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How to clean your rod and reel after a day of fishing?

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How to clean your rod and reel after a day of fishing?

Today there are many brands of high-quality and affordably priced fishing equipment.  However, no matter what equipment you have, it will not last long without proper care and maintenance. 

Fishing tackle maintenance is essential and must not be overlooked if you want to extend its useful life, as it may suffer serious damage if we do not practice basic care.  

One common mistake made by fishing novices is that they often do not clean their tackle at the end of the day. This is not only a matter of aesthetics, but we must remember that all dirt and grime from the rivers and lakes can lead to significant rod defects.

Regardless of the type of fishing you practice, fishing equipment must always be washed with fresh water after use, with a hose or watering can, including the rod, reel, lures, lines, and even the flies. After they are washed, it is important to let them dry and wipe them down with a dry cloth before storage.

With respect to the reel, this tends to undergo the most wear and tear, so it is important to perform the corresponding maintenance. However, without the proper knowledge, we can damage the reel and create problems for future fishing expeditions. The reel should ideally be taken directly to a specialized shop that offers this service, as per the manufacturer’s indications.

It is very important not to forget to clean the rods with fresh water, always cleaning the guides with a wet rag and drying the entire rod with dry cloth before storage. Under no circumstances should the tackle be put away while still wet. When the rod is not washed, the guides can deteriorate and rust, which can soon lead the external structure of the guide to break off from the inner material of the guides, regardless of whether it is ceramic, steel, or any other.

It is essential to understand that a well-kept line will have a greater useful life. Many fishermen fail to clean their equipment and have to buy new tackle quite frequently. The worst part is not having to change it out, but rather the risk that when you most require resistance is when it breaks. To make this easier, wet a rag with fresh water and place it on the last guide of the rod, pulling it back to completely remove any dirt buildup. This must be done after your last casting of the day.

The season is beginning shortly, and it is important to start it off with your equipment in optimal conditions. We wish you a great start to this season and remember to release your catches so that we can preserve the fish and their environment.

Reference

 Yellow Tail Pesca (2018) Mantenimiento del Equipo De Pesca. 

 Alvarez, Andres (2019) Limpieza de una caña de mosca. Taken from https://www.a-alvarez.com/blog/pesca/consejos-pesca/limpieza-de-una-cana-de-mosca/4613

How to minimize harm to the fish while fishing

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How to minimize harm to the fish while fishing

Recreational fishermen are focused on conservation and respecting the species they catch, in order to cause as little harm as possible when returning them to the rivers and lakes. However, certain techniques, tricks and recommendations are required to achieve sustainable fishing.

Here we offer some tips to minimize harm to the fish while fishing:

  • When catching a fish, you must reel it in until you can pick it up with your hand. It is important to keep the fish in the water as long as possible until you are close enough to hold it. We suggest increasing the reel drag but try to avoid the fish from struggling or jumping to exhaustion.

Note: Ideally hold the fish as little as possible, but if you must touch it, make sure your hands are wet, or the fish’s scales and protective layer could stick to your hands, making the fish less equipped to survive in the water.

  • When holding the fish in your hands around their pectoral fins (the fins just below their gills), it is important to hold it firmly to avoid it from flopping and shaking free. It will be harder for the fish to escape from this position.

Note: Avoid holding the fish by the jaw, or it will flop in the air and try to return to the water, which will make it hard to grab it again. Also consider placing the fish in a rubber fishing net because it not only retains a little bit of water, it prevents damage to our catch, and avoids problems with the hooks. It is less probable that the fish will flop around if it can lie in a little bit of water. It may be easier to take out the hook, if the fish is relatively calm and you do not have to hold it in the air.

  • Catch and release the fish quickly because it is less probable that the fish will survive after release if you reel it in slowly and it struggles until exhaustion. However, if you catch and release a fish without subjecting it to excessive stress, it can recover in 24 hours, to the point of not suffering any significant effects from the experience.
  • Use barbless hooks, one option is flattening the barb on the hook to cause less damage to the fish’s mouth and remove it easily and quickly. There are studies that show that certain types of fish, like the striped bass, caught with a circular hook or barbless hook are 11 times more likely to survive than those caught with J hooks. 

