Question:

Sounds like a FANTASTIC day on the water,  great report jh

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Peter Charles writes: <great report/info snipped Plans are in the offing for the next trip. Ok, I can’t make it tomorrow, but Friday is open!  d;o) Got home after an 8 hour drive (512 miles) in pouring rain, but every time I thought of those fish, I began to smile. If you’ve  fished with me, you know I don’t move around too well.  Legs and feet are very sore, but hotdamn, ya get an 18 pound salmon on a fly rod and he begins one (1) run that takes you well into your backing, ya hafta fall/leap out of the boat and run after the damn thing.  It ain’t fair.  But, is sure is heart thumping and adrenaline pumping.  And then, the bastid comes running back at you; once your get your line all wound up and clear,  he’s off on another run  into the backing   It is definitely weird to be running downstream in knee-deep water, with your flyrod high and see a fish jump 250 feet in front of you and realize that you are connected to that fish with a hundred feet of line, a hundred and forty feet of backing , 10 feet of 10 pound tippet and a fly that you *know* is gonna go straight any second.  Multiply that by 4 and you have an idea of the day Peter and I had on the Saugeen. I know where Peter lives.  I’ll be back, with a 10 foot 7 weight *with a fighting butt*, a Lamson 3.5 large arbor filled with wf line and as much backing as it can hold.  If not next month, Peter, count on late April/early May.  And this time we open the 18 year old stuff.  <G Dave

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(snip) It is definitely weird to be running downstream in knee-deep water, with your flyrod high and see a fish jump 250 feet in front of you and realize that you are connected to that fish with a hundred feet of line, a hundred and forty feet of backing , 10 feet of 10 pound tippet

(snip)     that whole thing is just crazy.  just freaking crazy.  i can’t imagine such an experience. yfitons wayno

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -wayno writes: (snip) It is definitely weird to be running downstream in knee-deep water, with your flyrod high and see a fish jump 250 feet in front of you and realize that you are connected to that fish with a hundred feet of line, a hundred and forty feet of backing , 10 feet of 10 pound tippet (snip)    that whole thing is just crazy.  just freaking crazy.  i can’t imagine such an experience. yfitons wayno

Save a day next may.  You can sleep in the rv.  I’ll let you use my 8 weight *with* the fighting butt.  I wanna see your scrawny ass runnin down the middle of this water.  <G Louie

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   that whole thing is just crazy.  just freaking crazy.  i can’t imagine such an experience. yfitons wayno

There’s a solution for that . . . . Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Peter Charles writes:    that whole thing is just crazy.  just freaking crazy.  i can’t imagine such an experience. yfitons wayno There’s a solution for that . . . . Peter

He’s used to catching iddy biddy trout the size of his dick, Peter.  He wouldn’t dream of going up and fishing with us.  The largest rod he has is a 2 weight – we’d have to loan him equipment and probably teach him how to cast it.  <seg  This water is meant for PJ and combat fishing. Louie (who hopes insults will move his scrawny ass)

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Peter He’s used to catching iddy biddy trout the size of his dick, Peter.  He wouldn’t dream of going up and fishing with us.  The largest rod he has is a 2 weight – we’d have to loan him equipment and probably teach him how to cast it. <seg  This water is meant for PJ and combat fishing. Louie (who hopes insults will move his scrawny ass)

That small eh?  In that case, I would think a 0 weight would be more appropriate.  If he came, we’d probably need a bosun’s chair just to lower him out of the boat.  BTW, think he can even lift an 8 wt.?  If he ever hooked a salmon, he’d probably throw the rod overboard from sheer fright.    (how am I doin’?) Peter

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It’s late, I’m beat, the pirate is whacked – this TR is gonna be short. Up at 4:30 and, on the road at 5:15, arrived at the store at 6:00, on the water by 8:00 and home by 9:00pm.   Louie before the trip, "I’m gonna take my 6 wt."   Told the Pirate not to bother with his vest or the 6 wt.   Well, we’re at the put-in and John Valk (owner/guide) is going "Nyet" to the 6 wt.  Out comes the 8 wt.  Now I’m looking at Louie and the fighting butt on the 8 wt. is missing, "I took it off." he says.  Silly boy.  By the end of the day, there’s no vest, the 6 wt. never left its tube and he has a hole in his sternum where he had stuck the reel seat on repeated occasions. Best shot of the day – watching Louie’s face as his backing rapidly disappears.  Second best shot of the day, seeing Louie running 100 yds downstream trying to retrieve his backing – after vaulting out of the drift boat. Anyway, a bunch of very feisty chinook was had and all returned in one piece (including the anglers).   Details at 6:00. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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Anyway, a bunch of very feisty chinook was had and all returned in one piece (including the anglers).   Sounds great.  Were there any steelhead in as yet ? Remove "XX" from address

We saw a few but the real run hasn’t gone going yet.  We need colder temps and a *lot* more water. As John fussed with the boat and stuff, there were a bunch of salmon playing in the shallows.  I had a poke at them with the big stick but no joy.  With that experience, I put it away and took out a single hander. Dave got out a rarely used Orvis 8 wt. with a big sinktip that proved to be a difficult line to use in the low water conditions. Dave, by his own admission, was unsure what this fishing would be about and when we found a pod of about 20 salmon cavorting about, he had two silver dollars for eyeballs.   John has a particular way of doing a wet fly swing (he likes the fly oriented north-south – I tend to a broadside presentation) but we both used John’s technique.  We swim the fly in front of the pod and hope that a big, pissed-off male will charge out and nail it.  Frequently, we were not disappointed and Dave got a very lively fish out of this pod within a couple of minutes. Dave hooked up first (a fish probably in the low teens) which promptly peeled off all of his line and a good quantity of backing.  It was a great intro to Saugeen salmon fishing.  He eventually ended up about 100 yards downstream where the fish was netted. A couple of points about these fish.  Credit River salmon are stocked and live in Lake Ontario whereas the Saugeen fish are naturals and live in Lake Huron.  You cannot imagine how much difference this results in.  Saugeen fish, even 70 miles upstream, are fairly bright and in excellent shape.  Credit River stockers are only a few miles up stream and already black and rotting.  The Saugeen fish takes off at a high rate of knots when released, even after a long fight.  He’s usually back cavorting in a minute or two.  Credit River fish often roll over an die upon release after a half-hearted fight.  John told us a story of catching the same chinook three times in succession and it fought just as hard the third time as it did the first. The Saugeen was especially low and clear so the fish were always very obvious.  We drifted over a few steelhead, loads of huge smallies, some browns, red horse suckers, carp, and a few unidentified.  The colours were especially bright in the high sun, and with the warm day, it was a very pleasant trip all-round. Final results were something like four fish each landed and multiple hookups (including one double).  Most of the fish were in the teens but one of mine was over 20 lbs.  We saw and hooked a few bruisers that ran over 30.  All of them took off in long runs.  Some of the fish were quite aerobatic with jumps, lunges and tumbles that often resulted in them being wrapped up in line.  One of mine began to fight funny after a few minutes. On initial hookup, the fish stuck his head out of the water with an open mouthed head shake that told of a fair hook.  By the time we got him landed, the fly was still in his mouth but he had about five winds of line around one fin.  Dave had one where the fly started off in it’s mouth and ended up in it’s tail.  We figured it too got wrapped up in line and then the fly came loose only to reattach. I’ll have a trip on my site by next week with pics that will give some indication of the river and the fish.   It was fun as always having the Pirate up and Thanksgiving dinner will long be remembered for the gales of laughter and the sore sides we had in the morning. Plans are in the offing for the next trip. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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Peter Charles writes: <great report/info snipped Plans are in the offing for the next trip.

Don’t wait too long. Ok, I can’t make it tomorrow, but Friday is open!  d;o)

At the Salmon River, Saugeen next week. Got home after an 8 hour drive (512 miles) in pouring rain, but every time I thought of those fish, I began to smile.

probably brighter than those bright blue Audi headlights. If you’ve  fished with me, you know I don’t move around too well.  Legs and feet are very sore, but hotdamn, ya get an 18 pound salmon on a fly rod and he begins one (1) run that takes you well into your backing, ya hafta fall/leap out of the boat and run after the damn thing.  It ain’t fair.  But, is sure is heart thumping and adrenaline pumping.  And then, the bastid comes running back at you; once your get your line all wound up and clear,  he’s off on another run  into the backing   It is definitely weird to be running downstream in knee-deep water, with your flyrod high and see a fish jump 250 feet in front of you and realize that you are connected to that fish with a hundred feet of line, a hundred and forty feet of backing , 10 feet of 10 pound tippet and a fly that you *know* is gonna go straight any second.  Multiply that by 4 and you have an idea of the day Peter and I had on the Saugeen.  

It was a memorable day fer sure.   I know where Peter lives.  I’ll be back, with a 10 foot 7 weight *with a fighting butt*, a Lamson 3.5 large arbor filled with wf line and as much backing as it can hold. If not next month, Peter, count on late April/early May.  And this time we open the 18 year old stuff.  <G

You mean, like again! Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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Peter Charles writes:

<great report/info snipped Plans are in the offing for the next trip.

Ok, I can’t make it tomorrow, but Friday is open!  d;o) Got home after an 8 hour drive (512 miles) in pouring rain, but every time I thought of those fish, I began to smile. If you’ve  fished with me, you know I don’t move around too well.  Legs and feet are very sore, but hotdamn, ya get an 18 pound salmon on a fly rod and he begins one (1) run that takes you well into your backing, ya hafta fall/leap out of the boat and run after the damn thing.  It ain’t fair.  But, is sure is heart thumping and adrenaline pumping.  And then, the bastid comes running back at you; once your get your line all wound up and clear,  he’s off on another run  into the backing   It is definitely weird to be running downstream in knee-deep water, with your flyrod high and see a fish jump 250 feet in front of you and realize that you are connected to that fish with a hundred feet of line, a hundred and forty feet of backing , 10 feet of 10 pound tippet and a fly that you *know* is gonna go straight any second.  Multiply that by 4 and you have an idea of the day Peter and I had on the Saugeen.   I know where Peter lives.  I’ll be back, with a 10 foot 7 weight *with a fighting butt*, a Lamson 3.5 large arbor filled with wf line and as much backing as it can hold.  If not next month, Peter, count on late April/early May.  And this time we open the 18 year old stuff.  <G Dave

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Sounds like a great trip. Sight fishing for big fish, can’t beat that! Did you catch anything other than the Chinooks?

Nope, we were hoping for steelhead but the conditions were too warm and the water too low.  We saw lots of smallies but with the low, clear water, we saw them when we spooked them.   Not sure I’d call the the Saugeen fish "natural" but the same differences you found here between the stocked and streambred salmon also applies to trout. Even though the genetics might be the same, the stocked fish act differently even after being in the wild for a considerable time. Willi

I used the term ‘natural’ to mean naturally reproducing.  While these chinook exhibit superior characteristics as compared to their stocked cousins, I haven’t seem the same difference between natural and stocked browns on the Grand.  That may have something to do with how the Grand stocking program is managed. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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I thought that Ontario had stopped stocking chinook altogether, but I guess not, eh ?   The strain of chinook used for stocking is one that does not move in until quite late.  I’ve read that what has happened in some cases where natural reproduction has been established is that over generations the salmon have tended to come into rivers earlier and earlier prior to spawning.  It sounds like the Saugeen is one of them.

I’ve always understood that Credit River chinook were stocked as the prospects for natural reproduction were poor.  John confirmed that they were stockers. I’ve not heard about earlier runs but with the Saugeen being farther north, an earlier run is to be expected.  There’s no question that they are much healthier fish. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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      Anyway, a bunch of very feisty chinook was had and all returned in one   piece (including the anglers).       Sounds great.  Were there any steelhead in as yet ?     Remove "XX" from address       A couple of points about these fish.  Credit River salmon are stocked   and live in Lake Ontario whereas the Saugeen fish are naturals and   live in Lake Huron.  You cannot imagine how much difference this   results in.  Saugeen fish, even 70 miles upstream, are fairly bright   and in excellent shape.  Credit River stockers are only a few miles up   stream and already black and rotting.  The Saugeen fish takes off at a   high rate of knots when released, even after a long fight.  He’s   usually back cavorting in a minute or two.  Credit River fish often   roll over an die upon release after a half-hearted fight.  John told   us a story of catching the same chinook three times in succession and   it fought just as hard the third time as it did the first. Sounds like a great trip. Sight fishing for big fish, can’t beat that! Did you catch anything other than the Chinooks? Not sure I’d call the the Saugeen fish "natural" but the same differences you found here between the stocked and streambred salmon also applies to trout. Even though the genetics might be the same, the stocked fish act differently even after being in the wild for a considerable time. Willi

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Question:

I may end up spending most of this summer in Sarajevo on business.  Are there significant opportunities for fly fishing in Bosnia?  More fundamentally, even if there is good fishing is it a reasonable thing to do, or are the chances of involuntarily aiding the demining operations too high? I was also wondering about fishing in Slovenia.  I don

Question:

Good report deleted. Some general questions. When does the shad run start and how long does it last?

Around late March/early April through early May.   The peak varies from year to year.   Seems to be doing quite well this past week, though. How widespread are the runs?

If you mean when do the fish come up the river, it seems to be triggered by higher than average flows.   Early morning & late afternoon are reportedly better, but I don’t go enough to say yes or no.   I’ll add a bit of clarity in that the Susquehanna River holds more fish for longer than do these lower tributaries.   I just like Deer Creek because it’s so darned pretty and a lot easier fishing than on the big river (not to mention safer wading). Many years ago, when the shad were considerably more plentiful, one could arrive in the wee dawn hours and take up a position in quiet waters just below Conowingo Dam.   Once the rest of the world woke up and demanded electricity, they’d start the turbines in the hydro plant.   That was like an ON switch for the shad.   With the higher flows, they’d start biting imediately. Are they on spawning beds when you’re fishing for them or are they in the process of migrating upstream?

The ones I see and catch are migrating.   Quite honestly, I’m not familiar with their spawning habits.   I’ve never noticed a redd in the area I fish, but I’m relatively close to the mouth of the creek. Do the runs draw big crowds?

Crowd being a subjective term, I’d still say yes.   Some pools are known to be excellent spots, and to fish these, your space and mobility will be determined by other fishermen there.   Also, it is not FFO, and there are often a few spin fishermen crowding the FFers.   Having I said that, I’ll say that it is variable by time of day or day of the week.   It’s not necessary to fish the known spots though, the entire river usually holds fish at the peak of the run.   I’ve never had a problem finding a decent pool for myself. And since you didn’t ask: Yellow and red marabou streamers with gold or silver tinsel bodies are the fly of choice.   Use a sink tip line when the water is up.   Cast across and throw in a downstream mend.   They’ll hit on the swing. Joe F.

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We have a HUGE run of shad in the Columbia R. throughout July, sometimes topping 100,000 per day.  These are fairly large fish, running about 3 to 7lbs, with the average about 4lbs.  Hard fighting fish, especially in the considerable current below Bonneville dam, which seems to be the best fishing area.  You can catch them on a fly, but most people use spinning gear, 8-12lb mono, and  small jigs (shad darts) with and ounce or more of pencil lead, since the best fishing is often 30 to 100 yards or more out (where the current is, beyond the eddies or slack water).  Also fisherman are often nearly touching shoulders, so flyfishing is well nigh impossible unless you fish well away from the crowds where the fishing is poor.  You also have to horse the fish in since there are so many lines in the water.  But with the fish so prolific, it can still be a blast. Pat K  

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We have a HUGE run of shad in the Columbia R. throughout July, sometimes topping 100,000 per day.  These are fairly large fish, running about 3 to 7lbs, with the average about 4lbs.  Hard fighting fish, especially in the considerable current below Bonneville dam, which seems to be the best fishing area.  You can catch them on a fly, but most people use spinning gear, 8-12lb mono, and  small jigs (shad darts) with and ounce or more of pencil lead, since the best fishing is often 30 to 100 yards or more out (where the current is, beyond the eddies or slack water).  Also fisherman are often nearly touching shoulders, so flyfishing is well nigh impossible unless you fish well away from the crowds where the fishing is poor.  You also have to horse the fish in since there are so many lines in the water.  But with the fish so prolific, it can still be a blast. Pat K

Sounds like the "old days" on the Susquehanna below the Conowingo Dam when the larger American shad were plentiful there.   It was certainly not the kind of fishing I enjoy now; but still, it was a great fun of a different sort. Joe F.

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writes: (snip) I might get out again tonigh, & take my son & SWMBO.   Now where the hell is that other reel? Joe F.

Nice report Joe!The rain continuing over the weekend could have made for a tough day on the water.  A lot of fishermen would not even attempt it.  Says something for perserverance and determination! Wayne To Fish is Human….To Release Divine!      —–  Posted via NewsOne.Net: Free Usenet News via the Web  —–      —–  http://newsone.net/ —  Discussions on every subject. —–    NewsOne.Net prohibits users from posting spam.  If this or other posts

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Good report deleted. Some general questions. When does the shad run start and how long does it last? How widespread are the runs? Are they on spawning beds when you’re fishing for them or are they in the process of migrating upstream? Do the runs draw big crowds? Willi

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I’d hoped to get out over the weekend to give the shad run another shot, but the weather looked grim.   By Saturday evening, though, it had at least stopped raining steadily.   Around 5 p.m., SWMBO suggested I might get a couple hours in before dark.   In 10 min., I had the car packed and was on my way. I got to Deer Creek by 6, and as I parked my car, a few of the fishermen already at the Stafford Bridge pool were wading back to their cars.   The one guy I asked just said, "slow."   Still, I struggled into my waders, put my new Mike C. 4 wt. together, and dug in my bag for the reel.   Well, shit. I didn’t have the sink tip line I would certainly need with the water running as high as it was.   In a remarkable bout of foresight and redundancy, however, I had brought my 6 wt and its sink tip line.   Sorry, Mike; it’ll have to wait until next time.   I rigged the 6 wt. & waded out to a spot about 100 yds upstream of the other handful there. I was expecting slow, and the whole time I was gearing up, I didn’t see anybody else hooking up.   So I was pleasantly surprised when I nailed about a one-pounder on about my fifth cast.   Cool.   The barbless hook easily came free, and I went back to casting across the fast current.   Not long afterward, bam, another one.   Okay, that’s two in the first five minutes; how slow could it be?   In the end, not slow at all. After the tenth fish in less than an hour, I remembered a stale Montecruz in my vest pocket.   Most of the hits were coming at the end of the swing across the current, so after one cast, I tucked the rod under my arm and just let my line trail downstream while I lit the cigar.   About the time I got the stogie fired up, I had another fish on, and I set the hook with my armpit.  It was a little too easy; but I admit, I was having fun. As darkness approached, the average size of the fish increased, so I didn’t want to leave.   The last one, when I could barely see, was pushing two pounds.   In landing that one, I managed to tangle my line & tippet so badly there was no way I’d be able to undo it in the dark, so I was done for the night.   I’d caught well over 20 fish in about two hours. The 6 wt. was just a bit heavy for the size fish I was catching, and most of them could be pulled almost straight in.   A few bigger ones put up a pretty good fight, though, with a couple actually making the drag sing a few bars. I might get out again tonigh, & take my son & SWMBO.   Now where the hell is that other reel? Joe F.

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Question:

We have 3 balloons off the back of the boat with live bait fishing for Kings.

Can anybody tell me what this means? I’m not being able to picture the balloon part. Nets? Actual balloons? Just curious–thanks. Mart

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We have 3 balloons off the back of the boat with live bait fishing for Kings. Can anybody tell me what this means? I’m not being able to picture the balloon part. Nets? Actual balloons? Just curious–thanks. Mart

Sure. He’s using partially inflated balloons as "corks" to float his live baits within a certain range of the top of the water. The balloons are easy to see and when a smoker takes the bait and runs, the balloon goes under. This is a common tactic for bass fishermen, too. They’ll attach a nice live shiner to a hook, tie a balloon a couple of feet above it and let the bass gobble the shiner and take the balloon under. Balloons also present one with a way to take advantage of wind or current. There’s also kite fishing. — Harry Krause – - – - – - – - – - – - Ignorance or Apathy?  I don’t know and I don’t care.

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Path: lobby01.news.aol.com!newstf02.news.aol.com!portc03.blue.aol.com!newsfeed.

cwix.com!4.1.16.34!cpk-news-hub1.bbnplanet.com!news.gtei.net!wn3feed!world net.att.net!135.173.83.225!attworldnet!newsadm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Newsgroups: rec.boats Organization: AT&T WorldNet Services Lines: 12 NNTP-Posting-Host: 12.77.208.219 X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.71.1712.3 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.71.1712.3 Classic example, I’m out on Pasco #1 off Tarpon Springs, Florida today.  We have 3 balloons off the back of the boat with live bait fishing for Kings. What pulls up behind us?  Yes a Trophy, your average dimwit, amateur within inches of our balloons.  After I had a couple of choice words with the captain (retard) we pulled off to a better area….with no Trophys around and managed to bag two keeper grouper.  So you see now why I JUST LOVE TROPHYS Rob

Rob, If he were driving a Hatteras or other mega, overpriced boat, would his move have been any more acceptable?  No, of course not. I had an Ocean Alexander skipper drift into my boat that was moored and unattended.  He hit it rail to rail and neither boat sustained much damage but do I hate Ocean Alexander boats because of it?  Not hardly. Focus your anger at the novice who didn’t know what he was doing, not at his fine, quality made, very reliable, structurly sound, efficient and absolutely beautiful boat!!! Bill Landsborough "A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions." Proverbs 18:2

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Or even know how to put it on.

Excellent Nathan! Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach, Florida "Lie ? Me ? Never!  No, no, no, the truth is far too much fun !" – Captain Hook

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By the way, there is a downside to using balloons. Many of them are discarded in the water and unfortunately some sea creatures that eat jellyfish (like turtles) snarf them down and can’t digest them. They die. This used to happen with condoms, I suppose, but no turtle with a brain would go near any of those disease-laden wrappers.

Or even know how to put it on.

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Thank you. I appreciate your willingness to supply me with helpful information despite my occasional indignation at your whimsical contrarian nature. I have observed this civil trait in you repeatedly and I respect it. I think balloons and kites are beyond me, though I do like to picture showing up at my normal fishing spots with such equipment, and fastening on a fly, worm, little minnow, or kernel of corn. Mart

By the way, there is a downside to using balloons. Many of them are discarded in the water and unfortunately some sea creatures that eat jellyfish (like turtles) snarf them down and can’t digest them. They die. This used to happen with condoms, I suppose, but no turtle with a brain would go near any of those disease-laden wrappers. — Harry Krause – - – - – - – - – - – - Gee, I wonder what this key does.

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Thank you. I appreciate your willingness to supply me with helpful information despite my occasional indignation at your whimsical contrarian nature. I have observed this civil trait in you repeatedly and I respect it. I think balloons and kites are beyond me, though I do like to picture showing up at my normal fishing spots with such equipment, and fastening on a fly, worm, little minnow, or kernel of corn. Mart

Mart, Believe it or not, they even sell different sized kites to use depending on the wind conditions!  I don’t bother with kites, but I’ve been fishing with a guy who does and it works quite well. What Harry didn’t mention is you use the kite while drifting.  BTW, shore fishermen also use kites to get their bait out farther than they can cast… Depending on the direction the wind is blowing, of course.  :) Dennis

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sure. He’s using partially inflated balloons as "corks" to float his live baits within a certain range of the top of the water… Thanks. Same idea as the little still fishing plastic/cork/wood bobbers we sometimes use up here, only bigger and inflatable? Yes. But much more visible. It’s hard to see many corks or floats out in the ocean where the waves are. Also, by only partially inflating, a part of it slides under the water easier… There’s also kite fishing. I’ll bite on the kite: real up in the air kites? Or fishing for hawks? Mart You run out a fishing kite and then attach your fishing line with a live bait on the line. The kite keeps the bait at the surface, making those friendly struggling sounds, attracting fish. But the bait also has access to the water and can breathe. It works very well for surface feeders.

Thank you. I appreciate your willingness to supply me with helpful information despite my occasional indignation at your whimsical contrarian nature. I have observed this civil trait in you repeatedly and I respect it. I think balloons and kites are beyond me, though I do like to picture showing up at my normal fishing spots with such equipment, and fastening on a fly, worm, little minnow, or kernel of corn. Mart

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Sure. He’s using partially inflated balloons as "corks" to float his live baits within a certain range of the top of the water… Thanks. Same idea as the little still fishing plastic/cork/wood bobbers we sometimes use up here, only bigger and inflatable?

Yes. But much more visible. It’s hard to see many corks or floats out in the ocean where the waves are. Also, by only partially inflating, a part of it slides under the water easier… There’s also kite fishing. I’ll bite on the kite: real up in the air kites? Or fishing for hawks? Mart

You run out a fishing kite and then attach your fishing line with a live bait on the line. The kite keeps the bait at the surface, making those friendly struggling sounds, attracting fish. But the bait also has access to the water and can breathe. It works very well for surface feeders.

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Sure. He’s using partially inflated balloons as "corks" to float his live baits within a certain range of the top of the water…

Thanks. Same idea as the little still fishing plastic/cork/wood bobbers we sometimes use up here, only bigger and inflatable? There’s also kite fishing.

I’ll bite on the kite: real up in the air kites? Or fishing for hawks? Mart – - – - – - – - – - – - "One morning when the wind was from the west, Stuart put on his sailor suit and his sailor hat, took his spyglass down from the shelf, and set out for a walk, full of the joy of life and the fear of dogs."

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Classic example, I’m out on Pasco #1 off Tarpon Springs, Florida today.  We have 3 balloons off the back of the boat with live bait fishing for Kings. What pulls up behind us?  Yes a Trophy, your average dimwit, amateur within inches of our balloons.  After I had a couple of choice words with the captain (retard) we pulled off to a better area….with no Trophys around and managed to bag two keeper grouper.  So you see now why I JUST LOVE TROPHYS Rob

Maybe he wanted to transfer his flag to your boat in case his began to sink? — Harry Krause – - – - – - – - – - – - Accordion: a bagpipe with pleats.

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Classic example, I’m out on Pasco #1 off Tarpon Springs, Florida today.  We have 3 balloons off the back of the boat with live bait fishing for Kings. What pulls up behind us?  Yes a Trophy, your average dimwit, amateur within inches of our balloons.  After I had a couple of choice words with the captain (retard) we pulled off to a better area….with no Trophys around and managed to bag two keeper grouper.  So you see now why I JUST LOVE TROPHYS Rob

Response:

Question:

There are two schools of thought on this: !.  Too many guides restrict the rod’s action. 2. Too few guides allow the line to drag against the rod when it flexes. Take your pick. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-mail GO TO http://users.ccnet.com/~emh FOR TRAVEL TIE BOX PLANS Hi there! I am building a 7 foot 2-3wt st.croix rod. The problem is that I have found 2 different guide spacing charts for 7 footers. One used 8 guides the other 9. Which one should I use? Jarkko —

—                                             |    Jarkko Karvinen                            |    Student of biochemistry                    |  E. coli happens  University of Turku, Finland               |    tel. +358 (0)2 3338059                        |

— – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am building a 7 foot 2-3wt st.croix rod. The problem is that I have found 2 different guide spacing charts for 7 footers. One used 8 guides the other 9. Which one should I use?<BR The general rule of thumb is one guide for every foot plus the stripper, so 8 is the general rule of thumb.  One thing you might try is to tape the guides on with both the spacing for the 9 guides and the 8 guides and them string a line trhough them and see how the rod flexes.  Basically, the more guides the more friction.  But fewer is not better either – find a hapy medium by flexing the rod with line through the guides and make sure there are no dead spotsor places where the line touches the rod. Or – you might try calling St Croix.  I bet they would give you the guide spacing they use on the factory rod. Al Manchester, NH

      I know you are not the original poster but he may read this. I have an 8′ 8wt, a 7′6" 3wt and a 6′6" 5wt. The question gave me food for thought so I counted the guides on each, they all have 8, stripper included. with the exception of stripper and tip-top are all snake guides, all are factory. I also looked up the guide kits all are 8 guide.                                                              John Popp                                                           in Sanford Fl.

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I know you are not the original poster but he may read this. Ihave an 8′

8wt, a 7′6" 3wt and a 6′6" 5wt. The question gave me food forthought so I counted the guides on each, they all have 8, stripperincluded. with the exception of stripper and tip-top are all snakeguides, all are factory. I also looked up the guide kits all are 8guide. I don’t doubt that all your rods in various lengths have the same amount of gudes.  This is a subjuect that is debated as much as anythng in fly fishing. As I said "the general rule of thumb" is one per foot plus a stripper guide. Many manufacturers leave a guide or two off to save money, some rods cast better with fewer or more guides. There are a couple of ways to determine guide spacing.  Clemens and Anglers Work Shop as well as some otheres I would guess sell a tool that will allow you to test the spacing of the guides with the rod under load.  There is a program that Cane rod builders use that was written by Wayne Catanach that calculates the spacing based on the number of guides you choose and the placement of the stripper guide.  Several books list guide placement charts as well, and Blue Ridge Rod Company includes a very good one in their catalog. I personally have always used the 1 guide per foot plus the stripper for my rods.   In Skip Morris’s book "The Custon Graphite Rod" and in Handcrafting Custom Graphite Fly Rods" by L.A. Garcia, this is the information that they provide, although the spacings are a bit different and Skip Morris provides some good insight as to the actuual placement of guides based on the rod and the fishermam it is intended for, as well as some general guide lines for placement of guides on soft and fast action rods.  It is interesting reading. The mark of a true custom rod may be going to the extra step of testing the guide placement with the rod under stress.  I have done this a few times but the standard guide placements on the graphite rods I have built have all been so close that I dont worry about it any more. It’s an interesting debate for rod builders.  Could you tell me where you looked up the guide kits for these rods?  Might just be a catalog I am missing:))))) Al Manchester, NH

Response:

Hi there! I am building a 7 foot 2-3wt st.croix rod. The problem is that I have found 2 different guide spacing charts for 7 footers. One used 8 guides the other 9. Which one should I use? Jarkko —                                             |    Jarkko Karvinen                            |    Student of biochemistry                    |  E. coli happens  University of Turku, Finland               |    tel. +358 (0)2 3338059                     |

Response:

I am building a 7 foot 2-3wt st.croix rod. The problem is that I have found 2

different guide spacing charts for 7 footers. One used 8 guides the other 9. Which one should I use?<BR The general rule of thumb is one guide for every foot plus the stripper, so 8 is the general rule of thumb.  One thing you might try is to tape the guides on with both the spacing for the 9 guides and the 8 guides and them string a line trhough them and see how the rod flexes.  Basically, the more guides the more friction.  But fewer is not better either – find a hapy medium by flexing the rod with line through the guides and make sure there are no dead spotsor places where the line touches the rod. Or – you might try calling St Croix.  I bet they would give you the guide spacing they use on the factory rod. Al Manchester, NH

Response:

Hi there! I am building a 7 foot 2-3wt st.croix rod. The problem is that I have found 2 different guide spacing charts for 7 footers. One used 8 guides the other 9. Which one should I use? Jarkko

I don’t know how prevelent St Croix rods are in Finland, but your best bet would probably be to find an assembled rod from the manufacturer and copy their guided size and placement. There are some rod shop owners on this group, maybe one of them can measure it for you if you can’t find the rod in your area. Good luck,      - Ken

Response:

Hi there! I am building a 7 foot 2-3wt st.croix rod. The problem is that I have found 2 different guide spacing charts for 7 footers. One used 8 guides the other 9. Which one should I use?

Jarkko, here’s the spacing (and 7 Fuji guides) that I use on a 7ft fly rod. Note that the last (8mm2) is a 2-footed guide, the rest are single foot guides, and the measurements are in inches starting from the tip. If I recall, I got these recommendations from L.G. Custom Tackle (G. Loomis dealer and custom rod builder) many years ago. IMHO I think 9 guides is way too many for anything under 8′. I prefer the single footed Hardloy or SIC Fuji’s to the traditional snake guides which allow the line to slap against the blank. 7′ – 4(6mm), 9(6mm), 15(6mm), 22(7mm), 30(7mm), 40(8mm), 52(8mm2) Now you have 3 choices David E. Malone All opinions expressed are my own.

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Question:

I am considering a 4-piece Legend 4 or 5-weight. I would be grateful if anybody have some experiences or knowledge to share. The rod is not marketed in Norway, so it is difficult for me to test it personally. Grateful for any comments Jan Erik Frithjofsen

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I am considering a 4-piece Legend 4 or 5-weight. I would be grateful if anybody have some experiences or knowledge to share. The rod is not marketed in Norway, so it is difficult for me to test it personally. Grateful for any comments Jan Erik Frithjofsen

Hi Jan, I’ve found all of the St Croix fly rod to be very good including the 4 piece rods.  I’ve cast several of the their 4 piece rods and liked them but I never paid much attention to the actual name. Sorry! — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

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I am considering a 4-piece Legend 4 or 5-weight. I would be grateful if anybody have some experiences or knowledge to share. The rod is not marketed in Norway, so it is difficult for me to test it personally. Grateful for any comments Jan Erik Frithjofsen

Hi Jan,  I own 2 St Croix flyrods, a 2pc 7′ 3wt, and because I was so impressed with that one, I bought their Imperial Series 4pc 5/6wt. In my opinion, they are a "best buy" for the money. The Legend you ask about is their top-end fly rod, a little more expensive than the Imperial Series. I also own 5 Sage rods, so I have a fair basis for comparison. Considering the cost of a Sage, unless you absolutely have to have the best, the St Croix is the better buy. Now all you have to decide is whether you like the action of the rod. The Legend has a fast action (44 million modulus) while the Imperial is listed as a moderate action (42 mil mod) The difference in price between the Imperial and Legend travel rods is $135 vs $220. BTW, my 5/6 travel rod handled some very tough smallmouth bass this summer with no problems. It rides in my pickup truck behind the seat everywhere I go. Tight lines……. Frank Church Elkhart, IN —

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am considering a 4-piece Legend 4 or 5-weight. I would be grateful if anybody have some experiences or knowledge to share. The rod is not marketed in Norway, so it is difficult for me to test it personally. Grateful for any comments Jan Erik Frithjofsen Hi Jan,  I own 2 St Croix flyrods, a 2pc 7′ 3wt, and because I was so impressed with that one, I bought their Imperial Series 4pc 5/6wt. In my opinion, they are a "best buy" for the money. The Legend you ask about is their top-end fly rod, a little more expensive than the Imperial Series. I also own 5 Sage rods, so I have a fair basis for comparison. Considering the cost of a Sage, unless you absolutely have to have the best, the St Croix is the better buy. Now all you have to decide is whether you like the action of the rod. The Legend has a fast action (44 million modulus) while the Imperial is listed as a moderate action (42 mil mod) The difference in price between the Imperial and Legend travel rods is $135 vs $220. BTW, my 5/6 travel rod handled some very tough smallmouth bass this summer with no problems. It rides in my pickup truck behind the seat everywhere I go. Tight lines……. Frank Church Elkhart, IN —

A correction to my post…the Imperial rods are 33 million modulus, not 42 as stated previously. Frank Church Elkhart, IN —

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Question:

I need advise on where to look for the things I might need.  I think it would be very satisfying to catch fish with a rod I built myself. What book or videos do you recommend?  Is it cheaper to build your own or buy a new rod? Thanks, Koop

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(Whitehors) writes: I need advise on where to look for the things I might need.  I think it would be very satisfying to catch fish with a rod I built myself. What book or videos do you recommend?  Is it cheaper to build your own or buy a new rod? Thanks, Koop

Koop- I would encourage you to give it a try.  Start with either of the books by Skip Morris or A. Garcia (assuming you are talking graphite and not cane) which should be available at your local flyshop.  I would also suggest you check withyour local shop and/or flyfishing club to see if anyone is offering classes.  The same sources might provide some items that you can borrow, such as a turning motor and rod vice. Aside from one time purchases such as books, motor (which is not essential), and rod vice (which can be improvised), the cost of a rod build yourself should be about 2/3 the cost of a comparable rod on the same blank at a flyshop, including sock and tube. I suggest avoiding the kits.  Part of the fun and value of building your own rod is selecting the components that match exactly what you want.  You can’t do that with a kit.  Some advice from a shop or club will help here too. When you have gathered the components (or before you buy if you are unsure whether you really want to do this), I suggest getting some winding thread, epoxy coating material (flex-coat), and an old piece of blank or dowel and do some practicing.  Wrapping well takes practice,and it is better not to start on your blank with your first try. Finally, plan on building more than one rod!  If you find you like rodbuilding, you will definately not be satisfied with your first effort. Good Luck, Lyman Hughes Ennis, MT Dallas, TX

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Question:

I live just outside of Washington DC and I was wondering where y’all think the best winter fly fishing is in this area.  It doesn’t have to be in my backyard, with in a few hours drive is alright.  It doesn’t have to be great fishing either, just to dip my line in some water would be nice. An overall query—if you could get any fishing related item for the Christmas, what would it be?  Essentially, what is at the top of a fly fisherman’s wish list?  

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An overall query—if you could get any fishing related item for the Christmas, what would it be?  Essentially, what is at the top of a fly fisherman’s wish list?  

I wish Santa would bring me a girlfriend who loves to flyfish. He wouldn’t even have to wrap her for me, he can just drop her off naked. —                   Flyfishers do it with longer rods

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: I live just outside of Washington DC and I was wondering where y’all think : the best winter fly fishing is in this area.  It doesn’t have to be in my : backyard, with in a few hours drive is alright.  It doesn’t have to be : great fishing either, just to dip my line in some water would be nice. If you are in DC, then try my old favorites  The Gunpowder below Prettybow Dam in Baltimore County, and Hunting Creek, near Thurmont in Frederick County. For the past two years, I caught (I belive the same) 23" brown on a GR-Hare’s Ear during January at Hunting Creek. I just moved to Oregon, and I’m sure I’ll miss these places. : An overall query—if you could get any fishing related item for the : Christmas, what would it be?  Essentially, what is at the top of a fly : fisherman’s wish list?   Leaders, tippets, water-proof throwaway camera to take photos of the great C&R’s. Fingerless neoprene gloves for cold-weather angling. Merry Xmas – Cameron Thomas

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: I live just outside of Washington DC and I was wondering where y’all think : the best winter fly fishing is in this area.  It doesn’t have to be in my : backyard, with in a few hours drive is alright.  It doesn’t have to be : great fishing either, just to dip my line in some water would be nice. : An overall query—if you could get any fishing related item for the : Christmas, what would it be?  Essentially, what is at the top of a fly : fisherman’s wish list?           If you just have the need to wet you’re lines and catch some fish, you can head to Dikerson (sp?).  The warm-water chute (where the kayakers practice in the winter) provides some pretty decent fishing throughout the winter.  Lots of big feisty blue-gills & some decent smallmouth action can be had too.  Never had much luck with the smallmouths though — of course I’ve only been up there 2 or 3 times.   Check out the rec. department for winter fishing courses.         As for the gift — how about either:                         1)  A private lake somewhere in canada with 500                             coupons for free flights or,                         2)  A condo on a small island off Florida with                             the same.

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Question:

You’re a wealth of information.  Thanks!  And glad to see you’re in higher ed too.  No wonder you’re so willing to share info.  Got any suggestions on the best dry fly patterns to use?? Roger Gary L. Bertrand

: Thanks for your help Gary.  I really appreciate it.  But a : question…terms I’ve not heard "put&take" and "NoCreel."  Do both of : those mean catch a release?  That’s just fine with me, I’d never keep : a fish unless it accidently was killed in the process of catching it : anyway. : : Are the parks closed during the week all winter?  When do they open : and about what time of year does the good dry fly fishing start? : : Roger. : : I say "put & take" in the sense that during the regular season at the trout : parks, they PUT them (rainbows, usually 11-14") in each evening (about 2.3 : trout per expected tag) and we TAKE them out the next day (limit 5) on a $2 : daily tag.  Whistle blows at 6:30, everybody casts, 1/3 catch a fish, 2/3 : catch somebody else.  You can C&R if you like (20+ days are not uncommon), : but I don’t recommend it in crowded areas when the bubbas aren’t catching : much.  There are different conditions at the 4 parks (I am not familiar : with Roaring River Park) during the regular season – March 1 to October 30. :  Meramek Springs (St.James) Park allows anything, and I don’t recommend it : unless you enjoy casting around some guy chunking cheese on a treble hook : with a Rhino rod.  Bennett Springs (N of Lebanon) has 3 zones – flies only, : something like flies only but you aren’t restricted to a single-point hook : (lots of rooster tails), and bait.  Montauk Springs (SW of Salem, SE of : Licking) has flies only, anything goes, and a c&r area.  Winter season in : all 4 parks is from mid-November to mid February, weekends only, c&r (only : they call it NoCreel), flies only.  They stock them only once pretty : heavily at the start of winter season, so the catching is great in Nov and : drops off during the winter. :       The rivers below Meramec Springs (Meramec R) and Montauk (Current R) are : trophy trout areas (limit 3,15" minimum) and are open all year anytime. : You can fish them on a state or out-of-state license, put can’t keep trout : without a trout stamp.  The catching is not as good as it is in the parks, : but the fishing is much better.  The river below Bennett Springs (Niangua : R) is also open all year with no restrictions, but I haven’t fished it very : much.  I find the Bennett Springs area too crowded, even during winter : season, but they have some of the best shops in the state, so I make a : couple of trips (it’s about an hour-and-a-half from here) a year for : fly-tying supplies. :       The good dry fly fishing starts around daybreak on any day you’re lucky : enough to be out in the river without freezing your butt off (and maybe : even a few mornings with frost on your pumpkin), but I think the fishing is : best on weekdays in April.  There’s too many people on weekends, and by May : there’s too many people all week. : Gary : — : Gary L. Bertrand   Dept. of Chemistry : University of Missouri-Rolla

Response:

One good place to start might be Bennett Spring State Park. It’s a put-n- take fishery but at least is relatively easy to get to from KC and can provide a fairly decent "fix". Ask any store that sells flies how to get there.

Response:

I’ll give it a try….an, I’m glad you know about the need for a fishing "fix."  I’d take a 6" rainbow right now just to see a fish — it’s been too long since my waiders have been wet. : One good place to start might be Bennett Spring State Park. It’s a put-n- : take fishery but at least is relatively easy to get to from KC and can : provide a fairly decent "fix". Ask any store that sells flies how to get : there.

Response:

I’ll give it a try….an, I’m glad you know about the need for a fishing "fix."  I’d take a 6" rainbow right now just to see a fish — it’s been too long since my waiders have been wet.

Don’t go running down there right now, expecting to put&take.  All of the Missouri trout parks are now in Winter Season for NoCreel (C&R) fishing only, and only open Fri, Sat, Sunday.  A $5 permit lets you fish all the parks (4) all winter. — Gary L. Bertrand

Response:

Thanks for your help Gary.  I really appreciate it.  But a question…terms I’ve not heard "put&take" and "NoCreel."  Do both of those mean catch a release?  That’s just fine with me, I’d never keep a fish unless it accidently was killed in the process of catching it anyway. Are the parks closed during the week all winter?  When do they open and about what time of year does the good dry fly fishing start? Roger. Gary L.

: I’ll give it a try….an, I’m glad you know about the need for a fishing : "fix."  I’d take a 6" rainbow right now just to see a fish — it’s been : too long since my waiders have been wet. : : Don’t go running down there right now, expecting to put&take.  All of the : Missouri trout parks are now in Winter Season for NoCreel (C&R) fishing : only, and only open Fri, Sat, Sunday.  A $5 permit lets you fish all the : parks (4) all winter. : — : Gary L. Bertrand

Response:

Thanks for your help Gary.  I really appreciate it.  But a question…terms I’ve not heard "put&take" and "NoCreel."  Do both of those mean catch a release?  That’s just fine with me, I’d never keep a fish unless it accidently was killed in the process of catching it anyway. Are the parks closed during the week all winter?  When do they open and about what time of year does the good dry fly fishing start? Roger.

I say "put & take" in the sense that during the regular season at the trout parks, they PUT them (rainbows, usually 11-14") in each evening (about 2.3 trout per expected tag) and we TAKE them out the next day (limit 5) on a $2 daily tag.  Whistle blows at 6:30, everybody casts, 1/3 catch a fish, 2/3 catch somebody else.  You can C&R if you like (20+ days are not uncommon), but I don’t recommend it in crowded areas when the bubbas aren’t catching much.  There are different conditions at the 4 parks (I am not familiar with Roaring River Park) during the regular season – March 1 to October 30.  Meramek Springs (St.James) Park allows anything, and I don’t recommend it unless you enjoy casting around some guy chunking cheese on a treble hook with a Rhino rod.  Bennett Springs (N of Lebanon) has 3 zones – flies only, something like flies only but you aren’t restricted to a single-point hook (lots of rooster tails), and bait.  Montauk Springs (SW of Salem, SE of Licking) has flies only, anything goes, and a c&r area.  Winter season in all 4 parks is from mid-November to mid February, weekends only, c&r (only they call it NoCreel), flies only.  They stock them only once pretty heavily at the start of winter season, so the catching is great in Nov and drops off during the winter.         The rivers below Meramec Springs (Meramec R) and Montauk (Current R) are trophy trout areas (limit 3,15" minimum) and are open all year anytime. You can fish them on a state or out-of-state license, put can’t keep trout without a trout stamp.  The catching is not as good as it is in the parks, but the fishing is much better.  The river below Bennett Springs (Niangua R) is also open all year with no restrictions, but I haven’t fished it very much.  I find the Bennett Springs area too crowded, even during winter season, but they have some of the best shops in the state, so I make a couple of trips (it’s about an hour-and-a-half from here) a year for fly-tying supplies.         The good dry fly fishing starts around daybreak on any day you’re lucky enough to be out in the river without freezing your butt off (and maybe even a few mornings with frost on your pumpkin), but I think the fishing is best on weekdays in April.  There’s too many people on weekends, and by May there’s too many people all week. Gary — Gary L. Bertrand   Dept. of Chemistry University of Missouri-Rolla

Response:

I’m looking for some good fly fishing places in Missouri.  I’m expecially interested in streams that are within easy driving distance to Kansas City.  I normally fish Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, so this will be a new exprerience, so I’d appreciate any suggestions.  Thanks!

You will have to decide what is easy driving distance, but I’ll give you some ideas.If you are talking about in the normal in season time, Do the Merremac River and the Current river. As far as the Merremac goes, there is a bunch of big water fishing from around St. James on downstream. (Jon boat is good to float with then get out and wade.) The Current river offers some great classic trout stream fishing from Montauk springs on downstream. (Montauk is good for the kids and some practice in the flys only sections. Also a decent place to stay.) concentrate your serious fishing however on the current river downstream from the springs. Locals can give you guidance. Canoe is good for transportation. There are a few liveries around Montauk and you can park your car at the pickup and float down to it and leave the canoe. Don’t be put off by the Corn fisherman in the parks. They are gettin’ dinner and having a good time with the family. The Classic fishing, as I said is in the streams out of the parks. If you want some REAL western type fishing, go to Mountain Home Arkansas and fish the White and Norfolk rivers. Definitely hire a guide at Blue Ribbon Flies in Mountain Home. It will make your trip worthwile and safe. Best fishing is this time of year for the big ‘uns. Great fishing year around though. By the way, some of the land on the Current River (which is part of the Ozark Sceninc Riverway) was homesteaded by my ancestors, and I still have a bunch of relatives  we go see from time to time.     If you want specifics on locations and suggestions rather than these generalizations, Email me and I’ll respond. Kevin Williams-Indianapolis, IN

Response:

I’m looking for some good fly fishing places in Missouri.  I’m expecially interested in streams that are within easy driving distance to Kansas City.  I normally fish Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, so this will be a new exprerience, so I’d appreciate any suggestions.  Thanks!

Response:

Question:

I just would like to see names of rivers, lakes included in some of this mail.  … I just am tired of this attitude of hiding even the name of the place.  Yes, you are right in that you can get pretty close from the description, but then why not just tell the name outright.

Names of rivers, dates, and specific "how, when and where" information is just what the magazine editors want too. Thank god they don’t get it, most of the time. The late Norman Strung, of Field and Stream, or Outdoor Life…I’m not sure which one… made a living out of giving secrets away. He was a Bozeman Montana area writer who had a lot of friends. There were a lot of people who didn’t like him very much too. Especially those who still had secrets they wanted to keep….fishing holes they didn’t want overrun. Secrets are for sharing with close friends. Not for broadcast news to the whole universe. —

Response:

I just would like to see names of rivers, lakes included in some of this mail.  … I just am tired of this attitude of hiding even the name of the place.  Yes, you are right in that you can get pretty close from the description, but then why not just tell the name outright.   Very few will make this arduous journey.

As a general rule, the smaller or more fragile a fishery is, the more reluctant I am to draw large-scale attention to it.  There are several reasons for my attitude: 1. Probably everyone has that one special place, a slice of heaven they    consider their own, that they would prefer keep secret.  If someone    works hard to discover such a place, and takes a personal interest in    its long term health, more power to them; and the right to keep it    a secret should be their’s – they deserve it. 2. Small fisheries, especially small creeks and small lakes (~15 acres)    can be severely impacted by sudden intense fishing pressure.  I’m    not concerned about telling everyone that the Siletz River has great    searun cutthroat and steelhead fishing.  It’s so damn big, it takes    years to figure out a few good holes.  Small waters on the other hand    are a different story.    I’ll add that "arduous" journeys or remote places do *not* guarantee    protection.  Heck, those are the places I’m attracted to, and    everyone else I know. 3. People who draw large-scale attention to secret fishing spots they’re    told about tend to be frowned upon.  If Wayne for example was told    about the lake in question by someone else, it’s wrong and certainly    awkard for Wayne to be expected to tell all for our benefit. 4. There’s more to fishing than being told which water to hit, which    fly to use, which hole to cast in, etc.   Half the fun should be    figuring it out for yourself. Thomas Gilg

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just would like to see names of rivers, lakes included in some of this mail.  … I just am tired of this attitude of hiding even the name of the place.  Yes, you are right in that you can get pretty close from the description, but then why not just tell the name outright.   Names of rivers, dates, and specific "how, when and where" information is just what the magazine editors want too. Thank god they don’t get it, most of the time. The late Norman Strung, of Field and Stream, or Outdoor Life…I’m not sure which one… made a living out of giving secrets away. He was a Bozeman Montana area writer who had a lot of friends. There were a lot of people who didn’t like him very much too. Especially those who still had secrets they wanted to keep….fishing holes they didn’t want overrun. Secrets are for sharing with close friends. Not for broadcast news to the whole universe. —

I think it’s upto the person who knows to tell if he wants to or not. I know I spend a fair bit of time spotting  pools/areas to fish and there are others who do the same. I wouldn’t want the place I’m fishing to be on some fishing show or the local newspaper because it brings out alot of people who wouldn`t come otherwise! I’m still pissed off at that Canadian Sportsfishing show where the two idiots (Henry and Italo) named the creek on a steelhead show. They caught fish after fish but didn’t tell anyone that they were fishing a private land area that the general public has no access to and they fished it the one year where they was a huge late run. There were so many people at the public areas with very few fish. It has taken about 4 years for the crowd to go away because they didn’t catch anything at all. If I ever see them out fishing one day, I’m going to give them a piece of my mind!!!!

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