1f65

The Winter Olympics….

Once again the fishing world has been ignored.

As I sit watching a spine tingling, heart thumping, always tension packed Olympic Curling event competition, I can’t help but wonder why a fishing event has never been represented in the Olympics.

What are they trying to say?

Are they saying that there is no athletic prowess involved when trying to flick a #12 Adams to a 20 inch ring created by the kiss of an 18 inch Rainbow trout!

Is the firing of a high powered rifle after skiing around on a pair of wooden planks any more demanding than fording a riffle packed stream and tossing a chunk of powerbait deftly into the “honeyhole” pocket containing an 8 inch stocker?

I see no difference.

But then I’m an idiot.

Or am I? Let’s at least take a look at some future options for the winter Olympics, that can finally give the fisherman his due when it comes to skill and athleticism….

1) What event shows stamina and grit more than ice fishing? I propose a winter Olympic event that is comprised of ice fishing. In this event, contestants will be timed on their ability to saw a hole in 8 to 10 inches of a frozen lake surface, run in sneakers across the frozen ice to a designated staging area where they will grab up a rod, and stool, and sprint back across the ice to the open hole, bait up, and sit for hours in a fierce northern wind. The athlete then will hopefully, eventually catch a fish, pull his fish from the ice hole, drop it in a bucket, and sprint again across the ice, into a 1975 Ford pick- up truck, drive across the finish line to the cheers, flag waving,and cow bell jingling of his fellow countrymen.

More challenges? Perhaps a couple of fellas name Swen and Ole can sit across from the contestant and constantly be throwing a verbal barrage of “You Betcha’s” and “Don’t ya know’s” at the athlete, as he or she agonizingly attempts to coax a fish out of the water.

Talk about grit!!

Of course the Norwegian contingent might not have a problem with this and be at a decided advantage.HOW do you say “you betcha” in Norwegian anyway?

We will all watch as the hole starts to skim over with ice,and the athlete frantically chips away at the hole to keep it ice free.All the while precious time clicks away as the fish only nibbles at the bait.

They can even hold this event indoors at the Olympic Hockey or Figure Skating venues. It might even make the hockey games more interesting with a few holes in the ice, and figure skating?PLEASE… a double axle into a gaping hole in the ice will add more excitement than Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan living in the same trailer park. Or they can leave a few frozen fish on the ice to help add to the Olympic ambiance.

The events could also easily be held as a “two man” competition with one athlete fishing, while the other builds an ice shack.

If the extreme thrill of the Downhill is your cup a tea, imagine if they hold the event on thin melting ice. The now famous runs of Franz Klammer and Hermann Maier will pale in comparison to the crackling of ice beneath the ice fisherman’s stool as he scrambles for shore before disappearing into the frigid waters.

Talk about the agony of defeat….

2)Boat Slalom. Never mind the luge, bobsled, or skeleton(which at first glance appear to require the two major athletic skills of courage and alcohol), try standing up in a drift boat while running a classIV rapid with a 40 pound salmon stripping line off of your reel, hell bent for return to the ocean. Yes, athletes in ten layers of clothing including the mandatory flannel outer jacket, will try to stay afoot while “the driver” navigates the boulder choked channel of a stream. Not only are the contestants timed in this event, but style points are given for the degree of difficulty the athlete shows while doing “gunnel grabs”, “spins”, and the ever popular “aerials”. Throw in a number of slalom gates, and you have the making of an event made for television. Fall in or lose your salmon, and it’s sorry Charlie–see you in four years.

“OOOHHH, tough break Vern–Elwood has been training all his life for this moment, and to see it all go overboard in one instant is heartbreaking….”

3) No offense to our Canadian friends north of the border, but –CURLING!!! CURLING!! A combination of bowling on ice and a group of shop keepers trying to keep the storefront spiffy.

Gawd, the winters must be awful up there.

Outside of the obvious “sex appeal”of the Olympic Curling
events, the only thing more thrilling would be to watch Dick Cheney go quail hunting.

But, given that there is a place on the podium for chiseled curling athletes, I’m sure we could find a spot for the skilled athleticism of the Winter Fly Tying Team !
This event would obviously be dominated by the American squad, which has trained year round in a meat locker in Detroit. Size #28 midge after miserable size #28 midge, the Americans have relentlessly been training, by tying these little buggers to 8x tippet–in a meat locker kept at 14 degrees below zero.

That’s minus 26 celsius for our European competitors.

There at the Olympic Fly Tying arena, in frigid weather, teams of fly tiers will take to the vice, and tie up various flys. We will watch pained expressions and complete intense concentration as athletes try to get their fingers to work in the icy cold. We will hold our breath as they try to get the hackle and dubbing just right. Precious time will tick away as they blow on their hands, and we watch split screen images of just where the Olympic hopefuls lost time along the way.

Of course,in this two day event, athletes will be judged on speed, style,difficulty, and the ability to catch and release fish.

So, here’s to the athletes of the XX th Olympiad, and I will see you fishing rod in hand, in Vancouver in 2010.

A.J. Klott
Author, writer of fishing humor,and “fly tack” peddler. A.J. writes about the people,characters and modern day events that surround the fishing world. His first book is due out in December of 2005.
If you need a laugh or a fun gift, visit his website at:
http://www.twoguyswithflys.com

Fishing game is considered a mild therapy by many psychologists: a way to get in touch with nature and return to our true selves. Why do most anglers fish? Not because of their sustenance, that is for sure. Fishing has become a game and is done with recreational purposes. It is, so to say, a kind of meditation, a way to get out of the daily routine and feel part of nature.

As in every game, special regulations are set for the fishing game. But most admired is the sportsmanship which exists between devoted anglers. To set a good example for the youngsters is the other reason why fishing game is played fair. In fishing games all players have great respect for living creatures and environmental protection. Fish is looked upon not as catch, but as a partner in the game.

When going on a fishing game, the angler has full appreciation of nature. Fishing game is not an avid search for more and more fish with which to boast before your friends. It is a way to express your positive attitude towards natural world. Fishermen enjoy contemplating the darting fish in the clear water. They regard fish as a manifestation of the divine, and fishing games are just a way to unite with the sparkling Universe and to share the joy with your companions.

Fishing games are different from other games, because you have to be truly devoted to fishing to get uplifted by the activity itself.

There are several types of fishing games, one of them is the so called “offshore game fishing”. It is the catching of fish while boating in the open sea. Usually big fish are caught that way- marlins or tunas. Being in the wild and roaring sea causes special mood in most players. Here the connection with nature is even stronger and many people consider offshore fishing as a serene activity where contemplation is an aim in itself. While fishing offshore, most anglers leave competitive style behind, and do everything in a relaxed state of mind. Offshore games are not sport activities, they serve the mere purpose of giving pleasure.

But there are certain regulations that even the most meditative anglers should look upon. First of all, offshore fishing games require you to have a special boat with a certain capacity: it need to be a big one, from 30 up to 50 feet in length. The only thing that must be done is to reel a fish after it had been hooked. But this is terribly difficult, as deep sea fish are enormous, and many things had to be considered before actually catching it. Even if you manage somehow to hook the fish, the real problem is to keep the fishing line maintained on its specific tension.

Because of the hardness of the task that has to be completed, anglers must strictly follow the regulations of the fishing game. While fishing offshore, this can be vital for their successful catch. Sticking to the regulations also sets a good example for the others, and makes from fishing a friendly game, where people respect each other, as well as nature.

Article by Robbie Darmona - an article writer who writes on a wide variety of subjects.
For more information click Fishing Game

There’s nothing more relaxing than fishing at your favorite fishing spot. Whether one is a beginner or an adept at this ancient pass time, fishing can serve as an enjoyable hobby and sport. In fact, for those that love to fish, there are fishing resorts that one can visit and vacation at. Thus, there are prime spots for everyone to fish! Moreover, many fishing resorts are easily affordable, all you need to do is bring along your equipment!

For those who love to fish, resorts serve as a prime vacationing destination. There are resorts offering five star accommodation, full service restaurants, and a number or outdoor recreational activities to take part in along with any fishing expedition one may want to take. Water skiing, rafting, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, cycling and more can all be had at different resorts in addition to your beloved pastime.

Moreover, if you enjoy hunting, in addition to being an avid fisherman, you can go hunting for deer, caribou, moose, bear, rams, and more when you visit many of the resorts and lodges designed specifically for such purposes.

There are many resorts and lodges to choose from when you want to fish. In fact, as an example, the state of Michigan has numerous sites one can visit and fish at. Ackeley Park Rapids, Cass Lake, Crane Lake, Detroit Lake, the Gunflint Trail Area, Hackensack, the Lake of the Woods, Lake Winnibigoshish, Lake Kabetogama, Lake Ely, Lake Mille Lacs, Leech Lake, Rainy Lake, Lake Vermillion, and the Upper Red Lake all offer fine opportunities to fish in the state of Michigan. Now imagine just as many offerings in other states and you can see the number of opportunities one can find to vacation and fish!

Some resorts offer hotels, while others offer cabins and a campground for quite relaxation. You can spend time on the beach or when you are not about to fish, you can spend time touring all the local hot spots and attractions. Cabins can be rustic or modern and will provide visitors with the ultimate sense of “living in the wilderness” and many of the cabins are large enough to handle big groups of people. Some cabins have a porch where one can sit and see the scenic views as the sun sets and twilight settles in. Cabins that are fully furnished with most everything one would require for comfort can be easily rented for a week or more and give the entire family a vacation worth remembering.

Some resorts and lodges also supply extra curricular activities to engage in when you are not fishing the waters. Volleyball, horseshoes, tennis, golf courses and hiking trails are just a few of the many alternatives such vacationing destinations supply. So, if you are planning to fish this vacation, your best bet is to visit a resort or lodge and get all of your entertainment needs met at one location. Moreover, your accommodatios will be waiting and ready for you and you will find yourself wanting to visit such resorts each and every year.

——————————————————-
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Fishing
——————————————————-