L.D.

Sounds good, that means I only got to count my fingers and toes about three times.(I think)

Chug Bug None Ones I make myself w/ gold Colorado blades Case Tube

Here in Pa. a resident is $22.00, they just went up from $17.00 and juniors are still free up to age 16. For all they do, it's a pretty good deal for a years worth of enjoyment. L.D.

Hi Yak Wish I was down in Georgia with ya to fish. Everything is frozen pretty good here in Pa. including me. L.(putting another log on the fire) D.

That would put my prefrence in shallow water. The deepest spot I have here is 15ft, and most of the fishing is in 5 to 8 ft.

While I don't offten get to fish by myself except very early and very late in the season, which for me gives me some rare clear water conditions on the river. I will use my underwater tv camera and see how the fish react to the way I fish certain lures. And fish and fish and fish. I love it and I can tell the wife I'm working. L.D.

Been guideing for 24 years. Obsession, must be.

Shimano Stradic

I have to deal with current in the river so I use a lead head jig and let them just "tick" the rocks with a constant twitching motion so it doesn't get caught(alot) on the bottom. L.D.

That guy with the prep H has got to be taking some teasing, like where is he storing his bait? Do you use a tackle box? Sorry, couldn't resist.

Depends where you are fishing. I know nothing about a Ranger boat. I have a Triton and like it very much for the way I have to use it. It's all metal, no wood for the floor or decks so I don't worry alot about upkeep and it's tough. I fish shallow rivers with rocks too numerous to mention. No one I know would ever put a fiberglass boat on it. I suggest you go to each of their websites and compare specs. L.D.

Nice article JT, very informative about tourny fishing. Sounds like too much stress to me. I think I'll stick to guideing for my $. L.D.

Hey Butch Mostly,I use a medium-light, 6 1/2' fast action tip. Of the 4 rods I use daily, 1-medium, 2-med-light,1-light. All 6 1/2', all the same line. Remember, I guide where there isn't many weeds and even less wood. I got the whole river to play them, at least before I get to the rapids. L.D.

Hi AUTgrPilot This will be my 25th year as a guide on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River, in Pa.,Guide # 05-050. The stretch I guide in is 80 miles long, thats about all the rocks,I care to remember. It's reletively shallow, 15ft deep is the deepest spot in my stretch. And it's extreamly rocky on the bottom. Let your bait sit for 5 seconds on the bottom and you're snaged. You're correct, sometimes the bite is so faint that it's hard to feel the difference between fish and small rocks. I always tell my clients, when in doubt, set the hook and reel like heck, or something close to that. L.D.

I buy my boats used at the local Triton Marine. They have what's called a sponsor boat, always used one season by a local pro for advertisement. Always loaded with all the options. I pay about $5M less than a new one. Comes with full "New Boat" warrenty on boat and motor. It's hard to tell them from a new boat. Ask your local boat dealer if they ever have a sponsor boat.

I have had clients land 5lb. smallmouth on 4lb line, but most of the time they break off. I try to talk them into a minimum 6lb test so they will land more fish( and they won't loose so many of my jigs in the rocks). Like I said earlier, I use 10lb Stren Magnathin which is the aprox. diameter of 6lb mono. It gives me the strenght I want with the casting and lure pesentaion I'm looking for. I'm sure there are other brands which will do the same thing, but when I find a line that works for me, I don't go looking for another.

Northeast Pa. Susquehanna River. October, when the river starts to clear, on a overcast day. Big smallies all day long.

JT I'm looking forward to it. But with all this extra writing it's going to cut into your fishing time. L.D.

Ah the old "You should have been here yesterday" statement. All guides are guilty of saying that when we're trying to keep up the excitement of the day. As for the line, 8 to 6 lb test really shouldn't make that big of a difference. The 6lb would have less visability and being thinner might help the jig be presented in a more natural mannor, but as a guide talking to you now, it's more of a confidence factor. If you believe it will catch more fish, you will fish it better , knowing it will catch more fish. I use 10lb Stren Magnathin, which has a thin diameter simmular to 6lb. I also use a moss green which makes it almost invisable in our river here. I do that to pick up more bonus walleyes than anything else.I keep extra line on board just for the client if he wants to switch. The guide will almost always outfish the client (if he wants to) because it's his daily backyard and other things you mentioned, him getting you to change to something he's useing will give you a confidence boost and make you focus more.thus your fish catching ratio will be closer to his. We do whatever it takes to get the client to catch more fish, and if we can get them to catch more fish than us, it's even better. Best regards L.D.

A tribute to a good site. And it keeps me from going stir crazy until spring thaw. Some call it cabin fever.

Go for it! If you got open water that you can get your boat into, you can catch fish. Like the guys said, be patient and slow down in cold water. We're all iced up here in NE Pa.. The guys are ice fishing now on the ponds and small lakes.

I'm sure it's where you're fishing and what you're fishing in that you gentlemen use 50lb test. I imagine it's thick weeds and wood? I fish my senkos with 10lb Stren magnathin line. It"s because I have very few weeds and wood in the river, just a lot of rocks and smallmouth.

Welcome Basspro05, from the rolling hills of Pa. and the Susquehanna River.

And a Merry Christmas to you and all. May your lines always be tight, and the new year be filled with trophy bass. L.D.

Started making the lead head jigs today, poured about 200 in various sizes so far. They sure are pretty, red with bright new silver lead. Look like Christmas tree ornaments, but the wife said"Don't you dare"