eugene f collins

Looks real fishy Tom. Waiting for the report and pictures.

Thanks for the report John.

Great pictures John. How's the Illinois fishing John? Might be visiting these next couple weekend's.

Plan on attending.

Teach at their pace. Walk, explore, patience! Having the fun again this wdecent inter teaching nephew ice fishing. Yesterday while we were walking around following coyote tracks i made sure he slowed down enough to understand why the coyote was scratching at the ice at shore. Then finally he saw a frog frozen upside down! We chipped it out of the ice, bagged it. Hope i get a decent Report Next weekend when he plays on the ice again.

Might be able to win 1 at the Blowout! I am a fan of Falcon Rods.

Tom Thank you! You said it better than i could. When i did fish with full sinking line. Was a huge pain because all the line sank, making it harder to maintain line control. Plus the sinking line would snag somewhere between the boat and the fly. It worked well when casted at a 90 degrees towards shore and behind The boat.

Ron the Fox is easier to fish than the rock with a flyrod. On the Fox I use weighted flies as well as non weighted. Did not catch major size this year, but a couple outings were excellent. i have been practicing holding the line. I have less tangles in the tackle box i call my boat. Was not ready for season to end. Practiced alot with big poppers. Next season i plan to practice 2 flies.

Rob, early in the spring i talked with Eric at corens rod & reel. He suggested i try 250 grain in several different lengths. 6 - 10' You need to understand i am trying to learn fly while i have a strong background with spin/ baitcast. i usually throw around 30' of line out at a 45 up river. The short sink tip sinks fast with the current. The short leader (3' of mono) helps me feel strikes. Tried longer leaders but never felt the take. Mono? Why mono? Because it's on the spin rod and as much trouble as I have had learning the fly , it's real cheap!

I know im gonna get screen slapped for this, but. He're goes This past open water season i have been practicing with sink tips. 6 - 10' In length different sink rates. I have caught more fish using sink tips vs sinking lines. Sink lines are great in some places. But the current on the rock reek havoc on sinking line. To much line out trying to wrap whatever it can. 30' of line including sink tip and a 3' leader has treated me well. Working on "Belgium cast" to bring everything up to the surface and re cast. This has worked well on the 5, 6 and 8 weights for me.

I know it is off season now. But please contact "paddle & trail" 2 locations Rockford and Aurora. During the summer they have brought a dozen kayaks to the ISA float your boat events. Which is nice being able to paddle around in each of the kayaks They brought. They have also attended many " early shows" in November. They will probably be at next year's cast & compare depending on where it is held.

Ed could it also be called. ..... day after tomorrow? See you and all others there.

Welcome Eric. WHAM!

Happy thanksgiving everyone!

Abe Downs presentation.

Early show. Early pictures.

Very cool! Thanks for sharing. Hopefully next year.

Craig plan to be there by 8.

Will be there Saturday.

Is this event day after tomorrow?

You know i will be there!

Thank you all for attending the first gear C&C! I forgot to take pictures I was busy throwing everyone else's gear. Kip with some nice falcon rods. Spiz with a handful dialed in set - ups. Scott thank you for bringing the micro guide rod. Still on the fence on whether they are better, need an hour or more to decide. Was able to help Mike dial a new bait caster in. One picture i did take was Cory and Pat h with spinning gear.

Ed. There's no need to eat crow. If the rivers had been fishable, i would have been standing there alone. I Was impressed on How many did show. And would like to thank them for showing.

Thanks Scott. Tomorrow

Down to 3 days!