MJL

Great catch! Congrats on the PB

Angling Specialties sells basic stands, motors and components. They mostly sell Sage and Lamiglas blanks but I'm sure they could order other blanks if you ask. Mudhole and Cabelas are other options.

Catching that many fish should be illegal! Fantastic report as always SP.

I started building rods when I was in high school. After class I would go to Angling Specialties and George would show me what I needed to do and what I screwed up on (and subsequently needed to redo). It's easier to learn having someone show you rather than reading online tutorials or going through books. Definitely have a talk with someone like Spiel who might be able to give you pointers. As far as the cost goes, I find I can build a rod identical to the factory model for a few bucks less provided that I can get the components locally. Most of the rods I build for myself usually have stepped up components which adds to the cost; for example: Fuji SIC guides as opposed to hardloy or alconites, super sexy wood carved or woven graphite reel seats, flor grade cork from Portugal, decorative wraps just the way I want them, etc. Though I'm not a big fan of chevron or diamond wraps, you can weave whatever pattern you like on the blank without worrying about voiding a warranty. At the moment, I'm building my dream carp rod using the best components I can think of which currently is not offered in such a configuration on the market. As for a wrapper, a cardboard box with notches cut out will do. Running your thread through a phone book will provide good tension while wrapping. After a coat of epoxy, you can turn your rods by hand for an hour or so - just don't fall asleep (1/4 turn every 5min works). I don't ice fish so I either tie flies or build rods when the rivers and creeks are frozen over. Here's a photo of my kitchen table when I really get going.

You can try using a helicopter rig (You can google it for a description). I use it sometimes when fishing in heavy silt for carp and the mechanics behind it prevent tangling when distance casting. I can't say I have ever used it with 4 and 6lb line though - forget about using live bait with this rig. What are you going to be fishing for?

Solo, you're such a tease with that Angspec caked in fish-slime. Top angling!

Great report guys. Beauty fish to boot too.

IMO an 8wt in a med-fast action would be ideal. Reels have come down in price so much that you can get a decent reel for around $100 with a disc drag and anodized for saltwater use. I usually match the line to the rod rating (8wt rod w/ 8wt line). A Spiel mentioned, a floating line is easier to cast for beginners. As for tackle recommendations, it really depends on how much you're willing to spend. As Outdoorguy61 mentioned, budget some funds for a good instructor...It really speeds up the learning curve.

Practice makes perfect. Pick a day when it's not windy to go out. I found using heavier weights helped with the learning process. If you're trying to do a pull cast or variant of the wallis cast, be smooth when pulling line off the reel and use a finger to lightly break the spool while it's spinning - if you don't, you might get a birds nest or line wrapping around the reel foot. I actually never really learned how to side-cast so I can't help you there.

I've been using 8lb Raven (green and light grey) on my centrepins the last 4 or so years and I've never had any problems with it. Anything under 8lb test (in any line) and I find I get some serious line-dig after fighting a big fish - I think it's because of the stretch. This probably won't be an issue if you use a spinning reel. I use fluorocarbon leaders made by Scientific Angler angler and rate them highly.

I heard there was a place at Pharmacy and Finch near the gas station but a few people told me it closed down. Never been there myself. I usually take my reels to Angling Specialties for servicing.

Fantastic report. Though I'm not able to get out for steelhead much anymore, I live through reports like these. WTG Cliff + SP

That's a beauty fish GCD The lack of barbels, the blueish/gray colour and the sharp pointy dorsal fin leads me to believe it's a species of buffalo (perhaps smallmouth buffalo)...Is there anyone out there who can make a positive ID on it? I've never caught a buffalo before but there's something just not "carpy" about that fish. Here's one link I found http://www.roughfish.com/id.html

Those are some lean, mean, corn eating machines Top Angling

He was probably matching the corn hatch WTG CH

Beautiful pic. I think the whirlpool is one of the most scenic places this province has to offer. You're right about the crazy currents. I was down there fishing for carp a month ago and watched my 3 and 4oz of lead sway back and forth in the current till it snagged up in a pile of rocks.

I've never had to repair rubber waders before but there are a few different ways to find leaks (in no particular order) - Go into a dark room and stick a flash light inside looking for light to shine through the material - Fill waders up with water and hang (either outside or over a bath tub. Look for water seeping out - Jump into a bath tub with waders on. You might see air bubbles escaping from the hole - Send it back to the manufacturer and have them fix it

Great catch. Carp at any size can pull like submarines.

Great catch Gavin. That is one beauty fish. We're sure going to miss your reports from around Ontario. Hopefully you can continue them when you move. I've always wanted to walk along the banks of the River Severn and fish for barbel or try my hand at fishing for the Fat Lady at St. Ives Lagoon. You will be missed

Congrats Cliff on the new PB. She's a real biggin

Leave a few cans of beer outside your tent and hope the bear gets wasted before it gets to your food (or considers you as food) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5756809 I also find hanging food a pain. I usually get my bigger friends to take care of hoisting it up before going to sleep.

You can visit here http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/pubs/UrbanFishing.pdf

Awesome pics. Though I'm too busy during steelhead season to get out, I get through my day with pics like these (And fondling my float gear...Which I won't go in any further detail)

Fluorocarbon ranked 1 and Mono ranked 2 in the visibility category. Technically doesn't that mean that Fluorocarbon is twice as invisible as mono? (mathematically speaking of course) If a superline was tested in the same diameter as the mono tested, would the results be any different? Too many unknown variables to make a conclusive statements about the various classes of lines IMO

For me it switches between CCW and CW and back every 10 seconds or so.