Question:

I can mount the rod holders on the gunwale (such as it is) a foot behind the seat, where they are a little hard to reach but work well for trolling.  Or I can mount them 8" forward of my knees, where they are accessible and viewable, but not the best for trolling and turning.  Is there a consensus on the best place?

I fly fish from my SOT and occasionally ‘troll’ a streamer. I just put the rod over my shoulder to do that. My rod holders are behind the seat, though. — Charlie…

Response:

I can mount the rod holders on the gunwale (such as it is) a foot behind the seat, where they are a little hard to reach but work well for trolling.  Or I can mount them 8" forward of my knees, where they are accessible and viewable, but not the best for trolling and turning.  Is there a consensus on the best place? Ken (to reply via email remove "zz" from address)

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Question:

George, You seem to be the Rofiian expert here so……. Could you tell me where I would be able to purchase balde eagle feathers? I have an idea for a great dry fly pattern that would require these beauties….. Thanks Georgie……. Robert

Response:

George, You seem to be the Rofiian expert here so……. Could you tell me where I would be able to purchase balde eagle feathers? I have an idea for a great dry fly pattern that would require these beauties….. Thanks Georgie……. Robert

Ye Olde lil’ wayno’s?

Response:

I pondered this post a bit. Now we have plenty of baldies around so if you want a feather or two all you have to do is come down here, shiney up a tree where there is a nest, wait for the bird, grab a few and come back down. That’s the easy part. The hard part is explaining to a wildlife dude holding a smoke pole in your geezer that what you have is a turkey feather and all those scratches you have you got from a thistle while you picked up the feather. Would you like me to bring you anything on visitors day?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – George, You seem to be the Rofiian expert here so……. Could you tell me where I would be able to purchase balde eagle feathers? I have an idea for a great dry fly pattern that would require these beauties….. Thanks Georgie……. Robert

Response:

Vasoline?  Soap on a rope?  Pictures of Wayno naked?      Frank Would you like me to bring you anything on visitors day?

Response:

George, You seem to be the Rofiian expert here so……. Could you tell me where I would be able to purchase balde eagle feathers? I have an idea for a great dry fly pattern that would require these beauties….. Thanks Georgie……. Robert

You can get one loaned to you by an American Indian.  How’s that for a legal answer and it happens to be a fact. — (C) George Gehrke 2001 http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html     fine bamboo flyrods & blanks

Response:

Yes, I know its fact George….just having a little fun…… (some snippage) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – George, You seem to be the Rofiian expert here so……. Thanks Georgie……. Robert You can get one loaned to you by an American Indian.  How’s that for a legal answer and it happens to be a fact.

Response:

Question…the bald eagle…or ‘iggle’ as the guide at the denver show called them…is no longer on the endagered or even threatened species list…correct ? — Halfordian Golfer .

Response:

Question…the bald eagle…or ‘iggle’ as the guide at the denver show called them…is no longer on the endagered or even threatened species list…correct ?

According to http://endangered.fws.gov/ they are classified as "threatened, proposed de-listing", but they are still on the list. — Charlie…

Response:

Question…the bald eagle…or ‘iggle’ as the guide at the denver show called them…is no longer on the endagered or even threatened species list…correct ? According to http://endangered.fws.gov/ they are classified as "threatened, proposed de-listing", but they are still on the list.

And I don’t think you’d be able to possess the feathers or hunt them regardless of their status on that list.  IIRC, the possession, hunting, etc. would still be controlled as are other "birds of prey" like hawks, and carrion-eating birds like vultures, would they not? TC, R

Response:

RDean writes: And I don’t think you’d be able to possess the feathers or hunt them regardless of their status on that list.  IIRC, the possession, hunting, etc. would still be controlled as are other "birds of prey" like hawks, and carrion-eating birds like vultures, would they not?

Time for a grandson story: Jeff and I were in Labrador in July of ‘98.  The guide pointed out the remains of a bald eagle laying on a sandy beach just above the area we were fishing. Jeff walked back and took all of the wing bones from  the skeleton.  When he showed them to me after dinner that night, I told him that I though possession of them was illegal.  I checked with the guide and he confirmed my suspicions. The next day Jeff asked if we could stop by the sandy beach.  When we did, he approached the eagle’s remains and very carefully placed each bone in the position he had found it.  It took him several minutes to complete his task. He was very solemn when he returned to face us.  He saw that I was near tears witnessing this tender moment of his.  He took his fly rod from me, smiled and said, "C’mon, Poppop.  Let’s catch some biggggg brookies."  We did.  <g Dave LaCourse, aka Pop Pop

Response:

I have a friend who has a few, but you better belong to the same type of tribe he does or else it gets costly.  Last I talked to him (3 months) they were still controled with a heavy fine if you weren’t Native American. Lou

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Question…the bald eagle…or ‘iggle’ as the guide at the denver show called them…is no longer on the endagered or even threatened species list…correct ? According to http://endangered.fws.gov/ they are classified as "threatened, proposed de-listing", but they are still on the list. And I don’t think you’d be able to possess the feathers or hunt them regardless of their status on that list.  IIRC, the possession, hunting, etc. would still be controlled as are other "birds of prey" like hawks, and carrion-eating birds like vultures, would they not? TC,

I heard tell some folks call bald turkeys vultures, ifn thats so there goes next thanksgiven turkey, guess this next year itl be storebought. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – R

Response:

I’m in awe of the birds of prey… *Why* are they treated differently than non bop’s ? Not a rhetorical question. Everything lives somewhere on the food chain…right ?

