Each year I try to concentrate on a presentation or technical skill that I need to work on to build better angling skills. This year I hope to build skills in trolling boards and handlining on rivers.

[Backwater Eddy]

[Backwater Eddy]

As I mentioned trolling boards on rivers was less then fun for me last season. Not easy day or night, I know I can do better if I brush up and try a bit harder.

Handlining really has me intrigued. I think it has huge potential on many rivers I fish during certain calendar periods, need to get with that for sure.

If I can get close to proficient on either I would be a happy camper in 2002.

><,SUMO,>

Backwater Eddy.....><,,>

[hammertime]

would like to learn to handlining, never tryied this but see them doing it on the st clair river and down around the detroit river when i was fishing in the west mich walleye club tourneys. not with any walleye club at this time as i fish salmon tourneys on lk michigan now full time but i got to learn this tech, sounds like fun and a very impressive catch rate also. salmon fisherman full time but was a walleye nut for years and still have the blood of a walleye fisherman !!

[perchjerker]

I concour with hammertime. A buddy gave me a nice handlining reel a few years back, but the boat I had at the time, (22 ft hardtop) wasnt the best boat to try it with. Now that I have a smaller boat with the optimum setup, I am going to mount that sucker and give it a try!

[Bucko]

Backwater,
You are an awesome dude. I drive by your area every year. Sometime I'm going to stop in and check you out. Maybe see if we can find some of those catfish you are always talking about.
Bucko

[T-Mac]

I just hope to get on the water more in the upcoming year. 2001 did not contain nearly as many days on water as I require to be content!

[Eyez]

Every year I practice all kinds of different techniques, but the one that I've never managed to master (not to say that I've mastered all the rest, I only wish :) ) is the mental part of fishing. Being able to trust my own judgement and have some faith in what I'm doing. I find myself second guessing myself too often (especially in tournaments), and not giving a particular spot or presentation that I've chosen enough time to allow it to work. That's my particular problem, but I'd bet that others find themselves doing that too.


Eyez

[Backwater Eddy]

Great point, I often do the same thing Eyez. Confidence without confusion can be a tough one for sure. Over confidence can leed to stagnations so maybe a bit of the jitters is a good thing?

Backwater Eddy.....><,,>

[WAeyes]

Yep, Yep, is a fine line between being patient enough and stagnation. Have complete confidence in what worked yesterday...but be open to change today. Those doggone fish always making me think too much.

[Backwater Eddy]

Look me up and we can hunt some Sumo piggy Puddy Tat's, if the timing is right maybe some piggy walleye too.

From ice out on tell freeze up in fall can get busy so looking ahead would help to get things planed. I am booking 2002 now so things fill up faster here and there, especially summer holidays.

Drop me a email and we can try to work something out.

backwtr1@msn.com

><,SUMO,>

Backwater Eddy.....><,,>

[Backwater Eddy]

bumpusup

[Backwater Eddy]

Looks like Crankbait Trolling methods will be the top skill we will be working on in 2002.

Thanks for participating in the poll.

[WAeyes]

Hey Eddie, who is that guy on the side of your messages? Looks like Walter Matheau in "Grumpy Old Men" LOL

[Backwater Eddy]

It is a neat picture, check out my profile and see it in a larger format once.

:D

Or check it out at this link.

http://www.freeavatars.net/vpimages/toons/fhtoon226.gif

[stewart]

I'd love to learn to find open water walleye, so I guess open water trolling techniques.I've got the shallow or structure stuff ok,but where do you start looking for suspended 'eyes anyways? There a dead time in summer I'm sure they're out cruising.