chowder

The rifle side of my hunting personality has had a very practical face for a long time. I bought these two long range rifles ( Savage model 12 heavy barrel 22-250 and the Savage model 11 Long Range Hunter 308) to sort of 'feel' my way into this long range shooting stuff. Because one of my sons is into this with me I put what I'd really have to call a 'long range predator/varmint scope' on both rifles so we each have something to use for the predator/varmint side of things -obviously the 308 is overkill but I wasn't going to buy another strictly predator/varmint rig and I have wanted a true long range deer rifle for some time. The Bushnell Elite 4200 is a 6-24 X 50 and the Mueller on the 22-250 is a 8.5-25 X 50 and they are fitted with aftermarket scope levels. These scopes are heavy & cumbersome but that's ok because the rifles are set up w/ swiveling bipods and we are shooting them prone, using a rear support. My stand/ free hand rifle is now a Savage model 11 270 with a 3-9X50 scope, I had a 7mm Mag with a 4-12X50 but the recoil was starting to bother my aging shoulder on the range. I guess I've always kind of thought that something along the lines of a 3-9X50 scope really handles the typical range of White tail rifle shot opportunities in the North East really well. The new Vortex FFP scopes seem like they might be the best value in the high end scope market right now but it's going to be bit before there will be much real customer feed back on what appears to be some amazing technology. I do think it is important to decide how often you will need a truly adjustable scope for shots over 250 yds because it's gonna have so much impact on the choice of magnification, reticle type,etc. Certainly either one of the Zeiss scopes you mentioned seem like really excellent and very practical choices to me. What kind of reticle choices do you have with either of those scopes? The thing I'm seeing about the longer range shooting is the need to have rifle and load ballistics etched into your head so you can simultaneously adust the scope's range for parallax, dial in the distance and prepare mentally and physically for the shot. For some reason my 16 year old son, who didn't have any bad shooting habits to get rid of, is doing better than me so far -Andy

Bushnell Elite 4200 mil dot w/ side focus & tactical turrets (spend what you spent for the gun on the glass). I'm sure I should have dug a bit deeper and gone w/ a truly top end scope w/ a FFP reticle but I bought this rifle for doe management & realistically I'm just not going to shoot at a deer much past 400 yds ( I just don't see myself doing the 1000 yd competitive stuff at this point in my life), so I held back a little. The scope dials up & down very consistently and the zero is easy to set and return to after longer shots. -Andy

True but it helps. I run with fluoro. to cover all water clarity's you're going to encounter fishing spring browns. I really think what Hank said is a good idea to keep in mind + I use my flat line, light action rods for waldos & bows & other stuff. I would suggest you try and think about having a few combos that are more or less permanently set up for this kind of action. A couple pairs of Daiwa 27 LC reels and Eagle claw ML or L rods spooled w/ light line/leader will find lots of things to catch if you use your imagination. -Andy

Good to see you are right back after them Matt - I hope you didn't have to bring in any of those rod,reel & fish 'doubles' . If you need any help figuring out line,etc for those dipsy combos don't hesitate to shoot me a pm or call.I sent you a PM w/ a link to the inline boards. -Andy

I've been using the regular Seaguar InvizX main line (8lb) for my leaders. It's cheaper than the 'leader' spools and seems to be excellent. Last year I tried to compare it to the Drennan FC leader material I've used in the river and I can't see that there was much difference but I wasn't able to get out a lot last April either. As others have said DO NOT USE VANISH or your fish will too ( that stuff should be banned from the shelves) -Andy P.S maybe it's overkill but my flat line reels are spooled with Maxima Ultra Green.

Awesome to hear things are turning around! -Andy

Sounds great & I STILL HAVE PLENTY OF VENISON SAUSAGE ! How much advance notice do you figure we need to give on the sleeping quarters arrangement? I talked to Hank yesterday & forgot to mention needing a slip but I'll send a pm asap. Really looking forward to getting up there! -Andy

I took "On The Lam's" advice last year & got the Savage 10 predator heavy in 22-250 & put the Mueller scope on it. Its shoots either the Remington accutip 50grain or the Hornady superformance 50grain like a lazer. As great as this long range rifle is though do heed "711's" advice and have somebody with you with a shotgun loaded w/ buck shot or mag turkey loads. We just couldn't get out much after the dogs this winter but we made 3 missions and my boys dusted a yote circling around to our rear each time (never had a good shot w/ the fancy new rifle!) Don't forget to bring a change of underwear- having a 3.5 inch Remington 870 go off 15 yds behind you can be a little unnerving! -Andy

Sounds like I'll be going out of L.P. If I get over to Cayuga early enough on a weekday I might shoot down to the s.end for a pass & see what happens, otherwise I'll scout around upper lake. One way or another after April 1st, I think I'm gonna be after the browns on L.O. -Andy

From other posts it sounds to me like Long Point and maybe even Myers would be open. Is this right? Thanks, -Andy

Great looking fish guys! -Andy

Nice report WTG ! -Andy

Sorry to hear about the troubles out there today. We headed to the middle and went north so we missed the whole show. Glad you guys got in ok & glad I got to meet you at the launch. Better luck next time! -Andy

Got in a bit of fishing with Matt (Silver Bullets) today. Hooked up too many immature LLs from the drop off to the Plant so we looked elswhere for bigger fish. Couldn't really get anything going but we managed 1 decent LL on 8 colors(blue/silver spoon) out in 250fow and one good laker on 4 colors(orange/yellow spoon) over 350fow. So a couple fish dinners for the family & a nice day on the water with a new friend from the LOU - you really can't complain about that! -Andy

Nice going Sean! Happy anglers in March= a good season chartering. -Andy

Barring bovine intervention I intend to launch a mission on Cayuga or Seneca on Sunday & need a copilot who does not mind fishing out of a smaller, open boat. Pm me if interested. -Andy I've had a bunch of PMs & think I'm all set -thanx to all!

Ken, that's not too shabby for an 'off day' I'm thinking about Cayuga for Sun - I'd like to go out of Long Point but I'm guessing it's probably still iced up. -Andy

Hey Nick have a good one& don't stay out too late - you gotta teach in the AM! -Andy

I've got a Starcraft Islander and it has been an affordable and pretty versatile rig but here is the boat that really looks like it will do it all http://www.deweysmarine.com/products/he ... tsman.html -check out the little video of this thing 'running' What's life without a little wish full thinking

WTG guys, nice job of staying on em!

Hoping & praying for the best. -Andy

I launched at Clute Park on the south side of the bridge( east shore of the canal). As far as launching solo I launch my Starcraft Islander alone all the time (about the size of your boat, but aluminum). I have a good bow line which I secure to my bow cleat and I just coil up the line in the back of my pickup and tie w/a simple pull free knot to one of my truck tie downs. lugs. When the boat floats gently free of the trailer I just pull ahead, get out and & get in the truck bed & pull the rope free and secure the boat to the wharf.

Now I have to get the Islander out of hibernation so I've got shakedown no. 2 coming up asap. At least she has an AP so hopefully I won't be doing circles while I'm going thru the rest of the seasonal happiness! -Andy

Started off w/ what must have been fuel problems, get past that then I get my first fish of the season, a decent LL, into the net and lay the net in the motor well so I can grab the wheel and straighten out the boat but when I turn around the fish has released itself, oh well! 2cd fish breaks the rod tip (recently repaired this rod tip guide & must have stressed the glass), then the line gets fowled in the tip & the tip gets fowled around the rod so when the fish makes one last dive - SNAP goes the fluoro! Did finally get my act together somewhat by the end. Got a decent brown in tight and some 3-4lb LLs from just after the Tiki bar to the point past the plant. Got them on 4 & 6 colors on small Yozuri sticks. Got 1 larger Salmon & 2 decent lakers out in 100-130', down 80'+ on ff combos, blue & silver worked best for me.Kind of a rough solo shakedown but at least I'm back in the action ... Forgot to mention that I launched in the canal. It's doable-not great but ok. Do watch out for debris in the flow way out past the bridge, there is some pretty good sized stuff floating around well out into the lake & most of it is very hard to see!

Thanx for the report! I hope to be out on Tues. What were you running for short cores, 5 & 6 colors? -Andy