Improvement is something we aim to do in our next article on fishing techniques. We intend to provide an improved article on fishing techniques in the near future.
Another Great fishing techniques Article
Night Catfishing Magic on Sprague Lake
Some of the most enjoyable fishing I?ve done in the Inland Northwest has been the times spent night fishing for catfish on Sprague Lake.
One of the reasons that I wanted to do an article on catfish fishing on Sprague Lake is that I recently learned of proposed plans by the WDFW, (Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife), to rehabilitate the lake this fall. It seems that the fishing angler density has fallen off the past few years to one of the lowest in the state. WDFW surveys say that the lake attracts fewer than five anglers per acre a year. You can read the whole story by Rich Landers of the Spokesman-Review at their website.
While Catfish can be caught during the day at Sprague Lake, I?ve always had the best results and experience at night.
I, for one, would miss the magic of Catfish fishing at night on Sprague. My son and I usually head out with plans to be on the water prior to sundown. The best times for us are the hot nights of summer when the air temperature stays in the high 60?s and above after dark. Far enough from the city lights, the stars overhead shine brilliantly and the band of our Milky Way Galaxy can be clearly seen. The stars seem close enough to reach out and touch them.
Another part of the magic are the multitudes of bats, feeding on flying insects, swooping so close that they often tick your line as it leaves your rod tip to the water. Besides being harmless to humans, bats eat their weight in mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects nightly, which might otherwise be feeding off of you. Despite this benefit, I still recommend the use of a good spray or lotion repellant containing ?deet?. The best I?ve found is the Avon product called, ?Skin-so-Soft?. It is far and away the best smelling repellent I?ve used that was still highly effective.
Harper Island on the southwest end of the lake is an extremely active bird nesting site and even at night the sounds of gulls and other waterfowl fill the air. I have often wondered if the birds on the island ever sleep. If they do, you wouldn?t know it from the noises coming from there, even well after dark.
Since it is the nature of Catfish fishing to be a waiting game? a lot of that time is spent talking, telling stories of past fishing trips and anything else that comes to mind. We usually bring along a small propane barbecue and cook burgers and hotdogs. Good flashlights are essential, and one of the foam mounted headlights that can be hooked up to your 12 volt battery can be pretty handy for navigating to and from the boat launch, along the shoreline, and around Harper Island (see map above) on the southwest end of the lake. Usually one angler holds the light for the person fighting the fish or head-mounted lights can be great also. The east side of Harper Island has been our preferred spot for night cats, but I have heard from other people that the creek mouth, (Cow Creek), at the far southwest end of the lake is quite good also. Either spot is just a short distance from the public launch at that end of the lake.
Now let?s get down to the equipment you will need for these monsters.
Rods: First you will need a good stout rod. Any heavy to medium heavy rod in 6 to 7 foot length will probably suffice. Ugly sticks will do the job well enough.
Line: Line requirements too, are fairly simple, 15 to 25 pound monofilament or braid or heavy test fluorocarbon. If you?re fishing for trophy?s that get much bigger than 20 to 25 pounds you might want to up your line to 30 or even 35 pound test.
The Right Hook: The right hooks just may be the most important factor to consider. Since practically every bite you get your bait is swallowed, you want to make sure that when you set the hook that you don?t gut or throat hook your fish. A circle hook will slide back up the throat and then usually hook in the jaw.
In addition to setting without rod action, circle hooks are favored in commercial fisheries because they hook and retain fish, even on slack lines. They also tend to hook fish in the jaw, causing less mortality than standard J-hooks. Make sure to use a heavy-gauge hook. Cats have been known to straighten thin-wire hooks.
The Hook-set: Using circle hooks requires some attention to your hook-set. With reels with a clicker you would set your drag light and turn on your reel clicker. When the clicker starts to click, (indicating that the bait has been taken), tighten up your drag and slowly bring back your rod tip with a gentle sweep. Too early or too aggressive a hook-set can pop the bait out of the catfish?s mouth.
What Bait to Use? I have the best luck with a golf ball size chunk of fish on a 3/0, 4/0 or even a 5/0 size circle hook. Trout chunks work great, (but you didn?t hear it from me), and some people persist in using earthworm, chicken livers, stink baits and even cornflakes, oatmeal and flour concoctions. The truth is, just about anything edible with a strong scent is likely to attract and entice a catfish to bite.
Reels: Hands down, large bait-casting style reels have the cranking power to move these big fish. Spinning reels can and do work and many catfish fishermen swear by them. Just for fun, my 31 year old son hooked and played one large catfish with a child?s Scooby-Doo pole and even its inferior reel might have brought it boat side had the line not been broken off on the outboard motor.
Other tackle: Some people use weights to keep their baits on the bottom. With a large chunk of fish on your hook I haven?t found it necessary. Besides, the rocky bottom of Sprague can cause your weight to hang-up in the rocks. Some cats do like to roll when hooked, so a good ball-bearing swivel can be an advantage. Bobbers can be a good idea both from the standpoint of being a bite indicator, and, (if it is being slowly blown across the surface), it can drag your bait along with it presenting it to a larger area. I prefer to watch my line and rod tip. There isn?t usually much doubt when you have a catfish on. Last, but oh so important, a good large net is an essential item to boat these behemoths.
The Fight: I have heard some people say that catching a large catfish is like pulling in a large log, or some other such nonsense. These comments are usually made by someone who has never caught a large catfish. I can bear testimony that a Sprague Lake catfish of good size usually puts up one heck of a fight.
Getting there: The town of Sprague is just 37 miles from Spokane, WA. After leaving I-90 go through the town to the South shore road following it to the public access road near the southwest end of the lake.
David Wright has been a resident of the Inland Northwest, (Spokane, WA), for more than fifty years. He has fished the area since childhood and knows the waters of Washington, Idaho and Montana well. He is the Editor and Publisher of the Monthly On-line Fishing Magazine, "Max-fishing", (http://www.max-fishing.com). Dedicated to providing current fishing information by printing articles, providing a fishing forum, free classifieds for used fishing gear, boats and finding a fishing buddy. The site also provides product and video reviews, an events calendar, area fishing reports and a section for visitors to post pictures of their catches. |
Thoughts about fishing techniques
Striking, Hooking, and Landing Fish With Fly Fishing Tackle
It can be quite frustrating when an angler makes a perfect cast and fails to hook a fish, or when the bait angler feels the nibbli...
Click here to read more
Featured fishing techniques Items
Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada
Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada
From Lake Almanor's exciting hex hatch in the north to the lovely golden trout of Monache Meadows in the south, "Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada" describes when, where and how to fish California's premier mountain range. Detailed maps and directions chart the way to hundreds of rivers, creeks and lakes that offer some of the best fishing in the state. No matter where you go, you'll know what flies to use and be privy to angling secrets that result from years of fishing the region. Toss in some history, geological background and a bit of humor, and the result is a book that will be on the must-have list of every trout angler who fishes California.
Blue Ribbon Bow: A Fly Fishing History of the Bow River - Canada_s Greatest Trout Stream
Blue Ribbon Bow: A Fly Fishing History of the Bow River - Canada_s Greatest Trout Stream
Traces the Bow_s ancient glacial origins to the modern day, with a look at the impact of human activity on the river, and advice for successful fishing through the seasons.
Surf Fishing
Vintage Fishing Reels of Sweden (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Vintage Fishing Reels of Sweden (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
There's More to Fishing (Than Catching Fish)
There's More to Fishing (Than Catching Fish)
Whether you fish for trout or marlin, visit fresh waters or salt, there is so much more to your fishing experience than just catcing fish. Tom Alkire's essays explore the "other" pleasures of the angler's life--traveling to distant waters, nights in front of the fireplace or campfire, friends made, fishing as children and as old-timers, the food and drink at fishing camp, the natural world around you, and how the act of fishing leads to the angler's infamous disregard for the truth. If you believe fishing is about more than just catching losts of large fish, this books is for you. 6 x 9 inches.
Fishing Cartoon-a-Day 2007 Day-to-Day Calendar
Fishing Cartoon-a-Day 2007 Day-to-Day Calendar
The Great Mormon Cricket Fly-Fishing Festival and Other Western Stories
The Great Mormon Cricket Fly-Fishing Festival and Other Western Stories
Tom Bishop's collection of stories is divided into slices of time and takes place in the northern Rocky Mountains. The earliest story is set during a brutal winter in which the men of a Lakota clan follow a vision of an elk herd to find meat to save their starving family.
The next group of tales take place one hundred years later, in the early twentieth century. A country storekeeper uses defanged rattlesnakes to guard his business; dealings with a bootlegger cost a man his friends, his home, and his job; and deer hunters at the height of the Great Depression go out in search of "Hoover Steaks."
At the end of World War II, an illegal quail hunt costs the host rancher over a thousand dollars when a hunter is killed and his widow demands restitution. In "The Fragile Commandment" an abusive farmer is killed by his stepdaughter with a pitchfork, and "Someone's Dog" is the story of a trout fisherman who finds a dog by his favorite stream. The title story, "The Great Mormon Cricket Fly-Fishing Festival" involves trout fisherman who want to bring in enough money through their festival to pay for a weekend fishing party.
Regardless of the time period, the people, situations, dilemmas, and problems found in these stories replicate those of the twenty-first century.
These humorous yarns return the reader to the grittier recent past of the American West.
Mr. Wishing went fishing,
Headlines on fishing techniques
Fishing guide is priceless - Florida Today
Sun, 10 Feb 2008 07:33:56 GMT
Fishing guide is priceless Florida Today, FL - Many guides offer instructional charters where anglers are taken through fishing techniques step-by-step. Instructional fly-fishing trips, for example, ... |
Another Great fishing techniques Article
Night Catfishing Magic on Sprague Lake
Some of the most enjoyable fishing I?ve done in the Inland Northwest has been the times spent night fishing for catfish on Sprague Lake.
One of the reasons that I wanted to do an article on catfish fishing on Sprague Lake is that I recently learned of proposed plans by the WDFW, (Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife), to rehabilitate the lake this fall. It seems that the fishing angler density has fallen off the past few years to one of the lowest in the state. WDFW surveys say that the lake attracts fewer than five anglers per acre a year. You can read the whole story by Rich Landers of the Spokesman-Review at their website.
While Catfish can be caught during the day at Sprague Lake, I?ve always had the best results and experience at night.
I, for one, would miss the magic of Catfish fishing at night on Sprague. My son and I usually head out with plans to be on the water prior to sundown. The best times for us are the hot nights of summer when the air temperature stays in the high 60?s and above after dark. Far enough from the city lights, the stars overhead shine brilliantly and the band of our Milky Way Galaxy can be clearly seen. The stars seem close enough to reach out and touch them.
Another part of the magic are the multitudes of bats, feeding on flying insects, swooping so close that they often tick your line as it leaves your rod tip to the water. Besides being harmless to humans, bats eat their weight in mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects nightly, which might otherwise be feeding off of you. Despite this benefit, I still recommend the use of a good spray or lotion repellant containing ?deet?. The best I?ve found is the Avon product called, ?Skin-so-Soft?. It is far and away the best smelling repellent I?ve used that was still highly effective.
Harper Island on the southwest end of the lake is an extremely active bird nesting site and even at night the sounds of gulls and other waterfowl fill the air. I have often wondered if the birds on the island ever sleep. If they do, you wouldn?t know it from the noises coming from there, even well after dark.
Since it is the nature of Catfish fishing to be a waiting game? a lot of that time is spent talking, telling stories of past fishing trips and anything else that comes to mind. We usually bring along a small propane barbecue and cook burgers and hotdogs. Good flashlights are essential, and one of the foam mounted headlights that can be hooked up to your 12 volt battery can be pretty handy for navigating to and from the boat launch, along the shoreline, and around Harper Island (see map above) on the southwest end of the lake. Usually one angler holds the light for the person fighting the fish or head-mounted lights can be great also. The east side of Harper Island has been our preferred spot for night cats, but I have heard from other people that the creek mouth, (Cow Creek), at the far southwest end of the lake is quite good also. Either spot is just a short distance from the public launch at that end of the lake.
Now let?s get down to the equipment you will need for these monsters.
Rods: First you will need a good stout rod. Any heavy to medium heavy rod in 6 to 7 foot length will probably suffice. Ugly sticks will do the job well enough.
Line: Line requirements too, are fairly simple, 15 to 25 pound monofilament or braid or heavy test fluorocarbon. If you?re fishing for trophy?s that get much bigger than 20 to 25 pounds you might want to up your line to 30 or even 35 pound test.
The Right Hook: The right hooks just may be the most important factor to consider. Since practically every bite you get your bait is swallowed, you want to make sure that when you set the hook that you don?t gut or throat hook your fish. A circle hook will slide back up the throat and then usually hook in the jaw.
In addition to setting without rod action, circle hooks are favored in commercial fisheries because they hook and retain fish, even on slack lines. They also tend to hook fish in the jaw, causing less mortality than standard J-hooks. Make sure to use a heavy-gauge hook. Cats have been known to straighten thin-wire hooks.
The Hook-set: Using circle hooks requires some attention to your hook-set. With reels with a clicker you would set your drag light and turn on your reel clicker. When the clicker starts to click, (indicating that the bait has been taken), tighten up your drag and slowly bring back your rod tip with a gentle sweep. Too early or too aggressive a hook-set can pop the bait out of the catfish?s mouth.
What Bait to Use? I have the best luck with a golf ball size chunk of fish on a 3/0, 4/0 or even a 5/0 size circle hook. Trout chunks work great, (but you didn?t hear it from me), and some people persist in using earthworm, chicken livers, stink baits and even cornflakes, oatmeal and flour concoctions. The truth is, just about anything edible with a strong scent is likely to attract and entice a catfish to bite.
Reels: Hands down, large bait-casting style reels have the cranking power to move these big fish. Spinning reels can and do work and many catfish fishermen swear by them. Just for fun, my 31 year old son hooked and played one large catfish with a child?s Scooby-Doo pole and even its inferior reel might have brought it boat side had the line not been broken off on the outboard motor.
Other tackle: Some people use weights to keep their baits on the bottom. With a large chunk of fish on your hook I haven?t found it necessary. Besides, the rocky bottom of Sprague can cause your weight to hang-up in the rocks. Some cats do like to roll when hooked, so a good ball-bearing swivel can be an advantage. Bobbers can be a good idea both from the standpoint of being a bite indicator, and, (if it is being slowly blown across the surface), it can drag your bait along with it presenting it to a larger area. I prefer to watch my line and rod tip. There isn?t usually much doubt when you have a catfish on. Last, but oh so important, a good large net is an essential item to boat these behemoths.
The Fight: I have heard some people say that catching a large catfish is like pulling in a large log, or some other such nonsense. These comments are usually made by someone who has never caught a large catfish. I can bear testimony that a Sprague Lake catfish of good size usually puts up one heck of a fight.
Getting there: The town of Sprague is just 37 miles from Spokane, WA. After leaving I-90 go through the town to the South shore road following it to the public access road near the southwest end of the lake.
David Wright has been a resident of the Inland Northwest, (Spokane, WA), for more than fifty years. He has fished the area since childhood and knows the waters of Washington, Idaho and Montana well. He is the Editor and Publisher of the Monthly On-line Fishing Magazine, "Max-fishing", (http://www.max-fishing.com). Dedicated to providing current fishing information by printing articles, providing a fishing forum, free classifieds for used fishing gear, boats and finding a fishing buddy. The site also provides product and video reviews, an events calendar, area fishing reports and a section for visitors to post pictures of their catches. |
Thoughts about fishing techniques
Striking, Hooking, and Landing Fish With Fly Fishing Tackle
It can be quite frustrating when an angler makes a perfect cast and fails to hook a fish, or when the bait angler feels the nibbli...
Click here to read more
Featured fishing techniques Items
Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada
Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada
From Lake Almanor's exciting hex hatch in the north to the lovely golden trout of Monache Meadows in the south, "Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada" describes when, where and how to fish California's premier mountain range. Detailed maps and directions chart the way to hundreds of rivers, creeks and lakes that offer some of the best fishing in the state. No matter where you go, you'll know what flies to use and be privy to angling secrets that result from years of fishing the region. Toss in some history, geological background and a bit of humor, and the result is a book that will be on the must-have list of every trout angler who fishes California.
Blue Ribbon Bow: A Fly Fishing History of the Bow River - Canada_s Greatest Trout Stream
Blue Ribbon Bow: A Fly Fishing History of the Bow River - Canada_s Greatest Trout Stream
Traces the Bow_s ancient glacial origins to the modern day, with a look at the impact of human activity on the river, and advice for successful fishing through the seasons.
Surf Fishing
Vintage Fishing Reels of Sweden (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Vintage Fishing Reels of Sweden (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
There's More to Fishing (Than Catching Fish)
There's More to Fishing (Than Catching Fish)
Whether you fish for trout or marlin, visit fresh waters or salt, there is so much more to your fishing experience than just catcing fish. Tom Alkire's essays explore the "other" pleasures of the angler's life--traveling to distant waters, nights in front of the fireplace or campfire, friends made, fishing as children and as old-timers, the food and drink at fishing camp, the natural world around you, and how the act of fishing leads to the angler's infamous disregard for the truth. If you believe fishing is about more than just catching losts of large fish, this books is for you. 6 x 9 inches.
Fishing Cartoon-a-Day 2007 Day-to-Day Calendar
Fishing Cartoon-a-Day 2007 Day-to-Day Calendar
The Great Mormon Cricket Fly-Fishing Festival and Other Western Stories
The Great Mormon Cricket Fly-Fishing Festival and Other Western Stories
Tom Bishop's collection of stories is divided into slices of time and takes place in the northern Rocky Mountains. The earliest story is set during a brutal winter in which the men of a Lakota clan follow a vision of an elk herd to find meat to save their starving family.
The next group of tales take place one hundred years later, in the early twentieth century. A country storekeeper uses defanged rattlesnakes to guard his business; dealings with a bootlegger cost a man his friends, his home, and his job; and deer hunters at the height of the Great Depression go out in search of "Hoover Steaks."
At the end of World War II, an illegal quail hunt costs the host rancher over a thousand dollars when a hunter is killed and his widow demands restitution. In "The Fragile Commandment" an abusive farmer is killed by his stepdaughter with a pitchfork, and "Someone's Dog" is the story of a trout fisherman who finds a dog by his favorite stream. The title story, "The Great Mormon Cricket Fly-Fishing Festival" involves trout fisherman who want to bring in enough money through their festival to pay for a weekend fishing party.
Regardless of the time period, the people, situations, dilemmas, and problems found in these stories replicate those of the twenty-first century.
These humorous yarns return the reader to the grittier recent past of the American West.
Mr. Wishing went fishing,
Headlines on fishing techniques
Fishing guide is priceless - Florida Today
Sun, 10 Feb 2008 07:33:56 GMT
Fishing guide is priceless Florida Today, FL - Many guides offer instructional charters where anglers are taken through fishing techniques step-by-step. Instructional fly-fishing trips, for example, ... |
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11:38 PM
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