Bimini Tops

Posted by Greybeard on Apr 15th, 2008 in Fishing | Comments Off

I spent the afternoon today, (very nice weather by the way) stitching up the seams of the Bimini Top on the Alaskan.  A particularly strong gust, pretty much shredded the seams toward the end of last summer.  Now that I’m relearning that old leather stitch I used to use to make knife sheaths,   I think a couple of hours tomorrow, will get the old Bimini back into operation.  (And I’m guessing the 10lb Fireline I’m using for thread,  won’t break)

preppin’ to fish

Posted by Greybeard on Apr 14th, 2008 in Fishing | Comments Off

It warmed up this afternoon and I took the opportunity to unwrap the 17ft SmokerCraft Alaskan  sitting by the garage.  It looks like it wintered pretty well.  I have a few mod’s and minor repairs to make before it hit’s the water,  but nothing to big.  I pulled the trolling motor mounting system off today,  the trolling motor I have,  just doesn’t push it that well.  I’m thinking we’ll try a small drift sock this year.  And maybe next week I’ll Ok the sportcenter to summerize the SeaRay.   12 day’s til Walleye season opens!

Knots by Grog

Posted by Greybeard on Apr 12th, 2008 in News and weather | 1 comment

Best darn knot tying web site I’ve ever seen,  If you need to knot,  see Grog.

Animated knots by Grog

Lookin’ Wintery Again

Posted by Greybeard on Apr 11th, 2008 in News and weather | Comments Off

A few nice day’s then back to crappy weather,  hmm,  guess that’s Michigan.   Today it’s 41 degree’s, with a 15mph north wind, blowing in a very humid fog,  that is just one fraction short of being rain.  I hear, to the north they’re getting a true blizzard,  and to the south it’s 70 degree’s and partly sunny.  Strange state to live in. 

Another beautiful day

Posted by Greybeard on Apr 7th, 2008 in Fishing, News and weather | Comments Off

Maybe a bit early,  but it sure felt like spring today.  We put a few minnows in the river,  with no luck.  It’s still moving fast and muddy.

I did take the time to drag out some of my new lures to see how they run on a cast.  (most of them are trolling lures,  but at least this gives me an idea).  These are the ones I dared to test in the unknown bottom of the river in front of the house.

Luhr Jensen, Rock Crawler:  moves real nice in the water,  dives like crazy!  Slowly sinks when still.

JLV Lures,  Little Shad:  looks great in the water,  floats when not being retrieved,  dives fairly quickly under a quick retrieve.

JLV Lures, Frantic Minnow:  Looks great swimming,  very controllable dive.

JLV Lures, Shallow Minnow:  ditto,  side to side wobble flashes the irredecent sides nicely.

Storm Thunder Crank:  Real nice action,  controllable dive

Rapala, Floating Minnow:  floats when still,  dives quckly with reeled in.

Rapala HJ-14, HuskyJerk:  Sinks like a rock when still,  was scare to cast into the shallows.

Berkley Frenzy FR-14: Sinks like a rock when still,  didn’t cast it out.

And finally the JLV Lures, Surface Slasher:  I was less than happy with it’s performance,  but I’m not real familiar with surface baits.  It didn’t make much commotion,  and tended to run on it’s side.  (I’m going to contact Jack about this)

There were a bunch of other promising lures that I just couldn’t justify taking a chance on loosing in the fast current.   The JLV Raptor minnow, Deep minnow, and Fatty Shad will all have to wait until we can get out into some deeper water.  I also have some Hot-N-Tots, Dave’s KaBooms, Wally Divers,   and Double Downers that I want to test,  but not in the river.  I can’t wait to dangle each and every one of them in front of a bunch of hungry Walleye.  I’ll do more on the results of that endevor after it happens.

On a Sad note:  I was sorrowed to hear that Charleton Heston has passed away.   I still have the bumber sticker that say’s “Charleton Heston is my President”. 

 ”FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS!”

~~>GB