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Fishing the Cape Cod Canal

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The Cape Cod Canal is amongst the most challenging and rewarding locations along the entire East Coast of America to catch striped bass. Few places on earth provide the shore bound angler a better chance at connecting with a bass in the 40 pound range. .

The man-made land cut has generated amazing fishing the past few seasons. The spring run of large striped bass has been just as impressive, if not more impressive than the famed fall migration.

If next spring is anything similar to the spring of 2011, enormous schools of trophy size striped bass should enter the canal during the second half of May. For the serious striped bass angler, the “Big Ditch,” as it’s referenced by canal regulars, could very well produce several of the biggest striped bass of the year.

Timing is Everything

The canal will support a population of stripers from May through October. But to truly cash in on great canal fishing, an angler ought to be at the canal when a large biomass of bass moves into the land cut.

Unfortunately it is inherently complicated to calculate when this will occur. However it will help to stay updated on Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay fishing reports. Stories of huge schools of surface feeding striped bass in Buzzards Bay will usually trickle in a few days, to a week, before a canal blitz.

These stripers are on a northward migration pattern that often brings them directly through the Cape Cod Canal – in contrast to the longer path around the arm of Cape Cod. At this time of the year the canal is full of herring, mackerel, and whiting as well as a plethora of other prey items. The canal effortlessly sets the stage for a world class fishing opportunity.

Top-notch fishing seems to occur in phases as biomasses of striped bass migrate through the land cut northward into Cape Cod Bay. Often time’s spectacular fishing will occur for a day or two as the school migrates through. A phase of slower fishing develops, before the next large push of bass happens a week or so later.

I remember a Thursday morning last season when anyone who could cast a plug more than 30 feet was into big bass. It did not take long for word to get out, and by the weekend the canal was stuffed with anglers. However the biomass of stripers had quickly exited the canal late Thursday/early Friday. I did not see a single striper taken that Saturday morning.

Top Water Bass Action

The top water bite at the canal can be downright nutty during the spring. To put it simply there are not many places in our neck of the woods where a shore bound angler can cast surface plugs to 30 pound bass.

With that said, not every angler will take advantage of the excellent top water action during spring at the canal. Very long casts in excess of 200 feet are usually needed to reach breaking bass.

Loading the tail end of an aerodynamic surface plug with weight can noticeably increase casting distance without harming the action of the plug. Using ultra thin braided line as well as the best rods and reels money can buy will surely help. However nothing can beat perfect casting technique.

Striped bass are relatively simple to fool with top water plugs when the bass are aggressive and focused in on larger prey items such as tinker mackerel. It can be a completely different predicament if the fish are focused on smaller prey such as juvenile whiting.

On several occasions last season, canal anglers witnessed schoolie bass feeding aggressively on small prey items at the crack of dawn. All efforts to hook these bass went unrewarded as it was nearly impossible to reach these breaking stripers with a plug that matched the small stature of the bait these schoolie stripers were feeding on.

However as the morning and tide progressed, the smaller prey items were replaced by much larger mackerel. Larger bass replaced the schoolies, and everyone began hooking up. Things change rapidly this time of the year at the canal.

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Written by Captain Ryan Collins

August 7th, 2011 at 1:18 pm

Golden Colorado: Festivals, Events and Fun

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If you’re looking for something easy, inexpensive and accessible to do this summer, why not consider some local options? Many of the cities within the metro area offer myriad festivals and activities. Exhibit A: Golden.

The grand event in Golden this summer is, as always, Buffalo Bill Days, going this year from Wednesday, July 27, to Sunday, July 31. The festival features innumerable entertainment options, including a golf tournament, performers from the locals schools, a duck race, live music, and enough vendors and merchants to keep visitors busy for afternoons at a time. The tradition of Buffalo Bill Days dates back to the 1940s, and organizers take the events seriously. There’s the parade on Saturday, July 30 (a good one for horse enthusiasts), and events such as muttin bustin’ on Sunday. The last day of the festival also sees two large car shows, which are open to entrants. The classic car show features autos from before 1971, while the simultaneous “Orphan” show features autos whose manufacturers are defunct, such as Hudsons and DeLoreans.

Golden is also home to one of the best arts festivals in the country (referenced by “Sunset” magazine). Occurring this summer Aug. 21 and 22, more than 140 artists will be on hand selling all manner of wares, from sculpture and photography to jewelry and painting (although artists come from as far away as east and west coasts, around 80 percent of participants are Coloradoans). An Activities tent for children keep them busy with arts and crafts, and five stages of live music features such diverse performers as Adam Taubman, Charlie Povenza, Big Water and Susan Boyle.

Golden likes its cars, and in addition to the Buffalo Bill Days shows, the Wild West Auto Roundup on June 11 brings thousands of visitors into the town to patronize the shops that organize the show and to peruse the 200 cars on display, from muscle cars to hot rods to race cars to original stock cars. A contest featuring 14 categories also allows visitors to vote. The cruise can sometimes go into the nighttime hours, giving children and adults entertainment options aplenty along Washington – sample one of the main street’s many outdoor patios as the cars go by!

For something lighter, consider Movies and Music in the Park. Thrice during August Golden presents a free evening at Parfet Park (10th and Washington) featuring live music and a feature-length film. On Aug. 5 the Clam Daddys will precede “How to Train Your Dragon.” On Aug. 12, Jonny Barber vs. The Living Deads warms up the crowd for “Back to the Future,” and on Aug. 19 The Resonatorz precede “Voyage of the Dawn Treader.” Families are encouraged to bring and enjoy a picnic. Also, weekends this summer (May 28 to Sept. 4), bring the kids to Dino Days at Dinosaur Ridge (16831 W. Alameda Parkway) on Saturdays and Sundays. The free sessions educate the whole family about the vast prehistoric fossils that earned the area its name, and includes a puppet show and storytime.

Finding new things to do in Colorado really isn’t hard! Take a look at the great calendar of events this summer in Golden, CO. Found just outside of Denver, Golden offers new dining and great events throughout the summer. Visit us soon!

Written by Anderson Lee Manchester

June 12th, 2011 at 11:26 am

The Canadian Wilderness Is The Place To Go If You Want A Fishing Adventure

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People from all over the world are discovering the joys and the beauty of Canadian fishing excursions. No where in the world can you see the the varieties of fish in such a vast and promising area.

The most notable thing about Canada here is its breathtaking scenery, which is unlike any other country in the world. With incredible views of snow-packed mountains, freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities await you in the heart of Canada. There, the best fish varieties are in the water throughout the most of the year.

Trout, salmon, halibut, and pike are just a few of the fish species available in the Canadian waters. You’ll find many other species as well. Trips can be planned to go ice-fishing or fly-fishing, which can offer some of the more beautiful experiences known. Of course, you’ll have to have a knack for cold weather if you’re interested in ice fishing.

Year-round fishing is open on the Canadian coastline, as well as along some of the interior mountain ranges. Whether you choose to camp, lodge, or stay in a resort, beginner and expert fisherman alike are choose Canada as their destination of choice.

When people think of the Canadian wilderness, they don’t think of what is really out there. Large lodges with all the amenities await even the most rugged of fisherman. Hot tubs, spas, massage rooms, fine dining, and more. Bring the entire family for a one of a kind vacation you’ll never forget.

Whether you want a fitness room, sauna, mud bath, or a massage, Canadian lodges in the woods are there to meet every need. After a day up to your knees in soft dirt while casting your fly, looking to hook the award-winning salmon, you can now sink into a bubble bath, enjoy fine dining on the patio, or take in a show.

The land of many waters offer far too many adventures and experiences to pass up. Sign up with a local guide, take a journey through the twists and turns through the valley on a fishing vessel, the sky is the limit when it comes to fishing in Canada.

It’s not just the fishing that lures people from all over the world. Horseback riding, sledding, skiing, hiking and more all await even the beginner adventurer. With peak mountain highs, and bottom valley lows, the Canadian wilderness is much more than fishing. It’s an experience.

This writer additionally frequently blogs on topics including canadian fishing trip and canadian vacation spots.

Written by David Wallace

May 24th, 2011 at 4:20 pm

Inland Beach Cottage Rentals

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When many people, singles and families alike, think about booking a holiday, many of them would only think about going to the beach for a fortnight’s lounging on the beach under the sun and swimming in warm, blue waters.

However, many of the best, most famous beach locations are magnets for hordes of people. It appears that most people like the sand, the sea and the sun. Now some people go to these destinations precisely because they are busy. They like the crowds and the night clubs that attract them. Mainly singles go to these types of places and a holiday romance is not far from many peoples’ minds.

Couples and older people may prefer a little less noise, pollution and bustle. However, there are beaches which meet these demands too. Often they are private beaches. Some have hotels on them but some do not. Those that do not frequently have inland beach cottage rental properties instead. These are virtually always self-catering.

When most people think of a beach it is instinctively connected with the sea. However, this need not necessarily be so. There are also inland beaches on lakes and rivers. These beaches are usually referred to as inland beaches. Somewhere to stay can be a problem with even some of the best inland beaches.

Many of these inland beaches are simply not well-known enough to make a hotel commercially feasible, but some of them have cottage rentals instead. These cottages, or cabins sometimes, can be difficult to find if you do not reserve early enough. They are frequently complete homes, fully equipped with all the household facilities you have grown accustomed to: a fully furnished living room, multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and a contemporary kitchen.

Inland beach cottage rentals are popular because they are often situated exactly on the water’s edge. This makes the bit of beach right before your cottage your private beach. You can sleep on it at night if it’s hot, lie there all day or set up a few fishing lines.

In the evenings, you can hitch up with neighbours to have a party or keep yourself to yourself. For this reason, it is a good idea to check photos of the cottage before you make a reservation.

If an inland beach cottage rental sounds just up your street, there are thousands to pick from in the United States and Canada. The Great Lakes are a particularly beautiful place to go. There are fantastic spots in the Finger Lakes region of New York state and along Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

You will not regret going on holiday to an inland beach cottage rental property. There are so many variations that there is certainly something for every pocket and every family size. Singles are not so well catered for, but if you want a quiet holiday alone. maybe to study, then this might fitting be for you too.

You can fly into some of these resorts by seaplane, but it is more likely that you will take your own car or a rental car, if you want to get out and do some exploring further afield. Personally, I would rather hire a dinghy.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with the rental of Welsh coastal cottages. If you are interested in a cottage or Wales in general, please go to our website at Welsh Products Online

Written by Owen Jones

May 6th, 2011 at 1:36 pm