MN Fisher

I've got two Pflueger spinners and they're both well built, smooth and seemingly rugged. I'd go with the President myself.

They're made from HDPE, which is smooth and slick. We used that for cabinets when I was building chemical distribution systems. Rounded corners and there's no chance of even scratching the poly-coat.

Great vid A-Jay - if I ever get tired of the carpeted bunks on my canoe trailer...I've already bookmarked their site. I think it's a wife thing - I get the eye-roll from mine all the time. So my thinking 'that's a good analogy' dates me too? (Ya, I know I'm getting old...don't rub it in.)

Before long, his PB 'anything' will beat yours. Great going Jr.

I use it for all my knots, only rig that has a swivel is the UL. I don't use leaders, so even braid uses this knot to tie direct to lures.

Blue Fox minnows - 5 colors but max out at #2 (1/4 oz) Mepps Comet - only 4 colors but go to #5 (1/2 oz). For me - advantage Mepps

#1 & #2 Mepps Comets are a mainstay for me on my UL or ML rigs for panfish. #3 and #4 for 'eatin-size' bass.

Another knot to consider is this one...I've actually switched from Palomar to this for all my knots - braid, mono, hybrid. Haven't had one fail yet. Even for this 'one-eyed wonder', it's easy to tie. I use 4-5 winds for mono and hybrid, 8-12 winds for braid - heavier braid gets more winds.

Do what the Doc tells you for recovery...if there's exercises - do them diligently. I've known people who've gotten 'new knees' that after recovery, went right back to jogging and one even ran a marathon. It's all down to the Doc's skill and your mental 'toughness'. Good luck and good thoughts coming your way.

If your tackle box/bag is getting too fat...get a bigger one. I'm in that quandary now..with the latest influx, my two bags are stuffed. Time to replace the 4-box Plano Weekender with a second 6 (7) box Advanced Angler.

I'm in the same boat - even back in the USAF when I was in my best shape I wasn't that ripped. Now, even though I've got toned arms and legs...my 'six pack' is turning into a 'pony keg'. I know if I worked at it, I could lose that...but something always comes up and I can't find/make time to exercise that amount.

They work year round here. I've caught several on my WP90-Bluegill all season long.

Hope she's doing better. Good thoughts on the way.

I switched from Guiness to Murphy's - has less of an 'afterbite'.

Oh - as for the second - this is my 'brew'. Aww shucks...

Dunno about the first one - I'm a Secular Humanist.

Three of them 1) Made a joking, side comment about 'taking it off your hands' when a member was complaining about his Pres-25 not fitting the rod he'd picked. Some discussion via PM, and he sent it to me. 2) Offered to take 1 (ONE) of the extra shirts a member had - he had dozens and was offering them up - met up, and he handed me 4 3) Out of the blue, a member sent via PM - 'I'm cleaning out some of my tackle "overflow" and I got some good stuff that I think you'll like. FREE of course.' - gave him my address, he shipped me the pictured 'pile'. So no begging, no whining...just a side comment for the reel, an offer for the shirt, and a surprise for the tackle. There are members here who are totally awesome.

I'm sure I don't need to post what the Pres-25 nor the shirts look like. But here's one of the 'care package' contents.

Haven't been out the past couple weeks. Have to schedule my trips in advance, and the weather my past couple scheduled dates hasn't cooperated...high wind and/or rain with a canoe is not a good thing. Was scheduled for tomorrow...but again there's T-Storms in the forecast - sighs.

I had to put this out there. A couple very generous members here have gifted me with so much. Earlier in the year it was the President 25, loaded with 4# Yo-Zuri Hybrid..you know who you are, I've thanked you privately...you can go public if you wish. Today I received a 'care package' from another member loaded with baits, plastics and terminal tackle. He's increased my total tackle by about 25% as well as giving me some lures that I had no equivalents of - couple squarebills, couple small swimbaits and some poppers..again, thanks done in private, go public at your discretion. A third member gifted me 4 fishing shirts - 1 Columbia and 3 HUK long-sleeve 'T's... you'll see me wearing them in my pictures. Another who shall remain anonymous unless they desire to 'out' them-self. The generosity of members here staggers me and I just had to give this shout-out to publicly acknowledge them.

Get them while they're available - just popped out to Rapala's site (they own Storm) and the only ones they still have are the 25s.

I did quite a few mods to my canoe to make it a fishing machine - most of it detailed here. One example is the rod-rack I made from PVC pipe screwed into 3/4" MDF which is through-bolted to the canoe side

It depends on numerous factors 1) Weather that day 2) Time of year 3) Water conditions - temp, clarity, etc 4) Cover conditions - weeds, structure, etc 5) How hungry the fish are at the time you're out on the water/bank Best you can do is try different retrieves. If I'm running a spinnerbait, I'll vary speed and running depth, If it's a crankbait - same thing. Jerkbait, I'll vary up the pauses or even sometimes just straight retrieve. You can't know beforehand what type of retrieve is going to trigger a strike - so you have to be flexible.

My 'sunglasses' are clip-on - over my expensive, OSHA approved, poly-carbonate lens prescription glasses.

Should be marked in some way - 'Lean' and 'Rich' being the old notations on the 23' Cruiser my dad had when I was a teen and I took out fishing occasionally. Cold starts, put it more towards Rich. Once it warms up, turn towards Lean until the sound evens out. Through the day, you shouldn't have to adjust it again as the motor will still be warm even after an hour or so parked or slow-moving with the TM.