Question:

And Maclean’s book is a masterpiece. wulfie, if you think "guns of navarone" is a masterpiece, yer crazier than george.

Well, you should see the MOVIE!! Wolfgang whoo boy!  some people don’t know no more about amurrican literature than a english cooke

Response:

And Maclean’s book is a masterpiece. wulfie, if you think "guns of navarone" is a masterpiece, yer crazier than george. Well, you should see the MOVIE!!

That’s who mentioned you.  Perhaps you should give Wayne a ration of crap.. . . ..Wolfie, got any sleep lately? — Warren Findley Yellowstone Clave info at: www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt

Response:

It IS a good movie though.  And Maclean’s book is a masterpiece. Ever read it? did, think so.

No.  You posted a 3 line reply and asked one question in those three lines which I answered.  You never mentioned anything about what I did, did not do or even mentioned anything I said to the guy who is not a newbie (check google.  I know I have seen that name around here before).  Why would I be pissed at anything you did.  You said it was a good movie, agreed.  You said the book was very good, agreed.  You asked if I had read the book and I had.  What would make me angry about that?  Nothing. O.K. then did I do or say anything that suggested I give a fuck whether or not you go ballistic over nothing in is speculation about who stepped on your dick lately.

Did I get mad at you?  Show me where I said "Wolfgang, you have done me wrong!"  Quit chasing windmills Wolfie, you are *crazy* enough without proving it and we love it! <g guess we won’t go into that.

Well, seeing as how you butted into something that didn’t involve you, never even addressed you, never were asked an opinion…well, you can guess who you remind me of. .. . . got anything you wanna sell?

GRAPHITE tomato stakes!  $5 + S&H! — Warren Findley Yellowstone Clave info at: www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt

Response:

Warren would have us believe: If it wasn’t for the clave I probably would have posted something like: "I really don’t give a flying rat’s ass if some dipshit yuppie pond scum has "discovered" it and is living his life by it.  As far as I am concerned, he can lick my ass in search of brown trout.  I have a great book from Gierach, should I post it here?  There is a section of about 30 pages that would do well around here, you ready for it? Screw that shit.  Hey Yuppie, sucka la cock beyotch."

About an hour or two at one of my fishing holes and the mosquitoes will have sucked all the yuppie-jeep-cherokee-driver-posting-10k-worth-of other-peoples-books-magic-crystal-anemic-droopy-drawers-sentimentality right out of him. The Old Crow and the Pall Malls should do the rest… — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyoming

Response:

When was I mad at you? Wolfgang you can be mad at me wulfie if it makes ya feel any better….

O.K. thanks.  Um……mind if I take a raincheck on that though?  Right now I am so furious with…….um…….well, somebody or other, that I can spare the anger.  Some time around the end of May suit you? waldo ps: bring white wine to porkies…. gallons <g

boat.  How ’bout it John, do we wanna see Opie waltzin with bears? Wolfgang

Response:

When was I mad at you? Wolfgang you can be mad at me wulfie if it makes ya feel any better…. O.K. thanks.  Um……mind if I take a raincheck on that though?  Right now I am so furious with…….um…….well, somebody or other, that I can spare the anger.  Some time around the end of May suit you?

lessee here… may, may, end of may…. uhmm, you’ll probably need to get in line at that time…. yup, that is right after the PA clave… after i catch ‘dem big ole’ browns, jeffie and tom will be in line ahead of ya. <g -ww

Response:

Well, I’ve been looking at that sentence for five minutes Wayne was the one that mentioned you in the thread, not me.

That reads a lot like the one that had me stumped last night.  Today, after a good night’s sleep, it has exactly the same effect as t’other. Perhaps you should give Wayne a ration of crap.. . . .. For what? I don’t know.

Ah yes, that helps a lot. Why were you mad at me when I never even mentioned you or did anything to you?

When was I mad at you? Wolfgang

Response:

When was I mad at you? Wolfgang

you can be mad at me wulfie if it makes ya feel any better…. waldo ps: bring white wine to porkies…. gallons <g

Response:

Well, I’ve been looking at that sentence for five minutes

Wayne was the one that mentioned you in the thread, not me. Perhaps you should give Wayne a ration of crap.. . . .. For what?

