Spicy Crab and Smallmouth equals good fun

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Sunny Day, high pressure (from anglers and mother nature) try the spicy crab.  Featured pattern in the Big Appetite Smallmouth DVD.  The next 4 months are prime smallmouth time.  Crabs other wise none as crayfish are not the big fly, sexy to tie patterns you read about they flat out catch fish. Plenty of open smallmouth dates open starting in July, once I get through the Hex cycle. Give me a call or shoot me an email.  July – September great months to chase the bronze back before muskie and steelhead seasons.

Air Time, Mr. Smallmouth – Picture of the Day

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Mr. Smallmouth getting a little air time.  Trying to continue to work on my skills of timing, smallmouth are much easier than steelhead.

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3 – Tand Fly Reel – Very Impressed

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So if you know me you might find this post kind of funny.  But yes I was impressed by a fly reel here most recently.  While a lot of my teaching on how to go about fighting and handling fish here in Michigan does not require the reel.  I believe in stripping the fly line in and landing them.

But with my new arsenal of Scott Radian rods, I was finding out my old school reels where just too heavy and my balance was off.  As fly rods continue to get lighter and lighter my “coffee cans” needed an upgrade.  Now to my dilemma, with smallmouth bass season here my 907 Radian needed to be outfitted with my favorite bass line 7wt Titan Taper, but as you all know smallmouth do not require the reel for drag.  Strip them bronze back beauty’s in.  So I did not want to spend a lot of money, for a line holder.  Not going to be using a drag.  But balance is key, smallmouth require that you cast.  Longer casts on wider rivers, and banging shoreline on our reservoirs.  Don’t want a heavy setup for a long day of casting.

So my good friend and fellow endangered species hunter Russ Maddin, told me about a new company 3-tand reels.  He had just bought a few for his Scott Radians.  Well after picking up a TF 70 from TNA (The Northern Angler) for $209.  I am floored by the value that one gets with this reel.

The TF 70 is perfect for trout and smallmouth fishing.  There are a couple things that I look for in a reel.  1) How does it balance on the rod, 3-tands TF-70 is super light, well ported but still seems durable.  2) How does it spin, what do I mean by this.  Can I pick up line quickly by spinning the spool.  The answer is yes here, the reel is balanced almost like a center pin reel.  Spins like a champ.  3) Sounds funny but is it sexy.  Do I like how it looks.  While I see reels as men’s jewelry, I want my stuff to be looking good.  Answer again is yes.  4) If and when I need drag what am I working with? 3-tands and there TF-70 model?  Well the Patent Pending sealed NanoCF Drag system to begin with, what does that mean?  Smooth and Sealed basically and secondly for the money more drag than you will ever get anywhere else.

If you need a new reel check out 3-tand and contact Brian at the TNA he has them in stock.  Great reel and OMG great value.

Brook trout or a Great White?

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The aggressive nature of a brook trout reminds me of a Great White Shark sometimes, now the size and teeth on the other hand.  Just a different view of a brook trout coming to the boat on a soft hackle tied by John Ingham.  Thank you John.

Patagonia Great Divider III – Product Review

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Patagonia Great Divider

Patagonia Great Divider III

Time for a new boat bag and the Patagonia Great Divider was my choice after looking at the many options out there, it was a few simple things that sold me on the Patagonia bag.  First the 100% waterproof and fully-welded construction.  I found with my old  bag, that I would forget about the rain fly, and by the time I remember it was too late and my bag and the inside was soaked, leaders and flies now wet.  This is not good.  Problem solved now, as the Great Divider gear bag.  I also can’t tell you how many times rain flies turn into moldy rain flies if you don’t dry them out and store them correct.  Secondly the keep it simple lay out.  I don’t like search through endless pockets.  With a 4 panel divider system is’t nice to keep fly boxes separate from tippet.  But I can see everything in the bag at once and I know where it will be.

 

Thirdly the  transparent floating panel with hook-and-loop attachments and removable end pockets help organize small items.   Great place for car keys and cell phones.  Easy to find and protected.

Details

  • 100% waterproof, fully-welded construction with a single-side TPU coating
  • Main compartment is made of a pliable and resilient high-density foam that gives bag shape and protects contents
  • 100% waterproof TIZIP® zipper with waterproof materials and construction at main closure
  • Two interior zippered end pockets are transparent and removable
  • Strap attachments and seams are welded to eliminate leakage
  • Adjustable and removable padded shoulder strap; two grab handles
  • 11.75-oz 800-denier 100% nylon with a PU exterior coating and TPU interior coating

 

Summer 2014 Revive Fly Fishing Mag Issue

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Here is a link to a new online magazine for me.  Revive, new issue just added.  Check it out.

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Liberty Bottles – American Made and Much More

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If you have not checked out Liberty Bottles you need too, I first talked about Liberty Bottles in a post a few months ago referring to how much Liberty Bottles recycles and how focused the company is on being Green.

This American made company philosophy, their focus on being green, and their dedication to giving back to veterans is something to behold in today’s go fast make money normal business trends.  I have been very impressed by Liberty Bottles and proudly support their brand.

Just made my first purchase as to make sure I stay hydrated in the next couple months and recommend that if you need a water bottle you look at what Liberty Bottles has to offer.

DNR Muskie Survey Please Help

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There is a one year survey, on the lakes listed below, to gather information on muskellunge fishing (effort and catch). There are or will be boxes placed at access sites with survey cards. The cards can be complete and mailed or the survey can be completed online. This online option is much easier to do for you and makes it easier to compile the data for the DNR. If you visit one of these waters grab a card from the box and it has the link below as well as a QR code that you can scan with your smartphone.

If you fished any of the LP lakes over the weekend (or any of the UP lakes starting 5/15/14) and each time you fish them until 3/15/15 please complete the survey. This information helps biologists manage these fisheries. Next year the survey will rotate to another 15-20 waters.

LP Lakes 
Bellaire
Belleville
Black
Budd
Hamiln
Intermediate
Long, Grand Traverse
Margrethe
Murray
Winyah
Wixom

UP Lakes 
Chicagon
Emily
Kingston
McKeever

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MuskellungeCreel

Aerial Photo from the Drone

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A quick photo from some footage we shot with the Phantom .  Clackacraft boat in tow, ready to go to work.  Photo shot by Erik