Leo

Stopped into The Fishin' Hole the other day, which happens to be one of my favorite fishing tackle/outfitter/sandwich shops. (Talk about your one stop shopping!!)

I was looking for a good 8 weight line to take to Alaska.

What I came away with was an update from about four different people who had just returned from Alaska.

Now, for those of you that have been following my upcoming maiden trip to The Last Frontier -you know that I am headed up there in a week from now. So it was nice to hear some first hand reports on what is going on, and how the fishing is doing.

Of course I am a little concerned that right there in the tiny town of Shady Cove, Oregon--there were four people who have recently been to Alaska right there at that given moment in that fishing tackle/outfitter/sandwich shop! If you take the ratio of those four people at that given time and the odds that they had been to Alaska and multply that out over the entire nation.... well..... you come up with a pretty dang high number!

And to think I was worried about the mosquitoes.

Anyway, one fella happened to have a photo album and all I had to say was that I was headed up to Alaska--and of course he pulled out that album and showed me some rather dandy Halibut that weighed in at 178 pounds. He also said if he didn't have one of those belts that you strap on to fight Marlin, he would probably be recovering from hernia surgery. I of course said the fish was nice-- but I was more concerned with the mosquitoes.

He told me they didn't bother him.Hmmmm now that sounds fishy to me.

Another person reported that the Kenai--the LOWLY Kenai--- fished well and they caught some really nice King Salmon. They weren't bragging about size so they were either really big or really small.

Not sure.

They also went Halibut fishing and caught some 20 pounders, certainly not big by Alaskan standards. They also reported that every person on the boat puked their guts out.

Now there is something to look forward to. I hope I am fishing out of a Princess Cruiseliner--but I doubt it.

I also asked them how the mosquitoes were?

To quote them: " OH MY GOD- THEY WERE BIG AS BIRDS!!"

Nice. Puking, scratching, and hernia surgery!!

We discussed the various options of Deet and netting, but it sounded like that only made it more challenging for the skeeters to find a way to make your life miserable.They described the mosquitoes approaching, 'like a black cloud' and then enveloping them in a blood sucking frenzy.

Sounds like a Stephen King novel.

One gal produced a bottle of some " natural" deet free repellant, and offered up a very weak, "our friends used this up at Diamond Lake last week and said this stuff is 'the bomb'."

Unless she meant "bug bomb"--I wasn't about to start experimenting with anything unproven. Besides, the difference between Diamond Lake mosquitoes and the Kenai Peninsula mosquitoes is probably like the difference between Peoria and Yankee Stadium. I told her I'd try it but I would need her cell number so I could be sure to call her at midnight if her"natural" spray was ineffective.

She pulled that bottle off the counter faster than a Ford truck recall goes out.

So it sounded like fishing was going about as expected, and the mosquitoes were going as expected also.

I also received a call from another buddy who wanted to go fishing on the Klamath River, in California, the week after I get back. He is an Alaskan fishing veteran so he had all sorts of good information to offer up about catching Silvers, including a "special" fly pattern that he developed and ties himself. I am now going to be his official "field tester" --because I suspect he thinks- if I can catch a fish with it...then it has real marketing potential. So look for it's appearance on the "two guys with flys" website if it works. If not... well... you can always look for my swollen festering mosquito welts.

I have also checked in with my good friend Tom, who if you remember, floated the Kisaralik River last month. He is back and reported a successful trip, in the respect that no one was eaten by a Bear, and they returned with same number of people they left with.

Oh, and the fishing was great for BIG TROUT, and of course--Deet had little or no effect at stopping the onslaught of mosquitoes.As evidenced by his scabbed over arm full of bites and "Calamine lotioned" skin color.

Also received a phone call from Ranger Kurt--and he pretty much just laughed maniacally and kept saying things like: "August in Alaska" "August in Alaska" "HA HA HA ha......."

Perhaps a few to many bites from his last trip??

Well, that is about it from the front.

I'll be busy this week getting ready-and soaking my clothes in Deet...

A.J. Klott is a writer of fishing humor and the people and events surrounding the fishing world. He also can be found selling "fly tacks" and other various fishing supplies at: http://www.twoguyswithflys.com

For many men suffering from BPH (a swollen or enlarged prostate) drug treatment is the answer and can reduce BPH symptoms to an acceptable level. For others however medication does not prove effective or is not a viable option and the doctor may recommend one of a number of minimally invasive surgical procedures.

The first procedure to consider is catheterization. Catheterization involves the insertion of a catheter into the penis and bladder to act as a drain and is normally considered only as a temporary solution. It is used mainly for patients who are waiting for the effects of drug treatment to kick in (some drugs used in BPH treatment can take 6 to 12 months before they start to show results) or for other surgical treatments. It can also be used to assist in treating infections.

The next procedure to consider is Holmium laser enucleation prostate (HoLEP). This procedure, which is carried out under anesthesia and requires a short 1 or 2 day stay in hospital, involves the insertion of a resectoscope through the penis and into the urethra. A laser is then passed through the resectoscope and is used to vaporize prostate tissue.

A similar procedure to HoLEP is that of interstitial laser coagulation. This procedure is again carried out under anesthetic, although patients are not normally required to remain in hospital overnight. In this case a cystoscope, which is a metal tube through which a visual lens and laser can be passed, is used and tissue is burnt away from the prostate using laser energy.

In cases where a patient cannot tolerate anesthesia a prostatic stent may be used. Stenting involves the placement of a spring-like device into the urethra at the point at which it passes through the prostate in order to hold the urethra open. Unfortunately there are a number of problems associated with this form of BPH treatment and it is normally only used for patients who suffer from additional medical problems and for whom surgery would present unacceptable risks.

Transurethral microwave thermotherapy of the prostate (TUMT) is a form of minimally invasive surgery that does not require hospitalization or anesthesia and is carried out using a local anesthetic and oral pain medication. In this procedure a catheter is inserted through the penis and computer controlled microwaves are used to heat, and thus shrink, sections of the prostate.

Another office-based procedure is the transurethral radio frequency needle ablation of the prostate (TUNA). Here light anesthesia and medication is used to make the patient sleepy and prostate tissue is heated using radio frequency energy transmitted through a series of needles placed directly into the prostate. This procedure initially causes a swelling of the prostate, followed by shrinkage, and patients will usually be required to use a catheter for a short period after the procedure.

There are clearly a number of different forms of minimally invasive surgery available for BPH treatment and patients will need to discuss each of these with their doctor to determine which will best suit their particular circumstances.

For more information about BPH treatment please visit Prostate Cancer Explained.

The concept of VoIP phones has climbed up the popularity ladder because of its effectiveness. VoIP is the abbreviated form of Voice Over Internet Protocol. The VoIP phones are just like your traditional phones that are used for making long distance calls. However the difference lies in the cost and the carrier which transfers the signal from one phone to another. VoIP telephony is wholly related to the Internet services. That means your call is made through the Internet. Secondly the cost of this call isn't much and it is cheaper as compared to the traditional PSTNs.

Also, you can be assured of the voice quality that remains undeterred and it sounds as clear as your normal telephone. The VoIP service proves to be much affective especially for international calls as it cuts much on your telephone bills. And the benefits that are given by these VoIP phones are much better than your traditional phones. Lets take a look as to how the VoIP phones are more convenient than the traditional phones.

You can receive your incoming calls anywhere around the world, as they are directly routed to your VoIP phones. All you have to do is to keep yourself connected to the Internet. Also it facilitates Instant messenger users, to make calls to anywhere around the world, with the help of VoIP services. The concept of VoIP telephone services have become really helpful for the thriving of call centres as the agents can operate from anywhere around the world using the medium of VoIP telephony.

Recently, Toshiba has launched two VoIP phones, namely Toshiba G500, and G900 which facilitate the concept of VoIP phones even more than before. Incidentally, there are quite a number of handsets that have inculcated the VoIP telephony in them, thereby making this concept known to a large number of people who werent earlier acquainted with it.

Surely, these VoIP phones have made things easier for us, and are making waves amongst its users.

Xpert4u offer Cashback Shopping of VOIP Phones.

Best Weather, great photography San Diego Sailing for you.

This article focuses on all that San Diego can offers

Located in the up-town state of California, San Diego promises to be a treat. Treat because it offers the interesting features and benefits of San Diego Sailing. Flanked by skyscrapers that may challenge airplanes, San Diego Sailing offers first time and experienced sailors, all alike, the opportunity to test their sailing prowess.

San Diego is the second largest city in the state of California, not surprisingly after Los Angeles. That part of fame has got nothing to do with San Diego Sailing. Blessed with clear skies that you can start counting the clouds, and fantastic weather conditions, San Diego has conceptualized sailing in its own way. Its proximity to the Mexico and long drawn miles of beaches are just added attractions to this place, and a good incentive if he is planning to take his sail boat out to the sea for the first time.

San Diego boasts of its own Surfing Culture. It has its own indigenous brand names like Blacks Beach, Swamis and many more. With the Port of San Diego manning the harbor, you are never far away from the biggies in the world of sailing. San Diego sailing best epitomizes clear weather, semi-tropical climate and of course clear blue waters. The waters which form the undercurrents of the Mexican beaches are typically harmless.. When I call them harmless, you would not be drowning away if just in case your sails fail. Known as a City with lot of money, people in San Diego do not mind investing that extra buck when it comes to Sailing. They would do well to know that the investment of money is worth it. And that is the second symbolical factor of San Diego Sailing. It has the facilities and amenities. But as they say, all go waste if there is no one to use it. San Diego folks ensure that these do not go waste and use every bit of it and are proud of it much the same way how they are proud of their Semi-Hispanic culture. That brings us to a very interesting point. Inhabitants of San Diego are populated with a lot of Hispanics and people who have Hispanic origin. People of Spain are naturally born sailors and have inherited sailing skills, speaking literally. And hence, you would find a majority of San Diego Sailing natives as Hispanics. This not to deny that there are lot of American Nationals too.

The amalgamation of culture, facilities and topography makes San Diego Sailing stand tall amongst lot of other Sailing mega clubs which we may have heard of. If there is a word of caution to the San Diego Sailing club members, please do not venture out in to the seas in the months of December to March. These are the typically cooler months in the San Diego climes and it is said to rain these days. Apart from that, as there is virtually no ice or snow to be found, you can sail almost peacefully without bothering about icebergs.

Rooster is into many things and sets up Blogs of his interests check out San Diego Sailing by visiting http://boatchartersailing.com a popular website that offers sailing, sailboat, terms and bareboat charter advice and resources to include information about sailing lessons, Ken Barnes Sailing and Florida Sailing tips that you can use to enjoy Sailing.