Question:

I am going to a wedding at Camp Colton in Colton,OR (near Oregon City about an hour outside of Portland). Anyone know of any good/decent fishing around there? I read some of the older posts but I don’t know where those rivers are in relation to Colton. Thanks in advance

Response:

I am going to a wedding at Camp Colton in Colton,OR (near Oregon City about an hour outside of Portland). Anyone know of any good/decent fishing around there?

You are practically on top of the Clackamas and a reasonable drive from the Sandy. Both are producing record numbers of steelhead and a few Springer’s are showing up too. visit www.ifish.com for latest reports from the local riff raff. numerous Oregon fishing links can be found at http://blueox.uoregon.edu/~dmason/Mckenzie/linkdb/results/yokels.html weekly fishing reports at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/RecReports/Fishing.html and the Oregon Council of Fly Fishers has a nice set of links to reports and river levels at http://oregonfff.org/ click on "contents… Enjoy your visit… Cos

Response:

I am going to a wedding at Camp Colton in Colton,OR (near Oregon City about an hour outside of Portland). Anyone know of any good/decent fishing around there?

(reposted after correcting iFish link) You are practically on top of the Clackamas and a reasonable drive from the Sandy. Both are producing record numbers of steelhead and a few Springer’s are showing up too. visit www.ifish.net for latest reports from the local riff raff. numerous Oregon fishing links can be found at http://blueox.uoregon.edu/~dmason/Mckenzie/linkdb/results/yokels.html weekly fishing reports at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/RecReports/Fishing.html and the Oregon Council of Fly Fishers has a nice set of links to reports and river levels at http://oregonfff.org/ click on "contents… Enjoy your visit… Cos

Response:

When are you going to be there? Crusty (Estacada)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am going to a wedding at Camp Colton in Colton,OR (near Oregon City about an hour outside of Portland). Anyone know of any good/decent fishing around there? I read some of the older posts but I don’t know where those rivers are in relation to Colton. Thanks in advance

Response:

I will be there the weekend before Labor Day. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – When are you going to be there? Crusty (Estacada) I am going to a wedding at Camp Colton in Colton,OR (near Oregon City about an hour outside of Portland). Anyone know of any good/decent fishing around there? I read some of the older posts but I don’t know where those rivers are in relation to Colton. Thanks in advance

Response:

Question:

George,    Good observations all, would add that the Tricos are another one to add to that list of little mayflies and that here in the East US, I have seen a very small rusty colored dun in the later parts of the season. As noted, tying must be very sparse, with fine threads and little dubbing. We are in the midst of trico season on the Tulpehocken in PA. I have noted a couple of things about this hatch: First, emergers sometimes work after the spinner fall is over, as the fish sometimes go back to the crippled duns for a last snack. Second, a quick shot over risers with a larger, but not outrageous fly(say, a #18 sulfur,amidst #24 Tricos)will rise some good fish.                                     Tom Littleton

Response:

I don’t know if your American Caenis are the same as our Scottish ones (pale cream and cover your jacket with sloughed skins!) but we had a huge hatch on Loch leven on Friday. Damned frustrating but took 4 nice browns on s20 hares ear suspender. I wonder if they don’t take the nymphs as much as the adults. You’reright about the feeding lane!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – These are the Mighty Mouse of all the flies.  When these little suckers come off the water in the trillions and bunches, nothing else will work.  There are some hints on how to fish these blanket hatches and it is well worth one’s time. Here is the time of year when fish of great size can be taken on hooks as small as you care to tie.  I tie the Baetis vagans with upright blue dun wings down to size 24’s.  The same goes for olive bodied Baetis that are coming off the water.  However, it is the spinner flight that makes the trout go mad.  As the Baetis spend themselves, the currents gather them in little bunches and many of the spent wings of both species are easily tied on size 20 – 26 hooks for you only need a hint of body color and with the fine spinning nature of mink or rabbit, this is not hard to do. The first thing to know is that paint brush filaments are great tails for the spinner flights.  As small as these flies are, I tie in two tails that are spread out to 3/4 of an inch long and across.  From the tail, you only need a hint of dubbing or a small woven body from thread only.  Dan Byford showed me how to do that and it works as ridiculous as it sounds.  Personally, I think its too much work. Again, the first thing I tie in are the spent wings, I go back to the filament tails, come forward with a little body color, and whip finish off.  You need 8/0 thread for this work and if you tie these flies with all the seriousness you can muster, it will pay handsome dividends. The secret to fishing these very tiny flies is to wade out and wait. Pick a feeding fish because all the fish will not be roaming all over chasing these things.  They will be feeding in a very narrow lane.  Your cast must be within an inch of width, most times for the trout to take and it has to be timed perfectly.  This may mean dozens of casts to the same fish until you’re convinced its playing with you.  Take your time. You shouldn’t be casting any farther than a dozen feet or so. Let the fly always float well past your target so you always pick up long after and behind the fish. How you dress these very minute flies is also important.  Float the fly, do not float the first four inches from the fly and float the rest of the leader with you know what.  This procedure will put a short but vital disconnection between he fly and 8X tippet. The next thing you need to do is slightly off-set the hook just a bit. Not much, just a little.  If you can find some Captain Hamilton Hooks by Partridge, dries at that, all the better because these have wide gaps. Make no mistake about it.  These small hooks will hold a big fish.  The will grab just about any mouth membrane and you may have your hands full with your first big fish on a small hook set up.  Check the drag and make sure its set to zero.  Just the line friction will be enough at the beginning stages of the battle.  Immediately at hook up, point the tip of your fly rod right at the fish and let it run right off the reel. ‘When casting,’ make sure you have no slack on the water that will snap to tautness and thus snapping you off. Getting back to the fish you’re working on, it goes like this with each cast.  Cast and then mend.  Cast and then mend.  Cast and then mend. Always mend, even if its just for a one foot float.  Always mend. If you think you need to do a false cast, after your fly goes behind the fish and out of view, false cast there before returning to deliver the fly for another float. Here is another secret some may not know.  The heavier the fly line you’re using the longer the leader must be. The lighter the fly line you’re using, the shorter the leader can be.  Just because you may be fishing a 7 WT, doesn’t mean you can’t fish Baetis and Caenis Duns and Spinners with it.  Just go to a 12 foot leader, hand tied if possible with a 36 inch 8X tippet.  If you know how to tie a good leader, you can make that baby turn all the way over each time and a lot of times you may be casting just the leader using a 9 foot NWT.  Here also, you want zero reel drag for starters. The Gink Book of Fly Fishing Records which few know about consists of anyone catching an 18 inch fish on a size 18 hook or a size 26 inch fish on a size 26 hook.  The only ones I have not been able to do yet is the 28 inch fish on a size 28 hook and of course the most difficult, the 32/32  Club.  This however; is another story for another time. So if you find yourself in the Caenis blizzard hatch, smile and start setting up your gear.  The tails may seem unusual but they work.  Just don’t forget your blue or yellow polaroid sun glasses.  Fishing these flies is where bamboo really shines. See you again soon. — Mr.Gink "the saga continues" http://www.gink.com/

Response:

These are the Mighty Mouse of all the flies.  When these little suckers come off the water in the trillions and bunches, nothing else will work.  There are some hints on how to fish these blanket hatches and it is well worth one’s time. Here is the time of year when fish of great size can be taken on hooks as small as you care to tie.  I tie the Baetis vagans with upright blue dun wings down to size 24’s.  The same goes for olive bodied Baetis that are coming off the water.  However, it is the spinner flight that makes the trout go mad.  As the Baetis spend themselves, the currents gather them in little bunches and many of the spent wings of both species are easily tied on size 20 – 26 hooks for you only need a hint of body color and with the fine spinning nature of mink or rabbit, this is not hard to do.   The first thing to know is that paint brush filaments are great tails for the spinner flights.  As small as these flies are, I tie in two tails that are spread out to 3/4 of an inch long and across.  From the tail, you only need a hint of dubbing or a small woven body from thread only.  Dan Byford showed me how to do that and it works as ridiculous as it sounds.  Personally, I think its too much work. Again, the first thing I tie in are the spent wings, I go back to the filament tails, come forward with a little body color, and whip finish off.  You need 8/0 thread for this work and if you tie these flies with all the seriousness you can muster, it will pay handsome dividends. The secret to fishing these very tiny flies is to wade out and wait. Pick a feeding fish because all the fish will not be roaming all over chasing these things.  They will be feeding in a very narrow lane.  Your cast must be within an inch of width, most times for the trout to take and it has to be timed perfectly.  This may mean dozens of casts to the same fish until you’re convinced its playing with you.  Take your time. You shouldn’t be casting any farther than a dozen feet or so.   Let the fly always float well past your target so you always pick up long after and behind the fish.   How you dress these very minute flies is also important.  Float the fly, do not float the first four inches from the fly and float the rest of the leader with you know what.  This procedure will put a short but vital disconnection between he fly and 8X tippet.   The next thing you need to do is slightly off-set the hook just a bit. Not much, just a little.  If you can find some Captain Hamilton Hooks by Partridge, dries at that, all the better because these have wide gaps. Make no mistake about it.  These small hooks will hold a big fish.  The will grab just about any mouth membrane and you may have your hands full with your first big fish on a small hook set up.  Check the drag and make sure its set to zero.  Just the line friction will be enough at the beginning stages of the battle.  Immediately at hook up, point the tip of your fly rod right at the fish and let it run right off the reel. ‘When casting,’ make sure you have no slack on the water that will snap to tautness and thus snapping you off. Getting back to the fish you’re working on, it goes like this with each cast.  Cast and then mend.  Cast and then mend.  Cast and then mend. Always mend, even if its just for a one foot float.  Always mend. If you think you need to do a false cast, after your fly goes behind the fish and out of view, false cast there before returning to deliver the fly for another float. Here is another secret some may not know.  The heavier the fly line you’re using the longer the leader must be. The lighter the fly line you’re using, the shorter the leader can be.  Just because you may be fishing a 7 WT, doesn’t mean you can’t fish Baetis and Caenis Duns and Spinners with it.  Just go to a 12 foot leader, hand tied if possible with a 36 inch 8X tippet.  If you know how to tie a good leader, you can make that baby turn all the way over each time and a lot of times you may be casting just the leader using a 9 foot NWT.  Here also, you want zero reel drag for starters. The Gink Book of Fly Fishing Records which few know about consists of anyone catching an 18 inch fish on a size 18 hook or a size 26 inch fish on a size 26 hook.  The only ones I have not been able to do yet is the 28 inch fish on a size 28 hook and of course the most difficult, the 32/32  Club.  This however; is another story for another time. So if you find yourself in the Caenis blizzard hatch, smile and start setting up your gear.  The tails may seem unusual but they work.  Just don’t forget your blue or yellow polaroid sun glasses.  Fishing these flies is where bamboo really shines. See you again soon. — Mr.Gink "the saga continues"   http://www.gink.com/

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know if your American Caenis are the same as our Scottish ones (pale cream and cover your jacket with sloughed skins!) but we had a huge hatch on Loch leven on Friday. Damned frustrating but took 4 nice browns on s20 hares ear suspender. I wonder if they don’t take the nymphs as much as the adults. You’reright about the feeding lane! These are the Mighty Mouse of all the flies.  When these little suckers come off the water in the trillions and bunches, nothing else will work.  There are some hints on how to fish these blanket hatches and it is well worth one’s time. Here is the time of year when fish of great size can be taken on hooks as small as you care to tie.  I tie the Baetis vagans with upright blue dun wings down to size 24’s.  The same goes for olive bodied Baetis that are coming off the water.  However, it is the spinner flight that makes the trout go mad.  As the Baetis spend themselves, the currents gather them in little bunches and many of the spent wings of both species are easily tied on size 20 – 26 hooks for you only need a hint of body color and with the fine spinning nature of mink or rabbit, this is not hard to do. The first thing to know is that paint brush filaments are great tails for the spinner flights.  As small as these flies are, I tie in two tails that are spread out to 3/4 of an inch long and across.  From the tail, you only need a hint of dubbing or a small woven body from thread only.  Dan Byford showed me how to do that and it works as ridiculous as it sounds.  Personally, I think its too much work. Again, the first thing I tie in are the spent wings, I go back to the filament tails, come forward with a little body color, and whip finish off.  You need 8/0 thread for this work and if you tie these flies with all the seriousness you can muster, it will pay handsome dividends. The secret to fishing these very tiny flies is to wade out and wait. Pick a feeding fish because all the fish will not be roaming all over chasing these things.  They will be feeding in a very narrow lane.  Your cast must be within an inch of width, most times for the trout to take and it has to be timed perfectly.  This may mean dozens of casts to the same fish until you’re convinced its playing with you.  Take your time. You shouldn’t be casting any farther than a dozen feet or so. Let the fly always float well past your target so you always pick up long after and behind the fish. How you dress these very minute flies is also important.  Float the fly, do not float the first four inches from the fly and float the rest of the leader with you know what.  This procedure will put a short but vital disconnection between he fly and 8X tippet. The next thing you need to do is slightly off-set the hook just a bit. Not much, just a little.  If you can find some Captain Hamilton Hooks by Partridge, dries at that, all the better because these have wide gaps. Make no mistake about it.  These small hooks will hold a big fish.  The will grab just about any mouth membrane and you may have your hands full with your first big fish on a small hook set up.  Check the drag and make sure its set to zero.  Just the line friction will be enough at the beginning stages of the battle.  Immediately at hook up, point the tip of your fly rod right at the fish and let it run right off the reel. ‘When casting,’ make sure you have no slack on the water that will snap to tautness and thus snapping you off. Getting back to the fish you’re working on, it goes like this with each cast.  Cast and then mend.  Cast and then mend.  Cast and then mend. Always mend, even if its just for a one foot float.  Always mend. If you think you need to do a false cast, after your fly goes behind the fish and out of view, false cast there before returning to deliver the fly for another float. Here is another secret some may not know.  The heavier the fly line you’re using the longer the leader must be. The lighter the fly line you’re using, the shorter the leader can be.  Just because you may be fishing a 7 WT, doesn’t mean you can’t fish Baetis and Caenis Duns and Spinners with it.  Just go to a 12 foot leader, hand tied if possible with a 36 inch 8X tippet.  If you know how to tie a good leader, you can make that baby turn all the way over each time and a lot of times you may be casting just the leader using a 9 foot NWT.  Here also, you want zero reel drag for starters. The Gink Book of Fly Fishing Records which few know about consists of anyone catching an 18 inch fish on a size 18 hook or a size 26 inch fish on a size 26 hook.  The only ones I have not been able to do yet is the 28 inch fish on a size 28 hook and of course the most difficult, the 32/32  Club.  This however; is another story for another time. So if you find yourself in the Caenis blizzard hatch, smile and start setting up your gear.  The tails may seem unusual but they work.  Just don’t forget your blue or yellow polaroid sun glasses.  Fishing these flies is where bamboo really shines. See you again soon. — Mr.Gink "the saga continues" http://www.gink.com/

When they start coming up for the dries, they often are distracted by any other emergers at the time.  The Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear proves that as it is not the spinner flight you were working.  Trout, it is known are opportunist.  Not unlike Roffians. LOL! — Mr.Gink "the saga continues"   http://www.gink.com/

Response:

I don’t know if your American Caenis are the same as our Scottish ones (pale cream and cover your jacket with sloughed skins!) but we had a huge hatch on Loch leven on Friday. Damned frustrating but took 4 nice browns on s20 hares ear suspender. I wonder if they don’t take the nymphs as much as the adults. You’reright about the feeding lane!

_____  You’re correct about emergers at the same time.  As many are coming as going.  LOL!  This is why when the spinner ever goes awash, they smash it anyhow. Thanks for the response Malcolm. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mr.Gink "the saga continues" http://www.gink.com/

Response:

Question:

Hi,     I’m going to be on vacation next week, I would like to hear any opinions on good spots to trout fish in Michigan. I don’t have a boat, so I need to know spots that I can wade or shore fish. Thanks, Jerry

Response:

Where in Michigan will you be?  There are plenty of streams and lakes to wet your line in. Maurice Paquette – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi,    I’m going to be on vacation next week, I would like to hear any opinions on good spots to trout fish in Michigan. I don’t have a boat, so I need to know spots that I can wade or shore fish. Thanks, Jerry

Response:

ubject: Michigan Flyfishing Spots for Vacation? Hi,    I’m going to be on vacation next week, I would like to hear any opinions on good spots to trout fish in Michigan. I don’t have a boat, so I need to know spots that I can wade or shore fish. Thanks, Jerry

Jerry, If you are on the upper end of the Lower Peninsula, try the Au Sable. I fished it for a couple of summers around 20 years ago in the Stephen’s Bridge area. There was a *great* Trico hatch in mid/late July in the early AM. (We’re talking 16"+ fish on size 24/28 Trico spinners) Later on in the day there was a Slate Wing Olive, (#18), and fish could be caught on terrestrials. Evenings brought the SWO spinner fall, as well as unidentified spinners and some caddis. While I was out there, I was told the Manistee and the Rifle rivers were also good in the summer, but I never fished them.  If the canoe traffic on the main Au Sable is too heavy, (mainly a weekend thing), try the North Branch. Good luck, George Adams

Response:

I live in Lincoln Park, just south of Detroit.  I know I’ll need to do some driving. Jerry

Response:

I just got back from the Manistee River, and you don’t need a boat. Check www.troutbums.com for more info. By the way , I’m just learning fly fishing (don’t care for other kinds) and I caught and released 2 brooks and a brown. If I can do it anyone can. Good luck and enjoy. Monty.

Response:

Try the Au Sable and Manistee as suggested, but also try the Boardman.  It gets very little pressure and has lots of (mostly smaller) fish.  The Boardman is also reported to hold large browns, but night fishing appears to be the key for those. Steve Kling

Response:

Thanks, I think I’ll try the Grayling area first.That will put me near to both the Au Sable and Manistee. Jerry

Response:

Question:

Is there any spey rod manufacturer? Most manufacturer call them two handed rods, but they don’t respond to true speycasting, they are too stiff. Are there any soft action two handed rods out there? Does ST.CRIOX make a spey or two handed rod? Remove the * in the e-mail address, this is for SPAM.

Response:

  Is there any spey rod manufacturer? Most manufacturer call them two   handed rods, but they don’t respond to true speycasting, they are too   stiff.

How do you know this?  Have you tried any of these rods to which you refer.  I fish with a friend of mine who uses a sage 1015-3 (a very stiff rod) and he can spey cast like mad – and he can throw sink tips on the end of a double taper with ease.  I think it is a myth to say that you can’t spey cast with a stiffer rod – it’s just not how they used to do it on the river spey because they didn’t have materials to make stiff rods.  Are there any soft action two handed rods out   there? Does ST.CRIOX make a spey or two handed rod?

Yes.  Try the Sage 9140-4.  It is a soft rod, and the rod that I happen to use (and love).  St. Croix makes a pretty nice rod though it seems quite heavy to me – it is reasonably priced though. From your questions, it sounds like you need to get down to a decent shop and put your hands on some rods.  All the talk in the world on this group isn’t going to help. Once again: GO to a decent shop and try some out.  If you live in the Seattle, WA area, I can recommend some places. -tgades — Tony Gades. Seattle, WA.  USA http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades/Fishing/fish_page.html NOTICE: DO NOT ADD MY NAME TO _ANY_ MAILING LISTS.  

