Question:

The show is coming up on us this month, the 12th and 13th.  Just wondering if we all getting together, Sat or Sun?  Do the ROFF lunch thing or something there.  Then again, we could just all wander through asking the celebs if they want our autographs.  Should drive ‘em nuts.  Kinda like an Alice’s Restaraunt "movement." — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

I’m planniing on attending on Saturday. Lou Teletski

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The show is coming up on us this month, the 12th and 13th.  Just wondering if we all getting together, Sat or Sun?  Do the ROFF lunch thing or something there.  Then again, we could just all wander through asking the celebs if they want our autographs.  Should drive ‘em nuts.  Kinda like an Alice’s Restaraunt "movement." — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

We’ll be there Saturday morning.  If I can’t find the 9 wt. rod and reel outfit I want at the price I want, I’ll just have to buy a bunch of chicken feathers, and assorted dead animal parts!  Got an OTT light for Christmas and Frank wants me to tie up 40 or so voodoo charms on fish hooks to pass off as flys, so looks like the tying bench will be busy. I should be broke, tired, and ready for lunch at lunch time. — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The show is coming up on us this month, the 12th and 13th.  Just wondering if we all getting together, Sat or Sun?  Do the ROFF lunch thing or something there.  Then again, we could just all wander through asking the celebs if they want our autographs.  Should drive ‘em nuts.  Kinda like an Alice’s Restaraunt "movement." — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Lou, be sure to wear something I’ll recognize.  There are so many darn grizzled looking old fly fishermen hanging about its darn hard to tell you guys apart! — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m planniing on attending on Saturday. Lou Teletski

Response:

Got any details on location, etc.?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The show is coming up on us this month, the 12th and 13th.  Just wondering if we all getting together, Sat or Sun?  Do the ROFF lunch thing or something there.  Then again, we could just all wander through asking the celebs if they want our autographs.  Should drive ‘em nuts.  Kinda like an Alice’s Restaraunt "movement." — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Its at the Record Armory, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.   Go to <http://www.flyfishingshow.com/collegepark.html for details. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Got any details on location, etc.?

Response:

I’ll wear an orange baseball cap with a race horse on the fron and the words "Cupola Farm". Lou Teletski

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Lou, be sure to wear something I’ll recognize.  There are so many darn grizzled looking old fly fishermen hanging about its darn hard to tell you guys apart! — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine! I’m planniing on attending on Saturday. Lou Teletski

Response:

The show is coming up on us this month, the 12th and 13th.  Just wondering if we all getting together, Sat or Sun?  Do the ROFF lunch thing or something there.

Saturday’s still my only chance.   Lunch would be my earliest possible arrival.   If you eat late (say 12:30 or 1:00), I might be able to join you. I may have to meet y’all afterward back at the show. Joe F. (got my "Reel Men" hat all ready to go. <g)

Response:

Frank, Sorry, Sunday is the only day I can make it. I posted this same question yesterday as we talked about and it never showed up…. strange. Allen Epps – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The show is coming up on us this month, the 12th and 13th.  Just wondering if we all getting together, Sat or Sun?  Do the ROFF lunch thing or something there. Saturday’s still my only chance.   Lunch would be my earliest possible arrival.   If you eat late (say 12:30 or 1:00), I might be able to join you. I may have to meet y’all afterward back at the show. Joe F. (got my "Reel Men" hat all ready to go. <g)

Response:

Must have been the reference to "strike indicator" still being analyzed by the outgoing mail oversight committee! — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Frank, Sorry, Sunday is the only day I can make it. I posted this same question yesterday as we talked about and it never showed up…. strange. Allen Epps

Response:

Question:

Paul Goodwin writes: I’ld have to say that Waynes post get’s my vote for the best ever clave report. That’s for sure!  A wonderful wordsmith is our wayno.  "Piss running down a handicap ramp" — not exactly a sentence you get to use very often.  Well done, counselor.

Must have been long enough that it got lost somewhere, I never saw it on bellsouth.net. I’ll just have to take everyone’s word for it that it had internal rhythm. <g — Charlie…

Response:

Charlie Choc: Must have been long enough that it got lost somewhere, I never saw it on bellsouth.net. I’ll just have to take everyone’s word for it that it had internal rhythm. <g — Charlie…

I didn’t get it on aol, and it wasn’t posted on Newsone.net.  I had to go to deja.com to get a copy of it.  And yes, it *is* long, but very funny with wonderful "internal rythm".  Got some external stuff too. Dave

Response:

I didn’t get it on aol, and it wasn’t posted on Newsone.net.  I had to go to deja.com to get a copy of it.  And yes, it *is* long, but very funny with wonderful "internal rythm".  Got some external stuff too.

It is good, Tom Brown email’d me a copy (thanks Tom, and Wayno too<g). — Charlie…

Response:

<snipped for bandwidth conservation ONLY) Excellent dissertation Mr. Harrison!!! — All fishermen are liars ‘cept you n me, and I’m starting to have doubts about you! www.fishticker.com

Response:

i had to repeat damn near everything i said, even though i was talkin loud enough to be heard next door.

That’s cause New Englanders all talk funny. They gotta put the cah in the gahrage and then go get some chowdah. happily i had a little time to read some exciting new law review articles,

Ain’t any such thing. i am certain that the promising new business relationships i nurtured during my time in maine will help reward your efforts.

