Trout Fishing With Kids

By Vincent L Jacques

Trout fishing can be great for all ages, but there are some real important things you should keep in mind when fishing with kids.

Kids who have had an opportunity to go trout fishing and learn how to fish for trout, will typically remember these pleasurable experiences for a lifetime. So reach out and bring a child trout fishing. Whether it is your family member (i.e. grandchildren, nieces and nephews, etc.) or children through a local big brother program, a scouting program and/or town recreational programs, take the time and get involved and pass along the tradition of trout fishing today. You'll feel really good about it and you may be a positive influence on someone, who can then pass it along again, long after you're gone.

However, kids are kids and they will continue to be kids. There are a number of things that are important to remember when trout fishing with children. This article has been written to provide some helpful trout fishing tips while trout fishing with children.
First of all, when dealing with children, trout fishing or not, the most important things to remember are safety and child comfort. If the child is not a family member, follow the scouting rule of thumb and always have another adult present and several kids together. Although, while in the actual act of trout fishing, it is always better to keep the kids separated from each other, otherwise they'll surely create too much noise and will likely bicker over bait, first catches, etc. Set-up time, break meetings and a lunch time provide enough time for the kids to be kids with each other. Anyway, be sure to watch the child the entire time he or she is in your care. You really should never take your eye off the child, as they are often curious and can wonder off very easily. Kids who haven't been around the water much will also want to spend their time as close to it as they can get. So watch carefully!

Always be sure to have a first aid kit with you and it can't hurt to get yourself trained in first aid. If you go trout fishing with enough times with children, you will know that one of the hardest things to prevent is a child getting "hooked", which obviously is never fun.
Trout fishing comfort with kids is important. Make sure they are prepared for the elements, depending on where and what time of year you are trout fishing. Whether it is layered clothing, gloves, feet and hand warmers in the cooler areas/months or sunscreen in the warmer months, always be prepared. Always make sure to have enough water-drinks, as well as snacks, to keep everybody hydrated and happy! With hydration and snacks, comes you know what. Always try not to pick fishing spots that are far to walk to or are too far removed from bathrooms!

Kids get easily distracted, trout fishing or not. As such, be sure to have a nearby back-up plan, if the trout fishing scene isn't catching on as quickly as you had hoped. Perhaps have a nearby area, obviously away from other fisherman, where you might be able to skim rocks on the water, do some turtle spotting or pine cone hunting.
Now that we have touched a little on child safety and comfort while trout fishing, let's talk some trout fishing (or really any fishing for that matter). Remember, you want the child to learn some things and you are the teacher. Be patient, keep it simple and most importantly, make it fun! When it's the child's first time trout fishing, it is always best to start with live bait and bobber. Teaching a kid to hook a wiggly worm or minnow will take some time and we suggest baiting the hook the first couple of times to get some quick action and engagement. Kids love watching a bobber, so long as it's moving more than once and a while. Pick a spot where you know they can do some trout fishing and catch some fish. You know where to go!

Set yourself up a rig as well, so if your bobber goes down first, you can give him or her the opportunity to reel their first catch in. Now remember, kids react in different ways to their first caught fish. Some are exited and want to hug that slimy slippery fish, while others may be frightened and actually a little freaked out. Just be prepared for whatever reaction there is. Talk with the child as often as you can, teaching, but more importantly listening. Let the conversation go where it goes. They do have wonderful fast-paced minds and the conversations are always unique and rewarding.

Teach the catch and release method while trout fishing and show the child how to respect the environment by treating and releasing the fish properly, collecting trash and litter and leaving only footprints. The secret is to help kids learn to appreciate fishing and the outdoors in general.

If the child shows an interest in fishing, set-up another fishing trip and get he or she involved in the preparation next time, perhaps making lunch or digging for worms the night before. Going night-crawling with my dad is one of the best memories I have!
In the end, the overall goal should be to develop a relationship with the child. Going trout fishing, you can invest quality time in a child's life and teach them some values that will be important to them down the road, never mind just spending time with you. That means more to them than you will ever know!

So what are you waiting for, get to know some kids and go trout fishing!

Vincent L. Jacques is a Professional Engineer in the Environmental Engineering Field, an entrepreneur, business owner, writer, photographer, angler, wine connoisseur, investor, philatelist, domainer, web-site developer, collector, diver, husband and dad. Vincent has started and sold several businesses over the years, including Kenyon Environmental Inc., New England Geotech and Alternative Technologies. Vincent has had presence on the internet as early as 1995, with Kenyon Environmental Inc, Kinetic Capital Management and AvoidLines. Other entities currently operated by Vincent include foampix and vinsdomains.

