Question:

minutes explaining my business in Canada (work trip to my company’s YWG facility; the word "work" must have triggered the big red alarm).

Yep. That is a big no-no, especially when a canadian self employed goes to the USA. "Going to a meeting" is a much more acceptable reason for travel.

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Canada) through Chicago.  Air Canada services us from all other major cities in Canada, Except the second largest one… but that’s AC’s fault, not yours. Air Canada does link Winterpeg with Vancouver with at least one non-stop per day.

But to come back to the question, AC lists two connections/day SFO-YWG. Morning one thru YVR indeed, and afternoon one thru YYC.  Thru YYC is shorter; and there are four nonstop flights to YWG.

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fishing, one of the greatest areas in the world for lake fishing is about a two hour drive east of Winnipeg, just over the border into Ontario. No ! Don’t risk your life on highway 17. Stay in Manitoba. just before the ontario border where the trans canada highway narrows into a country road, there is a nice park to the right. I think it it is on the shores of lake of the woods.

I don’t think they will be riding bicycles.   Besides, 30 miles on a two lane highway is no impediment to people who really like fishing.

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Yes, its bloody cold outside. You get used to it.  It’s nice in the summer though, for those 4 months. 4 months ?  I guess if you define winter as temperatures below -20, spring and automn as temperatures below 0, then summer could be 4 months long …. In Montreal, true summer is about 4 weeks (when you can go outside in short sleeves and not have to worry about being cold during the day).

Yes, I remember my one and only (so far) trip to Canada which was spent entirely in Qu

Question:

Greetings all, I am planning on taking my son on some fishing trips here in the next few weeks; he is relatively young and just starting in fishing.  We are planning on going to the South-East corner of Minnesota for the trips but we are somewhat new to the area and not familiar with the rivers and streams.  I would like to find a river or stream that we camp nearby for a night or two and that he can fish in while I can also do some fly fishing (preferable within walking distance of the camp.) Does anyone know of any places like this in the area that they could recommend to us?  We would greatly appreciate any information that we get. Thanks….

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… Does anyone know of any places like this in the area that they could recommend to us? …

Whitewater State Park. — Ken Fortenberry

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Question:

Now I’ve started up to the AuSable several times but I have to drive past my favorite river and never seem to get past it. I think I’ll have to force myself.

Heh heh, I’m just the opposite – I keep meaning to fish other waters, but never get off the W Branch AuSable  Where do you fish – Saranac, E Branch, smaller streams?  There are supposed to be some nice native brookie streams nearby.  One time I got lost and fished a little stretch of water that I believe was below AuSable Forks, so technically it wouldn’t have been the W Branch Before you buy.

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Nice report.  Wish I was there. TL MC

This is the Ausable, or AuSable, as opposed to the Au Sable in Michigan.

The

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Hmmm, As luck would have it I have to be in the adirondacks from Friday night till Sunday morning without the family and only a 20 minute commitment in Lake George on Saturday morning. Now I’ve started up to the AuSable several times but I have to drive past my favorite river and never seem to get past it. I think I’ll have to force myself. Are there any other Roffians who want to fish the AuSable on  Saturday? Paul

This is the Ausable, or AuSable, as opposed to the Au Sable in Michigan.

The [snip] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Regards, Jeff

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"JeffC 1474"  wrote… Drove through the Adirondacks Wednesday night, and the late sunset was nice so I could enjoy the scenic drive.  If you drive through this area, be careful – it’s the second year in a row I got stopped for speeding.  I was coming out of a 35 and got up to 53 about 50 yards before the 55 sign started.  He let me off, but made the point that this is not just a hightway, but there could be pedestrians crossing at the little village around the next turn.

It would certainly have been poetic justice had he "thrown the book" at you. <g (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) –Steve (it’s good to hear from you Jeff!)

