My Story
I am a 41-year old male and I have advanced heart disease.
This Blog addresses two great interests in my life. One is heart disease and its impact on individuals and society, its management, approaches to mitigating its effects, current trends in disease treatment, preventive strategies for stopping heart disease before it occurs, as well as current treatment and future developments.
My other passion is philosophy - the journey to understand what it means to know and exist. Of particular interest to me is Zen and Christian mysticism. Also of great interest to me is the study of the philosophy of consciousness.
Before continuing and for those interested, it may be useful to review information related to the heart and its arteries.
So here is my story:
I can remember when it all started in 2004. At first, I hardly paid any attention to the heartburn I would get while mowing the yard. I took little notice as the pain would stop whenever I rested and, because I did not work out at the time, no other opportunities presented themselves for me to note the discomfort.
In early 2006 I moved to Austin from Houston. By April of that year, the pain was a constant companion. Thinking I had some form of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), I decided to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist as soon as I met with my new endocrinologist. The purpose of the endocrinologist meeting was to continue my treatments of Testim, a 1% testosterone gel I needed to address idiopathic (meaning for reasons unknown) hypogonadism, which is a fancy way of saying I suffered from low testosterone levels. My pituiatary gland was not sending out high enough levels of hormones which would then circulate to my testicles, their job to create the testosterone so critical to male health. An MRI showed no growths on the pituitary itself, so the endocrinologist I was seeing at that time left it at that and started hormone replacement therapy.
So here I am getting a full checkup by my new endocrinologist. My blood results indicated a total cholesterol of over 600 and triglycerides of over 2000. I had seen these numbers before and been on cholesterol lowering medications, but never stuck with the plan. I was 22 years old when I first noted results this high and I was now 39. She asked some questions, which lead to me telling her about the GERD. She inquired into my willingness to undergo an EKG. I said no, I did not need one. She persisted and convinced me the test would only take 5 minutes to complete. I finally agreed.
When the results came, the nightmare began. My referral to a local cardiologist was immediate and the following week I was taking a nuclear stress test - which I failed miserably. I then scheduled the first of many angiograms to come. The following week I packed up a few items for an overnight stay and my wife drove me to the hospital.
An angiogram itself is not a scary procedure - at least not to me. You get a good shaving of the hair around the private area, wheeled into an extremely cold room, moved onto a table and covered in warm towels and pumped full of morphine. The cardiologist then enters and makes a small incision in the femoral artery and feeds up an angiogram or intravenous ultrasound catheter. I was awake during most of the procedure, but most patients find themselves fairly doped up and drifting in and out of consciousness. Being an engineer, I asked many questions until the cardiologist politely asked me to keep quiet. It turns out the procedure was turning out to be of a more complicated nature than usual. There is another approach gaining in popularity in the United States called Transradial Coronary InteRVention, where the cardiologist enters the heart through the transradial artery via a hole made in the patient's hand.
My left anterior descending artery (LAD) had an 85% lesion proximally, but was 100% blocked at the first septal perforator (septals are arteries that perforate the heart at 90 degrees off the LAD). The distal LAD was barely visible. Another proximal diagonal 3mm in diameter was 70%-75% blocked. My circumflex artery gave off mid and posterior marginals (diagonal arteries off the circumflex artery) with a 40% proximal lesion in the mid-marginal. My right coronary artery had a 40% discrete mid lesion and gave of a PDA (posterior decending artery) and LV branch and then collaterized with the LAD, but poorly. That one word - collaterized - was the difference between life and death. You may not know it, but the heart has its own bypass mechanism. If a blockage occurs slowly enough and worsens over time, the heart will grow new arteries to bypass the blockage. These new arteries are called collaterals. The process is angiogenesis. It is good for heart disease, but bad for cancer. On the heart disease front, doctors are working on new ways of encouraging the growth of collaterals. One of these - EECP - uses blood pressure cuffs on the legs and times their contraction and release with the heart's rhythm. This information provided via an EKG feeds back to the blood pressure cuffs. There is also continuing research that centers around targeting the heart directly with vessel growth hormone. It seems this bypassing ability works better in humans over 50 - I guess I was lucky. On the cancer front, doctors try the reverse, by stopping angiogenesis from occurring, the cancer staRVes for a supply of blood necessary for the cancerous cells to survive. Doctor's are working on ways of stopping angiogenesis for cancer patients.
It turns out during the procedure I had a second heart attack. I suffered my first heart attack sometime during the previous two weeks. I was informed later of some damage to my heart muscle (this damage eventually repaired itself within a year). I don't recall the heart attack during the intervention, but do remember hearing the doctor calling for intracoronary nitroglycerin and adrenaline. By the end of the lengthy procedure I had five Cyhper drug eluting sTents in my LAD from the proximal lesion all the way to the apex (bottom tip) of the heart. The Cypher stent elutes a drug which is an immunosuppressant. The purpose of this drug is to slow down the scarring process and retard in-stent restenosis, where the scarring can reach such a level that it reoccludes the artery. It was 5/9/06 and I was scheduled to come back on 5/30/06 - the second procedure delay due to the use of 550cc of contrast. Further contrast could damage my kidneys.
After the intervention, I began a regimen of Plavix and aspirin (81 mg) and told I would probably be on Plavix for life. My cardiologist also said I had diffuse disease in all of my arteries - 40% blockages in most of them. However, a silver lining does exist. It seems that is possible to reverse plaque buildup by lowering your total cholesterol below 100. One can see that study here.
Here are the before and after shots of my first angiogram and PCI.
Before:
For text only submissions, can only be seen at http://www.lumponablog.com/my-story/
See that small artery stretching down from the blockage point? It's new and probably what saved my life.
After:
For text only submissions, can only be seen at http://www.lumponablog.com/my-story/
On 5/30/06 I returned for the second time. For this procedure, the cardiologist used and IVUS (intravenous ultrasound) catheter, allowing for a better picture of what is going on. Three Cypher sTents opened the conduit from the proximal to mid distal right prior to the PDA. The IVUS showed the stents where not fully apposed (positioned correctly - a benefit of using IVUS vs. standard angiography), which lead to additional balloon dilation. The vessel was 85% blocked at its worst site with diffuse plaquing throughout the rest of the artery.
I went home, waited two weeks and then started exercising like my life depended on it - and it did. It would be almost a year and three stress tests later before the real nightmare began. I already had 8 stents and thought I was doing good. When I got the call I had failed my last stress test I remember the sinking feeling in my stomach and the look on my wife's face. I thought I had beaten this uninvited guest. I was wrong.
On 7/3/2007 I went to the emergency room with chest pain. This procedure was also split in two, but this time I did not leave the hospital between the two interventions. On day one two Cypher stents addressed a 95% lesion in the mid and mid to distal right coronary artery.
On the second day I had one Cypher stent placed in the LAD where the blockage was 75% in the mid section, one in a diagonal off the LAD with 85% long lesion, and another placed in the LAD because of plaque movement from the diagonal. I also required a JoStent to address a very large aneurysm in my LAD that was just about to burst. I had survived to fight another day, but at a price. During the first procedure on 7/3/07, while doped up to the hilt on morphine, the interventionalist asked me if I wanted bypass or stenting. I, of course, preferred stenting. Who wants to have their chest cracked open? I was unaware of the minimally invasive bypass surgical procedures that were available and it was only later that I learned the consequences of the decision to stent. My LAD was now fully stented - stem to stern - a full-metal jacket in the jargon of the interventionalist. I could never have bypass surgery done on my LAD without a risky procedure to remove the stents - something even worse than a standard CABG (coronary artery bypass graft surgery).
I was, and still am, a little miffed about this turn of events. It is one reason I have started this blog - to inform patients, to intimately involve them in any decision that will affect their current or future health. However, my cardiologist is known to be aggressive in the use of stents and he did save my life. He is also well respected in the cardiology community and across multiple disciplines in the medical field. From my endocrinologist, to my urologist, to my family doctor, and all the other patients I come across in his practice, the word is this guy is top-notch. Also, he places thousands of stents a year and practices as a patient advocate (he has a law degree, electrical engineering degree, and is an M.D.). One purpose of this site is enablement of the patient to ask the correct questions. Many cardiologists - both the PCI and surgery variety - make life-and-death decisions every day and sometimes work around the clock. Can I blame my cardiologist for not informing me while I was in a sober state at a date before my second intervention about the potential for a full-metal jacket? Perhaps. But what's done is done and I can only take my experience and relate it to you, the reader, in the hope you will make good use of this information.
Another goal of this site is to lobby at the local, state, and federal level for legislation that would require interventionalists in a nonemergency situation to discuss the options with patients and provide them with an information package. This package details the known issues with stents (late in-stent thrombosis, allergies to the alloy in a stent, the consequences of a full-metal jacket), informs the patient they may be on Plavix for life and ensure the patient is able to try the drug to judge their reaction and response to it. The patient should also be informed of the consequences of quitting Plavix before any other surgery (elective or nonelective). Each patient should also be encouraged to speak with a surgeon and get an opinion whether a surgical approach is the best fit for their particular situation. For some, aggressive drug therapy may work.
My stent count was now 14. The IVUS also indicated luminal plaquing in some of my old LAD stents of 20%-30%.
Here are the reports for the procedures mentioned above:
For text only submissions, can only be seen at http://www.lumponablog.com/my-story/
Now the rollercoaster ride began. It was during the next five (yes, I said five) procedures (8/3/2007, 2/26/2008, 2/27/2008, 3/25/2008, and 7/16/2008) that my stent count grew to 25. I have a mixture of Cypher and Endeavor DES stents (some are stents within stents), and a JoStent covered stent to address my LAD aneurysm. Following are the reports from these procedures. My next stress test is in early December 2008. Here is hoping that I am finally done with stents.
For text only submissions, can only be seen at http://www.lumponablog.com/my-story/
Shortly after my last intervention, my cardiologist ordered a new test - called a TEG test. The purpose of this test is to judge the effectiveness of Plavix on platelet inhibition. Below is one page from the test with the conclusion that "There is 20% platelet inhibition". The rest of that paragraph states that 75mg of Plavix offered no clinically significant platelet inhibition. One of the most important uses of Plavix is to prevent in-stent thrombosis, which can occur soon up to many years after the intervention - often with deadly consequences. I will be talking a great deal more about this in the blog, but it is this late in-stent thrombosis which has become the drug eluting stent's Achilles' heal - although the rate of occurrence is small and considered acceptable. It is controlled mostly with dual antiplatelet therapy, both aspirin and Plavix. Because of the lack of platelet inhibition on 75mg of Plavix, my dose increased to 150mg/day. The second page below is from a TEG test performed about 1 month after starting the 150mg/day Plavix regimen. Note the platelet inhibition is 82.2%, which is right around where it should be.
For text only submissions, can only be seen at http://www.lumponablog.com/my-story/
Below is my latest lab work. Note the VAP cholesterol test (a nonfasting cholesterol screening). Total LDLs of 33, with a total cholesterol of 99. As most of my heart's arteries are diffusely blocked with soft plaque (not calcified), these numbers are good news as I may be at the point where reversal of plaque buildup may be occurring. Finally, some good news! Also note the low C-reactive protein number (high sensitivity CRP) of .5. CRP is a measure of inflammation and many cardiologists now consider inflammation to play a key role in the development and progression of heart disease.
For text only submissions, can only be seen at http://www.lumponablog.com/my-story/
Now for a little more of my background. Since the age of 24 I have suffered three major clinical depressions - each of which can contribute to the advancement of heart disease. After moving to Austin, I was blessed to find a psychiatrist who correctly labeled my affliction as an unstable mood disorder and stopped the antidepressants and initiated clonazepam - a mood stabilizer. I have never felt better mentally. I also suffered a major physical collapse in 2002 after trying an ACE inhibitor for blood pressure control. I did not recover for 4 months. I did smoke for about 10 years and quit about 6 months ago - this time for good. I exercise almost every day and have my own little pharmacy of pills:
Plavix (150 mg/day)
Aspirin (325 mg/day)
Norvasc (5mg twice/day for blood pressure)
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ - 12.5mg/day for blood pressure)
Testim 1% gel (Hypogonadism)
Tricor (145mg/day for Triglyceride control)
Crestor (20mg/day for cholesterol)
Clonazepam (1mg 5 times/day for mood stabilization)
During all of this - adventure as I like to call it - I became as educated on the subject matter of heart disease and heart disease treatments. During my own research, I visited many interesting sites and I list them in the right side bar of this blog. I also learned a great deal. For example, I was unaware that minimally invasive heart bypass techniques were available and that some hospitals (which I found are on my insurance) can perform multiple bypasses using a DaVinci robot and require around six small holes for the instruments to be guided into the chest cavity. There are also minimally invasive procedures done on a beating heart. I also learned that diffuse three vessel disease such as mine is better treated with bypass surgery. My first PCI aside (I was having a heart attack), had I known this information, I might have chosen a different path. When I asked my cardiologist about the mortality rate of CABG surgery, I was told it was around 1-2%. Turns out this is true as a national average, but individual hospitals often beat this rate and can be as low as .2%. It is my intent to provide readers of this blog information about the support groups, informative sites, and developments related to heart disease as possible. It is also my intent to use this blog to lobby local, regional, and ultimately national hospitals to allow every patient access to a non-PCI and nonsurgical cardiologist to act in the patient's best interest. This provides each patient with access to both cardiac surgeons and interventionalists enabling the patient to make an informed decision concerning their treatment. I intend on using my experience and knowledge to ensure that you or a loved one is best enabled to take part in the decision making process. I intend to cover as many types of heart disease as possible, not limit myself to atherosclerosis. My wife's father died at age 52 of cardiomyopathy due to a heart virus. Heart disease includes valve issues, problems with rhythm, enlarged hearts; the list is long.
Ah, youth - wasted on the young, missed by the old. I am not sure the etymology of the phrase: "You are only immortal, for a limited time", but I first heard these words in a song titled Dreamline, from my favorite band, Rush. The meaning to me now is more obvious than ever. In my younger days, my entire life stretched in front of me much like the vanishing point in a perspective drawing, or that point on the horizon where the sky meets the earth. I knew that one day I would reach that point, but existentially it still felt like there would just be some other distant vanishing point magically appearing, and so on, ad infinitum.
At some point each of us faces our own mortality. I am not talking about the intellectual obviousness that we will all die one day, but that knowledge felt in your bones that your on borrowed time. Even after the death of my mother, the fact of my own transience escaped my immediate notice. Somehow, somewhere, I just felt immortal.
I can only look on these recent developments as a blessing in their own right. Before and after the surgery, I prayed regularly. I prayed for a job outside Houston; it happened. I prayed my wife and I would find a wonderful house to live in; we did.
I am not sure who or what God is. Many mystics describe God as the "Great cloud of unknowing" and it is this mystical approach to God that I am drawn to. I will also talk about this in the philosophy section of this blog. When I pray, it is to focus my mind on the "That which is unknown and unknowable". I feel that someone, or something, is listening, and recent events in my life related and not related to my heart have convinced me of a higher reality. I credit my beautiful and wonderful wife, her mother and stepfather (who is an associate pastor) for bringing me into the light of God and Jesus Christ, even if my beliefs do not resonate with theirs and border more on the esoteric vagaries of mystical thought. However, as time passes, I find myself drawn inexorably to a more balanced belief system that blends mysticism with traditional Christian theology. It has been a wild and wonderful ride from Atheism, to Agnosticism, to Buddhism, Zen, and finally Christianity. I hope to share that journey with you on this blog as well as present the latest information on heart disease, its causes, treatment, and prevention.
As to who I am: I am unique in my viewpoints just as many of you are. I love my wife, my family, my dogs, movies, reading, math, and hate irrational behavior and grandiose posturing. I am also a proud member of Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church. I consider the pastor, Larry Coulter, an influential, inspiring and entertaining speaker. His presence can lift even the lowest of spirits and his sense of humor hints at the possibility that had he not chosen being a pastor, he could have ranked among the best of comedians. Listen to some of his sermons here. In particular, I love his "vine ripened" series, so I would recommend starting with those - you won't be disappointed. I don't see a donate button on the site, but if you find the sermons to be as fulfilling as I have, use the contact button at the top of their page and email Larry or call the main number listed there. I believe Larry to be one of America's undiscovered treasures and hope you will agree.
