Fri, 18 May 2012 01:38:47 -0800WeeblySat, 09 Oct 2010 15:06:53 -0800http://floatmasterco.net/1/post/2010/10/-the-fall-migration.html  The Fall Migration has begun in the Lake Erie tributaries due to the minimal amount of rainfall we have received in recent days past. It was enough to increase the water levels and flow rates to spark a small quantity of steelhead trout to move in and move up. Because of the lack of rain thru the summer months and early Fall, the ground is very dry and absorbed most of what rain we have received. So there was very little run-off to stain our waters with debris or wash much of the fallen leaves in the water at this point.
 I keep a close eye on the Flow & Water height charts offered by the United States Geological Survey Center in my fishing area and from past experiences I have recorded parameters on many rivers of what the fishable conditions are, at least for me.  This is what helps me minimize unnecessary travel time and guesswork. I can find out the day or night before I plan to fish, where I'm going fishing.
 This has once again paid off for me as I was fortunate to have a very successful day on 10-08-10 fishing in an eastern Lake Erie tributary in Pennsylvania. I found fish in resting points and deeper pools in the very early morning. These fish were very cooperative and eager to take a fly while presented under a float. Surprisingly to me they were not interested in any type of minnow imitation streamers but small caddis larvae nymphs and single egg patterns were the ticket. I did get a nice 28" female to net which showed signs of sea lice on her left side. I also noticed the swollen belly indicating she was developing skein. She was caught on a size 10 black grizzly woolly bugger. All fish that were caught were chrome and full of fight. Several leaps from the water after the sting of the hook gathered their attention. 
  We can expect more much needed rain to come and bring more fresh run fish in.  Try to get out while you can before the leaves clutter the water to a point where you're in contention with them. This is by far my least favorite time to fish for steelhead as the leaves rot in the water and release Tanic acid, staining the water and putting these fish into a negative mood. This is a great time to tie flies and restock the fly box to prepare for cooler water temperature fishing. Good luck out there.]]>Tue, 28 Sep 2010 06:43:38 -0800http://floatmasterco.net/1/post/2010/09/-the-time-of-transition.html  We are nearing the end of September and closing fast on the month of October.  After a hot and dry summer here in the northeast, the weather is finally delivering cooler temperatures and much needed rainfall.  As Lake Erie water temps begin to drop so do the river temperatures.  Cool night air temps have dropped down into the low 50's and even mid 40's which triggers the genetic makeup of migrating fish.  The migrating fish can sense this and begin to gather at the tributary entrances.  This is prime time to fish the pierheads and in the surf, and up to the first riffle when the river flow allows it.  This transition time period is probably the best time to hook into fresh run chrome fish that can offer the strongest fight of the year.  You will see these fish cruise the shoreline and ride the surf searching for baitfish to cure their appetite.  You will also witness fish porposing on the surface as they try to adjust to their newly confinded quarters as they swim up stream searching for spawning grounds or winter layover places until it's time to spawn.  Stripping minnow pattern streamers in the surf can be very productive. Swinging these same patterns with sink tips or even dead drfiting under a float has all paid off in the past. This is prime time for this style of fishing because the leaves have not begun to clutter the river as experienced in the later weeks of Fall.
  Start with a fresh dressed flyline and a new leader & tippet.  Use the Double Haul Cast when on the beach and surf fishing into the wind.  If the lake fishing is rough, move onto a tributary that has good flow and be prepared for the furious fight.  Good fishing to you.]]>Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:39:02 -0800http://floatmasterco.net/1/post/2010/08/-another-season-upon-us-fall-2010.html  There's another Fall fishing season right around the corner. This is a good time to go over your equipment while the summer is nearing to an end.  By checking your rods &  reels you can maintain your equipment and still have time to be ready for the first big  Fall Run.  Check your rod for clean guides and no snags inside them by running a nylon stocking thru the center of each guide. If there is a nick or a burr inside, it will snag on the nylon stocking.  Make note of the line guides that need attention and have them serviced or replaced. Check the thread wrapping and Flex Coating around them and also look for a good firm fit of the furls between each rod section. Make sure the reel seat is clean and that the threaded locking ring is working and in good shape. If  you have a hook keeper near the top of the cork handle where the rod meets the cork grip, check it for any damage along with the the thread wrapping and Flex Coating to make sure it is still  in good shape.                                                                                                                                                       
  Take time to check your reels and how well they fit into the reel seat on the rods. Do check the balance  and know which reels fit and work best for each rod/reel combo that you fish with. Do inspect the line , leader and tippet material you have, especially if  it's been sitting in your vest or jacket since you've put it away for a few months. Many  products break down and lose their original make-up after sitting for a period of time and not coated or dressed with the proper line dressings and floatants that are sometimes included in the box when purchased. If not included, then read the box and use recommeded materials to keep the equipment fresh and in working order. A good fly line is not inexpensive and when it's well taken care of will last you a long time. I try to clean and dress mine before every trip to the water, at least the night before I go. Keep your equipment in top shape and it will pay off on the days you hook those trophy fish. You just never know when you may  latch onto the next state record.
  This is also a great time to check your supply of Terminal Tackle. These are items that are most often used while fly fishing the flowing waters. Things like Split Shot, Strike Indicators, Flies, Nippers and other tools, etc. If your supplies have dwindled down and you've lost some of your favorite tools, or maybe broke a tool retractor, this is the time to restock and prepare for the Fall season. It's difficult to make proper presentations and turn your fishing into success without the proper equipment and proper working equipment. Early preparation means least frustration.
 Have a great season on the water.]]>Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:09:32 -0800http://floatmasterco.net/1/post/2010/07/first-post.html Finally have this new web site up and running. After a long search for someone who was willing to work with me and teach me how to build and manage my own web site, with no luck and at the receiving end of many excuses, I learned how to do it on my own. Which proves the old statement of  " If you want to do something right,  just do it yourself".  So here it is.]]>