On Target

Took a trip out to the range with .22's yesterday, with great results. Overlapping groups at 25 yards, then silver-dollar sized groups at 50. Too windy for the 100 yard.

The CZ 452 is proving to be a real favorite. Out of the box, this surprisingly affordable rifle was great. But with some tweaks, it's just amazing. Most recent addition was a J&P striker spring for more positive ignition - this thing dents the cases! Also reworked the trigger with an Eric Brooks kit. For $30 this is the best money you could spend. Took pull down to 1.5# and totally eliminates creep and slop. Tight, light, and crisp. Replaced stock swivels with Uncle Mike's so I could add a Montana Sling.

I'd originally planned to leave this one with iron sights, but once I tried longer range shooting with a friend's scoped Savage I changed my mind. A mid-range Bushnell 4-9x scope is perfect. Only complaint is the stock mounts. I'm looking for some taller ones, probably from Millet to get scope a touch higher to better clear bolt and enable some fore-and-aft adjustment.

After some experimentation with ammunition, I'm finding this one likes CCI the best by far. Either Stinger or standard (i.e. cheaper) Hi-Velocity. Tried a couple flavors of Aguila -- not good. Winchester's just so-so. But I can drive tacks with CCI.

Surprise of the day was the Ruger 10-22. I usually think of this one as less accurate than the CZ, but it was only slightly so yesterday. I've extensively re-worked the action on this one which has improved function and accuracy. Bringing down trigger pull helped most, though I would like it lower still.

I love .22's. Cheap to own, cheap to shoot. Seem to be very ammenable to tuning. Really help my marksmanship and learning.

Just as I was contemplating moving to 100 yard, all hell broke loose with high wind and rains. Time to go! But a very relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

-Sean-

Mighty Muskie Hunt Update

Well, skunked on Lake St. Clair yesterday. All three of us. We were marking fish on the finder and trolled all over the place, but to no avail. Did have a little excitement at the end, outrunning an incoming thunderstorm.

General consensus was that we weren't getting deep enough. We found the most fish in an area near the river channel on the north end. Most were 15-22' deep. I know I wasn't getting flies more than 5' deep and the spin guys didn't think they were getting below 10'

But this starts to get to something I really enjoy about fishing - the problem-solving component. As soon as I got my line in the water, I realized I was just planing the surface and that wasn't going to get me anywhere. Fortunately I had some decent sized split shot, so on go a few of these. Not enough. So I slide on the sink leader between the fly line and the leader. Better, but I'm still not there. Next time, I think maybe a sinking fly line and perhaps some more weight configured differently.

As they say, "it's more about being out there..." which is fishing code for "didn't catch anything, but had fun anyway.". Great day on the water!

-Sean-

Big, Nasty Teeth...

Get to do some muskie fishing tomorrow afternoon on Lake St. Clair with some friends. Somehow the logistics seem to work out that I've only been able to do this once before, so I'm pretty excited. We got skunked last year. The idea of catching a 3-4' fish with teeth is pretty engaging! And, it's pretty cool that one of the best muskie fisheries in the country is virtually in my backyard (well, OK and hour or so away...).

Naturally, as usual, I can't do things the easy way. I got it into my head that there's no reason you couldn't catch one on a fly, rather than conventional spinning gear and lures. And I own a big fat 10-weight TFO that I picked up for Fall salmon. So, why not?

A little research on the web and it looks like there are lots of folks doing it. Looks like a stout rod and a few hundred casts should get it done. Stopped in at the local fly shop on Sunday and one of the guys helped me get set up with some MONSTER flies -- these things have hooks like something you'd see in a horror movie. Also requires a bite-proof leader, so picked up some Rio "Toothy Critter" leaders (cool name, eh?).

Looks like a strip n' troll combo could get it done. We'll see. Report to follow.

-Sean-

P.S. Another great road bike ride last night; 18 miles at a respectable pace!

Groove Relocated

Oddly, just haven't been able to find my groove on the road bike this summer.

Until last night.

Headed out for an after-work ride and everything clicked. It's weird when it happens, but I can tell from very shortly into a ride if it's working or not. I think part of the issue this year has been the cold weather. I don't like riding in the cold (odd for a guy who skis and stands in the river fly fishing all winter) and that's likely part of it. Last night was a perfect, warm summer evening and the first time I can remember this year where I wasn't cold. But it's more than that - a jump in my stroke. An odd twitchy energy. I settled in quickly for a nice 14 mile ride and even took the hilly route! Felt really great to be out and not forcing myself to ride.

I am having some numbness in my feet after ten miles or so -- I think I need to look at cleat position. But that's relatively minor. Glad to have my groove back. If storms hold off, maybe I'll try again tonight.

-Sean-

Peaceful

I was just thinking this morning that there are few things more relaxing than a nice campsite, a tasty craft-brewed beer, and a pleasant evening after a day outside. At left is a fine IPA, with a Lake Superior sunset in the background. Michigan Brewer's Guild Beerfest is this weekend, so I'll likely find some other tasty brews to put with it.

Summer in Michigan - really a special time. So much outside to do and seems like never enough time to do it. Whatever you do, find some time to get out there and do it.

-Sean-

The Right Stick

On recent trip I took the perfect trio of rigs. Each has a purpose and suited it well.

Scott A2 9' 6-weight/Ross CLA 3/Rio Gold

My all-rounder. Casts beautifully, excellent balance. I'm continually surprised at how well it performs -- especially in windy conditions. Winds were pretty high on both Two Hearted and AuSable and I had no trouble covering the water I wanted to. I think a real strength of this combo is that it's well-matched; the reel complements the rod and the line (Rio Gold is AWESOME) is ideal for the rest of the package.

TFO Signature Series 7"6"/3-weight/Ross Flystart/generic Ross line

On small streams, I have tons of problems with 9' rods - lots of flies lost in trees. Two casts in on the upper Two Hearted with the Scott, I realized I'd selected the wrong rod. So back to the truck for this one - MUCH better. It was also perfect on the very-small Blind Sucker. Great for short casts in tight cover. I didn't put much money into this one, but it seems to outperform my expenditure. Another bonus -- TFO rods come with a lifetime warranty. Nice!

Orvis Clearwater II 9' 8-weight/Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor V/Orvis Wonderline Steelhead

Originally set-up for indicator steelhead fishing, I now realize I'll get a lot more use from this big monster. It's outstanding for chucking big bugs - streamers, bass poppers, and more. And I love it for steelhead. The Orvis BLA reel is a solid, reliable performer, even in the coldest winter conditions. A recent deal on a Scott S3 in 9'6" means this one's getting an upgrade, more on that later.

I feel like I've found the perfect quiver for most of the conditions I'll have the opportunity to fish in Michigan. For relatively little money, I'm assembled a set of tools that have served me well and should enable me to pursue most species in most settings.

-Sean-

Summer Camp

Loving rediscovering camping. Did it a lot as a kid with my family and in Scouting, but haven't for a number of years until last summer. I don't really need a week backpacking the Tetons, but I'm digging overnight car camping. It's fun, it's low cost, and it puts me close to good fishing and mountain biking options.

Camping also appeals to the bargain-hunter side of me. My $12 tent has served me well, albeit not in any major rain yet. And $10-15 per night for a campsite is a fraction of the cost of even the cheapest hotel.

One place I did splurge was on a better sleeping pad. A nice thick pad from REI (http://www.rei.com/product/778152) was just the ticket. Found I wasn't sleeping very well on the cheapo I bought at first.

Maybe my favorite part of camping is campfire cuisine. Somehow the idea of building a fire and cooking my meals over it appeals to me. On my Two Hearted trip, dinner was a perfectly grilled steak, grilled asparagus, and roasted redskins. Yum! All turned out perfectly -- probably helps that I do a fair amount of grilling on charcoal at home. In the morning a cheese and bacon omelette was perfect fuel for a day on the river. Was speeded up the the arrival of the rain though! Growing up I had a Scoutmaster who loved doing dutch oven cooking on our Boy Scout camping trips. I remember being really amazed by some of the things he made and how good they were. Also his commitment to lugging that heavy piece of cookware everyplace!

I think the next investment may need to be a little better tent though. Mine's pretty small, and the flimsy fiberglass poles are starting to show their use. Probably a good item to look for a deal on over the winter.

-Sean-