Question:

impossible to get any distance on the bigger pike flies, such as the rabbit hair diver (3/0 I think). I’ve probably neglected to take into account that I am using a 6wt, 9 ft

rod I am obviously missing posts again. C

Question:

My only experiece with spawners has involved brookies. I have , for many years, observed them spawning. Many fall fishing trips have turned into fish watching expeditions. One thing I have noriced, is that anything that drifts into the redd will be challenged, usually by the Alpha male. Many times the offending object is picked up and spit out by the fish. When the Alpha male leaves the redd, a bunch of smaller males will rush in and attempt to fertilize the eggs, only to be violently chased out when the big guy returns. Other fish on the redd will also go after foriegn objects if the Alpha male doesn’t respond. Brookies will occassionally "take a break" from the redd, and feed for a while in the adjacent area. This "break" can last from a few minutes to over an hour. Brookies do not always form redds from scratch, but will utilize a gravel area that is kept clean by streamflow. Don’t know if this adds anything to the discussion, but thought I’d throw it in. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

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Fishing on the redds, eh? There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island. Isn’t that what they call a non sequitur?

Not if the little old lady is Marge Shott. FiddleAway

Response:

My only experiece with spawners has involved brookies. I have , for many years, observed them spawning. Many fall fishing trips have turned into fish watching expeditions. One thing I have noriced, is that anything that drifts into the redd will be challenged, usually by the Alpha male. Many times the offending object is picked up and spit out by the fish. When the Alpha male leaves the redd, a bunch of smaller males will rush in and attempt to fertilize the eggs, only to be violently chased out when the big guy returns. Other fish on the redd will also go after foriegn objects if the Alpha male doesn’t respond.

Geez. All this time I thought I was the only unethical SOB on ROFF who fished on redds.

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One thing I have noriced, is that anything that drifts into the redd will be challenged, usually by the Alpha male. Many times the offending object is picked up and spit out by the fish. Other fish on the redd will also go after foriegn objects if the Alpha male doesn’t respond.

The same is very true of salmon apparently and as a result, that is exactly the behavior the guide was targeting with the ultra-light, ultra-small natural approach.  The trick is to learn the feel of the fly being sucked in and responding with a very quick, but relatively light hook set (the guide referred to it as a "pre-set"), before the fish spits it out again.  Once you get that feel dialed it is amazingly repetitive.  We were disproportionately successful to those fishing nearby for two days by nearly 4 or 5 to one.  That seemed to hold true for others we encountered in the fly shops and around town, as well.  What others were describing as slow days on the river were some of the most successful days of fishing in my life. I am now a firm convert to this method, where applicable. TL Zippy

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Geez. All this time I thought I was the only unethical SOB on ROFF who fished on redds.

Never said I fished ‘em…only observed.{:-) Actually, I used to fish redds, but gave it up after It finally dawned on me that the fish would take just about anything, and were damn near impossible to spook. They’d scatter, but be back on the redd within minutes. Haven’t been able to spy on the little buggers this fall as the prime viewing area has been placed off limits due to the threat of terrorist activity. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her   redd. Any other  ideas? I’ve been trying to find time to put together a trip report on the Salmon River for a month now, but it involved a local guide teaching me a new way (new to me, at least) of targeting salmon.  It centered around small…very small…seemingly improbably small….naturals on frightfully light tippets.  It was outstandingly successful…so much so, that under similar circumstances, I would be hard pressed not to use his method as the "go to" approach. Anyhow, his theory centered around not only a "housekeeping" attitude, but a general territorial defense response, especially for competing males. Got to find a few minutes to cobble that TR together for contribution…. TL, Zippy

Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or  outright snaggin MT

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There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island. Isn’t that what they call a non sequitur?

christmas island is a non sequi-tour?  how much does it cost? jeff (who’s taken too many sequi-tours)

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Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or  outright snaggin MT

I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy

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Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or  outright snaggin MT I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy

Will look forward to it. My  arm gets real tired of trying to drag a salmon hooked in the top fin sideways thru fast water <G  MT

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or outright snaggin MT I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy Will look forward to it. My  arm gets real tired of trying to drag a salmon hooked in the top fin sideways thru fast water <G  MT

the best solution for large foul hooked fish is to simply point the rod at the fish and break it off.  my opinion is that a fly stuck on a fish causes less stress than the longer landing time required for foul hooked fish (especially those hooked on the back or the tail).  since in most places one must release any foul hooked fish, this is my preference with the accidental foul hooked fish. chris

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or outright snaggin MT I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy Will look forward to it. My  arm gets real tired of trying to drag a salmon hooked in the top fin sideways thru fast water <G  MT the best solution for large foul hooked fish is to simply point the rod at the fish and break it off.  my opinion is that a fly stuck on a fish causes less stress than the longer landing time required for foul hooked fish (especially those hooked on the back or the tail).  since in most places one must release any foul hooked fish, this is my preference with the accidental foul hooked fish. chris

Hi Chris  I  do  folow this practice, tho sometimes it s 10 mins into the fight and about 100 yards  down river…..  MT

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Fishing on the redds, eh? There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island.

Isn’t that what they call a non sequitur? Tell here there are no redds at Christmas Island.

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Fishing on the redds, eh?

There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island. — Ken Fortenberry

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The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her   redd. Any other  ideas?

I’ve been trying to find time to put together a trip report on the Salmon River for a month now, but it involved a local guide teaching me a new way (new to me, at least) of targeting salmon.  It centered around small…very small…seemingly improbably small….naturals on frightfully light tippets.  It was outstandingly successful…so much so, that under similar circumstances, I would be hard pressed not to use his method as the "go to" approach. Anyhow, his theory centered around not only a "housekeeping" attitude, but a general territorial defense response, especially for competing males. Got to find a few minutes to cobble that TR together for contribution…. TL, Zippy

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  I was fishing in Oswego  for trout  coming in  from the lake. Some nice  rainbows, steel head and Browns  had been taken that day. Most of the  fisherman were using  egg patterns or egg sacks. Deciding something different might work I tried  a  Size 8 stone fly nymph.  The line came to a stop, I  set the hook  and about 10 minutes later landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her   redd. Any other  ideas?  MT

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  I was fishing in Oswego  for trout  coming in  from the lake. Some nice  rainbows, steel head and Browns  had been taken that day. Most of the  fisherman were using  egg patterns or egg sacks. Deciding something different might work I tried  a  Size 8 stone fly nymph.  The line came to a stop, I  set the hook  and about 10 minutes later landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas?

    Being a pregnant female, she probably mistook it for chocolate.

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… landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas?

Housekeeping. I caught Muskegon steelhead the same way. They don’t eat, of course, but they will clear insects out of their redds. — Ken Fortenberry

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… landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas? Housekeeping. I caught Muskegon steelhead the same way. They don’t eat, of course, but they will clear insects out of their redds.

Fishing on the redds, eh?

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 The line came to a stop, I  set the hook  and about 10 minutes later landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas?

I dunno, but up there I really try to avoid egg patterns unless I’m desperate.   Lots of nymph patterns work well, & I saw a guy last year catch about a 20-pounder on a GR Hare’s Ear.  FWIW Joe F.

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Question:

    No, I’m not referring to the excellent book of the same name. I just got this cut and paste in an e-mail from my uncle. There is no indication that the guy was fishing with flies, but I thought the article would be of interest to the group. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Journal) about the truth on the shark attack here on Pensacola Beach, the truth is coming out!  There is a reason that the "hero" of the attack that wrestled that 7 foot shark to shore is not giving any interviews, and is hard to find.  There is a reason that this 7 foot shark was in 2 feet of water, and there is a reason that the family is "acting funny" about taking money from those that want to help….here it is…..hard truth…Sit down…. THE UNCLE THAT WRESTLED THE SHARK ASHORE WAS FISHING FOR SHARKS, HAD IT ON A LINE AND HAD BEEN FIGHTING IT FOR TWO HOURS PLUS. The unidentified stranger that helped him also helped him fight the fish to shore.  When the shark got into two feet of water, the kids all ran into the water in jubilation and the shark lunged from off the ground and hit Jessie Arbogast twice, took his arm off and bit into his leg.  !!!!!!! The man had CHUM in the water, and heavy tackle built to fish for sharks. His nephew got bit because the entire family went into the water trying to wrestle the fish to land.  There is big money on a shark that size. THIS IS THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH The press has suppressed the real truth, because they are afraid that it will effect the contributions for Jessie and the uncle is so filled with guilt, he has tried to commit suicide once already….Now it all makes sense.  NO MAN is going to wrestle a shark that large to shore in two feet of water, that is one powerful animal, and they had cut the cable, and hid the rods by the time the Medic’s got there.  The ranger that shot the shark testified that the shark still had the hook in his mouth and "put up a big fight because his mouth was all bloody and torn up"….(that is why the shark had blood all over it’s mouth in the TV photo’s, it was it’s own blood !!) I am not lessening the horror of the event.  Jessie did get an arm bit off and is going to recover, but I am tired of Pensacola Beach taking it in the shorts because of the "whole truth not being told"….The money, in my opinion would still come in, and the uncle will have to accept that it was a tragic accident and a mistake.

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No, I’m not referring to the excellent book of the same name. I just got this cut and paste in an e-mail from my uncle. There is no indication that the guy was fishing with flies, but I thought the article would be of interest to the group.

Saw this in the Urban Legends web page-they said not true.  Hope not, anyway….

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THE UNCLE THAT WRESTLED THE SHARK ASHORE WAS FISHING FOR SHARKS, HAD IT ON A LINE AND HAD BEEN FIGHTING IT FOR TWO HOURS PLUS.

Not sure about the veracity of that report but at least one network news program did present a brief story about tourists in that area chumming sharks, not necessarily to fish for them but to gawk at them. Mu

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Question:

Anyone out here from Oregon?  Would like to know a few good spots for flyfishing in the Portland Metro area. Thanks! Brent

–I vote that you drive the Columbia river gorge to the mouth of the Deschutes river.   It’s exactly 100 miles from Portland, it should take you 1 and 3/4 hours.  In the latter part of July the summer fish will be there….hang on and be ready to swim, these are some of the meanest steelhead around. Sharp Hooks, Pat Holdzit Fishing Products Inc. http://www.holdzit.com Before you buy.

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Anyone out here from Oregon?  Would like to know a few good spots for flyfishing in the Portland Metro area. Thanks! Brent

Trillium Lake for stcok trout or Hagg Lake southwest of metro area for smallmouth bass.

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<< Anyone out here from Oregon?  Would like to know a few good spots for flyfishing in the Portland Metro area. Thanks! Brent How far from the Metro area would you go? "Reality is an escape for people who don’t (fly) fish"

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… "Reality is an escape for people who don’t (fly) fish"

"Reality is the leading cause of stress among those who are in touch with it."                        -Jane Wagner- — Ken Fortenberry

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Anyone out here from Oregon?  Would like to know a few good spots for flyfishing in the Portland Metro area. Thanks! Brent

I  would make the drive to the Deschutes.  Or an hour closer is the McKenzie.  If you just want to kill an hour or two, head down to where the Clackamas meets the Willamette and catch a few warmwater fish.  If you feel like chasing steelhead, then the Clackamas, Sandy, Salmon are all good. Now if you would just like to sit back and cyber-fish,  click this link and see if you can figure out how to catch the trout swimming across your PC monitor… http://www.AquaHabitat.com/cyberquarium.html There is one other alternative: build your own lake and catch great fish  right out your backdoor. enjoy! Before you buy.

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Anyone out here from Oregon?  Would like to know a few good spots for flyfishing in the Portland Metro area. Thanks! Brent I  would make the drive to the Deschutes.  Or an hour closer is the McKenzie.

The McKenzie is an hour closer than the Deschutes from Portland??? Isn’t the McKenzie down by Eugene?      - Ken

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone out here from Oregon?  Would like to know a few good spots for flyfishing in the Portland Metro area. Thanks! Brent I  would make the drive to the Deschutes.  Or an hour closer is the McKenzie. The McKenzie is an hour closer than the Deschutes from Portland??? Isn’t the McKenzie down by Eugene?      - Ken

Yeah the McKenzie is at the north end of Eugene,  it takes me about an hour and a half to get there from portland, if the cops aren’t thick! Before you buy.

Response:

Anyone out here from Oregon?  Would like to know a few good spots for flyfishing in the Portland Metro area. Thanks! Brent

Response:

Anyone out here from Oregon?  Would like to know a few good spots for flyfishing in the Portland Metro area.

The Sandy and Salmon rivers to the east and the Trask and Wilson rivers to the west.  Some will tell you to go to the Deschutes, but I have a problem calling a 3 hour drive being in the Metro area. There are a ton of rivers within a 3 hour drive. Good luck,      - Ken

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Question:

Chapter IX

Question:

Yes, I too find myself fishing for ‘gills and crappies quite often. Whenever I take children fishing, which is pretty often in the summer, the almost constant action keeps them really excited. Besides pan fish are a lot more tasty than any other freshwater fish…..IMHO Dear Readers         Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them? I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail, Thanks BradLaGrange

<snip — Remove the "NoSpam" to e-mail me

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haven’t fish for ‘em much, but I heard of a killer tip:  in the fall, after the 2nd or 3rd good cold front, go fish the absolute deepest part of the lake (reservoir) with crickets – fish on the bottom,this is where the monster ‘gills are……. — ‘92 Dak CC 2wd 318 3.55 ‘84 GoldWing Interstate – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Readers        Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them? I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail, Thanks BradLaGrange PS-Sorry for my crude typing, my hands are really stiff from the splitting wood in the cold.

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Yeah I like to fish for"we call’em bluegill" out here in Oregon. Right now it is pretty cold for them. Ialso like to go fishing for perch. My son & I have agood spot to fish for perch & bluegil. My son lives up in Washington state & we always get enough for a good fish dinner.I also

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       Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them? I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail,

Brad Count me in – on the water, or on the ice, if they will bite, I’ll fish for them. Wild rice beds in August is where I’ve had the best sucess – in about 5-6′ of water, using about .5-.75" section of leach, with about a #8 or #10 hook and a balsa wood pencil type bobber. Combine that w/ an ultra light and 4 or 6# test line and I’m a happy camper. And just to keep it interesting – look out for the occasional LM Bass or Northern. No better eating fish either. Later Jim

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Dear Readers         Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them? I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail, Thanks BradLaGrange PS-Sorry for my crude typing, my hands are really stiff from the splitting wood in the cold.

   You’ll find that most fly fishermen in the deep south pursue panfish and other warm water species (aint a lotta trout in Fl.) myself included. Some trout flies work well such as the wooly bugger and all the terestrials. Crawfish imitations are also productive as are grass shrimp. small poppers in various colors also put food on the table. I use the 7.5′(because of brush) 3 piece 3wt Cabela’s three forks rod for panfish. It’s a great little rod though a bit soft feeling to cast but has plenty of backbone. Use 7x tippets. It’s a real lark netting a 1lb panfish and to my way of thinking is the ultimate fishing experience.                                                           John Popp                                                         in Sanford Fl.

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I dig um’ Tim Apple " Always one step closer to going Postal! " – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Readers         Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them? I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail, Thanks BradLaGrange PS-Sorry for my crude typing, my hands are really stiff from the splitting wood in the cold.   You’ll find that most fly fishermen in the deep south pursue panfish and other warm water species (aint a lotta trout in Fl.) myself included. Some trout flies work well such as the wooly bugger and all the terestrials. Crawfish imitations are also productive as are grass shrimp. small poppers in various colors also put food on the table. I use the 7.5′(because of brush) 3 piece 3wt Cabela’s three forks rod for panfish. It’s a great little rod though a bit soft feeling to cast but has plenty of backbone. Use 7x tippets. It’s a real lark netting a 1lb panfish and to my way of thinking is the ultimate fishing experience.                                                          John Popp                                                        in Sanford Fl.

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Dear Readers         Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them? I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail, Thanks BradLaGrange PS-Sorry for my crude typing, my hands are really stiff from the splitting wood in the cold.

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Dear Readers         Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them?

YES!  Down here in AL I have access to a pond that is loaded with big black-headed, thick bream.  I love that "side to side" action and screaming microlight drag when I hook into one.  Besides that, they taste better than a bass any day!  I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail, Thanks BradLaGrange PS-Sorry for my crude typing, my hands are really stiff from the splitting wood in the cold.

*                                                               * *  ENTOMOLOGIST    ANTIQUE TACKLE COLLECTOR    ALL-AROUND NUT   *

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Oh Yes! Two of my all time favorites is the Red Ear and the Pumpkinseed. People don’t know what fun these little guys can be. Here in SW MO there are a couple of small lakes full of Panfish. Down in this area the best bait is a small squirrel tail jig + wax worms. The largest Red Ear taken from on of the lakes was a little over 12". !0" fish a common around here which in turn, takes less to make a tasty meal. Kevin Way – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Readers        Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them? I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail, Thanks BradLaGrange PS-Sorry for my crude typing, my hands are really stiff from the splitting wood in the cold.

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Question:

discussing a trip to this area for some Atlantic Salmon fishing. We are going to fly into Portland Maine. Any info on best time, lodges, guides, patterns and equipment would be helpful.

1.  You should probably book with a fishing lodge in Labrador.  (You may be legally obliged to, because of lack of roads, rescue teams etc.)  Call the Newfoundland provincial tourist agency in St. John’s. 1B. There are also salmon lodges in Quebec and New Brunswick. 2.  Portland Maine seems the wrong place to start, i.e. has no road links to Labrador and may have no air links either.  You should probably start in either Montreal or St. John’s (on the island of Newfoundland;  Labrador is on the Canadian mainland) the two likely sources of air taxi links to camps in Labrador. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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Starting with the correct spelling:-) Anyway, my Dad and I were discussing a trip to this area for some Atlantic Salmon fishing. We are going to fly into Portland Maine. Any info on best time, lodges, guides, patterns and equipment would be helpful. thanx in advance, Tom.

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Question:

Dear Casters .                         We are now taking bookings for the summer of 96 , for our Atlantic Salmon Fly Fishing School that is conducted at my three star lodge on the world famous Miramichi River , guests arive on sunday and depart the following sunday , the course is indepth with instruction covering all aspects of Atlantic Salmon Fly Fishing the true way , you will learn the true Miramichi WAY . The course starts with a tour of the Miramichi , the Atlantic Salmon mesume and hatchery , instruction in rod setups , casting , playing , landing , and care of fish , also river conduct , ecology , biology , life cycle , fishing the black and bright Salmon ,  and fly tying of the most deadly of the secret Miramichi flies , what works where and why , the art is opened up in this course . The course is $ 1050.00 american for all meals , three star graded accomidations , instruction and equipment supplied , no suprises or hidden costs . Book early by contacting . Thomas MacLean Miramichi Four Season Outfitters Inc RR # 2 Miramichi City Box 705 E1V-3L9 New Brunswick Canada   1-506-622-0089

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Casters .                        We are now taking bookings for the summer of 96 , for our Atlantic Salmon Fly Fishing School that is conducted at my three star lodge on the world famous Miramichi River , guests arive on sunday and depart the following sunday , the course is indepth with instruction covering all aspects of Atlantic Salmon Fly Fishing the true way , you will learn the true Miramichi WAY . The course starts with a tour of the Miramichi , the Atlantic Salmon mesume and hatchery , instruction in rod setups , casting , playing , landing , and care of fish , also river conduct , ecology , biology , life cycle , fishing the black and bright Salmon ,  and fly tying of the most deadly of the secret Miramichi flies , what works where and why , the art is opened up in this course . The course is $ 1050.00 american for all meals , three star graded accomidations , instruction and equipment supplied , no suprises or hidden costs . Book early by contacting . Thomas MacLean Miramichi Four Season Outfitters Inc RR # 2 Miramichi City Box 705 E1V-3L9 New Brunswick Canada   1-506-622-0089

You’re asking for a flaming!!! Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone have any info or sources for info on flyfishing in the Pyrenees — either in France or in Spain? Steven Locke, M.D. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care 617-859-5415 voice 617-527-3343 fax

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No, but there’s a river in Toldedo Spain that looked kind of "troutish"In – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone have any info or sources for info on flyfishing in the Pyrenees — either in France or in Spain? Steven Locke, M.D. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care 617-859-5415 voice 617-527-3343 fax

Response:

Try contacting Cantabrian Travel Ltd. 220 NActon Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 9JN Tel 01473 71743 Fax 01473 272571 The proprietor arranges holiday accomodation in Spain and fishing permits.  He appears to be a fly fisherman and seems to know a bit about it, he suggested that for when we are going the permit would be a waste of time and money as the rivers would be very low so seems to know his stuff – and is an honest travel agent ;-o

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Anyone have any info or sources for info on flyfishing in the Pyrenees — either in France or in Spain? Steven Locke, M.D. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care 617-859-5415 voice 617-527-3343 fax

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Question:

Could someone explain to me what is meant by a slow, medium or fast action fly rod and the advantages and disadvantages of the different actions? Thanks!

