Question:

You guys have to check out "The Bug" from the recent fly swap.  It looks like a red soft hackle indicator.  I can’t wait to fish it.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Unfortunately this does not work on "single fly only" waters ! Yes, but I’m thinking I might squeak through the loophole if I slip a hook into my strike indicator

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Unfortunately this does not work on "single fly only" waters !

Yes, but I’m thinking I might squeak through the loophole if I slip a hook into my strike indicator

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I have never used a bite indicator, nor have I used a dry fly for this purpose.  I do use Mucilin to make the leader float,  and use a Water knot appropriately. I have noticed these days on the local pond that BI’s are all the rage; virtually everyone uses one when fishing buzzers. I have also noticed (from watching a few people) that the BI seems to impede the long distance presentation of the fly:  is this the case? Is there any merit with the BI over the tin of Mucilin (apart from the extreme visibility of the BI)?

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I have never used a bite indicator, nor have I used a dry fly for this purpose.  I do use Mucilin to make the leader float,  and use a Water knot appropriately.

Okay mate, I don’t care what you call them over there but they are called strike indicators.  SI instead of BI.  You can understand the implications of that I hope <g I have noticed these days on the local pond that BI’s are all the rage; virtually everyone uses one when fishing buzzers.

Probably because they work. I have also noticed (from watching a few people) that the BI seems to impede the long distance presentation of the fly:  is this the case?

Yes and no.  Once you become accustomed to them,  you will learn how to read them. Is there any merit with the BI over the tin of Mucilin (apart from the extreme visibility of the BI)?

Yes, it takes more to twitch them than it does with just a greased line.  If you are dragging the bottom this could help eliminate false indications.  Also, I find that they do not sink as often as the end of a fly line.  I fish with one more often than without when nymphing. The reason is simple, I do not like the big blob of material on the surface, but it does help in visibility, helps keep the fly or flies at a constant depth, is easy to change instead of changing the length of leader or tippet, and also is not as prone to being drug under the surface as a fly line. There is my analysis and is only my personal opinion.  Some people would rather be burned at the stake than use a strike indicator (KEN F!) <g — Warren Findley Can the Spam! Send Muskie complaints to:

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0] : I have never used a bite indicator, nor have I used a dry fly for : this : purpose.  I do use Mucilin to make the leader float,  and use a : Water knot : appropriately. : Okay mate, I don’t care what you call them over there but they are : called strike indicators.  SI instead of BI.  You can understand the : implications of that I hope <g : I have noticed these days on the local pond that BI’s are all the : rage; : virtually everyone uses one when fishing buzzers. : Probably because they work. : I have also noticed (from watching a few people) that the BI seems : to impede : the long distance presentation of the fly:  is this the case? : Yes and no.  Once you become accustomed to them,  you will learn how : to read them. : Is there any merit with the BI over the tin of Mucilin (apart from : the : extreme visibility of the BI)? : Yes, it takes more to twitch them than it does with just a greased : line.  If you are dragging the bottom this could help eliminate false : indications.  Also, I find that they do not sink as often as the end : of a fly line.  I fish with one more often than without when nymphing. : The reason is simple, I do not like the big blob of material on the : surface, but it does help in visibility, helps keep the fly or flies : at a constant depth, is easy to change instead of changing the length : of leader or tippet, and also is not as prone to being drug under the : surface as a fly line. : There is my analysis and is only my personal opinion.  Some people : would rather be burned at the stake than use a strike indicator (KEN : F!) <g : — : Warren Findley : Can the Spam! : Send Muskie complaints to: If your have the hook, the fake bait and the indicator all in one package it’s called a dry fly, and it’s just dandy, but if you consider separating any of these elements, some people seem to get pretty upset. Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories  (remove x’s from email if not      Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971   a spammer) Phone: (650)-857-5491              

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bobbers. Start insulting strike indicators and I will change the subject to smelly old waders . . . .;-) Warren

hell, that’s something i know nothing about.    d;^) –walt

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–waldo

At last someone is calling them what they are. Thanks Waldo!!! Big Dale

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Start insulting strike indicators and I will change the subject to smelly old waders . . . .;-) hell, that’s something i know nothing about.    d;^)

I thought not <g Warren

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bobbers.

Start insulting strike indicators and I will change the subject to smelly old waders . . . .;-) Warren

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Unfortunately this does not work on "single fly only" waters ! TL MC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – He didn’t ask about using a dry fly as an indicator is my defense <g I do love summer and fall because I use dries as the indicator.  If you need an indicator it might as well be something that can catch fish!  I just forget about this during the winter. . .

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He didn’t ask about using a dry fly as an indicator is my defense <g I do love summer and fall because I use dries as the indicator.  If you need an indicator it might as well be something that can catch fish!  I just forget about this during the winter. . . Thanks for picking up the slack. Warren

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nice to see there are more pragmatic people here. My thoughts _exactly_. Thanks, Herman <snip If your have the hook, the fake bait and the indicator all in one package it’s called a dry fly, and it’s just dandy, but if you consider separating any of these elements, some people seem to get pretty upset. Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories Rd.)  (remove x’s from email if not      Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971   a spammer) Phone: (650)-857-5491 — Cheers, Herman Herman Nijland Daytime webmaster Lifetime flyfisher

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I have never used a bite indicator, nor have I used a dry fly for this purpose.  I do use Mucilin to make the leader float,  and use a Water knot appropriately. Okay mate, I don’t care what you call them over there but they are called strike indicators.  SI instead of BI.  You can understand the implications of that I hope <g

bobbers. –waldo

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Nice to see there are more pragmatic people here. My thoughts _exactly_. Thanks, Herman

<snip If your have the hook, the fake bait and the indicator all in one package it’s called a dry fly, and it’s just dandy, but if you consider separating any of these elements, some people seem to get pretty upset. Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories  (remove x’s from email if not      Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971   a spammer) Phone: (650)-857-5491

–         Cheers, Herman         Herman Nijland         Daytime webmaster         Lifetime flyfisher

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Question:

Enjoyed your report, I was up that way a couple of weeks ago and went to Steep Banks. 12 guys standing around casting into one small pool, it might be famous but it did not interest me. Waded on up the river but had no luck except in a couple of small pools.  ;The word was that the fish would be in the river in a couple of weeks, but I could not wait  so moved over to Upper Dam and caught a couple of 15inch salmon and three trout close in but was not interested in standing out in the flow for three hours in one spot to catch a fish.  The one thing I have to say was that the whole area was dead drop beautiful  but guess I still prefer the mountains of North Carolina , climbing over the rocks to catch a 8inch trout.     Indian Joe Wilmington N.C.

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Great report, Allen.  Too bad you could not make it to the Rapid.  I am heading up to the East Branch of the Kennebec this week with a couple of friends.  And, yes, I’m bringing warm clothes. Dave L.

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Dave and Injun, The whole trip really cemented in my mind where my wife and I will end up living in a few years. Hope youu don’t mind sharing the fish and birds! Allen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Great report, Allen.  Too bad you could not make it to the Rapid.  I am heading up to the East Branch of the Kennebec this week with a couple of friends.  And, yes, I’m bringing warm clothes. Dave L.

  gaepps.vcf

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Folks, Work has been keeping me from even lurking the last few weeks but SWMBO and I have just returned from a trip north to RI for her folks 50th anniversary and then up to Rangeley ME for a week to help a friend winter prep his camp and wet a line for a bit. I’ve never been up that way before but from all the folks I talked to the water was way low and the fishing slow. Our friends camp is "Fiddlehead" just below Bald Mtn on Rangeley lake but ended up fishing the Kennebunk pretty far down. "Steep Bank" came highly recommended but "take a number" fishing is not my bag anymore. We hiked up the stream a bit and despite having spent a lot of time in the woods it’s pretty easy to see how folks become lost in the Maine woods. Thick does not begin to describe it and had to restart the heart once due to flushing Grouse. Upstream was shallow and no real cover so back down to what we found later was called "Trout Rock" Gorgeous little pool with a steep rock pile on one side and about 6′ deep. Started by casting #10 Black Ghost (might as well start local). Ended up going up and down a bit and finally settled on a #16 Brassie. That turned out to surprisingly be the ticket. 4 nice Brookies all about 12-14 inches. Such gorgeous fish my hands trembled releasing them. Finally a Salmon showed some interest. The barest tap and I was on to a 19" fish that explored all corners of the pool before coming to net. Again, I was awed by the colors and spirit of the fish. My wife and I got up early the next morning and headed to the the stream running from the Little Kennebago. Bright day but cold (28 F) and no wind. If you didn’t see the ice forming in your guides you wouldn’t have noticed the cold. A couple strikes but no fish did see a beaver and had to come to a complete stop on the way home to let a brace of Grouse get out of the road. Just before we joined rt. 16 again had a cow Moose stop right along side the road and stare as we stopped to take her picture. This was the first time my wife has fly fished and I think she got the picture that’s its not just the fish. Sorry for the general disjointness of this report but as we just got home I thought I’d drop in and try and break up the politics Before I lost the mental pictures I brought home. With work being all consuming at times we have to stop and spend time afield with rod or gun to put things in perspective. Allen Epps Catonsville MD

  gaepps.vcf

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Question:

We got an early start on Friday; left Milwaukee at 2 p.m. and managed to find a campsite on the Two Hearted by about an hour after dark.  We looked like something out a Chevy Chase movie.  The Jeep Grand Cherokee had two bicycles strapped onto the rear windshield and a pop-up camper behind.  Jay, Becky, and I had enough gear and supplies among us to last us a great deal longer than the three day weekend we had planned.  This turned out to be a good thing as circumstances caused us to stay a couple of days longer. The High Bridge Campground north of Newberry Michigan has six sites.  We grabbed the first one we saw on Friday night and lucked out.  Site no. 2 sits at the top of a small sand bluff immediately adjacent to the river.  As soon as we got the trailer situated and the engine turned off we could easily hear the water gurgling below us; a most auspicious beginning! Saturday morning Jay and I hit the stream while Becky lounged in camp. We fished it hard for a couple of hours and then met back at camp to compare notes.  Things were not looking good.  Virtually nothing was coming off the water and the fish were in no mood to play with us.  I saw one stone fly, a couple of languid looking caddis, and no mayflies at all.  I found one small rainbow rising in a desultory fashion to something I couldn’t see.  He eventually fell for a well placed EHC and that was the last fish I saw.  Jay did a little better.  He managed half a dozen small rainbows on a bead head hare’s ear.  And this, it would turn out, was to be the most productive fishing session of the trip. Sunday morning found us exploring a bit further downstream.  We took a look at the East Branch of the Two Hearted.  The east branch is a bit smaller than the main branch and Jay found it more to his liking.  We drove a couple miles further up the road to look at Pike Lake.  I was eager to introduce Becky to belly boats and this looked like the place to do it.  We decided to take Jay back to the east branch and then putter around on the lake for a while.  We would pick jay up back at the bridge at 7 or so.  We never made it back to drop him off.  About 3 miles from the bridge I heard a strange noise under the hood of the Jeep.  We stopped and exchanged ideas of where the sound was coming from.  We all agreed that it was coming from somewhere near the top of the engine but that was the best we could do.  Half a mile down the road the power steering failed and by the time I stopped the vehicle the gauges were all over the map.  We opened the hood again and this time there was no doubt where the problem was.  The power steering unit had self destructed. Luckily we had a cell phone.  After a few calls to Newberry we found a towing service with a flat bed that would come and get us.  Unluckily, we were fifteen miles from the nearest paved road.  The wrecker took 3 1/2 hours to get to us.  The intervening time was spent trying to stay away from and to kill as many as possible of THE WORST infestation of horse-flies, deer flies, and those pesky little biters that look just like house flies I have ever seen!  At 95 degrees F., and 90 % humidity we had to stay in the vehicle because it was the only way to control the numbers of flies we were exposed to.  We could either chase them out or kill them with hats or towels or other makeshift fly swatters.  Outside the mob was too big.  Even a constantly waving towel couldn’t keep them off.  We all got many bites! To make a long story short, we had planned to return home on Monday but were forced to stay two extra days while waiting for a new power steering unit to find its way in from the civilized world.  The fish never did bite (water temps were way to high), the flies continued to bite, though with somewhat less vigor as the temperature and humidity fell over the next two days.  We had a couple of lovely thunderstorms and a tornado allegedly touched down with a half miles of us as we sat waiting for a pizza in Newberry on Monday night. Spent a day on the Lake Superior shore hunting agates and enjoyed a great deal more success in this venture than we did fishing.  Not much of a fishing story I’m afraid but it was at least an opportunity to get out of the city for a while.  Everyone enjoyed the outing despite the tribulations. For future reference, it looks like there’s a lot of good water in the eastern U.P.  Will have to give it another try in a cooler season, and definitely recommend the area to anyone who’s never been there.  Big forests, far away from everything. Tight Lines!

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We got an early start on Friday; left Milwaukee at 2 p.m. and managed to

find a campsite on the Two Hearted by about an hour after dark. < <tale of terror and disaster snipped You shoulda fished the Fox. <g

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We got an early start on Friday; left Milwaukee at 2 p.m. and managed to find a campsite on the Two Hearted by about an hour after dark. < <tale of terror and disaster snipped You shoulda fished the Fox. <g

With a ten year old Pathfinder ;^)

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It really nice of you out-of-staters to come and feed the woods critters for us – Several years ago we hiked in from ‘Lone Pine Dump’ and had a great day of fishing – just follow the bear trail

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Question:

Just finished watching a piece on Fashion TV, CITY-TV, Toronto where they interviewed Karen Graham.  The former Vogue model was sought out by Estee Lauder, lured away from her fly fishing school and brought in to promote stuff for older women.  She’s going to have a TV ad running soon as well. And boy,  she can double-haul me any day.  ( No honey, I’m not serious. . . . stop looking over my shoulder . . . yes I love that rod you bought me, . . .  stop whacking me with it. . . .) Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.cgocable.net/~pcharles/index.html

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I just saw a piece about Karen Graham on Oprah recently… very interesting.  Besides being very beautiful, she was charming and down to earth as well.  And most importantly, she casts beautifully. ;^) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just finished watching a piece on Fashion TV, CITY-TV, Toronto where they interviewed Karen Graham.  The former Vogue model was sought out by Estee Lauder, lured away from her fly fishing school and brought in to promote stuff for older women.  She’s going to have a TV ad running soon as well. And boy,  she can double-haul me any day.  ( No honey, I’m not serious. . . . stop looking over my shoulder . . . yes I love that rod you bought me, . . .  stop whacking me with it. . . .) Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.cgocable.net/~pcharles/index.html

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Question:

The Ranch has been sold to a private party who will be closing it up to ANY access by non-rich, non-friends-of -his. They will be open through June and the fishing is terrific.  You might even consider a guide for a half day to accellerate your success on stream.  I would recommend Kevin who books out of the Trout Fly in Mammoth. Have a great time. Bob

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The Ranch has been sold to a private party who will be closing it up to ANY access by non-rich, non-friends-of -his.

I just spoke to the Ranch, and it is NOT sold.  It is, however, in escrow. It may or may not close escrow…  The Ranch will honor ALL reservations that have made a deposit through the entire 1998 season. Regards, Wes

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Great News.  I hope it falls through and the Nature Conservancy picks it up.  I did not intend to pass along a false rumor. Bob

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Can anyone tell me if they have fished at this private ranch in the Sierras? It is above Bishop on the Owens River, and I am curious as to what flies may be effective.  Thanks.

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Can anyone tell me if they have fished at this private ranch in the

Sierras?  I am curious as to what flies may be effective.

I have caught huge browns on olive matukas and hornburgs. Talk to Bill Nichols, he’s the ranch manager at 760 648-7807.  He’s always willing to talk fishing and will tell you the straight scoop. Wes

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The is a good article on fishing in the Owens river in Americal Angler magazine May/June 1998.         Nate Liskov – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone tell me if they have fished at this private ranch in the Sierras? It is above Bishop on the Owens River, and I am curious as to what flies may be effective.  Thanks.

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(Rkru) writes: Can anyone tell me if they have fished at this private ranch in the Sierras? It is above Bishop on the Owens River, and I am curious as to what flies may be effective.  Thanks.

Sure,  taught schools there for about 6 or 7 years including 3 schools there last August. The ranch is an amazing place to fish.  Small alpine (7200 ft. elevation) spring creek with a meandering course, mostly wide open meadow.  Water is slow to medium speed throughout and supports ridiculously large numbers of fish.  It is very dry there, drink lots of water and don’t forget the sunblock. Recently saw an article claiming the Upper Owens had 11,000 fish per mile. That number came from an electro-shock survey in 1985 on the Arcularius Ranch and *does not apply* to the rest of the Upper Owens,  just the ranch section. This huge number includes fingerlings as well as monsters. The public access section of the Upper Owens fishes best in spring during the Rainbow’s spawning run out of Lake Crowley, and again in the fall when the Browns make their run upriver.  June, July and August are tough, although there does seem to be an increase in the resident population in the lower section over the last few years. Just because there are large numbers of fish at the Arc doesn’t mean they’re easy to catch.  Fish are spooky, there is almost no cover throughout most of the river, and you better get an absolute dead drift if you want to catch fish.  Walk softly, be sneaky, and carry a long rod. Many times people fishing at the ranch will tell you that you that "this is the only fly that works".   Not so.  the river is full of insects: #18 – #20 baetis all season, #10 Green Drakes in June and sometimes July, Caddis all season (size 14 to 18), little yellow stones june through September, midges all season, sporadic PMD’s May – July, ants – all season, hoppers sometimes as early as mid-July (more commomly mid-August), scuds – all season (#12 and #16 green and also gray),  crane flys oviposit in late August through mid-September.  The list goes on, but those are most of the important ones.  I had three students, catch 5 fish on five different flys one day there.  They used: #18 PT nymph, #12 olive flashback scud, #20 midge pupa,  #16 olive elk hair caddis, and a #10 Hopper. The crane flys in September are a real kick.  They drag their legs behind them as they oviposit on the water and the trout really bust them.  The trout don’t successfully catch many of them, but not for lack of trying.  Fun to see a fish bust the surface three or four times trying to catch one of them.   You need to skate your imitation across the surface to imitate them and this is about the only time you can catch fish without a dead drift.  Last couple of hours of light is usually the best time for this. Some of the largest fish each year are also taken in low light conditions (early morning, late evening, or just overcast all day) with large streamers. Won’t catch as many fish with streamers, but there are some monsters and many of the really big browns don’t even become active until just before dark. There was huge amount of water that blasted through the Arc a couple of years ago and it scoured the river bottom out and changed a number of the holes.  The Bedsprings Hole which used to be 6 feet deep is now gravelled over.  I think the river is in better shape because of it. Usually the big trout are well hidden and you have to fish the right water to get them. Last year In August there were a lot of very large fish in pretty shallow water.  Found a number of 18 to 20" bows and browns in bathtub or washtub sized depressions near shore last year.  Unusual to find the big trout exposed like that.  Still tough to catch and easily spooked, but you could sight-fish to them. Although Dotty and Ken are no longer hosting the ranch, Bill Nichols, who is now the manager, is extremely knowledgable and helpful.  Don’t hesitate to ask him for tips and pointers if what you’re doing doesn’t work.  He’ll give it to you straight. Enjoy your trip, it’s a great (though challenging) place to fish.                                            Hope this helps,                                                     Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools Mt. Shasta Fly Fishing Schools http://www.thegrid.net/flyfish

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Question:

A friend of mine is looking for a second hand two handed fishing rod for salmon. Does anyone know where he can get one? Thanx Ed

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I have a G. Loomis IMX FR1808/9 (15 feet 8-9 weight) for sale. It has been used for 2 years and in a good shape. I am asking $250.00. A friend of mine is looking for a second hand two handed fishing rod for salmon. Does anyone know where he can get one? Thanx Ed

– Shinji Unno                     Karaoke Party in Seattle, WA, USA? Also a steelhead fly fisher               http://www.sbkaraoke.com

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A friend of mine is looking for a second hand two handed fishing rod for salmon. Does anyone know where he can get one? Thanx Ed

– Ed, You may try to advertise at http://www.capricorn.se/begagnat.html (swedish commercial site, second-hand sall/buy is a free service). The text is in swedish but I think you can easily work out the translation to dutch… description with what to buy, with name, phone number and E-Mail address (if any). – Tord Remove _spamblock_ for E-Mail reply

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Question:

can you tell me anything about fly fishing

"Fly fishing is a simple game.  You cast the fly.  You retrieve the fly. You catch the fish"                                                    My apologies to the movie "Bull Durham" — Gordon Churchill Flyfish NC http://www.planet-nc.com/flyfishnc/ Striped Bass on the Roanoke River, Hybrids on Jordan Lake, Largemouths on surface.  Pickup and dropoff in Research Triangle Park

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can you tell me anything about fly fishing

It can be expensive

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can you tell me anything about fly fishing

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Hi Peter, Could you be a little more specific? Fly Fishing is a method of fishing that has a span from 2 oz blue gills to 150 pound tarpon and just about any fish you can think of? Do you want to get started? First suggestion hang around and read this news group. Second take a trip to the library. Third come on back to the group and post your questions. Good fishing, Dennis — Dennis C. Aron Independent Representative #13921 Champion Fishing Co., Ltd e-mail for business opportunity – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – can you tell me anything about fly fishing

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Question:

We need your contributions to a new website for Mid-Atlantic flyfishers! I live in Bethesda, MD, right next to the Potomac River. I am an avid smallmouth/blugill flyfisherman, but I also enjoy fishing for trout. Like many of you, I’m feeling the Spring urge to start fishing again. Nobody likes their favorite fishing spots given away or mobbed. Having said that, there is enough good water to fish in the Mid-Atlantic area for us to share some information. To that end, I have published a website solely for purposes of exchanging information. (I do this sort of thing for a living.) I have absolutely no other interest than, like you, to know where conditions are good, where fish are caught, etc. The website is up and running now. Here is the URL: http://www.erols.com/sierra1/flyfish/midfly.htm The site isn’t fancy, but contains quality information based on first-hand knowledge. My goal is to make this site timely and functional. It will improve over time, and I will update it every time I receive information. All I ask is that you send me a brief message—at your convenience—with a few words on conditions in your area, a recent outing, successful fly patterns…or anything else that might be of use to us all. You’re welcome to give me a call too. I’ll post my home phone number below. Please take a look at the site. It is divided into areas for Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. There are also areas for fly patterns and stories or anecdotes. I’m committed to doing the work on my end. The site’s success will be determined by your willingness to contribute info, trip reports, etc. Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you! Scott Wilkinson Bethesda, MD h: (301) 229-2863 w: (301) 229-9585 f: (301) 320-6154 Mid-Atlantic Flyfishing page: http://www.erols.com/sierra1/flyfish/midfly.htm

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Question:

[snip] : participants of this newsgroup. Reading the story was somewhat eerie. Had : Duncan been lurking in the background, reading the pointless and : frequently nasty arguments between fly-fishing purists (who would never : use an Orvis rod and would drown anyone they saw with a celular phone) : and the evil fly fishing yuppies, who unabashedly use Orvis, make money, : and contaminate the purists’ streams with their very presence? I : seriously doubt that Duncan has been listening in; this ridiculous debate : must be played out on streams and in bars and fly shops all around the : country. I don’t know if he passes through here, but I’m pretty sure he lives in Montana now.  He lives it every day.  I wonder if he has a personalized license plate? 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.

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I don’t know if he passes through here, but I’m pretty sure he lives in   Montana now.  He lives it every day.  I wonder if he has a personalized   license plate? 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.

Rick,     He does live in Montana now, bought a place a year or so ago.  Probably does drive thru Moscow as he still comes to Portland from time to time for readings and the odd appearance at a club meetings.                         Mike in PDX                "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                                            Tom McGuane

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I agree with the above.  The *introduction* , where he describes river teeth is worth the price of the book.  Longspeer

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David James Duncan’s new book <iRiver Teeth<i is, simply put, absolutely wonderful. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys good writing. Many of the pieces in this book –I’m not sure whether to call them stories or essays — are not "fishing stories", but several of them are, and one of these, "Not Rocking the Boat" should be required reading for participants of this newsgroup. Reading the story was somewhat eerie. Had Duncan been lurking in the background, reading the pointless and frequently nasty arguments between fly-fishing purists (who would never use an Orvis rod and would drown anyone they saw with a celular phone) and the evil fly fishing yuppies, who unabashedly use Orvis, make money, and contaminate the purists’ streams with their very presence? I seriously doubt that Duncan has been listening in; this ridiculous debate must be played out on streams and in bars and fly shops all around the country. I haven’t quite finished the book yet, but all of the pieces I have read so far have been top-notch writing. No real surprise there. "The Mickey Mantle Koan" (not one of the "fishing stories") is worth the price of the book all by itself. Dave Guinee

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Question:

I am new at this art, So I recived a gift of a 8′ # 7 rod with reel. Set up with a flouting line. I have a small pond near home that is stocked with browns and brook trout.  Is this setup to heavy and if not what type of fly should I get (buy) or should I get a lighter tackle. I need some advise. oh! I also took a class on casting a year ago so I think I now how to hold the rod and get a cast off.

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I am new at this art, So I recived a gift of a 8′ # 7 rod with reel. Set up with a flouting line. I have a small pond near home that is stocked with browns and brook trout.  Is this setup to heavy and if not what type of fly should I get (buy) or should I get a lighter tackle.

This is only an opinion of course, but I think a 7wt is heavy for trout. an 8′/7w might be great for bass – I’d even use it for schoolie striper fishing (if it was another foot longer). I have to believe an 8′ 7wt must feel a bit on the "clubby" side… If you haven’t used this rod/reel yet, perhaps you might be able to exchange it for a more "troutie" rod? I’d go for a 9′/5wt as an all-rounder trout/panfish rod myself… /dave (who caught and released 29 rainbow clones on a single Gray Ghost this         afternoon. The shredded remains were retired with full honors…;^) <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < Digital Equipment Corp.    Alpha Server Engineering  < <           "Read this and nobody gets hurt"           < <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am new at this art, So I recived a gift of a 8′ # 7 rod with reel. Set up with a flouting line. I have a small pond near home that is stocked with browns and brook trout.  Is this setup to heavy and if not what type of fly should I get (buy) or should I get a lighter tackle. This is only an opinion of course, but I think a 7wt is heavy for trout. an 8′/7w might be great for bass – I’d even use it for schoolie striper fishing (if it was another foot longer). I have to believe an 8′ 7wt must feel a bit on the "clubby" side… If you haven’t used this rod/reel yet, perhaps you might be able to exchange it for a more "troutie" rod? I’d go for a 9′/5wt as an all-rounder trout/panfish rod myself… /dave (who caught and released 29 rainbow clones on a single Gray Ghost this         afternoon. The shredded remains were retired with full honors…;^)

My first fly rod was a 7 wt also.  I used it for a season or so until I was sure I wanted to persue the sport (duh?).  Then I saved up and got a nice 5 wt.  The 7 wt is now my spare, and I haven’t used it since, although like Dave says, it would make a good bass rod, but I’d rather fish for trout.   A sunny day,      a box of midges,         and a wandering stream…   Man, this MUST be heaven!   <    Steve Kulpa    <<

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I am new at this art, So I recived a gift of a 8′ # 7 rod with reel. Set up with a flouting line. I have a small pond near home that is stocked with browns and brook trout.  Is this setup to heavy and if not what type of fly should I get (buy) or should I get a lighter tackle. I need some advise. oh! I also took a class on casting a year ago so I think I now how to hold the rod and get a cast off.

Go out right now and build an addition on to your house to store all your fishing equipment that you will eventually buy. I can’t afford to purchase all the rods that I would like to have.. But I have a great time with ones I have.. I fished with an 8wt for 15 years till I broke it just this past spring. I caught everything on that rod. from Trout on up to chinook salmon. I actually wore out a pfluger reel. So I guess what i’m saying is that the 7wt you have is fine for fishing on just about any waters in the US. Of course who wouldn’t want a nice little 9′ 5wt for going after trout, or maybe a 9′ 1wt for eastern brook trout or farm pond bluegill.. I’ve only purchased three rods in my lifetime. My first 8wt.. my new 7wt.. and then a powerhouse of a rod a 9.5′ 10wt. I got a tuna on the 10wt just last september. But I sincerly believe that the 8wt could have handled it with a large enough spool capacity. Anyway, thats my story.. and I’m sticking to it.. keg

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Dave, There are lots of differences in fly rods. It’s hard to say that a 8′ 7 weight rod is definitely too big for your conditions.  Athough, I would venture to say that most fly fishers would tend to tell you that. Give it try.  If your horseing fish out of your pond as if your holding a broom stick, you might consider something smaller.  Contrary to poplular believe, you don’t have to spend a small fortune on a fly rod that will give you many hours of enjoyment. Dave Burks, Loveland, CO.

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