It’s not really all that complicated; first you have to understand why fish do certain things and when they’ll do it!

What you need to do is to think like a fish.

In order to understand fish, you first need to understand the senses a fish uses to survive.

One of the most misunderstood senses of the fish would be its lateral line.

A fish’s lateral line is made up of a bundle of nerves whose projecting hairs is enclosed in a gelatinous substance located on either side of the fish.

The lateral line is sensitive to changes in the water pressure and as the pressure changes either by a change in depth or an approaching fish or creature causes the hairs to vibrate, sending signals to the brain allowing the fish to detect movement that they may not have see.

The lateral line also helps fish to swim in tight schools with out running into each other.

The eyesight of a fish is similar to that of we humans, they’re able to detect both brightness and color.

Fish that roam the shallow water, such as bass have excellent eyesight.  In bright light, bass see many of the colors that humans are able to see.

Other species of fish won’t have the full line of color perception that humans do.

Since water filters out colors, fish located in deeper water can’t detect all the colors that shallow water cousins can.

Walleyes for instance see primarily orange and green, with all other colors appearing as different shades of gray.

Fluorescence hold their color longer in deeper water, what this means is that the fish are more apt to see a florescent colored lure better in deeper water.

Fish that feed in deep water aren’t able to distinguish the different colors so instead of responding to color, they respond to vibration and the flashes of light coming off predators, prey fish or your lure.

All species of fish have an excellent sense of hearing.  Part of the reason that a fish hears so well is because water conducts sound better than air.

Fish don’t have ears like other animals; they pick up sound through the bones located in their head.

The way one species of fish will relate to sound varies from one species to another.  The vibration made by an angler walking along a bank can spook trout, but panfish don’t seemed to be bothered by noise.

I can attest for this first hand as a few years ago, we were SCUBA diving in Lake Francis Case, most of the fish in the area that we were working, moved away when from the bubbles coming from our gear.  The panfish weren’t afraid at all and came closer with the more racket we made.

Taste is another sense that fish have.  Taste is not one of their primary senses and not many fish rely heavily on just this sense when feeding.

The exception to this rule is the bullhead and catfish family.  They have very poor eyesight and rely heavily on the taste receptors located on the outside of their mouth in their barbells or whiskers to help locate food.

The sense of smell is excellent in most species of fish.  As they move through the water, their sense of smell is continually being used, checking out the surrounding body of water.

While swimming through the water, the water passes through the nasal sac located in the snout.  The water enters through the front openings, passes over nerve endings or receptors located inside the head and then flows back out the rear openings.  The receptors send messages to the fish’s brain letting the fish know what’s happening in their aquatic environment.

The sense of smell varies from one species of fish to another.  Larger fish generally have large openings and more receptors making their sense of smell much better than that of a smaller fish.

The species of fish with the premier sense of smell is the salmon family.  When it’s spawning time, they use their sense of smell to travel hundreds of miles back to the stream where they were born.

Since fish have five senses that they use to locate food, it makes sense that we as anglers should use bait that arouses as many of those senses as possible.

In dark or stained water, the sense of sight won’t be as important as other senses such as their lateral line, smell or hearing will be.

When fishing dirty water, I’ll use a noisy, flashing lure with some type of live bait or attractant.  The noise or vibration given off by the lure will let the fish zero in on the bait using its lateral line and hearing.  The flash will help the fish to pick up any light changes coming off the lure and the live bait will not only add to the vibration but it will also be giving off a scent trail that the fish can follow.

In clearer water conditions, I’ll tone down the flash, as a bright flash in clear water is more apt to spook the fish.  If I’m using a spinner and crawlers, I’ll go with a lure that has smaller blades.

By knowing how the fish is going to hunt for food, you can use bait that will arouse more of the senses and lead the fish to your offering

Think like a fish and you’ll find that your fishing will become more enjoyable as your fish catching increases.

State Plans to Eliminate 170,000 Canada Geese

The 2009 plan that state and local authorities have been following to reduce the number of Canada geese living in New York State by two-thirds.

• View the Plan

It’s a doomsday plan for New York’s geese.

A nine-page report put together by a variety of national, state and city agencies shows that officials hope to reduce the number of Canada geese in New York to 85,000 from 250,000.

That means that roughly 170,000 geese — two-thirds of the population — will be killed.

The nearly 400 geese gassed to death this month after being rounded up in Prospect Park in Brooklyn — as well as an unknown number of other geese killed in New York City in recent weeks — were but a small part of the ambitious overall goal outlined in the document, which was obtained by City Room.

