Question:

Hi Further to my (much) earlier post, I am planning a holiday in August (regret no other time available). It will be a ‘fly drive’, starting in Calgary, to Banff, Jasper, Sun Peaks, Harrison Hot Springs, Vancouver. I have a visit to family in Vancouver to fit in along with limited fishing. My original plan was to fish the Vedder or Harrison for pink salmon, (probably for a few hours on a couple of days) which I understand are plentiful. I will be practicing catch and release, having no need to kill fish. Is this the best option on a limited time scale and budget, or are there better ones? I will be bringing my 4 piece 6/7 rod and matching reel, prepared to hire other gear as necessary. Any advice gratefully received and probably acted upon. TIA Chris, surfin’ from the UK. — Throw him in the river and he will come up with a fish in his mouth.                                                                 Arabian proverb. Where’s this river then?

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Chris…I used to fish the Bow river for many years with a drift boat and I made a driving trip to Banff, Jasper and over into BC. I took the trunk road from Calgary. It runs along the "foothills" of the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies. Beautiful scenery, no people in the campgrounds and you cross many streams which hold plenty of trout. If you love to camp this is the drive for you. Good fishing…Capt. Ted Bobetsky

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Question:

Observations are exactly what I’m looking for and I appreciate yours. How did you find the rod builder and what made you decide to go with them vs. others?

Ian:  I’ve purchased two custom rods.  One from a local guy I knew, who did really nice work.  The other was to support a TU fundraiser – but it was also a beautiful rod that I would have purchased anyway, even though I didn’t know the craftsman.  For the price, I don’t think you can ever surpass a custom rod by a quality builder, which is why I would buy one again. mark faulkner

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Observations are exactly what I’m looking for and I appreciate yours. How did you find the rod builder and what made you decide to go with them vs. others

In my case the rod builder is a member of our local flyfishing club.I had seen his work and I liked it so I went with him as a rodbuilder. Big Dale

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Well…to be honest ALL my rods are custom rods.  I build them myself. It costs considerably less.  If people only knew how EASY it was to build good rods, and how much less expensive, there would be a lot fewer commercial rods being sold. The only reasons I would by a custom rod are: 1) they are a technology I cannot build (like bamboo) 2) I know the builder and want a keepsake 3) the builder does something particularly artful (like fancy threadwork) and I have more money than I know what do to with — James A. Foster                                Assoc. Prof Center for Secure & Dependable Computing/SCI   U. of Idaho http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~foster              208.885.7062 pgp key at: ftp://ftp.cs.uidaho.edu/pub/foster/pgp-key.asc

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SNIP . I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares

SNIP So….get any inquiries . . .? john

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A couple of things. Are you referring to ‘hand built rods’ or rods built to ‘custom specifications’ ?. I don’t mean to be obtuse, but some anglers have asked for more (or less) guides than the ’store bought’ ones. I have 1/2 dozen ‘hand built’ rods that out-perform anything made in a factory.  Spines are aligned perfectly, and guides are positioned for optimum performance.   But this builder designed the blanks, and tests each one individually, before wrapping.  They go as far as to hand turn the corks, and ensure the ‘foot’ of each guide does not cut the finish of the rod.  (lifetime guarantee, and they cost lots) Another company’s ‘hand built’ rod was so awful, I returned it within a month. Turns out, they can build rods, but not very well.  Others found 8 weight tips on 6 weight butts.   (If something broke, they took whatever piece was available, and put it together.)   Just because he could wrap guides on a blank, did not make him a ‘rod builder’.  And he claimed that he manufactured his own blanks.  Fat Chance. Just an unskilled entrepeneur trying to enter a niche market. Regards – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

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I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there.

I’ve considered this issue often and have bought from both sides of the proverbial fence ("store bought" and "custom"). What generally makes my decision is when I want a specific rod with specific components that I can’t get from the manufacturer at any reasonable price. So to my collection of lovely store-bought Winstons and fully functional if not as "pretty" Sages, I have a number of custom rolled rods built on IM6 blanks, and a salt water casting cannon custom built on a Loomis GLX blank – with ultra-premium hardware – and with threadwork and finish that’ll make you pee your pants… All of these rods came with warranty cards for the blanks and were built by either my dad or Dan Trela (a small plug for DT Kustom Rods)… /daytripper

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I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not), the only warranty available is what you would provide.  To put it bluntly, if you skip off to Siberia or die next year, who’s around to honor the warranty even if you offered one?  The odds are much better that Orvis. Loomis, etc. will be around if and when you need the warranty.

I build Sage blanks and I pass on the Sage warranty card to the purchaser. I’m not sure about other blank manufacturers though. I warranty the rest of the rod and I can see your point on that. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

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I also think that rods can be an impulse buy for some people.  Getting a custom rod made takes time. No instant gratification. It’s the same thing with cars, most people buy off the lot instead of waiting for a car to be made to their specifications. Willi

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I build Sage blanks and I pass on the Sage warranty card to the purchaser. I’m not sure about other blank manufacturers though. I warranty the rest of the rod and I can see your point on that.

Ian – I should add that I have purchased custom made rods – for the same reasons noted by Big Dale in his response.  My comments were not meant as a criticism, just an observation in response to your inquiry. Mark Faulkner

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[SNIP] Ian – I should add that I have purchased custom made rods – for the same reasons noted by Big Dale in his response.  My comments were not meant as a criticism, just an observation in response to your inquiry. Mark Faulkner

Observations are exactly what I’m looking for and I appreciate yours. How did you find the rod builder and what made you decide to go with them vs. others? Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

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I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

I think as said before most really cannot tell what they are getting in a custom unless they have one in thier hand. You can go to any shop and take a look at any factory rod and decide what you like. As for custom well, unless you know of someone who has a rod from a particular rodmaker, or the rodmaker has an outstanding reputation, you really have to take a chance. Most of us who have really just started out as rodmakers know what that is like, most customers will inquire and are not sure. Most anglers really are looking for cosmetic quality in a custom rod, they feel if its custom it needs to be perfect. I agree, but most will not want to pay the price for the special attention to detail nedded to acheive this quality. So they end up with factory rod with poor cosmetics, then if they are not satisfied they can simply return the rod to the factory and get another. Now the anglers who are looking for performance more than likely will go to the custom rodmaker because they want a quality performing rod. This way they can relay information to the rodmaker and get a rod that performs to their specific needs. May be a nymphing rod or dry fly rod, in anycase they get what they want. Warranty is another issue, for most rodmakers its simply not reasonable to give a lifetime warranty on custom jobs. Some do, but I feel with the attitude of most warranty lovers, rodmakers will be repairing rods for nothing for quite sometime.

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or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod,

I had a rod built for me a few years ago. I ordered the Scott rod blank from their local dealer and gathered the parts I wanted for the rod and had a guy build it for me. It ist one of their old style 8′8"`3`weight rods. I wanted a cap and sliding ring reel seat with a rosewood insert. Scott did  not make one like that and I hate the sliding ring set-up over cork. The guy did a beautiful job: I got what I wanted; itcost no more than a factory rod would have cost;and I could not be happier. It is still my favorite rod for fishing for my beloved bluegills out of a boat. I think that just about says it all….isn’t this what custom built rods are all about?   Big Dale

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I agree that warranty and name are  strong selling points. I never buy a rod unless I have fondled it and cast it, custom rod builders are unfortunately not usually down the street where I can do this. Jim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not), the only warranty available is what you would provide.  To put it bluntly, if you skip off to Siberia or die next year, who’s around to honor the warranty even if you offered one?  The odds are much better that Orvis. Loomis, etc. will be around if and when you need the warranty. Mark Faulkner

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I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there.

Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not), the only warranty available is what you would provide.  To put it bluntly, if you skip off to Siberia or die next year, who’s around to honor the warranty even if you offered one?  The odds are much better that Orvis. Loomis, etc. will be around if and when you need the warranty. Mark Faulkner

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I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not),

Generally they do … you should check with the manufacturer or a authorized retail dealer. You should note though that they will only warranty the blank and the warranty may be void if in their opinion the blank failure was related to the work done by the custom rod builder. RalphH

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I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

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Question:

A friend is going on his honeymoon on Maui and was looking for some suggestions on where to go fly fishing.Any fly patterns or where there is a good tackle shop to stop in at would be appreciated. Thanks , jeff

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A friend is going on his honeymoon on Maui and was looking for some suggestions on where to go fly fishing.Any fly patterns or where there is a good tackle shop to stop in at would be appreciated. Thanks , jeff

I would also like to hear some suggestions.  I plan on taking a trip there soon and would like to put in some time fly fishing.  I have heard fishing the islands can be pretty tough however…anyone have info on Maui? -Greg

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A friend is going on his honeymoon on Maui and was looking for some suggestions on where to go fly fishing.Any fly patterns or where there is a good tackle shop to stop in at would be appreciated. Thanks , jeff

Hi Jeff, I heard that there was a bike shop that had some fly fishing equipment. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

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Question:

We have set up a free site where flyfishermen can find other flyfishermen who have services to offer (Financial Planners, Business Consultants, Landscapers, etc.). We also offer links to sites we like as well as reviews of products or destinations we enjoy. Fly Shops can list free if they offer discounts to our viewers. We will accept products or invitations to destinations but will only offer reviews if we like them. Stop by and take a look. http://www.outofchaos.com/flyfishing.html Tight Lines, Dave Fischbach Charlie Levin

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Where is the best place on the net to get fishing magazine subscriptions?

Try: http://nbaf.com/USsubscriptions.html They cover most topics and have all the popular stuff. Tim

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Question:

I hope this gets to you in time. The McKenzie is not the most "bank friendly" river, beacuse of the large amount of private property along the river. You should go to the Caddis Fly Shop in downtown and they will tell you a few places to go. They are very friendly. I use to live down ther and it’s been a while so I can’t give you perfect directions. But Deadman or Deadmon’s Ferry is a decent place, or in the Springfield area, I hope this helps Dan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I desperately need help.  I just discovered that I

Question:

Fish the headwaters of the North Platte on over ten miles of private streams leased by Little Grizzly Creek Ranch.  Outstanding accommodations, gourmet meals guides, hosted bar.  Limited to twelve persons.  Accommodations and environment so nice that even the non-fishing wife has a good time.  Eighteen miles East of Steamboat Springs. Ideal for fishingcouples.  Fishing from July 1 through  Oct. 10th. Browns, brookies, rainbows, cutthroats, cutbows.  All small stream,  walk/wade.  For free brochure, e-mailregular address to

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Fish the headwaters of the North Platte on over ten miles of private streams leased by Little Grizzly Creek Ranch.  Outstanding accommodations, gourmet meals guides, hosted bar.  Limited to twelve persons.  Accommodations and environment so nice that even the non-fishing wife has a good time.  Eighteen miles East of Steamboat Springs. Ideal for fishingcouples.  Fishing from July 1 through Oct. 10th. Browns, brookies, rainbows, cutthroats, cutbows.  All small stream, walk/wade.  For free brochure, e-mailregular address to

      Don’t tell Tim bet he will think its a kill’em all and let  God sort’em out kind of place.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Fish the headwaters of the North Platte on over ten miles of private streams leased by Little Grizzly Creek Ranch.  Outstanding accommodations, gourmet meals guides, hosted bar.  Limited to twelve persons.  Accommodations and environment so nice that even the non-fishing wife has a good time.  Eighteen miles East of Steamboat Springs. Ideal for fishingcouples.  Fishing from July 1 through Oct. 10th. Browns, brookies, rainbows, cutthroats, cutbows.  All small stream, walk/wade.  For free brochure, e-mailregular address to       Don’t tell Tim bet he will think its a kill’em all and let  God sort’em out kind of place.

No, but it has taken a great deal of restraint not to call a Spam a Spam. — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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Question:

I will be in Anchorage 1 – 4 Aug 96.  I have two choices. First choice is floating down Lake Creek and fishing for Silvers.  Second choice is fishing the Keni. I am the only flyfisher in the bunch and my partners have no idea what type of fly I should be tying.  I need to start tying now so any suggestions on patterns and sizes would be apprecitated.   Thanks,         John

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I will be in Anchorage 1 – 4 Aug 96.  I have two choices. First choice is floating down Lake Creek and fishing for Silvers.  Second choice is fishing the Keni. I am the only flyfisher in the bunch and my partners have no idea what type of fly I should be tying.  I need to start tying now so any suggestions on patterns and sizes would be apprecitated.   Thanks,        John

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx John…. I have been up in Anchorage several time at an area called Bulchitna. It is a lake and stream  on a tributary (sp) of Lake creek.  August may be just a little ealy for silvers, but if you want some good fishing and if the silvers are up, I would go to Bulchitna.  You can get a cabin on the lake (rustic cabin), with the stream 50 yards behind the cabin.  Lots of Pinks, rainbows, grayling, and silver (when running), and pike in the lake.  Call Craig Ketchum of Ketchum Air Service.  I don’t have the number with me right now, but they have an 800 number which you can get from the 800 operator.  Just as for Ketchum Air Service in Anchorage. Ketchum has lots of places they will fly you out to.  You can fish from 5:30am til 10:30pm.  I know that for a fact.  Who eats when you can fish! Contact me for more info. Russ….

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I will be in Anchorage 1 – 4 Aug 96.  I have two choices. First choice is floating down Lake Creek and fishing for Silvers.  Second choice is fishing the Keni. I am the only flyfisher in the bunch and my partners have no idea what type of fly I should be tying.  I need to start tying now so any suggestions on patterns and sizes would be apprecitated.   Thanks,         John

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I will be in Anchorage 1 – 4 Aug 96.  I have two choices. First choice is floating down Lake Creek and fishing for Silvers.  Second choice is fishing the Keni. I am the only flyfisher in the bunch and my partners have no idea what type of fly I should be tying.  I need to start tying now so any suggestions on patterns and sizes would be apprecitated.   Thanks,        John

I’d tie wooly buggers, egg-sucking leeches, large egg patterns, and flashy streamers on 1/0 to #4 hooks.  The best all-around fly in Alaska is probably the egg sucking leech in purple/Iliamna pinky.   BTW you didn’t ask but: Lake Creek float trip = nice wilderness experience, some mild whitewater, (WW1 – WW3) and good fishing.  There will be some , grayling, RBTs and some tired Kings.  It might be a bit early for Silvers in the upper river but you should run into them in the lower part. Kenai = lots of people, (although the King Salmon crowds are gone) and Aug. 1 – 4 is too early for Kenai Silvers.  They hit their stride in early September.  May be some late run Reds around in the upper drainages, (albeit a bit tired.) R. Wood in Alaska

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Question:

It’s walming up over hear in holland and I am itching to have a go and flyfishing for carp.    Is there any on out ther that can provide me thith a fiew tips,  tactics,  and carp dedicated patterns etc. Julian Young PS. is is also posible to catch walleye on the fly ?

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walleye?  maybe using a minnow pattern — if you’re fishing where the wally’s are chasing bait fish. carp?  try wolly buggers and other leach patterns soaked in garlic juice, vanilla, or peppermint.

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Question:

Try Cortland gf1000, not expensive and very feely

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Levine) writes: I find a lot of the fun missing from fly fishing since I gave up (gave away) my fiberglass rod and went with graphite. Would appreciate feedback on specific graphite rods with a more traditional action, i.e. more flex, more like glass or bamboo.

Last year I bought a 7 foot 4 weight, parabolic action rod under the name Versatex. I believe it was manufactured in Pennsylvania. Prior to purchase I was able to compare a Fisher and a Loomis of the same length/weight ratio. Both the Fisher and Loomis were stiff as broomsticks and would not cast over 45 feet. This little Vesatex cast over 65 feet and had a nice medium action feel. I was purposely looking for a slower rod for the little ones on some of the Sierra streams. The price was about half that of the two name brands mentioned. I can’t vouch for the other rods in their line, actually I did’nt like the 9 foot 6 weight at all, but this particular model was so good that 3 other of my club members purchased one after trying mine out. — Guy Manning

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I have a Sage 490 Lightline, their slow action rod in 4 wt/9 ft. Very smooth feel, casts nicely to 60 ft, length makes for great roll casts.  I think it is about $390.  You can buy the blanks for about $150 from Sage and have someone build the rod, which saves a little money.  

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: I find a lot of the fun missing from fly fishing since I gave up : (gave away) my fiberglass rod and went with graphite. : Would appreciate feedback on specific graphite rods with a more : traditional action, i.e. more flex, more like glass or bamboo. Thomas and Thomas heritage series.  Very nice feel, with that slow cane action.  I’ve heard that the Hexagraph rods are also nice, and the winstons are pretty slow for graphite. I still like the T&T ‘tho…..     best, Hans — Hans T.H. Beernink, Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont

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I find a lot of the fun missing from fly fishing since I gave up (gave away) my fiberglass rod and went with graphite. Would appreciate feedback on specific graphite rods with a more traditional action, i.e. more flex, more like glass or bamboo.

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says… I find a lot of the fun missing from fly fishing since I gave up (gave away) my fiberglass rod and went with graphite. Would appreciate feedback on specific graphite rods with a more traditional action, i.e. more flex, more like glass or bamboo.

        Philip,         That’s easy! Powell makes two series of rod that might fit your casting tastes. The West Branch and the Signature Series are the models. Also, the Scott Rod Co. in Telluride, Co. makes an outstanding rod that has a little more back bone. There is one however that I’ve never cast or seen and that is a Hexagraph. I have seen it advertised in several of the magazines. It claims to be a bamboo rod, but made out of graphite.                                 Good luck,                                 Clint Bailey

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Question:

Bob, The Mascoma river flows into and out of Lake Mascoma about 5 miles from Dartmouth.  There are some nice rainbows in there.  There is a fly fishing area below the dam.  In the fall and spring the rainbows run up into the inlet and can be caught on a fly.   In the spring the Warner river has a few fish.  In West Henniker there is some nice special regulation water. I For the last couple years I have gotten some nice browns and rainbows there.  Some of my favorite spots are in the ponds in the White Mountain national forest.  There are some fly fishing only ponds that are beautiful, have some hatches and have some nice brook trout.  The Newfound river below Newfound Lake in Bristol,  NH has rainbows, brookies a few smallmouth and the occasional landlocked salmon.   For some of the best fishing in New England try the Connecticut river in Pittsburg, NH.  There are browns, rainbows, brookies and landlocks that run up out of the lakes for smelt in the spring and to spawn in the fall.   I don’t know anything about fishing in Vermont, but if you want more info about NH send me e-mail. Gerry

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I’m at school at Dartmouth and I’m looking for some fishing in the area.  Any suggestions.  I’m also interested in knowing what is the earliest I can go out and expect catching anything but a cold.  Thanks in advance… Bob Heiser

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