Question:

Wonderful story – I felt like I was there.  Sometimes those "blown" trips are incredible.              Frank Reid Before you buy.

Response:

I’ve been away from ROFF for a while (1450 messages worth it seems) as I’ve been out in Utah with the family. I won’t go into all of the gory fishing details–but I will share a couple of reports (in installments). Monday the 17th I had scheduled a float trip down the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming. I arrived in Alpine the evening before to stay at a motel where I had scheduled to meet the guide. Earlier in the afternoon I had been running around on some grass with my girls and I *ran into a swingset* cutting open my knee. I put a bandage on it, tried to act composed, and headed for Alpine. By the time I got to Alpine, the knee was swollen badly and I could hardly get out of the car. I couldn’t bend the knee at all. I was worried about not being able to fish the next day, so I packed some ice on the knee for a while before heading to sleep. I awoke the next morning at 5:00 to the sound of hard rain and thunder. At 7:00 when the guide met me, it was still raining hard and a look up the canyon showed little relief. The guide said he’d take me down the river if that’s what I wanted to do–but he recommended against it, especially because of the lightning. We decided instead to take an impromptu trip to Grey’s River Canyon where he offered to accompany me to fish (wading, not floating) the river. Grey’s River is awesome–it’s easy to wade and has nice pools all up and down the river. Wild cutthroat trout up to 22 inches or so. It is National Forest water and a dirt road follows it for some 50 miles or more (I’m guessing). We drove up the canyon quite a way and began fishing. The weather was cloudy but we saw no rain. I started with streamers and caught a few nice fish–mostly just buying time until a bit of surface action began. Much of the streamer fishing was dapping in deep pools with heavy stuff. I caught several fish–at least one over 18 inches. But casting was absolutely no fun at all. We came to quite a nice pool that was rather difficult to get to–it involved walking down the side of a steep drop-off. Nothing that would have been hard had my knee been "normal" but it was hard not being able to bend my left leg. Anyway, I made it down to the hole and started the down-and-across huck and chuck. I managed to snag the streamer–or at least thought I had–until I started pulling really hard and the "snag" started swimming upstream. The fish went upstream about 25 feet and just held there for a while. I couldn’t seem to pull it down to me nor could I wade up to the fish. Finally, it got tired of the standstill and took off down stream. The current was very fast and I lost a lot of line in a hurry. The guide kept saying "let her run, let her run" but I freaked out and choked off the line once the fish got about 75 feet downstream. Snap. No more fish on my 3X leader. I could make a number of excuses, but the fact of the matter is that I CHOKED!!! I had never before had a fish run on me like that and I botched it real good. But I learned a lesson that would prove helpful later in the week. Dries started working really well in the afternoon and I caught a number of fish in the 16-18" range and many others in the 12-14" range. Parachute Adams was the fly of the day. Grey’s River is very beautiful and from what I can tell is not very crowded if you’re willing to drive up the canyon a bit. I’ll be back again to catch that big fish another day. I’ll do the Snake float another time as well. –Steve

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Question:

Hello, Does any one have any suggestions for white water rafting or freshwater fishing in the Cairns area? My wife and I will be renting a motorhome for two weeks in may. Also what is the cost and procedures for obtaining a fishing license for a US citizen? Thanks Terry Guerrero

Response:

Terry, There are many options in Cairns for both activities. Most of the whitewater trips are on the Tully River – though others use the south Johnstone River also. The best freshwater fishing is in Lake Tinaroo – mind you that’s not fly fishing, the target fish are barramundi. John Hello, Does any one have any suggestions for white water rafting or freshwater fishing in the Cairns area? My wife and I will be renting a motorhome for two weeks in may. Also what is the cost and procedures for obtaining a fishing license for a US citizen? Thanks Terry Guerrero

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Response:

There is also White Water Rafting on the Barron River and there are some multi-day rafting adventures. The most popular one and supposedly the best is the Tully River, it is a full day trip and is being offered by 2 companies, Raging Thunder and R&R. Both are exactly the same price (app. AUD 130,-) and raft exactly the same stretch of river and have lunch at exactly the same spot. Both offer a light meal afterwards, have videos and pictures on sale etc. I have done the trip with both of them and the only real difference I could detect was the "clubhouse" not that one was better than the other but Raging Thunder had a little bit more atmosphere. Most important for your trip are the equipment, appeared to be in good condition at both companies, and the river guides. I had 2 completely different individuals as a guide but both seemed to be very competent. You will find plenty of brochures of both companies once you get to the area, they are also on the internet (somewhere). good luck, Peter – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Terry, There are many options in Cairns for both activities. Most of the whitewater trips are on the Tully River – though others use the south Johnstone River also. The best freshwater fishing is in Lake Tinaroo – mind you that’s not fly fishing, the target fish are barramundi. John Hello, Does any one have any suggestions for white water rafting or freshwater fishing in the Cairns area? My wife and I will be renting a motorhome for two weeks in may. Also what is the cost and procedures for obtaining a fishing license for a US citizen? Thanks Terry Guerrero   http://www.newsfeeds.com       The Largest Usenet Servers in the World!

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Response:

Hi Terry For White Water Rafting I went with Raging Thunder on their full day Tully River option, talk about fun!!! http://www.ragingthunder.com.au For Fishing I would recommend Fishing the Tropics. They offer river and estuary fishing depending on what you want to do. They are local guides with alot of knowledge on fishing in the Cairns area. http://www.fishingthetropics.com.au Enjoy your stay. Shil – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, Does any one have any suggestions for white water rafting or freshwater fishing in the Cairns area? My wife and I will be renting a motorhome for two weeks in may. Also what is the cost and procedures for obtaining a fishing license for a US citizen? Thanks Terry Guerrero

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Do you recommend the day trip on the Tully River? Is it quite exciting? Last summer we made a rafting day trip on the Zambezi River in Vic Falls Zimbabwe, that was great fun but also quite dangerous. Every raft flipped on this river. Anne Marie

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Question:

I tried the Demo and it is a lot like Trophy Bass. Since I own Trophy Bass and enjoy it I think I would definitely enjoy Trophy Rivers. I haven’t ordered it as of yet but I probably will before too long. It’s a fun way to spend an evening when you’re tired of tying flies <Grin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has any one tried the Trophy rivers fly fishing game?

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I tried the demo and was very impressed.  The Trophy Bass I & II games are supposed to be terriffic.  I was always hoping they would release a fly fishing cyber-angling (that’s their term) game. Enjoy, Josh I think the release day of the game is today, November 21. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    Has any one tried the Trophy rivers fly fishing game?  

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It’s a fun way to spend an evening when you’re tired of tying flies <Grin

How could you ever get tired of tying flies? Bryce

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Question:

I am taking a rafting trip on july 2nd and hope the water isn’t too high to enjoy all the good tips I have recieved! Does anybody know what dry’s are coming off this time of year? –rv

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I am taking a rafting trip on july 2nd and hope the water isn’t too high to enjoy all the good tips I have recieved! Does anybody know what dry’s are coming off this time of year? –rv

  I can’t answer specifically, but #8 and 10 elk hair caddis and #10 and 12 Royal Wulffs worked well for us in mid-August several years ago.  I would have liked to have had some large grasshoppers as well.  The biggest problems were keeping flies afloat and keeping them in sight.  The cutthroat wern’t very choosy.   I just put up a web note that I wrote some time ago describing our trip in 1990 that you might find useful.  It’s linked from http://www.phy.duke.edu/~fortney/tours/tours.html#fishing — Lloyd R. Fortney ….. http://www.phy.duke.edu/~fortney physics, research, teaching, photography, flower gardening, travel, and fly fishing

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Question:

I went to their web site today…http://www.flyfishamerica.com. <<

Don:  That’s not the Federation.  You found a new fly fishing magazine that has both electronic and print versions.  They have the complete content of the print version (including all seven regional editions) on their website, so you need Acrobat to be able to capture and read it all.  Free print copies are available through fly shops, but you’ll only get your local region’s section.                                                 Brian

Response:

