Question:

George Personally, I’m not interested in seeing his fly even from a distant.  Like to see the flly fishing lure he tied though.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – DAVE MARTEL Show off! Only if we get to see a close up picture of his fly.

Response:

Lou, did you also have shoes worn so thin that you could step on a time and tell whether it was heads or tails?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You had buggies, boots, socks and pen knifes?  I had to walk to school for 2 miles and it was uphill both ways.  Was it the same for you?  Our town was so poor we had to take turns being the village idiot. Lou Gee Dad, I love it when you talk about the olden days. …anytime son…say, did I ever tell you about the time at age7 when I had to walk to school in a raging blizzard because our horse drawn school buggy blew a buggy wheel?  No?  And all this wearing my knee length *knickers, argyle knee socks and little boots with a knife pocket on the side. Damn, them were the good old days! Gramps *and these were corduroy so that when you walked they would go  whip whip whip whip…..!

Response:

Ah, what is the prize for the procrastinator extraordinaire?  You will have them just before Midnight on the day they be due…as is my taxes regardless of the amount of the return. Chris Fanning — I have a LP siding claim awarded in 1998, just got to send it in for the $$$$

Response:

Sparkle Caddises. Hans – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – DAVE MARTEL Ladies and gentleman, Dave Martel is first in with his GFS2002 box of flies, and a finer hatch of Sparkle Caddises (Caddi?) I have never seen. This is like one of those "unadvertised specials" you occasionally see, because for being first Dave will receive a little something extra in his return box of flies. Not much mind you, but something he can probably use at his flytying table. Nice going Dave, and nice flies. All right, Martel, that does it!  You promised if I tied your flies for you, you wouldn’t send them in until I finished my own as well.  Sheesh. JR

Response:

Lou, did you also have shoes worn so thin that you could step on a time and tell whether it was heads or tails? You had buggies, boots, socks and pen knifes?  I had to walk to school for 2 miles and it was uphill both ways.  Was it the same for you?  Our town was so poor we had to take turns being the village idiot. Lou

Sheesh!  First liar ain’t got a chance. :-/ Frank (horseapples in Elkhart) Church

Response:

Ah, what is the prize for the procrastinator extraordinaire?  You will have them just before Midnight on the day they be due…as is my taxes regardless of the amount of the return.

Um, how about a stool sample from Guts catbox?    :-)  :-) BTW, this cat has the prettiest, silkiest and softest belly hair of any cat I’ver ever had, there ought to be something I can use it for..?? Frank (I love my pussy) Church

Response:

Guys;   Actually–I do clap erasers–I’m a teacher–and yes–I DID have book reports in before they were due–you guys got me pegged pretty well.

I was always in favor of the all nighter. 0 out of 40 for me. Maybe I’ll decide what to tie sometime soon. Willi

Response:

SNIP free time.  :-) Joe F. (pretty well on pace with 1 1/45 fly per day)

I was on track until I figured out that I had the deer hair in backwards (sorry Joe.) Jeff

Response:

You had buggies, boots, socks and pen knifes?  I had to walk to school for 2 miles and it was uphill both ways.  Was it the same for you?  Our town was so poor we had to take turns being the village idiot. Lou

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gee Dad, I love it when you talk about the olden days. …anytime son…say, did I ever tell you about the time at age7 when I had to walk to school in a raging blizzard because our horse drawn school buggy blew a buggy wheel?  No?  And all this wearing my knee length *knickers, argyle knee socks and little boots with a knife pocket on the side.  Damn, them were the good old days! Gramps *and these were corduroy so that when you walked they would go  whip whip whip whip…..!

Response:

DAVE MARTEL Ladies and gentleman, Dave Martel is first in with his GFS2002 box of flies,

Warmest congratulations David. George Gehrke

Response:

DAVE MARTEL

Show off!

Response:

Dave was probably one of those annoying kids in grade school who turned in his book reports a week before they were due!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – DAVE MARTEL Show off!

Response:

DAVE MARTEL Show off!

Only if we get to see a close up picture of his fly.

Response:

DAVE MARTEL Ladies and gentleman, Dave Martel is first in with his GFS2002 box of flies, and a finer hatch of Sparkle Caddises (Caddi?) I have never seen. This is like one of those "unadvertised specials" you occasionally see, because for being first Dave will receive a little something extra in his return box of flies. Not much mind you, but something he can probably use at his flytying table. Nice going Dave, and nice flies.

All right, Martel, that does it!  You promised if I tied your flies for you, you wouldn’t send them in until I finished my own as well.  Sheesh.   JR

Response:

Dave was probably one of those annoying kids in grade school who turned in his book reports a week before they were due!

……and volunteered to clean the blackboard *and* clap the erasers! 24 down 17 to go Swapmeister

Response:

Guys;   Actually–I do clap erasers–I’m a teacher–and yes–I DID have book reports in before they were due–you guys got me pegged pretty well.   Had to get these in quickly–I’m in several other swaps right now–and I didn’t want to be the guy with egg all over my face for forgetting to get them in.   I tie flies for relaxation–and I gotta tell you–some days after teaching rowdy 8th graders all day–I *need* to tie flies to relax. Have a great day, everybody.   Dave M

Response:

Only if we get to see a close up picture of his fly.

I KNEW he was from the other team….

Response:

Gee Dad, I love it when you talk about the olden days. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ……and volunteered to clean the blackboard *and* clap the erasers! Swapmeister

Response:

Dave was probably one of those annoying kids in grade school who turned in his book reports a week before they were due! ……and volunteered to clean the blackboard *and* clap the erasers! 24 down 17 to go Swapmeister

chastened in Elkhart

Response:

  I tie flies for relaxation–and I gotta tell you–some days after teaching rowdy 8th graders all day–I *need* to tie flies to relax. Have a great day, everybody.

Good Lord — I have to relax after teaching college students for three hours a day.  If I was teaching eighth graders, I would be relaxing with a

Question:

Lots of good fishing on Bushkill Creek, but Ressica Falls is extra-special.  Actually, there are a lot of Big and Little Bushkill Creeks in Pennsylvania; Ressica Falls is near 611 & 402. Ressica Falls is owned by the Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and a permit is required to fish there.  Way worth it. The stream is as pretty as any you’ll find, the water as suited for trout as you could like, and the water is so well-stocked with nice trout that first time visitors are likely to be flabbergasted.  Hatches are common in spring and summer, and can be quite abundant.  Imagine standing in hemlock lined pool, fishing a riffle, with ten trout rising noisily all around you.  Now imagine miles of stream just like that.  Now imagine you’ve just hooked a 14" brown, and boy is he pissed.  That’s Ressica Falls. Wednesday evening was quite warm.  Once again, forgot to check the water temp, but was comfy while wading wet, until my pipe started rattling in my teeth, and I started shaking violently as soon as I stepped out to go home.  ’Bout 55 degrees? Quill Gordon duns and spinners, as well as grannoms were out and about.  a tan-colored fly was also laying eggs on the water, but I wasn’t able to get a good look.  The trout were taking small brown imitations, quill gordens, henrysville, etc.  As it got dark and I was forced to switch to lighter colored flies, hits became tougher to get. Also out in profusion were buffalo gnats.  These are like the no-see-ums of the North, except that you can see them.  In fact, you can rope ‘em and ride ‘em.  You usually won’t get bitten by one; you’ll get bitten by 5 or 6.  As a repellent, I recommend a burly pipe tobacco, as they are quite aggressive. The stream bed is rocky, with numerous pools and riffles, and it’s full of brookies, browns , and rainbows.  Careful wading is important.  The scenery is beautiful, and the entire experience is more than worth the modest permit fee. Two words of caution: first, pesky bears.  Bothersome bears occasionally hassle folks in this area.  Just don’t be afraid of them. Bears can smell fear, you know.  Don’t poke them with a stick either; they really don’t like that, take my word for it. Chiggers – very common here.  Any exposed skin can become home to those cuddly little burrowing mites, and I’ve got a red dot on the side of my knee to prove it. Jeez, I feel bad that I forgot to get the water temp for you.  I’ll go back up this evening & do it right this time.  That is, if I don’t forgot again, what with the trout rising all around me, bitey gnats nipping at my ears, tobacco fog all around my head, snarly bears trying to get my attention, minimites digging holes through me like a swiss cheese, and me with the wrong fly all tangled up around the tip of my rod. Timothy Juvenal In sleep every dog dreams of food, and I, a fisherman, dream of fish.     -Theocritus

Response:

Lots of good fishing on Bushkill Creek, but Ressica Falls is extra-special.  Actually, there are a lot of Big and Little Bushkill Creeks in Pennsylvania; Ressica Falls is near 611 & 402. Ressica Falls is owned by the Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and a permit is required to fish there.  Way worth it.

