First of all, we need to look at the word … recreation. When I break it down, it comes out re-creation.

What this means to me is a re-creating of myself; a way to get away from it all and do some soul searching and some thinking and … re-create my ideas, inspirations and motivations; a break in the pattern that allows me to reconsider things in my life and make adjustments.

But the term is large. Typically, recreation means activity. What do you do for recreation? Watch TV? Garden? Go out to restaurants or bars? What?

It implies relaxation. It implies a way to get away from the normal grind and have an element of divergence; have some fun and forget it all.

Not so for the bass fisherman.

I know I have mentioned to people that I went fishing and they said, “Oh, that sounds relaxing.”

What is relaxing about bass fishing? Probably nothing.

There are times I go to be outdoors, and there are times I go to catch bass. Catching bass is not relaxing. In fact, bass fishing is hard work.

If you want to throw in a live bait and hang by the shade tree, so be it. Granted, that is fishing … but not the style of bass fishing I’m talking about.

What I am talking about is active bass fishing where you are in hot pursuit of the prey. Walking the banks … fishing from the boat … whatever your style may be, it is hard work.

Why hard work? Every time I come home from a fishing trip I am worn out for a few days. That’s because I work hard while at play. I am up and down the banks hiking around the lake looking for my target: largemouth bass. I cast and I cast and I cast; always keeping the bait in motion and trying to find the fish.

So, do I go to get away from it all? Or, do I go because I love the thrill of the hunt; the catch.

If you think that serious bass fishing is a ‘vacation,” it’s not. Again, it’s hard work.

Even if you’re not hiking up and down the banks, even if you are in a boat, it’s hard work. You are constantly casting, reeling and landing fish (hopefully). This will wear you out if you only fish occasionally.

So, to me, bass fishing must be an obsession. I mean, certainly, I don’t do it to get occasionally, though it is that. And I don’t do it to forget the world and all it’s cares, though it does help with that. And I don’t do it because I am looking for a way to relax, though I do find it to be relaxing as well as tiring.

What’s in it for me?

I must do it. I am obsessed, maybe better described as addicted to the adrenaline charge I get when I catch a bass. I need the satisfaction of feeling powerful because I have fooled the fish in it’s own domain and I am now the king. I have to have that.

By the way, I will have to write more later, because now I must recreate. Maybe I will see you there.

Michael Russell
MgrCentral.com
Established 2001
Home Business Training and Information Guides

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

As the landscape of the World Wide Web changes at lightning speed, so do many online trends. Communication and the exchange of information have become instantaneous and the rate at which we can find and receive information is incredible. A recent trend that has caught on with online anglers “fishing” for more information is online fishing forums.

There are many websites that offer online fishing forums where anglers can talk and
discuss in an organized environment about the topics that appeal to them most. In
general, online fishing forums have a main posting board where anglers can talk
about general fishing subjects. Then usually there are more specific subjects sub-
topics where specific popular topics can be addressed.

Online fishing photo galleries have become probably one of the most popular topics
on online fishing forums. Now anglers can share a photo of their catch with
thousands of other anglers and it has become a virtual bragging board.

However, the really useful part is that you can see who’s catching what species,
when and where. Before the Internet, finding out that type of information was nearly
impossible. You either had to be physically at the particular location and happen to
know the person or you would have to wait to get to the location to see how the bite
was.

With online fishing forums, you can have an immediate fishing forecast including
the current bite, weather conditions and a sample of what anglers are currently
catching. Also, other benefits are the local tips and information exchanged between
anglers about particular locations or tackle used. It is like a gigantic online tackle
box waiting to be discovered.

There are many great online fishing forums, just browse the internet and you will be
sure to come upon one. Then you too, will be able to join in the fun and talk about
your latest catch.

Author Troy Denson is http://www.BoldWater.com online Fishing Forum administrator. You
can talk online to other anglers about fishing, tips, fishing tackle, marine art, fishing
forecasts and fishing photo galleries at http://www.BoldWater.com/forum

©Troy Denson,
2005

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips

Picking a fly fishing rod is a tricky endeavor. Do you go with your ego, expected fishing environment or something else? While length is a factor, the bend or action of the rod is a key factor.

Flexibility

Fly fishing rods are often defined by their flexibility. In laymen’s terms, flexibility means how far the rods will bend when the same casting effort is used.

Minimal Bend

A fly fishing rod that has minimum bend is often called a “fast” rod. The lack of bend lets the angler get lots of speed on the cast. This speed allows you to cast very accurately and farther away than rods with more bends. While these benefits may sound great at first glance, a fast rod can be frustrating. There is no room for error when using the rod. If you are going to use one of these rods, you need excellent motion and timing. Generally, only anglers with a lot of experience should have a go at using fast rods.

Moderate Bend

The next step down from a fast rod is one with medium flexibility. These rods tend to have good flexibility, but the bend is restricted to the top half of the rod. The rod requires less perfection of motion and timing, but is fairly accurate. If you’ve been angling for a while and have the basic techniques down, a moderately flexible rod is worth a try.

Slinky Bend

If you are just taking up fly fishing, you should use a rod with maximum flexibility. While others suggest a moderate bend is better for beginners, a “slinky bend” rod gives you a lot of leeway when it comes to learning to cast.

Fly fishing is relaxing and enjoyable. Pick the wrong rod, however, and it can quickly become frustrating and stressful. If you use your brain, not your ego, when picking a rod, you will have a blast.

Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals. Fly fishing journals are great fly fishing gifts for anglers and fly fishing trips and vacations. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more fly fishing articles and stories.

Tags: Fishing, Baits, Fishing Baits, Fishing Lures, Fishing trips