Question:

A fellow (Bill) from the local FF club writes an outdoor column for one of the newspapers around here.  He tells me that his friend (Gary) is a surf FF guide and invites me along for a trip to the beach last Saturday. A trip which is going to turn into a photo op and inspiation for an article.   I go to Gary’s web site (www.garybulla.com) and there is a recipe for a fly he suggests I tie up for our few hours in the surf.  It’s called a gremmie and it’s basically a saltwater version of a marabou crappie jig.   It looks incredibly simple but I’m not gonna argue – I tie up a couple of them along with a pair of Blanton Whistlers (www.danblanton.com) as Gary suggested and we meet up at the beach. *What are we expecting to catch?*   *Oh, Halibut.* *Halibut, this time of the year?*   *People don’t seem to realize that they can.* OK.  Ever since I moved to California I’ve been trying to get as much info as possible about the local fishing scene, epecially saltwater since I’d been landlocked for so many years.  I bought books, fishing rags, talked to guys at tackle shops, bait stores, boat landings.  Halibut are supposedly a summer fish.  They can be especially close to the beach during a grunion run.  Typically they can be found in the calmer water beyond the waves so being able to heave a 6 oz sinker with a pendulum cast on a surf stick out to the third gut would be helpful. Halibut are bottom feeders so even if you were to try to fly fish for them from a kayak out in deeper water or inside protected water like a bay, you’ll need a super fast sinking line which you will basically be dragging or jigging along the bottom.  Halibut are light biters so when fishing with bait let them eat the anchovy, give plenty of time, wait and then wait some more, use a circle hook blah blah blah. Well, last Saturday proved to be the exception to everything in the previous paragraph.  Not only did I see two halibut being caught on the beach with fast swimming flies, including one which was very easily over the legal minimum of 22 inches, I hooked and lost one at my feet.  On top of that, I saw a halibut jump about 3 feet out of the water for some mysterious reason.  It was a few yards in front of Bill so at first I though maybe he had hooked it.  But no, it was a free swimming fish.   Even more outrageous (at least to me) is that Gary caught a white sea bass.  These fish are supposed to be very rare in the inshore waters and it always makes the printed news when someone catches one off the beach.   Plus, it’s February!  On the far end of the beach were some bait fishermen who had set up long surfcasting rods. *Do those guys ever catch fish?*   *Sometimes.  But never as many as we do.* You ever stumble upon something that most everyone else seems to be unaware of?  I feel like a high school kid who knows that the geeky girl that all my friends think is a dork, is going to end up being a bombshell come reunion time. It’s been raining the past couple of days.  But i can’t wait to get back out there and start discovering more cracks in the conventional wisdom. For another surprise check out this picture of an LA bonefish: www.garybulla.com/images/surfpix/pages/surf10.htm Mu salty nuts be damned

Response:

For another surprise check out this picture of an LA bonefish: www.garybulla.com/images/surfpix/pages/surf10.htm

That photo’s hilarious. I’ll bet that little sucker fought like a 3-lb trout. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Question:

 ___  Snipped notice: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Also of major importance is the petroleum industry price increases which will be impacting fly fishing more than everyone realizes in the immediate future.  That will include increases in plastic parts found in the trade, to waders, shoes, fly boxes, you name it.  There is also a stunning increase in the price of cork.  This will increase the price of all fishing poles of any kind that has cork handles in them later this year.  Cork trees cannot keep up with the demand in Portugal.  I think there may now be a move to find a substitute material such as balsa wood, or even a synthetic that is acceptable by the public.  I only wonder what the fly fishing industry would accept without arguing or screaming about weight?  On one hand, we don’t like artificial materials on Bamboo Fly Rods and on the other, my choice would be prone to try Balsa wood because of its nice color and lighter weight.  THIS, I would like others to put their minds too and help us come up with some answers or possible solutions. As it stands right now, it looks like a $10 increase per cork fishing rod handle!  This is outrageous. This is a public service announcement which other manufacturers are not giving the public a chance to respond or help out with. Any ideas out there? — George Gehrke http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html

– Mr.G http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – _____ Price increases will go into effect next week.  Bamboo items included.  We will honor all previous orders at the introductory prices we started off with in ROFF.  This notice in ROFF is in all fairness not a spam because the company was born in ROFF from challenges and dares initiated here. That aside, the venture is a success and this is the end of our efforts to maintain the barest of profit margins which will continue for only this week. Monday will be a new day and our Bamboo Fly Rod Prices will reflect a more realistic Ayn Rand perspective. Also of major importance is the petroleum industry price increases which will be impacting fly fishing more than everyone realizes in the immediate future.  That will include increases in plastic parts found in the trade, to waders, shoes, fly boxes, you name it.  There is also a stunning increase in the price of cork.  This will increase the price of all fishing poles of any kind that has cork handles in them later this year.  Cork trees cannot keep up with the demand in Portugal.  I think there may now be a move to find a substitute material such as balsa wood, or even a synthetic that is acceptable by the public.  I only wonder what the fly fishing industry would accept without arguing or screaming about weight?  On one hand, we don’t like artificial materials on Bamboo Fly Rods and on the other, my choice would be prone to try Balsa wood because of its nice color and lighter weight.  THIS, I would like others to put their minds too and help us come up with some answers or possible solutions. As it stands right now, it looks like a $10 increase per cork fishing rod handle!  This is outrageous. This is a public service announcement which other manufacturers are not giving the public a chance to respond or help out with. Any ideas out there? — George Gehrke http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html

– Mr.G http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html

Response:

_____ Price increases will go into effect next week.  Bamboo items included.  We will honor all previous orders at the introductory prices we started off with in ROFF.  This notice in ROFF is in all fairness not a spam because the company was born in ROFF from challenges and dares initiated here. That aside, the venture is a success and this is the end of our efforts to maintain the barest of profit margins which will continue for only this week.   Monday will be a new day and our Bamboo Fly Rod Prices will reflect a more realistic Ayn Rand perspective. Also of major importance is the petroleum industry price increases which will be impacting fly fishing more than everyone realizes in the immediate future.  That will include increases in plastic parts found in the trade, to waders, shoes, fly boxes, you name it.  There is also a stunning increase in the price of cork.  This will increase the price of all fishing poles of any kind that has cork handles in them later this year.  Cork trees cannot keep up with the demand in Portugal.  I think there may now be a move to find a substitute material such as balsa wood, or even a synthetic that is acceptable by the public.  I only wonder what the fly fishing industry would accept without arguing or screaming about weight?  On one hand, we don’t like artificial materials on Bamboo Fly Rods and on the other, my choice would be prone to try Balsa wood because of its nice color and lighter weight.  THIS, I would like others to put their minds too and help us come up with some answers or possible solutions.   As it stands right now, it looks like a $10 increase per cork fishing rod handle!  This is outrageous. This is a public service announcement which no other manufacturers are not giving the public a chance to respond or help out with. Any ideas out there? — George Gehrke http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html

Response:

Question:

Folks:         Passed my PPL-SEL in mid May.  Thanks to the kind DE I even learned some more (I had an excellent CFI for my training who was quite good). I am based in SW OH and have a range of around 1000nm.  I am looking for places to go.  Camping/fishing, golfing and other fun things.  I would like to restrict the field to places VERY close to the runway or places which are willing to pick you up and return you to the runway.   Thanks Cruddler

Response:

Take a look at avweb’s site (www.avweb.com).  They have a places to fly section and have some destinations on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Jerry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Folks: Passed my PPL-SEL in mid May.  Thanks to the kind DE I even learned some more (I had an excellent CFI for my training who was quite good). I am based in SW OH and have a range of around 1000nm.  I am looking for places to go.  Camping/fishing, golfing and other fun things.  I would like to restrict the field to places VERY close to the runway or places which are willing to pick you up and return you to the runway. Thanks Cruddler

Response:

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*

Response:

- 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         |

Response:

Question:

Thanks for the URL correction guys. I spend too much time in DOS. BTW the illustrations will be in it within the wek and more to come. Thanx again Bob S — Bob Sheedy Arctic Fire Software Home of THE FISHING LOG and MASTER ANGLER http://www.articfire.com/arcfire/fishing.htm

Response:

Lake Fly Fishing Instructional HTML The first in a series of HTML Instructional Pages is now ready for your viewing. These are in depth segments from the Canadian Waters School of Fly Fishing Manual. They pertain mostly to Lake Fly Fishing and the forage involved and deal mainly with the Prairie/ high prairie regions but the information is valuable anywhere. One segment is available each month and this months features Mayflies. There is no password required and no charges for viewing. This is for public information and education. Look off : http:\www.articfire.com/arcfire/fishing.htm Locate the Lake Fly Fishing Instructional Pages by Bob Sheedy, the author of the manual. Many other informative articles, software and fly patterns available as well.

Response:

= Lake Fly Fishing Instructional HTML =

This URL is needs correcting: Look off : http:\www.articfire.com/arcfire/fishing.htm =

Try http://www.articfire.com/arcfire/fishing.htm Locate the Lake Fly Fishing Instructional Pages by Bob Sheedy, the author=

 of — = =9F Len =9F —– Leonard Campbell                                                                                                =

Response:

Hi Dave, Here is the URL, which I just used.  = http://www.articfire.com/arcfire/fishing.htm  Go to =               Bob Sheedy’s               Stillwater Fly               Fishing               Instructional http://www.articfire.com/arcfire/mayfly.htm and enjoy the descriptions. Regards, — = =9F Len =9F —– Leonard Campbell                                                                                                = PO Box 972,                                                                                                                     = 168 Old Center Harbor Rd         = Center Harbor, NH 03226

Response:

Question:

Hi Owen If you happen to fly through Sydney Nebraska,

Question:

Just got two RPL+ blanks does anyone use these and is their a big differance from the Rpl that I usually use thanks Frank                     /                            /                   /                   Frank Healy            O_ /o         Its so hard to tie those           /|                    flies to the hooks

Response:

Hi Frank, Just got two RPL+ blanks does anyone use these and is their a big differance from the Rpl that I usually use thanks Frank

Well, they’re different, but not *that* different. To over simplify, they made them a bit softer in the tip and a bit stiffer in the butt. They are still, most definitely, RPLish. Best regards,   Alan.   Alan Barnard   Kiene’s Fly Shop   Sacramento, Ca.   WWW Fly Tyer   http://www.ns.net/~barnard

Response:

Hi Frank, Just got two RPL+ blanks does anyone use these and is their a big differance from the Rpl that I usually use thanks Frank

Hi-   Check out the unbiased and candid comparison of RPL+ and RPL III rods at http://www.flyline.com   We used the rods in a variety of conditions ranging from tiny cutthroat streams to large steelhead waters and gave them a pretty stiff, unsubjective analysis. You might be suprised at the result.    Ralph —

Response:

Question:

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

Response:

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

Response:

Question:

I’d like to her from someone in each State:  What are the water access laws in your State?  Doesn’t need to be long, but concise would be nice. Email or post.  Colorado is exempt from this request, as I already know. Thanx. –Chris

Response:

As far as Maine goes, water access is not very clear.  There is not one set of laws that cover rivers, lakes, great ponds, and their flowages.  The state owns the land under a Great Pond (10 acres if natural, 30 acres if man-made) and you have the right to cross private, undeveloped land to get access – IF you cross by foot for the purposes of fishing or fowling. No vehicles, no mechanical aids (wheels under a canoe are out), etc.  Developed land includes fields planted with commercial crops, so you can’t cross a wheat or corn field to get to the pond either. You also have the right to canoe any navigable water.  Navigable means it can float a log.  The right does NOT include access to the bottom of the river, nor does it include the right to go around obstructions like waterfalls – even if you stay below the high water mark. Fly fisherman cannot by law walk up any stream bed they choose – even if the water is navigable.  Canoeist cannot legally get out of their canoe and line, jump on a rock, or wade through a shallow – although this is not enforced anywhere I know of. Dams and their flowages are owned by the dam owner, and they can post them no tresspass, so you cannot walk around the dam to get access to the river below. Most do not, and on popular runs, the dam owners either provide, or let volunteer groups maintain portage paths around the dam to avoid indiscriminate damage to their property.  The legal liability of this access may cause more dam owners to post their property in the future.   Many people in the state operate under the position that anything under the high water mark in a river is fair game and that you can carry around obstacles.  This is not the case (according to the Parks and Recreation office) and you are trespassing when you do this.  Maine land owners are fairly tolerant of canoeists however, and so we get away with this. The laws that are in affect in Maine are a conglomeration of multiple colonial ordinances that are still in affect since the time when Maine was part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, something called the "Great Pond Act" and various court rulings over the years.   I have asked the reference librarian at the state law library for help.  If I get any better clarification on this I’ll let you know. Regards, -Tim

Response:

This would probably be better answered by someone with more law knowledge than me, but I haven’t seen anyone answer for California so I thought I’d post what I know.  I seem to remember that the there was a major legal battle concerning public access along the South Fork of the American in California (sometime in the late 70’s?).  The private land owners along some sections of it actually tried to get river rafting completely banned from the river.  The result of the long and ugly battle was that the South Fork of the American was considered a navigatable waterway and therefore the private owners cannot restrict boating traffic on the river.  Rafters also legally have access to land up to the high water mark.  Despite the legal rights of boaters to be there, the section of river with most of the populated private property (ie. nice riverfront houses) has been designated as a "quiet zone".  In the "quiet zone", boaters are supposed to speak in normal conversation and not yell or have waterfights.  Also, out of respect to the landowners, boaters are supposed to choose state owned lands for lunch spots (and their are plenty of adequate places to stop that are not privately owned). Unfortunately I have no idea what the access laws are in Pennsylvania (the state where I currently live). Lori

Response:

So far I have: Colorado New Mexico California Arkansas Main Keep them coming.  This important information. –Chris

Response:

Here’s a quick summary of the Arkansas Access situation. From……Arkansas Riparian Boundaries           Richard L. Elgin and David R. Knowles           Surveying and Mapping, Vol. 44, No. 1, 1984, pp. 39-57      "Until the recent decision of State v. McIlroy (268 Ark. 227) (1980), the Arkansas navigability criteria rested on the watercourse’s commercial viability.      In State v. McIlroy, supra, the definition and commerce test for navigability was broadened to include recreational use. The case concerns the navigability of the Mulberry River, a favorite with canoeists, McIlroy, owner of land on both sides of the Mulberry River, sought a lower court ruling that he be declared the owner of the bed of the Mulberry River since the river was nonnavigable. The defendants were the Ozark Society, a conservationist group, and two companies that rent canoes for use on the Mulberry. The defendants generally claimed that the Mulberry was a navigable stream, but that even if the court found otherwise, a public easement in the Mulberry should be recognized.      The lower court found that the Mulberry River was nonnavigable, that the McIlroys owned it as riparian property owners, and that they could prevent the public from using the stream (the McIlroys owning both sides).      The State, the Ozark Society, and one of the canoe companies appealed to the Arkansas Supreme Court." From the record:      The facts presented prove that the Mulberry River at the point in question is capable of recreational use and has been used extensively for recreational uses. We must now decide whether such a stream is navigable.      While navigation in fact is widely regarded as the proper test of navigability…it is a test which should not be applied too literally… Arkansas has adopted a standard definition of navigability. Lutesville Sand & Gravel Co. v. McLaughlin, supra. The test, which was similiar to the general test used by the federal courts, defines navigability in terms of a river’s potential for commercial usefulness; that is whether the water could be used to remove the products of the surrounding land to another place…      Therefore, a river is legally navigable if actually navigable and actually navigable if commercially valuable. (The court predicted that the waters of the state would be used to a much greater extent for recreational purposes than they were at the time of the decision (1915). The court observed that since that time no case had been before them that "involved the public’s right to use a stream which has recreational value, but lacks commercial adaptability in the traditional sense." The Court said the Arkansas definition was "remnant of the steamboat era.") Concluding, the majority decision concerning the navigability of the Mulberry, the Court said:      Arkansas, as most states in their infancy, was mostly concerned with river traffic by steamboats or barges when cases like Lutesville, supra, were decided. We have had no case regarding recreational use of waters such as the Mulberry. It may be that our decisions did or did not anticipate such use of streams which are suitable, as the Mulberry is, for recreational use. Such use would include flatbottomed boats for fishing and canoes for floating – or both. There is no doubt that the segment of the Mulberry River that is involved in this lawsuit can be used for a substantial portion of the year for recreational purposes. Consequently, we hold that it is navigable at that place with all the incidental rights of that determination. In follow up, this case set the precedent which almost every paddler in the state knows about and several carry copies of the ruling in their shuttle rigs, however, there still remains landowners weilding guns, who insist on the respect of their ownership. As with many other states paddlers here backdown, avoiding confrontation many times. Currently most of the hairy runs either begin or end on private property and we have to be very careful here, even though we have an excellent precedent set by the courts. — Shelby D. Johnson,    Research Specialist         TEL: (501) 575-6159 CAST, Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies    FAX: (501) 575-5218   12 Ozark Hall, University of Arkansas

Response:

What exactly are you looking for?  I didn’t see the original article. Just this followup. -Dennis

Response:

What exactly are you looking for?  I didn’t see the original article. Just this followup.

I’m trying to find what the legal river access is in each state.  So far I have: Colorado New Mexico Alaska Arkansas Main California I know people paddle in more states than that….. –Chris

Response:

Question:

I will be in Estes July 7 and 8 and expect to have some time to wet a line. I’d appreciate any suggestions on streams to try. I fear the Big Thompson is overcrowded and fished out, and in any event I’d prefer smaller streams, especialy as this trip is a break in this Easterner’s   3 week visit to some of Montana’s bigger rivers. Thanks.   Phil Holt

All of the streams in Colorado are running VERY high.  Your best bet would be lake fishing or perhaps higher in Rocky Mountain National Park.  Check with Estes Anglers (I don’t have the phone handy) for any other spots.  It is going to be a disappointing weekend in Colorado, we have more rain last night and today.  Snow closed Trail Ridge Road (south of Estes Park) last night.  Some of the passes I am used to traversing this time of year are still closed due to snow. Bob McDuffee Network Services Manager, WICHE Office:303.541.0299 Fax:303.541.0291

Response:

You’re in for a real treat! I vacationed in Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park last summer and fished some of the smaller streams there with a guide, Todd, from the Estes Angler.   Todd showed me some secluded spots on the Big Thompson (above the lake, where the stream is anything but big) and Glacier Creek.  I also fished on my own on the North Branch of the St. Vrain River.   The fish aren’t real big, but they sure are beautiful — and fun to catch.   In 3 1/2 days of fishing I managed the "grand slam" — rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat.   The concern this year, of course, is the runoff situation.  It was the opposite last year when the rivers were running low. If you go, take short, light rods with you.  These aren’t big western rivers; they are small mountain streams.  A lot of time you will be fising with nothing but your fly and leader on the water. Have a great trip!

Response:

Ok, you said you like smaller streams… I fished cow creek when I was in Estes this same time last summer. You have to walk about 1 mile from the parking area, the stream is very small (you can jump across it in places), and it is thick with brush along the banks.  That is, until you get to the beaver ponds!.  They are clear, clear, clear and the little brookies in there are spooky but willing. They are small fish (6-8" so I mean small).  But, I used very light tackle and if I did a reasonable job of not making myself too obvious, they rose willingly to dries.  The ponds are not deep, and you can site many fish to cast to. Stealth, delicate casting, and fish! Anyway, if that is the type of fishing you like, check out cow creek.  

Response:

I will be in Estes July 7 and 8 and expect to have some time to wet a line. I’d appreciate any suggestions on streams to try. I fear the Big Thompson is overcrowded and fished out, and in any event I’d prefer smaller streams, especialy as this trip is a break in this Easterner’s   3 week visit to some of Montana’s bigger rivers. Thanks.   Phil Holt

Response: