kickingfrog

For most situations I'll use a small swivel to join lines. The swivel helps lessen line twist and I have more confidence in my improved clinch knots than my blood knots or nail knots (and I can tie them faster and in poorer light). In most cases I use a leader or tippet of 3 or 4 feet long depending on the conditions and the right swivel will fit through the rod guides. I still like mono for main line, but I'm using braids more and more. I will also use a swivel to join mono to mono sometimes if I want a lighter line at the business end or have a high visibility line on the reel. Another benefit of mono teamed with a braided is the shock absorbing ability of the mono. Rob

Got out to a small stream that I used to fish a lot 15, 20 years ago. I haven't been there in years, but I thought it would be a great way to spend an afternoon and get my 18 month old black lab, Murphy, some exercise. I feel guilty leaving him at home during my fishing trips, but I don't want him wrecking peoples drifts (he loves to retrieve everybody's floats and help land their fish). I figured there would be no one there and the only person's fishing ruined would be mine. Murphy loved it. Every new pool was a chance to go for another swim. It reminded me of when my brother and I fish together. Each of us trying to beat the other to the next pool, but Murphy is faster than my brother... or me. And if you think a bad cast or shadow can put the fish down picture a 95 pound dog splashing about in a stream that is 5 feet across. After a while he slowed down a little and would watch as I would try to get my #2 panther martin first into and then out of each promising hole, pool or pocket. I carefully worked my way towards a pool that looked to have 3 or 4 trout in it. The first cast to the head of the pool resulted in a quick strike from a small trout. Murphy became very excited. The brook trout was 5 inches long and I had to fend Murphy off as I tried to take a quick photo before putting it back in the pool whence it came. Murphy then promptly dove in to "retrieve" it for me. I can only imagine what the remaining fish in the pool thought as they scattered as he splashed about. That was it for that that spot so I moved on leaving Murphy to wonder why we were moving on from such a great spot I'm sure. I caught another 5 incher at the next pool, with similar results. My last fish of the day was the biggest, 10-11 inches or so with a nice little fight because of the trees in and over the water. After the photo and release Murphy seamed to understand that he didn't have to go after it. Time to get home, we had been out for 3 hours and it was a 45 minute hike back to the car. My wife never has any issues with my trips, but if I can make it home in time to have dinner ready for her all the better. Murphy was tired to say the least. I wanted to include a photo of him, but there is no more up load space available. Rob

I've started using fluoro more and more for leaders and I always use mono or flouro "tippets" when using braided lines. Pros: less visibility, more natural lure/bait movement, less kink-age. Cons: more knots therefore more week links. Your confidence will stem from familiarity. Don't go cheap on a leader only to lose a $10, $20 or $30 lure. Rob

The inflatable are great because you are more apt to have it on because they are comfortable and unobtrusive. The one drawback of the manual inflation ones would be if you were knocked-out. As stated above the auto ones can be an issue in some situations as well. No matter which one it is inflatable or traditional "foam" style if you don't put it on it isn't much use. Rob

My wife insisted on a stone patio??? Rob

Great stuff. My best fishing memories are simple trips with my dad. Rob

Thanks for the welcomes. Which is the better way to post photos? The forum or the gallery? Rob

Here are some shots of my brother's fish from the trout opener on the 28th. My fish are on his film camera (honest, I did catch some). He floats with roe most of the time and I usually use spinners, plugs and spoons. For steelhead he out fishes me most of the time, but I like fishing by feel and spend too much time looking around to watch my float properly anyway. We had the typical early start, spooked a wild turkey out of its roost and had another fly overhead as my brother was fighting his first fish. So it looks like I've figured out how to manage the photo size to upload, but are there some tips on how to improve the picture quality assuming the original photo(s) were good? I don't think I'll get out this weekend: Saturday wedding, Sunday visiting relatives.

I came across this board about a week ago while looking for some fishing information. My story is not much different than most of yours, I'm sure. I've fished all my life and many of my best memories are about or formed around fish, fishing, and fishing trips. While I'll angle for just about anything and everything my budget is only so big and my time finite. Main species targeted are small stream trout, river steelhead and salmon, walleye, pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass and pan fish. The majority of my fishing is done in and around Simcoe County, although I am from North Bay and still make it "up there" a few times a year. I don't fish as much as I'd like, but more than some think I should. My other hobbies/ interests are often connected to fishing: canoeing, photography, camping and birding. I'm a bit of a loner when it comes to most fishing, camping and canoeing, but my brother and I do get out quite often as well. My wife is a great sport when it comes to my endeavours and does come along sometimes, and really enjoys herself, but she also understands my need to get out and "be at one with nature". Take that for what it might be worth. I'll try to post some photos although I'm unsure about making them "fit" because of file size. I may be asking for some photo editing tips soon. Rob