Question:

Outstanding fishing around Glover’s Reef (Manta Resort only one there) – during the day schools of small bones hang around in the lagoons and assorted toothed guys on the open water- the coolest thing we did there was night fishing in the lagoon- nice tarpon come in about midnight and you spot fish them with a flashlight – their eyes glow big time – they’ll hit casting plugs(mirror lures and rattle traps) and flat tear up big  popper flies – hell of a thing about 2am to have a drink in one hand be hooked up with a 4-6 ft tarpon on a 10-12wt in the other Gary

For a real challenge, try that with an 8 weight… /daytripper (Not sure if waving goodbye is all that fun, though

Response:

Outstanding fishing around Glover’s Reef (Manta Resort only one there) – during the day schools of small bones hang around in the lagoons and assorted toothed guys on the open water- the coolest thing we did there was night fishing in the lagoon- nice tarpon come in about midnight and you spot fish them with a flashlight – their eyes glow big time – they’ll hit casting plugs(mirror lures and rattle traps) and flat tear up big  popper flies – hell of a thing about 2am to have a drink in one hand be hooked up with a 4-6 ft tarpon on a 10-12wt in the other Gary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Except for fishermen, and in particular, light tackle anglers and fly fishermen as well as divers, Belize, once known as British Honduras is the forgotten part of Central America. It is located just south of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, to the east of Guatemala and is the only English speaking country in the region.. It’s chief claim to fame is that it has the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, and second in the world only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. This, along with the fact that over ninety percent of its islands are uninhabitable makes it a light tackle anglers idea of heaven. From the super clear waters along the reef, through its myriad clusters of mangrove islands into its jungle rivers, it has something for everybody. Want variety? You can expect to catch two dozen different species of fish in a weeks time, from bonefish, permit and tarpon to wahoo, sailfish, grouper and snapper. Want to specialize? Get out your ten weight fly rod and try for the elusive permit, or stalk massive schools of bonefish. How about tarpon? Where do you prefer to pursue them? In slow moving jungle rivers with the howler monkeys screaming at you or on wide open flats with your guide slowly bringing you within casting range? Belize has it all. Winter is just around the corner, and if you feel the need to spend some time catching fish without thinking about how many layers of clothing you need, Belize is just the place for you. Check it out at www.tropicalfishing.com/Belize.htm or give Capt Gene Kelly at Tropical Fishing Adventures a call at 800 280 5565.

Response:

While I don’t doubt your point, I can only say that about the ones I’ve seen… /daytripper (And Belize was the worst by far…)

I wish I could say Belize was the worst I have seen. But then I didn’t spend much time on the mainland there, where conditions are much worse than where I was. — Charlie…

Response:

But don’t venture far from the "civilization" of the resort lest you stumble on the predominant gut-wrenching poverty… You can say that about a *lot* of resorts around the world.

While I don’t doubt your point, I can only say that about the ones I’ve seen… /daytripper (And Belize was the worst by far…)

Response:

The last day when I left,  I gave them all the cash I could and still get home. It was one of the most emotional thing that has happened to me in my lifetime.

…now why am I not surprised that you would do that Bill? I always knew you wuz one of the good guys. Good on ya. Frank Church

Response:

But don’t venture far from the "civilization" of the resort lest you stumble on the predominant gut-wrenching poverty… You can say that about a *lot* of resorts around the world. — Charlie…

Hmm . . . this was certainly true in Thailand.  Went there 6 times from 94-98. ( northern part of the country) (always stayed at the rear of the hotel where I stayed most. . . wanted it quieter)  Behind the hotel was a small field and a series of "small" wood buildings.  Some of the employees "lived" in these.   Would see them starting fires in the morning to cook breakfast and at night for dinner.  There was one shower for all the families, outside, with a cloth curtain. . . no hot water . . . and one outhouse.   These are the folks that did all aspects of the hotel functions. The owners live in suites at the top of the hotel. . . think they took a whole floor . . . or even two.  (quite a few fancy houses around the hotel from the other side of the economy,  with people catering to all resident needs) But with many of the hotel employees, and "most" other people I worked with in Thailand, they were selfless.  (I wasn’t at one of the higher end hotels) I got invited to a number of family events and functions of the less fortunate in terms of money.  I was overwhelmed by the generosity of them to share whatever they had to share.  Interesting reflection, at least to me, saving "face" is important over in that area of the world.  Even if I wanted to say something to an employee, I have to be careful about the presentation, and who was present.  (maybe we, in other parts of the world, can learn a bit from that concept) Neat thing to get into if you get a chance to work, and share experiences, with the people in the country you visit. (Naturally, not something that can generally happen with a whirlwind trip. . . nor something to consider . . . in some countries. . . but you can certainly develop friendships.) Most profound thing I’ve seen in my small part in world travel is absolute affluency and poverty right next to each other.  (Hmm. . . seem to have that part between me and my rich neighbors also . . . wonder if I can borrow a Sage rod or a cup of sugar or something?  . . . something to check out . . . and I think those are cute doggies . . . big teeth . . probably just smiling alot ) Thanks for helping me reflect on the international part. . . and my ramblings. BestWishes, DaveMohnsen Denver ( have a soft part in my heart for most of the Thailand folks. . .but there are always a few in the other category . . . but YMMV)

Response:

Hi DT, You are very correct. I have fished from the tip of the MX Yucatan all the way to the end of Belize in about 20 trips and that is a very sad fact. Actually, the fishing guides are some of the most affluent people in the Caribbean. The smart ones buy property and build rentals that their wife runs while they guide tourists. Most of them actually just drink and smoke a lot more. I was on a small cay for a week out of Dangriga, Belize fishing at the Blue Horizon Lodge it’s first season. On the back side of the cay in the mangroves was a little shack and a little skinny family of  four and their skinny dog. They had an old boat that they were using to haul sacks of sand, coral and shells to backfill the new fishing camp for ~25 cents a sack. While we fished, they loaded sacks, stacked them on their old boat to almost sinking and brought them back to the camp where they poured them around the new cottages on stilts to bring up the new cleared land above sea level a bit. You can imagine the heat, humidity and bugs they endured, let along the idea of that hard of work. They were all very skinny and made me feel very sad. The last day when I left,  I gave them all the cash I could and still get home. It was one of the most emotional thing that has happened to me in my lifetime. This kind of life is common in many 3rd world countries. Be glad you and yours are here in America. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But don’t venture far from the "civilization" of the resort lest you stumble on the predominant gut-wrenching poverty…

Response:

But don’t venture far from the "civilization" of the resort lest you stumble on the predominant gut-wrenching poverty…

You can say that about a *lot* of resorts around the world. — Charlie…

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Except for fishermen, and in particular, light tackle anglers and fly fishermen as well as divers, Belize, once known as British Honduras is the forgotten part of Central America. It is located just south of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, to the east of Guatemala and is the only English speaking country in the region.. It’s chief claim to fame is that it has the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, and second in the world only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. This, along with the fact that over ninety percent of its islands are uninhabitable makes it a light tackle anglers idea of heaven. From the super clear waters along the reef, through its myriad clusters of mangrove islands into its jungle rivers, it has something for everybody. Want variety? You can expect to catch two dozen different species of fish in a weeks time, from bonefish, permit and tarpon to wahoo, sailfish, grouper and snapper. Want to specialize? Get out your ten weight fly rod and try for the elusive permit, or stalk massive schools of bonefish. How about tarpon? Where do you prefer to pursue them? In slow moving jungle rivers with the howler monkeys screaming at you or on wide open flats with your guide slowly bringing you within casting range? Belize has it all. Winter is just around the corner, and if you feel the need to spend some time catching fish without thinking about how many layers of clothing you need, Belize is just the place for you. Check it out at www.tropicalfishing.com/Belize.htm or give Capt Gene Kelly at Tropical Fishing Adventures a call at 800 280 5565.

But don’t venture far from the "civilization" of the resort lest you stumble on the predominant gut-wrenching poverty…

Response:

Except for fishermen, and in particular, light tackle anglers and fly fishermen as well as divers, Belize, once known as British Honduras is the forgotten part of Central America. It is located just south of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, to the east of Guatemala and is the only English speaking country in the region.. It’s chief claim to fame is that it has the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, and second in the world only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. This, along with the fact that over ninety percent of its islands are uninhabitable makes it a light tackle anglers idea of heaven. From the super clear waters along the reef, through its myriad clusters of mangrove islands into its jungle rivers, it has something for everybody. Want variety? You can expect to catch two dozen different species of fish in a weeks time, from bonefish, permit and tarpon to wahoo, sailfish, grouper and snapper. Want to specialize? Get out your ten weight fly rod and try for the elusive permit, or stalk massive schools of bonefish. How about tarpon? Where do you prefer to pursue them? In slow moving jungle rivers with the howler monkeys screaming at you or on wide open flats with your guide slowly bringing you within casting range? Belize has it all. Winter is just around the corner, and if you feel the need to spend some time catching fish without thinking about how many layers of clothing you need, Belize is just the place for you. Check it out at www.tropicalfishing.com/Belize.htm or give Capt Gene Kelly at Tropical Fishing Adventures a call at 800 280 5565.

Response:

Question:

I fished with a ROFF lurker Sunday, a really good fisherman and tier, and we got rain, snow, and wind.  Both of us caught a few good fish and we enjoyed watching the guides and their sports in the Texas hole.  Two guys in one boat had a foul hooked double.  First time we’d ever seen that one.

I’m assuming you don’t mean my version of a double – foul hooking a fish with *both* my nymphs… ??

Response:

I’m assuming you don’t mean my version of a double – foul hooking a fish with *both* my nymphs… ??

  Man, that’s disgusting.  You need to brush up on your style:)   I caught a fish last year on two nymphs, one fly in each corner of his MOUTH. That’s the way we westerners do things. With a little class.  I’ll bet you tie Parachute Adams’ on treble hooks, too. 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:

I’m assuming you don’t mean my version of a double – foul hooking a fish with *both* my nymphs… ??

Wow.  I’ve never seen that one before either! bruce h

Response:

I’m assuming you don’t mean my version of a double – foul hooking a fish with *both* my nymphs… ??   Man, that’s disgusting.  You need to brush up on your style:)   I caught a fish last year on two nymphs, one fly in each corner of his MOUTH. That’s the way we westerners do things. With a little class.  I’ll bet you tie Parachute Adams’ on treble hooks, too.

Yeah, but I’ve noticed that if I leave off the tail, body, wings and even hackle from my treble Adams it snags ‘em just as well.  Frankly, I don’t think the fish can tell the difference…..

Response:

I’m planning on having a really small group at the San Juan December 7-10. You are invited if you are reading this.  Join the Western clique.  We’re really not all that picky 2002 has been a pretty slow year for me, fishing wise, although I’ve had the good fortune to take some good trips and I have caught lots of good fish. Just not as many as expected in many cases.  Fishing, like many other pursuits, can sometimes be improved by managing one’s expectations. Even the San Juan, a veritable aquarium, has been slower than expected on the days I managed to get up there this year.  And while I was in Idaho and Montana, struggling to catch fish and enjoying everyone’s company, the San Juan was rocking, with the fish eating anything, apparently.  Did I mention that Indian Joe is a HOOT? I vowed to make the time to fish the Juan for a weekend or more and really walk around and concentrate on locating concentrations of fish for the December trip.  Of course it’s not too tough in that river but the fish do move around as the conditions change.  And I’ve never even seen the river as low as it’s flowing now as a result of our drought – 350 cfs.  Last weekend I fished Friday afternoon and all weekend. At the Western Clave, Jeff C mentioned to me that he had hoped for visible hatches and working fish and a puzzle to solve.  We really didn’t get it. We were casting to likely water and mostly blind, not casting to visible fish (except the bridges!) or rise forms.  At the San Juan, you can cast to working fish and throw everything in your box at them and not hook anything but the Tamarisk behind you for two hours.  Well, unless your initials are WL that is.  And other times, the fish are visibly feeding, you can identify pretty closely what they’re eating, and lo and behold, a few of them eat your presentations of imitations.  As somebody once said and I’ve repeated often, some days are electric. Friday afternoon was Electric.  Saturday was raining, cold and mostly windy and the fish still ate a good presentation.  I looked up and down the river and saw the other fly fishers waiting for a chance to get a drift or sitting on the river bank waiting it out.  Sunday dawn I was walking across the upper flats, intent on checking out an apparently trapped goose that I had spotted from my truck.  As I got closer and it got a little brighter outside, I could tell it wasn’t a goose.  The shotgun blasts kicked my brain into gear.  Decoy, hunters.  Wow.  I’ve seen a lot of shotgun shells there but I’ve never had a couple of camo guys stand up on the island in front of me and start blasting at some distant ducks.  Even more amazing was the fact that they weren’t bothered by the other twenty or so guys that arrived over the next couple of hours. The baetis hatch Sunday afternoon was really something to behold.  We were at the right place at the right time.  I think there was a debate here some time ago about whether or not cloudy conditions bring out the baetis.  At the San Juan it seems obvious.  I was extremely happy to be there. I fished with a ROFF lurker Sunday, a really good fisherman and tier, and we got rain, snow, and wind.  Both of us caught a few good fish and we enjoyed watching the guides and their sports in the Texas hole.  Two guys in one boat had a foul hooked double.  First time we’d ever seen that one. bruce h

Response:

Question:

[snipped] Great story.  I can feel the slime and smell the penetrating odor from here

Response:

……On Saturday at a Back Yard Burger I saw four young Elvises (Elvii) getting out of a powder blue 1962 Buick convertible.

The dude DOES get around.  He spends his days picking up trash at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, here in Milwaukee. Wolfgang i guess the king of rock-n-roll biz ain’t what it used to was.

Response:

Great story.  I can feel the slime and smell the penetrating odor from here

TAKE A SHOWER ALREADY! mEMPHIS jIM No, I haven’t seen Elvis this week.

