Question:

Hello, I am just getting into saltwater fly fishing after moving from a landlocked state to the Chesapeake Bay area.  Does anyone have any suggestions for a basic fly selection to get me started?  Thanks. Shannon

Response:

Clousers, deceivers, sand eel and a few shrimp patterns. There are more here: http://home.adelphia.net/~dmosthenes/ TL MC — "Where fishing is concerned, most anglers are basically manic excessives" http://www.mikeconnor.de – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I am just getting into saltwater fly fishing after moving from a landlocked state to the Chesapeake Bay area.  Does anyone have any suggestions for a basic fly selection to get me started?  Thanks. Shannon

Response:

Shannon,     I always like to go to the local experts when I get to a new place.  If you are fishing the Chesapeake, then you can’t go wrong with http://www.joebruce.com/  Its my favorite shop and Joe is well know for his ability to find and land fish.  I live in Severn, MD but I only moved here in June of last year.  The knowledge I’ve gained from the locals is incredible.  BTW, we not only have some incredible saltwater action, but the fresh water (browns, brookies, rainbows and smallies) is all around you.       Frank Reid

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I am just getting into saltwater fly fishing after moving from a landlocked state to the Chesapeake Bay area.  Does anyone have any suggestions for a basic fly selection to get me started?  Thanks. Shannon

Response:

Question:

Chris,    It is difficult to tail a member of the trout family because their tail is not rigid.  Members of the salmon family are easy to tail. Ernie for all my advice, you should have seen me in practice this morning <G.  had a difficult time tailing a fish and when i finally did, it broke me off right there and shot away.  the way things go sometimes.

<snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – chris

Response:

Landing steelhead with a double-handed rod has always troubled me. ..

Just break the rod in half – always works for me! RalphH

Response:

I have found that just a plain pair of wool glove allows you to grip the fish’s tail much easier.  Hope this is of help. Kevin

Response:

Chris,    It is difficult to tail a member of the trout family because their tail is not rigid.  Members of the salmon family are easy to tail. Ernie

well, we’ll have to agree to disagree.  i find steelhead much easier to tail than some of the pacific salmon, although they are in the same family as trout and steelhead, maybe you meant the salmo genus. btw, another way to get a handle on the fish is to first grab the leader… yes, sometimes you get cuts on your fingers from doing it.  of course, with all the benfits of a 2-handed rod, landing fish on them without beaching them is one of the drawbacks. chris

Response:

I wouldn’t worry about tailing steelhead I’ve found that they roll on their side and don’t trash. If you back out of the water and lay your rod down and keep tension on the line you can get a hold of the tail and then get your fly out.It’s much easier to release a steelhead than a small trout I haven’t seen anything used to tail a steelhead.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Landing steelhead with a double-handed rod has always troubled me. I have tried to tail them, but my hand is often too small and/or weak to do so. Besides, it seems to take too much time to sufficiently weaken them before trying to tail them. I don’t want to exaust them. So I tend to force the issue as quickly as possible and try to beach them as soon as possible. Most of the time I have been successful in doing so although I have lost a few feisty ones that seemed to hate to touch the beach. I don’t mind losing some; I let all of them go any way afterwards. However, I wonder if beaching them might hurt them. Does anyone have any factual information regarding beaching and health of relatively large fish? Could anyone give me lessons about how to tail them? As much as I love to hook them, I would like to release them safely. Shinji on the Sky well, i don’t think it’s good for a big fish to flop around on rocks and sand, you really want to keep the fish in the water and not have the rocks and sand remove the fish’s slime layer or scales.  i haven’t seen any studies on it, but i believe all info on releasing fish recommends not bringing the fish out of water. what i do is make sure i have some loose line off the reel so that once i tail the fish i can illeviate the line pressure so i don’t break the rod.  i haven’t found that it takes much more time to tire a steelhead out to tail it than to beach it.  if it’s a problem with your hands, i think there are some tailing devices out there… most seem to be fairly long handled, but i’m sure you could cut back the handle.  i know cabelas sells them.  you could also make sure to fish with someone else, who can tail your fish and vice-versa, but that’ll probably decrease fishing days if you must have a partner.  look into some sort of tailing device if you can’t use your hands, because it is better for the fish you plan on releasing. chris

Response:

for all my advice, you should have seen me in practice this morning <G.  had a difficult time tailing a fish and when i finally did, it broke me off right there and shot away.  the way things go sometimes. i agree that it’s not that big of a deal to lose a fish once you’ve touched the leader or made a grab for the tail… but it truly is nice to get ahold of a steelhead every once in awhile just to get a real good look at one and technically land a steelhead <G. chris

Heartily I agree. That’s why I was trying to beach them. I’d like to thank and say good-bye to them in a proper manner. Shinji on the Sky

Response:

______  I always just slip my free under the fish and lift just a little without taking the fish out of the water and I turn it (being on the edge of the river now) into what current there may be.  Usually, I can slip the hook out very easily.  When I want the fish to simply swim off, I lower its weight back off my hand and they will almost surely swim off casually rather then darting off, which confirms the calming affect lifting a fish just a little has on them while still letting them stay in the water. This works especially well when using barbless hooks because they come out much easier without upsetting a fish as will most barbed hooks will.  Barbed hooks go in easy but come out with more difficulty unless you pay attention to the angle of the little slit one should try to back such hooks out.  Barbed hooks are easier to remove with a large pair of forceps.  A secret I use is to use a pair of dikes.  Powerful cutting and pointed pliers that I can snip the hook in half (large hooks with large barbs) just behind the barb if its all the way through.  The barb comes out instantly and the fish is free. Yes, it cost me a fly but when you’ve caught a 12 pound or large Steelhead, the cost of a fly you’ve tied yourself is a small price to pay for such great entertainment.  It always amazes me when watching television fishing shows the great amounts of effort the ‘Pros’ will go to to save a fly at the greater expense and stress and damage to the fish.   Hope these suggestions are somewhat useful gentlemen. Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

Chris,   It is difficult to tail a member of the trout family because their tail is not rigid.  Members of the salmon family are easy to tail.

ARRGH! It’s that Salmonid Taxonomy problem again. Trouts and salmons are all in the family Salmonidae. One of the major genera with in that family is _Salmo_, which includes the Atlantic Salmon and the Brown Trout. Another major family is _Onchorynchus_, which includes the Cutthroat, Rainbow, Golden, Gila, Apache trout and all of the Pacific salmons (pink, king, coho, et cetera). The Lake and Brook Trout are in yet two more genera. (Brookies are technically chars, but I still like them anyway. They’ve got spirit.) At any rate, there is no "trout family" that is distinct from the "salmon family." The criterion that I use is based upon tracing evolutionary relationships. The other criterion may be based upon reproductive migrations or on freshwater vs. saltwater, which leaves us screwed in describing sea-run Cutts or Browns or Steelhead. (Genetically, Steelhead are Rainbows. Bigger and migratory, but rainbows none the less.) Opt out == cop-out. What’s so hard to understand?

Response:

The WDFW gives away a nifty little device at most of the sportsmens shows that is simply a dowel with a plate hook on the end of it. I think they even had directions on how to make them in the regs pamphlet. If you were to make one of these short enough to put in your vest you wouldn’t even have to touch the fish. Simply hook the line with the tool and slide the tool to the fishes mouth. Lift the tool up and the fish unhooks itself. It’s the same principle as the "CatchemRelease" tool you spend $20 on (I have one I use for trout and love it!).  It’s one of the best devices for fishing I have found. It’s simple and better yet it works! Gary

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Landing steelhead with a double-handed rod has always troubled me. I have tried to tail them, but my hand is often too small and/or weak to do so. Besides, it seems to take too much time to sufficiently weaken them before trying to tail them. I don’t want to exaust them. So I tend to force the issue as quickly as possible and try to beach them as soon as possible. Most of the time I have been successful in doing so although I have lost a few feisty ones that seemed to hate to touch the beach. I don’t mind losing some; I let all of them go any way afterwards. However, I wonder if beaching them might hurt them. Does anyone have any factual information regarding beaching and health of relatively large fish? Could anyone give me lessons about how to tail them? As much as I love to hook them, I would like to release them safely. Shinji on the Sky

well, i don’t think it’s good for a big fish to flop around on rocks and sand, you really want to keep the fish in the water and not have the rocks and sand remove the fish’s slime layer or scales.  i haven’t seen any studies on it, but i believe all info on releasing fish recommends not bringing the fish out of water. what i do is make sure i have some loose line off the reel so that once i tail the fish i can illeviate the line pressure so i don’t break the rod.  i haven’t found that it takes much more time to tire a steelhead out to tail it than to beach it.  if it’s a problem with your hands, i think there are some tailing devices out there… most seem to be fairly long handled, but i’m sure you could cut back the handle.  i know cabelas sells them.  you could also make sure to fish with someone else, who can tail your fish and vice-versa, but that’ll probably decrease fishing days if you must have a partner.  look into some sort of tailing device if you can’t use your hands, because it is better for the fish you plan on releasing. chris

Response:

Landing steelhead with a double-handed rod has always troubled me. I have tried to tail them, but my hand is often too small and/or weak to do so. Besides, it seems to take too much time to sufficiently weaken them before trying to tail them. I don’t want to exaust them. So I tend to force the issue as quickly as possible and try to beach them as soon as possible. Most of the time I have been successful in doing so although I have lost a few feisty ones that seemed to hate to touch the beach. I don’t mind losing some; I let all of them go any way afterwards. However, I wonder if beaching them might hurt them. Does anyone have any factual information regarding beaching and health of relatively large fish? Could anyone give me lessons about how to tail them? As much as I love to hook them, I would like to release them safely. Shinji on the Sky

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – well, i don’t think it’s good for a big fish to flop around on rocks and sand, you really want to keep the fish in the water and not have the rocks and sand remove the fish’s slime layer or scales.  i haven’t seen any studies on it, but i believe all info on releasing fish recommends not bringing the fish out of water. what i do is make sure i have some loose line off the reel so that once i tail the fish i can illeviate the line pressure so i don’t break the rod.  i haven’t found that it takes much more time to tire a steelhead out to tail it than to beach it.  if it’s a problem with your hands, i think there are some tailing devices out there… most seem to be fairly long handled, but i’m sure you could cut back the handle.  i know cabelas sells them.  you could also make sure to fish with someone else, who can tail your fish and vice-versa, but that’ll probably decrease fishing days if you must have a partner.  look into some sort of tailing device if you can’t use your hands, because it is better for the fish you plan on releasing. chris

Thanks. Reading your posting, I realize what a fool I was. Why do I have to worry about losing fish while trying to tail them? After all, I am tailing them in order to release them! Shinji on the Sky

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – well, i don’t think it’s good for a big fish to flop around on rocks and sand, you really want to keep the fish in the water and not have the rocks and sand remove the fish’s slime layer or scales.  i haven’t seen any studies on it, but i believe all info on releasing fish recommends not bringing the fish out of water. what i do is make sure i have some loose line off the reel so that once i tail the fish i can illeviate the line pressure so i don’t break the rod.  i haven’t found that it takes much more time to tire a steelhead out to tail it than to beach it.  if it’s a problem with your hands, i think there are some tailing devices out there… most seem to be fairly long handled, but i’m sure you could cut back the handle.  i know cabelas sells them.  you could also make sure to fish with someone else, who can tail your fish and vice-versa, but that’ll probably decrease fishing days if you must have a partner.  look into some sort of tailing device if you can’t use your hands, because it is better for the fish you plan on releasing. chris Thanks. Reading your posting, I realize what a fool I was. Why do I have to worry about losing fish while trying to tail them? After all, I am tailing them in order to release them! Shinji on the Sky

for all my advice, you should have seen me in practice this morning <G.  had a difficult time tailing a fish and when i finally did, it broke me off right there and shot away.  the way things go sometimes. i agree that it’s not that big of a deal to lose a fish once you’ve touched the leader or made a grab for the tail… but it truly is nice to get ahold of a steelhead every once in awhile just to get a real good look at one and technically land a steelhead <G. chris

Response:

Question:

I was reading about the death of Payne Stewart and came across a list of sports figures who have lost their lives in plane crashes. One was Johnny Dieckman, world fly-casting champion who died in Chicago, March1, 1962. Was he well known among flyfisherman?

Response:

Allen He may have been but he doesn’t show up in the index or the biblio of Schullery’s Amer. Fly Fishing, A History. You might want to check with the museum Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was reading about the death of Payne Stewart and came across a list of sports figures who have lost their lives in plane crashes. One was Johnny Dieckman, world fly-casting champion who died in Chicago, March1, 1962. Was he well known among flyfisherman?

Response:

I was reading about the death of Payne Stewart and came across a list of sports figures who have lost their lives in plane crashes. One was Johnny Dieckman, world fly-casting champion who died in Chicago, March1, 1962. Was he well known among flyfisherman?

Lee Wulff was killed when he pranged his plane a few years back.

Response:

I was reading about the death of Payne Stewart and came across a list of sports figures who have lost their lives in plane crashes. One was Johnny Dieckman, world fly-casting champion who died in Chicago, March1, 1962. Was he well known among flyfisherman?

Hi Allen, I heard his name years ago, maybe from my Cortland Line Company Rep, now retired, Joe Patterson. I would bet that the old timers like Lefty, Kurt Gowdy or Jack Samson would have known him.

Response:

Question:

Hi John, Steffen Rods are built by the Steffen brothers, their company is located in Northern Arizona near Lee’s Ferry.  They build extremely fine rods. You may have gotten that one for a steal, if it was cheap in a swap meet.  These rods should easily compare to Scott, Sage, Loomis, etc. in quality. The only difference, naturally is the action of the rod.  Steffen Bro’s do build their own blanks. These rods are not too well known, because the boys aren’t very dependable in shipping rods out to their retailers. Certain times of the year, fishing on Lee’s Ferry is more important than making an income.  A lot of retailers will not stock their rods for this reason. Although, sometimes I have to agree with their attitude about fishing before working. It must depend on how much cash you have in the bank. Good Luck Bill — William Endicott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I recently acquired a rod at an estate sale.  The seller didn’t know the history of it.  It is graphite, marked Steffen Rod Co.  The blanck is unsanded gray, reminiscent of a Scott Power Ply.  Does anyone know anything about the Steffen Rod Co.?  Are they still in business?  Is this just a custom built Powerply or is it actualy a blank made for this company?  Any help you can give me would be appreciated.  BTW…it doesn’t cast half bad. John Woodling Sacramento, CA

Response:

Does anyone know anything about the Steffen Rod Co.?  Are they still in business?  Is this just a custom built Powerply or is it actualy a blank made for this company? John Woodling Sacramento, CA

John; Steffen Rod Co. is based in Arizona, but I’m not sure of the town. Their rods are much more popular out there in the West than they are here in the East. However, they are gaining in popularity.  They "roll their own" at Steffen.  They are very competent rods.  They are certainly still in business, but you don’t hear much about them.  They forego national advertising to keep their overhead at a minimum.  They also don’t offer an unlimited warrantee, but will repair rods at a reasonable price.  Right now, they only offer 2 series of rods.  One is like yours and the other is sanded and with fancier hardware, but it’s the same rod, essentially.  We have a guy here in eastern PA who sells their stuff.  Very good casting rods for $250.  Compared to my Scott Alpha, they are significantly slower; not that it is a *bad* thing. Jason Beary

Response:

I recently acquired a rod at an estate sale.  The seller didn’t know the history of it.  It is graphite, marked Steffen Rod Co.  The blanck is unsanded gray, reminiscent of a Scott Power Ply.  Does anyone know anything about the Steffen Rod Co.?  Are they still in business?  Is this just a custom built Powerply or is it actualy a blank made for this company?  Any help you can give me would be appreciated.  BTW…it doesn’t cast half bad. John Woodling Sacramento, CA

Dear John: Mark Steffen, of Steffen Brothers, lives in Flagstaff, Arizona. He sells his rods locally through Peace Surplus Sporting Stores, 779-4521. Mark is the current President of the our local fly fishing group…. Northern Arizona Flycasters, Inc. Besides making great rods, he is an all around good guy, hardcore fisherman and fly fishing activist. Give him a call if you have any questions. Dawson Henderson

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I recently acquired a rod at an estate sale.  The seller didn’t know the history of it.  It is graphite, marked Steffen Rod Co.  The blanck is unsanded gray, reminiscent of a Scott Power Ply.  Does anyone know anything about the Steffen Rod Co.?  Are they still in business?  Is this just a custom built Powerply or is it actualy a blank made for this company?  Any help you can give me would be appreciated.  BTW…it doesn’t cast half bad. John Woodling Sacramento, CA Dear John: Mark Steffen, of Steffen Brothers, lives in Flagstaff, Arizona. He sells his rods locally through Peace Surplus Sporting Stores, 779-4521. Mark is the current President of the our local fly fishing group…. Northern Arizona Flycasters, Inc. Besides making great rods, he is an all around good guy, hardcore fisherman and fly fishing activist. Give him a call if you have any questions. Dawson Henderson

I have fished Steffen steelhead (8wt) and 4-piece 6-wt rods for years. They are marvelous. I use the 4-piece in New Zealand just about every day for 4-6 week trips and find that it handles innumerable large fish, horrendous wind, and roll-casting very heavy nymphs on the Tongariro like no other rod.The Midge in Los Altos Calif carries the rods. If you have trouble with a Steffen, the maker repairs them very well. Try it, you’ll like it!!

Response:

Hi ! Does anybody know, how to purchase one of these rods here in europe witout knowing a pal who travels the US frequently ?? TIA

Response:

I recently acquired a rod at an estate sale.  The seller didn’t know the history of it.  It is graphite, marked Steffen Rod Co.  The blanck is unsanded gray, reminiscent of a Scott Power Ply.  Does anyone know anything about the Steffen Rod Co.?  Are they still in business?  Is this just a custom built Powerply or is it actualy a blank made for this company?  Any help you can give me would be appreciated.  BTW…it doesn’t cast half bad. John Woodling Sacramento, CA

Response:

Question:

I totally agree with Ausable 1 (?) about Rick Westerberg – he is one of the best guides I have ever used.  Unfortunately, he only guides out of Westbank Anglers, and therein lies a problem.  My friends and I have guided through Westbank on two occasions, and both times got into disputes with the owners (and a couple of the other guides, too) over excessive charges, for flies, leaders, etc.  If your guide ties on a length of tippet for you (which they are very willing to do) you will most likely find a charge on your bill for a whole spool of tippet.  Likewise flies – the guides typically choose a selection of flies for you to use from the shop, and you get charged for them whether you use them or not.  Its an annoying way they have of doing business, and we have decided we won’t ever book with them again. Too bad, because Rick is the best.  He needs to get out on his own, in my opinion. Don

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I totally agree with Ausable 1 (?) about Rick Westerberg – he is one of the best guides I have ever used.  Unfortunately, he only guides out of Westbank Anglers, and therein lies a problem.  My friends and I have guided through Westbank on two occasions, and both times got into disputes with the owners (and a couple of the other guides, too) over excessive charges, for flies, leaders, etc.  If your guide ties on a length of tippet for you (which they are very willing to do) you will most likely find a charge on your bill for a whole spool of tippet.  Likewise flies – the guides typically choose a selection of flies for you to use from the shop, and you get charged for them whether you use them or not.  Its an annoying way they have of doing business, and we have decided we won’t ever book with them again. Too bad, because Rick is the best.  He needs to get out on his own, in my opinion. DonDon,

        That’s outrages to hear that a fly shop would charge you for tippet used. I can understand being charged for flys used, but not for flys not used. I’ve been a guide for a very long time and have never saw such a practice. We, as guides in the shop that I work for, buy all terminal tackle to use on trips, and the client pays for the flys that they use. I’m sure that a shop that charges for tippet used and flys not used, will not be in business for long, and your favorite guide will be working for someone else.—–T Wigs

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I totally agree with Ausable 1 (?) about Rick Westerberg – he is one of the best guides I have ever used.  Unfortunately, he only guides out of Westbank Anglers, and therein lies a problem.  My friends and I have guided through Westbank on two occasions, and both times got into disputes with the owners (and a couple of the other guides, too) over excessive charges, for flies, leaders, etc.  If your guide ties on a length of tippet for you (which they are very willing to do) you will most likely find a charge on your bill for a whole spool of tippet.  Likewise flies – the guides typically choose a selection of flies for you to use from the shop, and you get charged for them whether you use them or not.  Its an annoying way they have of doing business, and we have decided we won’t ever book with them again. Too bad, because Rick is the best.  He needs to get out on his own, in my opinion. DonDon,         That’s outrages to hear that a fly shop would charge you for tippet used. I can understand being charged for flys used, but not for flys not used. I’ve been a guide for a very long time and have never saw such a practice. We, as guides in the shop that I work for, buy all terminal tackle to use on trips, and the client pays for the flys that they use. I’m sure that a shop that charges for tippet used and flys not used, will not be in business for long, and your favorite guide will be working for someone else.—–T Wigs

Hi T Wigs, I’m guide as well and the outfit I work for does about the same as you discribe.  Any flies not used are returned for a refund unless the client wants to keep them.  Often this is the case and that’s fine.  Regarding tippet:  our clients usually buy what ever tippet spools they want.  If they don’t have them or forget I just use my own. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Some friends and I are looking at going to Jackson Hole next summer for some flyfishing.  Wive will be going as well and will only fish a day or two.  I need suggestions on lodges to stay at and rivers to fish. thanks Hi You might consider staying at Jackson Lake Lodge.  It’s a beautiful place with fishing options in every direction – Yellowstone Park, Snake River, etc. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) I can certainly second Al’s recommendation on Jackson Lake Lodge.   The Snake is about a 5 minute drive from there.  Bring your money.  Try the buffalo steak.  Don’t pet the moose.   Hey Al – the plumbing still works _great_ there, too.  Thanks for your help last Spring!   Cheers, -Mark Anderson Hi Mark, Glad to help. When you were there did you try the beaver pond in the meadow behind the lodge? — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog)

On where to stay in Jackson…I can tell you DO NOT stay at the Hitching Post Lodge.  My wife and I made reservations there months in advance.  I picked-up their advertisement on the Net.  Our stay there was miserable, plus some stuff came-up missing out of my room (the maid service).  I reported it to the manager, who seemed not to care, but told me she would check into it.  I waited…no response.  I asked the manager about it when I checked out…she said the maid-service didn’t know anything about it.  I had also made additional reservations after a few days in Yellowstone.  After the poor service and theft from my room I cancelled the future reservations.  Guess what?  They charged my Visa card for the cancelled reservation.  I’m disputing that with Visa at this moment.  Be careful where you stay…you are doing the right thing in asking for recommendations…wish I had gotten recommendations before hand.  The Hitching Post Lodge in Jackson, Wyoming is BAD NEWS. Cheers, Snuggs

