Question:

 The Prestige. But its only a good deal with the 3 Forks package. You  can find cheaper Okumas elsewhere.   And, it’s a good "bang for the buck" reel.  But, the Prestige   included with the 3 wt. Three Forks is a bit large for this rod, IMO.  I think it’s for 5/6 wt. line.  One of the smaller Okuma’s would be a better fit on the 3 wt. Snoop

True enough Snoop…both my 3 and 5 wt Three Forks sport an Okuma Sierra 3/4 and a nice rig it is. Frank(a very tired road hog) Church …..who just completed a 3300 mile trip to El Paso, Tx. and only had 300 miles of sunshine. The rest rain/drizzle/fog/snow/hail and who watched a tornado funnel form and disappear 3 times right before my very eyes. (wait a minute, was this a TR?)

Response:

 The Prestige. But its only a good deal with the 3 Forks package. You can find cheaper Okumas elsewhere.   And, it’s a good "bang for the buck" reel.  But, the Prestige included with the 3 wt. Three Forks is a bit large for this rod, IMO.  I think it’s for 5/6 wt. line.  One of the smaller Okuma’s would be a better fit on the 3 wt.

The one I bought for my St. Croix three weight is labeled "4/5", but it’s the smallest reel I own by far.  Pretty ideal for the three weight in my estimation.  As a matter of fact, even with a 3 WF there is little room for backing.  I’m not sure I could get a double tapered line on it even without any backing. Wolfgang

Response:

I use a Galvan 3wt reel on my P.O.S. Three Forks. It’s a lovely reel — a light anodized metallic color, just the right size, with a sensitive drag and a decent amount of backing — as though I’ll ever need it. At first I felt like an idiot because the reel (an impulse purchase) costs maybe four or five times what rod costs, even when the rod was bought as a "combo." I use a 3 wt WF Sage Performance line with that rod. The LINE costs more than the rod, even when bought as a "combo." It matches the rod "perfectly" to my satisfaction. BTW, I recently got my repaired workhorse 5wt Sage SP back from the factory, after breaking it horribly and sickeningly at the HF Clave. I took it out to the Big Wood River a few days ago, getting about two hours of fishing in during a day of frantic errand running in Ketchum and Hailey. It was a good outing, catching a few nice rainbows on dries during the tail end of a baetis hatch. The rod, however, felt like a surf rod compared to the Three Forks I’ve been using in its absence.

Response:

Proceed with caution.  Your four weight and 3 weight might breed, producing a 3.5 weight.  If this happens, there would be no hope of ever avoiding a gear-whore label.

It’s not so much the lable itself that I mind, but at these prices I find (at this late and rather sensitive stage of life) that I am a CHEAP whore. Scott (recovering this morning from a second lab flood  )

Core coolant leaking again? Wolfgang ever grateful for predominant westerly winds.

Response:

@wiscnews.wiscnet.net: Scott (recovering this morning from a second lab flood  ) Core coolant leaking again?

No, just an idiot one floor up who should need a license to operate a sink Did you know that Universities have employees that do nothing but serve as liasions to their own insurance companies? — Scott Reverse first field of address to reply

Response:

Thanks for the report, Bill.  I really had intended to fish with my Three Forks combo in NC last week but found it impossible to tear myself away from the rod Joel built for me on a St. Croix Legend Ultra blank back in the spring.

I can fully understand that! Since I bought the Three Forks back in July (for my daughter, I swear!), I haven’t used my 5 weight rig much.  Opportunities will be limited for me for the next few months, but maybe I’ll get lucky and manage at least a bluegilling trip before the ice sets in.

And here I was hoping for Thanksgiving at the cabin up on the Ontonogan! Shall I pack my skis? Bill

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wolfgang, you missed one fine $10 reel.  I looked at the Okuma version at a fly shop today, and it’s the exact same reel.  The salesman was trying to convince me that 30% off a $435 Ross reel was a bargain, but being the bottom feeder that I am… Which of Cabelas reels is the Okuma? I just looked at their site again……thinking of getting a four weight to keep the three company.    :) I believe the reel in question is the "Prestige". http://shorterlink.com/?VW9JA3 Wolfgang

Proceed with caution.  Your four weight and 3 weight might breed, producing a 3.5 weight.  If this happens, there would be no hope of ever avoiding a gear-whore label. — Scott (recovering this morning from a second lab flood  ) Reverse first field of address to reply

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for the report, Bill.  I really had intended to fish with my Three Forks combo in NC last week but found it impossible to tear myself away from the rod Joel built for me on a St. Croix Legend Ultra blank back in the spring. I can fully understand that! Since I bought the Three Forks back in July (for my daughter, I swear!), I haven’t used my 5 weight rig much.  Opportunities will be limited for me for the next few months, but maybe I’ll get lucky and manage at least a bluegilling trip before the ice sets in. And here I was hoping for Thanksgiving at the cabin up on the Ontonogan! Shall I pack my skis?

The place is full of deer hunters then…..nasty, smelly bunch, decidedly short on refinement…….hm……now I think about it, sounds a lot like a clave.  What time can you be there? Wolfgang if you bring liquid refreshments, stay close…..and stay awake!

Response:

 The Prestige. But its only a good deal with the 3 Forks package. You can find cheaper Okumas elsewhere.

  And, it’s a good "bang for the buck" reel.  But, the Prestige included with the 3 wt. Three Forks is a bit large for this rod, IMO.  I think it’s for 5/6 wt. line.  One of the smaller Okuma’s would be a better fit on the 3 wt. Snoop — —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Wolfgang, you missed one fine $10 reel.  I looked at the Okuma version at a fly shop today, and it’s the exact same reel.  The salesman was trying to convince me that 30% off a $435 Ross reel was a bargain, but being the bottom feeder that I am… Which of Cabelas reels is the Okuma?

 The Prestige. But its only a good deal with the 3 Forks package. You can find cheaper Okumas elsewhere. G.C.

Response:

Wolfgang, you missed one fine $10 reel.  I looked at the Okuma version at a fly shop today, and it’s the exact same reel.  The salesman was trying to convince me that 30% off a $435 Ross reel was a bargain, but being the bottom feeder that I am… Which of Cabelas reels is the Okuma?

I just looked at their site again……thinking of getting a four weight to keep the three company.    :) I believe the reel in question is the "Prestige". http://shorterlink.com/?VW9JA3 Wolfgang

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I had the 3-3-3 (Three Forks, three piece, three weight) with me in Colorado this past weekend, and really enjoyed fishing with it.  I’ll try to stave off hyperbole this time, though. Wolfgang, you missed one fine $10 reel.  I looked at the Okuma version at a fly shop today, and it’s the exact same reel.  The salesman was trying to convince me that 30% off a $435 Ross reel was a bargain, but being the bottom feeder that I am… One interesting data point: I fished with my friend Dennis on Monday.  He had a Cortland package set up and was doing miserably with it.  He just couldn’t seem to get a cast out right.  Handed him the 3-3-3 and he did much better.  Of course, Willi’d given him some pointers in the meantime, so maybe my data is skewed.  Just seems like a nice rod to cast, beginner or otherwise.

Thanks for the report, Bill.  I really had intended to fish with my Three Forks combo in NC last week but found it impossible to tear myself away from the rod Joel built for me on a St. Croix Legend Ultra blank back in the spring.  Opportunities will be limited for me for the next few months, but maybe I’ll get lucky and manage at least a bluegilling trip before the ice sets in. Wolfgang

Response:

Wolfgang, you missed one fine $10 reel.  I looked at the Okuma version at a fly shop today, and it’s the exact same reel.  The salesman was trying to convince me that 30% off a $435 Ross reel was a bargain, but being the bottom feeder that I am…

Which of Cabelas reels is the Okuma?

Response:

So, did you have fun?

Yes. Was it purty?

Yes. Did they make you eat "grits"?

Weren’t enough of ‘em.  I made ‘em eat olives! Geo.C. Who got skunked on the Brule Friday, but who was more in need of the water, trees and silence than fish anyway.

And you could have picked a worse spot.  On the other hand, there’s some mighty nice spots in NC too!      :) Wolfgang meantime, don’t believe the lyin’ bastids!    

Response:

So Wolfie did ya like the rod ??? Nice gear whore report makes me wanta send for one right now.                    Handyman Mike           Standing in a river waving a stick

Response:

So Wolfie did ya like the rod ??? Nice gear whore report makes me wanta send for one right now.

fished with it yet, did I?      :) Wolfgang and thus, the perfect rod!

Response:

So Wolfie did ya like the rod ??? Nice gear whore report makes me wanta send for one right now. fished with it yet, did I?      :)

For what it’s worth, Mike, I did actually test cast the rod on my lawn and found that it works as well as any other.  Bearing in mind that the reel seat will probably have to be replaced, as has so often been noted, I still think that the package is a steal for 60 bucks.  I only wish that I had investigated Cabelas site a little more carefully and gotten the Okuma reel for an additional ten dollars rather than the cheap graphite one. Wolfgang

Response:

Wolfie, Bass Pro Shops Have some nice little reels real cheap that look really good on the 3, they balance the rod well and are disk drag. I use the graphite reel to run the line off the other reel (4 hose clamps on a piece of broom stick.) — John Popp in Sanford Fl.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So Wolfie did ya like the rod ??? Nice gear whore report makes me wanta send for one right now. fished with it yet, did I?      :) For what it’s worth, Mike, I did actually test cast the rod on my lawn and found that it works as well as any other.  Bearing in mind that the reel seat will probably have to be replaced, as has so often been noted, I still think that the package is a steal for 60 bucks.  I only wish that I had investigated Cabelas site a little more carefully and gotten the Okuma reel for an additional ten dollars rather than the cheap graphite one. Wolfgang

Response:

I use the graphite reel to run the line off the other reel (4 hose clamps on a piece of broom stick.)

I gave mine to a local boy who loves to flyfish but doesn’t have much tackle — not even something as cheesy as the Cabela’s graphite reel.

Response:

Wolfie, Bass Pro Shops Have some nice little reels real cheap that look really good on the 3, they balance the rod well and are disk drag. I use the graphite reel to run the line off the other reel (4 hose clamps on a piece of broom stick.) — John Popp in Sanford Fl.

Thanks, John. Wolfgang

Response:

I had the 3-3-3 (Three Forks, three piece, three weight) with me in Colorado this past weekend, and really enjoyed fishing with it.  I’ll try to stave off hyperbole this time, though. Wolfgang, you missed one fine $10 reel.  I looked at the Okuma version at a fly shop today, and it’s the exact same reel.  The salesman was trying to convince me that 30% off a $435 Ross reel was a bargain, but being the bottom feeder that I am… One interesting data point: I fished with my friend Dennis on Monday.  He had a Cortland package set up and was doing miserably with it.  He just couldn’t seem to get a cast out right.  Handed him the 3-3-3 and he did much better.  Of course, Willi’d given him some pointers in the meantime, so maybe my data is skewed.  Just seems like a nice rod to cast, beginner or otherwise. Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So Wolfie did ya like the rod ??? Nice gear whore report makes me wanta send for one right now. fished with it yet, did I?      :) For what it’s worth, Mike, I did actually test cast the rod on my lawn and found that it works as well as any other.  Bearing in mind that the reel seat will probably have to be replaced, as has so often been noted, I still think that the package is a steal for 60 bucks.  I only wish that I had investigated Cabelas site a little more carefully and gotten the Okuma reel for an additional ten dollars rather than the cheap graphite one. Wolfgang

Response:

God bless Cabela’s for the less afluent among us. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Response:

* combo TR and Gear Review snipped* Wolfgang

So, did you have fun? Was it purty? Did they make you eat "grits"? Geo.C. Who got skunked on the Brule Friday, but who was more in need of the water, trees and silence than fish anyway.

Response:

God bless Cabela’s for the less afluent among us. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

And God bless the builders of superior rods who make a backup something of a cheap luxury rather than an absolute necessity!       Wolfgang ya should’a been there!

Response:

As some of you will recall, I recently purchased a Cabelas Three Forks Combo which included a seven and a half foot 3 piece 3 weight rod, a cheap graphite click drag reel, a weight forward 3 wt. floating line of unknown manufacture, backing of unknown manufacture, material, and weight (it’s white), rod sock, a knotless tapered leader, and a getting started in fly fishing video, for the price of about 60 bucks (US) including shipping. The purchase was prompted by a perceived need to have a backup in the event of a catastrophic failure of my primary three weight rig during the recently concluded first ever ROFFian Appalachian backpacking anti-subclave, and the selection was based on several years worth of recommendations from a wide range of ROFFians (most of whom I have never met but have nevertheless inexplicably learned to trust……don’t ask me, maybe it’s the aneurysm) who have, for the most part, spoken glowingly of it.  I have not yet viewed the video and will thus refrain from further comment on it. After a week in the Smoky Mountains of extreme western North Carolina, fishing in very demanding circumstances (those familiar with the region are all too well aware of the rigorous demands made on both fly fisher and gear) I am prepared to say that despite some initial misgivings engendered by the rather shoddy appearance of the rod’s components (the entire reel seat assembly fails to inspire confidence), I am pleased to say without qualification that the entire outfit performed every task I demanded of it flawlessly. ….even perfectly.  True, I did not catch a single fish with it, but anyone who has been about this sort of thing for very long can attest that such failure can hardly be laid at the feet of the equipment……I can honestly say that coming home empty handed, as it were, had absolutely nothing to do with any deficiency in the design, components, or manufacture of the this rod, reel, or any other of the components of the system.  But then, having done some test casting on the lawn prior to packing for the trip, I already knew that this would be the case.  As is almost always the case, barring a mechanical failure (which, in this case at least, did not occur), the responsibility for the success (or lack of thereof) of the endeavor must rest squarely in the hands of the user. Fortunately, the perceived potential disaster which demanded the purchase of this system never happened, but as such an occurrence remains an all too real possibility I remain convinced of the wisdom of foresight and preparation for the worst eventuality and I will continue to carry this particular backup system secure in the expectation that it will continue to perform exactly as it did on this occasion. Wolfgang

Response:

Question:

If you are interested at all in fishing this area, which is widely regarded as some of the best flyfishing in the State, please contact your state representative and state senator. By all means. Thanks, Stan.

Is this area of no importance, security-wise? Why do we want t opened if it a potential target? BTW, did they ever find out who flew over the Quabbin’s restricted airpace on Sep 11 / 12? — Gary M

Response:

If you are interested at all in fishing this area, which is widely regarded as some of the best flyfishing in the State, please contact your state representative and state senator. Is this area of no importance, security-wise? Why do we want t opened if it a potential target?

Because it’s mine (and yours, if you pay taxes) and I (we) paid for it. If they wish to have security check to make sure only U.S. citizens are allowed, that’s fine. If they want to impose an extra fee for entrance to offset costs of additional security, I could probably even live with that, if it weren’t for the fact that these fees would probably remain permanently. I’ve not seen many "temporary" fees, taxes, or tolls removed in my lifetime – especially while in Massachusetts. We should not be content to let our freedoms slip away because of the attacks on 9/11. What the past has always dictated to us is that freedoms, once lost, are difficult to regain. BTW, did they ever find out who flew over the Quabbin’s restricted airpace on Sep 11 / 12?

That’s a good question. I never heard anything further on that incident. I guess we can’t blame that on some rambunctious teenagers, can we? Tim

Response:

Is this area of no importance, security-wise? Why do we want t opened if it a potential target?

To be truthful, the only reason I would like to see it opened is to keep Easterners off the stretches I like to fish. It’s really not a big security risk, but the the people tasked with protecting it are a lot more paranoid than normal people (that’s their job).  The proposed access restrictions were a good compromise between full access and protection of the two areas that are really security problems (both of which are buildings that could easily be fenced off and monitored). BTW, did they ever find out who flew over the Quabbin’s restricted airpace on Sep 11 / 12?

At least one plane was identified and I believe the pilot got a substantial fine.  FWIW, before people got all nervous, flights over Quabbin occurred almost daily, and many flew lower than regulations.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is this area of no importance, security-wise? Why do we want t opened if it a potential target? To be truthful, the only reason I would like to see it opened is to keep Easterners off the stretches I like to fish. It’s really not a big security risk, but the the people tasked with protecting it are a lot more paranoid than normal people (that’s their job).  The proposed access restrictions were a good compromise between full access and protection of the two areas that are really security problems (both of which are buildings that could easily be fenced off and monitored). BTW, did they ever find out who flew over the Quabbin’s restricted airpace on Sep 11 / 12? At least one plane was identified and I believe the pilot got a substantial fine.  FWIW, before people got all nervous, flights over Quabbin occurred almost daily, and many flew lower than regulations.

I found it interesting (read absurd) that they opened access to the actual reservoir and closed a section of river past the public water supply. Paul

Response:

I found it interesting (read absurd) that they opened access to the actual reservoir and closed a section of river past the public water supply.

The Y-Pool area is probably the most vulnerable to an attack, ad it affords access to the base of the dam, via the defunct power station, and the filtration plant on Rte 9. The powers that be have admitted that poisonong is not a major concern because of the amount of water involved, but destruction of the dam is considered a likely objective. That said, it is highly unlikely that the dam would be a priority target for terrorists, and New York City, which currently has similar restrictions on their water supply, will allow access to their watershed staring April 1. As Stan pointed out, the barring of access to the Y-Pool is simply paranoia exhibited by the state police.It;s also a lot simpler for them if no access is allowed….they can simply arrest everyone they see in there, although they couldn’t catch the kids, (if there actually were any), that were tresspassing a few weeks ago. Shows how effective the regulations would be against terrorists. Definitely time to put some pressure on our legislators. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

Steve Brewer is for real – he’s solidly on the side of sportsmen.

Balsnce snipped for brevity. Unfortunately there were only four of us at the meeting interested in the Swift, while there were forty or so interested in the Quabbin. Strength in numbers and all that. FWIW, I emailed Sen. Brewer and Rep.Hillman. I have not heard from Brewer, but received an immsdiate reply from Hillman, pledging his support. Since he is the retired commandant of the State Police, he should carry some weight, but he will have to know that a number of others are interested. I just sent out the monthly WMFF newsletter, and included a plea for members to contact their legislators. I would hope TU does likewise. Unfortunately, even though the upper Swift always seems crowded,  there is a relatively small number of people that utilize the area, and they reside in several different districts, so there isn’t enough voting power to make this a hot issue, politically. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

I received a reply letter from Steven Brewer (State Senator) yesterday that states he is also behind the cause and has already called for and conducted meetings regarding this issue. It’s hard to tell from the letter how much is real trying versus political posturing, but he’s been honorable in the past and I wouldn’t expect anything different now. If I remember, I’ll scan it and post it on ABPF for all to read. It looks like a form letter, so I hope he’s received many complaints about opening the area to fly fishing. Tim

Steve Brewer is for real – he’s solidly on the side of sportsmen.  He’s the guy who ran the meetings at Quabbin when they were first discussing the issues a few weeks ago.  Unfortunately, as he put it at the last meeting I went to, the people in Boston stole the water fair and square and will steal access rights to the surrounding land if they can. –Stan

Response:

Mass. MDC issued a press release yesterday confirming the rumors that the section of the Swift River north of Route 9 will remain closed ‘for the foreseeable future’ due to security concerns.  The full press release is available at the MDC web site at http://www.state.ma.us/mdc/prsrel.htm The area was scheduled to re-open on April 13, but as the State Police and National Guard were reviewing security measures, there was an ‘incident’ with some trespassers who the guards were not able to catch.  So, the State Police commander has decided to keep the area completely closed. If you are interested at all in fishing this area, which is widely regarded as some of the best flyfishing in the State, please contact your state representative and state senator.

I received a reply letter from Steven Brewer (State Senator) yesterday that states he is also behind the cause and has already called for and conducted meetings regarding this issue. It’s hard to tell from the letter how much is real trying versus political posturing, but he’s been honorable in the past and I wouldn’t expect anything different now. If I remember, I’ll scan it and post it on ABPF for all to read. It looks like a form letter, so I hope he’s received many complaints about opening the area to fly fishing. Tim

Response:

. If they want to impose an extra fee for entrance to offset costs of additional security, I could probably even live with that, if it weren’t for the fact that these fees would probably remain permanently. I’ve not seen many "temporary" fees, taxes, or tolls removed in my lifetime – especially while in Massachusetts.

Few things can outlive a "temporary" tax. We should not be content to let our freedoms slip away because of the attacks on 9/11. What the past has always dictated to us is that freedoms, once lost, are difficult to regain.

While that is a true enough sentiment, the various elements which endanger various freedoms and which (sometimes at the cost of flesh & blood) ensure freedoms are so complex as to defy armchair analysis. The biggest threat to all of us and all our freedoms is inertia: let somebody else take the risk/pay the price/challenge the threat. We don’t necessarily have to become as dramatic as Thomas Jefferson’s comment about watering the tree of freedom with the blood of tyrants and patriots, but we ALL have to be willing to give up a little ‘comfort’ here and there. And I use the word ‘comfort’ to suggest we all too readily take for granted, even not realizing it, that we got where we are by spilling the blood of tyrants & patriots. The movie "The Patriot" is a little melodramatic in order to keep the plot development going for the viewers’ eyes but underneath it’s a good example of how each person must be prepared to react. We’ve all seen the marvelous photo of 4 GI’s raising Old Glory on Mount Suribaci. Three of those guys were dead by suppertime that same day. Get involved. Stay involved. If you’re worried about the cost you don’t deserve the freedoms. Sermon ends. Yours in the north Maine woods, Pete Hilton aka The Ent — A person is free only in the freedom of other persons.   W. Berry

Response:

Mass. MDC issued a press release yesterday confirming the rumors that the section of the Swift River north of Route 9 will remain closed ‘for the foreseeable future’ due to security concerns.  The full press release is available at the MDC web site at http://www.state.ma.us/mdc/prsrel.htm The area was scheduled to re-open on April 13, but as the State Police and National Guard were reviewing security measures, there was an ‘incident’ with some trespassers who the guards were not able to catch.  So, the State Police commander has decided to keep the area completely closed. If you are interested at all in fishing this area, which is widely regarded as some of the best flyfishing in the State, please contact your state representative and state senator.

So far, I’ve only heard back from Reed Hillman, who is firmly behind eliminating restrictions. I’m sure he won’t mind me quoting him in this group: "Dear Tim – I agree with you 100%.  Harassing ordinary citizens who wish to enjoy the Quabbin does not deter any potential terrorist one iota.  I will continue to try to get a common sense approach to Quabbin security adopted." Hopefully, our voices will be heard. Tim

Response:

Mass. MDC issued a press release yesterday confirming the rumors that the section of the Swift River north of Route 9 will remain closed ‘for the foreseeable future’ due to security concerns.  The full press release is available at the MDC web site at http://www.state.ma.us/mdc/prsrel.htm The area was scheduled to re-open on April 13, but as the State Police and National Guard were reviewing security measures, there was an ‘incident’ with some trespassers who the guards were not able to catch.  So, the State Police commander has decided to keep the area completely closed. If you are interested at all in fishing this area, which is widely regarded as some of the best flyfishing in the State, please contact your state representative and state senator. –Stan Gula

Response:

Mass. MDC issued a press release yesterday confirming the rumors that the section of the Swift River north of Route 9 will remain closed ‘for the foreseeable future’ due to security concerns.  The full press release is available at the MDC web site at http://www.state.ma.us/mdc/prsrel.htm

Crap. And as Stan said before, there’s no fishing allowed south of Cady Lane either, right Stan? The area was scheduled to re-open on April 13, but as the State Police and National Guard were reviewing security measures, there was an ‘incident’ with some trespassers who the guards were not able to catch.  So, the State Police commander has decided to keep the area completely closed.

What I heard was that three (probably beer drinking) kids were out for thrills to see if they could get by the security. Any truth to this? If so, we could hire these kids to check the airports nationwide. If you are interested at all in fishing this area, which is widely regarded as some of the best flyfishing in the State, please contact your state representative and state senator.

By all means. Thanks, Stan. Tim

Response:

Mass. MDC issued a press release yesterday confirming the rumors that the section of the Swift River north of Route 9 will remain closed ‘for the foreseeable future’ due to security concerns.  The full press release is available at the MDC web site at http://www.state.ma.us/mdc/prsrel.htm Crap. And as Stan said before, there’s no fishing allowed south of Cady Lane either, right Stan?

It’s allowed, but useless as there’s no fish.  I hear there’s some nice carp and eels way down in the Chicopee below Three Rivers though<g. What I heard was that three (probably beer drinking) kids were out for thrills to see if they could get by the security.

That’s pretty much the story I heard.  I don’t know about the thrillseeking part, but they must have gotten a thrill from being chased by armed Guardsmen.  All it takes is a few jerks to ruin it for everybody.  Until that happened, it looked really good for re-opening the area. –Stan

Response:

Question:

I GOT IT!  The worst insult on ROFF: "Gink for brains"

I like that mucho.

Response:

Certainly explains a lot. Floatant instead of brains. No wonder some get light headed. TL MC — "If you have tried everything you know, and nothing works, then perhaps it is time to accept that you don

Question:

Some natives of ROFF are fairly wild. Some natives elsewhere, may object to being called "wild", but might accept "uncivilised", coupled perchance, with "indigenous"?  Some wild things are not necessarily native, or indeed indigenous, and are seldom civilised. Fishery biologists are not always native, and seldom uncivilised, although they may be wild. My "experience" of Florida, admittedly pure hearsay, is limited to hearing or reading about kidnappings and murders of unsuspecting, ( apparently mostly German), tourists, on or in the daily news. No information with regard to the respective professions of these people was usually tendered, although it may well be that one or the other group consisted either partly, perhaps even mainly, or indeed possibly even exclusively, of wild uncivilised native fishery biologists, with large ears and short hair, some of whom were driving too slowly, in the lane reserved for overtaking. Whether or not this was the reason for the kidnapping, and / or murder, is not clear. Somehow seems a sensible supposition nevertheless. Such instances appear to be rare in North Carolina, whether this is due to the absence of overtaking lanes, the lack of tourism, international news coverage, or the veritable plethora of legal eagles who it seems are still practising in that state, presumably thus rendering such activities less profitable, is a matter for considerable conjecture. It would certainly appear that some fishery biologists, whether native or not, although presumably  indigenous to somewhere or other, possibly even to Florida, may in fact be more civilised than others, notwithstanding the short hair and long ears, or even the florid complexion, and the tendency to slow driving in the wrong lane, all of which may, or may not,  be typical of fishery biologists, "Floridians", or tourists in general. This is demonstrated quite clearly by the peculiar propensity of this particular group,( although admittedly, as of yet, a statistically invalid sample ), for publishing apologies on ROFF. Complex terminology,  invariably indicative of considerable, in some circumstances, even colossal commitment, and indefatigable endeavour, perhaps finely tempered with a modicum of civilisation, on the part of those professions constrained to its use, in order to effect understandable and readily definable communication among themselves, may often cause confusion among large groups of the population, not currently conversant or capable, concerning such concepts. Interchangeable  use of specific professional terminology by the public at large should generally be avoided. Hope this clears everything up. Oleum et operam perdidi, hinc illae lacrumae.  Quot homines, tot sententiae, quis leget haec? TL MC — "If you have tried everything you know, and nothing works, then perhaps it is time to accept that you don

Question:

I’m a farmer from the midwest, and I have seen this behavior many times before.  In a hoglot (it can happen with cattle also) when one pig is picked on and shows too much weakness, often many other pigs will jump in and attack it.  They will often continue until they kill the weak pig. Now the article is gone so I cannot even read it, much less respond to it.  Usually when something stinks, it needs to be aired out.

Response:

FAOL made a public relations mistake by censoring opposing points of view in the public message forums and guest book.

Exactly right. I have been hearing a lot about how MC ‘censored’ Ole Rupe’s article when, in fact, FAOL censored any and all opposing comments, and based on Deanna’s reply to MC, she still doesn’t see why this was wrong. If opposing views had been allowed from the beginning, this whole debate would have been conducted on FAOL, where it belonged. Just imagine if Time magazine, for instance, published this article and refused to acknowledge any opposing views, but published a weak disclaimer a few issues later. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down" ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

Geez, bc, the anti-defamation league? Isn’t that overkill?   I don’t know why any responsible publisher (even on the net) would publish such crap but I guess I would just desub.  Seems like everbody wants to censor.  What a pain in the ass.

He incited killing people based on race.   Funniest thing, the author apparently doesn’t know anything about his subject, first-hand.  "If I lived" kinda makes you wonder about what he really would do if he did live there.  My guess would be hide under a rock.

He would be the last person I would invite on a hunting trip bc.

Response:

Folks Racists and their closet brethren are uniformly cowards and depend on easy prey and a wimpy defense. When they get challenged they generally run for cover. When they get their ass kicked they cry foul. When they are on top they kill and incite others to kill.  Civilized people who refuse to accept the inconvenience of the fight are walking shaky ground. Anyone feeling sorry for these assholes might try to consider how  Native American kids who accessed Ole Rupe’s racist shit felt. One of the most important lessons of the 20th Century is that racists and Nazis will use the hood at night, the gas chamber when they can get away with it and a cynical intellectualized stance when it suits them, and further, that the only effective way to fight them is to make them pay a high price for their bullshit. Good riddance, F*** Rupe and the horse he rode in on Dave

Response:

Why don’t you just email the author and ask for a copy?<

Who the fuck is the author?   And that’s not the point, anyway.  However, valiant ROFFians have provided me with this "tempest in a teapot"  piece of shit. Waste of good bandwidth to even discuss it.

Response:

I certainly have no tolerance for censorship. Had I been able to read the article perhaps I would have reacted differently, but thanks to all you "right thinkers" I do not have that opportunity. Expressing an opinion and attempting to force other expressions off the net are two different things.  I trust you can see that.

I am not condoning censorship.  FAOL made the decision to publish the article unedited in its original form.  The article would have been just as effective with out the racial overtones.  FAOL made a public relations mistake by censoring opposing points of view in the public message forums and guest book.  It was only after this censorship took place, did I start my letter campaign making sponsors and organizations like the Anti-Defamation League aware of that article. bc.

Response:

It was only after this censorship took

place, did I start my letter campaign making sponsors and organizations like the Anti-Defamation League aware of that article.< Geez, bc, the anti-defamation league?   Isn’t that overkill?  I don’t know why any responsible publisher (even on the net) would publish such crap but I guess I would just desub.  Seems like everbody wants to censor.  What a pain in the ass. Funniest thing, the author apparently doesn’t know anything about his subject, first-hand.  "If I lived" kinda makes you wonder about what he really would do if he did live there.  My guess would be hide under a rock.

Response:

Why don’t you just email the author and ask for a copy?< Who the fuck is the author?   And that’s not the point, anyway.  However, valiant ROFFians have provided me with this "tempest in a teapot"  piece of shit. Waste of good bandwidth to even discuss it.

I believe the whole thing started because Mike didn’t want articles he had written in the same ‘publication’ as that one, which is his right as an author. You were complaining that the result of his actions deprived you of your opportunity to read the article. FWIW. — Charlie…

Response:

I believe the whole thing started because Mike didn’t want articles he

had written in the same ‘publication’ as that one, which is his right as an author. You were complaining that the result of his actions deprived you of your opportunity to read the article. FWIW.< In spite of the recent Ct of Appeals decision, whether or not it’s his right is still up in the air IMO.  But yeah, I was complaining about that.   Now that I’ve read it, I wish I had had the opportunity to read it BEFORE I got into this thread.  And that’s the closest thing to an apology anyone is going to get from me. <g

Response:

Isn’t that overkill?  I don’t know why any responsible publisher (even on the net) would publish such crap but I guess I would just desub.  Seems like everbody wants to censor.  What a pain in the ass.

Good point Harry. I raised a stink precisely because I do appreciate FAOL and have no desire to "unsubscribe". If the publication were of no value and little read, there would have been no outcry. I said as much to Deanna in reply to an email, I hope she takes it to heart. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

I do not regret any of my actions, and would do the same thing again if necessary.  I do regret the damage caused to the site, or to people connected with it, but this is in no way my responsibility.  This is purely the result of their own actions. The decision to close is up to the publishers alone, and I have no influence in the matter.

Mike certainly doesn’t need validation from me, but I do agree with the way he handled the whole mess. He removed himself from a publication he didn’t agree with, and told people why. The situation got a bit excessive, but the publisher’s actions and responses seemed to be as bizarre as the author’s, including shutting down the site and the ‘enjoy your victory’ bullshit. Sounds like one bad association (Rupe, Deanna, the public, and Mike) just waiting to flame out…and it did. — Jeff Cook http://www.cookstudios.com Washington DC area

Response:

What’s with this "closure" of FAOL? Does that mean they’re shutting it down altogether? Why? Is this a case of the publisher "eating worms"? Will she have second thoughts? Or have all her sponsors deserted her? Tune in at 11. Seriously, folks, this is what they call a perverse result. I don’t think anyone in ROFF who was offended by the article wanted FAOL to cease to exist. Maybe a letter-writing campaign to their ex-sponsors along these lines would be called for: "I am satisfied by FAOL’s apology and retraction of the offensive article. Please continue your sponsorship of this fine web site." Not that it will do much good. One more thing. Before you start letter-writing campaigns to sponsors when you see something you don’t like on an otherwise excellent website, think about perverse effects. Wait at least of few days. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

HR, Like a spoiled little boy, he demanded that they return his ball.  If you don’t do what I want, I’ll take my ball (those precious "articles") and go home.

The analogy to the spoiled little boy and his ball is something of a stretch.  Mike’s contributions were more than a ball.  They could easily be construed as an endorsement of the site and, once the site stepped over a line to which Mike is sensitive, it’s understandable that Mike would no longer want his name associated with that site. Thanks to Mike and others of his ilk, I have not read the article.  

Mike and his ilk aren’t the only problem, here.  As I understand it, their opposing views were censored before they took additional steps. We can now only speculate how things might have turned out had opposing views been given prompt and equally prominent exposure. But even if I had, and found it racist,  I would not have demanded it’s removal.

I also wish the whole affair had been handled differently.  You may recall that I was one who opposed Mr. G’s remarks about Indians/fishing on ROFF.

Sorry.  I didn’t see those posts… But noooo, apparently I and others are not to be allowed that privilege.

It doesn’t seem possible that you believe the site in question is/was the only place on earth you could read that article.  Assuming Rupe is willing, it may be posted elsewhere.  You might even hunt Rupe up and request a copy if you’re as passionate as you sound about wanting to read it yourself.  It might even be that one of the article’s antagonists grabbed a copy and could email it to you.  But you gotta ask. The CENSORS have had their way.

I’m not arguing that point.  As I said before, I had concerns about the "censorship" aspect of the issue.  Censorship, though, isn’t always a dirty word.  You could say that I censored Larry Flint by keeping Hustler Magazine out of my house.  There were kids around. Was that kind of "censorship" a bad thing? We’ve long had laws on the books to discourage uncivil speech in public places.  It hasn’t been that long ago that a dunked boater was busted and prosecuted for cussing up a blue streak around women and kids.  Certainly you can argue that such laws infringe freedom of speech. But when you can walk into any supermarket and run a good chance of finding yourself — and your kids — in the checkout line behind somebody wearing a tee-shirt emblazoned with all manner of obscenites — you have to wonder… If we now find ourselves so enlightened that such laws are an embarrasment, what remedies do you propose for those who prefer not to be accosted by uncivil speech?  Are we to reduce them to staying indoors and keeping their mouths shut?  If that’s the answer, haven’t we censored them? One of my points to which you didn’t respond was the issue of all of us using our influence to affect the world around us.  What I’m wondering about is something like this: Remember when the Exxon Valdez ran aground?  Remember Exxon’s grudging responses?  Suppose somebody had succeeded in motivating a large number of Exxon customers to protest by buying their petrol elsewhere. Would that have been dirty pool or economic terrorism? Don’t us mere citizens have a right to prod and push our world about to shape it into something we think would be better? The way I see it, freedom of speech is a door that swings both ways. That is, say what you like, but be prepared for others to respond by saying what _they_ like.  And sometimes they say it _very_ loudly. Which is what Mike did. Wes Peterson LexCraft Data Services

Response:

I have always had a pretty good opinion of you Mike but I must say that I understand now why you live in Germany.  Who the fuck put you in charge of anything, much less in charge of deciding what should and should not appear on the net?  You have come out of this looking like a pretentious asshole IMO. But now I guess you can write some of your famous doggerel and everything will be all right.

Blaine, First of all, country of origin as nothing to do with expressing you’re own point of view. Mike did not put himself in charge of anything.  He has the legal right to express his opinion.  The publishers of the site made a business decision to put that article unedited on their commercial site.  The article would have been just as effective without those comments. When opposing points of view were expressed, they were quickly censored and removed from the public areas of the site.  Their justification was that they were off topic and inflammatory. If I go to a bookstore and pick up the latest issue of a fly fishing magazine, I can make a fair assumption that the articles enclosed will contain material relevant to the sport.  That the articles will not be intertwined with racial comments, incitement to kill someone and that 30/06 rifle rounds is inexpensive.  The same assumption should be made of an online magazine dedicated to fly-fishing. As far as I am concerned the staff of FAOL could have handled the entire situation better. The article in its original form had no business being on a commercial venue like FAOL. Based on the responses that I have received from sponsors when I sent out my email, I could surmise that they agree.   You and FAOL lack one thing: tolerance bc.

Response:

Presumably you think its OK for people to voice their hatred and poisonous

viewpoints, but not OK to do anything actively to oppose them ?< I have no knowledge of what was written and thanks to you and others like you, I will apparently have no opportunity to.  What I do oppose is censorship in any way shape or form.   No doubt you will live to censor another day.  And I’m glad I distressed you.  Certainly you have distressed me.

Response:

You and FAOL lack one thing: tolerance< I certainly have no tolerance for censorship. Had I been able to read the article perhaps I would have reacted differently, but thanks to all you "right thinkers" I do not have that opportunity. Expressing an opinion and attempting to force other expressions off the net are two different things.  I trust you can see that.

Would you like a copy of it?  I kept a copy for reference. Peter

Response:

You and FAOL lack one thing: tolerance<

I certainly have no tolerance for censorship. Had I been able to read the article perhaps I would have reacted differently, but thanks to all you "right thinkers" I do not have that opportunity. Expressing an opinion and attempting to force other expressions off the net are two different things.  I trust you can see that.

Response:

I have no knowledge of what was written and thanks to you and others like you, I will apparently have no opportunity to.  What I do oppose is censorship in any way shape or form.   No doubt you will live to censor another day.  And I’m glad I distressed you.  Certainly you have distressed me.

Why don’t you just email the author and ask for a copy? — Charlie…

Response:

Would you like a copy of it?  I kept a copy for reference.<

Thanks, Peter but Christian sent me one.   Is THIS really what all the fuss is about? "With regard to native American fishing rights I hold the politically incorrect view that the only good Indian is a dead Indian. If I lived  where they gill netted steelhead I would be on the 6 p.m. news. Uncle Sam taught me how to remove problems at 300 meters." Stupid?  Yes.  Disgusting that someone would put this onto the net (or anyplace, for that matter)?  Absolutely.   I disagree totally with the ideas expressed there.  Would I bitch about them?  Hell yes.   Do I believe that Rupe (or whatever the hell his name is) has a right to express them.  Yes, I do.   On a fly fishing site?  While I disagree violently with him, his comments are related to fishing.  So why not?  It’s not like his ideas, however unpalatable, are apt to have the impact of, say, shouting "fire" in a crowded theatre, now are they. With all the horrible examoles of racism that we see and have seen, frankly, this appears to me to be a tempest in a teapot. There are a lot better ways of fighting evil than writing about it on the net. But then, we’re writers, not doers, eh?

Response:

<long "final" rant snipped I have always had a pretty good opinion of you Mike but I must say that I understand now why you live in Germany.  Who the fuck put you in charge of anything, much less in charge of deciding what should and should not appear on the net?  You have come out of this looking like a pretentious asshole IMO. But now I guess you can write some of your famous doggerel and everything will be all right.

You are entitled to your opinion, good or bad.  Your insulting generalised implications of why I live where I live are unnecessary, unfortunate, unfounded, unworthy and not a little distressing. I am not in charge of anything at all. I simply voiced a perfectly normal protest at a particularly crass example of racism, in a place and under circumstances which where extremely upsetting. Your opinion of my person is also not particularly nice, but you have every right to voice it. I will doubtless survive nevertheless. Presumably you think its OK for people to voice their hatred and poisonous viewpoints, but not OK to do anything actively to oppose them ? Let

Question:

<<  I wasn’t so much scared, though, as hurt. After all I had done for him the damned squirrel never even looked back.  Anyone out there have similar stories they’d like to share?   I think former President Jimmy Carter had something like that happen while fishing too far from Secret Service agents from providing details. William Buchman

Response:

"No good deed goes unpunished."

Response:

Cute story Joe but that’s not being attacked by a squirrel.  Come on down to the Clave and I’ll show you the scars from REALLY being attacked by a squirrel.  Story too long to post here. Wayne To fish is human…to release divine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone out there have similar stories they’d like to share?

Response:

Wayno, swear ta gawd, I never touched ya. Big Al – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Cute story Joe but that’s not being attacked by a squirrel.  Come on down to the Clave and I’ll show you the scars from REALLY being attacked by a squirrel.  Story too long to post here. Wayne To fish is human…to release divine. Anyone out there have similar stories they’d like to share?

Response:

No Al, not Wayno, that’s the OTHER Wayne! Wayne To fish is human…to release divine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wayno, swear ta gawd, I never touched ya. Big Al Cute story Joe but that’s not being attacked by a squirrel.  Come on down to the Clave and I’ll show you the scars from REALLY being attacked by a squirrel.  Story too long to post here. Wayne To fish is human…to release divine. Anyone out there have similar stories they’d like to share?

Response:

Cute story Joe but that’s not being attacked by a squirrel.  Come on down to the Clave and I’ll show you the scars from REALLY being attacked by a squirrel.  Story too long to post here. Wayne

is jimmy c. gonna join us? tell him to bring plenty of peanuts and billy beer. –wataugan walt

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Cute story Joe but that’s not being attacked by a squirrel.  Come on down to the Clave and I’ll show you the scars from REALLY being attacked by a squirrel.  Story too long to post here. Wayne is jimmy c. gonna join us? tell him to bring plenty of peanuts and billy beer. –wataugan walt

That was a rabbit that went after old Jimmy. — Charlie…

Response:

doggone this grouse….let me go find my sm, memory is slippin…. –Wataugan Waldo – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Cute story Joe but that’s not being attacked by a squirrel.  Come on down to the Clave and I’ll show you the scars from REALLY being attacked by a squirrel.  Story too long to post here. Wayne is jimmy c. gonna join us? tell him to bring plenty of peanuts and billy beer. –wataugan walt That was a rabbit that went after old Jimmy. — Charlie…

Response:

 Winter is a lousy time for fishing here in New England. there’s something about that slight two-foot film of ice that inhibits the trout and salmon  rising to your exquisitely presented dry fly; perhaps that slight tap on the head as they slam into the solid wall of ice.  If it’s bad for fishing, though, it’s a great time for contemplating fishing trips of the past. One of my all time favorite days on the water ended without a single fish.  It was one of those perfect fall days when the air is dry and crystal clear, not the best weather for catching but perfect for fishing, if you know what I mean. I was supposed to be at work, but the day was too nice and the feeling of freedom I got from playing hooky from work just added to the enjoyment of the day.  About three miles from the dock I saw something swimming in the water. Stopping to check it out, I found a gray squirrel. He was almost a mile from land and the water was cold. the poor thing swam up to my boat and I could hear it’s claws scraping on the aluminum side as the near-frozen animal tried desperately to get out of the water.  Now I enjoy eating a fish now and then but otherwise consider myself a kindly soul so up picked up my landing net and hoisted the half-frozen rodent out of the water. When I laid it on the seat of my boat it was so cold it just layed there.  Being somewhat foolhardy as well as kindly, I took off my coat, an old Vietnam-era Army jacket, built a nest and placed the cold-cold squirrel inside.  I continued on to my favorite fishing hole and proceeded to cast for smallmouth bass. The sun was getting warmer and the squirrel in my coat would, once in a while let out a little sneeze but was otherwise silent.  After two or three hours of casting, I had totally forgotten about my guest, now comfortably asleep in my coat. I put my rod down and turned to start the motor.  As the motor roared to life, I hard a scrambling sound in back of me and turned to see a gray streak come flying from the front seat, onto the middles seat, onto the small of my back and up my back to the top of my head where it dove off into the water and swam the short 10 feet to shore.  Now I know I was at least 10 miles from the dock but when I returned a couple of the guys there swore they heard me scream.  I wasn’t so much scared, though, as hurt. After all I had done for him the damned squirrel never even looked back.  Anyone out there have similar stories they’d like to share?

Response:

Joe Mitko writes:

(good story mostly snipped) As the motor roared to life, I hard a scrambling sound in back of me and turned to see a gray streak come flying from the front seat, onto the middles seat, onto the small of my back and up my back to the top of my head where it dove off into the water and swam the short 10 feet to shore.

Joe:  great story, but you missed out on some great tying material. Mark Faulkner

Response:

Question:

I am coming to San Francisco, the Nappa Valley and Yosemite National Park in September for a holiday. I am looking for a venue (preferably in Yosemite), where I can fish for a day and also hire some tackle and maybe a guide? Can anyone help me, I don’t think I can take ten days without a day fishing!! Thanks for the help . . .

Response:

I am coming to San Francisco, the Nappa Valley and Yosemite National Park in September for a holiday. I am looking for a venue (preferably in Yosemite), where I can fish for a day and also hire some tackle and maybe a guide? Can anyone help me, I don’t think I can take ten days without a day fishing!! Thanks for the help . . .

 You can fish the river right in Yosemite Valley for trout.  There are 1 day a licenses available for about $7 as well as a 7 day license, non-residence licenses are expensive (hell, the residense license is expensive – $27.50). There are lakes in the Upper areas of Yosemite also, they fish very well with a wax worm.  The Merced River, in the valley is good with both fly and worms. Don’t know of guides in Yosemite.  Just North of the Napa Valley is Clear Lake, is a great Bass lake, guides are available, Just to the East of the lower end of Napa is Lake Berryessa, trout and bass, guides available.  In San Francisco, you can go out on the party (head) boats for both Salmon and Rockfish, they have rental tackle available ($6) the license is required and the cost of the trip is about $35 for Rockfish (3-20#) fish and $50 for Salmon. See these URL’s for additional info.  http://usafishing.com/fleet.html  http://www.anglernet.com/web/selectlk.htm  http://www.fishsniffer.com/  http://www.dfg.ca.gov/ Regards, Bill — Opinions expressed are mine not necessarily my employers. All other standard disclaimers apply! Remove nospam. To email reply.

Response:

You could fish in a lake that has a world record largemouth in it.  That lake would be Spring Lake in Sonoma County.   Take a Rainbow Trout lure and you may get your picture on the cover of a magazine.  There is for sure at least one 24 pounder in the lake. P.S.  If anyone is thinking of emailing me and telling me that I don’t know what I am talking about, you better get your facts straight first then come off of the porch.  Just a friendly word of warning. BigDaddy

Response:

Boy, Big Daddy…the "friendly word of warning" sounds like an invitation to flaming for some real bummers out there.   Let’s hope not.  But uh, could you share some information?  Has there been a lot of hoopla?  Do you plan to go for it? Injun Jim USN (Ret.) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You could fish in a lake that has a world record largemouth in it.  That lake would be Spring Lake in Sonoma County.   Take a Rainbow Trout lure and you may get your picture on the cover of a magazine.  There is for sure at least one 24 pounder in the lake. P.S.  If anyone is thinking of emailing me and telling me that I don’t know what I am talking about, you better get your facts straight first then come off of the porch.  Just a friendly word of warning. BigDaddy

Response:

Injun, I only say that because the last time I told the story on this group I got email from nuts all over the US telling me that I was crazy and that I had lost my grip on reality.  Even some people threatened me.  You would think that all fishermen would be interested to know about what would be the new world record but I soon found out that was not the case.  I thought that I was doing a service to the people in this group by telling what I was able to find out through about 2 weeks worth of investigation.  Many people did not see my information in the same way. That is why I am reluctant to tell it again, because inevitably I will get the same batch of emails that I did before.  It is the actions of a few idiots that keep people like me who are truly interested in very large Bass from publicly talking about what I have learned. Sorry for the ranting but I felt it necessary to explain.  I am not at all inviting anyone to flame me.  It was just merely a precaution. I will be glad to privately email you what I was able to learn and send a picture also if you are interested let me know. Thanks and Keep your worm wet. BigDaddy

Response:

Big Daddy, I thought that I was doing a service to the people in this group by telling what I was able to find out through about 2 weeks worth of investigation.  Many people did not see my information in the same way.

What ever happened with that record.  Last I knew they were checking the bathroom scales.  It was obvious they weren’t going to let the record stand, but I never heard anything official. Richard

Response:

Question:

Am planning a family trip to Oahu and keep wondering if I should take along a saltwater outfit. Haven’t been able to find out anything about the practicality of doing so. (Although I know that in some places they do some blue water flyfishing.) Anyway, I would appreciate any info. — Larry

Response:

Hi Larry, Fishing around Oahu is bad.  We have too many fishermen and not enough fish.  This morning’s paper summed it up:

Question:

I need help on how to catch a bullfrog…any suggestions? I mean serious suggestions.

Get a fishing fly.  One with a hook in it.  Tie it to a piece of monofiliment.  Tie the other end to a long pole.  Twitch it in front of him.  When he grabs it, jerk the pole to set the hook.  Then unhook him and let him go.         Bill

Response:

I need help on how to catch a bullfrog…any suggestions? I mean serious suggestions. We bought this thing as a tadpole when he was all cute and cuddly(and quiet). Seeing as how we have poststamp size lots where I live, this frog is becoming hated by the neighborhood(along with me). I don’t want to here how nice they sound and I won’t kill him. He will go to a wetland where he belongs. Thanks Faith H.

 The flashlight should work. It does blind them and if your quiet, you should be able to catch him. Steve Johnson http://lornet.com/~alside

Response:

I need help on how to catch a bullfrog…any suggestions? I mean serious suggestions. We bought this thing as a tadpole when he was all cute and cuddly(and quiet). Seeing as how we have poststamp size lots where I live, this frog is becoming hated by the neighborhood(along with me). I don’t want to here how nice they sound and I won’t kill him. He will go to a wetland where he belongs. Thanks

Don’t worry!  I doubt if you’ll get flamed for wanting to relocate a recalcitrant bullfrog.  Although this technique is usually used by people who intend to eat the bullfrog, therefore gentleness is not an issue, the method I’ve heard is to "blind" them with a flash light.   Then you could slap a net over it.  I’m not saying this will be easy!! — Signed- Kellie  USDA zone 7/8, Sunset Zone 33 My Karma Ran Over My Dogma.  It was a Catastrophe. Now my Dogma’s Dead and my Karma’s out of alignment. Get in KNEE DEEP!  <http://w3.one.net/~rzutt/newsletter.html

Response:

I need help on how to catch a bullfrog…any suggestions? I mean serious suggestions. We bought this thing as a tadpole when he was all cute and cuddly(and quiet). Seeing as how we have poststamp size lots where I live, this frog is becoming hated by the neighborhood(along with me). I don’t want to here how nice they sound and I won’t kill him. He will go to a wetland where he belongs. Thanks Faith H.

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I need help on how to catch a bullfrog…any suggestions? I mean serious suggestions.

Get a fishing fly.  One with a hook in it.  Tie it to a piece of monofiliment.  Tie the other end to a long pole.  Twitch it in front of him.  When he grabs it, jerk the pole to set the hook.  Then unhook him and let him go.         Bill

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I need help on how to catch a bullfrog…any suggestions? I mean serious suggestions. We bought this thing as a tadpole when he was all cute and cuddly(and quiet). Seeing as how we have poststamp size lots where I live, this frog is becoming hated by the neighborhood(along with me). I don’t want to here how nice they sound and I won’t kill him. He will go to a wetland where he belongs. Thanks Faith H.

 The flashlight should work. It does blind them and if your quiet, you should be able to catch him. Steve Johnson http://lornet.com/~alside

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I need help on how to catch a bullfrog…any suggestions? I mean serious suggestions. We bought this thing as a tadpole when he was all cute and cuddly(and quiet). Seeing as how we have poststamp size lots where I live, this frog is becoming hated by the neighborhood(along with me). I don’t want to here how nice they sound and I won’t kill him. He will go to a wetland where he belongs. Thanks

Don’t worry!  I doubt if you’ll get flamed for wanting to relocate a recalcitrant bullfrog.  Although this technique is usually used by people who intend to eat the bullfrog, therefore gentleness is not an issue, the method I’ve heard is to "blind" them with a flash light.   Then you could slap a net over it.  I’m not saying this will be easy!! — Signed- Kellie  USDA zone 7/8, Sunset Zone 33 My Karma Ran Over My Dogma.  It was a Catastrophe. Now my Dogma’s Dead and my Karma’s out of alignment. Get in KNEE DEEP!  <http://w3.one.net/~rzutt/newsletter.html

Response:

I need help on how to catch a bullfrog…any suggestions? I mean serious suggestions. We bought this thing as a tadpole when he was all cute and cuddly(and quiet). Seeing as how we have poststamp size lots where I live, this frog is becoming hated by the neighborhood(along with me). I don’t want to here how nice they sound and I won’t kill him. He will go to a wetland where he belongs. Thanks Faith H.

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Question:

After reading all the posts about upland bird hunting and grouse stocking in the ff’er group, it got me to thinking (Hmmm… thought I smelled wood burning!) about the proper shotgun for trout.

An English side-by-side with a splinter fore end and a straight stock, only, and *only* over a pointing dog.   Waxing my Barbour coat and waiting for a call from my broker, David

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: Say! what about going after grouse with a 6 weight rod?  I have heard about : people catching pigeons with a threaded piece of dried corn. Time to re-hash the stories about bat-casting….

i always practice C&R on them…and ouzels…not much meat on a bat, but the wings (I’ve heard) make excellent jerky. TimW

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After reading all the posts about upland bird hunting and grouse stocking in the ff’er group, it got me to thinking (Hmmm… thought I smelled wood burning!) about the proper shotgun for trout. It would seem to me that you might want to go with variable chokes depending on if trout were feeding on the surface or not. The AR folks could always practice blast and release. Say! what about going after grouse with a 6 weight rod?  I have heard about people catching pigeons with a threaded piece of dried corn. Regards, Frank. Self appointed treasurer of the Mountain Home Benevolent Trout Fishers Assosciation. Motto:  Your dues are due. P.S.  I’m going nuts.  I haven’t been able to fish for awhile, and if I don’t soak my lower half in some cold water soon, I’m done for.

Hi Frank I’ve got some yellow Brazilian Velour that should make a great corn fly. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog)

Response:

After reading all the posts about upland bird hunting and grouse stocking in the ff’er group, it got me to thinking (Hmmm… thought I smelled wood burning!) about the proper shotgun for trout. It would seem to me that you might want to go with variable chokes depending on if trout were feeding on the surface or not. The AR folks could always practice blast and release. Say! what about going after grouse with a 6 weight rod?  I have heard about people catching pigeons with a threaded piece of dried corn. Regards, Frank. Self appointed treasurer of the Mountain Home Benevolent Trout Fishers Assosciation. Motto:  Your dues are due. P.S.  I’m going nuts.  I haven’t been able to fish for awhile, and if I don’t soak my lower half in some cold water soon, I’m done for.

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