Question:

I’d really like to get at least four people together for a Yuba tip on Sunday, but so far the response has been underwhelming. —— Related subject, how much does the out-of-state fishing license cost for three days or whatever.  I am putting together my budget and I just wanted to factor it all in…I hope more sign up for the guided trip on the Yuba, the $100 sounds very reasonable to me… —— Padishar Creel

Out of state license is about $28 for ten days, around $70 for whole season. Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories Phone: (650)-857-5491               Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971          

Response:

Oops, that is not the embroidery we will have on the hat, its just a sample hat to see what you guys think.  The embroidery I plan to use will not be shown to anyone until the clave and then to Roff afterwards.  As a sensitive artist, I wanted to debut my artwork where I can obtain the most praise from the drunken art critics on this clave.  It will be original artwork done by me and of course, in dishonor of our own patent holding ginkster, I will copy write and patent this work for all eternity

Perfect! Burn ‘em, but not until you know how many orders you have. I’ll take two. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Here is a picture of the hat I have tentatively chosen.  It has a khaki crown, with a dark green bill.  It is OK, for all of you fashion plates at Roff? http://www.nelsonembroidery.com/product.asp?NUM=HH-002

Looks like the best choice of their offerings…

Response:

PC, Looks fine. I’ll take three please. Danl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Here is a picture of the hat I have tentatively chosen.  It has a khaki crown, with a dark green bill.  It is OK, for all of you fashion plates at Roff? I really like the dark bill, but I can’t read the writing on the hat. Oops, that is not the embroidery we will have on the hat, its just a sample hat to see what you guys think.  The embroidery I plan to use will not be shown to anyone until the clave and then to Roff afterwards.  As a sensitive artist, I wanted to debut my artwork where I can obtain the most praise from the drunken art critics on this clave.  It will be original artwork done by me and of course, in dishonor of our own patent holding ginkster, I will copy write and patent this work for all eternity Padishar

Response:

PC, put me in for 3 HT – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – PC, Looks fine. I’ll take three please. Danl Here is a picture of the hat I have tentatively chosen.  It has a khaki crown, with a dark green bill.  It is OK, for all of you fashion plates at Roff? I really like the dark bill, but I can’t read the writing on the hat. Oops, that is not the embroidery we will have on the hat, its just a sample hat to see what you guys think.  The embroidery I plan to use will not be shown to anyone until the clave and then to Roff afterwards.  As a sensitive artist, I wanted to debut my artwork where I can obtain the most praise from the drunken art critics on this clave.  It will be original artwork done by me and of course, in dishonor of our own patent holding ginkster, I will copy write and patent this work for all eternity Padishar

Response:

Here is a picture of the hat I have tentatively chosen.  It has a khaki crown, with a dark green bill.  It is OK, for all of you fashion plates at Roff? http://www.nelsonembroidery.com/product.asp?NUM=HH-002 — Padishar Creel — Working night and say on a new invention to revolutionize the fly fishing world.

Response:

I’m in on the guided trip to the Yuba.  I hope more get on board, it sounds like a fine trip and obviously the guide is highly qualified.  Nice post from Bill and RW; I am tying away on the Shad flies.  I am going to sew up 3 dozen Shad Fish-Out Clave hats.  Think that will be enough

If we get two more for the Yuba, Creel, we have a deal, but it has to happen pretty fast. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Here is a picture of the hat I have tentatively chosen.  It has a khaki crown, with a dark green bill.  It is OK, for all of you fashion plates at Roff?

I really like the dark bill, but I can’t read the writing on the hat. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Here is a picture of the hat I have tentatively chosen.  It has a khaki crown, with a dark green bill.  It is OK, for all of you fashion plates at Roff? I really like the dark bill, but I can’t read the writing on the hat.

Oops, that is not the embroidery we will have on the hat, its just a sample hat to see what you guys think.  The embroidery I plan to use will not be shown to anyone until the clave and then to Roff afterwards.  As a sensitive artist, I wanted to debut my artwork where I can obtain the most praise from the drunken art critics on this clave.  It will be original artwork done by me and of course, in dishonor of our own patent holding ginkster, I will copy write and patent this work for all eternity Padishar

Response:

I’d really like to get at least four people together for a Yuba tip on Sunday, but so far the response has been underwhelming.

—— Related subject, how much does the out-of-state fishing license cost for three days or whatever.  I am putting together my budget and I just wanted to factor it all in…I hope more sign up for the guided trip on the Yuba, the $100 sounds very reasonable to me… —— Padishar Creel I am taking my 6wt Sage with a floating line, and a full sinking line.  Also do we have a chance to fish the stripped bass — need a little heavier rig I would assume.  Maybe my 8wt Cabelas or if the pictures on Bill’s Kienes site are any indicator maybe my new 10wt…or all of them!

Response:

Hi All, As far as we are concerned, the lower Yuba River is the finest American Shad fishing river on the west coast. It is small, shallow and clear making it a real gem. Fishing it with expert guide Bob Sparre would be the smartest thing to do as the access is very limited. Early June is absolute prime time on all our rivers for Shad. Bob put himself through college by guiding on our local rivers. After graduation he found that he really enjoyed guiding and it was lucrative for him year round so he has been doing it full time for quite a while.

I’d really like to get at least four people together for a Yuba tip on Sunday, but so far the response has been underwhelming. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

As far as we are concerned, the lower Yuba River is the finest American Shad fishing river on the west coast. It is small, shallow and clear making it a real gem.

Thanks for setting all this up, Bill and rw. Quick question for ya, Bill — I’ve heard that with rare exceptions shad don’t make it above Daguerre Dam on the Yuba. Is this true? If so, how come? Are they more reticent than salmon and steelhead to jump a fish ladder? thanks, – sid

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RW, If I can make it to Sack-o-Tomatoes for the clave, I’ll do the Yuba with you, I won’t know for sure until a coupla weeks before the clave, tho. Danl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, As far as we are concerned, the lower Yuba River is the finest American Shad fishing river on the west coast. It is small, shallow and clear making it a real gem. Fishing it with expert guide Bob Sparre would be the smartest thing to do as the access is very limited. Early June is absolute prime time on all our rivers for Shad. Bob put himself through college by guiding on our local rivers. After graduation he found that he really enjoyed guiding and it was lucrative for him year round so he has been doing it full time for quite a while. I’d really like to get at least four people together for a Yuba tip on Sunday, but so far the response has been underwhelming. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

RW, If I can make it to Sack-o-Tomatoes for the clave, I’ll do the Yuba with you, I won’t know for sure until a coupla weeks before the clave, tho.

I’m sure we’d have to book the Yuba trip much sooner than that, Dan’l. Considering the lack of response, I’m not hopeful about setting up a guided boat trip on the Yuba. I figure that on Saturday we can decide if we want to drive up and wade it on our own. Bill says access is a problem because there’s a lot of private land. BTW, I’m thinking of going to the American River sometime before the Fishout, just to see what it’s like. Anyone interested in joining me? I’ll be driving from the Bay Area, and my schedule is very flexible. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

I’m sure we’d have to book the Yuba trip much sooner than that, Dan’l. Considering the lack of response, I’m not hopeful about setting up a guided boat trip on the Yuba. I figure that on Saturday we can decide if we want to drive up and wade it on our own. Bill says access is a problem because there’s a lot of private land.

——- I’m in on the guided trip to the Yuba.  I hope more get on board, it sounds like a fine trip and obviously the guide is highly qualified.  Nice post from Bill and RW; I am tying away on the Shad flies.  I am going to sew up 3 dozen Shad Fish-Out Clave hats.  Think that will be enough Padishar Creel "Man is the best computer we can put aboard a spacecraft…and the only one that can be mass produced with unskilled labor." –  Wernher von Braun

Response:

location: American River, Sacramento, CA dates: Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 3 Is anyone else interested a guided trip to the Yuba on Sunday (about 45 minutes from Sacramento)? I talked to a guide named Bob Sparre, recommended by Bill Kiene. Bob says that the way it works is that the boat shuttles you around to wading spots. I think that’s a fun way to fish. Bob has some private-water launch sites that could be interesting. If we can get four or more people it will be $100/person. Bring your own gear and food. BTW, this would also be shad fishing. Also BTW, Bob guides on the American River, too. He said that the past couple of years it’s been a "boat river", which I guess means tough to wade. There’s less snow in CA this year (I came over Donner Summit last weekend), so maybe we’ll be OK. On the other hand, it might be prudent to book boat guides on Saturday, too. Let me know what you think. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Hi All, As far as we are concerned, the lower Yuba River is the finest American Shad fishing river on the west coast. It is small, shallow and clear making it a real gem. Fishing it with expert guide Bob Sparre would be the smartest thing to do as the access is very limited. Early June is absolute prime time on all our rivers for Shad. Bob put himself through college by guiding on our local rivers. After graduation he found that he really enjoyed guiding and it was lucrative for him year round so he has been doing it full time for quite a while. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – location: American River, Sacramento, CA dates: Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 3 Is anyone else interested a guided trip to the Yuba on Sunday (about 45 minutes from Sacramento)? I talked to a guide named Bob Sparre, recommended by Bill Kiene. Bob says that the way it works is that the boat shuttles you around to wading spots. I think that’s a fun way to fish. Bob has some private-water launch sites that could be interesting. If we can get four or more people it will be $100/person. Bring your own gear and food. BTW, this would also be shad fishing. Also BTW, Bob guides on the American River, too. He said that the past couple of years it’s been a "boat river", which I guess means tough to wade. There’s less snow in CA this year (I came over Donner Summit last weekend), so maybe we’ll be OK. On the other hand, it might be prudent to book boat guides on Saturday, too. Let me know what you think. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

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Question:

as my abused feet thaw, i thought i’d share a trip report with ya’ll. jeff arrived at the predetermined time, and i was damn near ready. we eventually loaded my gear in the truck and made our way off to the elk. we stopped at a convenience store for ice but it really wasn’t needed— we could have just as well laid the beer out in the truck bed and it would have been properly chilled upon our return. we walked the snow packed trail down and reached our favorite put-in spot. as we had rigged up at the truck, we were ready to fish. aberrantly, i cockily asked jeff if he wanted to see a fish out of the first hole. i dropped my bhhe into the water..and lordy…a rainbow made me look like a laughing prophet. jeff just shook his head and laughed. i knew we were in for one hell of a special day. nymphing in the blue cold of winter is wonderful. the air is crisp and fresh, the river is changed, yet gorgeous in it’s white blanket. i’d finish this story for ya’ll…but sweet smells are wafting down here from marie’s cooking and i’m starved… just let it be known that it really doesn’t get any better than to be astream with a good friend, no matter how friggin cold it is! waldo..prince of pilsner

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<good report snipped Nice sounding report Walt.  One time fishing the Upper Provo, my friend was not having any luck. I asked to see his rig.  He was using a gold ribbed hare’s ear.  I laid a cast using his fly rod in some ripples just before a pool and hooked up to a nice 12" rainbow.  Handed the rod back to him and told him, seems to be working fine.  It was pure luck and great timing on my part. bc. — Angling may be said to be so like the mathematics that it can never be fully learnt — Izaak Walton

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Blackcat writes: Nice sounding report Walt.  One time fishing the Upper Provo, my friend was not having any luck. I asked to see his rig.  He was using a gold ribbed hare’s ear.  I laid a cast using his fly rod in some ripples just before a pool and hooked up to a nice 12" rainbow.  Handed the rod back to him and told him, seems to be working fine.  It was pure luck and great timing on my part. bc.

LOL.  That has happened to all of us, I belief.  The best one that happened to me concerned a registered Maine Guide.  He was "trying out" a new 3 weight he had just made.  I sat for about 10 minutes watching him cast a size 20 emerger into a particular pool.  He asked me to try the rod.  I made several false casts, sort of getting the feel of things.  When I presented the fly, it must have landed right in front of a 17 inch land locked salmon, for he came up and slashed at the fly.  The rest is a pleasant memory.  When I released the fish, I told him it not only cast well, but landed well too.  <g Dave L.

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Question:

Hi All on the Caribbean Travel News Group, If you have any questions about traveling or staying in Belize, I would contacted Marge Perez. She runs a travel agency at the International airport outside Belize City. Margie worked for Tropic Air for many years and knows the country better than most people. She has friends or relatives in many places in Belize. She is used by the famous Orvis Company (USA) for cordinating their customers that travel to Belize. She is on-line and will have a web site up soon. I have a good knowledge of the fly fishing in Belize if you need any help there.

Response:

I have a good knowledge of the fly fishing in Belize if you need any help there——What kind if fly fishing? In streams or in bays? What kind of fish?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All on the Caribbean Travel News Group, If you have any questions about traveling or staying in Belize, I would contacted Marge Perez. She runs a travel agency at the International airport outside Belize City. Margie worked for Tropic Air for many years and knows the country better than most people. She has friends or relatives in many places in Belize. She is used by the famous Orvis Company (USA) for cordinating their customers that travel to Belize. She is on-line and will have a web site up soon. I have a good knowledge of the fly fishing in Belize if you need any help there.

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Question:

I just received my latest rod purchase in the mail today, an old SQUARE fiberglass rod. The seller thinks its from the 1940’s. Its a seven foot rod in a cream color. On the butt it says-  " Pan Fish FLY ROD PF-7 For HDH or D" It has a green aluminum downlocking reel seat and the wraps are done with different color thread but its all mixed up, each guide has 4 or 5 colors of thread mixed.Its a cool looking rod. I fished it this evening and landed several fish, of course the biggest one shook the fly. Had my best luck with a 24 cream Griffith’s gnat. This thing’s a dream for midging… But HEAVY! Does anyone know of this rod, when it might have been built and what exactly does HDH and D mean? Any help would be appreciated….. Matt M. P.S.  No, Big Dale, it’s not for sale

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… Does anyone know of this rod, when it might have been built and what exactly does HDH and D mean? Any help would be appreciated…..

Hey Matt, Don’t know much about 40’s fiberglas but HDH translates to DT6. — Ken Fortenberry Illini 3 – Tar Heels 1

Response:

does HDH and D mean? Any help would be appreciated….. Matt M.

This is a dimensional description.  The H corresponded, IIRC, to 0.025 inch diameter.  Each letter backward added 0.005.  Thus, D would be 0.045.  Accuracy in these dimensions was not a stron point for line manufacturers. Bill

Response:

Try calling Martin Keane of Classic Rods and Tackle in Ashley Falls, Mass.  Phone 413-229-7988.  He is an excellent authority on antique tackle. Ian Scott http://flyfishing.about.com/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I just received my latest rod purchase in the mail today, an old SQUARE fiberglass rod. The seller thinks its from the 1940’s. Its a seven foot rod in a cream color. On the butt it says- " Pan Fish FLY ROD PF-7 For HDH or D" It has a green aluminum downlocking reel seat and the wraps are done with different color thread but its all mixed up, each guide has 4 or 5 colors of thread mixed.Its a cool looking rod. I fished it this evening and landed several fish, of course the biggest one shook the fly. Had my best luck with a 24 cream Griffith’s gnat. This thing’s a dream for midging… But HEAVY! Does anyone know of this rod, when it might have been built and what exactly does HDH and D mean? Any help would be appreciated….. Matt M. P.S.  No, Big Dale, it’s not for sale

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Question:

I just saw this TERRIBLE bumper sticker on the back of a pickup:         It’s Not How Deep You Fish         It’s How You Wiggle Your Worm Ain’t that sad? And theres another just like it at: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/moffet/bsotd.htm

Response:

I just saw this TERRIBLE bumper sticker on the back of a pickup:         It’s Not How Deep You Fish         It’s How You Wiggle Your Worm Ain’t that sad? And theres another just like it at: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/moffet/bsotd.htm

Somehow I don’t think that’s REALLY related to fishing… Saw a GREAT bumper sticker today myself… wanna send one to all the PETApeople: "I LOVE ANIMALS!      They’re delicious!" — Joe Ellis         o/~ The Synthetic Filker o/~ |    TesserAct Studios  ()X  Darwin (;        Now on the Web at      |   Fairfield, OH 45018  //~~~LL~~~~LL~  http://shell.idt.net/~ellis69 |  New Dimensions In Filk!

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I live with fear and danger every day. Sometimes I take her flyfishing. TimW

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I just saw this TERRIBLE bumper sticker on the back of a pickup:         It’s Not How Deep You Fish         It’s How You Wiggle Your Worm Ain’t that sad? And theres another just like it at: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/moffet/bsotd.htm Somehow I don’t think that’s REALLY related to fishing… Saw a GREAT bumper sticker today myself… wanna send one to all the PETApeople: "I LOVE ANIMALS!      They’re delicious!" —

Saw one myself: I’m not a vegetarian because I love animals…I just HATE plants.

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If it’s tourist season, how come I can’t shoot one? Charley

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My friend Larry, with whom I’ve been fishing since early high school (circa 1969) called me the other day…. Larry: "Did you hear the Michigan Militia declared a no-fly zone North of Saginaw?" Me: "Oh…?" Larry: "Yeah, it’s worm only." Well, maybe you had to be there. –mike

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Question:

I need information on fly fishing for stiped bass.

Response:

I need information on fly fishing for stiped bass.

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

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Question:

Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks!

Response:

Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks!

About the best source for panfish fly patters is: Stewart, Dick.  Flies for bass & panfish /  1st ed.  Intervale, NH : Northland Press ; New York, NY : Distributed by Lyons & Burford, c1992.  v, 80, [7] p. : col. ill. ; 29 cm. If that’s not locally available, her are some suggestions: The traditional favorites are various rubber legged sinking flies with names like ‘Brim killer" and so on.  A simple, efective and easy to tie fly of this sort that I use a great deal is as follows: Lightly weight a #8 or 10 nymph (or baitholder) hook with lead wire. Tie in a lenght of medium black (or olive, hot pink, white, etc.) chenelle and wind to front making a "fat" body.  Tie in two long (2") strands of rubber hackle (white, black or to match body color) in the center, and pull the 4 ends back.  Wrap in a head, and whip finish.  Trim the rubber hackles to about twice the lenght of the fly.   Other simple sinking flies that work well for Bluegill are wooly worms, gold ribbed hare’s ear nymphs, peacock herl bodies with black or brown tail and wet fly hackle, black gant, bee patterns, small streamers, small wooly buggers, & mini-jigs. For surface bugs, the traditional cork poppers – sneakey Peets, pan pops, etc., are very good, but not worth tying given their cost vs. the time to make them.  Small (6 to 10#) hair bugs are good, and if you want to use dry flies, irresistibles or other deer hair body flies hold up well, as do hoppers, mudlers, etc. Basically, amuse yourself.  If you like it, the bluegill will too.   —

Response:

Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks!

On the surface I have used small hard bodied poppers #10/12 in black or yellow and hair wing dry flies like a Humpy or Irresistible #10/12.  Under water I have had good luck with a black wet fly.  A little wooly worm, soft hackle fly or nymph #10/12. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks!

I have found the Pass Lake pattern to be very effective for spring Bluegills.

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Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks!

A black beadhead wooly bugger fished at sundown, and right after, did the trick for me today.

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I admit I may be missing out on something, but I have literally only used one fly for panfish and caught hundreds over the years: a tiny yellow cork/balsa popper! Throughout the summer, I have never felt the need to fish underwater, as bluegill are 100% willing 100% of the time to savage a surface fly. At least, this is the case around the mid-Atlantic region. I _always_ catch them right along the edges of rivers and streams, in the shade under the banks. Scott (who sometimes believes fishing with wet flies is a glorified form of bait fishing!)

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        Jack Ellis (author of The Sunfishes) and I publish a newsletter every month that is devoted entirely to warmwater fly fishing (esp. bluegills).  Anybody who’d like to receive a couple of free samples just needs to email me their postal address and full name.  We feature patterns and tying tips in each issue.                                                 Brian

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Bivisibles work great!!  Use soft hackles on a size 12 or 14 and fish as a wetfly.  Quick inch retrieves with pauses between seem to really excite gills.  This is a favorite technique (of mine) in weedy ponds.   Color preference varies with light conditions. DBZ

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writes: Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks!

   I haven’t fished for bluegills for 25 years, and rather miss them.  My experience: on the spawning beds, nearly anything works.  In the summer, when the fish are scattered and lying deeper, two patterns really worked well — black gnat (#10 or so) with or without the wings, and a sort of spider that the local hardware store sold for two bits which had a soft vinyl body (like those Creepy Crawlies that kids make) and rubber legs. Crappies seem to like larger flies, esp. tinsel bodied patterns, and light, bright colors, yellow, white, pink.  Bluegills seemed more interested in buggy, naturalistic colors, # 10 or smaller.  The vinyl-bodied bug (a slow sinker) was effective at least partly because the fish didn’t spit it out.  See if you can borrow the neighbor kid’s Mattell machine, perhaps?   — Kilchis

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: Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks! I tie a large elk hair caddis(size 10 or 12), tan or florescent body, furnace hackle and a gold rib.  Use about twice as much wing as normal, coat the clipped head with Sally Hansens and you have a fly that dives pulling a lot of air under with the over large wing. Good luck, Bob Capistrant

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tw Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks! i like to use a threadfin shad, maybe size 10-12. it is a very natural minnow imitation which in springtime is larger than the current year-class fry, but smaller than the previous year-class. that makes it a very tempting morsel both for crappies and the larger bluegills. i find that the smaller bluegills will eagerly go after small bugs (nymphs, gnats, etc) but will be a leetle more hesitant about attacking a minnow. hence the streamer seems to work well for mixed panfish beds (i.e. crappies, bluegills, in several year classes). but the threadfin shad is expensive! 2-3$ per. does anybody have a recipe for it? it would be great if i could manufacture them myself. i suppose the reason for the high price is that it has an epoxy body (???). it has a tiny tuft of marabou tail. the body has 3 black spots on each side. the body is silvery, dark back, light belly. the good news is that i only need 2-3 of them each spring, since each one will catch about 50 fish before it disintegrates. ra. — Richard Atkins              Phone: (612) 951-7339           Honeywell Technology Center FAX:   (612) 951-7438 MN65-2200     3660 Technology Drive                                      

Response:

Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks!

Tom: Here’s a suggestion on something called a "Pus Fly" (don’t blame me, I didn’t name it).  I read about it on the wall of Jene Hughes’ fly shop in Des Moines, the 2nd. Ave. Bait Shop, and have been using it for two seasons now. Use a size 8-12 3x nymph hook and chartreuse thread.  Tie in a piece of bead chain so the hook rides upside down.  Tie the chain "eyes" about a quarter of an inch back from the eye of the hook.  Tie in a short tail of chartreuse marabou, and then tie a stubby body of some sort of chartreuse material (I’ve used chenille, ice chenille, body wool, and even floss) to just behind the bead eyes.   Tie in one or two turns of chartreuse or green hackle.  Finish by building cross-tying around the bead eyes and then tapering a kind of long, sloping nose down to the hook eye.  Coat the nose fairly heavily with head cement (you’ll catch a LOT of fish on each fly).  The finished fly has a little resemblance to a Crazy Charlie bonefish fly. You can also tie them in purple, black, orange, and white (sort of my descending order of preference). My most effective way to fish it is anywhere from 18" to 4 feet under a fair-size bass or bluegill popper.  The popper acts as a strike indicator but also can catch a lot of fish on its own. The ice just went out on our farm ponds about three weeks ago, and I’ve already caught several dozen pretty nice ‘gills on these flies.  They seem to work particularly well during early spring and late fall, but will work all year. Enjoy, Bob

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, I have just gone through a bunch of older fly rods and decided that I’d like to try them again. Unfortunately, they do not have any markings on them as to line weight. The rods are fiber glass and thus old enough not to have the AFTMA or older ABCDEFGH marking, so it probably will have to be trial and error before I get lines to work properly. Does anyone have suggestions as to how I can get the correct line weights without having to buy a whole bunch of lines? I remember using the rods 25 years ago and enjoying them, so I don’t just want to discard them for my current tackle. There is a 7′, 8′, and an 8 1/2′. The little one seems to overload with a 7weight and the longer rods appear not to load properly with the 7wt.        Frank —

Question:

Man, you guys over there in the good ole US of A don’t know what you’re missin’ out on!! Seriously though some excellent fly-fishing is to be had in Tassie. My favourite moments are those when the fish is poking around in 4 inchs of water, spotted back and dorsals breaking the surface. The fish’s window of vision is so small the fly needs to land right in the fish’s path. Too close and the fish is spooked, too far and the fish won’t even notice the fly. I’ve spent up to two hours on a single fish until finally setting the hook. If you fancy a bit of polaroiding then Tassie’s sandy bottom lakes will make you happy (although their not all sandy bottomed!!!!). Large fish up to around 8 pounds cruise around in these crystal clear waters, some tarns are not bigger than an average family’s block of land. If you don’t mind inching your way around on your stomach trying to fool a brown, then Tassie is place for your next visit. Just remember Got any questions about Tassie then read a book! or ask ME..I live in Melbourne which just across bass strait for those of you not familiar. Tassie’s nice but I wouldn’t live there. By the way I am looking for female fly-fishing penfriends….leave a message and I’ll get back. Mark

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Man, you guys over there in the good ole US of A don’t know what you’re missin’ out on!! Seriously though some excellent fly-fishing is to be had in Tassie. Got any questions about Tassie then read a book! or ask ME..I live in Melbourne which just across bass strait for those of you not familiar. Mark

Or you con contact me. I live in the US but my Father in Law is in Tazzie and is Currently the President of Fly Fish Australia. Malcom (his name) and I are in the planning stage of arranging holiday packages for the fly fisherman who would like to try some of the BEST fishing in the world, Anyone interested should contact me, as he is not yet on the net, but we’re working on it. Thanks.

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Question:

I’ve got my pole. I’ve got my flies.  I don’t have line. I found a good reference that describes the different types of fly line, but not leaders and backing(?). What is the material for leaders?  How long? How to attach to the fly line? The text also mentioned a backing line. What is it?  How much do I use? How do I attach it to the fly line? I was thinking about learning on blue gills.  Good/ Bad idea? Thanks in advance for all replies! Ed K.

Response:

In case  you haven’t received a reply on line, leaders, etc…Your rod should have a line weight marked some where just above the cork grip. Might be #6 or some such. You’ll need a line matched to that number. The leaders are made of monofiliment. You need one about 7 1/2 feet with a stength of about 6 pound test for sunfish. To the tip of the mono, add about 2 feet of tippet material (mono) with a barrel or double surgeon’s knot. I’d go to a flyfishing store for more help or buy the L.L. Bean Beginners Guide To Flyfishing," written by Dave Whitlock. Sunfish are great to learn on and fish for forever!!

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