The Adipose Pro-Lok/Edge Oar System

October 11th, 2015

Two months ago if I were to have made a list of all the things in my life that I felt needed improvement, my boat oars wouldn’t have been on it.

Which is why I was slightly surprised to hear my response during a rowdy dinner at the Stoney Acre Grill on Beaver Island when Mike Ward from Adipose Boatworks leaned over and told me that I just had to try out their new oar system. “Best ever,” he said.

“Absolutely,” I said without hesitation through a warm and fuzzy beer buzz smile, “I’ll take a pair.”

I have to say that at the time I regretted my quick dinner-table decision. The Pro-Lok Oar System is top-of-the-line, with a top-of-the-line price tag. I already had a nice pair of oars. They worked fine. But what was done was done. Buy the ticket, take the ride.

Then the package arrived.

A month of using this system has completely removed any doubt or regret in my mind. They are the best oars I have ever used. With my big boat I use 10′ oars, and the Edge oar shafts are feather-light and float well, making my old oars feel like clubs. If I had to guess, I would say they were a third the weight.

Blades that float well may seem like a little thing, but it isn’t. When I drop an oar to release my anchor, for example, there is nothing more frustrating that an a sinky oar that finds every log or rock to jam on. This type of behavior is how oars, oar locks, and boat sides are damaged, and also how boats can flip. Which is an activity best avoided, in my opinion, and the Edge oars float like bobbers and greatly reducing this risk.

On the Pro-Lok System the rope wrap is removed allowing the oar to slide smoothly within the collar. Up to this point I had only used rope-wrapped oars and I was weary of losing the grip and feel. Now I can say that smooth is good. Very good.

The Pro-Lok system and Edge Oars are fantastic and if I broke or lost one today I would order a replacement without hesitation.

Adipose Pro-Lok page: http://adiposeboatworks.com/wordpress/pro-lokedgeoarsystem/

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Pere Marquette River Fishing Report- Oct 8th

October 8th, 2015

Salmon fishing on the PM is now the best it has been for 2015. Is this the peak? Probably, but who knows. As is often the case in the fall, water conditions are low and clear. While clear skies don’t bring the rain we want it does make for great fall weather.

Approaching salmon within casting range without them changing their behavior has been our ticket for success. If the salmon start acting different than when you first saw them then your chances or getting a bite are about zero. Our fish in the net are most often the first good drift through.

Yesterday we had the biggest male salmon in the spot swing out after our big dark fly but refuse both times, probably because it was a foot or two too short and then he was done, no interest at all.

If you don’t get bit in the first couple good drifts, give the fish a break and try another fly. The 100th drift with the same flies is only going to get you a foul hooked fish.

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Pere Marquette River Fishing Report – October 1st

October 1st, 2015

Summer had been lingering and following probably the longest run of perfectly comfortable weather I can remember yesterday’s first frosty morning put a chill into the fishermen of the PM, myself included. There was a good rush of fresh salmon at the beginning of the week but the older salmon seem to be dying at about the same rate as new arrivals.

A day of rain has the level up and has pushed in some color which is good as the low and clear water had been making for some challenging conditions. In the upper river it had been especially tough, leaving anglers struggling to get close enough to make a presentation without spooking the fish.

So that’s good.

Also good:
A few steelhead have arrived. Those spunky little 3 to 5 pounders that are always the first to make an appearance.

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A Short Carpy Interlude – Breakfast with Luis

September 29th, 2015

“Kevin, your carp breakfast fly has done wonders for my fishing the last few weeks.”

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Good to hear, Luis!

Old Carp Breakfast posts:
http://thirdcoastfly.com/2011/09/05/carp-breakfast-strikes-again/
http://thirdcoastfly.com/2011/05/03/lake-michigan-carpin/

Where to buy a bucket of Carp Breakfasts:
http://www.feather-craft.com/wecs.php?store=feacraft&action=display&target=JF399

Fancy yourself the tying kind?
http://www.indigoguideservice.com/2009/12/06/carp-fly-morlocks-carp-breakfast-by-kevin-morlock/

Stalk Luis Santiago at:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ChesapeakeFlyCompany?ref=hl
Instagram: Luis Santiago (@qbadtrip)
Luis is also one of the Beaver Island hosts at carptrip.com