Fly fishing catch and release yourself

When fly fishing, many anglers prefer to catch and release their fly fishing prizes. Still, what should you do when you’re the prize?

That’s Gotta Hurt

If you become a fly fishing fanatic, you will inevitably hook yourself one day. Of course, this has never happened to me, but my “friends” have done it repeatedly. Being a thoughtful and observant person, I’ve seen how they go about unhooking themselves from a fly. Again, this is never happened to me. Ever. No, I won’t take a lie detector test.

The Barb

The best hook removal method depends on the location of the hook barb. The barb is the part of the hook that keeps the hook from simply sliding back out of the fish or, in this case, you. The essential question is which direction will result in the least damage from the barb.

A “friend” of mine once managed to hook himself through the flap of skin between the thumb and forefinger. The hook penetrated from the top of this hand through to the palm. The barb had gone all the way through the skin. In such a situation, the best method is simply to cut the line at the base of the hook and push it the rest of the way through the skin. This technique will result in a minimum of damage.

Another “friend” of mine once slipped on a rock and hooked himself something fierce in the meat section of the palm about an inch below the pinkie. There wasn’t anyway to push the hook through, so it had to be pulled back out the way it went in. The problem, of course, is the barb could have caused a lot of damage on the way back out. So, what’s the solution?

There are two solutions [excluding the hospital] to avoiding barb damage. The first requires two people. The hooked individual should press the hook slowly toward the curve of the hook. Put another way, you want to compress this curve of the hook. This sounds brutal, but actually should cause the barb to retract from the meat of your hand. The second person then applies pressure to both sides of the entry point to pull it open. The hooked individual should then GENTLY slide the hook out trying to follow the curve of the entry path. Sounds painful, but it works.

If you’re alone, follow the same instructions but you’ll have to do without the pressure. Just go slow and easy. If the hook doesn’t slide, don’t force it. Just head off to the local emergency room.

Catch and release is a good way to fish. Even if you catch yourself.

Bass fishing tournaments to watch out for

Many places in the world have an activity of bass fishing tournaments for them to be known and to record the biggest bass existing on earth.

The tournaments are about luck, only God can say who can catch the largest bass present in the battlefield.

Flexibility is needed in the competition for carrying, and long stamina should be acquired by the players so that they can last the natures test.

And the most important things that the players should have are the skills and experience in bass fishing. These two are the key of success by each "players". This will help them on how they will act and set up strategies on the tournaments.

There are many active tournaments like in Northwestern Ontario. There are huge tournaments to participate in, like the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship on Rainy Lake or the KBI on Lake of the Woods, and some bass fishing tournaments in Sunset Country.

Shoal Lake Bass Classic Tournament occurs in the 1st weekend in July held on Shoal Lake, Ontario. This is the primary fishery in the region with schools of Smallmouths that have never seen a lure before. Smallmouths usually win this tournament, but big Largemouths can be a factor. The winning weight for this two day tournament is usually in the 32-34 pound range!

English River Bass Challenge also occurred in Mid July, Tournament held on the English River System in Grassy Narrows, Ontario. It is a First Nation sponsored bass tournament on the mighty English River in Northwestern Ontario.

Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is help every 3rd week in July. This is Canada's Largest Live Release Cash Bass Tournament, with a total of $172,500.00 in cash prizes.

With a $50,000 first prize, this event on Rainy Lake attracts many of the best bass fishermen from all over North America.. The winning weight for this three day event is usually in the 55 pound range. The tournament first ran in 1995 and has been growing in size and recognition ever since.

Kenora Bass International (KBI) happened every 2nd week in August. This event on Lake of the Woods offers a $30,000 first prize. Anglers here have the opportunity to fish for largemeouths or smallmouths. Largemouths have won the tournament more than smallmouths over the last few years. If the water is high, largest will win, if it is low, smallmouths will be more of a factor. The winning weight for this three day event will be in the 45-50 pound range.

Ding Wang Ford Bass Tournaments is held every 2nd Sunday in August. This a one day Bass Fishing Tournament that welcomes anglers of all ages. The tournament is held in Dryden on the Wabigoon Chain of Lakes (excluding Dinorwic Chain). The smallmouth bass fishing tournament held on Dashawa, Crowrock and Turtle Lakes near Atikokan, Ontario. This chain of pristine northern waters has an abundance of big scrappy smallies.

Anyone who likes fishing can enter the competition. The Atikokan Bass Classic is known as the "funniest bass tourney in the Northwest".

There are lots of tournaments that are presently existing all around the globe, like Crow Lake Classic, Last Chance Bass, Other Fishing Tournaments and Derby's, LOWS Annual Live Release Fish Tournament, Stratton Fish Derby, Agimak Lake Fishing Tournament, Whitefish Bay Fishing Derby and Crow Lake Classic.