Question:

No barbecue but we did end up with hamburgers at the beach grill.  I met up with Jon Cook on Monday to fish some of the surf near Los Angeles International Airport.  We jawed about some of our Great Lakes fishing memories and about life in academia.  When we got to the beach we saw a couple of corbina in skinny water.  It was low tide and the water was coming in.  We spotted some nice looking depressions in the sand.  If there were fish in this area they would soon be occupying those holes once the water filled in.  Jon got a look at some corbina and asked about them. I said I’d consider it a lucky day if we hooked into one.  Well, the fish were not there.  As the tide came in the corbina became more scarce.  My friend Jimmy tagged along with us and he did manage to catch a corbina. So maybe it was a lucky day after all.  All of us had a couple of strikes but failed to capitalize on the few opportunities.  Did end up with three perch landed between the three of us though.  The sea is a harsh mistress as they say.  Glad I did meet Jon though.  He says he will definitely go to the, as yet unplanned, next San Juan Clave.  Meet a ROFFian, meet a friend. Mu

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Mu, you may have missed it on ROFF, but we noted your appearance in the SW Flyfishing article.  A very good article, btw. Glad I did meet Jon though.  He says he will definitely go to the, as yet unplanned, next San Juan Clave.  Meet a ROFFian, meet a friend.

Jon’s pretty slick at the San Juan.  We’ll have to do it again and get Jon to pick the days (early 2003 please).  We’ll hope for more willing next year although it’s always fun. bruce h

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Glad I did meet Jon though.  He says he will definitely go to the, as yet unplanned, next San Juan Clave.  Meet a ROFFian, meet a friend.

I missed Jon at the Juan last year. Willi

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Glad I did meet Jon though.  He says he will definitely go to the, as yet unplanned, next San Juan Clave.  Meet a ROFFian, meet a friend. I missed Jon at the Juan last year.

Awww, comon mon! It was a no-John Juan? rivermon

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Awww, comon mon! It was a no-John Juan? rivermon

So… it was a sans Juan? — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

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Mu, you may have missed it on ROFF, but we noted your appearance in the SW Flyfishing article.  A very good article, btw.

Just re-read that article.  Bill wrote it about a year ago.  Reminded me of a whole bunch of little tactics that I have forgotten about.  Back when I was catching fewer fish I figured there were just very few fish around and that’s why I wasn’t catching them.  So I spent more time concentrating on casting technique and doing little things to maximize my success rate on the water.  Since then I’ve gotten a little lazy (mentally) and figure if I keep casting and covering lots of territory I will eventually hook up. Mu

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  Since then I’ve gotten a little lazy (mentally) and figure if I keep casting and covering lots of territory I will eventually hook up.

My guess is that you now catch many more fish. That technique works. Willi

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Question:

yes, there is a "magic fly". from ronco (makers of the banjo minnow) comes the ultimate in flies for the flyfisherman.  no longer will one have to sein insects or actually check to see what’s hatching.  not only will this fly imitate any insect in all it’s stages of life… it also morphs into streamer patterns to imitate all known forms of baitfish in fresh and saltwater. developed from space age polymers discovered on a covert survailance mission over cuba in 1964 while i was flying a stealth fighter this is the answer to all your needs. not only will the fly mimic anything, but the hooked is forged from double secret alloys discovered when the aliens landed in roswell.  the hook is guaranteed to never break, bend, or rust… and the alien technology allows the hook to change sizes and shape to match the necessary bug or baitfish. our goal is to provide you one fly, and 10% of all proceeds will go towards supporting all the third world tyers who will be forced out of business for wasting your time and money over the past many years. this fly has been extensively tested by the very best fishermen (who of course worship me and my products).  for just 3 payments of $49.99 this fly can be yours. these will not be stocked in your local flyshops, so act now because quantities are limited.  the first 500 customers will receive a free booklet on my experiences fishing and flying stealth fighters for the us government during the cold war. orders can be placed via the web at : www.isuckerborneveryminute.ca chris

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yes, there is a "magic fly". orders can be placed via the web at :

Excellent!  I lose a lot of flies in the bushes, so do you accept bulk orders?  I might need a gross every month. Kevin, the soon-to-be impoverished

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The most important thing is presentation, and after that, size and color (which proves, size does matter). I have been successful using limited flies, and presenting them in different ways….and am currently trying to pare my large collection down…. The problem I always run into, is visiting local flyshops, and hearing what the hot/magic Nymph, Streamer and Dryfly are for certain rivers, and not being able to resist (no matter how close they look to what I already have)…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Several books I’ve read have mentioned that some people maintain that you can fill your fly box with one single fly (various sizes and colors) and always do just fine. Other resources mention that anyone who maintains this is an idiot. Strangely enough, one of my resources that says this is nonsense ("A Fish Bums Guide to Catching Larger Trout" by Mike Croft) later shows a drawing of his fly box, and you guessed it; its all chironomids. Go figure… So anyway, whats the truth: is there a ‘magic fly’? (and if so, what is it?) riverman

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Several books I’ve read have mentioned that some people maintain that you can fill your fly box with one single fly (various sizes and colors) and always do just fine. Other resources mention that anyone who maintains this is an idiot.

