Question:

 I was determained to nymph for a few hours  using all the valuable tips I had recieved at show. Going upstream with the sun at my back I used Wayno’s valuable crawling tactics–could not use Humphreys tuck casts upstream as it was mostly small  pods of water behind rocks. So I tried high sticking with a  strike indicator and caught several 10 to 12 inch  wild rainbows  that  were real active when hooked. I cannot understand  writers who suggest moving indicator up or down due to depth of water because in this type of water you would have to adjust every second cast.

That’s one of the reasons Humphrey’s teaches not to use an indicator  Wish I had seen Humphreys again – he’s a sparkplug.

Response:

Wasted a day at fly-fishing show in Charlotte last weekend.

        (amazing amount of information shoved into a small space, snipped) I drove five hours home to Wilmington wondering why he had locked the door to his car. Joe McIntosh

        what a fantastic trip report.  when i grow up, i want to be just like you, joe.         your friend up in the red clay country         wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

"-Indian Joe I drove five hours home to Wilmington wondering why he had locked the door to his car. Joe McIntosh

Well Joe, it’s an an old yankee habit. I remember my surprise in NC one day,when I returned to my van and found out I had left the door open! Not unlocked but open!  . . . nothing amiss. john . . . who has noticed a predilection for people to push their remote button until the horn beeps.

Response:

Wasted a day at fly-fishing show in Charlotte last weekend. Joe Humphres talk on nymph fishing had lots of films of Joe catching  fish in Penn many years and we were all requested to yell now when he sould set the hook!!That guy is as old as me, and his stories are  worn out. Then Casada spoke on fishing in N.C. mountains- stories about snowbird and Slickrock- later I ask him which way he went into Slickrock because his  belly  told me he couldn’t get back up Fat Gap. He allowed as he had not been out that way for a few years. Sunday I tried to fish the top part of Opie’s creek but the local police stopped me at lower bridge and said I would have to hike in. Some yankee from Long Island had parked his car last week at the trail hed, left a suicide note inside, locked the door and dissappeared. I hiked along way upstream, sun was out,water cold on feet and I caught only two small rainbows on dry flies. Think I was more concerned with hooking a body than setting the hook. Monday morning I stopped by Waldo"s shop and he  was so sick I did not want to hang around long enough to share whatever he had so I again headed out to Opie"s place.  I was determained to nymph for a few hours  using all the valuable tips I had recieved at show. Going upstream with the sun at my back I used Wayno’s valuable crawling tactics–could not use Humphreys tuck casts upstream as it was mostly small  pods of water behind rocks. So I tried high sticking with a  strike indicator and caught several 10 to 12 inch  wild rainbows  that  were real active when hooked. I cannot understand  writers who suggest moving indicator up or down due to depth of water because in this type of water you would have to adjust every second cast. Was really getting into all this when  the police arrived and ask me to leave the area—-the buzzards had not led them to that poor yankee’s body so they were going to try the "dogs". I drove five hours home to Wilmington wondering why he had locked the door to his car. Joe McIntosh

Response:

Smoking that shit from cabin one again John????       Handyman         Mike Handyman   Mike

Response:

Question:

I usually go for the "bottle of beer" fly, and hope and pray the water clears up … cheers, edwin

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – which fly would you recommend straight after a heavy downpour of rain with the river still running brown for salmon in Scotland

Response:

Oh I would not hesitate to use steelhead flies for Atlantic salmon fishing, that was not what I meant.  I meant using things like Griffiths Gnats, beetles or ants or similar things, is a complete waste of time for Atlantic salmon on spawning runs, which is the only time they are fished for in Scotland.  Fishing for immature fish, ( parr etc ), which would take "naturals",  is not done at all. Worms are invariably more successful in any case.  A large bunch of lobworms on a large hook will generally take far more salmon than any fly, especially under flood conditions, when the river is high and brown, and even when low and clear for that matter.  In many places worming is allowed under certain ( usually flood ) conditions. Fly-fishing is not always the most successful method for any given fish, or set of conditions, in fact, barring salmonids generally, it rarely is. TL MC — "If you have tried everything you know, and nothing works, then perhaps it is time to accept that you don

Question:

Hi I going from Denmark/Europe to Vancouver BC/Canda for a Computer conference 9-12th of october and I’m looking for the possibility for one or two persons to go for 2-5 days of fishing mainly fly fishing between 13-20th. of october, any [adfordable] hints ? Siimvej 20 8680 Ry Denmark

Response:

Steffen, Call or write Fred, I guarantee good fishing and a good time. Helmer, Fred E-mail Address(es): Business Information:   Company: Fred’s Custom Tackle & Fishing Adventures   Address:     Unit 1- 5880 Vedder Rd..     Chilliwack BC V2R 5P4   Phone: 604-858-7344 Fred deals with a great many European clients. — See our Sharks at the Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas!!!! <*))))< Paul Phillips Director of Operations Fintastic Fish Mounts http://www.fintastic.com/ spam block x – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I going from Denmark/Europe to Vancouver BC/Canda for a Computer conference 9-12th of october and I’m looking for the possibility for one or two persons to go for 2-5 days of fishing mainly fly fishing between 13-20th. of october, any [adfordable] hints ? Siimvej 20 8680 Ry Denmark

Response:

http://www.guidebc.com/ Vic Carrao is one of the best,most reasonable guides in the Fraser Valley. Also ask about Sturgeon fishing – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Steffen, Call or write Fred, I guarantee good fishing and a good time. Helmer, Fred E-mail Address(es): Business Information:   Company: Fred’s Custom Tackle & Fishing Adventures   Address:     Unit 1- 5880 Vedder Rd..     Chilliwack BC V2R 5P4   Phone: 604-858-7344 Fred deals with a great many European clients. — See our Sharks at the Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas!!!! <*))))< Paul Phillips Director of Operations Fintastic Fish Mounts http://www.fintastic.com/ spam block x Hi I going from Denmark/Europe to Vancouver BC/Canda for a Computer conference 9-12th of october and I’m looking for the possibility for one or two persons to go for 2-5 days of fishing mainly fly fishing between 13-20th. of october, any [adfordable] hints ? Siimvej 20 8680 Ry Denmark

Response:

Question:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

Question:

–snip– in my Vette.  

–snip– I drive an SUV just to prove that my penis extension is larger than yours. don’t it just piss ya off. hahahahaha |Bill and Dawn ‘94 Ford Bronco |               ‘85 Honda Magna V30       |               ‘72 Olds Cutlass Supreme | |Sure it’s an overgrown stationwagon. What’s your point? |   |Email address changed due to growing Auto-SPAM.

Response:

Sure, a 12 year old subaru = will get you to any ski area or through the worst weather Buffalo = has to offer, but it won’t make your neighbours go ‘oooh’.

Not this neighbor.  Try  

Question:

I am looking at the possibility of starting a fly tying group/club in my area.  Has anyone had any experience with this that could give me some pointers so that I don’t have to reinvent the wheel??  Thanks! Dan

Response:

I am looking at the possibility of starting a fly tying group/club in my area.  Has anyone had any experience with this that could give me some pointers so that I don’t have to reinvent the wheel??  Thanks!

Hi Dan, The Federation of Fly Fishers has a package for starting clubs.  It includes everything from sample by-laws to applying for 501C3 status.   Contact them at 406-585-7592 and ask for their affiliate club package. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

Question:

Does anyone have any information or experience in flyfishing in China, Tibet, etc.?

Response:

I do know that the Tibetan people consider the trout, or native fish, that live in the lakes and rivers of Tibet,sacred and holy, and being Buddhists, might get upset about even harming the fish. Even catch and release. I would be tempted to cast a parachute adams in the river though!! I have spent some time in Kashmir and Ladakh, and both have beautiful waters. I know they have good fishing in Kashmir, but, one wouldn’t want to go there now. My 2 bits, Stu

: Does anyone have any information or experience in flyfishing in China, : Tibet, etc.?

