Question:

Took my son Tom, up NW of Jackman, Me. for a couple of nights of camping and fishing. We drove up Friday, the weather threatening some rain so I nipped into WallyWorld and got him a cheapie rainsuit, hopefully guaranteeing that it wouldn’t rain. On the way in we went down to the boat launch on Holeb pond, one of two spots where people put in for the "bow trip". The campsite was mobbed, a full troop of scouts from Connecticut were preparing to launch the bow trip the next day and there was a full load of other campers. We then drove up to Turner pond, a small pond with special regs (arts only, 2 fish with a slot limit) and found that campsite deserted so we made camp. After a tasty steak we took the canoe out on the pond and to my surprise there were some hex’s hatching so I rigged up and moved down the left shore where I spotted some fish rising. I managed to miss a half dozen hits and the hatch died off so we made for the tent. The next morning after breakfast we went out and I hit the sinking line hard, fishing streamers and missed a couple of feeble hits. After lunch I let Tom take the canoe out by himself, a first for him, and he went out to a big rock and managed to get on the rock without dumping himself in the pond. He found a plaque that was somewhat sobering, commerating two fishermen who drowned in 1976 while fishing their "favorite pond". Later in the day a local came by and shared what he knew about it, the two gentlemen, one in his 70’s and one in his 50’s, a father and son, got caught on the pond in a storm and their canoe capsized, they didn’t make it to shore. Tom wanted to try flyfishing so I spent an hour or so with him in the road working on his cast. After dinner we went back out and he managed a couple of brookies, one about 6" and one about 10" on the dry fly. He was very happy. I managed one about 12" and again the hatch died off so we made to bed. This morning the wind was high, it was drizzling and nasty hot and humid, the mosquitoes were well fed, so we decided to cut the trip short by a day and come home. He was ready and to be fair so was I. Turner pond, for the record, is a pretty little pond about 18 miles out of Jackman. The main concentration of fish seemed to be on the north shore, where I could hear a fast running brook, but never managed to see where it was dumping into the pond. I suspect the fish population isn’t what it should be, or it was just a poor weekend for fishing as there were not that many fish showing, despite the hex hatch. I did manage to foul hook a 4" rainbow smelt on my #6 dry fly, a new accomplishment in setting records for the smallest fish on a trip The kick for me in this trip was Tom’s first trout/fish on a flyrod.  Tom had tried flyfishing once before but refused to practice casting, so the results were predictable, he got skunked and discouraged. The kick for Tom this time was outfishing his dad, and on a fly rod to boot ( he was so smug). In another 10-15 years I expect he’ll be in here sharing his (hopefully improved) puns and sharply developing sense of humor. Another flyfisherman has been introduced to the ranks. Flyfish — dave’s homepage madness http://www.ctel.net/~brooktrout flyfishing in Maine and more

Response:

Great report, Dave.  I’ve been thinking about making an overnighter up that direction sometime in the next week or so.  May even stop by the Rapid.  How are water levels in the rivers?  Water temps? Dave L.

Response:

appreciated.  Indian Joe

Response:

appreciated. Indian Joe

You should be able to forward the message, is a list isn’t it? Just forward the roff message to the address you use to post to the list. — Charlie…

Response:

The Kennebec north of Madison is running very low, except the streach near the forks where the levels are dictated by the rafting companies. I stopped in a small fly shop near Solon on the way back and he said that the river is fishing well, but the hatches are poor, nymphs seem to be the ticket. He also said the water temp is running 65-68 in the Kennebec. I’m told the kennebec in Waterville is so low that you have to carry your boat across the sand bar, I’ve never seen it that low. Also Waterville is "off" as far as fishing, the trout must be sulking and the stripers went back down the river. Fly

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Great report, Dave.  I’ve been thinking about making an overnighter up that direction sometime in the next week or so.  May even stop by the Rapid. How are water levels in the rivers?  Water temps? Dave L.

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Question:

Lets hope he doesn’t also "teach" her how to wade.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That’s exciting Dave – I hope you can guide my girlfriend into a couple of those fish in September!  Looking forward to it…. Regards, Jeff

Response:

Yeah that’s a good point , she truly does not like swimming. Lets hope he doesn’t also "teach" her how to wade. That’s exciting Dave – I hope you can guide my girlfriend into a couple of those fish in September!  Looking forward to it…. Regards, Jeff

Regards, Jeff

Response:

He has to save you some fish. The rapid is no-kill on brook trout. Why do you think there are such big fish. Also at the time we’ll be there it’s no-kill on salmon also. Paul

i guess that means t-bone ain’t coming. waldo

Response:

He has to save you some fish. The rapid is no-kill on brook trout. Why do you think there are such big fish. Also at the time we’ll be there it’s no-kill on salmon also. Paul

What a great report Dave. Good luck in Labrador, you lucky son-of-a-gun. I can’t wait to join ya up there in Sept…. save us some fish! Walt

[snip]

Response:

Great report. I’d love to get into some big brookies like that but Maine is SO far.

That is what’s so great about Maine! — — MrG/American Sportsman http://www.gink.com/rod_facts/bastardjun00.html  LATEST BAMBOO FACTS "the saga continues"

Response:

Willi Loehman writes: Do you see this over population and stunting in your smaller waters?  

Yes.  But the Rapid is a large stream with very swift water.  It’s elevation drop is very steep, and because it is a tailwater, it is cold.  It has plenty of food, so the brookies thrive in its waters.  Five years ago you rarely saw a fish bigger than 15 inches, but since C and R has been  enforced, 3 pounders are common.   On the smaller streams in NH, VT and ME, you will see native brookies that are stunted for the reasons you state.  Pond brookies tend to be a little bigger than the small stream brookies.  I fished ponds in the Allagash Wilderness Area of Maine last year and caught many 15 – 18 inch fish.  An interesting aside:  I am used to the trout coming up directly under the fly for the "take".  The pond brookies that I fished for  came out of the water and took the fly on the way down.  Screws up your timing, that’s for sure!  <g Dave LaCourse

Response:

 For bigger brookies try fishing near the large boulder that is on the south side of Echo lake on Mt Evans.12-15 inch is not uncommon. —  Don Thompson  Zoomie(BushBug)  ACA#3460  TLCB#335  Any Time, Any Place  Pull the chocks, lets get this kite in the air. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Great report. I’d love to get into some big brookies like that but Maine is SO far. I assume the river you’re describing is a large one?  In the Rockies, for the most part, Brookies are confined to the smaller headwater streams.  Except for those streams that have beaver ponds on them, these stream Brookies are very small. Many of the streams and some of the ponds and lakes, tend to be over populated. The result is that the fish are stunted. Often 5 and 6 inch large headed fish are sexually mature and may be the largest that the stream produces. This is PARTLY due to the size and fertility of the streams. However, comparable streams with Browns, Rainbows or Cutts tend to have larger fish. Do you see this over population and stunting in your smaller waters? Willi

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Great report. I’d love to get into some big brookies like that but Maine is SO far. I assume the river you’re describing is a large one?  In the Rockies, for the most part, Brookies are confined to the smaller headwater streams.  Except for those streams that have beaver ponds on them, these stream Brookies are very small. Many of the streams and some of the ponds and lakes, tend to be over populated. The result is that the fish are stunted. Often 5 and 6 inch large headed fish are sexually mature and may be the largest that the stream produces. This is PARTLY due to the size and fertility of the streams. However, comparable streams with Browns, Rainbows or Cutts tend to have larger fish. Do you see this over population and stunting in your smaller waters?   Willi

Response:

when the revolution comes, when all us peons will extract our revenge.  

You can have all the revenge you want; meanwhile I’ll be collecting their stuff<g. — Charlie…

Response:

What a great report Dave. Good luck in Labrador, you lucky son-of-a-gun. I can’t wait to join ya up there in Sept…. save us some fish! Walt

You took the words right off my screen.  The old bugger will have ‘em all before we get there. Peter good luck in Labrador

Response:

That’s exciting Dave – I hope you can guide my girlfriend into a couple of those fish in September!  Looking forward to it…. Regards, Jeff

Response:

Monday, June 20. Jeff, Brian and I arrived at Lakewood and had a wonderful lunch

        great report, laplac!         your indulgence in the paradise that you described, together with the wretched excess of the labrador trip, *plus* having that angel to come home to has placed you soundly at the side of stephen barnes when the revolution comes, when all us peons will extract our revenge.  if i were you, i’d practice my blindfolded cigarette smoking technique.         wayno, long time student of madame defarge

