steel pin

I understand your reasons for keeping the peace. I actually have no beefs with the individual in question but wouldn't like you Brits to get the impression his views represent the majority over here as they don't. I'm guessing the "online fishing expert" exists just about everywhere. Thanks anyway.

I disagree with {admin note: if you aren't in agreement with what someone else says, that is certainly your right but keep personal beefs somewhere else please. Newt} I'm from Canada. The use of centrepins in the Great Lakes area is so widespread you'll see about 90% of river steelhead anglers using them. Far more widespread in use than in the UK. The Raven reels are somewhat ok as budget reels but nothing special. I'd actually say the Okuma Sheffield is a better made / quality reel at a slightly cheaper price. The most popular reel used by serious anglers here is the Islander Steelheader which is a very nicely made piece of kit proven over time and manufactured in Canada, not somewhere in the Orient. There are also quite a few quality N. American made "artisan" reels floating around. Before the Islander was around in force the most common reel you would see would be the Brit classic Adcock Stanton. Seems most Stantons now demoted to shelf status as you don't see many in use anymore at least in Ontario. Excellent thread right here anyone who hasn't found it yet should find it interesting and also fairly enlightening : http://questoutdoors.net/phpBB2/about172.html Quite a big difference in fishing steelhead than the popular coarse fish in the UK. The main difference being in the violence of the fight when a fish is hooked. But still basically the same trotting principles and also relatively light line used generally 4 - 8lb leaders (or tippets as in Blighty).