Question:

Wonderful story – I felt like I was there.  Sometimes those "blown" trips are incredible.              Frank Reid Before you buy.

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I’ve been away from ROFF for a while (1450 messages worth it seems) as I’ve been out in Utah with the family. I won’t go into all of the gory fishing details–but I will share a couple of reports (in installments). Monday the 17th I had scheduled a float trip down the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming. I arrived in Alpine the evening before to stay at a motel where I had scheduled to meet the guide. Earlier in the afternoon I had been running around on some grass with my girls and I *ran into a swingset* cutting open my knee. I put a bandage on it, tried to act composed, and headed for Alpine. By the time I got to Alpine, the knee was swollen badly and I could hardly get out of the car. I couldn’t bend the knee at all. I was worried about not being able to fish the next day, so I packed some ice on the knee for a while before heading to sleep. I awoke the next morning at 5:00 to the sound of hard rain and thunder. At 7:00 when the guide met me, it was still raining hard and a look up the canyon showed little relief. The guide said he’d take me down the river if that’s what I wanted to do–but he recommended against it, especially because of the lightning. We decided instead to take an impromptu trip to Grey’s River Canyon where he offered to accompany me to fish (wading, not floating) the river. Grey’s River is awesome–it’s easy to wade and has nice pools all up and down the river. Wild cutthroat trout up to 22 inches or so. It is National Forest water and a dirt road follows it for some 50 miles or more (I’m guessing). We drove up the canyon quite a way and began fishing. The weather was cloudy but we saw no rain. I started with streamers and caught a few nice fish–mostly just buying time until a bit of surface action began. Much of the streamer fishing was dapping in deep pools with heavy stuff. I caught several fish–at least one over 18 inches. But casting was absolutely no fun at all. We came to quite a nice pool that was rather difficult to get to–it involved walking down the side of a steep drop-off. Nothing that would have been hard had my knee been "normal" but it was hard not being able to bend my left leg. Anyway, I made it down to the hole and started the down-and-across huck and chuck. I managed to snag the streamer–or at least thought I had–until I started pulling really hard and the "snag" started swimming upstream. The fish went upstream about 25 feet and just held there for a while. I couldn’t seem to pull it down to me nor could I wade up to the fish. Finally, it got tired of the standstill and took off down stream. The current was very fast and I lost a lot of line in a hurry. The guide kept saying "let her run, let her run" but I freaked out and choked off the line once the fish got about 75 feet downstream. Snap. No more fish on my 3X leader. I could make a number of excuses, but the fact of the matter is that I CHOKED!!! I had never before had a fish run on me like that and I botched it real good. But I learned a lesson that would prove helpful later in the week. Dries started working really well in the afternoon and I caught a number of fish in the 16-18" range and many others in the 12-14" range. Parachute Adams was the fly of the day. Grey’s River is very beautiful and from what I can tell is not very crowded if you’re willing to drive up the canyon a bit. I’ll be back again to catch that big fish another day. I’ll do the Snake float another time as well. –Steve

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Question:

Here is a sight that claims to list the "Deadly Dozen" http://www.islandroots.com/finecast/products.htm I posted the same q a while back and told all I was going to take a poll. Let me have a day to dig up those results. Jamie http://clik.to/flyfish – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What are your favorite flies for fly fishing brookies?  I’ve had quite a bit of luck at times with muddler minows and a few other flies, but I’m really not an expert fly fisherman. What works best for you?  Which flies, and what type of presentation? — Richard Jackson Before you buy.

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I always try to match the hatch. Watch what is in the air over the water or kneel down and grab some rocks to see what is there. Presentation: if you are trying to duplicate what is in the air use dry flies, in the water use wet flies – latter category almost always nymphs. WLM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What are your favorite flies for fly fishing brookies?  I’ve had quite a bit of luck at times with muddler minows and a few other flies, but I’m really not an expert fly fisherman. What works best for you?  Which flies, and what type of presentation? — Richard Jackson Before you buy.

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What are your favorite flies for fly fishing brookies?  I’ve had quite a bit of luck at times with muddler minows and a few other flies, but I’m really not an expert fly fisherman. What works best for you?  Which flies, and what type of presentation? — Richard Jackson Before you buy.

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What are your favorite flies for fly fishing brookies?  I’ve had quite a bit of luck at times with muddler minows and a few other flies, but I’m really not an expert fly fisherman. What works best for you?  Which flies, and what type of presentation?

I try to "match the hatch" whenever possible.  If I am fishing for dinner, I will open up the first one that I catch and see what it has been feeding on.  I usually start out with a stonefly or a Royal Coachman.  As you probably know, Brookies can be extremely frustrating to catch at times.  If you get one to follow or even take a swipe at your bait/fly/lure and he doesn’t take it, leave him alone and come back later and try again.  If a brookie has found a nice spot in the stream, he may stay within a few yards of that spot for months. — "Our eyes and hands and feet will give us the same assistance in doing mischief as in doing good; but it would not therefore be better for the world, that all mankind were blind and lame.  Arms are not to be laid aside by honest men, because carried by assassins and ruffians; they are to be used the rather for this very reason." -George Campbell (1719-1796)

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Question:

I have a Leki "Wanderfraund" (my German spelling is bad) which I saw in a shop window in Germany and bought from Leki in the US.  It telescopes.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (apologies if this shows up twice) … I use Folstaff wading staffs for flyfishing in streams, they are collapsible and very sturdy, yet lightweight.  Folstaffs fit into a holster you slip onto pack belts. I could use a good folding staff for hiking on established trails (and some bushwhacking).   And could certainly go with the Folstaff, but I’m wondering however if there are other makes/models of collapsible models to research first ? thanks in advance, Sue Colorado Before you buy.

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(apologies if this shows up twice) … I use Folstaff wading staffs for flyfishing in streams, they are collapsible and very sturdy, yet lightweight.  Folstaffs fit into a holster you slip onto pack belts. I could use a good folding staff for hiking on established trails (and some bushwhacking).   And could certainly go with the Folstaff, but I’m wondering however if there are other makes/models of collapsible models to research first ? thanks in advance, Sue Colorado Before you buy.

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Question:

Not to make it more confusing, but depends on where you are.  Many of the books dealing with hatches are geared to a specific location/s.  I like Haefle and Hughes "Western Hatches", which I understand has a new edition out. Larry #:)# – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any suggestions on some good books to read about hatches and other finer aspects of fly fishing.. Thanks. Chris Corwin

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Any suggestions on some good books to read about hatches and other finer aspects of fly fishing.. Thanks. Chris Corwin

If you want to learn about maylflies, I strongly recommend "Mayflies" by Malcom Knopp and Robert Cormier. Peter

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There is an excellent book on Argentine ff. It is called Fly Fishing in Argentina by Bill Leitch ( I believe thats the correct spelling). Anglers Edge in Houston, TX has copies. They catch hoomongous rainbows and brown trout in Argentina.  Very good book.

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Any suggestions on some good books to read about hatches and other finer aspects of fly fishing.. Thanks. Chris Corwin

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Look for "The Gilly" for all the information regarding British Columbia. It is co-authored by many famous BC fishermen, and of course can be applied to any lake or stream with similar characteristics as the waters here. — remove the anti spam X from return address – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any suggestions on some good books to read about hatches and other finer aspects of fly fishing.. Thanks. Chris Corwin

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Question:

I’ll be in Livingston, MT in early Aug. I’d like to know if there are places to fly fish near town? I’ll probably be in the Comfort Inn. I’m not looking for trophies, just easy access and some fun. I’d like to be able to give the family the car so I can fish. Is there fishing in walking distance to that part of town? I’ve never been there, so I need advice.

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I’ll be in Livingston, MT in early Aug. I’d like to know if there are places to fly fish near town? I’ll probably be in the Comfort Inn. I’m not looking for trophies, just easy access and some fun. I’d like to be able to give the family the car so I can fish. Is there fishing in walking distance to that part of town? I’ve never been there, so I need advice.

Hi Gerys The Yellowstone River flows right through town and good fishing often can be right at your back door. If close access is your goal then try fishing around the channels near the 9th St bridge, up or down stream from Mayer’s Landing, or Carter’s Bridge (about 2 miles south of town). Good luck & … — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Catalog,Tips & Tricks, Fishing Reports, & NeverSink at: http://www.btsflyfishing.com

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Question:

I use a wheelchair and though I would be transferring from my chair into the boat. Any advice or recommendations of where to look would be greatly appreciated. I am a complete novice as far as boats are concerned and all information on things that I should consider will be gratefully received.

There is a printed magazine called "Sports n’ Spokes printed by PVA Publications (paralized vets) that covers outdoors and athletic activities for the wheelchair world.  I haven’t seen a copy in a couple years (used to be very good.) Can reach PVA pubs at 602-224-0500 They probably have some past issues with boating articles, plus they have a questions area. Gary Polson RBBI http://www.virtualpet.com/rbbi

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I would like some advice on what might be an appropriate style/make/model of small boat for use when either trolling or fly fishing on lakes. In the past I have used a converted 10 foot Portaboat with the center bench removed and a padded seat suspended between the front and back benches. A seat clamped onto a middle bench perched me too high and was not sufficiently stable for my comfort, which is why a three bench aluminum rowboat is probably not what I am seeking. I use a wheelchair and though I would be transferring from my chair into the boat, it must be something that allows be ready access from sitting on a dock to sliding into the boat. Climbing is not an option. My ideal boat would allow a small outboard motor and an electric trolling motor and have seating that allowed two people to sit comfortably and fish while at anchor. It should be light enough that one person could retrieve it and load it onto a trailer without any heavy lifting. I want something that is stable. Speed is not a consideration – just something to poodle about a calm lake. Any advice or recommendations of where to look would be greatly appreciated. I am a complete novice as far as boats are concerned and all information on things that I should consider will be gratefully received. Thanks, —

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would like some advice on what might be an appropriate style/make/model of small boat for use when either trolling or fly fishing on lakes. In the past I have used a converted 10 foot Portaboat with the center bench removed and a padded seat suspended between the front and back benches. A seat clamped onto a middle bench perched me too high and was not sufficiently stable for my comfort, which is why a three bench aluminum rowboat is probably not what I am seeking. I use a wheelchair and though I would be transferring from my chair into the boat, it must be something that allows be ready access from sitting on a dock to sliding into the boat. Climbing is not an option. My ideal boat would allow a small outboard motor and an electric trolling motor and have seating that allowed two people to sit comfortably and fish while at anchor. It should be light enough that one person could retrieve it and load it onto a trailer without any heavy lifting. I want something that is stable. Speed is not a consideration – just something to poodle about a calm lake. Any advice or recommendations of where to look would be greatly appreciated. I am a complete novice as far as boats are concerned and all information on things that I should consider will be gratefully received. Thanks, —

You do not list where you want to fish and what tpe of lake you are fishing so this may or may not be appropriate. I would look at a tri hull you should be able to pick up a used tri hull posibly arround 18-20 feet which if very stable for a couple thousand I would think.My father in law had one for years and it was nice boat. Another option would be a pontoon boat but I am not sure how easy that would be to trailor and how rough of water it would take. If you are fishing a larg lake like lake Erie I suggest you charter of go with a friend because a boat that can handle sudden storms typically has a lot of overhead like dockage and insurance etc. I think dockage arround here runs from about $700-1800 dollars another option which I recomend is use transient dockage. If you have a decent size boat you can put it in lake Erie at a Marina like Genva Stae park for about $22 per day so if you reserved a slip for Saturday you could come up fish Saturday and leave your boat in the wtaer after fishing and come back and go boating in the afternoon and evening and then then next morning you are already in he water so you can go out again and then at the end of the day take your boat home. If you sleep on the baot your showers etc are included in the price. If you come for 10 weekedns the cost is arround $220 and that is a beteer part of the summer.A caomparable dock is $1080 for a season so this is an alternative. Yo obviously would not be retricted to weekends only but you see the savings is there. I hope this helps Captain Bryce Seymour http://www.ncweb.com:80/biz/hooker/

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Question:

I am a commercial fisherman. I fish 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial fishing. KAILUME LIGHTSTICKS (http://www.lightsticks.com) has developed a product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch lightsticks. Check out the site and see for yourself…YOU WILL NEVER FISH THE SAME AGAIN!! Happy fishin’ fellas!! Brian Isn’t fishing with lights illegal in most states? Dan

Isn’t fishing for customers inappropriate in most news groups? Jim

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I am a commercial fisherman. I fish 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial fishing. KAILUME LIGHTSTICKS (http://www.lightsticks.com) has developed a product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch lightsticks. Check out the site and see for yourself…YOU WILL NEVER FISH THE SAME AGAIN!! Happy fishin’ fellas!! Brian

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am a commercial spamerman. I spam 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial spaming. KAILUME SPAM (http://www.spam.com) has developed a product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch spamsticks. Check out the site and see for yourself…YOU WILL NEVER SPAM THE SAME AGAIN!! Happy spamin’ fellas!! Brian

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: I am a commercial fisherman. I fish 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. : Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial fishing. : KAILUME LIGHTSTICKS (http://www.lightsticks.com) has developed a : product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since : I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch lightsticks. Check out the site : and see for yourself…YOU WILL NEVER FISH THE SAME AGAIN!! Okay, genius, tell me a good fly that uses a 6" Cyalume stick…

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I am a commercial fisherman. I fish 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial fishing. KAILUME LIGHTSTICKS (http://www.lightsticks.com) has developed a product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch lightsticks. Check out the site and see for yourself…YOU WILL NEVER FISH THE SAME AGAIN!! Happy fishin’ fellas!! Brian

Isn’t fishing with lights illegal in most states? Dan

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: : Isn’t fishing for customers inappropriate in most news groups? : : Jim : Not if you use a LIGHTSTICK, and a little spam.   just kidding  :) : : : : : : : : : : — — Bruce Barnard

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…YOU WILL NEVER FISH THE SAME AGAIN!! Okay, genius, tell me a good fly that uses a 6" Cyalume stick…

See above. . . Jim Boise

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a commercial fisherman. I fish 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial fishing. KAILUME LIGHTSTICKS (http://www.lightsticks.com) has developed a product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch lightsticks. Check out the site and see for yourself…YOU WILL NEVER FISH THE SAME AGAIN!! Happy fishin’ fellas!! Brian Isn’t fishing with lights illegal in most states? Dan

How does one fish with a lightstick? (assuming it is legal in your state) In the water, on your person, boat, etc??

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Dan How does one fish with a lightstick? (assuming it is legal in your state) In the water, on your person, boat, etc??

I find lightsticks real handy when doing an all nighter going after threshers. Just take one and stuff it up a mackeral’s ass and let him swim around. mmmmm   mmmmmm  goood!! University Computing Services                           71533,1011 University of Southern California I love the smell of Netware in the morning.  Smells like…victory!!

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  How does one fish with a lightstick? (assuming it is legal in your   state) In the water, on your person, boat, etc?? Well Frank, just in case you’re not trolling, I’ll mention a couple of ways. Here in the Northwest we get to go after steelhead in the Snake River every fall. The impoundments behind the dams hold a lot of slack water and a lot of people fish from shore with sliding bobbers. At night it’s pretty common for people to rubber band a 1" light stick to their bobbers so they can see them. If the light disappears, set the hook! It beats going to bed… Also, I’ve used commercial jigs that had a short piece of surgical tubing tied onto the hook shaft. Insert a lightstick and jig away… I’ve never caught a steelhead with that setup, but it looked interesting. On a side note, I put a used light stick back into it’s foil wrapper and store till the next night in my camper’s freezer because I’m a cheap sob and can get several hours of night fishing for two nights using one lightstick.

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: :   How does one fish with a lightstick? (assuming it is legal in your :   state) In the water, on your person, boat, etc?? A story I often repeat that is relevant with the above topic. Seems I was pier fishing for salmon some years back. A bunch of us were out an hour or so before dawn. Everyone was using glow-in-dark type lures. Charging them up next to a lantern and then throwing them out for the salmon to bite. I asked in a rather loud voice "Hey does it make any of you guys nervous to eat a fish that likes to eat things that glow in the dark?" It got very quiet on the pier that morning. Good fishing, All About Computers      | (810) 456-3894 (work) 2887 Pontiac Ct.         | (810) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   | Single and not taking applications. 48326                    | Interviews maybe.

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Brian, you need to tell us the technique. Do you put a hook on the lightstick? or a reel?  Or…just hang it over the side of the boat to attract minnows/smaller fish??? Sam – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a commercial fisherman. I fish 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial fishing. KAILUME LIGHTSTICKS (http://www.lightsticks.com) has developed a product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch lightsticks. Check out the site

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: :   How does one fish with a lightstick? (assuming it is legal in your :   state) In the water, on your person, boat, etc??

Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure fish…you are a crappy fisherman. I asked in a rather loud voice "Hey does it make any of you guys nervous to eat a fish that likes to eat things that glow in the dark?"

Ooh…that’s nasty. S.

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: :   How does one fish with a lightstick? (assuming it is legal in your :   state) In the water, on your person, boat, etc?? Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure fish…you are a crappy fisherman.

That’s spelled crappie  ;-) . You don’t have to use bait or a fly either; in both cases, you just might catch more fish if you do! — Richard W. (Dick) Lander; sportsman, Macintosh devotee, proponent of personal liberty. *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * *  *

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – about,  Re: Fishing With LIGHTSTICKS!!: Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure fish…you are a crappy fisherman. Is that crappy or crappie? A white perch by any other name. — R. E. Harmon National Rifle Association Life Member Texas State Rifle Association Life Member

Fishing at night with lightsticks is the accepted way of catching broadbills off the South African coast.  In fact, it is only since the discovery of this form of fishing that the area has been identified as one of the worlds prime broadbill terratories.

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Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure fish…you are a crappy fisherman.

I use them, but not to lure fish. I use small ones (Lunker Lite brand) that come with a small piece of clear plastic tubing. I put the light stick on the end of a pencil bobber, and use that so I can see my bobber at nite. I know in Washington it’s illegal to use light as an attractant. I guess I’m not sure how a game warden would view what I do, but it’s not my intent to use the light as an attractant. It’s a very small stick, only an inch or so long. It’s on the top of the bobber, sticking out of the water. I usually run several feet of line down to my hook, sometimes to where my bait is on the bottom, so I really doubt the fish are taking my bait because of the light stick. I don’t see any increase of my catch when I use the light sticks, it’s just a hell of a lot easier than using lanterns, flashlights, etc. to see the bobber. You get that same little thrill of seeing your bobber go down, except this way you just watch the light stick, and when it dissappears under the surface, you know it’s time to set the hook! Try it, you’ll like it! Pete               "Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time."                                 Monty Python     Pete LaPlant                     *       http://nwlink.com/~pete/             *

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Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure fish…you are a crappy fisherman.

Is that crappy or crappie?

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about,  Re: Fishing With LIGHTSTICKS!!: Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure fish…you are a crappy fisherman. Is that crappy or crappie?

A white perch by any other name. — R. E. Harmon National Rifle Association Life Member Texas State Rifle Association Life Member

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Don’t know ’bout that, but I’d recommend ultra-light sticks for crappie.

Or maybe put a dimmer on it.

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: : Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure : fish…you are a crappy fisherman. : : Or you could be a crappie fisherman.  Or a crappy crappie fisherman. Or a crappy crappie fisherman that couldn’t catch crap. —      Mario de Sales               |      Pro patria mori".   Wilfred Owen

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Brian, you need to tell us the technique. Do you put a hook on the lightstick? or a reel?  Or…just hang it over the side of the boat to attract minnows/smaller fish??? Sam I am a commercial fisherman. I fish 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial fishing. KAILUME LIGHTSTICKS (http://www.lightsticks.com) has developed a product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch lightsticks. Check out the site

Do these light sticks have a fuse?

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : :   How does one fish with a lightstick? (assuming it is legal in your :   state) In the water, on your person, boat, etc?? Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure fish…you are a crappy fisherman. That’s spelled crappie  ;-) . You don’t have to use bait or a fly either; in both cases, you just might catch more fish if you do! —

Don’t know ’bout that, but I’d recommend ultra-light sticks for crappie.

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Question:

I pulled open a drawer where I keep all kinds of eyes for tying fishing flies.  As I was getting set to tie some bonefish flies, I realized that a lot of my bead chain had come out of any pouch that it had been in.  Some of the bead chain is old standard stuff, some is Stainless, which I’d like to use on my bonefish flies.   Anyone know of an easy way to tell which is the stainless eyes? (besides letting it sit in salt water for a few days/weeks) Weird question, but I would hope some metallurgist fly-fisherman might know the easy answer! TIA… Steve

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I pulled open a drawer where I keep all kinds of eyes for tying fishing flies.  As I was getting set to tie some bonefish flies, I realized that a lot of my bead chain had come out of any pouch that it had been in.  Some of the bead chain is old standard stuff, some is Stainless, which I’d like to use on my bonefish flies. Anyone know of an easy way to tell which is the stainless eyes? (besides letting it sit in salt water for a few days/weeks) Weird question, but I would hope some metallurgist fly-fisherman might know the easy answer! TIA… Steve

Hi Steve Using a magnet is a good starting point in that (in my experience) even the highest-quality stainless steel exhibits some magnetic properties. I have three kinds of bead chain; chrome plated mild steel, shiny stainless steel and chrome plated brass.  A magnet should enable you to tell these three apart, in that brass won’t be even faintly magnetic. Hope that helps  Russ

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Anyone know of an easy way to tell which is the stainless eyes? (besides letting it sit in salt water for a few days/weeks)

I believe that a magnet will not attract stainless steel. Dave

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In general the stainless will not be "ferromagnetic" and will, therefore, not be attracted to a magnet, unlike the steel bead, which will.  Although this is not always the case I would take about any odds that it will work, as ferritic stainless is rare….make that very rare. dave

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: I pulled open a drawer where I keep all kinds of eyes for tying : fishing flies.  As I was getting set to tie some bonefish flies, I : realized that a lot of my bead chain had come out of any pouch that it : had been in.  Some of the bead chain is old standard stuff, some is : Stainless, which I’d like to use on my bonefish flies.   : : Anyone know of an easy way to tell which is the stainless eyes? : (besides letting it sit in salt water for a few days/weeks) : : Weird question, but I would hope some metallurgist fly-fisherman might : know the easy answer! : : TIA… : : Steve Austenitic stainless steel will not attract a magnet.   Martensitic stainless steel *will* attract a magnet. So, one has to be careful.  Now, what you do have going for you is that austenitic stainless steel is the most corrosion resistant and thus might be the best choice for saltwater use.  However, martensitic is the type that can be the strongest.  As far as the other type of stainless, ferritic, I am not sure, but I think that also might attract a magnet.  As I said, one has to be careful. Good luck. Kind regards, Steve Kernosky Michigan Tech Univ.

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Stainless steel is generally not attracted to a magnet nearly as strongly as regular steel because of the increased content of other metals, i.e. nickel and others.  If you have a small magnet, you might try this until a *real* metal expert replies.  longspeer

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Anyone know of an easy way to tell which is the stainless eyes? (besides letting it sit in salt water for a few days/weeks) I believe that a magnet will not attract stainless steel.

Russel and Dave- You are both right on.  Thanks for the tip… Steve

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The technical stuff all sounds great – if you are trying to tell between Stainless and Mild Steel, the simple way is to make sure the item is clean (and not sharp) and taste it – stainless does not taste of anything, mild steel has a , well, metallic sort of taste. Dont hook yourself. hope it helps.

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snip Anyone know of an easy way to tell which is the stainless eyes? (besides letting it sit in salt water for a few days/weeks) Weird question, but I would hope some metallurgist fly-fisherman might know the easy answer! TIA… Steve

I believe that stainless steel is not a ferromagnetic material, and therefore will not be attracted to a magnet. — Brian Charles

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: : The technical stuff all sounds great – if you are trying to tell : between Stainless and Mild Steel, the simple way is to make sure the : item is clean (and not sharp) and taste it – stainless does not taste : of anything, mild steel has a , well, metallic sort of taste. : : Might look a little silly. : :   : Dont hook yourself. : : That would look even worse. Just try explaining *that* to the wife. : : -DLB I guess I’ve come into this thread late, but has anyone mentioned that stainless steels (cept 17-4 HT or 18-8 HT) has very low to none magnetic capability. To determint it quickly I use a strong magnet. Mild steel is easy determined this way. Bob — Bob San Jose, Ca

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Hi, try using a good magnet. The stainless steel will roll to the magnet quicker. Good uh ? fishing.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snip Anyone know of an easy way to tell which is the stainless eyes? (besides letting it sit in salt water for a few days/weeks) Weird question, but I would hope some metallurgist fly-fisherman might know the easy answer! TIA… Steve I believe that stainless steel is not a ferromagnetic material, and therefore will not be attracted to a magnet. — Brian Charles

No, some types of stainless steel (typically the 400 series, I believe) are at least slightly ferromagnetic, so a magnet is not an accurate way to determine whether or not the metal is stainless steel. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any easy, reliable way to distinguish stainless steel.  Usually one can tell by appearance:  stainless steel has a relatively dull, gray sheen compared to plated materials (eg. chrome or cadmium over steel), but brighter than aluminum or pot metal alloys.  It helps to have a practiced eye – as well as some examples of true stainless steel.  Surface texture is also a good clue:  with stainless, the machine tool marks may still be evident, whereas plating will typically smooth or fill these in.   -Wes Wes Neuenschwander Seattle, WA

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Question:

I operate a Cortland Pro Shop and Stock over 300 DIFFERENT Cortland Fly Lines. I also build custom rods and have lots of other neat stuff.  If I can help out anyone with anything let me know. George E. Hoskin/Hoskin Enterprises RFD 1, Box 841 West Bath, Maine 04530 1-207-443-6064 1-800-244-7744

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Planning a Memorial Day Weekend trip to the Housatonic and have never fished the area.  Looking for help regarding spots and hatches.  Will be staying at Housatonic Meadows State park.   Thanks and Tight Lines! — MICHAEL DeVERE

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Michael, From your campground at Housatonic Meadows North on Route 7 to the Covered Bridge in Cornwall is the entire Trout Management Area.  Anyplace you see a spot where you can squeeze in a car, on either side of the road,  will get you to the River.  Many people like the pool just below the covered bridge, but I have found the entire stretch excellent. The CT State Hatchery is stocking 9,000 Trout into this section on May 22.  This will add to an already abundant, but wise, population. Caddis Flys (Green, Black, Cream, Tan, Brown & Grey) seem to be big producers this week.  Also Caddis Emergers fished in the film are doing well. Look for Ephemerella Dorothea (Little Sulphur in about a size 16) to be hatching during your stay. Good luck. Greg Greg

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Planning a Memorial Day Weekend trip to the Housatonic and have never fished the area.  Looking for help regarding spots and hatches.

The Housie has lots of hatches. Baetus, brown and green caddis (#14-16), maybe March Browns, Green and Brown Drakes if you’re lucky, are all likely to be present. Figuring out what the trout are working on is the biggest challenge. There are lots of trout, virtually all stocked fish, despite fishkills in recent years brought about by hot water and poor water management. River flows are controlled by releases from a power dam, which is operated on weekends primarily for the benefit of canoeists and kayakers. This generally means high water difficult to fish from 9AM to 5PM. One strategy is to fish the north end of the Trout Management Area (about a mile or so above the covered bridge and best accessed from the east side) early in the AM, and move downstream as the water there starts to rise between 8 and 8:30, ending up at the south end around 10 or 10:30, and repeat the trip in the late afternoon. The daily rise and fall of water flow tends to put the trout down during the transition. The Housie gets a lot of fishing pressure, but one can almost always find areas that are not crowded, and it offers a good variety of conditions, from fast pockets to smooth pools.  Check in with Phil at the Housatonic Meadows Fly Shop on Rte 7; take his recommendations with a grain of salt, but he does know the river.

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There’s a fly shop right opposite the campgrounds with good info and excellent local ties although my recollection is that proprietor is a little close mouthed until your wallet becomes visible. A;lso call river club info number for daily updates by the most knowledgeable Ed Kluck who records report daily. 203 248 8616. Also water releases tape # is 203 824 7053. Note that it takes two hours for head of water to reach the campground from the time the release starts at dam at Falls Village.

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