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I have a mild interest in old collectable fishing equipment, some of the tackle, poles, lures and reels I used when I was a kid bring in big money these days. My Dad fished with a regular sized Alcedo Reel and when he and his cronies got talking about equipment I well remember the how highly prized the Alcedos were thought of back then. I used to subscribe to all the outdoor rags of the day and read an article about ultralight fishing and fishing equipment, it had me sold on giving it a try. Nowhere near the choices that we have today, almost everyone used a Mitchell, but I saved my money and went for the best that Cabela's had and am glad I did. Most of my fishing equipment is either light or ultralight tackle. Like I mentioned above I think the Diawa SS1 is made like a fine Swiss Watch and have three of those little buggers and actually wore one out. A little history below from about 15 years ago on Alcedos, find one cheap at garage sale buy it! Al “The Alcedo Micron, an imported Italian spinning reel first brought to America around 1953, holds a place in fishing tackle history, as it was the first true ultra-light spinning reel. It was an expensive reel–selling for $35 in 1954–and extremely durable. It has developed a cult-like following. Even today, noted anglers like Joe Robinson and Dave Whitlock remove the bails from vintage Alcedo Microns and use them for what is sometimes called “extreme ultra-light” fishing, with 2 pound test line and 1/64-ounce lures. The Micron went through numerous permutations and the latest I can find it offered is 1974. They regularly sell for $125-$200 depending on model and condition.

Back in the late sixties I purchased by mail order from Cabela's an all metal Alcedo Micron ultra light spinning reel, made in Italy the Alcedos were considered to be one of the very best fishing reels of the day. I used it for years and caught a ton of fish with that little guy. Alcedo reels on their side plate had little medallions glued on, added a bit of class and bling. Anyhow the medallion on my Micron came off and I misplaced it and never could find it, after losing the medallion I put the little Alcedo up and started using the new SS1 Seiko made Diawa ultra lights. So the other day I was on ebay looking at the prices some of these old vintage fishing reels bring and found a vendor that sold Alcedo Medallions, I ordered one and it came today, cleaned up the 50 plus year old Micron still spooled with yellow Stren and glued on the new medallion. Works as good as ever and the reel looks good, I might just take it out catch a fish or two with it. Al

I will say that is a Buck. Al

You have had some great weather for it, nice catch! Al

All the time I have been a member I do not think I have hardly ever posted in the live in the woods, just not my cup of tea, don't mean I am not out there and I do not post every fart that happens while hunting , but here is a pic for you! Just came in from Squirrel hunting and took my 1 Squirrel limit with my Browning target pistol, by the way how many posts have you made in the live in the woods Crap?? Al

Owned one Harley, a 78 anniversary "Dresser" as they called them back in those days. She was a real "sparkler" Al

The Bird Hunter Hook Knives are used in a similar fashion to remove the innards of both gamebirds and small animals like Squirrels. They are used more frequently in Southern states where is hot during hunting seasons. Some Bird hunters also like to hang their gamebirds much the same as folks do with beef and venison, they want the innards out when they hang them to age. I actually collect Bird Hunters knives and have pretty much got everyone's make. Al

Wolc's favorite tool, I am sold on it too! I do it just a bit different than the videos. I insert it and give it a twist and then I will take my knife and cut the skin around the Butt Out detaching it from the Deer, Everything comes out super easy. Al

Have a great day.

An opening day quite a few years ago had really warm temperatures. I arrived at the parking area where I hunted about a half hour after daylight and met a young hunter who had already scored on a party permit small doe, we shot the breeze for a moment and I helped him put the deer into the trunk of his car. As it was so early he said he was going to get back into the woods and see if he could get a Buck. To make a long story short at the end of the day I came out to my vehicle and noticed the fellow's car was still there. A few minutes later out of the woods he came and when he opened his car's door the rank stench that came out from inside would knock you over. The temps that day must have got to near 80 plus degrees, the temps in the car probably exceeded 100 and basically cooked that Doe while it sat inside the trunk all day. I ran into that kid a week or so later and he told me that the meat had pretty much spoiled and there was little of the deer that was salvaged. Al

Always been a motorcycle guy, I still ride but as I get up there in age I ride less and less every year. Still mess around collect mostly with vintage stuff, they are fun to tinker with and I like the old styles without all the electronics that I know nothing about. I picked up an Honda adventure scooter last year, I ride that one quite a bit and like it's ability to go on easy back-gravel roads which is where I do most of my riding these days. Always wanted to go to the Sturgis Bike Rally, looks like it would be a blast. Been looking for a late 60's early 70s Honda CB 750 four in good shape, my first and favorite bike was a 69 CB 750 in Antares Red, they are pretty pricey these days. Al

Nice! Nothing like a good ride on a hot day, just as refreshing as going swimming. Al

When the temps get up to be as hot as they are predicting the only hunting I like doing is going out for Woodchucks and Bowfishing for Carp. Al

Tested out the arrow puller mentioned above, I have to say every now and then I get hold of a gadget that exceeds my expectations. This arrow puller is one of them and makes removing arrows and bolts out of the foam blocks quick and easy with no stress on the arrow, this makes practice a lot more fun. Al

I am not as well prepared as our friend wolc for taking care of meat in this hot weather, supposed to be like this all week. I think I will just keep getting after the Squirrels for now. Hopefully by time muzzleloader season comes around it will be a bit cooler. Al

I fished a lot when I was a young fellow, I had some great fishing spots back then as I lived a few hundred feet from a large river and the many oxbows that branched off of it. I believe I caught just about every species of gamefish out of those waters. Bank fishing in the oxbows on the bottom with sinkers or bobber fishing produced good catches of Panfish, Bullheads and Carp. In the spring there was a good run of Walleyes and a few weeks later a good run of White Bass. I had a small rubber boat that I would put in upstream two or three miles from where I lived and would drift fish all the way back down to my home. Ultra light gear and Mepps minnow Comet spinners, Mepps advertises that the Comet will catch any fish that swims and it is pretty much true. On those drifts variety was the theme, I would catch the occasional Trout, Walleyes, big Whitefish, both Small and Largemouth Bass, throw in a Northern Pike and Pickerel once in a while. One Sunday morning I made the drift and got down to my home just in time to get into my house and watch a heavyweight championship fight on Wide World Of Sports. I tied the rubber boat to some brush on shore and left a nice stringer full of fish tied to the oarlock in the water. A couple of hours later I went down to get the boat and fish and found three huge Snapping Turtles tearing up and eating the fish on the stringer, ruined most of them. Al

Looking good, won't be long before you can give her the real test. Al

I have a big time problem being around a bunch of adults acting and bickering like two year olds and old gossiping biddies, I will never go on the other site, I like it just fine right here. Al

Amazon has several models of this make, I have the one pictured. Speaking of fuel I have to fill up the old DR Brush mower and knock down some growth this morning. Al Deway Automatic Fuel Transfer Pump with Auto-Stop, AA Battery Powered, Advanced Adapter Fits All Size Cans, Extra Long Hose, Portable Liquid Pump for Gasoline, Diesel Fuel & MoreDeway Automatic Fuel Transfer Pump with Auto-Stop, AA Battery Powered, Advanced Adapter Fits All Size Cans, Extra Long Hose, Portable Liquid Pump

Fueling up my equipment has been a pain in the ass with the new so-called safety spouts on fuel cans these days. My tractor's tanks are up high and holding and emptying the containers out with those lousy spouts sucks. A friend of mine showed me a little battery powered pump he uses to transfer fuel and I fell in love. These things work great and save a lot of aggravation if you have a lot of equipment to refuel. Just stick the hose into your container, screw on the cap and press a button. No mess, no fuss, no aching back. Al

There are few things more relaxing and fun than fishing, I get out when I can and wish I had more time to fish. Been thinking about getting another boat but I have been so busy I don't know if it would get enough use for the investment. Al

So another pain in the ass thing I have discovered is removing those crossbow bolts from the foam target blocks. I have one of those rubber grip thingys that work good for arrows fired out of my bows but it takes a lot more effort and time getting those buried bolts out. I got online and found this gripping tool that is highly rated with a thumbs up from serious shooters. Not cheap but will be well worth the price if it does what everyone says. I would rather spend more time shooting than pulling. Al

I don't know how I never knew about these African Safari films, they air on youtube and I just happened to stumble upon them. They remind me of the old American Sportsman TV series only much better. The quality is outstanding, they show the Safari business and guided hunts from start to finish. A far cry from the so called "Hunting" videos shown these days which I can not watch. Actual hunting with mostly still hunting or spot and stalk techniques, good marksmanship with a wide variety of game taken. The high definition slow motion cameras can actually pick up the flight of the bullet from the rifle to the animal. The game is wild and wary, nothing like the animals seen on Animal Planet or Nat Geo, they see a human and they are gone. The Cape Buffalo for me especially has earned a whole bunch of respect, the amount of lead they can absorb from heavy hitting rifles is unbelievable. I stream the shows on my TV and sit back and enjoy. Go to the youtube and check out African Sun Productions there is a whole bunch of different hunts in different countries and they are addictive. Al

Nice catch, some good eating right there. Al

I guess it is a silent one as it makes very little noise, it is easier especially when you sit down at the bench and fire a bunch of shots. For hunting I could get by without it using the rope cocker, pulling it up a few times is no problem. Cocking it by hand for many shots is a different story, it will wear you out. Al