Ask JD: Oars, Camera Flash issues, Steelie Plugs, Nets & more!
November 17, 2007
Okay, on to the mail bag…here are some questions from the readers. If you’ve got a question for me about fishing — or anything else — zip me an email.
Hey J.D., Saw the picture of your drifter and now I don’t feel so bad. LOL! Anyway, I need some new sticks — what do you have and do you like them? Thanks, Jerry
Jerry, I saw something on the news today that really made me feel old — the band Duran Duran is having its 30th anniversary this year. Wow — I’m sad to say that they were really popular back when I was in high school!
Anyway, for those of use who lived through the stuff that’s now called “retro,” the best way to go with oars is wood shafts — the continuous fibers of wood flex better than the hollow tube design of composite shafts. That forgiving flex of, say a Sawyer Lite wood shaft, is easier on our aching –and aging — joints. Add some Sawyer Dynelite carbon-fiber blades and you’re in business.
Watch for the February 2008 issue of Salmon Trout Steelheader for an article I did on changing out the old blades, which you may want to do if your shafts are still serviceable.
JD, I know how to tie a sliding hook rig for mooching/trolling but am not
sure how to tie a fixed hook rig for the same purpose. THANKS!! Capt. Salmon
Hey Capt. Salmon….thanks for the email! Check out the “Videos” section of the webpage and click on “Pimped out Egg Loop”…that will show you the steps.
JD, I’ve had some problems with my Olympus point-and-shoot camera. In the fog the other day, my fish pictures were all washed out because of the flash. I don’t know how to turn the flash off — or if I even can. Talk to ya later, Jake
Jake, Just override the flash….hit the lightning bolt button until you see an image of a lightning bolt with a circle and a slash through it….
Hi JD, Enjoy reading your articles and watching your videos. I’ve been curious about drifting with plugs for steelhead so your article was timely. You mentioned the colors but not the size. I plan to fish the Feather River in the YC area. What do you recommend? BTW, when drifting down river, how far out do you recommend the line should be and how fast of a drift should I use? Also, should I use weight to get the lure down some? (Is a follow up article in order?) Thanks again, Frank
Frank, for the Feather, I like gold No. 50 Hot Shots. Run them 50 feet behind the boat — max. Speed should be 1/2 to 1/4 of the current’s speed. Never add weight — the lures won’t run and you’ll get snagged a lot. I’ve got a plugging article coming out in Salmon Trout Steelheader Magazine in Dec or January (can’t remember which).
JD, are you single? If not, your wife is a lucky woman. You can take me fishing anytime. Ashley
Okay, so I’m blushing at the moment….thanks for the nice words…you made my day! I am, however, happily married. Just one question for you, though…where the heck were ya when I was single??
JD, What do you recommend for a good catch and release net? I fish year round for steelhead, but I also chase kings and silvers in the fall. I bought a Gibbs GCR-44B on line, but after receiving it, it thought it was a bit on the small size – not deep enough. –Scotty
Hey Scotty, for steelies, I use a Promar LN-501 (www.promarnets.com) . Nice big bag, soft, no-knot mesh. I don’t know the Gibbs one you ordered, so I can’t tell you for sure if this one is bigger, but I’ve had great luck with it. Hope that helps!
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