That looks great!!

What length are the tubes?

Do you have anything securing the rods in if it happens to tip? Small bungees over the back of the reel, or velcro straps across the top of the tubing?

I have some leftover tubing very similar I used to make fly rod tubes, I’ll have to give this a try. I always seem to have an extra rod or two, or three….leaned up in my portable when switching presentations, this would be a nice quick way to stash them. I never liked putting rods in and out of the bags constantly.

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They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. It looks like a CJS diamaond jig to me. At that cost I’d just buy the original. You can’t beat the paint quality on CJS

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+1
first thing I thought was a gill pill/diamond jig hybrid.

yeah, i would think the 2/3 is best. I have a 4/5 but as I said use it for fly fishing as well. If you have the chance, stop by somewhere that carries them to see what fits your hands best. If you have larger hands, a 4/5 may work better.

Overall, I think you’ll be happy with either size, the SLV is a great reel for the price.

I checked out the Ross Flystarts at a local store just the other night. Metal components but felt very cheap. I would spend a few extra bucks and get an Okuma SLV. I have used one for both actual fly fishing and a few times out on the ice this year and highly recommend it. I would definitely spend the few extra bucks. Guys on here have also recommended the Cortland’s available at Thorne Bros.

I’ve had good experiences with both P-Line in 2lb and the Berkely as well. I believe they are both Flourocarbons, may be the ticket

Definitely hard to beat the demons. I’ve had times where nothing can compare.

A few years ago I started making some custom jigs. It’s a lot of fun when you can’t get out on the ice. As Bob said, you really need to make large quantities to start saving money, and you for sure won’t stop buying a few jigs everytime you swing by Gander or a bait shop.

Check out Jann’s Netcraft; http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/ice-fishing-blades/

They don’t have anything like the demon, but I have had great luck ordering parts for anything from jigs to fly rods.

Good luck and have fun.

Amen Ice Man !!

Found some ice in CO! Finished my morning deer hunt and on the drive out, a local pond (near Golden Gate Canyon State Park in CO) had 4-5 inches of nice, clear walkable ice and two people out fishing. Went home and got my ice gear and headed out.
I fished for about 2 1/2 hrs, ended up with 8 10-12in Rainbow (kept 3) and 4 suckers. Kept 2 bigger suckers to freeze for Lake trout bait later this winter.
Man was it nice to get back on some hardwater.

Can’t wait until some midwest pics are up on the board. I’ll be back in MN over Christmas will hopefully have a chance to get out.

Here’s to another ice season

Those look great. I’ll have to raid my fly box this winter. Rather have a big gill or trout tear them apart than lose more in the bushes next spring….

Would these work well under a Slip Dropper from CJ&S? Attract w/ the dropper and get a finicky fish to strike on the fly?

I bought Costa’s last year with blue 580 glass lenses, leaps and bounds better optics than I had with my previous polarized Oakleys. I believe the frames are the Swordfish (’08 model). I was able to find them online for $89.99, can’t pass that up!! I have a smaller sized head, so I would stay away from that frame, but you can’t beat the lenses.

Do you have a Batteries Plus in your area? They will take and recycle them for free, just walk in the door and drop it off.

Over the last few winters I have built 4 rods using the st. croix rod blanks and absolutely love them. I bought all of the supplies from Janns Netcraft. I put on the graphite tennesse ice handle. very light and extremely sensitive. The kit comes with the cork end caps as well. I just use electrical tape to attach the reel. IMO this gives a lot better feel than my rods w/ a reel seat.
As far as guides, i used standard Fuji guides w/ a metal insert, a little larger than typically come with off-the-shelf rods, and have used a fly rod tip. The fly tips work very well, as they fit the small diam. tip of the blanks, yet have a larger opening so they dont ice up.
The only blanks Janns had when i was buying the supplies were 28″, and I have used the medium and light actions. The medium are great for wallys, and i love my light for panfish. I would prefer a 24″ in the light actions though.
Good luck, and have fun. Its awesome to catch the first fish on a your custom rod!

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Then you’ll need a scout, a 2 man flip, a power auger, a hand auger, a heater, a flasher, a camera, some cable structure, a dozen tip ups (get the Beaver dams), then the 4 wheeler and trailer to haul it all and you are good to hook.

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You forgot all the tackle (jigs, plastics, spoons), gps, snosuit……..

If you’re looking for just a tub to pull gear Otter has a great lineup. Many different sizes and depths to choose from. Easier to find in stores also. I bought a “wild” series tub last year to pull when I didn’t want to lug out the Fish Trap X2. Fits the Auger and gear very well. The wild series is a little more shallow and lighter weight plastic. Great for warm days and long walks….

I have had a FT X2 for the past two years and absolutely love it. I have also fished out of many otters and wouldn’t think twice about buying one of those either. The fishtrap has very comfortable seats. I am mixed on the bar in the middle. It does get in the way every once in awhile, but being able to adjust the seats left and right and remove one if fishing alone and sit in the middle of the house is very nice.

My old shack was an eskimo, and I would not recommend one. Very shallow sleds, which made it tough to pull/tow in snow, skinny poles, and the padding on the bench seat was pretty bad. I ended up getting some cushions from an upholstery shop.

Good luck on your new house! I wouldn’t buy anything too soon though, otherwise the ice itch will get pretty bad You’ll find yourself setting the thing up in your garage every couple of days

I know when I was looking there were a few different lines in the Wustof brand. The classic is what I went with, which are forged. But I beleive the step below, the “Gourmet” line, were still pretty pricy yet stamped. I will have to double check on that though.

I have always heard that the steel works best. Works great so far for me

Update: Looked into it and the gourmet line are forged as well….

I completely agree w/ Whittsend. You’ll be much happier if you go but one or two nice knives over an entire block full of cheaper knifes. A good santoku/chefs knife is key. Wusthof, as mentioned before, will run you about $100-150 a knife for the larger, main knives. I would also make sure if you are spending the cash to buy a forged knife over stamped. Much more durable and will retain an edge a lot longer.

One other small piece of advise, make sure you handle the knife before you buy it. Nothing worse than to have an extremely sharp knife that isn’t comfortable/fitting in your hand!

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Dose anybody have a 90 e-tech that I can borrow I just want to look at it I’ll give it back when I’m done?

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I don’t have one, but if I get the profits from ticket sales from this site a lone I may go buy you one!

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Put me down for a couple of tickets!!

almost forgot…we cooked it at about 300* for 65min, turned 4 times. One wasn’t sealed up on the end well enough and had a little flare up. Other than that, easy and delicious!

MMMMMMMMMMM….
glad you guys talked me into it. Made 6 ears tonight w/ 3 slices of bacon on each ear. this reciped was great! The corn was not soggy at all and the bacon was nice and crispy.

Thanks for the recipe Stickboy and recommendations guys, it was well worth it

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the insurance companies will only give a certain amount on claims like this at first, in this case just under a grand, and then once he goes and buys gear and turns in the receipts for the newly purchased stuff will they pay out the rest of the claim.
I don’t beleive he is needing to provide receipts for all of his old stuff.
If thats the case I’d be screwed on just about everything I own

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I never get invited to the Highlands of CO!

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Not too many cats in the rivers out here.

Although the CO record channel cat was caught last week in one of the reserviors, 37″ and 35.22 lbs.

If I remember correctly, this is how BK ice fishes

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4-wheelers and firearms. Does it get any better???.

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Well, you could add that when the wheelers and firearms are put away, the cooler full of BEER comes out!!
Then I think we can all agree it doesn’t get much better.

Man what a nice fish
My PB 12″-er would be bait for that thing.

Guess I’ll have to move back to the midwest if I want to start catching some real fish!!!

Looks pretty nice

Did you use spray paint or do you have a spray gun?

Nice fish and a great story!!!
The smiles say it all. That is a story they will both remember for a long time, congrats to all three of you

The kid was pretty good. Beats half the people I pass on the way to work everyday!

Pretty cool video!
I used to know a guy that would do the same thing for golf balls, clean them up and sell them to me when I worked at a Play It Again in college.

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Might have to find the right people for the wedding too.

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I’m getting married in October and I’m not sure I could pay my buddies to do that!!

Would be pretty funny to watch though…