Question:

Have the white flies started to hatch on the upper Potomac yet?

Response:

Yes.  Best time is after seven p.m.  I’ve been using a "green weenie" pattern, but using white chenille vice chartreuse. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Yes.  Best time is after seven p.m.  I’ve been using a "green weenie" pattern, but using white chenille vice chartreuse. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Frank, it strikes me that Doc Saylor might be somebody you ought to hook up with (no pun intended) Given your propensity to do face plants and other wild gyrations while fishing, you need to make him your fishin’ buddy. Just tryin’ to keep you alive and his business flourishing. Frank Sr. who is due for two more cortisone shots in the heels. YIKES!!!

Response:

Frank, it strikes me that Doc Saylor might be somebody you ought to hook up with (no pun intended) Given your propensity to do face plants and other wild gyrations while fishing, you need to make him your fishin’ buddy. Just tryin’ to keep you alive and his business flourishing. Frank Sr. who is due for two more cortisone shots in the heels. YIKES!!!

Actually, looking for the Air Force Pararescue type. Need someone who can scale a cliff or a fish, shoot an attacking grizzly or a class V rapid to drag my ass out, repair a float tube or repair to the extraction point.  Must be qualified in white water, avalanche, and deep submersible rescue.  Should be world renown fly tyer and brewer. Now thats a fishing buddy.                  Frank (Just had cortisone next to my spine)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Frank, it strikes me that Doc Saylor might be somebody you ought to hook up with (no pun intended) Given your propensity to do face plants and other wild gyrations while fishing, you need to make him your fishin’ buddy. Just tryin’ to keep you alive and his business flourishing. Frank Sr. who is due for two more cortisone shots in the heels. YIKES!!! Actually, looking for the Air Force Pararescue type. Need someone who can scale a cliff or a fish, shoot an attacking grizzly or a class V rapid to drag my ass out, repair a float tube or repair to the extraction point.  Must be qualified in white water, avalanche, and deep submersible rescue.  Should be world renown fly tyer and brewer. Now thats a fishing buddy.

You need a dog. — TL, Tim (well, not for the fly tying and brewing but, hey, nobody’s perfect.)

Response:

You need a dog. — TL, Tim

Well, I have a dog.  I shall refer to him as "blond dog."  He is a master brewer, as a matter of fact, his output rivals Budweiser in quantity and quality.  He is afraid of bugs, terrified of the treadmill (well, thats not a bad thing), feet moving under a blanket on the bed will send him into a barking fit for two hours, often forgets to put his feet back down when jumping off of a step, gets beaten up by the cat, has more psychosis than ROFF (you must pretend that you are trying to eat his food or he will go 4-5 days without eating), his daddy was a long-haired miniture dachshund and mommy was a maltese.  So he is either a dachtese or a malhund.  I don’t need another. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Well, I was in the Navy so I could probably call in an aircraft carrier to save you on occasion.  I’m also due to brew my sixth batch of pale ale or porter soon. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You need a dog. — TL, Tim Well, I have a dog.  I shall refer to him as "blond dog."  He is a master brewer, as a matter of fact, his output rivals Budweiser in quantity and quality.  He is afraid of bugs, terrified of the treadmill (well, thats not a bad thing), feet moving under a blanket on the bed will send him into a barking fit for two hours, often forgets to put his feet back down when jumping off of a step, gets beaten up by the cat, has more psychosis than ROFF (you must pretend that you are trying to eat his food or he will go 4-5 days without eating), his daddy was a long-haired miniture dachshund and mommy was a maltese.  So he is either a dachtese or a malhund.  I don’t need another. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Okay, think we gotta hook up.  I do know of a couple of good spots within ten miles of Harpers Ferry.  My daughter is coming back this weekend after a month away so will stay home, but mayhaps next?  I’ll even leave off the squiddly jokes. — Frank Reid (USAF Retired) Reverse email to reply.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You need a dog. — TL, Tim Well, I have a dog.  I shall refer to him as "blond dog."  He is a master brewer, as a matter of fact, his output rivals Budweiser in quantity and quality.  He is afraid of bugs, terrified of the treadmill (well, thats not a bad thing), feet moving under a blanket on the bed will send him into a barking fit for two hours, often forgets to put his feet back down when jumping off of a step, gets beaten up by the cat, has more psychosis than ROFF (you must pretend that you are trying to eat his food or he will go 4-5 days without eating), his daddy was a long-haired miniture dachshund and mommy was a maltese.  So he is either a dachtese or a malhund.  I don’t need another.

Thanks.  Best laugh I’ve had in a week.  Nice to know someone has at least one pet crazier than most I’ve had. — rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless remove invalid or hit reply to email. Though I’m very slow to respond. http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Response:

Question:

Willi writes: Didn’t know fly fishing required discipline. I’m not a very disciplined person.

Nor am I.  <g  By "three disciplines" I mean dries, nymphs, and streamers ( I consider an emerger to by a dry and a wet to be fished like a streamer or nymph). Dave, You don’t live in Maine do you? Just found a piece of heaven there?

No, I live in the People’s Republic of Massachusetts.  I have found *several* heavens in Maine and it is the main reason (no pun intended) that I bought the RV. Dave

Response:

1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing? 2. What time of the year provides the best fishing? My guess is that there will be some regional differences and differences depending on the species. My answers: I fish mainly in Colorado for trout. 1. Fall  2. Late prerunoff

In my corner of New England it would be: 1. June 2a. (quantity of fish) June 2b (size of fish) October George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

Forgot to add, Willi: We have *big* brookies in Maine.  The largest caught on the Rapid was 27 3/4 inches (on a #12 Goddard).  If you know where they are and what they want, 3 – 5 pounders can be common (remember the iddybiddies that Bruce H. tied at the SJ Clave?? <g)   Also, there are some landlocks that are just plain hawgs.  I took one on the Kennebec this past October that was only 22 inches long, but it had to be around 5 pounds — it was thick around the waist, not unlike me.  <g Dave

Response:

…well, not to be a contrarian little big man, but i’ve yet to discover an unfavorite time of year for fishing the backwoods nc streams…still, to the point, imo and limited experience, the best catching is in april-may and in my birth/re-birth month of october… jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My thread on September weather has caused a debate about Fall fishing. Here’s a question for everyone. 1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing? 2. What time of the year provides the best fishing? My guess is that there will be some regional differences and differences depending on the species. My answers: I fish mainly in Colorado for trout. 1. Fall  2. Late prerunoff Willi

Response:

Forgot to add, Willi: We have *big* brookies in Maine.  The largest caught on the Rapid was 27 3/4 inches (on a #12 Goddard).  If you know where they are and what they want, 3 – 5 pounders can be common (remember the iddybiddies that Bruce H. tied at the SJ Clave?? <g)   Also, there are some landlocks that are just plain hawgs.  I took one on the Kennebec this past October that was only 22 inches long, but it had to be around 5 pounds — it was thick around the waist, not unlike me. <g Dave

For those that have not been to the Rapid River, don’t bother! I was there, courtesy of the nefarious Pirate of ROFF, earlier this year. The accomadations are paltry; the scenery pedestrian; the fishing, just so-so, and the company, well, let’s not go there… Suffice to say, the fewer people ripped off by spending their time and money on this place, the better for me and Dave…err… I mean… well…err.., the better for them all!!! <GBOSEG Danl See you there next year, Dave….