I don’t know.  Why were you mad at me when I never even mentioned you or did anything to you? Wolfie, got any sleep lately? Yep.  I make a point of it.

Good!  I have been making a point of it too lately — Warren Findley Yellowstone Clave info at: www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – And Maclean’s book is a masterpiece. wulfie, if you think "guns of navarone" is a masterpiece, yer crazier than george. Well, you should see the MOVIE!! That’s who mentioned you.

Well, I’ve been looking at that sentence for five minutes Perhaps you should give Wayne a ration of crap.. . . ..

For what? Wolfie, got any sleep lately?

Yep.  I make a point of it. Wolfgang

Response:

Norman Maclean Photo Gallery http://www.baylor.edu/~Julia_Lunsford/imagelink.html A River Runs Through It Trivia http://montanakids.com/db_engine/presentations/presentation.asp?pid=247

Response:

Who cares?!?!?!  WTF is up with "the movie" shit?!?!  Lemme guess, you are another yuppie that took up fly fishing because of "the movie" right?

Norman Maclean Photo Gallery http://www.baylor.edu/~Julia_Lunsford/imagelink.html A River Runs Through It Trivia

http://montanakids.com/db_engine/presentations/presentation.asp?pid=24 7 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Who cares?!?!?!  WTF is up with "the movie" shit?!?!  Lemme guess, you are another yuppie that took up fly fishing because of "the movie" right?

It IS a good movie though.  And Maclean’s book is a masterpiece.  Ever read it? Wolfgang

Response:

And Maclean’s book is a masterpiece.

wulfie, if you think "guns of navarone" is a masterpiece, yer crazier than george. –waldo

Response:

It IS a good movie though.  And Maclean’s book is a masterpiece. Ever read it?

I have seen the movie several times and read the book.  So? If I weren’t a second hand clavemeister, I probably would have posted something along the lines of what Wayne did.  If it wasn’t for the clave I probably would have posted something like: "I really don’t give a flying rat’s ass if some dipshit yuppie pond scum has "discovered" it and is living his life by it.  As far as I am concerned, he can lick my ass in search of brown trout.  I have a great book from Gierach, should I post it here?  There is a section of about 30 pages that would do well around here, you ready for it? Screw that shit.  Hey Yuppie, sucka la cock beyotch." NOTE: The above was a dramatization and cannot reflect on either me nor the Yellowstone Clave.  <insert touchy feely crap here — Warren Findley Yellowstone Clave info at: www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It IS a good movie though.  And Maclean’s book is a masterpiece. Ever read it? I have seen the movie several times and read the book.  So? If I weren’t a second hand clavemeister, I probably would have posted something along the lines of what Wayne did.  If it wasn’t for the clave I probably would have posted something like: "I really don’t give a flying rat’s ass if some dipshit yuppie pond scum has "discovered" it and is living his life by it.  As far as I am concerned, he can lick my ass in search of brown trout.  I have a great book from Gierach, should I post it here?  There is a section of about 30 pages that would do well around here, you ready for it? Screw that shit.  Hey Yuppie, sucka la cock beyotch." NOTE: The above was a dramatization and cannot reflect on either me nor the Yellowstone Clave.  <insert touchy feely crap here

so.  O.K. then did I do or say anything that suggested I give a fuck whether or not you go ballistic over nothing in speculation about who stepped on your dick lately. we won’t go into that. Wolfgang got anything you wanna sell?

Response:

Question:

I am going to try my hand at some Salmon fishing this year.  A friend of mine recommended that I get some running line for my reel.  He says that you can split in in half and make two running lines.  Questions:  1) Is this true?  2) What are the properties of a running line and what makes it different than other conventional fly lines? 3) Reputable brands?  Thank you in advance.

Response:

I am going to try my hand at some Salmon fishing this year.  A friend of mine recommended that I get some running line for my reel.  He says that you can split in in half and make two running lines.  Questions:  1) Is this true?  2) What are the properties of a running line and what makes it different than other conventional fly lines? 3) Reputable brands?  Thank you

Your friend may have meant to recommend backing, e.g. 30 lb. test braided dacron, to fill up the fly reel under the fly line.  This is needed for strong fish like salmon which may take out more line than the 30-35 yards of the fly line. "Running line" used to be sold by Scientific Anglers (perhaps still is) and was a thin level fly line (0.029 inches diameter) used by people who liked to splice their own tapers, e.g. with a shooting head.  (British reservoir anglers used to use heavy mono for both backing and running line.  Perhaps 20 years ago British mono curled less than American.) — |        Carlsbad Springs, Ottawa, Canada        |

Response:

Question:

Tyler You have a great rod for the money, I don’t know what happened to your rod but I can say for a fact that you will be well taken care of . BTW Sage makes good rods to but they break to and so do the rest of them and guess what so do cars. Just my .02 worth. Good Luck KW – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thank’s for the help guys.  I sent my rod in to get repaired/replaced the other day.  I hope they replace it.  I guess my real question is if there is a better made rod out there for around the same price.  I paid about $150 for it.  I know Sage makes good rods, but I’ve seen how much they cost. Can’t quite afford them.  Maybe someday. Thanks Again, Tyler FYI Diamondback has an unconditional lifetime warranty KW I think Diamondback has a replacement guarantee. Take it back to the dealer or call Diamondback yourself. Use the number on your warranty registration card. Fixing graphite rods doesn’t work well because of the brittleness of the material. There can be micro-cracks in the rod distant from the break. If diamondback doesn’t replace the rod with a new one, then buy a rod from a company that has a good guarantee next time. Slammed my 8 year old sage into the liftgate on my Explorer….replaced. The tip on my friends Sage was broken by the guide he hired….replaced. Another friend lent his custom Sage to a friend and the friend broke the tip off…Sage sent him a new blank. You spend too much money on these fragile things not to have a replacement guarantee. Steve Yes,  most common cause of that is the ferrule has worked loose.  I once caught 15 fish and had the rod explode on a cast when that happened. The good news,  there is a good chance Diamondback will work with you on replacing it. There is a chance that the ferrule is done incorrectly.  If that is the case Diamondback will probably give you a new rod.  Call them. Alright, I just bought a new setup a couple of weeks ago.  An Orvis 5/6 Rocky Mountain reel with a 9′ 6wt. Diamondback 3 piece rod.  The reel is great, but the middle section of the rod snapped right at the top ferrule while I was casting.  It was only my second time out with it.  Has anyone else had this problem with these rods, or is it just my bad luck? Tyler Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

An Orvis 5/6 Rocky Mountain reel with a 9′ 6wt. Diamondback 3 piece rod.  The reel is great, but the middle section of the rod snapped right at the top ferrule while I was casting.  It was only my second time out with it.  Has anyone else had this problem with these rods, or is it just my bad luck?

Not your bad luck, I’ve had two Diamondbacks, both snapped at the ferrulles during normal casting. While they are guaranteed, it is a major PITA. Wayne Knight (remove nospam to respond via mail) Expert in the creation of  wind knots and tailing loops.

Response:

An Orvis 5/6 Rocky Mountain reel with a 9′ 6wt. Diamondback 3 piece rod.  The reel is great, but the middle section of the rod snapped right at the top ferrule while I was casting.  It was only my second time out with it.  Has anyone else had this problem with these rods, or is it just my bad luck? Not your bad luck, I’ve had two Diamondbacks, both snapped at the ferrulles during normal casting. While they are guaranteed, it is a major PITA.

I don’t know so I will have to ask this question.  IF your Diamondback doesn’t have a guide RIGHT AT THE BASE of that ferrule station, the fulcrum point is missing which absorbs the shear forces, thus stopping ferrules from snapping off at the base.  Another thing that is important Wayne is properly placed guides at the base of ferrules (both sides) remove a tremendous amount of male/female ferrule wear.  Therefore, IF there are no GUIDES at the base of the butt section immediately below the ferrule, that may very well be the reason these Diamondbacks are breaking at the point. Just another bastardly comment and suggestion. — Mr. G.   http://www.gink.com/chat   "Flyfisherman’s Camp Fires Burning" Fly Fishing’s Talking Camp Site http://www.gink.com  

Question:

IMHO it is worth fly fishing in any water that you think might hold fish. Jack.

Response:

Anyone know if it is worth trying to flyfish in the upper mississippi? just wonderin’

Most definently.  The Mississippi above Minneapolis is a terrific smallmouth fishery.  In addition, throughout the entire upper sections there are plenty of fish willing to take dry and wet flies. Jon Russell FlyFish Minnesota

Response:

Anyone know if it is worth trying to flyfish in the upper mississippi? just wonderin’

Response:

Question:

First response is : Replace the line if it’s 13 months old.  How much do you fish this line, I try to give my old (12 months) fly lines to beginners to encourage them.  Next, I did the same thing last week, I was fishing False Albacore off of Montauk, LI, NY and layed down a beautiful Cuban on my motor controls so I could tye on a new Clouser.  I looked down to see the Tarpon Taper Intermediate line smoking and melting as it laid up against the cigar.  I picked up the  gar, took a couple of puff, rolled my fingers around the melted area of the fly line and through it at 100 breaking ""albies".  I landed four more fish that afternoon with that line and plan to use it again next week.  I wouldn’t fish that burned line on a Tarpon (BIG TARPON that is) trip but this burn went right down to the core yet still seems to have plenty of strength. That’s my story and I’m stickin to it! Bonefly

Response:

I’ve repaired fly lines on several occasions but never from a burn.  I did cut an almost new fly line in half when I stepped on it with stream cleatl.  To repair the cut line I removed the plastic coating on each end, lapped the ends over each other and sewed them together with needle and thread.  I followed that with a smooth coat of Zap A Gap.

Now That’s a patch! How did the line hold up? Carl carl

Response:

I’ve repaired fly lines on several occasions but never from a burn.  I did cut an almost new fly line in half when I stepped on it with stream cleatl.  To repair the cut line I removed the plastic coating on each end, lapped the ends over each other and sewed them together with needle and thread.  I followed that with a smooth coat of Zap A Gap. Now That’s a patch! How did the line hold up

Hi Carl The line seems to holding up very well.  I made the repairs last year and have used the line hard since then with no problems. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

Response:

I may have pulled the ultimate bonehead manuveur.  I melted my flyline with a cigar while tying on a fly.  The central core is not exposed, but the plastic is clearly damaged.  The line is 13 months old. My question to this esteemed group (as I am sure someone else has done this before): Will this affect the strength of the line? Should I discard the line? Should I attempt to coat the damaged area with something? Thanks,  Steve Haun

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I may have pulled the ultimate bonehead manuveur.  I melted my flyline with a cigar while tying on a fly.  The central core is not exposed, but the plastic is clearly damaged.  The line is 13 months old. My question to this esteemed group (as I am sure someone else has done this before): Will this affect the strength of the line? Should I discard the line? Should I attempt to coat the damaged area with something? Thanks,  Steve Haun

Hi Steve, I’ve repaired fly lines on several occasions but never from a burn.  I did cut an almost new fly line in half when I stepped on it with stream cleatl.  To repair the cut line I removed the plastic coating on each end, lapped the ends over each other and sewed them together with needle and thread.  I followed that with a smooth coat of Zap A Gap. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

Response:

Yet another reason to stop smoking!

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I may have pulled the ultimate bonehead manuveur.  I melted my flyline with a cigar while tying on a fly.  The central core is not exposed, but the plastic is clearly damaged.  The line is 13 months old. My question to this esteemed group (as I am sure someone else has done this before): Will this affect the strength of the line? Should I discard the line? Should I attempt to coat the damaged area with something? Thanks,  Steve Haun

Steve, As long as the core is ok, you might try Aquaseal over the melted portion. Spread it thin, wet your finger and smooth it out. It should work fine. Almost have done the same on several occasions. Norm

Response:

Message from another bonehead! You can try and fix the burned area with one of the knot glues, I have used Loon Outdoors Knot Coat with success. Give the line a good yank after drying to make sure. But better still, because you can never be sure how far down the heat has penetrated into the core, cut out the burned section. Then by dipping each end of the fly line into nail polish remover soften the outer coatings, and strip off about 2 inches from each end of the line. Using a rough comb or brush ‘flay’ the ends of the exposed cores. Lay these exposed and flayed ends of the cores over each other and using a fly tying bobbin wrap the cores with several layers of thread. Then coat the whipped join with one of the knot glues. Ensure the knot glue is applied over the ends of the line coating on either end of the join to stop water ‘whicking’ up the central core. Good luck! Conficoius say man who smokes into wind with loose flyline gets his own back. — Tony Bishop Fish with Bish Taupo New Zealand – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I may have pulled the ultimate bonehead manuveur.  I melted my flyline with a cigar while tying on a fly.  The central core is not exposed, but the plastic is clearly damaged.  The line is 13 months old. My question to this esteemed group (as I am sure someone else has done this before): Will this affect the strength of the line? Should I discard the line? Should I attempt to coat the damaged area with something? Thanks,  Steve Haun

Response:

Question:

Fabulous blue, striper and false albacore fly rod fishing at the point. Huge schools of blues hitting all day long (4-10 lbs.), bass averaging about 10-15 lbs with some as large as 35 lbs,  Albacore in and out of the blue schools hitting like  subway trains.  Incredible fly rod fishing both off the surf, jetties and especialy from small boats just outside the surf line.  Should get even better in the next few weeks.

Response:

10/10 I was at Montauk Point yesterday and it was incredibly crowded. For safety sake, I kept my 9wt  out of the action. Stripers and blues were around all day, largely within reach of only the longest surfcasters. When they came in close, it was a free for all. I watched one guy hook a 30 inch striper and then get hooked himself by an errant surfcaster as he fought the fish. It was wild as usual!  Flyfishers in boats were getting their gas money’s worth of action Nothing much was doing at Gin Beach, Ditch Plains or Fort Pond Bay during daylight hours. Where have you had your luck? David

Response:

Question:

Folks, I need your help. I downloaded a new version of GNN tonite (31a – avoid it at all costs) and it blew away my hotlist with all my flyfishing links,  Would you all please wpost your favorite liwweb pages  with the correct http adresses?  I used to have all of the "classics", but they are gone for now.  I’ll try to build them back by doing some serious surfing, but any help you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks, Kevin

Response:

Folks, I need your help. I downloaded a new version of GNN tonite (31a – avoid it at all costs) and it blew away my hotlist with all my flyfishing links,  Would you all please wpost your favorite liwweb pages  with the correct http adresses?  I used to have all of the "classics", but they are gone for now.  I’ll try to build them back by doing some serious surfing, but any help you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks, Kevin

Kevin, Perhaps you’ve tried this already but if not,  it’ll give more locations than you probably want:  <http://www.lycos.com/  (don’t put in these things  < )  I ran a test on it just searching for  "fly fish" and got more that 50 pages with the majority being specificly fly fishing. (it said it had "10k documents" if I wanted to look at them !!!) Regards,   ~~ The Eddie Bauer catalog offers pitch-saturated kindling wood "felled by lightning or other natural causes." WHAT!

Response:

Question:

Juha,     What  is a "Steelhead" in Finland?  Oncorynchus Mykiss?                                 Mike in PDX                "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                                            Tom McGuane

Response:

Juha,    What  is a "Steelhead" in Finland?  Oncorynchus Mykiss?

(snip) Probably Salmo trutta (seatrout version)?? Edvard Bergene

Response:

   What  is a "Steelhead" in Finland?  Oncorynchus Mykiss? Probably Salmo trutta (seatrout version)??

"Steelhead" in Finland is probably rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).         Michael F

Response:

Will be taking a trip to Finland (Helsinki) last week of July.  Would like any info on flyfishing in the area.

Response:

Finland: I have never fished in southern Finland, but you will probably find   mostly pike and other "not so much attractive" species in lakes over   there. It seems that southern Finland is not much of a playing ground for a   flyfisher, or am I wrong?  :-) (Finns: don’t take any offence!!) Finland is by the way known as "The land of 1000 lakes" – you will   understand why when you get there. Regards Jan Gunnar Furuly, Ski, Norway

Response:

Question:

Next week I’ll go fishing the skagit R. Someone have any idea on what kind of flies I should use?

I fish the Skagit on the Canadian side quite frequently. I believe that it opens July 1st though so check your regs. Also catch and release only now. I have had most of my success with basic Nymph patterns, and Mosquito immitations.Also had one great day using Royal Coachmen{hooked over 30 14-16" fish in a couple of hours fishing a back channel} never had another day like it there since though. But always do well.Try fishing with sink tip line as close to bottom as you can get in deeper runs, exspecially if water on low-clear side..                Good Luck!!

Response:

the skagit river flows from south west British Columbia… our Government is in constant battle with the U.S. over further damming of the river which would flood one of the most Beautiful valleys in the world.

We’re good at that. The Glen Canyon of the Colorado in northern Arizona, now Lake Powell, was by all accounts and the testimony of photographs, THE most beautiful canyon in the world. Good luck.

Response:

the skagit river flows from south west British Columbia,headwaters in the Manning Park area into a Man Made lake {Ross Lake} it is then Dammed in Washington State and then flows through Northern Washington into the Pacific.I fish it on the Canadian side only and our Government is in constant battle with the U.S. over further damming of the river which would flood one of the most Beautiful valleys in the world.

Actually, the various BC governments have *not* done battle with the US over the Skagit. The Skagit is close enough to Vancouver (which is very important politically in BC). When Seattle City Light wanted to raise Ross Dam and flood more of the Skagit, the BC government had a better idea – they built the Seven Mile Dam on the Pend d’Oreille (the Kootenays being of less importance politically), thus flooding the falls which kept coarse fish out of the Salmo River, and sold the power so SCL. — 3798 Woodland Drive     voice: (604) 368-9315 Trail, BC               data:  (604) 368-9341

Response:

  The dambuilding regieme [in particular the WAC Socreds] in British Columbia had an international reputation of "Profit first" environmentalism [comparatively, the present government is elligible for sainthood ]. One particular Rodderick H.Brown quote sets the way I used to feel about the rape of BC rivers at the expense of fish. "I hate practically everything British Columbia stands for today–the shoddy, uncaring devellopment of our natural resources, the Chamber of Commerce mentality which favors short-term material gain over all other considerations, the utter contempt for human values of any kind.  I hate and despise the trivial provincial mentality that denies Canada’s national heritage, which seeks petty advantage at cost to the common weal, which resists every vital Canadian concept and the whole range of modern knowledge and communication which can make the Canadian ideal a reality.  I apologize to the rest of Canada for this narrow lack of faith and vision."                        – Roderick Haig-Brown, June 21,1965. Actually, the various BC governments have *not* done battle with the US

over the Skagit. Water rights are pretty well Federal jurisdiction IF the despute is with a foreign country [in this case, the United States]. The Skagit is close enough to Vancouver (which is very important politically in BC). When Seattle City Light wanted to raise Ross Dam and flood more of the Skagit, the BC government had a better idea – they built the Seven Mile Dam on the Pend d’Oreille (the Kootenays being of less importance politically).

A lot of truth to this . . . When Seven Mile went in, the province was essentially being run from Howe Street in Vancouver [the financial backbone of B.C.]. Kryten// — @         0r

Response:

Woahhh! Before you all go off fishin’ the Skagit, be aware that the

Out of curiosity, where is the Skagit? Tim

Response:

 Out of curiosity, where is the Skagit? Tim the skagit river flows from south west British Columbia,headwaters in the Manning Park area

into a Man Made lake {Ross Lake} it is then Dammed in Washington State and then flows through Northern Washington into the Pacific.I fish it on the Canadian side only and our Government is in constant battle with the U.S. over further damming of the river which would flood one of the most Beautiful valleys in the world.

Response:

the skagit river flows from south west British Columbia,headwaters in the Manning Park area into a Man Made lake {Ross Lake} it is then Dammed in Washington State and then flows through Northern Washington into the Pacific.I fish it on the Canadian side only and our Government is in constant battle with the U.S. over further damming of the river which would flood one of the most Beautiful valleys in the world.

If you need a US partner in blowing those damned dams on the Skagit the hell out of there, let me know.  Those damn dams gag that river.  Sadly a common story though.  However, I would be surprised if further proposed dams would ever possibly be built these days.  Thanks to interest groups, the plight of fish etc. as it relates to dams on rivers seems to be more near the front of people’s minds.   -tgades —

Response:

Next week I’ll go fishing the skagit R.

The Skagit River in Washington state?  You know of course that your post is read all over the world.   Someone have any idea on what kind of flies I should use?

To catch what?  Steelhead?  Dolly Varden?  Cutthroat?   Are you fishing low or high on the river. It’d be easier to help if you answered some of these essential questions. -tgades —

Response:

Next week I’ll go fishing the skagit R. Someone have any idea on what kind of flies I should use?

        I’m assuming that you’re fishing the upstream Canadian stretch in southwestern BC, where there is a lovely flyfishing only C & R stretch.         For all necessary info, contact Ruddick’s Fly Shop in Vancouver, tel: 604-434-2420.         I’ve fished it twice and the usual nymph patters (PTN, GRHE, Prince) and a green bodied caenis (#16 or #18) and Adams work.         Tight lines…

Response:

Next week I’ll go fishing the skagit R. The Skagit River in Washington state?  You know of course that your post is read all over the world.  

The Skagit R. in British Columbia Someone have any idea on what kind of flies I should use? To catch what?  Steelhead?  Dolly Varden?  Cutthroat?   Are you fishing low or high on the river.

I’llbe fishing for Rainbows and also Dolly Varden.  I’ll be fishing at low river.                                                    Tks again                                                     Eric

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Next week I’ll go fishing the skagit R. Someone have any idea on what kind of flies I should use? A reply would be appreciated since I’m a novice at this sport                                                    TKS.

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Woahhh! Before you all go off fishin’ the Skagit, be aware that the river does not open on the Canadian side until July 1!!!! Even then there are C&R and other restrictions, so read the regs. My son and I were fishing there last year and I was approached by some very suspicous looking individuals who claimed they were just curious to see the fish. It was interesting to note they did not look like tourists and were carrying a net and wore waders. Can we say GAME WARDENs? My point is, check the regs and be aware that I believe the river is patrolled by officials who do not announce their intentions. On a positive note, the Skagit is beautiful and deserves all the respect it can get. I understand that over the years it has been threatened by dams and netting for meat. Fortunately there are people (Ted Peck included) who have managed to protect it for us and I think we should ensure its continued protection. The Skagit ‘bows are the most beautiful I have ever seen! The valley is a piece of paradise, especially when you work your way to the West side as far away from road access as possible. B.

: Next week I’ll go fishing the skagit R. : Someone have any idea on what kind of flies I should use? : A reply would be appreciated since I’m a novice at this sport   :                                                  TKS.

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Before I begin this trip report I would like to thank the following folks who provided much useful information via e-mail that helped me to plan Jeff Bryson, Nic Lyons, Lyle Nichols, Kief Hillsbery, Tim Medley, Ed Zalta, Keith Price.  I would also like to thank the park rangers, but I can’t, because what little information they provided was either badly out of date or just plain wrong.   Day 1:  Arrival Loaded the VW in a cold drizzle in San Francisco.  Fortunately, this was the most weather we would see the entire trip.  Arrived at South Lake at 4:30 pm and stashed the bike.  Got to North Lake trailhead parking at 5:00. Had shocking realization that I had left all coffee apparattus at home.   Searched the car and came up with one cotton sock, slightly used.  It would have to do.  Hit trail and hiked for 1 hour to Lower Lamarck Lake.  Made camp in a luxurious site on the east shore.  From campsite we thought we could see Lamarck Col, our next day’s destination.  Fortunately, we were way wrong as we were looking up at the very steep snow field on the north face of Mt. Lamarck.  Went to sleep beneath billions and billions of stars.  (Who needs a tent in the Sierra?)  Everything went fine until the brightest goddamned moon I have ever seen came out and rioted around the lake.  Maybe a tent would have been a good idea after all. Finally fashioned eye shades and nodded off. to be continued… -Matt Spitzer

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Day 2 (Monday, September 6):  Darwin Canyon via Lamarck Col Awoke very early to get morning reflection shots of Mt. Lamarck on the lake. Then I made my first attempt to make coffee using my sock/drip maker.  It wasn’t very successful, as the sock tended to soak up all the boiling water and scald my fingers.  Off to a fine Alpine start (10:00 am) we headed up the trail to the upper Lamarck Lake and then  took the made, but unmarked trail up to the Col.  About 4 miles (I’m guessing) and 2,000 ft later we arrived at the foot of the Col, a little winded (yeah, right).  We hadn’t known what to expect, so we had brought along ice axes.  As it turned out, the snowfield on the Col was so rutted out by people’s foot tracks that there was a waist high wall on the downhill side to prevent us from falling.  At the top (12,900) we had great views of the Piute Crags and the lovely town of Bishop to the North and Glacier encrusted Darwin Peak and the gorgeous (literally) Darwin Canyon to the South and West.  After a brief break Minio shot head first down the slope into Darwin Canyon.  I followed behind, enjoying an occaisional plunge step in some loose stuff.  We arrived at the highest lake and then it was a simple walk, much of it over boulders ranging in size from a tv sets to VW buses, down to the lowest lake where we made camp, exhausted. Fishing in the lake was poor for golden trout to 8", but scenery was excellent. Scenery became even more intese at sunset when alpenglow lit the back wall of the canyon and everything glowed orange.  That night many billions of stars, some shooting, and several sattelites came out to play, until the friggin’ moon came out and drove them off. Day 3:  Darwin Canyon to Evolution Basin This morning I devised an improvement to the coffee maker.  I propped open the end of the sock with two crossed twigs and suspended the whole thing from a string tied to the twigs.  Using my new Hane’s drip maker I was (theoretically) able to make my morning cup of Guatemalan love juice without losing any layers of skin from the fingers.  However, the water goes through the sock much too quickly, resulting in an underextracted brew.  This was remedied by soaking sock in cup like a tea bag, but final squeeze scalds fingers again.  Packed up camp and countoured through Darwin Bench and around west slope of ridge extending from Darwin Peak.  From this slope we get excellent panoramic vista stretching from Evolution Valley to Evolution Basin including many snow packed peaks.  Minio and I reach consensus that Evolution Valley has been much over-hyped, as it is a rather unimpressive low stretch of bear country, lined by rather unimpressive walls. Evolution Basin, and the peaks to the south and east, by contrast, is glorious.  The slope we are traversing is itself a thing of beauty, covered with blooms of columbine, shooting star and numerous other flowers including some kind of onion-thing.  Eventually we work our way down toward Evolution Lake, but come to an impass where we have to do a little free climbing (50 ft of 5.4 at most) and then we are home free.  On our way to the lake we observe that if we had just gone up once more we could have waltzed down to our present position without any climbing at all.  By the shores of the stunningly beautiful Evolution Lake we join the John Muir trail and soon come across a trail crew, busily filling in the old trail and planting shrubs along its course. The new trail they have built for us is a work of art, a veritable super highway through the High Sierra. After a brief foot-soaking break by the lake’s edge we are off.  Leaving the lake we hike beside a small cascading stream up to Saphire Lake where we make camp.  In faithful observance of Labor Day Minio breaks out his copy of International Trotskyist and begins reading.  I head back down the stream that connects the two lakes and begin fishing at 4 pm.  By 6:30 I have fished my way back to our campsite in failing light, having caught and released 72 golden trout ranging from embarrasingly small to 10 inches on dry flies. A note about small goldens:  they are incredibly stupid.  About the only thing I could do to disuade them from hitting was to badly drag the fly against the current.  They never seemed to mind the fact that I fished right through a hatch of small brown mayflies with a #10 Cream Wulff.  That evening we slept out of the fairly stiff wind in a rock shelter that Minio built by the North shore of the Lake while I fished.  The whiskey bottle is already getting dangerously empty. to be continued… -Matt Spitzer

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