MJL

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

Yeah, tell us about it Jamie. Was it a corn fly?

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.

Nice fish

To catch salmon, you need to do the salmon dance to appease the salmon gods.

Nice report.

Islands are always worth a try for carp. I've seen some real biggins cruising in most canals. In all the times I've fished them over the years, I don't think I've ever blanked. Great carp fishery close to home.

I usually just shake the bullheads off the hook with a pair of pliars without touching them. With the bigger fish, I grab them on their belly and slide my thumb and fingers behind their pecs.

Another PB largie? Congrats on that! Looks like you had a killer day.

Love the markings on that little pike. Sometimes living so close to a world-class fishery, we often forget how blessed we are to have such a resource.

Great report Cliff. Congrats on getting them from the canoe...Salmon fishing from a canoe is something I've always wanted to try with my own. Hopefully my dad is game for trying something like that.

Fantastic report Gavin. Congrats on your very first walleye. To catch the number of species that you did this year is quite an accomplishment - I know very few people who've managed to catch the same amount of species in such a short time. Top angling

Nice fish...Hope it didn't put too much of a strain on your back...

 

Remember to take it easy...I speak from experience...

Totally agree. You need someone to help you with your fishing...Like a guide...One who:

- Baits up the area

- Carries your tackle for you

- Casts your rigs to the optimum spots on the lake

- Fights the fish for you

- Lands the fish for you

- Nets the fish for you

- Unhooks and releases the fish with care for you

You just need to provide the spots and a lunch for the day - It's all about a relaxing day for the client.

You can't go wrong

I charge $400/ day for all of these services. But for you DSN, I'll take $50 off on your first trip.

It's a hard job you know...I'm willing to sacrifice my back in the hopes of providing a top notch service at bargain prices.

Book now before it's too late

Top angling...Nice fish...Methinks I may do a few more carping trips before the steelhead start calling