mannym

I am finally getting time on the fly bench. Wondering what everyone uses for winter time river smallies? I was going to start with the standard Clouser and meat whistle.

RIP Norm

I was thinking the theme to be family friendly. Perhaps an emphasis on teaching kids about ice fishing, safety and such.

Is there any interest in having an ice outing this year? I would be willing to put something together that includes food and maybe prizes for big fish and such?

Funny you mention the "cheating'. I was told by a guy I work with that I cheated on the canal picture. I brought the SD card to work today. I am going to see what I can do with Lightroom today. Most scenes have at least 10 photos with different settings. Should be fun.

If I recall, my camera can output both JPEG and Raw at the same time. I will have to see if I had it set that way. If so, I will try Lightroom and see if I can spiffy up these photos a bit. I also need to buy a few more lenses. A better wide angle being the first purchase. Thank you Mark.

I did not shoot raw. But the only editing I did was on the Canal shot using Gimp. I do use ND filters to get the exposure time I needed to shoot these during the day. I almost always use a Polarized lens and or UV filter. Should I always shoot raw? Also, what editing software do you recommend?

The Hennepin Canal is correct. The others though, are not from SR. But you were close Siusaluki. They are actually from Matthiessen State Park, Dells area. I am fortunate to live two miles south of this park. Rob G, Thanks for the compliment.

While laid off, I decided to take my camera out and practice long exposure water pics. My set up is an older Sony Nex-5 with an FD adapter to use with my old Canon manual focus lenses. Based on the pictures I see here, we have several photography experts. I welcome all feedback from those who can help me refine my photography skills. Edit: The title changed. I decided to post multiple pics.

Greed.

It is sad to read this. I have been to the BWCA every year for 12 years. One of the best places to get away from artificial noise.

After tying a clouser on a jig hook, i have not used a straight hook ever again. #10 to #6 is my hook size preference.

There is an article about a fly he ties in the bulletin I received yesterday. He is a good friend of my BIL and has shown me alot about fly fishing. Why would it have dropped?

I use dip bait in the spring when the water is cooler and the bait doesn't dissolve so fast. Summertime catfishing is all about the live or cut bait. Catch your own and keep them alive for flathead. When they die, cut them up for channels and blues. Keep the chicken liver in the fridge. Turtles love to steal livers all night long.

Wildcat Mountain park in SW Wisconsin is nice. And you are in the driftless area..... In Illinois, I always enjoy Evergreen Lake near Bloomington. It is called Comlara county park in Mclean county.

Nice work John. I was down there before the rain started some weeks ago. I used an ND-8 filter but still had too much light.

I tried to get into this commercial fishing business a few years ago. Fact is, if you are not one of the " good old boys in the club", you do not have a place to sell the fish. One of the processors has been eating up the grant money and not increasing the input. The crappy part is I still have all of my gear and boat, sitting idle since 2012. God bless Illinois!

How are the panfish on that lake?

Usually, north of interstate 80 gets plenty of ice all winter long. Down by you, Dawson I hear is a good lake as is Bloomington and Evergreen.

Eugene, Our hope for ice before the new year is fading away. The ten day shows a few days near 50.... Eric, Early ice finds me fishing alone often since drilling is not too much work. Once the ice hits 12 inches or more, I tend to call buddies with gas augers to go with. The propane models are super, btw. If I get a good bonus, I may try to find a used power auger this season. Rich, (cough cough), I like ponds too....... I was reading that a few Dane county lakes are fishable right now. I may have to sneak out Saturday morning. John G, We should try that lake that sits between us. It tends to be good every few years. The last two sucked so guessing we may be lucky this year. A few pics from years past to get the blood pumping:

I have been wondering how many ISA members do the ice fishing gig. So i thought to try for a roll call. Maybe tell us where you live, where you fish regularly and where you plan to go this year. 1. I'm in lowell just down from Starved Rock. I fish some small private farm ponds, evergreen lake, Shabbona and sometimes the fox chain. I make many trips up to WI to fish lake mendota fr perch, kishkonong for pike and have been as far north as the turtle flowage for crappie and eyes I hope to make it to lake poygan and Green Bay in Wi and west okoboji in Iowa. With any luck, i will get my wall mounter bullgill this year. If anyone ever wants to tag along, i have two complete sets of gear. Vex,auger and shanty, couple dozen rods and tip ups. All you need is your warm clothes.

Hoping we can make this show. Thanks!

Does anyone use double taper lines? If so, how do they compare with WF in terms of casting? I couldn't stop laughing when I read Double Taper. The phrase "Double Taper" reminds me of a George Brett you tube video talking about crapping his pants. He said something like---- "The most perfect double tapered $hit of my life. Who are the pitchers in this game?" Anyone remember this?

Nice pics

Can you recommend a floating weight forward fly line for a beginner? I am hoping to help my wife improve her casting with a 5 and 8 wt. I bought her her own two rods and want to make sure I get a line that helps her get distance on her cast. The 5wt will be for smallmouth and the 8wt for salmon, browns,etc. Both rods are Three Fork entry level rods and reels, btw. Thanks