ChuckTseeker

I agree with sbarnden the reel is just a line storage system. I started with a real cheap silstar reel, BUT! that was too cheap and the foot broke so i bought an ABU  Fly Max and still use it today has been a great little reel. I did upgrade to have a better reel when my mother went to England years ago and got me a Scientific Angler "System 2" reel dirt cheap with no taxes   which is a very nice reel and worth the extra money!
I got into Saltwater Flyfishing and bought an Okuma Integrity I 10/11 that reel has been ok for what i wanted BUT! the finish is not that good and i must of not cleaned properly sometime as it has a little corrosion on it doesn't affect the reel just looks a little dodgy   Matched to an ABU Gold Max IM6 Graphite rod the combo wasn't that dear, picked the rod up when fishermans paradise closed to move shops 
As sbarnden said spend as much as you can on the rod it is along with the line the most important bit! I went with a quality Killwell rod from New Zealand for my main rod and matched with my System 2 reel makes a great light outfit.
I have always used Cortland fly lines but there are many good brands out there. I would go with the simple Double Taper line to start with then move on to the line that best suits the conditions you fish, slow sink,, quick sink, weight forward, intermediate, etc etc. Love my fly fishing wish we had rivers and lakes like the other states 
 
hope this helps a little 
 
Cheers Chuck

Here's a few photos that  took this morning from a few places where I could get to the Mersey & Dasher Rivers. One dairy farmer who I know very well had 300 dairy cows swept from his property early this morning when the river rose well above what was predicted. He had moved them to higher ground too, but in the end it just wasn't high enough. I was hard seeing them struggling in the flooded water, with most of them not making it. I did see several that had made it out, these were scattered in several paddocks some two kilometers down stream. I reckon he may have lost at least 250 head though which was a shame. It's something I hope not to see again at all, very distressing that's for sure. We were cut off at both ends of Sheffield early this morning from farm dams over flowing big time. A few roads and bridges were also washed away, 216 mms of rain in 9 hours.
 
 I have put a few photos of the same areas to compare the difference from normal river flow to major flooding.
 

From this .. Dasher River.

To this..

Dasher River on a normal day..

Dasher River today..

To think I normally wade up through here, but usually when it's 3.0 meters lower.

The Dasher on another normal day..

 Much different today..

The Mersey River at Merseylea, this was taken early August, the river is still a meter or so higher than normal..

The same area today..

The new bridge well under water, the last bridge was washed away three years ago when they said it was a 100 yr flood, they're saying the same again today.. 
Does this mean we get a 100 yr flood every three yrs now???

This road is where I go and fish above the old wooden bridge at Merseylea.. can't get near it today.

I zoomed in to where the bridge is supposed to be and spotted two survivors which was good to see, they should be okay where they are hopefully.
Note the bridge handrail on the RHS, that's all what's above the water..

 Wattle tree down on the bridge over the Dasher River..

 Pump shed under water as is the farm house on the RHS just out of picture, the owner was with me and I didn't want to take a photo while he was there. 
He was very distressed, poor bugger has had this property on the market for three years now, will be tough selling it after this..

 Mersey River spills into farmland, crops all under water.
 
 

Gee 60! Who would have ever thought! LOL! Sounds like it's time for a trip away, doing one of my other favourite pastimes, Fly Fishing for Trout! So it's decided a trip to my long time mate, Tommieee (45 yr's) place in the Bega Valley for my 60th, passing through the Snowy Mountains and one of the Mecca's for Trout in Australia, the Eucumbene River. So a couple of days fishing was included in the trip on the top of Australia. Now after not having fly fished for a long while, let alone in a fast flowing river, let's just say it was a steep learning curve. The fishing is a lot different than our single little still pools here in South Australia. So it was no surprise I had the wrong tackle for the job! Some friendly anglers saw my dilemma and kindly re-rigged my line with the correct gear and it wasn't long before I scored a fish! This became my 60th Birthday Tea and was delicious! + was the only fish kept for the trip.The wind & rain didn't stop much at all for our fishing sessions, but! we did get a calm before the storm when we arrived on the return trip, so I put the Quad up and got some great footage! So sit back grab a drink and enjoy 11 minutes on the roof of Australia fishing for spawn run Trout. Thanks for watching!
 
Cheers Chuck
 
 

Gee 60! Who would have ever thought! LOL! Sounds like it's time for a trip away, doing one of my other favourite pastimes, Fly Fishing for Trout! So it's decided a trip to my long time mate, Tommieee (45 yr's) place in the Bega Valley for my 60th, passing through the Snowy Mountains and one of the Mecca's for Trout in Australia, the Eucumbene River. So a couple of days fishing was included in the trip on the top of Australia. Now after not having fly fished for a long while, let alone in a fast flowing river, let's just say it was a steep learning curve. The fishing is a lot different than our single little still pools here in South Australia. So it was no surprise I had the wrong tackle for the job! Some friendly anglers saw my dilemma and kindly re-rigged my line with the correct gear and it wasn't long before I scored a fish! This became my 60th Birthday Tea and was delicious! + was the only fish kept for the trip.The wind & rain didn't stop much at all for our fishing sessions, but! we did get a calm before the storm when we arrived on the return trip, so I put the Quad up and got some great footage! So sit back grab a drink and enjoy 11 minutes on the roof of Australia fishing for spawn run Trout. Thanks for watching!
 
Cheers Chuck
 
 

That's some awesome footage there Chuck! Quadcopter adds that extra dimension to make videos look just like the ones on the telly. What model is yours Chuck and is it an in-built camera or have you got a GoPro attached?

A nice bit of footage mate and it did look cold; so well done on having a crack and getting a few 
 
cheers
snapps

Gee 60! Who would have ever thought! LOL! Sounds like it's time for a trip away, doing one of my other favourite pastimes, Fly Fishing for Trout! So it's decided a trip to my long time mate, Tommieee (45 yr's) place in the Bega Valley for my 60th, passing through the Snowy Mountains and one of the Mecca's for Trout in Australia, the Eucumbene River. So a couple of days fishing was included in the trip on the top of Australia. Now after not having fly fished for a long while, let alone in a fast flowing river, let's just say it was a steep learning curve. The fishing is a lot different than our single little still pools here in South Australia. So it was no surprise I had the wrong tackle for the job! Some friendly anglers saw my dilemma and kindly re-rigged my line with the correct gear and it wasn't long before I scored a fish! This became my 60th Birthday Tea and was delicious! + was the only fish kept for the trip.The wind & rain didn't stop much at all for our fishing sessions, but! we did get a calm before the storm when we arrived on the return trip, so I put the Quad up and got some great footage! So sit back grab a drink and enjoy 11 minutes on the roof of Australia fishing for spawn run Trout. Thanks for watching!
 
Cheers Chuck
 
 

Gee 60! Who would have ever thought! LOL! Sounds like it's time for a trip away, doing one of my other favourite pastimes, Fly Fishing for Trout! So it's decided a trip to my long time mate, Tommieee (45 yr's) place in the Bega Valley for my 60th, passing through the Snowy Mountains and one of the Mecca's for Trout in Australia, the Eucumbene River. So a couple of days fishing was included in the trip on the top of Australia. Now after not having fly fished for a long while, let alone in a fast flowing river, let's just say it was a steep learning curve. The fishing is a lot different than our single little still pools here in South Australia. So it was no surprise I had the wrong tackle for the job! Some friendly anglers saw my dilemma and kindly re-rigged my line with the correct gear and it wasn't long before I scored a fish! This became my 60th Birthday Tea and was delicious! + was the only fish kept for the trip.The wind & rain didn't stop much at all for our fishing sessions, but! we did get a calm before the storm when we arrived on the return trip, so I put the Quad up and got some great footage! So sit back grab a drink and enjoy 11 minutes on the roof of Australia fishing for spawn run Trout. Thanks for watching!
 
Cheers Chuck
 
 

Gee 60! Who would have ever thought! LOL! Sounds like it's time for a trip away, doing one of my other favourite pastimes, Fly Fishing for Trout! So it's decided a trip to my long time mate, Tommieee (45 yr's) place in the Bega Valley for my 60th, passing through the Snowy Mountains and one of the Mecca's for Trout in Australia, the Eucumbene River. So a couple of days fishing was included in the trip on the top of Australia. Now after not having fly fished for a long while, let alone in a fast flowing river, let's just say it was a steep learning curve. The fishing is a lot different than our single little still pools here in South Australia. So it was no surprise I had the wrong tackle for the job! Some friendly anglers saw my dilemma and kindly re-rigged my line with the correct gear and it wasn't long before I scored a fish! This became my 60th Birthday Tea and was delicious! + was the only fish kept for the trip.The wind & rain didn't stop much at all for our fishing sessions, but! we did get a calm before the storm when we arrived on the return trip, so I put the Quad up and got some great footage! So sit back grab a drink and enjoy 11 minutes on the roof of Australia fishing for spawn run Trout. Thanks for watching!
 
Cheers Chuck
 
 

don't know the specifics of that one but the originals were Hendons River Runt http://www.tacklecollecting.com/earlyriverruntcolors.htm
 
I have a red and white one that was made by Dawia japan
 
cheers chuck
 
the Hendon River Runt
 
 
 

 

 
Not the right color but this is the Dawia one that i own from Japan
 

Of course!!!
 