Timothy, Your posts, which are quite pleasant to read, would be even more so if you would kindly set your line length to 70-75 or so. JR — To reply, remove the Qs from the address above

Response:

"JR" wrote …  kindly set your line length to 70-75 or so.

Oops.  Thanks for the tip. Timothy Juvenal

Response:

Question:

And who is Hairy Trout?

Response:

Wolfgang,    It was a trade off for a well running Assembly Line.  Nothing upsets the tranquillity and the rods are constructed in a serene environment. Ernie Harrison Like to make fly-fishing stuff?  See: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No Glue Lines & Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well. Uh oh!!  No glue lines?  Seems to me I just read somewhere quite recently that visible glue lines are the very hallmark of quality.  What has happened to quality control?

Response:

Wolfgang,    It was a trade off for a well running Assembly Line.  Nothing upsets the tranquillity and the rods are constructed in a serene environment.

Thanks for the reassurance Ernie.  Good to know that nothing is disturbing the Bastard’s Wa!

Response:

And who is Hairy Trout?

I am the the new manager of the Bastard Bamboo Rod Company. When I returned here a few weeks ago we had the ability to produce rods. In the beginning George is making the very first few rods himself. My current responsibility is to insure that all of the equipment is running in a smooth order and to insure that machinery is producing quality items! Some of the equipment that is here  had a very limited purpose, i.e.. the ability to do only ones and twos. I am talking production here, I want the ability to deliver to the UPS driver at least 6 rods per day, eventually 8 to 10 rods per day. Monday a 12 segment stretching/straighting  rack was built. I feel this is a start,  plans are to add at least 12 to 24 slots to meet future demands. Today  all the parts to build a 16 rod segment rotating/drying rack to handle the  rod guide drying station where procured to meet production demands, now and into the future.  What’s next? I don’t know.  I ‘can" build it the need arises. Everyone around here is on their toes doing the  ’Boo Shuffle’ and several work station are now in a backlog of work in progress. That’s just the way I like seeing things happen. If I sound like George, believe me, this is not George. The mill is running so well that there are no glue lines. An occasional minor (minuscule)  glue line will be exceptable. The idea is to be able to fish a bamboo that is a quality fishing tool irreguadless of the minor cosmetics. Each rod is unique and different in surface character, and so, no two are "exactly" the same. There is no mistaking the fact that George is going against a tidal wave of differences of opinion.  He sees the beauty in bamboo and he is not hiding any of it.  What others think is ugly, he sees beauty.  Everyone will have to wait and see for themselves. The fishing quality will be there. How can a guy as ‘perfect’ as George, build a Bastard Bamboo?  Now I understand.  I see what he means when we leave ‘the character of China’ in the bamboo.  They are stunning. Doug Knight aka Hairy Trout Bastard Bamboo Manger. Snake River – Hell’s Canyon 110+ Degree bastard heat day, not much of a hatch this evening!

Response:

Wolfgang,    It was a trade off for a well running Assembly Line.  Nothing upsets the tranquillity and the rods are constructed in a serene environment.

Ernie, George listens to Mozart, which requires extra coffee for me. On the other hand when he’s not in ear shot I jamming in the Goo goo Dolls or Radio Head. The elves here love the up beat tunes. Cap with two bills! Doug Knight Snake River

Response:

Daytripper wrote A bit more seriously: George had noted that the tips on the first rod were way too soft for a 3-4. I’m wondering whether Dougie was fishing with a revised taper or not… /daytripper

‘Daytripper, Regardless of the taper, I was fishing Bamboo for the first time. The line I had on the rod was one line size to small for the first time. It was a line of an know quality as I inadvertently left the line that should have used back in Calif.. Now, ’soft’? Compared to what? Even under lined the rod would roll cast 30+ feet and  45+ total. The desired action was for a medium action. It was all of that. We did eventually find a  line to try and the rod felt perfect. The ideal is to find the perfect line for the rod, weight numbers irrespective. One brand might be better than another brand for a particular weight over another. We felt the true line weight could have been around 3.6 wt and and corrected our forms more closer to a true 4wt.  But what is the true 4 wt benchmark? Remember not to compare Bamboo against Graphite. I even wonder if the true line ratings are even relative, rod length and action, and a line weight that feels comfortable with both. Doug Knight Snake River

Response:

No Glue Lines & Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well. Uh oh!!  No glue lines?  Seems to me I just read somewhere quite recently that visible glue lines are the very hallmark of quality.  What has happened to quality control?

LOL! Sounds like another Petard Hoisting in progress, eh? ;^) A bit more seriously: George had noted that the tips on the first rod were way too soft for a 3-4. I’m wondering whether Dougie was fishing with a revised taper or not… /daytripper

Response:

Um, I wasn’t comparing anything – I was only relating what George has said about the first rod he cast being too soft in the tip, and wondering whether he’d gotten around to changing the taper yet or not… It sounds like he is indeed changing the taper. /daytripper – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Daytripper wrote A bit more seriously: George had noted that the tips on the first rod were way too soft for a 3-4. I’m wondering whether Dougie was fishing with a revised taper or not… Regardless of the taper, I was fishing Bamboo for the first time. The line I had on the rod was one line size to small for the first time. It was a line of an know quality as I inadvertently left the line that should have used back in Calif.. Now, ’soft’? Compared to what? Even under lined the rod would roll cast 30+ feet and  45+ total. The desired action was for a medium action. It was all of that. We did eventually find a  line to try and the rod felt perfect. The ideal is to find the perfect line for the rod, weight numbers irrespective. One brand might be better than another brand for a particular weight over another. We felt the true line weight could have been around 3.6 wt and and corrected our forms more closer to a true 4wt.  But what is the true 4 wt benchmark? Remember not to compare Bamboo against Graphite. I even wonder if the true line ratings are even relative, rod length and action, and a line weight that feels comfortable with both.

Response:

What ? You mean that now they’re free  *AND* they last forever *AND* they cast exactly where you want them every time ? PERFECT ! — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

Response:

they

cast exactly where you want them every time ?< All my rods do.  Hell, almost every time I hit water!  <g

Response:

From the looks of his post I would say it was George or his clone.  Perhaps George has a mold he puts his employees in and squeezes them till they come out just like him. Ernie. And who is Hairy Trout?

Hairy Trout wrote <sliced off a typical chunk of SPAM

Response:

From the looks of his post I would say it was George or his clone.  Perhaps George has a mold he puts his employees in and squeezes them till they come out just like him. Ernie. And who is Hairy Trout? Hairy Trout wrote <sliced off a typical chunk of SPAM

Ernie, You must be hurt that that I have a professional relationship with him and I’m having fun to boot. Must be the fog you hang around in. In fact dear ole George has not been here for several weeks. George has been burning the candle pretty hard lately, try 12-14 hour days on average doing cane. Ernie if that was your best cast you missed the hatch. Doug Knight formerly Alameda Snake River

Response:

After, so many years in both Payne shop and Leonard shop and having learned so much on Bamboo rods, I,m very much inclined that this myth on these rods that are been manufactured by you guys, could be?. It stands like this, lets see the finish product, let people that have knowledge and experience, with metal(reel seats) bamboo, tolerance, etc. etc.. All this could be possible. Lets see it. Thanks My best to George. Paul

+AD4-No Glue Lines +ACY- Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well. +AD4-

Response:

No Glue Lines & Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well.

Response:

No Glue Lines & Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well.

Uh oh!!  No glue lines?  Seems to me I just read somewhere quite recently that visible glue lines are the very hallmark of quality.  What has happened to quality control?

Response:

Question:

I’m going to be canoeing in the Allagash this summer (late July/August).  Any thoughts in this group on what the fishing up there is like?  I’ve heard it’s not very good.  Should I even bother?  What should/shouldn’t I take.   Obviously I need to minimize the gear I will be taking. John

Response:

Hi John, I am  Maine Guide and have did the Allagash many times. There certain times of the year when you can catch all the brook trout you want, then there are times you wish you had stayed home. Usually June and the early part of July are the best. If you fly fish bring a Wordens Worry, if you don’t fly fish dig your worms and grubs along the bank. Then there are those excellent trout p[onds all along the way. Good luck!!!! Gene – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m going to be canoeing in the Allagash this summer (late July/August). Any thoughts in this group on what the fishing up there is like?  I’ve heard it’s not very good.  Should I even bother?  What should/shouldn’t I take. Obviously I need to minimize the gear I will be taking. John

Response:

Question:

Does anyone know where I can find a pair of gloves which are tipless? Along with RA I also have Reynauds and the office in which I work is kept very cold at times.  I’d like to be able to keep my joints in my hand warm, but also be able to use the keyboard.  I see these type gloves on TV all the time, but can not find them in stores.  Any ideas? Thanks, Phyllis

Response:

Does anyone know where I can find a pair of gloves which are tipless? Along with RA I also have Reynauds and the office in which I work is kept very cold at times.  I’d like to be able to keep my joints in my hand warm, but also be able to use the keyboard.  I see these type gloves on TV all the time, but can not find them in stores.  Any ideas? Thanks, Phyllis

PHYLLIS–someone has already suggested bikers gloves. If these do not suit you try buying a pair of  English  shooting gloves. Fine sports shops should have them. They come with one cutoff forefinger and you can cut the others to size. They are kid leather and have a silk lining. You may have to have the cutting done by someone who can permanently stop the ends from fraying. You can also use this cutting method as I do when I fly fish with light wool waterproofed gloves. Whatever glove you find that you think serves the purpose can be cut this way      Lots of luck and God Bless–Al

Response:

Hi Phillis try a bicycle shop many bicycle gloves are fingerless at the tips& padded in the palm these also make good gloves to wear while doing progerssive resistance exercise or while working on maunfacturing tasks or other hand intensive work regards ken merriman md – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know where I can find a pair of gloves which are tipless? Along with RA I also have Reynauds and the office in which I work is kept very cold at times.  I’d like to be able to keep my joints in my hand warm, but also be able to use the keyboard.  I see these type gloves on TV all the time, but can not find them in stores.  Any ideas? Thanks, Phyllis

Response:

Does anyone know where I can find a pair of gloves which are tipless?

REI, the sporting goods folks, sell various models of fingerless gloves.

Response:

I bought a pair of Isotoner gloves, and cut the tips off.  Worked for me. SharonH

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know where I can find a pair of gloves which are tipless?

Response:

I bought a pair of Isotoner gloves, and cut the tips off.  Worked for me. SharonH Does anyone know where I can find a pair of gloves which are tipless?

Or try an outdoor goods store.  Backpackers, rock climbers, and skiers all wear those type of gloves.  I’ve got a wool pair with rubber grippy dots on the palms.  I think the maker was Fox River, which makes a lot of woolen goods. — Member, Knights of Xenu (1995).  Chaos Monger and Jill of All Trades. "There are some people who will argue whether the flames are blue or green, when the real question is that their arse is on fire."

Response:

I met a clerk in the local grocery store yesterday whowas wearing a pair of spandex wrist supports that also supported her hands and had no fingers. When I asked her she told me she had got them in a crafters store, Mary Maxim to be exact.  She had only been wearing them that morning but did find that her hands were comfortably warm and that there was a modicum of support … not as much as her braces but enough she felt for her so far that day. Susan

Response:

Question:

Anybody out there know genus-species for the Alder Fly? Email or post is fine Bill S.

Response:

Anybody out there know genus-species for the Alder Fly? Email or post is fine Bill S.

Bill, Family is Sialidae and only the single genus, Sialis, occurs in North America.  Not being an entomologist I could be mistaken but I am fairly certain of my resource.  Hope this helps. James Ehlers Underhill, Vermont Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anybody out there know genus-species for the Alder Fly? Email or post is fine Bill S. Bill, it’s funny you mentioned it, and I have heard it before,and can’t remember, but it then occured to me that my grandfather gave me a book written in the 50’s by the Sportman’s cigarettes company,it’s

Response:

James Ehlers is correct. Alderflies belong to the family Sialidae, and there is a single genus, Sialis. There are about 20 or so species. They are in the order Megaloptera, at least that is where most entomologists place them, although I sometimes see Megaloptera listed as a suborder of Neuroptera. — Tim Lysyk http://www.telusplanet.net/public/cnangler/html

Response:

Question:

I have recently moved to Durham, NC to pursue a Ph.D. in economics at Duke University and would be interested in hooking up (no pun intended) with fellow angler(s) to fish some of the wild trout water in the western part of the state.  I have a little knowledge of the streams out that way and my time is extremely flexible between now and the beginning of September.  If you are interested, drop me a note at: Tight Lines! Randy Walsh

Response:

Randy: There’s an Orvis shop on 9th street that should be able to help.  My favorite places to fish in NC were in Stone Mountain State Park (Bullhead Creek?),Sparta on the Little River, a small stream in Whitehead nearby, and Laurel Creek (cannot remember name of town).  I understand the Davidson River near Asheville is also doing well.  You may also consider a drive to the Smith River in Virginia, which has improved drastically since I was last there.  Sorry this is so sketchy.   Have fun, Manuel Monasterio Trinity 1988

Response:

Question:

I have heard that this creek can offer great fishing and is blue ribbon, but I have also heard that it is not worth looking at. CAn anyone shed some light on the creek for me, because I am planing to go up there this Sunday. Also if it is possible, maybe someone can direct me to a good place to start from in the morning, and give me an idea of what sort of flies I should bring along. I would really appreciate anything anyone has to say about this creek. TimFLYFISH

Response:

I have heard that this creek can offer great fishing and is blue ribbon, but I have also heard that it is not worth looking at. CAn anyone shed some light on the creek for me, because I am planing to go up there this Sunday. Also if it is possible, maybe someone can direct me to a good place to start from in the morning, and give me an idea of what sort of flies I should bring along. I would really appreciate anything anyone has to say about this creek. TimFLYFISH

The lower portion, near and in Lake Solano is a put and take fishery, heavily stocked.  Good fishing, good luck avoiding the worm drowners.  The upper portion, near Montecello dam is a blue ribbon wild trout fishery.  I have seen 30"+ browns rise for a bat!  (how to tie that one   Very difficult fishing, and often rather dangerous.  Swift current and bouldery bottom.   Your next step could be 5′ straight down off an underwater ledge.  Fish are heavily fished and very wary.  Prepare to get skunked.  Some very good FFers I know can only claim 1 fish in 10 years of fishing there, but it was a 26" brown.  Above the Montecello dam is a warm water lake, and bellow the lake solano dam gets dried to nothing in dry summers, so fish are scarce. Good luck, and whatever you do, don’t embarass yourself by trying to claim there were no fish there. Lenny Bloksberg . .

Response:

Tim, I too wish you luck, I went up to the Monticello Dam area a couple of weeks after the March Monsters blew through here and had a hard time recognizing the area. There were HUGE landslides. Basically, there was no access to a badly overfished area. I tried clambering over new stream channels, the access bridge was GONE and so were the trails to the the base of the dam. I haven’t been back, I’ll look again after the Power Baiters are gone. John E.

Response:

]I have heard that this creek can offer great fishing and is blue ribbon, ]but I have also heard that it is not worth looking at. CAn anyone shed ]some light on the creek for me, because I am planing to go up there this ]Sunday. Also if it is possible, maybe someone can direct me to a good ]place to start from in the morning, and give me an idea of what sort of ]flies I should bring along. I would really appreciate anything anyone has ]to say about this creek. ]TimFLYFISH Tim, I believe the better flyfishing at Putah is from Nov-March, because that’s when the flows are lower, and they restrict fishing in the upper section to artificials, single barbless hook, C&R.  This time of year, you’re battling bait dunkers and the higher flows. Effective patterns I’ve heard of (in the winter) include PT nymphs or blue wing olive nymphs, size 18-22. A good friend (and reliable source) told me that he went in February or March, and that they had had some kind of disastorous mudslide in the upper section, just above the Highway 128 bridge.  He said you couldn’t even see some of the boulders in the river, because they were covered with a mud sludge.  They had construction crews with heavy equipment out there, trying to smooth the land where the slide had occurred. I hope it’s recovered somewhat since then.  Please keep us posted on how you did and the river conditions.  Thanks, Bill Uyeki

Response:

I have heard that this creek can offer great fishing and is blue ribbon, but I have also heard that it is not worth looking at. CAn anyone shed some light on the creek for me, because I am planing to go up there this Sunday. Also if it is possible, maybe someone can direct me to a good place to start from in the morning, and give me an idea of what sort of flies I should bring along. I would really appreciate anything anyone has to say about this creek. TimFLYFISH

I ‘ve fished Putah for almost 20 years and its really gone downhill in the last 10 or so.  Erratic water flows, streamside erosion, overfishing have taken their toll.  Seams to me that there could be the potential for a blue ribbon fishery but it clearly ain’t one now. Garrick

Response:

From what I have heard, I am glad that I didn’t end up going. A late night stoped the morning trip. I probably won’t on going there again if what you have said is true. Thank you for the info.

Response:

Well 6/7/95, Mammoth fishing is still slow.  Crowley is near dead. 17-20" browns and even smaller rainbows on olive buggers with flash. I say forget Mammoth for now.  Air Temps in the 50S.  Still needs to warm up and water needs to clear.

Response:

Try fishing at Parking Lot #3; good pocket water, as well as large surface water.

Response:

Try fishing at Parking Lot #3; good pocket water, as well as large surface water.

I have seen the name Putah Creek in more than one location. Where is this one? Thanks, Michael Paine

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I have seen the name Putah Creek in more than one location. Where is this one? Thanks, Michael Paine

It’s between the Bay Area and Sacramento.  Below Lake Berryessa.                  /                                                           John Woodling                 /                                                           Sacramento, CA                /                   "The lure of fishing is that it is the pursuit of that which is elusive, yet attainable……an endless series of occasions for hope"

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Question:

Perry) writes:

<Move up from a $40 rod: advantages, disadvantages? John– It’s like everything else. While a $40 rod will catch fish, the more you get involved with the sport of fly fishing, the more you appreciate a higher level of performance from your equipment. There’s a maxim that has been around the fly fishing circuit since I started 20 years ago, buy the best you can afford. It still holds ture. The rods in the $300-$400 range are extremely good… Loomis (4 piece and 2 piece IMX, GLX), Sage, and T&T are excellent. If you need to cast a full line, do curve casts, or just want to become the best caster you can be, you’ll need a great (expensive) rod. Low and mid-priced rods will never get you there. Hope this helps. Cordially, Bob Elliott, Rochester, NY

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I’m thinking of moving up to a nicer rod.  So far I’ve been fishing on a $40 graphite.  Is there any advantage/disadvantage to having more or less sections in a rod?  What I mean is, does a 4 piece rod fish as good as a 3, as a 2, etc.?

   The only problem I’ve had or seen with 4 piece rods is a tendency for one or more sections to work loose while you are casting.  I’ve seen and had the end section come off during a cast, although usually its a lower joint and you can feel it before it comes completely off.  Despite this, I have only 4-piece rods now because they can travel as carry-on luggage. — Lloyd Fortney —Opinions, just opinions—

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I have a few rods – one of which is a 4 piece pack rod.  I find the pack rod casts very nicely and wasn’t terribly expensive (St. Croix 8ft. for 4- 5wt lines, $105.00).  If you want a lower cost alternative to the $300-$400 rods and need their line throwing performance, consider building your own.  A little patience and a decent book (I used Skip Morris’s) and you can make a wonderful rod. Good luck, Kris Kristoferson Seattle, WA

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I’m thinking of moving up to a nicer rod.  So far I’ve been fishing on a $40 graphite.  Is there any advantage/disadvantage to having more or less sections in a rod?  What I mean is, does a 4 piece rod fish as good as a 3, as a 2, etc.? Thanks, John P.

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Question:

I may be stopping in the Ozarks around Branson or Cassville to fish for trout on my way out west from Cincinnati. Where is the best trout stream (s) anywhere in the Ozarks? I am leaving Sunday. Thanks, Richard

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I may be stopping in the Ozarks around Branson or Cassville to fish for trout on my way out west from Cincinnati. Where is the best trout stream (s) anywhere in the Ozarks? I am leaving Sunday. Thanks, Richard

The best trout stream that I know of is near Lebenon, Mo about 2 or so hours away from Branson.  The place is called Bennet Spring.  They have their own hatchery and release fish everyday, if I remember correctly. Another nice feature is that they have various areas of the park setup for different types of fishing so fly fishers don’t have to cast around bobbers.  Well at least that’s the way things were back in 1983.  Another park you might want to look into is called Mauntauk, or something like that.  It’s in the same general area as Bennet springs yet it didn’t seem to be too crowded. I also think that Missouri has an 800 number to call that might be able to give you more information. good luck Troy Carlo

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