Whatever

C'mon, Mate, that's only 1 continent away! LOL!

That's logical, Bosun. I went from a 48" purse seiner to a 16' open skiff! It trailers so much easier! BULLDOG---"Beach Cliff in LA hot sauce is the traditional fishing lunch. (the pickled herring steaks, not sardines)". You aren't from North Dakota are you? I am reminded of Ole Swenson who "followed the Herring right into the west".

Ajay- I expect you are used to a 90' Cutter, with a full galley! "A life well Lived"---

I have a difficult time expressing humor in these forums. Anyone who actually knows me would howl in outrage at the idea of me being any kind of a "gourmand". Literally, I usually eat whatever is available. I once drank kumis. You will have to look that up, but I will never try it again. I was guiding in the seventies, moving freight (mostly hay and feed) by mule at a backcountry hunting camp. Freighting a dozen stout mules 20 miles each way, I usually came in late, and the boys decided to have some fun with my diet. After unloading the stock, I walked into the cook tent, and sat down, with a plate of grub in front me. The boys were drinking, and suddenly got very quiet. As I unwrapped the tin foil, I realized it was a bear's paw. Raw and skinned. On the side was a collection of mothballs, and frozen peas. They were all Texans (generally good guys with a strange sense of humor), and one of them commented that I never bothered to look at what I was eating, so they tried a little "experiment".

I understand that the choice of color in plastics can be critical to success, so I have a question regarding that--When tying flies, I have run the gamut of white, olives, browns, tans, and black for materials. So what other primary colors are most effective at enticing bass? Red, yellow, purple, orange, hot orange or whatever else is available? Does it vary from day to day, and water body, or are some colors universally preferable? On that issue, color fades with depth, so does your watermelon look like crawfish orange at 30 foot? I think red lasts the longest (deepest), so when fishing at 20 or 30 feet, does it matter? Do some colors work better in deeper water than others?

"I’d love to be a guest on your boat"--If they ever open the northern border, you are certainly invited! And I am only about 60 miles south of the BC/ Alberta junction.

"And don't be afraid to ask questions. That's how we learn. ? jj" Thank you, gents, and I am appreciative of your taking your time to help me out! I am planning on ordering the actual tools required for rod winding and finishing next month. Currently I am still using a couple of fat auto tech textbooks as a "tensioning device" to wrap guides, and head cement to finish them. With an actual wrapping stand, maybe I can produce a credible product!

My tastes in fine dining have evolved since my childhood (15 yrs, and above). Currently a day on the water is not complete without a few boiled eggs (w/ Himalayan salt), Havarti cheese, and a jar of pickles, either sweet gherkins, or bread and butter. I still enjoy the artful simplicity of a baloney sandwich w/ mayo, but only if it is made to order, fresh, w/ sourdough bread. And the classic p-butter (crunchy) and jelly falls in that same category. Historically, my typical backcountry fare was standardized--Ry krisp crackers, a tube of squeeze cheese, and a package of Wylers Root Beer mix. I can't find squeeze cheese anymore, I think it was outlawed when the Feds introduced a legal definition of "cheese" (it was technically a "cheese food", or a "cheese stuff", as currently defined). But this classic meal could last for weeks ( or months) in a pair of saddle bags, and retain its piquant goodness. And I covered hundreds of miles on this nutritious base. And I confess a fondness for smoked baby clams as well. While serving overseas once, my former 1st Sgt paid an unexpected visit, and brought me a dozen tins of smoked clams. As he was now the BN Sgt Major, and presented them at 1st Formation, it carried weight. So Ladies and gentlemen, what would you regard as your preferred meal when out chasing fish?

"If the mind can't lead, the body can't follow"-- I attended a Swift Water Rescue class, on the Lochsa River (Northern Idaho), in March (this was the mid 90's). One of the first things we did was get out on the river and purposely flip the boat, and dump all of us into the frigid river. And we did this repeatedly. The purpose was to "acclimate" you to the idea of instant, unexpected immersion. After a few times, you will mentally accept the idea of sudden, frigid shock, and this allows you to react, think and function in that situation. When I fished commercially in AK, the USCG would conduct classes for donning a survival suit. Starting in a warm swim pool, we would graduate to the 45 degree North Pacific, in heavy seas, to completely assimilate the understanding of "I have been here before, and I can deal with this". The concept goal is to eliminate the usual panic reaction. Consequently skills like self rescue and recovery need to be practiced for worst case scenarios, as well as warm water and sunny days. Take all due safety precautions (like a partner in another boat, with a sat phone), and adequate clothing, and safety gear, but some thoughtful, realistic training goes a long way towards ensuring your survival when something goes wrong. It might not be enjoyable, but it could save your life.

Bulldog, When you reference "MM", what does that mean? (and please excuse my ignorance)

The new Federal Extension Argent was strolling down the street in Miles City, and encountered Willy, sitting on a bench with his legs stretched out, waiting for the saloon to open. The agent paused, eyed Willy and remarked "Nice boots. Are they Tony Lama's?" Willy briefly considered the question , and replied "Nope. They're mine". This is an old Montana joke, I heard it as a kid, and one of my favorites. Take it for what it s worth.

In a given weight range (line rating, not physical weight), is the butt diameter on S Glass rods usually smaller than E Glass? I am starting my rod building with glass, to save money. I know I will have to build numerous rods to acquire the skills. Right now I am using the $20 spinning blanks from mudhole, but would like to get better blanks if I can afford them. But, honestly, I don't know one from the other.

I had a friend in Seattle in the 80's, who was born about 1900. He insisted a hammered brass spoon was the best salmon/steelhead lure he had ever found. He told me the story of taking 3 steelhead from the Sauk river, in two hour's fishing, about 1930. Total weight of the three fish was 60 pounds. With a brass spoon he had cut and hammered from a scrap piece of 1/8" brass plate. So, thank you, for the smile, and the memories!

My entire family (most of who survived the Great Depression and WW2) would have nothing but admiration for your work! I am impressed, Sir!

I am a rookie at rod building. Can someone please explain the difference in rod blanks between E-glass and S-glass? Not to technical, please, just the quick and the dirty is fine.

I impaled my knuckle on a 4" rockfish spine (the fish was 4", not the spine). A week later it swelled up like a sausage and stayed that way for 2 months. We were in a remote location, and no med help available. Eventually my friends wife (an ER nurse) gave me some topical ointment (silvidine, as I recall) that solved the problem. Regarding sea urchins, I would caution anyone Not to dive in Mazatlán, Mexico in December (this was 1975). The urchins were just unbelievably thick, to the point you gave the sea bottom a 6' berth. And they have nasty spines.

Fish and Wildlife agencies have an incredibly difficult job--balancing the biology of a resource against the endless and competing demands of humans who claim a stake in that resource. They are required to weigh every factor of the biologic and human interaction that impacts that resource, and make recommendations to further the most successful management of that resource, for both the fish, and the people who enjoy fishing. And by law, as a public agency, even the people who don't fish must be recognized and included in those discussions. By the time a straightforward biologic / management decision has made it to a state level regulatory commission, politics are included. For the biologists, it is frequently a nightmare. Consequently, when a regulation is passed to forbid a certain practice (as in May fishing competitions), you can be fairly certain every aspect of that practice and it's impact (on both fish and anglers) has been documented, studied, debated, and discussed. That is not to say all of us will agree with, accept or practice every regulation. We frequently do not. But I think I am on solid ground when I say this particular regulation was designed to protect the resource (Bass), at a critically vulnerable period (spawning), and any fishing club ( or angler) who chooses to ignore that protection is just plain wrong! Flaunting that law runs counter to everything they claim to promote. "Everyone does it" is a rationalization of an obvious impropriety, consequently not a remotely valid motivation.

The predicted low temp for the coming week is 1 degree (above zero). It is a balmy 12 degrees tonight. On the brighter side, I don't need sunscreen just yet.

I am in the North Flathead, and getting a tribal licesense to fish the south end of the lake is on my "To Do' list this year. When I get out (probably Mar or April) I will share any good info.

Size D might look like rope to you guys! With my vision, it looks like a micro filament!

Short of EBAY, I cannot find size E Thread on the net. EBAy has it fo $6 a spool, plus shipping (C'mon, Mate!). Did Gudebrod go out of business? Does anyknow a source, or another manufacturer?

Under the concept of "Ignorance is bliss", I am quite happy. As a troglodyte, I continue to sing the song of my people---"I KNOW NOTHING"! With that in mind, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude regarding those of you who do apply your efforts, thoughts, insight, and experience towards making this site work for so many of us. Your efforts are appreciated! Seriously, Thank You!

Okay, further research and the question is answered___ "650SS to 950SS: An additional lever is located under the rotor cup that permits a slient or click option while reel is in anti-reverse." (from an actual Penn reels site). An obvious audible clicking as I reel, which I had to hold right up to my ear to notice, as I have severly degraded hearing! Thanks, everyone!

I see my error. I was confusing "split seat" with a split grip. It is starting to make sense! Thank you!

I have done some business with Mud Hole, and built about a half dozen rods, but honestly for me, ordering components for rods is a crap-shoot. Sometimes my best guess is right. Sometimes it is not. I will check their website, and give it a two pronged approach--build one rod, and buy another.