Will be organising something soon

Might have hit the nail on the head there.  I'm starting to think I just caught the guy on a bad day. All seems a bit political and elitist though if you ask me. Recommending that only members be allowed to fish etc..is exactly the reason why I go fishing. To get away from all the bs. hahaha

much better production mate, doing well   my only, naa don't worry about it, i'm old   i'll turn my volume down LOL! 
 
ya know what mate it is better than some of the crap ch44 has on, some of that stuff errrr don't worry just another old fart moment hahaha
 
cheers Chuck

much better production mate, doing well   my only, naa don't worry about it, i'm old   i'll turn my volume down LOL! 
 
ya know what mate it is better than some of the crap ch44 has on, some of that stuff errrr don't worry just another old fart moment hahaha
 
cheers Chuck

much better production mate, doing well   my only, naa don't worry about it, i'm old   i'll turn my volume down LOL! 
 
ya know what mate it is better than some of the crap ch44 has on, some of that stuff errrr don't worry just another old fart moment hahaha
 
cheers Chuck

Went home over Christmas. Dad and I grabbed the 10 weights and decided to target some Gold River Steelhead. We had heard some reports coming from the lower reaches of the island that the Steelies were staring to move into the rivers for their winter spawning. Armed with obnoxious and outlandish flies we set out. During the spawn the whole idea is to try and piss the trout off enough that he has a go at your fly. They aren't too concerned with eating during this time so you have to keep at it. Anglers have named the Steelhead 'the fish of a thousand casts'. After pushing that 10 weight around all day my arm certainly understood why. Despite braving the cold and putting in the time we both came up with a fishless day. We froze our asses off despite rugging up, we cleaned countless chunks off ice out of the guides, toes and fingers constantly  numbing. I stupidly tried wading some small rapids and almost went for a tumble. Dad later slipped on a icy bank and went face first in the stream. Don't ask why but we ended up with a rental minivan which turns out has some decent 4x4 capabilities. Overall it was your classic first day out of winter fishing. Many laughs.
 
Even though it was a great day out it was damn cold, so I think I'll stick with fishing in the hot Australian sun for the time being. Although that elusive Steelhead is still on the bucketlist. 
 

Yes it's time again for the annual charity fund raiser for the Childhood Cancer association organized by local Fisherman Mark "Waterboy" Mills with help from the local fishers and MANY sponsors, the community comes together to fish the banks of the Onkaparinga River trying to catch the biggest Bream for the title of "OnkaStompaCompa Champ" everything for the day is donated and all money raised goes to this great charity, the Childhood Cancer Association
 
A great day was had by all, with $17,730 donated to the Kids with Cancer, so sit back and enjoy the 2014 "OnkaStompaCompa 10"
 
cheers chuck
 

Short film of some recent captures on crab imitations
 
 

So I took this Photo last weekend while we were out camping! 
 
Everything was too perfect not to try take a photo of it! 
 

 
This photo doesn't do it justice!!!
 
If you would like to see the full resolution pic head over to my photography page and give it a like  
 
https://www.facebook.com/BJLphotographySA/?ref=hl

used to build all my own rods way back, mainly because it was cheaper than buying the shop ones. Gee we used to dream of owning an IMX 6 rod but at over a $1000 well out of our range  these days the cheapest rods are made with IMX Materials hahaha The other great point about it is, it's great fun to catch fish on a rod you have built. Oh another plus, you can choose how many and place the guides where "YOU!" want Plus have the backbone the right way round   Loved real cork grips too   so my special rods always had Cork   and my everyday sea stuff the spongy stuff 
Once you have finished you will realize just how easy it is to wrap a rod and i'm sure many more will follow 
 
cheers chuck

used to build all my own rods way back, mainly because it was cheaper than buying the shop ones. Gee we used to dream of owning an IMX 6 rod but at over a $1000 well out of our range  these days the cheapest rods are made with IMX Materials hahaha The other great point about it is, it's great fun to catch fish on a rod you have built. Oh another plus, you can choose how many and place the guides where "YOU!" want Plus have the backbone the right way round   Loved real cork grips too   so my special rods always had Cork   and my everyday sea stuff the spongy stuff 
Once you have finished you will realize just how easy it is to wrap a rod and i'm sure many more will follow 
 
cheers chuck

Well after trying to source a local Rod building wrapper, I sourced one from America on a site called www.mudhole.com 
 
So after being told it will take 3-4 weeks to arrive to my door step I was quiet shocked to see a parcel from America on my bedroom.... Im spewing because I only just put my order through Motackle for my rod that I will be building up.....
 
I have decided to start off with something simple as it will be my 1st rod i would of built. It is a 2-4kg wilson livefibre blades and tails blank. I love these blanks they are one of my favourites... It will be built with Fuji guides and Camo EVA grips.....
 
Can't wait....
 

 

 

So Ive just finished putting on the Handle, Reel seat, foregrip on.... Coming along nicely.... Will let it dry for the night then after work tomorrow will Start on the Guides.....
 
 

Well done bocky. You've had this comp in the bag for a few weeks now with some great tipping.