Response:

says… Great story.  I can feel the slime and smell the penetrating odor from here TAKE A SHOWER ALREADY! mEMPHIS jIM No, I haven’t seen Elvis this week.

thanks.  I was wondering what I stepped in… — Rob (but have you gone by Graceland…)

Response:

Actually that’s not true.  On Saturday at a Back Yard Burger I saw four young Elvises (Elvii) getting out of a powder blue 1962 Buick convertible. Memphis Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No, I haven’t seen Elvis this week. thanks.  I was wondering what I stepped in… — Rob (but have you gone by Graceland…)

Response:

Boulder, ponds near Munson’s ? You mean 75th and Valmont ? Not the Sawhill’s ? How in the world is there trout in any pond near there ? The water must be 85 degrees ? Good bass’n out there, and big carp. But you say there’s some nice trout, eh ? Could you please be more specific about where these ponds are ? TIA. Bone.

BTW, TBone, I forgot to mention the graylings… hehe

Response:

Is that you, Frank?

No sir. Not Frank. Ben. -bh

Response:

Boulder, ponds near Munson’s ? You mean 75th and Valmont ? Not the Sawhill’s ? How in the world is there trout in any pond near there ? The water must be 85 degrees ? Good bass’n out there, and big carp. But you say there’s some nice trout, eh ? Could you please be more specific about where these ponds are ? TIA. Bone.

Response:

Is that you, Frank? No sir. Not Frank. Ben.

It tis nice to see others with a single minded devotion to the fish.  Hey, so what if you get a bit messy, you got a fish and these guys are just dreaming of getting some. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Boulder, ponds near Munson’s ? You mean 75th and Valmont ? Not the Sawhill’s ? How in the world is there trout in any pond near there ? The water must be 85 degrees ? Good bass’n out there, and big carp. But you say there’s some nice trout, eh ? Could you please be more specific about where these ponds are ? TIA. Bone.

You clearly know the place, what I’ve been tiold by the F&G guys that patrol the area is that the ponds are and have for some time been dumping grounds for stock. Big bass, yes. I’ve lifted an 18 inch large mouth out of the back pond on a #10 krystal bugger tied to 6X tippet and a 4wt rod. I’ve also taken more than a number of catfish ON THE SURFACE using smallish, bright white upwing something or others (I forget exactly) from the first pond. Sunfish, bluegills, small mouths, big mouths. The place is like a proving ground for fly tackle. Specifically on the trout issue: Walk back from the parking lot, past the pond with the dock. The next pond on the north side of that path is huge and damned near dry. Stand there on the south side near the aspen stand, open your eyes and prick your ears. Those big dark shadowy bug sucking monsters are trout. If we don’t get some rain soon, they will soon be trout jerky. Let me know and I’ll meet you there. -bh Boulder, CO

Response:

I spent the day fishing one of the back ponds out near Munson’s east of Boulder, CO. The current drought and a bit of local water politics has reduced many of these usually healthy potholes to small bowls of muddy, stringy soup. The hole I chose to visit today caught my eye via my ear when I heard loud slurping sounds coming from the ooze. I sat down on a clump of rye grass and watched some of the biggest lunker trout I’ve ever seen sucking bugs off of the surface, their backs complelety exposed to the air as they lay cradled in the thick weeds. I sat and I watched and I evaluated. Two big problems — 1.) the sea weed was very thick and left only small (maybe 4-5 ft. across) targets of clear (kind of) water in which to land a fly and 2.) the CO Fish and Game had encouraged aspens all along this particular bank leaving only a 10 by 10 ft "window" for me to shoot a line through. Normally I’d feel ok about a tight cast like that, but I was also standing 10-12 feet above the surface of the water which put my backcast up high and my front cast down sharply. So I sat some more and evaluated and while I did I tied on a #8 Dave’s hopper variant that I picked up in a general store in Ten Sleep, WY this summer. This version has gads of jangly rubber legs and makes all kind of ruckus on the surface when you twitch ‘em. I had no clue what they were sipping so I figured something juicy and big might bust them away from whatever hatch they were enjoying at the moment. So I sat some more and evaluated and while I did I began to realise that there was not a single sunfish or gilly or anything small at or near the water’s edge. it occurred to me that this pond had been shrinking for months and that anything small had been consumed by the elders in the water. This explained their size. Off in the distance, maybe 100 yds or so from my clump of grass were two blue herons standing in less than a foot of water. They were no doubt waiting patiently for one of these giants to glide by. I tried to imagine what that fight would look like. The scene in front of me was like an entire wildlife documentory but without the narrative. Truly unreal. So I decided it was time. I screeched off 20 or 30 feet of line from my little Princess and flicked the tippet end out toward the water. Two or three false casts swished through the air and — and this is god’s truth — I popped that little hopper right smack in the center of a clear spot in the water. I watched. I waited. I stripped in the slack and I waited some more. The water was so dark and so thick with growth that it was hard to see anything beneath the surface. I waited a minute or so and finally I gave her a twitch. My little bug pushed a bow-wave straight toward me and floated high on the water. Another ten seconds and I gave it another twitch. This time something thick and black and large rolled over and devoured my fly. I popped my wrist back and hooked up nicely. That fish — my fish — ran a slalom course through the weeds and tangled my leader 5 ways from Sunday. I stood up, fell and slid like a knothead down the bank and landed on my knees in the muck. But I still had a fish on! I stripped the slack that had formed from my fall and felt the leader knot hit the tip of my rod. I knew I was less than 9 feet from this fish and I wasn’t going to let a little slime stop me from landing him. What I didn’t plan on was the "lack of firmness" on the bottom of the pond. I stepped into the water — just a foot or so — and immediately felt the coolness of the mud slide deliciously up to my knees. I tried to step out and I felt one of my Teva’s come off my foot. Damn! I lost balance and fell back, gently and with great style, right on my ass. Here I am, all of my bits and pieces in the water and my legs being swallowed by quick sand. I worked to get my feet out of the suck, all the while trying to hang on to my rod. Eventually I got to my feet and started scanning the weeds for my fishy friend. I bent my rod gently and in doing so pulled my leader into a semi-straight line. I coould feel the fish still and I could see the hissy fit he was throwing in the growth. Laying down my rod I wrapped the leader around my hand and gently pulled him in. The trout was wrapped in so much plant material that he looked twice his actual size. I kept him in the water and slipped a wet hand under his belly. The weeds kept him still as I unhooked him and pointed him, nose first toward the center of the pond. I gathered my dignity and shlepped back to my car, my legs and shorts frosted in foul smelling green/brown goop. Well, there are no facilities at this place and I had nothing more than what I was wearing with me so I slipped out of my shorts and tshirt, put my shirt over the driver’s seat of my car and drove home wearing nothing but my Jockeys and a big smile. Upon my arrival, my wife didn’t inquire as to my condition or how it came to be. She gave me a totally unaffected look and asked me if I had had a good time. I told her that I had.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I spent the day fishing one of the back ponds out near Munson’s east of Boulder, CO. The current drought and a bit of local water politics has reduced many of these usually healthy potholes to small bowls of muddy, stringy soup. The hole I chose to visit today caught my eye via my ear when I heard loud slurping sounds coming from the ooze. I sat down on a clump of rye grass and watched some of the biggest lunker trout I’ve ever seen sucking bugs off of the surface, their backs complelety exposed to the air as they lay cradled in the thick weeds. I sat and I watched and I evaluated. Two big problems — 1.) the sea weed was very thick and left only small (maybe 4-5 ft. across) targets of clear (kind of) water in which to land a fly and 2.) the CO Fish and Game had encouraged aspens all along this particular bank leaving only a 10 by 10 ft "window" for me to shoot a line through. Normally I’d feel ok about a tight cast like that, but I was also standing 10-12 feet above the surface of the water which put my backcast up high and my front cast down sharply. So I sat some more and evaluated and while I did I tied on a #8 Dave’s hopper variant that I picked up in a general store in Ten Sleep, WY this summer. This version has gads of jangly rubber legs and makes all kind of ruckus on the surface when you twitch ‘em. I had no clue what they were sipping so I figured something juicy and big might bust them away from whatever hatch they were enjoying at the moment. So I sat some more and evaluated and while I did I began to realise that there was not a single sunfish or gilly or anything small at or near the water’s edge. it occurred to me that this pond had been shrinking for months and that anything small had been consumed by the elders in the water. This explained their size. Off in the distance, maybe 100 yds or so from my clump of grass were two blue herons standing in less than a foot of water. They were no doubt waiting patiently for one of these giants to glide by. I tried to imagine what that fight would look like. The scene in front of me was like an entire wildlife documentory but without the narrative. Truly unreal. So I decided it was time. I screeched off 20 or 30 feet of line from my little Princess and flicked the tippet end out toward the water. Two or three false casts swished through the air and — and this is god’s truth — I popped that little hopper right smack in the center of a clear spot in the water. I watched. I waited. I stripped in the slack and I waited some more. The water was so dark and so thick with growth that it was hard to see anything beneath the surface. I waited a minute or so and finally I gave her a twitch. My little bug pushed a bow-wave straight toward me and floated high on the water. Another ten seconds and I gave it another twitch. This time something thick and black and large rolled over and devoured my fly. I popped my wrist back and hooked up nicely. That fish — my fish — ran a slalom course through the weeds and tangled my leader 5 ways from Sunday. I stood up, fell and slid like a knothead down the bank and landed on my knees in the muck. But I still had a fish on! I stripped the slack that had formed from my fall and felt the leader knot hit the tip of my rod. I knew I was less than 9 feet from this fish and I wasn’t going to let a little slime stop me from landing him. What I didn’t plan on was the "lack of firmness" on the bottom of the pond. I stepped into the water — just a foot or so — and immediately felt the coolness of the mud slide deliciously up to my knees. I tried to step out and I felt one of my Teva’s come off my foot. Damn! I lost balance and fell back, gently and with great style, right on my ass. Here I am, all of my bits and pieces in the water and my legs being swallowed by quick sand. I worked to get my feet out of the suck, all the while trying to hang on to my rod. Eventually I got to my feet and started scanning the weeds for my fishy friend. I bent my rod gently and in doing so pulled my leader into a semi-straight line. I coould feel the fish still and I could see the hissy fit he was throwing in the growth. Laying down my rod I wrapped the leader around my hand and gently pulled him in. The trout was wrapped in so much plant material that he looked twice his actual size. I kept him in the water and slipped a wet hand under his belly. The weeds kept him still as I unhooked him and pointed him, nose first toward the center of the pond. I gathered my dignity and shlepped back to my car, my legs and shorts frosted in foul smelling green/brown goop. Well, there are no facilities at this place and I had nothing more than what I was wearing with me so I slipped out of my shorts and tshirt, put my shirt over the driver’s seat of my car and drove home wearing nothing but my Jockeys and a big smile. Upon my arrival, my wife didn’t inquire as to my condition or how it came to be. She gave me a totally unaffected look and asked me if I had had a good time. I told her that I had.

