Question:

My new next door neighbor has been talking about the Magalloway river since he moved in. He grew up in Bethel and also lived in Errol, NH for a couple of years and knows the area well so we headed up this afternoon. Seems to me that the tripper had tried to get me up there 10-12 years ago but I never made the trip. It’s about 100 mile trip from my house, we did it in about 1.5 hours, a nice scenic drive up through Grafton Notch. The Magalloway is a short river, running betweem Aziscohos Lake and Umbagog Lake. Umbagog is the same lake that the Rapid runs into. The Magalloway is a bit north of the Rapid. First we fished one of his favorite spots, right off Rt16 out of Errol (but back in Maine) a bend pool near a large field. Mitch didn’t get anything there but I unfortunately caught a smallie, about 12" and it had to be the healthiest smallie I’ve caught this year. So sadly, the smallies are running up the Magalloway as well as the Rapid. We moved to a pool upstream he called trout pool, where he guaranteed there were some good fish. On the short walk in we ran into a woman who was down with her dog to watch the kayakers. We got to the pool and Mitch told me to fish the head of the pool and he moved down the bank to the middle. After 10-15 mins 3 kayaks came down the river and immediately cut accross the pool in front of us. Then they started to play in the sluce where it dumped into the pool. They would go accross the main pool, sit on the other side, giggle, then one of them would come out and shoot through the pool again. It was deliberate and quite annoying. Things had gotten to where I was beginning to consider throwing rocks or whacking them on the helmut with my rod when they finally drifted downstream. I realize that rafters and kayakers are our allies in keeping the rivers clean and wild but these people needed to learn to give some consideration. After the twits left I decided to try a dry fly as I’d seen a couple fish hitting the top, so I tied on one of Vern’s reddish brown things and after a few casts decided to move to the tail of the pool so I could get a decent drift. About 3 casts later I saw a very subtle hit, setup and got the surprise of the day when the biggest salmon I’ve seen on the end of my line in about 3 or 4 years launched itself into the air and came off. I thought I’d broken him off, but I still had the fly. The fish was an easy 19-20" and very very fat. It also had the "river" salmon yellow belly. Mitch told me he’d had several hits before the kayaks came through on a streamer but that he hadn’t had any since. I gave Mitch one of Vern’s flies and he immediately caught a nice salmon, and several brook trout. In the meantime I lost another nice salmon, smaller than the first but still a nice fish. There were some little tiny green bodied bugs starting to swarm, they had little white wings and were small, if I had to tie one up I’d look for a #30 hook. They were flying up my nose, into my ears and were all over my arms when I realized that they were also biting. I rolled down my sleeves and went back to work as dark was coming on. I managed to miss a few and then a very fat 15-16" brookie as it got almost completly dark. The fish gave me a very strong run into the pool before coming to hand. Mitch and I decided that neither one of us could see good enough to fish so we headed back to the car. Not a bad afternoon’s trip. Flyfish

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My new next door neighbor has been talking about the Magalloway river since he moved in. He grew up in Bethel and also lived in Errol, NH for a couple of years and knows the area well so we headed up this afternoon. Seems to me that the tripper had tried to get me up there 10-12 years ago but I never made the trip. It’s about 100 mile trip from my house, we did it in about 1.5 hours, a nice scenic drive up through Grafton Notch. The Magalloway is a short river, running betweem Aziscohos Lake and Umbagog Lake. Umbagog is the same lake that the Rapid runs into. The Magalloway is a bit north of the Rapid. First we fished one of his favorite spots, right off Rt16 out of Errol (but back in Maine) a bend pool near a large field. Mitch didn’t get anything there but I unfortunately caught a smallie, about 12" and it had to be the healthiest smallie I’ve caught this year. So sadly, the smallies are running up the Magalloway as well as the Rapid. We moved to a pool upstream he called trout pool, where he guaranteed there were some good fish. On the short walk in we ran into a woman who was down with her dog to watch the kayakers. We got to the pool and Mitch told me to fish the head of the pool and he moved down the bank to the middle. After 10-15 mins 3 kayaks came down the river and immediately cut accross the pool in front of us. Then they started to play in the sluce where it dumped into the pool. They would go accross the main pool, sit on the other side, giggle, then one of them would come out and shoot through the pool again. It was deliberate and quite annoying. Things had gotten to where I was beginning to consider throwing rocks or whacking them on the helmut with my rod when they finally drifted downstream. I realize that rafters and kayakers are our allies in keeping the rivers clean and wild but these people needed to learn to give some consideration. After the twits left I decided to try a dry fly as I’d seen a couple fish hitting the top, so I tied on one of Vern’s reddish brown things and after a few casts decided to move to the tail of the pool so I could get a decent drift. About 3 casts later I saw a very subtle hit, setup and got the surprise of the day when the biggest salmon I’ve seen on the end of my line in about 3 or 4 years launched itself into the air and came off. I thought I’d broken him off, but I still had the fly. The fish was an easy 19-20" and very very fat. It also had the "river" salmon yellow belly. Mitch told me he’d had several hits before the kayaks came through on a streamer but that he hadn’t had any since. I gave Mitch one of Vern’s flies and he immediately caught a nice salmon, and several brook trout. In the meantime I lost another nice salmon, smaller than the first but still a nice fish. There were some little tiny green bodied bugs starting to swarm, they had little white wings and were small, if I had to tie one up I’d look for a #30 hook. They were flying up my nose, into my ears and were all over my arms when I realized that they were also biting. I rolled down my sleeves and went back to work as dark was coming on. I managed to miss a few and then a very fat 15-16" brookie as it got almost completly dark. The fish gave me a very strong run into the pool before coming to hand. Mitch and I decided that neither one of us could see good enough to fish so we headed back to the car. Not a bad afternoon’s trip. Flyfish

