Mick

From what I read about the new shrimp is that they don't like direct sunlight and swarm in shadows or under docks, etc. I don't think they live in open deep water( too bad as steelhead would probably love them). Maybee in the spring the color red will be hot. Not that it already isn't. At least we will have jumbo perch that are shrimp fed. That gives me an idea for the cooking section. - Mick

You guys are all right in your views. As I stated in a post probably lost long ago a spoon's action at 2 feet underwater on a checker rod can have a very different action 20 - 100 feet underwater with the lakes currents and troll direction. I think time on the water and experience helps more than anything. I would rather have the ff since that's all I got now. A speed and temp does help at the time your fishing since you can find changes in the water as they happen. That said if the lake is in a pattern for a few days checking info on fishing conditions can help out lots also.I wish I had both but that will be someday . - Mick

That's the best. My son is now 4 but he helped reel in a smaller coho on a 5 color ledcore last year on the first trip on my first boat around memorial day. He went out with us on almost every other time we got out. He even picked the spoon that we trolled - monkey puke. He wasn't sure about the waves at first but now it's fun. He says we can't swim in the water now because there are SHARKS. I keep telling him they are salmon. Can't wait to get him out in the spring. - Mick

I just bought 2 new Accudepth Plus 47's and though I haven't fished them yet I have the feeling they will work out well. That bass pro price is better than what I paid. I'm using them for 2 wire diver setups this year with the 10 foot plus Heartlands. - Mick

The oak is now totally open with just some floating ice around. There aren't any docks at the ramps though.

Thanks for the advice Yankee. Is Wilson far enough to get out there or would it be better just to go to Lewiston and launch? Gas is gas as far as I'm concerned but the Truck can go much faster than my boat can right now. Thank's Mick

The last time I was at the Pointe at the Oak was Sunday night and the only open water was from the launch ramps to the lake , but there was snow in front of the ramps and I don't think they put the floating docks in on both sides of the river until next month. Most of the Oak orchard was still frozen up but melting(guys were ice fishing Saturday, but not Sunday) so there is probably going to be lots of ice in the river for a while. There may not even be open water. I will be down there tommorrow afternoon so I can update conditions Wed. night. Remember that it's not a good idea to go out in the lake alone, as if anything happens there may not be much anyone else can do to help. Use the buddy system. I mean at least 2 boats if you can get out there. Wait a little while and there will be other boats out fishing. Those are just the conditions at the Oak. Other ports may be different. Just trying to help. - Mick

I do wish I could have seen more footage also. I only have dial up and it took too long to see the whole clip as it was. My 4 year old son loved it though. He thought he could play and catch the fish like the In Fisherman computer game I have . LOL

My boat will be at the Oak most of the year. Before it's there I will probably launch out of Golden Hill a few times (LOC) since it's 5 minutes away. I have a smaller boat so it all depends on the waves/wind. - Mick

Got the job done today. It was way easier than I thought it would be. I didn't use the spacer bar but it is attatched and it swivels. Thank's again. -Mick

Thank's for the reply. I'm about done tonight so I'll try when I get up in the A.M. Finally a day off. -Mick

A variation of this dish is going to be on our new menu at the North this year. Ingredients- Your favorite trout or salmon fillet(skin off) grey poupon (pardon me) fresh rosemary(dried is too much like eating straw unless ground) 1-2 eggs dill , thyme. Pistacio nuts (shelled) Rice krispies(or any puffed rice cereal, unsweetened) seasoned flour olive oil(evoo) if you watch racheal ray This dish does take some time to make but it's well worth it in the end. For the nut/rice coating put the shelled pistachio nuts and the puffed rice in a food processor, and puree untill finely ground. Put that mix into a shallow bowl. In a seperate bowl add flour and your favorite seasonings. In a third bowl add the eggs,mustard, and the fresh herbs(chopped fine) Take the fish fillet and rub in the seasoned four. second- take the fillet and dip into the mustard/egg/herb mix until evenly coated. Third - take the egg/ mustard/ herb fish and coat with the nut/rice mix. Now the fish is coated. put the evoo into a saute pan and heat on low heat. When the oil is heated add your coated fish and cook until lightly browned , then turn the fillet and do the same. The fillet won't be fully cooked so baking in the oven at 350degrees will be needed, or if you are very impatient the browned fish fillet could be nuked. :roll: Like I said this dish takes a lot of time , and preperation to prepare. Acompanying the fish with something as simple as honey, raspberry viniagrette, a sweet barbecue sauce, or your favorite sauce,(not tarter) , would be fine. At least this is something to wow your significant other with. I have lots more recipes to share. Let's Eat - Mick

Maniac that sounds delish. If you want to make that kid friendly put the whiskey in a saute pan and hit it with a flame and burn the alcohol off before you add the other ingredients. Just be very carefull as you are burning the alcohol as the more heat you add to the pan , the higher the flames will get. When I am making a sauce that includes wine or any alcohol at the restaraunt I always burn off the alcohol before continuing with the recipe. For serving adults that probably wouldn't be an issue and it does add more flavor if some of the good stuff is left in the sauce. Boiling the sauce will also do the trick , but it takes much more time that way to get rid of the alcohol. The more the proof the longer it is going to take. I'm going to love this forum. - Mick

For the life of me and my wife I can't figure out how to post a pic in a reply or anywhere in that matter. I can put the pic on my computer in a folder and where do I go from there? Any help would be appreciated. Thank's -Mick

Longline and chinook thank's for the suggestions. Finally a day off tomorrow.The 12 hour shifts are getting old quick. My uncle gave me a 1/4 inch tap wich he said should do the job. He said the drill bit to use is a 13/64. I do like the idea of a plate in between, but then I would have to drill the holes larger in the top of the transition plate so that the bolts would be flush. It would be much easier to do though in the garage instead of on the boat itself. My wife's going to try to show me how to post a pic so you guys can see what I'm dealing with. And no the old rivieras I have have the same crank set up but 2-3 foot booms. I actually found a broken sport troll on e-bay for cheap and modified it and I have a stock sport troll. I'll try to post a pic of that to. Thank's again guys- Mick

So just fill the holes with JB weld? I can do that. Thank's for the help guys. Just worked a 12 hour shift and I'm ready for bed. I won't be able to work on it until monday so I'll let you know how I make out. Thanks - Mick

Most off all the drifting ice/snow went further out away from shore today at the Oak. It really looked neat as the day went on. the river is still totally froze up but there is open water between the ramps and the breakwall. The town had the great Idea of piling all the snow up in front of the launch ramps so it will be a while before that melts. It won't be long now.40-50 degree temps next week should start the melting. -Mick

I think that just like some sturgeon they can live around 100 years. That thing is a monster. I believe it's hard to get a gar hooked but it can be done. Those older prehistoric looking fish are an awesome sight. The oak has lots of longnose gar in the creek across from the marinas all summer long. I never got one but my mom did when I was younger. That fish lived out of water for hours. Thank's for sharing the story.

I believe the old riviera swivel base is aluminum. I dont see any way of removing the top of the base which I want to mount the sport troll snap in base to unless I unbolt the whole swivel base from the boat. The screw holes for the cannon wouldn't hit any of the existing holes so maybee drilling and tapping it out would be the best way. I don't know off hand what size the bolts are (they are in the garage). So how would I do this ? Drill the hole out smaller than the diameter of the tap and then use the tap? I have never tapped a hole into metal before, and where do I get one. There is a small engine shop up the road from me, I could ask him. Thanks for the input guys. I'm just trying to get as much ready as asap. The old rivieras worked ok last year but the counters were shot and the clutch was slipping a little. I want to wait until I can afford a bigger boat before I go to electrics. At around $80 each for new cannon swivel bases I'm trying to just make do with what I got. Thank's again - Mick

Alright guys. The boat is out of the barn and in the driveway with the cover on.Trolling Stones is going to be the name. Now I have to figure out a way to attatch cannon sport trolls to old riviera swivel mounts. The screw holes don't line up what-soever any suggestions? A block of wood in between is out of the question. (that was my first idea). Any help would be appreciated.- Mick

On the GLA site there is a post with a link to underwater footage of salmon/steelhead hitting flies and meat off of spin docs and I think E- chips. It was very cool to see fish and the way they look at/ hit different presentations. I agree that back over 10 yrs ago I was taught that the dodger/squid should have a side to side motion but seeing how those fish waited until the action was just right on the flies AND the meat made me wonder. Less than a couple weeks and we can maybee be out there again.(If the snow and ice melts) Have fun and tight lines. - Mick

I have yet to have the fun of fishing the river but I hear of the reports from my friend weekly. One of these years I'll get the chance to brave the cold. The scenery is awesome, and the fishing is from what I hear world class. I have to put toooo much time into my land job at this time of the year to find time to get out there. Lakers and (hopefully) spring Kings on the bar. Send them east to Golden hill and I'll see ya at the spring LOC awards - Mick

With the warmer weather this weekend hopefully the ice/snow on the lake will move out so that you guys can get out on the bar. It won't be long now. good luck-Mick