MN Fisher

I started using braid on my old Ambassadeur setup when I purchased it new 15-20 years ago. I haven't noticed any wear on the guides. Newer rods, I think, would be even more able to withstand any abrasion.

Listen to 'The Bob' - casting a fly line is a whole different animal from anything else. You have to get a rhythm going and dropping that fly/popper in the right location takes practice, practice, practice. I did do fly fishing for trout and panfish years ago, so I do know of what I speak. I even tied my own.

Welcome to another Minne-snow-ta member. Maybe if enough of us run around real fast we can get the ice off the stupid lakes faster. You do kayak, me do canoe. Happy fishing and maybe see you out this way sometime.

We have four seasons Winter Mud Road Construction Leaf Dump This is an unusual winter all around. Even the forecasters here are scratching their heads going Wait...WHAT?

I'm just glad we're not having 'winters' like in the past. In Minnesota, historically, only July has been snow-free - Northern Minnesota has seen snow as late as June 4 (1935) and as early as Aug 31 (1949)

Found the video I mentioned earlier. It's right on BR's own YouTube channel. Busts the myth that keeping bass harms the population.

That snow you got is what's going to hit us late tonight and tomorrow. 3"-5" predicted with today's morning low of 15. We're a week away from average Ice-Out on the local lake (I live 2 blocks from it) and I don't think we're going to make it. I wanna get my canoe in the water sometime THIS year. ;(

I haven't been on the water in the canoe yet (melt, darn ice, melt), but I've already delegated the three milk crates I've set aside 1) Behind the stern seat: excess cable for the Minn-Kota, anchor and line, anything else I need handy 2) Under the midship thwarts (part of the mods I'm doing) a - Starboard: Battery (75 ah) in a metered box for the motor and sonar b - Port: thowable cushion, spare life-jacket, small cooler for drinks (ice-tea and ice-coffee), misc other

^^ Canoe or Kayak comes to mind. Can fully outfit for under $1000 with trolling motor, battery, anchor, etc. Gets into places even a good Bass-Boat has problems with, like narrow/shallow streams that Smallies like to hide out in.

^^ what he said. I just do the off-hand cast because it works for me, I'm semi-ambidextrous so it's not an issue. Others might have problems learning to cast with the 'off-hand'.

I learned way back to cast with the 'off' hand. If it's one of my spinning reels, which have left-side handles, I cast with my right hand. My BC has a right-side handle, so I cast with my left. It does take practice, but then I never have to switch hands between cast and retrieve.

Couple clear days here, then 2"-4" more on Sunday "Spring has been cancelled, summer is on hold, thank you for your understanding." GRRR

I'd check the fuel filter first - sounds like a clog.

Dunno - kicked her out years ago.

Hah - (sing-songs) You're older than I am 59 this November.

Or re-organize the tackle boxes for the 5th time Or plan on the mods to our rides (been drawing up plans to mod my canoe) Or maybe have a coffee-klatch to discuss...whatever (though if it's sports other than fishing, I'm useless)

I live by Lake Minnetonka - have no choice but to see Black Lake or Emerald Lake when I go out as I live on Phelps Island. I haven't seen anyone driving on the lake, be it Black, Emerald, Cooks Bay or Spring Park Bay in over a week. People are still walking out to do some fishing, but that's it. Far as open water...was starting to see some open places along the shorelines of just about every bay or small lake in the group, but that went away with last night's frigid temp. I doubt we'll see an average Ice-Out (Apr 14), but I think we won't even have floating ice by opener. Though I do remember an opener back 40 years ago when I lived in Bemidji where we WERE fighting floating ice the whole weekend.

We just got dumped on by 6"-8" of snow. Last night's low was 7 - it's a mess here today.

Get a bottle of 'Simple Green' - follow the instructions. That stuff will literally clean anything, marine carpet should be a snap for it.

Opens to keepers Memorial Weekend now - how about Ice-Out to the normal open date? I would cheer for that - get more 'practice' in before I start stocking my freezer.

I hope it's not C&R only you're asking for - some of us like eating Bass. If it went to C&R only, I'd probably fade away from fishing all-together.

I've owned it since it was new in the box. Kept it up and still works like it was new. I take care of my stuff

Just a look at my rod/reel collection - be kind, I'm just getting back into fishing after over a decade's absence Left to Right Pflueger 640 on a 4.5' LA/F Ugly Stick - this is my panfish rod, loaded with 4# mono -30+ year old reel, new rod Cardinal 562 on a 6' MA/M Berkley Enforcer - loaded with 8# mono -rod and reel 30+ years old Garcia Avocet RZ on a matched 6.5' ML/F Avocet RZ rod - loaded with 8# mono - new purchase Pflueger Trion 30 on a 6' MA/F Ugly Stick - loaded with 8# flouro - new purchase Ambassadeur 500r on a matched 6' MA/M Ambassadeur rod - loaded with 25# braid, 12# mono leader - 15 year old pair I know I'm light on variety right now, but remaining money the wife deigned to allow me to spend is going for mods on the canoe as well as a Lowrance and a portable mount for the transducer.

Full strip-down,clean and re-lube/oil in the spring before the season opens. Takes a bit of time, but my 30+ year old Pflueger and Cardinal reels still work like new.

For greasing the gears on my Spinning reels, I've used White Lithium for years and never had an issue.