Question:

Craig, My club does have two different awards at the end of the year – one for the most weight and one for the highest number of fish.  Each participant receives 1 bonus pound per day for participation in the tournament.  Occasionally, different individuals will win the two awards but one person wins both the majority of the time.  We also have a different award for the largest single fish during the year. This system seems to work fine for us.  The winners are usually determined at the last tournament of the year but we occasionally have someone run away with the competition.   Lamar Middleton Winter Haven, FL http://www.LMbassguideFL.com

Response:

I have been reading the Bass Club Point scoring Advice string with interest over hear in England. Why do you not have two competitions. One for the largest fish caught. One for the most fish caught. This would give recognition for the skill of catching prize fish and for consistency and skill at catch the most amount of fish regularly. — Have a great day. Go fly fishing! <  <  <  < <  < <

  <   <   <  <  <  < Craig Moore The English Fly Fishing Shop www.flyfishing-flies.com

Response:

Question:

Hi All on the Caribbean Travel News Group, If you have any questions about traveling or staying in Belize, I would contacted Marge Perez. She runs a travel agency at the International airport outside Belize City. Margie worked for Tropic Air for many years and knows the country better than most people. She has friends or relatives in many places in Belize. She is used by the famous Orvis Company (USA) for cordinating their customers that travel to Belize. She is on-line and will have a web site up soon. I have a good knowledge of the fly fishing in Belize if you need any help there.

Response:

I have a good knowledge of the fly fishing in Belize if you need any help there——What kind if fly fishing? In streams or in bays? What kind of fish?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All on the Caribbean Travel News Group, If you have any questions about traveling or staying in Belize, I would contacted Marge Perez. She runs a travel agency at the International airport outside Belize City. Margie worked for Tropic Air for many years and knows the country better than most people. She has friends or relatives in many places in Belize. She is used by the famous Orvis Company (USA) for cordinating their customers that travel to Belize. She is on-line and will have a web site up soon. I have a good knowledge of the fly fishing in Belize if you need any help there.

Response:

Question:

Please teach a newbie gardener the basics of dividing irises.  The specific Iris I have in mind is Siberian, I think, tall with lance-shaped leaves and small blooms.  The plant itself is doing wonderfully (20 blossoms and counting), but I’ve noticed that it’s taken on a circular growing pattern, with a blank space of soil at the center.  I understand that this is a sign that the plant needs to be divided and/or moved. How do I cut the rhiozomes to divide the plant? When is the best time of year to perform the operation? Do irises need to be moved to fresh soil occasionally?

Siberian irises have bulbs, not rhizomes.  You divide them [in the fall] by cutting off all the leaves about 4" above ground level, digging up the entire clump, gently splitting the bulbs apart, and replanting at about 6" depth, and 8-12" separation.  To avoid fungus problems, I generally wash and dry the bulbs before replanting, and dust with sulphur, but this is completely optional. To divide rhizomatous iris, cut off the leaves, dig up the clump, wash off the soil, and, using a sharp knife, divide the rhizomes into groups of 1-3 leaf bundles.  Dry very well, and dust with sulphur before replanting, with the rhizomes above the ground.  [In very cold areas you put winter mulch on the rhizomes after the ground freezes, and remove it in early spring.] As long as you are fertilizing regularly, your irises don’t need to be moved to a new location. Chris Owens

Response:

Siberian irises have bulbs, not rhizomes.

  Did you mean the reverse?  Mine grow in expanding grass-like clumps of nearly solid root mass so it’s hard to tell.  Looks more like a rhizome.   With healthy clumps of Cesears Brother, I’ve heard it recommended to dig them up and run over them with a car until you get them broken into managable clumps.  It’ll take a pick ax to get mine out of the ground. — Lloyd Fortney http://www.phy.duke.edu/~fortney/ has links to my garden, flower, flyfishing, and travel JPEG images as well as teaching, research, and stuff like that

Response:

Please teach a newbie gardener the basics of dividing irises.  The specific Iris I have in mind is Siberian, I think, tall with lance-shaped leaves and small blooms.  The plant itself is doing wonderfully (20 blossoms and counting), but I’ve noticed that it’s taken on a circular growing pattern, with a blank space of soil at the center.  I understand that this is a sign that the plant needs to be divided and/or moved. How do I cut the rhiozomes to divide the plant? When is the best time of year to perform the operation? Do irises need to be moved to fresh soil occasionally? Thanks in advance, Doctor Fang

Response:

Please teach a newbie gardener the basics of dividing irises. The specific Iris I have in mind is Siberian, I think, tall with lance-shaped leaves and small blooms.  The plant itself is doing wonderfully (20 blossoms and counting), but I’ve noticed that it’s taken on a circular growing pattern, with a blank space of soil at the center.  I understand that this is a sign that the plant needs to be divided and/or moved.

