OCR Text |
Show -.FoMoire Advice FDr Best Fishing Utah Recreation Guide, Summer 1S84, Page 3 By Rolla Williams Copley News Service Weather, fishing and folklore are forever wedded in the outdoorsman's mind. Were you fishing yesterday? Did you catch anything? I found the fish in a foul mood, jaws clamped shut. Yet, the day before, knowledgeable fishermen were saying it was "normal" to catch "a fish a cast on split-tail worms." Most were undersized, spotted sand bass, to be sure, but even these did not bite with their usual alacrity. Was it because of the moon? "When the moon is round and bright -Sore-mouth fish refuse to bite. "Channel catfish hold a banquet after a rain. "It's poor to fish that time of year - when 'dog days' are looming near. "When smoke curls down and ditches reek, the wise angler heads straight for the creek. "Before a rain the fishes rise - and nimbly catch incautious flies." Thorn Bacon, in his delightful "Weather for Sportsmen," takes a look at these proverbs. Some of them are factual, in his view. Let's take them in order and listen to Bacon. "When the moon is bright - Sore-mouth fish refuse to bite." "Pure hokum.. .As far as I can discover, it is an Old South saying, disreputable, without foundation. Apparently, it derives from the mistaken belief that the full moon... induces a general lethargy in the fish which affects its feeding habits," said Bacon. Most fishermen believe that fish feed at night when the moon is full and that if you're allowed to fish then, you'd better be on the lake early next day to get the last vestiges of the bite. "Channel catfish hold a banquet after a rain." "Weather-wise fishermen who run trot lines know that (after a) rainfalL.drowned insects, worms, grubs - a variety of edibles - float downstream. It would be wrong to say that channel cats only feed after a rain, but it is certainly true that they feed much better when the water level rises...A falling barometer is the best guarantee for a catfish fry," he said. "It's poor to fish that time of year - when 'dog days' are looming near." This is another of those surviving folklore . superstitions without any basis in fact. This derives from the South and is attributed to the fact that, during and after the Civil War, the period starting about July 26 and lasting about five weeks, was under the influence of Sirius, the Dog Star. "Since this period spanned some of the summer's hottest weather, including periods of drought when people living in poor sanitary conditions were struck by the plague, the idea spread that illness came with the appearance of the Dog Star. People avoided the water, particularly, feeling fish were contaminated and the eating of them would bring on madness," said Bacon. Visitors Welcomed To Intermountain National Forests Vacationers will find many recreation opportunities available in national forests of the Intermountain Region this year. Although reports of high water and related problems are discouraging news, most areas in the region are unaffected by this year's troublesome weather conditions, according to Bob Safran, Director of Recreation and Lands. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy their favorite outdoor recreation activities in the Intermountain Region, which includes national forests in Utah, Nevada, southern Idaho and western Wyoming. There are unlimited opportunities for a wide range of activities, and last year more than 28 million people visited the region for recreation, Safran said. He advises visitors to take the following steps to ensure enjoyable and safe outdoor recreation experiences: -Check first with local Forest Service officials to determine if areas are open and what services are available. -Avoid high-water hazards. Children, especially, should be protected from the high water of rivers and streams. -Obtain the proper equipment and make sure it is safe and functional. -Inspect . gas stoves and heaters carefully. -Respect the solitude of others. -Stay off muddy and soggy roads. User fees ranging from $2 to $7 will be charted at about half the campgrounds and no fees will be charged at the others. Fees are about the same as last year. Charges are based on the amount of services provided such as development of tent or trailer spaces, drinking water, access roads, refuse containers, restrooms and campfire facilities. Charge areas will be clearly identified by Forest Service signs. In non-fee sites, minimum facilities and services are provided. Safe drinking water is usually not available at non-fee sites. The Forest Service philosophy is to provide facilities at the more primitive end of the development scale. Private businesses offer most of the highly developed facilities with showers, electricity elec-tricity and waste disposal hookups. Visitors are urged to take responsibility for protecting National Forest land and resources and to play an active role in keeping campgrounds clean. Each individual in-dividual is asked to clean his or her own campsite and such facilities as tables and grills and to pack out trash. "The thousands of dollars saved in cleanup costs will allow us to use these scarce funds for more maintenance," Safran said. Persons 62 years or older are entitled to use National Forest fee campground facilities at one-half the regular fee, if they have obtained a Golden Age Passport. Golden Access Passports, allowing blind or permanently disabled persons the same discounts as those over 62 years of age, are also available. The passports are available . at any Forest Service office. Opening dates for campgrounds will vary. Forest visitors should check with local Forest Service offices regarding specific sites. Safran said that after the long cold winter, the Forest Service is expecting large numbers of people and their families to use the National Forests. . "When smoke curls down and ditches reek, the wise angler heads straight for the creek." "This one survives scientific weeding out. It's accurate. The saying indicates that humid air has flowed in, accompanied by a lowering of atmospheric ' pressure. The previous high pressure of fair weather has kept odors in ditches, creeks and swamps close to the ground. "A lessening of atmospheric pressure release's captive odors, but people also react. Corns ache, old wounds throb, human nerves complain due to a greater dehydration of tissues. "Fish react, too, by developing sudden activity." . "Before a rain the fishes rise - and nimbly catch incautious flies." The biometeorologists don't know exactly why a falling barometer affects feeding habits of fish.. .but fish do get restless, excited by weather changes. (One) fascinating conclusion is that, like humans, when fish are frightened or nervous, they eat," he said. Ml itf 1 Rugged, dependabfe Honda 4-strake engine has a cast iron cylinder sleeve for long life. Maintenance-free electronic elec-tronic ignition. Compact and lightweight for easy portability. Large muffler provides quiet operation. USDA-approved spark arrestor meets national park safety regulations.' zzurmn ca para VALUABLE COUPON EM-500 I Reg. 379.95 EM-600 I I Reg. 399.95 V with this coupon IE9EEII!9BaCilCi Expires 53184 DUFF SHELLEY MOWER & CYCLE Utah County's largest power equipment dealer. 260 E. Main, American Fork, 755-5027 For optimiin pfrtwmancf and sjly w nxommend tnat you tad llf Own manual ttonoo'a!ingjnf unit 1983 Afnencan Honda Mole Co . wr LJ |