solopaddler

That's amazing, congratulations!!

Very few guys use match guides anymore bud, in fact Fuji doesn't even make them anymore. Most guys are running either Fuji concept guides (either YSG or TYSG) or pretty much any standard low frame spinning guide. Many many guys are running smaller guides on the tip, there's no issue with that other than ice up when it gets cold. Most guys will start the build with a larger guide, usually a #20 then taper it down quickly to the small tip guides. Beyond a reduction in casting distance your line won't flow off the float reel as effortlessly especially in frogwater with the small stripper guide so close to the reel. Weight on 3 larger guides is so negligible it's not even worth mentioning. As far as catching on brush, non issue there either.

I'm sure the guide spacing is perfect. Anyhow it looks great, nice job on the build.

Nice job dude. Just out of curiosity why the small stripper guides close to the handle? They'll choke your line and reduce casting distance....

Was a pleasure fishing with you bud, thanks for adding your pic's. Too bad about this week, it's on fire right now. Next time Braid may be a liability if you were using an extreme fast action rod. With a rod that has a "bit" of softness in the tip though it's no problem believe me. Braid has obvious advantages as far as hook sets and sensitivity goes...you can feel everything. It's also simply more durable. This particular type of fishing is pretty darned close to a saltwater experience in my books. Big water, hot aggressive fish, arm wrenching strikes.... I had 3 steelhead in the 10lb range chase my spoon right to my feet today before one just walloped it. Mono would simply not stand up to the abuse believe me. Unless you were using really heavy gorrila stuff, but then you wouldn't be able to cast as far. If it was one or two fish then maybe, but I put 50 fish on the bank the other day and lost almost as many LOL! Looking forward to getting out with you again Joe! It's a 100% reaction strike, no finesse whatsoever. I'm fairly confident I could get as many fish running straight braid. The 12lb fluoro tippet probably does nothing more than give me confidence.

Yeah but I only ever do that fishing the surf in places like Craigleith, never in a river.

You don't just "buy" a DeMarco. You place an order with Adam then unless you're very lucky, wait very patiently 'till your reel arrives. Sometimes the wait can be long.

Take off your float, clamp on some split shots and bottom bounce the hole.

Floatfishing done properly will still catch more fish in the long haul, no doubt about that. But...at certain times of the year and on certain river throwing hardware wins hands down. Good eye on the lure, it is indeed a glow spoon.

Thanks gents! Brian, Brian, Brian...it's not length that's important, it's girth. The spool on the Supercaster is incredibly wide. Much wider than any of the so called "long cast reels" with their longer more tapered spools. The coils of line that come off it are huge. Another reel that's similar and not bad either is the Pfleuger Arbor. In order to optimize casting distance guides are important as well. If your first guide is either too close to the reel or more commonly simply not big enough, it's going to choke the line coming off the reel and reduce distance. You're looking at at least 25" from first guide to your foregrip and at least a #30 guide if you want to do things properly... The ultimate spinning reels for long casting are likely some of the super high end euro carp reels. I aint gonna spend $700 on a spinning reel unless I win the lottery though.

As most of you know I love floatfishing with a long light rod and centrepin reel, but there are times when other methods shine. For the last month I've had an absolute blast swinging spinners and spoons for hot aggressive steelhead. When I say swinging, I mean that literally. I'm making long casts quartering downstream. Engaging the reel, and swinging the lure on a tight line with rod tip held high through the drift below. Sometimes I reel slowly, sometimes not, instead simply popping and fluttering the lures, especially the spoons, through the strike zone. The strikes are unbelievably savage. Twice recently I've had fish snap my 20lb braid on the strike. Speaking of braid that's an important part of the entire system. I'm running a long 11' spinning rod with lots of backbone. It's rated 6-10lb and most of the flex is in the top third of the rod with tons of power in the butt. This is necessary for casting distance, setting the hook and of course sensitivity. The reel is an oversized US Reel Supercaster filled to the brim with as mentioned 20lb braid. On the terminal end I'm running 4-5' of 12lb fluoro to a tiny ball bearing snap then my lure. With water temperatures still optimal and the fish being fresh from the lake and aggressive this method of angling is incredibly effective. Most days totally outfishing the float guys. For those who refuse to broaden their steelheading horizons by sticking solely with float gear, well simply put you're missing the boat. This is an exhilerating way to catch these incredible fish. The strikes alone will leave you breathless... Just to be different I've also caught a bunch of these guys as well, mostly floatfishing with beads (Just thought I'd throw that one in there ) Get out while the gettin's good boys!

