| How to Maintain Good Posture Posted: 16 May 2020 01:00 AM PDT Posture is the way in which you hold yourself while sitting, standing, and lying down. Good posture keeps all of your joints and bones aligned, reducing stress on muscles and ligaments.[1] Maintaining good posture is important to prevent muscle fatigue and injury. Poor posture often leads to back pain, but there are several small changes you can make to your daily routine to prevent this by improving your posture. Seek expert advice before and after these changes to prevent injury. [Edit]Maintaining Good Posture While Sitting and Lying Down - Set up your computer monitor at eye level. Position the computer screen directly in front of the user so the body and neck do not have to twist to view.[2] Ensure the screen rests at eye level so you do not have to tilt your head up or down to see the screen properly.
- Keep your head level while using the computer to keep your spine straight.
- Avoid tucking your chin into your chest.
- Use an ergonomic chair with proper lumbar support. If you have a desk job that requires you to sit for many hours a day, a chair with proper back support is a must. The lower back has an inward curve that straight-backed chairs do not account for.[3] Sitting for extended amounts of time in a straight-backed chair can lead to back pain and muscle fatigue.
- Purchase a chair with a curved back or one that has an adjustable lumbar support.
- You can make a DIY lumbar support by using a rolled up towel or pillow and placing at the base of your spine.
- Lumbar support add-ons can also be purchased for a marginal price if you don't want to buy a whole new chair.
- Do not replace your chair with an exercise or gym ball. Though it has been in fashion to swap out your office chair to balance on an exercise ball while sitting at your desk, there is no added benefit in doing so.[4] It will not give you a mini ab work out, nor will it help improve your posture.[5]
- Sit with both feet on the ground and your knees at or above hip level. When sitting for a long time, you might be tempted to cross your legs or slouch. The best way to keep good posture at your desk is to keep both feet planted on the ground.[6] Use a footrest, if necessary.
- Keep your back straight against the chair.
- Keep your shoulders relaxed, but not rounded down or pulled backward.
- Stretch, walk, or stand every half hour.[7] It's easy to get bogged down in work, but your posture will thank you by frequently moving a little bit. Set a timer on your desk and when it goes off stand up and stretch out. Walk to the break room to get some water, or go say hi to a work mate.
- You don't have to go on an extended walk, just take a lap around the office.
- Drive sitting with your back firmly against the seat for proper support. Avoid reclining the seat too far. Use a lumbar support at the curve of your back. Make sure your knees are at the same level or higher than your hips.[8]
- Move the seat close enough to the steering wheel to allow your knees to bend properly and your feet to reach the pedals.
- Sleep on a firm mattress with pillows. Find a mattress that is comfortable for you, but know that firm mattresses are recommended.[9] Avoid sleeping on your stomach or curled up into a ball.[10] If you are sleeping on your side, place a pillow between your legs to support spinal alignment during sleep. If you sleep on your back, place a pillow underneath your knees.[11]
- Sleep with a pillow under your head as well. Choose a pillow that allows you to keep your head in a neutral position so that your head is neither in a flexed or extended position while sleeping.
- Do not sleep with a pillow under your shoulders.
[Edit]Maintaining Good Posture While Standing - Know the correct way to stand. Having good posture while standing is important, especially if you are on your feet all day. If you are standing with proper posture, you reduce stress on your body and may actually have more energy, as your muscles are used most efficiently when you have good posture.[12] Use the following guidelines to make sure you are standing correctly.[13][14]
- Hold your head up straight, not tilted forward, backward, or to the side. Picture a string attached to the top of your head, and someone is gently pulling it, keeping your head lifted.
- Keep your shoulder blades back, but not so far that they are touching.
- Knees should be straight, but not locked.
- Tuck your stomach in without tilting your pelvis forward of backwards.
- Keep your weight on the balls of your feet.
- Bend from the knees when lifting heavy objects.[15] Avoid lifting objects heavier than 30 pounds, but when necessary, always bend at the knees first. Keep your back straight and bend your knees and hips to retrieve the object. Never bend forward from the waist with straight knees.
- Use a wide stance with feet firmly planted on the ground. Start close to the object.
- Straighten your knees in a steady motion, standing upright without twisting the body.
- Hold heavy objects close to you, with elbows bent and stomach muscles tight.
- Wear supportive shoes. If you are on your feet all day, you'll want to look for shoes designed for comfort and to adequately support the weight of your body. Look for brands that offer added support and cushioning, plus a roomy toe.[16]
- Look into orthotic shoes or inserts to support good posture, and avoid high heels.[17]
- Test your standing posture. You can easily check your posture by doing a wall test. Stand against a wall, with your head, shoulder blades, and buttocks touching the wall. Your heels should be two to four inches from the wall. Place your palm against the wall and slide your hand behind your lower back.[18]
- If your posture is good, then there should be a space about the width of a hand between your back and hand.
- If there is more space than that, then you can flatten the curve of your back by tensing your abdomen and pulling in your belly button.
- If there is less space and your back is touching your hand, arch your back until it is no longer touching your hand.
- Once you have corrected your posture, walk away from the wall. Remember how you had to adjust your body to achieve good posture, and make an effort to correct your posture throughout the day.
- Consider a device to help you maintain good posture. You could buy a back support brace, which can be worn under your clothes. You can buy different types of braces to support different parts of your back, such as a belt for lumbar support or a brace that focuses on pulling your shoulders back.
- In addition, you might investigate devices that are on the cutting edge of technology, such as a sensor that attaches to your shirt and buzzes when you slouch or one that sticks to your lower back. You can even download an app that detects when you're craning your neck over your smartphone.[19][20]
[Edit]Adding Exercises to Your Daily Routine - Develop a stretching routine. If you are just starting out, keep your routine short and simple. Try to make it a daily or every other day habit. There are a number of small stretches that can be performed to quickly increase good posture. Try adding some of these exercises to your daily routine:[21]
 - Shoulder rolls: Stand or sit comfortably. As you inhale, lift your shoulders up towards your ears. On the exhale, roll them back, squeezing your shoulder blades together. Repeat five to 10 times.
- Release chest: Raise your arms just below your shoulders, keeping palms facing forward. As you inhale, raise your straight arms in front of you, just below the shoulders, keeping palms facing forward. As you exhale, slowly rotate palms so that your fingers point behind you while you open up your arms, similar to a hugging movement. Repeat three to five times.
- Pyramid: Step your right foot back so it is flat against the floor and square your hips. With both legs straight, clasp arms behind your back and lean forward from your hips. Keep your back straight and do not round your spine. Take three to five breaths from this position and rise back to standing. Repeat on the other side.
- Snow angels: Lie down on the floor and slowly make snow angels with your arms for two to three minutes. Put a rolled up towel underneath your middle spine to increase the stretch.[22] Do not put the towel under your lower back, as this can cause you to hyperextend your back.
- Strengthen your core with a Pilates or yoga course. Keeping your core muscles tight helps maintain good posture. Pilates and yoga classes focus on strengthening pelvic and abdominal muscles. Strengthening your core helps support your muscles and keep everything balanced.
 - Check your local gym or fitness studio for available classes.
- Start at the beginner level to avoid injury.
- Some simple exercises you can try at home include:[23]
- Bridge: Lie on your back with your knees bent. Keep your hips straight and tighten your abdominal muscles. Raise your hips until they are aligned with your knees and shoulders, forming a 90 degree angle. Hold for three breaths and slowly lower your hips back to the ground. Repeat three to five times.
- Side plank: Lie on your left side, raising your body onto your left forearm. Align your left shoulder over your left elbow, keeping knees, hips, and shoulders aligned. Rest your right arm against the side of your body. Lift your hips off the ground engaging your abdominal muscles. Hold for three breaths. Repeat three to five times and then switch to the right side. To increase the difficulty, straighten your arm and support your weight on your hand instead of resting on your forearm.
- Superman: Lie flat on your stomach with your arms in front of you and your legs straight out behind you. Lift your arms and legs as high as you can, keeping all of your joints aligned straight. Hold for three breaths. Repeat three to five times. You can place a pillow under your stomach to reduce the likelihood of hyperextending your back.
- Russian twist:[24] Sit on the floor with your knees bent. Lean back just enough to make a V-shape between your thighs and upper body. Keep a natural curve in the lower back. Extend your arms fully out in front of you and twist your torso to the left side until your arms touch the floor. Return to a neutral position, pause, and then twist to the right. Twist back to the right side. Do this from anywhere between 20 – 50 times. To make it more difficult, hold a weight in your hands.
- Strengthen your spine muscles. Oftentimes, bad posture is the product of weakened or imbalanced muscles.[25] To correct this, try doing exercises that specifically focus on strengthening the muscles around the spine, such as the back extensors, neck flexors, and side muscles. Ask a trainer at the gym to suggest some strengthening exercises using the equipment available or try some of the simple exercises below.[[26]
 - Reverse fly: Stand up straight, with knees slightly bent, back straight, and feet shoulder-width apart. Holding a 5-8 pound weight in each hand, bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight. With palms facing down, raise your arms up as far as you can, squeezing your shoulder blades together. It should look like you are "spreading your wings." Keep your elbows slightly bent and make sure your head remains in a neutral position and is not flexed forward. Do two sets of 15 reps.
- Row: Hold a five to eight pound weight in each hand. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and lean forward at the hips keeping your back straight. Pull your hands up toward your chest and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Do two sets of 10 reps.
- Arm and leg extension: Start on all fours keeping your back straight. Raise your left leg and extend it back behind you. With the leg extended, lift your right arm and reach forward. Hold this for five seconds and then switch sides. Repeat 10 times.
- If any of these exercises cause extreme pain, stop immediately and talk to your doctor.
[Edit]Maintaining Bone Health - Walk briskly for a few hours a week. Cells in your bones respond to stress by increasing bone density.[27] Brisk walking is one way to lightly increase stress and encourage new bone growth.
- Walking for just 30 minutes a day can increase bone density.
- Consult a specialist before adding any intensive workouts to your daily routine.
- Take vitamin D for bone and muscle health. Keeping your muscles and bones strong will help prevent a hunched back as you age. It will also help you maintain good posture while you're young. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones.[28] Your body makes vitamin D in response to the sun, but be sure to wear sunblock. You can also increase vitamin D intake with a multivitamin or supplement.[29]
- Take medications for bone loss. There are medications available to slow bone loss and increase bone density.[30] These are usually used after a diagnosis of osteoporosis (bone loss) has been confirmed. Consult a doctor if you think this might be a good option for you.
- Eat calcium and nutrient-rich foods. Green leafy vegetables are a great source of calcium and other essential nutrients needed for a healthy diet.[31] Milk and calcium-enriched juices are also a good source to increase calcium. Calcium citrate or calcium carbonate supplements may also be used.
- If you take a supplement, avoid taking it with other calcium rich foods. If you have milk for breakfast, take your pill at lunch.[32]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary - ↑ https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness-Information/Posture
- ↑ http://www.spineuniverse.com/wellness/ergonomics/workstation-ergonomic-tips-computer-monitors-posture
- ↑ http://lifehacker.com/5755870/how-to-ergonomically-optimize-your-workspace
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793460/
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16410033
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/back-pain/sls-20076817?s=5
- ↑ http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20446224_2,00.html
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Posture_for_a_Healthy_Back
- ↑ https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness-Information/Posture
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Posture_for_a_Healthy_Back
- ↑ https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness-Information/Posture
- ↑ http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-POSTURE.htm
- ↑ http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-POSTURE.htm
- ↑ http://www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness-Information/Posture
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Posture_for_a_Healthy_Back
- ↑ http://www.neamb.com/insurance/take-the-ache-out-of-standing-all-day.htm
- ↑ http://www.neamb.com/insurance/take-the-ache-out-of-standing-all-day.htm
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/back-pain/sls-20076817?s=4
- ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/posture-apps
- ↑ http://www.wareable.com/wearable-tech/the-best-wearables-for-improving-your-posture
- ↑ http://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-exercise/better-posture/shoulder-rolls
- ↑ http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20446224_3,00.html
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/multimedia/core-strength/sls-20076575?s=3
- ↑ http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/beginner-core-training-guide.htm
- ↑ http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/posture-power-how-to-correct-your-body-alignment.html
- ↑ http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20709957_2,00.html
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/features/building-stronger-bones?page=3
- ↑ http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20446224_9,00.html
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/features/building-stronger-bones?page=2
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/features/building-stronger-bones?page=3
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/features/building-stronger-bones?page=2
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/features/building-stronger-bones?page=3
|
| How to Make Your Dog Smell Better Posted: 15 May 2020 05:00 PM PDT The odor of a smelly dog does not appeal to most people. In fact, dog odor can often cause people to think twice about either owning a dog or letting their dog spend time indoors or in a car with them. Unpleasant dog odors are many and varied, including bad breath, flatulence, scents arising from poorly maintained fur, or the animal stepping or rolling in feces. Ultimately, no matter how cute, a smelly dog is hard to spend time around, so it is important to keep your dog smelling pleasant. [Edit]Bathing your Dog - Buy some dog shampoo. For a dog that has rolled in something smelly, hasn't been bathed for a while, or looks dirty, a bath is a good start to fixing the odor issue. Buy a shampoo that is formulated to get rid of odors rather than simply trying to cover them up with artificial scents.[1]
- Conditioner is optional, depending on the type of coat your dog has.
- If your dog is suffering from a skin condition, such as yeast overgrowth, ask your vet for an appropriate medicated shampoo to use.
- Wet your dog completely. Starting from the top of the head and working your way down to the end of the tail, apply warm (but not hot) water to your dog.
- Your dog should be wet all the way to the skin before applying shampoo.
- Shampoo the dog. Squirt some shampoo into your hands. Start to lather from the top of your dog's neck to the end of its tail.
- Shampoo the outside of the ears, the legs, the chest, belly, featherings (if any), and the rest of the body.
- Be careful to avoid your dog's eyes and ears.
- Rinse the shampoo. Use warm water to wash the shampoo out of the dog's coat. Again, avoid water entering the eyes, ears or nose.
- Repeat this process for conditioner, if you choose.
- Let your dog shake the water off. Stand back and let your dog shake out as much water as possible.
- Dry your dog as soon as possible. Using a towel, dry your dog as much as you are able. Some dogs may let you use a hair dryer set on low to blow dry their fur.
- The wet-dog smell that people complain about is mainly caused by bacteria that feed on a dog's natural skin oil. Like so many other types of bacteria, they thrive in a warm, moist environment.
- The best way to control the wet-dog smell is to give your dog regular baths and to keep your dog dry as much as possible between baths.
- Keep in mind that bathing your dog too frequently will remove too much skin oil, leading to health problems. Ask your vet for advice, according to the climate, length of your dog's hair, etc.[2]
- It's best if you can prevent your dog from rolling until he has dried completely, as its wet fur will easily absorb scents.
[Edit]Grooming your Dog - Clean your dog's ears. Dirty ears are a common source of unpleasant dog odors. Clean your dog's ears when they look dirty inside, but do not clean them so often that it causes irritation.[3]
- Buy wipes, mineral oil, or an ear cleaner, available at any pet store.[4]
- Wipe the ear where wax can be seen (generally a dark brown color) and through the different crevasses in the ear. If there is a strong odor to the ear, it is most likely an infection, not just wax, and should be addressed by a veterinarian and appropriate medication.
- Ear infections are common in dogs and often accompany skin problems elsewhere on the dog's body. If your dog's ears show signs of infection such as odor, redness, swelling, or discharge,[5] look out for skin problems.
- Both skin infections and ear infections are often caused by allergic reactions to foods or something in the environment like pollen.
- Gently squirt the solution in the dog's ear and rub the ear in a circular motion. Or, better yet, use your thumb and middle finger to gently grasp the ear canal just below the ear opening. Then, open and close your fingers to break up the ear debris with the help of the ear cleaning solution.[6]
- Dogs usually find this enjoyable and will often lean into the ear massage and groan with appreciation.
- Lastly, use a cotton ball to gently wipe out any fluid from the ear canal.
- Throughout this process, do not force anything down the canal.[7] Do not use Q-tips.[8]
- Brush or comb your dog daily. This will remove some of the dirt and debris that may contribute to unpleasant dog odor.[9]
- Clean your dog's teeth. A dirty mouth leads to bad breath. For both your dog's health and odor, you should brush your dog's teeth regularly, ideally on a daily basis.
- Find a dog toothbrush suitable for the size of your dog's mouth. You can buy these at any pet store, in pet catalogs, or from your veterinarian. Find a suitable toothpaste for dogs (don't ever use human toothpaste).[10] Dog toothpaste are often flavored with such tasty flavors as beef or poultry.
- Squirt a pea-sized amount of dog toothpaste on the toothbrush.
- Gently move your dog's lip upward so you can see its teeth.
- Brush all the teeth inside the mouth for about one minute. Be sure to get both sides of each tooth.[11]
- Some dogs will not take to tooth brushing with a toothbrush right away and will require training and slow introduction to the process. Start out with the dog toothpaste on your finger, then use a piece of gauze. When your dog is comfortable with that, move up to the toothbrush so that your dog can get used to the process gradually.[12]
- Don't forget to treat your dog for being patient during this process.
- Don't scent your dog. Avoid spraying perfume or scented, deodorizing, or household products on your dog.[13]
- These may temporarily mask the odor but won't remove it or address the cause. Also, if it's not made for use on dogs, it may be unsafe, make the problem worse, or even injure your pet.
[Edit]Reducing Flatulence - Consider your dog's diet. If your dog isn't eating a healthy, natural diet, then odor may be caused by the unhealthy food your dog eats. Look into what you are feeding your dog, and check the ingredients on the dog food bag.
- Some commercial foods are bulked up with cheaper ingredients that are liable to cause flatulence, such as grains or soya.
- Even dogs eating a "healthy" diet can develop digestive problems. It is not uncommon for dogs to have food allergies that cause flatulence. Some treats can trigger digestive problems, too.
- Change your dog's food. If your dog has been eating poor quality food, shift your dog off cheap and low nutrition food onto better quality natural brands. Many cheap brands contain fillers that are undigestible and can be the cause of the dog odor, dulled coat, gas, and bad dog breath.[14]
 - High-quality natural brands are available at good pet stores or online. You can also try switching to making your own. Talk with your veterinarian about a quality dog food recipe to follow.
- Switch your dog's food gradually. Start by adding a little of the new food to the old food at mealtime, and gradually increase the amount until you have phased out the old food entirely.[15]
- If flatulence worsens when changing food, this is a sign you've changed over the food too quickly. Provide a more gradual change-over period between foods so that the intestinal bacteria can get used to the new food. A good transition period is three to seven days, reducing the old food by a little each day.
- Most dogs are lactose intolerant. If you're adding anything to your dog's diet that includes lactose, flatulence may well be the end result. Remove the lactose source and things should improve.[16] On the other hand, non-fat plain yogurt with live bacteria in it can benefit some dogs.[17] Ask your vet for advice first.
- Help your dog's digestive system work more efficiently with the addition of whole grains such as cooked brown rice.[18] Better digestion means better doggy breath and less flatulence.
- Stop the table scraps. The variety of food from the table isn't ideal for a dog's diet and can contribute to bad breath and flatulence, as well as unbalanced nutrition.[19]
- Don't let your dog eat from the trash. If this is happening, take steps to prevent it, as your dog might eat inappropriate or even spoiled food, as well as get covered in more stinky substances.
- Exercise your dog regularly. Walking, running, and playing are good ways to reduce flatulence by encouraging gut movement.[20]
[Edit]Dealing with the Anal Glands - Have your dog examined. If you believe your dog's unpleasant smell may be coming from its anal glands, take your dog to the vet. He or she will be able to tell you whether they might by overly full or infected.[21]
- Learn to empty the glands. If the vet determines your dog's anal glands are a problem, have a groomer or a vet show you how to empty your dog's anal glands properly and safely.[22]
- Be aware of possible psychological issues. If your dog releases secretions when anxious, excited or afraid, there may also be some psychological issues that need attending to.
- Talk to your vet or animal behaviorist for more ideas, since this is behavioral in origin. You may be able to minimize this problem by helping your dog feel calmer in day-to-day life.[23]
[Edit]Cleaning your Dog's Bedding - Machine-wash cloth bedding. Keeping your dog's bedding clean and free of fleas and dirt will help maintain a fresher-smelling dog. Place all cloth bedding, crate bumpers, and crate covers in the washing machine. Wash as directed on the label. For highly washable items (such as old towels) do on the hottest temperature possible. [24]
- If possible, use a non-scented laundry detergent or no detergent at all. Dogs smell things much more keenly than humans. What smells pleasant to a human will likely smell incredibly perfumed to a dog.
- Washing with hot water and baking soda will kill most smells without scent.
- Vinegar and hot water works well, too.
- If you really do need to launder with laundry soap, there are many with little or no odor.
- Avoid using fabric softeners, as they may irritate your dog's skin and are typically highly perfumed.
- Dry the bedding. Transfer items to the dryer (set on low heat) or set them out to air dry in the sun.[25]
- Clean non-washable items. Bedding items that cannot be machine washed, such as your dog's crate or a large bed, should be rinsed with the hose. If they are very dirty, scrub them out using a sponge or toothbrush and mild biodegradable dish soap.
- Repeat. Clean the dog's bedding weekly or biweekly depending on how often the smell returns.[26]
- For skin problems, in some areas it's possible to see a vet dermatologist. This might help your dog if the odor source is skin or coat related.
- There are medical products that can reduce dog flatulence. Speak to your vet about them if diet doesn't solve the problem.
- Spray your dog with dry shampoo and rub in as soon as it hits the coat of the dog. This won't mask the smell, just clean the skin and coat. Over a period of time (1-3 weeks) however, your dog will smell nice and be super clean!
- Keep dog brushes clean. Wash with hot water and allow to dry before using again.
- You can also use these really cool treats that are actually good for dogs and dogs love them! They are called Greenies and the treats look like a tooth brush. Give your dog a Greenies treat. While the dog is eating this the treat will prevent bad breath, and leave their teeth white and healthy! And the best part is they love them! They think they are a actually treat when really it's a treat that's healthy for them.
- For dog beds with removable covers, try slipping some lavender buds between the cover and bed for a clean, fresh scent. Doing so may also have a calming effect on your dog.
- Be sure that the products you're adding to your dog's coat are not causing any odor problems in conjunction with the dog's natural odor. Scented shampoos, for example, might be doing more harm than good.
[Edit]Warnings - Human toothpaste contains fluoride, which may be toxic to your dog if swallowed. Do not use it to clean your dog's teeth.
- Some dogs are naturally smellier than others. You may just need to get used to the fact, especially as your dog ages and if it has a longer coat or is bigger in build.
- Make sure you have professional help when first cleaning your dog's anal glands. Mistakes can lead to serious infections.
- Frequent odor problems may be caused by more serious health problems. If none of these strategies are effective, the issue may require a vet visit. In particular, be on the lookout for severe flatulence[27], a long-lasting urine smell,[28], any strong odor combined with yellowed eyes and gums, a swollen abdomen, or vomiting,[29], or visible issues with the dog's teeth or gums.
- Do not feed your dog chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, tomatoes, avocados, macadamia nuts, and foods containing caffeine or xylitol. These can be harmful and poisonous to your dog.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References
[Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Cast a Fly Fishing Rod Posted: 15 May 2020 09:00 AM PDT Fly fishing can be as challenging as it is fun. Learning how to cast with a fly rod takes lots of practice to master, but the basic technique is actually pretty easy to understand. Start by adjusting your line so it's rigged up properly to allow for a good cast. Then, try your hand at using the overhead cast. Once you master the basics, you can try using a roll cast to approach fish quietly and in harder to reach places! [Edit]Putting the Fly Fishing Rod Together - Put together the segments of the fly fishing rod. Take the rod out of its case. Start with the 2 bottom pieces of the rod, which will be the largest ones. Slide the 2 pieces together and gently twist them to line up the 2 dots on the side. Then, slide the remaining pieces into the rod and line up the 2 dots of each section.[1]
- Don't force or twist the rod segments too hard or you could crack them.
- The segments will get thinner down the length of the rod.
- Slide the reel into the reel seat at the bottom of the rod. The small divot at the bottom of the rod is called the reel seat and is meant to hold the reel in place. Attach the reel to the rod by sliding the foot of the reel into the small opening at the top of the reel seat. Then twist the nut at the bottom of the reel seat to tighten it over the reel.[2]
- Wiggle the reel around to make sure it's securely attached.
- Make a loop knot at the end of the fly line. You'll use the end of the fly line to connect the leader (the thin line that connects the thick fly line to the tippet and fly lure) and tippet (an even thinner line that is nearly invisible to the fish and holds the fly lure) so you can string your lure. Give yourself plenty of slack in the fly line and form a loop knot at the end of it so you can easily attach the leader and change it out later if you want to.[3]
- Make sure the fly line is spooled tightly on the reel so it's less likely to form knots.
- Connect the leader to the end of the fly line with a fishing knot. The leader is a length of line that is used to transition from the thick fly line on the rod to the thin tippet that holds the lure. The leader starts thick at the end connected to the line and tapers down to a smaller line where it connects to the tippet. Tie a fishing knot to connect the leader to the fly line at the thicker end.[4]
- The leader also keeps the line from slapping the water and spooking the fish.
- The leader should be at least long to allow for adequate separation between the heavy fly line and the fly lure.
- Some leaders have metal clasps that you can use to attach to the loop in the fly line.
- Fix a tippet to the end of the leader by tying it securely with a knot. A tippet is a very thin line that attaches to the fly at one end and the leader at another. It's supposed to be nearly invisible in the water so the fish don't see the line connected to the fly. Connect a tippet to the end of the leader so it's secure and you can add a fly to the ned of the tippet.
- Use a nail knot to secure the connect the tippet and the leader.
- The tippet should be a minimum of long.[5]
- Attach a fly lure to the end of the tippet with a sturdy knot. The fly has a small hook on it that will snag the fish that takes the bait. Pass the tippet through the eye opening of the hook and use a fishing knot to connect the lightweight fly to the end of the tippet. Moisten the line to make it more pliable so you can tie a tighter knot.[6]
- Set the fly line about longer than the fishing rod. The weight of the fly line is what allows you to cast, so you need to have enough of the heavier line pulled out before you try to cast. An easy way to ensure you have enough fly line is to let out enough to reach the reel at the bottom of the rod with about of extra length.[7]
[Edit]Casting Overhead - Use an overhead cast to get used to casting a fly fishing rod. The overhead cast is the standard fly fishing cast. Mastering the overhead cast requires knowing how to properly "load" the rod, which refers to finding the tension in the line and pole to cast the fly lure. Before you move on to more advanced casts, learn to use the overhead cast.[8]
- The overhead cast is harder to perform when there are lots of low hanging branches because the line can get tangled easily.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. For short to medium ranged casts, adopt a parallel stance so you're stable and in a better position to "feel" the weight of the fly line on the rod. Keep your feet evenly spaced apart and your weight centered rather than on the balls of your feet or your heels.[9]
- For longer casts, you may feel more comfortable standing with 1 foot forward so you can reach further behind you for a stronger cast without losing your balance.
- Hold the rod with your thumb on top of the grip. Don't squeeze too tightly or you won't be able to perform the quick stop at the end of the stroke. Keep a loose, comfortable grip and hold the rod in line with your intended target area.[10]
- Allow the rod to rest in your fingers and only squeeze the grip when you force it to stop at the end of each stroke.
- Keep the butt of the fly rod in line with your forearm.
- Make sure the reel of the rod is pointed down toward the ground.
- Lay the line straight on the ground in front of you. In order to generate enough momentum in your backswing, start by stretching out about of the line from the end of the rod. Aim the line completely straight and stand square to your target.[11]
- Make sure that the leader and tippet don't get tangled up.
- Bring the rod up and backward in 1 motion. Keep the tip of the rod low until you're ready to cast and use a smooth and fluid motion to bring the rod up and behind you. This will cause the rod to bend and load up with tension.[12]
- Think about snapping a long whip. The line should move up and overhead as it travels behind you in a large arc.
- Stop the rod abruptly once it passes a verticle position. When you straighten the rod out above your head and it passes behind you, stop its acceleration abruptly and deliberately so the line is launched behind you. Hold the rod still as the line travels backward.[13]
- Think about stopping the rod at about the 1 or 2 o'clock position behind you.
- Allow the line to unroll in the air behind you. With the rod still extended above and slightly behind you, wait for the line to travel behind you and rise as it unrolls. The energy from the backward motion will cause it to move until it extends completely.[14]
- Make sure you pause long enough to allow the line to fully unfurl.
- Move the rod forward to bring the line in front of you. As soon as the line is fully extended in the air behind you, use a smooth, accelerating stroke to bring the rod forward. The line will snap forward and form a loop in the air as it travels.[15]
- Keep your wrist straight and your elbow close to your body to generate a fluid movement.
- Lower the tip of the rod as the line unrolls in front of you. Stop the rod once it's about parallel with the ground to allow the energy in the line to propel it forward. As the line unrolls in front of you, slowly lower the tip of the rod to roll the line out all the way to the fly at the end. The line should end right where you were aiming.[16]
- Don't snap the rod down sharply or the tension in the line could cause the cast to go straight down before it has reached its target.
[Edit]Performing a Roll Cast - Use the roll cast when you're fishing in narrow waterways. The roll cast will cause the line to smoothly unroll over the surface of the water and is less likely to disturb fish, but it's also a little more difficult to perform. It's also important that the line is in water because the water anchors it and allows you to create a loop.[17]
- A roll cast is great to use when you're fishing in narrow creeks or streams.
- The roll cast is also effective if you have a strong wind at your back that is interfering with your overhead cast.
- Draw the rod up and back to drag the end of the line across the water. Start with about of line laid out in front of you on the water and the tip of your rod pointed at the surface. Use a slow and smooth motion to bring the rod back and drag the line over the surface of the water.[18]
- Stop the stroke with the rod tip high when a loop has formed behind you. As soon as your rod reaches just past a vertical position, stop and hold it in position. The line should be slack and droop behind the tip of the rod, creating a loop.[19]
- The larger the loop, the more power you can generate to cast the line forward.
- Accelerate the rod forward quickly. Once you've formed the loop with the backward motion, quickly move the rod forward to start the forward cast. Keep your hand high and the rod pointed up. The line will start to roll over the surface of the water and move the direction of your cast.[20]
- Move forward with a smooth and consistent movement rather than a short and jerky motion.
- End the cast by stopping abruptly to allow the line to unroll. As you move your rod forward, the loop will rise up. Stop your cast abruptly once it's nearly parallel with the water. The loop will roll out on top of the water and move to where you're aiming your cast.[21]
- Allow the end of the line to land gently on the surface of the water.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Fly fishing rod
- Fly fishing reel
- Fly fishing line
- Tippet
- Leader
- Fly lure
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário