Kev-mo

Don, Just wanted to confirm that I would in fact be working the afternoon shift on Sat. You must have esp Should have looked at the ten day forecast before I volunteered to spend the nicest day in months inside, oh well It's for a good cause! Kevin

Don, I'll let you know for sure about Saturday afternoon in a couple days but right now it looks like I can cover it. Kevin

I guess it depends on what you are going to mostly use it for. If you are mostly ice fishing then Vexilar, Marcom and I believe Hummingbird just came out with one or two. Those seem to be the best from what I've read. If you check over at chitown in the ice fishing and gear forums there has been plenty of talk about those and other units. You should pick up some helpful info reading those. About 15 years ago I picked up a regular Hummingbird flasher. It came with two transducers, one permanent mount and one with a suction cup for portability. I put it in a blue ice box and used the permanent transducer for that. It worked pretty good for ice fishing. I was also able to bring it up to Canada and canoeing by switching to the portable transducer. I have read of people use the Vexilar for canoeing and boating and don't recall anyone having problems. The only issues I have with my set up are interference from other units (mostly due to age of mine) and the cords are all long as it was made for boating. If I ice fished like I used to and had the cash I would pick up a Vex or one of the comparable units and just make sure I could use it on a canoe or boat if needed. JMO

Not sure what I'm getting myself into but I can help on Sat 1/24.

If I can get my kids a little early that day I plan to be there.

Thanks guys. Joe, I try to give people the benefit of doubt as much as possible. I get screwed sometimes... Eric, Now that's pretty darn funny until I really think about it happening to me... As soon as I started watching the video I remembered I keep a buck knife in the car. I wonder if that's considered a weapon? He didn't ask about knives though, just guns or bows so I didn't even think about it. duh! probably best I didn't think about it or I might have gotten a hose down Ron, No idea of jurisdiction. I didn't really look at his car much, it was dark and lots and lots of lights were on me. He didn't ask for my fishing license, just my id. I gave him both as I thought it was just a routine check. I was in will co.

I'll probably get some grief for this but be kind. I assume most of us get the dry cracked knuckles come winter whether from fishing/hunting or working outside. I've tried a bunch of hand lotions including udder balm and nothing really works all that good. My knuckles weren't horrible Friday night but they were cracked and red and irritated. The wife finally broke out her hot wax machine for the winter and I gave it whirl to see what would happen. I had done it before just to see what it was like. I did two rounds of wax Friday night which is basically dip a few times let it sit for 5-10 minutes peel and repeat. Woke up Saturday morning and my knuckles were in great shape. That's the quickest they ever healed! So if you have access to a hot wax give it try. Alright I'm ready, bring on the jokes

