Swing for the Fences

Very excited to be making progress on getting my TFO Deer Creek switch rod set-up. Pretty much have the standard fly line rig ready. Up next is a Skagit line set-up for swinging flies. The more I think about it, the more I'm looking forward to trying this technique out more.

Swinging seems best suited to wide-open spaces where you need to cover a lot of water efficiently. I first heard of it during a presentation by Kevin Feenstra, likely one of the top guides working the Muskegon River (and a genuinely super-nice guy). At that time, I had WAY more pressing basics to master, so it sort of fell to the wayside. But now that I've got solid skills in the fundamentals, I'm very intrigued by this technique.

Doesn't seem like the tight-and-twisty Pere Marquette requires more than a standard indy rig (though I might do some two-handing with a standard floating line). However, I think this approach could be solid on the bigger steelhead rivers like the Manistee, Manistique, and could even FINALLY get me to go check out the Muskegon.

But for now, I'm in the land of considering configurations -- regular or short Skagit? Cheater section? Sink tip section length and grain rating? Fortunately, I have access to some solid advice that should help me figure out what's right for this rig.

I've long been intrigued with the beauty of two-handed Spey and Skagit casting. After a little taste with some borrowed gear, I'm eager for the coming steelhead season!

-Sean-

Ross Rules

My Ross addiction continues. Current inventory has grown to include:

• One  Momentum V for steelhead indicator fishing with a second used one likely on the horizon for swinging flies on the switch rod.
• Three CLA's - two CLA III's (one for floating lines, another with 200 gr. sink tip) and a CLA 1.5 for use on my 3/4 wt. dry rigs.
• Two Flystarts - small and medium size for back-up rigs

I am discovering that for me, spare spools end up being kind of pointless. My 6 weight trout/smallmouth rigs are a perfect example. I originally bought a spare spool for my CLA III to use with sink tips. After consideration, I decided that being able to just have one floating and one sinking rig ready to rock just makes more sense. Fortunately, I was able to return the CLA spool and buy a full reel. Now that reel will reside on my 5/6 Ross Essence back-up rod. Great for walk-in spots. Take both rods, fish dries or nymphs first, then rip n' strip some streamers to bat clean-up. PERFECT!

-Sean-

Warranty Service Required

Curious that both of my .22 handguns required a trip in for warranty service shortly after puchase. First was my Browning Buckmark semi-auto. Shortly after purchase is started regularly experiencing stovepipe jams. Initially it was with low-cost ammo, but very quickly it started happening with most ammo. A full tear-down, clean, and re-lube didn't help. So, back to Browning it goes. A couple of weeks later, it's back with no information on what they fixed. But, fix it they did. Cycles like a champ with most any ammo

Late last year, I purchased a Taurus 94 .22 wheelgun. After a couple of times out I'm noticing some lock-up between rounds when shooting double-action. Then it starts happening in single-action; can't even cock the hammer. Fortunately, Taurus has an amazing lifetime warranty, so back it goes. Still awaiting its completion, but hope this fixes the issue, as I do think I'm going to like this gun. Nice barrel length, target sights. May need a bit heavier grip as it's a bit small for my hands.

Of course, this makes me want one of the new Sig's (P220, 226 or 229) in .22. Buckmark's nice, but many plastic internals. Not so in a Sig. But, I think with warranty work completed, all will be well.

-Sean-

Chrome, Chrome on the Brain...

It's in the 90's and super-humid in Michigan lately. Yet I'm continually thinking about standing in an icy river with an 8-weight fly rod watching an indicator bob down the river. Waiting for that tug-THUMP that signals the arrival of a hungry steelhead.

This starts with the gear. While I'm pretty well equipped for a wide range of styles, I'm doing some shuffling to add another to my bag of tricks this season.

Last Spring I added a TFO Deer Creek switch rod in 11'6" to my quiver. Thanks to cooperative and knowledgeable guide Jed Litwiller, I was able to borrow a reel with a Skagit line and get some coaching on casting. Wow. Minimal effort, maximum coverage.

