WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
April 12, 2007

Happy Spring!!! Well that is what the calendar is telling us, but sure the weather is telling us something a little different, but it's April and we shouldn't expect things much different. So, I hope everyone is as excited for the final 30-day countdown to begin. Some exciting news from the Colter household this week, we have found a new home that we offically own, and as of now we will be moving in on June 4th. Not the ideal time to be moving, as I will be in the middle of the Spring bite, but it is exciting. As the addresses change, I'm sure the phone numbers will change with it, and I will be updating all that information. Outside of that, my mind is truly focused on rod-bending fishing that is closing quickly.

So is it really Spring? Or was the recent warm few days the summer and now we head into late Fall or early Winter again! It sure seems that mother nature is playing the good ol' games with us, but by the looks of things, Spring is getting here and the ice will be gone for that opening weekend that now is less then a month out.

As for the fishing in the area, what fishing? The cool down even put a stop to the Rainy River opportunity that many anglers patiently wait for each Spring. With April 15th being the close date of the Walleye fishing on the Rainy, another year has come and gone.

A few anglers are still getting out on the ice, but I would not recommend it as those ice conditions will now rapidly change with the looks of the forecast. Most of the shore ice is gone or unsafe, those ice fishing days are surely over for me.

So what is one to do? For me it is getting that opening weekend equipment ready for May 12th. Before getting into the Salmo hornets, I want to cover the rods and line for the upcoming seasons. As for line, a 6-8 lb. monofilament line for those jigs and rigs in the early water season is all one should need. If you're looking for that strong, flexible, no-memory line, take a look at the Stren Magna thin. I have used it for the last 5-or-6 years, and I can't say enough about this line. As for the braided lines, look for the 4/10 Berkley fireline to be a favorite of most. While running the hornets, one not only gets all the feel needed from the line but it also allows for better hook-ups. So each angler certainly has many options when it comes to line, these are just a few that I have had excellent luck with and highly recommend.

Then for rods. As for live bait applications, I would recommend looking at rods that have a medium-light weight and a fast or extremely fast action to them. The lengths of the rods truly vary, but for many anglers the rods in the 7-foot length are preferred and I agree with that. As for the crankbaiting, I would look for a medium-light rod with a medium-to-fast action, again a 7-foot rod is perfect. When running the braided lines, the lighter action rods play as a shock absorber, which is truly needed with this presentation. I think the Avid to Lengend Elite series by St. Croix will have you covered with the livebait techniques, and look for the Tidemaster series from St. Croix in the crankbaiting rods.

Next week I will cover the Hornet presentation for early season success. That Hornet already has me stinging the blues as we wait for that last 30 days to pass.

Think warm and a little more rain,

Sean Colter
member of NMGL
www.seancolter.com