Question:

I am going to a wedding at Camp Colton in Colton,OR (near Oregon City about an hour outside of Portland). Anyone know of any good/decent fishing around there? I read some of the older posts but I don’t know where those rivers are in relation to Colton. Thanks in advance

Response:

I am going to a wedding at Camp Colton in Colton,OR (near Oregon City about an hour outside of Portland). Anyone know of any good/decent fishing around there?

You are practically on top of the Clackamas and a reasonable drive from the Sandy. Both are producing record numbers of steelhead and a few Springer’s are showing up too. visit www.ifish.com for latest reports from the local riff raff. numerous Oregon fishing links can be found at http://blueox.uoregon.edu/~dmason/Mckenzie/linkdb/results/yokels.html weekly fishing reports at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/RecReports/Fishing.html and the Oregon Council of Fly Fishers has a nice set of links to reports and river levels at http://oregonfff.org/ click on "contents… Enjoy your visit… Cos

Response:

I am going to a wedding at Camp Colton in Colton,OR (near Oregon City about an hour outside of Portland). Anyone know of any good/decent fishing around there?

(reposted after correcting iFish link) You are practically on top of the Clackamas and a reasonable drive from the Sandy. Both are producing record numbers of steelhead and a few Springer’s are showing up too. visit www.ifish.net for latest reports from the local riff raff. numerous Oregon fishing links can be found at http://blueox.uoregon.edu/~dmason/Mckenzie/linkdb/results/yokels.html weekly fishing reports at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/RecReports/Fishing.html and the Oregon Council of Fly Fishers has a nice set of links to reports and river levels at http://oregonfff.org/ click on "contents… Enjoy your visit… Cos

Response:

When are you going to be there? Crusty (Estacada)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am going to a wedding at Camp Colton in Colton,OR (near Oregon City about an hour outside of Portland). Anyone know of any good/decent fishing around there? I read some of the older posts but I don’t know where those rivers are in relation to Colton. Thanks in advance

Response:

I will be there the weekend before Labor Day. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – When are you going to be there? Crusty (Estacada) I am going to a wedding at Camp Colton in Colton,OR (near Oregon City about an hour outside of Portland). Anyone know of any good/decent fishing around there? I read some of the older posts but I don’t know where those rivers are in relation to Colton. Thanks in advance

Response:

Question:

Ross, I had the same type of problem and I bought a C&R net with a small bungee cord that has a magnet at either end.  One end is attached to the D ring of my vest in the back and the other to the net.  The magnets keep the net nice and high on my back and out of the way.  When I pull on the net, the magnet releases and allows me to have a long line to net the fish. I don’t go fishing for trout anymore without it.  It is one of the best accessories I own.  I don’t use it on smaller fish and I have run across some larger fish that just didn’t fit, but for mid-size trout, I highly recommend it. Rooster – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The most obvious alternative seems to be to use a catch and release net, and herein lies my question.  When fishing alone on a river, how do you use the net and where/how do you carry it while fishing?  I’ve seen fishermen on TV with the nets hanging from the back of their vests, presumably on a retractable line.  Is that the best approach?  Is it easy to access when needed?What is the risk of breaking the rod tip if you have to hold the rod up high to bring the fish in the net?

Response:

Hi Ross, As Darin said in his post I too go without a net when fishing the waters around the Seattle area. Depending on the size of the fish I will usually not even touch the fish with my hands if possible. The reason I can do this is a nifty little tool called a Ketchum-Release designed by a fellow up in BC. So long as you use a barbless hook you can use this tool to slide over the line and then down over the fly. Usually with a simple twist or jerk of your wrist you can remove the fly and the fish is off and running. If you have done this with sufficient water under the fish and the fish hasn’t been played too long you won’t even have to touch the fish. If this fish is showing signs of being overly tired you should try to gently hold in gentle current it without EVER removing it from the water. Every second you have it out of the water reduces the fishes chances of recovery drastically. I also try to never release a fish that is visibly bleeding. If it is then it either goes to the eagles who often are nearby watching every move or if regulations permit I’ll take it home to the smoker (Having said that I might have killed all of ten fish in the last 5 years). The Ketchum-Release has got to be one of my all time favorite fly fishing tools. Just make sure you tie it onto your vest as they sink! Gary Disclaimer– I have nothing to do with the company that makes the Ketchum-Release I just like the tool! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m trying to fine tune my landing of medium size trout to minimize harm to the fish. I typically fish in coastal British Columbia rivers, which are prone to rocky shores (at least where I fish) and my normal method of landing fish involves beaching it then releasing it.  What I notice however is that often the fish will thrash about on the rocks while I’m in the process of beaching it until I pick the fish up to remove the hook and release it back in the water.  I can’t believe that having the fish roll around and hit the rocks (even if its only for a few seconds) can be all that helpful to its survival, so I am trying to find a better approach. The most obvious alternative seems to be to use a catch and release net, and herein lies my question.  When fishing alone on a river, how do you use the net and where/how do you carry it while fishing?  I’ve seen fishermen on TV with the nets hanging from the back of their vests, presumably on a retractable line.  Is that the best approach?  Is it easy to access when needed?What is the risk of breaking the rod tip if you have to hold the rod up high to bring the fish in the net? Can anyone share their experiences and recommendations in beaching fish in similar situations, are nets the solution? Sorry if these are dumb questions, any ideas or experience would be appreciated. Ross

Response:

I once saw Houston bow fishing for gar and other "rough fish".  He was shooting the fish, bringing them in, and then throwing them back in the water.  Couldn’t call that c&r at all, more like release and kill.  He stated that doing this was "good for conservation" since the gar kill sport fish.  I guess it’s a miracle that the largemouth made it this far, without J. Houston to protect them from the bad ol’ gar. David Burnside Since my Jimmy Houston rant a while back, I’ve had occasion to see him a few more times still doing exactly the same shit.   I don’t usually watch these shows, so maybe the others are just as bad, but that guy is appalling. It’s unfathomable to me how his mistreatment of the fish he catches continues to pass for sport and entertainment

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

certainly.  The wet fish gets on dry sand/rock and the protective mucus on it are removed as when people grab fish with dry hands.  The fish becomes infected, etc. and later dies.

For a while now I’ve been a bit sceptical about the ‘dry hands -removes the mucous – gets infected – fish dies’ theory. I think that fish are probably perfectly able to replace a bit of slime that gets rubbed off locally. What about the abrasion that occurs ‘naturally’ in the animal’s life, e.g., when cutting redds? Don’t get me wrong: I’m not advocating handling with dry hands or dragging up on a gravel beach those fish intended for release, its just that I question a bit of angling lore that’s been repeated so often that everyone now believes it without challenge. As a matter of interest: the carp and pike specimen hunters in Britain take their ‘releasing’ very seriously. Most fisheries stipulate the use of special padded unhooking mats (that have to be of a minimum size) and weighing slings made of soft, non-abrasive material. There are also purpose-made antibiotic/fungicidal preparations on the market for anglers to apply to hook puncture wounds and other injuries on the fish, prior to release.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For a while now I’ve been a bit sceptical about the ‘dry hands -removes the mucous – gets infected – fish dies’ theory. I think that fish are probably perfectly able to replace a bit of slime that gets rubbed off locally. What about the abrasion that occurs ‘naturally’ in the animal’s life, e.g., when cutting redds? Don’t get me wrong: I’m not advocating handling with dry hands or dragging up on a gravel beach those fish intended for release, its just that I question a bit of angling lore that’s been repeated so often that everyone now believes it without challenge. As a matter of interest: the carp and pike specimen hunters in Britain take their ‘releasing’ very seriously. Most fisheries stipulate the use of special padded unhooking mats (that have to be of a minimum size) and weighing slings made of soft, non-abrasive material. There are also purpose-made antibiotic/fungicidal preparations on the market for anglers to apply to hook puncture wounds and other injuries on the fish, prior to release.

Tony, I to have heard the lore. I always wet my hands, not so much from the lore, but from practical experience as a youth. Down the street from where I was raised in Miami, old man Roberts had a fish farm. His business was importing tropical fish from around the world and selling them to pet shops so that hobbyists could have fish in their tanks. Occasionally, his son John and I would go out and help net & pick fish for the orders being shipped out. The old mans #1 rule was, "wet your hands and keep them wet". The reason being that it protected the fishes mucous which allowed the fish to arrive at their destination in healthy condition without ich growing all over them. I don’t have any scientific basis for any of this, just experience. The old man would usually reward us with a dollar or so and a dime or two for the soda machine. I think the one thing that has changed since the early 60’s that I really miss the most, is the ice-cold 6oz. Coca-Cola’s that would noisily clank down mechanical innards to the dispenser when you put that dime in the slot and depressed the cast iron handle. waldo — Ezflyfish.com http://www.ezflyfish.com BRBG http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828)963-5001

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For a while now I’ve been a bit sceptical about the ‘dry hands -removes the mucous – gets infected – fish dies’ theory. I think that fish are probably perfectly able to replace a bit of slime that gets rubbed off locally. What about the abrasion that occurs ‘naturally’ in the animal’s life, e.g., when cutting redds? Don’t get me wrong: I’m not advocating handling with dry hands or dragging up on a gravel beach those fish intended for release, its just that I question a bit of angling lore that’s been repeated so often that everyone now believes it without challenge. As a matter of interest: the carp and pike specimen hunters in Britain take their ‘releasing’ very seriously. Most fisheries stipulate the use of special padded unhooking mats (that have to be of a minimum size) and weighing slings made of soft, non-abrasive material. There are also purpose-made antibiotic/fungicidal preparations on the market for anglers to apply to hook puncture wounds and other injuries on the fish, prior to release. Tony, I to have heard the lore. I always wet my hands, not so much from the lore, but from practical experience as a youth. Down the street from where I was raised in Miami, old man Roberts had a fish farm. His business was importing tropical fish from around the world and selling them to pet shops so that hobbyists could have fish in their tanks. Occasionally, his son John and I would go out and help net & pick fish for the orders being shipped out. The old mans #1 rule was, "wet your hands and keep them wet". The reason being that it protected the fishes mucous which allowed the fish to arrive at their destination in healthy condition without ich growing all over them. I don’t have any scientific basis for any of this, just experience. The old man would usually reward us with a dollar or so and a dime or two for the soda machine. I think the one thing that has changed since the early 60’s that I really miss the most, is the ice-cold 6oz. Coca-Cola’s that would noisily clank down mechanical innards to the dispenser when you put that dime in the slot and depressed the cast iron handle. waldo — Ezflyfish.com http://www.ezflyfish.com BRBG http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828)963-5001

_______  What a fond description of old memories!   — Mr. G.   http://www.gink.com/html  Fly Fisherman’s Chat Site   "Flyfisherman’s Camp Fires Burning" http://www.gink.com http://www.rodbuilding.com http://www.xink.com

Question:

Bob: <<I’ve been flyfishing a small gravel pond lake for bass and walleyes for a couple of years now. Everyday is different. Somedays, the largemouths are eager eaters, other days they won’t take anything. One technique I’ve been using with alot of success is to get into a rowboat and let the wind drift me across the lake…fly on a sinking line trolling at the wind’s speed. Surprisingly, alot of bass take the fly. Yesterday at sun’s zenith, I stopped my drift and anchored in a spot where I thought some fat perch or walleyes might be hanging out. I cast the fast sink line with a red and brown glass-bead streamer about seventy feet out and let it sink to the bottom. A few quick jigs, and the old lady of the lake, the one I had heard about, ate. She took line and bent the 6 wgt. GLoomis so the tip was touching the water. She was old and she was beautiful. Bob E. George? Dave LaCourse

Response:

Dave, No George anywhere near here. Just Bob, bobbing around Gravel Ponds Lake near Rochester, NY. Bob E.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Bob: <<I’ve been flyfishing a small gravel pond lake for bass and walleyes for a couple of years now. Everyday is different. Somedays, the largemouths are eager eaters, other days they won’t take anything. One technique I’ve been using with alot of success is to get into a rowboat and let the wind drift me across the lake…fly on a sinking line trolling at the wind’s speed. Surprisingly, alot of bass take the fly. Yesterday at sun’s zenith, I stopped my drift and anchored in a spot where I thought some fat perch or walleyes might be hanging out. I cast the fast sink line with a red and brown glass-bead streamer about seventy feet out and let it sink to the bottom. A few quick jigs, and the old lady of the lake, the one I had heard about, ate. She took line and bent the 6 wgt. GLoomis so the tip was touching the water. She was old and she was beautiful. Bob E. George? Dave LaCourse

Response:

Bob: <<No George anywhere near here. Just Bob, bobbing around Gravel Ponds Lake near Rochester, NY. Ahhhh, Rochester, NY.  Home of J.W. Dundee’s Honey Brown and other fine elixirs.  Not too far away from where Sleeman’s is brewed.   Dave L.

Response:

Dave, So many brews around here it makes the mind boggle. Bob E.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Bob: <<No George anywhere near here. Just Bob, bobbing around Gravel Ponds Lake near Rochester, NY. Ahhhh, Rochester, NY.  Home of J.W. Dundee’s Honey Brown and other fine elixirs.  Not too far away from where Sleeman’s is brewed. Dave L.

Response:

Speaking of Dundee’s Honey Brown: Though it’s a mere lager, it’s a damned tasty one, and I confess that I’ve developed quite a jag for that stuff. And frankly speaking (Peter: avert thine eyes) prefer it to both of the Sleeman’s brews that – while very pleasant indeed and very much appreciated – lack the punch of the Dundee’s… There. I said it. I’ve been holding that back for weeks, but now it’s out there. /daytripper (sipping a Honey Brown even as I type this ;^)

        confession, tripper, is good for the soul.         wayno

Response:

Ahhhh, Rochester, NY.  Home of J.W. Dundee’s Honey Brown and other fine elixirs.  Not too far away from where Sleeman’s is brewed.

Speaking of Dundee’s Honey Brown: Though it’s a mere lager, it’s a damned tasty one, and I confess that I’ve developed quite a jag for that stuff. And frankly speaking (Peter: avert thine eyes) prefer it to both of the Sleeman’s brews that – while very pleasant indeed and very much appreciated – lack the punch of the Dundee’s… There. I said it. I’ve been holding that back for weeks, but now it’s out there. /daytripper (sipping a Honey Brown even as I type this ;^)

Response:

You are fortunate indeed, Tripper, that Peter is on holiday.  But there are other Sleeman’s afficianados around here to whom you will have to answer on judgment day, which will come sooner than you might think. Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – And frankly speaking (Peter: avert thine eyes) prefer it to both of the Sleeman’s brews that – while very pleasant indeed and very much appreciated – lack the punch of the Dundee’s… There. I said it. I’ve been holding that back for weeks, but now it’s out there. /daytripper (sipping a Honey Brown even as I type this ;^)

Response:

You are fortunate indeed, Tripper, that Peter is on holiday.  But there are other Sleeman’s afficianados around here to whom you will have to answer on judgment day, which will come sooner than you might think.

Yup, I reckon that I’ll have drawn the wrath of many sudsy souls hereabouts. Wouldn’t be the first time (and prolly won’t be the last ;^) As American politics points out repeatedly, the majority is often more wrong than right… Still…Dundee’s is an excellent substitute for the even hardier brews that I favor but that require a trip to the local pub to obtain. So I tip my second Honey Brown to you reprobates that drink beer from clear glass bottles. You know not what you do… /daytripper (hic!)

Response:

confession, tripper, is good for the soul. wayno

And beer is good for the kidneys ! But not if you hold it back for weeks ! I can not eat but little meat, my stomach is not good, but sure I think that I can drink, as much as any would, Let the back and the sides go bare me boys, let the hands and the feet grow cold, but give to the belly good ale enough, whether it be new or old ! TL MC

Response:

Mark Faulkner writes:

<<You are fortunate indeed, Tripper, that Peter is on holiday.  But there are other Sleeman’s afficianados around here to whom you will have to answer on judgment day, which will come sooner than you might think. Mark Faulkner Peter is on holiday and will spend the evening of the 6th with Jo and me.  I *know* he wouldn’t show up without any Sleeman’s, but whether or not I can make it to the fall ball with it is quite another thing.  Oh, yeah, I forgot.  I found *three* of the little devils in the fridge today.  Musta forgot about ‘em. There be only one left.  Come on August 6th……. You want I should bring some Dundee’s HBs to NC in October? Dave LaCourse

Response:

Well, you guys are making me homesick.  I was born in Rochester and grew up in Webster, Warsaw, Corning, Hornell and finally in Penn Yan, NY on Keuka Lake. For the past nineteen years I’ve been in the Navy, and recently my flies have been seeking fish in the warm tidal rivers, creeks and lakes of Hampton Roads, Virginia where we catch some real nice large mouth bass, Perch, Bluegills and such.  All great fun, but still not the same as our more Northern aquatic friends.  Anyhow, it’s good to hear the stories from back home, I’ll be back there in another year or so.  Take care all, and good fishing! Butch

Response:

Not so bad in my book, snagger.  Those bass can be outstanding on a fly rod, and the bluegills and perch are tasty indeed. Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, you guys are making me homesick.  I was born in Rochester and grew up in Webster, Warsaw, Corning, Hornell and finally in Penn Yan, NY on Keuka Lake. For the past nineteen years I’ve been in the Navy, and recently my flies have been seeking fish in the warm tidal rivers, creeks and lakes of Hampton Roads, Virginia where we catch some real nice large mouth bass, Perch, Bluegills and such.  All great fun, but still not the same as our more Northern aquatic friends.  Anyhow, it’s good to hear the stories from back home, I’ll be back there in another year or so.  Take care all, and good fishing! Butch

Response:

Butch writes:

<<Well, you guys are making me homesick.  I was born in Rochester and grew up in Webster, Warsaw, Corning, Hornell and finally in Penn Yan, NY on Keuka Lake. For the past nineteen years I’ve been in the Navy, and recently my flies have been seeking fish in the warm tidal rivers, creeks and lakes of Hampton Roads, Virginia where we catch some real nice large mouth bass, Perch, Bluegills and such.  All great fun, but still not the same as our more Northern aquatic friends.  Anyhow, it’s good to hear the stories from back home, I’ll be back there in another year or so.  Take care all, and good fishing! Welcome aboard, DeepSnag.  I retired from  Mother Nav in 1975.  There are other retirees in ROFF, and Tom Brown, a regular ROFF poster, has a son on USS Nicholas FFG47.  You’re with family.  ’Course, we got lots of no-account lawyers and folks with "edu" in their address, but as a whole, they’re pretty neat. They’re worth going fishing with, anyway.  Let’s hear more from you. Dave LaCourse, USN (Ret)

Response:

Well, you guys are making me homesick.  I was born in Rochester and grew up in Webster, Warsaw, Corning, Hornell and finally in Penn Yan, NY on Keuka Lake. For the past nineteen years I’ve been in the Navy, and recently my flies have been seeking fish in the warm tidal rivers, creeks and lakes of Hampton Roads, Virginia where we catch some real nice large mouth bass, Perch, Bluegills and such.  All great fun, but still not the same as our more Northern aquatic friends.  Anyhow, it’s good to hear the stories from back home, I’ll be back there in another year or so.  Take care all, and good fishing! Butch

Congratulations DeepSnag for sticking it out with the USN. I still remember the anticipation of counting down the years, months and days till retirement. Nothing like it. Best decision I ever made. Don’t know about you but my 20 yrs went by really fast. Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF RETIRED

Response:

Welcome aboard, DeepSnag.  I retired from  Mother Nav in 1975.  There are other retirees in ROFF, and Tom Brown, a regular ROFF poster, has a son on USS Nicholas FFG47.  You’re with family.  ’Course, we got lots of no-account lawyers and folks with "edu" in their address, but as a whole, they’re pretty neat. They’re worth going fishing with, anyway.  Let’s hear more from you. Dave LaCourse, USN (Ret)

I’ll have to put in a plug for my son here…Navy Chaplain serving aboard the USS Rainier out of Bremerton, WA. I’m proud of this guy and wish he was geographically closer. He has plans to stay…another 7 yrs to retirement. Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF RETIRED

Response:

I’ve been flyfishing a small gravel pond lake for bass and walleyes for a couple of years now. Everyday is different. Somedays, the largemouths are eager eaters, other days they won’t take anything. One technique I’ve been using with alot of success is to get into a rowboat and let the wind drift me across the lake…fly on a sinking line trolling at the wind’s speed. Surprisingly, alot of bass take the fly. Yesterday at sun’s zenith, I stopped my drift and anchored in a spot where I thought some fat perch or walleyes might be hanging out. I cast the fast sink line with a red and brown glass-bead streamer about seventy feet out and let it sink to the bottom. A few quick jigs, and the old lady of the lake, the one I had heard about, ate. She took line and bent the 6 wgt. GLoomis so the tip was touching the water. She was old and she was beautiful. Bob E.

Response:

Frank Church writes:

<<I’ll have to put in a plug for my son here…Navy Chaplain serving aboard the USS Rainier out of Bremerton, WA. I’m proud of this guy and wish he was geographically closer. He has plans to stay…another 7 yrs to retirement. Hey, congratulations, Frank.  I can imagine how  very proud you are of him.  The Rainier is an oiler (AOE), so I bet he is at sea a lot.  Does he also FF? Dave LaCourse

Response:

Frank Church writes: <<I’ll have to put in a plug for my son here…Navy Chaplain serving aboard the USS Rainier out of Bremerton, WA. I’m proud of this guy and wish he was geographically closer. He has plans to stay…another 7 yrs to retirement. Hey, congratulations, Frank.  I can imagine how  very proud you are of him.  The Rainier is an oiler (AOE), so I bet he is at sea a lot.  Does he also FF? Dave LaCourse

his third or 4th one. The assignment he liked best was being attached to the USMC as unit chaplain at Camp Lejuene..he got out there and humped on the marches and hikes with the grunts. On his way (with family) to Naples (?) for 3 yrs in Jan.  His job will be to travel all over Europe, sort of a military circuit rider. Man, am I jealous! Afraid he doesn’t FF…his avocation and vocation take up all his time and right now he has no interest in fishing of any kind. Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF RETIRED

Response:

[deleted] So I tip my second Honey Brown to you reprobates that drink beer from clear glass bottles. You know not what you do…

[deleted] Honey in beer ! Egads man…have you no taste ?!?!?! Honey belongs on peanut butter sandwiches, not in beer. Your pal, — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

Response:

[deleted] So I tip my second Honey Brown to you reprobates that drink beer from clear glass bottles. You know not what you do… Honey in beer ! Egads man…have you no taste ?!?!?! Honey belongs on peanut butter sandwiches, not in beer.

Ah, if you only had a clue, Tim… /daytripper (tonite, it’s Concord Pale Ale, fresh from the brewery. Yummy!)

Response:

Question:

We developed SneakPeek postings as a result of many Usenet users’ desire for a summarizing tool that would help them skim through the most active threads.  Thus, SneakPeek postings are intended to help users with limited time keep abreast of group discussions, stay in touch with more groups, and check out new groups quickly. Usenet is an environment where every voice should count equally.  However, while some users have found SneakPeek postings useful, others have tried to shout it down, potentially resulting in the tyranny of a vocal few. Therefore, we encourage all to post their constructive opinions so that we may democratically decide if there is room for SneakPeek postings in Usenet. Talkway, Inc. http://www.talkway.com The rest of this message summarizes the most active recent threads in this newsgroup. *** Jonathan Cook:  … First, we have been consistent that "selective harvest" is OK. So, throwing back small ones (or big ones) is not a problem. Since I cannot always target an exact fish like I can say, a deer, throwing back those out of the regulated keepable sizes or species is fine.  … *** eaguilr:  … I am very curious about your evidence that suggests that most C&K fishers gon only once a month or less.  What is yor dats source on this?  how do you know this?  … *** Ralph H:  … RESPONSE GENERATED BY AUTO-BOT I don’t have a problem with these basic propositions. I don’t have a problem with replacing most c&r or zero retention waters with a restricited  slot limit. I wouldn’t have a probl;em with applying that to more delicate populations like steehead as long as the slot enacted  … *** Jonathan McAnulty:  … One thing you might consider is the type of water you intend to paddle. A sea kayak is not very good for any rivers with rapids (even easy rapids) that require fast turns to be made. Also, rocky rivers may damage the boat if it is made of fiberglass/gelcoat. Since most sea  … *** DavPLaC: Jon writes, in part: rocky rivers or ones that require more maneuvering you may want to consider some of the high-volume plastic whitewater kayaks or a sit on top whitewater kayak. These can be plenty big enough and will take a lot  … *** Jonathan McAnulty:  … Here’s a few things to think about. First, materials: fiberglass is a better performer because its stiffer but it breaks easier and requires more repair. However, it is easier to repair if you need it. Plastic is much tougher. The uses you describe are unlikely to ever need to have  … *** info: Monday, August 17, 1998     4:26:33 AM Please, could you tell me what a Patriot Fly is?  Perhaps a short description  I have not heard of this pattern and it has piqued my interest.  … *** W.D.Grey:  … Hook            TMC 7999, Mustad 36890, sizes2-6 Thread          Black 6/0 prewaxed Tail            Red hackle fibres Rib             Fine oval silver tinsel  … *** Vincent Norris:  … The pattern Charlie presents on pages 197-8 of his  book, _Patterns, Hatches, Tactics, and Trout_, is entirely different from the one submitted above: Hook:    Mustad 94833, sizes #10-18 Thread:  Red Tails:   Brown hackle fibers Body:    Smolt blue Krystal Flash wound around the shank.  … *** Harry Mason:  … In retrospect:  …   A bit trite but it has some merit *** asadi: if you want to eat fish –  go to the grocery and get farm raised fish…the pressure is too great to sustain any but C and R.  … *** Moe Skeeter:  … This is the first mantra excerpted from the TU brainwashing tapes "Are you Lefty ?". *** Jonathan Cook:  … If there was only one white-only drinking fountain, would that make it OK? *** dave bottom:  … Stupid hyperbole. Not the same thing. Letting F&W manage waters with special regs to ensure that the fish survive makes sense to me. Now saying that I’d also like to say that as a parent of some kids, who don’t fly cast very well, having all/most/lots of water be special regs can be a hassle when trying to get your kid worming up some  … *** RLPPT: The situation in Pennsylvania is more complex than the substance of the original post.  A small but vocal group here called "TAP" (Traditional Anglers of Pennsylvania) are issuing a challenge that I always felt would eventually come..  Why are some of the best trout streams on public land managed under  … Talkway, Inc. http://www.talkway.com

Response:

[completely snipped: who needs it?] Talk about irony: the one endless thread that no roffian can escape is presented in Reader’s Digest fashion to the group that spawned the original. A mass of helpless bytes were thus senselessly slaughtered… What a waste… /dave <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < Digital Equipment Corp.               Alpha Server Engineering < < Parker Street Campus                      Maynard, Massachusetts < < !!NOTE: Please replace "xxx" with "dec" to respond by email!!  < <<<<<<<<<<<<<< AMA 548313 <<<<<<<<<<<<<< Disclaimer: Opinion and content is mine alone, and unlikely to be                     shared by my employer, etc…

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Question:

check out www.walleyecentral.com and use the message board and chat room……all kinds of help – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have just started fishing from a boat and have a few questions. 1. How do you tell how deep your line is?  If the fish finder says that the fish are at 40 feet how do you know when your line is forty feet down? 2. What is a reasonable dept to fish without going to downriggers. 3. What are planner boards for?  How do you rig them? Thanks

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We can get lines down in excess of 60 feet without the use of down riggers. The advantage of down riggers is you will have a short lead and it will take less time to bring in the fish and reset. The disadvantage to down riggers is for fish like Lake erie walleye they tend to shy away unless they are down deep because the boat traffic spooks the fish. The other disadvantage is cost. Presently we are down around 50 feet using ripcord line and 0 dispel on planar boards and you can add weight if you would like to keep leads under 200 feet. You can also try 1 dipseys and they will go to 50 feet on mono and over 70 on rip cord or braided wire. The reason we use planar boards is so we can get lines away from the boat into water where the fish have not been spooked. The other advantage is you can run upto 12 poles off the planar boards without tangling. That is enough for upto 6 people. When the weather gets rough you have to run less but you can run regular dipseys . We typically run 8 planar boards an 6 dipseys when the fish are deep and when the fish are high we run 10 planar boards and 4 dipseys. Essentially planar boards are two boards connected together so when attached to a line at front of boat several feet above the water they will pull to side of boat. this allows you to let lines out back and then attach the lines to a planar clip which is typically an alligator clip with rubber pads or you can use a shower curtain and rubber bands and wrap the rubber band around the line. The secret is to get the proper rubber band. The first couple times by some from Patco but then you can go to office supply store and buy rubber bands much less expensive in bulk. When you attach the line to the clip and to the planar board line as you let additional line out it will slide down the board line when it is just above the water stop it and then set the next line leave a 20 -30 foot space in between and then when the fish hits it will swing to back of the boat. If you use a plug or diving device like a jet dive you have to release the lure by reeling don until the line is taught and slap the handle of the pole the shock will break the rubber band if you are using ripcord or wire line with mono it is more difficult because mono tends to stretch. Then let line swing to back of boat to avoid tangles and reel in. if you are running 0 dipseys off the planar boards you must release the line from the board the same way but then real the slack and release the dipsey with a firm tug and then real right away. there are different techniues for different things you use. I hope this helps. Captain Bryce Seymour Fishing has been good to very good. The fish are moving daily in past few weeks they have moved from 12 miles out into 6 miles out in one day after a storm but then as water settled down they started moving out again. Within a few days they were at 12 miles out. The main school is off of Geneva and slightly east about 20 miles out. The captains out of Fairport have another school out west of Fairport so you can see there is not just one place to fish but most people are going off shore. I main problem has been a lot of sheep head being caught with the walleye which lowers the catches. The Fairport captains are catching between 20-40 fish but would have more if they could not have to reset lines for sheep head so often. Similar numbers out of Geneva. Watermelon is a hot color and the Geneva captains tend to use more worm harnesses while the Fairport tends to use spoons as much as possible. I have also heard of a man who was taking a floating j plug putting it on his down rigger and sending it to the bottom and then release the j-plug and about half the time he would catch a nice walleye while the plug was rising to the surface. The most prominent methods have been using 0 dipseys off ripcord off the boards. Set one side at lets say 140 , 160, 180, 200 and the other at the same but put an ounce of weight in front if you see the weighted side working more than the non weighted side then look at adding an ounce or two of weight. The advantage of this technique over wire line is you can keep the leads under 200 feet so you can catch the fish and reset faster than if your setting a line back 320 feet on wire. Ripcord is a little more forgiving than wire when raping on planar boards but can still be a nuisance if you get a good tangle. Captain Bryce Seymour http://www.chartercaptain.com/hooker/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have just started fishing from a boat and have a few questions. 1. How do you tell how deep your line is?  If the fish finder says that the fish are at 40 feet how do you know when your line is forty feet down? 2. What is a reasonable dept to fish without going to downriggers. 3. What are planner boards for?  How do you rig them? Thanks

Response:

I have just started fishing from a boat and have a few questions. 1. How do you tell how deep your line is?  If the fish finder says that the fish are at 40 feet how do you know when your line is forty feet down? 2. What is a reasonable dept to fish without going to downriggers.   3. What are planner boards for?  How do you rig them? Thanks

Response:

    Planner boards float on the surface of the water and pull your lure and line out to the side of the boat like a kite in the wind. Your lure then trails behind the planer board and swims at the depth that it was designed for and depending on it’s speed in the water, length of line out and size of the line. Instructions as how to rig them up are included with the boards.     There are devices that can be added directly to your line that will dive towards the bottom (pink lady is one). There depth depends on their size, weight, speed, type lure used, length of line used for trolling and size of the line.     If you want to troll deep without a downrigger, you can use lead core line. Use the 17 lb lead core line. The stronger lead core line has the same amount of lead in it but more nylon thread so though it is stronger (about 30 lbs) it will not sink as well. Or use steel line. I found that I could get down to about 70 feet deep with steel line without using heavy weights. Keep a record of all the setups you use when trolling and when you feel that you touch bottom, check the sonar for the depth, check your trolling speed and type of equipement used etc and mark it all down in a note book. The next time you want to fish at that particular depth with that particular lure setup you will know what to do. This is how old time experienced trollers knew where their lure was when fishing. Add the fact that they memorized the bottom structure, after a few years of snagging bottom, catching fish and watching the successful fishermen for tips, helped in their fishing success.     So if you want to fish at 40 feet, rig up a line, troll over a depth of 40 feet and see what you have to do to touch bottom. Note what you did and then use the same technique the next time you see fish suspended at 40 feet.     Becoming a good troller is more difficult and takes longer than becoming a good fly fisherman. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have just started fishing from a boat and have a few questions. 1. How do you tell how deep your line is?  If the fish finder says that the fish are at 40 feet how do you know when your line is forty feet down? 2. What is a reasonable dept to fish without going to downriggers. 3. What are planner boards for?  How do you rig them? Thanks

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Question:

Can anyone direct me a website or any other literature that would provide some instruction on the classic Swing Method of fly fishing? Thanks! ….learning in Northern California…. – Scott

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Can anyone direct me a website or any other literature that would provide some instruction on the classic Swing Method of fly fishing?

1.  Ray Bergman, Trout (1938) 2.  Wet fly technique is also summarized in Leisenring/ Hidy, Art of Tying the Wet Fly and Fishing the Flymph (1971). — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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Question:

Hello, I’m going to Toronto next summer, and I would like to know where I can fish trout with my fly rod     Thanks, Mark

Response:

Hello, I’m going to Toronto next summer, and I would like to know where I can fish trout with my fly rod    Thanks, Mark

Can I recommend some provincial politictians that will gobble a fly if it resembles a dollar bill?  Try the front lawn of Queens Park. Seriously, to the east, Duffins Creek and the Ganaraska, to the north west, the Credit River and the Forks of the Credit. to the west, the Grand River and its tribs.  To the way north, brookie streams north of Sudbury, to the way west, ‘bows and steelhead on the Maitland and the Saugeen and their tribs.  Call John Valk at Grindstone Angling (905) 689-0880 if you need more info or a guide. Peter

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I’m going to Toronto next summer, and I would like to know where I can fish trout with my fly rod    Thanks, Mark Can I recommend some provincial politictians that will gobble a fly if it resembles a dollar bill?  Try the front lawn of Queens Park. Seriously, to the east, Duffins Creek and the Ganaraska, to the north west, the Credit River and the Forks of the Credit. to the west, the Grand River and its tribs.  To the way north, brookie streams north of Sudbury, to the way west, ‘bows and steelhead on the Maitland and the Saugeen and their tribs.  Call John Valk at Grindstone Angling (905) 689-0880 if you need more info or a guide. Peter

  I lived on the bank of the Ganaraska for 25 years.  If you come in the spring it’s packed with steelheaders.  But if your in to natives then it’s really good from mid may to mid june in the upper reaches of the Ganny.  The part of the river in Port Hope is good for steelhead but not so good for native trout because of the reconstruction after the flood.  Anything north of Highway 16 is good for natives. I find this the best time for brown.  BTW the Ganaraska is located in Port Hope.  One hour east of Toronto on the 401.  If you ask some of the land owners in Welcome (village name) or Canton  nicely they will let you fish on their land.  I have family that owns land on the Ganny.   If you like Fly Fishing and would like to go about thirty minutes further east then I’d recommend Cold Creek north of Brighton.  I’m just learning flyfishing and have just started exploring this stream so I can’t really give you much advice about it. Tight Lines Scott

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Question:

I am interested in beginnging to use shooting head lines as it seems they would give me a great deal more versatility without having to buy multiple additional spools to hold different types of lines. Can anyone give me a good source for this type of line or is it as I suspect from not seeing them advertised much that I need to build them myself. If this is the case, can you point me in the right direction to learn how to build them? Thanks in advance.

Response:

I am interested in beginnging to use shooting head lines as it seems they would give me a great deal more versatility without having to buy multiple additional spools to hold different types of lines. Can anyone give me a good source for this type of line or is it as I suspect from not seeing them advertised much that I need to build them myself. If this is the case, can you point me in the right direction to learn how to build them? Thanks in advance.

Malcolm, Shooting heads are great for some applications where you want long distance casts to be performed easily. They are less adequate for other applications where you want for instance line control (mending long lines). Meaning shooting heads are mostly used for stillwater and saltwater where distance is essential. To get the most of your outfit, using a stripping basket helps managing the loose line, but takes some time to learn using. I guess you will use it for overhead casting with a single handed rod (shooting heads and two handed rods is something quite different). You can build your shooting heads out of a DT line. If you have, say, a #6-7 rod, the optimum is likely to be about 11 meters shooting head #7. The important thing is to load the rod with the optimum *weight*. It means you will need perhaps more, perhaps less than those 11 meters, depending on the actual weight of the line (there are tolerances in the manufacturing) and the actual rod class. Some people use a higher line class, shortening the head to perhaps 9 meters which gives even longer casts but sacrificing line control even more. Running line: Buy the best running line you can afford (cheap in comparison to WF line). There are 3 basic kind of running lines. -Dacron with a coating similar to floating lines. Actually a level floating line. Nicest to hold. -Braided nylon. Compromise. -Flat monofil. Longer casts, won’t tangle but not so nice to hold. DO NOT use regular monofil! It will tangle. Splice a loop on the end of the runninging line. Fill the reel with as much as you expect to be able to cast. 20 meters running line will do it. 30 meters if you are a very skilled caster. Shooting head: You don’t have to buy the best DT line available, as much of the casting performance is due to the running line properties. To find out the optimum weight for your rod, some testing is needed. 1. Cut the DT into two. Gives you two shooting heads, one spare or as a gift to a friend. 2. Attach the running line and the shooting head temporarily, e.g. with loop connectors. 3. Try the outfit in the backyard or on a lawn. Cut down the shooting head gradually until you get optimum performance. (When casting a shooting head, you don’t really shoot line as with a WF, instead you only have the shooting head and a few inches of shooting line outside the rod tip when letting the line go. 4. When you have found out the optimum weight, splice a loop on the shooting head. 5. Go fishing and check it works OK in practical situations. 6. Use a scale to determine the exact weight of the shooting head, this is useful information when you design your next shooting head (for the same rod). NOTE: Make sure the loops that connect the running line and shooting head run smooth trough the rod guides! The smoothest connection is to sew the lines together, in which case you either need one spool per line or to make the loop connection at the backing. NOTE: To gain distance and be able to turn over larger flies, you may consider shortening the tip of the shooting head. The price is sacrificing presentation, but for windy conditions, this is worth considering. Contact me if you need more info. Good Luck Tord

Response:

I am interested in beginnging to use shooting head lines as it seems they would give me a great deal more versatility without having to buy multiple additional spools to hold different types of lines. Can anyone give me a good source for this type of line or is it as I suspect from not seeing them advertised much that I need to build them myself. If this is the case, can you point me in the right direction to learn how to build them? Thanks in advance.

Scientific Anglers used to ( and likely still do) make a selection of shooting heads that should meet your needs. Buying the heads will be cheaper than making your own. If you are looking for versatility try these trick. Cut the front 10 feet off a WF floating line. Serve a braided mono loop in the end of line. Use 5 to 10 foot sections of sinking line of varying sink rates that match the weight of the main line. Serve loops into the ends of these. Do the same with the floating section removed from the line so you can also switch back to a floating tip. You’ve now got a mutliple tip line that allows quick changes of sink rate. It won’t cast as far as a ST line but you didn’t indcate that was the problem. I’ve been using one of these ‘exchangable’ sink tips lately and am pleased with the casting performance. Some fly shops will set the line up for you and provide a selection of sink tips. Make some enquiries. Ralph H

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I think this guy really did all his home work. Very interesting and accurate info. Thanks for sharing this with all on the group.

….and "thank you" from me, also!  Very helpful info. Wayne — Gallery W http://www.magiccarpet.com/~waynem/G_Over.html

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <snip (When casting a shooting head, you don’t really shoot line as with a WF, instead you only have the shooting head and a few inches of shooting line outside the rod tip when letting the line go. <snip It’s interesting how things can go full circle.  I’ve seen advertisements in the non-Fly Fishing world for short, 2-3 feet lengths of "weighted casting line" (read  Shooting Head)  which allow spin fishermen to "cast" flies.  When you think of it, a spool would beat the heck out of a stripping basket for holding "running" line. Just some thoughts. Rick

I guess the "weighted casting line" must have a pretty high density. Must be lead core to have 2-3 feet heavy enough to be cast with a spinning rod… Your suggestion using a spool would imply a pretty large reel, since the shooting head (some 11 meters long) must fit too on the spool. Still, you need to learn to cast a fly line, although this is theoretically feasible with a large capacity spinning reel attached to your fly rod. (I guess you are not thinking about using a casting reel for this purpose…). The point in using a stripping basket is managing 20 meters or more of running line while wading in non-calm water (breaking waves, current) that will drag the line or tangle it. Or, fishing from a boat, to avoid the line tangling in the numerous items that usually are found on deck. Or to prevent the line from getting caught by strong winds… /Tord

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<snip (When casting a shooting head, you don’t really shoot line as with a WF, instead you only have the shooting head and a few inches of shooting line outside the rod tip when letting the line go.

<snip It’s interesting how things can go full circle.  I’ve seen advertisements in the non-Fly Fishing world for short, 2-3 feet lengths of "weighted casting line" (read  Shooting Head)  which allow spin fishermen to "cast" flies.  When you think of it, a spool would beat the heck out of a stripping basket for holding "running" line. Just some thoughts. Rick

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am interested in beginnging to use shooting head lines as it seems they would give me a great deal more versatility without having to buy multiple additional spools to hold different types of lines. Can anyone give me a good source for this type of line or is it as I suspect from not seeing them advertised much that I need to build them myself. If this is the case, can you point me in the right direction to learn how to build them? Thanks in advance. Malcolm, Shooting heads are great for some applications where you want long distance casts to be performed easily. They are less adequate for other applications where you want for instance line control (mending long lines). Meaning shooting heads are mostly used for stillwater and saltwater where distance is essential. To get the most of your outfit, using a stripping basket helps managing the loose line, but takes some time to learn using. I guess you will use it for overhead casting with a single handed rod (shooting heads and two handed rods is something quite different). You can build your shooting heads out of a DT line. If you have, say, a #6-7 rod, the optimum is likely to be about 11 meters shooting head #7. The important thing is to load the rod with the optimum *weight*. It means you will need perhaps more, perhaps less than those 11 meters, depending on the actual weight of the line (there are tolerances in the manufacturing) and the actual rod class. Some people use a higher line class, shortening the head to perhaps 9 meters which gives even longer casts but sacrificing line control even more. Running line: Buy the best running line you can afford (cheap in comparison to WF line). There are 3 basic kind of running lines. -Dacron with a coating similar to floating lines. Actually a level floating line. Nicest to hold. -Braided nylon. Compromise. -Flat monofil. Longer casts, won’t tangle but not so nice to hold. DO NOT use regular monofil! It will tangle. Splice a loop on the end of the runninging line. Fill the reel with as much as you expect to be able to cast. 20 meters running line will do it. 30 meters if you are a very skilled caster. Shooting head: You don’t have to buy the best DT line available, as much of the casting performance is due to the running line properties. To find out the optimum weight for your rod, some testing is needed. 1. Cut the DT into two. Gives you two shooting heads, one spare or as a gift to a friend. 2. Attach the running line and the shooting head temporarily, e.g. with loop connectors. 3. Try the outfit in the backyard or on a lawn. Cut down the shooting head gradually until you get optimum performance. (When casting a shooting head, you don’t really shoot line as with a WF, instead you only have the shooting head and a few inches of shooting line outside the rod tip when letting the line go. 4. When you have found out the optimum weight, splice a loop on the shooting head. 5. Go fishing and check it works OK in practical situations. 6. Use a scale to determine the exact weight of the shooting head, this is useful information when you design your next shooting head (for the same rod). NOTE: Make sure the loops that connect the running line and shooting head run smooth trough the rod guides! The smoothest connection is to sew the lines together, in which case you either need one spool per line or to make the loop connection at the backing. NOTE: To gain distance and be able to turn over larger flies, you may consider shortening the tip of the shooting head. The price is sacrificing presentation, but for windy conditions, this is worth considering. Contact me if you need more info. Good Luck Tord

I think this guy really did all his home work. Very interesting and accurate info. Thanks for sharing this with all on the group. It sounds like you are somewhere in Europe? I agree that shooting heads are great in the right situation, but not all the time. I’m saving this one. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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Question:

I will be traveling through Montana in June and would like some advice of the high spots I might fish.  I will probably enter Montana at Twin Falls and exit to Sheridan in Wyo.  Can anyone give me an itenerary or a list of the high spots I might try in two or three days?  my email I’m impressed at the response that "Montana in August" received.   Thanks in advance.

Response:

You have the Bitterroot, by Dillon, Grasshopper creel, by Dillon, The Big Hole, then you could swing up and hit Rock Creek, Blackfoot and the Little Blackfoot(might be getting too north here….) Then cut back toward Wy. and drive along the Madison…… Let me know if you need more help

Response:

I will be traveling through Montana in June and would like some advice of the high spots I might fish.  I will probably enter Montana at Twin Falls and exit to Sheridan in Wyo.  Can anyone give me an itenerary or a list of the high spots I might try in two or three days?  my email I’m impressed at the response that "Montana in August" received.   Thanks in advance.

Hi There are several private lakes and spring creeks in the Livingston area. For reservation on said waters call the River’s Edge in Bozeman at 406-586-5373 or RJ Cain at 406-587-9111. Sorry to tell you that the rivers in Montana in June are usually very high and dirty. We have a snow pack that is well above 100% so spring run off will probably be fairly long. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Product Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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I will be traveling through Montana in June and would like some advice of the high spots I might fish.  I will probably enter Montana at Twin Falls and exit to Sheridan in Wyo.  Can anyone give me an itenerary or a list of the high spots I might try in two or three days?  my email I’m impressed at the response that "Montana in August" received.   Thanks in advance.

If you are going to travel through Yellowstone Park during your trip, you might want to check out the Firehole and the upper Madison. You might run into some PMD’s, baetis, and caddis hatches.  Soft hackles and a variety of suggestive nymphs are often productive when the insects are not active.  Have fun. Take Care,

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Question:

I would like to get a rod for my 20 year old son, who is interested in taking up fly fishing. I am interested in a 5 or 6 wt. 3 or 4 piece 9ft. travel rod, and I would like to pay something around $120 simply because I do not want to make the plunge into an upscale rod until I know he is really interested.          A while back, people on this group had good things to say about the St. Croix Imperial travel rod. I have looked at one in the store, and it seems to fill the bill. However, I am wondering if anyone has any other suggestions for a rod in this category.I would be grateful for any advice.                                                 Thanks,                                                 Dick Curley

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Hi Dick, We have sold the St.Croix Imperial rods for several years now at or physical store location. We sell over one hundred rods per year and we have yet to have any compliants. St Croix is a respected manufacturer who produce rods for both Cortland and Scientific Angler.  In this price category there is no one close to them for value. Hope this helps. Ken Lindsay Fly Fishing Online http://www.flyfishing-online.com

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Can’t help you with a travel rod, but I’ve got an almost new Powell 2 Pc. 5WT. (9′) I’m looking to sell, it is a high quality, moderate tapered factory finished rod. Lemme know if you have any interest. J.O’C.

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I would like to get a rod for my 20 year old son, who is interested in taking up fly fishing. I am interested in a 5 or 6 wt. 3 or 4 piece 9ft. travel rod, and I would like to pay something around $120 simply because I do not want to make the plunge into an upscale rod until I know he is really interested.

  A while back, people on this group had good things to say about the St. Croix Imperial travel rod. I have looked at one in the store, and it seems to fill the bill. However, I am wondering if anyone has any other suggestions for a rod in this category.I would be grateful for any advice.

Having tested some St. Croix rods against other manufacturers, I can tell you that St Croix is an exceptional value. The problem I found with them is that they tend to magnify casting technique. If you’re a good caster to begin with, you’ll find yourself happily rewarded with a high-performance rod for a bargain price. If you’re a poor caster, you’ll think the St Croix is a piece of garbage, because it will magnify every mistake you make. That’s great if you’ve got someone to help you with your casting, but most neophytes who buy St Croix rods find themselves frustrated. They then buy an Orvis thunderstick and find casting is much easier, even though they still have the same bad habits. They then blame the St Croix rods, and not their own poor technique. I highly recommend the St Croix rods, especially the travel rods. JL 8-Wt Editor

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: I highly recommend the St Croix rods, especially the travel rods. I recently purchased the 8′ 4-5wt and think it casts exceptionally well for a "lower-tech graphite"  I think the 9′ 4-piece is a 6-7 wt.  For the price you can’ go wrong.

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