Question:

During the height of "hummingbird season" I use 10-15 lbs of sugar a week to make the solution. Can I have your "recipe" please?

I’ve never measured sugar to water, but an approximation would be about 1/2 cup sugar to about 3/4 cup water.  Heat water, stirring, until sugar dissolved, add a drop or so of red food coloring, and cool in fridge.  Makes about a qt. Once the birds start lapping up the solution I make about 3 qts at a time. This solution has about 2 – 2.5x more sugar than the commercial powders, and so hummingbirds have to make the trip to the feeder a little less often (which was the point of revving up the sugar).  I had checked with an ornithologist where I work, who blessed the enriched solution.  It can be made even sweeter with no harm to the birds. Note of caution…..I don’t know if beet sugar is sold in the UK, but thru trial and error I discovered that the birds reject a solution of beet sugar (or did mine anyway); I use only cane sugar now. Mac

Response:

This is when a hawk or other predator approaches and smaller birds band together in a planned attack to drive off the intruder. I have seen hawks dive bombed this way by a bunch of starlings.

<nodding   A few years ago I heard loud, continuous bird screeches in back of the house and went to find out what was happening.  A number of birds were attacking an eagle, dive-bombing it and had driven the eagle to flying about 4 feet above the ground.  In a matter of minutes it  had flown off.  I was happy for the escape of any potential prey but I missed a great opportunity to photograph the scene. My hummingbirds have not arrived as yet here in Pa.

Not all the hummingbirds leave this area during the Winter….since it’s a cold "Northern" winter only a few days a season.  A few birds are back at the feeder; in a few weeks, there’ll be a clan gathering of multiple generations. During the height of "hummingbird season" I use 10-15 lbs of sugar a week to make the solution. Mac

Response:

I think cats are the lords and ladies of the earth.  :-) So do the cats. (Hi, Mac … )

Good morning, Arjay.   Small point of order … Fossey worked with _mountain_ gorillas.

When I read over what I had typed, I thought there was something "off"  (blush, blush).  Thanks. Again, a number of species that form families or troops for survival  also develop within the "family" strong sibling and mother-dtr ties, hunting for one another, caring for one another’s offspring, looking out for orphans, protecting one another. That applies in many species.  Look into the behaviours of many social animals: African elephants may be the most striking example.

Yes. If the wolves’ territoriality were unique to the species Tacon’s conjecture would seem stronger.   Mac

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "DawnoftheForest" wrote … Mcc6050 wrote … Dogs rule Hmmmm….I think cats are the lords and ladies of the earth.  :-) So do the cats. (Hi, Mac … ) Interesting article…some comments: Tacon said modern man’s strong territorialism is not shared by other primates. I don’t think that’s all that accurate.  The work by Goodall and Fossey showed that troops/families of chimps and low-land gorillas are territorial. Their findings were, IIRC, mostly confirmations of things suggested by the earlier work of Konrad Lorenz. Even when developing the concept of "imprinting" Lorenz made some passing comments on the apparent territoriality of geese, and I seem to recall he expanded on those comments in _Das sogenannte B

Question:

I attended claves in Va., N.C.  and Idaho last year and each of them  had their own strengths and particularities. From car racing, to home made beer and quality fishing.   This clave sounds like there will be different stokes for different folk.  I hope it will be O.K.  if I bring and old friend who lives outside Chayneene on a goat farm.  She used to belly dance in Greek bars on the Baltimore waterfront, but is old now and picks up a few pasos posing as an Indian Mystic. Perhaps for those who wish she could check our flies around the campfire at night,   and if we can manage to tie down a live goat on the roof of my van , she might even cook it over the campfire one night. Perhaps Zorba will appear and play for us.    Indian Joe  Wilmington N.C.

______ Shucks Joe, all you have to worry about now is defending that goat’s virtues at any Western Conclave.  They look a lot like sheep you know?  LOL!  Zorba, who lives in Denver could very well show up with his movie cameras and make a documentary of everything ‘Mystic’.  Just showing up would be mystic enough!  Are you listening Wayne Harrison? Almost as mystic as winning a case!  LOL!   — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/

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Thanks for another great post Indian Joe. Bring on the belly dancer. Made me think of one of my old roomates from the 70’s…One of Cindy’s many jobs was teaching belly dancing. She was one of the best roomates I ever had. Big Dale

Response:

I attended claves in Va., N.C.  and Idaho last year and each of them  had their own strengths and particularities. From car racing, to home made beer and quality fishing.   This clave sounds like there will be different stokes for different folk.  I hope it will be O.K.  if I bring and old friend who lives outside Chayneene on a goat farm.  She used to belly dance in Greek bars on the Baltimore waterfront, but is old now and picks up a few pasos posing as an Indian Mystic. Perhaps for those who wish she could check our flies around the campfire at night,   and if we can manage to tie down a live goat on the roof of my van , she might even cook it over the campfire one night. Perhaps Zorba will appear and play for us.   Indian Joe  Wilmington N.C.

9.8   10   9.9   9.9   9.9  10 Kiyu

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Kiyu writes:

(ij snip) Perhaps Zorba will appear and play for us.   Indian Joe  Wilmington N.C. 9.8   10   9.9   9.9   9.9  10

LMAO.  If you knew IJ, you’d give him all  tens.  You aren’t Russian or Bulgarian, are you?  <g Dave LaCourse

Response:

I read all that NC clave stuff last year and envied people who were going to fish on streams I fished on as a kid.  If god wills I’m sure going to show up in Montana which ain’t that far from Denver.  Last July I drug my boat to the Columbia River by way of I-90 and saw an incredible amount of trout water with no one fishing streams like the Clarke’s Fork.  I’ve fished the Madison and Yellowstone and Henry’s Fork and a few smaller streams in that area and I don’t know what a bad day would be on any of them.

Response:

I attended claves in Va., N.C.  and Idaho last year and each of them  had their own strengths and particularities. From car racing, to home made beer and quality fishing.  

Let me guess:   Car racing was in N.C.   Home-made beer was in Va.   Quality fishing was in Idaho. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

I attended claves in Va., N.C.  and Idaho last year and each of them  had their own strengths and particularities. From car racing, to home made beer and quality fishing. Let me guess:   Car racing was in N.C.   Home-made beer was in Va.   Quality fishing was in Idaho.

bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzttttttt… Sorry Steve. I don’t know quite what to say. It always leaves me speechless when a player misses the 100 dollar question. We’ll be right back folks after this message brought to you by the fine folks at ezflyfish to find out who the next contestant will be on "WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE?"  – Regis

Response:

_____  I can only offer this observation.  Most of you will not have to worry about a thing except how to concentrate on the Henry’s Fork or the Madison or Gibbon Rivers.  The Firehole will burn in your memories and one of these rivers may well be the last thought you have the instant before you die. Take all your guns and bullshit and stick it up your ass.  Roffians of your intelligence should know better.  This isn’t a East verse West Conclave at all.  This isn’t going to be one of your drinking bashes. If any of you think that is what this all about, I personally wish you would stay home. This is a Conclave that will put you into fish of a lifetime.  This is where the finest fly fishing remaining in the lower forty eight exists. Some of you may even end up moving out west because of the experiences you will have here.  This is a get together of those who really love of fly fishing . . . at its finest. Forget the bears and the snakes.  You won’t see any worth worrying about.  What you will have before you will be the finest gifts GOD can offer you as a fly fisherman.  Evenings will be spent, I’d think, talking about hatches and what to use the next day.  The photography alone will boggle your mind and if you expect to shoot anything of worth . . . it will be film.  Yes.  It will be with film. As in the production, "A River Runs Through It" "Nothing last’s forever, except in our memories."  I do not wish to have any of those memories to be about drunks and/or guns or of those who have bad tempers.  This is a party about loving life at its finest.  Leave your guns and bullshit at home.  Come bare faced to meet nature at her finest.  She will marry with you for the rest of your life here.  All you have to do is say . . . " I do." May you come armed only with the best fly rod you own. Sincerely, – Mr.G http://www.gink.com/chat Flyfishing Conversations 6:00 PM PST

Response:

_____  I can only offer this observation.  Most of you will not have to worry about a thing except how to concentrate on the Henry’s Fork or the Madison or Gibbon Rivers.  The Firehole will burn in your memories and one of these rivers may well be the last thought you have the instant before you die.

(george’s musings about the nature of a clave snipped) May you come armed only with the best fly rod you own.

        george, i respectfully suggest that you have the wrong idea about what a clave is all about.         it’s not about fish, or the places they swim, or pulling them out of those places.  it’s about getting to know the people who share a love for this sport.         of course, that process will involve fishing, and the doing of it in predictably beautiful places.  but the bounty to be harvested will not be numbers of fish, or fish of awesome size; it will be the collection of friendships to take back home to colorado, and nevada, and massachusetts, and even carolina.         to be sure, whisky (and whiskey) will likely be drunk, and lies will surely be told; but no one will be offended, let alone shot, for god’s sake.  the only raised voices will be joined in laughter.         i went to my first clave to meet an enemy and fish with four of my life-long friends.  when the clave was over, i had lost that enemy, and gained a dozen more friendships that i hope will last until the water stops running downhill in the blue ridge.         don’t expect more or less in montana.  wish i was gonna be there.         wayno

Response:

     i went to my first clave to meet an enemy and fish with four of my life-long friends.  when the clave was over, i had lost that enemy, and gained a dozen more friendships that i hope will last until the water stops running downhill in the blue ridge.         don’t expect more or less in montana.  wish i was gonna be there.         wayno

there is a way.  You could make the earth move if you so desired.  What a wonderful vacation that would be.  You and him in West Yellowstone together?  Make it happen Wayne.  Bring that nice boy of yours and I will show up to shake his hand. That is a promise, my dear friend. — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/

Response:

snip Take all your guns and bullshit and stick it up your ass.  Roffians of your intelligence should know better.  This isn’t a East verse West Conclave at all.  This isn’t going to be one of your drinking bashes. If any of you think that is what this all about, I personally wish you would stay home. Snipped

Me thinks you are a little to paranoid G! LOL – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Sincerely, – Mr.G http://www.gink.com/chat Flyfishing Conversations 6:00 PM PST

Response:

I attended claves in Va., N.C.  and Idaho last year and each of them  had their own strengths and particularities. From car racing, to home made beer and quality fishing.   This clave sounds like there will be different stokes for different folk.  I hope it will be O.K.  if I bring and old friend who lives outside Chayneene on a goat farm.  She used to belly dance in Greek bars on the Baltimore waterfront, but is old now and picks up a few pasos posing as an Indian Mystic. Perhaps for those who wish she could check our flies around the campfire at night,   and if we can manage to tie down a live goat on the roof of my van , she might even cook it over the campfire one night. Perhaps Zorba will appear and play for us.    Indian Joe  Wilmington N.C.

Response:

I attended claves in Va., N.C.  and Idaho last year and each of them  had their own strengths and particularities

    (amazing shit snipped) joe, i can only say that if there is a roff heaven, it will be filled with endless posts from you and asadi. just too much, man. wayno

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Question:

If one of the products your using is Mucilin , that may be your problem. Mucilin eats away at the coating of newer S.A. lines. Grouse – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just returned from a trip to the San Juan River (great fishing/miserable weather) and have a problem I’ve encountered before and never been able to solve.  When using good quality, good condition fly line; primarily SA Mastery I can’t seem to get the last 4′-5′ of line to stay afloat.  After a couple hours of casting I always have a sinking tip line.  I always clean the line with a mild detergent, let it dry thoroughly and dress it with a variety of products (one at a time), but it alway starts to sink.  What is the consensus opinion of what I should use and where can I purchase it? Bob in El Paso

Response:

I just returned from a trip to the San Juan River (great fishing/miserable weather) and have a problem I’ve encountered before and never been able to solve.  When using good quality, good condition fly line; primarily SA Mastery I can’t seem to get the last 4′-5′ of line to stay afloat.  After a couple hours of casting I always have a sinking tip line.  I always clean the line with a mild detergent, let it dry thoroughly and dress it with a variety of products (one at a time), but it alway starts to sink.  What is the consensus opinion of what I should use and where can I purchase it? Bob in El Paso

Response:

I just returned from a trip to the San Juan River (great fishing/miserable weather) and have a problem I’ve encountered before and never been able to solve.  When using good quality, good condition fly line; primarily SA Mastery I can’t seem to get the last 4′-5′ of line to stay afloat.  After a couple hours of casting I always have a sinking tip line.  I always clean the line with a mild detergent, let it dry thoroughly and dress it with a variety of products (one at a time), but it alway starts to sink.  What is the consensus opinion of what I should use and where can I purchase it? Bob in El Paso

Before you use a fly line for the first time, seal the end with crazy glue.  You probably have some water seeping up the internal dacron weave. Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.cgocable.net/~pcharles/index.html

Response:

I just returned from a trip to the San Juan River (great fishing/miserable weather) [..] After a couple hours of casting I always have a sinking tip line.  

well, I keep running into it also. I think there are a couple of reasons: * the tip end being ‘open’ so the water sips onto the dacron core (someone already mentioned this) * dirt from the water collecting by the fly line’s pores all I can think up is keep cleaning the tip end of the line, keep greasing it lightly. — CU, Jay (ICQ# 29249573) — When replying, remove ‘MAC’ from e-mail address in header —

Response:

The best product I’ve ever found for floating flies as well as the end of my fly line isn’t even made for fishing.  "Albolene" is a makeup remover or skin moisturizer or something like that.  I’ve never asked exactly what it was intended for.  It comes in a 12 ounce plastic tub for about eight bucks and can be found in the health care aisles at many drugstores or department stores.  It looks a bit like vaseline, but isn’t nearly as sticky.  It melts easily at normal body temperature.  You simply rub a dab of it between yours fingers until it liquefies and then coat your fly (or the end of your line) with it.  It really is outstanding stuff!  It won’t discolor flies, doesn’t gum them up like so many of the commercial dressings, and really does keep them afloat.  I was originally turned onto this stuff by a guy who had been using it for many years. You can also dissolve this stuff in lighter fluid and dip your new flies in the solution before you store them in your fly boxes.  Then they’re ready to use when you get out on the stream. I clean my lines with Armor All and then coat the tip with Albolene.  Works very well.  By the way, a 12 oz. jar of Albolene will last you and your fishing buddies just about for the rest of your natural lives.  Good luck! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just returned from a trip to the San Juan River (great fishing/miserable weather) and have a problem I’ve encountered before and never been able to solve.  When using good quality, good condition fly line; primarily SA Mastery I can’t seem to get the last 4′-5′ of line to stay afloat.  After a couple hours of casting I always have a sinking tip line.  I always clean the line with a mild detergent, let it dry thoroughly and dress it with a variety of products (one at a time), but it alway starts to sink.  What is the consensus opinion of what I should use and where can I purchase it? Bob in El Paso

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Question:

Cal  Harvey, has been making & selling custom fly rods since 1940. He uses Sage blanks & Struble reel seats.Cal doesn’t have internet access,  for more info contact him at 806-385-4298 ,Littlefield,Tx  I’ve put up a web page for Cal at http://members.tripod.com/~BradBanner/flyrod.html  It has many fishing links.

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He makes a darn nice rod from what I hear. How’s it goin Brad? Jerry http://www.jerryhadden.com

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Going great except for this blasted respiratory crud everyone around here,including me, has. Good to hear from you Jerry. Brad – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – He makes a darn nice rod from what I hear. How’s it goin Brad? Jerry http://www.jerryhadden.com

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Question:

I am only 16 and just starting to flyfish. I plan to do some fly fishing on a local stream this weekend. What are the best kinds of fly’s to use?

Hi Jared, The simple thing to do for this weekend would be to check with your local fly shop to see what info they have on the local river you plan to fish.  It’s in their best interest to help you be successfull so don’t hesitate to ask.  If they won’t give you the time of day, go to a different shop. The suggestions Donn gave you are the best for the long term though.  Learn the basic life-cycles of mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and midges.  Learn to identify them.  Don’t need to know the particular species or latin name, but at least learn to tell the difference between mayflies and caddisflies, etc.  To start, ignore the latin names most books will give, though they may interest you later.   Remeber, the other spelling for entomolgy is "bugs".  Learn how to take a stream sample without destroying a lot of habitat.  What works can change from hour to hour let alone week to week and if you can identify what’s available you’ll do much better than "chuck it and chance it."  You’ll never learn it all, but you’ll have a great time trying.                                      good fishing,                                              Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

Jared, That is a question that even 66 year old men ask.  This is what fly fishing is all about and what you spend a life time doing in this sport to try to figure out.  The fly can change from one moment to the next to the next and so on.  I can change right in front of you for several hundred different reasons. Do not get overwhelmed by this but just look at it as a challenge.  Do yourself a favor and try to do a couple of the following things and it will make you a much better fly fisher. First and foremost – learn the basics of entomology; this looks hard but really isn’t.  Get with another fisherman who understands the basics and have him explain it to you.  Pick up any of many primers on this to help you. Next – Check the streams you intend to fish for what type of insects you have and when they hatch and how they act. Next – Begin gathering those insects in specimen bottles and preserving them for future studies.  Hopefully in the not too distant future, you can begin tying flies and you will have a data base to begin to copy.  Pick up some isopropyl alcohol from Wal-Mart, K-Mart or any drug store; it is very inexpensive.  Put a solution of 90% alcohol and 10% water in the vial and then add your insect and cover. Put a sticker of some kind on it and put what it is and where you got it from.  If you want to begin a diary of all this, it will help you learn faster and give you tremendous abount of your own information that is better than anything you hear or read. Next – Always be observant for changes in anything in or around the river and what effect it has on the fish and insects.  Go with other fly fishers and ask questions.   Your brain is a many giga-byte hard drive and just begin to fill it with as many bite of information as you can.  You will never come close to getting them all and just never stop; it is a life long endeavor. This is not tuff stuff and as long as you enjoy it, it will be easy and fun and make you an experinced fly fisher at the same time. Donn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am only 16 and just starting to flyfish. I plan to do some fly fishing on a local stream this weekend. What are the best kinds of fly’s to use? Thankyou Tight Lines, Jared Staskiel "In our family, there was no clear line between religion and                fly fishing"                     —Norman Maclean (1976)

Response:

I am only 16 and just starting to flyfish. I plan to do some fly fishing on a local stream this weekend. What are the best kinds of fly’s to use? Thankyou Tight Lines, Jared Staskiel "In our family, there was no clear line between religion and                 fly fishing"                     —Norman Maclean (1976)

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Question:

I would appreciate info as to whether there is bonefishing (and/or flyfishing for other species) on Jamaica. Thanks in advance. Brad Hall

Response:

"they" say there is no fly fishing in jamaica. The truth is is that there are small flats all over the place with lots of good potential. Montego bay itself has lots of tarpon. E.G. The road from Montego bay to Ocho Rios runs along the north shore and you can stop just about anywhere and see narrow flats bordered from the ocean by low reef that are easy and accesible. Don’t be adfraid to stop at the roadside jerk stands or bars. They look like shacks, but the people are great , the food is good and the fishing is right there. Take your stuff and look around. I. Clair

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Question:

Anybody out there know genus-species for the Alder Fly? Email or post is fine Bill S.

Response:

Anybody out there know genus-species for the Alder Fly? Email or post is fine Bill S.

Bill, Family is Sialidae and only the single genus, Sialis, occurs in North America.  Not being an entomologist I could be mistaken but I am fairly certain of my resource.  Hope this helps. James Ehlers Underhill, Vermont Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anybody out there know genus-species for the Alder Fly? Email or post is fine Bill S. Bill, it’s funny you mentioned it, and I have heard it before,and can’t remember, but it then occured to me that my grandfather gave me a book written in the 50’s by the Sportman’s cigarettes company,it’s

Response:

James Ehlers is correct. Alderflies belong to the family Sialidae, and there is a single genus, Sialis. There are about 20 or so species. They are in the order Megaloptera, at least that is where most entomologists place them, although I sometimes see Megaloptera listed as a suborder of Neuroptera. — Tim Lysyk http://www.telusplanet.net/public/cnangler/html

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Question:

I’m seeking information about the new Paradigm from Thomas & Thomas.   I’m considering buying an 8-1/2 or 9 foot for a 5 weight and would be interested in a critique of its overall performance from someone who has spent some time with one. Thanks, Jim —     ***Upscale Leather*** Finely crafted products in fish leather. Visit our site at: http://www.tiac.net/users/batesbiz/upscale.html

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m seeking information about the new Paradigm from Thomas & Thomas. I’m considering buying an 8-1/2 or 9 foot for a 5 weight and would be interested in a critique of its overall performance from someone who has spent some time with one. Thanks, Jim —     ***Upscale Leather*** Finely crafted products in fish leather. Visit our site at: http://www.tiac.net/users/batesbiz/upscale.html

Jim:  I have had to opportunity to cast all the paradigms.  They are smooth casting rods similar in feel to Winstons with the exception of having a bit more backbone.  As for performance: do not expect them to be screaming speed rods.  They will cast 60 feet of line all day and be quite forgiving of poor loop control.  At the end of the day you won’t be tired from pushing line.  They also present a fly well with a delicate tip action that helps turn the fly over easily. Cosmetics: the rods are beautifully finished and a delight to see in bright sun.  The colors are radiant.  Good looks and an easy rod to cast usually makes for a good combo. As with any rod, cast it and put it to the test for your style of fishing.  If it feels good, looks good, do it!  You probably will never regret it!

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Question:

I will be in Minneapolis in the third week of September, and would like to stay an extra day to fly fish.  What is available within a reasonable distance of Minneapolis, and can someone recommend a guide?  Thank you.

I hear Christmas Lake (South of Lake Minnetonka a bit) is the only lake in the metro area that’s good enough for trout. I don’t know what kind of access there is, though. Maybe someone can verify this? Pete

Response:

I will be in Minneapolis in the third week of September, and would like to stay an extra day to fly fish.  What is available within a reasonable distance of Minneapolis, and can someone recommend a guide?  Thank you.

Whitewater River and Root River are both within  2 hours of Minneapolis.  They are in the Rochester, MN area. Here are the #’s for a couple of Minneapolis area flyshops: Bob Mitchell’s Fly Shop 612.770.5854 The Fly Angler 612.572.0717 I’m sure they will direct you towards Wisconsin.   _-=J=-_

Response:

I lived in Minneapolis for about 5 years and belonged to a fly-Tying/Fishing group.  You can find a good plenty of good streams very close to Mpls.  If you want to fish trout, head to the Kinnickinnic near River Falls Wisconsin (25 miles from Mpls) and drive to the park/dam in town, Lot’s o’ browns. Also the Root in southern MN (1 hour).  If you want BIG bass, there are alot of lakes in and around the city, Centerville Lake, 10 miles north on 35w is a good late summer producer.  All in All, call some fly shops when you get there, they will be glad to help. Bob Crossley – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be in Minneapolis in the third week of September, and would like to stay an extra day to fly fish.  What is available within a reasonable distance of Minneapolis, and can someone recommend a guide?  Thank you.

Response:

I will be in Minneapolis in the third week of September, and would like to stay an extra day to fly fish.  What is available within a reasonable distance of Minneapolis, and can someone recommend a guide?  Thank you.

Response:

Question:

Yesterday, my buddy and I went out to a stretch of the Winnipeg River, east of Winnipeg, Manitoba. We head to our best spring pike spot. An expansive weed flat in a shallow, north bay. We chuck some spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Lots of followers! HUGE followers! No bites except for a couple 12-inchers. Try some sluggos – nothing. Try some Rapala-type minnows – nothing.  ’Well, I guess they aren’t hungry’ my buddy says…..We’re packing up, and I spot an old spoon in the bottom of my tackle box. Now, I always thought spoons were kinda…, what…., old fashioned? Low-tech? What the heck, it’s worth a try. I toss it….BANG – 5 pounder. Nice. Try again. BANG – 8 pounder. NICE. My buddy loads up a weedless spoon – BANG – 6 pounder. We drifted across the flat for 2 hours, caught over 20 fish. One was my new personal best, 13 pounds, 37inches long…. caught on a ‘five of diamonds’ spoon. Now, compared to some of the fly-in spots, these aren’t big fish. But considering that these were caught 5 minutes from a public boat launch, we couldn’t have been happier. Lesson learned – pike like spoons. Thanks,guys,,,,just had to share my good fortune. Brian ps – all the fish were caught on Fusion – I love Fusion. SOLID hooksets, especially when your barbs are pinched.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yesterday, my buddy and I went out to a stretch of the Winnipeg River, east of Winnipeg, Manitoba. We head to our best spring pike spot. An expansive weed flat in a shallow, north bay. We chuck some spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Lots of followers! HUGE followers! No bites except for a couple 12-inchers. Try some sluggos – nothing. Try some Rapala-type minnows – nothing.  ’Well, I guess they aren’t hungry’ my buddy says…..We’re packing up, and I spot an old spoon in the bottom of my tackle box. Now, I always thought spoons were kinda…, what…., old fashioned? Low-tech? What the heck, it’s worth a try. I toss it….BANG – 5 pounder. Nice. Try again. BANG – 8 pounder. NICE. My buddy loads up a weedless spoon – BANG – 6 pounder. We drifted across the flat for 2 hours, caught over 20 fish. One was my new personal best, 13 pounds, 37inches long…. caught on a ‘five of diamonds’ spoon. Now, compared to some of the fly-in spots, these aren’t big fish. But considering that these were caught 5 minutes from a public boat launch, we couldn’t have been happier. Lesson learned – pike like spoons. Thanks,guys,,,,just had to share my good fortune. Brian ps – all the fish were caught on Fusion – I love Fusion. SOLID hooksets, especially when your barbs are pinched.

I live in Oregon, U.S.A. and fish at Flin-Flon, Manitoba every year and find that my best baits for northerns are spoons and #5 Mepps spinners. We catch numerous pike in the 20-25 pound class with them.  Not every cast, however.  It is still work. I have also found that fishing the Mepps vertically can be productive at times.  Just open the bail and let it drop 50-75 feet to the bottom.  Then give it a "reef" and start cranking.  You might be surprised.  On my first 4 "drops" I landed 3 lake trout.  Sometimes they hit.  Sometimes they don’t!  

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