Question:

Mark Rey, long time timber lobbyist is in charge of our forests, and starting  to work on weakening all logging laws: Former Timber corporation lobbyist now head of our national forests: http://www.missoulian.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/Jun… A natural split with Bush- many longtime  conservative EPA officials are quitting: http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-000039065jun03.story Lawmakers offer bi-partisan protection for national forests: http://ens-news.com/ens/jun2002/2002-06-05-07.asp Congress recognizes the voice of the American  people, offers bill and recognizes the 2 million  public comments favoring roadless protection, concedes  60 percent of republicans favor roadless protection as well: http://www.enn.com/news/wire-stories/2002/06/06062002/reu_47454.asp Congress, industry recognize the vast  majority of american citizens favor protecting our last wild and unroaded forests: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/73893_pot08.shtml — Sent by sonvolt55  from  hotmail subpart from com This is a spam protected message. Please answer with reference header. Posted via http://www.usenet-replayer.com/cgi/content/new

Response:

Garbage deleted I think I will go cut down some trees tomorrow in honor of this crossposting tree hugging idiot.

Response:

Garbage deleted I think I will go cut down some trees tomorrow in honor of this crossposting tree hugging idiot.

It doesn’t count unless it lands on an endangered species…

Response:

Garbage deleted I think I will go cut down some trees tomorrow in honor of this crossposting tree hugging idiot. It doesn’t count unless it lands on an endangered species…

Careful Tripper; a glance at your medical records suggests YOU are on the list.     Wolfgang

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Garbage deleted I think I will go cut down some trees tomorrow in honor of this crossposting tree hugging idiot. It doesn’t count unless it lands on an endangered species… Careful Tripper; a glance at your medical records suggests YOU are on the list.     Wolfgang

No doubt I’d be fatally injured before I even got in range of mr. bob’s felling… /daytripper (the hits just keep on coming

Response:

"\ I think I will go cut down some trees tomorrow in honor of this crossposting tree hugging idiot.\

I cut some trees down  today. Nothing like some responsible land management.  By the way, Muskie does hunt, fish and cut down trees. He isn’t the granola hippie  some would think. More like a sportsman with brains.

Response:

"\ I think I will go cut down some trees tomorrow in honor of this crossposting tree hugging idiot.\ I cut some trees down  today. Nothing like some responsible land management.  By the way, Muskie does hunt, fish and cut down trees.

If it was nothing like responsible land management, why did you do it? He isn’t the granola hippie  some would think. More like a sportsman with brains.

More like a ten year old, with no friends, and a ghetto blaster.

Response:

I cut some trees down  today. Nothing like some responsible land management.  By the way, Muskie does hunt, fish and cut down trees. He isn’t the granola hippie  some would think. More like a sportsman with brains.

SPLORK! The musk thang is an obnoxious jerk who gets his kicks out of baiting anyone who might disagree with him with his outrageous headers. He is totally opposed to any requests to limit or curtail his off topic behavoir. He regularly morphs his nick to get around the filters of those who attempt to ignore him, and he hides behind free posting services and conceals his email because his behavior violates most ISP’s terms. He has lost a couple of accounts in the past due to the volume of complaints regarding his behavior. I could care less if he’s a hunter, a fisherman or a cross dressing dwarf, he’s still an annoying insect. If he had brains, he’d be more considerate of those who don’t want to see his posts instead of using periodic nick morphing to get around our filters. Flyfish

Response:

\More like a ten year old, with no friends, and a ghetto blaster.\  I have had the pleasure of fishing with Muskie on several occasions, twice on the San Juan and once on the Kootenai. He has a gorgeous blonde girlfriend(ive never seen so many stares in my direction thanks to walking with her on several occasions), a nice ride and an even nicer selection of fly rods. Perhaps you are jealous of that? He is a positive, hopeful person  and people seem to gravitate to him. He, like I also have the glorious choices of fishing in a still unspoiled setting, which is something you don’t have Mike. Perhaps if someone in Europe had spoken up and made noise a long time ago the fishing and habitat wouldnt be so poor now, and the choices so few.

Response:

Musty Ass has spoken.

Response:

\More like a ten year old, with no friends, and a ghetto blaster.\  I have had the pleasure of fishing with Muskie on several occasions, twice on the San Juan and once on the Kootenai.

I could not care less about his girlfriend or his fly-rods. The only thing I care about, is the fact that he costs me money with his constant Usenet abuse. The problem is solved for me at least. I have unsubscribed from rec.outdoors.fishing.fly  as it is simply too expensive to download all the rubbish. I will occasionally have a look in, using Google ( where I don

Question:

Sure there’s a better way, but to all those who replied to my post. Many thanks I will follow it up. Mike…. Why not propitious?  ROFF? Where else did you see it? Ian So many questions, so little knowledge!!!

Response:

What do you plan on doing with the bottom and top? Never seen a cane wading staff before…. like to se it when you done john

Actually the old US 10th Division WWII ski poles are made of split cane, like a kind of hell-for-stout cane rod. I’ve got a couple around and have been considering coverting one. Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories Phone: (650)-857-5491               Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971          

Response:

Sure there’s a better way, but to all those who replied to my post. Many thanks I will follow it up. Mike…. Why not propitious?  ROFF? Where else did you see it? Ian So many questions, so little knowledge!!!

