Question:

        With the 4 wt. line repaired, a new leader tied up, and an assortment of new flies to try, it was back to the pond this afternoon.  Had to leave work early to get some estimates on windshield repair after a gravel truck "rocked" me Monday evening, leaving a couple nasty chips in the windscreen. Bloody hell.  Got that taken care of (at least the estimating and insurance claim part), and had a few hours left to worry the panfish with my latest offerings.         At the tying bench, I rigged up some mosquito larvae, and three each of partridge and red, partridge and orange, and partridge and yellow soft hackles in #12.  It was supposed to be light wind today, and I suppose by ND standards it was (10-15 mph and a bit gusty).  Enough though to make casting the 4 wt. a bit interesting.         Taking a look at the water as I rigged up, I didn’t see any surface action, even in the sheltered areas.  Did note several "stalkers", hanging about a foot below the surface.  They would slowly rise at intervals, gently taking some tiny stuff on its way to the surface.  Hmmm, could be interesting…         Decided that since it’d been rather cool and cloudy for several days past, perhaps a brighter colour would be in order. Split the difference and tied on a partridge and orange.  A couple casts near a stalker had it charge the soft hackle and I brought the first fish to hand.  Promising start.         The fish were holding along a shade line about 25-30 ft. out. Delicate and accurate casting required, lest one put them down. The 4 wt. really shone here, even with having to deal with the wind.  Of course, I *did* manage to put them down on more than one occasion, but left to their own devices for 5 minutes or so, they’d take up station again.         This was quite a fascinating exercise — casting to these stalking fish.  If I dropped the fly within about 3-4" of their nose, they’d usually make a grab for it.  If it was closer than that, it’d spook the fish, and it’d go down.  Much further than 5" from their nose, and they’d be disinclined to chase it, often as not. Dragging the fly through the strike zone would induce some fish to strike and others to follow.  Some would follow for a considerable distance, say 10-15′+ before they either decided it looked good enough to eat (the less frequent case), or that it was something "fishy", and break off persuit.  Never could tell what would happen.         At least one fish came off his stalking station some three feet to whack the P&O with authority.  Others needed several casts more or less in front of their nose before they would either go down or give the fly a taste test.  Very visual fishing, and great fun!         Had one crappie take the P&O as well, and got him in close before he executed an LDR.  I worked the stalkers for quite a while before they finally went down to stay, and I moved to another part of the pond.         Here, I found cruisers working quite close to shore along with the suspending stalkers.  Flipped into a shade edge near where some of the stalkers were working, and got thumped, followed by a more vigorous than usual pull.  Most of the bluegill I’d been getting had been in the 7-8" range, with a few around 9", but this fish pulled like a freight train, relatively speaking.  Fought this fish for a couple minutes before bringing him up.  A real bull bluegill, measuring an honest 11", and biggest I’ve seen out of the pond!  Indeed, one of the larger ones I’ve *ever* taken on *any* tackle, let alone on a fly rod.         That was really neat, but what followed was even better. I noticed a rainbow cruising in the shade near the shoreline, and made a cast to it.  Haven’t had any great luck on the stocked rainbows, but this was about to change…  My cast went a bit beyond him, and off to one side.  Starting a slow retrieve, I could see him change direction and make a bee-line toward the fly. This is usually where they come up on it, and go "pbbbbtttt" at me.  Not this time!  He came right up to the fly, and in a whink the fly was gone.  Set the hook, and had the little beggar on the line!  He put on a good show with two nice jumps before I finally brought him to hand.  The tape said 11 3/4", and I was doing a happy dance for *finally* outwitting one of those finicky rainbows.  Deep intense green over the back, and nice colour on the sides to boot.  Very pretty fish.  On the other hand, it wasn’t exactly what one would call fat.  Looked more like an oversized, colourful smelt, save for the typical salmonid head. Suspect the forage base in the pond, which is near 100% insect life from what I’ve been able to observe, isn’t sufficient to fatten them up.         Had another rainbow follow the P&O and take a nip at it, but didn’t hook him up.  Went back to working bluegill, and wound up with a good number more brought to hand before I finally called it a day.  Quit counting bluegill after 50 fish caught and released, but would guess the total for the three hour session at 65-75 fish.  All on the same P&O soft hackle, which now is pretty well shredded, needless to say.         The trout was a nice bonus, after more than a few frustrating attempts and a couple near misses trying to bring one to hand. Been quite a while since I’ve caught trout while actually fishing for them.  The last  time I did was quite memorable.  One of my younger brothers and a friend of his wanted me to show them how to flyfish.  We went up to a trout lake, launched the boat, and messed around with spoons and such for some of the other species in the lake with no luck.  Brother starts to get on my case about fly fishing.  I rigged up the 7 wt., tied on a bead head GRHE, looked for a likely spot to make a cast, and launched my line.  Strip…  strip… strip.. *wham*, fish on!  After a brief fight, brought a nice, fat 15" rainbow to hand.  Unhooked the fish, put it in the livewell for a well-deserved trout dinner, unstrung and cased my rod, turned to brother and said "that, dear brother, is how you fly fish.".  I *did* work with him and his friend on casting, etc., but they didn’t catch cold, let alone any fish, and he lost interest in flyfishing shortly thereafter.  Indeed, he pretty well lost interest in fishing period, and took up golf instead.  Oh well, I tried! Todd

