EXCITING NEW CARP BAIT FLAVOURS – and Effective Rigs

Flavours catch fish period! But how many catch more fishermen than fish? The idea of a flavour dispersing through the water and attracting fish following its trail and increasing concentration to its source and finding your hook baits, is taken for granted now. How many anglers have not heard of the world famous 'Tutti Fruitti' flavour? How many anglers realise that actually using a bait flavour is a method in itself?



When fishermen think of fishing bait flavours they often think of the ester, ethyl alcohol or solvent based types which were originally familiar and popularly used in baits the original dough, paste and boilie mixtures of the past. Such flavours as strawberry and vanilla are still used by anglers making their own baits, even today.



However, today many flavours are vastly more than combinations of esters for example, that have proven by trial and error to catch more fish than many others tested. Even the powdered flavoured ingredients like the milk shake powders are flavours containing many different components.



Some flavours are actually far more soluble, actively 'mobile' and more volatile in water than you might imagine and extremely powerful carp feeding triggers in their own right. Some perform far better in summer than winter. Some stand out even really producing more fish with high pressure and low water temperatures.



Some of the very few most well known original top flavors are even 'enzyme active' and can contain extremely low levels of very special chemicals which would actually be poisonous if used in higher levels. But then this is the case with most of the powerful 'mind-altering' drugs known today.



There are many secrets of flavours well beyond the scope of any but the biochemist or marine biologist. The key point about flavours is that the very best can actually change the, condition of various neRVe pathways sending signals to the brain, fish brain chemistry, mood and behaviour to one of; "let's move and look for food and eat right now!"



Here is one basic example before we go into an introduction into fishing flavours. 'The extremely sweet protein called 'Talin' is very significant in connection with neRVe pathways and special signalling 'gating' mechanisms which in the end affect brain activity and fish behaviour for example. 'Talin' is an integral part of many modern specialist carp bait 'flavours' with good reason. But more of this later...



Certainly in the UK and Europe, flavourings seem to be inextricably linked especially to carp baits and I think this is largely due to the following reasons:



Many anglers assume that if he likes the flavour them the fish will too, but carp sensory systems are so different to ours in such significant ways that this assumption is obviously wrong in the most general of senses!



In the early 1980's era readymade boilie baits for carp fishing baits were really only just hitting the market with "Richworth's" right at the start of the big commercialization of carp fishing. Just as carp fishing popularity was about to really explode, along came one particular method.



Basically it was fishing a 'bolt rig' set-up with a highly flavoured 'low nutritional' boilie bait which often was a 'popped-up' bait which was totally revolutionary at the time for the vast majority of the anglers.



Only a few of us who had thought of using dog biscuits off the lake bottom, perhaps even directly 'off the lead,' were using anything similarly effective.



A 'back-stop' was used on the line to stop the fishing weight from running up the line as a fish picked up the bait and moved off with it in its mouth. This was very effective at hooking the fish as the line running freely through the lead weight on the line stopped suddenly at the back stop and jerked the hook firmly into the fish's mouth.



The availability of the new readymade highly flavoured boilies and the very effective combination of a heavy lead, hair rig, back stop and better rig materials and hooks like the chemically sharpened 'Kamasan' hooks made this a very easy period to take up carp fishing with high expectation of easy quick fish rewards.



The readymade baits were of a kind of 'neutral' nature as the base mix did not carry a flavour and appeared quite bland. In fact these baits were even available in unflavoured form so that you could add your own choice of flavour to them by soaking neat flavour directly into them and leveraging the freezing in and absorbing effect of defrosting baits.



Or you could simply put some flavour into a bag of neutral baits, shake it about to disperse the flavours and go fishing. It's just the same today when you want to flavour a bag of pellets.



The effect went further in that you could now buy many of the flavours used in the readymade boilies themselves. With these you could add even more flavour to really over flavour your baits or make interesting alternative or unique bait flavour combinations. You could buy readymade floating or 'pop-up' baits in various flavours too.



'Pop-up baits were used to fish the hook and bait off the lake bed to make them even more obvious and enticing to the fish. Also in all probability, these were very likely to be taken first if you had baited your swim with lots of 'free baits' to attract the fish into the swim. This method really multiplied catches.



These baits were a revolution in themselves and literally ripped carp waters apart at the time and where they had not been used before.



At this time most fishermen were coming from an age where you had to make your own baits whether boilies or pastes, because there was simply no alternative, although there were already more and more boilie base mixes coming onto the market for making homemade baits.



The author has many more fishing and bait 'edges' up his sleeve. Every single one can have a huge impact on catches. (Warning: This article is protected by copyright.)



By Tim Richardson.



For the unique and acclaimed new massive expert bait making 'bible' ebooks / books:



"BIG CARP BAIT SECRETS!" SEE:



http://www.baitbigfish.com

Cooking Accessories for Outdoor Fun in the Sun

Maybe it is the fresh air, the carefree atmosphere, or simply the novelty of cooking outdoors, but it is almost always a certainty that food tastes better when you eat it outside!

Food Safety, Freshness, and Transportation

There is nothing more annoying, or unhygienic, than swarms of pesky insects that descend on your food, crawling all over your carefully prepared dishes. Food that does not remain at the proper temperature can be unsafe too, not to mention less tasty. These issues can turn into major problems when eating outdoors, if you do not have the right equipment. Luckily, there are plenty of options for keeping your food safe, by keeping the insects off, and keeping it at the proper temperature to remain the freshest and tastiest!

• Mesh Covered Food Tents:

Do not let insects ruin your food anymore! For less than $15 each, you can buy various sizes of mesh-covered food Tents that will keep the flies away and will allow air to circulate around the food safely. Each food tent folds up for easy, compact storage and it is a snap to open up the tent and place it over food whenever necessary

• Wilton Armetale’s Hot and Cold Thermal Tray:

To keep your food at the perfect temperature when seRVing outdoors, the Wilton Armetale’s hot & cold thermal tray is the ideal accessory. This durable metal tray will keep hot food hot, and cold food cold, for several hours, and is safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The tray is a great deal at just under $60, as it will not break, crack, rust, chip, or dent.

• Fresh Box:

Keep food fresh for outdoor meals with the Fresh Box, a battery-operated container that keeps food sealed with a vacuum pump that extends the life of your leftovers by removing air from the container every time it is opened. The Fresh Box is available in three sizes, ranging between $50 and $60.

• Salad On Ice SeRVing Bowl:

Keep your greens chilled to perfection with the Salad on Ice serving bowl, a fantastic salad serving bowl with a compartment which, once filled with ice, will keep your salad fresh and cool. The Salad on Ice bowl can be yours for around $30 and includes a cover and salad servers.

• Wicker Picnic Organizer

To help transport all your delicious foods, condiments, cutlery, plates, and napkins to your favorite picnic spot, don not forget to grab a great wicker picnic organizer. At just around $20 these are perfect to carry all your picnic items at once.

For the Grill:

A backyard barbecue is the perfect summer-time event for almost any occasion, and the popularity of the barbecue means there are many gadgets and cooking accessories for this time-honored tradition.

If you find yourself fresh out of barbecue cooking ideas, check out “101 Things to do with a BBQ” recipe book for delicious recipes for meats, veggies, and even dessert dishes that you can cook at any outdoor event. There is a section on mouthwatering rubs and sauces for incredible flavor that you can add to all of your savory dishes.

Barbecuing can get a bit problematic when you start loading up the grill with various different meats, as well as vegetables, and other scrumptious items such as kabobs. Check out a few of these great accessories and see how they can make your outdoor cooking a little easier! All of these items are under $20 each, making it easy to fit into most budgets!

• Chicken Rack:

If you are serving your family appetizing chicken legs or wings, you will want to invest in the Chicken Rack, a great item that cooks up to a dozen legs and wings vertically. With this item, you will not only save space on your grill, but the vertical design also allows more fat to drip away, leaving you with a healthier meal!.

• Burger and Sausage Grilling Baskets:

Burger and Sausage Grilling Baskets make it easy to grill and flip your sausages and patties, ensuring that your food does not stick to the grill. These baskets can help you get even cooking on both sides of the meat, and the sausage basket is adjustable to accommodate hot dogs and other meat links of various sizes.

• Kabob Baskets:

Kabob baskets are another great find. With these baskets there is no longer a need for skewers. Instead, just add your meat and vegetables to the long narrow baskets to create awesomely delicious kabobs. Alternatively, pick up a set of curved kabob skewers which are conveniently curved to fit the shape of a plate perfectly. These add a funky touch to your kabobs and are an easy way to present the food attractively.

• Adjustable Grill Rack:

An adjustable grill rack is ideal for those smaller or delicate items that might not stand up to serious grilling. Vegetable chunks, grilled tomatoes, shrimp and other small items might fall through the grill cracks, but with this handy rack, you can expand from eight inches up to fifteen inches wide to provide you with a more convenient grilling area.

• Steak Charms:

A set of steak charms is a great way to make sure everyone gets the right steak. The charm affixes right on the meat, with its stainless steel serrated stem holding it securely, and the labels will help you make sure all your guests get the steak that is cooked to their preference.

The Best Fishing Spots in the Smokies

With nearly 700 miles of fish-able waters within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, no matter what your species and stream, your rod and reel will feel tugs. The fish population moves around each year, so the type of fish you seek and when you come determines your prime fishing spot. 53 species of fish swim in the park waters, and brook and brown trout thrive here all year round. Here are five of the most recommended places to catch these fish and have an adventure in the great outdoors.

1. The Little River: The ever-present throngs of locals and tourists make this the most popular fly-fishing spot in the park. The mountainous and forested scenery isn’t bad either and since the Little River is one of the largest streams in the Smokies, both roadside fishing and elevated fishing,after a couple miles of hiking the Little River Trail, are available. This river near Elkmont, Tennessee has some of the best angling for rainbow and brown trout. The prime fishing location is where The Little River meets the Fish Camp Prong. Surrounded by flowers, boulders, and waterfalls, both easy and challenging fishing areas run down the river. The “Y” of the Prong water warms so much during the hot summer months that the rainbow trout flock into the large, deep pools near the gorge that can be difficult to fish and navigate

2. The Horseshoe: If you want to fish for rainbow trout, you must go to this one-mile loop that follows the stretch of the Upper Abrams Creek flowing out of the Cades Cove Valley. Many locals fish here as well, to try to catch some of the booming trout population. You can access The Horseshoe from the Abrams Falls Trail, which runs parallel to Abrams Creek (one of the larger Park streams) most of the way. Take caution, though, because the Horseshoe is notorious for extremely slippery rocks. It will take at least a day to fish the entire loop.

3. Porters Creek: New anglers can test their ripe skills on the smaller trout that live in the calm pools of Porters Creek, a little-fished area of the Great Pigeon River near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This isolated area has easy fishing during the summer months, when the best trout swim two to three miles from the river’s berth, but the first few miles of the stream remain too warm for the fish.

4. Cataloochee Creek: Since the most popular fishing areas are near the roads, check out this remote area in the northern section of the park. Although it takes awhile to find (about an hour’s drive from Gatlinburg), once there, the water is extremely accessible. Cataloochee Creek also offers the elusive smallmouth bass to patient anglers, and because the Cataloochee Creek hides these waters and open fields, it’s requires less skill to fish here than in other areas of the Smoky Mountains. In addition to the rainbow trout, elk and other wildlife inhabit this picturesque area of the park, isolated by the surrounding 6000-foot peaks.

5. Hazel Creek: For multiple-day fishing trips, you must go to Hazel Creek, a fishing area famous for satisfying even the most cynical angler. What makes Hazel Creek so sought after? Well, it’s only accessible by shuttle boat from the Fontana Lake Marina in the North Carolina side of the park or after a long hike from the tourist spot Clingman’s Dome. But your efforts won’t go unrewarded, as large (and surprisingly colorful!) brown, brook, and rainbow trout swim in both the large and small streams that feed into Hazel Creek. No matter what your skill level, you can fish here. And, with so many campsites along the bank, it only makes sense to stay overnight or make a weekend fishing trip out of it with your buddies or family. At Hazel Creek, you’ll want a rod capable of throwing big flies if needed, but soft enough to handle leader range as well.

No matter what trout, stream, or location you seek, most locations within the park remain stocked at or near the capacity for fishing all year long. Remember, you must get a license from either Tennessee or North Carolina before fishing in the park. And, if you need more help or education, a local fly-fishing school offers guided fly-fishing trips that include day and overnight excursions.

Consider renting a cabin at www.PatriotGetaways.com with your friends or family , you can cook up the fish you caught right there!

Ten Commandments Camping With Dogs

In the U.S. alone, more than 30 million people each year take their pets with them while Camping. Yet, when we first started RVing with our dogs, we were unable to find much written on the subject. Sure, there were the occasional articles in magazines that reminded us to use pet ID tags, bring plenty of water, and take their favorite toy. But in terms of providing genuine support or bottom–line information, there was nothing out there. Since it was something that we felt was badly needed, we decided to write this article.

While there are numerous issues to consider while Camping with dogs, these are some of the most important.

1. Make Sure that Your Dog Can’t Get Lost

It’s one thing if your dog gets free in your neighborhood. It’s another when you’re at a rest stop, nine hundred miles from home. Either train your dog to come when called or make absolutely sure that they’re on a leash at all times.

2. Get All of their Vaccinations Up to Date

If your dog gets into an altercation with another animal (or a person), the central issue will become their rabies shots. If you stay at a campground that has a demanding pet policy, you’ll need to verify your dog’s vaccination records. If you cross into Canada, you’ll have to confirm that your dogs have had their shots. You get the idea.

3. Make Your Dogs Easy to Identify

If your dog does get lost (unfortunately, it happens all the time), the ability to easily identify them will become critical. For permanent identification purposes, consider tattoos or microchips. At a minimum, make sure they wear tags that show their name, your current phone number, and the date of their last rabies vaccination.

4. Clean Up After Your Dog

The biggest complaint about dogs has nothing to do with their bark, their bite, or their behavior. If you pick up after your dog, you’ll be helping dog owners everywhere.

5. Learn How to Provide First Aid to Your Dog

If a medical crisis occurs while at home, you drive to your local veterinarian. But if you’re heading down a dark highway in a strange town, it will seem like a bad dream. Although there are ways to get help while on the road, it always takes more time. In the meantime, your ability to provide competent first aid could save your dog’s life.

6. Involve Your Dog in Everything You Do

If you really want your dogs to have a good time, include them in your activities. Take them with you on long walks. Buy a cheap plastic wading pool and let them play in the water. Throw a ball. Cook them up a hamburger. If you do stuff like that, they’ll do cartwheels the next time you decide to take them camping.

7. Call the Campgrounds Before You Go

Even if a park claims they’re pet–friendly, always call ahead to confirm their policy regarding your dogs. We’ve arrived at parks (with our two German Shepard dogs) after a long day on the road only to discover that “pet–friendly” meant dogs weighing under 20 pounds.

8. Plan Ahead for the Unexpected

Have a plan (for your dogs) in case of a flat tire, a serious accident, or a fire in your RV. Start with a few extra leashes, a pet carrier, and an extra fire extinguisher. Then have a fire drill to identify potential problems.

9. Learn About Your Camping Environment

The U.S. is a huge country with a vast assortment of dangerous wildlife, treacherous plants, unpredictable weather conditions, and demanding environmental challenges. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you might inadvertently be putting yourself and your dog in danger.

10. Recognize and Respect the Views of Others

While some of us can’t imagine traveling without dogs, others can’t image traveling with them. If you keep your dog under control and clean up after them, you won’t give others much to grumble about.

Happy Camping with Rover!

Car Tow Dolly, Think Before You Buy

This article is going to examine a few things you should consider before you buy a tow dolly. First, you should think about the warranty. Most makers offer a very limited 1 year warranty on the "assembly" of the tow dolly. This sort of warranty is very ambiguous. There really is not much that can go wrong with the "assembly" of a tow dolly. The real warranty concern is that of brakes, actuators, bearings, hubs, and seals. These are the vital moving parts and really about the only thing that can malfunction or go wrong on a tow dolly. When making the purchase look for a company that offers a five year warranty on these parts. That is a good signal for you the high faith they have in their product.

There are no warranties for lights, tires, wheel straps, ratchets. In fact these items are considered to be consumables on a tow dolly. Car Tow Dolly comes in 4 styles. An idler, ( No Brakes ), an Electric Brake System, A Hydraulic Surge Drum Brake System, or a Hydraulic Surge Disc Brake System.

The idler system is frequently assigned for around town use, shuttling small cars from here to there around town. If you are to be traveling it is imperative to know that many states need brakes of one type or other on a Car Tow Dolly. Everyyear more states are added to the list. Also, the resale value of a tow dolly with brakes is much higher.

Electric Brake System is better than not having anything. But not ideal. These brakes need a Brake Control Box inside your RV. The box has internal inertia sensors, and external adjusting knobs. If you are not very precise in understanding and setting these controls then in reality you do not have brakes on your Tow Dolly and just don't realize it. Moreover, if you face any problem with brakes then you will have to troubleshoot beginning with the brake control box, the wiring from the brake control box back to the trailer plug, then the complete wiring system of the tow dolly. A real burden and expensive.

The most efficient and trouble free is the Hydraulic Surge Brake System. It will cost a good bit more, but it is worth it. Nearly all manufacturers use a Hydraulic Surge "DRUM" Brake System. This is actually old technology. Drum brakes tend to become much hotter, have a propensity towards chucking or abrupt hard braking. Due to the features of a Tow Dolly, the adjustability of DRUM Brake Systems is poor. The adjusting port is blocked by a spindle plate and one cannot access the adjuster port to adjust the brakes. A number of dealers will say to you that tow dollies have brake adjusters. This is really a play of words. These are manual adjusters and without any automatic mechanism. No one manufactures a trailer of any kind with self adjusting brakes. After each single long trip tow dolly brakes need to be adjusted or you just will not have brakes and may never know it. So, the near perfect braking system is a Hydraulic Surge "DISC" Brake System. DISC brakes do not get hot, never need adjusting, they do not chuck or hit hard when put into action and they are 4 times more capable than a DRUM system. The brake pads are in clear view and very easy to replace with pads available at all auto parts stores.

The best tow dolly will also come equipped with bearings that require no maintenance. Bearings that never need lubrication. These are very generally used on very costly high end equipment trailers but are rarely obseRVed on small trailers. These are just a few considerations before you make your purchase decision. Take your time and consider all points carefully. Go to the manufacturer's web site and find out for yourself how much information they make available to you about their product.

The more information the better. Safe Trailers Save Lives.





Acme Trailer specializes in Tow Bars and Tow Dollies

Everything You Need To Know About Buying The Perfect Backpacking Tent

Whether alone or with friends, backpacking can be a fun and adventurous way to spend a weekend. It gives you a chance to escape the madness of the city, explore a natural surrounding and get some great exercise to boot.

One should never go unprepared, however. Take it from me, not having the right gear or equipment can make a backpacking trip go from an exciting weekend to a frightening two day disaster with no end in sight. There's nothing worse than being stuck on a mountain in a sudden and unexpected rainstorm, without the right water resistant protection. One of the most very important items a backpacker should bring to avoid such a watery suffering is a good backpacking tent.

Though important, backpacking Tents are a tricky commodity it can be difficult to pin down exactly the kind you should get. If you are planning on going backing soon and are in the market for a tent, here are some simple tips that may give you a place to start.

First of all, the kind of environment you plan to be mountain climbing through is important to keep in mind as you choose your tent. Even if it is suspect to rain, it is a good idea to purchase a tent that is completely water resistant and closed on all sides.

Even though a 'lean to' or cover like tent with open sides is an well organized and simple form of shelter, these kinds of Tents can only protect from the mildest of weather conditions. Additionally, most wilderness areas popular for backpackings are safe places for insects, such as mosquitoes, and an open tent will offer no protection against these pests.

Secondly, you should consider the length of your trip when looking for a backpacking tent. Also, what kind of land are you going to pass through? Are you going for a rough and nearly vertical thirty mile plus climb, or a pleasant and easy five mile trip through the woods? If the latter is the case, weight is not an issue and you can purchase as large a tent as you please. The larger the better; you can house all your equipment inside to avoid damage from morning dew or from night animals with a sufficiently large tent. If you are taking a more arduous journey, you'll want the lightest possible tent you can get that offers adequate protection.

Lastly, choose a good brand name. Ask for advice at the store you visit, or if you are ordering one online, choose a name that you are familiar with. Backpacking tents are important, and not an area to hold back on on financially speaking. If you are pressed for cash, bring cheaper food items. I'd rather eat freeze dried sauce while warm and dry in a nice, functional tent, than eat bone mignon while soaking wet in a heap of junk that fell apart as soon as it started really pouring.

Personally I prefer to sleep under the stars while backpacking, if the weather permits. A good insect disgusting can reduce the mosquito problem and there is something refreshing about waking up covered in dew. However, it only took one bad and very wet experience for me to learn that you should always bring a tent on a backpacking trip, whether or not you plan to use it.

Good Wine For Three Dollars a Bottle? It's Not Impossible!

"I don't recognize this label. How much did you pay for this wine?" my friend asked.

I had retrieved a bottle of Zinfandel red wine from my wine cellar earlier in the day and decided to open it in the evening when a friend dropped by. He had earlier remarked on the taste of the wine, "Mmmm... black cherry, anise, hints of pepper. This is lovely!"

"I paid about three dollars for this bottle of wine in 2005," I told him. My friend was astonished. "How on earth did you manage to score this bottle of wine for only three dollars? Impossible!"

It's not impossible to have excellent wine that will have your guests exclaiming about how good it is without paying exorbitant prices and taxes per bottle. In 2005, I had purchased a premium wine kit which included everything I needed to create this Zinfandel wine. The juice, the yeast, a few sachets of other ingredients including some fining agents, and even a package of oak. It took me about half an hour to start the fermentation process in a food grade plastic pail. A week later, another half hour and my freshly started wine was racked (siphoned) into a secondary fermentation vessel made of glass and fit with an airlock.

The wine kit was purchased for about $90.00 and produced 30 bottles. About 3 bucks a bottle.

Time did most of the work. I allowed the wine to age in the carboy for several months before bottling it. I do own a floor corker which makes the job of bottling and corking much easier, but others can usually borrow or rent a corker from their local wine supplies shop. After bottling the wine, I did keep back several bottles for my own consumption, but I also knew this wine would age further, very well. I put several bottles down in the cool cellar, looking forward to a future time when I'd open them and appreciate how time had acted upon the wine, bringing out it's qualities and maturity.

Years ago, many people made their own wine from whatever fruit happened to be available to them. But over time, it became much easier to purchase wine commercially. When people made their own, often it would be "hit and miss." Lots of vinegar resulted instead of good wine. Today however, with many companies offering wine kits that contain balanced grape juice and concentrate, making good wine at home is not only affordable, it's almost guaranteed if you follow the directions. The biggest mistakes the first time home winemaker is guilty of are:

* Bottling and drinking it too soon
* Deciding not to use the sulphite that comes with the kit

If you drink your wine too soon, it will not have developed the characteristics that it is capable of doing. Your wine will taste like "young wine," and that's OK if that is how you like your wine. Young wines are usually very fruity tasting, but the other characteristics will not have developed yet.

Some people have a mistaken belief that they are allergic to sulphites and so will not use them in their wine. Most canned and processed foods contain sulphites in order to prevent oxidation. And prolonged oxidation is the enemy of wine. In time, the sulphites will wear off, and come out of the wine. Use the very small amount of sulphite that is provided with your wine kit, and add it at the time the directions tell you to, and you're almost guaranteed one that will not go "off" or turn to vinegar.

Stay away from these mistakes, and you're almost guaranteed to have very good wine!

If you enjoy tasting good wine but don't like to pay fifteen dollars a bottle, have a chat with the owner of your local wine supplies shop and consider making your own. You might also want to look at this five part series on home winemaking and see how easy it is!

You can find additional info at the following links:

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