Adm Byrd

I've fished the derby for 30 years, like many others it's a ritual. This year I got the boat out 2 weeks before Easter to get it ready for the season. First on the list was repair a stripped screw for my removable floor panel over the fuel tank (Penn Yan Fisherman). I brought home a small container of resin and a large drill bit to get the stripped wood out and the hole filled up. When I drilled I found out there was no wood left in that area of the stringer which led to finding rotted wood in front engine mount which led to a VERY spongy transom. By last monday I had the transom redone, 1 major & 2 minor stringer repairs done and the outdrive housing in with new boots and a new steering cable. Tuesday night the engine went in, by friday I was finishing up and trying to find out what wiring I missed for the GPS to work. 5:00AM saturday Scott comes over and we load all my unrepaired gear & tackle from last season into the boat and hit the chamer launch about 6:15. We needed to recalibrate auto pilot and then we cruised out to Bellhurst drop off. We set up 2 leadcores and one thermalcline rod and sat down to see what wasn't going to work on the boat. We gave Les (Sk8man) a call and imediately got a hit on the rig, Scottbrings in a really good fish that we run back in to the chamber (11.66 lbs). Back out and fish the rest of the day picking up my other buddy at 1:30 and we ended up with 15 fish that averaged 7 1/2 - 8 lbs. Sunday we went back to the same area and didn't do anything till 8:30 then we got a 10 3/4 lb laker. Liney and I where trying to decide wether to run it or not but we procrastinated, about 9:30 talking to Les on the phone again we get another hit on a rig - good fish, a few minutes later we got the net under a 13+ lber. We start to clear lines and the other rig gets a hit, we leave it till other rods are in and I start horsing it up with the rod still in the holder, when I lift the rod out I realize this is a BIG fish as well. Liney unhooks the leaders and next to the bottom is another nice fish. 3 times it swam out of the net but we got it in, threw it in the cooler take another lakes off the bottom leader and headed for the weigh station, Neither of us gave a thought as to how big this fish was because the first one was huge for us. We carried the cooler in, put first fish on the scales, 13.09 and Liney and I both realized that the other fish in the cooler was bigger - 13.44 with the third one being 10.78. We sort of floated on air back to the boat and ONLY caught a couple more 7 - 8 lbers for the rest of the day. Monday was more to our normal speed with 8 hits, 3 fish and one of them maybe 6 - 7 lbs. Don't even talk about derbies this was our best ever fishing in Seneca by a long long stretch. What did we do different this year? Nothing other than not being prepared at all. I don't know if I'm more amazed by the fish or the fact everything in the boat worked right. Bob

I wondered where my copy of Earl's book went. Are you hiding it in your sabre tooth blanket?

Ok I'm going to get the boat out tonight. That was the best, it looks just like Scott!!!

Les, don't forget May 13

Thanks Miss em, funny how we never forget bad / unexpected things. I'm still looking at 8' long rods that I could attempt to spiral guide, I've replaced a couple guides in the past with success but am a little concerned with John's comments on the rods with a more permanent finish. I'd hate to learn that the hard way. Bob

Thanks John, most of our opinions are formed by what we have personally expierenced and that was why I started this post, hoping to learn from others expierence. Now I want to try a spiral rod, you seem to have plausible points for the design. I have decided that I am thinking correctly in shortening my rods, I remember my adult daughter trying to keep the rod up on a smaller king, she would have been much more in control with a shorter pole. Thanks again. Bob

OK, what are you guys using for roller rods and how long are they? Bob

I know there are 2 schools of thought on dipsy rod length and we have been using a pair of 10 footers for years but my boat is 18 feet and I am sick of trying to manuver them so I want to get a pair around 8 feet long. I've read where people are using custom rods which I'm sure are excellent but I'm betting pricier than my budget so I'm asking what kinds of shorter more reasonably priced rods you're using? I wish to stick with twilly tips over rollers. Thanks, Bob

Hey Sk8man, when we going to relearn those secrets again? They sure eat better than trout!

Thanks for inviting me Les. Greast photo, I was so preoccupied with not hurting the fish that I didn't know you where taking a picture ....or I would have smiled! Slow day on the pond but relaxing none the Les. Bob Hope Kevin & company made out better than us.

1st time that I personally have fished salmon with enough bites together that I could honestly feel good about changing colors and lures to increase my chances. Thank goodness we have had all these years of ball busting expierence to keep us awake the other 10 hours --- it don't get no better than this. Kevin, tell Dave I think we all tweak a net once.