Sounds like a siberian, if the leaves are half an inch or so in width. Divided, yes perhaps.  It may be a good idea, but isn’t absolutely necessry if it’s blooming well and you’re satisfied with the appearance.  20 blooms isn’t a lot for a clump. How do I cut the rhiozomes to divide the plant?

Cut the foliage back to about 6" on the part you are about to cut away, so you can see what you are doing.  Take a sharp pointed spade and make a vertical cut through the ring.  Drive the spade down as deeply as you can.  You want to get as much root as possible.  Siberians are very deep rooted.  Move along the ring to include as many crowns as you want, or perhaps about 6" and make another cut.  If necessary cut also along the outside edge to free the section up and then remove it.  Take as much soil with the division as possible, to minimize root disturbance. Some people advocate doing this to a long established clump every year, removing 1/4 to 1/3 of the clump.  Each year you take the oldest remaining section.  When a section is removed it’s replaced with fresh enriched top soil.  This goes a long way to eliminating the ring effect and leaves a large established clump mostly intact to look good and still bloom well the next year. When is the best time of year to perform the operation?

Siberians are tough.  When it’s finished blooming you can divide it.  The foliage should be cut back (as above).  Keep the new division very well watered for at least several weeks to help them re-establish.  If you don’t want or haven’t room for the divisions send them to me! Do irises need to be moved to fresh soil occasionally?

No, but they grow more vigorously in soil that hasn’t grown iris before or in many years.  Iris give off a substance which acts as a growth inhibitor. Dennis Mathiasen Central NY Zone 4b

Response:

Question:

One approach, although rather unconventional, would be to turn down all the cork handles on all your rods. Then take a meat cleaver and cut off your fingers at the first digit.  This should make the turn-downed handles work fine. Of course, you’ll have to re-learn the art of tying the fly to tippet. For a professional job, I think you’re going to have to remove the guides. Unless you don’t mind wrapping the handle with the fisherman’s friend, masking tape. Good luck.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – When my daughter was rather small, I turned down the handle of a rod to fit her hand. I assumed that I would sell the rod or pass it on to another small child when she outgrew it. She’s bigger now, and before I give the rod up, I would like to find out whether anyone has successfully added material to a cork handle. I don’t want to get into removing all the guides, which is the only way I know to get new cork onto a rod. Any ideas? Thanks, Allen

Allen, You could remove the remaining cork and the wraps for the winding check. Move the winding check up the shaft (out of the way). Then add new corks rings that have been cut in half. Don’t align all the cuts in-a-line from ring to ring. Turn to the rough final shape and patch the cut marks. If done correctly – the cuts will looksomewhat  like the normal filled-in marks on a cork grip. Then sand to the final shape. Move the winding check back and rewrap. Don Burns Wishful collector of Gillums and Dickersons – Owner of Montague, H-I and Heddons

Response:

  Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly   One approach, although rather unconventional, would be to turn down all   the cork handles on all your rods. Then take a meat cleaver and cut off   your fingers at the first digit.  This should make the turn-downed handles   work fine. Of course, you’ll have to re-learn the art of tying the fly to   tippet.

You _CLEARLY_ win the "tip of the month" for this one.  I’m still laughing. Can’t think of an appropriate prize… maybe a knife sharpener. 3 Cheers,         -tony — Tony Gades. Seattle, WA.  USA http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades/Fishing/fish_page.html email: replace the "this_address_is_wrong" with "tgades"

Response:

When my daughter was rather small, I turned down the handle of a rod to fit her hand. I assumed that I would sell the rod or pass it on to another small child when she outgrew it. She’s bigger now, and before I give the rod up, I would like to find out whether anyone has successfully added material to a cork handle. I don’t want to get into removing all the guides, which is the only way I know to get new cork onto a rod. Any ideas? Thanks, Allen

Response:

When my daughter was rather small, I turned down the handle of a rod to fit her hand. I assumed that I would sell the rod or pass it on to another small child when she outgrew it. She’s bigger now, and before I give the rod up, I would like to find out whether anyone has successfully added material to a cork handle. I don’t want to get into removing all the guides, which is the only way I know to get new cork onto a rod.

Possibly mountain bike handlebar wrap or noeprene strips.  not classy but potentially light and very comfortable. See next weeks SPAM: "NeoGrip !! Revolutionary Grip Material" — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

When my daughter was rather small, I turned down the handle of a rod to fit her hand. I assumed that I would sell the rod or pass it on to another small child when she outgrew it. She’s bigger now, and before I give the rod up, I would like to find out whether anyone has successfully added material to a cork handle. I don’t want to get into removing all the guides, which is the only way I know to get new cork onto a rod. Any ideas? Thanks, Allen

This may be a silly idea, and may not work at all, but then again, , If you have a decent bicycle shop in town, stop on by and check out their selection of handlebar tape. There is at least one decent quality natural cork tape out there, and a wrap of that might just do the trick. Worth lookin into anyway. luv chipper

Response:

Question:

This weekend I will be staying 4 days in Acadia/Bar Harbor, Maine and I have no idea where to flyfish, and what is being used. Please help.  I am not familiar with the area, and I will not have a boat.  Just a pole, me and my waders..the way I like it best. Mac

Response:

Hi There, I fish that area of Maine a lot during the summer, but I have a boat.  You might try Long Pond, just outside Somesville.  It’s a beautiful lake with landlocked salmon and smallmouth bass.  You can rent canoes there too so you can actually get out on the water.  The bass take surface poppers during the early hours in the summer.  You might try in the middle of the lake in what’s called the "narrows" between the Eastern and Western arms.   You also might want to try fishing for smallmouth on the Union River, just north of Ellsworth.  I’ve never fished the river, but the lake (Graham) is pretty good.   If you want to go farther afield, you can try the Penobscot north of Bangor.  There are plenty of places to get down to the river.  The fishing will be mostly for smallmouth bass.The ride is about an hour and a quarter from Bar Harbor.   Hope this helps. Mac Rubel

Response:

This weekend I will be staying 4 days in Acadia/Bar Harbor, Maine and I have no idea where to flyfish, and what is being used. Please help.  I am not familiar with the area, and I will not have a boat.  Just a pole, me and my waders..the way I like it best. Mac

Mac, In the park, try upper and lower breakneck ponds and witch hole pond. Also, bubble pond can be waded but I’ve never had much luck there.  I know of no good streams in the area.  If you find any please let me know.  Good luck, Rick

Response:

This weekend I will be staying 4 days in Acadia/Bar Harbor, Maine and I have no idea where to flyfish, and what is being used. Please help.  I am not familiar with the area, and I will not have a boat.  Just a pole, me and my waders..the way I like it best. Mac Many ponds in the park although I don’t know if they are Open or not.I

think all ponds in Maine are open until the end of Oct. but I am not sure of this.If you are serious about getting some good fishing in you gotta get to the Kennebec River.About 2 hours from Bar Harbor. The Fairfield Area is a good base of operation.Stop by Flyfishing Only and ask Mike whats working.This area has Browns,Rainbows,Brookies and Salmon. Downriver from Fairfield about 20 miles is Augusta and I understand the Stripers are really hot right now.Just fish anywhere below the Edwards Dam. Good Luck

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This weekend I will be staying 4 days in Acadia/Bar Harbor, Maine and I have no idea where to flyfish, and what is being used. Please help.  I am not familiar with the area, and I will not have a boat.  Just a pole, me and my waders..the way I like it best. Mac Many ponds in the park although I don’t know if they are Open or not.I think all ponds in Maine are open until the end of Oct. but I am not sure of this.If you are serious about getting some good fishing in you gotta get to the Kennebec River.About 2 hours from Bar Harbor. The Fairfield Area is a good base of operation.Stop by Flyfishing Only and ask Mike whats working.This area has Browns,Rainbows,Brookies and Salmon. Downriver from Fairfield about 20 miles is Augusta and I understand the Stripers are really hot right now.Just fish anywhere below the Edwards Dam. Good Luck

You might look for the book: "The Downeast Guide to the Lakes and Ponds of Mt. Desert" by William P. Newlin.  ISBN 0-89272-270-3  Downeast BooksP.O. box 679, Camden, ME 04843.  Best luck fishing.

Response:

Question:

I’ll be staying up at Moosehead the week of the 28th. (Not the best time of year, I know.) I’d appreciate any  recommendations for stream or pond fishing in the area. Thanks, Jim — Opinions expressed are my own, and not those of D&B Software.

Response:

I’ll be staying up at Moosehead the week of the 28th. (Not the best time of year, I know.) I’d appreciate any  recommendations for stream or pond fishing in the area. Thanks, Jim — Opinions expressed are my own, and not those of D&B Software.

Try the East Outlet and the Roach River. Wilson Pond, Secret Pond, Big Squaw, and Rum Pond. Ask Danny Legere at the Maine Guide Fly Shop what’s working and where. He’ll be a big help. Bill Reg. ME Master Guide Lic. NYS Guide — Bill Fling                     Tel. (315) 298-3044 SALMON RIVER ANGLERS LODGE     FAX  (315) 298-2619 P.O. Box 353                   Rt. 13, Rome Road Pulaski, NY 13142-0353   ‘SALMON RIVER/LAKE ONTARIO SPORTFISHING REPORTS’             ‘http://www.salmon-river.com’

Response:

Question:

It’s pretty sad when the first post to a new group, fly tying, is SPAM. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The FISHING LOG is a Powerful Software Program for Windows  It tracks every aspect of your fishing trips/sessions in great detail. It is colorful, extremely powerful and very user friendly. Keeps track of just about anything you can think of in Fresh Water or Salt. It is a large program of research quality but you can just keep up the sections YOU wish. Export data to other programs for analysis, printing  and charting. The best part is that if you download it yourself it is FREE. Mind that the last characters in the WWW address are all UPPERCASE!                 Bob Sheedy                Master Angler http://www.mbnet.mb.ca/~sheedyr/FISHING.HTM

Response:

The FISHING LOG is a Powerful Software Program for Windows  It tracks every aspect of your fishing trips/sessions in great detail. It is colorful, extremely powerful and very user friendly. Keeps track of just about anything you can think of in Fresh Water or Salt. It is a large program of research quality but you can just keep up the sections YOU wish. Export data to other programs for analysis, printing  and charting. The best part is that if you download it yourself it is FREE. Mind that the last characters in the WWW address are all UPPERCASE!                  Bob Sheedy                 Master Angler http://www.mbnet.mb.ca/~sheedyr/FISHING.HTM

Response:

Question:

Help!  I can’t make my rod tiptop stay put.  I am considering epoxy.  Do any of you rod-building types out there have advice on the subject?   Thanks! Randy Walsh

Make sure that you use 5 minute epoxy, and nothing stronger!!  Should you ever be required to replace the tiptop and you have used rgular epoxie, you will most likely damage the blank attempting to remove the tiptop.  It also may be a good idea before you attempt to epoxy the top in place that you clean the area of the tip where the top will be. Any dirt or grease will definitely affect the bonding ability of the epoxy.  As well you want to ensure that there is no shine where the epoxy will be.  If that section of the blank is shiny scuff it with a plastic type scouring pad.  A good product for this is something called smooth scuff.  All you want to do is scuff the finish.  You do NOT want to remove the finish and risk cutting into the fibre of the blank.  This is why you should not use sandpaper.  To clean the blank, just use a little rubbing or denatured alcohol and let it dry before you apply the 5 minute epoxy. Ian Scott Wishbone Custom Rods 2 Henry St.,  RR 1 Grand Valley, Ont., 519-928-2906

Response:

There is some risk with 5-min epoxy for tip-top attachment. Depending on the polymer mixture used (including Devcon’s), the epoxy may not retain its flexibility and the tip may fatigue and snap over repeated hook sets, fish etc. I would recommend going to a polymer which provides some flexibility when cured and retains elasticity under high loads (epoxy, on the other hand, loses elasticity at high loads upon curing and can result in a "brittle" fracture not unlike cast iron). One such product is manufactured by Flex Coat and comes in a solid "stick" form which is melted with head and rubbed onto the tip of the rod prior to application. Ryan Jordan

Response:

Help!  I can’t make my rod tiptop stay put.  I am considering epoxy.  Do any of you rod-building types out there have advice on the subject? Thanks! Randy Walsh

Devcon 5 MINUTE epoxy. Phil Koenig Mattan Custom Tackle http://fishdoc.com./

Response:

Help!  I can’t make my rod tiptop stay put.  I am considering epoxy.  Do any of you rod-building types out there have advice on the subject? Thanks! Randy Walsh Devcon 5 MINUTE epoxy. Phil Koenig Mattan Custom Tackle http://fishdoc.com./

I use the same medium cure epoxy I use on the rod seat and cork handle. Don’t could on the flex coat and wrap to hold it on. My tip tops tack a lot of beating in trees etc.

Response:

Help!  I can’t make my rod tiptop stay put.  I am considering epoxy.  Do any of you rod-building types out there have advice on the subject?   Thanks! Randy Walsh

Response:

Randy Walsh writes: Help!  I can’t make my rod tiptop stay put.  I am considering epoxy.  Do any of you rod-building types out there have advice on the subject?   Thanks!

Try 5 minute epoxy. It will hold and is reversable with heat. Jonathan Clarke

Response:

Help!  I can’t make my rod tiptop stay put.  I am considering epoxy.  Do any of you rod-building types out there have advice on the subject?   Thanks! Randy Walsh

Flexcoat sells tip top adhesive that you apply with heat.  Then, if the tip’s not on proper, or you want to remove it, just heat it up and fix it, or take it off.  You can find it in most fly fishing catalogs.  The problem with epoxy is that if you get it on crooked, too bad. Steve

Response:

Help!  I can’t make my rod tiptop stay put.  I am considering epoxy.  Do any of you rod-building types out there have advice on the subject?   Thanks! Randy Walsh

You should be using epoxy, the 5 minute type. This will allow you to remove the tip or replace the tip with a little heat. Good luck Dennis & George

Response:

writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Help!  I can’t make my rod tiptop stay put.  I am considering epoxy. Do any of you rod-building types out there have advice on the subject?   Thanks! Randy Walsh You should be using epoxy, the 5 minute type. This will allow you to remove the tip or replace the tip with a little heat. Good luck Dennis & George

The other consideration (I think) might be the fit.  I have had problems in the past if the tip was Just a little too large.  I’ve used the hot glue method for years and had no serious problems if the fit was right…. Steve

Response:

Question:

I am planning to go to Mammoth in a few weeks.  Has anyone fished the San  Joaquin recently?  How about Upper Owens, Lake Crowley, Hot Creek, Twin Lakes, etc.   Any info. on fishing conditions, water levels, etc. would be greatly appreciated.                  /                                  John Woodling                 /                                   Sacramento, CA                /                   "The lure of fishing is that it is the pursuit of that which is elusive, yet attainable……an endless series of occasions for hope"

Response:

Got mixed reports from people who fished at Mammoth a week ago.  Some said they were skunked (fly fishermen) and some (bait fisherman?) said they caught good sized fish in Lake George or Mary. We were south of Bishop at 9000-9800′ lakes (Shadow, Ediza) and my fly fishing hubbie didn’t catch anything.  Some of the lakes were frozen and thawing fast. Mosquitos were awful (probably still are).  Your best bet is to check with Mammoth (1) fly fishing shops and (2) fly fishing groups (FFF) when you get into Mammoth.  Info on them and lots of other good stuff is in the freebie publications available at local Chamber of Commerce and Ranger’s station. : I am planning to go to Mammoth in a few weeks.  Has anyone fished the San :  Joaquin recently?  How about Upper Owens, Lake Crowley, Hot Creek, Twin : Lakes, etc.   Any info. on fishing conditions, water levels, etc. would be : greatly : appreciated. :     :             :                  /                                  John Woodling :                 /                                   Sacramento, CA :                /                   : "The lure of fishing is that it is the pursuit of that which is elusive, : yet attainable……an endless series of occasions for hope"

Response:

Question:

| Can anyone suggest the name/number of a good guide in that area.  If | you don’t know of a guide, can someone send me the name of a tackle | shop in Williamsport (information does not have a yellow page | look-up). I don’t personally know guides in Williamsport, but I know of two fly shops: The Pennsylvania Outdoor Warehouse, and E. Hille Angling Supplies. I’m sure one/both of them would be able to help, Fred P.S. Almost forgot; Barry and Cathy Beck have "Beckies Angling Supplies"      in nearby Benton, PA. on the banks of Fishing Creek. They’re both      world-renouned anglers, and I believe they provide a guide service      thru the shop. Yes, they would definitely be the folks to contact      in the Williamsport area… —         Fred L. Templin

Response:

I am going to Williamsport, PA on 4/29 – 5/1 to work.  My wife is coming along and wants to do some fly fishing on Sat (4/30).  As it’s her birthday, I want to get her a guided trip. Can anyone suggest the name/number of a good guide in that area.  If you don’t know of a guide, can someone send me the name of a tackle shop in Williamsport (information does not have a yellow page look-up).  I would call my contact for the job, except he lives too far from Williamsport. Thanks for any assistance.   Jim Impara ps We are going to the Keys (Marathon — staying at Rainbow Bend Resort) next week.  Also connected with a work trip.  We have booked the boat Pursuit (Capt Frank Waters) for a 1/2 day trip.  Hope the Mahi Mahi are in.  We will do some close in fishing (around bridges and such) during the rest of the week.  If we have a good catch, I’ll post a note.

Response: