Question:

My better half and I are launching an e-commerce Computer Store. Please take a look and pass the word to others. We have taken the plunge and after several months have opened the site for sales. We have free UPS ground shipping on all orders over $500. The site has digital cameras, web cameras, printers, monitors, notebooks, mice, etc. We’ll be adding more products weekly and can get most products even if not on the website. I feel awkward about putting this in newsgroups but I need to get the word out. I am only announcing this in forums that we have personal interests in. (RC Planes, Kayaking, EMS, Fly Fishing, etc) Yes, this blatant advertising. I apologize if I offends anyone. If there are complaints, I certainly won’t advertise again. Thank you for reading and I hope you like the store. www.computerthingies.com John Legg

Response:

Complaint here.   Don’t do it.  Leave the URL in your sig file and contribute to groups you’re interested in.  It’s slower, but it won’t piss people off enough to complain to your ISP.  Which I gave up bothering to do with SPAMmers (yes, you are.  Or at least advertising in conversational groups, which is a no-no) years ago.  However many still do.  Do you really want to lose your ISP and have to go find another email and Web site? If there are complaints, I certainly won’t advertise again.

— rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Response:

You weren’t the only complaint and I certainly learned my lesson the hard way. I posted to 6 newsgroups that I have interests in. Shortly thereafter I posted apologies to 6 newsgroups that I had interests in. Well at least I thought I’d apologized to 6 newsgroups. It looks like I forgot this one. Sorry about that. I was hesitant to post and I certainly regret doing it. It won’t happen again. John Legg www.computerthingies.com

Response:

Complaint here.   Don’t do it.  Leave the URL in your sig file and contribute to groups you’re interested in.  It’s slower, but it won’t piss people off enough to complain to your ISP.  Which I gave up bothering to do with SPAMmers (yes, you are.  Or at least advertising in conversational groups, which is a no-no) years ago.  However many still do.  Do you really want to lose your ISP and have to go find another email and Web site?

I’ve contacted him off the group and explained to him the evils of spamming. Personally, I have a very low tolerance for spammers (mainly because they cost my business $$$) – but this guy genuinely did not realize that what he was doing was wrong.  He was also pretty worried about losing his account…I doubt he’ll ever spam again.  :-) –Tina — HOSTING: from $45 per YEAR + FREE Domain w/most       PHP/mySQL, SSI, CGI, installed scripts & more              Merchant Account + FREE hosting Info                     http://www.AffordableHost.com

Response:

Nice apology.  And you didn’t lose your account.  From the way you phrased it, it was pretty obvious you were a newbbie at the advertising thing, so I doubt if anyone got really hot about it.  At least not enough to complain to your ISP.  It’s one of those learning things.  As a sister-in-law once said, "Oh, lord how I HATE learning experiences."  Hey, it’s not like doing something really dumb with power tools and powerlines or bare arms. You weren’t the only complaint and I certainly learned my lesson the hard way. I posted to 6 newsgroups that I have interests in. Shortly thereafter I posted apologies to 6 newsgroups that I had interests in. Well at least I thought I’d apologized to 6 newsgroups. It looks like I forgot this one. Sorry about that. I was hesitant to post and I certainly regret doing it. It won’t happen again. John Legg www.computerthingies.com

— rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Response:

Question:

I am looking for some new leader formulas for dry fly fishing. I want a 16-18 ft overall leader with tippit ( I use a long tippet, about 31/2 to 4 ft). I am fishing a 3 wt and 4 wt line at the present. Any suggestions? George

Response:

http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/leadercalc/index.html It might take awhile to digest, but there is an interesting leader formula program in there. Regards, Jeff

Response:

Question:

I’ve found that if you use too fine a tippet in relation to strength, you’ll get major twisting if there is a hard wind.  

This is one time where a thicker or stiffer tippet would be better. Willi

Response:

I’ve found that if you use too fine a tippet in relation to strength, you’ll get major twisting if there is a hard wind.  It seems to be that even though you’ve increased your tippet strength, you still have to match the tippet to the size fly you are casting.  In essence you still need to match DIAMETER with you fly size.  I’ve seen it alot where people insist on matching the BREAKING STRENGTH to the fly size which results in the aforementioned twisting.

Really?  That’s nutty.  Absolutely – diameter (translating into a certain stiffness and/or a certain mass of line) is what matters because that’s what determines how the fly will be cast and presented. Regards, Jeff

Response:

Increases in tippet strength, IMHO, is the most significant improvement in fly fishing equipment in the last fifty years. When I started fly fishing, a tippet fine enough to use with a size 20 fly had a breaking strength of under a pound.  Tough to land a good fish on a tippet that weak. I’m hard pressed to come up with a situation where a finer tippet of the same strength wouldn’t be superior. Willi

I’ve found that if you use too fine a tippet in relation to strength, you’ll get major twisting if there is a hard wind.  It seems to be that even though you’ve increased your tippet strength, you still have to match the tippet to the size fly you are casting.  In essence you still need to match DIAMETER with you fly size.  I’ve seen it alot where people insist on matching the BREAKING STRENGTH to the fly size which results in the aforementioned twisting. — Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm 406-626-4022

Response:

Increases in tippet strength, IMHO, is the most significant improvement in fly fishing equipment in the last fifty years. When I started fly fishing, a tippet fine enough to use with a size 20 fly had a breaking strength of under a pound.  Tough to land a good fish on a tippet that weak. I’m hard pressed to come up with a situation where a finer tippet of the same strength wouldn’t be superior. Willi

Response:

Small diameter is not always desirable.

Why not?  By "small diameter", what we really mean is "small diameter relative to its strength".  So if you want a bigger diameter, you could still use "small diameter for its strength", and then a bigger diameter in that brand, and you’ll have the diameter you want but stronger than the other brand. In my experience, Maxima tippet consistently runs about one mil larger than marked.

More like .002 in my experience! Nevertheless, it is an excellent tippet material because it handles abuse much better than some with better specs.

Orvis Super Strong is damn strong, though.  Or damn thin, depending on how you look at it eh? Regards, Jeff

Response:

Increases in tippet strength, IMHO, is the most significant improvement in fly fishing equipment in the last fifty years. When I started fly fishing, a tippet fine enough to use with a size 20 fly had a breaking strength of under a pound.  Tough to land a good fish on a tippet that weak. I’m hard pressed to come up with a situation where a finer tippet of the same strength wouldn’t be superior. Willi

If it is stiffer it might interfere with fly presentation. Peter G. Aitken

Response:

Hello,    As someone new to the sport I have a question regarding tippet material. Does it have to be a specific material or can you use regular fishing line of the correct diameter? I ask this because I noticed that the line I use on my spinning reel lists a dia. of .010 which is the dia. of the tippet I’m told is the correct for the size flies I will be using. Can I use this line or do I have to use a material specific for tippets?

There is a lot of development of monofilament going on with things like copolymers etc. The main effect is that of getting more breaking strength for the same diameter. In addition, the stiffness and abrasion reisitance and knot strength may be affected. Nevertheless, there is no law to prevent you from using any material you want. Small diameter is not always desirable. In my experience, Maxima tippet tconsistently runs about one mil larger than marked. Even so, the strength for a given marked diameter runs less than on other tippet such as Dai-Riki. Nevertheless, it is an excellent tippet material because it handles abuse much better than some with better specs. Bill

Response:

Leader and tippet material is just the same as ordinary Nylon monofilament fishing line.  Some prefer certain types of Nylon, "soft or hard" for instance which makes the leader/tippet, "stiff or limp".    Basically any fishing line will do however. Many people buy spools of the line they like and make up their own leaders and tippets from it.    If you are just starting out, I would recommend buying knotless tapered leaders from your local tackle shop, and a couple of spools of tippet material ( ordinary line ) in the diameters you require. You can of course learn to tie up your own leaders immediately, it is not hard to do. Have a look at   http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2/ and   http://globalflyfisher.com Both of these sites have good info on  leaders . TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

Response:

   As someone new to the sport I have a question regarding tippet material. Does it have to be a specific material or can you use regular fishing line of the correct diameter? I ask this because I noticed that the line I use on my spinning reel lists a dia. of .010 which is the dia. of the tippet I’m told is the correct for the size flies I will be using. Can I use this line or do I have to use a material specific for tippets?

You can use it.  It should just be a good match with the end of the leader you’re using and match your fly.  The stiffnes of the line is also a factor. The only problem is that the diameter listed might not be correct.  Even with "official" tippet material where the diameter is usually more important than the breaking strength, it is often off.  But probably not so much that it will make a huge difference.  .010 is also called 1X, which is a bit on the heavy side for a lot of trout flies – I was wondering what fly you’re using. Regards, Jeff

Response:

Bonjour, You can use regular fishing line of the correct diameter. The most important in leader and tippet is to tye good knots as a bad knot will brake really easily. The most important in Nylon is to avoid using an too old one. Then remember that from a "regular" fishing line to another one you have differences in coating and other chemical treatements wich make a Nylon softer or not from another one. You have to know what you are searching for, considering lenght of your tippet, size of the fly, wet or dry… Philippe Pacific Angling on Line http://fishing.ifrance.com * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, As someone new to the sport I have a question regarding tippet material. Does it have to be a specific material or can you use regular fishing line of the correct diameter? I ask this because I noticed that the line I use on my spinning reel lists a dia. of .010 which is the dia. of the tippet I’m told is the correct for the size flies I will be using. Can I use this line or do I have to use a material specific for tippets? TIA Rich Kent I no expert, but I don’t see any reason not to use it. Hell, if you’ve got a big spool of it, I’d say that’s a really good reason to use it. Welcome to the sport and as a newcomer, stick around this group. There’s info here amongst the BS.

I’ve started making my own leaders this year.  In doing so I have looked at different companies for my leader material.  I have found the diameter and strength not the same with each company.  I’ve then found that most tippet material, though the same diameter as regular monofilament, is much stronger.  With this in mind, I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t use regular monofilament as long as you understand that it might not be as strong as tippet material for the same diameter. — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Before you buy.

Response:

Hello,     As someone new to the sport I have a question regarding tippet material. Does it have to be a specific material or can you use regular fishing line of the correct diameter? I ask this because I noticed that the line I use on my spinning reel lists a dia. of .010 which is the dia. of the tippet I’m told is the correct for the size flies I will be using. Can I use this line or do I have to use a material specific for tippets? TIA Rich Kent

I no expert, but I don’t see any reason not to use it. Hell, if you’ve got a big spool of it, I’d say that’s a really good reason to use it. Welcome to the sport and as a newcomer, stick around this group. There’s info here amongst the BS.

Response:

Hello,     As someone new to the sport I have a question regarding tippet material. Does it have to be a specific material or can you use regular fishing line of the correct diameter? I ask this because I noticed that the line I use on my spinning reel lists a dia. of .010 which is the dia. of the tippet I’m told is the correct for the size flies I will be using. Can I use this line or do I have to use a material specific for tippets? TIA Rich Kent

Response:

Question:

So Ken, are you a shill for george or one of his multiple personalities?

Now THAT is an address that lacks integrity and honesty.  Put it in your ear G2.  You posted this WHILE in the chat room.  Well pal, I’m still there.  Come and get it! George Gehrke — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

Sorry G, I was in your chat room one night a long time ago and found no reason to return. I certainly wasn’t there last night. As far as "come and get it". I don’t like spam. With regards to the Email – the last time I put an email on a news group my inbox got filled with garbage from those like yourself. Paul – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So Ken, are you a shill for george or one of his multiple personalities? Now THAT is an address that lacks integrity and honesty.  Put it in your ear G2.  You posted this WHILE in the chat room.  Well pal, I’m still there.  Come and get it! George Gehrke — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

So Ken, are you a shill for george or one of his multiple personalities?

That was beautifully written.   Thanks for sharing that. Have you read any of the books from Roderick Haig-Brown?  His words are so eloquent and thoughts so devine.  I recommend his books too all who are interested in reading about fly fishing.  But he goes further than that. You learn about his interests, his childhood, his hopes, and you might even learn a few things about life. Ken. _____  I have been an avid fly fisherman ever since I was 10 years old, beginning with an old South Bend my Grandfather, Theodore Kurczak had

[snip] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – crack at those 10 pound plus brown trout and larger bows. Mr.G. — http://www.gink.com

Response:

Didn’t you know G2 Marsh that ROFF is Darwinian and Shakespearean and that all the parts are played by me?   So Ken, are you a shill for george or one of his multiple personalities?

____  Marsh, that you use a disguise to come to the Chat Site for Fly Fisherman makes you a sick puppy.  You were her tonight and when you could not get anyone’s ire up, you went away with your tail between your legs.  It seems you just cannot function on love and kindness pal. Please get a life other then with the Federal Government. But you’re still welcome in spite of yourself.  You couldn’t take the heat of kindness and you left the kitchen.  You just can’t handle niceness, huh? : ) Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

_____  I have been an avid fly fisherman ever since I was 10 years old, beginning with an old South Bend my Grandfather, Theodore Kurczak had purchased back during the great depression.  Those were the days of trying times when the entire family used to walked the railroad tracks out in the country picking up coal dumped or fallen off the steam engines of that era.  It was the days during 1934, the year I was born that my mother would walk three miles to the five points area of Toledo to buy me a quart of milk at black market prices.  The days of rationing stamps during world war two was full bloom when I was five, six, and then seven years old.  Trading gasoline stamps for food and the victory gardens where whole city parks were plowed under and for two or three dollars, a small garden plot could be planted by families to grow vegetables.  Food for our Armed Forces was in great demand and anything that helped feed America was considered.  It was the days of great integrity and honesty.  When away and not attending the garden every Saturday near DeVilbiss School, the hundreds of plots remained intact and not one tomato, not one radish, not one head of lettuce was ever stolen.  It was an era of unusual times. The fly rod was used to reach out in local creeks to catch bullheads and anything that would provide a share of much needed protein.  The war efforts greatest demand for preserved meats for our soldiers went into Spam Cans and on Spam the American Army marched across Europe and the Pacific Islands. Well, I was given this old South Bend Fly Rod and it was like new.  My parents sold out right after the war and bought a forty acre farm out in the country and with me went that fly rod.  Actually, fly rods are more useful in the country anyhow and this one was no exception.  Some of those stories of my youth have been hinted about in past articles such as "The Makings of a Fly Fisherman" ( see: http://www.gink.com/makeflyfisherman.htm ) It takes years to learn the progressive secrets in the world of trout. One needs to understand water if they are to understand trout.  More thought is given to flies and tying them and to all the trimmings that go with the pursuit rather then the thought necessary to understand rivers, and the timeless waters that bed there.  This moving entity is a witchcraft cauldron of churning possibilities.  If we can understand the rivers that contain this moving home year around may we possibly understand the magic’s that happen in a place we seldom see.  We stand in air and trout are below our feet mocking the higher intellect (it seems) under a window of imperfect vision as long as its moving.  In that, there is a certain danger that lurks for both.  One can drown in the water and the other drowns out of it. After spring run off, the modern day angler waits for the seasonal exodus of summer vacations when the rivers of no return get lower and lower and concentrations of trout are condensed into smaller and smaller runs and pools.  The lowest level on most rivers is just prior to Spring run off.  That month is around April just before those April showers that bring the flowers that bloom in May.  Around the 40th parallel, the colder latitudes are best fished with midges and very early types of small stone flies.  What is not realized is the really BIG FISH during all these more confined times do not come out except at night.  The big rainbows and browns and cutthroat and brook trout are actually nocturnal animals.  The are big because they have learned that they are prey to things much larger then they.  So they hide beneath under cut banks, log jams, deep under huge rocks and boulders and under deep rapids where the window above is broken and they cannot be seen.  As with humans, every day we live is a gift . . . and that is why each day is called ‘a present’. Spring comes with each days higher azimuths of the rising sun that softens the snows.  They start to bleed, unwillingly but give up the blood of life to the thirsty earth below.  The streams swell and as they do the soils run with the thaw.  The rivers turn darker and darker until the waters are a torrent of chaos and terror. Yet, the trout lives.  The trout adapt.  The trout move to the friction dragging shore lines where the current pulls on the banks, trying to draw them in, but no they hold fast. The river edges during the spring are a forest of trout who are not willing to be involved deep in the low visibility of the central rivers.  The torrents roll debris upon them including rolling stones that can kill or injure them.  If you can see the danger coming, you might have a chance.  If you can’t see, its suicide to stay there. The trout move to safety and that is to the edge of the river where the current is less and where the food is plenty. This is the time of streamers.  I fish more Zonkers and Muddlers during the spring run off then at any other time of the year.  One only needs hip waders and need not even get their feet wet for all that it matters.  A length of fly line out, cast maybe 10 degrees out into the edge of the main current and letting it swing back toward shore and them twitching and working it back, upstream to yourself can be deadly.  The fish don’t come often but when they do, they are hefty and much larger. Spring run off edge fly fishing (whew, what a mouthful) can be the most startling revelation to any fly fisherman who has never done it before. The worse the river looks, the better and more concentrated are the trout packed along the edge. So think about this coming spring run off.  Don’t miss this time of great opportunity as a fly fisherman.  It is the best time to get a crack at those 10 pound plus brown trout and larger bows. Mr.G.   — http://www.gink.com

Response:

That was beautifully written.   Thanks for sharing that. Have you read any of the books from Roderick Haig-Brown?  His words are so eloquent and thoughts so devine.  I recommend his books too all who are interested in reading about fly fishing.  But he goes further than that. You learn about his interests, his childhood, his hopes, and you might even learn a few things about life. Ken. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – _____  I have been an avid fly fisherman ever since I was 10 years old, beginning with an old South Bend my Grandfather, Theodore Kurczak had purchased back during the great depression.  Those were the days of trying times when the entire family used to walked the railroad tracks out in the country picking up coal dumped or fallen off the steam engines of that era.  It was the days during 1934, the year I was born that my mother would walk three miles to the five points area of Toledo to buy me a quart of milk at black market prices.  The days of rationing stamps during world war two was full bloom when I was five, six, and then seven years old.  Trading gasoline stamps for food and the victory gardens where whole city parks were plowed under and for two or three dollars, a small garden plot could be planted by families to grow vegetables.  Food for our Armed Forces was in great demand and anything that helped feed America was considered.  It was the days of great integrity and honesty.  When away and not attending the garden every Saturday near DeVilbiss School, the hundreds of plots remained intact and not one tomato, not one radish, not one head of lettuce was ever stolen.  It was an era of unusual times. The fly rod was used to reach out in local creeks to catch bullheads and anything that would provide a share of much needed protein.  The war efforts greatest demand for preserved meats for our soldiers went into Spam Cans and on Spam the American Army marched across Europe and the Pacific Islands. Well, I was given this old South Bend Fly Rod and it was like new.  My parents sold out right after the war and bought a forty acre farm out in the country and with me went that fly rod.  Actually, fly rods are more useful in the country anyhow and this one was no exception.  Some of those stories of my youth have been hinted about in past articles such as "The Makings of a Fly Fisherman" ( see: http://www.gink.com/makeflyfisherman.htm ) It takes years to learn the progressive secrets in the world of trout. One needs to understand water if they are to understand trout.  More thought is given to flies and tying them and to all the trimmings that go with the pursuit rather then the thought necessary to understand rivers, and the timeless waters that bed there.  This moving entity is a witchcraft cauldron of churning possibilities.  If we can understand the rivers that contain this moving home year around may we possibly understand the magic’s that happen in a place we seldom see.  We stand in air and trout are below our feet mocking the higher intellect (it seems) under a window of imperfect vision as long as its moving.  In that, there is a certain danger that lurks for both.  One can drown in the water and the other drowns out of it. After spring run off, the modern day angler waits for the seasonal exodus of summer vacations when the rivers of no return get lower and lower and concentrations of trout are condensed into smaller and smaller runs and pools.  The lowest level on most rivers is just prior to Spring run off.  That month is around April just before those April showers that bring the flowers that bloom in May.  Around the 40th parallel, the colder latitudes are best fished with midges and very early types of small stone flies.  What is not realized is the really BIG FISH during all these more confined times do not come out except at night.  The big rainbows and browns and cutthroat and brook trout are actually nocturnal animals.  The are big because they have learned that they are prey to things much larger then they.  So they hide beneath under cut banks, log jams, deep under huge rocks and boulders and under deep rapids where the window above is broken and they cannot be seen.  As with humans, every day we live is a gift . . . and that is why each day is called ‘a present’. Spring comes with each days higher azimuths of the rising sun that softens the snows.  They start to bleed, unwillingly but give up the blood of life to the thirsty earth below.  The streams swell and as they do the soils run with the thaw.  The rivers turn darker and darker until the waters are a torrent of chaos and terror. Yet, the trout lives.  The trout adapt.  The trout move to the friction dragging shore lines where the current pulls on the banks, trying to draw them in, but no they hold fast. The river edges during the spring are a forest of trout who are not willing to be involved deep in the low visibility of the central rivers.  The torrents roll debris upon them including rolling stones that can kill or injure them.  If you can see the danger coming, you might have a chance.  If you can’t see, its suicide to stay there. The trout move to safety and that is to the edge of the river where the current is less and where the food is plenty. This is the time of streamers.  I fish more Zonkers and Muddlers during the spring run off then at any other time of the year.  One only needs hip waders and need not even get their feet wet for all that it matters.  A length of fly line out, cast maybe 10 degrees out into the edge of the main current and letting it swing back toward shore and them twitching and working it back, upstream to yourself can be deadly.  The fish don’t come often but when they do, they are hefty and much larger. Spring run off edge fly fishing (whew, what a mouthful) can be the most startling revelation to any fly fisherman who has never done it before. The worse the river looks, the better and more concentrated are the trout packed along the edge. So think about this coming spring run off.  Don’t miss this time of great opportunity as a fly fisherman.  It is the best time to get a crack at those 10 pound plus brown trout and larger bows. Mr.G. — http://www.gink.com

Response:

Ken, If you really liked that go to George’s chat or his bulletin board. It is full of George’s prose. George, Since these messages disappear off of the mail servers maybe you should post them to your bulletin board and preserve them. Then when people like ken want to read them they know where to go. sf

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That was beautifully written.   Thanks for sharing that. Have you read any of the books from Roderick Haig-Brown?  His words are so eloquent and thoughts so devine.  I recommend his books too all who are interested in reading about fly fishing.  But he goes further than that. You learn about his interests, his childhood, his hopes, and you might even learn a few things about life. Ken. _____  I have been an avid fly fisherman ever since I was 10 years old, beginning with an old South Bend my Grandfather, Theodore Kurczak had purchased back during the great depression.  Those were the days of trying times when the entire family used to walked the railroad tracks out in the country picking up coal dumped or fallen off the steam engines of that era.  It was the days during 1934, the year I was born that my mother would walk three miles to the five points area of Toledo to buy me a quart of milk at black market prices.  The days of rationing stamps during world war two was full bloom when I was five, six, and then seven years old.  Trading gasoline stamps for food and the victory gardens where whole city parks were plowed under and for two or three dollars, a small garden plot could be planted by families to grow vegetables.  Food for our Armed Forces was in great demand and anything that helped feed America was considered.  It was the days of great integrity and honesty.  When away and not attending the garden every Saturday near DeVilbiss School, the hundreds of plots remained intact and not one tomato, not one radish, not one head of lettuce was ever stolen.  It was an era of unusual times. The fly rod was used to reach out in local creeks to catch bullheads and anything that would provide a share of much needed protein.  The war efforts greatest demand for preserved meats for our soldiers went into Spam Cans and on Spam the American Army marched across Europe and the Pacific Islands. Well, I was given this old South Bend Fly Rod and it was like new.  My parents sold out right after the war and bought a forty acre farm out in the country and with me went that fly rod.  Actually, fly rods are more useful in the country anyhow and this one was no exception.  Some of those stories of my youth have been hinted about in past articles such as "The Makings of a Fly Fisherman" ( see: http://www.gink.com/makeflyfisherman.htm ) It takes years to learn the progressive secrets in the world of trout. One needs to understand water if they are to understand trout.  More thought is given to flies and tying them and to all the trimmings that go with the pursuit rather then the thought necessary to understand rivers, and the timeless waters that bed there.  This moving entity is a witchcraft cauldron of churning possibilities.  If we can understand the rivers that contain this moving home year around may we possibly understand the magic’s that happen in a place we seldom see.  We stand in air and trout are below our feet mocking the higher intellect (it seems) under a window of imperfect vision as long as its moving.  In that, there is a certain danger that lurks for both.  One can drown in the water and the other drowns out of it. After spring run off, the modern day angler waits for the seasonal exodus of summer vacations when the rivers of no return get lower and lower and concentrations of trout are condensed into smaller and smaller runs and pools.  The lowest level on most rivers is just prior to Spring run off.  That month is around April just before those April showers that bring the flowers that bloom in May.  Around the 40th parallel, the colder latitudes are best fished with midges and very early types of small stone flies.  What is not realized is the really BIG FISH during all these more confined times do not come out except at night.  The big rainbows and browns and cutthroat and brook trout are actually nocturnal animals.  The are big because they have learned that they are prey to things much larger then they.  So they hide beneath under cut banks, log jams, deep under huge rocks and boulders and under deep rapids where the window above is broken and they cannot be seen.  As with humans, every day we live is a gift . . . and that is why each day is called ‘a present’. Spring comes with each days higher azimuths of the rising sun that softens the snows.  They start to bleed, unwillingly but give up the blood of life to the thirsty earth below.  The streams swell and as they do the soils run with the thaw.  The rivers turn darker and darker until the waters are a torrent of chaos and terror. Yet, the trout lives.  The trout adapt.  The trout move to the friction dragging shore lines where the current pulls on the banks, trying to draw them in, but no they hold fast. The river edges during the spring are a forest of trout who are not willing to be involved deep in the low visibility of the central rivers.  The torrents roll debris upon them including rolling stones that can kill or injure them.  If you can see the danger coming, you might have a chance.  If you can’t see, its suicide to stay there. The trout move to safety and that is to the edge of the river where the current is less and where the food is plenty. This is the time of streamers.  I fish more Zonkers and Muddlers during the spring run off then at any other time of the year.  One only needs hip waders and need not even get their feet wet for all that it matters.  A length of fly line out, cast maybe 10 degrees out into the edge of the main current and letting it swing back toward shore and them twitching and working it back, upstream to yourself can be deadly.  The fish don’t come often but when they do, they are hefty and much larger. Spring run off edge fly fishing (whew, what a mouthful) can be the most startling revelation to any fly fisherman who has never done it before. The worse the river looks, the better and more concentrated are the trout packed along the edge. So think about this coming spring run off.  Don’t miss this time of great opportunity as a fly fisherman.  It is the best time to get a crack at those 10 pound plus brown trout and larger bows. Mr.G. — http://www.gink.com

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AA Outfitters (used to be AA Pro Shop I think) used to carry them, had some pretty good prices on mostly cosmetic seconds.  I haven’t bought from them in a couple of years though so I’m not sure if they still do. -jerry http://www.gorp.com/aa_pro/default.htm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone direct me to a company that sells seconds or blemished rod blanks? You can e-mail me at Thanks J

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Can anyone direct me to a company that sells seconds or blemished rod blanks? You can e-mail me at Thanks J

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Cote’s Fly Shop in Leicester Ma., sells blems and seconds as well as excellent rods made with them by Ray Cote. Call 508-892-3765 and tell them Jerry Schrader sent you. Jerry Schrader, a pro wedding photog.  http://www.weddingphoto-ma.com

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Can anyone direct me to a company that sells seconds or blemished rod blanks? You can e-mail me at Thanks J

The Anglers Workshop, www.anglersworkshop.com, sells blems at a pretty good price too.

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Two good sources for blems are: Jon King at JJ King Flyfishing Co., Alturas, CA Excellent deals, special rates for clubs & associations. Jon King is very honest, very helpful.  I built a 10 foot 9 weight from a two piece blem and his parts/components kit and it turned out to be an excellent salmon/steelhead rod.  I think the prices are $6/foot for four piece blanks and $5/foot for a two piece rod. honest, helpful guy.  He’s a guide in the Phoenix area so he may not answer your email right away if he’s out with a client guiding. The man has a good selection of blems. I bought a bunch of Berkley 4 piece blems for $25 each and turned them into excellent rods.  I got a 4 weight, a 6 weight, and an 8 weight, all 9 feet long.  Plus some other even cheaper blems made by Kunan (?) to practice on. Even these Korean blanks which I bought to play with, fearing to ruin a high end blank, turned into pretty decent 5 wghts. Al Soroka Vancouver, B.C.

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andrew, I am a pro photog and I have photos that you could use.  I was unable to connect to your website.   Jerry Schrader, over 30 years a pro Fine Wedding Photography http://www.weddingphoto-ma.com

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You know, I’ve NEVER seen one of those women land a fish….must be that scentthey put on the bait… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Here is my website.  I am looking for pictures of people to put up on it. I need some wilderness, fishing, camping, hiking, scenery, etc. you get the point (NO NUDE FLYFISHING WOMEN THIS TIME).  If anyone would send me their pics I will post them and give you credit.  Thanks again. Sincerely, Andrew Fulton http://wildhideaway.cjb.net

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Here is my website.  I am looking for pictures of people to put up on it.  I need some wilderness, fishing, camping, hiking, scenery, etc. you get the point (NO NUDE FLYFISHING WOMEN THIS TIME).  If anyone would send me their pics I will post them and give you credit.  Thanks again. Sincerely, Andrew Fulton http://wildhideaway.cjb.net

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I’m heading for Bridgeport Monday. My first visit to the area last year wasn’t very productive due to incredible runoff (and a snowstorm). I would appreciate any advice on how the fishing is and what spots are producing. I’m kinda partial to stillwater FFing in my Poke Boat. TIA   —       There’s a fine line between fishing and standing       on the shore looking like an idiot.                                    Steven  Wright

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: I’m heading for Bridgeport Monday. My first visit to the area last year : wasn’t very productive due to incredible runoff (and a snowstorm). : I would appreciate any advice on how the fishing is and what spots are : producing. I’m kinda partial to stillwater FFing in my Poke Boat. : TIA   : — :                                                                 :       There’s a fine line between fishing and standing :       on the shore looking like an idiot. :                                    Steven  Wright try www.flyfishing-online.com for the latest reports on the eastern sierra’s. sounds like it is major runoff time up there. jlc

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : I’m heading for Bridgeport Monday. My first visit to the area last year : wasn’t very productive due to incredible runoff (and a snowstorm). : I would appreciate any advice on how the fishing is and what spots are : producing. I’m kinda partial to stillwater FFing in my Poke Boat. : TIA : — : :       There’s a fine line between fishing and standing :       on the shore looking like an idiot. :                                    Steven  Wright try www.flyfishing-online.com for the latest reports on the eastern sierra’s. sounds like it is major runoff time up there. jlcJust returned from Bridgeport Sunday. Was there for a week and

fishing is very slow. Too much water and a full moon. Try the Resevoir for bid fish. Talk to Rick at Ken’s Sporting Goods.

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For those that have written the group and me personally asking about water conditions I send this updated report (by the way, I don’t mind in the least getting the queries). Got three trout today with a completely new method of dry fly fishing. There I was standing  (or at least trying to) in four feet of water on a sand bar that, to my certain knowledge, has been dry, year round, for at least the last six years. The creek is small but at times has produced the occasional 18 inch brown some smaller rainbows and the occasional cut throat or two. This new method consists of casting a dry up stream. letting it hit the water and race back towards you in the current. The three fish I caught had broken their necks trying to get the fly as it went past them at somewhere around forty five mph. Their bodies were then recovered some one and a half miles down stream by an accomplice. Lolo Mt.

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Does anyone out there know of any tide charts for the Boca Paila- Ascension Bay-Espiritu Santo Bay area?  Any idea what the correction factors are for the backcountry areas when you try to use a standard tide chart/program?  Any other useful info would be appreciated too. Please send private e-mail to: Thanks Jeff

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Jeff, if you will email me, I will send you the web address of an NOAA site that gives current water temperatures, sea height, wind, etc from bouys in Port Aransas and offshore in the Gulf. To date, I have not found a tide web site, but this comes close and is useful. I just don’t have the address on me at the moment.

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Could you please send me the address of the Yucatan Tide Charts. Just back from Ascension Bay and am returning next year. Thanks. Jack

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Does anyone out there know of any tide charts for the Boca Paila- Ascension Bay-Espiritu Santo Bay area?  Any idea what the correction factors are for the backcountry areas when you try to use a standard tide chart/program?  Any other useful info would be appreciated too. Please send private e-mail to: Thanks Jeff

Jeff, I would call Frontier Travel, 800/245-1950 and ask for Bill Gering.  They are the booking agent for Boca Paila Lodge and Casa Blanca Lodge ( Ascension Bay ) and Bill is their expert on the Yucatan area. I spent nine days in November this last fall and fished the whole area through different four lodges.  If you need any fishing info you can call us at 800/4000FLY. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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I just got my orvis catalog in the mail today..ah, it’s January but spring is already in the air…So, my fellow fly fishermen, what are we buying Orvis braided leader system..it seems like it would be great. I want to pick it up, but first i’d like to know if anyone knows how good it is..Thanks.. Frankie… NYC fly-fisherman..just a 2 hour drive to the Beaverkill..

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The advertisement for Jeep that starts…       "A Tradition Runs Through It…." About made me lose chow… Tim Walker

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The advertisement for Jeep that starts…       "A Tradition Runs Through It…." About made me lose chow…

I hope the Royal Coachman does not make you nauseous; it was invented by Mary Orvis Marbury.  Unless I am mistaken, you must carry your line coiled up in your hand.  The thought of using a modern fly reel, which traces its lineage back to the CFO reel developed by Charles F. Orvis, is repugnant. On the other hand, it may be the Jeep/Orvis advertising executives who make you sick.  The thought that anyone would exploit fly fishing’s traditions, your heritage, for commercial gain could upset you.  That is why I only fish with tackle donated to me by Trappist monks.  They have to give up both fishing and sex. Shudder! Unfortunately, fewer and fewer folks are willing to make that double sacrifice so I am running low on tackle.  I am therefore looking forward to drooling over my Orvis catalogue.  I imperil my immortal soul by dealing with them (the toll free #, 1-800-666-6666, is scary) but what the heck.  Some of it is nice stuff. — Keep your stick on the ice.

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The advertisement for Jeep that starts…       "A Tradition Runs Through It…." snip Yeah, Tim, but if you keep reading, it only gets worse: "…The Orvis name informs (sic) the spirit of every fly fisherman…in America"   WHAT does that mean??!!

Inform (vt) does not just mean to impart knowledge, it also means 1) obs to give material form or to arrange 2)to give character or essence; hence to be characteristic of 3)to train or discipline 4)to guide or direct.  I don’t know why Webster says that 1 is obsolete; Aristotelian and Thomistic metaphysicians are always prattling on about formal causes informing material causes. So how do you like that?  Madison avenue says that Orvis gives you character, disciplines you, and/or guides you.  And I thought that they just had some nice stuff for sale.  If it were not for those ads I might have gone to my grave without recogning my essential Orvisness. — Keep your stick on the ice.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The advertisement for Jeep that starts…       "A Tradition Runs Through It…." snip Yeah, Tim, but if you keep reading, it only gets worse: "…The Orvis name informs (sic) the spirit of every fly fisherman…in America"   WHAT does that mean??!! Inform (vt) does not just mean to impart knowledge, it also means 1) obs to give material form or to arrange 2)to give character or essence; hence to be characteristic of 3)to train or discipline 4)to guide or direct.  I don’t know why Webster says that 1 is obsolete; Aristotelian and Thomistic metaphysicians are always prattling on about formal causes informing material causes.

Thanks for the vocabulary lesson!  Now that I know what they’re talking about, somehow I don’t feel much better.  However, I agree with the people who have posted to the effect that this drivel is an ad, after all; Orvis is just using the media to try to turn a buck, and I don’t sweat them that.  My beef is with the media…do they really think we are a bunch of sheep? Anyhow, seeing the ad did not stop me from placing an order from the same catalog.  Boycotting is a bit extreme, I think. Paul DiConza NY Capital District Angler

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: The advertisement for Jeep that starts… :       "A Tradition Runs Through It…." : About made me lose chow… : On the other hand, it may be the Jeep/Orvis advertising executives who : make you sick.  The thought that anyone would exploit fly fishing’s Norman Maclean must be rolling in his grave.  His son and his daughter must not have ever read the book, or they missed the point.  Ol’ Norm was very protective that his story was personal and he never wanted to exploit it for commercial gains.  Now he’s dead and his family is raping his memories.  If I ever see an orvis edition jeep at my fishing hole, I think I’ll let the air out of it’s tires for Norm…I think he’d approve. Tim Walker

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Who would buy an Orvis Cherokee…maybe the same tweedy types that keep Orvis in business and FF a bad name. Went way too far this time pa.

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Tim Walker suggests that he would let the air out of the tires of any Orvis Jeep parked near his fishing spot and that Norman McLean would approve. Tim – If I ever see anyone letting the air out of any fisherman’s vehicle (of whatever kind), I’ll do my best to see if I can get the person arrested. Making such a suggestion, even as hyperbole, reflects poor judgment (among other things).                                               Dallas, TX                                               Ennis, MT

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