I just returned from a very productive and enjoyable trip to the Situk River in SE Alaska. The only 'problem' in an otherwise perfect week was that my buddy Slick outfished me almost 2-to-1. Not only am I taller and less-ugly than Slick, I also spend more money on gear than he does so this stings doubly.

We both used small multi-colored yarn flies and split shot exclusively, and 10-12lb Maxima Ultragreen line. We fished identically as well -- a mixture of classic drift fishing and 'upstream and reel up the slack while drifting down' (using lighter weight). (For what it's worth, I was casting far tighter into the bank or the seam than Slick and my gear was in the water as long as his as well.)

Setting aside the plausible explanation that I'm congenitally crappy at detecting takes, there are three explanations as to why Slick was setting the hook on fish twice as often as I was, and I'd like to ask for some feedback:

1. Flyrod and mono fishing is more sensitive than the alternatives because of the line being in the fisherman's hand. (I've already got my fly reel out and am spooling mono on in anticipation of next year's trip!)

2. I wasn't using a sensitive enough rod for the job at hand. My casting stick was a 8 1/2 Looomis GL3 STR 1025C. I felt that this was plenty sensitive -- until a guide noted that he could see Slick's 9'eight weight tip bobbing through the drift more than my rod.
For spinning, I was using a Cabela's medium-end 9'graphite rod rated for 1/2 - 2 oz lures and 10-20lb line. (I've used this for Kings in the past and in hindsight suspect it might not have had a sensitive enough tip though the rod itself is limber enough to throw light weights well.)

I'd appreciated hearing what everyone's favourite rod(s) are for 10-12lb line given that these need to have some strength in the butt in light of the timber-filled small river and 10lb average size fish (and 15-20 lbs at the high end).

3. Inability to spot fish as well as my companion. I was wearing polarized/ UV blocking green tinted presciption Ray Bans. Slick was wearing amber tinted 'Action Optics' by Smith and was seeing fish much better.

What are the best low light sunglasses for spotting fish? Can they be ordered in prescription versions?

Many thanks.



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