Fly fishing in the colder months

Should people set aside their waders and fishing equipment when the colder months set in?  Well, they should if they’re completely spent and done with fishing for the season.  However, if people still want to fish, there’s one really good reason to go on doing so – it can be done.  

Fly fishing can be done successfully in the winter.  However, it needs a bit of an adjustment to bait and reel in the fish.

For instance, people need to know that the cold weather makes fishes more sluggish than usual.  Fishes will try to conserve energy by moving slowly.  Anglers should use heavier flies to reach fishes in deeper waters, where they usually stay during winter.  A high-stick method is also recommended since it lowers drag from the line and increases dead drift.

The timing is also a bit different.  The rest of the year, fishing in the morning is ideal.  However, om the winter, fishes move around more in the afternoon when the sun is out to get more of the heat. 

Finally, streams during the winter time are lower and clearer than the rest of the year.  This means that fishes see the tippet more.  Because of this, anglers should use smaller and lighter tippets.  Sizes 6X or 7X are perfect. 

Dr. Tom Maibenco is a family physician, clinical director, and educator who plays a dynamic role in the community. In his spare time, he enjoys coin collecting, fishing, and exploring the outdoors. For related reads, visit this page.

What you need to know when buying rare coins online

Coin collection is a worthwhile hobby if you have the resources and the time. A coin collector usually buys coins from other collectors, from antique shops, auctions, museums, and other public events. The internet is also a real purchasing platform. However, this is one of the riskier places to buy, especially if you’re in the market for rare coins. Here are some considerations when buying rare coins online. 

Image source: thesprucecrafts.com

Buying coins online requires utmost care. There is no guaranteed return policy for every seller out there. If you ever get duped into buying a fake, that mistake is on you. So before making any purchase, make sure to check the profile of the seller if you’re buying from third party stores like Ebay or Amazon. 

It’s a good rule of thumb to snub every seller that comes from China or Hong Kong. Even if the seller isn’t from those places, if he or she has warehouses there, avoid transactions. Coins from China are usually counterfeits. 

If you’re buying through online auctions, careful read the item description before making a bid. This should include why the person is selling it, if it includes shipping charges, return policies if any, and payment options. 

Lastly, look for positive feedback from other sellers. Those who try to hide feedback may have a history of shady deals so avoid transacting with these profiles. 

Image source: coinweek.com

Dr. Tom Maibenco is a physician with more than 10,000 hours in family medicine and emergency care experience. He also takes an active role in his community, supporting programs and initiatives geared toward helping the police force and the veterans. For similar reads, visit this blog.