These are some of the things we saw and did while fishing for peacock bass on the Nanay River. I wish I could show you the pink river dolphins, the strangler fig, the red spotted green discus, the big fish that got away.

We began our adventure expedition in the riverboat, Dawn on the Amazon, at the confluence of the Nanay and the Amazon River, departing Iquitos, Peru, at first light.

We motored upstream past Padre Cocha, home of the wonderful Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm we had visited the day before. Past Santo Tomas, the Iquitos waterworks, Llanchama, the Allpahuayo-Mishana Reserve, and eventually the village of Santa Maria, last outpost of civilization.

In Santa Maria the electrical generator is turned on at 7:00 p.m. and turned off at 10:00 p.m. The beer is always skunked. Very few people live in the jungle upstream of Santa Maria.

As we fished our way upstream it was as if we were going back in time to a way of life that disappeared in most of the world over one hundred years ago. We were sport fishing, everyone else was survival fishing. Four days and three hundred kilometers later we realized we were sport fishing for survival, living on what we caught.

To do it like a native, we would have had a fire platform on a sand base and cooked yucca and fish over a charcoal fire. We used a Coleman stove and supplemented yucca with rice and potatoes and ripe, juicy, tropical fruit. With a glass or two of wine from Chile.

Over the course of time, as the Nanay River meandered through the rainforest for thousands of years, many of the ox-bow bends were cut from the original stream bed by the annual floods. These natural banana shaped lakes are called cochas. It is in the black tannic acid water of the cochas, that we sought the holy grail of sport fishing, the peacock bass.

In a lifetime of fishing, only a few days stand out from all the rest as distinctly memorable. One of those days occurred on this voyage. I only caught three peacock bass that day, but fought several big, fierce, toothy fazaco for hours.

I caught five of the largest fazaco I have ever caught on six consecutive casts during part of the feeding frenzy. I was exhausted. The fishing was so great we decided to stay and fish that cocha again the next day and never got a bite.

Our catch for the trip was 140 peacock bass, but we lost count of the fazaco, black piranha, pike cichlid, acarahuasu, and other species. I am guessing they totaled two or three times the number of peacocks.

The most productive lures were spinner baits, in line spinners, and Excalibur's Pop'n-Image, in that order. We fished the Pop'n Image hard in two colors. The blue shade caught fish, the green shade never caught one.

As always the peacock bass relates to cover. Find submerged timber in the shade, and make several casts around it. Spinner baits are good to search the thick cover with because they do not get hung up very often and can be fished faster than many lures.

One way to catch peacock bass is to find where they are feeding. Listen for their distinctive splashing sounds and watch for them to follow your lure back to the canoe. Once you find fish, slow down, make more casts, try different lures.

Start out slow and quiet. If that does not work switch to a popper, chugger, rattle, or propeller bait. The native fishermen slap the water with their poles or paddles before they give up on a place. When in Rome, do as the Romans.

In my opinion, inch for inch and pound for pound, the peacock bass is the hardest fighting fresh water fish I have ever encountered. I also believe the peacock bass is one of the smartest and most difficult species of fish to catch, especially in the high-water months from November to May.

William Grimes
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/fishing-for-peacock-bass-in-the-amazon-64883.html

This one was featured on "Antiques Roadshow" on the local PBS channel.http://www.antiquefishinglures.com/

Spoons

Considered the most simple of all other lures, they got their name because they look like the head of a spoon. They act for the bait fish by doing a flickering and wobbling movement or action. Spoons are excellent for starters in lure fishing; easy to use and very affordable.

Spinners

The spinner is basically a blade wherein it does a rotating action on a spindle when being retrieved or taken back through the water as well as it gives off a flash as light is being reflected on the revolving blade, characterizing the bait fish's scales and movements. This is a lure that is flexible because only can one verify and know the retrieve depth by the period or time frame one leaves before one starts a retrieve, one can also alter the speed of the revolving blade around the spindle, by either speeding up or slowing down one's retrieve. For the Trout and Mullet, a smaller size is recommended, and a larger spinner with the pike liking, along with the treble hook in a red wool.

Surface lures

These lures are used on the water surface and considered to be the most explosively thrilling of all lures as one could actually see the fish taking the lure, and the anticipation and the expectation of one looking forward of the take is an exciting experience. The fish can be completely seen exiting the water when they send off at a surface lure. Since these lures are being retrieved on the surface of the water, they can be a good choice in areas that have a lot of weed.

Suspending plugs

Having neutral buoyancy and resistance, when the plug has dived or dropped to the required depth and left alone, it will continue on being suspended to that depth. For this reason, this type is perfect for pursuing your prey hidden near the weed beds, rocks or banks. When yanked in order to imitate life to the plug, it causes some crashing attack from your target.

Floating drivers

A necessity for all lure anglers, they cover a wide scope in diving depths; beginning from just beneath the surface up to fifteen feet or more. The diving depth is established on the point of view of the vane or fin to the body of the lure. The lesser the angle to the body of the lure the deeper it can dive. The shape as well as the size of the vane and the lures body contributes to the movement of the plug in the water.

Sinking plugs

These are excellent for deep water fishing, wherein the retrieve can start soon as the preferred depth is reached. This is accomplished by counting down before one starts the retrieval process. Therefore, the same depth will be reached whenever one casts. The distance that the lure has sunk down in a particular time, will give a suggestion of how deep or how far down the fish are situated when they strike; thus this is called the sink rate of the lure.

Soft baits

This is soft rubber bait that comes in various shapes and forms, with matching sizes and colors. These are commonly used for sea and fresh water fishing, which can be used on a weighted jig head handled in the same manner as the jerk bait, being managed as a plug is used.

Jerk baits

Having no movement of its own when in the water, the angler gives life to this lure; whenever the rod trembles or shakes or jerks, this lure can appear to have life. This lure for the most part, mimics an injured or wounded fish that the prey fish find tempting, and be compelled to thrust or lunge at.

Nicky Pilkington
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/what-lures-what-fish-10113.html

im not sure how old they are or anything a friend just gave them to me when he bought it at a action

Ebay can kind of give you a ballpark idea. Older vintage WOOD lures are big bucks! Do a search on the internet for antique or vintage lures and examples of most will come up. DO NOT CLEAN THEM!!!!!!!!! If you have the original boxes that they came in the value goes up. If you have photos of them you can email me the photo and I can do some research for you. kbwed@yahoo.com

Bend Oregon is home to several different species of trout. Rainbow Trout, German Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Bull Trout and Brook Trout are the primary species caught within a short drive from Bend.

Almost all lakes and streams in Central Oregon contain Rainbow Trout. The Deschutes River is world famous for it trout fishing. It begins in the Cascade Mountains Southwest of Bend. It is the source of water for Crane Prairie Reservoir and Wickiup Reservoir. It runs through the middle of Bend and eventually flows into the mighty Columbia River.

Crane Prairie Reservoir is known for its large trout ("Cranebows"). It is about a one hour drive from Bend. It was flooded in 1928 with most of the timber left standing. It is a relatively shallow lake with the deepest sections about 15-20 feet deep near the channels in the spring. The water level drops steadily all summer during the irrigation season.

The Cranebows spawn in the upper Deschutes in early spring and then return to the reservoir and are scattered around the shallower water. As the water warms in early summer the fish start congregating around the channels. Twenty to thirty inch rainbows are common.

All methods of lake fishing work on this strong fighting fish. Fly fishing is very popular once the fish move into the channels. Trolling flies, spoons or spinners is a popular method early in the season. Early summer brings on weed growth which makes it difficult to troll without fowling you lure.

There are numerous campgrounds and one resort on Crane Prairie. The resort provides rental boats, licenses and anything you might need for trout fishing. The owners are always helpful in pointing new anglers to where the fish are biting the best. It is difficult to fish here without a boat.

The Deschutes flows out of Crane Prairie and a few short miles into Wickiup Reservoir. Wickiup has large Rainbow and German Brown Trout as well as a large population of Kokanee Salmon. The Kokanee and Browns are the primary targeted fish.

Early spring brings out the die hard Brown Trout fisherman. They concentrate near the dam and generally troll Rapalas or similar minnow type lures. Ten pound fish are common in the early spring. Since Brown trout are nocturnal you'll find the serious fisherman on the water at first light. Wickiup is best fished by boat but some large browns are caught from shore along the dam in the spring.

During the summer the Kokanee start congregating along the river channel. Jigging, bait fishing or trolling are the preferred methods for catching the Wickiup Kokanee. The Kokanee spawn in the fall with the Browns following them up the Deschutes channel.
Early morning and late evening is the best time to target the large Browns.

Wickiup only has one improved boat ramp which is located at Gull Point. There is not a boat dock so it makes it somewhat difficult for launching and boarding your boat. There are a couple of improved camp grounds as well as many unimproved places to camp.

The Deschutes River continues below Wickiup dam and flows through Bend. This section contains some smaller Rainbows and some nice sized German Browns. It runs through the Deschutes National forest. There is a good drift from the dam down to the Pringle Falls area.

Pringle Falls is dangerous and cannot be drifted. Watch for signs and be prepared to take out above the falls. This is a beautiful drift. The river from Pringle Falls to Bend has several different water falls that cannot be drifted. Check the numerous books available that discuss this section of river in detail.

The section of river that runs through Bend does not produce many fish as it is not stocked with hatchery fish and receives substantial fishing pressure.

The Deschutes flows from Bend into Lake Billy Chinook which is located between Redmond and Madras. Lake Billy Chinook is actually a reservoir that is backed up by Round Butte dam. "Round Butte" reservoir is filled by the Deschutes River, Crooked River and the Metolius River.

Lake Billy Chinook is known for its native Bull Trout population. Bull Trout are close to extinction in many parts of Oregon but not in Lake Billy Chinook. The state record Bull Trout was caught here in 1989. It weighed 23 pounds and 2 ounces. Ten to fifteen pound fish are still common with several being caught every year.

The best time to catch a large Bull Trout is in March and April. The Metolius arm of the reservoir boarders the Warm Springs Indian reservation and is closed from the end of October to March 1st every year. Early in the season the larger trout come into the shallows (10-20 feet) to feed on the abundant Kokanee salmon.

If you find the Kokanee you will find the Bull Trout. A boat is necessary to catch these fish. They are caught by casting the shore line with silver minnow plugs, trolling plugs, fly fishing with a sink tip line or jigging the deeper water if the fish have not moved up into the shallows yet.

If you are interested in pursuing Bull Trout check the authors' web site for more helpful information, links and pictures.

The trout fishing in this article is all located within a one hour drive from Bend. There are many other lakes, reservoirs and streams within an hour of Bend that are not mentioned in this article.

Bend Oregon is a great place to live if you like the outdoors. There are many good trout fishing spots close by. The lower Deschutes below Bend is world famous for its Salmon Fly hatch but that is the subject of another article.

Jim Johnson
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/bend-oregon-home-to-great-trout-fishing-73640.html

Bend Oregon is home to several different species of trout. Rainbow Trout, German Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Bull Trout and Brook Trout are the primary species caught within a short drive from Bend.

Almost all lakes and streams in Central Oregon contain Rainbow Trout. The Deschutes River is world famous for it trout fishing. It begins in the Cascade Mountains Southwest of Bend. It is the source of water for Crane Prairie Reservoir and Wickiup Reservoir. It runs through the middle of Bend and eventually flows into the mighty Columbia River.

Crane Prairie Reservoir is known for its large trout ("Cranebows"). It is about a one hour drive from Bend. It was flooded in 1928 with most of the timber left standing. It is a relatively shallow lake with the deepest sections about 15-20 feet deep near the channels in the spring. The water level drops steadily all summer during the irrigation season.

The Cranebows spawn in the upper Deschutes in early spring and then return to the reservoir and are scattered around the shallower water. As the water warms in early summer the fish start congregating around the channels. Twenty to thirty inch rainbows are common.

All methods of lake fishing work on this strong fighting fish. Fly fishing is very popular once the fish move into the channels. Trolling flies, spoons or spinners is a popular method early in the season. Early summer brings on weed growth which makes it difficult to troll without fowling you lure.

There are numerous campgrounds and one resort on Crane Prairie. The resort provides rental boats, licenses and anything you might need for trout fishing. The owners are always helpful in pointing new anglers to where the fish are biting the best. It is difficult to fish here without a boat.

The Deschutes flows out of Crane Prairie and a few short miles into Wickiup Reservoir. Wickiup has large Rainbow and German Brown Trout as well as a large population of Kokanee Salmon. The Kokanee and Browns are the primary targeted fish.

Early spring brings out the die hard Brown Trout fisherman. They concentrate near the dam and generally troll Rapalas or similar minnow type lures. Ten pound fish are common in the early spring. Since Brown trout are nocturnal you'll find the serious fisherman on the water at first light. Wickiup is best fished by boat but some large browns are caught from shore along the dam in the spring.

During the summer the Kokanee start congregating along the river channel. Jigging, bait fishing or trolling are the preferred methods for catching the Wickiup Kokanee. The Kokanee spawn in the fall with the Browns following them up the Deschutes channel.
Early morning and late evening is the best time to target the large Browns.

Wickiup only has one improved boat ramp which is located at Gull Point. There is not a boat dock so it makes it somewhat difficult for launching and boarding your boat. There are a couple of improved camp grounds as well as many unimproved places to camp.

The Deschutes River continues below Wickiup dam and flows through Bend. This section contains some smaller Rainbows and some nice sized German Browns. It runs through the Deschutes National forest. There is a good drift from the dam down to the Pringle Falls area.

Pringle Falls is dangerous and cannot be drifted. Watch for signs and be prepared to take out above the falls. This is a beautiful drift. The river from Pringle Falls to Bend has several different water falls that cannot be drifted. Check the numerous books available that discuss this section of river in detail.

The section of river that runs through Bend does not produce many fish as it is not stocked with hatchery fish and receives substantial fishing pressure.

The Deschutes flows from Bend into Lake Billy Chinook which is located between Redmond and Madras. Lake Billy Chinook is actually a reservoir that is backed up by Round Butte dam. "Round Butte" reservoir is filled by the Deschutes River, Crooked River and the Metolius River.

Lake Billy Chinook is known for its native Bull Trout population. Bull Trout are close to extinction in many parts of Oregon but not in Lake Billy Chinook. The state record Bull Trout was caught here in 1989. It weighed 23 pounds and 2 ounces. Ten to fifteen pound fish are still common with several being caught every year.

The best time to catch a large Bull Trout is in March and April. The Metolius arm of the reservoir boarders the Warm Springs Indian reservation and is closed from the end of October to March 1st every year. Early in the season the larger trout come into the shallows (10-20 feet) to feed on the abundant Kokanee salmon.

If you find the Kokanee you will find the Bull Trout. A boat is necessary to catch these fish. They are caught by casting the shore line with silver minnow plugs, trolling plugs, fly fishing with a sink tip line or jigging the deeper water if the fish have not moved up into the shallows yet.

If you are interested in pursuing Bull Trout check the authors' web site for more helpful information, links and pictures.

The trout fishing in this article is all located within a one hour drive from Bend. There are many other lakes, reservoirs and streams within an hour of Bend that are not mentioned in this article.

Bend Oregon is a great place to live if you like the outdoors. There are many good trout fishing spots close by. The lower Deschutes below Bend is world famous for its Salmon Fly hatch but that is the subject of another article.

Jim Johnson
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/bend-oregon-home-to-great-trout-fishing-73640.html

Here's a website for you to try. It has lots and lots of links on the bottom of the page as well www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/052801fotw.html

Here's a website for you to try. It has lots and lots of links on the bottom of the page as well www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/052801fotw.html

This lazy dazy wood fish lure is 4 1/2" long,cream in color with a red tip and two black eyes.Does anyone recognise this lure.I suspect it is a type of Lazy-Ike. I would be interested in it's value, because it is wood, I believe it to be 'vintage'. Do you have an opinion as to it's value? Or how well it fishes. You can directly contact me at starlady@mcsi.net I would appreciate any in put you could provide me. Thanx

I can only tell you that they go for about 100 dollars but there value is in the fact that on the end of a fishing pool you will get a fish

This lazy dazy wood fish lure is 4 1/2" long,cream in color with a red tip and two black eyes.Does anyone recognise this lure.I suspect it is a type of Lazy-Ike. I would be interested in it's value, because it is wood, I believe it to be 'vintage'. Do you have an opinion as to it's value? Or how well it fishes. You can directly contact me at starlady@mcsi.net I would appreciate any in put you could provide me. Thanx

I can only tell you that they go for about 100 dollars but there value is in the fact that on the end of a fishing pool you will get a fish