Question:

Ever heard of a test being run? Any body with two sets of fins and a GPS could run a test for us.

Next time I’m out with my Force Fins, I’ll just have the water skier hold the GPS for me.  That way I can watch where I’m going bruce h

Response:

I need a new pair of fins. Although I find it hard to justify paying a hundred bucks for a pair of fins, Bill’s post was pretty convincing and yours clinched it. I HATE getting blown across a lake. Willi

Ditto.  Sounds like my next purchase. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

I’m impressed.  I always assumed it was the float tube design that sucked, maybe it was just the caddis fins. I eagerly await daytripper’s test results, but I may jump the gun. Thanks much, Chas – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I need a new pair of fins. Although I find it hard to justify paying a hundred bucks for a pair of fins, Bill’s post was pretty convincing and yours clinched it. I HATE getting blown across a lake. Willi Ditto.  Sounds like my next purchase. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Fix underscore in address to reply

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Dick, We sell them one a time for 50% of the cost of a pair. Just call our USA toll free number and tell us what size and right or left fin? We carry the Original and the Adjustable in black only. 1-800-400-0359 We can ship one to you tomorrow any where in the USA. Do feel alone, this happens all the time. There is nothing like the Force Fin for float tubes and pontoon boats. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

Thanks Bill, I’ve become accustomed to fishing without boots – just using a neoprene booty which is pretty comfortable for long days on the lake.   In an another post "Bruiser" indicated originals fit better for this application than the adjustables? Although it isn’t often, I have had occassions where it would have been an advantage to be wearing boots – so I’m wondering if the adjustable model is just for boots or is it as comfortable as the original without boots?  And of course, is there enough slack in the adjustment to accomodate both modes? Thanks for your time, – Dick

Response:

I need a new pair of fins. Although I find it hard to justify paying a hundred bucks for a pair of fins, Bill’s post was pretty convincing and yours clinched it. I HATE getting blown across a lake. Willi Ditto.  Sounds like my next purchase. I’m impressed.  I always assumed it was the float tube design that sucked, maybe it was just the caddis fins. I eagerly await daytripper’s test results, but I may jump the gun.

Don’t hold your breath. It’ll be some time before I can do tube time trials with my Force Fins… fwiw, though, I don’t think the Force Fins are all that special wrt to making good time, but they’re the only fins I’ve ever owned that I can walk *forward* in while wearing a tube without inevitably doing a face plant. They’re definitely worth it for that, though there is that risk of a tether failure losing one to the deep… /daytripper (T-13 Hours)

Response:

I cant remember exactly when it was…maybe around 1990, the maker of force fins was in the process of developing fins that float.  I haven’t shopped for much fishing gear in last few years so I’m not sure if there are any on the market Go Oregon Ducks…The  Big Green Scoring Machine

Response:

I am a believer. Force Fins are the best.     I agree. If you do much float tubing where I live, you are going to find yourself out on the water when the wind picks up to 40-60 mph, and as often as not it will blow you away from your put-in spot. When I used Caddis fins I was unable to overcome the wind, and I usually ended up walking back from the far side of the lake. With Force fins I can power my way into a pretty stiff headwind and save myself a three mile walk (usually through a marsh, wearing neoprenes and carrying a tube, fins, and rod).

I need a new pair of fins. Although I find it hard to justify paying a hundred bucks for a pair of fins, Bill’s post was pretty convincing and yours clinched it. I HATE getting blown across a lake. Willi

Response:

I am a believer. Force Fins are the best.

    I agree. If you do much float tubing where I live, you are going to find yourself out on the water when the wind picks up to 40-60 mph, and as often as not it will blow you away from your put-in spot. When I used Caddis fins I was unable to overcome the wind, and I usually ended up walking back from the far side of the lake. With Force fins I can power my way into a pretty stiff headwind and save myself a three mile walk (usually through a marsh, wearing neoprenes and carrying a tube, fins, and rod).

Response:

Any body with two sets of fins and a GPS could run a test for us.

Yeah. That’ll happen.

Response:

Has anyone done any testing to compare these fins.  I noticed the other day that my hand held GPS will show the speed, even for slow things like belly boats and turtles.  I checked out my pontoon/kayak boat and found I could paddle it at a max of about 2.5mph.  I’m sure belly boats are slower, but I wonder what the relative speed is with different fins. Ever heard of a test being run? Any body with two sets of fins and a GPS could run a test for us. Thanks Chas

…  snip … Do[n't] feel alone, this happens all the time. There is nothing like the Force Fin for float tubes and pontoon boats. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

Fix underscore in address to reply

Response:

   good vibes to you

As long as they’re not in the doc’s hands. <g Good luck DT. — Charlie…

Response:

Hello All, I use to do lots of float tubing but in the last decade I have done more fishing from small boats. Last spring, I took my wife out for her first time ever float tubing. We were both in fairly similar V-boats but I gave her the Force Fins($100) and I had a pair of Caddis fins($40). I felt with our difference in "horse power" that it would be about an equal race. Well, I could never keep up with her and I tried so hard to catch her I almost killed myself. I was "steaming" to the back of a small lake to get to a fishing spot where a small stream comes in. I made a straight line and kicked with everything I had. My wife would come by me and then make circles around me, talking all the time about how fun this was and I still could not "leave her in the dust" ??? I am a believer. Force Fins are the best. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone done any testing to compare these fins.  I noticed the other day that my hand held GPS will show the speed, even for slow things like belly boats and turtles.  I checked out my pontoon/kayak boat and found I could paddle it at a max of about 2.5mph.  I’m sure belly boats are slower, but I wonder what the relative speed is with different fins. Ever heard of a test being run? Any body with two sets of fins and a GPS could run a test for us. Thanks Chas …  snip … Do[n't] feel alone, this happens all the time. There is nothing like the Force Fin for float tubes and pontoon boats. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com Fix underscore in address to reply

Response:

FWIW, I really like the adjustable Force Fins. They fit better over wading boots.  The regular Force fins seem to fit better if you just wear a small neoprene bootie. bruce h

Response:

