Question:

The show is coming up on us this month, the 12th and 13th.  Just wondering if we all getting together, Sat or Sun?  Do the ROFF lunch thing or something there.  Then again, we could just all wander through asking the celebs if they want our autographs.  Should drive ‘em nuts.  Kinda like an Alice’s Restaraunt "movement." — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

I’m planniing on attending on Saturday. Lou Teletski

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The show is coming up on us this month, the 12th and 13th.  Just wondering if we all getting together, Sat or Sun?  Do the ROFF lunch thing or something there.  Then again, we could just all wander through asking the celebs if they want our autographs.  Should drive ‘em nuts.  Kinda like an Alice’s Restaraunt "movement." — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

We’ll be there Saturday morning.  If I can’t find the 9 wt. rod and reel outfit I want at the price I want, I’ll just have to buy a bunch of chicken feathers, and assorted dead animal parts!  Got an OTT light for Christmas and Frank wants me to tie up 40 or so voodoo charms on fish hooks to pass off as flys, so looks like the tying bench will be busy. I should be broke, tired, and ready for lunch at lunch time. — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The show is coming up on us this month, the 12th and 13th.  Just wondering if we all getting together, Sat or Sun?  Do the ROFF lunch thing or something there.  Then again, we could just all wander through asking the celebs if they want our autographs.  Should drive ‘em nuts.  Kinda like an Alice’s Restaraunt "movement." — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Lou, be sure to wear something I’ll recognize.  There are so many darn grizzled looking old fly fishermen hanging about its darn hard to tell you guys apart! — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m planniing on attending on Saturday. Lou Teletski

Response:

Got any details on location, etc.?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The show is coming up on us this month, the 12th and 13th.  Just wondering if we all getting together, Sat or Sun?  Do the ROFF lunch thing or something there.  Then again, we could just all wander through asking the celebs if they want our autographs.  Should drive ‘em nuts.  Kinda like an Alice’s Restaraunt "movement." — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Its at the Record Armory, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.   Go to <http://www.flyfishingshow.com/collegepark.html for details. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Got any details on location, etc.?

Response:

I’ll wear an orange baseball cap with a race horse on the fron and the words "Cupola Farm". Lou Teletski

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Lou, be sure to wear something I’ll recognize.  There are so many darn grizzled looking old fly fishermen hanging about its darn hard to tell you guys apart! — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine! I’m planniing on attending on Saturday. Lou Teletski

Response:

The show is coming up on us this month, the 12th and 13th.  Just wondering if we all getting together, Sat or Sun?  Do the ROFF lunch thing or something there.

Saturday’s still my only chance.   Lunch would be my earliest possible arrival.   If you eat late (say 12:30 or 1:00), I might be able to join you. I may have to meet y’all afterward back at the show. Joe F. (got my "Reel Men" hat all ready to go. <g)

Response:

Frank, Sorry, Sunday is the only day I can make it. I posted this same question yesterday as we talked about and it never showed up…. strange. Allen Epps – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The show is coming up on us this month, the 12th and 13th.  Just wondering if we all getting together, Sat or Sun?  Do the ROFF lunch thing or something there. Saturday’s still my only chance.   Lunch would be my earliest possible arrival.   If you eat late (say 12:30 or 1:00), I might be able to join you. I may have to meet y’all afterward back at the show. Joe F. (got my "Reel Men" hat all ready to go. <g)

Response:

Must have been the reference to "strike indicator" still being analyzed by the outgoing mail oversight committee! — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Frank, Sorry, Sunday is the only day I can make it. I posted this same question yesterday as we talked about and it never showed up…. strange. Allen Epps

Response:

Question:

Mine–admittedly just for ordinary shoes–are made of cork.  Maybe traditional ones aren’t durable enough for repeated soaking and drying out.

Need Portuguese cork from a good rod-building site. — fly-tyin’, drift-boat-rowin’, dutch-oven-cookin’, spring-crick-fishin’ western mountain mamas who yodel in the throes of passion.com

Response:

Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you

Custom orthotics are nowadays made of resin. You just put them in your wading boots. — |        Carlsbad Springs, Ottawa, Canada        |

Response:

Be careful with insurance. As we all know, some generic substitutions are fine (for example, I’ve heard that Danish and Finnish nude masseuses are clinically equivalent to Swedish masseuses), but some HMOs will try to foist masseuses from Hungary of the Czech Republic, as to which there is insufficient research to justify it medically. I propose a double-blind test: you in a dark room with nude masseuses of various nationalities, including Canadians as a control, and the guy opening the door and letting them in wearing earplugs so he can’t hear the accents. Let me know how it turns out or if you need any volunteers to obtain a more statistically relevant sample. Also, more seriously, go get a second opinion on this stuff. Podiatrists are great in their specialty, but as Dirty Harry Callahan says, "A man’s got to know his limitations." — fly-tyin’, drift-boat-rowin’, dutch-oven-cookin’, spring-crick-fishin’ western mountain mamas who yodel in the throes of passion.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll be lookin’ to all this stuff via the ‘net and my insurance policy.  I like the idea of the Swedish therapy most.  You think insurance will cover that as well?

Response:

I thought you was a shrink Doc?  What you got a foot fetish too? I’ll be lookin’ to all this stuff via the ‘net and my insurance policy.  I like the idea of the Swedish therapy most.  You think insurance will cover that as well? Thanks Chris

— I used to be a shrink, but now I look at my feet all the time, so hence the expertise.  Actually, I looked this stuff up because I was concerned and put together my post based upon my research findings. If your insurance company does not cover well accepted medically necessary naked Swedish massage, then send a complaint to the insurance commission of your state.  Geesh, what are these mangled care, OOPS, I mean managed care companies coming to anyway? — Padishar Creel "What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult to each other."  – George Eliot

Response:

Aw heck JR, it was worth a shot….besides Ope knows I wish him the best, even if I don’t get all his goodies. FWIW, I have diabetes too, but mine can be controlled merely by watching my diet (can you say Dr Atkins?) and excersize. Frank (ain’t even *close* to bein’ a gear ho’) Church – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Oh, man.  What a brazen attempt to win the all-time, all-universe Gear Whore title. JR — To reply, remove the Qs from the address above Jeez Ope, I’m sorry to hear of your multiple maladies.  I’m sure at your young age you can beat them all handily, but just in case you expire, kin I have your rod collection?  [might as well throw in all your flies too] <bseg Frank (I’m all heart) Church

Response:

I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes.

<snipped while being sad —- G&F,  I am sorry to hear about these things especially the last one. However, the good news is that there has been some serious progress in the treatment of diabetes, including reactivating a person’s pancreas.  I read somewhere that they are experimenting implanting animal pancreatic tissue for humans. As to your other ailments, Lime’s disease goes away when you stop using Limes in tequila and substitute lemons.  (Of course, you may have meant Lyme’s disease and that responds pretty well to broad spectrum anti-biotics).  Tarsal on the other hand responds poorly to therapy because the flexor retinaculum cannot stretch very much. As the pressure increases in the Tarsal Tunnel, the nerve is the most sensitive to the pressure and is squeezed against the Flexor Retinaculum. This causes dysfunction of the nerve leading to the symptoms of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome.  Since you have to walk you may be required to re-learn how to motor around without inflaming the nerve.  Orthotics may be suggested to relieve the stretching of the nerve. A cortisone injection may give some temporary relief of symptoms. Surgery is the last resort, but it enjoys a pretty good reputation of success.  Plantar fasciitis is usually caused by a biomechanical imbalance resulting in tension along the plantar fascia and may be related your Tarsal issue. Treatment consists of medial arch support, anti-inflammatory medications, ice massage and stretching. Corticosteroid injections and casting may also be tried. Surgical fasciotomy should be reserved for use in patients in whom conservative measures have failed despite correction of biomechanical abnormalities. Additional treatments that have proved effective in all of these conditions, include *daily* swedish massage by several naked swedish ladies (substitutes may be appropriate, but first talk to your Doctor before introducing other nationalities). —- Hope this helps…. —- Padishar Creel, health expert to the recently deceased.

Response:

Oh, man.  What a brazen attempt to win the all-time, all-universe Gear Whore title. JR — To reply, remove the Qs from the address above – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jeez Ope, I’m sorry to hear of your multiple maladies.  I’m sure at your young age you can beat them all handily, but just in case you expire, kin I have your rod collection?  [might as well throw in all your flies too] <bseg Frank (I’m all heart) Church

Response:

Sorry to hear about your problems.  Get some answers quick about the "possibilities".  My mom had diabetes.  Terrible disease, but as Chris says, there are some much better treatments than in the past. Surprised the podiatrist didn’t suggest inserts, or is this not possible? Mine–admittedly just for ordinary shoes–are made of cork.  Maybe traditional ones aren’t durable enough for repeated soaking and drying out.  Might want to look into it though. I’m with you though, on not giving up wading rivers.  Some time ago there was a thread about rods carriers (as in spear carriers, as in flyfishing caddies).  If I ever get to where I can’t wade rivers, I hope I’m rich enough to hire a 6′6" 300 lb. fellow to carry me piggyback through my favorite steelhead runs. Hang in there. JR — To reply, remove the Qs from the address above – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes.

Response:

I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment?

Don’t know about any of the others, but I have plantar fasciitis, and so does my sister.  Hurts like hell some mornings.  But I can tell you, cortisone injections work wonders for the short term, and orthotics work great for the long run.  My right foot was really bothering me, and the podiatrist tinkered with my orthotic for a while and got it fine tuned for me, and it’s been fine ever since.  Now my left foot is acting up, one of these days I need to get off my ass and go in and have him work in it too.  Especially with hunting season open now — it’s much more fun to put in the miles over hill and dale when my feet aren’t killing me. Kevin

Response:

Since you were first to ask, yes you may.  However, you will have to share them with my creditors, as my fly gear is all I actually own.  All my other toys are debt laden! Opie  –Planning for the Past–

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jeez Ope, I’m sorry to hear of your multiple maladies.  I’m sure at your young age you can beat them all handily, but just in case you expire, kin I have your rod collection?  [might as well throw in all your flies too] <bseg Frank (I’m all heart) Church I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you surly bastards is practicing his Voodoo on me?  Shit like this don’t happen fer no reason, ya know.  Dave, I apologize; now please, remove the pins from that doll. Damn the luck!  Just when I thought I was getting over my years of bodily abuse, due to over indulgence in drugs and alcohol, I find out that my warranty (according to the Doc) ran out at 40.  Two years past warranty and I’m ready for the scrap yard! Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment? Opie  –Planning for the Past, hopin’ for a future–

Response:

I thought you was a shrink Doc?  What you got a foot fetish too? I’ll be lookin’ to all this stuff via the ‘net and my insurance policy.  I like the idea of the Swedish therapy most.  You think insurance will cover that as well? Thanks Chris Opie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. <snipped while being sad —- G&F,  I am sorry to hear about these things especially the last one. However, the good news is that there has been some serious progress in the treatment of diabetes, including reactivating a person’s pancreas.  I read somewhere that they are experimenting implanting animal pancreatic tissue for humans. As to your other ailments, Lime’s disease goes away when you stop using Limes in tequila and substitute lemons.  (Of course, you may have meant Lyme’s disease and that responds pretty well to broad spectrum anti-biotics).  Tarsal on the other hand responds poorly to therapy because the flexor retinaculum cannot stretch very much. As the pressure increases in the Tarsal Tunnel, the nerve is the most sensitive to the pressure and is squeezed against the Flexor Retinaculum. This causes dysfunction of the nerve leading to the symptoms of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome.  Since you have to walk you may be required to re-learn how to motor around without inflaming the nerve.  Orthotics may be suggested to relieve the stretching of the nerve. A cortisone injection may give some temporary relief of symptoms. Surgery is the last resort, but it enjoys a pretty good reputation of success.  Plantar fasciitis is usually caused by a biomechanical imbalance resulting in tension along the plantar fascia and may be related your Tarsal issue. Treatment consists of medial arch support, anti-inflammatory medications, ice massage and stretching. Corticosteroid injections and casting may also be tried. Surgical fasciotomy should be reserved for use in patients in whom conservative measures have failed despite correction of biomechanical abnormalities. Additional treatments that have proved effective in all of these conditions, include *daily* swedish massage by several naked swedish ladies (substitutes may be appropriate, but first talk to your Doctor before introducing other nationalities). —- Hope this helps…. —- Padishar Creel, health expert to the recently deceased.

Response:

I will check into what you have said, David.  Thanks for you help and kind words! Opie  –Eatin’ Crow, pigeon, and any other foul (pun intended) critter I happen upon–

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Opie I didn’t do it. I wouldn’t wish that shit on anyone.  Just one suggestion, while you are on a health kick, have a limpid panel test done, and a metabolic panel as well; get your own copies of the test results; learn what the numbers mean; manage accordingly. Most of this shit is controllable via what you put in and do to yourself. Dave I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you surly bastards is practicing his Voodoo on me?  Shit like this don’t happen fer no reason, ya know.  Dave, I apologize; now please, remove the pins from that doll. Damn the luck!  Just when I thought I was getting over my years of bodily abuse, due to over indulgence in drugs and alcohol, I find out that my warranty (according to the Doc) ran out at 40.  Two years past warranty and I’m ready for the scrap yard! Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment? Opie  –Planning for the Past, hopin’ for a future–

Response:

Yes, I intend to see other doctors concerning the *Lyme’s* (not Lime’s) Disease and diabetes.  However, I think I’ll stick with the foot doc for the others.  this is my first visit to a doc since my back surgeries in ‘92 & ‘93.  Just when you think thing can’t get worse, one misspells a word that could have come back to bite him in the ass.  But Nooooo, Dave S. takes the high road and actually offers kind words and good advise.  It’s hard to figure some people out (I’m talking about myself now!). Thanks for the suggestion Tom! Opie  –Planning for the Past–

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Why not go to a *real* doc (or a series of them) and get another opinion(s)? Tom I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you surly bastards is practicing his Voodoo on me?  Shit like this don’t happen fer no reason, ya know.  Dave, I apologize; now please, remove the pins from that doll. Damn the luck!  Just when I thought I was getting over my years of bodily abuse, due to over indulgence in drugs and alcohol, I find out that my warranty (according to the Doc) ran out at 40.  Two years past warranty and I’m ready for the scrap yard! Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment? Opie  –Planning for the Past, hopin’ for a future–

Response:

Why not go to a *real* doc (or a series of them) and get another opinion(s)? Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you surly bastards is practicing his Voodoo on me?  Shit like this don’t happen fer no reason, ya know.  Dave, I apologize; now please, remove the pins from that doll. Damn the luck!  Just when I thought I was getting over my years of bodily abuse, due to over indulgence in drugs and alcohol, I find out that my warranty (according to the Doc) ran out at 40.  Two years past warranty and I’m ready for the scrap yard! Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment? Opie  –Planning for the Past, hopin’ for a future–

Response:

Jeez Ope, I’m sorry to hear of your multiple maladies.  I’m sure at your young age you can beat them all handily, but just in case you expire, kin I have your rod collection?  [might as well throw in all your flies too] <bseg Frank (I’m all heart) Church – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you surly bastards is practicing his Voodoo on me?  Shit like this don’t happen fer no reason, ya know.  Dave, I apologize; now please, remove the pins from that doll. Damn the luck!  Just when I thought I was getting over my years of bodily abuse, due to over indulgence in drugs and alcohol, I find out that my warranty (according to the Doc) ran out at 40.  Two years past warranty and I’m ready for the scrap yard! Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment? Opie  –Planning for the Past, hopin’ for a future–

Response:

Opie I didn’t do it. I wouldn’t wish that shit on anyone.  Just one suggestion, while you are on a health kick, have a limpid panel test done, and a metabolic panel as well; get your own copies of the test results; learn what the numbers mean; manage accordingly. Most of this shit is controllable via what you put in and do to yourself. Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you surly bastards is practicing his Voodoo on me?  Shit like this don’t happen fer no reason, ya know.  Dave, I apologize; now please, remove the pins from that doll. Damn the luck!  Just when I thought I was getting over my years of bodily abuse, due to over indulgence in drugs and alcohol, I find out that my warranty (according to the Doc) ran out at 40.  Two years past warranty and I’m ready for the scrap yard! Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment? Opie  –Planning for the Past, hopin’ for a future–

Response:

I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you surly bastards is practicing his Voodoo on me?  Shit like this don’t happen fer no reason, ya know.  Dave, I apologize; now please, remove the pins from that doll. Damn the luck!  Just when I thought I was getting over my years of bodily abuse, due to over indulgence in drugs and alcohol, I find out that my warranty (according to the Doc) ran out at 40.  Two years past warranty and I’m ready for the scrap yard! Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment? Opie  –Planning for the Past, hopin’ for a future–

Response:

Question:

Turn the Sage (with apologies to Bob Seager *and* Metallica): Here I am, On the road again, There I am, Totin’ the Sage, Here I go, Fishing afar again, There I go, Off to Maine. –Steve

Response:

See ya there buddy….leaving tomorrow night…will be arriving with DT and SF…I know you check the web on the road ( I think )… ND#1  ( good song )

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Turn the Sage (with apologies to Bob Seager *and* Metallica): Here I am, On the road again, There I am, Totin’ the Sage, Here I go, Fishing afar again, There I go, Off to Maine. –Steve

Response:

Sage doesn’t make a bamboo… I was thinking more along the lines… On the road again I just can’t wait to get on the road again. The life I love is fly fish’n with my friends, And I can’t wait to get on the road again T-14 hours and counting. Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Turn the Sage (with apologies to Bob Seager *and* Metallica): Here I am, On the road again, There I am, Totin’ the Sage, Here I go, Fishing afar again, There I go, Off to Maine. –Steve

Response:

There I go, Off to Maine. –Steve

        me, too, zimbo…that is, if i can even *find* raleigh, nc, at this time of the morning.         i plan to plant the regimental flag of the 55th north carolina, army of northern virginia, further north than it has ever been.         wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Ditto…….T 1 1/2 hours ND#1

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sage doesn’t make a bamboo… I was thinking more along the lines… On the road again I just can’t wait to get on the road again. The life I love is fly fish’n with my friends, And I can’t wait to get on the road again T-14 hours and counting. Paul Turn the Sage (with apologies to Bob Seager *and* Metallica): Here I am, On the road again, There I am, Totin’ the Sage, Here I go, Fishing afar again, There I go, Off to Maine. –Steve

Response:

…         i plan to plant the regimental flag of the 55th north carolina, army of northern virginia, further north than it has ever been.

How quaint. Reminds me of another regimental flag of the treasonous states captured by a Minnesota regiment of the Army of the Potomac and recently found in the vaults of the Minnesota Historical Society. Some bunch of history minded Johnnie Rebs from Ole Virginny wanted Minnesota to return their flag. Gov. Jesse Ventura, bless his pointy little head, told ‘em to forget about it, "we took it fair and square" was his official response. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Some bunch of history minded Johnnie Rebs from Ole Virginny wanted Minnesota to return their flag. Gov. Jesse Ventura, bless his pointy little head, told ‘em to forget about it, "we took it fair and square" was his official response.

That’s why I really like Jesse. No mealy-mouthed pussy footing around the issues. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

the issues.

I bet he didn’t even have to take a poll before that response either. Damn I miss Barry Goldwater. Big Dale

Response:

. Damn I miss Barry Goldwater.

No shit. He was a true conservative, the kind that made me a R in my younger days. He had crazy ideas like the government staying out of people’s bedrooms, fiscal responsibility, stuff like that. And he was a pretty comitted environmentalist. Oh, no, wait. That’s not the Republican platform. Goldwater must’ve been just another damn liberal! — "Number 3: Put education first."  – from Geo. W.’s campaign website, list of his top ten concerns

Response:

. Damn I miss Barry Goldwater. No shit. He was a true conservative, the kind that made me a R in my younger days. He had crazy ideas like the government staying out of people’s bedrooms, fiscal responsibility, stuff like that. And he was a pretty comitted environmentalist. Oh, no, wait. That’s not the Republican platform. Goldwater must’ve been just another damn liberal!

Don’t forget, towards the end the conservatives talked about kicking him out for his stance on abortion. — Charlie…

Response:

bedrooms, fiscal responsibility, stuff like that. And he was a pretty comitted environmentalist. Oh, no, wait. That’s not the Republican platform. Goldwater must’ve been just another damn liberal!

I prefer to think that he was a liberterian before the tern was invented. He made points with me when he said that he thought Buchanen was a good democrat. Big Dale

Response:

Yeah, though a libertarian won’t do anything to protect the environment (actually, won’t do anything to stop any private citizen from doing anything bad to any other private citizen short of the classic nine common-law felonies). P.S. Free bicentennial brownie button to anyone who can name those nine felonies. Here’s a hint (prepare for nostalgia, you law docs): mr and mrs lamb. Even more extra credit for anyone who remembers the two apple-stealing cases. — "If you want to live like a Republican, vote Democratic" — Harry S. Truman

Response:

Question:

I’m considering an expat job in Frankfurt Germany. A quality of life question: Is there good fishing around there – fly fishing preferably, any fishing in a pinch? Thanks for the help – FlyFisherRay

Response:

I’m considering an expat job in Frankfurt Germany. A quality of life question: Is there good fishing around there – fly fishing preferably, any fishing in a pinch? Thanks for the help – FlyFisherRay

Hi Ray, I lived in Frankfurt for some time and never found any decent fishing.  If you are prepared to, and can afford to travel, you can reach some good fishing.  It is quite difficult to obtain a fishing licence here, you have to pass an exam.  If you need further specific info e-mail me and I will try to be of assistance.  I now live in a small village not far from Hamburg, but I should have no trouble providing you with the relative info. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

Question:

Luis, I didn’t want to give the impression that my second son, Jared, is incapable of mastering different skills.  I think he can.  However, they will not be the same skills as my first son, Jacob. (snip) There are many kinds of intelligence, and strengths… we all have and lack some.  They come into play in the form of different paths for each flyfisher.

You are correct.  In 1995 Howard Gardner, an educator, had a book published that described intelligence as stands of spaghetti or string.  "Multiple intelligences" as he put it, could be categorized into seven areas or strings: logical-mathematical, linguistic, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal.  Each individual intelligence stand or string is constantly touching and interacting with all the another stands.  It is hard to separate one from the other.  All children have all of these intelligences, however not in the same quantity. Every child has ONE area that they are strongest in.  That child would then be classified as that type of a LEARNER. The problem with the traditional I.Q. test, which the schools still use today, is that it measures intelligence as a glass of liquid.  The test determines how much liquid is in the glass.  That is all.  It makes no classification of strong areas and weak areas. The old I.Q. test is still used because, though educators can test a child to see which of the multiple intelligences they are strongest in, they can not determine how much of that intelligence they have.  Additionally, no child is equal to another in all areas or in the way that their intelligences interact with each other.  It’s kind of like a fingerprint. Every child is unique in the way they learn and think. Let me take a second to described the SEVEN intelligences: LOGICAL-MATHEMATICAL:          They have a sensitivity to and capacity to discern, logical or numerical patterns; ability to handle long chains of reasoning. LINGUISTIC:          They have a sensitivity to the sounds, rhythms, and meanings of words; sensitivity to the different functions of language. MUSICAL:          They have the abilities to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch, and timbre; appreciation of the forms of musical expressiveness. SPATIAL:        They have the capacities to perceive the visual-spatial world accurately and to perform transformations on one’s initial perceptions. BODILY-KINESTHETIC:          They have the abilities to control one’s body movements and to handle objects skillfully. INTERPERSONAL:          They have the capacities to discern and respond appropriately to the moods, temperaments, motivations, and desires of other people. INTRAPERSONAL:          Access to one’s own feelings and the ability to discriminate among them and draw on them to guide behavior; knowledge of one’s own strengths, weaknesses, desires, and intelligences. Luis, the gentleman that you speak of, though it might not be his highest area, is high in interpersonal intelligence.  This is why he does well in restaurant relations.  He might also be high in bodily-kinesthetic and spatial intelligences.  Regarding his low ability of reading, could indicate that he is low in linguistic.  He probably is.  However, I would gather to say that the greater reason is due to educators giving up on him due to his struggle with the written word.  And maybe he gave up on himself.  I personally believe EVERYONE can read and write well if adequate attention and dedication is given to learning it. My oldest son, Jacob, is a linguistic learner, thus does well in a traditional school setting. My second son, Jared, is a spatial learner, however he’s also almost bind. What an irony.  This gives him a handicap in his learning due to the way his brain works vs. the lack of eye sight.  He learns best when he can see something, however, with his pop-bottle glasses, he only get a circle of clear vision directly in front of him.  A normal range of vision is about 45 degrees.  Jared’s range of clear vision is about 15-20 degrees with no peripheral vision to speak of.  You can see how this limits him in his learning as a spatial learner. Jared, however, is highly coordinated and has good control of his body movements. Jacob is not.  Jacob is a physical klutz. My original question was to narrow down what type of intelligence is most useful in fly fishing.  I would gather to say that a musical, interpersonal, or intrapersonal learners would not use their strongest areas in fly fishing.  However, a spatial, linguistic, logical-mathematical, or bodily-kinesthetic learners could possibly use their strongest areas in fly fishing.  But, which one is most important in constantly catching the most and largest fish?  Can a linguistic learner sit and read all book available to become an excellent fly fisherman?  Can a logical-mathematical learner evaluate the odds in different situations to become an excellent fly fisherman?  Can a bodily-kinesthetic learner practice casting until it’s perfect and become an excellent fly fisherman?  Or, can a spatial learner look at his environment and become an excellent fly fisherman?  All these areas might be important like string touching each other.  However, which one area is most important?  That’s what I was originally getting at without a long drown out explanation, which I just did.  Not to say that anyone is stupid.  I don’t think anyone really is. Vern

Response:

Vern, I’ll echo what you have heard from the other posters. There are indeed mental and physical components to fly fishing, and there can be many approaches to the sport. A real strength in one component can compensate for a weakness in the other. Your boys may develop very different methods and tactics, but with your guidance and obvious enthusiasm both should fare quite well. You guys are lucky to have each other. George Adams

Response:

I then read someone else’s post about an individual that can’t cast beyond 20 feet and only uses a limited selection of flies, but catches more and larger fish than anyone else in their party.  It caused me to think about what it takes to be a good fly fisherman.  Is it the ability to read the water, understand what the fish might be thinking, know the difference between the different species, know where and how to place the fly, know what’s hatching, etc.  Or, is it the ability to make a nice cast that drops the fly softly on the water, etc.  Both are important, but what is more important the intellectual or the physical?

  I wrote the post about the 20-ft. caster, and in his case, it is an intuitive genius, a sixth sense, if you will, regarding the ways of living things, be they trout or elk. When fishing, he is totally focused, although he might casually point out a mother duck and her brood hiding in an eddy, deep in the shadows of an overhang, that you and the next 30 guys would have never seen. This man has great trouble reading, in fact is near-illiterate, but he is an expert at observing and gleaning information from people. He can also charm anyone at will, it seems, at any time. He once had every waitress in a Colorado restaurant at our table, telling us their life and love stories not 20 minutes after arriving, and he flirted with every one of them, and not one gave any sign of being left out.  I think this magic translates or transmutates into fly fishing. There are many kinds of intelligence, and strengths… we all have and lack some. They come into play in the form of different paths for each flyfisher. I recommend reading about the different paths in Yoga, in a book by Mircea Eliade. The part on the many paths relates to this topic.                                          — Luis

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Is fly fishing an intellectual skill or a skill of physical capability? My two oldest boys are as different as night and day.  Jacob (my oldest boy at age 9) is an intellectual genius with a photographic memory.  His I.Q. is 142, although he’s a social and physical klutz.  Jared (my second son at age 7) is a highly physically coordinated and socially talented young man. However, his I.Q. is only 80 which makes him mentally challenged.  Their grades at school are indicators of these differences. I take both boys fishing.  Their attack at the sport are completely different which I believe is an indication of their age difference, as well. Jacob is 9 years old and Jared is 7 years old, so there is two years difference.  At their ages, two years is a huge difference.  I’m currently trying to teach Jacob how to fly fish.  He seams to have a problem with casting. I then read someone else’s post about an individual that can’t cast beyond 20 feet and only uses a limited selection of flies, but catches more and larger fish than anyone else in their party.  It caused me to think about what it takes to be a good fly fisherman.  Is it the ability to read the water, understand what the fish might be thinking, know the difference between the different species, know where and how to place the fly, know what’s hatching, etc.  Or, is it the ability to make a nice cast that drops the fly softly on the water, etc.  Both are important, but what is more important the intellectual or the physical? Your opinions are appreciated and could make an interesting discussion.  In addition, your comments can only help me in helping my boys enjoy the sport. In advance, thanks for your comments. Vern

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I have two boys, aged 30 and 27, who have been fly fishing since little tots. I never tried to direct their interest or overly instruct, I felt that if they stuck with it they would develop their own skills and interests. The youngest can lay out a dry 60 ft as pretty as you ever want to see, the oldest maybe 40, but he can out roll cast the younger by 15 ft. One prefers dries and wets and one prefers sight fishing and nymphs. I guess what I am saying is, give them the opportunity to experience the different facets, don’t force any one on them or over instruct and most of all let em have fun… Both of my boys are married now with two children each and long for the times when they were young with no cares but for the next strike. jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is fly fishing an intellectual skill or a skill of physical capability? My two oldest boys are as different as night and day.  Jacob (my oldest boy at age 9) is an intellectual genius with a photographic memory.  His I.Q. is 142, although he’s a social and physical klutz.  Jared (my second son at age 7) is a highly physically coordinated and socially talented young man. However, his I.Q. is only 80 which makes him mentally challenged.  Their grades at school are indicators of these differences. I take both boys fishing.  Their attack at the sport are completely different which I believe is an indication of their age difference, as well. Jacob is 9 years old and Jared is 7 years old, so there is two years difference.  At their ages, two years is a huge difference.  I’m currently trying to teach Jacob how to fly fish.  He seams to have a problem with casting. I then read someone else’s post about an individual that can’t cast beyond 20 feet and only uses a limited selection of flies, but catches more and larger fish than anyone else in their party.  It caused me to think about what it takes to be a good fly fisherman.  Is it the ability to read the water, understand what the fish might be thinking, know the difference between the different species, know where and how to place the fly, know what’s hatching, etc.  Or, is it the ability to make a nice cast that drops the fly softly on the water, etc.  Both are important, but what is more important the intellectual or the physical? Your opinions are appreciated and could make an interesting discussion.  In addition, your comments can only help me in helping my boys enjoy the sport. In advance, thanks for your comments. Vern

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[snip] I then read someone else’s post about an individual that can’t cast beyond 20 feet and only uses a limited selection of flies, but catches more and larger fish than anyone else in their party.

[and again] Vern, don’t believe everything Louie LaPlac posts. First of all, I *know* on a good day with a trailing breeze that he can actually cast close to 30 feet! /daytripper ;^)

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Is fly fishing an intellectual skill or a skill of physical capability?

It is basically what you make of it. You can fly-fish with hardly  any knowledge at all, or you can devote incredible amounts of time attaining knowledge and skills to supplement it.  The main thing is to enjoy it, no matter how you go about it. TL MC

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Is fly fishing an intellectual skill or a skill of physical capability?

One of the best flyfishermen I’ve ever fished with doesn’t cast beyond 40 feet. Not that he doesn’t have the physical skill. He moves on the stream like an otter and always seems to position himself where he doesn’t need to make a long cast. On the other hand, the ability to see the fly and react to the strike sure seems to have faded in direct proportion to the increase in grey hair and waist size. Like most things, it depends. Teach your children both, to their individual abilities and have a good time doing it. You’re a lucky guy. — Ken Fortenberry

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Hi Vern, All of the tenets of fly fishing are as important as one makes them.  Some believe that the quantity or quality of fish caught is the measure of a fly fisherman.  Others treat the sport differently.  I have met guys who are full fledged streamside entomologists.  Others are stream side ichthyologists as they know every aspect of a particular fish’s behavior.  I know others who prefer to tie flies than to fish.  Personally, I love to cast, learn about the bugs, the fish and I am now tying my flies.  It seems that I am evolving as I learn more of the sport.  I can’t tell you what part of fly fishing will be important to me next year, but I guarantee I will be fly fishing. Expose Jacob and Jared to the fly fishing world, and let them gravitate toward their individual preferences.  It is much like music.  Many folks play the piano, but some gravitate to classical music while others gravitate to rock music. Pete

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is fly fishing an intellectual skill or a skill of physical capability? My two oldest boys are as different as night and day.  Jacob (my oldest boy at age 9) is an intellectual genius with a photographic memory.  His I.Q. is 142, although he’s a social and physical klutz.  Jared (my second son at age 7) is a highly physically coordinated and socially talented young man. However, his I.Q. is only 80 which makes him mentally challenged.  Their grades at school are indicators of these differences. I take both boys fishing.  Their attack at the sport are completely different which I believe is an indication of their age difference, as well. Jacob is 9 years old and Jared is 7 years old, so there is two years difference.  At their ages, two years is a huge difference.  I’m currently trying to teach Jacob how to fly fish.  He seams to have a problem with casting. I then read someone else’s post about an individual that can’t cast beyond 20 feet and only uses a limited selection of flies, but catches more and larger fish than anyone else in their party.  It caused me to think about what it takes to be a good fly fisherman.  Is it the ability to read the water, understand what the fish might be thinking, know the difference between the different species, know where and how to place the fly, know what’s hatching, etc.  Or, is it the ability to make a nice cast that drops the fly softly on the water, etc.  Both are important, but what is more important the intellectual or the physical? Your opinions are appreciated and could make an interesting discussion. In addition, your comments can only help me in helping my boys enjoy the sport. In advance, thanks for your comments. Vern

Response:

Question:

The thread on polarized sun glasses made me think of a more basic question: Why are some people so much better than me at spotting fish? With my glasses on, my vision is measurably as good as anyone’s.  And the situation I describe below even applies to my youth when my vision was, by all tests, perfect. Still, I’ve been on the stream and had certain keen eyed fishing partners point out fish I did not detect.  Sometimes I cannot see them even after they are pointed out, but without fail, an experiment to disturb the fish always results in seeing it dart away.  Or, to more succinctly prove the point, caught!  Very frustrating. Are the eyes of my friends especially keen or are there techniques for seeing fish I just haven’t picked up.  Anybody out there got pointers for spotting fish, assuming one already knows where to look, is using polarized glasses and has 20/20 vision. —                                                       -dnc-

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Why are some people so much better than me at spotting fish?

The only way I know of to improve your spotting is simply to spend as much time as possible on a stream, spotting fish.  It is a very subtle art, much like nymph fishing, and your score will improve with practice and experience. One tip, rather than look for a whole fish, look for parts, (i.e. a white edged fin, etc.) or movement.  It is very similar in that respect to spotting deer in the woods. Tight lines!! George

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The thread on polarized sun glasses made me think of a more basic question: Why are some people so much better than me at spotting fish?

There is no doubt in my mind that various brains process signal in various ways.  That is why some people made better radar or sonar operators than others.  Someone once used my ham station.  While listening to noise on the speaker he mentioned that he heard someone (code transmission) coming in loud and clear.  I heard only noise.  With careful listening, I was able to tell that there were some slight changes to the character of the noise.  It was not enough to be of help to me.  I have no idea how much improvement can be obtained from training.  The differences may well be innate. By the way, the US Navy will no longer require radio operaters to be proficient at Morse code. Bill Buchman

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Why are some people so much better than me at spotting fish? The only way I know of to improve your spotting is simply to spend as much time as possible on a stream, spotting fish.  It is a very subtle art, much like nymph fishing, and your score will improve with practice and experience. One tip, rather than look for a whole fish, look for parts, (i.e. a white edged fin, etc.) or movement.  It is very similar in that respect to spotting deer in the woods.

I agree with George that sitting and watching is the technique. It is the best fishing strategy anyway to sit and observe a pool or riffle for five or ten minutes before you approach or wade. Over a short period of time you can eventually see fish that you won’t see on first glance. Time lets you put together a few signals that individually are barely noticeable but can add up to a clear location of a feeding fish. Look in places where trout will be – places of slower flow where they relax but where they can see faster flow. Look for shadows that shift slightly across the stream. Normal shadows from current on the surface will only move straight downstream. It is a matter of observing not the details you are seeing but the repeating patterns of movement, then when some shadow or flash occurs that is not part of the repeating pattern, there is your fish. A tail or fin of a holding fish can sometimes be picked out among rocks or under logs but it is much easier to see a shadow shift slightly then back as a fish takes a nymph. In riffles and eddies, sit a bit and you’ll notice that small flat glassy sections of surface will be mixed with the rippled surface. These are like moving portholes into the depths, and if you watch them move downstream you can see the bottom clearly if just for a second. And if you’re steelhead fishing, look for blue logs. Mark Vinsel www.vinsel.com

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I could not say it any better than Mark has just mentioned.  Steamside experience is the only way to succeed- look for the flashes or movement. Sage

        here’s an exception-that-proves-the-rule story:  couple years ago, my wife and i took a trip to bonaire (aruba, bonaire, curacao), and i was able to find a bonefish guide, who took us to vast white bottomed salt flats that were thick with small, schooling bones. invariably, my wife would see fish before i could; on a couple of occasions, she called em out before the guide.  he was amazed, as i was.  she had never been bonefishing before.  her eye just clicked with the image, i guess. I think that you just pointed out the rule whereas Mar pointed out the exception.  There a limit to just how much improvement you can get by practice.  There are many basketball players who are willing to work harder than Michael Jordan or violinist who will work harder than Itzhak Perleman (spelling?). (This is not to say that the do not work hard at their craft.)  Nevertheless, in spite of this effort, these people will just not ever be even close in performance.  The navy investigated this in the search for good sonar operators. Wayne’s wife just happens to be talented at seeing bonefish.  With practice, she may become much better.  You have to start with the talent. Bill Buchman

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….Thirdly, I think some people are out more and know where they should be

looking.  Good Polarized glasses will help….Bill Kiene< Bill’s right, I think. Spotting fish is an acquired art (skill) that comes with time on the water, and distinct, concentrated effort. Dennis Smith Loveland, CO

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I could not say it any better than Mark has just mentioned.  Steamside experience is the only way to succeed- look for the flashes or movement. Sage

        here’s an exception-that-proves-the-rule story:  couple years ago, my wife and i took a trip to bonaire (aruba, bonaire, curacao), and i was able to find a bonefish guide, who took us to vast white bottomed salt flats that were thick with small, schooling bones. invariably, my wife would see fish before i could; on a couple of occasions, she called em out before the guide.  he was amazed, as i was.  she had never been bonefishing before.  her eye just clicked with the image, i guess.         a. wayne harrison

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I could not say it any better than Mark has just mentioned.  Steamside experience is the only way to succeed- look for the flashes or movement. Sage

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The thread on polarized sun glasses made me think of a more basic question: Why are some people so much better than me at spotting fish? With my glasses on, my vision is measurably as good as anyone’s.  And the situation I describe below even applies to my youth when my vision was, by all tests, perfect. Still, I’ve been on the stream and had certain keen eyed fishing partners point out fish I did not detect.  Sometimes I cannot see them even after they are pointed out, but without fail, an experiment to disturb the fish always results in seeing it dart away.  Or, to more succinctly prove the point, caught!  Very frustrating. Are the eyes of my friends especially keen or are there techniques for seeing fish I just haven’t picked up.  Anybody out there got pointers for spotting fish, assuming one already knows where to look, is using polarized glasses and has 20/20 vision. —                                                      -dnc-

Hi DN, Many of us guys are color blind to some degree. This makes it harder to spot fish. Secondly, some people are outside and are use to focusing at longer distances. Thirdly, I think some people are out more and know where they should be looking.  Good Polarized glasses will help. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

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Question:

Does anyone have a pattern for a WD 40 they would be willing to share? thanks in advance phil

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This is from the Virtual Flyshop http://www.flyshop.com/Bench/index.html WD-40 Submitted by: David Grossman from Durango , Duranglers Fly Shop, Durango Colorado Originated by Mark Engler RECIPE HOOK: TMC 2487 Size 18-24THREAD: 8/0 Chocolate, Gray, OliveTAIL: Wood DuckABDOMEN: ThreadTHORAX: Dubbed Hare’s Ear (match thread)WINGCASE: Wood DuckHEAD: Sparse thread<PictureInstructions: The thread is tied in and advanced backward to barb point. A small clump of Wood Duck feather tips is tied in shank length and the butts are not trimmed. The thread is advanced forward over the butts covering them completely, but maintaining a very slender abdomen. Pull the Wood Duck butts back and dub a bulky thorax. The Wood Duck butts are then tied in over the large thorax as a wingcase and a very small head finishes the fly. Best in Chocolate Brown (#24) Hareline Dubbing. Does anyone have a pattern for a WD 40 they would be willing to share? thanks in advance phil

begin 600 Wd40.jpg <encoded_portion_removed end

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Does anyone have a pattern for a WD 40 they would be willing to share? thanks in advance phil

Very simple and effective fly. Hook: TMC 2687 #18-22   Tail: Mallard or woodduck flank Abdomen: Chocolate Rabbit fur Wingcase: Same feather as tail   Thorax: Chocolate Rabbit fur Note: Can be tied in black or grey also. (I’ve never used anything but Chocolate)

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Does anyone have a pattern for a WD 40 they would be willing to share? thanks in advance phil

Hi ! Phil Look at:  http://www.visi.com/~mpv/flyfishing/nymphswap/wd40.html or http://www.flyshop.com/scripts/flies/details.cfm?flyname=wd%2d40 I wish this helpful denis

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Question:

Hi.  I just moved to West Lafayette Indiana from Wyoming.  I am here to finish my degree (Resort management) and will be here until June.   Does anybody know of a place nearby where I can fly fish?  I used to (well, 3 weeks ago) fish almost everyday and I desperately miss it.  Thanks!! Shannon WYShan.aol.com

Just practice catch and release, and don’t eat the fish anyway. You are somewhat lucky in that you have a number of rivers and creeks up there that have some nice smallmouth fishing. You can float the Tippy or find some smaller streams for wading. Ask around, and check in at some bait shops. I don’t know of FFng clubs in the Purdue area, but there are further north. Also there is some good farm pond fishing for Largemouth and bluegill. As far as trout go, do as I do and go to Mich or out west. Kevin Williams

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You ain’t that far from Missouri or Arkansas. A 3 day expedition to the Ozarks will help you get over your leaving Wyoming blues. I have fished both of these states pretty heavily in the last year (after moving here from Summit Co. Colorado) and have been smitten by the unspoiled beauty, the "pure strain McCloud Rainbows" (available nowhere else in the U.S.) and the relative lack of pressure in the Wild Trout management areas. If you would like some more information and/or would like to get together and see what there is in Missouri, feel free to e-mail me at: Tight Lines and Keep the Faith. Joe Sandone

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HI SHANNON, YOU ARE NOT TOO FAR FROM SOME OF THE BEST FALL RUN GREAT LAKES FISHING IN THE MIDWEST.  PROBALBLY ABOUT AN HOUR. IN THE TOWN OF PORTAGE IS THE LITTLE CALUMET RIVER AND SALT CREEK AND  ABOUT A MONTH FROM NOW THE FISH WILL BEGIN TO MOVE IN. BRING YOUR 9WT.  LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED FURTHER DETAILS.

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Let me offer a few suggestions. Trail Creek (and Salt Creek and the Little Calumet River) in Michigan City, about 2 hours from West Lafayette, offers some good steelhead fishing pretty much year round.  In the fall, chinooks, cohos, and browns are also available.  Obviously, they’re all hatchery fish, so I never feel guilty about keeping one every now and then.  I’ve taken steelhead up to 17 pounds, though bait fisherman get them over twenty pounds in the fall with some regularity.  The chinooks may top 30 lbs.  Careful, though, most of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and surrounding area reminds me of a toxic, industrial wasteland.  Damn, it ain’t Wyoming.  I gotta move. Let me also suggest the Pigeon River near Howe.  It’s probably 3 hours from Lafayette.  It’s a fairly pretty river with browns and rainbows, some of them pretty big, but all hatchery raised.  Indiana has a problem getting its trout to reproduce in the wild.  Anyway, for more info or suggestions, contact me. Bruce

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Shannon – how far are you from South Bend? You can come up and fish for steelhead and salmon in the St. Joseph River right in Leper Park. Other spots in southwest Michigan too. email me for more info. Ann

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: Hi.  I just moved to West Lafayette Indiana from Wyoming.  I am here to : finish my degree (Resort management) and will be here until June.   Does : anybody know of a place nearby where I can fly fish?  I used to (well, 3 : weeks ago) fish almost everyday and I desperately miss it.  Thanks!! : Shannon : WYShan.aol.com Well, you are 30 (maybe less) miles from the Middle Fork Illinois State Fish and Game Reserve. It’s just north of Kick-a-poo state park and NW of Danville (Both Illinois) As a indiana resident, you’ll need a non-resident license, (i think it’s under $25 for a year or around $15 for 10 days) I think your 50+ miles from Lake Michigan, but you should be near Sugar Creek (which runs thru that section of indiana). You should call the Indiana DNR, they should have free information that they’ll mail you (I’m sure they have set-aside areas too)       Chicago Area Paddling/Fishing Page:  http://www.ripco.com/~jwn/

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<snip : One warning:  Get a copy of the regs and carefully read the consumption : advisories– there is *no* water in Indiana that is not under some level : of consumption advisory for toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, dioxin, : etc.  On some waters you shouldn’t eat anything, on others it’s okay to : have 1-2 meals a week; pregnant women are advised not to eat any fish : caught here at all.  I’ve got the full EPA data on these advisories and : think it’s actually worse than the state regs let on– I won’t eat any : fish caught in Indiana water.   <snip On the Illinois DNR page, they have divided fish into 3 catagories, one that you can eat a few times a week, one that you can never eat, and my favorite catagory (group II) which shouldn’t be consumed by males under 16, females who ever anticipate giving birth, and there are a few other people who, depending on their health, can’t eat group II fish.  (i just always liked the "ever anticpate" clause).       Chicago Area Paddling/Fishing Page:  http://www.ripco.com/~jwn/

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You poor soul.  I have pity on you.  Wyoming to Indiana.  That’s probably worse than what we did– Oregon/Idaho to Indiana.  If you want to fish here it’ll be panfish, bass, and perhaps the hybrids they call "wipers." The best fishing is in farm ponds, though the large reserviors have produced a number of record bass and catfish.  Down south (where I am) there are monster catfish in some of the old quarries (seen Breaking Away?).  There are basically no salmonids at all though, with the exception of the Lake Michigan fishery and some stockers they put in a couple of creeks as sacrifices.  It’s a whole ‘nuther ballgame out here, let me tell you.  My steelhead gear and trout flies went into storage long ago, and only come out when I’m lucky enough to make it back West. One warning:  Get a copy of the regs and carefully read the consumption advisories– there is *no* water in Indiana that is not under some level of consumption advisory for toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, dioxin, etc.  On some waters you shouldn’t eat anything, on others it’s okay to have 1-2 meals a week; pregnant women are advised not to eat any fish caught here at all.  I’ve got the full EPA data on these advisories and think it’s actually worse than the state regs let on– I won’t eat any fish caught in Indiana water.   All that said, it’s good fun to learn to panfish, and I’ve found that bluegill or small bass on a #4 line can be a load of fun.  You’ll want to check out Turkey Run State Park and the Willow Slough, Lasalle, Hillenbrand, Winamac, and Kanakee fish and wildlife areas up in your corner of the state.  If you have time, drive up to Michigan for the real fishing; we did over Memmorial Day and it was well worth the 8 hour drive, if only to see running water that wasn’t brown. Good luck- — Derek R. Larson           Indiana University       Department of History   "Eastward I go by force, but Westward I go free!"  -H. D. Thoreau

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Shannon, Depending on how close you are to Lake Michigan you are within a short drive of year-round steelhead fishing. Pick up a fly fishing mag and check the ads. I bet there is an outfitter close by.

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Hi.  I just moved to West Lafayette Indiana from Wyoming.  I am here to finish my degree (Resort management) and will be here until June.   Does anybody know of a place nearby where I can fly fish?  I used to (well, 3 weeks ago) fish almost everyday and I desperately miss it.  Thanks!! Shannon WYShan.aol.com

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Question:

The shad run here in the Annapolis River of Nova Scotia is now at or near its peak peak.  The annual Shad Fishing tournament was just completed and for the second year in a row, the prize for the flyfishing catagory was determined by lot – i.e no shad were caught on the fly. Does anyone have any general advice re catching those darned things on a fly?  Sure would appreciate any help re patterns, method etc. Les

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The shad run here in the Annapolis River of Nova Scotia is now at or near its peak peak.  The annual Shad Fishing tournament was just completed and for the second year in a row, the prize for the flyfishing catagory was determined by lot – i.e no shad were caught on the fly. Does anyone have any general advice re catching those darned things on a fly?  Sure would appreciate any help re patterns, method etc. Les

These shad drove me nuts on the Merrimac for years. I always fished them quartering down, expecting a hit on the drift, like most salmonid type fish. Finally started hooking them by using a Hi-D head with a weighted fly on the bottom with very slow strips. Lose a lot of flies that way, but it’s the only way I could get them to hit. They fight great, but it’s almost like bait fishing :-

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It’s possible that our western experiences in flyfishing for Shad might be of some assistance.  We usually fish them in heavy water (8,000 cfs or better), and the key is finding their depth in the particular channel you are casting to.  I usually start with a Hi-D, extra fast sink shooting head, then work up.  Shad seem to travel at very specific depths on their upstream movements, and I have found they will not move very much to look at a fly.  The casting we use is a quarter upstream, then mend to give the fly a dead drift. ANY drag on the fly, and you might as well shoot again. Some strikes are very soft, so keep your index finger lightly under the shooting line to detect.  Other strikes (usually near the end of the drift) are like freight trains.  To summarize: look for proper depth, and MEND. If you’ll E-Mail me, I’ll send you by regular mail, two patterns that work very well out here.  They are bright (flourescent yellow is good) and beady-eyed.  The common crappie fly, available anywhere, works very well.

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Question:

   The first twenty-one and half feet of my fly line broke off!  I don’t know what happened other than I must have stepped on it on a rock.  I bought it just a couple of weeks ago.  It is Fenwick’s World Class fly line, Trout class, WF-6-F.  My questions are:    1.  Should it be more abrasion resistant than this?  Should I seek an exchange (Cabelas or Fenwick)?    2.  Is it salvageable?  I wouldn’t think one would want to splice it together.    3.  The Cortland I had previously could be reversed on the reel and the opposite end used as the casting end.  I didn’t find any mention of being able to do this with this line.  Would I even want to with it being twenty-one feet shorter?    Thanks for any information anyone can provide!    Larry Larry Dawson                                      Lincoln, NE   USA    "The concept of the "work week" is one of the more deadening    aspects of our civilization, robbing us of, among other    things, allthe great ideas that could be hatched by people    who’d do their best thinking at two in the morning if they    weren’t too tired of working allday …"          The View From Rat Lake,  John Gierach

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Most fly line manufacturers (Sci Ang and Cortland)  will replace free of charge a defective line.  Just send the remaining old line back with your message of what happened.

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  The first twenty-one and half feet of my fly line broke off!  I don’t know what happened other than I must have stepped on it on a rock.  I bought it just a couple of weeks ago.  It is Fenwick’s World Class fly line, Trout class, WF-6-F.  My questions are:   1.  Should it be more abrasion resistant than this?  Should I seek an exchange (Cabelas or Fenwick)?

Well, being as you don’t even have a clue as to how you broke it, it’s a bit presumptuous for anyone to pass judgement in this regard. You could certainly give the exchange route a try, but don’t bet the fishfarm on it…   2.  Is it salvageable?  I wouldn’t think one would want to splice it together.

Frankly, I wouldn’t. I suppose one could use something like acetone to dissolve a few inches or so of the coating at both ends, come up with some way to join the cores together (anyone think of a good knot for that?) and then build up the splice with Goo or something similar to match the diameter of the line. But this seems like going to heroic measures for possibly dissappointing results.   3.  The Cortland I had previously could be reversed on the reel and the opposite end used as the casting end.  I didn’t find any mention of being able to do this with this line.  Would I even want to with it being twenty-one feet shorter?

You cannot reverse a "Weight Forward" line and have anything even remotely similar to the original casting qualities. You were able to reverse the Cortland line because it was undoubtably a DT – "Double Taper" – line. If you check out the stuff that came with your current line there should be a description of the various tapers on the different lines, and you’ll see that there are significant differences in the front and back tapers of a typical WF line… In summary I suspect you just learned a valuable – if costly – lesson… /dave <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < Digital Equipment Corp.    Alpha Server Engineering  < <           "Read this and nobody gets hurt"           < <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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   The first twenty-one and half feet of my fly line broke off!  I don’t know what happened other than I must have stepped on it on a rock.  I bought it just a couple of weeks ago.  It is Fenwick’s World Class fly line, Trout class, WF-6-F.  My questions are:    3.  The Cortland I had previously could be reversed on the reel and the opposite end used as the casting end.  I didn’t find any mention of being able to do this with this line.  Would I even want to with it being twenty-one feet shorter?

hi, You definitely DON"T want to reverse this line ! A WF line has the first 30 feet or so for casting and the rest is a "shooting" or travelling line. If you reversed one in the past, it was probably a double taper line, and that is the big advantage, being able to reverse. I would certainly ask about compensation, they are supposed to be tougher than that.(on the other hand, rocks do cause problems!) Good Luck. Tight Lines Tackle Shop and Guide Service Lockeport, Nova Scotia, Canada

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    The first twenty-one and half feet of my fly line broke off!  I don’t
know what happened other than I must have stepped on it on a rock.  I
bought it just a couple of weeks ago.  It is Fenwick’s World Class fly
line, Trout class, WF-6-F.  My questions are:
   1.  Should it be more abrasion resistant than this?  Should I seek an
exchange (Cabelas or Fenwick)?
   2.  Is it salvageable?  I wouldn’t think one would want to splice it
together.
   3.  The Cortland I had previously could be reversed on the reel and the
opposite end used as the casting end.  I didn’t find any mention of being
able to do this with this line.  Would I even want to with it being
twenty-one feet shorter?
   Thanks for any information anyone can provide!
   Larry
Larry Dawson                                      Lincoln, NE   USA
   "The concept of the "work week" is one of the more deadening
   aspects of our civilization, robbing us of, among other
   things, allthe great ideas that could be hatched by people
   who’d do their best thinking at two in the morning if they
   weren’t too tired of working allday …"
         The View From Rat Lake,  John Gierach

About a year ago there was an article in Fly Angler Mag on how to splice fly lines together. The author used a short length of 20 to 35 pound test monofilament (depending on diameter of fly line), and using sandpaper sort of sharpened the ends of the mono. Then he used a small drop of 5 minute epoxy on the ends of the mono and slipped the ends of the mono up the core of the fly line on both ends of the cut. If you have the right length of mono you can butt the ends of the fly line next to each other, and the excess epoxy sealed the ends together. You can only get the mono about a quarter inch inside the fly line, so the entire splice is only about a half an inch long. This is the way I attach a length of mono to the end of my fly line and then tie a loop in the end of the mono for a loop to loop connection with my leader, so I can attest to the strength of the connection. I may be able to find the article, so if you are interested send me your snail mail address and I’ll send you a xerox copy of it. Darryl Hayashida

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There is another method for repairing this line, that Lefty Kreh talks about in the tackle Symposium, of his Little Library series.  Use some braided monofilament(50#) like a "chinese handcuff" and then whip the ends of the braided mono and apply some pliobond.  Should hold up just fine, if you can’t get a new line from Cortland. Crashjibe

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Hi. Im Murray and I run a fly fishing school in the Toronto area.  I have quite a number of lines that are used every weekend by novices who really beat up the lines and equipment.   I have quite a number of lines that have been used like this for many years and I have never had a line break ever.  I think that you should take it back, its obviously defective.  If they wont take it back there are knots that you can use to splice it together.  I have never dont this so I dont know of any off the top of my head but you should be able to find them in a good fly fishing book.   Your question about turning the line around is valid, but this can only be done if it is a double tapered line.  if it is a weight forward line it cant be turned around.  (Well it could but it wouldnt cast very well.) I probably shouldn’t say this but I have not found a Fenwick line that I have ever liked.  I don’t think that they compare to a good courtland or sientific anglers line. hope that this helps.   Murray.  Murray’s Fly Fishing School. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   The first twenty-one and half feet of my fly line broke off!  I don’t  know what happened other than I must have stepped on it on a rock.  I  bought it just a couple of weeks ago.  It is Fenwick’s World Class fly   line, Trout class, WF-6-F.  My questions are:   1.  Should it be more abrasion resistant than this?   Should I seek an  exchange (Cabelas or Fenwick)?   2.  Is it salvageable?  I wouldn’t think one would want to splice it  together.   3.  The Cortland I had previously could be reversed on the reel and the  opposite end used as the casting end.  I didn’t find any mention of being  able to do this with this line.  Would I even want to with it being  twenty-one feet shorter?   Thanks for any information anyone can provide!   Larry    /     AOL:  LarryD39   "The concept of the "work week" is one of the more deadening   aspects of our civilization, robbing us of, among other   things, allthe great ideas that could be hatched by people   who’d do their best thinking at two in the morning if they   weren’t too tired of working allday …"         The View From Rat Lake,  John Gierach  

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LARRY: I WOULD SUGGEST THE RETURN TO THE STORE METHOD.  YOU CAN TRY A BLIND SPLICE AS SUGGESTED, BUT IF YOUR NOT FAMLIAR WITH IT, I WOULDN’T UNDERTAKE IT RIGHT NOW FOR A LINE YOU WILL FISH REGULARLY.  ON THE RETURN TO THE STORE THOUGH, THE SHOP OWNER SHOULD’T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.  FENWICK HAS A VERY GOOD GUARANTEE ON THE BACK OF THIER PACKAGING.  MOST OF THESE MANUFACTURERS WANT TO KEEP YOU USING THIER PRODUCT AND THEY DO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING AS TO " IT JUST BROKE", IT’S CALLED KEEP THE PRODUCT IN THE CUSTOMERS HANDS.  HOWVEVER, THEY DO APPRECIATE A LITTLE EFFORT ON THE PART OF CONSUMER AS TO HOW YOU THINK IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED, POSSIBLY COMBINED WITH COMMENTS ON PROIR HAPPINESS.  I’D GO THE REPLACEMENT ROUTE WITH THE STORE FIRST AND IF THAT DIDN’T WORK, THEN MAIL IT BACK TO FENWICK – I’D BE VERY SURPISED IF THEY DIDN’T HELP.  I’D LIKE TO HEAR HOW YOU MAKE OUT. GOOD LUCK, BOB/FL.

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