Where have I been for two years?

Well two very fast years have passed here on R-Dub Outdoors without one single post.  I am going to try my best to make a come back. The last two years have been a mixture of greatness and heartache. I will touch on it all.

First of all two years ago my second daughter Elsa was born. Life with two kids was busy and that started the slow down in my writings. I wrote about my 2013 high buck and that was about it.

Maddy and Elsa may 2014

In 2014 starting in June I was involved in a roll over collision where I hit a deer driving 60MPH at 0430 in the morning after a night of work. My car went into the ditch sideways and rolled. I was able to climb out of the vehicle and sat on the side of the road until help arrived. All I suffered was a slight concussion and I was transported to the hospital at the insistence of my wife. The very next day I left on vacation to Sun Valley Idaho with my young family. Where I tried my hand at some fly-fishing without any luck. Then all 4 of us came down with a stomach flu. Not fun, and not something I recommend to get any time especially while on vacation. We got to know the hospital ER staff well. High light of the trip was seeing a mountain goat and other wildlife on our adventure.

I was able to shoot my first turkey during the spring hunt. That was really enjoyable and was delicious.

In July in the area  I live the largest wildfires in Washington State History started. Named the Carlton Complex fire it burned over 250,000 acres of land. Which included my 10 acres. Luckily I was able to stop the fire 5 feet from my house with a dripping hose from my irrigation line.  Three days before the fires came the transmission in the jeep went out. I walked home and could not return to it before the fire burnt it up. Luckily I was able to buy a new hunting truck shortly after wards

The fire getting nice and close to the house.

Flood Waters in Alfalfa field

  

Then in August the rain came in and broke the dams on the irrigation lakes above my house. So our 2 foot wide creek was now 100 Yards across. Pieces of my neighbors house’s where floating down along with fence posts and other debris. When the waters receded my rich soil in my fields were now full of sandy silt. 

Fall of 2014 was ok for hunting. My family any I shot a few grouse and I was able to get 2 deer. I was able to draw a second doe tag. I took Maddy out on her first deer hunt and we were able to take a doe with out much fuss. Now every time we eat venison she asks if it is the deer we shot together. I was also able to shoot my buck, nothing special an average 3x3 Mule Deer. Which was nice since the fires affected a lot of friends as well so I was able to give some of my meat away.  Duck hunting was fun as always. Spending time with family and friends is always fun, even got Ron out for some duck hunting. First lake we hunted we shot 3 geese off of which was great.  

In spring of 2015 my son Rowan was born. Thinking a house with 2 was busy, Yikes three is jumping off of the deep end. HAHA.  In the spring Maddy and I went and harvested another turkey, which was a lot of fun for both of us. Anytime I get to share something like that with one of my kids is amazing.  I was also able to get onto Ron’s boat for some sockeye fishing in the Columbia River by Brewtser, Wa. We limited out with 12 fish in an hour and a half. Do I need to say more !!!!

Summer of 2015 the fires came again. This time they did not come close to the house but in our area over 300,000 acres burnt surpassing the year before in size. Making things worse 3 local fire fighters died fighting the fire in my hometown. Even though I did not know the three fire

Me and all three kiddos

fighters myself, my best wishes go out to their family and friends.

On a positive note I have been into backpacking more. I have gotten myself into much better shape. My friend Jason and I went on a 34-mile pack trip, which was a great time. I will write more about it in another post.  

We are into the 2015 hunting season and I have lots to write about. I don’t want to ruin anything yet. Some of you already know. I also have lots of new gear to review. We will have reviews of some new Muck Boots my wife received coming up soon, along with other hunting and packing gear. I am hoping to arrange some giveaways so pay attention so you get have your chance to win some great gear.

Salmon and Steelhead Fishing Rods

The Best Salmon/Steelhead Fishing Rod!

I have finally determined what the best Spinning or Casting rod is for Salmon or Steelhead for our area.(Columbia River)  It took a lot of trial and error with some decent expense over numerous years.   I didn’t believe it initially, but there is no question there is a “Best” fishing rod.  It really comes down what you’re fishing for, where you’re fishing, how you’re fishing, and when you are fishing.   The best fishing rod is very specific to the task at hand.   People always comment when they see my rod racks.   They forget I need at least 5 of everything for my guiding not just one of everything.  I did mean everything because even with one I would expect to have at least 10-20 different rods available.  There is no doubt one rod can be used in a multitude of situations just fine.  If you really want the full experience of hooking, fighting, and landing a fish use the correct rod for the situation. 

What is the correct rod for each situation?  It is all a matter of what you like, and you will never know what you really like until you try several.  No fishing rods are not like the opposite sex so don’t try it.   Remember we all must have Integrity, Honor, and Discipline or we are nothing more then animals.  (I know I lost focus it happens a lot..back to the task at hand.  They have Alphabet soup to describe and fix it now, but back a few years ago my dad called it “Lack of Focus” and tried to cure it with a 9 1/2 on the butt cheek.   See, I go off track in half a thought even today.)

I know it sounds kind of weird (Don’t go there!), but the correct rod greatly enhances the experience.  The most important factor is the rods “Action” the blank was designed for.  Also sensitivity (usually high modulus) is very important, but the felt difference after a certain level (+ - 38 Million)  is minimal compared to the cost increase.   Does a $500 Loomis, Sage, St. Croix, Fetha Styx, etc. have a better feel then a $100 Shimano, Okuma, Cabelas, Diawa, etc.?   Absofreakinglutely!   It is a word I promise…just sound it out.   Do they have $400 worth of better action?   Absofreakinglutely Not!   

The major thing with the high cost rods is they have a lot more action variations available in each rod.   Obviously that allows for more specific tailoring of a rod to a situation.  If you have the funds and want to spend it on $500 rods to get a specific feel then please do.   Just don’t sit there and tell me how great your particular fishing rod is because you spent $500 on it.  Spending extra money for status is not important to me.

The action is what matters.  If I can get the action I want with a little compromise I’m good.  If I had the money then no doubt I would be using the $500 fishing rods.  A quick story then I will try to give some general guidelines for what I have seen a lot of people prefer for rod actions.  Most of them have or had no idea about what the rod action was they just commented how much they liked the feel while using it both fishing and fighting fish.  A first time client called and wanted to fish for Steelhead, but “I only fish Loomis GLX or better rods..do you have any Loomis rods?”   I told him no I did not have any Loomis rods I use Cabelas for Steelhead.  He said “Well I don’t know, does anyone else use them?”  I told him I didn’t know what other guides were using but I would make him a deal.  If he would try the gear I provided, and if he did not think it was good enough quality the trip would be free.  All I asked was that he be absolutely honest with me about what he thought.  He booked the trip.  It was a $600 dollar risk but I don’t gamble.  He is a very good angler, and hooked the first Steelhead.   Before he landed it he commented on what a good rod it was.   He books 3-4 trips a year with me using my “cheap rods”, and we joke about our first conversation every fish he hooks.   I just checked and Cabelas has them on sale for $45!!!  (9’ Fish Eagle II Md Spin)   BUY THEM!

I also like a lighter weight and longer rod then most regardless of action.   I think it allows more angler input to the lure and fish.  I seldom fish with anything shorter then 8’6” and prefer a 10’+ rod if I can get it.  I also found the rod weight and action were similar for me either spinning or casting.   I have more accuracy casting a level wind with a little heavier rod with fast action.  Everyone has different terms but I will try to give a quick run down.  I also go down a weight when fishing from a boat compared to shore.  I will also use Spinning rods over casting rods with most clients.   Not as accurate for experienced casters, but extremely fewer tangles and more accurate with the average person.  I also shrink the rod length with most clients because it is easier for them to handle and control a shorter rod casting and moving around the boat.

Drifting/Bottom Bouncing Bait:  8’6” MD. weight Fast action bait caster Steelhead and MH for Salmon.  Need a lot of feel to the bounce and bite.   High modulus helps.

Casting Spoons/Spinners:   9’+  Same as above with Moderate action. A little more length for more pull on the bite/hook set.  Slower action doesn’t pull the lure instantly for more hook ups.

Drifting Bobbers: 10’+ MD to ML with a Mod. to Mod. Fast action.   Don’t need feel, but quick line pick up helps hook sets. 

Trolling Gear/Divers: 10’+ MH to HVY with Mod to Slow action.  Need some give on the bite due to no give from boat trolling.  Takes more finesse to fight fish, but gives more hook ups.

Trolling Down Riggers: 10’6”+ MD to MH Slow action.  Rod is already loaded for the bite and you need as much bend as possible for line take up.

Plunking:  8’6” ML to MH Mod. to Slow action.   They have just swallowed it to their &*%$ so all you need is a soft tip for give while they feed.  Helps to put your bait on a slider.

Jigging:  9’ MD to MH Fast or Ex Fast action.  When I move the rod I want the jig to move.

Again, just my experiences and I did not pick any brand names or models.   I can tell you I rarely spend more then $150 a rod and most are around $100 each.  Reels I am a little different about but that is another blog.

Ron

Pan Fried Steelhead with Lemon Garlic Sauce

Start with how ever much Steelhead (Or Salmon) you want to cook.(with skin on)  Place fish skin down in pan. Sprinkle fish with pepper, salt and dried dill. Place thin strips of butter on top of fish. Usually 2 thing slices per fillet. Then put slice of butter under 2 edges of each fish. Turn range on medium, cover and cook till fish is pink on the inside.

Sauce:
Take 3 cloves of garlic and place them in a blender. Add 1/4 cup of lemon juice and blend. Add 1/4t of salt and 1/2t of pepper. Melt one stick of butter and add slowly while blending. (sauce can be frozen and reheated for another meal as well.)

When serving spoon sauce over fish to taste.

Goes good with rice or veggies.

Who is Ron Oules

I would like to introduce the newest R-Dub Outdoors Pro Staffer Ron Oules. He will be writing about all sorts of hunting and fishing gear and techniques. He has taught me a lot so far and I know he will pass it on to the readers of R-Dub Outdoors as well.

Who I am:

I grew up in rural Eastern Washington on a small 200 acre farm.  Just like all farms it was work and life skills building from as far back as I can remember.   I believe every person should have the incredible fortune of being raised on a farm.  I grew up learning and doing things we just thought were normal, but when people hear about it today they have a hard time believing it.    The diversity of things I was able to do growing up was pretty amazing.  

Two things have stuck with me for as long as I can remember.  Hard work not luck produces success, and the best things to do are hunting and fishing.  

I was around hunting and fishing with my grandpa and started on my own when I was eight.   I was given a single shot .410 for my 8^th birthday and that was the real start of my personal hunting.  The surprising thing to many is I was 95% self taught.  I got my first German Short Hair bird dog at 10, and we spent a lot of days hunting Quail and Chucker together.  Shooting varmints from starlings to feral dogs was pretty much just the norm, and would be a everyday thing if I still lived on the ranch.  I even ran a short trap line for rabbits going to and from school.

I still remember my first deer hunt at the age of 10.  Dad dropped me off at the top of the hill (many would call it a mountain) in the dark and went back to work.   He had told me to walk over the edge, sit down, wait until 10:00, and then hunt down to the house.   Of course I knew I could only shoot bucks, and had a good idea of how to gut a deer.  Remember those life skills from above?  I had seen and helped gut a lot of animals butchered for food.  I shot three times at what I thought was a huge (reality 18-20”) 4x4 Mule Deer, and missed every single shot.  The first of two deer I have ever missed.  When I walked out of the trees on my way home my dad was waiting for me because he heard the shots.  Having to tell my dad I missed hurt more than missing the deer.  My dad was very supportive, but I was not going to ever tell him I missed again. 

I was slow to start Elk hunting but if I can only hunt one big game animal it would be Elk.     They are impressive animals who live in beautiful country.  I also was late in starting my bow hunting, but I wish I had archery hunted from the beginning.   One day I will go archery Elk hunting when my schedule allows it.

I have been reloading since I was 10 also starting with shot shells.  I had to reload because all the ammunition I was shooting was too expensive to buy new.   I cannot even remember the last time I purchased a center fire metallic cartridge loaded.  Reloading has helped my shooting probably the most in being able to practice more combined with the ballistics knowledge.   

I fished growing up for fun.  I was not as dedicated to the fishing as much as the hunting.   I fly fished for trout some, plunked bait, threw spinners, but really did not troll very much.   The only trolling I remember was with my Grandpa on Lake Chelan for Kokanee.   The trolling gear had more weight and drag then the fish did.  My limited fishing was always enjoyable, but I had never really caught any “Big” fish.  I started fishing for Salmon in the mid 90’s and I was immediately in love.   Then in 2000 we had our own local Chinook fishery, and my hunting had a very serious competitor for my off time.   The enjoyment of Salmon fishing just continued to grow, and I started providing guided fishing trips with my company Reellentless Guide Service.   I have to admit the Salmon fishing has taken over quite a bit of my hunting time now.  My fishing details of gear and technique have less time in then the hunting, but it is quickly gaining and will surpass it very soon I believe.

I have also been lucky enough to spend time with my kids hunting and fishing.   It is so much fun just to spend any amount of time I can with them in the outdoors.  All of them are very good athletes playing all year long.  There has always been a conflict for time, so we take advantage of what time we have.  The boys are several states away during hunting season now.  I’m planning a out of state hunt next fall to Nebraska.  My daughter (Teenager) told me last year she would go deer hunting only one day.  We were dragging out her smallest buck to date. I told her how much I loved being able to watch the sun come up with her.   She asked what about the deer?  I told her I could care less if she got a deer or not.  She had a odd look on her face.  Not now but I know she will understand later on.   I am a Hunters Ed Instructor also, and that has been a very rewarding thing for me.  Just today I saw two nice first bucks from students from my spring 2012 class.

I hope I can share my experiences from equipment to technique to help others, and at the same time they get enjoyment out of my information.

Ron