Le Baron Shopping Trip

Last Saturday, I went to Le Baron and stumbled upon a No Tax Sale. The Spring Fishing Show was on and this was their response. Saves the hassle of going to the International Centre and paying the admission charge. Something to remember for next year. Bass Pro Shop also had a big sale on.

This is what I bought:
Eagle Claw Leader Links @ $2.47
- I know I should learn my knots but this works and offers a strike indicator too
Scientific Anglers L2L Line-To-Leader Connector @ $3.36
- Even more cheating
Tapered leaders from Scientific Angler 5 @ $3.18
- Trout leaders with L2L Connectors 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X
- Bass leader
Berkley 50 pound leader 275 yards @ $10.18
- a bit cheaper than a bass leader
Berkley Big Game Lip Grip @ $34.27
- I am not lipping a pike and nets are hard on them
Coast Pro Fish Pliers @ $9.94
- gotta get the hooks out of pike mouths

I know that not everyone is a fan of Le Baron, but I was able to buy everything I wanted and the sales staff were helpful, especially tracking down that Lip Grip.

I couldn't find any bibs that I liked so I bought one a Mark's Work Warehouse but I am not married to it.

Warm feet

As someone who wants to fish year round, I know it is important to have warm feet in the winter.

Asking around I got lots of advice.

Greg:
Rule #1 - NO COTTON! it just absorbs and hold moisture
Rule #2 - always wear a moisture wicking layer (polypropylene) against your skin - if you are dry you will be warmer, if you a clammy you will be cold.

Kathleen:
lightweight wicking socks (e.g. Duramax or SmartWool), topped with MEC's PolarTec fleece socks.

William:
You asked how to keep your feet warm in cold weather. I have three suggestions: wool, wool, and wool. In other words, make sure your socks have a high proportion of wool. Two pairs are better than one. Sprinkling your feet with talcum powder to make sure they're dry and a bit of cayenne pepper to promote circulation may do the trick also.

In the end, I went to MEC and bought The Ice Sock from Wigwam. They are 85% wool and 15% nylon. I've been out in ice-filled rivers and never had any problems.

Hatches Magazine had a great story on Cold Weather Angling "What you should know" by Steve Clark that tells you about keeping more than just your feet warm.

Recommend Pike Flies

I found this list on the internet:
In the 2/0-4/0 range:

• Dahlberg Divers (mega and rabbit strip)


• Spread Flies


• Fireflies


• Cotton Candies


• Clouser Minnows (red and white)


• Zonkers

Selwyn Lake Lodge recommends these:

• Lefty's Deceiver 2/0 and 3/0


• Megadivers 1/0 (wdls.)


• Rabbit Strip Divers 1/0 (wdls)


• Clouser Minnow 2.0 (red and white, charterhouse and white)


• Cisco and Whitefish Spread Flies


• Zonker #2 or 4


• Cotton Candies # 4/0


• Rainbow Flies # 4/0

Fish Ontario recommends:
Dahlberg Divers (red and yellow versions in sizes 1/0 and 2/0)

Time to catch up

You are your whole life to create your first blog posting and only about a day before you should create your second.

Lots has happened since my first posts. I got my flies from Ian Colin James. When I figure out how to upload photos, I'll show what bought.

At the Winter Hatches meeting on Thursday, I won the raffle for pike flies. Again, I need to show what I won. I was feeling lucky and really did well with all the flies I got for only five dollars.

On Saturday, I went to Le Baron and stumbled upon a big sale. No GST nor PST so I bought a bunch of stuff, I'll detail later.

But for now, I just wanted to say I watched a great episode of The New Fly Fisher featuring Bill Spicer fishing in Sault Ste. Marie. He gave lots of tips worth noting.

He talked about fishing the seams, the area between two different currents, typically where fast water and slow water meet. He also called it a "slick." He said to fFish behind boulders too. Any structure that will break the current will hold fish.

For casting, he said the down and across method is best on the river there, cast 45 degrees downstream and let it float down river.

For Sault Ste. Marie flies, Bill recommends light coloured egg patterns, black hair wing spey flies in brown or olive and black wooly worms. As always, it seems, wooly buggers work, olive, black, orange and chartreuse being the best colours. Dark colours work best in clear water, Bill stressed.

Bill added that presentation is more important than fly selection. This is something I am starting to believe is very true. Flies catch the fly fisher more than fish.

The geat that Bill recommended was a 6-7 weight rod with a weight forward floating line with a Sink Tip Line (10-12').

Pike Leader System

Ian Colin James has been using 50 pound Fireline from Berkley. He is thinking of switching to 40 pound leaders from Seaguar. That is a much more expensive solution. I'll go shopping on the weekend.

Landing a pike

I want to go pike fishing and there is a chance that I might actually catch one. What happens next? That's the big question.

Asking around I have read that a Boga Grip is necessary.

P.G. with Winter Hatches recommends a cradle. Read more ».

I think that requires two people.

Scratch and Dent List - Update

Ian just wrote me back saying that I need to only send him a cheque when the flies arrive. That sounds simple enough.

Scratch and Dent List

I just got an e-mail from Ian Colin James giving his February Scratch and Dent List. I ordered three dozen flies, almost like Noah would: in pairs. I requested pairs of Beadhead Hare's Ear Nymph and Beadhead Pheasant Tail Nymph in sizes #12 -#16 in copper and in black. Also, some Mini Puke Flies #10 in black and white. Finally, some F-Flies in sizes #16 - #20.

I know I should just fish a few patterns but many sizes and colours, but I cannot resist a sale.

There goes my bonus cheque.

Let's see if Iget all these flies as this is the first time I've ordered from this list.