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DEL.ICIO.USGo fishing indoors
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The temperature was in the 40’s most of the day and the wind chilled the parking lot outside the Gwinnett Center Saturday.
Inside, it was a packed house for the annual Atlanta Fly Fishing Festival. Around 5,000 attended the popular trade show on Saturday, with a similar size crowd on Sunday.
“The weather gods were kind to us,” show director Mark Castlow said Saturday, watching local fly guys practice their casting in the middle of the convention hall. “When you get cold, nasty weather, it’s good for attendance.”
Which is why January and February is tradeshow season for outdoors folks, who come inside to look at what’s new, talk to experts and generally be around other people with similar interests. (Of course, laying down some coin on new gear is greatly appreciated by vendors and show organizers.)
When it’s bitterly cold outside, only the hardiest hunters and anglers hit the woods and lakes. The rest of us dream of turkey hunting or bass fishing in March. Until then, it’s time to get prepared, and trade shows are just one way to sharpen your skills.
Here are some other things you can do:
Take notes: If you watch those outdoors shows on T.V., don’t just “Ooh” and “Aah” when someone like Bill Dance pulls up a lunker bass. Take some notes on what you watched, especially if it applies directly to a technique you like to use. If you already keep a journal, add to it. If you don’t keep a journal, maybe this is a good time to start.
Read: Pick an area you want to improve and find a book, internet website or publication that may address it. Want to make this turkey season your best ever? Then do some research.
Maintain: Offseason maintenance should be a requirement for every outdoorsman. Get your rifle or reel serviced, sharpen your tools, or organize your tackle box (and be prepared to throw things away).
Plan: Think about what you want to do this year and start making plans. If there’s a lake you’ve always wanted to try, make room on the calendar for it.
Take a class: The state offers hunter education courses throughout the year. Trade shows — and even large sales events at that large tackle store off I-85 in Gwinnett County — schedule seminars with experts. Take notes and ask questions.
Practice: You can always cast or shoot more accurately so practice. Take the rod and reel in the backyard, the weapon to a shooting range.
What do you do to battle cabin fever?
Comments
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By Seachaser
January 29, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
Before putting too much credit in TV shows, remember they are there to sell certain products. I have learned a lot watching The various pros over the years, but if you watch real close, they are constantly promoting a lure, rod, reel, boat, etc. even sun screen and jackets. Many are even selling the guides and places they fish. A guide can teach you a lot too if you shell out the bucks. Just filter every thing you hear and see from a pro.
By Tom Jr
January 29, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
It is a great time of the year to take your reels and get them serviced.
By DaBoss
January 29, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Good point, Seachaser, about TV shows. They promote everything down to the sinker. But, it pays to carefully pick out tactics, presentation, time of year, water temp, and TYPE of lure. Ignore the product plugs, but keep an eye and ear out for things that will help you catch fish with whatever is already in your tackle box.
By timmythebrave
January 29, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
I love fishing and have been fishing GA lakes with my new boat. I do well catching small and large mouth bass but have trouble hooking up many stripers. If anyone knows some tips for catching striper on lake allatoona let me know. Thanks
By Lagober
January 31, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Thanks for giving readers one more place to get information on fishing. I’m always looking for ways to improve my fishing knowledge and skills.
By Dick Cheney
January 31, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
I went fishing indoors once, but I snagged my friend’s face with the hook.
By Artie the Awesome
January 31, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Sorry Timmy, there are no stripers left in Alatoona. Chuck Norris and I caught them all.
By shibbydog
January 31, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
Thanks to the AJC for getting the outdoors page back in the paper. should be some interesting things to blog on here in terms of hunting like around the end of March when gobbler time comes in.
Living near West Point, the rains have been great for the level of the lake, its almost at full winter pool. Judging by the number of boats at the ramps and parking areas, fishing is much improved and accessible over the drought conditions from last summer.
By Riverpirate
February 1, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
The Fly Fishing was a great time. You can also “fish indoors” next weekend in Perry at the Great Outdoor Show. I will also be doing kayak fishing seminars there.