It is good to still be among you, and I cherish every breath and every moment I am allotted on this earth. What will happen to me as time passes - who knows? But let's take the journey of discovery together.
Still alive and kicking,
Gerald Merits
I have a purpose in life - to educate, support, and provide useful resources to my reading audience regarding living with heart disease, it current and future treatments, and enabling the patient to become actively involved in their treatment.
My blog provides resources to research the best hospitals, and what type of procedures are available. Are you the proud owner of a stent, or may be in the future? There are some questions you need to ask before taking that leap.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Trampolines in Winter � Protecting Your Equipment
Trampolines are an endless source of entertainment and exercise. There’s just something about being able to jump high into the air, only to bounce right back up again that has attracted kids of all ages ever since the trampoline was invented in the 1930’s. Since that fateful day, the trampoline has been used for many things, including soldier training in World War II, physical rehabilitation for those that have had operations or injuries to their legs, and weight loss workouts for those that need a low impact way to burn calories. No matter what your trampoline means to you, it’s important to make sure that you protect all the trampoline parts, especially in winter time.
Mini trampolines, also called rebounders, are the only kind of trampoline that can be safely used in the house. This is because the mini trampoline has such a small surface area, and can only be used to produce a bounce that is a couple of feet up in the air, at most. However, when you start talking about the larger recreational trampolines, which can be anywhere from eight to sixteen feet in diameter, it’s necessary to use them outdoors where there will be no danger of hitting your head on the ceiling or falling into potentially dangerous furniture.
Keeping your trampoline outside is safer, but it does present come challenges when it comes to taking good care of all the trampoline parts. The trampoline mat in particular can break down quickly when it is repeatedly exposed to rain, UV sunlight, and cold. If you’re going to be keeping your trampoline outdoors in the winter time, it’s necessary to make some storage adjustments so that you can continue to use it year after year.
When you’re getting ready to winterize your trampoline, be sure to check the trampoline cover and trampoline pad for any holes, rips, tears, or frayed spots. It doesn’t make sense to cover the structure if the cover will just let in the weather anyway! Inspect the entire trampoline for parts that might be damaged or rusty, and replace them before storing. Spray the trampoline pad with a vinyl protection spray that will help it to resist any moisture that builds up while it’s in storage. Use bungee cords or rope to make sure the cover and the trampoline it have no chance of blowing away. If a heavy snowfall is likely, you might think about removing the trampoline mat before you place the cover.
Click Here for more information
Mini trampolines, also called rebounders, are the only kind of trampoline that can be safely used in the house. This is because the mini trampoline has such a small surface area, and can only be used to produce a bounce that is a couple of feet up in the air, at most. However, when you start talking about the larger recreational trampolines, which can be anywhere from eight to sixteen feet in diameter, it’s necessary to use them outdoors where there will be no danger of hitting your head on the ceiling or falling into potentially dangerous furniture.
Keeping your trampoline outside is safer, but it does present come challenges when it comes to taking good care of all the trampoline parts. The trampoline mat in particular can break down quickly when it is repeatedly exposed to rain, UV sunlight, and cold. If you’re going to be keeping your trampoline outdoors in the winter time, it’s necessary to make some storage adjustments so that you can continue to use it year after year.
When you’re getting ready to winterize your trampoline, be sure to check the trampoline cover and trampoline pad for any holes, rips, tears, or frayed spots. It doesn’t make sense to cover the structure if the cover will just let in the weather anyway! Inspect the entire trampoline for parts that might be damaged or rusty, and replace them before storing. Spray the trampoline pad with a vinyl protection spray that will help it to resist any moisture that builds up while it’s in storage. Use bungee cords or rope to make sure the cover and the trampoline it have no chance of blowing away. If a heavy snowfall is likely, you might think about removing the trampoline mat before you place the cover.
You can find additional info at the following links:
Click Here for more informationClick Here for more information
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Where to go Boar Hunting
Boar hunting is a great sport, which many people love to participate in. However, it is not available in every part of the world. That’s why we are going to show you some of the top lodges for boar hunting. These lodges will help you organize your boar hunting trip as well as give you a great comfy place to stay in during your vacation. Whether you want to head down south, way down south, to the west coast or to the land down under, you will have a variety of boar hunting options on your next vacation to choose from.
In South Carolina, you will be able to hunt on private land which may be more comfortable for some hunters. This way your hunting grounds will be near your accommodations so you will not have to travel far and many of the private institutions will be handicap accessible. This is the case for Beam and Son Outfitters. Another great wild boar hunting ground is the Cinnamon Ridge Hunting lodge where you will not only have the chance to hunt for wild boar but also hogs, wild turkey, whitetail deer and quail.
More Southern locations include North Carolina, Florida and Georgia. In Florida, you will notice that Central Florida is very well known for its wild boar trips. Just like in South Carolina, you will be able to hunt wild boars and hogs on privately owned land such as it Brady Ranch. Wild Boars and hogs can also be hunted for at Calhoun’s Guide Service, Boar’s Unlimited, Chappy’s Outfitters, Everglades Adventures, Florida Wildlife Unlimited, Head Hunters Wild Hog Hunts, Hunting in Florida, Okee Hunt Club, Osceola Outdoors, and Silver Pine Reserves among many other locations. In Florida, you will be able to hunt your hogs and wild boars just about anyway you like. You can use bows and arrows, black powder, shotguns, rifles, muzzleloaders, spears and knives. It is all accepted. Also, one of the greatest parts about staying in one of these lodges is that often times, the staff will skin and clean your catch so that you can relax after your big hunt.
Many people do not consider California to be a happening boar and hog hunting place but if you look closely enough, you can definitely catch some hunting action on the west coast. You will especially be able to hunt for wild boars and wild hogs in California. You can hunt throughout the entire state such as in Southern Monterrey County or in the Central Coast of Florida. There is also many private land options as well to choose from.
There are other hunters out there who are more interested in international hunting adventures. Two of the greatest countries outside of the United States to go hunting for wild boar and hogs is in Argentina and in Australia. There are various locations in Argentina where one can go to hunt including La Pampa, Rio Negro, Buenos Aires, Chubut, Chaco, Entre Rios and Neuquen. If you are more interested in the land down under, then you can take a boar hunting vacation to West Queensland, Australia where you will be able to hunt during the day or night with the weapon of your choice.
When it comes to boar and hog hunting, there are many options to choose from. Make your next big hunt a memorable one by choosing one of these fine locations whether they are across the world or just a little across the way from you for an excellent big hunt.
You can find additional info at the following links:
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Friday, January 25, 2013
Reasons Why You Need A Fishing Rod Holder
Fishing is a sport designed for relaxation. It is where fish lovers pride themselves of the fish caught while celebrating it with friends and family.
The rod holder is a fishing tool that allows fishermen to multi-task easily. It was invented because fishing requires the use of both hands in the whole process of luring, hook clearing and removing the fish from the hooks. With all these tasks, letting go of the pole is difficult. The fishing rod holder was intended for anglers to be able to make use of both hands.
The first design of fishing rod holders had two parts. The first is a pole-binding device with a strap placed on the railing to tie up to the fishing pole. The second part is a Velcro strap that could be tied on your limb, arms or waist.
The first designs needed improvement because when the straps were placed on the waist, it is wedged into anything you hit. Therefore, a new design of rod holder was invented which has four parts - two pole clips and two straps.
Depending on what fishing position you are in, the short strap is used to be wrapped around your wrist or forearm and the long strap is wrapped around your ankle or leg.
There are also rod holders which come with a remedial solution for seasickness. This curative fishing rod is capable of providing the user with an acupressure stimulator. Providing that the strap of the holder be worn all throughout the trip, it would remain efficient since the pressure is exerted continuously.
The rod holder is best for fly-fishing. Fly Fishing is done in locations with rocky rivers and it is impossible to use your other hand for any purpose other than the fishing tasks. Because of the clips wrapped around your lower leg, you have a choice of putting the rear of the fishing pole into the clip so that no water could go inside it.
The upper pole clips could rotate to 360 degrees. It allows the user to do any movement since the pole is more flexible. The fishing rod holder could be used in any location whether in boats, on land, or at the dock. It prevents the fishing rod to slip from your hands and it allows you to release the rod easily.
The best fishing rod holders are those done homemade. However, many fishing stores offer high quality rod holders that would best suit your kind of fishing.
To read about types of dolphins and endangered dolphins, visit the Facts About Dolphins site.
The rod holder is a fishing tool that allows fishermen to multi-task easily. It was invented because fishing requires the use of both hands in the whole process of luring, hook clearing and removing the fish from the hooks. With all these tasks, letting go of the pole is difficult. The fishing rod holder was intended for anglers to be able to make use of both hands.
The first design of fishing rod holders had two parts. The first is a pole-binding device with a strap placed on the railing to tie up to the fishing pole. The second part is a Velcro strap that could be tied on your limb, arms or waist.
The first designs needed improvement because when the straps were placed on the waist, it is wedged into anything you hit. Therefore, a new design of rod holder was invented which has four parts - two pole clips and two straps.
Depending on what fishing position you are in, the short strap is used to be wrapped around your wrist or forearm and the long strap is wrapped around your ankle or leg.
There are also rod holders which come with a remedial solution for seasickness. This curative fishing rod is capable of providing the user with an acupressure stimulator. Providing that the strap of the holder be worn all throughout the trip, it would remain efficient since the pressure is exerted continuously.
The rod holder is best for fly-fishing. Fly Fishing is done in locations with rocky rivers and it is impossible to use your other hand for any purpose other than the fishing tasks. Because of the clips wrapped around your lower leg, you have a choice of putting the rear of the fishing pole into the clip so that no water could go inside it.
The upper pole clips could rotate to 360 degrees. It allows the user to do any movement since the pole is more flexible. The fishing rod holder could be used in any location whether in boats, on land, or at the dock. It prevents the fishing rod to slip from your hands and it allows you to release the rod easily.
The best fishing rod holders are those done homemade. However, many fishing stores offer high quality rod holders that would best suit your kind of fishing.
To read about types of dolphins and endangered dolphins, visit the Facts About Dolphins site.
California’s Top Freshwater Fishing Spots
If memories of your favorite vacation include fishing gear and long hours on a lake, why not share that legacy with your family? Everyone should know the thrill of pulling in a huge lake trout or swapping fish stories over a campfire! Give your kids the fishing vacation of a lifetime by exploring the freshwater fishing spots of California.
Southern California Freshwater Fishing
Whether you're a shore fisherman or an avid boater, you'll find the perfect vacation spot in Southern California. Fly into Los Angeles and make the two hour drive to Lake Isabella. There you'll find every kind of fishing, from Largemouth Bass to Crappie. While you're there, fish the adjacent Kern River for its famous Rainbow Trout.
Also north of Los Angeles, you'll find Castaic Lake, a bass angler's dream. Fish, swim, hike and camp at this scenic gem in Southern California. For a chance at a monster-bass, check out Lake Dixon, a small lake near Escondido. It's produced record-breaking bass in recent years, and offers numerous inexpensive campsites.
Before heading north, stop by San Vicente Reservoir. Fish from the island, in a boat or on the shore, and take home your limit of catfish, bass or trout. You could also enjoy the gorgeous scenery at Lake Perris, near Riverside, and fish for Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie and catfish.
Northern & Central California Freshwater Fishing
If you venture into Northern California on your vacation, make a stop at Lake Berryessa, about halfway between Sacramento and Santa Rosa. With 165 miles of shoreline, there's lots of room to fish and camp. Watch for eagles as you enjoy trout, bass and bluegill fishing.
If you're in the Sacramento area, why not vacation at Clear Lake? At the largest natural lake in California, Clear Lake fishermen regularly catch bass over ten pounds. In fact, professional bass fishermen flock to the lake from all over the nation! Why not treat the family to world-class Bass Fishing, then take the kids on a hike to the site of a Native American village?
If you're after King Salmon, plan to stay at Lake Shasta, just north of Redding. This enormous lake is home to two species of trout and bass, as well as catfish and bluegill. Fed by four rivers, Shasta Lake sits at the edge of Shasta Trinity National Forest and offers your entire family the opportunity for an unforgettable vacation.
South of Sacramento, Lake Amador is nestled in the foothills of the Sierras. Here, the fishermen in your family will find bass up to fifteen pounds, as well as the Lake's own "Cutbow" hybrid trout. Let the kids catch their first trout in this well-stocked lake, and try their hand at snagging one of the forty-pound catfish!
And no fishing trip in Northern California would be complete without stopping by the Lakes Basin Recreation Area, which is north of Sacramento near the town of Truckee. Actually made up of fifty lakes and streams, LBRA offers excellent Rainbow and Eastern Brook Trout fishing.
You're going to love fishing in California! Bring the whole family and plan to camp and stay at one of the Golden State's prime fishing lakes. You'll go home with your minds full of memories and plans already started for next year's trip! A note to all of the RV campers out there - many of these California fishing locations are near RV campgrounds.
This article is courtesy of El Monte RV, your RV and motorhome rental source. An RV is an excellent way to start off on your next California fishing trip. Be sure to check out the El Monte RV website for more information about California RV Vacations and California RV Rentals.
Southern California Freshwater Fishing
Whether you're a shore fisherman or an avid boater, you'll find the perfect vacation spot in Southern California. Fly into Los Angeles and make the two hour drive to Lake Isabella. There you'll find every kind of fishing, from Largemouth Bass to Crappie. While you're there, fish the adjacent Kern River for its famous Rainbow Trout.
Also north of Los Angeles, you'll find Castaic Lake, a bass angler's dream. Fish, swim, hike and camp at this scenic gem in Southern California. For a chance at a monster-bass, check out Lake Dixon, a small lake near Escondido. It's produced record-breaking bass in recent years, and offers numerous inexpensive campsites.
Before heading north, stop by San Vicente Reservoir. Fish from the island, in a boat or on the shore, and take home your limit of catfish, bass or trout. You could also enjoy the gorgeous scenery at Lake Perris, near Riverside, and fish for Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie and catfish.
Northern & Central California Freshwater Fishing
If you venture into Northern California on your vacation, make a stop at Lake Berryessa, about halfway between Sacramento and Santa Rosa. With 165 miles of shoreline, there's lots of room to fish and camp. Watch for eagles as you enjoy trout, bass and bluegill fishing.
If you're in the Sacramento area, why not vacation at Clear Lake? At the largest natural lake in California, Clear Lake fishermen regularly catch bass over ten pounds. In fact, professional bass fishermen flock to the lake from all over the nation! Why not treat the family to world-class Bass Fishing, then take the kids on a hike to the site of a Native American village?
If you're after King Salmon, plan to stay at Lake Shasta, just north of Redding. This enormous lake is home to two species of trout and bass, as well as catfish and bluegill. Fed by four rivers, Shasta Lake sits at the edge of Shasta Trinity National Forest and offers your entire family the opportunity for an unforgettable vacation.
South of Sacramento, Lake Amador is nestled in the foothills of the Sierras. Here, the fishermen in your family will find bass up to fifteen pounds, as well as the Lake's own "Cutbow" hybrid trout. Let the kids catch their first trout in this well-stocked lake, and try their hand at snagging one of the forty-pound catfish!
And no fishing trip in Northern California would be complete without stopping by the Lakes Basin Recreation Area, which is north of Sacramento near the town of Truckee. Actually made up of fifty lakes and streams, LBRA offers excellent Rainbow and Eastern Brook Trout fishing.
You're going to love fishing in California! Bring the whole family and plan to camp and stay at one of the Golden State's prime fishing lakes. You'll go home with your minds full of memories and plans already started for next year's trip! A note to all of the RV campers out there - many of these California fishing locations are near RV campgrounds.
This article is courtesy of El Monte RV, your RV and motorhome rental source. An RV is an excellent way to start off on your next California fishing trip. Be sure to check out the El Monte RV website for more information about California RV Vacations and California RV Rentals.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Understanding Fly Reel Drag Systems
The single most important thing to consider when buying
a fly reel is to make
certain it matches the weight of your line and fly rod this total combination must
also be suited for the type of fish you want to catch and your fishing style.
