Dave Bailey

Close approximation:

I've tried all sorts.

Fished a lot as a kid but didn't start again until a few years ago, and even then only once or twice a year. Only began to get out more often in the past 5 years or so.

Looks like we've exhausted this one. Guess I'll just have to buy line by the kilometre for a bulk discount. I'm guessing that there's something unusual about the structure of my wrists and/or forearms that prevents me doing what others do.

Tried braid last year, humungous snarl on my second cast. And the third, and the fifth... Went straight back to Tightline within 1/2 an hour and had it replaced with mono. The braid is now being used for home-made leaders.

I'll sometimes retrieve like that, had some success with pike grabbing a spoon as it flutters down between pulls. But it happens even if I'm rapidly retrieving spinner baits without any rest.

I always keep the drag tightened right up until the action starts.

Have for about 50 years, thought he might have been saying I shouldn't.

Are you saying I SHOULD or SHOULD NOT use a swivel?

As I said a couple of times before, it's been spooled many times by many people, hasn't made any difference. And I've also tried closing the bail by hand, no joy.

Like I said, I've tried all sorts.

I don't care about not being able to walk the dog, it's something I'll never get. But I would like to solve the reel problem.

If so, then it's been put on backward every time by myself or whoever else has done it, including a number of tackle shops. Hard to believe... I've tried all sorts of brands in all sorts of tests from 6 to around 12, no difference.

No, I said a spinning reel, one of them open face thingies. And how do you manage to NOT reel in while it's turning? It can't wind back in on its own. You have to turn the handle to retrieve the lure, right? And doesn't that turn the spool? Don't tell me I've even been getting that wrong.

The first isn't serious. As I said, there are plenty of other techniques. If I ever find out that I can't drop-shot I'll throw myself under a train.

I'm sure many of us have something that has always eluded us, but I've got two that are very frustrating. First, I've never been able to 'walk the dog', no matter how much I try. I have been trying for years, with different rods, reels, lines, and yet that damned Zara Spook refuses to act the way anyone else can get it. Never. I even had a guy try to show me once, and after trying for about half an hour we both gave up. I guess my wrists just aren't configured properly (bones, ligaments, whatever) so I can't get the proper action going. Oh well, there are plenty of other techniques, so I've permanently given up on ever getting it to save myself the frustration. I just have to live with the undeniable fact that it isn't possible for me to do it. The second is a lot more frustrating. I've rarely been able to go more than a dozen casts without having a massive birdnest develop that is usually only corrected by cutting off massive amounts of line. I was once told that it's the sign of a problem with whatever spinning reel I'm using, if so, it must be catching because every reel I've ever used goes the same way. So I've developed a routine; about a dozen casts, and then hook the end of the line to something, walk back until the reel is empty, and then walk forward reeling it back in under tension. Doesn't always work, sometimes it'll happen sooner so I'm reduced to hacking at line again. A couple of times I've made two trips in one day to the closest tackle shop to where I'm fishing just to have a new line spooled on. Other than giving up fishing, any suggestions?

Saw that on the show web site, so I printed a few of those before I went down on Saturday. Only needed one for myself, so I figured I would hand some out to others heading in. Not as good a deed as donating blood, but still gave me a warm feeling.

Well, it depends. Post a sexy picture and we might take some interest...

It was so long ago, but I'm guessing it was like usual... ... ... ... skunked.

I may be crazy but I ain't stupid!

Keep playing your heart out fishman, and look after your mom, I'm sure you're up to it.

Man, that brings back a pleasant memory. Back in the 60s we were travelling through that area and my dad showed us a great little trout stream he knew of right by the highway, wish I could remember the exact location.

Wow. Shots like that are difficult, you nailed it!

True, it costs way more and fried golf balls taste like crap.

Had a romantic weekend away with my wife last month, and we got to talking. I told her I even remembered the first time we had sex many years ago. She was amazed that I remembered. But, why not? It was the day before pike season opened in zone 20.