Question:

Parked at the Point Pleasant park (space for three cars), and decided to follow the Tohickon Creek down to the River.  Got there, and Oops! Forgot it was Saturday.  The river was packed with folks in inner tubes.  Personal watercraft zipped and roared back and forth between them.  Boaters went up and down the river, kids stood on the shore throwing rocks into the water.  Crowd of folks upstream having a party; cans and styrofoam cups floating downstream. Naturally, I decided to stay and fish. How do the fish respond to this kind of pressure on a sunny afternoon? Hide out and wait until evening to feed?  Apparently not all of them. Caught 6 smallmouth in about an hour and a quarter.  The biggest – 14" – caught right in the wake of a powerboat.  Go figure. Headed back upstream, and caught a nice redbreast sunfish under the new aqueduct.  (The aqueduct carries the Delaware canal over the Tohickon Creek.) And that’s that. Timothy Juvenal

Response:

When fishing navigable rivers, it often pays handsomely to cast into the wake of boats. There are a number of reasons for this. Boats will stir up the bottom dislodging food, and this attracts fish.  Quite often, a power boat will hit a shoal of small fish, and this invariably results in a few being killed or damaged. The predatory fish are used to this occurence, and will actually "home in" on powerboats, hoping for a free meal.  This behaviour is especially noticeable with Pike and Zander.

This is true of muskellenge as well.  In fact a very effective technique employs the use of large plugs being trolled in the propeller wash of a boat running between 5 and 7 knots.  It’s called speed-trolling.  It’s outlawed in the state of Wisconsin. Mu

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Naturally, I decided to stay and fish. Brave and dedicated! Caught 6 smallmouth in about an hour and a quarter.  The biggest – 14" – caught right in the wake of a powerboat.  Go figure. I used to make some of my best largemouth catches from a johnboat after the big guys whizzed by.  I figured the big engines’ wakes just scared them over to me and they were happy to see a friendly lure waiting for them. Strange phenomenon — glad you got to avail yourself of it. Sandy

When fishing navigable rivers, it often pays handsomely to cast into the wake of boats. There are a number of reasons for this. Boats will stir up the bottom dislodging food, and this attracts fish.  Quite often, a power boat will hit a shoal of small fish, and this invariably results in a few being killed or damaged. The predatory fish are used to this occurence, and will actually "home in" on powerboats, hoping for a free meal.  This behaviour is especially noticeable with Pike and Zander. I have no experience of bass, but it would seem safe to assume that the reasons are similar. TL MC

Response:

for this. Boats will stir up the bottom dislodging food, and this attracts fish.  Quite often, a power boat will hit a shoal of small fish, and this invariably results in a few being killed or damaged. The predatory fish are used to this occurence, and will actually "home in" on powerboats, hoping for a free meal.  This behaviour is especially noticeable with Pike and Zander. I have no experience of bass, but it would seem safe to assume that the reasons are similar.

I have found that bald eagles will follow my canoe as I go down river (never follow when I’m going up), but only the local eagles. Any that are migrating are generally too shy of people.  And they’ll keep a good eye on, though not follow, power boats going by if I’m in that section of the river. — rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless remove invalid or hit reply to email. Though I’m very slow to respond. http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Response:

Naturally, I decided to stay and fish.

Brave and dedicated! Caught 6 smallmouth in about an hour and a quarter.  The biggest – 14" – caught right in the wake of a powerboat.  Go figure.

I used to make some of my best largemouth catches from a johnboat after the big guys whizzed by.  I figured the big engines’ wakes just scared them over to me and they were happy to see a friendly lure waiting for them.  Strange phenomenon — glad you got to avail yourself of it. Sandy

Response:

Question:

I may end up spending most of this summer in Sarajevo on business.  Are there significant opportunities for fly fishing in Bosnia?  More fundamentally, even if there is good fishing is it a reasonable thing to do, or are the chances of involuntarily aiding the demining operations too high? I was also wondering about fishing in Slovenia.  I don

Question:

How much does the seven and one half four wt. weight? 3.15 Ounces (troy) Mr. G.

Response:

SPAM — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How much does the seven and one half four wt. weight? 3.15 Ounces (troy) Mr. G.

