A-TOM-MIK

Black divers are very popular, we use them as our #1 choice and with just about all color attractors Glow Frog Jensen's would rank #2 and again are used with all color attractors but would be favored some in overcast conditions White divers are used first am on occasion As far as matching diver color to attractor color, we do not worry too much about it, I do know some anglers who have done this however with success Tom

info via (jsmac51) In response to prior thread For 10 years now the art of running attractors & flies has accomplished what only a few tackle companies have been able to accomplish over a 30 year period on Lake Ontario. Certainly this success has not been limited to the A-TOM-MIK name, but we are proud to be a small part of history as our only goal in the beginning was to establish a name that was recognizable on our home port of Oswego. A future book is in our thoughts with helpful tournament tips and tricks, an honest critique is welcomed........ Attractor and flies are certainly what they are cracked up to be, I think you will also see them in our future, they have their place and time and when its right there is no comparison and no need to run anything else As with many "lures" that have come and gone, just about all were "popular" during certain years. Then to be succeeded by another option, at times this was for various reasons but mostly due to popularity and effectiveness The only item I recall "leaving the scene" when us big lake anglers weren't ready for it to leave was a brand of cut-bait and teaser heads (Rhys Davis), it sort of hit our market like a storm and stuck around for over 10 years. Then enter VHS and it was gone in 1 season. As for the rest of the past popular tackle options, they were usually always there, but were succeeded for one reason or another. Our teams run attractor/flies just about all year, there are really only a few exceptions, first is early spring in cold water when the Kings are in the top 50 ft of the water column, it doesn't matter how much water your over, whether its 50 ft or 500 ft. Another time is super late fall well into Sept. when the King are super tight to the rivers and in 10 to 20 fow. At times (very few) you can still run attractor/flies at these times but they are somewhat of an underdog to say the least to other presentations. The only other time could be after a major blow when we are left with ice water very high in the water column. Out of all presentations (riggers, wire divers, copper applications, etc.) the wire diver is the #1 presentation (talking over the course of a year) and the presentation that will yield success over all others. That is not saying that at any given time another presentation can't outperform a wire diver, it just works best most often. It also just so happens that the same presentation that is the #1 also is #1 with an attractor/fly. Taking Kings with attractor/flies is the single biggest staple for many of the top tournament boats on Lake Ontario. Whether a KOTL event (a series of 5 tournaments on different weekends) or a Pro/Am event (a series of 4 tournaments on different weekends) and even the smaller A-TOM-MIK Triple Crown (a series of 3 tournaments on different weekends) as well as most of the 3 events in the LOC, Spring Summer and Fall. When you rank up all these events and there is 1 main strategy that is helping these very teams win or at least "place" constantly, its proof in the pudding that attractor/flies is something you definantly want to work on, to hone your skills with and to take full advantage of the rewards with this particular technique. It just so happens the A-TOM-MIK product in conjunction to all events listed is usually the product that "helped" get these teams there and has been for quite a few years. We feel we have an un-be known edge (as I am sure other manufacturers feel also) and our top rankings help us with that thought. As trendy as a specific lure in favor can be (like the first part of this info states) it takes something special to remain on top. Our great team of staffers in many cases were our friends before we become popular. Please stick with me here as I will get to the more important stuff but I sort of like to set the stage with a bit of what I will phrase as "quality smoke" to ensure the realization sinks in. The good stuff is coming !!!! Just as a side note there will always be info floating around that veers from center from my basic log, most if not all info I share directly relates to our top Tournament and Pro Staff teams, as this is where the beginning of much of our ideas sprout. -Downspeed: For starters IMO, the single most important piece of the puzzle is finding the preferred "down" speed. At times you can have the rest of the pieces in order and still not achieve that ultimate success due to a downspeed that isn't what the fish want. Most anglers who take Kings consistently will often have all or many pieces in place, but will usually key in on speed as they realize that without the right speed, "success" most times will be hurt. Back about 10 or more year ago Walker underwater cameras had an important "era" in our Oswego area when they were in demand. A camera (after the initial amazement wore off of seeing your lure) was just another tool to aid in proper "down" speed. Keep in mind surface speed (even though can be a helpful aid) and also accurate at times, most generally will differ from actual lure or downspeed. (due to current etc.) As much as downspeed is so crucial you will still need to know "what" downspeed and when it is preferred. Different down temp and speed units will also vary from one maker to another. When talking a analog type unit or for example a "moor unit" the best starting speed would be about 2.2 mph. A digital unit like a Fish Hawk in "like" terms would be about 2.6 mph or just a bit greater. Again these are most popular speeds (for many anglers) and definitely where you want to start. It does not mean that at any given time a different speed will not yield success. If you find a different speed generated a strike then repeat it, or if you find an inside turn or and outside turn gave up a strike you can adjust "at times" as at any given time a difference in speed will work outside the normal realm of things. After downspeed can be recognized the variables become great but not so overwhelming as not to be able to get a handle on them. The info I will share from here on out all ranks below downspeed, but never does it mean it is non-important. -Attractor/fly basic "go-to" color patterns: Please keep in mind "the basics" are a limited amount of the most successful options in the big picture. Talking isolated ports and/or areas of the lake which host greener waters vs. blacker (or clearer) will all give-up a much greater array of options, all of which have a ranking of importance port specific. Basics are required, port or "water specific" are optional, always dependant upon the area you choose to fish. As I often claim, a simple white attractor (white blade-double crush glow) and a #102 Hammer fly has probably killed more Kings than any single "combination" on Lake Ontario in quite a few years. A green attractor (green blade-double crush glow) and a #41 Green Glow fly also ranks right up there with one of the deadliest "go-to" combos most all anglers choose to run While sunny conditions, a chrome type attractor and a #97 Mirage fly is also highly ranked when targeting Kings in sunny conditions Mtn-Dew on chrome or on mtn dew, with a #106 B-Fly is also a great choice in the sun To get port specific or to outline an area and then opt a color combo for that area is simply endless, like originally noted with the Dalmation combo and the custom #81 purple mirage fly, it has worked so well in that area it has been a repeated item in demand. This for obvious reasons, it works in that ports conditions and water color or ect. Variables to these listed are endless, we make all the above flies in glow and non-glow, as for the attractors: white, green and chrome blades also have endless options to variablize them to a degree. For instance the 1st combo I listed with green spots on the attractor is my best selling attractor over-all. Preferred temps: At anytime of a typical season we will take Kings from 42 degree's to low 60's. Depending on time of year often will dictate a preferred temp over another. Once a thermocline is set up we most generally will target Kings in the upper part of the water column that hosts the coldest water before it gets too warm, I like to use the upper 50's as a rule of thumb. Example: (surface temp 68 degrees), (down 75 it is 58 degrees), this reveals a 10 degree difference from top to 75 down. Weather trends which create variables in the thermocline can range from a tight break to a lengthened break. With the same example in mind say 85 down we now have 46 degrees, this reveals a 12 degree break. From "85 down" to 100 down it drops off rather gradual in comparison. Our target area would be that 75 to 85 down. However even though the lions share of Kings could be taken in that area we will always save a rod for the ice (say 100 ft down it is 42 degrees) and also will most usually at least try that 70 down known as the "soup" if its in the lower 60's. When running a typical 8 rod spread the utilization of "most of the thermocline" would be where we would start, when running a smaller spread of less rods keeping your "goodies" in the target temps would be the case. -Fly leader length: Some anglers measure this in different ways, one popular way many of us do it is to measure from the head of the fly (thread towards hook) to the end of the surgeons loop. 22" is normal but success has been had from many leader length options, shorter to about 17 to 19 and longer from 24 to 30. Stick with 22" when you start and go from there. -Presentation specifics: Stretch from ball, copper leader length or wire diver lead between diver and attractor all very important. As for the best presentation first, a wire diver: I like 8 to 10 ft. Some anglers fall into a shorter leader here than desired due to the ease of storing and handling a 4 to 6 ft leader, its easier !!! 10 ft' is a bit harder to handle and also a bit harder to net a fish, but I would rather deal with that then deal with no generated strikes due to too short of a leader. Stretch from ball varies greatly due to a few things. When fishing deep (over 75 ft down) we like to keep the "stretch" from about 8 to 15 ft off the trolling weight. When in murky or green water we will do the same, or even first thing in the am most days we will keep a tight stretch. When targeting Kings in that 40 to 70 down area of the column, and when in a clearer water or after initial morning hours we tend to stretch them out a bit, from 20 to 50 ft back. Copper lead length is pretty standard when running attractor flies, we use about 20 to 30 ft. 30# Fluor is our line of choice for both copper and wire diver leader applications. -Advanced options: -Release tension: Tighter is better, tight divers and tight black releases, eliminate false releases and increase hook-up percentages -Setting the hook: If your diver releases are tight (we use no snubber) and your black releases are tight the option of setting the hook is not an option, we do not do it !!! When a diver goes off grab the rod, keep constant tension always, don't reel when the fish is running but keep the rod bent ALWAYS, when a rigger rod goes off, get there as fast as humanly possibly, leave rod right in holder and reel hard until the rod has a very good bend in it, then same deal as a diver, reel when the fish isn't running, never point the rod towards the fish, watch your rod tip if you must, keep it bent and keep it bent good. Be sure to reel in rhythm and as fast as possible to keep up with your down stroke, this is where many Kings are lost. Keep that bend in your rod as well. I am sure most anglers are familiar with much of this, but with as many greener anglers that I deal with, the follow up to the generated strike is just as important as generating the strike in the first place. Repeatability is also a key specific, repeat depth, repeat speed, repeat stretch, repeat, repeat, repeat, can be crucial some anglers are happy with heading out on the lake wander gin around aimlessly, hey being out there beats work right? But then again for those who do not "just want to be out there" to repeat a successful act is crucial and to start off utilizing the best known techniques will start you off on the right foot. Typical spread for our deeper water fishery of the eastern basin: Regarding Oswego a deep water fishery for info Article written earlier this year: see below Invasive species, deep waters, deep preferred temps., early August 68 degrees down to around 140 ft at times, especially after a dominant NW blow. Traffic to deal with on weekends, lack of info weekly as the charters out of Oswego have set such a stage to secrecy I think at times they forget themselves what was so hot only the day before. So to take fish and take em consistently innovative presentations will prevail over time, even re-working presentations from the past or from different areas. I do however recall the days of the mid 80's when I worked the back of a 36 Egg for Captain Ed Dobie out of O-Town and all we would see on the Furuno FCV 582 were sharks after sharks, that were taking our #4 Glow Green Diamond Kings that were set about 5 ft off the ball, this in water that had a visibility in bright sun of about 5 ft. Ha................ Enter our clearer waters, where now we see a lead or black colored weight down to about 20 ft. Dropper balls from the 80's came back as thumpers in the early 00's, the use of copper on the finger lakes from the 60's and beyond when handlining for LT's was par came back into play about 6 to 7 years back as the dreaded coppers of today on LO. Mono divers to wire and/or braid and cable on riggers to even heavier braid, the list goes on.............. Don't forget your E chips or Shark weights or the black box technology of tomorrow O-Town has its reputations, bad weather par as well, tough fishing at times that each of us has witnessed. However if your a record or derby buff as I am you can recall the select instances where a derby saw the top 21 Kings range from 38.6 to 42.11 ... 1999' that's 21 Kings, or when the world record Coho was taken by Mike Stilen off the "Katy Lynn" at 34 lbs. Oswego saw the NY state record BT at least 3 times inching from 28 lbs to over 33lbs. The fall Coho fishery in Oswego is second to none, averaging 12 to 16 lbs. with lunkers to upper 20's every single year. I have seen 148 coolers full with limits from early Sept to the end. Pheww, O-Town, how many hours would a Musky guy put in at the 1000 island region to catch just one over the course of a weekend.............. a few !!!! Think stealth when in O-Town, as many of the fish have seen it all, as the fingerling Chinook reside in our pens year after year I often feel they already know what's in store. 600 coppers you say, yes they suck, there is no sugar-coating a 600 copper, but yet there are Oswego guru's who cant wait to run their 700's each weekend !!! Light line BT's in deep water filled with fleas, now there is a match made in heaven if I ever saw one............ lol Our Kings like green's and green glow, they like white or white glow (sometimes more in the early am), chrome in the sun, if you had just one rig to run and you were chasing our Kings (when deep) run an 8" white spinnie and an original hammer fly, it has been the death of more Kings than many a lure introduced to Lady O in a long time. When in the shallow of the water column (top 60 ft) same concept of colors, a diehard NK 28 size spoon killed many Kings through the years. BT's like chicken wing and also diehard as well, lemon lime in the sun when deep and more natural black/silver in higher water column but not limited to. A few great attractor/fly go-to's in O-town White attractor/hammer fly Green attractor/#41 green glow Chrome or Mtn dew/b-fly,sweet pea or mirage (sun) Hot spoons in 28 size Diehard NBK Green & Black Alewife Wire divers are the #1 presentation over the course of the season hands down Long coppers pull big fish during mid day, not many but the hogs Braid riggers hold their own and outfish cable at least 60% of the time A good spread when the top of the break is at 100' (used as example) (top of break approx. 58 to 60 degrees) Outdowns set at 110 and 120 (stretch 8 to 12') deepest outdown 42 to 46 degrees depending on how tight the break is Shute rigger in the soup at 90' (stretch 30 to 50') this does not go off anywhere near as much as the outdowns but when it does its a big guy If 30# Wire divers: (set. 2 1/2 @ 300") and (set. 1 1/2 @ 350'), one in or near the warmer stuff one in or near the ice, keep the deeper application near the deeper outdown If 20# Wire divers: (set. 2 1/2 @ 250") and (set. 1 1/2 @ 300'), one in or near the warmer stuff one in or near the ice, keep the deeper application near the deeper outdown Coppers: 2 on big boards, one off each side & one shute, we always try to mix em up even is one is firing more than the others, 400 for the soup, 450 or 500 for the top of break and a 600 or 700 for the ice. Keep in mind these coppers are all over the water column, if you are running a 400, 500 and a 600, you are utilizing an area of the water column on any given time from about 90 ft to depths of 150 on turns. Also keep in mind for those who choose to only run a single copper in your spread, at times a copper will fire 5 to 1 running it off a big board, been proven many times, ask Pete while we were at the Wilson Scotty and I begged him to move our shute copper to the board, it fired immediately (if not sooner), then twice !!!! Best of luck Tom

I'm guilty of hijacking a BW thread??? Hmmm? Can you refresh my memory just a bit and show me where ??? since you feel "I have done it more than once" "Helping out" and steering someone in an opposite direction is a bit different Then trying to play it off as "Helping out" seems a bit more lame to me Rod sent you a pm Tom

A-TOM-MIK does not carry 10's But I have seen them in the past The original company that had 10's were called "Slim Darters" They have since gone out of business as why we made our first mold back in the 80's The heavier 15.5# mold was created in 2009 We have no plans on making a smaller weight as of now But like I said there are some around Tom

jsmac51 please send your e mail address to [email protected] Usually it has more to do with a few other specifics like speed and various presentations Since the year 2000 when various attractors & flies (Jensen and Howie namely) became popular again many anglers have had their share of struggles We have heard from countless anglers for many years that their programs just weren't cutting it, but once all the variables began to click for many, you saw attractor/flies dominate in many areas. A-TOM-MIK had its work cut out trying to prove the potential that only a few new already existed. We took a very good existing product that was on the market at that time and we made it better. A small idea floating around the Oswego area in a "Tournament Harness" turned into one of the most popular (if not the most popular) trends used on Lake Ontario today. Anyway your not alone trust me, but once it starts to click and you make it all come together you will be on your way like the rest of us (: Drop me that e mail and BTW, you did absolutely nothing wrong, it's just the nature of the beast in our sport, comes with the territory and will never go away TYVM Tom as far as walking on eggshells..... a simple request was made by an angler who had followed a reports board, the request referred to a specific manufacturers product. No different than an angler asking about purchasing a Big Jon downrigger and wondering how and where to get it, then having a response come in to showcase a Cannon, if the angler in question had wanted to know about a Cannon he would of asked about it. Pretty simple The Big Jon guys and the Cannon guys will all get their chance to bring their ideas into play and answer questions on their product, why the need to hijack "manufacturer interest" ? (as it is the hardest feat to create) and will always have that high probability to create tension.

Hey Rick and Jeremy, wasn't that long ago a lynching would of taken place for an attempted hijacking of that nature !!!!! Only the said culprit was 100% innocent and was almost barred then banned for life ala. SalmonCrazy ..... to yours truly Can't imagine if said culprit would of actually been guilty, holy smokes............ shackles, public maiming the works !!!

Was wondering that myself Rick I will find out exactly what beads the guys were using in reference to the original post and our #81 purple mirage fly (: Both Bobs use a lot of green beads is all that comes to memory at the moment Like I said there were a couple different patterns of ours that were hot, the flies in question that were talked about on the report "boards" from that end of the lake were actual "purple mirage" flies, it is a different laminated film (fly material) than the stock mirage most anglers are use to, it came from Tim Dawidiuk (Howie Fly) about 5 to 6 years ago as he sold it to us for our manufacture. Will get them on our site for next season, Tom

Jeremy and jsmac51 & POPS911 This all started with Bob Songin, Bob Stevens and crew, Joe Toomey etc. Can get you guys some, will try to get it on our site in the future for purchase. (If I don't get to it please send me an e mail, will do it) There is actually a "purple mirage" fly and it was ran by all the guys that these captains converse with, it is one of our Dalmation combo's in question. Even has several patterns very similar due to success. Jeremy is correct that most anglers in the west end simply run bead colors but only due to it being the easiest way to add some flavor to our stock mirage flies that have been so good there for the last 5 years or so Bob Stevens was the 1st to pick up on it and to start running this non-stock pattern back then It has been doing justice ever since I am sure you possibly have some Jeremy, would be a #81 for staffers, not listed on our site Tom

Upkeep and maintenance all adds up, I will notify Gerry Bresadola and the deed will be done TYVM, awesome gesture Tom

Bob you have a pretty big set of _ _ts A few questions for you bud??? -Were you stressed about catching fish that day? -What do boys like these eat? -Were you ever in the headlock that day? -Is the guy in the right of the picture angry or growling? Congrats Bob on targeting a new clientele !!!!! Tom

Ray........... ROFLMAO

I realize there are a lot of opinions floating around concerning this event as well as many other events, some positive and some mixed due to participation level. I wanted to be the first to commend the owner on the "follow up" to the 2010 "end of season" E mail all of us received to who entered. Sure there are many anglers around who have ideas on how this event should of been ran or how it could be run better. I just feel it was very professional on the closure to the 2010 season Well Done !!! Please remember when comparing any event to another leaves for open windows to be critiqued. The LOC for instance that is very well ran has more experience than any other, David has dome his homework and worked the bugs out pretty flawlessly IMO The original 1000adayderby left for much to be desired out of a similar event, leaves for working up hill at best, as what the new PEDD had to follow. Tom

Nope, not while I was there, was down again tonight for about 5 minutes, still lots of Kings jumping around A couple more anglers but compared to years ago when that many Kings were around it would be a zooooooooooooo ....

The perch ??

Hi Tim, I have tried twice to get my daughter together with my son, she leaves at 6:50 am and I don't pick her back up most nights till after dark from Volleyball, or this or that, lol very sorry, will get it done as soon as possible. Trying to drag my son off the river is like pulling teeth after school lately. Ok my excuses are done He He He, will see what I can do tonight Tom

Flew by Al, unreal Thanks again to all, it was quick but a fun season over-all Tom

Spent an hour with the young ones yesterday around 4 to 5pm on the West side of the river above Bridie and below the Gazeebo, more dorsal fins than I have saw in a very long time, porpoising continuously the entire time I was there !!! If I can make it again tonight I will try to shoot a video, water was kind of low at about 3500 to 4000, but man was there a ton of fish, saw Coho, Brown's and many Kings taken in the short time I was there, unreal. A few local's stated there has been fair activity for a few days but that a fresh run had hit the river d/t the increased flow. I could not believe the lack of people !! Not all that long ago if there was that much activity taking place it would be elbow to elbow from the north to south sides of both the center wall and the west wall. I did hear that there were more anglers up-river but all I can say is the number of fish that were there last night was simply amazing, it was truly fun to watch and brought back memories from the days of old...... Lots of happy anglers dragging Kings down the sidewalk, funny but cool to see !!!!!!!!! ....and lots of "Coming Down Fish-On !!!! " Tom

Tom and Mik are deliberating http://www.atommiktrollingflies.com/photo_contest.htm Winners will be announced in a day or 2 Sold over 1000 shirts Only 21 Images entered WOW Thanks to all involved and to who bought a shirt (: Tom

Nice

Thanks again all, it gets hectic but it's still lots of fun. 10 to 12 weeks left in 2010 for pedaling our bait-egg/river products than a short bit of some much needed rest and relaxation, get through the holiday's and the welcoming to winter all mean while the gears continually turn for new ideas floating around for 2011. Some new designs in Spinnies that started in early summer can be continued as we fell short on time in 2010. Can't wait for the break and can't wait to continue, it's a viscous cycle !!! Thanks to all..... Tom

They were catching, nothing hot and heavy but Cold Steel and Hat Trick each had fish, 3 or 4 a piece around 9:30 or so Tom

There were 3 of them there today

Last time I had white knuckles was after one wild ride on my GSXR 1100 quite a few years ago Good job Capt. Pete getting us safely to port. Great job on one of the best days of our year as well !!!! Tom

Thanks to all who have followed our successes ........... Our appreciation runs deep !!!! To all who participated in a tournament in 2010 and from years past who represented us in any way, or for those anglers who made the final board of the Fall 2010 LOC, and even for those who had fish on the board that dropped, there is a 99% chance I saw your name there taken on our products. The LOC tally final board speaks volumes to us from you !!! THANK YOU !!!! http://www.loc.org/derby/leaderboard/currentadult.asp Next season we will be taking some time off from a few tournaments and plan on keeping up better, and also getting back to our reports page more often for all to follow. It has been a fast year and a fun year, where did it go? Tom