solopaddler

Well done my friend, nice fish. Glad to see you've settled in to the southern life.

Ahhh John that's terrible. I think I have an inkling how much this hurts.....if you need anything or want to go fishing again please call. Very sorry you won't be making the trip to the homeland this summer with your dad. Maybe one day you can bring your son and show him his roots. Deepest condolences my friend.

Dave I was just about to post the same thing. For anyone that lives in the Ottawa area the Salmon River in NY state is by far the best water close to you. salmoncrazy.com is a great source of info.

No I'm getting it Garry. It's unlikely I'll be using hollow braid anytime soon... A loop to loop connection is the same no matter how you slice it.

Most high end fly lines have an end loop incorporated into them. Those that don't most guys will nail knot a heavy piece of mono with a loop on the end to achieve the same thing. Many fly leaders already have a loop in the end for a loop-loop connection. Those that don't, well it takes seconds to tie one. The loop-loop connection is favoured by flyfishermen because it allows for quick change. Bear in mind because fly rods are much longer this connection is almost never reeled into the guides. It would be an incredibly easy thing to incorporate a permanent loop at the end of your braid. Tying a loop in your fluoro leader as mentioned is easy and takes seconds. Having been familiar with this type of connection for years I would never consider it for anything besides flyfishing. It's simply not streamlined or small enough. It wouldn't be finesse enough for my liking and wouldn't reel through the guides easily. If I'm concerned about the ability to change leaders on my braid I'll use a microscopically small black ant barrel swivel. The same ones I use for steelheading. Been doing that for years. It works great and is very subtle and stealthy. The only drawback being I don't like to reel the swivel, small as it may be, through my guides. The link to the fluoro swivels which I posted earlier should be looked at again. They allow for quick change plus won't be as hard on the guides if you're running a long lead. I honestly don't see how you can improve on this: http://www.aquateko.com/

East outflow of the Pickering nuclear plant in the dead of winter. There are carp swimming around there much larger than 50lb's.

Yamaha because of the variable trolling feature and reliability. After researching thoroughly I bought my 40hp tiller last year from Hastings. They gave me by far the best deal.

You're a talented man Glaucus. You've got a customer here if you ever decide to sell your baits.

The concept isn't new. Myself and most fly fishermen have been "inchwoming" various leaders and loop to loop connectors onto the end of the fly line for years. I usually put a small piece of heat shrink tubing at the very end of the connection to hold it in place. Still I absolutely will not use these pressure fit connections for big fish. I've learned the hard way over the years they have a tendency to fail.

Pretty slick Garry. I'm looking forward to trying these for my braid-fluoro connection this year: http://www.aquateko.com/

I agree I've never seen a tube dressed like that either. If you want a very similar bait fuzzy grubs are readily available.

Glaucus that's very impressive! Is this a hobby or do you sell them? I'm interested if you do.

Heresy! Clark's don't hold a candle to Bush's! What, are your taste buds dead man?

I was up north yesterday, some but not all rivers were blown. While I never checked out Meaford if I were you I'd go, it drops very quickly. Even if it's blown there's plenty of other great options that will be fishable.

Not going either but your poll doesn't cover the reasons why.

Addiction is a subjective term. For me it's a part of the fabric of my being, in essence who I am. Besides true greatness is never achieved without a single minded obsession. (I read that in a fortune cookie last week. )

HA! That's funny I thought I was the only one. When I remember I always try and grab a few cans when I head Stateside. Been doing it for years...

For me? I sold the Lami to Fidel so all the mojo is his now. Nice fishy.

No actually that's the Riverkeeper Frogwater. I'm meeting Adam and picking up the new Paines Fall next week.

Hours and hours Wayne, the finish on my knob is incredibly tough and shiny. It's like blue steel man, a cat couldn't scratch it!!

Tis the season, you'd best get used to it.

I'm amazed that anyone would sign up for something like this.

You can achieve the same finish on the wood in your handle with multiple coats of gun stock oil and a lot of rubbing.

Ask Dave, he's taking orders. No Yep.

13' 3pc Rainshadow XST with a hand turned sliding ring handle.