Original post by Go Fish
No ........ I WON'T GET INTO THE FLOSSING THING EVER BUT .................
Although braided line is widely used in the Fraser, It certainly doesn't need to be used in the Vedder River. Two totally different types of fishing ..... unless your in the habit of using "FRASER RIVER TECHNIQUES" on the Vedder River as some do now. (Notice .... no mention of flossing).
I have never had a problem "feeling the bite" when float fishing with roe, or spoon fishing for Coho in the Vedder.
Yes, you may hook into the occaisional Spring or Big Dog ....... but hey ...... isn't that part of the fun. If you can't land 'em and your using lighter leader ....... lower your rod tip and they will be released instantly. Otherwise ...... have the fish battle of your life ...... now that's the sport of fishing.
Thirty (30) pound leader for what ..... to catch a 5 pound Coho, 10 pound Dog (if that big), granted you may hook into a big Spring but that doesn't make sense. Sounds like a little excessive poundage for people who would call themselves a "Sports Fisherman".
And yes, braided is more abraision resistant ........ as a matter of fact it will be there in the environment for a long, long time. It affects other fisherman when they drift presentations for Steelhead long after the last Spring has been bonked for that year.
In my opinion (because I use very light gear when fishing for Steelhead) it riles me to no end why a person figures they need twice as much poundage for line as the avg. fish that would probably bite. C'mon guys ...... put the sport back in fishing .......... become what you call yourself a "Sports Fisherman (Fisherperson)".
If I can catch a 16 - 20+ pound Steelhead on 8 or 10 pound leader, then surely you masters can can catch a 25 - 35 pounder with 12 or 15 pound mono. Leave the braided nylon in the Fraser ....... leave the 30 - 50 pound mono at home ....... get back to the sport of it all ............. FISHING.
The best attribute for braided line on the Vedder is that you probably will never lose a fish. Not unless the hook lets go or you don't know how to tie a knot. Braided in what 30 pound test? What a joke ....... In My Opinion guides, of all people, should promote fishing sportsmanship, fishing ethics, and fishing etiquette at all times leading by example. At least that's one of the fundamentals I will have with my guide business.
Seems more and more we hear about the lack of sportsmanship and integrity. More and more it seems to include guides.
The day is gone where you can battle a sockeye with 10 pound leader. Snags of Fireline and Braided Nylon 30 - 50 pound test just cut through that test mono. More and more it is being the norm on the Vedder River as well. So very sad.
I ASK YOU ....... Where's the skill???? Where's the excitement???? Where's the enjoyment???? Where's the sport????
Just my own pet peave ....... rant, rant, rant ...
Go Fish, your comments regarding people using line that is too strong and leaving the river strewn with line and crap, is something we all agree to. HOWEVER, you quite obviously missed the point of this thread and clearly labelled braided line, as the tool of the dredger and associated its use with unsavory fishing styles. I recall nothing in the thread previous to your post, that talked about use of 30 lb leaders or 50 lb mainline and all the other stuff you posted about. I just read the stuff(you wrote) which applied to this thread and the bottom line was, good fishernman do not use braid because its not needed.
I think you should consider your post again and how it relates to this discussion. Great fisherman use braid, not just for MEATING in snagged fish on the Fraser. There are many situations that warrant its use. To post a RANT which is off topic and IMO founded from lack of experience is both confusing and mis directing to young and newer anglers.
From your post it would seem the use of braided line is unsporting if its used in heavier weights :shock: . So what do you use on your bar fishing rods , how about backtrolling plugs :?: , I use 50 lb braid , am I unethical , unsporting??. In fact I would never use mono again for any of these techniques.
I hope the anglers who read this post will disregard some of the mis-infornation, posted, regarding the use of braided line. It can be an excellent choice for any style of fishing. It should be used(JUST LIKE MONO) in a weight that makes sense to the species you are after. Although, you will most likely be using a lb test , that is stronger than what you would use in mono, as braid is thinner and will take much more line $$$$, than filling your reel with mono. THATS OK, there is nothing wrong with fishing 30 lb braid for steelhead, just use the appropriate leader strength for the fish your after. I use leaders from 6lb- 25 lb for steelheading, they are seldom leader shy and some strains of these fish require the heavy leader :wink: .
GO FISH , you mentioned how sporting it was to use 10 lb mono for sockeye :roll: . I find that statement strange as snagging fish is hardly sporting to begin with. Why wouldn't anglers who are strictly in it for the meat , use a lb test , that will assure them of landing a Spring or huge sock if the situation arises. As far as losing large quantitys of line in the river, this has nothing to do with the strength of the main line. If you are losing mainline, YOU ARE SET UP WRONG, having a high strength mainline and a much lower strength leader is the simple way to insure you lose only your leader and weight. Its all about the way you rig up, your weight should be attached to your swivel and have a snap on it (so this can straighten and release the weight). In conjuction with say a 25 lb leader and 50 lb braid, you will only lose leaders and weight and this will be more friendly to the river than losing large chunks of mono. I only suggest the large leader strength because you will end up hooking a spring sooner or later and I'm sure you would hope to land it.
I personally do not bottom bounce, nor do I condone it, in fact I despise the act and all the CRAP that it has brought out. But I think it is important that anglers who will do it, do it right, to leave as little a scar on the river as possible.
Using braid is a choice, it is a very GOOD choice in many instances. Do not let others dictate your choices, try it and you will discover if you like it or not. My experience has shown me many BC anglers are caught in a time warp and NEW gear and techniques,are very hard for them to accept. Experimentation and trying new techniques, is the backbone of a great angler,line choice , as with lure choice is just part of this.
Who knows, maybe some guys will finally evolve a little and start using plugs on the Fraser :wink: , or float fish jigs for steelhead and salmon, or maybe use BRAID for mainline :lol: .
As Bill Herzog stated "all of us, know more, than any one".
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On the topic of braided line. I use "power pro"(green stuff) exclusively now, for my bar rods(50lb with 15lb mono diameter) and Sturgeon rods(150 lb). Gonna try 30lb Power pro on the steelhead spinner rod, I will report back after the summer.
