Greetings!

I live in Michigan... If you lived here, you would need a license. Although, here in this state; there is a tremendous price break for us older folk. The normal yearly fishing license is $35 and if you are fortunate enough to be over 65, the annual license is $11. I think it's a prertty good deal. :)

Your state may very well have it's own rules, so the best way to find out is to check out your state's rules... this can be done easily online. My fishing license states "all waters, all species" as to it's limits to the waters I can fish in and what I can catch. Of course all the other rules like size limits daily bag limits, and other normal rules still apply.

Best Regards and God Bless!
Fred Williams

Wow!!! Nice fish Big A.

Those big ones pretty much put up a fight worth remembering. for darn sure.

Best Regards and continued Good Luck. Thanks for the picture!
Fred Williams

I'm not for certain sure that any "human scent" makes any kind of difference. I've been fishing my entire life and never spent anything on fish attracting sprays, mixes, koolaid, or used water in the bottom of an old tire. Fishes for me are either going to bite or not.

If I were to choose from the many options described here, my dirty digits whilst fishing is covered over by the minnows, crickets, and worms I have used for bait.

It seems to me that if you have to use some type of fish attracting "magic potion"... you're most likely doing something else wrong whilst trying to catch fish. (OK, maybe I am a purist here, but still)

Just Saying so.

Best Regards and Good Luck!
Fred Williams

For me, I get up at the break of noon... your mileage may vary there Saw :)

Best Regards,
Fred Williams

Nice bucket o' fish there Mike... I'm just curious about where you found a sideways vertical lake and fish for dinner... :)

Best Regards and Happy Thoughts,
Fred Williams

I'm up-voting Jasper2006's answer here. That answer pretty much explains everything I was going to write about the question asked here.

Remember too, that your fly line can naturally degrade due to environmental issues like UV rays, excessive heat within your chosen vehicle, and other naturally occurring circumstances... like dust and dirt, age, humidity, and so on. When I am done fishing, I personally take my reel off the rod and keep it in the cute little black cloth bag I got when I originally purchased it. Thank you for that, Orvis... ;)

Best Regards and Good Luck!
Fred Williams

Maybe not only needle nosed pliers, a good pair of forceps works exceptionally well too... these useful devices can be found in longer lengths, and are much narrower than needle nosed pliers. The smaller over all size of forceps can make it easier to see what you're doing. Of course, crushing the barb on a hook makes removal even easier.

Best Regards and Good Luck!
Fred Williams

And your point is what? I see no relevance whatsoever to fishing... Of course, as well as your argument seems to be well thought out, it appears to be way outside my experiences when catching fish.

Best Regards and Good Luck!
Fred Williams

Hey there JRB!
You will likely find more techniques than you can shake a cricket at. Welcome to you!

Best Regards and Good Luck,
Fred Williams

All the suggestions that you offer are spot on, especially the "asking for permission" ones.

Best Regards and Good Luck!
Fred Williams

Minnows, crickets, and worms is the overall way to catch fish in freshwater... Although I fly fish now-a-days, the just mentioned three baits always seem to somehow work. That is of course, your chosen body of water is not located somewhere in the Sahara Desert. :)

Best Regards and Good Luck!
Fred Williams

Hey there oldsalt,

My reply didn't take into account those who have families... I'm just an olde tyme single person. ;)

Best Regards and Good Luck!
Fred Williams

I'm somewhat amused here... all these folk talking about a need to carry some six, eight, or even twelve fishing rods on any given fishing trip. My brain is going WTF??? as to why would someone would need that many for a recreational fishing voyage on any given day. I do understand that those who tournament fish can have a need for multiple rods all rigged up with multiple lures... but really? A half dozen or more for a day's worth of recreational fishing??

Although carrying some many multiple rods when moving your belongings from house to house makes sense for that relocation situation... simply taking more than a couple of them on a day fishing trip seems a bit silly. My fishing education for taking a second rod comes from learning that "just in case" your primary favorite rod breaks, you still have an extra rod for the chance to keep on fishing or go home for the day.

It may be that I've misunderstood the OP's original question here, or some of the replies... however carrying more than two (or even three) rods on a day's worth of fishing is like using a nuclear weapon to kill a mosquito. :)

Best Regards and Good Luck!!!
Fred Williams

Greetings Dennis,

My rod happens to be of the 4 piece variety. Other than being much easier to carry (unassembled) through the taller grasses and trees on the way to the water, I've found it convenient to pack into the trunk of my car.

Having snapped off the tip of a rod or two in a door or a trunk lid at some points in my life, I've found that the reduction of that kind of frustration overrides any inconvenience I've had that can easily ruin an otherwise well-planned fishing day. Your experiences may be different than mine... however, I get happier when I put my rod together on the shore of a lake or river, and end up with some kids around who watch with fascination as I put it all together to go fishing.

So, yes... I'd vote for the multi-piece rods for all these reasons.

Best Regards and Good Luck!!
Fred Williams

Howdy Dan From Long Island...

Yay and congrats to you Dan!!! I know that for myself, catching a fish on my new fly rod was also amazing when I did that too. I am happy to hear you have now done the same thing.

When I first started fishing with flies, I was totally unbelieving that something "fake" could gather bites and fish. The first time that happened for me was also an amazing experience that I definitely will remember for the rest of my life. Before that... fishing had always been minnows, crickets, and worms. :)

I am happy for your victory during your fishing experiences!

Best Regards and Good Luck!
Fred Williams