Good for you, Dave. Glad you got out and finally hit one of my favorite small streams up there, even if I couldn’t be there to enjoy it with you. Rapid next weekend! /daytripper (having another working weekend 8-(

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We moved to a pool upstream he called trout pool, where he guaranteed there were some good fish. On the short walk in we ran into a woman who was down with her dog to watch the kayakers. We got to the pool and Mitch told me to fish the head of the pool and he moved down the bank to the middle. After 10-15 mins 3 kayaks came down the river and immediately cut accross the pool in front of us. Then they started to play in the sluce where it dumped into the pool. They would go accross the main pool, sit on the other side, giggle, then one of them would come out and shoot through the pool again. It was deliberate and quite annoying. Things had gotten to where I was beginning to consider throwing rocks or whacking them on the helmut with my rod when they finally drifted downstream. I realize that rafters and kayakers are our allies in keeping the rivers clean and wild but these people needed to learn to give some consideration.

Dontcha just love ‘em.  My favourite is the asshole with a 100′ or more of river to work with, goes right through the run your fishing, then his 15 or so asshole friends follow him.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -After the twits left I decided to try a dry fly as I’d seen a couple fish hitting the top, so I tied on one of Vern’s reddish brown things and after a few casts decided to move to the tail of the pool so I could get a decent drift. About 3 casts later I saw a very subtle hit, setup and got the surprise of the day when the biggest salmon I’ve seen on the end of my line in about 3 or 4 years launched itself into the air and came off. I thought I’d broken him off, but I still had the fly. The fish was an easy 19-20" and very very fat. It also had the "river" salmon yellow belly. Mitch told me he’d had several hits before the kayaks came through on a streamer but that he hadn’t had any since. I gave Mitch one of Vern’s flies and he immediately caught a nice salmon, and several brook trout. In the meantime I lost another nice salmon, smaller than the first but still a nice fish. There were some little tiny green bodied bugs starting to swarm, they had little white wings and were small, if I had to tie one up I’d look for a #30 hook. They were flying up my nose, into my ears and were all over my arms when I realized that they were also biting. I rolled down my sleeves and went back to work as dark was coming on. I managed to miss a few and then a very fat 15-16" brookie as it got almost completly dark. The fish gave me a very strong run into the pool before coming to hand. Mitch and I decided that neither one of us could see good enough to fish so we headed back to the car. Not a bad afternoon’s trip. Flyfish

Sounds like a fun day despite the fiberglass hatch and the bitty bugs – that’s a nice brookie, btw. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

sniped, because of length… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We moved to a pool upstream he called trout pool, where he guaranteed there were some good fish. On the short walk in we ran into a woman who was down with her dog to watch the kayakers. We got to the pool and Mitch told me to fish the head of the pool and he moved down the bank to the middle. After 10-15 mins 3 kayaks came down the river and immediately cut accross the pool in front of us. Then they started to play in the sluce where it dumped into the pool. They would go accross the main pool, sit on the other side, giggle, then one of them would come out and shoot through the pool again. It was deliberate and quite annoying. Things had gotten to where I was beginning to consider throwing rocks or whacking them on the helmut with my rod when they finally drifted downstream. I realize that rafters and kayakers are our allies in keeping the rivers clean and wild but these people needed to learn to give some consideration.

Oh my God, I know that problem, on my club waters, there are days you can

Question:

Thinking of Belize next Feb/March primarily for diving. Anyone got any information good/bad

Response:

I was there a number of years ago and plan to go back. Inaddition to the usual dive cites, Check out Placentia on the coast. — Dennis Gibbons CN35-207 S/V Dark Lady

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thinking of Belize next Feb/March primarily for diving. Anyone got any information good/bad

Response:

The diving’s great, as there is a barrier reef off the coast (I think I read that it’s the second largest in the world after Australia).  We saw intense coral formations, lots of beautiful fish, whale sharks, rays, etc. Where we were in Placencia, there was NO diving off of the beach. typically the dive boats took us out to one of the cayes. Callen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thinking of Belize next Feb/March primarily for diving. Anyone got any information good/bad

Response:

Thinking of Belize next Feb/March primarily for diving. Anyone got any information good/bad

There are tons of terrific Web sites on Belize.  I believe that Belize has more Web sites than any other country its size in the world.  Beisides our own Web edition, I especially like the Belize by Natural Light sites and the AmbergrisCaye.com site. I edit and publish a magazine on Belize — e-mail us if you have questions, and we’ll try to answer them. –Lan Sluder Lan Sluder Editor & Publisher BELIZE FIRST MAGAZINE Free Web edition (600 + pages of ad-free information) at http://www.turq.com/belizefirst/

Response:

Hi We went to Belize in February ‘97 and had an amazing time. Stayed in Belize City and did some day trips, then San Pedro for a couple of days. The snorkelling was incredible, so I imagine the diving is even better. Macy’s in Belize City is great place to eat. Scott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thinking of Belize next Feb/March primarily for diving. Anyone got any information good/bad

Response:

Thinking of Belize next Feb/March primarily for diving. Anyone got any information good/bad

Hi Bernie, Belize is great because they have not ruined it yet. It is still pretty untouched. Get a Belize guide book by Moon Publications. Most divers stay out on Ambergris Cay in or near the town of San Pedro.  You are in a nice little town on an island of the coast from Belize City. You can also stay out at one of the remote dive lodges on one of the three atolls off the coast past the reef in the Blue Water. On Turneffe Atoll, you can stay at Black Bird Resort, Turneffe Flats Lodge or Turneffe Island Lodge. On Lighthouse Atoll, you can stay at Lighthouse Reef Resort where they have the famous Blue Hole. On Glover’s Atoll, you can stay at Manta Reef Resort. This is one of the most remote palces in Belize. On South Water Cay, you can stay at the Blue Marlin Lodge right of the barrier reef. All these places have web sites now. I go to Belize to fly fish for bonefish, tarpon, permit and snook. I can help you there if you need any. I like Placencia too.  www.placencia.com Look at the Belize First site.

Response:

Question:

I will be in the Pocatello, Idaho area in the next couple of weeks, and was wondering if someone could point me to some fly fishing streams. I won’t have a lot of time, so the closer the better.

Response:

Try Portneuf River near Bancroft (just below Chesterfield Reservoir – in fact, try the reservoir) – 1 hour east, Fort Hall Bottoms spring creeks- 40 min north, South Fork Snake River – 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 hours north, Henry’s Fork – 2 hours north, Silver Creek – 2 hours northwest, or a horde of reservoirs within an hour and a half south and east. Stop in at Jimmy’s All Seasons Angler in Pocatello for the latest info. Lance Hankins – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be in the Pocatello, Idaho area in the next couple of weeks, and was wondering if someone could point me to some fly fishing streams. I won’t have a lot of time, so the closer the better.

Response:

Question:

I head into the hospital for ACL reconstruction of my left knee this morning and am out of business for the next 5 to 6 months.

I had my left knee done last October, the right one done in December and was on the water again in April. Had the lakes been open, I might have been fishing even sooner – the Doc told me a kickboat would be excellent  therapy. In any case,  good luck with the surgery. Regards, Dennis Smith Loveland, CO Dennis Smith Loveland, CO

Response:

Well it is time to hang up my fly rod for the year.  I head into the hospital for ACL reconstruction of my left knee this morning and am out of business for the next 5 to 6 months. Mike

 Mike, Here’s wishing you a successful visit to the hospital, and get over it quickly. Good luck. Regards from Wales. — Bill

Response:

Well it is time to hang up my fly rod for the year.  I head into the hospital for ACL reconstruction of my left knee this morning and am out of business for the next 5 to 6 months. Mike

– Mike, Good luck with your surgery and we’ll be sure to save some fish fer ya… –Walt

Response:

Well it is time to hang up my fly rod for the year.  I head into the hospital for ACL reconstruction of my left knee this morning and am out of business for the next 5 to 6 months.  All of you flyfishing nuts will have to make sure and post your adventures to the newsgroup so that I can at least read about flyfishing. All was not lost for the year, I did get the opportunity to catch a 20 pound Rainbow Trout two weeks ago.  Definetly the highlight of my fishing life. Unfortunately, August was the wrong month to get the Gerrard’s in Kootenay Lake on a fly rod so will have to go back in April or May and attempt to get one. Have fun and enjoy the rest of your Summer! Mike

Mike: Sorry to hear about the knee problems. What kind of reconstruction are you having?  I had patellar graft reconstruction on my left knee 6 years ago and have been *extremely* happy with the result. You might even find that you could still get some fishing in this season.  By three months post-op, I was doing a lot of the things I wanted to, just being careful. Best of luck to you.  It is amazing what they can do to repair things these days. Bob

Response:

Well it is time to hang up my fly rod for the year.  I head into the hospital for ACL reconstruction of my left knee this morning and am out of business for the next 5 to 6 months.  All of you flyfishing nuts will have to make sure and post your adventures to the newsgroup so that I can at least read about flyfishing.   All was not lost for the year, I did get the opportunity to catch a 20 pound Rainbow Trout two weeks ago.  Definetly the highlight of my fishing life. Unfortunately, August was the wrong month to get the Gerrard’s in Kootenay Lake on a fly rod so will have to go back in April or May and attempt to get one. Have fun and enjoy the rest of your Summer! Mike

Response:

Question:

I planted creeping phlox 3 yrs. ago and for the first two yrs it did great its not looking that great anymore any suggestions on what to do? Should I fertilize it cut it back pull it out and replant I never realy touched what I have I just let it grow and its real thick but it looks like a lot of it is dying.

Response:

I planted creeping phlox 3 yrs. ago and for the first two yrs it did great its not looking that great anymore any suggestions on what to do? Should I fertilize it cut it back pull it out and replant I never realy touched what I have I just let it grow and its real thick but it looks like a lot of it is dying.

I have only had mine one year, so take it with a grain of salt, but I READ that sometimes you have to trim off the dead looking parts, mulch it well in winter, not let it stay too wet, and occasssionally divide it.  Anything there sound useful? — Signed,    Kellie My Karma Ran Over My Dogma.  It was a catastrophe! Now my dogma’s dead and my karma’s out of alignment. Get in "Knee Deep"!     The Internet Pond Society      http://w3.one.net/~rzutt/newsletter.html

Response:

Funny that you brought this up.  I too planted creeping phlox about 3-4 years ago.  I recieved a bounty of pink flowers and an evergreen spread.  It years that passes, at this time of year, large areas start dying out.  To date I have done nothing.  I have similar beds of phlox planted elsewhere and also soffer some die-out.  Just a perusal of my garden this morning made me want to cry.  Over half of the Phlox is turning brown and turning to dust (while a few weeks ago it was still green).   What should I do?  At present I shall continue to due nothing.  What is the problem … soil conditions, nematode infestation, blight … age of the culture.  I am tempted to go in and ‘thin’ it out. TTrue in RTP "Seek simplicity … then distrust it" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I planted creeping phlox 3 yrs. ago and for the first two yrs it did great its not looking that great anymore any suggestions on what to do? Should I fertilize it cut it back pull it out and replant I never realy touched what I have I just let it grow and its real thick but it looks like a lot of it is dying.

Response:

Can’t say for sure what the phlox problem is, but I’d suspect it could be die out due to poor drainage. This year has been particularly bad. Phlox subulata like well-drained conditions- folks often grow them in rock gardens and on slopes. The foliage seems to do best when allowed to scramble over rocks.  

Response:

  I’ve grown Phlox Sublata for years on the south facing slope of a well drained rock garden and have also suffered an unusually severe die-back this season (mostly last fall and early winter).  However, this isn’t the first time and it strongly depends on phlox color and/or foliage characteristics.  I have a blue that rarely shows any die-back but after blooming it has the least impressive foliage.  The new Candy Stripe regularly blooms then flops for me and I have a bright pink-red that has barely clung to life for years.   My plan is to rebuild the rock garden with lots of compost, sand, and manure additives to my basic clay.  That’s worked before and lasts for many years.  By all means pull out the deader sections after flowering. Often you’ll find the ends of mostly brown branches have rooted near the ends and will start new and healthy plants.  If you’ve got long mostly dead branches with green growth at the ends, you might be able to encourage rooting by pinninge one or more of these branches to the a nicely prepared bit of soil with a piece of bent wire and covering it with a little soil. — Lloyd Fortney http://www.phy.duke.edu/~fortney/ has links to my garden, flower, flyfishing, and travel JPEG images as well as teaching, research, and stuff like that

Response:

I’ve read that Phlox should be divided every 3(?) years to keep it from dying out.  The parent plant should be removed and you can replant it. Otherwise it can choke itself.  I’m not sure if this applies to all varieties, but at least some you should also cut back in winter. J.

Response:

Question:

If anyone would like to check out an article I wrote on the visual demands of flyfishing, check out the website below. It was intended for an Optometry journal, so it’s a bit technical in spots, but give it a try anyway. Dana Rohleder http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Dana_Rohleder/article.htm

Response:

If anyone would like to check out an article I wrote on the visual demands of flyfishing, check out the website below. It was intended for an Optometry journal, so it’s a bit technical in spots, but give it a try anyway. Dana Rohleder http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Dana_Rohleder/article.htmHi Dana

I really liked your piece, especially about "visualization" and nymph fishing. You are so right. I’ve printed a copy and hope you don’t mind if I quote it (with proper credit, etc.) in future ng posts or mag. articles. Those of you on the group really should take a look. Yes it is a bit technical but well written and very informative. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

Response:

If anyone would like to check out an article I wrote on the visual
demands of flyfishing, check out the website below. It was intended for
an Optometry journal, so it’s a bit technical in spots, but give it a
try anyway.
Dana Rohleder

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Dana_Rohleder/article.htm

– Posted using Reference.COM                         http://www.reference.com Browse, Search and Post         Usenet and Mailing list Archive and Catalog. InReference, Inc. accepts no responsibility for the content of this posting.

Response:

Question:

Where is the best place to fly fish for big Permit and Bonefish? Richard Robert Wong                        1993 Honda Civic Si Hatchback                                          Advanced Timing Visit My New & Improved Homepage  http://www.gate.net/~foxer           Atkid – 48 days – down 20

Response:

Where is the best place to fly fish for big Permit and Bonefish?

Response:

Where is the best place to fly fish for big Permit and Bonefish?

Don’t know if there’s a "best" place. Some folks go all the way to Christmas Island for bones, but you can’t beat the Florida Keys or the Bahamas. Plus, the plane fare’s cheaper. – MM

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, The last fly rod I bought was in 1973 when I purchased a Fenwick 4 piece travel rod for use in California mountain streams. Now I live in New Mexico and have access to the San Juan and a few other large trout waters and my 7′ pack rod doesn’t quite cut it. I looked around town for Redington (after following posts in this group) and no-one has ever heard of it. I liked a [very pricey] Orvis 9′  5 wt I found in one shop. The last shop I went to only sold Sage rods.  This guy tells me Orvis isn’t that good of quality any more and Sage is the way to go. I checked out to of the rods and for my taste they are to still. I really think $400.00  plus is too much, but the less expensive rods I looked at were pretty poor for what I considered a lot of money. Any suggestions?

I have a St. Croix 8 foot, 4-5wt rod…it’s a 4-piece travel rod and they also make a 8′6" 5-6wt 4 piece.  I bought mine for $100 and they may be $125 now.  It is a very nice rod for the price (I also have a Sage 590RPL which costs a lot more). I actually prefer the slightly slower action of the St. Croix.  When the situation demands it, the rod is still capable of throwing a lot of line.   A friend of mine really likes the action of the Sage Discovery Series rods (their introductory line of rods).  Good luck. August Kristoferson http://www.eskimo.com/~augustk

Response:

writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello, The last fly rod I bought was in 1973 when I purchased a Fenwick 4 piece travel rod for use in California mountain streams. Now I live in New Mexico and have access to the San Juan and a few other large trout waters and my 7′ pack rod doesn’t quite cut it. I looked around town for Redington (after following posts in this group) and no-one has ever heard of it. I liked a [very pricey] Orvis 9′  5 wt I found in one shop. The last shop I went to only sold Sage rods.  This guy tells me Orvis isn’t that good of quality any more and Sage is the way to go. I checked out to of the rods and for my taste they are to still. I really think $400.00  plus is too much, but the less expensive rods I looked at were pretty poor for what I considered a lot of money. Any suggestions? Mike

Hi Mike, If the $400 price range is a bit spendy for you check out the Orvis HLS RM series.  Rods are $240 -$250 for 2 peice and are made from the same blanks that 1995’s premium HLS used last year.  With the fancier fittings these rods sold for $350.  You get the same performance with a less fancy reel seat and handle, 2 coats of epoxy on the wraps instead of the 4 coats of low-build polyurethane varnish and a price tag of $100 less.  I would suggest you try the HLS RM "Adams" (8 1/2ft. 4 wt., $240), the HLS RM "Bighorn" (8 1/2ft. 5 wt., $240), and the HLS RM "Colorado" (9ft. 5wt., $250).  4 piece rods are about $50 more.  All of these are medium fast action rods made from a high modulus graphite.  Because of the line speed generated by the newer graphites you can use a 5 wt. where you used to need a 6 wt. and a 4 wt. where you used to need a 5 wt.  These rods are covered by the same 25 yr. "any way you break it guarantee" that Orvis has given since 1988, so you don’t need to worry about breakage even if it’s your fault.  Try them out and see what you think.                                    Hope this helps,                                                Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, The last fly rod I bought was in 1973 when I purchased a Fenwick 4 piece travel rod for use in California mountain streams. Now I live in New Mexico and have access to the San Juan and a few other large trout waters and my 7′ pack rod doesn’t quite cut it. I looked around town for Redington (after following posts in this group) and no-one has ever heard of it. I liked a [very pricey] Orvis 9′  5 wt I found in one shop. The last shop I went to only sold Sage rods.  This guy tells me Orvis isn’t that good of quality any more and Sage is the way to go. I checked out to of the rods and for my taste they are to still. I really think $400.00  plus is too much, but the less expensive rods I looked at were pretty poor for what I considered a lot of money. Any suggestions?

The most popular size fly rod sold in the West is a 9′ #5  2 piece.  If you are traveling on aircraft or back packing you might consider a 3 or 4 piece.  I would try to cast as many rods that you can and choose one that feels good. Many rod companies have unconditional warranties and if you keep this next one for 23 years you will get your moneys worth at any price. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

Response:

Hello, The last fly rod I bought was in 1973 when I purchased a Fenwick 4 piece travel rod for use in California mountain streams. Now I live in New Mexico and have access to the San Juan and a few other large trout waters and my 7′ pack rod doesn’t quite cut it. I looked around town for Redington (after following posts in this group) and no-one has ever heard of it. I liked a [very pricey] Orvis 9′  5 wt I found in one shop. The last shop I went to only sold Sage rods.  This guy tells me Orvis isn’t that good of quality any more and Sage is the way to go. I checked out to of the rods and for my taste they are to still. I really think $400.00  plus is too much, but the less expensive rods I looked at were pretty poor for what I considered a lot of money. Any suggestions? Mike

Response:

Question:

I am about ready to purchase a float tube but have recently seen adds for Pontoon Kick Boats.  Now I am really confused with so many options. I have tried a float tube and like it.  Is a kick boat really worth the additional cost or should I stay with the basics?  If I were to go with the kick boat, which model would give me the best performance for the cost?

I’v tried both ans still prefer the manueverability of a tube. Bob McDuffee Network Services Manager, WICHE Office:303.541.0299 Fax:303.541.0291

Response:

Whether something is worth the cost is pretty subjective.  I bought a float tube for about $150 a couple of years ago.  It works just fine.   I’ve never been tempted by U-boats, kick boats, pontoon boats or whatever "this year’s greatest invention of the century" the manufacturers can think of.

Response:

I stepped up to a pontoon boat (the Leigh) after wearing float tubes since the 70s.  I don’t plan to wear a float tube again.  Except for the weight, there’s no comparison in ease,etc.  Also on price.  The basic boat I have runs $325 — not much more than some tubes.  ’Course you can run that up considerably with oars and accessories.  I got the oars but seldom use them on stillwater unless I expect considerable wind. Dick Hubbard

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am about ready to purchase a float tube but have recently seen adds for Pontoon Kick Boats.  Now I am really confused with so many options. I have tried a float tube and like it.  Is a kick boat really worth the additional cost or should I stay with the basics?  If I were to go with the kick boat, which model would give me the best performance for the cost? I’v tried both ans still prefer the manueverability of a tube. Bob McDuffee Network Services Manager, WICHE Office:303.541.0299 Fax:303.541.0291 Hi I have fished with boats, they both have their advantages.U-BOATS are great for backbacking and small lakes.Were a kick boat is great with oars on large lakes but costs double the price of a u-boat

Response:

Can’t beat the price and portability of a U-boat for small lakes. If going to fish large windy lakes or reservoirs-get a pontoon boat.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am about ready to purchase a float tube but have recently seen adds for Pontoon Kick Boats.  Now I am really confused with so many options. I have tried a float tube and like it.  Is a kick boat really worth the additional cost or should I stay with the basics?  If I were to go with the kick boat, which model would give me the best performance for the cost? I’v tried both ans still prefer the manueverability of a tube. Bob McDuffee Network Services Manager, WICHE Office:303.541.0299 Fax:303.541.0291 Hi I have fished with boats, they both have their advantages.U-BOATS are great for

backbacking and small lakes.Were a kick boat is great with oars on la I have a tube, a U-boat, and a pontoon boat.  After using the U-boat and pontoon, I think the tube is very awkward and can be dangerous in some situations.  The additional price for the U shape is absolutly worth the additinoal price.  Do not get a regular tube! The difference between a U-boat and a pontoon boat is less imporant, but significant.  The pontoon sits you up higher so you can cast farther and see more fish.  The pontoon is easier to manouver, except in a side-wind.  The pontoon is more stable and more comfortable, and many can accomodate a rowing frame. I have a Caddis tube, a Creek Company U-Boat, and a Super Cat pontoon boat. Tight lines. -Doug (Olympia WA)

Response:

Bruce, I use a SuperCat 60 produced in the Seattle area after having used a float tube for several years.  I love the pontoon boat.  I stay warmer, its easier on my knees, and I have a rowing frame for windy or when-I’m-in-a-hurry conditions.  The only drawback I’ve seen other than slightly increased weight for packing in somewhere is the cost.  If you can afford it, I’d go pontoon boat.  If not, tubes are wonderful anyway.

Response:

Hello, Due to a nice gift certificate I now can comment on two low-end pontoon boats. I have a JW Outfitters Osprey ($300 two years ago) and a new Bucks Bag Colt ($200 now). I highly recommend either the Uboat design or pontoon boats, simply because of the ease of entry/exit.  I consider it a matter both of convenience and Valuable Fishing Time.  It matters because we always seem to wait too long before heading for shore for those necessary short breaks; at these times every second counts (removing smells from waders was another thread). I have been using the JW Osprey for two full seasons and really like it. I have only used the Bucks Colt once but have a few comments on both.  I think both are excellent fishing platforms and well worth the price if you can afford them. The Osprey is bigger and higher, a true pontoon boat as only your legs touch the water.  The Bucks Colt is shorter, stubbier and lower; functionally not much different than a Uboat. The JW Osprey (their lowest cost model) seat is well above the water; it is feasible to go without waders in warm weather, though your butt will get wet from splash.  With the seat out of the water it is possible to go much faster because of less water resistance.  For the same reason it is blown around by the wind more.  It is also more difficult to kick without surface disturbance, which can be very important in the shallows. The seat on the JW is of mesh supported by an aluminum tube framework. Your thighs rest on the forward crosstube and this is uncomfortable at first; I got sore the first few times but have built up muscles there. You have to keep the straps very tight to keep the seat from sagging. Cramps and soreness are pretty common complaints from beginners with any float tube until you get the right muscles developed. Over about 80 – 100 days of use, the seat supports are wearing out and I have had to reinforce the seatback.  The seat doesn’t offer great back support. New models seem to have a more rugged seat but I’m not sure how well it supports. To really enjoy the Osprey it is important to really blow up the tubes and pull the straps tight. The JW Osprey can be taken down completely to the aluminum tube pieces, the seat web and the pontoons, so it can be more compact and individual pieces can be stashed wherever they fit so it is pretty packable in a duffle or suitcase. To assemble it from this stage takes about fifteen minutes including blowing it up. The Bucks has a molded plastic seat that is comfortable for me.  You sit just below the water level so you push a little surface when you paddle, so it’s top speed is more like a Vboat or Uboat. You’d be wet from the waist down without waders.  The rigid seat makes it less compact but it folds into about a 2′ square. It has more support in the lower back area and is very comfortable, even for a beginner, as long as your butt fits the molded seat. The Bucks has hypalon or some covering on the underside of the pontoon tubes, the JW outfitters shows a little abrasion wear on the nylon fabric (more expensive models of JW have hypalon coverings). The Bucks has more pocket space, though stuff in the big pocket in the seat gets wet. It can fold up compact with the tubes together after inflating and with add-on strappsd can be packed.  Both are of similar weight – around 10-15 lbs. The same straps can be used to carry the JW, but it is still about five feet wide  (JW has a "backpacker" model better for this). The only nuisance I found with the Bucks Colt was a lack of velcro tiedowns to secure the rod while changing flies, smoking etc.  I can easily add some.  And no stable deck on which to rest a beer – I set it in a pocket and the zipper holds it. If budget is your main concern, get any float tube and get started as it is an enjoyable way to fish, but if you can afford to get a pontoon boat. Mark Vinsel couch potato no, floating tuber yes Visit my gallery: http://www.lanminds.com/local/vinnie/gallery.HTML

Response:

I am about ready to purchase a float tube but have recently seen adds for Pontoon Kick Boats.  Now I am really confused with so many options. I have tried a float tube and like it.  Is a kick boat really worth the additional cost or should I stay with the basics?  If I were to go with the kick boat, which model would give me the best performance for the cost?

I have had a kick boat called a Waterwagon for about 15 years, and consider it ideal for flyfishing in lakes and ponds.  It is higher off the water than a float tube, and although I haven’t used any of the inflatable pontoon style kick boats, this seems like a superior design because of its rigidity, portability, and so on.  I don’t know if the WaterWagon company is still in business, but there are similar styles out there.  One was shown in a photo in this year’s magazine, FFing for Bass and Panfish. The waterwagon is a flat styrofoam "boat" about, 3×5′ and 6" thick, shaped like this:                           —        –                                            |  |      |  |                                            |  |      |  |        It is reinforced with aluminum pipe |    —–   | and the pipe reinforcing     is exposed in |      x     | front at the open end of the "U".  You sit |            | at the "x" with your flippered feet hanging       |            | in the water from about mid-shin  down.  Since only your|            | feet are in don’t wear waders in water down to about 55.  It weighs about 20 lbs., and is easy to carry over your shoulder, leaving the other hand free for rod and flippers.  It easily carries a small cooler, a second rod, etc., fits in the back of a pick up or is easy to car-top.      It is highly maneuverable, leaves both hands free to handle line and rod, keeps you up high out of the water so drooping backcasts are not a problem, and has nothing to catch your loose line on.  With good fins it is reasonably fast (a slow walking speed), and it is very stable.  I commonly cross a 300 yard arm of a local lake on it, and in an afternoon will often fish about a mile of shoreline, cross over and fish a mile or so back.      Any bass over about 3 lbs. will tow you around a bit.  Overall, I think it’s the best of all possible boats for lake and pond fishing!  It’s better that a bass boat with a trolling motor, because it leaves your hands completely free and still doesn’t put a bunch of stuff on the floor to tangle your line on.  It’s even better that having a partner paddle you in a canoe, because you are in complete control of how far or close to the bank you want to be. Mine cost around $200 10-12 years ago, and I wouldn’t bat hesitate spending 2 or 3 times that amount to replace it, since there is nothing that I know that compares to it for fishing convenience. The only drawbacks are that you move backwards and a right handed FFer will normally be most comfortable moving parallel to a shoreline fishing the left hand bank.  I spent a very frustating 10 minutes going in circles when I started using it, but got accustomed to manuvering it with my feet on the first trip and never thought about it since.   — University of Illinois at Springfield

Response:

: I am about ready to purchase a float tube but have recently seen adds for : Pontoon Kick Boats.  Now I am really confused with so many options. : I have tried a float tube and like it.  Is a kick boat really worth the : additional cost or should I stay with the basics?  If I were to go with : the kick boat, which model would give me the best performance for the : cost? I have been using a kick boat for a few years now and I really like it.   They are better in a few ways.  You can go in shallower water.  You get less cold because you are not IN the water as much.  The casting platform is higher off the water so casting is a bit easier. I’d love to have one of the new commercial kick boats, they look REALLY nice! — Bruce Conner

Response:

I am about ready to purchase a float tube but have recently seen adds for Pontoon Kick Boats.  Now I am really confused with so many options. I have tried a float tube and like it.  Is a kick boat really worth the additional cost or should I stay with the basics?  If I were to go with the kick boat, which model would give me the best performance for the cost?

Response:

Question:

You can get this book from Judith Bowman , Pound Ridge Rd.  Bedford, NY   10506       (914) 234-7543 Standard disclaimers blah blah…  – Bruce Conner

Response:

Garrison & Carmichael’s "A master’s guide to bamboo rod building", as far as I know was reprinted for the third time recently (November 1994), and listed for about $60.  It seems to be a popular book, so by now the might really be out of print again.  Try to special order through a bookstore, since they can tell if there are still copies around.
                                   Sincerely,
                                   Kin Chan

I just received the latest catalog from Wilderness Adventures Sporting Books (1-800-925-3339), and they claim they have a few copies of "a master’s guide to building a bamboo rod". They go on to say that the publisher is sold out and Price……so we can all imagine what that means….. Inge

Response:

: I just received the latest catalog from Wilderness Adventures Sporting Books : (1-800-925-3339), and they claim they have a few copies of "a master’s guide to : building a bamboo rod". They go on to say that the publisher is sold out and : Price……so we can all imagine what that means….. : Inge I went by the Philadelphia Orvis store, and they had it, new and boxed for $60.  their #: 215-567-6207

Response:

: I just received the latest catalog from Wilderness Adventures Sporting Books : (1-800-925-3339), and they claim they have a few copies of "a master’s guide to : building a bamboo rod". They go on to say that the publisher is sold out and

: Price……so we can all imagine what that means….. : Inge I went by the Philadelphia Orvis store, and they had it, new and boxed for $60.  their #: 215-567-6207

For any folks out on the West Coast, Western Sport Shop in San Rafael has them in stock, at least a couple in the wraps.  Their ph# 415-456-5454 –Gene is the resident book expert.  They will ship, also.

Response:

Hi folks! I’m new to the newsgroup but have been fly fishing since I was 6. I am looking for a copy of the book, "A Masters Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod". This book is out of print. I suppose it is a "Classic" and therefore hard to find. Any information on fishing the Elk River in Tennessee would be appreciated.– Doug Chapman "Be sure you’re right, then go ahead." Davy Crockett

Response:

Hi folks! I’m new to the newsgroup but have been fly fishing since I was 6. I am looking for a copy of the book, "A Masters Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod". This book is out of print. I suppose it is a "Classic" and therefore hard to find.

It’s back! A Masters Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod (3rd ed., 1994) Everett Garrison & Hoagy Carmichael Meadow Run Press Stone Harbor, NJ it’s $60 US (boxed hardcover) But if you’re at all serious it’s probably worth it. — Blair Sharpe Ottawa, ON, Canada

Response: