Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snipped Actually it was the combination square that got ‘em. Guess it looked kinda ominous on the baggage checker screen. That plus the satchel clanked pretty good when I set it down on the belt. Hugh Well, yes. One of those does look a lot like a large caliber automatic assault machine pistol – with an adjustable range of 0 to 1200 yards – and you could easily be thrown out of school if you held it the wrong way in 9th grade shop class. — bill Theory don’t mean squat if it don’t work.

You mean today. When I went to high school, we were still in the shoot um up phase from WW2 and the Korean War. Hugh

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Change the brake fluid. Don in NH

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Curt: In the present world of airport paranoia, a bag full of metal things may present a real problem. You might be better off shipping a FedEx box of stuff to yourself at the RV seller’s address. Should be quite an adventure – good luck Frank Damp Anacortes, WA

Kinda reminds me of the time I was working on the house we bought in Allen Park Michigan. I needed a bunch of tools from home and packed them in a satchel, must have weighed 30 pounds. Got to the airport, tried to go through the metal detector (this was back in ‘78) and they said "no way". Had to run back and check the satchel in. Don’t know why they got concerned, there were just some wrenches, slip joint pliers, combination square, wood chisels, hacksaw, 24" aluminum level shortened to 18" and some sundry items <grin. Hugh

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Curt: In the present world of airport paranoia, a bag full of metal things may present a real problem. You might be better off shipping a FedEx box of stuff to yourself at the RV seller’s address. Should be quite an adventure – good luck Frank Damp Anacortes, WA Kinda reminds me of the time I was working on the house we bought in Allen Park Michigan. I needed a bunch of tools from home and packed them in a satchel, must have weighed 30 pounds. Got to the airport, tried to go through the metal detector (this was back in ‘78) and they said "no way". Had to run back and check the satchel in. Don’t know why they got concerned, there were just some wrenches, slip joint pliers, combination square, wood chisels, hacksaw, 24" aluminum level shortened to 18" and some sundry items <grin. Hugh It was that evil sawed-off level that did it. You should have left it at 24" – they hadn’t yet started harping on long range sniper levels back in 78. — bill Theory don’t mean squat if it don’t work.

Actually it was the combination square that got ‘em. Guess it looked kinda ominous on the baggage checker screen. That plus the satchel clanked pretty good when I set it down on the belt. Hugh

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Curt: In the present world of airport paranoia, a bag full of metal things may present a real problem. You might be better off shipping a FedEx box of stuff to yourself at the RV seller’s address. Should be quite an adventure – good luck Frank Damp Anacortes, WA

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<< So, any pointers would be helpfull.   This may be obvious, but don’t bring anything remotely flamable.  No flares, WD40 or even tools smelling of the stuff.  The airport inspectors have sensitive, if stupid sniffers. They do allow credit cards wiith high limits. Tom

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After a couple of months searching I finally located a motorhome I’m comfortable buying, so the trip is set; fly from Anchorage to Iowa on the 20th of July, pick up the rig, go see Mom in Minnesota for a couple days, then haul out to Carson City Nevada to pick up a buddy, then back to Alaska.  I plan on using my checked baggage to bring along some tools, jumper cables, tape, wire…things like that (I’d rather NOT check a bag, but don’t see a carry-n going through with these things in it).  The rig is an 89 with 56k on it, I don’t expect any problems, but figure it won’t hurt to have some items along.  I plan to stop by a NAPA and pick up some belts, hoses, plugs and what-not, figure if I don’t use them, I can probably return them to my local NAPA (I’ll check on that before I leave).  Anyone have any suggestions on what else to have along?  I’ll have my cell phone with me, but don’t know that it’ll do anything for me in Canada.  If NAPA ok’s the return of the parts, I’ll probably grab an alternator and a water pump too. This trip is pretty much going to be a death march to get the rig home, I don’t plan on a whole lot of sight-seeing, or pleasure taking, but if anyone has info on a "must see" along the way I’d love to hear it.  Campgrounds to avoid would be another bonus.  For the most part though, we plan to split the driving, and not spend alot of idle time, as we are trying to meet friends in Seward for a week of fishing.  Once we get there we’ll wind down from the trip.  So, any pointers would be helpfull.  BTW, I have a milepost, so I got taht covered.  Thanks – Curt Quite an adventure.   Hoses and belts are a good idea, but I’d be more worried about tires and brakes.  They’re what’ll get you killed.  Have the radiator checked and flushed.  And you can leave the jumper cables and tools at home, they’re cheap down here.  You can buy a whole set of tools for fifty bucks.  Bring lots of money instead.  You may need it somewhere around Liard Springs. Two words.  Duct Tape. Talk about a leap of faith.  Whew. Bob

Good advice, the tires are nearly new, but I had thought about brakes…a slight change in plans has me going to Idaho instead of NV, so I don’t have to do any huge mountain slopes…I was considering just changing all the pads and bleeding the system before I started back. Duct tape is definately on the list though.  Yeah, it is a huge leap of faith, I’ve talked to the guy wqho owns it, and he assures me I’ll be happy with it…likely story I’m sure, but for now I’ll play the faith in human nature role, and hope it works out, if not, I guess I’ll fly back home and start looking again.  Thanks for the advice, like I said, I’d rather fly down with just a carry on and no checked bags, we’ll see how it works out.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -After a couple of months searching I finally located a motorhome I’m comfortable buying, so the trip is set; fly from Anchorage to Iowa on the 20th of July, pick up the rig, go see Mom in Minnesota for a couple days, then haul out to Carson City Nevada to pick up a buddy, then back to Alaska.   I plan on using my checked baggage to bring along some tools, jumper cables, tape, wire…things like that (I’d rather NOT check a bag, but don’t see a carry-n going through with these things in it).  The rig is an 89 with 56k on it, I don’t expect any problems, but figure it won’t hurt to have some items along.  I plan to stop by a NAPA and pick up some belts, hoses, plugs and what-not, figure if I don’t use them, I can probably return them to my local NAPA (I’ll check on that before I leave).  Anyone have any suggestions on what else to have along?  I’ll have my cell phone with me, but don’t know that it’ll do anything for me in Canada.  If NAPA ok’s the return of the parts, I’ll probably grab an alternator and a water pump too.  This trip is pretty much going to be a death march to get the rig home, I don’t plan on a whole lot of sight-seeing, or pleasure taking, but if anyone has info on a "must see" along the way I’d love to hear it.  Campgrounds to avoid would be another bonus.  For the most part though, we plan to split the driving, and not spend alot of idle time, as we are trying to meet friends in Seward for a week of fishing.  Once we get there we’ll wind down from the trip.   So, any pointers would be helpfull.  BTW, I have a milepost, so I got taht covered.  Thanks – Curt

Quite an adventure.   Hoses and belts are a good idea, but I’d be more worried about tires and brakes.  They’re what’ll get you killed.  Have the radiator checked and flushed.  And you can leave the jumper cables and tools at home, they’re cheap down here.  You can buy a whole set of tools for fifty bucks.  Bring lots of money instead.  You may need it somewhere around Liard Springs. Two words.  Duct Tape. Talk about a leap of faith.  Whew. Bob

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After a couple of months searching I finally located a motorhome I’m comfortable buying, so the trip is set; fly from Anchorage to Iowa on the 20th of July, pick up the rig, go see Mom in Minnesota for a couple days, then haul out to Carson City Nevada to pick up a buddy, then back to Alaska.    I plan on using my checked baggage to bring along some tools, jumper cables, tape, wire…things like that (I’d rather NOT check a bag, but don’t see a carry-n going through with these things in it).  The rig is an 89 with 56k on it, I don’t expect any problems, but figure it won’t hurt to have some items along.  I plan to stop by a NAPA and pick up some belts, hoses, plugs and what-not, figure if I don’t use them, I can probably return them to my local NAPA (I’ll check on that before I leave).  Anyone have any suggestions on what else to have along?  I’ll have my cell phone with me, but don’t know that it’ll do anything for me in Canada.  If NAPA ok’s the return of the parts, I’ll probably grab an alternator and a water pump too.   This trip is pretty much going to be a death march to get the rig home, I don’t plan on a whole lot of sight-seeing, or pleasure taking, but if anyone has info on a "must see" along the way I’d love to hear it.  Campgrounds to avoid would be another bonus.  For the most part though, we plan to split the driving, and not spend alot of idle time, as we are trying to meet friends in Seward for a week of fishing.  Once we get there we’ll wind down from the trip.    So, any pointers would be helpfull.  BTW, I have a milepost, so I got taht covered.  Thanks – Curt

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Question:

Hi Mark, The best grayling flies (IMHO that is, and I caught a lot of ‘m) are:  Dries: 1. Klinkhamer Special 2. Traun Special 3. Deerhair Caddis/CDC-flies (small one’s!!)/Compara Duns  Nymphs: 1. Hare’s Ear Goldbead 2. Zug Bug 3. Caddis emergers This is in order of effectivity. You can mail me if you don’t know the patterns. CU Hans van der Stroom

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Mark, Grayling can be caught on many different flies.  Probably the surest thing is some black gnats.  But I have caught them on smaller streamers also.  Small minnow imitations, too. Pike are fun – take some fur "flies" – rabbit is good – especially white in my experience.  You can get a big pike to hit one of these even when he is so full of suckers that he does not even want to move. Lake trout might be a problem, depending on where you are going.  Where I am planning to go this Summer, they never go deep, but that is up on the Arctic Circle.  By July, you might not find any shallow enough for a fly rod.  If you do, I have had the best luck with minnow imatations retrieved fast – they are strong swimmers and I think that they are used to chasing prey that move pretty fast. You might email me and let me know where you are going, Kermit

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Greetings:   I’ll be fishing up in northern Canada around the middle of July, and would very much appreciate any info you could provide concerning your favorite fly patterns (and sizes) for arctic grayling, lake trout and northern pike.     I actually have caught smaller northerns on Dahlberg Divers, bunny leeches, etc., but I have never caught a lake trout on a fly, and I have never even seen a grayling.  I’m tying Dahlberg Divers, deer hair poppers and bunny leeches now, but I would like your feedback regarding patterns. I’m guessing that mosquito patterns, Elk Wing Caddis, maybe Adams would be good for grayling?  Any and all advice appreciated.  Thanks!   Cheers, and tight lines, -Mark

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Question:

That’s real interesting!

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but don’t come for the atlantic salmon fishing – the spring season as reported in April Trout and Salmon mag. has been generally very poor with few fish caught, and a lot of excuses (none of which conceal the awful truth of a near collapse of Atlantic Salmon stocks.  Read Fly Fisherman current issue…….tight lines elsewhere guys

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Question:

says… Hi, I’m planning a trip to the Banff/Lake Louise area in early Sept. Any info re: hotels, guides, expected conditions and how to escape the tourists would be appreciated. Thanks in advance JT

The Bow around Banff will be clear and low – blue winged olives will be the fly to try for rainbows or browns,  or cutthroats in the upper reaches. Rocky mountain whitefish are common, and the odd bull trout (Alberta’s provincial fish) is an interesting possibility.  Lake trout will be on deep trolling only that time of year – but can be a blast with a fly rod and a streamer on a downrigger (makes the purists scream too!) Brookies mainly in the beaverponds and oxbows of the Bow River. Hotels will still be charging high season rates – about double what they are at the end of the month. There is an excellent hostel in Banff, and another one in Lake Louise – you may want to check with your local International Hostel Association for membership/rates. You are (will be) a tourist. But there’s tons of backcountry to ‘escape’ to and a good guide will help.   Try Upper Bow Valley Fly Fishing in Banff- Dan Bell at (403) 760-7668 fax 762-8263 – he a super drift boat guide, has excxellent knowledge of area lakes, or can even arrange for a helicopter trip if you’ve got the budget. My close second choice would be the Green Drake Fly Shop in Canmore (403) 678-9525 fax (403) 678-2183  They do a lot of guiding, and have an excellent little shop that while difficult to find – is worth your while. Free and friendly and specific advise to c&r fishers. Tight lines & short strings Andrew Whittick   Banff Alberta

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Hi, I’m planning a trip to the Banff/Lake Louise area in early Sept. Any info re: hotels, guides, expected conditions and how to escape the tourists would be appreciated. Thanks in advance JT

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says… Hi, I’m planning a trip to the Banff/Lake Louise area in early Sept. Any info re: hotels, guides, expected conditions and how to escape the tourists would be appreciated. Thanks in advance JT

ps – almost forgot when fishing in Canada’s Mountain National Parks – you may not use lead weighted flys or lead weights less than 50 grams. No such restrictions outside of the parks though.  Floating the Bow River from Banff to Canmore will require a National Parl fishing license, and an Alberta license. Both are quite inexepensive (under $20 CDN) Andrew Whittick   Banff Alberta

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Question:

I am looking for information about good place to fly fish in vermont, does

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Mr. Brigham, Is there a particular fish you prefer and any particular area of the state? James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings

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I am looking for information about good place to fly fish in vermont, does

Go to  book store and purchase "Fishing Vermont’s Streams and Lakes" by Peter F. Cammann.

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Question:

Several flyfishing folks in the Northeast Texas area are interested in organizing a FF club and  have ‘kinda’ elected me to put it together.  If anyone has any experience in organizing or even being a member in a FF club I could use some (all) of your guidance.  We would like to have it somewhere between a beer bust in the back yard and formal reading of the minutes etc. Thanks for any help! Knack Whitehouse, TX

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Several flyfishing folks in the Northeast Texas area are interested in organizing a FF club and have ‘kinda’ elected me to put it together.  If anyone has any experience in organizing or even being a member in a FF club I could use some (all) of your guidance.  We would like to have it somewhere between a beer bust in the back yard and formal reading of the minutes etc. Thanks for any help! Knack Whitehouse, TX

Hi Knack Contact the Federation of Fly Fishers at 800-618-0808 and ask for their "Forming a Club" literature.  The information is straight forward and easy to follow. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Southern council of FFF (includes TX) has a web site: http://www.sky.net/~flyfish/ There are several small/local clubs affiliated with FFF. I don’t know the economics of the affiliation, but there might be something for you there. John Nesselrode Shawnee, KS

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Question:

With the current thread on the exploding float tube (Float Tube Safety – Near Drowning) I was thinking about the recent thread about the guy who drowned. It appeared that he was stuck in an upside-down float tube. A few have said that they would try to flip their tubes and see if they can get out. Has anybody tried this yet? Jon Porter

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With the current thread on the exploding float tube (Float Tube Safety – Near Drowning) I was thinking about the recent thread about the guy who drowned. It appeared that he was stuck in an upside-down float tube. A few have said that they would try to flip their tubes and see if they can get out. Has anybody tried this yet? Jon Porter

Hi Jon, Several years ago I accidently flipped my tube.  Thank god I had two friends right next to me and we were only about six feet from the bank.   I don’t think I could have gotten out of the tube by myself.  I promptly bought a pontoon boat with a rowing system (Water Otter) and have never been in a float tube since. After getting the Water Otter I purposely turned it over a couple of times to see how difficult it would be to get out of it (again with friends present to help).  I was able to free myself rather quickly on both occasions.  I’ve never had an unscheduled roll over as it seems to be quite stable.  I suppose a roll over is possible if I was not paying attention and ran one of the pontoon up on a rock in faster water. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Question:

How about some Montana freemen, Tim? They’re coming to take you away, they’re coming to take you away, oh boy. Don B. FREEMEN? Aren’t those the guys that just got put in jail? Bronco

Jail? We don’t have jails anymore. They’re going to urban recreation centers. <g Don B.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How about some Montana freemen, Tim? They’re coming to take you away, they’re coming to take you away, oh boy. Don B. FREEMEN? Aren’t those the guys that just got put in jail? Bronco Jail? We don’t have jails anymore. They’re going to urban recreation centers. <g

That’s true and just think of how many Adams you could tie doing 5-10. TimW

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How about some Montana freemen, Tim? They’re coming to take you away, they’re coming to take you away, oh boy. Don B. FREEMEN? Aren’t those the guys that just got put in jail? Bronco Jail? We don’t have jails anymore. They’re going to urban recreation centers. <g That’s true and just think of how many Adams you could tie doing 5-10. TimW

The problem is making good hooks from spoons! Musconet

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Just received Orvis’s gift and clothing catalog. There is an African American model on just about every other page. It may not be their fishing catalog, but it goes to show that they are not racist. Lets hope that this dispenses with this valuable but(now)tiresome thread that has occupied so much of the bandwidth on ROFF over the last few weeks.

Yeah…but I saw NO asians pal !  Damned if there wasn’t a SINGLE Aleut ! Can you beleive that ?!?!?  And Mongols…? Ha ! nowhere in sight… you know what, I saw no dwarves or midgets eithers… Orvis, those Eskimidgetmongolphobic bastards… TimW

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Seriously…no midgets!!! God that makes me angry. I’m going to write Perk Perkins and give that bastard hell.

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Just received Orvis’s gift and clothing catalog. There is an African American model on just about every other page. It may not be their fishing catalog, but it goes to show that they are not racist. Lets hope that this dispenses with this valuable but(now)tiresome thread that has occupied so much of the bandwidth on ROFF over the last few weeks.

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writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  Oh Well….. Just received Orvis’s gift and clothing catalog. There is an African American model on just about every other page. It may not be their fishing catalog, but it goes to show that they are not racist. Lets hope that this dispenses with this valuable but(now)tiresome thread that has occupied so much of the bandwidth on ROFF over the last few weeks. Yeah…but I saw NO asians pal !  Damned if there wasn’t a SINGLE Aleut ! Can you beleive that ?!?!?  And Mongols…? Ha ! nowhere in sight… you know what, I saw no dwarves or midgets eithers… Orvis, those Eskimidgetmongolphobic bastards… TimW

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Just received Orvis’s gift and clothing catalog. There is an African American model on just about every other page. It may not be their fishing catalog, but it goes to show that they are not racist. Lets hope that this dispenses with this valuable but(now)tiresome thread that has occupied so much of the bandwidth on ROFF over the last few weeks.

I totally agree!  I used to live near Manchester, VT and got to know many of the Orvis people (I also did some of the catalog photography). They’re nice people and _not_ racist, like most people aren’t. Jim Benenson Los Alamos, NM "To save your rivers, save your mountains" Emperor Yu of China, circa 1600 BC

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Just received Orvis’s gift and clothing catalog. There is an African American model on just about every other page. It may not be their fishing catalog, but it goes to show that they are not racist. Lets hope that this dispenses with this valuable but(now)tiresome thread that has occupied so much of the bandwidth on ROFF over the last few weeks.

Maybe it also shows that they read r.o.f.f…. — Richard W. (Dick) Lander; sportsman, Macintosh devotee, proponent of personal liberty. *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

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Just received Orvis’s gift and clothing catalog. There is an African American model on just about every other page. It may not be their fishing catalog, but it goes to show that they are not racist. Lets hope that this dispenses with this valuable but(now)tiresome thread that has occupied so much of the bandwidth on ROFF over the last few weeks.

AMEN!!!       Gene

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writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just received Orvis’s gift and clothing catalog. There is an African American model on just about every other page. It may not be their fishing catalog, but it goes to show that they are not racist. Lets hope that this dispenses with this valuable but(now)tiresome thread that has occupied so much of the bandwidth on ROFF over the last few weeks. Yeah…but I saw NO asians pal !  Damned if there wasn’t a SINGLE Aleut ! Can you beleive that ?!?!?  And Mongols…? Ha ! nowhere in sight… you know what, I saw no dwarves or midgets eithers… Orvis, those Eskimidgetmongolphobic bastards… TimW

How about some Montana freemen, Tim? They’re coming to take you away, they’re coming to take you away, oh boy. Don B.

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This is my first post to a newsgroup, so bear with me if I blunder. I attempted, with little success, to tie a Dark Hendrickson Nymph this evening.  All aspects of tying the fly are understandable, and I am able to accomplish them except dubbing.  Is this a concept with which most beginners (like myself) have trouble? Specifically, I cannot get the Muskrat fur to "adhere" to the thread.  I use dubbing wax and dab the fur onto it, but it never gets thick enough to tighten into something that will form the body/thorax. Can someone provide some much-needed advice/hints on how I can make this happen? Thanks in advance…

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. . . Specifically, I cannot get the Muskrat fur to "adhere" to the thread.  I use dubbing wax and dab the fur onto it, but it never gets thick enough to tighten into something that will form the body/thorax.

There are several different methods, described in books by Eric Leiser, Poul Jorgensen, Peter Gathercole etc. e.g. single thread or double loop (chenille) depending on factors like your thread (silk or nylon or polyester) and aims:  so feel free to experiment, if you cannot get to the library.   E.g. you can sprinkle cut fur on a clean cloth on your knee, take a separate piece of waxed thread, and roll it on the fur until it picks up a smooth "sausage" of dubbing.  If your dubbing goes onto the nymph but fails to stay on, counter-winding with self-coloured ribbing may be all you need. Some people tie successfully without ever using wax, especially wets because they should sink, not float.  Saliva holds many furs well enough to many threads. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This is my first post to a newsgroup, so bear with me if I blunder. I attempted, with little success, to tie a Dark Hendrickson Nymph this evening.  All aspects of tying the fly are understandable, and I am able to accomplish them except dubbing.  Is this a concept with which most beginners (like myself) have trouble? Specifically, I cannot get the Muskrat fur to "adhere" to the thread. I use dubbing wax and dab the fur onto it, but it never gets thick enough to tighten into something that will form the body/thorax. Can someone provide some much-needed advice/hints on how I can make this happen? Thanks in advance…

  Try spinning the dubbing onto the thread.  Dabbing creates a spikey dubbed body.  Try this – dab the fur onto the waxed thread, and pinch the dubbing between your forefinger and thumb and spin the fur onto the line.  Be careful to spin in one direction only.  this should create a nicely formed "noodle" which you then wind on. You can also form the "noodle" loosely, before dabbing.  lay out the fur (or better a mixture of several colors layered, then pinch it onto the thread, and wind on. This gives you a nicely mottled thorax. good luck,

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Specifically, I cannot get the Muskrat fur to "adhere" to the thread.  I use dubbing wax and dab the fur onto it, but it never gets thick enough to tighten into something that will form the body/thorax.

Gary, In addition to the suggestions made by J. J. Gordon, you might want to try using a dubbing loop:  Form a loop of thread that is several inches long at the rear of the fly.  Wind the bobbin to the front of the fly where the dubbing will end.  Hang a dubbing twister on the end of the loop.  I made a simple dubbling twister using a couple of paper clips and a bell sinker–it’s essentially a hook of wire with a weight.  Wax the loop and place the dubbing in the loop.  Spin the twister until the dubbing has formed a chenille-like strand of the desired tightness.  If you "twang" the thread as you are twisting it, hair-type dubbing will tend to stand out more, making a more "spiky" body.  Then just wind the loop onto the hook like chenille and tie it off. I’ve found loops to be easier to handle than the single thread methods. Good luck! –Stephen Wong P.S. You might want to check out the flytying newsgroup: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying.

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How about some Montana freemen, Tim? They’re coming to take you away, they’re coming to take you away, oh boy. Don B. FREEMEN? Aren’t those the guys that just got put in jail? Bronco

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Geecee, Dubbing’s a bitch for beginners. Just keep at it, soon you will be able to do it without wax. Suggestion: after dubbing onto a single thread, loop back to the body of the hook. Then twist the bottom of the newly formed loop. That tends to hold the dubbing on the thread snugly. Bronco

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. . . Specifically, I cannot get the Muskrat fur to "adhere" to the thread.  I use dubbing wax and dab the fur onto it, but it never gets thick enough to tighten into something that will form the body/thorax.

I have never used wax… well, except to experiment. I just pull off the bits of muskrat and make certain I didn’t also pull off some hide . Then, while holding it between my index finger and thumb, I roll it around the thread. You can add as much or as little as you want and there is no waste. If you roll it loosely, it sticks out and is nice and buggy looking. If you roll it tightly, it looks more like a dry fly dubbing job. Maybe I am being too vague about my technique… I pull the hairs off with the standard thumb and forefinger method any child would employ. Grab some and pull. Then I kind of slide the tying thread into the hairs (parallel to the hairs) and start to roll my fingers as though I was trying to twist the thread one way, then the other. I work my fingers up and down the thread to evenly distribute the hair quantity and this also allows me to taper the body quite well. I can adjust the weight of the bug by changing how much hair I put on at a time. Less hair means more thread and more wraps, more weight and more strength to the finished fly but the body is also harder when the fish bites. Opinions may fly rampant here but the fish never seem to comment on it one way or the other. Hope this helps, David Buschhorn Known on IRC as "Dubbing"

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writes: Can someone provide some much-needed advice/hints on how I can make this happen?

    Everybody’s right and nobody’s wrong on this.  I don’t think any two tyers do this exactly the same way.  I prefer the single thread to the loop for most patterns, but that’s me.  I’m also not as good or consistent as I may sound in postings.  My hint: put a big hook in the vise and work on dubbing for an hour without trying to tie a fly.  Try different threads, waxes, furs, and methods.  Your way will come to you.  In the long run it will save you time and frustration.  Also, join us on ROFFT — good stuff every day, all are welcome.   –Roger

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In addition to the other methods you may want to look at the thread you are using and the way you apply the wax. If you are using a pre-waxed thread there is no need to add wax to the thread. Instead put the wax on your fingers. Most of the times that I have seen people having problems with dubbing it has been fixed by keeping the fingers dry a bit of low tack wax works well.

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Question:

Do you need goods or have questions about fly tying, tools or materials?  Would be happy to help anyone out.

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YOU BET. I CAN USE ALL THE INFO I CAN GET ABOUT FLY TYING.  I JUST STARTED AND I THINK I’VE SET A NEW STANDARD FOR CLUTZINESS.  BUT I INTEND TO KEEP IT UP .  I CAN ONLY GET BETTER.  THANKS FOR WHATEVER YOU CAN PROVIDE.

Response:

YOU BET. I CAN USE ALL THE INFO I CAN GET ABOUT FLY TYING.  I JUST STARTED AND I THINK I’VE SET A NEW STANDARD FOR CLUTZINESS.  BUT I INTEND TO KEEP IT UP .  I CAN ONLY GET BETTER.  THANKS FOR WHATEVER YOU CAN PROVIDE.

I can understand everything you are going through.I would try to find a fly tying course or flyfishing club. Practice makes perfect.

Response:

Question:

"I’m taking week long trip in June/July to this area.  Any

great recommendations on streams/rivers to flyfish on? << Spent some time in Kalispell last fall. This is definitely northwest Montana and it is stunningly beautiful but it is no hotspot for flyfishing. I fished all the streams in the Kalispell/Whitefish area and averaged about 0.5 fish per hour. Two forks of the Flathead River border Glacier National Park on the West and South. These are gorgeous rivers and you’d never regret spending a day on them but they’re not very fertile. Don’t get me wrong – there are plenty of fish but nothing like the famous Montana streams of the Yellowstone area and elsewhere. There is a very nice fly shop in Whitefish (can’t remember the name) where you can get flies and advice. If you go to this area, YOU MUST VISIT GLACIER NATIONAL PARK. It rivals anyplace on earth for beauty. Tim

Response:

: Podell writes:

: "I’m taking week long trip in June/July to this area.  Any great : recommendations on streams/rivers to flyfish on?  I need something wide : enough to backcast on, as I still spend an inordinate amount of time in : the trees on narrow streams….." : In Montana, try the Madison,  the Gallatin, the Beaverhead, the : Jefferson, the Big Hole, the Missouri, and the Yellowstone if you don’t : want to travel very far (there are dozens more within a short drive). : Then, of course there are all of the rivers of Yellowstone Park.   Not to beat a dead horse… but none of these rivers are in Northwest Montana, either.  Mr. Hugh, do you own resort property or something?<g   There are many other rivers in the Montana/Idaho region other than around Bozeman/Big Sky.   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:

Podell writes:

"I’m taking week long trip in June/July to this area.  Any great recommendations on streams/rivers to flyfish on?  I need something wide enough to backcast on, as I still spend an inordinate amount of time in the trees on narrow streams….." Wow, are you in for a surprise and some fun.  You are going to be on some rivers where a backcast would have to be hundreds of feet long to get into trouble.   There are some BIG rivers to fish.  Certainly try the Henry’s Fork in the Harriman State Park, the Teton and perhaps the Falls rivers in Idaho.  In Montana, try the Madison,  the Gallatin, the Beaverhead, the Jefferson, the Big Hole, the Missouri, and the Yellowstone if you don’t want to travel very far (there are dozens more within a short drive). Then, of course there are all of the rivers of Yellowstone Park.   You are going to have to do some serious narrowing down of the options! but you will have fun. Don’t overlook using guides if you can afford it.  Many of these rivers are best floated rather than waded.                                               Dallas, TX                                               Ennis, MT

Response:

: Podell writes:

: "I’m taking week long trip in June/July to this area.  Any great : recommendations on streams/rivers to flyfish on?  I need something wide : enough to backcast on, as I still spend an inordinate amount of time in : the trees on narrow streams….." : trouble.   There are some BIG rivers to fish.  Certainly try the Henry’s : Fork in the Harriman State Park, the Teton and perhaps the Falls rivers in : Idaho.   Ummm…none of these rivers are in *Northern* Idaho.  But I must agree he is in for a nice surprise. Rick — T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    |  These University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    |  opinions Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. |  are mine.  

Response:

I’m taking week long trip in June/July to this area.  Any great recommendations on streams/rivers to flyfish on?  I need something wide enough to backcast on, as I still spend an inordinate amount of time in the trees on narrow streams…..

Response: