Recent content by Tinker

Front or back side?

And a well-spent two cents it is! Everything you said I found to be easier to do when paddling, but that's just me. You can't always jump out to wade. Sometimes you're going to end up butt-deep in mud - don't ask me how I know. I know the abbreviated pedal technique, but it doesn't work in...

I thought carrying rods in a rod holder was taboo? (I know that wasn't you saying that.) You might have misunderstood the area where that guy was fishing: there's no chance you could deploy the fins or a propeller-drive. Kick up fins won't help in water too shallow and strewn with crap to use...

I've owned Hobie's, as I said, and you are never hands-free at sea or in wind stronger than a zephyr. One hand is always needed for the rudder to control the boat in waves - even small ones - the currents and the wind, and even then, a rudder is hardly any help unless you're moving (I had a...

I use a spey-like setup when kayak fishing. A running or shooting line with a tip ahead of the leader. T-18 if I'm fishing deep water, or a floating tip for skinnier water. It's ever so much cheaper than multiple reels or rods-and-reels, and it takes seconds to swap one head for another. I'm...

I can get a fly stuck in the bow rigging without batting an eye - and I don't need to stand up to do it. :p I see your point about watching the fish as you play it, but I don't see it any sooner when bank fishing than when kayaking. I don't condemn the practice; I just don't understand the...

I've been fly-fishing from a kayak for nigh onto twenty years and I still don't understand why people feel a need to stand up. You can drift right over fish and not spook them, and you can learn to cast forty feet (or more) sitting down. Always makes me wonder why, if someone must stand up to...

Look on sierra.com. They have overstock reels often at a huge discount. I have no affiliation, but I've bought a few reels there. Other than that, I agree with two replies: strip the line, don't reel it in; and have enough drag set to keep the reel from free-spooling.

A contrarian point of view: If the tying kit is for you and you're just starting out in fly-fishing, you aren't going to save money tying your own flies. Learn how to use the rod and reel, then start branching out.

You misunderstand. The decline of abalone numbers is related to the loss of kelp beds - their critical habitat. That's a scientific fact you could look up, not a random opinion. It would seem that, unless you're suggesting the otters ate all the kelp, you're way off base.

No, I have not. I've been afraid of the combination of me and the rod, But I figure either I use it or I should sell it. It's doing no one any good in my closet.

I thought about the Sylk but there some folks who bad-mouth them in reviews and wandered away. I appreciate hearing from someone who for sure has used them. Thank you

I could... but three weeks ago I reached out to find the original MSRP of the rod so I could fill in the blank on my new insurance policy and haven't heard a peep. I'll try, but I was surprised about the crickets I got back from my first question. Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe it'll work...

I'm not sold on the SA taper for ths rod, but I won't rule them out. Thanks!

I have a couple of lines - not 4wt lines - that aren't to manufacturer's claims. One is lighter than claimed; the other is more than a bit heavier. Yes, it's hard to sort through the catalog offerings, and everyone here has been very helpful in pointing me in good directions. Thank you and...