Ya, 7.95 for a pound of hollow core is a highway robbery to say the least. It is a lot more expensive than it used to be, but you should be able to find it for under 5 if you keep your eyes peeled.
You are right, everybody talks a lot about slinkies, and I can’t really understand why.
Right about the time lead prices went through the roof, my dad’s friend scored a huge supply of soft, pure lead sheets. We machined our own mold that makes 30, 6.5 inch, 5/16" diameter sticks per pour. A pound of the sticks doesn’t go as far as a pound roll would, because it’s not continuous, but we just melt the odds and ends back down. It’s a definitely a production to pour up a quantity for our group to split up, but well worth it for sure.
Anyway, that’s besides the point. It’s simple to rig. Most people stuff their preferred length of lead wire into a 1-2" length of surgical tubing (same stuff they make rubber snubbers with), then tie a standard snap swivel in-line between their leader and main line, then open the snap and poke it through the tubing. I was always out of the tubing, and the local tackle shops were usually out of the good thick walled 1/4" stuff. So I got a pair of leadmaster pliers that I use to slightly flatten the last 1/4" or so of my sinker, and punch a hole through it to fasten my snap swivel to. Now I don’t have to worry about that darn tubing any more.
I think for now I will just use slinkies. Ill Keep an eye out for a halfway decent price on lead coil and if I see it I will get some, it might even be cheaper down in lewiston. Where do you get the pliers? I saw them on a youtube video but don’t remember where.
Do you pre cut lead into different lengths/weights or just cut and trim to required length on the water.
You should be able to find a good price in Lewiston. There is a Black Dog or Rock or something-or-other (at least there used to be), as well as Camp Cabin and Home, are the two I hear most about.
I ordered mine direct from Leadmaster’s website, but you can find them in most tackle shops that have a respectable selection of S/S gear. I think other brands like Danielson’s and others make them, but I recommend the big size of leadmaster’s. The orange handles are highly visible, you get more torque, and they don’t hurt your hands when flattening/punching harder lead.
Keep your lead coiled in a roll, then you can cut the perfect length for what ever hole or drift you are about to fish. Once you make a few drifts through it, you may find that you need a little more or less. For less, you can just nip a little off til you get it dialed in. For more, you obviously have to cut a new one, but in any case it gives you a ton more flexibility.
I am a firm believer that having the perfect amount of weight makes all the difference in the world between catching nothing, and/or snags, and having an awesome day.
Also, if you will be in or passing through Ahsahka, I have a great bobber hookup for you.
Im not sure how far up the river I will make it. Looks like my plans for the weekend are a bit ruined. Saturday I have meetings untill noon so I figure I am going to head down to Lewiston after that. Swing into CC&H swing into I believe its Black Sheep. At least thats the one that is in CDA. Then while I am there run over to the Sportsmans Warehouse, they usually dont have much for a good price but sometimes they have a sale or a sale bin an you can actually get some nice stuff for a decent price.
After that I need to run and do a few other errands then I figure I will start making my way up the river and doing some fishing at the first places I see, considering even stopping and hitting those spots that are just barely outside of Lewiston. If anything it will give me a chance to try out the new rod and reel, try a few different rigs and presentation methods and allow me to head back into Lewiston and talk to CC&H again if I need more help. Then when I have a weekend to myself I can head farther up stream.
Hopefully my Rvrfshr spoons make it today or tomorrow! [fishin]
The best way to get lead is to go snorkeling after salmon season at riggins. For the price of a tank of gas to go there and back you can have enough lead to last you years. I went swimming to years ago and still haven’t used all the lead I pulled from the little salmon and I fish a lot.
Haha Im not brave enough to snorkel but I may be able to do some dredging and get some lead. Made it out this weekend for some little bass and trout fishing action. Got bored I was catching fish so quick so I put on a trebel and the heavies weight my rod would handle and did some dredging. Actually made it home with some new sinkers, and spinners. They need some work but they are still servicable.
Went in talked to CC&H. Nice people they walked me around showed me what was working now, what would be working in a few months and just gave me some tips on what to try. I picked up some Jig heads and some inline sinkers.
Didnt make it out to fish. Weather was a little rainy and I dont have a rain jacket right now. Hopefully next weekend.
One thing I forgot to ask is what size bobbers/floats should one have. I thought I got a wider range of sizes but all I have are 1/8 1/4 and 3/8. I could only find 1/2 and 3/4 oz inline sinkers and my jig heads are 1/8 ounce so maybe I will have to use split shot below the floats in order to get them to float right. All the guys in CC&H were buying some massive foam floats that dwarfed mine.
As far as I know you should match your float to the inline sinker. The side of the floatshould say 3/4 oz or what ever weight and match it with the weight of the inline sinker. I think people like using giant floats to make it easier to see down the river.
If you are fishing water that is 7 or more feet deep, you should be able to get away with a 1.25 oz inline and those little bigger size floats without spooking the fish. If the current is very rough, swift, or if you are trying to fish a deeper water on a long cast, it may pay to go up to a 1.5 oz inline to keep your presentation straight and vertical through the extra current, chop, or constant line mending.
I think CC&H sells my buddy from Ahsahka’s homemade bobbers. They have black insulation-type foam on the bottom 3/4 of the float, and small section of colored Styrofoam on top. They do pretty well for a larger float and are friendly to both cast and reel in. I think they are all around more stealthy than some of those tower of power bobbers you see.
I fish a mix of 1/8 oz and 1/16 oz jigs depending on the conditions. Beads work under the float too - I kinda prefer the 10mm size up there, but sometimes the 8mm works better - again, pay heed to your conditions. Some folks do well fishing roe under a float too, but I have yet to master that technique.