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Some friends and I are looking at going to Jackson Hole next summer for some flyfishing.  Wive will be going as well and will only fish a day or two.  I need suggestions on lodges to stay at and rivers to fish. thanks Hi You might consider staying at Jackson Lake Lodge.  It’s a beautiful place with fishing options in every direction – Yellowstone Park, Snake River, etc. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog)

I can certainly second Al’s recommendation on Jackson Lake Lodge.  The Snake is about a 5 minute drive from there.  Bring your money.  Try the buffalo steak.  Don’t pet the moose.   Hey Al – the plumbing still works _great_ there, too.  Thanks for your help last Spring!   Cheers, -Mark Anderson

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Some friends and I are looking at going to Jackson Hole next summer for some flyfishing.  Wive will be going as well and will only fish a day or two.  I need suggestions on lodges to stay at and rivers to fish. thanks Hi You might consider staying at Jackson Lake Lodge.  It’s a beautiful place with fishing options in every direction – Yellowstone Park, Snake River, etc. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) I can certainly second Al’s recommendation on Jackson Lake Lodge.  The Snake is about a 5 minute drive from there.  Bring your money.  Try the buffalo steak.  Don’t pet the moose.   Hey Al – the plumbing still works _great_ there, too.  Thanks for your help last Spring!   Cheers, -Mark Anderson

Hi Mark, Glad to help. When you were there did you try the beaver pond in the meadow behind the lodge? — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog)

Response:

Some friends and I are looking at going to Jackson Hole next summer for some flyfishing.  Wive will be going as well and will only fish a day or two.  I need suggestions on lodges to stay at and rivers to fish. thanks

Hi You might consider staying at Jackson Lake Lodge.  It’s a beautiful place with fishing options in every direction – Yellowstone Park, Snake River, etc. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog)

Response:

Headed to Jackson, As long as you are going to be in the Jackson area be sure to fish the Snake.  My favorite stretch is from Moose to Wilson.  Call West Bank Anglersn and book Rick Westerburg as your guide.  You should also consider driving over the "hill" and fish the South Fork.  I like the run from Palisades to South Fork Lodge. Good luck, AuSable 1

Response:

Some friends and I are looking at going to Jackson Hole next summer for some flyfishing.  Wive will be going as well and will only fish a day or two.  I need suggestions on lodges to stay at and rivers to fish. thanks

Response:

Question:

A good friend of mine is an outfitter in Montana and has just finished   his new web site. He was to bashful to post the address on this BB, but I’m not! Check it out at: http://www.iigi.comos/montana/diamondn/diamondn.htm Catch ya later Dale Owens

Response:

Correction on the web site address: note that all slashes are forward. I typed one in as a back slash by mistake. Dale

Response:

Question:

I will be travelling to Michigans’ Upper Peninsula in early July and am looking for good trout rivers/streams near Ironwood (Western UP on the Wisconsin border).  Also, What are the predominant hatches in the area? Thanks in advance, DJ

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I will be travelling to Michigans’ Upper Peninsula in early July and am looking for good trout rivers/streams near Ironwood (Western UP on the Wisconsin border).  Also, What are the predominant hatches in the area? Thanks in advance,

DJ – I don’t have the answers to your questions, but there is a classic book about fly-fishing the UP 50 years ago.  If you read it, you might find the trip more interesting.  It’s called Trout Madness by Robert Travers.  Have a great trip.       Gene

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Question:

Does anyone have any information on the FF only area of the Big Bushkill Creek?  Specifically regarding getting a permit to fish the Ressica Falls Boy Scout area? Thanks Sam Stump

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"Sam Stump" wrote… Does anyone have any information on the FF only area of the Big Bushkill Creek?  Specifically regarding getting a permit to fish the Ressica Falls Boy Scout area?

You can get the (cheap) permit at the office at Ressica Falls, or Cradle of Liberty Council Boy Scouts of America 1485 Valley Forge Road Wayne, PA  19087-1346 Well worth it: beautiful water, and very well stocked with big trout. Timothy Juvenal

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A buddy and I are planning a first-time trip to the Big Bushkill near the Delaware Water Gap in Pennsylvania.  I’d appreciate any information re: conditions, whether this river fishes well in early April and flies to use. Thanks Michael

Michael, one of the best places to fish the Bushkill is at the Boy Scout reservation at Resaca Falls.  Take Rt. 80 to the Marshalls Creek exit (about a mile after the tolls at the Water Gap).  Take Rt. 209 north until the stop sign.  Make a right and then a left at the next light (Bait & Tackle shop on left, shopping mall on right).  Make a quick right onto Rt. 402 north and stay on that for about 6-7 miles until you reach the Boy Scout reservation.  It is a fly-fishing only area.  Streamers and nymphs will work the best in early April.  There is a good Hendrickson hatch in late April-early May, followed by March Browns.  Good luck!  

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i grew up on that water, rally in my back yard near easton. Opening day and for a few weeks after that water is elbow to elbow. its been a while since i’ve gone back. i might take the drive this year though just to relive memories. Grant in PA good luck

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A buddy and I are planning a first-time trip to the Big Bushkill near the Delaware Water Gap in Pennsylvania.  I’d appreciate any information re: conditions, whether this river fishes well in early April and flies to use. Thanks Michael

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Good advise . Make sure to stop at the scout office before you fish. They are very nice people and are responsible for making this water available to us for fishing. The will also give you info as where to fish.                                       Good luck  

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Question:

I believe you mean Angling Specialties in Concord, don’t you. You could do a lot worse. They run a good shop in my view. They also have branches in Mississauga and Scarborough. Skinners in fine and with a long .. um .. "tradition" … which along with the expensive real estate tends to be a factor on your bill. — David A. Calderisi

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Does any one Know of any fly shops in the greater Toronto area?? I’ve been to Fishing Specialties in Concord just north of Toronto. I would like to know if there are any others.

Loris; Skinner Sport, 50 King Street East, Toronto         Right downtown, great store (biggest collection of flies I’ve ever seen) good people if a little strange. If you want an Orvis shop there is a new(er) one in Fergus about an hour away. Grand River Troutfitters, 790 Tower St. Fergus. Owner Ken Collins. He will ship if you call him. (519) 787-4359 Hope it helps —                         Dept. OB/GYN                         University of Western Ontario                         London, Ontario, CANADA

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there are a total of 3 separate Angling Specialties in the Toronto area, each with slightly different inventories and trun over rates.  In addition to these there is Skinners on king downtown, a toronto institution.  THere stock is on the light side but they are the only Orvis dealer around.  If you are willing to dirve to the KW guelph are there are several excellent shops.  Kingsway in north Guelph has an excellent fly tying section.  Natrual sports in kitchener is pretty good to.  There is the forks fly shop in inglewoood and northeast anglers in grimsby.  Lebaron in toronto (2 locations) is good for terminal tackle Best prices around.  And of course in oshawa there are a couple more shops.  Your best bet is to go to the fly forum the first week end in april. Ian Feir – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, Does any one Know of any fly shops in the greater Toronto area?? I’ve been to Fishing Specialties in Concord just north of Toronto. I would like to know if there are any others. Thanx in advance and tight lines, Loris

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Hi all, Does any one Know of any fly shops in the greater Toronto area?? I’ve been to Fishing Specialties in Concord just north of Toronto. I would like to know if there are any others. Thanx in advance and tight lines, Loris

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Question:

I have to take an enforced trip to Madeira in January.  It’s been described to me as a holiday. Is it worth taking a rod? — Steve

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:I have to take an enforced trip to Madeira in January.  It’s been : described to  me as a holiday. : Is it worth taking a rod? : — : Steve No, Steve, this is terrible news. Drag your tired body down there. Never mind the gorgeous weather – you’ll survive. And the fishing – oh dear – but it’s not worth your time. It’s ALWAYS worth taking a rod. D.F.

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