Planning for Ice Fishing: Supplies to Fish in Comfort

Ice fishing is a fun and relaxing sport for many people, because ice fishing allows you to slow down the pace of life enough to relax and get lost in your own thoughts. It also gives those in colder climates a chance to get out of the house for a while and remain warm even when it’s frigid outside. Others enjoy the communal benefits of fishing with friends, family, and children. It’s a great time to get reconnected. Lots of sport supply websites now offer supplies to make your fishing experience even better. From icehouses to poles to seats to coolers, you can be prepared to spend the whole day at the lakeside or in the middle of the lake. Here are a few great supplies to enhance your ice fishing experience. 

Warm Outerwear

Any cold-climate outdoorsman will tell you that the key to staying outside for long periods at a time is dressing in the right outerwear. For ice fishing, you want layers, so you can wear the heaviest layers while you’re outside, and take them off as you warm up inside an icehouse. Keeping your feet, head, and hands are key to staying outside for long periods of time. You also want to stay dry. Invest in some good snow pants; waterproof, well-insulated boots; heavy waterproof gloves; a warm hat; and a good jacket. 

Seating

You’ll need good places to sit while ice fishing, so invest in some seating that you can easily fold up and take with you in and out of an icehouse. To get the most use out of your furniture, consider getting items that can double as patio furniture in the spring and summer. Mill Race Garden Centre has some options – visit the site to view them.

Other Supplies

You’ll want to bring drinks, food, music, and other items to make your icehouse your home away from home. Invest in a good cooler, a radio or MP3 player, and other battery powered devices to make your experience pleasant. Having a good saw to cut through the ice is also vital for making your experience pleasant. Safety is always key. Make sure you know the thickness of the ice your fishing on and check local listings to ensure safety for everyone. Listen to and look for posted warnings before proceeding with this fun and rewarding sport.

Samantha is considering ice fishing and so she decided to do research on what to wear and what to bring for her next outdoor venture!

Hunting With A Range Finder - Outdoor Tactics

Hunting with a Range Finder
There are many challenges that hunters face while in pursuit of their game. One of the common mistakes made by hunters is to aim higher than necessary, thereby missing an easy target. The secret of successful hunting is an accurate shot. However, proper tools are very important for this. Range finders are quite affordable and are available in different configurations.

Misjudging the Distance
This kind of error in shooting is mainly caused due to the distance of the target. It is quite difficult to judge distances merely with the naked eye.  You can make use of a range finder and check out the range of various objects. Many spots that seem out of range will actually be quite easily within the reach of the rifle and does not require a high aim.

Range Finder
Range finders can help you in estimating the distance and offer greater peace of mind to the hunter. You can measure the reach of the rifle better and better estimate a kill radius. It will enable you to identify the circling limit within which you can accurately fire on anything. When the perfect buck is present before you, you must be sure of the distance and know exactly how far you are from your target. Range finders can increase your shooting confidence, as the hunter can concentrate on executing the shot rather than judging the exact distance.

Latest Models
The latest models of range finders make use of high technology, with both binocular and monocular types. They offer great relief for the eye and the lenses are non-glare ones that prevent fogging as well. The models are small in size and can be kept in your pocket, as they are also very light. There are also large tripods available. You can buy a range finder suitable for your hunting methods, such as for archery or for shotgun hunting.

 Author's Note: As an avid camper, I love to hunt and fish. One of the ways to go about getting all the equipment is to check out Affordable Knives at Online Knife Show and reviewing other camping related accessories.

Enhanced Safety
A good quality range finder can also offer greater safety. The hunter gets an additional margin of safety, as he can identify the target and also view the behind of the target, so that tragedies can be averted. The hunter gets an edge by being able to observe without getting too close to the target or frightening the subject. Range finders can also magnify the target, so that you can check out whether it is a legal target. For instance, you can see whether it is a male deer or a female one by looking for the antlers.

Big Game Hunting
You can use range finders typically for big game hunter, for instance while hunting deer or elk, as they are seen from a distance and it can be quite difficult to get close to them. Accuracy is very important in this case, as the shots are mostly made from distances of more than 300 yards. After getting the information regarding the distance of the target, you can make adjustments to the elevation and the windage before taking the shot. Of course, each gun is unique and you must know your weapon well so that you are able to make the required adjustments quickly. With the help of the range finder, you can then make a kill in a single shot.

Citations:

• hunting

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How to Setup a Goldfish Pond? Need Assurance

Topic: The decision has been made that I am going to create a fishpond in the back of my yard. My husband isn't thrilled about the project but he has allowed me to do so. No I just need some help or some pointers on how I can do this effectively. Can somebody walk me through what supplies I will need for the entire set up and what I need to keep the fish healthy?

Answer from Guest:
Basically what you're going to need to do is to big giant hole inside of your yard and get aligner that is made of plastic to put on the bottom. The pond liners are the most expensive but they really help the fish and help keep the pond as clean as possible because without it it will get a lot dirtier than you think. What most people do is just put the liner down after the whole his dug and then put around 6 inches of dirt on top of it to hold it in place so you won't even notice it's actually there.

Then you're going to have to fill it with water and it should hold itself pretty easily and you're going to have to get used to adding water because it evaporates on a pretty good level. The goldfish will be glad to see that the new water is added anyhow because they're old water well get kind of stinky and new water just helps build oxygen. Here is a good link click here to follow on goldfish care and setup.

Once you have all the water set up you're going to want to figure out a high-powered filter. This is very key to keeping your fish healthy and a lot of people if the pond is large enough you won't need a filter but if it's medium-sized you will need a filter. It kind of sucks because they use a lot of electricity and you're going to have to change the filter pad on a biweekly basis.

What really helps us to at other creatures and animals to help create a complete ecosystem that really adds to it. Live plants will really add benefit and help clean your water more than what you never know. And make sure that you don't overpopulated too much because goldfish can grow up to a foot long on average. And you can overpopulate the fishpond pretty easily if you don't keep up with filter and adding new water once in a while.

It's actually quite fun and children actually love fishponds and I really like take care of mine. I sold a couple houses because I'm a realtor in Nevada and fishponds really add value to the people are buying it because it's just very kind of a cool thing.

Even though your husband doesn't like it right now I'm sure after it's all finished and he gets to go feed the fish early in the morning he's going to come around on the idea and actually enjoy it.

Three Reasons Pond Pumps are Important

Many people weigh the possibility of building a “natural” backyard pond without filtration and pond pumps to clean it and circulate water. While it’s possible to create this type of pond, it may take a lot more work in the beginning and will certainly take more time, energy, and expertise to maintain. Pond filters and pumps are relatively inexpensive, last a long time, and will save you hours of time when you could be relaxing in your backyard garden instead of maintaining it. You can find good quality pond pumps and more information from Swallow Aquatics. Here are three reasons why pond pumps are important.
http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/ponds/pond-pumps.html

Decrease Mosquitos and Other Insects
Even the most beautiful outdoor spaces will deter guests if pesky mosquitoes or other insects crash the party. Likewise, even the smallest ponds can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects. When water lies stagnant in an enclosed area, mosquitoes are very likely to build their nests and reproduce, multiplying their families in the spaces you want to relax. A pond pump keeps the water in your pond moving, preventing their nests. You can have the beauty of the pond without inviting unwanted guests to your outdoor gatherings.

Keep the Water Clean
Pond pumps allow your pond filtration system to thoroughly clean the water. Without a pond pump, your water won’t get enough movement to be fully cleaned, so it’s important to use a pump to feed the water in its entirety through filtration. If you have fragile fish or plants in your pond, it’s also important to clean the pond, so harmful bacteria doesn’t grow. Pond pumps limit bacteria growth without using harmful chemicals that may hurt your fish and plants. Pond pumps can also help sift out large items, such as leaves and sticks, before they reach your filter, preserving the life of your equipment.

Add Flow to Your Garden Features
With a pond pump, it’s relatively easy to set up a waterfall or other stylistic features that will add beauty and class to your backyard space. The sound of flowing water creates a gentle ambience that will add peace and tranquility to your outdoor space. Ponds are very simple, but they add so much to an outdoor space. Add in beautiful fish, vibrant plants, stones, and water features to give yourself a place of solace and impress your guests.

Betsey is busy enhancing her garden and decided to do some research on why pond pumps are important.

Where Can I Ask Aquarium Fish Questions?

Question: I have a bunch of different aquarium questions but I'm just trying to figure out a good place that I can send them to have specialists answer my questions for free. I'm not looking to pay anything but just have somebody help me even if it's not a specialist that would be fine but just someone that has more knowledge about the topics that idea because I'm very new and a beginner level.

Ricky shared:
What you should do is go visit some of the fish forms and become a member of them and just slowly start asking your questions without bombing the platforms because some of them really hate that and I will come across as crappy. It's important to stick with quality instead of quantity because these people are pretty smart and you have to remember that most of these guys that take care of these fish are very smart and might even do it as a living as a career.

Tony shared:
You could always go to a bigger website to like Yahoo answers and ask a bunch of questions are there because even though it's a huge platform they are still a lot of people that specialize in the fish aquariums section and you'll still get a lot of good results even though you might have to filter out a lot of crappy results. In my experience I've had a lot better luck with finding fast answers on a site like that versus the small forums where you're going to get better answers but it's going to take a lot longer and sometimes you don't have all that time to wait around.
http://fishinnpost.weebly.com/new-threads.html

Kevin shared:
There are plenty of sites on the web and when she can go and share about your questions and young lancers just isn't the only one because there are a lot of specialized websites that will just find interest in answering your questions. If you're really having trouble finding answers though you might just want to consult your pet store in which you bought the fish from or your equipment because it kind of obligated to give you answers if you bought your equipment or wildlife from that. Because if you bought your fish from that store their kind of obligated to tell you how to care for it if you know what I mean. I remember when I was in the fish community and I was keeping fish as a hobby I remember my pet store would guarantee my fish lived up to 90 days or else they would replace it and help me learn how to care for my fish better.

Castaic Frog Brigade Review: My Personal Opinion

I love this bait, which seems to be closely inspired by the Alabama Umbrella. The Frog Brigade is designed to attach up to four hollow-body top water frogs to a main frog. This bait is different from the Alabama in that it allows the top water fanatics something to play with.

However, first glances play way to reality. Do four frogs usually hang out together in nature? The Alabama rig works so well because a small school of fish (swimbaits) swimming together makes sense, in fact it is expected. A group of frogs together, in close proximity seems a little odd and downright rare.

Another observation of this rig is that the lines which attach from the main frog to the four hollow-bodies are a little loose. This causes the rig to be tangled more than half the time. The spacing also does not feel natural. Perhaps a stiffer element could have been used instead of a traditional monofilament line.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-lGH57xoys

The frogs you can attach yourself, so you can pick your favorite snag-proof frogs. Maybe you have a Matzuo Kroaker sitting around that could be rigged up. However the swivels, on the main unit, do get stuck a fair amount in the weeds, making weedless frogs hardly useful. Theoretically, you could swap them out for another kind of lure meant for top water fishing. The other solution is to avoid the weeded areas, however the defeats the purpose of using a frog, designated for fishing brush and weeded patches.

What about the price? At $20 a rig it does seem a little pricey. Alabama rigs can be much less costly than that.

Finally, we have to remember how difficult one bass is to reel in with a hollow-body frog. Imagine up to four! Not only would this be near impossible but, would likely take an entire team of fisherman to help reel in. Nevertheless, the manufacturer claims pulling in three fish have been accomplished plenty of times during trials and testing.

If it were me, I would stick with an Alabama Umbrella rig. Although the legality per state is still hard to understand, on both lures, you are likely to have a much more enjoyable and successful fishing experience.

Pond Plants And Their Purpose Around Natural Habitat

Introduction
One of the main reasons for having plants in your pond is to oxygenate and help to filter the water. There are however many other reasons, both aesthetic and practical, for taking the time to plant your pond.

Types of Plant
There are 6 categories of plant known as zones, and each zone relates to the level of water in which you can house your plants.

• Zone 1 plants can be planted in the shallowest areas and can even be planted in the earth around the edge of the pond, particularly if the pond is apt to overflow. The plants that do well in Zone 1 are generically known as Bog Plants and include, Bog Bean, Chinese Globe Flower, Cuckoo Flower and Forget-Me-Not
• Zone 2 and 3 plants need to be planted in baskets, well below the surface, with soil specially prepared for pond conditions (Aquatic Compost). The plants that do well in Zones 1 and 2 are generically  known as Marginal’s and include, Iris, Arrowhead, Creeping Jenny and Common Cotton Grass
• Zone 4 and 5 plants also need to be in baskets but are placed in the deepest part of the pond in soil specially prepared for pond conditions (Aquatic Compost). The plants that do will in Zones 4 and 5 are generically known as Deep Water Plants and include Lilies, Water Hawthorn and Golden Club
• Zone 6 plants float on the surface of the water and need no additional soil, they will move around the pond with the water flow and are generically known as Floating Plants, and include Fibre Optic Plant, Hair Grass, Hornwort and Water Soldier.

The Benefits of a Well Planted Pond
In addition to oxygenating your pond, plants will also provide cover and shade for your fish in the summer and protection during the winter. The plants will also help to naturally filter the water and absorb a lot of the excess nutrients, reducing algae growth. It will encourage breeding if there are areas where fish can safely spawn, reducing the chance of the eggs being eaten by other fish. Once the eggs have hatched the babies will look for places to hide until they grow big enough not to be eaten by larger fish, and it will be around the Deep Water Plants near the bottom of the pond where the babies will seek refuge.

The right combination of plants will create a natural ecosystem that will require little or no intervention from chemicals to correct and balance the water quality, and will considerably reduce the amount of pond maintenance you have to carry out consequently; your fish will be healthier. There are also lots of other wildlife and species that thrive from these plants in ponds. Ducks, turtles and tortoises, insects, and so much more. They really are the source of new oxygen being brought into the water.

Conclusion

A pond that has been planted with consideration and forethought will have plants growing throughout the year. If you find that your fish have a tendency to nibble on the roots or leaves of the plants to the point where they are causing serious damage, you may want to consider supplementing or increasing their food intake because they may be hungry.

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Jason Balchand is a fish hobbyist who writes for a couple of pond and aquarium blogs. If you would like to read more of his work you can follow him at his main blog or on Twitter.