They're truly beautiful, maybe the nicest reel I've ever fished.

Thanks guys. I know every dad can relate to my pride. Just this morning he told me flat out, "Daddy I know everything about fishing already!!", "You don't have to teach me anything!!" This after I told him he had to grow a bit and learn how to handle a fly rod before I let him use the spey rod. Oh brother.

I was really hoping to see a report where you had put your girlfriend onto a bunch of steelhead. Dude, you were so close! Looks as though you did okay though anyway. Especially like the crappie, those are some nice slabs.

Was good to get out with you guys and some chrome therapy was just what Dave needed I think. Looking forward to tomorrow buddy, I sense a good day.

Uh oh. Just read your post and while reading remembered I was supposed to let you know if I was coming. God I'm an . Public apology here Cliff, sorry I didn't get back to you and let you know. (being busy doesn't count as an excuse) On the plus side wtg on the new pb! Beautiful clean fish.

Impossible to top the walleye fishing on Abamasagi, but I think he's looking for an american plan lodge and a higher quality of accomodations. I've been to the Kag out of Nakina. Great lodge, great food and great fishing. http://www.leuenberger.ca/kag.htm Also out of Nakina with great lodging and food is Esnagami: http://www.esnagami.com/ Mar Mac out of White River is good: http://www.northtoadventure.com/view.php?lodge=l_marmac&page=lmm_home Timberwolf Lodge out of Hornepayne is good: http://www.timberwolflodge.net/fishing.html Granite Hill Lodge also out of Hornepayne is good: http://www.pkresort.com/index.html Any of these lodges would provide a fantastic experience. I can recommend plenty of amazing housekeeping camps as well. If you don't mind doing your own cooking the prices are a lot more reasonable.

Mike how do you jump from replacement trebles to cheap pliers at Walmart? Thanks for the tip I'll check them out.

Well done kid. That's one of my favourite stretches of water.

That is absolutely incredible. Wow.

I switch out the hooks on almost all of my lures and I always put Owner trebles on them. Great hooks.

Thanks guys, I figure by next year he'll be earning allowance money tying roe bags LOL! Riley doesn't have the bug like my little guy, don't want to force it on her either. It's funny you mention him upping her, or bettering her somehow. He's been reminding his big sister of that fact constantly LOL! Anytime Gord, but I'm not going to track you down for an invite. You already know you're welcome. It's up to you buddy.

Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed! I know, I know. Did you happen to look at the short video clip I included of him landing a small walleye? Watch it right to the end. Typical Ferg LOL!

My son Brendan just turned 5 last month and last month reached another milestone in his young life, his first steelhead. Every time I go now he begs me to come. It's tough to say no, and so far this fall he's been out with me a few times, and considering his young age, has done pretty well. He recently caught 3 completely on his own, casting and drifting a 7' spinning rod rigged with a float. Yep, he can already handle the big boy rod and reel with no problem. I'm calling this one his first official steelhead. Yeah it was just a small skipper, but with help from dad he set the hook and landed it on my 13' float rod and centre pin reel. That's my boy. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7NqCcpxOteE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed! Small world eh buddy? Did you guys do well when you fished it? I was wondering about you. Where you been at? Walleye and pike my friend. Cliff, next time I'll give you a bit more notice. And trust me there will be a next time.