Question:

What do you guys think? — Padishar Creel

 Mike is gone.  Never to grace ROFF again! Opie

Response:

Hold the presses, did I hear that Mike is not going to be part of ROFF?  I want my membership dues refunded immediately.  Mike is one of the best, if not the best part of this NG and we need the long rodder in our midst.  I say we *not accept* Mike’s resignation.  Who is the hell does he thing he is?  He can’t quit, he belongs to us…he must of missed the fine print in the contract, but no ill feelings Mike, just get your butt back on line, pronto, Mister Connor. I think a poem from Mike will suffice as penance!  What do you guys think?

The following which was posted 9/30/00 by Mr. Connor, is one of my favorites: The angler stood in silent concentration casting to a rise a passer-by quite interested, watched the angler cast his flies. "Are there any fish in here" he asked of our friend piscator at last, "I have never seen one here at all, not today, or ever in the past". "There are a few",  our angler then replied with friendly smile, "But it

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello All,     I must first say that have been reading ROFF rather religiously the past couple weeks and have found it to be extremely beneficial to my fly fishing. Many of my own queries have been addressed here.  Thank you.     Anyway, now to my question.  I have been fishing a particular stream with nice smallmouth in it for years now.  I have exclusively used ultra-light takle for this stream and have been extremely successful.  Now that I am more into flyfishing, I now want move on and try out some flys on this stream, but being as I have mainly flyfished for the rainbows of East Tennessee, I am somewhat at a loss for what types of flys to use.     I was wondering if anyone would have some suggestions for what are some good, general, "ol’ trusty" flys for catching smallmouth out of streams? Any bit of information will be greatly appreciated!                                                                 Thanks *BOB*

Hi Bob, I prefer to take them on top if I can. I would try something about one inch long like a hopper or dry muddler.  A friend that was working back East for a few years found out they liked the steelhead dry fly called the ‘Bomber’. It is spun and clipped grey deer hair body with a grizzly palmered hackle in about a size #6 or 8. I also used a light colored medium sized hard bodied popper on the lower umpqua River in Oregon. Early morning and late evening is best on top. Under water I would try a Whitlock Near-nuff Crayfish, weighted brown Wolly Bugger, Clouser Minnow or Big brown Rubberleg Nymph. Something weighted that is big, buggy and black or brown? I have also heard that they can be caught on most trout patterns at times.

Response:

   I must first say that have been reading ROFF rather religiously the past couple weeks and have found it to be extremely beneficial to my fly fishing.

LOL! We must be slipping! [snipped]    I was wondering if anyone would have some suggestions for what are some good, general, "ol’ trusty" flys for catching smallmouth out of streams? Any bit of information will be greatly appreciated!

My experience with stream smallies (eg: Housatonic, Contoocook) has been that whatever I’m using for trout will generally work with the small mouths (in fact when I’m aiming for the trout the smallies seem to get to my fly first). If I’m aiming to hook up with small mouths, big flies (especially soggy ones) seem to work best. Woolly Buggers/Bombers, Deceivers, Matukas, Muddlers (my favorite), Wool-head Sculpins, etc. For dry flies, terrestrials (hoppers, beetles, flying ants, etc) have worked for me, along with the more "trouty" patterns. hth! /daytripper

Response:

    Anyway, now to my question.  I have been fishing a particular stream with nice smallmouth in it for years now.  I have exclusively used ultra-light takle for this stream and have been extremely successful.

What did you use that was so sucessful?  Try imitating it.  Crayfish? Try a crayfish pattern (complicated to tie) or just a weighted woolybugger fished slowly in  crayfish colors.  Appropriately colored (weighted if necessary) wooly buggers can also imitate hellgramites or leeches. Floating Rapalas? A streamer in the colors of your most sucessful plugs might do the trick- a generic baitfish imitation will have a light underside and dark back, maybe some flashabou or a tinsel wrapped hooked or mylar body.  I find that smallmouths will eagerly strike dries and nymphs if drifting nearby, but are more likely to chase larger flies over some distance.  A floating muddler minnow, slightly waking the surface at the end of the downstream swing sometimes works really well.  In general I’ve had the best experiences with down-n-across presentations.  Since you have been an ultralight fisherman, you should be familiar with a "color" available in soft plastics called "pumpkinseed".  Some folks really like chartreuse but I typically stick to earth tones.  Was that too vague?  My best wooly bugger this year: #8 2x streamer hook.  Light olive, medium sized chenille body.  Very light olive (almost appears yellow in the water) marabou tail with (soft) red palmered hackle. Mu Young Lee             Ann Arbor, MI   USA

Response:

Try size 8-4 clousers in brown orange and Chartreuse and white. Also, Woolly Buggers in brown, black, and olive in sizes 10-6 are good. And you can’t go wrong with deer hair bugs DAYGLOW York Team DBE

Response:

Hello All,     I must first say that have been reading ROFF rather religiously the past couple weeks and have found it to be extremely beneficial to my fly fishing. Many of my own queries have been addressed here.  Thank you.     Anyway, now to my question.  I have been fishing a particular stream with nice smallmouth in it for years now.  I have exclusively used ultra-light takle for this stream and have been extremely successful.  Now that I am more into flyfishing, I now want move on and try out some flys on this stream, but being as I have mainly flyfished for the rainbows of East Tennessee, I am somewhat at a loss for what types of flys to use.     I was wondering if anyone would have some suggestions for what are some good, general, "ol’ trusty" flys for catching smallmouth out of streams? Any bit of information will be greatly appreciated!                                                                 Thanks *BOB*

Response:

