Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Stan, I’m tracing my package via the internet, an option I didn’t have with the batch that got lost, since I sent that one with ordinary mail. Anyway, the package has already left Sweden and is flewn over the Atlantic Ocean this very minute. With a bit of luck it should arrive on Friday. Them flies are getting to be really expensive, I mean, they were tied twice and sent twice. If only I could say that I was a good tier it might have made sense, but since I said I would send flies I felt I had to give it another try.

I, for one, appreciate the "stand-by-your-commitment" attitude you display. — TL, Tim . . .and you aren’t going to make your money back based on the ones *I* tied.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Stan, I’m tracing my package via the internet, an option I didn’t have with the batch that got lost, since I sent that one with ordinary mail. Anyway, the package has already left Sweden and is flewn over the Atlantic Ocean this very minute. With a bit of luck it should arrive on Friday. Them flies are getting to be really expensive, I mean, they were tied twice and sent twice. If only I could say that I was a good tier it might have made sense, but since I said I would send flies I felt I had to give it another try. I, for one, appreciate the "stand-by-your-commitment" attitude you display. — TL, Tim . . .and you aren’t going to make your money back based on the ones *I* tied.

/Roger If I were into fly fishing and related stuff to make money, with my approach I’d be named a bankrupt idiot.   =)

Response:

Nothing to report really, nothing has arrived since Monday.  As far as I can tell, here’s the latest tally: Already received: *Scott Seidman: tungsten-beaded sulfur nymph *Stan Gula: Zug Bug variant *Tim Johnson: PT nymph *Svend Tang-Petersen: poxy back general mayfly *Randy Kane: flash back PT *John Whiteley: Sawyer PT *Stephen Welsh: Peacock and Possum *Wolfgang: Plain vanilla GRHE *Joe Fleischman: GRW *Jim Rahn: ‘The Generic’ *Shawn Armstrong: Gold Bead Head Cress Bug *Hans van der Stroom: Ritz D Waiting for: Rocktrout(aka Bouncer): Mountain Midge Roger Ohlund: caddis pupae, with beadhead Clark Reid: unknown Herman Nijland: suspender polder nymph Paul Goodwin: a surprise Bouncer, what’s your status?  Does anybody have his email address? Roger feels his package is lost (he mailed it 3 weeks ago) and will be sending another set by package courier instead of post. Next Thursday is Thanksgiving and I’m going to be tied up with transportation, shopping and chef duties most of the week so it looks like we will wait until Saturday at least.  I’ll check in then and we can decide what to do about missing flies.  On Saturday we can decide the ultimate cutoff date, but I propose that we need to (at come point) distribute the ones I’ve received, and all participants, whether their delivery is here or not, should get a set.  Any late arriving flies will be donated to 2003 claves or other worthy cause at my discretion.  One set will be saved for Tim Apple, and at least one set will be donated to Dave LaCourse’s friend in Maine. –Stan

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nothing to report really, nothing has arrived since Monday.  As far as I can tell, here’s the latest tally: Already received: *Scott Seidman: tungsten-beaded sulfur nymph *Stan Gula: Zug Bug variant *Tim Johnson: PT nymph *Svend Tang-Petersen: poxy back general mayfly *Randy Kane: flash back PT *John Whiteley: Sawyer PT *Stephen Welsh: Peacock and Possum *Wolfgang: Plain vanilla GRHE *Joe Fleischman: GRW *Jim Rahn: ‘The Generic’ *Shawn Armstrong: Gold Bead Head Cress Bug *Hans van der Stroom: Ritz D Waiting for: Rocktrout(aka Bouncer): Mountain Midge Roger Ohlund: caddis pupae, with beadhead Clark Reid: unknown Herman Nijland: suspender polder nymph Paul Goodwin: a surprise Bouncer, what’s your status?  Does anybody have his email address? Roger feels his package is lost (he mailed it 3 weeks ago) and will be sending another set by package courier instead of post. Next Thursday is Thanksgiving and I’m going to be tied up with transportation, shopping and chef duties most of the week so it looks like we will wait until Saturday at least.  I’ll check in then and we can decide what to do about missing flies.  On Saturday we can decide the ultimate cutoff date, but I propose that we need to (at come point) distribute the ones I’ve received, and all participants, whether their delivery is here or not, should get a set.  Any late arriving flies will be donated to 2003 claves or other worthy cause at my discretion.  One set will be saved for Tim Apple, and at least one set will be donated to Dave LaCourse’s friend in Maine. –Stan

Sounds good to me, Stan, tho I’m in no rush personally.  These nymphs in no way resemble anything I’ll be fishin with in Dec!  Let’s put off the real decision till the Tues or Wed after Thanksgiving, if you don’t mind, to give travellers a chance to get home, and holiday mail lags a chance to catch up. I have no trouble with the everyone whos in gets a set thing, whether flies show or not.  Makes the latecoming flies collectors items, and a challenge to complete your set!  Kind of like baseball cards when I was a kid. — Scott Reverse first field of address to reply

Response:

<snip –Stan (nymphs everywhere)

I thought it was wayno and/or Wolfgang that had this, er, problem. — TL, Tim

Response:

Stan, I’m tracing my package via the internet, an option I didn’t have with the batch that got lost, since I sent that one with ordinary mail. Anyway, the package has already left Sweden and is flewn over the Atlantic Ocean this very minute. With a bit of luck it should arrive on Friday. Them flies are getting to be really expensive, I mean, they were tied twice and sent twice. If only I could say that I was a good tier it might have made sense, but since I said I would send flies I felt I had to give it another try. /Roger Still have my fingers crossed though, one never knows where the mail might fail.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have heard from Herman and Roger that their flies are on the way.

Response:

One more time… Here we are two weeks past the deadline, and still waiting.  Clark’s flies arrived today (and I spilled them all over my kitchen floor) but there are still two non-US entries missing in the mail, and two US entries just plain missing in action.  I have heard from Herman and Roger that their flies are on the way.  Since I’ll be very busy this week and I can’t do the packaging and mailing until Sunday anyway, I’m going to wait until then.  I really want to give Roger and Herman a chance because I think these non-US flies are worth the wait.  Salmonfly and Bouncer, this is your last notice – if you’re in contact me. On Sunday I start packaging. –Stan (nymphs everywhere)

Response:

Nothing to report really, nothing has arrived since Monday.  As far as I can tell, here’s the latest tally:

Well heck; if’n I’d known I had this much time I’d have tied better flies. Joe F.

Response:

Gotta love a fly called "Trout Crack." Pretty soon, you’re on the stuff solid, rarely sleeping, breaking close family ties, sleeping outdoors, and waking up with week-old stubble and a wicked hangover. My stubble is more like 25 years old, but that sure sounds familiar.

Yeah, that was Penns Clave #1 — Scott Reverse first field of address to reply

Response:

Here’s a (bad) picture of the full set so you can get a dim idea what’s coming. http://gula.org/images/flies.jpg Gotta love a fly called "Trout Crack."

It’s not funny. At first you just have a little on a recreational basis. Pretty soon, you’re on the stuff solid, rarely sleeping, breaking close family ties, sleeping outdoors, and waking up with week-old stubble and a wicked hangover. — TL, Tim Of course, you could just be at a ‘clave.

Response:

Gotta love a fly called "Trout Crack." Pretty soon, you’re on the stuff solid, rarely sleeping, breaking close family ties, sleeping outdoors, and waking up with week-old stubble and a wicked hangover.

My stubble is more like 25 years old, but that sure sounds familiar.

Response:

They start going out today.  All the preaddressed containers are going out in an hour.  The others, where I have to write addresses, are going tomorrow. Here’s a (bad) picture of the full set so you can get a dim idea what’s coming. http://gula.org/images/flies.jpg Hope you all are enjoying the holidays!

Good job, swapmeister pro tem — Scott Reverse first field of address to reply

Response:

Here’s a (bad) picture of the full set so you can get a dim idea what’s coming. http://gula.org/images/flies.jpg

Gotta love a fly called "Trout Crack." Frank Reid

Response:

They start going out today.  All the preaddressed containers are going out in an hour.  The others, where I have to write addresses, are going tomorrow. Here’s a (bad) picture of the full set so you can get a dim idea what’s coming. http://gula.org/images/flies.jpg Hope you all are enjoying the holidays!

Response:

Question:

Monday we finally got enough of a break in the wind to allow us to get way out in the sound.  Found some pretty white sand shorelines and poled along them.  Lo and behold there were nice sized schools of redfish cruising along in 8 inches of crystal clear water with a light colored bottom.  Perfect.  We threw tan/white clousers and merkins at them (size 2).  Caught them up to 26 inches.  Each strike a picture perfect sight fishing shot.  Just like bonefishing in the Bahamas.  Here are links to a couple pictures: http://www.mindspring.com/~taftsville/redwade.jpg http://www.mindspring.com/~taftsville/redwade2.jpg

