Paracord Fishing Lanyards

  One thing this year with my kids was try to learn something new.  One thing was to learn the art of parcord or 550 cord lanyard making.  For anyone out there there is a plethora of online tutorials that we found for free on youtube or just plain Google searches that with step by step show you how to do anything.   This was something my kids and I found easy to pick up on and since we started my boys have started selling some of there work to help them raise money to fund there hobbies.  And yes I help them with it as well.  I have found it somewhat quite relaxing to do.   When we sit together as a family to learn a new pattern and i have there undivided attention, I know that is quality time well spent with the kids.  One lanyard that I was able to taylor to my fishing, I added a whistle, pill bottle for a fishing license and some clippers for cutting fishing line.  The neck lanyards we have started making I feel are customizable to each persons style of fishing.  Hope you like what we have been doing and I hope to see you on the water.  

A Scientific Way Of How I Make Catfish Bait.

  One of my favorite times of the year is upon us and a favorite fish to catch is catfish.  What I would like to share today with you is a way I sometimes prepare bait for catfish.  This is by no way the only way, and everywhere you go someone has there own special way and secrets to doing things.  This is one of my ways.

 Items you will need.

1. Chicken Livers
2. Chicken Gizzards
3. 2 cans of Sardines in oil
4. Garlic Powder
5. Vacuum pump and a vacuum chamber
   

  This is really easy.

1.  Mix all items together in the vacuum chamber
   
   
   
   
2. Hook up machine and remove all the air you can.
   
   
   
   

    As the air is pumped out all the flavors will begin to infuse within each other for the makings of a catfish delight.  I will let this sit in the chamber for about 24 hours, every now and then shaking it around to stir it up.  As you do this you will be able to see bubbles rise in the chamber showing you the good stuff is getting all in.

    After 24 hours I will freeze half for another time and the other half will be place in another container that will sit outside in a safe place for
One or two days to stink up prior to using.
 
The gizzrds will hold up un the hook longer than just the liver but the oils from the liver and the sardines is what will help carry the scent and bring the fish to the bait.
This method has given me good luck in the past and i hope that you will find this will help you out and give you an idea for your own brew for a catfish magnet, until then tight lines and happy fishing.

A Clean Up For Your Waterways

 
  Here is an opportunity that is easy to get started and will make a great difference in your community to help preserve the waterways we all love to enjoy.  This story takes place in Virginia Beach Virginia but other states and cities have their own programs as well.  This program is called The Adopt A Stream Program.

 For a longtime I have always wanted to start something that would be beneficial to the environment and improve the way we see the waters I like to fish.  After joining the Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association I found an opportunity to start a cleanup after seeing tons of trash in areas that looked like were getting ignored.

 Myself and others I'm sure have always been taught to leave an area better than you found it but that wasn't what I was happening.  I did a little searching on the internet I quickly found the answers I was looking for from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Adopt A Stream Program.  With a quick phone call with Sheila Mary Barnett the Environmental Educator with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. She was able to send me the information I needed and answer any questions I had to help me on my way to get this program started with my club.  Inside the packet was all the guidelines and step by step things to look for when setting up your own cleanup.  This was easy and it was a simple application for an area that I faxed in and was quickly approved for.  Another great bonus I found with this program was that they also send you supplies like bags, gloves and orange vest to help you with your cleanup.  To get rid of the trash we collected I made arrangements with the Virginia Aquarium who also takes care of a section of the same waterway though the City of Virginia Beach Adopt a Stream Program. And they have already asked for our joint combined help in future cleanups.

  Things were now on a rolling pace I set a date and went to request volunteers from the club.  Our first date was completely rained out with hi winds and thunderstorms that wouldn't have made for a great time on the water so we moved to the 19th of October and has still wet but better conditions.

  First to arrive, my sons and I quickly set up with the supplies and sign up sheet for the cleanup to hand out as volunteers started to arrive.  Still with the rain I was wondering if anyone would show but soon we ended up with a total of 11 people to assist with the cleanup efforts.  One set of Volunteers Anthony and Shan from Inkblot tees donated a batch of T shirts to the club to give out for free to the people helping.  Set up for after the event the club even pitched in to buy pizzas for all the help.  We were on our way to make a difference for our waterway.

 
  Every one now out cleaning trash.

Everyone quickly was able to get to areas that needed great attention. We found trash everywhere.

 

  From the shore to on land we found trash everywhere.

  This is a great opportunity to get you kids involved in the environment and teach them good morals.

I had my boat all loaded down and back to the boat ramp we went.

As people showed back up we found we had collected 21 bags of trash a chair and other stuff that was now removed from our waterways.

This ended up being a very successful event and we even got to the local news.  http://www.wavy.com/news/local/va-beach/volunteers-help-remove-trash-from-water

  Now with all this cleanup done for now lessons learned would be to have more bags, we ran out.  This was a 2 hour event and everyone there put forth the effort and it was much needed.  We made a difference out there and as we hit the boat ramp with all the trash it felt good to be greeted with thanks from the onlookers from shore. 

  This is an easy program to get into and anyone can do it.  From a small family to a club like the TKAA anyone can make your waterway in your community better.  Ask yourself, what can you do in your area to make it better.  See ya on the water.

The Lake Tecumseh Trip

 

   This is off a canal from Lake Tecumseh that has a narrow dam to cross over at the end.  The water is about the clearest I've seen around here and depth around 1 to 20 feet in a vast portion of this area. We caught 4 all bass around 16 in and 2 White perch. 

 

 

 

Son Angelo got his first bass here. Using deep diving cranks and white curly tailed grubs on jig heads

 

 

 

Here is a little video of our trip.  We hope that you like it.

 

 

  After were we done fishing we went over to the boat portage and had a little fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We made it back to the boat launch and it was time to go home.

 

 

Mission Accomplished and a well traveled day .  He deserved this nap.

 

 

The End