FILL UP ON FLUIDS

Hydration is an imperative component in successful golfers game. Consuming adequate fluids before, during and after playing golf is beneficial. Even a slight decrease in bodyweight due to dehydration can affect your performance and result in fatigue & mental dullness. Consume approximately 8 oz of fluid before tee time. While golfing consume 4-8 oz of fluid every15-20 minutes or at every hole. If celebrating with alcoholic beverages is planned at 19th hole, alternate fluid (nonalcoholic) with alcoholic drinks. Alcohol acts as a diuretic and actually increases fluid loss, so it is not a good choice for replacement of fluids lost during round of golf.

To help your performance try these nutrition tips as you eat for “peak performance!”

BEFORE THE MORNING ROUND

1 cup oatmeal 1 banana or 1 cup orange juice 1 cup skim milk or 1 cup nonfat yogurt 2 slices whole-wheat toast 2 teaspoons margarine AFTER THE 9TH HOLE

12 ounces Sports Drink 2 tablespoons peanut butter and crackers or 1 piece of fruit or 1 granola or cereal bar POST GAME

Don’t forget to re-hydrate as mentioned above! 3-4 ounces grilled chicken breast 1 cup brown rice 1 cup steamed broccoli 1 cup mixed greens salad 2 teaspoons low fat dressing 1 cup fruit salad These are just a few tips to jump start proper fueling as an important and integral part of your training program. Each athlete is unique and has different training schedules, food preferences, lifestyle factors, and weight concerns. For a more individualized assessment and recommendations for your needs submit a rquest at: www.GoLoGolFitness.com

The next level down is medium and is most popular action being sold today. They flex further down rod than fast action. Great for beginners, it is also choice of most experienced angler’s who don’t own a bunch of rods. For beginners they are forgiving to learn on, providing more accuracy then super fast. They don’t cast as far however, and you will battle wind more in this type rod.

The last level is slow or full bend, often bending all way to grip. These rods are dying out, which is a shame, because for fishing small creeks they are best. They don’t cast very far, but you don’t need that on tiny creeks, but what they do best is absorb shock, so your tippet doesn’t get as stressed, there fore your chances of snapping off fly are reduced.

Grips:

The choice of grip is often over looked when choosing a fly rod. This is a mistake, as grip is important in comfort of your fly rod in your hand. Most decent fly rods these days use standard cork as material. full wells grips are choice if you have large hands, and half wells grips are popular with lady anglers. They both many ways you can hold rod, and your hand seems to naturally find it’s preferred method of holding rod. It can also be altered once fatigue sets in, so you can fish longer without cramps.

Manufacturer’s:

There are many of them, and guess what, most common names all make great fly rods. With advent of graphite in 70’s fly rod industry was revolutionized, and now one must not spend a fortune for a bamboo rod, to enjoy great fly fishing.

I, personally have fished almost every name brand on market today. Like every other angler I have my preferences but I must admit differences are nil, and I could probably learn to like any of them, just as well as ones I won. I currently own rods from Scott, LL Bean, Loomis and Cabela’s, and they all have characteristics I love and some I would like to see improved, and I am a very happy owner of them all.

I do look for lifetime warranty, and it offered by virtually all major rod maker’s today. It is figured into price of rod, and you must register your rod upon purchase to qualify for it. But if you have your rod for any length of time you will undoubtedly be glad you have it. Whether you broke your rod tip off fighting a fish, trying to free a snag, or in car door, most rod makers will send you a replacement.

Recommendations:

Realize these are very basic recommendations and use them as a starting point. But for small streams and brook trout I like 3-4 weight slow action rod. They are still out there, but you may have to look. For other trout and small mouth bass I like 5-6 wt. rods and medium action. And for largemouth, salmon, and steelhead, try a 7-9 weight fast action rod. Look for future recommendations on Saltwater Fly rods from The Big Y Fly Fishing E-zine at http://www.bigyflyco.com/Bigyflyfishingezine.html .