They’re both right  :-).   I’m convinced that having the "wrong fly" is rarely the reason when I don’t catch fish; and that even the wrong fly well presented will catch more fish that the right one presented poorly.   So yeah, a single fly in various sizes and variations will do just fine.   All other things being equal, however, it probably would be more productive to have exactly the right imitation in the right size and color, hence the existance of the fly tying industry. Joe F.

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yes, there is a "magic fly". from ronco (makers of the banjo minnow)

There’s more to this sad saga than you realize: I know the ‘inventor’ of the ‘Banjo Minnow’ personally. He’s an outfitter from central Maine, and a bigger asshole never walked this earth, GG and CF included. riverman

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What he said….

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Several books I’ve read have mentioned that some people maintain that you can fill your fly box with one single fly (various sizes and colors) and always do just fine. Other resources mention that anyone who maintains this is an idiot. They’re both right  :-).   I’m convinced that having the "wrong fly" is rarely the reason when I don’t catch fish; and that even the wrong fly well presented will catch more fish that the right one presented poorly.   So yeah, a single fly in various sizes and variations will do just fine. All other things being equal, however, it probably would be more productive to have exactly the right imitation in the right size and color, hence the existance of the fly tying industry. Joe F.

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I’d say ‘no’, but thats because an Adams is a pretty well-defined fly, isn’t it?

Yeah, and we all tie it wrong.  The Adams was originally a down-wing caddis type fly. Kevin, who ties them just like all the rest of you.

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On a fertile, heavily fished river, especially in the midst of a hatch, you need to have a decent imitation if you want consistent results. Some places (like some spring creeks) there might be several different hatches going on, and you’d better pick the right pattern, because the fish are keyed to that one thing.

I’d like to be able to find more opportunties to fish a single strong hatch, much less a multiple fly one. Willi

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I’m much more interested in and generally concentrate on presentation over fly selection. However, the importance of a "good" pattern depends on what type of water you’re fishing. On lightly fished infertile waters, like Walt described in NC, pattern is usually not very important. On a fertile, heavily fished river, especially in the midst of a hatch, you need to have a decent imitation if you want consistent results.

Some places (like some spring creeks) there might be several different hatches going on, and you’d better pick the right pattern, because the fish are keyed to that one thing.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – wayno  (frightening, when you think that "citizen fisherman" makes george look like willi loehman…) Don’t know how to take this, being mentioned in the same sentence with two such illustrious fellows. Well, it SOUNDED like a compliment (as to you, anyway)…

Well, it did SOUND that way to me too, but you can never be sure around here. Willi

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wayno  (frightening, when you think that "citizen fisherman" makes george look like willi loehman…) Don’t know how to take this, being mentioned in the same sentence with two such illustrious fellows.

Well, it SOUNDED like a compliment (as to you, anyway)… …well, unless you and Ginkles got into a "Here’s my picture so you can see how to be a better cross-dresser" exchange and yours won…and if you did, might I suggest that some mysteries are best left as such…<G TC, R – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Willi

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wayno  (frightening, when you think that "citizen fisherman" makes george look like willi loehman…) Don’t know how to take this, being mentioned in the same sentence with two such illustrious fellows.

Yeah, I’m still trying to figger that one out

Response:

<<  later shows a drawing of his fly box, and you guessed it; its all chironomids. Go figure… That isn’t his fly box. That is his chironomid box. He may also have an Adams box and a grasshopper box and a mayfly box, etc.

And he can still float in his float tube?? riverman

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There’s more to this sad saga than you realize: I know the ‘inventor’ of the ‘Banjo Minnow’ personally. He’s an outfitter from central Maine, and a bigger asshole never walked this earth, GG and CF included. riverman

        good god.  surely a battalion of navy seals has been dispatched to eliminate the cretin. wayno  (frightening, when you think that "citizen fisherman" makes george look like willi loehman…) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

They’re both right  :-).   I’m convinced that having the "wrong fly" is rarely the reason when I don’t catch fish; and that even the wrong fly well presented will catch more fish that the right one presented poorly.   So yeah, a single fly in various sizes and variations will do just fine.   All other things being equal, however, it probably would be more productive to have exactly the right imitation in the right size and color, hence the existance of the fly tying industry.

I’m much more interested in and generally concentrate on presentation over fly selection. However, the importance of a "good" pattern depends on what type of water you’re fishing. On lightly fished infertile waters, like Walt described in NC, pattern is usually not very important. On a fertile, heavily fished river, especially in the midst of a hatch, you need to have a decent imitation if you want consistent results. Willi

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wayno  (frightening, when you think that "citizen fisherman" makes george look like willi loehman…)

Don’t know how to take this, being mentioned in the same sentence with two such illustrious fellows. Willi

Response:

<<  later shows a drawing of his fly box, and you guessed it; its all chironomids. Go figure… That isn’t his fly box. That is his chironomid box. He may also have an Adams box and a grasshopper box and a mayfly box, etc.

Response:

Several books I’ve read have mentioned that some people maintain that you can fill your fly box with one single fly (various sizes and colors) and always do just fine. Other resources mention that anyone who maintains this is an idiot. Strangely enough, one of my resources that says this is nonsense ("A Fish Bums Guide to Catching Larger Trout" by Mike Croft) later shows a drawing of his fly box, and you guessed it; its all chironomids. Go figure… So anyway, whats the truth: is there a ‘magic fly’? (and if so, what is it?) riverman

Response:

So anyway, whats the truth: is there a ‘magic fly’? (and if so, what is it?)

You have a pretty broad interpretation of "one single fly" when you qualify it with "various sizes and colors". I mean, is an Adams with an olive thorax still an Adams ? Still, the answer to your query is no, of course not. Do you really think we’d spend enormous amounts of mental and physical energy in the pursuit of trout with a fly if it were as simple as tying on the "magic fly" ? — Ken Fortenberry

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In my experience the truth lies somewhere in between, and again, I preface this that this applies to fishing here in NZ and I do appreciate there will be differences with circumstances elsewhere in world. I have found that presentation exceeds the choice of fly significantly. the best tied fly will not fool any fish if it is not behaving as the natural might. Trout also, during the course of their day, will eat small stones, sticks, leaves and all manner of things, as Ed Zern once said who is to say the trout doesn’t think our fly is a bit of steel with feathers attached and wants to see what it tastes like?.. they eat everything else???? In all seriousness, If my flybox only contained halfbacks, pheasant tails, hare’s ears, Adams, Stimulators, Humpies I think I would fish pretty happily forever. but what fun would that be….. I’ve never believed in the magic fly, but some styles certainly have a magic about them. Clark

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Several books I’ve read have mentioned that some people maintain that you can fill your fly box with one single fly (various sizes and colors) and always do just fine. Other resources mention that anyone who maintains this is an idiot. Strangely enough, one of my resources that says this is nonsense ("A Fish Bums Guide to Catching Larger Trout" by Mike Croft) later shows a drawing of his fly box, and you guessed it; its all chironomids. Go figure… So anyway, whats the truth: is there a ‘magic fly’? (and if so, what is it?) riverman

Response:

So anyway, whats the truth: is there a ‘magic fly’? (and if so, what is it?) riverman

        it’s all a matter of location and temerature.  i have never seen a stream in the appalachians from april through november that i couldn’t catch fish with any size 14 dry fly or nymph in the popular pantheon.  *if i presented it properly*, of course.         it ain’t exactly the toughest thing in the world to do. your friend in the old north state wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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So anyway, whats the truth: is there a ‘magic fly’? (and if so, what is it?) You have a pretty broad interpretation of "one single fly" when you qualify it with "various sizes and colors". I mean, is an Adams with an olive thorax still an Adams ?

I’d say ‘no’, but thats because an Adams is a pretty well-defined fly, isn’t it? And then again, saying ‘a generic upwing dry’ is a bit too general. For an example of what I mean, go to http://www.flyanglersonline.com/ and follow the links on the left to ‘Fly Tying’, then scroll down and select ‘#9: SHWAPF’. I’ve heard the same claim about chironomids, and also about some other wet fly (which I’ve forgotten). Still, the answer to your query is no, of course not. Do you really think we’d spend enormous amounts of mental and physical energy in the pursuit of trout with a fly if it were as simple as tying on the "magic fly" ?

Hmm, I’m not convinced that we fly fish because its the <easiest way to catch fish. I figured we deliberately make it harder by trying to design flies for specific events at specific times, mostly for the fun of demonstrably ‘figuring it out’. riverman

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hmmm…in the past couple seasons I have taken a fancy to using #16 parachute ant patterns in all sorts of different conditions and have been consistantly surprised at what a productive fly it is…add to that a mitt-full of various Usuals, some Adams in small sizes, a couple Ausable Wulffs and a few bead-head caddis larvae and I’m a happy camper (except on those days when I need 150 other patterns or life just won’t be worth living…heehee) Eugene Knapik Toronto

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hmmm, even if one fly did it all, I really enjoy tying and presenting different flies as a major part of this hobby.  I am always interested in new patterns, new technology, and new research.  It is what makes it so fun for me and, of course, talking with and experiencing fly fishing with my buddies who have lots of opinions about patterns is pretty cool too. Padishar Creel — If I only could take one fly to my home waters it be the bead head pheasant tail…but it would be so lonely

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Hmmm, even if one fly did it all, I really enjoy tying and presenting different flies as a major part of this hobby.  I am always interested in new patterns, new technology, and new research.  It is what makes it so fun for me and, of course, talking with and experiencing fly fishing with my buddies who have lots of opinions about patterns is pretty cool too. Padishar Creel — If I only could take one fly to my home waters it be the bead head pheasant tail…but it would be so lonely

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So anyway, whats the truth: is there a ‘magic fly’?

You can’t ever go wrong with a #6 Sofa Pillow.

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Question:

I have updated my site designed around collecting, fishing, and repair of bamboo and fiberglass fly rods. I have new articles, stories, photos, and information. The forum is a good source of information about the above topics, and there is a board to get a free appraisal as well as a board to list classic tackle that you have for sale or you wish to buy, which is also free. You can visit the site at  http://www.clarksrods.com Hope you enjoy the site. Regards Clark

Response:

Nice site. Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have updated my site designed around collecting, fishing, and repair of bamboo and fiberglass fly rods. I have new articles, stories, photos, and information. The forum is a good source of information about the above topics, and there is a board to get a free appraisal as well as a board to list classic tackle that you have for sale or you wish to buy, which is also free. You can visit the site at  http://www.clarksrods.com Hope you enjoy the site. Regards Clark

Response:

Now *that* is a nice site! Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have updated my site, added many new graphics, information, stories, improved the forum, and added some rods to the list that are for sale or trade. If you are interested in collecting, fishing, or repairing classic fly rods, you might be interested in visiting the site. The url is http://www.clarksrods.com  Hope you enjoy the site, and if you have any suggestions for improvement, please email me.

Response:

I have updated my site, added many new graphics, information, stories, improved the forum, and added some rods to the list that are for sale or trade. If you are interested in collecting, fishing, or repairing classic fly rods, you might be interested in visiting the site. The url is http://www.clarksrods.com  Hope you enjoy the site, and if you have any suggestions for improvement, please email me.

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Question:

I’m rather new to fly fishing and I currently carry my daily supplies in a hiking fanny pack.  This does not always seem real convenient as it does not seperate items efficiently.  Most of my fishing is in the eastern Sierra Nevada – small lakes and streams.  Some float tubing. What are the pros and cons to other methods of carrying your supplies – vests, specially made packs, shirts with lots of pockets, etc?

A fishing vest allows one to carry a prodigious amount of "stuff" – one heck of a lot more than you can carry using virtually any other method (that’ll still let you actually fish ;^) That’s a Pro *and* a Con. It’s soooooooo easy to end up with your vest stuffed with enough gear to open your own fly shop. If you’re the kind of person that never wants to wonder whether he should’ve brought that <fill in the blank, a vest is definitely for you. Even my "shorty" wading vest has 29 pockets! And you simply can’t have an empty pocket, dontcha know! By the end of the season it’s so overstuffed with gear it’ll stand up on its own – and if I’ve got my "lightweight" raingear and lunch stuffed in the back, the whole works weighs more than 10 pounds (whoof!) Obviously, having an entire store on-stream is the advantage (I’m talking 400+ patterns in sizes from 0 to 28, a second, matched, reel and a pair of loaded spools (four different lines total), a leader kit,  floatants, dessicant, sinkers, insect seine, bug dope, a chunk of TP in a baggy ;^)  a gooseneck light, magnifier, thermometer, various small tools and zingers). Just as obviously, carrying all that weight is the down side… OTOH, I occasionally leave the vest (and the waders) in the truck, and wet wade while wearing one of those Jungle Jim shirts. Enough room for a couple of tippet spools, a small box of flies, a bottle of floatant, a pair of snips, and a hemostat, smokes and a lighter, and the keys to the truck. Depends on where I’m fishing and whether I know the water well enough to pick out just what I need. It’s definitely enjoyable to fish "light"! Somewhere in between there’s a good compromise. Buying a vest with a more sane number of pockets is probably a step in the right direction ;^) Good luck! /daytripper

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—–BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE—– I’ve got a very simple way: I don’t carry much stuff. If it doesn’t fit in the two large handwarmer pockets on my Carhartts jacket and the one on my t-shirt, it doesn’t go. That cuts my load down to one fly box for wets and dries[1], one fly box for everything else[2], sunglasses, a spool of tippet material, a knife, and my smokes if that’s one of the weekends that I forget that I’m supposed to have quit. [1] I’m not sure that they’re supposed to be wet, but what else do you call a #12 parachute Adams when it sinks? [2] Yes, I’ve even used bass bugs on trout streams. They worked when _NOTHING_ else would. It’s the damdest thing. —–BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE—– Version: 2.6.2 iQEVAwUBNx18oZdiUzdLFqlpAQHouAf+LPT5ZqFPwmLeqi0J2/sGfDBvDXG/RV8e J5afy/mrSMGIJDBna0vecEfieL+njqYrRLQMXmJT9UM6c8yuXAW72KO8Nn8QA3Xk DVhpOZ72CQ9yipgFowbL13OLyygrnY5rLp3t/fO0TJxlqOrARN/jbtsNawy7g6HQ tWN70EmzQtMCfStPAs/g4DJD6a0gWFWaad+xSaQJ1BYoqQSz2N3HlyAlioG7hICf VQYyw5ociZDoZ12piVPiDaLsAOzChvKx6g3SvNZyEstR5QX9BP7l8zpQKMFi/hCq gH09LK7dp+6lkMUuf1e6925QWMQeS4lI7p8stUGfCud0BHWvHctxfg== =Qcla —–END PGP SIGNATURE—– Mike S. Medintz, http://www.grapevine.net/~medintz "You have the right to freedom of religion. You have the  responsibility to not knock on my door on Sunday morning." -Bill Maher

Response:

Float tubes have their own vests (most of them, except the cheapies) in the form of side pockets.  No vest or pack required.  On stream, though, a vest is still the answer for me.  Organized, roomy and comfortable.  The tendency is to overstuff. We all start to use every pocket because…well, because it is there.  Stuff like George’s different products, thermometers, two sizes of hemostats and all 6 weights of tippet can add up. A short vest is worth the investment for me.  Of course, I don’t give a rat’s behind about what is fashionable among the yuppie scum, God bless ‘em. They keep my local fly shop open and I still have fun catching fish.  As long as you’re happy… Babel

Response:

Skiroc asked:What are the pros and cons to other methods of carrying your supplies – vests, specially made packs, shirts with lots of pockets, etc?

  General rule:  The more room you have to put stuff in, the more stuff you’re going to haul around with you.  You don’t need that much stuff.   I’ve been happy as a clam carrying my stuff around in my little Patagucci fishing fanny pack for the past four or five years.

Response:

Stick with your fanny pack. The best piece of advice I can give you is to keep your kit down to a sensible minimum. The worst thing you can do is be persuaded into buying a vest with dozens of pockets, which you’ll feel duty-bound to fill with uneccessary items. You really don’t need the kitchen sink (in duplicate). Honest! It has taken me over thirty years to pare things down, but I’m getting there. I now travel much lighter than I used to and fishing is so much more fun. Keep it simple! Tony

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(snip) I know people who use all the methods you describe for carrying their FFing gear. I’m an equipment freak instead of a minimalist so I wear a vest.

        (snip) .  Big bass bug boxes won’t fit just anywhere.

        and besides, where would a guy keep all those hilarious lawyer jokes?         wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Frank Church USAF Retired Elkhart, IN

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (snip) I know people who use all the methods you describe for carrying their FFing gear. I’m an equipment freak instead of a minimalist so I wear a vest.         (snip) .  Big bass bug boxes won’t fit just anywhere.         and besides, where would a guy keep all those hilarious lawyer jokes?         wayno And as the French say, "tooshay" Wayno.  :-) Frank Church USAF Retired Elkhart, IN

Response:

I’m rather new to fly fishing and I currently carry my daily supplies in a hiking fanny pack.  This does not always seem real convenient as it does not seperate items efficiently.  Most of my fishing is in the eastern Sierra Nevada – small lakes and streams.  Some float tubing. What are the pros and cons to other methods of carrying your supplies – vests, specially made packs, shirts with lots of pockets, etc?

Response:

Skiroc asked:What are the pros and cons to other methods of carrying your supplies – vests, specially made packs, shirts with lots of pockets, etc?

Since I live in Texas where it is often hotter’n hell I seldom wear a vest. I use a fanny pack that was made to carry a handgun. It has four pockets which give me enough separation to easily find things. If I leave the 44 at home,that one pocket holds more fly boxes than I need for any one day. I have been known to use empty hook boxes which used to hold 100 hooks hold a lot of flies of the size useful for trout or bluegill. Big Dale

Response:

I’m rather new to fly fishing and I currently carry my daily supplies in a hiking fanny pack.  This does not always seem real convenient as it does not seperate items efficiently.  Most of my fishing is in the eastern Sierra Nevada – small lakes and streams.  Some float tubing. What are the pros and cons to other methods of carrying your supplies – vests, specially made packs, shirts with lots of pockets, etc?

I know people who use all the methods you describe for carrying their FFing gear. I’m an equipment freak instead of a minimalist so I wear a vest.  Things are organized the same way, so there is no fumbling around looking for that tippet spool, nippers, etc.  If you decide on a vest, do two things before buying. . . since you float tube, consider getting a ’shorty’ vest, this will keep the lower pockets in the vest out of the water, and if you wade fish will do the same thing and, take your fly boxes with you when buying the vest to make sure they will fit the pockets.  I made that mistake once, and had to return the vest.  Big bass bug boxes won’t fit just anywhere. Frank Church USAF Retired Elkhart, IN

Response:

We had a thread on this about a month ago, which attracted dozens of responses.  You may want to try to dig it out, if it’s still up on your ISP. One basic piece of advice, avoid packs that use Velcro to seal pockets (this will eliminate most fishing vests).  The Velcro will wear out in a year of two of use, well before anything else.  Then you’ll start losing things, until you get around to replacing the Velcro or the item. As to which is better, vest or packs, I don’t think there is a single perfect answer.  It’ depends on the fishing you do. Vests are perfect if, a) all you need to carry is fishing gear — and a lot of it; and b) it’s not too hot.  Again, look for vests that use zippers not Velcro to seal pockets.  This will eliminate almost all of the less expensive vests. Chest packs are great if you don’t need to carry a lot of gear, and you get one that is comfortable (pay a lot of attention to the harness).  I have a large Orvis chest pack which, when loaded fully, is uncomfortable after an hour or so.  Other pack harnesses seem much better designed. However, more often than not I need to carry more than fishing gear, e.g. raincoat, lunch, water bottle.  If you like to fish small streams in the Eastern Sierra, and walk any distance from you car, you’re probably in the same boat. I’ve adopted a combined back-pack/chest pack by JW Outfitters.  It’s a small daypack in back, with elastic webbing to carry a jacket on the outside if the compartment fills up, and two vertical chest packs, one on each back-pack strap.  Each chest pack is large enough to hold two or three medium-large fly boxes, and there are plenty of little pockets with zippers, etc, to carry tippet, hemostats, leaders, etc., etc., etc.  Everything I used to carry in my vest (I’m neither a minimalist nor a gear-head) fit into the chest packs.  There are two built in retractors, one on the outside of each chest pack.  Minimal use of Velcro.  Cabela’s sells it in their fly fishing catalog, if your dealer can’t get if for you. Obviously designed by a fly-fisherman, I continue to  be pleased with it and to learn about little features that enhance it.  Patagonia makes a similar pack, with a larger back-pack section, but it’s much more expensive and uses Velcro to seal pockets. Michael

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Question:

Any information on the good holes or riffles would be appreciated!

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For a start look at Meck’s MID ATLANTIC TROUT STREAMS AND THEIR HATCHES. I fished Big Flatbrook last father’s day with my daughter. After 35 years away from it, its incredible what a good job NJ has done with this and some of its other streams. Advise: Get a very detailed map. The scale is deceptive if you are used to the West, ie lots of narrow winding roads, hidden crossroads, little villages, the NJ of my youth. The river is holy water and is truely a challenging experience compares more than favorably with any Eastern river I have ever fished. Locate the "ROY Bridge" and work up from it to get into a fly-only section. Work down from it and its just as good! Avoid the big holes, and avoid people its that simple. Walk in a ways and I think you will find some fine fishing and what I will swear are native Brookies in the 8-12 inch range. I think that’s incredible for a place maybe 50 crow miles from Manhatten. The fish I caught were back in what I call the "headon rootballs:" places where the current smacks right into a root obstruction. So if you are using drys (it was spring and I was using very small tan stimulators fished "damp") You are going to have to float your fly on this very fast water to about an inch of the tangles to get any action. You are going to lose flys but It works.  For Brookies I think your stalking is more important than your pattern. Dave Snedeker – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any information on the good holes or riffles would be appreciated!

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While you’re in the area, try the Little Flatbrook.  Lot’s of native brookies if you can get way back in away from the parking areas.  Beaver ponds are real hotspots. As for the Big Flatbrook, I wouldn’t start fishing it until the stocking season ends unless you like crowds.  By July, the wormers are gone and you have a better chance of having a stretch of river all to yourself. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any information on the good holes or riffles would be appreciated!

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Try "Millbrook"  -  it’s a few mile south of Flatbrook (on the same road.) Nice scenery and a real nice stream (at least it was 45 or 50 years ago!!) Tight lines, Ed

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Do you mean Millbrook Village?  I ‘ve never heard a stream by that name south of the Flatbrook.  Van Campens Brook is the only stream I’m aware of in that vacinity.  Perhaps they changed the name. Rich – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Try "Millbrook"  -  it’s a few mile south of Flatbrook (on the same road.) Nice scenery and a real nice stream (at least it was 45 or 50 years ago!!) Tight lines, Ed

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Question:

Does anyone know if a larger reel foot is available for a Ross Gunnison G3 reel? The slip ring on my fly rod’s reel seat has streched enough that it slides all the way over my reel foot, and the nut on the reel seat cannot tighten the reel down.  The reel seat is a Struble U3 reel seat, with a removeable fighting butt attachment on it, so I don’t think I can take the reel seat apart and put a new ring on the reel seat.  If a larger foot can be put on the reel (there are four screws holding the current foot on) I think the slip ring should work ok.  I fixed the problem by putting three layers of duct tape on the reel seat, to minimize the spacing inside the ring with the reel foot in place.  This is not the solution I want to live with.  A new reel is not a solution I want to consider either, since I still have my old Pflueger Medalist that fits fine. Thanks, Mark Johnson A Sorry if this question has something to do with fly fishing.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know if a larger reel foot is available for a Ross Gunnison G3 reel? The slip ring on my fly rod’s reel seat has streched enough that it slides all the way over my reel foot, and the nut on the reel seat cannot tighten the reel down.  The reel seat is a Struble U3 reel seat, with a removeable fighting butt attachment on it, so I don’t think I can take the reel seat apart and put a new ring on the reel seat.  If a larger foot can be put on the reel (there are four screws holding the current foot on) I think the slip ring should work ok.  I fixed the problem by putting three layers of duct tape on the reel seat, to minimize the spacing inside the ring with the reel foot in place.  This is not the solution I want to live with.  A new reel is not a solution I want to consider either, since I still have my old Pflueger Medalist that fits fine. Thanks, Mark Johnson A Sorry if this question has something to do with fly fishing.

Apology accepted.  Just don’t do it again, OK? I used to have a Gunnison 3 with the same problem.  Apart from tape, the only thing I can suggest, is try to find a reel that has the same screw pattern and then order just the foot from that manufacturer.  If I remember correctly, the G3 has a screwed-on reel seat.  (If it’s riveted, you’re screwed.)   Most other reel manufacturers make thicker feet.  Don’t drop your G3 on anything hard either, the foot is awful thin.  I had to work on mine to remove a ding before it would fit on the rod again.  Also, don’t overheat the drag (i.e. no Chinook or salt fishing.)  You’ll wear (melt?) the point off the plastic pawl. Peter

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D433-Mark_E_Johnson(Mark)x3037 schrieb in Nachricht … Does anyone know if a larger reel foot is available for a Ross Gunnison G3 reel?

Hi Mark, I had this problem on a rod which I did not want to take apart either.  I built a new reel foot.  Any good fitter or mechanical workshop should be able to do this for you at minimal cost. It mainly depends on how the reel foot is attached to the reel. Mine was held by four small screws, so the modification was easy. I  got a secondary advantage out of the mod too, by making the reel foot come off at an angle from the reel, I moved the reel up the rod about one and a half centimeters effectively. This makes for better casting and holding, less fatigue, and my fingers or hand no longer touch the metal of the reel seat. This makes it much more comfortable. Hope this helps ! Tight lines  ( and reel seats ! ) Mike Connor

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Probably — I had the same problem with the G4 and a Scott rod.  I asked the dealer involved if he could help, and a week later, Ross sent a larger reel foot that works great.  I believe that Ross sent the dealer a kit with a bunch of feet for various reels in their line. Rob

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Question:

I have recently begun fly fishing and am from the New Orleans area. Can anyone offer some specific areas to fish near here. I know there are many places around here, I just don’t know where they are. I am looking for places to fish both from a boat and from shore or wading. I’ve been with a guide, but it won’t take long to run out of money if I use one every time I want to fish. Thanks. Larry

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My suggestion is to go see Tom at Bayou Specialties in Jefferson–he can point you in the right direction–and tell him Jeff Boudreaux sent you. Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have recently begun fly fishing and am from the New Orleans area. Can anyone offer some specific areas to fish near here. I know there are many places around here, I just don’t know where they are. I am looking for places to fish both from a boat and from shore or wading. I’ve been with a guide, but it won’t take long to run out of money if I use one every time I want to fish. Thanks. Larry

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Lake Calcasieu (sp.?) near Lake Charles is supposed to be excellent for salt water.  You can contact Dave at Orvis Houston 713-783-1111 or an Orvis shop if you have one in N.O. for more info & good guides info. Tight lines Al Carlton

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Larry… was just going through the newsgroups postings and found your request…hope you don’t mind some advice. In order to be successful you need to find an area that you like and get to know it….well! No one can just pull into somewhere they’ve never been before and expect to put fish in the boat. It takes time to learn a spot geographically, as well as the tidal effects, fly selection, etc. Even though I am a guide and have fished all over the US for the last 30 years or so….I always hire a guide the first day or two I go somewhere new. When I feel I know what’s going on, then I strike out on my own…it’s the only way to optimize your chances. As far as the guide thing goes, yes…I agree it is expensive. However, there are ways to captilize on your investment. First…find a good guide who works in the area you want to learn. In New Orleans, I’d call Capt. Kirby LeCour (540-464-1697..tell him I recommended you). Tell him you want to learn the area so you can fish on your own. When you go out, ask a LOT of questions…pay attention to WHERE you go….and spend your time LEARNING…not worrying about how many fish you put in the box. By the way, one gentleman referred you to the ORVIS store in Houston. He also suggested you fish Calcasieu Lake in SW Louisiana. I agree with one of his points…Calcasieu is a great area. I know…I guide here. As for contacting them…well, caveat emptor. If I can be of any help, lemme know. Capt. Briant Smith Lake Charles, LA

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Question:

 I have some nice dries for $10 for a dozen. E-mial me your address and I’ll sednd a list of the flies out. If you like, snail mail me a dollar and I’ll send a sample pack of 2 flies for a dollar. Mike — Check out my on-line color catalog: web site: http://www.MWflytying.com

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Can anyone direct me to a page or number of a company with excellent fly prices and customer service.  Thanks for your help

 Look here:   http://CO.NBCI.Net/FlyFishing/

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Question:

3M makes a fly line dressing that brings out the natural lubricants in the line itself and puts more on it.  Great Great Great STuff

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writes: Has anybody tried "lard" (yes, I mean pure porky lard for cooking) or any other greasy-oily domestic product?

     In the Bad Old Days of silk lines, commercial line dressings contained lanolin (i.e., mutton fat), but what good lard would do on a vinyl-covered line, I don’t know.  Silicones act like oils but are much less sensitive to changes in temperature (and do not become rancid!)      Wash your line in warm water and mild soap, rinse, then wipe dry with a soft cloth.  You will be surprised how much better a clean line floats and shoots than a dirty one.  – Roger

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Does anybody know of any domestic product we could use to apply on fly lines instead of these expensive silicone products a careful fisherman must buy many times a year in order to protect his line? Has anybody tried "lard" (yes, I mean pure porky lard for cooking) or any other greasy-oily domestic product? Fly fishing is older than "silicone" I believe, so what would ancient fly fishers use on their lines? …of course we know they didn’t use synthetic lines as we do now, but still! I am asking before I try for I am bored by the commercial aspect of fishing.  And I do go fishing every day. If some of you fly fishers out there would kindly give me informations on this by E-Mail, I would gather the answer and publish them in an article here in the NewsGroup.  It might be helpful for all of us. If I get no answer, well next year I’ll know because I’ll try a few tricks. Thanks for reading me.  If you got any answer you can mail ‘em to me (Jean-Pierre) at E-Mail address:

I think that a can of Mucilin is about as much as a mocha? William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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Does anybody know of any domestic product we could use to apply on fly lines instead of these expensive silicone products a careful fisherman must buy many times a year in order to protect his line? Has anybody tried "lard" (yes, I mean pure porky lard for cooking) or any other greasy-oily domestic product? Fly fishing is older than "silicone" I believe, so what would ancient fly fishers use on their lines? …of course we know they didn’t use synthetic lines as we do now, but still! I am asking before I try for I am bored by the commercial aspect of fishing.  And I do go fishing every day. If some of you fly fishers out there would kindly give me informations on this by E-Mail, I would gather the answer and publish them in an article here in the NewsGroup.  It might be helpful for all of us. If I get no answer, well next year I’ll know because I’ll try a few tricks. Thanks for reading me.  If you got any answer you can mail ‘em to me (Jean-Pierre) at E-Mail address:

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Question:

Once upon a time after a full day of fishing I tied on a olive

wooly bugger, turned around and cast down stream and let all of my line out in the current.  The I started reeling, yes thats right reeling the line back in.  And guess what.  The trout loved it. Hope I am not stipped of my rod and waders for admit<<< Hey, they call that slamming fish where i come from, and its a hell of technique.  Works great for steelhead and salmon. Tom — "For the love of the fly, the cycle of spring, and all things that remind us of nature’s cruel dance."

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Colin Albert writes: My favorite patterns are similar – elk hair caddis, lt cahill, griffin gnat renegade, adams.  But, and I am a bit ashamed to admit this — I have caught more trout and larger trout on a #16 royal wulff than any other.  There, I saidit.  This fly has seemed to go out of favor, and I wonder why.  Am I the onlyone that ties this on when nothing is working???

I use the Royal Wulff #14 on small mountain streams in New Mexico. It is the best single producer for me. I wonder how much color can be seen from below water, and how much the fisherman can see. May improve the fisherman’s odds ? Nothing makes a more attentive fisherman than a fly that he thinks is going to work ! Arch Thiessen an indian trader from Santa Fe ******* Arch Thiessen                                                 "never put off ’till tomorrow what can be put off ’till next week" . . . anon

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My favorite patterns are similar – elk hair caddis, lt cahill, griffin gnat renegade, adams.  But, and I am a bit ashamed to admit this — I have caught more trout and larger trout on a #16 royal wulff than any other.  There, I saidit.  This fly has seemed to go out of favor, and I wonder why.  Am I the onlyone that ties this on when nothing is working???

I’ve caught alot of Brown Trout on the Royal Wulff in the small lakes in the hills of Mid Wales. It seems to work especially well in a flat calm and can bring fish to the surface if twitched rather than fished static. I’m never sure if this is simply because of the disturbance caused or whether the pattern has something to do with it. A Grey Wulff of the same size doesn’t seem to have the same effect. Any answers? Oliver Hides BBC Wales Cardiff.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -My favorite patterns are similar – elk hair caddis, lt cahill, griffin gnat renegade, adams.  But, and I am a bit ashamed to admit this — I have caught more trout and larger trout on a #16 royal wulff than any other.  There, I saidit.  This fly has seemed to go out of favor, and I wonder why.  Am I the onlyone that ties this on when nothing is working??? I’ve caught alot of Brown Trout on the Royal Wulff in the small lakes in the hills of Mid Wales. It seems to work especially well in a flat calm and can bring fish to the surface if twitched rather than fished static. I’m never sure if this is simply because of the disturbance caused or whether the pattern has something to do with it. A Grey Wulff of the same size doesn’t seem to have the same effect. Any answers? Oliver Hides BBC Wales Cardiff.

Once upon a time after a full day of fishing I tied on a olive wooly bugger, turned around and cast down stream and let all of my line out in the current.  The I started reeling, yes thats right reeling the line back in.  And guess what.  The trout loved it. Hope I am not stipped of my rod and waders for admitting this. heheh Tom

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: : : : I’ve caught alot of Brown Trout on the Royal Wulff in the small lakes in the : hills of Mid Wales. It seems to work especially well in a flat calm : and can bring fish to the surface if twitched rather than fished static. I’m : never sure if this is simply because of the disturbance caused or whether the : Once upon a time after a full day of fishing I tied on a olive wooly bugger, : turned around and cast down stream and let all of my line out in the current. :  The I started reeling, yes thats right reeling the line back in.  And guess : what.  The trout loved it. Hope I am not stipped of my rod and waders for : admitting this. heheh : Tom Anyone who would strip you of anything for catching fish on a particular fly is just a snob.  I have had lots of luck with wooly buggers as well as Royal Wulffs.  I think the Royal Wulff is a beautiful fly and is described by the original tyer Lee Wulff as a nice desert for fish…

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