Latest business/community launches by Vincent include http://www.troutweekly.com
Trout Weekly is new community for anglers who enjoy trout. Trout Weekly has been created for those who have an interest in trout fishing. Whether you are a beginner looking to catch your 1st trout or an experienced angler looking to catch more trout, you'll want to check this site out! Trout Weekly will strive to post a fresh article every week! Our goal is to provide you with the latest news, proven fishing products and information from experienced trout anglers, so that we all can catch more fish (especially trout).

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Alaska Big Game Hunting - Guide Services, Hunting Licenses and Regulations

By Mark B. Allen

Alaska is a big state with a big reputation to uphold when it comes to big game hunting. With 350,000,000 acres, Alaska alone is one-fifth the size of the entire United States, making finding and taking big game a challenge. Hunting in Alaska offers many challenges that hunting in the lower 48 does not - lower game density, seasonal movement of game and the distances of movement. Careful consideration of seasons and species is the key to a successful trip. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Conservation have put together a "Plan Your Hunt Workbook" that is available on their website as a downloadable PDF. This document encourages you to think your adventure through, then gives you the tools to organize and choose the options to make the most of your trip whether this is a guided adventure or a lone venture.
Below is additional information essential to the success of your trip:

TYPES OF HUNTS
In Alaska, there are two types of hunts:
- General season hunts - the type of hunts most people are familiar with. Purchase a license, get tags or harvest tickets for big game, and follow the general season dates and bags limits.
- Permit hunts - Harvest is restricted by permit when hunter demand is higher than game population can sustain.
Three kinds of permit hunts

1. Drawing hunts
-Available to residents and nonresidents
-Require an application fee and awarded by lottery
-Two lotteries each year - winter and spring
-ADF&G publishes supplements outlining hunt opportunities and hunt boundaries

2. Registration hunts
-Most available to residents and nonresidents
-Generally do not limit the number of registrations
-Seasons are closed by emergency order is harvest quota is met

3. Tier II hunts
-Subsistence hunts available only to residents
Details for permit hunts are available on the ADF&G web site

FINDING A GUIDE SERVICE
A nonresident who hunts brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep, or mountain goat must be accompanied by a licensed guide OR by an Alaska resident over 19 years of age who is within the "second degree of kindred" (which means a father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, spouse, grandparent, grandchild, brother- or sister-in-law, son- or daughter-in-law, father- or mother-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepsister, stepbrother, stepson, or stepdaughter who ARE residents). Nonresident aliens (someone who is not a resident of Alaska NOR a US citizen) must have a guide for hunting all species of big game.

SOME PLACES TO FIND A GUIDE
-References. Ask friends, colleagues, acquaintances about their experiences.
-Trade shows in the lower 48 during the winter. Many guide services are represented at these shows. Ask them for references and follow up on the references offered.
-Advertising sections in the back of outdoor magazines.
-Web sites.
-Obtain a list of big game guide-outfitters that provide services for a particular species. This is available from ADF&G, Wildlife Conservation (907-465-2376).

ALASKA HUNTING LICENSES
Licenses, big game tags, duck stamps and hunting permits are available from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Conservation and are obtainable online. Purchase ahead of time and bring them with you. Licenses are good from the date of purchase through December 31 of the license year. Big game tags are necessary for nonresidents if you plan to hunt brown/grizzly bear, black bear, bison, caribou, deer, elk, goat, moose, bull musk ox, sheep, wolf or wolverine.

HUNTING SEASONS
Alaska's 350,000,000 acres are broken up into 26 Game Management Units (GMUs). Each unit sets its own seasons for the various species of big game. A map of these units and the regulations pertaining to them can be found on the web. Click on the GMU of interest and a document defining the seasons will open. A complete copy of the Alaska Hunting Regulations can also be downloaded at the ADF&G site.
A general calendar for hunting seasons is as follows:
April - Most spring bear seasons open
May - Many spring bear seasons close
August - Some Dall sheep, caribou, deer, and moose seasons open.
September - Most fall seasons open, include moose
November - Some last winter moose hunts open

OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
If you are a nonresident alien (meaning you are not a resident of Alaska NOR a U.S. citizen, some restrictions exist on bringing your own gun into Alaska. Regulations require a filled out form and a hunting license. Details are available from The U.S. Department of Justice/Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) at 202-927-8320 or from their website.

If you're going to Alaska to hunt then make the absolute most of it. One key to a memorable trip is having the right guide. Review a directory of Alaska guide services and conduct solid homework beyond that. Get references. On Mark Allen's hunting and fishing website you'll learn not just about hunting but also about Alaska fly fishing and the different regions most popular with sportsmen.

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Hunting - Basic Survival Equipment

By Greg Bruning Sr.

 
When hunting it is imperative that one carries the basic survival equipment. Whether the hunt takes place in the backyard property or on a hunt in familiar land basic survival equipment should be carried as if the hunter were in unfamiliar territory. The amount of equipment used for a bigger expedition of course would be greatly increased, but the main focus is on basic survival equipment. These are everyday items that should always be included.

1. Compass and Map- Many outdoorsmen become disoriented. No matter what the reason for this disorientation inability is rarely the cause. A quick glance of the terrain and a compass can quickly solve this problem. If on unfamiliar territory a compass can be used with a map to triangulate your location from land features. This is a very important tool in survival.

2. Water bottle-The old saying goes "without food you can live for three weeks, without water you can only live three days". Food grows in the woods, much of which can sustain us. Water that is usually found in the woods has the potential to hurt us more than help, and should only be drank if in dire circumstances.

3. Waterproof Matches and or a Butane Lighter (or two)- Fire has many uses as man has found through the centuries. It can keep you warm if lost, wounded or disoriented. Fire can signal to others a location with the use of the smoke. Fire can also be very comforting psychologically in adverse conditions. It is very important to be able to create a fire. Butane lighters are handy, can be dried if wet and have a flint built into them in worst-case scenarios, and they are light.

4. Flashlight with Extra Batteries- A hunter never knows when the shot is going to be made available. Sometimes this is near last light. Without the use of a good flashlight, the hunt could end in the loss of a downed animal, not only is this bad for the name of hunting it can easily be avoided with a flashlight. Some of which are specifically designed to show the blood trail. There are also the more likely uses such as getting out of the woods after last light or getting into stand before first light.

5. Ground cloth of plastic or Mylar- In the event of injury or disorientation, sometimes it becomes necessary to stay in the wild overnight. Fire can be a great advantage, add to this a place to sit that's dry or a way to cover up from elements and survival can be greatly improved.

6. Bandage, Tape and Band-Aids- A person can never know when they are going to become injured, and in the hunting fields and woods there are plenty of ways to become injured. Bow hunters carry sharp arrows and most all hunters carry knives. Having a few small items to repair or temporarily treat an injury can greatly improve comfort as well as survival.

7. Whistle- mainly used for signaling in the event of injury or disorientation. The whistle can be heard for great distances and through thicker vegetation. The human voice can be loud but is easily broken up by forest cover and is no competition for the loudness of a good whistle. Whistles are also very handy in the event of predators, and they can be scared off by the shrill of a whistle. This can be very important if injured and in an area with Bears and Mountain Lions, that prey upon injured animals regularly.

Hopefully all of your hunting days will be safe and only result in a bountiful harvest. In the unfortunate event that things don't go as we hope as hunters, be like the Boy Scouts and "Always Be Prepared". Having a Basic Survival Kit put together in your hunting pack could make the difference between Survival and Disaster.

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Archery Exercises - Archery Fitness to Improve Accuracy

By David M. Waters

 Many archers wonder if archery fitness is important and if you can improve your performance by improving your physical conditioning. The sport of archery is not considered to be extremely physically demanding. But as with most physical endeavors you can perform better with proper conditioning thus some archery exercises that include a modest strength training program should be considered it you want to perform up to your full potential as an archer.

Along with a good eye and steady nerves archers will benefit from stronger shoulder, back and arm muscles. Adding a proper strength training program to your archery fitness training is a great idea. As you get stronger it will allow you to use a bow with increased draw. This will lead to a better flight trajectory for the arrow. In will also help you maintain good balance and keep you steady as you aim, leading to better archery results. If you are a bow hunter it will help in many ways, both in the archery aspect as well as hiking and carrying large game. Strength training can also help you decrease the chance of joint and tendon injury that can develop from repeated shooting.

A good program of archery exercises does not take a lot of time to provide good muscle conditioning and strength gain results. For upper body conditioning exercises that work the upper back muscle (lats), chest muscles (pectoral) and shoulder muscles (deltoid) should be included. Specifically the upper back can be strengthened with lat put-downs, seated row and chin-ups (these are considered an advanced exercise) motions, The chest can be worked with push ups, bench press and chest fly exercises. Deltoid muscles are worked with overhead press and lateral raise motions. These can all be performed with free with free weights (dumbells and barbells) or weight machines. Most gyms will offer a wide variety of options for you to work these muscle groups.

A very important pont to keep in mind while weight training is to always use proper form by utilizing a slow and controlled motion and working through a full range of motion. It is also important to work with intensity by performing repetitions on each exercise until the muscles are fully fatigued. You can get very good results with just one or two sets per exercise and a couple of workouts per week. Your legs should not be neglected so you will want to include some squats, lunges or leg press exercises. Stronger legs will definitely help with your stabilization as you draw and shoot.

Remember you do not need to spend a lot of time on your strength training program but including it in your training will provide benefit to your archery. You will find that the task of drawing the bow, holding steady as you aim and performing shots repeatedly will be much easier. This will allow you to concentrate more on your aiming and technique leading to increased accuracy.

Did you know that the art of shooting a bow and arrow is one of the oldest methods of hunting used by humans and today it is still a very popular sport that is even part of the Olympics? If you are looking for more ways to improve your archery skill then visit Bow and Arrow Lessons and find out more useful and fun information.

David Waters is an avid outdoorsman with over 30 years of experience fishing, hiking and camping. A resident of Massachusett with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from the University of Massachusetts, and he is author of The Fitness Center Handbook. He is also a founding member of The Nahanni Camping and Fishing Club.

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1 Easy Step to Improve Your Accuracy by 50%

 By Nate Atkins 

 

Whether you're new to archery or a seasoned veteran of this great sport, if you are not using this simple technique you are falling short of your true accuracy potential, and selling your self short of becoming the great archer you aspire to be.
I see it all the time, whether in forums, in person, or whatever; people are asking all the time "How do I improve my shooting?", "How can I make more consistent shots?" The answer is with the use of anchor points.

What is an anchor point?
An AP is a specific place where at full draw you can go to each and every time you shoot. So for example let's say when you draw your bow, at full draw you place your index knuckle under your ear lobe every time You shoot, this is an anchor point.

Are they really needed?
Anchor points are very important because of the fact that when you draw your bow very rarely do you go into the exact same position you were in the last time you drew your bow. This means that one shot could be dead on, and the next one your hand could go a little lower than before which causes you to shoot high on your next shot.
The KEY to improving your accuracy is consistency, I'll say it again the KEY to improving your accuracy is Consistency. This is why this technique works so well, with this simple and effective technique you are going to the exact same spot each and every time you draw and shoot your bow and you are therefore going to get more accurate and consistent shots.

What are some common anchor points?
Some of the most common AP's include:
-Index knuckle under your ear lobe
-Bow string touching tip of your nose
-Index knuckle behind your jaw bone
-Kisser button touching the corner of your mouth

These are just a very few of the possible anchor points you can come up with, a lot of these anchor points depend on factors such as bow type, release type, draw length, hardware on bow etc. An anchor point can literally be anything as long as it does not put you or others in danger and it is something you can consistently find each and every time you shoot.

One thing I would definitely suggest you do if you would really like to ramp up your shot accuracy is to incorporate 2 or 3 anchor points into your shooting routine. This will ensure that you are drawing to the exact location all of the time and will greatly improve your shooting accuracy.

If you enjoy archery whether for sport or hunting and you want to improve your skills and learn all the secrets of the pros then visit us at ArcheryBuff.com. Articles, Tutorials, Resources and more.

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Finding Morel Mushrooms - Tips on Where to Look For This Elusive Delicacy

By Jim Briggs 

 

How can something that exists in the hundreds of billions be considered a rarity, and how can something so prolific be so difficult to discover? The North American morel is an enigma. Prized as a delicacy comparable to the French truffle, the morel commands a royal ranking as the favourite American mushroom (although it really is not even a mushroom, but a fungus), more sought after than the common white button mushroom. Yet, surprisingly few of us have ever found and picked one, even though 'shroom hunting is a popular excursion for thousands of North Americans.

Morels are, without doubt, the easiest fungus to identify in the wild, and the hardest to confuse with poisonous or toxic cousins. Their unique shape and specific growing environment makes them distinctive, and one of the few mushrooms that almost all of us can eat with gastric confidence. Their Christmas-tree shape, their distinctive ridges and valleys, their common coloring all make the morel a unique target. But, morels have adapted an appearance and typical growing environment that confounds amateur and professional hunters alike.

