Adam’s Plaice Fishing Tips

Adam on catching plaice: all you need to know
As the finest fishermen of my generation, as well as a ladies man of no little repute, journalist, beer drinker, driver of fast cars, actor, artist, author, physicist, wit and bon viveur extraordinaire, I feel it my duty to pass on some tips as to how you, the little people, can catch plaice, that most noble and hard-to-fool of species. Indeed it has often been said that plaice are the most difficult to catch of all the fishes that swim the oceans blue, as well as the most rewarding.

Only an angler of dedication, skill and a noble mien may hope to succeed on a regular basis. But with my help even the common man may be able to catch the occasional specimen of pleuronectes platessa, as we biologists know them.

It was Isaac Walton himself who once said, “The plaice be the fearfullest of fishes.” He said this as he bought me a pint of foaming ale for outcatching him three fish to one for the third day running on his own boat. As I said to Dick Walker and Ivan Marks at the time “You’ve got a lot to learn from me, boys.”

And now I have graciously decided to pass on just a little of my vast and encyclopaedic knowledge on the subject of plaice fishing to you, my humble acolytes. So where shall I begin? What hope can I bring, like a St. Francis of Assisi of fishermen, to even such as you? What spark of inspiration can I pass on to

Those Adam plaice fishing tips in full…

• Bag the best place on the boat from the start.
• Refuse all requests to move, even by the merest fraction of an inch.
• Use any and all illegal narcotic attractants to lure the fish to your hook rather than anyone else’s.
• Whatever floating beads, spoons, exotic oils you use, keep it to yourself. Say you are using a size 8/0 with a wire trace and mackerel bait.
• Cut off and throw over the side anyone else’s rig that looks vaguely competent or anything like yours.

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MSC Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing: All Principles

PRINCIPLE 1:
A fishery must be conducted in a manner that does not lead to over-fishing or depletion of the exploited populations and, for those populations that are depleted, the fishery must be conducted in a manner that demonstrably leads to their recovery :

Intent:
The intent of this principle is to ensure that the productive capacities of resources are maintained at high levels and are not sacrificed in favour of short term interests. Thus, exploited populations would be maintained at high levels of abundance designed to retain their productivity, provide margins of safety for error and uncertainty, and restore and retain their capacities for yields over the long term.

Criteria:

1. The fishery shall be conducted at catch levels that continually maintain the high productivity of the target population(s) and associated ecological community relative to its potential productivity.
2. Where the exploited populations are depleted, the fishery will be executed such that recovery and rebuilding is allowed to occur to a specified level consistent with the precautionary approach and the ability of the populations to produce long-term potential yields within a specified time frame.
3. Fishing is conducted in a manner that does not alter the age or genetic structure or sex composition to a degree that impairs reproductive capacity.

PRINCIPLE 2:
Fishing operations should allow for the maintenance of the structure, productivity, function and diversity of the ecosystem (including habitat and associated dependent and ecologically related species) on which the fishery depends.

Intent:
The intent of this principle is to encourage the management of fisheries from an ecosystem perspective under a system designed to assess and restrain the impacts of the fishery on the ecosystem.

Criteria:

1. The fishery is conducted in a way that maintains natural functional relationships among species and should not lead to trophic cascades or ecosystem state changes.
2. The fishery is conducted in a manner that does not threaten biological diversity at the genetic, species or population levels and avoids or minimises mortality of, or injuries to endangered, threatened or protected species.
3. Where exploited populations are depleted, the fishery will be executed such that recovery and rebuilding is allowed to occur to a specified level within specified time frames, consistent with the precautionary approach and considering the ability of the population to produce long-term potential yields.

PRINCIPLE 3:
The fishery is subject to an effective management system that respects local, national and international laws and standards and incorporates institutional and operational frameworks that require use of the resource to be responsible and sustainable.

Intent:
The intent of this principle is to ensure that there is an institutional and operational framework for implementing Principles 1 and 2, appropriate to the size and scale of the fishery.

A. Management System Criteria:

1. The fishery shall not be conducted under a controversial unilateral exemption to an international agreement.

The management system shall:

2. demonstrate clear long-term objectives consistent with MSC Principles and Criteria and contain a consultative process that is transparent and involves all interested and affected parties so as to consider all relevant information, including local knowledge. The impact of fishery management decisions on all those who depend on the fishery for their livelihoods, including, but not confined to subsistence, artisanal, and fishing-dependent communities shall be addressed as part of this process;

3. be appropriate to the cultural context, scale and intensity of the fishery – reflecting specific objectives, incorporating operational criteria, containing procedures for implementation and a process for monitoring and evaluating performance and acting on findings;

4. observe the legal and customary rights and long term interests of people dependent on fishing for food and livelihood, in a manner consistent with ecological sustainability;

5. incorporates an appropriate mechanism for the resolution of disputes arising within the system ;

6. provide economic and social incentives that contribute to sustainable fishing and shall not operate with subsidies that contribute to unsustainable fishing;

7. act in a timely and adaptive fashion on the basis of the best available information using a precautionary approach particularly when dealing with scientific uncertainty;

8. incorporate a research plan – appropriate to the scale and intensity of the fishery – that addresses the information needs of management and provides for the dissemination of research results to all interested parties in a timely fashion;

9. require that assessments of the biological status of the resource and impacts of the fishery have been and are periodically conducted;

10. specify measures and strategies that demonstrably control the degree of exploitation of the resource, including, but not limited to:

a) setting catch levels that will maintain the target population and ecological community’s high productivity relative to its potential productivity, and account for the non-target species (or size, age, sex) captured and landed in association with, or as a consequence of, fishing for target species;
b) identifying appropriate fishing methods that minimise adverse impacts on habitat, especially in critical or sensitive zones such as spawning and nursery areas;
c) providing for the recovery and rebuilding of depleted fish populations to specified levels within specified time frames;

d) mechanisms in place to limit or close fisheries when designated catch limits are reached;
e) establishing no-take zones where appropriate;

11. contains appropriate procedures for effective compliance, monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement which ensure that established limits to exploitation are not exceeded and specifies corrective actions to be taken in the event that they are.

B. Operational Criteria

Fishing operation shall:

12. make use of fishing gear and practices designed to avoid the capture of non-target species (and non-target size, age, and/or sex of the target species); minimise mortality of this catch where it cannot be avoided, and reduce discards of what cannot be released alive;

13. implement appropriate fishing methods designed to minimise adverse impacts on habitat, especially in critical or sensitive zones such as spawning and nursery areas;

14. not use destructive fishing practices such as fishing with poisons or explosives;

15. minimise operational waste such as lost fishing gear, oil spills, on-board spoilage of catch, etc.;

16. be conducted in compliance with the fishery management system and all legal and administrative requirements; and

17. assist and co-operate with management authorities in the collection of catch, discard, and other information of importance to effective management of the resources and the fishery.

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MSC Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing: Preambles

Preamble
The following Principles & Criteria are intended to guide the efforts of the Marine Stewardship Council towards the development of sustainable fisheries on a global basis. They were developed assuming that a sustainable fishery is defined, for the purposes of MSC certification, as one that is conducted in such a way that:

• it can be continued indefinitely at a reasonable level;
• it maintains and seeks to maximise, ecological health and abundance,
• it maintains the diversity, structure and function of the ecosystem on which it depends as well as the quality of its habitat, minimising the adverse effects that it causes;
• it is managed and operated in a responsible manner, in conformity with local, national and international laws and regulations;
• it maintains present and future economic and social options and benefits;
• it is conducted in a socially and economically fair and responsible manner.
  

The Principles represent the overarching philosophical basis for this initiative in stewardship of marine resources: the use of market forces to promote behaviour which helps achieve the goal of sustainable fisheries. They form the basis for detailed Criteria which will be used to evaluate each fishery seeking certification under the MSC programme.

Although the primary focus is the ecological integrity of world fisheries, the principles also embrace the human and social elements of fisheries. Their successful implementation depends upon a system which is open, fair, based upon the best information available and which incorporates all relevant legal obligations. The certification programme in which these principles will be applied is intended to give any fishery the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable fishing and ultimately benefit from this commitment in the market place.

Scope
The scope of the MSC Principles and Criteria relates to marine fisheries activities up to but not beyond the point at which the fish are landed. However, MSC-accredited certifiers may be informed of serious concerns associated with post-landing practices.

The MSC Principles and Criteria apply at this stage only to wildcapture fisheries (including, but not limited to shellfish, crustaceans and cephalopods). Aquaculture and the harvest of other species are not currently included.

Issues involving allocation of quotas and access to marine resources are considered to be beyond the scope of these Principles and Criteria.

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MSC Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing: Overview

At the centre of the MSC is a set of Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing which are used as a standard in a third party, independent and voluntary certification programme. These were developed by means of an extensive, international consultative process through which the views of stakeholders in fisheries were gathered.

These Principles reflect a recognition that a sustainable fishery should be based upon:

• The maintenance and re-establishment of healthy populations of targeted species;
• The maintenance of the integrity of ecosystems;
• The development and maintenance of effective fisheries management systems, taking into account all relevant biological, technological, economic, social, environmental and commercial aspects; and
• Compliance with relevant local and national local laws and standards and international understandings and agreements

The Principles and Criteria are further designed to recognise and emphasise that management efforts are most likely to be successful in accomplishing the goals of conservation and sustainable use of marine resources when there is full co-operation among the full range of fisheries stakeholders, including those who are dependent on fishing for their food and livelihood.

On a voluntary basis, fisheries which conform to these Principles and Criteria will be eligible for certification by independent MSC-accredited certifiers. Fish processors, traders and retailers will be encouraged to make public commitments to purchase fish products only from certified sources. This will allow consumers to select fish products with the confidence that they come from sustainable, well managed sources. It will also benefit the fishers and the fishing industry who depend on the abundance of fish stocks, by providing market incentives to work towards sustainable practices. Fish processors, traders and retailers who buy from certified sustainable sources will in turn benefit from the assurance of continuity of future supply and hence sustainability of their own businesses.

The MSC promotes equal access to its certification programme irrespective of the scale of the fishing operation. The implications of the size, scale, type, location and intensity of the fishery, the uniqueness of the resources and the effects on other ecosystems will be considered in every certification.

The MSC further recognises the need to observe and respect the long-term interests of people dependent on fishing for food and livelihood to the extent that it is consistent with ecological sustainability, and also the importance of fisheries management and operations being conducted in a manner consistent with established local, national, and international rules and standards as well as in compliance with the MSC Principles and Criteria.

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Riverkeeper Completes Mercury Testing – Smallmouth Bass Exceed EPA Standards

This week the results from Willamette Riverkeeper’s Mercury Testing Project were completed, providing renewed concern about Mercury levels in resident fish. WRK collected fish in July and sent them to be tested for Mercury concentrations to a lab in North Carolina. Of the ten fish collected, 6 of the 10 exceeded the EPA Standard of .3ppm. The fish were caught just below, and just above Willamette Falls near Oregon City.

“While this is a relatively small data set, it underscores the need to reduce Mercury in the Willamette River,” said Travis Williams, Executive Director of Willamette Riverkeeper. “It is critical that the TMDL for Mercury that is being considered works to precisely determine sources of mercury, and works toward an overall reduction in the Mercury load in the river,” he said.

The Willamette River provides great fishing opportunities for Oregon’s anglers. Unfortunately for those wish to consume their catch, there may be health risks stemming from the toxins that predatory fish tend to accumulate. One of the most widespread and harmful contaminants is mercury. While a small amount of mercury enters our waters naturally, the majority comes from the deposition of airborne vehicle exhaust, runoff from mining, and direct municipal and industrial effluent. Largely due to Mercury in fish tissue in Oregon, the State of Oregon has had a fish consumption advisory for all resident fish, recommending smaller portions.

RISKS - The developing fetus and young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of mercury. Exposure of pregnant women to mercury lowers birth weight and can cause severe brain damage and birth defects in children. This further underscores the need for the fish advisory.

To protect human and ecological health, new data on fish contamination is always helpful. As part of the Willamette Basin Total Maximum Daily Load, The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality tested a number of fish species at several sites along the Willamette and its tributaries. In order to provide information on the contamination levels of fish in the Portland area and contribute to the efforts of the DEQ, Willamette Riverkeeper teamed up with the Waterkeeper Alliance, the Department of Environmental Quality, and several members of the Oregon Bass and Panfish Club (Bill Egan, Terry Wu, Tom Nelson) to catch smallmouth bass for mercury analysis.

Smallmouth Bass were chosen since they are a popular game fish that is under-represented in the DEQ’s dataset. The Willamette Falls area in Oregon City was selected as a sample site since little information on mercury levels in fish tissue exists for this area. 5 smallmouth bass were caught both above and below Willamette Falls on July 21, 2005 by Oregon Bass and Panfish Club members. The fish were shipped to the Environmental Quality Institute at University of North Carolina for analysis. Expenses were covered by the Waterkeeper Alliance. Training on fish handling and data collection was provided by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

The EPA standard for mercury in fish tissue is .3 ppm. The FDA standard is 1.0 ppm. From our results, we see that the concentration of mercury in several fish violated the EPA standard while none violated the FDA standard. Also, it is evident that mercury concentration increases with fish size. This is to be expected as larger fish are more effective predators and mercury concentration increases as organisms ascend the food chain.

It is important that Oregonians monitor contaminant levels in their water and aquatic organisms. The data provided by Willamette Riverkeeper and its partners demonstrates the current level of contamination in a popular game fish.

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Fishing Montana Style - Diversity and Opportunity

Its summertime in Montana and the fishing is fantastic. There’s something for every angler throughout the state so grab your gear and pick your favorite.

Western Montana
Early summer is a hot time for catching the voracious pike. These post-spawn predators are looking for something to eat. Cut bait is always a sure thing, or try Rapala’s “Mystic Minnow” or weedless spinners. Lures in chartreuse and white seem to work the best this time of year, and concentrate on depths of 20-feet or less.

Check out Swan and Seeley Lakes off of Hwy 89, or head west along Hwy 2 to the Thompson Chain of Lakes. All three – Upper, Middle and Lower – fish well in early summer. Blanchard Lake, near Whitefish, is another pike hot spot, although be aware of the slot limits. Anglers are allowed 4 pike less than 28 inches and one greater than 36 inches.

Also try the Flathead River and the sloughs. Boaters can put in at the Sportsman Bridge fishing access site off of Hwy 82 on the Flathead River and head up the river to the mouths of Fennon Slough and Rose Creek.

When you’re fishing the sloughs, you can also fish for bass particularly in July after they’ve spawned. Toss out from the bank looking for good hiding spots such as submerged logs and other underwater structures. Use spinner baits in white and chartreuse, as well as Roboworms or Senko’s in 4’s and 5’s.

Noxon Reservoir at Thompson Falls is the premiere small mouth bass fishery in Western Montana. Fish rock structures and submerged weed beds using crankbaits, plastic worms and spinner blades.

Lake Blaine and Echo Lake near Kalispell offer great bass fishing particularly using a boat to fish depths around 12 to 15-feet where the bass are hiding. If the water is high enough at Echo, take advantage of the access to float over and fish Abbot and Peterson Lakes.

A little farther south along Hwy 93, angle the Flathead River below Kerr dam down to Perma. There’s fishing access at the mouth of Robertson Creek. The site is at mile post 88.5 on Highway 200, 3.4 miles east of the junction with Hwy 135. The area is just below the Flathead Indian Reservation allowing 4-miles of fishing out of the reservation boundaries; however, if you’re fishing on the reservation be sure to obtain a tribal fishing permit and information.

In addition, harvesting bass on many of the lakes requires a warm water fisheries stamp, which costs $5.00 and is available from any licensing agent.
Sack up the Kokanee at Lake Mary Ronan off of Hwy 93 or Koocanusa Reservoir in Libby. Jig around 30 to 40-feet using the standard maggot with white corn on a Swedish Pimple or Glo-Hook. Alternatively, cast with Doubly Whammys and wedding rings with a snubber to protect the tender mouths of the Kokes.

Take advantage of the rivers before the heat really kicks in and slows down the bite. Outside of Missoula, the Bitterroot, Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers dominate the trout fly fishing action. With practically unlimited options in fly selections, check with local outfits to see what’s working at that particular time. But be sure to include a few hoppers in your arsenal since they’re fairly consistent this time of year, and keep a nymph with a streamer handy if all else fails.

Don’t miss hitting the lake trout in Flathead Lake. There’s a “Hex” mayfly hatch the end of June in Polson Bay at the end of June, which bring in large schools of whitefish. Lake trout take advantage of this food source, so downrig or jig the Narrows the last week of June or first week of July for trophy lakers.

Central Montana
For walleye use bottom bouncers with a worm harness, crankbaits, or try perch patterned Rapalas. Canyon Ferry fished well early in the summer, and expect Holter and Hauser Lakes to follow. Sink your lure to roughly 5 to 10-feet deep on Canyon Ferry and 10 to 15-feet on Hauser and Holter.

Other good walleye fisheries in Central Montana include Lake Frances near Valier and Tiber Reservoir close to Shelby. As the water warms up throughout the summer, try switching to a jig with a nightcrawler or minnow.

If the walleye fishing slows down, many anglers switch to fishing for rainbows in these same waters. The post-spawn bows are hitting the open water and respond well to trolling hotshots and cowbells, or try a crawdad colored jig. Fishing is best early in the morning, late in the evening or on overcast days.

The Beaverhead and the Bighole Rivers are producing well this season with lots of 14 to 17 inch rainbows. Water should be clearing up in most rivers by early June, and more water with cooler temperatures is expected this season, which will help fishing throughout the summer.

Try stonefly nymphs trailed behind with a streamer. Caddis, pheasant-tail and prince nymphs are also good bets. On crummy days try Blue-winged Olives. For the best chance of success give yourself plenty of time to enjoy different sections of each of these rivers.

There are lots of Missouri River post-spawn rainbows that are reaching 15 to 21 inches. They’re feeding actively this time of year and hitting lures and flies. Try the Mepps 2, yellow and black Panther Marten, or Wooly Buggers on a casting bubble; fish within two miles of Little Prickly Pear Creek, Dearborn River or Little Sheep Creek. While you’re cruising for trout, nymph the mid-river runs for large schools of mountain whitefish reaching up to three-pounds.

The Missouri River also boasts a healthy population of quality brown trout that are active in the shallows mornings and evenings. Try a yellow Panther Martin, Mepps 3, a hammered brass spoon or small yellow spoon. The size limit on browns allows one harvested over 22-inches.
Eastern Montana

Tongue River Reservoir in July is the state’s premiere crappie fishery. Lots of deep bays and ample campsites provide good opportunities for fishing from the shoreline. Expect the Tongue to live up to its reputation of limits of ten-inch fish each day; a tiny minnow or a small spinner blade are most productive.

Walleye fishing is big in Eastern Montana. Even though drought and low water are constant issues, Fort Peck is renowned for this popular species and offers top-notch fishing throughout the summer. In June and July go to 25-feet with a bottom bouncer and a worm harness. Try crankbaits off of the points and deep bays in the evenings.

Nelson and Fresno are relatively shallow reservoirs that provide good walleye and pike opportunities. Dead drift and fish mudlines on windy days with a jig head and minnow on Nelson. Fresno has a uniform bottom running approximately 40-feet deep making it ideal for bottom bouncing with a worm harness and a spinner blade. Don’t worry about fishing bays because many have silted in through the years.

Tiber has struggled since the introduction of Cisco as its forage base a decade ago due to low water and winter draw downs during their spawning time. Nevertheless, Tiber reports abundant 13 to 14-inch walleye.

The Tongue River Reservoir holds the state record of a 37.5 pound pike caught in 1972. Use large spoons such as Five of Diamonds, red & white, black & white and alligator patterns; fish off of the points and in deeper bays. Suspend a smelt from a bobber in bays to tempt in the big boys.
Fort Peck has lots of deep bays and shoreline that provide good pike fishing opportunities. Mepps Musky Killer and spoons work well. Expect to catch them incidental when bottom bouncing for walleye. This is the same for Fresno and Nelson Reservoirs.

On Frances and Tiber troll jointed plugs or light spoons 100-feet behind the boat for pike throughout the day. On Frances dead drift on windy days with a Twister Tail. You can expect to catch a few quality perch using this method.

Lake trout are abundant in Fort Peck. Downrig on the bottom - roughly 125-feet deep – on the midlake bar between Haxby Point and the four pumphouses on the dam using a black flutter spoon with Smelly Jelly. Tiber boasts a relatively small population of lake trout. They’re usually caught near the dam jigging in deep water with a spoon on the bottom.

Fort Peck also has six-pound small mouth bass in the Forchette Bay area. Use crank baits, spinner blades and Twister Tails. Also try the Yellowstone River near Miles City, or head to Bighorn Lake near Billings. Structure oriented fish, such as small and large mouth bass, can be captured using crankbaits along the steep canyon walls.

No matter what your fishing preference might be Montana has a diversity and abundance for every type of angler. The hardest part is simply deciding where to go!

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Fishing Tips from an Expert

by Janis Couvreux

It’s a given that French men are stubborn, or at least difficult. My husband is French, and stubborn on top of that. So I think I can safely say that this man is a “double whammy.”

For our Atlantic Ocean crossing, we counted on a 30-day trip. However, one must prepare for the unforeseen: multiple windless days, perhaps equipment breakdowns…any number of things or events that could prolong the trip. With this in mind, we easily stored enough provisions for two months. We hoped that we would catch fish to supplement our diet, and vary the meals, but we couldn’t count on that. So whatever fish would be caught, if any, would be a welcome, surprise bonus.

So, Michel, who is not a fisherman, set about learning how one should fish while sailing, especially in deep ocean waters. We had quite a few sailing book “how-tos” and tales of others’ voyages in our on-board library. There were many advised tricks, fail-safe methods, and “guaranteed-to-catch” whatevers, so he settled on a method culled from several sources. It would seem that recreating the impression of a school of fish was a favorable tactic.

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World Record Catch by National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame

PROVO, UTAH AND HAYWARD, WISCONSIN – The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame has awarded Manitoba, Canada angler, Tim Matheson, its Fresh Water Fish, World Angling Record for a 29-inch brook trout Matheson caught during the inaugural four-week “Fish’n Win” tournament produced by Angling Masters international and “The Fish’n Line” magazine.

Matheson, owner of Kenanow Lodge near Sherridan Manitoba, landed a brook trout that measured 29 inches in length with a girth of 21 inches during the October 2006 tournament held at Manitoba’s Barbe Lake. After measuring and photographing the fish, Matheson and his fishing buddy released it back into the lake.

“As much as I love fishing, it wasn’t worth the risk of killing that magnificent fish to have a world record,” Matheson said. “So after measuring the fish and taking some pictures, we slid it back into the lake.”

Estimated to weigh 15- to 16-pounds and convinced it was a potential world record fish, Matheson submitted photos and details of his catch to several sport fishing organizing bodies, one of them being the Hayward, Wisconsin-based Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.

After reviewing Matheson’s photos during its annual world record classification process, the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame awarded Matheson the number one position in its “Fresh Water, Catch and Release” category. The Matheson’s brook trout broke was 4 inches longer than the previous record, which has stood since April 1995.

“Tim caught a great fish,” said Emmett Brown, executive director for the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. “But he also released it so it could thrill another angler some other day and also reproduce to keep the species alive.”

Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame records are updated quarterly and are printed in each issue of the Hall’s in-house magazine, “The Splash”. For his record catch, Matheson will be listed in “The Splash” and in the Hall’s annual record book. Matheson will receive an official Hall of Fame certificate and world champion shirt-sleeve and back patches.

Angling Masters International also awarded Matheson $1,000 as the winner of its inaugural “Fish’n Win” tournament. Scoring was determined by Angling Master’s unique points system, which levels the playing field for different species and locations throughout North America.

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Hot Tips for Cold Weather Fishing

by Patrick Mills

Introduction
During the early spring, just after ice out, water contained within our lakes, rivers and ponds remains very cold. Fish can be difficult to both locate and catch during this time, as they tend to shoal in specific deep-water areas and, due to their slowed metabolisms, are typically lethargic and tend to adopt timid feeding behaviors. However, it is possible for the bank fisher to make some excellent catches during this time. The following tips detail how, by allowing for and adapting to these specific conditions, this goal can be accomplished.

Locating fish on lakes and ponds
Tip #1 – During cold late winter and early spring fish of all species generally shoal up in ‘warmer’ deep-water areas. This behavior is related to the fact that water in the range of 4oC – 0oC (~39oF – 32oF) is less dense than water above this range, meaning it rises to the surface before turning in to ice.

Thus, under the coldest conditions, locating fish can sometimes be as simple as casting ones bait into the deepest (or ‘warmest’) part of the lake or pond. However, just because ones bait is within the vicinity of the fish, this does not guarantee that it will be taken. This point is addressed further in tip #6.

Tip #2 - Following on from tip #1, it is important to remember that fish will generally migrate to warmer water as conditions allow. Therefore, as weather conditions improve fish may be found in shallower water closer to shore.

This behavior may follow either of two trends – after a few days of mild weather, during which time the temperature of the water has remained above 4oC during both nighttime and daylight hours, or during bright daytime conditions when direct sunlight may rapidly warm the shallows by a significant degree.

This latter effect can be particularly evident around midday, so it is often of benefit to bank fish a venue over the more productive hours of ~11:00 am – 3:00 pm during the cooler months. The points so far discussed pertaining to water temperature illustrate an important fact – by either estimating or actually measuring the water’s temperature, the angler can come up with a best guess of where the fish will be holding at our local lake or pond.

Thus, it is of benefit to carry a thermometer in order to check the venue’s temperature close to shore. A personal rule of thumb is that if the water temperature in the shallows is 5oC (39oF) or greater, then a close range pole or bobber (float) approach is used, but if the shallows are at a lower temperature than this critical value, then either long range sinker or float tactics are preferred. These specific approaches are discussed further in tip #6.

Tip #3 - Fish from the windward (sheltered) bank of a lake or pond during the cooler months. For example, if the prevailing winds are out of the Northwest, then fish from the NW bank of the venue. This tactic has two principle benefits – first, the angler will generally be protected from the prevailing wind, or at least have his or her back to it. Not only does this approach allow for a more comfortable fishing position, (much better than having a brisk winter wind blowing directly into ones face), but bite detection also becomes easier when fishing calmer water.

Second, as the wind blows across the venue it will produce two effects - in addition of causing the top most layers of the water to be pushed towards the venue’s opposite (SE in our example) bank, it will also significantly cool this water. As a result of these effects, the temperature of the water blown into the leeward (exposed) bank will plummet, resulting in any fish present to most likely vacate the area.


Locating fish on rivers
Tip #4 – In many ways, locating and catching fish from rivers during the cooler months can be a far less complicated than performing an equivalent task on any lake or pond. This truism can be traced to one simple fact – in common with their still water counterparts, the metabolisms of all river fish also slow down as water temperatures drop. Thus, in order to conserve energy most species relocate to either deeper and/or slower river stretches with the onset of cooler weather. Bearing this fact in mind, the angler is advised to target the deeper features of rivers – holes, the outside of bends, bays and above dams, during the cooler months.

Interestingly, even though both river and still water fish retreat to deeper water during cooler periods, they may do so for different reasons. For river fish, which must constantly expend energy by swimming against the current, residing in deeper and/or slower stretches provides a mechanism for such species to conserve energy and, therefore, function with a reduced metabolic rate. However, it should also be noted that river fish typically maintain slightly higher metabolic rates than their still water brethren under similar temperature conditions.

This is due to the fact that such fish must continually expand energy by swimming against the river’s current. This latter point is good news to the angler, as river fish must necessarily feed more frequently than their still water counterparts during the cooler months. Thus, given a choice, a personal rule of thumb would be to fish a river in preference to a still water when water temperatures are within a few degrees of freezing.


Tackle and tactics
Tip #5 - Having determined the most probable location of the fish, how do we go about catching them? Simply stated, in order to attract fish to the vicinity of or hook bait, hold them there and eventually attract takes from our quarry, some kind of groundbait (chum) must be introduced to our chosen swim. Groundbaits work by first attracting fish, through releasing an attractive smell, then providing a readily available ‘carpet’ of food in order to keep these fish within the desired (‘groundbaited’) area. Groundbaits themselves can be very simple – a 50/50 mixture of cornmeal and white bread crumb, combined with water and mixed into fluffy balls that, in turn, fall apart when thrown into the swim, works well in summer.

However, under cold-water conditions a more sophisticated approach is required. First, since the fish require less food, the food value of the groundbait must be reduced. Passing the dry, pre-mixed groundbait ingredients through a coffee grinder typically accomplishes this task. The resulting fine powder contains very small particles that, when eventually introduced to the swim via the finished groundbait will not overfeed the fish. Additionally, the finished groundbait may also be ‘cut’ with up to 50% damp soil before being introduced to the swim.

This also has the effect of allowing a larger groundbaited area to be established, while simultaneously not introducing an excessive amount of feed. Second, the attractiveness of the groundbait must be enhanced. This an easily be accomplished by adding some kind of flavoring to the groundbait during mixing – vanilla and strawberry food flavorings work well, as do garlic and fish oil ‘lure sprays’ sold through most tackle stores. This is necessary as scents and flavors diffuse at a much slower rate in cold water, thus by increasing their concentration this drawback is overcome.

A small number of hookbait samples should also be added to the groundbait. If using worm on the hook, chopped or pulped worms make for a deadly groundbait additive. Typically, between two and five orange sized balls of low feed / winter groundbait should be introduced to the area to be fished. The angler should then fish his or her bait over this area until the number of takes begins to tail off. This may not happen during the session, but if it does a further two or three balls groundbait should be introduced.

Tip #6 – Following on from tip #5, having attracted fish into the area to be fished through the introduction of a suitable groundbait, the angler is free to fish a hookbait over this groundbaited area. However, due to the fact that fish in cold water can be notoriously lethargic and/or ‘finicky’, ultra light tackle, coupled with the most sensitive of bobbers (floats) or other terminal tackle, must be utilized. Additionally, since the appetites of the quarry have become diminished (due to the fact that they have reduced metabolic rates), small baits, and therefore hooks, must be also used, as they also provide the best chance of inducing a take.

Typically, a sensitive float, such as a Thill style ‘shy bite’, is fished in conjunction with line of ~2 lb breaking strain and a fine wire hook of size 18 or 20. Small baits such as double or single maggot (spikes), or a half to one inch section of chopped worm are typically employed, although a single grain of corn or a larger section of worm mounted on a size 16 or 14 hook may be used if larger species such as catfish or carp are sought. The bait is most often fished so it just touches bottom, appearing (from the fishes point of view) to protrude from the groundbaited area. Additionally, if fishing at short range with a rod or pole, it is often possible to ‘jig’ or ‘twitch’ the bait in order to provoke a take with such a rig.

If a sinker set up is used for fishing at longer range, the hookbait should be fished on a short leader of a foot or less in length with the point of the hook exposed from the bait. The sinker should also be fixed in place and be of at least one ounce in weight. This is essentially a self-hooking rig and will result in takes being easy to spot.

Also, the hookbait can be rendered partially buoyant, and therefore more visible to the fish, through the use of a worm blower or by attaching a small piece of sponge foam to the shank of the hook.

More details
The above tips and hints provide a good basic description of how good numbers of fish may be caught from our ponds, lakes and rivers and during the cooler months. For additional information and free access to more detailed articles on these and other bankfishing topics (including groundbait recipes and detailed rig descriptions), the reader is encouraged to visit to the Chicagoangler.com website.

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10 Tips for Winter Fishing (For You and the Fish)

If you calling out yourself for a winter fishing, then you should read these 10 tips carefully, because you might miss something that will give you better catch.

1. Leave your float plan behind with someone who is willing to call the authorities if you have not checked back in at a predetermined time.
2. Cold weather boating in January, February, March and April present the greatest fatality risk so always check the weather. And set your NOAA weather alerts on your VHF radio.
3. Wear layers of clothing preferably synthetic or wool but never cotton. It’s a poor insulator when wet.
4. A spray of line conditioner will help keep your lines ice-free.
5. Silt on any bellies of fish you bring up indicates the fish has been glued to the bottom, so take your time presenting the bait or lure. Fish more vertically than horizontally.
6. Use attractants on soft plastic lures. Fish are sluggish and attractants encourage them to hold on longer.
7. Bring along high-energy foods and warm drinks. Stay away from alcohol, which cools your body core.
8. If you fall overboard, a life jacket already worn will give you the time to pull yourself back aboard. Make sure you have the necessary ladders that can be deployed once you are out of the boat. A float coat life jacket with foam floatation in the body and arms will increase your chances of survival and provide good warmth during the day.
9. Buy, register and know how to use the new Personal Location Beacons (PLB). Costing under $700, having one will enable you to give your GPS position within 300 feet to the local Search and Rescue agency within 10 minutes. They have saved over 22,000 lives so far. Realize that your cell phone may not operate on remote areas of lakes in New Mexico but bring it and spare battery charger.
10. Realize the days are short and bring along a regular GPS to help you find your way back just in case.
11. Disconnect the water pressure and speed hoses behind the helm gauges to prevent freeze damage.
12. When you are done fishing and before you leave the launch ramp, remove any mud or debris from the boat or equipment and thoroughly drain live wells or anywhere else water may have pooled to stop the spread of invasive species.
13. Take along and have immediately accessible a dry bag with emergency supplies such as a sleeping bag, charcoal hand warmers, fire starter and matches/lighter(s), radiant foil emergency bag, and extra food.
14. Use a smaller line size so you can get better hook sets with less line resistance.

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For Walleye Fishing These Are the Things You Should Look For

Successful walleye fishing is a combination of strategy, location and gear. Without the right fishing gear, you could have all the best intentions in the world but never catch this elusive fish. Want to increase your chances of catching the walleye? Here are the most important fishing gear you'll need to complete your arsenal:

Fishing rod
Look for the three essentials: strength, length and flex. The walleye is not a passive fish and you'll have to do a little bit of battle so you'll need a sturdy and reliable rod.

Length also matters. If you tend to fish in an area surrounded by trees and shrubs, a shorter line will prevent any tangles. Pick a rod that is about 6 to 7 feet long, which should work well whether you're fishing from a boat or from the shore.

If you're wondering why flex is a factor, consider how lightly the walleye can sometimes strike at your bait. Many anglers have lost a good catch because their rods were too stiff to give them a 'feel'. A light, flexible, medium- to fast-action rod will give you more information than your heavy and stiff old faithful.

Fishing reel
Your next fishing gear consideration is the reel. A good bet is the spinning reel, which many anglers swear will work great with a well-chosen rod. A spinning reel and rod combo will let you work with light cranks and jigs, two of the best and most reliable elements of your walleye fishing arsenal.

When looking at the fishing reel at the store, make sure to check for drag. Choose the one that offers the smoothest so in case you play tug of war with the walleye, you won't waste too much energy in the fight. You'll also need a clean drag to help you manipulate your line better, allowing you to pull and discharge it with minimal effort. Too much resistance and your line could break.

Fishing line
Look for a strong and reliable line. Don't be afraid to pay for quality. When you're already out there in the water, you'll thank yourself for not scrimping.

Lures and baits
Lures and bait are the components of your fishing gear that attract the walleye. For your first picks, choose the following:

Jigs - these are meant to be used on a lake, stream or river bottom, in close contact with the sand. Choose the appropriate size, weight and style.

Crank baits - mimicry is the strong suit of crank baits and you'll need them to lure the walleye into believing that what you are presenting is their real prey.

Bottom bouncer - this will sink your live bait and make it easy for the walleye to take a bite.

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Self-Employment and Subsistence Hunting and Fishing in Alaska

By John Sargent and Julie Clay and an interview with Jackie Bisbee, Coordinator of Tanana Chiefs Conference Vocational Rehabilitation Program in Fairbanks, Alaska

Self-Employment
Jackie Bisbee is the coordinator of the Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Vocational Rehabilitation Program in Fairbanks, Alaska. The program currently serves Athabascan Indians living in 27 Alaska villages, seven of which are on the road system, the others only accessible by commuter airplane or boat. The land encompasses approximately 37% of the state of Alaska or 235,000 square miles.

“About 25% of our cases go to self-employment,” said Bisbee. The grant under which they operate is focused on providing competitive employment, self-employment and subsistence outcomes to clients with disabilities. She and two staff members carry an equal share of the 77 cases active at this time.

Clients who seek self-employment must prepare a business plan. “We want them to think it out and write answers to questions like these: Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?,” said Bisbee. For more formal business plans, the program contracts for the service.

If clients need training or instruction before they can start a business, the program staff will find someone to provide the training. Typically, a Memo of Understanding is drawn up between the training provider and the rehabilitation center so that both parties understand what is expected.

The medical needs of clients are met through various means, sometimes simultaneously with the pursuit of a self-employment goal. In one case, a neurological expert made visits to a man who suffered a stroke in order to assess and monitor his condition. At the same time, a computer expert was paid to visit the client weekly and teach him computer skills.

Tanana Chiefs Conference has a Minority Business Office (MBO) for further self-employment assistance. The MBO offers business loans to new entrepreneurs. “The loan office really makes clients think about their project because of the documentation they require before any loans are approved,” said Bisbee.

The vocational rehabilitation office will buy equipment and supplies to help clients start a business. No provision exists for the return of things purchased if the business fails. “It would be bad public relations for the program,” said Bisbee. “The people we buy equipment for really want to succeed.”

Subsistence
“Subsistence hunting, fishing, and trapping is a viable outcome for us, on par with self-employment” emphasizes Bisbee. Subsistence fishing and hunting is a big self-determination issue. Being able to provide food from for one’s family from the natural environment is culturally appropriate. “People depend on subsistence hunting and fishing,” said Bisbee. “It contributes to their livelihood – ensures their survival. There are no full service grocery stores in the remote villages, especially those off the road system.”

Villagers will catch and dry salmon to eat over the long winter months. Those with dog teams will feed salmon to their dogs. Those lucky enough to secure a moose will freeze the meat or make it into jerky.

The last few years have been tough for those trying to make a living off the land, either by subsistence or self-employment means. Poor salmon runs have been compounded by ever-lower prices for commercially caught salmon. “Fur prices have bottomed out so much that it is not economically feasible to trap anymore,” said Bisbee.

The Tanana Chiefs Conference Vocational Rehabilitation Center will finance the purchase of boats, motors, snowmobiles, and other tools for the people to hunt, fish, and trap. The Center has purchased glasses, dentures, hearing aides, and prostheses for people who need them to perform successfully in either the self-employment or subsistence venue. One elderly man was able to go moose hunting again after receiving a hearing aide.

Success Stories

• A client with his right arm amputated started a fishing guide service on the Kenai River. He had several years of experience working for another guide on the Kenai. “He knew exactly what he wanted to do,” said Bisbee. “Having done it before made it easier for him. He was focused.” The man received financial assistance to purchase a used boat and motor, the necessary licenses, marine training, and fishing gear. In his first year in business, he accepted the customer overflow from his former employer-guide.
  
• A successful banker was confronted with a stroke that suddenly changed his life and his career. He had to come to terms with his decreased cognitive ability after the stroke. After five years of learning to deal with his disability, he decided to start his own computer consulting business. He used to use a computer when he worked for the bank. The man developed a business plan and went to work. A computer systems person was hired through the vocational rehabilitation program to help train him. Six months later, he was in business for himself. One of his first requests for service was to install a new computer system for an organization near his home.
• A skilled carpenter with chronic mental illness wanted to make dog sleds the way his dad used to make them when his dad was still alive. His first step was training himself. He read books on sled-making and studied doll-sized models of sleds that his father used to make before building real ones. The client’s first product was a small model sled that he sold to a person who works for Tanana Chiefs Conference. He recently completed his first pair of snowshoes to add to his product repertoire.
• One man sells gas and oil to people using boats and seaplanes on a lake in the summertime.
  
• A woman uses her sewing machine to make kuspuks (summer parkas) and other types of traditional Native Alaskan clothing.
  

Consumers unsure of what type of business they wish to form can easily start out as a wood vendor or an expeditor. A wood vendor uses a chainsaw and ax to cut and chop firewood for sale to others. An expeditor transports equipment from one place to another via snowmobile, four-wheeler, dog sled, boat, or motor vehicle.

Jackie and her staff foster a personal relationship with the clients they serve. When in the field, Jackie and her staff make it a point to visit former clients, say “hi,” see how they are doing, and remind them that they can open up their files again if they need anything. Informal visits of this nature are part of the culture of the Athabascan Indian population served and provide feedback on how well the vocational rehabilitation program is meeting consumer needs.

Jackie Bisbee, Coordinator
Tanana Chiefs Conference Vocational Rehabilitation Program
122 First Avenue
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
(907) 452-8251
jbisbee@tananachiefs.org

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2007 Budd Lake Fishing Derby Results

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Budd Lake Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Harrison Chamber of Commerce. A Special Thank You to all who volunteered to make the event a big success!

Although the $1,000.00 prize for the largest legal size muskie and the $100.00 prize for the 2nd largest legal size muskie eluded the anglers, contestants shared cash and prizes totaling over $1,700.00. Cash prizes were awarded for two adult categories: the largest bass and the largest string of bass. In addition, two youngsters received cash and/or prizes for their success.

Following are the winners of the “largest bass” category:
David Richardson won $300.00 for 1st place;
Shawn Green won $150.00 for 2nd place;
Darrel Bluemein won $100.00 for 3rd place.

The following winners are for the “largest string bass” category:
Dave Pepper won $300.00 for 1st place;
Shawn Green won $150.00 for 2nd place;
Joel Urichbain won $100.00 for 3rd place.

New division this year for Largest Walleye was;
first place was won by Joel Urichbaun $300.00,
2nd largest Walleye was Lisa Baldwin $150.00 and
3rd largest Walleye was one by Joel Urichbaun $100.00.

In the kid’s division, Alex Servis won $50.00 plus a tackle box (donated by Jay’s Sporting Goods) for 1st largest pan fish and Tyler Vasher won a rod & reel (also donated by Jay’s Sporting Goods) for 2nd largest pan fish.

The Fishing Derby was a success due to the efforts of many people and organizations. The Harrison Chamber of Commerce would like to thank everyone who was involved. Following is a list of the volunteers and/or companies who helped with the affair: Clare County Sheriff’s Department and Reserves, KD Quik Stop, First Baptist Church, Jay’s Sporting Goods, Tammy Carlstrom and Mike Beadle (from the Harrison Chamber), Bernard DeVuyst (Putt-R-Golf), Todd Diederich, Walt’s Crawlers, McDonalds of Harrison, Trestain’s Long Lake Store, Willies Porta Potties, Ron Henschel, Glen’s Market of Harrison and the City of Harrison for use of Saxton’s Landing. Again, thanks to all of our participants and volunteers! Also, A HUGE THANK YOU to Janet and Carl Spencer for chairing this event this year!!!

Great Job.

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Tips for Taking Your Kids On A Fishing Trip

Taking kids fishing is one of the best family outings you can plan. These trips may be as simple as gathering together the fishing poles with a picnic lunch, and heading down to the nearest lake. Some families try deep sea fishing on the deep blue waters, and others like to take the whole family out for several days on a boat. But you can just as easily head to a local farm pond for the afternoon. No matter what type of fishing trip you decide on, there are some helpful tips for taking the kids fishing.

The first tip for taking your kids on a fishing trip is to keep the ages of your kids in mind when planning the vacation. Younger children usually cannot handle a full day of fishing, and many cannot handle more than a few hours on a boat. To make the fishing trip more enjoyable, you can consider investing in one of the cartoon character poles available in stores now. These poles are smaller in size, and designed to make the experience of fishing more fun for the child.

As much fun as you plan on having during your fishing trip, your children are more than likely going to end up feeling a little tired, or a little bored. In most cases this will happen long before you're ready to leave the water behind. There are things you can do to keep everyone happy and occupied during the trip. One way to keep the kids happy is to bring along a few handheld travel sized games for the kids. They may want to bring along their video game, but try to talk them out of it. The last thing you want is to watch in horror as little hands lose their grip, and that expensive game drops to the bottom of the lake.

You should also be careful to explain exactly to your kids what is going to happen before you head out on your fishing trip. You might be surprised to discover that your little boy is petrified of worms, and throws a tantrum at the thought of putting one on the end of their line. Some parents plan in advance by bringing along a few extra types of bait including lunch meat, in case their child doesn't want to use the worms.

If you're planning on a fishing trip, and have some time before the big day, you might want to consider picking up a few books geared towards children regarding fishing. These books are available from the local library, and they explain how to fish as well as offering tips for the kids. Many parents recommend these books for parents that have never taken their kids fishing before.

Fishing trips can be fun for the whole family, but only if you follow a few of these tips. You need to explain to your kids exactly what you will be doing on the bid day, and try to make it as much fun as possible. Taking along a few snacks, a kid sized fishing pole, and something to keep their minds occupied can go a long way towards having a great time.

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Casting the Fly: A Beginner Fly Fishing Techniques

I was put off of fly fishing for years simply because I thought it would be too hard to learn. There is so much hype about casting a fly with a fly rod, different actions and movements that it all sounds too complicated for the poor beginner. Well the art of casting a fly is in truth really quite simple, and with a few beginner fly fishing techniques just about anyone can do it.

With fly fishing your aim is to cast your fly and have it land naturally on the water so that it attracts fish. The main problem with this is that you have no weight on the end of your line to propel it to where you want it to go. Instead you are using a heavy main line with a short piece of very light line attached, onto which you tie your fly.

This means that you use the weight of the line itself to make the cast, and this involves letting out line a little at a time, then casting it behind you, casting it forwards, letting out more line, casting behind, bringing it forwards and so on. This is called false casting and allows you to build up the cast until enough line is let out to land the fly where you want it.

With a small amount of practise this will get easier and easier. Start off small by trying out your casting on an area of clear grass, in a field or a large garden, there is no need to use a fly or hook at this point as it could become snagged or injure someone.

1. Let out about twenty feet of line in front of you, stand nice and loose and point the rod in front of you so that the rod and line form a continuous straight line.
2. Hold the rod with your thumb resting on the top of the handle. During the cast you will only be moving your wrist and forearm and not your shoulder.
3. Trap the line coming from the reel under a finger and raise the rod to about ten o’clock, then flick the rod backwards to pick the line up off the grass, and propel it behind you until it is at one o’clock
4. Stop the movement sharply, and your wrist should be pointing straight up with the tip of the rod behind you still at one o’clock.
5. Now you have to pause slightly to let the line straighten out behind you until you feel a gentle tug (this is when the line is fully extended).
6. Sweep the rod forward and down, lowering your elbow at the same time. As the line unfurls release the line trapped under your finger.
7. To increase the length of cast flick the rod back again and while trapping the line under your finger pull a few yards of line off with your other hand, cast the rod forward as before and release the trapped line.

You are now fly fishing. You may be a bit awkward at first, but with a little practice you will look and feel like a professional. These are just your first basic steps to fly fishing, by picking up a few more beginner fly fishing techniques you will soon learn all the secrets and tips of the fly fisherman.

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