Are you considering fishing in the Potomac River? If so, you shall use lures if you wish to catch trout and it is better to catch trout away from the shoreline at least 50 yards and if you use live bait you only catch catfish and the bottom feeders close to shore. No, not politicians (bottom feeders). It takes a lobbyist to do that, but occasionally you can catch them.

Maybe if you put $100 bill and caste a line out there maybe you will catch a politician? Apparently the politicians also stay close to the shoreline so they are never too far away from a lobbyist, which will buy them free lunch. If the FBI really wants the cleanup Washington D.C. from corruption perhaps they should finish in the Potomac River using hundred dollar bills and pose as lobbyist. Meanwhile you probably wished to talk about fish don’t you?

Well, the reason why fishing in the Potomac produces so many bottom feeders is because the River is very shallow close to the shoreline. And this makes it a great place for catfish and other bottom feeders. The trout like more room to swim in and so you have to find an area that is a little deeper and there are many such areas. If you have a good fish finder and small sonar that will certainly help. Otherwise you need to ask the locals were the best fishing is. Luckily the Potomac River has a lot of fish in it. Please consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

Most would agree a stop at the tackle shop shouldn’t be forgotten but recently I was told the story of a well planned and long anticipated fishing vacation. This spot was one of those that you hear whispered about and never see let alone get to fish on. A high mountain lake, secluded, trout as long as your arm and will strike a hook without bait or lure. A very rough road and 5 long hours from the sign that said “last services”. A week of camping, fishing and extreme R&R is the only thing in mind. As the great trout slayer rounded the bend and saw the pristine water for the
first time, an eerie feeling came all over him. Gas… he forgot gas. No hose that would act as a siphon. Another 10 hours travel time to be subtracted from the vacation before he could launch the boat.

We have all had that eerie feeling as we recalled our own “forgot the gas” caper. Our suggestion as old fashion as it seems: Make a camping/fishing list and save it. You can use it every time you
leave to go fishing, camping, vacation or just a trip.

We have holidays coming up that sprinkle through the summer. Here
is a tip we would like to share:

Each holiday we come home from the lake or mountains, streams and favorite fishing haunts to see in the news hundreds of accidents that have happened involving water sports. Take a moment before you leave home to whisper a fisherman’s prayer: “Help me to leave the fishing space a better place for my
grandchildren to experience tomorrow, and for my fellow angler, I pray for their safety.” These few moments to include SAFETY on your trip may make the difference in you or your party showing up in the news back home.

Include in your list:

A first aid kit, (if the kit doesn’t have Tea Tree Oil Buy some and add it to the kit)

Charged cell phone batteries, (adapter charge cord for the car or truck)

Enough life preservers,

Space blankets, (Walmart, very small and inexpensive)

Flash lights,

A whistle for the boat,

You may have a fire extinguisher in the boat, but you should have one also in the vehicle towing the boat,

Distilled water, (can be used for drinking)

Sunscreen, (Banana Boat AloeVera Gel with Solercain if you didn’t use the sunscreen)

Insect Repellant

Oh yeah, Don’t forget…BE SAFE and you will remember to have fun!

James Zeller writes for numerous outdoor blogs and websites. If you have a fishing subject you would like to search, maybe a vacation destination,
guide, rod or fishing facts, James recommends that you check out Largest Online Fishing Directory, the Better
Catch Fishing Directory, and when you return from your vacation leave a note
on the Better Catch Forum so
that those of us still waiting to vacation can share with you the “good times”
of the real world!

Fly Fishing. A sport for the crafty and gifted and a form of recreation for the patient. Throughout the years many have claimed that they have discovered the secrets and have yet to unveil more. Yes, they have shared tons of these secrets and we have read about them, more than once. As I have discovered myself, these secrets have been repeated countless of times by different people too, claiming they themselves discovered it. We don’t pass judgment, we applaud them. We have learned and applied what little we have known about the sport itself (or on the contrary - my apologies to the small percentage that are considered experts on this field. This statement does not apply).

This is not one of those moments where I claim my 15 minutes of fame. Just a simple aficionado of the sport hoping to add a little grain to your sack of rice. I promise I wont be overtly original. You have to expect I will mention the secrets we have all discovered. It may not be so secret anymore but still an effective tip to fish. Let’s start where everybody usually does, from the beginning.

What do you usually do the day (or night) before going fly fishing? You prepare the things you need! What do you need? The basics, your fly fishing gear. Rod, reel, line, and bait (live or imitation-fly fishing flies). Of course you need not forget your personal requirements, so to speak. Sunblock, bug repellant and shades for example.

When you get to your fishing spot: after settling, you need to relax and ready yourself. You need to be in top condition; physically, mentally, and emotionally. It may sound so immensely inane but im not saying you have to be “Olympic” material. Just be the tip top self that you can be. When you get to the water, just remember these tips: Dont scare the fish away! You dont want to scare them away, you want to catch them. What’s the purpose of all this when its NOT? Stay as close to the bank where they most probably are hangin’ around. The ripples may make them uneasy but only for a short period. Take note also that the sight of any moving objects may also cause them to move away. That would be you, so lay low and camouflage your clothing to your current environment. Then your set. Have your favorite rod and cast away!

When you’re finished with you day, please remember to completely dry out your gear. You could transfer parasites or diseases to whichever fishing spot you go next. You can apply whatever cleaning solution you want but remember, it has to be eco friendly. You don’t want to poison the fish or pollute the next fishing spot you want to visit.

Dont say that there are no excuses for NOT catching any fish. YES THERE ARE! Conditions like, they are not feeding, the temperature is just too hot, its not you day, bad luck or maybe your wife just left you are all valid reasons. Don’t beat yourself up because you’re a bad fisherman…well, maybe you are (tip top shape, remember?). But the important thing is HAVE FUN! Its not worth the trouble if your not having any fun!

She is a webmaster for Riverbum.com. Riverbum.com sells fly fishing flies, gears, and accessories on-line. They constantly innovate themselves to give their customers the best products they can offer for unreasonably low prices. They love fly fishing, and it shows!