Question:

I’ve got three buddies that want to go with me to the lower part of Ontario to Walleye fish and to do some river/stream trout fish. I’ve been looking a little bit for a place that can suit all our needs but can’t seem to find one. Anyone got some suggestions? Thanks Matt

Response:

I’ve got three buddies that want to go with me to the lower part of Ontario to Walleye fish and to do some river/stream trout fish. I’ve been looking a little bit for a place that can suit all our needs but can’t seem to find one. Anyone got some suggestions? Thanks Matt

Typing with left hand here . . . Grand River – upper section, smallmouth & carp – upper mid-section,- mostly brown trout, occasional smallie, pike, and carp – middle section, smallmouth, some pike and carp, steelhead (in season). – lower section, smallmouth, pike, pickerel (walleye), gar pike, carp, mooneye (in season), chinook (in season), steelhead (in season). – lower section can be navigated by power boat; canoe and drift boat for the rest – don’t go over any weirs – it hurts. That should get you started. More to follow when both hands are working . . . Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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Typing with left hand here . . .

(snip) More to follow when both hands are working . . .

How did you do the caps?? Your nose? riverman

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Typing with left hand here . . . (snip) More to follow when both hands are working . . . How did you do the caps?? Your nose? riverman

No, my . . . never mind . . . CAPSLOCK ON, CAPSLOCK OFF, or just stretched out the pinkie Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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Typing with left hand here . . . (snip) More to follow when both hands are working . . . How did you do the caps?? Your nose?

Oh man, you just HAD to ask, didn’t you?! Wolfgang shiny new nickel says it ain’t his nose.      :(

Response:

– lower section, smallmouth, pike, pickerel (walleye), gar pike, carp,

Pickerel aren’t walleye on this side of the boder, Peter.  I think they used to be, but the more rigorous border checks since 9/11 make it tougher to travel on a false passport! Scott

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– lower section, smallmouth, pike, pickerel (walleye), gar pike, carp, Pickerel aren’t walleye on this side of the boder, Peter.  I think they used to be, but the more rigorous border checks since 9/11 make it tougher to travel on a false passport! Scott

I know, I know.  It’s made the education of our southern neighbours in the use of proper piscine terminology in the Queen’s English, so much more difficult.  These things are sent to try us. (Imagine calling a pike, a pickerel?  What is this world coming to? And a walleye?  Whoever heard of walls having eyes, let alone, swimming?) Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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I know, I know.  It’s made the education of our southern neighbours

        wtf is a "neighbour"?         yfitons         wayno  (damn brits never have been able to spell.)

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I know, I know.  It’s made the education of our southern neighbours    wtf is a "neighbour"?    yfitons    wayno  (damn brits never have been able to spell.)

a yank Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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Recieved the flies and want to say thanks–for some reason at a clave the guys seem to think I am a fly moocher–actually I am only an art appreciater. took my grandson to brim pond [he is trying to get fly fishing merit badge] put a yellaw  on and he caught  a brim on his first fly fishing lesson My buddy the newby came down and he caught  a bass on one of your purple jobs–he wants to buy a dozen flies. Think the glo glo stuff you put on bottom of fly really works. My trip thru Texas in August turned into a new Zealand trip in December so donm"t know when I will see you but wanted  you to know that BIG DALE  flies are a big hit in Carolina. Indian Joe McIntosh

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merit badge] put a yellaw  on and he caught  a brim on his first fly fishing lesson My buddy the newby came down and he caught  a bass on one of your purple jobs

That is the kind of feedback that I love. The only reason I tie them is for folks to catch fish with them. I can see the grin on your face from here as your grandson caught a brim on one. Big Dale

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That is the kind of feedback that I love. The only reason I tie them is for folks to catch fish with them.

Well BD, I was lucky enough to win some of your flies at two separate claves and I think I have told you before how much I have enjoyed them, but if not, I am now. <g I have caught bream, smallmouth, rainbows and browns off them here in GA and even tried a couple in the Baltic when I was in Denmark. Great flies. — Charlie…

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Actually, walleye are often called "yellow pike", not pickerel, and at one time there was a strain called "blue pike" in the lower Niagara.

There’s some talk that the blue pike isn’t extinct.  If it wasn’t packed, I find the literature review I have, done by MNR on all of the peer reviewed stuff on pickerel (walleye) and I’m pretty sure that there is one that mentions the blue pike.  It’s also know as the blue pickerel here (figures, eh?) http://www.nativefish.org/BluePike/ Just one more to add to our legacy. BTW, I’ve also heard of walleye/pickerel/yellow pike being referred to as pikeperch.  It’s seems mostly a European usage – same as zander. blue pikeperch n : variety inhabiting the Great Lakes [syn: blue pike, blue pickerel , blue walleye, Strizostedion vitreum glaucum] Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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BTW, I’ve also heard of walleye/pickerel/yellow pike being referred to as pikeperch.  It’s seems mostly a European usage – same as zander. blue pikeperch n : variety inhabiting the Great Lakes [syn: blue pike, blue pickerel , blue walleye, Strizostedion vitreum glaucum]

Where does Northern Pike fit into this? I’ve tried eating Northerns several times (once in Montana, once in Finland) and the local Finnish slang of ‘mudfish’ certainly applies to the bland taste. However, in Riga, Pikeperch was a local delicacy. I never ventured to try it, figuring it was a desperation food. riverman

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – BTW, I’ve also heard of walleye/pickerel/yellow pike being referred to as pikeperch.  It’s seems mostly a European usage – same as zander. blue pikeperch n : variety inhabiting the Great Lakes [syn: blue pike, blue pickerel , blue walleye, Strizostedion vitreum glaucum] Where does Northern Pike fit into this? I’ve tried eating Northerns several times (once in Montana, once in Finland) and the local Finnish slang of ‘mudfish’ certainly applies to the bland taste. However, in Riga, Pikeperch was a local delicacy. I never ventured to try it, figuring it was a desperation food. riverman

It gets confusing as pike get called all sorts of names south of the border, but north, it’s all pike – northern, (Esox lucius) and what is known as chain pickerel south of the border (Esox niger) or chain pike in the GWN.  Then there’s grass pike (Esox americanus vermiculatus) which is also known as grass pickerel plus a few other names, you know where.  Then there’s the muskie – Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy). BTW, fresh pike is very tasty. Anything with an Esox genius is in the pike family.  Apparently the word Esox means pike so who knows where the pickerel part came from. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – BTW, I’ve also heard of walleye/pickerel/yellow pike being referred to as pikeperch.  It’s seems mostly a European usage – same as zander. blue pikeperch n : variety inhabiting the Great Lakes [syn: blue pike, blue pickerel , blue walleye, Strizostedion vitreum glaucum] Where does Northern Pike fit into this? I’ve tried eating Northerns several times (once in Montana, once in Finland) and the local Finnish slang of ‘mudfish’ certainly applies to the bland taste. However, in Riga, Pikeperch was a local delicacy. I never ventured to try it, figuring it was a desperation food. riverman

Most of us up North here in the Midwest go for Walleye as the major game fish.  I find it okay to eat, but Northern Pike is delicious. I’d guess it depends on the habitat you find it in and the food it’s been eating, as with venison.  Might also matter how quickly and well it’s cleaned, too.  I slightly to greatly overcook it, so that might make a difference, too.   Local nickname for Notherns when I was a kid was ’snakes.’ — rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless remove invalid or hit reply to email. Though I’m very slow to respond. http://www.visi.com/~cyli

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Most of us up North here in the Midwest go for Walleye as the major game fish.  I find it okay to eat, but Northern Pike is delicious. I’d guess it depends on the habitat you find it in and the food it’s been eating, as with venison.  Might also matter how quickly and well it’s cleaned, too.  I slightly to greatly overcook it, so that might make a difference, too.   Local nickname for Notherns when I was a kid was ’snakes.’ — rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless remove invalid or hit reply to email. Though I’m very slow to respond. http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Speaking of walleyes ,"Cyli", Thursday I caught two of them in the old river channel between the dam and the powerhouse just north of your campsite on the Wisconsin R.. I also took 7 bass including one that had to push 4 lbs. All on a bunny leech variation called a "Koch’s Lamprey" and all within an hour and forty five minutes. You’ve got to head back this way soon. George C.

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    Speaking of walleyes ,"Cyli", Thursday I caught two of them in the old river   channel between the dam and the powerhouse just north of your campsite on the   Wisconsin R.. I also took 7 bass including one that had to push 4 lbs. All on a   bunny leech variation called a "Koch’s Lamprey" and all within an hour and forty   five minutes. You’ve got to head back this way soon. Nice bass! What kind of line were you using to get at the Walleyes? Usually they’re too deep to get them on fly gear. I fished with a guy a couple of times that was "crazy" about getting a big Walleye on a fly. The lower section of the Miracle Mile has a Walleye run in the Spring. I fished upstream for trout and he would troll the more placid water downstream with a clouser on a sink tip behind his bellyboat. He literally trolled all day hoping to get a Walleye. It took him a dozen trips before he got one. He said it weighed 10 pounds! VERY determined guy. Willi

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nice bass! What kind of line were you using to get at the Walleyes? Usually they’re too deep to get them on fly gear. I fished with a guy a couple of times that was "crazy" about getting a big Walleye on a fly. The lower section of the Miracle Mile has a Walleye run in the Spring. I fished upstream for trout and he would troll the more placid water downstream with a clouser on a sink tip behind his bellyboat. He literally trolled all day hoping to get a Walleye. It took him a dozen trips before he got one. He said it weighed 10 pounds! VERY determined guy. Willi

Believe it or not I was using a floating fly line with a 9′ leader. It was also at noon with nary a cloud in the sky. Go figure. The fish were stacked up below a small chute leading into a very large pool about 300 yards below the open gate of the dam. Were the fish there to hit on injured baitfish being washed down? Possibly. Also the freshwater lampreys the fly was tied to copy die after spawning, maybe I just lucked into a good situation. The lead eyes on the fly put it on the bottom which was maybe 5 or 6 feet. Needless to say, though, the walleyes were a surprise. George Cleveland

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Anything with an Esox genius is in the pike family.  Apparently the word Esox means pike so who knows where the pickerel part came from.

Walleye (some call them walleye pike) are in the perch family.  No Esox here Scott

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Anything with an Esox genius is in the pike family.  Apparently the word Esox means pike so who knows where the pickerel part came from. Walleye (some call them walleye pike) are in the perch family.  No Esox here Scott

I know, I just find all the tangling of all the names, interesting. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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I know, I just find all the tangling of all the names, interesting. Peter

The minute ya got em all down, they’ll just change em Scott

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Question:

Hey Paul.  Finally took your advice and bought a kayak.  I think perhaps they should be outlawed.  You can get too close to tailing reds and it makes them too easy to catch. And, you can onto real muddy flats in seconds.  Before it took me forever in snowshoes.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Fishing for bass with a small popper I cast to the edge of a stand of cat tails. I got a little too close and thought I had snagged one of the reeds. When everything exploded I thought I had a giant bass. Then I saw the black tubular shape and realized what I had snagged. I was in a kick boat and began kciking toward a shore line (double time) as I stripped out line. In just a few seconds I was to the backing and still stripping. Standing on dry land I began to retrieve line to find that the snake had wrapped around a stump and I was able to break it off. I didn’t care to land it and wasn’t a bit curious about what kind of snake it was.

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….spat on by a squirrel….

Thanks Herman, I just spewed a nice Cabernet all over the keyboard…….hm…….come to think of it, that’s not all that funny after all….been there.

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and carry a small dog for the gator’s. — Charlie…

        what is this?  a very short fill in the blank nature exam?         hehehehehehe…         wayno

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – and carry a small dog for the gator’s. — Charlie…    what is this?  a very short fill in the blank nature exam?    hehehehehehe…

Wondered if you’d catch that (but I was betting you would<g). It’s for the gator’s dog to play with while you and the gator discuss dance steps – shufflin’ like a gator as it were. — Charlie…

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and carry a small dog for the gator’s. — Charlie…         what is this?  a very short fill in the blank nature exam?         hehehehehehe…         wayno

speakin’ of gatahs…. go gatahs! (hehehehehhe..) obroff: watermelon pond, located about 20 miles west of g’ville, has it’s name due to the farmland dedicated to growing melons on the rolling hills which surround this placid body of water. the melon crop provides the local farmers with some hard earned money (try pickin and loading watermelons in a hot Florida sun someday) and the fertilizer eventually makes its way to the lake which promotes good aquatic flora, which in turn promotes good aquatic fauna, which in turn attracts the likes of me. as is the case with most lakes located in the karst topographical zone of north central Florida, it is for the most part a hard packed white sand bottom lake which makes it ideal for wading in pursuit of largemouths. as is the case of most Florida lakes, if not all, it has its fair share of reptillean critters, and i ain’t speaking of crackers. amidst the pads and maidencane is where the big bass lay, waiting for the misguided bluegill, shiner, frog, bird, or snake to meander by. one day, while i was retrieving my streamer i snagged some hydrilla. i started stripping it in real fast and this now foot long plus streamer is streaking across the surface. a bass decides it must be a snake and hooks hisself on this mess. as i was in mid-strip, the bass is skimming towards me on the surface. one second i was fishing a streamer, the next i was fishing a big weedy streamer, the following i was fishing an even larger fishy streamer, and the next second i was hooked into about a 5 foot gatah. well, he had my "streamer" in his mouth anyway. cool. way cool. shit. i’m standing in about three feet of water and i’m playing a gator about 30 feet away from me. he does a roll and heads under water. the line is being pulled off my reel so at least he’s heading away, unless of course he’s making a big circle, which by the way he was. he surfaced with much aplomb about 10 feet from me with that big ole silly gatah grin only broken by my dead bass hanging out the side of his mouth like a cherished stogie. with a swish of his tail he’s on me. surreal moments live forever. i still feel like i was a ‘nole stunt man in one of weismuller’s tarzan zanies wrasslin a gator underwater. the fly, a flashy buggah streamer, dubbed a "wallymelon" by my fishing companion, is still in my possession. this is how i earned the moniker…. –wally gatah

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– shufflin’ like a gator as it were. — Charlie…

        oh, you mean that little number waldo does while explaining his late evening whereabouts to the lovely marie?  now i understand. wayno (a beach boogie man)

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…. with a swish of his tail he’s on me. surreal moments live forever. …

Great story. Did you live ? — Ken Fortenberry- right leg’s getting long, pull the left next time

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Great story. Did you live ?

only in spirit(s)….. oh yeah, some, not all mind you, of that tale is fictional wayno, you drsob. you fishin hazel this week? –wally gatah

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…. with a swish of his tail he’s on me. surreal moments live forever. … Great story. Did you live ? —

Who cares – Did it take you into the backing? Peter

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Great story. Did you live ? only in spirit(s)….. oh yeah, some, not all mind you, of that tale is fictional wayno, you drsob. you fishin hazel this week? –wally gatah

        yessiree bob, although the party has been reduced to just me and ol dash riprock.  why don’t you come up and see us sometime.         no shit, we would love to have you.  will be in a posh cabin from tuesday night until saturday morning. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Food for nightmares.. A friend of mine fished the coastal waters around Florida. Pictures of alligators. BIG stingrays all around your ankles.

That’s why you should always shuffle your feet to scare the rays… and carry a small dog for the gator’s. — Charlie…

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Food for nightmares.. A friend of mine fished the coastal waters around Florida. Pictures of alligators. BIG stingrays all around your ankles. Now you’ve done it: tonight I’ll combine the two and dream about bellyboating, hooking a big alligator in the nostrils, paddling back to see a snake dangling from the very tree I’m aiming for. Herman Fishing for bass with a small popper I cast to the edge of a stand of cat tails. I got a little too close and thought I had snagged one of the reeds. When everything exploded I thought I had a giant bass. Then I saw the black tubular shape and realized what I had snagged. I was in a kick boat and began kciking toward a shore line (double time) as I stripped out line. In just a few seconds I was to the backing and still stripping. Standing on dry land I began to retrieve line to find that the snake had wrapped around a stump and I was able to break it off. I didn’t care to land it and wasn’t a bit curious about what kind of snake it was.

–         Cheers, Herman         Herman Nijland         Daytime webmaster         Lifetime flyfisher

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Yeah, right… scare the rays.. I’m Dutch, remember? The worst thing that can happen over here  while fishing, naturewise that is, is being spat on by a squirrel. Being circled by stingrays is already way out of that league. Herman, who wouldn’t put a toe in that water.

Yeah, but a lot of the ex-colonies have some interesting critters in the water<g. I don’t much care for gators, but bonefish flats are covered with rays. — Charlie…

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And that’s why one must always wear leaded wading boots when bonefishin’. Op

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yeah, right… scare the rays.. I’m Dutch, remember? The worst thing that can happen over here  while fishing, naturewise that is, is being spat on by a squirrel. Being circled by stingrays is already way out of that league. Herman, who wouldn’t put a toe in that water. Yeah, but a lot of the ex-colonies have some interesting critters in the water<g. I don’t much care for gators, but bonefish flats are covered with rays. — Charlie…

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Yeah, right… scare the rays.. I’m Dutch, remember? The worst thing that can happen over here  while fishing, naturewise that is, is being spat on by a squirrel. Being circled by stingrays is already way out of that league. Herman, who wouldn’t put a toe in that water. Food for nightmares.. A friend of mine fished the coastal waters around Florida. Pictures of alligators. BIG stingrays all around your ankles. That’s why you should always shuffle your feet to scare the rays… and carry a small dog for the gator’s. — Charlie…

–         Cheers, Herman         Herman Nijland         Daytime webmaster         Lifetime flyfisher

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Fishing for bass with a small popper I cast to the edge of a stand of cat tails. I got a little too close and thought I had snagged one of the reeds. When everything exploded I thought I had a giant bass. Then I saw the black tubular shape and realized what I had snagged. I was in a kick boat and began kciking toward a shore line (double time) as I stripped out line. In just a few seconds I was to the backing and still stripping. Standing on dry land I began to retrieve line to find that the snake had wrapped around a stump and I was able to break it off. I didn’t care to land it and wasn’t a bit curious about what kind of snake it was.

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Question:

Was last there five years ago and am thinking of going again in August and know they have a new system for permits with a new automated Provincial Parc permit phone # and all (which I have), but I’m not sure of my dates yet so I have a simple question: Is the system basically the same now as it was before, i.e., you call, reserve your permit, but then gotta pick it up and pay at one of the Ranger stations at the entry points?         Thanks in advance. Sure wish those folks designing these automated tele systems would think about how to provide a way to get some simple information in addition to providing rote services. tgb

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Is the system basically the

same now as it was before, i.e., you call, reserve your permit, but then gotta pick it up and pay at one of the Ranger stations at the entry points? I was sending my answer, when aol decided to close down, so I may be posting this twice. I just received my Remote Area Border Crossing Permit today. Since most or all of the remote customs areas have been closed, you either have to do it by mail or check in at a spot that may not be near your crossing. By mail. they want a photocopy of Birth Certificate and $30 per person or family. Mine took about 2 weeks to process. Dave http://members.tripod.com/~VideoDave

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In response to my question as to permits for Quetico camping DavesVideo I just received my Remote Area Border Crossing Permit today. Since most or all of the remote customs areas have been closed, you either have to do it by mail or check in at a spot that may not be near your crossing. By mail. they want a photocopy of Birth Certificate and $30 per person or family. Mine took about 2 weeks to process.

        Nah Dave, that’s a different thing. That’s for when you want to cross the Border at a … remote point of entry. But, for instance, if you are gonna go into the Parc from one of the northern entry points, and gonna come in from, say, Atikokan, and cross the border at Int’l Falls or Pigeon River, then you don’t need that, and that’s what I’m gonna do. That’s a permit to cross the border, needed at certain remote spots. What I’m interested in is the permit for camping. And my question again is whether the system for these is the same as it used to be: you call, reserve a permit for X date entry, then hafta pick same up at a Ranger station at the Parc when you go in, at which point you also pay. Answer anyone? tgb

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We’re doing the same thing this year – reserve permits and pick them up at a rangers station. For what it’s worth, we reserved our permits back in Feb which was before the new system was put into place. Was last there five years ago and am thinking of going again in August and know they have a new system for permits with a new automated Provincial Parc permit phone # and all (which I have), but I’m not sure of my dates yet so I have a simple question: Is the system basically the same now as it was before, i.e., you call, reserve your permit, but then gotta pick it up and pay at one of the Ranger stations at the entry points?    Thanks in advance. Sure wish those folks designing these automated tele systems would think about how to provide a way to get some simple information in addition to providing rote services. tgb

- Mark Chun Santa Barbara, CA

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In response to my post asking about current Quetico permit processes qrk We’re doing the same thing this year – reserve permits and pick them up at a rangers station. For what it’s worth, we reserved our permits back in Feb which was before the new system was put into place.