Note: According to Sernapesca regulations in Chile, it is absolutely forbidden to use triple (three-point) hooks due to the probability that these hooks can get embedded in a vein and kill the fish.

  • If the hook is caught in the fish’s mouth, try sliding it and removing it directly from the lip. It is important to avoid tearing the lip when pulling the hook out.

Note: Take your time when removing the hook, because it is important to not cause deeper lacerations to the fish and cause it to bleed in the water.

  • Use fishing tools that offer you a more precise hold on the hook and eliminate the risk of being bitten by the fish, like Kelly forceps or needle nose pliers. If the fish does not have sharp teeth and the hook is not deeply embedded in the skin, you can remove the hook with your fingers.

Note: Use the forceps to bend the hook and remove it from the point of entry. If you straighten the hook, it may be easier to pull it out without harming the fish. You can also use pliers to flatten the barb on your hook. This will make it easier to unhook.

  • Click Click Picture time! The fish must be in the water when taking the picture. If you do take it out of the water, it must be kept as close as possible and submerged between pictures so that it can breathe. The key is to do it fast and count “1,2,3” … click.  

Once we have decided to catch and release, we put the fish back in the water… but how?

The recommendation is to release the fish where you caught it or in a safe area where it can quickly get its bearings back on its own. It is also important to give it time to swim away before casting your line again.

Never throw the fish back in the water, but try to slide it in so it does not die from shock or impact. Try to always hold the fish firmly with two hands and carry it as close as possible to the edge of the water before letting it go.

Each country, city and region has its own fishing regulations. Therefore, we recommend that you research ahead of time and respect the limits established by the Fishing Department in each country to avoid destabilizing the ecosystem and ruining the area for future fishermen.

Reference

Fly Dreamers (2019) Consejos para devolver el pez correctamente. Taken from https://www.flydreamers.com/es/articulos/10-consejos-para-devolver-un-pez-correctamente-a1593

How Stuff Works (2018) Tips for removing fish hook. Taken from https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/fishing/fish-conservation/responsible-fishing/5-tips-for-removing-fish-hooks.htm

Wiki How (2019) Quitarle el anzuelo a un pez. Taken from https://es.wikihow.com/quitarle-el-anzuelo-a-un-pez

It’s Time To Lose Yourself In The Chilean Patagonia

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It’s Time To Lose Yourself In The Chilean Patagonia

Melimoyu Lodge is located at Kilometer 37 on the road to Puerto Raúl Marín Balmaceda coming from La Junta, among the rainforests that surround the Melimoyu Volcano and the Queulat snowdrift. This lovely place invites you to relax and experience unforgettable adventures in one of the Chilean Patagonia’s most pristine areas.

Without a doubt, it is a paradise for fly fishing enthusiasts thanks to the crystal-clear rivers that run through it. This area is mainly home to brown and rainbow trout, but there are also Chinook salmon that swim upstream to spawn where they were born.

The Lodge is warm, cozy and well designed, built with mostly native wood. There are only 4 guest rooms -all with views of the Melimoyu Volcano- that combine comfort and relaxation to guarantee profound rest. Among the facilities is a “quincho” or barbeque pit so that guests can enjoy sharing their stories with other fishermen and talk about fishing the next day.

Although fly fishing is the star of the show here at the Lodge, there are also other options for excursions such as birdwatching, kayak, walks along trails that are almost unexplored as well as bike riding or rides in the buggy, horseback riding, thermal springs in the untouched landscapes of the Patagonia and the new hot tub where you can relax and recharge energy after an exciting day of activity.

Melimoyu Lodge features a heliport in order to meet the specific needs of guests that prefer to arrive more comfortably in helicopter. Additionally, there is a new fishing activity: Helifishing. Here, guests have the ability to reach lakes and rivers with tons of fish which are almost inaccessible to other fishermen.

The area where Melimoyu is located teems with biodiversity all its own. Made up of rivers, volcanoes, glaciers, and snowdrifts, you can spot foxes, Darwin frogs, pygmy Andean deer and native birds rarely seen by others, such as the churrín del Sur, chucao and peuquito.

When it comes to cuisine at the Lodge, the chefs really know how to fully express the flavors of ingredients, with flavorful and local cuisine, offering a menu that includes a variety of red meats, fish and foul, fresh salads and a variety of desserts, cakes, pies, and tarts. Not only that, there is a delicious and juicy spit-roasted lamb to delight guests.

The Lodge offers an All-included package starting at 2 nights, that in addition to expeditions with bilingual guides, offers an open bar and all meals by chefs from the area that really know how to cook with local Patagonian ingredients. Transport to and from the Balmaceda airport and Chaitén Aerodrome are also included. For those not looking for all-inclusive, the Lodge also offers a “Half-Board” for travelers wanting to spend the night and then continue their journey along the wonderful Carretera Austral in their own vehicle.

Without a doubt, it is an unforgettable experience in which the landscape, service, wildlife, and people will make your stay a dream come true.

Exempt Resolution N° 05

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Chinook Salmon fishing has become one of the most attractive programs for sport fishermen in Chile and abroad for the satisfaction of catching the biggest and fighter fish in freshwater. It becomes exciting to have a very silvery, healthy, vigorous and very large Chinook in your hands, as big as the excitement that fishing and hoisting produces. A real beauty!

That said, dear fishermen friends, we inform you that during the 2019 – 2020 season Chinook salmon fishing will take place from October 12 to January 15, 2020 which admits the fishing without return of a maximum of 2 specimens of Chinook salmon per day per fisherman without weight limits.

Exempt Resolution No. 05 of August 22, 2019 establishes the measures in the Aysen Region. The resolution is announced by the Ministry of Economy, Development, and Tourism and Regional Directorates of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Aysen Region.

Fly-Fishing: Chilean Patagonia

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Fly-Fishing: Chilean Patagonia

For all fly-fishing enthusiasts, we bring you important information about the south of Chile.

The geographical and meteorological conditions of the Aysen Region offer the perfect habitat for the reproduction and survival of salmonid species. This is what makes the Chilean Patagonia the ideal destination for avid fly-fishers.

Just the word Patagonia awakens great hope among fly-fishers, and that is not to mention the enormity of its lakes and incredible beauty of its rivers, which meet the expectations of all different types of fishermen.

The most common species are rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, and Chinook salmon. This sporting activity is regulated by Sernapesca – the National Fishing and Aquaculture Service – therefore, fishermen are required to comply with the regulations established to preserve the environment where they practice. During the entire process, fishermen must obtain a fishing permit and comply with the corresponding authorized areas and methods.

According to Sernapesca rules, the fishing season generally begins in October and ends in early May:

In the Aysen Region rivers, the catch and release period goes from October 12th to November 30th. Between December 1st and February 28th, fishermen are allowed to extract a maximum of 3 fish or the equivalent of 15 kg. From March 1st to May 6th, all fish caught must be released back into the water, followed by closed season until the following October.

In the case of lakes, the dates vary a little. The fishing season begins on October 12th and is catch and release until November 9th. From November 10th to April 1st, fishermen are allowed to extract a maximum of 3 fish or 15 kg. Then from April 2nd to May 6th, all fish caught must be released back into the water, followed by closed season until the following October.

In the case of Chinook Salmon, the fishing season goes from October 12th to January 15th, with a maximum extraction of 2 fish.

There are three key aspects to keep in mind for luring trout: the location of the trout, proper fly selection and fly presentation.

In catch and release areas, seasons and required-release species, barbless hooks must be used, or the hook must be de-barbed, and all fish caught must be immediately released into the water, alive and with the least possible damage.

If we want to keep fishing for many years to come, we must learn to respect the catch and release regulations, as that is the only way we will be able to continue enjoying fly-fishing in the future.

Reference
Sernapesca (2020) Calendario de Pesca. Taken from the website: normarecreativa.sernapesca.cl