The reel becomes part of a balanced system when combined with your fly rod and
line. The following are the three main types of drag systems these are the
basics and will help you make a better decision on what is best suited for
you.
Spring-and-pawl – Simplest and most affordable drag system, a spring pushes the pawl into a gear on the reel spool to create drag. As this is the simplest drag system it is a good choice for the beginner. This is best suited for lighter fishing such as trout and pan fish but will also work on larger fish should you want a challenge and are skilled at working a reel by palming, a technique where you press the palm of your hand against the spinning creating more drag on the spool as the fish takes line
Caliper – Similar tothe brakes
on a car, a caliper pad pushes against the braking surface on the spool creating
drag and this friction then slows the reel spool. This type of drag system falls
between the spring and pawl and disc system, both in how it performs and what it
costs.
Disc - Found on more expensive reels, a disc drag pushes a large diameter pad against the reel spool's braking surface, the pressure is applied directly which increases control and the overall efficiency of the drag. Cork or synthetic materials such as Teflon are used in disc drag systems and will provide smoother and consistent pressure that can be adjusted more precisely. This will give you a significant advantage over the other drag systems when it comes to fighting bigger more powerful fish
About the Author
Andy Klynstra is the webmaster for Oil-Net.Com, your source for oilfield products, equipment and information.
You can find additional info at the following links:
Click Here for more information
Click Here for more information
Spring-and-pawl – Simplest and most affordable drag system, a spring pushes the pawl into a gear on the reel spool to create drag. As this is the simplest drag system it is a good choice for the beginner. This is best suited for lighter fishing such as trout and pan fish but will also work on larger fish should you want a challenge and are skilled at working a reel by palming, a technique where you press the palm of your hand against the spinning creating more drag on the spool as the fish takes line
Caliper – Similar to
Disc - Found on more expensive reels, a disc drag pushes a large diameter pad against the reel spool's braking surface, the pressure is applied directly which increases control and the overall efficiency of the drag. Cork or synthetic materials such as Teflon are used in disc drag systems and will provide smoother and consistent pressure that can be adjusted more precisely. This will give you a significant advantage over the other drag systems when it comes to fighting bigger more powerful fish
About the Author
Andy Klynstra is the webmaster for Oil-Net.Com, your source for oilfield products, equipment and information.
You can find additional info at the following links:
Click Here for more information
Click Here for more information
Trout Fishing Tips
Can you remember the last great Trout fishing time you had? I can remember a number of times when fishing Lake Michigan for lake Trout or steelhead trout. I live in a small town on Lake Michigan called Pentwater, Michigan and have fished Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior for trout over the years.
I started out about 30 to 35 years ago in the Northport area fishing for lake trout. These Lake Trout were in 100 to 125 feet of water. This was before the introduction of salmon so the idea of down riggers was not even thought of and at the time I didn't even have wire line as that came later for me. We made our first downriggers. We used 8 or 10 inch pulleys and wire that some of the fisherman used to troll with. I don't even remember how we mounted them but they did work. We would take an open faced spinning reel with 12 to 15 pound test line and then attach cowbells onto the end of the line with a lure 18 to 24 inches behind the cowbells. To get the cowbells down on the bottom we put a three-way swivel between the main line and the cowbells, then we would attach a 18 inch leader with five bell sinkers to the three-way swivel. This would usually get the bait down to the lake bottom.
Lake trout normally stay near the bottom of the Great Lakes so as long as we could feel the bell sinkers tick the bottom we knew we were in the right place for Lake Trout.
Cowbells were used as a attractor to attract lake trout. They consisted of a string of blades 18 to 24 inches in length and the blades were usually silver in color. You drag these along the bottom with the sinkers kicking up a little sand and you can catch Lake Trout.
That was tough fishing back then but today with down riggers and a great selection of lures and all of our new electronic equipment it is much easier. By the way even with all that trouble we did catch Lake trout and after that the salmon were introduced, but that is another story.
One last note about our trout fishing sport. We must take additional steps to protect our great fishery. That means not only impose strict rules and regulations on the companies of the world today to protect our environment but also see to it that our governments enact strict regulations on the shipping companies, so they do not release any evasive aquatics into our waterways, such as the Great Lakes ( the world's largest supply of freshwater).
Have a nice day and catch lots of fish.
------
E. Killian is a expert trout fishermen. He gained great knowledge of trout in his 60 plus years experience. So if you would like to benefit from his experience on trout fishing than I suggest you visit the website below:
http://www.troutfishingtackletips.com
I started out about 30 to 35 years ago in the Northport area fishing for lake trout. These Lake Trout were in 100 to 125 feet of water. This was before the introduction of salmon so the idea of down riggers was not even thought of and at the time I didn't even have wire line as that came later for me. We made our first downriggers. We used 8 or 10 inch pulleys and wire that some of the fisherman used to troll with. I don't even remember how we mounted them but they did work. We would take an open faced spinning reel with 12 to 15 pound test line and then attach cowbells onto the end of the line with a lure 18 to 24 inches behind the cowbells. To get the cowbells down on the bottom we put a three-way swivel between the main line and the cowbells, then we would attach a 18 inch leader with five bell sinkers to the three-way swivel. This would usually get the bait down to the lake bottom.
Lake trout normally stay near the bottom of the Great Lakes so as long as we could feel the bell sinkers tick the bottom we knew we were in the right place for Lake Trout.
Cowbells were used as a attractor to attract lake trout. They consisted of a string of blades 18 to 24 inches in length and the blades were usually silver in color. You drag these along the bottom with the sinkers kicking up a little sand and you can catch Lake Trout.
That was tough fishing back then but today with down riggers and a great selection of lures and all of our new electronic equipment it is much easier. By the way even with all that trouble we did catch Lake trout and after that the salmon were introduced, but that is another story.
One last note about our trout fishing sport. We must take additional steps to protect our great fishery. That means not only impose strict rules and regulations on the companies of the world today to protect our environment but also see to it that our governments enact strict regulations on the shipping companies, so they do not release any evasive aquatics into our waterways, such as the Great Lakes ( the world's largest supply of freshwater).
Have a nice day and catch lots of fish.
------
E. Killian is a expert trout fishermen. He gained great knowledge of trout in his 60 plus years experience. So if you would like to benefit from his experience on trout fishing than I suggest you visit the website below:
http://www.troutfishingtackletips.com
Fishing in Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
This 34,000-acre haven for wildlife is located on the upper Texas gulf coast.
The meandering bayous of Anahuac NWR cut through ancient floodplains creating expanses of coastal marsh and prairie bordering Galveston Bay. Prevailing breezes bring in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in high humidity and an average annual rainfall of over 51 inches. Coastal marshes act as a huge sponge, holding and siphoning water from tropical storm tides and upstream flooding. These marshes, combined with the coastal prairie, provide a home for an abundance of wildlife, from migratory birds to alligators.
The refuge offers excellent saltwater and freshwater angling and crabbing opportunities. Six miles of shoreline along East Galveston Bay are accessible by boat or wade fishing. The East Bay Bayou Tract offers freshwater fishing opportunities from 3 bank piers and an accessible bridge. Two boat ramps provide access to East Bay and Oyster Bayou. Boating is not permitted in inland waters.
Saltwater Fishing
Some of the best wade fishing in Texas can be found on the refuge shorelines along East Galveston Bay. Whether you are wading or launching a boat, anglers looking for speckled Trout, redfish and southern flounder can enjoy free access 24 hours a day on the refuge. Two boat ramps provide access to East Bay and Oyster Bayou. * Unless otherwise noted, boating is not permitted on inland waters of the refuge except for the boat canal at the Oyster Bayou Boat Ramp.*
Freshwater Fishing
Three fishing piers along the banks of East Bay Bayou and a wooden bridge offer anglers without a boat an opportunity to catch freshwater species like crappie, large mouth bass, gar, bowfin, channel and blue catfish. Small, non-motorized boats may be launched along East Bay Bayou at the canoe launch.
Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / No motors for boating*
*Motor size restrictions.
Address
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
Managed by the Texas Chenier Plain NWR Complex. 509 Washington Ave. (P.O. Box 278), Anahuac, TX 77514; (409) 267-3337; Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday.
Directions to the Refuge:
Houston: Take I 10 East to Exit #812 (TX 61 or Anahuac/Hankamer exit). Head south on 61 for nearly four miles to the stop sign. Continue through. The road becomes Hwy. 562. Continue for approximately 8.5 miles to the fork in the road, which is FM 1985. At the fork, turn left and continue for an additional 4 miles to the main entrance of the refuge. Turn right on the easement road for another 3 miles. Signs will be posted.
Beaumont: Take I 10 West. Exit # 829 (Hwy. 73/124 or Winnie/Galveston exit). Head south on Hwy 124 for approximately 11 miles to FM 1985. Turn right onto FM 1985 and head west for nearly 11 miles to the main entrance of the refuge. Turn left on the easement road for another 3 miles. Signs will be posted.
Refuge is open 24 hours per day. Nearest community is Anahuac. Nearest highway is Hwy. 124.
Jay Bryce is a community manger at iFished.com. iFished.com has fishing and local information for over 40,000 lakes and fishing areas in the United States. Information includes current weather and forecasts, best times fishing charts, maps, local businesses, Fishing Store and more. iFished.com also has a large library of fishing videos, current fishing reports and fishing articles to help you catch more fish.
The meandering bayous of Anahuac NWR cut through ancient floodplains creating expanses of coastal marsh and prairie bordering Galveston Bay. Prevailing breezes bring in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in high humidity and an average annual rainfall of over 51 inches. Coastal marshes act as a huge sponge, holding and siphoning water from tropical storm tides and upstream flooding. These marshes, combined with the coastal prairie, provide a home for an abundance of wildlife, from migratory birds to alligators.
The refuge offers excellent saltwater and freshwater angling and crabbing opportunities. Six miles of shoreline along East Galveston Bay are accessible by boat or wade fishing. The East Bay Bayou Tract offers freshwater fishing opportunities from 3 bank piers and an accessible bridge. Two boat ramps provide access to East Bay and Oyster Bayou. Boating is not permitted in inland waters.
Saltwater Fishing
Some of the best wade fishing in Texas can be found on the refuge shorelines along East Galveston Bay. Whether you are wading or launching a boat, anglers looking for speckled Trout, redfish and southern flounder can enjoy free access 24 hours a day on the refuge. Two boat ramps provide access to East Bay and Oyster Bayou. * Unless otherwise noted, boating is not permitted on inland waters of the refuge except for the boat canal at the Oyster Bayou Boat Ramp.*
Freshwater Fishing
Three fishing piers along the banks of East Bay Bayou and a wooden bridge offer anglers without a boat an opportunity to catch freshwater species like crappie, large mouth bass, gar, bowfin, channel and blue catfish. Small, non-motorized boats may be launched along East Bay Bayou at the canoe launch.
Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / No motors for boating*
*Motor size restrictions.
Address
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
Managed by the Texas Chenier Plain NWR Complex. 509 Washington Ave. (P.O. Box 278), Anahuac, TX 77514; (409) 267-3337; Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday.
Directions to the Refuge:
Houston: Take I 10 East to Exit #812 (TX 61 or Anahuac/Hankamer exit). Head south on 61 for nearly four miles to the stop sign. Continue through. The road becomes Hwy. 562. Continue for approximately 8.5 miles to the fork in the road, which is FM 1985. At the fork, turn left and continue for an additional 4 miles to the main entrance of the refuge. Turn right on the easement road for another 3 miles. Signs will be posted.
Beaumont: Take I 10 West. Exit # 829 (Hwy. 73/124 or Winnie/Galveston exit). Head south on Hwy 124 for approximately 11 miles to FM 1985. Turn right onto FM 1985 and head west for nearly 11 miles to the main entrance of the refuge. Turn left on the easement road for another 3 miles. Signs will be posted.
Refuge is open 24 hours per day. Nearest community is Anahuac. Nearest highway is Hwy. 124.
Jay Bryce is a community manger at iFished.com. iFished.com has fishing and local information for over 40,000 lakes and fishing areas in the United States. Information includes current weather and forecasts, best times fishing charts, maps, local businesses, Fishing Store and more. iFished.com also has a large library of fishing videos, current fishing reports and fishing articles to help you catch more fish.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Fishing In The Smokies
You came to the Great Smoky Mountains to fish. You know that year-round fly-fishing is permitted in the beautiful streams of the National Park, but did you know that you can begin fishing 30 minutes before official sunrise, and must finish no later than thirty minutes after official sunset? Take this quick quiz to learn a few other rules and regulations so that you’re ready for a day of relaxing fishing.
Q: True or False: In a single day of fishing, you can keep up to five caught trout or small mouth bass.
A: True. Although the Park’s main attraction and only species native to the Southeastern United States is the Appalachian Brook Trout, it’s also common to catch wild, stream-bred rainbow trout and small mouth bass. Fishermen can keep up to five fish and any combination thereof, as long as the fish are at least seven inches long. However, once you catch five, you must stop fishing for the day.
Q: Which species of fish is federally protected within the park?
a. Spotfin Chub
b. Duskytail Darter
c. Smoky Madtom
d. Yellowfin Madtom
e. All of the above
A: (e) All of the above! All of these federally protected species live near lower Abrams creek, but if you happen to catch one, make sure to safely release it back into the water.
Q: In which Park stream can you NOT fish?
a. Anthony Creek Watershed
b. Lynn Camp Prong
c. Cosby Creek Watershed
d. Cataloochee Creek
e. Forney Creek
A: (b) Lynn Camp Prong. Fishing is allowed in all streams in the Tennessee side of the Park, except for the Lynn Camp Prong upstream and its confluence with the Thunderhead Prong. A full map of prime fishing locations, regulations, and other details can be obtained online or at any Park Visitor Center.
Q: True or False: There are no regulations on rod size and lure type within the Park.
A: False! Only hand-held rods and single-hook artificial flies or Lures can be used. Dropper flies are allowed at up to two flies per leader. Bait fishing is strictly forbidden. Be aware that all fishing tackle and equipment is subject to inspection at any time.
Q: True or False: You need a fishing license or permit in the Great Smoky National Park.
A: True. Either Tennessee or North Carolina must issue a fishing license, and anglers must be at least 13 years old. No trout stamp is required. Special licenses are available for those over 65. Licenses and permits are not available for purchase within the park, but you can obtain them in nearby towns or online. Special permits are required for fishing within Gatlinburg or Cherokee.
Q: What is the most popular way to serve trout?
a. Raw
b. Sun-baked
c. Pan-fried
d. On a bed of rice
A: (c) Pan-fried. Serving trout the old-fashioned way is a delicious ending to a day full of fishing. To prepare the trout, first cut off the head and gut, but avoid removing the skin and scales. Roll the trout in flour along with a mix of your favorite herbs and spices. Fry the trout at medium to medium-high heat until the skin is golden brown and the flesh is firm and flaky. The backbone should come out easily once the fish is thoroughly cooked. Be sure not to overcook – and enjoy!
Being informed and learning the rules is the starting point for a fun and safe day of fishing in the Smokies. Before you start angling, be sure to become familiar with the Park’s guidelines on water safety. Good luck!
And of course don’t forget that nothing can make fishing in the Smokies more pleasant than going back to a beautiful cabin for a good night’s sleep, so please visit our website at www.patriotgetaways.com to find a perfect post-fishing lair.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
The Right Marine Carpet for Ski Boats, Fishing Boats, and Pontoon Boats
Usually, a ski boat’s carpet wears out in specific areas long before a boat needs the entire carpet to be replaced. Sometimes all that is needed is a section of carpet to be replaced and saves time and money. If the difference between the replacement carpet and the existing carpet is such that it keeps you up at night, you may opt for replacing the entire carpet.
Often a boat’s carpet is glued to the floor (typically found in fishing boats, pontoons, wooden floor craft, and ski boats). Replacing this type of carpet requires new marine grade boat carpet that will also be glued down with special marine carpet adhesive.
New marine carpet can match most previously installed boat carpet designs, but you can change your boat’s look completely with a new style, design, or color. You can get creative and replace only the worn out areas with accent-colored sections. It’s a choice to consider and boatcarpet.com can help you.
You must choose marine grade carpet, not carpet from the flooring store down the street, no matter how persuasive the salesman! Premium 20 oz offers a Berber texture that adds a different style to your boat, while Classic 20 oz is a cut-pile design that is very plush. Classic 16 oz and 20 oz are the industry standards for most boat manufacturers, where Premium 20 oz is found in higher end boats where styling is more important.
Boatcarpet.com supplies a great number of quality options from the most basic to the ultra lavish for the choice feeling under foot and bodies. Because marine carpet is designed and manufactured for water use, it will get wet, sandy, and dirty. If used for fishing, marine grade carpet will clean up fish blood and bait odors and stains well, in addition to enduring the sun bleaching-out the color.
Using the boat carpet color guide narrow the options to simplify the selection process. Start the process of choosing new boat carpet and request a boat carpet sample. Place samples in your boat before you purchase to ensure that you are getting the best color and style you want (not only do computer monitors vary, so does the lighting and surroundings—even the different elements in your boat will affect how the color appears). Sort by color, style, weight, and texture by using the Web site at www.boatcarpet.com
Pontoon boats are designed to transport lots of people comfortably for long trips on the water. Pontoon boats are used for all sorts of pleasure from water sports to just touring the lake. Pontoon boat manufacturers have developed improved performance and enhanced interiors including many of the comforts of home.
A pontoon boat floor can have a luxurious feel under bare feet that home carpet provides, plus endurance for more concentrated wear typically the replacement carpet will have a subtle pattern. This helps to disguise traffic areas and staining.
Shop superior boat carpet selections and see how easy it is to keep your boat looking new and appealing.
Friday, January 18, 2013
15 Carp fishing Paste Bait Tips!
Do your big carp catches need a boost?! Paste has always been outstanding carp bait and many carp anglers over-look so many great ways of applying it on hooks, rigs and exploiting it in many other ways. Why miss out on exploiting very crafty methods to fool very many more big wary carp! Here are 15 essential big fish paste tips to stimulate your thinking and your catches!
Paste baits have always been superior in many ways to boilies because they have no barrier to the release of all their attraction and in fact can be so effective in this release that they melt into the water pretty much completely; all this soluble bait is rapidly dispersed in the water and pulls the fish magnificently to your bait!
1. Fishing over paste baits means you can fish over broken down bait that more wary and more experienced big fish can very often find much more comfortable feeding with confidence over than with whole pellets and boilies!
3. Paste baits are very handy as they are sticky and can be moulded around baits, hooks, leads and anything else you like so it is easily delivered by many means that carp will not have experienced much in the recent past.
4. You can use the dough from proprietary bait company base mixes and other ingredients to make your own homemade baits for relatively little cost compared to buying silly little amounts of paste at stupid prices!
5. You can easily begin by using readymade paste from bait companies that match your free readymade baits and immediately practice using pastes and catching on them!
6. Many anglers only seem how to make a fishing paste out of scalded trout or halibut pellets for instance, but this is the tip of the tip of the ice-berg! Dough type baits are one of the easiest and quickest carp baits to make quite apart from being exceptionally effective, and they can be made from the cheapest ingredients and still keep working for big fish (and you can make a unique and different bait every single time!)
7. You can vary characteristics of your bait so it is harder, softer, less or more resilient to nuisance fish like roach, more or less buoyant, have unusual textures and incorporate all kinds of things for special effects including micro pellets and crushed seeds and nuts like hemp and tiger nuts.
8. A very basic bread flake and yeast extract bait was common beginning for many carp anglers 30 years ago getting more into catching carp, and such very simple baits still work and prove you never need to spend a fortune on expensive baits!
9. To make a carp fishing bait dough a little unusual or alternative is very easy but to make a great bait dough takes some knowledge of carp senses and specific substances and ingredients and their components but you can make small economical amounts of bait using aquatic feeds for catfish, cold water fish and koi for instance.
10. A basic starter mix can be made by adding crushed aniseed-flavour Red Band bird food, crushed Koi feed or halibut pellet powder together, with eggs or even water in the mix.
11. The legendary bird food additive called Robin Red is great in soft pastes at high or low levels and there are alternative such as Cypry Red from Willis Worms among others!
12. You can base your homemade baits on proprietary base mixes with all the trimmings such as liquid foods, betaine, butyric acid, garlic concentrate, whey protein and casein, fish meals, enhancers and sweeteners like Talin and flavours and so on, or get all your ingredients from a supermarket often much cheaper!
13. Using odd-shaped soft baits gets around the fact that most wary carp find it very much easier to avoid and reject machine-rolled uniform sized and shaped boilies and pellets!
14. You can make your homemade paste baits on the bank so they are even fresher than most readymade baits can ever be - which is a very important point!
15. If you begin with experimenting with soft bait recipes which contain a high level of soluble sugars, marine, insect, fish, liver, yeast and milk and vegetable proteins for instance and your baits will release an explosion of carp attraction far quicker than your friends boilies - so you can expect even more action!
It is a fact today on many carp waters that the so-called smaller species have grown big by consuming expensive readymade baits used in such volumes. This change of behaviours and dietary preferences in many waters shows the impact of the nutritional attraction of boilies and this attraction and your catches can be seriously multiplied by boosting certain levels of substances in your baits!
This especially includes the concentrations and levels of very specific natural attractors, feeding triggers and appetite stimulators for example. For insider information on homemade bait making and recipes, see my dedicated bait secrets site Baitbigfish now; why not improve your catches for life!
By Tim Richardson.
Now why not seize this moment to improve your catches for life with these unique fishing bibles: "BIG CARP FLAVOURS FEEDING TRIGGERS AND CARP SENSES EXPLOITATION SECRETS!" "BIG CARP AND CATFISH BAIT SECRETS!" And "BIG CARP BAIT SECRETS!" For these and much more now visit: http://www.baitbigfish.com the home of the unique world-wide proven homemade bait making and readymade bait success secrets bibles!
Paste baits have always been superior in many ways to boilies because they have no barrier to the release of all their attraction and in fact can be so effective in this release that they melt into the water pretty much completely; all this soluble bait is rapidly dispersed in the water and pulls the fish magnificently to your bait!
1. Fishing over paste baits means you can fish over broken down bait that more wary and more experienced big fish can very often find much more comfortable feeding with confidence over than with whole pellets and boilies!
3. Paste baits are very handy as they are sticky and can be moulded around baits, hooks, leads and anything else you like so it is easily delivered by many means that carp will not have experienced much in the recent past.
4. You can use the dough from proprietary bait company base mixes and other ingredients to make your own homemade baits for relatively little cost compared to buying silly little amounts of paste at stupid prices!
5. You can easily begin by using readymade paste from bait companies that match your free readymade baits and immediately practice using pastes and catching on them!
6. Many anglers only seem how to make a fishing paste out of scalded trout or halibut pellets for instance, but this is the tip of the tip of the ice-berg! Dough type baits are one of the easiest and quickest carp baits to make quite apart from being exceptionally effective, and they can be made from the cheapest ingredients and still keep working for big fish (and you can make a unique and different bait every single time!)
7. You can vary characteristics of your bait so it is harder, softer, less or more resilient to nuisance fish like roach, more or less buoyant, have unusual textures and incorporate all kinds of things for special effects including micro pellets and crushed seeds and nuts like hemp and tiger nuts.
8. A very basic bread flake and yeast extract bait was common beginning for many carp anglers 30 years ago getting more into catching carp, and such very simple baits still work and prove you never need to spend a fortune on expensive baits!
9. To make a carp fishing bait dough a little unusual or alternative is very easy but to make a great bait dough takes some knowledge of carp senses and specific substances and ingredients and their components but you can make small economical amounts of bait using aquatic feeds for catfish, cold water fish and koi for instance.
10. A basic starter mix can be made by adding crushed aniseed-flavour Red Band bird food, crushed Koi feed or halibut pellet powder together, with eggs or even water in the mix.
11. The legendary bird food additive called Robin Red is great in soft pastes at high or low levels and there are alternative such as Cypry Red from Willis Worms among others!
12. You can base your homemade baits on proprietary base mixes with all the trimmings such as liquid foods, betaine, butyric acid, garlic concentrate, whey protein and casein, fish meals, enhancers and sweeteners like Talin and flavours and so on, or get all your ingredients from a supermarket often much cheaper!
13. Using odd-shaped soft baits gets around the fact that most wary carp find it very much easier to avoid and reject machine-rolled uniform sized and shaped boilies and pellets!
14. You can make your homemade paste baits on the bank so they are even fresher than most readymade baits can ever be - which is a very important point!
15. If you begin with experimenting with soft bait recipes which contain a high level of soluble sugars, marine, insect, fish, liver, yeast and milk and vegetable proteins for instance and your baits will release an explosion of carp attraction far quicker than your friends boilies - so you can expect even more action!
It is a fact today on many carp waters that the so-called smaller species have grown big by consuming expensive readymade baits used in such volumes. This change of behaviours and dietary preferences in many waters shows the impact of the nutritional attraction of boilies and this attraction and your catches can be seriously multiplied by boosting certain levels of substances in your baits!
This especially includes the concentrations and levels of very specific natural attractors, feeding triggers and appetite stimulators for example. For insider information on homemade bait making and recipes, see my dedicated bait secrets site Baitbigfish now; why not improve your catches for life!
By Tim Richardson.
Now why not seize this moment to improve your catches for life with these unique fishing bibles: "BIG CARP FLAVOURS FEEDING TRIGGERS AND CARP SENSES EXPLOITATION SECRETS!" "BIG CARP AND CATFISH BAIT SECRETS!" And "BIG CARP BAIT SECRETS!" For these and much more now visit: http://www.baitbigfish.com the home of the unique world-wide proven homemade bait making and readymade bait success secrets bibles!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
12 Essential Things For your Camping Trip
There is now a vast array of camping gear that a person can lug into the back country and back out again. What is really essential so that the experience is the outdoors, not the high tech gear? This article discusses twelve items that I think are essential in an outdoor adventure.
1) Shelter
At first this one seems obvious. But it need not be a tent. I have been on minamalist camping trips where we only took a tarp and some rope to use as shelter. Now this was calculated since it was past the bug season in my area. It was a nice change from carrying a tent around.
In general I would recommend using a good quality tent . One that doesn't leak, or that the zippers don't break on. The tent has to provide you with two main roles. Keeping you dry in a thunderstorm and letting you sleep free from bugs and other small critters. Good zippers are important!
Depending on your trip you will have to decide on size and weight.
2) Sleeping Bag
You have a choice of synthetic or down filled bag, and a whole series of shapes. Rectangular to mummy. The synthetic bags will keep you somewhat warm if they get wet, but they require more room than down bag. Goose down is lighter and packs smaller than a synthetic bag, but is nearly useless if it is wet.
Choose a temperature rating that suits your sleeping temperature and the coldest overnight temperatures you expect. Using a 3 season bag, winter camping can make for a sleepless night constantly shivering. The proper temperature bag is a joy to sleep in on a cold night but it is hard to get out of on a frosty morning.
3) Food and Water
Being out of doors in even the mildest of adventures, you will burn many calories. The food you choose needs to be nutritious. If you are back packing weight becomes a huge issue. For years the staple of the back-packer was dried or freeze dried meals. Light, nutritious and easy to prepare. Today some of these meals even taste good.
If you are car camping or canoeing you can afford a bit more weight and may opt for less dehydrated food and more regular food.
Water is heavy. You can carry a certain amount but if you are on a long trek into the back country you will probably have to find water. Water sources can be tainted with microbial, parasitic, or chemical pollutants. One option is to boil your water for 10 minutes. This kills most of the fauna in the water but does nothing if it is polluted by chemicals.
You can also take chemicals with you to purify the water. In extreme cases there are small backpack filtration systems that you can carry with you. Be cautious about your water since a case of diarrhea in the woods can spoil you trip.
4) Stove
Cooking your food and boiling your water become a prime importance after a long days hike. The old campfire although nostalgic and useful in a pinch is not the best solution for backwoods camping. There is always a greater risk of forest fires from a camp fire than from a stove.
There are many camp stoves on the market, using many types of fuels. Propane or butane stoves are the easiest to use but you have to pack out the used fuel cylinders. I prefer naphtha stoves but they are a little more difficult to use but give a good heat and the fuel, if used wisely, will last a good while.
Propane and Butane there is always a chance the cylinder may leak and you loose your fuel. Naphtha is a liquid you keep in a sealed aluminum bottle. A little less chance of leaking.
Visit a camping equipment store to compare models or research online .
5) Cook Gear / Mess Kit
Simply the pots and pans and plates, knife,spoon and fork you use for cooking with. The best sets are stainless steel and pack inside each other. I built my mess kit by piecing together things from a discount store. It is very simple and contains a cup, bowl /pot, knife fork and spoon, a small plate and a lid. Everything packs inside the bowl and the lid snaps on.
6) Sleeping Pad
The sleeping pad provides both insulation and cushioning from the ground. The old closed cell foam pads worked well but were a bit thin on the ground. They don't soak up water and they don't pack down very well. You end up with a big blue or orange roll on top of your pack. Cheap and serviceable.
State of the art is the new Thermarest and similar pads. They are open cell foam (like a sponge) that is covered in an air tight fabric sleeve with an air inlet. When you let the air out they pack down quite small. These pads provide good insulation and good cushion. The only drawback is if the outer shell is punctured it doesn't work anymore.
7) Hiking Boots
I am a bit old fashioned on hiking boots. I still prefer heavy durable leather boots with a toothsome sole. I believe that if you are scrambling over rocks all day that the leather will stand up better. If you are not putting your boots to a nasty rocky test the newer nylon leather combinations with a good vibram sole should work well.
You depend on your feet so much when you are hiking it is better buy a boot that is solid and durable even if it costs more. I do like Vasque boots for their design and durability. It is worth finding something that is comfortable for you. Break in you new boots a month before you go on any big trip.
8) First Aid Kit
Small and portable with things suitable for the area that you will be camping in. Band-aids, tweezers, antiseptics, pain relief, blister patches etc. The most common injuries are cuts, scrapes, bites, slivers, burns, blisters, aching cramping muscles. Try to at least cover these mishaps and any others that fit your trip.
9)Back Pack
This is what you carry all your stuff in. They come with internal frames, external frames, no frames at all. For Hiking I prefer an internal frame with good hip and shoulder padding. Again you usually get what you pay for.
Carrying a well made pack, with the right weight in it, is still working but it is hardly a chore. An over loaded pack or one that doesn't fit you can be gruelling if you have to carry it for 6 or 8 hours a day. If you can, try on packs with loads in them in the store. Don't forget the bigger the pack the more stuff you are likely to take. Good working zippers and tie strings are important if you don't want to loose things.
10) Rain Gear
Sometime it will rain when you are backpacking. I don't like the heat and the sweating when I am in a full rain suit so I prefer a poncho. It also stores smaller and can double as a ground sheet if I need it. A full rain suit in a coastal rainy climate might be worth while.
11) Hot / Cold Clothing and Hat
Outdoor clothing has developed both style and functionality. Visit a local outfitters or search on the internet for the best clothes. For Summer trips I will concentrate on cool clothes but will toss in a sweater and a windshell for chilly nights. Look at the weather forecast for when and where you will be. You may have to add a bit. If you have got it you can put it on, but you have to carry it.
Dress in layers so you can peal off as you get hot. A broad brimmed Hat keeps the bugs off as well as the sun out of your eyes. It also helps prevent heat stroke.
12) Sunscreen / Bug repellent
We should all think sunscreen now. Imagine falling asleep on the rocks after lunch, soaking up the sun with no shirt on. The the next morning finding you have a nasty sunburn and having to carry you pack again on burnt shoulders. Use suncreen, it also helps long term prevention of skin cancer.
Bug repellent depends on the time of year. In my area from the end of September to end of April is a good time to not need repellent. The other months it is a must, to keep your sanity. It is better to have it than not.
That is my list of essential things for a camping trip. There are tons of other items that I do take, but these are the ones that I find most important.
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David Robertson makes his living as an artist blacksmith, but has been an avid camper for 30 years. For more tips and suggestions about camping visit his website. www.e-webincome.com/vasque/outdoor-index.htm
Video Source: Youtube
Glenn Bongartz
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