Response:

Tim Walker writes: I’m in awe of the birds of prey… *Why* are they treated differently than non bop’s ? Not a rhetorical question. Everything lives somewhere on the food chain…right ?

I think their treatment is the result of their resurgence.  For years there were no BOPs around because of ddt usage and other pollutions.  Today we have red tail hawks nesting on our land, and goshawks have also been spotted nearby.  After a recent snow storm, when the snow was still fresh and beautiful, a red tail swooped down the forested hill behind the house and swooped up a feeding bluejay.  There was a shadow, then an explosion of feathers as it flew off with the jay.  The impact area looked like a bomb crater with  many of the jay’s feathers spread out from "ground zero".   Dave L.

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I’m in awe of the birds of prey… *Why* are they treated differently than non bop’s ? Not a rhetorical question. Everything lives somewhere on the food chain…right ?

well, i look around my neck of the woods at birds that seem abundant and cannot be killed (seagulls, bald eagles, turkey vultures, etc.) and i wonder how bad things would smell and how much extra garbage would be laying around without all these birds (and other animals) around to eat all of the dead animals and edible garbage… something to think about. cb

Response:

I have a friend who has a few, but you better belong to the same type of tribe he does or else it gets costly.  Last I talked to him (3 months) they were still controled with a heavy fine if you weren’t Native American.

My brother-in-law got one for his high school graduation last year. I’ll have to ask him if he knows the current rules.      - Ken

Response:

If you look in our local phonebook yellow pages under Native American, it says "see Indian". I just thought that was interesting. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a friend who has a few, but you better belong to the same type of tribe he does or else it gets costly.  Last I talked to him (3 months) they were still controled with a heavy fine if you weren’t Native American. My brother-in-law got one for his high school graduation last year. I’ll have to ask him if he knows the current rules.      - Ken

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In Montana, you cannot possess any feather fron any raptor unless you hold a valid and current falconers license (Native Americans excepted). Having one "loaned" to you by a Native American doesn’t count (at least not here). — Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm 406-626-4022

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – George, You seem to be the Rofiian expert here so……. Could you tell me where I would be able to purchase balde eagle feathers? I have an idea for a great dry fly pattern that would require these beauties….. Thanks Georgie……. Robert You can get one loaned to you by an American Indian.  How’s that for a legal answer and it happens to be a fact. — (C) George Gehrke 2001 http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html     fine bamboo flyrods & blanks

Response:

I’m in awe of the birds of prey… *Why* are they treated differently than non bop’s ? Not a rhetorical question. Everything lives somewhere on the food chain…right ? well, i look around my neck of the woods at birds that seem abundant and cannot be killed (seagulls, bald eagles, turkey vultures, etc.) and i wonder how bad things would smell and how much extra garbage would be laying around without all these birds (and other animals) around to eat all of the dead animals and edible garbage… something to think about.

Same could be said of rats too.  They eat all sorts of garbage!  :-) However,  I’ll keep shooting the longtail every chance I get.

Response:

I’m in awe of the birds of prey… *Why* are they treated differently than non bop’s ? Not a rhetorical question. Everything lives somewhere on the food chain…right ?

I think that those creatures lower down in the food chain can recover from dire times a lot easier than those higher up.  An easy way to illustrate this is to compare the breeding rates of lower down food chain species like rats and mice with the breeding rates of the predators.  I saw a program that informed of the sheer breeding power of the brown rat.  One pair of rats can create thousands or even hundreds of thousands of rats in one year; the rats are phenomenal multipliers.  I suppose that the food chains are like the Chinese Triad,  a wide and stable base to support the diminushing by layer orders above.  If the upper layers are removed,  then the lower orders become erratic and quite unstable. The top level predators are the product of the genetic refinery  and represent the cutting edge of evolution  (e.g. bats, dolphins,  (humans) and allsorts of others).  Whilst all levels are as important as each other in maintaining the appropriate balance,  the top level predators  are possibly more affected on a  numerical basis.  i.e.  breeding rates.

Response:

orders become erratic and quite unstable.

This is some sort of Republican Party code isn’t it?  <g The top level predators are the product of the genetic refinery  and represent the cutting edge of evolution  (e.g. bats, dolphins,  (humans) and all sorts of others)….

This idea that there is "progress" in evolution is a common fallacy.  A good book on this subject is "The Blind Watchmaker: Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe Without Design," by Richard Dawkins. JR

Response:

This idea that there is "progress" in evolution is a common fallacy.  A good book on this subject is "The Blind Watchmaker: Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe Without Design," by Richard Dawkins.

