solopaddler

About 350 give or take.

I had a really crappy old bathtub refinished a few years ago just before we moved. Can't speak about the durability, but it looked absolutely mint when the guy was finished. This may not be the best option, but it's likely your cheapest and most hassle free option.

I couldn't care less. You couldn't pay me to fish that weed infested cess pool. I'm all for restricting public access to traditional fly in lakes, but then that topic has already been hashed and rehashed ad nauseum.

Ive been using a US Reel 230SX and 240SX with success. However I've had to upgrade the drag washers on both as I found them lacking. Beyond that decent reel for the price. You can find them pretty cheap if you look around on the net. The larger wider spool of these reels really aids with casting distance imo. A similar alternative and a much more common reel is the Pflueger Arbor. It may be worth a shot. I recently aquired a couple of Pflueger Supreme XT's and have been amazed at the quality. Drag seems very smooth. I'm most likely going to try a larger size, probably a 35 or 40 for steelhead fishing. The Pflueger Patriarch in the 40 size is also interesting. Ebay currently has some smoking deals on these reels.

Sounds like a lot of fun buddy and a perfect cardio workout to boot. Now let's see some big lakers!

That's about as simple and as basic a set up as you'll ever see. Obviously it works! You guys ever tempted to sneak a little baggy of live minnows in with you? That's gotta be one of the dumbest angling laws ever.

Awesome Jacques! So how are you guys catching these little stockers? In tight to shore in front of beaver dams, etc, in deeper water off points, are you jigging for them? What? Spill the beans, inquiring minds want to know.

Copied and pasted my previous reply to your same question: Shawn it seems to me you're using the centrepin for its intended application anyway. It's an age old style of fishing developed in Britain where I doubt there are many steelhead swimming. As far as your other questions, check the reg's. Here in ON there are many rivers that have subtantial portions of them open year round. If you have a passport and cross the border all of the rivers are open for steelhead year round.

Shawn it seems to me you're using the centrepin for its intended application anyway. It's an age old style of fishing developed in Britain where I doubt there are many steelhead swimming. As far as your other questions, check the reg's. Here in ON there are many rivers that have subtantial portions of them open year round. If you have a passport and cross the border all of the rivers are open for steelhead year round.

Some of you guys are pretty harsh. Sorry to hear, I'm sure you'll bounce back.

Bird dogs don't howl. That would scare away the birds.

Thanks Phil, looking forward to your feedback.

Dollar store near me sells these elastic stretch Christmas dog collars with little jingle bells all over them. I bought a bunch last month. They're supposed to be a novelty item, but you know what? They work great keeping track of my dog in the bush. I have a one year german shorthair and she wears one every time we head out.

Thanks for your input. I'm going to guess it's the rear cork that turns but I'll find out. I'm guessing not too many people have fished this rod since it's relatively new. All the reviews on the internet are absolutely glowing though. The one piece Elite Tech Smallmouth series look great too. With those kind of high end components and a lifetime warranty they're definitely worth a shot. Just in case anyone's interested Amazon has the best prices which include free shipping to the lower 48: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=fenwick+elite+tech+&x=10&y=13

Many guys never stop. The season for me runs Oct-May with Oct/Nov and Mar/Apr being the prime months. Plenty of great fishing in the winter months to be had. It is imo the golden age of steelheading in the great lakes region. It's one of the very few fisheries we have here in southern ON that I would deem world class and is the doorstep of millions of people. Nice fishing btw Emil, you're a machine.

Anyone have any feedback on these rods? Never really looked at them before, but they have some interesting features as well as a lifetime warranty. They come with titanium frame SIC guides. The guides alone are worth as much as the price of the rod LOL! Currently they can be purchased online for anywhere from 85-95 bucks. They apparantly have a spiggot style ferrule as well. How does that feel? I havn't used a rod with a spiggot ferrule in probably 40 years. The handle looks pretty interesting as too. If anyone has used these rods can you please tell me exactly how the reel seat works 'cause I can't figure it out. http://www.fenwickfishing.com/prod.php?k=375593&sk=375593&p=PURERR58UL-F%20(1205787) (Just edited the title as it seems not all rods in the series have the same components)

Art, that's exactly what the op did LOL! Speaking of which I can't help you there. Never heard of the place before.

Sweet fish Jay. It must be amazing fishing that lake through the ice.

Nice read Garry. I built a couple rods with the same handle except reversed. Uplocking as opposed to downlocking. When I'm holding the rod most of what I'm gripping is in front of the reel. A downlocking seat like yours means I'm grabbing threaded nuts instead of cork. Have you been successful catching any of the trout?

It has been a good season hasn't it? The best in years for me. (I think it's time to retire that hat of mine LOL!) Here's one you may not have seen yet:

Fantastic, sounds incredible all around. Quite an ending as well, it would have been a great picture landing that cuda in the water.

Happy New Year to you too, and please, don't be shy with your reports. That was just absolutely outstanding.

Well done. You're inspiring me to do the same.