Response:

Willi In Maine on the Rapid, it would be late May to late June.  The first main hatch has come off when the water temp hits 53 degrees.  It is usually only in the mid 60s by the end of June.  However, if it get above 70, fishing is iffy. Fall fishing would be September on the Rapid, and October on the Kennebec.  All three disciplines can be used successfully. Dave

Same as Dave – late May – early June and September for trout – June for pike – mid-summer for smallies and panfish – fall for chinook, late fall and early spring for steelhead but mid-winter as well when temps permit – mid summer for largemouth – mid summer for carp – like I said, if the water isn’t hard . . . Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

William Loehman wrote… 1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing?

1st choice, Late Aug. thru Sept. out west (Rockies) during hopper time. 2nd choice, Anytime out west. 3rd choice, anytime anywhere. 2. What time of the year provides the best fishing?

Anytime except during a really long hot spell in the midwest.   Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Response:

My favorite time in this part of the Rockies is the fall…usually mid-late September and into October.

<snipped a bunch Tim,  where do you live again?  Colorado? — Warren www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt

Response:

My thread on September weather has caused a debate about Fall fishing. Here’s a question for everyone. 1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing? 2. What time of the year provides the best fishing? My guess is that there will be some regional differences and differences depending on the species. My answers: I fish mainly in Colorado for trout. 1. Fall  2. Late prerunoff

Where I live (central Idaho, in the Sawtooth Mountains) the fishing season begins in March and April for steelhead. Very unethical, but lots of fun nevertheless. Fishing is closed in May on the running water, but you can catch some nice bull trout at the inlets of lakes. June is runoff season. The specific time and duration varies wildly, depending on the snowpack and the weather. In late June and early July you can get very good cutthroat fishing, with suitably sparse salmonfly hatches. The cutthroat are moving into the headwaters to spawn. I suppose that fishing for them is unethical, as well, but so be it. This continues into August, depending on the weather. As the summer progresses the fishing becomes more problematical. The past two years have been low water, high temperature drought years. Finding the fish can be hard. They tend to be found downstream of cold-running springs and tributaries. Starting in late summer the chinook start running. We haven’t had a chinook season in Stanley for a few years, but there were a lot of them this year. The word is that we’ll have a season this year, so I’ll probably try it. Frankly, I prefer trout. Very late summer and fall is the season for the high lakes. It’s a butt-buster to get there, but often enough it’s worth it. After about the middle of October I have to travel somewhere else to fish.

Response:

during years when there is lots of water, i like late august on a certain stream i know when the isonychias start coming off and every big trout in the stream waits for the bugs in shallow water…wahoo!!!…mostly may/june is best here under normal conditions…i love september for trips to the mountain west…the colours are best, the crisp temperatures suit my temperment and the trout are plenty active…. Eugene somewhere in ontario

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My thread on September weather has caused a debate about Fall fishing. Here’s a question for everyone. 1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing? 2. What time of the year provides the best fishing? My guess is that there will be some regional differences and differences depending on the species. My answers: I fish mainly in Colorado for trout. 1. Fall  2. Late prerunoff Where I live (central Idaho, in the Sawtooth Mountains) the fishing season begins in March and April for steelhead. Very unethical, but lots of fun nevertheless. Fishing is closed in May on the running water, but you can catch some nice bull trout at the inlets of lakes. June is runoff season. The specific time and duration varies wildly, depending on the snowpack and the weather. In late June and early July you can get very good cutthroat fishing, with suitably sparse salmonfly hatches. The cutthroat are moving into the headwaters to spawn. I suppose that fishing for them is unethical, as well, but so be it. This continues into August, depending on the weather. As the summer progresses the fishing becomes more problematical. The past two years have been low water, high temperature drought years. Finding the fish can be hard. They tend to be found downstream of cold-running springs and tributaries. Starting in late summer the chinook start running. We haven’t had a chinook season in Stanley for a few years, but there were a lot of them this year. The word is that we’ll have a season this year, so I’ll probably try it. Frankly, I prefer trout. Very late summer and fall is the season for the high lakes. It’s a butt-buster to get there, but often enough it’s worth it. After about the middle of October I have to travel somewhere else to fish.

Response:

during years when there is lots of water, i like late august on a certain stream i know when the isonychias start coming off

I’m bad on Latin, is there a common name for the fly? Is the hatch restricted to that given stream? and every big trout in the stream waits for the bugs in shallow water…wahoo!!!..

Nothing more fun than a hatch that moves the big fish into shallow feeding stations. Willi

Response:

… for fishing the backwoods nc streams…best catching is in april-may

Been there.  Done it.  Concur. and in my birth/re-birth month of october…

Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. jeff

Late November through early March, I prefer NZ or Chile. Wolfgang

Response:

1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing? 2. What time of the year provides the best fishing?

Here in Tennessee, I prefer now through the dead of winter.  I think that time provides me as good fishing as any other time…mostly because I suck so bad at it, so I don’t see a difference!  Seriously, I’d take now through February over any other time here. Bruce Thomsen

Response:

1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing? 2. What time of the year provides the best fishing? My answer for both 1 & 2 (for trout & summer steelhead in Oregon, Washington & Idaho) is September and October.  I often wish that the conditions of early October lasted 6 mos.

Bob, I wish you’d quit telling people this.  I know we like to kid that there’s no good fishing here, but if you actively disseminate this sort of misinformation, it could cause real harm.  Some poor Floridian or Californian might spend all his hard-earned vacation money to come here when you "recommend" and miss the really good fishing in, oh, say, February. JR (who is speaking ONLY about Oregon and understands the Sept/Oct fishing in WA and ID really IS fantastic) http://www.visitid.org/   Idaho Tourism ("Great Potatoes, Tasty Destinations") http://www.tourism.wa.gov/ Washington Tourism ("A Little Trip to the Extraordinary")

Response:

My thread on September weather has caused a debate about Fall fishing. Here’s a question for everyone. 1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing? 2. What time of the year provides the best fishing?

Well now, that is an excellent question.  Willi?  I cannot name just one time of year, because it depends so much on what major fly fishing celebrity I’m fishing with and upon which continent I am on.  Also, weather fishing bamboo or not effects the answer. One of my fondest memories is flying Lee Wolf down to Argentina in my MIG-27.  We went in October because the autumn time is so beautiful in Argentina in the fall.  It was one of HIS last seasons and he asked me to do him this little favor and of course I obliged, my good friend. My fly had become tattered from catching so many large browns (they have teeth like crocodiles down there) that I killed and field dressed a cockaburra with my Swiss army knife, given to me by my deer friend George Harvey Oswald.  I cut urine-stained fur from this female, and this natural fiber orangey-gray shade is the ONLY color and material that the fall-spawning large browns down there will hit on.  I redressed my fly. Most people don’t realize you can do this, but I have done things you can only dream about.  And you know?  On the very first cast I landed a huge hen on 11x tippet.  (Several months ago, with the decreasing diameter tippet they were making now, I predicted they would come up with this, and they did.  It is too difficult to work with for most fishermen though, we don’t recommend it for normal fishing.) Lee looked at me holding that fat trophy and he said to me "George" he said, "I think that is one of the largest, most beautiful native browns I’ve ever seen, if not a record."  As I returned the 36 lb. monster safely to her home, I noticed a look of contentment and serenity on Lee’s face that I had never noticed before.  I now knew he would die a happy man, and this journey had been worthwhile.  It must be said, fall, is my favorite time.  That is all the time I have to answer your question at this time.  Good question Willi.  We enjoyed the diversion.

Response:

My thread on September weather has caused a debate about Fall fishing.

Good for a laugh. Missing George already are ya? Willi

Response:

My thread on September weather has caused a debate about Fall fishing. Here’s a question for everyone. 1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing?

I like spring, because everything is headed in the "right direction".  Water is cold but getting warmer, days are getting longer, hatches are getting more heavy.  The whole world is waxing rather than waning.

Response:

<awesome gibberish snipped aruhdean, izzat you?  Just don’t go so far into GG’s head that you can’t find your way out.  Leave a trail of bread crumbs, or something. Kevin maybe a trail of gink…

Response:

Fall fishing would be September on the Rapid, and October on the Kennebec.  All three disciplines can be used successfully.

Didn’t know fly fishing required discipline. I’m not a very disciplined person. Dave, You don’t live in Maine do you? Just found a piece of heaven there? Willi

Response:

My favorite time in this part of the Rockies is the fall…usually mid-late September and into October. The weather is cooler, and the fish are pretty hungry before the winter. There are bwo hatches. With the water low and clear, it can be pretty technical and challenging. But, we catch fish on dries even as late as mid-October. As far as the best fishing…..usually I find it is best when the water clears just after runoff, about early July. Less technical due to the higher and faster water, but the water is still pretty cool so the fish are active. But, to be honest, we can allways seem to find times and places when the fishing will be good. Tim Lysyk – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My thread on September weather has caused a debate about Fall fishing. Here’s a question for everyone. 1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing? 2. What time of the year provides the best fishing? My guess is that there will be some regional differences and differences depending on the species. My answers: I fish mainly in Colorado for trout. 1. Fall  2. Late prerunoff Willi

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My thread on September weather has caused a debate about Fall fishing. Here’s a question for everyone. 1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing? 2. What time of the year provides the best fishing? My guess is that there will be some regional differences and differences depending on the species. My answers: I fish mainly in Colorado for trout. 1. Fall  2. Late prerunoff Willi

In the GWN, anytime the water isn’t hard. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Willi writes: My thread on September weather has caused a debate about Fall fishing. Here’s a question for everyone. 1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing? 2. What time of the year provides the best fishing? My guess is that there will be some regional differences and differences depending on the species. My answers: I fish mainly in Colorado for trout. 1. Fall  2. Late prerunoff Willi

In Maine on the Rapid, it would be late May to late June.  The first main hatch has come off when the water temp hits 53 degrees.  It is usually only in the mid 60s by the end of June.  However, if it get above 70, fishing is iffy. Fall fishing would be September on the Rapid, and October on the Kennebec.  All three disciplines can be used successfully. Dave

Response:

My thread on September weather has caused a debate about Fall fishing. Here’s a question for everyone. 1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing? 2. What time of the year provides the best fishing?

1. Definitely fall (okay, indian summer) 2. For me personally? I do pretty good in pre-runoff also, usually the March Brown and/or Skwala hatch as well as streamer fishing before the melt hits. I do think that early July has some of the best fishing of the year around here (only around 3000 to 4000′ MSL). Usually, PMD’s, Green Drakes and plenty of caddis as well as reasonable thunderstorms to provide some cloud cover so it’s not just constant bright sun (man, I hate that). — Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana www.diamondnoutfitters.com

Response:

My thread on September weather has caused a debate about Fall fishing. Here’s a question for everyone. 1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing? 2. What time of the year provides the best fishing? My guess is that there will be some regional differences and differences depending on the species. My answers: I fish mainly in Colorado for trout. 1. Fall  2. Late prerunoff Willi

Response:

1. What time of year is your favorite for fishing? 2. What time of the year provides the best fishing?

My answer for both 1 & 2 (for trout & summer steelhead in Oregon, Washington & Idaho) is September and October.  I often wish that the conditions of early October lasted 6 mos. Bob Weinberger

Response:

Question:

The last couple of times I have been out fishing the weather has been less than ideal.  My last day out was Super Bowl Sunday and I went to fish the Gallatin River.  The river was flowing like a runny slushy and it was very cold out.  This was the first time I have ever had a layer of ice on my leader and had small flies freeze into ice cubes.  The slush on the water made it very difficult to get the flies and leader to penetrate the surface for a decent drift. I did manage to get one lazy take and did see several fish feeding, but I did not land anything.  It is hard trying to hook a fish with an ice cube.  I still had a nice day visiting some of the places I used to fish on a regular basis before moving to Livingston. The previous outing, I found myself in between trips of the "big move".  I loaded the truck up and decided instead of driving back to Bozeman and unloading that I would fish for a few hours then do the deed.  I drove up the Yellowstone for a few miles to a nice side channel of the river that is easy to wade.  It was cold out, but the sun was shining and there was little wind.  Other than the drone of passing cars, it was a very peaceful day out.  I managed to catch a few whitefish but missed out on the rainbows when they started rising to midges. Somehow I had managed to forget my box of dry flies on my desk after adding midge patterns. The weekend before I had my daughter and the weather had been perfect for a long day of fishing.  I was unable to go for obvious reasons, but I couldn’t help but wondering how the fishing was with each look outside the window.  This weekend the weather is very nice.  Currently it is in the 40’s and somewhat cloudy.  It has been above freezing every day since Thursday (since I picked up my daughter) and the big storm that they have been predicting has not materialized as of yet (6- 12" of snow my ass!). As I look out of my window, once again wondering how the fishing is right now, I am starting to wonder if I am cursed.  It seems that every time that I am unable to get out, the weather will be nice.  When I am able to fish, the weather decides to become the worst it will be than on the preceding or following days. There is a bright side to this curse however.  The days I am able to fish are either by myself or with very few others out on the rivers. In my last three outings I have only encountered 4 people and only got within speaking range once.  This solitude is part of the charm of winter fishing and I always have spring and summer to look forward to for warmer weather.  The time spent with my daughter is invaluable and a worthy trade for such a minor curse.  Is having the best of both worlds too much to ask for though?

Response:

Just curious Warren.  Is John Grisham required reading for law

students <G. Email Wayno and ask him or wait another year and half for me to start law school — Warren Findley

Response:

Have you done anything that may have upset Mr. Forty?

Warren

Response:

Have you done anything that may have upset Mr. Forty? <g Warren

Just curious Warren.  Is John Grisham required reading for law students <G. I just finished reading The Brethren, and I am a few pages from the end of The Rainmaker.  I couldn’t put down The Brethren and I didn’t want it to end either. I’m no fictional literature aficionado, but he sure keeps my attention. Opie  –Planning for the Past–

Response:

Don’t worry,  this "curse" is not just restricted to you.  Last season,  my 4 absolute favourite flyfishing weekends in the Piscatorial Calendar (last in May, first in June, plus last 2 in Sept)  were washed out with flooded rivers.

Response:

Don’t worry,  this "curse" is not just restricted to you.  Last season,  my 4 absolute favourite flyfishing weekends in the Piscatorial Calendar (last in May, first in June, plus last 2 in Sept)  were washed out with flooded rivers.

Were you trying to fish the Grand last year.  :)  It was flooded too. Flooding must be catching. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

…cut for brevity… I am starting to wonder if I am cursed.

…cut for brevity… Have you done anything that may have upset Mr. Forty? Opie  –Planning for the Past–

Response:

Question:

    I’m looking for plans for a small plywood flat- bottomed flyfishing pram. Something well thought out but easy to build by a ham handed handyman. Is there anything available on the net? Al.

Response:

Try http://www.glen-l.com/ . I haven’t used them, but am seriously considering. They have a nice selection of plans, pictures, and instructions. Tim Lysyk

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     I’m looking for plans for a small plywood flat- bottomed flyfishing pram. Something well thought out but easy to build by a ham handed handyman. Is there anything available on the net? Al.

Response:

Question:

Planning a trip next Jan/Feb … would be interested in opinions on the top spots on South Island for good flyfishing … plan on doing a little guided and a little on-my-own fishing … love rivers over lakes always … thanks

Response:

Planning a trip next Jan/Feb … would be interested in opinions on the top spots on South Island for good flyfishing … plan on doing a little guided and a little on-my-own fishing … love rivers over lakes always … thanks

John, I’ve been to the South Island twice.  (You can read about it on my web site www.geocities.com/yosemite/falls/3363   with pictures.  The thumbnails will load a larger image if you click on them). There’s a lot to recommend about just about anywhere on the South Island. Most of my experience is in Otago (out of Wanaka) and Southlands (north of Gore). Absolute must stop is the Mataura river.  Can recommend guides to you if you email me. Michael

Response:

I can recommend the Mataura River (the evening rise is spectacular), and also the Hurunui River if it has a good flow…unlikely at that time of year. Most of us Sth Islanders fish the lakes over summer, as the braided rivers are very low.  Try Lakes Hawea and Tekapo in Otago.  The West Coast gets most of the rain, so rivers like the Grey will fish well, but get a guide for these. Tight Lines Greg Christchurch, NZ — FREEDOM is neither a state of mind, nor a state of being. Rather, it is an essential part of every living persons’ existence

  troutnz.vcf

< 1K Download

Response:

Question:

I`m going for a week to Nahville Tenn. and Want to Know of any Flyfishing for central Tenn. L.J.`s Eastrn web site is great but its 3 hours from where I will be based.  Any help would be welcome…Tight Lines…Trouter1

Response:

I`m going for a week to Nahville Tenn. and Want to Know of any Flyfishing for central Tenn. L.J.`s Eastrn web site is great but its 3 hours from where I will be based.  Any help would be welcome…Tight Lines…Trouter1

Wasn’t last years TU annual meeting in Nashville?  I think there are some great tailwater opportunities in the area… — Chris Schmelzer, NREMT-P Duluth, Minnesota

Response:

Question:

As I am a rookie to this sport, bare withe me on this question. I understand how and why the leader is to be attached to a floating line, but what function does the tippet serve? Do you/should you always use a tippet with leader? I am guessing there must be specific leader size to tippet size you need to use in combo? Any information on this is very much appreciated. John

Response:

John,         The tippet merely extends the leader to allow for material loss during the changing of flies.  It preserves the integrity of your leader. Use the same size tippet as the X# of your leader, or one size smaller if you want to extend your fly range a bit. Tight threads, Charley – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As I am a rookie to this sport, bare withe me on this question. I understand how and why the leader is to be attached to a floating line, but what function does the tippet serve? Do you/should you always use a tippet with leader? I am guessing there must be specific leader size to tippet size you need to use in combo? Any information on this is very much appreciated. John

Response:

As I am a rookie to this sport, bare withe me on this question. I understand how and why the leader is to be attached to a floating line, but what function does the tippet serve? Do you/should you always use a tippet with leader? I am guessing there must be specific leader size to tippet size you need to use in combo? Any information on this is very much appreciated.

There are a number of different things that you can put between the end of your fly line and the fly.   One of the most commonly used methods is to purchase a "tapered" leader which, in essense, includes the tippet.  The tippet is basically defined as the last section of line upon which you tie your fly.  After changing flies several times you’ll use up much of the end section of the leader to a point where the diameter of the line is too big and/or the leader is too short.  At that time you can tie some "tippet material" (basically monofiliment that is a smaller diameter then the rest of your leader) so that you can keep using the leader portion. Some people make their own "tapered" leaders by tying short sections of progressively smaller diameter line together.  The smallest diameter section is the tippet and can be replaced when needed. One of the latest "innovations" is a braided loop leader.  A loop of braided material is attached to the flyline using a "chinese finger puzzle" type connection with some shrink wrap tubing.  The braided loop leader is a 6′ section of tapered monofiliment with a braided loop on one end.  That is looped through the loop on the flyline and then all you need to do is tie on 3′ or so of whatever pound test line that you’d like to the end of the leader for your tippet.   — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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As I am a rookie to this sport, bare withe me on this question. I understand how and why the leader is to be attached to a floating line, but what function does the tippet serve? Do you/should you always use a tippet with leader? I am guessing there must be specific leader size to tippet size you need to use in combo? Any information on this is very much appreciated. John

A tippet is the last part of the leader.  On new tapered leaders, it is the last approximately 20 inches.  This is quickly used up tying on new flies, so it must be replaced with another from a tippet spool. You can vary the length and size of the tippet according to conditions (fly size, currents, water clarity, etc.)  The idea is to have the tippet land between straight out (too heavy or short) and piled up (too light and long): with slight curves to allow a drag-free float, and the right amount of slack to set the hook.  There is no rule to achieve this, although dividing the fly size by four is a good place to start the trial and error process. Jim Benenson Los Alamos, NM "To save your rivers, save your mountains" Emperor Yu of China, circa 1600 BC

Response:

As I am a rookie to this sport, bare withe me on this question. I understand how and why the leader is to be attached to a floating line, but what function does the tippet serve? Do you/should you always use a tippet with leader? I am guessing there must be specific leader size to tippet size you need to use in combo? Any information on this is very much appreciated. John

John – Leaders used for fly fishing are tapered.  They begin thick and end thin.  The higher the "X" number, the finer the end will be. Therefore, a 9 foot,  4X leader will be very thick where you attach it to the fly line, and will taper down to a specific diameter.  That diameter of line at the end of the leader is what "4X" means.  The first tapered leaders were made up of several pieces of leader material tied together in successively smaller diameters until the desired terminal diameter was reached.  This last piece of leader is called the "tippet".  It is important, because that is the line that is closest to the fish.  You can still buy or make for yourself "knotted" leaders (I make my own), but many people prefer the newer "knotless" leaders.  But whether it is knotted or knotless, a leader still has a tippet at the end.  And as you fish and change flies, the tippet will get used up, and the leader will get too short and too thick.  So the flyfisher must be able to periodically tie a new tippet on the end of the leader, or else just replace the entire leader when the tippet is used up.  The latter option is, among other things, expensive. So what should you do?  If you are using knotless leaders, I suggest that you buy them one size larger (in diameter) than the tippet you want.  Then tie a 2-3 foot piece of tippet on the end of the leader before you ever use it.  Then you will know when the tippet is used up and can replace it before the taper of the leader is destroyed.  I suggest learning to tie the double surgeons knot to attach the tippet to the leader.  It is easier to tie and stronger than a blood knot. I hope this is helpful! Tight lines,       Gene

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This is probably fly fishing heresy, but I’ve stopped using tapered leaders altogether when fishing streamers and wet flies. I’ve found a straight piece of 4-lb. Stren just as effective for these situations and far less prone  to tangling, especially if I’m using extra weight on the leader.   Plus, I spend less time tying new tippets on the tapered leaders which I really need for dry-fly and nymph fishing.

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This is probably fly fishing heresy, but I’ve stopped using tapered leaders altogether when fishing streamers and wet flies. I’ve found a straight piece of 4-lb. Stren just as effective for these situations and far less prone  to tangling, especially if I’m using extra weight on the leader.   Plus, I spend less time tying new tippets on the tapered leaders which I really need for dry-fly and nymph fishing.

Beyond that, I just spoke to an _excellent_ nymph fisher who uses a level line 90% of the time.  He uses mostly weighted nymphs, and says the level line really turns ‘em over.  BTW, this is not a joke.  I saw a Cortland level line on his reel.. Cost: $7  Can you imagnine what this could do to the flyline market? Jim Benenson Los Alamos, NM "To save your rivers, save your mountains" Emperor Yu of China, circa 1600 BC

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ryan(& rec.outdoors.fishing.fly), Note: This was a hoax a year ago and still is. You can not introduce a virus into your system by reading a Usenet message. For DOS it must be an executable file and must in fact be opened. Never rally thought about these things propagating over and over as new folks come online. Urban Myths have now become Cyber Myths. I have no intent to waste bandwidth but I felt I neeed to post this as well as contact Ryan directly. regards, Joe Webb Atlanta Mac User Group (AMUG)

Joe, your statement is not altogether true. Do you remember a few years ago of a virus spreading on a UNIX machines across the Internet ? As I recall the virus was spread in a ‘mail’ message and took advantage of an application bug which utilized gets to read the input. Understanding how stack frames are built and their relationship to buffers of automatic scope, it is easy to see how this was done. My apologies to the readers for deviating from FF’ing ! -Dan-

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Hi Group, A friend just advised me that a new virus is on the net which is supposed to have come from someone on AOL.  If you receive e-mail titled "Good Times" DELETE it immediately.  DO NOT read it.  If you do, your hard drive will be wiped clean. The virus can also damage your processor. It’s frustrating to have people out there doing this kind of stuff but at least we’ve been warned. Good Luck and don’t read Good Times Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT

The Goot Times Virus is a hoax. You can only get a virus if you download an executable file and run it. You won’t contract a virus by simply viewing e-mail

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This Good Times crap is just that-Pure BS. You cannot get any kind of virus through an email message. —

"A Bad Day Fishing Is Better Than A Good Day At Work" Web Page:  http://www.tiac.net/users/macaw

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A friend just advised me that a new virus is on the net which is supposed to have come from someone on AOL.  If you receive e-mail titled "Good Times" DELETE it immediately.  DO NOT read it.  If you do, your hard drive will be wiped clean. The virus can also damage your processor.

It’s a little known fact, but you can counter the effects of the "Good Times" virus by mailing a get well card to Craig Shergold. Be sure to include the recipe for Nieman-Marcus Toll House Cookies. Mike Rophone I never gave a fuck about the ‘net until I met Senator Exon

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Hi Group, A friend just advised me that a new virus is on the net which is supposed to have come from someone on AOL.  If you receive e-mail titled "Good Times" DELETE it immediately.  DO NOT read it.  If you do, your hard drive will be wiped clean. The virus can also damage your processor. It’s frustrating to have people out there doing this kind of stuff but at least we’ve been warned. Good Luck and don’t read Good Times Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT

Response:

Hi Group, A friend just advised me that a new virus is on the net which is supposed to have come from someone on AOL.  If you receive e-mail titled "Good Times" DELETE it immediately.  DO NOT read it.  If you do, your hard drive will be wiped clean. The virus can also damage your processor.

This is a well known hoax.  Here’s some additional info for the curious. -Dave  email virus is a hoax!       If anyone repeats the hoax, please show them the FAQ.             G o o d   T i m e s   V i r u s  H o a x        F r e q u e n t l y   A s k e d   Q u e s t i o n s                             by Les Jones                         Febraury 6, 1996      This information may be freely reproduced in any medium,             as long as the information is unmodified. February 6, 1995 Update The Good Times virus hoax keeps on going. I receive almost daily reports of hoax activity. I’m reposting the FAQ to relevant newsgroups, and I’ve set up my own web pages: http://www.usit.net/public/lesjones/goodtimes-faq.html http://www.usit.net/public/lesjones/goodtimes-mini-faq.html http://users.aol.com/macfaq/goodtimes-faq.html http://users.aol.com/macfaq/goodtimes-mini-faq.html The FAQ has been updated with current URLs and a new section discussing the Word macro virus. A call to educators and translators If you teach classes or write books about the Internet, I encourage to educate people about Good Times. The Good Times myth is not going away anytime soon, so we should start including it in Internet curriculum now. The FAQ is free for redistribution in any medium, so feel free to integrate it into any class materials or published works. Good Times has spread to many countries, and has been translated into many languages. If you are bilingual, you can help debunk Good Times by translating the FAQ into another language. If you do translate the FAQ, please let me know the URL so I can include it in the FAQ. Is the Good Times email virus a hoax? Yes. It was a hoax in November of 1994, and it’s still a hoax in February of 1996. America Online, government computer security agencies, and makers of anti-virus software have declared Good Times a hoax. See Online References at the end of the FAQ. Since the hoax began in November of 1994, no copy of the alleged virus has ever been found, nor has there been a single verified case of a viral attack. Why should I believe the FAQ instead of the hoax? Unlike the warnings that have been passed around, the FAQ is signed and dated. I’ve included my email address, and the email addresses of contributors, for verification. I’ve also provided online references at the end of the FAQ so that you can confirm this information for yourself. I’m new to the Internet. What is the Good Times virus hoax? The story is that a virus called Good Times is being carried by email. Just reading a message with "Good Times" in the subject line will erase your hard drive, or even destroy your computer’s processor. Needless to say, it’s a hoax, but a lot of people believed it. The original message ended with instructions to "Forward this to all your friends," and many people did just that. Warnings about Good Times have been widely distributed on mailing lists, Usenet newsgroups, and message boards. The original hoax started in early December of 1994. It sprang up again in March of 1995. In mid-April, a new version of the hoax that mentioned a FCC report began circulating. Worried that Good Times would never go away, I decided to write the FAQ. These worries proved valid when the hoax began popping up again in October of 1995. What is the effect of the hoax? For those who already know it’s a hoax, it’s a nuisance to read the repeated warnings. For people who don’t know any better, it causes needless concern and lost productivity. The virus hoax infects mailing lists, bulletin boards, and Usenet newsgroups. Worried system administrators needlessly worry their employees by posting dire warnings. The hoax is not limited to the United States. It has appeared in several English-speaking and non-English-speaking countries. One reader sent me an English transcription of a radio broadcast in Malta. ‘infection’ I came across all tended to result from the message getting into the hands of senior non-computing personnel. Those with the ability and authority to spread it widely, without the knowledge to spot its nonsensical content." Some of the companies that have reportedly fallen for the hoax include AT&T, CitiBank, NBC, Hughes Aircraft, Microsoft, Texas Instruments, and dozens or hundreds of others. There have been outbreaks at numerous colleges. The U.S. government has not been immune. Some of the government agencies that have reportedly fallen victim to the hoax include the Department of Defense, the FCC, NASA, the USDA, U.S. Census Bureau, and various national labs. I’ve confirmed outbreaks at the Department of Health and Human Services, though they had the good sense to question the hoax, and ask for more information on Usenet, before passing the hoax along to their employees. The virus hoax has occasionally escaped into the popular media. Tom Sullivan show on KFBK 1530 AM radio in Sacramento, California, a police officer warned listeners not to read email labeled "Good Times", and to report the sender to the police. Other radio stations, including Australia’s ABC radio, have also spread the hoax. There are scattered reports of the virus spreading via Faxnet, that low-tech network of secretaries and bored knowledge workers that traffics in cartoons and dumb blonde jokes. What was the CIAC bulletin? On December 6, 1994, the U.S. Department of Energy’s CIAC (Computer Incident Advisory Capability) issued a bulletin declaring the Good Times virus a hoax and an urban legend. The bulletin was widely quoted as an antidote to the hoax. The original document can be found at the address in Online References at the end of the FAQ. Note that the document went through several minor revisions, with 94-04c of December 8 being the most recent. Like all quoted material in the FAQ, it includes the original spelling and punctuation. Because some of the lines in the CIAC report are rather long, they will appear broken. —-Begin quoted material—- THE "Good Times" VIRUS IS AN URBAN LEGEND In the early part of December, CIAC started to receive information requests about a supposed "virus" which could be contracted via America OnLine, simply by reading a message. | Here is some important information. Beware of a file called Goodtimes.    | |                                                                          | |  Happy Chanukah everyone, and be careful out there. There is a virus on   | | America Online being sent by E-Mail.  If you get anything called "Good    | | Times", DON’T read it or download it.  It is a virus that will erase your | | hard drive.  Forward this to all your friends.  It may help them a lot.   | THIS IS A HOAX.  Upon investigation, CIAC has determined that this message originated from both a user of America Online and a student at a university at approximately the same time, and it was meant to be a hoax. CIAC has also seen other variations of this hoax, the main one is that any electronic mail message with the subject line of "xxx-1" will infect your computer. This rumor has been spreading very widely.  This spread is due mainly to the fact that many people have seen a message with "Good Times" in the header. They delete the message without reading it, thus believing that they have saved themselves from being attacked. These first-hand reports give a false sense of credibility to the alert message. There has been one confirmation of a person who received a message with "xxx-1" in the header, but an empty message body.  Then, (in a panic, because he had heard the alert), he checked his PC for viruses (the first time he checked his machine in months) and found a pre-existing virus on his machine. He incorrectly came to the conclusion that the E-mail message gave him the virus (this particular virus could NOT POSSIBLY have spread via an E-mail message).  This person then spread his alert. As of this date, there are no known viruses which can infect merely through reading a mail message.  For a virus to spread some program must be executed. Reading a mail message does not execute the mail message.  Yes, Trojans have been found as executable attachments to mail messages, the most notorious being the IBM VM Christmas Card Trojan of 1987, also the TERM MODULE Worm (reference CIAC Bulletin B-7) and the GAME2 MODULE Worm (CIAC Bulletin B-12). But this is not the case for this particular "virus" alert. If you encounter this message being distributed on any mailing lists, simply ignore it or send a follow-up message stating that this is a false rumor. Karyn Pichnarczyk CIAC Team —-End quoted material—- Note: Karyn is now with Cisco. Her new email address is The CIAC report was wrong when it stated that the hoax was started by "a user of America Online and a student at a university." See "Who started the hoax." What’s the first version of the warning (FYI)? I have an early version of the hoax … read more »

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drive will be wiped clean. The virus can also damage your processor.

A virus cannot damage your processor. It’s frustrating to have people out there doing this kind of stuff but at least we’ve been warned.

Agreed Tight lines, Jay Whitworth

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Regarding the good times virus: I just received an FYI forwarded through the university admin here at MSU-Bozeman, stating that the GOOD TIMES virus is a farce. Evidently, warnings about it were posted from an AOL user who was intentionally crying wolf. But, before that, I received a warning notice about the virus. My latest info says its a fake, but I’ve heard both sides. Anyone know the TRUTH about GOOD TIMES? Better safe than sorry till then, don’t read any mail which promises good times… Ryan Jordan J&J Flies http://www.erc.montana.edu/~ryan_j/jjflies/jjflies.htm & Center for Biofilm Engineering http://www.erc.montana.edu/~ryan_j/

Response:

This Good Times crap is just that-Pure BS. You cannot get any kind of virus through an email message.

If there were such a thing as a Good Times virus, it would probably be a lot more dangerous if it were renamed the WARNING!!! virus. — Keep your stick on the ice.

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: It’s a little known fact, but you can counter the effects of the : "Good Times" virus by mailing a get well card to Craig Shergold. Sorry bud, Craig Shergold died about 3 years ago.  Guess he didn’t get enough cards.  This time it’s Biff Maloney, but the card still goes to the same address.  I guess it’s just a bad luck bed. : Be sure to include the recipe for Nieman-Marcus Toll House : Cookies. Yeah, because everyone has the Mrs. Fields cookie recipe.   : I never gave a fuck about the ‘net until I met Senator Exon                  ^^^^ Brought to you by the letters ACLU and EEF. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant 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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Regarding the good times virus: I just received an FYI forwarded through the university admin here at MSU-Bozeman, stating that the GOOD TIMES virus is a farce. Evidently, warnings about it were posted from an AOL user who was intentionally crying wolf. But, before that, I received a warning notice about the virus. My latest info says its a fake, but I’ve heard both sides. Anyone know the TRUTH about GOOD TIMES? Better safe than sorry till then, don’t read any mail which promises good times… Ryan Jordan

Ryan(& rec.outdoors.fishing.fly), Note: This was a hoax a year ago and still is. You can not introduce a virus into your system by reading a Usenet message. For DOS it must be an executable file and must in fact be opened. Never rally thought about these things propagating over and over as new folks come online. Urban Myths have now become Cyber Myths. I have no intent to waste bandwidth but I felt I neeed to post this as well as contact Ryan directly. regards, Joe Webb Atlanta Mac User Group (AMUG)

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Question:

Greg, sounds like you got some good advice from Gene. Would also like to throw in the name of a good guide in Sterling. John Lesterson PO Box 865 Sterling, AK 99673 907-262-7319 Has a Halibut boat, Dory boat for Kenai salmon fishing and does trips in remote areas for trophy sized Rainbows. Have a blast, Steve

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I am looking for all the information I can find concerning the fishing & camping situation for the Anchorage(within 2- 3 hours) – Kenai area. I am looking for a day guide for three persons. Also I am looking for 2 – 3 different areas to camp with good fishing as well as good sightseeing there and on the trip to get there. Almost finally I am looking for specific information on what is working and where. Finally, I am looking for a book or guide covering any or all of the above info. P.S. I would also like crowd updates Our trip will cover AUG21 – AUG27 Thank you, Greg in GA

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Greg,  August is one of the best times to be on the Kenai.  Most of the toursist crowd is gone, hunting is starting so the locals are changing sports and the Silver and Rainbow fishing is great. Some tent camp areas are the Russian River camp area (near the town of Coopers Landing), the Quartz Creek campground (on Kenai lake at the headwaters of the river), plus a whole series of campgrounds along the river at Jims Landing, Upper Skilak Lake & Lower Skilak Lake (if you are going to fish the middle section of the river), Centenial Park (in Soldotna – for fishing the lower river).  Russian is the nicest in my opinion because you can walk the river to the falls and sight fish rainbows and Silvers, plus you generally can see a bear or two. Flies to use are generally Flash Flies and bright flies for Silvers, Flesh Flies and Egg patters for the Rainbows and Dollies Some good books are "Fishing the Kenai Peninsula" by Dan Sisson, "Flyfishing Alaska" by Tony Route and "Fly Patters of Alaska" by AK Flyfishers Federation (for pattens).  Don’t get that fishing the road system of Alaska by Pederton (guy was a tourist, spent probally two weeks here and wrote a book by reading others). Some good guide companies are Freebird (Mike out of Sterling – have his number in the office.  Will E-mail), and Troutfishers in Cooper Landing – will send also by E -mail.   — Gene Dobrzynski, Eagle River, Alaska

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Question:

Can you please expand on the light colored clothing/lyme disease comment.  Does it help you spot ticks and pick them off before they bite?

As a kid in Maryland, I was told ticks prefer darker colors.  I suppose the camaflouge theory kicks in. Thomas Gilg

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Black Flies??? They are attracted to bright/dark colors and anything that has scent. Some people get more bit than others. Taking vitamin B suppose  to help reduce the # of bites. Clothes should be washed with non-scented soap. Besides Deet, you can put baby oil on you skin which drowns the flies (good for suntanning). By July, they are pretty much gone. Oh ya, make sure you socks go over you pants. Put Deek around the shirt near your belt. they love to crawl in!!! I use to work in the Wawa area for 3 summers. The 3rd summer I got bit maybe 4/5 times for working 7 weeks in the bush plating trees compared to 30/40 the first summer. And the bites healed much quicker the 3rd summer (some sort of ammune system). I’ve seen indians walk aorund with no protection and not get bit. We’re talking about 10,000 black files swarming aroung your head while you work. I use to spray Deet on my hard hat and it would kill 1,000 flies a day. When people complain about a few black flies, I say it is nothing…

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| |  DW 3.  Use insect repellant.  DEET is still the best, although questions |  DW about its safety for long term exposure have been raised.  I suggest a |  DW spray or pump format for two reasons.  First, you can spray clothing |  DW around where they are going to land and crawl and thus keep them off. |  DW Second, you can keep the palms of your hands relatively clean of the |  DW stuff – it will remove the paint from a pencil in a day of use and |  DW likely has a similarly disturbing effect on fine rod finishes, |  DW fly-lines, painted lures etc.  Be sure to spray INSIDE your clothing |  DW in the areas they are likely to try to enter (neck, cuffs, ankles or |  DW whatever) | |  I never use DEET based products because of what it does to lines.  I prefer The notion that DEET weakens mono fishing line has been scientificily disproved in a conclusive experiment by my daughter for a science fair experiment.  She exposed lengths of stren to a number of substances for a period of time in excess of a day and measured the breaking strength.  The substances included gasoline, outboard motor oil, DEET, bourbon, and water.  The only one that weakened the line was water.   Unfortunately the only people who looked at her exhibit were guys wearing camo and there weren’t to many of those.   |  vinegar because it works just as well and doesn’t weaken mono.  As for |  wearing light coloured clothing it is more important for the prevention of |  lyme disease, but the fact that the black flies prefer darker colours |  doesn’t hurt. | | ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12 | — | | — Del Cecchi  

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| |  DW 3.  Use insect repellant.  DEET is still the best, although questions |  DW about its safety for long term exposure have been raised.  I suggest a |  DW spray or pump format for two reasons.  First, you can spray clothing |  DW around where they are going to land and crawl and thus keep them off. |  DW Second, you can keep the palms of your hands relatively clean of the |  DW stuff – it will remove the paint from a pencil in a day of use and |  DW likely has a similarly disturbing effect on fine rod finishes, |  DW fly-lines, painted lures etc.  Be sure to spray INSIDE your clothing |  DW in the areas they are likely to try to enter (neck, cuffs, ankles or |  DW whatever) | |  I never use DEET based products because of what it does to lines.  I prefer |  vinegar because it works just as well and doesn’t weaken mono.  As for |  wearing light coloured clothing it is more important for the prevention of |  lyme disease, but the fact that the black flies prefer darker colours |  doesn’t hurt. | Peter, Can you please expand on the light colored clothing/lyme disease comment.  Does it help you spot ticks and pick them off before they bite?                         -Pat.

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 DW 3.  Use insect repellant.  DEET is still the best, although questions  DW about its safety for long term exposure have been raised.  I suggest a  DW spray or pump format for two reasons.  First, you can spray clothing  DW around where they are going to land and crawl and thus keep them off.  DW Second, you can keep the palms of your hands relatively clean of the  DW stuff – it will remove the paint from a pencil in a day of use and  DW likely has a similarly disturbing effect on fine rod finishes,  DW fly-lines, painted lures etc.  Be sure to spray INSIDE your clothing  DW in the areas they are likely to try to enter (neck, cuffs, ankles or  DW whatever)  I never use DEET based products because of what it does to lines.  I prefer  vinegar because it works just as well and doesn’t weaken mono.  As for  wearing light coloured clothing it is more important for the prevention of  lyme disease, but the fact that the black flies prefer darker colours  doesn’t hurt. ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12 —

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– …  I was wondering if indeed the black – flies are going to be a problem? and if they are, what is the best – way to prepare for them. In my career in field geology I have had many close encounters with black flies and, while not claiming to be a total expert, can offer the following advice. Black flies attack by crawling around on your clothes until finding an entry point, or landing directly on skin then crawling around.  They tend to bite where their exploration is stopped by restrictions such as a belt, top of socks, hat brim etc.   This modus operandi should be kept in mind when designing your defences. 1.  Wear clothing with a minimum of entry points – no loose cuffs, tuck pants into socks, wear a snug T-shirt under your regular bush shirt, no stylishly ripped jeans. 2.  Keep clothing as light a colour as possible – they love dark colours, especially blue denim, and will land preferentially on those wearing darker clothes.  (This one is often not easy on longer trips if laundry facilities are not handy and the bush is dirty.) 3.  Use insect repellant.  DEET is still the best, although questions about its safety for long term exposure have been raised.  I suggest a spray or pump format for two reasons.  First, you can spray clothing around where they are going to land and crawl and thus keep them off. Second, you can keep the palms of your hands relatively clean of the stuff – it will remove the paint from a pencil in a day of use and likely has a similarly disturbing effect on fine rod finishes, fly-lines, painted lures etc.  Be sure to spray INSIDE your clothing in the areas they are likely to try to enter (neck, cuffs, ankles or whatever) 4.  Electronic repellants (ultrasonic etc) DO NOT WORK ON REAL, WILD BLACKFLIES.  If you want to try them out be sure you have DEET for emergency backup when you discover this for yourself. 5.  By July they may have thinned out a bit, but will certainly be out in force in evenings and still days.  Deer flies are more of a nuisance on hot sunny days but they do not care about repellant so don’t waste it on them.  (They are slow enough to catch and crunch by hand.) 6. Above all, remember to have fun.  No matter how bad the flies have been in my experience, when I look back to all the trips it is not the flies my mind conjures up when pulling out memories.  They are a large frustration at the time, but you will forget them (until next time) as long as you don’t get physically ill from an overdose.  This only happens to little kids who don’t put on any repellant at all and have a small body size to absorb the toxins. Have a good trip. (The worst flies I ever met were NOT in the Sault Ste Marie area at all, BTW.) Regards…Dennis Waddington —

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