Question:

First, thanks for all of the replies I received. Tonight I found at least one of the problems and heat makes it worse, not better.  The MCT finish I’ve been used is much less viscous than regular epoxies so it will run easily.  My first and second coats are great, smooth and even.  I should stop there but the third coat always ends up clumping up at either end of the wrap and thin in the middle, giving the wrap a dumbell look, not the the "bubble" look of a factory finish.  I now know why. Where the foot of the guide is ground down, a ramp is formed.  On the first and second coats, the epoxy grips the threads and everything is fine.  On the third coat, the wraps are now covered and epoxy has nothing to grip.  Consequently it runs down the ramp created by the ground down portion of the guide foot.  When the rod is turning and the guide is up, the epoxy runs away from the guide.  When the guide rotates down, it runs toward the guide – result, very little left in the middle.  I realized this when I noticed a blob of excess epoxy flow down the ramp as the rod turned. Who would have thunk it. Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

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I’ve noticed something interesting in the past year or so. The World Wide Web has matured in the following sense. It’s become the primary source for research on many topics, from the mndane to the obscure. It’s been clear for a few years that this would eventually happen, but now it has, and the WWW is just going to become more entrenched and comprehensive. Everyone with Internet access now has a first-class library in their home. In a year it will be a world-class library. In another year it may well be the only library. If you doubt this just go to www.google.com (the finest search engine on the Web) and type in a flyfishing knot. If you can’t find it, don’t complain — make a web site. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

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Peter try this if you want the bulbous look with MCT finish. This method applies equally to first or later coats.  I always put on two coats at a time.  Put a very thin layer of the stuff, of even thickness over the guide wraps.  The only way to get an even coat like this is to use a very small amount of epoxy so that it forms a film around your wrap (otherwise any thicker amount of epoxy will flow and self level or worse, it may work its way to the edges and you’ll get the dumbell effect).  I coat the entire rod from butt to tip in one sitting with a very thin film of epoxy, just to get the wraps wet.  Since it is thin, and since this epoxy has an evaporative solvent, it begins to thicken faster than the epoxy mixture you have sitting in your mixing pot.  Once you’ve covered all the wraps, go back to the first one and apply a continuous bead of epoxy around the middle of each wrap. The first layer will be wet enough so that you get a smooth transition between this second application and the epoxy you applied several minutes earlier (basically it breaks the surface tension).  Applying a bead of epoxy like this over a completely dried, previous coat will cause the bead to have a "shoulder" and not be smooth (think water droplets on a piece of wax paper).  However, the undercoating by this time has become more  viscous than the second coating you have begun applying and so this second coating tends not to run all the way to the edges of the wrap.  Thus the undercoating is wet enough to break surface tension of the second coat but dried enough to keep the second coat from flowing too easily. The "ramp" that you mention, which is caused by the guide feet under the thread is of course even more pronounced with guide feet for conventional tackle.  Using the above technique, I could easily get the bulbous look on a musky casting rod I built last year.  It took about 5 coats however. For typical snake guides, it takes about 3 coats (well I guess that’s technically 6 coats, but the setup and wait time is not any longer than for three coats since I am always applying 2 coats at a time). MCT’s web site has been down for a while ( 1 week or so ).  I hope they are still in business.  Otherwise I’ll have to start buying Dale Clemen’s Crystal Cote (www.clemenstackle.com). Mu

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Peter try this if you want the bulbous look with MCT finish.

For further clarification, for that "continuous" bead of epoxy, it need not be applied with one continuous stroke of the brush.  "Continuous" just means that it is a connected ring of epoxy around the guide wrap.  Also, when applying the "bead", don’t let the brush touch the undercoat, just bring the tip of it close enough (2 – 3 mm) to the rod so that the epoxy flows off the brush and onto the rod.  A drying motor of less than 10 RPM is preferable for use with the thin finish.  Don’t worry if the excess epoxy flows to the underside of the wrpas as the rod is turning. If fact, that is what you want.  The "ramp" only exits on one side of the rod blank – if viewed down the shaft of the rod, the guide foot might subtend an angle of only a few degrees, the rest of the 360 degrees is just rod blank and the turning will minimize the flowing down the ramp. Mu

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Peter try this if you want the bulbous look with MCT finish. For further clarification, for that "continuous" bead of epoxy, it need not be applied with one continuous stroke of the brush.  "Continuous" just means that it is a connected ring of epoxy around the guide wrap.  Also, when applying the "bead", don’t let the brush touch the undercoat, just bring the tip of it close enough (2 – 3 mm) to the rod so that the epoxy flows off the brush and onto the rod.  A drying motor of less than 10 RPM is preferable for use with the thin finish.  Don’t worry if the excess epoxy flows to the underside of the wrpas as the rod is turning. If fact, that is what you want.  The "ramp" only exits on one side of the rod blank – if viewed down the shaft of the rod, the guide foot might subtend an angle of only a few degrees, the rest of the 360 degrees is just rod blank and the turning will minimize the flowing down the ramp. Mu

I was doing something along the lines of this and as the rod turned, I watched a bead of epoxy roll around onto the ramp of the foot then flow lengthwise toward the guide.  The reason for the dumbell then became apparent.  I’ve also tried the double application with so-so results on a different rod.  I’m going to give up on the factory bubble and be satisfied with a sealed wrap.  After two coats the rod look great, after three it looked like shit. Thanks for the explanation, but I know when I’m licked. Peter

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Question:

John, With Christmas upon us … some of us are trying to decide on the perfect gift for the ‘love of our lives’

Glad you posted this!  For those of us in ROFF, it’s probably not hard to imagine what another ROFFian would like for Christmas. But I’d sure like to hear some suggestions for what ROFFians can give their wives.  Now, I’m a lucky flyfisher in that my wife also enjoys ff — but not with the passion and addiction that applies to me. So I’m reluctant to give here something ff-related.  It can seem a bit self-serving — like the idiot husband that gives his wife a new mop! So how about gift selections for the wonderful ladies that so graciously tolerate our peculiar habits? Wes Peterson Who would call himself "liberal," let him love justice. Let him love equality. Let him love compassion and charity. But let him love first, and above all the rest, Liberty.

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With Christmas upon us … some of us are trying to decide on the perfect gift for the ‘love of our lives’ … and with this group … there are probably some great ideas … want to share? I have already gotten the fly vest as a hint that fishing may be on the horizon … but really … what is the real ‘gift’ of 1999 … hope this thread helps others too … John

Ernie’s blood knot tool is the perfect stocking stuffer for a flyfisherman. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

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I’ve been dropping some pretty broad hints about Wheatly flyboxes. It’s the perfect gift for the flyfisherman — too expensive for a typical tightwad fisherman to buy for himself, but the finest quality with the patina of Old World tradition. I’m getting my wife and kids a new video/audio system with a DVD player and a satellite dish and receiver. (I’ll make my money back in a year or two by avoiding VHS tape-rental late fees.) I think a couple of Wheatly flyboxes would even the score. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

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With Christmas upon us … some of us are trying to decide on the perfect gift for the ‘love of our lives’ … and with this group … there are probably some great ideas … want to share? I have already gotten the fly vest as a hint that fishing may be on the horizon … but really … what is the real ‘gift’ of 1999 … hope this thread helps others too … John —

On Christmas eve he handed his wife a small rectangular gift that rattled loudly. She asked what he did this time as he was quite a kidder. He just told her to open it. When she did she found a box of Cracker Jacks. P.O.’d she got up to leave. He calmed her and got her to open the box. She fished out the prize pouch and A black pearl ring from Neiman’s. Needless to say, the night went much better after that. Tyler Hopper "He’s a High Tech Redneck"

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I’m going to wrap myself up in an aluminum tube manufactured by the Boeing company and have myself shipped to her door. If you do so you will arrive mushed, disheveled, discolored, and with a marred finish.  For your own sake and that of the dear lady use schedule 40 PVC!

… and by all means don’t use UPS! Yes!  Those brown trucks are hot.  Things will *shrivel*  or worse, *shrink*.    Sometimes they get flattened or bent. Dave L.

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the real ‘gift’ of 1999 … hope this thread helps others too … John Gentlemen, Gentleman, Gentlemen, take a sage word of advice from one who appreciates the fair sex with vigor. –(much wisdom snipped) Wayne

        thus spake zarathustra!  when hart speaks on the subject of women, only the unlucky fail to heed his words…         wayno

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I’m going to wrap myself up in an aluminum tube manufactured by the Boeing company and have myself shipped to her door. If you do so you will arrive mushed, disheveled, discolored, and with a marred finish.  For your own sake and that of the dear lady use schedule 40 PVC!

… and by all means don’t use UPS!

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Michael, re-reading my post, I apologize for a poor taste word selection. No slur was intended and it is in fact a great gift idea. jim

No worries Jim! I revel in the friendly "poking"! — Michael Era

Question:

Early this year I had the opportunity to test Loomis rods I was impressed by the GLX and the GL3. Was seriously considering buying a Loomis until I discovered there guarantee policy. I then tested Sage and Orvis rods. My preference goes to the Sage VPS 7w 9 ft. (medium-fast action). This rod will be used for brook and brown trout, landlocked salmon and bass. My fly fishing is in rivers and lakes with nymphs, streamers, wet flies, bass bugs and dry flies. I am now using a Fenwick HMG 7w 8.6 ft for the same job. For windy conditions, heavy nymphs or for long distance casts this rod is lacks some strength or power. I would like to have your opinions and comments on the Sage VPS rod and/or on the end use.

Response:

Sage says the materials and action of their VPS series are the same as their old RPL rods (although the VPSs are now much cheaper, since they’re no longer "state of the art").  I have a 7wt 9ft RPL for steelhead and a 5wt 8.5ft RPL for trout.  They’re the best rods I’ve ever owned.  Assuming you prefer a medium-fast action–rather than the super fast actions being pushed by makers these days–you couldn’t do better than the VPS.  Have fun with it. JR

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Question:

I’ve been using an old Minn Kota 28 lb transom mount electric, thinking of buying a new trolling motor for more power and better ability through weeds. Mostly fish bass and muskies, casting toward shore and working through weeds and around stumps.The boat is 16′ aluminum, side console, powered by 30 horse motor. I think I’ll need at least 48" shaft if I go bowmount, probably 36-42 pound thrust, 12 V. Any experience with the various electric (laser, radio, wire) motor steer style vs pedal with cable steering or hand control? Convenience, durability, reliability, etc? I like to fly fish, am concerned about wrapping line around cables and pedals. Is a bow mount worth the significant extra expense over a transom mount? Appreciate any recommendations you can offer. Thanks in advance.

Response:

I’ve been using an old Minn Kota 28 lb transom mount electric, thinking of buying a new trolling motor for more power and better ability through weeds. Mostly fish bass and muskies, casting toward shore and working through weeds and around stumps.The boat is 16′ aluminum, side console, powered by 30 horse motor. I think I’ll need at least 48" shaft if I go bowmount, probably 36-42 pound thrust, 12 V. Any experience with the various electric (laser, radio, wire) motor steer style vs pedal with cable steering or hand control? Convenience, durability, reliability, etc? I like to fly fish, am concerned about wrapping line around cables and pedals. Is a bow mount worth the significant extra expense over a transom mount? Appreciate any recommendations you can offer. Thanks in advance.

Hi John, I’ve used a 24V Minn Kota Autopilot model 824 for the last 2 years on a 14.5 ft aluminium boat with a 35hp motor. The 824 is 48lb thrust and has a remote electric foot control (wire). For flyfishing, a  bow mount with remote control is essential if you are fishing structure for bass etc as you seem to be doing, esp. if your fishing with a partner. You can put the foot control on the rear casting deck but still steer from the front. The auto pilot option keeps pointing to a fixed heading (even though the boat may be pivoting around it). For fly fishing, this option means if you hook a big one close to snags you can point the motor to power away from the snag and then fight the fish without needing to make any other adjustments to your course (you need to fish with someone set up with it to believe it). I may up-grade to the wireless remote version (easy to do) which will get rid of the control wire, but if I coil the wire up carefully it is only a small, fairly snag free obstruction. I got 24v in preference to 12v because 2 x 12v batteries in 24v draw less current than 2 x 12v batteries at 12v. Lower current draw gives higher efficiency (longer life). Let me know if you want more detail. Cheers John Knight Sydney Fly Rodders’

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Question:

As a keen fly fisherman in the UK my knowledge of US river’s is very limited. I have been offered the chance to join a trip to North Conway in New Hampshire sometime around June ‘98. The only river that I know to be close by is the Saco. Can anyone tell me :- Is there any trout in it and can they be caught? How is it best fished? What sort of tackle is required? Is there any other water’s (river or lake) near to N. Conway that are fished using the fly? Is there any other advise anyone can give me? Thanks in advance for any help. — Steve Patrick

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As a keen fly fisherman in the UK my knowledge of US river’s is very limited. I have been offered the chance to join a trip to North Conway in New Hampshire sometime around June ‘98. The only river that I know to be close by is the Saco. Can anyone tell me :- Is there any trout in it and can they be caught?

Depends on your skills… How is it best fished?

A flyrod is the most effective way to do this. What sort of tackle is required?

Depending on the water, but I would take a 3wt and a 5 or 6 wt. Is there any other water’s (river or lake) near to N. Conway that are fished using the fly?

You are in the beautiful White Mountain area with nearly thousands of streams, lakes, and ponds in one of the most beautiful areas of New Hampshire. Go to the flyshop in North Conway and ask the guys there, they can tell you where to go best and what hatches you can expect at that time of the year (they usually list the most popular rivers with their hatches on a board outside the store and will be pleased to tell you more if you buy a couple flies etc out of courtesy, the guys are very nice- I think they also guide). Within 30 min drive you find several nice ponds in the Frankonia Notch area, it’s good to have a belly boat there and you can catch beautiful brookies. South of where you are located you can find the Bearcamp which is a beauty that holds Brookes, Brows, and Rainbows. If you are driving up from Boston make shure you stop at the Merrimack (look for salmon) and the Neufound river (can’t remember the exit, but it’s right from I93- salmon and hugh trout) and very close to the White Mountains. Otherwise, stop at the Ranger station, they can give you tips for remote hike-in ponds, there is a National Forest Map with all the ponds in it, including some fly fishing only ponds. Amonoosuc River (sp?) at Twin Mountains is also a pretty place that holds big rainbows. Don’t forget the C&R stretch of the Ellis River. If you have more questions, just mail back. Thomas Is there any other advise anyone can give me? Thanks in advance for any help. — Steve Patrick

– Thomas Urbig

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Question:

As I was planning yet another stitched gife for my MIL, I realized I had never made anything for my FIL. Granted, DH didn’t have much to do with him for the first several years of our marriage (MIL & FIL had been divorced in the 70s) but everything is friendly now & MIL & FIL are married again (yes, to each other).  DH suggested stitching something on a fishing hat.  Has anyone tried this?  If so, what did you stitch?  He loves cat fish & is a lake/boat fisherman (as opposed to a stream/fly fisherman). Any ideas??? Liz

Checked my index for sports-fishing and found      Omnibook of Quickies-has a catfish, and other fishy things,             including hat!      Cross Stitcher Mag, June 96 and Aug 96- fishing motifs Also, I have seen hats & visors with a cross-stitch insert at Michael’s and elsewhere. Good luck! Kathy Hoover

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DH suggested stitching something on a fishing hat.  Has anyone tried this?  If so, what did you stitch?  He loves cat fish & is a lake/boat fisherman (as opposed to a stream/fly fisherman). Any ideas??? Liz well….i saw a t-shirt that said "women want me…fish fear me…" lol cari

Cute idea.:-))  The mental picture I get when I connect it with my FIL is funnier than the original T shirt could ever be. ))))) Liz

Response:

As I was planning yet another stitched gife for my MIL, I realized I had never made anything for my FIL. Granted, DH didn’t have much to do with him for the first several years of our marriage (MIL & FIL had been divorced in the 70s) but everything is friendly now & MIL & FIL are married again (yes, to each other).  DH suggested stitching something on a fishing hat.  Has anyone tried this?  If so, what did you stitch?  He loves cat fish & is a lake/boat fisherman (as opposed to a stream/fly fisherman). Any ideas??? Liz

