J Francho

That's definitely it.

This is because Shimano USA has to buy the parts in advance from Shimano Japan. This means they simply cannot keep ordering parts for reels that are aged out. You can usually get parts for a few years after a model has been discontinued. At that point, you're other option is to buy used, donor reels. I've done this to restore several older reels. Sometimes I buy a broken reel if the part I need is good, or if it's a notable reel. Old Abus, Shimanos, Diawas often have parts that are useful for old reels still in action.

I have a Helix 5 and 7. The 5 is fine to me in the kayak, but My viewing distance is 3' or less.

If you buy from dealer inventory, you may be able to negotiate a small discount. But if you order one, you're less likely to get a discount.

This is a pond, about a half mile wide, and a little over a mile long, with what looks to be 3 miles of shoreline. You could literally fish the entire shoreline, and cover most of the water in a half day. Where to fish will be less important than what to fish with. Just let the cover dictate what you use, and fish. No bites, keep moving - pond fishing 101. Good luck, and have fun.

Funny story. We were Boy Scouts together. His mom was the den mother. We hosted all the kids at our cottage for a fishing badge. I gave Eric an old tackle box and some lures. We were probably only 8 years old, but he was hooked. Later he found he had a great grandfather that was a noted fly fisherman, and got interested in that aspect. I just ran into him after dinner on Mother's day. Seems like Mexican is a popular choice, lol. If you're interested in it, here's the Amazon Store front: https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/7E6CD6D2-3B02-4355-8458-F94075821D1E?ingress=2&visitId=91aa58d9-0abf-4465-972d-0eef68f79c96&ref_=bl_dp_s_web_13180987011 And the website: https://www.wildwaterflyfishing.com/ Sorry for the off topic stuff. Just throwing in what I know about off shore sourced tackle.

Low BG is NOT a good feeling, diabetic or not.

My buddy owns a fly fishing company. He is an engineer. He actually designed the jets for the fuel injection for the truck I drive. He designs the fly reels, and sends the specs/schematics/CAD-CAM or whatever he uses to a Chinese manufacturer. Several, actually. They provide samples of their work. He picks a company that he thinks is capable of the QC he desires, and negotiates a deal on a large run. He's definitely NOT just rebranding reels that already exist. It's roughly the same process for rods, but a little different. Much of the product gets sent to Amazon fulfillment centers, while some of the more specialized tackle is either made in house, like hand made furled leaders or actual flies, and warehoused in house. He's been doing this for around a decade. I'm not saying this is how EVERYONE does business, but this is his model.

That looks pretty gruesome, but I'm glad you caught it and are okay.

I think 75% of bass fishing can be covered with a 7' mh/f casting rod with 12# fluoro or 50# braid. Is the best for that 75%? Maybe not, but it will serve you well. Now, if you are encountering something totally different, or just want to fish with wacky rigs, Ned rigs, and small inline spinners, then I'd say a 7' m/f spinning rod with 6# fluoro. or 15# braid. Braid and fluoro are much more stable and won't become brittle like mono. I've tested Seguar Invisx and Tatsu on a pinning rod for four seasons. The line showed no signs of degrading. Braid would another durable option for you.

Not just one photo, but 142. The Big Lake is flooding again. Why can't these guys get it right? We can't let any more out, since Montreal is already flooded. Scroll to the bottom for the pics. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/05/30/lake-ontario-flooding/353818001/ Here is some drone footage on FB made by a local news journalist. https://www.facebook.com/JohnKuckoDigital/videos/598763550622352/

You are 100% correct. The BG numbers shouldn't go up. There's an A1C test, or long term blood glucose levels. Healthy adults should be around 6 or less. I struggle to get below 7. Before I was diagnosed, it was over 14. You are also correct about simple sugars. That's why hard candy or glucose tablets are better if I somehow screw up and have a low BG episode. It's usually the result of exercise or any heavy exertion. That is the BEST way to burn off sugar. I meant to make that point earlier. All this work A-Jay and others put in will be of great benefit to their long term health, long beyond just the physical characteristics.

Most smart phones have a 3 and 10 second timer. I use a RAM X-mount and the 3 second timer, or just take an arm's length selfie.

Always match your purse to your belt and shoes.

Pro Angler riders get the Vantage seating. I like the seat on my Compass, but the locking front feet on this seat are really cool. I also like the simplicity of the locking strap in the rear. Adjusting the position on the water has always been a pain in kayak seats. Seems like I always have to beach it, and do it on shore. These are little details everyone forgets when considering this top of the line vessel.

Here's a great video. The more you do it, it becomes automatic. https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/backing-a-trailer.html

Fun facts: The brain requires ~120g carbs a day to run at idle. Where do they come from when you do not consume that many grams of carbs? Fat cells, kids. Weight loss is a good thing, but that also puts some stress on the liver and kidneys. My main key is eat a balanced diet, but enjoy good food. Simple weight loss plan, do nothing and reduce caloric intake. Or, don't change your diet and add exercise. Or, do both (best option). I dropped 40 lbs. this way. Now, eating healthier, less (key word, kids) processed foods, I've actually been able to gain around 7 lbs., and that weight is welcome. It's no fun locating infusion sites on a washboard stomach. Also, on the topic of carbs. A carb is a carb is a carb. They all get turned into simple sugars via your digestions system, starting with your saliva. Anyone that says there are good or bad carbs is full of it. There are just carbs. They aren't good or bad, but a component of your diet. Some are complex, like starch, some are simple, like granulated sugar. Be wary if "sugar free" candies with alcohol sugar. Guess what you end up after you liver has processed it - sugar, in the form of glucose in your blood. That's where all carbs end up, before getting stored as fat. Remember what excess glucose in your blood is? If it's regularly over 125 units, then you are diabetic. For reference, I typically consume 280-300g of carbs a day, and I am VERY active. I try to maintain a BG of 80-100. I like to be at 100, or a little higher at bed time. Anyway, I hear so much "bro-science" or "pseudo-science" in this topic, from seemingly fit people, it makes me nuts. Keep the hard work, A-Jay and others.

I don't think water temps have cracked the mid 50s yet. We've only had a few days warmer than the 40s, and nights have been freezing. I'm thinking you're going to find a lot of fish with their prespawn feedbags on.

#pcissues #getamac Seriously, nice job again.

Don't count on them bedding. Things are warming up a little slow this spring.

14 years goes by fast. I was almost dead when I took this self portrait. I couldn't feel my legs, and I went partially blind. I was down to 112 lbs. despite eating all the time, and constantly hungry/thirsty. Turns out, I had late onset Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

I wouldn't bother with a drop shot that shallow, unless you encounter beds. For that, I recommend a long drop line. Here's how: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/dropshot-bedding-bass.html

For the most part, any 3"-4" plastic bait will work. I like the Jackall Crosstail Shad for "do nothing" presentations, and the GYCB Shad Shaped Worm for when I impart the action. I'll give a nod to Roboworms and Gulp! Alive leeches and minnows. For leader length, I let the fish tell me. It takes about 10" to get the bait out of the "goby zone" up here. Any shorter, and you'll get pestered by gobies. I'll watch the graph, and if the smallies are coming up from the bottom to get the bait, then I'll stay with a short leader. If they're coming in from at or above, I'll increase the leader, sometimes to as much as 30". In a general sense, the smallies will hold tight to the bottom on bright sunny days, and be a little looser on overcast days. This is NOT a hard set rule. Pay attention to the graph. Also, pay attention to the graph!

Beef on Weck is good. All we got is Garbage Plates, and white hots.

Fourscore and 14 years ago.....who knew someone would sign up to dig up and trash decades old threads about spoonplugging.