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assortment of new flies to try, it was back to the pond this afternoon.

Thanks for another great pond trip report. i sure am enjoying your shareing your series of adventures at the pond. Big Dale

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Question:

I was hoping someone  had some information or plans on how i could build some fishing rod holders for my garage. I want to screw them to the ceiling. Thanks in advance for any help Wade

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Wade, If no one has plans, let me know and I will trace mine for you. Gary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was hoping someone  had some information or plans on how i could build some fishing rod holders for my garage. I want to screw them to the ceiling. Thanks in advance for any help Wade

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One of the best ways to hold your rods to the rafters of your garage is to install lengths of PVC pipe from the rafters.  Size determines how many rods you can put in each pipe. Single storage for the small pipe, multiple storage several rods in one spot.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was hoping someone  had some information or plans on how i could build some fishing rod holders for my garage. I want to screw them to the ceiling. Thanks in advance for any help Wade

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    This depends on what you are looking for.  As for mine, they are made from lenghts of 4" PVC pipe.  I have to cap mine, no glue, to keep the insects out.  Also keeps the dust and dirt off the equipment.  I have them tied to the ceiling stringers with cord as my garage is not lined.     Thought I’d pass this along.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was hoping someone  had some information or plans on how i could build some fishing rod holders for my garage. I want to screw them to the ceiling. Thanks in advance for any help Wade

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I was hoping someone  had some information or plans on how i could build some fishing rod holders for my garage. I want to screw them to the ceiling.

I knew a girl like that once . . . Marc, who luckily got older and wiser Seriously, depends on what kind of rods.  If it’s surf rods I’ll second the PVC suggestion.  Fly rods I’d just buy a contraption which hangs from the rafters and holds the rods horizontally.  Wouldn’t waste the time trying to build something like that.

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Question:

Hi Does anyone know if there is any saltwater flyfishing to be had in these countries

My friend’s father was a weapons salseman for Raytheon based in the UAE. He told me the whole area was teeming with fish.  Showed me a picture of him holding up a sailfish.  He himself wasn’t into fishing but was surprised at how good the fishing was.  This was about 10 years ago. Sorry, don’t have any more specific info. Mu

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Last question first, no, I do not live there but have been in that area too many times to count – maybe a hundred – often for a couple of months per-visit.

I was brought up there and just in the process of moving back There are (were) a couple of hotels in Oman that promoted fishing as part of a tourism package, but FF-ing is seldom seen in the Gulf.

of effect or awareness ? With a British passport, you have a greater degree of freedom in areas where the Crown formerly held sway (still does).

I knew it was useful for something ……   The Emirates are safer than most US or UK territories,

One of the reasons I want to move back out there  but not Pakistan.  There are lots of fish-bearing fresh water rivers and streams in Pakistan, particularly in the mountainous areas, but those are mostly in/near the disputed zones and, ignoring the cross-border risks, there are banditos who have absolutely no regard to who you are or where you came from, as long as someone will pay for your return.  If you’re captured and nobody seems interested in paying, you become fertilizer and the next "guest" comes into view.

Yet again politics get in the way enough said on this one ……oh well some day … Be careful.

or just sensible and not go rgds JF

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I have hear the ‘Sailfish Mecca’ comment from a few people ….. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Does anyone know if there is any saltwater flyfishing to be had in these countries My friend’s father was a weapons salseman for Raytheon based in the UAE. He told me the whole area was teeming with fish.  Showed me a picture of him holding up a sailfish.  He himself wasn’t into fishing but was surprised at how good the fishing was.  This was about 10 years ago. Sorry, don’t have any more specific info. Mu

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During one trip to the Gulf, a local English language newspaper had an article (with photo), about a large black marlin that was caught in the Indian Ocean, just below the Straits of Hormuz (Oman).  I believe that an Australian or Kiwi had begun a charter fishing business in Muscat for the purpose of catching the "big fish". Generally, the Gulf waters are shallow, excepting specific "lanes" that are regularly dredged from the northern end of the straits to the oil terminals off Saudi and Mina al-Ahmadi off Kuwait to support the deep draft tankers.  Most of the "big fish" talk that I’ve heard was specific to the deeper waters in the northern Indian Ocean along the southern coast of OMAN.  Keep in mind that the distances are short between these places and with a Brit passport, you can move freely between any of those countries without the necessity for visas or NOC’s. The whole area is a fascinating place with vestiges of history traceable back over a long span of time (human time).  Fishing is only one recreational aspect. Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have hear the ‘Sailfish Mecca’ comment from a few people ….. Hi Does anyone know if there is any saltwater flyfishing to be had in these countries My friend’s father was a weapons salseman for Raytheon based in the UAE. He told me the whole area was teeming with fish.  Showed me a picture of him holding up a sailfish.  He himself wasn’t into fishing but was surprised at how good the fishing was.  This was about 10 years ago. Sorry, don’t have any more specific info. Mu

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Hi Does anyone know if there is any saltwater flyfishing to be had in these countries or freshwater in Pakistan thanks

Hi, My brother spent time in the Persian Gulf. He always talked about stripping streamers there with a very large rod. To see a picture of my brother in the Persian Gulf (although he’s not fishing at the moment), go to http://www.montana.com/dno/brian.htm . Scroll toward the bottom and you’ll see Marcus Nelson in the Persian Gulf but be prepared for a large K download. There’s lots of photos. Other than that, thats as close as I can come. — Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno 406-626-4022

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thanks Brian – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Does anyone know if there is any saltwater flyfishing to be had in these countries or freshwater in Pakistan thanks Hi, My brother spent time in the Persian Gulf. He always talked about stripping streamers there with a very large rod. To see a picture of my brother in the Persian Gulf (although he’s not fishing at the moment), go to http://www.montana.com/dno/brian.htm . Scroll toward the bottom and you’ll see Marcus Nelson in the Persian Gulf but be prepared for a large K download. There’s lots of photos. Other than that, thats as close as I can come. — Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno 406-626-4022

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Hi Tom thanks for the quick response Yes, but it’s not popular.  I have flyfished along the Northern coast of the Emirates (West of the cement factory at the Omani border) a few times, but most fishing is with bait.  Of interest, there are BIG tarpon in those warm waters.

Is this due to results ….or simply that fly is not promoted locally ? One of the most nervous moments of my life occurred in about 1989 about 5 miles off the coast of Ras al-Khaimah, while fishing on a Friday. Around midday, we were bottom-fishing over a big rock pile and pretty oblivious to our surroundings when I noticed an Iranian gunboat about a half mile away and closing.  Note that we were clearly in UAE waters, but there was no way to know what the Irani crew had in mind.  I was prepared to eat my US passport, when a US Navy helicopter rose above the horizon and began to prosecute the gunboat.  There was no offensive action by either and the gunboat retreated toward his territorial waters while we began thinking about getting out of that area.

I have heard of the Navy prtecting fisheries ….but that is dramatic ….. We did catch a few Cobia which we enjoyed that night, cooked over charcoal and brushed with lemon butter.

Sounds marvelous As for freshwater fishing in Pakistan, DO NOT plan on venturing anywhere in the bush unless you’re in the immediate company of an armed band. Check with the US Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulate in Karachi before you make any plans.

I am British so will liase with my Embassy there …..is it worth it is there any fishing to be had ? Did you live in the Emirates ? thanks again James

Response:

Last question first, no, I do not live there but have been in that area too many times to count – maybe a hundred – often for a couple of months per-visit. There are (were) a couple of hotels in Oman that promoted fishing as part of a tourism package, but FF-ing is seldom seen in the Gulf. With a British passport, you have a greater degree of freedom in areas where the Crown formerly held sway (still does).  The Emirates are safer than most US or UK territories, but not Pakistan.  There are lots of fish-bearing fresh water rivers and streams in Pakistan, particularly in the mountainous areas, but those are mostly in/near the disputed zones and, ignoring the cross-border risks, there are banditos who have absolutely no regard to who you are or where you came from, as long as someone will pay for your return.  If you’re captured and nobody seems interested in paying, you become fertilizer and the next "guest" comes into view. Be careful. Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Tom thanks for the quick response Yes, but it’s not popular.  I have flyfished along the Northern coast of the Emirates (West of the cement factory at the Omani border) a few times, but most fishing is with bait.  Of interest, there are BIG tarpon in those warm waters. Is this due to results ….or simply that fly is not promoted locally ? One of the most nervous moments of my life occurred in about 1989 about 5 miles off the coast of Ras al-Khaimah, while fishing on a Friday. Around midday, we were bottom-fishing over a big rock pile and pretty oblivious to our surroundings when I noticed an Iranian gunboat about a half mile away and closing.  Note that we were clearly in UAE waters, but there was no way to know what the Irani crew had in mind.  I was prepared to eat my US passport, when a US Navy helicopter rose above the horizon and began to prosecute the gunboat.  There was no offensive action by either and the gunboat retreated toward his territorial waters while we began thinking about getting out of that area. I have heard of the Navy prtecting fisheries ….but that is dramatic ….. We did catch a few Cobia which we enjoyed that night, cooked over charcoal and brushed with lemon butter. Sounds marvelous As for freshwater fishing in Pakistan, DO NOT plan on venturing anywhere in the bush unless you’re in the immediate company of an armed band. Check with the US Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulate in Karachi before you make any plans. I am British so will liase with my Embassy there …..is it worth it is there any fishing to be had ? Did you live in the Emirates ? thanks again James

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Hi Does anyone know if there is any saltwater flyfishing to be had in these countries or freshwater in Pakistan thanks

Response:

Yes, but it’s not popular.  I have flyfished along the Northern coast of the Emirates (West of the cement factory at the Omani border) a few times, but most fishing is with bait.  Of interest, there are BIG tarpon in those warm waters. One of the most nervous moments of my life occurred in about 1989 about 5 miles off the coast of Ras al-Khaimah, while fishing on a Friday. Around midday, we were bottom-fishing over a big rock pile and pretty oblivious to our surroundings when I noticed an Iranian gunboat about a half mile away and closing.  Note that we were clearly in UAE waters, but there was no way to know what the Irani crew had in mind.  I was prepared to eat my US passport, when a US Navy helicopter rose above the horizon and began to prosecute the gunboat.  There was no offensive action by either and the gunboat retreated toward his territorial waters while we began thinking about getting out of that area. We did catch a few Cobia which we enjoyed that night, cooked over charcoal and brushed with lemon butter. As for freshwater fishing in Pakistan, DO NOT plan on venturing anywhere in the bush unless you’re in the immediate company of an armed band. Check with the US Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulate in Karachi before you make any plans. Tom Hi Does anyone know if there is any saltwater flyfishing to be had in these countries or freshwater in Pakistan thanks

– Tom Brown The Signal Group Wake Forest, NC If Lee had listened to Longstreet and flanked Meade at Gettysburg instead of sending Pickett up the middle, you’d be paying taxes to Richmond instead of Washington.                                              anonymous

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Question:

Does anyone know of an island with good fly fishing in the Caribbean? I’m specifically talking about the Eastern Caribbean, the islands they call the Lesser Antilles. My wife wants to go on vacation there, and I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to do while she lies on the beach… Thanks for any help. Simon Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

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The Virgin Islands have a few flats. St John is actually very nice is many ways. You have to be careful though. I was held up at gun point in St Thomas last year when fishing probably the best flat which is off a beach that only locals go to. St John does not have that problem and is mostly a national park. I. Clair

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Question:

Help save our migratory fishery.  I’ve heard that we should all throw a bale of straw into the Columbia River.  It seems the straw bales get soggy and take out gill nets, thus helping the fish to survive them. Does this really work or make sense as ‘a protest vote?’ — Mr. G. http://www.gink.com (World’s Best Dry Fly Dressing) http://www.rodbuilding.com (For the Serious Rod Builder) http://www.xink.com (World’s Best Wet Fly Sink)

Question:

As with anything having to do with this sport, get the best you can afford. Metz, Spencer, and a half-dozen other growers often sell half capes for about the same price as the next grade down. Unless you are tying up to professional prodution a good #2 grade half will last through several seasons. Everyone resents the initial outlay of $$$ for a good cape, but the payoff is you don’t purchase them very often. Cabela’s and other supply houses also sell decent genetic necks that are quite useful, if limited in size and color.

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how bout finding some fishin’ buddies to split some necks with….that how I started out. some times stores will sell you split necks, if you take classes from them…they can always use the other half in class or for production tying. i agree with the other respondent, however, buy the best you can..you’ll be disappointed with the #3’s for drys size 14 and smaller. happy tying,….and DON"T GIVE UP!! there aren’t enuff of us out there! #:)#  Larry Medina

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Hoffman Super Saddle. Tons of real long feathers 10 down to 18 or so. Can tie two or three flies per feather.

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I need some new hackle, I’m getting better at tieing, and the hackle from the kit sucks.  I would like to hear some opinions on which Hackle to buy.   I am leaning towards Metz grade #3 in Grizzly from Orvis (29 bucks), anyone know of a better deal let me know.  Thanks. Scott

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I thought that a grade three hackle would be better for tying wet flies than dry, but I just read an article that said that they rate the hackle by the count of usable feathers, the main size, and length. I thought that a grade 3 hackle would be softer hackle than a grade 1 or 2 is this true or are there just more usable feathers on a grade 1. Can you tye as good a dry with a grade 3 hackle as you could with grade 1.  I am simply a begginer I dont know grade 3 hackles are softer by expierience I just thought that was how it was THANKS! The factors that determine a hackle grade are numerous.  A neck or saddle are graded on the number of usable hackles, length of hackle, color, webbiness, stem diameter and uniformity of barbule lengtht. Now the problem arises when you compare hackles from two different companies.  A #2 Hoffman  may be better than a #1Metz metz.  Will a #3 be "softer"?  Well yes it may have a little, or a lot, more web depending on the company.  A #3 Hoffman will tie a good dry fly, but some of the other companies it may not.   The best thing to do is to inspect it carefully before you buy it.  Generally it can be said that you will get what you pay for. About 7 years ago I bought my first Hoffman saddle and now I am hooked.  I have currently 5 Hoffman saddles and 3 necks.  They are the only ones I use for my dries.  I know they are kinda expensive and I have a tight budget, but they are worth it.  There is nothing more frustrating to me than trying to tie a good fly with a shitty feather.   Good Luck, Marty

Hi Marty, I agree. Hoffman is only company that has saddle hackle that is small and stiff for trout dries. In the old days, we always used rooster saddles for wets and rooster necks for dries. Henry Hoffman changed that. Metz saddles are better for wet flies as they don’t seem to be stiff enough for dries. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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  <big snip   Then Metz started to become available and Henry started to bring over some of his first "super grizzly".  This is one area where materials have only gotten better.

  Amen to that. Several months ago a guy came into the local shop carrying grampa’s tying kit. Grampa must have been a serious tyer, the kit had a lot of really nice stuff (jungle cock cape, etc), the tools and thread were all top quality from that era. The dry fly hackles were a different story altogether; the individual feathers were all tapered, the stems were thick (compared to modern hackle), and none of the feathers would tie smaller than about sz 10. Charlie

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writes: Amen to that. Several months ago a guy came into the local shop carrying grampa’s tying kit. Grampa must have been a serious tyer, the kit had a lot of really nice stuff (jungle cock cape, etc), the tools and thread were all top quality from that era. The dry fly hackles were a different story altogether; the individual feathers were all tapered, the stems were thick (compared to modern hackle), and none of the feathers would tie smaller than about sz 10.

I’m not yet as old as grandpa, but a size 16 would be the smallest you could find on a neck, they would be less than an inch long, and you would need to use at 3 or 4 feathers to tie one fly.  Thought I’d died and gone to heaven when I got my first Metz #2 brown neck.  I still have it but there are no feathers left smaller than #10.                                                         Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

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writes:    Hi! I thought that a grade three hackle would be better for tying wet flies than dry, but I just read an article that said that they rate the hackle by the count of usable feathers, the main size, and length. I thought that a grade 3 hackle would be softer hackle than a grade 1 or 2 is this true or are there just more usable feathers on a grade 1. Can you tye as good a dry with a grade 3 hackle as you could with grade 1.  I am simply a begginer I dont know grade 3 hackles are softer by expierience I just thought that was how it was THANKS!

Hi Dolph, As others have said here, none of the growers grade on the same standards.  But within a particular brand, there is a big difference between a #1 and a #3. Historically (this is all subject to change), the #1 necks had higher feather counts, smaller sizes, less webbing, longer length feathers (more useable feather), more flexible stems,  rounder stems, and denser barb counts on the feather (more barbs per inch).  Usually the biggest difference between 1 and 2’s is the quantity of small sizes – more of the 20 through 24 sizes on the #1’s.  Often the #1’s don’t have useable size 10 or 12 feathers because the stems are too thick.  #3 necks often have more webbing than 1’s or 2’s but not always.  Most often the biggest difference between 2’s and 3’s is that the stems on the 3’s are stiffer, and sometimes oblong instead of round.  This makes them very tough to wind. The grading system is hardly perfect and you can often look through a batch of #2’s and find some that are as good as the #1’s and #’3s that are as good as 2’s.   Nothing compares to the Hoffman’s necks.  Their #2’s are comparable to just about anyone elses #1’s.  The saddles make great dry fly tying feathers but primarily have only 2 sizes on them.  The necks have a wide assortment of sizes.  Haven’t seen any saddles that will compare with the Hoffman’s for dry flys. For wet flies I still use hen neck feathers.  They are shorter and have more rounded tips.  These are always webby and fold easily for that swept back look on wets.  Used to be able to find them easily and they were cheap.  Haven’t seen many in recent years.  Get them if you can find them, they are a far better choice for wet flies than rooster necks. We are spoiled today with the necks available.  I remember when indian capes were all that you could get.  I would take a trip over to Tigard, OR once in a while just to paw through Kaufmann’s capes.  Lance and Randall would go over to India each year, select their own stock, and bring it back.  Then Metz started to become available and Henry started to bring over some of his first "super grizzly".  This is one area where materials have only gotten better.                          Good Tying,                               Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

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When you use TWO on a dry fly, you need to take a size 16 (for example) feather from the right side of a cape and the left side.   Mr. G.

Good post.   I’m curious about your left/right suggestion.  I never make any effort to use feathers from opposite sides of the cape when double wrapping. Could you elaborate more on why this is useful? Regards, Joe.  

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        Hi! I thought that a grade three hackle would be better for tying wet flies than dry, but I just read an article that said that they rate the hackle by the count of usable feathers, the main size, and length. I thought that a grade 3 hackle would be softer hackle than a grade 1 or 2 is this true or are there just more usable feathers on a grade 1. Can you tye as good a dry with a grade 3 hackle as you could with grade 1.  I am simply a begginer I dont know grade 3 hackles are softer by expierience I just thought that was how it was THANKS!                                         Dolph

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This is a multi-part message in MIME format. Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit DEAR BUZZARD:  You happen to ask a question that I must rise too.  It is an excellent question.  May I add a few thoughts to get this discussion going? The observation is keen that different hackle manufacturers are indeed grading their hackles differently.  In fact, I doubt the lot of them ever got together and came up with a standard that rates necks from different companies to the same matching-game.  Everyone should give this some thought. Frankly Buzzard, you’re going to have to become a good judge of hackle/necks yourself.  There are certain things you must always pay attention too and I’m not about to cover them all here and now.  But each tier has certain patterns that require different advantages from feathers.  They can be softness, hardness, webbing, lack of webbing, short feathers, long feathers, narrow and wide, the combinations are endless and all feathers have a use in fly tying in one fly or another. Remembe this.  Never throw them away. Besides colors (any color) A feather for DRY FLY FISHING is different in desired aspects than hen feathers for wet flies, nymphs, streamers, etc. BUT!  A hen feather doesn’t necessarily mean it is a feather of less worth. I (personally) won’t settle for a number two neck when for a few dollars more I will be happier with a number one (1)!  The difference between a two and a one can be miles apart even though the numbers are next to each other.  Numbers mean different values to different people.  In grading feathers (Cock necks) throw the number system out the window. Waste it.  It means nothing between manufacturers, BUT with a specific manufacturer such as Hoffman necks, it can be a very reliable numbering system because of one factor.  Hoffman Products (now raised in Grand Junction Colorado) are CONSISTANT and TIGHT in quality.  Whereas; Metz Necks vary with the wind and each chicken season.  Quality always suffers when production increases beyond supervisory abilities.  Hate to say it, but its true. A DRY FLY FEATHER must have certain factors for each tier.  Length, evenly wide hackles, very little webbing, barbel stiffness, sharp tips (not curled on the ends, etc.) flexiable (not brittle) stems, maturity, (in look and feel)  and when you inspect a neck, make sure the skin isn’t brittle so it will crack when bent a little.  (Use some gink on the skin back to keep it from drying out.  Excellent for this, incidently.  And please everyone, don’t slam me for offering a friendly fact) So, basically, today . . .  because of neck retail prices, the trend is splitting a Hoffman neck.  When you buy a split, you are getting only right handed or left  handed bends in feathers.  When you use TWO on a dry fly, you need to take a size 16 (for example) feather from the right side of a cape and the left side.  So, what I’m saying, is . . . if at all possible, always buy the complete neck if its financially comfortable or possible. I’ll let everyone take it from here. Mr. G.         Hi! I thought that a grade three hackle would be better for tying wet flies than dry, but I just read an article that said that they rate the hackle by the count of usable feathers, the main size, and length. I thought that a grade 3 hackle would be softer hackle than a grade 1 or 2 is this true or are there just more usable feathers on a grade 1. Can you tye as good a dry with a grade 3 hackle as you could with grade 1.  I am simply a begginer I dont know grade 3 hackles are softer by expierience I just thought that was how it was THANKS!                                         Dolph

Content-Type: text/x-vcard; charset=us-ascii; name="vcard.vcf" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Description: Card for Mr. G. Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="vcard.vcf" begin:          vcard fn:             Mr. G. n:              ;Mr. G. org:            Gehrke’s Fly Fishing Products title:          President note:           Do something, even if it’s right x-mozilla-cpt:  ;0 x-mozilla-html: FALSE end:            vcard

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I have an ‘M.sinensis giganteus’. The season is too short here in southern Ontario (USDA 5) and consequentially this majestic plant will not flower (go to seed).This grass is from, I believe, northern China/south eastern Russia.How can I ‘cheat’ the plant into flowering? Thanks for any and all help. John.

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I have an ‘M.sinensis giganteus’. The season is too short here in southern Ontario (USDA 5) and consequentially this majestic plant will not flower (go to seed).This grass is from, I believe, northern China/south eastern Russia.How can I ‘cheat’ the plant into flowering? Thanks for any and all help. John.

Where did you get this plant? I would love to have one.  I live in Oklahoma and the miscanthus I have do wonderfully.

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Where did you get this plant? I would love to have one.  I live in Oklahoma and the miscanthus I have do wonderfully.

  Get a copy of the Kurt Bluemel catalog. They specialize in grasses and their catalog lists 53 varieties of Miscanthus, typically at $6 each. Good quality plants.  Their address is 2740 Greene Lane Baldwin, MD 21013-9523 410 557-7229   Doesn’t your grass grow pretty much horizontal in all that wind? <g  I grew up near/in Enid. — Lloyd R. Fortney ….. http://www.phy.duke.edu/~fortney physics, research, teaching, photography, flower gardening, travel, and fly fishing

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.. the problem is with the fonts in netscape … it seems to pick up a wierd font when setting it up.. especially the earlier netscapes. go into the fonts list and find the offending font and get rid of it, netscape then picks another … – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – keyboarded:

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writes: I am an advanced beginner fresh and saltwater flyfisherman. I will be in Miami in late May and was thinking of going tarpon fishing. However, as I can’t do a double-haul cast ….

Steve, You should practice the double haul before going. It’s not that hard. If you can do a single haul (which comes naturally after a couple of years of freshwater flyfishing), you can master the double haul. Despite the very complicated way that Mel K. and others try to explain the double haul, it really just comes down to this … shoot line on your back cast. It just takes a little up-down tug (about 6 inches) immediately after you lift the line from the water … move the line (tug) hand back with the rod hand … and give a forward tug (haul) after the line shoots on the back cast. YOU CAN DO IT. See Lefty Kreh’s or Ed Jaworowoski’s books on casting — they are the best. The doublke haul is essential for successful saltwater casting (especially into the wind). Hope this helps. Cordially, Rochester, NY  

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I am an advanced beginner fresh and saltwater flyfisherman. I will be in Miami in late May and was thinking of going tarpon fishing. However, as I can’t do a double-haul cast (yet) and am not that accurate, would I be wasting my time? I don’t want to just get yelled at by a frustrated guide. Also I called sevral guides who were recommended. They were all booked up. Anyone know someone who will be patient with a beginner in South Florida? The date I am looking for is Sunday May 21st. Steven Locke, M.D. Beth Israel Hospital/Harvard Medical School 617-667-2946 voice 617-527-3343 fax

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A good guide will not yell at you, although you should remember that they put more effort into helping you catch fish than you put into it. I’m sure that it’s very frustrating for them to pole you all over the flat to give you the best opportunity for presentation and then have the cast bobbled or one of a hundred other things go wrong. Most of the better guides are booked years in advance, you would be better off if you could contact them for any available date and then make your schedule conform. Another way to work it is to find a good guide and see if he has any time available outside of the peak period . Book this time and if you work well together you can move into the primo months as time becomes available. Learn the double haul, It’s very important. For sure try tarpon fishing with a fly rod,  there are no wasted days on the flats FISH MORE KEEP LESS Roccus

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Does anyone know if you can fly to Karluk and just camp on the beach there and fish?  There is a lodge there; I wonder if they have any monopoly on fishing in the Karluk river. This is on the southwest coast of Kodiak Island, in Alaska. Appreciate any feedback anyone can give.  

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I would always be careful about camping on the beach in any location where there are substantial numbers of brown bears.  You can fly into Brooks River, for example, and camp in a USFS camp site as well as stay at the lodge.  But in the camp site, just a little way off the beach, all the food has to be cached.  And all the fish have to be cleaned in a single building, far away from the camp site. I’d check with locals on the available faciltiies at Karluk river.

04:57:08 GMT – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Does anyone know if you can fly to Karluk and just camp on the beach there and fish?  There is a lodge there; I wonder if they have any monopoly on fishing in the Karluk river.

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| | Does anyone know if you can fly to Karluk and just camp on the beach | there and fish?  There is a lodge there; I wonder if they have any | monopoly on fishing in the Karluk river. | Hello, I was on the Karluk for a week this fall. Drifted to the mouth and camped on the beach. There are bears (big bears !) and you do need to be careful. Limited cabins (primitive) are availble at Portage. The real monopoly if you want to call it that is access. Very interesting and productive river. Regards, Jeff

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