guidoStow

I got up to try to find some cooler water and find some pike. First contact was a >30" jumper that spit the fly fly right at the net. It was followers I couldn't get to sign the deal the rest of the day. Landed one the next day but it was smaller 24". Caught some bass along the way including a 21" largemouth.

The Pike that got away is a classic tale...

It was starting to pick up a touch yesterday but this morning was nearly dead still. But starting at sunrise Friday and peaking at sunrise Saturday it is going to be building to over 30 sustained before tapering off...

I fished two "long" ponds this week. Both were around 79 degrees and I marked nothing within fly rod range even with a type 6 fast sink line, 90+ foot casts and long count downs. Not fall pattern yet! The 10 day forecast keeps suggesting some moderation but it just doesn't seem to show up 8-(

Thanks! I really like building the fly design into the brush. I have been really happy with the way these kick with a strong strip/pause retrieve so I haven't joined to articulated movement.

Squimpish hair, strung fuzzy fiber and a little bit of holographic flashabou...

Properly is the key. Tight lines!

For a photo of a Musky or Pike that does not harm the fish, take the picture of the fish in the net. A snake grip right behind the gill plates is a safe way to handle the fish without doing it damage.

Got to a local river this afternoon to start to break in the new motor and to see if I could find any interested fish. Had one swirl that I think was a pickerel but that was it. Then the jet skis started to buzz through. Do with there was an open season on them... Water is still 70-72 degrees and really high.

I checked in on a local river, it was super high and 73 degrees. I got my motor yesterday. Ready to rumble!

The heat has just stopped me in my tracks. But once I get a few things straightened out (for instance check out the Flea market...) I should be back out with a vengeance... Retirement is sweet, you'll like it...

A word about the spot locking on the XI3. It always puts you bow into the wind (or current). It works like this: So you are cruising along and see a spot you want to fish so you push the anchor key. The motor then stops your motion and then sharply and abruptly turns the bow towards the wind. If you were standing when you did this you might be swimming now. If seated it might simply be annoying to potentially be facing away from the structure you intended to fish. For a fly fisherman, this is a real issue and I have gone back to a stern mounted motor and physical anchors. I hope this helps anyone who was considering this motor...

Mine did too... Weird weather indeed!

Been lost in trout land for a while but this SMB and it's twin has me rethinking...

Ah got it. I just couldn't find a place where the cell block was not in my way. I went with the Nocqua lithium that I just stick in the tackle box cubby molded into the boat. In line fuse covered with shrink tubing and the nice little Nocqua connector attached to the Garmin power cord. Those flat connectors on the battery offer one more point of failure. Do you have a multimeter you can check each segment of the sequence?

Did you run your cables from the battery to the motor internally?

Build a skeg: First get the rudder kit from amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V3RV32S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and the transom kit from NuCanoe https://www.nucanoe.com/product/7100-transom-motor-plate/ I removed the center piece of the rudder that holds the steel pin w/cotter. I then bolted the rudder housing pieces to the outer transom plate. I only had pan head bolts on hand so they are a bit proud, so I put a piece of tool box foam between the transom plate and the boat. The provided bolt that runs between the inner and outer plates was too short so I used a 4" 4-20 bolt so it fits the nyloc nut and thumbscrew provided.

Being retired I can go during the week too... Much appreciated!

Crimping does work solidly if you have the right tools. If you are having trouble with the wiring/soldering let me know. I'd be happy to help.

Kayak with an electric motor. I'll give Whitehall a try. I always wrote it off as too busy. Thanks!

Let me know if you want pics or links to the parts...

So where would you suggest in the western suburbs area? I don't want to spend over an hour each way to get to the cape... Someplace I can launch from a light trailer preferred...

I have been experiencing a nasty side to side/slip sliding on the unlimited with the bow mount Motorguide when over half power. I finally installed a skeg hacked together from a sea kayak rudder and the transom plates NuCanoe sells for use with stern mount motors. It is fixed, not for turning. But it makes a huge difference in how the boat tracks. It can how run up to full power with no slipping at all. Huge improvement.

Took the skunk at Chauncy today. I thought the low pressure/storms might turn things on but it was not to be...

Fished Lake Boon yesterday morning. First time out since march due to a shoulder injury. Had a couple of hits but no connection. Shoulder tired but no pain. I'll take it.