Response:

gordon – the area looks familiar <g… i was doing the same thing in the pamlico over on the swan quarter/englehard side on sunday…except i was using a light spinning rod. at this very moment i’m cooking a 23 incher i brought home – yum.  lost several bigguns, and caught 5 smaller ones.  puppy drum are becoming one of my favorite fish! fun to catch…delicious to eat. have you tried a crab pattern for them yet? jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Monday we finally got enough of a break in the wind to allow us to get way out in the sound.  Found some pretty white sand shorelines and poled along them.  Lo and behold there were nice sized schools of redfish cruising along in 8 inches of crystal clear water with a light colored bottom.  Perfect.  We threw tan/white clousers and merkins at them (size 2).  Caught them up to 26 inches.  Each strike a picture perfect sight fishing shot.  Just like bonefishing in the Bahamas.  Here are links to a couple pictures: http://www.mindspring.com/~taftsville/redwade.jpg http://www.mindspring.com/~taftsville/redwade2.jpg

Response:

We’re thinking of a trip in the next 2 or 3 weeks.  Much going on down there?  We would like to fish the Sound for whatever is hitting a fly. — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Monday we finally got enough of a break in the wind to allow us to get way out in the sound.  Found some pretty white sand shorelines and poled along them.  Lo and behold there were nice sized schools of redfish cruising along in 8 inches of crystal clear water with a light colored bottom.  Perfect.  We threw tan/white clousers and merkins at them (size 2).  Caught them up to 26 inches.  Each strike a picture perfect sight fishing shot.  Just like bonefishing in the Bahamas.  Here are links to a couple pictures: http://www.mindspring.com/~taftsville/redwade.jpg http://www.mindspring.com/~taftsville/redwade2.jpg

Response:

Question:

Roffians, A friend of mine wants to get on ROFF but doesn’t really know how to do it. He is using AOL, which I’m not familiar with. I was hoping one of you who have AOL could give him some guidance. His name is Dennis, his email is Thanks Tim Apple — "Bamboo is Better"

Response:

A friend of mine wants to get on ROFF but doesn’t really know how to do it. He is using AOL, which I’m not familiar with. I was hoping one of you who have AOL could give him some guidance. His name is Dennis, his email is Thanks

From the task bar, Click on Internet, Click on Newsgroups Click on Expert Add Type in rec.outdoors.fishing.fly, press enter he will be subscribed To read Click on Internet Click on Newsgroups Click on read my Newsgroups Wayne who if he could ever get his other ISP to work right on text based newsgroups would leave aol in a heartbeat. Wayne Knight (remove nospam to respond via mail) Expert in the creation of  wind knots and tailing loops.

Response:

Question:

Hi My sentiments are similar to Christian’s first posting. I prefer a slightly stiffer rod when Spey casting, I started with a so called "Spey" but found it difficult to achieve distance without perfect timing. You need to slow down your whole casting action, wait for the rod to load before applying the power. Timing is everything when using a traditional Spey actioned rod. They are not suitable for using with any kind of sinking line, the action is just too slow and this gives the line time to sink between the "back cast" and forward cast. I soon changed to a 15′ 1" Sage with a stiffer action and found this to be near perfect for me, with both floating and sinking lines. It can be used with shooting heads as Christian mentions (12 meters of #12 line is perfect) and casts of 40+ yards are fairly routine with this method. It is tireing though having to strip in nearly 30 yards of line every cast. As for breakages, the more expensive the rod the better the guarentee (usually), my Sage has a lifetime guarentee, the Diawa doesn’t have any guarentee. As usual it all comes down to "how much you want to spend". Bruce & Walker rods are a range I can recommend – buy the "Walker" rods they have the stiffer action. The Norway or Speycaster range are excellent rods. The Diawa Amorphous is a good range. At the top of the tree are the Sage and the Hardy Ultralite/Elite range. Only my opinions. Chris

Response:

Hi Chris

Hi Chris I would like to make a couple of small but very important points here regarding your change from one rod to another. It is my humble opinion  your first rod didn’t quite suit your casting style and or body shape. With the greatest respects that doesn’t mean that particular rod is not suitable for somebody else. Just as your move to a Sage doesn’t mean that a Sage will suit everybody. My point is that the individual must buy a rod that suits/fits him or her. Two of my mates fish and cast perfectly well with 19ft (yes 19 feet) B&W’s but I cannot cast very well with them. I can cast however the same amount of line (as them) with a 15ft B&W, I can also cast a few of the other available rods, including almost all of the Daiwa rods, equally well. Other rods that I cannot come to grips with are the B&W Hexograph the Sage (Chris’s rod) and some of the Walkers although I think with practice I could master the Walkers. My point is that someone buying a new rod must try a few out first and choose the one that they think suits them. I fish regularly with a stiff rod the B&W 15ft heavy duty Expert, but this rod has a very fast action, unlike the slower action of the ones I cannot use. As mentioned before there are many X’s in the equation and here are some of them. A stiff rod with a fast action A stiff rod with a slow action A soft rod with a slow action ( I can’t think of a soft rod that’s got a fast action) The size of line you choose to fish with your chosen rod, (normally rods are rated for three sizes, but there is a tremendous difference between a 9 and an 11. This will also has an impact on how soft the rod feels and casts) Floating etc…etc…etc…. Okay I’m off the pedastal ) Regards Lawr, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi My sentiments are similar to Christian’s first posting. I prefer a slightly stiffer rod when Spey casting, I started with a so called "Spey" but found it difficult to achieve distance without perfect timing. You need to slow down your whole casting action, wait for the rod to load before applying the power. Timing is everything when using a traditional Spey actioned rod. They are not suitable for using with any kind of sinking line, the action is just too slow and this gives the line time to sink between the "back cast" and forward cast. I soon changed to a 15′ 1" Sage with a stiffer action and found this to be near perfect for me, with both floating and sinking lines. It can be used with shooting heads as Christian mentions (12 meters of #12 line is perfect) and casts of 40+ yards are fairly routine with this method. It is tireing though having to strip in nearly 30 yards of line every cast. As for breakages, the more expensive the rod the better the guarentee (usually), my Sage has a lifetime guarentee, the Diawa doesn’t have any guarentee. As usual it all comes down to "how much you want to spend". Bruce & Walker rods are a range I can recommend – buy the "Walker" rods they have the stiffer action. The Norway or Speycaster range are excellent rods. The Diawa Amorphous is a good range. At the top of the tree are the Sage and the Hardy Ultralite/Elite range. Only my opinions. Chris

Response:

My fishing buddy and I have obseved a few people Spey casting up here on the Miramichi.  It looks like fun.  They cast a mile-long line.  But, we have always wondered if the method helps them catch more fish?  We cover the same amount of water (or more) by fishing from a canoe.  If there are fish that are out of our reach, we just move the boat into a position so that we get a good swing over them. JB

Response:

Hi Lawr You are right to make these valid points but I thought I had mentioned them in my original posting, I checked and I had. I prefer a slightly stiffer rod when Spey casting Timing is everything when using a traditional Spey actioned rod. I soon changed to a 15′ 1" Sage with a stiffer action and found this to be near perfect for me

I think these snippits confirm that the information I gave was MY preferences, I was not trying to make hard and fast rules that apply to everybody. As for hard and fast rules I still believe the only comment I made against traditional actioned "spey" rods was They are not suitable for using with any kind of sinking line, the action is just too slow and this gives the line time to sink between the "back cast" and forward cast.

and this is something I still maintain. Thanks for keeping us on our toes Lawr. Chris

Response:

I’m sorry Chris!! I wasn’t trying to have a go at your opinions, postings can often come across a bit strong. My intention was to add other considerations to all the other opinions including yours. Don’t mind me I rattle on a bit when it’s a subject I like ) however I can say sorry and I can do a U-Turn if I’m wrong ) Best Regards Lawr, PS Have you checked out the Ness System reports etc…on my website?? www.f-deans.freeserve.co.uk – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Lawr You are right to make these valid points but I thought I had mentioned them in my original posting, I checked and I had. I prefer a slightly stiffer rod when Spey casting Timing is everything when using a traditional Spey actioned rod. I soon changed to a 15′ 1" Sage with a stiffer action and found this to be near perfect for me I think these snippits confirm that the information I gave was MY preferences, I was not trying to make hard and fast rules that apply to everybody. As for hard and fast rules I still believe the only comment I made against traditional actioned "spey" rods was They are not suitable for using with any kind of sinking line, the action is just too slow and this gives the line time to sink between the "back cast" and forward cast. and this is something I still maintain. Thanks for keeping us on our toes Lawr. Chris

Response:

Hi, I am interested in buying a double handed salmon rod, It should be quite allround, so I am thinking of a rod of about 14′ for #9/10. I have been casting both (still having to learn a lot) and like the single and double Spey and rollcasts. Should I choose the somewhat softer "old" design Speycastrods or would a modern stiffer design be better ???? I don’t want to start with just a cheap rod, then a fair rod, a good rod and after that buying a realy nice rod. Good advise is welcome……. Regards, Ger.

Response:

It should be quite allround, so I am thinking of a rod of about 14′ for #9/10. [...] Should I choose the somewhat softer "old" design Speycastrods or would a modern stiffer design be better ????

I say go for the modern stiffer design.  Not that you especially need a stiff rod, but because the old design speyrods were designed with traditional speycasting in mind, meaning loading the rod all the way around the spey cast. Nowadays, you would just go with a shooting head and a spiced up roll cast. I’ll happily admit, I’m drawing up two extremes here, and even though your question kinda opened that door, it isn’t particularly useful in terms of fishing. The old style spey casting would enable you to cast a 45 yard DT line in a single casting motion, but it required very good technique and it was also hard work. Rods had to be heavy and slow action to perform such a cast, and I think you need to wear tweed to get it right, as well..   That time has past, basically. — At least here in Norway. ( it seems the time of rivers packed with salmon are gone up here too..)  Lightweight, fast rods are dominating, and shooting heads are getting more popular. Some still use WF-lines or other taperings, in contrast to the now rare, but formerly very popular DT line. Most people tend to retrieve quite a bit of line before making the cast (especially with shooting heads), and the cast isn’t really a jolly old God save the Queen spey cast (Hi there, Brits! , but more like an advanced roll cast. It works, and I’ve found it to be much easier than real spey casting. The distance potential is impeccable, and its only drawback is that you have your fly less in the water than with real spey casting (due to line retrieval between casts). Also, sinking vs. floating line can make a difference in your choice. To handle a sinking line, a light weight, fast tip-action rod might not be sufficient. But for WF or ST floating lines, the faster and lighter rod would excel. So, I think you need to ask yourself, do you want to fish effectively and easily with a two-handed rod, or do you in fact want to learn the traditional spey casting?  Absolutely nothing wrong with the latter. I may be off with my definitions. The last time I responded to a spey cast question, several knowledgeable people objected and offered alternative views, and I can’t guarantee I got it right this time. I just feel that you perhaps shouldn’t go for the heavy, slow action rod, based solely on tradition, without considering more modern applications of two-handed casting (and besides, slow action rods doesn’t have to be heavy – I just made that up.. ). As always when buying a rod, test casting several options is the best way to go. We all have our quirks and preferences. Too fast of an action can be very bad, considering you’re dealing with a 14′ rod here –the longer the rod, the more accuracy is needed in handling it. Personally, I would put great emphasis on weight. I use to have a Bruce & Walker Powerlite 15′, an absolutely wonderful rod, extremely light weight for its size. It broke, and most other rods I’ve tried, made me and especially my back longing for my B&W.. Its successor is the B&W Powerlite Speycaster, and if you have the chance, I’d suggest you have a look at it. — Christian Figenschou – http://figen.com

Response:

Should I choose the somewhat softer "old" design Speycastrods or would a modern stiffer design be better ????

If you plan to use switch, single and double spey casts, then go with a true "spey" rod. If you plan to use casts like one would with a trout rod (i.e. overhand + false casting), then go with a more modern rod. The big difference is that the spey rod flexes for the entire length of the shaft, and it can handle flexing in all directions.  More modern rods have a "progressive taper" where the butt section of the shaft hardly bends and most of the flex occurs in the top 1/3-rd of the shaft.  Modern rods have also been optimized for front-back casting, and may not handle flexing in all directions as well as a spey rod. Finally, don’t confuse stiffness with power.  Modern rods have a quick snappy tip designed to generate high line speed over a short distance.  Older rods, including glass, generate moderate line speed, but over a greater distance. In part because of my decent but not super-powerful wrist and forearm strength, I feel like I can toss a line farther and more accurately with the softer rods. Thomas Gilg

Response:

Thomas and Christian have given you very good advice however it is my humble opinion that you must buy a rod that suits/fits  *you*.  When buying a pair of shoes you do not buy a pair that fits somebody else and this is the case with Spey Rods. When Spey casting/fishing there are many many X’s in the equation and without trying a rod on to see if it *fits* you (and the type of water you are fishing) you will be unaware of them. This is why it takes years to perfect a good Spey cast. You are right however to go for a good quality rod first time round. On the river Ness System Scotland, a great Spey casting area, the most common rod is the Daiwa  Amorphous 15 or 16 ft, I don’t own one at the moment but if buying a new rod I would buy the 15ft. The extra lightweight rods *may* have a tendency to break as Christian pointed out especially if using a sink tip or full sinking line. HTH Lawr, www.f-deans.freeserve.co.uk         "Fishing On The Fly"               :{)< – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi, I am interested in buying a double handed salmon rod, It should be quite allround, so I am thinking of a rod of about 14′ for #9/10. I have been casting both (still having to learn a lot) and like the single and double Spey and rollcasts. Should I choose the somewhat softer "old" design Speycastrods or would a modern stiffer design be better ???? I don’t want to start with just a cheap rod, then a fair rod, a good rod and after that buying a realy nice rod. Good advise is welcome……. Regards, Ger.

Response:

Oh! dear does your friend have a licence ) (only kidding) When you get accustomed to a rod it is difficult to make the transition to another rod. Even two rods from the same maker with exactly the same specifications (i.e. two B&W 15ft heavy duty Experts) can have different actions. Over the years I have seen quite a few Spey rods broken during casting (the noise is a bit like a gun going off) with no particular rod type being the worst case.  IMHO it would be more difficult to break an Expert than say a Powerlight especially if using a sinking line or sink tip coupled with 3 inch leaded waddington. I know the above is an extreme case but you may need a rod that is capable of fishing all the extremes. Regards Lawr, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The extra lightweight rods *may* have a tendency to break as Christian pointed out especially if using a sink tip or full sinking line. In this particular case, I’ve found them to have a tendency of breaking when your friend runs over them with his car..   — Christian Figenschou – http://figen.com

Response:

Question:

anyone have experience ff the surf in San diego this time of year? I would greatly appreciate any comments–and if you live here perhaps we could get together–I am a fresh water ffman recently transported. Thanks Ron

Response:

I live in orange county and work in San Diego. I have not had much luck surf fly fishing in any so cal waters. Usually it is a matter of access. Most of the good stretches of beach are hard, if not impossible to get to. Any spots where you do have access to are WAY overcrowded by bait fisherman, A large percent looking for a family dinner. I have had great luck renting a skiff from seaforth. You can fish in mission bay, or Coronado island. Get out there with deceivers, let’em sink, then strip, strip, strip, like a mad man. Mackerel, rock fish, I even caught a baby barracuda once Seaforth also has a big boat to rent with GPS and all the goodies, so you can really get out there and hit the kelp beds. It is pricey though. Also there is a great salt fly fishing store in SD. If anyone knows, these guys do… San Diego Fly Shop. 619-283-3445. They have flys, lines, and all the stuff you need. Call them, they know the area. Note : you need a special sticker on your ca fishing license to do the salt thing. Good luck, Marc visit the Fly Fishing Zone at http://www.bookmarkzone.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – anyone have experience ff the surf in San diego this time of year? I would greatly appreciate any comments–and if you live here perhaps we could get together–I am a fresh water ffman recently transported. Thanks Ron

Response:

Question:

I have gotten skunked on the west branch – even worse, I was skunked when big fish were sloppily rising all up and down the eddy.  That place is the grad school, my friend. Pete C

Response:

I’ve fished the W. Br. for about 20 years. You’re right about it being the grad. school. I consider it to be the major leagues of fly fishing. The ‘regulars’ like me who fish it like to say that if you can catch trout on a DRY fly on the Delaware, you can catch trout anywhere. I’ve also fished the Bighorn and although the W. Br. may not be quite the fishery that the  Bighorn is, in my opinion it is a close second. And it could even get better if it wasn’t for the screwed-up releases from the Cannonsville dam.

Response:

I just got back from the WB and in all honesty I think there is a little fly shop.  I went in and started asking a few questions.  As soon as they found out I had not fished the river there were the typical don’t expect to catch anything comments.  Yada Yada Yada. The afternoon (this past Wed) was hot and the river a bit warm.  Nothing got started with regards to hatches or rises until about 45 minutes before dark. On my first cast I  got a solid take but did not connect.  From then on I got nothing but it was getting dark and frankly I couldn’t see my fly and with the wate a little high the wading to get to the rises was tricky.  Sixty foot casts at dusk are not productive where ever you fish. Next day the wind was blowing a gale and I spent most of the time sight seeing.  Got on the water around 7 pm and withing 15 minutes was into a brown trout that broke me off.  I forgot to st the hook when my line went peeling off the reel.  That I never see! After that there was little activity until just before dark.  A guy upstream got a 12" trout, I got one about 8." The next morning I got into my first Delaware Rainbow, about 18".  What a ball.  It took a small yellow stonefly dry dragging under the  surface.  So much for precice presentation. Yesterday before I left the river was finally down to a reasonably wadable level and within 15 minutes I had two browns between 12 – 14".  With all due respect to the entomologists out there (myself included); they took a wooly bugger on a quartering downstream cast. I had a great time and plan on returning but if you plan to go don’t let the fly shops intimidate you into thinking the fish cannot be caught.  Given the windy conditions my time on the river was limited and I met with success pretty quickly and without much effort.

Response:

Upon my first trip to the Delaware, I was dismayed by the fact that the river hosted nothing but flyfishers. I suppose after years of being almost the only flyfisherman around on the rivers I fish, I’ve gotten used to being in the minority. Then I showed up at the Delaware…and all I saw were flyfishermen! It seemed as though no sane spincaster would dare set foot upon the hallowed waters… I asked one fellow along the bank if any spincasters fished the river. His half-joke, half-serious reply was "I keep a slingshot and paint balls handy, and if I see any, I plug ‘em!" Also, in the FYI department: We looked forward to staying at the Delaware River Club’s campground, which supposedly has "80 campsites." When we arrived, about 65 of the campsites (including all the prime spots along the river) were occupied by year-round campers with RVs. Furthermore, more than half of those campers weren’t around that weekend. This ticked us off considerably, as we had to "squat" on an RVers site who didn’t show for the weekend. The DRC campsite appears to be the only game in town, so you don’t have much choice. I’d say they almost try to discourage fishermen from other regions from coming with this kind of "welcome mat." I’m not prone to griping, but it made a fishless weekend a bit less pleasant! Scott Wilkinson

Response:

I don’t think it’s snobbery when the fly shops say that the WB is a tough stream on which to catch trout. I believe that the shops are referring to how difficult it can be to catch trout on a DRY fly. It’s my belief that 90% of the fishermen on the WB are there for the dry fly action, and the dry fly action can get to be very challenging to the WB newbie.  I’m almost exclusively a dryfly person and I only live 40 miles from the WB, so I’ve fished it very often over the last 20 years and I can say that I’ve been humbled many times on that river during periods when the trout were rising. Yes, the fish there can be caught on a dry. That’s why I’m addicted to that river, but it can get very challenging at times, even for the WB veteran.  

Response:

I enjoyed my trip to the WB but didn’t appreciate the attitude of the fly shop guys. The assumption was that I wouldn’t catch anything since it was the first time on the river.  Thanks for the encouragement.  I’ve been fly fishing for 20 + years, mostly over wild trout os I don’t need to shell out 200 + bucks to have someone hold my hand.  Half the fun is solving the problems by yourself. Bottom line with me was the fish were not rising particularly regularly and the good old woolly bugger did the trick. I’m looking forward to going back.  

Response:

Yes, it’s extremely rare to see a spin fisherman on the Delaware. Of course, as a flyfisherman only, I also get the stares when I flyfish some of the put and take streams here in upstate NY during early April before the Delaware rounds into shape in late April. When I show up on the stream with my vest, chest waders and fly rod, the spin fishermen look at me as if I just got off a spaceship. And when I catch a trout on a fly and then return it to the stream, then they know for sure that I just arrived from another planet.

Response:

Question:

Ralph Cutter has asked me to pass on the following regarding the successful reversal of a watermaster’s draw down plan on the Truckee river which would have seriously damaged the fisheries.  His access is temporarily blocked for technical reasons. Our effort started with an e-mail message from Ralph last Sunday afternoon.  The word was spread via e-mail to lots of fly fishing interests and fisheries biologists.  The next day the watermaster was deluged by phone calls.  The first reaction was stonewalling and the claim that nothing could be done.  By 4:00 p.m., the watermaster had completely capitulated to our request.  Shows what can be done by an intelligently directed and effective effort.  Ralph’s note is copied below: Congratulations! We did it!! I just spoke with the Federal Watermaster Gary Stone and he has developed a revised ramping schedule as follows: 3/17  5:00 pm  1,850 cfs to 1,400 cfs 3/18  7:00 am  1,400 cfs to 1,100 cfs       10:00am 1,100 cfs to 800 cfs       2:00 pm 800 cfs to 500 cfs       6:00 pm 500 cfs to 300 cfs 3/19  7:00 am  300 cfs to 200 cfs       10:00 am 200 cfs to 100 cfs    He asked me to "tell all your flyfishing friends they can stop calling me now."    As you recall the original plan was to cut flows from 1,950 to 1,000 cfs then six hours later cut that to 100 cfs. This morning Gary relented and added a third cut. After all our pressure (and substantial arm twisting by DF&G biologist Stafford Laird) he sat down this afternoon and did what was right.    You saved a fishery. On behalf of the trout, thanks.   -Ralph

Response:

Nice story Dick, Ralph.  Good one! Cheers — Erik Poole

: Ralph Cutter has asked me to pass on the following regarding the : successful reversal of a watermaster’s draw down plan on the Truckee : river which would have seriously damaged the fisheries.  His access is : temporarily blocked for technical reasons. : Our effort started with an e-mail message from Ralph last Sunday : afternoon.  The word was spread via e-mail to lots of fly fishing : interests and fisheries biologists.  The next day the watermaster was : deluged by phone calls.  The first reaction was stonewalling and the : claim that nothing could be done.  By 4:00 p.m., the watermaster had : completely capitulated to our request.  Shows what can be done by an : intelligently directed and effective effort.  Ralph’s note is copied : below: : Congratulations! We did it!! : I just spoke with the Federal Watermaster Gary Stone and he : has developed a revised ramping schedule as follows: : 3/17  5:00 pm  1,850 cfs to 1,400 cfs : 3/18  7:00 am  1,400 cfs to 1,100 cfs :       10:00am 1,100 cfs to 800 cfs :       2:00 pm 800 cfs to 500 cfs :       6:00 pm 500 cfs to 300 cfs : 3/19  7:00 am  300 cfs to 200 cfs :       10:00 am 200 cfs to 100 cfs :    He asked me to "tell all your flyfishing friends they can : stop calling me now." :    As you recall the original plan was to cut flows from : 1,950 to 1,000 cfs then six hours later cut that to 100 cfs. : This morning Gary relented and added a third cut. After all : our pressure (and substantial arm twisting by DF&G biologist : Stafford Laird) he sat down this afternoon and did what was : right. :    You saved a fishery. On behalf of the trout, thanks. :   -Ralph — Burnaby, BC

Response:

Ralph et al on Phones: Well Done!  Once again, Ralph wrestles a python… S.N.

Response:

Question:

Does anyone out there know of any tide charts for the Boca Paila- Ascension Bay-Espiritu Santo Bay area?  Any idea what the correction factors are for the backcountry areas when you try to use a standard tide chart/program?  Any other useful info would be appreciated too. Please send private e-mail to: Thanks Jeff

Response:

Jeff, if you will email me, I will send you the web address of an NOAA site that gives current water temperatures, sea height, wind, etc from bouys in Port Aransas and offshore in the Gulf. To date, I have not found a tide web site, but this comes close and is useful. I just don’t have the address on me at the moment.

Response:

Could you please send me the address of the Yucatan Tide Charts. Just back from Ascension Bay and am returning next year. Thanks. Jack

Response:

Does anyone out there know of any tide charts for the Boca Paila- Ascension Bay-Espiritu Santo Bay area?  Any idea what the correction factors are for the backcountry areas when you try to use a standard tide chart/program?  Any other useful info would be appreciated too. Please send private e-mail to: Thanks Jeff

Jeff, I would call Frontier Travel, 800/245-1950 and ask for Bill Gering.  They are the booking agent for Boca Paila Lodge and Casa Blanca Lodge ( Ascension Bay ) and Bill is their expert on the Yucatan area. I spent nine days in November this last fall and fished the whole area through different four lodges.  If you need any fishing info you can call us at 800/4000FLY. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

Response:

Question:

   Does anyone know Bill Hunter’s address or phone number. He no longer owns Hunter’s Angling but sells some stuff out of his house I need. Thanks in advance.    Ralph —

Response:

   Does anyone know Bill Hunter’s address or phone number. He no longer owns Hunter’s Angling but sells some stuff out of his house I need. Thanks in advance.    Ralph —

Last I heard he was in New Boston NH. There is a listing in the Select Phone CD. Bill Hunter, 223 S Hill Rd, New Boston NH 03070, 603-487-3844 Don’t know if that is the same Bill you’re looking for but it’s worth a shot. I haven’t been to his shop in years & wasn’t even aware he had sold it. Tight Lines. Byard

Response:

Question:

I am fishing a small lake for brookies in Hawkes Bay in the next week. The only information that I have is that they are there, and in patches. No one seems to fish there much. Does anyone have any ideas that work in small lakes elsewhere in the world? Simon

Brookies attempt spawn in the fall.  Fish the shallows or if the lake has inlet stream at mouth.  Bright flies work well as well as black leaches. Don’t be afraid to try blood worm or chironomid larva imitations as the blood worm migrates from shallows to deeper water in the fall.  At Henry’s lake bright crystal buggers and sparce crystal bodied flies do great.  

Response:

My experience with brookies in lakes generally varies with lake location and time of year.   When fishing the Cypress Hills lakes in southeastern Alberta, I have the most luck fishing deep (right off the bottom) and slow using a black or very dark green nymph pattern.  I generally use a dragonfly pattern in a size 8 to 10 hook. I have often seen these insects in shallow water along the shore. From a belly boat, I can slowly troll my line from shallow to the deepest water. My luck increases if I regularly twitch the line with my fingers.  When I connect, the fish strike hard and put up an amazingly good fight.  Trout sizes generally range from 10 to sixteen inches in length. I generally have very poor luck trying to take the brookies off the surface of the lake with a dry fly. Hope this helps. — David J. Wormsbecker, Regina, Saskatchewan Ph/Fax: (306) 789-4024

Response: