PopSugar

Cast a Line and Teach a Tot to Fish

LilSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:00:06 -0700

The image of a father standing behind his child and teaching him to cast a line is as iconic as a Norman Rockwell painting. But any parent that has tried to introduce their kiddo to the sport of fishing knows reality isn't as picturesque. From hooks caught on clothing to tangled lines, it's all worth the memories so get out there and catch dinner with your darlings! Here are some tips:

Length of trip: The length and location of the fishing trip should be determined by the age of the participants. Wee ones aren't likely to last more than an hour, but engaged kindergartners may sit for quite a while. Local creeks, docks and lakes may be a better fit for these age groups than an afternoon boat trip.
Choice of rod: When selecting a fishing rod, consider the actual goal of the outing. While there are many fun, character-enhanced rods, a good, ultra-light rod and reel will actually allow kids to bring in a fish, rather than breaking.
Bait: If worms and squid make your small fry squeamish, consider using cut-up hot dogs, chunks of cheese, dough or cooked corn kernels.
Casting the line: Position yourselves far away from other anglers, as youngsters tend to be a bit wild when casting their lines. Don't worry if the line doesn't go far, the kids will be just as excited.
Reel it in: Allow tots to attempt to reel in the fish themselves. It's all about the action, not the result.
Catch and release: Practice catch and release techniques with your kiddo unless you plan to eat the finned creature. To make the catch more exciting, consider holding the fish in a spacious bucket or container filled with water where children can watch it swim. Then, set it free.

To see more fishing tips, including several safety ones, read more.

Remember that even though you may only be fishing in a foot-deep creek, each member of your pint-sized party should wear a personal flotation device.
Carry a first aid kit with medical supplies that can care for all types of cuts, scrapes, bumps, bruises and insect bites.
Bring plenty of cold drinks (water, juice, etc.) to accompany your snacks. Being on the water in heat will require hydration.
Wear proper shoes. If you will be fishing on or near rocks, be sure kids wear shoes with good traction and covered toes. This will prevent unnecessary slipping and scraped up feet.
Be safe in the sun. Aside from reapplying sunscreen on a regular basis, remember to pack UV sunglasses for the kids. The reflection of the sun off of the water can be dangerous for lil eyes. Wide-brimmed hats will also help protect their faces, ears and necks from the sun’s damaging rays.
Pay careful attention to the ingredients of your insect repellent. While the lotion or spray may prevent bites and stings, some contain DEET, which should not be spread on tot’s skin.

Source

Search For Missing NFL Boaters Cost $1.6 Million

CitizenSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:30:41 -0700

You can't put a price on the joy that comes from rescuing a loved one swept away at sea, but you can calculate how much it costs the taxpayers.

After four football players went missing in the Gulf of Mexico, the US Coast Guard spent three days searching 20,000 square miles. One man was rescued, but tragically the three others are presumed dead. The cost to the Coast Guard? $1.6 million.

If the boaters had carried an EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon), there may have been less need for the pricey fuel, high-powered aircraft, two Jayhawk helicopters, and other expensive vessels.

Is any price ever too much for a government-funded search and rescue? I don't think so. But, maybe we can start by making EPIRB devices mandatory for everyone's benefit, especially the boaters'.

Source

Winter Can Be So Cruel

GiggleSugar — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 01:00:00 -0800

Garfield here is fishing around for his next meal, but can't make sense of the ice below him. Diving is out of the question, this he knows- only because he tried a number of times and then some. Talk about learning a lesson the hard way! (He's got nice form, though.)

Get in Gear: Sealine Dry Bags

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:15:00 -0700

If you are going to be near water, either backpacking, camping, swimming, going to the beach, boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, fishing, or kayaking, you've got to protect all your stuff from getting wet. You know - the stuff that absolutely can't get wet like your camera, cell phone, wallet, and dry undies.

Check out this very practical dry bag (it means it's waterproof) made by Sealine. They make many different kinds of bags, but these Dry Seal Roll-Top Closure bags are great because they're made with transparent vinyl. So if you are looking for something in your bag, you can see right through the plastic to make sure it's still in there.

The bottom is made out of heavy-duty vinyl to protect against abrasion. All you do is place your things in the bag, roll down the top a few times (to keep the water out), and then you easily secure it closed with the D-ring closure.

These see-thru dry bags come in 4 sizes: 18 oz ($23.95), 14 oz ($19.95), 10 oz (16.95), and 6.5 oz ($13.95). They also make other kinds of bags that are much larger, so check out the Sealine website if bigger is what you need. If you are planning to be on or near water, dry bags are a total necessity.

Is it Safe to Eat the Fish I Catch?

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Many of us vacation by water, and you or someone you're with is bound to do a little fishing. You might be wondering if that fish you catch is safe to eat. Unfortunately, there are no national guidelines on this topic. It all depends on where you fish and if the water is polluted or not.

To find out that information, you can visit the EPA website, click on any state in the U.S., and you will be redirected to that state's specific guidelines. Obviously if you are unsure about the pollution levels of the water, DON'T eat the fish you catch - just release it back into the water.

To lean more about certain types of fish and their level of mercury, check out this helpful poster. It illustrates the level of mercury in many types of fish. For instance catfish is low in mercury, but swordfish is high. Which is good since catfish are a lot easier to catch.

Mercury is dangerous to ingest since it can build up in your bloodstream over time. High levels of it can lead to nervous system problems including brain and nerve damage, so you definitely want to avoid mercury whenever possible. While your body naturally removes mercury, the process can take up to a year. It is especially important for women who are planning on getting pregnant to be conscious about the fish they eat - high mercury levels can harm an unborn baby.

Fit's Tips: It is recommended that you limit your weekly fish intake to 2 servings a week, that is 12 ounces of fish total. If you are not sure about the mercury level of the fish you catch, just eat one serving of that fish but skip it for the rest of the week.

Source

This Fisherman Is A Gas!

GiggleSugar — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 08:02:00 -0800

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah- so the 20 lb. fish has teeth. Cool. But I'm more interested in the fisherman responsible for finding the fish. When he's not fishing, he's lovin' up on a helium machine. And if that's not the case, then I think he's had his fair share of the lake water. No more for you, buddy.

The Skinny On: Mercury and Fish Oil Supplements

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Eating fish is a great way to get your fill of essential omega-3 fatty acids. This healthy fat can help fight obesity, improve your mood, prevent chronic aches and pains, and keep your heart healthy. If you're not a fan of preparing or eating fish, then you may opt for the convenience of fish oil capsules instead. You may have wondered how safe these supplements are when it comes to mercury levels or toxic pollutants found in some species of fish.

To find out, read more.

Studies show that most fish oil supplements contain little or no mercury since they're made from cod, anchovies, and sardines. These types of fish are lower on the food chain, so they live shorter lives and accumulate less mercury. Most companies distill their fish oils too, which helps remove any contaminants such as dioxins or PCBs. So if you're worried about getting too much mercury from eating fish, taking fish oil supplements is a safe choice. Also, look for the USP seal on your nutritional supplements.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Fish and Chips

partysugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 06:50:51 -0700

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day tonight, serve your family a classic pub favorite. Although fish and chips is a traditionally British dish, this recipe pairs perfectly with an Irish pint.

Large chunks of fresh fish fillets are dipped in buttermilk and coated in cornmeal. The chips are baked in the oven, resulting in potatoes that are crisp, but not overly oily. For the uncomplicated recipe, read more.

Fish and Chips
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

2 large russet potatoes (about 1 pound), scrubbed
Four 6-ounce sea bass or cod fillets (about 1 inch thick), skin removed
For the seasoning:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
For the coating
1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon paprika
For the garnish
Lemon wedges
Malt vinegar

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven.
Cut potatoes lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick strips. Rinse well in a large bowl of cold water, and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Transfer to a large baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper; toss well. Arrange strips in an even layer on the sheet. Bake on lower rack until golden and crisp, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, place fish fillets in a large bowl. Add buttermilk, and gently turn fish to coat.
In another shallow bowl, combine cornmeal, paprika, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Add fillets to cornmeal one at a time, turning to completely coat. Transfer to a plate while repeating with remaining fillets.
Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add remaining tablespoon of oil; swirl to coat. Add fillets, being careful not to overcrowd pan. Cook until nicely crusted, about 1 minute; turn over with a spatula.
Place skillet in top third of oven, and cook until firm but beginning to flake when pressed in the center, about 8 minutes.
Transfer to plates, and serve with potatoes. Serve lemon wedges and malt vinegar on the side.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Oven-Fried Fish & Chips

partysugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:28:31 -0700

I love taking a classic pub meal and making my own version at home. Fish and chips are a pub favorite that is usually heavy on the oil. However, if you bake both the potatoes and fish in the oven - instead of cooking in a deep fryer - the dish is delicious and much lighter. This flavorful fish is coated in a mustard-egg mixture before being dipped in crushed melba toast. Serve with malt vinegar, hot sauce, or even ketchup.

Take a look at the recipe when you read more.

Oven-Fried Fish & Chips
From Family Fun Go

Ingredients

4 all-purpose baking potatoes (such as Russet or Idaho)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 Box Melba toast, Mediterranean or garlic flavored (about 5 ounces)
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons water
1 pound skinless white fish fillet, (such as cod or haddock), cut into 3-inch pieces (should be about 7 pieces)
1 cup Tartar Sauce
1 lemon, cut into wedges

Directions

Lightly grease a baking sheet with sides. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Peel potatoes and cut in half, and then cut each half into 8 wedges.
In a bowl, toss the potatoes with the olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place potatoes on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the fish. Place the Melba toast in a plastic ziplock bag and pound with a mallet or the back of a heavy spoon to crush -- there will be some pieces that remain large (the size of a pebble), this is OK as it adds to the texture once baked.
Place the crushed Melba toast on a plate. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, Dijon mustard, and the water.
Season the fish with salt and pepper to taste. Dip the fish on both sides with egg mixture and then press to coat with crumbs, turning to coat both sides.
After the potatoes have cooked for 15 minutes, use a spatula and push them to one side of the pan. Place fish in the pan, making sure they do not touch and return pan to oven. Bake for another 15 minutes, until the fish is crisp and firm to the touch.
Serve immediately with tartar sauce and a lemon wedge.

Serves 4.

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Casa Quickie: Vases as Fish Bowls

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:00:53 -0700

To me, big ole electric fish tanks just scream bachelor pad, or worse, a divey Chinese restaurant. There's nothing pretty about a standard pet shop fish bowl, either. But having a little Nemo in your home can inspire a connection to the natural world, and there's something calming about watching them propel their little bodies through the water. The design-savvy solution? Use simple vases as fish bowls. On this windowsill, three cylindrical vases (remember, when in doubt, group in threes) are filled with small, white rocks and decorated with seaweed. The colors of the vases are cued to those of the room, using mostly white, yellow, and green, showing that fish can be used as décor as well as low-maintenance pets!