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MJL

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  3. Spring Morning...of steelhead

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by MJL

    Thanks guys for the comments…The pics were mostly taken by FrozenFire (Canon DSLR) and Jet (Waterproof Olympus) with a few from my Panasonic super zoom (which I did nearly dunk for the 3rd time)…The poem clicked the other night coming home from the river while half dazed and listening to Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven on the radio.

  6. Spring Morning...of steelhead

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Where am I going, I don’t quite know

    Into the valley where the cold creek flows

    Is my boss cross because I didn’t show?

    Anywhere, anywhere, I don’t know

     

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    Drifting a float along a seam

    Floating a river of emerald green

    Flashes of chrome and silvery dreams

    Hoping a take from those unseen

     

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    The float pops under and line peels off the reel

    Torquing the rod for that one tight feel

    Gasping and sweating for a moment’s steal

    Thinking and mumbling, “this can’t be real”

     

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    Reality beckons and I’m tired and wet

    Excitement and relief, wipe off that sweat

    Into hand like a now tamed pet

    And back into water for freedom’s set

     

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    Friends amidst a flurry of fun

    Setting hooks and landing some

     

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    Hoping and praying for one last great run

    Leaving quickly when our misses rung… :o:(

     

    Hope you enjoyed

     

     

     

    P.S

     

    Many thanks Jet and Ant for all the rides to the rivers on all those early spring mornings (and subsequent late nights) this season - Hard to ask for better fun. And Solopaddler for your never ending generous words of wisdom…Really appreciate it

  10. First experience with co's

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Always had a pleasant experience with CO’s…Most still think I’m too young to own a license

     

    The ones I’ve met have been super cool…They’ve even pointed me to where I could get into some better fishing to salvage my day.

     

    I'm usually checked either once a year on the rivers or once a year fishing for carp in the Kawarthas...Pretty surprising how far in they hike to some spots.

  12. Imperial Switch Rods: St.Croix

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Very cool thread...I'm currently in the market myself for a switch rod. I no longer can cast single handers very long without aggravating my wrist (old injury). Good to know the St. Croix Imperial is a good performer and they're relatively inexpensive. At the moment I've got a Meiser switch at the top of the list to build but I'm always looking for alternatives.

     

    Just wondering what kind of line systems you're planning on running with it (or for those who already own a switch - Skagit, Skandi, regular long belly fly line?)

  16. I'm Finally on Facebook!

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    With Facebook, if you want to increase your online 'cool' status, under 'relationships' select 'married to' or 'engaged to' and pick Barry :D

     

    It'll also make Barry look cool should he have Facebook too :thumbsup_anim:

     

    Don't worry, the wife won't care...She'll actually be for it because it's the cool thing to do B)

  17. Lurkers Lectures

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    but I believe you said in drifting situations you use a centre pin unless the wind is over 25km/h...correct? I understand why...the line blowing off the pin is a pain in the ass if you dont know how to control it...

     

    and again...every single post you have made here has been about centrepins and teaching your buddies to use a centre pin? notwithstanding your carp posts....which incidently are Awesome on a pin as well ;)

     

    In addition...just because you decided to use a flyrod or ot bottom bounce on that particular day doesnt make it more effective....it just means you have a lot more time to mess around,..lol......ive seen you on the rivers several times with nothing other than a centre pin... :)

     

    What’s your point? Jim Butler has never seen me with anything other than a 7ft spinning rod on our local rivers tossing spinners. Henry Lee from Cobourg hasn’t seen me use a float combo since I was a teen opting to use his custom wooden plugs or flutter spoons instead in the trench. They spend tons more time on the rivers than either you or I (Though last spring and fall I was out 4-6 times a week before work, after work, nights and weekends – Fishing was too good to pass up)

     

    I’m certainly not limited to just using spinning reels when it gets windy…That’s my point. I can use a spinning reel pretty much everywhere I use a centrepin plus more (at least in terms of efficiency for bottom bouncing and lure chucking). If you re-read my original post, I mentioned that for sheer versatility, the spinning reel is the way to go.

     

    As far as teaching newbies to use a pin on the river and answering questions for people who post them on a forum; they’re the ones asking for help. Centrepins are a sexy topic on the net…More people talk about them for steelhead on this board – Basic statistics. The more people who ask about which centrepins and float rods to get, the more I will reply to them with my own opinions…If someone’s asking about what spinning reel to get for steelhead, I tell them what spinning reel I recommend. I’m certainly not the one telling them they need to get a pin to catch more steelhead :whistling:

     

    From what I gather, the last few posts of yours revolves on trying to prove the hypocrisy amongst anglers who use centrepins VS not using spinning reels…We get it…I prefer to use a centrepin for float fishing because of its efficiency and fun factor (As I stated in my 2nd post – I’m sure others feel the same way). It certainly doesn’t mean I’m a slave to the pin when I want to catch a lot of fish. I’ve always felt it was the angler who catches the fish, not the tackle. Tackle only enhances the skills and knowledge an angler already possess. Great anglers IMO are flexible, adaptive and receptive to new ideas regardless of the tackle they use.

     

    It’s obvious that your perspectives on float fishing are based on a limited knowledge base and experience. You have no idea what you’re missing out on. With that said, you can pick away at various small points of my posts and selectively ignore or fail to consider others as you have done…From my own perspective, a lot of your arguments or points either directed at me or other board members lack substance related to the topic. That’s all I really have to say about that.

     

    You’re an angler who’s obviously passionate about the sport and I respect that…I, like a bunch of other people feel like you’re coming off as arrogant, ignorant and unwilling to accept new ideas

     

    As far as the net goes…That one’s Victors…He felt more comfortable using a net than tailing it (or at least trying to multiple times). I’ve never harvested a steelhead in the 20yrs I’ve fished for them. I don’t believe in killing fish just for roe or keeping for the sake of keeping…But that’s just me.

  18. Lurkers Lectures

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by MJL

    Just to clarify are you saying that you can drift down 100-200' and keep your line as tight with a nice presentation with a spinning reel as with a centerpin? also are you saying that spilt second you have to lock down and keep a fish out of the wood work is as effective with a spinning as it is with a centrepin?

     

    if so,..(which I dont beleive for a second)...and you have this skill...why do you own a centrepin...would seem redundant...and a waste of money for the truelly skilled anglers....your words seem to suggest only the middle of the road guys would use it...but spinners are gfood for newbies and the well skilled guys. please clarify

     

    I can do both: go to total lock down in an instant and do long drifts…Not sure if you have the skill yet to do it though :whistling::P

     

    I never suggested that only newbies and pros can use spinning reels...Quite the opposite...Given practice and ingenuity, anyone can achieve the same results. On top of that, you also have the versatility to switch up to lure chucking or bottom bouncing.

     

    For long drifts with the spinning reel, I usually have an open bail and feather the line as it comes off the spool to control the speed at which line flows off the reel – You can also control speed at which line goes off the spool by varying the distance at which your finger is away from the lip of the spool…I almost always cast directly across from me or slightly downstream. In faster flows I sometimes cast a few feet upstream to ensure my bait is close to bottom throughout most of the drift (but never enough to not be in contact with the float). Manipulate the angle of your rod to control slack and lightly mend if required (similar to trotting a float with a pin)...Continue on with the drift for however far you want to fish. The limper the line, the easier it is to do (6-8lb Silver Thread is my favourite). As with centrepins the longer the rod, the easier it is to do. Should a fish take the bait, trap the line against the spool with your index finger and set the hook (At least that’s how I do it) – Close the bail and proceed to fight the fish.

     

    You may question “don’t you lose fish when you gotta go through all those steps especially when you have to close the bail?” I personally don’t…Usually when you hook a fish, they usually headshake for a bit which gives you enough time to close the bail and reel in whatever minimal slack there may be. The 6.1 ratio on my Stradic makes it easy (Especially with a 4000 size reel).

     

    One other method which I’ve seen was with BBNotty’s son. He manipulated his drift by opening and closing the bait to create a seamless drag free drift – He also controls slack on the water by adjusting the angle of his rod and casts across or only very slightly upstream to make sure his offering is down near bottom throughout the drift. The day I fished with him, he actually did end of catching 95% of the fish out of all the anglers that day which were almost all pinners.LOL

     

    There are a few different ways to get a good long distance drag free float. Pick one that you’re comfortable with and practice.

     

    Why do I use a float reel?

    - It’s fun to use and more efficient than a spinning reel

    - My first ever centrepin (a 3.75" Hardy Silex replica) was given to me for free as a kid by my early steelheading mentors who were English (and also machinists). They made it for me and taught me how to use it at no charge

    - My $800 custom AngSpec was also free (Why not use it?)

     

    Why don’t I use a spinning reel for float fishing 100% of the time?

    - As I said, a float reel is fun to use and efficient

    - I do use a spinning reel when it’s blowing more than 25 clicks

    - I do use a spinning reel off the pier for chucking spoons

     

    - I do use a spinning reel to bottom bounce. Usually use either a 9-11ft Med-light or med action rod for fast water or an old 10'6" noodle rod in slower or shallower water as seen in the background of this picture)...Sometimes fish spook from the sight of even clear floats...Gotta adapt.

    IMG_4153.jpg

     

    - I do use a spinning reel to toss spinners (Usually with a 7ft Shimano Compre spinning rod as seen in this picture)

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    - From time to time, I still do take a spinning reel out to float fish with if there's only enough room for 1 reel in my bag (I was a poor university student at one time who had to take the bus everywhere - 2000 Stradic matched with an old 13' Loomis...float fish, bottom bounced and spinner fished with it depending on what stretch of river I happened to be fishing as well as the conditions)

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    My 2000 and 4000 Shimano stradics get a good work out during the season.

     

    I like variety so I also fly fish and swing large streamers for steel but I guess that wasn't part of the question...

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    As an aside

     

    Why don't I use a spinning reel + 13ft rod 100% of the time?

    I wouldn't mind getting stuck using a spinning reel...A 13ft rod however might be a great choice for float fishing, it isn't always the best tool for the job for other steelheading disciplines(In case you may be wondering)...For my fishing, I worry more about the action and physical abilities of the rod I'm using than the reel...But that's just me...Anyone who fishes with me knows I use whatever tactics work the best for the conditions given...And No float fishing isn't always the best.

     

    In my opinion, learning a variety of different skills makes you a better angler...Of course that's just my opinion.

  19. Lurkers Lectures

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Between Sinker and Solo, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was close to 60yrs worth of steelheading knowledge and experience pooled between the both of them – Not to forget the other guys who chimed in…

     

    As far as evolution goes, centrepins are the oldest reels in history developed by the Chinese a few thousand years ago (made of wood) and perfected by the English in the 1400’s…Surely spinning reels and baitcasters (with multiplier gearing and drags) would be the next step… :P

     

    If I had to choose only 1 reel to take with me on a trip, a 2000 or 2500 sized spinning reel would be my choice for sheer versatility. I almost always have my spinning reel with me in my bag as a backup as well as for bottom bouncing or tossing lures (often times I bring a dedicated spinning outfit along too). If I lost the center screw on my pin I could easily use my spinning reel to drift floats down river (Which I did 2wks ago - found the screw in the end though). From a use perspective, I use a pin for the sheer fun of fighting a fish with it.

     

    The only limitation a spinning reel has for presenting baits or fighting fish is the limitation in skill of the angler using it. Can you go from total free spool to lock down while fighting a fish with a spinning reel? Definitely: Just finger the spool with your index finger (not too different from using a pinky as a drag with the pin)…With the right technique you can make the same long, drag-free drifts as well as trot the float back. Is it easier to drift a float with a centrepin? Sure, it’s more efficient to use one…Is a centrepin more effective at drifting? No

     

    I don’t believe that anyone here is arguing that spinning reels are more efficient or effective than a centrepin at drifting…They are arguing that spinning reels can be AS effective at drifting given the skills of an angler to adapt and use them. By ‘effective’ I’m referring to the fact that you can make the same drag free drift as you can with a centrepin.

     

    With regards to bottom bouncing, understandably it’s a different culture on the rivers now (at least for Lake O tribs) – Most guys who are starting the float game now do so with a centrepin. They don’t think they can use a spinning reel to achieve the same quality of drifts as with a pin (or they get frustrated learning how to or see the growing population of pinners pounding fish – More pinners = more fish caught with pins). Lake O rivers nowadays are silt choked, slow moving ditches (not that they weren’t before but way more now) which makes bottom bouncing less desirable to do (though still very possible).

     

    If I was faced with a river full of pocket water or stretches of deep, fast flowing water, I wouldn’t hesitate to leave a $1400 float combo behind at home and use my 9ft med action spinning combo to bounce bottom. If I was going to purposely snag or line a fish, I wouldn’t use a float either…It would save me $2.50 in tackle in case I break off as well as give me a more direct point to snag a fish with. I see tons of float guys run ‘search’ leaders well overdepth attempting to line fish in shin deep water – It works both ways

     

    With all said and done, with the right guidance, a newbie can pick up a spinning reel + float rod and within a 5-10min lesson can pound fish…As EC1 can attest from last December. I must say, he did have a kick-ass guide… :whistling:

     

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  21. Thunder Storms, Rod Work and Beer

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    They certainly feel nice and look nice Mike. I must say I really like the Carbon Pearl finish, my pics unfortunately don't capture their true beauty.

     

    I can come by with my DSLR and take some better pics for you...Mind you, the best light to use is natural sun-light...Especially outside...At the river... :whistling:

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