Breeze
JUNE 2021 • VOL. 8 NO. 1
Geneva Lakes
Inside
• WATERSPORT SAFETY • FISHING TIPS • BE A GOOD GUEST
PUBLISHED BY SOUTHERN LAKES NEWSPAPERS
Serving the Geneva Lake and Lake Como area
Page 2
Fun in the Sun GENEVA LAKES BREEZE
June 2021
Share the water
Respect everyone on the water and surroundings, and adopt a fun and safe riding style. Be mindful of signs and reminders to slow down or stay out of restricted areas. Also, keep a safe distance away from others and the shoreline. Watercraft were meant for social distancing even before it was a thing! Finally, never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol as it puts everyone’s safety at risk.
Wear the right gear
A life jacket (aka Personal Flotation Device or PFD) is a no-brainer even if you know how to swim. For additional safety, Sea-Doo reminds riders to wear the tether cord connected to the ignition switch on your life jacket at all times. In the event you end up in the water that tether cuts the engine power and you can get right back on. Also, you and your passenger should always wear a wetsuit bottom in neoprene for protection. And finally, take sunglasses to increase the cool factor and for protection from the sun and the elements!
5 things you should know to ride a watercraft In this new era of staycations and social distancing, there has been a heightened interest in outdoor recreational activities, especially with watersports and watercraft. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, watercraft sales are up as much as 75% compared to last year, making it one of the fastest growing activities out there. With the rise in popularity of watercraft and more boats out on the water, Sea-Doo maker BRP is offering tips to those who are ready to venture out in the open water. “The Sea-Doo life is about adventure, fun and unforgettable experiences, and that’s as important now as it has ever been,” said Annick Lauzon, Director, Global Marketing,
Sea-Doo. “More and more people are discovering motorized water sports, and they’re getting to know what experienced riders have known all along: very few things in life eliminate stress like spending time on the open water. In fact, it’s hard to find anyone on a Sea-Doo who has a frown!” Here are five things Sea-Doo recommends before starting your adventure:
Do you need a license?
With the increase in watercraft popularity, more riders will be out on the water, and it’s important you have all the information when traveling lake-to-lake, finding your favorite river spot, or riding in the open ocean. Each state (province) has its own rules and
Pay attention
regulations regarding licensing and proper age to operate a watercraft. Check out the Boat U.S. Foundation or Boat-Ed.com to know the regulations in your region.
Know your machine
Have a good understanding of your watercraft before you hit the waves. Get to know the general functions of your watercraft. It might be obvious, but spend some time on land learning the controls and functions so you can hit the water with confidence. Sea-Doo recommends you check out your operator’s guide, know your fuel level, and understand the general best operational practices so you’re good to go before heading away from shore.
Leave your playground and surroundings cleaner than you found it. Protecting nature and the outdoors is what will keep watersports and recreational activities going for decades to come. Don’t throw trash in the water or surrounding areas. And respect the animals in the area – after all, it’s their home.
(BPT)
By following a few, simple tips, watercraft riders will not only be able to take advantage of water fun but get in some healthy escape therapy, recharge their metaphorical batteries and practice social distancing to create great memories from this unforgettable summer. STOCK PHOTO The Breeze
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Boating with friends: Ways to be a good boat guest Imagine this: Your work week is winding down, and your best buddies just called to invite you out on their boat for the weekend. Hooray! You respond with an enthusiastic ‘Yes!’ and tell the rest of your family the good news. If you haven’t spend much time on a boat, there’s a few things (and some basic boating etiquette) you’ll want to know before stepping onboard. Set yourself up for a successful trip and be a good boat guest with these simple, best practices. Here are some tips for new boaters:
Know thy neighbor’s boat Whether you’re a boating newbie or an old salt, ask your friends ahead of time about their specific boat. Is it a sailboat or a powerboat? Is it a bowrider, a cabin cruiser, a wake boat, a pontoon boat, or something else? Knowing before you step onboard lets you look it up and learn about it. This makes a huge difference in your onboard comfort—and your host’s. Additionally, you’ll come armed with questions to ask about why they chose it and what they like about it. It might help you if you’re boat shopping, too.
