Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – rw wrote… Basically, we dump ‘em in some pond in Georgia. Or stack them several deep, cram them into one tomb, cremate them and mix their ashes….. And is the resulting goop any good as berley?  Or wouldn’t it just be better to set the body out in the creek as crab bait, then when it’s full, pull ‘em off and set it out again? ‘certified crab bait’? Oh Lordy, stop it will you! Tony Deacon

…and just WHERE is it you thought GINK came from???

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No – that  for foot and mouth Or stack them several deep, cram them into one tomb, cremate them and mix their ashes…..

– Charles Reaves

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Is that allowed – I though chumming with mammalian products was a no-no Basically, we dump ‘em in some pond in Georgia.

– Charles Reaves

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rw wrote… Basically, we dump ‘em in some pond in Georgia.

Or stack them several deep, cram them into one tomb, cremate them and mix their ashes….. — Warren change addy to yahoo for email Henry’s Fork Clave info and Bozeman, MT fishing info http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt3/HFclave.html

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rw wrote… Basically, we dump ‘em in some pond in Georgia. Or stack them several deep, cram them into one tomb, cremate them and mix their ashes…..

And is the resulting goop any good as berley?  Or wouldn’t it just be better to set the body out in the creek as crab bait, then when it’s full, pull ‘em off and set it out again? — NightStalker Email addy is nightstalker87 at hot(you know).com

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rw wrote… Basically, we dump ‘em in some pond in Georgia. Or stack them several deep, cram them into one tomb, cremate them and mix their ashes….. And is the resulting goop any good as berley?  Or wouldn’t it just be better to set the body out in the creek as crab bait, then when it’s full, pull ‘em off and set it out again?

‘certified crab bait’? Oh Lordy, stop it will you! Tony Deacon

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‘certified crab bait’? Oh Lordy, stop it will you!

I love reading stuff like this.  Shows me that we haven’t lost touch with the larger sphere of angling activities.  I’ve run into some people who love to fly fish but they just don’t seem to be interested in fishing in general. Mu

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rw wrote… Basically, we dump ‘em in some pond in Georgia. Or stack them several deep, cram them into one tomb, cremate them and mix their ashes…..

You’re not insulting our good friends in Narlens, are you? Tim

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Sorry if I am not eager to enlist the help of the Tuscon Funeral Group for help with my fly fishing gear……

‘Certified After Care Providers’ Is that really what you Americans call undertakers? Absolutely priceless! ROFLMFAO Tony Deacon

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Sorry if I am not eager to enlist the help of the Tuscon Funeral Group for help with my fly fishing gear…… ‘Certified After Care Providers’ Is that really what you Americans call undertakers? Absolutely priceless! ROFLMFAO Tony Deacon

Basically, we dump ‘em in some pond in Georgia. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

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 You may have seen racks that hold fly rods before, but have you ever seen  one that holds reels and stores spare spools as well? We doubt it.  Here it  is– a unique Rack that will hold six (up to 9 ft) fly rods and six reels.  This wooden rack is hand crafted and framed in cedar.  Rod sections rest  comfortably and safely on felt.  Reels hang in the center and in the base  there’s a drawer for spare spools.  Obviously, it was designed by a fly  fisherman for fly fishermen.  Visit our site and see a rod and reel rack made by a fisherman for fishermen  www.t-f-g.com

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Tim Gerds wrote…  Visit our site and see a rod and reel rack made by a fisherman for fishermen  www.t-f-g.com

Sorry if I am not eager to enlist the help of the Tuscon Funeral Group for help with my fly fishing gear…… — Warren (who loves spammers who are too stupid to even spam correctly) change addy to yahoo for email Henry’s Fork Clave info and Bozeman, MT fishing info http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt3/HFclave.html

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Question:

In light of the recent tension, caused by so-called "ignorance," I began thinking about words and symbols that either have more than one meaning or are bastardized in one way or another. http://www.ccnet.com/~suntzu75/news_archives/pc970001.htm — Op

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In light of the recent tension, caused by so-called "ignorance," I began thinking about words and symbols that either have more than one meaning or are bastardized in one way or another. http://www.ccnet.com/~suntzu75/news_archives/pc970001.htm — Op

______  My advice for any Jewish fly fisherman is to that a Swastika Acres resident fly fishing and make friends.  Do any of the condo’s there look like bunkers? — — George Gehrke http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html   affordable bamboo flyrods & blanks

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______  My advice for any Jewish fly fisherman is to that a Swastika Acres resident fly fishing and make friends.  Do any of the condo’s there look like bunkers? —

        george, you need to clear out.  your posts are beginning to make a soup sandwich look like the rock of gibralter. wayno

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______  My advice for any Jewish fly fisherman is to take a Swastika Acres resident fly fishing and make friends.  Do any of the condo’s there look like bunkers? —         george, you need to clear out.  your posts are beginning to make a soup sandwich look like the rock of gibralter. wayno

Clearing the cache right now Wayne! — — George Gehrke http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html   affordable bamboo flyrods & blanks

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Question:

I have used both the drying patch on my vest and a ripple foam pin-on fly holder for keeping wet flys after changeouts astream.

Great review snipped. I have used one of these now for a year and agree with the above review. There are two sizes of Fly Trap, I think both same price. I have the smaller one. Cheers Peter

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I attached the Fly Trap to my mesh vest and it works admirably.

And a contrary review…I attached a fly trap to my vest and the lid came off at the hinge in the middle of the Hiwassee River. Will never use one again. Wayne Knight (remove nospam to respond via mail) Expert in the creation of  wind knots and tailing loops.

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Wayne Knight: <<And a contrary review…I attached a fly trap to my vest and the lid came off at the hinge in the middle of the Hiwassee River. Will never use one again. As did mine after about 3 days of fishing.  I threw the damn thing in the trash.  Good idea.  Bad execution. Dave L.

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0] : Wayne Knight: : <<And a contrary review…I attached a fly trap to my vest and the lid came off : at the hinge in the middle of the Hiwassee River. Will never use one again. : As did mine after about 3 days of fishing.  I threw the damn : thing in the trash.  Good idea.  Bad execution. : Dave L. Much to be preferred is Mike Connor’s two cent version of the same. It’s a 35mm film can with a bunch of holes punched in it. A cord passes thru a hole in the lid and is attached to the can. The other end of cord is attached to vest. Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories  (remove x’s from email if not      Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971   a spammer) Phone: (650)-857-5491              

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Wayne Knight: <<And a contrary review…I attached a fly trap to my vest and the lid came off at the hinge in the middle of the Hiwassee River. Will never use one again. As did mine after about 3 days of fishing.  I threw the damn thing in the trash.  Good idea.  Bad execution. Dave L.

hmmm, maybe I have one of the three good ones, I’ve had mine for 3 seasons now and haven’t had a speck of trouble with it. I hardly use a regular fly box any more, I only tie a few flies at a time, usually the night before I go fishing and they go right in the Fly Trap, between those and the ones left in it from the last time I went, there are always enough to get me thru a day. John Before you buy.

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Wayne Knight: <<And a contrary review…I attached a fly trap to my vest and the lid came off at the hinge in the middle of the Hiwassee River. Will never use one again. As did mine after about 3 days of fishing.  I threw the damn thing in the trash.  Good idea.  Bad execution.

My wife and I both have one.  They’ve worked well for us for the past couple years.  I’ll have a look at ours to see if the hinge pins seem to be working loose. — Bob Jarvis Mail address hacked to foil spammers!

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I have used both the drying patch on my vest and a ripple foam pin-on fly holder for keeping wet flys after changeouts astream.  I have found the pin-on gets in the way of everything and both the pin-on and drying patch have lost flys before they could be returned to the fly box.  I recently acquired a Fly Trap from Ezflyfish and gave it a try last week.  This is an interesting device as it consists of ripple foam on a fold-out shelf.  The little black box attaches to the vest, shirt, or jacket with an interesting spring clip which holds firmly and positively without damaging the material.  It is easy to attach and detach for moving between outer garments.  The front of the box drops down and sticks out at a 90 degree angle like a shelf.  It is easy to pick flys off of the ripple foam shelf or add flys to the shelf.  Vents along the sides expedite drying.  Flys closed up in the trap are secure from loss and dry effectively.  The drawbacks are the additional bulk and weight (minimal but minimalist would scrutinize every gadget)and the cost (about $20).  Certainly a ventilated film canister would work also but I think not as effectively as the Fly Trap.  A canister bottom could be dropped and lost with its cargo.  The Fly Trap could also be loaded with a dozen favorite flys and carried alone as a small stream box very effeciently.  Dropping the shelf down and looking down at a glance shows you your flys without holding the box in your hand.  Come to think about it, a vest could be made up with several of these arranged to suit the wearer.  A customizable vest so to speak. The black, non-glare finish helps small stream stealth and its overall light weight and compactness favors small stream fishing as well.  I attached the Fly Trap to my mesh vest and it works admirably. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

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Question:

I just got back from the White river,fished nymphs,midges,and sow bugs, caught some fish.I fished an olive wooley bugger tied sparce size10 and caught MANY fish!

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april, is there any dryfly fishing at that time.   Are there any place I can go to wade (I’m assuming that the white river isn’t a good place to wade from my father-in-law’s description). How about Big browns and streamers?

I have never fished the area in April, but the White can be a good river to wade depending on how much water is being released from the dam at Bull Shoals.Dale Fulton runs Blue Ribbon Flies in Mountain Home. He would be a fantastic point of contact because he is extremely knowledgable. His E-mail is like most other rivers in that sometimes dry flies work and sometimes they don’t. I prefer to fish with soft hackles so that is what I use a lot. A local pattern known as the Red Ass has done real well for me.I always take some small olive woolly buggers as well. Some people use carcass flies as well due to the turbines. Hope this helps a bit and you have a great time Big Dale

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Chris wrote;My spring break is coming up and I was thinking about heading down to the White River in the Ozark’s of Arkansaw.. Any comments on this area from the group? Are there good places to camp down there? I always enjoy tne Mountain Home area: There is a great state park on the White River  just below thaedam at Bull Shoals. The Sow Bug Roundup is March 19 and 20th in Mountain Home. Enjoy spring break. Don’t forget that the Norfolk river has more sow bugs than any other place on earth.

Ok, where are good flyfishing waters.  I’ll be down there in april, is there any dryfly fishing at that time.   Are there any place I can go to wade (I’m assuming that the white river isn’t a good place to wade from my father-in-law’s description). How about Big browns and streamers?

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Ok, where are good flyfishing waters.  I’ll be down there in april, is there any dryfly fishing at that time.

There is rarely any dry fly fishing on the White or the North Fork. I’ve heard rumors of an occasional caddis hatch. Are there any place I can go to wade (I’m assuming that the white river isn’t a good place to wade from my father-in-law’s description).

Your father-in-law is correct. The generators at the Bull Shoals Dam are alleged to have a schedule, (check at the fly shop in Mountain Home), but in my experience anytime somebody in Oklahoma turns on their air conditioner the siren goes off and the riffle you were fishing is very quickly under 4 feet of water. DANGEROUS wading. I suggest the North Fork River for wading. Sow bugs. Sow bugs. Sow bugs. How about Big browns and streamers?

If that’s your cup of tea you’ll probably need a boat to float the White. Many outfitters and guides in the area, few that cater to flyfisherman. — Ken Fortenberry

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok, where are good flyfishing waters.  I’ll be down there in april, is there any dryfly fishing at that time. There is rarely any dry fly fishing on the White or the North Fork. I’ve heard rumors of an occasional caddis hatch. Are there any place I can go to wade (I’m assuming that the white river isn’t a good place to wade from my father-in-law’s description). Your father-in-law is correct. The generators at the Bull Shoals Dam are alleged to have a schedule, (check at the fly shop in Mountain Home), but in my experience anytime somebody in Oklahoma turns on their air conditioner the siren goes off and the riffle you were fishing is very quickly under 4 feet of water. DANGEROUS wading. I suggest the North Fork River for wading. Sow bugs. Sow bugs. Sow bugs. How about Big browns and streamers? If that’s your cup of tea you’ll probably need a boat to float the White. Many outfitters and guides in the area, few that cater to flyfisherman. — Ken Fortenberry

Don’t forget the Yuk Bugs…..the browns love em’ at night… Greg H.

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Chris wrote;My spring break is coming up and I was thinking about heading down to the White River in the Ozark’s of Arkansaw.. Any comments on this area from the group? Are there good places to camp down there?

I always enjoy tne Mountain Home area: There is a great state park on the White River  just below thaedam at Bull Shoals. The Sow Bug Roundup is March 19 and 20th in Mountain Home. Enjoy spring break. Don’t forget that the Norfolk river has more sow bugs than any other place on earth. Big Dale

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My spring break is coming up and I was thinking about heading down to the White River in the Ozark’s of Arkansaw.. Any comments on this area from the group? Are there good places to camp down there?

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Question:

Hi Iain, For your information: my absolute favourite is a rod made from the Loomis F1808/9-4 blank. This is a 4-piece, AFTMA # 8 rod with a length of 16 ft. IMHO this is the nicest Spey-rod & I never had the urge to go heavier! Also I’m very sure there isn’t such thing as a 8 ft. Spey rod. This must be a mistake in typing. Greetings, Hans van der Stroom Iain Sorrell heeft geschreven in bericht – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -How many folks out there fish Spey or Double handed rods? My interest is to learn what are the most popular rod weights – how many folks fish the new lighter sizes in say 7, 8 or 9 weights? Cheers, Iain.

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How many folks out there fish Spey or Double handed rods? My interest is to learn what are the most popular rod weights – how many folks fish the new lighter sizes in say 7, 8 or 9 weights? Cheers, Iain.

Hello.  I use 9 weights, and 7 weights.  The 9 can handle any steelhead that swims.  The 7 on the other hand is fine for fish up to 10 pounds, after that, I’m not sure I would use it.  It excels however on runoff conditions for large trout.  There are large, frightening, rivers I fish in the spring in total safety, even with brush at my back.  The only issue is, with a fish under 16 inches you have to really discipline yourself to keep the rod tip down and to the side.  Otherwise the bouncy tip will result in almost every fish coming unbuttoned.  For trout 18 inches and above, the rod is amazingly fun and efficient. Phil

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Iain, I have a 14ft 9/10 and a 12ft 7/8. I find the lighter rod tougher to cast because I tend to over power it. When I take it easy it is effortless. The rod is a blast on shad and the halfpounder steelies we have in California. I have had an easier time with the rod by up lining it to a 9/10 line. It loads deeper and really casts nice. With an 8 wt. double taper, my rod is a pure finness rod. I like the rod but I find myself fishing my 14fter more often. It is softer and more forgiving of my inept casting. Both my Spey Rods handle steelies and salmon well. Good Luck, MJR

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How many folks out there fish Spey or Double handed rods? My interest is to learn what are the most popular rod weights – how many folks fish the new lighter sizes in say 7, 8 or 9 weights? Cheers, Iain.

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How many folks out there fish Spey or Double handed rods? My interest is to learn what are the most popular rod weights – how many folks fish the new lighter sizes in say 7, 8 or 9 weights? Cheers, Iain.

I use 7wt and 8wt. I have 2 7’s an 8′ and an 11′, the 8wt is 8′. Any one who fishes Florida will have at least a 7wt for bass and another of the same weight for salt with 8wt or better preffered by most. I stick to the lighter weights for the finesse factor. The joy of the play so to speak. Those really into the really big fish use two handed 10wt and up for the power needed for Florida fish. Needless to say fishing here is much different than say Vermont where a 10" brookie is on the large side while our lower limit on large mouth bass is 14". Rainbows in North Carolina average less than 4lbs which makes a 3 to 5wt ideal in the mountain streams and rivers. Also in the mix is the size of fly needed for different species, an 18 or 20 used for brook or brown trout won’t get a second glance from a hunting bass or red. Plus on the salt breezes can be quite a factor. Of course if you are an ardent c&r advocate the equazion changes because to play the fish lessens its’ chance of survival so a rod must be choosen at least 1 size up from the wt you might expect use for the species you pursue.Thats my 2 cents worth hope it helps                                                         John Popp                                                        in Sanford Fl.

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I’m currently using a 9 wgt. for summer and winter steelhead.  I’m thinking about a 7 wgt. for summer steelhead.

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I’m sorry–did I miss something? Did you say you had an 8-foot Spey rod. Never heard of such a thing. Who makes that? George

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I’m sorry–did I miss something? Did you say you had an 8-foot Spey rod. Never heard of such a thing. Who makes that?

Hi, Ian Sorrell asked the question "What are the most popular light rods (not spey rods)" at least the question could be read like that.  John Popp gave his answer fairly. I little bit of confusion here I think. — Bill

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I’m sorry–did I miss something? Did you say you had an 8-foot Spey rod. Never heard of such a thing. Who makes that? George

    I was under the impression that what was asked was spey AND the reason a person used weights such as 7/8. To this end was my answer. If you noticed I included the 11′ 7wt. NOT included in the comments was 3wt or 5wt used in trout streams. I thought I had made clear that the larger heavier wts were seldom used in my area except for game fishing. If my answer did not fit the bill, sorry but it was only 2 cents worth.                                                   John Popp                                                  in Sanford Fl.

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Makunke writes:   I have not heard any good reports about the types of wading staff that either fold or telescope.  Does anyone have any good experiences with these types of wading staff? Kirk,’Fraid not.  The problem is folding or telescoping back up after you’re done using the thing Kirk, another problem with Folstaff is storage. Should you keep it in your car year-round, unassembled, the bungee has a tendency to take a set, preventing future secure setup. A Folstaff, which relies upon friction, really locks up.

I have been happy with my Folstaff for the 10 years I’ve used it. I do not lubricate the joints as my expereince is they can vibrate loose in heavy currents. I tap them lightly with a rock when I need to fold it down. Perhaps inconvenient for some but it works fine for me. Ralph H replace "spamsucks" with direct for email reply.

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I made a simple one for my wife.  It was wood, about a meter and a half long with a rubber foot from a cane on the top end. She likes to lean on the end. The other end was fitted with a 1/2 inch copper coupling and cross pinned through the wood and copper with a brass rod to hold the coupling out by a couple of centimeters.  The copper tube cut through moss and algae for a better purchase on slippery rocks.  A loop of nylon with a stainless clip finished it off.

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  I have not heard any good reports about the types of wading staff that either fold or telescope.  Does anyone have any good experiences with these types of wading staff? I have been happy with my Folstaff for the 10 years I’ve used it. I do not lubricate the joints as my expereince is they can vibrate loose in heavy currents. I tap them lightly with a rock when I need to fold it down. Perhaps inconvenient for some but it works fine for me. Ralph H

The folstaff flexes a little and didn’t feel as secure as an adjustable length carbide tipped cross-country ski pole. The basket is removeable. I set the height to just at the top of my waders so if my hand gets wet I know not to take that step. It reduces down short enough to fit in my fat multi-rod travel tube. Mark Vinsel —   new web address:  http://www.vinsel.com

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I’ve taken to using a Folstaff and find it adequate if unaesthetic, although it’s certainly portable. Just keep the joints greased with a candle butt or you’ll never separate them. —

  Greetings:  I’m on my second Folstaff now. I like the larger version; the small one is a little too wosy to inspire my confidence in this contraption.  When the joints get wet and hard to separate, I find that tapping….er,…OK, _whacking_ the thing on a dead tree trunk, (or fellow fly fisher who is catching more fish than you),  will loosen up the joints if you kind of twist them off. (On the Folstaff, I mean…)  :-)   Cheers, and tight lines,   -Mark

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I find it a nuisance to carry a full length staff while hiking along a river/stream.  I have not heard any good reports about the types of wading staff that either fold or telescope.  Does anyone have any good experiences with these types of wading staff? Thanks, Kirk

Kirk, I bought the Orvis one since I  didn

Question:

What is a Master Angler? Who qualifies? How do you qualify? I have fished with some Master Anglers. They are those guys that never brag and always catch something when it is really tough. Everyone can improve their fishing skills, but most of us will never get to that level. In the last thirty years I have fished with or near some great fly fisherman. Many of us are good anglers, but there is only a handful of great ones. Many of the best are only know locally for their great skill and will not be writen about in magazine articles.  There are also some great anglers that don’t fly fish.

A Master Angler?  One who fishes humbly, always in wonder. Musconet

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What is a Master Angler? Who qualifies? How do you qualify? [much good stuff deleted] Is a Master Angler old? Often. But not always. Its an attitude first more than ability. By itself partial knowledge is grenade. Or it is a tool. The partition is in its administration . This is wisdom. And above all else a Master Angler is Wise Taken from the pages of Master Angler . . . . — Bob Sheedy Arctic Fire Software Home of THE FISHING LOG and MASTER ANGLER http://www.articfire.com/arcfire/fishing.htm

Really good post! I was told a story by someone I now know to be a Master Angler. Apparently, while at a meeting of some Ministry mucky mucks and some fishing types a survey was conducted by one of the Ministry types to help them better understand the sports demographics and socio/economic impact. Among the many questions was one asking the anglers to classify themselves as to their ability. The categories were, beginer, novice, intermediate and expert. Several years later, the person who had developed the survey was bumped into again by the story teller.  Being a curious sort he asked what the survey results had revealed.   Apparently the most significant information gleaned from the survey was the anglers assesment of their abilities.   15% beginers, 25% novice, 50% intermediate and 10% expert. The conclusion drawn was that despite popular perception, only 10% of anglers are indeed liars! Mind you, this was several years ago. Mike

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I know this much: anyone who believes him/herself to be a master angler is definitely not one; I don’t care what kind of silly badge they’ve been awarded. Not everything in life was created to be mastered. You can’t master angling any more than you can master the water the sky or time itself. Spinolio

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I know this much: anyone who believes him/herself to be a master angler is definitely not one; I don’t care what kind of silly badge they’ve been awarded. Not everything in life was created to be mastered. You can’t master angling any more than you can master the water the sky or time itself. Spinolio

Being from the 28 th century, sent here to save one trout through C&R that will reshape mankinds future course and take us to the next plateau in human development, I must object to the reference of our inability to control time! If you only knew. Mike

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anyone, who allows fishing to take them to that place unencumbered by social pressures of any kind. TimW

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A Master Angler is anyone who takes a kid fishing for the day and both return home with a smile.

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What is a Master Angler? Who qualifies? How do you qualify? I have fished with some Master Anglers. They are those guys that never brag and always catch something when it is really tough.

This isn’t always correct.  The master anglers I know brag, but in a sneaky way.   Master Angler (MA):  Nice day out, how you doing? Average Angler(AA):  Oh, really well, I got 4 fish.  How bout you? MA: I guess I did ok. AA: how many fish did you catch? MA: Oh, somewhere around 20. It’s the humbling factor.  Of course the Master angler actually has caught that many. Carl carl

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Any Angler with a MasterCard. TimW

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Any Angler with a MasterCard. TimW

Clearifying ranks: 1)  Beginner      Doesn’t know how to spell MasterCard 2)  Intermediate  Learning how to spell MasterCard 3)  Master        Knows how to spell MasterCard 4)  The Local     Picks your pocket  George

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Anyone who knows more than I do about any flyfishing subject, and will share that knowledge, is master enough for me.

Response:

What is a Master Angler? Who qualifies? How do you qualify? Its a question that has many answers. In some States, Provinces all you have to do is catch a fish over a certain size and you automatically qualify. You get a certificate, badge and everything. Think about it. You tied on a hook a line and a sinker and wham. First time fishing and you qualified as an overnight success! Your name is in the Provincial or State Records and you can proudly show it to everyone. And you do. For others to be a Master Angler you have to be like the guys on TV. You need THINGS to qualify. A Bassboat with at least 200HP and at least 17 feet of solid foam filled unsinkable fibreglass because to have fun you have to be able to hit every hot spot on 145,000 acres of water every two hours. Having your name emblazoned on the side of your 4 x4 and stitched on your designer jump suit is a certain give away that you’ve made the grade. Even if you hit the dock empty handed you can shout at your friend to make sure the live well is running because you want them fresh when you get home. People at the dock will surely be impressed and if your out on the water you can give a high double handed overhand hookset and yell, "Fish on", that will definitely qualify you for something! For others fishing is a competition. First with each other and then money for first fish, biggest fish to keep things interesting. They work at it hard and the rewards gained, though spotty, and often controlled more by combinations and permutations rather than angler interventions, begin to come more frequently. Most visible in all of this is perhaps the Tournament where the winner is unquestionably revered as a Master Angler and that of some instant note. There is nothing wrong with any or all three of the above. We have all met them on and off the water every one and each has his or her niche in the sport and their justifiable claim to fame. Even fly fishermen now compete and for cash. There are however distortions developing as to who really is good at the sport and like Christ’s disciples, mainly fishermen, long dissertations of who really is the best ensue often under many guises and not just the few above. In reality the title is not acquired by way of obtaining it through instant material aquisitions, winning a tournament or Tackle Company sponsorship. All of these things are market driven aberrations which lengthen  Manufacturers Balance sheets and are maneuvered by a handful of men who set the promotions for the year just as surely as the toy manufacturers eye the December market. Slick promotions have done much for the enhancement of the sport and ensured success through valid stocking programs and stream renewals by those attracted. This is the upside. Perhaps inadvertently the Movie, "A River Runs Through It",  did more for the streams of Montana and area than any other item published in the past 30 years. It breathed life into the art of flyfishing and turned it into a big business. It also filled the waters with fishermen and floating devices to the point where the streamside watering holes, tackle shops and the on-line forums are filled with complaints of overcrowding and overuse to the point where the steady hum of who is the best is all but drowned out. The Movie was a powerful advertisement whether intended as such or not. So to is the power of  the deliberately orchestrated image building advertisement in a powerful media. When your favourite Saturday AM hero stands up and tells you that "Brand X" Lures are his secret weapon you are more likely to believe him if you just witnessed 18 minutes of watching him rip fishlips. It works! More and more I see people imitating his methods and why not! They catch fish! Lots of fish. There is another assessment to consider however . . . . Looking back over the years I look at my own development as a fisherman and see myself reflected in the others I’ve met along the banks of stream or puddling around in lakes. Although they overlap considerably there are definite identifiable peaks in the development process. There is the stage when someone first takes up the sport. The huge array of disciplines and the tackle for each can be a formidable learning process in itself long before you ever arrive at the water. Even species selection has become so specialized that you almost need a degree in ichthyology before you make your first cast. So the first stage is set by the crowd that visits a lake from time to time launches or sets up a chaise lounge and throws out a favourite bait. Success is related to fish activity and generally they are likeliest to go when they are "biting". Another stage is delineated by those who take it a step further and begin to notice feeding lanes, weed edges and other structures and the increase in success as they learn more about them. Piscatorial Prosperity begins to come even on the days when no one else is getting anything. At the end of this stage a cocky attitude begins to grow as one realizes that he is getting GOOD. Probably this is the most dangerous stage for a fisherman. At this point growth can regress into a few successful lures and techniques and since they work often and the fish kills are numerous why change? The same thread runs through flyfishing as well. Success begins to come easier and easier and the catches begin to increase to the point that they actually start going back in if such was not the philosophy from the outset. I mean if you have a fifty fish day you cannot keep them all. If you happen to match the hatch and the fish are on a feeding binge fifty fish days are a real possibility to those who can cast a fly. Then it all changes. What is the goal now?. Bigger catches? A tournament? Guiding? As humans we have to always be challenged. Its in our DNA. Should the challenge die then so does the interest whether by success or by failure. Either can stunt our progress. The Hubble telescope was designed carefully to put and end to the quest for the edges of the universe. Very quickly walls and bubbles were found as the patterns of galaxies were modeled in a 3D. Did the Universe shrink? Instead the edges were moved to awesome depths of anonymity and the modeling is showing a pattern and shape that is disquieting in its rhythm and regularity. No questions were answered rather quest beget questions. So it is when you walk to the top of the hills in the Piscatorial Pursuits and peer over the top only to witness new vistas in all their snowcapped glory.  Suddenly the realization becomes manifest in one moment of fundamental aquatic truth. You know very little about the old hookjaw himself and his habits, his environment and how he relates to it. This lack of knowledge is invigorating and interest is renewed at higher levels. The dangerous hump is passed. You are going to become a Master Angler. Article Unavailable

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What is a Master Angler? Who qualifies? How do you qualify? [much good stuff deleted]

Here are some definitions I made up just now: beginner: the trout often makes a fool out of him novice: once in a while he catches a trout, but has no idea why intermediate: the trout sometimes don’t even know he is there expert: can catch trout when others can only catch a cold master: able to predict the strike precisely, even before it happens                                                        __ john quill taylor                                     / / writer at large                                      / /   Hewlett-Packard, Storage Systems Division    __     /_/ / Boise, Idaho U.S.A.                         /_/  __ _ Telephone: (208) 396-2328 (MST = GMT – 7)     /  \  / Snail Mail: Hewlett-Packard                    / \             11413 Chinden Blvd                 \             Boise, Idaho 83714                   _/             Mailstop 852                            _/                                                   _/       "When in doubt, do as doubters do." – jqt –                   haiti, rwanda, cuba, bosnia, … we have a list,              where is our schindler?

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What is a Master Angler? Who qualifies? How do you qualify? [much good stuff deleted] Here are some definitions I made up just now: beginner: the trout often makes a fool out of him novice: once in a while he catches a trout, but has no idea why intermediate: the trout sometimes don’t even know he is there expert: can catch trout when others can only catch a cold master: able to predict the strike precisely, even before it happens

Being me, I’d say: Beginner:  "Well, I thought they were brown trout.  Are chubs good to eat?" Novice:  "I don’t know, I’ve never tried one." Intermediate: "Naw, they’re trash fish." Expert:  "I wouldn’t be caught dead with a chub, or lowlife fisherman that catch them. I’m out of here." Master: "I don’t know, let’s cook one up and see." Steve

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What is a Master Angler? Who qualifies? How do you qualify? I have fished with some Master Anglers. They are those guys that never brag and always catch something when it is really tough. This isn’t always correct.  The master anglers I know brag, but in a sneaky way.   Master Angler (MA):  Nice day out, how you doing? Average Angler(AA):  Oh, really well, I got 4 fish.  How bout you? MA: I guess I did ok. AA: how many fish did you catch? MA: Oh, somewhere around 20. It’s the humbling factor.  Of course the Master angler actually has caught that many. carl

 Don’t take that for granted Carl, usually people who still take an exact tally at the end of the day/evening…really haven’t *gotten it* yet. tight_lines, steve d.

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[text deleted] Taken from the pages of Master Angler . . . .

Phew ! Glad that wasn’t written by a bait fisherman ! TimW

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What is a Master Angler? Who qualifies? How do you qualify?

I have fished with some Master Anglers. They are those guys that never brag and always catch something when it is really tough. Everyone can improve their fishing skills, but most of us will never get to that level. In the last thirty years I have fished with or near some great fly fisherman. Many of us are good anglers, but there is only a handful of great ones. Many of the best are only know locally for their great skill and will not be writen about in magazine articles.  There are also some great anglers that don’t fly fish. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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What is a Master Angler? Who qualifies? How do you qualify? Much interesting stuff deleted. — Bob Sheedy

Umm, so Bob – if you fish with worms; how long before you get to be a masterbaiter? David E. Malone All opinions expressed are my own.

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Umm, so Bob – if you fish with worms; how long before you get to be a masterbaiter?

Too obvious, you should have taken the pun approach ala an earlier post. Then you could have said you saw it ‘coming’<g. Charlie…

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What is a Master Angler? Who qualifies? How do you qualify? Much interesting stuff deleted. — Bob Sheedy Umm, so Bob – if you fish with worms; how long before you get to be a masterbaiter? David E. Malone All opinions expressed are my own.

In Louisiana I’m told you need to serve 2 seasons as an apprentice, learning to bait and assisting others, another 3 seasons as a fully qualified baiter, afterwhich, and upon the unamimous consent of the Captains of the Shrimp Fleet, and by the grace of Posiedon, you can be awarded the "clenched fist (and teeth)" medal of a MASTER. This is a paraphrase of a dissertaion delivered by one Midshipman 4th Class Rollie DuCote of Gretna LA, on or about July 22nd 1970, delivered before the assembled Class of 1974, of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, N.Y., in response to a question concerning his qualifications for admission to the Academy. Rollie I hope you are listening. jg

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Question:

Question # 2 – What is a

Question:

Hello all, I’m sure this question has been asked a million times, and I’m sorry to do it again, but here goes.  I’m planning on starting fly-fishing this spring, mostly for bass and panfish.  I got a fly rod and reel for my birthday, a package deal from Cabela’s with everything I need to start–according to them. Its a nine foot 8 or 9 weight rod with a nice reel, backing, line, and leader included, some bass flies, a fly tying kit, etc. What I’m looking for is advice on books and videos on tying lines together, casting, etc., basically all the beginner stuff.  Something to get me started.  Or should I just take a class and forget trying to teach myself? Any help appreciated. Mike

Hi Mike, Teaching yourself is definitely worth the effort.  You can certainly learn enough to catch a few fish.  Then find a friend to go with you that has fly fishing experience and just watch for a while.  Ask questions… Swap flys. The Poul Jorgenson videos on tying are very good and the Lefty Kreh casting tapes are good as well.  I found a book called "Fly Fisherman’s Bible" that gives very good basic techniques for dry, wet, streamer and nymph flys.  But I must admit, I did not begin to understand wet flys until I read Bergman.   I have been very fortunate to have a wonderful friend, fishing buddy and teacher.  He has taught me so much and saved me years, literally, in fishing trips through his experiences.   Hi John!  (grin)! Thanks, Bob

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Mike— Glad to see you starting out.While you can teach yourself with the help of many fine pieces of literature out there,a casting class combined with a guided excursion or fishing class will pay high dividends as well as the fun you will have.   Also check for local clubs as they offer a wealth of info at little or no charge as well as the ability to meet people and a possible partner.     At any rate ,I hope to see ya on the river!                                      tight loops!!  D.Davy

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flies, a fly tying kit, etc. What I’m looking for is advice on books and videos on tying lines together, casting, etc., basically all the beginner stuff.  Something to get me started.  Or should I just take a class and forget trying to teach myself? Any help appreciated.

It is posible to become an inelegant, fish-catching caster by standing in the middle of a lawn with your rod in one hand and an instruction book in the other.  Scientific Anglers put out a magazine format intro text that is worth much more than the $3.95 they charge.  If you want a real book, though, pick up Roderick Haig-Brown’s "Primer of Flyfishing".  His explanations are as easy and fluid as a good cast.  The book was written in 1964, but the essentials have not changed in the last 30 years. If you meet someone who is catching fish, quickly reread the chapter on stream etiquette and introduce yourself.  There is no substitute for liveware. — Keep your stick on the ice.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello all, I’m sure this question has been asked a million times, and I’m sorry to do it again, but here goes.  I’m planning on starting fly-fishing this spring, mostly for bass and panfish.  I got a fly rod and reel for my birthday, a package deal from Cabela’s with everything I need to start–according to them. Its a nine foot 8 or 9 weight rod with a nice reel, backing, line, and leader included, some bass flies, a fly tying kit, etc. What I’m looking for is advice on books and videos on tying lines together, casting, etc., basically all the beginner stuff.  Something to get me started.  Or should I just take a class and forget trying to teach myself? Any help appreciated. Mike

I started Fly-fishing about two years ago.  My first move was to make contact with a friend of a friend who knew his stuff.  That I think was the best move, he was very helpful and I was able to branch off to other aspects of the sport since then. If you don’t have any acquaintences who enjoy the sport, maybe seek out an experienced guide, or take a class. If you are going to enjoy the sport to its fullest potential, have an experienced angler show you the ropes Good Luck and enjoy. Ben

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Hello all, I’m sure this question has been asked a million times, and I’m sorry to do it again, but here goes.  I’m planning on starting fly-fishing this spring, mostly for bass and panfish.  I got a fly rod and reel for my birthday, a package deal from Cabela’s with everything I need to start–according to them. Its a nine foot 8 or 9 weight rod with a nice reel, backing, line, and leader included, some bass flies, a fly tying kit, etc. What I’m looking for is advice on books and videos on tying lines together, casting, etc., basically all the beginner stuff.  Something to get me started.  Or should I just take a class and forget trying to teach myself? Any help appreciated. Mike

Very lucky!! Get a copy of the Curtis Creek Manifesto, and read it and take its advice. Then, find somebody who already knows how to flyfish, and ask them to take you out, then buy them a beer or something afterwards. Have fun! Tim

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Hello all, I’m sure this question has been asked a million times, and I’m sorry to do it again, but here goes.  I’m planning on starting fly-fishing this spring, mostly for bass and panfish.  I got a fly rod and reel for my birthday, a package deal from Cabela’s with everything I need to start–according to them. Its a nine foot 8 or 9 weight rod with a nice reel, backing, line, and leader included, some bass flies, a fly tying kit, etc. What I’m looking for is advice on books and videos on tying lines together, casting, etc., basically all the beginner stuff.  Something to get me started.  Or should I just take a class and forget trying to teach myself? Any help appreciated. Mike

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