Can't fish might as well shoot cans

Could not get on the water this weekend but shooting my slingshot off the back porch was an option.  Hey got to work on outsdoors stuff somehow.  This little one is a BB shooter from A+ out in CA, great little plinker and so inexpensive to shoot.  The Coke can is pretty well chewed up the Vault can I just started on.  Shooting was at 33 feet into my catch box, nice because the BBs can be picked up with magnet to shoot again.

A boat loaded with Emmrods

This was my standard load out in Canada.  Fishing rods on the decks and then a couple under the front deck cap.  All these rods, easy to carry and simple to get to for swicthing out presentations.  The boats we used from the fishing resort have always been just great for getting to the fish and fantastic for all day comfort.

Assembling my Emmrods at Oak Island

Here is a shot in the kitchen of our cabin at Lake of the Woods on Oak Island.  Easy to keep up for the week yet very comfortable for a great meal each night.  The rods are most of the ones I brought along.  The cool part is a small as Emmrods are and simple to tote in the boat they all fit with no problem.  As you can see I'm already dressed for action.  Note the kayak logo on my shirt, it's from our kayak fishing group in Florida.

Here was our cabin for the week at Oak Island Resort

I was asked what the cabins look like at Oak Island Resort.  Here is the front of ours with all of the gear week we took for the week.  We have always found them clean, simple and very comfortable.  They are a real home away from home and something we look forward to each and every year.  Nothing better on a world class fishing trip than a great place to come home to each night.  I'll see if I can come up with some interior shots too.

Jeff's biggest musky of the trip 2011 on the Emmrod Combat Rod

Here is a better close shot of the big musky from this years trip.  A real trophy fish and handled with no problem on a very small fishing rod, the Emmrod Combat Rod.  All of our fish were caught casting and retrieving baits not trolling or waiting for something to happen.  Fishing hunter style as we do it's casting shorelines, weed beds, and structure all day.  Loads of fun and very productive.  Just wish my favorite fishing kayak had made the trip.  The logistics are just a bit too much for that right now.

Gander Mountain - Jacksonville 7-16-11 Jeff and Emmrod

Kate and I met with the fishing department managers at Gander Mountain Jacksonville FL yesterday.  We will be doing an Emmrod demo with our favorite fishing poles on Saturday July 16th from around 9AM till 4PM.  For almost two years anglers in the Jacksonville area have been asking for us to come up.  It's a much farther drive from Palatka but since we have been asked so often it's finally worked out.  The store employees at Saint Augustine have been so supportive of us and the Emmrods.  After meeting the two gentlemen in Jacksonville ( Sam and Sean ) it should be more of the same.  Craig Goff one of the managers in Saint Augustine deserves the credit for allowing us to do this.  He invited us in the first time and has welcomed us back many times since.  The Gander days are loads of fun for us and the people who look at in many cases buy the Emmrods have been wonderful.  We hope that eventually Gander will take on the Emmrods as a stock item.  Nobody in the tackle industry has a guarantee close to Emmrod.  If you break one send it back for another.  No receipt required and no hassle.  Besides Emmrods are a USA product assembled by senior citizens in Idaho.  Can't get much more American than that.   I've attached a photo of our table from a prior Gander event so folks know what to look for.

Rubber butt cap on Jeff's Tackle Box Emmrod

I've used these rubber butt caps on the Emmrods for some time now.  They are inexpensive crutch or chair leg caps sold at retailers like Lowes or Ace Hardware.   Most fishing rods have some sort of butt cap and these add a nice final trim piece to the Emmrods while also providing a more secure grip and a place to tuck in the rod close for hard fighitng fish.  The cork handle rods use a 7/8 inch cap, the Packers a 1 inch size.  For cleaning they come off easily.   I like them and find them very useful.

Another Jeff's Tackle Box Emmrod secret

To catch the fish it really helps to see them.  This year in Canada I had a pair of new sunglasses thanks to some great suggestions from one of my favorite sporting goods retailers.  When we were leaving the store having done a Gander day with the Emmrods in May the young fellow at at the counter suggested looking at some new sunglasses.  He handed me a pair of Native Hardtop XPs, wow nice fit and in my favorite color amber.  These allow you to see fish that might otherwise be hidden.  In my standup fishing kayak they make a real difference between fishing and catching.  Since while in Canada I fish off the front deck of the big Lunds the glasses went home with me.  Cool thing is they also come with blue mirrror flash lens and night driving lens, such a deal.  you just switch them with a quick snap in and out.  Both extra sets store right in the top of the case so having them when you need them is easy.  These are a secret weapon for anglers who want to see the fish before the hookup.

Jeff's Tackle Box manager exhausted

Since I've gotten back from Lake of the Woods to take charge Chopper has been resting.  Seems he had no idea how hard it is to run the business.  He does not like paperwork and his keyboard skills are hampered by his long fingernails.  He said maybe next time he wants to go along and fish.  Hmmm that should be interesting, not sure how well he can cast.  He has his eye on that Combat Rod and a nice baitcasting reel.  We'll see.

Kayaks for fishing at Lake of the Woods

All week while we saw canoes we did not see any fishing kayaks up at Lake of the Woods.  However as we were leaving I saw this boat parked at the winter storage barn some of the locals use for wintering their rigs.  Hmmm somebody is thinking mother shipping kayaks to fish from way up here.  I'm pretty sure two W500s would fit into a big Lund Alaskan fishing boat like we used.  For two anglers in  the 18' size there should be plenty of room for them and still be able to use the boat for fishing as an option.  Maybe next year, I sure did miss not having the Wavewalk for some of the tight rocky areas we were in, it would have been ideal.  The trouble is getting them all the way up there then transporting them to the island.  Oak Island Resort would benefit from having a few boats on hand for a simple evening paddle around the bay or even adventures as folks might see fit to try.  The north country is currently ruled by the outboard motor, it's the most common transport mode folks use.  But canoes that held the title of top dog are still around and still a recreational favorite.  Seeing those two kayaks gave me some hope that the wilderness areas would love the Wavewalk.  Guess somebody, maybe me, is going to have to make an introduction.

Got smallmouth bass too

We caught a huge number of smallmouth bass,  The lake is known for having loads of these things.  This trip was so much fun and these fish are the ones you know every rocky wind swept point will produce.  They fight, leap, pull and really do well for themselves.  A great game fish.