Found across all of North America, the family of morels possess a camouflage ideally suited to their early spring woodland habits. Each year, thousands of mushroom hunters seek out the delicacy, unsuccessfully. Long-time gatherers will claim that the best places to locate morels is in recent burn sites, or adjacent to decaying elm and ash. Others will claim that these fungi are never located near evergreens. Yet, isolated varieties of morels grow in almost any setting, given the right moisture, light and season combinations.
The claim that morels thrive in recent burn sites has staying power. With the rush of potassium nutrients from ash, and the cleansing of other groundcover from these sites, morels are able, in the first year or two, to establish a firm hold on the site, briefly.
Morels that are found near downed ash and elm also receive a nutrient boost, and tend to be long-term residents of those sites.

Morels' unusual patterns of ridge and valley make them difficult to spot, wherever they grow. Their early spring appearance means that they are able to hide under the cover of last year's leaf growth, in patterns of wrinkled, mottled leaf beds. While the ground is dry, the fluffy layer of identical leaf pattern makes the morel almost invisible in the forest floor. But, immediately after a good rain, when the leaf bed, darkened by the moisture, is packed on the woodland floor, morels stand out.

You will also find that color shading of morels tends to match the color of dead leaf carpeting in their region, as will the color of soil surfaces.

Morels, like many fungi & mushrooms, flourish in early spring filtered light, when the ground is warmed but not hot, and moist but not saturated. With this specific growing environment, seasons are short, and progress depending on the longitude of your area. A dry spring will produce little growth, as will a late winter.

Given the versatile camouflage tactics of morels, their finicky growing habits, and their ability to "hide," even in plain view, it is understandable that they are considered a rarity, in spite of their abundance across almost all of North America.

Morel mushrooms have a rich, creamy flavor that is deliciously earthy, nutty, steak-like- and it's this awesome taste that makes the morel mushroom No.1 with wild mushroom hunters worldwide. Visit http://www.morelmushroom.info for tips on hunting, finding, and enjoying morels.

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Young Guns - The Future of Our Sport

 By Bob D. Russell

For many of us, our annual deer hunting trip or elk camp is a time for us to get away with the guys and share stories of hunting glories, both past and present. We selfishly guard admittance to our camp, and reluctantly grant membership to anyone new. But then things change. Those toddlers we used to leave behind with the "womenfolk" have gotten bigger and asked to join the group. It is at times like these that we realize it is up to each of us to pass on the heritage of this great sport of hunting. Here are some ideas how:

1. Take your own children hunting: There is nothing more rewarding than taking your children with you on their first hunting experience. For me and my oldest son, it was a mule deer hunt in Eastern Oregon. Thirty minutes in to the hunt, a bull elk with a small harem burst in to the meadow we were set up in. Although my son didn't harvest a deer, the thrill of seeing that bull, breath steaming in the cool of the morning air, is a memory we both cherish.

2. Take a child who is not related to you: My kids are now 22, 20 and 17 and well on their way to becoming proficient deer and elk hunters in their own right. It is now time to look for other kids to introduce to the great outdoors and hunting. This can be more difficult than with your own children, but we all know kids in our community who could benefit from our experience and knowledge of hunting. There are many life lessons to be learned during a week in the company of the "elders".

3. Mentor a child: Most states have a minimum hunting age of 12 years old. However, many states have implemented a mentor program, whereby an experienced hunter can take a younger child on a hunt prior to legal shooting age. The mentor acts as a 1x1 hunting guide, teaching the youth the ways of the woods. The mentor does not hunt, but rather insures the young hunter is both safe and successful.

4. Introduce a young adult to hunting: Many times our focus is on our youth, which is appropriate. But we also need to recognize those young adults who never had the opportunity to hunt while growing up. I am a prime example, as my first hunting experience came when I was 32 years old. I plan on passing this gift along, when I take my youngest son's college roommates on their first hunt later this year. Remember, without a new crop of hunters, this sport that we cherish is destined to become a thing of the past. Attacks from anti-hunting groups, environmental groups, and anti-fur groups continue to increase. Without a new generation of dedicated outdoorsmen and women, hunting will eventually go the way of the dodo. Next time you are planning a hunting trip, take a kid. Pass on the heritage.

Remember, time in the field is a gift, savor it.
Until next time, Happy Hunting.

Bob Russell - Bob came to hunting late in life, but has become an avid outdoorsman. Father to two sons, Bob is passing on the traditions of hunting to the next generation. Find out how he can help you find your next great hunting adventure at http://www.thehuntingbroker.com

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