Tim A

Hey Eric, I cant seem to PM you about this, so I'm posting here. I tried to send you a couple emails today with photos attached per our earlier discussion about the magazine, but they all got returned as your email addy wasn't recognized. Can you confirm that your preferred email is eric@fishthefox.com? Is there a better addy to use for this? Thanks! Tim

Some of your complaints seem to not be specifically about this watercraft, but pertain to other kayaks as well. I'm assuming it's your first endeavor in kayaks. So, while I agree that the things you mentioned are annoying, it's perhaps inappropriate to pin them on this particular make & model. Eric is also right to point out that no kayak company yet has had the intuition to put notches somewhere forward of the paddler to store the paddle perpendicular to the boat. But another solution is to get a paddle leash, which allows you to not worry about what your paddle is doing while you fish/fight fish, etc. Many paddles float, so it's no big deal that the paddle is 2'-3' away from the boat on a leash. You also should consider the milkcrate/PVC vertical rod storage that so many kayak anglers have turned to. There's a reason it's so popular--it's cheap and it works. And as for your seat reclining, it sounds like that's a problem with those seats, not the boat. Maybe I'm wrong on that one. My experience has been with kayaks that do not have multiple seat options.

Tom, if you email Mike G in the next 10 minutes, he'll DOUBLE your order. Now that's a deal.

This is a tad embarrassing to admit, but the Banjo Minnow is what really got me into fishing. The marketing worked on my then-10-year-old brain, and I begged my parents to order the original kit every time that commercial played when I watched the ESPN lineup of fishing shows (Jimmy Houston, Shaw Grigsby, Hank Parker, Bill Dance, etc). Finally they got me the kit. I was fascinated and totally convinced that every cast was going to catch me a bass. You see, before this plastic miracle, I had only fished a few days a year with my dad, with bait, for bluegills. I had never caught a bass nor any fish on an artificial lure. Once I obtained the Banjo Minnow, I discovered a long, fishy creek across the street from my parents' house. Although the Banjo didn't catch any fish in that creek, I found that this creek was loaded with chubs to 13", yellow bullhead, green sunfish, pumpkinseeds, and in some stretches, carp to 36". I spent every afternoon and weekend exploring that suburban creek, often worrying my mom because I wouldn't come home until after dark. I caught my biggest bullhead in that creek, my biggest creek chub, my first few dozen carp, and, importantly, my first bass--a 10" largemouth. I threw my first fly casts in that creek with a Plfueger 5/6 kit my parents' gifted me one Christmas. I fished everywhere I could after that, subscribed to in-fisherman and field & stream, and even wrote a 5th grade assignment on walleye stocking programs (I had not yet even caught a walleye). Over time, and tons of reading and fishing, I learned to use various natural baits and artificials, having fun with friends at new waters (as we all do and did), but I long left the Banjo Minnow behind. Still, I always had the 5" Chartruese & silver fleck Banjo in my soft plastics case. And one cold November night on the Ohio River, over a decade since the excitement of opening up my first lure kit, I stared into my tackle box for something to thread on my 3/8oz jig that the fish might see in the faint light below the enormous dam. I found the 5" chartreuse Banjo Minnow and slid it over the hook sideways, so it would look like an injured, undulating fish. A cast and drop to the bottom of the whirlpooling 15-foot-deep waters found a hungry 10lb+ hybrid striped bass. What an amazing fight. And at age 23, thirteen years after starting my foray into the world of artificial lures, the Banjo Minnow and I had finally caught a fish together. I even managed 3 more hybrids between 8-10lbs on the next few casts. After 4 giant hybrids, the Banjo was unusable. But after a (hi)story like that, would I dare write a negative review? -- By the way, the original Banjo Minnow did not have the articulated slits in the body. It was simply a very soft plastic with a realistic molding of fins, eyes, and a scale pattern. The eyes were part of the mold, not add-on 3D eyes like the newer versions. And the original colors were way better

Purple chenille wrapped into egg-like shape on a mid-length size 6 hook. Use a feather stem for the stem, color stem with chartreuse marker or use one from hackle dyed chartreuse already.

Something happened between our schedules and Rob Tomes can no longer make it. So he will not be there this weekend. Sean is taking over the muskie portion of the talk. He and I are still doing the carp talk after that. Sorry to get your hopes up and plans rearranged if you were looking to meet Mr. Tomes. This change just happened in the last 48 hours. We still encourage you to come out, hang out, meet some folks, and hear from Sean and myself about muskie and carp. See you at 11am on Saturday, or before!

Ok--BIG CORRECTION: Something happened between our schedules and Rob Tomes can no longer make it. So he will not be there this weekend. Sean is taking over the muskie portion of the talk. He and I are still doing the carp talk after that. Sorry to get your hopes up and plans rearranged. This change just happened in the last 48 hours.

Okay, found an amateur review that is actually pretty informative. Turns out gasoline takes it right off, and a little friction also makes it flake. Oh, and the finish is pretty frosty (not for use on sunglasses!)

Oh yea, and sunglasses--never fogging up or getting steelhead splashes again, unless the product doesn't dry completely clear

Great ideas, Tom, didn't think about rod guides. Also, kayaks, boats, SUPs...more efficient moving in the water and less blood & spit-up baitfish to clean. Of course, it might be too powerful on the lighter watercrafts, acting like a same-side magnet throwing your SUP or yak right out of the water!

Thanks, Mike. Tom, Mr. Tomes will begin his presentation at 11am and will conclude around 1pm. Sean and I will start up about carp right after that. I hope to see you guys there!

Just a heads up that on Saturday, July 27th, there will be an in-store event at the downtown Chicago Orvis store (142 E. Ontario, just one door from Michigan Ave). Robert Tomes, author of "Muskie on the Fly", will give a presentation on Midwest muskie flyfishing and will sign copies of his book. Also, the store's flyfishing manager Sean Hansen and myself will be discussing tactics, flies, and locations for local carp (from the harbors and Chi River up to Door County). So if you have the day off or have some business to do downtown, do it that weekend and come out and see us. It'll be fun. Some recent Chicago carpness:

Nice flies, Tom!

Lol @ Mike. Buff is no longer available--sold to Ron.

Showing your ingenuity, Ryan. Keep it up.

Hey all, since we were just talking about these "buffs" in one of the smallmouth report pages, I remembered I had an extra, brand new one of these lying around that I got as a gift. I already own 2 of the Buff brand ones. This one is by Aqua Design. It is "Aqua Sky" in color (sort of a blue/light blue camo). This is still in original packaging with tags. $10 by check and I'll mail it to you. Add $2 if you want to do Paypal (to cover fees). Check out the product here: http://www.aquadesign.com/sunguard-fishing-mask-tube.html

Nice looking flies. The first looks like it'd be a good redfish fly where they roam. Since "Foxy" was named for the river, maybe "Kishy Kraw" should be this one's name!

Thanks for the heads-up, John

I lean towards thinking bigger fish want a slower, more finessed presentation. Obviously it's not always the case. And sometimes smaller flies get the chomp.

Sweet, Ryan. That thing will catch. I wouldn't be surprised if a big smallmouth nails it, too. What size hook?

I've got a brand new pair of Redington Skagit River men's wading boots that are brand new. They are size 11, and cut a bit big. You could wear a 10.5 or 11 street shoe and these would fit fine even with wool socks and neoprene booties. These have awesome sticky rubber lug soles with designated areas for optional cleats. They aren't a good fit for my feet. Also, I don't have the original packaging. Asking $70 in person or $80 shipped (paypal, money order, personal check). Retail MRSP is $100+tax. Let me know if you're interested!

really nice looking fly, Ryan! I hope it brings you at least one esox

Found this article (a very informative read, by the way) on "endocrine disruptors" showing up in the rivers in MN and WI. These pollutants are associated with pesticides among other possible sources. In some cases, fish have shown intersex characteristics. I have to do more reading, but many fish species already have characteristics of both male and female reproductive capacities that dominate at different stages in their lives. Fisheries biologists, what say you? http://www.minnpost.com/environment/2013/04/endocrine-disruptors-water-minnesota-ahead-wis-testing

John, Thanks for the info on Hydro. I haven't used it yet mostly due to it being even pricier than their other products. Sounds like a winner, though.