Too complex to explain the remark on the relative propitiousness of your question I am afraid, it would waste too much space, and probably not make much sense.  I believe I saw the post on one of the UK groups first. Probably uk.rec.fishing.game. ROFF is,  rec.outdoors.fishing.fly, and is an international group, although dominated by Americans.  You posted individually to the groups concerned, and so I realised it was not a troll etc, before I saw it on ROFF.  I replied to your e-mail because I was not certain which groups you read regularly, if at all, and you obviously really did want some info. TL MC

Response:

Hi I’m trying to build some cane and wonder if anyone can help. I’m using the triangular formar method. The info I have is old so need to know what glues are best to use to a) hold the cane to the formar i.e it has to release with heat and b) to glue the cane. Having split the cane it has  side to side bows. i.e it zig zags. Should I straighten this and if so how or just cut oversize and plane straight thereby cutting across the grain more. My father used to build his own rods and I have acquired his cane and formars. I’m only doing it for interest and will only make a wading staff. Cheers  Ian

Response:

Hi I’m trying to build some cane and wonder if anyone can help.

<SNIP Just as well I saw your post elsewhere before it arrived on ROFF.  Not exactly a propitious time to be asking about cane on here.  No way you could know that of course. You will find all you need here; http://www.teleport.com/~gord/canelink.shtml TL MC

Response:

What do you plan on doing with the bottom and top? Never seen a cane wading staff before…. like to se it when you done john

Response:

Hi I’m trying to build some cane and wonder if anyone can help.

<snip I’m only doing it for interest and will only make a wading staff.

Ian In my opinion, seems like a lot of trouble to go through just to make a wading staff (hell, for that matter, it’s a lot of trouble to go through to make a fishing pole )  It sounds like you already have the major tools that you need.  Go ahead and make yourself a rod.  It’s not that hard. Mike Connor already listed a very good reference link.  Let me recommend another.  The Rodmakers’ site has a wealth of information on building cane rods.  You might want to subscribe to the mailing list and pose some of your questions there.  I would recommend searching the rather extensive list archives first, however, since a lot of your questions may have already been asked and answered.  Here’s a link to the site: http://www.canerod.com/rodmakers/ As far a straitening goes, most people today use an electric heat gun to gently warm the bamboo.  This softens it and allows you to straighten it by hand or in a vise.  This is a fairly tedious and time consuming process. Regarding glues, the choices are too many to discuss here.  You will find many suggestions on the Rodmaker’s site. Good luck and have fun! Keith

Response:

I’d highly recommend the  rodmakers mailing list. I did when building my first rod and got a lot of help from some very knowledgeable rod builders. Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I’m trying to build some cane and wonder if anyone can help. <snip I’m only doing it for interest and will only make a wading staff. Ian In my opinion, seems like a lot of trouble to go through just to make a wading staff (hell, for that matter, it’s a lot of trouble to go through to make a fishing pole )  It sounds like you already have the major tools that you need.  Go ahead and make yourself a rod.  It’s not that hard. Mike Connor already listed a very good reference link.  Let me recommend another.  The Rodmakers’ site has a wealth of information on building cane rods.  You might want to subscribe to the mailing list and pose some of your questions there.  I would recommend searching the rather extensive list archives first, however, since a lot of your questions may have already been asked and answered.  Here’s a link to the site: http://www.canerod.com/rodmakers/ As far a straitening goes, most people today use an electric heat gun to gently warm the bamboo.  This softens it and allows you to straighten it by hand or in a vise.  This is a fairly tedious and time consuming process. Regarding glues, the choices are too many to discuss here.  You will find many suggestions on the Rodmaker’s site. Good luck and have fun! Keith

Response:

Question:

Ever had one of those days that just keeps getting better and better?  I came home from work today and had a slip to go pick up a package at the post office.  I stayed up tying flies and then someone knocked on the door.  It was the post man with another package from Wayno with raffle items.  Cool shirt and a very nice picture.  So, I go back to tying flies and at 11 am go to the post office and pick up a box from my aunt and uncle.   I get home and there is a fedex guy walking ahead of me.  He stops at the mail boxes after saying hello and I go on to my apartment.  A few moments later there is a knock on the door.  Open the door and Mr FedEx is there.  We both kinda laughed since he could have just given me the envelope outside.  I come back inside and open the box from aunt and uncle and it is one of those talking bass things.  After reading about them here I was a little skeptical so I opened the envelope (again from Wayno). Inside the envelope were a bunch of pictures of the Carolina clave.  I went through these a couple of times and had fun reading the notes on the back of them.  Then I fired ol’ Billy Bass up and got a chuckle from that.  I went through the pictures from Wayno again and think I got more chuckles from those however. So around 12:30 I decide I better get some sleep.  I have to get up at 4:30 to go to work so I lay down and almost as soon as I start falling asleep the phone rings.  I debated on answering it, but given the short time to the clave I decided I better because it might be a clavester in need of assistance.  I answer the phone and it was Bob Card whom you might remember from here a while back.  He and I have been emailing each other for a while because he was supposed to come out here on a business trip.  Didn’t hear from him for about a month so I emailed him again about a week and a half ago. Well, turns out that Bob is going to be in Bozeman this coming up weekend.  He and a friend will be arriving just in time for the clave and will be able to show up friday when they are done and then some on saturday before leaving from Butte Saturday at 6 pm.  Talk about luck!   Bob and I chatted for a bit, but now I am afraid to go to sleep because something else might happen.  I should run out and buy a lotto ticket or something.  The way today is going I will be tired, but I sure as hell am enjoying today anyway!  I even got another dozen tied for my fly box Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the neat flies that somebody sent me.  Got those when I was home for lunch last night.  I shall guard their name as closely as I guard the names of my favorite fishing spots unless they wish to name themselves and start tying up dozens more for the people who will no doubt want a set too <g   Well, maybe I should try and get some sleep. Warren X#-[

Trout Dwellers Unite! Western Conclave Guru For info: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/sp_ROFF_people/wclave/wclave.html

Response:

 Oh, Clavemeister.    You don’t have to guard the name.  They are Frank’s Fightin’ Craws tied in a size ten and a tan color to match Montana crawdads.  With my compliments, I hope they work.                   Frank Reid

You better start tying now.  I imagine you will be receiving orders *very* soon <g  Just make sure to caution everyone that these things do bite.  Took me an hour once I unleashed them to gather them back up and contain them again. Thanks again Frank.  I can’t get over how cool these things are. Warren X#-[

Trout Dwellers Unite! Western Conclave Guru For info: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/sp_ROFF_people/wclave/wclave.html

Response:

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the neat flies that somebody sent me.  Got those when I was home for lunch last night.  I shall guard their name as closely as I guard the names of my favorite fishing spots unless they wish to name themselves and start tying up dozens more for the people who will no doubt want a set too <g

   Oh, Clavemeister.     You don’t have to guard the name.  They are Frank’s Fightin’ Craws tied in a size ten and a tan color to match Montana crawdads.  With my compliments, I hope they work.                    Frank Reid Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

Hello Ken, I kinda expected that I would get some mail from an asshole like you. I appreciate the fact that you stepped forward to accept the blame that was anticipated from your weak end of the gene pool. Too bad you didn’t want to share that with everyone else who might know you. Well, I have taken care of that for you  by posting your email to me. Now that I have expressed my displeasure with an ignorant person like you it should be known that I have had no similar difficulties with fly fishing, for what reason I do not know and that is why I posted here. I have fly fished most of the well kinown places in the state and have never experienced the like of you, Perhaps you are one of the bait casters that inhabit Tippy Dam or some other aluminum hatch place of origin as that. I really thank you for stepping forward to help others stereotype the great sport of fly fishing  that I have enjoyed for many , many years Most fly fishermen have been gracious in sharing their resources once they found that I was sincere. They didn’t do much of this sport in Georgia either but I was exposed to it and spent considerable money and time learning how to master it like a native Michigander. ! I was taught to tie flies by Charlie Fogel, a tier of over fifty years who I chanced to meet. Old Charlie only asked that I do what I asked others in my original post. He said he would teach me to tie if I only promised to share this gift with others. I have done this many times over. This is just the same promise I have made to others in asking to hunt with them. Perhaps you are special in that you grew up here. You seem very proud of yourself but I am not in anyway a loser. Actually you seem like that sort of person to me. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that you have never served your country and that you’d likely shit your pants if you ever met someone like me face to face alone in the woods! Next time be a man and put your liberal democratic words where everyone else can experience them instead of hide them in shame and embaresment. Clay I apologize to each of you offended by my response. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – —–Original Message—– Ken Fortenberry Sent: Saturday, September 25, 1999 1:53 PM The first thing I must say is that I am somewhat sad and a little embarrassed to write something like this. … Well, no shit. You’ve been living in Michigan for 14 years and the people that know you best refuse to share their hunting grounds with you so you post an off-topic whine to a flyfishing newsgroup full of complete strangers. What a lame excuse for a loser. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Hello Ken, I kinda expected that I would get some mail from an asshole like yo

Diatribe snipped OK, let me get this straight…. you post a whiny *off topic*, lengthy, "nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I’m gonna go eat worms" type of post to a group of strangers. A valued regular contributor flames you privately via email. You decide to go public with your reply. #1. If you have lived in Michigan for 14 years and haven’t figured out where to hunt by now, I wouldn’t consider you as a hunting companion. (as apparently your acquaintances in MI also feel) #2. Ken Fotenberry is no one you want to f**k with, as you will likely find out shortly. #3. Please go back to lurking…life was much more pleasant then. George Adams

Response:

Saturday Night Live is holding a 25 year reunion this Sunday at first time you heard, "Jane you ignorant slut?" This is the first time I have laughed that had since, and I know it’s the first good laugh I have had in three years……I just want to thank

Response:

Ken, I have to admire your convictions, but you are one shitty diplomat. Oh, don’t I know it. I blame it on my education. I was taught by the Benedictines and all the good diplomats are Jesuits. — Ken Fortenberry Illini 3 – Tar Heels 1

        forty, the only thing you and the jesuits have in common is a mindset which has its logical conclusion in activities such as the spanish inquisition.         wayno the candid

Response:

        forty, the only thing you and the jesuits have in common is a mindset which has its logical conclusion in activities such as the spanish inquisition.         wayno the candid

NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is suprise… surprise and fear…fear and surprise…. Our two weapons are fear and surprise…and ruthless efficiency…. Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise and ruthless efficiency…and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope…. Our *four*… no… *Amongst* our weapons…. Amongst our weaponry…are such elements as fear, surprise…. I’ll come in again. Anyway, was never much fond of the Jesuits, they’re smart enough but mostly quibblers, dissemblers & nit pickers. They make great lawyers. — Ken Fortenberry Illini 3 – Tar Heels 1

Response:

I should also add that I did anticipate this but not from this group of educated and responsible people.

If you anticipated it, then what’s your bitch? This is a fishing newsgroup, not rec.hunting. And it’s hard to take seriously a man who purports to have lived in one place for over a decade and still can’t get permission to hunt somewhere. "Denver, Colorado, may be the best argument for above- ground nuclear testing that I’ve ever seen" -me.

Response:

My first response from this newsgroup to my heartfelt request to each of you in my outdoors world. I will reply to this individual publicly as soon as I finish climbing down from my great room ceiling. I should also add that I did anticipate this but not from this group of educated and responsible people. Sincerely embarrassed by this person, Ranger Clay The first thing I must say is that I am somewhat sad and a little embarrassed to write something like this. …

Well, no shit. You’ve been living in Michigan for 14 years and the people that know you best refuse to share their hunting grounds with you so you post an off-topic whine to a flyfishing newsgroup full of complete strangers. What a lame excuse for a loser. — Ken Fortenberry —

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – To my fellow sportsmen, The first thing I must say is that I am somewhat sad and a little embarrassed to write something like this. Three years or so ago I considered something like this but did not have the courage to do it then. I don’t know why. Since the time I first considered an approach like this, many things have changed. The person who gave me the greatest gift of my life, the spirit of the hunter, has now passed away and another hunting season is upon me. My father succumbed to cancer last January. He was a man who loved the outdoors and spent every chance he had there. He taught me to hunt and fish and only asked me to pass this heritage on to my children so that it would not be lost. He taught all of his children the skills of survival and how to hunt and fish. He even owned a gun store in Georgia that my brother still manages today. Before I continue, I must tell you something about myself so that perhaps you will know that I am sincere in my request to my fellow outdoorsmen. I am an avid outdoorsman. I grew up in South Georgia during the sixties. My Daddy gave me my first rifle when I was five and my first shotgun when I was eight years old. While this may seem young to some, it was not uncommon during this era. Even before I could read well, I was taught how to handle a weapon safely. That old Browning Automatic Shotgun knocked my glasses and my hat off every time I shot it, my Daddy only gave me one shell at a time, but I didn’t care since I was taught that only one shell was needed, I rarely missed. I loved the outdoors and I would stalk a bird or deer for hours for that one clear, sure shot. He never allowed me to hunt squirrels or rabbits with nothing other than my .22 rifle. While I sometimes disagreed with his methods, this would become very important in my future life as it taught me the skills of an expert marksman. I spent the early years of my life learning about nature and how to hunt and fish. One day I told my Dad that I was ready to be a "man" and what would I have to do to prove this. He said that I had to spend a week in the "Grand Bay Swamp" near where we lived with only a knife and some matches to prove I was ready! Well, I did it at age fourteen. I almost starved (at least in my young mind) but he never said he knew about that! I decided that the out-of-doors was my calling and I made my life’s goal to be a soldier in the Army like my Dad had been.  I enlisted when I was 17, just after high school, and went to many Army schools. I was Infantry, Airborne, a long-range recon scout and I even graduated from the coveted sniper school at Fort Benning. I have never fired less than expert on any military weapon system and I have also competed on military pistol and rifle teams during the seventies and eighties. I learned to hunt man, the greatest game of all and became competent at hitting the silhouettes out to over 1000 yards. I taught marksman ship skills to many young soldiers. During my military days, I usually spent nine months out of the year in th e woods doing my duty to my country. I was very fortunate to have never spent a minute in combat; those who have been there understand my relief at never having to kill another human being. While I eventually became disillusioned with the military due to the liberal democratic politics of the eighties and the fear of death or dismemberment in the Middle East, I loved my skills and I still maintain them today. I married a wonderful woman from Michigan in 1985 and moved there to begin my career as a Controls Engineer. I currently am the Senior Plant Engineer at a General Motors Plant in Flint. I program robots and the automation that manufactures the Chevy and GMC trucks that many of you use to carry you to the great outdoors. When I moved to Michigan, I left my hometown where I had hunting privileges all over the county. As a boy and a young man, I knew many of the farmers and landowners that knew I was a true sportsman and would use their land respectably. They always let me hunt their land and I always shared my bounty with them when they wanted it. When I moved to Michigan, I knew virtually no one and I was forced to spend my fall days hunting on state land that was over hunted and full of novice hunters. For years, I have tolerated this. I knew that the city people were lazy and that when the first gun was fired, all of the game would head to the swamps and hard to access locations. I used my field skills to identify these spots and I would spend hours walking to the remote locations where the smart game would go and hide. While I have been moderately successful over the past years with this plan, I now find my time is short and my son is of the age that it is time he learn how to hunt and safely enjoy the world we have been given without the hassle of long walks into the woods on his young, short legs. I am writing this to those of you who have taken the time to read this monologue up to this point and sympathize with my frustration. I know that accessible hunting land does exist in Michigan. My coworkers successfully hunt these lands and when I have hinted (and even come out and asked) of my desires and abilities, they selfishly guard them like they own them and never ask me to experience them with them. I want to hunt and share this experience with my children. This request is without shame or embarrassment. Do not do this because I mentioned my fathers death, but for my son’s future. I am asking that anyone with a sizable hunting property in the lower at (810) 236-1172 and tell me that you are willing to share our resources with my family and me. I am a responsible sportsman with many years of experience and commitment to our natural resources. I have been a member of the Michigan United Conservation Club since the middle eighties. I am a safe hunter and intend for my family to be as well. I would love to share my skills learned as a young man and as a professional soldier with anyone willing to give me a chance. I can still fire a shotgun or rifle with the accuracy many people dream of. When I go to the skeet range, I still keep the shotgun lowered and I face away from the trap to give the "clays" a sporting chance until I hear the trap release, hunters and shooters of many, many years ask me how I do this and I really don’t know. I can’t even explain this to my wife of fourteen years who loves to hunt as much as I do! I can shoot and I can teach others this skill and I would be willing to trade this service for the privilege of hunting with them. I love hunting small and large game with rifle, shotgun and archery. I am willing to share my bounty with the landowner and all I am respectably asking of you is to give me the opportunity to share this with my family so that it will not be forgotten to the future generations. With sincere thanks, Clay Copeland — —

Response:

To my fellow sportsmen, The first thing I must say is that I am somewhat sad and a little embarrassed to write something like this. Three years or so ago I considered something like this but did not have the courage to do it then. I don’t know why. Since the time I first considered an approach like this, many things have changed. The person who gave me the greatest gift of my life, the spirit of the hunter, has now passed away and another hunting season is upon me. My father succumbed to cancer last January. He was a man who loved the outdoors and spent every chance he had there. He taught me to hunt and fish and only asked me to pass this heritage on to my children so that it would not be lost. He taught all of his children the skills of survival and how to hunt and fish. He even owned a gun store in Georgia that my brother still manages today. Before I continue, I must tell you something about myself so that perhaps you will know that I am sincere in my request to my fellow outdoorsmen. I am an avid outdoorsman. I grew up in South Georgia during the sixties. My Daddy gave me my first rifle when I was five and my first shotgun when I was eight years old. While this may seem young to some, it was not uncommon during this era. Even before I could read well, I was taught how to handle a weapon safely. That old Browning Automatic Shotgun knocked my glasses and my hat off every time I shot it, my Daddy only gave me one shell at a time, but I didn’t care since I was taught that only one shell was needed, I rarely missed. I loved the outdoors and I would stalk a bird or deer for hours for that one clear, sure shot. He never allowed me to hunt squirrels or rabbits with nothing other than my .22 rifle. While I sometimes disagreed with his methods, this would become very important in my future life as it taught me the skills of an expert marksman. I spent the early years of my life learning about nature and how to hunt and fish. One day I told my Dad that I was ready to be a "man" and what would I have to do to prove this. He said that I had to spend a week in the "Grand Bay Swamp" near where we lived with only a knife and some matches to prove I was ready! Well, I did it at age fourteen. I almost starved (at least in my young mind) but he never said he knew about that! I decided that the out-of-doors was my calling and I made my life’s goal to be a soldier in the Army like my Dad had been.  I enlisted when I was 17, just after high school, and went to many Army schools. I was Infantry, Airborne, a long-range recon scout and I even graduated from the coveted sniper school at Fort Benning. I have never fired less than expert on any military weapon system and I have also competed on military pistol and rifle teams during the seventies and eighties. I learned to hunt man, the greatest game of all and became competent at hitting the silhouettes out to over 1000 yards. I taught marksman ship skills to many young soldiers. During my military days, I usually spent nine months out of the year in the woods doing my duty to my country. I was very fortunate to have never spent a minute in combat; those who have been there understand my relief at never having to kill another human being. While I eventually became disillusioned with the military due to the liberal democratic politics of the eighties and the fear of death or dismemberment in the Middle East, I loved my skills and I still maintain them today. I married a wonderful woman from Michigan in 1985 and moved there to begin my career as a Controls Engineer. I currently am the Senior Plant Engineer at a General Motors Plant in Flint. I program robots and the automation that manufactures the Chevy and GMC trucks that many of you use to carry you to the great outdoors. When I moved to Michigan, I left my hometown where I had hunting privileges all over the county. As a boy and a young man, I knew many of the farmers and landowners that knew I was a true sportsman and would use their land respectably. They always let me hunt their land and I always shared my bounty with them when they wanted it. When I moved to Michigan, I knew virtually no one and I was forced to spend my fall days hunting on state land that was over hunted and full of novice hunters. For years, I have tolerated this. I knew that the city people were lazy and that when the first gun was fired, all of the game would head to the swamps and hard to access locations. I used my field skills to identify these spots and I would spend hours walking to the remote locations where the smart game would go and hide. While I have been moderately successful over the past years with this plan, I now find my time is short and my son is of the age that it is time he learn how to hunt and safely enjoy the world we have been given without the hassle of long walks into the woods on his young, short legs. I am writing this to those of you who have taken the time to read this monologue up to this point and sympathize with my frustration. I know that accessible hunting land does exist in Michigan. My coworkers successfully hunt these lands and when I have hinted (and even come out and asked) of my desires and abilities, they selfishly guard them like they own them and never ask me to experience them with them. I want to hunt and share this experience with my children. This request is without shame or embarrassment. Do not do this because I mentioned my fathers death, but for my son’s future. I am asking that anyone with a sizable hunting property in the lower (810) 236-1172 and tell me that you are willing to share our resources with my family and me. I am a responsible sportsman with many years of experience and commitment to our natural resources. I have been a member of the Michigan United Conservation Club since the middle eighties. I am a safe hunter and intend for my family to be as well. I would love to share my skills learned as a young man and as a professional soldier with anyone willing to give me a chance. I can still fire a shotgun or rifle with the accuracy many people dream of. When I go to the skeet range, I still keep the shotgun lowered and I face away from the trap to give the "clays" a sporting chance until I hear the trap release, hunters and shooters of many, many years ask me how I do this and I really don’t know. I can’t even explain this to my wife of fourteen years who loves to hunt as much as I do! I can shoot and I can teach others this skill and I would be willing to trade this service for the privilege of hunting with them. I love hunting small and large game with rifle, shotgun and archery. I am willing to share my bounty with the landowner and all I am respectably asking of you is to give me the opportunity to share this with my family so that it will not be forgotten to the future generations. With sincere thanks, Clay Copeland — —

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Question:

Early this year I had the opportunity to test Loomis rods I was impressed by the GLX and the GL3. Was seriously considering buying a Loomis until I discovered there guarantee policy. I then tested Sage and Orvis rods. My preference goes to the Sage VPS 7w 9 ft. (medium-fast action). This rod will be used for brook and brown trout, landlocked salmon and bass. My fly fishing is in rivers and lakes with nymphs, streamers, wet flies, bass bugs and dry flies. I am now using a Fenwick HMG 7w 8.6 ft for the same job. For windy conditions, heavy nymphs or for long distance casts this rod is lacks some strength or power. I would like to have your opinions and comments on the Sage VPS rod and/or on the end use.

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Sage says the materials and action of their VPS series are the same as their old RPL rods (although the VPSs are now much cheaper, since they’re no longer "state of the art").  I have a 7wt 9ft RPL for steelhead and a 5wt 8.5ft RPL for trout.  They’re the best rods I’ve ever owned.  Assuming you prefer a medium-fast action–rather than the super fast actions being pushed by makers these days–you couldn’t do better than the VPS.  Have fun with it. JR

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Question:

An associate and I are looking for information, books, history, plans, etc. on a wooden, flat bottom, skiff-like drift boat, used for fly fishing.  This craft is used extensively on the Manistee, and AuSable rivers of Michigan. It’s been called the AuSable riverboat.  Any leads would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance. Damian M. Taulbee On A Fly, L.L.C.

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An associate and I are looking for information, books, history, plans, etc. on a wooden, flat bottom, skiff-like drift boat, used for fly fishing. This craft is used extensively on the Manistee, and AuSable rivers of Michigan. It’s been called the AuSable riverboat.  Any leads would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

livery. He has a guide working for him named Roger who builds a beautiful AuSable boat also. Wayne Knight Geneva IL                            

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Question:

Hi folks, I’m new to the group, and would like your thoughts on what is the best kayak for fly fishing coastal bays and flats.  I normally fly fish in Christmas Bay (close to Galveston, TX), and use a Zest Two – Ocean Kayak two seater.  It’s kinda tough to handle in a breeze over, say, 10 kts. I’m in the market for a faster boat that will handle higher wind conditions, and would like some input from those more knowledgable than I. Howard About Christmas Bay – http://www.christmasbay.com

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  Hi, the boat of choice here in San Diego for fishing seems to be the Scupper Pro,and Scupper Classic. I own the classic , it weighs48pds. compared to your68pd. zest. The pros weigh 55pds.      I’m able to troll effectivly even when the wind picks up, if the wind picks up while jig fishing or while i’m after halibut i use my sea anchor to slow my drift     Aqua

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I’m new to the group, and would like your thoughts on what is the best kayak for fly fishing coastal bays and flats.  I normally fly fish in Christmas Bay (close to Galveston, TX), and use a Zest Two – Ocean Kayak two seater.  It’s kinda tough to handle in a breeze over, say, 10 kts. I’m in the market for a faster boat that will handle higher wind conditions, and would like some input from those more knowledgable than I.

I’m also a newbie to this thing, but I’ve got a few opinions anyway…  [had my boat for a couple months so far] I know most folks will suggest an open cockpit boat, but don’t write off an enclosed version.   Also, I know most folks tend to prefer getting out of the boat and wade, but I’m not one of them.  I like to start more or less dry, and end more or less dry. I have very little difficulty casting my 8 weight while seated in my kayak. [Dagger Edisto].   But there is also enough deck rigging to support a decent trolling setup, and there was enough mounting and cargo room for me to add an all-around light to help with safe night fishing and transits to duck hunting spots next season.. If you are annoyed by high winds and waves, get a rudder. The difference is mind bogolling. My modest experiences so far: http://www.neosoft.com/~rww/kayak_log.html

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If you are annoyed by high winds and waves, get a rudder. The difference is mind bogolling. My modest experiences so far: http://www.neosoft.com/~rww/kayak_log.html

If I get out I may use a fly rod on the flats, but I have had more luck trolling from my kayak.  I dont know if its the speed or that the boat makes the fish notice my fly or lure but the success rate is pretty good for both bass and blues.  I use a kevlar kayak and a rudder to make the experience "less painful".  I also gave up using a rod from my boat.  I made a hand line device that is very easy to use.  To see one visit my site at:  http://www.jlc.net/~hlevin I usually troll rapalas, rubber eels a fly or other artifical baits. —     Hal     Wilton, NH     Power your boat with carbohydrates,     not hydrocarbons.           http://www.jlc.net/~hlevin                 0                  _O                     0

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If I get out I may use a fly rod on the flats, but I have had more luck trolling from my kayak.  I dont know if its the speed or that the boat

I do good trolling as well. experience "less painful".  I also gave up using a rod from my boat.  I made a hand line device that is very easy to use.  To see one visit my

Give up my rod and reel?  I have a rod holder angled 45 degrees backward, a bit behind the cockpit.  I can paddle (troll) at any speed without interference.  That reminds me…i was trolling at work yesterday..woops!

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Question:

Fabulous blue, striper and false albacore fly rod fishing at the point. Huge schools of blues hitting all day long (4-10 lbs.), bass averaging about 10-15 lbs with some as large as 35 lbs,  Albacore in and out of the blue schools hitting like  subway trains.  Incredible fly rod fishing both off the surf, jetties and especialy from small boats just outside the surf line.  Should get even better in the next few weeks.

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10/10 I was at Montauk Point yesterday and it was incredibly crowded. For safety sake, I kept my 9wt  out of the action. Stripers and blues were around all day, largely within reach of only the longest surfcasters. When they came in close, it was a free for all. I watched one guy hook a 30 inch striper and then get hooked himself by an errant surfcaster as he fought the fish. It was wild as usual!  Flyfishers in boats were getting their gas money’s worth of action Nothing much was doing at Gin Beach, Ditch Plains or Fort Pond Bay during daylight hours. Where have you had your luck? David

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Question:

I have heard that this creek can offer great fishing and is blue ribbon, but I have also heard that it is not worth looking at. CAn anyone shed some light on the creek for me, because I am planing to go up there this Sunday. Also if it is possible, maybe someone can direct me to a good place to start from in the morning, and give me an idea of what sort of flies I should bring along. I would really appreciate anything anyone has to say about this creek. TimFLYFISH

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I have heard that this creek can offer great fishing and is blue ribbon, but I have also heard that it is not worth looking at. CAn anyone shed some light on the creek for me, because I am planing to go up there this Sunday. Also if it is possible, maybe someone can direct me to a good place to start from in the morning, and give me an idea of what sort of flies I should bring along. I would really appreciate anything anyone has to say about this creek. TimFLYFISH

The lower portion, near and in Lake Solano is a put and take fishery, heavily stocked.  Good fishing, good luck avoiding the worm drowners.  The upper portion, near Montecello dam is a blue ribbon wild trout fishery.  I have seen 30"+ browns rise for a bat!  (how to tie that one   Very difficult fishing, and often rather dangerous.  Swift current and bouldery bottom.   Your next step could be 5′ straight down off an underwater ledge.  Fish are heavily fished and very wary.  Prepare to get skunked.  Some very good FFers I know can only claim 1 fish in 10 years of fishing there, but it was a 26" brown.  Above the Montecello dam is a warm water lake, and bellow the lake solano dam gets dried to nothing in dry summers, so fish are scarce. Good luck, and whatever you do, don’t embarass yourself by trying to claim there were no fish there. Lenny Bloksberg . .

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Tim, I too wish you luck, I went up to the Monticello Dam area a couple of weeks after the March Monsters blew through here and had a hard time recognizing the area. There were HUGE landslides. Basically, there was no access to a badly overfished area. I tried clambering over new stream channels, the access bridge was GONE and so were the trails to the the base of the dam. I haven’t been back, I’ll look again after the Power Baiters are gone. John E.

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]I have heard that this creek can offer great fishing and is blue ribbon, ]but I have also heard that it is not worth looking at. CAn anyone shed ]some light on the creek for me, because I am planing to go up there this ]Sunday. Also if it is possible, maybe someone can direct me to a good ]place to start from in the morning, and give me an idea of what sort of ]flies I should bring along. I would really appreciate anything anyone has ]to say about this creek. ]TimFLYFISH Tim, I believe the better flyfishing at Putah is from Nov-March, because that’s when the flows are lower, and they restrict fishing in the upper section to artificials, single barbless hook, C&R.  This time of year, you’re battling bait dunkers and the higher flows. Effective patterns I’ve heard of (in the winter) include PT nymphs or blue wing olive nymphs, size 18-22. A good friend (and reliable source) told me that he went in February or March, and that they had had some kind of disastorous mudslide in the upper section, just above the Highway 128 bridge.  He said you couldn’t even see some of the boulders in the river, because they were covered with a mud sludge.  They had construction crews with heavy equipment out there, trying to smooth the land where the slide had occurred. I hope it’s recovered somewhat since then.  Please keep us posted on how you did and the river conditions.  Thanks, Bill Uyeki

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I have heard that this creek can offer great fishing and is blue ribbon, but I have also heard that it is not worth looking at. CAn anyone shed some light on the creek for me, because I am planing to go up there this Sunday. Also if it is possible, maybe someone can direct me to a good place to start from in the morning, and give me an idea of what sort of flies I should bring along. I would really appreciate anything anyone has to say about this creek. TimFLYFISH

I ‘ve fished Putah for almost 20 years and its really gone downhill in the last 10 or so.  Erratic water flows, streamside erosion, overfishing have taken their toll.  Seams to me that there could be the potential for a blue ribbon fishery but it clearly ain’t one now. Garrick

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From what I have heard, I am glad that I didn’t end up going. A late night stoped the morning trip. I probably won’t on going there again if what you have said is true. Thank you for the info.

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Well 6/7/95, Mammoth fishing is still slow.  Crowley is near dead. 17-20" browns and even smaller rainbows on olive buggers with flash. I say forget Mammoth for now.  Air Temps in the 50S.  Still needs to warm up and water needs to clear.

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Try fishing at Parking Lot #3; good pocket water, as well as large surface water.

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Try fishing at Parking Lot #3; good pocket water, as well as large surface water.

I have seen the name Putah Creek in more than one location. Where is this one? Thanks, Michael Paine

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I have seen the name Putah Creek in more than one location. Where is this one? Thanks, Michael Paine

It’s between the Bay Area and Sacramento.  Below Lake Berryessa.                  /                                                           John Woodling                 /                                                           Sacramento, CA                /                   "The lure of fishing is that it is the pursuit of that which is elusive, yet attainable……an endless series of occasions for hope"

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Question:

I am very interested in taking a flyfishing trip to Montana and would very much appreciate any info on when and where to go. I am considering driving up during the late May-late June time frame. I have primarily fished in WA on stillwaters (beaver ponds,etc.) and would like suggestions as to which rivers might offer the best access for wading as I don’t have access to a boat. I would be interested in hiring a guide for a couple of days; if anyone has either personal experience with or knowlege of any reputable guides I would be most appreciative.   Email response is OK for the sake of bandwidth. Thanks in advance. Kelly Van Arsdel

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I am very interested in taking a flyfishing trip to Montana and would very much appreciate any info on when and where to go. I am considering driving up during the late May-late June time frame. I have primarily fished in WA on stillwaters (beaver ponds,etc.) and would like suggestions as to which rivers might offer the best access for wading as I don’t have access to a boat. I would be interested in hiring a guide for a couple of days; if anyone has either personal experience with or knowlege of any reputable guides I would be most appreciative.

    Late May to late June, eh?  Well, a couple of good smaller rivers that should be in pretty good shape then are Rock Creek, the Big Hole and Beaverhead Rivers, and probably the upper reaches of the Jefferson.  I’d suggest going mid-June or so, that way you can probably wander into the salmon fly hatch on one of those streams, which is a gas.  I personnally am partial to the upper stretches of the Big Hole, but Rock Creek, while it still has water in it, might be a better bet.    All of these waters are in western MT, btw.                     Scott

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| | I am very interested in taking a flyfishing trip to Montana and would very | much appreciate any info on when and where to go. I am considering driving | up during the late May-late June time frame. I have primarily fished in WA | on stillwaters (beaver ponds,etc.) and would like suggestions as to which | rivers might offer the best access for wading as I don’t have access to a | boat. I would be interested in hiring a guide for a couple of days; if anyone | has either personal experience with or knowlege of any reputable guides I | would be most appreciative.  I’ve only been up there once, but had a great time.  I would suggest thinking about july or august.  June may be a little early with runnoff and conditions.  Also, if you havent been to Yellowstone, you may want to go there instead….fly into Jackson Hole and then go north and fish the madison, yellowstone, or others.  Or, you could fly into one of towns north of yellowstone park in montana(livingston or boseman).  Then you would have the option of going in several directions.  However, the yellowstone park is worth visiting.  Also, if they’re rising the yellowstone river ten or twenty miles above old faithful is great. drex

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