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: Could someone explain to me what is meant by a slow, medium or fast action : fly rod and the advantages and disadvantages of the different actions? I own three rods: one very soft (slow) 8 wt. home build, one medium 7-8 wt. Ron Thomson and one very fast Orvis Steelhead 7-8 wt. All of them are app. 9′ long, and I grab the Orvis almost any time. The slow rod is much too lame for the windy danish conditions. It can hardly cast a 7 wt DT line, and the WF8 line needed for most of my fishing is almost too heavy for it. It might bee good for light DT lines at short distances such as danish stream fishing — which I’ve never tried. The medium one is good for fishing in no wind. Fighting smaller fish (2-4 pounds) is a pleasure, but if a wind rises it can’t stand the distance. The Orvis rod is not only fast — it’s ultra fast and thows a 9 wt. WF line easily. I use it with an WF8 line and it’s a pleasure. the problem is that small fish is no big thrill on this rod. Big ones ar easily tired, but small ones you just wheel home. But the advantages are too big for me to choose another rod; long effortless casting even in the heaviest wind. I fish with this rod at the danish coastes all year round under all conditions and it’s a blessing. I would like to get a similar fast rod in a lower class like 6-7, for fishing under calmer conditions, and I will probably never again buy or build a slow rod — not to mention a bamboo one. Ofcourse your choice depends on your temper and your fishing, but try the fast ones too. Only one disadvantage; they’re expensive CU Martin Joergensen, Copehagen, Denmark

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: Could someone explain to me what is meant by a slow, medium or fast action : fly rod and the advantages and disadvantages of the different actions?

A fly rod is a delicately ballanced casting tool, not a broomstick with which to whip a fly onto the water.  Different people prefer the tool calibrated or tuned to different specs.  You will find those who prefer slow rods, and those who prefer fast.  It is really a matter of personal taste.  The finest, most expensive rods you can buy are extremely slow while the fastest rods tend to be the most popular today.  I generally prefer slow to medium rods, but you have to go to a show or shop and try a few out to find out for your self.         When you cast, you toss the line back and wait for the weight of the line to load the spring of the rod.  Then you possition the rod foreward and let the rod unload it’s force.  With a slow rod, you must let the rod do it’s thing.  You cannot force the cast, or all you get is a dropped line and a hook in the back of your head.  The advantage here is that the rod does all the work.  Casting can become extremely relaxing.  Many old timers really enjoy the graceful relaxation of casting a slow action split bamboo rod.  The problem is that you cannot get any more power than the rod was built with, no matter how tough you are.  Also, you are forced to cast with the rythm of the rod.  Those same slow graceful loading and unloadings can be a real pain if you can’t match their timing.         With a fast rod, you can actually force the cast.  In fact, with a really fast rod, you can ignore the rythm of the rod and just whip the line back and forth and push it out.  This means that you can add a lot of your own strength to the rods power to really punch out a cast.  It also means that you don’t have to learn to cast to start fishing, you can get away with just muscleing your way through it.         As fly fishing has gone from a graceful relaxing hobby of older men and women to a bastion of young, fit yuppies seeking outdoor thrills the general preference in rods has gone from slow to fast action rods.  I often taunt guys who prefer fast rods as impatient broomstick whippers.  Technically this is not fair.  Their are some advantages to those really fast rods.  My point is that you should not be intimidated into buying a fast rod because it’s popular, or a slow cane rod because it’s expensive.  Bottom line is that you need to find your own preference.   . Good luck . Lenny Bloksberg . . .

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   With a fast rod, you can actually force the cast.  In fact, with a really fast rod, you can ignore the rythm of the rod and just whip the line back and forth and push it out.  This means that you can add a lot of your own strength to the rods power to really punch out a cast.  It also means that you don’t have to learn to cast to start fishing, you can get away with just muscleing your way through it.

I don’t find that to be completely true. It’s true that you have the possibilty to add a lot of force to the cast when using a fast rod. This is not possible with a softer, slower rod or at least completely useless. But using extra force in the cast isn’t going to get you anywhere in my opninion — not even whith the fast rod. Even a fast rod is dependent of your rythm for a good performance, and my experience — using a fast rod for almost all my fishing — is that the best casts come when you follow the rods natural rythm — like when using a slower, softer rod. If you want distance or genlte presentation, never force the cast — not even using the newest, ultra fastest rod. It’s useless at best and destructive for your casting at the worst — and a waste of enegery anyhow. and women to a bastion of young, fit yuppies seeking outdoor thrills the general preference in rods has gone from slow to fast action rods.  I often taunt guys who prefer fast rods as impatient broomstick whippers.  Technically this is not fair.  Their are some advantages to those really fast rods.  My

If I did’nt use a fast rod for my coastal fishing under windy conditions in Denmark, I wouldn’t get a fly very far out, and probably wouldn’t catch many fish. And I’m no thrill-seaking yuppie BTW ;=) it’s popular, or a slow cane rod because it’s expensive.  Bottom line is that you need to find your own preference.  

Exactly my words Regards Martin Joergensen Copenhagen, Denmark

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Could someone explain to me what is meant by a slow, medium or fast action fly rod and the advantages and disadvantages of the different actions? Thanks! For graphite (I’m not familiar with bamboo), its a function of the rod taper and the type of graphite used. A good way to check the action of the rod is to lay the first half of the rod on the floor (away from feet, and all pieces of the rod assembled) and gently apply pressure until the middle ferral touches the floor. The more the whole rod bends throughout the entire blank the better the chance its a slow or medium action rod. Faster rods typically have stiffer butt sections and/or stiffer tip sections.

Try this instead: Slow rod = Bends in the Butt Med. rod = Bends in the mid-section Fast rod = Bends at the tip Another way to think about this is to consider how much the rod (for a given weight) would bend under a given load. Action is synonymous with the rods stiffness. Most decent graphite rods now have a progressive action, meaning that as load is increased the rod bends further down towards the butt rather than simply bending more in one spot. Typically fast action rods are nice in wind and distance situations because the rod allows for faster line speed (ie. it recovers faster, the loop in the line is smaller). The slower rods usually produce wider loops when casting and can be a problem in the wind.

Sorry, but I don’t agree. Line speed has nothing directly to do with rod action. Line speed is a function of the casting loop, and a soft rod is just as capable of casting a tight loop as a stiff rod. The smaller the loop, the faster the line. The cast is a wave, and like other waves, the smaller the frequency the faster the forward speed. In casting, the size of that wave (casting loop) is determined by the distance between the tip of the rod at the beginning of the forward cast and the tip of the rod at the end of the cast. Slow and fast rods can produce the same size loop by varying the length of the casting stroke. Fast rods require shorter strokes, while slow rods require long strokes. I think the misconception comes from the fact that slow rods are more easily overpowered and are more sensitive to power being applied too early. They do require a more deft touch, but they can produce the same effects on the line, but with a different casting style. Mr. Bloksberg said it quite eloquently in his post. Its not that one type is better or worse, but find the right rod for your particular casting style. What’s right for the guy down stream may not be what’s right for you. For now, as what I would consider an intermeadiate caster, I’m going to stick with my medium action rod. I do get more casting loops than I would like, but in the end I think I’ll be a better caster (if not fisherman ) for it. C. Abbott

-Dave Opincarne

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I don’t want to get nit-picky on the issue but you have to admit that given the same angler for two different rod actions; one slow and the other fast. That an angler who is not an experienced caster can after a sereral casting lessons throw a tighter loop ` with a stiff, fast rod than limber, slow rod. This is lure of that technology. I know that loop tightness is a function of line speed, but most people entering the sport are incapible of producing it with slower rods. The new rod actions are some times a crutch in this regard. Also, notice the language I used, "usually", "most of the time", I was talking more to the generalities than the absolute science of rod actions. I believe I also wrote that the person who asked the question go out and cast a few rods and not worry about techno aspects. Pardon my inarticulations, Chuck Abbott.

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