Question:

I was in Wisconsin this past weekend doing allot of fishing with a buddy of mine. We started out on Fenner Lake at his cabin casting into lily pads and weedbeds for bass on Friday night. They were attacking my Dahlberg Diver but nothing of any substantial size was interested, just the little guys. They were allot of fun though. I’ll ask forgiveness now, I can’t recall any of the stream name, my friend was playing guide but the conditions were about the same on all the streams in the area. On Saturday we went to a little brook trout stream by his cabin and each landed one, but the fishing was real slow. The water was crystal clear and even 6x leaders were spooking them. We had to do allot of hanging over tall grasses and just dipping nymphs in to avoid spooking them. Later that day we hit another stream that was a bit wider and slower. The conditions were the same though. I managed to get one small brown but everything was getting spooked very easily. That evening we went back to the lake to go after pike. I was casting this monstrous streamer that was my buddies concoction. It was basically allot of orange and black fish hair with huge weighted eyes. We were casting to weedbeds right on drop offs. After about 50 casts I had a take, never having fished for pike on purpose the take caught me by surprise. Especially after swinging a 9wt around with that huge fly. I was slightly spellbound and pulled the rod tip up like I was catching a small trout, basically I didn’t set the hook. We saw his side as he turned on the fly. He looked pretty big but was only on for a minute. He’ll turn into my new "the one that got away" story. He was the only taker pike wise. I caught a few bass again and the biggest crappie I’ve ever seen. Now it gets rough. On Sunday we hit about 5 or 6 streams with no luck on any of them. The spook factor was worse than the day before. But on one stream we saw a small fish in his feeding lane. I cast a small hairs ear past him a dozen times and he didn’t spook at all, but didn’t seem interested. So I took my buddies rod, he was fishing a caddis emerger. Again we cast over him a dozen or so times without even an acknowledgement. So now wit our two rods, my buddy would change flies on one and I would cast the other. So we were just passing rods back and forth. After about 20 minutes of this we were getting pretty vindictive against this fish. We had already sent about 15 different flies by him. After about an hour we gave up. So in all my infinite wisdom I decided well I’m gonna at least scare the shit out of this bugger, and went charging up stream towards him. I got about 3 feet away and noticed we spent the last hour pulling our hair out trying to cast to a piece of seaweed drifting in the current. Talk about feeling dumb. We then proceeded to go back to his cabin and drank ourselves into a stupor. Oh well. Tim Apple

Response:

After about an hour we gave up. So in all my infinite wisdom I decided well I’m gonna at least scare the shit out of this bugger, and went charging up stream towards him. I got about 3 feet away and noticed we spent the last hour pulling our hair out trying to cast to a piece of seaweed drifting in the current. Talk about feeling dumb. We then proceeded to go back to his cabin and drank ourselves into a stupor. Oh well. Tim Apple

You coulda done worse – you coulda caught it.  BTW, did it spook? Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

"Timothy Apple" wrote //good report snipped//   . . .I got about 3 feet away and noticed we spent the last hour pulling our hair out trying to cast to a piece of seaweed drifting in the current. Talk about feeling dumb. We then proceeded to go back to his cabin and drank ourselves into a stupor. Oh well.

Several years ago I was fishing a stream in the smokies. I was near the mouth of the stream and saw these HUGE fish cruising slowy up and down the creek. I must have spent at least an hour throwing everything I had at them before I realized they were carp. Bob — http://rwpatton.home.netcom.com/

Response:

I got about 3 feet away and noticed we spent the last hour pulling our hair out trying to cast to a piece of seaweed drifting in the current. Talk about feeling dumb.

That reminds me of partridge hunting (ruffed grouse to everyone else).  When you are looking for birds, every stump and rock looks like a bird. Pete Collin

Response:

Question:

I feel so….used…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey, I think Don might have had an ulterior motive for the question about emu feathers – he’s got them for sale on that www.canflyfish.com.au website! They’re not as nice as ostritch.     and not remotely as rare as mu feathers, which are located only in semi-baja california, and are extracted at great risk to the collector. yfitons wayno Any fly tyers out there tried Emu Feathers? Yep. Wolfgang anybody else?

Response:

They’re not as nice as ostritch.

Sure, a simple question simply answered, and right away somebody has to go technical!      :) Wolfgang who knows that’s it’s really a matter of how much ya got to cover.

Response:

Hey, I think Don might have had an ulterior motive for the question about emu feathers – he’s got them for sale on that www.canflyfish.com.au website!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – They’re not as nice as ostritch.     and not remotely as rare as mu feathers, which are located only in semi-baja california, and are extracted at great risk to the collector. yfitons wayno Any fly tyers out there tried Emu Feathers? Yep. Wolfgang anybody else?

Response:

Any fly tyers out there tried Emu Feathers? — Don Cantrell Cantrell Fly Fishing http://www.canflyfish.com.au Hand crafted flies, and selected fly tying materials

Response:

Any fly tyers out there tried Emu Feathers?

Yep. Wolfgang anybody else?

Response:

They’re not as nice as ostritch.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any fly tyers out there tried Emu Feathers? Yep. Wolfgang anybody else?

Response:

They’re not as nice as ostritch.

    and not remotely as rare as mu feathers, which are located only in semi-baja california, and are extracted at great risk to the collector. yfitons wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any fly tyers out there tried Emu Feathers? Yep. Wolfgang anybody else?

Response:

Question:

I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

Craig, Take that stupid hydrofoil p.o.s. off that boat, it doesn’t need it.  Please email me with specifics on Model, motor, HP, prop etc.  We’ll get that rig lined out right for you.  Every Champion made should have a 3 second hole shot without some barnyard hardware hanging off of it. Pat

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

First off.. WOW!! NICE RIG!! I am *very* envious of you .  From what I know, and it ain’t alot mind you, that sinking problem doesn’t sound right. I would recommend taking that Hydrofoil off, as I don’t know the specifics of your boat, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t need it.  I’ve seen a Champion with a 150 Johnson do a holeshot in the time it took me to go to full throttle!  Maybe try playing with your trim on your holeshot some, when the ass end starts heading into the water, start trimming your motor in, that may help.   Just out of curiosity, what model/HP is it? Good luck, and good fishin’!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

ROFL! Wish all of my competition was so prepared! We’ve all been there. Want to get the new toys goin ASAP. You didn’t mention if you also got plauged with the new boat jinx? Any fish? Dan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

Kill the hydrofoil Craig, it’s keeping you down.  You’ll see the difference instantly.  Why would anyone put that stupid thing on the Champion? Warren2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

Did you catch any fish? Lakeland Florida

Response:

If I was fishing a Musky tournament I would have won.  But not one bass, not even a dink! — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

Question:

Trip Reports Soon: It has taken a lot just to get back on the saddle again business wise. Our trip was amazing in so many ways and we have a few pictures to post on our web site soon.  Just digitizing them into the computer takes effort as most know.  It will be a few more days before we are able to post them.  I will keep everyone posted as this is fly fishing at its’ finest. — Mr.Gink "the saga continues"   http://www.gink.com/

Response:

I will keep everyone posted as this is fly fishing at its’ finest.

Actually, that was over at the ROFF clave, sorry you missed it.  But a notch down from the ROFF clave could still have been pretty good. Regards, Jeff

Response:

Trip Reports Soon: Our trip was amazing in so many ways and we have a few pictures to post on our web site soon.

Looking forward to it, I’ve always wanted to see a picture of someone casting a fly while their head was up their ass.

Response:

Is the Gink Conclave anything like the Winston Cup or the Nokia Sugar Bowl? <snip "Goddamn, well I declare! Their walls are built from  cannonballs;  their motto is ‘don’t tread on me’" -Uncle Jerry

Response:

Is the Gink Conclave anything like the Winston Cup or the Nokia Sugar Bowl?

I think it’s something that happens on occasion in public restrooms<g. — Charlie…

Response:

Question:

That would sure help explain ROFF…

Even in a parallel universe of one’s own design that would be a very tall order.

Response:

Response # 2 Not really. I profess complete understanding of NADA.

Hey, that’s great Dave!    Can you tell me how much my old ‘84 Isuzu pickup is worth?  :-) Joe F.

Response:

   If it’s your fishing vehicle then it’s priceless.  I wish I still had my old 1970 Datsun pickup.  It had a hundred thousand miles of great fishing memories on the odometer. Ernie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can you tell me how much my old ‘84 Isuzu pickup is worth?  :-) Joe F.

Response:

  If it’s your fishing vehicle then it’s priceless.  I wish I still had my old 1970 Datsun pickup.  It had a hundred thousand miles of great fishing memories on the odometer.

A truck like this is "priceless" anyway.   It’s too worthless to sell & is basically unsound and unsafe, but to replace it would cost thousands. There’s something great about a vehicle that you don’t have to worry about beating the hell out of.   It got relegated to "farm" use a few years ago. I once carried a round bale of hay in the bed (one of those really big ones).   Damned frame was riding on the axles, the springs having completely given up, and the whole rig was extremely top heavy.  Better than an E-ticket at Disneyland.   Managed to get 42 regular bales piled on it once, too. As it happens, the odometer turned 100K on the way home from a salmon trip a few years back.   Still going strong.   Great truck. Joe F.

Response:

Joe,    My old Datsun pickup had a hellish set of overload springs on it.  I called it Buckshot, because every time you went over a bump it bucked and shot you into the roof. Ernie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A truck like this is "priceless" anyway.   It’s too worthless to sell & is basically unsound and unsafe, but to replace it would cost thousands. There’s something great about a vehicle that you don’t have to worry about beating the hell out of.   It got relegated to "farm" use a few years ago. I once carried a round bale of hay in the bed (one of those really big ones).   Damned frame was riding on the axles, the springs having completely given up, and the whole rig was extremely top heavy.  Better than an E-ticket at Disneyland.   Managed to get 42 regular bales piled on it once, too. As it happens, the odometer turned 100K on the way home from a salmon trip a few years back.   Still going strong.   Great truck. Joe F.

Response:

Joe In the words of my favorite musical group . . . A little bit is better than nada Sometimes you want the whole enchilada A little bit is better than nada A little bit,  or nothing at all. Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey, that’s great Dave!    Can you tell me how much my old ‘84 Isuzu pickup is worth?  :-) Joe F.

Response:

Actually Bob the Ernie Harrison Knot machine is an incredible devise. Im thinking about buying one to burn a new CPU on my old Intell. In my opinion it will do a fab job. And at virtually no cost.

It’s "Intel", Dave. One "l". I’m not a spelling Nazi, but you keep doing this and it’s bugging me. BTW, I hate Intel and I’ve never bought an Intel product. They’ve been a great investment for some, though. If New Mexico wants to subsidize Intel plants that’s none of my beeswax, since I don’t live in New Mexico. If I did, and if I knew the facts, I might oppose it. Call me crazy, but I find that the Pentium chips they make in the stores aren’t up to the ones that I make better thru my exercise of free will and free market gumption. The fact is that anyone can see that the "chips" made in the store cannot possibly have the care and love that I give mine.

I see. Maybe you should market your chips. Along with your special salsa. One thing you will learn from the computer/software contingent on ROFF: Its OK to make it up as you go. So, economics? Make it up. Behavioral science? Make it up. History, geography? make it up. It is not really important to actually study and learn about these disciplines to be able to firmly assert arguable propositions about them.

These issues are far too complex for any simple solutions we might come up with in ROFF. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Take me to your leader ? TL MC

Response:

You know how you always wish you had a third hand when you tied blood knots ?  Ernie just tapes an inflated surgeons glove to his plonker… — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…" B.M.P.I.A.

Response:

You know how you always wish you had a third hand when you tied blood knots ?  Ernie just tapes an inflated surgeons glove to his plonker…

Doesn

Question:

Observations are exactly what I’m looking for and I appreciate yours. How did you find the rod builder and what made you decide to go with them vs. others?

Ian:  I’ve purchased two custom rods.  One from a local guy I knew, who did really nice work.  The other was to support a TU fundraiser – but it was also a beautiful rod that I would have purchased anyway, even though I didn’t know the craftsman.  For the price, I don’t think you can ever surpass a custom rod by a quality builder, which is why I would buy one again. mark faulkner

Response:

Observations are exactly what I’m looking for and I appreciate yours. How did you find the rod builder and what made you decide to go with them vs. others

In my case the rod builder is a member of our local flyfishing club.I had seen his work and I liked it so I went with him as a rodbuilder. Big Dale

Response:

Well…to be honest ALL my rods are custom rods.  I build them myself. It costs considerably less.  If people only knew how EASY it was to build good rods, and how much less expensive, there would be a lot fewer commercial rods being sold. The only reasons I would by a custom rod are: 1) they are a technology I cannot build (like bamboo) 2) I know the builder and want a keepsake 3) the builder does something particularly artful (like fancy threadwork) and I have more money than I know what do to with — James A. Foster                                Assoc. Prof Center for Secure & Dependable Computing/SCI   U. of Idaho http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~foster              208.885.7062 pgp key at: ftp://ftp.cs.uidaho.edu/pub/foster/pgp-key.asc

Response:

SNIP . I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares

SNIP So….get any inquiries . . .? john

Response:

A couple of things. Are you referring to ‘hand built rods’ or rods built to ‘custom specifications’ ?. I don’t mean to be obtuse, but some anglers have asked for more (or less) guides than the ’store bought’ ones. I have 1/2 dozen ‘hand built’ rods that out-perform anything made in a factory.  Spines are aligned perfectly, and guides are positioned for optimum performance.   But this builder designed the blanks, and tests each one individually, before wrapping.  They go as far as to hand turn the corks, and ensure the ‘foot’ of each guide does not cut the finish of the rod.  (lifetime guarantee, and they cost lots) Another company’s ‘hand built’ rod was so awful, I returned it within a month. Turns out, they can build rods, but not very well.  Others found 8 weight tips on 6 weight butts.   (If something broke, they took whatever piece was available, and put it together.)   Just because he could wrap guides on a blank, did not make him a ‘rod builder’.  And he claimed that he manufactured his own blanks.  Fat Chance. Just an unskilled entrepeneur trying to enter a niche market. Regards – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

Response:

I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there.

I’ve considered this issue often and have bought from both sides of the proverbial fence ("store bought" and "custom"). What generally makes my decision is when I want a specific rod with specific components that I can’t get from the manufacturer at any reasonable price. So to my collection of lovely store-bought Winstons and fully functional if not as "pretty" Sages, I have a number of custom rolled rods built on IM6 blanks, and a salt water casting cannon custom built on a Loomis GLX blank – with ultra-premium hardware – and with threadwork and finish that’ll make you pee your pants… All of these rods came with warranty cards for the blanks and were built by either my dad or Dan Trela (a small plug for DT Kustom Rods)… /daytripper

Response:

I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not), the only warranty available is what you would provide.  To put it bluntly, if you skip off to Siberia or die next year, who’s around to honor the warranty even if you offered one?  The odds are much better that Orvis. Loomis, etc. will be around if and when you need the warranty.

I build Sage blanks and I pass on the Sage warranty card to the purchaser. I’m not sure about other blank manufacturers though. I warranty the rest of the rod and I can see your point on that. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

Response:

I also think that rods can be an impulse buy for some people.  Getting a custom rod made takes time. No instant gratification. It’s the same thing with cars, most people buy off the lot instead of waiting for a car to be made to their specifications. Willi

Response:

I build Sage blanks and I pass on the Sage warranty card to the purchaser. I’m not sure about other blank manufacturers though. I warranty the rest of the rod and I can see your point on that.

Ian – I should add that I have purchased custom made rods – for the same reasons noted by Big Dale in his response.  My comments were not meant as a criticism, just an observation in response to your inquiry. Mark Faulkner

Response:

[SNIP] Ian – I should add that I have purchased custom made rods – for the same reasons noted by Big Dale in his response.  My comments were not meant as a criticism, just an observation in response to your inquiry. Mark Faulkner

Observations are exactly what I’m looking for and I appreciate yours. How did you find the rod builder and what made you decide to go with them vs. others? Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

Response:

I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

I think as said before most really cannot tell what they are getting in a custom unless they have one in thier hand. You can go to any shop and take a look at any factory rod and decide what you like. As for custom well, unless you know of someone who has a rod from a particular rodmaker, or the rodmaker has an outstanding reputation, you really have to take a chance. Most of us who have really just started out as rodmakers know what that is like, most customers will inquire and are not sure. Most anglers really are looking for cosmetic quality in a custom rod, they feel if its custom it needs to be perfect. I agree, but most will not want to pay the price for the special attention to detail nedded to acheive this quality. So they end up with factory rod with poor cosmetics, then if they are not satisfied they can simply return the rod to the factory and get another. Now the anglers who are looking for performance more than likely will go to the custom rodmaker because they want a quality performing rod. This way they can relay information to the rodmaker and get a rod that performs to their specific needs. May be a nymphing rod or dry fly rod, in anycase they get what they want. Warranty is another issue, for most rodmakers its simply not reasonable to give a lifetime warranty on custom jobs. Some do, but I feel with the attitude of most warranty lovers, rodmakers will be repairing rods for nothing for quite sometime.

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or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod,

I had a rod built for me a few years ago. I ordered the Scott rod blank from their local dealer and gathered the parts I wanted for the rod and had a guy build it for me. It ist one of their old style 8′8"`3`weight rods. I wanted a cap and sliding ring reel seat with a rosewood insert. Scott did  not make one like that and I hate the sliding ring set-up over cork. The guy did a beautiful job: I got what I wanted; itcost no more than a factory rod would have cost;and I could not be happier. It is still my favorite rod for fishing for my beloved bluegills out of a boat. I think that just about says it all….isn’t this what custom built rods are all about?   Big Dale

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I agree that warranty and name are  strong selling points. I never buy a rod unless I have fondled it and cast it, custom rod builders are unfortunately not usually down the street where I can do this. Jim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not), the only warranty available is what you would provide.  To put it bluntly, if you skip off to Siberia or die next year, who’s around to honor the warranty even if you offered one?  The odds are much better that Orvis. Loomis, etc. will be around if and when you need the warranty. Mark Faulkner

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I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there.

Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not), the only warranty available is what you would provide.  To put it bluntly, if you skip off to Siberia or die next year, who’s around to honor the warranty even if you offered one?  The odds are much better that Orvis. Loomis, etc. will be around if and when you need the warranty. Mark Faulkner

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I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not),

Generally they do … you should check with the manufacturer or a authorized retail dealer. You should note though that they will only warranty the blank and the warranty may be void if in their opinion the blank failure was related to the work done by the custom rod builder. RalphH

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I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

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Question:

Aaaaaaahhhh, A message from that knowledgeable Bill Kiene is like a warm spring breeze on this board. Alas, at 4500′ elevation it will be awhile before we southern Idahoans see any bluegill or bass action. Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, If we have about a week or two of good sunny weather here in California, we are going to start to have some great warm water fishing. We have tons of  ’farm pond’ or ’stock ponds’ that are below 2000′. Most of them have black bass and panfish in them. I would true to get out on one of these ponds from March through June for some great action. I prefer afternoon/evening for warm water fishing. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop www.kiene.com

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Hi All, If we have about a week or two of good sunny weather here in California, we are going to start to have some great warm water fishing. We have tons of  ’farm pond’ or ’stock ponds’ that are below 2000′. Most of them have black bass and panfish in them. I would true to get out on one of these ponds from March through June for some great action. I prefer afternoon/evening for warm water fishing. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop www.kiene.com

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Hey Bill: The warm water fishing here in Northwest Arkansas is just now kicking into gear…caught four blacks one evening last week and two Sunday morning (biggest was a pound and a half) on a new bass fly (to me) "G.W.’s Glory"……Chartreuse rabbit strip tail, chartreuse ice chenille body, and chartreuse Sili Legs collar…..2/0 Mustad 34007 saltwater hook.  WOW!  They hit it hard!  Searched tonight for stripers off my favorite point here at Beaver Lake…full moon shining off the lake was like fishing under a huge spot light…lake was like glass…no stripers caught but what an absolutely beautiful evening. Got an email from a guy Saturday (from the Bass newsgroup) who pulled a 44"er off this point Friday…not on a fly rod though.  Can you imagine a 44" freshwater striper on a fly rod?  I built a 10wt. St. Croix Legend Ultra last year for stripers; it’s just a matter of time before I hook the big one!!!!  Last year I pulled a few 6 and 7 lb. hybrids and stripers off this point…….this Spring…who knows??!! Greg H. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, If we have about a week or two of good sunny weather here in California, we are going to start to have some great warm water fishing. We have tons of ‘farm pond’ or ’stock ponds’ that are below 2000′. Most of them have black bass and panfish in them. I would true to get out on one of these ponds from March through June for some great action. I prefer afternoon/evening for warm water fishing. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop www.kiene.com

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Hey Bill: The warm water fishing here in Northwest Arkansas is just now kicking into gear…caught four blacks one evening last week and two Sunday morning (biggest was a pound and a half) on a new bass fly (to me) "G.W.’s Glory"……Chartreuse rabbit strip tail, chartreuse ice chenille body, and chartreuse Sili Legs collar…..2/0 Mustad 34007 saltwater hook.  WOW!  They hit it hard!  Searched tonight for stripers off my favorite point here at Beaver Lake…full moon shining off the lake was like fishing under a huge spot light…lake was like glass…no stripers caught but what an absolutely beautiful evening.

Hi Greg, Was just out walking off dinner and did also note the big moon here in CA. In Aril/May/June we go out on the full moon to the mouth of the Feather River where it goes into the Sacramento River about 20 plus miles north of downtown Sacramento. We fish the afternoon for American Shad, then after dark, we fish for stripers that are also running up to spawn. Both of these fish were imported from the East Coast of North America in ~1877 and  I guess their populations went crazy with the condition that our drainage was in that long ago. We take a little barbecue and make a time of it. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop www.kiene.com

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Question:

The main thing is, beef up your terminal gear. 0X fluorocarbon is a greatchoice. Nine foot is a goo length, tapered. Intermediate shooting head seems to be better than a floater – cuts wind and waves better. Charlies and gotchas are usually good, but when in doubt and in the usual 3-4 ft of water, I tie on a lightly weighted size 2 ultrashrimp. Nice chunk of meat substitute for big bones. Probably too big if the water is shallow. The Battenkill is a tough call. I caught bones on a Battenkill 8/9, but took care to clean out the salt afterward. If you hook a 9-10 lb bone, you might get spooled. I caught a 29 inch bone in Aruba (9.5lbs?) that almost spooled me with an Abel 3 reel (8wt head, 100 ft running line, 200 yds 30lb dacron backing). Think about it. One other thing: Before you make cast number one, just stand still and watch the ebb and flow of the water around you for 10 – 15 minutes (if you can stand it). Bones are like trout – find their feeding lanes and cruising lanes, and cast where they live. Be prepared for the time of your life. Salt water can ALMOST spoil you for anything else. FlyFisherRay

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I have never been bonefishing before and I’m wondering if any of you have any advice for me. I have an 8wt Sage and regular floating line on a Orvis Battenkill reel. I don’t own any bonefish flies. I am wondering what I will need to make my trip this C-mas to the Bay islands of Honduras a successfull one. Will a regular floating line work? What type of leader size and length is typical? Can I wade in TEVAs or tennis shoes? Should I bring a 6wt rod as well? Has anyone been to or heard anything about the Bay islands? We will be at the largest one called Roatan or something like that. Any advice I could get that would help me get my first Bone would be appreciated. What about barracuda? I know some of you out there have experience in the salt, won’t you help a poor landlocked chump out? Brady

Hi Brady, Your outfit will be fine. I would get the stiffest 9′ 0x knot less tapered leaders with matching 0x tippet material. Use a bead eyed Charlie type bonefish fly for sand bottoms and a snapping shrimp type pattern for turtle grass flats. good colors are brown, tan, olive and pink. Take some small crab imitations in tan or olive for permit. Get a long needle fish imitation with a wire leader for cudas. I always take some light colored small/medium salt water poppers and some small/medium salt water streamers. A hat, Polarized glasses and sun screen are important.  Casting skill is very important in salt water fly fishing, so be sure to work on that a bit. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

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I’ve been to Belize a few times but not Honduras. The 8wt should be fine but the Battenkill reel probably won’t hold up. Get a disk drag saltwater reel (SA System 2 or equivalent at least). The line should be OK too but there are some special lines made for salt water that you should look at. They tend to be more of a shooting taper and a little stiffer so they don’t sag as much in hot weather. I have had the best luck with Crazy Charlies and Permit Puffs as flies. For barracuda try a needlefish imitation and strip _real_ fast with both hands. As far as wading, it depends on the bottom. Some flats are very soft and can’t be waded very well. I fished primarily from a boat in Belize. Have a great time and try to see some ruins as well. I have never been bonefishing before and I’m wondering if any of you have any advice for me. I have an 8wt Sage and regular floating line on a Orvis Battenkill reel. I don’t own any bonefish flies. I am wondering what I will need to make my trip this C-mas to the Bay islands of Honduras a successfull one. Will a regular floating line work? What type of leader size and length is typical? Can I wade in TEVAs or tennis shoes? Should I bring a 6wt rod as well? Has anyone been to or heard anything about the Bay islands? We will be at the largest one called Roatan or something like that. Any advice I could get that would help me get my first Bone would be appreciated. What about barracuda? I know some of you out there have experience in the salt, won’t you help a poor landlocked chump out? Brady

– Charlie…

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I have never been bonefishing before and I’m wondering if any of you have any advice for me. I have an 8wt Sage and regular floating line on a Orvis Battenkill reel. I don’t own any bonefish flies. I am wondering what I will need to make my trip this C-mas to the Bay islands of Honduras a successfull one. Will a regular floating line work? What type of leader size and length is typical? Can I wade in TEVAs or tennis shoes? Should I bring a 6wt rod as well? Has anyone been to or heard anything about the Bay islands? We will be at the largest one called Roatan or something like that. Any advice I could get that would help me get my first Bone would be appreciated. What about barracuda? I know some of you out there have experience in the salt, won’t you help a poor landlocked chump out?  Brady

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Question:

Hi can anyone help me with some  locations to flyfish in the Tahoe area.  I know there is alot of water and theres got to be a  few hot fly fishing spots. What flies? Fly shops? any thing else that might be helpful? float tubes on the lake? Thanks Great White Thanks for all thoughs who replied to my northerns and tigers questions landed me my first tiger 36"  17 pounds. "Got to quite wishin need to go fishin" Jimmy buffett

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Hi-    Unless you know the area very well, Lake Tahoe is a poor flyfishing destination. South of the Lake is the East Carson River and flowing out of the lake on the North end is the Truckee River. These are the two premier rivers in the area. Currently the Carson is fishing well and the Truckee is blown out.    -Ralph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi can anyone help me with some  locations to flyfish in the Tahoe area.  I know there is alot of water and theres got to be a  few hot fly fishing spots. What flies? Fly shops? any thing else that might be helpful? float tubes on the lake? Thanks Great White Thanks for all thoughs who replied to my northerns and tigers questions landed me my first tiger 36"  17 pounds. "Got to quite wishin need to go fishin" Jimmy buffett

Ralph Cutter, California School of Flyfishing. http://www.flyline.com

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Ralph is right about the Tahoe area.  The only change is that the Truckee downstream from Tahoe should be improving shortly.  The flows were just decreased today and hopefully will be stable for a while. Also try the Little Truckee, along with the handfull of small creeks in the North Tahoe area.  Good luck. Dick

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Question:

Where can I fly fish within an hour or so of Phoenix next week?

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Where can I fly fish within an hour or so of Phoenix next week?

Try the Salt River, below Stewart Mountain Dam(n). It’s east of town, less than an hour away.  Any of the local fly or tackle shops (try Ellington’s Flies; they’re in the white pages) can give you directions and current info.  There are rainbow trout and largemouth bass.  Now that summer’s gone, so are the crowds. Charlie Quinton

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