Response:

Is there any spey rod manufacturer? Most manufacturer call them two handed rods, but they don’t respond to true speycasting, they are too stiff. Are there any soft action two handed rods out there? Does ST.CRIOX make a spey or two handed rod? Remove the * in the e-mail address, this is for SPAM.

try Winston Rods at www.winstonrods.com also Hardy and Bruce and Walker, two English makers have a reputation for making so called true spey rods but you might have a problem sourcing those rods to try. Hardy rods were once popular here in Canada but are now hard to come by as are B&W’s. Some Sage rods are of that type but I don’t know the specifics Ralph H note spurious hyperbole, insults and ‘personal attacks’ made by the author are meant to honour "the Soul of Cicero" and are not intended as personal slights. Please don’t take offense as none is intended. remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply.

Response:

  Is there any spey rod manufacturer? Most manufacturer call them two   handed rods, but they don’t respond to true speycasting, they are too   stiff. How do you know this?  Have you tried any of these rods to which you refer.  I fish with a friend of mine who uses a sage 1015-3 (a very stiff rod) and he can spey cast like mad – and he can throw sink tips on the end of a double taper with ease.  I think it is a myth to say that you can’t spey cast with a stiffer rod – it’s just not how they used to do it on the river spey because they didn’t have materials to make stiff rods.

since I’ve been interested in Speycasting I’ve heard that there are 2 kinds of double handed rods –  stiff rods for overhead casting and speyrods. I think Mike Maxwell of Vancouver BC and author of "The Art and Science of Speyfishing" coined the term ‘true speyrod’ – to describe his own line of rods I believe.  Other ‘experts’ such as Ehor Boyanowski and the late Roger Turner have said and written much the same thing According to Maxwell ‘true speyrods’ display a compound flex when speycasting (which is something like but not the same as roll casting) like a stylized S but with a big curve at the butt and a small curve at the tip. According to Maxwell stiff rods can’t do this and speycasts can only be ‘approximated’. Turner and Boyanowski have said much the same thing – but as they like Mr Shoalseeker and myself are Vancouver area boys like Maxwell could be we’ve just all been exposed to the same dogma – anyone else have any experience with this particularly in Great Britain and Scandanavia? From your questions, it sounds like you need to get down to a decent shop and put your hands on some rods.  All the talk in the world on this group isn’t going to help.

good advice. Ralph H note spurious hyperbole, insults and ‘personal attacks’ made by the author are meant to honour "the Soul of Cicero" and are not intended as personal slights. Please don’t take offense as none is intended. remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply.

Response:

This is from an article in "Fisherman’s Handbook" from 1977 which seems relevant to this discussion. Carbon fibre rods were just available when this was written. "Most salmon fly rods today have an action which may be felt through from the heavy tip to the butt. A tip with this fairly rigid action is required because of the need to "mend" the line or straighten it out. This need arises when the strength of the current varies at different points across the stream and the line is pulled into a bow shape as it is carried downstream. this in turn carries the fly back across the flow at an unnatural angle, making it unacceptable to the salmon. The fisherman must then roll the line to mend it as the bow not only presents the fly unfavourably but also lessens the effectiveness of a strike should there be, by any odd chance, a take. A heavy tipped rod enables a weighty length of double tapered line to be lifted off the water and mended with reasonable ease." The article also points out that before carbon fibre, built cane with spliced joints was the favoured choice as it resisted the twisting force better exerted by Spey casting. — Regards Peter (Remove "nospam"to email)

<snip  : :According to Maxwell stiff rods can’t do this and speycasts can only be :’approximated’. Turner and Boyanowski have said much the same thing – :but as they like Mr Shoalseeker and myself are Vancouver area boys like :Maxwell could be we’ve just all been exposed to the same dogma – : :anyone else have any experience with this particularly in Great Britain :and Scandanavia?

Response:

A good spey caster can easily adjust the speed of the casting stroke and use any rod to their advantage.  This distinction between "over head rods" and "true spey rods" is also not particularly useful. In addition to casting characteristics, one should consider what kind of fishing he/she is going to do with a rod. I fish for steelhead in medium to big rivers, and I like to fish lazily. I hate to repeat shooting and striping line. I just roll/Spey cast long line (to me, at least, 70 feet or so) and swing the fly. Step down and repeat the process. It is so easy and efficient. (Effective? I am not sure because I hook steelhead every 30 hours or so.) For this kind of fishing, a slow rod gives me a peaceful feeling. I can enjoy more the surrounding as well as fishing.

- this pretty much agrees with what Maxwell says about stiff overhead rods vs slow rods; they are easier to spey cast and less tiresome to use through the day…. Ralph H note spurious hyperbole, insults and ‘personal attacks’ made by the author are meant to honour "the Soul of Cicero" and are not intended as personal slights. Please don’t take offense as none is intended. remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply.

Response:

Buy a spey rod from the home of spey casting (Scotland). Esthectically gorgeous, designed and built by reknowned cane rod builder David Norwich. David Norwich Icon Composites Hillside Works, Fountainhall, Nr. Galashiels,  TD1 2SU, Scotland from the USA dial 011 441  578 760 310 – Ken

Is there any spey rod manufacturer? Most manufacturer call them two handed

rods, but they don’t – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -respond to true speycasting, they are too stiff. Are there any soft action two handed rods out there? Does ST.CRIOX make a spey or two handed rod? Remove the * in the e-mail address, this is for SPAM.

Response:

A good spey caster can easily adjust the speed of the casting stroke and use any rod to their advantage.  This distinction between "over head rods" and "true spey rods" is also not particularly useful.  What IS useful is going to a decent shop where you can try (with the guidance of a knowledgable speycaster) several rods which span the range of actions.

I totally agree. If Spey casting is redirected roll casting, as I understand, it can be performed equally well with either fast "overhead/European-style" rods or slow "traditional Spey" rods. You just have to adjust your tempo of casting to the characteristics of a particular rods. I have used a G. Loomis’ very stiff and jerky IMX 8/9 weight 15 footer and a Winston’s soft and smooth 10 weight 15 footer. I prefer the Winston because it is just a joy to roll/Spey cast with it. I would say it is more forgiving. However, I could do with the Loomis everything I can do with the Winston. Actually, I could do at least two thing better with the Loomis than with the Winston. The Loomis could lift more line more easily than the Winston. And it is fun to overhead cast with the Loomis. I could cast further with the Loomis, too. In addition to casting characteristics, one should consider what kind of fishing he/she is going to do with a rod. I fish for steelhead in medium to big rivers, and I like to fish lazily. I hate to repeat shooting and striping line. I just roll/Spey cast long line (to me, at least, 70 feet or so) and swing the fly. Step down and repeat the process. It is so easy and efficient. (Effective? I am not sure because I hook steelhead every 30 hours or so.) For this kind of fishing, a slow rod gives me a peaceful feeling. I can enjoy more the surrounding as well as fishing. — Shinji Unno                     Karaoke Party in Seattle, WA, USA? Also a steelhead fly fisher               http://www.sbkaraoke.com

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     Is there any spey rod manufacturer? Most manufacturer call them two     handed rods, but they don’t respond to true speycasting, they are too     stiff.   How do you know this?  Have you tried any of these rods to which you   refer.  I fish with a friend of mine who uses a sage 1015-3 (a very stiff   rod) and he can spey cast like mad – and he can throw sink tips   on the end of a double taper with ease.  I think it is a myth to say   that you can’t spey cast with a stiffer rod – it’s just not how they   used to do it on the river spey because they didn’t have materials to   make stiff rods.   since I’ve been interested in Speycasting I’ve heard that there are   2 kinds of double handed rods –  stiff rods for overhead casting and   speyrods. I think Mike Maxwell of Vancouver BC and author of "The Art and   Science of Speyfishing" coined the term ‘true speyrod’ – to describe   his own line of rods I believe.  

I’m quite familiar with the dogma, but I’ll stick by my statements. Note however, that I own a sage 9140-4 – the softest spey rod they make.  Partly out of luck, and partly I prefer the slower action.  As I say, my fishing buddy uses a 9150-3 – a very stiff stick – and casts a beautiful and tremendous line.  I don’t know what the hell it means to "only approximate a true spey cast" – nor can I possibly understand how such a notion is useful (especially to a beginner trying to find a new rod). A good spey caster can easily adjust the speed of the casting stroke and use any rod to their advantage.  This distinction between "over head rods" and "true spey rods" is also not particularly useful.  What IS useful is going to a decent shop where you can try (with the guidance of a knowledgable speycaster) several rods which span the range of actions.   Seriously, there is no better advice available than that contained in the previous sentence. As I say, I’d be happy to suggest a shop in the Seattle area. -tgades — Tony Gades. Seattle, WA.  USA http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades/Fishing/fish_page.html NOTICE: DO NOT ADD MY NAME TO _ANY_ MAILING LISTS.  

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Dear All, I am considering a move to albany new york.  Aside fromit being incredibly cold for a good part of the year, i know nothing about the outdoor possibilities there.  I do like to fish a lot, and did so quite regularly in north carolina mountains while in grad school. can someone tell me please, what the fly fishing is like up in the albany area ( ad I am considerein driving as much as 3-4 hours if need be from the area to fish, that is what i did in nc). any advice, or ideas on books to look at, would be helpful. many many many thanks to al, edwin aguilar Considering that Albany gives you tremendous access to Vermont, Lake Champlain, and the Catskills (about 2 hrs. south), you’ll probably not have enough time to get to it all!

"You not only want to be considered the best at what you do. You want to be the only one who does what you do." Jerry Garcia

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can someone tell me please, what the fly fishing is like up in the albany area ( ad I am considerein driving as much as 3-4 hours if need be from the area to fish, that is what i did in nc).

Within that range you have your choice of: — Catskill Mts. (trout) — Adirondack Mts. (trout) — Finger Lakes (bass and some trout) — Lakes Ontario and Champlain (salmon, walleye, lake trout.) — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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I live about 1hr south of Albany and there are great fishing opportunities in literally every direction.  Some are literally right in your backyard like the upper end of Schoharie Creek, Schenevus Creek (about 40minutes South on I-88) and Charlotte Creek a little further down the road. There are also alot of "Blue Ribbon" streams within comfortable driving distance in the Adirondacks, Vermont and Catskills. Some good reference books I got alot of use from are "Good Fishing in the Catskills" and "Good Fishing in the Adirondacks"  not sure of the authors but if your interested just shoot me an e-mail and I’ll be glad to forward the Author and ISBN#’s. Good Fishing C. Segina

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The auther of those books is Jim Capposela. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I live about 1hr south of Albany and there are great fishing opportunities in literally every direction.  Some are literally right in your backyard like the upper end of Schoharie Creek, Schenevus Creek (about 40minutes South on I-88) and Charlotte Creek a little further down the road. There are also alot of "Blue Ribbon" streams within comfortable driving distance in the Adirondacks, Vermont and Catskills. Some good reference books I got alot of use from are "Good Fishing in the Catskills" and "Good Fishing in the Adirondacks"  not sure of the authors but if your interested just shoot me an e-mail and I’ll be glad to forward the Author and ISBN#’s. Good Fishing C. Segina

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Dear All, I am considering a move to albany new york.  Aside fromit being incredibly cold for a good part of the year, i know nothing about the outdoor possibilities there.  I do like to fish a lot, and did so quite regularly in north carolina mountains while in grad school. can someone tell me please, what the fly fishing is like up in the albany area ( ad I am considerein driving as much as 3-4 hours if need be from the area to fish, that is what i did in nc). any advice, or ideas on books to look at, would be helpful. many many many thanks to al, edwin aguilar

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Question:

I am trying to find out where a good place to go fly fishing in the

early spring is.  It has to be running water and shallow enough to wade in and hopefully not tooooo many people.  Any tips will be greatly appreciated. Uhh….within an [n] mile radius of where ?  

  Money, travel no object ? If money & travel are no object, go to New Zealand.  It will be late summer – early fall there.  Bring hoppers! CQ

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I am trying to find out where a good place to go fly fishing in the early spring is.  It has to be running water and shallow enough to wade in and hopefully not tooooo many people.  Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

Northwest Nevada is normally very good in the eary spring  However this year is a big question mark after the floods.  If cold weater sets in and reduces the runoff, and the fish have not been washed away, rivers like the East Fork of the Walker fish real well    

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I am trying to find out where a good place to go fly fishing in the early spring is.  It has to be running water and shallow enough to wade in and hopefully not tooooo many people.  Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

Response:

I am trying to find out where a good place to go fly fishing in the early spring is.  It has to be running water and shallow enough to wade in and hopefully not tooooo many people.  Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

Uhh….within an [n] mile radius of where ?   Money, travel no object ? TimW

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I am trying to find out where a good place to go fly fishing in the early spring is.  It has to be running water and shallow enough to wade in and hopefully not tooooo many people.  Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

Hi Montana has some great early spring fishing. When I say early I’m talking about March and April before spring run off. The Bighorn is often very productive at this time and does not have the crowds you can expect during the summer. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 materials catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

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Question:

I was wondering if those in the Winnipeg vicinity know if either the Fishing Hole or S.I.R. is (or will have soon) a sale of fly-fishing gear. I’ve been tying for a couple of years, started (like most) with a typical pre-packaged all-in-one kit and would now like a better vise. Can those of you out there with more experience than I reccommend a few vises and their approximate costs?  What should I be looking for in my "next step up from the bottom level" vise? (I would also consider mail-order, too!) Your advice is appreciated, K.M.H. Outside the Perimeter, Manitoba.

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: I was wondering if those in the Winnipeg vicinity know if either the : Fishing Hole or S.I.R. is (or will have soon) a sale of fly-fishing gear. : I’ve been tying for a couple of years, started (like most) with a typical : pre-packaged all-in-one kit and would now like a better vise. Can those : of you out there with more experience than I reccommend a few vises and : their approximate costs?  What should I be looking for in my "next step : up from the bottom level" vise? (I would also consider mail-order, too!) : Your advice is appreciated, : K.M.H. : Outside the Perimeter, Manitoba. Decide first how much you want to spend. At the $50 level (American), you could choose from the likes of Thompson, Griffin, and like vises. Go to the $100 level and you might want to consider a Renzetti Traveler vise, Or even a Griffin Rotary.  Any "intermediate" level vise will have the quality to last a lifetime for the average tyer. Jon Porter

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I have used all of the mentioned vises, the Thompson "A" is my hands down favorite. It is inexpensive, durable and functional. NO COPIES! I found the Griffin to be a bit awkward. I am currently using a Renzetti presentation, although a nice piece of machinery it rates below the "A" in terms of all around usefulness. All of the above are definatly IMHO. A.J.Thramer

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I bought the Renzetti Traveller used, two years ago as a intermediate upgrade (sound like a computer junkie don’t I) and cannot find any excuse to upgrade further.  The rotary feature is the key to "intermediate" tying.  I am not a production tyer though.   jg

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J.J., See my post about an new improvement to the Traveler. Otherwise, I agree with you except that after I tied some flies on the Renzetti Master, I came to the conclusion that if God tied flies here on Earth, he would tie with the Master (naturally!).

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Hi,   Does anyone have any information on an electric fly reel for a physically challanged flyfisher? I’ve seen ocean reels, but nothing that will balance on a 5wt rod. Thanks, Jim Jim, Nevada Jim’s Outdoor Sports, Elko, NV

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  Does anyone have any information on an electric fly reel for a physically challanged flyfisher? I’ve seen ocean reels, but nothing that will balance on a 5wt rod.

Clockwork "automatic" reels were made 1955-75 by several firms, including Scientific Anglers.  It may be hard to find one in good working order nowadays. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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Clockwork "automatic" reels were made 1955-75 by several firms, including Scientific Anglers.  It may be hard to find one in good working order nowadays.

I just saw a new automatic reel on the shelf in Sears yesterday. Made by a company called Martin. Darryl Hayashida

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Clockwork "automatic" reels were made 1955-75 by several firms, including Scientific Anglers.  It may be hard to find one in good working order nowadays.

I have on old automatic reel made by Perrine that my father gave to me. He used it when he was little but he didn’t fly fish a lot.  It is in very good condition.   -Russell

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: Clockwork "automatic" reels were made 1955-75 by several firms, including : Scientific Anglers.  It may be hard to find one in good working order : nowadays. : I just saw a new automatic reel on the shelf in Sears yesterday. Made by : a company called Martin. : Darryl Hayashida There are still a couple of models of automatic fly reels around. Manufacturers include Martin, Perrine and Pflueger. Pflueger’s model is actually a *new* one, introduced only in the last year or two. Cabela’s, about US$25. These reels are *not* the best; drag increases unbelievably fast if you get a fish big enough to take line, and capacity is limited (usually the fly line and about 25 yards of backing). Also, do not attempt to dismantle one of these yourself; if you’ve ever had the recoil starter on an outboard motor explode into a giant tangle of spring steel, you’ll get an idea of what can happen. On the other hand, if you’ve only got one functioning hand, these reels allow you to fish again. Pretty decent trade-off. 3798 Woodland Drive     voice: (250) 368-9315 Trail, BC               data:  (250) 368-9341

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Question:

Though I know I’m swimming upstream on this one, does anybody out there rent drift boats without a guide/oarsman to go with them? I ask because I want to take one out for a day somewhere just to try it out (because I might buy one at some point in the future). I am an expert whitewater kayaker and canoeist, and have years of experience reading and running almost every kind of river and rapids imaginable.  So unless there is something completely bizarre about drift boats that only much experience in a drift boat can prepare you for, I think I could handle one with no problems. Scott W. Maryland P.S. – yes, I know I’ll never find a drift boat within hundreds of miles of Maryland!

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Driftboat rentals are available on the Bighorn River through the Bighorn Angler

fly shop in Ft. Smith and other shops there. Denver, Colorado        ftp://ftp.rmi.net/pub2/gwgodden

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Though I know I’m swimming upstream on this one, does anybody out there rent drift boats without a guide/oarsman to go with them? I ask because I want to take one out for a day somewhere just to try it out (because I might buy one at some point in the future). I am an expert whitewater kayaker and canoeist, and have years of experience reading and running almost every kind of river and rapids imaginable.  So unless there is something completely bizarre about drift boats that only much experience in a drift boat can prepare you for, I think I could handle one with no problems. Scott W. Maryland

Hi Scott, Many fly shops rent drift boats.  I believe Dave Kumlien at the Orvis Store hear in Bozeman rents them. He is often on this group, you could ask him. Regarding handling a drift boat compared to handling a canoe, etc.: The fact you can read the water is definitely in your favor. When operating a canoe you are usually stroking forward on the paddle as you move downstream – usually a little faster than the current. Most of the time in a drift boat you are pulling back on the oars to slow you trip down the river. On a day the wind blows up stream you may have to push on the oars to go on downstream, depending how strong the current may be.  I’m a guide here in Montana and on the Yellowstone for example the wind usually blows downstream during the morning and upstream during the afternoon. So in the morning you are pulling like crazy on the oars and in the afternoon you are pusing on them.  It sure keep you in good shape. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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My recommendation would be to go with a guide the first couple of times no matter what.   I remember a John Gierach magazine story on the Roaring Fork where he said it’s a good easy float from bonedale to glenwood. Well…it is a good float, but it can be class II-III at times and even the best oarsman hit rocks or bottom.  You have about 800 pounds, $2000 worth of equipment and 3 lives, in a damned river. It requires a respectful approach. If you get screwed in a Dory, dip an upstream edge or get broadside to something, you can die or be seriously hurt, real easy.  Buddy Mike had an accident like that two years ago and had to have fingers reattached.  He had let someone else row the boat, who seemed fairly competant.  Mike has been guiding since before dirt. The first time I rowed a driftboat, I got backwards right where the Crystal flows into the Fork.  The guide (behind me) climbed over my back and grabbed the oars and got us straightened out.  It never happened again, but the guide made me take some burly lines and channels just so he’d feel good about me having the boat on my own.   When we got to the end of the run, he insisted that we do it again…and we did. My confidence soared. That’s what you need, IMO, is a guide like that. TimW

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My recommendation would be to go with a guide the first couple of times no matter what. I remember a John Gierach magazine story on the Roaring Fork where he said it’s a good easy float from bonedale to glenwood. Well…it is a good float, but it can be class II-III at times and even the best oarsman hit rocks or bottom.  You have about 800 pounds, $2000 worth of equipment and 3 lives, in a damned river. It requires a respectful approach. <other comments deleted

Excellent post Tim.  I think to many people saw A River Runs Through it and don’t give mother nature the respect she deserves.  Each river is different and if it’s at all dangerous should be navigated with a guide the first couple of times. BTW – You are fishing again aren’t you Tim? Vince

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Rental outfits usually rent 12-14 foot rafts with frames which work for float fishing, but are better when used with 5 friends and a cooler full of beer, It’s almost impossible to rent a hard boat.

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My recommendation would be to go with a guide the first couple of times no matter what.   If you get screwed in a Dory, dip an upstream edge or get broadside to something, you can die or be seriously hurt, real easy.  Buddy Mike had an accident like that two years ago and had to have fingers reattached.  He had let someone else row the boat, who seemed fairly competant.  Mike has been guiding since before dirt.

Hmmm…I’m still not sure I’m convinced.  I’m not _opposed_ to going with a guide, but as I mentioned in the original post of this thread, I’ve been paddling canoes & kayaks in (big) whitewater for years. (That’s up to class IV water.)   Dipping an upstream edge or pinning on a rock are hazards just as serious and real in a canoe as in a dory.   The only thing I can figure that would take getting used to in a dory is the larger size of the boat and slower response time than a canoe. But then some drift boat rowers may argue with that.  : ) Also, oars offer you far greater power than single canoe paddle! At any rate, I wouldn’t rent a drift boat to run a class III river to start with.  (I would feel completely comfortable in class II, though.) Scott W.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Though I know I’m swimming upstream on this one, does anybody out there rent drift boats without a guide/oarsman to go with them? I ask because I want to take one out for a day somewhere just to try it out (because I might buy one at some point in the future). I am an expert whitewater kayaker and canoeist, and have years of experience reading and running almost every kind of river and rapids imaginable.  So unless there is something completely bizarre about drift boats that only much experience in a drift boat can prepare you for, I think I could handle one with no problems. Scott W. Maryland Hi Scott, Many fly shops rent drift boats.  I believe Dave Kumlien at the Orvis Store hear in Bozeman rents them. He is often on this group, you could ask him. Regarding handling a drift boat compared to handling a canoe, etc.: The fact you can read the water is definitely in your favor. When operating a canoe you are usually stroking forward on the paddle as you move downstream – usually a little faster than the current. Most of the time in a drift boat you are pulling back on the oars to slow you trip down the river. On a day the wind blows up stream you may have to push on the oars to go on downstream, depending how strong the current may be.  I’m a guide here in Montana and on the Yellowstone for example the wind usually blows downstream during the morning and upstream during the afternoon. So in the morning you are pulling like crazy on the oars and in the afternoon you are pusing on them.  It sure keep you in good shape. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Though I know I’m swimming upstream on this one, does anybody out there rent drift boats without a guide/oarsman to go with them? I ask because I want to take one out for a day somewhere just to try it out (because I might buy one at some point in the future). I am an expert whitewater kayaker and canoeist, and have years of experience reading and running almost every kind of river and rapids imaginable.  So unless there is something completely bizarre about drift boats that only much experience in a drift boat can prepare you for, I think I could handle one with no problems. Scott W. Maryland Hi Scott, Many fly shops rent drift boats.  I believe Dave Kumlien at the Orvis Store hear in Bozeman rents them. He is often on this group, you could ask him. Regarding handling a drift boat compared to handling a canoe, etc.: The fact you can read the water is definitely in your favor. When operating a canoe you are usually stroking forward on the paddle as you move downstream – usually a little faster than the current. Most of the time in a drift boat you are pulling back on the oars to slow you trip down the river. On a day the wind blows up stream you may have to push on the oars to go on downstream, depending how strong the current may be.  I’m a guide here in Montana and on the Yellowstone for example the wind usually blows downstream during the morning and upstream during the afternoon. So in the morning you are pulling like crazy on the oars and in the afternoon you are pusing on them.  It sure keep you in good shape. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

The makers of Hyde drift boats have an excellent video on the basics of using a drift boat.  They are located in Idaho Falls Idaho.  I think viewing it would be worth your time before you tried one.

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I am an expert whitewater kayaker and canoeist, and have years of experience reading and running almost every kind of river and rapids imaginable.  So unless there is something completely bizarre about drift boats that only much experience in a drift boat can prepare you for, I think I could handle one with no problems. Scott W. Maryland

There is a big difference between kayaking, canoeing, and driftboating. Kayak and canoe are paddled forward and you approach whitewater quite differently than in a drift boat. In a driftboat you row backwards into whitewater so the rapid approaches slower, and aim the ass end in the direction you want to go. A raft that you row handles similarly to a driftboat however, so you might wan’t to practice on a raft, which will bounce off if a mistake is made, before trying a drift boat. Maybe the rapids aren’t that big in your area in which case I should just shut up. You could also get a guide and then ask him if you could row for a while, I doubt he would object. Martin Allen

Response:

Though I know I’m swimming upstream on this one, does anybody out there rent drift boats without a guide/oarsman to go with them? I ask because I want to take one out for a day somewhere just to try it out (because I might buy one at some point in the future).

I rented a drift boat by myself a couple of days last July on the Missouri from the Missouri River Trout Shop in Craig.  They shuttled me up to the put-in below Holter Dam and I spent about 14 hours (including a midday break when the river was pretty dead) drifting down to the takeout in front of their place. Fortunately, they served dinner up until midnight or so so that I was able to eat after enjoying the late evening caddis hatch. I’m not an expert kayaker or oarsman, but I am reasonably competent.  I had no problems except one time when I anchored in fast water to fight what turned out to be a 20" rainbow, and then had to raise the anchor because he had most of my line downstream and wasn’t coming back.  I had to go to him.  Its not too hard maintaining a good course with an occasional push or pull of an oar, sometimes with just my knee.  It helped a lot that I had floated this same area a couple of times with a guide the year before, but the river was really quite different since the water flow in early July ‘95 (9,000 cfs or more) was a lot more than in July ‘94 (3,000 cfs). I had a large boat– set up for commercial guiding with an oarsman and two fishermen.  A smaller, lighter boat would have been better. Also, I don’t think I’d want to do it on a very narrow or very fast river.  Trying to fish by oneself from a drift boat on the Big Blackfoot would be pretty hard. Try it; you’ll like it. Phil Holt

Response:

There is a big difference between kayaking, canoeing, and driftboating. Kayak and canoe are paddled forward and you approach whitewater quite differently than in a drift boat.

   True…but _reading_ water is identical in both cases: knowing how to recognize chutes, tongues, shallow water, holes, pillows, eddy lines, boils, side currents, etc. In a driftboat you row backwards into whitewater so the rapid approaches slower, and aim the ass end in the direction you want to go.

Okay, now I’m a bit confused.  I’ve seen photos (I think maybe in the Hyde brochure) of drift boats running big drops and punching holes with the bow of the boat pointing downstream, which makes sense, since this is how the boat will ride most effectively over waves. And whether you’re in a drift boat or a raft, you don’t want to be going too slow if there are any big holes to punch!  : ) A raft that you row handles similarly to a driftboat however, so you might wan’t to practice on a raft, which will bounce off if a mistake is made, before trying a drift boat.

Good idea…I might look into this. Maybe the rapids aren’t that big in your area in which case I should just shut up.

Well, the Potomac River gorge at this very moment is running at over 40,000 c.f.s. — far bigger than many western rivers!  (It averages around 10,000 c.f.s., no small potatoes.) I don’t say this in an argumentative way, but just to offer a slight nudge to western folks who think all the big whitewater is out there! We’ve got piles of gargantuan whitewater within 3 hours of Washington, DC: the Cheat River, the Gauley, the New, the Potomac, the Youghiogheny, etc. etc.   : ) —Scott W.

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Just remember to always keep the stern downstream and take the waves as Head- on as possible. The most common reason for capsizing a hard boat comes when the boat gets sideways in the current and one side dips bellow the water (highsiding) , where the current can push the boat into a rock or even the bank, the obsticle becoming the fulcrum and the boat acting as a lever. Don’t underestimate the power of moving water, use the rocker of the driftboat to push you up and over the waves, always keeping a close eye on what’s ahead long before you get there, the last thing you want are suprises. Hard boats are very capable of taking heavy water, but they row a lot differently than rafts and are much less forgiving. Play it safe and have fun!  PRAM JAMMER

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Question:

I am trying to plan my first trip to Alaska for silvers and/or steelhead. Have focused on the Kodiak area for a September trip. The outfitters I am considering are Olga Bay Lodge and Camp Kiklukh. Would appreciate hearing from anyone who has fished with these camps or can recommend a topnotch outfitter that offers quality catch and release flyfishing in Alaska or British Columbia in a remote fly-in location. I’ll be glad to pass on the info I’ve gathered to anyone who is interested.

Response:

: I am trying to plan my first trip to Alaska for silvers and/or steelhead. : Have focused on the Kodiak area for a September trip. The outfitters I am : considering are Olga Bay Lodge and Camp Kiklukh. Would appreciate hearing : from anyone who has fished with these camps or can recommend a topnotch : outfitter that offers quality catch and release flyfishing in Alaska or : British Columbia in a remote fly-in location. I’ll be glad to pass on the : info I’ve gathered to anyone who is interested. : I can shed some light on Camp Kiklukh.  My dad made that trip last year.  He went the last part of August into September.  Now, to give the whole story, he found the claims of having sea run cutthroats, Dolly Varden, and rainbows to be untrue.  He caught a couple of Dollys and *heard* of a cutt being caught. There were not many of these fish around at all.  Now, as far as the silver fishing, he said it was AWESOME! They were taken (by air) to a nearby river, the Tsiu, to fish for silvers.  Many fish in the 12-16lb. range.  Later in the trip, the water levels in the rivers closer to camp came up so the fish were able to get into these rivers. In short, he found this to be a one fish fishery. He reported the food to be excellent and the accomodations very good.  The staff were always around to help and the whole operation was well organized. If you would like some info on some other Alaskan places, please email me. Kind regards, Steve Kernosky Michigan Tech. University

Response:

My hands down favorite river is the Alagnak, which flows into Bristol Bay.  The best outfitter on the river is Charlie Summerville at Alaska’s Trophy Adventures, Box 31, King Salmon, AK, tel. 907-246-8230.  I’ve fished with Charlie many times and caught thousands of fish.  His prices are right, and you have your choice of several wilderness outcamps.  Great guides, great food and great fishing.  Give him a call and say hi for me. Bill Battles

Response:

My hands down favorite river is the Alagnak, which flows into Bristol Bay. The best outfitter on the river is Charlie Summerville at Alaska’s Trophy Adventures, Box 31, King Salmon, AK, tel. 907-246-8230.  I’ve fished with Charlie many times and caught thousands of fish.  His prices are right, and you have your choice of several wilderness outcamps.  Great guides, great food and great fishing.  Give him a call and say hi for me. Bill Battles

Gee Bill, I didn’t know there were steelhead in the Alagnak. Rhea Wood N3489Y C-185 Alaska-Based Floatplane

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Hey, Rhea, you got me good on that one!  I’ll pay more attention to the "Re:" next time. Bill Battles

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Question:

I will be going to Kenya on business  next month,  for about 3 weeks. I understand fly fishing is great there. Does anyone know what fish and what patterns are popular there? For  that matter, does anyone know what AREAS and RIVERS? Thanks in advance. Mike

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I will be going to Kenya on business  next month,  for about 3 weeks. I understand fly fishing is great there. Does anyone know what fish and what patterns are popular there? For  that matter, does anyone know what AREAS and RIVERS?

Aberdare Highlands (formerly "white highlands") north and west of Nairobi.  Be warned (by Canadian papers) law and order may have vanished in some parts of Kenya these days. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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