Question:

There has been some pretty good fishing on the flats behind the mangroves a little farther south if you like light tackle action. Just remember that the bays tend to be a mile wide and a foot deep so bring a good pole.

Response:

Gary, I’m taking my 27′ cruiser to Islamorado this coming Saturday for a week. Any comments on places to go or places to avoid while there? Thanks, TT

If you are passing by Miami, Dinner Key is a cool place to overnight. Pennekanmp is fun to dive at the Christ statue 25 07 3 . 80 17 8. In Islamorada: Holiday Isle is nut’s on the weekend  but fun. The World Wide Sportsman is the coolest store I’ve ever been in. Cool bar too. Good luck. Have fun….. Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid." …I said that

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Well yeah….. Baca Grand now.

Is Boca Grande mainly tarpon?  And what would you consider the basic needs to tarpon fish there?  I hear you can land up to 200# ones. Captiva/Sanibel all the time. (Tween Waters) Flamingo. not now, unless your a blood doner. Palm Beach, Mosquito Lagoon, Islamorada. Have fun…… Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach

– While Genius and Stupidity have a lot in common.. One important difference to note is that Genius has its limits. Before you buy.

Response:

Is Boca Grande mainly tarpon?  

No, But this time of year you’ll have a good chance of getting a big fish. And what would you consider the basic needs to tarpon fish there?

A guide the first time out.  Call Capt. Pete http://www.floridaflyfishing.com or try  http://www.bocagrandefishing.com/ The Pass is no place for beginers. It’s crowded and dangerous. You’ll also need an extra hand to run the boat. You can fish them off the beach on live/cutbait/ artificials /fly. I would suggest Johnson Shoals off Cayo Costa just south of the pass. I jumped a 125+ fish  (on fly) over Memorial day while drifting Captiva Pass. The fish came close to jumping in the boat. Scared the crap out of me. If you want to stay there, try the condos at the north end of the island. It’s my favorite place in the state. Have fun. Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid." …I said that

Response:

Any great places to visit and great fishing outings that others have done who would share them would be greatly appreciated.  Would love your input as I plan my summer boating trips this year and next.

Well yeah….. Baca Grand now. Captiva/Sanibel all the time. (Tween Waters) Flamingo. not now, unless your a blood doner. Palm Beach, Mosquito Lagoon, Islamorada. Have fun…… Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid." I said that

Response:

Gary, I’m taking my 27′ cruiser to Islamorado this coming Saturday for a week. Any comments on places to go or places to avoid while there? Thanks, TT – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any great places to visit and great fishing outings that others have done who would share them would be greatly appreciated.  Would love your input as I plan my summer boating trips this year and next. Well yeah….. Baca Grand now. Captiva/Sanibel all the time. (Tween Waters) Flamingo. not now, unless your a blood doner. Palm Beach, Mosquito Lagoon, Islamorada. Have fun…… Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid." I said that

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 I have been researching and planning for a few years and this weekend have finally landed the right boat for the right price.  I live in North Central FL and want to know the places to go and things to do with my new boat.  I have a Proline 190 CC with a 150hp Johnson. I have heard that Cumberland Island is a nice trip, Caladesi Island is nice.  I know that scalloping season starts up in July.  And have fished out of Cedar Key numerous times with friends. Any great places to visit and great fishing outings that others have done who would share them would be greatly appreciated.  Would love your input as I plan my summer boating trips this year and next. — While Genius and Stupidity have a lot in common.. One important difference to note is that Genius has its limits. Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

Riverrat…  ever seen an anglerfish?  i figger if the fish use attractants, i oughtta too.  it’s the only thing me and the ol anglerfish got goin for us.  but, i do like stimulators nearbout as much <G jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – and whatabout the area, isn’t it a restricted stream where you can’t use attracters? <vbg RiverRat

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If it’s the same Mrs. Hathaway that I remember, she ran for Congress in the 80’s in south central PA.  Died a few years later.

That’s the one (Nancy Kulp). — Charlie…

Response:

<snipped In the old days long before I was around, they used deer fat to grease leaders.   There is an article on the web talking about using Albolene for flys and deer fat for leaders: http://www.fieldandstream.com/looking_back/19980101.html bc.

Response:

listen fellas….honest, i don’t know who hacked into my system and wrote that crazy stuff.  some drunk sob, i’m sure. …but i did find a fly floating (still at 8:53 am) in a bowl of water and some streaks of bacon grease on my keyboard….   jeff   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …y’all snicker, but 5:27 pm and the damn fly is still floating…i’m on the lookout for bears though!  …         Come and listen to a story bout a man named jeffro         barely kept his sanity while thinkin to and fro;         then one day, while cookin some breakfast food,         he found the bacon grease, when to the fly applied,         yielded results that raised a grin far and wide.         Crude, but mighty good… better’n Miss Hathaway nude.         hawg squeezins, chitlin fixins…         fly’s still a-floatin, Ms. Hathaway longing… satisfied… jeffro  (ya can call me mr.J – ain’t got no meter, just a puzzled peter) BTW, who is Ms. Hathaway and how did she get dragged into this? Inquiring minds want to know. She was a character on the TV sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies", and I confess I was the one who brought her up in relation to ‘Jethro’ Miller<g. — Charlie…

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it’s tough bein on the leadin edge of new adventures.  my rag tag outfitter company, Ursa Urticants R Us, Inc., is always looking for fresh meat, er…talent. you appear to meet all of our criteria.  an application is in the mail. jeff PS – Great story…any photos available?   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Grizzly Fishing 101 . Having fished for grizzlies,  I would like to advise that a bacon greased dry presentation simply does not cut it when attempting to "match the hatch".  From personal experience, one is advised to use a much larger stimulator or attractor pattern. About 15lb. larger to be exact. Case Study: On our yearly trip to the Karluk we are routinely "asked" to share prime water with the local grizzly or three.  Last year a sow and her two cubs could be expected to make a daily circuit up or down the middle of the river easily taking coho, steelhead, sockeye and dolly from our favorite runs. As mom and the kids could usually be seen coming from some distance, our strategy was to simply begin fishing our way back to camp. Cast, walk during the swing, retrieve quickly and cast again making steady progress toward camp. One eye on the happy family, one eye on your line as it makes the swing. Quickly now. On one occasion, I was first to camp so hurried to my tent to retrieve a camera to record what had become a daily ritual. Several of my compatriots were still fishing but were making increasingly rapid progress to camp as the distance between the two groups of fishers was decreasing . At this point, something few fishermen can imagine occurred. When is the last time you made a cast where you DIDN’T want to catch a fish ?  Worse , having made the unimaginable cast, you hook a bright 15lb.coho, who, in her suicidal wisdom heads straight for big mama. Apparently a #4 Egg Sucking Leach was not going to be a "grizzly" enough finish for this lady. Photo 1: Both fishermen look in surprise as the coho decides to go airborne 3 feet in front of larger fisher. Confused look on both faces. One of opportunity, one of desperation. Photo 2: Sensing easy fodder, mama heads for coho while puny male human is captured with  rod horizontal, pulling in desperation trying to break off one of his best fish of the day. Wakes are apparent in the water as each make their way to their individual destinations. A touch of the McCallan is shared to honor the first grizzly to the "fly". MS level courses in hooking and landing are being developed. Ph.D. in C&R is unlikely. Tight lines all, — Jeff www.teleport.com/~salmo/jp.htm bears – Ms. Hathaway – bears – Ms. Hathaway…hmmmm…. ok…i’ll redirect my efforts here… well, you guys are always looking for a new adventure…how about – flyfishing for grizzlies…yeah, that’s it.  it’ll be like swimming with the white sharks in australia.  lacourse, you fry the bacon and i’ll weld us up some steel cages to "fish" from…

Response:

and whatabout the area, isn’t it a restricted stream where you can’t use attracters? <vbg RiverRat

Response:

Grizzly Fishing 101 . Having fished for grizzlies,  I would like to advise that a bacon greased dry presentation simply does not cut it when attempting to "match the hatch".  From personal experience, one is advised to use a much larger stimulator or attractor pattern. About 15lb. larger to be exact. Case Study: On our yearly trip to the Karluk we are routinely "asked" to share prime water with the local grizzly or three.  Last year a sow and her two cubs could be expected to make a daily circuit up or down the middle of the river easily taking coho, steelhead, sockeye and dolly from our favorite runs. As mom and the kids could usually be seen coming from some distance, our strategy was to simply begin fishing our way back to camp. Cast, walk during the swing, retrieve quickly and cast again making steady progress toward camp. One eye on the happy family, one eye on your line as it makes the swing. Quickly now. On one occasion, I was first to camp so hurried to my tent to retrieve a camera to record what had become a daily ritual. Several of my compatriots were still fishing but were making increasingly rapid progress to camp as the distance between the two groups of fishers was decreasing . At this point, something few fishermen can imagine occurred. When is the last time you made a cast where you DIDN’T want to catch a fish ?  Worse , having made the unimaginable cast, you hook a bright 15lb.coho, who, in her suicidal wisdom heads straight for big mama. Apparently a #4 Egg Sucking Leach was not going to be a "grizzly" enough finish for this lady. Photo 1: Both fishermen look in surprise as the coho decides to go airborne 3 feet in front of larger fisher. Confused look on both faces. One of opportunity, one of desperation. Photo 2: Sensing easy fodder, mama heads for coho while puny male human is captured with  rod horizontal, pulling in desperation trying to break off one of his best fish of the day. Wakes are apparent in the water as each make their way to their individual destinations. A touch of the McCallan is shared to honor the first grizzly to the "fly". MS level courses in hooking and landing are being developed. Ph.D. in C&R is unlikely. Tight lines all, — Jeff www.teleport.com/~salmo/jp.htm

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – bears – Ms. Hathaway – bears – Ms. Hathaway…hmmmm…. ok…i’ll redirect my efforts here… well, you guys are always looking for a new adventure…how about – flyfishing for grizzlies…yeah, that’s it.  it’ll be like swimming with the white sharks in australia.  lacourse, you fry the bacon and i’ll weld us up some steel cages to "fish" from…

Response:

BTW, who is Ms. Hathaway and how did she get dragged into this? Inquiring minds want to know.

She was Mr. Drysdale’s sado-masochistic lover/secretary who was always trying to get Jethro to show her his (fly) rod.   Or something like that. Shoot your television, Bob Scott

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Ya, save her for Louie.  She’s already past changing. Her and LaPlac would make a fine looking couple at the places IJ sends him to<g. — Charlie…

Be great fun watching them decide who would lead.  :) Peter

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…y’all snicker, but 5:27 pm and the damn fly is still floating…i’m on the lookout for bears though!  …  

<Interesting lyric snipped Damn Jeff! Don’t know what you’re smoking down there, but winter’s coming and we yankees could sure use some. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson  "The Pilgrim/Chapter33"

Response:

floating…i’m on the lookout for bears though!  …      Come and listen to a story bout a man named jeffro    barely kept his sanity while thinkin to and fro;

Well Peter it sounds like he made it to the likker cabinet. Big Dale

Response:

BTW, who is Ms. Hathaway and how did she get dragged into this? Inquiring minds want to know. She was a character on the TV sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies", and I confess I was the one who brought her up in relation to ‘Jethro’ Miller<g. — Charlie… Ahhh.  I remember – but can she cook?  Seems to me she was only good at wearing bad tweed suits and lusting.

If it’s the same Mrs. Hathaway that I remember, she ran for Congress in the 80’s in south central PA.  Died a few years later. Mark faulkner

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – BTW, who is Ms. Hathaway and how did she get dragged into this? Inquiring minds want to know. She was a character on the TV sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies", and I confess I was the one who brought her up in relation to ‘Jethro’ Miller<g. — Charlie… Ahhh.  I remember – but can she cook?  Seems to me she was only good at wearing bad tweed suits and lusting. If it’s the same Mrs. Hathaway that I remember, she ran for Congress in the 80’s in south central PA.  Died a few years later. Mark faulkner

        aw, hell no, markey!  they’re talking about the "jane hathaway" from "beverly hillbillies", *not* the "ms. hathaway" you taught to do the "dirty macarena"  in the holiday inn just south of carlisle…         wayno, just keepin the record straight – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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…while cooking breakfast for rachel this morning, i also steamed some of the hackles on several of my well-used and misshapen flies.  the parallel universe i was drifting through at the time caused me to think about bacon fat grease as a floatant.  once cool, it becomes a waxy substance like gink, aquel, etc.  It could be easily strained and poured into an applicator before it hardens up, and with a squeeze it will ooze out of a gink bottle in its cool state.  It’s hard as hell to clean out of the pan with soap and water, so it adheres pretty good…whaddayathink, would a dab or two work as a floatant on a dry fly?  If so, perhaps lacourse’s bacon fryin will be good for something in May besides causing involuntary streamside bowel movements, eh? jeff (always thunking…)

  No disrespect jeff, but what morning herb produced this Parallel Universe? The stuff would turn to rock as soon as it hit the water. More than just a few bears may want to have a parallel experence with you  as well Harry Mason www.Troutflies.com

Response:

..whaddayathink, would a dab or two work as a floatant on a dry fly?  If so, perhaps lacourse’s bacon fryin will be good for something in May besides causing involuntary streamside bowel movements, eh?

I think Jethro tried that once on the Beverly Hillbillies, but it just got Miss Hathaway excited if I recall correctly<g. — Charlie…

Response:

bears – Ms. Hathaway – bears – Ms. Hathaway…hmmmm…. ok…i’ll redirect my efforts here… well, you guys are always looking for a new adventure…how about – flyfishing for grizzlies…yeah, that’s it.  it’ll be like swimming with the white sharks in australia.  lacourse, you fry the bacon and i’ll weld us up some steel cages to "fish" from… ok, carrying this bit of foolishness to it’s illogical extreme, i’ve now tested the bacon grease thing in 64 degree water…it seems to float the fly, sort of…oops, it’s goin under…no, wait, it’s in the meniscus of the glass bowl, exuding a slick…ok, time to change parallels here…do ya think it might be xink-like?  you know, catch those early mornin breakfast trout?  … for those more into the Ms. Hathaway thing, i’m sure the bacon gease could serve the same blissful purpose as albolene in coating those… um, i’ll let you know how that one turns out….oh, rachel, dear… jeff (dropped on his head as a child -)   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …while cooking breakfast for rachel this morning, i also steamed some of the hackles on several of my well-used and misshapen flies.  the parallel universe i was drifting through at the time caused me to think about bacon fat grease as a floatant.  once cool, it becomes a waxy substance like gink, aquel, etc.  It could be easily strained and poured into an applicator before it hardens up, and with a squeeze it will ooze out of a gink bottle in its cool state.  It’s hard as hell to clean out of the pan with soap and water, so it adheres pretty good…whaddayathink, would a dab or two work as a floatant on a dry fly?  If so, perhaps lacourse’s bacon fryin will be good for something in May besides causing involuntary streamside bowel movements, eh? jeff (always thunking…)   No disrespect jeff, but what morning herb produced this Parallel Universe? The stuff would turn to rock as soon as it hit the water. More than just a few bears may want to have a parallel experence with you  as well Harry Mason www.Troutflies.com

Response:

[a bunch of floating blithering and dithering snipped] jeff (dropped on his head as a child -)  

Jeffy, follow this carefully.  Go to the likker cabinet.  Pick out the strongest thing you got.  Drink it all.  Lie down until you feel better.  Then go to the nearest Orvis store and buy the floatant gunk. Leave the bears to Tripper.  He’s an expert when it comes to the mating rituals of oversized and dangerous wildlife.  As for Ms. Hathaway, leave her for Louie.  I hear he’s not too fussy about such things.  I’ll take the bacon and eggs.  (eggs sunnyside up and bacon well done but not crispy, don’t forget the toast and coffee)  And keep your flies outa my bacon. Peter (who knows his priorities)

Response:

BTW, who is Ms. Hathaway and how did she get dragged into this? Inquiring minds want to know. Peter

Response:

BTW, who is Ms. Hathaway and how did she get dragged into this? Inquiring minds want to know.

She was a character on the TV sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies", and I confess I was the one who brought her up in relation to ‘Jethro’ Miller<g. — Charlie…

Response:

BTW, who is Ms. Hathaway and how did she get dragged into this? Inquiring minds want to know. She was a character on the TV sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies", and I confess I was the one who brought her up in relation to ‘Jethro’ Miller<g. — Charlie…

Ahhh.  I remember – but can she cook?  Seems to me she was only good at wearing bad tweed suits and lusting. Ya, save her for Louie.  She’s already past changing. Peter Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.cgocable.net/~pcharles/index.html

Response:

…y’all snicker, but 5:27 pm and the damn fly is still floating…i’m on the lookout for bears though!  …           Come and listen to a story bout a man named jeffro         barely kept his sanity while thinkin to and fro;           then one day, while cookin some breakfast food,         he found the bacon grease, when to the fly applied,         yielded results that raised a grin far and wide.         Crude, but mighty good… better’n Miss Hathaway nude.         hawg squeezins, chitlin fixins…         fly’s still a-floatin, Ms. Hathaway longing… satisfied… jeffro  (ya can call me mr.J – ain’t got no meter, just a puzzled peter) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – BTW, who is Ms. Hathaway and how did she get dragged into this? Inquiring minds want to know. She was a character on the TV sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies", and I confess I was the one who brought her up in relation to ‘Jethro’ Miller<g. — Charlie…

Response:

   fly’s still a-floatin, Ms. Hathaway longing… satisfied… jeffro  (ya can call me mr.J – ain’t got no meter, just a puzzled peter)

If you’ve been a messin’ with Ms. Hathaway, no wonder your peter’s puzzled.  "Boss?  Why are you abusin’ me so?" Peter

Response:

Ya, save her for Louie.  She’s already past changing.

Her and LaPlac would make a fine looking couple at the places IJ sends him to<g. — Charlie…

Response:

…while cooking breakfast for rachel this morning, i also steamed some of the hackles on several of my well-used and misshapen flies.  the parallel universe i was drifting through at the time caused me to think about bacon fat grease as a floatant.  once cool, it becomes a waxy substance like gink, aquel, etc.  It could be easily strained and poured into an applicator before it hardens up, and with a squeeze it will ooze out of a gink bottle in its cool state.  It’s hard as hell to clean out of the pan with soap and water, so it adheres pretty good…whaddayathink, would a dab or two work as a floatant on a dry fly?  If so, perhaps lacourse’s bacon fryin will be good for something in May besides causing involuntary streamside bowel movements, eh? jeff (always thunking…)

Response:

Jeff I don’t know about the flies, but the bears will love it. Ernie

<snip If so, perhaps lacourse’s bacon fryin will be good for something in May

besides causing involuntary streamside bowel movements, eh? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -jeff (always thunking…)

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Question:

Can anyone provide links to websites that sell quality flies at lower than retail prices?  Thanks.

Response:

Try www.discountflyfishing.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone provide links to websites that sell quality flies at lower than retail prices?  Thanks.

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Visit www.popularfishingflies.com Here you find one of the best prices on the Net. Popular Fishing Flies – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone provide links to websites that sell quality flies at lower than retail prices?  Thanks.

Response:

Can anyone provide links to websites that sell quality flies at lower than retail prices?  Thanks.

Hi Clyde, Check out the Wayne Hart’s replies in the "Best price??" thread above, he gives a link to what sounds like a real good place to by flies online. Darin

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You might want to also try the ‘Fly Shops’ category link from http://flyfishing.about.com/  There are a variety of fly shops that sells flies on-line listed there.

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Question:

Does anybody know of any good trout streams or rivers in central Michigan. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Looking to go camping in this area and would like to fly fishing. Thanks,                Tim

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Does anybody know of any good trout streams or rivers in central Michigan. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Looking to go camping in this area and would like to fly fishing.

Look for guidebooks by Huggler or Linseman or Hendrickson with "Michigan" in the title. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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Does anybody know of any good trout streams or rivers in central Michigan. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Looking to go camping in this area and would like to fly fishing. Thanks,                Tim

How far are you from Grayling?  That seems to be the "CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE" for flyfishing around here.

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I’m located in South Bend, IN which would be 4-5 hours. Let me know more about Grayling fishing sites. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anybody know of any good trout streams or rivers in central Michigan. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Looking to go camping in this area and would like to fly fishing. Thanks,                Tim How far are you from Grayling?  That seems to be the "CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE" for flyfishing around here.

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Question:

I surf a lot of newsgroups because of varied interests: computers, boats, backpacking, motorcycles, science, and fishing. By far this NG has been the most enjoyable and informative. Flyfishers are definitely a unique group. Good fishing to all of you.

Response:

I surf a lot of newsgroups because of varied interests: computers, boats, backpacking, motorcycles, science, and fishing. By far this NG has been the most enjoyable and informative. Flyfishers are definitely a unique group. Good fishing to all of you.

I guess that just shows that it isn’t necessarily the topic that determines the quality of a newsgroup (though there are obvious exceptions) but the people that contribute to it.  This group has more then it’s share of quality contributors. John Fereira Stop Unsolicited Commercial Email – Join CAUCE (http://www.cauce.org) Support HR 1748, the anti-spam bill.

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I surf a lot of newsgroups because of varied interests: computers, boats, backpacking, motorcycles, science, and fishing. By far this NG has been the most enjoyable and informative. Flyfishers are definitely a unique group. Good fishing to all of you. Stick around – You might even learn to like fly fishing! Jon Porter

  Jim Shearer writes: I am new to your news group and am enjoying a great deal. A lsot of info. so I will continue to be present. A little about myself: I have been tying flies for 46 years and have gone semi-commercial,planning on going commercial 100 % sometime in after I retire in July of 98. I losve going and tying for new flyfishers a conclaves and am always interested in new flies and materials. If you think you can learn all of this sport in 46 years FORGET IT. I hope to have a long and enjoyful career of fly fishing and tying for many years to come. Thanks for the group. Jim Shearer The Goofus Bug 6302 W 11 th Ct. kennewick,WA 99338 If no one has tried it and has time to read 100 plus messages a day try : We enjoy fly swaps and a lot of info.. So much info. per day I have to shut down the list from time to time to get time to tie flies. Enjoy.

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Question:

I am interested in beginnging to use shooting head lines as it seems they would give me a great deal more versatility without having to buy multiple additional spools to hold different types of lines. Can anyone give me a good source for this type of line or is it as I suspect from not seeing them advertised much that I need to build them myself. If this is the case, can you point me in the right direction to learn how to build them? Thanks in advance.

Response:

I am interested in beginnging to use shooting head lines as it seems they would give me a great deal more versatility without having to buy multiple additional spools to hold different types of lines. Can anyone give me a good source for this type of line or is it as I suspect from not seeing them advertised much that I need to build them myself. If this is the case, can you point me in the right direction to learn how to build them? Thanks in advance.

Malcolm, Shooting heads are great for some applications where you want long distance casts to be performed easily. They are less adequate for other applications where you want for instance line control (mending long lines). Meaning shooting heads are mostly used for stillwater and saltwater where distance is essential. To get the most of your outfit, using a stripping basket helps managing the loose line, but takes some time to learn using. I guess you will use it for overhead casting with a single handed rod (shooting heads and two handed rods is something quite different). You can build your shooting heads out of a DT line. If you have, say, a #6-7 rod, the optimum is likely to be about 11 meters shooting head #7. The important thing is to load the rod with the optimum *weight*. It means you will need perhaps more, perhaps less than those 11 meters, depending on the actual weight of the line (there are tolerances in the manufacturing) and the actual rod class. Some people use a higher line class, shortening the head to perhaps 9 meters which gives even longer casts but sacrificing line control even more. Running line: Buy the best running line you can afford (cheap in comparison to WF line). There are 3 basic kind of running lines. -Dacron with a coating similar to floating lines. Actually a level floating line. Nicest to hold. -Braided nylon. Compromise. -Flat monofil. Longer casts, won’t tangle but not so nice to hold. DO NOT use regular monofil! It will tangle. Splice a loop on the end of the runninging line. Fill the reel with as much as you expect to be able to cast. 20 meters running line will do it. 30 meters if you are a very skilled caster. Shooting head: You don’t have to buy the best DT line available, as much of the casting performance is due to the running line properties. To find out the optimum weight for your rod, some testing is needed. 1. Cut the DT into two. Gives you two shooting heads, one spare or as a gift to a friend. 2. Attach the running line and the shooting head temporarily, e.g. with loop connectors. 3. Try the outfit in the backyard or on a lawn. Cut down the shooting head gradually until you get optimum performance. (When casting a shooting head, you don’t really shoot line as with a WF, instead you only have the shooting head and a few inches of shooting line outside the rod tip when letting the line go. 4. When you have found out the optimum weight, splice a loop on the shooting head. 5. Go fishing and check it works OK in practical situations. 6. Use a scale to determine the exact weight of the shooting head, this is useful information when you design your next shooting head (for the same rod). NOTE: Make sure the loops that connect the running line and shooting head run smooth trough the rod guides! The smoothest connection is to sew the lines together, in which case you either need one spool per line or to make the loop connection at the backing. NOTE: To gain distance and be able to turn over larger flies, you may consider shortening the tip of the shooting head. The price is sacrificing presentation, but for windy conditions, this is worth considering. Contact me if you need more info. Good Luck Tord

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I am interested in beginnging to use shooting head lines as it seems they would give me a great deal more versatility without having to buy multiple additional spools to hold different types of lines. Can anyone give me a good source for this type of line or is it as I suspect from not seeing them advertised much that I need to build them myself. If this is the case, can you point me in the right direction to learn how to build them? Thanks in advance.

Scientific Anglers used to ( and likely still do) make a selection of shooting heads that should meet your needs. Buying the heads will be cheaper than making your own. If you are looking for versatility try these trick. Cut the front 10 feet off a WF floating line. Serve a braided mono loop in the end of line. Use 5 to 10 foot sections of sinking line of varying sink rates that match the weight of the main line. Serve loops into the ends of these. Do the same with the floating section removed from the line so you can also switch back to a floating tip. You’ve now got a mutliple tip line that allows quick changes of sink rate. It won’t cast as far as a ST line but you didn’t indcate that was the problem. I’ve been using one of these ‘exchangable’ sink tips lately and am pleased with the casting performance. Some fly shops will set the line up for you and provide a selection of sink tips. Make some enquiries. Ralph H

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I think this guy really did all his home work. Very interesting and accurate info. Thanks for sharing this with all on the group.

….and "thank you" from me, also!  Very helpful info. Wayne — Gallery W http://www.magiccarpet.com/~waynem/G_Over.html

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <snip (When casting a shooting head, you don’t really shoot line as with a WF, instead you only have the shooting head and a few inches of shooting line outside the rod tip when letting the line go. <snip It’s interesting how things can go full circle.  I’ve seen advertisements in the non-Fly Fishing world for short, 2-3 feet lengths of "weighted casting line" (read  Shooting Head)  which allow spin fishermen to "cast" flies.  When you think of it, a spool would beat the heck out of a stripping basket for holding "running" line. Just some thoughts. Rick

I guess the "weighted casting line" must have a pretty high density. Must be lead core to have 2-3 feet heavy enough to be cast with a spinning rod… Your suggestion using a spool would imply a pretty large reel, since the shooting head (some 11 meters long) must fit too on the spool. Still, you need to learn to cast a fly line, although this is theoretically feasible with a large capacity spinning reel attached to your fly rod. (I guess you are not thinking about using a casting reel for this purpose…). The point in using a stripping basket is managing 20 meters or more of running line while wading in non-calm water (breaking waves, current) that will drag the line or tangle it. Or, fishing from a boat, to avoid the line tangling in the numerous items that usually are found on deck. Or to prevent the line from getting caught by strong winds… /Tord

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<snip (When casting a shooting head, you don’t really shoot line as with a WF, instead you only have the shooting head and a few inches of shooting line outside the rod tip when letting the line go.

<snip It’s interesting how things can go full circle.  I’ve seen advertisements in the non-Fly Fishing world for short, 2-3 feet lengths of "weighted casting line" (read  Shooting Head)  which allow spin fishermen to "cast" flies.  When you think of it, a spool would beat the heck out of a stripping basket for holding "running" line. Just some thoughts. Rick

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am interested in beginnging to use shooting head lines as it seems they would give me a great deal more versatility without having to buy multiple additional spools to hold different types of lines. Can anyone give me a good source for this type of line or is it as I suspect from not seeing them advertised much that I need to build them myself. If this is the case, can you point me in the right direction to learn how to build them? Thanks in advance. Malcolm, Shooting heads are great for some applications where you want long distance casts to be performed easily. They are less adequate for other applications where you want for instance line control (mending long lines). Meaning shooting heads are mostly used for stillwater and saltwater where distance is essential. To get the most of your outfit, using a stripping basket helps managing the loose line, but takes some time to learn using. I guess you will use it for overhead casting with a single handed rod (shooting heads and two handed rods is something quite different). You can build your shooting heads out of a DT line. If you have, say, a #6-7 rod, the optimum is likely to be about 11 meters shooting head #7. The important thing is to load the rod with the optimum *weight*. It means you will need perhaps more, perhaps less than those 11 meters, depending on the actual weight of the line (there are tolerances in the manufacturing) and the actual rod class. Some people use a higher line class, shortening the head to perhaps 9 meters which gives even longer casts but sacrificing line control even more. Running line: Buy the best running line you can afford (cheap in comparison to WF line). There are 3 basic kind of running lines. -Dacron with a coating similar to floating lines. Actually a level floating line. Nicest to hold. -Braided nylon. Compromise. -Flat monofil. Longer casts, won’t tangle but not so nice to hold. DO NOT use regular monofil! It will tangle. Splice a loop on the end of the runninging line. Fill the reel with as much as you expect to be able to cast. 20 meters running line will do it. 30 meters if you are a very skilled caster. Shooting head: You don’t have to buy the best DT line available, as much of the casting performance is due to the running line properties. To find out the optimum weight for your rod, some testing is needed. 1. Cut the DT into two. Gives you two shooting heads, one spare or as a gift to a friend. 2. Attach the running line and the shooting head temporarily, e.g. with loop connectors. 3. Try the outfit in the backyard or on a lawn. Cut down the shooting head gradually until you get optimum performance. (When casting a shooting head, you don’t really shoot line as with a WF, instead you only have the shooting head and a few inches of shooting line outside the rod tip when letting the line go. 4. When you have found out the optimum weight, splice a loop on the shooting head. 5. Go fishing and check it works OK in practical situations. 6. Use a scale to determine the exact weight of the shooting head, this is useful information when you design your next shooting head (for the same rod). NOTE: Make sure the loops that connect the running line and shooting head run smooth trough the rod guides! The smoothest connection is to sew the lines together, in which case you either need one spool per line or to make the loop connection at the backing. NOTE: To gain distance and be able to turn over larger flies, you may consider shortening the tip of the shooting head. The price is sacrificing presentation, but for windy conditions, this is worth considering. Contact me if you need more info. Good Luck Tord

I think this guy really did all his home work. Very interesting and accurate info. Thanks for sharing this with all on the group. It sounds like you are somewhere in Europe? I agree that shooting heads are great in the right situation, but not all the time. I’m saving this one. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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Question:

You bet! I’m Mike Jackson and I’m headed back to the 59th parallel, North Seal River flowage, in far northern Manitoba this summer. I was there last year in late July and my friend and I caught hundreds of pike between 25 and 30 lbs.  I am certain this is the year we will catch pike over 30 lbs., either on a fly rod, spoons, bucktails or surface baits. I am an outdoor writer in the Chicago area. I also host an outdoor radio talk show every week and travel around Canada looking for monster pike. This fantastic fishing is at Gangler’s Steven’s-Nicklin Lake 5-star outpost camp. We’ll stay overnight in Winnipeg, Manitoba Fri., Aug. 16. At around 6:30 Sat. morning, we’ll board Gangler’s private jet and fly to Lynn Lake, Manitoba. From there, we’ll transfer to  a twin-engine float plan which takes us to the Steven’s-Nicklin outpost. We’ll be into trophy pike by late morning. This 5-star outpost outshines many of the main lodges I’ve visited over the last 30 years. This beautiful location boasts two new oversized cabins with two separate bedrooms each, for parties of 4. There’s a full kitchen, bathroom, living room, with couches and screened porch in each cabin. All food is included. 24 hour electricity and a camp manager is on hand as well. I have room for 8 people the week of Aug. 16-24. The cost for 7 days of trophy pike, lake trout and grayling angling is $1,995. That includes airfare from Winnipeg.  There are always bargain flights available to Winnipeg from many locations in the midwest. The hotel and the flight to Winnipeg are the only added expense. If you’re interested, call Gangler’s Lodges, 1-800-23-LODGE and tell them you want go fishing with Mike Jackson the week of Aug. 16-24. This is the fresh water pike trip of a lifetime!                                   ******

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=You bet! =I’m Mike Jackson and I’m headed back to the 59th parallel, North =Seal River flowage, in far northern Manitoba this summer. I was Sigh, another ad….. Keep the ads out of these newsgroups, dude! =there last year in late July and my friend and I caught hundreds =of pike between 25 and 30 lbs.  I am certain this is the year we I personally doubt that you caught _hundreds_ of pike between 25 and 30 lbs, but none over 30 pounds. If there were that many just under 30 there would also have been some over 30, methinks. You could also say that hundreds of pike under 30 pounds but none sofar _over_ 30 seems to indicate that those waters don’t hold any bigger pike than that, possibly because there isn’t enough food for them to grow any bigger….. [snip] =If you’re interested, call Gangler’s Lodges, 1-800-xx-xxxxx and =tell them you want go fishing with Mike Jackson the week of Aug. =16-24. This is the fresh water pike trip of a lifetime! Nah. If you _really_ want to have a go at monster pike you should go to Sweden. Some of the best, if not _the_ best pike fishing in the world can be found among the hundreds of islands in the archipelago east of Stockholm (in the brackish coastal waters of the Baltic Sea). The current record pike is over 60 pounds, and a number of 45-pounders are caught every year….. — S.Wendel

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Question:

I have always been interested in taking up fly fishing, but just haven’t done anything with my interest. I would like to take the plunge this summer. I am planning a camping a camoing trip in August in the Mammoth Lakes are(California) and would like to try fly fishing. I would appreciate advice on how to get started. Can you rent equipment, or should I buy? Are there classes or videos on the basics?              I appreciate any help I can get.                                                   Steve Schenkel

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I have always been interested in taking up fly fishing, but just haven’t done anything with my interest. I would like to take the plunge this summer. I am planning a camping a camoing trip in August in the Mammoth Lakes are(California) and would like to try fly fishing. I would appreciate advice on how to get started. Can you rent equipment, or should I buy? Are there classes or videos on the basics?

Hi Steve, There are several things you can do to get started. First and probably most important locate a Pro Fly Shop in your area if possible. There you can get information, instruction, videos (buy or rent), and rent equipment. One word of advise: save yourself a lot of frustration and invest in a casting lesson or two. I’d rather see you spend a little money learning skills rather than jumping right in and buying a rod/reel etc.that you have no idea how to use. I also believe the best rod in the world does a poor job in the hands of someone who does not know how to use it. Another way to learn and get started if a shop is not available is a local fly fishing club. You can contact the Federation of Fly Fishers at 1-800-618-0808 and ask for the information on an affiliate club close to you. There you may be able to get instruction and help you need. While talking with the FFF at the 800 number you might purchase a couple of their instructional booklet regarding fly fishing – Introduction to Fly Fishing and a book on beginning fly casting (I forget the name). They cost about $2.00 each and are a good way to get inexpensive information. Stay in touch with the group. As you learn and progress I’m sure you will have more questions. Good Luck Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (new 96 catalog)

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I have always been interested in taking up fly fishing, but just haven’t done anything with my interest. I would like to take the plunge this summer.

Dear Folks; Fish with someone who knows how.  Learn how to be successful and catch some fish.  You need to learn what you are going to need to learn. Sound confusing?, its not.  Find-out what type of water you have available.  Your "mentor" should be able to fill you in.  What you DON’T want to do is be a generalist.  You cannot buy those fly kits with the "basic" flys for, say, all eastern streams: probably will be marginally successful.  The general, basic, elementary classics of flyfishing will come to you as you become more acquianted with the sport.  If there is no waters near you where you need to cast far, then don’t waste your time learning to double-haul cast.  See, its stuff like this that gives you a false impression as to what you need and what you will be doing. You do need to know how to cast and learn what you need and what it is called.  That general info. is good.   But don’t be watching flyfishing for Bass, then Pike, then Tarpon, then Western trout, then Eastern trout and think you need to do what the people you saw were doing.  It will not apply.  Conform your equipment and style to the kinds of water you will be fishing initially, and you will be on you way to successful and enjoyable fishing. Sincerely, Jason Beary

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I have always been interested in taking up fly fishing, but just haven’t done anything with my interest. I would like to take the plunge this summer. I am planning a camping a camoing trip in August in the Mammoth Lakes are(California) and would like to try fly fishing. I would appreciate advice on how to get started. Can you rent equipment, or should I buy? Are there classes or videos on the basics?

Hi Norma, Classes are the way to go if you want to learn quickly.  Specifically I’d recommend classes that teach casting, knots, where trout live (reading the water), what they eat (entomology – bugs), all about tackle (entirely too easy to spend lots of bucks on great stuff and not get what you need), conservation, and etiquette.  In addition to this they should feature on-stream fishing as line control problems and "dead drift" tactics really need to be taught one on one in the water not in the classroom.   Just like the classes we offer (surprise!!).  E-mail me if you would like a schedule of classes. If  classes are out of the budget, the next best thing is to take a casting lesson and then hire a guide for the next day.  You can get the basics in a couple of hours and then get out on the stream and do some fishing with a guide who knows where the fish are and what it takes to catch them.  Be sure to tell the guide you want to learn about reading water and how to get a dead drift.  Usually the guide will have equipment available for you to rent or use.  This will get you a feel for it without making any big purchases ahead of time.  After you’ve had the casting lesson, even with those minimum skills, you will be able to cast different rods to see which one feels best.  Don’t buy a rod without casting it. After being in the water fishing, you will get a feel for what all this gear does and what is important (use *polarized* glasses for fishing, regular sunglasses are worthless for spotting fish or watching your fly). If you’re going to be in Mammoth Lakes stop at the Trout Fly (619) 934-2517.  They can arrange a guided trip on Hot Creek, the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin, or other small streams in the area.  If you get a chance stay at the Arcularius Ranch on the Upper Owens a little north of Mammoth Lakes.  Definitely get a guide for the Arcularius Ranch.  It has lots of big fish in a small stream but they are very difficult to catch.  A stealthy approach is half of it, but If you don’t get a dead drift, it doesn’t matter what fly you’re using, you won’t catch fish. A couple of videos that will help are " Essence of Fly Casting" (not vol. 2) by Mel Krieger and The Skills of Fly Fishing by Gary Borger.  Mel

Question:

Another good choice would be Crook’s Lake Lodge, a wilderness lodge site that offers fishing for giant brookies in either a river or lake environment.  Accessible by seaplane only from Goose Bay, Labrador.  I was there last summer and it was the experience of a lifetime.  These fish are big and receieve little to no fishing pressure.  Accommodationms are rustic and the guides are local "characters."

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My husband Dave returned from a fly-fishing show with a handful of flyers for camps in Labrador.  He was excited at the prospects of catching brook trout – his favorite – up to 8 pounds.   Do you have any experience with the following camps?   – Riverkeep Lodge, on the Atikonak River   – Coopers’ Minipi Camps   – Northern Lights Fishing Lodge   – Awesome Lake Lodge (in Newfoundland) Thanks for your help! -joanne- — Joanne LaCourse       GTE Laboratories, Waltham, Massachusetts

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Question:

Within San Francisco city limits is Lake Merced.   Dont Waste ypur time even considering Lake Merced in the Summer.  The fishing is KILLER in the winter though. Across the Bay Bridge is San Pablo Reservoir. A MUCH better prospect. Lots more water and the algae isn’t the same problem that it is at Lake Merced in the summer.  By the Way….. I am told that San Pablo is managed by "That Dam Co.",the same folks that manage Lake Merced.  They stock with the standard state planters as well as the Lassen Broodstock fish. The big slugs are the Lassen fish. But in July, the fishing is great in the Sierra, so I’ll be there. Happy fishing. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My fiance and I will be honeymooning in the S.F. area between July 4 and July 16, 1994.  We would like to do some fishing (maybe 1 or 2 days) while there.  I fly fish, she doesn’t (but she’s willing to learn).  We’d prefer to not spend a fortune, but if a guide is the only way to insure a fairly successful outing then we’ll certainly consider one.  We are looking for fresh water, trout or possibly bass. Within San Francisco city limits is Lake Merced.  It is stocked with Rainbows and catches in the 3 to 8 pound range are not uncommon.  The fishing is usually good to very good and the price is right.  Across the Bay Bridge is San Pablo Reservoir.  It is stocked with trout and small mouth bass.  Fishing from shore is usually productive, especially around the dam, but fishing from boat is definitely better.  Boats are available for rent but, if you go on the weekend, get their early. If you want to get away from the urban areas, take a trip north to the little town of Anderson.  Rent a rowboat and fish the river just south of Anderson for Rainbows in the 8-12 pound range.

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My fiance and I will be honeymooning in the S.F. area between July 4 and July 16, 1994.  We would like to do some fishing (maybe 1 or 2 days) while there.  I fly fish, she doesn’t (but she’s willing to learn).  We’d prefer to not spend a fortune, but if a guide is the only way to insure a fairly successful outing then we’ll certainly consider one.  We are looking for fresh water, trout or possibly bass.  Any help would be appreciated.  Please respond by e-mail if possible.  Thanks. —

The other posting is correct.  If you are around for a few days, suggest you go outside of SF to the Sierras.  Remarkably I have just published a Guide to the Desolation Wilderness which is near Lake Tahoe and makes a nice stop with a fiance.  Guide available from Frank Amato pub 1-800-541-9498

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My fiance and I will be honeymooning in the S.F. area between July 4 and July 16, 1994.  We would like to do some fishing (maybe 1 or 2 days) while there.  I fly fish, she doesn’t (but she’s willing to learn).  We’d prefer to not spend a fortune, but if a guide is the only way to insure a fairly successful outing then we’ll certainly consider one.  We are looking for fresh water, trout or possibly bass.  Any help would be appreciated.  Please respond by e-mail if possible.  Thanks. —

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