Response:

Question:

Try the AMI Rec Net at: http://www.aminews.com/ami Centralized source for outdoor news and info. Several fly fishing pages linked. Looking for good stats and other pages on fly fishing. Enjoy, Rob Brown Webmaster

Response:

: Here is a listing I maintain on the Missouri Flyfishing Page of other : flyfishing links: : State or Regional Flyfishing Pages : Arizona : California : Colorado : Montana : Oregon This has shamed me.  Nothing in Idaho.  But will it motivate me?  I’ve been thinking of listing all the rivers in Idaho I know of which offer at least 5 miles of good trout water.  The barrier to my action has been that the list is over 150 in number.  Just the larger streams, nothing small.  So…would anyone out there be interested in this type of info?  I’m usually against these types of lists.  All it does is add to the crowds, but perhaps I’m wrong.  Advice? Rick — T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    |  These University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    |  opinions Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. |  are mine.  

Response:

i just got www access and would like the www sites of any fly or not fly fishing pages.  email or post in reply please. –

Response:

i just got www access and would like the www sites of any fly or not fly fishing pages.  email or post in reply please. –

The Virtual Flyshop: http://rmii.com/~flyshop/flyshop.html Enjoy! — Mike Tucker- The Virtual Flyshop, The Complete Resource              Web Page:  http://rmii.com/~flyshop/flyshop.html              Tel. 970-498-8779   FAX 970-491-2585 If you try 970 and it doesn’t work use 303.  Leave it to US WEST to change our area code and not tell the rest of the world……

Response:

Question:

Could someone please provide me with the phone number of a fly fishing shop in either Bolder or Estes Park, Colorado?  I will be in boulder on business for four days next week and would like to try to fish all day Sunday.  I am tentatively planning on fishing the Big Thompson river all day Sunday. Thanks in advance. David Burba Intel Corp (602) 554-8763 (Wk)

Response:

Dave, St Vrain Anglers, in Longmont. (303) 651-6061 They are located one block west of Main street on 4th st. (Main st is really US 287) near the corner of 4th and Terry. Another place you might consider fishing, if you have the time, is the Larimie river, south of Woods Landing.  It takes about 2 hours to get there, but there’s plenty of public water, plenty of 10 – 14 inch rainbows and brookies, and it’s a splended drive, up over Deadman Pass. —    Bill Oliver

Response:

Dave Writes: Could someone please provide me with the phone number of a fly fishing shop in either Bolder or Estes Park, Colorado?  I will be in boulder on business for four days next week and would like to try to fish all day Sunday.  I am tentatively planning on fishing the Big Thompson river all day Sunday.

Dave the shop is called the Estes Angler: Phone 303-586-2110 The part owner is Don Darling. Last time I was up there, it was the only full service fly shop.       __*                              /                             /    From the Float Tube of Elmer Meiler                            /     Somewhere on the Pond of OZ                        0 /o                      __[]__                     (______)_____

Response:

Could someone please provide me with the phone number of a fly fishing shop in either Bolder or Estes Park, Colorado?  I will be in boulder on business for four days next week and would like to try to fish all day Sunday.  I am tentatively planning on fishing the Big Thompson river all day Sunday. Thanks in advance. David Burba

Here’s a couple:      Front Range Anglers (Boulder) (303) 494-1375      An Orvis Shop       (Boulder) (303) 442-6204 For fishing the Thomson, I’d recommend at least talking with Dale from St. Vrain Anglers in Longmont (12-15 miles northeast of Bldr…)  That seems to be more his neck of the woods… Gotta warn you though, like Montana, the fishin’ here is extremely poor. Has something to do with Califorians……  ;-) -PWM — Nat’l Center for Atmos Research    voice:  (303) 497-1293 Scientific Computing Division    

Response:

Question:

There may be less people doing overnight backpack trips, but I bet there are more people in the backcountry overall and doing a much more diverse set of activities. Which is very good news for us that do like to backpack: less people in the backcountry.  There might be more people in the woods but they all leave at dark.  I was talking to a fellow the other day who said he did quite

Oops! Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply we’re not in the backcountry after dark.  Many times I’m bivouaced on a ledge while climbing or camping in sagebrush near a remote desrt cave in Wyoming. So what I meant to imply is that besides the diversity of day trips many of us pack gear into remote places during mountaineering, caving, and whitewater trips that backpackers normally don’t visit. I’ve never seen backpackers on the East Ridge of the Grand Teton, or in the desert near Bighorn caverns, or along some of the remote stretches of whitewater in central Idaho, so there ARE more people in the backcountry overnight far from trailheads and vehicles, but in different places than backpackers normally go. I think what I’m getting at is, we are using backpacking as a mode of trasportation for some other goal, and not an end in itself. I’m not a "backpacker", yet backpacking is a critical part of getting to a lot of remote activities where I do spend the night. I’ve probably spent 300 night camped in backcountry far from roads in the past 6 or 7 years and only 3 of those night were on what I would call a backpacking trip. Steve —

Response:

Eugene Miya: What worries me more are the borderline Wilcox’s out there reading the net (you can quote me on that).  I know a few in everyday life, and I lost one a couple of years back.  That is evolution in action. –eugene Steve Reiser:   Hi Eugene, I read your posting on "In the Hall of the Mountain King" and "White Winds", both of which I’ve read and have copies of.  Snyder indicated a lot of bad judgement by Wilcox.  Wilcox tries to be objective in his book, but one can’t help but notice his omissions. He seemed to cover up his errors not by arguing with Snyder’s account, but by ignoring them altogether. His book seemed somewhat defensive, especially at the end when he talks about all the grief he went through in the press afterword. I think Snyder probably gave an honest account, which arouses some wrath toward Wilcox, in most readers.  I didn’t like the way Wilcox covered his errors, but I was convinced that he suffered enough condemnation afterword to make me feel a bit sorry for him. I think his response was a bit overly defensive to the media, the Park Service, and the relatives of those who died. I would imagine that Wilcox’s attempt to gloss over his errors may have been part of the inspiration for Snyder to write his book in the first place. Hence, if Wilcox would have been more honest in the first place, it’s possible that neither book would have ever been written. It’s hard to read both books and not come up with mixed feelings toward Wilcox.  It’s tempting to feel some anger toward him for lack of good judgement, especially on their summit day for the second group, and at the same time feeling some sympathy for the weight of blame layed on him, since he was the expedition leader. (Snyder was better qualified to be the leader of the group.) Steve Reiser P.S – Seven friends of mine left yesterday for the Denali. I wish them well. (They’re more experienced than most in the books discussed above). If this appears twice, I first posted without a subject. —

Response:

I think what I’m getting at is, we are using backpacking as a mode of trasportation for some other goal, and not an end in itself. I’m not a "backpacker", yet backpacking is a critical part of getting to a lot of remote activities where I do spend the night. I’ve probably spent 300 night camped in backcountry far from roads in the past 6 or 7 years and only 3 of those night were on what I would call a backpacking trip.

Maybe we have a problem with semantics here.  I think if you hike off into the woods with a backpack, you’re backpacking, no matter what the end result is.  I pack in to climb mountains, do caves, search for minerals, etc. and consider that backpacking.  Cripes, those packs are heavy – I’m not doing it for fun. Well, maybe I am.  Either way, I’m still pleased that there are less people out there when sunset finishes and the stars come out.

Response:

There may be less people doing overnight backpack trips, but I bet there are more people in the backcountry overall and doing a much more diverse set of activities.

Which is very good news for us that do like to backpack: less people in the backcountry.  There might be more people in the woods but they all leave at dark.  I was talking to a fellow the other day who said he did quite a bit of backpacking in the early 70’s.  He said that he would hike 10 miles into the backcountry and see several groups of people back there too and think nothing of it.  Other than my group of friends, I don’t know anyone at all that backpacks and I almost never see anyone else in the backcountry (outside of hunters, that is).  One would think that there would at least be trail bikers back there but they seem to be more into ‘day-biking’.  I’m not complaining, of course, I’m happy.

Response:

I thought some might find this article interesting – DH [some deleted] ON THE DECLINE   Overnight and longer backpacking trips are a sport on the decline, said Christy Metz, public information specialist for Rocky Mountain National Park. In their place, the number of day hikers and campground campers are growing. Backpacking began increasing in the early ’70s, peaked in the late ’70s, and has been falling ever since.  In 1977, Rocky Mountain National Park issued 62,708 back-country permits; in 1989, 32,792.

However, if you look at statistics for many other backcountry activities, you’ll find a drastic increase. Mountaineering, technical rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, spelunking, and many other backcountry sports are experiencing nearly exponential growth.  I see more people specializing in specific sports in the backcountry and less who are out strictly backpacking. DIVERSIFY   Some salespeople at moutaineering shops, however, are a bit hesitant to see their lines diversify too much.  Many tempered their enthusiasm for expansion with a note of service to the true back country lover.

This hesitation to diversify has cost many local stores business in specialized gear, more of which is sold through mail order companies.  I probably buy 50% of my outdoor gear through mail order due to this hesitance in local store.  I’m into all of the sports I listed above and the diversity of gear required is far more than most outdoor shops are willing to carry. My point here in comparison to the original article is to note that even though outdoor gear is fashionable on the streets, day hikes, and campgrounds, and with backpacking on the decline, there is still an exploding market for specialized backcoutry sports. There may be less people doing overnight backpack trips, but I bet there are more people in the backcountry overall and doing a much more diverse set of activities. Steve —

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I thought some might find this article interesting – DH Backpacking Outlets Expand Bottom Line    by Susan Simmons Eustes Boulder Business Report – May 1990    Despite a dramatic drop in number of campers and tourists trekking into the back country, area mountaineering stores say their sales are growing every year.    The day when the Vasque hiking boots were the "casual" loafer for many Boulderites has long disappeared.  Today, lighter and brighter are in demand and traditional mountaineering stores are expanding product lines to include gear for every sport from kayaking to mountain biking.    Like it or not, the mountaineering "look" continues to be fashionable in Boulder.  "You always want the ‘in’ look, whether you are hiking the mall or hiking Flagstaff," said John Whitbeck, manager at the north face in Boulder. "People want to wear clothing that identifies them as outdoorsy." ON THE DECLINE    Overnight and longer backpacking trips are a sport on the decline, said Christy Metz, public information specialist for Rocky Mountain National Park. In their place, the number of day hikers and campground campers are growing. Backpacking began increasing in the early ’70s, peaked in the late ’70s, and has been falling ever since.  In 1977, Rocky Mountain National Park issued 62,708 back-country permits; in 1989, 32,792.    … In 1985, the first year permits were issued for Indian Peaks [Wilderness Area], 2,134 were requested.  In 1989, 1,550 permits were requested.    So what does this mean for the people who sell camp stoves, sleeping bags, and hiking shoes?    It means even more business, said Whitbeck.    "In our 15 retail stores, without exception, business has been up a mile." The selling point for The North Face, and other mountain stores, is the dramatic shift in outdoor gear lines from the products carried 15 years ago. The traditional business of boots, packs and tents has mushroomed to include equipment for outdoor sports as varied as cross-country skiing or fly fishing. DIVERSIFY    As baby boomers married and began to raise children, more chose day hikes or more convenient overnight stays in campgrounds, say Jim Wilson of the back- country office at Rocky Mountain National Park. …    … (examples of stores diversifying) …    Dan Hare, manager of The Boulder Mountaineer, said his sales of backpacks and sleeping bags continues to increase, but "lots of people buy backpacks that never go into the back country," he added.    Shannon Long, manager at the Boulder Army Store, has noticed more of his customers are car camping and buying more for convenience.  Such campers, however, often opt for the more expensive lines.    "Ten years ago, people weren’t buying high-tech stuff.  They weren’t into buying brand names.  They were more concerned about getting a good product for a low price."    Clothing is a big seller for most outdoor shops.  Color are big, as are brand names and high fashion, mountain store owners agree.    Everybody likes rugby shirts and cotton shorts, said Phil Hollman, salesman at The North Face.  "Colors and style – people are really taken with that as much as we like to think they weren’t," Hollman said.  "Everything is getting more specialized: new technologies, new fabrics, lighter weight and very colorful."    Wools and cottons are taking a back seat to newer, more durable and comfortable fabrics such as Goretex, Dudley said.  And with the newer fabrics come higher prices.    The "tech heads" want the best, Noel added.  People want the fiberglass tent poles, the lightweight backpacks and the warmer, more water repellant clothing even if it means higher prices.    Some salespeople at moutaineering shops, however, are a bit hesitant to see their lines diversify too much.  Many tempered their enthusiasm for expansion with a note of service to the true back country lover.    Image and brand names mean more to people than store managers care to admit, [Mountain Sports buyer Scott] Lee said.  "We’re not quite as trendy a store as some …  We don’t want to lose our image as a mountaineering shop."

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