Fishing in Canada ~ thinking of taking VINTAGE equipment

[Melensdad]

Thoughts?

Going walleye fishing in Canada for a week in May with some friends (yes, I found some guys who will tolerate me for a week)

I'm thinking of leaving the modern fishing gear at home and taking some 1950's era bait casting reels instead. Going old school. The modern stuff if more reliable, smoother, etc. Other than that, any real downside to breaking out the old stuff and fishing with reels that are as old (or even older) than I am?

 

[Cowboy]

Those are beautiful reels MD, but I dont think thats what I would want to take on a long distance fishing trip without having a dozen or so for backup.

They are very picky about dust, sand, ect, and the most minute piece of any of the above will cause then to "backlash" on you in my experience. That said when they are working perfect they are far superior to the newer type equipment as you have more feel of the fish and when to set the hook IMO.

Most of my old ones growing up are still on the bottom of the lakes I fished, or still floating down the rivers still attached to the fishies.

 

[squerly]

Those really are nice MD!

 

[EastTexFrank]

Bob, those are far too pretty to use. They should be displayed. My son, in Scotland, collects old fly fishing equipment, much of it coming from the large estates on the River Dee.

You've succeeded in pissing me off again, you and my neighbor. You're going walleye fishing in Canada and my neighbor has gone salmon fishing up there for the past 3 years. He's invited me along for the past couple of years but I just haven't been able to make it.

Go and enjoy it but we'll expect a daily log and plenty of pictures.

 

[bczoom]

Those sure are pretty.

If it were me, I'd go with something new on the walleye. I'd hate to see a 10-pounder tear one of those apart. I'd save those for perch or similar where you're doing "fun" fishing and not expecting to latch onto something that may take 10+ minutes to get it to the boat. A walleye will be a slow, steady pull but if something else of the same size (pike, steelhead...) grabs your line, they can really tear things apart.

I'm the handsome one on the left.

 

[Kane]

If you like unraveling backlash all day, then I say take them. But you just can't beat the modern magnetic and centrifugal clutch spooling control for spending time actually fishing.

 

[Danang Sailor]

I grew up fishing with a Pfleuger Skilcast and still have and use it. It is still spooled with braided Dacron line and is still better
for big fish than any of my modern reels. If it were me, I'd take both the vintage and the modern, keeping the newer stuff
for backup.

 

[NorthernRedneck]

I'd have to say bring the newer stuff that works and leave the fancy reels at home. Where are you guys gonna be fishing anyways? We have lots of Yankies come up this way to go fishing.

 

[Doc]

I'm the handsome one on the left.

So, why are you sitting all by yourself at that table BC?

Sounds like a fun trip no mater which you take bob. I agree with those saying take some new to back up the old, if you dare use the old. They do look to pretty to use.

 

[Melensdad]

Yesterday I picked up a new Abu Garcia Ambassador bait cast reel, had 30# braided line installed, and picked up a new medium/heavy 7' one piece rod. That will be for hunting the mighty musky and northern.

After I got home I went looking through my fishing gear for my light spinning rod/reel and couldn't find it. I think my wife donated it to the church yard sale!!! Looks like today I'll be picking up a new Pfleuger President spinning reel and rod. Probably put something like a 6 or 8 pound test monofillament line on that, use that set up for the walleye.

So, why are you sitting all by yourself at that table BC?

That is what happens when he doesn't shower for a week. He has to sit all by himself. Rumor has it they tied him to the roof for the ride home too.

 

[luvs]

tried to vote. couldn't. no. to use anything vintage, i even use my vintage clothes w/ caution that they'll deterioriate.

fix that. i could vote. was a matter of refreshing the site.