Let's start with the barometer. The barometer is a very effective tool for measuring the feeding behavior of fish. The barometer is an instrument used to measure ambient atmospheric pressure. Don't worry, I'm going to simplify it for you and cut through all of the scientific jargon so we can get to what really matters, catching fish. The measure of barometric atmospheric pressure can then be used to help predict the weather and more importantly for our purposes, the feeding behavior of fish. Haven't we all wondered why fish were so easy to catch yesterday, but today you can't even get a bite?
You see when a low pressure front is building, I'm sure you've all heard this term on the weather channel, the barometer is low and dropping and a storm is either present or on its way. When the barometer is high or rising, the weather is fair and dry. If you're watching the weather on the TV, that's what the large capital L or H means on the weather map. The L stands for a low pressure system and the H stands for a high pressure system.
So what does this mean to me as a fisherman? Let me explain. The barometer is a very useful tool that will unlock many of the "mysteries" of fishing. You say, "Come on Trevor, is this really true?" The answer is yes, it is true. When the atmospheric pressure fluctuates, it affects the air bladders in fish. A fishes' air bladder is what it uses to stabilize itself at different depths of water. When a fishes' air bladder isn't feeling right it won't want to eat. Do you 샌즈카지노 feel like eating when you have an upset stomach? Well fish don't either.
When the barometer is low or falling, fish will spend most of their time equalizing their air bladder, and the last thing they're thinking about is feeding. When this happens you'll have a difficult time fooling a fish into eating. On the other hand, when the opposite is true, and the barometer is rising, your chances of catching a fish, is far greater, because they feel more like eating.
Fish and wild life know what to expect from the weather and can sense when a storm is approaching to a much greater degree than we humans can. You've probably noticed that when the weather is nice all of the critters outside are active and frolicking about. This means that the barometric pressure is stable or high. On the other hand when the barometric pressure is low, you won't see nearly as many animals around and the ones you do won't be frolicking anywhere. Even the cows in your local field will be lying down. At times like this it can get pretty quiet out on the lake or river too. The fish just aren't active.
Understanding how fish adapt to changes in their environment allow an angler to better predict a fishes' movement and feeding. Finding out when a fish is feeding is what we're interested in because that's when you have the best chance of catching said fish. You may know that almost all saltwater fishermen check the tides before they head out fishing. And it's a great strategy because the tides impact fishing. But you do realize what causes the tides to change, don't you? That's right, the moon. And the gravitational pull of the moon that impacts the changing tides is also pushing against some part of the earth all the time. So the pressure is always there but since water is more easily moved than the ground, water is lifted up towards the moon causing the tides to change. How high the high tide will rise or how low the low tide may go is largely determined by the position of the moon and sun.
Knowing and understanding this information isn't just important to the saltwater angler though. Freshwater anglers don't deal with tides like saltwater anglers, but the phases of the moon are very important to them as well. What the angler wants to focus on are the new moon and full moon periods on the calendar. The two or three days following these two occurrences will result in more fish activity. It's that simple.
I've been planning my fishing trips observing these same principles for years and it almost never fails. The moon phases are a very real factor in the feeding patterns of fish. I always have more success during the full and new moon periods, than I do at other times of the month and you can too.
What you as an angler wants to try to do is have both of these factors come together at the same time. The perfect weather situation combined with a full or new moon. When this happens, you will have a great day fishing, I promise. And if you just pay attention you can be out there fishing when this happens.
Moon Festival is part of the Chinese culture popularly celebrated by the Chinese around the world. This Chinese festival centers around the moon. The Chinese are particularly fond of the moon as it symbolizes prosperity and longevity. The moon also represents the yin principle (the feminine), and this event heralds the coming days to grow cool, dark and wet.
The Moon Festival is a special Chinese holiday because it celebrates bounty, family and freedom.
The Moon Festival is celebrated during the 15th of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar, when the full moon is believed to be at its fullest and brightest. This year 2008, it is celebrated on September 14th.
Moon Festivals in China are commemorated by families eating dinner together, and then going outdoors to appreciate the wondrous beauty of the full moon. Prayers and wishes are sent forth to the Lady of the Moon. Moon poetry is also read. For family members or lovers who are not together, the Moon Festival is the perfect time to gaze at the moon and remember loved ones. Simultaneously gazing at the moon, even though the loved one is far away, makes families and lovers feel closer.
Moon festival events are held in many countries for its Chinese residents. Lantern festivals, fairs and moon-gazing activities are commonly held throughout the world to honor the season and the moon. In the US and other countries, Chinese moon festivals are also celebrated by families through night picnics, moon poetry reading and moon-gazing.
There are several bases why this holiday is close to the hearts of the Chinese.
The Moon Festival and Thanksgiving
In old rural China, villagers were more attuned to the moon calendar to time their planting and harvesting. It is this time of year when villagers have finished working on the fields. Families finally get together again and give thanks for the harvest.
The Moon Festival and Love for Family
The romance of the Moon Festival is not forgotten as it is surrounded by colorful legends centering on love and family. There are many variations, but a common thread is about Hou Yi the Archer and his wife Lady Chang'E.
In the olden days, it was said that 10 suns arose and shone on the earth. The extreme heat from the suns dried up the earth and the fields. People starved. Hou Yi the archer shot down 9 of the suns and saved the earth. The Jade Emperor was pleased and awarded him with the Elixir of Life. Hou Yi had a wife, Chang'E. There are different versions to the story. One version is that Hou Yi gave the elixir to Chang' E for safekeeping. Another version says that Hou Yi hid the elixir and Chang'E accidentally found it. Either way, Chang'E ingests the Elixir of Life. She becomes very light and floats up to the heavens. She also changes into a toad. Hou Yi chases her through the heavens, but does not succeed in getting her back. Chang'E lands on the moon. Hou Yi accepts their fate and has a Moon Palace built for her. The gods, touched by Hou Yi's love for Chang'E, allow them to meet there once a month, when the moon is full.
The Jade Rabbit's origins also have different versions. It is commonly told that the rabbit accompanies Chang'E on the moon and continually concocts the Elixir of Life.
Mooncake and Freedom
Historically, the mooncake and the moon festival has also been instrumental for the Chinese to overthrow the Mongol rulers. In 1368, written messages were baked into mooncakes with instructions to rebel against the ruling Mongols of the Yuan Dynasty. The messages instructed that on the night of Eight-fifteen, every family is to raise flags and lanterns on their rooftops at night, between eleven and one o' clock. Villagers were instructed to beat on drums and gongs. When the Mongol army saw this setup, they were deceived to be outnumbered and they retreated. The Chinese regained their freedom.
The Moon Festival evokes incredible emotions of gratitude, love and appreciation for freedom. The feelings of families giving gratitude for the year's blessings are strong by itself. Combining it further with appreciation that one's ancestors had the courage to stand up for freedom further highlights the positive feelings toward this festival.
This is why the Moon Festival has endured the centuries and is still celebrated today.