2013 Episode Synopsis
by Charlie Wray

Episode 239: Jet Diver Trout & Lucky Bug Salmon

Today the Mercury Marine destination starts us on Lake Ontario, then over to the mighty Fraser River in British Columbia. First, if you worry about snagging your downrigger weights on the bottom, but need to get down into the danger zone for success, you are going to love this. Charlie is using a jet diver on a dropper line to take his productive Moonshine spoons to the bottom for the fish others are afraid to get close to. Still using his trusty Cannon downriggers to drop down most of the way to the bottom and letting the Jet Diver do the rest. Jet divers roll and swim to the surface when rigged in line with the resistance of most lures, they are designed for light baits, but if you use them on a dropper line so your lure is not pulling from the back of the Jet, but the 3 way swivel a foot or so above, they pull and track at normal trolling speeds and never roll. They can bump and dig into the bottom taking the abuse, and once snagged, a little slack line has them floating up and out of the snag on most occasions. Since they are taking all the abuse, Charlie always uses about 18 inches of 60 lb Seaguar Fluorocarbon on the dropper line since this material is very abrasion resistant and durable.

The exact amount of lines out vary on the size of the Jet Diver, trolling speed, resistance of the lure, so the following is not exact, but will give you the general idea. Let's say, trolling in 100 feet of water, you have your favourite Moonshine glow spoon on a 6 - 7 foot leader to a 3 way swivel. The Jet Diver on an 18 inch dropper line from the swivel, and a 60 foot lead of line to your release clip on your main line. Lower your downrigger to the safe snag clear zone of 80 feet and let the Jet Diver take your lure the extra 20 feet to the danger zone. Your downrigger weight is free and clear of ever snagging. Trust me, this works, and it is easier when using a line counter reel like the new Okuma Cold Water, when you have a lead that is working, repeat it!

The Humminbird 1198 has such a clear screen and zoom feature; that bottom hugging fish are easy to identify, and the built in GPS keeps you on the fish filled areas. Even when you think you are in the right area, currents and waves move you more than you think and the GPS is critical. The Jet Diver will take the abuse hitting the bottom, but adjust it so it only ticks and skips along. It is unavoidable that your spoons will also touch bottom frequently if you are intending to fish the absolute bottom, and the incredibly sharp Mustad Ultra Point hooks will take more abuse than others and require less time with the file to keep them sharp. Charlie usually replaces the Treble hooks the spoon comes with, with a Mustad Ultra Point Siwash hook. The single hook will avoid snags much better if you make the occasional bottom contact. Even the main line Charlie uses is Seaguar Abrazx Fluorocarbon, this line is invisible in the water, thin, abrasion resistant, and has held up better than any other line Charlie has used to avoid release clip wear. If you haven't tried Seaguar Abrazx for downrigging yet, try it, you will love it.

Then out to B.C. on the Fraser River with buddy Len Ames from Len's Sportfishing Adventures, 1-886-991-0287 or www.lenssportfishing-bc.com The Pink Salmon run every 2nd year, but when they are in, they are a tremendous amount of fun to fly fish for them. Len is always helpful to suggest a few tips to get the rust out, and the Okuma Helios reel and Okuma SLV fly rod makes for a beautiful lightweight combo. What was used this trip was a little different than past years, this time the Lucky Bug was the lucky charm. This fly with a molded plastic lip, turns into a mini crankbait, and while it has all the attention grabbing characteristics of a fly, it has even more with an enticing wiggle!!! It can be worked slower, has movement on its own in the current, and comes in a wide range of colours and sizes.

Charlie loves the new Viking jackets he has been using, they look like regular, stylish jackets, but they are 100% waterproof, so no need to bring the extra bulk of extra rainwear, your regular jacket has you covered. Even the Bekina boots are used when the rains are heavy. They are the lightest, most comfortable rubber boots Charlie has ever worn. Actually, they aren`t rubber, but a foamed Polyurethane much more durable than rubber and 40% lighter. Don't forget quality sunglasses like Maui Jim should be looked at as an essential part of your equipment, not only to protect your eyes, but to help you see through the glare on the water. It is amazing what you can see with good glasses, including lunker fish about to hit your bait, darker holes where they lie in wait, even seeing shallow rocks and structure to make for safer boating......quality pays.

Continue to Episode 240

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