Question:

there’s a chance some smaller schoolie stripers will still be in the river. Shad will most likely be gone, but the smallmouth action should be fantastic. Oh yeah, when Rick and I got to the dock on Sunday afternoon " Dock Lady " ( you have to meet her in person, words can’t really adequetly describe her ) … Is she the one who is in the last Sage catalog ?

Haven’t seen the latest Sage catalog but I can guarantee that’s not her.

Response:

Fishing out of Fletchers Sunday and Monday: lots of BIG hickory shad, caught on the outgoing tide-using Teeny 250 or 300 lines, 6′ hunk of 12lb test Maxima for a leader ( God bless Maxima but I hate those fucking archaic spools theyl put the stuff on ) casting slightly upstream and usually getting a hit on the start of the swing. Flies on the small side-size 6 to 8 clousers with short tails-white with gold flash and chartruese with gold flash . I was getting alot of misses till I chopped off the tails to within about 3/8" of the hook bend , after that it was Heaven.Last cast of the day Monday I hooked an American shad, about 3 or 4 times the size and heft of the hickories. Last couple years the Americans were running about as big as that species can get, up to 30"s. This one took me into my backing about 50-75′. It took a long damn time to wind all that line in after it threw the hook that’s for sure. The Americans should be starting to come on strong now, the water’s warming up and clearing. They like the stretch of water just up from Fletchers dock area, on a rising tide and then right up till slack tide. They come there to spawn. Most of the hickory action’s been on the falling tides. The female stripers are running up to 40lbs. and the cut herring/bottom fishing guys have been hauling in a bunch. I keep trying for them but all I do is lose expensive flies in the rocks. Would it be that terrible to soak a fly or two in a bucket of herring chum and then run my leader through a slip sinker and just sorta drop it over the side of the boat while I eat lunch or something ? I’ll have to sleep on that. Anyway the male stripers are expected by the end of the week and they’ll be possible to catch using ethical methods The river should be low enough for safe wading by the end of the week too if the levels keep dropping at a steady clip. Oh yeah, when my Rick and I got to the dock on Sunday afternoon " Dock Lady " ( you have to meet her in person, words can’t really adequetly describe her ) told us everyone coming off the river was pissed at us because we two flyrodders were taking shad right and left all day and they, the spinning guys were only hitting them off and on and "they said you two bastards must be doing something illegal ". Even allowing for "Dock Ladys" habit of slight exageration it still was good to hear. It’s usually the other way around. cheers, Bob nursing a painfully pleasant case of "shad elbow"

Response:

Hello East Coasters, We are catching Stripers in the Sacramento, Feather and American Rivers now too as our big spring spawning run has started (April/May/June). This is south(downstream) and north(upstream) of Sacramento. The main runs will go all the way upstream (north) to Colusa and above on the Sacramento River. We fish them wading and from boats. Some of our friends caught some Stripers on flies yesterday and today. The American Shad are just behind the Stripers and will be thick in a few weeks. PS: Thanks for bringing those Stripers and Shad over here to the west coast in 1877. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, California, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Fishing out of Fletchers Sunday and Monday: lots of BIG hickory shad, caught on the outgoing tide-using Teeny 250 or 300 lines, 6′ hunk of 12lb test Maxima for a leader ( God bless Maxima but I hate those fucking archaic spools theyl put the stuff on ) casting slightly upstream and usually getting a hit on the start of the swing. Flies on the small side-size 6 to 8 clousers with short tails-white with gold flash and chartruese with gold flash . I was getting alot of misses till I chopped off the tails to within about 3/8" of the hook bend , after that it was Heaven.Last cast of the day Monday I hooked an American shad, about 3 or 4 times the size and heft of the hickories. Last couple years the Americans were running about as big as that species can get, up to 30"s. This one took me into my backing about 50-75′. It took a long damn time to wind all that line in after it threw the hook that’s for sure. The Americans should be starting to come on strong now, the water’s warming up and clearing. They like the stretch of water just up from Fletchers dock area, on a rising tide and then right up till slack tide. They come there to spawn. Most of the hickory action’s been on the falling tides. The female stripers are running up to 40lbs. and the cut herring/bottom fishing guys have been hauling in a bunch. I keep trying for them but all I do is lose expensive flies in the rocks. Would it be that terrible to soak a fly or two in a bucket of herring chum and then run my leader through a slip sinker and just sorta drop it over the side of the boat while I eat lunch or something ? I’ll have to sleep on that. Anyway the male stripers are expected by the end of the week and they’ll be possible to catch using ethical methods The river should be low enough for safe wading by the end of the week too if the levels keep dropping at a steady clip. Oh yeah, when my Rick and I got to the dock on Sunday afternoon " Dock Lady " ( you have to meet her in person, words can’t really adequetly describe her ) told us everyone coming off the river was pissed at us because we two flyrodders were taking shad right and left all day and they, the spinning guys were only hitting them off and on and "they said you two bastards must be doing something illegal ". Even allowing for "Dock Ladys" habit of slight exageration it still was good to hear. It’s usually the other way around. cheers, Bob nursing a painfully pleasant case of "shad elbow"

Response:

Question:

Hello: Anyone have any experiences with either a RS2 or Usual? How fished? Sizes/colors for modest size streams? Any pix on the web for the Usual?   ( have found some on the RS2) Thanks, Bob

Response:

Bob, I can’t help with the RS2, but the Usual, in many variations, is one of my favorite patterns. I normally tie sizes #12 to #18, and occasionally smaller. This is a dry fly that is tyed with the fur from the rear feet of the Snowshoe Hare to form the wing and tail, and in the case of the original pattern, the body. Snowshoe Hare is available in a range of natural and dyed colors, so a number of insects can be imitated. This has become quite a popular pattern, so a search of the fly fishing web sites should turn up quite a bit of information, including photos. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

Hi Bob, I don’t know the RS2 but I am familiar with the Usual.  The fly was invented by Francis Betters for the Ausable River in New York.  The section in front of his fly shop under Whiteface Mountain is fast flowing pocket water for which this fly is ideal – it floats like a cork.  However, I have caught fish in all kinds of water east and west, including fast-flowing freestone streams, limestone spring creeks and stillwaters (ponds) and by just about every technique, both casting to risers and prospecting.  A size 14 Usual is one of three dry flies from which I always select to start fishing; the other two being a size 12 Grey Fox Variant (Flick) and a size 12 Mini-muddler. I am not sure of the exact historical details, but the fly was popularized in Toronto by Bill Phillips who was a member of the Izaak Walton Fly Fishermen’s Club (now Izaak Walton Fly Fisher’s Club) in the 1970’s and who knew Betters and fished the Ausable.  Betters probably invented the fly in the late1960’s or early 1970’s.  For a long time the Usual was virtually a cult fly, unknown outside of the Adirondacks and a group of fly fishers around Toronto.  This was probably because snowshoe hare was so hard to find; almost nobody besides Betters sold the material.  My guess is that this was because snowshoe hare has no commercial value and most fly-tying furs then were byproducts of the fashion trade.  Betters probably trapped or shot his own animals for his flies.  Fortunately, snowshoe hare’s feet are now widely available, possibly because word of mouth growth in popularity of the Usual has made it feasible to trap them for the fly-tying market.  I believe you can even find them in Orvis shops now.  Make sure you use genuine snowshoe hare and do not even think of subtituting rabbit –  snowshoe hare has a very, very high content of natural oils and there is no real substitute.  I posted photographs of the fly on alt.binaries.pictures.fishing a while ago in response to another enquiry in this newsgroup but they might have expired by now.  If you don’t have any luck finding pictures on the web, I will be happy to e-mail them to you. Best regards, Yuji Sakuma – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello: Anyone have any experiences with either a RS2 or Usual? How fished? Sizes/colors for modest size streams? Any pix on the web for the Usual?   ( have found some on the RS2) Thanks, Bob

Response:

Question:

And then I got it. Sorry long day in the sun without any fish…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -You what? Yes, well, I bet you don

Question:

"John Beowulf" wrote… Well, I don’t know about that but last Sunday this kid was fishing in San Francisco Bay and caught, well uh, (gross alert) a human skull. Maby its the old bad boy of the teamsters!

What did he catch it on? –Steve

Response:

I think he was just dead weight, at the end of the line. PatK I thought using chum while fly fishing was considered unsporting??:) Lloyd Heilbrunn

* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Joe Fleischman writes: I think he’s in my son’s room under his bed.

Uhuh.  He  was found under Tammy Fay Baker’s make-up! Dave LaCourse

Response:

Dave LaCourse wrote Joe Fleischman writes: I think he’s in my son’s room under his bed. Uhuh.  He  was found under Tammy Fay Baker’s make-up!

The worst part is…he was buried alive! —                                                       -dnc-

Response:

Peter Charles wrote I’m not too sure Hoffa had any *chums*! — Opie     **Psychic To The Recently Deceased** but I’m sure he ended up as chum.

Ironic.  He started out as king.  I knew a morphological change occurred in the life cycle, but I didn’t think a species change was part of the deal. —                                                       -dnc-

Response:

Nope.. concrete waders. That’s where Orvis got the idea for their ‘Bulletproof’ wader series. Herman  Hoffa was pardoned by Nixon in 1971 and disappeared in 1975. wet wading? — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyo Before you buy.

– Cheers, Herman Herman Nijland Daytime webmaster Lifetime flyfisher

Response:

I know this is away off topic but—.Saw am movie last night about the life of Jimmy Hoffa.Now I am not a student of American history north or south but I was alive and kicking during the Hoffa years.Am I correct in thinking that Hoffa was dead long before Nixon became president so could not have been pardoned by aforementioned president?

Well, I don’t know about that but last Sunday this kid was fishing in San Francisco Bay and caught, well uh, (gross alert) a human skull.  Maby its the old bad boy of the teamsters! -John

Response:

I know this is away off topic but—.Saw am movie last night about the life of Jimmy Hoffa.Now I am not a student of American history north or south but I was alive and kicking during the Hoffa years.Am I correct in thinking that Hoffa was dead long before Nixon became president so could not have been pardoned by aforementioned president?

Response:

Am I correct in thinking that Hoffa was dead long before Nixon became president so could not have been pardoned by aforementioned president?

No. Hoffa was pardoned by Nixon in 1971 and disappeared in 1975. — Charlie…

Response:

No. Hoffa was pardoned by Nixon in 1971 and disappeared in 1975.

I think he’s in my son’s room under his bed. Joe F.

Response:

 Hoffa was pardoned by Nixon in 1971 and disappeared in 1975.

wet wading? — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyo Before you buy.

Response:

I thought using chum while fly fishing was considered unsporting??:) Lloyd Heilbrunn

Response:

I’m not too sure Hoffa had any *chums*! — Opie     **Psychic To The Recently Deceased**

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I thought using chum while fly fishing was considered unsporting??:) Lloyd Heilbrunn

Response:

I’m not too sure Hoffa had any *chums*! — Opie     **Psychic To The Recently Deceased**

but I’m sure he ended up as chum. Peter

Response:

I know this is away off topic but—.Saw am movie last night about the life of Jimmy Hoffa.Now I am not a student of American history north or south but I was alive and kicking during the Hoffa years.Am I correct in thinking that Hoffa was dead long before Nixon became president so could not have been pardoned by aforementioned president?

Was that the movie starring Jack Nicholson as Jimmy Hoffa? Excellent. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Question:

The New Year is an occasion to separate our past from our future. Let’s gather what is best from our past and use it as a foundation to begin anew. Happy New Year ! — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

The New Year is an occasion to separate our past from our future. Let’s gather what is best from our past and use it as a foundation to begin anew. Happy New Year ! — Ken Fortenberry

yeah, yeah, yeah… if you think for one little second that this here post of yours is gonna save you a whuppin come may, you’re sadly mistaken pal. jeff, tom, wayno, PJ, and i got some special steel tipped wadin’ boots on order to urge you upstream  :) Happy New Year Everyone! Walt — Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com For Book & Print Auctions: http://www.amazon.com/seller/mariebooks Blue Ridge Book Gallery: http://www.bibliofind.com/cgi-bin/texis.exe/s/search/dhome.html?id=33… P.O. Box 5112, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Response:

yeah, yeah, yeah… if you think for one little second that this here post of yours is gonna save you a whuppin come may, you’re sadly mistaken pal. jeff, tom, wayno, PJ, and i got some special steel tipped wadin’ boots on order to urge you upstream  :) Happy New Year Everyone! Walt

Not to worry Ken, if those NC hicks get a little nasty, just hop in the Mazda and you’ll be safe. Peter BTW, your toast had very appropo sentiments for ROFF.

Response:

The New Year is an occasion to separate our past from our future. Let’s gather what is best from our past and use it as a foundation to begin anew.

Wise words, Ken. Happy new year to you and to everyone on ROFF. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

if you think for one little second that this here post of yours is gonna save you a whuppin come may, you’re sadly mistaken pal. … Not to worry Ken, if those NC hicks get a little nasty, just hop in the Mazda and you’ll be safe.

On the one hand we’re talkin’ about an alleged ass whuppin’ by a bunch of geriatric rednecks that think walking to the fridge for a beer constitutes a good days hike and on the other we’re talking about near certain flaming death in a Canadian pick up driven by a certifiable lunatic with a Jeff Gordon delusion. No offense, Peter, but I’ll take my chances with the rednecks. Worst comes to worst I can always outrun ‘em. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

On the one hand we’re talkin’ about an alleged ass whuppin’ by a bunch of geriatric rednecks that think walking to the fridge for a beer constitutes a good days hike and on the other we’re talking about near certain flaming death in a Canadian pick up driven by a certifiable lunatic with a Jeff Gordon delusion. No offense, Peter, but I’ll take my chances with the rednecks. Worst comes to worst I can always outrun ‘em. — Ken Fortenberry

Oh, OK – wrong about the delusion though – pilot. Peter

Response:

um, ken…bring your runnin shoes in may.  i’ll be warmin up the truck and waitin… as a prelude to the new year, yesterday i hauled a whinin waldo down to the stream that i first plonked a fly upon (introduction was via james mcdonald roberts).  it is now designated C&R, fly fishing only. the walk down to the stream is about 30 minutes, back up is about 45, unless you’re draggin a wheezin waldo with you <G, then it’s an hour.  we both thought of you.  i know you will enjoy fishing it in may…it would also be a great place to camp overnight. an incredibly beautiful small stream holding only wild trout. jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – if you think for one little second that this here post of yours is gonna save you a whuppin come may, you’re sadly mistaken pal. … Not to worry Ken, if those NC hicks get a little nasty, just hop in the Mazda and you’ll be safe. On the one hand we’re talkin’ about an alleged ass whuppin’ by a bunch of geriatric rednecks that think walking to the fridge for a beer constitutes a good days hike and on the other we’re talking about near certain flaming death in a Canadian pick up driven by a certifiable lunatic with a Jeff Gordon delusion. No offense, Peter, but I’ll take my chances with the rednecks. Worst comes to worst I can always outrun ‘em. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

… i know you will enjoy fishing it in may…it would also be a great place to camp overnight. an incredibly beautiful small stream holding only wild trout.

Sounds fantastic. Waldo’s got us signed up to fish Wilson’s the first two days of Spring Fling but let’s plan on this later in the week. I’ve got everything two people need to be comfy streamside overnight except your sleeping bag. Waking up to watch the morning sun battle its way into the dark holler has got to be a hell of a lot better than waking up to the spectacle of Louie’s BVDs. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Ken Fortenberry: Waking up to watch the morning sun battle its way into the dark holler has got to be a hell of a lot better than waking up to the spectacle of Louie’s BVDs.

LOL.  So loud that Henry came running down-stairs to see what the commotion was all about.   Not to worry my flat-lander former friend;  I will wear appropriate attire upon arising each morning from my gentle sleep.  <g Looking forward to seeing those Carolina reprobates in March, and you in May. Dave L.

Response:

Sounds fantastic. Waldo’s got us signed up to fish Wilson’s the first two days of Spring Fling but let’s plan on this later in the week. I’ve got everything two people need to be comfy streamside overnight except your sleeping bag. Waking up to watch the morning sun battle its way into the dark holler has got to be a hell of a lot better than waking up to the spectacle of Louie’s BVDs. — Ken Fortenberry

The N/T project better cut me some slack come else, I’m going to be all colours of green and bust a gut out of envy.  I think I’m feeling a serious flu coming on — in May. (truck’s already packed) Peter

Response:

Sounds fantastic. Waldo’s got us signed up to fish Wilson’s the first two days of Spring Fling but let’s plan on this later in the week.

We need reservations to fish around Boone? Geez, maybe I’ll go to Snowbird instead<g. — Charlie…

Response:

Question:

He’ll be learning in the warmwater venue.  Bluegills, sunfish, rock bass, etc.  I’m wondering if it would be easier to learn the "feel" of casting with the heavier rod, or if the heavier rod would be a setback for the little guy.  I know a buddy I converted to fly fishing prefered the feel of an 8 when learning to cast.  He said he couldn’t feel what was going on as well with a 5. Share your experience…. Bob Scott

Bob:   I would guess your buddy was bigger and stronger.  To an eight year old, I still think a typical eight weight would feel like a telephone pole, as another responder noted.   I liked the six, because the rod was light enough, but the line weight seemed to be enough to get them going.  I wouldn’t go longer than 8 ft., either.      Just read Mr. Popp’s post, and everything he said is very true and worth remembering.  Particularly the part about not bothering to bring a rod yourself for the first few times out, at least.  It removes temptation, and allows you to really focus on making sure the kid has the best time possible.  And, patience, patience, patience…… when he’s had enough by his standards – not yours, you fishing fool – call it a day and get some ice cream. Mark Faulkner

Response:

      The rod is not as important as patience as long as he can handle it. The first thing to do is get him interested in fishing and the best way to do that is for him to catch fish. Fly fishing is a bit much for an 8 year old but a zebco closed face spinning rod fishing a bober and worms is ideal. Kids learn quick but when the action slows they lose interest quickly too. Pick a place with plenty of bream, leave your rod at home (you will be too busy helping him to fish). Catch enough to fry up for one small meal and go home (during a lull in the bites).

Many people who have successfully taught children to fish find a reel is unnecessary and a confusing complication for small children.  Either a cane pole or a fly rod with a fixed length of line, say 15 ft., allows the child to fish bait to a depth of say 6 ft. without bothering about the reel, and to present a fly on or near the surface anywhere up to 20 ft. distance.  The child can then concentrate on presentation first, or hooking and playing afterward, without needing to think about letting out more line or winding it in. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

Hi, I missed the first post, but I disagree a bit with some of the info in the follow up. I have been teaching kids fly-fishing for a lifetime, and I have tried many methods. the first thing i would mention is that I do agree with a 6 or 7 wgt rod (and line obviously, you HAVE to have a balanced outfit).On the other hand, make it an 8′6" or even 9′. I don’t know if you’ve ever tried an 8′ but there is a significant diffeence. As I’ve said before, the best rod set-up is one that can cat easily, and to me an 8′6" 6/7 wgt is perfect. I think the small kid, small rod thing is a carryover from shooting – start ‘em on a .20 gauge shotgu, yadda, yadda… I also agree with the thought that you not bring a rod the first times, and would add, take ‘em somewhere their bound to catch fish – any fish !! Last summer taught my 7 yr. old cousin, his first fly fish was a smallmouth bass, and he loved it !!! I have taught as young as 4 yr olds, so go for it, and have fun!!! Bill Bill Curry Tight Lines Guide Service Lockeport, Nova Scotia, Canada http://www.tightlines.ns.ca

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m setting up an outfit for my girlfriend’s 8-year-old son for Easter.  She said "Don’t buy a rod…"   –actually, she said ‘fly fishing pole’  – "my brother-in-law has one he doesn’t use.  He’s sending it up for Easter with his daughter when she visits.  He says it’s fiberglass, and about 6" taller than he is."    He’s about six feet. I got it today.  If it’s not a spinning rod, it’s a dead ringer.  It’s 6′6", with a 12"-long, fat, untapered cork grip, 1"-wide sliding blue-anodized rings, and conventional two-footed guides.  It’s labeled "CONOLON live fiber AIR FLITE 412,  NARMCO, INC,  COSTA MESA, CA"   I guess I better pick up something else. Anyway, at WalMart, they carry a Cortland 8′6" 6-weight IM6 rod for about $37.  They also have a cheaper "graphite composite" Garcia (I think) for about $22.  It’s an 8-weight.  I have an older St.Croix 8′6" fiberglass 8-weight I’d be willing to part with.   It seems like the lighter rod would be better for the little guy (He’s pretty small).   I’m a bachelor, and never taught a child that age to cast.  I’m very anxious to get him started. Should I buy the better rod for a child that age?  Or should I give him my old St.Croix?  What level or proficiency should I expect, or strive for? Please give me a little advice, Dads out there! — Bob Scott

       The rod is not as important as patience as long as he can handle it. The first thing to do is get him interested in fishing and the best way to do that is for him to catch fish. Fly fishing is a bit much for an 8 year old but a zebco closed face spinning rod fishing a bober and worms is ideal. Kids learn quick but when the action slows they lose interest quickly too. Pick a place with plenty of bream, leave your rod at home (you will be too busy helping him to fish). Catch enough to fry up for one small meal and go home (during a lull in the bites).         I’ve taught a son 3 daughters, and 4 grandsons to fish and am starting on a great grandson who is 2 1/2 his attention span has increased to 10 minutes none started on flys and the son and only one grandson are really interested in fly fishing that much so far.          Remember the important thing is he have fun, catch fish and learn the simple things in fishing. He can develope the rest as he gets older. Have Patient he’ll learn if it’s fun and not too complicated.                                                          John Popp                                                        in Sanford Fl.

Response:

Hi Robert, I started my son casting and fishing at age 8. I gave him a fiberglass 7 1/2′ rod for a 5 line. It worked great for him.  Graphite was not available at that time. I suggest an inexpensive, light rod. At 8, Those heavy 8 wt and above feel like swinging a telephone pole to a small kid. Spring is around the corner, be sure to find some spawn areas with Bluegill for him to catch. The best and sure way to give a kid a good time catching fish. Good Luck ! — William Endicott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m setting up an outfit for my girlfriend’s 8-year-old son for Easter. She said "Don’t buy a rod…"   –actually, she said ‘fly fishing pole’ — "my brother-in-law has one he doesn’t use.  He’s sending it up for Easter with his daughter when she visits.  He says it’s fiberglass, and about 6" taller than he is."    He’s about six feet. I got it today.  If it’s not a spinning rod, it’s a dead ringer.  It’s 6′6", with a 12"-long, fat, untapered cork grip, 1"-wide sliding blue-anodized rings, and conventional two-footed guides.  It’s labeled "CONOLON live fiber AIR FLITE 412,  NARMCO, INC,  COSTA MESA, CA"   I guess I better pick up something else. Anyway, at WalMart, they carry a Cortland 8′6" 6-weight IM6 rod for about $37.  They also have a cheaper "graphite composite" Garcia (I think) for about $22.  It’s an 8-weight.  I have an older St.Croix 8′6" fiberglass 8-weight I’d be willing to part with.   It seems like the lighter rod would be better for the little guy (He’s pretty small).   I’m a bachelor, and never taught a child that age to cast.  I’m very anxious to get him started. Should I buy the better rod for a child that age?  Or should I give him my old St.Croix?  What level or proficiency should I expect, or strive for? Please give me a little advice, Dads out there! — Bob Scott

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –       The rod is not as important as patience as long as he can handle it. The first thing to do is get him interested in fishing and the best way to do that is for him to catch fish. Fly fishing is a bit much for an 8 year old but a zebco closed face spinning rod fishing a bober and worms is ideal. Kids learn quick but when the action slows they lose interest quickly too. Pick a place with plenty of bream, leave your rod at home (you will be too busy helping him to fish). Catch enough to fry up for one small meal and go home (during a lull in the bites).        I’ve taught a son 3 daughters, and 4 grandsons to fish and am starting on a great grandson who is 2 1/2 his attention span has increased to 10 minutes none started on flys and the son and only one grandson are really interested in fly fishing that much so far.         Remember the important thing is he have fun, catch fish and learn the simple things in fishing. He can develope the rest as he gets older. Have Patient he’ll learn if it’s fun and not too complicated.                                                         John Popp                                                       in Sanford Fl.

John,     This guy is ready to progress from the Zebco stage already.  He lives, eats and breathes fishing, and fly fishing is what he wants to learn.   I bought him a fly tying kit for Christmas… you should see him go at it! Some very interesting stuff comes off that vise!     We will definitely be starting out with the local bluegills… when the water temp gets out of the 40s.  I think I’ll buy him the nice, light Cortland IM6 rod.  He’s casted my soft Orvis 9′ 5-wt with my hand over his, but not alone.  That’s the extent of his experience so far.  This intense interest in fly fishing developed this winter.  I gave him a beginner’s book on fly fishing, and his Mom’s been reading it to him.  He told me he already knows how to cast; "From ten o’clock to noon!" he says.     Should be fun. Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Bob Scott

Response:

I’m setting up an outfit for my girlfriend’s 8-year-old son for Easter.  She said "Don’t buy a rod…"   –actually, she said ‘fly fishing pole’  – "my brother-in-law has one he doesn’t use.  He’s sending it up for Easter with his daughter when she visits.  He says it’s fiberglass, and about 6" taller than he is."    He’s about six feet.

If he is 6 ft tall at 8 years old, Bob, you are in BIG trouble if he doesn’t take a shine to you by, say, age 12.  Accordingly, I would probably be looking at a Sage, Loomis, Winston, etc. Anyway, at WalMart, they carry a Cortland 8′6" 6-weight IM6 rod for about $37.  They also have a cheaper "graphite composite" Garcia (I think) for about $22.  It’s an 8-weight.  I have an older St.Croix 8′6" fiberglass 8-weight I’d be willing to part with.   It seems like the lighter rod would be better for the little guy (He’s pretty small).   I’m a bachelor, and never taught a child that age to cast.  I’m very anxious to get him started. Should I buy the better rod for a child that age?  Or should I give him my old St.Croix?  What level or proficiency should I expect, or strive for? Please give me a little advice, Dads out there! — Bob Scott

Seriously, having worked with a few kids (and my daughters) on introductions to fly casting, I would suggest the lighter rod (but not too light).  I have a 1970’s vintage 6′6" Eagle Claw fiberglass that was pretty good when they were 8-10 years old, and would gladly lend it to you if that was feasible.  But at 10 or so, I started them on an 8 ft six weight "old" graphite – actually, an Orvis purchased about 1979.  This turned out to be a very good rod for them to work with.  However, since I gather you do a lot of surf/ocean fishing, and all my experience in teaching is on Pennsylvania trout streams, none of this may be relevent. Mark Faulkner

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I’m setting up an outfit for my girlfriend’s 8-year-old son for Easter. She said "Don’t buy a rod…"   –actually, she said ‘fly fishing pole’ (  – "my brother-in-law has one he doesn’t use.  He’s sending it up for Easter with his daughter when she visits.  He says it’s fiberglass, and about 6" taller than he is."    He’s about six feet. If he is 6 ft tall at 8 years old, Bob, you are in BIG trouble if he doesn’t take a shine to you by, say, age 12.

No… I meant my girlfriends BROTHER-IN-LAW is 6-feet!   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Anyway, at WalMart, they carry a Cortland 8′6" 6-weight IM6 rod for about $37.  They also have a cheaper "graphite composite" Garcia (I think) for about $22.  It’s an 8-weight.  I have an older St.Croix 8′6" fiberglass 8-weight I’d be willing to part with.   It seems like the lighter rod would be better for the little guy (He’s pretty small).   I’m a bachelor, and never taught a child that age to cast.  I’m very anxious to get him started. Should I buy the better rod for a child that age?  Or should I give him my old St.Croix?  What level or proficiency should I expect, or strive for? Please give me a little advice, Dads out there! — Bob Scott Seriously, having worked with a few kids (and my daughters) on introductions to fly casting, I would suggest the lighter rod (but not too light).  I have a 1970’s vintage 6′6" Eagle Claw fiberglass that was pretty good when they were 8-10 years old, and would gladly lend it to you if that was feasible.  But at 10 or so, I started them on an 8 ft six weight "old" graphite – actually, an Orvis purchased about 1979.  This turned out to be a very good rod for them to work with.  However, since I gather you do a lot of surf/ocean fishing, and all my experience in teaching is on Pennsylvania trout streams, none of this may be relevent. Mark Faulkner

Mark,     He’ll be learning in the warmwater venue.  Bluegills, sunfish, rock bass, etc.  I’m wondering if it would be easier to learn the "feel" of casting with the heavier rod, or if the heavier rod would be a setback for the little guy.  I know a buddy I converted to fly fishing prefered the feel of an 8 when learning to cast.  He said he couldn’t feel what was going on as well with a 5. Share your experience…. Bob Scott

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I’m setting up an outfit for my girlfriend’s 8-year-old son for Easter.  She said "Don’t buy a rod…"   –actually, she said ‘fly fishing pole’  – "my brother-in-law has one he doesn’t use.  He’s sending it up for Easter with his daughter when she visits.  He says it’s fiberglass, and about 6" taller than he is."    He’s about six feet. I got it today.  If it’s not a spinning rod, it’s a dead ringer.  It’s 6′6", with a 12"-long, fat, untapered cork grip, 1"-wide sliding blue-anodized rings, and conventional two-footed guides.  It’s labeled "CONOLON live fiber AIR FLITE 412,  NARMCO, INC,  COSTA MESA, CA"   I guess I better pick up something else. Anyway, at WalMart, they carry a Cortland 8′6" 6-weight IM6 rod for about $37.  They also have a cheaper "graphite composite" Garcia (I think) for about $22.  It’s an 8-weight.  I have an older St.Croix 8′6" fiberglass 8-weight I’d be willing to part with.   It seems like the lighter rod would be better for the little guy (He’s pretty small).   I’m a bachelor, and never taught a child that age to cast.  I’m very anxious to get him started. Should I buy the better rod for a child that age?  Or should I give him my old St.Croix?  What level or proficiency should I expect, or strive for? Please give me a little advice, Dads out there! — Bob Scott

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Question:

It looks like I will be attending a conference at Disneyland in Anneheim early next month.  Any flyfishing (fresh or Saltwater) in this area ? I am willing to travel within reason. I am not from the USA, so if you specify a fish species, please also add any info on line weights, flies etc, as I noticed on my last trip to the USA that fish names vary considerably around the world. Are there any good shops in the area who could advise me ? Thanks Bruce…..

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It looks like I will be attending a conference at Disneyland in Anneheim early next month.  Any flyfishing (fresh or Saltwater) in this area ? I am willing to travel within reason. I am not from the USA, so if you specify a fish species, please also add any info on line weights, flies etc, as I noticed on my last trip to the USA that fish names vary considerably around the world. Are there any good shops in the area who could advise me ? Thanks Bruce…..

– I’m not sure about the actual fishing in that immediate area, but you’ll be within a long cast with a shooting head of one of the biggest fly shops around – Bob Marriott’s.  DON’T miss it… and set yourself a budget before you walk in the door. <<grin Joe Ellis         o/~ The Synthetic Filker o/~ |    TesserAct Studios  ()X  Darwin (;        Now on the Web at      |   Fairfield, OH 45018  //~~~LL~~~~LL~  http://shell.idt.net/~ellis69 |  New Dimensions In Filk!

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Question:

(Curtis Quist) writes: I am looking at moving to the Portland area.  I am tired of the mid-west and the lack of ff for trout in my area.  How much fishing is available within 60 minutes of Portland.  On a scale of 1-10, how good is the fishing in this area. Thanks in advance, Curtis

You could flyfish everyday of the year with a good expectation of catching fish.  What more could a mortal want?

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I am looking at moving to the Portland area.  I am tired of the mid-west and the lack of ff for trout in my area.  How much fishing is available within 60 minutes of Portland.  On a scale of 1-10, how good is the fishing in this area. Thanks in advance, Curtis

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (Curtis Quist) writes: I am looking at moving to the Portland area.  I am tired of the mid-west and the lack of ff for trout in my area.  How much fishing is available within 60 minutes of Portland.  On a scale of 1-10, how good is the fishing in this area. Thanks in advance, Curtis You could flyfish everyday of the year with a good expectation of catching fish.  What more could a mortal want?

Let’s be clearer.  You can flyfish for trout, you can fly fish for steelhead, you can fly fish for salmon, you can flyfish for small mouth and large mouth bass, a few bluegills, and surf fish.  Driving a little further, you can get stripers, the Deschutes ( a fair to middling river), the various high Oregon lakes.   I lived in Portland a few years back, and was so snooty, I wouldn’t drive more than forty five minutes.  Fished 150 days one of those years.  Caught a few.  Had a lot of fun.  That was before the kids came along… Seattle is OK, too.

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Question:

Like everyone else, I’ve used plenty of variations for the tried and true GRHE.  These days I use ginger hen hackle for tails.  Deer hair can be a bad bet, mainly because it’s so brittle.  Like Gary Borger says, "Get the color right if you can, but just make sure it’s the right bulk and length."  Or at least I think he says that.

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Fereira) writes: I was talking to someone a week or so ago and picked up some #24 trico emergers tied with the fur from snow-shoe rabbits.  He claimed that the oils in the fur on their feet made them naturally water resistant.  Has anyone seen fur from one of these creatures?

Yes, was a big thing a couple of years ago.  Stuff floats forever.  The most famous fly to use it is called "The Usual". You can get snowshoe rabbit from Orvis stores or through their fly tying catalog.  Price is around $5.

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I’ve been sitting at the vice for the last few days re-stocking. I was working in some hairs ears and just was not satisfied with the way the tails look. Does anyone have a varaition on the stnd. tail? I have been useing deer hair and find that it either ends up to thin or flairs out to much.   What material do you like to use?   Thanks in advance. You are talking about a hare’s ear *nymph*, no? I usually use pheasant tail fibers. You can also try a few barbs of mottled hen. The "standard" tie calls for hare’s mask guard hairs, doesn’t it?

That’s they way I learned how to tie one.  When I first started tying I found that with a turkey feather, some gold tinsel, and a hares ear mask I could tie all the GRHE’s I wanted and since I knew that was probably one of the best nymph patterns going those were the first materials I ever bought.   I was talking to someone a week or so ago and picked up some #24 trico emergers tied with the fur from snow-shoe rabbits.  He claimed that the oils in the fur on their feet made them naturally water resistant.  Has anyone seen fur from one of these creatures? One final thing.  There are a few flyfishers that I’ve corresponded with from the central NY area and I’ve started to put your names in a file for a local mailing list.  If there is anyone else, or you’re not sure if you might not be on my list send me some email.   John — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems  Ithaca, NY

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I’ve been sitting at the vice for the last few days re-stocking. I was working in some hairs ears and just was not satisfied with the way the tails look. Does anyone have a varaition on the stnd. tail? I have been useing deer hair and find that it either ends up to thin or flairs out to much.   What material do you like to use?   Thanks in advance.

Ummm… It _is_ called a "Hare’s Ear"… Have you tried a bunch of Hare Hair <<grin off of the mask? That’s the dressing _I’M_ familiar with! … And it doesn’t flare! — Joe Ellis         o/~ The Synthetic Filker o/~ |    TesserAct Studios

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I’ve been sitting at the vice for the last few days re-stocking. I was working in some hairs ears and just was not satisfied with the way the tails look. Does anyone have a varaition on the stnd. tail? I have been useing deer hair and find that it either ends up to thin or flairs out to much.   What material do you like to use?   Thanks in advance.

I am wondering a little bit about your efforts. Do you really mean the hears ear? This pattern calls for a tail made from the guard = hairs (longer and stronger hairs with light coloured tips) from the center of the hairs mask. The center hairs should be cut very ti= ghtly to the skin and then you can put out all the underfur. This can sometimes be a pain, depending on the mask you got. On the one=  I have the center guard hairs are strongly curled, so that I wasn’t very satisfied with my hares ear’s neither. I used woodcuck ins= tead, worked well for me and makes nearly the same clour. You shouldn’t use deer hair. The stuff you usually get is winter deer hair=  which is hollow. Because it spreads so well poeple use it for caddis and comparaduns. Elk hair doesn’t spread so easily so it seems=  much better for this purpose. Some dry fly pattern call for moose mane, which is very good for tails because it doesn’t spread at a= ll. The disadvantage is that it doesn’t match the colour requirements for the hairs ears. If you still want to use deer hair this li= ttle trick might help. Tie in the deer hair  1 or 2 mm closer to the ear than it is required with 2 or 3 tight wraps. The hair will = spread. Now you catch the spread hairs with some loose wraps exactly at the original tie in position (at the end of the shank, behin= d -that means towards the shank- the tight wraps you made). Then dub the body (Maybe you should try coastal deer hair, it doesn’t sp= read so good. You should also compare differend deer hairs, you can find nearly every colour and quality you can imagine. If you don= ‘t have a good source, call Kaufmann streamborne, they have an excellent selection.). That technique also works for bucktail streamers, if the wing spreads to much. I hope that helps.      Good luck                    Thomas

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I’ve been sitting at the vice for the last few days re-stocking. I was working in some hairs ears and just was not satisfied with the way the tails look. Does anyone have a varaition on the stnd. tail? I have been useing deer hair and find that it either ends up to thin or flairs out to much.   What material do you like to use?   Thanks in advance.

Any short quill will work.  I like to use red or brown on my #20 Hare’s ears.

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I’ve been sitting at the vice for the last few days re-stocking. I was working in some hairs ears and just was not satisfied with the way the tails look. Does anyone have a varaition on the stnd. tail? I have been useing deer hair and find that it either ends up to thin or flairs out to much.    What material do you like to use?   Thanks in advance.

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I’ve been sitting at the vice for the last few days re-stocking. I was working in some hairs ears and just was not satisfied with the way the tails look. Does anyone have a varaition on the stnd. tail? I have been useing deer hair and find that it either ends up to thin or flairs out to much.   What material do you like to use?   Thanks in advance.

You are talking about a hare’s ear *nymph*, no? I usually use pheasant tail fibers. You can also try a few barbs of mottled hen. The "standard" tie calls for hare’s mask guard hairs, doesn’t it? Bob Petti Endwell, NY

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I’ve been sitting at the vice for the last few days re-stocking. I was working in some hairs ears and just was not satisfied with the way the tails look. Does anyone have a varaition on the stnd. tail? I have been useing deer hair and find that it either ends up to thin or flairs out to much.   What material do you like to use?   Thanks in advance.

Use the mask!! Look at a point between the eys and work you way toward the ears. Pull some fur (with the guard hairs intact) away from the hide at a 90 degree angle from the hide and snip real close to the hide with your scissors. Keep the clump intact and tie in (tips to the rear) as a tail. Further: Most folks IMHO make the tails on GRHE *too* long!! Try making them about 1/2 shank length. The type of mayfly that the GRHE is simulating (typically) has tails about this long. When you make your dry fly imitations, the rule is 1x shank length. This method of tailing is also great for legs on scuds and sowbugs. A killer scud pattern (mating gammaris imitation) is made using an orange dyed hare’s mask to simulate the mating colors of a common scud. Hook: Tiemco 2457 or equiv in both #14 and #18 Thread: Uni-thread 8/0 orange or red Weight: "Not-Lead" wire in middle of shank only (optional) Tail: From orange dyed hairs mask Rib: 4x mono, 5 evenly spaced turns Shellback: Borden’s "Scud Back" or poly bag 1/8" wide Body: Blended fur from between the eyes of the hare’s mask Even if you never heard of a scud, this is a great pattern. I use it as a searching pattern if nothing is hatching on top. If you have trouble finding Scud Back (great stuff BTW), give the guys at Fly & Field a call at 800-328-9753. They also sell a very cool tool for gathering and blending the hare’s mask, called a Ceramic Dubbing Scraper. It’s in their catalog. Todd L. McCagg – Mfr Rep of Musical Esoteria Modulus-Spector-SWR-Hughes & Kettner-Premier Fernandes-EMG-CB Labs Pocket Rock-It (husband-father-bassist-flyfisher-flytyer-homebrewer)

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The longer hairs to the side of the mask are longer, like guard hairs but softer.  I like using these because I think it gives better action.  Most of the hare’s ears I use are #10’s for steelhead fishing on the Pere Marquette in Michigan.  Great fly!!!! Donald Albrecht A bad day fishing is still better than a good day at work!  <  <

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Question:

Any suggestions for where to find flyfishing sites on the worldwide web? Is this in a fishing FAQ?  If so where is it?                  /                 /                                            John Woodling              o/                                             Sacramento, CA              /                                                                <     <

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Any suggestions for where to find flyfishing sites on the worldwide web? Is this in a fishing FAQ?  If so where is it?

I keep a fly fishing web page mostly dedicated to the state of Arizona, but also with some more general information, including a long list of links to other pages.  I hope this helps. John Shannon Fly Fishing in Arizona http://www.indirect.com/user/jshannon

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Any suggestions for where to find flyfishing sites on the worldwide

web? For starters, try  http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~jsuchosk/fish/fishpage This has a lot of hypertext leads to other places.  It’ll keep you surfing until the green drakes hatch.                                           Catch and release,                                                              Phil Holt

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: Any suggestions for where to find flyfishing sites on the worldwide web? : Is this in a fishing FAQ?  If so where is it? :     Hi- FAQ URL: http://www.geo.mtu.edu:80/~jsuchosk/fish/all-faqs.html List of flyfishing web sites (and fishing sites in general): http://www.gorp.com/gorp/activity/fishing.htm Hope this helps, Diane

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