tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76121701916636277542024-03-05T23:22:44.928-05:00Fishin' w/ the RedneckanglerFishing, guns and outdoor stuff from a Southern transplant to New England. Local bass updates. Video Reports. Want to learn how to chase striped bass? Follow me through the season! Links to local resources including tackle shops, charter and guide information, web resources and more. Also check out redneckangler.com.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger404125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-51593931992638367022022-11-19T18:40:00.000-05:002022-11-19T18:40:10.452-05:00Fall Run was HOT!!!!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">This year's fall run was hot! Whether slot sized stripers crashing beaches or big pigs feeding before the migration, the fishing and catching was outstanding. I don't think I made a single run out where I couldn't find fish 40"+. Whether 40" fish on the fly, or 40lb.+ crushing bunker and sucking down eels, we couldn't ask for much better fishing. While the young of the year report has certainly raised alarm bells, maybe these new regs have helped boost numbers of big breeders that will make up for shortfalls in the years to come. Time will tell. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99G14vIc8FpkkuH74q5sVGtHQmxB8bVJeXXCdEHgpix0OwCcDHXxnXRsXr18J6MT8qUn1VpaZXH3c5Y_qtTxDaD8s9cRoYlfC6gPRrLv_kx-FMKkovGnc9z8kAOU4TTXFOZ2yWHu-DiNohVDbjjuCxayznG6Dwnfv5nq2hFDurcQ8UDW8wkztCgIl/s671/313436380_791617172254145_7862967665208406801_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="671" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99G14vIc8FpkkuH74q5sVGtHQmxB8bVJeXXCdEHgpix0OwCcDHXxnXRsXr18J6MT8qUn1VpaZXH3c5Y_qtTxDaD8s9cRoYlfC6gPRrLv_kx-FMKkovGnc9z8kAOU4TTXFOZ2yWHu-DiNohVDbjjuCxayznG6Dwnfv5nq2hFDurcQ8UDW8wkztCgIl/w400-h245/313436380_791617172254145_7862967665208406801_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IOLVgnXDCLhaUGeEZNQOWu2cBKl0L3ro7jnJMrF3MJMKw1kRgw7qRONXSpnPQT2RZxmoOhPSf26Pd0dmnB1EzZEDDcQCuCjVE5TC1XdYtjnwlNoRSVB4_vjUwU5TLCw79XGYt2pPEx2YYJXGcB_MJosNBy2xeGSnk5BETm5hvFolkFsXg2i6eKHj/s1872/20220810_180338a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="1872" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IOLVgnXDCLhaUGeEZNQOWu2cBKl0L3ro7jnJMrF3MJMKw1kRgw7qRONXSpnPQT2RZxmoOhPSf26Pd0dmnB1EzZEDDcQCuCjVE5TC1XdYtjnwlNoRSVB4_vjUwU5TLCw79XGYt2pPEx2YYJXGcB_MJosNBy2xeGSnk5BETm5hvFolkFsXg2i6eKHj/s320/20220810_180338a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDNWXYAtQMKSgBdMf8n9AC6W6wzMCbqEFuX8FRkGKItOKxZidc6zFC9oFb7y-3AxSL0YNEchTsUk6P3dyWN5vsS-HYjyR_IW2vbWE4PV20qpRGzdQ_k6w75lwViUJLarx3PucsEW0mlqdO2WrU9fjLehNTOsbdqai1uOYRZQD4LKpALhtbnM6e5Dx/s3264/20220810_180529a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1592" data-original-width="3264" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDNWXYAtQMKSgBdMf8n9AC6W6wzMCbqEFuX8FRkGKItOKxZidc6zFC9oFb7y-3AxSL0YNEchTsUk6P3dyWN5vsS-HYjyR_IW2vbWE4PV20qpRGzdQ_k6w75lwViUJLarx3PucsEW0mlqdO2WrU9fjLehNTOsbdqai1uOYRZQD4LKpALhtbnM6e5Dx/w400-h195/20220810_180529a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fish like these on the fly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxmrwNK9k4Zlgg-nMsYmMSohSSBFCQqhCI1vykMMwZnTGhpoDZPB-hw1RD7AniNtfV2bEtk_dkgX2q2U2XMNSbHmtQh-yJxHcIyrwqAp4h2ineE6R98MC8A086S3iMHtfMc5YGwTTAC6hUddSS4QvIyMkG9P1mxv5CkA_E-1e4PgvvaHM76n4jUtC/s1632/20221005_182750a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="1632" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxmrwNK9k4Zlgg-nMsYmMSohSSBFCQqhCI1vykMMwZnTGhpoDZPB-hw1RD7AniNtfV2bEtk_dkgX2q2U2XMNSbHmtQh-yJxHcIyrwqAp4h2ineE6R98MC8A086S3iMHtfMc5YGwTTAC6hUddSS4QvIyMkG9P1mxv5CkA_E-1e4PgvvaHM76n4jUtC/w400-h316/20221005_182750a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvW5CxqGawGHaY6vcnnHQHb74TwFeKbBwhLuXzPAoiTEbik-yg01YmLpDvDSbkkWkbTJFHkygdk0zTHirczTSYpSGcgGU85Ub9NgglUunWCp2cXl9m6klS1dGZhQYNm5Jx_jl0wfm-Coonm3xMH8GfHo4LqMEO5nP2U7fBBgkLIpM3I2JBiA5TCSyw/s4032/20221030_141218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvW5CxqGawGHaY6vcnnHQHb74TwFeKbBwhLuXzPAoiTEbik-yg01YmLpDvDSbkkWkbTJFHkygdk0zTHirczTSYpSGcgGU85Ub9NgglUunWCp2cXl9m6klS1dGZhQYNm5Jx_jl0wfm-Coonm3xMH8GfHo4LqMEO5nP2U7fBBgkLIpM3I2JBiA5TCSyw/w400-h300/20221030_141218.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq7nSZOLGJPbIKPbx9uhmQ1uwjXZ0rVwCzX-roYB2z9Kpji3bZRdHusNv5LFX_ynQ7Wz8CIzdpL6K_YMcE7KMh5vupuy8EOBCnKyrhKXxSBQi1NZS_Ro6cN31BPTTwmaWItIMATb2GNYekFGt-B80zojEkEf-ksbFNywwDXohtXe6MQ_-0RjOkRyc/s2128/20221030_201451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="2128" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq7nSZOLGJPbIKPbx9uhmQ1uwjXZ0rVwCzX-roYB2z9Kpji3bZRdHusNv5LFX_ynQ7Wz8CIzdpL6K_YMcE7KMh5vupuy8EOBCnKyrhKXxSBQi1NZS_Ro6cN31BPTTwmaWItIMATb2GNYekFGt-B80zojEkEf-ksbFNywwDXohtXe6MQ_-0RjOkRyc/w400-h375/20221030_201451.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQHFwmM4LZhkISPO67rne_qONHytBH-XmKwuiSyPfpO6YLTpnVrD1BMedo17yxmfWa6H79zt9enEcYsH8NMXVPGNVimvBFZp8cSDI-Pvruqzz87a8dn5bVxxBPCIGj8Qa09wqS_8qRGtw87iJ5XQl-4puSO_xgb77v6mW24l95GbLz9ke3GszhUYs/s2048/312103770_793251655424030_403044429648186128_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1930" data-original-width="2048" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQHFwmM4LZhkISPO67rne_qONHytBH-XmKwuiSyPfpO6YLTpnVrD1BMedo17yxmfWa6H79zt9enEcYsH8NMXVPGNVimvBFZp8cSDI-Pvruqzz87a8dn5bVxxBPCIGj8Qa09wqS_8qRGtw87iJ5XQl-4puSO_xgb77v6mW24l95GbLz9ke3GszhUYs/w400-h378/312103770_793251655424030_403044429648186128_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-80438205866633000562022-11-19T18:28:00.007-05:002022-11-19T18:50:27.221-05:00Filling a Gap - Egyptian Snider Enfield Smooth Bore<p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrN5P60c08tNLRn06NPDB2plbvPYsgZ8-z2cGIRMeFap8ZnBUsXxS8kcOUEGB8UTiyFCvcCbnjbQnGhJZMsVmJRWrLhL_oRZVIo5RbIXyow4I-bZFmpojwlR6Rv4HGASIgxBHK6q0nu6i_9GhPTvLpZN3K7bTlWpYujSv3tB4l_h87InA8e4HLA7MP/s4032/20221119_140003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrN5P60c08tNLRn06NPDB2plbvPYsgZ8-z2cGIRMeFap8ZnBUsXxS8kcOUEGB8UTiyFCvcCbnjbQnGhJZMsVmJRWrLhL_oRZVIo5RbIXyow4I-bZFmpojwlR6Rv4HGASIgxBHK6q0nu6i_9GhPTvLpZN3K7bTlWpYujSv3tB4l_h87InA8e4HLA7MP/s320/20221119_140003.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">My little collection of British military surplus rifles grew by one today. I have Pattern 53 Enfield which was developed to fire the .577 Minnie style ball and saw use in conflicts from the Crimea to India and the US Civil War in both Union and Confederate armies. By 1867, the muzzle loading Pattern 53 was becoming obsolete, and the British initially addressed this by adopting American Jacob Snider's conversion breech for the Pattern 53s. These bridged the gap for only a handful of years until the introduction of the .577/450 Martini-Henrys, and left me with a gap as well. P1864 Snider-Enfields have jumped up quite a bit, but at the <a href="http://ycgg.org/" target="_blank">Ye Connecticut Gun Guild</a> show today I came across an inexpensive Snider conversion gun, the Egyptian Snider-Enfield Shotgun, manufactured circa 1870s. These shotguns were made from obsolete Snider rifles from the 1870s. The operation is basically the same, except this gun fires either .577 round ball or shotgun pellets (24GA brass). The British did not want indigenous security forces armed with the latest weapons, and we also see later Lee-Enfields converted to single shot .303/.410 shotguns as well (on my want list!). The breech is commercial with the Snider Patent markings , and there are Egyptian markings in Farsi throughout. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The stock is in good shape (faint 1902 stamp). The bore is smooth and clear, and the rest of the metal is free of any pitting. The action on this carbine is strong, hold half cock and full. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">If I load some black powder brass shells, I should be able to shoot this old gun. Imagine if I showed up and broke a few clays with this! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwcCEX6yqY-Fde5UmNi-elnibGqpW1hEq0o8DR4sC7RytAmQEbMAcMIWMCG3bvJckW8et6eU5b3w9mDaa6mtZIIdSn3WtwHovcs4ahOESKPfz4oKGxoiEPp-nKJzmlpECUL24vKhcERZuKFOuH63Izc7ZNfW3SWeh6WJRXuBho7o3-62JaSIYkzFc/s4032/20221119_140051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwcCEX6yqY-Fde5UmNi-elnibGqpW1hEq0o8DR4sC7RytAmQEbMAcMIWMCG3bvJckW8et6eU5b3w9mDaa6mtZIIdSn3WtwHovcs4ahOESKPfz4oKGxoiEPp-nKJzmlpECUL24vKhcERZuKFOuH63Izc7ZNfW3SWeh6WJRXuBho7o3-62JaSIYkzFc/w300-h400/20221119_140051.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Connecticut, USA41.6032207 -73.08774913.292986863821156 -108.243999 69.913454536178847 -37.931499tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-77995350455900386082022-11-08T18:51:00.002-05:002022-11-08T19:17:45.780-05:00Brutally Bubba’d Beyond Belief to the Point of Buggering the Imagination<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like oddball stuff, and while the C.S. Shattuck “American” hardly made its mark on American history, it does hold a place as representative of a booming firearms industry in the late 19th century North East. New small scale manufacturers came and went with regularity. Maj. Charles Shattuck designed and manufactured a number of inexpensive pistols and shotguns in and around Springfield Massachusetts from the late 1870s to around 1910. While Shattuck shotguns didn’t become a household name, his employee Oscar F. Mossberg did pretty well for himself.(1)</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This particular shotgun, one of about 961, was manufactured in 1889 and has a pretty unique barrel break. The front trigger actually opens the breech, while the rear trigger fires the gun. Iver Johnson employed a similar trigger action at the turn of the century. I just thought it was cool, and so I bought it online from a local auction house. </span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqCiOqTZqkeNAGBrYgpOZJWiE0GT2sAalQz-IziW0l6MYpJnVydCMYFpInbusrvXhDFgqeKDoYnDVmXGQ1I39hx3x7l9VJUqbp0Zs81xP3lNlfigsxG1PmP8Yn7CXkuW7gXqnfNr4UKZNcXOdVSLENxC4-EQqn6SBmDL_nA09CaRVl3bCQCHVwJo_/s1024/img4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1024" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqCiOqTZqkeNAGBrYgpOZJWiE0GT2sAalQz-IziW0l6MYpJnVydCMYFpInbusrvXhDFgqeKDoYnDVmXGQ1I39hx3x7l9VJUqbp0Zs81xP3lNlfigsxG1PmP8Yn7CXkuW7gXqnfNr4UKZNcXOdVSLENxC4-EQqn6SBmDL_nA09CaRVl3bCQCHVwJo_/w400-h169/img4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-3a2c64d4-7fff-724d-12ea-7e8d3325a121"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately, this gun, while in otherwise very good shape for 133 years old, was fairly recently brutally Bubba’d beyond belief. The barrel band was visible in a photograph, but not any evidence or listing description of the hack job on the barrel itself. As you can see from the images, not only was this newer handguard “fitted” utilizing the barrel band and a modern hex bolt, for some inexplicable reason, the barrel was filed down during the process. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUqCZnHxMHM4iK1ShC5lz2whRBvEnBI3bGd17cjT1p6WGsBD6NSbKHA9sey0oKfk_hH0KixNKOwmZFrG6clrYqGmvGvO1uaLI_tAzeEdJC5QWrB1l_--3SL-9JTdvN3gAEMUrjLFd2RNj-3kUn5Pj-nypg47c-qd0lwKVmlkEhrkf5UdZHq1H63Fm/s4032/20221101_173540.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUqCZnHxMHM4iK1ShC5lz2whRBvEnBI3bGd17cjT1p6WGsBD6NSbKHA9sey0oKfk_hH0KixNKOwmZFrG6clrYqGmvGvO1uaLI_tAzeEdJC5QWrB1l_--3SL-9JTdvN3gAEMUrjLFd2RNj-3kUn5Pj-nypg47c-qd0lwKVmlkEhrkf5UdZHq1H63Fm/s320/20221101_173540.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjczfQuEKZRNNVxvPUbEk-MNJi36Ftkha1JyeT21ijMLyMD3v12fWJqBhnmAYWBEIkWjeA2KEVdAx6W44-WmRcVouyYae6-cTm7PPxF7J2EtoDmCGOmRjf4A5PpEC9PmKXsL370ef48sHcw7SG2UGXWmQWRlZGRZhQ2LkOIy2bMbboSNzCPHHGvXS0/s4032/20221101_173615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjczfQuEKZRNNVxvPUbEk-MNJi36Ftkha1JyeT21ijMLyMD3v12fWJqBhnmAYWBEIkWjeA2KEVdAx6W44-WmRcVouyYae6-cTm7PPxF7J2EtoDmCGOmRjf4A5PpEC9PmKXsL370ef48sHcw7SG2UGXWmQWRlZGRZhQ2LkOIy2bMbboSNzCPHHGvXS0/s320/20221101_173615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uVFzgfLVXr2R2XAXdo2IgBdyevfRhf0yjdS83xFAqPIwfyYDmily2xW8iGxiOe5FFLM7MS00JA2KxFB5W3ZGg5QD2BHphO2-tiKuG9fc0DD3mazP_1mdpciA43wY9FUblP-oJpcn-vmJl6mtRtrs0TpJhZqw9ygw9RCznwzHSsKozA0nOPHrkAEL/s4032/20221108_164140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uVFzgfLVXr2R2XAXdo2IgBdyevfRhf0yjdS83xFAqPIwfyYDmily2xW8iGxiOe5FFLM7MS00JA2KxFB5W3ZGg5QD2BHphO2-tiKuG9fc0DD3mazP_1mdpciA43wY9FUblP-oJpcn-vmJl6mtRtrs0TpJhZqw9ygw9RCznwzHSsKozA0nOPHrkAEL/s320/20221108_164140.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVGVsTOvO4Rd4HejmR96Fz5WuQxS8eprvm-55p_yhjGhPhRav4b1L5-3qH1MKVydfwMY6ZV9EOUzBkKPmyVLFI1jQvrqpw-gNQMtMbdwizhpOQWSZ51BBgAe-_bxbXEMAgRf34TBH8hJKhzvpa0QyGxDBifClJAf0T3sN9affGZeSAcCKL0Mn-xaL/s4032/20221108_164154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVGVsTOvO4Rd4HejmR96Fz5WuQxS8eprvm-55p_yhjGhPhRav4b1L5-3qH1MKVydfwMY6ZV9EOUzBkKPmyVLFI1jQvrqpw-gNQMtMbdwizhpOQWSZ51BBgAe-_bxbXEMAgRf34TBH8hJKhzvpa0QyGxDBifClJAf0T3sN9affGZeSAcCKL0Mn-xaL/s320/20221108_164154.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like bringing these old relics back to shootable condition. While a lot of things I can fix, this not so much. They took a lot of material out of an old Damascus steel barrel. I think my immediate plan is to re-Bubba in a manner more consistent with the early 20th century using old parts and relegating this to a conversation piece, while I also have a lead on another gun that I can maybe swap the barrel and foregrip over from. These things are pretty worthless, but I like the idea of keeping one of these oddball pieces of history in an original, shootable condition. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1) - </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2013) </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shattuck, C.S.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> American Firearms. Available at: http://www.american-firearms.com/american-firearms/z-html/company-S/Shattuck,%20C.S/Shattuck,%20C.S.html (Accessed: November 8, 2022).</span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-51614655573232694522022-09-11T13:00:00.004-04:002022-11-08T18:31:41.887-05:00RTI Italian Vetterli Model 1870/87/15 Part 3 - End Result<p>The Royal Tiger Imports Italian Vetterli Model 1870/87/15 is finished up and restored to a fully functional state. As this rifle was twice converted, and the barrel sleaved down to the current 6.5 Carcano, it's had a reputation of being a bit on the iffy side with regard to safety. This was the case when it was issued, much less 100+ years after its retirement. I will send a few low pressure rounds down range, probably with the safety of a bench rest and a lengthy trigger lanyard! The Italians make some of the finest shotguns, but there military rifles left a little to be desired. </p><p>After the complete disassembly and some of the wood cleaning I described in Part 2, all of the metal parts went into an ultrasonic bath with a solution of water and Simple Green, followed by drying in the air fryer (don't tell Gemma, but this works great!!) For teh most part, the metal is in decent shape, with crisp stampings and some light surface pitting. The barrel cleaned up OK, though the rifling is worn with considerable corrosion near teh muzzle end. I made some of the minor stock repairs necessary to avoid further damage, and blended stain to match the stock as best as possible. The goal here was not to hide any repair, or restore the stock to a newer looking condition. Remaining light surface rust was removed with Break-Free MilSpec CLP and #0000 steel wool, which leaves any remaining bluing and existing patina intact. </p><p>Overall, this was a fun an inexpensive project. I brought back to life a rifle that likely saw a great deal of action in the late 19th century past the first World War, both in Europe and Africa. Would I have wanted to carry this into battle? Hell no!!! I'll stick to Swiss made version, or just about any other late 19th century military firearm. However, it will fill a nice little niche in my collection </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WkZPc_LlhI5Xz8EHUw3jqnHJzHwcga-Oc07dqjglmFW3RG-pOmrQ1-ZlB3cLosbqDYMeOc6y9uBJLo_o0Nxjb5FLLYxdvFWl9k_EdjYJjLZuFpzewWlCwjILLjm-txw6aAVX_hyHSNIVYXc_Y8kHvqCj9cAjgk5K1eRjkkoV16yr2OWoZJTd_C6t/s4032/20220909_213045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1687" data-original-width="4032" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WkZPc_LlhI5Xz8EHUw3jqnHJzHwcga-Oc07dqjglmFW3RG-pOmrQ1-ZlB3cLosbqDYMeOc6y9uBJLo_o0Nxjb5FLLYxdvFWl9k_EdjYJjLZuFpzewWlCwjILLjm-txw6aAVX_hyHSNIVYXc_Y8kHvqCj9cAjgk5K1eRjkkoV16yr2OWoZJTd_C6t/w400-h168/20220909_213045.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fNXKTVGCcBy6YRUVzSlAlgdvwBUWtPvRd-jsNaxulWFN5N8WVIXRDKaSssOULA1sA5ZGV8qhxg_DJn-d5svgxlyupI0Hx1Qy8Bxlg0qSb9u4WoW7QRuGrG5Rw9pkd4vcYQwbwwNG-JOy5USopORjfhe9cFaNqXOH-fV9F33bAO1twn-m4sQ-GVJ2/s4032/20220909_213056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="4032" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fNXKTVGCcBy6YRUVzSlAlgdvwBUWtPvRd-jsNaxulWFN5N8WVIXRDKaSssOULA1sA5ZGV8qhxg_DJn-d5svgxlyupI0Hx1Qy8Bxlg0qSb9u4WoW7QRuGrG5Rw9pkd4vcYQwbwwNG-JOy5USopORjfhe9cFaNqXOH-fV9F33bAO1twn-m4sQ-GVJ2/w400-h196/20220909_213056.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0WF7AdF1sxXeraVOAN-ZyRika8j31QUx7nUk4hldVen2T3NPS50bKR1OL3MbQmz89TyqcWX2wJ6apwYvvKjuFfgcu-lVP2-KUzmIvTwRPK-x6RmPIZsyRyp09sMfV6RUKzgrZ1VBDvc7qx30tdbbMyRdTYVm5wQnKDnRGI2LjWd6Ntb5oBlh4W07/s4032/20220909_161305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0WF7AdF1sxXeraVOAN-ZyRika8j31QUx7nUk4hldVen2T3NPS50bKR1OL3MbQmz89TyqcWX2wJ6apwYvvKjuFfgcu-lVP2-KUzmIvTwRPK-x6RmPIZsyRyp09sMfV6RUKzgrZ1VBDvc7qx30tdbbMyRdTYVm5wQnKDnRGI2LjWd6Ntb5oBlh4W07/w400-h300/20220909_161305.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJXl3UPs4Z8tHpTxrVcuLRddtbPFU54uf83x7AM5yTuK-n4TGsxMYWlyxoRpUll7a3T1_AgA1n7TXvukEns0RL9fWwWjC5gg2oPoAFc3C4ff2Sr5dlNBf32OJL3zVMngK8xhwKTc1CoHV6WJlhFWrVVUgLLSnWNdvBxAbVwpfXLMv-h6ZmXcpE5bv/s4032/20220909_213410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1869" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJXl3UPs4Z8tHpTxrVcuLRddtbPFU54uf83x7AM5yTuK-n4TGsxMYWlyxoRpUll7a3T1_AgA1n7TXvukEns0RL9fWwWjC5gg2oPoAFc3C4ff2Sr5dlNBf32OJL3zVMngK8xhwKTc1CoHV6WJlhFWrVVUgLLSnWNdvBxAbVwpfXLMv-h6ZmXcpE5bv/w296-h640/20220909_213410.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapBwQQGBzX-xi9nFHwl8yqbEPDm2w1IOMRLP2Yzc1HJOfYk-HC2c9AeqzO0FdfbSsqKC7a3vssCFeZOeW2jVlViH-TWJyGT0V9e4vDjrdZUkTB8SYkZ1UYQdEt7k8Ynt8U0D_Lbwr9suoyk3sVvZ5VfCCAAMbwFdn7D5MyKNBrNOdx7Lc8NgHZXjw/s4032/20220909_155556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapBwQQGBzX-xi9nFHwl8yqbEPDm2w1IOMRLP2Yzc1HJOfYk-HC2c9AeqzO0FdfbSsqKC7a3vssCFeZOeW2jVlViH-TWJyGT0V9e4vDjrdZUkTB8SYkZ1UYQdEt7k8Ynt8U0D_Lbwr9suoyk3sVvZ5VfCCAAMbwFdn7D5MyKNBrNOdx7Lc8NgHZXjw/s320/20220909_155556.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-89627962042579956292022-09-05T14:23:00.002-04:002022-09-05T14:23:23.669-04:00RTI Italian Vetterli Model 1870/87/15 Part 2 Update - Disassembled and Cleaning the Wood <p>So the Vetterli disassembled quite easily even after 100+ years of sitting in an Ethiopian shed! There is a really good video on Italian Vetterli disassembly at <a href="https://youtu.be/FNxPYXhcGzE">Vetterli 1870/87/15 Rifle Disassembly Part 1</a> by TheKoba49, so I won't reinvent the wheel. This gun will never be a beauty/safe queen, and teh goal is to restore it to a fully functional condition as opposed to a complete restoration. There won't be any rebluing, sanding down or replacing stocks, etc. Cleaning the accumulated grime was pretty easy with Murphy's Oil Soap and a nylon brush, followed by a little light scrubbing with extra fine #0000 steel wool with the Murphy's, following the grain. Once cleaned, I applied <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-Micro-Crystalline-Wax-Polish-65/dp/B001DSZWEM">Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Wax Polish</a>. The wear, nicks and compressions of a rifle originally manufactured in the 1870s and converted twice still show in the wood, but some of the grain and original color really show now as well. (Before and After) <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9NV5nH8IzV68om-8Cb0L4WNF0m4Sebrsa6bj8LrVFQ4gjkOo6F6WOXu0gKBOFz2nrJrTkTlkUA5yEAQ7FdQgJblmZn-ygZ5L6OI3K8NSnfeLeJ7759Xp9go_9bTHmiIuih-3mqhxUllsQrE2rwxs-w1NlT2KEs2jUVwhapCLSpixDW-8Zu7MXQd7/s4032/20220904_164331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9NV5nH8IzV68om-8Cb0L4WNF0m4Sebrsa6bj8LrVFQ4gjkOo6F6WOXu0gKBOFz2nrJrTkTlkUA5yEAQ7FdQgJblmZn-ygZ5L6OI3K8NSnfeLeJ7759Xp9go_9bTHmiIuih-3mqhxUllsQrE2rwxs-w1NlT2KEs2jUVwhapCLSpixDW-8Zu7MXQd7/w400-h300/20220904_164331.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4kDU3sRv_VJDp_l0n7fzruquReK4proB061P-V6YcOt1DtkuCIUzvLqvxBodwzV77TgFZo33-uJ8GoHNehd2MjgxiEehe9vv960A_mRr1cxczyAnfA7ZCzV-GoTn0SN7hCLEb70a8_S4ABD5_NaaEl8eEwffDQDOo1T4zfz6flh4Pu8In9R8boqE/s3684/20220905_133036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="3684" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4kDU3sRv_VJDp_l0n7fzruquReK4proB061P-V6YcOt1DtkuCIUzvLqvxBodwzV77TgFZo33-uJ8GoHNehd2MjgxiEehe9vv960A_mRr1cxczyAnfA7ZCzV-GoTn0SN7hCLEb70a8_S4ABD5_NaaEl8eEwffDQDOo1T4zfz6flh4Pu8In9R8boqE/w640-h240/20220905_133036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One interesting aspect of these guns as that they were converted twice. The first was from a single shot 10.4mm Vetterli black powder cartridge to a repeater by adding a magazine that would also be adopted by the Dutch Beaumont as well. This required some widening of the receiver well. Later, in the WWI era, it was again converted to a 6.5mm Carcano round by sleeving the barrel and also filling the previously widened stock well. As you can see on mine, one of these stock repaires has come out and will need to be worked on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nuGbK67O4lHLB8pRVQ2CQmJx9WyOPMOsXO0LmsbLPZCX2qHPt2Ie45X23a8P-YWIF58-eg-TgcgQaQ4sqZtTyhmZCUOe58ju92hQof-RDLEse67zthV3ULQoLI0R8olfpAkCkbjVsKaRBLgYEpzWbCTwYkmN1owXxo0-RX-aMp9bAc_heRSp2ZeM/s4032/20220904_164439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nuGbK67O4lHLB8pRVQ2CQmJx9WyOPMOsXO0LmsbLPZCX2qHPt2Ie45X23a8P-YWIF58-eg-TgcgQaQ4sqZtTyhmZCUOe58ju92hQof-RDLEse67zthV3ULQoLI0R8olfpAkCkbjVsKaRBLgYEpzWbCTwYkmN1owXxo0-RX-aMp9bAc_heRSp2ZeM/s320/20220904_164439.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgpVXSULxmaJosbVxsovW3-bgmnqWToZDage6q5cimcdZwmUosqm4NFE2LzRiLAtkxX6-5SB_eiS5qjkvDTvj06fTgBm55ajRDcrCfEeIKiuE5LyxVf7Xr-RkoLLSxTRLENoa-OtnTY1wlq6C2sOPKd9DIkbZ07GY3RAT7b2PAoukX0Nkw70G6Zvz/s4032/20220905_133802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2315" data-original-width="4032" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgpVXSULxmaJosbVxsovW3-bgmnqWToZDage6q5cimcdZwmUosqm4NFE2LzRiLAtkxX6-5SB_eiS5qjkvDTvj06fTgBm55ajRDcrCfEeIKiuE5LyxVf7Xr-RkoLLSxTRLENoa-OtnTY1wlq6C2sOPKd9DIkbZ07GY3RAT7b2PAoukX0Nkw70G6Zvz/s320/20220905_133802.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOks454KEZDsD6bOm41lixWODfSnb3aEPrELq4JpcsMmktZXK3-B_BVCRXalyexY39StP3_qOENestIMNe5Ou0LujN3gbOcFTD2M9Kqdwnrza6pvZamd4CEw3eSUnCm8A6gPaXQUMLWFsWna1E5kx_wRkM48647NnsfuHpT4eETXa8H80z5lk8_nnk/s3214/20220905_133806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1745" data-original-width="3214" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOks454KEZDsD6bOm41lixWODfSnb3aEPrELq4JpcsMmktZXK3-B_BVCRXalyexY39StP3_qOENestIMNe5Ou0LujN3gbOcFTD2M9Kqdwnrza6pvZamd4CEw3eSUnCm8A6gPaXQUMLWFsWna1E5kx_wRkM48647NnsfuHpT4eETXa8H80z5lk8_nnk/s320/20220905_133806.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Part 3 will be the complete disassembly of the bolt and receiver parts, followed by a bath in the ultrasonic cleaner and then some TLC on the surface rust. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-90486517380920849692022-09-04T17:42:00.001-04:002022-09-04T17:44:50.432-04:00Royal Tiger Imports Italian Vetterli Model 1870/87/15 Part 1 - The Before<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFAC9hwtzWOFqlb0DW0bpzM2NiN5pZLuHwOomzpBJtdd8cPrzyU1U8IR6W-y2hGk5HNs6jnrIGvThQe3xbaYrroqqpoOb3I83otYyjNJo8NCHB0v4Cx1IEX2Udu9s7xmnbB3_FMSZEqQPybIGqyMq01nqrrL562XDybuR99dohbwfGaWuekv8IcW-y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapJOtX5_Iv1O4inyAaxHFoQb3owgtcwsEzRoSDY-UAafNQJo30m4xxbgD5aT7piULEGnGhTEel6a1v7k_xapjwsn7olSHCUtDtEw7ddcMusB-NJrcSt9ESnYKwqTH0hLz9_VFQn-xlsQ1mFqdzp9oayxehL9VQ_YwNWL3u9e9a9Bsr8nNktocfYdm/s4032/20220904_164331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapJOtX5_Iv1O4inyAaxHFoQb3owgtcwsEzRoSDY-UAafNQJo30m4xxbgD5aT7piULEGnGhTEel6a1v7k_xapjwsn7olSHCUtDtEw7ddcMusB-NJrcSt9ESnYKwqTH0hLz9_VFQn-xlsQ1mFqdzp9oayxehL9VQ_YwNWL3u9e9a9Bsr8nNktocfYdm/w303-h227/20220904_164331.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>Today I received a Royal Tiger Imports Italian Vetterli Model 1870/87/15. This is one of thousands of antique and early 20th century military surplus rifles purchased by RTI in Ethiopia, where they have been sitting in storage for the past 100+ years. Unlike many Eastern European rifles, these were not packed in away cosmoline. These rifles have been sitting in quonset huts, stacked like cord wood, since before your grandpa or great grandpa was living in one during the WWII era. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img alt="" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="848" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFAC9hwtzWOFqlb0DW0bpzM2NiN5pZLuHwOomzpBJtdd8cPrzyU1U8IR6W-y2hGk5HNs6jnrIGvThQe3xbaYrroqqpoOb3I83otYyjNJo8NCHB0v4Cx1IEX2Udu9s7xmnbB3_FMSZEqQPybIGqyMq01nqrrL562XDybuR99dohbwfGaWuekv8IcW-y=w320-h240" width="320" /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/emperor-selassie-s-treasure-the-guns-of-royal-tiger-imports/</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>The article linked above provides an interesting historical background to this large cache of weapons. The Vetterlis were left over from Italy's attempt to occupy and bring the Abyssinian empire under control. Needless to say, they aren't in NRA Very Fine condition, but many are in surprisingly good shape once restored. Ten years ago, I wouldn't have paid a Benjamin for an Italian Vetterli in fair to good condition. They're hardly Ferraris of the military surplus world, and even by the Italian military assessment of the time, this rifle was pretty dodgey to say the least. However, with the prices of surplus going through the roof, and these things to be had for cheap, I decided get one. It's about like picking up a lottery ticket, as it may turn out decent, end up a wall hanger, or blow up in your face. OK, lottery tickets don't blow up in your face. As my daughter would remind me, "You get what you get, and you don't get upset." <div><br /></div><div>This is definitely a Before/After project. The rifle is about as I'd expect it to be after sitting for a century. It does pass a basic function test. The next steps will be to completely disassemble everything and go to work cleaning and working on rust. Most of the rust appears to be surface, and the barrel looks to be in decent shape, though bluing is non-existent. The wood may clean up nice as well, but there is one major chunk that will need a repair under the receiver. The stock is solid. The fun part will be finding out what emerges as I really get this rifle broken down and get to work on it. After all, there isn't much I can do to screw it up, which is what makes these fun. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few more pics of the "before," and I'll document the process and the finished product as well. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0M-fp0Et4fFbICLavS3P-jvRIot3ZiTF1-oMsCLQ9JOejdkG6Z7EENN4qj4hTE2qUWAEjOPMHJ4xfFJkBR9yv2IIu91qczsbe9GwA2SN7pP7Wlyf2UaMaroAKQpeALlPw2eq6BIXV95wIe55nh-c4N-cJxwRmWtsxh62V6qtYbur7d9PbwL1mDpTs/s4032/20220904_164340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0M-fp0Et4fFbICLavS3P-jvRIot3ZiTF1-oMsCLQ9JOejdkG6Z7EENN4qj4hTE2qUWAEjOPMHJ4xfFJkBR9yv2IIu91qczsbe9GwA2SN7pP7Wlyf2UaMaroAKQpeALlPw2eq6BIXV95wIe55nh-c4N-cJxwRmWtsxh62V6qtYbur7d9PbwL1mDpTs/s320/20220904_164340.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMW4FUslLN4L7hRPRt6QVtcSL17kuwFkm_t6Bv0DMbteoeV6F6YHDC29kkQ63PaPkhE_Fx0GfD7sY5Bhe3ifx7pBG-krpCLt23y2ZW7RG_2biOK4sUfVU6p2oUyac2ix4Ufl_yoHoIidiGGxD5aofTGfYGW6sIlQ_od2BI5Mr71ik-88-u8SzdX0Ti" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMW4FUslLN4L7hRPRt6QVtcSL17kuwFkm_t6Bv0DMbteoeV6F6YHDC29kkQ63PaPkhE_Fx0GfD7sY5Bhe3ifx7pBG-krpCLt23y2ZW7RG_2biOK4sUfVU6p2oUyac2ix4Ufl_yoHoIidiGGxD5aofTGfYGW6sIlQ_od2BI5Mr71ik-88-u8SzdX0Ti" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEniBDL3cFEsrnGxjkSvOseLpiCMGp0OdCWmDe8Fu9yuJxs5Moi_148q7Z3rKfC-Cgj-_6BEolo8L_qIe7Ynfw1XM42OgARm9ccKKAeqvCd9ru7SAnukJvskzmFV1YTPcbDYQ3lSyeYRhiwQZdX1pu3SqEkMFQEuQUBN2YmbF6153_U-Bl7cTpMPzA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEniBDL3cFEsrnGxjkSvOseLpiCMGp0OdCWmDe8Fu9yuJxs5Moi_148q7Z3rKfC-Cgj-_6BEolo8L_qIe7Ynfw1XM42OgARm9ccKKAeqvCd9ru7SAnukJvskzmFV1YTPcbDYQ3lSyeYRhiwQZdX1pu3SqEkMFQEuQUBN2YmbF6153_U-Bl7cTpMPzA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7s1sfvaXgGniyLuywaQeK59lLnG69GkgIs9NWlUAGtIEfcnEtp1DqmH1U5DkzI_ruUX6pQ7MmRhBN1ARsG92uweovdp1gYXV7lRCKRty9cBWWWTtdT6RuFhefaIGGWVI5m7KgmkNsYWhcaUQ4c26sG8DHyLJNrnYiYLscZIX64G-Co8bJztfXBzRA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7s1sfvaXgGniyLuywaQeK59lLnG69GkgIs9NWlUAGtIEfcnEtp1DqmH1U5DkzI_ruUX6pQ7MmRhBN1ARsG92uweovdp1gYXV7lRCKRty9cBWWWTtdT6RuFhefaIGGWVI5m7KgmkNsYWhcaUQ4c26sG8DHyLJNrnYiYLscZIX64G-Co8bJztfXBzRA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-20067801757271136092021-08-12T15:24:00.001-04:002021-08-12T15:24:28.538-04:00A little high strung, and I'm not talking about the line lb. test. <p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcqj0KWzcF4ziqu9BQF4xmVFVbaXYlBPbzYrgq-Bw7_faqMgYel4_e2ArhFFuoEOiyLiEvhAKZaE0nUFtMlXuSGl_3nafwAKZ5UrPEV7a34QpivobaSyxDi32qnTgLW-SD7cJu8CEiBE/s2048/20210804_203523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcqj0KWzcF4ziqu9BQF4xmVFVbaXYlBPbzYrgq-Bw7_faqMgYel4_e2ArhFFuoEOiyLiEvhAKZaE0nUFtMlXuSGl_3nafwAKZ5UrPEV7a34QpivobaSyxDi32qnTgLW-SD7cJu8CEiBE/w300-h400/20210804_203523.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Had an interesting fishing experience up at Lake George. It was my first time up there, and a family trip where I couldn't disappear fishing every day, so I left my boat and yak at home, and booked a short morning trip for Danny, my brother Doug and I. It was definitely one of the more "interesting" trips I've booked (and I've fished with tons of captains and guides). A week and a half before the trip, at the height of the tourist season, you kinda get who you can get, and most everyone seems to run the same trips anyway. I'd had a recommendation from a friend, but of course he was booked through September. I spoke with our guide whom I found on Google, letting him know that we didn't mind trolling downriggers for a while early, but if it was slow, would much rather just switch over to targeting smallmouth. The day arrives and my son Dan and I meet my brother Doug around 6:30ish at the dock. The 7:00am departure times arrives, and our guy is not there. That's pretty damned annoying to say the least. I could see at his 7:05 arrival that the "plan" was a non-starter, as the only rods he had were trolling setups, and a look at his chart plotter on the way out confirmed he hadn't altered his routine in God knows how long. Run to one spot, troll, run back. A little chatter on the way out was not in his wheelhouse, but we were fishing soon enough, and he did know what he was doing. Pretty soon a rod went off, and so did the captain. Not sure if he was over caffeinated or just naturally high strung, but I about jumped out of my skin as he let out a high pitched, "fish on!" From the reaction, one might think that a school of yellowfin had hit every rod in our spread. He coached Danny who landed the first lake trout of the day, and the process repeated itself often enough to keep us busy. I let Danny and Doug take most of the fish, as frankly I was more entertained by the manic scenes than catching 20" lake trout. I even watched a few rod tips go and just sat, waiting to see how long it would take for the others to notice and the hilarity to ensue. In the end, I couldn't really complain as we all caught some fish, had a decent time, and a really good laugh about the entire experience over a late breakfast when we returned. <br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Lake George, NY 12845, USA43.4261809 -73.71234079999999315.115947063821153 -108.86859079999999 71.736414736178844 -38.556090799999993tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-88526250258890251992020-07-14T17:24:00.001-04:002020-07-14T17:36:12.619-04:00My Choice for the Trenches? .303 Lee-Enfield<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GBcpHrXbe0s" width="480"></iframe><br />
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What would you carry into the trenches of WWI? A look at my choice, the British .303 Lee-Enfield. Think you'd go with something else? Springfield M1903, Mosin-Nagant 91/30, or the Gewehr M98? Make your case!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-90524063597234103572020-03-18T22:41:00.000-04:002020-03-18T22:41:08.847-04:00Reflections on a surreal few weeks and a look ahead.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx-B8Ojg2O9lpW7THNS4OphgibuL36y3J_1iQGup8aNWiFcTZusjuvxHOYLRoWyu3P4e3LrKzWdkoyQQp5b73Yn0rncIz4dk9oqv2BFAW6C7jNvr04bUPMAbzrI4910Fbnm75cuEkHzI/s1600/89287990_10219514558568074_6909672845261930496_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="466" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx-B8Ojg2O9lpW7THNS4OphgibuL36y3J_1iQGup8aNWiFcTZusjuvxHOYLRoWyu3P4e3LrKzWdkoyQQp5b73Yn0rncIz4dk9oqv2BFAW6C7jNvr04bUPMAbzrI4910Fbnm75cuEkHzI/s640/89287990_10219514558568074_6909672845261930496_o.jpg" width="308" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">What a surreal few weeks! Today we began on-line classes for all of my high school students, and my guess is that this will be the new norm for quite some time. There's still no sign of any toilet paper arriving in stores around here. Ironically, the were no runs on bullets and booze until just this past weekend. I'm OK with the social distancing, and perhaps it will keep back those annoying guys who want to fish right next to you as soon as they see you hook something. The Gemma Rose II just returned from Suburban Marine, so I plan on doing a lot more social distancing over the next couple of weeks. The lure of $50 round trip flights to Florida is pretty tempting as well, but do I want to be that selfish guy? I feel a bit like Pinto in Animal House. (My wife pointed out that a week at the </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;">Fontainebleau Miami</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;"> Beach is only $300!) These are pretty uncertain and terrifying times for many people, fearing the Covid-19 virus and/or the impact it's having on our economy and so many peoples' livelihoods. While I certainly plan to do a lot of fishing, maybe a few trips to the range and some hiking while riding this thing out, I am also very much aware that to pull through this, we're going to have to reach out a hand (at least metaphorically) to our friends and neighbors in the community. It's time to pull together while keeping our 6' safe distance. If that means ordering some takeouts from local restaurants, or booking a charter to make sure a buddy has an income, great. There are also a hundred others ways that just about anyone who is healthy can help someone out at this time. If each of us find just a few of these around our communities, we'll pull this this Corona Spring OK. Stay healthy and positive!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;">-Redneckangler</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-70491913948029610302020-01-09T23:19:00.001-05:002020-01-09T23:19:40.583-05:00Cold, Windy and Snowing - Perfect for shooting a Mosin-Nagant<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WYrsaKmrAt8" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-80659121167779090262019-09-10T21:43:00.000-04:002019-09-10T21:43:00.707-04:00Recruiting a New Generation<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I posted this on another site, but thought I'd throw it up here as well. The environment in CT is a LOT different than back down south. I spent yesterday evening at my monthly rod and gun club meeting with Tom Donlon from the CT DEEP discussing hunter recruitment. The overall numbers lost each year are more than sobering. At the rate of decline, there will be nobody left to fight for rights in another decade. Despite comments I read about cuts to programs, the CT DEEP DOES have federal funding and NRA support for hunter recruitment programs, BUT they need every hunter to get out there and recruit at least one new person this coming year, and not someone who has family or other connections to hunting already. Clubs and hunters need to recruit outside of their traditional membership base. CONVINCE YOUR HIPPY NEIGHBOR WHO BUYS $25 FREE RANGE CHICKENS THAT HUNTING IS REALLY THE MOST ETHICAL AND HUMANE WAY TO HARVEST MEAT, AND GET HIM OR HER OUT IN THE WOODS. DON'T START HUMMING DUELING BANJOS EITHER!!!! WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THEM, NOT SEND THEM SCREAMING BACK TO STARBUCKS. Letters to reps are great and need to keep coming, but either recruitment happens, or you can count on more and more legislation to eventually cut hunters out of all public lands here in CT. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2700&q=429892</span><br />
<a href="https://www.nrahlf.org/articles/2019/1/18/connecticut-hosts-popular-venison-processing-workshops/">https://www.nrahlf.org/articles/2019/1/18/connecticut-hosts-popular-venison-processing-workshops/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-53142998970497309692019-07-11T21:50:00.000-04:002019-07-11T22:04:38.174-04:00Bucket list fishing destination - Virginia? You bet!<br />
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<st1:state><st1:place>Virginia</st1:place></st1:state> is a
beautiful state to which tourist flock year round for it's history, scenery,
beaches and mountain resorts, but would you put it on your bucket list as a top
fishing destination? I may be a little biased, but for my money, <st1:state><st1:place>Virginia</st1:place></st1:state>
has one of the most diversified and exceptional fisheries anywhere in the
nation, and I've fished just about everything from east coast to west, north
and south. You can fish pristine mountain headwaters for wild brook trout, a
world class largemouth bass fishery at <st1:place><st1:placename>Smith</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>Mountain</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype>Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place>
or the <st1:place><st1:placename>Chickahominy</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>River</st1:placetype></st1:place>,
trophy catfish on the James and <st1:place>Potomac</st1:place>, 50+lb.
rockfish/stripers in the <st1:place>Chesapeake Bay</st1:place>, or venture out
into the blue water for sails, marlin, wahoo and more. My only dilemma is
choosing what to fish whenever I head back down to visit family. I just haven't
found any other place that offers such a broad range of exceptional fisheries.
