Question:

I’m taking an intermediate fly-fishing class at our local university this Saturday.  :-) Good idea?  Yes. They teach flyfishing at a university? Do they offer advanced degrees? Can you get a PhD in flyfishing? Are you studying entomology and physics (i.e., casting)?

This class covers entomology, learning to read the water, river and lake methodology, and casting clinic for corrections.  It’s just one of those extra classes not for any degree. — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Before you buy.

Response:

Sid’s ded, but Messrs. Cook and Lydon can be had…Anyone know where Biafra is at?

I’m not dead, man. Now where’s that damn Nancy? I coulda sworn she was just here…. – sid

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They teach flyfishing at a university? Do they offer advanced degrees? Can you get a PhD in flyfishing? Are you studying entomology and physics (i.e., casting)? I think they’ve had fly fishing offered at Penn State for many years. Maybe Frogspritz can shed some light on this.

By the most remarkable coincidence, I was at a TU picnic with Frogspritz, aka Mark Faulkner, a coupla hours ago. As  you may have noticed, he has been too busy loyering lately to be on the net.  So perhaps I may be permitted to respond. All undergraduate students at PSU, except veterans and perhaps a few others, must take a couple of credits in physical education.  I think that’s true of most colleges and universities. Many many years ago, before most of you were born, (almost before *I* was born), George Harvey began teaching fly casting and tying as one of the many physical education courses.  That was mentioned in George Leonard Herter’s book on fly tying, published at least 30 years ago. To the best of my knowledge, neither a BA, a BS, an MA, an MS, nor a Ph.D. in fly fishing is offered.   I’m happy to report that George Harvey was also at the picnic, in good health. vince norris

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Many many years ago, before most of you were born, (almost before *I* was born), George Harvey began teaching fly casting and tying as one of the many physical education courses.  That was mentioned in George Leonard Herter’s book on fly tying, published at least 30 years ago. I’m happy to report that George Harvey was also at the picnic, in good health.

Wow, he’s got to be almost 90, that’s cool.  Joe Humphreys told me it was George who passed the baton to him for teaching the fly fishing course.  If I remember right he just recently retired (Joe).  I wonder if anyone is, or will be, teaching next.  Wish my school had that.  Shouldn’t gripe though, I got a credit for spending a long weekend at a beautiful Adirondack lodge on Racquette Lack cross country skiing and hanging by the fireplace with a bunch of girls I hadn’t met yet. Those were the days….. Regards, Jeff

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Hi guys! I drive by a river on most days, and I keep thinking…. hmmmmm I would love to try fly fishing…. But of course I dont know the first thing.. is there any resourses I should look at? I found sites with stuff, that I will need ot get started, but what about technique? is it something special? or back and forth?

It’s a _little_ more involved than that. You also have to remember that you’re supposed to be having fun instead of stressing. Seriously, though, we’re fishermen, and therefore opinionated bastards who will turn any question into a holy war. Try to remember that it’s nothing personal. I recommend a real live casting lesson. If you can find a guide who will include one in a day’s guiding, that might be even better. If not, ask at a local fly shop. I tried to teach myself from a video from Orvis, and I’m not entirely happy with that method. As far as gear…for starter gear, I would personally look at St. Croix, Cabelas, or the lower-end Sage rods.  If you can find a local shop that stocks them and doesn’t hard-sell the more expensive stuff, then go there. But remember: fly shops are all too often trying to sell rods, rather than selling you the _right_ rod for your needs. (I knew one exception, in Overland Park, KS. But supposedly there’s a really good one in Loveland, CO, if you’re anywhere near there.) "My father said to be strong, ‘that a good man could  never do wrong’ in a dream I had last night in America"                             -Los Lobos

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I’m happy to report that George Harvey was also at the picnic, in good health. Wow, he’s got to be almost 90, that’s cool.  Joe Humphreys told me it was George who passed the baton to him for teaching the fly fishing course.

That’s right. If I remember right he just recently retired (Joe).

 Joe retired ten or so years ago, IIRC. He was succeeded by Vance McCullough, who either retired or just left the faculty to run a bar-restaurant (mostly a student hangout) with his brother. I’ve heard the name of the present instructor, but I don’t recall it. vince norris

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   see, goddammit, ken *can* be nice.  *we* can be nice!  isn’t that nice?

Snip a bunch of nice shit. All this nice shit is enough to make me want to dye my hair pink, join a punk rock band and throw up on the audience. Big Dale

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       see, goddammit, ken *can* be nice.  *we* can be nice!  isn’t that nice? Snip a bunch of nice shit. All this nice shit is enough to make me want to dye my hair pink, join a punk rock band and throw up on the audience. Big Dale

KEEEEWL….Can I play bass?  If you gots a bass player, can I play harpsicord? Got my Funksteiner all tuned, my Rit and safety pins, and ready to go….Sid’s ded, but Messrs. Cook and Lydon can be had…Anyone know where Biafra is at? JELLO…is you out there? GOD SAVE THE QUEEN AND HER FACIST REGIME!!! we gonna make jake and elwood look like pikers!

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I’m taking an intermediate fly-fishing class at our local university this Saturday.  :-) Good idea?  Yes.

They teach flyfishing at a university? Do they offer advanced degrees? Can you get a PhD in flyfishing? Are you studying entomology and physics (i.e., casting)? — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

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Nice post, Wayne. Willi

Nice of you to go the trouble to post that, Willi. Regards, Jeff

Response:

They teach flyfishing at a university? Do they offer advanced degrees? Can you get a PhD in flyfishing? Are you studying entomology and physics (i.e., casting)?

I think they’ve had fly fishing offered at Penn State for many years. Maybe Frogspritz can shed some light on this. Mu

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They teach flyfishing at a university? Do they offer advanced degrees? Can you get a PhD in flyfishing? Are you studying entomology and physics (i.e., casting)? I think they’ve had fly fishing offered at Penn State for many years. Maybe Frogspritz can shed some light on this.

Oregon State has had it for at least the last 8 years.  Never took it oddly enough, saw them out casting to the "grass trout" on sunny days though.      - Ken

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I believe you may have struck a nerve, Vern!  However, I must say you egged this one on. So much for the niceness that Wayne Harrison wrote about. Let the *Games* begin. Op

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The URL is on my web-site which is bellow.  Other than that, I’m not going to say a word.  Is that okay with you Ken? Oh, blow it out yer ass, you despicable cretin. — Ken Fortenberry

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        see, goddammit, ken *can* be nice.  *we* can be nice!  isn’t that nice?  oh, god, it’s so nice!!  and now the entire web will know us as nice guys!  and all our sins of arrogance and impatience will be forgiven, all because ken is nice, now!  and maybe dozens of nice guys will learn about how nice it is to flyfish, and how nice the guys who flyfish really are!  and, with luck, they will come in their thousands to fish with us, bringing their children, and their golden labs, all driving relentlessly toward the fast running blue cold water, driving in their discos and ‘ru’s and ernie bauers, until we join together in one surging mass of deliriously happy nice people, all wealthy, healthy and wise, because we are, in the final analysis, so deeply *nice*!

Nice post, Wayne. Willi

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Deleted some good advice I recommend seeking out a mentor, a flyfishing friend or some willing member of a local Trout Unlimited or Federation of Fly Fishers chapter to teach you the basics. Failing that, hire a guide that’s willing to teach you the rudiments.

Finding someone to help you will definitely save you alot of trial and error, mostly error. I had been fly fishing on and off for a number of years before I found another fly fisherman to fish with (my family were spin fishermen). I learned the first couple of days fishing with this person than I had learned over several years on my own and through reading. Back to watch the Avs beat the Wings Willi

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 see, goddammit, ken *can* be nice.

Nah.  Some alien stole Ken’s keyboard and his body…….OH and chiggers with a fucking ALIEN!!!  Oh man, I DON’T wanna do this anymore!

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       see, goddammit, ken *can* be nice.  *we* can be nice!  isn’t that nice? Snip a bunch of nice shit. All this nice shit is enough to make me want to dye my hair pink, join a punk rock band and throw up on the audience. Big Dale

LMAO! Man, *that’s* imagery! /daytripper (bringing a rain coat to NC for sure ;^)

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –      see, goddammit, ken *can* be nice.  *we* can be nice!  isn’t that nice? Snip a bunch of nice shit. All this nice shit is enough to make me want to dye my hair pink, join a punk rock band and throw up on the audience. Big Dale KEEEEWL….Can I play bass?  If you gots a bass player, can I play harpsicord? Got my Funksteiner all tuned, my Rit and safety pins, and ready to go….Sid’s ded, but Messrs. Cook and Lydon can be had…Anyone know where Biafra is at? JELLO…is you out there? GOD SAVE THE QUEEN AND HER FACIST REGIME!!! we gonna make jake and elwood look like pikers!

Remember, the drummer gets to choke to death on someone else’s vomit! Squiggy

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The URL is on my web-site which is bellow.  Other than that, I’m not going to say a word.  Is that okay with you Ken?

Oh, blow it out yer ass, you despicable cretin. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Hi guys! I drive by a river on most days, and I keep thinking…. hmmmmm I would love to try fly fishing…. But of course I dont know the first thing.. is there any resourses I should look at? I found sites with stuff, that I will need ot get started, but what about technique? is it something special? or back and forth? Thanks in Advance Dan

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Hi guys! I drive by a river on most days, and I keep thinking…. hmmmmm I would love to try fly fishing…. But of course I dont know the first thing.. is there any resourses I should look at? I found sites with stuff, that I will need ot get started, but what about technique? is it something special? or back and forth?

We generally recommend the _Curtis Creek Manifesto_ by Sheridan Anderson   Frank Amato Pubns; ISBN: 0936608064 and a trip to your local flyshop for gear help. Lately some folks have been recommending inexpensive mail order gear. Flyfishermen tend to be an opinionated and cantankerous lot so you’ll probably not find a consensus on this topic, or any other for that matter, in this forum. We do have a FAQ and hopefully someone that knows the URL will point you to it. I recommend seeking out a mentor, a flyfishing friend or some willing member of a local Trout Unlimited or Federation of Fly Fishers chapter to teach you the basics. Failing that, hire a guide that’s willing to teach you the rudiments. Good luck. — Ken Fortenberry

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We do have a FAQ and hopefully someone that knows the URL will point you to it.

The URL is on my web-site which is bellow.  Other than that, I’m not going to say a word.  Is that okay with you Ken? — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Before you buy.

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I would try checking out your local video store or public library for an "intro to flyfishing" video. There’s alot more than just "back and forth", although you’d never guess it by reading ROFF…

I’m taking an intermediate fly-fishing class at our local university this Saturday.  :-) Good idea?  Yes. — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Before you buy.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -We generally recommend the _Curtis Creek Manifesto_ by Sheridan Anderson   Frank Amato Pubns; ISBN: 0936608064 and a trip to your local flyshop for gear help. Lately some folks have been recommending inexpensive mail order gear. Flyfishermen tend to be an opinionated and cantankerous lot so you’ll probably not find a consensus on this topic, or any other for that matter, in this forum. We do have a FAQ and hopefully someone that knows the URL will point you to it. I recommend seeking out a mentor, a flyfishing friend or some willing member of a local Trout Unlimited or Federation of Fly Fishers chapter to teach you the basics. Failing that, hire a guide that’s willing to teach you the rudiments. Good luck. — Ken Fortenberry

        see, goddammit, ken *can* be nice.  *we* can be nice!  isn’t that nice?  oh, god, it’s so nice!!  and now the entire web will know us as nice guys!  and all our sins of arrogance and impatience will be forgiven, all because ken is nice, now!  and maybe dozens of nice guys will learn about how nice it is to flyfish, and how nice the guys who flyfish really are!  and, with luck, they will come in their thousands to fish with us, bringing their children, and their golden labs, all driving relentlessly toward the fast running blue cold water, driving in their discos and ‘ru’s and ernie bauers, until we join together in one surging mass of deliriously happy nice people, all wealthy, healthy and wise, because we are, in the final analysis, so deeply *nice*!         wayno

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Question:

Okay gang, what would be on your ideal fly fishing web site?  And what sites come close to your ideal? Jeff

Thosands of people should reveal their honey holes, and no one should be able to access the site but me. — Those who say do not know; those who know do not say. — Lao Tsu, who must have been a fisherman. something bogus to avoid spam)

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Okay gang, what would be on your ideal fly fishing web site?  And what sites come close to your ideal? Jeff

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Okay gang, what would be on your ideal fly fishing web site?  

Tech stuff: 1. Smart technology design, made to maximize usability on different client configurations. No Frames, No Java, No Java script, No Banners, No animated gifs, No excessive graphics, No risky and non fail-gracefully code, No excessive tables, No overdoing lay-out with html – settle for structure. 2. Universal non-plattform specific readability in terms of fonts and colors. 3. Keep it simple! 99 of a hundred trying to be fancy end up looking like complete and utter imbeciles. Let your content speak for it self, don’t fuck it up with bad design decisions. 4. Do not split long pages into several small ones (common sense applies, though). 5. Make it fast and effortless for visitors to figure out the structure of your website, latest updates and contents (search-engine, what’s new-overview, site map). Do not make your site look cool for the uninterested drooling 7-year old who will visit your site once or twice. Make it functional for your frequent visitors. Read this: http://photo.net/wtr/thebook/ And check out http://www.w3.org/ as well. That is the easy part, now the hard stuff. Content guidelines: 1. Only do stuff you or your staff is knowledgeable on. 2. Do things well and complete, or don’t do them at all. You get no extra points for putting it on the web. The Internet is 20 years old and maturing every minute (ROFF excepted of course . Sucky things aren’t cool any longer just because they are on the web, they just suck. 3. Allow feedback and publicly available comments on everything (interactive). Share what you know, and let others share what they know related to your site. 4. Update regularly. Don’t suddenly take a 6 month absence without notice. Be committed, and stay that way. Content: Firstly, take a look at the major search engines, and see what sites are out there. A million or two. Find anything missing? Or a concept that could be substantially improved upon by you? 1. I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about another site set out to help newbies figure the most basic things. There are plenty of those already (I assume). 2. Neither do I pursue sites which focuses on technical fly fishing stuff, like hatches, insects, knots, rods, technique etc. Of course, an extensive site of this would be interesting, and definitively worthy of a bookmark, and be used as a reference. If the site is somewhat less then really really really great (which will require insane amounts of work), it’s not interesting to me at all. Remember, hundreds of books has been written on these subjects by very knowledgeable people. Be better, or be gone. 3. I want personal stuff. I like pictures and I enjoy stories. I want someone who is adept at writing to share his thoughts and experiences with me. I may be a weirdo, but I tremendously enjoy reading other people’s stories from fly fishing outings/trips. I want to know how they feel, what they are thinking, what happens etc, almost like a diary. Be willing to share. You can probably tell me very little about fly fishing, but you can probably tell me very much about yourself as a fly fisherman. Write a book about it, and put the chapters on your website. Offer intelligent and lengthy stuff. Screw those who gets a headache from reading more than a few minutes straight. Write it so good, that non-fly fishers will enjoy it as well. 4. Be humble, and expect nothing in return. 5. Write in Norwegian, so I can fully enjoy the subtle linguistic concept. (ok, this one is rather optional) That’s how the ideal fly fishing web site is to me. Quite easy, actually. Make one, and I’ll visit regularly, if I like your style. — Christian Figenschou – <URL: http://figen.com

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Question:

You might take a look at Dan Blanton’s site, Peter. They do alot of striper fishing, both from the beach and in the Sacramento Delta area. Lots of good info. I think its: www.danblanton.com Jim Nelson Blackfoot Idaho – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just acquired a 14′ St. Croix 9/10 for the Niagara and it made me think that it might be good for stripers too.  I’m going to try and jig my work schedule next year to get in some Atlantic salmon fishing with it.  If things work out, I’ll head down the Maine coast for stripers too.  Problem is, I know diddley about striper fishing. Like, should I be using floating or sinking lines?  Is the 14′ a good idea for it?  Can you have reasonable results from shore or is a boat a necessity?  What are the usual shoreline tactics?   Are there some good web sources on stripers? Thanks P.S.  If anybody is thinking about a spey rod, check out this St. Croix.  It’s tons cheaper than the others but it’s no slouch. Peter        Merry Christmas

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Like, should I be using floating or sinking lines?  Is the 14′ a good idea for it?  Can you have reasonable results from shore or is a boat a necessity?  What are the usual shoreline tactics?   Are there some good web sources on stripers?

Peter,     You are going to love striper fishing, I’ll bet.   An intermediate line works well for most fishing.   No boat necessary.   That long rod would be great for keeping your backcast up off the beach.   WAY UP off the beach.     I fish from the beach at Chatham, Cape Cod for a week or two every spring.   The stripers chase sand eels up and down the beach, and you can catch them in the surf right at your feet, literally.  Fishing is usually hot on the moving tide, and around rips, gravel beds, sand bars, and any "structure" you can find. (sometimes the "structure" along the beach can be pretty subtle.)   Night fishing is very effective, too. Nothing like having a big striper explode on a popper in the evening darkness.  The Cape also has some beautiful sand flats where you can wade out, or better, sight-cast to big stripers from a flats boat!     If you really want to find out the scoop on the techniques, take a look at "Inshore Fly Fishing" by Lou Tabory and "Fly Rodding the Coast" by Ed Mitchell.   Either of these two EXCELLENT books will tell you most all you need to know about northeast striper fishing, including where to go.     I like the "Reel-Time" website for striper info.  There isn’t a lot on technique, but there is lot of good regional fishing info in season, plus fly patterns, bulletin boards, etc.    http://www.reel-time.com/ Tight lines, Bob Scott

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Just acquired a 14′ St. Croix 9/10 for the Niagara and it made me think that it might be good for stripers too.  I’m going to try and jig my work schedule next year to get in some Atlantic salmon fishing with it.  If things work out, I’ll head down the Maine coast for stripers too.  Problem is, I know diddley about striper fishing. Like, should I be using floating or sinking lines?  Is the 14′ a good idea for it?  Can you have reasonable results from shore or is a boat a necessity?  What are the usual shoreline tactics?   Are there some good web sources on stripers? Thanks P.S.  If anybody is thinking about a spey rod, check out this St. Croix.  It’s tons cheaper than the others but it’s no slouch. Peter        Merry Christmas

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Question:

I would appreciate any recommendations from people on good places to stay in Montana for a week in August. Wishes are: reasonably close to good fly fishing, right on or near some water would be excellent; a cabin with some personality and a kitchen in a somewhat private, open setting (not a town); fairly quiet with a small number of other guests; prefer moderate price, premium price for perfect spot OK. I’m open to any location in Montana, but am somewhat familiar to Twin Bridges area and liked it a lot. Also liked fishing in Yellowstone Park rivers so near that might be good. Have not fished Big Hole, hear I should. Any suggestions very much appreciated. Thank you. AWilson

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I would appreciate any recommendations from people on good places to stay in Montana for a week in August.

August is generally (but of course not ALWAYS) the worst month of the year. It’s hot, and the water levels are low, and the fish  (specially browns) are in a nocturnal phase then. August should be particularly skunky this year, as we have an anemic, El Nino snow pack–Utah and Colorado got all our snow.     At that time of year, the best fishing is at high altitude: beaver ponds, small brook trout creeks and mountain lakes. —  * Center for Computational Biology  * Montana State Bozeman  (406) 994-7061  * http://www.nervana.montana.edu/~sandy */

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear folks here at rec.outdoors.fishing.fly,                   I work in the movie prop buisiness, (Special Effects). I was wondering what "Soft plastic" artificial bait is actually made of. It has a very "Rubbery" "Soft" and "Jelly-like", quality about it. Whatever this substance is, it would be perfect for certain special effects props for movies. I’m not a fisherman and I’m not really interested in the bait itself, but I am interested in  *what* the actual artificial bait is made of. (and if I could obtain this substance , and possibly *where* I could obtain it.) Do you know the answer to these questions? and could you e-mail me about it? Thanks very much! (In Advance)

Try posting this in rec.outdoors.fishing and maybe you will ge a response from some bass fishers that sling plastic worms with bait gear. (Been there, done that) -Burton — L. Burton Hawley         2330 NW Hummingbird Corvallis, OR

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Dear folks here at rec.outdoors.fishing.fly,                   I work in the movie prop buisiness, (Special Effects). I was wondering what "Soft plastic" artificial bait is actually made of. It has a very "Rubbery" "Soft" and "Jelly-like", quality about it. Whatever this substance is, it would be perfect for certain special effects props for movies. I’m not a fisherman and I’m not really interested in the bait itself, but I am interested in  *what* the actual artificial bait is made of. (and if I could obtain this substance , and possibly *where* I could obtain it.) Do you know the answer to these questions? and could you e-mail me about it? Thanks very much! (In Advance) Oh! Happy Fishing! S. MacLachlan

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Question:

OK, so I’m not a purist!  Can you top this one though. I was fishing with my father-in-law at a friends two acre pond for bass and bluegill.  Now this was the cleanest lake you ever did see due to the huge carp that had been placed in there many years ago.  The pond owner was very proud of his carp, some being as much as 3 feet long, and always made sure he told us that he didn’t have to warn us not to catch his carp because they were way to smart to be caught.  Many had tried yet all had failed. C’mon, enough with the carp as I stand here with my flyrod in hand.  I didn’t care anything at all about catching his carp!  Well…  as I stood on the bank stripping line and watching the carp cruise near the surface slurping in leaves that had hopelessly fallen into the pond I got an idea. I quickly brought in my fly and reached up and grabbed a leaf off the nearest tree and broke it in half and threaded my fly on to it.  Picking the largest carp, about three feet long, I cast the leaf about six feet in front of it and well… you can guess the rest.  Wow!  Was that fun.  My father-in law said I was crazy, yet, I have caught him more than once picking leaves off trees and threading them on when the fishing was slow and the carp were on the prowl.  I’ve caught half a dozen myself now.  It takes a specific variety of leaf though.  Havn’t told my father-in law that part yet!  TOP THAT!

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Last year I was FF at Harper’s Ferry.  I caught and reeled in a 5 LB catfish that was dead!  Then an hour later I caught another 5 lb catfish (this one was alive).  Thanks for your story.  I’m sure others will top this! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, so I’m not a purist!  Can you top this one though. I was fishing with my father-in-law at a friends two acre pond for bass and bluegill.  Now this was the cleanest lake you ever did see due to the huge carp that had been placed in there many years ago.  The pond owner was very proud of his carp, some being as much as 3 feet long, and always made sure he told us that he didn’t have to warn us not to catch his carp because they were way to smart to be caught.  Many had tried yet all had failed. C’mon, enough with the carp as I stand here with my flyrod in hand.  I didn’t care anything at all about catching his carp!  Well…  as I stood on the bank stripping line and watching the carp cruise near the surface slurping in leaves that had hopelessly fallen into the pond I got an idea. I quickly brought in my fly and reached up and grabbed a leaf off the nearest tree and broke it in half and threaded my fly on to it.  Picking the largest carp, about three feet long, I cast the leaf about six feet in front of it and well… you can guess the rest.  Wow!  Was that fun.  My father-in law said I was crazy, yet, I have caught him more than once picking leaves off trees and threading them on when the fishing was slow and the carp were on the prowl.  I’ve caught half a dozen myself now.  It takes a specific variety of leaf though.  Havn’t told my father-in law that part yet!  TOP THAT!

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -OK, so I’m not a purist!  Can you top this one though. I was fishing with my father-in-law at a friends two acre pond for bass and bluegill.  Now this was the cleanest lake you ever did see due to the huge carp that had been placed in there many years ago.  The pond owner was very proud of his carp, some being as much as 3 feet long, and always made sure he told us that he didn’t have to warn us not to catch his carp because they were way to smart to be caught.  Many had tried yet all had failed. C’mon, enough with the carp as I stand here with my flyrod in hand.  I didn’t care anything at all about catching his carp!  Well…  as I stood on the bank stripping line and watching the carp cruise near the surface slurping in leaves that had hopelessly fallen into the pond I got an idea. I quickly brought in my fly and reached up and grabbed a leaf off the nearest tree and broke it in half and threaded my fly on to it.  Picking the largest carp, about three feet long, I cast the leaf about six feet in front of it and well… you can guess the rest.  Wow!  Was that fun.  My father-in law said I was crazy, yet, I have caught him more than once picking leaves off trees and threading them on when the fishing was slow and the carp were on the prowl.  I’ve caught half a dozen myself now.  It takes a specific variety of leaf though.  Havn’t told my father-in law that part yet!  TOP THAT!

I believe I can… December 15th on the Kilchis River on the northern coast of Oregon. It’s 33 degrees and raining, a typical Oregon winters day.  A friend of mine and a couple of his brothers were fishing for Chinook.  Rick, being a guy that always likes a challenge, was using 12lb test.  Rick hooked a very large hen on a red corkie.  The fight was on.  Rick fought the fish for about 25 minutes when his line broke at the rod tip.  Thinking fast, Rick grabbed a rod from his brother and preceded to cast at the line trailing the fish that stayed in the pool.  He finally "snagged" the line and tied it to the "new" line.  Rick fought this fish for another 20 minutes.  Finally, in a last ditch effort on the fishes part, the fish barreled down river about 30 yards only to beach itself on a gravel bar midstream.  Now I wouldn’t have beleived this part if I wasn’t there to see it, but Rick jumped into the water fully clothed, swam to the gravel bar and dove onto the fish just as it was about to slip back into the water.  The fish weighed out at 56lbs!  I think THAT TOPS IT! Bob Crossley

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 I’ve caught half a dozen myself now.  It takes a specific variety of leaf though.  Havn’t told my father-in law that part yet!  TOP THAT!

BAIT SLINGER!!!! hehe luv chipper

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snipped to fit: and the carp were on the prowl.  I’ve caught half a dozen myself now.  It takes a specific variety of leaf though.  Havn’t told my father-in law that part yet!  TOP THAT!

_______CARP love willow leaves.  Especially the ones with headaches. Mr. G. (In the Top Hat)

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: snipped to fit: : and the carp were on the prowl.  I’ve caught half a dozen myself now.  It : takes a specific variety of leaf though.  Havn’t told my father-in law : that : part yet!  TOP THAT! : : Just last night at a local Flyfishing club meeting, I heard the same thing from Jim Davidson who worte an article on flyfishing for carp in one of the magazines last year, He did the same thing with leaves of a different variety in our Olentangy River. When you do this, make sure put it right under the carp’s nose or he won’t take it. So somebody else has figured out the same trick!  ;-} — Jon Porter

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snipped to fit: and the carp were on the prowl.  I’ve caught half a dozen myself now.  It takes a specific variety of leaf though.  Havn’t told my father-in law that part yet!  TOP THAT! _______CARP love willow leaves.  Especially the ones with headaches. Mr. G. (In the Top Hat)

Hmmm… Seems like a Hamills Killer fished as a dry would make a pretty good leaf imitation. Bruce….

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I can’t really top that, though I would add that I have caught several 7-8 lb carp on huckleberries when that’s what they were eating – kind of "match the hatch." This was on a heavy bass spinning outfit. I like your idea and will try this summer with flyrod.

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Question:

   I work at Jacklin’s Fly shop in West Yellowstone, MT.  The fly fishing in the area is tremendous.  If anyone has fished the area and has some helpful tips, please reply or if someone wants some tips on fly fishing in the West Yellowstone area I’d be glad to give them.   Thanks,

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   I work at Jacklin’s Fly shop in West Yellowstone, MT.

Jamie, That’s one hell of a commute from BGSU to West Yellowstone. I know the real estate price are pretty outrageous there, but I would think you could find something a little closer in. Bill

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Jamie: i have fished west the last two summers. there are not enough superlatives in the dictionary to describe the area, especially for a new yorker. i stay at the pine shadows and last year fished the madison with blaine heap. this year i fished thhe park on my ownn and went up to livingston and fished nelson’s. i hope to return to west next year. charlie di peri

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Hi One of my favorite places to fish in the Park is the Gibbon River in Elk Meadow and also below the falls.  You are right, there are so many places to fish in the WYS area that it would take a life time to fish them all.  Also just outside WYS Cougar Creek is real good but watch for bears. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

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Question:

    I’ll be flying through Bozeman or Helena in mid-june and was looking to spend a day or two fly fishing in the area. Does anyone know about getting around in these areas. Are there rivers accessible by public transport or other means? Are there guides in the area who ferry? Also, I was wondering about river conditions there at that time.      thanks in advance, John koon  

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Guides can ferry..but public transportation probably won’t get you to many streams…however, here in Missoula you can have great fishing right downtown…alas, our rivers are very high and will probably be that way for sometime to come..

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   I’ll be flying through Bozeman or Helena in mid-june and was looking to spend a day or two fly fishing in the area. Does anyone know about getting around in these areas. Are there rivers accessible by public transport or other means? Are there guides in the area who ferry? Also, I was wondering about river conditions there at that time.     thanks in advance, John koon  

Hi John I live in Bozeman and public transportation is little and far between. I also guide and often pick my clients up at their motel. I suggest you contact Dave Corcoran at the River’s Edge (or one of his people) 406-586-5373. They can book you with a guide as well as arrange a room accross the street from the store. You would be next door to a couple of restaurants as well. Just walk accross the street, meet your guide, get any supplies you need, ride with the guide to and from the river and at day’s end you can be returned to the store or your motel. When flying into Bozeman it’s about an 8 mile trip from the airport to the motel.   You can call a taxi or have the River’s Edge schedule one to be waiting for you. If you want to fish by your self, there is basically no way without a car. Regarding the rivers:  We are experiencing a very wet, cold spring. Many of our waters will be high and muddy but a guide should be able to get you to fairly good water.  However a bad storm can really mess up the water conditions for a day or so. If you don’t mind the rod fee, you might see if they can get you on one of the spring creeks.  They are not affected as much by rain as the rivers. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Question:

The Madison River is open from Hebgen to Quake Lakem, year around.   It’s closed from Quake to Macatee till the 3rd Saturday in May.  It’s open from Macatee to Ennis Bridge, year around, and it is closed from Ennis Bridge to Ennis Lake from December 1 through the 3rd Saturday in May. Dave Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters,Bozeman html

Hi Dave, Thanks for the information, it’s right on. I enjoy your posts, keep them up. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Does anyone know if the special closure on the Madison between Lyons and Pallisades is in effect for 1996?

From what I have heard it is open. Take Care,

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   Here’s the deal on the upper Madison.  Quake to Lyons will open on the 3rd Saturday in May and will close at the end of November.  Lyons to Squaw creek is open the same way.  Squaw to Windy Point is permanently closed as a study/control section.  Windy Point to Macatee is closed right now, but it will reopen on the 3rd Saturday in May.  Macatee to Ennis Bridge is open right now, and will remain open year around.  Ennis Bridge to the Ennis Lake is closed(critical goose nesting habitat by the lake), and it will reopen the 3rd Saturday in May.  If you can keep track of all of that, you pass the bar exam! http://www.gomontana.com/Business/Trout/trout.html

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Does anyone know if the special closure on the Madison between Lyons and Pallisades is in effect for 1996?

as far as I know the river is currently closed from quake lake to ennis until the 3rd saturday in may….

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I think its open in the upper stretch because my nephew was fishing around the Raynolds Pass bridge during spring break.

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I think its open in the upper stretch because my nephew was fishing around the Raynolds Pass bridge during spring break.

Probably illegally…as I understand it the rive ris closed from Quake Lake to below Ennis until sometime in May..

Response:

The Madison River is open from Hebgen to Quake Lakem, year around.   It’s closed from Quake to Macatee till the 3rd Saturday in May.  It’s open from Macatee to Ennis Bridge, year around, and it is closed from Ennis Bridge to Ennis Lake from December 1 through the 3rd Saturday in May. Dave Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters,Bozeman html

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Does anyone know if the special closure on the Madison between Lyons and Pallisades is in effect for 1996?

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Does anyone know if the special closure on the Madison between Lyons and Pallisades is in effect for 1996?

Looks like it will be open.  See http://www.cyberport.net/flyfish/cent_reg.html for regs.  A phone call may be in order. — "If the facts do not conform to the theory, they must be disposed of."      Maier’s Law

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Question:

(Ehrenstrom) sez: DAY AND WEED-END TRIPS, INCLUDING REEF TRIPS AND… Don’t you mean "day and reefer"… after all, how d’you get a weed-end? — COD — "What ho, Mercutio"  [Wm Shaksper] — "What? Homer Simpson?!" [M Groening]

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this sounds like advertising…is it?

Response:

: ANYONE INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT SAIL-KAYAKS IN THE KEYS, CONTACT US. WE : ARE A GOOD GROUP OF PADDLERS OUT OF MARATHON ORGANIZING DAY AND WEED-END : TRIPS, INCLUDING REEF TRIPS AND FULL MOON PADDLES. THERE IS EVEN THE : OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOME GREAT FLY-FISHING ON THE MANY FLATS NEAR BY, AND : IT’S NOT UNUSUAL TO PADDLE WITH DOLPHINS. SO COME JOIN US IN THE SUNNY AND : WARM FLORIDA KEYS. I just love those "WEED-END" trips, myself. If it’s advertising, it obviously clueless advertising. —                              Stealth Paddler           "If you didn’t see me, it’s not because I wasn’t there!"                   "Gene Police!  You – Outta the Pool!"

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ANYONE INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT SAIL-KAYAKS IN THE KEYS, CONTACT US. WE ARE A GOOD GROUP OF PADDLERS OUT OF MARATHON ORGANIZING DAY AND WEED-END TRIPS, INCLUDING REEF TRIPS AND FULL MOON PADDLES. THERE IS EVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOME GREAT FLY-FISHING ON THE MANY FLATS NEAR BY, AND IT’S NOT UNUSUAL TO PADDLE WITH DOLPHINS. SO COME JOIN US IN THE SUNNY AND WARM FLORIDA KEYS.

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