Question:

Have the white flies started to hatch on the upper Potomac yet?

Response:

Yes.  Best time is after seven p.m.  I’ve been using a "green weenie" pattern, but using white chenille vice chartreuse. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Yes.  Best time is after seven p.m.  I’ve been using a "green weenie" pattern, but using white chenille vice chartreuse. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Frank, it strikes me that Doc Saylor might be somebody you ought to hook up with (no pun intended) Given your propensity to do face plants and other wild gyrations while fishing, you need to make him your fishin’ buddy. Just tryin’ to keep you alive and his business flourishing. Frank Sr. who is due for two more cortisone shots in the heels. YIKES!!!

Response:

Frank, it strikes me that Doc Saylor might be somebody you ought to hook up with (no pun intended) Given your propensity to do face plants and other wild gyrations while fishing, you need to make him your fishin’ buddy. Just tryin’ to keep you alive and his business flourishing. Frank Sr. who is due for two more cortisone shots in the heels. YIKES!!!

Actually, looking for the Air Force Pararescue type. Need someone who can scale a cliff or a fish, shoot an attacking grizzly or a class V rapid to drag my ass out, repair a float tube or repair to the extraction point.  Must be qualified in white water, avalanche, and deep submersible rescue.  Should be world renown fly tyer and brewer. Now thats a fishing buddy.                  Frank (Just had cortisone next to my spine)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Frank, it strikes me that Doc Saylor might be somebody you ought to hook up with (no pun intended) Given your propensity to do face plants and other wild gyrations while fishing, you need to make him your fishin’ buddy. Just tryin’ to keep you alive and his business flourishing. Frank Sr. who is due for two more cortisone shots in the heels. YIKES!!! Actually, looking for the Air Force Pararescue type. Need someone who can scale a cliff or a fish, shoot an attacking grizzly or a class V rapid to drag my ass out, repair a float tube or repair to the extraction point.  Must be qualified in white water, avalanche, and deep submersible rescue.  Should be world renown fly tyer and brewer. Now thats a fishing buddy.

You need a dog. — TL, Tim (well, not for the fly tying and brewing but, hey, nobody’s perfect.)

Response:

You need a dog. — TL, Tim

Well, I have a dog.  I shall refer to him as "blond dog."  He is a master brewer, as a matter of fact, his output rivals Budweiser in quantity and quality.  He is afraid of bugs, terrified of the treadmill (well, thats not a bad thing), feet moving under a blanket on the bed will send him into a barking fit for two hours, often forgets to put his feet back down when jumping off of a step, gets beaten up by the cat, has more psychosis than ROFF (you must pretend that you are trying to eat his food or he will go 4-5 days without eating), his daddy was a long-haired miniture dachshund and mommy was a maltese.  So he is either a dachtese or a malhund.  I don’t need another. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Well, I was in the Navy so I could probably call in an aircraft carrier to save you on occasion.  I’m also due to brew my sixth batch of pale ale or porter soon. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You need a dog. — TL, Tim Well, I have a dog.  I shall refer to him as "blond dog."  He is a master brewer, as a matter of fact, his output rivals Budweiser in quantity and quality.  He is afraid of bugs, terrified of the treadmill (well, thats not a bad thing), feet moving under a blanket on the bed will send him into a barking fit for two hours, often forgets to put his feet back down when jumping off of a step, gets beaten up by the cat, has more psychosis than ROFF (you must pretend that you are trying to eat his food or he will go 4-5 days without eating), his daddy was a long-haired miniture dachshund and mommy was a maltese.  So he is either a dachtese or a malhund.  I don’t need another. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Okay, think we gotta hook up.  I do know of a couple of good spots within ten miles of Harpers Ferry.  My daughter is coming back this weekend after a month away so will stay home, but mayhaps next?  I’ll even leave off the squiddly jokes. — Frank Reid (USAF Retired) Reverse email to reply.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You need a dog. — TL, Tim Well, I have a dog.  I shall refer to him as "blond dog."  He is a master brewer, as a matter of fact, his output rivals Budweiser in quantity and quality.  He is afraid of bugs, terrified of the treadmill (well, thats not a bad thing), feet moving under a blanket on the bed will send him into a barking fit for two hours, often forgets to put his feet back down when jumping off of a step, gets beaten up by the cat, has more psychosis than ROFF (you must pretend that you are trying to eat his food or he will go 4-5 days without eating), his daddy was a long-haired miniture dachshund and mommy was a maltese.  So he is either a dachtese or a malhund.  I don’t need another.

Thanks.  Best laugh I’ve had in a week.  Nice to know someone has at least one pet crazier than most I’ve had. — rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless remove invalid or hit reply to email. Though I’m very slow to respond. http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Response:

Question:

I’ve been quite interested in this discussion of wealth. It seems to me that our society equates financial wealth with well-being. And, of course, the two are not the same. IMO, despite what your W-2 or 401(k) statements say, if you (1) spend less than you earn, (2) live in a place you enjoy, (3) are surrounded by people who love you, (4) and have time to fish with regularity then I say that you, sir, are a wealthy man indeed. Gack if you want to, you hardened bastards, but I believe it’s the truth. –Steve

Response:

No gacking here, partner.  Well said.  There are even wealthy and happy folks without #4.  Go figure. JR – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – IMO, despite what your W-2 or 401(k) statements say, if you (1) spend less than you earn, (2) live in a place you enjoy, (3) are surrounded by people who love you, (4) and have time to fish with regularity then I say that you, sir, are a wealthy man indeed. Gack if you want to, you hardened bastards, but I believe it’s the truth.

Response:

Steve Zimmerman: IMO, despite what your W-2 or 401(k) statements say, if you (1) spend less than you earn, (2) live in a place you enjoy, (3) are surrounded by people who love you, (4) and have time to fish with regularity then I say that you, sir, are a wealthy man indeed. Gack if you want to, you hardened bastards, but I believe it’s the truth. –Steve

Well said, Steve.   I doubt you’ll get many "gacks" — none from me, anyway.  I look at my two daughters and their children and I know I am the wealthiest man on earth.  Of course, fishing where and when I want to doesn’t hurt either. <g Dave LaCourse

Response:

Gack if you want to, you hardened bastards, but I believe it’s the truth.

Steve, Sounds like you found Utopia! And I thought it couldn’t be done. Even hardened bastards gotta soften up on this one! Cheers, Rick

Response:

I’ve been quite interested in this discussion of wealth. It seems to me that our society equates financial wealth with well-being. And, of course, the two are not the same. IMO, despite what your W-2 or 401(k) statements say, if you (1) spend less than you earn, (2) live in a place you enjoy, (3) are surrounded by people who love you, (4) and have time to fish with regularity then I say that you, sir, are a wealthy man indeed. Gack if you want to, you hardened bastards, but I believe it’s the truth.

Although you stated that financial wealth and well-being are not the same, you seemed to combine the two in your definition and came up with some ingredients for being happy. However, I agree with your sentiment and it’s part of what I was referring to when I said I considered myself wealthy. In the financial area, I think #1 is a place where many people seem to have trouble. I have friends whose monthly debt payments ie. cars, homes, credit cards etc. are greater than what I earn. Although they make, to me, alot of money, they are living from paycheck to paycheck. Although the idea of feeling financially wealthy is personal and subjective, it seems to me that Americans have gotten some weirdly distorted ideas about what it means to be wealthy if someone in the richest nation in world, who earns in the top 1% of its citizens, doesn’t see himself as wealthy. Willi

Response:

Not just living from paycheck to pay check, but never getting out of their hole, or even digging themselves deeper. As Mr. McCawber put it: Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery JR – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – less than you earn, (2) live in a place you enjoy, (3) are surrounded by people who love you, (4) and have time to fish with regularity then I say that you, sir, are a wealthy man indeed. In the financial area, I think #1 is a place where many people seem to have trouble. I have friends whose monthly debt payments ie. cars, homes, credit cards etc. are greater than what I earn. Although they make, to me, alot of money, they are living from paycheck to paycheck.

Response:

Nah, they just THINK they’re happy.. No gacking here, partner.  Well said.  There are even wealthy and happy folks without #4.  Go figure. JR IMO, despite what your W-2 or 401(k) statements say, if you (1) spend less than you earn, (2) live in a place you enjoy, (3) are surrounded by people who love you, (4) and have time to fish with regularity then I say that you, sir, are a wealthy man indeed. Gack if you want to, you hardened bastards, but I believe it’s the truth.

– -Mark  –  Particle Salad/ Noom Room Studio  http://home.earthlink.net/~psalad  mp3 songs:  http://www.mp3.com/particlesalad

Response:

I’ve been quite interested in this discussion of wealth.

I couldn’t agree with you more.  I’m facing a job loss at the end of the year, potentially forcing me (although I do look forward to it) to be a stay at home dad to my six month old son.  I have the most loving wife and other family around me.  And I have my realatively new found love (1 1/2 years now) of time with my fly rods.  You know, I really cannot expect any more from life at this time.  It is a wonderful realization.  In spite of any ominous things job-wise, I couldn’t ask for a better life. Looking forward to teaching Sparky the ways of fly fishing! Bruce Thomsen

Response:

#5 having a really cool car. Only joking… Well half joking. Wealth is coming home and having your daughter (4) come running yelling "Daddy’s home" and give you a big hug. Having my son(8) blind side me as I walk past the den with my daughter in my arms, although well intentioned, I could do without. Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been quite interested in this discussion of wealth. It seems to me that our society equates financial wealth with well-being. And, of course, the two are not the same. IMO, despite what your W-2 or 401(k) statements say, if you (1) spend less than you earn, (2) live in a place you enjoy, (3) are surrounded by people who love you, (4) and have time to fish with regularity then I say that you, sir, are a wealthy man indeed. Gack if you want to, you hardened bastards, but I believe it’s the truth. –Steve

Response:

In my mid twenties, I was frustrated with life.  I was being laid off from my therapy job in the hospital and decided to take control of my own life by becoming wealty.   To make a long story short, I got scammed, lost my ass for 3 years and ended up far worse off then I was.  But I learned one thing that made it all worth it. Money is not freedom….. Time is.  Having time to spend with my wife and kids, fly fish 50+ times a year, go hunting with my buddies and working on my mini-farm are priceless. I think I learned the most important lesson in life and it all it "cost" me was a bad credit record for 10 years, haha.  Seriously, I am so thankful that I figured the real priorities out while my kids are still young.  I spent 4 years as a stay at home dad and now am just returning to school for my Masters degree.  Life is good. Mike

Response:

Question:

Jim,     IMHO, I’d try fly fishing the ocean personally because there doesn’t seem to be many great streams/rivers in the SD area….   Oceanwise, you might get to hook up with some Bonita, Yellowtail etc… that would be great…. even a Mackeral on the fly would be a challenge, depending on the weight rod.       Otherwise, fly fishing in SoCal, alot of it is float-tubing the lakes down there, try Lake Miramar, or Lake Hodges,,    you have chances at the stocker Rainbows or record setting Largemouth Bass…..   Good Luck, have a great week fishing in SD. (good Marinas for 1 day fishing trips for Yellowtail, Sand Bass, Barracuda & Tuna are Seaforth & H&M Landing, they’re right down there by Seaworld, downtown, SD).                        Lizet

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Heading for San Diego for two weeks in December.  Any hints on where I can fly-fish as that is the only equipment I will be able to pack.  Also names of off-shore fishing companies that I can contact for 1 day trips.     Shad Man

Response:

Depends where you are staying in SD.  I rent a house in Mission Beach each year and fish out of Seaforth as it is nice and my wife can bike over and get the car later.  Most of the landings nearer downdown are all clustered around H&M and are West of the Airport. Flyfish the rocks at La Jolla.  2 links are http://www.sport-fish-info.com/counts/ for landings and http://www.sdsportsfishing.com For some tips and areas.  I also go to Squidco or SQC near downtown for an equipment trip.  Large warehouse tackle store. Bill

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Heading for San Diego for two weeks in December.  Any hints on where I can fly-fish as that is the only equipment I will be able to pack.  Also names of off-shore fishing companies that I can contact for 1 day trips.     Shad Man

Response:

Heading for San Diego for two weeks in December.  Any hints on where I can fly-fish as that is the only equipment I will be able to pack.  Also names of off-shore fishing companies that I can contact for 1 day trips.     Shad Man

Response:

Question:

SSSHHHHHHH  Why tel anyone SSSSHHHHHHHHHHH. Nobody knows but us…

DSR is a big place on a bigger river.   I think our secret is safe. Apparently only about a hundred thousand guys know it, judging by last weekend’s crowd outside DSR. And don’t get me started on the cultural differences between the few fly fishers there and the lead-chucking majority. Joe F.

Response:

(photos to follow, including one in my roff shirt)

Okey dokey, if you’re interested, the photos are up at alt.binaries.pictures.fishing.   The subject headings are just variations of my screen name: rb608-1, rb608-2, and rb608-3.   The roff shirt is in -1, but it’s unfortunately less than obvious.   -3 is a big salmon with the rod, and -2 is the standard guy-with-a-fish photo. Joe F.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep

Question:

How and where should you put a strike indicator. thanks

J.P., your request will probably cause lots of debate as a lot of flyfisherman do not consider the use of a strike indicator to be sporting.  These types look at the end of their fly line for any indication of a strike.  They are in effect using their fly lines as strike indicators. Most authorities estimate that the majority of strikes are missed if strike indicators are not used.  I usually place my strike indicator about 2-3 times the water depth up from the fly.  I also prefer the ball type and peg it with a toothpick.  There are all types of indicators on the market that will twist onto the leader.  This is not bobber fishing as the fly is not suspended directly below the strike indicator.  You merely watch the indicator and strike when it moves "funny".  It takes experience.  Hope this helps.

Response:

How and where should you put a strike indicator. thanks

Somewhere between the tip of your fly line and your fly. Where exactly is dependent on e.g. on the depth you are fishing. The indicator should be at least 2-3 times the water depth you are fishing. Under conditions where fish are extremely spoky even more, often directly in front of the fly line, in fast water closer to the fly will show you more strikes. Hope that helps                  Thomas — JP Dorris Hunting and Fishing it’s all so relaxing

– Thomas Urbig

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How and where should you put a strike indicator. thanks — JP Dorris Hunting and Fishing it’s all so relaxing

Fred may be right, in a way.  But, the norm is to put it one and one half times a far above the fly as the water you’re fishing is deep.  In other words, six feet up the leader if the water is four feet deep. Tight Lines, Charley

Response:

How and where should you put a strike indicator. thanks — JP Dorris Hunting and Fishing it’s all so relaxing

Response:

How and where should you put a strike indicator. thanks — JP Dorris Hunting and Fishing it’s all so relaxing

Back on the shelf at Walmart with the rest of the red and white bobbers.   Sorry, couldn’t resist the take. Best, Fred Rickson

Response:

How and where should you put a strike indicator. thanks — JP Dorris Hunting and Fishing it’s all so relaxing

JP, I used to pride myself on being able to sense when a trout had picked up my nymph and never used one…. as age set in and reflexes slowed, and eyesight dimmed, I use a very small piece of yarn or other about 4 to 8 feet above the nymph on the leader, especially in medium to slow water. Don’t use one in fast water as it drowns and also is not needed, as the strike is evident without it. Tightlines, Alan E. Hoover Anglers’ Rest Powhatan, Va        *the trout teach many, lessons*

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How and where should you put a strike indicator. thanks — JP Dorris Hunting and Fishing it’s all so relaxing

The genral rule is twice the depth of the palce you are fishing.  A tip for you is to drive past the fly shop and go to a non-FFinf shop and pick up some pickerel (walleye) floats aka little corkies, worm floats etc for pennies a piece and then get some tooth picks .  Cut the tooth picks short and peg the indicator where you want it on your line by running the line through the center etc… Ian

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Question:

