Question:

I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

Craig, Take that stupid hydrofoil p.o.s. off that boat, it doesn’t need it.  Please email me with specifics on Model, motor, HP, prop etc.  We’ll get that rig lined out right for you.  Every Champion made should have a 3 second hole shot without some barnyard hardware hanging off of it. Pat

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

First off.. WOW!! NICE RIG!! I am *very* envious of you .  From what I know, and it ain’t alot mind you, that sinking problem doesn’t sound right. I would recommend taking that Hydrofoil off, as I don’t know the specifics of your boat, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t need it.  I’ve seen a Champion with a 150 Johnson do a holeshot in the time it took me to go to full throttle!  Maybe try playing with your trim on your holeshot some, when the ass end starts heading into the water, start trimming your motor in, that may help.   Just out of curiosity, what model/HP is it? Good luck, and good fishin’!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

ROFL! Wish all of my competition was so prepared! We’ve all been there. Want to get the new toys goin ASAP. You didn’t mention if you also got plauged with the new boat jinx? Any fish? Dan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

Kill the hydrofoil Craig, it’s keeping you down.  You’ll see the difference instantly.  Why would anyone put that stupid thing on the Champion? Warren2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

Did you catch any fish? Lakeland Florida

Response:

If I was fishing a Musky tournament I would have won.  But not one bass, not even a dink! — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – HEY, THANKS FOR THAT BIT OF INFO ON THE CHICKEN FEED.THOSE PEOPLE KNOW ALL THE TRICKS!WENT WADE FISHING THIS EVENING AND NAILED 2 NICE REDFISH,USING A D.O.A.SHRIMP.WAS HOPING FOR A SNOOK BUT NO SUCH LUCK.          I really feel for you. Fish in Lake Monro/St.Johns are nada. The waters too high inshore. I tried a bit yesterday but the wind was too high and water still within 6" of the breakwater. The reports are snook is off due to the muddy out run and winds. Oh well in about a month it should clear but then the monsoon season starts. Ain’t it a bunmmer to live so close to some of the best fishing in the world and it be off ?                                                           John Popp                                                        in Sanford Fl.

HEY TELL ME ABOUT IT!THE WEATHER HAS GOT EVERYBODY STIMIED.I FEEL SORRY FOR THE GUIDES WHO MAKE A LIVING OUT OF IT.LIKE I SAID I WAS WADING THE OTHER DAY WHEN I CAUGHT THOSE REDS.I OWN A BOAT BUT IT HASN’T BEEN IN THE WATER IN 2 MONTHS!AND WE’RE HAVING SOME GOOD TIDES RIGHT NOW.I LIVE ON A BARRIER ISLAND AND THE RAIN TODAY PUT A FOOT AND A HALF OF WATER IN THE STREETS.HAD A FRIEND OVER FROM SANFORD THIS PAST WEEKEND AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE WATER WAS WAY UP OVER THERE.OH WELL,IT CAN’T KEEP UP TO MUCH LONGER,BUT LIKE YOU SAID THEN WE GET THE SUMMER TIME DONT FLEECE CATCH& RELEASE                JON

Response:

HEY, THANKS FOR THAT BIT OF INFO ON THE CHICKEN FEED.THOSE PEOPLE KNOW ALL THE TRICKS!WENT WADE FISHING THIS EVENING AND NAILED 2 NICE REDFISH,USING A D.O.A.SHRIMP.WAS HOPING FOR A SNOOK BUT NO SUCH LUCK.

         I really feel for you. Fish in Lake Monro/St.Johns are nada. The waters too high inshore. I tried a bit yesterday but the wind was too high and water still within 6" of the breakwater. The reports are snook is off due to the muddy out run and winds. Oh well in about a month it should clear but then the monsoon season starts. Ain’t it a bunmmer to live so close to some of the best fishing in the world and it be off ?                                                           John Popp                                                        in Sanford Fl.

Response:

I GUESS I NEVER REALIZED THAT MULLET COULD TRAVEL THAT FAR UP A RIVER!I MEAN,I’VE SEEN THEM IN CRYSTAL RIVER BUT,THE RIVER IS SO CLOSE TO THE GULF.LIKE THE MANATEE WHERE I LIVE.(LIVE ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND)MULLET DO GO UP THE MANATEE YOU KNOW 5-7 MILES ,BUT ALL THE WAY TO LAKE MONROE!!THATS GOT TO BE OVER A HUNDRED MILES!I HAVE FISHED LAKE MONROE & LAKE JESSUP BEFORE,AND YES I DID CATCH A STINGRAY.I THOUGHT THAT STRANGE TOO.BUT NEVER HAVE I SEEN A MULLET.THE THEROY ON CATCHING THEM IS GOOD TOO.I’VE HEARD OF IT DONE THE SAME WAY OVER HERE BUT WITH DOUGH BALLS.BUT NEVER HAVE I SEEN MULLET IN A FEEDING FRENZY,AS YOU SO DESCRIBED.ROILING THE WATER.DO YOU HAVE A CAM-CORDER?I’VE SNICHED A FEW MULLET IN MY DAY AND I KNOW THE FIGHT THEY CAN PUT,ALLBEIT THEY WERE HOOKED IN VARIOUS SITES ON THE BODY.I COULD JUST IMAGINE ONE ON A                             JON

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I GUESS I NEVER REALIZED THAT MULLET COULD TRAVEL THAT FAR UP A RIVER!I MEAN,I’VE SEEN THEM IN CRYSTAL RIVER BUT,THE RIVER IS SO CLOSE TO THE GULF.LIKE THE MANATEE WHERE I LIVE.(LIVE ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND)MULLET DO GO UP THE MANATEE YOU KNOW 5-7 MILES ,BUT ALL THE WAY TO LAKE MONROE!!THATS GOT TO BE OVER A HUNDRED MILES!I HAVE FISHED LAKE MONROE & LAKE JESSUP BEFORE,AND YES I DID CATCH A STINGRAY.I THOUGHT THAT STRANGE TOO.BUT NEVER HAVE I SEEN A MULLET.THE THEROY ON CATCHING THEM IS GOOD TOO.I’VE HEARD OF IT DONE THE SAME WAY OVER HERE BUT WITH DOUGH BALLS.BUT NEVER HAVE I SEEN MULLET IN A FEEDING FRENZY,AS YOU SO DESCRIBED.ROILING THE WATER.DO YOU HAVE A CAM-CORDER?I’VE SNICHED A FEW MULLET IN MY DAY AND I KNOW THE FIGHT THEY CAN PUT,ALLBEIT THEY WERE HOOKED IN VARIOUS SITES ON THE BODY.I COULD JUST IMAGINE ONE ON A                             JON

      No, I’ve never seen mullet in Monro either but Rodman spillway is 70 miles north, closer to Palatka which is about midway between Jacksonville and Sanford and is brackish tidewater. Try the chiken feed and you’ll see the difference, dough balls are larger and have a different sink rate other than that I don’t know why but it happens. I picked it up from some older black people fishing with cane poles. I’m not much of a fly fisherman, just enjoy it and keep on trying. I am not by any means a purist, use baits and mini jigs when called for and am of the mind that the main idea is to catch fish and really enjoy playing all of them. I can enjoy hooking a croaker like some people go after bill fish.                                                       John Popp                                                     in Sanford Fl.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I GUESS I NEVER REALIZED THAT MULLET COULD TRAVEL THAT FAR UP A RIVER!I MEAN,I’VE SEEN THEM IN CRYSTAL RIVER BUT,THE RIVER IS SO CLOSE TO THE GULF.LIKE THE MANATEE WHERE I LIVE.(LIVE ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND)MULLET DO GO UP THE MANATEE YOU KNOW 5-7 MILES ,BUT ALL THE WAY TO LAKE MONROE!!THATS GOT TO BE OVER A HUNDRED MILES!I HAVE FISHED LAKE MONROE & LAKE JESSUP BEFORE,AND YES I DID CATCH A STINGRAY.I THOUGHT THAT STRANGE TOO.BUT NEVER HAVE I SEEN A MULLET.THE THEROY ON CATCHING THEM IS GOOD TOO.I’VE HEARD OF IT DONE THE SAME WAY OVER HERE BUT WITH DOUGH BALLS.BUT NEVER HAVE I SEEN MULLET IN A FEEDING FRENZY,AS YOU SO DESCRIBED.ROILING THE WATER.DO YOU HAVE A CAM-CORDER?I’VE SNICHED A FEW MULLET IN MY DAY AND I KNOW THE FIGHT THEY CAN PUT,ALLBEIT THEY WERE HOOKED IN VARIOUS SITES ON THE BODY.I COULD JUST IMAGINE ONE ON A                             JON       No, I’ve never seen mullet in Monro either but Rodman spillway is 70 miles north, closer to Palatka which is about midway between Jacksonville and Sanford and is brackish tidewater. Try the chiken feed and you’ll see the difference, dough balls are larger and have a different sink rate other than that I don’t know why but it happens. I picked it up from some older black people fishing with cane poles. I’m not much of a fly fisherman, just enjoy it and keep on trying. I am not by any means a purist, use baits and mini jigs when called for and am of the mind that the main idea is to catch fish and really enjoy playing all of them. I can enjoy hooking a croaker like some people go after bill fish.                                                       John Popp                                                     in Sanford Fl.

HEY, THANKS FOR THAT BIT OF INFO ON THE CHICKEN FEED.THOSE PEOPLE KNOW ALL THE TRICKS!WENT WADE FISHING THIS EVENING AND NAILED 2 NICE REDFISH,USING A D.O.A.SHRIMP.WAS HOPING FOR A SNOOK BUT NO SUCH LUCK.

Response:

Question:

Ok, this is really *our* impression of Cancun.  I am not trying to provoke any major responses to this, as it is just an opinion from our recent trip there. First of all I did actually like the beaches on/near the Omni Cancun hotel. The beaches were very nice, sand very white and soft and not hot. The water is absolutely beautiful with vivid colors of light-dark blue. Beautiful! If you are a serious beach bum you will love this aspect of Cancun.  I hear that you really need to check out the property you are interested in because some of the beaches have been washed out from past storms and the brochures do not mention that tiny fact.  Most are ok though. The second nice thing is that the bus system is GREAT.  Only 3 pesos (about 20 cents).  The buses run 24 hours a day and every 4-5 minutes.  Easy to use, and much cheaper than cabs which run a minimum of 30 pesos (3$). Now the things I didn’t like: The shop keepers at the various flea markets have very very few bargain items.  Most of the items we were interested in were expensive and the shop keepers really really tried to make you feel bad for being a "wealthy" American who "gets vacations". All in all I can get REAL bargains in Nuevo Larado (Texas/Mexico border city).  If you have LOTS of money and don’t mind turning loose of it then you might feel differently than I/we did. In general the city and resort area had a bad "smell" most places we went. There was an occasional stench that smelled like sewar water or something to that effect. This was noticed most everywhere and we weren’t really sure where it was coming from.  On those lines, when you’re traveling down a street, if you look closely you’ll notice off to the side of the roads there appears to be garbage, rubbish and various other "trash" items that are usually behind shrubs, etc… It’s as if they decided to build a road and "scraped" all the surrounding rubbish off to the side of the road and tried to hide it with shrubs. Expensive, expensive, expensive.  There are no places you can go to have fun or eat or drink without paying a premium price.  And if your hotel or club offers "happy hours" it is for them not for you.  Happy hours at our hotel and some bars are no value.  Our drinks had very little liquor in them and the prices were still high even for watered down drinks.  The only exception is beer, they haven’t found a way to water that down (I think). We also paid $10. (USD) to get into a popular disco/dance club called Christine’s.  It was nice but the drinks were expensive and small and the bar was nice but not as nice as many of our US bars.  Personally I wouldn’t recommend it for the cover alone. Last but not least is all the begging that goes on there.  The vendors are so aggressive that you can’t do or go anywhere without feeling like you’re being accosted.  Small children are just as bad as the grown up folks except a lot (not all) of the vendors will try to intimidate you into buying and if you offer them a price they act insulted and when you leave their shop they start insulting you (Coral Negro flea market). This goes on pretty much everywhere and after the first day it’s all one can do just to go somewhere without being accosted over and over. PS: We are from Texas (good mexican food) and in our opinion we did not like any of the "mexican" food there.  We ate at Senor Frogs as well and the meal was just "so-so".  All of the restaurants did not have spicy mexican food and it was pretty much bland.  I cannot recommend any place except Pat O’ Brians (Great nachos and bbq sandwich). If anyone wants further info please feel free to email me directly at:

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok, this is really *our* impression of Cancun.  I am not trying to provoke any major responses to this, as it is just an opinion from our recent trip there. First of all I did actually like the beaches on/near the Omni Cancun hotel. The beaches were very nice, sand very white and soft and not hot. The water is absolutely beautiful with vivid colors of light-dark blue. Beautiful! If you are a serious beach bum you will love this aspect of Cancun.  I hear that you really need to check out the property you are interested in because some of the beaches have been washed out from past storms and the brochures do not mention that tiny fact.  Most are ok though. The second nice thing is that the bus system is GREAT.  Only 3 pesos (about 20 cents).  The buses run 24 hours a day and every 4-5 minutes.  Easy to use, and much cheaper than cabs which run a minimum of 30 pesos (3$). Now the things I didn’t like: The shop keepers at the various flea markets have very very few bargain items.  Most of the items we were interested in were expensive and the shop keepers really really tried to make you feel bad for being a "wealthy" American who "gets vacations". All in all I can get REAL bargains in Nuevo Larado (Texas/Mexico border city).  If you have LOTS of money and don’t mind turning loose of it then you might feel differently than I/we did. In general the city and resort area had a bad "smell" most places we went. There was an occasional stench that smelled like sewar water or something to that effect. This was noticed most everywhere and we weren’t really sure where it was coming from.  On those lines, when you’re traveling down a street, if you look closely you’ll notice off to the side of the roads there appears to be garbage, rubbish and various other "trash" items that are usually behind shrubs, etc… It’s as if they decided to build a road and "scraped" all the surrounding rubbish off to the side of the road and tried to hide it with shrubs. Expensive, expensive, expensive.  There are no places you can go to have fun or eat or drink without paying a premium price.  And if your hotel or club offers "happy hours" it is for them not for you.  Happy hours at our hotel and some bars are no value.  Our drinks had very little liquor in them and the prices were still high even for watered down drinks.  The only exception is beer, they haven’t found a way to water that down (I think). We also paid $10. (USD) to get into a popular disco/dance club called Christine’s.  It was nice but the drinks were expensive and small and the bar was nice but not as nice as many of our US bars.  Personally I wouldn’t recommend it for the cover alone. Last but not least is all the begging that goes on there.  The vendors are so aggressive that you can’t do or go anywhere without feeling like you’re being accosted.  Small children are just as bad as the grown up folks except a lot (not all) of the vendors will try to intimidate you into buying and if you offer them a price they act insulted and when you leave their shop they start insulting you (Coral Negro flea market). This goes on pretty much everywhere and after the first day it’s all one can do just to go somewhere without being accosted over and over. PS: We are from Texas (good mexican food) and in our opinion we did not like any of the "mexican" food there.  We ate at Senor Frogs as well and the meal was just "so-so".  All of the restaurants did not have spicy mexican food and it was pretty much bland.  I cannot recommend any place except Pat O’ Brians (Great nachos and bbq sandwich). If anyone wants further info please feel free to email me directly at:

I got the same impression last time we were there in ‘92.  The only thing I would have to add was the time share terrorists.  We would be walking along enjoying the warm breeze when out of nowhere some guy would come flying out of a moving vehicle and they wouldn’t leave you alone.  Finally we said we were leaving that afternoon and they would give up.  We were there in 1983 and loved it, so we were extremely disappointed when we went back and that will be our last trip to Cancun.  We ventured a little further south to Playa del Carmen and loved it there.  My fear now to go back is that the same thing is happening there as happened in Cancun. Just my 2 cents. Diane

Response:

– thanks to spam bots, my address is despammed, if you are a real person, you should be able to figure it out. This part of the post I can’t let go.  I am also from Texas originally and what you are used to is NOT mexican food.  It is Tex-Mex.  You can not compare mexican food to what you are used to. Mexican food is not spicy. Mexican food rarely contains beef, the land doesn’t support beef well. Chicken, fish, and goats are the mainstay and it varys by the region.  By the way, I like both Tex-mex and mexican food.  I can’t say anything about the food in cancun as I have not been there, but don’t base your comparisons to your local cuisine, its comparing apples and oranges.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – PS: We are from Texas (good mexican food) and in our opinion we did not like any of the "mexican" food there.  We ate at Senor Frogs as well and the meal was just "so-so".  All of the restaurants did not have spicy mexican food and it was pretty much bland.  I cannot recommend any place except Pat O’ Brians (Great nachos and bbq sandwich). If anyone wants further info please feel free to email me directly at:

Response:

Don, Being a native Texan I also know the difference between Mexican food and Tex-Mex food.  I never meant to imply they were one in the same HOWEVER there is a difference in what I expected.  I expected Mexican food (I was in Mexico) with a Yucatan flair… things wrapped/cooked in banana leaves, pescado (fish) dishes, etc…  The food we ate down in Cancun were typically recommended highly by the various hotels and some guidebooks but they always turned out to be bad Mexican food without any particular nuance of the region they were supposed to represent (Yucatan).  My comments about spicy wasn’t meaning HOT, I just meant that I preferred my food with some form of taste to it.  The food from Cancun (for the mostpart) was tasteless and appeared to be a poor copy of Tex-Mex (or that’s the way it looked to us). PS: I’ve already received several direct emails agreeing with me so I know that I’m not crazy M. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — thanks to spam bots, my address is despammed, if you are a real person, you should be able to figure it out. This part of the post I can’t let go.  I am also from Texas originally and what you are used to is NOT mexican food.  It is Tex-Mex.  You can not compare mexican food to what you are used to. Mexican food is not spicy. Mexican food rarely contains beef, the land doesn’t support beef well. Chicken, fish, and goats are the mainstay and it varys by the region.  By the way, I like both Tex-mex and mexican food.  I can’t say anything about the food in cancun as I have not been there, but don’t base your comparisons to your local cuisine, its comparing apples and oranges. PS: We are from Texas (good mexican food) and in our opinion we did not like any of the "mexican" food there.  We ate at Senor Frogs as well and the meal was just "so-so".  All of the restaurants did not have spicy mexican food and it was pretty much bland.  I cannot recommend any place except Pat O’ Brians (Great nachos and bbq sandwich). If anyone wants further info please feel free to email me directly at:

Response:

sorry you feel that way. i’m heading back for my 8th trip end of Jan. i go mostly for the first part of your trip. and because i Love the hotel i stay at (Fiesta American Coral Beach) since it is a mega resort you have to do some searching to find good value. and yes there are some Yucatan restaurants, but mostly it is tex-mex. tim

Response:

I’ve been to Cancun twice. I enjoyed both of my visits. I stayed at the Blue Bay Club and Marina, which is an all-inclusive hotel. Personally, I prefer all-inclusive hotels because you don’t have to carry cash when you’re at the hotel and you can eat and drink as much as you want without worrying about the bill! Also, the food at the hotel was great. They had Mexican options at every meal! The different salsas were fabulous! The hotel staff was friendly and always entertaining. The hotel also had a bus that would take us into town at night to the discos. The discos were pricey but not over the top. I agree that the flea markets were outrageous! I couldn’t take more that 5 minutes they were so rude! I don’t mind bargaining but when they start yelling at you or chasing you, that’s when I draw the line. Luckily, the hotel had theme night and one of which was Mexican. Kiosks were set up and local wares were sold in the main lobby at very reasonable prices. I really had a great time in Cancun and would probably go back. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – sorry you feel that way. i’m heading back for my 8th trip end of Jan. i go mostly for the first part of your trip. and because i Love the hotel i stay at (Fiesta American Coral Beach) since it is a mega resort you have to do some searching to find good value. and yes there are some Yucatan restaurants, but mostly it is tex-mex. tim

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Don, Being a native Texan I also know the difference between Mexican food and Tex-Mex food.  I never meant to imply they were one in the same HOWEVER there is a difference in what I expected.  I expected Mexican food (I was in Mexico) with a Yucatan flair… things wrapped/cooked in banana leaves, pescado (fish) dishes, etc…  <snip I am also from Texas originally and what you are used to is NOT mexican food.  It is Tex-Mex.   PS: We are from Texas (good mexican food) and in our opinion we did not like any of the "mexican" food there.  We ate at Senor Frogs as well and the meal was just "so-so".  All of the restaurants did not have spicy mexican food and it was pretty much bland.  I cannot recommend any place except Pat O’ Brians (Great nachos and bbq sandwich).

I think you’re both missing an important point: Cancun may be in Mexico, but there is no Mexico in Cancun.  It is a Disneyfied version of what the Mexican tourist board thinks tourists want; obviously, they thought correctly.  If Cancun is the only place you’ve ever visited, you have not seen Mexico.  I’ve had to fly to/from there to get to other destinations, and had never had the "opportunity" to spend the night until this past summer (because of an early a.m. flight); I was with a teenaged cousin who had been a good sport about eating real Mexican–after years of Taco Bell–at our other destinations, so let him choose where he wanted to eat dinner in Cancun.  Yeesh, Planet Hollywood…I was truly appalled, during the cab ride, at how built up the island was. Another post-er mentioned nearby Playa del Carmen as a less-touristy destination, but unfortunately, it’s not the sleepy fishing village it was on my first visit, not so long ago.  Still, better than Cancun

Response:

Question:

        Despite five years of closure in the commercial net fishery in Newfoundland, initial returns to most rivers have been very dissapointing. Fishway counts are running at 33% of last years on average and fishing generally poor on the island.  Water levels are also falling and temperatures rising which does not bode well either.  Explanations abound with candidates ranging from ‘mother nature’ her/himself (cold ocean temperatures, etc.) to more usual ‘whipping creatures’ such as seals, first nation fisheries and/or legitimate commercial fishers pursuing other species.         At the same time, salmon fishing is beginning to become more epxensive.  The Gander River in central Newfoundland has just institute a special $20 fee to fish it alone (with another $20 if you wish to partake of a potential Fall fishery for one month).  Other rivers are rumoured to follow suit.  I might not mind if there were a few fish!!  Recent trip to the Gander River suggested to me that there are fewer fish in the river now than when the commercial fishery were operating.  Any ideas as to what is going on?  ’hostile marine conditions just doesn’t seem to cut it having heard virutally every fishery downturn around here attriubted to it for the last five years.  Larry Felt, St. John’s, Newfoundland

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I need some help here.  My 9 yr old son wants to learn to fly fish and<edit go with me when I’m out.  <edit <<<AL BT wrote Take a good look at the rod. Your rod is probably an 8 or 9 foot rod. You might consider a shorter rod for your son like a 7 or 7 1/2 foot. Your local fly shop should be able to help. Go there and try a few rods and get a couple of pointers from a resident expert. It could be time well spent. Good luck & … — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Catalog,Tips & Tricks, Fishing Reports, & NeverSink at: http://www.btsflyfishing.com

Heed Al’s Advice he always has good insightful obsevations and ideas. I have an 8 year old who also loves to fish. He’s been fishing since he was 3 with spincasting gear. This year I showed him how to roll cast and he did well. He even could false cast about 15 feet.  Start off slow, he will pick it up just like riding a bike, plaing baseball and all the other great things boys do.  Most of us learned by roll casting first so maybe he needs to start there.  Sounds like you have a great kid.  There should be more Dads like us. If Ido say so myself! Tight Lines:

Response:

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 nymphing rod gentlemen.  Good work Tim. Mr. G. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Take a good look at the rod. Your rod is probably an 8 or 9 foot rod. You might consider a shorter rod for your son like a 7 or 7 1/2 foot. I disagree…he’ll only have to work harder to get the same distance… The longer rod will give him a lot of advantages in the ‘long’ run and should not be appreciably more heavy or unwieldy. In fact the longer rod might just keeping him from hooking his eyeball… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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

Response:

Take a good look at the rod. Your rod is probably an 8 or 9 foot rod. You might consider a shorter rod for your son like a 7 or 7 1/2 foot.

I disagree…he’ll only have to work harder to get the same distance… The longer rod will give him a lot of advantages in the ‘long’ run and should not be appreciably more heavy or unwieldy. In fact the longer rod might just keeping him from hooking his eyeball… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

I need some help here.  My 9 yr old son wants to learn to fly fish and go with me when I’m out.  I myself have just finished a course and am beginning to feel comfortable casting. Not to be unkind but if, as you say, you are only now getting comfortable with casting, perhaps you need to get whoever taught you to work with your son. There is a big difference between doing and teaching, and it is another step yet to be able to diagnose a casting stroke and adjust it to be more effective within the capabilities and limits of any individual.

He’s right, you’ll BOTH learn faster if you go for lessons together.  It really helps a learner to see an instructor working with someone else, and he’ll be able to spot if the error recurs on the water – and bring the lesson back to mind. Next, video each other casting.  It’s amazing how many of your own faults you’ll see and rectify if you watch a video.  You don’t have to let the rest of the family see the result. Then compete with each other – on equal terms (sort of, you put up the prizes, he wins most of ‘em; in family terms this IS equal).  Don’t compete for distance, it wouldn’t be fair and it’s of little use in any case. Compete for accuracy, you are going ‘target casting’  Start with a hula-hoop

Question:

Anyone out there heard of a good trailing shuck imitation.  In jams, I’ve used panty-hose, and of course z-lon when tying.

Aunt Lydia’s rug and craft yarn.

Response:

Anyone out there heard of a good trailing shuck imitation.  In jams, I’ve used panty-hose, and of course z-lon when tying.  I want something a little better. Any suggestions? Thanks- J W Kramer @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@   "See Dick fly-fish.    See Dick catch fish.    See Dick kill fish."           DON’T BE A DICK!  PRACTICE AND TEACH CATCH AND RELEASE @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@

Response:

Question:

: I came across something at the Americas for Medical Progress web site you                        <clip<clip<clip : has since been taken over by animal "rights" types. : For more info, see http://www.ampef.org/hsus.htm : "The HSUS bankrolled ballot initiatives in six states in the fall of : 1996, ostensibly aimed at hunters in Oregon, California, Washington : state, Michigan, Idaho and Massachusetts. The real goal behind each : campaign is to remove wildlife and habitat policies from the professional : stewardship of state wildlife managers. : Americans for Medical Progress, the key national research advocacy group : that monitors the animal rights agenda, predicted the HSUS ballot          <clip<clip<clip : and laboratory animal issues and other issues that are appropriate" in the : future."… There was an initiative here in Michigan this last election dealing with the taking of bear over bait or with hounds.  The initiative would have banned both practices. When I found out what was  behind this initiative, it became clear to me it was nothing more than an anti-hunting measure.  The person behind getting it on the ballot claimed it would help bear hunting because it would license more hunters to get the same harvest.  Well, it would also have banned bear hunting during anytime in which baiting for any other specie was allowed. Since we have a deer season that runs from October first to the end of of December, there wouldn’t really be any time to have a bear season. There were a couple of other issues that indicated to me that this whole thing was vacant of anything substantive and was just an anti-hunting measure. Fortunately, it was defeated *SOUNDLY* and another measure passed that gives wildlife management to the professionals. PETA and apparently HSUS supported the initiative. Kind regards, Steve Kernosky Michigan Tech University

Response:

My decision not to hunt is based solely on the fact that it doesn’t really appeal to me.  I don’t view hunting as any worse or better than fishing which I love.  I voted in favor of this initiative just as I would vote to prohibit snagging of fish if it weren’t already illegal.

In my view of the universe, the achilles heel of this legislation is in the fact that it takes "wildlife management" out of the hands of the professionals (ie. Departments of Fish and Game/Wildlife [admittedly an arguable statement, but certainly not improved upon by asking Joe/ Jane-weaned-on-Disney-Classics to take up this responsibility]).  Why do we believe that Fish and Game managers allow detrimental (some would claim "cruel’) practices to continue despite convincing evidence "that even a layman can understand"?  Could it be that the issue is more complex than we appreciate?  Let the wildlife management community do their job.  We should be able to make input into the decision making process.  But, let’s not take the decision making out of the hands of the trained professionals until they give us cause. Clearly, with 27 ballot initiatives on the Oregon ballet this year, the initiative process is being abused.  I always ask myself– "Is this a matter that requires a change to the state constitution, with all the attendant costs, to address the issue?"   The answer is usually, "No". I guess it goes back to the thread about big government vs. individual responsibility.  But, in reverse!  Now were talking about big government (ie. the voting owners of the government) trying to dictate how the little wildlife management community (probably a government agency working with state schools) carries out its responsibilities. Life is weird when you’re left-handed! Charley

Response:

First of all, I actually read the initiative.  Unfortunately I don’t have a copy here in front of me, so this is from memory.  One of the local papers had an editorial slamming the initiative because it didn’t "Outlaw" the practices, just made them illegal for common folk. The text of the initiative stated (not a quote, but the gist) that Wildlife agents or their assigns could use bait or hounds to hunt down and kill problem bears.  Read "bears that are annoying people".  Sort of gives the lie to the idea that the practices are just tooooo barbaric and unfair. It stated that bait could be used to attract bears for "research purposes," whatever that means.  (But I thought that we didn’t want the bears to get used to people feeding them…) Anyone who has ever hunted bear in Western Washington brush knows that the traditional method of controlling bear numbers (sport hunting) just went out the window.  Incidental kills simply will not keep pace with population growth.  Ain’t no way you’re going to be able to target an area and reduce the bear population without resorting to bait and/or hounds. Well, maybe poisoned poodles……no wait, that’s bait…… Of course we could mount a multimillion dollar campaign to supply the bruins with condoms. Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK.  I’ve no clue why, but I’ll take the bait.  The initiative made it illegal to take bears using bait and/or hounds. Would you care to tell us where in the hell "Govt. agents", "researchers", and "AR Activists" are using bait and/or hounds to kill bears?  Further, if you can actually cite a real and documented example, then tell us when and why it happened. -tgades

Response:

For what it is worth.  THe initiative in WA (which passed handily) was primarily to outlaw the practice of bear baiting – a practice already illegal in all but a couple of the states with viable bear populations.  

In Colorado, we can no longer hunt spring bears, unless they’re gay. TimW (Stolen from a cartoon which lampooned the Amendment 2 passing the popular vote)

Response:

     < snip "The HSUS bankrolled ballot initiatives in six states in the fall of 1996, ostensibly aimed at hunters in Oregon, California, Washington state, Michigan, Idaho and Massachusetts.

Hi Jim, The Washington State initiative is the only one I know about.  It only prohibits bear baiting and hound hunting for cougars.  I don’t hunt but "some of my best friends . . .".  Many hunters supported the initiative but the anti crowd used wild and false statements (along the lines of "they wanna take away your right to hunt, they wanna take away your way of life") in their attempt to defeat the initiative.  Fortunately, the public saw through their BS and passed it. My decision not to hunt is based solely on the fact that it doesn’t really appeal to me.  I don’t view hunting as any worse or better than fishing which I love.  I voted in favor of this initiative just as I would vote to prohibit snagging of fish if it weren’t already illegal. August Kristoferson Watercolor Fish Art http://www.eskimo.com/~augustk

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   Newsgroups: alt.fishing,rec.outdoors.fishing,rec.outdoors.fishing.fly    Organization: AM Construction   In fact, the initiative did not outlaw baiting or hound hunting for   bear.  It just made it illegal for sport hunters to use these   techniques.  It’s perfectly OK for govt. employees and "researchers" and   presumably AR activists to use bait to attract bears.     Govt. agents are still allowed to use bait and hounds to kill bears.     Seems like it’s only cruel and barbaric to use hounds or bait if you do   it for sport, and it generates revenues.   Steve

OK.  I’ve no clue why, but I’ll take the bait.  The initiative made it illegal to take bears using bait and/or hounds.   Would you care to tell us where in the hell "Govt. agents", "researchers", and "AR Activists" are using bait and/or hounds to kill bears?  Further, if you can actually cite a real and documented example, then tell us when and why it happened. -tgades

Response:

For what it is worth.  THe initiative in WA (which passed handily) was primarily to outlaw the practice of bear baiting – a practice already illegal in all but a couple of the states with viable bear populations. In Colorado, we can no longer hunt spring bears, unless they’re gay. TimW (Stolen from a cartoon which lampooned the Amendment 2 passing the popular vote)

And don’t get caught with a trap. I hear that the next election, they are going after using hooks on fish. Paul

Response:

In fact, the initiative did not outlaw baiting or hound hunting for bear.  It just made it illegal for sport hunters to use these techniques.  It’s perfectly OK for govt. employees and "researchers" and presumably AR activists to use bait to attract bears.   Govt. agents are still allowed to use bait and hounds to kill bears.   Seems like it’s only cruel and barbaric to use hounds or bait if you do it for sport, and it generates revenues. Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   I came across something at the Americas for Medical Progress web site you   might find interesting. BTW, HSUS is an acronym for the Humane Society of   the United States. It used to be an animal welfare organization but it   has since been taken over by animal "rights" types.   For more info, see http://www.ampef.org/hsus.htm   "The HSUS bankrolled ballot initiatives in six states in the fall of   1996, ostensibly aimed at hunters in Oregon, California, Washington   state, Michigan, Idaho and Massachusetts. The real goal behind each   campaign is to remove wildlife and habitat policies from the professional   stewardship of state wildlife managers. For what it is worth.  THe initiative in WA (which passed handily) was primarily to outlaw the practice of bear baiting – a practice already illegal in all but a couple of the states with viable bear populations.  It was hardly a radical animal rights initiative as is implied above.  THe Oregon initiative was an attempt to reverse an earlier decision to outlaw the practice in that state.  It failed. cheers,         -tgades