Could someone please re-post the Web page URL and/or 800 number for the Federation of Fly Fishers.  I seem to have lost the paper I wrote it on. Thanks in advance. Puck Wullenweber Ithaca, NY FFF  http://www.ool.com/fff/Federation of Fly Fishers

PO Box 1595 Bozeman MT 59771 406-585-7592

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I went to their web site today…http://www.flyfishamerica.com. Unfortunately, it is another one of those sites where you have to get their damn special software to view, so I can’t tell you what is there. — Don Jordan POB 2357 Chiefland, FL 32644 http://ripserv.com/indyjones

HI! Don! Click on Adobe Acrobat for a free downloading when you visit the site next time. Hans!

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Could someone please re-post the Web page URL and/or 800 number for the Federation of Fly Fishers.  I seem to have lost the paper I wrote it on. Thanks in advance. Puck Wullenweber Ithaca, NY

Response:

I went to their web site today…http://www.flyfishamerica.com.   Unfortunately, it is another one of those sites where you have to get their damn special software to view, so I can’t tell you what is there. — Don Jordan POB 2357 Chiefland, FL 32644 http://ripserv.com/indyjones

Response:

Could someone please re-post the Web page URL and/or 800 number for the Federation of Fly Fishers.  I seem to have lost the paper I wrote it on. Thanks in advance. Puck Wullenweber Ithaca, NY

FFF  http://www.ool.com/fff/

Response:

Could someone please re-post the Web page URL and/or 800 number for the Federation of Fly Fishers.  I seem to have lost the paper I wrote it on. Thanks in advance. Puck Wullenweber Ithaca, NY FFF  http://www.ool.com/fff/

Hi Puck You can find acces to the FFF at http://www.flyfishing.com/fff/index.html  or call them at 406-585-7592. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

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Question:

I have an e-mail freind who lives in Michigan who would like to join a fly fishing club ! She lives in Ann Arbor area ! Please e-mail me any info you have or may be a small list of shops in the area which are recommended? General question ; Is there a site on the WEB which lists Fly Fishing clubs and or organizations ie. FFF Trout Unlimited ect. ??? Thanks in advance Rich Lob Left Coaster Livermore Fly Fishers

Response:

Check with MacGregors in AA 616-761-9200. I think a TU group meets at their fly shop. Ann

Response:

The Ann Arbor chapter of Trout Unlimited is going to meet at Community High School, starting next month.  The meetings are usually on the third Wednesday night of the month.  Carl Heuter is the current president (in the A2 phone book), and MacGregor’s is another good place to get the meeting information.

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, The last fly rod I bought was in 1973 when I purchased a Fenwick 4 piece travel rod for use in California mountain streams. Now I live in New Mexico and have access to the San Juan and a few other large trout waters and my 7′ pack rod doesn’t quite cut it. I looked around town for Redington (after following posts in this group) and no-one has ever heard of it. I liked a [very pricey] Orvis 9′  5 wt I found in one shop. The last shop I went to only sold Sage rods.  This guy tells me Orvis isn’t that good of quality any more and Sage is the way to go. I checked out to of the rods and for my taste they are to still. I really think $400.00  plus is too much, but the less expensive rods I looked at were pretty poor for what I considered a lot of money. Any suggestions?

I have a St. Croix 8 foot, 4-5wt rod…it’s a 4-piece travel rod and they also make a 8′6" 5-6wt 4 piece.  I bought mine for $100 and they may be $125 now.  It is a very nice rod for the price (I also have a Sage 590RPL which costs a lot more). I actually prefer the slightly slower action of the St. Croix.  When the situation demands it, the rod is still capable of throwing a lot of line.   A friend of mine really likes the action of the Sage Discovery Series rods (their introductory line of rods).  Good luck. August Kristoferson http://www.eskimo.com/~augustk

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writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello, The last fly rod I bought was in 1973 when I purchased a Fenwick 4 piece travel rod for use in California mountain streams. Now I live in New Mexico and have access to the San Juan and a few other large trout waters and my 7′ pack rod doesn’t quite cut it. I looked around town for Redington (after following posts in this group) and no-one has ever heard of it. I liked a [very pricey] Orvis 9′  5 wt I found in one shop. The last shop I went to only sold Sage rods.  This guy tells me Orvis isn’t that good of quality any more and Sage is the way to go. I checked out to of the rods and for my taste they are to still. I really think $400.00  plus is too much, but the less expensive rods I looked at were pretty poor for what I considered a lot of money. Any suggestions? Mike

Hi Mike, If the $400 price range is a bit spendy for you check out the Orvis HLS RM series.  Rods are $240 -$250 for 2 peice and are made from the same blanks that 1995’s premium HLS used last year.  With the fancier fittings these rods sold for $350.  You get the same performance with a less fancy reel seat and handle, 2 coats of epoxy on the wraps instead of the 4 coats of low-build polyurethane varnish and a price tag of $100 less.  I would suggest you try the HLS RM "Adams" (8 1/2ft. 4 wt., $240), the HLS RM "Bighorn" (8 1/2ft. 5 wt., $240), and the HLS RM "Colorado" (9ft. 5wt., $250).  4 piece rods are about $50 more.  All of these are medium fast action rods made from a high modulus graphite.  Because of the line speed generated by the newer graphites you can use a 5 wt. where you used to need a 6 wt. and a 4 wt. where you used to need a 5 wt.  These rods are covered by the same 25 yr. "any way you break it guarantee" that Orvis has given since 1988, so you don’t need to worry about breakage even if it’s your fault.  Try them out and see what you think.                                    Hope this helps,                                                Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, The last fly rod I bought was in 1973 when I purchased a Fenwick 4 piece travel rod for use in California mountain streams. Now I live in New Mexico and have access to the San Juan and a few other large trout waters and my 7′ pack rod doesn’t quite cut it. I looked around town for Redington (after following posts in this group) and no-one has ever heard of it. I liked a [very pricey] Orvis 9′  5 wt I found in one shop. The last shop I went to only sold Sage rods.  This guy tells me Orvis isn’t that good of quality any more and Sage is the way to go. I checked out to of the rods and for my taste they are to still. I really think $400.00  plus is too much, but the less expensive rods I looked at were pretty poor for what I considered a lot of money. Any suggestions?

The most popular size fly rod sold in the West is a 9′ #5  2 piece.  If you are traveling on aircraft or back packing you might consider a 3 or 4 piece.  I would try to cast as many rods that you can and choose one that feels good. Many rod companies have unconditional warranties and if you keep this next one for 23 years you will get your moneys worth at any price. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

Response:

Hello, The last fly rod I bought was in 1973 when I purchased a Fenwick 4 piece travel rod for use in California mountain streams. Now I live in New Mexico and have access to the San Juan and a few other large trout waters and my 7′ pack rod doesn’t quite cut it. I looked around town for Redington (after following posts in this group) and no-one has ever heard of it. I liked a [very pricey] Orvis 9′  5 wt I found in one shop. The last shop I went to only sold Sage rods.  This guy tells me Orvis isn’t that good of quality any more and Sage is the way to go. I checked out to of the rods and for my taste they are to still. I really think $400.00  plus is too much, but the less expensive rods I looked at were pretty poor for what I considered a lot of money. Any suggestions? Mike

Response:

Question:

Apart from all the other advantages, hand tied leaders offer two distinct advantages for me.         1. I seem to present the fly better with a hand tied leader         2. One of cost, they are distinctly cheaper.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 1. Can you recommend a [in the surf] leader formula for 1/0-3/0 flies perch, stripers are the prize The Lefty Kreh/Mark Sosin book Practical Fishing Knots II gives a good methodology for constructing saltwater leaders. I use all Mason hard mono for my saltwater leaders, which I tie in the methods suggested in Kreh/Sosin. (i.e. Surgeon’s loops, bimini twists, huffnagle knots, etc.) 2. Can you surfcasters get anecdotal about your line selection (i.e. what is better in waves… a 30′ shooting head attached to mono? or a 30′ head attached to some floating line? 3.This mono curled like Harpo Marx in my shooting basket. I would think some real fly line (like my 7 wt 444 sinking line) would at least lay flat in the bottom of my basket. thanks for the know-how Check out the Teeny running lines. They’re made of limp, braided material which doesn’t curl up and will shoot through the guides easily in case it gets tangled. They’re neutrally-bouyant rather than high-floating like floating fly lines. I like them better than the level fly line-type running lines, but they’re a bit pricey. (Cope & McPheter’s carries them in the Bay area…) Regards, Fred

One word of caution about both braided shooting line and level flyline for use in the surf. These lines can pick up particles of sand and abrade both your guides and your fly rod.  It depends upon the nature of the beach, but under the right conditions you can ruin a fly rod in one outing. However under some circumstances these shooting lines can work great. Ian Walker

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1. Can you recommend a [in the surf] leader formula for 1/0-3/0 flies perch, stripers are the prize

I had the same problem with weighted clousers of that size and still have the bumps on the back of my head to prove it! Someone replied to my post on this matter and suggested that I try using a shorter leader while someone else replied suggesting that I use a uniform diameter mono leader that is relatively stiff. I tried combining the suggestions by attaching a three foot section of 12#test Berkely Big Game to the end of my Fenwick 9wt WF intermediate sinking line. The fly moved better in the air during false casts, but the mono just couldn’t turn over the fly for a straight presentation. Not that the presentation is essential for the fish, but it helps to keep the line from fouling even before I start stripping. This worked a bit better when I dropped the fly size down to a #2 clouser, but it didn’t solve my original problem. Longer mono sections proved worse in practice and shorter tapered leaders didn’t do it either. I’m still stumped. I recently purchased a 12wt for fishing rougher surf on the south shore of Long Island and was sort of hoping that the line weight increase would help in this situation (I’ll be casting some heavy epoxy flys too). Too bad…. 3.This mono curled like Harpo Marx in my shooting basket. I would think some real fly line (like my 7 wt 444 sinking line) would at least lay flat in the bottom of my basket.

Are you using the collapsable variety or the dishpan with/without mono fingers? I use the collapsable and thought that was the problem. Then I fished with another salty flyrodder who had the dishpan (without mono fingers) and he had the same problem…. HH&TL,       Jose

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think that being easier to tie is the ONLY possible advantage that the surgeons knot has over the blood. From my informal tests, I believe the blood knot to be stronger.  Your mileage may vary, but I’d think that there would be a definite answer to this question.  Namely: which is stronger a properly tied blood or properly tied surgeons knot. I have found the surgeons knot superior when the diameters of the two lines differs by more than a few x’s.  This happens mostly when I use a knotless leader and have changed flies a few times too often. I’ve found the blood knot clearly superior when the diameters are nearly the same…as they are when I’m tying my on leaders.  They don’t take long to tie, either, once you get the hang of it.  My biggest problem with the blood knot: I can’t tie it while smoking my pipe!

I am sorry that I did not state this exception in my initial post.  I definitely agree that when the diameters are quite different, I have a difficult time getting a blood knot to hold.  I generally use 3 wraps on each side of the knot, but I will use possibly 5 wraps when tying different size diameters together.  I should possibly consider the surgeons knot in this instance. I am happy to hear someone else who doesn’t think the blood knot is hard to tie.  It is simple: a couple wraps and through, a couple wraps and through, wet, tighten, snip, fish. question: do any of you put zap-a-gap or something similar on the blood knots in your leaders?  Doesit make a difference?

I have tried, but I really have not seen any difference.  It might help prevent the blood knot pulling out in the circumstances outlined above. Enough rambling on my part.  I like the often-chastised blood knot. -tgades

Response:

I would like to cast a vote for tying your own leaders.  True, knotless leaders are easy and do not pick up moss and debris but a hand-tied leader will improve your presentation with drys if you use a hard/soft leader/tippet system.  FlyFisherman has an article in the July edition that talks about it some.  I’ve tied my own leaders for about a year and a half and think they’re worth the effort.

Response:

I would go with the handtied leader.  I use a permanent butt section   attached to my flyline with a nail knot and with a perfection loop in the   end.  I put a perfection loop in the end of my leaders and use a loop to   loop connection.  The flyfish listserv has had extensive discussion   recently concerning failures of braided leader connections at the point   of attachment to the flyline. —   Dept. of Chemistry Centre College 600 W. Walnut St. Danville, KY 40422 phone (606)238-5416

Response:

Conrad,         What do I have to do to subscribe to this flyfish listserv? Jim

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" If you want, I can provide size and length parameters for most species, just tell me which ones you are going for. (and yes, we do sell ready made leaders, too!) Tight Lines Tackle Shop and Guide Service Lockeport, Nova Scotia, Canada

And now a question to bcurry and other ff surfcasters. I was surfcasting last night in Santa Cruz and I had a bitch throwing a 1/0 deceiver. My rodbuilder flipped me a reel to try. This reel (in this order) backing, clear mono, and a 30′ shooting head had a six foot mono leader that I practiced for 2 weeks on grass. All was well. I have a 9′graphite 12 wght rod and the loaner reel/shooting head is about the same. Added to the mono "leader" I added 12′ 5 lb test leader and my deceiver It was foul city. In the surf, with a 30 foot shooting head 2 questions come to mind: 1. Can you recommend a [in the surf] leader formula for 1/0-3/0 flies perch, stripers are the prize 2. Can you surfcasters get anecdotal about your line selection (i.e. what is better in waves… a 30′ shooting head attached to mono? or a 30′ head attached to some floating line? 3.This mono curled like Harpo Marx in my shooting basket. I would think some real fly line (like my 7 wt 444 sinking line) would at least lay flat in the bottom of my basket. thanks for the know-how

Response:

1. Can you recommend a [in the surf] leader formula for 1/0-3/0 flies perch, stripers are the prize

The Lefty Kreh/Mark Sosin book Practical Fishing Knots II gives a good methodology for constructing saltwater leaders. I use all Mason hard mono for my saltwater leaders, which I tie in the methods suggested in Kreh/Sosin. (i.e. Surgeon’s loops, bimini twists, huffnagle knots, etc.) 2. Can you surfcasters get anecdotal about your line selection (i.e. what is better in waves… a 30′ shooting head attached to mono? or a 30′ head attached to some floating line? 3.This mono curled like Harpo Marx in my shooting basket. I would think some real fly line (like my 7 wt 444 sinking line) would at least lay flat in the bottom of my basket. thanks for the know-how

Check out the Teeny running lines. They’re made of limp, braided material which doesn’t curl up and will shoot through the guides easily in case it gets tangled. They’re neutrally-bouyant rather than high-floating like floating fly lines. I like them better than the level fly line-type running lines, but they’re a bit pricey. (Cope & McPheter’s carries them in the Bay area…) Regards, Fred

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I’m just getting started flyfishing, and I’m hooked. Though I’ve been using borrowed gear, I’m going to buy my own rod/reel soon. Unless I hear lots of negative reports about it (I’ve heard tons of good reports), I’m goin to go with the Orvis Clearwater Henry’s Fork outfit (8.5ft/5wt), since about $150-175 is my limit. My real question here, though, is about leaders. I know that Orvis (esp. since I’m buying my rod/reel/line from them) has several different kinds of leader systems: knotless leaders, braided leader system (which seems pretty snazzy), and the ol’ tie ‘em yourself from scratch method (which appeals to the traditionalist in me). Should I start with a knotless or braided leader/tippet system? or Should I learn to tie leaders myself (using books/friends/etc. as advice)? Also, I’m wondering about waders, but I’ve posted that separately. Thanks Steven Jarvis

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I’m just getting started flyfishing, and I’m hooked. My real question here, though, is about leaders. I know that Orvis (esp. since I’m buying my rod/reel/line from them) has several different kinds of leader systems: knotless leaders, braided leader system (which seems pretty snazzy), and the ol’ tie ‘em yourself from scratch method (which appeals to the traditionalist in me). Should I start with a knotless or braided leader/tippet system? or Should I learn to tie leaders myself (using books/friends/etc. as advice)?

Use the braided leader/tippet.  I do and like them a lot.   A sunny day,      a box of midges,         and a wandering stream…   Man, this MUST be heaven!   <    Steve Kulpa    <<

Response:

I like to use knotless tapered leaders. maybe because I’m lazy, but there may be some very slight advantages with them. There are no knots to create drag, and the material has no "memory" (the hand tied t.l.’s i bought at the Yellowstone Angler took forever to straighten out). Also, I noticed that the braided sections can sometimes soak enough water to make them ride just under the surface of the water, which can be annoying. However, these factors are so slight that if your traditional tendencies say tie them yourself then that’s what you should do. Let us know if you have ?’s about size, lengths etc.

Response:

Should you decide to tie your own leaders, for God’s sake free yourself from the tyranny of the blood knot.  You can learn the surgeons knot in about 30 seconds. It’s quicker, its better and it HOLDS.  Remember, all this is supposed to be fun, not rocket science. RLPPT

Response:

My real question here, though, is about leaders. I know that Orvis (esp. since I’m buying my rod/reel/line from them) has several different kinds of leader systems: knotless leaders, braided leader system (which seems pretty snazzy), and the ol’ tie ‘em yourself from scratch method (which appeals to the traditionalist in me). Should I start with a knotless or braided leader/tippet system? or Should I learn to tie leaders myself (using books/friends/etc. as advice)?

Hi, I’d recommend the traditionalist choice, which happens to be the cheapest, too. Learning to tie your own leaders isn’t hard, and works really well, because you can change at will, when the occasion calls for it. Also, you’ll find that some species just don’t have pre-made leaders to buy (i.e. pickerel, which need a 10-15# test, but with a short 6" 30# opr more section to avoid "bite-offs". If you wantr, I can provide size and length parameters for most species, just tell me which ones you are going for. (and yes, we do sell ready made leaders, too!) Tight Lines Tackle Shop and Guide Service Lockeport, Nova Scotia, Canada

Response:

Should you decide to tie your own leaders, for God’s sake free yourself from the tyranny of the blood knot.  You can learn the surgeons knot in about 30 seconds. It’s quicker, its better and it HOLDS.  Remember, all this is supposed to be fun, not rocket science. RLPPT

I think that being easier to tie is the ONLY possible advantage that the surgeons knot has over the blood.  From my informal tests, I believe the blood knot to be stronger.  Your mileage may vary, but I’d think that there would be a definite answer to this question.  Namely: which is stronger a properly tied blood or properly tied surgeons knot. I have personally found the answer to be the blood. -tgades

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: Should you decide to tie your own leaders, for God’s sake free yourself : from the tyranny of the blood knot.  You can learn the surgeons knot in : about 30 seconds. : It’s quicker, its better and it HOLDS.  Remember, all this is supposed to : be fun, not rocket science. RLPPT : I think that being easier to tie is the ONLY possible advantage that the : surgeons knot has over the blood.  From my informal tests, I believe the blood : knot to be stronger.  Your mileage may vary, but I’d think that there would : be a definite answer to this question.  Namely: which is stronger a properly : tied blood or properly tied surgeons knot. I have found the surgeons knot superior when the diameters of the two lines differs by more than a few x’s.  This happens mostly when I use a knotless leader and have changed flies a few times too often. I’ve found the blood knot clearly superior when the diameters are nearly the same…as they are when I’m tying my on leaders.  They don’t take long to tie, either, once you get the hang of it.  My biggest problem with the blood knot: I can’t tie it while smoking my pipe! question: do any of you put zap-a-gap or something similar on the blood knots in your leaders?  Doesit make a difference? — Laboratory for Applied Logic    Dept. of Computer Science University of Idaho             www: http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~foster

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I suppose it is a question of numbers.  I like solitude when I fish — yes, I do more walking now then I use to.  A few years ago before kayaking and rafting was all the rage, a kayaker or two floating by now and then was no big deal. Now, however, I’ve simply given up on water frequented by this crew; it is a steady, continuous stream of sometimes polite, but often not, kayakers and crowded rafts, at least in daylight hours.   It has become their river, not mine or that of most fisherman I know.  And, it would seem, some kayakers and rafters prefer solitude also and so I find them increasingly in places they never were before — even tubbers in relatively quiet waters! I would favor seasons on such waters.  One for fishing, one for rafting.  In the latter case, I would surrender the river during high run-off times, and restrict it to fishing, swimming, picnics, etc. during the rest of the year (now, there is no rest of the year, at least during warmer weather).  When this first got going, it was high, white water that attracted rafters and kayakers.  Now it seems to be almost anytime. The commercial folks would probably have a fit though, and probably the resort owners catering to fishermen as well.   idle thoughts, Richard Wildman

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A world away from the rafts, kayaks, tubes and outfitters… Started my fishing season after work yesterday, hitting the beach down the street to see if the first run of stripers had reached Maine yet. Usually this happens about May 15th, but the winter was mild, the sun was shining and the tide was right. Packed the family lab into the Jeep pickup and brought the light rod, the 8 weight….Powell (Yeah, you thought I was going to say Orvis weren’t you…). No cars at the beach, might as well let the beast run. Little tide so the rip wasn’t too intense as I waded out into the surf. I expected Cassidy to dive in after my fly since I usually leave her in the truck when I fish, but somehow she knew not to. Swam a bit, then went about the business of terrorizing the local bird population. Chartreuse clouser drew no interest nor did the surf candy. If these two don’t do it there ain’t no fish there yet, but I continued casting, enjoying the feel of the waves on my chest. Decided to do a test on a big bulky pattern I tied to imitate bunker. Looks good dry, but I wanted to see how it cast & tracked. It’s really a 2/0 white deceiver, which is then sheathed in Enrico’s sea fiber (lavender) with 2 strips of flashabou on each side, big eyes and an epoxy head and herl on top. About 8" long. I was concerned that the sea fiber would absorb water and cast like a wet towel, but was real glad to find otherwise. I think this will be a good material for building cow flies, check it out. Anyways after 2 hours I knew the run hadn’t started yet, called in the dog and decided to walk up the Mousam River. Once the run starts this place will be elbow to elbow with fishermen, and I will retreat to the treacherous crags and cliffs where every fish is a surprise, returning here only when the weather is bad enough to keep sane people at home. But tonight the beach is ours and as we sit watching the reflection of the sunset in a tidal pool, listening to the cadence of the surf I think of the t-shirt that says ‘Maine: The Way Life Should Be’ and I think "Yup, it sure is."                               john cloyd

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: …Now, however, I’ve simply given up on water frequented : by this crew; it is a steady, continuous stream of sometimes : polite, but often not, kayakers and crowded rafts, at : least in daylight hours.   : I would favor seasons on such waters.  One for fishing, : one for rafting.  In the latter case, I would surrender : the river during high run-off times, and restrict it to : fishing, swimming, picnics, etc. during the rest of the year : (now, there is no rest of the year, at least during warmer : weather).   : …The commercial folks would probably have a fit though, : and probably the resort owners catering to fishermen as well.   They are.  This argument is currently in full dress in Hells Canyon on the Snake River in Central Idaho.  In this case it is jet boaters vs. the kayakers and rafters.  No road access, so very little fishing pressure.   The kayakers and rafters are pushing hard, and winning, for a short season for power boaters.  The commercial oufits are screaming loudly.  I wonder how the kayakers and rafters would view your plan?  Everywhere is becoming too crowded, except for a few places I won’t talk about here or in books.  I wish everyone would follow that advice. Rick — T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    |  These University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    |  opinions Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. |  are mine.  

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I will be in Oregon in early Nov. about 45 min. east of Portland. I am new to fly fishing and I’ll appreciate any info I can get. I will be bank fishing, and understand that Oregon has some good small mouth fishing, any in this area? Thanks

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writes: I will be in Oregon in early Nov. about 45 min. east of Portland. I am new to fly fishing and I’ll appreciate any info I can get. I will be bank fishing, and understand that Oregon has some good small mouth fishing, any in this area?

Get a copy of Henning’s Guide to Lakes, Rivers and Streams in Oregon.  It lists every place that you can find fish in OR.                                                 Roderick Mac Farlane

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