Question:

I just had an incredible bit of luck run into me. Yesterday one of my coworkers came into my office and said that he noticed from my office decorations that I enjoyed fly fishing. He had run across one of those fly fishing coffee table books for $1.00 in the local bargain bin and bought it for me. As I thanked him, one bit of conversation led to another and he mentioned he had an old fly rod in his garage collecting dust and asked if I’d like it. It turns out that this guy used to camp and hunt in Keene, NH about 15-20 years ago. One day while he was there, his hunting partner asked if he would mind helping the landowner pack a few things into a moving truck. Long story short, they ended up at Lee Wulff’s place in Surry. He said that Mr. Wulff was spending more time reminiscing about each thing he packed than actually packing the U-Haul for his move to New York on the Beaverkill. At the end of the day, Mr. Wulff gave my coworker his Cortland Model 502-A, 2-piece 7′6" 7WT rod, of which I am now the proud owner. Judging from the wear on the tip-top, this rod was used frequently. Although the rod itself may not be of much value (and of this I’m not sure – I can’t find any info on it), the fact that Mr. Wulff once fished with it makes it something I will cherish. When told of his death, Charles Kurault said, "Lee Wulff was to fly fishing what Einstein was to physics." As someone recently said here, life is good. — TL, Tim

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just had an incredible bit of luck run into me. Yesterday one of my coworkers came into my office and said that he noticed from my office decorations that I enjoyed fly fishing. He had run across one of those fly fishing coffee table books for $1.00 in the local bargain bin and bought it for me. As I thanked him, one bit of conversation led to another and he mentioned he had an old fly rod in his garage collecting dust and asked if I’d like it. It turns out that this guy used to camp and hunt in Keene, NH about 15-20 years ago. One day while he was there, his hunting partner asked if he would mind helping the landowner pack a few things into a moving truck. Long story short, they ended up at Lee Wulff’s place in Surry. He said that Mr. Wulff was spending more time reminiscing about each thing he packed than actually packing the U-Haul for his move to New York on the Beaverkill. At the end of the day, Mr. Wulff gave my coworker his Cortland Model 502-A, 2-piece 7′6" 7WT rod, of which I am now the proud owner. Judging from the wear on the tip-top, this rod was used frequently. Although the rod itself may not be of much value (and of this I’m not sure – I can’t find any info on it), the fact that Mr. Wulff once fished with it makes it something I will cherish. When told of his death, Charles Kurault said, "Lee Wulff was to fly fishing what Einstein was to physics." As someone recently said here, life is good. — TL, Tim

That is awesome Tim. Congrats Russell -Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

Response:

Awesome.  Write down the "provenance" with as many dates and names as you can get.  If you decide to just keep the rod and later sell it, this will definately increase its value. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Awesome.  Write down the "provenance" with as many dates and names as you can get.  If you decide to just keep the rod and later sell it, this will definately increase its value.

Already working on it. I’ve written to Joan Wulff to see if she can verify the circumstance. Also, my coworker was keeping a diary during the time this happened, so he thinks he can give me some more exact timeframe. Even though it’s designated as a 7WT, the rod feels like it would handle a WF5F line pretty well, which is usually what I use. Has anyone out there fished with this kind of mismatch before? Any tips? — TL, Tim (excited like a kid in a candy store)

Response:

Already working on it. I’ve written to Joan Wulff to see if she can verify the circumstance.

OTOH, she might want her rod back.  :-) Joe F.

Response:

All I have to say is: we should have gone fishing yesterday.  You were destined to catch that once in a lifetime wild 30 inch Swift River brookie.

Response:

Awesome.  Write down the "provenance" with as many dates and names as you can get.  If you decide to just keep the rod and later sell it, this will definately increase its value.

Absolutely.  In fact, you might even wish to contact Joan Wulff and see about a letter.  While it may seem unimportant now, when and if it becomes important, it will be more difficult, if not impossible, to gather the needed information.  Also, make sure that your documentation/research is clearly spelled out and your family knows about it (or at least where to find your documentation).  Trust me on this – I speak from personal experience. You might also wish to check with the Catskill FFing Center: Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum 1031 Old Route 17, Livingston Manor, New York 12758 http://www.cffcm.org/cmc.html  or the Anglers’ Club of New York: The Anglers’ Club of New York 101 Broad St. New York, NY 10004 Voice: (212) 425-7333 Fax: (212) 809-9089 IIRC, they were involved in auction of Wulff items a couple of years ago, and might be able to give you a rough idea of value for insurance, etc.   Congrats on the "find." TC, R

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Awesome.  Write down the "provenance" with as many dates and names as you can get.  If you decide to just keep the rod and later sell it, this will definately increase its value. Absolutely.  In fact, you might even wish to contact Joan Wulff and see about a letter.  While it may seem unimportant now, when and if it becomes important, it will be more difficult, if not impossible, to gather the needed information.  Also, make sure that your documentation/research is clearly spelled out and your family knows about it (or at least where to find your documentation).  Trust me on this – I speak from personal experience. You might also wish to check with the Catskill FFing Center: Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum 1031 Old Route 17, Livingston Manor, New York 12758 http://www.cffcm.org/cmc.html  or the Anglers’ Club of New York: The Anglers’ Club of New York 101 Broad St. New York, NY 10004 Voice: (212) 425-7333 Fax: (212) 809-9089 IIRC, they were involved in auction of Wulff items a couple of years ago, and might be able to give you a rough idea of value for insurance, etc.

Thanks for the info — I’ve written both and will let you know the results. — TL, Tim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Congrats on the "find." TC, R

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All I have to say is: we should have gone fishing yesterday.  You were destined to catch that once in a lifetime wild 30 inch Swift River

brookie. No kidding! And I probably wouldn’t have even minded the heat. <g — TL, Tim

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"Stan Gula" All I have to say is: we should have gone fishing yesterday.  You were destined to catch that once in a lifetime wild 30 inch Swift River brookie. No kidding! And I probably wouldn’t have even minded the heat. <g

While you wimps were enjoying your cold drinks, I actually fished. Caught 30" of brookie more or less equally divided into five fish. Comgrats on the rod, Tim…gonna bring it next week? BTW, this good fortune also enhanced your Kreh number, (Lee must have known Lefty, right?), not to mention what it did to your Wullf number. <G 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"

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"Stan Gula" All I have to say is: we should have gone fishing yesterday.  You were destined to catch that once in a lifetime wild 30 inch Swift River brookie. No kidding! And I probably wouldn’t have even minded the heat. <g While you wimps were enjoying your cold drinks, I actually fished. Caught 30" of brookie more or less equally divided into five fish.

This takes counting to a whole new level. Comgrats on the rod, Tim…gonna bring it next week?

Yes. If you’re really nice to me I’ll let you hold it . . . just for a moment. BTW, this good fortune also enhanced your Kreh number, (Lee must have known Lefty, right?), not to mention what it did to your Wullf number. <G

Hey, anything that increases either of those is good. I’m almost at "1" now! — TL, Tim

Response:

Awesome.  Write down the "provenance" with as many dates and names as you can get.  If you decide to just keep the rod and later sell it, this will definately increase its value.

it’s a unique piece of luck and to be treasured. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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Question:

Man, that does sound like a fun technique! Here, fishy, fishy… john – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My kennel manager is on vacation, so lots of work for me, but I have been getting out for an hour or two after dinner. Fishing has been good and I’ve come across something I find interesting. At sunset, there are large numbers of spinners (I’m guessing they’re spinners but I haven’t been able to catch one) flying just over the surface occasionally skimming it. There are also some large Mayfly duns and a small Mayfly duns on the surface. There are a few splashy rises from fish chasing emergers but by far the majority of the "risers" are fish jumping clear out of the water to snag one of the spinners flying over the surface. I’ve seen this on an occasional basis, but some of the fish are doing this from a set feeding station and are jumping for the flies on a regular basis. This includes some decent fish. They totally ignore any of the duns that drift by. The flies are only about a size 16/18, so this jumping doesn’t seem "energy efficient" but me, but I’m no fish. I’ve been able to catch a few of them swinging soft hackles. I’ve also caught a some on a dry or emerger tied on an upper a bloodknot dropper with a weighted nymph below. The weighted nymph serves as an anchor and by holding the rod high, the fly on the dropper can be made to skim the surface, stay above it or bounce on the surface. It’s the closest I can come to imitating the hovering flies. It’s been moderately effective with lots of missed fish jumping at the fly but it’s a fun technique. Willi

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……The flies are only about a size 16/18, so this jumping doesn’t seem "energy efficient" but me, but I’m no fish……

I suspect the energy expenditure is not as great as you might think. Fish are streamlined.  Putting on a short burst of speed which will carry them out of the water probably doesn’t cost them a great deal of effort.  The fact that they do so frequently for what seems a small reward bears suggests it is energy efficient. Wolfgang

Response:

Willi    Try dapping.  Get some unwaxed dental floss (or silk floss, I prefer sky blue, the fish seem to ignore it) and cut about six 8 foot pieces.  Lay ‘em out side-by-side and knot the ends together.  Put a 3 foot tippet on one end and tie the other end to your fly line.  Get the longest pole you have and wait for a little bit of a wind.  The floss works as sail and you can skitter the fly over the surface of just above the surface like a hovering insect.  I’ve only caught two fish with the fly in the air but its a trip (okay, I snagged a couple more).  You just let the fish set the hook on itself.  Your natural reaction is to pull it away, don’t move.  Bigger the fly, the more lines of floss and vice versa.  You can use this technique while hiding in bushes on the bank. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Willi   Try dapping.  Get some unwaxed dental floss (or silk floss, I prefer sky blue, the fish seem to ignore it) and cut about six 8 foot pieces.  Lay ‘em out side-by-side and knot the ends together.  Put a 3 foot tippet on one end and tie the other end to your fly line.  Get the longest pole you have and wait for a little bit of a wind.  The floss works as sail and you can skitter the fly over the surface of just above the surface like a hovering insect.  I’ve only caught two fish with the fly in the air but its a trip (okay, I snagged a couple more).  You just let the fish set the hook on itself.  Your natural reaction is to pull it away, don’t move.  Bigger the fly, the more lines of floss and vice versa.  You can use this technique while hiding in bushes on the bank.

        this is the weirdest damn place i have ever been.         yfitons wayno

Response:

My kennel manager is on vacation, so lots of work for me, but I have been getting out for an hour or two after dinner. Fishing has been good and I’ve come across something I find interesting. At sunset, there are large numbers of spinners (I’m guessing they’re spinners but I haven’t been able to catch one) flying just over the surface occasionally skimming it. There are also some large Mayfly duns and a small Mayfly duns on the surface. There are a few splashy rises from fish chasing emergers but by far the majority of the "risers" are fish jumping clear out of the water to snag one of the spinners flying over the surface. I’ve seen this on an occasional basis, but some of the fish are doing this from a set feeding station and are jumping for the flies on a regular basis. This includes some decent fish. They totally ignore any of the duns that drift by. The flies are only about a size 16/18, so this jumping doesn’t seem "energy efficient" but me, but I’m no fish. I’ve been able to catch a few of them swinging soft hackles. I’ve also caught a some on a dry or emerger tied on an upper a bloodknot dropper with a weighted nymph below. The weighted nymph serves as an anchor and by holding the rod high, the fly on the dropper can be made to skim the surface, stay above it or bounce on the surface. It’s the closest I can come to imitating the hovering flies. It’s been moderately effective with lots of missed fish jumping at the fly but it’s a fun technique.   Willi

Response:

Question:

I live in Upstate New York and would like to know what type of fly to use to catch Trout this time of year.Thank you.                                                             D. G. Take Care!

I’ve been getting them on small bucktail streamers #12 4XL     Little brown trout and mickey finn and a small peacock nymph in sizes 12 and 14.  This nymph is just black goose biot tails, peacock hurl body and thorax, two sets of biot legs and starling feather fibers pulled over for a wing case.  For what it’s worth. Good Fishing, Chris Segina

Response:

I live in Upstate New York and would like to know what type of fly to use to catch Trout this time of year.Thank you.                                                             D. G. Take Care!

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Question:

Hello lost a 3lb+ fish in a tourney the other day, throwing a tube on 8lb test Trilene XL. Hooked into her, watched her jump once and saw the size, immediately loosened the drag, then a couple seconds later, the fish was gone. Could have been a weak spot in the line, but I am guessing the line was frayed on rocks or something else under water as the fish was running. Does anyone else use 8lb test in tourneys for spinning finesse situations, or should I go higher? How about any super lines in the same test diameter. Don’t want any more breakoffs! I also need a line with high visibility out of water and limited visibility under. Thanks to all. John

I use 4/10 FireLine for all my spinning requirements with the exception of slip bobbers.  I catch walleye and smallmouth in clear water without problem.  What I really like is when I fish the cribs and brushpiles.  The FireLine has the needed strength to pull them away from cover. —

Response:

Does anyone else use 8lb test in tourneys for spinning finesse situations, or should I go higher?

I had the same problem with XL.  Now I use 10lb XT on all my spinning gear, it’s tougher and a lot more abrasion resistant.   Chad

Response:

Thanks Graig… brought back some of my own memories!!…Now I got the tears…. Fishing Couldn’t be finer in South Caroliner! * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

Response:

Craig Baugher wrote!! my buddy got too close and I hooked him in the crotch with three sets of treble hooks, and him saying "Oh God, pleaseeeee, don’t let him set the hook" Good one Craig!!! ROTFLMAO Abe Watson

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Right after I bought my new 7′6" Flipping stick, I smacked myself right in the face with a two pound bass on the hook-set.  I was so shocked, I almost fell out of the boat.

Talk about rippin’ lips…wow…beats the heck out of my setting the hook to soon and having a Spittin’ Image wiz past my head. — Early to Bed, Early to Rise…    Fish all Day, Make up Lies    Shawn

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Been There. . . Done That! The best was when I was fishing with a friend in a small 16′ tracker.  I was using a 7′ rod trying to skip a jerkbait under overhanging brush when my buddy got too close and I hooked him in the crotch with three sets of treble hooks, and him saying "Oh God, pleaseeeee, don’t let him set the hook" (I’m crying thinking about it).  You would’ve had to been there and seeing the look on his face, his stance, and him going "I’m afraid to move, Oh God, I’m afraid to move!  I know those hooks are as sharp as a razor blade!".  I was laughing so hard and he just standing there blabbing away.  "What are you laughing at! I can feel the points on those hooks in places they’re not suppose to be!".  I really did feel bad, but I couldn’t stop laughing., and the more afraid he got, the harder I laughed.  I finally suggested he slowly take off his pants so that we could remove the lure from his pants.  As he started taking his pants off, sure enough, one hook went through his jeans and underwear very close to his scrotum.  I handed him a pair of wire cutters to cut the hook off.  Every time I think about that day, I laugh so hard I cry.  You know, come to think about it, we haven’t fished together since that day.  I’m going to have to ask him if he wants to go fishing next time I see him. (I’m crying) — Craig Baugher — Craig Baugher

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I must sound like a broken record by now, but I am passionate on this subject. I fish Flame Green Fireline exclusively on all my rigs, except for fly fishing of course. Other than being a little noisy, I think it is great. On the three spinning rigs I use regularly, I am rigged with 10#, 14# and 20#. On each I use 10′ long mono or fluorocarbon leaders of matching strength attached with blood-knots, although dual uni-knots would surely do as well. I love these setups because they cast incredibly well, are extremely reliable (I change leaders only once daily), cost effective (I have yet to change the Fireline on any reel), knot strength and integrity is great, visibility is superb and the sensitivity is such that I can feel a minnow fart from 20′ away. I leave my drags set reasonably and have never knowingly lost a fish as a result of lack of line stretch. I do have to stay conscious and sober when fishing so I don’t over-react and force things, but that is a small price to pay. I just don’t see a reason to compromise all these virtues just because I am afraid of pulling a hook out of a fish’s mouth, which I believe is usually avoidable. I promise not to repeat this diatribe for at least a week.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi John, I tournament fish quite a bit (7 since May 27) and do pretty well (Redman, Federation, Angler’s Choice, Opens, etc.).  Out of the seven I have fished so far, I was only out of the top 5 in one (15th place).  The reason I mention my record is because I don’t  use anything below 10 pound test.  I have become convinced that the only one who cares what line size we use is us, the fish don’t appear to care at all. But confidence is an important factor in successful fishing, and if you are not convinced that heavy line will catch fish, it won’t. On my spinning rods, I use 10 pound in ultra clear water and 12 or 14 pound test in must situations.  In my baitcasters, I use 17, 20, and 25 pound test.  I mostly use Trilene XT (Green), except I do have one flipping stick spooled with 17 Pound Vanish for flipping clear water.  I have to admit, I was nervous about going heavy at first.  But now, I love it.  That’s because I now have an extremely high confidence that once a fish is hooked, it’s coming to the boat.  Break offs are a thing of the past. But I do have to warn you about flipping with heavy line, especially on a short flip.  Fish Fly On Hook-set.  Right after I bought my new 7′6" Flipping stick, I smack myself right in the face with a two pound bass on the hook-set.  I was so shocked, I almost fell out of the boat. — Craig Baugher

Response:

Question:

I have seen an inflatable boat under a wing. Does anyone have info or experiences with this craft. Seems to be the logical choice for the Florida Keys. — Bragging may not bring happiness, but no man having caught a large fish, goes home through the alley. Anonymous http://fish-n-net.com/

Response:

Try SEAIR at     www.seair.com They make a 2 place wieght shift "trike" plane mated to a small hard-bottom inflatible boat with out-rigger pontoons. Their info vido raises a few questions:  The demo pilot flies with a helmet chin strap loose…  Then he flies a bit close to a palm tree, striking a frond with his wing tip! In a recent issue of "Yachting" magazine I saw an ad for a similar Rogollo wing trike mated to a Zodiac type boat. Good luck.  Rocky Kyle

Response:

The plane you are talking about is called a "Polaris" and the one of the sales outlets is in Florida. Dave Loveman http://www.ultralightnews.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have seen an inflatable boat under a wing. Does anyone have info or experiences with this craft. Seems to be the logical choice for the Florida Keys. — Bragging may not bring happiness, but no man having caught a large fish, goes home through the alley. Anonymous http://fish-n-net.com/

  ulnews.vcf

< 1K Download

Response:

I have seen such a craft. Call Mike Jacober at Arctic Sparrow aviation in Birchwood Alaska  (I haven’t got the phone number handy – it’s in the book) for more info. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have seen an inflatable boat under a wing. Does anyone have info or experiences with this craft. Seems to be the logical choice for the Florida Keys. — Bragging may not bring happiness, but no man having caught a large fish, goes home through the alley. Anonymous http://fish-n-net.com/

Response:

The phone # I have is 1-800 950-8830 for the Polaris the website is at http://www.polarismotor.it/ Dave Loveman http://www.ultralightnews.com *** Posted from RemarQ – http://www.remarq.com – Discussions Start Here ™ ***

Response:

The plane you are looking for is a Polaris and it can be found at http://www.polarismotor.it/ Dave Loveman http://www.ultralightnews.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have seen such a craft. Call Mike Jacober at Arctic Sparrow aviation in Birchwood Alaska  (I haven’t got the phone number handy – it’s in the book) for more info. I have seen an inflatable boat under a wing. Does anyone have info or experiences with this craft. Seems to be the logical choice for the Florida Keys. — Bragging may not bring happiness, but no man having caught a large fish, goes home through the alley. Anonymous http://fish-n-net.com/

  ulnews.vcf

< 1K Download

Response:

Try SEAIR at     www.seair.com They make a 2 place wieght shift "trike" plane mated to a small hard-bottom inflatible boat with out-rigger pontoons. Their info vido raises a few questions:  The demo pilot flies with a helmet chin strap loose…  Then he flies a bit close to a palm tree, striking a frond with his wing tip! In a recent issue of "Yachting" magazine I saw an ad for a similar Rogollo wing trike mated to a Zodiac type boat.

I have a 3-man inflatable but I am in Oklahoma, and I don’t see shipping. No one wants to send loot ahead, and I don’t see trusting them, either. I ask $85 for it, you pick it up. It should carry one man and a trike, with the wheels off.  Mounting it is your problem. Or I might trade for something good. Ham radio, ot rest gear, handgun, machine tools or test gear, whatever. "The learned Fool writes his nonsense in better language, but ’tis still nonsense." B.Franklin ‘Poor Richard Improved’ (1754) Lou H. Prolific inventor, Lousy Salesman, Incompetent businessman. (Typical of the Breed) Looking for both around Tulsa OK, USA

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Question:

Thumbing through a Japanese fly-fishing magazine recently, I noticed ads for waist-high waders- about 5 or 6 brands. The only one I’ve seen in the States is in the L.L. Bean catalog- and at a chest-high price. Anyone know of another source for non-neoprene waist waders? Thanks!

Response:

Check Cabelas out. They have a couple different waist-high waders. I do believe they are cheaper than the chest waders. www.cabelas.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thumbing through a Japanese fly-fishing magazine recently, I noticed ads for waist-high waders- about 5 or 6 brands. The only one I’ve seen in the States is in the L.L. Bean catalog- and at a chest-high price. Anyone know of another source for non-neoprene waist waders? Thanks!

Response:

Cabela’s has waist high waders neoprene for about 60 bucks was just looking at the online catalogue hope this helps will order a pair for myself in the next while Pierre – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thumbing through a Japanese fly-fishing magazine recently, I noticed ads for waist-high waders- about 5 or 6 brands. The only one I’ve seen in the States is in the L.L. Bean catalog- and at a chest-high price. Anyone know of another source for non-neoprene waist waders? Thanks!

Response:

I have a pair of Streamline waist-high stockingfoot waders that I bought about 6 years ago at a fly shop. They’ve been pretty good. The thing I liked (and still do) about the Streamlines is a collar inside them you can pull up around your chest when the water gets deeper than waist-deep (or when you’re tubing). I had misgivings at first about whether it would stay up, but hasn’t been a problem. They’re much cooler in summer and a lot easier to get down for those inevitable "pit stops" on the bank. I’d say go for it! Lance Hankins

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Thumbing through a Japanese fly-fishing magazine recently, I noticed ads for waist-high waders- about 5 or 6 brands. The only one I’ve seen in the States is in the L.L. Bean catalog- and at a chest-high price. Anyone know of another source for non-neoprene waist waders? Thanks!

Response:

Try "Hook and Hackle" in Plattsburgh, NY, near the Canadian border. They have a web site under this name. I bought some very good stuff from them at a very reasonable price. Peter Diemand Montreal, Que. Canada – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thumbing through a Japanese fly-fishing magazine recently, I noticed ads for waist-high waders- about 5 or 6 brands. The only one I’ve seen in the States is in the L.L. Bean catalog- and at a chest-high price. Anyone know of another source for non-neoprene waist waders? Thanks!

Response:

Question:

writes: Do people routinely use this technique?  It seems to me that you can just about always get further downstream and quarter upstream, mend upstream and get an easier dragfree drift.  

I think most people consider the downstream mend as a tension technique, but it doesn’t have to be.  One of the reasons to make a downstream mend to help your drift is to throw an elbow into the line which will make it easier to shake out extra line for a downstream drift without moving the fly. You can use the elbow for the extra surface tension to pull against to feed line as long as you don’t pull too hard against it.  Sort of like this:                                                                                                                                                            / Also, sometimes you need to make a downstream mend because the water closer to you has slowed down in relation to the fly and if you don’t mend it will cause tension and thus drag.  One of the things to keep in mind when you’re having a tough time with a drift is that if mending in one direction doesn’t work, try mending it the other.  And remember it may not always be in your best interest to mend the entire line but rather only specific sections of it.                                 Hope this helps,                                        Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Schools Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

Response:

The  down and across drift applys to wet fly and streamer fishing. You want to apply a swimming motion to the fly and present it at a sideway profile to the fish. When you use this method strip the fly back to you at the end of the drift and it looks like a bait fish swimming upstream.  The method you describe about casting upstream and mending line is a nymphing method. Totally different. This is called a Lisenering lift. Where you cast upstream, lifting the rod tip as the fly approaches you to remove the slack and then lowering the rod tip as the fly passes your position. All the while keeping your rod tip in position with the fly through out the drift. Some of the newer guys like to call this high stick nymphing. Call it what you like it is a effective way to nymph. I could go into more detail, but I think you get the picture.                                          Mark Heskett

Response:

Do people routinely use this technique?  It seems to me that you can just about always get further downstream and quarter upstream, mend upstream and get an easier dragfree drift.  If you do the down stream thing you have to wobble the rod to get more line out or mend a lot of line downstream putting you at a greater distance from your fly yet this seems to be a common way to fish everything from open streams to pocketwater. Am I missing something?

Response:

Down and across is an extremely effective method of presenting a dry or emerger to selective fish in flat water….the ONLY successful method in many Spring Creek situations…                         Mike in PDX                "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                                            Tom McGuane

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: Down and across is an extremely effective method of presenting a dry or : emerger to selective fish in flat water….the ONLY successful method : in many Spring Creek situations… Besides this good advice, why not try and cover the entire "clock" from each position?  Up and across, followed by down and across, both sides, then move down or upstream. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

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Do people routinely use this technique?  It seems to me that you can just about always get further downstream and quarter upstream, mend upstream and get an easier dragfree drift.  If you do the down stream thing you have to wobble the rod to get more line out or mend a lot of line downstream putting you at a greater distance from your fly yet this seems to be a common way to fish everything from open streams to pocketwater. Am I missing something?

Hi, Contrary to popular belief, a drag-free drift is not always the most effective presentation. Fishing for steelhead, salmon, shad, stripers, (and yes, even trout), it is often more effective to fish the fly with movement against the current. Of course, one can fish down-and-across, drag-free, which offers the great advantage of showing the fly before the leader. I hope this helps,   Alan.   Alan Barnard   Kiene’s Fly Shop   Sacramento, Ca.   WWW Fly Tyer   http://www.ns.net/~barnard

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do people routinely use this technique?  It seems to me that you can just about always get further downstream and quarter upstream, mend upstream and get an easier dragfree drift.  If you do the down stream thing you have to wobble the rod to get more line out or mend a lot of line downstream putting you at a greater distance from your fly yet this seems to be a common way to fish everything from open streams to pocketwater. Am I missing something? Hi, Contrary to popular belief, a drag-free drift is not always the most effective presentation. Fishing for steelhead, salmon, shad, stripers, (and yes, even trout), it is often more effective to fish the fly with movement against the current. Of course, one can fish down-and-across, drag-free, which offers the great advantage of showing the fly before the leader. I hope this helps,   Alan.

     Quartering downstream is a tight line technique, and probably about the oldest technique for fly fishing there is.  Typically used for wet fly and streamer fishing, casting across the current allows the fly to sink.  At the end of the drift, the fly swings in the current (on a tight line) and rises through the water profile until the fly is hanging in the current downstream of you.  To get more depth before the swing, you can make your cast straight across or quartering upstream.   Most hits seem to come as the fly swings.  This can be an effective technique for nymph fishing as well.  (Quartering downstream minimizes "drift" time and maximizes the "swing" time for each cast). John

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Hi John, Of course, one can fish down-and-across, drag-free, which offers the great advantage of showing the fly before the leader. Quartering downstream is a tight line technique, and probably about the oldest technique for fly fishing there is.

The drag-free downstream technique I was referring to is the now common practice on spring creeks of casting downstrream and feeding line at a rate slightly faster than the current. This can be a deadly method on finicky fish that have been heavily fished over. Best wishes,   Alan.   Alan Barnard   Kiene’s Fly Shop   Sacramento, Ca.   WWW Fly Tyer   http://www.ns.net/~barnard

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Question:

I have not seen a post on hex type rods. Has/does anyone use one? What is the action like? Why do  you prefer it? Thanks Michael

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Hexagraph rods have a sweet medium to medium fast action.  They are strikingly similar in appearance to bamboo and typically much faster and not as pricey either. Tom www.kinghill.com Best regards,   TK       King of the Hill Fly Fishing Co. http://www.kinghill.com/kinghill

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Question:

Do you need goods or have questions about fly tying, tools or materials?  Would be happy to help anyone out.

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YOU BET. I CAN USE ALL THE INFO I CAN GET ABOUT FLY TYING.  I JUST STARTED AND I THINK I’VE SET A NEW STANDARD FOR CLUTZINESS.  BUT I INTEND TO KEEP IT UP .  I CAN ONLY GET BETTER.  THANKS FOR WHATEVER YOU CAN PROVIDE.

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YOU BET. I CAN USE ALL THE INFO I CAN GET ABOUT FLY TYING.  I JUST STARTED AND I THINK I’VE SET A NEW STANDARD FOR CLUTZINESS.  BUT I INTEND TO KEEP IT UP .  I CAN ONLY GET BETTER.  THANKS FOR WHATEVER YOU CAN PROVIDE.

I can understand everything you are going through.I would try to find a fly tying course or flyfishing club. Practice makes perfect.

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Question:

I’m going to be in Florida over the next weekend and wonder if there is any possibility of some flyrodding for Snook.  Any advice out there? -old willy

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I’m going to be in Florida over the next weekend and wonder if there is any possibility of some flyrodding for Snook.  Any advice out there? -old willy

Well Willam… depending on where you are going the fishing can be great. Here in SW Florida (Ft Myers) snnok fishing is coming into its primetime. Fly of choice for me is the Clouser minnow in any bright colors. Good luck

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Check out your local fly shops or better yet call them in advance with a small order of flies and they will probably point you in the right direction.  Local knowledge of tides and flies will help you out.                                                           Good Luck,                                                             Reddfin

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