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For what it is worth.  THe initiative in WA (which passed handily) was primarily to outlaw the practice of bear baiting – a practice already illegal in all but a couple of the states with viable bear populations.  It was hardly a radical animal rights initiative as is implied above.  THe Oregon initiative was an attempt to reverse an earlier decision to outlaw the practice in that state.  It failed. cheers,       -tgades tgades, Where have you been? Any animal rights initiative is RADICAL! It’s a well-known fact among sportsmen that the ARA’s modus operandi is "divide and conquer". They attack minorities (bear-baiters, Salmon snaggers) within the hunting and fishing sports, hoping that other hunters/fishers won’t care because it’s not "their" type of hunting/fishing. Attitudes like yours ensure that the ARA’s tactics work! Todd

The other method they use is to create paranoia through undercover fanatical defenders of the insane under the guise of "I’m just sticking up for the minorities no matter how ludicress it sounds". Scully and Mulder will expose your devious plot.  You don’t fool me! Mike

Response:

For what it is worth.  THe initiative in WA (which passed handily) was primarily to outlaw the practice of bear baiting – a practice already illegal in all but a couple of the states with viable bear populations.  It was hardly a radical animal rights initiative as is implied above.  THe Oregon initiative was an attempt to reverse an earlier decision to outlaw the practice in that state.  It failed. cheers,    -tgades

tgades, Where have you been? Any animal rights initiative is RADICAL! It’s a well-known fact among sportsmen that the ARA’s modus operandi is "divide and conquer". They attack minorities (bear-baiters, Salmon snaggers) within the hunting and fishing sports, hoping that other hunters/fishers won’t care because it’s not "their" type of hunting/fishing. Attitudes like yours ensure that the ARA’s tactics work! Todd

Response:

  I came across something at the Americas for Medical Progress web site you   might find interesting. BTW, HSUS is an acronym for the Humane Society of   the United States. It used to be an animal welfare organization but it   has since been taken over by animal "rights" types.   For more info, see http://www.ampef.org/hsus.htm   "The HSUS bankrolled ballot initiatives in six states in the fall of   1996, ostensibly aimed at hunters in Oregon, California, Washington   state, Michigan, Idaho and Massachusetts. The real goal behind each   campaign is to remove wildlife and habitat policies from the professional   stewardship of state wildlife managers.

For what it is worth.  THe initiative in WA (which passed handily) was primarily to outlaw the practice of bear baiting – a practice already illegal in all but a couple of the states with viable bear populations.  It was hardly a radical animal rights initiative as is implied above.  THe Oregon initiative was an attempt to reverse an earlier decision to outlaw the practice in that state.  It failed. cheers,         -tgades

Response:

For what it is worth.  THe initiative in WA (which passed handily) was primarily to outlaw the practice of bear baiting – a practice already illegal in all but a couple of the states with viable bear populations.  It was hardly a radical animal rights initiative as is implied above.  THe Oregon initiative was an attempt to reverse an earlier decision to outlaw the practice in that state.  It failed. cheers,    -tgades

You might want to re-read the the ballot question carefully. Question 1 in Massachusetts was advertised to outlaw the use of spring traps in the state. At the End of the lengthy ballot question it also read that the laws are to be changed to allow non sportsman(AKA ARA’s) to serve on the board that governs hunting and fishing in this state. Unfortunatly all the TV ads showed thirty year old footage of animals including household pets caught in the traps with no mention of the second part of the question and question 1 passed by a 3-2 margin. Hopefully this can be changed before the ARA’s take over the board and try to ban hunting and fishing in this state.(Don’t think it can’t happen!!)

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In order to promote a commonality of spirit and in rememberance of my late and great dear friend Lee Wulff, I offer the following contest and prizes. Rules: Tie FOUR WULFF FLIES. 1) The Royal Wulff 2) A Blonde or Cream Wulff 3) A Tan Wulff 4) A Grey Wulff 6) One Streamer 7) One Fly of tiers own choosing.  Unlimited Entry. Sizes of the entries choosing.  Small as well as large sizes have equal consideration

EXCELLENT !!!! Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes ! Thank you George…Looking forwards and not backwards. My bugs’ll be there !   *AND* my Grey Wulff will win… 8^) TimW Here’s hoping for snow on the slopes and a heater near the tying bench !!! [This is gonna be cool]

Response:

In order to promote a commonality of spirit and in rememberance of my late and great dear friend Lee Wulff.This sounds like a nice contest.Contests don’t have to have huge prizes

to be well recieved! As a former rep. (Western Canada) and  outdoor columnist/writer (I do not get sick of talking about the outdoors), I always admire any manufacturer that shows support for the business in one way or another. As I muddle around with considering repping again in Onatrio, I applaud this initiative, and will mention it at Kingstons next flyfishing get together.F.Y.I. I am starting a new Canadian Outdoor Collector newsletter (I got fed up with the lack of Canuck perspective/content for outdoor collectibles, etc.) regards Outdoor Columnist 101 Bridge St. W. Napanee, Ont., K7R-2C8

Response:

In order to promote a commonality of spirit and in rememberance of my late and great dear friend Lee Wulff, I offer the following contest and prizes. Rules: Tie FOUR WULFF FLIES. 1) The Royal Wulff 2) A Blonde or Cream Wulff 3) A Tan Wulff 4) A Grey Wulff 6) One Streamer 7) One Fly of tiers own choosing.  Unlimited Entry. Sizes of the entries choosing.  Small as well as large sizes have equal consideration Flies submitted to be postmarked by 2 January 1997 Prizes are as follows: 1st Place/Prize         $ 50.00 2nd Place/Prize         $ 40.00 3rd Place/Prize         $ 10.00 4th – 20th Place        Product of your choice. GEHRKE’S GINK will honor all prize/cash payments even if only four entries are made. All flies submitted to the contest become the property of GEHRKE’S GINK. A featured article in our World Famous Newsletter; "Uncle Gink’s Cave" will be published on the winning entries.  All entries should tell us somthing about their flies and of themselves.  How long they have tied, etc. Flies may be photographed for publication in "Uncle Gink’s Cave" which is circulated World Wide to over 6,000 dealers and wholesalers. All those who enter ‘George’s Great Gobs of Flies’ Contest will receive a copy of the Newsletter.  This contest is open to all fly tiers around the world.  The prize is not so much the money but rather the worth of being judged by and shown too a very large audience. Send all entries to the attention of: Mr. George Gehrke Presidents Fly Judging Contest Snake River – Hell’s Canyon Asotin, WA 99402 The contest starts now.  Each year’s contest will honor specific fly patterns invented by long honored tiers.  The ‘Unlimited Class’ will always remain a standard feature.  In this arena, a size .32 midge has every chance of winning as a Blue Doctor will.  It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a good, traditional and properly tied Salmon Fly. Good luck, one and all. Mr. George Gehrke

Response:

Question:

I am planning a flyfishing trip to the Bighorn River in the Fort Smith area in September. I have been told by a friend that the river is usually overloaded with boats and fishermen during the summer and early fall resulting in unproductive and tough fishing conditions on this stretch of the river. Is this true? Would appreciate any information on this matter. Thanks

Response:

I am planning a flyfishing trip to the Bighorn River in the Fort Smith area in September. I have been told by a friend that the river is usually overloaded with boats and fishermen during the summer and early fall

quite true. resulting in unproductive and tough fishing conditions on this stretch of the river.

quite false.  The fishing is somewhat technical.  You have to match the hatches, but the local fly shops can tell you what’s going on, and I wouldn’t call the fishing "unproductive."  The main thing that’s "tough" about it is competing with hundreds of other anglers for the good holes. — -Wayne Trzyna

Response:

Question:

Has anyone had any experience with the Loomis GL-3 series of rods?  I’m interested in their 9 foot, 9 or 10 wt.  I really can’t afford a GL-X or a Sage RPL-X, so I am considering the GL-3.  I plan to use the rod for salt-water surf fishing for stripers on Cape Cod and Plum Island.  I would like to use the Teeny TS-350 line for getting down deep and the Wulf SWT 10wt intermediate lines. I just want to make sure that the GL-3 can handle these lines without getting overloaded or even worse breaking the tip. Any thoughts? Thanks, don

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I bought a GL-3 9 foot 4 weight and am very happy with it. I cast it and a Sage discovery and the GL-3 put out far more line thatn the SAGE noodle. Be sure to practice some casts with the GL-3 in that heavier weight, but the 4 weight is a pleasure to fish with. Trey Monroe

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone had any experience with the Loomis GL-3 series of rods?  I’m interested in their 9 foot, 9 or 10 wt.  I really can’t afford a GL-X or a Sage RPL-X, so I am considering the GL-3.  I plan to use the rod for salt-water surf fishing for stripers on Cape Cod and Plum Island.  I would like to use the Teeny TS-350 line for getting down deep and the Wulf SWT 10wt intermediate lines. I just want to make sure that the GL-3 can handle these lines without getting overloaded or even worse breaking the tip. Any thoughts? Thanks, don Hi Don:

My son’s 3rd rod was a 8 1/2 foot GL3 for a 5 wt line.  That was a very good rod for the price.  In fact I borrowed it when I could.  More of a softer action rod and it loads far easier than the sage rods. I’m not in love with the ultra stiff rods so I do favor rods like the GL3.  Best advice–go into a fly shop and test cast it.  Or maybe some club or guide might have one you can borrow for a few hours.  I have given up buying gear straight out of catalogs or magazine ads. Best luck fishing!!!!

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Has anyone had any experience with the Loomis GL-3 series of rods?  I’m interested in their 9 foot, 9 or 10 wt.  I really can’t afford a GL-X or a Sage RPL-X, so I am considering the GL-3.  I plan to use the rod for salt-water surf fishing for stripers on Cape Cod and Plum Island.  I would like to use the Teeny TS-350 line for getting down deep and the Wulf SWT 10wt intermediate lines. I just want to make sure that the GL-3 can handle these lines without getting overloaded or even worse breaking the tip. Any thoughts? Thanks, don

I haven’t used a Loomis fly rod, but have extensively used Loomis casting rods in grades IM-6, IMX and GL-3.  I can say that the GL-3 rods are very strong and light.  They are, in my opinion, not very far behind the IMXs, if that.  I wouldn’t hesitate to try out the GL-3. — Hugh Scott                    Albuquerque, NM

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Has anyone had any experience with the Loomis GL-3 series of rods?  I’m interested in their 9 foot, 9 or 10 wt.  I really can’t afford a GL-X or a Sage RPL-X, so I am considering the GL-3.  I plan to use the rod for salt-water surf fishing for stripers on Cape Cod and Plum Island.  I would like to use the Teeny TS-350 line for getting down deep and the Wulf SWT 10wt intermediate lines. I just want to make sure that the GL-3 can handle these lines without getting overloaded or even worse breaking the tip. Any thoughts? Thanks, don

The G.Loomis GL3 series competes with the Sage DS series. These rods are in the $200+ range and are great values. They come in 9′ #9 line and 9′ #10 line in both companies. I would try to cast them both. We sell more Sage because they are a little lower in price and have an unconditional lifetime warranty. G.Loomis is not offering the unconditional warranty yet. If you liked the action of the Loomis better it should not make much difference. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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The G.Loomis GL3 series competes with the Sage DS series. These rods are in the $200+ range and are great values. They come in 9′ #9 line and 9′ #10 line in both companies. I would try to cast them both. We sell more Sage because they are a little lower in price and have an unconditional lifetime warranty. G.Loomis is not offering the unconditional warranty yet. If you liked the action of the Loomis better it should not make much difference.

The Loomis competes with the Sage DS in price only. IMHO, the GL#, at least in trout sizes, is a far better rod than anything else in the price range.  I have cast the 9 weight, and it is a little slow for my liking, but still better than Reddington and others in the price range.  Just my $0.02.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone had any experience with the Loomis GL-3 series of rods?  I’m interested in their 9 foot, 9 or 10 wt.  I really can’t afford a GL-X or a Sage RPL-X, so I am considering the GL-3.  I plan to use the rod for salt-water surf fishing for stripers on Cape Cod and Plum Island.  I would like to use the Teeny TS-350 line for getting down deep and the Wulf SWT 10wt intermediate lines. I just want to make sure that the GL-3 can handle these lines without getting overloaded or even worse breaking the tip. Any thoughts? Thanks, don

I’ve been using the 9′9wt GL-3 for two seasons now and reach for it first more often than the Sage and Orvis rods I own. The GL-3 is lighter than anything you will try out and will load more quickly than most other comparable rods. I use mine for striped bass and bluefish angling in saltponds, backbays and estuaries. I prefer the Stiffer rods for open surf fishing, though, due to their greater ability to cope with headwinds often encountered in that environment. I’ve had two GL-3 rods break on me so far and G.Loomis replaced the rods no questions asked (they even accomodated a rush replacement to help me keep my place on a charter I’d scheduled not long after the rod had broken). I believe they DO honor an unconditional warranty on the GL-3, but you should ask your flyshop or call G.Loomis to confirm for yourself. The first one that broke suffered a fractured male ferrule as I attempted a power cast into a 15mph headwind (my fault) and the second was a snap of the upper section 18" from the tiptop guide as I landed a 20" striper (their fault). In all fareness, the blank could have had cracks from being hit with a 2/0 clouser during a poorly executed cast, but they didn’t give me the third degree; they just replaced the rod. I still think you should try out the rods and also take a look at the St.Croix rods. They also give you alot for the money and have a warrantee, but they tend to be heavier than the Loomis or Sage rods. Again, try for yourself. Dont forget to try the Kennedy Fisher!!! Good Luck,    Jose

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Question:

I’m considering buying a pair of stream cleats. Are they worthwhile ??? Better than the felt soles ??? There are a number of different types ranging from stubs that look like football cleats to long metal "V" shaped irons…is there any advantage to which type is best ??? Any info is much appreciated.

One thing you should keep in mind is that if you are wearing cleats you must be aware of where your line is .As in don’t step on your line.I have ruined many a line . The cleats will cut right into the line. Good fishin to you,and watch your step.           Lou H.

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The Surfcaster in Connecticut offers an new design in korkers that does not slip off.  ….bought a pair this past winter and have been quite pleased. DBZ

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I have a pair of the felt soled sandles that I’m not too proud of They don’t stay on the boots too well and flop around out of the water.  I have used the "V-cleats" that were on a slip-on rubber shoe…looked like the rubbers your grandpa wore over his sunday best shoes.  They worked great…would recommend them to anyone. Cleats or swimmin?, an easy decision for me Bill

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Kiene) writes: They are a little heavy and tend to come off in the water if your not careful.

They’re more than a little heavy, but if laced across the top of the boot correctly they never come off.  Back in the mid 80’s folks would lace them around the edges (old directions used to suggest that as the proper way) instead of crossing the laces like a regular pair of shoes and that’s where the problem came from.  I specifically bought mine because I fished the North Umpqua a lot, and you don’t even want to think about wading that river without some kind of cleats.  On a scale of 1 to 10 in wading difficulty, it’s a solid 9.  Even with cleats I would often end up swimming at least once a day.                                                              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!).

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One thing you should keep in mind is that if you are wearing cleats you must be aware of where your line is .As in don’t step on your line.I have ruined many a line . The cleats will cut right into the line.

This is true with the stream cleats that are bent aluminum bars set in rubber galoshes. The edges are real sharp when new and will cut your line in a flash.  After they’ve been distorted a bit from use they don’t eat lines quite so quickly but watch your step.  The Korkers (sandals with carbide tipped steel studs) won’t cut the line but are a lot heavier.                                                     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!).

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I’m considering buying a pair of stream cleats. Are they worthwhile ??? Better than the felt soles ??? There are a number of different types ranging from stubs that look like football cleats to long metal "V" shaped irons…is there any advantage to which type is best ???

I have used the original Korker sandals from Oregon.  They are a little heavy and tend to come off in the water if your not careful. They have carbide tipped,  replaceable studs and grip very well. They were made famous buy steel headers on the North Umpqua river in Oregon. The original ones had nylon laces, but they have a new model with adjustable web straps with buckles.   Dan Bailey’s Stream Cleats from Montana are rubber goulashes with aluminum grids.  They work well and slip on and off easily.  The rubber can tear and the aluminum wears out,  but the are effective on large rivers. Today, most people use wadding shoes with studded felt soles for large rivers.  They are all one piece and wear well.  Not everyone likes metal on the bottom of the wadding boots.  Some still prefer felt.

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I’ve used korkers and they’re fine- a bit expensive and heavy but they work well in very slick streams.    I dont like the extra weight, so I’ve taken to placing a couple of dozen small hex headed sheet metal screws in the boot felt.  (the exact size escapes me but they are about 3/8" long +/-)   I’ve set some in expoy but to be honest it didnt seem to make any difference.  Most of the screws will last a season before they wear off or pull out.   All things considered, its a 50 cent and five minute solution.

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   I bought a pair of "CORKERS" yes that’s the brand name. 40.00 per pair, but I love-em !!!  Never had a slip problem, and the tie right onto your existing boots. (i leave em tied right onto the boots all the time).  I bought them for fishing for steelies in the winter time up in pulaski N.Y. on the salmon river. (all the river banks are frozen big time, and They’re steel tipped, so I never slip.  Look em up, they’re worth every penny.                        Hugh

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I’m considering buying a pair of stream cleats. Are they worthwhile ??? Better than the felt soles ??? There are a number of different types ranging from stubs that look like football cleats to long metal "V" shaped irons…is there any advantage to which type is best ??? Any info is much appreciated.

I fished for several years with aluminum cleated overshoes (from Dan Bailey, I believe).  Excellent traction; much better than felt.  They look really goofy, though.  I now have been using Orvis wading boots with felt soles and boron tips.  Best of all worlds and a little snugger fit overall.  Price is just about the same; the shoes are a bit more expensive but last longer (I’d rip the hell out of the overshoe).  Most importantly, with the shoes on I look like a FF poster child  :-)

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Stream cleats and spikes are incredibly effective on some rivers and streams, particularly for aggressive waders who end up needing the equivalent of four-wheel drive to get out of trouble. One piece of river etiquette that is forgotten all too often, however:  if you are floating, your guide or host would appreciate being asked whether or not it’s appropriate to wear cleats or spikes in the boat, since they can make quite a permanent mess on someone’s floorboards or non-scuff paint. As an alternative you might look at either the removable kind (sort of like shoe rubbers) or a folding wading staff. Good Luck, Peter Yoakum, Editor Flyfishers Online — Flyfishers Online at http://flyfishers.com

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I’m considering buying a pair of stream cleats. Are they worthwhile ??? Better than the felt soles ??? There are a number of different types ranging from stubs that look like football cleats to long metal "V" shaped irons…is there any advantage to which type is best ??? Any info is much appreciated.

   Depends on what you do and where you go. Cleats are hell on a drift boat or raft, useless in sand, mud or gravel and tend to trip you up (especially when they’re new and sharp).  On the other hand felts on slick grassy banks, polished granite boulders or when it’s below freezing are not much fun.    Hardened steel studs or Korkers are the best for walking around on pock marked volcanic substrate or when walking on slimy logs. For hard slick stuff like polished granite or marble, aluminum is best because it smears against the rock to provide traction where hard points skid.    -Ralph —

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Corkers for Wading Yes, they’re great but here’s a couple of tips: Put a wood screw horizontally through the corker into the heel of your wader or wading boot from each side. ( 2 on each boot, # 8 x1 1/4 " wood screw  works O.K. ) This will save replacing corkers lost in fast water. Say a prayer before descending a steep snow-covered hill, corkers are like skis on snow.

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I’m considering buying a pair of stream cleats. Are they worthwhile ??? Better than the felt soles ??? There are a number of different types ranging from stubs that look like football cleats to long metal "V" shaped irons…is there any advantage to which type is best ??? Any info is much appreciated.

Response:

I’m considering buying a pair of stream cleats. Are they worthwhile ??? Better than the felt soles ??? There are a number of different types ranging from stubs that look like football cleats to long metal "V" shaped irons…is there any advantage to which type is best ??? Any info is much appreciated.

Since I’ve first worn ‘Korkers’ 15 years ago Salmon fishing..I never go into a stream without them unless it’s a sandy bottom or like that. I’ve gotten so used to being able to worry less about my footing and concentrating more on the fishing that I feel uncomfortable in the stream without them. The Korkers brand by far is the best as they use carbide caulks that outlast any of the others I’ve tried. A good investment…. Tight Lines!! JAPPLE

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