Question:

My only experiece with spawners has involved brookies. I have , for many years, observed them spawning. Many fall fishing trips have turned into fish watching expeditions. One thing I have noriced, is that anything that drifts into the redd will be challenged, usually by the Alpha male. Many times the offending object is picked up and spit out by the fish. When the Alpha male leaves the redd, a bunch of smaller males will rush in and attempt to fertilize the eggs, only to be violently chased out when the big guy returns. Other fish on the redd will also go after foriegn objects if the Alpha male doesn’t respond. Brookies will occassionally "take a break" from the redd, and feed for a while in the adjacent area. This "break" can last from a few minutes to over an hour. Brookies do not always form redds from scratch, but will utilize a gravel area that is kept clean by streamflow. Don’t know if this adds anything to the discussion, but thought I’d throw it in. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

Fishing on the redds, eh? There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island. Isn’t that what they call a non sequitur?

Not if the little old lady is Marge Shott. FiddleAway

Response:

My only experiece with spawners has involved brookies. I have , for many years, observed them spawning. Many fall fishing trips have turned into fish watching expeditions. One thing I have noriced, is that anything that drifts into the redd will be challenged, usually by the Alpha male. Many times the offending object is picked up and spit out by the fish. When the Alpha male leaves the redd, a bunch of smaller males will rush in and attempt to fertilize the eggs, only to be violently chased out when the big guy returns. Other fish on the redd will also go after foriegn objects if the Alpha male doesn’t respond.

Geez. All this time I thought I was the only unethical SOB on ROFF who fished on redds.

Response:

One thing I have noriced, is that anything that drifts into the redd will be challenged, usually by the Alpha male. Many times the offending object is picked up and spit out by the fish. Other fish on the redd will also go after foriegn objects if the Alpha male doesn’t respond.

The same is very true of salmon apparently and as a result, that is exactly the behavior the guide was targeting with the ultra-light, ultra-small natural approach.  The trick is to learn the feel of the fly being sucked in and responding with a very quick, but relatively light hook set (the guide referred to it as a "pre-set"), before the fish spits it out again.  Once you get that feel dialed it is amazingly repetitive.  We were disproportionately successful to those fishing nearby for two days by nearly 4 or 5 to one.  That seemed to hold true for others we encountered in the fly shops and around town, as well.  What others were describing as slow days on the river were some of the most successful days of fishing in my life. I am now a firm convert to this method, where applicable. TL Zippy

Response:

Geez. All this time I thought I was the only unethical SOB on ROFF who fished on redds.

Never said I fished ‘em…only observed.{:-) Actually, I used to fish redds, but gave it up after It finally dawned on me that the fish would take just about anything, and were damn near impossible to spook. They’d scatter, but be back on the redd within minutes. Haven’t been able to spy on the little buggers this fall as the prime viewing area has been placed off limits due to the threat of terrorist activity. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her   redd. Any other  ideas? I’ve been trying to find time to put together a trip report on the Salmon River for a month now, but it involved a local guide teaching me a new way (new to me, at least) of targeting salmon.  It centered around small…very small…seemingly improbably small….naturals on frightfully light tippets.  It was outstandingly successful…so much so, that under similar circumstances, I would be hard pressed not to use his method as the "go to" approach. Anyhow, his theory centered around not only a "housekeeping" attitude, but a general territorial defense response, especially for competing males. Got to find a few minutes to cobble that TR together for contribution…. TL, Zippy

Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or  outright snaggin MT

Response:

There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island. Isn’t that what they call a non sequitur?

christmas island is a non sequi-tour?  how much does it cost? jeff (who’s taken too many sequi-tours)

Response:

Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or  outright snaggin MT

I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy

Response:

Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or  outright snaggin MT I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy

Will look forward to it. My  arm gets real tired of trying to drag a salmon hooked in the top fin sideways thru fast water <G  MT

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or outright snaggin MT I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy Will look forward to it. My  arm gets real tired of trying to drag a salmon hooked in the top fin sideways thru fast water <G  MT

the best solution for large foul hooked fish is to simply point the rod at the fish and break it off.  my opinion is that a fly stuck on a fish causes less stress than the longer landing time required for foul hooked fish (especially those hooked on the back or the tail).  since in most places one must release any foul hooked fish, this is my preference with the accidental foul hooked fish. chris

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or outright snaggin MT I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy Will look forward to it. My  arm gets real tired of trying to drag a salmon hooked in the top fin sideways thru fast water <G  MT the best solution for large foul hooked fish is to simply point the rod at the fish and break it off.  my opinion is that a fly stuck on a fish causes less stress than the longer landing time required for foul hooked fish (especially those hooked on the back or the tail).  since in most places one must release any foul hooked fish, this is my preference with the accidental foul hooked fish. chris

Hi Chris  I  do  folow this practice, tho sometimes it s 10 mins into the fight and about 100 yards  down river…..  MT

Response:

Fishing on the redds, eh? There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island.

Isn’t that what they call a non sequitur? Tell here there are no redds at Christmas Island.

Response:

Fishing on the redds, eh?

There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her   redd. Any other  ideas?

I’ve been trying to find time to put together a trip report on the Salmon River for a month now, but it involved a local guide teaching me a new way (new to me, at least) of targeting salmon.  It centered around small…very small…seemingly improbably small….naturals on frightfully light tippets.  It was outstandingly successful…so much so, that under similar circumstances, I would be hard pressed not to use his method as the "go to" approach. Anyhow, his theory centered around not only a "housekeeping" attitude, but a general territorial defense response, especially for competing males. Got to find a few minutes to cobble that TR together for contribution…. TL, Zippy

Response:

  I was fishing in Oswego  for trout  coming in  from the lake. Some nice  rainbows, steel head and Browns  had been taken that day. Most of the  fisherman were using  egg patterns or egg sacks. Deciding something different might work I tried  a  Size 8 stone fly nymph.  The line came to a stop, I  set the hook  and about 10 minutes later landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her   redd. Any other  ideas?  MT

Response:

  I was fishing in Oswego  for trout  coming in  from the lake. Some nice  rainbows, steel head and Browns  had been taken that day. Most of the  fisherman were using  egg patterns or egg sacks. Deciding something different might work I tried  a  Size 8 stone fly nymph.  The line came to a stop, I  set the hook  and about 10 minutes later landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas?

    Being a pregnant female, she probably mistook it for chocolate.

Response:

… landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas?

Housekeeping. I caught Muskegon steelhead the same way. They don’t eat, of course, but they will clear insects out of their redds. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

… landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas? Housekeeping. I caught Muskegon steelhead the same way. They don’t eat, of course, but they will clear insects out of their redds.

Fishing on the redds, eh?

Response:

 The line came to a stop, I  set the hook  and about 10 minutes later landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas?

I dunno, but up there I really try to avoid egg patterns unless I’m desperate.   Lots of nymph patterns work well, & I saw a guy last year catch about a 20-pounder on a GR Hare’s Ear.  FWIW Joe F.

Response:

Question:

A merry (year end festible of choice) to all of you. May the beer god smile apon you and your stockings be filled with bamboo rods, cool vests, waders, zingers and other tools of joy! Even you daytripper, get a bamboo ok? Flyfish — dave’s homepage madness http://www.ctel.net/~brooktrout flyfishing in Maine and more

Response:

A merry (year end festible of choice) to all of you. May the beer god smile apon you and your stockings be filled with bamboo rods, cool vests, waders, zingers and other tools of joy! Even you daytripper, get a bamboo ok? Flyfish

Bah! Humbug! If God had meant us to fish with cane, He’d have them grow with the guides and a UPS shipping label already attached… /daytripper (who actually owns four cane rods but prefers plastic)

Response:

Question:

Mike K&K Flyfishers                  Rainbow Fly 8643 Grant                         17201 E 40 Hwy Overland Park Ks               Independence Mo 913-341-8118                      816-373-2283 See if this works for you it does for me. Tight Loops Bo – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – —–BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE—– I’m not much of a tier yet. Does anybody know of any good fly shops in the Kansas City/Topeka area? I need some lures for spring, before I get driven to true desperation (using Berkeley plastic crawdads on a fly rod). d Try alt.fishing. — Doug Knight                                     metalfab<atpacbell.net Junk e-mail, solicitation, sales, products and services gladly accepted at $500.00 per mailing and billed directly to your ISP.

Response:

—–BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE—– I’m not much of a tier yet. Does anybody know of any good fly shops in the Kansas City/Topeka area? I need some lures for spring, before I get driven to true desperation (using Berkeley plastic crawdads on a fly rod). Even better…if you know of a fly shop in that general area that also does a good casting lesson, well, god only knows I need the help. I can usually chuck a fly about 50′, but only if there’s no obstructions and no wind. I’d also take an online fly shop or fly tier, if you know of any. —–BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE—– Version: 2.6.2 iQEVAwUBNsPyXJdiUzdLFqlpAQFARAf+JaW83oC4hAMAoQCQRVZyxFv/a5urF1cU SQaOpNteU8Z6etNM388F3CYvAniwa+dwmdCGCMT/SOQHEHBuHczj9/hrhXk+28+b M7goNl5kgIhd+zMR9LdsHt/NbW42PATuYNdsWV0Wf1tHfKGKGc98hdyF5w0/lJak xQU44Yt/PY5440MIn64YeAOtChSn4lPXYP3xyXB0a1oy221zZ6mWJkWaJb/yOHO1 Oo3Gv1kfGpgrBV8OQhx8WK/cGq+lulrQH3Dvpmn9UxXXrmr9azCPf5TJ0A0vnQrV zqwf/uEMbEnHJe6KIG8flAhLn51N65ysIr9LRGtXqYzuFltj9MmuxA== =Waa4 —–END PGP SIGNATURE—– Mike S. Medintz, http://www.grapevine.net/~medintz "Can’t keep my eyes from the circling skies,  Tongue-tied and twisted, just an earthbound misfit, I" -Pink Floyd

Response:

—–BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE—– I’m not much of a tier yet. Does anybody know of any good fly shops in the Kansas City/Topeka area? I need some lures for spring, before I get driven to true desperation (using Berkeley plastic crawdads on a fly rod). d

Try alt.fishing. — Doug Knight                                     metalfab<atpacbell.net Junk e-mail, solicitation, sales, products and services gladly accepted at $500.00 per mailing and billed directly to your ISP.

Response:

Question:

Comparaduns are a style of fly, i.e. no hackle, and the Hendrickson is a particular design to match either the Ephemerella subvaria as a Light Hendrickson, or the Ephemerella X , as the dark pattern. Check Al Caucci’s homepage at www.mayfly.com for comparadun info he invented the things. jg

Caucci may have coined the term "comparadun," but I believe the style of fly (no hackle with hair wing) was developed by Fran Betters as the "Haystack."  Either way, it’s a pattern that works when standard Catskill ties don’t. Michael

Response:

Comparaduns are a style of fly, i.e. no hackle, and the Hendrickson is a particular design to match either the Ephemerella subvaria as a Light Hendrickson, or the Ephemerella X , as the dark pattern. Check Al Caucci’s homepage at www.mayfly.com for comparadun info he invented the things. jg

Response:

I am both a novice fly fisherman and fly tyer.  I am looking for a good recipe for a comparadun pattern and a Hendrickson pattern.  Preferably the patterns will be relative to the Michigan/Great Lakes region and the recipes will also come with tying instructions.  I realize that this may sound a little demanding but I am very much a novice fly tyer. I would also be forever grateful. thanx. NEWFISHBOY  

Post this same message to: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying B.

Response:

 I am both a novice fly fisherman and fly tyer.  I am looking for a good  recipe for a comparadun pattern and a Hendrickson pattern.

Those are in many of the soft-bound books on the market.  Check your local flyshop.

Response:

I am both a novice fly fisherman and fly tyer.  I am looking for a good recipe for a comparadun pattern and a Hendrickson pattern.  Preferably the patterns will be relative to the Michigan/Great Lakes region and the recipes will also come with tying instructions.  I realize that this may sound a little demanding but I am very much a novice fly tyer. I would also be forever grateful. thanx. NEWFISHBOY  

Response:

Question:

Grow up and get a life!  If you have a "head in the sand" approach to flyfishing that’s fine, but don’t try to foist it on the rest of us.  Most fly fishers enjoy a variety of approaches to catch, and often release, a variety of fish species.   To each his or her own.

Response:

A nicely weighted nymph, quietly cast upstream, on a dead drift, is truly the only sporting way to pursue the honorable Mr. Trout.                                                        __ john quill taylor                                     / / writer at large                                      / /   Hewlett-Packard, Storage Systems Division    __     /_/ / Boise, Idaho U.S.A.                         /_/  __ _ Telephone: (208) 396-2328 (MST = GMT – 7)     /  \  / Snail Mail: Hewlett-Packard                    / \             11413 Chinden Blvd                 \             Boise, Idaho 83714                   _/             Mailstop 852                            _/                                                   _/       "When in doubt, do as doubters do." – jqt –                   haiti, rwanda, cuba, bosnia, … we have a list,              where is our schindler?

Response:

Question:

what do you know about blue water fly fishing out of la paz, mexico?

Response:

what do you know about blue water fly fishing out of la paz, mexico?

All the Mexican Guides kill the fish. Mr. G.

Response:

Question:

This year I moved my Japanese Anenome to another section of garden. All year long I have been amazed at the number of new plants popping up in the old site; it seems the more I pull out, the more they grow. Does anyone have suggestions on eliminating this plant once and for all? I had no idea it can be so invasive! TIA – Steph

Response:

This year I moved my Japanese Anenome to another section of garden. All year long I have been amazed at the number of new plants popping up in the old site; it seems the more I pull out, the more they grow. Does anyone have suggestions on eliminating this plant once and for all? I had no idea it can be so invasive!

  I believe only one species (Robust..something that’s a sort of washed out dark pink) has this invasive property.  Down my way Anemones arn’t that healthy so even this species is easy to eliminate with a little digging and sifting.  You might try Round-Up when it is actively growing, but I think once or twice with a rake should pick up most of the spreading rizomes. — Lloyd Fortney http://www.phy.duke.edu/~fortney/lrf_home_page.html has links to my garden, flower, flyfishing, and travel JPEG images as well as teaching, research, and stuff like that

Response:

I have found that any Japanese anemone is very invasive.  Constant weeding or roundup is required.

Response:

I have not found that Japanese Anemone is invasive at all, in fact, myine is about to be overwhelmed by the other planta around it and is seriously in need of being moved.  (I am in Zone 6 on the north side of Lake Ontario.) Robyn G

Response:

Robyn – glad you posted that – I haven’t found Japanese anenome’s to be invasive either.   Cheers Robin (by another name!)

Response:

I thought the Japanese were our anemones during WW II.

Response:

I thought the Japanese were our anemones during WW II.

Couldn’t resist, could you? —  CCCCDo CCC  CCo CCC   "|     Db,    CCC     REE D D   and the Swillmasters.   "CCoo-     DP’

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I started quite a discussion with my "8 or 9 wt  rod" question and I want to thank all for your experience and wisdom. With all the input, I have decided on an 8 wt rod, which should be very versatile here in CA. I now have a question about line. I have now been told by 2 shops that a shooting head is the only way to go for CA steelhead. Its a bit intimidating in that I see all the casters at the pond untangling huge masses of  monofilament line. (Its hard enough to double haul right now without added complications!) I know that there are lines such as Teeny’s T’s, Cortland’s 24′ sink tip equivalent, and a Cortland line which is attached to braided mono. Shooting heads apparently offer the greatest flexibility in that different heads can be selected: floating and heads with various sink rates. It also offers a confusing number of options. Should I attach the shooting head to a floating running line, which is then attached to the mono backing, or do I attach the shooting head directly to the mono, as I see so many guys at the pond doing? If I do attach  the head to an intermediary section of floating running line, what diameter?, floating or sinking? Should I stick with a shooting head system and if so, what brands can I investigate? (I know Orvis provides a kit like system.) In a catalogue I have also seen 100

Question:

writes: writes: … I have also made large rod tubes for my one piece rods.  …  How long is the longest tube that you’ve taken on an airplane ?  I am asking  because I have received conflicting info from agents. I have taken a 9 ft two piece rod on numerous trips and put the rod

case in the overhead. Most of the airlines have overheads with two doors, however there is no divider between the two sections. A 9 ft rod just makes it provided there isn’t a lot of luggage in there already. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I apolgize for the repetition here, but this is an important topic for those who are not regular travelers with flyrods.  There is nothing that will spoil a trip like lost or broken rods — insurance just won’t help. Never check rods!!!  First, I have only had one occasion where an agent tried to get me to check the rods, and I insisted on carrying them on board.  If you run into that problem, don’t give in.  Raise hell and they will let you on.  Second, I have always been able to get the rods (up to 9′ two piece) in the overhead bins, except on the smallest of commuters; then they went in the hanging bag compartment. Lyman Hughes Ennis,MT Dallas, TX

Response:

writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This is a good question.  I am travelling by plane for the first time with my fly rod, which a two piece 8 1/2 footer.  I have one of the 1 1/2" aluminum rod cases with the sock inside, which doesn’t lock.  Can I claim it as carryon? SHould I just tape up the cover?  Or should I paste a label over the brand name on the case and label it Blueprints? Any advice would be appreciated. Chris Bernard (508)640-2016 days (617)979-0464 home

Do not check your rods.  Continental lost my rod case for a day, even when I checked it in as oversized.  Apparently, some baggage systems lose long items because they fall off the system at the turns.  Fight like hell to take it on as luggage.  I start kissing the butts of the check in people and then plead with the flight attendants and it always works.  I use alum. rod tubes inside a nice looking Bean Maine Guide rod bag that actually looks like luggage.  Wear some god awful fishing hat with a TU catch and release pin and they’ll treat you as an eccentric and let you do what you want. Musconet

Response:

Everything we do up here is by air.  Have a rod cases called the "Bazooka" model.  Hold 5 rods is bright red, easy to see and monitor, and is indestructable.  Have take it all over the world and have not had a problem. — Gene Dobrzynski, Eagle River, Alaska

Response:

writes: writes: … I have also made large rod tubes for my one piece rods.  …  How long is the longest tube that you’ve taken on an airplane ?  I am asking  because I have received conflicting info from agents.

I have made tubes to carry one piece casting rods.  Longest rod is 7′6", and the rod tube is a couple of inches longer. It’s in the attic at the moment, but, if I remember correctly, it is a 4" ID tube.  (ABS – sched 40).  I I checked that with no problem ….. The longest I have carried on board is 54".  I put it in the hanger bag closets. Dee Crabtree DeeCrab*ibm.net

Response:

(508)640-2016 days (617)979-0464 home Do not check your rods. Musconet

Many of you have said the same as the note ref’d above.  Maybe I’m just lucky, or don’t travel as much as you, (hmmm – nah!) but I have never had a rod tubes damaged, opened, lost or delayed – can’t say the same for my luggage (clothes) though!!   I mark the tubes well, the ends are secure (bottom cap glued & top cap drilled & tied with a large nylon bundling tie) and the rods padded inside. Dee Crabtree DeeCrab*ibm.net

Response:

I’ve flown twice with my rods.  United insisted that I check them, but then required that I sign a waiver of responsibility for loss or damage. Horizon Airlines insisted that I carry them onboard.  Thanks Horizon.

Response:

writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This is a good question.  I am travelling by plane for the first time with my fly rod, which a two piece 8 1/2 footer.  I have one of the 1 1/2" aluminum rod cases with the sock inside, which doesn’t lock.  Can I claim it as carryon? SHould I just tape up the cover?  Or should I paste a label over the brand name on the case and label it Blueprints? Any advice would be appreciated. Chris Bernard (508)640-2016 days (617)979-0464 home

I’ve been flying with rods <g for a few years. Normally I carry them on, unless I have too much stuff. I have checked them on several occaisions, both in an aluminum tube and 3 tubes in a bag. Never had a problem. Perhaps I’m justlucky (on planes more than streams)! I’ve never been convinced a lock does much (for rods or bags), if someone wants it it’s gone. So I just make sure my insurance covers the important things. BTW I do carry older cane rods as well. David

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This is a good question.  I am travelling by plane for the first time with my fly rod, which a two piece 8 1/2 footer.  I have one of the 1 1/2" aluminum rod cases with the sock inside, which doesn’t lock.  Can I claim it as carryon? SHould I just tape up the cover?  Or should I paste a label over the brand name on the case and label it Blueprints? Any advice would be appreciated. Chris Bernard (508)640-2016 days (617)979-0464 home

I’ve always carried my rod tube (and all my fishing gear for that matter! if my luggage gets lost…I can still fish!!) onto the plane. If it’s too long for the overhead…the attendant will put it in the standup closet.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This is a good question.  I am travelling by plane for the first time with my fly rod, which a two piece 8 1/2 footer.  I have one of the 1 1/2" aluminum rod cases with the sock inside, which doesn’t lock.  Can I claim it as carryon? SHould I just tape up the cover?  Or should I paste a label over the brand name on the case and label it Blueprints? Any advice would be appreciated. Chris Bernard (508)640-2016 days (617)979-0464 home

If you can carry it on, great, but if not I would advise buying one of those travel bags that hold rod tubes rather than checking just the tube. Why ? Because tubes do get lost; I spent an hour in a Mexican airport once looking for mine and trying to describe it (in my limited Spanish) to the people who worked there. Turns out it fell off a conveyor type rack and was sitting on the floor underneath it. The travel bag looks more like a suitcase, is less likely to roll around and will probably be treated with more care (of course using the word ‘care’ in any description of baggage handling is risky…) If it does get lost it’s easier to describe and find than a piece of aluminum pipe or PVC.                                                         jc      

Response:

Does someone have a recommendation about how to pack regular, two piece rods for airline travel?

Never, I repeat NEVER check your rods, unless you want new ones and want to claim them on your insurance.  They will eventually be broken or disappear if you check them.  When carrying rods on, try to board early before the flight attendants are swamped by people with 400 pound duffle bags looking for a place to stow them.  Be vnice to the flight attendants and they will generally find you a place to stow your rods.  In most cases they will fit in the overhead bin.                  /                 /                   John Woodling                /                    Sacramento, CA                   <     <

Response:

If I understand correctly, the question is can you carry 2-piece rods as carry-on or must you check them.  I have traveled a few times with my 7′11 2-piece in the 1.5" tube and my 9′ 2-piece in a larger tube.   Although they are larger than what the regulations allow, I have never had anybody stop me.  In fact the flight attendants were helpful in stowing them.   I don’t know what I would do if they decided to be a hard ass about it.  There’s no way I would check through a $300+ rod! Tight Lines, Gerry

Response:

I took two two piece fly rods and a two piece long musky weight bait casting rod from NJ to Miami to Quito to rainforest, overhead bin until I hit the Ecuadorian prop plane to the river port and the flight attendant there didn’t care where I stowed the rods. No guarantees but no one twitched about the tubes.

Response:

Bob – Never, never, never check your rods.  That’s my advice.  The overheads will handle a standard size rod case.  On the one or two occasions that I have had a problem on an odd plane, I have always found a spot — usually in the hanging bag bin. Lyman                                               Dallas, TX                                               Ennis, MT

Response:

Does someone have a recommendation about how to pack regular, two piece rods for airline travel? I have a large rod tube which can hold several rods of various sizes, but has no locking mechanism. Should I just securely seal the thing with tape (over the regular latch) and insure the daylights out of it? Any other suggestions? thx…. Bob Bob Sturtz                           "We have met the enemy – Traverse City, MI                        and he is us." – Pogo

Bob, I have carried rods across the country in home made and in commercial rod carriers.  I insert my aluminum fly-rod tubes into 1-1/2 in ABS tube which works just great to protect tube and contents.  (no damage since I start doing that!)  On my casting and spinning rods, I have carried them in a commercial rod case with a latch (which can have a pad lock attached.) I just secure the latch with a nylon tie.  I have also made large rod tubes for my one piece rods. I attached a drawer handle, capped one end and put a screw cap on the other end.  I insert foam inside both caps to protect the rods and also insert the rods into homemade sleeves. For the price of the commercial tube, I could build lots of custom tubes! Dee Crabtree DeeCrab*ibm.net

Response:

This is a good question.  I am travelling by plane for the first time with my fly rod, which a two piece 8 1/2 footer.  I have one of the 1 1/2" aluminum rod cases with the sock inside, which doesn’t lock.  Can I claim it as carryon? SHould I just tape up the cover?  Or should I paste a label over the brand name on the case and label it Blueprints? Any advice would be appreciated. Chris Bernard (508)640-2016 days (617)979-0464 home

Response:

Does someone have a recommendation about how to pack regular, two piece rods for airline travel? I have a large rod tube which can hold several rods of various sizes, but has no locking mechanism. Should I just securely seal the thing with tape (over the regular latch) and insure the daylights out of it? Any other suggestions? thx…. Bob Bob Sturtz                           "We have met the enemy – Traverse City, MI                        and he is us." – Pogo

Response:

Question:

Can anyone out there suggest a good fly-tying book.  I am looking into trying it out and would like to get started soon. Thanks!

Both of the Jack Dennis books are good for beginners.  They have abundant pictures and stories about each fly.  Although they are written, suposedly, for Western trout, I dont think Eastern trout will care. Good Luck

Response:

Dear JFlotch–      I’ve been tying for quite a while and don’t have it myself, but from what I’ve seen and heard from others I think I’d start with Skip Morris’ book.  I believe the title is something like "Fly Tying Made Simple".      Welcome to the obsession.  Hang onto your wallet.                              Ed Morrison

Response:

I’m a beginner tyer myself and was given a copy of The Fly Tyer’s Primer by Richard Talleur. It is well explained and has good photos and a good selection of patterns. He lives in Harrisburg so most of what is in the book is good for eastern stream, what I fish anyway.

Response:

The best I’ve ever seen in "Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple" by Skip Morris.  Much better than the Dick Stewart book for beginners, although Stewart’s patterns make an excellent resource once the basics are learned.

Response:

I got my start with Dick Talleur’s "Mastering The Art of Fly-tying".  It is now quite dog-eared from it’s extensive use by myself, as well as several others.  I still go back to it on occaision when I find my work getting a little sloppy.  I like the way he starts one off with a few basic procedures and then adds more as he proceeds from fly-to-fly.  I learned more from this book than I did from the "classes" I had attended. Although this was a long time ago, I would still highly reccomend this to any beginner.

Response:

A new book, "The Art of Fly Tying, by Van Vliet, (Cy DeCosse press) was just published as part of the Hunting and Fishing Library. Fantastic pictures, clear step-by-step instructions on every _Fundamental__Operation_ of fly-tying, i.e., quill bodies, hackle collars, wet fly bodies, etc. Lots of good patterns, well-organized, with a good index so you can find what you’re looking for. The new leader (no pun intended) in fly tying books. Highly recommended. -Phil Plumbo

Response:

Can anyone out there suggest a good fly-tying book.  I am looking into trying it out and would like to get started soon. Thanks!

My idea of a good beginners book is one that takes YOU seriously. One that you will retun to for advice for years. One of these is "The Art of Tying the Dry Fly." By  Skip Morris. The clarity of the text and illustrations and the clever techniques that make hard things easy make this book a winner. Tight Lines –Doug Easton

Response:

Skip. has an excellent book for Nymphs also.

Response:

Can anyone out there suggest a good fly-tying book.  I am looking into trying it out and would like to get started soon. Thanks! My idea of a good beginners book is one that takes YOU seriously. One that you will retun to for advice for years. One of these is "The Art of Tying the Dry Fly." By  Skip Morris. The clarity of the text and illustrations and the clever techniques that make hard things easy make this book a winner.

There is a new book out called "The Art of Fly Tying" by John van Vliet that is part of a group of books called the Hunting and Fishing Library. At least half the content of the book is pictures– all of them in color. I think its a great book for the beginner and intermidiate fly tyer and I believe it meets the qualifications above. I also like the two books by Randall Kaufmann, "Tying Dry Flies" and "The Fly Tyers Nymph Manual". Randy Esch

Response:

Try Dick Stewart’s "universal Fly Tying Guide" (Steven Greene Press, 1979) – an excellent guid to about 150 basic patterns of all types, any    d you can probably get it for about $10 or so — 3798 Woodland Drive     (604) 368-9315 Trail, BC

Response:

Can anyone out there suggest a good fly-tying book.  I am looking into trying it out and would like to get started soon. Thanks!

Poul Jorgensen has a very good book out, "Poul Jorgensen’s Book of Fly Tying" I’ve gone back to it time after time.  It has a good, clear layout and is organized by type of fly with associated patterns.  Check it out. John C. Crow

Response:

The best book for a beginning fly-tyer I’ve always thought to be J. Edson Leonard’s FLIES..straightforward, commonsense, clear, well-illustrated, and especially usefu if you don’t have a teacher of any kind. writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Skip. has an excellent book for Nymphs also.

Response:

I’ve been tying flies for something like 20 years now (with large portions of downtime – namely grad school).  When I was getting started there was a book by Kenneth Bay (I think) which was excellent.  This only shows you a half dozen or so patterns, but there is a photograph and an explanation of EVERY step.  If you are just starting and have no idea of how to do anything, I would suggest that you look for this book and work through it.  Then get a list of fly patterns or one of the other books mentioned and work on some different patterns. Good luck, and my condolences – it’s an addicting hobby and you’ll likely never be cured.  Lucky you! Regards, John — Dr. John G. Hardie Indiana University Cyclotron Facility

Response: