Sharkbait22

Yup that's my point. The in-line reels should have the same problems. My line ends up twisted just like in Brian's pic. Not a problem if you are actively jigging. Do you use a swivel Brian or a straight uni to uni flow briad knot? I've been thinking of using a longer floro leader this winter, like 10ft plus 8lbs test.

Thanks for the replies. I was more curious than anything. Irishfield raise a good point, line twist happens for me quite a bit with some baits e,g, tube jig even with a in-line swivel. I've noticed it most when I put the line just in the hole in plain view and sometimes when looking down the hole. Often wondered what a fish makes of the spinning lure. But this is more about the type of lure and not the reel. The same twisting would happen on the in-line reel.

Never held one or seen one. Seem to be catching on ... the latest thing. Anyone know the pros and cons based on reading or first-hand experience?

Drifter great graphic. What website is this from?

Wow! Truly trout bumin it! That picture on the drift boat with the rod doubled over and the upper river walk and wade pic with the great clouds are my favs. Some fat bears! Nice mix of fish to keep it interesting. Pin most of the time? Any spey action? Wicked. One day...

Check out http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28073

MEC has decent fingerless style. http://www.mec.ca/product/5037-635/auclair-ragg-wool-fingerless-gloves-unisex/?Ns=p_min_sale_price&h=10+50089+50020+50111+50112&f=10+50089+50112 I bought several pairs when fox river made them.

Yup I currently have a 2007 Escape. It's worked ok. Not very good off road and seems to need servicing too often. A 2012-2013 Trail edition 4runner would be great but hard to find. Not too crazy about their new look. They seem too big and wheel flares are now painted instead of just black plastic. The roof rack is pretty basic like the limited version. No pull-out sliding floor etc.

So true. Hard to find a small off-road capable vehicle these days! At least something with part-time 4x4. Also, a Toyota Tacoma V6 burns 13.1 L/100km the V4 12.4L/100km, a Ford F150 V6 Eco 13.8L/100km. This shows two things, (1) how in the Toyota engine size saves little fuel (and this is not unique to Toyota) and (2) how modern engines are burning less fuel. The new Ram diesel gets 10.7L/100km. The new Jeep Cherokee is also an option at 10.2L/km and 2000lb towing capacity (4500 with towing package) and probably better 4x4 capability than most AWD SUVs.

Depending on the exact boat a 16 tiller would run around 800lbs plus 240lbs for motor and 350lbs for the trailer, add another 150 for gear and gas. That's 1540 lbs. Side console add another 100lbs. Lighter gauge hull and thus a smaller motor and perhaps a portable tank and you might be around 1200lbs. For both boats a Forester or Escape etc could easily handle in most situations. A lot of less popular lakes have poor lunches where 4x4, clearance, and a roller trailer is helpful. Also fewer people to help out if you get in trouble. I'm also in the market for a new boat (16 tiller) and vehicle that I can drag down rough roads and launch in rough spots. If you stick to nicely paved launches you should be fine. Watch for drops in elevation between or at the end of concrete pads!

Well we you look at that. http://www.echoflyfishing.com/html/rod_category_details.php?category_id=28&page_id=60&product_type=1 So are there further changes to come with this rod? At 8-12lbs test that's pretty beefy. Prefer 4-8lbs. Most of my fishing is in the upper Great Lakes with smaller fish.

Ya they're a decent rod for the price. I had one (small 11'6") but lost it somewhere on the transacanda - oops.

Well maybe I'll hold off and see what Echo does. Always been a fan of St Croix. The first rod I made was a Loomis 5wt fly rod in 1994 - still have it and that's the only one from Loomis I have [edit] my current float rod is a Loomis Frontier. Nothing wrong with the rod. Loomis is now Shimano? Wonder what their warranty is like. Picked up a GLX (I think) at Fishing World a few years ago and it was sweeet! For the price of the Clarus you really can't go wrong though. Thanks for the info Drifter. Are you planning on posting some pics from Alaska?

Getting to be time for a new float rod for steelhead. I can use my old one as a backup or a loaner. Not into flash and beauty but functionality. Quality cork and good components. ~13ft, sliding rings are fine. Are recoil guides the way to go? Seems like a good idea. Prefer stock rods with good warranty - under the assumption that custom rods are more difficult to get repaired and at no cost. Price is not too much of an issue as long as the warranty is solid. Any suggestions? Really wish they made more 4 piece rods for easy travel e.g., back packing and planes. The only one I've found is a Shimano Clarus CSS130ML4B 13ft 4pc IM-8 but at ~$100 mark I wonder how good it can be.

Checkout http://www.pechesud.com/en/ good advice and gear. You likely want a large spinning reel e.g. 6500.

I have an interest in a new vehicle so I'm interested in this post. I've been holding out to see if Toyota makes any changes in their Tacoma or 4runners, but this Ram has my attention too. I've been reading a bit and found a comment from someone that seems to know some things aside from the sometimes higher maintenance costs and purchase price for a diesel. "The current European "Euro 5" standards for emissions are not as strict as those now in the force in the U.S. That means that all makers of diesel vehicles sold elsewhere in the world have to incur considerable time and effort, not to mention expense, modifying their vehicles to meet tougher North American standards. Given the small size of the passenger diesel market here--which has historically been limited to German imports and heavy-duty trucks--most makers weren't willing to make that investment. Moreover, diesel fuel is tax-advantaged in many European markets, so not only were the cars more fuel-efficient, the fuel was cheaper too. That and the high cost of fuel in general largely offset the greater cost of a diesel vehicle against the gasoline equivalent. In the States, however, fuel is cheap in general, diesel fuel is usually MORE expensive than gasoline, and diesel engines remain more expensive than to build than gasoline engines. That all made the business case for selling the cars here much harder. However, when "Euro 6" rules arrive starting in 2015, European diesels will be essentially as clean as what's required for legal sale in the U.S. (All but Mazda will go to urea injection for the exhaust aftertreatment.) That considerably reduces the cost for any maker that sells diesels in Europe to certify them for the States."

This was actually written first in 2001 or so. There is also similar sage advice on the "equipment challenge". Basically get your gear before marriage, particularly expensive items like a boat, sled, etc. It's easier to upgrade from time to time then have to do the whole purchase. Dear Dr. Trout Bum WRITTEN BY DR. TROUT BUM SUNDAY, 02 MARCH 2008 23:34 Dear Dr. Trout Bum - When I was dating my wife she was more than accommodating whenever I wanted to go out and "wet my line". We've now been married for two years and my time on the water has been reduced from about 50 days per year to around 10. If I go fishing she either goes ballistic before I go or relents but makes my life miserable when I get home. What should I do? Whipped in West Yellowstone Dear Whipped, All of us who participate in any activity that involves the outdoors and are married are eventually confronted by the vast chasm that divides any idea you may have about spending your "free time" and those expectations held by your spouse. What you need is to learn the art of the "Kitchen Pass." Getting a Kitchen Pass Kitchen Pass (def.) - 1. Authorization for leave of the household in order to pursue purely manly interests. 2. Official sanctioning of any activity performed outside of the household by the recognized governing body of the kitchen. 3. Permission from your wife or significant other. The method of getting a Kitchen Pass varies based on the temperament of the woman, stage of the relationship and other "intangible" issues. This may be as simple as bringing her flowers or taking her to a nice dinner. However, it can be far more complicated. You may have to force yourself to watch Meg Ryan or Sandra Bullock movies. Are there any work projects you've promised to do but haven't finished? Finishing these may earn a Kitchen Pass (or, if you've been really bad, it may just reduce your "pass deficit"). Sending her out for "women's night out" or on a small shopping spree are often effective methods. The point is this: you need to do something that will give her warm and fuzzy feelings about you! Using a Kitchen Pass You read that right - using a Kitchen Pass. This is a different thing than simply earning a kitchen pass and requires a completely different skill set. A Kitchen Pass is much like a coupon; it's not worth the paper it's printed on until it's used and they both have expiration dates. A Kitchen Pass is only valid as long as her feeling of euphoria lasts. This means that they can rarely be accumulated and, most of the time, must be used quickly. The undoing of most of us is that we invariably pull some bonehead maneuver before the transaction is complete. Sometimes something as simple as forgetting to relay a phone message can be a deal killer. As time passes it becomes increasingly likely that we won't notice something that should be noticed or won't compliment something that should be complimented. Even worse is complimenting something that shouldn't be complimented. Have you ever told her she looks great on a day she thinks she looks awful? I thought so. This can result in a pass deficit situation immediately. There is no one sure-fire way to use the pass. You will get better with experience (until menopause; then you have to start over). Until then, act quickly. Keep in touch with Dr. TB and let us know about your progress. Tight Lines, Dr. TB

Like already said it's not about permission but courtesy, especially for overnight(s) trips. If you don't have kids then there is less of an issue. I hear young guys talk tough "she knew I love fishing when we met". I usually laugh and say "good luck with that". That's all fine, but try having a fun guilt-free trip when she is at home dealing with kids or whatever. She may ask about your priorities as she is exhausted and ready to throw in the towel. She needs help. Face it, children fundamentally change your life but in many ways for the good. The Kitchen Pass method works well and as the kids get older you'll have more free time and possibly include them in the fishing. Grandparents and family can be very helpful. In the meantime you may find yourself on some internet site loosely about fishing. Another word of advice is understanding that a fathers free time is precious because he probably gets so little, so be on time for fishing.

Sounds like a true to rating bag Dave. Good to know. That's a dry cold right

Yes, then I can carry more beer! Seriously, doing long portages when fish are biting is not fun. Double portages waste time especially on weekend trips. I've done plenty of camping but only ever had two bags both were around -7 rating I think. Both synthetic - for the water. Just haven't been camping in colder temps for a while. The ratings are kind of wacky, just like tents, the 3 man is more of a 2 man, etc. Likely to get something like this http://www.mec.ca/product/5025-630/mec-aquila-sleeping-bag-12c/?f=10+50130+50853+50874+50880 Prices jump a lot lower for bags rated below -15C. I have a silk liner.

Ok I was thinking -12 which should do the job. Down with some water repellent exterior. Examples are helpful froze butt at 0C in a -5C bag. I know over time get worse - less insulating. I like to avoid a bag meant for Polar expeditions.

Any advice from those that camp a lot. If -7C is the lowest temperature to encounter, the average is -2C, and can be up to 5C, then what rating should I get? Plan for the worst so a -7 or -10 bag? Or double that number? I'll have a good pad and be in a tent. Can also wear more clothing I suppose e.g., toque if needed. The worst is being cold. Spring trout fishing likely have the most experience. Thanks

2-3 hrs but there have been notable exceptions. I have a rule that I must fish for at least as long as the drive. So 2 hrs mean 4 hrs fishing minimum. I prefer to double that so 2 hrs = 8hrs. If I drive a day (10hrs) I'll stay fishing for 3 days (12+ hrs per day). I need restful sleep to function well. Just 6-7 hrs will do fin for days on end. After a couple days of little quality sleep I'm not at my best, certainly not as fun, talkative, or witty. This conversation also gets me thinking about fuel efficient but off-road capable vehicles and down-sizing my boat.

Looks great are you on Vancouver Island?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/fix-the-link-where-science-and-policy-meet/article19286655/#dashboard/follows/ Short editorial on science in Canada.