Response:

Monday, June 20. Jeff, Brian and I arrived at Lakewood and had a wonderful lunch before "suiting up" and heading to the river. Jeff was using an Orvis Rocky Mountain 6 weight, and Brian a Courtland 8 1/2 ft. 5 weight. I settled for my 4 weight Sage 9 footer. Instead of going down river, we settled on the dam and immediately were into some nice salmon (15+ inches). Neither Jeff nor Brian have a landing net, so they learned a trick or two on safely releasing big fish. Christmas is coming….. Tuesday morning we headed down-river and had the place to ourselves. Two locals  walked in about 9, but fished downstream from us. Both boys caught and landed 18 and 19 inch brookies on a size 20 bubble emerger. I stood by and took the fish off the hook and safely released them. What marvelous examples of brook trout! We fished the wing dam and first and second current all day and never caught a big salmon. Most were in the 10 – 12 inch range. Wednesday we again went down-river, and again, both boys got into some big trout using the same emerger. We discovered a new "holding area" for the brookies, fished it steadily for a couple of hours, but without success. These fish were difficult to catch. I watched a "regular" to the river, a terrific fly fisherman  who lives nearby and walks in a couple of days a week. He tried every trick and  fly he knew, but failed in getting even a small one to take his lure. We finished the day by going to the dam after lunch. I landed a 22 inch salmon  that broke the water 8 times — a guest at the camp counted, I didn’t. It was a terrific afternoon with all three of us landing several salmon in the 16+ range. Thursday morning, back to the wing dam and the large brookies. I took a 20 incher and Brian an 18 incher. Jeff wasn’t feeling well and spent the morning in bed. He did, however, go to the dam with us after lunch. I found my way out to my favorite "perch" and took about 20 salmon from 12 – 20 inches, all on a cream colored caddis worm, size  16 and 18 fished slow and deep. About 5 o’clock, I went after brookies that I knew were holed-up in the white bubbly water at the bottom of one of the dam shutes. The boys had heavily fished this spot on previous days, but were unsuccessful in raising any of the behemouths that live in the bubbles. It would have been easier if I had a ten foot rod, because I really couldn’t reach the current and bubbled water with my 9 footer. I wasn’t casting — dabbing would be a more accurate description. To get closer, I got in the water — mistake #1!  I had a senior moment when I slipped and went head first into a pool about 6 feet deep. Well, now that I was completely soaked, there was no sense in "taking it easy". I managed to get upon the rock I wanted, and on my second "dab" a giant, monster of a brookie took the emerger. He took two laps of the small pool and headed into the fast water. And I imagine he is still there, laughing at me. I fished for another 20  minutes before I attempted to leave. Not thinking, I had my second senior moment of the day, and went into the same pool backwards. Does Orvis sell water-wings? Friday was slow, both down-river and at the dam. Very few fish were being taken.  All three of us did manage to get our brookies on the wing-dam, but they were small ones – about 14 inches. We went to what I have named the "V" current, and stood within five feet of the largest brookie I have ever seen in these waters. It was at least 24 inches long. And it was feeding — the boys watched it for several minutes as it moved a couple of inches one way and then the other to pick up morsels of  food floating down stream. I was using the cream colored caddis in a size 18, hoping that small was what he wanted. I set the hook on a take, and saw that it was a six inch chub. I didn’t bother to put it on the reel — I wanted him off as quickly as possible, so I stripped in the few feet of line, only to have it ripped from my hand. Jeff yelled that the big brookie had taken my chub. He could see the head of the chub sticking out of the trout’s mouth. Off he went, ripping off line like there wasn’t any drag. The "fight" lasted about 30 seconds before he let go.  I landed the small chub and it had teeth marks on both sides right behind its gills. There was some blood. The same thing happened to Brian within an hour — he wanted to "fish" with the fish. An ethics conversation followed. I have always fished this river using 75% dries and 25% nymphs.  However, this week it was almost exclusively nymphs.  I think I caught two salmon on traditional dry fly patterns.  Although there were several hatches during the week, the fish were not actively rising to them.  I watched several emerging caddis struggling to get airborne, safely drifting over water that I knew contained both trout and salmon.  Friends in camp, traditionally dry fly fishermen, were at a loss as to what to do.  I convinced a couple to try nymphing and gave them a couple of successful patterns.  Voila!  They caught fish.   Emergers and nymphs — the only way to travel!  Don’t leave home without them. It was a great week of fishing — not because I caught some wonderful fish on flies that I tied ,but because I saw my grandsons have such a memorable time catching big brookies and salmon, nymphing like their grandpa showed them. It doesn’t get much better than that. Jeff and I fly out of Logan next Thursday for 8 days in Labrador.  And it is all dry fly fishing, including a mouse pattern for *really* big brookies.  <g Dave LaCourse

Response:

What a great report Dave. Good luck in Labrador, you lucky son-of-a-gun. I can’t wait to join ya up there in Sept…. save us some fish! Walt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Monday, June 20. Jeff, Brian and I arrived at Lakewood and had a wonderful lunch before "suiting up" and heading to the river. Jeff was using an Orvis Rocky Mountain 6 weight, and Brian a Courtland 8 1/2 ft. 5 weight. I settled for my 4 weight Sage 9 footer. Instead of going down river, we settled on the dam and immediately were into some nice salmon (15+ inches). Neither Jeff nor Brian have a landing net, so they learned a trick or two on safely releasing big fish. Christmas is coming….. Tuesday morning we headed down-river and had the place to ourselves. Two locals  walked in about 9, but fished downstream from us. Both boys caught and landed 18 and 19 inch brookies on a size 20 bubble emerger. I stood by and took the fish off the hook and safely released them. What marvelous examples of brook trout! We fished the wing dam and first and second current all day and never caught a big salmon. Most were in the 10 – 12 inch range. Wednesday we again went down-river, and again, both boys got into some big trout using the same emerger. We discovered a new "holding area" for the brookies, fished it steadily for a couple of hours, but without success. These fish were difficult to catch. I watched a "regular" to the river, a terrific fly fisherman  who lives nearby and walks in a couple of days a week. He tried every trick and  fly he knew, but failed in getting even a small one to take his lure. We finished the day by going to the dam after lunch. I landed a 22 inch salmon  that broke the water 8 times — a guest at the camp counted, I didn’t. It was a terrific afternoon with all three of us landing several salmon in the 16+ range. Thursday morning, back to the wing dam and the large brookies. I took a 20 incher and Brian an 18 incher. Jeff wasn’t feeling well and spent the morning in bed. He did, however, go to the dam with us after lunch. I found my way out to my favorite "perch" and took about 20 salmon from 12 – 20 inches, all on a cream colored caddis worm, size  16 and 18 fished slow and deep. About 5 o’clock, I went after brookies that I knew were holed-up in the white bubbly water at the bottom of one of the dam shutes. The boys had heavily fished this spot on previous days, but were unsuccessful in raising any of the behemouths that live in the bubbles. It would have been easier if I had a ten foot rod, because I really couldn’t reach the current and bubbled water with my 9 footer. I wasn’t casting — dabbing would be a more accurate description. To get closer, I got in the water — mistake #1!  I had a senior moment when I slipped and went head first into a pool about 6 feet deep. Well, now that I was completely soaked, there was no sense in "taking it easy". I managed to get upon the rock I wanted, and on my second "dab" a giant, monster of a brookie took the emerger. He took two laps of the small pool and headed into the fast water. And I imagine he is still there, laughing at me. I fished for another 20  minutes before I attempted to leave. Not thinking, I had my second senior moment of the day, and went into the same pool backwards. Does Orvis sell water-wings? Friday was slow, both down-river and at the dam. Very few fish were being taken.  All three of us did manage to get our brookies on the wing-dam, but they were small ones – about 14 inches. We went to what I have named the "V" current, and stood within five feet of the largest brookie I have ever seen in these waters. It was at least 24 inches long. And it was feeding — the boys watched it for several minutes as it moved a couple of inches one way and then the other to pick up morsels of  food floating down stream. I was using the cream colored caddis in a size 18, hoping that small was what he wanted. I set the hook on a take, and saw that it was a six inch chub. I didn’t bother to put it on the reel — I wanted him off as quickly as possible, so I stripped in the few feet of line, only to have it ripped from my hand. Jeff yelled that the big brookie had taken my chub. He could see the head of the chub sticking out of the trout’s mouth. Off he went, ripping off line like there wasn’t any drag. The "fight" lasted about 30 seconds before he let go.  I landed the small chub and it had teeth marks on both sides right behind its gills. There was some blood. The same thing happened to Brian within an hour — he wanted to "fish" with the fish. An ethics conversation followed. I have always fished this river using 75% dries and 25% nymphs.  However, this week it was almost exclusively nymphs.  I think I caught two salmon on traditional dry fly patterns.  Although there were several hatches during the week, the fish were not actively rising to them.  I watched several emerging caddis struggling to get airborne, safely drifting over water that I knew contained both trout and salmon.  Friends in camp, traditionally dry fly fishermen, were at a loss as to what to do.  I convinced a couple to try nymphing and gave them a couple of successful patterns.  Voila!  They caught fish.   Emergers and nymphs — the only way to travel!  Don’t leave home without them. It was a great week of fishing — not because I caught some wonderful fish on flies that I tied ,but because I saw my grandsons have such a memorable time catching big brookies and salmon, nymphing like their grandpa showed them. It doesn’t get much better than that. Jeff and I fly out of Logan next Thursday for 8 days in Labrador.  And it is all dry fly fishing, including a mouse pattern for *really* big brookies.  <g Dave LaCourse

– Walter G. Winter Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com Blue Ridge Book Gallery: http://www.crosswinds.net/~brbg/books/brbg-2.html

Response:

Question:

Hi Corey,  have a look at these URL

Question:

Egads.  A brown truck just pulled into the driveway…… Shit…… just some Orvis bedroom slippers and pjs I ordered……. Louie

it. Still interested? — Mr. G.   ‘all’s fair with fur or feather’ http://www.gink.com http://www.rodbuilding.com http://www.xink.com 509-243-4100 or 5500

Question:

    I have an old bamboo pole that was given to me.  It is about 9 to 10′ two piece pole with a single eyelet on the end.  It doesn’t have a handle on it or any mounts for a reel.     I’m curioius of what kind of pole it is and If it is worth anything.

Response:

   I have an old bamboo pole that was given to me.  It is about 9 to 10′ two piece pole with a single eyelet on the end.  It doesn’t have a handle on it or any mounts for a reel.    I’m curioius of what kind of pole it is and If it is worth anything.

Hi Andrew, That pole is for ‘tule dippen’. You put about 8 to 10′ of heavy line on the eyelet with a bobber and hook. Install some protein (i.e.worm) and swing it out on to the water. When the bobber goes under, light up the barbecue. I think it is a big part of our fishing heritage. In many third world countries they fish with a can and line. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

Response:

   I have an old bamboo pole that was given to me.  It is about 9 to 10′ two piece pole with a single eyelet on the end.  It doesn’t have a handle on it or any mounts for a reel.    I’m curioius of what kind of pole it is and If it is worth anything.

AKA a ‘whacko’ pole ,,used here (AUS) for the taking of Barra and Jack around snags. Method is to secure some 80+ mono to the tip with a 3.0 longshank hook with the barb filed off. Attach one live prawn (at least #8) and lower gingerly  into the snag. The name I am not sure where it originates. Tis one of these: A. the sound created when the frustrated fisho hits the water with the pole repeatedly. B. the imagined feeling when a BarraTuesday hits. C. the clip over the ear you get when doin’ this out of season. D. all of the above Gilly No SEA too rough No Muff too tough Be UP and alive

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Question:

<SNIP But who cares what of it is true and what isn’t, or who was "in on it" or who wasn’t?

Quite a few people care what is true, and what is not. Nobody on this group was "in" on anything. There was no collusion of any kind. I had no contact whatsoever with anybody else on this group regarding my actions. People who know me figured out pretty quickly that I was behaving at least oddly, and formed their own opinions. For somebody who does not care at all what other people think, you sure are curious. As Mr. LaCourse more than fairly observed. He also thought I was behaving like a loony, but he was prepared to forgive and forget based on past experience. I am also most grateful to him for his fairness in this regard. My arrival "out of the blue" as you put it, was the result of a person attributing opinions to me, which I have never averred, and do not hold. To whit, that "Gink is worse than spent nuclear fuel". This was e-mailed to me, and as a consequence, I responded to the post on ROFF.  The result was a personal attack, with no regard whatever for the truth of the matter. I responded in kind. Thus began the whole episode. MC

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <SNIP I’m not sure how the people that Mike has been "arguing" with are supposed to know this. If this IS true, he is doing it at other’s expense and it has really gotten old. If it’s just a typical ROFF argument, like I think it is, so be it. People will look at the two sides as they will. There are always two sides to these things. Willi Willi, I fear you err in this respect. I was not arguing, there would be no point in arguing against a personal attack. You basically have two choices in such a case, either you ignore it, and hope everybody else does, or you defend yourself as best you can. It is not necessary to "know"  why you are being attacked, it is sufficient that this is indeed the case.  I limited my "attacks" to those who attacked me. All attacks of this nature are done at somebody else

Question:

for a beginner’s book on fishing, i would like to list the ten greatest rivers in america and the world. also, what do you think is the best day or week of the year for the angler, and why? i am not interested in publishing your secret spots, so keep it general.

Response:

for a beginner’s book on fishing, i would like to list the ten greatest rivers in america and the world. also, what do you think is the best day or week of the year for the angler, and why? i am not interested in publishing your secret spots, so keep it general.

Hi Here are my suggestions: America – The Bighorn River during the last week of September Sweden – The River Gim near Gimdalen during the second week of June Good luck. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 materials catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

Response:

The Madison is Holy Water….

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – for a beginner’s book on fishing, i would like to list the ten greatest rivers in america and the world. also, what do you think is the best day or week of the year for the angler, and why? i am not interested in publishing your secret spots, so keep it general. Hi Here are my suggestions: America – The Bighorn River during the last week of September Sweden – The River Gim near Gimdalen during the second week of June Good luck. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 materials catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

I’ll be glad to add a couple from Europe: Austria: Vockla River or the Muir river Slovenia: Krka River (chalkstream) and the Unec (classic spring creek) Mike Hamershock

Response:

for a beginner’s book on fishing, i would like to list the ten greatest rivers in america and the world. also, what do you think is the best day or week of the year for the angler, and why?

1. The West Branch of the Delaware River any week in June. 2. Main stem of the Delaware River any week in June.  June for #s 1 & 2 mostly because the weather is usually great. Great hatches from May thru July. 3. Oak Orchard Creek (Albion, NY) for fat Lake Ontario browns in late-October/early-November. Happy Holiday’s from Picture Town, Steve

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – for a beginner’s book on fishing, i would like to list the ten greatest rivers in america and the world. also, what do you think is the best day or week of the year for the angler, and why? i am not interested in publishing your secret spots, so keep it general. Hi Here are my suggestions: America – The Bighorn River during the last week of September Sweden – The River Gim near Gimdalen during the second week of June Good luck. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 materials catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html I’ll be glad to add a couple from Europe: Austria: Vockla River or the Muir river Slovenia: Krka River (chalkstream) and the Unec (classic spring creek) Mike Hamershock

and add the Gail in ustria and the Traun in Germany           al lasher

Response:

The Madison is Holy Water….

Unfortunately the Madison is holy out of rainbows.   Perhaps not entirely deserving top 10 rating, but with a few points added for Geographic Diversity (i.e. its not in Montana), the West Branch of the Delaware or the upper main stem of the Delaware might be included. Phil Holt

Response:

What do you use there during May and June – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Madison is Holy Water….

Response:

What do you use there during May and June The Madison is Holy Water….

 A six once Stone fly  and head gear.   HM

Response:

What do you use [on the Madison] during May and June[?]

Start with your basic Flood Insurance.   Delurked since 1986  Certified Geek compiled using Code 2.1  (7/17/1994)   L 3 E— k+++—- W— M !V -po+(!po) Y+ t– !5 j+ R G’ !tv(!tv)          "sometimes there just aren’t enough rocks." -forrest gump

Response:

How about the Traun river upstream from the town of Gmunden in Austria second week in September…Yowza

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Question:

  If you would like a fact sheet on our knot and monofilament tests, e’ mail me your postal address and I’ll be happy to fire one off to you (open offer to anyone).   -Tight lines, Ralph

Hi Ralph, I would like to get your fact sheet regarding knot and monofilament tests. I also have a knot I use I would like to have tested. If you are interested I’ll make a short video on how to tie it so you can test it. I sure it will be great information. Thanks in advance for the information and all the advise/info you share on the group. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products 3020 Secor Ave Bozeman, MT 59715-6150 405-585-0745 (phone & fax)

Response:

Actually, it’s not your casting.  The removable split shot slip badly, the "nonremovable" non-toxic shot are better, and actually not that difficult to remove with hemostats.  What I do, though, is tie an 18 inch or so tippet onto the regular tippet, and place the shot above the knot.  Of course, you have to keep replacing the tippet section as you go, but you’d have to replace the tippet anyway.

Response:

When tying your tippet leave about a 4-5 inch tag end put your split shot on here and crimp well. Your weight won’t be directly on your line and when snagged you can usally pull it off with out losing your whole tippet . This will also keep your line off the abraisive bottom. I like to use Water-Gremlin BB size and smaller. If you have a problem with them sliding off, tie a knot at the bottom of the tag.

Response:

Ralph Cutter writes:  A wind knot is stronger than a blood knot. -Ralph

–Maybe your blood knots are weaker then a wind knot Ralph, but I wouldn’t want to admit it, if I were you. Have you ever tried wetting the blood knots before setting them?         Grant.

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Ralph Cutter writes:  A wind knot is stronger than a blood knot. -Ralph –Maybe your blood knots are weaker then a wind knot Ralph, but I wouldn’t want to admit it, if I were you. Have you ever tried wetting the blood knots before setting them?        Grant.

Hi Grant-    We have an extremely accurate (annually certified to 1/100 of a lb) strain gauge device built strictly for testing monofilament and knots. We’ve run at least 500 blood knots through the machine in the past six weeks alone. It doesn’t mind "admitting" anything.    "Wind knots" are actually pretty strong. . . consistantly stronger than double surgeon’s, blood knots, or any other popular tippet joining knot.    Yes, we’ve been known to wet the line before setting the knot. In fact, we soak all of our lines for at least 1 hour in 70f water before testing them.    If you would like a fact sheet on our knot and monofilament tests, e’ mail me your postal address and I’ll be happy to fire one off to you (open offer to anyone).    -Tight lines, Ralph —

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Ralph Cutter writes:  A wind knot is stronger than a blood knot. -Ralph –Maybe your blood knots are weaker then a wind knot Ralph, but I wouldn’t want to admit it, if I were you. Have you ever tried wetting the blood knots before setting them?    Grant.

Hello Grant, The overhand knot is about 10-percent stronger than a blood knot. This, of course, is from independent research with a knot testing machine.  I also have heard it more than once from some very fine fishermen.  I also found it hard to believe.  A little independant research goes a long way. Paul J.

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Has anyone figured out an easy way to prevent a split shot from slipping down the tippet/leader to the fly?

I don’t have much trouble with them slipping as much as them sticking!  I think you just have to bite them on there tighter  My problems is that they really don’t come off and when they do, I’m afraid my tippet is damaged (which it probably is) so I end up replacing the whole section.  I never put shot on the leader.  I guess this is just one of those things that doesn’t have a decent answer. Big Hatches, Brad

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 It may seem like a silly question, but what the hey… Has anyone figured out an easy way to prevent a split shot from slipping down the tippet/leader to the fly? (Granted it probably is due to lousy casting technique…) Thanks in advance..

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Has anyone figured out an easy way to prevent a split shot from slipping down the tippet/leader to the fly?

If you put your split just above a blood or "wind" knot, this tends to hold them in place. Altough blood knots are more difficult to tie, are much stronger than those accidental wind knots which actually quite "sharp" for lack of a better term. Good Luck, Jojoe, New York City (Yeah, we FF here)

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Here’s what I do. Tie your fly well up the leader, leaving as much extra material as the water levels dictate. I usually leave anywhere from 6" to 10". Now you can do one of two things; 1.) You can tie a couple overhand knots one atop the other at the end of           the leader. Apply your shot and it will slide down to the knots and     give you great nearly snag proof drifts. 2.) You can tie a piece of tippett to the excess leader below the fly and     repeat the steps described above. Some anglers prefer this method     because it’s less destructive to the leader. Hope this helps, Tom.

