Friday, 14 May 2010
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Salmon - An Affordable Luxury By Andrea Flint Platinum Quality Author
Salmon is one of the most versatile fish we can buy, and despite its longstanding reputation as a luxury fish, is nowadays surprisingly affordable.
Salmon are available in both farmed and wild varieties, and while the wild salmon has the edge in terms of both flavour and texture, the quality of the farmed fish has improved greatly over the years and is now a fish that makes thoroughly respectable eating. The comparative rarity of wild salmon, which is only available for half the year between February and August, is at least as responsible as quality for the higher prices it commands compared to its farmed cousins.
Most of the wild salmon you can buy will be from the Atlantic Ocean, both off the shores of North America and Northern Europe, with Scotland being an especially famed source of the fish. Salmon can also be found in the Pacific, although these fish tend to find their way into cans rather than the wet fish counter of your local fishmonger.
An enduring image of wild salmon is of a sleek silver arch of fish leaping up weirs and waterfalls, and this arises because they are are born in freshwater, but spend most of their lives in the sea after migrating while young. They will stay in the sea for between one and four years, before returning to the very same river they were born in to spawn, which is usually their last act before expiring from the exhaustion of the journey upstream.
Farmed salmon, in contrast, spend their entire lives in lochs or river estuaries, swimming in net cages, sometimes at densities higher than is healthy for the fish. Fish farming has gathered something of a bad reputation over the years, and it's true that salmon farms once showed a similar disregard for animal welfare that you'd find in most industrialized farming operations. In recent years, though, public opinion has forced a rethink, and standards have widely improved - you can even find organic farmed fish these days.
When you come to buy salmon, the usual rules for buying fish apply. Make sure you can see a whole fish so that you can get an idea of how fresh it is - the pre-wrapped anonymous fillets packaged in a 'protective atmosphere' you find in many supermarkets is a gamble at best. A fresh fish will have bulging eyes rather than sunken ones, will feel firm to the touch, and should not smell 'fishy' as this indicates that it is past its best.
Depending on how many you are feeding, you can buy a steak which is cut from the shoulder of the fish, a fillet from nearer the tail end, or even a whole fish. Tail end fillets possibly offer the best eating, as they are more or less free of bones apart from the pin bones which can easily be removed during preparation. Steaks, however, are a more meaty cut and are perhaps more suited to cooking methods such as a barbecue or grill.
Whichever cut you buy, you can be assured that your health will benefit - as an oily fish, salmon is high in Omega 3, which has been shown to be of use in preventing heart problems, and is widely believed to be helpful for brain and nervous system development and operation.
Enjoy your salmon!
Andrea writes on food, wine, and gardening issues, and cooks salmon at least once a week.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Flint
Salmon are available in both farmed and wild varieties, and while the wild salmon has the edge in terms of both flavour and texture, the quality of the farmed fish has improved greatly over the years and is now a fish that makes thoroughly respectable eating. The comparative rarity of wild salmon, which is only available for half the year between February and August, is at least as responsible as quality for the higher prices it commands compared to its farmed cousins.
Most of the wild salmon you can buy will be from the Atlantic Ocean, both off the shores of North America and Northern Europe, with Scotland being an especially famed source of the fish. Salmon can also be found in the Pacific, although these fish tend to find their way into cans rather than the wet fish counter of your local fishmonger.
An enduring image of wild salmon is of a sleek silver arch of fish leaping up weirs and waterfalls, and this arises because they are are born in freshwater, but spend most of their lives in the sea after migrating while young. They will stay in the sea for between one and four years, before returning to the very same river they were born in to spawn, which is usually their last act before expiring from the exhaustion of the journey upstream.
Farmed salmon, in contrast, spend their entire lives in lochs or river estuaries, swimming in net cages, sometimes at densities higher than is healthy for the fish. Fish farming has gathered something of a bad reputation over the years, and it's true that salmon farms once showed a similar disregard for animal welfare that you'd find in most industrialized farming operations. In recent years, though, public opinion has forced a rethink, and standards have widely improved - you can even find organic farmed fish these days.
When you come to buy salmon, the usual rules for buying fish apply. Make sure you can see a whole fish so that you can get an idea of how fresh it is - the pre-wrapped anonymous fillets packaged in a 'protective atmosphere' you find in many supermarkets is a gamble at best. A fresh fish will have bulging eyes rather than sunken ones, will feel firm to the touch, and should not smell 'fishy' as this indicates that it is past its best.
