Question:

Hi ROFF people, I heard that there was an article, recently, in here, about a fly to catch mullet. But I can’t find it !! Can anybody please help me. I live in holland and know some places where there are really thousands of big mullets. I can approche them very good, ( and cast my fly betwen them ) but NEVER EVER was able to catch one. I can cleary see, that they are feeding ! Thanks in advance, Hans Bock.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi ROFF people, I heard that there was an article, recently, in here, about a fly to catch mullet. But I can’t find it !! Can anybody please help me. I live in holland and know some places where there are really thousands of big mullets. I can approche them very good, ( and cast my fly betwen them ) but NEVER EVER was able to catch one. I can cleary see, that they are feeding ! Thanks in advance, Hans Bock.

You can try these; http://www.mikeladle.com/tackle/tackle3.html http://globalflyfisher.com/global/denmark/species/mullet.html http://www.hartflyfishing.demon.co.uk/mullet_fishing.html TL MC

Response:

I had this strange vision of you casting for Randy Johnson… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi ROFF people, I heard that there was an article, recently, in here, about a fly to catch mullet. But I can’t find it !! Can anybody please help me. I live in holland and know some places where there are really thousands of big mullets. I can approche them very good, ( and cast my fly betwen them ) but NEVER EVER was able to catch one. I can cleary see, that they are feeding ! Thanks in advance, Hans Bock.

– Jeff, TASCAM Guy:  "Dude, you’re on rec.audio.pro…everyone hates everything."

Response:

Try this http://makeashorterlink.com/?Z2C4323F I caught a mullet back in February and hooked several more but could not land them.  I was using 8 lb tippet.  The one I caught was 5 lbs (2.3 kg) and most of the fish that I saw were about the same size.  I was fishing in heavy surf and the fish were using the waves to their advantage.  The fish I managed to land made 15 runs before I finally dragged it onto shore with the help of a big wave.  It is not typical to catch mullet using any sort of means around this area.  However, on that particular day they were actively chasing a school of smelt.  There are many species of small fish that are called smelt so I am quite sure that smelt that you might be familiar with are not the same fish.  However, mullet is a mullet.  Some mullet species are larger than others but all of them (in the literature that I have seen) are closely related.  Although the smelt were silvery and typically 5 inches long, the mullet definitely seemed to like a small brownish fly.  My friend hooked one on a brown marabou fly but the fish broke off.  He couldn’t hook any more after that and he had no more brown flies.  I kept hooking and losing fish so finally I offered him one of my flies (which was a combination of burnt-orange llama and black & red squirrel tail).  So the color definitely seemed to be the trigger (as both of our flies were tied with similar materials and similar styles).  It may be that this color closely imitates the color of seaweed in this area. Even though the mullet were chasing baitfish, I think that a kelp imitation was able to trigger a response while they were in a mood to actively feed.  Good luck. Mu

Response:

http://anglersnet.co.uk/images/articles/leon24.jpg Just to whet your appetite! TL MC

Response:

Question:

But,one can build the body into most of the bend, use hook shape to the advantage of simulation.

That’s true, especially for scuds, caddis pupae, etc.  Still, by far my most productive fly, a bead-head PT on a TMC 3761, has a pretty straight body that takes up no more than half the total hook length (eye to point). I agree with your earlier statement, "On many subsurface patterns, and even some  surface emerger types, the hook bend can serve to mimic the shape of the natural nymph, pupa or whatever", especially for those forms, like emerging pupae that have associated air bubbles.  The hook bend may correspond in the trout’s eye to the curved edge of the bubble or bubble mass.   Although it’s an uncommon fly, compare the picture of the daphnia fly Dave LaCourse found and posted on ROFT http://www.danica.com/flytier/hverhaar/daphnia.htm to photos of daphnia http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artjun99/wflea.html Without the hook bend, there’d be little resemblance.  Makes you wonder if all those tiny things on curved #24-28 hooks that we think are midge patterns aren’t really taken by the trout as daphnia (not that it really matters). JR

Response:

Some manufacturers are now producing bright gold, green, red and blue salmon/steelhead hooks.  Why waste all that bare metal when you can dress it up?

One wonders if a little metallic paint added to make the hook look more like the tied bug would make a difference.  I might have to try that for fun just to see. Sandy

Response:

Maybe that big curvy part looks like an ovipositor.  See my web site www.sluttyflies.com

Here’s the sex spam we were looking for.  Bugs waving their ovipositors around.  Hmmph. Sandy

Response:

  One wonders if a little metallic paint added to make the hook look more like the tied bug would make a difference.  I might have to try that for fun just to see.

They are starting to make the colored hooks in trout sizes too.  I saw some at a fly shop on the Beaverhead River and Lou Teletski gave me a fly that used a red hook when we went fishing the other day.  I haven’t tried them yet, but I can see how they might benefit a fly tyer. — Warren Findley Remove (nospamZZ) to respond via email http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt/

Response:

They are starting to make the colored hooks in trout sizes too.  I saw some at a fly shop on the Beaverhead River and Lou Teletski gave me a fly that used a red hook when we went fishing the other day.  I haven’t tried them yet, but I can see how they might benefit a fly tyer.

Did you see who the hook’s maker was? If someone here’s interested in trying it for themselves, you can buy metallic paint (normally used for jewelry) here: http://www.fancifulsinc.com/ Sandy

Response:

You’d think (regardless of your species-specific sense of perception) that this big ol’ ugly THING just hanging there off the bottom of our handiwork is a lot more obvious than the many fine details we obsess over.  Why on earth would any trout swimming not key on THAT?

Depending on the angle the fish sees it from, yes it’s very obvious and I have no doubt whatever that the trout sees it.  But trout are also very used to seeing things on insects – broken legs and wings, a sliver of leaf or filament of weed, or even a pebble and twig case on a caddis.  The trout sees it and just assumes it’s a harmless piece of flotsam, extra fiber if you will.  Only if a trout has been hooked a number of times would he actually recognize it as a "bad" insect, IMO.

Response:

Did you see who the hook’s maker was? If someone here’s interested in trying it for themselves, you can buy metallic paint (normally used for jewelry) here: http://www.fancifulsinc.com/

The hooks I saw were not labeled.  It looked like the shop had bought them bulk and packaged them in little zip lock bags on their own.  I will call out there tomorrow and find out where they bought them at.  I do recall they were expensive (like $10 for 25 hooks if I remember correctly) so your metallic paint idea might be a very good alternative. — Warren Findley Remove (nospamZZ) to respond via email http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt/

Response:

"The trout just assumes it’s a harmless piece of flotsam, extra fiber if you will." "Assumes", to deduce.  The ability to come to a logical conclusion based on facts.   "Trout", to be a genius.  The ability to attend college courses without paying tuitions.  To Trout, as to flaunt wonderful phrases upon non-thinking ass holes who fly fish as a reflex action. "Seeing Trout" extablishes the ability to understand languages such as English. "Feeding Trout", The need to eat with the foreknowledge that to not do so will result in death.   "Dieting Trout", as in "Free Rising" selective trout who know the difference between choosing either a protein insect over one burden with excessive carbohydrates and undesirable fiber. Flyfisherman:  That which has a brain the size of a pea and who talks to the fishes as in Mafia Fisherman.   All’s Fair With Fur or Feather gg

Response:

Warren Findley: One wonders if a little metallic paint added to make the hook look more like the tied bug would make a difference.  I might have to try that for fun just to see. They are starting to make the colored hooks in trout sizes too.  I saw some at a fly shop on the Beaverhead River and Lou Teletski gave me a fly that used a red hook when we went fishing the other day.  I haven’t tried them yet, but I can see how they might benefit a fly tyer. —

I’ve been using red nymph hooks for five or six years.  It’s the only color I’ve seen in the smaller sizes. As far as glitter is concerned, good old nail polish (Wet and Wild) with the silver or gold flecks in it works well.  Also, Orvis sells some head cement with silver flecks.   Dave

Response:

I’ve been using red nymph hooks for five or six years.  It’s the only color I’ve seen in the smaller sizes. As far as glitter is concerned, good old nail polish (Wet and Wild) with the silver or gold flecks in it works well.  Also, Orvis sells some head cement with silver flecks. Dave

Do you think there’s an advantage in using colored hooks? The nail polish idea is a good one — you can get it in any crazy color these days, and Wet & Wild is pretty cheap, but the clerk at the store might look at you funny. Sandy

Response:

Reading about colored hooks now is a revelation to me Jon and I suppose it makes sense to include the hook coloring of olive, for instance, to add to the tone of an olive caddis emerger, for instance.  It seems this is one of those rare instances where the present generation is going to drag me, screaming and kicking into the future.  I might be an old dog learning new tricks but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. Now if you please, would someone hold my hand down hard upon this table so it won’t lift that shot of Jack Daniels to my quivering lips? Mr. G. All’s Fair With Fur or Feather gg

Response:

……. But trout are also very used to seeing things on insects – broken legs and wings, a sliver of leaf or filament of weed, or even a pebble and twig case on a caddis.  The trout sees it and just assumes it’s a harmless piece of flotsam, extra fiber if you will.  Only if a trout has been hooked a number of times would he actually recognize it as a "bad" insect, IMO.

Yes, that’s all plausible. JR

Response:

Do you think there’s an advantage in using colored hooks? The nail polish idea is a good one — you can get it in any crazy color these days, and Wet & Wild is pretty cheap, but the clerk at the store might look at you funny.

I called up that fly shop in Dillon and they said the hooks are manufactured by Daiichi.  I checked the Daiichi website and they have red, black, nickel and gold hooks in a variety of styles.  Unfortunately they do not list their hooks that would be of use to fly fishermen so I emailed the company for more information.  Here is a link to their website if you care to take a look. http://www.daiichihooks.com/daiichi/index.html — Warren Findley Remove (nospamZZ) to respond via email http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt/

Response:

I called up that fly shop in Dillon and they said the hooks are manufactured by Daiichi.  I checked the Daiichi website and they have red, black, nickel and gold hooks in a variety of styles.  Unfortunately they do not list their hooks that would be of use to fly fishermen so I emailed the company for more information.  Here is a link to their website if you care to take a look. http://www.daiichihooks.com/daiichi/index.html

   Another manufacturer of colored hooks is Gamakatsu (www.gamakatsu.com). I’ve seen them in the local fly shops but never tied with them, but I’ll vouch for the quality of their product. I was a serious ocean/big game fisherman in a past life; Gamakatsu and Owner were the only hooks I’d use.

Response:

Warren?  Wouldn’t you t hink a gold hook would most likely be like adding gold tinsel to a fly?  I don’t know. George All’s Fair With Fur or Feather gg

Response:

I think, but have no proof for it, that hook recognition develops in fish over time and that this is a major part of what we anglers call "selective behavior". I feel this is mostly a factor with flies at/near the surface, and more an issue in slower, richer streams that offer more time for the fish to observe their prey. On many subsurface patterns, and even some surface emerger types, the hook bend can serve to mimic the shape of the natural nymph,pupa or whatever.

I agree it’s mostly a factor in slower, richer streams.  I’d have thought, though, it was also more important with subsurface flies than with dries, first because the "profile" of the bend is reduced when viewed from below, and second because, as well described by Peter in the Fly Perceptions thread, it may be that the bare part of the hook is somewhat masked by the dimples and associated halos caused by the hackle and tail. JR

Response:

When I first read the header to this post I ignored because I thought it was sex site SPAM!!!!!!!

Sorry.  Fine state of affairs when we *expect* to see sex spam, ain’t it? What you say may very well be true, but like I said in another post, it’s something that confirms my opinion that fish perceive our flies in a very different way from the way we do. That "big-ass curvy part" is very evident to me and seems even more prevalent in smaller flies. Maybe they ignore it because they tend to look for certain things that are "right" about a fly or for a certain trigger instead of things that are "wrong." Maybe those "educated" fish have learned to look for things that are "wrong" as well???

Well, my speculations were just musings.  To me, it remains a great mystery that fish will overlook something so conspicuous.  On the other hand, say a fish ignores a nymph presented once, twice, and takes it on the third cast.  It might well be that, just by chance, the fly was turned the third time in a way to present a top or bottom view (with the bare hook bend hidden), while the first two times, again by chance alone, the fly passed the fish turned in a way that presented the fly more in profile, with the bend more exposed. When fishing the traditional downstream swing for steelhead here in the PNW, one tactic is to throw upstream mends to slow down the swing, allowing the fish the longest possible view of the fly (a good tactic when swinging soft hackles for trout, too).  A disadvantage is that unless you use a riffle hitch or some such, the view the fish has tends to be a butt-on, reduced view.  It addition to the riffle hitch, a greased line presentation also serves to give the fish a full profile view of the fly.  The difference (from fishing for trout) is that you just want the steelhead to see the very most of whatever silhouette the fly happens to have, to maximize the sheer provocation value of the fly–you’re not trying to imitate any particular natural foodstuff.  Here the more bare hook you have visible, maybe the better.  Some manufacturers are now producing bright gold, green, red and blue salmon/steelhead hooks.  Why waste all that bare metal when you can dress it up? JR

Response:

I’ve often wondered about that "big-ass curvy part", but most of the time it doesn’t seem to bother the trout’s attraction to the lure.

Good thing, too, otherwise we’d all have to find another sport.  ;)  I guess that’s what amazes me:  that it *doesn’t* bother the fish while very minor differences in other parts of the fly will make a difference. JR

Response:

Maybe that big curvy part looks like an ovipositor.  See my web site www.sluttyflies.com

Response:

I believe that many streams (I know of three) where the fish are "opportunistic" — that is, if it looks like it could be food, they will strike it.  On the rivers I recently visited in Idaho, there was no hatch, yet they readily took a humpy or a Klinkhammer, the bigger the better.  The guide gave my grandson a #10 red humpy and I marveled at its effectiveness.   This is just the opposite of another river I fish – when there is no hatch, the fish will rise to a very small, well presented dry.  Nymphing the rivers in Idaho was very successful, but again you had to give them a big nymph.  My #18s and 20s were useless.  Those same 18s and 20s on another river will catch many fish.

"Bigger is better" is right. I seldom use dries smaller than #12 or nymphs smaller than #14 in those Idaho waters you fished. I think the deal is that they’re relatively sterile freestone rivers. The fish jump on whatever they see that looks edible. Large, good floating Chernobyl patterns with dropper nymphs are very effective. So are large orange stimulators. You can catch these fish with an indicator attached to a bare hook. I only use the standard nymph patterns — pheasant tails, hare’s ears, prince nymphs, and lately copper johns. Also, the fish are mostly cutthroats, which are notoriously gullible. It doesn’t make for particularly challenging fishing (aside from the ass-busting hiking to get to the good spots), but it’s fun. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

John replies:  I’d have thought, though, it was also more important with subsurface flies than with dries, first because the "profile" of the bend is reduced when viewed from below,

But,one can build the body into most of the bend, use hook shape to the advantage of simulation. it may be that the bare part of the hook is somewhat masked by the dimples and associated halos caused by the hackle and tail.

I disagree. If you watch how a fresh, well hackled dry fly floats, the hook penetrates the surface,except for a tightly palmered hackle. Most dries settle right on top of the surface with the body, with some hackle tips in the water and the ones on the sides doing the work of holding the fly up. Anyhow, the hook will be seen, and quite distinctly from the body silhouette.                              Tom L

Response:

John writes: just what do we imagine the fish make of that big long hook bend

I think, but have no proof for it, that hook recognition develops in fish over time and that this is a major part of what we anglers call "selective behavior". I feel this is mostly a factor with flies at/near the surface, and more an issue in slower, richer streams that offer more time for the fish to observe their prey. On many subsurface patterns, and even some surface emerger types, the hook bend can serve to mimic the shape of the natural nymph,pupa or whatever.                                Tom L

Response:

John writes: just what do we imagine the fish make of that big long hook bend I think, but have no proof for it, that hook recognition develops in fish over time and that this is a major part of what we anglers call "selective behavior". I feel this is mostly a factor with flies at/near the surface, and more an issue in slower, richer streams that offer more time for the fish to observe their prey. On many subsurface patterns, and even some surface emerger types, the hook bend can serve to mimic the shape of the natural nymph,pupa or whatever.

When I first read the header to this post I ignored because I thought it was sex site SPAM!!!!!!! What you say may very well be true, but like I said in another post, it’s something that confirms my opinion that fish perceive our flies in a very different way from the way we do. That "big-ass curvy part" is very evident to me and seems even more prevalent in smaller flies. Maybe they ignore it because they tend to look for certain things that are "right" about a fly or for a certain trigger instead of things that are "wrong." Maybe those "educated" fish have learned to look for things that are "wrong" as well??? Willi

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Willi writes: John writes: just what do we imagine the fish make of that big long hook bend I think, but have no proof for it, that hook recognition develops in fish over time and that this is a major part of what we anglers call "selective behavior". I feel this is mostly a factor with flies at/near the surface, and more an issue in slower, richer streams that offer more time for the fish to observe their prey. On many subsurface patterns, and even some surface emerger types, the hook bend can serve to mimic the shape of the natural nymph,pupa or whatever. When I first read the header to this post I ignored because I thought it was sex site SPAM!!!!!!! What you say may very well be true, but like I said in another post, it’s something that confirms my opinion that fish perceive our flies in a very different way from the way we do. That "big-ass curvy part" is very evident to me and seems even more prevalent in smaller flies. Maybe they ignore it because they tend to look for certain things that are "right" about a fly or for a certain trigger instead of things that are "wrong." Maybe those "educated" fish have learned to look for things that are "wrong" as well??? Willi

I believe that many streams (I know of three) where the fish are "opportunistic" — that is, if it looks like it could be food, they will strike it.  On the rivers I recently visited in Idaho, there was no hatch, yet they readily took a humpy or a Klinkhammer, the bigger the better.  The guide gave my grandson a #10 red humpy and I marveled at its effectiveness.   This is just the opposite of another river I fish – when there is no hatch, the fish will rise to a very small, well presented dry.  Nymphing the rivers in Idaho was very successful, but again you had to give them a big nymph.  My #18s and 20s were useless.  Those same 18s and 20s on another river will catch many fish. I’ve often wondered about that "big-ass curvy part", but most of the time it doesn’t seem to bother the trout’s attraction to the lure. Dave

Response:

The recent discussion about wings, fishes’ perception, etc., reminded me of something I’ve often wondered, even marveled about–one of those things that come unbidden to mind on the thousandth (or two thousandth) fishless cast of the day on a steelhead river. Those of us who agonize over the minutiae of wing size, or number of fibers in the tail, or shade of copper in the ribbing:  just what do we imagine the fish make of that big long hook bend that on some patterns constitutes 50% or more of the whole gestalt (if you’ll pardon the word) presented to the fish?  Think of some ties you’ve seen of English PTs or soft hackles on those short hooks with absolutely huge gaps; yet these are effective flies.  You’d think (regardless of your species-specific sense of perception) that this big ol’ ugly THING just hanging there off the bottom of our handiwork is a lot more obvious than the many fine details we obsess over.  Why on earth would any trout swimming not key on THAT? I’d imagine the influence of the hook bend is least when the fly is viewed from directly above (in which case for most flies, it’s invisible); almost as little when viewed from directly below; slightly greater when viewed at an oblique angle above, behind, or to side; and greatest when viewed at right angles from the side.   If this is right, could it be one reason (in addition to the commonly cited ones) a straight downstream presentation of a dry is successful when casting to selective fish on calm waters?  Could there be implications for presentation of nymphs in slower water?  A reason why LaFontaine’s sparkle pupa (with the bend shrouded) is so effective?  A reason to use nothing but the lightest wire hooks available? (A reason for me to get a life and think about more useful things?) JR

Response:

Question:

I second the trashing of the Airflow lines.  I’ve only been fly fishing for 12 years, but for the last 2 years I’ve been ff about 4-5 times a week. I’ve used the Airflo Delta and Bass lines:  they suck terribly.  Never ever lose their memory hhhhhhhmmmmmmmm. I ike my  7 wt. forward.

Maybe they’re remembering the last nice fish you caught. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Never ever lose their memory hhhhhhhmmmmmmmm. I ike my  7 wt. forward. Maybe they’re remembering the last nice fish you caught. The bonito?

Yeah, that’s the one. What did it go?  Two, three pounds? — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Never ever lose their memory hhhhhhhmmmmmmmm. I ike my  7 wt. forward. Maybe they’re remembering the last nice fish you caught.

The bonito? Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid."  …I said that.

Response:

The bonito? Yeah, that’s the one. What did it go?  Two, three pounds?

Well, if you tie a 3 lb. bonito tail to tail with a 10 lb. trout, my bet is on the bonito!!!:) Lloyd Heilbrunn

Response:

Which style line is it?  When did you get it? what kind of waters do you fish with it?  These conditions may have som bearing on the lines’ perfomance.  I fish for bass and pickerel in NJ where the water temperatures ranges from 50 to 85 degrees.  Actually I have noted no difference in the line’s coiling and tangling properties. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I second the trashing of the Airflow lines.  I’ve only been fly fishing for 12 years, but for the last 2 years I’ve been ff about 4-5 times a week. I’ve used the Airflo Delta and Bass lines:  they suck terribly.  Never ever lose their memory (when in Florida I stretched a line around my garage and left it in the 100 degree heat for 24 hours, and it still retained its memory coil) and they are sure to tangle on at least 25 to 50% of your casts. Even the cheapest Cortlands (333) and SAs are far better. Adam hhhhhhhmmmmmmmm. I ike my  7 wt. forward. Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid."  …I said that.

Response:

I second the trashing of the Airflow lines.   I’ve used the Airflo Delta and Bass lines:  they suck terribly.  Never ever lose their memory (when in Florida I stretched a line around my garage and left it in the 100 degree heat for 24 hours, and it still retained its memory coil) and they are sure to tangle on at least 25 to 50% of your casts.

I’ve not had those problems with an Airflo 4wt Long Belly. Mu

Response:

I second the trashing of the Airflow lines.  I’ve only been fly fishing for 12 years, but for the last 2 years I’ve been ff about 4-5 times a week. I’ve used the Airflo Delta and Bass lines:  they suck terribly.  Never ever lose their memory (when in Florida I stretched a line around my garage and left it in the 100 degree heat for 24 hours, and it still retained its memory coil) and they are sure to tangle on at least 25 to 50% of your casts.  Even the cheapest Cortlands (333) and SAs are far better. Adam

hhhhhhhmmmmmmmm. I ike my  7 wt. forward. Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid."  …I said that.

Response:

I second the trashing of the Airflow lines.  I’ve only been fly fishing for 12 years, but for the last 2 years I’ve been ff about 4-5 times a week. I’ve used the Airflo Delta and Bass lines:  they suck terribly.  Never ever lose their memory (when in Florida I stretched a line around my garage and left it in the 100 degree heat for 24 hours, and it still retained its memory coil) and they are sure to tangle on at least 25 to 50% of your casts.  Even the cheapest Cortlands (333) and SAs are far better. Adam

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a ‘94 short-shart Gamefisher (Force?) that’s been running great since I picked it up at the beginning of tge year. However, the last time I was out,I get a "clack, clack, clack" as I was pulling on the starter rope.  I pushed the trans lever back and forth a couple of times, and it started right up with no"clack" at all. I motored to my fishing spot, cut the motor, making sure I was in neutral, then fished.  When I was ready to pull up, I once again went to start the motor and got the "clack" again.  I was once again able to get rid of the clack by moving the trans lever in and out of gear. Does anyone recognize my problem? Do I have a problem? Will I soon have a problem. Thanks…

There is a safety device system to prevent starting the motor in gear located on the flywheel. As the motor gets older parts get worn and these devices don’t quite work as they use to. The clack clack is a little plastic lever thats connected to the gear shift thats half connecting with the fly wheel. Moving the gear lever as you do helps to put it in the right position. I sugest that you take the cover off the engine and observe how this mechnisium works. Its located on the top of the motor at the back (spark plug end) work the gear lever and you will see the lever and how it works. There is another reason you should know about this is because sometimes the mechinisum jams and you can not pull the cord. If this occurs you take the cover off and manually move the lever out from the flywheel. These safety devices usually fail after a few years (regardless of make). If you are really keen you could set about adjusting it. You will find however that there is a spot on he gear lever where the lever is in the out position. Once you know the spot its just a matter of remembering to put it there before starting the motor. Best of luck Silver fox

Response:

I have a ‘94 short-shart Gamefisher (Force?) that’s been running great since I picked it up at the beginning of tge year. However, the last time I was out,I get a "clack, clack, clack" as I was pulling on the starter rope.  I pushed the trans lever back and forth a couple of times, and it started right up with no"clack" at all. I motored to my fishing spot, cut the motor, making sure I was in neutral, then fished.  When I was ready to pull up, I once again went to start the motor and got the "clack" again.  I was once again able to get rid of the clack by moving the trans lever in and out of gear. Does anyone recognize my problem? Do I have a problem? Will I soon have a problem. Thanks…

Response:

Question:

Anyone got any special/favorite techniques/knotts for tying droppers for one advantage or another?

Use the small sterling silver rings available for this purpose. Brilliant, saves line and temper ! TL MC

Response:

I am not familiar with these. Can you elaborate? Source? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone got any special/favorite techniques/knotts for tying droppers for one advantage or another? Use the small sterling silver rings available for this purpose. Brilliant, saves line and temper ! TL MC

Response:

Hi Keith, these are known as "leader rings". They were invented by a German guy called Edgar Pitzenbauer, a well known German flyfisher. They are small virtually weightless sterling silver rings. If you tie them into your leader you can change droppers easily, and without damaging the leader. You may also use lighter dropper lengths, as the line is knotted directly to the ring. I have found them extremely reliable and useful.  The last few I bought were from "Sportfish" in the UK, their e-mail is A packet of ten rings costs 2.25 UK pounds at Sportfish. They are described and illustrated on page 37 of the Spring 99 catalogue. They must be available in the States as well, but I unfortunately do not know where. Perhaps someone else knows ? I found the manufacturer in the USA for you.  It is : Terminal Tactics, P.O.Box 455, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota 56379. Tel. (612) 251-9479   Fax (612) 259-8719. If you need any more info, drop me a mail, and I can e-mail you a scan of the packet with descriptions etc. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

Sorry but the "daisy chain method" is… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – These are, literally, tiny rings to which may be tied multiple lines. Eg: tie your leader to a ring, then tie a short dropper to the same ring, then tie a long dropper to the same ring, using the same knots that you’d tie a fly to a tippet. I still prefer the "daisy chain" method. I get far fewer rats nests then having separate droppers off the main leader… /daytripper I am not familiar with these. Can you elaborate? Source? Anyone got any special/favorite techniques/knotts for tying droppers for one advantage or another? Use the small sterling silver rings available for this purpose. Brilliant, saves line and temper !

Response:

Also, where can you get these rings? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – These are, literally, tiny rings to which may be tied multiple lines. Eg: tie your leader to a ring, then tie a short dropper to the same ring, then tie a long dropper to the same ring, using the same knots that you’d tie a fly to a tippet. I still prefer the "daisy chain" method. I get far fewer rats nests then having separate droppers off the main leader… /daytripper I am not familiar with these. Can you elaborate? Source? Anyone got any special/favorite techniques/knotts for tying droppers for one advantage or another? Use the small sterling silver rings available for this purpose. Brilliant, saves line and temper !

Response:

These are, literally, tiny rings to which may be tied multiple lines. Eg: tie your leader to a ring, then tie a short dropper to the same ring, then tie a long dropper to the same ring, using the same knots that you’d tie a fly to a tippet. I still prefer the "daisy chain" method. I get far fewer rats nests then having separate droppers off the main leader… /daytripper – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am not familiar with these. Can you elaborate? Source? Anyone got any special/favorite techniques/knotts for tying droppers for one advantage or another? Use the small sterling silver rings available for this purpose. Brilliant, saves line and temper !

Response:

By "daisy chain" I mean that the tail fly is tie to a piece of tippet that is tied to the hook bend of the lead fly. /daytripper – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Sorry but the "daisy chain method" is… These are, literally, tiny rings to which may be tied multiple lines. Eg: tie your leader to a ring, then tie a short dropper to the same ring, then tie a long dropper to the same ring, using the same knots that you’d tie a fly to a tippet. I still prefer the "daisy chain" method. I get far fewer rats nests then having separate droppers off the main leader… /daytripper I am not familiar with these. Can you elaborate? Source? Anyone got any special/favorite techniques/knotts for tying droppers for one advantage or another? Use the small sterling silver rings available for this purpose. Brilliant, saves line and temper !

Response:

Sounds like the fly fishing equivalent of a three-way barrel swivel in spin casting terms. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Keith, these are known as "leader rings". They were invented by a German guy called Edgar Pitzenbauer, a well known German flyfisher. They are small virtually weightless sterling silver rings. If you tie them into your leader you can change droppers easily, and without damaging the leader. You may also use lighter dropper lengths, as the line is knotted directly to the ring. I have found them extremely reliable and useful.  The last few I bought were from "Sportfish" in the UK, their e-mail is A packet of ten rings costs 2.25 UK pounds at Sportfish. They are described and illustrated on page 37 of the Spring 99 catalogue. They must be available in the States as well, but I unfortunately do not know where. Perhaps someone else knows ? I found the manufacturer in the USA for you.  It is : Terminal Tactics, P.O.Box 455, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota 56379. Tel. (612) 251-9479   Fax (612) 259-8719. If you need any more info, drop me a mail, and I can e-mail you a scan of the packet with descriptions etc. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

For all intents, you’re quite correct. /daytripper – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Sounds like the fly fishing equivalent of a three-way barrel swivel in spin casting terms. Hi Keith, these are known as "leader rings". They were invented by a German guy called Edgar Pitzenbauer, a well known German flyfisher. They are small virtually weightless sterling silver rings. If you tie them into your leader you can change droppers easily, and without damaging the leader. You may also use lighter dropper lengths, as the line is knotted directly to the ring. I have found them extremely reliable and useful.  The last few I bought were from "Sportfish" in the UK, their e-mail is A packet of ten rings costs 2.25 UK pounds at Sportfish. They are described and illustrated on page 37 of the Spring 99 catalogue. They must be available in the States as well, but I unfortunately do not know where. Perhaps someone else knows ? I found the manufacturer in the USA for you.  It is : Terminal Tactics, P.O.Box 455, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota 56379. Tel. (612) 251-9479   Fax (612) 259-8719. If you need any more info, drop me a mail, and I can e-mail you a scan of the packet with descriptions etc. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

0] : Anyone got any special/favorite techniques/knotts for tying droppers for : one advantage or another? For that purpose, when I tie big, high floating drys like humpies or elk hair caddises which make good visible indicators, I tie a loop of 3X or 4X mono onto the shank of the hook for attaching a trailing dropper. I find this useful not only for trailing nymphs, but for hard to see small dry flies. Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories  (remove x’s from email if not      Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971   a spammer) Phone: (650)-857-5491              

Response:

Unless it’s with cobwebs a double surgeon’s loop is hard to beat. Bob Sheedy — Free Lake Fly Fishing On-Line Magazine Lake Fly Fishing CD’s, Videos, Books http://www.rural.escape.ca/angling_north/fishing/organz.htm

Response:

I use a blood knot because the dropper comes out of the knot at a "pure" 90 degrees, unless I’m in a hurry when a surgeon’s knot works just as well… Flyfish

Response:

Try tying your dropper to the hook of your lead fly.  Just put a "perfection loop" in your dropper leader.  This works great for fishing a dry and then a nymph of the same bug.  It also doesn’t get tangled very easily. Good luck

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone got any special/favorite techniques/knotts for tying droppers for one advantage or another?

Response:

Usually I prefer the cleanest method – tie the dropper off the bend of the dry – tangles rarely and it’s easy to detect a fish taking the nymph due the the straight connection. For small flies and big fish though, try this one, taught to me by Mr. Rizutto at his San Juan fly shop (a great place to stop in the morning for flies, esp if you’re too cheap to hire a guide like me): Match the end of your leader and tippet together and thread BOTH through the eye of your dry, then tie a modified clinch with only three twists (due to tying two separate strands of mono).  Then just tie your nymph to the end of the tippet and Voila! a very strong set up.  Sometimes you’ll notice the dry floating sideways or whatever, because this makes a pretty stiff connection. If you can’t "tweak " the knot a little to realign the dry, rety it.  Very Strong. Bruiser

Response:

Usually I prefer the cleanest method – tie the dropper off the bend of the dry – tangles rarely and it’s easy to detect a fish taking the nymph due the the straight connection.

Yup – I agree with this. For small flies and big fish though, try this one, taught to me by Mr. Rizutto at his San Juan fly shop (a great place to stop in the morning for flies, esp if you’re too cheap to hire a guide like me): Match the end of your leader and tippet together and thread BOTH through the eye of your dry, then tie a modified clinch with only three twists (due to tying two separate strands of mono).  Then just tie your nymph to the end of the tippet and Voila! a very strong set up.  Sometimes you’ll notice the dry floating sideways or whatever, because this makes a pretty stiff connection. If you can’t "tweak " the knot a little to realign the dry, rety it.  Very Strong.

Interesting – and perhaps a challenge with small eyed hooks. I can’t imagine threading two chunks of 6x through a #20 or smaller hook eye – I have enough trouble threading even 8x through a #20 (gotta buy some damned bifocals – or at least reading glasses!) In any case, there’s one good "gotcha" that shows up when you want to  change the point fly – you have to retie the lead fly as well… /daytripper

Response:

Anyone got any special/favorite techniques/knotts for tying droppers for one advantage or another?

Response:

Anyone got any special/favorite techniques/knotts for tying droppers for one advantage or another?

Tie in the lead fly, then tie another piece of tippet to the hook bend of the lead fly using a clinch knot (improved or otherwise), then tie in the point fly. /daytripper

Response:

Keith,    I just use a blood knot.  Leave the section of your leader next to the tippet about 9" longer than you normally would.  Tie a blood knot letting this amount extend at right angles to the knot and don’t trim it.  The dropper being a bigger diameter than the tippet will not tangle with the tippet as easily as a dropper the same diameter as the tippet. Ernie Harrison Like to make fly-fishing stuff?  See: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone got any special/favorite techniques/knotts for tying droppers for one advantage or another?

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Question:

We come to the fisher world show in Denver SEPTEMBER 18,19,20 th We are 2 FRENCH Fisher It’s possible to go fly-fishing (SUNDAY , September 21 th) in the ar

Question:

Does anyone know  source for a White Snow Shoe Hares Foot? Thanks, Vic

Response:

Vic,How many do you need? James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Underhill, VT

Response:

Does anyone know  source for a White Snow Shoe Hares Foot? Thanks, Vic

I got mine from Hunters Angling Supplies in New Boston (NH). Look for their number in any ff journal or mail back and I will try to find it Thomas (not affiliated with Hunters…) — Thomas Urbig

Response:

Vic, Mike Houge has some listed on his Web Site http://www.commonlink.com/~Midwestflytying/ I met him at a recent Fly Show and he was very helpful with good prices. Rick — Richard Padgett – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know  source for a White Snow Shoe Hares Foot? Thanks, Vic

Response:

Does anyone know  source for a White Snow Shoe Hares Foot?

A most reliable source, Vic, would be a wilderness area where you could catch a White Snow Shoe Hare and chop its f*cking feet off. Spinolio

Response:

I’m looking for a white snow shoe hares foor to use as wing material for the comparadun.  Does anyone know of a source for one or two of those. Thanks, Vic

I think Feathecraft Fly Fishing in St. Louis has them in their catalog. 800-659-1707 Steve Rosenblum

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I’m looking for a white snow shoe hares foor to use as wing material for the comparadun.  Does anyone know of a source for one or two of those. Thanks, Vic

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Question:

I went fishing for Stripers last Friday on the Sacramento River between Decker Island and Rio Vista.  I didn’t have a boat, so I fished off of the banks using blood worms.  I had a few bites, but didn’t catch any fish. Does anyone have experience fishing the Delta for Stripers from shore? What baits, presentations, locations, tides do you fish, and has fishing been good off of the banks recently?  I drove quite a bit on Friday, and only saw a handful of fisherman fishing from the shores. Thanks, KenP

Response:

It’s really frustrating to fish stripers in the river with a boat, much less off the shore. You’d be better of in the Amercian river. There are more "hole" where the fish stop and concentrate. Some of the fly fishing shop in Sac are good resources to tell you where to go, as fly fishing for stripers is becomming really popular.

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Question:

writes: If Dave Whitlock isn’t the alltime Master of flyfishing then I don’t

know who is. For all around knowledge and no frills fishing ideas I prefer Lefty Kreh.

Response:

For all around knowledge and no frills fishing ideas I prefer Lefty Kreh.

all around knowledge ? Red Green gets my vote. Tim Walker

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How could you forget Lee Wulff, my favorite?

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writes: If Dave Whitlock isn’t the alltime Master of flyfishing then I don’t know who is. For all around knowledge and no frills fishing ideas I prefer Lefty Kreh.

Lefty Kreh is one of the masters, but please, for "no frills" saltwater flies and fishing, my man is Lou Tabory!   —- "Just say no to bait"

Response:

I just finished reviewing Jack Samson’s new biography of Lee Wullf. Super book. The review should be posted in the magazine early next week. — ** Louis Bignami, Publisher         http://www.finefishing.com Fine Fishing Internet Magazine                "largest fishing mag on the Net" **

Response:

Check out the Fly & Field Website!  They have Dave Whitlock!  He is writing articles and fly recipes, and answering questions!  I am PSYCHED!!  If DW isn’t the alltime Master of flyfishing then I don’t know who is. I’ve been collecting his books and drawings for several years and I even got to meet him once at a fishing show in San Francisco.  He is the nicest person and his knowledge is so vast on so many topics of flyfishing it’s incredible.  I’m sorry if I sound like a blithering idiot, but this is too much.   The site is at http://www.flyfield.com/ but you can go straight to Dave at http://www.flyfield.com/dw2.htm.  They are also highlighting Davy Wotton. Does anybody know about him?  Apparently he is like the Dave Whitlock of Europe.  

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Question:

Any Ideas on what’s hot and what’s not??  Please post them.  Thanks

Response:

From what I’m told the Deerfield is one of the best rivers in the East for fly fishing. It’s up in North Western MA. Best points of entry along Route 2.

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