Question:

This is now the third sniper incident where we have been on the road and in close proximity when the shooting occurred.   — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

I was thinking about you when they first reported the age of the victim as 60.  Then they changed it to 37 and knew it couldn’t be you.  :-)  Glad all is well. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply

Response:

I fished Lynnhaven Inlet yesterday morning in the early hours.  Speckled Trout were doing pretty well on the falling tide.  I couldn’t get close enough to the bridge to fish the pilings for stripers but saw the spinfishing pluggers catch several in the 6 – 10 lb. range.  After a shower and breakfast D. and I met up with friends for an afternoon of live theater then on to a marvelous dinner at Fellini’s of Norfolk.  Most of this is relatively unremarkable but on the way home we passed the Ashland Va. exit about 9:30.  We saw the south bound lanes of I-95 blocked and thought there was a traffic accident.  About 5 miles northbound on I-95 the traffic was at a stop.  Checking the radio we learned of the shooting in Ashland just an hour before.  This is now the third sniper incident where we have been on the road and in close proximity when the shooting occurred.  After a 4 hour wait while the interstate was blocked, traffic was released and we headed home. I have eaten at that Pondorosa a number of times, particularly when visiting Greentop Sporting Goods just down Rt. 1.  Greentops had the largest selection of fly fishing material for quite a distance until some new shops opened in the past couple of years.  It is interesting to note, that during the long wait on the interstate, there was no sense of motorists being disgruntled, frieghtened, or impatient.  There seemed to be 100% support for the law inforcement efforts to put an end to this sorry SOB.  I have become as prepared as I can to react should it ever become possible to respond in line of sight to this cowardly piece of shit. — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

Response:

Question:

My personal, if rarely met, standard is that it is a real vacation if my contribution to the housekeeping is tipping the staff.

YES — my thoughts precisely.  I have told DH numerous times that if I have to make a bed, wash a dish or cook anything besides nuked popcorn, then I am NOT on holiday!!!!!   The only exception to this was when we still lived in Lizard Land and we would go to the cabin in the mtns for the weekend.  ANYTHING that got me out of that *$*%*&%^ heat was a holiday — LOLOLOL!   For the ultimate in "do nothing" holidays, take a cruise — talk about sybaritic pleasure!!!   CiaoMeow ^;;^< . PAX, Tia Mary   ^;;^<     Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!!     Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs — and they make the BEST specialty fibers too! No husband was ever shot doing dishes!

Response:

For a quarter?!?  Wow I am envious. I won’t be able to go garage saling until next week.     Deb Wise – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I had a bit of good luck at a yardsale yesterday.  For a quarter I bought a shopping bag of cross stitch supplies.  In it was a scroll frame with an assortment of bars, a Lo-ran thread holder with cards, a magnetic pattern board, somewhere around a hundred and fifty skeins of DMC, about ten odd pieces of fabric and a couple of booklets.   I am feeling quite smug at the moment. LOL!   I also found eight books on crafts and a cookbook that I didn’t have, but they weren’t such a bargain- I paid fifty cents each for those. Nan Scott

Response:

My idea of roughing it is the Hilton with room service!! LOL Donna

Response:

I wouldn’t trade my camping trips for a cruise any day.  There are so many priceless moments with the kids!  Just picture my little girl, learning fly-fishing on the beach of a lake last year.  She was doing really good, and she got a bite.  My DH had told her to give it a tug and set the hook.  Well, the poor dear pulled like she’d hooked a shark, and a very surprised little girl had a little bluegill fly past her head and land about 20 feet behind her.  She caught it!  She was pleased, then asked if this 4 inch fish was too small to eat.  We quickly let the poor thing go, but what a memory!  Huddled together in a tent in the thunderstorm is another matter.  Lovin’ the great outdoors, Greta

Response:

My idea of roughing it is the Hilton with room service!! LOL Donna

Me too!!  I wasn’t raised *roughing it* but my husband was.  Guess who had to change!!!! Candi

Response:

    I agree!  DH wants to go camping for vacation.  I told him to drop me at the nearest Motel 6 (or preferably Marriott), and pick me up on the way back.   Sleeping on the ground and cooking over a campstove (or fire) are not my idea of a nice vacation!         Di’mn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My personal, if rarely met, standard is that it is a real vacation if my contribution to the housekeeping is tipping the staff. YES — my thoughts precisely.  I have told DH numerous times that if I have to make a bed, wash a dish or cook anything besides nuked popcorn, then I am NOT on holiday!!!!!   The only exception to this was when we still lived in Lizard Land and we would go to the cabin in the mtns for the weekend.  ANYTHING that got me out of that *$*%*&%^ heat was a holiday — LOLOLOL!   For the ultimate in "do nothing" holidays, take a cruise — talk about sybaritic pleasure!!! CiaoMeow ^;;^< . PAX, Tia Mary   ^;;^< Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!! Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs — and they make the BEST specialty fibers too! No husband was ever shot doing dishes!

Response:

This is what you need to tell him. You’ll go camping WHEN you have a FULLY loaded class A motor home, with a full bath, complete working kitchen and a closet JUST for your stash. And that he’s cooking and cleaning while you are on vacation <G.  It works sometimes! We got a 1978 motorhome, but it has a stove, oven and microwave, a bathroom with shower and a closet with MY stash for stitching in the afternoons <VBG. It also has a TV and VCR!                         Cindy  - who refuses to sleep on the ground after it rained and the whole tent tried to float away!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     I agree!  DH wants to go camping for vacation.  I told him to drop me at the nearest Motel 6 (or preferably Marriott), and pick me up on the way back.   Sleeping on the ground and cooking over a campstove (or fire) are not my idea of a nice vacation!         Di’mn My personal, if rarely met, standard is that it is a real vacation if my contribution to the housekeeping is tipping the staff. YES — my thoughts precisely.  I have told DH numerous times that if I have to make a bed, wash a dish or cook anything besides nuked popcorn, then I am NOT on holiday!!!!!   The only exception to this was when we still lived in Lizard Land and we would go to the cabin in the mtns for the weekend.  ANYTHING that got me out of that *$*%*&%^ heat was a holiday — LOLOLOL!   For the ultimate in "do nothing" holidays, take a cruise — talk about sybaritic pleasure!!! CiaoMeow ^;;^< . PAX, Tia Mary   ^;;^< Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!! Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs — and they make the BEST specialty fibers too! No husband was ever shot doing dishes!

Response:

Have to laugh because we are getting ready to head out for a Civil War reenactment at Wilson’s Creek, Missouri and not only will I be camping, it will be 1861 for the wekend – water in wooden casks (and don’t ask who’ll be using wooden buckets to haul it into camp), open fire cooking, and candles for lighting.  And all this as a proper 19th century lady, petticoated and corsetted.  Needless to say I am NOT bringing good needlework projects to camp – they aren’t period and they are too expensive to risk in the outdoors – it will be knitting and quilting for me this weekend. — Janet Rice

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     I agree!  DH wants to go camping for vacation.  I told him to drop me at the nearest Motel 6 (or preferably Marriott), and pick me up on the way back.   Sleeping on the ground and cooking over a campstove (or fire) are not my idea of a nice vacation!         Di’mn My personal, if rarely met, standard is that it is a real vacation if my contribution to the housekeeping is tipping the staff. YES — my thoughts precisely.  I have told DH numerous times that if I have to make a bed, wash a dish or cook anything besides nuked popcorn, then I am NOT on holiday!!!!!   The only exception to this was when we still lived in Lizard Land and we would go to the cabin in the mtns for the weekend.  ANYTHING that got me out of that *$*%*&%^ heat was a holiday — LOLOLOL!   For the ultimate in "do nothing" holidays, take a cruise — talk about sybaritic pleasure!!! CiaoMeow ^;;^< . PAX, Tia Mary   ^;;^< Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!! Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs — and they make the BEST specialty fibers too! No husband was ever shot doing dishes!

Response:

We have 1992 motorhome, which was our ONLY home for four years, while we wandered the United States.My husband considered it "roughing it" if the microwave broke, or trees blocked out the satellite dish! Nowadays, roughing it is when he gets to a campground, and there is nowhere to plug in his laptop, and download mail!! Gillian in Polk City, FL "Cindy

Response:

I miss camping, but DH & I have an RV.  It’s only 24 feet long, so we can still go down some interesting roads to neat campsites, but I must admit that it beats sleeping on the ground. )  When we go, though, BOTH of us are on vacation, so food usually consists of canned stew or beans, hot dogs and sandwiches.  I’m happy as a clam stitching or reading, but DH get bored easily & isn’t a reader, so the TV & VCR are nice.  The free campgrounds or rest stops are nice because we can use the generator (for an hour or two), but the "organized" campgrounds are nice too, where we can plug into the power and water and not have the noise of the generator (or the cost of the propane to run it).  I’m just toooo cheap to enjoy staying in an expensive motel when all I do in it is sleep.  I’d rather save my money for food, S.E.X. or, or, or….well, what else is there??? )) This is what you need to tell him. You’ll go camping WHEN you have a FULLY loaded class A motor home, with a full bath, complete working kitchen and a closet JUST for your stash. And that he’s cooking and cleaning while you are on vacation <G.  It works sometimes! We got a 1978 motorhome, but it has a stove, oven and microwave, a bathroom with shower and a closet with MY stash for stitching in the afternoons <VBG. It also has a TV and VCR! Cindy  - who refuses to sleep on the ground after it rained and the whole tent tried to float away!

Liz from Humbug

Response:

This sounds so familiar, I can curl up and stitch or read for hours, while he walks around muttering that there’s nothing to do!  Campground this year has a fishing creek, I got him a license and a rod and reel, and let him go looking for fish. (he hasn’t found any yet, but it keeps him busy!                                 Cindy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I miss camping, but DH & I have an RV.  It’s only 24 feet long, so we can still go down some interesting roads to neat campsites, but I must admit that it beats sleeping on the ground. )  When we go, though, BOTH of us are on vacation, so food usually consists of canned stew or beans, hot dogs and sandwiches.  I’m happy as a clam stitching or reading, but DH get bored easily & isn’t a reader, so the TV & VCR are nice.  The free campgrounds or rest stops are nice because we can use the generator (for an hour or two), but the "organized" campgrounds are nice too, where we can plug into the power and water and not have the noise of the generator (or the cost of the propane to run it).  I’m just toooo cheap to enjoy staying in an expensive motel when all I do in it is sleep.  I’d rather save my money for food, S.E.X. or, or, or….well, what else is there??? )) This is what you need to tell him. You’ll go camping WHEN you have a FULLY loaded class A motor home, with a full bath, complete working kitchen and a closet JUST for your stash. And that he’s cooking and cleaning while you are on vacation <G.  It works sometimes! We got a 1978 motorhome, but it has a stove, oven and microwave, a bathroom with shower and a closet with MY stash for stitching in the afternoons <VBG. It also has a TV and VCR! Cindy  - who refuses to sleep on the ground after it rained and the whole tent tried to float away! Liz from Humbug

Response:

I had a bit of good luck at a yardsale yesterday.  For a quarter I bought a shopping bag of cross stitch supplies.  In it was a scroll frame with an assortment of bars, a Lo-ran thread holder with cards, a magnetic pattern board, somewhere around a hundred and fifty skeins of DMC, about ten odd pieces of fabric and a couple of booklets.   I am feeling quite smug at the moment. LOL!   I also found eight books on crafts and a cookbook that I didn’t have, but they weren’t such a bargain- I paid fifty cents each for those. Nan Scott

Response:

I had a bit of good luck at a yardsale yesterday.  For a quarter I bought a shopping bag of cross stitch supplies.  In it was a scroll frame with an assortment of bars, a Lo-ran thread holder with cards, a magnetic pattern board, somewhere around a hundred and fifty skeins of DMC, about ten odd pieces of fabric and a couple of booklets.   I am feeling quite smug at the moment. LOL!   I also found eight books on crafts and a cookbook that I didn’t have, but they weren’t such a bargain- I paid fifty cents each for those. Nan Scott

Lucky you!!!  You made quite a haul! Candi

Response:

Oh, my.  For a QUARTER?!!!  I’m coming yard saling with you.  I’ve never found XS supplies at any yard sale.  Though I have been able to talk people into giving me entire boxes of scrap yarn for a buck by telling them that I use it to make afghans for charity. Finished 2/24/2000 – Sweet 16 (Silver Lining) WIP:Twins Sampler, Holiday Snowglobe, Teen Creed, California Sampler, America the Beautiful (Nimble Needle), antique green doll (Vervaco) Don’t risk your on-line privileges!  I report all Spam.

Response:

Oh, my.  For a QUARTER?!!!  I’m coming yard saling with you.  I’ve never found XS supplies at any yard sale.  Though I have been able to talk people into giving me entire boxes of scrap yarn for a buck by telling them that I use it to make afghans for charity.

This is my best haul yet at least in items/cost, but I find cross stitch and needlepoint things quite regularly.  Unopened kits seem to average between fifty cents and a dollar,  booklets and magazines fifteen to twenty five cents and books fifty cents to a dollar.  Threads, fabric and misc. stuff tend to be sold bagged up in a sort of grab bag style.   An amazing number of people seem to buy very elaborate needlework projects for beach vacations and then never get them started.   Probably a reflection of the area.   From a purely mercenary point of view, if the items are unpriced, look for the husband to ask how much.  On the other hand, I find that the asking price on yarn here is close enough to retail that it isn’t worth even bargaining for unless it is a slow day without many sales. Nan Scott

Response:

Where do you go yardsaling? I think I’ll have to make it part of a holiday some year!! Gillian in Vancouver – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Oh, my.  For a QUARTER?!!!  I’m coming yard saling with you.  I’ve never found XS supplies at any yard sale.  Though I have been able to talk people into giving me entire boxes of scrap yarn for a buck by telling them that I use it to make afghans for charity. This is my best haul yet at least in items/cost, but I find cross stitch and needlepoint things quite regularly.  Unopened kits seem to average between fifty cents and a dollar,  booklets and magazines fifteen to twenty five cents and books fifty cents to a dollar.  Threads, fabric and misc. stuff tend to be sold bagged up in a sort of grab bag style.   An amazing number of people seem to buy very elaborate needlework projects for beach vacations and then never get them started.   Probably a reflection of the area.   From a purely mercenary point of view, if the items are unpriced, look for the husband to ask how much.  On the other hand, I find that the asking price on yarn here is close enough to retail that it isn’t worth even bargaining for unless it is a slow day without many sales. Nan Scott

Response:

Hey Nan– Are you sure all this S.E.X. didn’t upset your budget? BEG  Anyway,  enjoy it all! Tobie — WIP:  Silhouette of Bride & Groom (NP); Tallit Bag Cover (NP); Lace Border & Name (Endearments Old & New NP); Picture of 5 clowns (NP);  Ocean Princess (James Himsworth XS); Hanukkah Dreidel (NP)

Response:

It’s interesting that with yard sales you tend to do better on different items in different geographic areas.  Having lived in a lot of different places, my conclusion is that this type of yard sale find is most common in areas where people have or regularly rent vacation cottages near their homes, like within driving distance of a beach or mountains.  Women live with the delusion that they will get to the holiday place and have the time to do needlework when in point of fact they keep house in a different location with fewer "mod cons."   My personal, if rarely met, standard is that it is a real vacation if my contribution to the housekeeping is tipping the staff. Nan Scott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Where do you go yardsaling? I think I’ll have to make it part of a holiday some year!! Gillian in Vancouver Oh, my.  For a QUARTER?!!!  I’m coming yard saling with you.  I’ve never found XS supplies at any yard sale.  Though I have been able to talk people into giving me entire boxes of scrap yarn for a buck by telling them that I use it to make afghans for charity. This is my best haul yet at least in items/cost, but I find cross stitch and needlepoint things quite regularly.  Unopened kits seem to average between fifty cents and a dollar,  booklets and magazines fifteen to twenty five cents and books fifty cents to a dollar.  Threads, fabric and misc. stuff tend to be sold bagged up in a sort of grab bag style.   An amazing number of people seem to buy very elaborate needlework projects for beach vacations and then never get them started.   Probably a reflection of the area. From a purely mercenary point of view, if the items are unpriced, look for the husband to ask how much.  On the other hand, I find that the asking price on yarn here is close enough to retail that it isn’t worth even bargaining for unless it is a slow day without many sales. Nan Scott

Response:

Question:

Hi Farns, No I haven’t worked for a software company although I do derive my livelihood in a tougher hi-tech industry that survives (or not) when a company provides second class service or a product that just doesn’t work right first time.   I don’t possess a copy of Fly! so my comments are/were generic and aimed at no Publisher in particular.  There is one well known major publishing house that consistently thinks ‘close enough is near enough’ and their Ops Normal is to release today and patch tomorrow to get the cash. Such attitides pressure the developers into wrapping a product at a deadline regardless of build standard.  These guys usually respond to bug problems only after they get caught out and if people scream loud enough.  In some cases publishers stonewall, and keep their heads firmly embedded in their asses and pretend products are without fault. By any appraisal of the complaints, and some responses from the Publishers, some propblems were known at pressing and others are so obvious  it’s hard to figure out why they were let slip by.  Says a lot about the Beta Testers for different Publishers who – from my personal knowledge – are typically ‘yes men’ afraid to open their mouths and delay production.  Some Publishers just don’t like bad news and some Beta Testers just like the freebies.  Both do consumers a disservice. If you have continual ready access to on-line updates that takes much of the annoyance out of buying an untested product.  From what I read here Fly! has not made a lot of friends because of that philosophy.   The purpose of my posting was to say that a lot do not have what you and I take for granted.  It would be nice to believe that publishers would listen to these daily wake-up calls and show the consumers – who put food on their tables when it’s all said and done – a little more consideration.  Nobody is perfect – least of all moi but – but some just never learn from past mistakes. Let’s not forget that this is all about having fun.  When the crass commercialism makes it less fun and more stress, folks are more likely to go back to playing golf or fishing rgds, — Steve Small Canberra, Australia

Response:

regarding Re: Fly! Give’em a break: We understand, they work hard for a software in version 1.0 And first patch is already out.  They post announcements on www.avsim.com free site compared to their competitor (flightsim) –  wich is great since is open to everybody.

<SNIP The limited membership registration for www.flightsim.com is free, I’m using it and it works fine. So it is open to everybody , you just have to register. — Tomas Wil

Question:

I need some advice about a second flyrod.  I have used four rods for the past 22 years and all have been for 8 wt. line.  The majority of my fishing is for Largemouth.  I think I would like a 4 piece 8.5 to 9 foot in size 4, 5 or 6.  I would use it for small pond bass, bluegill, carp and small river smallmouth.  I would be tossing smaller (size 4 and down) muddlers, clousers and topwaters.  I want something fun that can cast a decent distance and with enough backbone to get a decent size fish in.  Since I have been in an 8 wt. rut all my life and don’t have any experience with these other weights I really appreciate your help.  One additional thing. I will likely purchase an Orvis (no flaming please) Silver Label and need to decide on tip, mid, or full flex also. Jay Kidwell

Response:

I need some advice about a second flyrod.  I have used four rods for the past 22 years and all have been for 8 wt. line.  The majority of my fishing is for Largemouth.  I think I would like a 4 piece 8.5 to 9 foot in size 4, 5 or 6.  I would use it for small pond bass, bluegill, carp and small river smallmouth.  I would be tossing smaller (size 4 and down) muddlers, clousers and topwaters.  I want something fun that can cast a decent distance and with enough backbone to get a decent size fish in.  Since I have been in an 8 wt. rut all my life and don’t have any experience with these other weights I really appreciate your help.  One additional thing. I will likely purchase an Orvis (no flaming please) Silver Label and need to decide on tip, mid, or full flex also. Jay Kidwell

Hi Jay, You will notice a large difference with a #6 outfit as it will be 2 sizes smaller than you have been using. You can go to a #5 if you think it would be better, but a #4 sounds a bit light. Three or four piece rods are really catching on in northern California. The 9 foot length would be nice for deep wading or float tubing. I would hope that you could cast some rods before purchasing one, if possible. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

Response:

I need some advice about a second flyrod.  I have used four rods for the past 22 years and all have been for 8 wt. line.  The majority of my fishing is for Largemouth.  I think I would like a 4 piece 8.5 to 9 foot in size 4, 5 or 6.  I would use it for small pond bass, bluegill, carp and small river smallmouth.  I would be tossing smaller (size 4 and down) muddlers, clousers and topwaters.  I want something fun that can cast a decent distance and with enough backbone to get a decent size fish in.  Since I have been in an 8 wt. rut all my life and don’t have any experience with these other weights I really appreciate your help.  One additional thing. I will likely purchase an Orvis (no flaming please) Silver Label and need to decide on tip, mid, or full flex also.

Hi Jay, I’d recommend a 6 wt. for the type of fishing you’ll be doing.  This will be much lighter than the 8 wt. you’ve been using, yet will still have the necessary power to cast the flies needed for smallmouth and still have a good time when you get them on the line.  The 4 and 5 weight lines are better trout rods & more typically used for size 10 flies and smaller.  The 5 wt. works fine for tossing the occasional larger streamer (size 8 or 6),but is not the best choice for a steady diet of them.  The 4 wt. doesn’t throw them well at all. Whether to buy a tip-flex, mid-flex, or full-flex rod depends a lot on your casting style and the type of fishing you’ll be doing.   The tip flex rods throw tighter loops more easily (most accurate and they cast well into the wind), but you really need to use a "fore-arm" casting style to use them easily and effectively.  If you use your fore-arm as the primary lever in your casting stroke you will cast this type of rod easily and you will get the most performance for the least effort.  Keep in mind this action is the least forgiving when playing the fish. If you use mostly wrist in your casting stroke, you’ll probably prefer a mid-flex or full-flex rod that loads more easily using your wrist as the primary lever.  Wrist casters have a very tough time even getting the tip-flex rods to bend because they are using a very short lever (the wrist), and the forearm muscles used to move the lever are not nearly as strong as the biceps and triceps which are used when making a fore-arm stroke.  Wrist casters typically prefer the full-flex rods because they load so easily with such little effort.  Many casters, regardless of casting style, like this type of rod for fishing light lines (4 wt. and lighter) in close conditions where short casts and roll casts are the norm and range of arm motion is restricted.  Full flex rods are the most forgiving of mistakes when fighting fish. Mid-flex rods tend to throw loops that are not as consistently tight as tip-flex rods and are often preferred by those who use more wrist in their cast, but still use the forearm to initiate the stroke.  Wider loops (within reason) are often preferred when casting larger, heavier flies, or nymph and indicator rigs.  They don’t tangle as often from rapidly dropping flies. Mid-flex rods still load fairly easily even with a fair amount of wrist in the casting stroke.  This type of rod is also more forgiving of mistakes than the tip-flex while playing fish. What it all comes down to is what feels good to you.  You need to cast these different rods to see which you like.  If you were new to fly fishing, I’d recommend you learn to use the forearm stroke in your casting and get the tip-flex rod for the best effort/preformance ratio afforded by them.  However, if a person has been fishing for years, they are not likely to change their casting stroke and the best choice is to get a rod that works well with your casting style. I’d recommend you look at the Orvis Silver Label PM-10 906 ($250, 9 ft. 6 wt.) for a tip flex rod, the Silver Label HLS Cutthroat ($250, 9ft. 6wt.) for a mid-flex rod, and the Silver Label Limestone special ($235, 8 1/2 ft. 6wt.) for a full flex rod.  All of these Silver Label rods offer the same performance as their more expensive premium versions but use less expensive cosmetics.   The PM-10 Silver and HLS Silver rods will also cast a 7 wt. line if you need it for larger flies and windier conditions.  The Limestone Special will wallow around if you try to overline it. ;^)                                            Hope this helps,                                                       Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

Question:

I’m heading to Big St. Germaine, WI (above Rhinelander, near Eagle River) in July and would like some information regarding fly fishing streams and lakes in the area.  Does anyone know if an FFF or TU chapter exists the the North Woods of Wisconsin?  Is there a shop I could contact.  How about guides in this area.  I’m a saltwater fly fisher and this will be only my second attempt at creek/stream fishing.  Any patterns that I should try in the summer months.  I’m a fairly adept tyer.  Thanks for the help.

Response:

I’m heading to Big St. Germaine, WI (above Rhinelander, near Eagle River) in July and would like some information regarding fly fishing streams and lakes in the area.  Does anyone know if an FFF or TU chapter exists the the North Woods of Wisconsin?  Is there a shop I could contact.  How about guides in this area.  I’m a saltwater fly fisher and this will be only my second attempt at creek/stream fishing.  Any patterns that I should try in the summer months.  I’m a fairly adept tyer.  Thanks for the help.

Hmmm.  Lots of lakes.  (LOTS of lakes.)  Lots of streams.  A mixture of cold and warm water fisheries.  Take lots of Wooly Buggers in black, white, olive and dark olive.  The Wisconsin fly fishing page lists all the trout streams in the state.  There are too many lakes in the area to even start a list. My plan was to rig up with an olive WB then walk in a straight line till I hit water.  (Usually no more than 200′.) JC

Response:

Question:

From an avid fly-fisher living in the worst fly-fishing area in the world: HELP! Living in eastern Kansas, (having come from western Montana), the only trout I have heard about in this area are lake trout in Lake Shawnee near Topeka, KS. My question is:  Is there a way to fly-fish for lake Trout?  Won’t they more  than likely be bottom feeding?  How do I get down to them without having to (gag) bring out my spinning reel?  Am I just out of luck?                         BK Devlin

Response:

You’re not going to like this but you can only do well on lakers when the water temps near optimum up top.  Unless you use uranium core sinking lines.  It’s switch to carp.  They hit Italian dry flies — cubes of bread — nicely and fight like freshwater bonefish.   It’s only a couple of days to Idaho. — ** Louis Bignami, Publisher         http://www.finefishing.com Fine Fishing Internet Magazine                "largest fishing mag on the Net" **

Response:

Question:

Ron,   Try a bright light green, cream, orange, or hot pink glo bug and sink the fly so it drifts drag free across the bottom. Also try some bright colored western spey flies and steelhead flies. There is a person named Helvie that wrote a book on steelhead flies, look through that also . —

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  On the Puyallup river in Washington State I have seen several people    I have only seen one fly fisherman on this river and wonder   why?                                          Thanks Ron

    Ron – You don’t see many trying to flyfish the Puyallup River because, by the time the steelhead arrive in the Summer or Fall, the river is floured (like coffee with cream).  Once the snow melt on the glaciers is done and we start getting ice melt, only stink baits really work well on this glacier-fed river. The glaciers have volcanic ash in them that "flour" the water.                         – Jewelee                           Puyallup, WA

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On the Puyallup river in Washington State I have seen several people using spincasting gear with spinners to catch Steelhead.  I am new to fly fishing and am hooked.  I know I will never be a worm fisherman again!!!!  I would think that a fly rod would do a awsome job on this river.  I have only seen one fly fisherman on this river and wonder why?  I am going to try this weekend and would like any suggestions on types of flies and patterns to use?  The spinners that I have seen people use have had bright orange on them.                                        Thanks Ron

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Ron,    I have not fished the Puyallup yet, but I tie a wooly bugger pattern with black marabou and flashabou, and an orange marabou that are more successful overall than the classic Skykomish Sunrise, etc. An advantage for me is that they are easy to tie and when I lose one, it’s not like losing an art treasure. email me about your success. I could send you some flies in exchange for good wading locations. good luck!    Jack – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – On the Puyallup river in Washington State I have seen several people using spincasting gear with spinners to catch Steelhead.  I am new to fly fishing and am hooked.  I know I will never be a worm fisherman again!!!!  I would think that a fly rod would do a awsome job on this river.  I have only seen one fly fisherman on this river and wonder why?  I am going to try this weekend and would like any suggestions on types of flies and patterns to use?  The spinners that I have seen people use have had bright orange on them.                                        Thanks Ron

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Hi.  I am new to fishing but just purchased a rod and spin outfit to take on a backpacking/rock climbing trip to the Big Sandy area in the southern Wind River Mountains in Wyoming.  The lakes where we’ll be (Clear Lake and Deep Lake near Mt. Haystack, most likely) are supposedly full of brook trout, and we hope to catch some for a couple of nice dinners (I’ll get my partner to pack in the wine by marking it "fuel", I suppose!).  I have been told that any fly resembling a mosquito (Irresistible Adams was suggested as a first choice, as well as Wooly Worms and Wooly Buggers) would work well, though I don’t know what hook size would be appropriate. I really don’t know mcuh about catching a fish.  Some of the questions I have are: Is this information in a FAQ I haven’t found? Which would work best? How does one use a spin outfit to cast with flies?   Can I just put on a bubble or a piece of shot and cast like that? Would I be better off just using a small spinner or jig? The last few days here in New Haven, Connecticut have been beautiful.  We spent yesterday rock climbing at the Shawangunks, New York.  I hope the days are fine in your neck of the woods! Thanks for any help.  Please email any responses since I don’t get to check newsgroups too often. Much obliged, Rene’ Renteria

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: The caddis fly is of the order Trichoptera.  The May fly is of the order : Ephemeroptera.  They aint the same bug.  So somebody better get his story : straight. Of course they are different bugs…and these are brachycentrus. They are ALSO Grannoms, Sedges, Little Brown Buggies, Mothies etc. etc. The fact is, the hatch does happen in May. Therefore, for the locals to call ‘em the may-flies is ok by me…the biologist was probably also the barber who is also the sherrif on friday nights. Tim Walker

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Absolutely correct.  It is primarily a communication/context issue, and we should be intelligent and flexible enough to adapt. This leads to an adaptation of an old Stve Martin joke, which might go like this: Up in Canada, "Pickerel" means "Walleye". "Brewskie" means "Beer". Those darn canucks have a different word for ust about everything! (and in Quebec, they call walleye/pickerel – dore – pronounced door-ray!) : — : # Forestry Canada                                                       # : # Petawawa National Forestry Institute                Voice:  (613)-589-3033    # : # Box 2000, Chalk River, Ontario              FAX:    (613)-589-2275    # : # K0J 1J0 CANADA                                                        # — |     Bob Lundy                   | |     Mississauga, ON, Canada     |

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The Stripped Bass is only known as "Rockfish" in the Cheasapeak bay. Once they enter the Atlantic they mysteriously become Stripped Bass. It appears that they are in fact actually making it into the Atlantic again now after the Rockfish moritorium of a few years ago. —      _______   o  |  Gone fish’n in KoKoMo |_/ ——   o |  Carl Traenkner, Lead Software Engineer  

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Hey, they also call ‘em "waugers" here…more confusing is the "striper" (white bass), rockfish (imported saltwater striper), and hybrids (cross ‘tween white bass and rockfish)…

Just to throw more fuel on the fire, "rockfish" is the proper name for a common class of deep-ocean saltwater fish.  "Rockfish" referring to saltwater striped bass is a regional name used in the NE U.S.  True rockfish are often called rock cod, even though they’re not cod… Hey did I tell you about the rainbow trout not really being a trout yet?

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Just to make things more confusing, we now have a hybrid species that’s a cross between a walleye and a sauger.  It’s called a "saugeye" and it’s becoming a very popular sport fish here in Oklahoma.

Hey, they also call ‘em "waugers" here…more confusing is the "striper" (white bass), rockfish (imported saltwater striper), and hybrids (cross ‘tween white bass and rockfish)…  Mac McDougald            *   Any opinions expressed herein are  The Photography Center   *   not necessarily (actually, are  UNIV of TN, Knoxville    *   almost CERTAINLY NOT) those of UTK.  (615-974-3449)           *    than they’ve ever been before."    

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing Path: darkside!constellation!osuunx.ucc.okstate.edu!newsfeed.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu .ksu.e du!hobbes.physics.uiowa.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!utnut!nott!p nfi!sj oyce Organization: Canadian Forest Service – Petawawa National Forestry Institute Distribution: rec Lines: 44 By far, a much bigger problem is fish misidentification, and misinformation in general.  When we argue over pickerel/walleye, at least we are referring to the same tasty, toothy fish.  I came across some ice fishermen a few years ago with a pile of fingerling lake trout on the ice and asked them how the fishing was: "No lakers, but a few o’ dem speckles inna some margerine will be damn good". (he thought they were speckled trout or brook trout which grow to a smaller size).  Another time I came across a guy fishing for walleye in Alberta.  He remarked that he had caught "some of those f*ing dark ones" and tossed them on the bank.  They were sauger which are just as tasty. I’m off to go pickerel fishing. oops I mean walleye. Cheers, SPJ

Just to make things more confusing, we now have a hybrid species that’s a cross between a walleye and a sauger.  It’s called a "saugeye" and it’s becoming a very popular sport fish here in Oklahoma.  I haven’t caught one yet, but I look foreward to it. Richard

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Here in colorado, around the beginning of may, the caddis hatch in blizzards. Tan snow. Anyway, the locals say the "May Flies" have hatched. Last year, the Glenwood Post had a biologist on page one who said thet "These are definately mayflies and NOT caddis, as some people beleive." I about had a seizure. Any flyfisherman worth his 5X knows a caddis, on the wing even. But, the local name and affection is kinda cute, so i’m not too smug and i think i know when to call ‘em mayflies too… Tim Walker

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing Path: darkside!constellation!convex!insosf1.infonet.net!yeshua.marcam.com!news.k ei.com !eff!news.umbc.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio- state. edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!twalker Nntp-Posting-Host: teal.csn.org Organization: Colorado SuperNet, Inc. X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL1] Distribution: rec Lines: 12 Here in colorado, around the beginning of may, the caddis hatch in blizzards. Tan snow. Anyway, the locals say the "May Flies" have hatched. Last year, the Glenwood Post had a biologist on page one who said thet "These are definately mayflies and NOT caddis, as some people beleive." I about had a seizure. Any flyfisherman worth his 5X knows a caddis, on the wing even. But, the local name and affection is kinda cute, so i’m not too smug and i think i know when to call ‘em mayflies too… Tim Walker

The caddis fly is of the order Trichoptera.  The May fly is of the order Ephemeroptera.  They aint the same bug.  So somebody better get his story straight. Richard

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It seems a bit ridiculous to be having arguments about common names of fish when they are just that; "common names".  As such, they are regional by nature, language specific, and vary widely across the country and across borders (i.e. Walleye, Pickerel, Dore, walleyed pike, yellow pickerel etc.). You can find "official" literature in different areas that list different common names for exactly the same fish.  They not only vary by region, they vary sometimes according to fish size or life stage (Chinook, King, Spring, Tyee).  They can even vary according to how the fish is caught or marketed (Lake Herring, Ciscoe, Tulibee).  And I’ve also noticed the uglier the fish is, the more common names it will have (Ling, Burbot, Eelpout, Lawyer, freshwater cod,…snake?).  If you want an unabiguous label for a fish species, you have to use the latin or scientific name. To me, common names have never been a problem.  Just learn as much as you can about fish species in the areas you fish, and the common names in those areas.  I think there can be some confusion if the same common name refers to a different fish in different areas but that’s rare.  When you ask the locals where the fish are biting, you will get a lot farther by using the local fish names! . By far, a much bigger problem is fish misidentification, and misinformation in general.  When we argue over pickerel/walleye, at least we are referring to the same tasty, toothy fish.  I came across some ice fishermen a few years ago with a pile of fingerling lake trout on the ice and asked them how the fishing was: "No lakers, but a few o’ dem speckles inna some margerine will be damn good". (he thought they were speckled trout or brook trout which grow to a smaller size).  Another time I came across a guy fishing for walleye in Alberta.  He remarked that he had caught "some of those f*ing dark ones" and tossed them on the bank.  They were sauger which are just as tasty. I’m off to go pickerel fishing. oops I mean walleye. Cheers, SPJ — # Forestry Canada                                                         # # Petawawa National Forestry Institute          Voice:  (613)-589-3033    # # Box 2000, Chalk River, Ontario                FAX:    (613)-589-2275    # # K0J 1J0 CANADA                                                          #

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Apparently they do not plan to sell the blanks….. SAGE isn’t selling their newer IV blanks either I wonder if the no-blanks-available strategy will work for the manufactures? Completed SAGE IV rods are running $500.00+   My response: the SAGE III blanks are good enough.

Right, why can’t the fly rod manufacturers see that they will price themselves out of existance.  When a new generation of PC’s reach the market (i.e. 486), the previous generation is reduced in price.  But when a new generation of graphite comes out, the older type graphites do not seem to have much of a price reduction. The manufacturers feel that a whole new higher price level is justified by the new generation material.  Only fiberglass seems to have comw down in price. Mark Miller – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Thomas Gilg

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Right, why can’t the fly rod manufacturers see that they will price themselves out of existance.  When a new generation of PC’s reach the market (i.e. 486), the previous generation is reduced in price.  But when a new generation of graphite comes out, the older type graphites do not seem to have much of a price reduction.

That is because a large portion of the price of a computer is engineering costs.  These costs can be amortized over the number of machines sold. After enough machines have been sold to cover the costs of engineering, the price can be reduced. Much of the cost of a flyrod is in manufacturing costs which are fixed per unit regardless of how many rods are built.  Building a good graphite rod is labor intensive. — -Wayne Trzyna

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Right, why can’t the fly rod manufacturers see that they will price themselves out of existance.  When a new generation of PC’s reach the market (i.e. 486), the previous generation is reduced in price.  But when a new generation of graphite comes out, the older type graphites do not seem to have much of a price reduction. That is because a large portion of the price of a computer is engineering costs.  These costs can be amortized over the number of machines sold. After enough machines have been sold to cover the costs of engineering, the price can be reduced. Much of the cost of a flyrod is in manufacturing costs which are fixed per unit regardless of how many rods are built.  Building a good graphite rod is labor intensive. — -Wayne Trzyna

True, but I don’t think that building a rod using a different version of graphite would be any more labor intensive. Mark Miller

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Right, why can’t the fly rod manufacturers see that they will price themselves out of existance.  When a new generation of PC’s reach the market (i.e. 486), the previous generation is reduced in price.  But when a new generation of graphite comes out, the older type graphites do not seem to have much of a price reduction.

Did you ever visit California? This is the state where when new car’s price sky-rocketing, the cost for used cars follow up too. Eric.

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Thomas Gilg writes: I wonder if the no-blanks-available strategy will work for the manufactures? Completed SAGE IV rods are running $500.00+   My response: the SAGE III blanks are good enough.

That’s going to be my response too !   BTW its official now the new generation  Loomis rods will not be sold a blanks.  They’re beautiful rods, light and shoot line like cannons.

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Members of my local flyfishing club have had extensive problems with IMX rods breaking when dealing with Tarpon.

I don’t trust IMX or the regular Sage III  for rods above 9wt.  My ten and twelve weight rods are both the Sage three piece special designed rods for salt water a lot heaver in the butt.   Regarding rod failures, a guide I know on the Green says the outfitter he works for gets free sage & loomis rods and that they’ve had tremendous breakage.  Very thin cross sections and lots of hard use banging around in drift boats.  When the surface coating of a graphite rod gets dinged, a stress concentration forms at the already damaged point.  I’ve had good luck putting a little resin on the ding to fill the scratch.  The only rod I’ve broken to date is my favorite 5 wt Winston that I tried to use as a wading staff.  Winston shipped me a replacement but section blank and it’s still my favorite rod.

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Mark Miller writes: Right, why can’t the fly rod manufacturers see that they will price themselves out of existance.  When a new generation of PC’s reach the market (i.e. 486), the previous generation is reduced in price.  

As much as I’d like to agree with you, I can’t.  Neither Sage and Loomis can keep up with the demand.  The message from the market place is that there are plenty of people ready to pay, so I can’t blame them for using the blanks available for finished rods with a much higher margin.

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Mark Miller writes: True, but I don’t think that building a rod using a different version of graphite would be any more labor intensive.

A lot of engineering when into the latest generation of Loomis rods.

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Members of my local flyfishing club have had extensive problems with IMX rods breaking when dealing with Tarpon.

        This problem is almost always the fault of the angler and not the rod.  When you have a Tarpon close to the boat and you’re really pulling on him, people tend to pull too far back on the rod.  The angle of the rod (angle between butt and tip — 180 degrees at rest) should not be less than 90 degrees.  If you pull back farther than that you’re no longer fighting the fish you’re fighting the rod.  This puts an awful strain on the rod (and the angler).  With the rod doubled over, if the fish should make any quick movements, which tarpon definitely can do, goodbye rod.  You get the most power out of your rod at an angle of about 90 degrees — you’ll land fish quicker (no hour long boatside battles) and your rod will last a lot longer. I don’t trust IMX or the regular Sage III  for rods above 9wt.  My ten and twelve weight rods are both the Sage three piece special designed rods for salt water a lot heaver in the butt.  

        I’ve seen a 150# tarpon caught on 11wt. Sage II.  I myself caught a 100# tarpon on a 10wt Sage III. Regarding rod failures, a guide I know on the Green says the outfitter he works for gets free sage & loomis rods and that they’ve had tremendous breakage.  Very thin cross sections and lots of hard use banging around in drift boats.  When the surface coating of a graphite rod gets dinged, a stress concentration forms at the already damaged point.  I’ve had good luck putting a little resin on the ding to fill the scratch.  The only rod I’ve broken to date is my favorite 5 wt Winston that I tried to use as a wading staff.  Winston shipped me a replacement but section blank and it’s still my favorite rod.

        The surface coating of a rod is purely for casmetic reasons. I don’t think it adds much strength too the rod.  On the other hand if you scratch the graphite underneath then I would worry. — |          307 SW 16th Ave #349 G-ville, Fl 32601             | |                Voice: (904)377-3807                         | |                  Fax: (904)375-0357                         |

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Just saw the latest in Loomis rods.  A friend of built a prototype 8 wt from their new next generation graphite. I’m building an 8 wt IMX and the difference was remarkable the next generation graphite was about the same size and weight as my Winston 5 wt.  Apparently they do not plan to sell the blanks, so I probable won’t be buying one in the near future.   The wall thickness is so thin I’d be worried about the design for anything above 8 wt.  I already switch to Sage’s special design for heaver salt water rods (10 & 12 wt.’s).  I use IMX for 6 and 8 wt rods.  I love to cast the IMX 6 wt but seldom fish it, for trout I like my 3, 5 & 7 wt. Winston’s.   The seven is a dream for bass bugs.

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Apparently they do not plan to sell the blanks…..

SAGE isn’t selling their newer IV blanks either I wonder if the no-blanks-available strategy will work for the manufactures? Completed SAGE IV rods are running $500.00+   My response: the SAGE III blanks are good enough. Thomas Gilg

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The wall thickness is so thin I’d be worried about the design for anything above 8 wt.  I already switch to Sage’s special design for heaver salt water rods (10 & 12 wt.’s).  I use IMX for 6 and 8 wt rods.  I love to cast the IMX 6 wt but seldom fish it, for trout I like my 3, 5 & 7 wt. Winston’s.   The seven is a dream for bass bugs.

Members of my local flyfishing club have had extensive problems with IMX rods breaking when dealing with Tarpon. So much so that the consensus is to fish IM6 rods in this situation. I have not heard of any problems with Sage rods. An interesting side point is that a member broke a rod (Lamiglass IM700) when the clouser minnow he was casting collided with the rod. Lucky thing, these rods have replacement guarantees or there would be a ton of crying. I have broken several graphite rods for no apparent reason while casting or fishing. It appears to be caused by graphite flaws and the brittleness of the material.

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| SAGE isn’t selling their newer IV blanks either | | I wonder if the no-blanks-available strategy will work for the manufactures? | Completed SAGE IV rods are running $500.00+   My response: the SAGE III blanks | are good enough. | | Thomas Gilg | Well they probably are.  But that’s the funny thing about flyfishing equipment.  My $50.00 Cortland rods are "good enough." As far as the strategy goes I can tell you that few shops have any selection of Sage IV ’s at all.  The three or four Sage dealers I’ve talked to here in the east and a few in out west say they can’t get ‘em from Sage and when they do get a few they sell right out.   I believe it.  I know I’m crazy but I bought one anyway about a month ago — I bought the three piece 590 travel rod.   I fished it for a week on the Snake in Jackson Hole and on the Henry’s Fork.  Now I’m not a great caster (I can’t throw a whole line) but I have to say this rod is incredible.  The best I can do is to say it feels like its alive.  A very distinctive feel and I’m getting ten extra feet or more out of it.  Other rods I own include a Winston a Sage III and two Cortland’s.  If it was only distance I was after I might have been better off investing in a casting clinic but I really like the rod. Jim Caldwell Norfolk, VA

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SAGE isn’t selling their newer IV blanks either

I am told by the Sage representative in Norway that there will be available blanks of RPL IV next year. By the way, the company has not produced enough IV rods this year to cover the demand. –Terje Tveras, Univ. of Bergen, Norway

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