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This is the Ausable, or AuSable, as opposed to the Au Sable in Michigan.  The Ausable is a reasonably big, rocky river, smaller than the Delaware, but similar in character to what I would imagine some western rivers to be like, if a little smaller.  It’s one of my favorite, if not my favorite, stream I’ve ever fished. Drove through the Adirondacks Wednesday night, and the late sunset was nice so I could enjoy the scenic drive.  If you drive through this area, be careful – it’s the second year in a row I got stopped for speeding.  I was coming out of a 35 and got up to 53 about 50 yards before the 55 sign started.  He let me off, but made the point that this is not just a hightway, but there could be pedestrians crossing at the little village around the next turn. If I don’t stop in Lake Placid, my first stop is always at Fran Betters’ Adirondack Sport Shop on 86 in Wilmington.  The big sign with a girl catching her fly on her skirt and pulling it up is still there, but there’s a new one that says "FRAN IS BACK!"  Fran is famous in those parts as a fly tier and fisherman, and knows the W Branch Ausable probably better than anyone.  He developed patterns such as the Ausable Wulff.  Fran is getting on in years and last year leased the business to another man.  Rumours run wild about what happened, but the facts are that it ended on bad terms, Fran is back in the shop, and the other guy opened a new shop nearby. www.ausablewulff.com Luckily the light was still on at 10 so I could get the stream report and any flies I’d need for the next day.  There are shops in the area with a better inventory and more modern fixtures, but none with as much character.  It’s a fine place to hang out and shoot the shit and collect fishing reports as fishermen filter in and out.  Fran recommended some golden stones and March Brown dries, among other things.  I was surprised because I didn’t even know there *were* yellow stoneflies there, just black.  You can’t tell by looking at the nymphal shucks they leave on the rocks, and I had never tried to collect any from the stream.  I headed over to The Bunkhouse which can be reserved through the shop.  It’s $15 a night, a total dive, but a great place to stay if you’re fishing there.  You can stay at some prissy lodge if you want, but real fishermen stay at The Bunkhouse.  There is usually sports on TV and beer drinking in the living room and late night tying sessions at the big table in the kitchen.  An alternative he-man accomodation would be a tent at the Wilmington Notch campsite on the other side of the river from Whiteface Mt., site of the Olympic skiing. Headed out to the water in the morning.  What a difference a year makes.  Last year at this same time the water was 68 in the morning up to 72 in the afternoon, and levels were low during drought conditions, and they were warning about stressed out fish.  I had done better than many people because I headed toward water upstream near the ski jumps, where it is more shaded and a couple degrees cooler, and in the well-oxygenated water below the Wilmington dam. Also I was willing to accept smaller fish, 6-13", and every one was hard fighting and healthy.  There are a lot of big fish in this river, and some people feel like they fail if they don’t catch a 20 incher, but the conditions just weren’t right.  The trout were going nuts over big yellow stimulators.  I did have one big fish break my line in the upstream section, which would have been a real trophy in that area, and I vowed to challenge it again this year. But I changed my mind since the conditions were so different now – 54 degree water temp and higher water.  BTW, the water in this river tends to have a tea stain color.  Fran recommends all-Maxima Chameleon leaders, including the tippet.  He sells them there if you don’t like to make your own. I fished in the 5 mile catch and release section, which I rarely do since it can get crowded.  But this section contains extremes of water type, from slow, pond-like pools to rough, bouldery water with deeper runs and some gorge-like sections.  I fished some rough water with deeper runs,  high-sticking the golden stone nymphs with weight.  Right away I got a 14" rainbow, which unfortunately did not fight too hard and looked fresh off the stocking truck.  Fortunately, every *other* fish I caught that day appeared to be a holdover fish.  Next came a tough 15" brown, and then a 13" brown.  The takes were subtle, but did not prepare me for the subtleness of the next take. I was sure I had hung bottom.  I tried to pull it free, but it wouldn’t budge. Then I put a lot of pressure on it from an upstream angle – nothing.  I was getting ready to break the line when all of a sudden the fish started rolling to the surface flashing its side.  I had so much pressure on the line that the fly pulled out and rocketed straight into a tree overhead and I couldn’t get it out – salt rubbed in the wound – one nymph down, one to go.  It looked about 18" but felt like 20 lbs – weird.  Ready for the most subtle of takes now, the next cast went into a deep, swirling eddy.  The take was so strong and sudden that it scared the crap out of me, and I ripped the fly right out of its mouth.  And…. you guessed it – straight into the same tree overhead.  Well, black nymphs from now on  Then for the next hour and a half – not a single take (as far as I could tell.) I’m fairly athletic, but I was having a hard time wading the rougher water near the middle of the river.  I finally broke down and went back to the shop to get a wading staff, which was a big help later.  Never thought I’d see the day Ironically, it caused my only injury – it was dragging behind me when I slipped a little.  I fell toward the staff, which was wedged against a rock, and drove the handle deep into the side of my thigh.  I’ve got a big purple knot there now the size of a lemon. I headed below the Wilmingtion dam about a half mile or so.  This is very nice, moderate wading in terms of difficulty, riffly pocket water with some of those semi-pool, semi-broken-water areas that are my personal favorite for dry flies.  There was still no surface activity even though there were quite a few caddis in the air and the occasional sulphur.  No more action on the nymphs.  I finally saw some sporadic rises and started to fish dries – there were a couple March Browns coming off now.  I had a couple missed fish, which made me think I was striking too soon, until I sat and watched for awhile and realized they were missing (or refusing) the naturals too!  Crazy fish.  This was hard to determine though since there was only 1 rise about every 5 minutes.  I hiked a little and unfortunately must have caught my fly patch with my Haystack March Brown dries on it on a tree and lost it. Rummaging through the box, I finally came across an old one I tied probably 20 years ago, traditional pattern.  And… it worked.  For some reason, a fish took that old March Brown with more gusto than any fish took any natural I saw – it was hooked deep in the roof of its mouth – 13" brown.  Go figure.  The rain started a little and the wind started whipping up hard so I went back to nymphs – a big black stone that I picked out of a tree limb earlier, left behind by a caster in my league, presumably.  As it drifted toward a fast chute created by 2 boulders, it got picked up by a large fish.  Unfortunately as the fish rose into the fast water in the chute, I couldn’t  control it.  It was hard enough to wade into position to make the cast, let alone try and run downstream of the fish.  I put all the pressure on it I could, but all it did was hold it in place in that chute.  I watched it roll around for 5 or 6 seconds before it pulled off – about 20".  On the way back up I picked up another 10" brown, and an 8 incher that appeared to be stream bred. That night at the shop (which is also a house), I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and invited to stay for dinner with Fran and Jan and a couple guides (hint: the kitchen door at dinner time is usually the right place at the right time  It was a great opportunity to hear Fran and the guys tell stories and ask for some tips.  Fran is generous with his time and help.  Every couple weeks he gives a free cookout and informal fly casting clinic.  I’ve seen him many times patiently explain things to newcomers that I know he’s explained hundreds of times before.  And he is no snob – he will suggest where and how to fish whether you want to use flies, spinners, or worms. A guide spoke of the previous day’s client.  He asked the client what his casting ability was, so he could decide where and how to fish.  The reply was "I have a Sage SP."  !!  The guy was apparently a dickhead and didn’t want to listen to the recommended streamer fishing technique for a certain stretch.  He was riding high as he hooked a nice fish.  The guide nearly broke out in laughter when it turned out to be a sucker, and foul hooked to boot.  Then the guide pulled out an 18" rainbow from the same pool.  He knew there would be no tip, but he just couldn’t resist Regards, Jeff

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Question:

I’ve found that if you use too fine a tippet in relation to strength, you’ll get major twisting if there is a hard wind.  

This is one time where a thicker or stiffer tippet would be better. Willi

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I’ve found that if you use too fine a tippet in relation to strength, you’ll get major twisting if there is a hard wind.  It seems to be that even though you’ve increased your tippet strength, you still have to match the tippet to the size fly you are casting.  In essence you still need to match DIAMETER with you fly size.  I’ve seen it alot where people insist on matching the BREAKING STRENGTH to the fly size which results in the aforementioned twisting.

Really?  That’s nutty.  Absolutely – diameter (translating into a certain stiffness and/or a certain mass of line) is what matters because that’s what determines how the fly will be cast and presented. Regards, Jeff

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Increases in tippet strength, IMHO, is the most significant improvement in fly fishing equipment in the last fifty years. When I started fly fishing, a tippet fine enough to use with a size 20 fly had a breaking strength of under a pound.  Tough to land a good fish on a tippet that weak. I’m hard pressed to come up with a situation where a finer tippet of the same strength wouldn’t be superior. Willi

I’ve found that if you use too fine a tippet in relation to strength, you’ll get major twisting if there is a hard wind.  It seems to be that even though you’ve increased your tippet strength, you still have to match the tippet to the size fly you are casting.  In essence you still need to match DIAMETER with you fly size.  I’ve seen it alot where people insist on matching the BREAKING STRENGTH to the fly size which results in the aforementioned twisting. — Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm 406-626-4022

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Increases in tippet strength, IMHO, is the most significant improvement in fly fishing equipment in the last fifty years. When I started fly fishing, a tippet fine enough to use with a size 20 fly had a breaking strength of under a pound.  Tough to land a good fish on a tippet that weak. I’m hard pressed to come up with a situation where a finer tippet of the same strength wouldn’t be superior. Willi

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Small diameter is not always desirable.

Why not?  By "small diameter", what we really mean is "small diameter relative to its strength".  So if you want a bigger diameter, you could still use "small diameter for its strength", and then a bigger diameter in that brand, and you’ll have the diameter you want but stronger than the other brand. In my experience, Maxima tippet consistently runs about one mil larger than marked.

More like .002 in my experience! Nevertheless, it is an excellent tippet material because it handles abuse much better than some with better specs.

Orvis Super Strong is damn strong, though.  Or damn thin, depending on how you look at it eh? Regards, Jeff

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Increases in tippet strength, IMHO, is the most significant improvement in fly fishing equipment in the last fifty years. When I started fly fishing, a tippet fine enough to use with a size 20 fly had a breaking strength of under a pound.  Tough to land a good fish on a tippet that weak. I’m hard pressed to come up with a situation where a finer tippet of the same strength wouldn’t be superior. Willi

If it is stiffer it might interfere with fly presentation. Peter G. Aitken

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Hello,    As someone new to the sport I have a question regarding tippet material. Does it have to be a specific material or can you use regular fishing line of the correct diameter? I ask this because I noticed that the line I use on my spinning reel lists a dia. of .010 which is the dia. of the tippet I’m told is the correct for the size flies I will be using. Can I use this line or do I have to use a material specific for tippets?

There is a lot of development of monofilament going on with things like copolymers etc. The main effect is that of getting more breaking strength for the same diameter. In addition, the stiffness and abrasion reisitance and knot strength may be affected. Nevertheless, there is no law to prevent you from using any material you want. Small diameter is not always desirable. In my experience, Maxima tippet tconsistently runs about one mil larger than marked. Even so, the strength for a given marked diameter runs less than on other tippet such as Dai-Riki. Nevertheless, it is an excellent tippet material because it handles abuse much better than some with better specs. Bill

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Leader and tippet material is just the same as ordinary Nylon monofilament fishing line.  Some prefer certain types of Nylon, "soft or hard" for instance which makes the leader/tippet, "stiff or limp".    Basically any fishing line will do however. Many people buy spools of the line they like and make up their own leaders and tippets from it.    If you are just starting out, I would recommend buying knotless tapered leaders from your local tackle shop, and a couple of spools of tippet material ( ordinary line ) in the diameters you require. You can of course learn to tie up your own leaders immediately, it is not hard to do. Have a look at   http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2/ and   http://globalflyfisher.com Both of these sites have good info on  leaders . TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

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   As someone new to the sport I have a question regarding tippet material. Does it have to be a specific material or can you use regular fishing line of the correct diameter? I ask this because I noticed that the line I use on my spinning reel lists a dia. of .010 which is the dia. of the tippet I’m told is the correct for the size flies I will be using. Can I use this line or do I have to use a material specific for tippets?

You can use it.  It should just be a good match with the end of the leader you’re using and match your fly.  The stiffnes of the line is also a factor. The only problem is that the diameter listed might not be correct.  Even with "official" tippet material where the diameter is usually more important than the breaking strength, it is often off.  But probably not so much that it will make a huge difference.  .010 is also called 1X, which is a bit on the heavy side for a lot of trout flies – I was wondering what fly you’re using. Regards, Jeff

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Bonjour, You can use regular fishing line of the correct diameter. The most important in leader and tippet is to tye good knots as a bad knot will brake really easily. The most important in Nylon is to avoid using an too old one. Then remember that from a "regular" fishing line to another one you have differences in coating and other chemical treatements wich make a Nylon softer or not from another one. You have to know what you are searching for, considering lenght of your tippet, size of the fly, wet or dry… Philippe Pacific Angling on Line http://fishing.ifrance.com * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, As someone new to the sport I have a question regarding tippet material. Does it have to be a specific material or can you use regular fishing line of the correct diameter? I ask this because I noticed that the line I use on my spinning reel lists a dia. of .010 which is the dia. of the tippet I’m told is the correct for the size flies I will be using. Can I use this line or do I have to use a material specific for tippets? TIA Rich Kent I no expert, but I don’t see any reason not to use it. Hell, if you’ve got a big spool of it, I’d say that’s a really good reason to use it. Welcome to the sport and as a newcomer, stick around this group. There’s info here amongst the BS.

I’ve started making my own leaders this year.  In doing so I have looked at different companies for my leader material.  I have found the diameter and strength not the same with each company.  I’ve then found that most tippet material, though the same diameter as regular monofilament, is much stronger.  With this in mind, I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t use regular monofilament as long as you understand that it might not be as strong as tippet material for the same diameter. — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Before you buy.

Response:

Hello,     As someone new to the sport I have a question regarding tippet material. Does it have to be a specific material or can you use regular fishing line of the correct diameter? I ask this because I noticed that the line I use on my spinning reel lists a dia. of .010 which is the dia. of the tippet I’m told is the correct for the size flies I will be using. Can I use this line or do I have to use a material specific for tippets? TIA Rich Kent

I no expert, but I don’t see any reason not to use it. Hell, if you’ve got a big spool of it, I’d say that’s a really good reason to use it. Welcome to the sport and as a newcomer, stick around this group. There’s info here amongst the BS.

Response:

Hello,     As someone new to the sport I have a question regarding tippet material. Does it have to be a specific material or can you use regular fishing line of the correct diameter? I ask this because I noticed that the line I use on my spinning reel lists a dia. of .010 which is the dia. of the tippet I’m told is the correct for the size flies I will be using. Can I use this line or do I have to use a material specific for tippets? TIA Rich Kent

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Question:

I’ve found an exellent flytying page…… Take a look at this URL……: http://nff.sit.no Jan D.

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Wow what a great site. I am getting the materiel to tie fys. Can’t wait. Thanks for the site.

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Question:

I will be fishing the upper Elk soon (near Slaty Fork).  Any advice on fly selection, water conditions etc?  Thanks in advance

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Hey Again! You sure are persistent in putting posts about WV Flyfishing on this newsgroup!  If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were a plant ffor my guide business as you and I seem to be the only ones regularly discussing WV flyfishing.  As for what is going on, wait until a few days or even the day before you leave and send me an e-mail.  If I don’t reply within 24 hours, chances are that I’m somewhere inthe backcountry and without access.  Call and leave a message at our 800 number and ask for a call back about conditions on the Slaty.  Oak fields these calls and is usually pretty good about getting back quickly.  I hope you catch them all as long as you put ‘em back!!! See you Streamside, Keith Comstock Cranberry Wilderness Outfitters phone: (800) 848-8398 web: http://www.wvoutfitters.com PS- I’m thinking about putting up a conditions page and trying to update in no less than once a week.  What do you think?

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -My roomate and I want to go on a week long vacation sometime between 12/18 and 1/3   I want to be on a beach and outside of the US.  We’re flying out of NYC with a budget of approx $1100 each.  We may be able to use frequent flyer miles for the air.  Last year we went to Costa Rica and loved it, but want to try somewhere else. WE are flying out of New York and would like to stay within 5 hours of flight time. Everything either appears to be sold out or too expensive. Any recommendations? Thanks, Michelle

Michelle, I have been going to Belize for the last few years. Lots of eco/jungle stuff on the mainland, jungle rivers and Maya ruins. Life on the islands/cayes is very nice. Fishing, snorkeling, scuba, boating and sight seeing is great. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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The Dominican Republic.  It should fit nicely into your budget and that would be for an all-inclusive resort.  We went to Paradise Beach Club in Puerto Plata a few years ago for $900. each. There are flights now directly into Punta Cana and there are specials on three resorts there for under to just above your budget; again for all inclusive resorts – all meals, drinks, activities. This year we went to Punta Cana and loved the beach there.  Had a wonderful vacation.  If you want specifics, e me directly. Kathy Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -My roomate and I want to go on a week long vacation sometime between 12/18 and 1/3 I want to be on a beach and outside of the US.  We’re flying out of NYC with a budget of approx $1100 each.  We may be able to use frequent flyer miles for the air.  Last year we went to Costa Rica and loved it, but want to try somewhere else. WE are flying out of New York and would like to stay within 5 hours of flight time. Everything either appears to be sold out or too expensive. Any recommendations? Thanks, Michelle

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My roomate and I want to go on a week long vacation sometime between 12/18 and  1/3 I want to be on a beach and outside of the US.  We’re flying out of NYC with a  budget of approx $1100 each.  We may be able to use frequent flyer miles for  the air.  Last year we went to Costa Rica and loved it, but want to try  somewhere else. WE are flying out of New York and would like to stay within 5 hours of flight  time. Everything either appears to be sold out or too expensive. Any recommendations? Thanks, Michelle

Have you looked at Cancun, Mexico. A few years ago we stayed at the Club Las Velas.  It was all-inclusive, under $1000. had real good entertainment and a young party mood crowd if that is what you like. The food was pretty good and the rooms were not fancy but clean.  They are not directly on the ocean but on  the canal and have a boat that takes you to a beach club. (They do have their own beach on the canal with kayaks, sailboats, snorkling)  There are a lot of other things to see in the area also. and you can hop a bus for 30 cents right in front of the hotel and go anywhere you want on the strip – shopping, beach, restaurants, clubs, other hotels.  We also felt very safe there as it is geared to the tourist.  Check with your travel agents.  Marianne — Visit "The Grand Isle Connection" http://www.GrandIsle.together.com

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My roomate and I want to go on a week long vacation sometime between 12/18 and 1/3 I want to be on a beach and outside of the US.  We’re flying out of NYC with a budget of approx $1100 each.  We may be able to use frequent flyer miles for the air.  Last year we went to Costa Rica and loved it, but want to try somewhere else. WE are flying out of New York and would like to stay within 5 hours of flight time. Everything either appears to be sold out or too expensive. Any recommendations? Thanks, Michelle

If you look at our BVI pages, below, you’ll see our preferences If you check with the major bareboat outfits, you might find an all-inclusive trip within your budget. They usually have a by-the-cabin charter running with one of their professional captains for a very reasonable price. Trouble is that you’re going during the absolute peak of the Caribbean season, but if you can swing it, all your land-based vacations will fade into a hazy memory. On my 4th trip, I introduced Pat to the BVI starting with 5 days onshore. Knowing the area, we hit all the good spots and she opined that it was up amongst her best vacations ever (and she’s got some good experience.) She Seemed a little sad as we prepared to take posession of our home for the next 8 days, leaving the shore behind. Two days later, her mind was completely and utterly blown. The time onshore had not prepared her for the intensity of sensations she experienced; anchoring for the night in a perfect little cove on a nearly deserted island. Waking up and sailing a short distance to The Baths and playing amongst boulders that seemed like a giant child’s blocks carelessly heaped an the shore; snorkling through virtual clouds of fish while examining coral (that she soon found out was not the most brilliant in the BVI). Then eating lunch and sailing into North Sound and the Bitter End Yacht Club, an upscale resort where they MUST rake the beach at least twice daily — not a cigarette butt to be found — and having dinner in those sumptous surroundings… And then it got better. And better. (44 days, 13 hours until we return….) — Jere Lull Xan-a-Deux — ‘73 Tanzer 28 #4 — out of Tolchester, MD Xan’s Pics & Specs:      http://www.dca.net/~jerelull/X-Main.html British Virgin Islands:  http://www.dca.net/~jerelull/BVI.html

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Question:

Master New England fly tyer, Bill Thompson shaes his secrets for creating five great flies that really work in New England rivers, lakes and streams.  Over one and a half hours long and loaded with stories and some of the best fly tying instruction found anywhere.

[ index.htm 5K ]

RickDavidson Photography and VideoPO Box 1046 Pleasant St. Plaza Conway, New Hampshire 03818 603-447-6008, 800-447-6008,Fax: 603-539-3281

Stillwaterproductions(Motion Pictures)

Services:WeddingsSenior PortraitsFamily portraitsDocumentaries and Special Interest VideosStock photographsSome examplesGreetings from Mt. Washington Valley , New Hampshire. Our photographystudio is in friendly Conway Village. We are just around the corner fromMt. Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast. We are known for greatskiing and beautiful scenery. New Hampshire is mostly woods, lakes, riversand mountains. In other words, a photographer’s paradise. Many of our weddingstake place in the the great out of doors. A high percentage of our highschool seniors opt for rustic motifs that reflect their own interest inoutdoor activities.COMING SOON: Right now we are working on a videoabout the personalities of fly fishing. Quiet Learning featuressuch local fly fishing personalities as Bill Thompson, Dick Stewart, DickSurette, Wendell Folkins. The national celebrites who have contributedto this effort include Lefty Kreh, Cathy and Barry Beck, Dave Whitlock,Jack Dennis, Mike Lawson, and Gary LaFontaine.AVAILABLE NOW:Innovative Twists on New and Traditonal Wicked Good Flies forNew England with Bill Thompson. Master fly tyer Bill Thompson shareshis secrets for creating five flies that really work in New England rivers,lakes and streams. This video features flies that were originally developedfor fishing other parts of the country. Bill shows you how to adapt theseeffective flies for New England Waters. This collector’s item is an essentialaddition to any fly tyer’s library. If you are looking for new ideas, thisis the tape for you. While this tape assumes some knowledge of fly tying,all levels of tyers will benefit from Bill’s instructive tips and wisdom.This tape is available at outlets throughout New England or you may orderdirectly, now, e-mail Rick DavidsonVideo. Only $29.99 plus S+HALSO COMING SOON: A new tape with Bill Thompson.This time Bill discusses some of the most famous flies that originatedin Maine. This video will feature on location photography, fly tying instructionand the history of each fly. Reserve you copy now and save.Special pre-release price $19.99. e-mail RickDavidson Video. Don’t miss this one. Bill’s tapes are both entertainingand informative. No one tells a fly fishing story like Bill Thompson.Need photographic services in New Hamsphire? Contact RickDavidson Photography and Video. Call 603-447-6008, 800-447-6008, Fax: 603-539-3281,

Some of my pictures of the area:Mt Chocorua – ChocoruaSwift River Covered Bridge- ConwayThe railroad station – NorthConwayOurnext door neighborCheck out some more of our photography at the StonehurstManor’s Home Page.Other links:Mount WashingtonValley, JourneysNorth, Kennett High School.

Swift RiverCovered Bridge-Conway Village

Web page and photographs by Rick DavidsonWe accept MC/VisaGo BackThispage created with Netscape Navigator Gold. This is just the beginning.We are still learning.

This page last updated on January 20,1997.Copyright

Question:

What is a bow and arrow cast?

It is a cast used in areas of dense growth around the water you are fishing, where there is no room for a back cast. You pull the fly and leader and small amount of line back from the rod tip. The rod is held parallel to the water and the fly released. It then should shoot out and present to the fish in the difficult position. A very useful cast for sighted browns. Simon Simon Lusk Fly Fishing New Zealand on the WWW http://www-aghort.massey.ac.nz/flyfish/intro Department of Consumer Technology Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand

Response:

What is a bow and arrow cast?<

It’s what the disgruntled archery hunter does after he lines up on that buck of a lifetime, draws back, his nose itches, he loses his grip and mortally wounds a poplar…….:) Actually, it’s using the power of the rod to flip a fly into a tight spot by drawing back on the rod while holding the leader in hand, letting go, and  letting the force of the recoiling rod push the fly out…. It’s only good for about 10 feet max., but it’s worth knowing if you fish small water…

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When you release the fly, the rod launches it as though it

were an arrow. <<< This technique, while useful, will eventually make you a fervent believer in barbless hooks! — Ken Clark Ft. Lupton, CO

Response:

What is a bow and arrow cast? — Jack Botsford – Executive Director                      Tel (709) 722-3069 Newfoundland Alliance of Technical Industries           Fax (709) 722-3879 Box 41, Atlantic Place, 215 Water Street St. John’s, NF, CANADA  A1C 6C9

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Question:

Why they are fishing with a bamboo shaped rod and not with an original ??

Modern graphite rods can cast considerably farther than bamboo, and the long false-casts made the casting scenes more dramatic, especially to non-flyfisher folks. They are much better and softer than these plastic rods.

Thats a strong statement.   Fish and fishing-waters come in all shapes, sizes, and characteristics.   There is hardly one best rod. You can serve the fly much softer…

Nice when needed, but what about techniques that require hard presentations? Also (an example), many steelhead rivers in the pacific northwest are large and fast – soft presentations are a don’t care, but long casts with potentially large flies are very useful. … and for some special technics I don’t know the name in english (when you have to feel the bite …

Nymphing?   Hard or soft, don’t care.   Sensitive, do care! … or you want to lead the fly against the flow) …

Many "swinging" techniques including wet fly swings, greased-line, lifts, etc.  It’s very debatable whether soft or hard is better. In Germany most of the good fly-fisher are fishing with bamboo-rods. What is it in USA ??

Many serious fly fisherman I know own bamboo (often lots of), but most only use them for "mood" or nostalgic moments, usually accompanied by a pipe or cigar, and possibly some whisky. I certainly enjoyed casting three different bamboo rods, and have my sights on buying some bamboo, but right or wrong, am spoiled and won’t give up my graphite. Thomas Gilg

Response:

Some technical things in the movie were done beautifully.  Powell made bamboo shaped graphite rods to look like the originals,  and even matched all of the rod decorations, windings, etc., and the special lines that would show up on film were spectacular.   Why they are fishing with a bamboo shaped rod and not with an original ??

The main reason seems to be that the original Montague 8 1/2" 4 1/2 oz bamboos are now very rare and *very* valuable.  In the movie they only used Montagues for close ups and for shots where they needed the slower action of the cane rod.  They did not want to break any rods when playing buckets full of rocks or even when fighting "Fernando", the model fish. Denbigh

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| They are much better and softer than these plastic rods. | | Thats a strong statement.   Fish and fishing-waters come in all shapes, | sizes, and characteristics.   There is hardly one best rod. | | You can serve the fly much softer… | | Nice when needed, but what about techniques that require hard presentations? | | Also (an example), many steelhead rivers in the pacific northwest are | large and fast – soft presentations are a don’t care, but long casts | with potentially large flies are very useful. Yes you are right. Here in Germany we dont’t have these large fast rivers and no steeelhaeds. We have small rivers with with good natural grayling and trout populations. So for this ‘fine’ fishing I think they are the best choice because of their soft and special action that you can’t reach with artificial rods. | | … and for some special technics I don’t know the name in english (when | you have to feel the bite … | | Nymphing?   Hard or soft, don’t care.   Sensitive, do care! Yes, it’s a kind of nymphing. | … or you want to lead the fly against the flow) … | | Many "swinging" techniques including wet fly swings, greased-line, | lifts, etc.  It’s very debatable whether soft or hard is better. For wet fly it’s O.K.. But I mean for dry fly you need a in your words ’sensitive’ (excuse my english) rod and a good technik to imitate a fly running up the stream. Otherwise your fly is diving like a submarine. | | In Germany most of the good fly-fisher are fishing with bamboo-rods. | What is it in USA ?? | | Many serious fly fisherman I know own bamboo (often lots of), but most | only use them for "mood" or nostalgic moments, usually accompanied by | a pipe or cigar, and possibly some whisky. | | I certainly enjoyed casting three different bamboo rods, and have my | sights on buying some bamboo, but right or wrong, am spoiled and won’t | give up my graphite. | | Thomas Gilg Sure it has something nostalgic, maybe I am nostalgic too. I think you will agree with me when I say flyfishing is more than a hi-tec sport and not only the facts make you (and me) to buy a bamboo rod. And as longer I fish it’s more the fish in the water which fascinates me than the fish in my bag. It’s like the last sentence in Sherley Mc Lanes roman. In German it’s "Ich werde von Wassern verfolgt.". In english it has to be something like this: "I am followed by waters."       Olaf <Olaf Lindner                      | Technical University of Berlin    

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etc. It’s like the last sentence in Sherley Mc Lanes roman. In German it’s "Ich werde von Wassern verfolgt.". In english it has to be something like this: "I am followed by waters."       Olaf

My soul cringes at the thought of Shirley McLane (sp?) writing about fly fishing.  A River Runs Through It was written by *Norman* Maclean. Shirley M. is a weird US actress with strong views on her previous lives; Norman M. was very different. Incidentally, in the original he wrote "haunted" not "followed." Denbigh

Response:

Olaf Lindner writes: A friend of mine has 15 bamboo-rods, all made by Bjarne Fries probably the best bamboo-rod builder in the world each about 1200$.

Olaf if your friend had graphite instead of bamboo he could probable cover the same range of fishing situations with 6 to 8 rods at rather than 15.  Graphite has greater latitude.  He’d also have $12,000 to go to New Zealand.  I know where I’ll spend my money.

Response:

| | Olaf if your friend had graphite instead of bamboo he could probable cover | the same range of fishing situations with 6 to 8 rods at rather than 15.   That’s true but the point is not the range of fishing situations than the specia l action of a well built split cane rod. I see that this is a very dificult theme and at the end a personal decision. | Graphite has greater latitude.  He’d also have $12,000 to go to New Zealand.  I know | where I’ll spend my money. Hope you have fun. Olaf (Excuse me about the mistake with the names ‘Sherley’ and ‘Norman’. I don’t know  who it (Sherley) is (I only heard the name sometimes in the TV) but it sounds t errible.) — <Olaf Lindner                      | Technical University of Berlin    

Response:

Why they are fishing with a bamboo shaped rod and not with an original ??

Thomas J. Gilg’s response to Olaf Lindner is right on the mark.  The only thing I can add is that bamboo rod’s are wonderful for small eastern spring creeks with lot’s of brush overhead.  Maybe Olaf is faced with kind of situation.   One other thought is that not every bamboo rod is good.  I’ve cast lots of junk.  Good rods seem to start at around $1000 (new or old).  The collection craze has recently driven the price of bamboo rods out of sight good and bad.  I’ve seen people at shows pay +$400 for a machine made japanese piece of junk.  I just can’t justify paying +$1000 for a rod that for all it’s beauty will be out performed by a rod of 1/3 to 1/2 the price.

Response:

Some technical things in the movie were done beautifully.  Powell made bamboo shaped graphite rods to look like the originals,  and even matched all of the rod decorations, windings, etc., and the special lines that would show up on film were spectacular.  

Why they are fishing with a bamboo shaped rod and not with an original ?? They are much better and softer than these plastic rods. I got my first Spilt Cane rod on a Fly-Fishing congress in Germany these Spring for 800,- DM (about 500$). A friend of mine has 15 bamboo-rods, all made by Bjarne Fries probably the best bamboo-rod builder in the world each about 1200$. O.K. I agree with you when you say that’s crazy but Most people who have fished with one of these rods they will never again take these plastics. You can serve the fly much softer and for some special technics I don’t know the name in english (when you have to feel the bite or you want to lead the fly against the flow) they are probably the best choice because they are so soft and have and have a very special action. In Germany most of the good fly-fisher are fishing with bamboo-rods. What is it in USA ?? Olaf — <Olaf Lindner                      | Technical University of Berlin    

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