11-48 Follow-Up

Quick follow-up to yesterday's post. Found time to slip up to Williams Gunsight and pick up my 11-48 last night.

Wow.

As soon as I picked it up everything was happy. Much better mount, bead's right where it's supposed to be. No fumbling, no moving my head around. Truly amazing the difference a proper fit makes already. Can't wait to bust a few clays with it.

Yeah, the used stock doesn't match the fore end, but this gun's not about pretty. It's for breakin' clays and hunting small game.

Very happy. Kudos to Kevin at Williams Gunsight. Excellent work at a great price!

-Sean-

Pull!

Been wanting to get my Remington 11-48 working better for me as a shotgun for clays. It came with a battered recoil pad that almost disintegrated when I removed it. Tried to install one myself, after Gander Mountain sat with my gun for a MONTH and did nothing. Let's just say, I don't think I'll be applying for any gunsmith jobs any time soon. Fugly.

I'd heard good things about Williams Gun Sight east of Flint. On a recent trip North, I was able to stop in and chat with one of their gunsmiths. He figured out that my length of pull is WAY too short on this gun. Might explain my low averages and difficulty finding a consistent mount. He offered that he likely had some used stock that could get the length where I needed it. Even called me to discuss options and provide his opinion. I think it's going to be a huge improvement. Hoping to run up there and pick it up this week -- wanted to try some clays this weekend.

Report to follow!

-Sean-

Where Am I?

I was out with a couple friends who are outdoorsy sorts and they were talking about where they deer hunt. It was amazing how precisely each knew where the other was. This was reinforced last week when talking to a fishing guide about where he deer hunts - I knew where he was talking about to within a few hundred feet even though it was hundreds of miles away in the Upper Peninsula.

This is a huge benefit of spending time in the outdoors. To be safe and effective, you need to know where you are. A skill that serves most folks well in many other situations. I'm not sure how, but most of my friends who're outdoors a lot tend to know innately where they are. Contrast this to a lot of indoor types so seem to have a hard time finding their way home. What's most amazing is that you can drop these outdoorsy sorts into unfamiliar settings and they pretty quickly acclimate and find their bearings.

Fascinating, to me. I'm sure it's got some caveman connection. But it's a cool and useful skill!

-Sean-

Reel Deal

I'm lovin' my Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor 5 reel this Fall. I've caught salmon, steelhead, and brown trout on this reel. Drag system is perfect -- smooth, fast engagement. Great stopping power. Couldn't be happier with its performance.

Mine's spooled up with 20# Climax ZIP line for chuck n' duck style fishing. It's tough and tangle-free even in the coldest weather.

One of my favorite facets is the finish. It's almost jewel-like and looks great on any rod. In terms of appearance, this one's my favorite. I wish my Ross Momentum had been available in silver (it's champagned colored).

I see Orvis has them on sale just now (http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=65HE&dir_id=758&group_id=768&cat_id=7626&subcat_id=7644) - if you're looking for a solid large-species reel, I highly recommend!

-Sean-

Can't Explain

The NRA was flogging this article hard in the latest edition of their propaganda ... err magazine.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/01/AR2009090103836.html

First the disclosure - I'm an NRA member. I joined because they're really the only viable option for a voice of gun owners. But, I do find I'm out of alignment with a lot of their views. This article was one.

The NRA commentators acted as if this process were completely egregious. In my opinion, gun ownership SHOULD be a little challenging. I think anyone who wants to own a firearm legally, who isn't a felon or mentally ill, should be able to do so. The author cites $833 in costs -- including a safety course ($250) and the purchase of his handgun ($275) as if these were outlandish costs. A first time gun buyer, especially handguns, who doesn't take some sort of safety course is a moron. Guns are capable of lethal force. They should be treated with the same respect (as the author learned upon handling one).

This sort of spin is what makes the NRA so unpalatable for the masses. Did the author get to purchase a gun? Yes. So drop it. Making a Federal case of the process only points out your extreme viewpoint. And the article highlights inequities amongst States - something the NRA support under the "State's Rights" cloak. WTF?

-Sean-

Brothers in Arms

Some great times with some good friends this week, old and new. I love fishing solo, but I equally love the camaraderie of a good group trip, too.

Jim invited me on his annual trip a couple of years back. We'd gotten to know each other as he represents some magazines the I advertise in on behalf of clients. After our first trip we figured out that we fish well together - easygoing, but both a bit driven at the same time. Now this trip has morphed into something larger and even better. So I was thrilled to have Jim land the biggest steelie of the trip. And, he did it on a more complex rig than just standard chuck n' duck bottom bouncing!

Through Jim's trips I met guide extraordinaire Jon Ray. A day on the water with Jon is bound to be a fun one - doesn't hurt that this guy knows how to find fish. And, while Jon's got hundreds of clients, it's always like being out with an old friend. Only he knows about 87,000 times more about catching steelhead than any of my other friends.

And Troy - a treat to have him along on this trip. Troy's one of my clients, but one whom I've been lucky enough to count as a personal friend. A truly unique and exceptional guy with many talents, he's also one of the genuinely nicest human beings I know. When he joined up on this trip, I was excited that this experienced fisherman was going to get out on his first experience for steelhead on flies. Even though he got skunked on day one, at the end of the day he's borrowing my stick to go at it again! On day two he got to fish the PM. Got one steelie on, but found out why they're a top game fish. But nice consolation prize - a solid 14# salmon!

Jim, Jon, and Troy -- as always, great to hang with you guys. As well as new friends Mike, Andy, Dean, Tim, and Doug. A great trip with a great group.

-Sean-

Man of Steel

Awesome trip on the Big Manistee the past two days! A friend and business associate put together a trip with ten guys from as far away as Tulsa. Rented a GIGANTIC house at the Barothy Lodge (on PM, outside Walhalla). Five guides from Hawkins Outfitters handled everyone from experienced fisherman to complete newbies over two days. Couldn't have asked for better guiding. Tough fishing after a week of cool, rainy weather. Fish were scattered all over, but as always, Jonny Ray had a plan. We had boats all up and down the river from Tippy Dam almost to Manistee Lake searching for fish.

Got the pleasure of fishing with Jon on Tuesday. If you're looking for a great experience, this guy's just a blast to fish with. He's especially good at reading clients and delivering what they need. I want to learn when I fish guided and Jon's great at offering a good-natured barb that pushes me to be better. And this guys knows every inch of that river (and many others, too). Hook up with him at http://www.hawkinsflyfishing.com/.

After a nice vapor lock on my first fish (note to self -- let 'em run when they want to; don't touch the handle yet...) I hooked up on a couple of little skipper. Fun fights, but certainly not photo worthy. Not long after, I boated a nice 6# fish. Lost a fairly large one in the afternoon, but had it in close enough to get a good look. Oh, well. That's why steelies are some of North America's top game fish.

Partner (and trip organizer) Jim got a couple of solid monsters. One over 10#! A great day.

On our return to the lodge, my buddy Troy sees me in the parking lot unloading my road into the truck. Troy's an AVID and excellent fisherman (monster muskies), but this was his first time fly fishing for steelies. And, he'd gotten skunked. So three of us sat with beers and cheered Troy on as he threw casts for another hour on the Pere! That guy's got heart a mile wide.

More to follow - back to work!

-Sean-