11/4/12

Went out at about 9 and stopped in pineville and purchased my new reel.   A cortland Sterling with a WF salmon line by Cortland.   Then I went and tried it out.   I fished for the rest of the morning where I picked up my browns and got 1 hit on a blue suckerspawn, that's it, talked to a bunch of guys and fishing was slow.   Met up with Dime in the parking lot and we talked for awhile.  I then went to lunch a Mcd's and headed back at it.   I then fished where I met up with Fichy and HT last year.  Fishing was slow for the first half of the PM but the last 1.5 hours before dark turned on a bit.  Hooked 4 fish got one to the bank , (sorry no camera today) but here is the deal 1 of them was a king, not Zombie either.   It was a good take on a blue yarn egg and I got a real good look at the fish and  the fly was inside the mouth.   I fought the good fight, but 4lb test and king teeth do not mix.  The one I got to the bank was on a steelhead hammer  and the other take was on a peach egg.    Fishing all around was slow until the end of the day.     I did also see one small Coho taken. 
On a sad note I have found than my new waders leak the tiniest bit.   I will call FroggToggs tomorrow to see what they will do.  I have no doubt they will make good, but I am hoping it can be taken care of before next week as I have it off.  I may look into some cheap ones as a spare set if they don't come back in time, maybe   neo's  for winter.

Clint if you get neos for winter look for 5 mm neo with a insulated bootfoot.You put some fleece on your legs and good wool socks over poly
 
 
 
 
 socks you are good for hours of cold water.As always buy them large in the feet.If they dont have studs screw 6-7 sheetmetal screws in the HEEL and you have traction.I have a old pair of Rangers,25 yrs old, and they are toasty.
 
Don't ask about the space,I won't tell you

    once you use studs you try to remember how did you ever get by without them. Huge difference I will never wade without them again.

Getting wet in the winter is REAL crappy and it could lead to ones death,so wade carefully and don't go above the knees if you can avoid it.
The one thing I'm looking for now is a good collapsable wading staff,I'm tired of looking for a stick along the bank

Last time, someone stole your stick!   I've had a Folstaff for 10 years. They are bombproof , pop together quick when you need them, have a good tether and a nice cork handle. They're pricey, though. You can LEAN on them if you have to.  I've fished enough big rivers far from other people where it's worth it to me. Also helped me get out on Jettys and rocks on the coast at night.  I love it for the SR. I just sometimes forget to bring it!

I have used a Folstaff wading stick for that past 20+ years.  Wouldn't think of wading the Ausable or the SR without it.  Having the vision problems that I do a wading stick is a valuable accessory. 

I actually just found  a broken meat rod last weekend ,  I cut it down a bit more and made a wading stick out of it.

Already reinforced the bottom with a large bolt and epoxy.   Handle is already nice foam.   Going to add some sort of  eye hook to the handle after I reinforce the handle.  I am thinking expanding foam then the last inch with JB weld to hold the eye hook