Is that you, Frank?

Response:

Question:

Hi,     I’m going to be on vacation next week, I would like to hear any opinions on good spots to trout fish in Michigan. I don’t have a boat, so I need to know spots that I can wade or shore fish. Thanks, Jerry

Response:

Where in Michigan will you be?  There are plenty of streams and lakes to wet your line in. Maurice Paquette – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi,    I’m going to be on vacation next week, I would like to hear any opinions on good spots to trout fish in Michigan. I don’t have a boat, so I need to know spots that I can wade or shore fish. Thanks, Jerry

Response:

ubject: Michigan Flyfishing Spots for Vacation? Hi,    I’m going to be on vacation next week, I would like to hear any opinions on good spots to trout fish in Michigan. I don’t have a boat, so I need to know spots that I can wade or shore fish. Thanks, Jerry

Jerry, If you are on the upper end of the Lower Peninsula, try the Au Sable. I fished it for a couple of summers around 20 years ago in the Stephen’s Bridge area. There was a *great* Trico hatch in mid/late July in the early AM. (We’re talking 16"+ fish on size 24/28 Trico spinners) Later on in the day there was a Slate Wing Olive, (#18), and fish could be caught on terrestrials. Evenings brought the SWO spinner fall, as well as unidentified spinners and some caddis. While I was out there, I was told the Manistee and the Rifle rivers were also good in the summer, but I never fished them.  If the canoe traffic on the main Au Sable is too heavy, (mainly a weekend thing), try the North Branch. Good luck, George Adams

Response:

I live in Lincoln Park, just south of Detroit.  I know I’ll need to do some driving. Jerry

Response:

I just got back from the Manistee River, and you don’t need a boat. Check www.troutbums.com for more info. By the way , I’m just learning fly fishing (don’t care for other kinds) and I caught and released 2 brooks and a brown. If I can do it anyone can. Good luck and enjoy. Monty.

Response:

Try the Au Sable and Manistee as suggested, but also try the Boardman.  It gets very little pressure and has lots of (mostly smaller) fish.  The Boardman is also reported to hold large browns, but night fishing appears to be the key for those. Steve Kling

Response:

Thanks, I think I’ll try the Grayling area first.That will put me near to both the Au Sable and Manistee. Jerry

Response:

Question:

You might try using a hypodermic needle to inject some epoxy between the grip and rod. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail Selling my Fly Fishing Books Go to: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I built a GL3  7 1/2 ft 4 wt last winter, but the cork grip was just a bit loose before epoxying it to the blank. The lower 1/2 of the grip toward the reel seat was a pretty good fit, but the upper half has developed a squeak.   The grip is not actually loose but it is starting to feel sloppy (for lack of a better word).  Any ideas about how to fix this problem?  The fellow at the rod shop just looked at me knowingly and nodded his head saying "yup, I kin fix’er fer ye".  Which means stripping off the guides and replacing the grip. I’d like to try something less invasive but can’t figure a way to get the epoxy between the grip and blank. Patrick  

Response:

I built a GL3  7 1/2 ft 4 wt last winter, but the cork grip was just a bit loose before epoxying it to the blank. The lower 1/2 of the grip toward the reel seat was a pretty good fit, but the upper half has developed a squeak.   The grip is not actually loose but it is starting to feel sloppy (for lack of a better word).  Any ideas about how to fix this problem?  The fellow at the rod shop just looked at me knowingly and nodded his head saying "yup, I kin fix’er fer ye".  Which means stripping off the guides and replacing the grip.  I’d like to try something less invasive but can’t figure a way to get the epoxy between the grip and blank.

The only sure cure is a new cork grip that fits correctly with no voids (empty space inside.) Glue is needed only in the thinnest film, to prevent the inside surface of the cork from separating from the rod blank at any point, under whatever stress, so that no void can begin.  Building with voids and filling them will be unsatisfactory in the long run.  The glues react to bending and stretching differently from both blank material and cork, and if more rigid than both will probably wear away the softest i.e. the cork, depending on blank butt stiffness and actual use. I.e. do it right or not at all, if you want to use this rod with pleasure and confidence for a long time.  A repair by injecting glue may be acceptable on a spare rod, used only intermittently, I suppose. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

[deleted] but the upper half has developed a squeak.

[deleted] Duct tape usage #309. — TimW – Halfordian Golfer Guilt replaced the creel…

Response:

I have successfully repaired a grip by doing the following: 1) Get some 2 ton epoxy glue. Do not use the 5 minute stuff or super glue. This glue will take at least 24-36 hours to completely setup. It usually comes in 2 hypodermic syringes that are fused together. 2)I put these syringes close to a heat source like a light bulb to heat the solutions which will make them less viscous. 3) Get a 10 cc hypodermic syringe from a physician friend, dentist or vet. Be sure it is clean. You will ruin this syringe.Get a 20 gauge hypo needle at least 1 inch long. 4) Mix glue while it is warm and insert into the syringe. 5) Insert needle into the cork handle and push the glue into the space. You may need to inject in several places. Put rod aside for at least 24 hours before you flex it. I have used this technique on several rods successfully. The holes made by the needle in the cork are small and have been no problem You can repair them as needed. The first time I tried this, I used a 2cc syringe. I was unsuccessful until I used the larger syringe with a bigger bore needle. The 10 cc with the 20 gauge has worked OK, especially after the warming of the solutions. Good luck and let me know how it works out. Regards, J.

Response:

Snip 2)I put these syringes close to a heat source like a light bulb to heat the solutions which will make them less viscous.

I think Jack means "more viscous" and he’s right, warm it up slightly first. You can also use a hair dryer.

Response:

With all due respect, the viscosity of a solution is, according to physic textbooks:  " the property of a fluid which resists change in the shape or molecular arrangement during flow"  As stated in my post, we heat these solutions in order that they become less viscous and more "runny" if you will. A solution that is more viscous has a greater tendency to resist a change in its shape. Water for instance, is less viscous than molasses. My two cents worth. Jack.

Response:

More viscous, less viscous…. I got the point.  Thanks for the advice all the same.  I’m planning on giving this a try this weekend.  Will let you know how it turns out. Patrick

Response:

All the advice is good. I’d just be careful that you don’t hurt the blank itself when you do this. I could imagine having the rod splinter at the grip from a flaw you put into the blank. Of course it would happen on the 24 inch brown. FlyFisherRay

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I built a GL3  7 1/2 ft 4 wt last winter, but the cork grip was just a bit loose before epoxying it to the blank. The lower 1/2 of the grip toward the reel seat was a pretty good fit, but the upper half has developed a squeak. The grip is not actually loose but it is starting to feel sloppy (for lack of a better word).  Any ideas about how to fix this problem?  The fellow at the rod shop just looked at me knowingly and nodded his head saying "yup, I kin fix’er fer ye".  Which means stripping off the guides and replacing the grip.  I’d like to try something less invasive but can’t figure a way to get the epoxy between the grip and blank. The only sure cure is a new cork grip that fits correctly with no voids (empty space inside.) Glue is needed only in the thinnest film, to prevent the inside surface of the cork from separating from the rod blank at any point, under whatever stress, so that no void can begin.  Building with voids and filling them will be unsatisfactory in the long run.  The glues react to bending and stretching differently from both blank material and cork, and if more rigid than both will probably wear away the softest i.e. the cork, depending on blank butt stiffness and actual use. I.e. do it right or not at all, if you want to use this rod with pleasure and confidence for a long time.  A repair by injecting glue may be acceptable on a spare rod, used only intermittently, I suppose. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

  Yah, Don is correct. But if you want to a better half-assed job inject one of the new polyurethane bond  glues. These glues expand in cavities and fill gaps. About 10 years ago I used this type glue for mounting grips. However, the company that mad it took it off the market because of poor shelf life problems. Now there is a new generation of these glues, one Brand Is Elmer’s Pro Bond. These glues have a good open time and a tremendous bonding ability (ask Norm Abrams). Good Luck -Doug Easton

Response:

<snip But if you want to a better half-assed job inject one of the new polyurethane bond  glues.

<rest deleted for brevity Yeah, thats me… half an ass.  My wife keeps telling me the seat of my pants look like a family of Bedouins have recently moved out. Patrick  (suffering from no-ass-itis)

Response:

got to your local pharmacy and get a syringe (disposable plastic) and then stop by your local fire station or even a vetrinarian’s office and get a GREAT BIG needle.  just shoot that grip down in there full of glue…..    At least, it seems reasonable to me… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I built a GL3  7 1/2 ft 4 wt last winter, but the cork grip was just a bit loose before epoxying it to the blank. The lower 1/2 of the grip toward the reel seat was a pretty good fit, but the upper half has developed a squeak. The grip is not actually loose but it is starting to feel sloppy (for lack of a better word).  Any ideas about how to fix this problem?  The fellow at the rod shop just looked at me knowingly and nodded his head saying "yup, I kin fix’er fer ye".  Which means stripping off the guides and replacing the grip.  I’d like to try something less invasive but can’t figure a way to get the epoxy between the grip and blank. Patrick

Response:

Go to a local woodworking store if there is one near you. They sell a hypodermic looking glue injector that is used to push glue into a joint to glue it. If there are no stores near you, go to http://www.todayswoodworker.com I believe you can order it from them. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I built a GL3  7 1/2 ft 4 wt last winter, but the cork grip was just a bit loose before epoxying it to the blank. The lower 1/2 of the grip toward the reel seat was a pretty good fit, but the upper half has developed a squeak. The grip is not actually loose but it is starting to feel sloppy (for lack of a better word).  Any ideas about how to fix this problem?  The fellow at the rod shop just looked at me knowingly and nodded his head saying "yup, I kin fix’er fer ye".  Which means stripping off the guides and replacing the grip.  I’d like to try something less invasive but can’t figure a way to get the epoxy between the grip and blank. Patrick

Response:

I built a GL3  7 1/2 ft 4 wt last winter, but the cork grip was just a bit loose before epoxying it to the blank. The lower 1/2 of the grip toward the reel seat was a pretty good fit, but the upper half has developed a squeak.   The grip is not actually loose but it is starting to feel sloppy (for lack of a better word).  Any ideas about how to fix this problem?  The fellow at the rod shop just looked at me knowingly and nodded his head saying "yup, I kin fix’er fer ye".  Which means stripping off the guides and replacing the grip.  I’d like to try something less invasive but can’t figure a way to get the epoxy between the grip and blank. Patrick  

Response:

Question:

Can anyone tell me the EASIEST way to tie my fly to the leader?  I’m new to the sport and have all thumbs!            Thanks,    Dee

Deanna, I didn’t see the original post, so this may knot be applicable if you’re into  freshwater trout: Being adverse to labor as I am, I install a loop (whip finnish) in the end of my fly lines. Or if a dealer installs it, I have had a short butt section attached by a nail not and loop the end of the butt. ( I don’t like the nail knot version much , experienced breakoffs on bigger fish.)  I assemble all my leaders with bimini twist (not an easy knot) end loops shortened by surgeons knots (easy knot) .  Anyway, this allows quick and easy loop to loop connections and fast leader changes. Get yourself a book on knots at the library. I found Lefty Krehs very handy. Best of luck, Gary C. "The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once."  - Buckaroo Banzai

Response:

<< Can anyone tell me the EASIEST way to tie my fly to the leader?  I’m new to the sport and have all thumbs!            Thanks,    Dee I hate to be a spoil-sport, but wouldn’t it be easier for the lady to go to her nearest fly-shop and ask the nice gentleman (lady?) behind the counter.  A picture is worth ten thousand words. Dave L.

Spoil Sport! — Tight Threads,         Charley Renn         Corvallis, OR

Response:

That trouble maker Charley Renn writes: << << Can anyone tell me the EASIEST way to tie my fly to the leader?  I’m  new to the sport and have all thumbs!            Thanks,    Dee I hate to be a spoil-sport, but wouldn’t it be easier for the lady to go to her nearest fly-shop and ask the nice gentleman (lady?) behind the counter.  A picture is worth ten thousand words. Dave L.

Spoil Sport! — Tight Threads,         Charley Renn         Corvallis, OR Dave L.

Response:

Hi R.A., that sounds like the knot I use, the Running Half Tangle? — Remove NOSPAM to send E-mail Ernie Harrison – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone tell me the EASIEST way to tie my fly to the leader?  I’m new to the sport and have all thumbs!            Thanks,    Dee Hi Dee, I use a really simple knot…can’t remember its name…will try to describe how to tie it: 1.  Thread the tippet through the eye of your fly, so that around a foot of tippet is sticking out from the hook eye. 2.  Let go of the fly for now. 3.  form a loop with the tippett material, about 4 inches in diameter 4.  tie an "overhand knot" around the tippet.  You should now have a "slip knot" and a 4" loop in your tippett. 5.  reach through this loop with your thumb and forefinger, grasping the fly further down on your line, and pull the fly back through the loop. 6.  Using your fingers to hold back the hackle, snug down the knot, removing the loop, and trim the tag end. This knot is quite strong, and I use it for all dries/wets/and nymphs from size 10 to 22.  For streamers or larger flies, I use an improved clinch knot.   Hope you can decipher the instructions! Regards, R.A. Skehan

Response:

<< Can anyone tell me the EASIEST way to tie my fly to the leader?  I’m new to the sport and have all thumbs!            Thanks,    Dee

I hate to be a spoil-sport, but wouldn’t it be easier for the lady to go to her nearest fly-shop and ask the nice gentleman (lady?) behind the counter.  A picture is worth ten thousand words. Dave L.

Response:

Can anyone tell me the EASIEST way to tie my fly to the leader?  I’m new to the sport and have all thumbs!            Thanks,    Dee

Hi Dee, I use a really simple knot…can’t remember its name…will try to describe how to tie it: 1.  Thread the tippet through the eye of your fly, so that around a foot of tippet is sticking out from the hook eye. 2.  Let go of the fly for now. 3.  form a loop with the tippett material, about 4 inches in diameter 4.  tie an "overhand knot" around the tippet.  You should now have a "slip knot" and a 4" loop in your tippett. 5.  reach through this loop with your thumb and forefinger, grasping the fly further down on your line, and pull the fly back through the loop. 6.  Using your fingers to hold back the hackle, snug down the knot, removing the loop, and trim the tag end. This knot is quite strong, and I use it for all dries/wets/and nymphs from size 10 to 22.  For streamers or larger flies, I use an improved clinch knot.   Hope you can decipher the instructions! Regards, R.A. Skehan

Response:

Can anyone tell me the EASIEST way to tie my fly to the leader?  I’m new to the sport and have all thumbs!            Thanks,    Dee

Response:

Question:

Hi Group, Gretchen & I just returned from the Eugene, OR Fly Tying Expo. What a great show and bunch of people. We met some great folks from these newsgroups as well as many others not part of ROFF or ROFFT. There were about 150 fly tiers with 80 demonstrating at any given time.

I would like to have gone, but I don’t have a car at the moment. As always it’s great to be back home. I had to shovel for almost an hour to get the car OUT of the garage when we left for OR, it was sure nice to return home and not have to shovel my way back in. I guess spring is just around the corner, at least here in Montana. It was also great to see green grass and flowers in OR — a nice break from the snow.

Yeah, I think spring is here.  Just in the past couple of weeks the daytime highs have jumped from the 50’s to the 60’s.  Hatches should be on soon. -Burton — L. Burton Hawley           2330 NW Hummingbird Corvallis, OR

Response:

Yeah, I think spring is here.  Just in the past couple of weeks the daytime highs have jumped from the 50’s to the 60’s.  Hatches should be on soon. I just now noticed a huge swarm of those little ‘flying ants’ that make bike rides so much fun.  Spring’s definitely getting close, isn’t it?

Actually on my last bike ride out in Kings Valley the other day I saw a couple of mayflies.  Eleven days of 55+ temperature and those big stones will start crawling to shore. Say Al, I noticed Billings had a record high of 75 yesterday.  Nice! -Burton — L. Burton Hawley         2330 NW Hummingbird Corvallis, OR

Response:

Hi Group, Gretchen & I just returned from the Eugene, OR Fly Tying Expo. What a great show and bunch of people. We met some great folks from these newsgroups as well as many others not part of ROFF or ROFFT. There were about 150 fly tiers with 80 demonstrating at any given time. As always it’s great to be back home. I had to shovel for almost an hour to get the car OUT of the garage when we left for OR, it was sure nice to return home and not have to shovel my way back in. I guess spring is just around the corner, at least here in Montana. It was also great to see green grass and flowers in OR — a nice break from the snow. — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products http://www.btsflyfishing.com Tiemco quality hooks, under $6.00 pkg/50

Response:

Yeah, I think spring is here.  Just in the past couple of weeks the daytime highs have jumped from the 50’s to the 60’s.  Hatches should be on soon.

I just now noticed a huge swarm of those little ‘flying ants’ that make bike rides so much fun.  Spring’s definitely getting close, isn’t it? Oh!  There’s another thread on this, but I did see a male W.Bluebird the weekend of the 8th while riding out to Oak Creek gate!  Gorgeous little things. BTW, Al, glad you enjoyed your trip.  Did you get a chance to fish at all? Dave DeLacey Corvallis, Or. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – -Burton — L. Burton Hawley           2330 NW Hummingbird Corvallis, OR

Response:

Brrr, all this talk of shoveling snow makes me feel cold just thinking about it!! The Brown Trout season opened over here in the UK on Saturday and we had a few, just a few, hours of sunshing about mid-day. After an hour of sun a few fish remembered how to take a tiny green olive off the top..what a joy to see, it seems to have been a long dark winter. Thought it was too good to last, its been raining and a cold northerly wind has swept down from Scandinavia ever since. But the Daffodils and Primroses are showing so it won’t be long. regards…russ writes Hi Group, Gretchen & I just returned from the Eugene, OR Fly Tying Expo. What a great show and bunch of people. We met some great folks from these newsgroups as well as many others not part of ROFF or ROFFT. There were about 150 fly tiers with 80 demonstrating at any given time. As always it’s great to be back home. I had to shovel for almost an hour to get the car OUT of the garage when we left for OR, it was sure nice to return home and not have to shovel my way back in. I guess spring is just around the corner, at least here in Montana. It was also great to see green grass and flowers in OR — a nice break from the snow.

– Russell Symons M.I.P.D

Response:

The show was very successful, and we set attendance and sales records almost across the board.  Thanks to all those who demonstrated and attended. If you have suggestions for improving the show, let me know. Sorry I couldn’t hook up with the internet crowd – too busy with the video corner and beginners corner. V.P. Conservation      | http://porky.turbonet.com/orcfff/ | Home Page Oregon Council FFF     | (USA) (503) 753-4276              | Voice-mail Top Alerts    - 97/03/01 FFF Alert: Federal Government Considers Coho’s Future    - 97/03/12 ORC Signon: HB 2003 Undermines Camp Creek Decision    - 97/03/12 FF Alert: Belly Boat Legislation (Nevada)

Response:

Al…anything new and exciting that you saw at the show???? Barry Brown – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Group, Gretchen & I just returned from the Eugene, OR Fly Tying Expo. What a great show and bunch of people. We met some great folks from these newsgroups as well as many others not part of ROFF or ROFFT. There were about 150 fly tiers with 80 demonstrating at any given time. As always it’s great to be back home. I had to shovel for almost an hour to get the car OUT of the garage when we left for OR, it was sure nice to return home and not have to shovel my way back in. I guess spring is just around the corner, at least here in Montana. It was also great to see green grass and flowers in OR — a nice break from the snow. — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products http://www.btsflyfishing.com Tiemco quality hooks, under $6.00 pkg/50

Response:

Question:

Recently I was looking out the window of a jet and daydreaming. As we passed over southern Montana I saw what seemed to be an isolated range of mountains with lots of lakes and streams. It looked beautiful. When I got home and checked the map it appeared to be the Wind River Range. Does anybody know if this is an interesting area for fly fishing and backpacking? Thanks. Charles Daniel

Response:

Recently I was looking out the window of a jet and daydreaming. As we passed over southern Montana I saw what seemed to be an isolated range of mountains with lots of lakes and streams. It looked beautiful. When I got home and checked the map it appeared to be the Wind River Range. Does anybody know if this is an interesting area for fly fishing and backpacking? Thanks. Charles Daniel

Charles: The Winds are indeed absolutely beautiful.  I have done a number of backpacking trips into various portions of the Winds and they have spectacular scenery and fabulous fishing.  I’ve been on lakes where you could literally catch 12"-16" cutthroats on about every cast. There are a number of trailheads on both the east and west sides of the range, and there are hundreds of lakes with fish in them.  You can get forest service maps of the range (I think it’s the Shoshone Natl. Forest and the office is in Pinedale, WY). The Winds are definitely worth a trip – or ten. Good luck, Bob

Response:

Recently I was looking out the window of a jet and daydreaming. As we passed over southern Montana I saw what seemed to be an isolated range of mountains with lots of lakes and streams. It looked beautiful. When I got home and checked the map it appeared to be the Wind River Range. Does anybody know if this is an interesting area for fly fishing and backpacking? Thanks. Charles Daniel

Better check your map again.  The Winds are in Wyoming.  However, they are a superb location for fishing and backpacking.  Some of the most beautiful country in the state is in the Winds. Don Kelly

Response:

Question:

   Well, It’s been a long winter.!! I haven’t been on this newsgroup in a while…. I am seeking Adirondack/ Catskill fly fishermen to discuss and inform each other of productive streams, hatches, productive fly patterns for our various local streams. I fish mostly the Adirondack area, Warren, Essex County’s. When I have to stay local I fish the Kinderhook, Postenkill, etch. I haven’t gone to much south of this in a while.      I would like to hear from anyone who enjoys the fly fishing in these area’s   E-Mail me!

Response:

   Well, It’s been a long winter.!! I haven’t been on this newsgroup in a while…. I am seeking Adirondack/ Catskill fly fishermen to discuss and inform each other of productive streams, hatches, productive fly patterns for our various local streams. I fish mostly the Adirondack area, Warren, Essex County’s. When I have to stay local I fish the Kinderhook, Postenkill, etch. I haven’t gone to much south of this in a while.      I would like to hear from anyone who enjoys the fly fishing in these area’s   E-Mail me!

Yesterday(4/3), I fished the trophy section of the West Canada.  It was ridiculously fast and high, but it was worth it to get out…  Otherwise, people are catching trout in Oriskany Creek and in Sconondoa Creek (both Oneida County). Ned

Response:

Question:

 Hello, I was wondering if anybody has heard of this before. I fish a small  pond near my house on occasion and when I’m not using my fly rod I fish  with lures on my ultra light spinning rod. The pond has largemouths, bluegill  and Catfish. On three seperate trips I have caught nice sized (~2-3 lbs)  catfish with spinnerbait lures. Now I’m not an expert on catfish but has  anybody heard of catching them on lures? If you can catch catfish on lures  is there any particular type, size or colors that would work the best?   Now I’m just trying to figure out how to get them to rise for a dry fly.                           Brian Hadley

        I’m the onw who’s smewhat responible for all this catfish talk, and through my queries have heard of similar instances.  An article that lies at my feet says that when they spawn, they are best on crankbaits and spinnerbai et etc.  Interesting. —      |  Travis L. Clements |    And we all like the bit when you take      |  N. Logan, Utah     |    The jeans from the refridgerator and  

Response:

writes: Hello, I was wondering if anybody has heard of this before. I fish a small pond near my house on occasion and when I’m not using my fly rod I fish with lures on my ultra light spinning rod. The pond has largemouths, bluegill and Catfish. On three seperate trips I have caught nice sized (~2-3 lbs) catfish with spinnerbait lures. Now I’m not an expert on catfish but has anybody heard of catching them on lures? If you can catch catfish on lures is there any particular type, size or colors that would work the best?  Now I’m just trying to figure out how to get them to rise for a dry fly.

I’ve caught channel cats on 4-5 inch jointed floating Rapalas on the Allegheny River here in PA. I’ve even seen them rising for large white mayflies during a hatch. I wasn’t able to catch them with a fly, only a white Mr. Twister. Jason

Response:

|  and Catfish. On three seperate trips I have caught nice sized (~2-3 lbs) |  catfish with spinnerbait lures. Now I’m not an expert on catfish but has |  anybody heard of catching them on lures? If you can catch catfish on lures |  is there any particular type, size or colors that would work the best? From time to time I have caught cats on a lure.  They have hit mostly, but not exclusively, crankbait type lures fished along the bottom. The thing this most resembles is a crawfish, i.e., the action of crawling along the bottom stiring up the mud.  The color/pattern didn’t seem to matter-although I prefer shad color crankbaits first and crawfish color second.  I have also caught them on plastic worms when bassin’. Tight Lines, Mark O’Shea — In the absence of common sense we will not accept responsibility for any acts of complete or even partial stupidity.

Response:

|   |  Hello, I was wondering if anybody has heard of this before. I fish a small |  pond near my house on occasion and when I’m not using my fly rod I fish |  with lures on my ultra light spinning rod. The pond has largemouths, bluegill |  and Catfish. On three seperate trips I have caught nice sized (~2-3 lbs) |  catfish with spinnerbait lures. Now I’m not an expert on catfish but has |  anybody heard of catching them on lures? If you can catch catfish on lures |  is there any particular type, size or colors that would work the best? |   Now I’m just trying to figure out how to get them to rise for a dry fly. My father, brothers, and I catch lots of catfish with fly rods in the brackish tidal creeks that flow into the coastal rivers of Virginia. We fly cast small jigs and small spinners, and fish them on the bottom (which isn’t usually much more than 6 feet down).  This is very effective for all kinds of species — bream, largemouth, yellow perch, stiffback perch, crappie, and catfish.  You even occasionally hook into something a bit more exotic.   My brother once caught a carp that we estimate was well over 30 lbs.  My brother is about 6′ tall and when he held it up vertically, the tail was touching the ground while the nose was up at his chest.  He could barely stuff it under the front canoe seat after he landed it.  He gave it to a family from Cambodia, who must have feasted on it for days.  We occasionally catch carp in the 15 – 25 lb range.  It’s not all that exciting since it takes forever to land them and you usually assume that you’ve hung bottom until it slowly starts to lumber off.  On a light fly rod a big carp probably doesn’t even realize it’s hooked, so it fights like a log.  I guess we could just break the line, but that is just totally anithetical to an angler’s natural instincts. The catfish seem to hit best when it’s hot.  In the spring and fall we get more bream, largemouth, and perch.  But when it gets good and hot, the catfish take over and become the majority of the catch.  It amazes me how in the middle of a sweltering, humid, windless day, when you would expect all the fish in the creek to be hiding in the deepest hole that they can find, that the catfish are having a feeding frenzy in the shallows. We seem to have the best luck fishing from when the tide is about half out down to low tide and then maybe for the first hour of the incoming tide. These creeks have large, shallow weed beds and marshy areas that are exposed at low tide.  As the tide falls, baitfish have to get out of the shallows and into the main channel or get beached.  This is when the catfish (as well as other species) like to stack up next to any little channel that flows out of the marsh and watch the day’s buffet swim by. — University of Virginia Academic Computing Center

Response:

 Hello, I was wondering if anybody has heard of this before. I fish a small  pond near my house on occasion and when I’m not using my fly rod I fish  with lures on my ultra light spinning rod. The pond has largemouths, bluegill  and Catfish. On three seperate trips I have caught nice sized (~2-3 lbs)  catfish with spinnerbait lures. Now I’m not an expert on catfish but has  anybody heard of catching them on lures? If you can catch catfish on lures  is there any particular type, size or colors that would work the best?   Now I’m just trying to figure out how to get them to rise for a dry fly.                           Brian Hadley

Response:

Hello, I was wondering if anybody has heard of this before. I fish a small pond near my house on occasion and when I’m not using my fly rod I fish with lures on my ultra light spinning rod. The pond has largemouths, bluegill and Catfish. On three seperate trips I have caught nice sized (~2-3 lbs) catfish with spinnerbait lures. Now I’m not an expert on catfish but has anybody heard of catching them on lures? If you can catch catfish on lures is there any particular type, size or colors that would work the best?  Now I’m just trying to figure out how to get them to rise for a dry fly.                          Brian Hadley

On the Potomac we used to catch catfish on lures all the time, so much so that we used to fish for them specifically with lures. They seem to like the white Mr. Twister jigs we used for Stripers, and also Lime Green Mr. Twisters we used for Largemouth.  We caught plenty on Mepps spinners as well.  I even caught a Bullhead on a tiny torpedo (!)                         Mark — <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Harris Space Systems      ::            Melbourne, FL

Response:

: Hello, I was wondering if anybody has heard of this before. I fish a small : pond near my house on occasion and when I’m not using my fly rod I fish : with lures on my ultra light spinning rod. The pond has largemouths, bluegill : and Catfish. On three seperate trips I have caught nice sized (~2-3 lbs) : catfish with spinnerbait lures. Now I’m not an expert on catfish but has : anybody heard of catching them on lures? If you can catch catfish on lures : is there any particular type, size or colors that would work the best? :  Now I’m just trying to figure out how to get them to rise for a dry fly. Caught two on lures last year; both had been sprayed with Garlic Oil(TM). The first was around a 1 1/2 pounder on a purple plastic worm in early April in the back end of a cove on Lake Lanier near Atlanta. The second one was around 2 1/2 to 3 pounds on a "chirstmas tree pattern" Hal Fly on a small lake at Stone Mountain Park.  I was very surpised. I was trolling for crappie at least 2 weeks after they had come off the beds and was only catching "hand-sized" ones (as opposed to some of the slabs that I have caught in the weeks preceeding them going on the beds). I happened to have my small landing net with me, and was rather unhappy that I hadn’t caught the "slab of my dreams" . As for catching catfish on flys… As a boy growing up, my father and I would be able to fish 1-2 times a year with my grandfather in Florida on Lake Talquin(sp).  The lake had (may still have) a large population of blind mosquitoes that were active at night.  We would fish around the full moon with size 8-10 popping bugs for bluegills.  We would catch some "smallish" bass on some trips.  On one trip my father hooked what he taught was a "very" large bass, and after spending approx. 30 minutes getting the fish to the boat the first noise he heard as the fish was being netted was a catfish "croaking".  Weighed the fish the next morning at over 8 pounds. I wonder to this day if that fish was 1) actually trying to eat the popper, 2) chasing a bulegill and got hooked some how, or 3) god just put the thing on the end of that line. — Mike Marler                        | Rich Building, Room 242, Georgia Tech

Response: