Posted in Fishing Stories, tagged coffee, fishing, fly fishing, roll up the rim, tim hortons on April 9, 2009| Leave a Comment »
So today I went to the Tim Horton’s across the parking lot from the store (yes it’s right across the parking lot) for the morning ritual. Much to my disappointment they were now all out of Roll-Up-The-Rim cups. All good things must come to an end but I think that we’ll definitely see a reduction in coffee consumption. Don’t get me wrong, I love the coffee. But let’s face it, I also have an addiction to rolling up the rim and seeing those magic words – Please Play Again.
~ Finzilla
Posted in Bass, Bass Fishing Methods, Fishing Tackle, Fishing Techniques, How to..., tagged baitfish, bass, bass bait, carnkbait, fishing, grubs, Hard Baits, jerkbait, softbait, spooks, spring bass on April 6, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Various Crank Baits
With only weeks away from some of the best bass fishing, it is time to pull out the crankbaits, jerkbaits & spooks, dust them off and replace any of those rusted hooks.
Bass will start schooling anytime and schooling bass are an absolute blast to hunt and catch. At this time of year these fish form schools according to size, so if you catch one 3 lb. Bass, then chances are you will catch multiple 3 lb. Bass in that area. For fall tournament anglers, this opportunity is rarely targeted; we tend to get caught up in the typical targets rather than the bounty that cruises behind us searching for their next meal.
The schooling formation allows these fish to corral baitfish for a fast and furious feed before the water temperatures drop too dramatically.
The key to schooling bass is their activity. Schooling fish do not quietly go about their business. It seems they work themselves into a frenzy, corral and then bust on all sorts of game, whether it is baitfish or trout, keep your eyes peeled for erratic baitfish jumping out of the water in fear of being eaten. When you see this happening, cruise over and start casting you lipless or diving crankbaits, jerkbaits or zara spooks. Make well placed casts trying to lead the school. As soon as your lure hits the water start reeling, pumping your rod tip and get ready. When these fish hit, it is for keeps!! This time of year produces more multi fish strikes than any other. It is not uncommon to catch two or more fish on your hard bait.
Have a number of rods set up: One with a 2” or 3” lipless crankbaits for burning, one with 3” or 5” Jerk (Minnow) Bait and another with either a popper or zara spook.
In clear water, it is important to wear good polarized glasses so you can see all the other fish following the one you just hooked. They will follow that hooked fish right to the boat, when that happens quickly drop down another lure, this should produce another strike.
It is also a good idea to have a 4” or 5” Soft Bait rigged on a spinning outfit just in case the bite slows down. Having this available as a follow up baits for missed strikes on your hard baits, can prolong a fading frenzy. This wonderful opportunity lasts into the fall or until the water temperature starts to consistently drop.
Get geared up and get out there!!! Because you can’t catch ‘em from the couch.
Posted in Fishing Locations, Fishing Tackle, Kawkawa Lake, tagged chironomid, doc spratley, fishing, fishing destinations, Kawkawa Lake, krill, micro leech, wedding band on April 3, 2009| Leave a Comment »
The ice is off, the water’s warming up and the fishing is HOT, HOT, HOT at Kawkawa Lake.
Kawkawa Lake Dock
This is an awesome lake during the early spring as the only people on the water are the fishermen. And the lake is big enough to accomodate plenty of anglers. Plus it has a real good stock of kokanee, with coho, cutthroat, and various other species there as well – check the regs for retention limits, etc.. With the weather forecast looking real good, this weekend would be a perfect time to get out there.
The kokanee are not only one of the nicest eating fish but are a lot of fun to catch on light tackle. Hook into one and they jump, dive, spin, and dart all over the place.
For fly patterns you’ll want something with red. I’ve had days where they won’t touch a killer bright red micro leech but go nutbar over a pheasant tail chironomid with a flash red butt – go figure?
Staple flies would be micro leeches, Doc Spratleys, San Juan worms and chironomids. Again, if you haven’t figured it out red is a good colour.
For gear you cannot go wrong with krill. Park the boat, put a krill on the hook, weight the line and drop it to the bottom. Of course if sitting still is not your thing then a wedding band with krill, worm, or even a leech. Did we mention red?
If you haven’t been to Kawkawa Lake it’s right in Hope, BC with easy access at the boat launch / picknick area off Kawkawa Lake Road and Lakeview Cresent. There is a nice day camp, washrooms, and dock there as well. The lake is 50′-ish at its deepest point and can be trolled, jigged, chironied, and everything in between.
Drop by the store before you head up. We’ve got plenty of krill, and flies to satisfy the kokanee’s urge for red.
See you on the water!
Posted in Buyers Information, Fishing Apparel, tagged fishing, waders on March 18, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Waders have come a long way from wool, canvas and plastic leg wrapping (in that order). Gone are the days of Grandpa’s rubbers with the built in gumboots. With the introduction of neoprene, the concept of warmth and waterproof which were once foreign to anglers, became common place.
Today breathable waders made of Gortex and Quadralam, if sized correctly and with the proper undergarments, outperform neoprene waders hands down.
Reaction Fly & Tackle 