Question:

8< Just wondering what other people do to search out fish. Peter

petah, i like swingin wets myself….. jeff miller uses cherry bombs. <g –walt

Response:

Just wondering what other people do to search out fish.

Soft hackles, upstream quartering at varying depths, works for me in late spring and summer.  In Winter, weighted woolly buggers dragged along the bottom usually produce. In late Summer and Autumn, a large bushy dry fly occasionally skittered over the surface is often very productive. TL MC

Response:

<< the penny dropped that swinging a caddis emerger may be a good searching method when everything else is coming up snake eyes.   << Just wondering what other people do to search out fish. Peter Soft hackles, in a size to match what ought to be hatching, or most common in the stream, if I have a clue what that might be.  Ants in Summer.  Grasshoppers in Summer near meadows.  Murray’s Helgrammite below riffles, just  because it produces a big strike once in a long while.  Ditto a crayfish imitation rolled through rocky areas. The best technique I know is to stay out of the water and watch very carefully.  If fish are feeding, eventually you’ll see some clues.  A brown flash of a side as a fish tears up the bottom; a bulge rise to something drowned near the surface; a white mouth flash in mid-water.   Good luck.  The search is the best part. Glenn GKT

Response:

Soft hackles, in a size to match what ought to be hatching, or most common in the stream, if I have a clue what that might be.  Ants in Summer.  Grasshoppers in Summer near meadows.  Murray’s Helgrammite below riffles, just  because it produces a big strike once in a long while.  Ditto a crayfish imitation rolled through rocky areas.

It’s interesting that I started with soft hackles and they always worked well but the last few years, they’ve produced less for me. Back then, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing and I caught fish on them. Now I know what I am supposed to do and I don’t get much.  There’s a lesson in there somewhere. The best technique I know is to stay out of the water and watch very carefully. If fish are feeding, eventually you’ll see some clues.  A brown flash of a side as a fish tears up the bottom; a bulge rise to something drowned near the surface; a white mouth flash in mid-water.  

About the brown flash – on the Grand, I was doing exactly what you suggest, surveying for any sign of feeding fish.  I saw a flash – then some more.  I nymphed the buggers for close to an hour before hooking an landing one – a sucker!! Good luck.  The search is the best part. Glenn GKT

Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

8< Just wondering what other people do to search out fish. Peter petah, i like swingin wets myself….. jeff miller uses cherry bombs. <g –walt

wally, though it often sounds and looks like a cherry bomb exploding, it’s actually just my "delicate" presentation of a stimulator with a nymph dropper. best searching pattern i know for nc mountain streams… as you know peter, we rarely see the fish we stalk in the streams down here (except on certain delayed harvest waters maybe), and we just toss the fly into the most likely holding areas with eternal optimism and steely anticipation. the range of flies that will entice a fish is also probably smaller down here as well.. jeff

Response:

"So anti-pragmatic is he who searches for his own soul in the shadow of the far bank, where success is not in the creatures he predates upon but in the interludes with fellow stream dwellers, for an exalting dance upon the line and rod, or with reserve upon the palate." — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

"The ancients wrote of the three ages of man; I propose to write of the three ages of the fisherman.  When he wants to catch all the fish he can.  When strives to catch the largest fish.  When he studies to catch the most difficult fish he can find, requiring the greatest skill and most refined tackle, caring more for the sport than the fish." Edward R. Hewitt A Trout and Salmon Fisherman for Seventy-Five Years (1948) — Warren Findley Shut up and fish! For Yellowstone Clave info: http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt/YNP.html

Response:

"The ancients wrote of the three ages of man; I propose to write of the three ages of the fisherman.  When he wants to catch all the fish he can.  When strives to catch the largest fish.  When he studies to catch the most difficult fish he can find, requiring the greatest skill and most refined tackle, caring more for the sport than the fish." Edward R. Hewitt A Trout and Salmon Fisherman for Seventy-Five Years (1948)

Fly-fishing is the most fun you can have standing up.    - Arnold Gingrich, 1969 — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Fly-fishing is the most fun you can have standing up.    - Arnold Gingrich, 1969

"….knowing a river intimately is a very large part of the joy of fly fishing." Roderick L. Haig-Brown A River Never Sleeps (1946)

Response:

"….knowing a river intimately is a very large part of the joy of fly fishing."

Deep down I’ve always known, fly fishing is to the rest of fishing what high seduction is to rape.    - Robert Traver – Trout Magic, 1974 — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

rw quoted: Deep down I’ve always known, fly fishing is to the rest of fishing what high seduction is to rape.    - Robert Traver – Trout Magic, 1974

What a bunch of snobbish hooey. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

What a bunch of snobbish hooey.

It’s just a quote. Take it up with Robert Traver. (Warning: He’s dead.) — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

 (Warning: He’s dead.)

hell, that ain’t never stopped forty in the past….. voelkerdammerung <g –waldo

Response:

Deep down I’ve always known, fly fishing is to the rest of fishing what high seduction is to rape.

"You’re being a psuedointellectual horse’s ass again. This shit is supposed to be FUN." -Heard at a party, 1998. Spoken by a drunk, probably me. "Why can’t everybody else leave everybody else alone?"                               -Hank Junior

Response:

 (Warning: He’s dead.) hell, that ain’t never stopped forty in the past….. voelkerdammerung <g –waldo

"To me heaven would be a big bull ring with me holding two barrera seats and a trout stream outside that no one else was allowed to fish in and two lovely houses in the town; one where I would have my wife and children and be monogamous and love them truly and well and the other where I would have my nine beautiful mistresses on nine different floors.    - Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) (Note that he’s dead, too) — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Deep down I’ve always known, fly fishing is to the rest of fishing what high seduction is to rape.    - Robert Traver – Trout Magic, 1974

"There is no substitute for fishing sense, and if a man doesn’t have it, verily, he may cast like and angel and still use his creel largely to transport sandwiches and beer." Robert Traver Trout Madness, 1960 — Warren Findley Shut up and fish! For Yellowstone Clave info: http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt/YNP.html

Response:

"You’re being a psuedointellectual horse’s ass again. This shit is supposed to be FUN." -Heard at a party, 1998. Spoken by a drunk, probably me.

"I waded to shore where I sat and considered the inconsistency of anglers in general and the dumbness of one in particular." Ray Bergman Trout, 1949 I think this one would have worked better Mike <g — Warren Findley Shut up and fish! For Yellowstone Clave info: http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt/YNP.html

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"There is no substitute for fishing sense, and if a man doesn’t have it, verily, he may cast like and angel and still use his creel largely to transport sandwiches and beer."

which is a damn good reason to own a creel! –walt….. have creel, will travel.

Response:

After coming back from the Porkies and the AuSable, I spent Friday morning on the Grand.  Conditions were low, cold water, gin clear, high sun and no hatches.  I’ve always found that streamers were not productive in these conditions. Nymphing isn’t the best as high sticking puts you too close to the fish, long line nymphing is lousy for strike detection and then there’s the problem of picking the right run.   On the AuSable, the fish were rising but fussy.  I resorted to swinging a caddis emerger to the risers and ended up doing quite well. I’m sitting here doing not much of anything and the penny dropped that swinging a caddis emerger may be a good searching method when everything else is coming up snake eyes. (On the AuSable, I was swinging to rising fish and not using it as a searching method.) Just wondering what other people do to search out fish. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

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Question:

Thank you Gentlemen, Tim I have been trying to access the web page for the Charleston Angler, I was told that the shop may have closed. Can anyone (Jim Bennett?) nearby validate this. What I am after here is setting up a guide for the area this summer.Recomendations??? Thanks,Tim,want a redfish,BAD,Long

Response:

I have been trying to access the web page for the Charleston Angler, I was told that the shop may have closed. Can anyone (Jim Bennett?) nearby validate this. What I am after here is setting up a guide for the area this summer.Recomendations??? Thanks,Tim,want a redfish,BAD,Long

Response:

Go to the recommendations page of my website at http://www.flyfish-nc.com/guides.html and look up Capt Adam Ridgeway.  You won’t be sorry. I have been trying to access the web page for the Charleston Angler, I was told that the shop may have closed. Can anyone (Jim Bennett?) nearby validate this. What I am after here is setting up a guide for the area this summer.Recomendations??? Thanks,Tim,want a redfish,BAD,Long

– Capt Gordon Churchill http://www.flyfish-nc.com Guided flyfishing on the Roanoke River and the Crystal Coast of NC out of Atlantic Beach/Morhead City/Beaufort.

Response:

They are still in business under different ownership. The web page is no longer up. They should still be able to provide you with an excellent guide. The shop is now owned by an MD with a nice fellow running the day to day operations, Rick the previous owner is now a rep for Mid-America Sportssales. So bottom line your best bet is call them on the phone 10 to 5 EST. Good luck jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been trying to access the web page for the Charleston Angler, I was told that the shop may have closed. Can anyone (Jim Bennett?) nearby validate this. What I am after here is setting up a guide for the area this summer.Recomendations??? Thanks,Tim,want a redfish,BAD,Long

Response:

Question:

Yes Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone tell me, if Sage-rods are really the best ones.

Response:

Hi, Tom. I have 3 Sage rods, a 590-3SP, a 389-LL, and a DS590-4 for a backup. They all cast differently.  And they’re each suited to my needs. Sage service has been excellent, $20 for each of my problems. (I’ve had 4 through the years). The costs for new rods are not small, but you do get what you pay for. A good place to look for used or discounted Sages is www.flyshop.com Go to the auction.   Tight lines. Dick Weinkle

Response:

Yes Dave

wow, someone from bainbridge who thinks sage rods are the best <G btw, i like them too. chris

Response:

after working in a fly shop for quite some time while, i have found that most beginners prefer slower action rods…theyre a little more forgiving… I think that’s true, but it can be unfortunate. A beginner’s rod to some degree teaches the beginner to cast. He’ll adjust his technique to the rod. There’s a place for both fast-action and slow-action rods. You should learn how to cast both kinds.

I must say that for fly fishing on difficult chalk streams, I, too, like a slow action. I think delicacy is more important than distance3, or even accuracy. My Sage LL 3-89 is my favourite rod for difficult trout. But I agree that lots of different people make good rods, and I think that when you’re starting, you should take a cheaper rod, and then decide what you like. I’ve just persuaded two starter fly fishers to buy Hardy 9 foot classics, 5/6 or 6/7 weight, which is outdated (and therefore cheap) but one of my favourite rods. I know that a number of other people who like me fish the Itchen and Test use the same rod. Tony

Response:

Can anyone tell me, if Sage-rods are really the best ones. What can you recomend? I whould likt to buy a new rod for dryfly-fishing (trouts in Austria). An advice for a good reel whould be helpful as well. Thanks Tom http://www.resi.at/tom-online Before you buy.

Response:

Can anyone tell me, if Sage-rods are really the best ones. What can you recomend? I whould likt to buy a new rod for dryfly-fishing (trouts in Austria). An advice for a good reel whould be helpful as well.

Tom, It is all a matter of opinion.  Personally, I like Sage rods.  I really like the lifetime warranty and the product, but that is just me.  There are several good rods out on the market, but it is important to find the one that best suits YOU.  Don’t get a rod just because people tell you it is the best.  Cast and compare and find the one that suits your casting style and actually works for you.  Unless of course you are merely modeling your gear. — Warren Findley Member of the Clavemeister Club Before you buy.

Response:

Can anyone tell me, if Sage-rods are really the best ones. What can you recomend? I whould likt to buy a new rod for dryfly-fishing (trouts in Austria). An advice for a good reel whould be helpful as well. Thanks Tom

Tom, That’s a very hard question to answer. It’s very difficult to say that one manufacturer’s rods are ‘the best’. There are a number of good rods around: Sage, Scott, Loomis, St. Croix, Redington, Powell, Orvis, & others. In addition, there are differences in action within a particular maker’s rods. For example, a Sage SP isn’t going to cast like an XP, which is different from an RPL+. A lot depends on your casting style, what kind of action feels good to you, and especially the conditions under which you’ll be fishing. Are the rivers large, the fish big, and will you be casting big flies ? Or are the rivers small, 10m – 15m or less, and the flies & the fish smaller as well? Unless you have a need to throw a lot of line or constantly must content with a lot of wind, a really fast action rod probably isn’t necessary. A Sage SP or a G-series Scott or similar might be just the ticket. But not if you don’t like the action. See what I mean? It’s very subjective. You really need to try as many different rods as you can to see what you like that’s within the price range you have in mind. I don’t know if you have access to St.Croix rods, but they seem to be a lot of rod for the money. I know I asked more questions than I answered, but I hope this helps some. Regards, Bob Before you buy.

Response:

Since you’re in Europe, you might find a Vivarelli reel more easy to locate there.  Ask Mike Conner about them, they’re neat. Sage, like most companies, makes several rod actions.  I would say that there’s a best action (for you) before I would say there’s a best rod brand.  Some prefer a bit faster for fishing dries specifically, as far as purely casting goes. Jeff (looking for a used Sage VPS 9′ 5 wt myself) Can anyone tell me, if Sage-rods are really the best ones. What can you recomend? I whould likt to buy a new rod for dryfly-fishing (trouts in Austria). An advice for a good reel whould be helpful as well.

Before you buy.

Response:

after working in a fly shop for quite some time while, i have found that most beginners prefer slower action rods…theyre a little more forgiving…dont forget, as well, to think about what youre gonna be using your rod for…and if youre not sure how that works, ask the shop pro, he/she can tell ya…and if the shop you go to doesnt ask you if you want to cast rods to try them out…id try another shop… my 2cents, roy

Response:

after working in a fly shop for quite some time while, i have found that most beginners prefer slower action rods…theyre a little more forgiving…

I think that’s true, but it can be unfortunate. A beginner’s rod to some degree teaches the beginner to cast. He’ll adjust his technique to the rod. There’s a place for both fast-action and slow-action rods. You should learn how to cast both kinds. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Question:

Wonder if there would be a level of interest in a news feed with pictures concerning RV’ing and camping. I would imagine that The users of this newsfeed have some photos they would like to "show off".

Response:

Right on!  If anyone has pictures to post, please do so.  I’ve always enjoyed looking at people’s photo albums…. However, unless they’re extremely snot-nosed & dirty, pets are 100 times more fun to look at than pictures of children & grandkids – if you know what I mean – And I think you do! Highways are happy ways, so let’s see some pix!                                                         Don

Response:

Right on!  If anyone has pictures to post, please do so.  I’ve always enjoyed looking at people’s photo albums….

Uh, no, please don’t post them here. Binaries (photos, music, etc.) are not allowed on most newsgroups, including this one. Here are two appropriate methods of sharing pictures with folks on a newsgroup: 1. Post them on a web page and then give the URL for anyone who is interested. 2. Indicate that you have them and that anyone who wants to see them should request them from you by private e-mail (not a newsgroup post, please).  You can then send them copies by e-mail. Distributing them this way keeps the rest of the newsgroup from having to download them. (Many newsreader programs don’t translate binary files anyway, so all most folks see is many lines of garbage.) Thanks. GB in NC

Response:

Right on!  If anyone has pictures to post, please do so.  I’ve always enjoyed looking at people’s photo albums…. However, unless they’re extremely snot-nosed & dirty, pets are 100 times more fun to look at than pictures of children & grandkids – if you know what I mean – And I think you do! Highways are happy ways, so let’s see some pix!                                                        Don

WHOA,NELLY, git offa that horse!   Pullease DO NOT post pictures in text-only NG’s!   Will KD3XR —- the Curmudgeon of Sill Hill In order to become the master, the politician poses as the servant. Charles de Gaulle

Response:

A better solution is to use a site such as PhotoPoint, or Zing, that offers free uploading and storage of the photo’s, in albums, with the ability to send notices to those who you want to view them. — Flutterby

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Right on!  If anyone has pictures to post, please do so.  I’ve always enjoyed looking at people’s photo albums…. However, unless they’re extremely snot-nosed & dirty, pets are 100 times more fun to look at than pictures of children & grandkids – if you know what I mean – And I think you do! Highways are happy ways, so let’s see some pix!                                                         Don

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Right on!  If anyone has pictures to post, please do so.  I’ve always enjoyed looking at people’s photo albums…. However, unless they’re extremely snot-nosed & dirty, pets are 100 times more fun to look at than pictures of children & grandkids – if you know what I mean – And I think you do! Highways are happy ways, so let’s see some pix!                                                        Don WHOA,NELLY, git offa that horse!   Pullease DO NOT post pictures in text-only NG’s!

True. It might be worth the bother to create another newsgroup  for RV picture posting, the rec.outdoors.fishing.fly newsgroup did that a few years back. That would give a way for anyone to easily post and share pictures without learning how to create a website. Only trouble with a binaries newsgroup is that they all get plastered with spam from porn sites unless they are strictly moderated.

Response:

Question:

Can anyone give me some tips about fishing the runoff. The rivers up here (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) are pretty murky and fast from the recent rains and snow melt.  I headed out to the Elbow River at the weekend but got nothing. Tried black/olive wooly buggers (to me they looked just like the rest of the debris floating by), GRHE’s and Blace Dace streamers. Not even a nibble. I tied some white and red crystal streamers tonight and may give them a go. I’m thinking that maybe something white will be more visible through the murk. Any and all advice gratefully recieved KB

Response:

In high murky river waters IMHO the best thing you cano do is keep moving and fish the margins.  The fish do not want to expend more energy than they can get from a meal.  The fast water causes them to expend too much energy so they snuggle up to obtructions – boulders, river bends, undercut banks, sand bars, downed logs.  They usually won’t move far so you have to practically hit them in the nose with the fly.  The good news is stealth is usually not an issue since their ability to perceive in murky water is limited.  I have found had some good success with large terrestrial insect patterns in high murky, summer water. Grasshoppers, beetles, bees, or imitations of large aquatics such as Royal Coachman, Humpies, Goddard Caddis and Elk Hair Caddis, fished dry, have produced some great days when the water seemed just too high, too fast, and too colored. As far as nymphs are concerned, high water dislodges tons of the suckers.  I believe the best patterns to use in these water conditions are suggestive of life, rather than exact imitations.  A furry Hare’s Ear, Beadhead Prince, and Weighted Stonefly are three of my favorites. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone give me some tips about fishing the runoff. The rivers up here (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) are pretty murky and fast from the recent rains and snow melt.  I headed out to the Elbow River at the weekend but got nothing. Tried black/olive wooly buggers (to me they looked just like the rest of the debris floating by), GRHE’s and Blace Dace streamers. Not even a nibble. I tied some white and red crystal streamers tonight and may give them a go. I’m thinking that maybe something white will be more visible through the murk. Any and all advice gratefully recieved KB

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Question:

Can anyone tell me how the Yakima is fishing right now. Any info on its condition would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Response:

Last I heard (Last Saturday) it was very slow fishing. It won’t be long before the yellow stones are out though so fishing should pick up soon! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone tell me how the Yakima is fishing right now. Any info on its condition would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Response:

If you’re lucky you may find a great PMD hatch. Size 18 to 20 compara duns would then work great. Most fish would be a few inches from bank where mayflies congregate in the bushes. If you are unlucky and the river is as high as I think it will be a flashy bead head nymph under a royal wulff may do the trick. Check with Red’s Fly shop in the canyon for up to date info. Good luck Herb

Response:

I’m heading out to the Yakima in about a week and a half.  Can anyone out there give me some information on the fishing conditions, hatches etc. Thanks in advance. RRS

Response:

I’m heading out to the Yakima in about a week and a half.  Can anyone out there give me some information on the fishing conditions, hatches etc. Thanks in advance. RRS

It’s blown and cold right now.  Might be better soon. Call Cooper’s FLy Shop in Ellensburg, WA, 509 area code, for up to date data.  Creekside in Issaquah will have reasonable info, but is further from the river. they’re at 206-392-3800.

Response:

I fished this river last Thursday (the 23rd) and I’m going again this coming Saturday. The river had just blown out and was pretty murky, however I did catch one fish, and they WERE actually out feeding, on what I do not know… I couldn’t make out any discernable hatch. But I caught my fish with a #12 Royal Humpy. They weren’t eating the stones I threw at them. Hopefully the river will be back down to more fishable access by Saturday, otherwise i’ll be doing a lot of hiking… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Anybody been to the Yakima in the last couple of days?  This is my first chance this year.  I’m planning to head up tomorrow.  I’m a wader so hope the flow isn’t up too far yet. BARRY

Response:

Anybody been to the Yakima in the last couple of days?  This is my first chance this year.  I’m planning to head up tomorrow.  I’m a wader so hope the flow isn’t up too far yet. BARRY

Response:

I was there last saturday. The water was in good shape but the fishing was VERY tough. The fishing last friday was said to have been pretty good. I don’t know how sunday was though. With the warm weather we have been having I would expect the water to be iffy. You might check the water levels before you head over. Gary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anybody been to the Yakima in the last couple of days?  This is my first chance this year.  I’m planning to head up tomorrow.  I’m a wader so hope the flow isn’t up too far yet. BARRY

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Question:

I want to purchase a float tube for use in the Tasmanian Lakes. What are the best regarded float tubes in the USA and where is the best place for me to order one? (assuming this can be done on the net) Thankyou Nicholas Brand Melboure Australia

Hi Nicholas,   I am fishing in Tasmania this November. I hear that they wade in the shallow flats of their lakes for big browns. We like J.W.Outfitters, Buck’s Bags and Wood River for the best quality in US made floating devises. Round float-tubes have been popular for the last 30 years, but we see the Wood River V-boats taking a bigger share of the market now. Pontoon boats are great, but not as popular as the old round or V-boats in volume. I would look at http://www.bobmarriotts.com/ as they sell internationally. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

Response:

I want to purchase a float tube for use in the Tasmanian Lakes. What are the best regarded float tubes in the USA and where is the best place for me to order one? (assuming this can be done on the net) Thankyou Nicholas Brand Melboure Australia

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Question:

Just getting back into flyfishing after a 15 year hiatus (sorry, puberty, girls, and college distracted me) and am having some major problems with fly placement.  I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice? 1) I am fairly proficient at casting a light fly (dries, nymphs, wets), but when attempting to cast a heavier fly such as a weighted stone fly imitation, or a muddler I cannot get complete extension of the line on my back or forward cast. Instead the fly and leader sort of flop around on the end of the line with no real sense of direction. I use a fairly short 4 piece Orvis backpacking rod probably 6 1/2 -7 feet in length.  Could that be part of the problem? 2) I often develop small knots in my leader 2-4 inches behind the fly when casting.  What am I doing wrong?  Should I be concerned about them? 3)  Lose a lot of flies due to poor knots during the cast.  I tie them correctly, but think I am choosing the wrong knots for the job.  Any recommendations for what knots to use when attaching a fly?  Thankfully I am a good tyer so this doesn’t become that expensive. 4) Is there a fly fishing FAQ that I can refer to about line weights, types, and uses or rod types.   I own a very nice rod, but it was given to me by my grandfather so I do not know anything about it. How do I find out about its action, weight, what type of line to use with it, etc? Thanks in advance Tom Rhindress Williamstown, MA

Response:

Just getting back into flyfishing after a 15 year hiatus (sorry,

puberty, girls, and college distracted me) and am having some major problems with fly placement.   I was wondering if anyone could give me

some advice? 1) I am fairly proficient at casting a light fly (dries, nymphs, wets), but when attempting to cast a heavier fly such as a weighted stone fly imitation, or a muddler I cannot get complete extension of the line on my back or forward cast. Instead the fly and leader sort of flop around on the end of the line

with no real sense of direction. I use a fairly short 4 piece Orvis backpacking rod probably 6 1/2 -7

feet in length.  Could that be part of the problem? 2) I often develop small knots in my leader 2-4 inches behind the fly when casting.  What am I doing wrong?  Should I be concerned about them? 3)  Lose a lot of flies due to poor knots during the cast.  I tie them correctly, but think I am choosing the wrong knots for the job. Anyrecommendations for what knots to use when attaching a fly? Thankfully I am a good tyer so this doesn’t become that expensive. 4) Is there a fly fishing FAQ that I can refer to about line weights,

types, and uses or rod types.   I own a very nice rod, but it was given to me by my grandfather so I do

not know anything about it. How do I find out about its action, weight, what type of line to use

with it, etc? Tom, likely both your back cast and your forward cast lack power because of two things…. one is you use entirely too much wrist…. tie a hanky around your wrist and the rod butt to remind you to use more forearm and less wrist… second you are  making all your power stroke too evenly applied over the cast….  most all of the power should be applied at the very end of the stroke with a very staccato speed up and stop… do not turn the line over until the very end…. A 3rd idea is to apply a short sharp haul with the line hand exactly at the time of the power application…..  then a 4th cheating trick is to give the line a short tug exactly as the fly lands…. good luck… Alan E. Hoover Anglers’ Rest Powhatan, Va        *the trout teach many, lessons*

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just getting back into flyfishing after a 15 year hiatus (sorry, puberty, girls, and college distracted me) and am having some major problems with fly placement.  I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice? 1) I am fairly proficient at casting a light fly (dries, nymphs, wets), but when attempting to cast a heavier fly such as a weighted stone fly imitation, or a muddler I cannot get complete extension of the line on my back or forward cast. Instead the fly and leader sort of flop around on the end of the line with no real sense of direction. I use a fairly short 4 piece Orvis backpacking rod probably 6 1/2 -7 feet in length.  Could that be part of the problem?

Definitely:  any fly over a gramme or two completely upsets classical fly dynamics.  Casting style needs to be different and a long rod helps. 2) I often develop small knots in my leader 2-4 inches behind the fly when casting.  What am I doing wrong?  Should I be concerned about them?

Wind knots should be avoided because they weaken the tippet and will lose you fish.  Poor casting technique is the commonest cause.  Try making your forward and backcast strokes a few degrees apart in the vertical plane (see instructional books by Lefty Kreh or Lee Wulff.) 3)  Lose a lot of flies due to poor knots during the cast.  I tie them correctly, but think I am choosing the wrong knots for the job.  Any recommendations for what knots to use when attaching a fly?  Thankfully I am a good tyer so this doesn’t become that expensive.

Can’t beat the classic turle knot (double turle for salmon.) 4) Is there a fly fishing FAQ that I can refer to about line weights, types, and uses or rod types.  

No, but plenty in the library. I own a very nice rod, but it was given to me by my grandfather so I do not know anything about it.

If this is a cane rod, several URLs for either rod maintenance or used cane rod sales may be helpful.  Or you can post here any markings, brand name etc.  Try http://www.gorp.com/bamboo.html or http://www.cybercom.net/~bconner/rod.html — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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Question:

I’m headed for Potter county, PA weekend of 7/12. Local hatch chart calls for a "slate drake." Anyone have a recipe for this fly? I don’t see it in my reference materials. Thanks.

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I’m headed for Potter county, PA weekend of 7/12. Local hatch chart calls for a "slate drake." Anyone have a recipe for this fly? I don’t see it in my reference materials. Thanks.

There was a big brown drake hatch on Skaneateles lake (one of the Finger Lakes in NY) last week and I talked to a guy that fished it and did rather well.  He runs a flyfishing shop a couple of miles from the lake (right on Skaneateles creek) and he showed me the flies that he used. I don’t know the size of the slate drakes that you’re trying to immitate but the brown drakes were tied on size 8 hooks comparadun style.  If you don’t get any specific recipe’s I’d get some dark microfibbets or dark blue dun and make a split tail, add some dark grey dubbing, and tye on some dark deer hair comparadun style.   — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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I’m headed for Potter county, PA weekend of 7/12. Local hatch chart calls for a "slate drake." Anyone have a recipe for this fly? I don’t see it in my reference materials. Thanks.

The slate drake is a colorful name for the Isonychia dun.  I’m sure your reference has patterns for this.  If not, try posting at rec.outdoors. fishing.fly.tying.

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Question:

Can anyone give me some advice on what rivers to hit while in Jackson hole?  I’m going to drive through the area on my way to Seattle and i would like to spend a day fishing.  I have never beenm, hell i have never been to Wyoming, so if anyone can help me out i would really appreciate it. o’ yeah make it quick, cause im moving in about 2 to 3 days. Jeremy Tittle

If you want to drift fish with guide stay away from Snake, do the S. Fork or go over to Henry’s Ford in Idaho. If wade fishing you can do lots of area’s but the water conditions (clarity) and swiftness dictates, this time of year it should be muddy from runoff. You might want to push on and try the Gallatin in the park outside of W. Yellowstone.

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Can anyone give me some advice on what rivers to hit while in Jackson hole?  I’m going to drive through the area on my way to Seattle and i would like to spend a day fishing.  I have never beenm, hell i have never been to Wyoming, so if anyone can help me out i would really appreciate it. o’ yeah make it quick, cause im moving in about 2 to 3 days. Jeremy Tittle

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Can anyone give me some advice on what rivers to hit while in Jackson hole?

Hi Jeremy, If a day is all you have I suggest fishing the Snake river below the dam on Jackson Lake. There is a lot of water to cover and should provide some excellent fishing. Attractor patterns (Humpies, Wulff, EHC etc), nymphs like GRHE, and of course an assortment of Bead Headed whatevers (GRHE, Prince, etc.). Have a good trip.  Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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