Extreme Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing White River Arkansas

White River Trout Fishing and the Personal Gratification it Brings   by Mike M Bell

White river trout fishing may be best experienced in a place near Cotter Arkansas. It is described to have very clear cold water which produces enormous number of different trout’s such as trophy rainbow trout, brook trout, and cutthroat trout. The variety of trout and the beautiful clear waters of the white river is what profoundly attract fishermen from all over the world.

Aside from the enjoyable fishing adventure that can be drawn for from the area, visitors or anglers may also take a stroll along the downtown area to be amazed and flabbergasted with the Cotter’s historic place, get the chance to see the restored buildings and perhaps do a little shopping for antiques and other special gift items.

Trout fishing near the Cotter’s area is nationally recognized. This place is known as the trout capital of the world which is part of Arkansas. Fishermen admire the quality and quantity of trout that are caught in the local rivers that runs along or near the limestone cliffs, and vistas. The mountain homes as well as the surrounding regions lures many retirees especially those who are keen in Fly Fishing streams or even those who want to experience the excitement of reeling fish from boats for walleye, bass, crappie, and other species in the lakes about 200 feet deep. It is also a great getaway for businessmen who would love to take a few hours off for fantastic relaxation time while fishing for brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout’s.

White river trout fishing near Cotter’s area may also give the opportunity of catching big trout with flies. Getting the “Big Catch” may not just be possible in the white river but also in North Fork rivers. It is just fair to utter that these tail waters which is a part of a 170-mile cold water streams are highly considered as the world’s best trout fishing areas. This is the place where the former world record 38 pounds and 9 ounces size brown trout caught in the year 1988.

Lately in 2008, Outdoor Life Magazine also announced that a “whapper trout” may be found nearby in the white river which added striking appeal to many fishing sport enthusiast.

For anglers who are just visiting the place need not worry where they should stay over the night, there are many accommodations nearby that could conveniently provide visitors not just a wonderful time trout fishing but also give them the satisfaction of services offered as they relaxed after a day’s adventure. They will not only experience that rewarding feeling but also that total fulfilling benefit of making the best out of your time off from the pressures and busy schedule of your daily routine and just simply enjoy the serenity of the rivers and the invigorating feeling of catching a big trout at the white river trout fishing area.

About the Author

Mike Bell writes about River Trout Fishing and why it’s an awesome hobby for people of varying ages. Learn more about different types of trout fishing or get a comprehensive trout fishing guide at his website http://www.troutfishingexplained.com.

White River Arkansas Trout Fishing

Idaho Fly Fishing Hot Spots




Idaho/Oregon Fly Fishing Report April 10th-16th, Flood Effects & Fishing Spots

Surf Fly Fishing Southern California

The Best Beach Camping Parks in California   by Rich Herman

There are many beautiful beaches in California. Although most of these have many activities available for day-use, not all of them provide facilities for camping and allow overnight stays. This article lists the best beach camping parks in California and gives you some of the hightlights of each park. We have broken the beach camping parks out into three sections: Northern California, Central California, and Southern California, so that you can locate beaches in just the region you desire.

Northern California

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Clam Beach County Park is located just south of Little River State Beach, north of Eureka. It is one of the few parks that allows camping right on the beach. Beachcombing, clamming, fishing, picnicking, camping, kite flying, and building sand castles are all popular at this beach.

Gold Bluff Beach is within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The campground is located in the dunes along a beautiful 10-mile stretch of golden beach. The campgrounds lie between the Pacific Ocean and a bluff thickly covered with Redwoods. It is located about 50 miles north of Eureka.

Westport-Union Landing State Beach covers over 3 miles of rugged and scenic coastline. There are approximately 100 campsites located on the bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is located about 19 miles north of Fort Bragg.

Central California

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Half Moon Bay State Beach offers 4 miles of broad, sandy beaches. This picturesque setting is ideal for sunbathing, hiking, biking, fishing, picnicking, and camping. It is located near San Mateo in the San Francisco Bay area.

Manresa State Beach is a large, beautiful sandy beach, which offers surf fishing, surfing, swimming, and camping. It is located on Monterey Bay just south of San Francisco.

New Brighton State Beach is located in the town of Capitola, just south of Santa Cruz. This beach camping park offers swimming, fishing and a nearby forest. The camping area is located on a bluff overlooking Monterey Bay.

Seacliff State Beach is best know for its fishing pier and concrete freighter just offshore. There is swimming, fishing, camping, and hiking trails. It is located on Monterey Bay near Aptos.

Sonoma Coast State Beach is one of California´s most scenic attractions. It has long sandy beaches below rugged headlands. The craggy coastline has natural arches and features secluded coves. The beach is located north of San Francisco between Jenner and Bodega Bay. There are many campsites to choose from. Fishing, hiking, horseback trails, and many other activities are available.

