Question:

You might try http://www.paflyfish.easetech.com/ There is a listing of fly shops (though I’m sure not complete) and a bullitin board wherre you can post your questions. Pretty active. It seems to be THE place to go to find out about Pa trout matters.

I tried that one out. The nearest fly shops were down in Williamsport. I was kinda hoping to find one right in Canton, preferably staffed by a cute young lady with a soft spot for engineers on quests. Hope springs eternal and all that… My work firewall won’t let me into the forum section, so I haven’t posted questions yet. Barring any particular solutions, I can just use general solutions: Be polite, bring five sizes of Adams and tie on 7x. You picked (or had fantastic dumb luck) a great area to fish and nearly the perfect time of year to go.

One of my friends just bought a new digital camera so I’ll post pictures of the scenery. I was in Bucks County last weekend and the trees were just starting to turn. I think by the time I get to Bradford County they’ll be mostly done, but the state of the leaves is really just a part of the whole experience. Brookies in the fall? You will be dazzled.

I hope so. It has the ingredients to become maudlin and possibly even mawkish. If the fish are even a tenth as beautiful as I remember (assuming I catch one), I might just begin to cry from the sheer emotional power of touching my inner child. At worst, I’ll start watching Lifetime or Oxygen… Kiyu

Thanks for the suggestion. Steve "I can see the mountains, I can see the sky, and it’s all too pretty for a man to want to die." -Johnny Cash, "25 Minutes to Go"

Response:

"You never even called me by my name"… Steve Goodman (City of new orleans) wrote it and sent it to David Allan Coe telling him it was the perfect country/western song, Coe replied saying it wasn’t because it didn’t mention pick up trucks, being drunk, trains, Momma, Prison or dying. Goodman wrote an additional verse sent it back and Coe recorded it. That verse went like this… "I was drunk, the day my Mom, got outta prison, and I went to pick her up in the rain, but before I could get to the station in my pick up truck, she got runned over by a damned old train…." Great sing along swing song I used to do at every gig, and if we forgot to include it the requests ensured we did. A good song, but just as good a laugh. Clark

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Frank Reid" No one has written a country western song about it, I could, but probably wont….. Clark To quote an intro off a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young album, "Here’s a song guaranteed to bring you right down.  Its called, "Don’t let it bring you down."" Who was it that said the perfect country western song’s gotta have "trucks, trains, mothers" and a few other things? — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply

Response:

"Brian D. Nelson" Wasn’t that Merle?? Nope, David Allan Coe sang it, Steve Goodman wrote it. Clark

Response:

"I was drunk, the day my Mom, got outta prison, and I went to pick her up in the rain, but before I could get to the station in my pick up truck, she got runned over by a damned old train…."

Clark, I know you will remember the bit by Billy Connolly (or as he says, Big Bill Connolly, the man who put the c**t in Country Music). He was the big scottish guy in "Head of the Class" for the US readers. The bit deconstructs the genre in a humorous yet accurate way, talking about the tragedy, lost love, alcohol that form the common or garden country song. He tops the bit off with this little number: http://www.btinternet.com/~sarsen/billy/bc-candw.html Note the part that says "Country and Western Sounds" went like: Yo de lay eeeee .. lay eeee .. lay eeeee Wooo Wooo You know what I mean Cheers, — Gary M (remove ‘x’s from email address)

Response:

When I was a kid and I lived on the Western slopes of the Rockies, my father and I went fishing for brookies in small alpine creeks. We used spinning gear and worms and enjoyed the summer sunshine. My father was a very busy man and these trips were the highlight of our time in Colorado. We got up before light and dressed heavily because even in July the overnight temperatures would drop to near freezing. There was a perfunctory attempt at packing lunch, usually a block of cheese, leftover steak, two sodas, a sixpack and the obligatory thermos of coffee. Sometimes it was just the coffee and the sixpack. We drove out to Steamboat Springs, stopped at the same gas station for worms and headed up towards Hahn’s Peak. At first we went for the little brookies in the streams that flowed into Steamboat Lake. Later, Dad got a little twelve-foot aluminum boat and we trolled Steamboat Lake for rainbows, and then after we moved, bass in small lakes. No matter where I go or how I fish, I remember how perfect those little brookies were. The biggest we ever caught was eight inches and six was the norm. They all came from those sun-soaked little creeks where the water was so cold it hurt your feet and all the while, Hahn’s Peak looked down in all its purple benevolence. I’m older, and my third-grade enthusiasm is tempered with a little knowledge and a little skill. I know that those little brookies were invaders; they probably should have been cutthroats. It doesn’t change how beautiful they were or how great it was to be ten years old and fishing with Dad. In two weeks, I going with my friends to a cabin on the border between Bradford and Tioga Counties. According to the Pennsylvania Fishing and Boating Commission, there is a Class A Wild Trout Stream right in the little town of Canton, with a population of native brookies, wild and sustaining. Rathbone Creek, it is called. This will be my first chance at wild brookies, and more importantly, my first chance at natives: fish that have lived in that area since the glaciers retreated twelve thousand years ago. I’ve left the worms and the spinning rods behind (for the most part), and since I’ve taken up fly fishing I’ve considered a native brookie on a dry fly to be very meaningful and a fishing milestone. I think it will be almost a exciting as hooking my first steelhead (though not as dramatic). I’d like some help in this quest: Is there a fly shop in the vicinity of Canton? Is there public access to this Rathbone Creek? Is Rathbone the right idea? We’re not hooligans and we won’t trash anybody’s favorite spots. Thanks, Steve

Response:

… since I’ve taken up fly fishing I’ve considered a native brookie on a dry fly to be very meaningful and a fishing milestone. …

You’re a man after my own heart. I can’t help you with your Pennsylvania quest but you would be right at home in North Carolina. Uncle Waldo at ezflyfish could set you right up. Good luck. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

… since I’ve taken up fly fishing I’ve considered a native brookie on a dry fly to be very meaningful and a fishing milestone. … You’re a man after my own heart. I can’t help you with your Pennsylvania quest but you would be right at home in North Carolina. Uncle Waldo at ezflyfish could set you right up. Good luck.

I’ll second all of that and add that if you’re ever in Wisconsin or upper Michigan we can show you LOTS of native brookies. Wolfgang

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … since I’ve taken up fly fishing I’ve considered a native brookie on a dry fly to be very meaningful and a fishing milestone. … You’re a man after my own heart. I can’t help you with your Pennsylvania quest but you would be right at home in North Carolina. Uncle Waldo at ezflyfish could set you right up. Good luck. I’ll second all of that and add that if you’re ever in Wisconsin or upper Michigan we can show you LOTS of native brookies. Wolfgang

    gotta go there and do that.  it wouldn’t be maudlin, would it? yfitons wayno

Response:

I’ll second all of that and add that if you’re ever in Wisconsin or upper Michigan we can show you LOTS of native brookies. Wolfgang    gotta go there and do that.  it wouldn’t be maudlin, would it? yfitons wayno

just don’t trip over the meniscus Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … since I’ve taken up fly fishing I’ve considered a native brookie on a dry fly to be very meaningful and a fishing milestone. … You’re a man after my own heart. I can’t help you with your Pennsylvania quest but you would be right at home in North Carolina. Uncle Waldo at ezflyfish could set you right up. Good luck. I’ll second all of that and add that if you’re ever in Wisconsin or upper Michigan we can show you LOTS of native brookies. Wolfgang     gotta go there and do that.  it wouldn’t be maudlin, would it? yfitons wayno

Nope…….um……not on a school day anyway.  Weekends…..well, you know.   Wolfgang bring cheese!

Response:

You might try http://www.paflyfish.easetech.com/ There is a listing of fly shops (though I’m sure not complete) and a bullitin board wherre you can post your questions. Pretty active. It seems to be THE place to go to find out about Pa trout matters. You picked (or had fantastic dumb luck) a great area to fish and nearly the perfect time of year to go. Brookies in the fall? You will be dazzled. Kiyu

Response:

    gotta go there and do that.  it wouldn’t be maudlin, would it? yfitons wayno

No one has written a country western song about it, nor has anyone reported their rod missing.  I would give it a 0.2 on the maudlin potentiometer. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply

Response:

"Frank Reid" No one has written a country western song about it, I could, but probably wont….. Clark

Response:

"Frank Reid" No one has written a country western song about it, I could, but probably wont….. Clark

To quote an intro off a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young album, "Here’s a song guaranteed to bring you right down.  Its called, "Don’t let it bring you down."" Who was it that said the perfect country western song’s gotta have "trucks, trains, mothers" and a few other things? — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply

Response:

Who was it that said the perfect country western song’s gotta have "trucks, trains, mothers" and a few other things?

David Allan Coe "…and he told me it was the perfect country and western song I wrote him back a letter and told him it was NOT the perfect country and western song because he hadn’t said anything about Momma, or trains, or trucks, or prison, or gettin’ drunk…" — Charlie…

Response:

Who was it that said the perfect country western song’s gotta have "trucks, trains, mothers" and a few other things?

Wasn’t that Merle?? — Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana www.diamondnoutfitters.com

Response:

"…and he told me it was the perfect country and western song I wrote him back a letter and told him it was NOT the perfect country and western song because he hadn’t said anything about Momma, or trains, or trucks, or prison, or gettin’ drunk…"

"I was drunk the day my ma got out of prison…" Joe F.

Response:

<Snipped "I was drunk the day my ma got out of prison…" Joe F.

Thanks, by the way, this is cool.  Joe’s comment on Charlie’s post arrived on my server first.  Still can’t see Charlie’s post. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply

Response:

"I was drunk the day my ma got out of prison…" Joe F.

Since I can’t see Charlie’s post, who was it? — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply

Response:

"I was drunk the day my ma got out of prison…" Joe F. Since I can’t see Charlie’s post, who was it?

David Allan Coe. — Charlie…

Response:

"Frank Reid" No one has written a country western song about it, I could, but probably wont….. Clark To quote an intro off a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young album, "Here’s a song guaranteed to bring you right down.  Its called, "Don’t let it bring you down.""

And then he adds, "It starts out kinda slow and then fizzles out altogether." Russell Some of these threads start out slow. It’s getting them to fizzle out that’s hard.

Response:

Question:

For practice, try standing with your off-side shoulder to your target (ie: your feet will point 90

Question:

Yesterday I got news from a friend that Sydney Harbour was really firing, with big schools of bonito and yellowtail kingfish feeding on top nearly all morning – he and his wife got several good bonnies on fly and lost a kingie, fly line and all before leaving, sick of catching ‘em. I got my gear out before bed, putting a Teeny ‘head on my 11 wt and an intermediate on the 8. The sky was clearing after intermittent drizzle since Christmas Eve. I woke up at 5am this morning to the sound of pouring rain. It’s been going all day (it’s nearly 1 pm now). The wind is up around 15kts, a southerly, which ruins my chances in my 4.2m runabout. I’ve downloaded all the Win’98 Y2K patches I can, I’ve upgraded my antivirus data files, I’ve eaten most of the leftovers in the fridge, but there are a I’M PISSED OFF I WANT TO GO FISHING JK

Response:

I know how you feel John, s’been hissing down here for 3 days or so … still we need it.  Having decided to take the plunge (finally!) into the salt  I’ve been tying a box full of saltwater flies in anticiaption and what happens? … still we need it. good luck when the weather breaks. Steve

Response:

I wish we had some of that rain! Forrest http://www.FlyFishingREVIEW.com FlyFishingREVIEW.com Before you buy.

Response:

I’ve got a lot of empty bottles here I could fill for you.

John : If you want, you could send a bunch of bottles of rain to Dallas. Nearby Lake Lewisville is still 13.3 feet low and weather liers offer no help. The weather here was 73 degrees this afternoon with blue skies and the wind was less than 20 m.p.h.  If this keeps up all the catfish will die of sunburn. There Waldo and Jeff are fishing in beautiful gray days and knocking ice out of their rod guides and we are stuck in this damn bluebird kind of days and still wearing shorts and sandals. I am jealous. It is still too hot to enjoy a Young’s Oatmeal Stout. Big Dale Big Dale

Response:

….It is still too hot to enjoy a Young’s Oatmeal Stout.

Unimaginable Dale.  Never been a fan of hot weather myself but it’s never too hot to drink a good beer, especially if it accompanies a nice mess of fried bluegills. And as the latter are something of a specialty of yours I should think you’d be in pretty good shape.  Bottoms up!

Response:

Where are you Forrest? I’ve got a lot of empty bottles here I could fill for you. Cheers JK

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I wish we had some of that rain! Forrest http://www.FlyFishingREVIEW.com FlyFishingREVIEW.com Before you buy.

Response:

Big Dale, Don’t worry, that’s the one thing with the weather – I guarantee it will change (for better or for worse is the only question, and not even the meteorologists know that!). You wouldn’t believe it here today, not a cloud in the sky, no wind, 25deg Some how I have to tell my better half that I’m going to get some of those kingies at 5am tomorrow morning (New Years Eve), it might be my last chance. Cheers JK

Response:

Question:

I have a Cortland 7" 3/4 wt. rod, is this good for pond fishing in a canoe? I am new to fly fishing although I have 2 old 9" rods. Thanks Mike — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

Response:

As with so many things in life, it isn’t how big it is that matters, it’s what you do with it. I take three rods in my canoe, depending on what I’m fishing for.  For bass I use a 10ft 7 wt (big honkin’ rod).  For trout on a dry fly (or bluegills), I have a lovely 8′6" 4wt.  And for trout on streamers I prefer a 9′ 6wt.   If you canoe with someone else, consider carefully how many rods you can fit in the canoe without increasing the risk of stepping on a rod tip. I have a Cortland 7" 3/4 wt. rod, is this good for pond fishing in a canoe? I am new to fly fishing although I have 2 old 9" rods. Thanks Mike — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

– James A. Foster                                Assoc. Prof Center for Secure & Dependable Computing/SCI   U. of Idaho http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~foster              208.885.7062 pgp key at: ftp://ftp.cs.uidaho.edu/pub/foster/pgp-key.asc

Response:

Thanks James, You forgot to say how many rods will fit in a van before one meets up with the door as did my last one.

Response:

Mike     I fish from a canoe also, and feel the 7 footer is a bit of a handicap since it limits how much line you can comfortably pickup. Stillwater conditions frequently call for casting in different directions on short notice,especially when the fish are really on the move, and the short rod would make me crazy. I’d recommend nothing shorter than 8 feet. Jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a Cortland 7" 3/4 wt. rod, is this good for pond fishing in a canoe? I am new to fly fishing although I have 2 old 9" rods. Thanks Mike — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

Response:

Question:

I’m interested in fishing from a kayak and have seen ads from a California company that makes a molded plastic catamaran-style kayak they claim is "designed for fishermen."  Anyone have any experience with Mendocino Kayaks? Obviously I’d like something that paddles easily, is relatively stable, light-weight and car-toppable.  I’d welcome comments and suggestions.

Response:

I currently own an Ocean Kayak malibu II, I love it. Its a two seater so maybe a single for you? The "sit on top" kayaks are real stable to fish from , which is my main reason for my purchacing one. I dont know your type of fishing, mine is fly fishing salt water flats and channels.Maybe this will help. Good luck mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m interested in fishing from a kayak and have seen ads from a California company that makes a molded plastic catamaran-style kayak they claim is "designed for fishermen."  Anyone have any experience with Mendocino Kayaks? Obviously I’d like something that paddles easily, is relatively stable, light-weight and car-toppable.  I’d welcome comments and suggestions.

Response:

Question:

Ok, this is really *our* impression of Cancun.  I am not trying to provoke any major responses to this, as it is just an opinion from our recent trip there. First of all I did actually like the beaches on/near the Omni Cancun hotel. The beaches were very nice, sand very white and soft and not hot. The water is absolutely beautiful with vivid colors of light-dark blue. Beautiful! If you are a serious beach bum you will love this aspect of Cancun.  I hear that you really need to check out the property you are interested in because some of the beaches have been washed out from past storms and the brochures do not mention that tiny fact.  Most are ok though. The second nice thing is that the bus system is GREAT.  Only 3 pesos (about 20 cents).  The buses run 24 hours a day and every 4-5 minutes.  Easy to use, and much cheaper than cabs which run a minimum of 30 pesos (3$). Now the things I didn’t like: The shop keepers at the various flea markets have very very few bargain items.  Most of the items we were interested in were expensive and the shop keepers really really tried to make you feel bad for being a "wealthy" American who "gets vacations". All in all I can get REAL bargains in Nuevo Larado (Texas/Mexico border city).  If you have LOTS of money and don’t mind turning loose of it then you might feel differently than I/we did. In general the city and resort area had a bad "smell" most places we went. There was an occasional stench that smelled like sewar water or something to that effect. This was noticed most everywhere and we weren’t really sure where it was coming from.  On those lines, when you’re traveling down a street, if you look closely you’ll notice off to the side of the roads there appears to be garbage, rubbish and various other "trash" items that are usually behind shrubs, etc… It’s as if they decided to build a road and "scraped" all the surrounding rubbish off to the side of the road and tried to hide it with shrubs. Expensive, expensive, expensive.  There are no places you can go to have fun or eat or drink without paying a premium price.  And if your hotel or club offers "happy hours" it is for them not for you.  Happy hours at our hotel and some bars are no value.  Our drinks had very little liquor in them and the prices were still high even for watered down drinks.  The only exception is beer, they haven’t found a way to water that down (I think). We also paid $10. (USD) to get into a popular disco/dance club called Christine’s.  It was nice but the drinks were expensive and small and the bar was nice but not as nice as many of our US bars.  Personally I wouldn’t recommend it for the cover alone. Last but not least is all the begging that goes on there.  The vendors are so aggressive that you can’t do or go anywhere without feeling like you’re being accosted.  Small children are just as bad as the grown up folks except a lot (not all) of the vendors will try to intimidate you into buying and if you offer them a price they act insulted and when you leave their shop they start insulting you (Coral Negro flea market). This goes on pretty much everywhere and after the first day it’s all one can do just to go somewhere without being accosted over and over. PS: We are from Texas (good mexican food) and in our opinion we did not like any of the "mexican" food there.  We ate at Senor Frogs as well and the meal was just "so-so".  All of the restaurants did not have spicy mexican food and it was pretty much bland.  I cannot recommend any place except Pat O’ Brians (Great nachos and bbq sandwich). If anyone wants further info please feel free to email me directly at:

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok, this is really *our* impression of Cancun.  I am not trying to provoke any major responses to this, as it is just an opinion from our recent trip there. First of all I did actually like the beaches on/near the Omni Cancun hotel. The beaches were very nice, sand very white and soft and not hot. The water is absolutely beautiful with vivid colors of light-dark blue. Beautiful! If you are a serious beach bum you will love this aspect of Cancun.  I hear that you really need to check out the property you are interested in because some of the beaches have been washed out from past storms and the brochures do not mention that tiny fact.  Most are ok though. The second nice thing is that the bus system is GREAT.  Only 3 pesos (about 20 cents).  The buses run 24 hours a day and every 4-5 minutes.  Easy to use, and much cheaper than cabs which run a minimum of 30 pesos (3$). Now the things I didn’t like: The shop keepers at the various flea markets have very very few bargain items.  Most of the items we were interested in were expensive and the shop keepers really really tried to make you feel bad for being a "wealthy" American who "gets vacations". All in all I can get REAL bargains in Nuevo Larado (Texas/Mexico border city).  If you have LOTS of money and don’t mind turning loose of it then you might feel differently than I/we did. In general the city and resort area had a bad "smell" most places we went. There was an occasional stench that smelled like sewar water or something to that effect. This was noticed most everywhere and we weren’t really sure where it was coming from.  On those lines, when you’re traveling down a street, if you look closely you’ll notice off to the side of the roads there appears to be garbage, rubbish and various other "trash" items that are usually behind shrubs, etc… It’s as if they decided to build a road and "scraped" all the surrounding rubbish off to the side of the road and tried to hide it with shrubs. Expensive, expensive, expensive.  There are no places you can go to have fun or eat or drink without paying a premium price.  And if your hotel or club offers "happy hours" it is for them not for you.  Happy hours at our hotel and some bars are no value.  Our drinks had very little liquor in them and the prices were still high even for watered down drinks.  The only exception is beer, they haven’t found a way to water that down (I think). We also paid $10. (USD) to get into a popular disco/dance club called Christine’s.  It was nice but the drinks were expensive and small and the bar was nice but not as nice as many of our US bars.  Personally I wouldn’t recommend it for the cover alone. Last but not least is all the begging that goes on there.  The vendors are so aggressive that you can’t do or go anywhere without feeling like you’re being accosted.  Small children are just as bad as the grown up folks except a lot (not all) of the vendors will try to intimidate you into buying and if you offer them a price they act insulted and when you leave their shop they start insulting you (Coral Negro flea market). This goes on pretty much everywhere and after the first day it’s all one can do just to go somewhere without being accosted over and over. PS: We are from Texas (good mexican food) and in our opinion we did not like any of the "mexican" food there.  We ate at Senor Frogs as well and the meal was just "so-so".  All of the restaurants did not have spicy mexican food and it was pretty much bland.  I cannot recommend any place except Pat O’ Brians (Great nachos and bbq sandwich). If anyone wants further info please feel free to email me directly at:

I got the same impression last time we were there in ‘92.  The only thing I would have to add was the time share terrorists.  We would be walking along enjoying the warm breeze when out of nowhere some guy would come flying out of a moving vehicle and they wouldn’t leave you alone.  Finally we said we were leaving that afternoon and they would give up.  We were there in 1983 and loved it, so we were extremely disappointed when we went back and that will be our last trip to Cancun.  We ventured a little further south to Playa del Carmen and loved it there.  My fear now to go back is that the same thing is happening there as happened in Cancun. Just my 2 cents. Diane

Response:

– thanks to spam bots, my address is despammed, if you are a real person, you should be able to figure it out. This part of the post I can’t let go.  I am also from Texas originally and what you are used to is NOT mexican food.  It is Tex-Mex.  You can not compare mexican food to what you are used to. Mexican food is not spicy. Mexican food rarely contains beef, the land doesn’t support beef well. Chicken, fish, and goats are the mainstay and it varys by the region.  By the way, I like both Tex-mex and mexican food.  I can’t say anything about the food in cancun as I have not been there, but don’t base your comparisons to your local cuisine, its comparing apples and oranges.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – PS: We are from Texas (good mexican food) and in our opinion we did not like any of the "mexican" food there.  We ate at Senor Frogs as well and the meal was just "so-so".  All of the restaurants did not have spicy mexican food and it was pretty much bland.  I cannot recommend any place except Pat O’ Brians (Great nachos and bbq sandwich). If anyone wants further info please feel free to email me directly at:

Response:

Don, Being a native Texan I also know the difference between Mexican food and Tex-Mex food.  I never meant to imply they were one in the same HOWEVER there is a difference in what I expected.  I expected Mexican food (I was in Mexico) with a Yucatan flair… things wrapped/cooked in banana leaves, pescado (fish) dishes, etc…  The food we ate down in Cancun were typically recommended highly by the various hotels and some guidebooks but they always turned out to be bad Mexican food without any particular nuance of the region they were supposed to represent (Yucatan).  My comments about spicy wasn’t meaning HOT, I just meant that I preferred my food with some form of taste to it.  The food from Cancun (for the mostpart) was tasteless and appeared to be a poor copy of Tex-Mex (or that’s the way it looked to us). PS: I’ve already received several direct emails agreeing with me so I know that I’m not crazy M. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — thanks to spam bots, my address is despammed, if you are a real person, you should be able to figure it out. This part of the post I can’t let go.  I am also from Texas originally and what you are used to is NOT mexican food.  It is Tex-Mex.  You can not compare mexican food to what you are used to. Mexican food is not spicy. Mexican food rarely contains beef, the land doesn’t support beef well. Chicken, fish, and goats are the mainstay and it varys by the region.  By the way, I like both Tex-mex and mexican food.  I can’t say anything about the food in cancun as I have not been there, but don’t base your comparisons to your local cuisine, its comparing apples and oranges. PS: We are from Texas (good mexican food) and in our opinion we did not like any of the "mexican" food there.  We ate at Senor Frogs as well and the meal was just "so-so".  All of the restaurants did not have spicy mexican food and it was pretty much bland.  I cannot recommend any place except Pat O’ Brians (Great nachos and bbq sandwich). If anyone wants further info please feel free to email me directly at:

Response:

sorry you feel that way. i’m heading back for my 8th trip end of Jan. i go mostly for the first part of your trip. and because i Love the hotel i stay at (Fiesta American Coral Beach) since it is a mega resort you have to do some searching to find good value. and yes there are some Yucatan restaurants, but mostly it is tex-mex. tim

Response:

I’ve been to Cancun twice. I enjoyed both of my visits. I stayed at the Blue Bay Club and Marina, which is an all-inclusive hotel. Personally, I prefer all-inclusive hotels because you don’t have to carry cash when you’re at the hotel and you can eat and drink as much as you want without worrying about the bill! Also, the food at the hotel was great. They had Mexican options at every meal! The different salsas were fabulous! The hotel staff was friendly and always entertaining. The hotel also had a bus that would take us into town at night to the discos. The discos were pricey but not over the top. I agree that the flea markets were outrageous! I couldn’t take more that 5 minutes they were so rude! I don’t mind bargaining but when they start yelling at you or chasing you, that’s when I draw the line. Luckily, the hotel had theme night and one of which was Mexican. Kiosks were set up and local wares were sold in the main lobby at very reasonable prices. I really had a great time in Cancun and would probably go back. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – sorry you feel that way. i’m heading back for my 8th trip end of Jan. i go mostly for the first part of your trip. and because i Love the hotel i stay at (Fiesta American Coral Beach) since it is a mega resort you have to do some searching to find good value. and yes there are some Yucatan restaurants, but mostly it is tex-mex. tim

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Don, Being a native Texan I also know the difference between Mexican food and Tex-Mex food.  I never meant to imply they were one in the same HOWEVER there is a difference in what I expected.  I expected Mexican food (I was in Mexico) with a Yucatan flair… things wrapped/cooked in banana leaves, pescado (fish) dishes, etc…  <snip I am also from Texas originally and what you are used to is NOT mexican food.  It is Tex-Mex.   PS: We are from Texas (good mexican food) and in our opinion we did not like any of the "mexican" food there.  We ate at Senor Frogs as well and the meal was just "so-so".  All of the restaurants did not have spicy mexican food and it was pretty much bland.  I cannot recommend any place except Pat O’ Brians (Great nachos and bbq sandwich).

I think you’re both missing an important point: Cancun may be in Mexico, but there is no Mexico in Cancun.  It is a Disneyfied version of what the Mexican tourist board thinks tourists want; obviously, they thought correctly.  If Cancun is the only place you’ve ever visited, you have not seen Mexico.  I’ve had to fly to/from there to get to other destinations, and had never had the "opportunity" to spend the night until this past summer (because of an early a.m. flight); I was with a teenaged cousin who had been a good sport about eating real Mexican–after years of Taco Bell–at our other destinations, so let him choose where he wanted to eat dinner in Cancun.  Yeesh, Planet Hollywood…I was truly appalled, during the cab ride, at how built up the island was. Another post-er mentioned nearby Playa del Carmen as a less-touristy destination, but unfortunately, it’s not the sleepy fishing village it was on my first visit, not so long ago.  Still, better than Cancun

Response:

Question:

Anyone know of a source for flyfishing clip art?  thanks in Advance

Response:

Anyone know of a source for flyfishing clip art?  thanks in Advance

Check out the Fly & Field website at: http://www.flyfield.com/clipart.htm — Steve Vaughn

Response:

Question:

This weekend I will be staying 4 days in Acadia/Bar Harbor, Maine and I have no idea where to flyfish, and what is being used. Please help.  I am not familiar with the area, and I will not have a boat.  Just a pole, me and my waders..the way I like it best. Mac

Response:

Hi There, I fish that area of Maine a lot during the summer, but I have a boat.  You might try Long Pond, just outside Somesville.  It’s a beautiful lake with landlocked salmon and smallmouth bass.  You can rent canoes there too so you can actually get out on the water.  The bass take surface poppers during the early hours in the summer.  You might try in the middle of the lake in what’s called the "narrows" between the Eastern and Western arms.   You also might want to try fishing for smallmouth on the Union River, just north of Ellsworth.  I’ve never fished the river, but the lake (Graham) is pretty good.   If you want to go farther afield, you can try the Penobscot north of Bangor.  There are plenty of places to get down to the river.  The fishing will be mostly for smallmouth bass.The ride is about an hour and a quarter from Bar Harbor.   Hope this helps. Mac Rubel

Response:

This weekend I will be staying 4 days in Acadia/Bar Harbor, Maine and I have no idea where to flyfish, and what is being used. Please help.  I am not familiar with the area, and I will not have a boat.  Just a pole, me and my waders..the way I like it best. Mac

Mac, In the park, try upper and lower breakneck ponds and witch hole pond. Also, bubble pond can be waded but I’ve never had much luck there.  I know of no good streams in the area.  If you find any please let me know.  Good luck, Rick

Response:

This weekend I will be staying 4 days in Acadia/Bar Harbor, Maine and I have no idea where to flyfish, and what is being used. Please help.  I am not familiar with the area, and I will not have a boat.  Just a pole, me and my waders..the way I like it best. Mac Many ponds in the park although I don’t know if they are Open or not.I

think all ponds in Maine are open until the end of Oct. but I am not sure of this.If you are serious about getting some good fishing in you gotta get to the Kennebec River.About 2 hours from Bar Harbor. The Fairfield Area is a good base of operation.Stop by Flyfishing Only and ask Mike whats working.This area has Browns,Rainbows,Brookies and Salmon. Downriver from Fairfield about 20 miles is Augusta and I understand the Stripers are really hot right now.Just fish anywhere below the Edwards Dam. Good Luck

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This weekend I will be staying 4 days in Acadia/Bar Harbor, Maine and I have no idea where to flyfish, and what is being used. Please help.  I am not familiar with the area, and I will not have a boat.  Just a pole, me and my waders..the way I like it best. Mac Many ponds in the park although I don’t know if they are Open or not.I think all ponds in Maine are open until the end of Oct. but I am not sure of this.If you are serious about getting some good fishing in you gotta get to the Kennebec River.About 2 hours from Bar Harbor. The Fairfield Area is a good base of operation.Stop by Flyfishing Only and ask Mike whats working.This area has Browns,Rainbows,Brookies and Salmon. Downriver from Fairfield about 20 miles is Augusta and I understand the Stripers are really hot right now.Just fish anywhere below the Edwards Dam. Good Luck

You might look for the book: "The Downeast Guide to the Lakes and Ponds of Mt. Desert" by William P. Newlin.  ISBN 0-89272-270-3  Downeast BooksP.O. box 679, Camden, ME 04843.  Best luck fishing.

Response:

Question:

Does anyone know where I can get a hold of a hatch matcher chart?? Iam just starting out flyfishing and I need all the  help I can get. None of the fly shops in my area carry them. I would appreciate any advice on where to get a hold of one. RON

Response:

: Does anyone know where I can get a hold of a hatch matcher chart?? : Iam just starting out flyfishing and I need all : the  help I can get. None of the fly shops in my area carry them. I would : appreciate any advice on where to get a hold of one. : RON A good book for beginners is Dick Pobst’s guide to insects. It is an Orvis streamside guide.

Response:

PLEASE DO NOT PUMP THE STOMACHS OF THE FISH…  This causes them to adjust their eating habits for several days and can harm the fish permanately.

Yep, leads ‘em down the wayward path to anorexia/bolemia. If you think whirling disease is a problem, let me tell you, once the fish get into a binge and purge cycle, you’ve got a bigger problem.  How you gonna provide psychotherapy to all them fish?  The costs would be astronomical! — -Wayne Trzyna

Response:

Does anyone know where I can get a hold of a hatch matcher chart?? Iam just starting out flyfishing and I need all the  help I can get. None of the fly shops in my area carry them. I would appreciate any advice on where to get a hold of one. RON

 There are a couple of good books out on the market to match the  Hatch with.  Almost any major bookstore can get a copy of the  "Hatch Bible" called MATCHING THE HATCH.  It is a good book but the best  way to match the hatch is by seining the water.  PLEASE DO NOT PUMP THE  STOMACHS OF THE FISH…  This causes them to adjust their eating habits  for several days and can harm the fish permanately.  Since there are so many new anglers out there we need to preserve what we got.

Response:

Question:

I’m new to fly fishing and planning to be in Yosemetie national park in the end of august.Does anyone know where I should go for good fishing? How about any rules or regulations I should be aware of? I also hope to do

Best fishing at end of August will be in the many backcountry lakes. Plenty of water this year, most high lakes will not thaw until August. Many secluded areas, but they entail a little extra work to reach. Those areas in North Boundry Country can be quiet and some along east side.  Tuolumne Meadows is a good base.  Campground reservations call 800 365 2267.  Permits required for backcountry overnight trips, 50% on a first come bases, 50% in advance (March-May31).  Great hikes and fishing within 3-7 miles. Try the following flies: Timberline Emerger, Stimulators,  Chironomid Pupas, Black Matuka, Mini Leech, Bright Butt Woolly Worm.  Rainbows, brooks, browns, and golden trout, up to 14 inches, most smaller. Goldens , if you haven’t seen them, they are the most beautiful in the world.  I’ll be fishing this country myself early August.  Give me a Randall Kaufmann

Response:

: I’m new to fly fishing and planning to be in Yosemetie national park in : the end of august.Does anyone know where I should go for good fishing? How : about any rules or regulations I should be aware of? I also hope to do : Best fishing at end of August will be in the many backcountry lakes. : Plenty of water this year, most high lakes will not thaw until August. : Many secluded areas, but they entail a little extra work to reach. : Those areas in North Boundry Country can be quiet and some along east : side.  Tuolumne Meadows is a good base.  Campground reservations call : 800 365 2267.  Permits required for backcountry overnight trips, 50% : on a first come bases, 50% in advance (March-May31).  Great hikes and : fishing within 3-7 miles. : Randall Kaufmann Randy and Andy, I will be in the Yosemite backcountry working at the Vogelsang highcamp.  Friends of mine who have worked there in the past say there are some really nice lakes with excellent fishing contrary to the fishing in the valley.  Also, my spies say there is a lake up there that has some beautiful cutthroats.  Most of these lake are sort secret gems tucked away in the cover of the mountains. I would be happy to talk with anyone interested in the Yosemite backcountry.  C&R only.  Maybe we can go fishing together.  I’ll be up there all summer long until middle September. BTW, Mike Tucker, if you are reading this.  Thankyou for the great outfit you set me up with.  It really is the perfect Sierra backcountry trout setup.  Another VERY satisfied customer of Grizzly Creek Trading Company am I.   Regards, George Chan — *George M. Chan                         * "Yea, but bacon tastes good,  * *                                       *                               *

Response:

I’m new to fly fishing and planning to be in Yosemetie national park in the end of august.Does anyone know where I should go for good fishing? How about any rules or regulations I should be aware of? I also hope to do

I was in Yosemite last August and had mixed feelings.  The senery is spectacular, but the throngs of crowds are hard to take.  I felt like I was still in the city, the only difference, we were robbed by bears instead of people (I think I’d prefer people, more predictable).  Anyway, fishing in that area is tough due to a lack of water in the late summer.  Don’t even think about fishing in the Valley, no water, too many people and probably very few fish. We did manage to fish in the east end of the park.  There are fewer people in that area.  There is a big lake near the pass, just east of the park boundry (can’t rember the name) with good fishing from the bank all around it.  There is also a tiny creek that runs along the road a few miles west of the lake.  We had a blast catching tiny Golden Trout.  They were only about 6" to 8" long but were really hard to fool. Happy Trouting!

Response:

I’m new to fly fishing and planning to be in Yosemetie national park in the end of august.Does anyone know where I should go for good fishing? How about any rules or regulations I should be aware of? I also hope to do

My advice is to avoid Yosemite Valley in the Summer.  It’s a zoo. There are many other beautiful but lower-key areas of the Sierra Nevada. While I haven’t been there in 5 or 6 years, the Devil’s Postpile/Red’s Meadow area east of Yosemite used to be a less crowded alternative, and the scenery is spectacular.  

Response:

I’m new to fly fishing and planning to be in Yosemetie national park in the end of august.Does anyone know where I should go for good fishing? How about any rules or regulations I should be aware of? I also hope to do

Response: