Question:

Hi  Sam, If you have a full size pickup, you can load the boat into the back of it pretty easily. Right side up and transom against the cab. A rack on top of most vehicles is pretty good too if you have two healthy people to load and unload it. A small trailer is the easiest way to get a small boat around locally. You will use the boat more if it is easy to deal with. A 14′ x 48" (bottom width) Jon boat on a trailer is very nice for 2 anglers. Most 12′ Jon boats are only 32" wide at the bottom and are pretty tippy? — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

Hello there folks.

I’m pretty much a novice at fishing but I have – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – been getting into it lately, and I’m at the point where I would like to go beyond fishing from land, its just too limiting.  It would be great to explore local lakes and rivers with a fishing boat.  Since I’m really not an expert fisherman I just need something that will suffice.  My two primary goals are two find something thats inexpensive and highly portable, and can fit two people, since I often fish with a friend.  I did check out a boat today, it was a Voyager series 4700 Jon boat, 12′ length.  The base price was $680, then when you factor in cost of electric motor, battery, oars, etc, it comes out to $1,100.  I can live with that price, but the thing that turned me off was that transporting the boat would be no easy task, and storing it might be a little challenging.  Are there any other options in this price range that would offer many of the same features that this boat has, but would be easier to transport and store?  Many thanks for any ideas you would have. –sam

Response:

You don’t say what part of the country you’re in. If you have room for a 12 footer on a trailer, that is definitely the way to go. Otherwise, a 12 foot johnboat will usually travel well in the bed of a full sized pickup truck. I used to have a 12 footer that I carried on the roof, and that worked OK, too. It was even a piece of cake to get it up there, as long as I had maneuvering room. I had receiver type hitch mounted on my little pickup, and instead of a hitch ball, it had a piece of tubing about 4 feet tall mounted on the hitch. Atop the tubing was an upside down trolling motor transom mount. I even had a little wheel that mounted right on the point of the bow. I could flip the boat over, pick it up by the stern and walk it anywhere with that little wheel rolling along. Then it was just a matter of picking up the stern, dropping the transom into the mounting bracket on top of the pole and tightening up the clamps. Then pick up the bow, walk it around to the front of the truck and set it on the roof rack. After I got the gear, battery and electric out of the boat, I could load it on top of the truck in about 2 or 3 minutes. As far as cost, I would wait till winter and look for a used one. You should be able to get into a 3 or 4 year old 12 to 14 footer with an electric for less than 500 bucks used. RichZ

Question:

…reading a bit of ol bartram’s writings from the late 1700s (e-document on a UNC web site noted at the bottom of this post)and ran upon the following… southern fly-fishing heritage, eh? course, like most furriners, ol bartram didn’t know a trout from whatever it was those boys were dappin out from under the river bank in Florida… "….covered with the white hair of a deer’s tail, shreds of a red garter, and some particoloured feathers…." Fascinating.  Thanks for posting it. JR

thanks jeffie…. bartram’s travels is a classic….. well worth the read. –waldo, hoping i still have a copy somewheres…

Response:

Appreciate posts on FF history, thanx. Dave

Response:

Jeff  I missed the post explaing UnC  web to read early Bartram—-please offer again– Playing tennis thru Nov 11 but if you are interested in a western N.C. trip after that   let me know–only one  proviso ( a legal term I think )   motel rooms cannot be exited before six in morning.–Jeff and IJ sharinmg motel room-at 2:30 AM  AM Jeff showers and says I’ve had enought sleep  let"s o  – IJ ask it’s raining and dark and foggy and the next three hour drive is all curves–what the hell are we going to do in Graham Co. N.C at five Am in the mornimng??   Jeff yea but we will miss most of the traffic.  IJ

Response:

Playing tennis thru Nov 11 but if you are interested in a western N.C. trip after that   let me know–only one  proviso ( a legal term I think ) motel rooms cannot be exited before six in morning.–Jeff and IJ sharinmg motel room-at 2:30 AM  AM Jeff showers and says I’ve had enought sleep  let"s o  – IJ ask it’s raining and dark and foggy and the next three hour drive is all curves–what the hell are we going to do in Graham Co. N.C at five Am in the mornimng??   Jeff yea but we will miss most of the traffic.  IJ

I believe that somehow I must be related to Jeff Miller. I’m off to call my mom. –Steve

Response:

i think this is what you wanted, but not sure…  http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/bartram/bartram.html …i’m probably not gonna be able to get back to the mountains before christmas… but i might get ol pj and make a visit to you and that bass pond you keep braggin about… we’d arrive early and leave late, eat all your food, and drink your whisky… and since jim’s comin, you might wanna warn dene too… i hear it’s nice in wilmington this time of year… jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –        The electronic edition is a part of the UNC-CH digitization project, Documenting the American South.

Response:

…reading a bit of ol bartram’s writings from the late 1700s (e-document on a UNC web site noted at the bottom of this post)and ran upon the following… southern fly-fishing heritage, eh? course, like most furriners, ol bartram didn’t know a trout from whatever it was those boys were dappin out from under the river bank in Florida…

"….covered with the white hair of a deer’s tail, shreds of a red garter, and some particoloured feathers…."   Fascinating.  Thanks for posting it. JR

Response:

That ‘delicious food’ part doesn’t seem to fit, does it? riverman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …reading a bit of ol bartram’s writings from the late 1700s (e-document on a UNC web site noted at the bottom of this post)and ran upon the following… southern fly-fishing heritage, eh? course, like most furriners, ol bartram didn’t know a trout from whatever it was those boys were dappin out from under the river bank in Florida… jeff <Page 108 "ON my return, I found some of my companions fishing for trout, round about the edges of the floating nymphaea, and not unsuccessfully, having then caught more than sufficient for us all. As the method of taking these fish is curious and singular, I shall just mention it. THEY are taken with a hook and line, but without any bait. Two people are in a little canoe, one sitting in the stern to steer, and the other near the bow, having a rod ten or twelve feet in length, to one end of which is tied a strong line, about twenty inches in length, to which is fastened three large hooks, back to back. These are fixed very securely, and covered with the white hair of a deer’s tail, shreds of a red garter, and some particoloured feathers, all which form a tuft, or tassel, nearly as large as one’s fist, and entirely cover and conceal the hooks:

this is called a bob. The steersman paddles softly, and proceeds slowly along shore, keeping the

boat parallel to it, at a distance just sufficient to admit the fisherman to reach the edge of

the floating weeds along shore: he now ingeniously swings the bob backwards and forwards, just above the surface, and sometimes tips the water with it; when the unfortunate cheated trout

instantly springs from under the weeds, and seizes the supposed prey. Thus he is caught without a

possibility of escape, unless he break the hooks, line, or rod, which he, however, sometime does

by dint of strength; but, to prevent this, the fisherman used to the sport is careful not to

raise the reed suddenly up, but jerks it instantly backwards, then steadily drags the sturdy reluctant

fish to the side of the < Page 109 canoe, and with a sudden upright jerk brings him into it. THE head of this fish makes about one third of his length, and

consequently the mouth is very large: birds, fish, frogs, and even serpents, are frequently found in its stomach. THE trout is of lead colour, inclining to a deep blue, and marked with

transverse waved lists, of a deep slate colour, and when fully grown, has a cast of red, or brick colour. The fins, with the tail, which is large, and beautifully formed, are of a light

reddish purple, or flesh colour, the whole body is covered with large scales. But what is most singular,

this fish is remarkably ravenous; nothing living, that he can seize upon, escapes his jaws, and the opening

and extending of the branchiostega, at the moment he rises to the surface to seize his prey,

discovering his bright red gills, through the transparent waters, give him a very terible appearance. Indeed

it may be observed, that all fish of prey have this opening and covering of the gills very large, in

order to discharge the great quantity of water, which they take in at their mouth, when they

strike at their prey. This fish is nearly cuniform, the body tapering gradually from the breast to the

tail, and lightly compressed on each side. They frequently weigh fifteen, twenty and thirty pounds, and are delicious food. …quoted from Travels Through North & South Carolina, Georgia, East & West

Florida, the Cherokee Country, the Extensive Territories of the Muscogulges, or Creek Confederacy, and the

Country of the Chactaws; Containing An Account of the Soil and Natural Productions of Those Regions,

Together with Observations on the Manners of the Indians. Embellished with Copper-Plates (spine) Bartram’s Travels William Bartram xxxiv, 522 p., ill. PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED BY JAMES & JOHNSON. M, DCC, XCI. Call number VC917 B29 (North Carolina Collection, University of North

Carolina at Chapel Hill) http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/bartram/bartram.html —–        The electronic edition is a part of the UNC-CH digitization

project, Documenting the American South. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

…reading a bit of ol bartram’s writings from the late 1700s (e-document on a UNC web site noted at the bottom of this post)and ran upon the following… southern fly-fishing heritage, eh? course, like most furriners, ol bartram didn’t know a trout from whatever it was those boys were dappin out from under the river bank in Florida… jeff <Page 108         "ON my return, I found some of my companions fishing for trout, round about the edges of the floating nymphaea, and not unsuccessfully, having then caught more than sufficient for us all. As the method of taking these fish is curious and singular, I shall just mention it.         THEY are taken with a hook and line, but without any bait. Two people are in a little canoe, one sitting in the stern to steer, and the other near the bow, having a rod ten or twelve feet in length, to one end of which is tied a strong line, about twenty inches in length, to which is fastened three large hooks, back to back. These are fixed very securely, and covered with the white hair of a deer’s tail, shreds of a red garter, and some particoloured feathers, all which form a tuft, or tassel, nearly as large as one’s fist, and entirely cover and conceal the hooks: this is called a bob. The steersman paddles softly, and proceeds slowly along shore, keeping the boat parallel to it, at a distance just sufficient to admit the fisherman to reach the edge of the floating weeds along shore: he now ingeniously swings the bob backwards and forwards, just above the surface, and sometimes tips the water with it; when the unfortunate cheated trout instantly springs from under the weeds, and seizes the supposed prey. Thus he is caught without a possibility of escape, unless he break the hooks, line, or rod, which he, however, sometime does by dint of strength; but, to prevent this, the fisherman used to the sport is careful not to raise the reed suddenly up, but jerks it instantly backwards, then steadily drags the sturdy reluctant fish to the side of the < Page 109 canoe, and with a sudden upright jerk brings him into it.         THE head of this fish makes about one third of his length, and consequently the mouth is very large: birds, fish, frogs, and even serpents, are frequently found in its stomach. THE trout is of lead colour, inclining to a deep blue, and marked with transverse waved lists, of a deep slate colour, and when fully grown, has a cast of red, or brick colour. The fins, with the tail, which is large, and beautifully formed, are of a light reddish purple, or flesh colour, the whole body is covered with large scales. But what is most singular, this fish is remarkably ravenous; nothing living, that he can seize upon, escapes his jaws, and the opening and extending of the branchiostega, at the moment he rises to the surface to seize his prey, discovering his bright red gills, through the transparent waters, give him a very terible appearance. Indeed it may be observed, that all fish of prey have this opening and covering of the gills very large, in order to discharge the great quantity of water, which they take in at their mouth, when they strike at their prey. This fish is nearly cuniform, the body tapering gradually from the breast to the tail, and lightly compressed on each side. They frequently weigh fifteen, twenty and thirty pounds, and are delicious food. …quoted from Travels Through North & South Carolina, Georgia, East & West Florida, the Cherokee Country, the Extensive Territories of the Muscogulges, or Creek Confederacy, and the Country of the Chactaws; Containing An Account of the Soil and Natural Productions of Those Regions, Together with Observations on the Manners of the Indians. Embellished with Copper-Plates (spine) Bartram’s Travels William Bartram xxxiv, 522 p., ill. PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED BY JAMES & JOHNSON. M, DCC, XCI. Call number VC917 B29 (North Carolina Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/bartram/bartram.html         The electronic edition is a part of the UNC-CH digitization project, Documenting the American South.

Response:

Question:

<< How about some large, extended body mayflies like the Green Paradrake tied by Mike Lawson.  Other good patters would be trudes, Royal Humpy, Chernobyl Ant, Stimulators, Madame X, and those Turck Tarantulas are all pretty appealing to the eye.  Perhaps maybe something like a J.J.Special or Creature (as tied by Gary LaFontaine) would be good too. HTH. Warren Thank you, great suggestions.  I’ve got some Madame Xs going and a couple of Mouserat style things that make the Creature look kempt.  If I can set aside a little more time I’ll set up for extended body flys too. Thank you. Glenn GKT

Response:

Can you name a few decent trout patterns that would catch the attention of fly fishers stopping to look at the flys we’re raffling?

I’m a sucker for hoppers, personally. Either that or adult damselflies. Put down the chainsaw and listen to me. It’s time for us to join in the fight.

Response:

<< Ernie Harrison"   << The Royal Coachman is an eye catcher. Ernie Good suggestion.  I’m out of practice so there’ll be some Bluegill specials as I warm up on the pattern. Thank you. Glenn GKT

Response:

 Deer hair Mouse, stops a lot of folks, realistic ties…stones ,beetles ants make people stop and look. Big colorful streamers and a scantly clad lady should do the trick…

Reminds of some lures I had as a kid. Here’s one for you Ken, a budweiser can. Another was a topless mermaid. Willi

Response:

A couple of "realistic" flies separately mounted on card invariably provoke some attention.  Relatively simple beetle patterns, with lifelike legs, "Daddy long legs" ( Crane fly, tipulidae ) with knotted pheasant tail legs, spiders  with knotted peacock herl for legs, and realistic looking ants, and similar stuff usually work quite well. They will also catch fish occasionally !!!

A realistic damselfly adult is an eye catcher, with its electric blue color and its large size for a fry fly. I also agree with Charlie that streamers are a good choice. I’d think a display of little rainbow, little brown, and little brook trout mounted side by side would get some attention. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

A set of Ghost patterns tied up big – some #4’s – ought to do it.  Definitely eye-catchers but they aren’t Silver Doctors to tie… /daytripper – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Royal Coachman is an eye catcher. Ernie So what would catch a newbie’s eye?  And not take the time required for a full dress salmon fly? Maybe some streamers; little rainbow, brown, etc.

Response:

Some hopper paterns. Willi

Response:

 Deer hair Mouse, stops a lot of folks, realistic ties…stones ,beetles ants make people stop and look. Big colorful streamers and a scantly clad lady should do the trick… Here’s my question: Can you name a few decent trout patterns that would catch the attention of fly fishers stopping to look at the flys we’re raffling?

         Harry Mason     www.Troutflies.com               *** "Quality Flies for a Trout’s Eyes"

Response:

<< A realistic damselfly adult is an eye catcher, with its electric blue color and its large size for a fry fly. I also agree with Charlie that streamers are a good choice. I’d think a display of little rainbow, little brown, and little brook trout mounted side by side would get some attention.   <<  royalwulff Excellent advice.  Presentation is probably nearly as important as fly choice.  Thank you. Glenn GKT

Response:

<< Deer hair Mouse, stops a lot of folks, realistic ties…stones ,beetles ants make people stop and look. Big colorful streamers and a scantly clad lady should do the trick…   << Harry Mason   Our TU VP is a lovely woman but I think I’ll skip asking her to disrobe. Other than that, I’m going to put in a couple of Chris Helms style mice.  I appreciate the suggestion. Thank you. Glenn GKT

Response:

Can you name a few decent trout patterns that would catch the attention of fly fishers stopping to look at the flys we’re raffling?

Lots of good suggestions so far.  Streamers, in general, tend to be real eye catchers both because of their size and because they are often flashy attractors.  Hornbergs and Mickey Finns are both easy ties and eye catching, I think. Wolfgang

Response:

<< Lots of good suggestions so far.  Streamers, in general, tend to be real eye catchers both because of their size and because they are often flashy attractors.  Hornbergs and Mickey Finns are both easy ties and eye catching, I think. Wolfgang Thank you.  I thought of a Mickey Finn color pattern in a Hi-Ti style.  It’s a little time consuming and probably no more eye catching than a standard streamer. Glenn GKT

Response:

Use a Bee pattern.  The McGinty Bee attracts women who know nothing about fishing.  They all relate to it.  Many of the others just confuse them. John – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m tying for our local TU chapter’s raffle at the Somerset, NJ fly fishing show in January. We raffle off 500 or so flys in a a large wooden box.   I’ve done about 240 flys, at 6 specimens per type.  Since it takes me a few warm-up tries to get a decent fly with patterns I know well, and 50 tries on new patterns, I’ve also accumulated a pile of junk flies with which to go panfishing.  And I’m running out of inventiveness. Here’s my question: Can you name a few decent trout patterns that would catch the attention of fly fishers stopping to look at the flys we’re raffling? I put in some woven stones, I’ll do some woven Isonychia nymphs on swimming nymph hooks later today, and I have plenty of small spun deer hair items like Goddard Caddis and mini-Muddlers.  The other tyers and I have done plenty of flys that are actually useful, like BWO, GRHE, and Adams, but those are small and have to be examined closely. So what would catch a newbie’s eye?  And not take the time required for a full dress salmon fly? Thanks for the suggestions. Glenn GKT GKT

Response:

Glenn, How about some large, extended body mayflies like the Green Paradrake tied by Mike Lawson.  Other good patters would be trudes, Royal Humpy, Chernobyl Ant, Stimulators, Madame X, and those Turck Tarantulas are all pretty appealing to the eye.  Perhaps maybe something like a J.J. Special or Creature (as tied by Gary LaFontaine) would be good too. HTH. Warren – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m tying for our local TU chapter’s raffle at the Somerset, NJ fly fishing show in January. We raffle off 500 or so flys in a a large wooden box.   I’ve done about 240 flys, at 6 specimens per type.  Since it takes me a few warm-up tries to get a decent fly with patterns I know well, and 50 tries on new patterns, I’ve also accumulated a pile of junk flies with which to go panfishing.  And I’m running out of inventiveness. Here’s my question: Can you name a few decent trout patterns that would catch the attention of fly fishers stopping to look at the flys we’re raffling? I put in some woven stones, I’ll do some woven Isonychia nymphs on swimming nymph hooks later today, and I have plenty of small spun deer hair items like Goddard Caddis and mini-Muddlers.  The other tyers and I have done plenty of flys that are actually useful, like BWO, GRHE, and Adams, but those are small and have to be examined closely. So what would catch a newbie’s eye?  And not take the time required for a full dress salmon fly? Thanks for the suggestions. Glenn GKT GKT

Before you buy.

Response:

I tied a deer hair mouse once.  It was very realistic looking.  I never did fish with it, figured it was too much work to give to a fish.  Don’t know what happened to it. Ernie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Deer hair Mouse, stops a lot of folks, realistic ties…stones ,beetles ants make people stop and look. Big colorful streamers and a scantly clad lady should do the trick… Harry Mason

Response:

<< A couple of "realistic" flies separately mounted on card invariably provoke some attention.  Relatively simple beetle patterns, with lifelike legs, "Daddy long legs" ( Crane fly, tipulidae ) with knotted pheasant tail legs, spiders  with knotted peacock herl for legs, and realistic looking ants, and similar stuff usually work quite well. They will also catch fish occasionally !!! << Mike Connor Good advice.  I was thinking of a Crane fly imitation like a Drowned Daddy. Thank you. Glenn Tippy GKT

Response:

The Royal Coachman is an eye catcher. Ernie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So what would catch a newbie’s eye?  And not take the time required for a full dress salmon fly? Maybe some streamers; little rainbow, brown, etc. — Charlie…

Response:

I’m tying for our local TU chapter’s raffle at the Somerset, NJ fly fishing show in January.   We raffle off 500 or so flys in a a large wooden box.   I’ve done about 240 flys, at 6 specimens per type.  Since it takes me a few warm-up tries to get a decent fly with patterns I know well, and 50 tries on new patterns, I’ve also accumulated a pile of junk flies with which to go panfishing.  And I’m running out of inventiveness. Here’s my question: Can you name a few decent trout patterns that would catch the attention of fly fishers stopping to look at the flys we’re raffling? I put in some woven stones, I’ll do some woven Isonychia nymphs on swimming nymph hooks later today, and I have plenty of small spun deer hair items like Goddard Caddis and mini-Muddlers.  The other tyers and I have done plenty of flys that are actually useful, like BWO, GRHE, and Adams, but those are small and have to be examined closely. So what would catch a newbie’s eye?  And not take the time required for a full dress salmon fly? Thanks for the suggestions. Glenn GKT GKT

Response:

So what would catch a newbie’s eye?  And not take the time required for a full dress salmon fly?

Maybe some streamers; little rainbow, brown, etc. — Charlie…

Response:

So what would catch a newbie’s eye?  And not take the time required for a full dress salmon fly?

Personally, I’ve always remember liking the looks of a Royal Trude.

Response:

A couple of "realistic" flies separately mounted on card invariably provoke some attention.  Relatively simple beetle patterns, with lifelike legs, "Daddy long legs" ( Crane fly, tipulidae ) with knotted pheasant tail legs, spiders  with knotted peacock herl for legs, and realistic looking ants, and similar stuff usually work quite well. They will also catch fish occasionally !!! TL MC — "Where fishing is concerned, most anglers are basically manic excessives" http://www.mikeconnor.de – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m tying for our local TU chapter’s raffle at the Somerset, NJ fly fishing show in January.

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We caught a nice break in the weather this early afternoon so I put on my Fall Ball cap and took my newly acquired 9/3 Winston out for a few hours of peaceful fishing on a very local bass pond. I combined the fishing with experimentation with three different lines that I had laying about, a DT2F, a WF3F, and a TT2/3. Tripper, Great story! And it’s nice to know that I’m not the only other person on ROFF who has been fishing recently, what with the "To Whom It May Concern" mega-crisis (did anyone report this to the ACLU? to the UN? to Al Gore?) to deal with and everything.

        aw, hell, steve, you aren’t about to buy that yankee bullshit, are you?  i’ve fished with him; he couldn’t throw a *rock* 90′, let alone a fly line.         and besides, the only winston i have (7′ 2wt) is a beautiful thing to see, but a touch too weak in the butt for my tastes.         ok, i’ll come clean:  the rascal *can* fish his fly!  but the winston is still too soft!         wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Of course, hearing your casting distance figures reminds me that it’s time for another casting lesson or two (or ten). –Steve

Response:

[snipped rock abuse]    and besides, the only winston i have (7′ 2wt) is a beautiful thing to see, but a touch too weak in the butt for my tastes.    ok, i’ll come clean:  the rascal *can* fish his fly!  but the winston is still too soft!    wayno

Ah, another fellow flyflinger in distress… I feel your pain, too, counselor, and am more than prepared to relieve you of the cause. Send that "too soft" rod to a good home where it’ll be loved. You already have my address. /daytripper (still waitin’ on that paintin’, btw ;^)

Response:

… Hmmm, the 7.5/3wt (3pc) we’ve both cast feels to me medium/slow; with a TT 3/4 and a Cortland Clear Creek WF3, never had a DT on it.

FWIW, the Winston recommended line for their IM6 rods is a DT. Tho I too fish my Winstons with a TT. I just picked up a Wulf long belly line and tried it with my five weight, wish I tried one sooner. — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas but counting the days to the Keys Before you buy.

Response:

Our lips never touched – no matter what you might have heard ;^) /daytripper (never gonna live that one down…)

I believe what you said was you tried to *shotgun* a cigarette with it. — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas Before you buy.

Response:

   and besides, the only winston i have (7′ 2wt) is a beautiful thing to see, but a touch too weak in the butt for my tastes.    ok, i’ll come clean:  the rascal *can* fish his fly!  but the winston is still too soft!

Wanna trade a Sage 2wt SPL for it? — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas Before you buy.

Response:

Thank you for the post.  I like it. —   Vern  ^^^^^^^ (o)-(o)/     "    ___ Before you buy.

Response:

FWIW, the Winston recommended line for their IM6 rods is a DT. Tho I too fish my Winstons with a TT. I just picked up a Wulf long belly line and tried it with my five weight, wish I tried one sooner.

You’re learning, Wayne ;^)

Response:

FWIW, the Winston recommended line for their IM6 rods is a DT. Tho I too fish my Winstons with a TT. I just picked up a Wulf long belly line and tried it with my five weight, wish I tried one sooner. You’re learning, Wayne ;^)

I never stop learning Mr Tripper, — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas Before you buy.

Response:

       and besides, the only winston i have (7′ 2wt) is a beautiful thing to see, but a touch too weak in the butt for my tastes.        ok, i’ll come clean:  the rascal *can* fish his fly!  but the winston is still too soft! Wanna trade a Sage 2wt SPL for it?

        no thanks, bud; a friend of mine got rid of his sage 2wt when he couldn’t get it to load up under 20′ with a 6wt tri-taper…         just kiddin, of course; but the winston was custom made for me, has my name on the butt, and has become one of the things my two boys will fight over, one of these days. wayno

Response:

… With the exception of my temporarily "indisposed" 7.5/2wt, every Winston I own or have cast could be categorized as having a medium action (the little 2wt is surprisingly fast). …

Hmmm, the 7.5/3wt (3pc) we’ve both cast feels to me medium/slow; with a TT 3/4 and a Cortland Clear Creek WF3, never had a DT on it. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

/daytripper ("Bullwinkle"? Where’d *that* come from?)

Foggy brain on my part.  Rocky used to say, "and now for something we hope you really like." or something to that effect.  Then again I remember hearing of you romancing a moose, once <g. Mu

Response:

Hmmm, the 7.5/3wt (3pc) we’ve both cast feels to me medium/slow; with a TT 3/4 and a Cortland Clear Creek WF3, never had a DT on it.

Well, as I said, some people would feel that way. I fished your rod with the DT2F that I use on my two weight, and it cast very nicely with it – it felt "medium-fast" with that line, threw nice tight loops, and on the only river big enough to air it out a little (the Harrison) I ran out of room before I ran out of line. (Ya know, I almost asked you to sell that rod to me back then ;^) I suspect the TT3/4 would overload it, though I could be wrong. If you can find someone who has a TT2/3, you might be pleasantly surprised (that is, unless you like the slower action). Otherwise, bring it to Maine with you next fall, and you can try out a whole bunch of lines on it. /daytripper  (Or let me do it ;^)

Response:

/daytripper ("Bullwinkle"? Where’d *that* come from?) Foggy brain on my part.  Rocky used to say, "and now for something we hope you really like." or something to that effect.

Yup – you have an excellent memory! This similar quote, however, is from the Monty Python tv show. Then again I remember hearing of you romancing a moose, once <g.

Our lips never touched – no matter what you might have heard ;^) /daytripper (never gonna live that one down…)

Response:

Now you’ve got me dreaming.  One of the local stores has an RPL 390 blank in its discount bin.  Maybe if it’s still there after Xmas . . . Peter

Response:

We caught a nice break in the weather this early afternoon so I put on my Fall Ball cap and took my newly acquired 9/3 Winston out for a few hours of peaceful fishing on a very local bass pond. I combined the fishing with experimentation with three different lines that I had laying about, a DT2F, a WF3F, and a TT2/3.

Tripper, Great story! And it’s nice to know that I’m not the only other person on ROFF who has been fishing recently, what with the "To Whom It May Concern" mega-crisis (did anyone report this to the ACLU? to the UN? to Al Gore?) to deal with and everything. Of course, hearing your casting distance figures reminds me that it’s time for another casting lesson or two (or ten). –Steve

Response:

Daytripper:  Thanks for this thread. I have a friend who tried out my Scott G-series 3 weight at rezendevous about a month ago . He had never tried a slower action rod before and was impressed. I received an e-mail from him last week. He awaiting the arrival of his Winston 8.5 foot 3 weight rod. I just hope he enjoys it as much as you do your Winstons. Big Dale

Response:

Daytripper:  Thanks for this thread. I have a friend who tried out my Scott G-series 3 weight at rezendevous about a month ago . He had never tried a slower action rod before and was impressed.

I’m partial to the G series rods too. I’m thinking about telling Santa about their new 8′ 3 piece 2 wt<g. — Charlie…

Response:

We caught a nice break in the weather this early afternoon so I put on my Fall Ball cap and took my newly acquired 9/3 Winston The TT2/3 was the monster of the three – turned this rod into a mini-howitzer; once I had the feel for the rod, the entire line could be cast with moderate effort

Thanks Bullwinkle.  BTW, I haven’t ever touched a Winston IM6 but I thought they were supposed to be moderate action rods.  Is it actually a fast rod or are you a very good caster? Mu

Response:

We caught a nice break in the weather this early afternoon so I put on my Fall Ball cap and took my newly acquired 9/3 Winston The TT2/3 was the monster of the three – turned this rod into a mini-howitzer; once I had the feel for the rod, the entire line could be cast with moderate effort Thanks Bullwinkle.  BTW, I haven’t ever touched a Winston IM6 but I thought they were supposed to be moderate action rods.  Is it actually a fast rod or are you a very good caster?

With the exception of my temporarily "indisposed" 7.5/2wt, every Winston I own or have cast could be categorized as having a medium action (the little 2wt is surprisingly fast). The 9/3 might even be termed medium-slow by some. But if you get in tune with your thumb on the top of the grip, you can really get their IM6 rods to zing line (I’ve often thrown the entire DT2F on my little 2 weight with surprisingly little effort when I’m really in sync with that rod). I have been flyfishing for almost 36 years now, and while I’m not going to win any casting championships, I can throw a line. But you have to have tried a Wulff Triangle Taper line to understand that if distance is the game, a TT will give you an almost unfair advantage. This is a weight forward line with a stepless front taper and no rear taper to speak of; and the running line has an unusually thin diameter and a hard surface. The result is so little guide friction or wind resistance that it just shoots like crazy, and an 80 foot cast doesn’t require a champion to achieve (90 foot line minus the length of the rod). When I let the first good cast fly with this line, I had about 60 feet of line out – and it really jerked the reel but good, such was the line speed. Surprised the heck out of me, so I just kept feeding out more line until I hit the backing. On my best casts with the little nymph on the end, I was shooting over twenty feet of line off the ground and through the guides. Very satisfying, if impractical under most circumstances. With anything more wind resistant than that nymph, I could get the line out but it didn’t have enough terminal velocity to do much more than puddle the leader at the far end of the cast. After all the above, however, in truth I prefer DT lines for their versatility and typically softer "landing" characteristic, and I’ll probably try an SA or DT3F on this rod before next spring. The WF3 and TT2/3 were my dad’s lines for one of his cane rods that I also inherited. They provide impressive results wrt distance, and I’ll keep them at the ready, but I’d rather have the DT for every day use. /daytripper ("Bullwinkle"? Where’d *that* come from?)

Response:

Daytripper, We caught a nice break in the weather this early afternoon so I put on my Fall Ball cap and took my newly acquired 9/3 Winston out for a few hours of peaceful fishing on a very local bass pond.

What part of the world are you in?  Out here in Northern CA, it seems a bit too wintry for bassin’. I love fishing small poppers, btw. Even the smallest sunfish often explode from the water with the gaudy bug firmly clenched, making more than their fair share of commotion as they splash down. Short strip, wait, short strip, wait, wiggle and wait, then WHAMMO!

I’m another popper lover.  Each winter I make up a bunch of balsa poppers and enjoy the anticipation of March. Too bad it had to end so early (goddamned daylight savings time!)

Yeah… Glad you got some fishin’ in. Wes Peterson LexCraft Data Services

Response:

OK – YOU SUCCEEDED I am Jealous. Bill

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We caught a nice break in the weather this early afternoon so I put on my Fall Ball cap and took my newly acquired 9/3 Winston out for a few hours of peaceful fishing on a very local bass pond. I combined the fishing with experimentation with three different lines that I had laying about, a DT2F, a WF3F, and a TT2/3. fwiw, the DT2F definitely underlined the rod, which was to be expected, and made for too much work. The TT2/3 was the monster of the three – turned this rod into a mini-howitzer; once I had the feel for the rod, the entire line could be cast with moderate effort, although at that range the longish front taper didn’t turn over the popper-ladened leader consistently (though with a #14 Montana I could straighten the line at the same insane distance). The WF3F was quite enjoyable, loaded the rod quickly but not overly, and would deliver a small popper very nicely as far as ~70 feet before running out of line speed. So I left the WF on for the rest of the short outing, and woke up a bunch of long-eared sunnies along with a pair of foot-long large mouths. I usually fish this pond with my 9/5 but the 3-weight was a lot more fun on these li’l fellers, which put a goodly bend in the rod. I love fishing small poppers, btw. Even the smallest sunfish often explode from the water with the gaudy bug firmly clenched, making more than their fair share of commotion as they splash down. Short strip, wait, short strip, wait, wiggle and wait, then WHAMMO! Too cool! Between the fishing, the warmish weather, the heron stalking the band, and a very talkative pair of mallards cruising along, it was an entertaining few hours away from the ‘puters, which seem to be in a bad mood the last few days. Too bad it had to end so early (goddamned daylight savings time!) /daytripper (Peace, Love, Hair, Beads, Flowers, Fur Coats…and HATS!)

Response:

i know what my problem is, two huge school assignments hanging over my head and no fishing since Mu’s visit.  Withdrawal is making me surly.

Pete, you of all people I find hard to picture as ever being surly! That Winston’s a lovely rod btw, enjoy heartily.  I bet it would be great for brookies off the wing dam.

And indeed, this is what I had in mind when I decided I "needed" this particular model. On those days that the wind isn’t blasting up river off Pondy, it should be a riot! Can you imaging hooking a 20" wild brookie and holding it with a 3 wt on that river? Yikes! Hope you catch a break and get out before the water gets solid up there, Peter… /daytripper

Response:

Daytripper, What part of the world are you in?  Out here in Northern CA, it seems a bit too wintry for bassin’.

Central Massachusetts, Wes. Indeed, normally the bass would be snoozin’ (don’t know about the sunnies – they always seem cooperative around here if they aren’t trapped under ice ;^) But we experienced a "Blazing Inferno"  of a summer this year, and I think some ponds are just getting settled before winter creeps in. On a nice afternoon a fish or six can be still be raised with a tempting bug… Gotta get the last licks in before my mind turns to skiing. /daytripper

Response:

We caught a nice break in the weather this early afternoon so I put on my Fall Ball cap and took my newly acquired 9/3 Winston out for a few hours of peaceful fishing on a very local bass pond. I combined the fishing with experimentation with three different lines that I had laying about, a DT2F, a WF3F, and a TT2/3. fwiw, the DT2F definitely underlined the rod, which was to be expected, and made for too much work. The TT2/3 was the monster of the three – turned this rod into a mini-howitzer; once I had the feel for the rod, the entire line could be cast with moderate effort, although at that range the longish front taper didn’t turn over the popper-ladened leader consistently (though with a #14 Montana I could straighten the line at the same insane distance). The WF3F was quite enjoyable, loaded the rod quickly but not overly, and would deliver a small popper very nicely as far as ~70 feet before running out of line speed. So I left the WF on for the rest of the short outing, and woke up a bunch of long-eared sunnies along with a pair of foot-long large mouths. I usually fish this pond with my 9/5 but the 3-weight was a lot more fun on these li’l fellers, which put a goodly bend in the rod. I love fishing small poppers, btw. Even the smallest sunfish often explode from the water with the gaudy bug firmly clenched, making more than their fair share of commotion as they splash down. Short strip, wait, short strip, wait, wiggle and wait, then WHAMMO! Too cool! Between the fishing, the warmish weather, the heron stalking the band, and a very talkative pair of mallards cruising along, it was an entertaining few hours away from the ‘puters, which seem to be in a bad mood the last few days. Too bad it had to end so early (goddamned daylight savings time!) /daytripper (Peace, Love, Hair, Beads, Flowers, Fur Coats…and HATS!)

Response:

{ a lot of great Winston stuff snipped] Too cool! Between the fishing, the warmish weather, the heron stalking the band, and a very talkative pair of mallards cruising along, it was an entertaining few hours away from the ‘puters, which seem to be in a bad mood the last few days. Too bad it had to end so early (goddamned daylight savings time!) /daytripper (Peace, Love, Hair, Beads, Flowers, Fur Coats…and HATS!)

i know what my problem is, two huge school assignments hanging over my head and no fishing since Mu’s visit.  Withdrawal is making me surly. That Winston’s a lovely rod btw, enjoy heartily.  I bet it would be great for brookies off the wing dam. Peter

Response:

Question:

Bruce: Hey, you don’t have to rub our USA noses in it, do you?  Seriously, thanks for an informative post.  Of course, do you realize you just ruined your fishing? Now your area will become a dreaded "destination fishery", bringing yuppie Yankees crawling all over your fishing waters.  Articles will appear in fishing magazines, rods will be named after your favorite rivers, and if you’re really lucky there will be a Jeep model named in your honor.  :) Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hmmmm, humble Aussie here, and after reading numerous articles from the newsgroups I’ve gotta say you have to get down into the Southern Hemisphere. Where I live in Horsham in Western Victoria, down south in case you didn’t know, I have world class lake fishing virtually at my doorstep. Twenty minutes in one direction takes me to Lake Toolondo, home of sensational brown trout, and 30 minutes in the other direction takes me to Lake Fyans where I landed a lovely little rainbow on Sunday night. Lovely start to the working week, I must say. Seriously, without being flippant, I had no idea how lucky I was as far as my fly fishing goes until I started to read articles from the newsgroup. I don’t have to plan fishing trips. Mates simply call during the day, ask what I’m doing later and whether I’d like to go fishing. We pack our gear into the car and we’re there in no more than half an hour. And that’s to get to the best waters. There are plenty as close as 10 minutes away which produce browns to 5lb on a good day. If anyone’s considering an Aussie holiday, you could do worse than to visit from September through to March. Hope you like it hot, though. Regards, Bruce L.

Response:

Mark Faulkner you’re really lucky there will be a Jeep model named in your honor.  :) The Subaru already has the "Outback".   Dave LaCourse

Response:

Mark Faulkner you’re really lucky there will be a Jeep model named in your honor.  :) The Subaru already has the "Outback". Dave LaCourse

Jeez, how could I forget that.  Mark Faulkner

Response:

Bruce: Hey, you don’t have to rub our USA noses in it, do you?  Seriously, thanks for an informative post.  Of course, do you realize you just ruined your fishing? Now your area will become a dreaded "destination fishery", bringing yuppie Yankees crawling all over your fishing waters.  Articles will appear in fishing magazines, rods will be named after your favorite rivers, and if you’re really lucky there will be a Jeep model named in your honor.  :) Mark Faulkner

Don’t worry about it Mark, Rex Hunt will probably be there, and he will keep the tourists away! Regards, — Bill

Response:

Question:

I have only read one article on anything close to a home-made +ACI-braided+ACI- leader.  It is a section on +ACI-furled+ACI- leader in the book titled +ACI- Micro Patterns+ACI- by Darrel Martin.  Though a book about fishing flies sizes 16 or smaller, this section may be of help to you in terms of method and materials.  Give it a try anyway. tight lines. jimmy

+AD4-Please accept my apologies for the previous message – it appears there is +AD4-some problem with my service provider. +AD4- +AD4-I am looking at what woule be involved in braiding my own fly lines from +AD4-mono for salt water/suf type situations. As far as I can determine, getting +AD4-the weight of the line itself right is one of the major obstacles (to +AD4-ensure that the line is balanced to the rod, but what other problems am i +AD4-likely to come up against? +AD4- +AD4-Does anyone else have any experience in this area? +AD4- +AD4-TIA, +AD4- +AD4-    Vic

Response:

Home braided fly lines are the ideal compliment to hand whittled tapered leaders…. I remember grandpa out on the porch braiding up fly lines for the whole damned neighborhood. He’d do a line fer ya in exchange for a bottle of Mead back during prohibition. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "Guilt replaced the creel…"

Response:

Here we go again, the first liar doesn’t stand a chance.  Did he whittle them out of a solid block? — Ernie Harrison Want To Tie Tapered leaders? Go To: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh/knots – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Home braided fly lines are the ideal compliment to hand whittled tapered leaders…. I remember grandpa out on the porch braiding up fly lines for the whole damned neighborhood. He’d do a line fer ya in exchange for a bottle of Mead back during prohibition. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "Guilt replaced the creel…"

Response:

Must have been one hell of a leader to fetch such a high price.  People went to jail for that, you know. jimmy

+AD4-Home braided fly lines are the ideal compliment to hand whittled tapered +AD4-leaders…. +AD4- +AD4-I remember grandpa out on the porch braiding up fly lines for the whole +AD4-damned neighborhood. +AD4- +AD4-He’d do a line fer ya in exchange for a bottle of Mead back during +AD4-prohibition. +AD4- +AD4— +AD4-TimW, Halfordian Golfer +AD4AIg-Guilt replaced the creel…+ACI- +AD4- +AD4- +AD4-

Response:

I am looking at what woule be involved in braiding my own fly lines from mono for salt water/suf type situations. As far as I can determine, getting the weight of the line itself right is one of the major obstacles (to ensure that the line is balanced to the rod, but what other problems am i likely to come up against?

Friction drag in the air seems the main problem. For either unit weight or unit length, braided mono fly line would have much more surface than standard plastic line, thus incur much more drag in the air. You would probably need an unusual fly rod to be able to aerialize it for any cast longer than that available with a standard line. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

Please accept my apologies for the previous message – it appears there is some problem with my service provider. I am looking at what woule be involved in braiding my own fly lines from mono for salt water/suf type situations. As far as I can determine, getting the weight of the line itself right is one of the major obstacles (to ensure that the line is balanced to the rod, but what other problems am i likely to come up against? Does anyone else have any experience in this area? TIA,    Vic

Hi Vic, I experimented along these lines ( pardon the pun ! ) for quite a while. Practically None of the results were satistactory. It was very complex and time consuming, and I could hardly cast the results.  The best result was with braided terylene cord. I unravelled this and plaited the end down to a taper.  It was a terrible mess about but it works OK. It also floats of itself without dressing etc. In the meantime I reckon one is better off buying a line than trying to make one. The experiments with mono just cost me a lot of time for nothing really. There is also some braided cord available which I think is courlene, which gave fairly good results, I am still playing about with this. Hope this helps. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

Please accept my apologies for the previous message – it appears there is some problem with my service provider. I am looking at what woule be involved in braiding my own fly lines from mono for salt water/suf type situations. As far as I can determine, getting the weight of the line itself right is one of the major obstacles (to ensure that the line is balanced to the rod, but what other problems am i likely to come up against? Does anyone else have any experience in this area? TIA,     Vic

Response:

Question:

Next week I’m finally taking that trip up the Little Kern to Golden Trout country that me and my fishing buddy have been talking about for two years.  Plan to take the forks of the Kern Trail down to the forks, then pack in from there for a couple of days.  Anyone have any useful info for fishing the area this time of year.  Flies, good campsites, etc.? —                                                            -dnc-

Response:

Next week I’m finally taking that trip up the Little Kern to Golden Trout country that me and my fishing buddy have been talking about for two years.  Plan to take the forks of the Kern Trail down to the forks, then pack in from there for a couple of days.  Anyone have any useful info for fishing the area this time of year.  Flies, good campsites, etc.?

Years ago I fished the main stem of the Kern, from Junction Meadow up to Lake South America–very similar countryside to where you’re going.  (I accessed the area from the Whitney Portal trail.)  As I recall, there were good campsites just about everywhere.  I was in my attractor fly phase, and I caught tons of rainbows and goldens using mainly just a bi-visible.  I’d fish a fly until it was chewed beyond recognition, tie on another, and keep catching them.  I even kept on catching them during an afternoon thunder shower (ducking under a tree during the worst of it, then continuing after the lightning had moved up the canyon).  These were wild fish, and they weren’t at all picky.  You can probably get by using generic sorts of attractors: Adams, Humpy, bi-visibles, hare’s ear nymphs, zug bugs, PTs, etc., and some black Muddlers for lakes.  Smaller sizes are probably best. What I remember best was the bear that I saw one morning.  I had fished upstream a considerable distance from my camp on the opposite side of the river, when a black bear ambled by on the far side, heading upstream.  He never saw me, until I let him get a couple of hundred feet above me, and I whistled.  The bear stopped, looked around a moment, until he spotted me.  We held eye contact for a moment, then he continued on.  Since he’d come from the direction of my camp, I was concerned, but there was not much I could do after the fact–so, angler that I am, I kept on fishing.  Later, I crossed over, and back tracked the bear toward my camp.  I was amazed to discover that the bear’s tracks had made a wide circle *around* my camp, in an obvious attempt to avoid contact with humans (that would be me, such as it is). Understandable, certainly, but I never counted on that happening again. Even though my next day’s hike took my upstream also, I didn’t spot the bear again.  (And, oh yes, I have had California black bears in camp, trying to get my food, on other trips.  Usually they’re pretty benign; shouting, banging pots and pans, throwing rocks will run them off.  I insanely chased a bear out of camp one morning.  I chased him up to the top of a hill.  I was stone out of breath, he was still fresh, and acted like he wanted to play some more.  I skedaddled.) The moral of this story is to always exercise the best "bear discipline" you can while in bear country; and you’ll catch lots of fish, too. Enjoy your trip, Anglerboy — Trout fear me, Women want me. http://www.midtown.net/~angler/

Response:

Question:

Any input?  I’m looking to make a decision between a Redington 9′ 8/9wt. and a St. Croix of the same build.  So far Redington is in the lead because of the Unconditional Lifetime Warranty.

The st. Croix Legend is a great deal. BTW it also has a lifetime unconditional warrenty.

Response:

Any input?  I’m looking to make a decision between a Redington 9′ 8/9wt. and a St. Croix of the same build.  So far Redington is in the lead because of the Unconditional Lifetime Warranty. —       _                 Dan Siderius                    |   / _` / _` | “ |      Check out My Homepage at:       |   __,___,_|_,,_|      http://wybbs.wynalda.com/~dans        |

Response:

8/9wt. and a St. Croix of the same build.

Dear Dan; The St. Croix may be a slightly faster action rod.  My experience ends with the 6/7 wts., but the principle may carry over to the higher weights.  They are both the same modulous graphite, but the cost of the St. Croix includes a pretty decent rod tube.  Flip a coin.  Better yet, cast ‘em both.  Even better yet, buy a Versitex! Sincerely; Jason Beary

Response:

I’ve got a St Croix Legend (5wt, 9ft) All I can say is that it gets the job done. It’s fine, I works, I’ve got no complaints, but I know, in my heart of hearts, that I ain’t driving a Caddy. True, the warrenty is good and the fly tube is great and gbest of all, the price is excellent. I will be upgrading tho, when my big ship comes in Damn, faint praise! S. "The World is full of shipping clerks who read the Harvard Classics." –Bukowski, American writer, poet S. Duda Seattle, WA

Response:

Dan, I used to fish with a St. Croix and now I fish with a Redington.  I own a Redington 9 ft., 5wt.  My St. Croix is a 8.5 ft., 5/6 wt.  I like my Redington a lot better.  It is a little faster, and the Unconditional Lifetime Warranty has come in handy.  I work at Jacklin’s Fly Shop in West Yellowstone and My Redington worked fine out there last summer.                               Jamie. Any input?  I’m looking to make a decision between a Redington 9′ 8/9wt. and a St. Croix of the same build.  So far Redington is in the lead because of the Unconditional Lifetime Warranty. —       _                 Dan Siderius                    |   / _` / _` | “ |      Check out My Homepage at:       |   __,___,_|_,,_|      http://wybbs.wynalda.com/~dans  |

– Jamie Farrell Interests:   -fly fishing   -fly tying   -camping   -hiking

Response:

Question:

Any ideas on shad fishing in the Columiba River would be appreciated. Thanks! K Lawson

Response:

Any ideas on shad fishing in the Columiba River would be appreciated. Thanks! K Lawson

My father in law uses a white jig or maybe its a small white fly.  I didn’t go and it was 5 years ago or so when he told me.  He fishes by McNary dam I think it is, downstream of the dam. Nice size fish I saw them, but I personally haven’t fished for shad. Tight lines.

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Moving to Detroit in a Week or so. Can you recommend me some good fly fishing in the area. Prefer areas that are around 1 to 2 hrs drive. No more. As far as I know there are no quality fly fihing areas within 1-2 hrs of Detroit. 3 hours will take you to the Au Sable and Manistee rivers which are quality fisheries. There is a very good book on fishing in Michigan. I think the author is Linnsman. I will get more specific info to you. Steve Rosenblum, Ann Arbor Steve Rosenblum Ann Arbor, Michigan Actually there is good brook trout FFishing within an hour of Detroit.   Try the Huron River.  There are several Metroparks along the river that provide access.  I haven’t fished it myself (because I didn’t have my gear with me at the time), but I saw several other FFisherpersons and I saw the 10"-16" fish.  The river is wadeable.  Try either the Hudson Mills Metropark or Dexter Huron Metropark.  On a AAA map of "Detroit and Southeast MI" you will find them at roughly coordinates 8K and 8L respectively (just west of Ann Arbor).  Good Luck.

  Actually, those fish you were seeing were probably smallies, cause I don’t think the Huron is clear or cool enough to sustain trout.

Response:

Moving to Detroit in a Week or so. Can you recommend me some good fly fishing in the area. Prefer areas that are around 1 to 2 hrs drive. No more. As far as I know there are no quality fly fihing areas within 1-2 hrs of Detroit. 3 hours will take you to the Au Sable and Manistee rivers which are quality fisheries. There is a very good book on fishing in Michigan. I think the author is Linnsman. I will get more specific info to you. Steve Rosenblum, Ann Arbor Steve Rosenblum Ann Arbor, Michigan

Actually there is good brook trout FFishing within an hour of Detroit.   Try the Huron River.  There are several Metroparks along the river that provide access.  I haven’t fished it myself (because I didn’t have my gear with me at the time), but I saw several other FFisherpersons and I saw the 10"-16" fish.  The river is wadeable.  Try either the Hudson Mills Metropark or Dexter Huron Metropark.  On a AAA map of "Detroit and Southeast MI" you will find them at roughly coordinates 8K and 8L respectively (just west of Ann Arbor).  Good Luck.

Response:

You are quite right Jay.  Those were smallmouth bass and the water is too warm to support trout.  I checked with the DNR and learned that the 5 mile stretch of the Huron River below Dexter is catch and release.  This has helped to improve the smallmouth population.  According to the DNR, they shock the river each spring for reasearch.  They have found smallies up to 21 inches along with rock bass, creek chubs and hog suckers.  In addition, I learned that they stock Proud Lake (within an hour of Detroit) with rainbows and browns.

Response:

: Moving to Detroit in a Week or so. Can you recommend me some good fly : fishing in the area. Prefer areas that are around 1 to 2 hrs drive. No : more. : As far as I know there are no quality fly fihing areas within 1-2 hrs of : Detroit. 3 hours will take you to the Au Sable and Manistee rivers which : are quality fisheries. There is a very good book on fishing in Michigan. I : think the author is Linnsman. I will get more specific info to you. There are scores of quality fly fishing areas within an hour’s drive…unless you’re the sort who thinks ‘quality’ necessarily implies ‘trout’ I know of a number of great bluegill spots within 30 minutes of home, and as one fisherman I met put it, bluegills are ‘gram for gram, the fightingest fish there are!" And there are plenty of bass, pike, carp and many other species that are great fun on a fly, all close enough for after work fishing. Matter of fact, tonight a friend (who belongs to a very nice trout club with a private stream) and I are off to one of our favorite ponds to match wits with the wiley bluegill- and it’s only 20 minutes from home. –mike

Response:

Moving to Detroit in a Week or so. Can you recommend me some good fly fishing in the area. Prefer areas that are around 1 to 2 hrs drive. No more. — Dasu Baregala 123 E 8th St Moscow ID 83843-3009 (208) 883 – 9538

Response:

Moving to Detroit in a Week or so. Can you recommend me some good fly fishing in the area. Prefer areas that are around 1 to 2 hrs drive. No

more. As far as I know there are no quality fly fihing areas within 1-2 hrs of Detroit. 3 hours will take you to the Au Sable and Manistee rivers which are quality fisheries. There is a very good book on fishing in Michigan. I think the author is Linnsman. I will get more specific info to you. Steve Rosenblum, Ann Arbor Steve Rosenblum Ann Arbor, Michigan

Response: