Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Ready!!

Finally!!  Business license, bags, product flyers and a whole bunch of flashers pre-made, we're ready for the big time!!

Shortbus flashers has been a while coming, taking the first step has been a little tentative and nerve racking.  My focus will be to small independent stores and direct to guides.  Mass marketing seems like a step that I may not be willing to take just yet (that can change if someone asks nicely ;)  )

We have distributors for southern Oregon and I think for Washington giving me the Oregon Coast to travel on my days off.  Excitement, nervous and a hope that the retailers say yes!

So, wish me luck and hopefully when people chose the flasher for their needs, they decide that made in the USA is a good choice!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Getting Close

Finally after testing, talking with guides and hours of cutting and bending Shortbus Flashers is about a week away from full retail marketing.

Business license, Plastic bags, product info for bags, swivels, prism tape and a whole mess of blanks should all be ready to hit the road by the end of next week.

I may take the day and fish because I know it will start getting hectic here very soon.  The coho are in the rivers and casting wigglers is one of the funnest ways to fish that I know!  Dont get me wrong, trolling bays and rivers with flashers and herring, feeling the bite is sure a great way to fish also, but I will say casting gives me something to do!

Hope to have some pictures of the retail packaging on the next post!

Take a look at the web site if you havent already - Shortbus Flashers  www.shortbusflashers.com 

Fish Flasher, Fishing Flasher, Fishing Tackle, Terminal Tackle, Oregon Tackle, Prism

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Heavy Water Flashers

You wouldnt believe how many crazy looks I got when I put out a fish flasher on at Bonneville!  You wouldnt believe how crazy I looked when the rod was throbbing with a fish on the end!!


It was a slow day back trolling plugs, they had been letting water out of the dam the day before and the nets cleaned out quit a few larger fish from the gene pool.  Fish that were being caught were small, like the 8-10 pound range, a far cry from the 25+ pound ones you get used to for fall fishing.

Shortbus Flashers can be used in lakes to raging rivers, with such minimal drag only the slight difference can be felt.

Dont be afraid to try something a little different, watch what others who are catching fish are doing and mimic as much as possible.  If you know fish are around but not biting, dont be afraid to try different tactics, it may not be "normal" but it may just pay off in the end!

Monday, September 20, 2010

How do I use a Shortbus Flasher?

Rigging the Shortbus Flashers

This is a "how to" rigging explanation of how to rig an inline fishing flasher from your rod to your bait with explanations on parts and steps - Order from rod to bait
  •  Start with sturdy rod with a soft enough tip to see the bite, but enough backbone to support the extra drag of the lead and flasher
  • Slider to lead weight - allows the weight if caught in the net during fishing to not snag and break off the fish at the last second.  While trolling, you will run a dropper length 12"-18" long
  • Swivel - puts a bumper between the slider and the flasher
  • Note - you can substitute diver for lead dropper
  • Swivel to flasher - use a piece of mono line at least as long as your dropper.  What this will do is keep the weight from hitting the river bottom and swing up into the spinning flasher thus causing tangles
  • Flasher - The most important part of the rigging, make sure you are using a "Shortbus Flasher"!!!
  • Flasher to bait - normally 1'-6' in length, depending on water clarity and action imparted on bait.  Generally there is a 6 bead swivel placed half way between the bait and flasher.  This gives the rotating bait a smoother roll and not have to work against the rotation of the flasher.  If you are using a lure that does not spin or rotate, the swivel in the middle is not necessary to use 
Remember!!
  • Let the line out slow to keep the gear in line, to fast and you will tangle your gear.
  • Don't drag bottom - the weight kicking up into your flasher will inevitably get caught into your fishing flasher or the flasher will drag again causing tangles
  • Watch the total length of your bumper to bait.  To long with a short fishing rod can make landing a fish "interesting" make sure you can control the fish to make the netters job easier
  • Always have multiple Shortbus Flashers on board for your guests!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Life of Flashing

Wow, what a journey!  First of all I want to thank my family for supporting me in my venture of business ownership!

Introducing Shortbus Flashers!  We are a fishing flasher producer here in the great Pacific Northwest.  What is a flasher?  Well, let me tell you.  In fact, let me show you first...

Yep thats it!  A plastic triangle of prism tape!

Actually, think of it as a flashing sign that notifies game fish such as salmon, steelhead and kokanee to name a few.  As the flasher slowly spins, the available light is reflected thus giving the fish a reason to inspect the area hopefully finding your baited hook.

Shortbus Flashers works trolling or on anchor. Bait or any other lure can be placed behind the presentation.

Next post, I will explain how to rig and run the fishing flasher.  Until then, thanks for looking and dont forget to check on the new web site!  www.shortbusflashers.com