Question:

I would like the groups opinion on a magnetic fly holder for your vest. It would consist of a plastic mold shaped like a fly reel or a trout head. It would not be too large. I would mount a rare earth magnet from behind in the center. The plastic would have nice detail. The magnet would not be so large or weigh a ton, but will hold a bunch of flies without falling off. Retail for $5.99 – Any thoughts? — Rick Maston RM Specialties http://www.canoeoutriggers.com

Response:

Hey that’s a great idea. The one I bought a Orvis a few years ago works great. sf

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would like the groups opinion on a magnetic fly holder for your vest. It would consist of a plastic mold shaped like a fly reel or a trout head. It would not be too large. I would mount a rare earth magnet from behind in the center. The plastic would have nice detail. The magnet would not be so large or weigh a ton, but will hold a bunch of flies without falling off. Retail for $5.99 – Any thoughts? — Rick Maston RM Specialties http://www.canoeoutriggers.com

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Missed the original post. Have wondered whether magnetized hooks (as a result of using a "tach-it" type fly box) might have a weak field that fishies might not like.

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I would like the groups opinion on a magnetic fly holder for your vest.  - Any thoughts?

I use magnets to hold hooks and various other thing at my tying bench but would never use them on the stream.  It’s hard enough to navigate through brush or even to make routine casts without losing flies (even with barbed hooks) from a normal drying patch.  I can’t imagine a magnet strong enough to keep flies from evaporating from one’s vest.

Response:

I use magnets to hold hooks and various other thing at my tying bench but would never use them on the stream.  It’s hard enough to navigate through brush or even to make routine casts without losing flies (even with barbed hooks) from a normal drying patch.  I can’t imagine a magnet strong enough to keep flies from evaporating from one’s vest.

I have this problem with barbless hooks (where I’m required to use them). A while back, Mike Connor suggested a perforated (i.e., ventilated) 35mm film capsule for temporary storage of ‘used’ flies. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

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Tony, 35mm film capsules have many uses in fly fishing. 1. Shipping or carrying flies so they don’t get crushed. 2. Holding powdered desiccant for drying flies. 3. Holding small quantities of Albolene to use for waterproofing your fly. 4. Keeping an insect for later study. 5. Keeping split shot. Ernie Harrison Have you tried a Blood Knot Machine?  http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have this problem with barbless hooks (where I’m required to use them). A while back, Mike Connor suggested a perforated (i.e., ventilated) 35mm film capsule for temporary storage of ‘used’ flies. Tony Deacon

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Tony, 35mm film capsules have many uses in fly fishing. 1. Shipping or carrying flies so they don’t get crushed. 2. Holding powdered desiccant for drying flies. 3. Holding small quantities of Albolene to use for waterproofing your fly. 4. Keeping an insect for later study. 5. Keeping split shot.

And the rest! Been using them for all sorts of things for years, but Mike’s suggestion was new to me. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

Response:

Try using the clear ones as dubbing containers. A 1/2" hole ( to taste, and to suit dubbing ) drilled in the base, fill the capsule, cap it, stand it on its cap in a suitable tray.  Great for all sorts of dubbing materials. With a smaller hole, wool,  floss, chenille, etc, may also be stored very well. Poke one end of the stuff through the hole, fill the container with the remainder, cap it, and place it in your tray. I prefer the black ones as "drying boxes", they heat up almost as well as UPS trucks it seems !  A small hole drilled in the side makes them excellent wire dispensers as well, saves horrible great tangles of fine brass wire on the bench !  If you use a few sewing spools for fine tippet material, you can get four or five of these in a container, drill small holes at the relevant spots, bingo, a super tippet dispenser, pack a little cotton wool in the container to keep the spools from jiggling about.  If you need a bigger one for larger spools, a short length of plastic drainpipe from your local DIY market works even better. You can buy the caps there as well. TL MC

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tony, 35mm film capsules have many uses in fly fishing. 1. Shipping or carrying flies so they don’t get crushed. 2. Holding powdered desiccant for drying flies. 3. Holding small quantities of Albolene to use for waterproofing your fly. 4. Keeping an insect for later study. 5. Keeping split shot. And the rest! Been using them for all sorts of things for years, but Mike’s suggestion was new to me. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

You’d better save up those film capsules while you can. In a few years everything will be digital and you’ll have a hard time even finding 35mm film. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

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Tony, 35mm film capsules have many uses in fly fishing.

I’ve noticed that persons of a certain era and background tend to instinctively shake those containers when they pick them up. Joe F.

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Tony, 35mm film capsules have many uses in fly fishing. I’ve noticed that persons of a certain era and background tend to instinctively shake those containers when they pick them up.

What is the era and background?  What does that mean? Vern

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Joe,    I think this was a carry over from the days when they were made of metal, black or red plastic and you couldn’t tell if there was anything in them unless you opened them or shook them.  The younger generation that have only seen the ones made of translucent plastic probably won’t have that affliction. Ernie Harrison Have you tried a Blood Knot Machine?  http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tony, 35mm film capsules have many uses in fly fishing. I’ve noticed that persons of a certain era and background tend to instinctively shake those containers when they pick them up. Joe F.

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Tony, 35mm film capsules have many uses in fly fishing. I’ve noticed that persons of a certain era and background tend to instinctively shake those containers when they pick them up.

Don’t Bogart that film my friend, pass it over to me!

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What is the era and background?  What does that mean?

I’ve always said that a straightforward question deserves a straightforward answer, so: From my perspective, I was referring to the late ’60’s and early ’70’s when small quantities of certain illegal substances, primarily marijuana, was stored in these convenient little containers.   The freshness, portability, and cheapness of the container being matched by its commonality and opacity. Accordingly, it was very much a favorite among those inclined to partake of that substance. The container’s opacity, while providing some security against the inquisitive eyes of mom, dad or "the man", also prevented its owner from knowing whether the container in quetion was full, empty, or contained film. Thus, it was necessary to shake the container upon lifting to listen for that telltale herbal sound. As for me of course, I never touched the stuff.   I don’t even know what it looks like.   Honest.   What was the question again? Joe F.

Response:

… From my perspective, I was referring to the late ’60’s and early ’70’s …

From a somewhat younger perspective, I know peers from the mid ’70’s that also automatically do the "canister shake test". — Ken Fortenberry- Never touched the stuff either

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What is the era and background?  What does that mean? I’ve always said that a straightforward question deserves a straightforward answer, so: From my perspective, I was referring to the late ’60’s and early ’70’s when small quantities of certain illegal substances, primarily marijuana, was stored in these convenient little containers.   The freshness, portability, and cheapness of the container being matched by its commonality and opacity. Accordingly, it was very much a favorite among those inclined to partake of that substance. The container’s opacity, while providing some security against the inquisitive eyes of mom, dad or "the man", also prevented its owner from knowing whether the container in quetion was full, empty, or contained film. Thus, it was necessary to shake the container upon lifting to listen for that telltale herbal sound. As for me of course, I never touched the stuff.   I don’t even know what it looks like.   Honest.   What was the question again? Joe F.

 And of course Joe, those of us that, from time to time, had such containers in our possesion, never, at any time, inhaled!!  No- not ever!!- unless faced with those occasional medical emergencies. Jim Mc

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Now *that’s* a funny .sig!! –Steve

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From a somewhat younger perspective, I know peers from the mid ’70’s that also automatically do the "canister shake test". — Ken Fortenberry- Never touched the stuff either

Response:

Joe,   I think this was a carry over from the days when they were made of metal, black or red plastic and you couldn’t tell if there was anything in them unless you opened them or shook them.  The younger generation that have only seen the ones made of translucent plastic probably won’t have that affliction.

Today’s are translucent?  The ones I use are made of black plastic. I’ll admit I’ve never seen one made of red plastic though.      - Ken — "Time is but the stream I go a-fishin in. I drink at it, but while I  drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. It’s thin  current slides away, but eternity remains."    - H.D. Thoreau

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Today’s are translucent?

Yes, Fuji film comes in a translucent container.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What is the era and background?  What does that mean? I’ve always said that a straightforward question deserves a straightforward answer, so: From my perspective, I was referring to the late ’60’s and early ’70’s when small quantities of certain illegal substances, primarily marijuana, was stored in these convenient little containers.   The freshness, portability, and cheapness of the container being matched by its commonality and opacity. Accordingly, it was very much a favorite among those inclined to partake of that substance. The container’s opacity, while providing some security against the inquisitive eyes of mom, dad or "the man", also prevented its owner from knowing whether the container in quetion was full, empty, or contained film. Thus, it was necessary to shake the container upon lifting to listen for that telltale herbal sound. As for me of course, I never touched the stuff.   I don’t even know what it looks like.   Honest.   What was the question again? Joe F.

I have a story about that. Many years ago, in my hippie days, a friend and I were visiting Glacier Park and we decided to drive up to the Canadian park. When we reached the Canadian border we were appalled when the border guard asked us to open the glove compartment. Our stash wasn’t in there, but it easily could have been. Shaken by this experience, we decided not to carry any controlled substances back to the US. We rolled an enormous doobie and tossed the rest out. (This was when decent stuff was relatively cheap.) We rolled up to the US border station with smoke literally billowing out of the car windows. The border guard sized us up and decided to inspect the entire contents of our car. Dazed and confused, we unloaded about a ton of camping junk from the trunk, in front of a Boy Scout troop that was probably working on their law enforcement merit badges. He went through every pocket of each pack, and even looked under the spare tire. After finding nothing incriminating in the trunk, the immigration dude started inspecting the passenger compartment. He went right for the area under the driver’s seat, pulled out a paper bag full of plastic 35mm film canisters, and asked sarcastically, "Take a lot of pictures, do you boys?" "Yes, sir!", we smirked. He opened the canisters and found … exposed film. I kept it there to keep it out of the sun. He sent us on our way. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

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< Never touched the stuff either Yeah, yeah …..and even if you did, you didn’t inhale. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

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Don’t Bogart that film my friend, pass it over to me!

Roooooolllll another one, just like the other one. TL, TD

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Never touched the stuff either Yeah, yeah …..and even if you did, you didn’t inhale.

And even if he did inhale, he didn’t *really* enjoy it.

Response:

Today’s are translucent? Yes, Fuji film comes in a translucent container.

That explains it, I buy Kodak.      - Ken — "Time is but the stream I go a-fishin in. I drink at it, but while I  drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. It’s thin  current slides away, but eternity remains."    - H.D. Thoreau

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Sounds like you’re a shoo-in if you ever decide to run for public office. –Steve

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a story about that. [story about an enormous doobie deleted]

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Question:

Yes, I too find myself fishing for ‘gills and crappies quite often. Whenever I take children fishing, which is pretty often in the summer, the almost constant action keeps them really excited. Besides pan fish are a lot more tasty than any other freshwater fish…..IMHO Dear Readers         Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them? I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail, Thanks BradLaGrange

<snip — Remove the "NoSpam" to e-mail me

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haven’t fish for ‘em much, but I heard of a killer tip:  in the fall, after the 2nd or 3rd good cold front, go fish the absolute deepest part of the lake (reservoir) with crickets – fish on the bottom,this is where the monster ‘gills are……. — ‘92 Dak CC 2wd 318 3.55 ‘84 GoldWing Interstate – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Readers        Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them? I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail, Thanks BradLaGrange PS-Sorry for my crude typing, my hands are really stiff from the splitting wood in the cold.

Response:

Yeah I like to fish for"we call’em bluegill" out here in Oregon. Right now it is pretty cold for them. Ialso like to go fishing for perch. My son & I have agood spot to fish for perch & bluegil. My son lives up in Washington state & we always get enough for a good fish dinner.I also

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       Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them? I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail,

Brad Count me in – on the water, or on the ice, if they will bite, I’ll fish for them. Wild rice beds in August is where I’ve had the best sucess – in about 5-6′ of water, using about .5-.75" section of leach, with about a #8 or #10 hook and a balsa wood pencil type bobber. Combine that w/ an ultra light and 4 or 6# test line and I’m a happy camper. And just to keep it interesting – look out for the occasional LM Bass or Northern. No better eating fish either. Later Jim

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Dear Readers         Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them? I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail, Thanks BradLaGrange PS-Sorry for my crude typing, my hands are really stiff from the splitting wood in the cold.

   You’ll find that most fly fishermen in the deep south pursue panfish and other warm water species (aint a lotta trout in Fl.) myself included. Some trout flies work well such as the wooly bugger and all the terestrials. Crawfish imitations are also productive as are grass shrimp. small poppers in various colors also put food on the table. I use the 7.5′(because of brush) 3 piece 3wt Cabela’s three forks rod for panfish. It’s a great little rod though a bit soft feeling to cast but has plenty of backbone. Use 7x tippets. It’s a real lark netting a 1lb panfish and to my way of thinking is the ultimate fishing experience.                                                           John Popp                                                         in Sanford Fl.

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I dig um’ Tim Apple " Always one step closer to going Postal! " – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Readers         Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them? I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail, Thanks BradLaGrange PS-Sorry for my crude typing, my hands are really stiff from the splitting wood in the cold.   You’ll find that most fly fishermen in the deep south pursue panfish and other warm water species (aint a lotta trout in Fl.) myself included. Some trout flies work well such as the wooly bugger and all the terestrials. Crawfish imitations are also productive as are grass shrimp. small poppers in various colors also put food on the table. I use the 7.5′(because of brush) 3 piece 3wt Cabela’s three forks rod for panfish. It’s a great little rod though a bit soft feeling to cast but has plenty of backbone. Use 7x tippets. It’s a real lark netting a 1lb panfish and to my way of thinking is the ultimate fishing experience.                                                          John Popp                                                        in Sanford Fl.

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Dear Readers         Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them? I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail, Thanks BradLaGrange PS-Sorry for my crude typing, my hands are really stiff from the splitting wood in the cold.

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Dear Readers         Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them?

YES!  Down here in AL I have access to a pond that is loaded with big black-headed, thick bream.  I love that "side to side" action and screaming microlight drag when I hook into one.  Besides that, they taste better than a bass any day!  I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail, Thanks BradLaGrange PS-Sorry for my crude typing, my hands are really stiff from the splitting wood in the cold.

*                                                               * *  ENTOMOLOGIST    ANTIQUE TACKLE COLLECTOR    ALL-AROUND NUT   *

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Oh Yes! Two of my all time favorites is the Red Ear and the Pumpkinseed. People don’t know what fun these little guys can be. Here in SW MO there are a couple of small lakes full of Panfish. Down in this area the best bait is a small squirrel tail jig + wax worms. The largest Red Ear taken from on of the lakes was a little over 12". !0" fish a common around here which in turn, takes less to make a tasty meal. Kevin Way – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Readers        Are there any of you-all out there, besides me, that are into fishing for them? I’m always interested in trading lure and live bait tips, locales, recipes, and such.  So, if anybody is interested, please reply to this board or EMail, Thanks BradLaGrange PS-Sorry for my crude typing, my hands are really stiff from the splitting wood in the cold.

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Question:

anyone have experience ff the surf in San diego this time of year? I would greatly appreciate any comments–and if you live here perhaps we could get together–I am a fresh water ffman recently transported. Thanks Ron

Response:

I live in orange county and work in San Diego. I have not had much luck surf fly fishing in any so cal waters. Usually it is a matter of access. Most of the good stretches of beach are hard, if not impossible to get to. Any spots where you do have access to are WAY overcrowded by bait fisherman, A large percent looking for a family dinner. I have had great luck renting a skiff from seaforth. You can fish in mission bay, or Coronado island. Get out there with deceivers, let’em sink, then strip, strip, strip, like a mad man. Mackerel, rock fish, I even caught a baby barracuda once Seaforth also has a big boat to rent with GPS and all the goodies, so you can really get out there and hit the kelp beds. It is pricey though. Also there is a great salt fly fishing store in SD. If anyone knows, these guys do… San Diego Fly Shop. 619-283-3445. They have flys, lines, and all the stuff you need. Call them, they know the area. Note : you need a special sticker on your ca fishing license to do the salt thing. Good luck, Marc visit the Fly Fishing Zone at http://www.bookmarkzone.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – anyone have experience ff the surf in San diego this time of year? I would greatly appreciate any comments–and if you live here perhaps we could get together–I am a fresh water ffman recently transported. Thanks Ron

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Question:

Hello. Can anyone provide the genus/species of a mayfly currently hatching here in Vermont. The fly is white, emerges at dusk in large groups, essentially immediately turns into a spinner and kind of "dances" an inch or so above the surface.  They are really common, and I’m sure this is a really basic question… but I’d like to know. thanks. john

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Can anyone provide the genus/species of a mayfly currently hatching here in Vermont. The fly is white, emerges at dusk in large groups, essentially immediately turns into a spinner and kind of "dances" an inch or so above the surface.  They are really common, and I’m sure this is a really basic question… but I’d like to know.

Perhaps Ephoron leukon.  It must be too late for Potamanthus. Photographs of both are probably in Swisher/Richards or Caucci/Nastasi. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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Can anyone provide the genus/species of a mayfly currently hatching here in Vermont. The fly is white, emerges at dusk in large groups, essentially immediately turns into a spinner and kind of "dances" an inch or so above the surface.  They are really common, and I’m sure this is a really basic question… but I’d like to know.

John, It is the Ephoron leukon. James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

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 The fish key on those bad boys don’t they !  White seems to be a major trigger from my experience… — TimW Halfordian Golfer UNCLEJAMVT wrote in article – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Can anyone provide the genus/species of a mayfly currently hatching here in Vermont. The fly is white, emerges at dusk in large groups, essentially immediately turns into a spinner and kind of "dances" an inch or so above the surface.  They are really common, and I’m sure this is a really basic question… but I’d like to know. John, It is the Ephoron leukon. James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone provide the genus/species of a mayfly currently hatching here in Vermont. The fly is white, emerges at dusk in large groups, essentially immediately turns into a spinner and kind of "dances" an inch or so above the surface.  They are really common, and I’m sure this is a really basic question… but I’d like to know. John, It is the Ephoron leukon. James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

Hey there, Jim.  My son and I have been fishing the Winooski in the riffles above the tressle the last few days and when these white flies are out the place comes alive with "jumping" fish. We can dap, plunk cast, drag free float over these fish without a look. How do you sucessfully fish this "event"? BHB — Remove "send_no_spam_" from address for e-mail response. Barkley Bull =

Response:

Hello. Can anyone provide the genus/species of a mayfly currently hatching here in Vermont. The fly is white, emerges at dusk in large groups, essentially immediately turns into a spinner and kind of "dances" an inch or so above the surface.

Dear John: Ephron Leukon: i.e. White Fly.  They were the 1st mayfly hatch documented in "the Colonies" by ole’ Tom J. himself Jason Beary

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  Hey there, Jim.  My son and I have been fishing the Winooski in the riffles above the tressle the last few days and when these white flies are out the place comes alive with "jumping" fish. We can dap, plunk cast, drag free float over these fish without a look. How do you sucessfully fish this "event"?

I don’t think the whitefly event is the only event going on.  The fish are definitely jumping up for the skittering egg layers, but there is also some emerger feeding for sure.  I don’t know it’s the same species or not.  The "dancing" egg-layer is definitely hard to imitate, but I’ve had some success with a White Wulff size 12 and 14.  In the riffles, the floats are pretty short anyway (before you get drag), so I guess it is kind of a dap and plunk.  I have had no success imitating the emerger event however.  Various wet flies have been working, but not during what seems to be a highly selective evening "event". For e-mail responses, remove the "Spam_Stopper_" from my return address before sending.

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Hey there, Jim.  My son and I have been fishing the Winooski in the riffles above the tressle the last few days and when these white flies are out the place comes alive with "jumping" fish. We can dap, plunk cast, drag free float over these fish without a look. How do you sucessfully fish this "event"?

White soft hackle….let swing and line tighten in the riffle….slowly(and I mean slowly) raise and lower the rod tip as if the emerger is trying to break the film, fails and tumbles back down.  Good luck. Interested to know how you do. James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

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Is that YOU there?? I’ve been down lower in the pools (and up higher by the rocks..). Nice to cyberly meet you.  I can get a fish or 2 to take on a white dry (a little smaller than natural), but only at the VERY beginning of the hatch. Later a spinner (white, same size) fished dry with a twitch or two can get a take. BUT, I also think the main event is subsurface.  I’m going to try chucking a nymph (tied with a lighter-colored fluffier wing case) upstream from the hatch, letting it go dead drift into the rises (leaps!) and then bring it to the surface right in front of the fish. john – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   Hey there, Jim.  My son and I have been fishing the Winooski in the riffles above the tressle the last few days and when these white flies are out the place comes alive with "jumping" fish. We can dap, plunk cast, drag free float over these fish without a look. How do you sucessfully fish this "event"? I don’t think the whitefly event is the only event going on.  The fish are definitely jumping up for the skittering egg layers, but there is also some emerger feeding for sure.  I don’t know it’s the same species or not.  The "dancing" egg-layer is definitely hard to imitate, but I’ve had some success with a White Wulff size 12 and 14.  In the riffles, the floats are pretty short anyway (before you get drag), so I guess it is kind of a dap and plunk.  I have had no success imitating the emerger event however.  Various wet flies have been working, but not during what seems to be a highly selective evening "event".

Response:

SNIP . How do you sucessfully fish this "event"? White soft hackle….let swing and line tighten in the riffle….slowly(and I mean slowly) raise and lower the rod tip as if the emerger is trying to break the film, fails and tumbles back down.  Good luck. Interested to know how you do.

I think this is good advice. Ive been near the trestle several days this last week and these fish are either jumping clear and taking spinners 2-3" above the surface (exciting to watch) OR are working benaeth the surface. Dun or spinner floating are simply refused (at least in my experience). THis limits me, at least, to an emerger. BUT, If anyone knows how to keep a spinner 2" above the surface and never land it, Id like to take lessons!! john

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these fish are either jumping clear and taking spinners 2-3" above the surface (exciting to watch) OR are working benaeth the surface. Dun or spinner floating are simply refused (at least in my experience). THis limits me, at least, to an emerger. BUT, If anyone knows how to keep a spinner 2" above the surface and never land it, Id like to take lessons!!

Simple! Capture a half-dozen or so of the duns, and leash them to your fly using strands of hair. Chuck the whole rig out there and PRESTO!…your fly lifts off the surface. Tiny choke collars are helpful in case your team spooks. Try not to lose too many flies, or you’ll soon be bald. If you’re already bald, bring a hairy friend along. Don’t bring your S.O. or children, unless you think they’d look good bald. Best not attempted among bats, martins, swallows, etc. Best not attempted. *NOTE TO THE HUMOR-IMPARED, WHICH MAY INCLUDE ME* Sorry for the joke, but I couldn’t resist. I know there are folks out there trying to crack this hatch, and it can be a tough one, like many fall (i.e., low-flow) hatches. I don’t think it helps that the bright white naturals are *really* visible to the fish, making an imitation stand apart all the more. Try fishing faster water if possible. I used to fish this hatch on West Canada Creek near Herkimer NY, (featured in one of those gawd-damn magazines recently) and had *some* luck using a pure white parachute, although I did have my share of refusals. Of course, the fish I caught could have been hopped up on goofballs and not known any better;-) Dave

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 Cast into a bush ?  take david copperfield along with you ?  helium filled wing-pads ? telekenesis ?  Inquiring minds want to know !!! — TimW Halfordian Golfer FarAndFine wrote in article – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Ever hear of the "blow fly technique"?  Read Borgers ‘Presentation’ and you’ll learn how to kee a fly two feet above the water without ever landing it.  No kidding.

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Ever hear of the "blow fly technique"?  Read Borgers ‘Presentation’ and you’ll learn how to kee a fly two feet above the water without ever landing it.  No kidding.

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    Dave Best not attempted among bats, martins, swallows, etc. I almost caught a swallow once during a thick hatch of large Light Cahills.  My #12 was floating on a placid stretch, just getting to the point where a brown was rising, when a swallow swooped out of nowhere, picked it off the water, carried it about 10 feet downstream (past where the trout was, BTW), and dropped it.  I still wonder what it would have been like had that swallow hooked itself.  =8-O Cheers, — Dave Guertin

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  Dave Best not attempted among bats, martins, swallows, etc. I almost caught a swallow once during a thick hatch of large Light Cahills.  My #12 was floating on a placid stretch, just getting to the point where a brown was rising, when a swallow swooped out of nowhere, picked it off the water, carried it about 10 feet downstream (past where the trout was, BTW), and dropped it.  I still wonder what it would have been like had that swallow hooked itself.  =8-O Cheers,

      We were in the Pecos last weekend, my son was fishing the cowels pond at dusk. He had two "creatures" flying around him and following his casts. One finally caught the fly on the backstroke and he slammed it into the pond. He said he caught a bird but I got to looking at them fly around, short bodies, no tail. I told him thats not a bird, that’s a bat! "Whoa! I caught a Bat!" he said "That’s sweet!" BTW he was using a #12 elk hair caddis, bat bait!

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I caught a swallow on a #12 elk hair caddis near the Lyons bridge on the Madison about five years ago….  in the presence of a conservation officer for Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.  

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The Ephoron hatch is impressive. I fished it several times this year with good success.  If you watch the duns emerge, you should notice that they struggle to get our of their shuck, do a little tumble, and than are in the air. The hatch starts slow, with flies flying close to the water surface.   Next you see the trout trying to take the fly in mid-air.  I have tried a almost presentation; make a few false casts low over the area you have seen a fish, than with your final cast stop the fly about 2 feet above the water and let it float to the surface.  The take is sometimes in the air and sometimes as the fly touches the water, or sometimes nothing—— them just as they get to the surface or as they struggle to get out of their shuck.  The pattern that has worked the best for me and my fishing buddy JM, is the Usual – size #14.  Also, try a emerger with a trailing shuck of Zelon, white dubbed body, and a short wing/thich thorax, the wing can be snowshoe rabbit or Zelon. JWTrout

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Question:

Looking for tips, patterns, rivers, fly shops, etc. in the vicinity of Brevard and Asheville, North Carolina.  We’ll be there for a few days the end of April, and want to get on the local waters.   Thanks in advance.

Response:

Hi Keith I’ve found two sites on the internet that work well for me when traveling or preparing to travel. They are Switch Board and Map Quest. A quick Lycos search should get you the addresses. With Switch Board you get telephone listings for any area either by individual or by type of business. With Map Quest, you can print out a map on how to find any address. Good luck. Al Looking for tips, patterns, rivers, fly shops, etc. in the vicinity of Brevard and Asheville, North Carolina.  We’ll be there for a few days the end of April, and want to get on the local waters.   Thanks in advance.

Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products http://www.btsflyfishing.com

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Looking for tips, patterns, rivers, fly shops, etc. in the vicinity of Brevard and Asheville, North Carolina.  We’ll be there for a few days the end of April, and want to get on the local waters.

In asheville, there’s Hunter Banks. They should provide you with the info you want. I know that they have an occasional net presence but I’m not familiar with it. Might be worth a search using Hunter Banks as the subject. Hope this helps. DA

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Looking for tips, patterns, rivers, fly shops, etc. in the vicinity of Brevard and Asheville, North Carolina.  We’ll be there for a few days the end of April, and want to get on the local waters. Thanks in advance.

Appalachian Angler – 164 Old Shull’s Mill Rd. Boone, NC 28607. (704-963-5050 Haden and his brother run the oldest guide servive in the area.They guide float and wading trips in NC, Tenn, and also run float trips in Alaska 100 days a year. Hope to be heading up there soon myself. BTW, there is an Orvis shop just down the road from them, but they wern’t nearly as informed or as helpful when I have stopped in to talk with them. I don’t remember the shops name or have their address, but it is located in Banner Elk, NC. Hope this helps, Steve Hike the Florida National Scenic Trail   For information: www: http://www.florida-trail.org/~fta Florida Trail Association P.O. Box 13708, Gainesville Fl. 32604 (800)343-1882

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Question:

We are headed off to Vermont in a few days to check out the flyfishing scene up there. We’ll be camping in the Rutland area and hitting all the streams around that area. Of course, we’ll also make at least one stop Orvis while we are there. Anybody have anything to share about what streams are good right now? This is going to be my first time ever in the New England area, so it’s all new to me. — Jon Porter http://www.Netwalk.com/~jporter/Backpage.htm

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Jon, You might try the New Haven and Middlebury Rivers in Bristol and Middlebury.  I haven’t been there this year yet, but I understand they are fishing well. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

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I was on the Battenkill at the weekend. Water temp was 58-60. Sporadic Hendriksons, no risers though. Might be a bit early yet, but I was talking to the F&W guy and he said there had been feeding fish over the past few days. I think it is worth a shot this weekend. You have to see that hatch in action as those big fly lie thick on the surface of backwaters. Another river worth trying is the Mettawee, about 5 miles west of Manchester. There are public access spots off the highway. This has a nice head of browns, brookies and rainbows. Finally as you head north on route 7, there is Otter Creek paralleling the road most of the way. Again some public access spots, but as this river is heavily stocked expect these points to be busy. Hike up or downstream. Otter Creek has good hatches and holds some beauties (my best is 16" brookie). Sorry I have no up to date stream reports, but I am confident you’ll catch fish assuming the rivers are in good condition. Gary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We are headed off to Vermont in a few days to check out the flyfishing scene up there. We’ll be camping in the Rutland area and hitting all the streams around that area. Of course, we’ll also make at least one stop Orvis while we are there. Anybody have anything to share about what streams are good right now? This is going to be my first time ever in the New England area, so it’s all new to me. — Jon Porter http://www.Netwalk.com/~jporter/Backpage.htm

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yesterday, I said:

      in general all the streams are down to fishable levels. I should know better than to spout stuff like that.  No sooner had I finished saying this than the skies opened up, the mighty deluge began, and the NWS started issuing flash flood warnings all over the place.  In 12 hours the New Haven River (my home stream) went from its normal 400 cfs to 5500 cfs.  :-( Now it’s back down to about 1400 cfs, but it still looks like chocolate milk. Should be back to normal in a couple days, though. Cheers, — Dave "the jinx" Guertin http://caddis.middlebury.edu/trout/

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    Jon We are headed off to Vermont in a few days to check out the     Jon flyfishing scene up there. We’ll be camping in the Rutland     Jon area and hitting all the streams around that area. Jon, There are a number of streams in the Rutland area worth checking out. I can’t comment on how they’re fishing right now, but in general all the streams are down to fishable levels.  A couple weeks ago when I was last out, the water was clear but still extremely cold and fishing was slow.  By now things should be picking up considerably. The Mettawee is not too far from Rutland, and is usually excellent. Upper Otter Creek is probably worth checking out, too.  Across the mountains, the White and Black Rivers are also close and very good. Check out my Trout Streams of Vermont page (http://caddis.middlebury.edu/trout/) for a guide to all the streams in the area.  Not much in the way of descriptions yet, but there are maps, and it’s nice to see what rivers are where. Cheers, — Dave Guertin http://caddis.middlebury.edu/trout/

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We are headed off to Vermont in a few days to check out the flyfishing scene up there. We’ll be camping in the Rutland area and hitting all the streams around that area. Of course, we’ll also make at least one stop Orvis while we are there. Anybody have anything to share about what streams are good right now? This is going to be my first time ever in the New England area, so it’s all new to me.

Jon, I have read the other posts folks have put up to help you, but I really would suggest streams less well-known.  Two of these are the Furnace Brook and Castleton River.  Both of these smaller streams will most certainly be running clear and fishable.  For the most part, the other streams suggested are running very high and are muddy at best.  There was flooding  in both the CT River Valley and Otter Valley last night.  If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to help. James Ehlers, Editor Vermont Outdoors Magazine 2 Church Street Burlington, VT 05401 (802) 860-0003 Fax: (802) 860-0005 http://www.vermontoutdoors.com

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The ‘Kill was 58-60 this early??? Am I missing something, or is this a little warm for this time of the year? Hopefully we’re not looking at temps like last summer again!!! Alex – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was on the Battenkill at the weekend. Water temp was 58-60. Sporadic Hendriksons, no risers though. Might be a bit early yet, but I was talking to the F&W guy and he said there had been feeding fish over the past few days. I think it is worth a shot this weekend. You have to see that hatch in action as those big fly lie thick on the surface of backwaters. Another river worth trying is the Mettawee, about 5 miles west of Manchester. There are public access spots off the highway. This has a nice head of browns, brookies and rainbows. Finally as you head north on route 7, there is Otter Creek paralleling the road most of the way. Again some public access spots, but as this river is heavily stocked expect these points to be busy. Hike up or downstream. Otter Creek has good hatches and holds some beauties (my best is 16" brookie). Sorry I have no up to date stream reports, but I am confident you’ll catch fish assuming the rivers are in good condition. Gary We are headed off to Vermont in a few days to check out the flyfishing scene up there. We’ll be camping in the Rutland area and hitting all the streams around that area. Of course, we’ll also make at least one stop Orvis while we are there. Anybody have anything to share about what streams are good right now? This is going to be my first time ever in the New England area, so it’s all new to me. — Jon Porter http://www.Netwalk.com/~jporter/Backpage.htm

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Joe, Trout season ends Oct 27.  Caddis pupa and larva are always good choices on VT streams.  It is tough to say what exactly will be coming off that far in advance, especially this year with our water levels very high and temps cool.  Typically, tricos, isonychias and pseudocloeon are hatching during that window.  E -mail closer to your trip for more specific conditions. James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service (#2298) If you would like more info on my service including western style fly fishing drift boat trips, send me your postal address and I’ll send you my brochure. Cheers, James

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I am planning one or two trips to Vermont this fall. I will stay at Sugarbush. My ???? are ….#1 When does the season end? Can I plan a Columbus Day trip. Also,(#2) Has the fall fishing got going by Sept 20- would a late Sept. trip be worth while? #3 Can anybody suggest what flies to use? I am planning to try caddis flies and a variety of terrestials. joe hardman TIA

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Question:

Are you *sure* this was about fishing!!! Oliver Inverness-shire;  Scotland "Lead me not into temptation – I can do it myself"

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Before anyone gets crazy, this has nothing to do with bestiality.  My buddy has heard stories (yeah, right, another one of those "my friend" stories) of seducing brown trout in New Zealand by stealthily sneaking up on them and immobilizing them by stroking their bellies.  True or myth? Tickling or "guddling" trout is ancient in England, described in many books. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Yup did it myself as a boy, ok only on small streams where you c can reach underneath the bank, slowly move your fingers along untiil you make contact, gently tickle the trout away from the bank and then flip it out of the water. I prefer fly fishing nowardays Regads

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I have tickled trout..It works. also works with goldfish (at least the ones in my pond) regards Kyfho2

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Before anyone gets crazy, this has nothing to do with bestiality.  My buddy has heard stories (yeah, right, another one of those "my friend" stories) of seducing brown trout in New Zealand by stealthily sneaking up on them and immobilizing them by stroking their bellies.  True or myth? Brent

Not only can you tickle the bellies of trout, *that* is how you fish with hands only. As a boy, all my relatives would rendezvous on my         grandfather’s ranch during the haying season each August. It was known as "The Box Bar Ranch," and it stretched along Spring Creek, twelve miles outside of Saratoga, Wyoming. The day we began work in the fields along Spring Creek, during our break for lunch my uncles would place a couple of us in the water upstream, and a couple downstream.  The rest of us would then walk into the middle of the stream.  The trout would quickly retreat to the sides where the stream had cut deeply underneath the sod. Slowly, we would approach the banks, submerging our hands beneath the overhanging sod and placing them under the trout.  We could then gently rub the bellies of the fish. When we felt sure of our hand placement, SNAP!, with a quick flick of the wrist the trout would be airborne, heading for a soft landing in the mowed hay lying along the banks of the stream.   *Catch and eat* was the order of the day on the Box Bar Ranch, along Spring Creek, Saratoga, Wyoming, in the early sixties. Ed Hunsaker Mgr., Henry’s Fork Lodge 1994, 1995 —

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Not a good idea trying the above where mink are endemic !!! Muskrats can also cause pucker.  This happened to a friend back in

high school.  I’d never seen the whites of anyone’s eyes get so large.

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We used to do this as kids in the rivers in the Scottish/ English Borders: 1.  stand in a river in wellies but up to your knees in freezing water.  (it’s best to wear shorts so you don’t have to explain to geriatric parents.  2.  Fell gently under big stones or banks ’til you find a fish.  3.  VERY gently tickle it’s tummy until you can grab it.   THATS the theory!  Usually, you miss the grab, fall in and freeze for hours going home when (final indignity) you get a row.  Good fun though!! David Malone knows how. Oliver Inverness-shire;  Scotland "Lead me not into temptation – I can do it myself"

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seducing brown trout in New Zealand by stealthily sneaking up on them and immobilizing them by stroking their bellies.  True or myth? Brent True. Easy to do if you know of an overhanging bank on a stream where you can reach under *SLOWLY* and very gently stroke the fish with your fingers and very slowly move your hand till you think you have the fishes centre of gravity in your palm and SCOOP the fish out. You cannot grab hold of it.

Reminds of the stories my dad told me ("Tall Tales of Oklahoma") about guys who’d haul big spawning catfish out of the mud.   A big flathead or blue cat would get the best of them sometimes (or so the stories go) and they’d never be heard from again…

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Before anyone gets crazy, this has nothing to do with bestiality.  My buddy has heard stories (yeah, right, another one of those "my friend" stories) of seducing brown trout in New Zealand by stealthily sneaking up on them and immobilizing them by stroking their bellies.  True or myth? Brent

True, I’ve done it often years ago here in holland… (it’s here an illegal way of fishing)

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There was an english TV-series as well, where the method was shown. Seemed to work fine I don’t remember the original name of the series, but it was called in Finland ‘See you later, honey’ BR, Eki

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Before anyone gets crazy, this has nothing to do with bestiality.  My buddy has heard stories (yeah, right, another one of those "my friend" stories) of seducing brown trout in New Zealand by stealthily sneaking up on them and immobilizing them by stroking their bellies.  True or myth? Brent

It’s perfectly true, but I’ve been told it only works on male trout. And how do you determine if it is a male? By giving it a couple of test tickles.

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Suggested reading on the subject is the Curtis Creek Manifesto by Sheridan Anderson.  He spends an illustrated page on the subject. Jim, Nevada Jim’s Outdoor Sports, Elko, Nevada

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I like the "test tickles" joke. Made me laugh. But no-one seems to be taking this seriously. Tickling trout does work. Although it’s not compatible with catch-and-release. You tickle trout (usually in small mountain streams) when you are hungry. Trout usually hide underneath something when they get scared. A hollow space underneath a rock can harbor a half a dozen tightly packed fish. All squashed together. Reach in there with your hand and tickle one along its side and underbelly, just like you were another fish jamming youreself in there–just long enough to figure out where the head and gills are. Then pinch real hard right at the back of the gills, and then head for the campfire. —  Sandy Pittendrigh          –O0       (406) 585-6600-5276

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The reason this works is that the trout thinks you are is making sexual advances. Ernie Harrison

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I made a trout laugh once. I threatened to catch it!

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True – works with ‘ladies’ too Oliver Inverness-shire;  Scotland "Lead me not into temptation – I can do it myself"

Response:

Before anyone gets crazy, this has nothing to do with bestiality.  My buddy has heard stories (yeah, right, another one of those "my friend" stories) of seducing brown trout in New Zealand by stealthily sneaking up on them and immobilizing them by stroking their bellies.  True or myth? Brent

Response:

Tickling or "guddling" trout is ancient in England, described in many books.

… and it can still be practiced today.  While studying Arctic grayling in a river in northern Alaska, a fisheries biologist whom I know saw an unusual sight – a lake trout, which had evidently swum up into the river from a large lake downstream.  The fish was holding tight against the bank, and in order to confirm that it was indeed a lake trout, the biologist "tickled" it and lifted it out of the water. Woods Hole, MA   USA

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 seducing brown trout in New Zealand by stealthily sneaking up on them and immobilizing them by stroking their bellies.  True or myth? Brent

True. Easy to do if you know of an overhanging bank on a stream where you can reach under *SLOWLY* and very gently stroke the fish with your fingers and very slowly move your hand till you think you have the fishes centre of gravity in your palm and SCOOP the fish out. You cannot grab hold of it. Not a good idea trying the above where mink are endemic !!! Pete Marrow work: http://ui.nmh.ac.uk/gsrg.html play: http://www.gorp.com/gorp/activity/scottish_ff_faq.htm

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True. Easy to do if you know of an overhanging bank on a stream where you can reach under *SLOWLY* and very gently stroke the fish with your fingers and very

The other benefit of this technique is that the fish will magically grow larger as this is performmed Tim Walker

Response:

Before anyone gets crazy, this has nothing to do with bestiality.  My buddy has heard stories (yeah, right, another one of those "my friend" stories) of seducing brown trout in New Zealand by stealthily sneaking up on them and immobilizing them by stroking their bellies.  True or myth?

Tickling or "guddling" trout is ancient in England, described in many books. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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The book that comes to mind is "How Green Was My Valley" about a coal mining family in wales (also made into an academy award winning movie, but I don’t think the movie talks about tickling trout).   Matt Carey

: Before anyone gets crazy, this has nothing to do with bestiality.  My : buddy has heard stories (yeah, right, another one of those "my friend" : stories) of seducing brown trout in New Zealand by stealthily sneaking up : on them and immobilizing them by stroking their bellies.  True or myth? : Tickling or "guddling" trout is ancient in England, described in many books. : — : |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | : |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

Before anyone gets crazy, this has nothing to do with bestiality.  My buddy has heard stories (yeah, right, another one of those "my friend" stories) of seducing brown trout in New Zealand by stealthily sneaking up on them and immobilizing them by stroking their bellies.  True or myth?

 Getting close enough to New Zealand Brown trout to tickle their bellies.. I think you want to post this on R.O.F.F. Fantasies…Tickle thier bellies…I think your friend is doing more than tickling your belly..

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Before anyone gets crazy, this has nothing to do with bestiality.  My buddy has heard stories (yeah, right, another one of those "my friend" stories) of seducing brown trout in New Zealand by stealthily sneaking up on them and immobilizing them by stroking their bellies.  True or myth? Tickling or "guddling" trout is ancient in England, described in many books.

It’s usually done where ther are undercut banks and the trout may be reached by shore.  It can be described much better in some survival books such as, "The S.A.S. Survival Handbook". Steve —

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Before anyone gets crazy, this has nothing to do with bestiality.  My buddy has heard stories (yeah, right, another one of those "my friend" stories) of seducing brown trout in New Zealand by stealthily sneaking up on them and immobilizing them by stroking their bellies.  True or myth?

Brent, this brings back some old memories. Yes, ‘tickling trout’ is possible and something I’ve done many times as a lad in England. Most of the good trout waters were posted/private and we needed a way to catch fish without a rod. If we didn’t have a pole, we couldn’t possibly be poaching.   We would stand motionless in the water (I remember one favourite place was the river Mole just down from Box Hill) until the trout returned to their feeding stations. People that don’t move didn’t bother them at all. Then we would stretch our hands out about a foot or so (slowly) under a trout and ‘flutter’ our fingers while gradually lifting them and getting closer to the trout’s belly. The action appeared to lull them to sleep and we’d eventually end up with our hands actually touching the fish. Then we just lifted them out of the water and into the bag. Seems to work with most species of trout although ours were mostly speckles. Just for the record – I tried this with pike and it didn’t have the same effect although I did manage to catch pike with my bare hands. My fishing techniques have become somewhat more sophisticated since. David E. Malone All opinions expressed are my own.

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Question:

Anyone know of a Horse/Burro Co. that bring folks into the Kings Canyon area of California?  Or maybe a suggested newsgroup I might try. Thanks. Randy Rose

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Anyone know of a Horse/Burro Co. that bring folks into the Kings Canyon area of California?  

There are a number of pack stations that take people into Kings Cyn.  A few are actually in Kings Cyn. and Sequoia Parks and there are several on the east side off US Highway 395.  Best source of names and addresses are two publications from the Automobile Club of Southern Calif. (AAA):    1. The guide book "Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks"    2. The map "Guide to Eastern Sierra" BTW, the fishing, esp. fly fishing, on the small creeks early in the season and the So. Fork of the Kings in late summer and fall is among the best in Calif. and you don’t have to walk or ride very far to escape the crouds.

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Question:

Like everyone else, I’ve used plenty of variations for the tried and true GRHE.  These days I use ginger hen hackle for tails.  Deer hair can be a bad bet, mainly because it’s so brittle.  Like Gary Borger says, "Get the color right if you can, but just make sure it’s the right bulk and length."  Or at least I think he says that.

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Fereira) writes: I was talking to someone a week or so ago and picked up some #24 trico emergers tied with the fur from snow-shoe rabbits.  He claimed that the oils in the fur on their feet made them naturally water resistant.  Has anyone seen fur from one of these creatures?

Yes, was a big thing a couple of years ago.  Stuff floats forever.  The most famous fly to use it is called "The Usual". You can get snowshoe rabbit from Orvis stores or through their fly tying catalog.  Price is around $5.

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I’ve been sitting at the vice for the last few days re-stocking. I was working in some hairs ears and just was not satisfied with the way the tails look. Does anyone have a varaition on the stnd. tail? I have been useing deer hair and find that it either ends up to thin or flairs out to much.   What material do you like to use?   Thanks in advance. You are talking about a hare’s ear *nymph*, no? I usually use pheasant tail fibers. You can also try a few barbs of mottled hen. The "standard" tie calls for hare’s mask guard hairs, doesn’t it?

That’s they way I learned how to tie one.  When I first started tying I found that with a turkey feather, some gold tinsel, and a hares ear mask I could tie all the GRHE’s I wanted and since I knew that was probably one of the best nymph patterns going those were the first materials I ever bought.   I was talking to someone a week or so ago and picked up some #24 trico emergers tied with the fur from snow-shoe rabbits.  He claimed that the oils in the fur on their feet made them naturally water resistant.  Has anyone seen fur from one of these creatures? One final thing.  There are a few flyfishers that I’ve corresponded with from the central NY area and I’ve started to put your names in a file for a local mailing list.  If there is anyone else, or you’re not sure if you might not be on my list send me some email.   John — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems  Ithaca, NY

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I’ve been sitting at the vice for the last few days re-stocking. I was working in some hairs ears and just was not satisfied with the way the tails look. Does anyone have a varaition on the stnd. tail? I have been useing deer hair and find that it either ends up to thin or flairs out to much.   What material do you like to use?   Thanks in advance.

Ummm… It _is_ called a "Hare’s Ear"… Have you tried a bunch of Hare Hair <<grin off of the mask? That’s the dressing _I’M_ familiar with! … And it doesn’t flare! — Joe Ellis         o/~ The Synthetic Filker o/~ |    TesserAct Studios

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I’ve been sitting at the vice for the last few days re-stocking. I was working in some hairs ears and just was not satisfied with the way the tails look. Does anyone have a varaition on the stnd. tail? I have been useing deer hair and find that it either ends up to thin or flairs out to much.   What material do you like to use?   Thanks in advance.

I am wondering a little bit about your efforts. Do you really mean the hears ear? This pattern calls for a tail made from the guard = hairs (longer and stronger hairs with light coloured tips) from the center of the hairs mask. The center hairs should be cut very ti= ghtly to the skin and then you can put out all the underfur. This can sometimes be a pain, depending on the mask you got. On the one=  I have the center guard hairs are strongly curled, so that I wasn’t very satisfied with my hares ear’s neither. I used woodcuck ins= tead, worked well for me and makes nearly the same clour. You shouldn’t use deer hair. The stuff you usually get is winter deer hair=  which is hollow. Because it spreads so well poeple use it for caddis and comparaduns. Elk hair doesn’t spread so easily so it seems=  much better for this purpose. Some dry fly pattern call for moose mane, which is very good for tails because it doesn’t spread at a= ll. The disadvantage is that it doesn’t match the colour requirements for the hairs ears. If you still want to use deer hair this li= ttle trick might help. Tie in the deer hair  1 or 2 mm closer to the ear than it is required with 2 or 3 tight wraps. The hair will = spread. Now you catch the spread hairs with some loose wraps exactly at the original tie in position (at the end of the shank, behin= d -that means towards the shank- the tight wraps you made). Then dub the body (Maybe you should try coastal deer hair, it doesn’t sp= read so good. You should also compare differend deer hairs, you can find nearly every colour and quality you can imagine. If you don= ‘t have a good source, call Kaufmann streamborne, they have an excellent selection.). That technique also works for bucktail streamers, if the wing spreads to much. I hope that helps.      Good luck                    Thomas

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I’ve been sitting at the vice for the last few days re-stocking. I was working in some hairs ears and just was not satisfied with the way the tails look. Does anyone have a varaition on the stnd. tail? I have been useing deer hair and find that it either ends up to thin or flairs out to much.   What material do you like to use?   Thanks in advance.

Any short quill will work.  I like to use red or brown on my #20 Hare’s ears.

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I’ve been sitting at the vice for the last few days re-stocking. I was working in some hairs ears and just was not satisfied with the way the tails look. Does anyone have a varaition on the stnd. tail? I have been useing deer hair and find that it either ends up to thin or flairs out to much.    What material do you like to use?   Thanks in advance.

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I’ve been sitting at the vice for the last few days re-stocking. I was working in some hairs ears and just was not satisfied with the way the tails look. Does anyone have a varaition on the stnd. tail? I have been useing deer hair and find that it either ends up to thin or flairs out to much.   What material do you like to use?   Thanks in advance.

You are talking about a hare’s ear *nymph*, no? I usually use pheasant tail fibers. You can also try a few barbs of mottled hen. The "standard" tie calls for hare’s mask guard hairs, doesn’t it? Bob Petti Endwell, NY

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I’ve been sitting at the vice for the last few days re-stocking. I was working in some hairs ears and just was not satisfied with the way the tails look. Does anyone have a varaition on the stnd. tail? I have been useing deer hair and find that it either ends up to thin or flairs out to much.   What material do you like to use?   Thanks in advance.

Use the mask!! Look at a point between the eys and work you way toward the ears. Pull some fur (with the guard hairs intact) away from the hide at a 90 degree angle from the hide and snip real close to the hide with your scissors. Keep the clump intact and tie in (tips to the rear) as a tail. Further: Most folks IMHO make the tails on GRHE *too* long!! Try making them about 1/2 shank length. The type of mayfly that the GRHE is simulating (typically) has tails about this long. When you make your dry fly imitations, the rule is 1x shank length. This method of tailing is also great for legs on scuds and sowbugs. A killer scud pattern (mating gammaris imitation) is made using an orange dyed hare’s mask to simulate the mating colors of a common scud. Hook: Tiemco 2457 or equiv in both #14 and #18 Thread: Uni-thread 8/0 orange or red Weight: "Not-Lead" wire in middle of shank only (optional) Tail: From orange dyed hairs mask Rib: 4x mono, 5 evenly spaced turns Shellback: Borden’s "Scud Back" or poly bag 1/8" wide Body: Blended fur from between the eyes of the hare’s mask Even if you never heard of a scud, this is a great pattern. I use it as a searching pattern if nothing is hatching on top. If you have trouble finding Scud Back (great stuff BTW), give the guys at Fly & Field a call at 800-328-9753. They also sell a very cool tool for gathering and blending the hare’s mask, called a Ceramic Dubbing Scraper. It’s in their catalog. Todd L. McCagg – Mfr Rep of Musical Esoteria Modulus-Spector-SWR-Hughes & Kettner-Premier Fernandes-EMG-CB Labs Pocket Rock-It (husband-father-bassist-flyfisher-flytyer-homebrewer)

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The longer hairs to the side of the mask are longer, like guard hairs but softer.  I like using these because I think it gives better action.  Most of the hare’s ears I use are #10’s for steelhead fishing on the Pere Marquette in Michigan.  Great fly!!!! Donald Albrecht A bad day fishing is still better than a good day at work!  <  <

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Question:

Anybody know some goods spot in and around Ottawa Canada for some trout fly fishing. Luc Nocente — Luc Nocente

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Ottawa is more a bass/pike hotspot than trout, but I’ve heard that there are now Brown trout in the Ottawa River (Quebec has been stocking them). The flyfishing for bass in the Ottawa is good, and for that alone is worth bringing your rod alone. Try the rapids from Britannia Filtration plant downstream. The Ottawa is a big river and can be fearsome in high water.

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Ottawa is more a bass/pike hotspot than trout, but I’ve heard that there are now Brown trout in the Ottawa River (Quebec has been stocking them).

Confirmed:  a 3 or 4 lb. brown was reported taken at Britannia 13 months ago, and I got a 10-inch brown during the summer.  Local folklore has it that, because the Ottawa River is the frontier between Ontario and Quebec provinces, fisheries managers are not supposed to stock it:  but one or more managers dumped surplus trout there just to see if they could survive and reproduce — which my 10-inch fish suggests is possible. The flyfishing for bass in the Ottawa is good, and for that alone is worth bringing your rod alone. Try the rapids from Britannia Filtration plant downstream. The Ottawa is a big river and can be fearsome in high water.

This is why early fly fishing has been poor this year.  When the water warmed up enough, hydro dams upstream were opened to run off extra snow melt or rain, and the good spots are now too deep and the current too strong.  Fly fishing for bass is best done wading (and from July one can wade wet i.e. in shorts and sneakers).  Anywhere with exposed rocks and mixed current and quiet water can be good.  There are reliable hatches at sundown half the time in July-August, when besides bass other species can be taken e.g. mooneye and walleye. —  |          Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Rd., Carlsbad         |  |        Springs, Ont., Canada K0A 1K0; tel: (613) 822-0734       |  |  "What I’ve always liked about science is its independence from |  |  authority"–Ontario Science Centre (name on file) 10 July 1981 |

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Hello Donald Please reply here and in e-mail,I’m curious if this get’s out…sorry folks just a test for the moment Tight Lines Dale Kent … I cna ytpe 300 wrods pre mniuet! |Fidonet:  Dale Kent 1:351/400

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Rather than the Ottawa River, I’d suggest the Mississippi (the *other* one, in the Ottawa suburbs). Nice smallmouth, pleasant surroundings. — 3798 Woodland Drive     voice: (604) 368-9315 Trail, BC               data:  (604) 368-9341

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: Rather than the Ottawa River, I’d suggest the Mississippi (the *other* : one, in the Ottawa suburbs). Nice smallmouth, pleasant surroundings. : — Speaking of which, I was FFishing the Mississippi just below a set of rapids/waterfalls and could *see* some really nice smallmouth, but dammit all I could catch were lots of rockbass. I mean, the rockbass were *fun* but I was getting really frustrated with the smallies. Now, I was using a wooly bugger for a while, brown and black, and then changed to smaller nymphs, and kept catching the panfish, but no bass. Sigh. Still, the spin casters were catching *nothing* so I was happy. — Chris Pawlowicz, Research Engineer Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

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Hi My name is Matt I am an acomplished fisherman (meaning im not some young dork who doesn’t know a thing about fishing but brags cause he spent a lot on his gear) any way I am doing a project for school on fishing around the world if you could get any info to my address at home by tonight I would greatly appreciate it……and if anyone needs help or advice on fishing in nothern and central New Jersey or eastern Penn I would be happy to give it out…. Thanks in advance, Matt, age 16

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any way I am doing a project for school on fishing around the world if you could get any info to my address at home by tonight I would greatly appreciate it……

In my day, Matt, we would wait unitl the morning the project was due before starting research. . . . –sean williams

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any way I am doing a project for school on fishing around the world if you could get any info to my address at home by tonight I would greatly appreciate it…… In my day, Matt, we would wait unitl the morning the project was due before starting research. . . . –sean williams

Given the delays inherent in posting to newgroups, he waited until the day after it was due 8^( Hope graduation isn’t in jeapardy! <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < Digital Equipment Corp.    Alpha Server Engineering  < <           "Read this and nobody gets hurt"           < <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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