Question:

http://taggart.glg.msu.edu/gyro/gbee.htm Free Plans Opps, Documentation

Response:

Strongly advise joining the Popular Rotorcraft Association.  Their magazine keeps you current with whats going on in the autogyro business.  Their website is www.pra.org. Stu Fields

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – any DIY websites with info on how to build a gyro copter (newbe)

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any DIY websites with info on how to build a gyro copter (newbe)

I see your email at least is in the UK. You’re going to have to deal with the Populr Flying Association (PFA) which has been delegated the authority to certify experimentals there. The CAA takes only a broad interest. Unlike the US and Canada where you can literally put wings on a fishing boat or a parachure wing on a Honda motorbike and register it if you haven’t done a shoddy job building, the PFA wants to see approved designs. Not sure if the Gyrobee and its relatives are blessed by PFA. You might be left with the choices of using a kit the PFA has already approved, or negotiating the forest of PFA approval on your own. (I have never done this — I’m in the US — so I dunno if it’s easy or hard. You certainly CAN do it because quite a few homebuilt designs originate in Britain, but it seems like there are not as many as from other Western nations). Anyway, the PFA is a good place to start with anything experimental-aviation related in (what I assume to be) your area. Somebody there will be able to definitively answer your questions. cheers -=K=- Rule #1: Don’t hit anything big.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – any DIY websites with info on how to build a gyro copter (newbe) I see your email at least is in the UK. You’re going to have to deal with the Populr Flying Association (PFA) which has been delegated the authority to certify experimentals there. The CAA takes only a broad interest. Unlike the US and Canada where you can literally put wings on a fishing boat or a parachure wing on a Honda motorbike and register it if you haven’t done a shoddy job building, the PFA wants to see approved designs. cheers -=K=- Rule #1: Don’t hit anything big.

   Alfuk,    Another good place to search for info is at the "Fly Gyro! forums":    http://pub23.ezboard.com/btheflygyroforums    There is a UK specific forum there, and plenty of gyroheads to answer all of you questions.    "Gyro"Mike

Response:

any DIY websites with info on how to build a gyro copter (newbe)

Response:

Check Raplh Taggart’s Gyrobee first: http://taggart.glg.msu.edu/gyro/gbee.htm Cheers, Alex http://twistairclub.narod.ru – Light Rotorcraft in Russia – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – any DIY websites with info on how to build a gyro copter (newbe)

Response:

Question:

But Ken, who makes those blanks? — ~~~~ The RodMaker (aka) The Shadow

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –      if you had a chance to have a custom rod made, whos blank would you chose?     light spinning rod , 6 to 6 1/2 foot I don’t have experience with their spinning rod blanks, but in flyrods I’m impressed with Angler’s Workshop IM6 blanks, for the money. http://www.anglersworkshop.com — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

But Ken, who makes those blanks?

Does it matter ? It’s quality IM6 graphite, or at least their flyrods are, for a good price. I suppose if you were to tell me that they’re manufactured by starving slaves in a third world hovel and marketed by profiteering commies using the proceeds to finance the violent overthrow of the US government, I would probably expect them to be a lot cheaper , but I’ve done business with Angler’s Workshop in the past and have been quite happy. Of course, this assumes that the original poster can buy whatever blank he wants. Most custom builders that I know of insist on using their own blanks or charge a premium to build a rod on the customer’s blank. I use Angler’s Workshop ’cause I roll my own. YMMV — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Do you continue to pay retail prices for these blanks you buy? — ~~~~ The RodMaker (aka) The Shadow

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But Ken, who makes those blanks? Does it matter ? It’s quality IM6 graphite, or at least their flyrods are, for a good price. I suppose if you were to tell me that they’re manufactured by starving slaves in a third world hovel and marketed by profiteering commies using the proceeds to finance the violent overthrow of the US government, I would probably expect them to be a lot cheaper , but I’ve done business with Angler’s Workshop in the past and have been quite happy. Of course, this assumes that the original poster can buy whatever blank he wants. Most custom builders that I know of insist on using their own blanks or charge a premium to build a rod on the customer’s blank. I use Angler’s Workshop ’cause I roll my own. YMMV — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Do you continue to pay retail prices for these blanks you buy?

Sure. I’m just a do-it-yourselfer who buys blanks for personal use and the occasional birthday gift/Christmas present. I wouldn’t expect a quantity discount or a professional discount. I assume when you find a blank that you like that you buy several of the same blank at a time. I buy ‘em one at a time as I need them,and I hardly ever buy the same blank twice. Apples & oranges, RodMaker, you’re a pro who deserves his discount, I’m just an amateur hobbyist. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Ok, One thing I should have made more clear concerning the Lamiglass (Perigee) series. What I meant was that Lamiglass designed these blanks for custom builders(already stated that) but what I forgot to mention was that Lamiglass themselves will not use these blanks to build rods for resale! Have you tried their fly rod blanks yet? — ~~~~ The RodMaker (aka) The Shadow

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do you continue to pay retail prices for these blanks you buy? Sure. I’m just a do-it-yourselfer who buys blanks for personal use and the occasional birthday gift/Christmas present. I wouldn’t expect a quantity discount or a professional discount. I assume when you find a blank that you like that you buy several of the same blank at a time. I buy ‘em one at a time as I need them,and I hardly ever buy the same blank twice. Apples & oranges, RodMaker, you’re a pro who deserves his discount, I’m just an amateur hobbyist. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

… Have you tried their fly rod blanks yet?

No, I haven’t. Lamiglas doesn’t make a 10′ 7wt. blank. The next flyrod I build for bassin’ will be a 10′ 7wt. I like the 10′ length because I sit so close to the water in my canoe. I like a slow action flyrod, that’s why I’m so partial to IM6, and my current 10′ 7wt. is sloooooow. But while a slow action rod is great for some things, bassin’ ain’t one of them, I’d like a faster action for bassin’. I’ll probably build the new one on a Sage 71003SP, it’s a lot faster than my current rod but still slow enough to be comfortable for me. — Ken Fortenberry

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The next flyrod I build for bassin’ will be a 10′ 7wt. I like the 10′ length because I sit so close to the water in my canoe. I like a slow action flyrod, that’s why I’m so partial to IM6, and my current 10′ 7wt. is sloooooow. But while a slow action rod is great for some things, bassin’ ain’t one of them, I’d like a faster action for bassin’. I’ll probably build the new one on a Sage 71003SP, it’s a lot faster than my current rod but still slow enough to be comfortable for me. — Ken Fortenberry

Hey Ken, It’s been a while since I built a new rod and I’m getting the fever.  I never thought of using a 10 footer or a 7 weight, but reading your post makes me want to hear more from you on the idea.  What conditions do you fish in?  What bugs do you throw?  Etc? I do some fly fishing from kickboats and tubes.  I don’t generally make long casts because it’s so easy to simply position my craft so that I’m the right distance from what ever target I choose.  My current fly rod is a 20-year-old Cabela’s 9 foot 8 weight.  The reason I use this particular rod is that it is the rod I happen to own and carry in my truck.   Now I’m starting to fish more from a sit-on-top kayak which is much better suited for covering distances of water than either a tube or a kickboat.  But it’s not as easy to position and is far more susceptible to the wind.  For those times when it’s hard to hold a position near the shoreline, I can see the advantage of a longer rod, but I don’t understand the advantage of a slower rod, or of the 7 weight.  (As I write this, it just occurred to me that if you add a foot in length, your wrist and arm will very likely be tireder at the end of the day and that a lighter rod might well be a blessing — is that it?)  At any rate, I’d like to hear more about the advantages of a slow rod vs. a faster rod, etc. etc.   —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm http://www.stormsrestaurants.com

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Hey Ken, It’s been a while since I built a new rod and I’m getting the fever.  I never thought of using a 10 footer or a 7 weight, but reading your post makes me want to hear more from you on the idea.  What conditions do you fish in?  What bugs do you throw?  Etc?

Hi Rob, My "home water" is a collection of reclaimed strip mine ponds and the tributaries of the Vermillion River in east central Illinois. http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=40.106&lon=-87.7429&size=s&s=50 Conditions here on the prairie are usually windy and I fish out of a canoe. I’ll throw everything in the box at ‘em, poppers, Dahlberg divers, Clouser minnows, bunny leeches, wooly buggers, deer hair frogs etc., everything but crayfish flies, I don’t like fishin’ down on the bottom and losing 6 flies an hour. The difference between 7 & 8 wt is personal preference, the 8wt is the classic weight for a bass flyrod but a 7wt has enough backbone. The 10′ length gets the rod tip up a bit off the water, which is an advantage when you’re sitting low in the water like in a canoe (or a kayak). It’s also an advantage on a stream for mending and rollcasting. … I’d like to hear more about the advantages of a slow rod vs. a faster rod, etc. etc.

To oversimplify and generalize, slow action rods are preferred for delicate presentation (dry flies), and chucking a lot of weight (split shot to get nymphs down). Fast action rods are preferred for powering through the wind and for tossing big wind eating flies like deer hair and bigger poppers. So for bass fishin’ most folks prefer a faster action flyrod. My current 10′ 7wt is a Thomas & Thomas XL, a slow action rod that’s ideal for steelhead but not so for bassin’. A slow 7/8 wt rod can double as a steelhead rod and a pike/carp rod while a fast 7/8 wt rod can double as a bass rod and a bonefish rod. That’s why I’d like to build another 10′ 7wt on a faster blank. Take care, — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Hi Ken, Thanks for the info.  I think the last slow fly rod I had was an old glass Herter rod I built in the early ’60s.  Maybe it’s time to try another.   I agree with you about fishing on the bottom.  It never appealed to me even though I know that with a sinking line and a floating bug you can show the fish a presentation they don’t often see.  When I fish a fly rod, I like the action to be right in front of me.  Flies or plugs, I like my lure to be on the surface whenever possible. You mention pike and carp.  I’ve caught the odd carp while casting small streamers for white bass, but I’ve never had the pleasure of fighting a pike on a fly rod.  Am planning a trip to Andrew Lake in Alberta for June 2001.  I ‘ll probably take along a 5 weight for grayling, but after reading your post, I might want to pack the 8 weight as well.   Thanks again for the info. —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm http://www.stormsrestaurants.com

Response:

     if you had a chance to have a custom rod made, whos blank would you chose?     light spinning rod , 6 to 6 1/2 foot

Response:

     if you had a chance to have a custom rod made, whos blank would you chose?     light spinning rod , 6 to 6 1/2 foot

Personally I would go with whatever RodMaker here in this group told me to. Good fishing, Richard L. LaFay  | (248) 753-6940 (work) 2887 Pontiac Court  | (248) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   48326 Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Rippler, Bill Norman Lures, and Aqua-Vu underwater cameras. I use them because I think they’re the best!

Response:

     if you had a chance to have a custom rod made, whos blank would you chose?     light spinning rod , 6 to 6 1/2 foot

I don’t have experience with their spinning rod blanks, but in flyrods I’m impressed with Angler’s Workshop IM6 blanks, for the money. http://www.anglersworkshop.com — Ken Fortenberry

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Question:

Hello everyone,         I am going to Bishop this weekend and I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips as to good places to try and flies to use. I would greatly appreciate size/pattern/color details if you supply them. Thank you in advance.                         Jeff

Response:

Hello everyone,         I am going to Bishop this weekend and I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips as to good places to try and flies to use. I would greatly appreciate size/pattern/color details if you supply them. Thank you in advance.                         Jeff         The lower Owens river below the Res. right near town.  I forget the name of the lake, but there is some great dry fly fishing in the C&R area.  Small Elk hair Caddis (#14, 16), tan, brown, green bodies all work well if the fish are looking up…. JE

Response:

Make sure to check on the flows of the Owens River before you go — they may be quite high, especially out of Pleasant Valley Res.  Check with one of the sporting good stores in town (or you can call the L.A. department of water and power in Bishop at 619/872-1104) and they will tell you what the best bets are regarding stream flows. I would also suggest driving about 1/2 hour north to the Mammoth area and fish Hot Creek — use anything small (caddis, mayflies,etc.) with extra long 6X-7X leaders and use some stealth.  I have heard that the flows there are pretty consistent right now.  Good luck.

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Question:

An all too typical novice question: Present tackle is mainly spinning gear. light rod/reel, 6lb line, used for panfish, trout in samll lakes, bass, etc. Would like to add fly tackle to fish for the same species. Will use the fly tackle here in midwest (SW Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana- lake & small streams) and in Montana, as my son will be in school there(Missoula)and I expect to get there a few times annually. Any recommendations for type, make, budget? What are the better beginner setups? Have looked at Orvis, L.L. Bean catalogs, etc. What do I really need to get started?

Response:

Any recommendations for type, make, budget? What are the better beginner setups? Have looked at Orvis, L.L. Bean catalogs, etc. What do I really need to get started?

Hi Barry I recommend you contact your local fly shop and work with them. Cortland has some nice starter fly rods or you might consider a St.Croix or Reddington. Also ask your local fly shop if they rent rods. Most fly shops do rent equipment and also sell that equipment at the end of the season for a reasonable price. Also if you’ve never fly fished before do yourself a big favor and invest in a casting lesson or two. One hour spent with a casting instructor will save you years of trying to learn by yourself. If your local shop does not have an instructor (not very likely) you can contact the Federation of Fly Fishers and get the name of a Certified instructor near you or the name of the affiliate club near you. If you join the club you can learn from a friend. — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products On line catalog – tips & tricks at: http://www.btsflyfishing.com

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -An all too typical novice question: Present tackle is mainly spinning gear. light rod/reel, 6lb line, used for panfish, trout in samll lakes, bass, etc. Would like to add fly tackle to fish for the same species. Will use the fly tackle here in midwest (SW Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana- lake & small streams) and in Montana, as my son will be in school there(Missoula)and I expect to get there a few times annually. Any recommendations for type, make, budget? What are the better beginner setups? Have looked at Orvis, L.L. Bean catalogs, etc. What do I really need to get started?

I’m sure there are some who will disagree, but check the beginner packages in Cabela’s catalog. They also have higher end stuff. When I started 3 years ago, I purchased a 9′ – 6wt. Pfleuger rod and reel combo for about $120.00. It’s a low-budget set-up but quality enough to let you learn to cast and make a halfway smooth transition to a better rod when your ready. If you go buy a $50.00 rod, it will be harder. I’d recommend spending no more than $200.00 for rod, reel, backing, and line if you’re a beginner. A 30 year flyfisher gave me that advice. I still use that rod, it’s great. Have fun. For what it’s worth, TC

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Question:

Wow! George and Tim-Bone have done it time and time again. Lets give each other a chance. I believe they are good folks, but haven’t met either. I have never fished a nymph, but tied a few. I’ve fished worms, soft shelled crabs, minnows, etc. when I was little and didnt know about fly fishing. At the age of 12 I mowed lawns to earn $12 for my first fly rod, a bamboo, and still have it. One of my most enjoyable times was in Wisconsin Muskie fishing. Another was on the Mc Kinzie in Qregon with my wife. The Muskie fishing was with live shiners and the Oregon trip was dry flies. A point I would like to make about fishing is that it isn’t what you use that memories are made of it is the stream, lake, fish caught (kept or released) and the _moment_ of excitement at the time. What you used doesn’t matter, it is the memory that you will keep. So let’s give some slack to the folks who use INDICATORS, droppers or otherwise, and remember the memories. keep ‘em dry lukn4fish Bob Madden San Jose, Ca

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wow! George and Tim-Bone have done it time and time again. Lets give each other a chance. I believe they are good folks, but haven’t met either. snip A point I would like to make about fishing is that it isn’t what you use that memories are made of it is the stream, lake, fish caught (kept or released) and the _moment_ of excitement at the time. What you used doesn’t matter, it is the memory that you will keep. So let’s give some slack to the folks who use INDICATORS, droppers or otherwise, and remember the memories. keep ‘em dry lukn4fish Bob Madden San Jose, Ca

And don’t forget the enjoyment fishing with the right partner can add. Steve

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You had better be careful…your post sounds an awful lot like good, old, common sense…something that is often missing from some of the rhetoric I see in this group.  Ever think of applying for a moderators position? JIM WARD

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Good comments!  It’s really about how you internalize the experience, not so much the tools that you use. -Burton (p.s., I love the McKenzie) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wow! George and Tim-Bone have done it time and time again. Lets give each other a chance. I believe they are good folks, but haven’t met either. I have never fished a nymph, but tied a few. I’ve fished worms, soft shelled crabs, minnows, etc. when I was little and didnt know about fly fishing. At the age of 12 I mowed lawns to earn $12 for my first fly rod, a bamboo, and still have it. One of my most enjoyable times was in Wisconsin Muskie fishing. Another was on the Mc Kinzie in Qregon with my wife. The Muskie fishing was with live shiners and the Oregon trip was dry flies. A point I would like to make about fishing is that it isn’t what you use that memories are made of it is the stream, lake, fish caught (kept or released) and the _moment_ of excitement at the time. What you used doesn’t matter, it is the memory that you will keep. So let’s give some slack to the folks who use INDICATORS, droppers or otherwise, and remember the memories. keep ‘em dry lukn4fish Bob Madden San Jose, Ca

Response:

Question:

I’m canoing the Bowron Lake circuit next week and I don’t know what kind of fish I will find – trout, walleye, or northern pike?  Somebody please give me some advice on what to bring and what I’ll find.  Thanks…

Trout. — Isaac Lake President – Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia Master Instructor

Response:

Mountain House and Alpenlite are the lures most likely to supply a decent meal on the Bowron Lakes.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m canoing the Bowron Lake circuit next week and I don’t know what kind of fish I will find – trout, walleye, or northern pike?  Somebody please The fishing is particularly good in June, in fact.  Mostly trout, including big lake trout down deep and some amazing rainbows.  Also a few whitefish.  Try paddling slow with  a white apex spoon about 3 inches long, down deep with about 2 ounces of weight. Fly fishing also works in close to shores. The guy who said to try freeze dried because its a park doesn’t know what he’s talking about.  Just make sure to get a fresh water licence from any sporting goods store and follow the regulations they give you.  Basically, 12 inch minimum. Dan Burnett Vancouver, B.C., Canada Tel: 604-691-7506  Fax:604-688-2827

Response:

I’m canoing the Bowron Lake circuit next week and I don’t know what kind of fish I will find – trout, walleye, or northern pike?  Somebody please

The fishing is particularly good in June, in fact.  Mostly trout, including big lake trout down deep and some amazing rainbows.  Also a few whitefish.  Try paddling slow with  a white apex spoon about 3 inches long, down deep with about 2 ounces of weight. Fly fishing also works in close to shores. The guy who said to try freeze dried because its a park doesn’t know what he’s talking about.  Just make sure to get a fresh water licence from any sporting goods store and follow the regulations they give you.  Basically, 12 inch minimum. Dan Burnett Vancouver, B.C., Canada Tel: 604-691-7506  Fax:604-688-2827

Response:

I’m canoing the Bowron Lake circuit next week and I don’t know what kind of fish I will find – trout, walleye, or northern pike?  Somebody please give me some advice on what to bring and what I’ll find.  Thanks…

Response:

I’m canoing the Bowron Lake circuit next week and I don’t know what kind of fish I will find – trout, walleye, or northern pike?  Somebody please

Bring freeze dried- it’s a park. ian iGIVE ME Some advice on what to bring and what I’ll find.  Thanks…

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Question:

: Anybody know what ever happened to Ned Grey and Ned Grey’s Sierra Tackle : of Montrose, California?  Ned’s was one of the early fly shops, maybe : the first in southern California.  He invented the Streaker SW fly and : pioneered saltwater flyfishing in SoCal.  I last saw Sierra Tackle : catalogue in about 1974, I think.  If anybody has some information, I’d : appreciate hearing. Ned Grey died almost 20 years ago and his stock was bought up. William Buchman …I’m confused

Yes you may be. Sierra Tackle went out of business about twenty years ago but Ned continued doing business under Cutthroat Hook Company until he was too ill to operate it. Ken Lindsay Fly Fishing Online http://www.flyfishing-online.com

Response:

Anybody know what ever happened to Ned Grey and Ned Grey’s Sierra Tackle of Montrose, California?  Ned’s was one of the early fly shops, maybe the first in southern California.  He invented the Streaker SW fly and pioneered saltwater flyfishing in SoCal.  I last saw Sierra Tackle catalogue in about 1974, I think.  If anybody has some information, I’d appreciate hearing.  Ned Grey died almost 20 years ago and his stock was bought up. Cliff Wyatt ran the Wilderness Shoppe in Santa Monics.  I think that it preceded Ned Grey’s.  Even so, I would be surprised if even Wyatt was first. William Buchman

Response:

: Anybody know what ever happened to Ned Grey and Ned Grey’s Sierra Tackle : of Montrose, California?  Ned’s was one of the early fly shops, maybe : the first in southern California.  He invented the Streaker SW fly and : pioneered saltwater flyfishing in SoCal.  I last saw Sierra Tackle : catalogue in about 1974, I think.  If anybody has some information, I’d : appreciate hearing. Sean, I’m sorry to tell you that Ned passed away about six years ago after a long battle with emphysema. Ned was an inspiration over the years to many flyfishers and his inovative patterns and techniques were passed on Ken Lindsey  Ned Grey died almost 20 years ago and his stock was bought up. William Buchman …I’m confused

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I live in La Crescenta, just up the hill from Montrose. I used to drive to Ned’s shop when I lived out in Canoga Park.  And then, after I moved to La Crescenta, Ned closed his shop (I don’t think I drove him to it!) I do not know if he opened another shop or not. Rick

Response:

Anybody know what ever happened to Ned Grey and Ned Grey’s Sierra Tackle of Montrose, California?  Ned’s was one of the early fly shops, maybe the first in southern California.  He invented the Streaker SW fly and pioneered saltwater flyfishing in SoCal.  I last saw Sierra Tackle catalogue in about 1974, I think.  If anybody has some information, I’d appreciate hearing. Thanks Sean Barry

Sean,  I’m sorry to tell you that Ned passed away about six years ago after a long battle with Emphezima(spell?). Ned was an inspiration over the years to many flyfishers and his inovative patterns and techniques were passed on with an enthusiasm for the sport that was infectious.  Ned got me started in saltwater fly rodding in 1972 and I still treasure one of his early Calico bass patterns that was tossed across the counter with the admonition " don’t worry what kind of tackle you have just throw that son of a bitch out there and see what eats it."  I did and they ate it and I thank Ned for introducing me to a whole new spectrum of our sport. Ned was truly a pioneer of the sport and I feel privaliged to have known him. Tight Lines, Ken  Lindsay FLy Fishing Online http://www.flyfishing-online.com

Response:

Anybody know what ever happened to Ned Grey and Ned Grey’s Sierra Tackle of Montrose, California?  Ned’s was one of the early fly shops, maybe the first in southern California.  He invented the Streaker SW fly and pioneered saltwater flyfishing in SoCal.  I last saw Sierra Tackle catalogue in about 1974, I think.  If anybody has some information, I’d appreciate hearing. Thanks Sean Barry

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Question:

Spectra. I have used unbraided spectra equivalent ( I believe it is Kevlar strands) for both pike and barracuda on the fly and have yet to have a problem.  I have heard that spectra does like going around sharp corners such as through eyes of hooks or swivels. There is a braided microfibre sold under the brandd name ‘CORASTRONG’ in the UK that I use for bonefish backing.  Its fine diameter means that you can lots of backing on a smallish reel.  The stuff is abrasion resistant across coral heads unlike micron or other dacron braids.  I have yet to use for leader but see no reason why it should not work. Chris Enstone – ‘fishing is just like work except that you don’t get paid for it and you enjoy it’

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        After taking one trip to nor. Saskatchewan for pike on a fly in summer ‘94, and dealing with the hassels of wire tippets, I wondered if there has been any experience with the new braided micro-filament lines used more often in the baitcasting (shh,;)) world.  They are low-stretch, supposedly are more abraision resitant, and super-strong for their respective diameter.  Would these lines be worth their lack of stiffness (for turning over pike flies) in order to take advantage of their fish fighting abilities?         Also, would they work well enough to be used as backing?                                                 Response by e-mail or                                                 posting appreciated,                                                 Starving College Student — Ryan Maas

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Question:

By chance, is there a FF FAQ. I just started FF this year and I’m really getting into it. In fact, the only flies that I used this year were ones that I tied myself. The problem is that I only had success with one type of fly, that being the basic hackle fly. I need to find a source of fly tying info, such as how to’s and different types of flies. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If it helps, I fish mostly for speckle trout, pike and bass, although I’ve only caught the specks on the fly Thanks, Greg.

Response:

Seems like the year is turning early here in CT. Already one of my favorite rivers, the Housatonic, is filling with drifting leaves. Its rapidly getting to the point where fishing is more like raking leaves with a single-tined rake. Did summer really slip away so quickly? Or is this just a case of getting a bit older? JL 8-Wt Editor

Response:

Seems like the year is turning early here in CT. Already one of my favorite rivers, the Housatonic, is filling with drifting leaves. Its rapidly getting to the point where fishing is more like raking leaves with a single-tined rake. Did summer really slip away so quickly? Or is this just a case of getting a bit older?

The Aspens and Gambels Oaks turned early here in Colorado. Could it mean an early winter?  Could it mean lots of snow? Should I put away my fly-rod and get out my skis? — -Wayne Trzyna

Response:

By chance, is there a FF FAQ. I just started FF this year and I’m really getting into it. In fact, the only flies that I used this year were ones that I tied myself. The problem is that I only had success with one type of fly, that being the basic hackle fly. I need to find a source of fly tying info, such as how to’s and different types of flies. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If it helps, I fish mostly for speckle trout, pike and bass, although I’ve only caught the specks on the fly Thanks, Greg.

I’m also interested in a FF FAQ, can anybody help me?

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Question:

     I thought it might be fun if we could share some significant fishing experiences from childhood.  The following one is as vivid in my mind as the day it happened.      When I was about 8 years old my family was camping at Red Haw State Park near Chariton, Iowa.  I was a master at catching bluegill and bullheads by this time, but like most boys this age I wanted to catch a bass like a real man.  I had a Zebco 202 and a cheap fiberglass rod and a bullfrog pattern Heddon Lucky 13 surface lure.  I walked down the steeply sloping trail under huge overhanging oak trees to the waters edge and began making long casts out into a narrow cove of Red Haw Lake. After several casts the surface errupted around my lure.  I started cranking like mad against the drag as the fish pulled line off my reel.  Then the fish made a spectacular head shaking jump and the lure flew from his mouth.  Looking back I would guess the fish was 3-5 pounds.  I was left on the bank with my heart pounding and nothing to take back to camp but a story.   But from that day forth I was not just a fisherman.  I was a BASS FISHERMAN.     In the next couple of years I discovered the Mepps squirrel tail spinner, floating Rapala, Beetlespin, and Mister Twister grub, which were all a little easier to handle on light tackle.  I caught a lot of small bass on these, but was always hoping to hook another one like the one I lost on that Lucky 13.       What about you?  Got a story to tell?

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        [great story deleted]    What about you?  Got a story to tell?

Yep.  I was about 10 years old and a reasonably accomplished stream fisherman at the time.  We were fishing the St. Joe River in N. Idaho with my brother and his family.   All Denny could talk about was the big fish they catch in Lake Crowley (Calif) and was pretty cocky about fishing the next day. Denny is about 15 yrs. older and lived in Calif. at the time.  Early the next morning dad dropped us off to cover different stretches of the river and planned to meet later in the morning.   I had a great day catching and releasing cutthroat in the 12" to 14" range when I hooked what I thought was a monster.  I battled this fish for 20 minutes and finally landed him as the line broke.  He was spent and I was still able to get him on the bank.  The fish was a huge cutthroat that weighed about 3 lbs.  Biggest I ever saw in the St. Joe. We met later and Denny had 2 12" fish and he announced that fishing was terrible.  I held up my fish and politely disagreed.  He barely spoke to me the rest of his visit.  At least he wasn’t quite so cocky and rarely talked about the big fish in Crowley.  I remember this vividly because he usually outfishes me in any other visit I remember. Terry — Terry Turner              My body is mostly water so I fish.                   503-685-3649              by mowing the lawn. *****Opinions here are my own and not necessarily the views of Tektronix****

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   Back I guess about 1965 my brother Bob an I spent a lot of weekends fishing at my uncle’s cabin on Long lake located in northern Wisconsin. I remember one day when we were fishing from shore for bluegills when Bob decided to catch a frog and hook it thru the back and put on a big bobber. I remember watching the frog swimming and pulling this big bobber around. All of a sudden the bobber disappeared under the water, and Bob started reeling his zebco 202 like mad. This fish had his pole bent in a "u" and it seemed all he could do is hang on to it. Then his reel jammed up and he could’nt reel any more line in, so he starts backing up off the narrow shore into the woods in order to land this fish. I stayed next to the water and waited for him to get the fish to shore. After a little while he managed to pull this ~10lb northern pike into the shallows and I jumped on it pinning it down with our (small) net. I remember calling to Bob to come help and he was far enough back into the woods he couldn’t see what he had landed. I still don’t think my folks or Aunt and Uncle belived the story we told, but we had the fish to show.   8^)

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 When I was fifteen, my folks decided that we should leave Tennessee for a month and visit my grandparents in Oregon. Being a group of rabid anglers, we set off one day to fish the Williamson river during one of its famous salmon fly hatches. I had never seen a trout over 1 1/2 lbs before, but that day I hooked a 5-6 lb Rainbow on a Rooster Tail spinner. I fought him to exhaustion, lunged for him with my hands. Cradling him like a baby, I rolled onto the bank with my prize only to find myself staring at the boots of some Orvis clad goober from Californication.  He immediately  said, "Anybody can catch’em on those damn spinners; I hope you’re gonna let him go." This jackass with his misguided purism had burst the bubble of my greatest catch of all time. He has gone down in our family lore as "the preacher."  Today, I am a dedicated catch and release fly fisherman but, because of this experience I will never tell somebody else that he "ain’t fishing right." By the way, I took the fish home and boy was it tasty. Cal in troutless Indiana

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Cal in troutless Indiana

        TROUTLESS Indiana????   I just spent 8 weekends chasing         Skamania acrobats all over the Mich City area.  WOW.         THen there is the fall steel head run and the winter         steelhead run then the spring steelhead run, then the         even FROM Indiana (mostly to).

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Cal in troutless Indiana    TROUTLESS Indiana????   I just spent 8 weekends chasing    Skamania acrobats all over the Mich City area.  WOW.    THen there is the fall steel head run and the winter    steelhead run then the spring steelhead run, then the    even FROM Indiana (mostly to).

SCUSE ME, Cal in troutless Southern Indiana PS Actually I tried some winter steelie action on Trail creek but couldn’t make it work. Please drop me a line and tell me about your exploits

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As a young boy, growing up in the state of Vermont, I was fortunate enough to have a father that took me fishing with him. We often fished some of the larger rivers and lakes of the state, but more typically it was a trip to one of the local brooks to catch a limit of "brookies".  The brookies were usually caught by approaching the shallow brook on your hands and knees to avoid being spotted, by flipping your worm into the pool in the exact location to miss the alders, by watching the fish dart out from the cover of the bank to take your worm and then timing the "snap" at the right time to flip your trophy of 9 inches out of the water.  My most rememorable fish was a lunker of 13.5" that I flipped onto the shore and caught with my hands as I slid along the muddy shore of the brook face first. Today I live in an area where brook trout and most other native trout no longer exist.  It is not uncommon for people to have $25,000 worth of equipment to try to catch the biggest of the biggest fish. I love to fish and have caught fish of all sizes with all of the latest and greatest techniques and equipment.  But to this day, when asked about my most memorable fish, I will not refer to a 30 lb. Salmon, a 6 lb. Walleye, or a 5 lb. Bass.  I will refer to that brookie I caught with my dad in the hills of Vermont. — These views do not represent those of Eastman Kodak Co.

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