        Hey, thanks, and for what it’s worth I found out I’m already screwed. Called to get a permit (finally nailed down my possible dates of entry) and they seem to have zip available for Aug. 12, 13, 14, etc. at entry points not also requiring one of these new remote border crossing permits. Arrgg.         Anyone know of any nice lakes/areas up around SW Ontario not in Quetico where you can find some solitude, nice canoeing, and good smallmouth fly-fishing? Smallmouth just ain’t all that common once you get out of that neck of the woods. tgb

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Question:

I have an ‘M.sinensis giganteus’. The season is too short here in southern Ontario (USDA 5) and consequentially this majestic plant will not flower (go to seed).This grass is from, I believe, northern China/south eastern Russia.How can I ‘cheat’ the plant into flowering? Thanks for any and all help. John.

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I have an ‘M.sinensis giganteus’. The season is too short here in southern Ontario (USDA 5) and consequentially this majestic plant will not flower (go to seed).This grass is from, I believe, northern China/south eastern Russia.How can I ‘cheat’ the plant into flowering? Thanks for any and all help. John.

Where did you get this plant? I would love to have one.  I live in Oklahoma and the miscanthus I have do wonderfully.

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Where did you get this plant? I would love to have one.  I live in Oklahoma and the miscanthus I have do wonderfully.

  Get a copy of the Kurt Bluemel catalog. They specialize in grasses and their catalog lists 53 varieties of Miscanthus, typically at $6 each. Good quality plants.  Their address is 2740 Greene Lane Baldwin, MD 21013-9523 410 557-7229   Doesn’t your grass grow pretty much horizontal in all that wind? <g  I grew up near/in Enid. — Lloyd R. Fortney ….. http://www.phy.duke.edu/~fortney physics, research, teaching, photography, flower gardening, travel, and fly fishing

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Question:

If any one out there has mounted turkey tailfeathers in the fan position with the beard below, could you advise on how to remove the tail section (where to cut)? and how to preserve "set" the fan etc?

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If any one out there has mounted turkey tailfeathers in the fan position with the beard below, could you advise on how to remove the tail section (where to cut)? and how to preserve "set" the fan etc?

I have mounted several.  The easiest way is to buy a kit.  I bought a real nice one from Duns several years ago.  It had a solid Walnut plaque.  The only ones I can find in the catalogs now are press board with a laminate.  The kits come with all you need. With or without a kit, the first step is to cut off the tail along with about 6 inches of back skin and feathers.  Use a sharp knife to cut as much meat from the tail as you can without destabilizing the tail feathers.  Next you need some Borax.  It is hard to find.  I found some a Kmart several years ago.  A large box should last a lifetime. Be sure to get Borax not Boraxo (a combination of borax and soap).  Rub the borax into skin and any remaining meat.  A table spoon or two should be more than enough.  This acts as a preservative. The next step is to arrange the tail feathers.   Get a large cardboard box.  I use one of the large UHAUL moving boxes.  The box should be in its original flat form not folded into a box form.  Get a dozen or so nails.  Lay the box flat on the floor and put the tail on it.  Spread the feathers evenly to form a fan.  Use the nails like thumb tacks to hold the main tail feathers evenly apart.  Set this aside in a dry cool environment to set.  In a couple of weeks or less the tail will harden in the form you placed it in. Now, lets look at the beard.  When you pluck the bird, firmly but gently pull the beard from the breast.  It should come right off.  There are several ways to prep this for display.  My favorite is to use some heavy nylon thread (sewing store or fly fishing shop).  I like to wrap the top 1/4 inch of the beard with the thread.  You can tie the thread off neatly using the same technique bow mechanics use to finish a serving. You can find this technique in many archery magazines with pictures.  If you tie your own flies you probably are familiar with a Whip finish. This works fine as well.  I then coat the thread lightly with clear nail polish to help hold it in place.  Set this aside to dry. Now lets look at the spurs.  There are many techniques used to display these, but this is my favorite.  I use a hack saw to cross cut the leg just below and just above each spur.  Use a sharp knife to remove the scaly skin and any flesh from the bone.  Hot water helps.  Next I use a grinder or disc sander to flatten the sides of the bone and round the corners.  You want to end up with enough bone that is flat enough to drill a small hole through.  I usually buy a couple of gold colored brads from the hardware store.  Pick a drill bit slightly larger than the brads. If you get a kit, follow the directions for installing the pieces.  If not, you first want to make a shelf for the fan.  The dimensions depend on the size of your plaque.  Start with 1 x 1/2 x 6 inches.  Make a datto down the middle of the length of the shelf.  The datto should be about 1/2 inch wide and 1/4 inch deep.  This the dattoed side will be the bottom of the shelf.  Center the shelf from left to right on your plaque about 1/4 of the way down from the top.  Use screws through the back of the plaque to secure the shelf.  Next, set the fan on top of the shelf.  Use short drywall screws to screw through the base of the tail into the plaque.  Don’t worry about hiding the screws.  You will next make a half round cover plaque.  The flat side is the same length as the shelf.  The height at center is high enough to obscure the screws and ugly base of the tail.  This should be as thin as possible and can be any material you like.  It should be as thin as possible.  1/8 inch or less.  It is simply decorative.  You can use nice gold brads to secure it to the shelf.  You can put a picture or any decoration you want on the cover plaque.  Use three brads to secure the cover plate to the shelf.  You may want to drill slightly undersized holes for the brads. The center brad should be as long as the shelf is deep and centered on the shelf.  the height of all brads should be 1/2 of the depth of the datto. Next, insert the top of the beard into the center of the shelf datto. then insert the center brad through the cover plate, the front of the shelf, the beard, and the back of the shelf. Finally, position the spurs against the lower side of the main plaque on either side of the hanging beard.  Use two gold brads through the holes you drilled in the bone to secure the spurs. This is only one of many techniques. Enjoy, Jack

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Question:

ANYBODY BEEN TO BELIZE?  WHERE’S A NICE RESORT CLOSE TO WHERE THE ACTION IS?

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ANYBODY BEEN TO BELIZE?  WHERE’S A NICE RESORT CLOSE TO WHERE THE ACTION IS?

You can go to Ambergris Cay and stay in the town of San Pedro. There are good flats guides there or you can stay at the El Pescador Lodge near by. This is mostly 20 to 100 pound tarpon  and lot of small/medium bones, plus other species. Another choice is to go out to Turneffe Island and stay at Turneffe Flat Lodge or Turneffe Island Lodge. This is very good bonefishing and some permit and tarpon. On the mainland near Belize city is the Belize River Lodge that has a good variety of fishing. The most popular times are spring (April/May/June) and fall (Oct/Nov). If you need any info/brochures on any of these places just call us @800/4000FLY. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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Question:

Any suggestions for a line for Pike.  I am tempted to go for a floating shooting head, but noticed SA Mastery have a purpose built Pike line – Has anyone used this? Thanks

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Any suggestions for a line for Pike.  I am tempted to go for a floating shooting head, but noticed SA Mastery have a purpose built Pike line – Has anyone used this? ThanksYes.  I’ve used it for Muskie (and Largemouths).  It does everything I

need from such a line.  I can even roll-cast, after a fashion. Bob Lundy IWFFC Mississauga, ON http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rlundy — Bob Lundy IWFFC Mississauga, ON, Canada http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rlundy

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Any suggestions for a line for Pike.  I am tempted to go for a floating shooting head, but noticed SA Mastery have a purpose built Pike line – Has anyone used this? Thanks

Simon, I had great success for pike using a shooting head system with intermediate thru xtra-fast sink heads. I bought a couple of floating shooting heads, but never used them because they’re incredibly thick and bulky on the reel when compared with the sinking heads. Also, since you’ll probably be fishing big streamers and stripping them most of the time, it really doesn’t matter if the head sinks. (Often it’s even more desirable to use xtra-fast sink to get the streamers down to submerged weed beds. As to the special-purpose pike lines, I havn’t tried them because I just can’t justify a line which was built for just one specific purpose like that. A good shooting-head system is infinitely more versatile. (Plus allows you to cast heavier flies further and with less effort than a full-length line.) Regards, Fred

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Any suggestions for a line for Pike.  I am tempted to go for a floating shooting head, but noticed SA Mastery have a purpose built Pike line – Has anyone used this? Thanks

Simon,    I don’t think shooting heads will give you any advantages.  In fact, I think they’ll cause more problems than fix.  A long cast is not needed, and the pike often hit it close to the boat leaving you with a bunch of line to clear.  Sight fishing is also a definite possibility with pike, so you need a line that can deliver the fly accurately.  Also, in the spring and fall they are in shallow water, so a sinking line is not needed (maybe for summer).  I use a cortland pike taper, and it works fine, but I’ve thrown the same flies (2/0 bunny flies and mega-divers) with an inexpensive cortland 444 WF 8wt and a bass bug taper lazer line.  They work well enough.  In my opinion, a shooting taper is not the correct line.  A pike or bass bug floating weight forward is what I’d reccomend. Rob Gregoire

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Question:

Hi Group– Well there’s now a pro and a con posted re: clipping hackle.  As a beginner in both tying them and fishing them, I’d like to see more on this subject from more experienced fishers–what does Issac Walton think about it?  Not being able to justify 50 bucks "for a bunch of feathers" to my dubious spouse, I don’t have many Metz primo capes, so I’m always snipping away at my creations.  (The height of my success as a tyer so far came when she swatted a fly I had in my vice–I call it a size 14 Blue-Green Bent Hook Flathead Roadkill). Anyway, should I add clipped hackle to my list of tying blunders?

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Yes, it is kind of a hassle to tie both wieghted and unweighted flies and keep them separated in your fly boxes.  Using both has allowed me to catch fish when the traditional nymph patterns would not produce.

No hassle of they are colour-coded by tying thread.  My weighted nymphs are all tied with red thread, easy to see;  if I were a closer imitationist I could choose between black, tan and olive. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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No hassle of they are colour-coded by tying thread.  My weighted nymphs are all tied with red thread, easy to see;  if I were a closer imitationist I could choose between black, tan and olive. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Don, I do the same color coding with one small difference. I lead all my hooks first and use the color coded thread which I wrap down the bend of the hook a little. So, when I look in the flybox all I have to do is look under their little tails to see how I weighted them…   I know someone will come up with a good joke about looking under their tails (:^ Frank

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Don, I do the same color coding with one small difference. I lead all my hooks first and use the color coded thread which I wrap down the bend of the hook a little. So, when I look in the flybox all I have to do is look under their little tails to see how I weighted them… I know someone will come up with a good joke about looking under their tails (:^ Frank

Oh, I get it, Frank.  Sort of a variation on a lead-ass!  My father used to always call me that.  Now I know what he was talking about– the color of my underpants, which must have stuck out above my pants.  :^) (Sorry, best I could do under pressure.) :^( Charley

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        For slow to medium water, I’ve clipped a ^ into the bottom of the hackle for years. When I’m doing so, I deliberately use a hackle which is too long so that when trimmed will be the proper length.         The benefits of doing this are twofold. It sits very well on the water and has a terrific footprint on the water. A mayfly at rest on the water has long legs out to the side – not underneath it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well there’s now a pro and a con posted re: clipping hackle. When I started tying we had only Chinese and Idia necks.  We would have killed for a Metz #3 rooster neck.  Today they are around $30 and some shops split them in half or you might split one with a buddy. If you keep it away from bugs or you house pets they usually work to be a good long term investment with dries around $1.75 per each.  The most popular color is natural brown and then Grizzly.  Get some Pantone pens for coloring your Grizzly or Creme hackle in a pinch.  I haven’t clipped any hackle before, at least not on purpose, but I done think it would sit up like the natural ends.  Bill Kiene  Kiene’s Fly Shop  Sacramento, Ca.

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Well there’s now a pro and a con posted re: clipping hackle.

When I started tying we had only Chinese and Idia necks.  We would have killed for a Metz #3 rooster neck.  Today they are around $30 and some shops split them in half or you might split one with a buddy. If you keep it away from bugs or you house pets they usually work to be a good long term investment with dries around $1.75 per each.  The most popular color is natural brown and then Grizzly.  Get some Pantone pens for coloring your Grizzly or Creme hackle in a pinch.  I haven’t clipped any hackle before, at least not on purpose, but I done think it would sit up like the natural ends.  Bill Kiene  Kiene’s Fly Shop  Sacramento, Ca.

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Well can anyone out there give me a rule of thumb for weighting nymphs? My method in the past has been to first not weight the nymph itself so that it tumbled in the water more naturally.  I added weight (lead shot) about 8 inches up the tipet until JUST before my indicator would studder as the weight and nymph would drag the bottom.  I have always caught fish that way.  So I am fishing with this rookie who fished his nymph with no weight under an indicator.  I thought his nymph would never get anywhere near the bottom.  He started hooking fish and I was dry, both of us using the same PTs I had tied!.  Should I rething my nymphing strategy?  Can a nymph  act and be fished as an emerger with no modifications?  I’m thinking that these fish were wanting emergers and that my method for weighting is still very sound.  Opinions appreciated.  And please!  "No sticking to dry flys" cracks.

My experience in nymphing is that you should be prepared to offer both weighted and unweighted nymphs to actively feeding fish.  There are occasions when fish key on rising/hatching nymphs,  and virtually ignore bottom dwelling creatures even though they are plentiful. I try to tie my nymph flies to cover the full life cycle of the insect.  Something as simple as adding an emerging wing to a nymph can dramatically increase the effectiveness of a particular fly when nymphs are in transitional stage. As a rule of thumb for small nymphs (#14-#22) I add only enough weight to sink the fly a few inches.  I can always add or remove split shot to achieve the desired sink rate. Yes, it is kind of a hassle to tie both wieghted and unweighted flies and keep them separated in your fly boxes.  Using both has allowed me to catch fish when the traditional nymph patterns would not produce. I hope this helps. Bryan Bonds White River Anglers htttp://www.ipa.net/~bbonds Fayetteville, Ar

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:  (The height of my success as a tyer : so far came when she swatted a fly I had in my vice–I call it a size : 14 Blue-Green Bent Hook Flathead Roadkill).   Congratulations, Lee! Not often that the average joe can come up with a new pattern! You may want to publish it.  ;-  Anyway, should I add clipped hackle to my list of tying blunders?  My opinion, yes. It changes the appearnce of the fly. The fine tips of a natural feather make a difference in the silhoette and the floatabily. You may want to consider cheaper necks for now. The expensive one _are_ cheaper in the long run. More feathers per buck and fewer "bad" feathers per neck. The price is high to start though. Jon Porter

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Well can anyone out there give me a rule of thumb for weighting nymphs? My method in the past has been to first not weight the nymph itself so that it tumbled in the water more naturally.  I added weight (lead shot) about 8 inches up the tipet until JUST before my indicator would studder as the weight and nymph would drag the bottom.  I have always caught fish

[deleted] personally, i do not use my indicators like bobbers, constantly adjusting the weight until the perfect balance is acheived.  i much prefer using 3 to 5 tiny blobs of flourescent plastic indicator material (the sheet peel off types, not the big honking round versions of these…), Cortlands cut in 1/4ths or 1/6ths.  One right at the butt section/line connection and then spaced at 6-10 inch intervals.  this allows me to gauge… 1) depth of bug 2) directionality of leader 3) speed of drift 4) directionality of drift So you add some shot to get down and drown one or two of the indicators, so what …you can still see them under the water and see what attitude your your line is in relative to all the other variables. When you see a trout charge one of your sunken blobs of indicator you can switch to some kind of emerger and sagely pretend that you figured it out. Good fishing, Tim Walker

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Question:

Can anyone suggest a repellent for wasps and bees. On Monday I was stung twice while training. I will be competing in IMC and apparently the wasps can be a problem when cycling through the fruit orchards. I don’t want to go through the discomfort again and wouldn’t want my worst enemy to go through it either. I did a swim /bike workout yesterday. After putting on my wetsuit I was stung in the right heel. there was no significant swelling which is a plus in my favor. then an hour later on the bike I was stung on the back of my neck. I don’t know what it was but it must have been a wasp or bee. If there is a repellent I will put it on my body and also my bike. I found that the wasps seemed to be attracted to the gatorade that had splashed on the bike frame and bottle. they were landing on both and ’sniffing’ around. Any suggestions would ‘bee’ appreciated!! TriFiend

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The only thing I’ve found that actually works for wasps is lavender (the plant). The fishing clubs usually plant it along the river banks near where I live to keep the little bastards away. I don’t know whether there is a commerical product that does the same. Usually a  bit rubbed into the skin works ok, with the disadvantage that you smell like Joan Collins’ knickers for a while. Most bug repellants only seem to be directed toward mosquitos and midges and you sweat them off anyway. I had quite a lot of success with some tablets I got from a camping/climbing shop that made your sweat unattractive to them. Only problem was after a while I started turning yellow  (ha ha). I now find mosquitos and wasps the ideal motivation for impromptu fartlek sessions, in fact I did a 10K PB after being chased by a Horse fly last month…. really helps with the 5K kick ! tim

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Can anyone suggest a repellent for wasps and bees. On Monday I was stung twice while training. I will be competing in IMC and apparently the wasps can be a problem when cycling through the fruit orchards. I don’t want to go through the discomfort again and wouldn’t want my worst enemy to go through it either. I did a swim /bike workout yesterday. After putting on my wetsuit I was stung in the right heel. there was no significant swelling which is a plus in my favor. then an hour later on the bike I was stung on the back of my neck. I don’t know what it was but it must have been a wasp or bee. If there is a repellent I will put it on my body and also my bike. I found that the wasps seemed to be attracted to the gatorade that had splashed on the bike frame and bottle. they were landing on both and ’sniffing’ around. Any suggestions would ‘bee’ appreciated!! TriFiend

As far as I know, there is no repellent for wasps or bees.  Chances are better of getting stung by a wasp then a bee.  A bee dies after it stings something, so will only sting when bothered, just riding by on a bike will not make it sting you.  As far as wasps, they are natures best terrorists. The best prevention from them is to wear light colored clothing.  They seem to attack dark colored moving objects more that light colored. The reason you see them around the gatorade is because they love sugar. If you want to keep them away from your bike, just use water in the bottles.                                                 Brian

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Question:

4.  Is there a difference between using the gym’s treadmill and running on    concrete?  Which would you recommend?  (I live in NYC, and do not wish    to train on the streets due to the traffic lights, crime, pollution,    and killer taxi cab drivers.)  Is treadmill running easier or harder    than ‘actual’ running?

Having just bought one of these beasts (Image 935), I’ve been looking into this question. According to a book I found, treadmill running requires about the same amount of energy as regular running. The major difference is that on the treadmill, you don’t have any air resistance, so treadmill running will require a little less energy, but not much. Running on a flat treadmill will be like running slightly downhill. Give it a 1-2% incline and it will be equivalent to regular running on the flat. An advantage of treadmill running (besides convenience and weather-issues) is that you can run "uphill" indefinitely without any downhill running. Also, the current state of your training is spelled out with inescapable scientific precision, especially if you use a pulse monitor. There’s an article on treadmills in last month’s Runner’s World. —

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Hi!  I am seriously thinking about ‘running’ as a work-out routine, with the NYC Marathon in ‘93 as my goal.  I would appreciate any pointers to a FAQ file (if there is any). Hit ‘n’ now to avoid my zzzzzzz questions ….. I’ve started reading Richard Benyo’s book, "Making The Marathon Your Event" (October 1992, Random House) and have a fair idea on how much commitment it would take to get to a marathon-level-of-fitness.  I was wondering if there are others who did this hard/easy/easy routine, and if there are any caveats or tips that can be shared with the newsgroup. Why a marathon?  Because it seems to demand a work-out schedule/intensity which will hopefully put me in a better shape for my current sport, skydiving.  I also find it helpful to have developmental ‘goals’ such as completing a marathon or learning a new movement in the air.  Currently, I’m about 10 pounds over ideal (distributed, as opposed to localized), and have a haphazard workout schedule/program composed of stair climbing, rowing, and light-and-slow Nautilus.  Hopefully, this *will* change by next week! Additional questions: 1.  Do any marathoners have a 3-times-a-week program for running (as opposed     to Benyo’s 5-times-a-week schedule? 2.  Any asthmatics out there who can offer me ‘tips’ on avoiding and/or     recognizing such problems while running? 3.  Anyone in netland have {+/-} comments about (a) Guarana; (b) Yohimbe     bark extract as energy boosters/supplements to running? 4.  Is there a difference between using the gym’s treadmill and running on     concrete?  Which would you recommend?  (I live in NYC, and do not wish     to train on the streets due to the traffic lights, crime, pollution,     and killer taxi cab drivers.)  Is treadmill running easier or harder     than ‘actual’ running? 5.  Should I just give up my initial goal of doing the NYC marathon in     six hours, and take up fly-fishing on the Husdon river instead ? Thanks in advance!  Hopefully, your answers will be posted to rec.running so ‘lurkers’ can benefit from your advice, too! Weird comment:  When you’re running on a treadmill in one of those gyms and a person starts out on the treadmill next to you, does it irritate you (as much as me) if that person just came from a smoking break, and decided to share his/her odor while doing a lo-ong and slo-ow treadmill walk?  What would you do, if this happens to you? Live long and prosper, Vannevar P.S.  Happy Holidays to All! — * #include<std_disclaimer.h    /* Life is short, and then you bounce. */ * * SnailMail: 50 West 34th St. # 19-B8, New York, NY  10001-3091           *

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