“The state of New York has close to 250,000 resident Canada geese, which is more than three times the state’s population goal of 85,000,” the report states. It is unknown how many have been killed so far.

The plan, according to a high-level official at the United States Department of Agriculture, was a result of five months of meetings between February and June 2009, after the crash of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River. Canada geese hit both of the jet’s engines, causing the splashdown.

Those attending the meetings that yielded the plan included officials from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the National Park Service and key staff members from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s office, the official said.

He said that politicians peppered officials from the Department of Agriculture with questions about the science and asked how many goose strikes had occurred and the danger they posed. They learned that there have been 78 Canada goose strikes over 10 years in New York, and that those strikes caused more than $2.2 million in aircraft damage.

The plan was written with the approval of everyone at that table, the official said, including this paragraph:

“The captured geese are placed alive in commercial turkey crates. The geese would be brought to a secure location and euthanized with methods approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Euthanized geese would be buried.”

Jim Spies fills a position previously held by Tim Kessler of Aberdeen.

“I am pleased that Jim Spies has agreed to serve as a member of the Game, Fish and Parks Commission,” said Gov. Rounds.   “Jim loves the outdoors and clearly understands and desires to improve our quality of life.  His business background is also of great value as the Commission makes future decisions regarding our parks and recreational facilities.”

“I look forward to the challenge,” said Jim Spies.

Mr. Spies is a member of the Dallas Safari Club, the Safari Club International, Ducks Unlimited, and the Wild Sheep Foundation, along with many other memberships.

Jim Spies is the President of Spies Corporation.  He and his wife, Francene, have two sons, Joshua and Ben.

Grand Island, Neb. – July 13, 2010 – A Pheasants Forever-sponsored wildlife habitat project in the Rainwater Basin region of south-central Nebraska has received $3.25 million in financial assistance through the Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP). The multi-year, pilot program will allow center pivot irrigation systems to travel across wetlands and upland buffers restored and protected through the USDA’s Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) as a reserved right.

The project was one of five announced by the USDA to restore and enhance wetlands in five Midwestern states through WREP. A voluntary conservation program, WREP is carried out through partnership agreements with state and local governments, non-governmental organizations and Indian tribes. NRCS Chief Dave White announced the projects on behalf of Secretary Vilsack at an America’s Great Outdoors Initiative listening session in Nebraska. White and other Obama Administration officials toured the Rainwater Basin Water Complex.

This pilot WREP program provides a unique conservation tool that will increase program enrollment throughout the Rainwater Basin Region. Nearly 75% of the restorable wetlands are intersected by center pivot irrigation systems. In the past, multiple landowners have withdrawn Wetlands Reserve Program applications or not applied due to the uncertainty of being allowed to let their pivot cross a wetland enrolled in the program. “In the Rainwater Basin, the number of pivots is likely to increase in the future,” says Pete Berthelsen, Pheasants Forever Senior Field Coordinator, “The overall impact of center pivots on wetlands and wildlife is likely minimal when compared to the overall benefits that long-term protection of wetlands and associated upland buffers will have on wildlife populations.”

“This pilot WREP offers landowners a unique opportunity to enroll marginal flood prone cropland without adversely affecting their irrigation systems,” said Andy Bishop, Rainwater Basin Joint Venture Coordinator “This is truly represents a win-win situation for producers and wildlife that use Rainwater Basin wetlands.”

“Wetlands preservation is a priority at USDA not only because of the role wetlands play in supporting diverse wildlife and plants, but also their importance in sustaining healthy ecosystems,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “The wetland restoration and enhancements made possible through WREP will significantly increase wildlife habitat and improve water quality.”

WREP, a component of the Wetlands Reserve Program, leverages the resources of eligible partners to provide financial and technical assistance to eligible landowners to protect, restore and enhance wetlands and improve wildlife habitat through multi-year projects lasting up to five years. WREP links wetlands and non-wetlands by creating wildlife habitat and floodplain corridors.

The History Channel is seeking SKILLED MARKSMEN for Season Two of its Hit Competition Show

You Could Win $100,000 in PRIZES !!!

If you are skilled with a pistol, rifle or any other firearm, you could be on TVʼs hit marksmanship competition show, TOP SHOT. Producers are looking for anyone with mind-blowing shooting skills and a big personality to take on exciting physical challenges with multiple guns and mystery projectile weapons.

It doesnʼt matter if youʼre a professionally trained shooter or a self-taught average Joe (or Jane!). As long as youʼre in good physical shape, have mastered a firearm and can adapt to new weapons and demanding physical situations, you could be Americaʼs next “Top Shot.”

APPLY TODAY !

Email TopShotCasting@gmail.com with your name, city/state, phone number, a recent photo of yourself and a brief explanation of why you are Americaʼs next “Top Shot.” Visit www.pilgrimfilms.tv and click on “CASTING” for more details. Call our casting hotline if you have additional questions: 818-478-4570.

Deadline to apply is August 12, 2010.

* Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, a resident or citizen of the United States and reasonably proficient with shooting and marksmanship

Top Shot 2

If you’ve spent much time on the water, it’s happened to you at least once,  or maybe even a dozen times.

You’ve hook into what you believe to be a good fish and it’s peeling off yard after yard of line, you’re thinking, I hope the line doesn’t break!

Just about the time you think you have everything under control, your line goes limp and the fish, a state record in your mind, swims off with you lure.

If you’re like me, you jump up and down, holler and you use several of those “descriptive” adjectives your mother told you not to use as a kid.

“Darn line, broke again”, any way that’s where everyone places the blame!

As you reel line in, you notice that the line’s corkscrewed, the end of it looking similar to a pigtail.

Well, that’s a good indicator that it wasn’t a line break, your knot has either slipped or burned through!

Poorly tied knots are the main reason people loose fish, others are that they tried to drag the fish in, not allowing the drag on the reel to work properly or they hadn’t allowed their rod to do it’s job and not fighting the fish until it was tired.

In this article we’ll talk about knots!

I know, everyone knows how to tie knots right, because we learned as kids when we learned how to tie our shoes!

There are several knots out there that really work well and the old overhand knot like you tied as a kid is not one of them.

When you tie a knot, you’re taking away from the strength of the line; actually reducing it’s strength.

So you want to tie the best knot you can and this means either the Clinch knot for monofilament line or the Palomar knot for braided line.

The improved clinch is really easy to tie!

Run the line once or twice through the eye of your hook or lure (once for a clinch knot and twice for the improved clinch knot), then wrap the line five to eight times around the line back towards the hook or lure.

Once you’ve wrapped the line, slide the loose end of the line through your initial loop.

Then comes the really important part!

You’ll then need to wet the line and tighten the knot with a steady even motion, without hesitation.

If you don’t wet the line, the friction created by sliding the monofilament against itself will burn or fray the line, reducing the strength of the line even more..

Try to keep your line as straight as possible because every time you cross the line over itself, there’s a chance of breakage.

The Clinch knot will give you a knot that is somewhere around 60 or 65% line strength.  In other wards if you have 10-pound line and tie a good clinch knot, your line might break at 6 or 6.5 pounds.

Which is really no problem as you can land some really big fish on light line as long as you have a good knot, use your rod correctly, have your drag set properly and you don’t try to “horse” the fish in.

If you’re using a braided line such as Fireline, Spiderwire or any of the other super lines, you’re going to want to use a Palomar knot.

With this knot, you double your line before you put it through the eye of the hook or lure, then you tie and overhand knot, with the loop that is left over, run it around the hook or lure and pull it tight.

Wetting the knot isn’t as important as it with monofilament line because braided line is tougher than nails.

The Palomar Knot is a 90% line strength knot so it is the best knot no matter what line you use, just remember when using monofilament line moisten it before you pull the knot tight.

Knots may not seem like a big deal, but if you tie a poor one, the best rod, reel and fishing knowledge won’t do you much good because a good knot is all that truly connects you to that fish of a lifetime!

How to Tie a Cinch & Palomar Knot

Knot Tying – The Improved Clinch Knot

1.  An old standby for fishermen.  Pass the line through the eye of hook, swivel or lure.   Double back and make 5 turns around the standing line.

Hold the coils in place; thread end of line through the first loop above the eye, then through the big loop as shown

.                 2.  Hold the tag end and standing line while coils are pulled up.  Take care that coils are in spiral, not lapping over each other.  Slide tight against the eye.  Clip tag end

The PALOMAR KNOT – For Joining Line To A Fish Hook

The Palomar Knot is easy to tie correctly, and consistently the strongest knot known to hold terminal tackle.

1.  Double about 4″ of line and pass the loop through the eye of fishing hook.

2.   Let the fishing hook hang loose, and tie an overhand knot in the doubled line.

Avoid twisting the lines and do NOT tighten the knot.

3.   Pull the loop end of the line far enough to pass it over the hook, swivel or lure.

Make sure the loop passes completely over the attachment.

4.   Pull both the tag end and the standing line until the knot is tightened.  Clip off the tag end of the fishing line.

High water with heavy flows following a rain makes for tough fishing.

These seem to be the norm this year as there’s high water everywhere, coming down every creek, river as well as in all the ponds and lakes.

The bad side of this is that all the water running into the lakes and rivers, muddies up the water, making it hard to fish without getting your crankbaits, jigs and livebait rigs all gunked up.

The old wives tale, “with every bad there comes some good” is very true in this instance as water flowing into any body of water means the fish will start will be on the move.

It might take a few days for the water to settle down and the swift current to subside, but you can bet when there’s a rise in the water level, with water being released downstream the fish will become active.

The reason for this is pretty basic; the influx in water will bring new food sources down stream.

Worms, insects, zoo plankton as well as the baitfish and fingerlings that were tucked safely into the creeks and backwaters are now being flushed downstream into the rivers and lakes, bringing a smorgasbord to the fish that will be moving towards the incoming water on their way to see what’s on the menu.

In the river, sandbars and vegetation that were once high and dry will now become flooded and the insects and other material that was lying in these areas are now in the water.

In a river, this influx of water and new food sources will attract the fish to the slack water located behind sandbars and points.

Fish, both big and small will move towards the incoming water to feed on what’s being washed or forced downstream.

The biggest benefit of high water in reservoirs located on the Missouri River will reach capacity and water will need to be released through the dams.

Some of the deepest water in the system with the most hospitable water temperatures is located directly above the dam and because of this, there will be large concentrations of fish in these areas.

Once the gates are open to release the excess water from the lake a tremendous amount of water is released, flushing thousands of gallons of water and fish through the gates into the river system below.

On the Missouri as well as on other river systems, our dams are used for generating electricity and in order to drop the elevation of the lake, excess water may need to be run through the turbines of the dam as well, drawing fish on the upstream side through the generators, down into the river.

Fish sucked through the turbines can be cut up or injured and then deposited in the fast water down stream, dumping new fish into the river as well as adding a new food source downstream.

As the water levels rise and currents increases, the fish will move upstream into the more oxygenated water to feed on what’s being washed through the dam.

When water is being released, the fishing below generally improves, as numerous species of fish will have been relocated below the dam.

It’s always good to keep an eye on the information that the local paper has as far as the amount of water or CFS that’s being released through a dam, as a large increase is usually a pretty good indicator that there may be new fish coming through the turbines.

You never know what you might catch once new water has come into the river, as this is when anglers will start to pick up numerous varieties of fish, some which may not have been common in the area before the water release.

Prior to high water releases, the fishing below the dam may be slow, but several days after high water releases fish will become active.

When fishing below a dam that has released new water, you’ll want to keep your tackle pretty basic, as you won’t need anything fancy to catch fish during this time.

Try to use a light of weight as possible with a simple live bait rig consisting of a hook, split shot or lightweight sinker tipped with a crawler, leech or minnow being a good bet when fishing after water releases.

Some anglers like to use heavy weights to hold their bait in the current, keeping it on the bottom.

Unfortunately that may be where your rig stays as the heavy current can jam the weight tight into the rocks and other bottom obstructions where it may become part of the bottom structure once you’ve snagged up.

The lighter rigs will drift along with the current like the baitfish that have came through the dam, eventually settling in the slack water pockets where the game fish will be waiting for lunch to arrive.

No matter how you fish, be in from boat or shore, the next time there’s a big water discharge, give the fishing down stream a try as there’s bound to be fish moving up to see what all the fuss is about.

Does your hand twitch?

Bassmaster Classic champion Woo Daves of the Wrangler Rugged Wear Outdoor Advisory Team says the best fishing comes from giving the lure the best action. “Remember the factory can only put so much action into it. It is up to you to make the lure produce,” said Daves. “Twitch the rod tip. Change speeds of retrieve. Work the lure erratically. If you’re catching fish you are working the lure. If you’re not catching fish the lure is working you.”

Step on lure to set reel drag

To set reel drag, Ron Schara of the Wrangler Rugged Wear Outdoor Advisory Team steps on his lure with one foot then applies pressure on the rod, adjusting it to a point where the line does not break but the rod is bent appropriately. “At that point, I usually back it off just a smidgeon to allow for quick moves by a big fish that could snap the line,” said Schara, host of the Outdoor Channel’s popular TV Show, “Backroads with Ron and Raven.”

Fish with hand sanitizer

Fish use sight and smell to locate their prey. Manufacturers realize this and sell tons of scent attractants. Ron Tussel, the Pennsylvania pro, tells anglers at his seminars to go the extra step and keep their hands clean when handling baits. Tussel, a member of the Wrangler Rugged Wear Outdoor Advisory Team, says common scents such as gas and oil associated with boating can contaminate the lure and put fish off by the offending smell.  A simple hand sanitizer kept onboard can help keep the hands clean and scent free.

Fish large lures for spring lunkers

Bassmaster Classic champion Woo Daves tells anglers to fish big lures slowly in the spring for big bass. “Springtime usually brings a lot of off-colored water, so large baits and blades really produce,” said Daves, a member of the Wrangler Rugged Wear Outdoor Advisory Team.

Think shallow for muskies, northerns

Dean Capra of the Wrangler Rugged Wear Outdoor Advisory Team is an expert at getting cold-water fish to bite. In cold northern lakes he fishes shallow areas because shallow water heats up sooner and fish are more active. This is sight fishing. When Capra sees a muskie or northern pike soaking up sunshine he will cast a soft plastic jerk bait close, but not too close. “Let the bait sit there for awhile; you’re basically dead sticking it,” he said.

(Don’t) Fish the calm side

Do you like to fish where it’s calm or rough? Anglers who fish the calm side of the lake in the spring are making a big mistake, according to Bassmaster Classic champion Woo Daves of the Wrangler Rugged Wear Outdoor Advisory Team. “You should fish the windy side in the spring,” said Daves. “This is where the warmest water will be, this is where the plankton will be stirred up, and this is where the bait fish will be, especially on windy points, banks and coves.”

Live bait hook placement

Good hook-placement gives live bait anglers an advantage. Larry Bozka, host of CoastalAnglers.com and a member of the Wrangler Rugged Wear Outdoor Advisory Team, inserts the hook above the backbone at the rear of the dorsal fin when fishing under a float. This gives the bait vertical support. But when he is bottom fishing Bozka runs the hook below the backbone and above the anal vent. This lets the hook serve as a “keel” to keep the bait upright.

Hunting-access program provides $50 million in federal funds to expand recreation opportunities on private lands

Saint Paul, Minn. – July 8, 2010 – Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever today praised a decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release $50 million in funding for the “Open Fields” Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, a new effort to encourage owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch and forest lands to provide public access to their lands for wildlife-dependent activities such as hunting and fishing.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement this afternoon at a national press conference, at which other speakers included Howard Vincent, Pheasants Forever National President and CEO, and representatives from the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

Open Fields was authorized by Congress for the first time in the 2008 Farm Bill following support from a TRCP-sponsored coalition that included Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. Open Fields provides states $50 million in federal monies to create or enhance voluntary hunter-access programs on private lands and encourages landowners who enroll their properties to employ best-management practices for wildlife. Landowners can receive a financial incentive in exchange for opening lands to the public for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation. The Open Fields funding can now be used to enhance the 26 existing state public access programs, and establish programs in states where such programs are currently absent. There will be an application process for states to apply for funding.

“American sportsmen are deeply invested in the Open Fields program,” said Vincent, who praised the program on both its wildlife habitat and hunter access merits. “We appreciate the federal government’s willingness to expand public access to hunting and other recreational activities by assuring its implementation. Sportsmen now speak together in urging our nation’s decision makers to continue this record of support by retaining and funding Farm Bill conservation programs in 2012.”

“Open Fields is the first federal landowner incentive program of its kind to enhance access for hunting and fishing – and has been a flagship issue for the TRCP since our group’s inception,” said TRCP President and CEO Whit Fosburgh, who spoke at the event. “Today’s announcement by the federal government is an unqualified victory for fish and wildlife conservation and our hunting and fishing traditions.”

“This administration is committed to preserving and enhancing the great conservation legacy of our nation’s hunters and anglers to benefit current and future generations,” said Vilsack. ”This program will not only help achieve conservation goals, but also increase opportunities for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation by providing greater access to privately held lands for wildlife-dependent recreation.”

The conservation title of the Farm Bill is the nation’s single-largest source of federal funding for private-lands conservation programs, and previous iterations of the bill have allocated billions of dollars toward landowner activities that sustain critical habitat and bolster fish and wildlife populations important to sportsmen.

Read frequently asked questions about Open Fields.

Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.