chiasson

I was just curious to know if anyone has cleverly rigged up a homemade vise attachment for tying tubes.

A guy at a fly shop in Halifax today told me that he uses plastic Qtips for all his unweighted tube flies (your not allowed to fish for Salmon in NS with a weighted fly). Just cut to length and flare the ends in the blue part of a lighter flame. He also said that straight eyed Mustad #8s work great with Qtip tubes without a need for a hook keeper tube.

I'm curious to know what line you fishing streamers with on the Z590. I had the 690 and found that it buckled like crazy with a clouser on or didn't have the guts to punch a big bugger into the wind. Was probably my crap skills; my SH streamer casting is ugly.

The ZXL isn't that slow of a rod really, it's slower than the Z but still very solid. Last year, I was shopping for a three weight mainly as a dry rod and was torn between the ZXL 386 and the Z390. I ended up going with the ZXL as I though it would be a little more delicate and, as well, in part to the reviews it has gotten, it was designed to replace a very popular dry fly rod. Anyways, I'm very happy with it. Lots of guys fish nymphs with it as well, so I've read. I'm sure the Z is kick ass as a more all around rod or as a drift boat nymph/dry rod. If you like to fish lakes, maybe a longer 3 might be the ticket, would also double as a great rod for short line nymphing. You mentioned the Z690, I had this rod actually but sold it to my dad. I fished it on the Bow for two years and it's an incredibly versatile rod, it fishes everything from tiny dries, to triple nymph rigs to all but the biggest of trout streamers (it wasn't that good with weighted streamers such as clousers). I don't think you can go wrong with either a 4,5 or 6 9' Z as as all around trout rod. Pick which one is best for you based on the fish and weather in your area. From what you described, I'm going to say 3 and 6. However, the big streamers may be a prob with the 6 as mine wasn't that good for that kinda thing but it may have just been me. From my experience, big streamers, and or sinking leaders, require a seven or higher to be fun. Maybe the 690 with a proper streamer line would be the ticket for tossing big uglies. I'd be curious to know myself.

I've been reading about this Death Star. I'd love to try it.

Thanks for the responses. I live in northern Nova Scotia actually. That record striper caught last winter in Cape Breton was only a few minutes from my place. Anyways, I'm seriously think I'm going to get into this. I really like the idea of a 7/8 because it would be a dual purpose rod (surf and rivers). I'm just wondering about length still. If I can't really get in the water and there is limited room behind me would it make sense to go with something ridiculously long so I could chuck stuff out there. Is surf casting mostly overhead casting, are anchored casts with DH rods possible or effective?

I'm curious about this as well. I'm presently living on the East Coast and would like to try some beach fishing on nice days over the next few months. Trout season doesn't start hear until April 1st. Anyways, I have a 5 weight 11 foot switch that I use for trout but I'm thinking that it would be too light to cast heavily weighted streamers, it may just be the line I got though. What weight do you guys use on the West Coast when beach fishing blind. I'm also wondering if something longer that an 11 footer would be more ideal since beach fishing, for me at least, would be a lot of roll casting? As well, I'm curious what the difference between a surf rod and a switch rod is?

THe Rusty Rat looks awesome. What's the collar made with?

Uncle just sent me these, they were taken in Northern Ontario.

I have the Windcutter 4/5 on my switch rod. It seems like a decent line; however, I bought it because the Rio site recommended it as the line to match my rod, but, it was way too heavy. Long story short, it cost 90 bucks or something and it's only been used a few times. I'm thinking of shortening up the head as you suggested after casting it last summer, Max. I've also talked to other guys with this rod and think I know what I need to get. The line I really wish I hadn't bought was a 6 weight sharkskin. I'm waiting for the thing to die so I have an excuse to try something else. To it's credit it's still functional after 2 seasons on the Bow, 60+ days. It's just, in my opinion, over priced, loud and picks up dirt... and I wish I had of got the nymph taper but they weren't out at the time. To it's credit, the regular one did work well for nymph fishing. I bet the lighter Sharkskins would be great dry fly lines.

I've been diligent about cleaning sunscreen off my hands before touching my line, leader and flies as well.

So the topic is, have you purchased a line(s) that just didn't work out to the point that they were useless to you or at least no good for what you bought them for. Im guessing that the Spey guys probably belong to this club.

Korker guides are great. 3 years on them and absolutely no problems. I just bought the aquastealth inserts and they're good but I find not as good as felt, I'm kinda wishing I went with the studded version.

I often leave my nicest reel on my work desk.

I have the Korkers with the Boa system and am very happy with them; have well over a hundred days on them over 2 years and not a problem. I'll admit I was skeptical about the Boa lacing when I bought them but they've held up great. I recently wore out the felts that came with them and replaced them with their version of sticky rubber. It works but not as good as felt. I personally don't like the idea of wearing spikes but I think with feltless boots it's may be a necessity.

Lee Valley sells a cleat like that as well. I've seen a lot of hikers with them. I hear they're very good. They are called Icers.

Been curious about all this myself lately as well. For anyone who hasn't see it, find the movie The Ghost of Flight 401. It's the true story of what are supposedly the best documented hauntings, that collectively make the strongest case of proof of ghosts in history. In short, not to ruin the movie for anyone interested, a plane went down near Miami in the early seventies and the ghost of one of pilots who died in the crash haunted the fleet for months. Numerous pilots and flight attendants saw him and some even spoke to him, there's even a flight data recording of the ghost speaking. There is also a new book out by Dan Aykroid's father documenting a long history of mediums in the Aykroid family. Dan and his father were on Larry King the other night plugging it. Makes ya wonder. We'll all know the truth someday, that is if it's all real. Youtube has some cool stuff as well, just don't watch before bed . I haven't experienced anything paranormal myself but I'm open to it happening, preferably when I'm not alone . I also hope that first contact, or disclosure and proof that it has already happened, happens during my life time.

I have this rod and am very happy with it. Incredibly versatile rod. I'm still searching for the perfect line for it but I find it to be a great rod for long line nymphing and underhanding streamers on the Bow. Trout of all sizes are lots of fun to catch on it. Since I got it it's been the only rod I use when the fish aren't rising. I hear good things about the Loomis 5 weight switch as well. I think the Loomis has nicer cork and guides than the Sage.

Some Atlantic flies I've tied recently.

Stunning Fall scenery. I took this photo a few days ago while standing in the middle of the tidal pool of a popular Salmon River in Cape Breton. I was wearing a t-shirt; I think it was -15C in Calgary that day .

Being creative with my camera while waiting my turn in a pool on Middle River, Cape Breton, N.S. A beautiful Fall day.

If your looking for a 6 weight streamer rod, in my opinion the faster the better. I have the Z690 and it buckles when casting heavier or bulky wind resistant flies, my main rod otherwise. However, I wonder if a TCR or TCX in a 6 would be a better all around streamer rod. I'd personally like to get a 9-9.5 ft 7 weight for a big fly streamer rod at some point.

Thanks MAx, I'm curious how they are tied, do they use dropper hooks off of the bend of a hook that the fly is tied on, or is the bend cut off of the hook or, am I way off base? I found this link with a tutorial on how to tye intruders without tubes, is this the idea? http://www.angelfire.com/wa/salmonid/fly574.html

Great info! So, For the inline splice what is the best thing to use for the braid?

Max, those streamers look killer. Intruders?