Sunset State Beach features pine trees, mountainous sand dunes, and oceanside picnic spots. The beach is 16 miles south of Santa Cruz.

Southern California

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Carpinteria State Beach is approximately 12 miles south of Santa Barbara. This park offers a mile of beach for swimming, surf fishing, tidepool exploring and camping. Seals and sea lions can be seen in the area December through May.

Doheny State Beach is two parks in one. Camping is located in the southern area and the northern area is limited to day-use. There is a five-acre lawn with picnic facilities and volleyball courts. Surfing and surf fishing is popular here. It is located just south of Los Angeles.

McGrath State Beach is famous for bird-watching. The lush riverbanks of the Santa Clara River and the sand dunes along the shore create just the right environment for our feathered friends. There is a nature trail for hiking, and 2 miles of beach for surfing, fishing, or swimming. It is located near Ventura.

Morro Strand State Beach is a coastal frontage park with excellent picnic sites and about 3 miles of beach. Fishing, windsurfing, jogging, kite flying and camping are popular at this park. It is located near San Luis Obispo.

Pismo State Beach is located near San Luis Obispo. This park offers all kinds of attractions: hiking, swimming, clam digging, surf fishing, camping, and bird watching. Four restaurants are within 2 blocks of the campground.

San Clemente State Beach has about 1 mile of beach. The beach is located at the south end of San Clemente and is popular for surfing, skin diving, and swimming. The park has a landscaped bluff top with picnic areas. There are also hiking trails on the bluffs which lead down to the beach.

San Elijo State Beach is located near San Diego. The beach is narrow and backs up to a bluff. It has a nearby reef that is popular with snorklers and divers. The park also offers swimming, surfing, picnicking, and camping.

San Onofre State Beach has 3.5 miles of sandy beaches with access trails cut into the bluff above. The campground is near old highway 101 adjacent to the bluffs. The beach is popular with swimmers and surfers. Whales, dolphins and sea lions can be seen offshore at times. It is located just south of San Clemente.

Silver Strand State Beach has extensive beaches on both the Pacific Ocean and on San Diego Bay. Camping, swimming, surfing, boating, water-skiing, volleyball, and picnicking are popular activities, along with fishing. The park is located in Coronado.

South Carlsbad State Beach is a beach near San Diego that features swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing, and picnicking. Its large bluff-top campground has stairs that lead down to the beach. It is a very popular camping spot, especially in the summer.

Our family really enjoys camping, and we hope that you do to. There is nothing like the beach for relaxing and having some fun together as a family. Whether its just going for the day, or extending your visit by camping overnight, we hope that you have a wonderful time. Most of all, have fun and stay safe. You are creating memories that will last a lifetime!

About the Author

Rich Herman loves the outdoors and travels extensively with his family. For more information on California beaches and other Beach Camping Parks in the United States, visit his website: www.FavoriteFamilyVacations.com

Basket Perch

Fly Fishing Kits

Fly Fishing trips for the uninitiated   by Dale East

If you have never taken a Fly Fishing trip before and you
are planning on heading for the wilderness, take along a
buddy. At worst you’ll have someone to compete with during
the telling of one that got away stories. At best you’ll
have someone to help if trouble strikes.

Go prepared for all weathers and conditions. You’ll be
miserable if you spend several hours in freezing weather
dressed only in shorts and t-shirt.

Remember that the more remote the stream you are fishing,
the more easily spooked the fish will be. Approach the water
carefully and think for a while before you wade in.

Packing your gear for your Fly Fishing trip

Try out your gear before you leave on your Fly Fishing trip.
Broken tackle in remote areas is not easy to replace. Carry
some extras for emergency repairs.

Avid anglers will often take a small fly tying kit with them
so they can whip up a fly to match whatever is hatching on the
water. Others use scissors or clippers to trim a ready prepared
fly into an “almost matches the hatch” one.

Remember to take a current license with you. Murphy’s law
states that the only time you leave it behind is the time the
ranger will want to see it.

Before you leave, have a look at the fishing reports for the
area you are intending to fish. You’ll get good information
about what’s going on, including river levels, hatches and
other details.

When you arrive or get close to your destination, wander into
the local tackle store and speak with the sales people. They’ll
usually know what’s going on and have a few tips for you.

Guided or self-Guided Fly Fishing Trips

A guided fishing trip is a good idea if you are fishing
unfamiliar waters. Even a couple of hours with an expert will
give you hints and tips that apply to that particular spot.
You’ll spend more time in productive fishing.

Guided trips can cost you dearly. You’ll pay by the hour, by
the day, or by whatever the guide decrees. Some guided trips
will include tackle, some will not. The price will vary
accordingly.

If you are an experienced angler and expert at reading any
water then you’ll be able to get away without paying for a
guide. Sometimes peace and solitude is well worth a couple of
hours of getting used to the stream.

For me, the hike into the backcountry enhances the trip. I
take time to soak in the fresh air and admire the scenery. The
fishing is the climax, but the journey is well worth the time.

Fly fishing is more than just a sport, it is like painting
with many brushes. An extended fly fishing trip will enable you
to practice your artistry. If you return with nothing more
than a greater appreciation of the beauty of a trout, then
you will have returned a greater artist.

About the Author

Dale East is a long time outdoorsman and fly fisher and publisher of
Fly Fishing Wyoming

www.raysriverdories.com – Ray’s River Dories informational video

Survival Fishing Kit – Standard Version $22.95 The Standard Emergency Survival Fishing Kit is an exceptionally well stocked, durable, quality and inexpensive survival fishing kit. Like our Basic Emergency Fishing Kit, it was designed as a collaborative effort between survivalists and avid fisherman. Therefore, it goes without saying that this survival fishing kit is a quality item. The Best Glide Survival Fishing Kit comes in a durable tin co…

Pocket Size Fishing Survival Kit $6.99 Kit Contents (1) This Manual of Basic Fishing Instructions (4) Plastic Baits (1) Lead Jig Heads (6) Hooks (4) Split Shot (1) Bobber (50 Ft) Line This kit is not meant to be a complete survival kit, but rather an important addition to a survival kit. It provides a method of obtaining food in a survival situation. Recommended is a full survival kit, backed with a good survival manual and knowledge o…

Gone FishingTM Floating Multipurpose Knife – 10.375 Inches Not Only Will It Stay Afloat in Water, but Its Blade Is Great for Line Cutting, Scaling and Filleting! In Addition There’s a Compass Conveniently Located in the Handle $10.95 The Gone FishingTM Floating Multipurpose Knife is extremely versatile. Not only will it stay afloat in water, but its blade is great for line cutting, scaling and filleting! In addition there’s a compass conveniently located in the handle. No anglers should be without this amazing knife! Features include: Floats in water 5.625 inch blade Blade is great for line cutting, scaling and filleting Durab…

Spring Creek Flies: Proven Patterns $22.49 Glenn Weisner & Wayne Samson give you a sneak peak into their fly boxes and reinforce that a well stocked fly box is a necessity for successful Spring Creek Fly Fishing. With a combined 40 years of both fly tying and on stream fly fishing experience Glenn Weisner & Wayne Samson of Glenn River Fly Co. conduct private fly tying sessions, on-stream educational workshops and make and sell their flagsh…

f $900.00

Rio Skagit Flight Mega Kit Fly Spey Fishing Head Kit $699.95

Fly Fishing Rain Gear

Wildlife Photography And Conservation   by Patrick Simons

I know the title of this article is “Wildlife Photography”, but before I get to the photography, I want to spend a little time talking about nature itself. Modern man has the unfortunate tendency to see his existence as something separate and apart from nature. This disconnect has led to some of our most profound misunderstandings. When one lives life inside a well insulated cocoon, it’s quite easy to overlook the fact we are still entirely dependant on nature. Ecopsychology is a term coined by Theodore Roszak, in his work, “The Voice of Earth”. It’s Roszak’s assertion that the physical separation from nature most modern humans’ experience can result in psychological dysfunction, which in turn leads to bad decision making.

Many of our most cherished assumptions have been wrong. Replacing tens of thousands of acres of east coast wetland with expensive ocean front homes may have enriched developers, but it had a devastating effect on the Atlantic fisheries. Coastal wetlands and estuaries are the nurseries of the ocean, and it’s where the food chain begins. Conventional wisdom held that old growth forests were essentially static and needed to be harvested. In fact, old growth forests have ecosystems so complex we don’t even begin to understand them. Often times, we simply do not know exactly what we are destroying. So much of the destruction we see today is the direct result of short sighted greed and ignorance.

Biodiversity plays a critical role in our food production systems, and all living creatures have the inherent right to survival. Habitat quality is crucial. All species, both plant and animal, cannot survive without a home. Some animal species are referred to as “unsympathetic”, as many people are repelled by snakes, bugs, and reptiles. Remember this, if those creatures didn’t have a role to play in nature, they wouldn’t be there. That’s the way nature works. If you encounter one of these “unsympathetic” creatures, give it room, and leave it alone.

Mankind lived in and with nature for uncounted millennia. People not only lived in nature, they transformed it as they went. Fortunately for the natural world, technologies were primitive and people relatively few. Mans’ impact was slight, and change happened slowly. Man’s impact on the environment accelerated rapidly in the nineteenth century. With the advent of the industrial revolution the burning of fossil fuels increased exponentially. Factories, mills and railroad belched out toxic clouds of progress. The industrial revolution also drove massive relocation of people. No longer did the bulk of the population take their living from the land. People crowded into cities, and the great separation of man and nature was underway. It’s been said the steam engine was the first man made device to alter the human gene pool. It was with the coming of the railways people, in large numbers, began traveling more than a few miles from their place of birth.

The world seems to be heading in the wrong direction. The sheer amount of bad environmental news can leave us desensitized. It is entirely possible that people now living could see most coral reefs, all of the worlds rain forests, and a quarter of all living species vanish. Almost everything that has ever lived on earth has done so within five vertical miles of sea level. When one looks up at the sky, it seems to go out forever. In a sense it does, but the earth’s breathable atmosphere only extends a few miles up. If more people realized that, proportionately, the earth’s biosphere is thinner than the skin of an apple, we might have very different attitudes about conservation. We not only need to preserve and protect what we have left, we must exercise preventative measures. Preventing problems is vastly more effective than trying to undo them. It isn’t difficult for the wildlife photographer to conclude, he or she is only recording what’s left.

Since returning vast areas of the earth to its natural sate is unlikely, conservationists need to focus on what’s possible. We must protect our remaining open spaces, not just for wildlife but for people as well. Spending time out of doors, away from the crush of city life has marvelous mental health benefits. I cannot walk through a forest without experiencing the deep sense of being a guest in someone else’s home. I know I’m in a place where I’m not needed. Nothing here requires my presence to survive. Since man’s footprint isn’t going away, we must take advantage of that footprint when we can. Native vegetation should be planted and nurtured along highways, railways, and power lines. All large buildings should have ponds that collect parking lot and building runoff. Ponds not only make for attractive landscaping, they act as natural filters for parking lot and building runoff. The creation of habitat is perhaps the best benefit of all.

These are things the urban dwelling wildlife photographer can take advantage of. While you’re probably not going to spot a moose grazing by an urban pond, frogs, butterflies, dragon flies, turtle’s, ducks, and geese are common. Learning how to take good photographs of these small creatures, can help prepare you for the time when you do spot a moose in the wild. Animals living in and around urban ponds are often accustomed to people, and thus more approachable. Top professionals use very large and expensive lenses. These tools are beyond the means of most amateur photographers, but there are things you can do that cost little or nothing. Modern high resolution digital cameras make cropping easy. Cropping a picture can do a lot to offset the lack of a long lens. Wading into shallow water wearing rubber boots, then standing very still is one example. A little patience may well reward you with a nice picture of a frog or a dragon fly. An inexpensive portable blind is a great option. Blinds allow you to get quite close to birds and small game. Remember, you’re a guest, so don’t disturb your hosts.

Great wildlife photographers have great patience. The photographer must adjust to nature, not the other way around. Nature operates on its own time schedule, and nature always wins. Learn the appropriate techniques for the time of year. You must realize you’re not going to get a great photo every time out. While you may not get that ‘keeper’ photo, it’s a learning experience, and that’s what makes you better. After patience, the next great virtue is persistence. Keep at it, and remember animals rarely pose for the camera. I’m reminded of the story of a fisherman who, when asked how the fishing was, responded, “I didn’t catch anything, but the fishing was great”.

Know your gear. Learn your cameras controls thoroughly, so there’s no fumbling when that magic moment arrives. Be able to react quickly to changing events. As a general rule, shoot at the highest practical speed. Using ISO values of eight hundred or higher will result in more noise, but you’ll get much less blurring. Blurring increases with distance and that’s especially true when using a long lens. If you’ve ever used high powered binoculars, you know what I mean. When using a lens, 400mm or larger, always use a tripod. It’s all but impossible to hold a large lens steady by hand, especially if the subject is some distance away.

To successfully photograph wildlife, learn to be totally aware of your surroundings. Employ all your senses. So often, people are utterly unaware of what’s going on around them. There have been many times when people have stopped to ask what I was taking a picture of. I then point out the beautifully camouflaged little toad hiding in the weeds, or the interesting insect perched on a leaf. Wild animals don’t have to be big animals. If at all possible, photograph the animals’ eyes. A photo that looks deeply into the eyes of a wild animal has great power. Practicing total awareness adds to your overall outdoor experience.

Above all, be prepared. Have an idea of what you’re going to pursue. Hauling every piece of gear you own isn’t always an option, but take what you can reasonably carry. Make sure your batteries are fully charged, lenses clean, and memory cards are adequate. Leave the IPod home. Take your cell phone, in case of an emergency, but turn the ringer off. Learn to work with what nature gives you. Who knows, maybe you’ll that ‘keeper’ photograph that helps nudge people in the direction of conservation.

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About the Author

Retired from industry, pursuing photography full time. Photographer, writer, philisophers, seeker and a wanderer. highplainsphotosandframes.com

Diamond Posse’s Diva Amy getting some rain gear