Hi Dick, We sell them one a time for 50% of the cost of a pair. Just call our USA toll free number and tell us what size and right or left fin? We carry the Original and the Adjustable in black only. 1-800-400-0359 We can ship one to you tomorrow any where in the USA. Do feel alone, this happens all the time. There is nothing like the Force Fin for float tubes and pontoon boats. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jump’n cheese & crackers, got all muddy! I bought a pair of force fins many, many years ago, and haven’t paid much attention to new products for just about as long.  After a gazillion near misses of loosing my fins, (force fins sink), I finally lost one.  In case your wondering, yes, I did have them tethered, and no, that wasn’t good enough.  Somehow slipped it’s snap  in the middle of a fight with a 20" rainbow.  I think the fish did it. Anyhoo, onto why I’m writing: Criminy, those fins got expensive!  I like them a lot but fer cry’n out loud, when I bought mine I’m sure it was less than fifty bucks. Depending on the model, they want nearly three times that today. The two models I’m looking at are the originals and the Adjustable Deluxe.  The least expensive Adjustable Deluxe pair I could find was from Cabella’s at $125.  Replacing the originals is $100. I know I haven’t stayed up with the latest and greatest (I bet I look like an antique dealer when I go fishing) so I’m wondering if the Adjustable force fins are worth the dough? Anyone out there had experience with both? Lastly, is there anyone out there with a single medium size original force fin with buckle on the right side? Thanks, – Dick

Response:

Jump’n cheese & crackers, got all muddy!

        what the fuck do you think this is—the mickey mouse club? wayno

Response:

Jump’n cheese & crackers, got all muddy!    what the fuck do you think this is—the mickey mouse club? wayno

hey, Boy Lawyer! I thought there was a cardinal rule among people of your occupation about never asking a question unless you already know the answer.

Response:

Jump’n cheese & crackers, got all muddy!        what the fuck do you think this is—the mickey mouse club? wayno hey, Boy Lawyer! I thought there was a cardinal rule among people of your occupation about never asking a question unless you already know the answer.

        hey, man, i will bust your ass for that response…if you promise me that you will get through this *last* bit of surgery in good shape!         good vibes to you, from your friend in the old north state wayno

Response:

Jump’n cheese & crackers, got all muddy! I bought a pair of force fins many, many years ago, and haven’t paid much attention to new products for just about as long.  After a gazillion near misses of loosing my fins, (force fins sink), I finally lost one.  In case your wondering, yes, I did have them tethered, and no, that wasn’t good enough.  Somehow slipped it’s snap  in the middle of a fight with a 20" rainbow.  I think the fish did it. Anyhoo, onto why I’m writing: Criminy, those fins got expensive!  I like them a lot but fer cry’n out loud, when I bought mine I’m sure it was less than fifty bucks.   Depending on the model, they want nearly three times that today.   The two models I’m looking at are the originals and the Adjustable Deluxe.  The least expensive Adjustable Deluxe pair I could find was from Cabella’s at $125.  Replacing the originals is $100. I know I haven’t stayed up with the latest and greatest (I bet I look like an antique dealer when I go fishing) so I’m wondering if the Adjustable force fins are worth the dough? Anyone out there had experience with both? Lastly, is there anyone out there with a single medium size original force fin with buckle on the right side? Thanks, – Dick

Response:

Question:

Try looking into books by Oliver Edwards.

Response:

This year I want to try some realistic fly tying. No, not for fishing but for the fun of it. (More honestly to look how good I can handle it!) If anyone can give me some advice on it I would deeply appreciate it. I

Question:

I’d really like to get at least four people together for a Yuba tip on Sunday, but so far the response has been underwhelming. —— Related subject, how much does the out-of-state fishing license cost for three days or whatever.  I am putting together my budget and I just wanted to factor it all in…I hope more sign up for the guided trip on the Yuba, the $100 sounds very reasonable to me… —— Padishar Creel

Out of state license is about $28 for ten days, around $70 for whole season. Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories Phone: (650)-857-5491               Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971          

Response:

Oops, that is not the embroidery we will have on the hat, its just a sample hat to see what you guys think.  The embroidery I plan to use will not be shown to anyone until the clave and then to Roff afterwards.  As a sensitive artist, I wanted to debut my artwork where I can obtain the most praise from the drunken art critics on this clave.  It will be original artwork done by me and of course, in dishonor of our own patent holding ginkster, I will copy write and patent this work for all eternity

Perfect! Burn ‘em, but not until you know how many orders you have. I’ll take two. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Here is a picture of the hat I have tentatively chosen.  It has a khaki crown, with a dark green bill.  It is OK, for all of you fashion plates at Roff? http://www.nelsonembroidery.com/product.asp?NUM=HH-002

Looks like the best choice of their offerings…

Response:

PC, Looks fine. I’ll take three please. Danl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Here is a picture of the hat I have tentatively chosen.  It has a khaki crown, with a dark green bill.  It is OK, for all of you fashion plates at Roff? I really like the dark bill, but I can’t read the writing on the hat. Oops, that is not the embroidery we will have on the hat, its just a sample hat to see what you guys think.  The embroidery I plan to use will not be shown to anyone until the clave and then to Roff afterwards.  As a sensitive artist, I wanted to debut my artwork where I can obtain the most praise from the drunken art critics on this clave.  It will be original artwork done by me and of course, in dishonor of our own patent holding ginkster, I will copy write and patent this work for all eternity Padishar

Response:

PC, put me in for 3 HT – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – PC, Looks fine. I’ll take three please. Danl Here is a picture of the hat I have tentatively chosen.  It has a khaki crown, with a dark green bill.  It is OK, for all of you fashion plates at Roff? I really like the dark bill, but I can’t read the writing on the hat. Oops, that is not the embroidery we will have on the hat, its just a sample hat to see what you guys think.  The embroidery I plan to use will not be shown to anyone until the clave and then to Roff afterwards.  As a sensitive artist, I wanted to debut my artwork where I can obtain the most praise from the drunken art critics on this clave.  It will be original artwork done by me and of course, in dishonor of our own patent holding ginkster, I will copy write and patent this work for all eternity Padishar

Response:

Here is a picture of the hat I have tentatively chosen.  It has a khaki crown, with a dark green bill.  It is OK, for all of you fashion plates at Roff? http://www.nelsonembroidery.com/product.asp?NUM=HH-002 — Padishar Creel — Working night and say on a new invention to revolutionize the fly fishing world.

Response:

I’m in on the guided trip to the Yuba.  I hope more get on board, it sounds like a fine trip and obviously the guide is highly qualified.  Nice post from Bill and RW; I am tying away on the Shad flies.  I am going to sew up 3 dozen Shad Fish-Out Clave hats.  Think that will be enough

If we get two more for the Yuba, Creel, we have a deal, but it has to happen pretty fast. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Here is a picture of the hat I have tentatively chosen.  It has a khaki crown, with a dark green bill.  It is OK, for all of you fashion plates at Roff?

I really like the dark bill, but I can’t read the writing on the hat. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Here is a picture of the hat I have tentatively chosen.  It has a khaki crown, with a dark green bill.  It is OK, for all of you fashion plates at Roff? I really like the dark bill, but I can’t read the writing on the hat.

Oops, that is not the embroidery we will have on the hat, its just a sample hat to see what you guys think.  The embroidery I plan to use will not be shown to anyone until the clave and then to Roff afterwards.  As a sensitive artist, I wanted to debut my artwork where I can obtain the most praise from the drunken art critics on this clave.  It will be original artwork done by me and of course, in dishonor of our own patent holding ginkster, I will copy write and patent this work for all eternity Padishar

Response:

I’d really like to get at least four people together for a Yuba tip on Sunday, but so far the response has been underwhelming.

—— Related subject, how much does the out-of-state fishing license cost for three days or whatever.  I am putting together my budget and I just wanted to factor it all in…I hope more sign up for the guided trip on the Yuba, the $100 sounds very reasonable to me… —— Padishar Creel I am taking my 6wt Sage with a floating line, and a full sinking line.  Also do we have a chance to fish the stripped bass — need a little heavier rig I would assume.  Maybe my 8wt Cabelas or if the pictures on Bill’s Kienes site are any indicator maybe my new 10wt…or all of them!

Response:

Hi All, As far as we are concerned, the lower Yuba River is the finest American Shad fishing river on the west coast. It is small, shallow and clear making it a real gem. Fishing it with expert guide Bob Sparre would be the smartest thing to do as the access is very limited. Early June is absolute prime time on all our rivers for Shad. Bob put himself through college by guiding on our local rivers. After graduation he found that he really enjoyed guiding and it was lucrative for him year round so he has been doing it full time for quite a while.

I’d really like to get at least four people together for a Yuba tip on Sunday, but so far the response has been underwhelming. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

As far as we are concerned, the lower Yuba River is the finest American Shad fishing river on the west coast. It is small, shallow and clear making it a real gem.

Thanks for setting all this up, Bill and rw. Quick question for ya, Bill — I’ve heard that with rare exceptions shad don’t make it above Daguerre Dam on the Yuba. Is this true? If so, how come? Are they more reticent than salmon and steelhead to jump a fish ladder? thanks, – sid

Response:

RW, If I can make it to Sack-o-Tomatoes for the clave, I’ll do the Yuba with you, I won’t know for sure until a coupla weeks before the clave, tho. Danl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, As far as we are concerned, the lower Yuba River is the finest American Shad fishing river on the west coast. It is small, shallow and clear making it a real gem. Fishing it with expert guide Bob Sparre would be the smartest thing to do as the access is very limited. Early June is absolute prime time on all our rivers for Shad. Bob put himself through college by guiding on our local rivers. After graduation he found that he really enjoyed guiding and it was lucrative for him year round so he has been doing it full time for quite a while. I’d really like to get at least four people together for a Yuba tip on Sunday, but so far the response has been underwhelming. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

RW, If I can make it to Sack-o-Tomatoes for the clave, I’ll do the Yuba with you, I won’t know for sure until a coupla weeks before the clave, tho.

I’m sure we’d have to book the Yuba trip much sooner than that, Dan’l. Considering the lack of response, I’m not hopeful about setting up a guided boat trip on the Yuba. I figure that on Saturday we can decide if we want to drive up and wade it on our own. Bill says access is a problem because there’s a lot of private land. BTW, I’m thinking of going to the American River sometime before the Fishout, just to see what it’s like. Anyone interested in joining me? I’ll be driving from the Bay Area, and my schedule is very flexible. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

I’m sure we’d have to book the Yuba trip much sooner than that, Dan’l. Considering the lack of response, I’m not hopeful about setting up a guided boat trip on the Yuba. I figure that on Saturday we can decide if we want to drive up and wade it on our own. Bill says access is a problem because there’s a lot of private land.

——- I’m in on the guided trip to the Yuba.  I hope more get on board, it sounds like a fine trip and obviously the guide is highly qualified.  Nice post from Bill and RW; I am tying away on the Shad flies.  I am going to sew up 3 dozen Shad Fish-Out Clave hats.  Think that will be enough Padishar Creel "Man is the best computer we can put aboard a spacecraft…and the only one that can be mass produced with unskilled labor." –  Wernher von Braun

Response:

location: American River, Sacramento, CA dates: Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 3 Is anyone else interested a guided trip to the Yuba on Sunday (about 45 minutes from Sacramento)? I talked to a guide named Bob Sparre, recommended by Bill Kiene. Bob says that the way it works is that the boat shuttles you around to wading spots. I think that’s a fun way to fish. Bob has some private-water launch sites that could be interesting. If we can get four or more people it will be $100/person. Bring your own gear and food. BTW, this would also be shad fishing. Also BTW, Bob guides on the American River, too. He said that the past couple of years it’s been a "boat river", which I guess means tough to wade. There’s less snow in CA this year (I came over Donner Summit last weekend), so maybe we’ll be OK. On the other hand, it might be prudent to book boat guides on Saturday, too. Let me know what you think. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Hi All, As far as we are concerned, the lower Yuba River is the finest American Shad fishing river on the west coast. It is small, shallow and clear making it a real gem. Fishing it with expert guide Bob Sparre would be the smartest thing to do as the access is very limited. Early June is absolute prime time on all our rivers for Shad. Bob put himself through college by guiding on our local rivers. After graduation he found that he really enjoyed guiding and it was lucrative for him year round so he has been doing it full time for quite a while. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – location: American River, Sacramento, CA dates: Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 3 Is anyone else interested a guided trip to the Yuba on Sunday (about 45 minutes from Sacramento)? I talked to a guide named Bob Sparre, recommended by Bill Kiene. Bob says that the way it works is that the boat shuttles you around to wading spots. I think that’s a fun way to fish. Bob has some private-water launch sites that could be interesting. If we can get four or more people it will be $100/person. Bring your own gear and food. BTW, this would also be shad fishing. Also BTW, Bob guides on the American River, too. He said that the past couple of years it’s been a "boat river", which I guess means tough to wade. There’s less snow in CA this year (I came over Donner Summit last weekend), so maybe we’ll be OK. On the other hand, it might be prudent to book boat guides on Saturday, too. Let me know what you think. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Question:

Does anyone know where fish spotting gets done around Australia? I know there are some in the Gulf in the prawn season.  And I seem
to recall a magazine article some years ago about tuna spotting
somewhere.  Does anyone know where else people fly for fishing
fleets, what aircraft they use, and what the work prospects are like in that industry?  Is it worth considering as an option for a newby CPL? — – Before you buy.

Response:

Harry may still be some tuna spotting out of Port Lincoln.  Usta use aerocommanders (i think) and one Cessna push pull job (although I think thats gone).   Flights of considerable duration ranging to the far west and into WA. regards Don – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know where fish spotting gets done around Australia? I know there are some in the Gulf in the prawn season.  And I seem to recall a magazine article some years ago about tuna spotting somewhere.  Does anyone know where else people fly for fishing fleets, what aircraft they use, and what the work prospects are like in that industry?  Is it worth considering as an option for a newby CPL? — – Before you buy.

Response:

I have seen Aero Commanders and C337’s at Ceduna SA and pretty sure some at Pt Lincoln during a fuel stop. A local flies from Triabunna (East coast Tas) with a C180 for Mackerel (I think) for the fish farms in Tas. I think he may have spotted for Tuna as well. Maybe he’ll let us know? — Bernie Samms Kingston Beach Tasmania Australia Aero Club of Southern Tasmania   www.acst.com.au Prologic Pty Ltd                           www.prologic.com.au

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Harry may still be some tuna spotting out of Port Lincoln.  Usta use aerocommanders (i think) and one Cessna push pull job (although I think thats gone).   Flights of considerable duration ranging to the far west and into WA. regards Don Does anyone know where fish spotting gets done around Australia? I know there are some in the Gulf in the prawn season.  And I seem to recall a magazine article some years ago about tuna spotting somewhere.  Does anyone know where else people fly for fishing fleets, what aircraft they use, and what the work prospects are like in that industry?  Is it worth considering as an option for a newby CPL? — – Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

Padishar,    The term lure was used because it has a broader in meaning.  I stopped trying to determine the definition of "fly" long ago.  If you would care to give it a try go ahead. All I can say is all flies are lures, but not all lures are flies. Ernie "Padishar Creel" wrote – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ernie, I assume by the "lure" comment that this is not a true fly because of the glass beads Padishar Creel

Response:

Ernie, I assume by the "lure" comment that this is not a true fly because of the glass beads?  If I tied the same thing with mylar piping, or wide floss, tensile chenille, or perhaps Ice yard would that be classed as a fly?  The reason I ask, is that one of the streams I use this pattern on is strictly a "fly fishing only stream".  That last thing I want to do is use a "lure"….

I don’t know why Ernie wrote "lure", but I can’t see why glass beads would disqualify this as a "true" fly. Glass beads are often used in flies, or strung onto the tippet in front of the fly. Aren’t all flies lures? The chamois nymph I’ve been touting for whitefish is something else. I’d call it "bait". — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

rw The definition in the dictionary of fly and fly fishing follows:  I don’t see any thing about glass beads. (I"m getting crotchety in my old age) Ernie fly 2 ( fl

Question:

In Alaska, grizzly bears that get a substantial amount of their dietary intake from salmon are called brown bears.

Not exactly. A brown bear is a grizzly bear is a brown bear, Ursus arctos, no matter what they eat. http://www.brownbear.org/info.php3 — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

those must be some slow squirrels, or real quick bears…the tree rats in nc outrun trucks…and you can’t sneak up on them.  makes me glad ol griz doesn’t live in the blue ridge… jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … I’m sure that salmon made up a fair amount of the grizzly’s diet in the past … In Alaska, grizzly bears that get a substantial amount of their dietary intake from salmon are called brown bears. Contrary to popular belief, many of the grizzly bears in Alaska cannot be properly called brown bears because they don’t have access to large numbers of salmon, and instead persist largely off berries and squirrels.  Even in SW Alaska, I’ve been told that it’s only proper to call a grizzy a brown if they live within 100 miles of the coast, inside the salmon rich zone. When I fished Alaska above the arctic circle (Noatak system) in 1999, I learned that the grizzly bears had very little to *no* access to salmon, and squirrels in particular were a primary meal item.  We took several hikes into the Brook’s Range, and it was not uncommon to see big areas of ground ripped up by a grizzly in search of squirrels. When I mentioned to our bush pilot how many trashy native-american fishing huts I saw along the Noatak, he said that it was very common for a hut to go up, for squirrels to take residence under the hut in the following years, and for a grizzly to eventually tear up the hut ~3 years later. I suspect the Idaho grizzlies don’t know much about fish.  I do hope that bear-proof food canisters become mandatory for many campers and back packers so that a problem is not created. Thomas Gilg

Response:

 We could use a few bears on Wall ST.

Be patient, they’re coming.

Response:

I prefer to carry a bucket, so I don’t leave excrement all over the wilderness when confronted by a grizzly. Opie

I’ld be happy to fish with someone who stops to use the bucket when confronted by a bear while I’m making myself scarce Paul

Response:

(snip)  In his writings, Roosevelt described Lilly as "spare, full bearded, with mild, gentle eyes and a frame of steel and whipcord." "I never met any other man so indifferent to fatigue and hardship. The morning he joined us in camp, he had come on foot through the thick woods, followed by his two dogs, and had neither eaten nor drunk for twenty-four hours; for he did not like to drink the swamp water. It had rained hard throughout the night and he had no shelter, no rubber coat, nothing but the clothes he was wearing and the ground was too wet for him to lie on’ so he perched in a crooked tree in the beating rain,

    (snip) This guy had skills that are lost today…

    no doubt.  but i just can’t shake the fact that going without drink when you are about to float the f88k away is some indication that there was a touch of masochism in the old boy’s family tree. wayno, who guesses ol ben drank his whisky neat.

Response:

We could use a few bears on Wall ST.

Short on some stock that just won’t go down? <g — Charlie…

Response:

… I’m sure that salmon made up a fair amount of the grizzly’s diet in the past …

In Alaska, grizzly bears that get a substantial amount of their dietary intake from salmon are called brown bears. Contrary to popular belief, many of the grizzly bears in Alaska cannot be properly called brown bears because they don’t have access to large numbers of salmon, and instead persist largely off berries and squirrels.  Even in SW Alaska, I’ve been told that it’s only proper to call a grizzy a brown if they live within 100 miles of the coast, inside the salmon rich zone. When I fished Alaska above the arctic circle (Noatak system) in 1999, I learned that the grizzly bears had very little to *no* access to salmon, and squirrels in particular were a primary meal item.  We took several hikes into the Brook’s Range, and it was not uncommon to see big areas of ground ripped up by a grizzly in search of squirrels. When I mentioned to our bush pilot how many trashy native-american fishing huts I saw along the Noatak, he said that it was very common for a hut to go up, for squirrels to take residence under the hut in the following years, and for a grizzly to eventually tear up the hut ~3 years later. I suspect the Idaho grizzlies don’t know much about fish.  I do hope that bear-proof food canisters become mandatory for many campers and back packers so that a problem is not created. Thomas Gilg

Response:

The best protection from bears is to always use quality brand name fishing equipment! <g — Charlie…

I think I vaguely remember an article in one of the hook-and-bullet rags a few years back about a guy who fended off a black bear by whacking it on the nose repeatedly with his fly rod.  I can’t remember if the rod had a unconditional lifetime warrantee or not. Kevin

Response:

I would be very careful about getting between a mother elk and her baby. Ernie

<snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – BTW, a woman I know was riding the horse a few days ago when she heard a huge commotion down by the lake. Her dogs had found a newborn elk. They didn’t hurt it, but it was really scared. She looked it over to make sure it was OK and gave it some water. It was SO cute. Then she took it home and put it in the freezer. (Just kidding.) There are so many elk around here it’s ridiculous. There’s usually a small herd right next to my horse pasture in the evening.

Response:

I prefer to carry a bucket, so I don’t leave excrement all over the wilderness when confronted by a grizzly. Opie

And it saves money on reels. TL MC — "In order to know what is possible one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

Response:

Yup, I’d take my kids and do some camping. Bring the dog too. Yup no problem… There are about 600 grizzlies in Yellowstone Park and people manage to camp in reasonable safety.

 I was not being flip, I see no major problem. I do think some in the release area will have a few encounters that will be ugly. There are 100,000 year round people in the release area . As for YS , well they do have a few people get nibbled once and a while.

Response:

_______  These bears were trained and raised in a wilderness setting. Several meat mannequins setting in kayaks were scattered daily through out their habitat.   — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html

Response:

_______  These bears were trained and raised in a wilderness setting. Several meat mannequins setting in kayaks were scattered daily through out their habitat.  

cool

Response:

yeah but think of all the grilled elkburgers…. john

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I would be very careful about getting between a mother elk and her baby. Ernie <snip BTW, a woman I know was riding the horse a few days ago when she heard a huge commotion down by the lake. Her dogs had found a newborn elk. They didn’t hurt it, but it was really scared. She looked it over to make sure it was OK and gave it some water. It was SO cute. Then she took it home and put it in the freezer. (Just kidding.) There are so many elk around here it’s ridiculous. There’s usually a small herd right next to my horse pasture in the evening.

Response:

I prefer to carry a bucket, so I don’t leave excrement all over the wilderness when confronted by a grizzly. I doubt I’d have time to get the bucket in place, best to get one of those horse diapers or borrow Waldo’s waders<g. — Charlie…

 We could use a few bears on Wall ST. –tony

Response:

Yup, I’d take my kids and do some camping. Bring the dog too. Yup no problem… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey rw, I guess you have heard about this Fed. Program?  And we were worried about some little old Black bears down here in the Old North State! The following is a quote copied from ABCNEWS.com.  I hope it doesn’t mess with anyone’s ‘puters.  As I am not that familiar with computer workings, I guess someone will let me know if I have posted a boo boo. Op "The agency plan calls for transplanting 25 Canadian or American bears over five years to nearly 6,000 square miles of rugged mountains and canyons in the Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church-River of No Return wilderness areas of Idaho and Montana. Each bear would be monitored by a radio collar.     Bears would later be allowed to roam over another 20,000 square miles that encompasses communities as far west as Washington and east into Montana. While there are essentially no people living in the direct reintroduction zone – all of it designated wilderness – the wider area includes approximately 100,000 people."

Response:

Hey rw, I guess you have heard about this Fed. Program?  And we were worried about some little old Black bears down here in the Old North State!

Yeah, some people here are really pissed about this, even more than they’re pissed about the wolves. I like the idea, but I have some reservations. There are no longer any appreciable numbers of salmon, and I’m sure that salmon made up a fair amount of the grizzly’s diet in the past. Maybe a few hungry grizzlies will speed up the Lower Snake dam breaching. I’m wondering what’s going to happen when Middle Fork rafters come upon a grizzly in the middle of the river. There’ll be rafts backed up for hours. BTW, a woman I know was riding the horse a few days ago when she heard a huge commotion down by the lake. Her dogs had found a newborn elk. They didn’t hurt it, but it was really scared. She looked it over to make sure it was OK and gave it some water. It was SO cute. Then she took it home and put it in the freezer. (Just kidding.) There are so many elk around here it’s ridiculous. There’s usually a small herd right next to my horse pasture in the evening. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Yup, I’d take my kids and do some camping. Bring the dog too. Yup no problem…

There are about 600 grizzlies in Yellowstone Park and people manage to camp in reasonable safety. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – wilderness when confronted by a grizzly. Opie Hey rw, I guess you have heard about this Fed. Program?  And we were worried about some little old Black bears down here in the Old North State! The best protection from bears is to always use quality brand name fishing equipment! <g — Charlie…

Opie: It sounds like next time you visit Frank"s Wilderness area you might consider leaving your peashooter at home and moving up to a 10MM. Big Dale

Response:

Hey rw, I guess you have heard about this Fed. Program?  And we were worried about some little old Black bears down here in the Old North State! The following is a quote copied from ABCNEWS.com.  I hope it doesn’t mess with anyone’s ‘puters.  As I am not that familiar with computer workings, I guess someone will let me know if I have posted a boo boo. Op "The agency plan calls for transplanting 25 Canadian or American bears over five years to nearly 6,000 square miles of rugged mountains and canyons in the Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church-River of No Return wilderness areas of Idaho and Montana. Each bear would be monitored by a radio collar.      Bears would later be allowed to roam over another 20,000 square miles that encompasses communities as far west as Washington and east into Montana. While there are essentially no people living in the direct reintroduction zone – all of it designated wilderness – the wider area includes approximately 100,000 people."

Response:

That’s cool Ope, I like the thought of bears in *my* Wilderness Area. Frank (old grizzy wrassler) Church – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey rw, I guess you have heard about this Fed. Program?  And we were worried about some little old Black bears down here in the Old North State! The following is a quote copied from ABCNEWS.com.  I hope it doesn’t mess with anyone’s ‘puters.  As I am not that familiar with computer workings, I guess someone will let me know if I have posted a boo boo. Op "The agency plan calls for transplanting 25 Canadian or American bears over five years to nearly 6,000 square miles of rugged mountains and canyons in the Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church-River of No Return wilderness areas of Idaho and Montana. Each bear would be monitored by a radio collar.     Bears would later be allowed to roam over another 20,000 square miles that encompasses communities as far west as Washington and east into Montana. While there are essentially no people living in the direct reintroduction zone – all of it designated wilderness – the wider area includes approximately 100,000 people."

Response:

Hey rw, I guess you have heard about this Fed. Program?  And we were worried about some little old Black bears down here in the Old North State!

The best protection from bears is to always use quality brand name fishing equipment! <g — Charlie…

Response:

I prefer to carry a bucket, so I don’t leave excrement all over the wilderness when confronted by a grizzly. Opie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey rw, I guess you have heard about this Fed. Program?  And we were worried about some little old Black bears down here in the Old North State! The best protection from bears is to always use quality brand name fishing equipment! <g — Charlie…

Response:

I prefer to carry a bucket, so I don’t leave excrement all over the wilderness when confronted by a grizzly.

I doubt I’d have time to get the bucket in place, best to get one of those horse diapers or borrow Waldo’s waders<g. — Charlie…

Response:

Question:

You won’t be mindin’ if we keep an eye on where the hole card comes from.  ;-)

hell no, i was going to get Honest Wayno’s Guide Service to do the dealing.  If you can’t trust an attorney, who can you trust? Personally, I was hoping one of Big John’s gals would handle the deal. About the fish, now I know why I’ve heard stories of you going through a crate of splitshot a season.  :)

don’t know ’bout ’shot…..you’d have to talk to Matt "egg-dredgin" McCray ’bout dat. Waldo, lost two wild brookies today….man I’m rusty.

Response:

This Clave thing presents a great opportunity for a human interest story for a FFing magazine. Here’s the concept. A bunch of crusty old flyfishers get together in NC. They have only two things in common: a love of flyfishing and an acquaintance through ROFF. These guys don’t know each other face-to-face, for the most part, but they are acquainted through years and years of give-and-take in a Usenet group. Imagine the group dynamics. Who can outfish whom? Who can tell the biggest lies? Who knows the perfect knot? Who has the best self-tied flies? Will they check their weapons at the door? It goes on and on. Yep, it could be a great story. If you know a good writer please clue him in. — something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This Clave thing presents a great opportunity for a human interest story for a FFing magazine. (snip) Yep, it could be a great story. If you know a good writer please clue him in.         more than one of those will be present as participants.  you will not be disappointed with the communiques from the front, nor with reviews filed upon a chance for retrospection. wayno —

wayno, can i be the gun checker? btw, was that you are chub that got the sam in the ass saturday? makes you feel like that monkey, donchano. i can’t even view it now, it hurts. i’m off….damn tax thing tomorrow. waldo

Response:

This Clave thing presents a great opportunity for a human interest story for a FFing magazine. (snip) Yep, it could be a great story. If you know a good writer please clue him in.

        more than one of those will be present as participants.  you will not be disappointed with the communiques from the front, nor with reviews filed upon a chance for retrospection. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text — something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Mr. G. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This Clave thing presents a great opportunity for a human interest story for a FFing magazine. (snip) Yep, it could be a great story. If you know a good writer please clue him in.         more than one of those will be present as participants.  you will not be disappointed with the communiques from the front, nor with reviews filed upon a chance for retrospection. wayno — wayno, can i be the gun checker? btw, was that you are chub that got the sam in the ass saturday? makes you feel like that monkey, donchano. i can’t even view it now, it hurts. i’m off….damn tax thing tomorrow. waldo

– Visit: http://www.gink.com        http://www.xink.com        http://www.rodbuilding.com        http://www.rodbuilder.com All Writings & Rights Reserved

Question:

Have you found that those folks asking for quotes on 4 different boats with 16 different power options do or do not end up buying boats from you?  - Bud

I hold my breath for the day I sell a single boat via the web, Bud. I spend hours working on quotes and have not had a single sale to date. My feeling is that most people are using my quote to ensure their dealer is not out of line. Great for them, a poor allocation of time and resources for me. I suspect the used boats page (when up later this month) will prove more productive. — Regards,         Dave Brown         Brown’s Marina         Ontario, Canada         http://www.brownsmarina.on.ca

Response:

Dave, with a Zero to X hit ratio, why do you bother to continue with the internet quotes?

Have you found that those folks asking for quotes on 4 different boats with 16 different power options do or do not end up buying boats from you?  -

Bud I hold my breath for the day I sell a single boat via the web, Bud. I spend hours working on quotes and have not had a single sale to date. My feeling is that most people are using my quote to ensure their dealer is not out of line. Great for them, a poor allocation of time and resources for me. I suspect the used boats page (when up later this month) will prove more productive. — Regards,         Dave Brown         Brown’s Marina         Ontario, Canada         http://www.brownsmarina.on.ca

Response:

Dave, with a Zero to X hit ratio, why do you bother to continue with the internet quotes?

I guess because I’m waiting to see whether or not it will change in the future. The reality is, people are far more apt to be rude and demanding via the Internet than by phone because of anonymity and I suspect I will grow tired of this sooner rather than later. — Regards,         Dave Brown         Brown’s Marina         Ontario, Canada         http://www.brownsmarina.on.ca

Response:

I hold my breath for the day I sell a single boat via the web, Bud. I spend hours working on quotes and have not had a single sale to date. My feeling is that most people are using my quote to ensure their dealer is not out of line. Great for them, a poor allocation of time and resources for me. I suspect the used boats page (when up later this month) will prove more productive. — Regards,        Dave Brown        Brown’s Marina        Ontario, Canada        http://www.brownsmarina.on.ca

Dave, I think you’ll find your web site will indeed sell used product better than new.   Our web site has been very sucessful in marketing brokerage boats. Although I have been told by others their web based marketing attracts buyers for smaller boats, we’ve found just the opposite to be true. Good luck       bbys floridaboats.net

Response:

Dave; For what it’s worth… I judge a new boat dealer based on before and after-sales service and that overall "comfort level" we can achieve that makes me feel that I’m being dealt with honestly and fairly and that I will be taken care of, whatever may come.  I would imagine it would be tough to get that over the web.  I would and have paid more to go with the dealer of my choice and would do so again. On used boats, it’s all a matter of price and survey, so I would agree that used boats would make a lot more sense on the web. On the other hand, maybe this just means that, if you keep at it, and find the right formula to get people to feel comfortable with buying boats off the web, maybe you will end up a gazillion-aire!  I don’t know where you are, but I have seen auto dealers that advertise that they will fly you to their dealership to see the car of your choice.  Maybe that’s what it would take to get them in the door, but you’d have to be really good at qualifying and pre-closing sales!  Just make them keep fishing or waterskiing and don’t let them back to the dock until they buy… ;o) Good Luck and Keep the Flame! – Bud — Bud Feuless & Miki Magara-Feuless

Response:

boy, when those Canadians vent you can just feel the flames all the way down south.

Does this signal an early spring since Dave is thawing things out early? Bruce Edwards Shreveport Yacht Club It revealed to me, down in my soul, there were two shooters on the grassy knoll, we never walked on the moon, Elvis ain’t dead, you ain’t goin’ crazy, it’s all in your head. Let us sing.

Response:

Dave; Have you found that those folks asking for quotes on 4 different boats with 16 different power options do or do not end up buying boats from you?  - Bud — Bud Feuless & Miki Magara-Feuless

Response:

Yep, I think he has Carl, Tell me , does an assult rifle have enough range to hit a target in florida from ontario?? hmmm, I better go check talk.politics.guns. till then I wear my kevlar cause I emailed dave for advice yesterday – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – LOOK OUT!!! Dave’s gone postal on us!!! Sorry Dave. . . I just couldn’t resist. If that’s venting, than you’ve got a lot more paitents than I do. I do agree with unspamming your addresses though. Carl G. Craver

Response:

boy, when those Canadians vent you can just feel the flames all the way down south. Has a Canadian Mail Service Employee ever gone postal? — — Jim Proud, but feeble minded Regal Owner Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog: nobody enjoys it, and the

| It’s been a frustrating week in the e-mail department and I’m due to | vent again. | | Look folks, when you e-mail requesting information about a price or | service to anyone privately, UNSPAM you’re damn address so they don’t | have to find out after they deleted your inquiry that it bounced. | | One other pet peeve — asking for a quote on 4 models of boats with | sixteen motor options is simply unfair. Spend some time narrowing down | your search to make the request reasonable. | | The reality is, none of the people reading this post are the ones doing | this as these types of requests are usually generated by people who | surfed by my site. The reason I’m posting this is for anyone who who is | guilty of this when buying anything else on the net — think about what | you’re asking for. Reasonable requests get reasonable, timely replies. | | — | Regards, |         Dave Brown |         Brown’s Marina |         Ontario, Canada |         http://www.brownsmarina.on.ca | |

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s been a frustrating week in the e-mail department and I’m due to vent again. Look folks, when you e-mail requesting information about a price or service to anyone privately, UNSPAM you’re damn address so they don’t have to find out after they deleted your inquiry that it bounced. One other pet peeve — asking for a quote on 4 models of boats with sixteen motor options is simply unfair. Spend some time narrowing down your search to make the request reasonable. The reality is, none of the people reading this post are the ones doing this as these types of requests are usually generated by people who surfed by my site. The reason I’m posting this is for anyone who who is guilty of this when buying anything else on the net — think about what you’re asking for. Reasonable requests get reasonable, timely replies. — Regards,        Dave Brown        Brown’s Marina        Ontario, Canada        http://www.brownsmarina.on.ca

LOOK OUT!!! Dave’s gone postal on us!!! Sorry Dave. . . I just couldn’t resist. If that’s venting, than you’ve got a lot more paitents than I do. I do agree with unspamming your addresses though. Carl G. Craver

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -It’s been a frustrating week in the e-mail department and I’m due to vent again. Look folks, when you e-mail requesting information about a price or service to anyone privately, UNSPAM you’re damn address so they don’t have to find out after they deleted your inquiry that it bounced. One other pet peeve — asking for a quote on 4 models of boats with sixteen motor options is simply unfair. Spend some time narrowing down your search to make the request reasonable. The reality is, none of the people reading this post are the ones doing this as these types of requests are usually generated by people who surfed by my site. The reason I’m posting this is for anyone who who is guilty of this when buying anything else on the net — think about what you’re asking for. Reasonable requests get reasonable, timely replies. — Regards,        Dave Brown        Brown’s Marina        Ontario, Canada        http://www.brownsmarina.on.ca

I thought that only happened to me.  The one I like is the question to list the max speeds with all possible engine combos and payloads. Bill McCarty www.sandycreekws.com

Response:

It’s been a frustrating week in the e-mail department and I’m due to vent again. Look folks, when you e-mail requesting information about a price or service to anyone privately, UNSPAM you’re damn address so they don’t have to find out after they deleted your inquiry that it bounced. One other pet peeve — asking for a quote on 4 models of boats with sixteen motor options is simply unfair. Spend some time narrowing down your search to make the request reasonable. The reality is, none of the people reading this post are the ones doing this as these types of requests are usually generated by people who surfed by my site. The reason I’m posting this is for anyone who who is guilty of this when buying anything else on the net — think about what you’re asking for. Reasonable requests get reasonable, timely replies. — Regards,         Dave Brown         Brown’s Marina         Ontario, Canada         http://www.brownsmarina.on.ca

Response:

Question:

Why thank you kindly gents.

(another sonnet snipped) Mike:  you’re most welcome. Your literary skills are most welcome here, and always appreciated.   Mark Faulkner

Response:

A talent like Mike’s should not go unpunished, I suggest we all raise our glasses of Old Grouse in a toast to him. — Ernie Harrison

Response:

A talent like Mike’s should not go unpunished, I suggest we all raise our glasses of Old Grouse in a toast to him. — Ernie Harrison

my apologies but I drink Grant’s. I’ll hoist one for Mike tonight. Not hard to persuade me eh? Ralph H "I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams." – Hamlet

Response:

A talent like Mike’s should not go unpunished, I suggest we all raise our glasses of Old Grouse in a toast to him.

He is so good in fact that I was thinking that he’s like an ‘online poetry synthesis machine’. ….I was wondering if he could not charge people to make poetry out of whatever they like. …he could have an interactive web site. "RhymeTime" …and since people could log in and get instant prose it could be. "Real-Time RhymeTime" You go Mike. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A talent like Mike’s should not go unpunished, I suggest we all raise our glasses of Old Grouse in a toast to him. He is so good in fact that I was thinking that he’s like an ‘online poetry synthesis machine’. ….I was wondering if he could not charge people to make poetry out of whatever they like. …he could have an interactive web site. "RhymeTime" …and since people could log in and get instant prose it could be. "Real-Time RhymeTime" You go Mike. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

I agree Timbo…..in fact, as I offer my salud later today, I’ll know that we are very lucky to have Mike here at ROFF and be blessed with his style and wit. –Wataugan "is it 4pm yet?" Walt

Response:

Why thank you kindly gents. Glad you find the rhymes pleasing, or even perhaps a bit teasing, I hope they amuse, and are not too abstruse, and keep you constantly wheezing ! I raise my glass here too, it couldnt be done without you, for a rhyme or two, you give me the cue, and sometimes even a few ! So here is my return toast, to the stalwart ROFFIAN host, cheers ! Good health, long life and wealth, to you all,  but the drinkers the most ! Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

(timbo’s post snipped) I agree Timbo…..in fact, as I offer my salud later today, I’ll know that we are very lucky to have Mike here at ROFF and be blessed with his style and wit. –Wataugan "is it 4pm yet?" Walt

        as a matter of fact, i think he’s so *damn* good that i intend to toast him at least five or six times before 10 pm.  by 8:15 he will be runnin line for line with robert frost.  and saturday night, he’ll be neck and neck with w. shakespeare hissownself! wayno, always willing to recognize talent – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I agree Timbo…..in fact, as I offer my salud later today, I’ll know that we are very lucky to have Mike here at ROFF and be blessed with his style and wit.

(ahem) 5pm! It’s time to reboot, Scrolling away, ROFF’s always a hoot! Tho’ when I click onto Connor, It’s always an honor, That everything else said is moot. Tony Ritter www.gonefishing-gs.com

Response:

A couple of generations advance over the old ‘bot eh? Ralph H

Very good Ralph. –Wataugan "love a good touche" Walt

Response:

A talent like Mike’s should not go unpunished, I suggest we all raise our glasses of Old Grouse in a toast to him. He is so good in fact that I was thinking that he’s like an ‘online poetry synthesis machine’.

 A couple of generations advance over the old ‘bot eh? Ralph H "I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams." – Hamlet

Response:

_______ Can’t begin to tell you how much more I like that fly fishing handle of "T-Bone" much better?! There is no other name that explains you better.  Salt of the earth.  Western Bone Bred, and bad ass on the stream.

Question:

Hi all you FF addicts, I have been a lurker for too long on this list, let me introduce myself. I am a Dutch flyfisher, fishing & tying my own flies for about six or seven years now (somehow I lost track). I fish mainly in Holland for anything that eats flies and nymphs, and once or twice (if lucky) a year abroad for trout and grayling. I will try to attend the Flyfair at the 4th and the 5th of May in Holland. I say try, because I hope my firstborn-to-be will behave itself and will be born nicely on the calculated date, one week later. Anyway, I intend to buy a new rod there, a 9 foot AFTMA 5-6, and would appreciate your opinions on what to buy and what not. Money IS kind of a subject for me, so I’m looking at the middle range brands. TIA and tight lines, Herman Nijland Utrecht, Netherlands

Response:

 Money IS kind of a subject for me, so I’m looking at the middle range brands.

Hello Herman, There are plenty of "middle-range" fly rods to chose from.  I would suggest on of the companies that gives a lifetime warranty.  Some of these rods include the Sage DS series and Redington.  They run about $255 for the Sage 590 DS kit which includes rod, reel, line and backing.  The Redington rods run about $105.   Good luck with your fishing and Congratulations on the new child. Paul Johnson

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all you FF addicts, I have been a lurker for too long on this list, let me introduce myself. I am a Dutch flyfisher, fishing & tying my own flies for about six or seven years now (somehow I lost track). I fish mainly in Holland for anything that eats flies and nymphs, and once or twice (if lucky) a year abroad for trout and grayling. I will try to attend the Flyfair at the 4th and the 5th of May in Holland. I say try, because I hope my firstborn-to-be will behave itself and will be born nicely on the calculated date, one week later. Anyway, I intend to buy a new rod there, a 9 foot AFTMA 5-6, and would appreciate your opinions on what to buy and what not. Money IS kind of a subject for me, so I’m looking at the middle range brands. TIA and tight lines, Herman Nijland Utrecht, Netherlands

OK, good luck with your boy/girl?, anyway (you should already think abot looking for a second rod, I think it makes a great gift for=  the first birthday). OK, here some suugestions for you. Since I appreciate SAGE fly rods very much (that’s simply because they are = the best performing fly rods made here in the USA) I would suggest to look at their rods. Since you are looking for something in the=  middle price range have a closer look at the DS series- they are in the mid price range and perform real well. OK, SAGE makes faste= r and more powerful rods, but they cost twice as much. The DS series has a medium fast action with still lots of backbone and is ver= y pleasant to cast. They have a 5wt in 8 and 9ft, also in 4 piece (4piece is maybe worth a thought if you travel with your rod- e.g.=  graylingfishing in denmark (Velje Au etc…) or the mountain lakes in Jotunheimen in Norway!). Since you are in europe you will probably also see european rod makers. Have a closer look at RST (Made in Germany). The RST feeling=  series is in the mid price range and they are all exceptional rods (I personally would prefer it even over SAGE!). If you have the = chance cast a M3, thats their high end (unfortunately high price) rod series – IMO the best on the market (it’s very similar to the = SAGE SP series, only  better!). If you like the slow rods more look at Hardys Favourite FT (the FT is important since it means that this is the fast action series, = the normal Favourite is too slow). They are not real fast rods, but comparatively fast rods for a Hardy rod. In general Hardy rods a= re relatively slow rods but they cast like a dream. But don’t try to pick up 20 m of line with them, they won’t do the job (OK, with=  special pick up techniques you can overcome this problem to a certain point.- They are nice dry fly rods or small nymph rods but no= t pleasant to fish with streamers or other heavy stuff and they are to slow for fast alpine sreams.). Hope that helps                   Thomas

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In a message about ‘Re: New rod??’, Thomas Urbig Have a closer look at RST (Made in Germany). The RST feeling series is in the mid price range and they are all exceptional rods (I personally would prefer it even over SAGE!).

You gotta be kidding! The RST rods I’ve tried can’t come close to any Sage’s shadow. RST rods feels very unresponsive as well as extremly stiff. For affordable rods, I’d try the Penns. Haven’t tried the new Redingtons. The first series didn’t impress me. CU, Jay Lee (Capelle a/d IJssel, The Netherlands)

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Hi,   Somebody posted an article in this thread where he/she gave a good opinion on the "St.Croix" rods (I can’t find the article in the group anymore). Anyway; I would like to know if the rod referred to was the "pro series" which really is a bargain at $70. Any other thoughts on the St.Croix rods?? Cheers,         Pete. —  Peter Sollander, CERN ST/MC/TCR  Tel: (+41) 22.767.8081          Fax: (+41) 22.767.8910        

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: Hi, :   Somebody posted an article in this thread where he/she gave a good opinion : on the "St.Croix" rods (I can’t find the article in the group anymore). : Anyway; I would like to know if the rod referred to was the "pro series" : which really is a bargain at $70. Yep. : Any other thoughts on the St.Croix rods?? The 4-piece travel rods are a fabulous value. I haven’t tried the higher-end models. –mike

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  I own several st.croix flyrods. for the past 6yrs i think there great rods for the money. i’ve had one break while salmon fishing.my dealer sent it back and they sent me a naw one at no cost.and the rod they sent me was the next step up from the one i had break.so for me for the money there the rod to have.

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