Wear the right shoes – or no shoes at all Before you excitedly climb aboard in search for the best seat in the bow or next to the cooler, always – always – ask the boat owner if they’d like you to take off your shoes before boarding. And, if they do allow you to wear shoes onboard, you’ll want wear the right shoes. Boat shoes are more than just a fashion statement. Specifically, they have non-slip and non-marking soles. The last thing you, or your friends, need is to lose your footing on a slick deck or leave nearly indelible blemishes on their boat.
Dress for the elements Did you know that when you’re out on the water, it can feel cooler than it is when you’re on land? Add in the wind in your hair if you’re on a powerboat, and things can be downright chilly if you’re not dressed right. Take along extra towels, blankets, long sleeves, and/or other good layering options – for additional tips, be sure to read “Staying Warm on a Boat: The Do’s and Don’ts” at www.discoverboating.com.
Plan in advance if you’re prone to seasickness (or think you might be) Seasickness can affect even the most seasoned boater, so don’t be embarrassed if you start feeling unwell. Tell your friends. They might have some anti-sickness medication or wristbands handy. It often helps to take deep, measured breaths and keep your eyes on the horizon, too. Seasickness can lead to feeling disoriented, so best to try to stem it off if you can.
On the cover: A sailboat races in the 2017 Inland Lakes Yachting Association championship regatta on Geneva Lake in Fontana. PHOTO BY JIM FROST • The Breeze
Don’t be afraid to lend a hand
Stock up on snacks and sunscreen
A good boat guest volunteers to help with onboard tasks. If you know your way around boats, maybe you can ready the fenders, or hop off on the dock to tie up. Curious about how the boat handles? Ask if you can take a turn at the wheel (read our step-by-step guide to driving a boat for some helpful tips).
Just as you might bring dessert or another dish to a friend’s home for dinner, do the same for the boat. Just make sure the food won’t melt in the sun or stain the onboard cushions. Toss a bottle of sunscreen into your bag, too, in case anyone forgot; the water reflects the sun’s rays pretty strongly.
Be friendly and enjoy yourself, you’re boating! A good boat guest also waves to the other boaters passing by. Boaters are friendly by nature, and everyone is out on the water to have a good time, after all. Regardless of who initiatives the wave, it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Source: www.discoverboating.com.
above: When out on the water as a guest on someone else’s boat, there are some basic rules of etiquette to follow. below: If you wear shoes on a boat, make sure you have the owners permission and have the proper footwear. Boat shoes are more than just a fashion statement, they have non-slip and non-marking soles. STOCK PHOTOS The Breeze
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GENEVA LAKES BREEZE
June 2021
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Simple safety tips for water sports enthusiasts
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Bodies of water like lakes, rivers and oceans often elicit fond memories of fun times spent under the sun. Safety should always be a priority when spending time on the water, especially when participating in water sports, including swimming and water skiing. According to the World Health Organization, more than 40 people die by drowning every hour of every day, which equates to around 372,000 deaths each year. Many of those deaths, the vast majority of which occur in low- or middle-income countries, are preventable, and safety is at the core of drowning prevention. Though drowning incidents are not as prevalent in the United States and Canada as they are elsewhere in the world, the popularity of water sports in both countries
underscores the importance of revisiting the various ways to stay safe when out on the water.
Take lessons
The carefree nature of spring and summer can make it easy for water sports enthusiasts to forgo lessons before trying their hands at water skiing and wakeboarding. But such lessons can teach people techniques that can keep them safe on the water. Courses teach everything from how to get up and out of the water to how to properly handle a tow rope. They also can teach boaters how to navigate waters while towing skiers, tubers and wakeboarders.
Learn the signals
Learn hand signals and go over them before getting in the water. The National Safety Council emphasizes the importance of basic hand signals, which can be used to help boaters communicate with the people they’re towing. Hand signals are vital because water sports tend to be noisy, so nonverbal communication may be the only way
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June 2021
GENEVA LAKES BREEZE
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Did you know?
boaters can communicate with the people they’re towing. Signals can be used to communicate anything from directions of turns to speed requests to the condition of the person being towed. A list of hand signals can be found at www.boaterexam.com/safety/safetycommon-hand-signals.aspx.
Inspect tow lines
The NSC advises inspecting tow lines prior to beginning. Such inspections can confirm that tow lines are not caught in the propeller or wrapped around anyone before the
activity begins.
Take your time
Wait for the propeller to stop before getting back on the boat. People being towed should always wait for propellers to stop before climbing back into the boat. It doesn’t take long for propellers to stop, and those extra few seconds can dramatically reduce risks for accidents or injuries.
Only during the day
Visibility is compromised once the sun goes down. That can make it
hard for boaters to see any obstacles that might appear in the water, and it also makes it very difficult for them to communicate with the people they’re towing. As a result of such difficulties, the NSC urges water sports enthusiasts to only engage in such activities during daylight hours. (METRO CREATIVE)
Water sports make summer even more fun. Safety should always be the utmost priority for anyone involved in such activities.
Statistics from the United States Coast Guard indicate that, in 2019, 86 percent of drowning victims in recreational boating accidents where cause of death was known were not wearing life jackets. The National Park Service reports that drowning is the top cause of visitor deaths in national parks and that nearly all of those deaths are preventable. One of the simplest ways to prevent drowning is to follow the advice of the Park Service and wear a life jacket at all times when near or in the water. This includes when wading, swimming, fishing, boating, and engaging in watersports or other water-related activities. The Park Service notes that there are three types of life jackets, but only two come in child and infant sizes. Inherently buoyant (primarily foam) life jackets and hybrid (foam and inflation) life jackets are available in child and infant sizes. The Park Service recommends both types of life jackets for swimmers and nonswimmers. People who intend to engage in water sports should know that some hybrid life jackets are designed specifically for such activities. The third type of life jacket is inflatable life jackets, which are only available in adult sizes and should never be worn by poor or non-swimmers. (METRO CREATIVE)
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GENEVA LAKES BREEZE
June 2021
Catch More and Bigger Fish this year
10 tips to better fishing
If you’re among the 50 million Americans who plan to wet a line this year, there’s no doubt that as you wait to feel that familiar tug at the end of your fishing line this summer, you’ll ask yourself, “How can I catch more fish and bigger fish?” Ever since people started to enjoy sport fishing, they’ve been asking that question. It’s a question some of the most recognized names in fishing are often asked – anglers such as Al Lindner, Tony Roach, Mike Iaconelli, Ott DeFoe and Jacob Wheeler. With thousands of places to fish and thousands of fishing lures that one can use to catch fish, where do you even start? Anyone who’s put time on the water knows that the big one isn’t always caught by the most experienced angler in the boat. In other words, there can be a lot of luck in fishing. On the other hand, if you want to consistently catch more fish and bigger fish more often (create your own “luck”), you can set yourself up for greater success if you embrace some of these important habits offered by the fishing folks at Rapala:
Go to where the fish are
Many lakes, reservoirs, ponds and rivers hold fish, but there are some bodies of water where the conditions seem to produce an outsized number of fish or trophy-size fish. For example, professional bass fishing tournaments tend to be conducted on big bodies of water that are known for their
big numbers. Before you head out, do your homework – go online and read fishing reports, study lake and river reports produced by state departments of natural resources, and visit your local fishing tackle retailer – to get information about specific lakes, rivers and in-shore fishing areas.
Keep asking why
In a fishing magazine article, pro angler Mike Iaconelli was asked about why he loves fishing and why bass pros are so good at it. Iaconelli said he looks at fishing like solving a puzzle. When he catches a fish, he asks himself, “Why did that happen?” so he can learn from it and keep catching more.
Focus on structure
Have you ever noticed when you go to a party how everyone hangs around the island in the kitchen? Fish are no different, really – they like to hover around rocks and reefs, hang around dock and pier posts, and hide in weed beds.
Keep your lure in the water
It’s pretty simple, if you want to catch more fish, you simply need to spend more time fishing and keeping your lure in the water.
Big healthy fish can’t resist a wounded fish
Big fish are looking for the easiest meal. That’s why they zero in on wounded fish.
One of the most effective lures ever created is the Original Floating Rapala, a lure created with natural balsa wood that recreates the wobbling motion of a wounded bait fish better than any other lure in the world. It’s why, according to the International Game Fish Association, more world record fish have been caught with a Rapala than any other lure.
Rely on needle sharp hooks
Many fish have hard mouths so you need to use a hook that will hold on when a fish bites down on your bait, according to VMC, whose hooks are used by anglers worldwide. Fishing pros like Ott DeFoe and Jacob Wheeler rely on needle sharp hooks to win major bass tournaments.
Replace your fishing line
Your fishing line is the only thing between you and landing the fish of your dreams, so don’t take a chance. Make sure to check your line regularly for nicks and abrasions, according to the experts at Sufix fishing line, and get into the habit of replacing your fishing line every year if you fish frequently.
Big fish, big lures
In general, big fish are kind of lazy. They want to eat as much as they can while spending the least amount of energy getting their food. It’s kind of like hanging out on the couch all day and having a fully stocked fridge within just a short reach. So, when
you’re going after bigger fish, try using bigger lures.
Practice catch and release
To get bigger fish, anglers need to practice catch and release. That means when you catch a fish, quickly release it back into the water where it can grow bigger. If you want to make a meal, follow local fishing regulations and harvest only what you need.
Have fun catching anything
One of the greatest joys of fishing, whether it’s freshwater or saltwater, is that sometimes, you never know what’s going to bite. If you can appreciate every catch, including those less-than-desirable species, you’re guaranteed to have a great time on the water every time. If that fits your idea of fishin’ fun, Rapala has identified an assortment of catch anything lures that will catch virtually any type of fish on any type of water. If you want to learn more about catching more and bigger fish, consider visiting the blog on Rapala.com, which is chock full of information. (BPT)
Successful anglers know to do their homework before heading out on the lake. Reading online fishing reports from the DNR and visiting the local tackle store are a couple of ways to stay informed. STOCK PHOTO The Breeze
June 2021
GENEVA LAKES BREEZE
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Page 7
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How to reel in the right boat
Page 8
GENEVA LAKES BREEZE
June 2021
As the approach of warmer weather draws more COVID-19-weary people outside, the allure of being in nature and out on the water is inspiring a boom in the fishing boat business. Regular fishermen and novices are eager to get out and enjoy the challenge and contemplation that comes with pond and lake fishing. But, this type of fishing presents some barriers. To really go where the fish are in a pond or lake setting, a small fishing boat is essential, and the right boat can
get you on your way to a wonderful, “one with nature,” experience. Many current boat styles used for lake and pond fishing have certain disadvantages. Motors can get caught in vegetation, and deeper draft boats can’t navigate shallow coves. The Twin Troller, however, is an innovative small water fishing craft distinct from other boats on the market because it’s designed specifically to address the criteria for
successful pond and lake fishing. Here’s how:
Maneuverability
The Twin Troller carries two electric motors that are recessed within the boat’s hull, eliminating the risk of a motor getting damaged on rocks or tangled in branches, weeds or other debris in shallow water. The in-hull propulsion allows quiet operation, shallow draft, and a 360-degree turning radius. In addition, foot pedal controls allow for a completely hands-free navigation experience, with no paddling required.
Safety
The Twin Troller is lightweight and easy to handle. The flat-bottom design and strong sides offer maximum stability, without the tipping risk associated with jon boats, canoes, or kayaks, and anglers of all ages and flexibility levels can step in and out easily.
Comfort
Nothing spoils a day of fishing faster than a stiff back or sore bottom from sitting on an uncomfortable boat bench. The Twin Troller features an elevated and padded seat so you focus on fishing. “Freedom Electric Marine is dedicated to providing a one-of-a-kind experience for small water fishing enthusiasts through our high-performance Twin Troller boats,” says founder Frank Jones. Angier, North Carolina-based Freedom Electric Marine was founded in 2007 by Jones, an avid fisherman who saw a niche in the market for a small electric motorcraft and assembled a team to help create one. The Twin Troller is manufactured in Madison, Indiana, and ships to all 50 states. For more information about optimizing your small water fishing experience, visit freedomelectricmarine.com.
Anglers know that fishing in a pond or lake setting requires a small fishing boat when out on the water.
(NEWSUSA)
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