I wasn’t able to make it up there this year. Without a doubt the river is my favorite fishing of the year. How were the lines/crowds at the boat ramps this year? Thx

Thanks for your help guys. Good stuff.

It has the original motor on it. 35 HP Evinrude. But in order to slow down enough to back troll it needs a trolling plate.

I recently purchased the St Croix 7′ Light – medium fast action pan fish rod. Two guys who do a lot of pan fishing told me I’d be happier with that than an Ultra light. I’ve handled about 150 fish with it so far and it’s been a dream. One thing I’m glad with is that I went with the longer rod. It helps mend line in a hurry for hook sets and throwing the real light stuff.

The medium gives me the ability to handle a bass or two during the day. I’d love to try the UL some day.

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What happened to Granrud?

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If you want to know more about what happened to Granrud there was a post about him a week or so ago on the General Discussion page. It’s already rolled back to page 8 or 9 by now. Interesting read. I think it’s the only time I’ve seen a topic get locked out…….

Shimano has updated a number of reels. I’m told that the Stradic CI4 is one of the next in line for upgrade.

They’re not getting rid of the reel. Just improving it. I’ve been told that by several different stores, so I’m hoping it’s true. CI4 is a GREAT real.

Great video guys. Really enjoyed it. Was fun watching you dig that crappie out of that 5 inch hole. Figured the fish would fit, but wasn’t sure if you’ld get your arm back out…..

Please share what size My-moon jig are you using. Thanks

I got one as a gift. Great cooler. Keeps ice well. With the rubber locks it’s not easy to get in and out of. Other coolers are easier to use when/if you’re just trying to reach for a cold pop when in the boat fishing.

Big reason I like it is that you can stand on it and use it as a casting platform. When I slide it up against my existing platform it almost doubles my fishing area. It has a non skid base so it’s perfect. I’m a pretty big guy and it handles my weight. An Igloo wont do that.

Ice fishing with a Vexilar is one of my favorite activities. Do you know anyone that’s tried putting a flasher on their boat? Just curious if a moving boat will give you the same level of detail you get from a stationary position? Will it work? Thanks

I’ve had both brands. Both are outstanding. I’ve had zero problems with either one.

I tend to gravitate towards the Humminbird because of two features. You can highlight a depth range for trolling. Since I live on a lake that fluctuates water level the feature that allows me to reset the map for conditions that day is important.

I’m an amature when it comes to using side scan. One negative on the humminbird is my friends all use Lowrance. This means when I have a problem I don’t have much help figuring it out. Minor deal, but “friend support” always helps.

I haven’t looked at the new features this year so would research the 2012 upgrades before I made a final decision. Good luck.

Any problems with the plastic parts? Some of the reviews I’ve read complained about them being a problem. Not just the propane Jiffy, but the gas one too. Especially in the colder weather.

My best friend told me once that “They didn’t save any buffalo for me”

Personally I’m a catch and release guy which tears me up when I’m pulling huge crappies from deep water on Rainy Lake. The mortality rate from deep water is sky high no matter what tricks you try. Everything goes in the bucket from 30+ feet

Anybody use the Jiffy propane Pro 4? When they first talked about it was supposed to revolutionize the ice auger industry. Were they successful? Or does it have too many platic parts?

I’ve had one unit in twice and the other once. I’ve thrown a lot of money at the problem. Both times the guy blamed ethanol and old gas. After the first time he told me this I started using non-ethanol gas. Hard to find, but I found it.

I’m careful with the gas and oil I use. I run all the gas out after each trip. I’m not leaving gas in the tank plus I’m running it all out. My last visit to the repair shop I had him run it before I put it in my rig. It ran, but not well. It’s just runs like a mule.

I’ve fished with guys who’s small engine skills surpass mine, but they’ve struggled with it too. I swore today that I’ve pulled that rope for the last time….

I was told at the propane ice auger may be tough in bitter cold weateher. Have you been out in any real cold weather yet? Any concerns?

Cabela’s has the Slender Spoons for sale on clearence. Check their web site out. They have most of the bigger stuff in stock, but the smaller lures are on back order. Great price though if you have time to wait.

Another great place is Woody’s Resort. It’s right on the lake in Ranier. You can fish the main lake or if you’re adventerous you can run up to the north arm into Canada. We’ve even trailered down to the river to fish. Place is clean and prices are reasonable. Favorite part is you can get a frosted beer in the pub when you’re done fishing.

Woody’s has in room cooking plus it’s close to town if you want to run in and have a nice meal.

Suggest you hire a guide if you have the cash or it’s your first trip up. Woody will mark a map up for you too. He and his wife are good people. Good luck.

If I buy the version of the Marcum will I still create interference with people using Vexlar in the same fish house? The guys I fish with have warned anyone who goes with a Marcum they will have to fish outside due to interference.

Will that problem go away now?

I lived 13 years in Great Falls. Helena is a fantastic location. Good walleye fishing in Holter Lake. Suggest you learn how to fly fish too. Helena is centrally located for fishing the Three Forks, Holter Resivoiur and different stretches of the Missouri river. Fantastic deer/elk hunting. Bird hunting is fantastic. SW Montana offers great fishing too. Suggest you join a service club. Optimist, Rotary or Lions club. This will help you find friends who hunt/fish quickly. Access is the key. Public lands are excellent, but private lands are even better. People are very friendly. We found it very easy to make freinds. Great skiing out of Bozeman too. Good luck!

Any U Tube clips?

I was mistaken. Turns out I’d purchased my Humminbird unit from Reeds. My bad. Sorry.

Problem I was having was when I was recording my trolling track I’d catch a fish. By the time I brought in the fish, reorganized and got going again I kept messing up my recorded track. I haven’t done this yet but a guide told me to put the trolling motor in the down postion, then raise it up in the air so the blade is out of the water. Hit the record button and use the big motor to run your track. This allows you quickly program a clean track into the Terrova. Works especially well for long / complex trolls. Looking forward to trying it.

Thanks everyone. Today I opted for door number 3. On a “hope and a prayer” I went back to Cabela’s and they replaced the remote no questions asked. I take back everything bad I’ve said about them the last year! I felt like it was the good old days. My thumbs are still bruised from pressing in that broken button…….but I’m a happy camper.

I was staying at a hotel where a mom and baby ducks jumped into the pool. Caused quite a stir with the hotel guests when the ducklings couldn’t get out on their own. I put a branch in the pool and they climbed out only to jump right back in three more times. Each time they’d go into panic mode trying to get out. My favorite animal rescue was in Montnana. We were backpacking in Glacier National Park at a place called Hole in The Wall. Two girls came into camp screaming. They’d gone to the outhouse only to find a Marmot trapped in the bottom of the box. The poor thing had been there a while and was screaming to get out. I found a long branch and stuck it into the hole. Before I even had time to step back the Marmot came flying out the hole like a bullet. Right up the tree, up my arm and over my right shoulder heading on his way home. The shirt took a major hit. Needless to say I couldnt’ wear the shirt anymore that trip!

I used to fish spring salmon the Columbia River out of Portland. Boats were stacked up like cord wood fishing in tight circles. There were lines you couldn’t cross or the game warden would bust you. All the boats took turns fishing counter clockwise up against the imaginary line. We were fishing with a guide. I’d just commented on how cool it was that people could do this without crossing lines. It was like we were all dancing to a waltz. Then I noticed half the fishermen had hand guns/shot guns visibly mounted in holsters on their steering consoles. I could’t believe what I was seeing. Scared the hell out of me that you could get shot while fishing… but it was amazing how everyone figured out how to get along…..

I don’t like to bash Cabela’s, but they seem to be getting worse every year. Lot’s of dumb rules. Their prices arn’t nearly as competative as they used to be. The check out lines are horible. Lately I’ve had a lot of success shopping on line at Reed’s.

Ditto. Mine just ran out too. What’s sad is that I didn’t even use it. The deals they offer have really gone down hill. They used to let you buy gift certificates. Then they stopped letting you do that. Then they cut the discounts. We used to make “Cabela’s run” during lunch. We’d have 3 or 4 guys. It was a lot of fun. Talk about screwing up a good program….

The Cabela’s Guide Wear gear is top shelf. They stand behind their product. Last year I had a liner in the jacket come unstiched. Intead of my arm going down the sleve the liner seperated from the outside jacket. They replace the jacket no questions asked. I even offered to take a price adjustment but they refused. They just gave me a new jacket.

Two of my all time favorite casting baits for Northers are a simple Johnson Silver Minnow tipped with frog legs pork rine. Go with the middle size. Dont’ want to go to small, nor do you have to go super big. Kills them every time. My second favoite is a #5 Meps spinner bait. Chartrouse, gold or Orange blade. Good luck.

Thanks James. I sent them an email adn they replied that they will start the internet sale on Monday and run through Thursday. Thx