Guess I'll make the first

And hopefully not the last ! Ray

Just to add a bit anyone else try there pin reels on a smaller rod like a 9' or less? I used mine on a 9' alot last fall and it worked just fine in the smaller trib areas..Even found out its not to hard working a small little cleo on as well.

I bought a 9' noodle rod to use in tight spots and it works just fine.  For all round use I have an 11' rod I like to use.   My 13' rod is nice but I don't seem to use it very much.

18andlife,

Have not had the chance to hit NY yet this spring , but will surely be there this fall..

Beerman,  you gotten the centerpin bug???  I started using one several years ago and have enjoyed it.  Centerpinning gives me one more option when it comes to stream fishing.  Of course, I am not going to quit fly fishing or hang up my noodle rod quite yet.. The other nice thing about centerpinning and float fishing is you get to buy more "stuff"....  Floats, weights, leaders, swivels, etc....  and neat little boxes to put all the "stuff" in...

Bughawk,
I haven't gotten the bug yet, but I am interested in pinning.  Someday I would like to observe and maybe even try it out.  New fishing "stuff" is a good thing! LOL

Bug, will definately have to try to get some time with you and learn what to do.  Tried to tie a small fly for trout on a 16 mustad hook. Turned out Terrible- No one will see that one!

Luke,
 
I am not much of a tier myself, but steelie flies are pretty forgiving.  I tried to tie some small dry flies once.... oh what a mess I made.  The bluegills seem to eat them up, but I don't think any trout would have even given them a second look.  As for pinning, it would be fun to fish with you.  I went out with a buddy last week who had just bought a centerpin set up.  He was a little apprehensive at first, so I showed him how to cast it and believe it or not, on my first cast with his rod I hooked up.... I did not land the fish, but I had a good fight.  He managed to hook and land two steelies that day and is absolutely hooked on the set up.   He was a die hard noodle rodder, but now he has come over to join the pinner group... 
 
As I have said before, I am not a dedicated pinner, I still use a noodle rod and fly rod - one hand and two handed spey... I am one of those sick few that likes to use a variety of equipment.  A jack of all trades and a master of none...
 
 

Trout About,
 
How do you like the Raven SST? Ive heard many good things and they look sweet........
 
BTW, anyone know where I can get different handles for my islander? Ive seen some with a synthetic wood look alike, have any of you changed handles?

Bughawk,
I would like to see how to fish with a center pin set-up someday.  I appreciate the offer and will take you up on it sometime.  Thanks.

Went out last night to a local dam spillway and caught two nice walleye and a huge carp that ran me all over the place. I took the pin and my 12ft lamiglas and people were looking at me like i was from outerspace. One guy actually came over and told me I was using my flyrod/reel wrong!!lol

I pick and choose my drifts.  If there are others around, I use it like any other noodle rod.  I flip upstream and drift down.  When I find myself alone, I can use it the way it was made to be used.
 
Where I like to use my pin the most is the Yough River.  I wade out to the middle, above a pool, and I can drift as long as I want to.

Pinning is short hand or slang for centerpin fishing.  Basically it is a style of drift fishing where one uses a centerpin reel.  A centerpin reel is a large spool that rotates freely on a center pin.  The idea is to get your bait or fly out into the current and floating and allow line to come off the reel freely as the current takes it.  The goal is to have a long natural drift.