This isn't a fishing report so please don't move it but a little fishing background is necessary. Despite the blustery conditions I decided to go out today. I figured it'll probably be awhile before it's this warm along with some higher water, plus I ended up with a few extra hours. Water temp was 38 and of course it was a little windy... I hit a few few spots and ended up with one bite and no fish on a five inch grub. Anyway I got back to the car at 5:00/5:05. I noticed some vehicles down the road a piece and didn't think much of it. Then as I was making my way back to my tailgate to get out of my waders one of the cars was backing up. It turned out to be a police officer. He watched me get out of my waders and I figured he was checking out what I was doing and making sure I was leaving the area. I finish and he pulls up and says the CO wants to speak with me. I'm thinking simple license check. The CO finally walks down and asks for my ID not my fishing license. I'm thinking this is no good So I handed him both. He asks what I was doing back in the woods and I said "fishing". Then he's asking me if I have any weapons in the car. Of course the answer is no. Then he's telling me he finds it hard to believe I was fishing and do I do any hunting. (Unfortunately no hunting as no land and can't afford it at the moment). "Why do I have a combination fishing and hunting license" In case someone invites me to hunt as I belong to a couple internet fishing forums. Then I had to sit in my car for a bit and then drive down to his car to do some paperwork. Again I'm thinking Paperwork for what? I didn't do anything wrong. So I get down to his car and he has me step out and gives me a chance to tell the truth. Let me preface this with "I understand he was just doing his job and I'm glad they are out there". It was so hard not to get ticked off and keep my voice on an even keel. This is the part that irritates me. He says again that he doesn't believe I was fishing and that he doesn't fish much but it doesn't look like I was dressed for fishing as it was wet and mucky. At this point I was wearing my off white (think old and dirty) gym shoes, my black fleece pants, my green (bear in mind it's winter so no green anywhere) rain coat and to top it off my blaze orange hat winter hat. I understand he didn't see me get out of my waders... However based on my garb does it look any more likely I was hunting or scouting? Seriously? Again sit in the car and wait. Then I thankfully get to leave with nothing more than a delay in getting home. All in all it wasn't a horrible experience. Just a little frustrating at times. Especially when I was driving away and through my open window I heard the CO ask the policeman if I was wearing waders and of course the answer was yes. Too bad that question didn't get asked right away. Might have saved us all a half hour. I was left with the advice of getting out of the woods/water before dark as opposed to when the area closes. It would make things much easier on everyone. I'm now probably on a potential poacher list somewhere... So here is my advice to everyone. Be mindful of where you are fishing and what is going on around you. Despite the fact that some places are open until 5:00 or an hour after sunset it might be a good idea to leave before then. I assume poaching is on the rise with the downturn of the economy. That brings up another point. I'd be careful in the woods. If poaching is up then one might assume the alleged poachers would not appreciate a fisherman seeing them putting up a treestand or dragging out a deer. Happy Fishing

Thanks Rich. Where can I get lead wire if I go that route? I believe he sent me one of those chenile worms. Said it was pretty good too. I'll have to give it a try.

Hey Joe, Actually it was a shimano baitcasting set up which has served me well! Thanks again. It would be great to try some fly fishing. I don't have any gear so if you would be willing let me use a rod and give lessons... What's your guide fee? Let me know. Thanks

Thanks guys! Just trying to find a way to use these things. They are shiny and pretty and despite being free caught me Joe, I bought a rod and reel off a Joefly from another site in early 2007 that was really getting into centerpin fishing. Was that you? I'm trying to branch out a bit... Gregg, I've seen those clear plastic bubbles before. I saw two of Jonn's FNF presentations and have some of the weighted floats. I just have to get some flies to try the FNF. Asherman, Yes, that is exactly what I am talking about. I'll have to weigh the flies to see how heavy they really are. The hooks look to be 1/0 or a little smaller and I believe he uses Mustad. They aren't super thick or anything. They seem pretty sharp... If I find that the flies do not weigh enough what might be the better method to help that? I thought about split shot on the line but I feel that weakens the line even if you pinch lightly. I suppose it wouldn't with braid but I use McCoy. My other thought was a split shot on the hook shank. My last thought was a leader coming off a swivel to the fly with bead and a bullet weight above the swivel. Two more thoughts; suspend dots or wrapping wire or lead around hook shank. Although anything around the shank may interfere with a hookset since the hooks aren't that big. Thanks, Kevin

A friend of mine from out east is a fly fisherman. We got to talking and I asked him to try to tie me some flies for FNF. For whatever he never got around to it but he did end up sending me a bunch of flies. He mostly ocean fishes for stripers and bluefish. Some of the flies are about 4-5 inches long and most of them have some weight as they have the barbell eyes tied in. They sure look like they would catch some bass. I was wondering if there was anyway I could try to use them with spinning gear? Yes I should probably just take up fly fishing but not financially ready to try that even buying used or cheap gear as I need other things first. If anyone has any ideas please share. Thanks.

I signed up on the site however since I mailed a check I also used the form I received at the second Blowout I attended. I first heard about the ISA from Don R back when he was temporarily in the canoe rental business. I also heard about it from Eric up at Coren's and the One More Cast shop (his name escapes me at the moment). The point is I had multiple exposure to it's existence. It took me a while to sign up as every outing or conservation project occured when I was busy. I'm glad I finally joined and managed to make it to one event. Hopefilly I can make more...

Jim, My brothers works for a siding and window company. I believe/feel my brother does good work and it is a decent company. I believe the name is Revisions but not 100% sure. If you want I can call him and get the number. Let me know. Kevin

When?

Thanks Brendan I'll have to look in to that or maybe bend the r bend back a bit so it is closed It's those rookies that confuse a snap with a snap swivel Kidding...

Congratulations Don! I know you'll do a good job! I know the president, I know the president. Sorry always wanted to say that but never knew a president before now.

Maybe, it did look solid when it was flying through the air as I was only about 15 feet away but the eyes were prolly lying. Do you think it's better to tie directly to a buzzbait or spinnerbait as the snap seems to slide around a bit on the wire framing possibly stressing it. I also wonder if that affects hooking ability due to the snap sliding as several fish have gotten unbuttoned even after sharpening the hook and trailer hook. I might have to put in a complaint to the manufactuer for premature breakage and see if they'll send me another one

I took the afternoon off to release some stress out at the river. Didn't catch too many fish but it was nice long endorphin releasing walk. I was mostly throwing a buzzbait and towards the end of the day I had a fish hit. It was on for a second and then came out of the water. The fish went one way, my favorite buzzbait went another and my line went in yet another direction. When I reeled back up my snap was still closed. It happened quickly but it looked like the buzzbait was still intact when it fell into the water. I looked for the bait but despite the crystal clear water it fell into some weeds never to be seen again. Any theories on what happened. Like I said it looked like the bait was intact when it fell so if my eyes were telling the truth the wire didn't straighten out dumping the blades and my snap.

I tried this many years ago and had no complaints at all. I used the 14 pound test and it took some abuse hauling greenies out of cover. I switched to McCoy last year but this would probably be my second choice.

I'm not buying the blue bird sky thing either. I had a 50 plus fish day on a bluebird day. The water was also low and so clear I could see little bass swimming around at my feet 4 feet down. It was an awesome day even though a high percentage of the fish were around the ten inch mark. I've also had a prefrontal overcast day with stained water, the kind of day that should be perfect and it was a tough bite. The more I fish and read and learn I believe that there are really no hard and fast "rules". I think there are a few guidelines. One would be stabilty. The second would be minor fluctuations like Norm experienced Saturday and I caught the tail end of on Sunday. The water came up at a slow steady pace and visibilty remained on the positive side. The last would be that short window of extreme conditions. I recall Norm had an excellent day this past winter. I believe this was the third or so day of a waming trend and a front was due to come in at the end of the day. I watched the weather later that night and the pressure had dropped that day to the lowest it had been in 10 years. In this you had both stabilty and an extreme. I'm going to keep plugging away and try to hedge my bets towards these types of conditions.

It's also been my experience that the weeds raise the water level. I've fished a certain stretch at many different times during the year. In the winter and early spring parts of this are about calf deep. Now they are about thigh deep. There are also a few riffles and current breaks that semi disappear for the summer.

Thought I would share a simple couple things that work for me. One, if while out fishing you find a lure and it is in good shape use it that day if not immediately. This has happened several times and I've always caught fish on them if not on that day then at another time. Two, I'm sure this has been discussed before but it's been a fish saver for me (as opposed to life saver) If you google In-Fisherman there is a deep hook removal technique listed under the six or so options. If someone wants to post the actual link feel free to hijack. Anyway when a fish is hooked in the gullet (swallows the hook) you basically go through the gills to twist and invert the hook. Once this is done it will come out very easily (sometimes it just pops out on the inversion). It's best to actually read and look at the pictures as this is a very abreviated version of what needs to happen. This can sometimes take a few tries so be sure to dunk the fish to breathe between tries. Also I use my forceps not my fingers. Good luck, hope this helps someone have a better day on the water. Kevin

Thanks all! Maybe we'll give it a little whirl from shore while camping. Probably try to hit something closer to Rockford on Fathers Day if we can get a break on the rain and some low water.

The river N.W. of Rockford.