5th Annual Carp Fishing Holiday 2007 – Manicure Lake – Day 5


www.thecarpcatcher.co.uk Up comes the last session of the first week. I (only just) manage a (very) late start as the beer intake, pizza’s and methi chicken’s begin to take their toll. I retrive the weeks experience’s stored under ‘fishing’ and let my mind switch to ‘auto-pilot’.

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Illness in Fish

Article from: My Family UK

Sick fish can be harder to diagnose than other animals, but signs to look out for include unusual growths or spots on the fish, problems balancing, sticking to the bottom of the tank, lack of appetite or having trouble breathing.

Preventing illness in fish

Poor water conditions (temperature, pH and so on) will cause ill health in your fish, so do your research on the right tank conditions for particular species and clean the tank regularly.

Stress can also be a big factor in illness, so don’t overcrowd your tank or move fish unnecessarily. Quarantine new fish to make sure they haven’t got infectious diseases or parasites before introducing them to your tank or pond. Certain parasites can also attach to water plants and other tank decor so these need to be quarantined as well.

Below are some common signs of illness in fish, to keep an eye open for.

1) Oxygen starvation

Gulping at the surface of the water could indicate your fish don’t have enough oxygen to breathe. Oxygen level in the water can be improved by cleaning the tank or pond, adding plants, using a water pump and changing the water regularly.

2) Fungal disease

White strands like cotton wool on the body of your fish may indicate fungal disease. Treat with anti-fungus medication that can be added to the water.

3) Constipation

Watch out for a brown thread trailing behind the fish. Prevent or treat the symptoms by varying the fish’s diet. Give them live food and vegetables alongside their usual dried food.

4) White spot disease

Caused by a parasite that penetrates the skin of the host fish. Watch out for white spots on the skin and gills about 1mm in diameter. Treat the whole aquarium with a chemical treatment as well as trying to improve the water quality of your tank.

5) Swim bladder inflammation (SBI)

This viral disease particularly affects carp, although it can affect other fish species. It affects the swim bladder of the fish and can cause a distended abdomen and an inability to balance. Consult a vet if you think your fish may be suffering from SBI.


Further Information

For further information, and for more great ways to have fun with your family, log on to www.myfamilyuk.com. With a huge collection of articles covering everything from child safety to rainy day activities, you’ll find all the help, guidance and entertainment you need to be a great parent. Go to My Family UK now!

My Family UK is a brand new website that is turning the online focus back onto families. We’re dedicated to supporting you and your family live the life you choose to the full, with games, tips, offers and articles on all aspects of parenting. If your family means the world to you, check out www.myfamilyuk.com.

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How to Have Better Success in Over Fished Waters

Fishing is certainly one of the times where bigger is not necessarily better, even though your buddy sitting next to you in the boat is convinced it’s true. Sure there are many situations where big fishing equipment is appropriate and will probably lead you to more fish in the boat. However, fishing’s popularity is growing and space on the water is becoming a little more cramped. The fish are starting to take notice too. Some of these fish have seen it all from us fishermen and they are not being fooled anymore. In heavily fished areas the best fishermen have developed a new technique for success; Finesse Fishing.

I can hear the screams of fishermen worldwide, “What in the heck is finesse fishing and why do I want anything to do with something that has the words finesse and fishing in the same sentence?” Well, like it or not some waters are being fished so heavily that the good fish aren’t biting anymore. They have seen the tricks employed by the common fishermen and are ready for a better show. That is why we need to alter our approach a bit to fool the fish onto our lures again. Finesse fishing, in its simplest explanation, is just downsizing our equipment to throw a new look at an old fish. The easiest way to convert your game is to buy smaller and lighter versions of your current equipment. Let’s start with the rod. To get started on your finesse venture try buying a light to medium light action spinning rod. Buy something inexpensive to get the feel of a lighter action rod. With a little experience you will develop a preference for something a bit lighter, heavier, or lose interest in finesse fishing altogether. This way you can avoid wasting money on your first finesse purchase. Many fishermen say they feel like they are re-learning to fish. This new style could add some excitement to a day on the water and give you an excuse to buy more fishing gear. In fact finesse fishing is catching on quick and as a result many manufacturers have devoted a portion of their production of rods just for finesse fishing.

Don’t stop with just the rod; downsizing the reel in your setup will make a drastic change in how you fish and more importantly how many fish you catch. Some of the small reels available these days are set up nicely to carry a lighter line, like the one used by finesse fishermen. When shopping for a small reel, treat it just as you would be shopping for a large reel, except in a smaller format.

The most important change for a traditional fisherman trying to convert to finesse is in the line. When I first got into finesse fishing I got lost in all of the different options available on the market. Luckily a friend of mine was quite knowledgeable and one of his best pieces of advice was this, “When choosing a line stick to the traditional monofilament. Trust me.” Well I did trust him and have been happy since. The reason he didn’t like to use a braided line is because it floats, and floating ruins the function of a floating lure. I tried a braided line a couple times and I can add this additional word of guidance: mono lines tend to blend in underwater and help the bait look natural versus a braided line. Another consideration is line weight. Any line between six and ten pound test will work, and with a bit of experience on the water you will develop a preferred test weight. Some situations will require a six pound line to fool the most hesitant fish.

Choosing a lure is another necessity for any finesse fisherman. Fortunately there are hundreds of different lures available that fit finesse setups. The lures you choose will depend entirely on personal preference and necessity based on the waters you tend to fish. Be sure to buy a few different styles and test them out; some fish will respond better than others to particular lures. While some may still contend that bigger is in fact always better, sometimes it is worth it to mix things up. Try finesse fishing to add a new unique aspect to your fishing arsenal and increase your chances of going home a happy fisherman!

Stevie James is an experienced fisherman who has set up a Free Fishing Information website to offer free tips, techniques and tutorials that will really help you on the way to more successful and more enjoyable fishing!

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Koi Fish Tattoos and Their Meaning

Now that you have already decided to get yourself a tattoo the first part of the process is over. You just have to find the right tattoo design for you and as this is a major decision you should take your time and carefully figure out what type of tattoo you would like to have. Tattoo designs are only limited by your imagination and the capability of your chosen tattoo artist. A design worth consideration is the Koi fish tattoo; they are very popular and hold great symbolism.

So, what exactly is a Koi fish? Koi fish are large freshwater fish related to the Carp family and have distinctive bright or contrast colouring however, the orange and red Koi fish are often mistaken for large goldfish. The most common of the Koi fish colours are: Red, orange, white, black and blue. Just like many other types of fish their environment dictates how big they get, most grow no bigger than a mans forearm but with sufficient room they can reach sizes of up to 3 feet in length.

Koi fish are most treasured by the Japanese who have maintained a great respect and love of the Koi fish for thousands of years. They also breed them to stock sacred and ornamental ponds and because they are such beautiful fish.

Koi fish tattoos not only look good, there is also a great deal of symbolism behind the image of such a tattoo. When choosing a tattoo it is always nicer if there is a story or meaning attached to it, this way, when someone is admiring your work, you can explain the meaning or symbolism behind it and how this connects to you. Here are some of the meanings attached to Koi fish tattoos:

* advancements, improvements, and ambitions
* courage to surpass all the challenges of life
* determination and endurance in critical situations
* good luck in almost everything
* independence and freedom
* strength to withstand the test of time
* strong character and identity

As already mentioned, Koi fish are created in many brilliant colours and the real life creatures are ornate looking. A talented tattoo artist can capture the vibrant colours and the amazing look of the Koi fish onto your skin and create a beautiful work of art. However, be prepared to pay the price for such a work of art on your skin.

When a tattoo artist applies colours to your skin they are only allowed to use that ink on one person, the reason for this is simple, the needle and the ink have both been in your skin and therefore in contact with your blood, the needle then goes back into the ink. Whatever ink is left over must be disposed of for sanitary and health reasons and those coloured inks are expensive. While the tattoo artist does his best to waste as little ink as possible they usually do lose some.

If you would like a colourful Koi fish tattoo you will be charged accordingly however, Koi fish tattoos can be the most stunning works of skin art and worth every cent.

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