So this sets a chain of events into motion. Need to pick up a second spool for both my Orvis BLA V and my Ross Momentum V. Orvis will become the single-hand rod reel with floating line on one spool and chuck-and-duck (not my preferred method, but sometimes the only choice) on the other. Momentum will be dedicated to switch rod with heavier Rio Atlantic Salmon/Steelhead line on one spool. Second spool will get a Skagit line for swinging flies. My early research suggests a Rio Skagit line, but this is a complex equation of grain weights, sink tip lengths and more. Fortunately, friend, guide, and fly shop guru Mike Schultz can help me figure that one out.

With that, the program is complete. I'll be able to fish single- and two-handed indicators, two-handed swinging, chuck-and-duck, and (gasp!) centerpin. This enables me to switch up my game to the waters, conditions, and my mood. 

Meanwhile, time for some smallmouth action on the Huron,and maybe a trek North to the cooler waters for a few trout!

-Sean-

More Bike Love

Got the mountain bike out last night for a little trail riding. Much like the road bike, I love this ride! And again, I think it's because I customized a bike that was exactly what I wanted. I like to ride narrow, twisty singletrack. Not a huge fan of climbing monster hills. And, I like to keep things simple. So a single-speed 29er is PERFECT! With the possible exception of the head-scratching looks I get when I tell folks it only has one gear.

This bike's even more custom than the road bike. What started as a used 2006 SE BMF purchased from Craigslist, has been really transformed. I think this bike was used by the prior owner as a dirt jumper, so the wheels were pretty thrashed. A quick visit to Steve Sauter at Great Lakes Cycle got me rollin' on some new hoops -- Mavic TN719 rims, black DT spokes, kept the stock front Formula hub and a White Industries ENO Eccentric in the back to enable chain tensioning.

Always wanted discs, and the SE had mounts, so some Avid BB7's replaced the stock rim brakes. Now I have great power and modulation, and more freedom from mud issues. Plus, discs just look cool. Yes, that's silly, but it's my bike...

Fugly SE saddle was swapped out for a WTB Laser I had in my parts pile. Stock 41-16 gearing was ridiculous for anything but sidewalks. So a 31t Graveyard front sprocket (donated by a BMX friend who had it in his parts pile), 18t White Industries freewheel and Wipperman s/s chain took care of driveline needs. And finally, the stock generic pedals got swapped for some Sun Ringle magnesium ones with super-smoooooth sealed bearings. Maybe the best upgrade was some 5.10 Impact Low shoes. Comfy and they stick like GLUE! I'm just not up for clipless pedals on a mt. bike, so this was a nice compromise.

The completed ride climbs like a goat, tracks through corners like it's on rails, and rolls over logs, rocks and other obstacles with incredible ease. The 29" wheels took some getting used to (big wheels + big feet = opportunities for interferences if you're not paying attention) but the way the gobble up terrain makes it worthwhile. And the Sauterbuilt wheels are significantly stronger then anything stock -- 29er wheels are notoriously less strong, due to their larger size.

What's next? My guess will be Profile cranks. These BMX-designed cranks offer incredible precision and indestructible performance. But I'm holding off, if possible. Cool ride, and I'm glad I took the time to build it up to suit ME. BTW, at right is the before picture. First thing to go? The fustercluck of miscellaneous stickers!

-Sean-

Friggin' Bureacrats

This just makes me flat-ass mad. Behavior like this is what fuels movements like the Tea Party. The bigger the entity, especially in government, the dumber they seem to be. And when you put more than one government entity, it only multiplies. Yet the Obama administration seems to be throwing more government at us. And big government is SO effective -- think BP, Katrina, and a wealth of other examples.

Have we learned nothing from disastrous invasive species? Lampreys, zebra mussels, and more?

Even the economic case is a slam dunk. Illinois squeals about the "devastation of an industry". Most accounts peg the shipping impact at $80-100 million annually. While the Great Lakes fishery is a $7 BILLION annual business. That's billion, with a capital B -- over 10x.

So let's stop pushing for more studies. Close the locks, shut off the physical possibility. Then study all you want. What happens when you put a bunch of overeducated bureaucrats in a room? Nothing, and that's a problem just now.

-Sean-

Wow

I know I've plugged this one before, but if you haven't seen the Danny MacAskill street riding video, watch it now. And if you've watched it before, do it again. This just never fails to blow me away. Doesn't hurt that its set to one of my favorite pieces of music. This guy is just simply amazing.