Response:

SPAM

LOL!  You go, "Hair-trigger Ken"!

Response:

SPAM — Ken Fortenberry

don’t start! If you want to see the posts I have, I can post those also. However; it was a legal FLY FISHING question, and the question would be no different had someone asked about a Phillipson, Heddon, St. Croix graphite, a Thomas & Thomas Bamboo, or what have you. Just because it comes from me about something "I’M" involved with, doesn’t make it spam.  I should also clarify that most 7.5′ Bamboo Fly rods weight BETWEEN 3.15 to 4 ounces.  Is that spam also? NOT! Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

SPAM LOL!  You go, "Hair-trigger Ken"!

______  Go hell.  Hit him in the head with a ball bat.  The man is crazy. Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

SPAM LOL!  You go, "Hair-trigger Ken"!

Goddamn right. It is ZERO fucking tolerance time for G SPAM. Especially in light of your Pollyanna appeal for peace and good will and my New Year Toast. Nobody asked anything about rod weight, this thread is nothing but a gratuitous troll for SPAM and I do not mind being the first to say so. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

How much does the seven and one half four wt. weight? 3.15 Ounces (troy) Mr. G.

Do you have a town North of Troy called Avoirdupois?  (smiling*) So fly rods in the 7.5′ Range made of Bamboo would seem to weight more in the English rather then the metric system which is STILL 98 – 100 Grams.  The rod I weighted compared to others may be more or less. These weights with all manufacturers are ‘more or less’ in this area because the weights can change because of the TYPE of cork handle a customer may want.  The same series or style of fly rods usually are offered with about three different styles of cork handles. Hope this helps everyone to understand bamboo fly rods ‘in general’. Again Ken.  This is NOT spam. We can talk about it on the Roff Chat Site tonight if you want. Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

Goddamn right. It is ZERO fucking tolerance time for G SPAM. Especially in light of your Pollyanna appeal for peace and good will and my New Year Toast. Nobody asked anything about rod weight, this thread is nothing but a gratuitous troll for SPAM and I do not mind being the first to say so.

OK, OK. Sheesh – don’t start swinging at your friends, too, big fella. /daytripper ("Pollyanna appeal"? Gonna have to look that one up ;^)

Response:

George Gehrke writes: If you want to see the posts I have, I can post those also.

George, I see no posts regarding the weight of a 7 1/2 ft bamboo fly rod, except your’s.  Do you mean to say you got a question via e-mail and you are answering it here?  If so, that is spam.  Ken’s right again, it appears. Louie

Response:

Am I missing some post’s here, I can’t find the question. Wonder what other post’s that I missed!!!. How can I know? I might be missing half or more that goes on here!! Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – SPAM — Ken Fortenberry don’t start! If you want to see the posts I have, I can post those also. However; it was a legal FLY FISHING question, and the question would be no different had someone asked about a Phillipson, Heddon, St. Croix graphite, a Thomas & Thomas Bamboo, or what have you. Just because it comes from me about something "I’M" involved with, doesn’t make it spam.  I should also clarify that most 7.5′ Bamboo Fly rods weight BETWEEN 3.15 to 4 ounces.  Is that spam also? NOT! Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

Mike are you saying thatthis could be a Y2k bug problem, George is getting post’s that no one else see’s?. I still can’t find a post that say’s How much does the seven and one half four wt. weight? Dave ( confused) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I cant find any posts either. I even reset and reloaded the NG just to be sure. Over a thousand posts ! Don’t want to do that too often. This could still be a mistake though. I never see any posts containing binaries, my ISP filters them automatically, and I have occasionally missed posts in the past apparently due to ISP hiccoughs. Oh well,  it was a fairly pleasant year 2000 while it lasted ! TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de (SNIP)

Response:

Sorry Mike to get you on edge, just wondering what good info I’m missin. There has been alot of strange post’s on here latly that seems to have parts that I’m not getting( Like redd tarp posting a question and a answer in the same post)and so forth. just wondering if that is the whole post or did somthing fly by me..And yes I did see the hinged indicator post (very good) and I have a lot to learn about flyfishing, I may not have enough knowledge to help most people but I try to read all that takes place here. The hinged indicator reminds me of some tacktics that I see used on the steelhead river I fish, but instead of on the surface the hinge point is a small wheight at the bottom that the fly is a small distance from. This allows the fly to drift down the current pointing forward slowly while the wheight bounces along the bottom. Do us all a favor and never change( not that you can) and a HAPPY NEW YEAR over on the other side of the pond! Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No Dave, I was simply saying that I could not find the post either. It might not exist, or it might just be a copy from George’s e-mail, but I have no way of knowing.  Just trying to give him the benefit of the doubt is all. He does seem to be making a special, more or less successful, effort to avoid problems recently, and it would be a shame if we got into another flame war, justified or not.  I have had one weird experience already today ( see "CUPERTINO " ) which I am unable to explain, there might equally well be others. Whatever, I am a bit tired of just fighting, I have done too much of it, I am getting too old for it, and it bores me.  One big plus today was hearing about the "right angle indicator" technique, something like that compensates for a lot of crap in my opinion, and is in fact one of my main reasons for subscribing to this NG. Would be nice to hear more of such, and less of the other, irrespective of the past, or justifiable grounds etc etc. Before anybody jumps on that, I am perfectly well aware that I am just guilty as anyone else in this respect. TL MC "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de (SNIP)

Response:

I cant find any posts either. I even reset and reloaded the NG just to be sure. Over a thousand posts ! Don’t want to do that too often. This could still be a mistake though. I never see any posts containing binaries, my ISP filters them automatically, and I have occasionally missed posts in the past apparently due to ISP hiccoughs. Oh well,  it was a fairly pleasant year 2000 while it lasted ! TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

(SNIP)

Response:

No Dave, I was simply saying that I could not find the post either. It might not exist, or it might just be a copy from George’s e-mail, but I have no way of knowing.  Just trying to give him the benefit of the doubt is all. He does seem to be making a special, more or less successful, effort to avoid problems recently, and it would be a shame if we got into another flame war, justified or not.  I have had one weird experience already today ( see "CUPERTINO " ) which I am unable to explain, there might equally well be others. Whatever, I am a bit tired of just fighting, I have done too much of it, I am getting too old for it, and it bores me.  One big plus today was hearing about the "right angle indicator" technique, something like that compensates for a lot of crap in my opinion, and is in fact one of my main reasons for subscribing to this NG. Would be nice to hear more of such, and less of the other, irrespective of the past, or justifiable grounds etc etc. Before anybody jumps on that, I am perfectly well aware that I am just guilty as anyone else in this respect. TL MC "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

(SNIP)

Response:

Sorry Mike to get you on edge, just wondering what good info I’m missin.

snipped to save space: ______  Actually David, I should write an entire article on just Bamboo Fly Rod weights.  It might be rather interesting, if you’re interested? Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

You did not get me on edge Dave. Your question was legitimate I thought. I have been wondering a bit myself lately, as I have regularly missed posts, which actually should be impossible. I read the group several times a day. Several times I have had to reset Outlook Express, and download all posts again to see the ones I missed. I never see binaries anyway, but the ones I have been missing lately have been normal text posts. I have no idea why, server glitches or software glitches I suppose. I have heard a little on this from another NG as well. My other comments were general in nature, and not directed at you. Tight lines ! Mike Connor– "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

Sorry Mike to get you on edge, just wondering what good info I’m missin.

(SNIP)

Response:

What the Hell does this have to do with anything? If it is a reply to a post, it should be at the bottom of the post. What is it doing here? George, I thought you were going to be good this year. Vern – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How much does the seven and one half four wt. weight? 3.15 Ounces (troy) Mr. G.

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You need not worry Vern. Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/chat

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Vern, Nearly very time GG posts something it’s a lie. So you expect him to have changed, I doubt it. I was optimistic for a while but then he started again.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What the Hell does this have to do with anything? If it is a reply to a post, it should be at the bottom of the post. What is it doing here? George, I thought you were going to be good this year. Vern How much does the seven and one half four wt. weight? 3.15 Ounces (troy) Mr. G.

Response:

Mike are you saying thatthis could be a Y2k bug problem, George is getting post’s that no one else see’s?

Don’t waste your time Dave.  This is just another piece of spam from ROFF’s own god of dementia.

Response:

Question:

This topic may have been discussed here before, but… Like most people, I spot dead animals by the roads all the time. Squirrels are a dime a dozen, and just this morning I saw a fox lying frozen in the ditch. Seems like this is a lot of great fly tying fur going to waste! (Most carcasses end up at a local rendering plant around here.) Especially that fox…I hate the idea of letting all that beautiful fur go to waste. (I’m sure the fox would approve of his fur being used for flies rather than as pig chow.)

Scott, I’ll second the notion of Mike O’Connor about Eric Leiser’s book. Also his site does a great job of explaining to a novice how to prepare roadkill. I wrote Eric Leiser years ago (early 80s) about using American Oppossum (commonly known as ‘possums) in flies. I got back a nice note (which I kept!) saying he had seen some very nice streamers using ‘possum. He said you could dye it colors if need be. He compared it to a "soft but still lustrous polar bear." Given the number of ‘possums that I see dead on the road I think I will have to start carrying some rubber gloves, a sharp knife and some Ziplok bags. Since I usually have to wear a suit to work that should be an interesting picture.<g’ -John

Response:

I wrote Eric Leiser years ago (early 80s) about using American Oppossum (commonly known as ‘possums) in flies. I got back a nice note (which I kept!) saying he had seen some very nice streamers using ‘possum. He said you could dye it colors if need be. He compared it to a "soft but still lustrous polar bear." Given the number of ‘possums that I see dead on the road I think I will have to start carrying some rubber gloves, a sharp knife and some Ziplok bags. Since I usually have to wear a suit to work that should be an interesting picture.<g’ -John

‘Possums – 325 million years of evolution, targeted at becoming roadkill. Ain’t nature mysterious! RMF

Response:

Last year, I spotted a large bird carcass by the side of the road. Thinking it was a goose, I swung around and pulled over. Well, it was actually a great blue herron which had been hit by a car and killed! I threw the whole thing in the back of my Subaru and took it home (my 10-year-old son loved it when I pulled it out and chased him with it! <g). Then, of course, I discovered that having a herron carcass was as illegal as owning a bald eagle skin. So much for a lifetime supply of salmon and steelhead flies! I called the local DNR office and turned the carcass in. Dave McCarty

Response:

I once published a piece in Rod and Reel (March 1985?) called "Roadkill Streamers" ..the best streamer fur I’m aware of is marmot: IE western woodchuck. How close marmots are or are not to eastern woodchucks I don’t know. But there is at least one big difference:    Unlike a woodchuck, the skin  of a marmot peels off like a rabbit skin–with no greasy fat adhering to the hide. Better yet, marmot fur has color-banded shades of gray-to-cree-brown, so it automatically looks a lot like a sculpin. Hard stuff to beat. I don’t bother with borax or multi-step tanning processes, all you need to do is strip off the fur and salt it a little.    Last note: marmot fur is so easy to peel off, it’s not a big trick to skewer a strip of fresh marmot skin on hook, add a split shot to the leader, and fish almost instantly. Is that bait fishing? Guess it is. I tried it once….didn’t seem to work any better tho. — /* Sandy Pittendrigh                  –oO0  * http://www.nervana.montana.edu/~sandy  */

Response:

Keep new skins seperate from the rest of your materials until you are certain no pests are feeding off your new found treasure.  Freeze it for a few days to be on the safe side.

I just read in the current American Angler that freezing does not kill destructive insect larvae. The article recommends microwaving on high for 10 to 15 seconds, heating in an oven at 160 degrees for two or three hours, or exposing to sunlight. — something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Keep new skins seperate from the rest of your materials until you are certain no pests are feeding off your new found treasure.  Freeze it for a few days to be on the safe side. I just read in the current American Angler that freezing does not kill destructive insect larvae. The article recommends microwaving on high for 10 to 15 seconds, heating in an oven at 160 degrees for two or three hours, or exposing to sunlight. — something bogus to avoid spam)

I douse the freshly dead animals ( either road kills or from local hunters ) with a powerful disinfectant spray, ( do not use disinfectant  with bleach additives ! ) and leave them for a short while. Then wearing gloves, I skin the animals, which should be as fresh as possible, using a very sharp scalpel ( just did two foxes which were about a week old ! Bloody awful job ! )  salt the skin liberally with a 1:1 mix of ordinary salt and borax, with a few crystals of napthalene added  ( crushed mothballs ), and then leave to dry in a cool dry place. Some skins I nail stretched to a board with galvanised nails ( stops skin and fur discolouration at the nailing point ). When dry, I rinse off the salt, and  wash the skins with ordinary soap powder (as used in the home washing machine), in the bathtub and spread on clean newspaper to dry.  When completely dry ( the skin feels like dry parchment to the touch ), place in an airtight box with a few mothballs.  I have some skins over twenty years old prepared in this way and they are still perfect.  If you get a good collection of skins ( Hare,  Fox, and Squirrel  is good), you can make up a whole range of wonderful dubbing. Dyeing the skins extends the range even further, and just a couple of skins will last the average tyer a lifetime. Hope this helps. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

Years ago maybe still  road-kill pheasants were a popular item for fly tying materials in Northern Colorado. Are they still? I havent but in that are in a long time. Al

Response:

The cock Ringneck Pheasant has some of the most varied and interesting feathers for tying that I have seen. — Ernie Harrison <snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think most fly tiers take the Pheasant for granted because they are so common. No definitive line of flies have been invented for the use of pheasant feathers except a few basic ones.  Frankly, its time the inventive nature of the fly tying fraternity gets on the band wagon and start producing fly fishing patterns worth their salt. George

Response:

I’ve used roadkill for fly fur. — Jeff Potter   !.com   delete ‘DELETETHIS!’ to reply ***"Out Your Backdoor": Friendly Magazine of DIY Adventure and Culture        http://www.glpbooks.com/oyb … with a full line of books, bookstore & forum

Response:

Years ago maybe still  road-kill pheasants were a popular item for fly tying materials in Northern Colorado. Are they still? I havent but in that are in a long time. Al

could hope to have.  Between one of these and a hare’s ear mask, is the best of two worlds. I think most fly tiers take the Pheasant for granted because they are so common. No definitive line of flies have been invented for the use of pheasant feathers except a few basic ones.  Frankly, its time the inventive nature of the fly tying fraternity gets on the band wagon and start producing fly fishing patterns worth their salt. George —

Question:

Anyone know of a good trout stream where the fish are wild and reasonably large (14-19")?  The thing is, it needs to be public water that I can drive to.  Also, I was hoping someone could suggest one where there will be no other anglers, and where the fish take small dry flies.  They don’t have to be really easy to catch, but I’m hoping they won’t be too leader shy either.  Another thing – I’d like it to be clean, and there should be rough campsites there, clean ones. You know, a fire ring, but without burnt cans and plastic cups and plates in it. No toilet paper in the bushes either.  Any suggestions? JE

JE,  If it’s brooktrout (native)..from Boston you’ve got to motor up 6-7hrs into northern Maine.  This is for *consistent* 14-19" takes. Get out the gas card;-) tight_lines, steve d.

Response:

Your talking about the Steeprock River in Manitoba but it may be a way to drive ….. and try 22". You might see another human footprint if you fish it for a month. — — Bob Sheedy Angling Adventures North Lake Fly Fishing On-Line Magazine Home of MASTER ANGLER Fishing Software http://www.articfire.com/arcfire/fishing.htm

Response:

Anyone know of a good trout stream where the fish are wild and reasonably large (14-19")?  The thing is, it needs to be public water that I can drive to.  Also, I was hoping someone could suggest one where there will be no other anglers, and where the fish take small dry flies.  They don’t have to be really easy to catch, but I’m hoping they won’t be too leader shy either.  Another thing – I’d like it to be clean, and there should be rough campsites there, clean ones. You know, a fire ring, but without burnt cans and plastic cups and plates in it. No toilet paper in the bushes either.  Any suggestions? JE

Boy you don’t ask for much, do you <g? Any requests for the weather? Peter G. Aitken         Give me half of the above and I’ll take any and all weather!!! JE

Response:

you want ancovies with that?

Response:

Anyone know of a good trout stream where the fish are wild and reasonably large (14-19")?  The thing is, it needs to be public water that I can drive to.  Also, I was hoping someone could suggest one where there will be no other anglers, and where the fish take small dry flies.  They don’t have to be really easy to catch, but I’m hoping they won’t be too leader shy either.  Another thing – I’d like it to be clean, and there should be rough campsites there, clean ones. You know, a fire ring, but without burnt cans and plastic cups and plates in it. No toilet paper in the bushes either.  Any suggestions? JE

John Plenty of such places in the mountain country of mainland SE Australia and in the high country of Tasmania. But don’t tell anyone else. Cheers Peter

Response:

Anyone know of a good trout stream where the fish are wild and reasonably large (14-19")?  The thing is, it needs to be public water that I can drive to.  Also, I was hoping someone could suggest one where there will be no other anglers, and where the fish take small dry flies.  They don’t have to be really easy to catch, but I’m hoping they won’t be too leader shy either.  Another thing – I’d like it to be clean, and there should be rough campsites there, clean ones. You know, a fire ring, but without burnt cans and plastic cups and plates in it. No toilet paper in the bushes either.  Any suggestions? JE

Go to the Cariboo, near Quesnel, BC.  Drive 3 hours beyond Quesnel, and look for any patch of water. Apply flies.  Catch fish.  Only catch is, Quesnel is a little ways (15hrs) from Seattle, which is a little ways from everywhere else.  The Stellako, west of Prince George, BC, is real good too.  It’s north and west of Quesnel about 4 hours. There will be few anglers.  The no anglers thing, would you mind passin’ what yer smokin’?  Any piece of water that can be driven to that has fish will have other people.  The question is how many.  The places I know that don’t have people, continue to not have people cuz I don’t post their names on the ‘Net.  Sorry, but that’s the way it is.   Hell I just spent a week on a river in Alaska that I had to fly an hour in a bush plane to get to, then float 70 miles down to get to the fish, and was surrounded by people (and bears) the whole time.  Caught some big ass rainbows, however.  On mice, too. — Andrew Brunette Remove "_nospam" in return address to respond

Response:

Anyone know of a good trout stream where the fish are wild and reasonably large (14-19")?  The thing is, it needs to be public water that I can drive to.  Also, I was hoping someone could suggest one where there will be no other anglers, and where the fish take small dry flies.  They don’t have to be really easy to catch, but I’m hoping they won’t be too leader shy either.  Another thing – I’d like it to be clean, and there should be rough campsites there, clean ones. You know, a fire ring, but without burnt cans and plastic cups and plates in it. No toilet paper in the bushes either.  Any suggestions? JE

Response:

Anyone know of a good trout stream where the fish are wild and reasonably large (14-19")?  The thing is, it needs to be public water that I can drive to.  Also, I was hoping someone could suggest one where there will be no other anglers, and where the fish take small dry flies.  They don’t have to be really easy to catch, but I’m hoping they won’t be too leader shy either.  Another thing – I’d like it to be clean, and there should be rough campsites there, clean ones. You know, a fire ring, but without burnt cans and plastic cups and plates in it. No toilet paper in the bushes either.  Any suggestions? JE

Boy you don’t ask for much, do you <g? Any requests for the weather? Peter G. Aitken

Response:

Jon, Live a good life and if you are lucky, in the next life, you might just stumble across such a place.  However, with my luck, half this newsgroup will have proceeded you and the place will have been trashed!  :^) Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone know of a good trout stream where the fish are wild and reasonably large (14-19")?  The thing is, it needs to be public water that I can drive to.  Also, I was hoping someone could suggest one where there will be no other anglers, and where the fish take small dry flies.  They don’t have to be really easy to catch, but I’m hoping they won’t be too leader shy either.  Another thing – I’d like it to be clean, and there should be rough campsites there, clean ones. You know, a fire ring, but without burnt cans and plastic cups and plates in it. No toilet paper in the bushes either.  Any suggestions? JE

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone know of a good trout stream where the fish are wild and reasonably large (14-19")?  The thing is, it needs to be public water that I can drive to.  Also, I was hoping someone could suggest one where there will be no other anglers, and where the fish take small dry flies.  They don’t have to be really easy to catch, but I’m hoping they won’t be too leader shy either.  Another thing – I’d like it to be clean, and there should be rough campsites there, clean ones. You know, a fire ring, but without burnt cans and plastic cups and plates in it. No toilet paper in the bushes either.  Any suggestions? JE

       ahhh sounds like your looking to fish out of your bathtub again, but then the fish are probally bigger in there than the ones you usually catch!;p CG

Response:

Anyone know of a good trout stream where the fish are wild and reasonably large (14-19")?  The thing is, it needs to be public water that I can drive to.  Also, I was hoping someone could suggest one where there will be no other anglers, and where the fish take small dry flies.  They don’t have to be really easy to catch, but I’m hoping they won’t be too leader shy either.  Another thing – I’d like it to be clean, and there should be rough campsites there, clean ones. You know, a fire ring, but without burnt cans and plastic cups and plates in it. No toilet paper in the bushes either.  Any suggestions? JE

This sounds a bit too much like heaven to be comfortable… let me know if you find it -paul

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Question:

Howdy everyone!  I am in the planning stages of a trip to South-West Alaska.  I have this brochure from Alaska Fish and Game that tells of the fishing conditions on Prince of Wales Island.  From the description I read it sounds like a cross between the Henry’s Fork and New Zealand, ie pristine streams packed with rainbows and grayling.  Then I talked to my friend who was there two years ago and he said Prince of Wales Island is a clear-cut eyesore with only small trout.  What gives?  Can anyone confirm or deny this situation? -John —      Its not that flyfishing is everything, it is just that everything      else in my life is less important.                                                      -Moi

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Howdy everyone!  I am in the planning stages of a trip to South-West Alaska.  I have this brochure from Alaska Fish and Game that tells of the fishing conditions on Prince of Wales Island.  From the description I read it sounds like a cross between the Henry’s Fork and New Zealand, ie pristine streams packed with rainbows and grayling.  Then I talked to my friend who was there two years ago and he said Prince of Wales Island is a clear-cut eyesore with only small trout.  What gives?  Can anyone confirm or deny this situation? -John —     Its not that flyfishing is everything, it is just that everything     else in my life is less important.                                                     -Moi

It depends on where you are.  It is possible to be a quarter mile from a clear-cut area and think you are in a pristine forest.  The only way to get a good look at these ugly scars is from the air.  The lumber industry keeps telling everyone that they can harvest at a renewable sustained yield.  Then they come to Alaska and chop down old growth forests with Uncle Sam underwriting the cost.  The main players are Japanese firms that turn the trees into pulp, I guess they use it for VCR instruction books. BTW if you go to southwest Alaska you’ll be about 1,000 miles from POW Island. R. Wood in Alaska

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I’ve never fished the San Juan but hear its productive for bigger fish.   Whats the truth, where can you stay, what are the conditions like around September? Do you need a boat or can you gain access to the better spots on foot? –

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says… I’ve never fished the San Juan but hear its productive for bigger fish.   Whats the truth, where can you stay, what are the conditions like around September? Do you need a boat or can you gain access to the better spots on foot? –

I am leaving tomorrow morning (8-15-95) to go to the San Juan for a few days.  I was originally trying for September but to no avail.  The water level should be at between 500-800 cfm and should make for some good fishing.  If you want, I will make a post when I return advising the conditions and where you might want to stay.  I understand there have been some recent changes their lately regarding hotels, restaurants, etc.  I’ll let you know what I find out. Just let me know.  I’ll do my best not to leave some fish that aren’t completely tired (yeah right)!! Tom Cavitt

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I’ve never fished the San Juan but hear its productive for bigger fish.   Whats the truth, where can you stay, what are the conditions like around September? Do you need a boat or can you gain access to the better spots on foot? –

Give Gary Willmart a call.  He’s President of Colorado Fishing Adventures, Inc. and operates a guiding business on the San Juan River and other rivers and lakes around Pagosa Springs, CO.  His phone is (719) 598-5787 and his address is Colorado Fishing Adventures, Inc., 6421 Pulpit Rock Dr., Colorado Springs, CO  80918. Tell him Dave Baker referred you.  He’s good and really enjoys guiding folks. Abe’s Motel and Fly Shop (owned by Abe Chavez and family) is probably the most popular place right on the river.  I’ve stayed there and it’s nice, they are helpful, and the prices are in the right range.  I don’t have their phone number but check dir. asst. in the Farmington, Aztec, Navajo Reservoir areas. You can also find places in Farmington, NM; Durango, CO; Pagosa Springs, CO; Chama, NM; etc.   Check a map. Sept. conditions are usually excellent and there are lots of big fish. In fact, you probably won’t get many under 16".  Weather’s good, too. Air warm, water cold – bring heavy socks for wading (see below). The upper river, in the first mile or so below the dam, is for wading only – no boats.  That’s what we do and where Gary takes clients. River is wide with lots of places to fish.  Lots of people but you can find good places open because there are so many fish around all over. They are hard to get, though, if you don’t know the river and it’s kind of unique.  So get a guide for at least half a day to show you how to begin, what to look for. I’ve never taken a boat trip but below the wade fishing only area, they allow drift boats.  If that is your interest, talk to Tim Chavez (Abe’s son) who operates the Born ‘N Raised guide service with boats. Pay attention to some unique regulations designed to protect the fishery:  catch & release some places, one fish over 20" other places and you gotta quit fishing when you kill one, barbless hooks, no fishing directly downstream of yourself or someone else (often called the San Juan Shuffle because fish will congregate and pick up food in the trail of debris kicked up by someone wading), etc. Have fun!

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I’ve heard that they bite drys a lot better in September, instead of the usual disco midges and San Jan worms that they ususally fish

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I’ll be in the Syracuse, NY area this April, and wonder if anyone out there has any suggestions for nice fishing streams or lakes in the area. I don’t plan to lug my waders along, as I’m taking the train.  Relatives will drive me wherever. I’ll be taking only 2 rods (4wt, 6wt) and a typical vest’s worth of gear. Also, what flies work best in the area at this time?  I’ve tied a mess of midges, caddis, pupas, pheasant tails, and wooly buggers.

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If you are interested, and can go a little ways away, go up rte 81 to Parish/Camden/Osceola. Good strems include the E. Branch of the Samon River, Fish Creek, and the Mad River. They’re not taking flies as of last week, (opening day), but as soon as it heats up a little you should do fine. Or go to streamers. If you need more info please feel free to

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I’m new to the Washington State area and would like to try my luck on some of the rivers and streams in the western half of the state.  Would any body mind dirrecting me to some decent rivers in this area, mind you, I don’t want to know your secret spot but maybe the location of some productive streams/rivers. Thank you in advance for any information you all might render.

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I am going to Cancun in mid april with my company, and I would like to know if there is any fly-fishing in the immediate area around Cancun.   If you know of anything or anyone please let me know.  Thank You.

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I am in need of some fly-fishing spots.  I live in the Chicago area . . .

I, too, live near Chicago and have been looking for places to go that are nearby.  So far as I can tell, there’s not one bloody trout stream anywhere in the state.  The good news is that just a short hop away, in SW Wisconsin (I’m told) there are some fairly decent trout streams, some of which are designated no-kill streams.  I’ve also heard of various streams in Michigan that might be decent, but don’t know any specifics. I got this information from the Trout & Grouse store, which is located in Northfield (right off the Edens expressway).  I took a fly-fishing course there just recently (I’m just beginning), and they apparently have guides that know these WI and MI streams really well.  Sorry, I don’t have their phone or address handy, though I’m sure they’re in the directory if you want to give them a call. Hope this helps.  Keith — Keith Ludwig, Odesta Systems Corporation,

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Being a displaced Coloradoan here in the land of Lincoln, I am in need of some fly-fishing spots.  I live in the Chicago area . . . does anyone have any suggestions or secret spots they might care to divulge.  I will throw a fly at anything but catfish or carp Thanks, Kevin

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