I often write about blue lining up in <st1:place><st1:placename>Jefferson</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>National Forest</st1:placetype></st1:place> or chasing big blue
cats on the James, but these just scratch the surface. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3FLR-z5Ft0zKFOccF9GrWTG8qnkwQ3WRXlBj66n9o6dQyZppIVVCr_UkBU-9O8OXQ-I4ltN2mTs1L0Zh5DL_iSMzp2sLFluyfWV-4R4fVbl3wU9gNRcGmDbxIbnFpRJ0SrUlmwF2iVY/s1600/20150715_101612a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3FLR-z5Ft0zKFOccF9GrWTG8qnkwQ3WRXlBj66n9o6dQyZppIVVCr_UkBU-9O8OXQ-I4ltN2mTs1L0Zh5DL_iSMzp2sLFluyfWV-4R4fVbl3wU9gNRcGmDbxIbnFpRJ0SrUlmwF2iVY/s320/20150715_101612a.jpg" width="320" /></a>One could easily plan a week long, source to sea fishing
trip on a very modest budget. <a href="https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/regulations/licenses/" target="_blank">Nonresident licensing fees </a>are pretty reasonable,
and permits to fish the federal lands are free. There's ample camping
throughout the state in the numerous state and national parks. </div>
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You'll find headwaters of the <st1:place>James River</st1:place>
and <st1:place><st1:placename>Shenandoah</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Rivers</st1:placetype></st1:place>
in the western mountains, with cool spring fed streams and tributaries that
fish well year round for trout, while the main rivers also hold smallies,
largemouth, muskies and more. I take my 2wt glass rod and run the fire roads up into locations where you can fish all day and never see another human being, or drop my yak into the South Fork of the Shenandoah to chase smallmouth and the elusive muskies. My favorite shop in the Valley is <a href="http://mossycreekflyfishing.com/" target="_blank">Mossy Creek FlyFishing</a>, and their site provides a wealth of information. </div>
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If trophy largemouth is your thing, plan a day on either <st1:place><st1:placename>Smith</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>Mountain</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype>Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place>
(frequent stop on the pro tours) or <st1:place><st1:placetype>Lake</st1:placetype>
<st1:placename>Anna</st1:placename></st1:place>. Both have the added bonus of
landlocked stripers as well. To the far south, you have the Roanoke River/Kerr
Reservoir and <st1:place><st1:placetype>Lake</st1:placetype> <st1:placename>Gaston</st1:placename></st1:place>.
All of these are large bodies of water for which a boat or kayak would be
needed, and there are plenty of rentals available if you don't bring your own,
as well a fishing guides who will provide everything you need, most importantly
their knowledge of the local waters, for your outing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2YnGuvcgZpy41woeIZVBiTjQCNqmKIzBd_N2IOu_IPMVPtvMJwDCS8fHh990gKwgiRHvI5Ko7TFErVSjthnM-RLpraj9ySsUWJlqrfsRT4HlBAIG9EEZD3YG6aFm7_YGz2othDld_3Q/s1600/15774690_996874470456109_5414324752464161347_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1034" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2YnGuvcgZpy41woeIZVBiTjQCNqmKIzBd_N2IOu_IPMVPtvMJwDCS8fHh990gKwgiRHvI5Ko7TFErVSjthnM-RLpraj9ySsUWJlqrfsRT4HlBAIG9EEZD3YG6aFm7_YGz2othDld_3Q/s320/15774690_996874470456109_5414324752464161347_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>As you head down into the tidal regions, particularly the
lower James below <st1:city><st1:place>Richmond</st1:place></st1:city>, trophy
blue cats await pretty much year round. Did I mention that there are bass in
the high single to double digits on the <st1:place><st1:placename>Chickahominy</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>River</st1:placetype></st1:place>? Though I grew up on the <st1:place><st1:placename>Rappahannock</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>River</st1:placetype></st1:place>, I've still got to give the
nod to the mighty James. While you're in the area, spend some time in <st1:city><st1:place>Richmond</st1:place></st1:city>
itself. The Civil War history, brew pubs, and restaurants in the old tobacco
warehouse district shouldn't be missed. </div>
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Finish your trip off in the salt, either in the Chesapeake Bay or
booking a trip out of the VA Beach area for some screaming drags on big pelagic
beasts. The early spring and late fall to winter provide shore and kayak
anglers shots at rockfish/stripers into the 50+lb. range, and summertime brings
flounder, croaker, spot, specs and increasingly reds and cobia. There's a
little bit of everything. Again, you can shorten the learning curve by booking
a guide. <br />
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<a href="https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/blog/category/fishing/" target="_blank">The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries</a> is a great place
to go for both ideas and all the information on licensing, etc. I'm more than
happy to point people in the direction of some of my favorite shops, guides and
locations. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_I8rJs_UBuaCRYNOLeCaxLfeoOCvT3YFEwZjVvOlX3dKxZuS3VEaKodVHxRQMa7git4EX-FJOd6XYWx-mMah5nK2k6aFcoXCw-WUKltaUMl0VSTlqo2fudIapYIKjALQ7IqO2LwhqD8/s1600/20190626_203408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_I8rJs_UBuaCRYNOLeCaxLfeoOCvT3YFEwZjVvOlX3dKxZuS3VEaKodVHxRQMa7git4EX-FJOd6XYWx-mMah5nK2k6aFcoXCw-WUKltaUMl0VSTlqo2fudIapYIKjALQ7IqO2LwhqD8/s320/20190626_203408.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Again, I've only just put a dent in what's available to fish
in <st1:state><st1:place>Virginia</st1:place></st1:state>. I always look
forward to getting back down and packing as much as I can into every free
minute, and never have close to enough time. What are you waiting for? Load up
the truck, the camper or whatever, throw the yaks on top, and head to <st1:state><st1:place>Virginia</st1:place></st1:state>
for a week of fishing! </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-90101940714976920392019-07-05T18:25:00.002-04:002019-07-05T18:25:57.465-04:00FlipRocks - A new option when wet wading, chillin' on the boat, or just around town.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKAlmMX6QnNThANi7ekht2RMPOuP18Xy2-qpeAO6VuAG6I8tYhOTrRLAWqy1jDLvTeK6TQKgx46P2YR35zXAiTSSXZfk5XSMUXxQYI9mMscBst6H9GzB_qThKbeSRL4McJEaxfsAWTUE/s1600/FlipRocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1381" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKAlmMX6QnNThANi7ekht2RMPOuP18Xy2-qpeAO6VuAG6I8tYhOTrRLAWqy1jDLvTeK6TQKgx46P2YR35zXAiTSSXZfk5XSMUXxQYI9mMscBst6H9GzB_qThKbeSRL4McJEaxfsAWTUE/s400/FlipRocks.jpg" width="400" /></a>I recently came across a post on The Fly Fishing Community about wet wading in neoprenes, socks or some combination there of. Well, this season I've been wearing <a href="https://fliprocks.com/" target="_blank">FlipRocks</a> much of the time, so dilemna solved. The guys behind FlipRocks have taken our favorite summer footwear, flip flops or sandals, and added a removable base with rubber, felt, micro-studded and cleated options. You can even do a <a href="https://www.rocktreads.com/" target="_blank">Rock Treads</a> bottom! I was surprised at how grippy the changeable soles are. You really have to tug to get them off, so there is no worry about an inadvertent loss of a sole. The FlipRock model shown are super comfortable, have a toe protector and a back heal strap which I love. I've been wading, kayaking boating and just running around town in them all summer. My wading boots have largely sat in the back of my truck. They make a sandal model as well. If you looking for a do-it-all summer footwear, give FlipRocks a go!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ubRDF3NNDszKT4RDYHbranb7wyGnGkBWHdFjIQGqFMUmYCpxJciApF8VaV04raUIR5aw1AbDP4JiosnFt3eIKlss_ri8VoIW89rAWtyVgS5kswyB304GZubSIQCrQP-N2pG1s4TrOGk/s1600/20190627_054522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ubRDF3NNDszKT4RDYHbranb7wyGnGkBWHdFjIQGqFMUmYCpxJciApF8VaV04raUIR5aw1AbDP4JiosnFt3eIKlss_ri8VoIW89rAWtyVgS5kswyB304GZubSIQCrQP-N2pG1s4TrOGk/s320/20190627_054522.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-16712205454231014402019-04-24T16:34:00.002-04:002019-04-24T16:34:46.176-04:00Virginia Joins North Carolina in taking Unilateral ActionVirginia has joined North Carolina in taking unilateral action to partially close down rockfish/striper fishing. Several other North East states are exploring additional options. all of the data indicates we are approaching a critical point near the edge of that same cliff we went over in the 1980s. Have we learned anything since then? I certainly hope so.<br />
<br />
<ul class="categories" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 11px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="categories__item" style="border-left: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; display: inline-block; font-family: franklin-gothic-urw, sans-serif; font-size: 0.875em; line-height: 1; margin-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><a class="categories__link" href="http://www.cbf.org/news-media/newsroom/news.html?news_type=press-statement" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; display: inline-block; line-height: 1; text-decoration-line: none;" title="News Categories">Press Statement</a></li>
<li class="categories__item" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; display: inline-block; font-family: franklin-gothic-urw, sans-serif; font-size: 0.875em; line-height: 1;"><span class="seprator" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: white; display: inline-block; padding-right: 5px;">|</span> <a class="categories__link" href="http://www.cbf.org/news-media/newsroom/news.html?cbf_location=758136688" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; display: inline-block; line-height: 1; text-decoration-line: none;" title="CBF Location">CBF in Virginia</a>, <a class="categories__link" href="http://www.cbf.org/news-media/newsroom/news.html?cbf_location=742242533" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; display: inline-block; line-height: 1; text-decoration-line: none;" title="CBF Location">Hampton Roads Office</a>, <a class="categories__link" href="http://www.cbf.org/news-media/newsroom/news.html?cbf_location=742242409" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; display: inline-block; line-height: 1; text-decoration-line: none;" title="CBF Location">Maryland Office, Annapolis</a>, <a class="categories__link" href="http://www.cbf.org/news-media/newsroom/news.html?cbf_location=742242720" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; display: inline-block; line-height: 1; text-decoration-line: none;" title="CBF Location">Virginia Office, Richmond</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="body-text news-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: franklin-gothic-urw, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; orphans: 3; widows: 3;">
(ARLINGTON, VA)—<a href="https://www.cbf.org/news-media/newsroom/2019/virginia/cbf-statement-on-striped-bass-trophy-season-closing-in-virginia.html" target="_blank">The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted today to close the trophy striped bass fishing season this spring </a>following concerns about the <a href="http://www.cbf.org/about-the-bay/more-than-just-the-bay/chesapeake-wildlife/rockfish/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #00759f;" title="Striped Bass (Rockfish)">striped bass</a> population. Virginia's fall striped bass season remains unchanged. Next week the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will consider a striped bass stock assessment that is expected to show that strong action is needed to conserve the fishery.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-58079307527727332522019-04-24T16:29:00.001-04:002019-04-24T16:29:08.957-04:00Maryland Says', "F*ck Everyone Else."Maryland has a terrible record when it comes to protecting resources such as the rockfish/striper fishery, and while other states are beginning to take unilateral action, Maryland is foot dragging as usual.<br />
<br />
The following link is to a recent op-ed in the Baltimore Sun by Mark Eustis who has for years been advocating for better policies to ensure the sustainability of our fisheries.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Droid Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-op-0425-rockfish-overfishing-20190424-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2yzJTaFiYul7XTvA9XoZOGTBx9VEbdRgzAQrJmopZdwd_LOF-mjRF4DlA" target="_blank">Maryland overfishing imperils rockfish population</a></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-10095432127633807352019-04-24T16:23:00.003-04:002019-04-24T16:35:30.041-04:00American Saltwater Guides Association - Check It Out<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">For some of the most important and insightful, up to date information on the state of our striper fishery, I follow </span><a aria-describedby="u_9b_1" aria-owns="js_4yv" class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=762049080822929&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARCMLl-6TT_T5Y7u4adQ3JpAMsPj9iwVCh90CFBM4O61INOAqyTI4AXi8pJzeEar4l6gLTDOz1mm8dqg%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/salth2oguides/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARCMLl-6TT_T5Y7u4adQ3JpAMsPj9iwVCh90CFBM4O61INOAqyTI4AXi8pJzeEar4l6gLTDOz1mm8dqg&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDxoSc6jONByY6mZmTI3qqC_JOL7YnIenPfq9mx2wbL7wgzbmaysRz8IircewBlApt8kI2lzK1bvCHkf96FYvosTTUNR1uHOrU_YNE2P9ag6HFdZmo-HnpeyelM_XOpk0CMtSYrGnIiPXHPXZ4ROwVyzMaxuIwGzYVASuckOwqkLeXMY4YS1y_3YkTnvEhdfiCSwB30eC5oTsvW0LzyFBdMdwj1XCmU64Vr6scbjUaHYtlwymiKaEHgeZgy_hDcfvSkQ9Ljz8ryhDKFu5ddgJBXK3SuhbwfXMiVTlSCbAMKtzjdslNL-g9_9eckSGyQwdCLdnDM5CWDBN8MtIwtKOM7Oz0hLQ0ERg" id="js_4z0" style="background-color: white; color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">American Saltwater Guides Association</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">. We're at another really pivotal point in the future sustainability of these fish, and I'd like to leave a thriving, healthy population for future anglers.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Parts One and Two of a 3 part series:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Part 1 - <a href="https://saltwaterguidesassociation.com/striped-bass-101/?fbclid=IwAR3ae_dWU7ft3pcAvEQvAulfQ8yFvT1W2NR_dy79kICVzu3cBYZ6AtlLS64" target="_blank">How Did We End Up Here?</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Part 2 - <a href="https://saltwaterguidesassociation.com/striped-bass-101-part-2-moving-forward-while-avoiding-past-mistakes/?fbclid=IwAR20CtYwvbz2fT7NIDGlEtHPyCTQCdACEVhrUW_wtdJM23LRmSTlxp56EDo" target="_blank">Moving Forward...</a></span><br />
<br />
Tight Lines,<br />
RNA<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-14259477140444560712019-04-15T16:41:00.001-04:002019-04-15T20:07:02.516-04:00No Wasted TripsNo fishing trip is wasted. Of course I want to catch fish,
but on those outings when I don't, there's always something of value. Whether
it's a new environment, striking up a conversation with fellow anglers during a
slow bite, or just soaking in the surrounding scenery on one of the first truly
spring evenings, I always leave with something that makes the effort
worthwhile. Saturday evening provided all of the above on an outing that didn't
produce any of the big, <st1:place><st1:placetype>Lake</st1:placetype> <st1:placename>Ontario</st1:placename></st1:place>
brown that I was hoping for.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjesiaAXPra1ybctBN47I-1MfLZ5r0tTRBPPEG2ai8_1fC6idHABNqRG_Uij77isjKSkZS1fyEAtLUIAYORB4NABjxWxbInRtWyBT-CQWm6w0eySUzq9hiFwCt4K7YoQCripGSxKWpp1s/s1600/20190413_195026a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjesiaAXPra1ybctBN47I-1MfLZ5r0tTRBPPEG2ai8_1fC6idHABNqRG_Uij77isjKSkZS1fyEAtLUIAYORB4NABjxWxbInRtWyBT-CQWm6w0eySUzq9hiFwCt4K7YoQCripGSxKWpp1s/s320/20190413_195026a.jpg" width="320" /></a>My brother, son and I had already faced a tough day steelhead
fishing with high, muddy waters on the Salmon River, and looking for an
alternative to the jam packed tribs like Orwell, I decided to take a drive over
to Selkirk Shores State Park, as word was there was a decent brown bite from
shore that morning. Doug wanted to stay in and watch the Richmond NASCAR race,
and Danny just wanted to catch up on sleep, so I headed over on my own to catch
what I hoped would be a last light bite. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsh37dX9D3hsBc8xOUIsIRNXLJakQua8-q-xf_EK8gdIWXVD7WEd9RVd9pTtOcpvN_LG7ro3LYxmA4tDMbodhbmtc2eHnisWEnz8-UmayVfzZBAaxMSz6k5YWVKCVUAN0VjvRyxR9Lh8/s1600/20190413_195634a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsh37dX9D3hsBc8xOUIsIRNXLJakQua8-q-xf_EK8gdIWXVD7WEd9RVd9pTtOcpvN_LG7ro3LYxmA4tDMbodhbmtc2eHnisWEnz8-UmayVfzZBAaxMSz6k5YWVKCVUAN0VjvRyxR9Lh8/s200/20190413_195634a.jpg" width="200" /></a>I arrived to find a few guys set up and fishing, along with
the dog walkers and families out taking advantage of the first warm weekend of
the year. I was rigged up with a 3/4oz. blue and silver Cleo, with an
assortment of other colors and sizes in my bag. The only crowded spot was the
end of the concrete jetty, but there was more than enough beech for the half
dozen of the rest of us. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdxLm9zp2Q4e5hutVcBEbyt2l1l2EKY64qsRI3rGp60bV4kWCfnA6958e4o2XW7fLTQRhVNiS3IFAIpzckU1HgOOBsxKZlmUmPB-0Mxlo1hTplEvclCPAaG3_ZR5zJCEl3tq4G3oxpRU/s1600/20190413_185702a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1600" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdxLm9zp2Q4e5hutVcBEbyt2l1l2EKY64qsRI3rGp60bV4kWCfnA6958e4o2XW7fLTQRhVNiS3IFAIpzckU1HgOOBsxKZlmUmPB-0Mxlo1hTplEvclCPAaG3_ZR5zJCEl3tq4G3oxpRU/s200/20190413_185702a1.jpg" width="200" /></a>I'm perfectly happy to find my space and fish in solitude,
and I'll rarely approach anyone else that looks to be doing the same. I
appreciate the fellow anglers who give a nod and a greeting but then finds
their space and doesn't continually invade the peace and quiet. At the same
time, on a slow night such as this, when I step back from casting and take a
pause, I'm more than happy to jaw with other guys out looking to do the same.
I've met some of the most interesting folks from all walks of life hanging out
on beaches at times like this. I can talk fishing with guys I've just met like
we've been friends for a lifetime. Some I'll see out again, a few I'll actually
end up fishing with quite a bit, and many I'll never see again. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI36vFFbcwlnbC-7lLnRwAMsG0TlPWwfEdg97mKlYYH1NroFbU7iqaopVHZuGTLOY2AMYX7ef9fZgTLO0C3mgwqPfyy_cCWG7Yalin-O9eE0UxH7gh41BARJuD42lRNDGTyFJo9KVFYh0/s1600/20190413_200101a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI36vFFbcwlnbC-7lLnRwAMsG0TlPWwfEdg97mKlYYH1NroFbU7iqaopVHZuGTLOY2AMYX7ef9fZgTLO0C3mgwqPfyy_cCWG7Yalin-O9eE0UxH7gh41BARJuD42lRNDGTyFJo9KVFYh0/s200/20190413_200101a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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This particular night it was a young guy from <st1:city><st1:place>Utica</st1:place></st1:city>
with his Dad from out of town, both looking for any advice I'd share, and a local
guy Dale who works at Pineville Sporting Supply right down from where I was
staying. Contrary to what many on the internet might have us believe today,
fishing advice is not like Cold War espionage. It's OK to give as well as
receive. That's how we've all gotten to wherever we are today. Hopefully, the
father/son team left with a few ideas for the rest of their trip, and I
certainly soaked up what Dale had to say about fishing the area. The fact that
I didn't land a brown did not diminish the evening one bit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j9c4AyGT2aApx9FBSuDY_u2aBeQOgOQOGah66urRG1RtBA5VCMT_98H4I8rhvDhamfwlC0Ar5TBVLR0zXfFWcg7FIrOt_JzDQJpBJ7ewg-AtE5IiP3G3SycSFpg6tNReGzDiTVJHDVQ/s1600/20190413_194524a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j9c4AyGT2aApx9FBSuDY_u2aBeQOgOQOGah66urRG1RtBA5VCMT_98H4I8rhvDhamfwlC0Ar5TBVLR0zXfFWcg7FIrOt_JzDQJpBJ7ewg-AtE5IiP3G3SycSFpg6tNReGzDiTVJHDVQ/s200/20190413_194524a.jpg" width="200" /></a>So my advice is this. Don't measure every trip by how many
or how big the fish were that you landed. If that is your sole yardstick, you
will find disappointed when you need not be. Look forward to and enjoy the
entire experience. Landing that monster fish or hitting the blitz just makes it
that much better. And you know what they say. "If you don't catch fish,
take sunset pictures." Enjoy the sunset photos :) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-66501495672579414032018-12-14T22:36:00.003-05:002018-12-14T22:38:40.731-05:00VersaCarry 2018 Commander<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvr0XZEvut88lrrAWq3xLs8-u4GtcDxXVEtxUBRyBMiF0eh6nb0UMok0GEOViRw7_M41rVxi6iY4kgPteKYR5pRTCJ4r6xk5MLW8-cWpRMZwt5yaqAYfXJMf2xfYUtKsH0w6LR6sueHc/s1600/20181103_222522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvr0XZEvut88lrrAWq3xLs8-u4GtcDxXVEtxUBRyBMiF0eh6nb0UMok0GEOViRw7_M41rVxi6iY4kgPteKYR5pRTCJ4r6xk5MLW8-cWpRMZwt5yaqAYfXJMf2xfYUtKsH0w6LR6sueHc/s200/20181103_222522.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I few weeks back I posted on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheRedneckangler/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> that I'd ordered a</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <a href="https://www.versacarry.com/outside-the-waistband/2018-commander-holster/?fbclid=IwAR1x28okqpy36boT-F1tIf3bpf-R4tSP2XaPjdXq5dVA84mGbfuT1cdca9o" target="_blank">Versacarry</a> 2018 Commander holster that they are selling on clearance for $24.99, a redesign in the works for 2019. I'm kinda old school, and don't always want a hunk of kydex on my hip. The holster arrived in a just few days, and I've had the chance to carry with it a few times. For the price, I'd have to say I'm pretty pleased. The </span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=106625151796&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARBPBTI93F-I8cei7Vzx1Cgx0yFVWCpIEEg7bItUjXQbxEvO3WpNEe9Y1XkBpXwpZT2PPe3aLDZ5OzkD%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/GLOCK/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARBPBTI93F-I8cei7Vzx1Cgx0yFVWCpIEEg7bItUjXQbxEvO3WpNEe9Y1XkBpXwpZT2PPe3aLDZ5OzkD&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARADmGvR1xAIbqBxYDJkr5jo7OSfJHJQKMWgAJal3IUmrSf9tbsYAdldMcwEwEsiFC2vzDPCFGKBmYrCFn-St1s7vyroO9o1tZb_q0WQuMK_4fTGcanSyOAh6OdmZpAQ-Jd6G19rjPe7BrWK_yIWpmyUi8jEEu2oe24x4FF08boR4c9Qadjom8jRjSYw27Gwd4yTkEIXZe-FTYku6RCLJu_9oh8jAHWyt2NKfe_V4GGIsfmsuzQbE3DDlIjWgA0QScwsft5ZFrVCJC5vRFQSfyGKI88EIBUKb_gsz9SUJnEmkTiNGxAavFuu_qyow__U8liqDchercxApzn-XOYSxEEUVw" style="background-color: white; color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;">GLOCK</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> 43 fits snugly, and the Commander holds a second magazine. The rig sits up comfortably up on my hip at 4 o'clock and doesn't really print even in a t-shirt. It's not a high-end, custom leather holster, but it well made and provides a lot of bang for the buck! I can see myself using this quite a bit. I ordered a second for another firearm. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Coupon Code: 2018COM</span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span>
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Kim Kardashian's butt has nothing on this!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-69412170900053788592018-11-15T21:21:00.001-05:002018-11-15T21:26:30.778-05:00That's Why They Call It.....<br />
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Yes, yes, everybody knows - fishing. Yes, I drove more miles
to catch no fish than I ever have before in my life, over 1,000 miles in fact.
But you know what? I'd do it over again. The plan was to head to upstate <st1:state><st1:place>New
York</st1:place></st1:state> to fish the lower <st1:place>Niagara River</st1:place>
for big browns, steelhead and lake trout. This is the time of year when the
crowds begin to thin, the temperatures drop, and the fishing really heats up.
My brother had hooked me up with accommodations thanks to his supply of hotel
points, but wouldn't be joining me as he was stuck somewhere in the remote
south west of New Zealand in Fox Glacier, but that's another story all
together. The plan was for my son Danny and I to drive up to Niagara Falls, NY
Friday evening, fish Saturday with <a href="http://lakeontariofishingcharter.org/" target="_blank">Capt. </a><span style="background: white;"><a href="http://lakeontariofishingcharter.org/" target="_blank">Mark “Sparky”McGranahan</a>, make our own way along the river around Art Park on Sunday, and
maybe hit up a few of the tribs on the way back Monday. We were prepped for an
epic father/son weekend of non-stop fishing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59lDBgaCYxiH8vrMDsJj_LXEyZqCJvz1aBYVURStHm70UDvlYv4m6TqcD_QtLnm5Ms3Z3VgYF3VSFAvtQUwbzHn8BZ3aqsjHRU5JG5ptpzRB0ELjanRmTsIx7IPyThyphenhyphenQAKHM584bo5Pk/s1600/20181110_110202a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59lDBgaCYxiH8vrMDsJj_LXEyZqCJvz1aBYVURStHm70UDvlYv4m6TqcD_QtLnm5Ms3Z3VgYF3VSFAvtQUwbzHn8BZ3aqsjHRU5JG5ptpzRB0ELjanRmTsIx7IPyThyphenhyphenQAKHM584bo5Pk/s200/20181110_110202a.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background: white;">Capt. Sparky called Thursday
before our departure with news that the </span><st1:place><span style="background: white;">Niagara</span></st1:place><span style="background: white;"> was in bad shape, and it would be pointless fishing Saturday. He
didn't want us to make the long drive, only to be disappointed by a boat ride.
I respect that in a captain or guide. I told him we had the free accommodation
and would make the trip regardless, with flexibility through Monday should
conditions improve, and he promised to keep us updated. The trip up took nine
hours, as we ran into the first snow storm of the winter. It was early Saturday
morning by the time we hit the bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jb6x8bHniOyBb0oAmVMnSmvNly2tVkIRuzep4AHqYfzZ-VVyol6jc7JHrHbBlT98zXn9nF6t7AIFjHhBXLil9-z5f4F1MSZbA8CuUR2rp0adAVcWE99WmVQQCycO2xUHBhAFIdu8HBk/s1600/20181110_134813a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jb6x8bHniOyBb0oAmVMnSmvNly2tVkIRuzep4AHqYfzZ-VVyol6jc7JHrHbBlT98zXn9nF6t7AIFjHhBXLil9-z5f4F1MSZbA8CuUR2rp0adAVcWE99WmVQQCycO2xUHBhAFIdu8HBk/s200/20181110_134813a.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background: white;">We woke to clearing skies and
45+ mph winds. Fishing the Niagara was completely out of the question, and
neither Danny nor myself felt like driving over an hour back the way we came to
hit some smaller, more protected locations. Instead, we went sight seeing at
the falls and up to </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="background: white;">Ft.</span></st1:placetype><span style="background: white;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="background: white;">Niagara</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="background: white;">. It was pretty cool visiting the fort on a cold, wind
swept day, </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="background: white;">Lake</span></st1:placetype><span style="background: white;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="background: white;">Ontario</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="background: white;"> pounding up against the break walls and the place all
but deserted. A British regular of the 8th Kings Foot Regiment and a ten year
veteran at </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="background: white;">Ft.</span></st1:placetype><span style="background: white;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="background: white;">Niagara</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="background: white;"> (with the US Park Service) gave all 5-6 of us a tour
and weapons demonstration. He apparently works this job year round, and I could
only imagine him standing out in the freezing rain and snow during the winter
months, dressed in a full 18th century period uniform, struggling to fire a
flint lock musket for the 1-2 visitors that might arrive. From there, it's not
that great a leap to what a real twenty year posting must have been like in the
1760s, or for the French before them. As a history teacher, I loved it, and
Danny said it was the best thing he's done in </span><st1:place><span style="background: white;">Niagara</span></st1:place><span style="background: white;">. On the way to the Brickyard Pub & BBQ<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Lewistown - great place, recommended),
Sparky called to let us know Sunday was going to be a no go as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhih-6FwRlT-aC-rwWQgqzwD7YdkQsx2ckYq8gxdKMNEj_EJZ40z6KFzTekFHU5JjZAD7oJ5k-VtnapM_ECasmdcq69LS4koM3QGGNOczMboo_1EH1WnXSUpe10WlBsZXuEN9f4NjjrBvI/s1600/20181111_122509a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhih-6FwRlT-aC-rwWQgqzwD7YdkQsx2ckYq8gxdKMNEj_EJZ40z6KFzTekFHU5JjZAD7oJ5k-VtnapM_ECasmdcq69LS4koM3QGGNOczMboo_1EH1WnXSUpe10WlBsZXuEN9f4NjjrBvI/s200/20181111_122509a.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background: white;">I was bound and determined to
at least say we'd fished the </span><st1:place><span style="background: white;">Niagara</span></st1:place><span style="background: white;">, come hell or brown, chocolaty water! Sunday morning,
we fished Art Park along the banks of the mighty </span><st1:place><span style="background: white;">Niagara</span></st1:place><span style="background: white;">. We knew it was loaded with fish, because despite the 4-6" maximum
visibility, they would surface quite regularly. We fished float rigs, cast all
the flies in my arsenal, egg sacks and a variety of junk flies with absolutely
no success. For the entire morning through mid-afternoon I only saw two fish
on, and none landed. It was a valiant but ultimately futile effort. Danny hung
in like a trooper. He doesn't whine or complain when the fish don't cooperate.
He's landed more than a few nice fish by just gritting it out on really slow
days. I finally yielded and we called it a day with no fish what-so-ever. Sparky
texted that he was canceling all trips through at least Tuesday. To try and
purge the whiff of the skunking, we drove down to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="background: white;">Buffalo</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="background: white;"> and the Anchor Bar on </span><st1:street><st1:address><span style="background: white;">Main St.</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="background: white;">, home of the original buffalo wing. Wings and beer
(Diet Coke for Danny) cure a lot. I'd also add that </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="background: white;">Buffalo</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="background: white;"> is experiencing an urban renaissance and is a pretty
incredible city for architecture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaQBwQrlpRSUwGuzgiEYpquLTjq2rHOho6fMZ9O2W-F3RodwpX875l7maF1jzYF1VDB7PMp5OZ4L9rARIH9Fha1P_4kNd_KchwFmQJLxMxtSzkvKvOX8dgZMH8FC4uv8Iictv69vkFPM/s1600/20181111_185247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaQBwQrlpRSUwGuzgiEYpquLTjq2rHOho6fMZ9O2W-F3RodwpX875l7maF1jzYF1VDB7PMp5OZ4L9rARIH9Fha1P_4kNd_KchwFmQJLxMxtSzkvKvOX8dgZMH8FC4uv8Iictv69vkFPM/s200/20181111_185247.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="background: white;">Monday started with an early
departure from </span><st1:place><span style="background: white;">Niagara</span></st1:place><span style="background: white;">, with a quick stop by Johnson's Creek and Oak
Orchard. The Oak was pretty busy, though the first light, great bite had died
down. All of the most productive waters were elbow to elbow, and as late
arrivals, we had to take what we could get. I managed to hook into a nice, big
brown before too long, which I handed off to Danny. Danny's brought in some
nice steelhead on the fly, was fighting this fish well for quite a bit and
appeared to be getting the upper hand until it made a quick final run and broke
off. We fished for another 30-40 minutes without any further bites. Now, I'm
stubborn enough to fish to the last dying light, sleep in the truck and start
again in the morning, but facing 6-1/2 hours more of driving and a kid that
needed to be in school the next day, I was forced to accept the ultimate
defeat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">The fishing sucked, the catching
was non-existant, the driving was long and tiring, and thoughts of returning to
work the next day were depressing. Danny and I have been on tons of trips far
more successful than this. Still, I got to get away with my boy, and that makes
up for everything else! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Niagara Falls, NY, USA43.0962143 -79.037738843.0034613 -79.1991003 43.1889673 -78.8763773tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-77601381568007240212018-09-24T17:52:00.000-04:002018-09-24T17:52:19.222-04:00Securing Your Firearm with Zore<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
My <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=1048428188546577&extragetparams=%7B%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/zoreownyourgun/?fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA-5_KUZ5lA4t0nSXDfJ_K_VuwTItOZzpuinE_s1g-4EsMhhlENuLzzGjQb9evWzw3-7lePAhngQEluRNYIVuBIcUropILyYnPZ464lS6Dkyxt3cAoNLbPHw1GI4igv6W7Jgv2GFH7e_jbVSUrGIABt3mP5smV114ligfCkVWtGa7r472Zv6A&__tn__=K-R" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">ZORE. Own Your Gun.</a> Lock finally arrived on 9/24 after placing a 7/27 order. They did include a Black Cage magnetic mount as a "Thank You" for the wait. The lock works flawlessly in my 9mm <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=106625151796&extragetparams=%7B%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/GLOCK/?fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA-5_KUZ5lA4t0nSXDfJ_K_VuwTItOZzpuinE_s1g-4EsMhhlENuLzzGjQb9evWzw3-7lePAhngQEluRNYIVuBIcUropILyYnPZ464lS6Dkyxt3cAoNLbPHw1GI4igv6W7Jgv2GFH7e_jbVSUrGIABt3mP5smV114ligfCkVWtGa7r472Zv6A&__tn__=K-R" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">GLOCK</a> 17 and 43. No problem ejecting the lock with a swift pull of the slide. I'll probably play around with the combo a bit. Higher digits require two actions to rotate the wheel, slowing down the process. Like anything, repetition is required to become really proficient under any circumstances. If you're looking for a safe locking option other than a safe or keyed device, I'd definitely consider the Zore. You can find out more at <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zore.life%2F&h=AT3PCL-R823qbhs3Gj3w9mzRsbgmdWBxbnmaKat6z8a4xv9obcQWzfCr01vVVTetGi1aT0yPUO_Wpfz7ieaRznho2YG3vc0I5q6XEfV0TeQTHv-Lq8PtPGsROxqSZrxCS4s9XeFbmdmvGcWNhelNjPq6FniVHzPiLfIJM-fPHm6sT0_mjQUHj_VcdPGvelf9UI_HWyoYE_GGaSNXZybEju1M5p2TloeZRYCrVuUMRIITRBsN7BXp4_jdoaot2d3VuDMtbEd8aoc52UzH6WsDj3uDahzdWJgDZbfOXIcBuDT6IIULuGjTQ5JH2fY6UgdsMSaphN0aokA3Kvj2laqPJ6QZ86iRWuNWU8sgzZThXUtudoVOwAAYXgL6vvlwHtj1jfHtyQJOTHRSkhGdmfjzPZE" original_target="https://www.zore.life/" rel="noopener nofollow" saprocessedanchor="true" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">http://www.zore.life/</a>. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-52696773338880110392018-09-19T21:29:00.000-04:002018-09-24T17:53:50.751-04:00Rock Treads - Aluminum Disk Grips for Your Wading Boots, Made in America! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCOu7I7oJ3N_yQf5OZPxTA-Y-lehQOnOvYsmrKSPc7eM9vZTWmZaABanwtCuD166o9rPKIkqJlVrNf12cLS7yafO6vV4AgTKHkh6nJYFI3tF-DRJ8WQHfCsP74q0DWWREyXT7AA_LeZk/s1600/20180910_143806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1600" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCOu7I7oJ3N_yQf5OZPxTA-Y-lehQOnOvYsmrKSPc7eM9vZTWmZaABanwtCuD166o9rPKIkqJlVrNf12cLS7yafO6vV4AgTKHkh6nJYFI3tF-DRJ8WQHfCsP74q0DWWREyXT7AA_LeZk/s320/20180910_143806.jpg" width="320" /></a>Navigating slick river or jetty rocks isn't getting any easier with age, and taking a spill seems to hurt a hell of a lot more, so I was super stoked when the guys at <a href="https://www.rocktreads.com/" target="_blank">Rock Treads</a> were kind enough to send me one of their kits to install on a set of Korkers Omnitrax removable soles. A few weeks back I wrote up a review of the <a href="http://redneckangler.blogspot.com/2018/08/korkers-triple-threat-aluminum-hex-soles.html" target="_blank">Korkers Hex Soles</a>, so now I've had a chance to to see and try both companies' aluminum disk traction systems. I've only had the Rock Treads out once, so I'm posting this video of the product, installation and some basic feedback. I plan a more extensive review at the end of the fall run, and hopefully some information on where you might be able to check them out first hand in the North East before next season. I will say, during this one trip, my feet stayed glued to the jetty rock, on steep angles and even the snot slick stuff that was getting washed over by the tide. They provide a ton more surface area than the Korkers Hex Treads, are made of a higher aircraft grade aluminum, and as you can see from the video and pics, are considerably beefier. They're gaining quite a following among river guides and freshwater fishermen, and are looking to expand into the surfcasting scene. They'll need to introduce all stainless hardware for that, but my initial impression is that this product is a winner.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3B-B6xhq4FU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3B-B6xhq4FU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Korkers Hex Treads (left) & Rock Treads (right)<br />
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Slick jetty rock was absolutely no problem.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-55072665590143015432018-09-03T20:57:00.001-04:002018-09-03T20:57:44.168-04:00Fishin' Magician's Skid Stik Schoolie Topwater<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xndJ6pC7ZCw" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-13320999145255216652018-08-26T11:37:00.004-04:002018-08-26T15:56:42.477-04:00One of the Best Nights of Striper Fishing, and I Don't Want to Do It Again.<br />
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After two months of seeing pics of huge stripers from <st1:place>Block
Island</st1:place>, I finally had a night where conditions were good and I had
to time to run over in my little Gemma Rose 2 and get in on the action. My
friend Mike and I ran across the Block Island Sound with a few guys that
regularly fish Block in their own small boat. We left <st1:street><st1:address>Stonington
CT</st1:address></st1:street> around <st1:time hour="17" minute="0">5pm</st1:time>,
and after a quick peek at Watch Hill, I turned the bow to Block and we set out.
The run took us about an hour. It wasn't too difficult to figure out when we'd
arrived, as there were already four dozen plus boats with more heading our way.
The plan was to fish the flood until it gave way around <st1:time hour="23" minute="0">11pm</st1:time>, and then head back under the full moon before the
outgoing tide picked up. We were loaded up with eels and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gravitytackle/" target="_blank">Gravity Tackle</a> 13.5" Soft Eels. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbzDuzfqdSd-NmaHmQH1ghlp-dUdv0LUa3n21BhzbM8uHNT0s8J8xrbjpQpeUCY-27U9kg2W38YHfZy1FWs0Z6oN4kVXkXy24k4rf1HyvN4b_CSVPKgKcnO56LA4euobh4F7TVFNjY-k/s1600/DSC_0410a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbzDuzfqdSd-NmaHmQH1ghlp-dUdv0LUa3n21BhzbM8uHNT0s8J8xrbjpQpeUCY-27U9kg2W38YHfZy1FWs0Z6oN4kVXkXy24k4rf1HyvN4b_CSVPKgKcnO56LA4euobh4F7TVFNjY-k/s320/DSC_0410a.jpg" width="320" /></a>Rigged up, we ran to the top of the line of drifting boats
and dropped our eels on 3-way rigs. It wasn't too long before I felt a huge
thump and set the hook hard. My rod doubled, and I pushed my Seigler SG drag
all the way forward. There was no finesse here, it was brute force on force,
and eventually a 40+lb. fish emerged on the surface. I was thrilled until I saw
the fish had been gut hooked. Knowing we'd be targeting huge fish, I'd switched
from a circle to an Owner 8/0 baitfish hook. We cut the line and spent ten
minutes trying to revive the fish boat side. My small craft and low gunnels enabled
us to get right down on the water as we worked to revive it. A big proponent of
catch and release, especially with large breeding fish, this was not the start
I was after, but it sometimes happens. </div>
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As the last light faded, I was astonished by the number of
boats that had joined the line-up. It looked like Interstate 95 at night, one
lane drifting north and another running back south to start again. Everyone was
hooking into these big fish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having lost
the first fish, I went back to circles, willing to risk losing a larger fish to
a missed hook set. Mike and I doubled on the second drift, and most there
after. These fish were enormous, and after each fight, took time to properly revive.
After the two fish photographed, which weren't the largest of the night, we
stopped even taking them out of the water. We never weighed or measured a
single fish. Despite this, we lost one more fish before we departed. This one
was hooked top side of the lip, boated quickly, never left the water, and we
spent 10+ minutes trying to revive her. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQkDxqWk2x4WBfrOCFMuMb3GxW6X5w5AfIr1fytZ5rClQtVYL2WdSWxjdHaCUlFTTgFO5qBlJu8LIuqMw94WkSwfxJ5lH4B27Ryk55jYkL93NkyttSYXryQJmBUW3AXlHRfSkBQVkwoY/s1600/imagejpeg_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQkDxqWk2x4WBfrOCFMuMb3GxW6X5w5AfIr1fytZ5rClQtVYL2WdSWxjdHaCUlFTTgFO5qBlJu8LIuqMw94WkSwfxJ5lH4B27Ryk55jYkL93NkyttSYXryQJmBUW3AXlHRfSkBQVkwoY/s320/imagejpeg_2a.jpg" width="320" /></a>Hooking into these big fish was a thrill, and you would be
hard pressed to find a more consistent bite of monster stripers than what we
have experienced here the last season or two. That said, I looked at the
numbers of boats sitting on these fish, thinking about how many will end up
floaters a few miles out to sea. These big fish fight themselves into complete
exhaustion, even when fished with heavy gear. How can you revive them when
you're in a big sport fisher? They may kick the tail a few times and then head
down, but that doesn't equate to survivability. I saw countless fish tossed
back in off big boats after pictures, measurements, more pictures. The Gemma
Rose 2 allowed us to be right down on the water reviving these fish, and we
still lost two despite all of our efforts. </div>
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As we motored back on a calm clear night, I had the time to
reflect on the evening. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to land some huge
stripers, yet the mystique of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>50lb. fish
had disappeared. It was like going hunting in a zoo. The surf guys love the
expression, "Boat fish don't count." Do Block fish I wondered? Maybe 60 is the new 50? (Especially as I near 50.) One
great night of monster fish is "Epic," but night after night? What is
the long term impact of these big breeders getting hammered night after night,
where mortality rates, despite catch and release, have to be higher than a lot
of folks realize or will admit? I'm really just trying to share my own thoughts
on the night I experienced Friday, and I personal decision that is right for
me. I love chasing stripers, and the hope of landing a true fish of a lifetime
the next time out is always there. It was one of the best nights of striper
fishing I have ever experienced, and that said, I have no desire to go back and
do it again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-55597064594549090742018-08-08T16:43:00.000-04:002018-08-08T16:42:59.985-04:00Korkers TRIPLE THREAT ALUMINUM HEX SOLES<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2GBSk4o9hjmVz5O1GELYGuMRbdmfiA2yzMMcCyy3I2Fy7saKx5BvbExnm82jhorGXihuQY26oY6q-oHZ18WZh0FrJsXQkSfyYAIPrIyp4keizH_34kQ3uRxdEf2jmAw_0Oeq7rp8fkk/s1600/Triple+Threat+Hex1500594628-24991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2GBSk4o9hjmVz5O1GELYGuMRbdmfiA2yzMMcCyy3I2Fy7saKx5BvbExnm82jhorGXihuQY26oY6q-oHZ18WZh0FrJsXQkSfyYAIPrIyp4keizH_34kQ3uRxdEf2jmAw_0Oeq7rp8fkk/s320/Triple+Threat+Hex1500594628-24991.jpg" width="123" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The number of sole options for Korkers boots seems to have exploded. I recently bought a pair of the <a href="http://www.korkers.com/footwear/soles-accessories/triple-threat-aluminum-hex-sole.html" target="_blank">Korkers</a></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.korkers.com/footwear/soles-accessories/triple-threat-aluminum-hex-sole.html" target="_blank"> </a></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.korkers.com/footwear/soles-accessories/triple-threat-aluminum-hex-sole.html" target="_blank">TRIPLE THREAT ALUMINUM HEX SOLES</a>
when I stopped in <a href="http://mossycreekflyfishing.com/" target="_blank">Mossy Creek Fly Fishing</a> on my last trip down to VA. The hex
cleats seemed like a much better option than the aluminum bars, which don't
really allow for much flexibility in the soles of your boots. I've avoided
wearing the studded felt soles (banned in an increasing number of places) in an
effort to prevent the cross contamination that is ruining many of our streams,
and have generally used the less aggressive studded cling-on soles. I also
wondered how the Hex Soles would fare in a saltwater environment, rock hopping on
jetties. Would they be as effective as my Korkers RockTrax? Busting ass on a
jetty at night is not fun! After a several trips out in a variety of terrain environments,
I have to say my overall impression is pretty positive. They excel in all of
the river bottoms I waded, from smooth and slick, snot covered rocks to
sharper, jagged bottoms. They grip everything and I could wade with confidence.
That should easily translate to the salt, right? Here, I still have to go with
the RockTrax for two key reasons. As the tide drops, you get rocks exposed that
are covered in much heavier layers of seaweed and other stuff, and the spikes
just cut down through this better. </span>I also noticed that they wear pretty quickly, especially on rough, dry jetty rock, so I'll probably be ordering another $30 package of hex discs pretty soon, and using these mostly in rivers.<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span>However, if you're a predominantly
freshwater guy that does an occasional surfcasting trip, these will more than
meet your needs. </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7612170191663627754.post-17228750579867830502018-07-05T22:56:00.001-04:002018-07-05T22:56:49.892-04:00New Series: Florida Sportsman Watermen<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LbZwbxIfjOI" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0