Is there anything you would

[rmcintos]

Sleep. Unless there is some way I can combine the two, hmmmm...

I second what Benig says, music for me is more of a compulsion than a hobby.

[mandroid]

Read the paper to find another overpriced Rental Hovel.

[mando_pete]

SJennings,

( Warning, no mando content, only fishing )

I've done bonefish as well in Cozumel. They are a blast!!! If you want to fly up and help me with the musky your welcome to do so. The musky in the lake I go to are commonly in the 48" range. I need a buddy to help me from getting pulled off the boat and swallowed by one of these monsters!

I'm going to use an 8 weight rod and a metal tipplet but have not decided on a fly yet. Any suggestions? I'm thinking a frog or a crappie.

I have a two week window to catch one before they "go deep". Then it's trolling for the rest of the year.

Wish me luck ... If I catch one I believe I'll make the record books in Ohio. There are none listed on a fly-rod. I used to live in MN and caught tons of pike on my 5 weight, but I'm very nervous about trying this and breaking an expensive rod.

-- pete

[ShaneJ]

Man, that sounds like fun! A buddy of mine went musky fishing a few years ago. He tied a few really big flies (6-12" long). Some were big streamers that were tied to look like perch (not bluegill, but perch in the walleye family), some were just bright colors, and some were topwater diving flies with a Dahlberg Diver-type head. Because of their length, he tied trailer hooks on the back with wire. He'd tie feathers and hair on both hooks, making a jointed body.

I'd take a quality reel with a good drag. A long fly rod with a good drag set right on the reel will keep you in the boat and tire the fish too. I've seen people break rods on big fish, but it was the result of how the fishermen pulled on the rods. Don't pull way back and put a big bend in the rod. Keep it low and only at slight angles to the fish. The butt of the rod is where the strength is. If you lift the rod way up, you're really only using the tip. If you keep low angles, you'll put the power of the rod to the fish. Tie a brick or something to your line in the yard and see which way you can more easily move it. Don't clamp the drag down too tight. It needs to give line on the stronger runs. As long as you don't put too much bend in the rod and the drag is set right, you won't break a rod.

Wish I could be there - it'll be a blast!

[mad dawg]

Q: Is there anything you would lay your mando down for?

A: Yes -- quality time with my little family (which hopefully will grow by one, once our newest less hairy member finds us)...

[G_Smolt]

To steer us back To MPC (MandoPolitical Correctness) and avoid the wrath of the Moderator, I give you some diversionary links.

Juneau Folk Festival
Supercool festival, this year's guest artists are Bruce Molsky, Paula Bradley, and Tony Trischka. Word around the campfire is that our very own Spruce (Bruce Harvie) will be teaching a mandolin workshop. For putting the "festive" back in festival, you can't beat the Juneau Folkfest...especially the traditional Freudian Slips sunday get-together..."Brunching in fine undergarments since 1993"

Alaska Summertime Music Festivals
The Good, the Great, and the Sublime. Bring Bugspray and aspirin, 'cause an Alaska festival is like none you have ever been to before.

Now for you Fishin' Freaks, y'all should combine your 2 favorite pastimes and come to AK for a Mando-Fish tour. Just think, this could have been you...

[mando_pete]

G_Smolt ....

I'm there. Send me your address and your guide rates and we will be pickin' and fishin' next year !!!

An Alaska trip is very much on me and my wifes wish list. We can drop the kids off at Grandmas and Grandpas in Boise on the way out.

Yahoo!

-- pete

[mando_pete]

SJennings,

Thanks for the tips. I'll be using a 7 foot 9 weight rod, pretty stout.
I'll let you know what happens.

I've already attached my Springer Spaniel to the line and thrown her retreiving dummy to estimate drag. Sounds strange but was totally harmless I promise. #

I figure my chance to hook one is about 7-10% and to land it is about 2-3%.
To get pulled off the boat and drown is probably about 75% #

--pete #