane.

A couple things to consider while fishing the Dream Stream. Fish here can run anywhere from 10 inches to well over 10 pounds!!! Make sure you have a smooth drag thats set properly before taking even one cast. Every cast is a possible trophy when fishing this section of water. Watching a 10 pound plus rainbow trout snap your line due to an improperly set drag will surely turn your Dream Stream experience into a nightmare.

The water running through the Dream Steam is extremely clear. Smaller diameter fishing lines are a must if monofilament is your preference. If you like using super fishing lines such as Spectra Power Pro or Stren Super Braid, make sure you attach an invisible fluorocarbon leader. I personally use P-line’s Fluoroclear in 8 pound test. It’s a fluorocarbon coated copolymer which has great strength and is virtually invisible underwater.

This section of the South Platte River that runs between Spinney Mountain Reservoir and Elevenmile Reservoir is filled with trophy trout and serious fishermen. It fishes well year round and is considered by many to be the best trophy trout destination in the state. With the “flies and lures only” restriction and being a “catch and release” water it’s perfectly managed to insure trophy trout opportunities for generations to come. A beautiful winding river filled with monster trout and a gorgeous mountain back drop, this section of the South Platte River has certainly earned its nickname the “Dream Stream.”

Eric Allee is a phenomenally successful fisherman in Colorado. He has a website dedicated to helping anyone catch more and bigger fish.

http://www.fishinsecrets.com

If all men measured up to the standards of true sportsmanship, there would be no need for game, fish, and forestry laws. Neither would there be so much need for the laws that regulate human affairs in general.

But, in the fishing game, it is the true sportsman, with a love for the great outdoors, a wholesome respect for the welfare of others, and consideration for living and growing things, who sets the good examples for the youth to follow.

In reality, fishing games differ a lot from the other types of games that man has come to know. A fishing game is not a mere reflection of the activity itself but more of the love for fishing.

In fishing games, the angler does not go hunting or fishing only to gain the privilege of boasting over slaughter or material gain. He loves the lightning-like flash of the trout, the leap of the bass or muskie, the tug on the line, the whir of the reel, the thrill of battle with some “denizens” of the deep, and the companionship of other true sportsmen.

The Concept of Fishing Games

The most common type of fishing game is known as the “offshore game fishing.” In this type of game fishing, the anglers aim for the big lean fishes like the marlins and the tunas and the fishing is done in the sea.

Offshore game fishing is usually conducted as one type of recreational activity. Though, there are instances wherein this type of fishing game is also employed in competitions like the sports fishing.

Because of the energy being utilized in this type of recreational activity, offshore game fishing usually requires the biggest fishing boats. These fishing boats generally range from 30 to 50 feet in length.

The object of the game is to reel the fish in once it is properly hooked on the line. This can be a daunting task since the fish, especially if it is a big one, will have the tendency to pull away from the boat. The challenge is to reel the fish in while keeping the fishing line maintained on its specified tension.

The fishing game is not more of a competition for a true angler. Whenever they are doing this kind of activity as part of the game, what the angler really wants is to get in touch with nature, to breathe the clean, pure air, and muse in solitude in the wilds of nature’s playground.

Hence, in fishing games like offshore game fishing, the anglers like to play the game in strict accordance with the rules of reason and fairness at the same time conserve the value of fishes in the community.

Travis Clemens is a life time fisherman and he knows the ins and outs of gettinem on the hook! You too can gettem on the hook with Travis as your guide! www.best-fishing-tips.com

“Where’s The Class Mike?”

Mike Iaconelli may be one of, if not the best bass fisherman on tour today, but there is more to life than money and fame.

Just like our friend Jay Yelas wrote in a recent article, I ask the same question, “Where’s The Class?” No, not Bass Class. Personal integrety, honesty, and common courtesy?

We booked Mike Iaconelli on our radio shows three separate times.

Each time before the show he wasn’t anywhere to be found.

We gave him the benefit of the doubt, and made excuses for him, as he is busy and has a lot of responsibilty to sponsors, his family, and friends.

So, we called him again. he spoke for some time to our producer and had a great conversation. He booked the show for November 1st, 2005, at 7:00 PM Eastern.

I called him at 6:30 PM, for a heads up for the show, and he told me about a halloween party he was attending later and how he was going as a Disco pirate, even describing his entire outfit, and we laughed and talked about that and about the Bassmaster Classic which I covered for our shows.

He assured me he would be ready for the radio show.

I called him at 7:00 PM, and he was nowhere to be found. He left me sitting with Dead Air Time, and because Andre Moore was willing to swallow his dinner quickly and do the show, we pulled it off.

Thanks to Andre Moore, who is a “CLASS ACT”.

I had always defended Mike, but in my book, three strikes and you’re out! I called him 4 more times and left messages marked high priority, and he didn’t return any of them or even apologize.

I guess money and fame does go to some peoples heads, but not Jay yelas, Matt Herron, Andre Moore, Art Ferguson, Aaron Martins, or Frank Scalish, or Ish Monroe, who never did or never would do that to me. I consider them all my friends.

So… I ask “Where’s The Class?” Certainly not in Mike Iaconelli’s character, that is obvious.

Steve vonBrandt, Owner/host Anglers Radio www.anglersradio.com
_________________

Steve vonBrandt is sponsored by Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits/Okuma/TTI-Blakemore, and Ambush Lures

What is sport fishing? You could be competing for a trophy or you may be looking to catch the largest fish from all of your friends. Competitions are by far the most popular reason for sport fishing though. You can go both still fishing or fly fishing. You’ll have a specific time frame and depending on the weight and the species that you catch, you may just bring home the big one. The type of line that you use is also important here. The heavier the line, the fewer points you’ll get.

There are different types of sport fishing. Bass fishing, shore fishing, fly fishing, big game fishing, troll fishing and ice fishing are some of them. The competitions are based on the group of anglers, the conditions and the type of fish they are after. There is a wide range of options out there. You’ll be able to catch fish like marlin, walleye, salmon, shark, tuna and a wide range of others.

Equipment You’ll Need

The equipment you need depends on what type of fish you are after as well as what type of fishing you are doing. You’ll need to have the basics of rod, reel and tackle. Some will allow you to bring along your fish finder while others will not. Make sure you take a moment to see what the rules say.

For bait, you’ll need to take with you’re the bait that works for the fish you are after of course. You can go from simple things such as lures and spinners to wet and dry flies, shrimp or live fish and other live bait.

Understanding Fishing Line

The type of line used in these tournaments is often lighter than the force that the fish applies to it. Why? It’s more of a challenge of course! You should purchase a high tech drag mechanism on your reel to compensate for this. This will keep the right tension in the line when the fish takes off. Only when the fish gets tired of running will you have the ability to land him. It can be quite challenging but that is what makes it so fun, right!

How To Fight The Big Guy

There are several methods that are used to fight hooked fish. One is the use of a game chair. The fisherman sits there and places the butt of his rod in a gimbaled mount. You’ll need quite a long rod for this and it needs to be bent correctly to fit properly. This is not an easy task and you’ll need experience to get it right. Or, you can go with the stand up method. You’ll use a harness this time around. You’ll need to eat your Wheaties for this one though.

Ready to give it a try? You may find yourself shocked by the price of it all. It can cost you up to $25,000 if you purchase everything. You can take advantage of charter services though which will cut down on the supplies (especially your boat!) and you’ll get everything that you need. Take the time to learn with a professional to help you to make the most out of every tournament you enter. Winning the prize can help to lower these costs and make it all well worth it!

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 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

Ever wonder what you can do to get a fishing “fix” in the winter if your not an ice fisherman and you live in the frigid north? Besides the obvious magazine reading, and shopping, here are a few ideas.

• Clean your fishing rods and check for cracks - Everyone has had, or will have, a fishing rod break while the are fishing. Sometimes this cannot be avoided, but other times you can find these issues before the next season starts by wiping down your fishing rods and checking the guides for nicks, scratches, or cracks. If you find a crack in the rod, get a new one. I have never met someone who has repaired a graphite rod and been satisfied. If you cut it down it changes the action. If you try and wrap the cracked area it changes the action. If you have a crack in a guide, you can buy replacements and fix it. If you find a nick or scratch in a guide you might be able to polish it out with an emery cloth or diamond bit on a dremel.


• Check your lures - Look over your lures for paint issues on wooden lures, rusty hooks, dull hooks, bent hooks, etc. All of these things can contribute to problems down the road. Consider upgrading hooks if you have a lot of bent or dull hooks. Some people buy brand new lures and change the hooks to a different brand due to the better quality.


• Carve a lure - If your feeling adverturous you can purchase a chunk of balsa wood and try your hand at carving a lure. A basic lure is relatively easy to create and you can purchase all the metal hardware from a mailorder fishing catalog. It is quite satisfying to catch a fish on a lure you created yourself.


• Start a fishing diary - This may sound crazy to some people but it can give you a great insight into what the fish are doing. Get a notebook, buy a computer program, join a website, or whatever other method you can think of, but start logging the weather conditions, lures used, fish caught, etc. This can give you a better handle on what needs to be done to catch fish in similar situations on other lakes, or at other times, and keeps you from forgetting.

I hope this has given you a few ideas of things you can do during the winter that are both productive and fun.

Michfish.comMichigan fishing information, articles, online maps, online fishing diary, and more.

When you think about the islands in the Bahamas, you most certainly picture white sand beaches, sparkling azure waters and friendly smiling faces. Without a doubt, Bahamas is home to beautiful scenery and warm islanders, but this Caribbean getaway is also the chosen destination of avid bonefishers from all over the world. For your next trip to the sun, consider visiting the island of Great Exuma Bahamas and partake in the exciting sport of bonefishing.

Whether you are a seasoned pro or an amateur fisher, bonefishing is a popular sport that appeals to all individuals. Bonefishing is one of the most esteemed forms of sport fishing in the world. Bonefish are actually found throughout the Caribbean but are particularly abundant in the waters around certain islands. Bonefish spend their time swimming along very shallow banks digging for food. These fast moving silvery fish average between 4 and 6 pounds, but can reach up to 19 pounds. The sport of bonefishing is not a passive activity. In fact, you will not spend time sitting on a boat casting your reel. To bonefish, groups of three or four people jump off the boat at the same time and follow the schools of fish. Bonefishing is an ideal activity for a group of friends or a family on a Caribbean vacation together and the island of Great Exuma is just the place to experience the fun of this popular sport.

The island of Great Exuma has earned its world-wide reputation for fantastic bonefishing due to its endless firm, white flats of sand that are teeming with small to medium-sized bone fish. These flats are ideal for barefoot wading and in their shallow waters you will find many opportunities to tail and hook a variety of bonefish. As you stand in the crystal clear waters looking for the fast and slippery one, don’t forget to notice the other exciting and beautiful marine life.

Whether you are hoping to plan the fishing trip of a lifetime, or you just want a chance to try an exciting sport, bonefishing in Great Exuma, Bahamas is an appealing activity for all! There are several experienced guides on the island who will gladly escort you for a day, or a week, from sun up to sun down. As you cast your line into the turquoise sea, you will undoubtedly feel the excitement of standing among a mysterious underwater world. There is nothing quite like hooking your first bonefish and you may find yourself adopting this sport as a favorite past time. Experience the pinnacle of sport fishing today in Great Exuma, Bahamas. Fun describes it well!

Fred Coolridge is the content manager and author for the website Great Exuma Island, Bahamas - http://www.exumabahamas.org.

Man’s best friend.

Who better to share time with when out on a fishing trip than….

….Man’s best friend.

I don’t know about your dog but any number of the pooches I have had in my lifetime have never had the ability to throw a five weight line let alone handle a level wind reel.

Something about the lack of opposable thumbs, has been a real handicap in making our faithful canine companions the perfect fishing partner.

Nonetheless, many a fishing trip has been made with either my dog or a bi-ped friends dog along for the experience. For me, dogs have always added to almost any outdoor experience, whether it be hiking, camping,bird hunting,mountain biking,or skiing.

Fishing, on the other hand is somewhat a different story.

In my mind, I have always dreamed of having that perfect pooch, the one that walks calmly by your side, curls up and takes a nap while you endlessly cast over and over for hours to trout filled waters. A dog that yawns, stretches, wags his tail and comes over to give your catch a sniff and a lick before you release your finny playmate back into his natural habitat.

Nice dream.

I don’t know about you, but most of the fishing/dog fishing experiences I have had– have not exactly fallen into the Hallmark special dog category.

More like a Mel Brooks comedy.

My dogs have usually been somewhat overexuberent in their fishing adventures, doing happy things like:

1)Running at breakneck speed and leaping into a fshing hole–especially one that you have belly crawled or “stealthily” snuck up on so as to not spook the fish– and then swam around in it, thanking you for finding such a wonderful place to cool down from racing up and down the banks. Most dogs I have had really love the water, in fact, I used to have a Husky that would swim halfway out into the river, pretty much scaring away any fish in a three county area.

2)Eating dead fish carcasses, which invariably lands your dog at the vets office, where six hundred dollars later, “mans best friend” does not so much as offer one thin dime or learn a small trick that might land you a spot on Letterman, so you can recoup some of your costs.

3) Rolling in dead things–or worse! Nothing like having your dog find something good and rank, up to and including animal excrement, giving a good roll in it, and then coming to snuggle up with you while you try to cast.

4) The old tangle up the line trick. Sure, most of the time you can’t get your dog calm enough to sit by your side, but want him to give you some room to cast a fly line, and he will walk on, over and through your line until he has some sort of Chinese string puzzle created, that only a nine year old girl can undo. Better yet, he will “sniff” around right in your backcasting zone until you eventually land a #6 Green Butted Skunk deep within his fur.

5) Speaking of Skunks. Nothing like the eye jarring, nose alarming smell of a two in the morning skunk rendezvous. Your faithful friend is mighty proud that he has saved the fish camp from the nightime intruder. This is especially enjoyable when you yell at the top of your lungs for him to get back in the tent–and then yell at the top of your lungs for him to get BACK OUT of the tent.

This has happened to at least four different dogs, and has left my camping rig and gear smelling like skunk for months. We have even given the old “tomato juice” baths right on the bank of the river before, which only makes the dog smell like a skunk pizza. Not to mention, the bath scene which resembles some sort of sickening bloodletting ritual–which induces calls to 911 from nearby campers.

The dog also usually likes this new man/dog bonding ritual and of course wags his tail profusely while self indulging himself in a virgin Bloody Mary, thereby splattering you with most of the tomato juice.

6) Fish wrestling. For the most part, your dog can care less about your fishing experience, usually wandering about looking for any of the aforementioned fun things to do. On the off chance you can concentrate long enough to actually catch and land a fish, and suddenly he is on top of your fish licking, tooth tagging, and generally treating your catch like a s”squeaky toy”.

If the fish is lucky enough to make it back into the water, he is sure to swear off eating worms for the rest of his days.

7) Dog flatulence. Do I really need to say anything else??

These are just a few of the many pleasures of fishing with your dog, and I am sure you have some interesting stories yourself.

Man’s best friend?

You bet. There is still nothing better than the companionship of our cold nosed, cow patty breathed, furry friends.

And any good fishing tale I have ever heard has been enhanced by the presence of the TAIL of man’s best friend.

Happy Tails To You….

A.J. Klott

Author, writer of fishing humor,and “fly tack” peddler.A.J. writes about the people,characters and modern day events that surround the fishing world. His first book is due out in December of 2005.
If you need a laugh or a fun gift, visit his website at:
http://www.twoguyswithflys.com