Jonn Graham

Pics and the complete story will be posted very soon

Just got off the Vermilion a few hours ago. Me and a buddy floated five miles and landed 29 with about half of them coming on the fly rod. Nothing huge today, but a couple of 13-14 inchers. Good day for numbers.

Brian:

Not sure where Dave is getting his info concerning this PH thing but I fish the Vermilion around Pontiac a few days a week...........at least. The river is healthy as I am catching four to five different year classes of fish. Don't know if you follow my blog, but back in April I caught three very large females. Last week or two I have had guide trips on the Vermilion and we are able to catch fish every trip. Had a guy last week hook and land 28 and had many more on. Last year I had clients catch as many as 63 smallies in a five mile float.

While the Mack really does suck, the Vermilion around Pontiac is doing just fine. Matter of fact, I hit the river yesterday evening with the fly rod and in the first 100 yards I had five smallies landed.

John W:

Gotta say I cannot believe you tipped the Coosa. That boat has unbelievable stability. You must have leaned a LONG, LONG ways to make that boat flip. I have been in tons of canoes and kayaks and the Coosa is about as wide beam as you are going to get. Keep in mind the boat is so stable that you can stand up in it.

Not much right around Springfield. Springfield is just South of the smallmouth cut-off in IL. Your closest stream might be the Mackinaw, which is about 90 minutes from Springfield. You may get some other responses from guys who have some creeks that I don't know about.

Ryan:

Congrats on your coosa. I think you will like it.........I know I do.

Concerning the anchor.........I have a short section of rope attached to two sections of chain. Then I tie off end of the anchor rope somewhere in the boat. Then, I take the rope and insert it into the cleat (the cleat is mounted right next to my seat). When I need to drop anchor, I simply lift the rope out of the cleat and the anchor goes down to the bottom. When I want to move, I simply pull the anchor rope until the chain is up onto the grooves of the boat at the stern that are there for the anchor to sit in. Once the anchor is up, it simply takes a second to put the rope back in the cleat. I will try to get a picture posted asap.

I have not had it much on lakes yet. Jim J. has..........maybe he will post.

the dog leash may be a standard way to anchor, but we don't like the dog leash. Too cumbersome when lifting the anchor off the bottom. We use a simple small cleat to hold the anchor line. I believe it cost around $2 and works great.

Ryan, I bought the Coosa mostly due to its ability to allow me to anchor and then stand and fly fish. If you are die-hard fly fisherman, then the Coosa will work great. Any more questions, just holler.

Ryan:

I absolutely love my Coosa. Very, very comfortable to fish out of. Super Stable, but fairly fast as well. Ryan, if you want to give me a call for more information, feel free to do so (309-399-7055)

I have it in the seven weight size. LOVE IT!! The two tone color is great. Don't know why all companies don't make the head of the line a different color than the rest of the line. Really handy.

Same thing happened to me. I used marine Goop. Still holding so far.

cool Mike. Sounds like a great plan. Keep us posted

I agree................if they won't hit a tube, you are in for a long day.

Looks like a great boat. I have to ask......................what made you decide on this boat over the Coosa? Keep in mind, I am just asking.

Folks, everyone spells my name wrong!! Even my relatives spell it wrong. Does not offend me at all. When people ask my name, I don't even bother to tell them how to spell it.............easier to just let them spell it how they want. I got more important things to think about...............like smallies.

No problem Gary.

Call the regional DNR office in Sterling, IL. They are coordinating the whole thing. I plan to attend as well.

How about a tube with garlic and salt?

Smallies hate garlic????????? I absolutely kill smallies on chompers. Maybe my smallies all have Italian heritage.

Last night was my first wet wading trip of the year. Felt great to fish without waders!!!!!

Folks:

Prairie State Outdoors is gone. Turn your attention to www.heartlandoutdoors.com

I hate fishing! Is it fun?...............absolutely NOT.

In all seriousness, it reminds me of saying...............do you live to eat or eat to live. Now appling this to fishing, I can definitely say I LIVE TO FISH!

I will be doing a seminar on options for rigging soft plastics. Should be interesting as this is a Muskie banquet. I hope they will have some interest in river bronze.

Switching hands is for the birds. I know the big pros do it, but they only do it because that was the way they were taught when they were young. If they wanted to, they could take the time to learn to fish by not switching hands. If you are just getting into baitcasting, then, by all means, buy a reel that matches your normal patterns (if you are right handed, you should be reeling with your LEFT HAND and vice versa)

I do feel that furled leaders seem to resist knotting. I will say, that if you do notice a knot in a furled leader, GET IT OUT IMMEDIATELY.