An exchange...

[RonB]

First I want to qualify a few things. I am a rank beginner with center pinning...haven't even seen one used except in video clips and have not cast one myself. I do have a Sheffield combo on order that should arrive in a few days, and am really looking forward to that. None the less I have researched and read what I could about center pinning and lurked here soaking up info before joining the forum. I get compulsive about things that interest me. So, I am no authority on center pinning for sure, but I have a pretty good grasp of the possibilities at least. Here in my neck of the woods center pinning is completely unknown. Walk into any large fishing shop, or even a fly fishing shop here and ask about center pinning and they have no idea what you are referring to, mention float fishing and they think you are talking about inner tubes.


So, I went into a fly fishing shop to pick up some materials. The owner and I started talking and I told him I used to teach fly casting and fly tying some years ago but my passion now is center pinning...blank stare. I explained that I was no expert but gave him a run down of what I have learned on the Internet...and added some reflections of my own. That is, I think it's interesting that fly rodder's are going back to their beginnings, float fishing, without realizing it. Center pinning or float fishing is the precursor to fly fishing. I don't know that positively, maybe there is an authoritative source on the history of fly fishing/float fishing, but that's my logical take. Now day's fly rodder's use what they call, “strike indicators”. I said to the store owner that if the lure was supported by the, “strike indicator”, that was float fishing not fly fishing, regardless of how the lure got into the water. I explained as best I could the system of presentation and shotting setups with floats, casting etc. regarding center pinning, always stressing I had no direct experience.


The long and short of it was that he asked me to come to their local fly fishing club's meeting next month and give a presentation on center pinning. I can only go and be as honest as I was with the store owner and just relate what I have learned and not try to BS anyone. So what do you think, should I do this?


Cheers, Ron

[Flyfisher]

So what do you think, should I do this?
Probably not, unless you are going to keep to just a "show and tell" about tackle that many have never handled. You know, spin the reel and just let it go, which will buy you anywhere from 2-4 minutes:lol: Maybe you can postpone the affair until you have actually handled the gear, landed a fish or two, and become proficient in casting. Good luck!

[UBDSLO1]

You'll probably get a lot of "How do you cast this thing?" kinda questions. Or "why fish this instead of a spinning reel baitcaster", etc.

[Speyday]

You could do a thing where you introduce it, overview the concept, give its historical backround, and where in the GL's its prevalent. If you reallly are obsessive, you should have plenty of matierial and pics.

Then, you could introduce someone with the gear, rigging , and various float and jig designs to take it to the execution phase. Depending on where you are doing this talk, you could rig up the pin on a normal size rod and do some indoor casting to have him demonstrate the technique.

So, there's an idea. But.......you should solicit someone aroud your area for hte assistance who is familar and adept not only at using a pin, but who can articulate ideas to others in a concise way. A lot of expert anglers I know couldn't teach you how to tie a clinch knot. Communication/teaching skills is a very important factor if you are really thinking of putting on a good presentation.

Good luck!

speyday

[Sam22]

You should fly one of our pros from the forum out there, he could hold a clinic. Hey Gomer!?

[Flyfisher]

You should fly one of our pros from the forum out there, he could hold a clinic.
I have last week of May off and am available to travel.:lol: I don't need to fly first class, drink cheap beer, and would be willing to stay in cheap motels. With an extensive (and rarely used) knowledge of flyfishing, I will be able to make clear and precise comparisons and differences between the two methods. I assume the steelhead are out of the system by the end of May, but I would be more than willing to demonstrate how effective the outfit is (maybe too effective at times) for taking resident rainbow and brown trout.

[Alpha Buck]

I would check some of your regional forums and find someone in your area to help you out. There are plenty of people on the westcoast that fish centrepin reels.

[Flyfisher]

I would check some of your regional forums and find someone in your area to help you out. There are plenty of people on the westcoast that fish centrepin reels.
Good advice although you would be a better choice than myself to fly out to Sacramento. Too bad we can list links to other web-forums here. I knoe I have seen "float fishing " reports from the Trinity River on other sites.

[axisgear]

You could fly me out there! I am an OK centerpinner who likes to travel:D .

[RonB]

Thanks for all the heart felt offers. If somebody wants to hitch hike out and camp with the homeless I'd be happy to give you a buck for a cup of coffee, otherwise forget it!!

I decided to postpone the little demo untill next month. My Sheiffield combo arrived a few days ago as well as the, "Centering Pinning 101", DVD. I have been practising in a large grassy area...the first day was a humbling experience. I created the most unbelievable bird's nests you could imagine, lost so much line I had to respool it. I was advised to skip the side casts and go straight to the Wallis. I have been taking it easy and yesterday started to at least get the timing correct. I am not trying for any distance yet but I'm getting it out far enough to fish with. Planning on changing the 12# practise mono to Siglon FF and start fishing with it in the next day or so. The Stripers are in as well as a Spring run of Steelhead, Shad will be running very soon too.

I'm having fun!!

Cheers, Ron

[Alpha Buck]

Good deal! I would ditch the Siglon and pic up some Suffix, Raven, or Maxima, that is unless you are into the idea of losing floats. Just some friendly advice, I've tried most of the suitable lines.

[RonB]

Thanks for the advice Alpha. What's your impression of Siglon...the reason I chose it was after lurking on a bunch of forums and just adding up the recommendations for the different lines, Siglon was the one most often mentioned. Supposedly The Siglon FF is an improvement over the original Siglon F, I like that it's a floater. I appreciate any and all advice.

Thanks, Ron

[Flyfisher]

Siglon was the one most often mentioned. Supposedly The Siglon FF is an improvement over the original Siglon F, I like that it's a floater. I appreciate any and all advice.

Although I never had any problem with Siglon FF 12lb, I would not use any less than that. My friends that have use 8lb and 10lb Siglon have broken off above the float before their 6lb leader does. Raven is stronger and less expensive if you like a high-vis line but use 10lb or stronger as well. One advantage of using float gear (centerpin) as opposed to a spinning reel is that you can use a stronger main line. To get your line to float, you can always apply dry fly floatant to it the night before. Good luck and let us know when you have had a chance to get out on the water.

[RonB]

Thanks Flyfisher, I will let you all know the progress...

Cheers to ya,
Ron