For those of us that go north a few times a year to do some “summertime” lake fishing, the dog days of late August or early September can produce some high quality fishing. The secret is to know when to go out and where the fish are located.
Early morning is by far the best time to be on a lake. Even before the sun is up, the fish will start to feed. Because of the warmth of the days, the fish become less and less active as the temperature rises. Even those big ones down deep seem to take a nap after about 11 am.
Modern science has created sensitive electronic gear that allows fishermen to find the fish and to determine at what depth they are feeding. Although we have known about thermoclines for years, it is with this equipment that we can really define where the fish are located. This is especially true for landlocked salmon and lake trout.
A thermocline is a depth in the lake where temperatures change. Although often they tend to gradually blend from one to another, it is sometimes startling to see how much change there come be in just a few feet. Predator fish often tend to seek a temperature range that is most comfortable to them. Or, they look for that thermocline where bait fish are most comfortable and rise to feed on them.
The trick, then, is to find that activity and get the lures or flies down to them. We have a number of options open to us. Leadcore line, sinking fly line or downriggers can get us there. Now we have to determine what will attract the fish and at what speed the lure should be trolled through the strike zone.
Often these good conditions only last for a small window of time as the light-sensitive plankton sometimes drop own to depths where the baitfish are uncomfortable and the feeding stops. When the baitfish stop feeding and disperse, the bigger fish that we are after often stop feeding as well.
When that happens, you might as well change your gear and start concentrating on bass, perch and pike which will stay in the warmer and shallower water.
Deer Stands
Deer hunting with a bow is just around the corner, so now is a good time to take out your deer stand and give it a good inspection. There are far to many accidents that occur from improper use or defective equipment. Check every strap and connection for wear and replace any part that shows where it has been stressed.
To help bowhunters everywhere lessen the chance of becoming a treestand accident number or fatality, the National Bowhunter Education Foundation is offering Project Stand. This education program is designed to reduce the estimated 10 to 30 percent of hunters who use treestands and who will also have a treestand related incident sometime during their hunting career. Estimates are that annual treestand sales in America are 1 million units per year—and growing. Deaths due to falling from treestands often exceed the annual firearms and hunting related deaths in theUnited States.
You can view several treestand safety related videos offered by NBEF for free at: http://www.projectstand.net/Videos.asp. These informative and safety-focused videos cover types of treestands, fall arrests, and climbing aids. The full version “Safe Treestand Hunting Strategies” DVD can be purchased for $10 at: http://www.projectstand.net/shop.asp. If you have questions, contact info@nbef.
Ruger Record
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.is on pace to beat its own record of 1,114,700 firearms produced in one year, set in 2011. On August 15, 2012 Ruger produced its one millionth firearm of the year. “Last year, Ruger became the first commercial firearms company to produce one million firearms in one year, and we were incredibly excited and proud to reach that milestone,” said Ruger President and CEO Mike Fifer. “It took us nearly all of 2011 to build one million firearms, but in 2012 we accomplished it on August 15th. We continue to invest in and improve our manufacturing processes to help us respond to the strong demand for Ruger firearms. We expect 2012 will be another record-breaking year for Ruger, and we want to thank our loyal customers for their continued support.”
The firearms industry has seen consistent growth over the last few years, as measured by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) background checks as adjusted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. In July 2012, NICS checks rose by 25.5% compared to July 2011, the 26th consecutive month that NICS checks have risen on a year-over-year basis. Demand for Ruger products has outpaced the growth in overall industry demand, driven by new product introductions including the Ruger American Rifle, SR22 pistol, SR1911 pistol, and 10/22 Takedown rifle.
Shark App Shark Phone
To give the general population a glimpse into the lives of marine predators, Stanford University scientists created a smartphone application that puts tracking devices in the public’s hand. The goal of the free iOS app available at the Apple store is to “create a better understanding of the ocean ecosystem and promote the protection of sharks, tunas and turtles that inhabit the area,” according to researchers.
Scientists hope that by using the app, called Shark Net, people will think of marine conservation on a more personal level when they actually see and follow the movements of marine animals in real time. The app displays customizable and interactive maps of the west coast, photo galleries, videos, historical tracking data and 3D interactive models.
Great white sharks and other predators are fitted with acoustic tags that will be detected by data receivers placed in the ocean on fixed buoys and self-propelled robots. The app is a part of the Blue Serengeti Initiative, named after the African Serengeti symbolizing the vast diversity and abundance of life in the ocean found in both locations, according to Dr. Barbara Block, the Stanford professor leading the project.
The Initiative installed Wi-Fi hotspots on a network of buoys and robots throughout the Pacific Ocean. When the predator passes within 1,000 feet of the data detector, it sends a notification to app users alerting them of its whereabouts.
“People realize [protecting ocean biodiversity] is important, but it’s hard for them to connect on a visceral, personal level to the incredible biodiversity in their own backyard,” said Dr. Randall Kochevar, one of the developers of the app, to CBC News.
Recently, a solar-powered, self-propelled robot was launched off the coast of California near San Francisco. It’s a bright yellow, seven-foot long wave glider that will be an addition to the project’s network of detection devices.
For now, the detection network is small. It extends from the coast near San Francisco to Monterey Bay and Tomales Point, but researchers hope to extend the network down the west coast of North America and expand monitoring to a range of marine animals including salmon.