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: Has anyone figured out an easy way to prevent a split shot from : slipping down the tippet/leader to the fly? : Tie a simple overhand knot around the split shot before crimping;  I haven’t had any failures on tippet larger than 5x. Bob Capistrant

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crimp the living crap out of it and don’t mess around with the little cutsie flyshop splits…get the removable ones from the drugs and guns store.

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Instead of a blood knot or "wind" knot, use a surgeons knot for tippet to leader connection, and put your shot immediately above this knot. Mike Fair

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Has anyone figured out an easy way to prevent a split shot from slipping down the tippet/leader to the fly? If you put your split just above a blood or "wind" knot, this tends to hold them in place. Altough blood knots are more difficult to tie, are much stronger than those accidental wind knots which actually quite "sharp" for lack of a better term.

   A wind knot is stronger than a blood knot. -Ralph —

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Question:

Greetings, I’m moving to southeastern S. Dakota in a couple of weeks.  Any good suggestionsfor flyfishing opportunities to start with?  I’m not much into big water walleye spin fishing that I hear so much of in that part of the country.  Any trout? thanks,        curt Curt Anderson Dept. of Biological Sciences Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ  86011

I think that there are some nice small streams in the Black Hills. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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Curt, you’re along way from any trout.  Best try to find a good farm pond or small lake for some bluegills and bass.

How about trying Northeastern Nebraska. The State of Nebraska  has a page on fishing and hunting in the state. http:/adm-server.ngpc.state.ne.us/ I took a peek about six months ago and noticed that they stock streams in the northeastern part of Nebraska. Maybe South Dakota does somthing similar in tributaries to the Missouri?

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Greetings, I’m moving to southeastern S. Dakota in a couple of weeks.  Any good suggestionsfor flyfishing opportunities to start with?  I’m not much into big water walleye spin fishing that I hear so much of in that part of the country.  Any trout? thanks,         curt Curt Anderson Dept. of Biological Sciences Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ  86011

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Question:

I’ve been thinking about fishing (fly) in the Burney CA area. Can anyone give information on guides, tackle, good spots (I guess on the Fall or other smaller creeks), and places to stay/visit. Well, anything would be nice. Thanks in advance. greg miller

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Call Andre Puyans at Creative Sports in Pleasant Hill, CA. No one in the Bay Area knows the Fall River, Hat Creek, etc. like Andy does.  He spent a couple of years camped out by the side of road tying flies and exploring.  510-938-2255.

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Forgot to add that the Fall River is boat access only. Limited access, deep, and soft unwadeable bottem. The standard technique is to use a skiff with electronic motor go upstream (easier to get home when the motor fails) get upstream of a pod of fish and cast down and across to them from the anchored skiff.  Very smooth surface with educated fish.  I love it! Hat Creek has everthing from tumbling freestone to ripples and long smooth runs.  Haven’t had a chance to the other rivers or lakes which I here are great. I’m really looking forward to a week by myself with out the family exploring the area. Guides:  George Durand 916-222-5630               Somes Bar Lodge & Guide Service Upper Sacremento                916-469-3399               Lava Creek Lodge Fall River Andy will give you the name & number of the fly shop in Burney.

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I’ve been thinking about fishing (fly) in the Burney CA area. Can anyone give information on guides, tackle, good spots (I guess on the Fall or other smaller creeks), and places to stay/visit. Well, anything would be nice. Thanks in advance. greg miller

Greg, I’m fairly familiar with the area. Email your phone # or call me: (510)486-5317 l

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Some places to fish when you’re in the Burney area: Fall River, Hat Creek, Pit River, MaCloud River, Upper & Lower Sacramento River, Trinity River, Baum Lake, Lewiston Lake and McCumber Lake.  Too many choices! I’ll be up in the area in October for a week.  I’ll focus on the Fall River, Hat Creek and MaCloud Rivers and if I have any spare time I may try fishing Baum Lake.

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