Question:

I am in the market for a trailerable boat in the 22-26 foot range to be used in the ocean around the Channel Islands to mostly cruise and dive from.  I don’t really do that much fishing but would use it do dive but also be comfortable to sleep preferably up to 4 people.  I have always liked the Skipjacks and heard they are good in the ocean and enjoy the fly bridge.  I am looking for a good solid sea-worthy craft.  Single engine or double, im open on that.  Would love to take it someday up to the inner waterways up North of Washington and do a nice trip that way. Any recommendations on makes and models would be greatly appreciated. James

Response:

Expensive, but nice.  Davis Boats in Morro Bay.  Rock Harbor 36. Bill

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am in the market for a trailerable boat in the 22-26 foot range to be used in the ocean around the Channel Islands to mostly cruise and dive from.  I don’t really do that much fishing but would use it do dive but also be comfortable to sleep preferably up to 4 people.  I have always liked the Skipjacks and heard they are good in the ocean and enjoy the fly bridge.  I am looking for a good solid sea-worthy craft.  Single engine or double, im open on that.  Would love to take it someday up to the inner waterways up North of Washington and do a nice trip that way. Any recommendations on makes and models would be greatly appreciated. James

Response:

OOPs Make that the Rock Harbor 25.  Bad fingers. Bill

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Expensive, but nice.  Davis Boats in Morro Bay.  Rock Harbor 36. Bill I am in the market for a trailerable boat in the 22-26 foot range to be used in the ocean around the Channel Islands to mostly cruise and dive from.  I don’t really do that much fishing but would use it do dive but also be comfortable to sleep preferably up to 4 people.  I have always liked the Skipjacks and heard they are good in the ocean and enjoy the fly bridge.  I am looking for a good solid sea-worthy craft.  Single engine or double, im open on that.  Would love to take it someday up to the inner waterways up North of Washington and do a nice trip that way. Any recommendations on makes and models would be greatly appreciated. James

Response:

Question:

If you have been here fishing, I’d appreciate hearing of your experiences and getting all advice you can spare. Thanks!

Response:

Hi Tim, Summer months are best for fly fishing for most of us. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA http://www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you have been here fishing, I’d appreciate hearing of your experiences and getting all advice you can spare. Thanks!

Response:

Question:

I think the Who Am I? post simply stated what many of us have come to realize  - the regular posters on ROFF are a community – and a very open one at that.   For those who taken exception to the post or the many ‘gutter’ threads that develop on ROF I say thanks for the interest. I for one appreciate it. For better that than no reaction. Hey Walt.  I agree.  The Who am I thread makes me want to puke.  Think of all those mass marketers out there ferreting names, ages children professions, locations and email addresses of "dedicated" fly fishers.  I hate to be their postal worker or ISP.

get real. They have far better ways to get the names, addresses and incomes of hundreds of thousands – they wouldn’t bother with the handful who posted an abrreviated bio under the "Who am I" thread. Just thought that I’d mention that with the alan 46r thread this place seems more like roff than rofft. There is a veritable lovefest (who am i) going on over there. Strange indeed. oh yeah…on topic… uhmmm, well, I mentioned thread. –Wataugan Walt Paul Shook said: <<I’m glad to hear that I am not the only one that thinks the "Who I Am" thread

is a bit strange. Dave Laplace said: ROFF is a bunch of pretty nice guys and gals.  They are simply exchanging their "vital statistics".

Ralph H remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply. "I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams." – Hamlet

Response:

Walt Winter wrote – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (Fiddleaway wrote) The bottom line is that the response to the Who Am I thread speaks for itself.  The majority of the respondents thought it of enough value to participate.  Clearly, Randall, Walt and Paul are in the minority, but in spite of themselves, in responding they too have given us a little insight as to who they are.  Thanks guys. ok, i’ll rise to the occasion…. Hey buddy, don’t group me with Randall or Paul. I have no idea what the hell Randall is agreeing with (certainly not with my view). I was one of the first responders and have read and enjoyed every damn "who am i" bio.

I apologize for grouping you with the other naysayers.  As a matter of fact, I thought I had remembered that you had given a positive response to the Who Am I thread early on.  But I didn’t read the later ones (as they digressed into responses to Who Am I rather than originals).  My fault for assuming the poster who grouped you with them was correct. Mea culpa.  Consider me well chagrined. —                                                       -dnc-

Response:

–                                                       -dnc- Ralph H wrote – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think the Who Am I? post simply stated what many of us have come to realize  - the regular posters on ROFF are a community – and a very open one at that.   For those who taken exception to the post or the many ‘gutter’ threads that develop on ROF I say thanks for the interest. I for one appreciate it. For better that than no reaction. Randall Davis says: Hey Walt.  I agree.  The Who am I thread makes me want to puke.  … Just thought that I’d mention that with the alan 46r thread this place seems more like roff than rofft. There is a veritable lovefest (who am i) going on over there. Strange indeed. Paul Shook said: <<I’m glad to hear that I am not the only one that thinks the "Who I Am" thread is a bit strange.

The bottom line is that the response to the Who Am I thread speaks for itself.  The majority of the respondents thought it of enough value to participate.  Clearly, Randall, Walt and Paul are in the minority, but in spite of themselves, in responding they too have given us a little insight as to who they are.  Thanks guys.

Response:

The bottom line is that the response to the Who Am I thread speaks for itself.  The majority of the respondents thought it of enough value to participate.  Clearly, Randall, Walt and Paul are in the minority, but in spite of themselves, in responding they too have given us a little insight as to who they are.  Thanks guys.

ok, i’ll rise to the occasion…. Hey buddy, don’t group me with Randall or Paul. I have no idea what the hell Randall is agreeing with (certainly not with my view). I was one of the first responders and have read and enjoyed every damn "who am i" bio. What has happened here is a typical out of context post by Ralphbot. He’s done it in the past and he’s at it again. Welcome back roboboy. Tim and Jon really have to sharpen up there programming skills(aws) and do something about these damn bugs that keep poppin up. Step up to the friggin’ plate Tim and take your at bat. Until then, I’m rippin the fucking white flags down and I’ll kick all of your sorry asses if I see ya on my river, well, mudhole. Wading staff use by able-bodied men is for pussies (myself included). Brookies rule. Single-malt scotch. I don’t miss the NBA. Hillary, 2000 (this buds for you georgie Ralphbot needs a lube-job. Who ate FIFI? –Wataugan "I’ll kick yer ass" Walt

Response:

        ralph, what the hell was all that shit you, or someone else, strung together?  how about taking responsibility for a little clarity.  i know walt well enough to know that he supports the humanization of this group through communication about who we are. what you, or somedamnbody has published, misrepresents his viewpoint. a. wayne harrison

Response:

. Hillary, 2000 (this buds for you georgie –Wataugan "I’ll kick yer ass" Walt

 I was fine till here , Hillary ?? Oh God ..drink more Scotch Man, it may clear your muddled head.    Hillary, 2000…. good christ. And I thought Al "the Stump" Gore was scary….. HM

Response:

I was fine till here , Hillary ?? Oh God ..drink more Scotch Man, it may clear your muddled head.    Hillary, 2000…. good christ. And I thought Al "the Stump" Gore was scary….. HM

HM, just kiddin’, Iza tryn ta raisz Ginko ferm da ded. –Wataugan "Moe Skeeter 2000" Walt

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was fine till here , Hillary ?? Oh God ..drink more Scotch Man, it may clear your muddled head.    Hillary, 2000…. good christ. And I thought Al "the Stump" Gore was scary….. HM HM, just kiddin’, Iza tryn ta raisz Ginko ferm da ded. –Wataugan "Moe Skeeter 2000" Walt

  Well, the water has been real cold as of late. Not many bugs on the water here, so to speak. HM

Response:

       ralph, what the hell was all that shit you, or someone else, strung together?  how about taking responsibility for a little clarity.  

nothing Walt wrote was quoted out of context. If you or he had a problem with what he said it is your problem not mine. The ‘bot is a creation of your, his (and tim’s) lack of comprehension  -  not mine. Frankly I understood what Walt said perfectly tho’ his addled old mine may have lost the thread since he wrote it <g:  Given the history of animous and invective the break out of the sudden "love-fest" was a surprising – however it wasn’t strange it simply spoke to what many of us longed for – a relief from all the bad sentiment and a return to respect for all as people. We are a community despite the efforts of some to break us down. Ralph H remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply. "I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams." – Hamlet

Response:

       ralph, what the hell was all that shit you, or someone else, strung together?  how about taking responsibility for a little clarity.  i know walt well enough to know that he supports the humanization of this group through communication about who we are. what you, or somedamnbody has published, misrepresents his viewpoint. a. wayne harrison

Wayne go to the Ng Rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying and you can find the original thread there – check out Walt’s contribution – you will see what I included was exactly what he said – ditto for all the others. Ralph H remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply. "I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams." – Hamlet

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The bottom line is that the response to the Who Am I thread speaks for itself.  The majority of the respondents thought it of enough value to participate.  Clearly, Randall, Walt and Paul are in the minority, but in spite of themselves, in responding they too have given us a little insight as to who they are.  Thanks guys. ok, i’ll rise to the occasion…. Hey buddy, don’t group me with Randall or Paul. I have no idea what the hell Randall is agreeing with (certainly not with my view). I was one of the first responders and have read and enjoyed every damn "who am i" bio. What has happened here is a typical out of context post by Ralphbot. He’s done it in the past and he’s at it again. Welcome back roboboy.

Walto-gin – don’t imbibe and post within the same time zone. Randall took you out of context not I – I quoted you exactly. Go back and re-read the thread in ROFT which you intiated! Wash the kettle black off your face while you are at it! ;^) What you said was clear to me – big flame fest on ROFT love-fest on ROFF – a surprising turning of the worm. Ralph H remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply. "I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams." – Hamlet

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Harrison) says:        ralph, what the hell was all that shit you, or someone else, strung together?  how about taking responsibility for a little clarity.  i know walt well enough to know that he supports the humanization of this group through communication about who we are. what you, or somedamnbody has published, misrepresents his viewpoint. a. wayne harrison Wayne go to the Ng Rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying and you can find the original thread there – check out Walt’s contribution – you will see what I included was exactly what he said – ditto for all the others. Ralph H

Ralph….. The following enclosed below is verbatim of what I wrote on rofft. It in no way condemns, ridicules, or "makes me want to puke" the "WHO AM I THREAD". As mentioned earlier, I have no idea why Randall decided to agree with me or what the hell he agreed with. IMHO, you were bored and decided to try and muddy some waters elsewhere now that your arch-enemy Tim has decided to cool off for awhile. All I have in response to you is that whilst my brain may be addled temporarily at times with a comforting single-malt indulgence, yours, unfortunately, seems to be addled permanently most likely from birth. Get a grip man, –Wataugan "hellfire and brimstone southerner" Walt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Just thought that I’d mention that with the alan 46r thread this place seems more like roff than rofft. There is a veritable lovefest (who am i) going on over there. Strange indeed. oh yeah…on topic… uhmmm, well, I mentioned thread. –Wataugan Walt

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Walto-gin – don’t imbibe and post within the same time zone. Randall took you out of context not I – I quoted you exactly. Go back and re-read the thread in ROFT which you intiated! Wash the kettle black off your face while you are at it! ;^) What you said was clear to me – big flame fest on ROFT love-fest on ROFF – a surprising turning of the worm. Ralph H

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Harrison) says: Wayne go to the Ng Rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying and you can find the original thread there – check out Walt’s contribution – you will see what I included was exactly what he said – ditto for all the others. Ralph H Ralph….. The following enclosed below is verbatim of what I wrote on rofft. It in no way condemns, ridicules, or "makes me want to puke" the "WHO AM I THREAD". As mentioned earlier, I have no idea why Randall decided to agree with me or what the hell he agreed with.

Yes it is verbatim. It is in fact exactly what I included in my cross post to ROFF…  and yes I agreed in my previous post in this thread that what you said was taken out of context by Randall and Paul Shook … IMHO, you were bored and decided to try and muddy some waters elsewhere now that your arch-enemy Tim has decided to cool off for awhile.

so why are attacking me? Is it in character for you to assault the ‘love fest’ you previously defended? All I have in response to you is that whilst my brain may be addled temporarily at times with a comforting single-malt indulgence, yours, unfortunately, seems to be addled permanently most likely from birth.

well that’s fine – in these repartee games I’ve always adhered to adage "turn about is fair play" Let’s give it a rest Walt. Just thought that I’d mention that with the alan 46r thread this place seems more like roff than rofft. There is a veritable lovefest (who am i) going on over there. Strange indeed. oh yeah…on topic… uhmmm, well, I mentioned thread. –Wataugan Walt

Ralph H remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply. "I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams." – Hamlet

Response:

Question:

I doubt if you’d be safe from commercial sex site solicitations even at rec.fly-fishing.

   - uh…you said `Fly’ –

Response:

I doubt if you’d be safe from commercial sex site solicitations even at rec.fly-fishing.

Hey, I’d not object to a jpg of christine in some hip waders… TimW

Response:

Question:

I need information on fly fishing for stiped bass.

Response:

I need information on fly fishing for stiped bass.

Head to this url: http://altavista.digital.com/ and do a search using the following keywords: +flyfish +striper And you’ll get at least 128 hits. Plenty of stuff to read/learn…. Cheers! /dave <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < Digital Equipment Corp.       Alpha Server Engineering < <        "Charter Member of Curmudgeons Unlimited"       < <<<<<<<<<<<< AMA 548313 <<<<<<<<<<<<

Response:

Question:

Will be in Colorado Springs area the 2nd week of May. Some of the literature on the subject seems to suggest that the run-off will be in full swing at that time, and that it will be much more severe than I had assumed it to be. Is this gonna be a "wash-out"?

Response:

Will be in Colorado Springs area the 2nd week of May. Some of the literature on the subject seems to suggest that the run-off will be in full swing at that time, and that it will be much more severe than I had assumed it to be. Is this gonna be a "wash-out"?

If the runoff is high…GO FISHING ! 1) Put some rocks in your pockets (to keep from being swept away). 2) Put on a big ugly bug with eyeballs and rubber legs. 3) Keep the BB sized shot close at hand. Use a lot. 4) Fish the banks. 5) Rid yourself of the mental block that all flyfishing is done in    clear waters. 6) Enjoy the river in its swollen glory.   7) Avoid tailwaters as the crowds and attitudes eventually will ruin it for you. TW

Response:

If the runoff is high…GO FISHING ! 1) Put some rocks in your pockets (to keep from being swept away). 2) Put on a big ugly bug with eyeballs and rubber legs. 3) Keep the BB sized shot close at hand. Use a lot. 4) Fish the banks. 5) Rid yourself of the mental block that all flyfishing is done in   clear waters. 6) Enjoy the river in its swollen glory.   7) Avoid tailwaters as the crowds and attitudes eventually will ruin it for you. TW

Excellant advise T-bone!!  I like someone who can find a reason to fish no matter what.  As my grandfather used to say: "… which would you rather do… or go fishing?" Jack Wheeler

Response:

o  What are the major rivers/other opportunities

You’ll be nearest the upper Colorado River in the Kremmling/Hot Springs area. o  How far are they from Winter Park

Roughly 30 or 45 minutes. o  What are the likely conditions

Runoff varies from year to year.  If the rest of the Winter’s mild, late June should be OK.  Check river conditions at: http://www.infosphere.com/rof/yp/RFAnglers/rfa.htm That’s Glenwood Springs, but it should give you some idea (there are other river flow sources on the Web). o  Who’s the leading outfitter/guide service

Sorry, I’m not familiar with outfitters in that area. o  What’s worth traveling to for an overnight

Again, check out the website above… M

Response:

Question:

They are supposed to have legislation pending on that issue but as of right now, there are no restrictions.  They will try to dissuade you if you ask a park ranger or someone like that.  They will also give citations for not having a life preserver.  My friend received one. Curtis Fry:  Fry’s Utah Fly Fishing Page  http://www.et.byu.edu/~fryc

All anglers on the Green are required to wear life vests because they change the water levels frequently there, and people have gotten trapped midstream.   As for float-tubing the Green, you’d have to be pretty crazy.  Doug burton, who guides on the Green, tells me they rescue several upside-down float-tubers every season and also lose a few. —   The above opinions are of the author only, and are not endorsed by SET-BC.               Special Education Technology – British Columbia

Response:

I used to live about an hour and a half from the Green and fished there regularly. do NOT float the Green in a tube!!! I have seen one accident and the body of another tuber that was not so lucky! This is a river, and as such, deserves more respect! Sean Clark

Response:

Question:

Todd,     Visit Kaufmanns in Tigard try some parking lot casting and get a catalog. You might consider one of their schools.  The Anglers Club of Portland meets at the East Bank Saloon on the 2nd thursday of every month…not a bad place to start meeting people.  Members include many local and some national fishing luminaries.  I think Jim Shollmeyer, local guide, much published photographer and author will be speaker.                             Mike in PDX                "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                                            Tom McGuane

Response:

FWIW, on the Portland aspect of this thread there are lots of f.f. videos in the Multnomah County Library system; my college roommate learned to cast from the ones he checked out at the brach near us (I can’t remember the name, how sad…  Capitol Hill?  near PCC-Sylvania).  I expect the main library would have a listing of titles.  There are even fish in Johnson Creek in Milwaukie if you have a free evening– don’t know if I’d keep them to eat, but fun to chase if you don’t have time to leave town.   Also lots of toxic bass/panfish in the Columbia slough and some of the little lakes on Sauvie’s Island. Enjoy- — Derek R. Larson           Indiana University        Dept. of History                 "Nothing interesting occurred today…"         -Meriwether Lewis at Ft. Clatsop, Oregon, Jan.4th, 1806

Response:

Fujinaka) writes: Do I take a class?

The short answer is yes.  It will save you years of trial and error and frustration.  It will also save you from spending lots of time correcting bad habits that you developed on your own.  I would recommend that you get instruction from a FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor, or get references from from former students of a non-certified instructor.  Fly fishing clubs can be a good source for instruction though quality of instruction can be erratic. Do I watch a video?

 I would recommend a few:  "The Essence of Fly Casting (vol.1)"  by Mel Krieger. IMHO the best casting video so far.  Has little fishing info in it but a great treatise on casting.  "Skills of Fly Fishing" by Gary Borger. Gives lots of great info on equipment, knots, fishing a dry, nymph and streamer fly, all about water types, etc.   The weak point in this video is the casting, get the Krieger video for that.  Another good one that has been around for quite a while is "Anatomy of a Trout Stream" by Rick Haefle.  Even though he squints into the sun while he’s talking to you, the info is very good. Do I go to the expensive store in downtown Portland and let them have their way with me?

Depends on how they treat newbies.  If they realize your value to them as a long term customer, they will get you the best bang for your buck.  If not, they will try to sell you the moon.  Ask around about the reputation of the shop.  There are plenty in your area if the downtown one doesn’t work out.  It’s been about 8 years since I lived in your area, but I used to do business with "Stewart’s Custom Tackle" on Halsey out by Wood Village and "The Fly Shop" in Welches (near the junction of the Salmon River and the Sandy).  Both were reputable and helpful shops.  Ask around.   Mail order from Kaufmann’s in Tigard is safe as they will take back anything you order but don’t like when it arrives.                                                       Hope this helps,                                                                    Dan

Response:

Sounds like a candidate for the most up to date fly fishing instruction you can own, Fly Fishing the McCloud River, the computer game sold at Orvis SF and other fine fly shops.  I think it is great. Right Dan!

Response:

I’d like to know how to get started, and I can’t find a FAQ. I’ve WATCHED a lot of people fish, especially in Japan and I’ve always wanted to learn how to fly fish. Do I take a class? Do I watch a video? Do I go to the expensive store in downtown Portland and let them have their way with me? Even more regionally, I’m in NW Portland, away from the East County stores. Maybe I should mail order? Help! So far I’ve read two short stories by Hemmingway and half of _The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide_. Oh, and _A River Runs Through It_. And I spent several hours standing in a the John Day near Monument, OR watching a friend fish the John Day (I caught a watch, but that’s another story). Thanks for any help! — Home is where you wear your hat.

Response:

Question:

Never had a problem with Bass Pro Shops.  The worst thing that happens is that something(s) is backed ordered and you get it in dribs and drabs, but they will tell you what is back ordered on the phone.  They have a good selection too.  The other catalogs have the same items in them, though Cabela’s seems to have a lot more "kits" (i.e. Small Plano type plastic boxes with an assortment of lures like Power Worms, Slugos, etc.). * Sony Electronics        phone: (201) 930-7039               * * Sony Drive – MD#3D2     fax:   (201) 930-6361               * * Park Ridge, NJ 07656    http://www.sony.com                 *

Response:

I would like to know what the general concensus is about Bass Pro Shops catalogs. What is the selection, service, pricing and other info about this catalog.   How does this compare to Cabela’s and Gander Mtn? Thank you and good fishing. Dan

Response:

: I would like to know what the general concensus is about Bass Pro Shops catalogs. : What is the selection, service, pricing and other info about this : catalog.   : How does this compare to Cabela’s and Gander Mtn? I order stuff from Bass Pro several times per year. They are excellent, about equal to Cabela’s, it’s been a very long time since I ordered anything from Gander Mountian so I can’t compare them. I grew up in Springfield, Missouri, Bass Pro is an instituation there. Dave Fortner

Response:

I would like to know what the general concensus is about Bass Pro Shops catalogs.

I have been more than pleased with their service.  I recently ordered an assortment of tubes that was supposed to be in a metal tin. When I received the tubes they were in a plastic container.  When I called back to complain, they told me that the tins were discontinued. They let me keep the lures for free ($10 value) and sent me a $10 refund for the product that I was supposed to receive. Not too bad!

Response:

   I too order a lot of stuff from both Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s.  I find that both are extremely good and the prices can’t be beat.  I’ve never had to return anything from either place so I can’t comment upon that from personal experience.  However, a friend of mine recently returned some Gore Tex rain gear to Cabela’s after having had them for over a year.  I won’t go into the whole long story but, despite some initial reluctance, Cabela’s gave him a complete refund.  Given the competition between the two companies, I would expect BPS to be fairly equitable on their refund policy if you have a legitimate gripe.    Most of the ordering that I do from BPS is actually throught their Offshore Angler catalog because they have a vastly larger selection of saltwater equipment than does Cabela’s.  Cabela’s has improved their saltwater gear a lot over the last few years but still can’t compete with BPS.    Dennis

Response:

:    I too order a lot of stuff from both Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s.  I : find that both are extremely good and the prices can’t be beat.  I’ve : never had to return anything from either place so I can’t comment upon : that from personal experience.  However, a friend of mine recently : returned some Gore Tex rain gear to Cabela’s after having had them for : over a year.  I won’t go into the whole long story but, despite some : initial reluctance, Cabela’s gave him a complete refund.  Given the : competition between the two companies, I would expect BPS to be fairly : equitable on their refund policy if you have a legitimate gripe. I’ve found that Bass Pro’s return policy is a lot more liberal than Cabela’s. I’ve returned things to Bass Pro just because I didn’t like ‘em, they have always accepted the return AND PAID FOR THE RETURN SHIPPING (this is AFTER the items were USED)! This spring I tried to return a pair of expensive fishing pliers I bought from Cabela’s and order the ones with the serated jaws, they gave me a hassle about it and they were gonna make me call their customer service department to get authorization, etc, etc. It turned out that one of my fishin’ buddies dropped ‘em overboard before I could get authorization to send ‘em back, but I was a little peeved that they were giving me a hassle about it. Dave Fortner

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I fished with a guy for several years who used to by merchandise from most of the larger catalog sellers and after a year or whenever he got tired of the merchandise, he would send it back for a refund.  Some placed made him work for his money, but by and large, he always manage to cheat the seller out of his merchandise. I know he did it with Bean, Orvis, Cabela’s and many local merchants who operate on a shoe sting.  I even saw him buy a used fishing reel and send it back to Orvis for a full refund.  He received about a 200 refund after investing seventy dollars in the used reel.  Skumbags like that will ruin it for the honest person who may experience some difficulty with some piece of merchandise.  Bad business ripping the merchant off and if we are all not careful even the compitition will not protect us from this privilage being revoked. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   I too order a lot of stuff from both Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s.  I find that both are extremely good and the prices can’t be beat.  I’ve never had to return anything from either place so I can’t comment upon that from personal experience.  However, a friend of mine recently returned some Gore Tex rain gear to Cabela’s after having had them for over a year.  I won’t go into the whole long story but, despite some initial reluctance, Cabela’s gave him a complete refund.  Given the competition between the two companies, I would expect BPS to be fairly equitable on their refund policy if you have a legitimate gripe.   Most of the ordering that I do from BPS is actually throught their Offshore Angler catalog because they have a vastly larger selection of saltwater equipment than does Cabela’s.  Cabela’s has improved their saltwater gear a lot over the last few years but still can’t compete with BPS.   Dennis

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Question:

I’d like to fly fish for northern pike in northwest Ontario in early to mid July.  While I have fished northern and walleye for years in this area, I am new to fly fishing.  Any ‘tricks of the trade’ would be appreciated.  I am set up with a sinking line and a popper plus a couple good size (long tail) flys.  Am I on the right track?

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I’d like to fly fish for northern pike in northwest Ontario in early to mid July.  While I have fished northern and walleye for years in this area, I am new to fly fishing.  Any ‘tricks of the trade’ would be appreciated.  I am set up with a sinking line and a popper plus a couple good size (long tail) flys.  Am I on the right track?

Sounds good so far, but you should pay some attention to your leader.  A standard tippet isn’t real effective when dealing with pike teeth. You should pick up some 30 lb. test steel line and cut off a piece about 1 ft. in length.  For a sinking leader, use 30 lb. test lead core line about 10" long (do not use much more!) remove about 2" of the core from each end.  Tie a uni-knot, same as attaching your tippet to regular fly line with the outer shell of the lead core line around the steel line, and then, tie a second uni-knot with the steel line around the lead core.  Pull the two knots together and you have your leader.  Tie the other end of the lead core line shell to the fly line with another uni-knot and tie the fly to the other end of the steel line. By the way, if you use a long piece of lead core line and manage to back-cast the line into your head (who hasn’t done this with a regular monofilament tippet), you will see Elvis or other such sites long after you come to. Good luck…fly fishing pike is really fun. — Yukon College, Academic Studies/Professional Studies Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada   Telephone (403) 668-8809

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