How to Fish for Spawning Salmon

Every year salmon migrate from the ocean, up the rivers of the Pacific Northwest to spawn providing some exciting fishing action. There are several ways to fish for spawning salmon, however spin fishing with a variety of lures is the easiest for novice salmon fishermen to learn and accounts for just as many catches as any other method.

Instructions

Fishing for Spawning Salmon

1 Select a variety of salmon lures. The best are: spinners- oz. size, spoons- oz. size and large diving plugs in "salmon size." Buy a variety of colors and several of each, as hanging up the lure on underwater rocks is a common occurrence in river fishing, resulting in a broken line and a lost lure.
2 Locate where salmon lay in the stream. Salmon fight their way upstream. When swimming through rapids they move then rest in the quiet pools or the long smooth stretches of river. The salmon will be found on the bottom of deep pools and in the smooth water just below a series of rapids.
3 Wade into the water if it is shallow enough, or stay on the bank if it is deep or the water is moving too swifthly. Cast at a 45-degree angle upstream and reel the lure back as it drifts downstream with the current. Continue casting all through the smooth water, working the entire pool or stretch of water. Work the lure at different depths as salmon may be on the bottom or hanging midlevel. If you don't catch one here work your way up or down river to the next hole.
4 Keep the rod tip up upon feeling a strike. The salmon will run, but make the fish struggle against the power of the rod. Adjust the drag on the reel so the running fish can peel line off the reel but has to work hard to do it.
5 Reel line in whenever the fish tires. Bring the fish into shallow water where you can get the net under it and scoop it up. If there is another person available, have him net the fish while you control the rod. If the shoreline is level with the water, another option is to slide the exhausted fish up on the bank.

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How to Heat an Ice Fishing House

Ice fishing is a popular pastime in the northern states where the lakes and rivers freeze. The ice fishing houses range in sophistication from a little pup tent to a fully built, functioning home. There are several ways to heat the ice fishing house depending on how much heat you want and how much you want to spend. Here are a few tips.

Instructions

1 Use a vent wall furnace to heat your ice house. The direct vent wall furnace heats a room without the use of electricity. It is cost efficient to install and no chimney is needed. The unit comes with or without a blower and can be found through your local HVAC dealer.
2 Find an indoor safe propane heater. to use. There are several options available on the market. The Big Buddy Heater has an 18,000 BTU and can heat up to 400 square feet for about nine days. Look for a safety shutoff pilot when the oxygen in the fishing house gets too low.
3 Try using outside propane heaters. Many ice fishing houses are not houses at all. They are tents set up on the ice with some special features. Use a propane heater like the Mr. Heater "Mr. Double Heater" Model number MH24T. This is an infra red heater that is quiet, fast and efficient, and used to heat patios, workshops, sheds and the like.
4 Heat an ice fishing house with LP gas. This type of heating is for quick heating for short periods of time. Use the Heat Process Heater, for example, to warm up your toes and then give it a break. The most common use of this heater is in workshops, garages, and barns. Look for this one at a home improvement store or a farm supply store.

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Tips on Buying a Fishing Rod

Various fish and differing conditions require different rods. Think about what kind of fishing you're going to do before heading into the shop.

Instructions

1 Test the grip of the rod. Make sure the handle fits snugly in your palm.
2 Choose the length of rod. 4- to 6-foot rods are suited for lighter bait and fish such as perch and crappie. Shorter rods also work well in brushy areas. Rods 6 feet and longer are good for bigger bait, longer casting distance and rougher fish (bass and catfish).
3 Test for flexibility. Hold the rod in your hand as if you are casting, flip the end, and watch the tip for movement.

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How Does Barometric Pressure Affect Fish?

Barometric pressure is a measure of atmospheric pressure, also called air pressure, that is often indicated as "inches of mercury" on a barometer. Less air above the barometer means lower pressure, and more air means higher pressure. Air pressure presses down on water, but can it be felt by fish? Fish cannot predict changes in barometric pressure, but do they react to changes in air pressure?

Significance

Many fishermen believe good or poor fishing can be determined by the level of barometric pressure.

Types

At any given time, barometric pressure is either stable or is rising or falling. Fish react differently to both stable and changing barometric pressures.

Considerations

Changing barometric pressure stirs up fish in their habitat by changing the buoyancy of low-level food items such as plankton. Small fish follow the plankton, larger fish follow the smaller fish.

Misconceptions

Compared with changes in hydrostatic pressure---water pressure up or down within the water column---barometric pressure changes are very slight and not likely to be felt directly by the fish.

Expert Insight

Experts say fish likely are not reacting to barometric pressure changes but rather the effects of weather on the water. Weather following a change in barometric pressure can change light levels, water temperature and other factors affecting fish behavior. Fisheries biologist and tournament angler Roger Hugill says, "An extended period of stable weather allows fish to find their comfort zone---a balance of the right water temperature, oxygen, light penetration and other factors---and fuels a nice, steady bite."

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Fishing With Crickets

Fish are more likely to swallow live bait than fake lures, which they may bite and then spit out, making it more difficult to set the hook. Crickets are a great choice for live bait, and they're effective in catching a variety of fish in just about any body of water.

Instructions

1 Select a cane pole and adjust the line so it's the same length as the pole, or use a spinning rod with a slip float.
2 Use nylon monofilament line (4 to 10 lb. test) and attach a long shank hook to the end. The long shank will make it easy to remove the hook from the fish. Also, choose a hook that is easy to bend in order so you can free it from any unintended targets.
3 Add a float to the line, keeping in mind you'll want to fish near the bottom of the water body. Adjust the float accordingly and attach small BB lead weights about 6 to 8 inches above the hook to help in casting.
4 Get your crickets from a live bait shop or from an online service. Since fish species vary by region, seek advice from a local bait shop or sporting goods store regarding the best locations to fish. Remember, in general, you can catch a variety of fish species using crickets in either rivers, ponds or lakes.
5 Bait your hook. Once you're ready to fish, pierce the tail of the cricket with the hook and push it up through the body and out just below the head. This will hold the live bait on securely while casting.
6 Cast so that you're fishing near the bottom of the pond, lake or river. Fish in areas with underwater brush or shade, which serve as great hideouts for fish. Also try near docks, pilings or buoys. If you're in a boat, troll along the banks and near brush while experimenting with different depths.

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How to Tie Your Own Gang Hooks

Gang hooks are used to present a variety of baits and lures to both fresh and saltwater game fish species. One of the more common methods of rigging a gang hook is when using live or artificial worms. The presentation of live worms benefits from the use of a live rig, as the worm appears more naturally in the water instead of in a ball on a hook. Gang hooks can be tied using various knots, however, one method in particular allows for relatively quick and easy rigging.

Instructions

1 Cut a 12- to 15-inch length of line from the end of your fishing line to be used for tying the rig. Tie a knotless knot to attach the line to fish hooks.
2 Feed the free end of the short length of line through the eye of a hook. The line should exit the eye on the back or opposite side from the bend. Pull the line down so the end is even with the bottom of the bend of the hook.
3 Hold the line against the shank of the hook. Pull the main length of line down and wrap it around the shank and short length of line eight to 10 times. Hold the wraps in place and feed the end of the longer length back through the eye so it exits on the barb side of the hook. Pull the knot down tightly and trim excess line from the short end with scissors.
4 Decide how far up the line the next hook should be. This will depend on the type of bait being used as well as personal preference. Feed the free end of the short length of line through the eye of the hook so it exits on the barb side. Slide the hook down to the desired location.
5 Hold the line in place against the shank of the hook and pull the long length of line down. Make eight to 10 turns around the shank and line being held in place. Feed the free end through the eye of the hook so it exits on the barb side. Pull the knot down tightly.
6 Tie a loop at the end of the line for attaching to the main line. Tie a surgeon's loop by doubling the line and forming an overhand knot. This will form a small loop at the end of the line. Feed the loop through the knot once again and pull down tight. Trim excess line from the free end.

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How to Fishing with a Bobber

Bobbers are used in fishing to keep live or dead bait suspended below the water surface, where the bait can attract fish that feed at medium to shallow depths. Bobbers also give an angler visual clues to the activity of biting fish. Follow these steps to learn the basics of bobber fishing.

Instructions

1 Choose bobber sizes to match the bait you will be using. If you will be fishing with large minnows or shrimp, you will need a 1 -inch to 2-inch bobber. For worm fishing, a 1-inch to 1 -inch bobber is fine. Standard red-and-white plastic bobbers work as well as any type, and are inexpensive.
2 Go to a fishing spot and try to estimate the water depth you will be casting to. For shallow water, you will be attaching the bobber to the line about a foot above the hook. For deeper water, attach the bobber 3 to 5 feet above the hook and bait.
3 Attach the bobber to the line by pushing the top button on the bobber to expose the bottom hook wire. Wrap the line once around the wire and release the button. Place your thumb over the bottom wire and push the rim of the top button to expose the top hook wire. Wrap the line once around the wire and release the button.
4 Cast the bobber and bait to a spot near some structure, like a drop-off, sunken log or culvert. Learn to read the motion of the bobber to tell what fish are doing to your bait. Short, repeated taps are usually smaller pan fish nibbling at the bait. Larger fish like bass may take a short run and let go, or just grab the bait and run, making the bobber disappear.
5 Wait to until the bobber submerges for a moment to try setting the hook. Dont set the hook if the bobber pops back to the surface right away. If fish are biting tentatively, you may have to exercise more patience and let the bobber submerge for a second or two before trying to set the hook.

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Using a Fishing Pole in WoW

Fishing is a popular pastime in World of Warcraft. It is a good way to lazily spend the day if you don't have any good quests lined up and none of your friends are currently online. Additionally, it provides your character with items, both commonplace as well as occasional valuable items drug up from the bottom of the water.

Instructions

1 Locate a "Fishing Trainer." Trainers can be found near rivers and lakes. Talk to the trainer and learn the fishing skill.
2 Buy a fishing pole. Poles are bought from "Fishing Supplier" NPCs, a regular in most towns.
3 Buy bait for your fishing pole. Bait is also purchased at "Fishing Suppliers."
4 Find a safe body of water for fishing. Don't plan on angling with hordes of monsters nearby.
5 Remove your weapon and shield.
6 Equip the fishing pole and face the water.
7 Open the "Abilities Menu" and select the fishing skill. You may want to drag this skill into your "Hotbar" if you plan on doing a lot of fishing.
8 Use the fishing skill by simply clicking on it. If your character does not begin casting the fishing pole, try moving around a bit to get into a better position near the water.

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Fishing Line Crimping Tips

Anytime fishermen need to connect two pieces of monofilament fishing line or connect a leader to a piece of monofilament line, one of the best methods is to use a double-barrel sleeve and a crimping tool. When anglers want a strong connection between their lures and line, crimping is also an option. Crimping is especially useful when large fish species are the target.

Instructions

1 Select the proper sleeve size. The sleeve opening should be just a little larger than fishing line's diameter. Thread the end of the fishing line through one of the sides of a double-barrel sleeve.
2 Thread the end of the fishing line through the eye of the lure with which you plan to fish. This circular eye is at the top or front of artificial baits and hooks. If you plan to fish with a steel or wire leader, thread the monofilament through the circular piece on one end of the leader.
3 Thread the end of the fishing line through the remaining opening in the sleeve.
4 Hold the flame from a cigarette lighter to the small piece of monofilament coming out of the second sleeve opening. As soon as the heat causes the line to soften, use the butt end of the lighter to flatten it.
5 Pick up the crimping tool and position the sleeve inside of it. The rounded surfaces of the sleeve should line up with the rounded surfaces of the crimping tool. Squeeze the crimping tool to compress the sleeve around the line. You may need to compress the sleeve twice.

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How Does a Fish and Game Warden Spend a Workday?

What Is a Fish and Game Warden?

Fish and game wardens are hired to guard federal fish and wildlife reserves. Their job encompasses a vast number of tasks. They are there to catch poachers, enforce hunting and fishing regulations, arrest people breaking the law, document fish and game, note any irregular conditions in their area and a multitude of other tasks that have to do with the outdoors. A fish and game warden has to have the educational background that is required to perform the job and is required to physical and educational testing. Game wardens typically make around $14 per hour at the mid range level. This depends on education and experience, with new hires making less and experienced game wardens earning more. They are paid monthly like most federal employees.

The Workday as a Fish and Game Warden

A regular workday for a fish and game warden can be a trip around and within the perimeter of the area she is protecting. Usually these locations will have hunting and fishing areas, so she will look for violations--people who are catching fish that are not legal to keep or hunting deer out of season. Since they are law enforcement professionals, wardens have the ability to issue citations and warnings and can even arrest people who are breaking the law. Their regular workday also includes paperwork that has to be filled out, noting their findings and any unusual circumstances and citations issued.
Some fish and game wardens may conduct classes on hunter safety and fishing regulations. They have to be able to inspect an area and notate any changes that require damage control or that may be of particular research interest. They might also monitor water pollution levels .They also gather data on the fish and wildlife in the zone that they are patrolling. This information helps with research data.

Conditions to Work as a Fish and Game Warden

Fish and game wardens work in conditions that some might find unsavory. Insects, snakes, wild animals and enviro-criminals can be regular and infrequent visitors in their workplace. They must also work in extreme weather conditions. There are a few different ways that a game wardens may travel during the course of their workday. They travel on foot and automobiles but may also scuba dive, use off-road vehicles and patrol boats. Like other members of law enforcement, they are armed and wear a designated uniform.

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