They make ballcaps with an aida panel already in it.  I’ve never tried stitching on a  hat myself so I don’t know how hard it would be. There are lots of fish patterns in magazines and catalogs, but most I’ve seen are a typical trout jumping, or lures or something.  I do remember one in a mag several years back with different lake fish in it.  I have no idea which mag or issue but I’ll look through mine and see if I can find it.  You could also design something yourself, along th lines of "world’s greatest fisherman" etc. Karen

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Question:

. er.premier.net!www.nntp.primenet.com!nntp.primenet.com!howland.erols.net!new

Question:

: Mmmm, and the delectable Ellie Mae. I doubted that Ellie Mae ever needed to troll for flies.  (But I wasn’t going to say it.) — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

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[deleted] Vlad the Impaler

Particularly good name for that Nymph Series I am developing. I owe you yet again. TimW Designer of the "Vlad The Impaler" nymph series

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[deleted] Vlad the Impaler Particularly good name for that Nymph Series I am developing.    is there truth to the rumor that orvis is considering a "vlad the impaler"  designer jeep?  in blood red, with black leather seat

covers, of course.  oh well, today the roaring fork, tomorrow the amazon.         a. wayne harrison

Response:

Particularly good name for that Nymph Series I am developing. is there truth to the rumor that orvis is considering a "vlad the impaler"   designer jeep?  in blood red, with black leather seat

It’s still in the design phase. However, Tiemco has announced its new "Vlad" series hooks.   The TMC-VLAD103’s make *EXCELLENT* hopper patterns. TimW

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Particularly good name for that Nymph Series I am developing. is there truth to the rumor that orvis is considering a "vlad the impaler"   designer jeep?  in blood red, with black leather seat It’s still in the design phase. However, Tiemco has announced its new "Vlad" series hooks.   The TMC-VLAD103’s make *EXCELLENT* hopper patterns. TimW

Yes, true. I also heard the "Vlad" series has been extended into sizes up to number 100 and can be mounted on a pole for spearing carp. Jon

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Yes, true. I also heard the "Vlad" series has been extended into sizes up to number 100 and can be mounted on a pole for spearing carp. Jon

You must mean 100/0

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writes: : I hope that you aren’t offended by this post. I felt I : just had to let everyone know how they could make 50,000 : flies a year !  It is all very legal, so don’t worry.  

I have had mixed results with this shceme. I mailed out my flies,but they where all returned within a week. However, I did recieve several nice used beginners flyting manuals and the web address for R.O.F.F.Tying.      Jim  

Response:

Now I’ve got only one question here. I lose the occasional fly or two (maybe a bit more then that), but it would seem to me that anyone losing enough to have to make 50,000 a year should probably take up another sport. Possably golf played with basketballs. Lolo Mt.

Response:

(here is my flyfishing chain letter submission) Howdy! Last year I received a chain letter from St. Jude.  It promised me that good luck would arrive via the mail if I made and distributed twenty copies to people who I thought needed good luck.   The letter did not specifically threaten that anything terrible would happen if I didn’t comply.  So, although I felt a little superstitious, I didn’t do anything about it.  I couldn’t think of twenty people who needed good luck.  I didn’t want to bother any of my friends with a chain letter. I felt I would be doing them a favor not to. I think I already have pretty good luck. As a fisherman I’m always mindful of luck and usually do pretty well, even when other people are using the same fly and method and not catching Shiite. Two weeks later I received a surprise check for over three thousand dollars.  I had forgotten about it, but my grandfather had died years before and I inherited a small share of the estate.  Since he had been retired for over twenty-five years and had twenty grandchildren, I didn’t expect more than a few hundred dollars.  I spent most of it on quality tackle. Three weeks later I caught my biggest trout ever.  It was my only bite on a day at a lake where everyone was complaining about how poor the fishing was.  As the season progressed, I continued with exceptional luck and caught four even bigger fish. You do not have to do anything with this letter.  Don’t make twenty copies.  Don’t give it to your friends or pass it along.  Don’t worry about "breaking the chain".  Just take a nice deep breath, and imagine yourself out in a beautiful lake or stream, on a nice sunny day, enjoying everything that you see, feel, hear, and smell.  Life is great, and full of endless possibilities.  Remember that positive visualization is the key to good luck.  If you believe that it can happen, it can.  Fish as often as you can and keep your fly on the water. Have a great day, Mark Vinsel http://www.lanminds.com/local/vinnie/gallery.html

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: I hope that you aren’t offended by this post. I felt I : just had to let everyone know how they could make 50,000 : flies a year !  It is all very legal, so don’t worry.   : I saw this posted a while back and I thought "hah, this : is such a big joke !" Well, it is not a big joke.  In my : first week, I had a wooly bugger, 2 hares ears and a : Grizzly King ! Was I ever impressed !!!  It is very : simple ! Simply add your name to the bottom of this : list and mail a fly to everyone else on the list, when : you have your name at the top of the list, you will : have received 50,000 flies.  Please no glow bugs ! : TBone Walker : TimW : Timmy ("trouser Trout") Walker : T. S. Walker : TBone Powlesland Jed Clampit Jethro Bodean Clampit Granny Clampit Jane the bankers secretary — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/

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Jed Clampit Jethro Bodean Clampit Granny Clampit Jane the bankers secretary — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ —

Hey dammit, Granny was a Moses (Daisy, to be specific), not a Clampett. John Nesselrode Shawnee, KS

Response:

I hope that you aren’t offended by this post. I felt I just had to let everyone know how they could make 50,000 flies a year !  It is all very legal, so don’t worry.   I saw this posted a while back and I thought "hah, this is such a big joke !" Well, it is not a big joke.  In my first week, I had a wooly bugger, 2 hares ears and a Grizzly King ! Was I ever impressed !!!  It is very simple ! Simply add your name to the bottom of this list and mail a fly to everyone else on the list, when you have your name at the top of the list, you will have received 50,000 flies.  Please no glow bugs ! TBone Walker TimW Timmy ("trouser Trout") Walker T. S. Walker TBone Powlesland

Response:

: I hope that you aren’t offended by this post. I felt I : just had to let everyone know how they could make 50,000 : flies a year !  It is all very legal, so don’t worry.   : I saw this posted a while back and I thought "hah, this : is such a big joke !" Well, it is not a big joke.  In my : first week, I had a wooly bugger, 2 hares ears and a : Grizzly King ! Was I ever impressed !!!  It is very : simple ! Simply add your name to the bottom of this : list and mail a fly to everyone else on the list, when : you have your name at the top of the list, you will : have received 50,000 flies.  Please no glow bugs !

This really does work.  I did as told and after 6 weeks had to add an addition on the house to house all the flies.  (How do I get people to send me fly boxes? I prefer wheatleys please.) JC Johann John F. Close The Mad Mathematician

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Mmmm, and the delectable Ellie Mae. …jm

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Question:

Many rivers still high, but they are dropping as fast as they went up.   Extremely hot weather melted a lot of snow(still a lot to melt, though).   Big Hole is dropping 10-15% per day.  2′ viz at Melrose yesterday, and salmon flies are showing up down near the "Notch".  River is fishing fairly well with nymphs.  Madison is beginning to drop, too, and traditionally the Montana Power Company drops the Madison flows around the 3rd week of June and begins to fill Hebgen Lake.  Gallatin and Yellowstone are still a mess.  Yellowstone has done some serious damage to  DePuy’s and Armstrong’s Spring Creeks, but NOONE knows for sure how much until the river goes done.  I guess I am the eternal optimist, and I figure this flood is like the YNP fires of 1988.  It will be temporarily inconvenient for us humans, but I expect this event will be beneficial.   Talked to Bob Auger, DePuy’s riverkeeper, yesterday, and he is poised to begin work to rebuild the dam as quickly as the water comes down.  I hope there will be fishing in DePuy’s again by mid-July(will take small bets on this!).  Beaverhead and Big Horn are very good.  Smith River is excellent.  Firehole and Henry’s  Fork are good, too.  Firehole has caddis and PMD’s and the Henry’s Fork is getting ready for green and brown drakes.  High water as this time of year is normal.  Remember, we have been in a decade long drought cycle here, and the recollections of many fishermen are of LOW water years.  Things will look fairly good by first week of July.   Dave Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters,Bozeman html

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Hi Dave, Thanks for the Montana report.  It’s obvious to me you spend a lot of time on it (and for our benefit) and I wanted you to know it’s appreciated. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

Al Beatty writes: Hi Dave, Thanks for the Montana report.  It’s obvious to me you spend a lot of time on it (and for our benefit) and I wanted you to know it’s appreciated.

I second that. -Ande Rychter

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David, Thanks for the information.  It sure is helpful for those of us who live in the city (ie, Dallas, TX) who plan on traveling to Montana in the near term. I was wondering, do you not receive info on the North Blackfoot (from around North Fork down to either Scotty Browns bridge or Clear Creek), as well as Rock Creek? If you or anyone else could provide info on these areas (such as water conditions, hatch & pattern info, whether I should consider wading or floating, etc.) and what I might expect from around July 10 through July 14, I would appreciate it. Thanks again! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Many rivers still high, but they are dropping as fast as they went up.   Extremely hot weather melted a lot of snow(still a lot to melt, though).   Big Hole is dropping 10-15% per day.  2′ viz at Melrose yesterday, and salmon flies are showing up down near the "Notch".  River is fishing fairly well with nymphs.  Madison is beginning to drop, too, and traditionally the Montana Power Company drops the Madison flows around the 3rd week of June and begins to fill Hebgen Lake.  Gallatin and Yellowstone are still a mess.  Yellowstone has done some serious damage to  DePuy’s and Armstrong’s Spring Creeks, but NOONE knows for sure how much until the river goes done.  I guess I am the eternal optimist, and I figure this flood is like the YNP fires of 1988.  It will be temporarily inconvenient for us humans, but I expect this event will be beneficial.   Talked to Bob Auger, DePuy’s riverkeeper, yesterday, and he is poised to begin work to rebuild the dam as quickly as the water comes down.  I hope there will be fishing in DePuy’s again by mid-July(will take small bets on this!).  Beaverhead and Big Horn are very good.  Smith River is excellent.  Firehole and Henry’s  Fork are good, too.  Firehole has caddis and PMD’s and the Henry’s Fork is getting ready for green and brown drakes.  High water as this time of year is normal.  Remember, we have been in a decade long drought cycle here, and the recollections of many fishermen are of LOW water years.  Things will look fairly good by first week of July.   Dave Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters,Bozeman html

Steve Ginn 2nd VP – Consulting Group

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Question:

For those on  a limited budget, one approach is to buy a top grizzly neck and then buy some waterproof artist pens and color individual hackles as needed. Keeps down your early investment costs. Hope this helps. Dick Hubbard

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Being new to tying,I need some good advise as to which colors and types of hackle to invest in for dries, nymphs, and wets.

Hi, The four most popular colors in our area (CA) are as follows: 1. Brown 2. Grizzly 3. Dun 4. Creme Much has been said in favor of the beautiful genetic saddle hackles we have available today. I must agree they are wonderful to tie with. They do have one disadvantage though – there is a limited range of sizes present on any one saddle. For versatility, a good quality cape still has the edge.  I hope this helps.   Alan.   Alan Barnard   Kiene’s Fly Shop   Sacramento, Ca.   WWW Fly Tyer   http://www.ns.net/~barnard

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(Richard Hubbard) writes: For those on  a limited budget, one approach is to buy a top grizzly neck and then buy some waterproof artist pens and color individual hackles as needed.

Been there, done that, Pantone markers work real well.  Lay them on a piece of paper towel to help with absorbancy and protect your table.                                               Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Schools 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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Great idea Dan! I’ve done this to my hopper and caddis patterns to get some contrast.   Never thought about "pantoning" hackles" especially when you’re on the road.  It’s alot easier to carry some markers than our valuable hackles. Thanks! +Mike V.

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