Question:

Hi folks, I’m Kenny.  Absent for several years, but previously pretty active on the ROFF (my 5 digit compuserve id dates me). Anyway, looks like the same eclectic mix of passionate people can be found here, piscator to PETA. Almost a time warp. I was wondering  if Tim from Colorado was still around?  You out there Tim you silver tongued devil you? Hopefully, I’ll hook up with some old friends and make some new ones. Best regards, K

Response:

Hi folks, I’m Kenny.  Absent for several years, but previously pretty active on the ROFF (my 5 digit compuserve id dates me). Anyway, looks like the same eclectic mix of passionate people can be found here, piscator to PETA. Almost a time warp.

Yup…same ol’, same ol’…. I was wondering  if Tim from Colorado was still around?  You out there Tim you silver tongued devil you?

No, he and Ginkles (Gehrke) ran off together, and are running a combination guide service, rod factory, and Dale Carnegie franchise in Bangkok.  Last they posted here, Tim was "deliriously happy with his life choice, the cuts on his ass have healed, and he finally got the whore piss smell out of his eyebrows and hair" and Ginkles said, "Berzie manngy candelazorp FUCK YOU DAVE CHOCOLETBURY!! semmeldug zoom-zoom lefty loves me trignomomitry giometry and we was a enginner until someone took our gloves.  Me go fly plane now…I’m cold, timmy….can I have a baht for some hooch…." Hopefully, I’ll hook up with some old friends and make some new ones.

Likely as not… TC, R – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Best regards, K

Response:

I was wondering  if Tim from Colorado was still around?  You out there Tim you silver tongued devil you?

Timmy’s still around, check alt.flyfishing. — Charlie…

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi folks, I’m Kenny.  Absent for several years, but previously pretty active on the ROFF (my 5 digit compuserve id dates me). Anyway, looks like the same eclectic mix of passionate people can be found here, piscator to PETA. Almost a time warp. I was wondering  if Tim from Colorado was still around?  You out there Tim you silver tongued devil you? Hopefully, I’ll hook up with some old friends and make some new ones. Best regards, K

Tim? Is that you? Talk to me. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

rw asks: Tim? Is that you? Talk to me.

He’s out back, pickling radishes. — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyoming

Response:

Question:

Any one fly fish for sea trout. I’ll be spending Nov. and Dec. near Tarpon Springs. Last yr I fished with a friend with live shrimp and we caught alot. This yr Id like to catch them on flies. any info would be helpful on flies , ect Thanks , Dick Roberts Navajo Dam , NM

Response:

Hi Dick and you other ROFFers out there, I don’t have the answers right now myself, but I know that they catch Seatrout or Speckled Trout in the Gulf Of Mexico on flies. You need to do just what you are doing. There will be a prime time or prime times for getting them on flies. This will probably have to do with the weather, migration of bait fish or shrimp or the spawning run of Seatrout? I would probably contact some manufacturer like Sage Rod Company and get a name of a good fly shop or guide in the area. Then I would call them with a paper and pen in front of me and start asking questions. This is what I do for a living with my fly shop. Knowing when to go somewhere for the best fishing is probably the number one variable. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any one fly fish for sea trout. I’ll be spending Nov. and Dec. near Tarpon Springs. Last yr I fished with a friend with live shrimp and we caught alot. This yr Id like to catch them on flies. any info would be helpful on flies , ect Thanks , Dick Roberts Navajo Dam , NM

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Question:

I am the north west end of town (Champions Forest). Is there any fishing within 20 mile distance. Thank you.

Response:

I am the north west end of town (Champions Forest). Is there any fishing within 20 mile distance.

You really picked the wrong part of the planet for fly fishing local waters. That said, technically within youi 20 mile radius: Buffalo Bayou, Cypress Creek, Spring Creek, Lake Woodlands. The far west end of Lake Houston and the WF San Jacinto River [canoeable] Bane Park has a perch pond that I occassionally go to harrass sunfish. There is an artificial set of ponds near the Galleria at Richmond/Post Oak. I haven’t not fished White Oak Bayou much inside the loop, but did hookup with a fairly decent 24" carp once in the concrete channel above some riprap.   Accessing White Oak is probably best accomplished by Bicycle. That said, I’m moving to Conroe!     Nyah!

Response:

Question:

I’d look long and hard at the Houston TX / Clear Lake, TX area….. Lots of boating/fishing most all year….. 525 square mile Galveston Bay!…. Fourth largest city in America for plays etc…  Extermely affordable housing, (check the stats )…Can’t comment on Govt services for your son…but sure the Chambers of Commerce could.  Too hot and sweaty in June July and August ( I go North then…) but you can’t have everything.  Suggest you search for Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce. If you don’;t find it, let me know, and I’ll get you a number or site.  I live 40 miles North of it! RG – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been offered an early retirement incentive that will give me 94% of my current salary.  I considering taking it an moving to the coastal gulf area.  I’m seeking comments about communities in the gulf area. The primary concerns I have are: availability of part time work, community services for the handicapped (I have a 21 y.o. son with autism.  He will need a sheltered workshop environment and respite services),  Affordable housing (150,000 to 200,000 range), tax liability, fishing, and access to cultural events (concerts, plays, orchestras, ect.) Before you buy.

Response:

I’d look long and hard at the Houston TX / Clear Lake, TX area….. Lots of boating/fishing most all year….. 525 square mile Galveston Bay!…. Fourth largest city in America for plays etc…  Extermely affordable housing, (check the stats )…Can’t comment on Govt services for your son…but sure

No, they could not. The only way to determine if the social services in an area are adequate is to spend a considerable amount of time investigating them on your own, or to hire a competent licensed social worker to assist you. Chambers of commerce do not know about private or public social services. — Harry Krause "To Goldy Bo…"  "CUT!"  "Bo Toldly…"  "CUT!"

Response:

RE govt services. It so happens that my son is a counselor in a local school district for dis-advantaged??? kids.  A good friend of my wife was second in charge in the same school district for  "special eductation".  If it comes down to checking that portion of the decision out,   I’d be glad to prevail – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been offered an early retirement incentive that will give me 94% of my current salary.  I considering taking it an moving to the coastal gulf area.  I’m seeking comments about communities in the gulf area. The primary concerns I have are: availability of part time work, community services for the handicapped (I have a 21 y.o. son with autism.  He will need a sheltered workshop environment and respite services),  Affordable housing (150,000 to 200,000 range), tax liability, fishing, and access to cultural events (concerts, plays, orchestras, ect.) Before you buy.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been offered an early retirement incentive that will give me 94% of my current salary.  I considering taking it an moving to the coastal gulf area.  I’m seeking comments about communities in the gulf area. The primary concerns I have are: availability of part time work, community services for the handicapped (I have a 21 y.o. son with autism.  He will need a sheltered workshop environment and respite services),  Affordable housing (150,000 to 200,000 range), tax liability, fishing, and access to cultural events (concerts, plays, orchestras, ect.) Before you buy.

Thanks for the response!  I think I’m going to look at FLA. panhandle and possibly TX.  I know there is good fishing in the northern gulf and I think my 22′ starcraft will handle the gulf waters on fairly clam days.  When I think about it either of these states could possibly be at least on par with Kentucky as far as community living and services. Although KY has come a long way in the last 20 years.  Here I am just limited to lakes and rivers and streams for fishing and boating. I would probably see more of my family in FLA. than I do now.  They would see the move as a relative in FLA. to stay with on vacation! Before you buy.

Response:

Check out the Punta-Gorda, Port Charlotte FL area. I’m nearly ready to sign on a five-year old home on the water with two slips, 1800 ft.2 of living area, two car garage, new A/C. $119,900. Places on close to professionals such as Doctor’s Hospital, etc. I cannot stand the cold any longer. David At least we fly to Orlando! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been offered an early retirement incentive that will give me 94% of my current salary.  I considering taking it an moving to the coastal gulf area.  I’m seeking comments about communities in the gulf area. The primary concerns I have are: availability of part time work, community services for the handicapped (I have a 21 y.o. son with autism.  He will need a sheltered workshop environment and respite services),  Affordable housing (150,000 to 200,000 range), tax liability, fishing, and access to cultural events (concerts, plays, orchestras, ect.) Before you buy.

Response:

I’d look long and hard at the Houston TX / Clear Lake, TX area….. Lots of boating/fishing most all year….. 525 square mile Galveston Bay!…. Fourth

Just watch the precise details of where you choose to live.  Galveston’s the scene of one of the earliest attempts in this country at building too close to the water, and the city’s paid for it, in terms of wreckage and lost property value.  I’m not singling out Galveston alone, though.  Grab a copy of a book called "Against the Tide" before you choose a community near the sea.  It might save you a few bucks, or a house or two.  Perhaps more than anyone, I’d like to have breakfast with the ocean within view of my back window, but this book was pretty sobering.  It also mentions places where they’ve stopped trying to trying to stop an unstoppable force, and have taken a sensible approach to community planning. Doug

Response:

Mississppi and Alabama are about as backwards as one can get,

Odd statement there, Harry.  I went to FedStats and compared Alabama quickly to Maryland.  A larger percentage of Alabamians own their own home, Alabama has a much lower violent crime rate.  (Maryland was 6th in the nation, Alabama 21st, as of 1996), Alabama appears to be more industrialized, from a comparison of non-farm employment numbers, and Alabama has much higher enrollment numbers for both elemetary/secondary education, and full-time college students. Median income is less in Alabama, however.  And teenage pregnancy is much higher.  There are less doctors per 100,000, and quite a few more motor vehicle fatalities. Seems like they both have their pros and cons.  Of course, some people will allow bigotry to colour their judgement, rather than facts.  At least when you make  blanket statements about Bayliners, you can defend your position.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mississppi and Alabama are about as backwards as one can get, Odd statement there, Harry.  I went to FedStats and compared Alabama quickly to Maryland.  A larger percentage of Alabamians own their own home, Alabama has a much lower violent crime rate.  (Maryland was 6th in the nation, Alabama 21st, as of 1996), Alabama appears to be more industrialized, from a comparison of non-farm employment numbers, and Alabama has much higher enrollment numbers for both elemetary/secondary education, and full-time college students. Median income is less in Alabama, however.  And teenage pregnancy is much higher.  There are less doctors per 100,000, and quite a few more motor vehicle fatalities. Seems like they both have their pros and cons.  Of course, some people will allow bigotry to colour their judgement, rather than facts.  At least when you make  blanket statements about Bayliners, you can defend your position.

If you’re read the original poster’s statement, he was looking for a state along the Gulf in which there would be high-quality social services for his challenged son. He didn’t indicate whether he needed public or private services. In either case, Alabama and Mississippi are among the most backwards of states in providing those sorts of services to residents in need. I’ll be delighted to engage in a discussion with you over the provision of social services, but this isn’t the place for it. — Harry Krause I’ve been seduced by the chocolate side of the force.

Response:

I have been offered an early retirement incentive that will give me 94% of my current salary.  I considering taking it an moving to the coastal gulf area.  I’m seeking comments about communities in the gulf area. The primary concerns I have are: availability of part time work, community services for the handicapped (I have a 21 y.o. son with autism.  He will need a sheltered workshop environment and respite services),  Affordable housing (150,000 to 200,000 range), tax liability, fishing, and access to cultural events (concerts, plays, orchestras, ect.) Before you buy.

Response:

I have been offered an early retirement incentive that will give me 94% of my current salary.  I considering taking it an moving to the coastal gulf area.  I’m seeking comments about communities in the gulf area. The primary concerns I have are: availability of part time work, community services for the handicapped (I have a 21 y.o. son with autism.  He will need a sheltered workshop environment and respite services),  Affordable housing (150,000 to 200,000 range), tax liability, fishing, and access to cultural events (concerts, plays, orchestras, ect.) Before you buy.

I fear you will not find the quality social services you need for your son in the Gulf area. Provision of decent social services is way down on the priority list of these states, and good places are hard to find in the public and private sectors. There’s next to nothing in Mississipi and Alabama, and modest services available in some parts of Louisiana through Catholic social service agencies. You might consider Florida, which does a little better in the social service area, but you better pick your places carefully. I’d again put Florida at the top of your list for about everything else. Mississppi and Alabama are about as backwards as one can get, and Texas is a pretty hard state, too. Florida and parts of Louisiana. — Harry Krause A Florid Flock of Forty Flatulent Flamingos.

Response:

Question:

To jfraser, about the first question regarding losing flies from snagging-  you were right-its part of the sport.  Nymphs, to be most effective have to be fished bouncing on the bottom.  I do not know how deep the water where you fish at is but one thing I do is use a floating line and run my leader length the same depth as the stream.  I then add split shots to the leader according to the speed of the current just until I feel my nymph just touching the bottom. The floating line helps me control my drift better and I can dectect strikes more often. For casting, I always believed in a quartering cast upstream and a drag free float.  On streamers/wet flies at the end of the drift let you fly arc around. a lot of strikes will occur as you fly comes around

Response:

I’d like to thank you and everybody else who is sending me feedback and tips. You ROFF gang are a real friendly bunch! Best Regards, Jeremy Fraser —

Yeah, and if you want this bunch to stay friendly Jeremy, never start a C&R/C&K thread!  ;-) Frank Church USAF Retired Elkhart, IN

Response:

I have just started to learn a few things about trout fly fishing, but there are a couple of questions I haven’t found the answers to in any books or in the ROFF FAQ. Can anybody help me answer these? 1) I’m losing piles of flies casting Type II sinking tip into moving water. I tend to lose them by snagging and I’m wondering if this is just part of the sport or if I’m doing something wrong…? Can I prevent bottom snags by using strike indicators, shorter leaders, slower sink tip fly lines, a combination of the three or by doing something else? Don’t I want to get egg, leech, etc. patterns down on the bottom of rivers below the current? 2) I’ve read so much about casting and 10 to 2, 11 to 1, etc. and this has all been useful (I’m still trying to tame out a nasty tailing loop). I even went to a casting clinic — which was very helpful in getting me thinking about good casting technique. The puzzling thing to me, which hasn’t been well described to me yet, is the retrieve. I am predominantly wanting to fish rivers so I assume this plays a part in retrieving. I also assume that different patterns (wet/dry, terrestrial/non-terrestrial, leech/minnow) call for different retrieve strategies. To me this really means thinking about how your retrieve will sucker the fish into believing your fly is the real thing, therefore I wouldn’t think it would make much sense to retrieve an egg pattern fly with much style because the fly’s "action" would be in the free float of the eggs in the current. I’m sure the retrieve is important in still water; however, is it worth giving much thought to it in moving water or should I just be focusing on getting my fly in the right place in/on the current for the duration of it’s "drag-free" float? Any comments/assistance would be appreciated! Thanks in advance, Jeremy Fraser

Response:

1) I’m losing piles of flies casting Type II sinking tip into moving water. I tend to lose them by snagging and I’m wondering if this is just part of the sport or if I’m doing something wrong…?

Snagging flies is to some extent just the price of entry.  But, with experience, I find myself losing fewer flies than I used to for two reasons: 1.  Some casts I might have made in the past, I realize now will simply end up with a snag and no fish.  So I don’t cast. 2.  I’m a lot better at unsnagging a snagged fly.  Generally if you walk upstream of your fly, and pull back on the line in the opposite direction it entered the snag, perhaps extending your rod tip to the center of the stream, it will come free without a problem.  If it still doesn’t come out, walk further upstream, and try again.  It’s very rare that I have to break off a fly. Today probably lose one fly when before I would have lost 5 or 6.  Suspect your averages will improve too.  is it worth giving much thought to it in moving water or should I just be focusing on getting my fly in the right place in/on the current for the duration of it’s "drag-free" float?

99%+ of the time with nymphs or terrestials, what you want is a drag free float.  Achieving this is what much of becoming a good fisherman is about, and is something I’m still learning.  The techniques of mending, and special casts such as a reach or curved cast, or slack line casts, are very powerful. A lot of what I learned, I was exposed to by friends or guides, then had to learn by myself on the water.  If you’re having trouble keeping a drag free float in a situation, it pays to experiment with different mends or casts until you get it right (even if the fish are gone). Doug Swisher’s advanced casting video has a great introduction to casts which can help you in tricky situations (e.g. a reach cast).  And John Judy has written a book on slack line technique which is interesting, if a bit esoteric. Michael

Response:

1) I’m losing piles of flies casting Type II sinking tip into moving

water. I’m not sure why you are using sinking line.  Unless you are fishing really deep runs consistently (or perhaps fishing streamers??), you should be using floating line.  Your leader is all that should be sinking. An important key to nymph fishing is proper depth.  You should use an indicator that’s adjusted so that your fly moves with the current but occasionally gets delayed by riverbed obstacles.  If you are constantly hanging up or catching moss on your fly, move your indicator closer to your fly, if aren’t getting any false "hits" as you drift, you’re too far off the bottom.  The trick is to have your fly or flies tumbling around in the eddy-like turbulent layer of water produced by the interaction of the current with the riverbottom structure.  That’s where the fish spend a lot of time feeding.  Use an indicator that’s easy to move up and down your line so that you will be encouraged to change it as you move to new spots on the stream.  Adjusting depth has produced more strikes for me (in a drift zone I’ve already fished unsuccessfully) than any other change (such as change of weight or fly type). Proper weighting is also a key factor.  If you have the right amount of weight.  When you cast 1/4 up stream, the ideal is to have your flies "in the zone" as they pass the point straight out from you, cross-current.  Too much weight and you’ll definitely be getting stuck a lot on the bottom. Too little and you won’t be spending much time "in the zone" for each drift.  Personally, I find that if I must use more weight, I get hung up less if I use a couple of small split shot together rather than a larger shot of equivalent weight. The advice about walking up stream to pull the fly out of the snag the way it went in is a really good one.  I’ve saved many a fly this way. 2) … The puzzling thing to me, which hasn’t been well described to me yet, is the retrieve….

For 95% of dry fly fishing, only dead drift will generate strikes.  Some caddis flies do skid along the surface and there are some techniques for imparting action that is natural.   The most important part about the retrieve in dry fly fishing is not to make a big splash or otherwise disturb the water with your initial backcast.  Start your back cast with a brief, slow pull to get the fly moving (especially if it has sunk below the surface) and then use full energy after it’s moving.  Try doing it the wrong way a few times, then the right way.  You’ll see a big difference in the amount of disturbance created as you backcast. When nymphing, you will generate some strikes on the retrieve simply because the pause between each pull causes an alteration in the flies movement that can mimic prey in trouble.  Fish sometimes key on this and you get strikes. Retrieve technique is most important when streamer fishing, but I do not do that much, so I can’t say much about it. Good luck. —                                                       -dnc-

Response:

Dear Rookie,      I’ve found that using floating line with a stike intcator and a small bead head or tiny weight helps to prevent losing all the flys.  I like to use what I call a "pendalum" approach to tying up my flies and weight.  First you take a separate piece of tippet about three to six inches long and tie it to your tippet line (or leader) about two to three inches form the bottom of your line.  Then you put your weight(what ever size you feel is nessicery) on the shorter of the two ends (usually the orriginal line).  Next you tie your choice of fly to the other piece of line and you are ready to go.  The theory is that when the wieght gets hung up on the bottom, it will just slide off and your fly will remain attached.  Granted you will have to replace the wieght, but it’s much more cost efficient than replacing flies.  I also recomend using a strike indicator.  Good luck, and I hope that my description made sence. Aaron

Response:

I think you’re right about casting sinking tip. I’m going to try casting the floating line I’ve got and see if I have better results. I’ll also try sticking a strike indicator on and see if that helps me at all. I’d like to thank you and everybody else who is sending me feedback and tips. You ROFF gang are a real friendly bunch! Best Regards, Jeremy Fraser — – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 1) I’m losing piles of flies casting Type II sinking tip into moving water. I’m not sure why you are using sinking line.  Unless you are fishing really deep runs consistently (or perhaps fishing streamers??), you should be using floating line.  Your leader is all that should be sinking. An important key to nymph fishing is proper depth.  You should use an indicator that’s adjusted so that your fly moves with the current but occasionally gets delayed by riverbed obstacles.  If you are constantly hanging up or catching moss on your fly, move your indicator closer to your fly, if aren’t getting any false "hits" as you drift, you’re too far off the bottom.  The trick is to have your fly or flies tumbling around in the eddy-like turbulent layer of water produced by the interaction of the current with the riverbottom structure.  That’s where the fish spend a lot of time feeding.  Use an indicator that’s easy to move up and down your line so that you will be encouraged to change it as you move to new spots on the stream.  Adjusting depth has produced more strikes for me (in a drift zone I’ve already fished unsuccessfully) than any other change (such as change of weight or fly type). Proper weighting is also a key factor.  If you have the right amount of weight.  When you cast 1/4 up stream, the ideal is to have your flies "in the zone" as they pass the point straight out from you, cross-current.  Too much weight and you’ll definitely be getting stuck a lot on the bottom. Too little and you won’t be spending much time "in the zone" for each drift.  Personally, I find that if I must use more weight, I get hung up less if I use a couple of small split shot together rather than a larger shot of equivalent weight. The advice about walking up stream to pull the fly out of the snag the way it went in is a really good one.  I’ve saved many a fly this way. 2) … The puzzling thing to me, which hasn’t been well described to me yet, is the retrieve…. For 95% of dry fly fishing, only dead drift will generate strikes.  Some caddis flies do skid along the surface and there are some techniques for imparting action that is natural. The most important part about the retrieve in dry fly fishing is not to make a big splash or otherwise disturb the water with your initial backcast.  Start your back cast with a brief, slow pull to get the fly moving (especially if it has sunk below the surface) and then use full energy after it’s moving.  Try doing it the wrong way a few times, then the right way.  You’ll see a big difference in the amount of disturbance created as you backcast. When nymphing, you will generate some strikes on the retrieve simply because the pause between each pull causes an alteration in the flies movement that can mimic prey in trouble.  Fish sometimes key on this and you get strikes. Retrieve technique is most important when streamer fishing, but I do not do that much, so I can’t say much about it. Good luck. —                                                       -dnc-

Response:

Question:

Hi, My name is Curt Threlkeld and I am looking for names, numbers, addresses, etc. of fly fishing shops or individuals that I can put on my mailing list.  I live 60 miles south of Cancun, Mexico very close to Boca Paila and Acension Bay. The village is called Puerto Aventuras. I rent beach front condos and work call my toll free 888-803-8454 or visit my web site http://www.bluecaribbean.com .Thank you

Response:

visit my web site http://www.bluecaribbean.com .Thank you

—– There is nothing at your website. When?

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just melt the last inch or so of the coating of your line with nail polish remover; open the core of the line with a needle; poke the butt end of your leader into the core; and apply some Crazy Glue.  It will never let go.  The only leader knot you need to know is a blood knot. JB: thanks for the new (to me ) idea… I had just posted my favorite way (fast  nail knot of a piece of mono, then blood knots) when I read this.  It looks  more like an ‘at home’ method, vs. on stream, I think, but has clear  advantages for ease of going through the guides.  I’m gonna do it on my next  connection. thanks, Alan Alan E. Hoover Anglers’ Rest Powhatan, Va        *the trout teach many, lessons*

Has anyone tried this method: A guy I know claims to do the same (melt w/acetone) and then pushes the outer part back. He then loops the inner part; ties it off with a nail knot, etc. Here is the part I’ve had no luck with: he then claims to push the outer part back over the knot and therefore this should make a pretty neat sleeve. He then coats it with Aquaseal. I can’t seem to push it over the knot!!!

Response:

I’m new to fly fishing. I’ve read the instructions on connecting the leader to the fly line using a nail knot or a Duncan loop(same as uni-knot right?). I had a knotless tapered leader with a 3X tippet. Connecting the stiff butt to the line was harder than I thought. I was able to do it but ended up with a kink in the connection. Is this okay? I’m still learning to cast so I’m not sure if it affects proper casting. I finally just connected 30lb mono, which was easier to work with, to the fly line and spliced the mono to the leader butt with 2 surgeon’s loops. Is this better than a kinked connection. TIA for any info.

Just melt the last inch or so of the coating of your line with nail polish remover; open the core of the line with a needle; poke the butt end of your leader into the core; and apply some Crazy Glue.  It will never let go.  The only leader knot you need to know is a blood knot. JB

Response:

Just melt the last inch or so of the coating of your line with nail polish remover; open the core of the line with a needle; poke the butt end of your leader into the core; and apply some Crazy Glue.  It will never let go.  The only leader knot you need to know is a blood knot.

JB: thanks for the new (to me ) idea… I had just posted my favorite way (fast  nail knot of a piece of mono, then blood knots) when I read this.  It looks  more like an ‘at home’ method, vs. on stream, I think, but has clear  advantages for ease of going through the guides.  I’m gonna do it on my next  connection. thanks, Alan Alan E. Hoover Anglers’ Rest Powhatan, Va        *the trout teach many, lessons*

Response:

I’ve been reading this thread since it started, trying to work up the courage to make an embarassing confession. After tying nail knots and loops for many years I’ve reverted to my origional method of tying a simple overhand knot in the end of my line,cinching it down tight, passing the end of the flyline through the loop in my leader and tying another overhand knot.

Jim; The nail-knot was one of the more enigmatic facets of flyfishing for several years: trout are midging?: no problem, hiting emergers and not duns?, not problem, nail-knot?: problem! Lefty showed me a simpler way to tie it without any kind of fancy tubes,and all the nail did was to help add support and to allow the line something *stiff* to wrap around. Borger, though, has, by far, the easiest method to tie nail-knots.  Try this with a rope kit first, though.  All he does is make an over-hand knot with loose wraps, and then twists the line as he tightens it.  The line spirals around itself and makes those great, perfect coils of a nail knot.  Also, he keeps the loops somewhat separated to allow fly line to pinch or squeeze-up through the loops and make a more integral connection. I know probably none of this has helped solve your problems, but maybe it gets you on the right track. Jason Beary.

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Jason, I was hoping someone would come upon Lefty’s method of tying a nail knot….  aka "a fast nail knot’  see also his two books on knots..  I use a large paper  clip, kept in my leader wallet for this purpose.   and have more than once  helped a friend or other on stream in the middle of the water tie a nail knot  onto a fly line.   I prefer to use a piece of heavy mono, the blood knot the  leader to this…. but either will work.   And with heavy fish the nail knot  slides in and out of the tip top and guides without hang ups… at home to  enhance this feature add a bit of nail polish or head cement to round the  edges…. The use of "orvis" loops on the end is ok,  just not as completely satisfactory  as the nail knot system IMHO. There clearly are more than one solution to this… but if folks ever learned  the fast nail knot system, they might not want to do anything else. cheers, Alan Alan E. Hoover Anglers’ Rest Powhatan, Va        *the trout teach many, lessons*

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m new to fly fishing. I’ve read the instructions on connecting the leader to the fly line using a nail knot or a Duncan loop(same as uni-knot right?). I had a knotless tapered leader with a 3X tippet. Connecting the stiff butt to the line was harder than I thought. I was able to do it but ended up with a kink in the connection. Is this okay? I’m still learning to cast so I’m not sure if it affects proper casting. I finally just connected 30lb mono, which was easier to work with, to the fly line and spliced the mono to the leader butt with 2 surgeon’s loops. Is this better than a kinked connection. TIA for any info. Just melt the last inch or so of the coating of your line with nail polish remover; open the core of the line with a needle; poke the butt end of your leader into the core; and apply some Crazy Glue.  It will never let go.  The only leader knot you need to know is a blood knot. JB

You got that right JB, my Krazy Glue connection has held up now for 3 years on my 6 wt, tussled with some feisty smallmouth and looks as good as ever. I will add to the blood knot, the double surgeon’s loop knot  ’cause I can’t tie a blood knot in the smaller diameter tippets. Frank Church Hi Frank.  I didn’t know how that message would go over with the LL Bean crowd that seems to populate the group.  But, I’ve fished with the Krazy Glue method since my buddy in Florida told me about it three years ago.  He fishes sea trout and tarpon.  I’ve caught several 15 – 25 lb Atlantic salmon with it.   I always "put the wood" to fish, and the glue has never let go. JB

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Quoting what I said …  As you do it over the years, other ideas will make more sense and you will switch, but in general it makes fair sense to trust your own judgment as to whether something is reasonable or not…. Jim Robinson wrote as follows: I’ve been reading this thread since it started, trying to work up the courage to make an embarassing confession. After tying nail knots and loops for many years I’ve reverted to my origional method of tying a simple overhand knot in the end of my line,cinching it down tight, passing the end of the flyline through the loop in my leader and tying another overhand knot. I guess I don’t have to tell you it’s not elegant but it’s held a couple of huge carp, a few nice bass and skads of decent pan fish without a failure….

Jim:         Nice to see that one’s words seem to have a certain validity. I am a devotee of the "using a slip-on loop out of braided stuff" on the end of my flyline, but what you do rings a bell because I got to securing the loop with a bit of flexible goopish cement. Well, one time it was really thick on there and I noticed my casts seemed to go out lots nicer. Figured it was the extra weight right there at the end

Question:

I’ll be on the San Juan River during the July 4th weekend, along with many others, I’m sure.  What is the best fly(size and color) to use then?  What part of the quality water is most productive?  What is the output of the dam?  Anybody got any good stories(?) to tell?                                 Chuck

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I’ll be on the San Juan River during the July 4th weekend, along with many others, I’m sure.  What is the best fly(size and color) to use then?  

I fish the Juan at least once a year and some years are better than others.  You will need a supply of San Juan Worms, approximately 1 1/2

Question:

(Ehrenstrom) sez: DAY AND WEED-END TRIPS, INCLUDING REEF TRIPS AND… Don’t you mean "day and reefer"… after all, how d’you get a weed-end? — COD — "What ho, Mercutio"  [Wm Shaksper] — "What? Homer Simpson?!" [M Groening]

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this sounds like advertising…is it?

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: ANYONE INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT SAIL-KAYAKS IN THE KEYS, CONTACT US. WE : ARE A GOOD GROUP OF PADDLERS OUT OF MARATHON ORGANIZING DAY AND WEED-END : TRIPS, INCLUDING REEF TRIPS AND FULL MOON PADDLES. THERE IS EVEN THE : OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOME GREAT FLY-FISHING ON THE MANY FLATS NEAR BY, AND : IT’S NOT UNUSUAL TO PADDLE WITH DOLPHINS. SO COME JOIN US IN THE SUNNY AND : WARM FLORIDA KEYS. I just love those "WEED-END" trips, myself. If it’s advertising, it obviously clueless advertising. —                              Stealth Paddler           "If you didn’t see me, it’s not because I wasn’t there!"                   "Gene Police!  You – Outta the Pool!"

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ANYONE INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT SAIL-KAYAKS IN THE KEYS, CONTACT US. WE ARE A GOOD GROUP OF PADDLERS OUT OF MARATHON ORGANIZING DAY AND WEED-END TRIPS, INCLUDING REEF TRIPS AND FULL MOON PADDLES. THERE IS EVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOME GREAT FLY-FISHING ON THE MANY FLATS NEAR BY, AND IT’S NOT UNUSUAL TO PADDLE WITH DOLPHINS. SO COME JOIN US IN THE SUNNY AND WARM FLORIDA KEYS.

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Question:

writes: If Dave Whitlock isn’t the alltime Master of flyfishing then I don’t

know who is. For all around knowledge and no frills fishing ideas I prefer Lefty Kreh.

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For all around knowledge and no frills fishing ideas I prefer Lefty Kreh.

all around knowledge ? Red Green gets my vote. Tim Walker

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How could you forget Lee Wulff, my favorite?

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writes: If Dave Whitlock isn’t the alltime Master of flyfishing then I don’t know who is. For all around knowledge and no frills fishing ideas I prefer Lefty Kreh.

Lefty Kreh is one of the masters, but please, for "no frills" saltwater flies and fishing, my man is Lou Tabory!   —- "Just say no to bait"

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I just finished reviewing Jack Samson’s new biography of Lee Wullf. Super book. The review should be posted in the magazine early next week. — ** Louis Bignami, Publisher         http://www.finefishing.com Fine Fishing Internet Magazine                "largest fishing mag on the Net" **

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Check out the Fly & Field Website!  They have Dave Whitlock!  He is writing articles and fly recipes, and answering questions!  I am PSYCHED!!  If DW isn’t the alltime Master of flyfishing then I don’t know who is. I’ve been collecting his books and drawings for several years and I even got to meet him once at a fishing show in San Francisco.  He is the nicest person and his knowledge is so vast on so many topics of flyfishing it’s incredible.  I’m sorry if I sound like a blithering idiot, but this is too much.   The site is at http://www.flyfield.com/ but you can go straight to Dave at http://www.flyfield.com/dw2.htm.  They are also highlighting Davy Wotton. Does anybody know about him?  Apparently he is like the Dave Whitlock of Europe.  

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