About a month ago I asked for info about fishing in N. Georgia.  The response was very good and I thank everyone.   Well, we just got back from the trip to Ga., and I have to tell ya, if I didn’t see it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it.  I discovered the Chatooga River, infamous for being the river where "Deliverence" was filmed.  What an absolutely beautiful piece of water!  I thought I was back in New England.  Fast, cold (61), free stone, clear trout water. There was a hatch of very small caddis, but didn’t see too many rises.  In NE I use a cased caddis fly called the Strawman; just spun deer hair trimmed short.  Gink it up so it floats.  Ga trout like it too.  Only had two days on the Chatooga, but managed a couple of nice browns (10-14 in) down-stream from the Rt 76 bridge.  Caught a few small rainbows downstream and upstream from the Rt 28 bridge.  Great river.  I also tried the Chatahootchi ( The Hootch) below Buford Dam.  Super cold – like 53; no hatches.  But lotsa fog!  Dragged a nymph or two, and lobbed a few streamers, but got zilch.  The rocks on this river are the slimiest, most slippery I’ve ever encountered!  I checked out the Hootch above the lake (iat next trip.  Also, I’d like to try the Chatooga just below the NC border.  Anyone know how to get there? The roads in Georgia are also terrific, and gas was $1.07 a gallon (it’s $1.50 here in Mass)!  Georgia’s not NH or Maine, but it’s great!   Good drifts, Dave LaCourse

Response:

[snip] The rocks on this river are the slimiest, most slippery I’ve ever encountered!

You don’t even want to ask what that slick stuff is! Also, I’d like to try the Chatooga just below the NC border.  Anyone know how to get there?

Go east from the river on Hwy 28 .  Hwy 107 will enter from the left. Take 107 north until you pass the state park on the right.  Start looking for the sign on the left for Burrells Ford road.  It’s a couple of miles down this road to the river.  When you get to the river the NC state line is about 4-4 1/2 miles upstream.  This part of the river is mainly brown trout water and is not stocked.  A good trail goes upstream on the east (South Carolina) side of the river. You can fish on the South Carolina side of the river with a Georgia license, just don’t go up any feeder streams.  As an alternate go west from the river on hwy 28.  Take the first gravel road to the right. That will bring you in to the opposite side of Burrells Ford. The roads in Georgia are also terrific, and gas was $1.07 a gallon (it’s $1.50 here in Mass)!  Georgia’s not NH or Maine, but it’s great!  

We don’t tax gas heavy but did you check the price of beer and cigs? Got to make those sinners pay! See ya, John Johnson Atlanta, GA

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Question:

Anyone been fishing yet this year in the Catskills?  I will be coming home from college in early May and would like some info on conditions, ect…  I particularly like fishing the smaller streams.  Any info is greatly appreciated.  Thanks ERIC

Response:

Anyone been fishing yet this year in the Catskills?  I will be coming home from college in early May and would like some info on conditions, ect…  I particularly like fishing the smaller streams.  Any info is greatly appreciated.  Thanks ERIC

Eric, Spent the weekend up at the Beaverkill. The Great Flood scoured the river severely, creating deep holes where there were none before, and dumping big boulders where you can be sure to trip and fall. Some say most of the fish were swept out of the Willowemoc and Beaverkill into the main Delaware. But others say the fish&game people located 38 out of 39 big browns fitted with radio antennas in much the same places they were before the flood. Others are equally concerned about the insect population. The riverbed was churned up pretty badly. Half of Roscoe campsite, just below Junction Pool, was inundated with muddy waters that left a foot of river sand. I checked a few rocks at Junction Pool and found nymphs under almost every rock at the edges of the riffles. Between the flood and the droughts of the past few years, it would be a pleasant surprise if we saw great hatches this season. So far, I’ve seen a few early stoneflies,   small caddis and some tiny Olives. Nothing to get excited or depressed about. Great Flood, was done in by a spin fisherman on the Willowemoc. It won the opening day honors on April 1st. And the state trucks were spottted stocking up and down the Beaverkill on Monday, April 22nd. As for the weekend fishing, Mary Dette described it as slow in her daily reports, which she said was to be expected in April. I met a lot of fishermen on the river, which is still running high, and very few of them had caught a single fish. I don’t want to be caught telling fish stories, but I caught a half dozen trout Friday evening on a #12 Hendrickson (yup!) and another dozen late Monday afternoon on a variety od #16 nymphs. None of them really count. They were all in an innocent looking eddy, where they were dumped by fish&game folk, or where they sought cover from the heavy water. All were the size of stocked fish, and included a couple of rainbows. One guide told me all of them were holdovers, and that rainbows, because of whirling disease, weren’t being stocked. (I listen but I don’t always believe.) Naturally, I won’t say where I caught all these trout. Anyhow, they aren’t there any longer. Every trout I caught was unceremoniously dumped into the fast riffles in the main river. It may be a little tougher in the fast lane, but they’ll have a better of escaping the two-legged, meat-loving predators. Hell, I want to enjoy those trout all season! The highlight of the weekend was the fly tying by Ted Patlen at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum. I think he tied one of everything, and had a solution to most of my fly-tying problems. He ties flies that catch fish, as well as those that catch anglers. Ted works at Ramsey Outdoors in Paramus, NJ.

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Question:

Hi all, are there any flyfishing related shows coming up in Seattle in the next few weeks? Al.

Response:

Yes, there is a show this week in the Kingdome.  It is not a fly fish only show.  However it will feature presentation casting, fly shops, etc.  Most of the major manufacturers should be there too. SAGE, etc. It is the International Sportsman Exhib.  Usually a very good show, one of my favourites. Best Fishes, Marilyn Murphy Murphy’s Sportfishing Vancouver Island, BC "Your West Coast Fishing Information Source"

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Question:

I fished the St. Joe river in early July and caught many good-sized cutthroat. The St. Joe is about 1.5 hrs SW of C d’A. Would be interested to find out how the other locations turned out.

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Looking for fly fishing information in the Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho area. Lakes, streams, etc. Will be in the area in mid August. Thanks, in advance.

Response:

Looking for fly fishing information in the Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho area. Lakes, streams, etc. Will be in the area in mid August. Thanks, in advance.

I would head for the San Poil river over south of Republic Wa. It is about an hour from there.

Response:

The North Fork Coeur d’Alene River is reportedly yielding more cutthroat this season, and a little more variety in sizes.   For the past few years there would be about two fish per mile, both 18".   Now there are some other year classes starting to show some recovery.

Response:

: Looking for fly fishing information in the Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho : area. Lakes, streams, etc. Will be in the area in mid August. The Idaho state record for pike has been broken once or twice a year for the last decade. All of the fish have come from Lake Coeur d’Alene, mostly on bait in the spring and from the "chain of lakes" on the east side. If you can locate them in August, should be fun. Most of the boat activity on the lake itself will be trollers looking for chinook salmon. Try some alternative waters: 1. the Spokane River, between C d’A and Spokane (check with Fins and Feathers in C d’A for specifics) 2. the Kootenai (great tailwater fishery between Libby MT and Bonners Ferry ID) – one of the shop/ guide operations is on-line; try 3. The Pend Oreille system (check with Panhandle Cast n Blast – real name – in Hayden Lake); this watershed includes Priest Lake and River — 3798 Woodland Drive     voice: (604) 368-9315 Trail, BC               data:  (604) 368-9341

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Question:

writes: writes: … I have also made large rod tubes for my one piece rods.  …  How long is the longest tube that you’ve taken on an airplane ?  I am asking  because I have received conflicting info from agents. I have taken a 9 ft two piece rod on numerous trips and put the rod

case in the overhead. Most of the airlines have overheads with two doors, however there is no divider between the two sections. A 9 ft rod just makes it provided there isn’t a lot of luggage in there already. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I apolgize for the repetition here, but this is an important topic for those who are not regular travelers with flyrods.  There is nothing that will spoil a trip like lost or broken rods — insurance just won’t help. Never check rods!!!  First, I have only had one occasion where an agent tried to get me to check the rods, and I insisted on carrying them on board.  If you run into that problem, don’t give in.  Raise hell and they will let you on.  Second, I have always been able to get the rods (up to 9′ two piece) in the overhead bins, except on the smallest of commuters; then they went in the hanging bag compartment. Lyman Hughes Ennis,MT Dallas, TX

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writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This is a good question.  I am travelling by plane for the first time with my fly rod, which a two piece 8 1/2 footer.  I have one of the 1 1/2" aluminum rod cases with the sock inside, which doesn’t lock.  Can I claim it as carryon? SHould I just tape up the cover?  Or should I paste a label over the brand name on the case and label it Blueprints? Any advice would be appreciated. Chris Bernard (508)640-2016 days (617)979-0464 home

Do not check your rods.  Continental lost my rod case for a day, even when I checked it in as oversized.  Apparently, some baggage systems lose long items because they fall off the system at the turns.  Fight like hell to take it on as luggage.  I start kissing the butts of the check in people and then plead with the flight attendants and it always works.  I use alum. rod tubes inside a nice looking Bean Maine Guide rod bag that actually looks like luggage.  Wear some god awful fishing hat with a TU catch and release pin and they’ll treat you as an eccentric and let you do what you want. Musconet

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Everything we do up here is by air.  Have a rod cases called the "Bazooka" model.  Hold 5 rods is bright red, easy to see and monitor, and is indestructable.  Have take it all over the world and have not had a problem. — Gene Dobrzynski, Eagle River, Alaska

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writes: writes: … I have also made large rod tubes for my one piece rods.  …  How long is the longest tube that you’ve taken on an airplane ?  I am asking  because I have received conflicting info from agents.

I have made tubes to carry one piece casting rods.  Longest rod is 7′6", and the rod tube is a couple of inches longer. It’s in the attic at the moment, but, if I remember correctly, it is a 4" ID tube.  (ABS – sched 40).  I I checked that with no problem ….. The longest I have carried on board is 54".  I put it in the hanger bag closets. Dee Crabtree DeeCrab*ibm.net

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(508)640-2016 days (617)979-0464 home Do not check your rods. Musconet

Many of you have said the same as the note ref’d above.  Maybe I’m just lucky, or don’t travel as much as you, (hmmm – nah!) but I have never had a rod tubes damaged, opened, lost or delayed – can’t say the same for my luggage (clothes) though!!   I mark the tubes well, the ends are secure (bottom cap glued & top cap drilled & tied with a large nylon bundling tie) and the rods padded inside. Dee Crabtree DeeCrab*ibm.net

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I’ve flown twice with my rods.  United insisted that I check them, but then required that I sign a waiver of responsibility for loss or damage. Horizon Airlines insisted that I carry them onboard.  Thanks Horizon.

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writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This is a good question.  I am travelling by plane for the first time with my fly rod, which a two piece 8 1/2 footer.  I have one of the 1 1/2" aluminum rod cases with the sock inside, which doesn’t lock.  Can I claim it as carryon? SHould I just tape up the cover?  Or should I paste a label over the brand name on the case and label it Blueprints? Any advice would be appreciated. Chris Bernard (508)640-2016 days (617)979-0464 home

I’ve been flying with rods <g for a few years. Normally I carry them on, unless I have too much stuff. I have checked them on several occaisions, both in an aluminum tube and 3 tubes in a bag. Never had a problem. Perhaps I’m justlucky (on planes more than streams)! I’ve never been convinced a lock does much (for rods or bags), if someone wants it it’s gone. So I just make sure my insurance covers the important things. BTW I do carry older cane rods as well. David

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This is a good question.  I am travelling by plane for the first time with my fly rod, which a two piece 8 1/2 footer.  I have one of the 1 1/2" aluminum rod cases with the sock inside, which doesn’t lock.  Can I claim it as carryon? SHould I just tape up the cover?  Or should I paste a label over the brand name on the case and label it Blueprints? Any advice would be appreciated. Chris Bernard (508)640-2016 days (617)979-0464 home

I’ve always carried my rod tube (and all my fishing gear for that matter! if my luggage gets lost…I can still fish!!) onto the plane. If it’s too long for the overhead…the attendant will put it in the standup closet.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This is a good question.  I am travelling by plane for the first time with my fly rod, which a two piece 8 1/2 footer.  I have one of the 1 1/2" aluminum rod cases with the sock inside, which doesn’t lock.  Can I claim it as carryon? SHould I just tape up the cover?  Or should I paste a label over the brand name on the case and label it Blueprints? Any advice would be appreciated. Chris Bernard (508)640-2016 days (617)979-0464 home

If you can carry it on, great, but if not I would advise buying one of those travel bags that hold rod tubes rather than checking just the tube. Why ? Because tubes do get lost; I spent an hour in a Mexican airport once looking for mine and trying to describe it (in my limited Spanish) to the people who worked there. Turns out it fell off a conveyor type rack and was sitting on the floor underneath it. The travel bag looks more like a suitcase, is less likely to roll around and will probably be treated with more care (of course using the word ‘care’ in any description of baggage handling is risky…) If it does get lost it’s easier to describe and find than a piece of aluminum pipe or PVC.                                                         jc      

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Does someone have a recommendation about how to pack regular, two piece rods for airline travel?

Never, I repeat NEVER check your rods, unless you want new ones and want to claim them on your insurance.  They will eventually be broken or disappear if you check them.  When carrying rods on, try to board early before the flight attendants are swamped by people with 400 pound duffle bags looking for a place to stow them.  Be vnice to the flight attendants and they will generally find you a place to stow your rods.  In most cases they will fit in the overhead bin.                  /                 /                   John Woodling                /                    Sacramento, CA                   <     <

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If I understand correctly, the question is can you carry 2-piece rods as carry-on or must you check them.  I have traveled a few times with my 7′11 2-piece in the 1.5" tube and my 9′ 2-piece in a larger tube.   Although they are larger than what the regulations allow, I have never had anybody stop me.  In fact the flight attendants were helpful in stowing them.   I don’t know what I would do if they decided to be a hard ass about it.  There’s no way I would check through a $300+ rod! Tight Lines, Gerry

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I took two two piece fly rods and a two piece long musky weight bait casting rod from NJ to Miami to Quito to rainforest, overhead bin until I hit the Ecuadorian prop plane to the river port and the flight attendant there didn’t care where I stowed the rods. No guarantees but no one twitched about the tubes.

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Bob – Never, never, never check your rods.  That’s my advice.  The overheads will handle a standard size rod case.  On the one or two occasions that I have had a problem on an odd plane, I have always found a spot — usually in the hanging bag bin. Lyman                                               Dallas, TX                                               Ennis, MT

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Does someone have a recommendation about how to pack regular, two piece rods for airline travel? I have a large rod tube which can hold several rods of various sizes, but has no locking mechanism. Should I just securely seal the thing with tape (over the regular latch) and insure the daylights out of it? Any other suggestions? thx…. Bob Bob Sturtz                           "We have met the enemy – Traverse City, MI                        and he is us." – Pogo

Bob, I have carried rods across the country in home made and in commercial rod carriers.  I insert my aluminum fly-rod tubes into 1-1/2 in ABS tube which works just great to protect tube and contents.  (no damage since I start doing that!)  On my casting and spinning rods, I have carried them in a commercial rod case with a latch (which can have a pad lock attached.) I just secure the latch with a nylon tie.  I have also made large rod tubes for my one piece rods. I attached a drawer handle, capped one end and put a screw cap on the other end.  I insert foam inside both caps to protect the rods and also insert the rods into homemade sleeves. For the price of the commercial tube, I could build lots of custom tubes! Dee Crabtree DeeCrab*ibm.net

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This is a good question.  I am travelling by plane for the first time with my fly rod, which a two piece 8 1/2 footer.  I have one of the 1 1/2" aluminum rod cases with the sock inside, which doesn’t lock.  Can I claim it as carryon? SHould I just tape up the cover?  Or should I paste a label over the brand name on the case and label it Blueprints? Any advice would be appreciated. Chris Bernard (508)640-2016 days (617)979-0464 home

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Does someone have a recommendation about how to pack regular, two piece rods for airline travel? I have a large rod tube which can hold several rods of various sizes, but has no locking mechanism. Should I just securely seal the thing with tape (over the regular latch) and insure the daylights out of it? Any other suggestions? thx…. Bob Bob Sturtz                           "We have met the enemy – Traverse City, MI                        and he is us." – Pogo

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