I’ve had luck with such flies as Bitch Creek, Wooly Buggers, and streamers. I kinda concoct my own fly that is basically a bunch of dubbing wrapped aound the shank of the hook with a maribou tail, usually in black, size 4-6. You can weight them for deeper waters if needed. Minnow patterns usually work good, I’ll make that same fly and add some flashabou to it as an attractor. Hope that helps. Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello All,     I must first say that have been reading ROFF rather religiously the past couple weeks and have found it to be extremely beneficial to my fly fishing. Many of my own queries have been addressed here.  Thank you.     Anyway, now to my question.  I have been fishing a particular stream with nice smallmouth in it for years now.  I have exclusively used ultra-light takle for this stream and have been extremely successful.  Now that I am more into flyfishing, I now want move on and try out some flys on this stream, but being as I have mainly flyfished for the rainbows of East Tennessee, I am somewhat at a loss for what types of flys to use.     I was wondering if anyone would have some suggestions for what are some good, general, "ol’ trusty" flys for catching smallmouth out of streams? Any bit of information will be greatly appreciated!                                                                 Thanks *BOB*

Response:

download headers until you get to the thread posted by Todd Arnold on July 15….folks responded pretty goo to that one and it contains a variety of tips… and then look for a book titled, "Smallmouth strategies for the

Response:

Question:

Hi Iain, For your information: my absolute favourite is a rod made from the Loomis F1808/9-4 blank. This is a 4-piece, AFTMA # 8 rod with a length of 16 ft. IMHO this is the nicest Spey-rod & I never had the urge to go heavier! Also I’m very sure there isn’t such thing as a 8 ft. Spey rod. This must be a mistake in typing. Greetings, Hans van der Stroom Iain Sorrell heeft geschreven in bericht – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -How many folks out there fish Spey or Double handed rods? My interest is to learn what are the most popular rod weights – how many folks fish the new lighter sizes in say 7, 8 or 9 weights? Cheers, Iain.

Response:

How many folks out there fish Spey or Double handed rods? My interest is to learn what are the most popular rod weights – how many folks fish the new lighter sizes in say 7, 8 or 9 weights? Cheers, Iain.

Hello.  I use 9 weights, and 7 weights.  The 9 can handle any steelhead that swims.  The 7 on the other hand is fine for fish up to 10 pounds, after that, I’m not sure I would use it.  It excels however on runoff conditions for large trout.  There are large, frightening, rivers I fish in the spring in total safety, even with brush at my back.  The only issue is, with a fish under 16 inches you have to really discipline yourself to keep the rod tip down and to the side.  Otherwise the bouncy tip will result in almost every fish coming unbuttoned.  For trout 18 inches and above, the rod is amazingly fun and efficient. Phil

Response:

Iain, I have a 14ft 9/10 and a 12ft 7/8. I find the lighter rod tougher to cast because I tend to over power it. When I take it easy it is effortless. The rod is a blast on shad and the halfpounder steelies we have in California. I have had an easier time with the rod by up lining it to a 9/10 line. It loads deeper and really casts nice. With an 8 wt. double taper, my rod is a pure finness rod. I like the rod but I find myself fishing my 14fter more often. It is softer and more forgiving of my inept casting. Both my Spey Rods handle steelies and salmon well. Good Luck, MJR

Response:

How many folks out there fish Spey or Double handed rods? My interest is to learn what are the most popular rod weights – how many folks fish the new lighter sizes in say 7, 8 or 9 weights? Cheers, Iain.

Response:

How many folks out there fish Spey or Double handed rods? My interest is to learn what are the most popular rod weights – how many folks fish the new lighter sizes in say 7, 8 or 9 weights? Cheers, Iain.

I use 7wt and 8wt. I have 2 7’s an 8′ and an 11′, the 8wt is 8′. Any one who fishes Florida will have at least a 7wt for bass and another of the same weight for salt with 8wt or better preffered by most. I stick to the lighter weights for the finesse factor. The joy of the play so to speak. Those really into the really big fish use two handed 10wt and up for the power needed for Florida fish. Needless to say fishing here is much different than say Vermont where a 10" brookie is on the large side while our lower limit on large mouth bass is 14". Rainbows in North Carolina average less than 4lbs which makes a 3 to 5wt ideal in the mountain streams and rivers. Also in the mix is the size of fly needed for different species, an 18 or 20 used for brook or brown trout won’t get a second glance from a hunting bass or red. Plus on the salt breezes can be quite a factor. Of course if you are an ardent c&r advocate the equazion changes because to play the fish lessens its’ chance of survival so a rod must be choosen at least 1 size up from the wt you might expect use for the species you pursue.Thats my 2 cents worth hope it helps                                                         John Popp                                                        in Sanford Fl.

Response:

I’m currently using a 9 wgt. for summer and winter steelhead.  I’m thinking about a 7 wgt. for summer steelhead.

Response:

I’m sorry–did I miss something? Did you say you had an 8-foot Spey rod. Never heard of such a thing. Who makes that? George

Response:

I’m sorry–did I miss something? Did you say you had an 8-foot Spey rod. Never heard of such a thing. Who makes that?

Hi, Ian Sorrell asked the question "What are the most popular light rods (not spey rods)" at least the question could be read like that.  John Popp gave his answer fairly. I little bit of confusion here I think. — Bill

Response:

I’m sorry–did I miss something? Did you say you had an 8-foot Spey rod. Never heard of such a thing. Who makes that? George

    I was under the impression that what was asked was spey AND the reason a person used weights such as 7/8. To this end was my answer. If you noticed I included the 11′ 7wt. NOT included in the comments was 3wt or 5wt used in trout streams. I thought I had made clear that the larger heavier wts were seldom used in my area except for game fishing. If my answer did not fit the bill, sorry but it was only 2 cents worth.                                                   John Popp                                                  in Sanford Fl.

Response:

Question:

    Another question from me.. what is the best temp.(water temp) do the fish work at have been trying to read anything on the situation but so far have had no luck and am reluctant to ask the folks at the shop in case they think I am crazy.. have heard different numbers being bandied about but am wondering in specific areas like here in the foothills (calgary to be exact) what a "right" temperature might be?? Any ideas would be appreciated thanks for lending an ear and a hand in advice! Pierre

Response:

trout can be very active at water temp 45F to 65F,    53-57 best.  Depends greatly on the local adaptations, and the "hatches". Schuhfly

Response:

Also 35F to 40F water as on the San Juan. Devon – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – trout can be very active at water temp 45F to 65F,    53-57 best.  Depends greatly on the local adaptations, and the "hatches". Schuhfly

Response:

    Another question from me.. what is the best temp.(water temp) do the fish work at have been trying to read anything on the situation but so far have had no luck and am reluctant to ask the folks at the shop in case they think I am crazy.. have heard different numbers being bandied

Fish prefer different water temperatures, when they are likely to feed most actively, e.g. approx. 60 Fahr. for stream trout, 70 for smallmouth bass, etc.  Recommended temperatures are in several books, e.g. McClane’s Fishing Encyclopedia.  Water temp. is a guide how to fish, e.g. wet or dry, not whether to fish or not.  If you can present a fly really close to a fish without scaring him, he is likely to take it whatever the temperature. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

The "rule" I follow is to ensure that the air and water temp. do not vary by more than 10 c. This is for Atlantic Salmon fishing in the Maritimes. I cannot tell you if there is any documentation on this, however, the "good old boys" on the River will say this.                                           Robert – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    Another question from me.. what is the best temp.(water temp) do the fish work at have been trying to read anything on the situation but so far have had no luck and am reluctant to ask the folks at the shop in case they think I am crazy.. have heard different numbers being bandied about but am wondering in specific areas like here in the foothills (calgary to be exact) what a "right" temperature might be?? Any ideas would be appreciated thanks for lending an ear and a hand in advice! Pierre

Response:

   Another question from me.. what is the best temp.(water temp) do the fish work at have been trying to read anything on the situation but so far have had no luck and am reluctant to ask the folks at the shop in case they think I am crazy.. have heard different numbers being bandied about but am wondering in specific areas like here in the foothills (calgary to be exact) what a "right" temperature might be?? Any ideas would be appreciated thanks for lending an ear and a hand in advice! Pierre

Hi All, Different species have different comfort ranges. I think that the activity can vary from stream to stream depending the norm. I have noticed that trout feed better between 55 and 65 degrees. If the water is a little too cold, I always fish more in the mid-day when the water is warming. If the water is too warm, I fish very early and late in the day when the water is cooler. Most fisheries have a two to six week window in the spring/early summer when the water is coming down and warming with all the larger bugs hatching. They can have a fall season too, when the water is cooling and the fish are feeding up for winter. Here in Northern California on a normal snow pack/runoff year, June and October are our top months for trout at a medium elevation (2,000 to 6,000′). Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

Response:

trout can be very active at water temp 45F to 65F,    53-57 best.  Depends greatly on the local adaptations, and the "hatches".

…and the species.  Lake trout like it colder than Brown trout, for example. Also I find trout seem to tolerate excesses of cold more than heat. — -Wayne Trzyna                           Fight spam! Join CAUCE (Coalition  http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~trzyna    See http://www.cauce.org/

Response:

Question:

I am based in Los Angeles but had heard about that awful attack on the couple hanging on the anchor line where the gentleman pushed his newly-wed wife outof the way, and he was taken himself off of Australia. Hi Jim As much as I would love to help you with information I would be unable to put you in touch with the lady in question.  The reasons being in the past twelve months she has re-married and also had her first child a month ago. I really think she now has her tramatic experience behind her and is trying to get on with things.

That was a very harrowing experience for her, and I can understand how she would want for it to be behind her. However, your friend can take comfort in knowing that her husband really loved her in doing what he did for her. I did a shark dive last year at Nassau, Bahamas with a lady by the name of Heather Boswell. Before Heather attempted to do a shark dive with me for the NBC WEEKEND TODAY show(which was televised throughout the USA on July 13th, 1997), Heather had been attacked by a five meter plus white shark while she was swimming on the ocean surface over a hundred miles offshore of Chile. Heather was swimming with some friends in calm seas off of a NOAA research vessel that they were crewing on. A friend was videotaping them all in the water(and captured the attack on video in the process)when a huge dorsal fin appeared(Heather later indicated that it looked to be at least a meter tall above the water as it approached her). The shark started attacking a gentleman who was sitting upon some type of surfboard. He managed to drive it away by apparently poking the shark in the eye. The shark then turned its attention to Heather who was nearby in the water. Rescuers were trying to reach Heather in an inflatable boat which was dispatched from the larger NOAA vessel. They actually had a hold of her before the shark started to attack Heather. However, because of the sunscreen lotion that Heather was wearing, she slipped through the arms of the one of the rescuers, and the shark grabbed her leg and started to take her down into the depths. It was at that point that Heather felt sure she was going to die according to what she told me and NBC. She just wasn’t sure if she should intake water to drown herself or simply let the shark continue to eat her and die that way. Amazingly, the shark returned Heather to the surface at which point the rescuers were able to grab her again. However, this time the rescuers were in a "tug-of-war" with the shark, and Heather was the "rope". Heather heard a "popping sound"(thinking that her leg was being dislocated)as she broke free. However, once inside the boat, Heather looked down and saw that her leg had been bitten off at mid-thigh(Heather lost a lot of blood and almost died via exsanguination/shock). Meanwhile, the shark must have been very hungry as it started to attack another lady who was desperately trying to pull herself out of the water (using netting which was thrown over the side of the NOAA vessel). However, the lady was overweight and was having a very difficult time getting herself out of the water. At that time, a high-powered rifle was finally deployed to drive the shark away. It is assumed that the shark was killed, but this is not known for sure. I am all for the conservation of shark species worldwide. However, the above situation was an obvious exception. Over a year after the above attack, Heather showed amazing courage by accepting an invitation to shark dive with me in the Bahamas for the NBC WEEKEND TODAY television program. However, once the sharks appeared on scene with us at Nassau, Heather requested to discontinue the dive(understandably so). Nonetheless, her courage for even attempting the dive and the positive attitude that she radiates in her daily life are inspiration to us all. Eco continues about diver(newly-wed couple)who was killed by a white shark off of Australia: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – One of the US talkback shows contacted her some time back (they were doing a show on tragic widows) and offered to fly her over to appear but she clearly had no desire to go through the events again.  Understandably so. I do not have any clearer details of the attack except what I posted.  The attack happened at Byron Bay which is considered out of the usual territory of a white pointer (it was in warm water up north).  The attack was quick. They saw it on the bottom, her husband pushed her and by the time she managed to turn around she only felt the force of the sharks tail. I’ve forgotton the exact size but from what I can remember it was the max. for the species.  A fishing boat did later hook it, it was longer than the boat, and it dragged the boat for miles, it regurgitated some stomach contents and broke free. There was talk of it being a sick/rogue shark due to its location. I am most interested to see if such electronic shark repellent technology could have prevented the above attack. I was the first to test the SharkPOD in the USA(off the coast of Los Angeles for the Discovery Channel, "Next Step" television program which is to be broadcast internationally if it hasn’t been already-it has already been broadcast twice throughout the USA. Ron and Valerie Taylor were the first to test the SharkPOD in Australia. I had met them both in Singapore during the ADEC dive equipment trade show where the SharkPOD was first being released commercially. You’ve met Ron and Val Taylor !!!  Now they are shark lovers extraordinaire !!!!   That Val Taylor is one brave lady.  Amazingly dedicated couple.

Yes, I had met both of them and have been in touch with them via email from time to time. I am a fan of their work as well. For more detail on my SharkPOD testing, please access the Honolulu Star- Bulletin Newspaper article which I had appeared in throughout the Hawaiian Islands on December 22, 1997: http://starbulletin.com/97/12/22/features/index.html Sounds really exciting !   I remember seeing a show where they were investigating using  some sort of sonar "wall" instead of netting.   IE; transmitter placed and one point – receiver at other end further down the coastline to prevent sharks entering the swimming area.  They were testing the concept with some sort of sonar wand that repelled the sharks. It was tricky stuff as the shark had to get close enough for them to prod it with the want but it was trying to ascertain whether the idea would work.  Do you know of any developments with this??

Not really. But will look into it for you. I am all for anything that helps the sharks and other sea creatures.  Our shark nets over here are marine animal death traps.

Me too. Did you see my earlier post on how the shark netting program in South Africa was being reduced because of budget cuts to the Natal Sharks Board (which supervises the netting program there)? The Star-Bulletin article was mostly accurate. However, the SharkPOD is not a "sonic" device as the article mistakenly depicts in the opening paragraph. Instead, the SharkPOD emits a continuous, cocooning electrical field which is intended to protect from possible shark attack. I will soon be using another electronic shark repellent technology which is currently being developed in Australia(by another manufacturer)and is being billed as an even more effective electronic repellent than the SharkPOD. I will be using this Australian technology with tiger and grey reef sharks throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Also with tiger, bull and lemon sharks in the Bahamas. And with great white sharks off of Dyer Island, South Africa. Thank you for providing your information.  It was very interesting.  I have been lucky enough to encounter sharks while diving – something one doesn’t forget in a hurry !!

Agreed! Look forward to email exchanging with you again.

Response:

Ok, another story about shark attacks…this is getting so old!  Last time I heard, this was a FISHING newsgroup, one that as the name might imply is interested in how fish might be caught, NOT stupid humans being caught by the fish…and with sharks being chondricthes (as opposed to osteicthes–bony fish) I wonder if they officially qualify for discussion anyway.  You probably (if not, you need to) have read my opinion on the consequences of tomfoolery which results in such a mess; why the people don’t learn the first time is beyond me.   Unless you are suggesting in some lurid way that human chum is an acceptable fishing method, which I certainly would not advocate, I would like it if you could thin out the number of shark attack reports.  This is not a tabloid newsgroup.  Please help keep it that way. See also Re: Sharks, Re: Reduction in budget for… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am based in Los Angeles but had heard about that awful attack on the couple hanging on the anchor line where the gentleman pushed his newly-wed wife outof the way, and he was taken himself off of Australia. Hi Jim As much as I would love to help you with information I would be unable to put you in touch with the lady in question.  The reasons being in the past twelve months she has re-married and also had her first child a month ago. I really think she now has her tramatic experience behind her and is trying to get on with things. That was a very harrowing experience for her, and I can understand how she would want for it to be behind her. However, your friend can take comfort in knowing that her husband really loved her in doing what he did for her. I did a shark dive last year at Nassau, Bahamas with a lady by the name of Heather Boswell. Before Heather attempted to do a shark dive with me for the NBC WEEKEND TODAY show(which was televised throughout the USA on July 13th, 1997), Heather had been attacked by a five meter plus white shark while she was swimming on the ocean surface over a hundred miles offshore of Chile. Heather was swimming with some friends in calm seas off of a NOAA research vessel that they were crewing on. A friend was videotaping them all in the water(and captured the attack on video in the process)when a huge dorsal fin appeared(Heather later indicated that it looked to be at least a meter tall above the water as it approached her). The shark started attacking a gentleman who was sitting upon some type of surfboard. He managed to drive it away by apparently poking the shark in the eye. The shark then turned its attention to Heather who was nearby in the water. Rescuers were trying to reach Heather in an inflatable boat which was dispatched from the larger NOAA vessel. They actually had a hold of her before the shark started to attack Heather. However, because of the sunscreen lotion that Heather was wearing, she slipped through the arms of the one of the rescuers, and the shark grabbed her leg and started to take her down into the depths. It was at that point that Heather felt sure she was going to die according to what she told me and NBC. She just wasn’t sure if she should intake water to drown herself or simply let the shark continue to eat her and die that way. Amazingly, the shark returned Heather to the surface at which point the rescuers were able to grab her again. However, this time the rescuers were in a "tug-of-war" with the shark, and Heather was the "rope". Heather heard a "popping sound"(thinking that her leg was being dislocated)as she broke free. However, once inside the boat, Heather looked down and saw that her leg had been bitten off at mid-thigh(Heather lost a lot of blood and almost died via exsanguination/shock). Meanwhile, the shark must have been very hungry as it started to attack another lady who was desperately trying to pull herself out of the water (using netting which was thrown over the side of the NOAA vessel). However, the lady was overweight and was having a very difficult time getting herself out of the water. At that time, a high-powered rifle was finally deployed to drive the shark away. It is assumed that the shark was killed, but this is not known for sure. I am all for the conservation of shark species worldwide. However, the above situation was an obvious exception. Over a year after the above attack, Heather showed amazing courage by accepting an invitation to shark dive with me in the Bahamas for the NBC WEEKEND TODAY television program. However, once the sharks appeared on scene with us at Nassau, Heather requested to discontinue the dive(understandably so). Nonetheless, her courage for even attempting the dive and the positive attitude that she radiates in her daily life are inspiration to us all. Eco continues about diver(newly-wed couple)who was killed by a white shark off of Australia: One of the US talkback shows contacted her some time back (they were doing a show on tragic widows) and offered to fly her over to appear but she clearly had no desire to go through the events again.  Understandably so. I do not have any clearer details of the attack except what I posted.  The attack happened at Byron Bay which is considered out of the usual territory of a white pointer (it was in warm water up north).  The attack was quick. They saw it on the bottom, her husband pushed her and by the time she managed to turn around she only felt the force of the sharks tail. I’ve forgotton the exact size but from what I can remember it was the max. for the species.  A fishing boat did later hook it, it was longer than the boat, and it dragged the boat for miles, it regurgitated some stomach contents and broke free. There was talk of it being a sick/rogue shark due to its location. I am most interested to see if such electronic shark repellent technology could have prevented the above attack. I was the first to test the SharkPOD in the USA(off the coast of Los Angeles for the Discovery Channel, "Next Step" television program which is to be broadcast internationally if it hasn’t been already-it has already been broadcast twice throughout the USA. Ron and Valerie Taylor were the first to test the SharkPOD in Australia. I had met them both in Singapore during the ADEC dive equipment trade show where the SharkPOD was first being released commercially. You’ve met Ron and Val Taylor !!!  Now they are shark lovers extraordinaire !!!!   That Val Taylor is one brave lady.  Amazingly dedicated couple. Yes, I had met both of them and have been in touch with them via email from time to time. I am a fan of their work as well. For more detail on my SharkPOD testing, please access the Honolulu Star- Bulletin Newspaper article which I had appeared in throughout the Hawaiian Islands on December 22, 1997: http://starbulletin.com/97/12/22/features/index.html Sounds really exciting !   I remember seeing a show where they were investigating using  some sort of sonar "wall" instead of netting.   IE; transmitter placed and one point – receiver at other end further down the coastline to prevent sharks entering the swimming area.  They were testing the concept with some sort of sonar wand that repelled the sharks. It was tricky stuff as the shark had to get close enough for them to prod it with the want but it was trying to ascertain whether the idea would work.  Do you know of any developments with this?? Not really. But will look into it for you. I am all for anything that helps the sharks and other sea creatures.  Our shark nets over here are marine animal death traps. Me too. Did you see my earlier post on how the shark netting program in South Africa was being reduced because of budget cuts to the Natal Sharks Board (which supervises the netting program there)? The Star-Bulletin article was mostly accurate. However, the SharkPOD is not a "sonic" device as the article mistakenly depicts in the opening paragraph. Instead, the SharkPOD emits a continuous, cocooning electrical field which is intended to protect from possible shark attack. I will soon be using another electronic shark repellent technology which is currently being developed in Australia(by another manufacturer)and is being billed as an even more effective electronic repellent than the SharkPOD. I will be using this Australian technology with tiger and grey reef sharks throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Also with tiger, bull and lemon sharks in the Bahamas. And with great white sharks off of Dyer Island, South Africa. Thank you for providing your information.  It was very interesting.  I have been lucky enough to encounter sharks while diving – something one doesn’t forget in a hurry !! Agreed! Look forward to email exchanging with you again.

Response:

Question:

Where, *exactly*, should I add split-shot on a WF-5-F line, or leader.

Response:

I like to put it right next to the fly so that it looks like a head. I, of course, have no idea if that is correct or not.

Response:

Where, *exactly*, should I add split-shot on a WF-5-F line, or leader.

The closer to the fly usually causes less tangling problems. Another method I use is to add a short section of lead core line between my leader butt section and the tipppet section. Some people find that easier to cast. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

: I like to put it right next to the fly so that it looks like a head. I, of : course, have no idea if that is correct or not. If it catches fish, it _is_ correct! ;-   Anywhere from about 18 inches up on the tippet to down close to the fly will do the trick. Another suggestion would be to use a section of lead core line. What you do is form a loop in each end and overwrap it with thread. Use a loop to loop connection to attach it to the flyline or the tippet end of the leader. There are premade ones out there also. The advantage to this is that it removes that "clunkiness" from the casting that is associated with the use split shot. Jon Porter

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Where, *exactly*, should I add split-shot on a WF-5-F line, or leader. The closer to the fly usually causes less tangling problems. Another method I use is to add a short section of lead core line between my leader butt section and the tipppet section. Some people find that easier to cast. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Too close to the fly can ruin the swimming action.  Leave at least a couple of feet for most flies. — Richard Nelson Spokane, Wa. "Its not that life is so short, its that death is sooo long."  

Question:

Smallies are excellent fly-rod fare; they will add a whole new dimension to the trout angler’s experience. Fish them with large nymphs (out east we rely heavily on the hellgrammite, which is an early stage of the Dobson fly), crayfish imitations, or minnow imitations.  Woolly buggers are a good starting point.  Don’t go down to too fine a tippet; they aren’t as discriminating (usually) as trout. They’ll hit surface lures; they basically behave like a cross between a trout (for current relationships) and a bass (striking and fighting characteristics.) Reply to report on your success! DM

Response:

Smallies are excellent fly-rod fare; they will add a whole new dimension to the trout angler’s experience. Fish them with large nymphs (out east we rely heavily on the hellgrammite, which is an early stage of the Dobson fly), crayfish imitations, or minnow imitations.  Woolly buggers are a good starting point.  Don’t go down to too fine a tippet; they aren’t as discriminating (usually) as trout. They’ll hit surface lures; they basically behave like a cross between a trout (for current relationships) and a bass (striking and fighting characteristics.) Reply to report on your success! DM

Two points:         1.  Fish deep for the big ones.  Right along the bottom with weighted flys.  Dead drift accomplishes this best.  Even streamers need to be down on the bottom, I’ve found.         2.  Check with the locals about colors.  Surpising to me was that black works best in some rivers and not at all on others. Compare the Shenadoah with the Potomac, for instance. I’ve quit fishing for trout (even tho I always found it an exciting sport) except during the winter when the smallmouth bass go silent. No matter how big the trout or what species, I’ve never had a trout fight as hard or jump as high as a smallmouth of equivalent size.  It’s a real blast. Get the book "Flyfishing for Smallmouth Bass" by Harry Murray of Edinburg, VA for all the neat tricks.   Have fun.   Jim

Response:

Respecting Harry’s book and school and school of thought:  Excellent work and useful, but some variations I have found successful: 1.  HM mainly works the ‘Doah branches.  Even the largest, the South Fork, is fairly small water compared to the Potomac, James, New, Susquehanna, etc.  Often, small or large water is irrelevant since habitat is "micro", that is, unaffected by the size of the river.  At times, however, the total size issue is critical.  The Shenandoah has a very great density of smaller fish; this leads to different patterns.  Also, in a system dominated by large numbers of smaller fish, the effectiveness of nymph and crawdad patterns changes.  Larger fish will key on larger prey, and hellgrammites just don’t get that big.    Also, bigger water has heavier flow, negating some bottom-relating techniques Harry uses with great success unless you are willing to use heavier gear. 2.  In a boat, Harry’s lighter tackle/lighter tippet (than I prefer) techniques are less practical.  I rarely go below 1x or 6lb or so tippet, often staying up around 12 lb, especially in fluorocarbons.  I have noticed no reduction in fish size or numbers, and I am able to deliver larger flies and weighted flies with ease. 3.   A drifted, rather than a stripped, delivery is less practical for our purposes on the Potomac.  In bigger water, in a boat, with a larger fly, I usually wind up encouraging my clients to fish far and fast, though this may offend the purist.  When we wade fish away from the boat, a more thorough and deliberate approach is possible, but on a nine-mile float we have some water to cover. 4.  The Susquehanna and New rivers, which are very large both in flow rate and depth variation, often require an even more pronounced departure from the standard techniques as espoused by Harry.  My best fish on both rivers came on large flies (4"+) perhaps more suitable for the salt.  Fewer hits, of course, but serious quality fish and the possibility of an appearance by the next species up the food chain (genus Esox) is possible. 5.   We’re also talking about a heavier line here.  7 weight is standard, and up to a 9 is my first choice.  That way there is no compromise on distance and power.   I have great respect for Harry’s way, and it is always the starting point, but be aware that there are some further techniques to try. Dave

Response:

Question:

There was an article in Field and Stream a few years back all about the Bow R. — check out one of the magazine databases on CompuServe.

Response:

FISHING IN ALBERTA AND THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES (CANADA). I have got a friend that is going to Canada on the 16′th of July and therefore he is very interested in getting some informations about fishing for trouts in Alberta and the Northwest Territories. To be more specific he would like to know something about: 1) Fishing in the Bow River. For example what part of the river has got the best fishing, would it be possible to do a combination of fishing/canoeing down the river and if so where can he rent a canoe? Is it legal to camp on the bank and if not what othe All informations about fishing/canoeing on the Bow River are most welcome. 2) Concerning the Northwest Territories he is interested in hearing from anyone that can tell something about fishing for lake trouts in Great Bear Lake/Great Slave Lake (or any other place that is recommendable) If anyone can help with something of the above mentioned please respond bye email, before the 8′th of July  

Response:

Mr Bo Max Andersen asked on 21 June: 1) Fishing in the Bow River. For example what part of the river has got the best fishing, would it be possible to do a combination of fishing/canoeing down the  river and if so where can he rent a canoe?

Is it legal to camp on the bank and if not what othe <??? All informations about fishing/canoeing on the Bow River are most welcome. The "best" part of the Bow is the special regulations water from the 22x Highway Bridge to the Caresland Irrigation Weir.  It has the greatest numbers of trout per km and the heaviest hatches.  All of the water in this stretch is pretty tame – your friend shouldn’t have any trouble. HOWEVER, I hear from friends that the Bow is running off very heavily and heavy rains have made it worse – when it’s high, some stretches are a little rougher to run through.  I suspect the river will be fishing okay by mid-July, but it is likely to be high, so the dry fly activity may be hard to find – hit the back channels hard.  Streamers can be a blast in higher water, though. As for camping, you will not be well advised to camp on the banks.  They are private property above the high-water marks and prosectution can really spoil the fun.  The islands in mid-stream, however, are not.  We used to camp on those with no problem.  Your friend would be well advised to hit one of the fly shops in Calgary and get a river map and advice (a couple of the islands are actually private). Assuming a pretty sedate pace, the lower Bow from 22x down is about three days, though with a canoe and high water it might only be two. This assumes getting out pretty often.  Policeman’s (about 5 miles downstream from Calgary) to McKinnon Flats is normally a long day’s float. Public access can be had at a number of places in Calgary, then 22x, Policeman’s, McKinnon’s and Carseland.  Vehicle shuttles are pretty easy to get. Hope this helps, Ian Brown

Response:

Question:

When in doubt, go with the fun stuff. Buy the fishing outfit. Chances are you’ll use it more and longer. Mike T. — WebRunner Running Page — Southeast USA Club & Race Listings 200+ listings. Advertise your race. Club Home Pages. http://www.catalog.com/webrun/running/running.html

Response:

Neither–Get yourself a good set of Golf clubs! Everone has taken up flyfishing, and the courses are almost empty. For exercise, carry your own clubs and jog,that"ll keep that ticker pumpin.There are beautiful courses everywhere,except Idaho.The chemists have destroyed the good grass in that state, with all those potato experiments. This is a joke–Don’t want to piss off any Idaho golfers.

Response:

I have both.  Believe me, I can cast a lot farther with a fly rod.

Response:

My birthday is in a couple of days and I expect to get some money.  I have decided to give due regard to the advice from the good folks at rec.running and rec.outdoors.fishing.fly. Where to spend my money?

Two answers:         When you are older and your lower body is a cantidate for complete skeleton replacement from marathoning your hips, ankles, and knees into mush. You will really appreciate the first-class fly rig. A heart rate monitor will just be junk by then.         Flip a coin. If you dislike the outcome you’ll know you’ve been playing a game with yourself.                 Bob

Response:

I am a novice marathoner who fishes.  I’ve run one marathon this year (Napa Valley) and would like to improve my time for the Portland Marathon by using a heart rate monitor.  I also enjoy fishing.  I have some backpacking fly equipment but I would like to let my elitest-self shine with a real fly fishing outfit. Where to spend my money? Steve, run out and buy yourself a fly fishing outfit… David E. Malone All opinions expressed are my own.

Steve, Its apparant your training is suffering from a lack of obsession. I refer you to Calvin and Hobbes from about two weeks ago.  T Training with a monitor lets you micro  analyze your pperformance with the goal being to satisy such standards as your training log and other people who wear monitors. Also there’s a coolness factor related to who might be impressed by the purchases.  Fish or friends?   I have trained with a monitor for a year.  Has it helped?  Got me. It is a diversion and something to do on those long runs. Steve Rogers When the going gets tough, blah, blah, blah

Response:

[deleted] : My birthday is in a couple of days and I expect to get some money.  I : have decided to give due regard to the advice from the good folks at : rec.running and rec.outdoors.fishing.fly. Neither…buy a pair of Reabok Pumps and go fishing…then, if you fall in, your feet will float up and someone will be able to spot you. Tim Walker

Response:

You ask whether to buy a heart rate monitor or a fly fishing outfit? Definitely the flyfishing outfit.  Enjoying it will lower your heart rate

Just don’t start flyfishing in the midst of the heavy hatches…you may end it all holding your breath for that monster to suck  in YOUR fly instead of the natural inches from it. Steve D.

Response:

I am a novice marathoner who fishes.  I’ve run one marathon this year (Napa Valley) and would like to improve my time for the Portland Marathon by using a heart rate monitor.  I also enjoy fishing.  I have some backpacking fly equipment but I would like to let my elitest-self shine with a real fly fishing outfit. Where to spend my money?

Look to the future and buy the fly rod.  I have a sister and two brothers who ran marathons and they are now virtually crippled (not  really, but they get sore knees).  I have flyfished instead for 25 years and feel as good as ever. Watch your backcast on that elitist stuff. Believe it or not, this can be the cheapest way to fish other than zebco and hand dug bait. I fished for years with a $10 St.croix and $2 reel and flies tied mostly from free knitting samples.   Now that I have some disposable income I do my best to keep a few local fly shops in business, but fancy tackle adds little to the value of the experience of getting a mile or ten away from the crowds and finding some wild trout, then tricking them, admiring their brilliant beauty, then releasing or cooking them. I think the heartrate monitor is just going to cause you excess worry about the fine tuning of your body, but does this really relax you?    What does it add to your life?   How does it relate to your future personna as geezer? If you start flyfishing regularly now, you’ll have a great recreational life that will last as long as you will.  Youngsters will much rather hear your fishing stories than running stories.  By flyfishing you can do your part to honor your elders while preparing youself to become a great one. This youth stuff is just a passing trend; give up holding onto it and go fishing!  You have  little chance of winning any major marathons but a virtual guarantee of mastering our fine sport, since you have email. You can get that same sense of well-being and accomplishment by hiking half that far and fishing a day or two.  If you really crave that burn, drive over to the east side of the sierra in late July or August this year and hike straight up to 11,000 ft and fish for Goldens. If you still aren’t tired, carry my pack too. Once the runoff settles down this will be a great year here in California. Get the fly rod. mark vinsel Visit my gallery: http://www.lanminds.com/local/vinnie/gallery.HTML

Response:

: [deleted] : : My birthday is in a couple of days and I expect to get some money.  I : : have decided to give due regard to the advice from the good folks at : : rec.running and rec.outdoors.fishing.fly. : Neither…buy a pair of Reabok Pumps and go fishing…then, if you : fall in, your feet will float up and someone will be able to spot you. And if the shoes don’t fit, Reebok Pumps make dandy strike indicators. 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:

Get both. Many new runners pack up when they find that it takes discipline and effort to get fit. There are many HRMs lying dormant in people homes unused. I’ve just bought one for 10 pounds second hand. Look in your local paper I’m sure you’ll find one. Simon — Simon Walsh    

Response:

: Wierd title?  So is my dilemma: : I am a novice marathoner who fishes.  I’ve run one marathon this year : (Napa Valley) and would like to improve my time for the Portland : Marathon by using a heart rate monitor.  I also enjoy fishing.  I have some : backpacking fly equipment but I would like to let my elitest-self shine : with a real fly fishing outfit. : My birthday is in a couple of days and I expect to get some money.  I : have decided to give due regard to the advice from the good folks at : rec.running and rec.outdoors.fishing.fly. : Where to spend my money? : Steve My vote is for the flyfishing gear.  As a bonus I offer you my "cheap" heart rate monitor:   If you’re breathing, its beating.  If you’re not breathing, it’s probably stopped (or will shortly). (sippinElkMountainAmberAleandrootinfortheBarracudainLongBeachCalifornia wheretheearthmovesundermyfeet)

Response:

: Neither–Get yourself a good set of Golf clubs! Everone has taken up : flyfishing, and the courses are almost empty. For exercise, carry your : own clubs and jog,that"ll keep that ticker pumpin.There are beautiful : courses everywhere,except Idaho.The chemists have destroyed the good : grass in that state, with all those potato experiments. : This is a joke–Don’t want to piss off any Idaho golfers. Hey, hey, hey!!!  Whatchit buddy.  This state still has the fighting words law.  That means I can bust you in the chops for saying such things and all the cops will do is make fun of your glass jaw or my right hook! 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:

Wierd title?  So is my dilemma: I am a novice marathoner who fishes.  I’ve run one marathon this year (Napa Valley) and would like to improve my time for the Portland Marathon by using a heart rate monitor.  I also enjoy fishing.  I have some backpacking fly equipment but I would like to let my elitest-self shine with a real fly fishing outfit. My birthday is in a couple of days and I expect to get some money.  I have decided to give due regard to the advice from the good folks at rec.running and rec.outdoors.fishing.fly. Where to spend my money? Steve

Response:

I am a novice marathoner who fishes.  I’ve run one marathon this year (Napa Valley) and would like to improve my time for the Portland Marathon by using a heart rate monitor.  I also enjoy fishing.  I have some backpacking fly equipment but I would like to let my elitest-self shine with a real fly fishing outfit. Where to spend my money?

Steve, run out and buy yourself a fly fishing outfit… David E. Malone All opinions expressed are my own.

Response:

If you often overtrain, get the HRM.  If you need more protein, get the fishing equipment.  Otherwise, you’ll just have to decide for yourself. — Ray Charbonneau    | MIT Library Systems| Everyone is entitled to my opinion.  *Disclaimer? Why?*|

Response:

Buy the fly fishing gear and go have fun.  You’ll be more relaxed for your training and will in turn run farther and faster.  Besides, I’ve not yet met a marathon runner who has trained with a heart rate monitor, so I’m sure you can train hard enough to improve your time without one.   Buy the heart rate monitor next year, and don’t go out too fast in Portland, as the crowds during the first part of the race might make you go faster than you should. Best fishes, Dan

Response:

You ask whether to buy a heart rate monitor or a fly fishing outfit? Definitely the flyfishing outfit.  Enjoying it will lower your heart rate so low you won’t have to worry about a heart rate monitor…..

Response:

Question:

I have been fly fishing for about 14 years now and unfortunately live in southern California.  When I can’t get to the Eastern Sierra, Idaho or Montana I’m forced to try our sometimes barrren offerings here.   My question is this …… without revealing too much, does anyone out there have any experience on waters other than the W.F San Gabriel, Deep Creek, Bear Creek, E.F San Gabriel etc….. If so please reply to: Thanks

Response:

I have been fly fishing for about 14 years now and unfortunately live in southern California.  When I can’t get to the Eastern Sierra, Idaho or Montana I’m forced to try our sometimes barrren offerings here.   My question is this …… without revealing too much, does anyone out there have any experience on waters other than the W.F San Gabriel, Deep Creek, Bear Creek, E.F San Gabriel etc….. If so please reply to: Thanks

How about Sespe Creek? For details email me at: Darryl

Response:

writes: To: Motorcty Have fished in King Harbor for Bonita and Mackeral. Very exciting, hard fighting fish. Rent skiff from Rocky Harbor Marina/Redondo Beach. They sell flies etc. Costs about $20.00 per half day. You need a 7/8/9 rod with sinking line like Teeny 200. Guys at Marriotts Fly Shop in L.A. know all about this.Good Luck. AK100.aol.com

Response: