Conservation is an important part of keeping our planet, our wildlife and ourselves healthy. Conservation means protecting resources, water, land, animals, ocean, air, planet and people. People who love the outdoors and anyone that loves to fish in lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, creeks...keeping the water clean. People across "America" and around the "World" need clean water drink and care for their family. So "EVERY ONE" across the "GLOBE" Please keep the water clean and keep the land clean of unwanted debris. The "CHILDREN" of our "FUTURE"...........THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF THEIR HEARTS !!!

     Helpful Hints on "Fishing"

 You need to purchase a fishing license before going fishing. Check with your state that you live in to see what each state requires for fishing.

 Boat: Make sure your boat is registered with the state that you live in. Make sure you have up to date "Insurance" on your boat.

 You need to have your boat in working order. Make sure your battery is charged. Check your oil or check your oil/gas mixture if its a 2 stroke oil. Make sure your boat is filled with gasoline. 

 A "Life" Vest or "Safety Jacket is the Law in every state of the "United States of America". Make sure your Safety Jacket fits well around your shoulders and body. The Safety Jacket is "NOT "SAFE" if it does fit you. If you have small children with you while boating, make sure he or she wears a "LIFE JACKET" You are "RESPONSIBLE" for their "SAFETY" !!!       www.dbm.ca.gov/AquaSmart/html/life_jackets_2.html

 Knowing how to "Swim" is a must, for you and your children. Knowing how to swim can SAVE" your "LIFE" or your children's "LIFE". The YMCA can help you or friends to learn to "SWIM".

Keeping your fishing equipment in a tackle box and fishing poles in a dry place, when storing.

Packing a lunch in a cooler may include sandwiches, fresh fruit and water or juices and at lease two bags of ice.

DO NOT pack any "Alcohol" of any kind. Drinking "Alcohol" is "Prohibited" in any State while boating. Please Do Not Curse in front of family and friends...this is NOT a GOOD EXAMPLE. Please Do Not Fight in front of Family and Friends...NOT a GOOD EXAMPLE. Please Do Not Smoke while Camping or Boating...Not a GOOD EXAMPLE.

Wear comfortable clothing while fishing. Take a jacket with you if your fishing in the winter. Remember to pack suntan lotion if your fishing in the hot sun. 

First Aid Kit is good to have on your boat. You "NEVER" know when an accident can happen.

Check the weather before going boating. Purchase a weather radio and have it with you when going fishing. 

Having lodging in a hotel or renting a vehicle is good when traveling several hours from your home or out of state.

Make sure your car or truck is up to date with  Repairs, Insurance, Inspection Sticker, Gasoline, Tires are new, Transmission is in working order.

Before going fishing, make sure you have enough money to commendate your boating plans.

Make sure your "Drain Plug" is in the "BOAT. 

Remember to wear sunshades over your eyes, in the hot sun.  Wear sunshades on a cloudy also.

Having a "Flashlight" and "Matches" are good to have while camping or boating.

Camera or Video Camera: At the end of the day, relaxing in your favorite recliner, thinking of how you or a friend caught a Large Mouth Bass or Salmon. Now you have a memory and it's captured through "Photography or Video Camera". Now you can relive that 'Special' moment time after time......Sharing the "Largest" Catch of the "DAY".

             Going Fishing

          Go where the "FISH" are living.

Plan your fishing trip where the fish are waiting to be caught. Just getting "OUTDOORS" to fish with family or friends can make memories  that will last "Lifetime". You or your  Children will "NEVER" Forget their "FIRST" fish that they pulled out of the water. Remember....To catch that moment of the day by capturing it with your camera. 

A city park, a pay per catch or a heavenly stocked lake is a good bet to catch lots of fish. Rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and man made reservoirs also hold lots of fish. If you don't know where to go fishing in your community, call an official, from your state fisheries department or ask someone working in a "Bait Shop".

Fish Love To Swim.....  

Fish love to swim off sandbars, in-depth edges, in weed beds and around sunken islands. They also swim near artificial structures such as boat docks or piers and around natural cover such as fallen trees. Get a map of the lake if possible. It will help you locate some of these popular fish locations.

Fish love live bait !!!

Crayfish- Under rocks or other shelter in lots of cold-water ponds, lakes, streams and rivers.

Crickets- Outside under rocks or maybe hiding under your bed or couch.

Frogs- In swamps, ponds, and other areas still, shallow.

Grasshoppers- In fields of tall grass. Taking a family drive down a country road...when your looking at the 'wild flowers'......all of a sudden you'll find 'Grasshoppers'.

Grubs- (Insect larvae) Sometimes they live in your yard.

Hellgrammites- (Dobsonfly) larvae.

Mealworms- (Insect Larvae)

Leeches

Minnows- Including different species like chubs, dace, and shiners. They can be tough to catch, but you'll probably find them in the same bodies of water you fish.

Night Crawlers and Earthworms- Down in the dirt, probably in your yard or garden ot bait shop.

Salamanders- In swamps, ponds, and other areas water is still, shallow.

Salmon eggs.

Wax Worms- (Moth Larvae)

Fishing Equipment....

10 Basics "everyone" Fisher needs in his or her "Tacklebox".                                                        1.Extra Fishing Line                                            2.Extra Hooks                                                    3.Bobbers or Floaters                                        4.Sinkers                                                            5.Plastic Worms                                                6.Lures                                                              7.Needle Nose Pliers                                            8.Small First Aid Kit                                          9.Sunscreen                                                      10.Line Cutter (Nail Clippers) or Knife

Extra things you might have in your duffle bag...Food/Fresh Fruit/ Snacks/Ice, Large Ice Chest, Flashlight, Matches, Clothing, Sunglasses, Money, Gloves, Cell Phone, Matches, Towels, Paper Towels, Weather Radio, Map, Boots or Tennis Shoes, First Aid Kit, Pocket Knife, Camera, Video Camera and lots Giggles, Laughter and a Smile or Two. 

Rod reel and line: Start with a spin cast reel (the one with the push button on the back) rigged with 10 pound test monofilament and a 5 - 51/2 foot/ two piece red with light action. This outfit is easy and transport, and it will cast light lures.

Tackle...

1. No. 2 straight shank hooks, 1/16 ounce clamp on weights + floaters. This live bait outfit works great with earthworms, minnows or powerbait eggs and is highly effective for anything that swims. 

2. Spinner baits: 1/4 and 3/8 ounce willow -leaf blades in both white and chartreuse. The baits have plenty of flash, are easy to cast and retrieve, and are relatively snag proof.              The two most popular Spinnerbaits are the in-line spinner and safety pin spinnerbaits, though other such as the tail-spinner. Spinnerbaits are used for catching predatory fish  such as perch, pike and bass.                                                    Predatory fish are fish that predate upon other fish or other animals. Some predatory fish include perch, muskellunge, pike, walleye, and salmon. 

3. 8 inch purple plastic worms, wire guard No.3 hooks, and 1/8 ounce bullet shaped slip sinkers.

Bait Bucket: If your fishing with minnows or other small bait you'll need a bait bucket. Bait Buckets are good for your bait, it will help keep bait alive. Bait Buckets have small holes to allow fresh water inside.

Knots...                                        Great Website, How to make knots.                 www.netknots.com                                            Knots such as.... Palomar; Five turn improve clinch; The Skinny; Surgeon's Knot; Double Over Hand Loop Knot.

Conservation Catch and Release Tips:    *Once you've hooked a fish, bring it in quickly so it doesn't become tired.                                  *Leave fish in the water or your net while removing hook from mouth.                                 *Wet your hands before touching the fish if you have to hold it for a picture or to remove the hook.                                                                   *Be careful and quick when removing the hook. Just turst the hook while pushing it towards the bend. Use pliers or other special tools if the hook is deep in the mouth. With treble hooks, remove one barb at a time. If the fish swallows swallows the hook, cut the line inside of the mouth and release the fish without removing the hook.                                                                     *Return the fish to the water as quickly possible. If it doesn't swim by itself, you might be able to revive the fish by moving it through the water head first to force water through its mouth and over it's gills.                                                        Use live well on boat to save fish that you still want to release, be sure to change water frequently  and keep aerators pumping.

Come Back and Join Me.