Actually, the notion that there is no "progress" in evolution a cause championed most famously by Stephen J. Gould, who happens to be Dawkins’ intellectual enemy. Their feud goes way back, and I think it’s fair to say that they detest each other. I once asked Dawkins’  what he thought about a paper by Gould and Lewontin (The spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian paradigm: A critique of the adaptationist programme. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, B205:581-598) that bears on exactly this issue. He (Dawkins) raved for at least ten minutes about how stupid and misguided the paper is. Dawkins’ own views on the subject are more accurately summarized in the book "Climbing Mount Improbable," which definitely gives the impression that there is "progress" of a sort in evolution (i.e., climbing higher on the Mount Improbable). My own opinion is that if there weren’t progress in evolution we’d still be blue-green algae, or worse. The problem is that "progress" is a subjective concept. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Jeff and I were in Labrador in July of ‘98.  The guide pointed out the remains of a bald eagle laying on a sandy beach just above the area we were fishing. Jeff walked back and took all of the wing bones from  the skeleton.  When he showed them to me after dinner that night, I told him that I though possession of them was illegal.  I checked with the guide and he confirmed my suspicions. The next day Jeff asked if we could stop by the sandy beach.  When we did, he approached the eagle’s remains and very carefully placed each bone in the position he had found it.  It took him several minutes to complete his task. He was very solemn when he returned to face us.  He saw that I was near tears witnessing this tender moment of his.  He took his fly rod from me, smiled and said, "C’mon, Poppop.  Let’s catch some biggggg brookies."  We did.  

Thanks Dave, These personal anecdotes are my favorite posts. Willi

Response:

You’re right that definitions of progressive evolution differ.  The disagreement between Dawkins and Gould on this matter is in fact is pretty much a difference in definitions.  Dawkins believes that in order to deny progress in evolution, Gould insists on a human-chauvanistic definition "which makes it all too easy to deny progress in evolution."   His own definition he calls "adaptationist;" i.e., "a tendency for lineages to improve cumulatively their adaptive fit to their particular way of life, by increasing the numbers of features which combine together in adaptive complexes."   No doubt Gould thinks this definition makes it all too easy to *propose* progress in evolution.  Nevertheless, Dawkins, like Gould, does not and never has believed in the sort of "progress" implied in the concept of a "ladder of life," on which there are higher and lower orders.  This is the sort of evolutionary progress I believe Michael was referring to in his original post. I tend to think that the feud between Dawkins and Gould is blown out of proportion by the popular (and popularizing) press and that it is unlikely they "detest" each other.  I’ve read reviews by Dawkins of Gould’s books and reviews that, while disagreeing strongly with one argument or another, display no rancor or animosity. Quoted from a response by Dawkins to a Guardian article about the "feud": "Stephen Gould certainly is an ‘implacable opponent of . . . genetic determinism’.  Right then, Dawkins must be in favour of it – otherwise there wouldn’t be a feud, and that would be no fun. In fact, as anybody would know who reads what I actually say instead of what I am supposed to say, I too am an implacable opponent of genetic determinism. "Gould thinks that the extinction of the dinosaurs had nothing to do with natural selection. Sorry to spoil the fun, but so do I.  Gould thinks natural selection is not the only force shaping the course of evolution. Well, I know it seems a shame, but so do I, and I have devoted large portions of my books to explaining this." ***** Just what did Dawkins disagree with in the Gould / Lewontin article? BTW, you don’t think the idea that something older than blue-green algae on the evolutionary scale is somehow "worse" than blue-green algae (or us) is just the sort of human chauvinism that *both* Dawkins and Gould would rave against. <g JR – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This idea that there is "progress" in evolution is a common fallacy.  A good book on this subject is "The Blind Watchmaker: Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe Without Design," by Richard Dawkins. Actually, the notion that there is no "progress" in evolution a cause championed most famously by Stephen J. Gould, who happens to be Dawkins’ intellectual enemy. Their feud goes way back, and I think it’s fair to say that they detest each other. I once asked Dawkins’  what he thought about a paper by Gould and Lewontin (The spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian paradigm: A critique of the adaptationist programme. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, B205:581-598) that bears on exactly this issue. He (Dawkins) raved for at least ten minutes about how stupid and misguided the paper is. Dawkins’ own views on the subject are more accurately summarized in the book "Climbing Mount Improbable," which definitely gives the impression that there is "progress" of a sort in evolution (i.e., climbing higher on the Mount Improbable). My own opinion is that if there weren’t progress in evolution we’d still be blue-green algae, or worse. The problem is that "progress" is a subjective concept.

Response:

My own opinion is that if there weren’t progress in evolution we’d still be blue-green algae, or worse. The problem is that "progress" is a subjective concept.

Perhaps the most succinct and irrefutable refutation of one’s own opinion that I have ever seen. Wolfgang o.k., this oughta be good!

Response:

Question:

A while back there was a posting that had this open or active portal concept. It was set up at a college or something and dealt with fly fishing. Does anybody still have the link for it? Thanks in advance, — Jamie http://clik.to/flyfish

Response:

Thank you if you bothered to answer me. I finally found it. Here is the link if anyone is interested. http://www.active-portal.com/cgi-bin/genpage?cat=1031242&page=1&verbo… — Jamie http://clik.to/flyfish – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A while back there was a posting that had this open or active portal concept. It was set up at a college or something and dealt with fly fishing. Does anybody still have the link for it? Thanks in advance, — Jamie http://clik.to/flyfish

Response:

Question:

This summer, starting in early June, I will be bicycling from Anchorage up the Parks Highway to Cantwell, across the Denali Highway and then over to the Alaska highway and out through the Yukon, B.C, Alberta….. I will be bringing a rod (4 pc, 6 wt?) and looking to do what fishing I can as I make my way.  Need to keep my fishing kit small.  Never been there before.  Expect I’ll see grayling.  Might I catch any of the King run on the Susitna? Any ideas on what flies I should bring would be appreciated.  I’m a newbie, but I just can’t pass on the chance to drop a line in the Great White North. I can con a friend of mine into tying up whatever you might suggest.  Also, if anyone wants to bestow the location of their favorite spots on me, I wouldn’t complain. Thanks a bunch.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This summer, starting in early June, I will be bicycling from Anchorage up the Parks Highway to Cantwell, across the Denali Highway and then over to the Alaska highway and out through the Yukon, B.C, Alberta….. I will be bringing a rod (4 pc, 6 wt?) and looking to do what fishing I can as I make my way.  Need to keep my fishing kit small.  Never been there before.  Expect I’ll see grayling.  Might I catch any of the King run on the Susitna? Any ideas on what flies I should bring would be appreciated.  I’m a newbie, but I just can’t pass on the chance to drop a line in the Great White North. I can con a friend of mine into tying up whatever you might suggest.  Also, if anyone wants to bestow the location of their favorite spots on me, I wouldn’t complain. Thanks a bunch.

Andrew,   I assume you live in Anchorage, or are flying in for this bicycle trip. Either way, from experience flying the bush years ago up there (I flew out of Fairbanks Int’l and Merrill Field, Anchorage) if you don’t bring anything else, bring a headnet and clothes that will protect the rest of your skin from hordes of ravenous mosquitoes. They are not all that bad in the ‘big cities’ of Alaska, but can drive you absolutely crazy out in the muskeg, etc. As an example, I used to fly clients or friends out to a remote lake in the Tanana Valley, and always carried a can or two of Black Flag bug spray. As soon as the airplane doors are opened to de-plane, look out! Of course, headnets were already in place. The Black Flag was to kill ‘em when they boarded with us for the return trip. I have caught grayling on drys and wets, most of the time they are not too fussy. If you want some arm wrenching fun, try any streamer that imitates a minnow, then fish the rivers for pike. We caught pike in the Yukon and Tanana rivers until our arms hurt. These were not especially big fish, maybe average 3# or so, but just sheer numbers will wear you down. Good luck, your post brought back many fond memories. Frank Church Elkhart, IN

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Question:

I intend to spend my summer’s vacations ( august 18th to 30th) in the area of Yellowstone ( Idaho,Montana,Wyomming) with my familly (4 adults) . ours activities w’ll be, flyfishing, wildlife seeing, hiking if anyone have some informations about lodging in this area and flyfishing possibilities (not too more expansive). please inform me . thank you sincerely

Response:

My suggestion would be to stay in West Yellowstone, Montana. The town is the enterance to Yellowstone National Park & there are lots of moderately priced motels in town.You can fish a half a dozen or more rivers within an hours drive of the town. You can get a one day license in Idaho for $6-8, Montana sells 2 day licenses for about $10 & you can get a Yellowstone National Park 7 day license for less than $20. THere are over a half dozen good fly shops in town, (my favorite is Blue Ribbon Flies) where you can get info on the hatches & what is fishing well. They are not giving up their secret spots but they will steer you in the right direction. Yellowstone is a great park lots of trails & wildlife. There are times when traffic builds up do to people stopping for animals on the road & they are also repairing & rebuilding the roads in the park. Do a Web search for West Yellowstone & you can get all the info you need.

Response:

There are times when traffic builds up do to people stopping for animals on the road

If the fishing is slow try this…drive right at the speed limit on one of the primary loop roads in Yellowstone and wait for about 30 cars to back up behind you. Quickly (but safely) pull over to the side of the road and jump out with your camera (it helps to have a passgenger pointing to nothing in earnest) and run into the woods…hilarious to watch all 30 calls pull over and unload while you non-chalantley drive away laughing your head off. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

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Question:

I would appreciate any recommendations from people on good places to stay in Montana for a week in August. Wishes are: reasonably close to good fly fishing, right on or near some water would be excellent; a cabin with some personality and a kitchen in a somewhat private, open setting (not a town); fairly quiet with a small number of other guests; prefer moderate price, premium price for perfect spot OK. I’m open to any location in Montana, but am somewhat familiar to Twin Bridges area and liked it a lot. Also liked fishing in Yellowstone Park rivers so near that might be good. Have not fished Big Hole, hear I should. Any suggestions very much appreciated. Thank you. AWilson

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I would appreciate any recommendations from people on good places to stay in Montana for a week in August.

August is generally (but of course not ALWAYS) the worst month of the year. It’s hot, and the water levels are low, and the fish  (specially browns) are in a nocturnal phase then. August should be particularly skunky this year, as we have an anemic, El Nino snow pack–Utah and Colorado got all our snow.     At that time of year, the best fishing is at high altitude: beaver ponds, small brook trout creeks and mountain lakes. —  * Center for Computational Biology  * Montana State Bozeman  (406) 994-7061  * http://www.nervana.montana.edu/~sandy */

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Question:

My step-dad and I are going to Weaverville on Saturday for some steelhead fishing.  Any advice from recent visitors?  Lures, places, approaches? Thanks in advance.  Dave in Anderson, CA

Response:

This is probably late advice, but I’d stay home.   The river is muddy and fishing is slow. Instead of the Trinity, I’d go over to Lewiston Lake and flyfish that area.  Or…take a drive over to the Smith River as it’s still clear enough to fish and, I understand, that the salmon and steelhead are being cooperative.  Four good updated info on the Trinity, I’d call the Eureka Fly Shop at 444-2000 or the Redding Fly Shop (I don’t have their number). Barry Brown – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My step-dad and I are going to Weaverville on Saturday for some steelhead fishing.  Any advice from recent visitors?  Lures, places, approaches? Thanks in advance.  Dave in Anderson, CA

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks. He also saved my life. There I was, packing up after a delightful spring afternoon on the second meadow section of Slough Creek, completely unaware of what was about to transpire. I was going through the usual routine – breaking down the rod, brushing off the sombrero, putting my clothes back on – when I heard a deep growl behind me. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-face with the ugliest grizzly in Yellowstone. It didn’t look good. Suddenly, from out of nowhere came George Gehrke, big as life and twice as conservative, carrying a fistfull of Gehrke’s Gink bottles and a rolled up copy of the "American Spectator". He looked like Brian Keith on steriods, all red flannel, denim and muscle. A tattoo on his forehead read "Speak English or die" The bear turned to face George and I thought he was toast when, in a flash, George crammed two bottles of Gink into his mouth and put the rolled up magazine to his lips. In the manner of an African tribesman with a blowgun, he shot the plastic bottles into the grizzly’s nostrils, where the caps popped open, releasing their patented paste into the beast’s brain. The grizzly spun in circles several times, salivating, bellowing, then it stopped. The bear sat there, eyes glazed, smiling. The bear was hallucinating. "COMMIE SONOFABITCH!" roared George as he launched himself at the beast, driving his hand into its frothing mouth and down its throat. I heard a loud crunch as the man’s fist clenched around the beast’s spinal cord. Then, with a sickening "rrriiipp" he tore the animal’s entire skeleton out of its body through its very mouth. Laughing like Zeus, George Gehrke held the bloody bones in the air, where the last rays of sunlight danced through their ghastly membranes like the tinsel on Satan’s Christmas tree. It was kind of intense. Steve Oh God was that funny…YEE HAA !!!! *WHAT* a monday morning in the newsgroup !!! TimW

Yea, What a HOOT!! RickM

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PETA has instructed all their members to write in BAMBI on all of their votes. Insider info, (PE)T(A)-Bone?

Ya know, Jim?  You’re obsession with Tim is starting to become kind of embarrassing to watch.  You might consider taking a break from the newsgroup and coming back when you’ve found your sense of humor. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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SOUNDS LIKE "REN & STIMPY" TO ME. OR PERHAPS "ITCHY AND SCRATCHY". YOU GUY’S OUGHTA LIGHTEN UP A LITTLE. I DON’T KNOW, MAYBE YOU COULD GO FISHING OR SOMETHING.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks. While he may be a most seasoned fishing expert, he is clearly a usenet novice. If one comes into an unfamiliar usenet group flaming and screaming, one should expect it to come back around tenfold.  If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.  (Gads!  I’m starting to sound like Ross Perot.  I need therapy.)

Speaking of therapy, How is the Ellis Hot Canned Chili withdrawel going ? George is a usenet tyro…which is even more perfect ! I abhor a stale newsgroup ! TimW

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snip And if my vision is clouded by my deep attachment to our smoke in the eye heritage, please don’t try to make it more clear.  I like it this way.

My own smoke in the eye heritage has more to do with people I’ve known than someone who refers to himself as a Professional Sportsman. Ross

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I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks.

He also saved my life. There I was, packing up after a delightful spring afternoon on the second meadow section of Slough Creek, completely unaware of what was about to transpire. I was going through the usual routine – breaking down the rod, brushing off the sombrero, putting my clothes back on – when I heard a deep growl behind me. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-face with the ugliest grizzly in Yellowstone. It didn’t look good. Suddenly, from out of nowhere came George Gehrke, big as life and twice as conservative, carrying a fistfull of Gehrke’s Gink bottles and a rolled up copy of the "American Spectator". He looked like Brian Keith on steriods, all red flannel, denim and muscle. A tattoo on his forehead read "Speak English or die" The bear turned to face George and I thought he was toast when, in a flash, George crammed two bottles of Gink into his mouth and put the rolled up magazine to his lips. In the manner of an African tribesman with a blowgun, he shot the plastic bottles into the grizzly’s nostrils, where the caps popped open, releasing their patented paste into the beast’s brain. The grizzly spun in circles several times, salivating, bellowing, then it stopped. The bear sat there, eyes glazed, smiling. The bear was hallucinating. "COMMIE SONOFABITCH!" roared George as he launched himself at the beast, driving his hand into its frothing mouth and down its throat. I heard a loud crunch as the man’s fist clenched around the beast’s spinal cord. Then, with a sickening "rrriiipp" he tore the animal’s entire skeleton out of its body through its very mouth. Laughing like Zeus, George Gehrke held the bloody bones in the air, where the last rays of sunlight danced through their ghastly membranes like the tinsel on Satan’s Christmas tree. It was kind of intense. Steve

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks. He also saved my life. There I was, packing up after a delightful spring afternoon on the second meadow section of Slough Creek, completely unaware of what was about to transpire. I was going through the usual routine – breaking down the rod, brushing off the sombrero, putting my clothes back on – when I heard a deep growl behind me. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-face with the ugliest grizzly in Yellowstone. It didn’t look good. Suddenly, from out of nowhere came George Gehrke, big as life and twice as conservative, carrying a fistfull of Gehrke’s Gink bottles and a rolled up copy of the "American Spectator". He looked like Brian Keith on steriods, all red flannel, denim and muscle. A tattoo on his forehead read "Speak English or die" The bear turned to face George and I thought he was toast when, in a flash, George crammed two bottles of Gink into his mouth and put the rolled up magazine to his lips. In the manner of an African tribesman with a blowgun, he shot the plastic bottles into the grizzly’s nostrils, where the caps popped open, releasing their patented paste into the beast’s brain. The grizzly spun in circles several times, salivating, bellowing, then it stopped. The bear sat there, eyes glazed, smiling. The bear was hallucinating. "COMMIE SONOFABITCH!" roared George as he launched himself at the beast, driving his hand into its frothing mouth and down its throat. I heard a loud crunch as the man’s fist clenched around the beast’s spinal cord. Then, with a sickening "rrriiipp" he tore the animal’s entire skeleton out of its body through its very mouth. Laughing like Zeus, George Gehrke held the bloody bones in the air, where the last rays of sunlight danced through their ghastly membranes like the tinsel on Satan’s Christmas tree. It was kind of intense. Steve

  I’d put the pipe down for a while Steve,     Harry   ( it does have some merit though)

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: : It was kind of intense. :   I’d put the pipe down for a while Steve,   I’m guessing Spinolio often fishes alone.  Perhaps too often. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks. He also saved my life. There I was, packing up after a delightful spring afternoon on the second meadow section of Slough Creek, completely unaware of what was about to transpire. I was going through the usual routine – breaking down the rod, brushing off the sombrero, putting my clothes back on – when I heard a deep growl behind me. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-face with the ugliest grizzly in Yellowstone. It didn’t look good. Suddenly, from out of nowhere came George Gehrke, big as life and twice as conservative, carrying a fistfull of Gehrke’s Gink bottles and a rolled up copy of the "American Spectator". He looked like Brian Keith on steriods, all red flannel, denim and muscle. A tattoo on his forehead read "Speak English or die" The bear turned to face George and I thought he was toast when, in a flash, George crammed two bottles of Gink into his mouth and put the rolled up magazine to his lips. In the manner of an African tribesman with a blowgun, he shot the plastic bottles into the grizzly’s nostrils, where the caps popped open, releasing their patented paste into the beast’s brain. The grizzly spun in circles several times, salivating, bellowing, then it stopped. The bear sat there, eyes glazed, smiling. The bear was hallucinating. "COMMIE SONOFABITCH!" roared George as he launched himself at the beast, driving his hand into its frothing mouth and down its throat. I heard a loud crunch as the man’s fist clenched around the beast’s spinal cord. Then, with a sickening "rrriiipp" he tore the animal’s entire skeleton out of its body through its very mouth. Laughing like Zeus, George Gehrke held the bloody bones in the air, where the last rays of sunlight danced through their ghastly membranes like the tinsel on Satan’s Christmas tree. It was kind of intense. Steve

Oh God was that funny…YEE HAA !!!! *WHAT* a monday morning in the newsgroup !!! TimW

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I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks. He is one of the legends friends and we have him on the net.  This is a rare event for us that we should savour. And if my vision is clouded by my deep attachment to our smoke in the eye heritage, please don’t try to make it more clear.  I like it this way. TimW

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Aw T, you might lose your Crumudgeon membership card for this post, but I’d hate to see the reaction we saw to his forcefully stated position, drive George or anyone else off this/these groups. jg

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks. He is one of the legends friends and we have him on the net.  This is a rare event for us that we should savour. And if my vision is clouded by my deep attachment to our smoke in the eye heritage, please don’t try to make it more clear.  I like it this way. TimW

I like this ng. People come here, share their opinions about fly fishing, and other subjects. I’ve met some who come here. They, every one, every bit as respectable as the icons we hold up as the Patriarchs of fly fishing. Yes, I may have been loading my shorts when such people were exploring western trout waters that have long-since been relegated to stories. But I’d sooner find myself on a river with a Rick Fletcher, a Randy Shrock, or a Charlie Quinton than any of the people we may place in that category. The people who have contributed to most to this heritage, the individuals who do so now, have never gone noticed by an equipment manufacturer, a fishing magazine, or notoriety of any form, largely because if it came their way, they’d be too focussed on a floating dry fly, or taking a son or grandson beyond the hedonistic tendencies of human nature that impede the discovery of fly fishing. Mitch

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I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks.

While he may be a most seasoned fishing expert, he is clearly a usenet novice. If one comes into an unfamiliar usenet group flaming and screaming, one should expect it to come back around tenfold.  If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.  (Gads!  I’m starting to sound like Ross Perot.  I need therapy.) — -Wayne Trzyna

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I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport. [TEXT DELETED] And if my vision is clouded by my deep attachment to our smoke in the eye heritage, please don’t try to make it more clear.  I like it this way.

I don’t think the smoke is coming from your "smoke in the eye heritage". YOUR ONE OF THOSE CRACK SMOKIN ROSS PEROT, IDIOTS THAT SITS IN FRONT OF THE T.V. AND MASTERBAITS TO RUSH …AREN’T YOU ??? SO WHO IS PETA MAKING YOU VOTE FOR? …..Hee Heee Heee..;)

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport. [TEXT DELETED] And if my vision is clouded by my deep attachment to our smoke in the eye heritage, please don’t try to make it more clear.  I like it this way. I don’t think the smoke is coming from your "smoke in the eye heritage". YOUR ONE OF THOSE CRACK SMOKIN ROSS PEROT, IDIOTS THAT SITS IN FRONT OF THE T.V. AND MASTERBAITS TO RUSH …AREN’T YOU ??? SO WHO IS PETA MAKING YOU VOTE FOR? …..Hee Heee Heee..;)

Let me add ‘em up…1, 2, 3 (well, not to Rush…)… Yeah, I guess I am…. PETA has instructed all their members to write in BAMBI on all of their votes. TimW Thumper vor VP !

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Question:

I have lost the info on how to unsubscribe please tell me how thanks Serge

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I have lost the info on how to unsubscribe please tell me how

You cannot subscribe or unsubscribe from an open newsgroup (e.g. rec.outdoors.fishing.fly).  It is always there, whether you go into it or not.  If you have used your Internet node software to select some "favourite" newsgroups that are speedily retrieved for you, you should be able to revise it to suit yourself. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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I have lost the info on how to unsubscribe please tell me how thanks Serge

functions of the software that you’re using.  For instance, in Navigator, you just ‘uncheck’ the group name. — Bob Lundy IWFFC Mississauga, ON, Canada **new**     http://home.ican.net/~rlundy/

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Question:

I’ve often seen the advice posted to ask a local fly shop about what flies are currently on a stream where I intend to fish and what a good stretch of water is.  If the fly shop is not near my home and therefore I don’t usually take my business there, what is the fair way to compensate them for their advice?  Should I buy a fly or two?  Some fur or feathers?

Sure that’d be good.  But lets say your headed there maybe next month.  In the mean time, give them a call and get their address.  Send them $20 or so, and ask them to gather up a few flies that should be working when you arrive and mail them to you.  Also ask them for a tip on locations, etc. Typically, you’ll get good stuff, probably more than what you actually paid for (lets say the $ covers 10 flies, most times you’ll get a dz anyway), plus you’ll have models for your own tying bench. When you get there, stop in.  You will be warmly greeted by the guy or gal who filled your order, and they’ll remember you as a friend.  Trust me on this- it always has been effective! — Mike Tucker- The Virtual Flyshop, The Complete Resource              Web Page:  http://rmii.com/~flyshop/flyshop.html              Tel. 970-498-8779   FAX 970-491-2585 If you try 970 and it doesn’t work use 303.  Leave it to US WEST to change our area code and not tell the rest of the world……

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I’ve often seen the advice posted to ask a local fly shop about what flies are currently on a stream where I intend to fish and what a good stretch of water is.  If the fly shop is not near my home and therefore I don’t usually take my business there, what is the fair way to compensate them for their advice?  Should I buy a fly or two?  Some fur or feathers?  (I tie my own flies.)  Or do they really not mind some guy coming in, asking about flies and good spots, then walking out? Thanks for the advice/opinions, Dave

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Braunegg) writes: I’ve often seen the advice posted to ask a local fly shop about what flies are currently on a stream where I intend to fish and what a good stretch of water is.  If the fly shop is not near my home and therefore I don’t usually take my business there, what is the fair way to compensate them for their advice?  Should I buy a fly or two?  Some fur or feathers?  (I tie my own flies.)  Or do they really not mind some guy coming in, asking about flies and good spots, then walking out? Thanks for the advice/opinions, Dave

Buy only what you need and try to give them some feedback on your experience so your not the only one getting something out of this. They aren’t running a community service, they are in business! Sharing good locations and tips keeps *customers* comming back so it makes good business sense, but, after a while, they may find that they take a bit longer to get to you…

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I’ve often seen the advice posted to ask a local fly shop about what flies are currently on a stream where I intend to fish and what a good stretch of water is.  If the fly shop is not near my home and therefore I don’t usually take my business there, what is the fair way to compensate them for their advice?  Should I buy a fly or two?  Some fur or feathers?  (I tie my own flies.)  Or do they really not mind some guy coming in, asking about flies and good spots, then walking out?

This is really a nice question to see.  Without deteriorating into a rant, if you go into a fly shop and someone won’t give you the time of day until you flash your AMEX, leave and go elsewhere.  There are too many people who run shops who simply don’t deal with anyone but their perceived "good customers."  Let ‘em starve.  In our shop, everyone I’ve hired remains employed primarily on a customer service basis.  The sales people are not commissioned.  In my mind and the vision of our store, we treat a purchase of a tippet and the purchase of an outfit are equally important.  If I catch someone short-answering any customer, I point out proper behavior. (and most of those guys got jobs with other fly shops . . . strange how that works.) Of course, store-folk are human.  We deal with the 20 questions about this knot, that fly, or those fisheries, many asked in the most unbelievably rude and offensive manner, and every once in a while, our heads start to whirl a bit.   So, as  a previous poster noted, it is nice to call back and return information.  Luckily, this business is still one in which relationships can develop between customers and shop owners.  As a customer, if you feel someone treated you well, return the favor.  If they were unhelpful and rude spend your money elsewhere.   Many times my eventual "best customers" came from a 15 minute phone conversation in which I didn’t make any money at all. Well, got to go open the shop — hope this helps –jim *                                                     *

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If I catch someone short-answering any customer, I point out proper behavior. (and most of those guys got jobs with other fly shops . . . strange how that works.) Luckily, this business is still one in which relationships can develop between customers and shop owners.  As a customer, if you feel someone treated you well, return the favor.  If they were unhelpful and rude spend your money elsewhere.  

Good to see this response from a fly shop owner. Where I live we have three fly shops.  I frequent two of them, and these tow are as happy to see a customer when he’s buying a sppol of tippet (or nothing at all) as when he’s buying a new rod.  The other shop just doesn’t have a friendly atmosphere.  I think the main thing that makes anyone a repeat customer in a fly shop is that they are comfortable there, even if they don’t spend their money.   As consumers, it’s only fair that we support the shops we like.  Don’t go cast a rod at your local shop, and the buy it through mail order because you can save a few bucks.  It’s low class, and it may result in the fly shop not being there the next time you really need something.  Want to wait three weeks for mail order when you need something for the weekend. Just my $0.02

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: I’ve often seen the advice posted to ask a local fly shop about what : flies are currently on a stream where I intend to fish and what a good : stretch of water is.  If the fly shop is not near my home and : therefore I don’t usually take my business there, what is the fair way : to compensate them for their advice?  Should I buy a fly or two?  Some : fur or feathers?  (I tie my own flies.)  Or do they really not mind : some guy coming in, asking about flies and good spots, then walking : out? : Thanks for the advice/opinions, : Dave         The easiest thing to do is to buy some of the flies that they recommend whether you tie or not there has to be something that you don’t have.         Rick

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Braunegg) writes: I’ve often seen the advice posted to ask a local fly shop about what flies are currently on a stream where I intend to fish and what a good stretch of water is.  If the fly shop is not near my home and therefore I don’t usually take my business there, what is the fair way to compensate them for their advice?  Should I buy a fly or two?  Some fur or feathers?  (I tie my own flies.)  Or do they really not mind some guy coming in, asking about flies and good spots, then walking out? Thanks for the advice/opinions, Dave Buy only what you need and try to give them some feedback on your experience so your not the only one getting something out of this. They aren’t running a community service, they are in business! Sharing good locations and tips keeps *customers* comming back so it makes good business sense, but, after a while, they may find that they take a bit longer to get to you…

Hi, I hate quoting quotes, but to follow this up… We welcome people just dropping in and chatting about NS and where to flyfish. I even went so far as to put in a map and a bl;ackboard and some markers for the map, and we made a "community fishing bulletin board- the old style not electronic!). Why I don’t mind, even if you don’t buy then, is that someday you will weant to buy, and hopefully you’ll remember us – In the meantime…. Tight Lines Bill Curry Tight Lines Tackle Shop and Guide Service Lockeport, Nova Scotia Canada   B0T 1L0 902-656-3329 (ph and fax)

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