Depending on how many you are feeding, you can buy a steak which is cut from the shoulder of the fish, a fillet from nearer the tail end, or even a whole fish. Tail end fillets possibly offer the best eating, as they are more or less free of bones apart from the pin bones which can easily be removed during preparation. Steaks, however, are a more meaty cut and are perhaps more suited to cooking methods such as a barbecue or grill.
Whichever cut you buy, you can be assured that your health will benefit - as an oily fish, salmon is high in Omega 3, which has been shown to be of use in preventing heart problems, and is widely believed to be helpful for brain and nervous system development and operation.
Enjoy your salmon!
Andrea writes on food, wine, and gardening issues, and cooks salmon at least once a week.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Flint
Lairg on Loch Shin, Sutherland County By Simon Haughtone Platinum Quality Author
Lairg is a picturesque village of approximately 700 population in the county of Sutherland, Highland Council Area, Scotland. Lairg is built on the south-facing slope of a gentle hillside at the southeast end of Loch Shin, a 27-kilometer (17 miles) long loch in the Northwest Highlands. In the 1950s the loch's water level was raised some 10 meters (32.5 feet) due to the construction of the construction of Lairg Dam. The purpose of the dam is to provide hydro electric power. The rise in the water level created Little Loch Shin on the border of the village. Little Loch Shin is now a popular boating and fishing area.
Small as it is by most measures, Lairg is one of the largest inland settlements in the north of Scotland. In the 19th century it was provided with a railway station on the Far North Line, which rubs from Inverness to Wick and Thurso in the north. It was believed a Lairg railway station would assist in opening up the interior of Northern Scotland to increased development. Thanks to the station, Lairg is able to serve as the auction center for North Highland sheep, and holds some of the largest sheep auctions in the entire United Kingdom.
In the 1990s two old, established businesses the looked out over the loch at the foot of the Main Street, Sutherland Transport & Trading Company and the Sutherland Arms Hotel, were closed, the buildings demolished. The empty lots in such prime locations are a bit of a sore spot with the locals, but no developer has yet come forward to exploit the properties.
For those interested in exploring the area around Loch Shin, Lairg is the logical home-base. The mountains surrounding the loch are substantial, rising almost a 1,000 meters above sea level. On the eastern shore is 962 metre Ben Klibreck and on the west is 998 meter Ben More Assynt. Loch Shin drains into the North Sea.
For a wide selection of Lairg hotels just click here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Haughtone
Small as it is by most measures, Lairg is one of the largest inland settlements in the north of Scotland. In the 19th century it was provided with a railway station on the Far North Line, which rubs from Inverness to Wick and Thurso in the north. It was believed a Lairg railway station would assist in opening up the interior of Northern Scotland to increased development. Thanks to the station, Lairg is able to serve as the auction center for North Highland sheep, and holds some of the largest sheep auctions in the entire United Kingdom.
In the 1990s two old, established businesses the looked out over the loch at the foot of the Main Street, Sutherland Transport & Trading Company and the Sutherland Arms Hotel, were closed, the buildings demolished. The empty lots in such prime locations are a bit of a sore spot with the locals, but no developer has yet come forward to exploit the properties.
For those interested in exploring the area around Loch Shin, Lairg is the logical home-base. The mountains surrounding the loch are substantial, rising almost a 1,000 meters above sea level. On the eastern shore is 962 metre Ben Klibreck and on the west is 998 meter Ben More Assynt. Loch Shin drains into the North Sea.
For a wide selection of Lairg hotels just click here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Haughtone
Ullapool - A Cozy, Enchanting Fishing Village By Simon Haughtone Platinum Quality Author
Ullapool is a cozy little fishing village nestled along the shores of the Lochbroom and surrounded with mountains on all four sides. It is located roughly an hour from the Inverness airport, and it is the perfect place to stay while exploring the Highlands of Scotland.
This is one of the most beautiful places in the world. There are fabulous, undiscovered beaches; green, majestic forests; hidden glens where you can see deer grazing and beautiful waterfalls crashing to the water below. All of this is scenery that is unspoiled by modernization.
Live entertainment abounds in the evenings throughout the year, and during the day there are many things you can do. Golfers will love the beautiful, challenging golf course. You can swim in a full size swimming pool, explore the old church museum or drive down the breathtaking one lane roads that follow the gulf stream. Add to all of this the fairly mild weather and you have an ideal vacation spot.
Ullapool is well known for its music festivals. People come from everywhere and the town doubles in size during the Loopallu Music Festival. Big name guitarists participate in the Ullapool Guitar Festival, and the entire family can enjoy the entertainment and workshops. You can plan your vacation during these festivals, and make it extra special.
There are so many things to do in this quaint little fishing village that you will never be bored. You can rent a car or a bicycle, take a boat cruise, go sea fishing or loch fishing, stalk deer and enjoy live entertainment. There is even a library for those who love to snuggle up on the sofa and read.
There is a wide selection of Bed and Breakfasts to choose from. They range from charming, small or modern to the traditional or elegant kind. Each one includes a warm welcome and features warm hospitality that will make you feel like you are home.
Step out and plan your next vacation to Ullapool, Scotland where you can enjoy all the things this unique, hospitable fishing village has to offer. It's guaranteed to be a vacation you will never forget.
For accommodation in Ullapool check this list of Ullapool hotels.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Haughtone
This is one of the most beautiful places in the world. There are fabulous, undiscovered beaches; green, majestic forests; hidden glens where you can see deer grazing and beautiful waterfalls crashing to the water below. All of this is scenery that is unspoiled by modernization.
Live entertainment abounds in the evenings throughout the year, and during the day there are many things you can do. Golfers will love the beautiful, challenging golf course. You can swim in a full size swimming pool, explore the old church museum or drive down the breathtaking one lane roads that follow the gulf stream. Add to all of this the fairly mild weather and you have an ideal vacation spot.
Ullapool is well known for its music festivals. People come from everywhere and the town doubles in size during the Loopallu Music Festival. Big name guitarists participate in the Ullapool Guitar Festival, and the entire family can enjoy the entertainment and workshops. You can plan your vacation during these festivals, and make it extra special.
There are so many things to do in this quaint little fishing village that you will never be bored. You can rent a car or a bicycle, take a boat cruise, go sea fishing or loch fishing, stalk deer and enjoy live entertainment. There is even a library for those who love to snuggle up on the sofa and read.
There is a wide selection of Bed and Breakfasts to choose from. They range from charming, small or modern to the traditional or elegant kind. Each one includes a warm welcome and features warm hospitality that will make you feel like you are home.
Step out and plan your next vacation to Ullapool, Scotland where you can enjoy all the things this unique, hospitable fishing village has to offer. It's guaranteed to be a vacation you will never forget.
For accommodation in Ullapool check this list of Ullapool hotels.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Haughtone
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
The art of imitation; how do I select the right fly? by Frank Williams
Many of the fly angler that attend my fly fishing for beginners days want to know the secret to fly selection as many newcomers to the sport view this the most esoteric aspect of fly fishing. There are all sorts of bit and pieces of advice available out there to help you select the right fly to catch fish and a basic knowledge of entomology will always be an advantage. However as a beginner to fly fishing I would recommend that you start by making a selection from your fly box that conforms to silhouette, size and colour in that order. I find that this method gives a reasonable guarantee for success, but not always!
So, despite our best guess using the silhouette, size and colour method, we have failed to rise the fish to our artificial fly. What next? Well the first thing to try in that situation is a change of pattern, say from a classic dry fly (by that I mean a fly that sits right on the surface in imitation of the dun just before it takes the air) to something that sits a little deeper in the surface film. Again this selection should conform to the silhouette, size and colour rule. Patterns that fall in to this second category are the Klinkhammer special or a JT's emerger and are collectively known as emergers. They are basically something that sits a lot lower in the surface film than a classic dry fly, imitating the point in the hatching process that the nymph is leaving its shuck to become a fly just before sits on the surface to dry its wings. During this emergence phase the insect is very venerable as it is not able to fly away.
All that said, there is always the one fish that sits in the margins gently sipping flies but despite your best efforts it continues to feed refusing all that you cast to it. What can we do about getting the right artificial fly to the fish? The method I am about to describe certainly goes a long way to help take the guess work out of the process and was something that I learned for very successful fly fisher that I have had the pleasure of fishing with here in the UK. It is simplicity itself. This method relies on the fact that I now carry a small piece of net in my fishing waistcoat. The net is about 30cm x 15 cm (12' x 6'), so now when I get a tricky fish I stand a casts length below the feeding fish and deploy the net in such a way that the top edge is on or just below the surface. This gives me a good opportunity to examine exactly what is coming downstream in the current. Then with the information I have gleaned from using the net I can then make a much more accurate selection from my fly box and hopefully this will result in success.
I hope you find this information useful and wish you tight lines for your next fishing trip.
About the Author
Frank Williams is a full time professional fly fishing instructor. For more information on the fly fishing for beginners days he organises. Frank Williams also provides fly fishing lessons and casting tuition for fly anglers of all skill levels from beginners to advanced level.
So, despite our best guess using the silhouette, size and colour method, we have failed to rise the fish to our artificial fly. What next? Well the first thing to try in that situation is a change of pattern, say from a classic dry fly (by that I mean a fly that sits right on the surface in imitation of the dun just before it takes the air) to something that sits a little deeper in the surface film. Again this selection should conform to the silhouette, size and colour rule. Patterns that fall in to this second category are the Klinkhammer special or a JT's emerger and are collectively known as emergers. They are basically something that sits a lot lower in the surface film than a classic dry fly, imitating the point in the hatching process that the nymph is leaving its shuck to become a fly just before sits on the surface to dry its wings. During this emergence phase the insect is very venerable as it is not able to fly away.
All that said, there is always the one fish that sits in the margins gently sipping flies but despite your best efforts it continues to feed refusing all that you cast to it. What can we do about getting the right artificial fly to the fish? The method I am about to describe certainly goes a long way to help take the guess work out of the process and was something that I learned for very successful fly fisher that I have had the pleasure of fishing with here in the UK. It is simplicity itself. This method relies on the fact that I now carry a small piece of net in my fishing waistcoat. The net is about 30cm x 15 cm (12' x 6'), so now when I get a tricky fish I stand a casts length below the feeding fish and deploy the net in such a way that the top edge is on or just below the surface. This gives me a good opportunity to examine exactly what is coming downstream in the current. Then with the information I have gleaned from using the net I can then make a much more accurate selection from my fly box and hopefully this will result in success.
I hope you find this information useful and wish you tight lines for your next fishing trip.
About the Author
Frank Williams is a full time professional fly fishing instructor. For more information on the fly fishing for beginners days he organises. Frank Williams also provides fly fishing lessons and casting tuition for fly anglers of all skill levels from beginners to advanced level.
Spring Trout Fishing in UK Reservoirs by sean meegan
Let's take a trip to an upland reservoir in early Spring to see how it's done. Today we'll visit the Washburn valley in Yorkshire and fish Fewston, one of its three large reservoirs.
Tackle
These upland reservoirs can be wild so this is no place for delicate tackle. I'm using a 9.5 ft 8 weight rod, a weight forward line and a 15ft 8lb fluorocarbon leader.
Fish Location
These large reservoirs often appear featureless with their long expanses of exposed mud. The secret is to exploit the topography of the land before it was flooded. Look for old lanes, walls, field barns and streams. Today I choose a spot where a linear scattering of stones on the bank and emergent weed in the water indicate the line of an old wall. Normally I wouldn't enter the water for my first few casts, but on this occasion a sparse line of weed about 5 yards out decides me to wade out so I can fish over it.
Let's catch Fish!
I open my lure box and select a lightly weighted black fritz concrete bowl (all dressings given at the end of this article). I wade out to the weed and make my first cast. I'm not going for distance and I aim to drop the fly just beyond the end of the weed bed, probably no more than 10 yards out. Trout are unlikely to swim through the denser weed and so will swim around the obstruction. This gives a 'pinch point' just off the end of the weed bed where a concentration of fish is likely to occur. Sure enough on my second cast there's a solid thump followed by the rapid, jagging fight of a decent rainbow trout. I soon net a plump trout of just over a pound, which I despatch in the net before unhooking it and transferring it to my bass bag. I now commence to explore the water in front of me thoroughly. Casting along the bank first, then gradually extending my casting distance out to about 25 yards. The retrieve is a slow 'figure of eight' and at first I try to keep the retrieve as smooth and uniform as possible. Slow means slow! Count to three on each leg of the figure of eight in slow waltz time: one-two-three, one-two-tree. At this time of the year and in these unsettled weather conditions the trout are unlikely to be aggressive, so start slow. You're less likely to spook fish and you can always speed things up and add a bit of variety later.
At last!
Over the next hour I land 5 decent trout and lose a couple due to them throwing the hook. I don't strike when I get a take, but continue to retrieve until everything goes solid or the fish makes a dash for freedom. I then start to get abortive takes: quick taps which don't develop into a solid take. Time to ring the changes. I try speeding up the retrieve without success so I change fly to an anorexic Diawl Bach. This results in 2 more fish then the tap tap tap starts again.
Time to Explore
I re-tie my black lure and start to work my way along the bank. The secret is to cast short initially and gradually cast further and further. Move quietly and don't wade until you've explored the margins. Trout will quite happily hang out in a couple of feet of water and it is the shallows that offer much of the food in these upland reservoirs. This is classic reservoir bank fishing. Try a spot for 15 minutes and move. Keep on moving until you find fish. Fish for a while until the takes dry up then move on. Once I've taken my limit I don't bother with a net and simply release the fish in the water. If you don't want to take fish this offers the ultimate in mobility. A spool of line and a fly box in your pocket, with a pair of snips and some forceps on a zinger are all that you need.
Dressings
Concrete Bowl (Sean's version) Hook: size 12 long shank lure hook weighted with one layer of fine lead wire Tail: black marabou Body: black marabou, tied in at the tips Rib: stretched pearl tinsel Thorax: lime green Fritz, trimmed short Thread: black
Diawl Bach (Sean's version) Hook: size 14 wet fly (or a heavy carp hook - I use a size 10 ESP Raptor) Tail: a few ginger cock hackle fibres Body: a single peacock herl (tie short and trim after tying to slim the profile) Rib: stretched pearl tinsel Thread: fluorescent orange
About the Author
Sean Meegan is an experienced fisherman and writes for 'Fishing magic. He contributes regularly through his blog. Sean also manages his own company Synomy, which help companies build brilliant businesses.
Tackle
These upland reservoirs can be wild so this is no place for delicate tackle. I'm using a 9.5 ft 8 weight rod, a weight forward line and a 15ft 8lb fluorocarbon leader.
Fish Location
These large reservoirs often appear featureless with their long expanses of exposed mud. The secret is to exploit the topography of the land before it was flooded. Look for old lanes, walls, field barns and streams. Today I choose a spot where a linear scattering of stones on the bank and emergent weed in the water indicate the line of an old wall. Normally I wouldn't enter the water for my first few casts, but on this occasion a sparse line of weed about 5 yards out decides me to wade out so I can fish over it.
Let's catch Fish!
I open my lure box and select a lightly weighted black fritz concrete bowl (all dressings given at the end of this article). I wade out to the weed and make my first cast. I'm not going for distance and I aim to drop the fly just beyond the end of the weed bed, probably no more than 10 yards out. Trout are unlikely to swim through the denser weed and so will swim around the obstruction. This gives a 'pinch point' just off the end of the weed bed where a concentration of fish is likely to occur. Sure enough on my second cast there's a solid thump followed by the rapid, jagging fight of a decent rainbow trout. I soon net a plump trout of just over a pound, which I despatch in the net before unhooking it and transferring it to my bass bag. I now commence to explore the water in front of me thoroughly. Casting along the bank first, then gradually extending my casting distance out to about 25 yards. The retrieve is a slow 'figure of eight' and at first I try to keep the retrieve as smooth and uniform as possible. Slow means slow! Count to three on each leg of the figure of eight in slow waltz time: one-two-three, one-two-tree. At this time of the year and in these unsettled weather conditions the trout are unlikely to be aggressive, so start slow. You're less likely to spook fish and you can always speed things up and add a bit of variety later.
At last!
Over the next hour I land 5 decent trout and lose a couple due to them throwing the hook. I don't strike when I get a take, but continue to retrieve until everything goes solid or the fish makes a dash for freedom. I then start to get abortive takes: quick taps which don't develop into a solid take. Time to ring the changes. I try speeding up the retrieve without success so I change fly to an anorexic Diawl Bach. This results in 2 more fish then the tap tap tap starts again.
Time to Explore
I re-tie my black lure and start to work my way along the bank. The secret is to cast short initially and gradually cast further and further. Move quietly and don't wade until you've explored the margins. Trout will quite happily hang out in a couple of feet of water and it is the shallows that offer much of the food in these upland reservoirs. This is classic reservoir bank fishing. Try a spot for 15 minutes and move. Keep on moving until you find fish. Fish for a while until the takes dry up then move on. Once I've taken my limit I don't bother with a net and simply release the fish in the water. If you don't want to take fish this offers the ultimate in mobility. A spool of line and a fly box in your pocket, with a pair of snips and some forceps on a zinger are all that you need.
Dressings
Concrete Bowl (Sean's version) Hook: size 12 long shank lure hook weighted with one layer of fine lead wire Tail: black marabou Body: black marabou, tied in at the tips Rib: stretched pearl tinsel Thorax: lime green Fritz, trimmed short Thread: black
Diawl Bach (Sean's version) Hook: size 14 wet fly (or a heavy carp hook - I use a size 10 ESP Raptor) Tail: a few ginger cock hackle fibres Body: a single peacock herl (tie short and trim after tying to slim the profile) Rib: stretched pearl tinsel Thread: fluorescent orange
About the Author
Sean Meegan is an experienced fisherman and writes for 'Fishing magic. He contributes regularly through his blog. Sean also manages his own company Synomy, which help companies build brilliant businesses.
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