MJL

At 5:27 this morning, I was at the river climbing an overhanging tree in the dark trying to strap multiple remote camera flashes to various overhanging branches...It's best not to ask why...It didn't end up so well

It’s a 40+hr drive from the Geen...A jet boat and bear spray may be involved on this particular excursion

Thanks a lot guys. Really appreciate the feedback. After some thought on transportation and practicality, I probably will settle on the 13' 3pc XST. I plan to take the rod on its maiden voyage to a land where the steelhead average 10-13lbs (with 20lbs not uncommon and 30lbs very rare but definitely possible). I'm definitely excited Cheers

For 99% of the cases this is true (upper lobe of the tail would be the more correct way of saying this). I'm not sure if other anglers who have been catching Lake O cohos the last couple of years have noticed some irregularities with regards to the spotting on a good number of coho tails. The last 2 seasons, I have been catching cohos with spots on both the upper and lower lobes of the tails as well as spotting on the upper lobe and middle of the tail. Perhaps chinook/coho hybrids?

Hi guys. I’m currently in the market for a heavier float rod for bigger steelhead in bigger rivers. Planning to use 12-15lb Mainlines, 8-12lb leaders, 10-25gr floats and size 2/0 to 2 hooks. I have a few blanks on the short list but would be interested in some opinions before I bite the bullet. Although most of the heavier float rods I’ve built in the past for friends were on 7-8wt Sage spey blanks, unfortunately, $300-$450 for a blank is out of my budget for this build. Short list of blanks under $200 I have in mind - 13’ 7wt Forecast RX7 spey blank - 11’3” Lamiglas (8-15lb) - 11’6” Raven IM6 (6-12lb) At the moment I’m torn between the 13’ 7wt Forecast blank and the 11’3” Lamiglas. I prefer the length of the Forecast and the fact that it is 4pc for easier transport, however the Lamiglas is essentially purpose built for what I’m hoping to do. Anyone ever use either of these rods? Are there other rods I should also be looking into? Also appreciate it if someone could provide me with some contact info on purchasing a Forecast blank for a decent price here in Ontario. Thanks Mike

That's awesome Rich. Over my lifetime I've only seen 3 pinks caught from the rivers I fish. I'd love to land one of them. They look pretty nifty especially with the large hump.

But the foam detracts from pictures of steelhead with the reel laying next to it. It’s obvious that Mojo & respect from other fishermen (particularly those on online message boards) is lost. 5/4 Facebook users belonging to float fishing groups agree Brian, that’s pretty similar to the way my British steelheading mentors taught me when I was a kid. In use though (at least for most European float fishermen), the majority of the time, the reel is face up during the drift (ie spool face pointing up and backplate pointing to the ground or at an angle close to it). Instead of trotting with your pinky finger, you use your thumb to slow down the spool during the drift. It’s easier on the wrist if you tuck the butt end of the rod underneath your arm pit (you do require a fairly long butt grip with this method). The key is to try to keep your wrist as straight as possible. A bent wrist carrying a load causes fatigue after a while.

It’s a showdown amongst trout species that’s not just happening in Alberta. Over the last number of years, I’ve been interested in Dr. Robert behnke’s work on saving & establishing native cutthroat trout throughout western North America. Some issues from the article I see 1. Catch & kill all brook trout you can. I remember reading one article involving the culling of bull trout/dolly varden char from rivers where coho salmon populations were declining. Payment would be received by the angler for submitting the tail of the fish to the ministry. The result was large-scale mass mis-identification where large numbers of young coho salmon were culled by accident. This catch & kill method can only work if all anglers can correctly identify their catch – In a perfect world we would expect all anglers to know the species of fish they have at the end of the line...How many Brown trout VS Atlantic salmon threads have we seen on this forum? 2a. The article states that hybridization between brook trout and cutthroat trout is taking place...If at all possible, wouldn't this hybridization create sterile off-spring considering that brook trout and cutthroats are not all that closely related? The biggest issue with cutthroats is the hybridization between cutthroats & rainbows which are related closely enough to produce fertile offspring. 2b. Assuming that the article was incorrectly written, if hybridization of rainbow trout & cutthroat trout is currently taking place, wouldn't you also have to remove the rainbow trout to maintain the pure genetics? 2c. Assuming that the current population of cutthroats have hybridized with rainbows (a non-pure strain of cutthroats), wouldn't you also have to remove all the non-pure cutthroats as well from the river/lake before you stock genetically pure cutties?

Brian, there's a few reel builders in Ontario that may be able to do a one off reel foot for a price. I own a couple reels with an off-set reel foot. Things I like about them: 1. I'm not a fan of reels with short feet (eg. Riverkeeper) - I find my hands start cramping up after a couple hours of use. 2. In winter, a good portion of my hand is off the back plate. I know some guys dress their backplate with sheet cork so their hands don't get as cold - TBH, I hate the look of sheet cork glued on the back of a $500+ reel. 3. Over the course of a day, I am able to switch up the way that I hold the rod + reel. There's a lot of guys out there that have developed the "centrepin claw" with their hands.LOL Things I don't like 1. Off-set reel feet add additional weight to the reel. 2. If you're wallis casting and get a bird's nest, it may be harder to undo the nest with the off-set (debatable depending on the situation of course) Some myths about off-set reel feet: 1. They balance on the rod better - No they don't, unless you custom build your rod to accommodate the off-set foot 2. Off-set feet are only for people with bigger hands - I have smallish hands and love the off-set. When I'm up in your neck of the woods in the future, I'll let you have a go with my AngSpec.

I’ve always been an advocate of buying what you can afford...However when it comes to float reels (I guess with anything really), paying a bit extra (even if you have to wait and save up) is usually better. Back in the day, you could find Leeds float reels for sale at around $115. Haven’t seen any in shops for about 10yrs. They were stamped aluminum reels and were finished pretty badly (in terms of rough edges around the spool. The Okuma Avanta can be had for around $130. It spins great but I found that when I played around with my friend’s reel, the 8lb mono mainline would often find its way behind the spool and the back plate. In the $200-$250 range, you can pick up a used Islander. I’ve had mine since the late 90’s with the same original Abec 3 bearings. I’ve dunked it, froze it, accidently had it fall off the rod and tumble down the path to the Whirlpool. I don’t know how many steelhead, browns, salmon and carp I landed with it but its lots. I have never cleaned or lubed the bearings and it still spins great. Perhaps one other choice for a value conscious angler would be a reel made by Amundson. I haven’t fished one yet but it appears to be a knock-off of the Islander for $175. The anodized finish on the reels I played with at the tackle shop didn’t seem as nice as the Islanders, but the reels felt pretty solid and spun nicely. I’d be pretty interested in hearing if anyone actually fishes one.

Looks like a great weekend On that note, when I think of weekend fishing trips with Cliff, I now can't help but worry about sleep deprivation

Jen's got a lot more fuel in the tank for the next round...I know it Sending all the positive thoughts your way...Jen's my hero

I guess it's a good thing that OFC is blocked at work...My day would've been so unproductive.LOL Truly amazing report Mike. It's definitely something I'd really love to save up for in the future. I'd love to try out a switch rod on that water for swinging flies and chugging mouse patterns across the surface...It just looks like what heaven should be like

You know it's bad when the male chinnies get slit and left to rot

Awesome catches Roy

Methyl hydrate. It's available at most hardware stores. Angling Specialties also sells an epoxy solvent which cleans up epoxy well.

Incredible photos Dan

Nicely done Brady! I haven’t bit the bullet yet on a spey rod of my own yet but hopefully this fall I can get a spey or switch rod done – Last fall I had a great time swinging flies on one G-bay river using my friend’s spey rods in 5-7wts. It’s hard to beat throwing and swinging half a chicken to large, aggressive steelhead – especially when they’re rising for dries . Eagerly waiting to get both the new 6 and 7wt Sage One spey and switch rods in my hands before I make the final decision.

Congratulations!

815 fish...That's amazing! That's one place I'd really love to fish

That's awesome Laz. Really enjoyed this report Which model pontoon are you running? Definitely interested in picking up one for this coming fall.

I don’t fish NY enough to really make an annual license worthwhile. I buy the day or sometimes the weekly licenses (for long weekends). The last few years I've only been able to get down a couple times for carp and steelhead. I actually don’t mind the cost of the licenses considering how much fun I have down there. The fishing is great and the people are friendly.

jealousy is an understatement Simon...Wish I was there! Great report. I especially loved the vid

Awesome report Mike. I really enjoyed that Can't wait to experience my first ever fly-in trip...Whenever that may be

Congrats Madison. Great photo