Little wayno’s Outfitters (We Never Close) is moving north? Gonna surround yourself with yankees? In a land where you can’t get grits nohow, not even the instant kind at the Safeway? "Goddamn, well I declare! Have you seen the like?Their walls are  built from  cannonballs; their motto is ‘don’t tread on me’" -Uncle Jerry

Response:

I’ld have to say that Waynes post get’s my vote for the best ever clave report.

ditto for me, "casting pearls amongst the swine" as it were. Peter

Response:

Paul Goodwin writes: I’ld have to say that Waynes post get’s my vote for the best ever clave report.

That’s for sure!  A wonderful wordsmith is our wayno.  "Piss running down a handicap ramp" — not exactly a sentence you get to use very often.  Well done, counselor. But, the "biggest brookie of my life" was a mere 15 inches.  I am afraid he’d shit his drawers if he got into one of the 22+ inchers!   <g Dave LaCourse, Bottom Dweller, home resting from the terrible ordeal of leading a bunch of reprobates on my home waters, but ready to go back

Response:

I’ld have to say that Waynes post get’s my vote for the best ever clave report.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – to:  eleni t. harrison 5216 michaux rd greensboro, nc 27410 tuesday, sept [snip] ah beeyuh budeeyuh budeeyuh;  that’s all, folks… your friend in the old north state wayno

Response:

You forgot a couple:        to:  irs, audit division        regional office        raleigh, n.c. to whom it may concern: as an attorney in good standing with n.c. bar, i resent your implication that i would in any way misuse the u.s. tax code, including the generous deductions allowed by the rules governing business entertainment deductions.  you have, i feel, improperly disallowed a large number of deductions, even medical expense deductions, as a result of a trip taken for the purposes of interviewing prospective clients.  let me assure you that every name on the attached list (styled "state’s exhibit a") is now, or shortly will be, in need of professional help.   as to the expenses, "misc:," again, let me assure you that all were legitimate.  for example, one expense, "$250.00 – Translator and translation expenses," was an absolute necessity, but unfortunately, those ill-spoken yankees don’t even understand money, and would only accept payment in the form of alcoholic beverages, hence, the receipt from "Dickey’s Crab House and Package Store." i can further assure you that deduction labeled "$862.50 – dr. hooter’s" is indeed a legitimate medical expense, as several in the party were dire need of attention at the close of the trip.  while i understand the reluctance to accept a receipt on a cocktail napkin, i cannot control the use of business forms by the medical profession. in closing, please free to contact me at any time should you need further supporting documentation.  further, i will be happy to personally recreate the entire trip, including reassembling the persons relevant, should you desire to send an investigator to personally the instant facts of the case at bar. i remain, a. wayne harrison             to:  all managing partners of             harrison, north, cooke and landreth, attorneys at law             221 commerce st             greensboro, nc 27401 gentlemen: "kinder, gentler irs", my ass!  get me the hell outta here! waiting, a. wayne harrison

Response:

        to:  eleni t. harrison         5216 michaux rd         greensboro, nc 27410         tuesday, sept         well, dovins, me and the kid from raleigh (by way of utah) made it to portland safe and sound.  flying in from the ocean side, the harbor looked just like a giant goldfish pond, ringed with rocks, and dotted with tiny sails.  ol louie showed up with a handmade sign and groucho glasses.  he didn’t need a fake nose.         we drove across the state at a crisp rate, with the audi humming, feeling taut and confident as this wonderful old bastard carried us ever deeper into the woods of maine, with brittle, entertaining chatter flowing from all inside, to dissapate among the spruce by the roadside along with the gasses from the twin pipes.  the houses seemed to line the roads like spectators at a race, no more than one or two lines deep, pressed close upon us by the dark green trees and rising hills.  the buildings themselves were surprisingly delicate, and reminded me of the farmhouses of the old money families from the rowan county hinterlands.  i would have thought the weight of north country winters would have made for sterner, rougher homes.          we stopped in a little burg called norway to buy some emergency waders.  the wooden floors creaked as we entered, and the accents of the owner and the occupants might as well have come from argentina; they were strangers to my unaccustomed ear.  but the smiles weren’t forced, and i left with the memories of nearly fifty years ago, when i walked out of the same kind of place with my first fly rod in my hand, with hopes of fish captured pulling me toward the car.         we arrived at lake richardson with the audi clicking as she cooled from the workout, and motored steadily across a gorgeous body of water, gin clear from edge to center, and held together by the lovely, sloping hills that pass for mountains way up here.  we could see the camp in the distance, little brown cabins hunkered down together, pressed closely by the bright red barn of the damkeeper on one end and a bright white stand of birches on the other.  we could see the figures awaiting our arrival at the dock, and i soon could make out the familiar figure of indian joe mcintosh and two females. one of them, short and bright eyed, welcomed us with fearless enthusiasm and hugs that shattered any suggestion that we could be strangers.  the second figure was taller; thin, almost delicate, with a smile just barely broader than the mona lisa.  her name, it turned out, was joanne lacourse; the wife of the luckiest sonofabitch in new england.  her companion was dene mcintosh, who could turn a wake into the best damn party you ever were fortunate enough to attend.         getting settled was as easy as finding your way back to a place you have been before, with just enough time since your last visit to make the homecoming a surprise.  peetah charles showed up, and jeff conelly, with his friend benet (pronounced "benay").  and thank god, there was ol jeffy miller, pride of the greenville nc bar, and a man who loves his whiskey almost as much as his time on the water.         the next morning i was awakened by the dulcet tones of louie’s voice, gently chiding me to come to breakfast.  after a bracing shower, i joined our little band for a terrific breakfast, served by a charming, hard working young lady named kessie.  our crowd and a pair of older marrieds were the only guests at the lodge, and meals were both delicious and quiet.  they served a dessert called "lemon pudding" that is sure to show up on the next federal controlled substances list, ranked just after crack cocaine in degree of danger.         peetah and i walked about twenty minutes downstream to a place where the river flows into a second lake, much smaller than the one on which the main camp lies, called by the locals "pond in the river", or simply "pondy".  the river mouth was split by an island, which was reached by boat, capt. lacourse at the oars, and we fished there most of the morning.  i caught the largest brook trout of my life on a streamer, thrashing the water with a sinking line and stripping in as if i was churning butter.  the place itself was right out of a chet reneson water color; the first loon i’ve ever seen was fishing in the pond.  it was a much larger bird than i had expected, but its call was wonderously haunting, just as i had hoped.         during the evening’s socializing i found that dene and joanne had been exploring the lake in kayaks available at the camp.  they were excited about the experience, and when i expressed some interest in sharing their next excursion, the roff navy was born.  in the morning after breakfast we pointed the bows of our seaworthy crafts toward the rising sun and double paddled into legend.  the surface of the lake was flat and slick as cellophane, and you could look clear through the water at every depth.  the peace and beauty of the trip was punctuated with a few narrow escapes as joanne, our human torpedo, became directionally challenged from time to time.  admiral mcintosh led our initial assault on a starkly beautiful rock island in the center of the bay, and concluded our invasion successfully by, um, christening its granite surface.  you would get along wonderfully with these two terrific women, and i can’t wait for the day that you all get together.         the rest of the trip has been fascinating, highlighted by the arrival of the three daves and salmon fly, yankees but decent fellers every one.  we had a helluva bonfire at lakeside, but i was tired and missed the last of the revelry.  you know how i have been trying to reduce my alchohol consumption, and i take your advice in the matter to heart, of course.         one more thing:  if lakewood camps were located fifty miles south of asheville, it would be the prettiest place in the country; but even though it’s north of the mason dixon, it’s no worse than second place.  and david lacourse and his incredible wife made the entire experience unforgettable.  their energy and concern for the needs of all of us was a wonder.         as i write this, zimbo and i are seated in the cincinnati airport, waiting for the last section of the long flight that will bring me back to you and the kiddles.  give them a hug from the old man, and don’t wait up for me.         love         awh         to:  james mcdonald roberts         132 court street         greenville nc 2499         james:  what a goddam trip.  i met up with that kid i told you about that makes the great little bamboo rods so early on tuesday am that i felt like a freaking rooster.  the guy’s name is zimmerman, but i call him zimbo.  helluva good kid, and so damn excited about this chance to catch something bigger than a goldfish that he reminded me of keith sedberry the night sweet virginia overman promised him a little leg behind the sigma chi house, back in ‘68.         we got to maine about midday after an obviously meaningless trip to cincinnati.  damn airlines must be run by yankee republicans. anyway, ol louie laplac damn near burnt that silver audi to a crisp on those little two laners across the southern tip of maine.  i didn’t know if zimbo was gonna shit or throwup, but you could have gotten even money on both.  we had to stop at some godforsaken little sporting goods store in podunk maine where everybody was mumblin about "neah" and "fah" and kept ending every sentence with "a-yuh" or some such yankee shit.  i had to repeat damn near everything i said, even though i was talkin loud enough to be heard next door.         well, we drive i mean *deep* into the evergreens and long, sloping hills, with birches everywhere, great looking country, no doubt.  we cross this beautiful lake, and arrive at our destination, a group of little cabins all bunched together, leaning up against each other at differerent angles, like if you open the bathroom door and don’t block it with a rock the damn thing slams shut before you can get inside.  anyway, we get there, and beside ol injun joe and peetah, who you have met before, there are these two great lookin chicks who turn out to be married to ij and louie.  that’s the good news.  the bad news is they are hopelessly in love with the two old fools, and have about as much use for me as tits on a boar hog.  oh, well, they were still tons of fun, and good sports to boot.         ol jeffy was there, and met me at the dock with a fresh see-through.  i swear that boy is as good as pitt county has to give. and fishes his *ass* off, i mean.         the fishing is the damndest thing you have ever seen.  big, i mean *big* f***in trout and salmon, but you got to fish with these tiny damn flies just like you read about in fly fisherman magazine, and if you catch one of the bastards they laugh and turn inexorably toward the fast current, and bingo—tie on another teeny weeny.  and when i mean fast current, i am *not* kidding you.  damn place makes hazel creek look like piss runnin down a handicap ramp.  you wade that water, you die.  the deal is you fish in about a thirty yard semi-circle, pounding that water relentlessly, changing flies if you don’t hook up.  i swear to god peetah charles must have tossed the entire f***ing inventory of a fair sized orvis shop in the water at this crowd of salmon that fed all day on bugs so tiny you couldn’t see em.  he caught, in his inimitable terminology, "the odd fish", and he is damn good.  but, it is a challenge, and the feeling you get when one of those freight trains hooks you up and heads for the black runs can’t be matched in the appalachians.  and you should have seen the newbie from utah.  if he wasn’t fishin, he was talkin about fishin. he did really well.  quick learner, and fun travel with, even though it’s safe to say that you and he have …different tastes….which reminds me:  jesus, did i get smashed every night.  if it weren’t for the fact that the power goes off all over camp automatically at 11:30 every night, my liver would have called 911.         and, hell man, the place

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Response:

Question:

Hi, Does anyone know of a good place to fly fish in North Carolina?  I haven’t been fishing since I move to the state and now have the itch again.  Any tips would be great. Thanks, Sam

Response:

Hi, Does anyone know of a good place to fly fish in North Carolina?  I haven’t been fishing since I move to the state and now have the itch again.  Any tips would be great. Thanks, Sam

Sam, Contact: Bruce Harang, Great Southern Appalachial guide. Voice:704-236-1319 Fax: 704-236-1338 Joel Axelrad

Response:

Hi, Does anyone know of a good place to fly fish in North Carolina?  I haven’t been fishing since I move to the state and now have the itch again.  Any tips would be great. Thanks, Sam

Sam, What type of fishing are you planning? NC has trout in the mountains, bass, panfish, etc. in the piedmont and lowlands, and all types of saltwater species on the coast. I’d suggest finding a local fly shop and going from there. There are plenty of waters to fish and I’d hazard a guess that there are some close to you. Walt — Ezflyfish.com                 Blue Ridge Book Gallery Quality Gear & Service        Used & Out-of-Print Books http://www.ezflyfish.com      http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828)963-5001

Response:

Sam, Make sure you check out my website.  It has tons of info on there.  I think you can find a fishing hole or two or three.  Where are you located?

Hi, Does anyone know of a good place to fly fish in North Carolina?  I haven’t been fishing since I move to the state and now have the itch again.  Any tips would be great. Thanks, Sam — Flyfish NC                                                   Capt Gordon Churchill http://www.flyfish-nc.com                                                                  

Response:

Question:

Really nice fly shop in Schroon Lake. Friendly, helpful shopkeeper. Adirondacks is God’s country. One warning, get repellent… the blackflies are big and hungry. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am planning a trip to New York’s Adirondacks this July and wonder if anyone had info on fishing in the area.  I have never been there but understand there are tons of rivers.  I’ll be in the Old Forge area near the Moose River (just west of Raquette Lake).  Any info on fly shops, public access to rivers and the hatches I might expect to see in late July would be appreciated. Thanks. Steve

Response:

I am planning a trip to New York’s Adirondacks this July and wonder if anyone had info on fishing in the area.  I have never been there but understand there are tons of rivers.  I’ll be in the Old Forge area near the Moose River (just west of Raquette Lake).  Any info on fly shops, public access to rivers and the hatches I might expect to see in late July would be appreciated. Thanks. Steve

Response:

Question:

The space station is a gigantic waste of funds that would be better used for real space research, instead of a feel-good NASA publicity stunt.

RW has nailed this one. When you see the space station, think "Apple computer commercials." All warm fuzzies, no substance. –Steve (heh heh heh)

Response:

What would be an appropriate tip?

after John Lindsey wroe: He paid $20 mil for one week.

Well, 10 to 20%, of course!! Didn’t we determine that here before for guide’s tip??!! — Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno 406-626-4022

Response:

Russians just took Tito to Space Station. He paid $20 mil for one week. Guides eat your heart out! <g John

Yes, and all that for not even one fish. TL MC

Response:

Russians just took Tito to Space Station. He paid $20 mil for one week. Guides eat your heart out! <g Yea, but can he fly fish?? If he can afford $20M a week, who cares? (How long do you need to stay in space to become a ‘local’?) <g — Charlie…

And where are the whorehouses? TL MC

Response:

What’s worse is that we are subsidizing his trip.  We, as Americans, are footing most of Russia’s space program presently!  We would be building the space station whether or  not Russia was involved.  Giving extra credit almost  never hurts in the long run.  I think that it’s great that  the space station involves as many countries as it  does.

The space station is a gigantic waste of funds that would be better used for real space research, instead of a feel-good NASA publicity stunt. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

 … and on top of that, he spent 6 mos. training,  so he would know what he is doing.

And then he still gets sick… so much space?! <g (wish I could go, flyfishing or no flyfishing) Marius Jonker Transkei Piscatorial Society http://home.intekom.com/TPS

Response:

What’s worse is that we are subsidizing his trip.  We, as Americans, are footing most of Russia’s space program presently! Op

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sorry guys, but to my mind this is a criminal waste of money. It is helping a crippled regime waste further money on what, for them, is a lost cause. I know it is up to him, it is his, but there are so many good causes that would benefit from an input like that. Please tell me I’m wrong, the guy has given millions already to good causes. Chris

Response:

Sorry guys, but to my mind this is a criminal waste of money. It is helping a crippled regime waste further money on what, for them, is a lost cause. I know it is up to him, it is his, but there are so many good causes that would benefit from an input like that. Please tell me I’m wrong, the guy has given millions already to good causes. Chris

lots of things are a "so-called" waste of money.  heck, i could sell all my rods, boats, etc… and feed a hell of a lot of poor people.  the guy has the money and in my mind can spend it however he wants… and if he wants to go to space instead of feeding starving kids… that’s his right, and more power to him. before we get too self-righteous about "wastes of money"… we better think about the reason we all gather on this little corner of cyberspace… because i’m sure plenty of people would say the money we spend fishing is a waste and could be better spent…. and i think those people are as dumb as fence-posts <G chris

Response:

Russians just took Tito to Space Station. He paid $20 mil for one week. Guides eat your heart out! <g

I’d bet that just like earthbound guides, the overhead and expenses will eat that $20 mil in short order.   The guide is supplying all the equipment, Tito isn’t going to pay for anything he breaks or loses, and I bet he ain’t gonna tip much either. Joe F.

Response:

Sorry guys, but to my mind this is a criminal waste of money. It is helping a crippled regime waste further money on what, for them, is a lost cause.  I know it is up to him, it is his, but there are so many good causes that would benefit from an input like that. Please tell me I’m wrong, the guy has given millions already to good causes. Chris

Response:

<< Russians just took Tito to Space Station. He paid $20 mil for one week. Guides eat your heart out! <g John What would be an appropriate tip?

Response:

Russians just took Tito to Space Station. He paid $20 mil for one week. Guides eat your heart out! <g John

Response:

Russians just took Tito to Space Station. He paid $20 mil for one week. Guides eat your heart out! <g

Yea, but can he fly fish?? — Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno 406-626-4022

Response:

Russians just took Tito to Space Station. He paid $20 mil for one week. Guides eat your heart out! <g Yea, but can he fly fish??

If he can afford $20M a week, who cares? (How long do you need to stay in space to become a ‘local’?) <g — Charlie…

Response:

Here’s another one for yez. Gettin’ itchy and fishing season’s only a couple of weeks gone. Anyways, building much awaited 8 weight and got to wondering what everyone else uses for guides. On my 10 weight I built fighting many stripers they did have a tendency to bend from their original shape, so I’ve decided on snakes. My 11 weight has the following setup; 20,16,12,4,4,4,4,3,3,3. I’ve never actually used <size 3. I think the 20 stripper is overkill for an 8 weight, so I’m thinking along the a light rod. And does it make sense to taper to a 2 and use a large loop tip, which looks more like a 3 or so ? What do you guys use ? Thanks,                                                 jc

Response:

John, Having built over 400 flyrods, and having played with guide sizes, spacing and types for years now, I won’t tell you which type of guide to use, as I believe that is a personal choice, but I think you have the right idea in starting with a #16 stripper and going no smaller than a 3. I would also recommend the large loop tip top. Just my two cents! Tom Dougherty – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Here’s another one for yez. Gettin’ itchy and fishing season’s only a couple of weeks gone. Anyways, building much awaited 8 weight and got to wondering what everyone else uses for guides. On my 10 weight I built after fighting many stripers they did have a tendency to bend from their original shape, so I’ve decided on snakes. My 11 weight has the following setup; 20,16,12,4,4,4,4,3,3,3. I’ve never actually used <size 3. I think the 20 stripper is overkill for an 8 weight, so I’m thinking along the a light rod. And does it make sense to taper to a 2 and use a large loop tip, which looks more like a 3 or so ? What do you guys use ? Thanks,                                            jc

Response:

Here’s another one for yez. Gettin’ itchy and fishing season’s only a couple of weeks gone. Anyways, building much awaited 8 weight and got to wondering what everyone else uses for guides. On my 10 weight I built fighting many stripers they did have a tendency to bend from their original shape, so I’ve decided on snakes. My 11 weight has the following setup; 20,16,12,4,4,4,4,3,3,3. I’ve never actually used <size 3. I think the 20 stripper is overkill for an 8 weight, so I’m thinking along the a light rod. And does it make sense to taper to a 2 and use a large loop tip, which looks more like a 3 or so ? What do you guys use ? Thanks,

Hi John About ten years ago I switched to Sic single foots on my fly rods because I would wear grooves in the single foot guides in a very short time.  I could straighten out the single foots much quicker than I could replace the snake guides.  Just a thought.                                       — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

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Here’s another one for yez. Gettin’ itchy and fishing season’s only a couple of weeks gone. Anyways, building much awaited 8 weight and got to wondering what everyone else uses for guides. On my 10 weight I built

<snip About ten years ago I switched to Sic single foots on my fly rods because I would wear grooves in the single foot guides in a very short time.  I could straighten out the single foots much quicker than I could replace the snake guides.  Just a thought.                                      

What is Sic?  And how does straightening the guide remove the wear spot. Carl carl

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Here’s another one for yez. Gettin’ itchy and fishing season’s only a couple of weeks gone. Anyways, building much awaited 8 weight and got to wondering what everyone else uses for guides. On my 10 weight I built <snip About ten years ago I switched to Sic single foots on my fly rods because I would wear grooves in the single foot guides in a very short time.  I could straighten out the single foots much quicker than I could replace the snake guides.  Just a thought.                                       What is Sic?  And how does straightening the guide remove the wear spot. Carl carl

SICs are single foot guides with a ring of (I think) silicone carbide in them. Much tougher than the predecessor, Hardloy. The ultimate is the new Fuji Cermet, which is a titanium frame (not TN) with a gold Titanium nitride ring. Groove proof, corrosion proof, much lighter and only about $15 each ($35 for a stripper!). For the record I just unpacked some stuff (we’re in the process of moving) and found a box holding 7 SICs #8. Can’t just toss them at $5 each, so I guess this is what I put on the new 8 weight after all.                                                         jc

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Question:

As with anything having to do with this sport, get the best you can afford. Metz, Spencer, and a half-dozen other growers often sell half capes for about the same price as the next grade down. Unless you are tying up to professional prodution a good #2 grade half will last through several seasons. Everyone resents the initial outlay of $$$ for a good cape, but the payoff is you don’t purchase them very often. Cabela’s and other supply houses also sell decent genetic necks that are quite useful, if limited in size and color.

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how bout finding some fishin’ buddies to split some necks with….that how I started out. some times stores will sell you split necks, if you take classes from them…they can always use the other half in class or for production tying. i agree with the other respondent, however, buy the best you can..you’ll be disappointed with the #3’s for drys size 14 and smaller. happy tying,….and DON"T GIVE UP!! there aren’t enuff of us out there! #:)#  Larry Medina

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Hoffman Super Saddle. Tons of real long feathers 10 down to 18 or so. Can tie two or three flies per feather.

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I need some new hackle, I’m getting better at tieing, and the hackle from the kit sucks.  I would like to hear some opinions on which Hackle to buy.   I am leaning towards Metz grade #3 in Grizzly from Orvis (29 bucks), anyone know of a better deal let me know.  Thanks. Scott

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I thought that a grade three hackle would be better for tying wet flies than dry, but I just read an article that said that they rate the hackle by the count of usable feathers, the main size, and length. I thought that a grade 3 hackle would be softer hackle than a grade 1 or 2 is this true or are there just more usable feathers on a grade 1. Can you tye as good a dry with a grade 3 hackle as you could with grade 1.  I am simply a begginer I dont know grade 3 hackles are softer by expierience I just thought that was how it was THANKS! The factors that determine a hackle grade are numerous.  A neck or saddle are graded on the number of usable hackles, length of hackle, color, webbiness, stem diameter and uniformity of barbule lengtht. Now the problem arises when you compare hackles from two different companies.  A #2 Hoffman  may be better than a #1Metz metz.  Will a #3 be "softer"?  Well yes it may have a little, or a lot, more web depending on the company.  A #3 Hoffman will tie a good dry fly, but some of the other companies it may not.   The best thing to do is to inspect it carefully before you buy it.  Generally it can be said that you will get what you pay for. About 7 years ago I bought my first Hoffman saddle and now I am hooked.  I have currently 5 Hoffman saddles and 3 necks.  They are the only ones I use for my dries.  I know they are kinda expensive and I have a tight budget, but they are worth it.  There is nothing more frustrating to me than trying to tie a good fly with a shitty feather.   Good Luck, Marty

Hi Marty, I agree. Hoffman is only company that has saddle hackle that is small and stiff for trout dries. In the old days, we always used rooster saddles for wets and rooster necks for dries. Henry Hoffman changed that. Metz saddles are better for wet flies as they don’t seem to be stiff enough for dries. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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  <big snip   Then Metz started to become available and Henry started to bring over some of his first "super grizzly".  This is one area where materials have only gotten better.

  Amen to that. Several months ago a guy came into the local shop carrying grampa’s tying kit. Grampa must have been a serious tyer, the kit had a lot of really nice stuff (jungle cock cape, etc), the tools and thread were all top quality from that era. The dry fly hackles were a different story altogether; the individual feathers were all tapered, the stems were thick (compared to modern hackle), and none of the feathers would tie smaller than about sz 10. Charlie

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writes: Amen to that. Several months ago a guy came into the local shop carrying grampa’s tying kit. Grampa must have been a serious tyer, the kit had a lot of really nice stuff (jungle cock cape, etc), the tools and thread were all top quality from that era. The dry fly hackles were a different story altogether; the individual feathers were all tapered, the stems were thick (compared to modern hackle), and none of the feathers would tie smaller than about sz 10.

I’m not yet as old as grandpa, but a size 16 would be the smallest you could find on a neck, they would be less than an inch long, and you would need to use at 3 or 4 feathers to tie one fly.  Thought I’d died and gone to heaven when I got my first Metz #2 brown neck.  I still have it but there are no feathers left smaller than #10.                                                         Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

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writes:    Hi! I thought that a grade three hackle would be better for tying wet flies than dry, but I just read an article that said that they rate the hackle by the count of usable feathers, the main size, and length. I thought that a grade 3 hackle would be softer hackle than a grade 1 or 2 is this true or are there just more usable feathers on a grade 1. Can you tye as good a dry with a grade 3 hackle as you could with grade 1.  I am simply a begginer I dont know grade 3 hackles are softer by expierience I just thought that was how it was THANKS!

Hi Dolph, As others have said here, none of the growers grade on the same standards.  But within a particular brand, there is a big difference between a #1 and a #3. Historically (this is all subject to change), the #1 necks had higher feather counts, smaller sizes, less webbing, longer length feathers (more useable feather), more flexible stems,  rounder stems, and denser barb counts on the feather (more barbs per inch).  Usually the biggest difference between 1 and 2’s is the quantity of small sizes – more of the 20 through 24 sizes on the #1’s.  Often the #1’s don’t have useable size 10 or 12 feathers because the stems are too thick.  #3 necks often have more webbing than 1’s or 2’s but not always.  Most often the biggest difference between 2’s and 3’s is that the stems on the 3’s are stiffer, and sometimes oblong instead of round.  This makes them very tough to wind. The grading system is hardly perfect and you can often look through a batch of #2’s and find some that are as good as the #1’s and #’3s that are as good as 2’s.   Nothing compares to the Hoffman’s necks.  Their #2’s are comparable to just about anyone elses #1’s.  The saddles make great dry fly tying feathers but primarily have only 2 sizes on them.  The necks have a wide assortment of sizes.  Haven’t seen any saddles that will compare with the Hoffman’s for dry flys. For wet flies I still use hen neck feathers.  They are shorter and have more rounded tips.  These are always webby and fold easily for that swept back look on wets.  Used to be able to find them easily and they were cheap.  Haven’t seen many in recent years.  Get them if you can find them, they are a far better choice for wet flies than rooster necks. We are spoiled today with the necks available.  I remember when indian capes were all that you could get.  I would take a trip over to Tigard, OR once in a while just to paw through Kaufmann’s capes.  Lance and Randall would go over to India each year, select their own stock, and bring it back.  Then Metz started to become available and Henry started to bring over some of his first "super grizzly".  This is one area where materials have only gotten better.                          Good Tying,                               Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

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When you use TWO on a dry fly, you need to take a size 16 (for example) feather from the right side of a cape and the left side.   Mr. G.

Good post.   I’m curious about your left/right suggestion.  I never make any effort to use feathers from opposite sides of the cape when double wrapping. Could you elaborate more on why this is useful? Regards, Joe.  

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        Hi! I thought that a grade three hackle would be better for tying wet flies than dry, but I just read an article that said that they rate the hackle by the count of usable feathers, the main size, and length. I thought that a grade 3 hackle would be softer hackle than a grade 1 or 2 is this true or are there just more usable feathers on a grade 1. Can you tye as good a dry with a grade 3 hackle as you could with grade 1.  I am simply a begginer I dont know grade 3 hackles are softer by expierience I just thought that was how it was THANKS!                                         Dolph

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This is a multi-part message in MIME format. Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit DEAR BUZZARD:  You happen to ask a question that I must rise too.  It is an excellent question.  May I add a few thoughts to get this discussion going? The observation is keen that different hackle manufacturers are indeed grading their hackles differently.  In fact, I doubt the lot of them ever got together and came up with a standard that rates necks from different companies to the same matching-game.  Everyone should give this some thought. Frankly Buzzard, you’re going to have to become a good judge of hackle/necks yourself.  There are certain things you must always pay attention too and I’m not about to cover them all here and now.  But each tier has certain patterns that require different advantages from feathers.  They can be softness, hardness, webbing, lack of webbing, short feathers, long feathers, narrow and wide, the combinations are endless and all feathers have a use in fly tying in one fly or another. Remembe this.  Never throw them away. Besides colors (any color) A feather for DRY FLY FISHING is different in desired aspects than hen feathers for wet flies, nymphs, streamers, etc. BUT!  A hen feather doesn’t necessarily mean it is a feather of less worth. I (personally) won’t settle for a number two neck when for a few dollars more I will be happier with a number one (1)!  The difference between a two and a one can be miles apart even though the numbers are next to each other.  Numbers mean different values to different people.  In grading feathers (Cock necks) throw the number system out the window. Waste it.  It means nothing between manufacturers, BUT with a specific manufacturer such as Hoffman necks, it can be a very reliable numbering system because of one factor.  Hoffman Products (now raised in Grand Junction Colorado) are CONSISTANT and TIGHT in quality.  Whereas; Metz Necks vary with the wind and each chicken season.  Quality always suffers when production increases beyond supervisory abilities.  Hate to say it, but its true. A DRY FLY FEATHER must have certain factors for each tier.  Length, evenly wide hackles, very little webbing, barbel stiffness, sharp tips (not curled on the ends, etc.) flexiable (not brittle) stems, maturity, (in look and feel)  and when you inspect a neck, make sure the skin isn’t brittle so it will crack when bent a little.  (Use some gink on the skin back to keep it from drying out.  Excellent for this, incidently.  And please everyone, don’t slam me for offering a friendly fact) So, basically, today . . .  because of neck retail prices, the trend is splitting a Hoffman neck.  When you buy a split, you are getting only right handed or left  handed bends in feathers.  When you use TWO on a dry fly, you need to take a size 16 (for example) feather from the right side of a cape and the left side.  So, what I’m saying, is . . . if at all possible, always buy the complete neck if its financially comfortable or possible. I’ll let everyone take it from here. Mr. G.         Hi! I thought that a grade three hackle would be better for tying wet flies than dry, but I just read an article that said that they rate the hackle by the count of usable feathers, the main size, and length. I thought that a grade 3 hackle would be softer hackle than a grade 1 or 2 is this true or are there just more usable feathers on a grade 1. Can you tye as good a dry with a grade 3 hackle as you could with grade 1.  I am simply a begginer I dont know grade 3 hackles are softer by expierience I just thought that was how it was THANKS!                                         Dolph

Content-Type: text/x-vcard; charset=us-ascii; name="vcard.vcf" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Description: Card for Mr. G. Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="vcard.vcf" begin:          vcard fn:             Mr. G. n:              ;Mr. G. org:            Gehrke’s Fly Fishing Products title:          President note:           Do something, even if it’s right x-mozilla-cpt:  ;0 x-mozilla-html: FALSE end:            vcard

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Question:

<< An Orvis bobber. Peter

Indicator’ pretty good Pete. Pete, wait until George sees my new Orvis Zebra line.  He’ll plop that scrawny  ass of his down on a rock and probably will never get up!  <G  I have decided that I *will* show up in full Orvis mufi.  I am having trouble trying to rent an Orvis Jeep, however. Dave PS:  Gladys, get the man a few drams of the old Grouse — he looks pale behind the gills!

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Pete, wait until George sees my new Orvis Zebra line.  He’ll plop that scrawny  ass of his down on a rock and probably will never get up!  <G  I have decided that I *will* show up in full Orvis mufi.  I am having trouble trying to rent an Orvis Jeep, however.

I don’t think they make Orvis Jeeps anymore, but one of their catalogs had some D90’s in it so I should be in good shape<g. — Charlie…

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – << An Orvis bobber. Peter Indicator’ pretty good Pete. Pete, wait until George sees my new Orvis Zebra line.  He’ll plop that scrawny  ass of his down on a rock and probably will never get up!  <G  I have decided that I *will* show up in full Orvis mufi.  I am having trouble trying to rent an Orvis Jeep, however. Dave PS:  Gladys, get the man a few drams of the old Grouse — he looks pale behind the gills!

—

Question:

How is Crane Prairie fishing these days. I plan to be there on the 25th of June. Any dry fly action? I have never fished it and was wondering if it is necessary to have a boat as I am not bringing along any flotation devices but am told I can rent a boat from the small store there. — David and B.J. Weitl Poulsbo, Washington http://www.nwfishing.com/dweitl

Response:

How is Crane Prairie fishing these days.

As usual for this time of year, one day is excellent, next is dead.   Folks over the past two weeks have been doing decent (Rock Creek Campground area). Any dry fly action?

Some.  Usually damsels in the surface film are best, but a few mayflies should be present.  Dredging leeches (brandy-wine color) usually produces the most. … was wondering if it is necessary to have a boat …

Fishing from the bank is extremely limited, if at all.  You can rent boats at the resort.  At least the crowd I fish with tend to be in the Rock Creek / Quinn Channel areas, which are farthest from the Resort, so if you go with a rental, ask questions about the Deschutes Channel or make sure you have enough gas to make it across the reservior. Thomas Gilg

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Question:

I fished Lewis Creek last Sunday with a couple of friends. Water was very high and muddy, no fish caught or seen. Rumor on the stream was one 5lb steelie taken the day before below the ‘falls’. Appreciate any info on other Champlain activity- Bouquet, Ausable, Saranac? Thanks — John Preston         *                                                                                   <`}}}}=< Ponhook F&G                                             <`}}}}=< Charleston, NS      <`}}}}=< **Please help save the Margaree !  If you’re interested, visit this website:      <<<  http://chebucto.ns.ca/Environment/CPAWS/jcb.html  

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John, Nothing happening yet on this side of the lake….haven’t heard of much on the other side(NY) either.  Water temps on Lewis are still far too cold (mid-30’s). Perhaps end of next week though. Good luck. James Ehlers                                                               Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings

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Question:

Every time I drive from TN to NC, I look down at the Piegon River near the border by the Waterville exit.  I remember hearing that most the fish left the river due to the discharges of the Canton paper mill in Canton, NC.  Now that the mill has cleaned up it’s discharge, does anyone know if the river supports any fish? If so, do you know what patters work in this area? Thanks in advance. Steve

The Pigeon River is still on Tennessee’s (ever-growing) list of places you shouldn’t eat fish from.  I’m not sure if fishing is allowed, or if you have to catch and release, or if it’s one of Tennessee’s areas that you’d just be better off not eating fish from (kind of like the Clinch River from Oak Ridge down to five miles below where it enters the Tennessee…)   The problem is that the dioxin discharged from Canton accumulated in the sediments that the insects live in and eat.  So the trout there very efficiently concentrate this dioxin by eating lots of insects. I understand Tennessee is trying to get the river dredged out and cleaned up, but naturally the North Carolina government doesn’t care to hurt its people’s jobs for a fishing stream 45 miles away.  Looks like another drawn-out Superfund kind of battle, with not much chance of a clean-up in sight. I think I remember the warning/prohibition lasts all the way downstream to Douglas Lake. Hope this helps.         Pat

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Every time I drive from TN to NC, I look down at the Piegon River near the border by the Waterville exit.  I remember hearing that most the fish left the river due to the discharges of the Canton paper mill in Canton, NC.  Now that the mill has cleaned up it’s discharge, does anyone know if the river supports any fish? If so, do you know what patters work in this area? Thanks in advance. Steve

Response:

The Dioxin Dry fly pattern works best.  It’s a three headed fly best fished with care  not to touch the fly, line, rod or water.  I agree the river is beautiful, but 30-40 years of uncontrolled pollution does not clean up in one year. The only people Champion Paper company is fooling are fools who are suckered into their commercials on TV.  If your truly interested in fishing the area for trout write me at:  Phil –    

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The Dioxin Dry fly pattern works best.  It’s a three headed fly best fished with care  not to touch the fly, line, rod or water.  I agree the river is beautiful, but 30-40 years of uncontrolled pollution does not clean up in one year. The only people Champion Paper company is fooling are fools who are suckered into their commercials on TV.  If your truly interested in fishing the area for trout write me at:  Phil –    

 I thought it was more than 30-40…didn’t they open the mill in 1908?   Just curious. *                                                                       * *                                                                       * *  ENTOMOLOGIST          ANTIQUE TACKLE COLLECTOR        ALL-AROUND NUT * *                  _____/  O                                           * *                                  |                    |               * *                                  |                    |               * *                                  |                 _/ _/            * *                               _/ _/                                 *

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