jack

If you want to try something with an Oriental touch, my wife has a recipe for a mild Teriyaki steak. Rib eye steaks 1" thick 1/2 cup Kikkoman Soy Sauce 1 tablespoon of molasses(or two tablespoons of dark brown sugar) 1 tablespoon of garlic power 1 tsp. lemon juice Mix together, rub into both sides of the steaks, allow to sit, covered at room temperature overnight. Rub more of the mixture into the steaks in the morning. Sprinkle with Montreal Steak spice. BBQ or grill at med-high heat for 6 minutes on each side for medium rare. j

Make a note for you guys to bring a 5wt, Bruce. Should make a nice fit on the Trout Spey. The 380 Compact sure does. j

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My advise is do it yourself. Take an upright cardboard box, cut "V"s in opposing ends place the rod in the "V"s so the rod and cork grip will rotate. Start with 80 grit sand paper, rotate the cork while sanding vigorously(but without too much pressure). When the cork is reduced to where it will fit your hand, then just finish it with 180-220 grit and seal it with a water-based acrylic sealer. The handle has to "fit" your hand, so your hand has to be there! j

For salmon in the rivers that are murky from glacial till, I prefer black, for clear water applications I prefer bronzed. Most hooks I tie for spey are straight eye, long heavy wire. Eagle Claw 1197s are generally my "go to" for coho, pinks, chum and steel. Coastal rivers are always full of debris so I use quite a few clouser-type flies to the "eyes" tied on top, invert the hook on the way down, to reduce snagging. j

I have virtually the same issue with my Outcast Discovery 10, a self-inflicted wear point on the outside of the 'toon, two very thin layers of Goop "Marine", 2 years and counting. j

From an editorial in today's Nat. Post: "This naturally led readers to scramble for their dictionaries, or at least, Google, where "transgression" and "transgression definition" became Google's major trend of the morning."" Little sad isn't it? People don't know what a "transgression" is? j

Having been there, lived there for short durations is far from a "blind eye". I think I understand the people of Taiji's position on their fishery. I also understand that, even though the fishery is repulsive to me personally, I am in no position to demand that they stop, without having constructive alternatives for 1/3 of their economy. They are doing something that is a large part of their tradition. Sort of like native status Indian's "traditional rights"(that is recognized in law, in Canada) to hunt and fish whenever or where ever they feel the need, even if contrary to conservation practices. The obvious question is: "If a portion of the Canadian population is "allowed" traditional harvesting rights, unencumbered by laws and regulation, why isn't it "OK" for a group of people on the other side of the Pacific? j

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE WOODS FAMILY J

"Comparing someone starving in an African village to someone in Japan is a pretty long stretch." Absolutely! No comparison at all. However, (also known as the big BUT !) : "Just because a culture allows certain practices doesn't make them right and free from challenges." In Canada we do allow a substantial amount of "cultural traditions" that are outside our mainstream laws, regulations and even our conservation measures, right? So, are we not being a tad hypocritical in trying to tell other people in another nation, in another culture, in another economy, what they can or can't do or what they should and shouldn't do ??? These North Pacific Dolphins are not endangered, nor threatened(there are only two species that are, Chilean and River Indus). I spent a couple of years in a country where dog was harvested as food. Did I eat any? Not that I was aware of, the thought was repulsive! But, it was "just the way it was." Maybe that was the beginning of me learning not to be so judgmental about other people's/nation's/society's ways of life. j

Rick: Left Burnaby on UPS today. j

If said baby seal/Norway rat had a 35 million dollar bank account ONE of the McCartneys would marry it !! j

And on the other hand, I personally, would refuse to make or force my moral judgments on someone living somewhere else, in far different economic and cultural circumstances than I, especially when those judgments are based on information supplied by those whose financial backing and possible hidden agendas are unknown. Great discussion! j

But this whole deal is about one small village, not an "industry". First one has to read and study all the available information, objectively. Then, sort out the precise, scientific information from the extrapolated and sensational propaganda that the "critics" have generated. For instance, the mercury level of 2000 ppm was found in the internal organs of ONE pilot whale, not in the flesh, so let's not go into "sensational mode" just yet, OK? Also realize that dolphin and pilot whale are NOT regular food items for the Japanese, but are very occasional dishes in very small amounts. Similar to the sashimi tuna(which also may contain trace mercury) that my family partakes in, occasionally. Secondly, nobody has stated anything about "starving", a lack of available animal protein is not "starving" and should not be portrayed as such, in the interests of information accuracy. But, the dolphin and pilot whale "fishery" contributes 1/3 of the value of the entire fishing industry in the town of Taiji. Now, if some outsider landed on YOUR front doorstep and demanded that YOUR income be reduced by 1/3 because HE thinks it is "right", what would YOUR reaction be? Try to objectively understand both the economics and culture of a place like Taiji. It is a small, relatively isolated village with a population of about 3500, a population density of 577 per sq. km(in comparison, Alberta has 5.5 per sq. Km). Every square inch of arable land produces food. The surrounding landscape is mostly steep hills and rock outcroppings, intermingled with dense forest(which has not been "raped", by the way) which is selectively cut for local use. Most of Taiji's "land" is "standing straight up and down". There is one road in and out, and one road that goes to another coastal village further West. Secondly, nobody has stated anything about "starving", a lack of available animal protein is not "starving" and should not be portrayed as such, in the interests of information accuracy. But, the dolphin and pilot whale "fishery" contributes 1/3 of the value of the entire fishing industry in the town of Taiji. Now, if some outsider landed on YOUR front doorstep and demanded that YOUR income be reduced by 1/3 because HE thinks it is "right", what would YOUR reaction be? As far as Japan's natural resources being raped and pillaged, most of Japan's natural resources are imported, mostly because it's landbase is not arable(2% is actually farmed intensely, as opposed to Alberta's 2000 sq Km of farmed land)) and as a volcanic area, most of the land is also unstable for mining and other resource-based enterprises. Japan has a large population squeezed into a small livable area, of course any natural resources that they do have would be used up in a hurry! "Raping the land and natural resources" is also a charge leveled at Alberta over the oil sands, isn't it? Yes, I am somewhat subjective when it comes to S. Japan and Taiji and Okinawa in particular, I've spent time there, lived there for short durations, know some "everyday, ordinary people" there, and have a number of in-laws who still live there. I think one should understand the whole scenario prior to throwing rocks while making an issue of something, based on someone else's opinions or narrowly focused propaganda. j Edit: Sorry about the double/triple paragraphs, I was posting and then was rudely interrupted by work a number of times, tried to post and it wouldn't let me, so I had to copy and paste(and screwed it all up). j

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Are the people of that Japanese prefecture really "two-faced'? Or do they have a real life industry and that industry does not interfere with the symbols of their existence, which they celebrate? Just maybe they are mature enough in their thinking to know the difference between what has to be done to help feed a nation short of animal protein, earn a living for the local people and honouring the animals that provide that living. "The World" is infamous for it's lack of understanding for local "ways" and North Americans are infamous for being sanctimoniously judgmental. Is it the Japanese who are at fault for some TV people making millions by making dolphins into pets? Is it Canadian hunters fault that Walt Disney made millions selling "Bambi" ? Is it Newfoundlanders fault that Brigitte Bardot and that one-legged McCartney gold-digger thought seal pups were "cute"? Animal protein is very rare and expensive in Japan. Most of their protein is fish or ocean raised. Dolphin and whale are a delicacy, as is beef. The harvesting of dolphins and whales is legal in Japan. They just realize that most of the Western world is all too ready to be outraged about something they know nothing about. You don't like Al Gore coming to Alberta and telling you that the way you extract oil is wrong and a "national disgrace", do you? Well, the next time you sit down to beef dinner, remember that the plate in front of you would cost a person the equivalent of $200 in Japan. Because land is at such an absolute premium, they have to raise the most efficient crops possible, through intensive farming methods. There is minimal land for raising any animals for food. In fact, most "beef animals" are draft animals first. They have to harvest everything that is available in the ocean in order to feed their population and provide earnings for their people. Do I support the killing of dolphins and whales? No, but then I can drive 10 minutes from my place and put a bullet into a mature "Bambi" and eat fresh meat for a month, can't I? They live under different circumstances and I refuse to judge them. And I've lived in Asia and have a semblance of understanding of what it takes for people to survive. j

The eternal, never-ending search for the rod that "does everything". For the Bow, a 6wt(spey rating) is plenty, a 7wt is overkill. For NW coastal rivers and steelhead/salmon, a 7wt is too light, it just will not cut it. You want to get a spey? Get one that you will use the majority of the time. The compromise you want is too wide a range. You won't be happy with either application. j

No, not that is noticeable. It's a NW US trick that they use on coastal rivers, where lots of times the force of the flow will overwhelm the ability of the rod to pick up a long weighted tip from the water(or the force will hydraulically lift it, negating the purpose of the weight). j

Acquired a couple of Airflo Skagits last year, liked them so much I've set up all my two handers with them. The only thing that I do, and I've mentioned the trick before, is to lighten the "load" a bit, I use 4 to 7' of loop/loop T-14 with a 30lb mono "cheater" between the head and the T-14 sink tip. Not as heavy to cast and sinks much better in fast water, the line floats and the small diameter mono cuts through the faster flowing top water, allowing the T-14 to get the fly down near the bottom. Much easier to pick up, prior to setting the anchor and forming the "D", than a long, 15' sink tip. j

Researched the smaller inland rivers and larger streams for the past two years, Court. I used a 12' 5/6 but then settled on a preferred 11' length for both 3/4 (spey rating) and a 6wt for those rivers with larger occasional fish in them. j

I will have a couple at the FF Expo to wave and Fish Tales will have a bundle for the show. Rod blanks are also available for custom builds. j

The O.D. of the insert is 9.58 MM. so you'll probably have to take some of the rod blank down, inside. Just make sure there is plenty of epoxy filling any voids between that blank and the reel seat, heat then mix epoxy then pour it around the blank while warm and thin, that should fill the voids. Allow to set, then drill the blank out just enough to fit the insert. OK, Grey Cup is on. I'm gone! j

I use a longer stem for the removable small spey handles for my rods. 15.48 MM diameter of the insert flange. j

Clean the inside of the blank out (round file, drill, Dremel, etc), measure the I.D of the reel seat and let me know, I have a bunch laying around. j