Bly

Looks good Young one and I wish you luck!! If it were me, I would add some steelhead jigs (I like the Riverwood ones) some of those little white worms, think they are called wax worms?? pack all the terminal tackle and floats you think you will need and then add some more (never ceases to amaze me how many times I break off when I only have a few with me ) line snips or scissors if you haven't included them. Oh and do not forget the camera!! Hope you have a great time!

Love the poem MJL! I am looking forward to you and your Dad's Opener report! Best of luck to those heading out.

Congratulations Young One, that is a very nice first!! I have the Matrix that MJL mentioned. (Matrix MXG - 12' 6" 2 piece, med - light, 4 - 10 lb, 1/8 - 3/8 oz), picked it up last spring for about $100 no tax and paired it with the Pflueger Trion GX-7 Spinning Reel. So far, I am pleased with it. I can choose the reel position, use it with either a spinning reel or a centerpin and it definitely handles large fish just fine.....landed a 25lb carp on it last year lol Something to keep in mind when choosing a long rod.....2 piece vs 3 piece......how are you transporting it. 12'6 2 piece...no problem in the suv but it was a bit tricky in the old 2 door corolla. 4reel makes a good point regarding breakage......be sure to get one that has at least a 1 year no questions asked warranty. Congrats again! Happy shopping!

I also prefer the soft sided bags with removable trays. Started with this Flambeau , although it is a nice bag, I found it a bit cumbersome in the canoe. Picked up one of these instead Plano , the side pockets are great, the top section is reinforced and the bottom is nice non-slip rubber. Also have 2 of these Plano . As others have stated, nice to have the trays organized by species or lure type and just load up the bag(s) with what you need for the trip.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! Hope you have a great day Bill!

They help some, but mostly, they help keep the carp stink off my hands

Happy Birthday Brian! Nice shopping trip!! Love that you keep the kids "out of loop" on where you are going, I might need to borrow that LOL Thanks for taking the time to share your opinions on all those different shops. I have wanted to stop at Anderson's but never manage it, glad to hear that it was worth it and I will have to make it a priority next time! Enjoy all your new toys!!

Congrats Mike, nice looking boat!! Look forward to reading of your adventures in it and maybe even get to see it at one of the G2G's this year

Looks awesome G! Concur with many others, looks very professional. Thanks for all the info and pictures that you have posted along the way!

All depends on what kind of line and what pound. Back end of Power Pro spools (20-30lb) gets recycled into carp rigs. The mono line gets used for a variety of things.....walleye rigs, bottom rigs, etc.. If I can't reuse the line, I leave it with the tackle shop.

ACK!!!! Say it isn't so..please! Ok, time to rally the troups for an intervention, not sure we can save him but we have to try!! Brian, just try and hang in there, help is on the way and in the meantime....stay AWAY from those little round white things, don't want to be loosing them..........

I used the cages for a summer or two, I stopped after someone in the neighborhood smashed the cage. To avoid catching a skunk in it, just place it on something like a picnic table. Ccmt already mentioned the Rue and it did help but I think what has helped the most......if I see a cat in the yard, I let the dog out. Good luck!!

Thanks for taking the time to do that Raf, have saved that information for future use.

Gorgeous! Congrats on the new friend!!

Great report Mike! Thank you for taking the time to post all those pictures and write it up, enjoyed every word! oh and nice fish!!!!!

A little Birthday shopping Brian?? I have been to the Gander Mountain in Port Huron and Lansing, found them to be about the same and I always find something. I have also heard good things about Anderson's in Port Huron, a few minutes away from Gander but haven't made it in there yet. If you are going to be in Port Huron and Dundee, I would go to all three!! Hope you have a great time Brian!!! Look forward to hearing about what you decide you can't live without

Happy Birthday Jen!! I hope that for every candle on your cake you get a wonderful surprise!!

Nice fish Steve...glad to see you posted them!!

Glen, we love ya! Grits with colby cheese please.....yummy!!

Oooh I am jealous! WTG CC! That is a superb fish!

It is polite to offer the best drifts to a guest! I learned that from a very good teacher

Good for you, getting out there and trying! Enjoyed the pictures, waters seem to be high everywhere right now, so much better than last fall. Thanks for the report.

It happens to all of us but as BPSbassman said, still better to be out. Thanks for taking the time to share and all the best on your next outing!

Congrats again on your pb trout douG!! Always a good time and and good gweeches, thanks again! Are you still laughing?

Glen, sorry to hear about the rod. The picture......it may be blurry but at least one can see the fish in it!! Thanks for posting the scenery shots. The bird nests were interesting, don't recall ever seeing nests like that and who doesn't like flowers?