PhantomJug wrote on Apr 11^th, 2016 at 11:15pm:

With reels it's about bearings; the more the better.  At least 6 + a roller bearing for the rigors of Quetico.  I like rear drag as well but that's just me. 40 IPC is also nice when fishing all day.  The Shimano Stradic is a nice reel.  It's about $160 but it will last forever.

Yes, I like the Stradic however I had to keep myself within budget so I just picked up a Spirex 4000FG. I figure that I can use it now and in the future for salmon and steelhead where a backreel function will keep me from tearing the guts out of the reel! I also landed a Shimano Convergence Spinning rod, 7ft., medium-fast in graphite. I wanted a Compre but there was that price thing again to consider. I found a couple Rebel Pop-Rs and an X-rap PopR or two which more or less sets me up for the topwater action for my May ice-out trip into the Q.

I'm still "lure-hunting" though :) and I prefer to call them "dressed trebles" rather than skirts.  :)