Wayne SW/MO

I use a leader on all my braids, except when fishing a Sammy. I start with one that reaches from the levelwind to about 6" past the tip. I do it for more than one reason, one is to simply control the amount of trash I leave in the water. If I break off, it's normally less than 6'. I also can break off with out cutting my hand, pulling the boat into my fishing, or wasting a lot of time trying. I can also use a leader to fit conditions, heavy Flourocarbon for abrasive areas, light for those clear lakes, or something in between. I use an Albright with a touch of glue and have yet to break one.

I have four of those reels, all still active, and three have braid on them. I don't have anything larger than 20# on any of them, but 30# shouldn't hurt them and in fact may be a little better because of the larger diameter. I don't Caroline like I used to, but I wouldn't do it without using braid. Between the read you get and the ability to turn some rocks over and free up a snag makes braid the way to go in my opinion.

I haven't noticed this with Power Pro or Tuff XP? I've been using mostly braid for years now and like all things, it isn't perfect. The old Fireline, which wasn't a braid, made a lot of noise and felt like it drug on the guides. All braids are coated, and the line you're using may not get along with the slick juice, or it may be something in the coating that will dissapear with time. If it subtracts noticeable casting distance then its not up to par with many other braids. As to the cutting of guides, that's true on cheap rods, but its not the texture, its the diameter that causes the damage. When you're able to put 20 to 30 lbs of pressure on a line that is only 6 or 8lbs in diameter, any dirt or hard material it has picked up will magnify the abrasive affect.

I don't know that I had complaints, because they are what they are. The weight requires two to handle and, IMO, a trailer. They're all but impossible for one to handle in a trick current. The sharp chine grabs water. They excel with two people and a load of gear or with a small motor. I wouldn't put a 10 hp on the motor board, but an aluminum transom extension could be added for lift and strength. The Disco is a horse also, but it has its faults. I think they're hard to handle to a degree because of the beam, not to mention slooow. The beam is so wide that the person in front tends to turn the bow and the person in the rear has to compensate. They are light enough to car top and you can stand in them.

I haven't used that particular brand, but the old Fireline used to have that feel and sound. Is the KVD sauce recommended for braids?

That's an interesting read. I know that Lowe made a run in about '87. I bought one then, but sold it a few years back. They're inferior to a modern canoe for two people, in my opinion, on our rivers. A Disco 169 or a Guide is very close in stability, but not as heavy or as noisy.

Gavin do they follow the lines and specs of the old Lowe Paddle Jon?

Kind of makes it all worth it.

Its hard to beat a solo on our rivers and creeks. I'm sure you'll love it.

I'm sure you're thinking of the Lowe Paddle Jons that are no longer made. The Blazer may be a copy of it. They work a lot better on rivers than on lakes. If the rivers I fished weren't particularly narrow or twisted, I would go with a standard jon in the 36" bottom class.

Just a note, 3 and 1 oil that's available at most hardware's is a good reel oil, and inexpensive. Sewing machine oil is another good oil for reel bearings. You don't need an overpriced reel specific oil. If you're going to spend more, get Rocket Fuel or Hot Sauce, but they are strictly shaft bearing oils.

My son and I are planning on being there Gary, looking forward to it.

I believe its light oil, no grease, which can tie up the rollers.

Nope, they were brought here on purpose and stocked by the federal government, most in the late 1800's. I don't see much of a competition between Smallies and trout. There are a few waters where they coexist, but those waters are less than perfect for either. We can thank the feds for the true invasive species, they just can't learn to shut the barn door before the horse is out, or in in this case.

How about Brook trout out west, or salmon and steelhead in the Great Lakes. Its endless, but I think they mean species that were not meant to be introduced by authorities or introduced illegally.

I thought the bill was separate on the Rapala warts. They're making the old warts again, but maybe some don't realize that, or they are still different?

My favorite.

No Gavin it doesn't have many dry fly fishermen.

They didn't mention Iguanas, which I understand are also a nuisance in Florida. There was an article during the freeze about the wrath a women was experiencing because she was saving Iguanas. The Brits should learn to fry up those squirrels, and the Aussie's the rabbits. The Asian carp are said to be good eating and useful as livestock feed, but the market logistics aren't there. To bad the government couldn't put a little more money in to establishing an industry utilizing them.

Not all necks are created equally and it goes beyond color and length. Good necks and saddles come from chickens that have been developed over a long period of time and irregardless of sales, the genetics are preserved if possible. The old Hoffman grizzly saddles would be a good example. They stood above all others and never produced enough to meet demand and you paid for it.

Most pros modify and adjust their baits, so that need shouldn't turn anyone off.

I would imagine that the economy has affected the demand, but to keep the bloodlines intact they still have to raise hackle chickens. The cost of running the farm doesn't drop with fewer chickens raised, at least not that much. The weather affects grain production also and that may also play into it. I know my friends in Saskatchewan had a bad year because of the weather.

I don't know Sam, maybe the expense, they are fragile. I've done about as well on the Chomper and they're cheaper and tougher.

I like the old fashioned dacron for snagging, its not so thin that it cuts your hand or the fish.

I would trade the Spooks for Sammy's. one black, one shad. I would also add a 210 Wart. Lots of jigs, lots.